Jinhein main dhoondta tha aasmanon mein zameenon mein

Those I went searching for in the heavens and on the earth, I found them dwelling in the shadowed chamber of my heart.

When my own Reality was unveiled before my eyes, Its true abode was found among the dwellers of my heart.

Had it but known the grace of bowing in devotion, the Kaaba's threshold stone would merge with the foreheads of the devout.

Have you ever gazed upon yourself, O Majnun? For like Laila, you too are among the veiled ones in their litters.

The months of union fly by as if they were mere moments, but the moments of separation pass as if they were months.

How can you stop me from drowning, O Helmsman? For those who are destined to drown, will drown even within the vessel's hull.

The One who veiled His beauty from Moses, who spoke with God, That same Graceful One now shines forth among the graceful.

The wave of their breath can relight an extinguished flame; O God! What secrets must be hidden in the breasts of the people of the heart?

If you yearn for the ache of the heart, then serve the humble sages; this is a gem not found in the treasuries of kings.

Ask not about these wearers of the patched robe; if you have faith, just look— they sit with the White Hand's miracle hidden up their sleeves.

The sight for which the unseeing eye forever yearns— that very soul of the assembly is found among these solitary mystics.

Set your heart's harvest ablaze with such a spark that the sun of Judgment Day itself might be counted among your gleaners.

For the sake of love, seek out a heart that is ready to break; this is a wine that is kept only in delicate crystal goblets.

The one whose lover becomes beauty from head to toe— tell me, O Heart, is there another so lovely among all the beautiful?

Someone was stirred to trembling by Your gesture of 'We know You not as You deserve'; Your station remained exalted above all who show such grace.

Reveal Yourself and show them Your beauty just once; for so long, You have been the rumor among the keen-sighted.

Be silent, O Heart! It is not right to cry out in a crowded assembly; reverence is the very first principle among the principles of love.

I cannot judge them harshly; that is not for me to do, for I, myself, O Iqbal, am counted among my own critics.