The famous Egyptian author and martyred leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Sayyid Qutb, wrote a beautiful and faith-inspiring poem during his final days in prison. Its captivating Urdu translation was done by Mr. Khalil Ahmad Hamidi in his Urdu translation "Jaada-o-Manzil" of Qutb Shaheed's book "Ma'alim fi al-Tariq" (Milestones). My brother, you are free even behind these prison walls! O my companion, you are free despite these shackles and barriers! If you seek refuge in Allah and hold firmly to Him, Then what harm can the plots of these slave-natured humans do to you? O brother, we will surely annihilate the armies of darkness, And a new dawn will rise upon the universe. So let your soul radiate its brilliance, Look over there into the distance, the dawn is already beckoning us! O brother, though blood has gushed forth from your hands, Your hands refused to be paralyzed even within the chains of the lowliest creatures. The sacrifice of these hands of yours will be lifted up to heaven (accepted), In such a state that these hands will be stained with the color of eternity. O my fellow traveler, if you shed tears over me, And wet my grave with them in profound humility, Then from my bones, light candles for those living in darkness, And advance with those candles towards eternal glory! O my companion, if I leave my loved ones and embrace death, there is no loss, The gardens of my Lord are ready for us. Their sweet-singing birds are hovering and flying all around us, We are joyful and blessed within that eternal abode. O my friend, I have never grown weary of this battle of love, Nor have I ever laid down my weapons. Even if the armies of darkness surround me from all sides, I still hold absolute faith in the rising of the dawn. If I die, I shall attain the status of martyrdom, And you, God willing, will march ahead towards the destination with a new victory. Allah has chosen our names for His calling, Undoubtedly, we will remain steadfast upon the divine path. Some among us have already fulfilled their duty (passed away), While others stand firmly by their pledge and covenant. I will also sacrifice myself, but only for the Lord and the true religion, And I will continue to walk my path, full of conviction and certainty, Until I am either blessed with victory over this world, Or I return to Allah, joining those who have attained eternal life.
