Tulip in the Desert: A Selection of Iqbal's Poetry [Paperback]

Muhammad Iqbal (Author), Mustansir Mir (Editor, Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2000

The national poet of Pakistan, Muhammed Iqbal (1887-1938), is widely credited with having lanched the idea of a seperate Muslim homeland which came to fruition with Jinnah's campaign for an independent Pakistan. However, Iqbal is best known for his Persian and Urdu poetry, which with its deep philosophical insights, has captured the minds of many readers. This translation presents in English a representative selection of Iqbal's works.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The selections, the translations and the arrangement of the materials are all admirable ... The book ought to be in every library concerned with Islamic thought and in the hands of every reader to whom a thorough understanding of Iqbal is a continuing need." Ralph Russell, formerly Reader in Urdu, SOAS, University of London.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773520376
• ISBN-13: 978-0773520370
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,250,750 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mustansir Mir brings Iqbal to life, April 28, 2002

By 

Nadir Mir Ali (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tulip in the Desert: A Selection of Iqbal's Poetry (Paperback)

Mustansir Mir has done a superb job of bringing to life selected works of Iqbal to a generation of Indian and Pakistani Muslims who do not read, write of speak Urdu fluently.
The author has gone into a detailed analysis of the work of Iqbal. Each poem is introduced with text and there are plenty of foot notes to grasp the meaning of each verse. It is said that poetry loses its charm when translated and is not as good as the original. In Mustansir Mir's case, I cannot subscribe to this view. His work has made me appreciate the true nature of Iqbal work in full force that even my parents who were well versed in Urdu and read his work did not enjoy.
For this invaluable gift to us, that is Indian Muslims, I offer a collective thank you!

Nadir Mir Ali

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superbly translated, deftly editor, truly memorable poetry., August 7, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tulip in the Desert: A Selection of Iqbal's Poetry (Paperback)

Superbly translated and deftly edited by Mustansir Mir, Tulip In The Desert showcases the poetry of Muhammad Iqbal, one of the Indian sub-continent's most influential thinkers who Urdu and Persian poetry helped to inspire the idea of an independent Pakistan. Rumi And Goethe: In paradise that perceptive German/Happened upon the Master of the East./Where is a poet of such stature!/Though not a prophet, he is possessed of scripture!/To the one who knew divine secrets/He read about the pact of Iblis and the doctor./Rumi said, 'You who bring words to life,/And hunt angels - and God -/Your thought has made its home/In the inner recesses of the heart,/And created this old world anew./At one and the same time in the body's frame,/You have seen the tranquillity and the restlessness of the soul,/You have been a witness to the birth of the pearl in the shell./Not everyone knows the secret of love;/Or is fit to reach these portals./'He who is blest, and a confidant, knows/That cunning comes from Iblis and love from Adam'.