Iqbal’s Armaghan-i-Hijaz at Masjid-e-Haraam

Armaghan-i-Hijaz (ارمغان حجاز) or Gift from Hijaz was the last compilation of poetry by Allama Iqbal, which was published posthumously in November 1938, seven months after his demise. It has both Urdu section as well as a larger, but less-read, Persian [Farsi] section. Urdu section comprises of his most thought-provoking gems such as Iblees ki Majlis-e-Shoraa [Grand Conference of Satan] and Hazrat Insaan;  whereas the Farsi section consists of Rubaiyaat [couplets].

 

Below are some beautiful verses from book, with translation:

حرم جز قبلہ قلب و نظر نیست
طواف ا و طواف بام و دار نیست
میان ما و بیت الله رامزیست
کہ جبریل امین راھم خبر نیست

 

Translation

Kaaba is nothing mere the Qibla (direction of sajood) for your Heart and Eyes

The whirling [Tawaaf] of Kaaba is not whirling around bricks and mortar.

There is a secret that remains between House of God [Kaaba] and us

That remains hidden even from the archangel Jibreel.

 

During his last years, Allama longed to go on Hajj and started writing this book as the Gift that he bring back as pilgrim. Unfortunately, he suffered from ill health which led to extremely weak legs and inability to walk long distances. His desire to visit Hijaz was never materialized.

Armaghan-i-Hijaz begins from Hazoor-e-Haq [Ode to God] followed by Hazoor-e-Risalat [Ode to Prophet S.A.W]. It provides the crux of Iqbal’s message from his previous books such as Baal-e-Jibreel and Javed Nama. It is very interesting to see his tone in Ode to God versus Ode to Prophet, which goes from hint of sarcasm to God to immense reverence and apologetic when it comes to Prophet S.A.W.

In 2012, I went to Umra and took this book as my travel companion. It remained with me when I took whirls around Kaaba, with prayers for one of the greatest thinker in Islamic world. Here is photo from this memorable pilgrimage with backdrop of Kaaba.

May Allah raise his ranks and let us unravel the secrets mentioned in verse above.