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