Gopi Chand Narang, a leading scholar of Urdu language and literature, has said Allama Iqbal stands unique in his profound expression of the message of Karbala, where Hazrat Imam Hussain and his family offered a sublime sacrifice for the cause of Islamic principles.
He recited several couplets from Iqbal’s powerful Urdu and Persian ghazals and poems in which the poet interpreted the tragedy of Karbala and the spirit of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s martyrdom in the historical, spiritual, and moral dimensions.
At the same time, Iqbal, who is widely acknowledged as one of the most learned scholars of Islamic philosophy, used literary but easily comprehensible expressions to convey his understanding of the epic tragedy that has shaped the thinking of millions of people.
Among the verses Narang quoted in his address to a Virginia-based gathering included Iqbal’s famous couplet:
Haqeeqat-e-Abadi Hai Maqam e Shabeeri, Badalte Rahte Hain Andaz e Kufi o Shami.
حقیقت ابدی ہے مقام شبیری
بدلتے رہتے ہیں اندازکوفی وشامی
Here is my interpretation of the couplet:
Hussain stays at a high pedestal like the eternal truth
While the Syrians and Kufis continue to change their ways
Dr. Narang, who is a recipient of Pride of Performance, Pakistan’s high civilian award, was speaking at a literary session organized by the US-based Society of Urdu Literature (SOUL)
Born in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, Dr. Narang has been researching and writing on Urdu literature for several decades in India.
On the occasion, he also cited couplets of eminent classic and modern poets to underscore the universality of the message of Karbala where grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him and Ahle Bait made the ultimate sacrifice along with their supporters.
Dr. Zulfiqar Kazmi, who heads an inter-faith organization, The Commongrounds, noted that Karbala has become an important point of reference in many societies around the world as the struggling people draw inspiration from the lofty ideals of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).
The Pakistani-American scholar recited some famous couplets of poet Josh, in which he said with growing consciousness about the high moral and historical significance of the martyrdom in Karbala, each nation will claim that Imam Hussain belongs to them.
Jamil Usman, a New Jersey-based author, read out a short story, which won acclaim from the gathering of Urdu scholars and poets for its deep pathos and intense style of description.
Khurram Yousafzai and other poets read out their poetry to pay tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain and his family. Noor Jaral recited Naats and young Pakistani singer Asim Subhani recited a Hamd. A young Pakistani-American student Ayesha Rathore read out a short introduction to the personality, life and nobility of Hazrat Imam Husain’s character in Urdu language, an effort which was praised by the gathering.
Abu al Hasan Naghmi, who heads the Society of Urdu Literature, appreciated the high quality of presentations made on the occasion.
The session was attended by scholars including Urdu and Persian linguist Dr. Moazam Siddiqui and senior journalists. Dr. Zulfiqar A. Kazmi presided the meeting while Prof. Gopi Chand Narang addressed on phone from New Delhi.
Editor’s Note: This piece originally appeared in 2013 in a blog form, and is being republished here with the author’s permission.
