Aga Khan’s Address to the Turks

This poem was penned by Allama Shibli Nomani, as a satirical response to the Aga Khan’s call to the
Ottoman ruler, during the Balkan wars, to vacate the European territories under his rule from
centuries, so as to escape the frequent attacks from European nations. This stand of the Aga Khan led
to a wave of discontent among large sections of Indian Muslims

To the Turks said the honourable Aga,

Why are you, for no good reason, captive in Europe!

If you withdraw to Asia, then therein you will remain forever;

Spread out your feet at will, and sleep unperturbed!

You will soon realize the futility of modern tools,

The instant you withdraw to the valley of the Tatars.

Now, you will not need the railway;

To relay mail, will come the birds of the Haram.

Admit you will on your own volition: no use there is for musket;
When will be seen your hurling of arrows.

Will depart from your heart the desire for adventure at sea,
When you will notice the intricate knots of the scaling-ladder

Of what use the railways now,

In what way is lacking your steed!

When you, in the wilderness, drive the ship of the desert,

No need will there be for steam, nor anxiety about storms.

The charm that tinkle-bells exude cannot be matched by the whistle (of the train)
None can say of the saddle: it’s not better than a berth.

Where do we find in the glow of the bulb,

The allure that a candle radiates in a gathering.

Decisions taken by village elders,

Stand greater chance of implementation than European laws.

Agreed, Europe is Paradise personified,

Sheikh Saadi of Shiraz has recorded thus:

“My father bartered the garden of heaven in exchange for two grains of wheat.
I would not be my father’s son, if I don’t sell it in lieu of a grain of barley”.

(The original Persian couplet of Saadi Shirazi is as follows:

‫ نا خلف باشم اگر من به جویی نفروشم‬/‫)پدرم روضه رضوان به دو گندم بفروخت‬

Screenshot of the Urdu original is in the following page