tire ishq kī intihā chāhtā huuñ
mirī sādgī dekh kyā chāhtā huuñ

Your infinite love, I desire
Look at my humility what I desire

sitam ** ki ** vada-e-be-hijābī
koī baat sabr-āzmā chāhtā huuñ

Fury or your audacious-unveiling
Something fortitude-testing I desire

ye jannat mubārak rahe zāhidoñ ko
ki maiñ aap kā sāmnā chāhtā huuñ

Heavens be favourable for the religious
But us ever-so close, facing each other is what I desire

zarā sā to dil huuñ magar shoḳh itnā
vahī lan-tarānī sunā chāhtā huuñ

A tiny heart but so spirited I am
To hear those words ‘’By no means canst thou see Me’’ I desire

koī dam kā mehmāñ huuñ ai ahl-e-mahfil
charāġh-e-sahar huuñ bujhā chāhtā huuñ

Determined guest I am O’ people of assembly
Morning lamp I am, quenching I desire

bharī bazm meñ raaz kī baat kah dī
baḌā be-adab huuñ sazā chāhtā huuñ

Within a full gathering I have disclosed the secret
So impolite I am, your punishment I desire

Note:

Moses prays to God for guidance and begs God to reveal himself to him. It is narrated in the Quran that God tells him that it would not be possible for Moses to perceive God, but that He would reveal himself to the mountain, stating: "By no means canst thou see Me (direct); But look upon the mount; if it abide in its place, then shalt thou see Me." When God reveals himself to the mountain, it instantaneously turns into ashes, and Moses loses consciousness. When he recovers, he goes down in total submission and asks forgiveness of God.

✒ Translated by ℐamil Hussain
Words of Muhammad Iqbal

tire siine meñ dam hai dil nahīñ hai
tirā dam garmi-e-mahfil nahīñ hai

Ambition rests within your chest but not a heart
Your wheedling, warmth of assembly is not nor its art

guzar jā aql se aage ki ye nuur
charāġh-e-rāh hai manzil nahīñ hai!

Go beyond paths of reason in quest of light
Lamp of the way it is but not a destination

ḳhirad ke paas ḳhabar ke sivā kuchh aur nahīñ
tirā ilaaj nazar ke sivā kuchh aur nahīñ

Intellect has news and nothing more
A divine glance is your cure and nothing more

har ik maqām se aage maqām hai terā
hayāt zauq-e-safar ke sivā kuchh aur nahīñ

Beyond all ranks is your prestige
Life is a delightful journey and nothing more

ragoñ meñ gardish-e-ḳhūñ hai agar to kyā hāsil
hayāt soz-e-jigar ke sivā kuchh aur nahīñ

If veins have flowing blood, then what is the reward?
An existence with a burning heart and nothing more

jise kasād samajhte haiñ tājirān-e-farañg
vo shai mata-e-hunar ke sivā kuchh aur nahīñ

What traders of the West consider as synthetic?
These are entities of flawless craft and nothing more

urūs-e-lāla munāsib nahīñ hai mujh se hijāb
ki maiñ nasīm-e-sahar ke sivā kuchh aur nahīñ

Bride like a radiant tulip, why modesty from me?
Morning breeze I am and nothing more

baḌā karīm hai 'iqbāl'-e-be-navā lekin
atā-e-shola sharar ke sivā kuchh aur nahīñ

Very gracious is voiceless Iqbal and yet
A gifted flame with sparks of fire and nothing more

✒ Translated by ℐamil Hussain
Words of Muhammad Iqbal

Ye Aalam Shauq Ka Dekha Na Jaae
Vo But Hai Ya Khuda Dekha Na Jaae

This state of excitement, a disguised affair
Is he an idol or the Lord? O’ I am unaware

Ye Mere Saath Kaisi Raushni Hai
Ki Mujh Se Rasta Dekha Na Jaae

Accompanying me, what form of glow is this?
O’ I cannot grasp my path by its glare

Ye Kin Nazron Se Tu Ne Aaj Dekha
Ki Tera Dekhna Dekha Na Jaae

Today with what aim did you stare
O’ your staring I could not bear

Hamesha Ke Liye Mujh Se Bichhar Ja
Ye Manzar Bar-Ha Dekha Na Jaae

Detached from me, to forever become
O’ this scene always stages a scare

'Faraz' Apne Siva Hai Kaun Tera
Tujhe Tujh Se Juda Dekha Na Jaae*

O’ Faraz, apart from self who is yours?
To tear you from yourself, it is so unfair

✒ Translated by ℐamil Hussain , Sung by Tahira Syed

Teri Payal Agar Chhanak Jaye
Gardish-e-Asmaan Titthak Jaye

If your anklets, made a sound
Spinning of heavens, would pause

Tere Hansne Ki Kaifiyat Tauba
Jaise Bijli Chamak Chamak Jaye

Nature of your laughter, God forbid!
Like bolts and flashes, lightning draws

Teri Gardan Ka Tazkira Sun Kar
Jo Surahi Hai Woh Chhalak Jaye

Hearing, portrayal of your neck
Even a goglet, overflows

Le Agar Jhoom Kar Tu Angrai
Zindagi Daar Par Latak Jaye

Twirling, if you pandiculate
Existence, would hang by the ropes

Choor Hai Aise Paakpan Tera
Jaise Das Das Ke Saamp Thak Jaye

Broken to atoms is your innocence
Like once bitten fatigue a snake shows

Teri Ankhoon Ko Dekh Paiye Agar
Jo Farishta ** Woh Bahak Jaye*

If one wins to see your eyes
Even an angelic, deluded grows

✒ Translated by ℐamil Hussain , Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Meri Zeest Pur Mussarat
Kabhi Thi, Naa Hai, Naa Hogi

Koi Behtarin Surat
Kabhi Thi, Naa Hai, Naa Hogi

Upon my existence, happiness
Never was, will not nor ever be

One perfect image
Never was, will not nor ever be

Mujhe Husn Ne Sataya
Mujhe Ishq Ne Mitaya
Kisi Aur Ki Ye Halat
Kabhi Thi, Naa Hai, Naa Hogi

Mein Yeh Jaante Huay Bhi
Teri Anjuman Mein Aaya
Ke Tujhe Meri Zarurat
Kabhi Thi, Naa Hai, Naa Hogi

Beauty has made me suffer
Love has caused me to fade
This state of any other
Never was, will not nor ever be

Knowing this
I came to your gathering
That for you, my need
Never was, will not nor ever be

Jo Gila Kiya Hai Tumse*
Jo Samaj Ke Tumko Apna
Mujhe Gair Se Shikayat
Kabhi Thi, Naa Hai, Naa Hogi

Ye Karam Hai Doston Ka
Jo Woh Keh Rahe Hai Sab Se
Ke Naseer Par Inaayat
Kabhi Thi, Naa Hai, Naa Hogi

Those sorrows shared with you
Were with a belief that you are a part of me
Complaint to a stranger
Never was, will not nor ever be

This grace is from friends, who say to all
That upon *Naseer, favour
Never was, will not nor ever be

✒ Translated by ℐamil Hussain , *Poet, Peer Naseer Uddin Naseer, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

**** Damakta, Zulf Ghaneri
Rangin Lab, Ankhein Jadu

Body aflame and curling of locks so thick
Colourful lips and eyes so charming

Sang-e-Marmar, Uda Badal
Surḳh Shafaq, Hairan Aahu

Ivory stone altering so royal-mauve
Evening twilight so red and dazzled gazelles

Raatein Mahki, Sansein Dahki
Nazrein Bahki, Rut Lahki

Fragrant nights and sighs kindling
Glances intoxicating, season so blooming

Prem Khilauna, Sapn Salona
Phul Bichhauna, Vo Pahlu

Game of love, stunning dreams
Flowers spreading, O’ that view

Tum Se Duri, Ye Majburi
Zaḳhm-e-Kari, Bedari

Away from you, so helpless
Penetrating wound and no vigilance

Tanha Raatein, Sapne Katein
Khud Se Batien, Meri Khu*

Lonely nights and biting dreams
Talking to self, my habit so new

✒ Translated by ℐamil Hussain , Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Botal Khuli Hai Raqs Mein Jam-e-Sharab Hai
Woh To Khaliq Hai Banda Parwar Hai

The bottle is open and dancing is the glass of wine
He is the Creator and the Benefactor so divine

Sari Duniya Ka Rab-e-Akbar Hai
Mera Sarmaya-e-Hayat Na Pooch
Ek Saqi Hai, Ek Sagar Hai*

God of entire creation He is so Great
On source of my life, what can I state?
Cup-bearer is One & Sole, and so is the bowl

✒ Translated by ℐamil Hussain , Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Hasti Pe Nikhaar Aa Jata Hai
Jis Waqt Woh Saamne Hote Hain

Life is made to bloom
When they manifest before us

Har Shai Pe Khumaar Aa Jata Hai
Jis Waqt Woh Saamne Hote Hain

Existence is covered in intoxication
When they manifest before us

Parwane Ki Halat Kya Kahiye
Parwana Hai Aakhir Parwana

Of moth’s state what could you say
Moth is yet still a moth

Shamma Ko Bhi Pyar Aa Jata Hai
Jis Waqt Woh Saamne Hote Hain*

Even the lamp immerses in love
When they manifest before us

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Uss Ne Kaha Kaun ** Tum
Main Ne Kaha Hasrat Teri

She asked: Who are you?
I said: Yearnings of your heart

Uss Ne Kaha Takta Hai Kya
Main Ne Kaha Surat Teri

She asked: What do you see?
I said: Beauty of your art

Uss Ne Kaha Chahta Hai Kya
Main Ne Kaha Khidmat Teri

She asked: What do you desire?
I said: To forever serve you

Uss Ne Kaha Pachtaega
Main Ne Kaha Qismat Meri

She said: You might regret
I replied: That’s my luck for you

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Qarib Aur Bhi Aao
Ke Shauq-e-Deed Mite

Come closer
So that desire of sight is pleased

Sharab Aur Pilao
Ke Kuch Nasha Utre

Offer more wine
So that intoxication is eased

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

More Nain Piya
Sang Laag Rahe

Beloved is within my eyes
May this affect remain

Mohe Hosh Nahi*
Ab Tann Mann Ka

I have no consciousness
Over my body and soul

Mohe Sudh Budh Sagri Bhool Gayee
Mukh Daikh Ke Apne Sajan Ka

Presence of my mind is no longer
O' after a sight of my sweetheart’s face

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Khanjar Hain Teri Aankhein
Talwaar Hain Teri Aankhein
Zinda Na Rehne Dengi
Ae Yaar Teri Aankhein

Your eyes are like a dagger
Your eyes are like a sword
They will not let me live
O' beloved eyes of yours

Ae Nargis-e-Mastaana
Allah Tujhe Rakhe
Rehti Hain Tasavvur Mein
Har Baar Teri Aankhein

O' possessor of drunk eyes
God keep you in His preserve
Enduring within my imaginations
O’ forever are eyes of yours

Yeh Bolti Aankhein
Bhi Afsaane Sunaati Hain
Rakhti Hain Zuban Jaise
Ae Yar Teri Aankhein

These talkative eyes
Speak of many tales
As if, they have a voice of their own
O' beloved eyes of yours

Humne Teri Aankoon Mein
Allah Ko Dekha Hai
Iss Par Teri Aankein
Uss Par Teri Aankein

Within your eyes
I have seen the Lord
In every direction
O’ are eyes of yours

Chehre Pe To Ghussa Hai
Aankhoon Mein Muhabbat Hai
Karti Hain Mere Dilbar
Iqraar Teri Aankhein*

On the face anger is exposed
But love is within the eyes of yours
Revealing O’ sweetheart
Unity, are eyes of yours

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Dhalegi Raat Aayegi Sahar Aahista Aahista
Piyo Un Ankhdiyon Ke Naam Par Aahista Aahista

Night will end and the morning will arise, slowly, O’ slowly
Sip in the name of her eyes, slowly, O’ slowly

Dikha Dena Usse Zakhm-e-Jigar Aahista Aahista
Samajh Kar Soch Kar Pehchaan Kar Aahista Aahsita

Show her the wounds of your heart but slowly, O’ slowly
With thoughts, understanding and accuracy, slowly, O’ slowly

Abhi Taaron Se Khelo Chandni Se Dil Ko Behlao
Milegi Uske Chehre Ki Sahar Aahista Aahista

Play with the stars and appease yourself with the moons light
You will meet the morning of her face, slowly, O’ slowly

Yakayak Aise Jal Bhujhne Mein Lutf-e-Jaan Kuni Kab Tha
Jale Ik Shamma Par Ham Bhi Magar Aahista Aahista*

What is the pleasure of life in burning so suddenly?
Burnt too I was on a flame but slowly, O’ slowly

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan