This poem was translated by Professor Carlo Coppola as part of the MULOSIGE Translations project. You can explore our collection of Urdu Poetry here.

Professor Carlo Coppola, Oakland University

Duʻā / Prayer

Come, let us raise our hands as well 

We who don’t remember the ritual of prayer

.

We who remember nothing except the warmth of Love

Who believe in no idol or god 

.

Come, let us importune the Artist of Existence

To fill tomorrow with sweetness from today’s poison

.

For those who cannot bear the fierce pain of a single passing day

May their eyes be freed of day and night

.

For those whose eyes have no strength to see the face of dawn

Would someone light a lamp in their nights

.

For those whose feet have no support

Would someone point them to a direction for their journey

.

For those whose religion is lying and deceit

May they find the courage of heresy and the boldness to seek truth

.

For those whose heads await the swords of oppression

Give them the power to ward off the hand of execution

.

For those whose hidden secret of love is a burning soul

Let us pledge today so their burning may be eased

.

Let the words of Truth rankle the heart like a thorn

Let us proclaim them today to relieve that torment

.

Freedom Day 14 August 1967

.

From: Sar-i vadī-yi sīnā (Sinai Valley). Lakhnaʼū: Kitābī Duniyā, 1962. pp. 79 – 81

             

Come, let us raise our hands as well 

We who don’t remember the ritual of prayer

.

We who remember nothing except the warmth of Love

Who believe in no idol or god 

.

Come, let us importune the Artist of Existence

To fill tomorrow with sweetness from today’s poison

.

For those who cannot bear the fierce pain of a single passing day

May their eyes be freed of day and night

.

For those whose eyes have no strength to see the face of dawn

Would someone light a lamp in their nights

.

For those whose feet have no support

Would someone point them to a direction for their journey

.

For those whose religion is lying and deceit

May they find the courage of heresy and the boldness to seek truth

.

For those whose heads await the swords of oppression

Give them the power to ward off the hand of execution

.

For those whose hidden secret of love is a burning soul

Let us pledge today so their burning may be eased

.

Let the words of Truth rankle the heart like a thorn

Let us proclaim them today to relieve that torment

.

Freedom Day 14 August 1967

.

From: Sar-i vadī-yi sīnā (Sinai Valley). Lakhnaʼū: Kitābī Duniyā, 1962. pp. 79 – 81