(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