Call Of The Marching Bell [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

THE
PRESENT
CIVILIZATION

(BASED ON A VERSE OF FAIZ)

Introduction

For
Shaikh Ab al-Faiz Faiz Fayz Akbarbd see Appendix 1, No.

26 . This poem ,
as the name shows, is a critique of the present day Western civilization and its
influence on the thinking of Muslims especially the Muslim youth. Exposing the
hollowness and poisonous effects of the Western civilization on humanity in
general and on Muslims in particular is a strong pillar of the edifice of
Allmah Iqbls thought. Examples of this abound in Bng-i-Dar as well
as in all his prose and poetic writings. It is difficult to select the best few
for citing and so we refrain from it. Many of these have appeared at different
places in this book .
Translation

Extremely excessive is the heat of current civilizations wine

The clay body of the Muslim has exploded into flames

It made the speck into fire-fly by giving it borrowed light

Just look at what the trickery of the splendid sun is

The nature of the young generation has found new ways

This beauty, this alertness, this freedom, this fearlessness

Such a change has come about in planning and thought

Bursting of the gardens flower-buds in Love is considered trivial

The newly flying birds have lost their nests but

A pretty sight has been shown by magicians cunningness

The new life brought with it ever changing pleasures

Rivalry, selling conscience, impatience, greed

Muslims assembly is glittering with the new candles light

But my old time wisdom is saying this to the moths

"O moth! You have derived this warmth from the assemblys candle

Burn in your own fire like me if you have the warmth of the heart