March 22 marks the “World Children’s Poetry Day”. This day is celebrated annually in all United Nations-member countries in line with the decision taken by the International World Children’s Poetry Organization in Liege, Belgium. Commemorating the significance of this day, we share the poem “A Child’s Prayer” by Allama Muhammad Iqbal as translated by Dr. Dogan Yucel and Ubaidullah Hamdani.

‘Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua’, also known as ‘Bachche Ki Dua (A Child’s Prayer)’, was written by Allama Muhammad Iqbal in 1902 as an Urdu prayer in the form of a poem. The poem is sung in the morning ceremonies in all Urdu-medium elementary schools across Pakistan and even India in accompaniment with music.

Muhibullah Nadwi, the imam of the Juma Masjid in Delhi, sang this poem as a child in an English-taught elementary school in India in the 1940s. Previously, the prayer had been broadcast in Lucknow by All India Radio a few months after Iqbal’s death in 1938.

This prayer is played and sung not only by Pakistanis but also by some foreign singers and bands who visit Pakistan.

Children’s Song

My heart’s desire comes to my lips as a prayer
God, make my life as one of a candle, a guiding light

My presence would destroy the darkness of this world,
And my burning light would illuminate all space

My actions would be for my country, beautiful and admired
Just as a flower adds to the beauty of a garden

My work would be to help the poor
And to fill the lives of the lost and old with love

O God, save me from the evil and wrong
And keep me on the path that is straight and righteous

(Translation in English: https://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=2510)

لب پہ آتی ہے دعا

لب پہ آتی ہے دعا بن کے تمنا میری
زندگی شمع کی صورت ہو خدایا میری

دور دنیا کا مرے دم سے اندھیرا ہو جائے
ہر جگہ میرے چمکنے سے اجالا ہو جائے

ہو مرے دم سے یونہی میرے وطن کی زینت
جس طرح پھول سے ہوتی ہے چمن کی زینت

زندگی ہو مری پروانے کی صورت یا رب
علم کی شمع سے ہو مجھ کو محبت یا رب

ہو مرا کام غریبوں کی حمایت کرنا
درد مندوں سے ضعیفوں سے محبت کرنا

مرے اللہ! برائی سے بچانا مجھ کو
نیک جو راہ ہو اس رہ پہ چلانا مجھ کو

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lab_Pe_Aati_Hai_Dua