We shall witness
Certainly we, too, shall witness that day
that has been promised to us
When these high mountains
Of tyranny and oppression turn to fluff and evaporate
And we oppressed –
Beneath our feet will this earth shiver, shake and beat
And heads of rulers will be struck
With crackling lightening and thunder roars.
When from this God's earth
All false images will be removed.
Then we of clean hearts — condemned by Zealots, those keepers of Faith,
We, will be invited to that altar to sit and govern.
When crowns will be thrown off — and thrones will be overturned.
We shall witness
Certainly we, too, shall witness that day that has been promised to us...
Only the name of Allah will remain
Who is both absent and present
Who is both the observer and the view itself
When the anthem of truth will be raised
Which I am and you are as well
And the people of God will reign
Who I am and you are as well
We shall witness
Certainly we, too, shall witness that day that has been promised to us...
-- Faiz Ahmed Faiz,
(Translation based on the version by Maniza Naqvi that appeared in Times of India, 20 August 2008)