Ghazi and the Garden

by Zirrar

Ghazi and the Garden is a new and modern collection of English translations of poetry by Muhammad Iqbal. Considered by many to be the last of the great classical Persian poets, and the first of the modern Muslim philosophers, Iqbal’s work has been pivotal in anti-colonial movements and revolutions throughout the Muslim world in the 20th century. Though he is a household name in the Indian subcontinent, Iran and Turkey, he remains largely unknown in the West. This collections brings together some of his most beautiful and powerful Urdu poems taken from Bang-e Dra (Call of the Marching Bell) and Bal-e Jibreel (Gabriel’s Wing), as well as some of his finest Persian ghazals from Zabur-e Ajam (Persian Psalms).

Each poem includes the original Urdu or Persian text, and where necessary, detailed footnotes with explanations have been provided. The hope is for those already familiar with Iqbal to enjoy the original, but also allow those new to Iqbal, and who might possess the lingual familiarity, to experience the vastness of Iqbal’s mind as they read the translation.

Genres: Poetry, Islam

Unknown Binding

About the author

Writer and poet based in London.

Reviews

[Ryaan Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible collection of poems by one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century. The english translation, as well as the physical book, is extremely high quality.
I love how Zirrar has added footnotes for each poem, allowing the reader to understand Iqbal’s use of metaphors to Sufism, Islam, and Quranic references.

[Sameena H]

Such a stunning collection. Allama Iqbal traverses themes of religion, hypocrisy, colonialism, and nationalism so seamlessly, and in such beautifully traditional Persian and Urdu imagery. The footnotes were also excellent and made the collection so accessible for a lay reader like me!

[Hamaad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best translation of Allama Iqbal's poetry out there, and a brilliant introduction to his ideas, philosophy and poetic works. There is much to enjoy from this volume: Iqbal's concept of the Self (and how it should be raised rather than annihilated), capitalism, secularism and enslavement to the West and the "progress" it has to offer being huge catalysts the demise of Muslim Unity, painful longing for God, and inclusion of both his Urdu and Persian poems.

Zirrar did a fantastic job in bringing Iqbal to an English audience and his project deserves to be much more popular than it already is. I heavily anticipate his upcoming translation of Israr-i-Khudi.