The Lament of the Decline of the Ummah in Modern Urdu Naat

Time is a mysterious and divine secret, explored by philosophers for centuries without a definitive answer. According to Allama Iqbal, the cycle of day and night defines life and death. The golden era of history was the time of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), followed by the Rightly Guided Caliphate. However, decline set in with monarchy and dynastic rule. For the past two centuries, Muslims have faced continuous downfall. In Naat poetry, alongside praising the Prophet (PBUH), poets have expressed sorrow over the Ummah’s decline. Hali’s Musaddas laments, "O special messenger, it is time for prayer." Iqbal echoes, "The fire of extinguished love is darkness, not Muslims, but a pile of ashes." Modern poets highlight the plight of the oppressed, the invasion of foreigners, and the disparity between the elite and the poor. As Mukhtar Azmi says, "Where do you go, O God? The nation of your Prophet (PBUH) has wandered in despair. References: The Quran, Surah: 103 Iqbal, Allama Muhammad, Bāl-e-Jibrīl, Lahore: Ilm-o-Irfan Publications, 2010, p. 93 The Quran, Surah: 3 Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 4297 Mukhtar Masood, Awaaz-e-Dost, Lahore: Shah Begum & Sheikh Ataullah Trust, 2010 Ibn Khaldun, Hayat-o-Asar, Translated by Muhammad Kazim, Lahore: Alqa Publications, 2019, p. 122 Tahir-ul-Qadri, Dr., Naqsha: Urooj-o-Zawal, Lahore: Minhaj Publications, 2010 Hali, Altaf Hussain, Kulliyat-e-Hali, Lahore: Sheikh Ghulam Ali & Sons, 2000 Iqbal, Allama Muhammad, Poem: Huzoor-e-Risalat Ma'ab ﷺ Mein, included in Bang-e-Dra, Lahore: Ilm-o-Irfan Publications, 2014, p. 197 Iqbal, Allama Muhammad, Poem: Zauq-o-Shauq, included in Bāl-e-Jibrīl, Lahore: Ilm-o-Irfan Publications, 2014, p. 111 Qadri, Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din, Falsafa-e-Tehreek, Lahore: Minhaj-ul-Quran Publications, 2012, p. 111 The Quran, Surah: 3 Ayub Nadeem, Dr., Ujala Huzoor ﷺ Ka, Lahore: Gohar Publications Mukhtar Azmi, Kitab-e-Dil, Lahore: Nasta'liq Publications, 2018, p. 18