On Poetry
My List of Most Essential Urdu Poetry
Kahan Aa Ke Rukne The Raste — Amjad Islam Amjad
Kahan aa ke rukne the raste, kahan moD tha use bhool jaWo jo mil gaya use yaad rakh, jo nahin mila use bhool ja
Where the paths were meant to pause, or the turns meant to stray, forget.What you’ve found, hold close to heart; what remains unfound, forget.
Wo tere nasib ki barishen kisi aur chhat pe baras gayinDil-e-be-KHabar meri baat sun, use bhool ja, use bhool ja
The rains destined for you fell on another’s roof instead.Oh unaware heart, heed my words: forget them, forget them.
Main to gum tha tere hi dhyan mein, teri aas tere guman meinSaba kah gayi mere kan mein, mere sath aa, use bhool ja
Lost I was in thoughts of you, in hope and doubt alike.The breeze whispered softly to me: “Come with me, forget them.”
Kisi aankh mein nahin ashk-e-gham, tere baad kuchh bhi nahin hai kamTujhe zindagi ne bhula diya, tu bhi muskura, use bhool ja
No tear of sorrow lingers now, nothing lessened after you.Life has forgotten you; so smile, and you forget them too.
Kahin chaak-e-jaan ka rafu nahin, kisi aastin pe lahu nahinKi shahid-e-rah-e-malal ka nahin KHun-baha, use bhool ja
The wounds of the soul remain unstitched; no blood stains any sleeve.There is no ransom for the martyr of anguish—forget them, believe.
Kyun aTa hua hai ghubar mein, gham-e-zindagi ke fishaar meinWo jo dard tha tere baKHt mein, so wo ho gaya, use bhool ja
Why are you clouded in dust and despair, under life’s crushing weight?The pain that once marked your fate has passed—forget it, it’s too late.
Tujhe chand ban ke mila tha jo, tere sahilon pe khila tha joWo tha ek dariya visal ka, so utar gaya, use bhool ja
What came to you like a moonlit glow, blossomed on your shores in embrace,Was a river of union that has receded—forget it, erase.
Ashkon ko arzu-e-rihai hai — Abbas Qamar
Ashkon ko arzu-e-rihai hai, roiyeAankhon ki ab isi mein bhalai hai, roiye.
Tears yearn for their freedom—let them flow.In this act alone lies solace; so cry, and let go.
Rona ilaj-e-zulmat-e-duniya nahi to kya,Kam-az-kam ehtijaj-e-khudai hai, roiye.
Weeping may not cure the darkness of the world, it’s true,But at least it’s a rebellion against divine pretense—so cry, as humans do.
Tasleem kar liya hai jo khud ko charagh-e-haq,Duniya qadam-qadam pe sabai hai, roiye.
If you’ve resolved to uphold the lamp of truth,Be ready—for every step invites storms. Cry if you must.
Khush hain to phir musafir-e-duniya nahi hain aap,Is dasht mein bas aabla-pai hai, roiye.
To always be happy is to walk untouched by life,For in this vast desert, every step blisters the soul. Cry for what it means to be alive.
Ham hain asir-e-zabt, ijazat nahi hamein,Ro pa rahe hain aap, badhai hai, roiye.
Bound by the chains of restraint, I can no longer cry.If you still can, you are blessed—so weep, and cherish the gift of your tears.
Layi hayaat, aaye; qaaza le chali, chale — Sheikh Ibrahim Zouq
Layi hayaat, aaye; qaaza le chali, chaleNa apni khushi aaye, na apni khushi chale.
Life brought me here, so I came; death summoned me, so I left.Neither arrival nor departure has ever been of my choosing.
Behtar to hai yahi ke na duniya se dil lage,Par kya karein jo kam na bedillagi chale.
It’s wiser to stay detached from the world, no doubt,But how can one tread its path without engaging at all?
Duniya ne kab kisi ka rah-e-fana mein diya hai saath,Tum bhi chale chalo yun hi jab tak chali chale.
When has the world ever accompanied anyone on the journey to annihilation?You, too, walk alone for as long as the path stretches before you.
Nazan na ho khirad pe, jo hona hai wohi ho,Danish teri na kuch meri danishvari chale.
Do not take pride in reason or intellect, for what must happen will happen.Neither your wisdom nor mine alters the course of fate.
Kam honge is bisat pe hum jaise badqimar,Jo chal hum chale, woh nihayat buri chale.
On this chessboard of life, there are far better players than I.For every move I made, it turned out disastrously poor.
Laila ka naaqa dasht mein taaseer-e-ishq se,Sun kar fughan-e-Qais, bajaa-e-hudi chale.
In the vast desert, Laila’s camel, moved by the force of love,Heard Majnu’s cries and, abandoning its sacred path, marched toward his altar.
Jigar aur dil ko bachana bhi hai — Abdul Mazaz
Jigar aur dil ko bachana bhi haiNazar aap hi se milana bhi hai.
Compulsion is that I keep looking at you, the struggle is to keep heart and mind intact.
Mohabbat ka har bhed pana bhi haiMagar apna daman bachana bhi hai.
The wish is to unravel the deepest mysteries of love, but fear is to shield myself from the scars it might leave.
Jo dil tere gham ka nishana bhi haiQatil-e-jafa-e-zamana bhi hai.
My heart, which bears the wounds of your love, is also a victim of the world’s endless cruelty.
Khirad ki ita’at zaruri sahiYahi to junun ka zamana bhi hai.
Submission to reason is necessary, I acknowledge, but this is also an age that belongs to passion and madness.
Na duniya na uqba kahan jaiyeKahin ahl-e-dil ka thikana bhi hai.
Neither this world nor the next offers solace—where, then, can people of the heart find a place to rest?
Mujhe aaj sahil pe rone bhi doKi tufan mein muskurana bhi hai.
Let me weep at the shore today; for in the storm, I must wear a smile.
Zamane se aage to badhiye ‘Majaz’Zamane ko aage badhana bhi hai.
Majaz, to move the world forward, we must first rise above its conventional morality.
Main talkhi-e-hayaat se ghabra ke pi gaya — Sagar Siddiqui
Main talkhi-e-hayaat se ghabra ke pi gayaGham ki siyah raat se ghabra ke pi gaya
I drank to escape the bitterness of life,I drank to endure the dark night of sorrow.
Itni daqiq shai koi kaise samajh sakeYazdan ke waqi’at se ghabra ke pi gaya
How can one comprehend something so profound?I drank, bewildered by the workings of the divine.
Chhalke hue the jaam, pareshan thi zulf-e-yaarKuchh aise haadsat se ghabra ke pi gaya
The goblet overflowed, and her tresses were in disarray—Faced with such tumult, I drank in despair.
Main aadmi hoon, koi farishta nahin huzoorMain aaj apni zaat se ghabra ke pi gaya
I am but a man, not an angel, sir.Today, overwhelmed by my own being, I drank.
Duniya-e-haadsat hai ik dardnaak geetDuniya-e-haadsat se ghabra ke pi gaya
The world of tragedies is a painful song.Frightened by its melody, I drank.
Kante to khair kante hain, is ka gila hi kyaPhoolon ki waardaat se ghabra ke pi gaya
Thorns are meant to prick—there’s no complaint in that.But troubled by the treachery of flowers, I drank.
‘Saghar,’ vo keh rahe the ki pi lijiye huzoorUn ki guzarishat se ghabra ke pi gaya
“Saghar,” they said, “have a drink, sir.”Disturbed by their insistence, I drank.
Waqt ki 'umr kya badi hogi — Sagar Siddiqui
Waqt ki 'umr kya badi hogiIk tire vasl ki ghadi hogi
How long could time’s life possibly be?It will be but a fleeting moment of union with you.
Dastaken de rahi hai palkon parKoi barsaat ki jhadi hogi
A gentle knock brushes against my eyelids—Perhaps it’s the first drizzle of rain.
Kya khabar thi ki nok-e-khanjar bhiPhool ki ek pankhudi hogi
Who would have thought the dagger’s sharp tipWould feel as soft as a flower’s petal?
Zulf bal kha rahi hai mathe parChaandni se saba ladi hogi
A lock of hair curls rebelliously across her forehead—Perhaps the moonlight tussled with the breeze.
Ai 'Adam ke musafiro hushyarRaah mein zindagi khadi hogi
O travelers on Adam’s path, beware—Life herself waits on the road ahead.
Kyoon girah gesuon mein daali haiJaan kisi phool ki adi hogi
Why tie knots in your tresses?Perhaps it’s the soul of a delicate flower trapped there.
Iltija ka malaal kya kijeUn ke dar par kahin padi hogi
Why lament the plea left unspoken?It must already be resting at their door.
Maut kehte hain jis ko ai ‘Saghar’Zindagi ki koi kadi hogi
What they call death, O Saghar,Must simply be another link in the chain of life.
Aadmi aadmi se milta hai — Jigar Moradabadi
Aadmi aadmi se milta haiDil magar kam kisi se milta hai
People meet people with ease,But hearts seldom truly connect.
Bhul jata hoon main sitam us keWoh kuchh is sadgi se milta hai
I forget all their cruelties,For they meet me with such innocence.
Aaj kya baat hai ki phoolon kaRang teri hansee se milta hai
What is it today, that the colors of flowersSeem to echo the hues of your smile?
Silsila fitna-e-qayamat kaTeri khush-qaamati se milta hai
The chaos of the Day of Judgment itselfResembles the allure of your graceful presence.
Mil ke bhi jo kabhi nahin miltaToot kar dil usi se milta hai
What remains distant even in closeness—It is with that soul the heart breaks and binds.
Karobaar-e-jahan sanwarte hainHosh jab be-khudi se milta hai
The affairs of the world flourish,When reason embraces a touch of ecstasy.
Ruuh ko bhi maza mohabbat kaDil ki ham-saayi gee se milta hai
Even the soul feels the bliss of loveWhen it finds solace in the heart’s companionship.
Tu samajhta hai hawadis hain satane ke liye — Syed Sadiq Hussain
Tu samajhta hai hawadis hain satane ke liyeYe hua karte hain zahir aazmane ke liye
You think that calamities exist to torment,But they often appear to test your resolve.
Tundi-e-baad-e-mukhalif se na ghabra ai uqabYe to chalti hai tujhe ooncha udane ke liye
Do not fear the fierce opposing wind, O eagle—It blows only to lift you higher in flight.
Kaamyabi ki hua karti hai nakaami daleelRanj aate hain tujhe rahat dilane ke liye
Success is often preceded by failure,And sorrows arrive to grant you eventual peace.
Dast-o-paa rakhte hain aur bekaar kyon baithe raheinHum uthenge apni kismat ko banane ke liye
We have hands and feet, so why sit idle?We shall rise to shape our own destiny.
Ai dil-e-be-qarar chup ho ja — Sagar Siddiqui
Ai dil-e-be-qarar chup ho jaJa chuki hai bahar chup ho ja
O restless heart, be silent now—Spring has departed, so calm yourself.
Ab na aaenge roothne waaleDeeda-e-ashk-bar chup ho ja
Those who left in anger will not return—O tearful eyes, be still now.
Ja chuka karavan-e-lal-o-gulUd raha hai ghubar chup ho ja
The caravan of flowers and jewels has passed—Dust now rises; be silent, stay composed.
Chhut jaati hai phool se khushbooRooth jaate hain yaar chup ho ja
The fragrance leaves the flowers behind,And beloveds part ways; be quiet now.
Hum faqiron ka is zamane meinKaun hai gham-gusar chup ho ja
In this world, who will comfort us—The beggars and the broken? Be silent now.
Hadsaoñ ki na aankh khul jaaeHasrat-e-sogwar chup ho ja
Let not the eyes of tragedies awaken—O grieving desires, be quiet now.
Geet ki zarb se bhi ai ‘Saghar’Toot jaate hain taar chup ho ja
Even the strings break, O Saghar,Under the weight of song; be silent now.
Zindagi ko zakhm ki lazzat se mat mehroom kar — Rahat Indori
Zindagi ko zakhm ki lazzat se mat mehroom karRaste ke pattharon se khairiyat maaloom kar
Do not deprive life of the sweetness in its wounds;Seek wisdom from the stones scattered along your path.
Toot kar bikhri hui talwar ke tukde sametAur apne haar jaane ka sabab maaloom kar
Gather the shattered pieces of a broken sword,And reflect upon the reasons for your defeat.
Jagti aankhon ke khwabon ko ghazal ka naam deRaat bhar ki karvaton ka zaiqa manzoom kar
Name the dreams of your sleepless eyes a ghazal,And weave the taste of your nightly restlessness into verse.
Shaam tak laut aaunga haathon ka khaali-pan liyeAaj phir nikla hoon main ghar se hatheli choom kar
By dusk, I shall return with empty hands once more;Today, I set out from home, kissing my palms in hope.
Mat sikha lahje ko apni barchhiyon ke paintereZinda rehna hai to lahje ko zara masoom kar
Do not teach your tone the sharpness of spears;If you wish to live, soften your words with innocence.
Ghar se ye soch ke nikla hoon ki mar jaana hai — Rahat Indori
Ghar se ye soch ke nikla hoon ki mar jaana haiAb koi raah dikha de ki kidhar jaana hai
I left home with the thought that death is inevitable—Now, show me a path, where should I go from here?
Jism se saath nibhaane ki mat ummeed rakhoIs musafir ko to raste mein thehar jaana hai
Do not expect the body to accompany you till the end—This traveler is bound to pause along the journey.
Maut lamhe ki sada zindagi umron ki pukarMain yahi soch ke zinda hoon ki mar jaana hai
Death calls in moments, while life echoes through years—I live only with the thought that I am destined to die.
Nasha aisa tha ki mai-khane ko duniya samjhaHosh aaya to khayal aaya ki ghar jaana hai
The intoxication was such that I mistook the tavern for the world—When I sobered up, I remembered I had to return home.
Mere jazbe ki badi qadr hai logon mein magarMere jazbe ko mere saath hi mar jaana hai
People admire the intensity of my passion greatly—But this passion, too, is destined to die with me.
Koī Ummīd Bar Nahīñ Ātī — Mirza Ghalib
Koī ummīd bar nahīñ aatīKoī sūrat nazar nahīñ aatī
No hope seems to arise;No solution seems to appear.
Maut kā ek din muayyan haiNiind kyuuñ raat bhar nahīñ aatī
Death has a fixed day,Yet sleep evades me all night.
Aage aatī thī hāl-e-dil pe hañsīAb kisī baat par nahīñ aatī
I used to laugh at my heart’s state before,Now, nothing amuses me anymore.
Jāntā huuñ savāb-e-tā.at-o-zohdPar tabī.at idhar nahīñ aatī
I am aware of the merits of piety and devotion,Yet my heart refuses to turn that way.
Hai kuchh aisī hī baat jo chup huuñVarna kyā baat kar nahīñ aatī
There is something that keeps me silent,Otherwise, it’s not that I cannot speak.
Kyuuñ na chīḳhūñ ki yaad karte haiñMerī āvāz gar nahīñ aatī
Why shouldn’t I cry out loud,If they miss me but my voice doesn’t reach them?
Dāġh-e-dil gar nazar nahīñ aatāBū bhī ai chārā-gar nahīñ aatī
If the scars of my heart are invisible,Then even its scent, O healer, cannot be found.
Ham vahāñ haiñ jahāñ se ham ko bhīKuchh hamārī ḳhabar nahīñ aatī
I am in a place from where,Even I receive no news of myself.
Marte haiñ aarzū meñ marne kīMaut aatī hai par nahīñ aatī
I die yearning for death itself,Death comes, yet it doesn’t fully arrive.
Kā’ba kis muñh se jāoge ‘ġhālib’Sharm tum ko magar nahīñ aatī
With what face will you go to the Ka’ba, Ghalib?Though, shame never seems to come to you.
Ham Par Tumhari Chaah Ka Ilzam Hi To Hai — Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Ham par tumhari chaah ka ilzam hi to haiDushnam to nahin hai ye ikram hi to hai
The accusation of loving you is upon me,It’s not an insult; in fact, it’s an honor.
Karte hain jis pe taan koi jurm to nahinShauq-e-fuzul o ulfat-e-nakam hi to hai
What they criticize is no crime,It’s merely my frivolous longing and unfulfilled love.
Dil muddaee ke harf-e-malamat se shaad haiAi jan-e-jaan ye harf tira naam hi to hai
My heart rejoices at the accuser’s reproach,For, O beloved, those words bear your name.
Dil na-umid to nahin nakam hi to haiLambi hai gham ki shaam magar shaam hi to hai
The heart isn’t hopeless, just unsuccessful,The evening of sorrow is long, but still, it’s just an evening.
Dast-e-falak mein gardish-e-taqdir to nahinDast-e-falak mein gardish-e-ayyam hi to hai
In the heavens’ hand lies not the spinning of fate,But merely the turning of days and nights.
Aakhir to ek roz karegi nazar wafaVo yaar-e-khush-khisal sar-e-bam hi to hai
Someday, faithfulness will dawn upon her,That delightful beloved still stands on the rooftop.
Bhigi hai raat ‘Faiz’ ghazal ibtida karoWaqt-e-sarod dard ka hangam hi to hai
The night is soaked, Faiz, begin the ghazal,It’s the moment for music; it’s the occasion for pain.
Main Laakh Kah Dun Ki Aakash Hoon Zameen Hoon Main — Rahat Indori
Main laakh kah dun ki aakash hoon zameen hoon mainMagar use to khabar hai ki kuchh nahin hoon main
I may claim a thousand times to be the sky, the earth,But she knows the truth—that I am nothing.
Ajeeb log hain meri talaash mein mujh koWahan pe dhoond rahe hain jahan nahin hoon main
Strange are those who search for me,In places where I don’t exist.
Main aayino se to mayus laut aaya thaMagar kisi ne bataya bahut haseen hoon main
I had returned disappointed from mirrors,But someone told me I’m truly beautiful.
Vo zarre zarre mein maujood hai magar main bhiKahin kahin hoon kahaan hoon kahin nahin hoon main
He exists in every particle, but I too exist,Here and there, and sometimes, nowhere at all.
Vo ek kitaab jo mansub tere naam se haiUsi kitaab ke andar kahin kahin hoon main
That book dedicated to your name,In its pages, I appear here and there.
Sitaro aao meri raah mein bikhar jaaoYe mera hukm hai halaanki kuchh nahin hoon main
O stars, come and scatter on my path,This is my command, though I am nothing.
Yahiin Husain bhi guzre yahiin Yazid bhi thaHazaar rang mein doobi hui zameen hoon main
Here passed Husain, and here Yazid too,I am the earth, immersed in countless hues.
Ye boodhi qabrein tumhein kuchh nahin bataengiMujhe talaash karo dosto yahiin hoon main
These old graves will reveal nothing to you,Search for me, my friends—I am here.
Hal-e-Dil Main Suna Nahin Sakta — Akbar Allahabadi
Hal-e-dil main suna nahin saktaLafz ma’na ko pa nahin sakta
I cannot express the state of my heart,Words fail to capture its meaning.
Ishq nazuk-mizaj hai behadAql ka bojh utha nahin sakta
Love is exceedingly delicate,Reason cannot bear its burden.
Hosh aarif ki hai yahi pehchaanKi khudi mein sama nahin sakta
The wise mystic is known by this:He cannot confine himself within his ego.
Ponchh sakta hai ham-nasheen aansooDaagh-e-dil ko mita nahin sakta
A companion may wipe away tears,But cannot erase the scars of the heart.
Mujh ko hairat hai us ki qudrat parAlam us ko ghaTa nahin sakta
I marvel at His divine power,For sorrow cannot diminish Him.
Tamannaon Mein Uljhaya Gaya Hoon — Shad Azimabadi
Tamannaon Mein Uljhaya Gaya Hoonkhilaune de ke bahlaya gaya hoon
I have been entangled in desires,distracted with toys to soothe my heart.
hoon is kuche ke har zarre se agaahidhar se muddaton aaya gaya hoon
I am familiar with every speck of this street,for I have walked this path for ages.
nahi uthte qadam kyun janib-e-dairkisi masjid mein behkaya gaya hoon
Why do my steps not lead toward the temple?Perhaps I was misled once in a mosque.
dil-e-muztar se poochh ai raunaq-e-bazmmain khud aaya nahi laaya gaya hoon
Ask my restless heart, O radiance of the gathering:I did not come here willingly; I was brought.
savera hai bahut ai shor-e-mahsharabhi bekaar uthvaya gaya hoon
O uproar of the Doomsday! It is too early for dawn,for I have been roused needlessly from my rest.
sataya aa ke pahron arzu nejo dam bhar aap mein paaya gaya hoon
Desires have tormented me for hours,and I fid myself briefly within you .
na tha main motaqid e ajaz-e-mai kabadi mushkil se manvaya gaya hoon
I was not a believer in the magic of wine,yet it took much persuasion for me to concede.
kuja main aur kuja ai Shad duniyakahan se kis jagah laaya gaya hoon
How distant I am from this world, O Shad,from where and to what place have I been brought.
Vo Mere Ghar Nahi Aata Main Us Ke Ghar Nahi Jata — Waseem Barelvi
Vo mere ghar nahi aata main us ke ghar nahi jatamagar in ehtiyaton se ta’alluq mar nahi jata
He doesn’t come to my house, nor do I go to his, but despite these precautions, the connection never dies.
Bure achche hon jaise bhi hon sab rishte yahin ke hainkisi ko saath duniyā se koi le kar nahi jata
Good or bad, all relationships are here; no one takes anyone from this world with them.
Gharon ki tarbiyat kya aa gayi T-V ke hathon meinkoi bachcha ab apne baap ke upar nahi jata
What has become of home training, now that television holds the power? Children no longer look up to their fathers.
Khule the shahr mein sau dar magar ik had ke andar hikahaan jata agar main laut ke phir ghar nahi jata
There were a hundred doors open in the city, but within one boundary, where would I go if I didn’t return home?
Mohabbat ke ye aansu hain unhein aankhon mein rahne dosharifon ke gharo ka mas’ala bahar nahi jata
These are tears of love, let them stay in the eyes; the problems of noble families don’t leave the house.
‘Vaseem’ us se kaho duniya bahut mahdood hai merikisi dar ka jo ho jaye vo phir dar dar nahi jata
Vaseem, tell him the world is very limited for me; once someone belongs to a door, they don’t move from door to door.
Ai Khuda Ret Ke Sahara Ko Samundar Kar De — Shaheed Meer
Ai Khuda ret ke sahrā ko samundar kar deyā chhalakti huī āñkhoñ ko bhī patthar kar de
O God, transform the desert of sand into an ocean, or turn these overflowing tears into stones.
Tujh ko dekha nahi mehsoos kiya hai main neaa kisi din mire ehsās ko paikar kar de
I have not seen you, yet I have felt you; come someday and give form to my feelings.
Qaid hone se rahiñ neend ki chanchal pariyanchāhe jitnā bhi ghilāfoñ ko mo’attar kar de
Sleep’s restless fairies ceased to visit me once imprisoned; make fragrant the blankets, no matter how much.
Dil lubhate hue khwabon se kahin behtar haiek aansu ki jo aankhon ko munawwar kar de
Dreams that allure the heart are nothing compared to a tear that illuminates the eyes.
Aur kuchh bhi mujhe darkar nahi hai lekinmeri chadar mire pairoñ ke barabar kar de
I need nothing else, but make my blanket reach the length of my feet.
Ham Ne Khud Apni Rahnumai Ki — Rahat Indori
Ham ne khud apni rahnumā.ī kīaur shohrat huī ḳhudā.ī kī
I guided myself, but they credited divine intervention.
Maiñ ne duniyā se mujh se duniyā nesaikḌoñ baar bevafā.ī kī
The world betrayed me many times, so did i.
Khule rahte haiñ saare darvāzekoī sūrat nahīñ rihā.ī kī
All doors remain open, yet no form of freedom remains.
TuuT kar ham mile haiñ pahlī baarye shurūāt hai judā.ī kī
We met after breaking apart for the first time; this is the beginning of separation.
So.e rahte haiñ oḌh kar ḳhud koab zarūrat nahīñ razā.ī kī
We lie wrapped in ourselves, no longer needing a blanket full of warmth.
Manzileñ chūmtī haiñ mere qadamdaad diije shikasta-pā.ī kī
The destinations kiss my steps; bless me for the broken path.
Zindagī jaise-taise kāTnī haikyā bhalā.ī kī kyā burā.ī kī
Life must be lived in its own way; what is good, what is bad?
Ishq ke kārobār meñ ham nejaan de kar baḌī kamā.ī kī
In love’s trade, I gave my life and earned much.
Ab kisī kī zabāñ nahīñ khultīrasm jaarī hai muñh-bharā.ī kī
Now no one’s tongue opens; the tradition of silencing in all sorts of ways continues.
Kahīn Chānd Rāhoñ Mein Kho Gayā Kahīn Chāndnī Bhī Bhatak Ga’ī — Basheer Badr
Kahīn chāñd rāhoñ meñ kho gayā kahīn chāndnī bhī bhaṭak ga’īmaiñ charāġh vo bhī bujhā huā merī raat kaise chamak ga’ī
Somewhere the moon was lost, and somewhere the moonlight wandered.I was a lamp, dimmed—how did my night manage to shine?
Mirī dāstāñ kā uruuj thā tirī narm palkoñ kī chhāñv meñmire saath thā tujhe jāgnā tirī āñkh kaise jhapak ga’ī
The height of my story was in the shade of your soft lashes.I was with you in awakening, how did your eyes close so suddenly?
Bhalā ham mile bhī to kyā mile vahī dūriyāñ vahī fāslena kabhī hamāre qadam baṛhe na kabhī tumhārī jhijak ga’ī
Even if we met, what did we achieve? The same distances, the same gaps.Neither did our steps advance, nor did your hesitation fade away.
Tire haath se mere hoñṭ tak vahī intizār kī pyaās haimire naam kī jo sharāb thī kahīn rāste meñ chhalak ga’ī
From your hand to my lips, the same thirst for waiting remains.The wine of my name—somewhere, it spilled along the way.
Tujhe bhūl jaane kī koshisheñ kabhī kāmyāb na ho sakīñtirī yaad shāḵh-e-gulāb hai jo havā chalī to lachak ga’ī
The attempts to forget you have never been successful.Your memory is the rose’s branch—when the wind blows, it sways.
Bhīgī Huī Āñkhoñ Kā Ye Manzar Na Milegā — Basheer Badr
Bhīgī huī āñkhoñ kā ye manzar na milegāghar chhoḌ ke mat jaao kahīñ ghar na milegā
This sight of wet eyes will not be found again,Do not leave home, for you may not find another.
Phir yaad bahut āyegī zulfoñ kī ghanī shaamjab dhuup meñ saaya koī sar par na milegā
Then, memories of the dark evening of your hair will overwhelm,When there will be no shadow above your head in the sunlight.
Āñsū ko kabhī os kā qatra na samajhnāaisā tumheñ chāhat kā samundar na milegā
Never mistake a tear for a drop of dew,You will not find such an ocean of love again.
Is ḳhvāb ke māḥol meñ be-ḳhvāb haiñ āñkheñjab niiñd bahut āyegī bistar na milegā
In this dreamlike atmosphere, eyes are intoxicated,When sleep comes, you will not find your bed.
Ye soch lo ab āḳhirī saaya hai mohabbatis dar se uṭhoge to koī dar na milegā
Think carefully now, love is the final shadow,If you rise from this door, no door will open for you.
Saaqī Sharāb Lā Ki Tabī’at Udaas Hai — Abdul Hamid Adam
Saaqī sharāb lā ki tabī’at udaas haimutrib rubāb uṭhā ki tabī’at udaas hai
O cupbearer, bring the wine, for the mood is melancholic,The musician lifts the lute, for the mood is melancholic.
Ruk ruk ke saaz chheḍ ki dil mutma’in nahīñtham tham ke mai pilā ki tabī’at udaas hai
Play the music hesitantly for the heart remains uneasy, let it settle first.Offer the wine with the gaps, let it settle , for the mood is melancholic.
Chubhtī hai qalb o jaan meñ sitāroñ kī raushnīai chāñd duub jā ki tabī’at udaas hai
The light of stars pierces the heart and soul,O moon, sink away, for the mood is melancholic.
Mujh se nazar na pher ki barham hai zindagīmujh se nazar milā ki tabī’at udaas hai
Do not turn away your gaze, life is in turmoil,Look into my eyes, for the mood is melancholic.
Shāyad tire laboñ kī chaṭak se ho jī bahālai dost muskurā ki tabī’at udaas hai
Perhaps your lips’ touch will revive life,O friend, smile, for the mood is melancholic.
Hai husn kā fusūn bhī ilāj-e-fasurdagīruḫ se naqāb uṭhā ki tabī’at udaas hai
Beauty’s enchantment can cure despair,Lift the veil from your face, for the mood is melancholic.
Maiñ ne kabhī ye zid to nahīñ kī par aaj shabai mah-jabīñ na jā ki tabī’at udaas hai
I never insisted on this, but tonight,O moon-faced one, do not leave, for the mood is melancholic.
Yūñhī durust hogī tabī’at tirī ‘adam’kam-baḫht bhūl jā ki tabī’at udaas hai
Your mood will improve with time, O Adam,Forget your misfortune, for the mood is melancholic.
Khali Hai Abhi Jaam Maiñ Kuchh Soch Raha Hoon — Abdul Hamid Adam
Khali hai abhī jaam maiñ kuchh soch raha hoonai gardish-e-ayyam maiñ kuchh soch raha hoon
The cup is still empty, I am thinking of something,O wheel of fate, I am thinking of something.
Saaqī tujhe ik thodi si taklif to hogisāghar ko zara thaam maiñ kuchh soch raha hoon
Cupbearer, you will have some discomfort,Hold the cup for a moment, I am thinking of something.
Pahle badi ragbat thi tire naam se mujh koab sun ke tira naam maiñ kuchh soch raha hoon
Once, I had a great fondness for your name,Now, upon hearing your name, I am thinking of something.
Idraak abhī poora ta’awun nahīñ kartadai bada-e-gulfam maiñ kuchh soch raha hoon
The faculties of comprehension dont aid me the way they used to once soI am thinking of something in the breath of the evening with the aid of the wine.
Aankhon Mein Raha Dil Mein Utar Kar Nahin Dekha — Basheer Badr
Aankhon mein raha dil mein utar kar nahin dekhakashti ke musafir ne samundar nahin dekha
Remained in the eyes, but not deep within the heart,The traveler of the boat has never seen the sea.
Be-waqt agar jaaunga sab chaunk padengeik umr hui din mein kabhi ghar nahin dekha
If I leave at an untimely hour, everyone will be startled,Such a terrible thing to have not seen my own home in daylight.
Jis din se chala hoon meri manzil pe nazar haiaankhon ne kabhi meel ka pathar nahin dekha
Since the day I left, my eyes have been set on my destination,I have never seen the milestone’s stone.
Ye phool mujhe koi virasat mein mile haintum ne mera kaanton bhara bistar nahin dekha
These flowers I have received as inheritance,You have not seen the bed filled with my thorns.
Yaaron ki mohabbat ka yaqeen kar liya main nephoolon mein chhupaya hua khanjar nahin dekha
I have believed in the love of friends,I have never seen a hidden dagger in flowers.
Mahboob ka ghar ho ki buzurgon ki zamineinjo chhod diya phir use mud kar nahin dekha
Whether it’s the beloved’s home or the elders’ lands,Once abandoned, I never turned back to see.
Khat aisa likha hai ki nagine se jade hainvo haath ki jis ne koi zevar nahin dekha
She writes such a letter that it is adorned with jewels,That hand has never seen any ornament.
Patthar mujhe kahta hai mera chahne walamain mom hoon us ne mujhe chhoo kar nahin dekha
The stone tells me, my lover,I am wax, but she has never touched me.
Ab To Ghabra Ke Ye Kehte Hain Ki Mar Jayenge — Sheikh Ibrahim Zauq
Ab to ghabra ke ye kahte hain ki mar jayengemar ke bhi chain na paaya to kidhar jayenge
Now they tremble and say they will die,If death doesn’t bring peace, where will they go?
Tum ne thahraai agar ghair ke ghar jaane kito irade yahaan kuchh aur thahar jayenge
If you decide to stay in someone else’s house,Your intentions here will change.
Khaali ai chaagaron honge bahut marham-daainpar mere zakhm nahin aise ki bhar jayenge
There will be many healers,But my wounds are not such that they can be healed.
Pahunchenge rahguzar-e-yaar talak kyun kar hampahle jab tak na do aalam se guzar jayenge
Why would we go until the lover’s path?We must first pass through both worlds.
Shola-e-ah ko bijli ki tarah chamkhaoonpar mujhe dar hai ki vo dekh ke dar jayenge
I would light the flame of sighs like a lightning strike,But I fear they may see it and run away in fear.
Ham nahin vo jo karen khoon ka dawa tujh parbalki poochhega khuda bhi to mukar jayenge
We are not the ones to claim bloodshed on you,Even God will ask, and i will deny.
Aag dozakh ki bhi ho jayegi paani paanijab ye aasi araq-e-sharm se tar jayenge
The fire of hell will also turn to water,When these sinners become drenched with shame.
Laaye jo mast hain turbat pe gulabi aankhenaur agar kuchh nahin do phool to dhar jayenge
If they bring the intoxicated, with rosy eyes to the grave,If nothing else, flowers will fall there.
Koshish Ke Bavajood Ye Ilzaam Rah Gaya — Nida Fazli
Koshish ke bavajood ye ilzaam rah gayahar kaam mein hamesha koi kaam rah gaya
Despite efforts, the blame remained,In every task, there was always something left undone.
Chhoti thi umr aur fasaana taveel thaaaghaz hi likha gaya anjaam rah gaya
Life was short, and the story was long,The beginning was written, but the end remained.
Uth uth ke masjidoñ se namazi chale gayedahshat-garon ke haath mein Islam rah gaya
Prayers left the mosques one by one,Islam remained in the hands of the terrorists.
Us ka qusoor ye tha bahut sochta tha vovo kaamyaab ho ke bhi nakaam rah gaya
His fault was that he thought too much,He was successful yet remained a failure.
Ab kya bataaen kaun tha kya tha vo ek shakhsginti ke chaar harfon ka jo naam rah gaya
Now, how can I tell you who he was?He was a person whose name remained with four letters.
Lagtā Nahīñ Hai Dil Mirā UjḌe Dayār Meñ — Bahadurshah Zafar
Lagtā nahīñ hai dil mirā ujḌe dayār meñkis kī banī hai ālam-e-nā-pā.idār meñ
My heart doesn’t seem to settle in this desolate land,Who has reconciled in this world of the impossible?
In hasratoñ se kah do kahīñ aur jā baseñitnī jagah kahāñ hai dil-e-dāġh-dār meñ
Tell these desires to settle elsewhere,Where is there room in this heart full of scars?
Kāñtoñ ko mat nikāl chaman se o bāġhbāñye bhī guloñ ke saath pale haiñ bahār meñ
Do not uproot the thorns from the garden, O gardener,They too have grown alongside the flowers in the spring.
Bulbul ko bāġhbāñ se na sayyād se gilaqismat meñ qaid likkhī thī fasl-e-bahār meñ
The nightingale should not complain to the gardener or the hunter,Its fate was written to be imprisoned in the spring.
Kitna hai bad-nasīb ‘Zafar’ dafn ke liyedo gaz zamīn bhī na milī kū-e-yār meñ
How unfortunate is Zafar, even for burial,Not even two yards of earth were found in the alley of my beloved.
Na Kisī Kī Aañkh Kā Nuur Hūñ Na Kisī Ke Dil Kā Qarār Hūñ — Muztar Khairabadi
Na kisī kī aañkh kā nuur huuñ na kisī ke dil kā qarār huuñkisī kaam meñ jo na aa sake maiñ vo ek musht-e-ghubār huuñ
I am not the light of anyone’s eyes, nor the peace of anyone’s heart,I am but a handful of dust, unable to fulfill any task.
Na davā-e-dard-e-jigar huuñ maiñ na kisī kī mīthī nazar huuñ maiñna idhar huuñ maiñ na udhar huuñ maiñ na shakeb huuñ na qarār huuñ
I am neither a remedy for heartache, nor a sweet glance for anyone,I am neither here, nor there, neither restless, nor at peace.
Mirā waqt mujh se bichhaḍ gayā mirā rañg-rūp bigaḍ gayājo khizāñ se baaġh ujaḍ gayā maiñ usī kī fasl-e-bahār huuñ
My time has parted from me, my appearance has deteriorated,I am the spring of that garden which was ruined by autumn.
Pa-e fātiha koī aa.e kyūñ koī chaar phuul chaḍhā.e kyūñkoī aa ke sham’ jalā.e kyūñ maiñ vo bekasī kā mazār huuñ
Why should anyone come to offer a prayer at my grave,Why should anyone lay four flowers or light a lamp, I am that shrine of helplessness.
Na maiñ laag huuñ na lagāv huuñ na suhāg huuñ na subhāv huuñjo bigaḍ gayā vo banāv huuñ jo nahīñ rahā vo siñgār huuñ
I am neither attachment nor love, neither marriage nor temperament,I am what has gone wrong, what is lost, I am its adornment.
Maiñ nahīñ huuñ naghma-e-jān-fazā mujhe sun ke koī karegā kyāmaiñ baḍe birog kī huuñ sadā maiñ baḍe dukhī kī pukār huuñ
I am not a melody that will bring life to the air, who will listen to me?I am the call of great suffering, the cry of profound sorrow.
Na maiñ ‘muztar’ un kā habīb huuñ na maiñ ‘muztar’ un kā raqīb huuñjo bigaḍ gayā vo nasīb huuñ jo ujaḍ gayā vo dayār huuñ
I am neither the beloved nor the rival of those in distress,I am the fate that has gone wrong, the land that has been ruined.
Mohabbat Karne Wāle Kam Na Hoñge — Hafeez Hoshiyarpuri
Mohabbat karne vaale kam na hoñgetirī mahfil meñ lekin ham na hoñge
There will never be a shortage of those who love,But in your gathering, I will not be there.
Maiñ aksar sochtā huuñ phuul kab taksharīk-e-girya-e-shabnam na hoñge
I often think, how long will the flowers last,Before they, too, become part of the tearful morning dew.
Zarā der-āshnā chashm-e-karam haisitam hī ishq meñ paiham na hoñge
A little delay, my dear, your eyes of grace,In love, only cruelty will prevail, nothing else.
Diloñ kī uljhaneñ baḍhtī raheñgīagar kuchh mashware bāham na hoñge
The entanglements of hearts will continue to grow,Unless there are some solutions shared together.
Zamāne bhar ke ġham yā ik tirā ġhamye ġham hogā to kitne ġham na hoñge
The sorrow of the world, or just your sorrow,If yours will ever dawn so many will not.
Kahūñ bedard kyūñ ahl-e-jahāñ kovo mere haal se mahram na hoñge
Why should I tell the indifferent ones, the people of the world,They will never understand my condition.
Hamāre dil meñ sail-e-girya hogāagar bā-dīda-e-pur-nam na hoñge
In our hearts, there will be a flood of tears,Unless there is someone to witness it, with tear-filled eyes.
Agar tū ittifāqan mil bhī jaa.etirī furqat ke sadme kam na hoñge
Even if we meet by chance,The pain of your separation will never lessen.
‘Hafīz’ un se maiñ jitnā bad-gumāñ huuñvo mujh se us qadar barham na hoñge
Hafeez, I am as much misunderstood by them,But they will never be as upset with me as I am with them.
Kaun Aa.egā Yahāñ — Kaif Bhopali
Kaun aa.egā yahāñ koī na aayā hogāmerā darvāza havāoñ ne hilāyā hogā
Who will come here, no one has come,My door must have been shaken by the winds.
Dil-e-nādāñ na dhaḌak ai dil-e-nādāñ na dhaḌakkoī ḳhat le ke paḌosī ke ghar aayā hogā
O heart, don’t beat, O heart, don’t beat,Someone must have come with a letter to the neighbor’s house.
Is gulistāñ kī yahī riit hai ai shāḳh-e-gultū ne jis phuul ko paalā vo parāyā hogā
This is the way of the garden, O branch of flowers,The flower you nurtured must have become someone else’s.
Dil kī qismat hī meñ likkhā thā añdherā shāyadwarna masjid kā diyā kis ne bujhāyā hogā
It was written in the fate of my heart that darkness would prevail,Otherwise, who would have extinguished the lamp of the mosque?
Gul se lipTī huī titlī ko girā kar dekhoāñdhiyo tum ne daraḳhtoñ ko girāyā hogā
Mighty storms, you cant separate the butterfly clinging to a flower,you who would have brought down countless number of trees in your days.
Khelne ke liye bachche nikal aa.e hoñgechāñd ab us kī galī meñ utar aayā hogā
The children must have come out to play,The moon must have descended into her street.
‘Kaif’ pardes meñ mat yaad karo apnā makāñab ke bārish ne use toḌ girāyā hogā
Kaif, don’t remember your home in a foreign land,This time, the rain must have brought it down.
Ai Mohabbat Tere Anjām Pe Ronā Aayā — Shakeel Badayuni
Ai mohabbat tire anjām pe ronā aayājaane kyuuñ aaj tire naam pe ronā aayā
O love, it is time to cry over your end,I don’t know why today, I cry at your name.
Yuuñ to har shaam umīdoñ meñ guzar jaatī haiaaj kuchh baat hai jo shaam pe ronā aayā
Usually, every evening passes with hopes,But today, something is different; it is time to cry at dusk.
Kabhī taqdīr kā mātam kabhī duniyā kā gilamanzil-e-ishq meñ har gaam pe ronā aayā
Sometimes mourning fate, sometimes complaining about the world,At every step in the path of love, it is time to cry.
Mujh pe hī ḳhatm huā silsila-e-nauhagarīis qadar gardish-e-ayyām pe ronā aayā
It was on me where ended the chain of lamentation,Such a turn in the course of time has come.
Jab huā zikr zamāne meñ mohabbat kā ‘shakīl’mujh ko apne dil-e-nākām pe ronā aayā
When love was mentioned in the world, ‘Shakeel,’I was drawn to cry for my failed heart.
Insha-ji Utho Ab Kooch Karo — Ibn-e-Insha
Insha-ji utho ab kooch karo, is shahr mein ji ko lagana kyaVahshi ko sukoon se kya matlab, jogi ka nagar mein thikana kya
Insha, rise now and do something; why attach your heart to this city?What does a wanderer know of peace, or a hermit of dwelling in towns?
Is dil ke darida daaman ko dekho to sahi, socho to sahiJis jholi mein sau chhed hue, us jholi ka phailana kya
Look at this heart’s torn garment, reflect for a moment, think for a while—In a pouch with a hundred tears, what use is spreading it wide?
Shab biti, chand bhi doob chala, zanjeer pari darwaze meinKyun der gaye ghar aaye ho, sajni se karoge bahana kya
The night has passed, and the moon has set, chains now hang on the door—Why did you delay coming home? What excuse will you make to your beloved?
Phir hijr ki lambi raat, miyaan, sanjog ki to yahi ek ghadiJo dil mein hai lab par aane do, sharmana kya, ghabrana kya
Once more, the long night of separation—yet this moment is our union’s chance—Speak aloud what resides in your heart; why shy away, why fear at all?
Us roz jo un ko dekha hai, ab khwab ka aalam lagta haiUs roz jo un se baat hui, vo baat bhi thi afsana kya
That day I saw them, it feels now like a vision of dreams—That day we spoke, even that tale now feels unreal.
Us husn ke sachche moti ko, ham dekh saken par chhu na sakenJise dekh saken par chhu na saken, vo daulat kya, vo khazana kya
That beauty’s true pearls—behold we may, but never touch—What use is such a treasure, a wealth untouchable and unseen?
Us ko bhi jala, dukhte hue man, ik shola, laal bhabuka banYun aansu ban bah jana kya, yun mati mein mil jana kya
Burn it too—this aching heart—into a fiery, glowing blaze—Why dissolve as mere tears, why merge as mere dust into earth?
Jab shahr ke log na rasta den, kyun ban mein na ja bisram kareDivano ki si na baat kare, to aur kare divana kya
When the city’s folk offer no path, why not retreat to the wilderness?If madness does not speak as madness, what else should madness do?
Zindagi Se Badi Saza Hi Nahin — Krishna Bihari Noor
Zindagi se badi saza hi nahinAur kya jurm hai, pata hi nahin
There is no punishment greater than life itself,And what the crime is,No one knows.
Itne hisson mein bat gaya hoon mainMere hisse mein kuchh bacha hi nahin
I have been divided into so many parts,That nothing of me remains for myself.
Zindagi maut teri manzil haiDoosra koi raasta hi nahin
Life, death is your ultimate destination;There exists no other path at all.
Sach ghate ya bade to sach na raheJhoot ki koi intiha hi nahin
If truth diminishes or grows, it ceases to be truth;Lies, however, know no bounds or end.
Zindagi ab bata kahaan jaayeinZeher bazaar mein mila hi nahin
Life, now tell me, where should we go?Even poison is unavailable in the marketplace.
Jis ke kaaran fasaad hote hainUs ka koi ata-pata hi nahin
The cause of all these conflicts,Has no trace or identity at all.
Kaise avatar, kaise paighambarAisa lagta hai ab khuda hi nahin
What gods, what messengers divine—It seems now that even God does not exist.
Chahe sone ke frame mein jad doAaina jhoot bolta hi nahin
Even if adorned in a golden frame,A mirror never lies or deceives.
Apni rachnaon mein vo zinda haiNoor sansar se gaya hi nahin
He lives on in his creations immortal;Noor has not departed from this world.
Pahle Nahai Os Mein Phir Aansuon Mein Raat — Shaharyar
Pahle nahai os mein phir aansuon mein raatYoon boond boond utri hamare gharon mein raat
First bathed in dew, then in tears, the night;Drop by drop, it descended into our homes, the night.
Kuchh bhi dikhai deta nahin door door takChubhti hai suiyon ki tarah jab ragon mein raat
Nothing is visible far and wide;It pierces like needles into the veins, the night.
Vo khurduri chataanen vo dariya vo aabsharSab kuchh samet le gai apne paron mein raat
Those rugged cliffs, rivers, and waterfalls—The night gathered them all under its wings.
Aankhon ko sab ki neend bhi di khwab bhi diyeHam ko shumaar karti rahi dushmanon mein raat
To eyes, it gave sleep and dreams alike;To us, it kept counting among enemies, the night.
Be-samt manzilon ne bulaya hai phir hameinSannate phir bichhane lagi rastoñ mein raat
Aimless destinations have called us once again;Silence begins to spread on the roads, the night.
Siine Mein Jalan Aankhon Mein Toofaan Sa Kyun Hai — Shaharyar
Siine mein jalan aankhon mein toofaan sa kyun haiIs shahr mein har shakhs pareshan sa kyun hai
Why does the chest burn, why is there a storm in the eyes?Why does everyone in this city seem so distressed?
Dil hai to dhadakne ka bahaana koi dhoondePatthar ki tarah be-his o be-jaan sa kyun hai
If there is a heart, it seeks an excuse to beat;Why is it as numb and lifeless as a stone?
Tanhaai ki ye kaun si manzil hai rafeeqoTa-hadd-e-nazar ek bayabaan sa kyun hai
What is this stage of loneliness, my friends,Why does it stretch endlessly like a barren desert?
Ham ne to koi baat nikali nahin gham kiVo zood-pashemaan pashemaan sa kyun hai
We did not even mention sorrow,Why is he so quick to regret, so regretful?
Kya koi nai baat nazar aati hai ham meinAaina hamein dekh ke hairaan sa kyun hai
Does anything new seem visible in us?Why does the mirror appear astonished upon seeing us?
Ye Kya Jagah Hai Dosto Ye Kaun Sa Dayar Hai — Shahryar
Ye kya jagah hai dosto ye kaun sa dayar haiHad-e-nigaah tak jahan ghubaar hi ghubaar hai
What is this place, my friends, what land is this,Where the horizon is cloaked in endless dust?
Har ek jism ruuh ke azaab se nidhhaal haiHar ek aankh shabnami har ek dil figaar hai
Every body is weary from the torment of the soul,Every eye glistens with dew, every heart is wounded.
Hamein to apne dil ki dhadkanoñ pe bhi yaqeen nahinKhosha vo log jin ko dusroñ pe e’tibaar hai
We cannot even trust the beats of our own heart,Blessed are those who place faith in others.
Na jis ka naam hai koi na jis ki shakl hai koiIk aisi shai ka kyun hamein azal se intezaar hai
Of something without a name, of something without form,Why have we awaited such a thing since eternity?
Ye Ek Baat Samajhne Mein Raat Ho Gayī Hai — Tahzeeb Faafi
Ye ek baat samajhne mein raat ho gayī haiMaiñ us se jiit gayā huuñ ki maat ho gayī hai
It took the entire night to understand this one thing,Have I won over him or defeat has occurred.
Maiñ ab ke saal parindoñ kā din manā.ūñgāMirī qarīb ke jañgal se baat ho gayī hai
This year, I will celebrate the day of the birds,The forest near me has had a conversation.
Bichhaḍ ke tujh se na khush rah sakūñgā sochā thāTirī judāī hī vajh-e-nashāt ho gayī hai
I thought I would never be happy after parting with you,But your separation itself has become the cause of my joy.
Badan mein ek taraf din tulūa maiñ ne kiyāBadan ke dūsre hisse mein raat ho gayī hai
In my body, one side experienced the sunrise,While the other side entered the night.
Maiñ jañgaloñ kī taraf chal paḍā huuñ chhoḍ ke gharYe kyā ki ghar kī udāsī bhī saath ho gayī hai
I left my home and walked toward the forests,Is it that the sadness of home too has followed me?
Rahegā yaad Madīne se vāpsī kā safarMaiñ nazm likhne lagā thā ki na’at ho gayī hai
The memory of the journey back from Madinah will remain,I began writing poetry, and it has turned into a hymn.
Paroñ Ko Khol Zamāna UḌaan Dekhtā Hai — Shakeel Azami
Paroñ ko khol zamāna uḌaan dekhtā haiZamīñ pe baiTh ke kyā āsmān dekhtā hai
Spread your wings, the world watches your flight,Why sit on the ground, gazing at the sky?
Milā hai husn to is husn kī hifāzat karSambhal ke chal tujhe saarā jahān dekhtā hai
You have been blessed with beauty, so safeguard it,Walk carefully, for the whole world watches you.
Kanīz ho koī yā koī shāhzādī hoJo ishq kartā hai kab ḳhāndān dekhtā hai
Whether a maid or a princess,Love never looks at the family line.
GhaTā.eñ uThtī haiñ barsāt hone lagtī haiJab aañkh bhar ke falak ko kisān dekhtā hai
The clouds rise and rain begins to fall,When a farmer gazes intently at the heavens.
Yahī vo shahr jo mere laboñ se boltā thāYahī vo shahr jo merī zabān dekhtā hai
This is the city that used to speak through my lips,This is the city that now watches my words.
Maiñ jab makān ke bāhar qadam nikāltā huuñAjab nigāh se mujh ko makān dekhtā hai
When I step outside my home,The house gazes at me with a peculiar look.
Na Jaane Kaun Sa Manzar Nazar Mein Rahta Hai — Nida Fazli
Na jaane kaun sa manzar nazar mein rahta haiTamām umr musāfir safar mein rahta hai
I don’t know which scene stays in sight,A traveler always remains on a journey throughout life.
Laḍāī dekhe hue dushmanon se mumkin haiMagar wo ḳhauf jo dīwār-o-dar mein rahta hai
Battles against enemies may be seen,But what of the fear that resides in walls and doors?
Ḳhudā to mālik-o-mukhtār hai kahīn bhī raheKabhi bashar mein kabhi jānvār mein rahta hai
God is sovereign, dwelling wherever He pleases,Sometimes within humans, sometimes in animals.
Ajīb daur hai ye tai-shuda nahīn kuchh bhīNa chāñd shab mein na sūraj sahar mein rahta hai
These are strange times; nothing is predetermined,The moon doesn’t belong to the night, nor the sun to the dawn.
Jo milnā chāho to mujh se milo kahīn bāharWo koī aur hai jo mere ghar mein rahta hai
If you wish to meet me, find me elsewhere,There’s someone else who resides in my home.
Badalnā chāho to duniyā badal bhī saktī haiAjab futūr sa har waqt sar mein rahta hai
If you wish, you can change the world too,Yet a peculiar restlessness always lingers in the mind.
Maiñ Apne Ikhtiyār Mein Huuñ Bhī Nahīñ Bhī Huuñ — Nida Fazli
Maiñ apne ikhtiyār mein huuñ bhī nahīñ bhī huuñDuniyā ke kārobār mein huuñ bhī nahīñ bhī huuñ
I am within my control, yet not entirely,Part of the world’s affairs, yet distant from them truly.
Terī hī justujū mein lagā hai kabhī kabhīMaiñ tere intizār mein huuñ bhī nahīñ bhī huuñ
Sometimes engrossed in searching for you,I wait for you, yet I do not truly wait.
Fihrist marne vāloñ kī qātil ke pās haiMaiñ apne hī mazār mein huuñ bhī nahīñ bhī huuñ
The list of the dead lies with the killer,I exist in my own grave, yet do not fully dwell there.
Auroñ ke sāth aisā koī mas.ala nahīñIk maiñ hī is dayār mein huuñ bhī nahīñ bhī huuñ
With others, there’s no such issue,But I alone am both here and not here in this realm.
Mujh se hī hai har ek siyāsat kā e’tibārPhir bhī kisī shumār mein huuñ bhī nahīñ bhī huuñ
Every politics gains its trust through me,Yet I remain counted and uncounted simultaneously.
Ek Hunar Hai Jo Kar Gaya Hun Main — Jaun Eliya
Ek hunar hai jo kar gaya hun mainSab ke dil se utar gaya hun main
I have mastered an art so fine,I’ve slipped out of everyone’s mind.
Kaise apni hansi ko zabt karunSun raha hun ki ghar gaya hun main
How can I hold back my laughter now?I hear I’ve returned home somehow.
Kya bataun ki mar nahin pataJite-ji jab se mar gaya hun main
What should I say? I’ve failed to die,Since living, I’ve been death’s ally.
Ab hai bas apna samna dar-peshHar kisi se guzar gaya hun main
Now, I face only myself ahead,Through everyone else, I’ve already fled.
Wahi naz-o-ada wahi ghamzeSar-ba-sar aap par gaya hun main
Those same graces and playful glances,Have led me entirely to you in trances.
Ajab ilzam hun zamane kaKi yahan sab ke sar gaya hun main
I bear the strangest blame in the world,For I’ve burdened everyone, unfurled.
Kabhi khud tak pahunch nahin payaJab ki wan umr bhar gaya hun main
I’ve never reached myself, it seems,Though I’ve filled a lifetime’s dreams.
Tum se jaanan mila hun jis din seBe-tarah khud se dar gaya hun main
Since the day I met you, my dear,I’ve grown to dread myself in fear.
Ku-e-jaanan mein sog barpa haiKi achanak sudhar gaya hun main
In my beloved’s lane, there’s mourning all around,For I’ve suddenly improved, a miracle profound.
Sitaron Se Aage Jahan Aur Bhi Hain — Allama Iqbal
Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hainAbhi ishq ke imtihan aur bhi hain
Beyond the stars, there are realms to find,And trials of love still await mankind.
Tahi zindagi se nahin ye fazaenYahan saikDon karwan aur bhi hain
These skies are not devoid of life’s tale,Here march countless caravans without fail.
Qanaat na kar aalam-e-rang-o-bu parChaman aur bhi aashiyan aur bhi hain
Do not be content with the hues and scents,There are more gardens, more nests immense.
Agar kho gaya ek nasheman to kya ghamMaqamat-e-ah-o-fughan aur bhi hain
If one dwelling is lost, why mourn its fall?There are more spaces to sigh and call.
Tu shahin hai parwaz hai kaam teraTere samne aasman aur bhi hain
You are a falcon; soaring is your deed,There lie more skies ahead to heed.
Isi roz o shab mein ulajh kar na rah jaKi tere zaman o makan aur bhi hain
Do not get entangled in night and day,For your time and space stretch far away.
Gae din ki tanha tha main anjuman meinYahan ab mere raaz-dan aur bhi hain
Gone are the days of solitude in the crowd,Now I have confidants to share aloud.
Kabhī Kisī Ko Mukammal Jahāñ Nahīñ Miltā — Nida Fazli
Kabhī kisī ko mukammal jahāñ nahīñ miltāKahīñ zamīn kahīñ āsmāñ nahīñ miltā
No one ever attains a perfect world,Some lack the earth, and some the heavens unfurled.
Tamām shahr meñ aisā nahīñ ḳhulūs na hoJahāñ umiid ho is kī vahāñ nahīñ miltā
Sincerity exists, but it’s rare to find,Especially where one hopes, it’s confined.
Kahāñ charāġh jalā.eñ kahāñ gulāb rakheñChhateñ to miltī haiñ lekin makāñ nahīñ miltā
Where to light lamps, where to place the rose?Roofs are found, but homes never compose.
Ye kyā azaab hai sab apne aap meñ gum haiñZabāñ milī hai magar ham-zabāñ nahīñ miltā
What curse is this, everyone is lost within,We have voices, yet no kin to listen.
Charāġh jalte hī bīnā.ī bujhne lagtī haiḲhud apne ghar meñ hī ghar kā nishāñ nahīñ miltā
As lamps light up, vision starts to fade,In one’s own home, its essence evades.
Ash.ār Mire Yuuñ To Zamāne Ke Liye Haiñ — Jan Nisar Akhtar
Ash.ār mire yuuñ to zamāne ke liye haiñKuchh sher faqat un ko sunāne ke liye haiñ
My couplets are for the world at large,But a few are meant solely to be their charge.
Ab ye bhī nahīñ Thiik ki har dard miTā deñKuchh dard kaleje se lagāne ke liye haiñ
It isn’t right to erase every ache,Some pains are there to embrace and take.
Socho to baḌī chiiz hai tahzīb badan kīVarna ye faqat aag bujhāne ke liye haiñ
Reflect, and body’s grace seems grand,Else, it’s just fire to cool on demand.
Āñkhoñ meñ jo bhar loge to kāñToñ se chubheñgeYe ḳhvāb to palkoñ pe sajāne ke liye haiñ
Fill your eyes, and they’ll sting like thorns,These dreams are for lashes, not to adorn.
Dekhūñ tire hāthoñ ko to lagtā hai tire haathMandir meñ faqat diip jalāne ke liye haiñ
Looking at your hands, it seems they exist,Only to light temple lamps in a tryst.
Ye ilm kā saudā ye risāle ye kitābeñIk shaḳhs kī yādoñ ko bhulāne ke liye haiñ
This trade of knowledge, these journals, these tomes,Are but to forget memories of someone once known.
Apne Har Har Lafz Kā ḳhud Aa.ina Ho Jā.ūñgā — Waseem Bareli
Apne har har lafz kā ḳhud aa.ina ho jā.ūñgāUs ko chhoTā kah ke maiñ kaise baḌā ho jā.ūñgā
I will mirror my every word in reflection,Calling them small, how can I gain elevation?
Tum girāne meñ lage the tum ne sochā hī nahīñMaiñ girā to mas.ala ban kar khaḌā ho jā.ūñgā
You worked to bring me down, gave it no thought,If I fall, I’ll rise as a force to be sought.
Mujh ko chalne do akelā hai abhī merā safarRāsta rokā gayā to qāfila ho jā.ūñgā
Let me walk alone, my journey is still mine,Stop me, and I’ll become a caravan in time.
Saarī duniyā kī nazar meñ hai mirā ahd-e-vafāIk tire kahne se kyā maiñ bevafā ho jā.ūñgā
My vow of loyalty is in the world’s sight,Your words alone won’t make me unfaithful overnight.
Aate Aate Mera Naam Sa Rah Gaya — Waseem Barelvi
Aate aate mera naam sa rah gayaUs ke honTon pe kuchh kanpta rah gaya
As they arrived, my name lingered faintly,Something trembled on their lips faintly.
Raat mujrim thi daman bacha le gaiDin gawahon ki saf mein khaDa rah gaya
The night, guilty, escaped unscathed,The day stood in line with witnesses arrayed.
Wo mere samne hi gaya aur mainRaste ki tarah dekhta rah gaya
They passed right before me, and I,Stood like a road, watching them go by.
JhuT wale kahin se kahin baDh gaeAur main tha ki sach bolta rah gaya
Liars surged ahead, found their way,While I, speaking truth, was left to stay.
Aandhiyon ke irade to achchhe na theYe diya kaise jalta hua rah gaya
The storms held ill intent, it’s true,Yet this flame remained burning through.
Us ko kandhon pe le ja rahe hain ‘Wasim’Aur wo jine ka haq mangta rah gaya
They carry him on shoulders high, ‘Wasim,’Yet he was left pleading for life’s dream.
Be-dilī Kyā Yūñhī Din Guzar Jā.eñge — Jaun Eliya
Be-dilī kyā yūñhī din guzar jā.eñgeSirf zinda rahe ham to mar jā.eñge
Will the days pass in such listless despair?If we merely survive, we’ll perish, bare.
Raqs hai rañg par rañg ham-raqs haiñSab bichhaḌ jā.eñge sab bikhar jā.eñge
Colors dance, companions move in a throng,Yet all will part, and scatter before long.
Ye ḳharābātiyān-e-ḳhirad-bāḳhtaSub.h hote hī sab kaam par jā.eñge
These wrecked souls, drunk on wisdom’s woe,With dawn’s light, to their work, they will go.
Kitnī dilkash ho tum kitnā dil-jū huuñ maiñKyā sitam hai ki ham log mar jā.eñge
How enchanting you are, how captivated am I,What cruelty that we too must one day die.
Hai ġhanīmat ki asrār-e-hastī se hamBe-ḳhabar aa.e haiñ be-ḳhabar jā.eñge
It’s a mercy we’ve come, unaware of existence’s plight,And in blissful ignorance, we’ll take our flight.
Ai Sub.h Maiñ Ab Kahāñ Rahā Hūñ — Jaun Eliya
Ai sub.h maiñ ab kahāñ rahā huuñḲhvāboñ hī meñ sarf ho chukā huuñ
Oh dawn, where do I remain now?Spent entirely in dreams somehow.
Sab mere baġhair mutma.in hoñMaiñ sab ke baġhair jī rahā huuñ
Everyone is content without me,And I exist without them, carefree.
Kyā hai jo badal ga.ī hai duniyāMaiñ bhī to bahut badal gayā huuñ
What has changed in this world, I wonder?For I too have changed, asunder.
Go apne hazār naam rakh luuñPar apne sivā maiñ aur kyā huuñ
Though I may take on a thousand names,Beyond myself, what remains?
Maiñ jurm kā e’tirāf kar keKuchh aur hai jo chhupā gayā huuñ
By confessing my crime, I obscureSomething deeper I can’t endure.
Maiñ aur faqat usī kī ḳhvāhishAḳhlāq meñ jhuuT boltā huuñ
I am merely a longing for her,And lie through morals I defer.
Ik shaḳhs jo mujh se vaqt le karAaj aa na sakā to ḳhush huā huuñ
Someone who took my time today,Didn’t arrive; I’m glad, I’d say.
Har shaḳhs se be-niyāz ho jāPhir sab se ye kah ki maiñ ḳhudā huuñ
Be detached from all you know,Then declare to all, “I am your God, though.”
Charke to tujhe diye haiñ maiñ nePar ḳhuun bhī maiñ hī thūktā huuñ
I gave you spinning wheels for thread,Yet it’s my blood that I shed.
Royā huuñ to apne dostoñ meñPar tujh se to hañs ke hī milā huuñ
Among friends, I have cried with ease,But with you, I only laughed to please.
Ai shaḳhs maiñ terī justujū seBezār nahīñ huuñ thak gayā huuñ
Oh, person, I’m not weary of seeking you,But fatigued from longing anew.
Maiñ sham’-e-sahar kā naġhma-gar thāAb thak ke karāhne lagā huuñ
I was the bard of the dawn’s flame,Now I groan, too tired to proclaim.
Kal par hī rakho vafā kī bāteñMaiñ aaj bahut bujhā huā huuñ
Keep the talks of loyalty for tomorrow,Today I’m extinguished in sorrow.
Koī bhī nahīñ hai mujh se nādimBas tai ye huā ki maiñ burā huuñ
No one regrets me or my plight,It’s settled—I’m the wrong in sight.
Dil-e-Nādāñ Tujhe Huā Kyā Hai — Mirza Ghalib
Dil-e-nādāñ tujhe huā kyā haiĀḳhir is dard kī davā kyā hai
Oh naive heart, what has happened to you?What could be the cure for this pain so true?
Ham haiñ mushtāq aur vo be-zārYā ilāhī ye mājrā kyā hai
I yearn, while they are weary and distant,Oh Lord, what is this predicament?
Maiñ bhī muñh meñ zabān rakhtā huuñKaash pūchho ki mudda.ā kyā hai
I too have a tongue to speak my part,If only they’d ask what resides in my heart.
Jab ki tujh bin nahīñ koī maujūdPhir ye hañgāma ai ḳhudā kyā hai
When nothing exists except for You,Then, oh God, what is this hullabaloo?
Ye parī-chehra log kaise haiñĠhamza o ishva o adā kyā hai
Who are these angel-faced beings?What are these gestures, charms, and leanings?
Shikan-e-zulf-e-ambarīñ kyuuñ haiNigah-e-chashm-e-surma sā kyā hai
Why the kinks in their amber locks?What is the gaze lined with kohl that shocks?
Sabza o gul kahāñ se aa.e haiñAbr kyā chiiz hai havā kyā hai
From where have the greenery and blooms arisen?What is this cloud, and what air has risen?
Ham ko un se vafā kī hai ummīdJo nahīñ jānte vafā kyā hai
We hope for loyalty from those, alas,Who know not what loyalty is, nor its class.
Hañ bhalā kar tirā bhalā hogāAur darvesh kī sadā kyā hai
Do good, and good shall be your fate,What else does a dervish state?
Jaan tum par nisār kartā huuñMaiñ nahīñ jāntā duā kyā hai
I sacrifice my soul upon you,For I know not how to pray, it’s true.
Maiñ ne maanā ki kuchh nahīñ ‘ġhālib’Muft haath aa.e to burā kyā hai
I concede I am nothing, oh Ghalib,But if freely given, what’s wrong in it?
Sansār Se Bhāge Phirte Ho — Sahir Ludhiyanvi
Sansār se bhāge phirte ho bhagvān ko tum kyā pāogeIs lok ko bhī apnā na sake us lok meñ bhī pachhtāoge
You wander, fleeing this world, but how will you find God?If you couldn’t embrace this realm, you’ll regret even in the beyond.
Ye paap hai kyā ye punn hai kyā rītoñ par dharm kī mohreñ haiñHar yug meñ badalte dharmoñ ko kaise ādarsh banāoge
What is sin, and what is virtue? They’re stamped by religion’s norms.How will you make ideals of faiths that shift with time’s storms?
Ye bhog bhī ek tapasyā hai tum tyaag ke maare kyā jaanoApmān rachaitā kā hogā rachnā ko agar Thukrāoge
Enjoyment too is an asceticism; how would you, renouncers, know?It’s an insult to the Creator if His creation you forgo.
Ham kahte haiñ ye jag apnā hai tum kahte ho jhūTā sapnā haiHam janm bitā kar jā.eñge tum janm gañvā kar jāoge
We say this world is ours; you call it a false dream,We’ll fulfill our purpose in life; you’ll waste yours, it would seem.
KaThin Hai Rāhguzar ThoḌī Dūr Saath Chalo — Ahmad Faraz
KaThin hai rāhguzar thoḌī duur saath chaloBahut kaḌā hai safar thoḌī duur saath chalo
The path is difficult; walk with me a little while.The journey is harsh; share it with me for a short mile.
Tamām umr kahāñ koī saath detā haiYe jāntā huuñ magar thoḌī duur saath chalo
No one walks with you for a lifetime, I am aware,But still, for a short distance, let’s walk together with care.
Nashe meñ chuur huuñ maiñ bhī tumheñ bhī hosh nahīñBaḌā maza ho agar thoḌī duur saath chalo
I am intoxicated, and you too are unaware,How delightful it would be if we walked a little pair.
Ye ek shab kī mulāqāt bhī ġhanīmat haiKise hai kal kī ḳhabar thoḌī duur saath chalo
Even a meeting of one night is a precious gift,Who knows of tomorrow? Walk with me to uplift.
Abhī to jaag rahe haiñ charāġh rāhoñ keAbhī hai duur sahar thoḌī duur saath chalo
The lamps of the path are still glowing bright,Dawn is far; let’s walk a little in this night.
Tavāf-e-manzil-e-jānāñ hameñ bhī karnā hai‘Farāz’ tum bhī agar thoḌī duur saath chalo
We too must circle the beloved’s abode someday,Faraz, come along a little; let’s share the way.
Jab Bhi Dil Khol Ke Roe Honge — Ahmad Faraz
Jab bhi dil khol ke roe hongeLog aaram se soe honge
Whenever hearts poured out tears of despair,Others slept peacefully, unaware.
Baz auqat ba-majburi-e-dilHum to kya aap bhi roe honge
At times, out of sheer helplessness of heart,Not just us, even you must have fallen apart.
Subh tak dast-e-saba ne kya kyaPhul kanTon mein piroe honge
By dawn, what feats the morning breeze had done,It must have strung roses with thorns as one.
Wo safine jinhen tufan na mileNa-KHudaon ne Duboe honge
Those ships that storms could never find,Must have been sunk by their sailors’ mind.
Raat bhar hanste hue taron neUn ke aariz bhi bhigoe honge
The laughing stars, throughout the night,Must have dampened her cheeks with light.
Kya ajab hai wo mile bhi hon ‘Faraz’Hum kisi dhyan mein khoe honge
How strange if they ever came, Faraz,We must have been lost in some thought’s cause.
Ranjish Hi Sahi Dil Hi Dukhaane Ke Liye Aa — Ahmad Faraz
Ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhaane ke liye aaAa phir se mujhe chhod ke jaane ke liye aa
Let it be resentment, but come to hurt my heart,Come again, even if just to depart.
Kuchh to mere pindar-e-mohabbat ka bharam rakhTu bhi to kabhi mujh ko manaane ke liye aa
Honor, at least, my pride in love’s belief,You, too, should once come to bring me relief.
Pehle se marasim na sahi phir bhi kabhi toRasm-o-rah-e-duniya hi nibhaane ke liye aa
Even if there’s no bond as before,Come for the world’s customs, nothing more.
Kis kis ko bataayenge judaai ka sabab humTu mujh se khafa hai to zamaane ke liye aa
To whom will I explain the reasons for our separation?If you’re angry, come for society’s expectation.
Ik umr se hoon lazzat-e-girya se bhi mehroomAi raahat-e-jaan mujh ko rulaane ke liye aa
Deprived of the pleasure of tears for an age,Oh solace of my soul, come to release my rage.
Ab tak dil-e-khush-fahm ko tujh se hain umeedeinYe aakhri sham’ein bhi bujhaane ke liye aa
My naïve heart still hopes for you,Come to extinguish these last candles too.
Dukh Fasāna Nahīñ Ki Tujh Se Kaheñ — Ahmad Faraz
Dukh fasāna nahīñ ki tujh se kaheñDil bhī mānā nahīñ ki tujh se kaheñ
Grief is not a tale to tell you,Even my heart doesn’t agree to confide in you.
Aaj tak apnī bekalī kā sababḲhud bhī jānā nahīñ ki tujh se kaheñ
The cause of my restlessness,Even I haven’t understood to reveal it to you.
Be-tarah hāl-e-dil hai aur tujh seDostāna nahīñ ki tujh se kaheñ
My heart is in a terrible state,But there’s no friendship left to share it with you.
Ek tū harf-e-āshnā thā magarAb zamāna nahīñ ki tujh se kaheñ
You were once familiar with my words,But now the world has changed, so I cannot tell you.
Qāsidā ham faqīr logoñ kāIk Ṭhikāna nahīñ ki tujh se kaheñ
We, the wanderers, have no abode,Not something I can explain to you.
Ai ḳhudā dard-e-dil hai baḳhshish-e-dostĀb-o-dāna nahīñ ki tujh se kaheñ
O God, this heartache is a gift from a friend,It is neither sustenance nor bread to disclose to you.
Ab to apnā bhī us galī meñ ‘Farāz’Ānā jānā nahīñ ki tujh se kaheñ
Now even my own comings and goings in that street, Faraz,Are no more, and I can’t bring myself to tell you.
Abhi Kuchh Aur Karishme Ghazal Ke Dekhte Hain — Ahmad Faraz
Abhi kuchh aur karishme ghazal ke dekhte hain‘Farāz’, ab zara lahja badal ke dekhte hain
Let’s witness some more marvels of poetry,Faraz, let’s try changing the tone for once.
Judāiyañ to muqaddar haiñ phir bhī jaan-e-safarKuchh aur duur zara saath chal ke dekhte hain
Separation is our fate, dear fellow traveler,Yet, let’s walk together a little further to see.
Rah-e-vafā meñ harīf-e-Khirām koī to hoSo apne āp se aage nikal ke dekhte hain
In the path of loyalty, there must be a worthy rival,So let’s surpass ourselves and see.
Tū sāmne hai to phir kyuuñ yaqīn nahīñ aatāYe bar-bar jo āñkhoñ ko mal ke dekhte hain
You’re in front of me, yet why can’t I believe?Why do I keep rubbing my eyes repeatedly to see?
Ye kaun log haiñ maujūd terī mahfil meñJo lālachoñ se tujhe mujh ko jal ke dekhte hain
Who are these people present in your gathering,Who envy me and burn, consumed by their greed?
Ye qurb kyā hai ki yak-jān hue na duur raheHazār ek hī qālib meñ Dhal ke dekhte hain
What is this closeness, neither united nor apart,Yet molded into one form to see a thousand times?
Na tujh ko maṭ huī hai na mujh ko maṭ huīSo ab ke donoñ hī chāleñ badal ke dekhte hain
Neither you nor I have been deceived,This time, let’s both change our moves and see.
Ye kaun hai sar-e-sāhil ke Ḍubne vāleSamundaroñ kī tahoñ se uchhal ke dekhte hain
Who are these drowning ones on the shore,Leaping up from the depths of the oceans to see?
Abhī talak to na kundan hue na rakh hueHam apnī āg meñ har roz jal ke dekhte hain
Till now, we’ve neither become pure gold nor ashes,Daily, we burn in our fire to see what emerges.
Bahut dinoñ se nahīñ hai kuchh us kī ḳhair-ḳhabarChalo ‘Farāz’ ko ai yār chal ke dekhte hain
For days, there’s been no news of him,Come, friend, let’s go and seek Faraz to see.
Is Se Pahle Ki Be-Vafā Ho Jaa.eñ — Ahmad Faraz
Is se pahle ki be-vafā ho jaa.eñKyuuñ na ai dost ham judā ho jaa.eñ
Before we betray each other,Why not, my friend, part ways now?
Tū bhī hīre se ban gayā pattharHam bhī kal jaane kyā se kyā ho jaa.eñ
You, once a gem, have turned to stone,Who knows what we may become tomorrow?
Tū ki yaktā thā be-shumār huāHam bhī TūTeñ to jā-ba-jā ho jaa.eñ
You, once unique, have multiplied,If we break, we’ll scatter everywhere.
Ham bhī majbūriyoñ kā uzr kareñPhir kahīñ aur mubtalā ho jaa.eñ
We too may excuse our compulsions,And get entangled elsewhere.
Ham agar manzileñ na ban paa.eManziloñ tak kā rāstā ho jaa.eñ
If we cannot become the destination,Let’s become the path leading to it.
Der se soch meñ haiñ parvāneRaakh ho jaa.eñ yā havā ho jaa.eñ
The moths ponder for long—Should they turn to ash or become air?
Ishq bhī khel hai nasīboñ kāḲhaak ho jaa.eñ kīmiyā ho jaa.eñ
Love too is a game of fate—Shall we turn to dust or alchemy?
Ab ke gar tū mile to ham tujh seAise lipTeñ tirī qabā ho jaa.eñ
If we meet again, I’ll cling to you,And become one with your robe.
Bandagī ham ne chhoḌ dī hai ‘Farāz’Kyā kareñ log jab ḳhudā ho jaa.eñ
We’ve given up devotion, Faraz,What can one do when people become gods?
Teri Baaten Hi Sunane Aae — Ahmad Faraz
Teri baaten hi sunane aaeDost bhi dil hi dukhane aae
They came only to hear my tales,Even friends arrived to break my heart.
Phul khilte hain to hum sochte hainTere aane ke zamane aae
When flowers bloom, I think to myself,Perhaps it is time for your return.
Aisi kuchh chup si lagi hai jaiseHum tujhe haal sunane aae
A strange silence prevails, as thoughI’ve come to share my plight with you.
Ishq tanha hai sar-e-manzil-e-ghamKaun ye bojh uThane aae
Love stands alone at the sorrow’s peak,Who has come to shoulder this burden?
Ajnabi dost hamein dekh ki humKuchh tujhe yaad dilane aae
O strange friend, look at me—I’ve come to remind you of something.
Dil dhaDakta hai safar ke hangamKash phir koi bulane aae
The heart races during this journey,If only someone would call me back.
Ab to rone se bhi dil dukhta haiShayad ab hosh Thikane aae
Now even crying brings pain to my heart,Perhaps now sanity will find its place.
Kya kahin phir koi basti ujDiLog kyun jashn manane aae
Has another settlement been ruined somewhere?Why have people gathered to celebrate?
So raho maut ke pahlu mein ‘Faraz’Nind kis waqt na jaane aae
Sleep beside death, O Faraz—Who knows when slumber will finally come?
Shām-e-Ġham Kī Sahar Nahīñ Hotī — Ibn-e-Insha
Shām-e-ġham kī sahar nahīñ hotīYā hamīñ ko ḳhabar nahīñ hotī
The night of sorrow never dawns,Or perhaps we remain unaware.
Ham ne sab dukh jahāñ ke dekhe haiñBekalī is qadar nahīñ hotī
We have seen all the sorrows of the world,But never have we felt such restlessness.
Naala yuuñ nā-rasā nahīñ rahtāAah yuuñ be-asar nahīñ hotī
A cry does not remain unanswered,A sigh is never this ineffective.
Chāñd hai kahkashāñ hai taare haiñKoī shai nāma-bar nahīñ hotī
The moon, the stars, the galaxy—they exist,Yet no message bearer is ever found.
Ek jāñ-soz o nā-murād ḳhalishIs taraf hai udhar nahīñ hotī
A soul-burning, unfulfilled ache exists here,But it’s absent on the other side.
Dosto ishq hai ḳhatā lekinKyā ḳhatā darguzar nahīñ hotī
Friends, love may be a sin,But isn’t such a sin forgivable?
Raat aa kar guzar bhī jaatī haiIk hamārī sahar nahīñ hotī
The night comes and passes,But our dawn never arrives.
Be-qarārī sahī nahīñ jaatīZindagī muḳhtasar nahīñ hotī
This restlessness refuses to end,Life does not feel this brief.
Ek din dekhne ko aa jaateYe havas umr bhar nahīñ hotī
If only they came to meet for a day,This longing wouldn’t last a lifetime.
Husn sab ko ḳhudā nahīñ detāHar kisī kī nazar nahīñ hotī
Beauty is not granted to everyone by God,Nor does everyone have an eye for it.
Dil piyāla nahīñ gadā.ī kāĀshiqī dar-ba-dar nahīñ hotī
The heart is not a beggar’s bowl,Love does not wander door to door.
Sadiyon Ke Baad Hosh Mein Jo Aa Raha Hun Main — Zulfiqar Naqvi
Sadiyon ke baad hosh mein jo aa raha hun mainLagta hai pahle jurm ko dohra raha hun main
After centuries, I awaken to consciousness,It seems I am repeating my first sin.
Pur-haul wadiyon ka safar hai bahut kaThinLe ja raha hai shauq chala ja raha hun main
The journey through the perilous valleys is arduous,Yet passion carries me forward, and I move ahead.
Khali hain donon hath aur daman bhi tar tarKyun ek musht-e-khaak pe itra raha hun main
My hands are empty, and my robe is torn,Why then am I so proud of this handful of dust?
Shauq-e-visal-e-yar mein ek umr kaT diAb baam o dar saje hain to ghabra raha hun main
In the longing for union with the beloved, I spent a lifetime,Now that the thresholds are adorned, I find myself anxious.
Shayad waraq hai paDh liya koi hayat kaBan kar faqih-e-shahr jo samjha raha hun main
Perhaps someone has read the pages of life,As I, posing as a city sage, offer explanations.
Sahil pe baiTha dekh ke maujon ka iztirabUljhi hui si gutthiyan suljha raha hun main
Sitting by the shore, observing the restless waves,I attempt to untangle the knotted threads.
Tire Ishq Ki Intihā Chāhtā Hūñ — Allama Iqbal
Tire ishq kī intihā chāhtā huuñMirī sādgī dekh kyā chāhtā huuñ
I desire the ultimate of your love,See my simplicity, what I desire?
Sitam ho ki ho vada-e-be-hijābīKoī baat sabr-āzmā chāhtā huuñ
Whether it is cruelty or a promise of abandonment,I seek something that will test my patience.
Ye jannat mubārak rahe zāhidoñ koKi maiñ āp kā sāmnā chāhtā huuñ
Let this paradise be blessed for the ascetics,For I desire to meet you, my beloved.
Zarā sā to dil huuñ magar shoḵh itnāVahī lan-tarānī sunā chāhtā huuñ
My heart is tender, yet so mischievous,I wish to recite the tales of laughter and play.
Koī dam kā mehmāñ huuñ ai ahl-e-mahfilCharāġh-e-sahar huuñ bujhā chāhtā huuñ
I am but a transient guest in your gathering,A dawn’s lamp, I wish to be extinguished.
Bharī bazm meñ raaz kī baat kah dīBaḌā be-adab huuñ sazā chāhtā huuñ
I have revealed a secret in the crowded assembly,I am quite impudent, and I desire the punishment.
Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Haalat Pe Rona Aaya — Sahir Ludhianvi
Kabhi KHud pe kabhi haalat pe rona aayaBaat nikli to har ek baat pe rona aaya
Sometimes I cried over myself, sometimes over circumstances,When the conversation began, I ended up crying over everything.
Hum to samjhe the ki hum bhul gae hain un koKya hua aaj ye kis baat pe rona aaya
I thought I had forgotten them,But today, what happened? I ended up crying over this.
Kis liye jite hain hum kis ke liye jite hainBarha aise sawalat pe rona aaya
For whom do we live, why do we live?I was overwhelmed by such questions and ended up crying.
Kaun rota hai kisi aur ki Khatir ai dostSab ko apni hi kisi baat pe rona aaya
Who cries for someone else’s sake, my friend?Everyone cries for their own reasons.
Maiñ Zindagī Kā Saath Nibhātā Chalā Gayā — Sahir Ludhianvi
Maiñ zindagī kā saath nibhātā chalā gayāHar fikr ko dhueñ meñ uḌātā chalā gayā
I continued on with life, letting go of every worry,I blew away each concern like smoke.
Barbādiyoñ kā sog manānā fuzūl thāBarbādiyoñ kā jashn manātā chalā gayā
Mourning the ruin was useless,I celebrated the destruction as I moved forward.
Jo mil gayā usī ko muqaddar samajh liyāJo kho gayā maiñ us ko bhulātā chalā gayā
Whatever I got, I accepted as my fate,What I lost, I continued to forget as I moved on.
Gham aur khushi meñ farq na mahsūs ho jahānMaiñ dil ko us maqām pe laatā chalā gayā
In a place where I could no longer feel the difference between sorrow and joy,I brought my heart to that state and kept moving forward.
Log Har MoḌ Pe Ruk Ruk Ke Sambhalte Kyuuñ Haiñ — Rahat Indori
Log har moḌ pe ruk ruk ke sambhalte kyuuñ haiñItnā Darte haiñ to phir ghar se nikalte kyuuñ haiñ
Why do people stop and balance themselves at every turn,If they are so afraid, then why do they leave their homes?
Mai-kada zarf ke me.aar kā paimāna haiḳhālī shīshoñ kī tarah log uchhalte kyuuñ haiñ
The wine cup is the measure of one’s capacity,Why do people leap like empty bottles?
MoḌ hotā hai javānī kā sambhalne ke liyeAur sab log yahīñ aa ke phisalte kyuuñ haiñ
There is a curve to navigate in youth,But why do all come here and slip?
Niiñd se merā ta.alluq hī nahīñ barsoñ seḳhvāb aa aa ke mirī chhat pe Tahalte kyuuñ haiñ
I have had no connection with sleep for years,Why do dreams keep walking on my roof?
Maiñ na jugnū huuñ diyā huuñ na koī taarā huuñRaushnī vaale mire naam se jalte kyuuñ haiñ
I am neither a firefly, nor a star,Why do the light-bearers burn in my name?
Na Jism Saath Hamāre Na Jaan Hamārī Taraf — Rajesh Reddy
Na jism saath hamāre na jaañ hamārī tarafHai kuchh bhī ham meñ hamārā kahāñ hamārī taraf
Neither is the body with us, nor our soul headed in our direction,There is nothing within us that belongs to us, where is it, our direction?
KhaḌe haiñ pyāse anā ke isī bharose parKi chal ke aa.egā ik din kuaañ hamārī taraf
Thirsty ones stand with hope that one day,A well will come walking towards us.
BichhaḌte waqt vo taqsīm kar gayā mausamBahār us kī taraf hai ḳhizāñ hamārī taraf
When we parted, he divided the seasons,Spring went towards him, autumn towards us.
Isī umiid pe kirdār ham nibhāte raheKi ruḳh karegī kabhī dāstāñ hamārī taraf
On this hope, we continued playing our roles,That one day, the story will turn towards us.
Kahāñ kahāñ na chhupe bastiyāñ jalā ke magarJahāñ jahāñ ga.e aayā dhuāñ hamārī taraf
Wherever we hid, burning cities,Wherever we went, the smoke came towards us.
Lagā ke jaan kī baazī jise bachāyā thāKhiñchī huī hai usī kī kamāñ hamārī taraf
The one we had saved by risking our lives,Has now pulled his weapon towards us.
Uchhāl dete haiñ patthar ḳhalā meñ ham jo kabhīPalaT ke dekhtā hai āsmāñ hamārī taraf
We throw stones into the empty sky sometimes,And the heavens turn around to look towards us
Ittifāq Apnī Jagah Ḳhush-Qismatī Apnī Jagah — Anwar Shuoor
Ittifāq apnī jagah ḳhush-qismatī apnī jagahḲhud banātā hai jahāñ meñ aadmī apnī jagah
Coincidence has its place, fortune has its own,Man creates his own place in the world.
Kah to saktā huuñ magar majbūr kar saktā nahīñIḳhtiyār apnī jagah hai bebasī apnī jagah
I can speak, but I cannot compel,Choice has its place, helplessness its own.
Kuchh na kuchh sachchā.ī hotī hai nihāñ har baat meñKahne vaale Thiik kahte haiñ sabhī apnī jagah
There is some truth hidden in every statement,Everyone who speaks is right in their own way.
Sirf us ke hoñT kāġhaz par banā detā huuñ maiñḲhud banā letī hai hoñToñ par hañsī apnī jagah
I merely sketch her lips on paper,Her smile finds its own place upon them.
Dost kahtā huuñ tumheñ shā.er nahīñ kahtā ‘shu.ūr’Dostī apnī jagah hai shā.erī apnī jagah
I call you a friend, not a poet, O ‘Shuoor,’Friendship has its place, poetry its own.
Zindagi Yun Hui Basar Tanha — Gulzar
Zindagi yun hui basar tanhaQafila sath aur safar tanha
Life passed by, solitary,With a caravan, yet the journey lonely.
Apne sae se chaunk jate hainUmr guzri hai is qadar tanha
Startled by my own shadow,Life has been this lonely.
Raat bhar baaten karte hain tareRaat kaTe koi kidhar tanha
Stars talk all night long,Where can one actually find the total stillness to pass the night.
Dubne wale par ja utreNaqsh-e-pa apne chhoD kar tanha
He who sank left behindHis footprints, solitary.
Din guzarta nahin hai logon meinRaat hoti nahin basar tanha
The day doesn’t pass amidst people,And the night remains solitary.
Hum ne darwaze tak to dekha thaPhir na jaane gae kidhar tanha
I only saw up to the door,Where he went afterward, I don’t know, alone.
Is Safar Mein Niind Aisi Kho Gayi — Rahi Masoom Raza
Is safar mein niind aisi kho ga.īHam na so.e raat thak kar so ga.ī
On this journey, sleep was so lost,We didn’t sleep; the night, exhausted, slept.
Dāman-e-mauj-e-sabā ḳhālī huāBū-e-gul dasht-e-vafā meñ kho ga.ī
The breeze’s hem was left empty,The flower’s fragrance was lost in the desert of loyalty.
Haa.e is parchhā.iyoñ ke shahr meñDil sī ik zinda haqīqat kho ga.ī
Alas, in this city of shadows,A living truth like the heart was lost.
Ham ne jab hañs kar kahā mamnūn haiñZindagī jaise pashemāñ ho ga.ī
When we laughed and said we were grateful,Life seemed as if it was regretful.
Aankh Mein Pani Rakho — Rahat Indori
aankh mein pani rakho honTon pe chingari rakhozinda rahna hai to tarkiben bahut sari rakho
Keep tears in your eyes, sparks on your lips,If you wish to stay alive, keep countless tricks.
rah ke patthar se baDh kar kuchh nahin hain manzilenraste aawaz dete hain safar jari rakho
No destination is greater than the stones on the path,The roads call out—keep the journey intact.
ek hi naddi ke hain ye do kinare dostodostana zindagi se maut se yari rakho
These two banks belong to the same river, friends,Befriend life, but keep camaraderie with death in the end.
aate jate pal ye kahte hain hamare kan meinkuch ka ailan hone ko hai tayyari rakho
Passing moments whisper softly into our ears,Something’s about to unfold—be prepared, no fears.
ye zaruri hai ki aankhon ka bharam qaem rahenind rakho ya na rakho KHwab meyari rakho
It’s vital to maintain the illusion of your eyes,Sleep if you must, but keep dreams of the highest guise.
ye hawaen uD na jaen le ke kaghaz ka badandosto mujh par koi patthar zara bhaari rakho
Let not these winds carry away a paper-thin being,Friends, place a stone upon me, heavier than the unseen.
le to aae shairi bazar mein ‘rahat’ miyankya zaruri hai ki lahje ko bhi bazari rakho
You’ve brought poetry to the market, Rahat my friend,But must you also make your tone the market’s trend?
Yahan Har ShaKHs Har Pal Hadsa Hone Se Darta Hai — Rajesh Reddy
yahan har shaKHs har pal hadsa hone se Darta haikhilauna hai jo miTTi ka fana hone se Darta hai
Here, every person fears a calamity at every moment,A clay toy dreads its inevitable destruction.
mere dil ke kisi kone mein ek masum sa bachchabaDon ki dekh kar duniya baDa hone se Darta hai
In a corner of my heart lives an innocent child,Seeing the world of grown-ups, it fears growing old and wild.
na bas mein zindagi us ke na qabu maut par us kamagar insan phir bhi kab KHuda hone se Darta hai
Neither life nor death is under his control,Yet when has man ever feared playing god.
ajab ye zindagi ki qaid hai duniya ka har insanrihai mangta hai aur riha hone se Darta hai
What a strange prison this life is—every soul desires freedom,Yet dreads liberation and its ensuing rhythm.
Ab Kya Bataen TuTe Hain Kitne Kahan Se Hum — Rajesh Reddy
ab kya bataen TuTe hain kitne kahan se humKHud ko sameTte hain yahan se wahan se hum
How can we recount the places and ways we’ve broken?We gather ourselves here and there, softly spoken.
kya jaane kis jahan mein milega hamein sukunnaraaz hain zamin se KHafa aasman se hum
Who knows which realm will grant us peace?We’re upset with the earth and angry with the skies’ caprice.
ab to sarab hi se bujhane lage hain pyaslene lage hain kaam yaqin ka guman se hum
Now we quench our thirst with mirages alone,Relying on guesses more than certainties shown.
lekin hamari aankhon ne kuchh aur kah diyakuchh aur kahte rah gae apni zaban se hum
But our eyes spoke truths our tongues did not,What we wanted to say, our words forgot.
aaine se ulajhta hai jab bhi hamara akshaT jate hain bacha ke nazar darmiyan se hum
Whenever our reflection tangles with the mirror’s frame,We step aside, averting eyes, hiding shame.
milte nahin hain apni kahani mein hum kahinghaeb hue hain jab se teri dastan se hum
We don’t find ourselves in our story anymore,Ever since we have vanished from yours.
gham bik rahe the mele mein KHushiyon ke nam parmayus ho ke lauTe hain har ek dukan se hum
Griefs were sold in the fair under happiness’s guise,Disappointed, we returned from every stall’s lies.
Jaane Kitnī UḌaan Baaqī Hai — Rajesh Reddy
jaane kitnī uḌaan baaqī haiis parinde meñ jaan baaqī hai
Who knows how many flights are still left,This bird still has a breath’s heft.
jitnī baTnī thī baT chukī ye zamīñab to bas āsmān baaqī hai
The earth has been divided as much as it could be,Now, only the skies remain free.
ab vo duniyā ajiib lagtī haijis meñ amn-o-amān baaqī hai
That world now feels strange to perceive,Where peace and harmony still believe.
imtihāñ se guzar ke kyā dekhāik nayā imtihān baaqī hai
After passing through one test, what did I find?A new trial awaits, undefined.
sar qalam hoñge kal yahāñ un kejin ke muñh meñ zabān baaqī hai
Tomorrow, their heads will roll here,For those whose tongues still dare.
Ghar Se Nikle The Hausla Kar Ke — Rajesh Reddy
ghar se nikle the hausla kar kelauT aa.e ḳhudā ḳhudā kar ke
We left home with courage in our stride,Returned, invoking God, with nothing by our side.
dard-e-dil pāoge vafā kar keham ne dekhā hai tajraba kar ke
You’ll find heartache through loyalty’s embrace,We’ve seen it firsthand, through trials we face.
log sunte rahe dimāġh kī baatham chale dil ko rahnumā kar ke
People listened to the voice of reason and mind,We followed our heart, leaving logic behind.
kis ne paayā sukūn duniyā meñzindagānī kā sāmnā kar ke
Who has ever found peace in this world,Facing life head-on, its chaos unfurled?
zindagī to kabhī nahīñ aa.īmaut aa.ī zarā zarā kar ke
Life never came to us, no matter how we tried,Death arrived instead, little by little, in stride.
Jaane Tū Kyā DhūñDh Rahā Hai Bastī Meñ Vīrāne Meñ — Ibn-e-Insha
jaane tū kyā DhūñDh rahā hai bastī meñ vīrāne meñlailā to ai qais milegī dil ke daulat-ḳhāne meñ
Who knows what you’re seeking in this desolate town,Laila will be found in the treasure chest of the heart, not in renown.
janam janam ke sātoñ dukh haiñ us ke māthe par tahrīrapnā aap miTānā hogā ye tahrīr miTāne meñ
On her forehead is written the sorrow of countless lives,To erase this, one must erase oneself, no lies.
mahfil meñ us shaḳhs ke hote kaif kahāñ se aatā haipaimāne se āñkhoñ meñ yā āñkhoñ se paimāne meñ
What joy can come from the presence of that person,It flows either from the cup to the eyes or from the eyes to the cup’s essence.
kis kā kis kā haal sunāyā tū ne ai afsāna-goham ne ek tujhī ko DhūñDā is saare afsāne meñ
Whose story did you recount, O storyteller, so divine?We searched for only you in this entire tale, line by line.
is bastī meñ itne ghar the itne chehre itne logaur kisī ke dar pe na pahuñchā aisā hosh divāne meñ
This town had so many houses, faces, and souls,Yet he reached only the door of the beloved, such sanity in his insanity.
Ruh Pyasi Kahan Se Aati Hai — Jaun Elia
ruh pyasi kahan se aati haiye udasi kahan se aati hai
Where does the thirsty soul come from?Where does this sadness arise from?
hai wo yak-sar supurdagi to bhalabad-hawasi kahan se aati hai
When there is complete surrender, what is wrong with that?Where does this restlessness come from?
wo ham-aghosh hai to phir dil meinna-shanasi kahan se aati hai
If there is an embrace, then where does the feeling of unfamiliaritycome from in the heart?
ek zindan-e-be-dili aur shamye saba si kahan se aati hai
A prison of helplessness and the evening,Where does the breeze come from?
tu hai pahlu mein phir teri KHushbuho ke basi kahan se aati hai
You are beside me, and so your scent,Where does it come from rotten and stale?
dil hai shab-soKHta so ai ummidtu nida si kahan se aati hai
The heart is burning in the night, so hope,Where does your call come from?
main hun tujh mein aur aas hun terito nirasi kahan se aati hai
I am in you, and hope is in me,Then where does despair come from?
Saare Rishte Tabāh Kar Aayā — Jaun Elia
saare rishte tabāh kar aayādil-e-barbād apne ghar aayā
I ruined all my relationships,The devastated heart returned to its home.
āḳhirash ḳhuun thūkne se miyāñbaat meñ terī kyā asar aayā
After spitting blood, sir,What impact did your words have?
thā ḳhabar meñ ziyāñ dil o jaañ kāhar taraf se maiñ be-ḳhabar aayā
I was aware of the loss to heart and life,Yet I arrived unaware of everything else.
ab yahāñ hosh meñ kabhī apnenahīñ ā.ūñgā maiñ agar aayā
If I return here again,I will never come in my senses.
maiñ rahā umr bhar judā ḳhud seyaad maiñ ḳhud ko umr bhar aayā
I spent a lifetime separated from myself,Yet I remembered myself all through life.
vo jo dil naam kā thā ek nafaraaj maiñ is se bhī mukar aayā
That entity called the heart,Today, I have even denied its existence.
muddatoñ ba.ad ghar gayā thā maiñjaate hī maiñ vahāñ se Dar aayā
After ages, I went home,But as soon as I arrived, I returned in fear.
Abhi Ek Shor Sa Utha Hai Kahin — Jaun Elia
abhi ek shor sa uTha hai kahinkoi KHamosh ho gaya hai kahin
A sudden noise has risen somewhere,Someone has fallen silent somewhere.
hai kuchh aisa ki jaise ye sab kuchhis se pahle bhi ho chuka hai kahin
It feels as if all of this,Has happened before somewhere.
tujh ko kya ho gaya ki chizon kokahin rakhta hai DhunDhta hai kahin
What has happened to you,You place things somewhere and search for them elsewhere.
jo yahan se kahin na jata thawo yahan se chala gaya hai kahin
The one who never left this place,Has now departed to somewhere unknown.
aaj shamshan ki si bu hai yahankya koi jism jal raha hai kahin
Today there is a crematorium-like scent here,Is a body burning somewhere?
hum kisi ke nahin jahan ke siwaaisi wo KHas baat kya hai kahin
We belong to no one but this world,What is that special thing elsewhere?
tu mujhe DhunD main tujhe DhunDunkoi hum mein se rah gaya hai kahin
You search for me, I search for you,One of us is left behind somewhere.
kitni wahshat hai darmiyan-e-hujumjis ko dekho gaya hua hai kahin
Such terror fills the crowded space,Whoever you see has vanished somewhere.
main to ab shahr mein kahin bhi nahinkya mera nam bhi likha hai kahin
I am nowhere in this city anymore,Is my name inscribed somewhere?
isi kamre se koi ho ke widaaisi kamre mein chhup gaya hai kahin
Someone departed from this very room,And hid themselves within it somewhere.
mil ke har shaKHs se hua mahsusmujh se ye shaKHs mil chuka hai kahin
Meeting everyone, I felt this,That this person has met me before somewhere.
Umr Guzregī Imtihān Meñ Kyā — Jaun Elia
umr guzregī imtihān meñ kyādaaġh hī deñge mujh ko daan meñ kyā
A lifetime will pass in trials,Will they gift me scars as offerings?
merī har baat be-asar hī rahīnuqs hai kuchh mire bayān meñ kyā
None of my words had any effect,Is there a flaw in my expression?
mujh ko to koī Toktā bhī nahīñyahī hotā hai ḳhāndān meñ kyā
No one even stops me,Is this how it is in a family?
apnī mahrūmiyāñ chhupāte haiñham ġharīboñ kī ān-bān meñ kyā
We hide our deprivations,In the betterment of the poor?
ḳhud ko jaanā judā zamāne seaa gayā thā mire gumān meñ kyā
I considered myself apart from the world,Did this thought ever cross my mind?
shaam hī se dukān-e-dīd hai bandnahīñ nuqsān tak dukān meñ kyā
The shop of sights has been closed since evening,Is there no loss even in this shop?
ai mire sub.h-o-shām-e-dil kī shafaqtū nahātī hai ab bhī baan meñ kyā
O twilight of my heart’s dawn and dusk,Do you still bathe in the stream,the Baan of Almora?
bolte kyuuñ nahīñ mire haq meñaable paḌ ga.e zabān meñ kyā
Why don’t they speak in my favor?Has their tongue grown blisters?
ḳhāmushī kah rahī hai kaan meñ kyāaa rahā hai mire gumān meñ kyā
What is silence whispering in my ear?What thoughts are entering my mind?
dil ki aate haiñ jis ko dhyān bahutḳhud bhī aatā hai apne dhyān meñ kyā
Heart that thinks of everything else,does it ever think of itself,shouldnt it once in a while think of itself.?
vo mile to ye pūchhnā hai mujheab bhī huuñ maiñ tirī amaan meñ kyā
If I meet him, I want to ask,Am I still safe in your trust?
yuuñ jo taktā hai āsmān ko tūkoī rahtā hai āsmān meñ kyā
As you keep staring at the sky,Is someone dwelling there?
hai nasīm-e-bahār gard-ālūdḳhaak uḌtī hai us makān meñ kyā
The spring breeze is dust-laden,Is dust rising in that house?
ye mujhe chain kyuuñ nahīñ paḌtāek hī shaḳhs thā jahān meñ kyā
Why can I not find peace?Was there only one person in this world?
Be-nām Sā Ye Dard Thahar Kyuuñ Nahīñ Jaatā — Nida Fazli
be-nām sā ye dard Thahar kyuuñ nahīñ jaatājo biit gayā hai vo guzar kyuuñ nahīñ jaatā
This nameless pain, why does it not settle?Why does the past refuse to pass away?
sab kuchh to hai kyā DhūñDhtī rahtī haiñ nigāheñkyā baat hai maiñ vaqt pe ghar kyuuñ nahīñ jaatā
Everything is here, yet what are these eyes searching for?What is it that keeps me from returning home on time?
vo ek hī chehra to nahīñ saare jahāñ meñjo duur hai vo dil se utar kyuuñ nahīñ jaatā
It isn’t the only face in this entire world,Why does the distant one not fade from my heart?
maiñ apnī hī uljhī huī rāhoñ kā tamāshajaate haiñ jidhar sab maiñ udhar kyuuñ nahīñ jaatā
I am a spectacle of my own tangled paths,Why don’t I follow where everyone else goes?
vo ḳhvāb jo barsoñ se na chehra na badan haivo ḳhvāb havāoñ meñ bikhar kyuuñ nahīñ jaatā
That dream, for years without a face or form,Why does it not scatter into the air?
Apni Marzi Se Kahan Apne Safar Ke Hum Hain — Nida Fazli
apni marzi se kahan apne safar ke hum hainruKH hawaon ka jidhar ka hai udhar ke hum hain
We do not control the course of our journey,We go wherever the winds direct us.
pahle har chiz thi apni magar ab lagta haiapne hi ghar mein kisi dusre ghar ke hum hain
Once, everything felt like it was ours, but now it seems,We belong to another home within our own.
waqt ke sath hai miTTi ka safar sadiyon sekis ko malum kahan ke hain kidhar ke hum hain
For centuries, the soil has traveled with time,Who knows where we come from or where we are headed?
chalte rahte hain ki chalna hai musafir ka nasibsochte rahte hain kis rahguzar ke hum hain
We keep moving, for it is the fate of a traveler,Yet we wonder which path truly belongs to us.
hum wahan hain jahan kuchh bhi nahin rasta na dayarapne hi khoe hue sham o sahar ke hum hain
We are where there is nothing—no road, no destination,Lost in the twilight and dawn of our own making.
gintiyon mein hi gine jate hain har daur mein humhar qalamkar ki be-nam KHabar ke hum hain
In every age, we are merely counted among numbers,Anonymous whispers in the records of every writer.
Tera Chup Rahna Mere Zehn Mein Kya BaiTh Gaya — Tahjeeb Hafi
tera chup rahna mere zehn mein kya baiTh gayaitni aawazen tujhe din ki gala baiTh gaya
Your silence has settled deeply in my mind,So many voices, yet the day lost its strength to speak.
yun nahin hai ki faqat main hi use chahta hunjo bhi us peD ki chhanw mein gaya baiTh gaya
It’s not just me who adores its shade,Whoever sat under that tree stayed rooted there.
itna miTha tha wo ghusse bhara lahja mat puchhus ne jis jis ko bhi jaane ka kaha baiTh gaya
That anger-filled tone was strangely sweet,Everyone he bid farewell simply stayed behind.
apna laDna bhi mohabbat hai tumhein ilm nahinchiKHti tum rahi aur mera gala baiTh gaya
You don’t realize, our quarrels are a kind of love,You kept shouting while my voice quietly faded.
us ki marzi wo jise pas biTha le apneis pe kya laDna fulan meri jagah baiTh gaya
It’s his choice who sits by his side,Why argue? Someone else took my place today.
baat dariyaon ki suraj ki na teri hai yahando qadam jo bhi mere sath chala baiTh gaya
This isn’t about rivers, the sun, or even you,Whoever walked a few steps with me chose to rest.
bazm-e-jaanan mein nashisten nahin hotin maKHsusjo bhi ek bar jahan baiTh gaya baiTh gaya
In the gathering of beloveds, no seat is reserved,Whoever sat down once, remained seated forever.
Tum Itna Jo Muskara Rahe Ho — Kaifi Azmi
tum itnā jo muskurā rahe hokyā ġham hai jis ko chhupā rahe ho
You smile so much,What sorrow are you hiding?
āñkhoñ meñ namī hañsī laboñ parkyā haal hai kyā dikhā rahe ho
Moist eyes, a smile on your lips,What is your condition, what are you showing?
ban jā.eñge zahr piite piiteye ashk jo piite jā rahe ho
Drinking these tears will turn them to poison,Why do you keep drinking them?
jin zaḳhmoñ ko vaqt bhar chalā haitum kyuuñ unheñ chheḌe jā rahe ho
The wounds that time was healing,Why do you keep scratching them?
rekhāoñ kā khel hai muqaddarrekhāoñ se maat khā rahe ho
Destiny is just a play of lines,Why are you losing to them?
Dilbar Se Hum Apne Jab Milenge — Meer Hasan
dilbar se hum apne jab milengeis gum-shuda dil se tab milenge
When we meet our beloved,We’ll reunite with this lost heart.
ye kis ko KHabar hai ab ke bichhDekya jaaniye us se kab milenge
Who knows, now that we are apart,When we’ll meet again?
jaan-o-dil-o-hosh-o-sabr-o-taqatek milne se us ke sab milenge
Life, heart, senses, patience, and strength,All will be restored when we meet them.
duniya hai sambhal ke dil laganayan log ajab ajab milenge
Be cautious in giving your heart to the world,Here, you’ll meet strange and unusual people.
zahir mein to Dhab nahin hai koihum yar se kis sabab milenge
There’s no apparent excuse,On what pretext will we meet our beloved?
hoga kabhi wo bhi daur jo humdildar se roz-o-shab milenge
There’ll be a time when,We’ll meet our love day and night.
aaram ‘hasan’ tabhi to hogaus lab se jab apne lab milenge
Relief, Hasan, will only come,When our lips meet theirs.
Kaam Ki Baat Main Ne Ki Hi Nahin — Jaun Eliya
kaam ki baat main ne ki hi nahinye mera taur-e-zindagi hi nahin
I never discussed anything useful,This has never been my way of life.
ai umid ai umid-e-nau-maidanmujh se mayyat teri uThi hi nahin
O hope, O new field of aspirations,Your funeral was never carried out by me.
main jo tha us gali ka mast-e-KHiramus gali mein meri chali hi nahin
I, who once wandered carefree in that street,Never found my stride in it again.
ye suna hai ki mere kuch ke baadus ki KHushbu kahin basi hi nahin
It is said that after me,Her fragrance settled nowhere else.
thi jo ek faKHta udas udassubh wo shaKH se uDi hi nahin
That dove which sat so forlorn,Never took flight from the branch in the morning.
mujh mein ab mera ji nahin lagtaaur sitam ye ki mera ji hi nahin
I no longer feel at ease within myself,And the tragedy is, I am no longer myself.
wo jo rahti thi dil-mohalle meinphir wo laDki mujhe mili hi nahin
The girl who once lived in my heart’s neighborhood,I never encountered her again.
jaiye aur KHak uDaiye aapab wo ghar kya ki wo gali hi nahin
Go on, scatter dust all you want,What of that house when even the street is no more?
hae wo shauq jo nahin tha kabhihae wo zindagi jo thi hi nahin
What of the passion that never existed,What of the life that was never truly lived?
Donon Jahan Teri Mohabbat Mein Haar Ke — Faiz
donon jahan teri mohabbat mein haar kewo ja raha hai koi shab-e-gham guzar ke
Having lost both worlds in your love,Someone departs after enduring the night of sorrow.
viran hai mai-kada KHum-o-saghar udas haintum kya gae ki ruTh gae din bahaar ke
The tavern lies desolate, cups and decanters forlorn,Your departure has turned even springtime sullen.
ek fursat-e-gunah mili wo bhi chaar dindekhe hain hum ne hausle parwardigar ke
The chance to sin came but for a mere few days,We have witnessed the magnanimity of the Almighty.
duniya ne teri yaad se begana kar diyatujh se bhi dil-fareb hain gham rozgar ke
The world has distanced me from your memory,Even more alluring than you are the worries of livelihood.
bhule se muskura to diye the wo aaj ‘faiz’mat puchh walwale dil-e-na-karda-kar ke
Today, they accidentally smiled, O ‘Faiz,’Do not ask the thrill it brought to an unfulfilled heart.
Aap Ki Yaad Aati Rahi Raat Bhar — Faiz
aap kī yaad aatī rahī raat bharchāñdnī dil dukhātī rahī raat bhar
Your memory kept coming to me throughout the night,The moonlight kept aching my heart all night long.
gaah jaltī huī gaah bujhtī huīsham-e-ġham jhilmilātī rahī raat bhar
At times burning, at times fading,The evening of sorrow shimmered throughout the night.
koī ḳhushbū badaltī rahī pairahankoī tasvīr gaatī rahī raat bhar
A fragrance kept changing in the attire,An image kept singing all night long.
phir sabā sāya-e-shāḳh-e-gul ke talekoī qissa sunātī rahī raat bhar
Then the morning breeze under the shade of a flower’s branch,Kept telling a story throughout the night.
jo na aayā use koī zanjīr-e-darhar sadā par bulātī rahī raat bhar
He who did not come was called by chains of the door,Every call kept summoning him all night long.
ek ummīd se dil bahaltā rahāik tamannā satātī rahī raat bhar
A hope kept fluttering my heart,A desire kept tormenting me all night long.
Tū Is Qadar Mujhe Apne Qarīb Lagta Hai — Jaan Nisar Akhtar
tū is qadar mujhe apne qarīb lagtā haitujhe alag se jo sochūñ ajiib lagtā hai
You seem so close to me,When I think of you differently, it feels strange.
jise na husn se matlab na ishq se sarokārvo shaḳhs mujh ko bahut bad-nasīb lagtā hai
The one who has no concern for beauty or love,That person seems very unfortunate to me.
hudūd-e-zāt se bāhar nikal ke dekh zarāna koī ġhair na koī raqīb lagtā hai
Step outside the boundaries of your self,And you will see, there is neither a stranger nor a rival.
ye dostī ye marāsim ye chāhateñ ye ḳhulūskabhī kabhī mujhe sab kuchh ajiib lagtā hai
This friendship, these relationships, these desires, this sincerity,At times, it all seems so strange to me.
ufuq pe duur chamaktā huā koī taarāmujhe charāġh-e-dayār-e-habīb lagtā hai
A distant star shining on the horizon,Seems to me like a lamp in the land of my beloved.
Ishq Mein Ghairat-e-Jazbaat Ne Rone Na Diya — Sudarshan Faqir
ishq meñ ġhairat-e-jazbāt ne rone na diyāvarna kyā baat thī kis baat ne rone na diyā
In love, the pride of emotions did not allow me to cry,Otherwise, what was it, what was it that stopped me from crying?
aap kahte the ki rone se na badleñge nasībumr bhar aap kī is baat ne rone na diyā
You used to say that crying won’t change destiny,For a lifetime, it was your words that stopped me from crying.
rone vāloñ se kaho un kā bhī ronā ro leñjin ko majbūri-e-hālāt ne rone na diyā
Tell those who cry, to cry their heart out too,Who, due to the constraints of circumstances, were not allowed to cry.
tujh se mil kar hameñ ronā thā bahut ronā thātañgi-e-vaqt-e-mulāqāt ne rone na diyā
After meeting you, I had so much to cry about,But the shortage of time in our meeting did not allow me to cry.
ek do roz kā sadma ho to ro leñ ‘fākir’ham ko har roz ke sadmāt ne rone na diyā
If it was the shock of a day or two, I would have cried, ‘Faqir’,But the shocks of every day stopped me from crying.
Kuchh To Duniya Ki Inayat Ne Dil Tod Diya — Sudarshan Faqir
kuchh to duniyā kī ināyāt ne dil toḌ diyāaur kuchh talḳhī-e-hālāt ne dil toḌ diyā
Somehow, the world’s blessings broke my heart,And some bitterness of circumstances broke my heart.
ham to samjhe the ke barsāt meñ barsegī sharābaa.ī barsāt to barsāt ne dil toḌ diyā
I thought the rain would bring wine,But when the rain arrived, it broke my heart.
dil to rotā rahe or aañkh se aañsū na baheishq kī aisī rivāyāt ne dil toḌ diyā
The heart continues to cry, but no tears fall,Such is the tradition of love, it broke my heart.
vo mire haiñ mujhe mil jā.eñge aa jā.eñgeaise bekār ḳhayālāt ne dil toḌ diyā
They are mine, they will come to me,Such futile thoughts broke my heart.
aap ko pyaar hai mujh se ki nahīñ hai mujh sejaane kyuuñ aise savālāt ne dil toḌ diyā
Do you love me or not?I don’t know why such questions broke my heart.
Dil Ke Diwar-O-Dar Pe Kya Dekha — Sudarshan Faqir
dil ke diwar-o-dar pe kya dekhabas tera nam hi likha dekha
What did I see on the walls and doors of my heart,Only your name written, I saw.
teri aankhon mein hum ne kya dekhakabhi qatil kabhi KHuda dekha
What did I see in your eyes,At times a killer, at times God, I saw.
apni surat lagi parai sijab kabhi hum ne aaina dekha
My reflection appeared foreign,Whenever I looked into the mirror.
hae andaz tere rukne kawaqt ko bhi ruka ruka dekha
Oh, the way you stopped,Even time seemed to halt, I saw.
tere jaane mein aur aane meinhum ne sadiyon ka fasla dekha
In your leaving and returning,I saw the distance of centuries.
phir na aaya KHayal jannat kajab tere ghar ka rasta dekha
Then, the thought of heaven never came,When I saw the path to your home.
Mere Dukh Ki Koi Dawa Na Karo — Sudarshan Faqir
mere dukh kī koī davā na karomujh ko mujh se abhī judā na karo
Do not offer any cure for my sorrow,Do not separate me from myself yet.
nāḫudā ko kḫudā kahā hai to phirduub jaao kḫudā kḫudā na karo
If non-God has been called God,Let yourself drown, do not call God.
ye sikhāyā hai dostī ne hameñdost ban kar kabhī vafā na karo
Friendship has taught me this,Never be loyal under the guise of friendship.
ishq hai ishq ye mazāq nahīñchand lamhoñ meñ faisla na karo
Love is love, it is no joke,Do not make decisions in just a few moments.
āshiqī ho ki bandagī ‘fākir’be-dilī se to ibtidā na karo
Whether it is love or devotion, ‘Faqir’,Do not begin with a heart full of indifference.
Meri Zaban Se Meri Dastan Suno To Sahi — Sudarshan Faqir
meri zaban se meri dastan suno to sahiyaqin karo na karo mehrban suno to sahi
Listen to my tale from my lips, just once;Believe it or not, O kind one, just listen.
chalo ye man liya mujrim-e-mohabbat hainhamare jurm ka hum se bayan suno to sahi
Alright, accept that I am guilty of love;But hear the confession of my crime from me.
banoge dost mere tum bhi dushmano ek dinmeri hayat ki aah-o-fughan suno to sahi
Even you, my foes, will one day be my friends;Listen to the sighs and laments of my life.
labon ko si ke jo baiThe hain bazm-e-duniya meinkabhi to un ki bhi KHamoshiyan suno to sahi
Those who sit silent, their lips sealed in this world’s gathering,At least once, hear the stories their silence holds.
Tum Na Ghabrao Mere Zakhm-e-Jigar Ko Dekh Kar — Sudarshan Faqir
tum na ghabrao mere zakhm-e-jigar ko dekh karmain na mar jaun tumhaari chashm-e-tar ko dekh kar
Do not fear, seeing my wounded heart;I will not die, gazing at your tearful eyes.
zakhm taza kar raha hun chaaragar ko dekh karrasta main ne badal Dala Khizar ko dekh kar
I deepen my wounds, beholding the healer;I changed my path, observing Khizar’s way.
zindagani ek fareb-e-daimi hai sar-ba-sarmujh pe ye zahir hua sham-o-sahar ko dekh kar
Life is an everlasting deception, through and through;This truth dawned upon me, watching dusk and dawn.
garche un se koi ummid-e-wafa mujh ko nahinji bahal jata hai phir bhi nama-bar ko dekh kar
Though I expect no loyalty from them,My heart finds solace, seeing the messenger.
aaj insan se hai insan barsar-e-paikar yunal-aman shaitan paDhe KHu-e-bashar ko dekh kar
Today, man is at war with man, such is the plight;Even Satan seeks refuge, witnessing human nature.
aadmi mein aadmiyyat ka nishan baqi nahinbech Dala is ne iman sim-o-zar ko dekh kar
Humanity’s essence is no longer within man;He has sold his faith for silver and gold.
aasman tak to hum ai ‘Rifat’ rahe garm-e-KHiramus se aage chal na pae rahbar ko dekh kar
To the heavens, we journeyed, O ‘Rifat,’ with zeal;But we could not go further, seeing the guide falter.
Kisi Ranjish Ko Hawa Do Ki Main Zinda Hun Abhi — Sudarshan Faqir
kisi ranjish ko hawa do ki main zinda hun abhimujh ko ehsas dila do ki main zinda hun abhi
Stir up some grievance, let me feel alive,Remind me of my existence, that I am still alive.
mere rukte hi meri sansen bhi ruk jaengifasle aur baDha do ki main zinda hun abhi
If I stop, my breath will halt as well,Extend the distance, let me feel alive.
zahr pine ki to aadat thi zamane waloab koi aur dawa do ki main zinda hun abhi
I was accustomed to drinking poison, O people,Now offer me another remedy, that I am still alive.
chalti rahon mein yunhi aankh lagi hai ‘fakir’bhiD logon ki haTa do ki main zinda hun abhi
I fell asleep walking on the path, ‘Faqir,’Clear this crowd of people, let me feel alive.
Shāyad Maiñ Zindagī Kī Sahar Le Ke Aa Gayā — Sudarshan Faqir
shāyad maiñ zindagī kī sahar le ke aa gayāqātil ko aaj apne hī ghar le ke aa gayā
Perhaps I have brought the dawn of life along;Today, I’ve led the executioner to my own home.
tā-umr DhūñDhtā rahā manzil maiñ ishq kīanjām ye ki gard-e-safar le ke aa gayā
A lifetime I sought the destination of love;The end was this—I returned with the dust of the journey.
nashtar hai mere haath meñ kāñdhoñ pe mai-kadalo maiñ ilāj-e-dard-e-jigar le ke aa gayā
With a scalpel in hand and a tavern on my shoulders,Behold, I’ve brought the cure for the anguish of my heart.
‘fākir’ sanam-kade meñ na aatā maiñ lauT karik zaḳhm bhar gayā thā idhar le ke aa gayā
O ‘Faqir,’ I wouldn’t have returned to the idol’s abode,But a wound here had healed, and I carried it along.
Jag Mein Aa Kar Idhar Udhar Dekhā — Khwaja Meer Dard
Jag meñ ā kar idhar udhar dekhātū hī āyā nazar jidhar dekhā
Upon entering the world, I looked here and there,Yet, wherever I glanced, it was only you I saw.
Jān se ho ga.e badan ḳhālījis taraf tū ne āñkh bhar dekhā
The soul left the body entirely,When you cast a full gaze in any direction.
Nāla fariyād āh aur zārīaap se ho sakā so kar dekhā
Complaints, cries, sighs, and laments,Whatever I could manage, I offered to you.
Un laboñ ne na kī masīhā.īham ne sau sau tarah se mar dekhā
Those lips did not perform any healing,Though in countless ways, we tried to perish.
Zor āshiq-mizāj hai koī‘dard’ ko qissa muḳhtasar dekhā
Such is the force of a passionate lover,‘Dard’ found the tale to be brief.
Thīk Hai Khud Ko Hum Badalte Haiñ — Jaun Eliya
Thīk hai Khud ko hum badalte haiñshukriyā mashwarat kā chalte haiñ
Fine, we’ll change ourselves now,Thanks for the advice—we’ll move along.
Ho rahā huuñ maiñ kis tarah barbāddekhne vāle hāth malte haiñ
How I am being ruined,Those watching, wring their hands in dismay.
Hai vo jaan ab har ek mahfil kīhum bhī ab ghar se kam nikalte haiñ
Now they are the soul of every gathering,And we, too, have stopped stepping out much.
Kyā takalluf kareñ ye kahne meñjo bhī KHush hai hum us se jalte haiñ
Why hesitate to admit,We envy anyone who is happy.
Hai use duur kā safar dar-peshhum sambhāle nahīñ sambhalte haiñ
They have a long journey ahead,While we struggle to even steady ourselves.
Tum bano rang tum bano KHushbūhum to apne suKHan meñ Dhalte haiñ
You become colors, you become fragrance,While we, we mold ourselves into our words.
Main usī tarah to bahaltā huuñaur sab jis tarah bahalte haiñ
I soothe myself in the same old way,The way everyone else consoles themselves.
Hai ajab faisle kā sahrā bhīchal na paḌiye to paañv jalte haiñ
Even the desert of decisions is strange,Take no step, and yet the feet still burn.
Haalat-e-Haal Ke Sabab Haalat-e-Haal Hi Gai — Jaun Eliya
Haalat-e-haal ke sabab haalat-e-haal hi gaishauq mein kuchh nahin gaya, shauq ki zindagi gai
The state of my being destroyed itself by its very nature,Nothing was lost in passion, yet the life of longing perished.
Tera firaq jaan-e-jaan aish tha kya mere liyeyani tere firaq mein KHūb sharāb pī gai
Was your absence a luxury to me, my love?For in your separation, I indulged deeply in wine.
Tere visāl ke liye apne kamāl ke liyehaalat-e-dil kī thī KHarāb aur KHarāb kī gai
For the joy of union with you, for the perfection of my craft,My heart’s condition was bad, and I made it worse deliberately.
Us kī umīd-e-naz kā hum se ye man thā ki aapumr guzar dījiye umr guzar dī gai
Her hope of admiration was that I should spend my life,And so, I spent my entire life fulfilling that wish.
Ek hī haadsa to hai aur wo ye ki āj takbāat nahīn kahī gai, bāat nahīn sunī gai
There is only one tragedy, and that is, till today,Neither was the matter spoken, nor was it ever heard.
Baad bhī tere jaan-e-jaan dil meñ rahā ajab samānyaad rahī terī yahān phir terī yaad bhī gai
Even after you, my love, my heart held a strange treasure,First, your memory remained here, and then even that faded away.
Us ke badan ko dī numūd ham ne suKHan meñ aur phirus ke badan ke wāste ek qabā bhī sī gai
I gave form to her body through my words,And then even tailored a garment to adorn her form.
Mīnā-ba-mīnā mai-ba-mai jam-ba-jam jam-ba-jamnaf piyāle kī tere yaad ajab sahī gai
Goblet by goblet, cup by cup, vessel by vessel,In your memory, I drank wine like never before.
Kahni hai mujh ko ek baat aap se yani aap seaap ke shahr-e-wasl meñ lazzat-e-hijr bhī gai
I must tell you something, to you, just to you,Even in the city of union with you, the sweetness of separation faded.
Sehn-e-KHayāl-e-yār meñ kī na basar shab-e-firāqjab se wo chaandnā gayā, jab se wo chaandnī gai
In the courtyard of my beloved’s imagination, the night of separation could not be endured,Ever since that moonlight disappeared, ever since that radiance was lost.
Gham Se Bahal Rahe Hain Aap, Aap Bahut Ajeeb Hain — Pirzada Qasim
Gham se bahal rahe hain aap, aap bahut ajeeb haindard mein dhal rahe hain aap, aap bahut ajeeb hain
You console yourself with grief—how peculiar you are,You mold yourself into pain—how peculiar you are.
Saya-e-wasl kab se hai aap ka muntazir magarhijr mein jal rahe hain aap, aap bahut ajeeb hain
The shadow of union has long awaited your presence,Yet you burn in separation—how peculiar you are.
Apne KHilaf faisla KHud hi likha hai aap nehath bhi mal rahe hain aap, aap bahut ajeeb hain
You’ve written your own verdict against yourself,And now you wring your hands in despair—how peculiar you are.
Waqt ne aarzu ki lau der hui bujha bhi diab bhi pighal rahe hain aap, aap bahut ajeeb hain
Time extinguished the flame of desire long ago,Yet you continue to melt away—how peculiar you are.
Daera-war hi to hain ishq ke raste tamamrah badal rahe hain aap, aap bahut ajeeb hain
The paths of love are circular, all leading to the same place,Yet you keep changing your route—how peculiar you are.
Apni talash ka safar KHatm bhi kijiye kabhiKHwab mein chal rahe hain aap, aap bahut ajeeb hain
End this journey of searching for yourself someday,For you wander only in dreams—how peculiar you are.
Intishaar-o-KHauf Har Ek Sar Mein Hai — Abdul Mateen Niyaz
Intishaar-o-KHauf har ek sar mein haiaafiyat se kaun apne ghar mein hai
Chaos and fear reign over every head,Who truly resides in peace within their home?
Zindagi par sab haqiqat khul chukitu abhi tak KHwab ke paikar mein hai
Life has revealed all its truths,Yet you remain sculpted in the shape of dreams.
Mutmain insan kahin par bhi nahinek si haalat zamane bhar mein hai
Nowhere is mankind content,The same unrest pervades the entire world.
Raat ki chaTTan se subhen tarashKHwab ki tabir isi patthar mein hai
Morning is carved out of the rock of night,The interpretation of dreams lies within this stone.
JhuT ki ban aai hai chaaron tarafsach agar hai bhi to pas-manzar mein hai
Falsehood thrives everywhere,If truth exists, it lingers in the backdrop.
Barf ehsasat ki pighla sakewo sharar mazi ki KHakistar mein hai
The spark that could melt the ice of emotions,Lies buried in the ashes of the past.
TuT jaane tak uDenge hum ‘niyaz’hausla itna to baal-o-par mein hai
We shall keep soaring until we shatter, O Niyaz,For there is courage enough in these wings.
Hum Kahan Aur Tum Kahan Jaanan — Jaun Eliya
Hum kahan aur tum kahan jaananhain kai hijr darmiyan jaanan
Where are we, and where are you, my dear?So many separations lie between us, my dear.
Raegan wasl mein bhi waqt huapar hua KHub raegan jaanan
Even in union, the time was wasted,But oh, how beautifully it was wasted, my dear.
Mere andar hi to kahin gum haikis se puchhun tera nishan jaanan
Within myself lies your absence,Who should I ask for your trace, my dear?
Aalam-e-be-karan-e-rang hai tutujh mein Thahrun kahan kahan jaanan
You are a boundless world of hues,Where could I pause within you, my dear?
Main hawaon se kaise pesh aaunyahi mausam hai kya wahan jaanan
How should I confront the winds?Is it the same season there, my dear?
Raushni bhar gai nigahon meinho gae KHwab be-aman jaanan
My eyes were filled with light,And dreams turned restless, my dear.
Dard-mandan-e-ku-e-dildarigae ghaarat jahan tahan jaanan
The heart’s lovers in agony,They were ravaged everywhere, my dear.
Ab bhi jhilon mein aks paDte hainab bhi nila hai aasman jaanan
Still, reflections fall on the lakes,The sky is still blue, my dear.
Hai jo pur-KHun tumhaara aks-e-KHayalzaKHm aae kahan kahan jaanan
Your bloodstained image in my thoughts,How many wounds have arrived, my dear?
Khud Par Koi Tufan Guzar Jaane Ke Dar Se — Hasan Aziz
Khud par koi tufan guzar jaane ke dar semain band hun kamre mein bikhar jaane ke dar se
Out of fear of a storm passing over me,I am locked in my room, afraid of scattering.
Ye log mujhe khun ka tajir na samajh lenmain tegh liye phirta hun sar jaane ke dar se
These people should not mistake me for a trader of blood,I wander with a sword, fearing the loss of my head.
Har saay pe aahat pe nazar rakhta hun shab bharbistar pe nahin jata hun dar jaane ke dar se
I keep my eyes on every shadow, every sound throughout the night,I don’t lie on the bed, fearing something might happen.
Main tootne deta nahin rangon ka tasalsulzaKHmon ko hara karta hun bhar jaane ke dar se
I do not let the continuity of colors break,I make wounds bloom out of fear of them fading.
Wo man ki mohabbat ki bulandi thi ki us nezinda hi na chhodā mujhe mar jaane ke dar se
It was the height of the love in my heart that hedid not leave me alive, fearing I would die.
Kuchh jit mein bhi faeda hota nahin phir bhiwo jang nahin haarta harjaane ke dar se
Even in some victories, there is no gain, still,he does not lose the battle, fearing defeat.
Afsurda ‘Hasan’ hain mere lashkar ke sipahius tak mere zaKHmon ki khabar jaane ke dar se
My soldiers are disheartened, ‘Hasan’,They are afraid of my wounds reaching him.
Mere Ham-nafas Mere Ham-nawa — Shakeel Badayuni
Mere ham-nafas mere ham-nawa mujhe dost ban ke dagha na demain hun dard-e-ishq se jaan-ba-lab mujhe zindagi ki dua na de
My companion, my confidant, don’t betray me as a friend,I am drowning in the pain of love, don’t offer me life’s prayer in the end.
Mere dagh-e-dil se hai raushni isi raushni se hai zindagimujhe dar hai ai mere chaara-gar ye charagh tu hi bujha na de
From the wounds of my heart, there is light,It is from this light that my life takes flight.I fear, oh healer, you may extinguish this flame,Do not snuff it out, let my life remain.
Mujhe chhoD de mere haal par tera kya bharosa hai chaara-garye teri nawazish-e-mukhtasar mera dard aur baDha na de
Leave me to my state, what trust do I have in you, O healer?Your fleeting kindness may only add to my pain, deeper and truer.
Mera azm itna buland hai ki parae shoalon ka dar nahinmujhe khauf aatish-e-gul se hai ye kahin chaman ko jala na de
My resolve is so strong that I fear not the foreign flames,It is the fire of the rose I fear, for it may burn the garden with its name.
Wo uThe hain le ke khum-o-subu are o ‘shakil’ kahan hai tutera jam lene ko bazm mein koi aur hath baDha na de
They have risen, taking the sorrow and the wine,Where are you, Shakil, don’t let another hand in line.In the gathering, no one else should reach for the cup divine.
Bekasi Had Se Jab Guzar Jae — Jaan Nisar Akhtar
Bekasi had se jab guzar jaekoi ai dil jiye ki mar jae
When despair crosses every boundary,Oh heart, one might wish to live or die freely.
Zindagi se kaho dulhan ban keaaj to do ghaDi sanwar jae
Ask life to adorn itself as a bride,For just a fleeting moment, let it stride.
Un ko ji bhar ke dekh lene dedil ki dhaDkan zara thahar jae
Let me behold them to my heart’s content,And let my heartbeat pause, even if for a moment.
Hum hain apni hi jaan ke dushmankyun ye ilzam un ke sar jae
I am the enemy of my own soul,Why should they bear the blame as a whole?
Mere naghmon se un ka dil na dukhegham nahin mujh pe jo guzar jae
May my songs never hurt their heart,I’ll endure any sorrow, no matter how sharp.
Udasiyon Mein Bhi Raste Nikal Leta Hai — Waseem Barelvi
Udasiyon mein bhi raste nikal leta haiajib dil hai, girun to sambhaal leta hai
Even in despair, it carves out paths anew,What a strange heart, catching me as I subdue.
Ye kaisa shaKHs hai, kitni hi achchhi baat kahokoi burai ka pahlu nikal leta hai
What kind of person is this, no matter how kind the word,He still finds a fault, an angle absurd.
Dhale to hoti hai kuchh aur ehtiyat ki umrki bahte bahte ye dariya uchhaal leta hai
As age ripens, caution should emerge,Yet this river surges, refusing to converge.
BaDe-baDon ki tarah-dariyan nahin chaltinuruj teri KHabar jab zawal leta hai
Not all waves follow the great ones’ stride,Your rise is noticed when the tide subsides.
Jab us ke jam mein ek bund tak nahin hotiwo meri pyas ko phir bhi sambhaal leta hai
Even when his goblet holds not a single drop,He still quenches my thirst, making it stop.
Sansar Ki Har Shai Ka Itna Hi Fasana Hai — Sahir Ludhiyanvi
Sansar ki har shai ka itna hi fasana haiek dhund se aana hai, ek dhund mein jaana hai
Every object in this world has a simple tale to tell,Emerging from a mist, and into a mist it must dwell.
Ye rah kahan se hai, ye rah kahan tak haiye raaz koi rahi samjha hai na jaana hai
Where does this path begin, where does it lead?No traveler has understood, nor has anyone perceived.
Ek pal ki palak par hai Thahri hui ye duniyaek pal ke jhapakne tak har khel suhana hai
This world is perched on the blink of an eye,Every game is delightful until that moment goes by.
Kya jaane koi kis par kis moD pe kya biteis rah mein ai rahi har moD bahana hai
Who knows what fate awaits at any turn on the way,Every bend on this path is but an excuse to sway.
Hum log khilauna hain ek aise khilaDi kajis ko abhi sadiyon tak ye khel rachana hai
We are mere playthings of a player so divine,Who will continue this game for centuries of time.
Lutf Wo Ishq Mein Pae Hain — Dagh Dehlavi
Lutf wo ishq mein pae hain ki ji jaanta hairanj bhi aise uthāe hain ki ji jaanta hai
Such pleasures have been found in love that only the heart knows,And such sorrows have been borne that only the heart knows.
Jo zamaane ke sitam hain wo zamaana jaanetu ne dil itne satāe hain ki ji jaanta hai
The cruelties of the world, let the world understand,But you have tormented this heart so much that only it knows.
Tum nahin jaante ab tak ye tumhaare andazwo mere dil mein samāe hain ki ji jaanta hai
You still don’t know that your ways,Have nestled deep in my heart, only it knows.
Inhi qadmon ne tumhaare inhi qadmon ki qasamkhāk mein itne milāe hain ki ji jaanta hai
By these very steps of yours, I swear by them,They have been trampled into dust so much that only the heart knows.
Dosti mein teri dar-pardā hamaare dushmanis qadar apne parāe hain ki ji jaanta hai
In your friendship, hidden enemies have emerged,So much so that our own feel like strangers, only the heart knows.
Zabt Kar Ke Hansi Ko Bhool Gaya — Jaun Elia
zabt kar ke hansi ko bhul gayamain to us zaKHm hi ko bhul gaya
Suppressing my laughter, I forgot it,I even forgot that very wound.
zat-dar-zat ham-safar rah karajnabi ajnabi ko bhul gaya
Step by step, traveling as companions,The stranger forgot the stranger.
subh tak wajh-e-jaan-kani thi jo baatmain use sham hi ko bhul gaya
Until morning, that which caused soul’s pain,I forgot it by evening.
ahd-e-wabastagi guzar ke mainwajh-e-wabastagi ko bhul gaya
After the period of attachment passed,I forgot the reason for attachment.
sab dalilen to mujh ko yaad rahinbahs kya thi usi ko bhul gaya
I remembered all the arguments,But forgot what the dispute was about.
kyun na ho naz is zehanat parek main har kisi ko bhul gaya
Why shouldn’t I be proud of this intelligence,That I alone forgot everyone?
sab se pur-amn waqia ye haiaadmi aadmi ko bhul gaya
The most peaceful incident is this,That man forgot man.
qahqaha marte hi diwanahar gham-e-zindagi ko bhul gaya
The madman laughed loudly,He forgot every sorrow of life.
KHwab-ha-KHwab jis ko chaha tharang-ha-rang usi ko bhul gaya
The one I loved in dreams,I forgot among many colors.
kya qayamat hui agar ek shaKHsapni KHush-qismati ko bhul gaya
What a disaster it would be if a person,Forgot his own good fortune.
soch kar us ki KHalwat-anjumaniwan main apni kami ko bhul gaya
Thinking of her in solitude and gatherings,I forgot my own shortcomings.
sab bure mujh ko yaad rahte hainjo bhala tha usi ko bhul gaya
I remember all the bad ones,But forgot the good one.
un se wada to kar liya lekinapni kam-fursati ko bhul gaya
I did make a promise to them,But forgot my own lack of time.
bastiyo ab to rasta de doab to main us gali ko bhul gaya
O settlements, now let me pass,I have forgotten that lane.
us ne goya mujhi ko yaad rakhamain bhi goya usi ko bhul gaya
She seemed to remember me,I too seemed to forget her.
yani tum wo ho waqai? had haimain to sach-much sabhi ko bhul gaya
So you really are that? This is the limit,I truly forgot everyone.
aaKHiri but KHuda na kyun Thahrebut-shikan but-gari ko bhul gaya
Why should the last idol be God?The idol-breaker forgot idolatry.
ab to har baat yaad rahti haighaaliban main kisi ko bhul gaya
Now I remember everything,Probably forgot someone.
us ki KHushiyon se jalne wala ‘jaun’apni iza-dahi ko bhul gaya
‘Jaun’, who envied her happiness,Forgot his own dignity.
Mujhe Apne Zabt Pe Naaz Tha — Iqbal Azim
Mujhe apne zabt pe naaz tha sar-e-bazm raat ye kya huaMeri aankh kaise chhalak gayi mujhe ranj hai ye bura hua
I used to be proud of my self-control in every gathering, what happened tonight? I do not know how my eyes filled with tears; I regret it, this should not have happened.
Meri zindagi ke charagh ka ye mizaaj koi naya nahinAbhi raushni abhi teergi na jala hua na bujha hua
The lamp of my life has always been like this. Sometimes light, sometimes darkness; neither fully lit nor fully extinguished.
Mujhe jo bhi dushman-e-jaan mila wahi pukhta-kar-e-jafa milaNa kisi ki zarb ghalat padi na kisi ka teer khata hua
Whoever became the enemy of my life, mastered the art of inflicting pain. Not a single blow missed, not a single arrow went astray.
Mujhe aap kyun na samajh sake ye khud apne dil hi se poochhiyeMeri daastaan-e-hayaat ka to varaq varaq hai khula hua
Why could you not understand me? Ask your own heart. The story of my life lies open page by page.
Jo nazar bacha ke guzar gaye mere saamne se abhi abhiYe mere hi shahr ke log the mere ghar se ghar hai mila hua
Those who just hid their eyes and passed by me a moment ago. They are people of my own city, their house stands right next to mine.
Hamen is ka koi bhi haq nahin ki shareek-e-bazm-e-khuloos honNa hamare paas naqaab hai na kuchh aasteen mein chhupa hua
We have no right to join the gathering of pure hearts. We neither wear masks nor have any secrets hidden in our sleeves.
Mujhe ik gali mein pada hua kisi bad-naseeb ka khat milaKahin khoon-e-dil se likha hua kahin aansuon se mita hua
I found a letter lying in a lane written by some unfortunate person. Some of its words were written with heart’s blood, some erased by tears.
Mujhe humsafar bhi mila koi to shikasta-haal meri tarahKai manzilon ka thaka hua kahin raaston mein luta hua
I found a companion who is broken just like me. Exhausted by many destinations, robbed on many roads.
Hamen apne ghar se chale hue sar-e-raah umr guzar gayiKoi justuju ka sila mila na safar ka haq hi ada hua
We left our home long ago and spent life wandering the roads. No reward for what we pursued, nor the rights of our journey fulfilled.
kaDe hain kos safar dur ka zaruri hai — Musavvir Sabjvari
kaDe hain kos safar dur ka zaruri haigharon se rishton ka ab KHatma zaruri hai
We still have miles to travel; the long journey is necessary. It’s time to end the ties that bind us to our homes and relationships.
parastish apni ana ke buton ki kar li bahutsukun-e-dil ke liye ek KHuda zaruri hai
We have worshipped the idols of our ego for far too long. To find peace of heart, one true God is necessary.
kahin to thoDi si gunjaish-e-KHulus miledilon mein chhup ke yahan jhankna zaruri hai
There should be at least a small space left for sincerity somewhere. It’s essential to peek into hearts hidden beneath appearances.
main sang-e-rah hun to Thokar ki zad pe aaungatum aaina ho to phir TuTna zaruri hai
If I am a stone on the path, I’m bound to face kicks and strikes. And if you are a mirror, then breaking is your destiny.
na socho tark-e-talluq ke moD par ruk karqadam baDhao ki ye hadsa zaruri hai
Don’t stop to think at the turn of separation. Move forward—this heartbreak is necessary.
tamam safhe sabhi goshware jab terehamara karb kitabon mein kya zaruri hai
When every page and every margin belongs to you already, what need is there for my anguish to be written in books?