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

 Qabristān / Graveyard

That part of the earth

Where eternity stands guard since the day of creation

And the fragrance of incense 

Embracing the magic lamps

Has set up its tent,

Has sympathized

With the ages, centuries and moments,

Where civilization stands shyly, bareheaded,

Where we solitary, sinful creatures

Are gathered.

That part of earth is the terrestrial and celestial reality

Of Self, of God!

.

From: Ism-i aʻẓam (Name of the Greatest [God]). ʻAlīʹgaṛh: Inḍiyan Buk Hāʻūs, 1965. pp. 23

             

That part of the earth

Where eternity stands guard since the day of creation

And the fragrance of incense 

Embracing the magic lamps

Has set up its tent,

Has sympathized

With the ages, centuries and moments,

Where civilization stands shyly, bareheaded,

Where we solitary, sinful creatures

Are gathered.

That part of earth is the terrestrial and celestial reality

Of Self, of God!

.

From: Ism-i aʻẓam (Name of the Greatest [God]). ʻAlīʹgaṛh: Inḍiyan Buk Hāʻūs, 1965. pp. 23