The soil of Syria bestowed upon the Westerners
A Prophet of chastity, compassion, and harmlessness.
The recompense from the West has come for Syria:
Wine, gambling, and crowds of market women!
This Urdu quatrain uses poignant irony to critique the perceived moral impact of Western influence on Eastern societies. It juxtaposes Syria's historical gift to the Franks – a prophet of chastity, compassion, and non-violence (referring to Jesus) – with the 'reward' returned from Europe: wine, gambling, and prostitution. The poem thus laments the spiritual and cultural decay attributed to Westernization, contrasting profound virtues with superficial vices.
wit & rebuke · grief (gham) · the world's unfairness (shikwa)