Khudi Ka Sir-e-Nihan (The Secrets of the Self is hid)

ki Haqq se farishton ne Iqbal ki ghammaazi
gustaakh hai karta hai fitrat ki hinabandi

The angels began to speak behind Iqbal
'This creation of clay is of heavenly nature

khaki hai magar iske andaaz hai aflaki
roomi hai na shaami hai kaashi na samarkandi

Rumi it is not, not is it Shami,
Kashi(Benaras) it isn't; nor Samarkandi;

sikhlaayi farishton ko aadam ki tarap isne
aadam ko sikhaata hai aadaab-e-Khuda'wandi

It taught the Angels the torture of Adam,
It brought Adam to worship the Divine

khudi ki jalwaton mein kibriya, khudi ki khalwaton mein mustafai
zameen o aasaman o arsh o kursi, khudi ki zadd mein hai sari khudai

Selfhood in the world of men is prophethood; Selfhood in solitude is godliness;
The earth, the heavens, the great empyrean, Are all within the range of Selfhood's power.
---------
Khudi ka sirr-e-nihaaN La ilaha il Allah
khudi hai tegh-e-fasaaN La ilaha il Allah

The secret of the Self is hid, In words "No god but He alone".
The Self is just a dull-edged sword, "No god but He," the grinding stone.

Yeh daur apne 'Braaheem ki talaash mein hai
Sanam-kadah hai jahaaN La ilaha il Allah

An Abraham by the age is sought To break the idols of this Hall:
The avowal of God's Oneness can Make all these idols headlong fall.

Kiya hai tu ne mataa'-e-gharoor ka sauda
fareb-e-sood-o-ziyaaN ! La ilaha il Allah

A bargain you have struck for goods Of life, a step, that smacks conceit,
All save the Call "No god but He" Is merely fraught with fraud and deceit.

Yeh maal o dawlat-e-dunya, yeh ristha o paivand
butaan-e-vehm-o-gumaaN! La ilaha il Allah

The worldly wealth and riches too, Ties of blood and friends a dream
The idols wrought by doubts untrue, All save God's Oneness empty seem.

Khird huwee hai zamaan o makaan ki zunaari
na hai zamaaN, na makaaN! La ilaha il Allah

The mind has worn the holy thread Of Time and Space like pagans all
Though Time and Space both illusive "No god but He" is true withal.

Yeh naghma fasl-e-gul o laaleh ka nahin paband
bahaar ho ke khizaaN, La ilaha il Allah

These melodious songs are not confined To Time when rose and tulip bloom
Whatever the season of year be "No god but He" must ring till doom.

Agarche but hain jama'at ki aasteenoN mein
mujhe hai hukm-e-azaaN, La ilaha il Allah

Many idols are still concealed' In their sleeves by the Faithful Fold,
I am ordained by Mighty God To raise the call and be much bold.

kabhii ay haqiiqat-e muntazir

kabhii ay haqiiqat-e muntazir nazar aa libaas-e majaaz meN
kih hazaaroN sijde taRap rahe haiN mirii jabiin-e niyaaz meN

sometime, oh awaited Reality, come into view in the dress of contingency
for all the thousands of prostrations are writhing in my forehead of humility

tarab-aashnaa-e Kharosh ho tuu navaa hai mahram-e gosh ho
vuh sarod kyaa kih chhupaa huaa ho sukuut-e pardah-e saaz meN

become joy-acquainted with clamor; you are a voice, become an intimate of
the ear what [kind of] sarod is it that would be hidden in the silence of the
curtain/tone/fret of an instrument?

tuu bachaa bachaa ke nah rakh use tiraa aainah hai vuh aainah
kih shikastah ho to aziiz-tar hai nigaah-e aainah-saaz meN

don't you carefully keep it safe-- your mirror is that mirror
that if it would be broken, then it is dearer in the sight of the mirror-maker

dam-e tauf kirmak-e shama ne yih kahaa kih vuh asar-e kuhan
nah tirii hikaayat-e soz meN nah mirii hadiis-e gudaaz meN

at the moment of circumambulation the candle-insect said this: that 'that old effect
is neither in your tale of burning, nor in my story of melting'

nah kahiiN jahaaN meN amaaN milii jo amaaN milii to kahaaN milii
mire jurm-e Khaanah-Kharaab ko tire afv-e bandah-navaaz meN

nowhere in the world was peace available; if peace would be available,
then where would it be available to my house-wrecking sin,

in your servant-cherishing forgiveness?

nah vuh ishq meN rahiiN garmiyaaN nah vuh husn meN rahiiN shoKhiyaaN
nah vuh Gaznavii meN taRap rahii nah vuh Kham hai zulf-e ayaaz meN

neither did those fervors remain in passion, nor did those mischievousnesses
remain in beauty, neither did that writhing remain in the Ghaznavi, nor
is there that curl in the locks of Ayaz

jo maiN sar basijdah huaa kabhii to zamiiN se aane lagii sadaa
teraa dil to hai .sanam-aashnaa tujhe kyaa milegaa namaaz meN

when once I put my head down in prostration, then from the ground a
voice began to come, 'your heart is acquainted with idols-- what
will you get from namaz?'

laalah-e .sahraa

yih guNbad-e miinaaii ! yih aalam-e tanhaaii !
mujko to Daraatii hai is dasht kii pahnaaii !


this dome of azure! this state/world of solitude!
it frightens me, the breadth/expanse of this desert!


bhaTkaa huaa raahii maiN , bhaTkaa huaa raahii tuu !
manzil hai kahaa;N terii ay laalah-e .sahraaii ?


I am a traveler who has lost the way, you are a traveler who has
lost the way; where is your destination, oh desert tulip?


KHaalii hai kaliimoN se yih koh-o-kamar varnah
tuu shulah-e siinaaii , maiN shulah-e siinaaii !


this mountain and foothills are empty of speakers-- otherwise
you are a flame of Sinai, I am a flame of Sinai!


tuu shaax se kyuuN phuuTaa , maiN shaax se kyuuN TuuTaa
ik jazbah-e paidaaii ! ik lazzat-e yaktaaii !


why did you burst into bloom from the branch, why did I
break from the branch?a single emotion of birth/creation!
a single relish of uniqueness!


Gavvaa.s-e muhabbat kaa allaah nigah-baaN ho
har qa:trah-e daryaa meN , daryaa kii hai gahraaii !


may God be the guardian of the diver of love
in every drop of the ocean, is the depth of the ocean


us mauj ke maatam meN rotii hai bhaNvar kii aaNkh
daryaa se uThii , lekin saahil se nah Takraaii !


the eye of the whirlpool weeps in mourning for that wave
[that] arose from the ocean, but didn't collide with the shore!


hai garmii-e aadam se hangaamah-e aalam garm
suuraj bhii tamaashaaii , taare bhii tamaashaaii !


from the heat/fervor of Adam, the commotion/tumult of the world
is hot/fervent the sun too is a spectator, the stars too are spectators !

ay baad-e biyaabaanii mujko bhii inaayat ho;
KHaamoshii-o-dil-sozii , sarmastii-o-ranaaii !


oh desert wind, may there be vouchsafed to me too
silence and heart-burningness, intoxication and gracefulness!

jibriil-o-ibliis

Jibriil ham-dam-e derinah ! kaisaa hai jahaan-e rang-o-buu ?
Ibliis soz-o-saaz-o-dard-o-daa;G-o-justajuu-o-aarzuu !

Jibril: Old friend! How is the world of color and scent?
Iblis: Burning and creativity and pain and wounds and searching and longing!

Jibriil har gha;Rii aflaak par rahtii hai terii guftaguu
kyaa nahii;N mumkin kih teraa chaak-e daaman ho rafuu ?

Jibril: In the heavens, we constantly speak of you.
Isn't it possible that the rip in your garment-hem might be mended?

Ibliis aah ay jibriil tuu vaaqif nahiiN us raaz se
kar gayaa sarmast mujh ko Tuut kar meraa subuu !

Iblis: Ah, oh Gabriel, you are not acquainted with that secret
that intoxicated me, my cup having broken!

ab yahaaN merii gu zar mumkin nahiiN , mumkin nahiiN
kis qadar xaamosh hai yih aalam-e be-kaax-o-kuu !

Now my access here is not possible, not possible.
How silent it is, this world without palaces and streets!

jis kii naumiidii se ho soz-daruun-e kaa inaat
us ke haq me taqna:uu achchhaa hai yaa laa-taqna tuu ?

The one through whose despair is the inner burning of creation--
with regard to him, is (Arabic) "Despair!" better, or (Arabic)
"Do not despair!"? = These imperatives are from the Qur'an.

Jibriil kho diye inkaar se tuu ne maqaamaat-e buland
chashm-e yazdaaN me;N firishtoN kii rahii kyaa aabruu !

Jibril: You've lost, through refusal, lofty ranks/positions
In the eyes of God, what honor remained for the angels?
== In other words, Iblis's behavior has discredited the whole group of angels.

Ibliis hai mirii jurat se musht-e xaak meN zauq-e namuu
mere fitne jaamah-e aql-o-xirad kaa taar-o-puu !

Iblis: Through my courage, in the handful of dust is the relish for growth
My mischiefs/rebellions are the warp and woof of the garment of wisdom and knowledge.
= The "handful of dust" is of course what Adam was made from.

dekhtaa hai tuu faqa:t saa hil se razm-e xair-o-shar
kaun :tuufaaN ke :tamaaNche kha rahaa hai ? maiN kih tuu ?

You only look from shore at the battle of good and evil
Who is feeling the buffets of the typhoon-- I, or you?

Khi.zr bhii be-dast-o-paa , ilyaas bhii be-dast-o-paa
mere tuufaaN yam bah yam , daryaa bah daryaa , juu bah juu !

Khizr too is helpless, Elias too is helpless
My typhoons are ocean by ocean, sea by sea, stream by stream!

gar kabhii xalvat muyassar ho to puuchh allaah se
qi.s.sah-e aadam ko rangiiN kar gayaa kis kaa lahuu ?

If sometime you would have a chance to be in private, then ask God,
Whose blood made colorful the story of Adam?

maiN khaTaktaa huuN dil-e yazdaaN meN kaaNTe kii :tarah ,
tuu faqat all;aah huu , allaah huu , allaah huu !

I prick like a thorn in the heart of God,You are only [in Arabic] "God is He,
God is He, God is He"! = That is, Gabriel is just a yes-man who does
nothing but blindly praise God.

The World is a Playground

Baazi-cha-aie-Atfal Hai Dunia, Mere Aage
Hota Hai Shaboroze Tamasha Mere Aage

Ik Khel Hai Aurang-e-suleman, Mere Nazdeek
Ik Baat Hai Ajaaz-a-Maseehah, Mere Aage

Juz Naam, Nahin Surat-a-aalam Mujhe Manzoor
Juz Vaham, Nahin Hasti-e-ashiya, Mere Aage

Hota Hai Nihan Gard Mein Sahra, Mere Hote
Ghista Hai Jabin Khak Pe Dariya, Mere Aage

Mut Poochh, Ki Kya Haal Hai Mera, Tere Peeche
Tu Dekh Ki Kya Rung Hai Tera, Mere Aage

Sach Kehte Ho Khudbeen-o-Khuddara Hun, Kyon Na Hun?
Baitha Hai Butt-a-Aaeena-Seema, Mere Aage

Phir Dekhiye, Andaz-e-Gul-Afshani-e-Guftaar
Rakh De Koyee Paimana-o-Sahba Mere Aage

Nafrat Ka Guman Guzre Hai, Mein Rushk Se Guzra
Kyonkar Kahun, Lo Naam Na Unka Mere Aage

Iman Mujhe Roke Hai, To Khenche Hai Mujhe Kufra
Kaba Mere Peeche Hai, Kalisa Mere Aage

Aashiq Hun, Per Mashook-Farebi Hai Mera Kaam
Majnun Ko Bura Kehti Hai Laila Mere Aage

Khush Hote Hain, Pur, Vasl Mein Yon Mur Nahin Jaate
Aayee Shab-a-Hijran Ki Tamanna Mere Aage

Hai Moujzan Ik Kulzum-e-Khun, Kaash, Yahi Ho
Aata Hai, Abhi Dekhiye, Kya Kya, Mere Aage

Go Hath Mein Jumbish Nahin, Aankhon Mein To Dum Hai
Rahne Do Abhi Sagar-O-Meena, Mere Aage

Humpesh-O-Hummastrab-O-Humraaz Hai Mera
"Ghalib" to Bura Kyon Kaho, Accha Mere Aage

** English Translation:

I perceive the world as a playground
Where dawn and dusk appear in eternal rounds

In His Universal form is a plaything the throne of Solomon
The miracles of the Messiah seem so ordinary in my eyes

Without name I cannot comprehend any form
Illusionary but is the identity of all objects

My anguish envelopes the entire desert
Silently flows the river in front of my floods

Ask not what separation has done to me
Just see your poise when I come in front of you

Truly you say that I am egotistical and proud
It is the reflection, O friend, in your limited mirror

To appreciate the style and charm of conversation
Just bring in the goblet and wine

Hatred manifests due to my envious mind
Thus I say, don't take his name in front of me

Faith stops me while temptations attract
Inspite of Kaaba behind and church ahead

I am the Lover, yet notorious is my charm
Thus Laila calls names to Majnu in front of me

"Dies" not one though the union is a delight
In premonition of the separation night

Alas, this be it, the bloody separation wave
I know not what else is in store ahead of me

Though the hands don't move, the eyes are alive
Wine and goblet, let them stay in front of me

Says "Ghalib" Conscience is companion and trusted friend
Don't pass any judgments in front of me.

hastii apanii hubaab kii sii hai

hastii apanii hubaab kii sii hai
ye numaaish saraab kii sii hai

naazukii us ke lab kii kyaa kahiye
pa.nkha.Dii ik gulaab kii sii hai

baar baar us ke dar pe jaataa huu.N
haalaat ab iztiraab kii sii hai

mai.n jo bolaa kahaa ke ye aawaaz
usii Khaaana-Kharaab kii sii hai

'Meer' un niim-baaz aa.Nkho.n me.n
saarii mastii sharaab kii sii hai

* English Translation:

Our life is like a bubble,
A mirage all this show.
With heart's eye see the world
It's all a dream, no more
The softness of her lip
Is only meant to be Felt,
so like it is Petals of the the rose.
O Mir, within those eyes,
Sleep-heavy and half-awake,
Resides, it seems the entire
Drunkenness of wine.

na tha kuchch to KHuda tha, kuchch na hota to KHuda hota

na tha kuchch to KHuda tha, kuchch na hota to KHuda hota
duboya mujhko hone ne, na hota maiN to kya hota ?

Before the beginning, there was God
If there would be nothing, there would still be God.
I am a loser at the hands of my own existence
What would happen if I were not there?

huaa jab GHam se yooN behis to GHam kya sar ke kaTne ka
na hota gar juda tan se to zaanooN par dhaRa hota

So much pain has struck me now,
That I am not afraid of being beheaded
If not for this separation with the body,
I would be lying on the knee.

huee muddat ke ‘GHalib’ mar gaya par yaad aata hai
wo har ek baat pe kehana, ke yooN hota to kya hota ?

its been ages since Ghalib passed away, but still I remember his words,
when he said, what would be if this would be…

koee ummeed bar naheeN aatee

koee ummeed bar naheeN aatee
koee soorat nazar naheeN aatee

I do not see any hope now
Nor do I see any face

maut ka ek din mu’ayyan hai
neeNd kyoN raat bhar naheeN aatee ?

[ mu’ayyan = definite ] When the day of departure is fixed,
Why is it that I still do not get sleep the whole night?

aage aatee thee haal-e-dil pe haNsee
ab kisee baat par naheeN aatee

It was then when I used to laugh at my own fate
Now there is nothing that could make me laugh..

hum wahaaN haiN jahaaN se hamko bhee
kuchch hamaaree KHabar naheeN aatee

I have reached a point in time
Where I can’t hear anything about me..

marte haiN aarzoo meiN marne ki
maut aatee hai par naheeN aatee

I die in the hope of dying
Death comes, but does not come still..

kaaba’a kis muNh se jaaoge
‘GHalib’sharm tumko magar naheeN aatee

How would you face the lord,
O Ghalib?For it is not you who would ever be ashamed…

Kabhi kisi ko mukammal jahaan nahin miltaa

Kabhi kisi ko mukammal jahaan nahin miltaa
Kahin zameen to kahin aasmaan nahin miltaa

No one ever gets the entire universe
Somewhere the earth and somewhere the sky is missing

Jise bhi dekhiye wo apne aapmai gum hai
Zubaan mili hain magar humzubaan nahin miltaa

Whoever you see is lost in their own sorrow
They have thoughts to share but no companion to listen

Bujhaa saka hain bhala kaun wakt ke shole
Ye aisi aag hain jis mein dhuaan nahin miltaa

Who is able to douse the embers of time
This is a fire that has no smoke

Tere jahaan main aisa nahin ke pyaar na ho
Jahaa ummeed ho is ki wahaa nahin miltaa

It's not like there's no love in your universe (life)
Where you hope for it you won't find it there

Life Brought Me So I Came

Laai Hayaat to aaye qaza le chali chaley
Apni Khushi se na aaye na apni khushi chaley

Kam hongey is bisaat par hum aisey bad qumaar
Jo chaal hum chaley woh nihayat buri chaley

Behtar to hai yehi ke na duniya se dil lagey
Par kya karein jo kaam na be dil-lagi chaley

Duniya ne kis ka raah-e-fanaa mein diya hai saath
tum bhi chaley chalo yunhi jab tak chali chaley

Jaatey Hawaa-e-shauq mein hain is chaman se Zauq
Apni balaa se Baad-e-Saba ab kabhi chaley

** English Translation:

The life brought me so I came; the death takes me away so I go
Neither I came on my own nor I go with my will

There may be a few gamblers as bad as I am
Whatever move I made it proved to be very bad

It's better that one should not get hooked to the charms of the world
However, what one can do when nothing can be accomplished without getting involved

Who's come to the rescue of someone who's about to leave this world!
You too keep moving till you can move on

O Zauq! I'm leaving this garden with a pinning for fresh air
Why should I care now whether zephyr blows or not!

Masjid- e - Qur:tubah - Stanza I

silsilah-e roz-o-shab , naqsh-gar-e haadi.saat
silsilah-e roz-o-shab , a.sl-e ;hayaat-o-mamaat

silsilah-e roz-o-shab , taar-e :hariir-e do-rang
jis se banaatii hai ;zaat apni qabaa-e .sifaat

silsilah-e roz-o-shab , saaz-e azal kii fi;Gaa;N
jis se dikhaatii hai ;zaat zer-o-bam-e mumkinaat

tujh ko parakhtaa hai yih , mujh ko parakhtaa hai yih
silsilah-e roz-o-shab , .seraafii-e kaa))inaat

tuu ho agar kam-((ayaar , mai;N ho;N agar kam- ayaar
maut hai terii baraat , maut hai merii baraat

tere shab-o-roz kii aur ;haqiiqat hai kyaa
ek zamaane kii rau , jis me;N nah din hai nah raat !

aanii-o-faanii tamaam mu…jizah'haa-e hunar
kaar-e jahaa;N be-;sabaat ! kaar-e jahaa;N be-;sabaat !

avval-o-aa;xir fanaa , baa:tin-o-:zaahir fanaa
naqsh-e kuhan ho kih nau , manzil-e aa:xir fanaa


** English Translation:

Chain of day and night
Fashioner of events
Basis of life and death
Two tone silken thread
Fiber of attributes
Pitch of prospects
Chain of day and night
Sitting in judgment
Setting a value on us
When we're lacking
Death is your destiny
Death is my destiny
What else is reality
The flow of one age
Neither day nor night
All crafts vanish
Black and white fade
Annihilation the end

Masjid- e - Qur:tubah - Stanza II

hai magar us naqsh me:N rang-e :sabaat-e davaam
jis ko kiyaa ho kisii mard-e :xudaa ne tamaam

mard-e ;xudaa kaa ((amal ((ishq se .saa;hib-furo;G
((ishq hai a.sl-e ;hayaat , maut hai us par ;haraam

tund-o-subuk-sair hai garchih zamaane kii rau
((ishq ;xvud ik sail hai , sail ko letaa hai thaam

((ishq kii taqviim me;N ((a.sr-e ravaa;N ke sivaa
aur zamaane bhii hai;N jin kaa nahii;N ko))ii naam !

((ishq dam-e jibra))iil , ((ishq dil-e mu.s:taf;aa
((ishq ;xudaa kaa rasuul , ((ishq ;xudaa kaa kalaam !

((ishq kii mastii se hai paikar-e gul taab-naak
((ishq hai .sahbaa-e ;xaam , ((ishq hai kaas ul-karaam

((ishq faqiih-e ;haram , ((ishq amiir-e junuud
((ishq hai ibn us-sabiil , us ke hazaaro;N muqaam !

((ishq ke mi.zraab se na;Gmah-e taar-e ;hayaat !
((ishq se nuur-e ;hayaat , ((ishq se naar-e ;hayaat


** English Translation:

But in this form
Hues of eternal life
Splendor of man's love
Love is life's base
Death has no claim on love
Love itself the tide
Stemming the torrent
Love is unnamed eras
Love is Gabriel's breath
Love is the Prophet of God
Love is the Word of God
Love is the radiant rose
Love is raw wine
Love the goblet of kings
Love draws life's music
Love is passion for life
Love is fire of life

Masjid- e - Qur:tubah - Stanza III

ay ;haram-e qur:tubah ! ((ishq se teraa vujuud
((ishq saraapaa davaam jis me;N nahii;N raft-o-buud

rang ho yaa ;xisht-o-sang , chung ho yaa ;harf-o-.saut
mu((jizah-e fan kii hai ;xuun-e jigar se namuud !

qa:trah-e ;xuun-e jigar , sil ko banaataa hai dil
:xuun-e jigar se .sadaa soz-o-suruur-o-sarod !

terii fa.zaa-e dil-firoz , merii navaa-e siinah-soz
tujh se dilo;N kaa ;hu.zuur , mujh se dilo;N kii kushuud

((arsh-e mu((all;aa se kam siinah-e aadam nahii;N
garchih kaf-e ;xaak kii ;had hai sipihr-e kubuud

paikar-e nuurii ko hai sijdah muyassar to kyaa
us ko muyassar nahii;N soz-o-gudaaz-e sujuud !

kaafir-e hindii huu;N mai;N , dekh miraa ;zauq- o-shauq
dil me;N .sal;aat-o-duruud , lab pah .sal;aat-o-duruud

shauq mirii lay me;N hai, shauq mirii nay me;N hai
na;Gmah-e all;aah huu mere rag-o-pai me;N hai


** English Translation:

O Mosque of Cordoba
Born of love with no past
Color or stone or brick
Harp or song or speech
Man's passionate creation
A drop of blood turns
Even stone into hearts
The heart's voice is joy
Burning and melody
You illuminate the heart
My song burns the breast
You draw man's heart
To the presence of God
But the passion of love
For God is man's alone
I spark man's passion
Though his sight is finite
His heart is wider than the sky
So what if God has rights
He doesn't earn the pain
I am an Indian infidel
Witness my fervor In my heart prayers
On lips blessings
Love is my flute
Love is my song
In my every bone
"God is God"

Masjid- e - Qur:tubah - Stanza IV

teraa jamaal-o-jalaal , mard-e ;xudaa kii daliil
vuh bhii jaliil-o-jamiil , tuu bhii jaliil-o-jamiil

terii binaa paa))edaar , tere sutuu;N be-shumaar
shaam ke .sa;hraa me;N ho jaise hujuum-e na;xiil !

tire dar-o-baam par vaadii-e aiman kaa nuur
teraa minaar-e buland jalvah-gah-e jibra))iil

mi;T nahii;N saktaa kabhii mard-e musalmaa;N , kih hai
us kii a;zaano;N se faash sirr-e kaliim-o-;xaliil !

us kii zamii;N be-;huduud , us kaa afaq be-;su;Guur
us ke samundar kii mauj , dajlah-o-danyuub-o-niil !

us ke zamaane ((ajiib , us ke fasaane ;Gariib
((ahd-e kuhan ko diyaa us ne payaam-e ra;hiil !

saaqii-e arbaab-e ;zauq , faaris-e maidaan-e shauq
baadah hai us kaa ra;hiiq , te;G hai us kii a.siil !

mard-e sipaahii hai vuh , us kii zarah laa-il;aah
saayah-e shamshiir me;N us kii panah laa-il;aah


** English Translation:

Witness of man's worth
Your glory mirrors his soul
Firm columns soar
Palms in Syrian sands
Sinai's light gleams roof
Gabriel crowns the minaret
A Muslim can never despair
Standing where the
Prophets stood
His horizon infinite
Tigris Danube Nile flood his veins
Cup-bearer and horseman
In love a warrior
A sword's shadow his armor
"There is no god but God"

Masjid- e - Qur:tubah - Stanza V

tujh se hu))aa aashkaar bandah-e momin kaa raaz
us ke dino;N kii tapish , us kii shabo;N kaa gudaaz

us kaa maqaam-e buland , us kaa ;xiyaal-e ((a:ziim
us kaa suruur , us kaa shauq , us kaa niyaaz , us kaa naaz

haath hai all;aah kaa , bandah-e momin kaa haath
;Gaalib-o-kaar-aafirii;N , kaar-kushaa , kaar-saaz

;xaakii-o-nuurii nihaad , bandah-e maulaa-.sifaat
har do-jahaa;N se ;Ganii , us kaa dil-e be-niyaaz

us kii ummiide;N qaliil , us ke maqaa.sid jaliil
us kii adaa dil-fareb , us kii nigah dil-navaaz

narm dam-e guftaguu , garm dam-e justajuu
razm ho yaa bazm ho , paakdil-o-paakbaaz

nuq:tah-e pur-kaar-e ;haq , mard-e ;xudaa kaa yaqii;N
aur yih ((aalam tamaam vahm-o-:tilism-o-majaaz

((aql kii manzil hai vuh , ((ishq kaa ;haa.sil hai vuh
;halqah-e aafaaq me;N garmii-e ma;hfil hai vuh


** English Translation:

You reveal man's secret
Ardor of his days
Dissolution of his nights
His submission
As is God's hand
So is the believer's
Man prospers on deeds
He is clay and fire
Divine within
Free of both worlds
His ambition small
His purpose large
Pure-hearted in war or peace
God's compass revolves
Around man's faith
And the world is illusion
Man of God is reason's horizon
The harvest of love
Fire of the gathering
Heaven's passion

Masjid- e - Qur:tubah - Stanza VI

ka((bah-e arbaab-e fan ! si:tvat-e diin-e mubii;N !
tujh se ;haram-martabat a;Ndlusiyo;N kii zamii;N

hai tah-e girduu;N agar ;husn me;N terii na:ziir
qalb-e musalmaa;N me;N hai aur nahii;N hai kahii;N !

aah vuh mardaan-e ;haq ! vuh ((arabii shah-savaar !
;haamil-e " ;xalq-e ((a:ziim " , .saa.hib-e .sidq-o-yaqii;N

jin kii ;hukuumat se hai faash yih ramz-e ;Gariib
sul:tanat-e ahl-e dil faqr hai , shaahii nahii;N !

jin kii nigaaho;N ne kii tarbiyat-e sharq-o-;Garb
:zulmat-e yuurup me;N thii jin kii ;xirad raah-bii;N

jin kii lahuu kii :tufail aaj bhii hai;N a;Ndlusii
;xvush-dil-o-garm-i;xtilaa:t , saadah-o-raushan-jabii;N

aaj bhii us des me;N ((aam hai chashm-e ;Gazaal
aur nigaaho;N ke tiir aaj bhii hai;N dil-nashii;N

buu-e yaman aaj bhii us ki havaa))o;N me;N hai !
rang-e ;hijaaz aaj bhii us kii navaa))o;N me;N hai !


** English Translation:

Art lover's Mecca
Faith's grandeur
You made Andalusia holy
Only Muslims mirror your grandeur
O those Arab horsemen
Pledged to truth
Revealed this new secret
People who embrace Faith
Renounce the material
They enlightened the
West Yemen's scent persists
Even today Arabia's music
Lingers in Andalusia's breeze

Masjid- e - Qur:tubah - Stanza VII

diidah-e anjum me;N hai terii zamii;N , aasmaa;N
aah ! kih .sadyo;N se hai terii fa.zaa be-a;zaa;N

kaun sii vaadii me;N hai , kaun sii manzil me;N hai
((ishq-e balaa-;xez kaa qaafilah-e sa;xt-jaa;N !

dekh chukaa almanii shorish-e i.slaa;h-e dii;N
jis ne nah chho;Re kahii;N naqsh-e kuhan ke nishaa;N

;harf-e ;Gala:t ban ga))ii ((a.smat-e piir-e kunisht
aur hu))ii fikr kii kishtii-e naazuk ravaa;N

chashm-e firaa;Nsiis bhii dekh chukii inqilaab
jis se digr-guu;N hu))aa ma;Gribiyo;N kaa jahaa;N

millat-e ruumii-nizhaad kuhnah-parastii se piir
la;z;zat-e tajdiid se vuh bhii hu))ii phir javaa;N

ruu;h-e musalmaa;N me;N hai aaj vuhii i.z:tiraab
raaz-e ;xudaa))ii hai yih kah nahii;N saktii zabaa;N !

dekhiye us ba;hr kii tah se uchhaltaa hai kyaa
gunbad-e niilofarii rang badaltaa hai kyaa !

** English Translation:

Alas for centuries
No Calls to Prayer
Echo the minaret
In which valley
At which destination
Is love's caravan inducing frenzy
As all Europe swept away the old order
Repainted the face of the West
So today those torrents stir Muslims
A divine prophecy seals my lips
But let us watch secrets surface
From the ocean's depth
Watch the sky change hue

Masjid- e - Qur:tubah - Stanza VIII

vaadii-e kuhsaar me;N ;Garq-e shafaq hai sa;haab
la((l-e bada;xshaa;N ke ;Dher chho;R gayaa aaftaab !

saadah-o-purkaar hai du;xtar-e dihqaa;N kaa giit
kishtii-e dil ke liye sail hai ((ahd-e shabaab !

aab-e ravaan-e kabiir ! tere kinaare ko))ii
dekh rahaa hai kisii aur zamaane kaa ;xvaab


((aalam-e nau hai abhii pardah-e taqdiir me;N
merii nigaaho;N me;N hai us kii sa;har be-;hijaab

pardah u;Thaa duu;N agar chahrah-e afkaar se
laa nah sakegaa farang merii navaa))o;N kii taab

jis me;N nah ho inqilaab , maut hai vuh zindagii
ruu;h-e umum kii ;hayaat kashmakash-e inqilaab !

.suurat-e shamshiir hai dast-e qa.zaa me;N vuh qaum
kartii hai jo har zamaa;N apne ((amal kaa ;hisaab !

naqsh hai;N sab na-tamaam , ;xuun-e jigar ke ba;Gair
na;Gmah hai saudaa-e ;xaam , ;xuun-e jigar ke ba;Gair !

English Translation:

A cloud drenched in twilight
The sun scatters rubies
A peasant's daughter sings
Youth sails on heart's boat
On the Guadalquivir
Someone dreams of another age
New order still veiled by fate
Another dawn is approaching
In my mind's eye
If I unveil my thoughts
Fan the flames of my song
Europe couldn't endure
Life without revolution is death
As man's creations are soulless
Without passionate belief So my song

Haazaron kwaashen aisi

Haazaron kwaashen aisi ke har = khwaish pe dam nikle,
Bahut nikle mere armaan, lekin phir bhi dam nikle.

Thousands of desires, tantalizing one and all,
Many a wish have I realised; yet I yearn for more.

Nikalna khuld se aadam, ka sunte aae the lekin,
Bahut be aabroo ho kar tere kuche se ham nikle.

Often have we heard about Adam's exile from Eden,
Humiliating much more was my exit from your door.

Magar likhwae koi usko khat to ham se likhwae,
Hui subah aur kaan par dhar kar qalam nikle.

Those I thought would sympathize with my wretched state,
Turned out to be the victims of an even harsher fate.

Mahabbat mein nahin hai farq jeene aur marne ka,
Usi ko dekh kar jeete hain, jis kaafir pe dam nikle.

There is little difference in life and death when we are in love,
The same infidel sustains our life, for whom we pine to die.

Kahaan maikhana ka darwaaza Ghalib, aur kahaan waiz,
Par itna jante hain kal woh jaata tha ke ham nikle.

The preacher and the tavern door are things wide apart,
Yet yesterday I saw him enter, as I was coming out.

Haazaron kwaashen aisi ke har khwaish pe dam nikle,
Bahut nikle mere armaan, lekin phir bhi dam nikle.

Thousands of desires, tantalizing one and all,
Many a wish have I realised; yet I yearn for more.

Your Love's Horizon is What I Want

tere ishq kii intahaa chaahataa huu.N
merii saadagii dekh kyaa chaahataa huu.N

sitam ho ki ho vaadaa-e-behijaabii
ko_ii baat sabr-aazamaa chaahataa huu.N

ye jannat mubaarak rahe zaahido.n ko
ki mai.n aap kaa saamanaa chaahataa huu.N

ko_ii dam kaa mehamaa.N huu.N ai ahal-e-mahafil
chiraaG-e-sahar huu.N, bujhaa chaahataa huu.N

bharii bazm me.n raaz kii baat kah dii
ba.Daa be-adab huu.N, sazaa chaahataa huu.N

English Translation:
Your Love's Horizon is What I Want
The simplicity of what I want!
Tease me with a glance Test my patience.
That's what I want!
Let's bestow bliss on the pious
Seeing you face to face is what I want!
I am a speck of dust reaching for the sky
"You can't behold," is the command I want!
One day I will leave this gathering I love
Snuffed like a candle is not what I want!
I have told our secret in public I have no manners.
Scold me. That's all I want!

mohabbat ka junuu.N - Madness of Love is no more

mohabbat ka junuu.N baaqii nahii.n hai
musalamaano.n me.n Khuun baaqii nahii.n hai

safe.n kaj, dil pareshan, sajdaa bezuuk
ke jazabaa-e-a.ndruun baaqii nahii.n hai

rago.n me.n lahuu baaqii nahii.n hai
wo dil, wo aawaaz baaqii nahii.n hai

namaaz-o-rozaa-o-qurbaanii-o-haj
ye sab baaqii hai tuu baaqii nahii.n hai

Keh rahi hay mairay jazbaat ki jhankar tujhay

Keh rahi hay mairay jazbaat ki jhankar tujhay
kar sakay ga na koi meri tarah piar tujhay

Raqs karti hay teray khoon maiN meri khushboo
yaad aayegi kisi phool ki mehkar tujhay

shayad ab chup na sakay raaz-e-muhabbat mera
maiNay chup rehkay sada dee hay kai baar tujhay

do badan aik hi marmar say tarashay jisnay
maiNay paya usee fankar ka shahkaar tujhay
-----------------------------------------------

If you could only stay and listenlisten to the lilting tune

of emotions beating in a loving heart that loves you and adores

you like no one else!If you could only perceivethe sweet fragrance

of a newly-blossomed roseit will enter your heartand circulate in the

blood telling you of a secret lovethat silently moanswaiting to be heard!

For our souls are onemade of the same threadwoven by the weaver of

dreamsthat made you a masterpiece!

sitaaroN se aage

sitaaroN se aage jahaaN aur bhii haiN
abhii ishq ke imtihaa aur bhii haiN

tihii zindagii ke nahiiN yih fa.zaaN
yahaaN saiNkaRoN kaaravaaN aur bhii haiN

qanaaat nah kar aalam-e rang-o-buu par
chaman aur bhii , aashiyaaN aur bhii haiN !

agar kho gayaa ik nasheman to kyaa Gam
muqaamaat-e aah-o-fuGaaN aur bhii haiN !

tuu shaahiiN hai , parvaaz hai kaam teraa
tire saamne aasmaaN aur bhii haiN

isii roz-o-shab meN ulajh kar nah rah jaa
kih tere zamaan-o-makaaN aur bhii haiN

gae din kih tanhaa thaa maiN anjuman meN
yahaaN ab mire raaz-daaN aur bhii haiN !

* English Translation:
beyond the stars are even more worlds , there are still even more tests of passion
Thus a world seems to be chiefly notable as a place for tests of passion.

these expanses are not devoid of life, here there are hundreds of other caravans too
tihii means 'devoid, empty, vacant' , Where are 'these expanses'? On earth? In space? Where the speaker is? The poet cleverly doesn't tell us.= The word saiNkaRoN is sometimes written without the first nasal. It looks as though the word in the Urdu text was first written with the nasal (since a chair for it is clearly visible), but then the dot was either omitted or removed. It's worth paying attention to such details because Iqbal himself approved this version of his poetry before publication. So perhaps in his spelling it shouldn't have the nasal.

don't be contented with the world of color and scent.... there are other gardens, other nests, too ... The 'world of color and scent' is a standard expression for the physical world of the senses

if one nest was lost, what's the [cause of] grief?...there are other places for sighing and lamenting
= Like the 'world' which is a place for 'tests of passion' in verse (1), a nest is here chiefly notable as a place not for shelter, but for sighing and lamenting

you are a falcon, flight is your task........ before you there are other skies as well

don't become entangled, and remain [so?], in this day-and-night2) for you have other times-and-places too.... = Presumably 'this day-and-night' refers to our present, physical world. The grammar can permit two readings: 'don't become, and remain, entangled in this day-and-night' or 'don't become entangled, and remain in this day-and-night'. It's clever that we're left 'entangled' in a twofold reading about an entanglement in a twofold (day-and-night) world. (Two strands make for a much better entanglement, anyway.)= Both roz-o-shab and zamaan-o-manaa;N are common phrases, with a nice idiomatic flavor

the days are gone when I was alone in the gathering...... here, now, I have other secret-sharers too..... = A 'secret-sharer' is a confidant or intimate friend

Zamanay kay andaaz badlay gaey

Zamanay kay andaaz badlay gaey
Naya raag hai saaz badlay gaey

Khirad ko ghulami say aazad kar
Jawanon ko peeron ka ustad kar

Jigar say wohi teer phir par kar
Tamanna ko seenon main bedar kar

Jawanon ko sozi jigar bakhsh de
Mera ishq meri nazar bakhsh de

Pila de mujhe woh may pardah soz
Keh aati nahin fasl-e-gul roz roz

Woh may jis say roshan hai zameer-i-hayaat
Woh may jis say hai mastee-e-kainaat

* English Translation:
think it through, it is dedicated to the youth...

in this remarkable poem (below is only an excerpt), iqbal wonderfully sends the message to the muslims of india that 'the times are changing' (just like how musical instruments have been altered, saaz badlay gaey). in a sense, he is simply stating that the ottomans are finished, now it is time for the new generation to shine.

in the second verse...i love this one...iqbal tells us to free our minds from slavery (Khirad ko ghulami say aazad kar). he then tells the youth (Jawanon), to assume leadership by becoming the 'ustads' of the gurus (peeron).

Jigar say wohi teer phir par kar. in other words, 'traverse that same arrow in the hearts of the youth'. he ends off the verse by asking allah to revive the desire in hearts of the youth - that same desire/passion that was found during the times of the prophet/islamic empire.

the 4th verse is pretty self explanatory...
the 5th verse is also pretty clear for the average urdu speaking american. may is wine; pardah soz literarily means 'unveils.' the song concludes by asking the saqi to '(give me) the wine which enlightens the conscience of existence' and 'which makes the universe dynamic.'

Labh pe aati hai dua ban kay tamanna meri

Labh pe aati hai dua ban kay tamanna meri
zindagi sham ki surat ho khuda ya meri
zindagi sham ki surat ho khuda ya meri
Labh pe aati hai dua ban kay tamanna meri
ho mere dum se yuhi meri watan ki zeenat
jis tarah phool se hoti hai chaman ki zeenat
zindagi ho meri parwan ki surat ya rabb
ilm ki shamma se ho mujhko mohabbat ya rabb
ho mera kaam gharibo ki himayat karna
dard mando se, zaifo se mohabbat karna
mere Allah, burai se bachana mujhko
Neik jo rah ho us reh pe chalana mujhko
mere Allah, burai se bachana mujhko
Neik jo rah ho us reh pe chalana mujhko

* English Translation:

My longing comes to my lips as supplication of mine O God!
May like the candle be the life of mine!
May the world's darkness disappear through the life of mine!
May every place light up with the sparkling light of mine!
May my homeland through me attain elegance
As the garden through flowers attains elegance
May my life like that of the moth be,
O Lord! May I love the lamp of knowledge,
O Lord! May supportive of the poor
my life's way be May loving the old,
the suffering my way be O God!
Protect me from the evil ways
Show me the path leading to the good ways