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OCTOBER, 1921)
HIR AND RANJHA
Hir replied: "I shall cry out in the Court of God that my mother betrothed me to Ranjha and has broken her promise.....My love is known to the Dhul Bashak (the cobra that supports the world), to the Pen and the Tablet of Destiny and to the whole earth and Sky."
The Kazi said: "Proud Beauty, wrapped in musk and insolence. The prophet has ordained marriage and God has said in his holy writ“MARRY.” Obey the bidding of your parents and accept the Khera as your husband. Are you the queen of Jamshid or the daughter of Nadhu Shah that we should be afraid to tell you the truth? I will beat you with the whips of the Shara (the holy scriptures) and administer the justice of Umar Khatib."
Hîr replied: "Where the love of Ranjha has entered there is no place for the authority of the Kheras. If I turn my face from Ranjha what shelter will there be for me in the day of judgment ?"
The Kazi was wroth with Hîr for her obstinacy and be asked her angrily: "Tell me who solemnised your marriage with Ranjha, and who were your witnesses? Who was your attorney? Without witnesses a marriage is invalid. These are the clear directions of the law of Muhammad."
And Hir asked the Kazi : "Who taught you the law? You have no true knowledge of it. The soul of the Prophet solemnised our marriage. By the order of God, the poler star Kutub also mean the chief of the saints] was my attorney. The angels Gabriel, Michael Israel and Israfil were the four witnesses." Thus for a whole watch of the day did Kazi admonish Hîr and urged her to accept the marriage arranged by her parents. But she would not listen and steadfastly refused to be the wife of any one but Ranjha. The arguments and threats of the Kazi were of no avail for the colour of Ain Shin and Kaf [the three arabic letters (m) ISHK spell Love) had entered into her soul.
And Chuchak said to the Kazi: "Listen to me. The marriage procession of the Kheras is sitting at my door, and if the marriage is not accomplished I shall be disgraced and the face of the Sials will be blackened. All the folk of my own household are questioning me. My kith and kin from afar off are asking why the marriage ceremony has not begun. There is no man whom I respect and trust as I trust you. I will give you anything you ask if you will bring this affair to a successful conclusion."
The Kazi replied: "You can only gain your object by deceit. The powerful and mighty have a way of their own. It only Pirs, fakirs and saints who are afraid of using violence. Tell the bride's attorney that consent to the marriage must be wrung from Hir, even against her will. Let us gag her and read the marriage service."
(Quoth the poet : "Kazis have no fear of God and eat the bread of iniquity".) • The Kazi said: "Make haste, Chuchak, and bring your kith and kin. Call the witnesses and the attorney. I will solemnise the marriage. If Ranjha the shepherd makes any trouble we will cast him into the fire."
So the Kazi, by guile, against Hir's will solemnised the marriage. The witnesses and the attorney ran away afterwards as & camel flees on seeing a lion. And Hir said to the Kazi: "May the curse of God fall on you and all such rogues and liars. If you are so anxions to give a bride to the Kheras, why not give your own daughter to them! God's curse on all Kazis and bribetakers,"
