Let no evil eye touch my nation, my honor,
My pride, my soul—the one life in my chest.
Even if there were a thousand lives, I’d trace their steps,
Live by “heart with beloved, hand in work”—make an effort.
SHARIPOV Dilshod Baxshilloyevich is a Senior Lecturer at the “Social Sciences” Department, Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan.
MAKE AN EFFORT…
MAKE AN EFFORT…Make an effort, people of knowledge, make an effort,
Bukhari left us knowledge—make an effort.
For a single hadith, he left his splendid town,
He walked deserts and plains on foot—make an effort.
When Abu Rayhan mapped the whole earth,
Europe and America were still in slumber.
He discovered the edge of the ocean world
Before Vespucci even spoke—make an effort.
The name of al-Khwarizmi brought new sciences:
Equations, numbers, algebra too,
Logarithms, riddles, and mental skills—
All from our ancestors’ exercises—make an effort.
Husayn, a brave son of Afshona village,
Dedicated every moment to the pursuit of knowledge.
A master of six sciences, a leader among scholars,
Follow in Ibn Sina’s footsteps—make an effort.
Abu Nasr explained the logic of thought,
Unveiled the ocean of reasoning and structure.
Ibn Sina’s understanding began with Farabi,
He paved the path of wisdom—make an effort.
When I leaf through Rabghuzi’s pages, my heart rejoices,
His histories and human rights bring light.
Do not grow arrogant, O human—
All are created equal—make an effort.
Saints emerged, tying their belts tight,
They were called “pir” and “sage” for a reason.
Their paths still glow with wisdom and grace—
Their legacy guides us—make an effort.
That scent still lingers—from Bukhara it comes,
At night, the roads were swept from Bukhara.
Hospitality, traditions, elegance—
Our ancestor Naqshband—make an effort.
Disciples placed their heads where the teacher stepped,
Even if it meant lying in the snow at the threshold.
Before sitting, they soared through seven heavens—
That spiritual ascent was real—make an effort.
Words fail, the pen grows weak,
Earn your bread with dignity, your work with honesty.
Today, people dig beneath words for other words—
Let sincerity be your message—make an effort.
Sahibqiron stood at history’s center,
Every act—driven by resolve and bravery.
He gained prayers from saints and wise men,
Gallantry marked his every step—make an effort.
They called themselves “Mirzo,” the Timurids,
Ulugh Beg stepped into the stars.
Shah Babur turned his face to India—
Descendants of Khwaja Ahrar—make an effort.
Mir Alisher wrote of longing and sorrow,
He nurtured both you and your children.
Though childless himself, a true monarch of words—
A global hero in spirit—make an effort.
Do not slander or belittle the greats,
They were selfless, devoted—keepers of divine secrets.
They came and went, their era passed—
What remains is up to us—make an effort.
Jami’s verses—beauty like Joseph’s,
His master was the light of both worlds.
We call him a poet, but he was a pole star,
None matched his noble path—make an effort.
Time is still that same old time,
Heroes lie now beneath the soil.
Do not stomp the earth harshly—its dust is sacred,
It holds the jewels of history—make an effort.
Ahmad Yassavi—that was his name,
We call his poetry sacred advice.
Amir Temur built his grave with his own hands,
Brick by brick, it remains—make an effort.
Zangi Baba left behind a legacy of love,
True love from the heart, eternal passion.
Both-world bliss comes from sincere prayers—
Seek blessings from the elders—make an effort.
My homeland, land of saints and sages,
Its soil has felt your footprints,
My grandmothers, small in stature, humble—
Deserve today’s brave sons—make an effort.
At dawn, when you wake—what is your aim?
Rushing through life—what is truly precious?
That youth—stride toward knowledge,
With a pure heart, take steps—make an effort.
If only cities could rise to greet your arrival,
Showering you with pearls and gold, handful after handful.
Where faith was sheltered, knowledge was written—
Where is my ancestor Bukhari?—make an effort.
The imam of imams—where is he now?
Each step of his—toward purity—where is it now?
A sea of compassion and truth, the righteous teacher,
To embrace his “Jami” collection—make an effort.
Where is our ancestor Abu Isa Tirmidhi?
Where is the student who said, “Let me wash your feet”?
Modesty, respect, sincerity, and love—
These lie in faithfulness—make an effort.
Mashrab sighed at the cruelty of the world,
He found peace in God’s pleasure alone.
Providing for family with honest work—
True happiness lies in divine will—make an effort.
Dukchi Eshon led a revolt,
For the nation, he cried out to the general.
He gave his life for freedom—
Have we echoed his voice?—make an effort.
My Jadid forefathers built new schools,
My grandmothers picked cotton and wore rags.
The tyrants tried to erase our faith,
But the Jadid spirit has returned—make an effort.
Make an effort, youth—today, make an effort!
Step boldly toward knowledge—make an effort.
Our educator forefathers, named Jadid,
Are still awaiting your steps—make an effort.
We once came to class thoughtlessly,
Now, aim high—strive for excellence!
Learn languages, gain knowledge, rise up—
Books in hand, endless treasures—make an effort.
Fitrat sighed from the tall minaret,
Fayzulla was executed, yet yearned to live.
What did Cho‘lpon leave behind? Just a worn coat—
But he cried: “My homeland is my soul”—make an effort.
Usmon Nosir—purity of poetry,
Call his gaze your balm—make an effort.
Qodiriy’s Kumush, in tears—
The beloved, the Uzbek soul—make an effort.
Let no evil eye touch my nation, my honor,
My pride, my soul—the one life in my chest.
Even if there were a thousand lives, I’d trace their steps,
Live by “heart with beloved, hand in work”—make an effort.
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