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We will see,
It has to be that we will see
We will see that promised day
Ordained on the pages of destiny
When like the breeze blows gossamer away
Will pass the burdens of evil and tyranny
When the earth thunders from the footfalls of the bound
When skies over despots’ heads will roar
When only Allah’s name will resound
Himself event, witness, unseen, apparent, evermore
When the cry of ’un al haq’ rings out
To which belong both you and me
When the rule of the righteous comes about
To which belong both you and me
We will see,
It has to be that we will see
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Laazim hai ki hum bhi dekkenge
(neccesarry is we will see)
Woh din jiskaa ke waada hai,
(that day of which is promised)
Jo lau-e-azl mein likha hai
(which book of destiny in is written)
Jab zulm-o-sitam ke koh-e-garaan
(when cruelty and sorrows mountain dark)
Rooi ki tarah udd jaayenge,
(cotton like fly away)
Hum mehkoomon ke paaon tale
(we ruled-over feet under)
jab dharti dhad dhad dhadkegi,
(when earth boom-boom beats)
Aur ahl-e-hukam ke sar oopar
(and rulers heads over)
Jab bijli kad kad kadkegi,
(when lightning cracks)
Bas naam rahega Allah kaa,
(only name of allah will remain)
Jo ghaayab bhi hai, haazir bhi,
(who is unseen and present)
Jo manzar bhi hai, naazir bhi.
(who is spectacle and witness)
Utthegaa ‘An-al-haq’ kaa naara
(rise will ’I am the truth’ cry)
Jo main bhi hoon, aur tum bhi ho,
(which I am, and you are too)
Aur raaj karegi Khalq-e-Khuda
(and rule will people of god)
Jo mai bhi hoon, aur tum bhi ho
(which I am, and you are too)
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This poem by Faiz was immortalised by Iqbal Bano, the legendary songstress and friend of Faiz. She sang this as a gesture of protest while Faiz was imprisoned for his political beliefs during General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime. It’s quite an emotionally charged poem, reflecting Faiz’s views on the then-current political climate.
I’ve omitted a stanza from this poem, because I came across the full poem after I had already translated this abridged version.
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Beshno.... 