Saturday, December 12, 2009

The people of God, which is I, and which is you.

We shall see,
For certain we shall see,
the day that has been promised us,
on the tablet of eternity.

When these high mountains

of tyranny
will drift away like wisps of cotton.

And beneath our feet, the feet of the oppressed,

the earth will tremble.
Lightning crack above the heads of kings,
And thunder roar.
Yes, we will see that day.

When from the abode of God (Kab'a),

false idols will be driven out,
And we, the pure of heart,
long forbidden from the sacred place -
We, yes, we will be seated on those high cushions.
All thrones overturned.
Crowns trampled underfoot.

Remaining only the Name of God,

That which is absent, but present too,
That which is the spectacle, and also the beholder.
Then will rise the cry - I am the Truth (ana al haq)
That which is I,
And which is you.

And then will reign

The people of God,
Which is I,
And which is you.

Yes we shall see,

For certain we shall see,
We shall see.


By Faiz Ahmed Faiz (translation found here)


Faiz wrote this ghazal, which was later sung by Iqbal Bano under the regime of Zia ul Haq. This was a time when Faiz Ahmed Faiz was banned and imprisoned for criticizing the dictatorship, and also for his marxist/communist beliefs. Iqbal Bano showed courage in singing his verses; thus, indirectly attacking the dictatorship.
It has been said that Faiz Ahmed Faiz was not an atheist. See this: http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/faiz-was-neither-an-atheist-nor-a-traitor-agha-nasir


Listen to Iqbal Bano.

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