I heard the most beautiful rendition of this poem by the poet Allama Iqbal on farheen beg’s myspace page. It’s the one called “Dua”. Here’s a translation I found:
A Child’s Prayer
My hopes and wishes come upon
My lips from inside my heart.
Oh God, My life should be
Like a lamp, never to go dark.Let the darkness of the world
Disappear from my presence.
Let every place become bright
From my shining existence.Just as the flower stands with others,
Improving the garden’s beauty,
Let my life stand with knowledge
And dignify my community.My life should be built around
Those who seek the light,
Just as the moth loves the glowing lamp
In the darkness of the night.Oh God, Make me strive
Constantly to educate my mind,
With the light of knowledge
That you gave me the power to find.I want to dedicate my life to those
Who are in need of special care.
The old, the young, the ill, the hungry,
I want to be fair.Oh God, You gave us choices!
Protect us from sins,
Lead us to the path of righteousness,
Help us to do good things.