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Copyright © 2025 Abdulla Fayaz.
All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted

in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other
electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of
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reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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ISBN: 9798264847332 (Paperback)
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ISBN: 9798264780400 (Hard Cover)

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International First Edition 2025.

[Link]
email: allamaiqbalsecrets@[Link]

Imprint: Independently published

 Table of Contents

1 ..................................... ‫د‬ ‫ے‬

Parinday ki Faryad ............................................................... 1
The Bird’s Complaint .........................................................................1

13 .................................. (‫) رف‬

Himala (Ta-‘aruf) ............................................................... 13
The Himalayas (Introduction).........................................................13

17 .............................................
Himala...................................................................................... 17
The Himalayas ...................................................................................17

43 .......................................... !‫ِما‬
Bazm-e-Anjum ..................................................................... 43
The Assembly of Stars ......................................................................43
E
65 ........................................ ‫آرزو‬$‫ا‬
PL
Ek Arzoo .................................................................................. 65
A Longing ...........................................................................................65
M

89 .................................... ‫ن‬, ‫*ر‬

SA

Qalandar ki Pehchan......................................................... 89
The Recognition of a Qalandar .......................................................89

95 ............................. 5‫ق‬41‫ا‬2‫ی‬0
Me’re’ Nawa e’ Shauq se’ ................................................. 95
(In your interest to sing Me) ............................................................95

107 ........................................... ‫د‬6ِ‫ا‬

Ijtihaad ..................................................................................107
Religious Exegesis ...........................................................................107

111 ..................................(‫رف‬ ) ‫َہ‬:

Shikwa (Ta-‘aruf) .............................................................111
The Complaint (Introduction).......................................................111

117 ............................................ ‫َہ‬:

Shikwa....................................................................................117
The Complaint .................................................................................117
 263 ..........................................‫رت‬
Aurat .......................................................................................263
Women...............................................................................................263

269 .......................................... ِ
Shaheen .................................................................................269
The Eagle / Falcon............................................................................269
!
287 ....................... $#
ِ" ‫چ‬
ّ ُ
Budde-Baloch ki Nasihat apne Baite ko ................287
The Advice of an Old Baluch to His Son ....................................287

299 .................................. ‫رے‬+‫'اور‬

Shabnam Aur Sitarey....................................................299
The Dew and the Stars ...................................................................299

319 .....................................‫ں‬/‫وآ‬,‫ز‬
E
Zameen O Asmaan............................................................319
PL
The Earth and the Sky............................................................319

323 .................................... ِ 4ُ
‫ن‬6ُ ‫ب‬3
M

Qurb-e-Sultan .....................................................................323
SA

Closeness to Kings ..........................................................................323

!
335 .................................... ‫م‬:8 ‫و‬7
Javed Ke Naam ...................................................................335
To Javid .............................................................................................335
A Prelude to Book-2 ........................................................................341
References ........................................................................................... A
 Dedicated
to
“The Caravan of the Stars”
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PL
M

‫روں‬
SA

Taaron ki Qaafile’ ke liye’

 ‫ِما‬
Bazm-e-Anjum
The Assembly of Stars
The interesting thing about this poem is that, it runs in parallels of:
1. “The Story of Nature” versus “The Story of Life”
2. “The story of Earthlings” versus “The story of Heavenly Realms”

‫ِم‬ ‫ُ رج‬
Suraj Ne Jate Jate Shaam-e-Siyah Qaba Ko
While setting, the sun threw at the dark-clothed evening

Suraj = Sun / Light of Islam / khilafat / Guidance

Shaam-e = Syria, Black Slave, Black Siyah = coloured (black)
E
PL
Qaba = a long coat with opening in the middle
M

Chapter (33) Sūrat l-aḥzāb (The Combined Forces)

SA

Mohsin Khan: And as one who invites to Allah [Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to
worship none but Allah (Alone)] by His Leave, and as a lamp spreading light
(through your instructions from the Quran and the Sunnah the legal ways of
the Prophet SAW).

He starts with one Story of Nature versus one Story of Life.

Story of Nature: While departing (setting), the sun coloured the sky’s
clothing (canvas) in black.

Story of Life: While Islam (the sun) was declining from the land, the white
robes of Sultans, Scholars and Judges turned to Black coats of politicians
and the populace turned into slaves (under Imperialists).
44 Bazm-e-Anjum Secrets of Allama Iqbal

‫ُ ل رے‬ ُ ‫ِ ُا‬
Tasht-e-Ufaq Se Le Kar Lale Ke Phool Mare
Tulip flowers which it had collected from horizon’s basin

Tasht = Reins (of horses), a cup Ufaq = horizon

Lale = of pearly origin (Urdu), of reddish colour (Hindi), of red beautiful
tulips (Persian)
Ke = of (something or the particular quality)
There is also a very remote meaning of Lale Ke = by drawing and
stretching (like a whip)
Note: In the old world, tulips were the most expensive flowers.
Phool = flowers, best of the garden (of Muslims), martyrs/ shaheed
Mare’ = strike, hit, kill
In Persian the similar word Lalah which is the noun form of the adjective
E
Lale has the following meanings:
PL
 a flower in the shape of a cup and red, cheek Red and rosy
beloved
 (idiomatically) a selfless person who was martyred in the path of
M

a religious or national ideal.

 (in mystical literature) those who observe the result of knowledge
SA

are called tulips,

Some claim that the word originated in the Hindi or Sanskrit languages,
which means red. In Turkish, it means red and the redness ultimately
leading to tulips and it is a long discussion.
So, to simplify, I will adopt the meaning as: red tulip and martyr
Story of Nature:
While departing (setting), the sun collected a bowl of redness from the
flowers and threw it at the sky’s canvas (red skies at sunset).
Or
While departing (setting), the sun collected the reins of his horse (saz /
Tasht) and whipped the white flowers to a red death (extracted their
redness and painted the sky).
Story of Life:
Each good tree is taken as a Muslim. The meaning of "trees” has already
been explained in poem Himalayas. Trees mean humans.
Secrets of Allama Iqbal The Assembly of Stars 45

Therefore, in either of the above cases, the flowers are the best product
of the good trees. So, the flowers who take the redness on their uniforms
are the Martyrs, the Shaheed. The best produce of their community,
garden.
While departing (setting), the sun (Islam) collected a bowl of red tulip
flowers (prepared the soldiers) and threw at the impending darkness.
They were trying to prevent the impending darkness and doom, but
unfortunately could not. Becoming- martyrs as expensive red tulip flowers.
If the prophet ‫ ﷺ‬is metaphorically described as Tulip (beauty of the
prophet’s face) then, the close followers of the prophet ‫ ﷺ‬are taken as
his flowers. Lale Ke Phool (Nabi ke pool jaise log)
Allama Iqbal refers to them as Gul-e-Lala-e-Sahraai (The best tulip flowers
of the desert) in poem Jawab-e-Shikwa, metaphorically, when expressing
the prophet’s ‫ ﷺ‬loneliness at the beginning of his mission and the great
companions like Mus-ab bin Umair ‫﵁‬.
E َ ‫د‬
‫راز ر‬
PL
Pehna Diya Shafaq Ne Sone Ka Sara Zaiwar
M

The twilight of evening put all ornaments of gold on it, The last

Story of Nature: The twilight brought golden colours to the petals of

SA

flowers before fading away completely.

Story of Life: The last speck of Islamic Light, taught lessons to the last
faithful defenders who were loyal, and gave them a golden armour or
reminded them of the golden ornaments of paradise.

‫ُا رے‬ ‫ی‬ ‫ُ"!رت ا‬

Qudrat Ne Apne Gehne Chandi Ke Sub Utare
Nature put off its entire set of silver ornaments

Story of Nature: The reflections of sunshine on rivers etc... all

disappeared.

Story of Life: The Earth (women) mourned, they took off their jewellery
as her husbands and brothers have died as martyrs (customary in Asia).
46 Bazm-e-Anjum Secrets of Allama Iqbal

‫آ‬ ُ
Mehmil Mein Khamshi Ke Lela’ay Zulmat Ayi
The Layla of the night in the litter of silence arrived

Mehmil = carriage (litter on the back of camels to carry people, like a car
body of today)
Khamshi = silence, secretly
Lela = Laila the name of the female character in the famous love story by
the title of Laila Majnoon. So here it is assumed to mean “lover”.
Zulmat = Darkness, Tyranny, Injustice, Shirk, Sins.

Story of Nature: In the carriage of silence, the lovers of the (dark) night,
(the stars) arrived.

Story of Life 1: When no one raised a word and there was silence, the
lovers of darkness descended. These secret forces were busy raining on
E
the people with tyranny from all sides, shirk and other sins spread.
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Chapter (31) Sūrat Luq'mān
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SA

Sahih International:
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his
son while he was instructing him, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with
Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice."
------------------------------------------
Chapter (2) Sūrat l-baqarah (The Cow)

Sahih International:[He] who made for you the earth a bed [spread out] and
the sky a ceiling and sent down from the sky, rain and brought forth thereby
fruits as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know
[that there is nothing similar to Him].
Secrets of Allama Iqbal The Assembly of Stars 47

Ibn ‘Abbās commented on the above Ayah that, "Equals means polytheism. It
is subtler than the crawling of a small black ant on a black stone in the
darkness of the night." Polytheism can be expressed by saying: “I swear by
Allah and by your life, O so-and-so, and by my life.” Other forms of this
polytheism are: “Had it not been for Kulaybah (puppy), thieves would have
broken in.” And: “Had it not been for the duck in our house, thieves would
have broken in." And this statement of a man to his companion: “By Allah's
will and your will.” In addition, the following statement also falls under the
same ruling: “If it weren't for Allah and so-and-so.” Don't associate others
with Allah; all this is polytheism.

[Authentic Hadith tradition] - [Ibn Abi Haatim]

Story of Life 2: The Muslim lovers of the night prayer Thahajjud, the
lovers of Allah﷾, arrived to perform their prayers in private silence.

E
‫وہ رے رے‬ ِ‫وس‬
PL
Chamke Aroos-E-Shab Ke Moti Vo Pyare Pyare
M

Started shining the beautiful pearls of the evening’s bride

Story of Nature: The stars were always there, but we could not spot them
SA

because it was a blue sky and they did not want to show off. But as the
skies turned dark, we started to recognize and spot them.
Story of Life: In the darkness that befell the nation, the Islamic heroes
started appearing and they started praying Tahajjud, to regain their
honour, Izzat. It is reported that the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said that:

“The Archangel Gabriel said: “The honour of a believer is, no doubt, related
to night-time prayer…'” (Hakim, Mustadrak, IV, 360).

‫ں‬ ‫وہ ُدورر وا‬

Vo Door Rehne Wale Hungama’ay Jahan Se
Those living far from the commotion of the world

Story of Nature: The stars (from next poetic verse) stay so far away from
the commotion of the world. They are a beauty, navigational guides and
missiles for the devils. (Astrology has no business in life)
48 Bazm-e-Anjum Secrets of Allama Iqbal

Chapter (41) sūrat fuṣṣilat (Explained in Detail)

Mohsin Khan: Then He completed and finished from their creation (as) seven
heavens in two Days and He made in each heaven its affair. And We adorned
the nearest (lowest) heaven with lamps (stars) to be an adornment as well as
to guard (from the devils by using them as missiles against the devils). Such
is the Decree of Him the All-Mighty, the All-Knower.

Qatada said God most high created these stars for three purposes; He made
them an adornment for the sky, missiles for the devils, and signs by which
people find their way. If anyone explains them differently he makes a mistake,
squanders what is allotted to him, and occupies himself with something he
does not know. Bukhari transmitted it without a full isnad. Razln’s version E
has, “occupies himself with what does not concern him, what he has no
knowledge of, and what prophets and angels are incapable of knowing.” On
PL
the authority of ar-Rabi’* there is something to the same effect with the
addition, “I swear by God that God has not set in a star anyone’s life,
M

provision, or death. They are only speaking lies against God and attributing
causes to the stars.” * Ar-Rabi’ b. Ziyad, Qatada's authority.
SA

َ * ‫ﺑﻬﺎ َﻓﻤﻦ ﺗﺄو َل‬ َ ‫ ْﻬ َﺘ َﺪى‬Mُ ‫ َو َﻋ َﻼ َﻣﺎت‬l‫ﻮﻣﺎ ﻠﺸ َﻴﺎﻃ‬ ً ُ ًَ َََ َ َ َ َ َ :‫ﻗﺘﺎدة َﻗ َﺎل‬
َ
‫ﻴﻬﺎ‬ ِ ٍ ِ ِ
َ
ِ ‫ﻨﺔ ِﻠﺴﻤﺎ ِء َو ُرﺟ‬3‫ﻼث ﺟﻌﻠﻬﺎ ِز‬k
ٍ
َ
‫ﺠﻮم‬ ‫ ﻫ ِﺬه ا‬g‫ َﻌﺎ‬h ُ ‫ﺧﻠﻖ ا‬ ‫َو َﻋﻦ‬
َُ َ ْ ّ ْ َ
َ ُ ُ ََ ُ َْ َ َ َ ََ َُ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َْ َ َ َ
‫ﻠﻒ َﻣﺎﻻ ﻳﻌﻨﻴﻪ وﻣﺎﻻ ِﻋﻠﻢ ‚ ِﺑ ِﻪ‬z‫ »ﺗ‬:‫ﻦ‬3 َ َ َ َ ً َْ W ‫ﺨ‬
َ ٍ ‫ﻌ ِﻠﻴﻘﺎ و ِ~ ِرواﻳ ِﺔ ر ِز‬h ‫ﺎري‬
ِ |‫ رواه ا‬.‫ﻌﻠﻢ‬M ‫ﻠ َﻒ ﻣﺎﻻ‬z‫ ذ ِﻚ أﺧﻄﺄ وأﺿﺎع ﻧ ِﺼﻴﺒﻪ وﺗ‬s ِ ‫ِﺑﻐ‬
َ
ُ‫ﻢ َﺣ َﻴ َﺎة أ َﺣﺪ َوﻻ ر ْز َﻗﻪ‬Š
ْ َ ُ ََ َ َ َ َ ََ ُُْ َ َ َ َ َْ َ َ ْ ْ ْ ْ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ ْ
ِ ٍ ٍ ‰ِ ‫ وا ِ ﻣﺎ ﺟﻌﻞ ا‬:‫ﺮ‡ﻴﻊ ِﻣﺜﻠﻪ وزاد‬ ِ ‫ﺔ وﻋﻦ ا‬zِ‫ﻴﺎء وا ﻤﻼﺋ‬ƒِ ‫ﻦ ِﻋﻠ ِﻤ ِﻪ اﻷﻧ‬7 ‫وﻣﺎ ﻋﺠﺰ‬ ‫اﻟﻜ ِﺬب‬
َ ُ ََََ
ُ W ‫ﻮن ﺑﺎ‬ ََ َ ََُْ َ َ َُْ َ ََ
ِ‫ﺠﻮم‬ ِ ‫ﺘﻌﻠﻠ‬3‫ون • ا ِ و‬Œ‫ﻔ‬M ‫ﻤﺎ‬V‹ِ ‫ﻮﺗﻪ و‬b ‫وﻻ‬

ّ ‫ ﻢ‬: ‫ﻢ‬z‫ﺣ‬Reference
("‫ﺗﺘﻢ دراﺳﺘﻪ )اﻷ|ﺎ‬ : Mishkat al-Masabih 4602, 4603

Story of Life: True heroes on Earth do not want to show off, they remain
humble and are not after gain or prominence.

‫رے‬ ‫ا ںا ز ں‬
Kehta Hai Jin Ko Insan Apni Zuban Mein 'Taray'
Which Man calls “stars” in his own language

Story of Nature: O humans, since the stars and planets are located at
great distances, and are far away from the commotion of the world, you
call them stars.
Secrets of Allama Iqbal The Assembly of Stars 49

Story of Life: In your world, you regard the famous and the powerful as
stars. Is it because, they are far away from the commotion of the world
and nowhere to be seen, when disaster strikes?
O ignorant humans! Even in your world, the true stars on Earth do not
want to show off, they remain humble, they stay clear of commotion, do
not want to be famous or hold office or gain power they are your true
stars. You will see them shine when darkness settles in, not before that.
They are sincere, have honour and a sense of duty. You may call them
Darwesh / Dervishes.

Chapter (25) Sūrat l-Fur'qān (The Criterion)

Yūsuf Ali: And the servants of (Allah) Most Gracious are those who walk on
E
the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!";
PL
M

‫وزی ا‬ ِ
Mehv-e-Falak Ferozi Thi Anjuman Falak Ki
SA

The sky’s assembly was busy lighting up the sky

Here the duality of the poem changes to the following pair:

(One story of Earthlings) versus (One story of Heavenly Realms) ‫۔‬
Author: The heavens are lighted up in any manner Allah﷾ wills.
In the heavens of the Angelic realms, the angels created of Noor (light)
were engaged in praising Allah (The Light of Heavens and the Earth).

Chapter (21) sūrat l-anbiyāa (The Prophets)

Mohsin Khan: They (i.e. the angels) glorify His Praises night and day, (and)
they never slacken (to do so).
50 Bazm-e-Anjum Secrets of Allama Iqbal

Chapter (40) sūrat ghāfir (The Forgiver God)

Sahih International:
Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it
exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness
for those who have believed, [saying], "Our Lord, You have encompassed all
things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and
followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.
Star lights are for the canopy of the Earth ONLY, as known from the
following Ayat of the Holy Quran.
Chapter (67) Sūrat l-mulk (Dominion)
E
PL
Sahih International:
And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with
stars and have made [from] them what is thrown at the devils and have
M

prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.

------------------------------------
SA

Chapter (37) Sūrat l-ṣāfāt (Those Ranges in Ranks)

Yūsuf Ali: We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars
------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter (41) Sūrat fuṣṣilat (Meaning: “Explained in Detail”)

Sahih International:
And He completed them as seven heavens within two days
and inspired in each heaven its command. And We adorned the nearest
heaven with lamps and as protection. That is the determination of the Exalted
in Might, the Knowing.
Hence, the astronomical stars are for the canopy of the Earth ONLY.
Secrets of Allama Iqbal The Assembly of Stars 51

‫آ آوازاک‬ ‫ش‬
ِ
Arsh-e-Bareen Se Ayi Awaz Ek Malik Ki
From the `Arsh-i-Barin the call of an angel came

Malak = Angel (the Fat-hah/Zabar vowel was not from Iqbal)

Malik = King = Al-Malik = Allah ﷾ (Zer on laam / bi-kasrathi Laam)
Ek = “One” (could also be attributed to the Oneness of Allah)
The Author disagrees with the official translation, that it is the voice of
an Angel. Rather, it is the saying of Allah﷾ from above the Majestic
Throne.
Also, no Angel can be `Arsh-i-Barin'
So Ek Malik = The Al-Waahid, Al-Malik (Divine attributes of Allah﷾)
“One of the servants whom Allah is pleased with is one who gets out of his/her
gentle and warm bed in order to offer the prayer of Tahajjud. Allah is well-
pleased with that servant and says to the angels:
E
“What makes this servant of Mine care about praying at this time of the
PL
night?”
M

The angels’ reply: “It is his/her wish to attain Your Grace and Blessing, and
also fear of Your punishment.”
SA

Allah says: “I grant him/her what s/he wishes from me then. And I safeguard
him/her from what s/he fears from.”
[It is written in (Fadail al-Amal, 299).]
------------------------------------
Ubayy b. Ka'b said that when God’s Messenger gave the salutation in the
Witr (prayer), he said, “Glory be to the King most holy.” Abu Dawud and
Nasa’i transmitted it, Nasa’i adding that he said it three times, prolonging
the words. In a version by Nasa’i from ‘Abd ar-Rahman b. Abza from his
father, he said that he used to say three times when he uttered that salutation,
“Glory be to the King most holy”, raising his voice when saying it the third
time. َ ُ
َُ َ ُ ُ ََ W ُْ َْ َ َ َ ْ ُ َ َ ْ َ َ َ َْ َ ُ َ ُ ُ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ
‫اود‬ ‫وس« رواه أﺑﻮ د‬ ِ ‫ »ﺳﺒﺤﺎﻧﻚ ا ﻤ ِﻠ ِﻚ اﻟﻘﺪ‬:‫ ا ﻮﺗﺮ ﻗﺎل‬‰ِ ‫ •ن َرﺳﻮل ا ِ ﺻ> ا ﻋﻠﻴ ِﻪ َوﺳﻠ َﻢ ِإذا ﺳﻠ َﻢ‬:‫ﺐ ﻗﺎل‬ ٍ ‫ ﺑ ِﻦ ﻛﻌ‬O‫ﻦ أ‬7‫و‬
ُ َ ََ َ َ W َ َ
‫آﺧﺮﻫﻦ‬ ِ ‰ِ ‫ﺮات ﻳ ِﻄﻴﻞ‬b ‫ ﺛﻼث‬:‫ﺎ• َوزاد‬ ِ ‫واﻟ–ﺴ‬
َ َ ً ََ W ُْ َْ َ َ ْ ُ َ َ ُ َُ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َ
ْ ْ َْ َْ ْ َ
‫ ْﺮ* ُﻊ َﺻ ْﻮﺗ ُﻪ‬3َ ‫وس« ﺛﻼﺛﺎ َو‬ َ
ِ ‫ »ﺳﺒﺤﺎن ا ﻤ ِﻠ ِﻚ اﻟﻘﺪ‬:‫ﻘﻮل ِإذا ﺳﻠ َﻢ‬M ‫ •ن‬:‫ﻴ ِﻪ ﻗﺎل‬Gِ ‫ﻦ أ‬7 ‫ﺒ ِﺪ ا ﺮ— ِﻦ ﺑ ِﻦ أﺑ َﺰى‬7 ‫ﻦ‬7 •‫َو ِ~ ِر َواﻳ ٍﺔ ِﻠ– َﺴ ِﺎ‬
‫ﺔ‬k‫ﺎ‬k‫ﺑﺎ‬

Reference: Mishkat al-Masabih 1274, 1275("‫ َﺻ ِﺤﻴﺢ )اﻷ|ﺎ‬,‫ﻴﺢ‬

ٌ ‫َﺻﺤ‬
ِ ‫ﻢ‬z‫ ﺣ‬:
52 Bazm-e-Anjum Secrets of Allama Iqbal

‫رو‬ ‫اےآ ں‬، ‫اے‬

Ae Shab Ke Pasbano, Ae Asman Ke Taro !
“O sentinels of the night! O stars of the sky!

Asman Ke Taro = O the (real) Stars on Earth (when viewed) from the sky!
The point to be noted here is that, the caller is not from the Earth calling
the normal stars. Rather, the call is from heavens, so the receivers are the
(special, star like) inhabitants of the Earth. Why are they so special?
They guard the night. What is guarding the night? Being careful of the
Thahajjud prayer. Masha Allah, Allama Iqbal has borrowed this word from
an Ayah in the Quran about the daily five prayers.
Chapter (2) sūrat l-baqarah (The Cow)

Mohsin Khan: Guard strictly (five obligatory) AsSalawat (the prayers)

E
especially the middle Salat (i.e. the best prayer 'Asr). And stand before Allah
PL
with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salat (prayers)].
Hafizoo >> Muhafizon = Pasbanon = Guards / those who safeguard
M

The Author assumes that, the word Sentinels “Pasbano” is derived from
SA

“Guard strictly” (Hafizoo-Muhafiz ) in the above Ayah.

How does guarding the night, relate to stars mentioned in Hadith?

“O Abu Huraira! If you want the company of the Mercy of Allah when in the
grave and on the Doomsday, wake up at night to offer a prayer for Allah’s
sake. O Abu Huraira! If you pray at the corner of your house, your house
lightens as a constellation in the sky, and it becomes like a star for the people
of the world.”
(Ihya Ulumiddin, I, 1023).
Reciting Quran is light for a person, especially if he recites it in prayer.
Imam Ahmad (11774) narrated from Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri that a man came
to him and said: Advise me. He said: I asked the Messenger of Allah
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) for the same thing before you that
you have asked me for, and he said: “I advise you to fear Allah, for that is the
foundation of everything. And you should strive in jihad, for it is the
monasticism of Islam. You should remember Allah and recite the Quran, for
it is your comfort in heaven, and will bring renown for you on earth.”
(Classed as hasan by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami` (2543)
Secrets of Allama Iqbal The Assembly of Stars 53

Ibn Hibban narrated in his Sahih (361) from Abu Dharr that the Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “You should recite the
Quran and remember Allah, for that will be light for you on earth and will
be stored up for you in heaven.”
(Classed as hasan by Al-Albani in Sahih At-Targhib (1422)
------------------------------------------

Abdullah bin Busr narrated: the Prophet said: "On the day of Resurrection,
my nation will be radiant from prostrating and shining from Wudu."
َ َ َُْ ُ ْ ُ َ ََْ َ ْ َ ُ ْ ُ َْ َ َ َ َ َ ْ ُ ُ ْ ُ َْ ََ َ ْ َ َ ُ ْ َُْ َ َْ َُ ََ َ
‫ ْﺒ ِﺪ‬7 ‫ ْﻦ‬7 ،s
ٍ ¡َ ‫ﻦ‬G ‫ﺪ‬3‫ ﻳ ِﺰ‬¢ِ £‫ﻤ ٍﺮو أﺧ‬7 ‫ﻦ‬G ‫ ﻗﺎل ﻗﺎل ﺻﻔﻮان‬،‫ﺴ ِﻠ ٍﻢ‬b ‫ﻦ‬G ‫ﺪ‬Ÿِ ‫ﻨﺎ ا ﻮ‬E‫ ﺣﺪ‬W ِ ‫ﺸ‬bL‫ﺎر ا‬ ٍ z‫ﻦ ﺑ‬G ‫ أ—ﺪ‬،‫ ِﺪ‬Ÿِ ‫ﻨﺎ أﺑﻮ ا ﻮ‬E‫ﺣﺪ‬
َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ُ َُ ُ W َ ُ َ َ ْ َ َْ ُ َ َ ُْ ْ
‫« ﻫﺬا‬I‫ ﻗﺎل أﺑُﻮ ِﻋ‬. " ‫ﺠﻮ ِد §ﺠﻠﻮن ِﻣ َﻦ ا ُﻮ ُﺿﻮ ِء‬‫ ﻳﻮم اﻟ ِﻘﻴﺎﻣ ِﺔ ﻏ̈ﺮ ِﻣﻦ ا ﺴ‬ªِ ‫ ﺻ> اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ ﻗﺎل " أﻣ‬¤ِ ‫ َﻋ ِﻦ ا‬،¥ ٍ ¦ ‫ا ِ ﺑ ِﻦ‬
ُْ ْ َْ َ ْ ْ ْ َ َ ْ ٌ َ ٌ َ ٌ َ َ ٌ َ
.¥
ٍ ¦ ‫ﺒ ِﺪ ا ِ ﺑ ِﻦ‬7 ‫ﻳﺚ‬ ِ ‫ﺐ ِﻣﻦ ﻫﺬا ا َﻮﺟ ِﻪ ِﻣﻦ ﺣ ِﺪ‬3‫ﺣ ِﺪﻳﺚ ﺣﺴﻦ ﺻ ِﺤﻴﺢ ﻏ ِﺮ‬

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam) / Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 607

“So, prayer at night is light, and it is attended by the angels of mercy. This is
proven”. -Sheikh Munajjid (Islam QA [Link]
E
PL
Further, Allah﷾ told us about Tahajjud in the Holy Quran:
M

Chapter (17) Sūrat l-isrā (The Night Journey)

SA

Mohsin Khan: And in some parts of the night (also) offer the Salat (prayer) with
it (i.e. recite the Quran in the prayer), as an additional prayer (Tahajjud
optional prayer Nawafil) for you (O Muhammad SAW). It may be that your
Lord will raise you to Maqaman Mahmuda (a station of praise and glory, i.e.
the highest degree in Paradise!).

This Quranic instruction, although specifically directed to the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬

, it also addresses every Muslim, since the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬is a perfect example
and guide for us in all matters of life.
When Allah﷾ raises the Prophet to this high station, the Muslims
following the prophet are also raised to good stations. They become
shining stars metaphorically.
54 Bazm-e-Anjum Secrets of Allama Iqbal

‫ری‬ ‫ہ م ری ُدوں‬
Tabinda Qaum Sari Gurdoon Nasheen Tumhari
The whole shining nation of yours inhabits the sky

Author’s translation: The inhabitants of the sky are following your

spectacle, your glowing houses and your glowing foreheads. As stars.

Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said: Ka`b said: The angels look down from
heaven upon those who pray Tahajjud at night as you look at the stars of the
sky. (NOT RELIABLE) -DAEEF
“As for what is mentioned of the words of Ka`b (above), there is no proof
of that. There is no evidence to support the view that the Angels look
down from heaven upon those who pray Tahajjud at night as the people
of Earth look at the stars of the sky. What we have in the texts of the
Quran and Sunnah concerning the virtue of Qiyam Al-Layl (Tahajjud) is
sufficient” -Sheikh Munajjid – [[Link]
Author: Although, this specific Hadith is Weak, the general picture drawn
E
in poetry is accurate and valid in light of the other Ahadith listed under
PL
the previous verse of this poem.
M

‫وا‬ ‫ گا‬،"‫ودا‬#‫و‬$
ّ
Chairo Sarood Aesa, Jaag Uthain Sone Wale
SA

Start such music as may awaken all those sleeping

Read the Holy Quran in you Tahajjud and awaken the (ignorant). Read
the Quran and teach the Quran.
Author: It should be noted that, Allama Iqbal said it, in a motivational
meaning. It does not mean that we disturb others who are sleeping. There
is a specific discipline for recitation in Tahajjud.

Chapter (17) sūrat l-isrā (The Night Journey)

Sahih International:
Say, "Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful.
Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong the best names." And do not recite
[too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an
[intermediate] way.
Secrets of Allama Iqbal The Assembly of Stars 55

‫ری‬ ‫ب‬
ِ ‫ں‬ ‫ر‬
Rahbar Hai Qaflon Ki Tab-e-Jabeen Tumhari
The brightness of your forehead is guide for caravans

If compared to the Hadith given earlier in this poem:

Abdullah bin Busr narrated that: the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said: "On the day of
Resurrection, my nation will be radiant from prostrating and shining from
Wudu."
When considering the above Hadith alone, A possible translation is: Set a
good example to the Ummah of Islam and be their guides in this world
and the hereafter.
But the speaker is from the Heavenly realm. So, if the following two
Ahadith are added, then it becomes caravans of Angels. This is more likely
the case.
The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, “Allah has angels who roam the roads looking for
E
those who mention Allah. When they find some people who mention Allah,
PL
they call each other, saying, 'Come to the object of your pursuit.' "He
[Prophet] added, 'Then the angels encircle them with their wings up to the
sky of the world…..'" [Al-Bukhari 6408]
M

In another Hadith, the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said,

SA

“Allah has mobile (squads) of angels who have no other work (to attend to)
but to look for the assemblies of Dhikr, and when they find such assemblies
in which there is Dhikr (of Allah), they sit with them, and some of them
surround the others with their wings till the space between them and the sky
of the world is filled with them……….(till end of Hadith, shortened here)”
[Muslim 2689]
Therefore, the meaning becomes: “The brightness of your forehead” is a
guide for caravans of Angels coming to see you.

‫ں‬ ‫آ‬
Aa ee nay Qismaton Ke Tum Ko Ye Jante Hain
The earth’s denizens consider you the destiny’s mirrors

Qismaton = of Fate(s) = written on Lauh Al Mahfooz the Preserved Tablet.

Quran is from the Lauh Al Mahfooz. Hence, it carries their descriptions
like:
56 Bazm-e-Anjum Secrets of Allama Iqbal

Chapter (51) sūrat l-dhāriyāt (The Wind that Scatter)

Sahih International:
Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs,
accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers
of good. They used to sleep but little of the night.
-------------------------------------
Chapter (32) sūrat l-sajdah (The Prostration)

Sahih International:
E
They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in
PL
fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.
--------------------------
M

Chapter (39) sūrat l-zumar (The Groups)

SA

Sahih International:
Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night,
prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for
the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know
equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people
of understanding.
------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter (32) sūrat l-sajdah (The Prostration)

Sahih International:
And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort
for eyes as reward for what they used to do.
Secrets of Allama Iqbal The Assembly of Stars 57

Chapter (3) sūrat āl ʿim'rān (The Family of Imrān)

Sahih International:
The patient, the true, the obedient, those who spend [in the
way of Allah], and those who seek forgiveness before dawn.
So, the meaning becomes:
“From the descriptions in the Quran (above), the Angels recognise the faithful.”
The Quran, is a reflection, the mirror of the Destiny (which was written
on Lawh-al-Mahfooz.) This is because, the Quran descended from this Lawh
which is a record of what will happen from the Beginning to the End.
Lawh= Naseeb /Thaqdeer /Muqaddar/Destiny/ That is the tablet on which
the “Thaqdeer-ke-Qalam” wrote. No, it was not written on your forehead.

‫ری‬ ‫ا ا ِز‬ E ُ
Sha yad Sunein Sada eyn Ahl-e-Zameen Tumhari
PL
Perhaps they will listen to your call”
Why don’t the Inhabitants of the Earth listen to your call (call of the
faithful Muslims) when the Angels respect you so much.
M

It is such a pity that, the earthly inhabitants do not follow the advice and
SA

cries of the faithful, the real stars. Earthlings often follow the movie stars.

‫روں ی‬ !"#$‫ُر‬
Rukhsat Huwi Khamoshi Taron Bhari Faza Se
Silence departed from this star-spangled expanse
With the reading of the Quran in Thahajjud, you regain your honour, the
tyranny disappears from Earth. With recitation sounds, the silence
disappears.
Taron Bhari Faza Se = throughout the now shining Muslim community.

‫ا‬%‫آ)ں('راس‬+,‫و‬
Wusa’at Thi Asman Ki Ma’amoor Iss Nawa Se
The sky’s expanse was filled with this music

It also, means, “If you can spread the Quran everywhere under the sky”,
Allah will expand the earth for you – make things easy.
58 Bazm-e-Anjum Secrets of Allama Iqbal

‫ا روں د ی‬ ‫ُ ِازل‬
Husn Azal hai Paida Taron Ki Dilbari Mein
The Eternal Beauty is produced in the stars’ loveliness

The stars being the creation of Allah﷾, are natural signs obeying the
Sunnath of Allah, “The way of Allah”. Those who love the stars, can
observe this beauty among the stars, since the beginning of time.
That is a real under estimate of Allama Iqbal’s talents. A better meaning
derived is:
The original beauty of life can be seen, in the histories of the companions
of the prophet ‫( ﷺ‬our superstars) [Sahaba-e-Kiram] ‫ ﵃‬if we love and
follow them. OR
What a beauty of old can be seen in the love of brotherhood that the
Sahaba-e-Kiram ‫ ﵃‬had for each other in Medina. How the Muhajir and
Ansar loved each other.

Chapter (59) Sūrat l-ḥashr (The Gathering)

E
PL
M
SA

Sahih International:
And [also for] those who were settled in al-Madinah and
[adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and
find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give
[them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And
whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be
the successful.

‫آر‬ ِ ‫ح‬
ُ
Jis Tarah Aks-e-Gul Ho Shabnam Ki Arsi Mein
As the image of rose is in the looking glass of the dew

Aks = imprint / engraving

Gul = Rose, here referring to the prophet ‫ﷺ‬, metaphorically
Secrets of Allama Iqbal The Assembly of Stars 59

Shabnam = dew drops which cling to the Rose, so it is the Sahaba‫﵃‬

Arsi = jewel on the ring (worn on the finger)
The old love that the Sahaba-e-Kiram ‫ ﵃‬had for the prophet ‫ ﷺ‬is reborn
when we think how each Sahaba was like a clear jewel which shows the
Rose (the prophet ‫ )ﷺ‬when seen through their good clean character (dew
drop).
This is like seeing the original Rose through the clear dew drops.
The Sunnah of the Prophet‫ ﷺ‬is seen through the clean character of the
Sahaba‫﵃‬. Furthermore, we as humans use rings to represent relationships
(like wedding rings, family rings). Hence, what is symbolized is the good
following of the prophet‫ ﷺ‬by the Sahaba‫﵃‬.
It will suffice to say that the imprint of the Rose is on each dew drop
(each jewel on each ring). It will also suffice to say that, different Sahaba
‫﵃‬learned different skills from the prophet‫ ﷺ‬.
To elaborate further, the prophet‫ ﷺ‬also had an Aks on his ring, which
was used as a seal on prophetic letters to kings (written by scribes).
E
This had a similar use, like company stamps and logos of today.
PL
M
SA

This imprint / engraving on the prophet’s ring read “Muhammadun

Rasoolullah” similar to the graphics above.
Hence, the sum total of the meaning of this line is that, the Sahaba
‫﵃‬followed Prophet Muhammad‫ ﷺ‬as “The Messenger sent by Allah”.
They understood the true meaning of “Muhammadun Rasoolullah” in their
Kalimah of Shadat that, it means:
“There is nobody except Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬who has the authority to tell
Muslims what to do or how to do things.” (How to govern, how to legislate,
how to trade etc.).
If we follow others, in contradiction to Muhammad‫ﷺ‬, then we are not
true believers of: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”.
We are NOT to follow any world body or foreign government or leader
in contradiction to Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬.
So, this Aks of Muhammad un Rasoolullahi was engraved on each dew drop
(shabi) and they followed the Prophet of Allah in everything.
60 Bazm-e-Anjum Secrets of Allama Iqbal

‫اَڑ‬ ُ ‫ ِز‬، ‫ڈر‬ ِ ‫آ‬

Aayen-e-Nau Se Darna, Tarz-e-Kuhan Pe Urna
To be afraid of the new ways, to insist on the old ones

Aayen-e-Nau Se Darna = Fear of the Article 9, of the Indian Constitution

(at Iqbal’s time)

Article 9, Constitution of India (from 1950, perhaps the same in the 1930s)

“No person shall be a citizen of India by virtue of article 5, or be deemed to

be a citizen of India by virtue of article 6 or article 8, if he has voluntarily
acquired the citizenship of any foreign State.”
This will automatically happen to many Muslims when Pakistan comes into
existence.
It is understandable that, many Muslims must have feared that, due to
friends and family they leave behind in India and due to the memories
of childhood etc. or property which will be confiscated.
E
Hence, Iqbal is telling the Muslims that, they cannot have the best from
PL
both and not to keep their legs in different boats.
Tarz-e-Kuhan Pe Urna = fly in the old way = To convince the people that,
M

development can be achieved in the newly formed Pakistan, using the

same methods employed by the companions Sahaba‫ ﵃‬earlier in Medinah.
SA

The main method implied here is the example of brotherhood established

in the formation of Medina. This brotherhood is very difficult to achieve
due to Muslim divisions on sects mazhab, firqa and caste system zaat-paat.

‫ں ز‬ !‫ل‬#
Manzil Yehi Kathan Hai Qoumon Ki Zindagi Mein
This is the only difficult stage in the life of nations

Manzil = usually means “destination”.

In context it means: a small “sub-chapter” of the Quran in the Indo-Pak
prints.
Hence, this (getting through the fear of losing Indian citizenship and
establishing brotherhood) is the only difficult chapter in the creation of a
future Pakistan. Every nation struggles in achieving social unity.
Secrets of Allama Iqbal The Assembly of Stars 61

‫ما‬ ِ‫رون‬
Ye Karwan-e-Hasti Hai Taez Gaam Aesa
This caravan of life is so fast moving
Now that we have witnessed World War 1, Russian and French revolutions,
it appears that, the world is going to change very fast.
ُ
‫رواروی‬
Qoumain Kuchal Gayi Hain Jis Ki Rawarawi Mein
Many a nation is trampled in whose race
I feel that, any country who cannot keep pace with the rapid developments
will end up being crushed by enemies or poverty or technological
inferiority or revolutions etc.
#
"
‫!اروںا‬$%‫آ)ں( '&ری‬
Aankhon Se Hain Humari Ghayeb Hazron Anjum
E
Thousands of stars are hidden from our eyes
PL
There are many future Muslim children whom we have not still seen (for
whose sake we have to make a great effort).
M

‫ادری‬," -‫ا‬./‫ وہ‬1‫دا‬

SA

Dakhil Hain Vo Bhi Lekin Apni Baradari Mein

But their existence is also included in our group
These future Muslims are also our brothers and sisters who will take the
mission of Islam forward.

Chapter (62) Sūrat l-jumuʿah (Friday)

Mohsin Khan: He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger

(Muhammad SAW) from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses,
purifying them (from the filth of disbelief and polytheism), and teaching them
the Book (this Quran, Islamic laws and Islamic jurisprudence) and Al-Hikmah
(As-Sunnah: legal ways, orders, acts of worship, etc.. of Prophet Muhammad
SAW). And verily, they had been before in manifest error;
62 Bazm-e-Anjum Secrets of Allama Iqbal

Mohsin Khan:And He has sent him (Prophet Muhammad SAW) also to others
among them (Muslims) who have not yet joined them (but they will come).
And He (Allah) is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
--------------------------

Chapter (59) sūrat l-ḥashr (The Gathering)

Sahih International:
And [there is a share for] those who came after them,
saying, "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and
E
put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our
PL
Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful."
M

‫اس ز وا‬ ‫اک‬

Ek Umer Mein Na Samjhe Iss Ko Zameen Wale
SA

The earth’s denizens did not understand in a whole life

The Earth’s populations did not understand THIS lesson in a whole

lifetime.

‫ڑی ز‬ ‫ت‬
Jo Baat Pa Gaye Hum Thori Si Zindagi Mein
What has come in our comprehension in a short span of life

THAT IS: The lesson of Brotherhood Ukhuwat, that the Sahaba‫ ﵃‬learned
(in a short period) after a portion of their life has already passed in Mecca
before Hijrah. After the Hijrah, they learned these lessons in a very short
period.
And for the remainder of their lives, they were busy conquering the world
(through these lessons). No other nation (except Muslims and specifically
Medina) learned this critical lesson, even in a whole life time.
Secrets of Allama Iqbal The Assembly of Stars 63

‫م رے‬ ‫ب‬
ِ
Hain Jazb-e-Bahmi Se Qaim Nazam Sare
All systems are established on mutual attraction

The stars too, remain arranged in a system due to gravitational forces of

attraction. This is the lessons that the signs of nature [Ayat-e-Qudrat] is
teaching us.
Similar to the stars, were the Sahaba-e-Kiram‫﵃‬, who were bound together
as one single system by mutual love, affection and brotherhood.
Both the celestial system and the human system of old Medina have proven
this.

‫" ُ! روں ز‬#‫ہ‬%&

Posida Hai Ye Nukta Taron Ki Zindagi Mein
This secret is concealed in the life of the “stars”
E
This secret POINT is hidden in the life of the real “stars” of Islam, the
companions of Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬, the Sahaba-e-Kiram‫﵃‬, the secret
PL
is the brotherhood which they developed in Medina.
And this is the lesson of old, which I am trying to teach the new nation
M

(of Pakistan). And that, is the difficult chapter I am going through.

Trying to teach these Muslims, the merits of this brotherhood.
SA

Chapter (59) sūrat l-ḥashr (The Gathering)

Sahih International:
And [also for] those who were settled in al-Madinah and
[adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and
find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give
[them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And
whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be
the successful.
Manzil Yehi Katin Hai (this is the only difficult chapter in) Qaumon (Muslims
in British India’s) Ki Zindagi Mein (Life).
64 Bazm-e-Anjum Secrets of Allama Iqbal

More specifically:
This is the difficult Katin chapter Manzil in the story of the Muslim and
the Hindu Nations Qoumon. (Where a lot of cooperation and
understanding was needed).
It is no wonder that leaders of very high calibre like Gandhi, Nehru, Jinah
and Iqbal (until his death) were able to ride that chapter quite smoothly.
Iqbal passed away nearly a decade before the state of Pakistan was realized
but is regarded as its ideological founding father and the inspiration for
the Pakistan Movement.

------ End of Poem ------

Further Notes:
Elsewhere Allama Iqbal wrote: E
PL
Jazb-e-Baham Jo Nahin, Mehfil-e-Anjum Bhi Nahin
(The constellation of stars cannot exist without mutual pull of gravity
M

amongst them.)
And
SA

Ghubar Aludah’ay Rang-O-Nasb Hain Baal-O-Par Tere

Tu Ae Murgh-E-Haram ! Urne Se Pehle Par-Fishan Ho Ja
Your wings and your plumage are soiled with the dust of colour and race;
You, my bird of the holy shrine, shake your wings before you start to fly.

(Get rid of racism, establish brotherhood before you can fly)

Before leaving this poem, I would like to mention that, there is a famous
statement (perhaps wrongfully) attributed to the Prophet. ‫ﷺ‬
‫ • ﺠﻮم۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔‬O‫أﺻﺤﺎ‬
“My companions are like the stars...”
However, I would not entertain this statement, as there is debate on its
authenticity ranging from “good” to “fabricated”.
Especially ranked “fabricated” on the basis of the last segment (not written
here). However, Allama Iqbal deriving an inspirational meaning to
motivate the Muslims, in the spirit of ‫ﺽ ۡٱﻟ ُﻤ ۡﺆﻣِ ﻨِﻴﻦ‬
ِ ‫ َﻭ َﺣ ِ ّﺮ‬. I am fine.
------------------