chale to kaT hī jā.egā safar āhista āhista
ham us ke paas jaate haiñ magar āhista āhista

Endure and the journey will end, gradually O’ slowly
We move to be ever so near but gently O’ slowly

abhī tāroñ se khelo chāñd kī kirnoñ se iThlāo
milegī us ke chehre kī sahar āhista āhista

For now, play with the stars and pace with moonlit rays
You will meet manifestation of her dawn gradually O’ slowly

darīchoñ ko to dekho chilmanoñ ke raaz to samjho
uTheñge parda-hā-e-bām-o-dar āhista āhista

Observe the windows and know the mystery of curtains
Secrecy of wall and terrace will be no more, gradually O’ slowly

zamāne bhar kī kaifiyat simaT aa.egī sāġhar meñ
piyo un añkhḌiyoñ ke naam par āhista āhista

State of time has poured into a wine-cup
Drink in the honour of those eyes but gradually O’ slowly

yūñhī ik roz apne dil kā qissa bhī sunā denā
ḳhitāb āhista āhista nazar āhista āhista

Just like that, one day reveal the tale of your heart
Conveying softly O’ slowly, glancing secretly O’ slowly

✒  Translated by ℐamil Hussain

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

This is
A great sign
You will rise and
You will forever
S h i n e.

✒ ℐamil Hussain

From
A tiny spark
May burst a unique flame,
Your luminous heart a new
Destiny may it
Claim.

✒ ℐamil Hussain

I n f i n i t e l y
I yearned  f o r  senses
W h e n  lit wisdom came
O’    s e n s e l e s s    I
B  e  c  a  m  e

✒ ℐamil Hussain

Ecstatic
You  l e a v e  me
With your manner of veiling
N o w,  emerge  in  my  h e a r t
And  let  me  treasure  you
O’ manifestation
Of  love

✒ ℐamil Hussain

To
This man’s
Poetic mind, heart and soul
Drunken words of poetry you are
Imagine now, how elegant, royal, adorable
Delightful, stunning, magnificent
And   g o r g e o u s
You are

✒ ℐamil Hussain

May  the universe
I n f i n i t e l y   b l e s s  You
In  s u r p r i s i n g  and joyful ways
May the excitement of victory, gladness
And harmony join your new sparkling days
May the exhilarating, colourful and divine
G a r d e n   of   love be all yours, O’ for
You  t h i s  soul forever  p r a y s
Happy  N e w  Year

✒ ℐamil Hussain

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

What a moment of excitement it must have been?
When for the first time,* light these shy eyes must have seen
When for the first time, warmth from these hands must have poured
When for the first time, this lowly tongue must have recited its initial word
When for the first time, voice and sound these humble ears must have heard
When for the first time, beliefs within this tiny heart must have met and stirred
When for the first time, lips of this child must have touched and smiled
When for the first time, body of this youth must have become styled
What a  m o m e n t  of excitement and O’ Jamil what a scene
Truly, could all this be the  w o r k  of a gene?

✒ ℐamil Hussain

O’ this
Frenzied heart asks
What burns in the flames so intense
And then itself into ashes
It masks?

✒ ℐamil Hussain

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

It’s an illness
Or should I say a curse
Her eyes lit with that glow
A l i k e  an unveiling
Sacred  v e r s e

✒ ℐamil Hussain

. . . T  h  i  s . . .
B o u n d l e s s  ocean of  life
And in roses imageries of you and me  
O’ sparks of your beauty I am yearning to see
Face to face, if you raised those beautiful eyes, at me
Heavenly niche of hearts would cause the shadows to flee
My tongue soaked in bouquets of your melody, would set free
Odes would fall from movement of sky, endorsing my plea
Elegance of your smile, a garden of paradise and it’s key
B l o o d  of my heart, O’ red  w i n e  it would be
Baring of your  s a c r e d  sight with g l e e
M a r v e l   of  fresh blossoms, is it
. . . You or me ? . . .

✒ ℐamil Hussain

**** 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

I    know  of  no  r i g h t
Or   w r o n g   in  what I have  s a i d
She caused the stir and I became   so   s p r e a d

I answered her   g e n t l y  and   s p o k e    the    t r u t h
I knew not,   b u r n i n g   so    h o t   is  her   h e a v e n l y   youth

That morning, it’s like she woke up from the wrong side of her bed
Or all night on    s w e e t e s t   wine   she   m u s t    have   f e d

Hidden and yet revealed, s m a r t  questions to me she poured
She did her part so wisely only for me to become so lured

She said open your romantic heart and let's together pen
Let us make the world hear these rhymes and tales
Becoming the new ten out of ten

✒ ℐamil Hussain

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

S h e  is the
Fascinating poetry
In a majestic red  d r e s s
So pretty, so beautiful and
So divine I must
C o n f e s s

✒ ℐamil Hussain

Pleasure
Of    r a i n
O’  if  you seek
C o m e within
My eyes and
P e a k

Whiteness  t h e r e  is
D a r k n e s s  t h e r e   is
Evening  t w i l i g h t  there is
O' cloud of rain there is

Pleasure
Of    r a i n
O’  if  you seek
C o m e within
My eyes and
P e a k**

✒ ℐamil Hussain

And
S u d d e n l y
The clouds gathered
And the sun felt so shy
In  brightness of light
O' there stood
You

✒ ℐamil Hussain

Main Ne Dekha Usse Ibtida ** Gayi
Uss Ne Dekha Mujhe Intiha ** Gayi

I saw her and it was the beginning
She saw me and it was the end

Yeh Kis Nazaron Se Uss Ne Aaj Dekha
Yeh Uss Ka Dekhna Dekha Na Jaaye*

Today with what aim did she stare
O’ her staring I could not bear

— Translated by Jamil 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

T h e
G l o r i o u s  face
Of all faces has appeared
L u s t r e  has  emerged and
All the shadows  h a v e
Disappeared

✒ ℐamil Hussain

What should I compliment ?

The glory of your charming eyes
Or
The royal
P  o  s  e

Your adoring cheeks
Your glowing hair
Or*
The divine lips alike
Delicate petals of a
R  o  s  e

✒ ℐamil Hussain

B u t
With you
I am so deeply and
So passionately
M e

✒ ℐamil Hussain

O'
Someday
Your   h e a r t  will
Soften and your beautiful
E y e s   w i l l    t u r n
T o w a r d s
M e

Y o u r
T o n g u e    w i l l
Speak sweetest of words
A n d  your arms will
Want  t o  hold
M e

✒ ℐamil Hussain

O’
Prettiest
Come close and
Lend me your lofty ear
I have something so adoring
To tell you O' my
Dear

May
Your moments
Dance in divine hue
And may your nights
Become filled with
Gripping magic so
New

In
Aura of
Your magnificence
So charming and so pure
May every soul drown
And forever
Brew

Sight
Of your majesty
And struck with deep joy
The stars gather in a
Queue

O'
Prettiest
You are a queen of
Glory and the moments
Of life are merely
Droplets of
Dew

✒ ℐamil Hussain

Y o u r   eyes
Pour beauty alike the
Glowing rays from the sun
M y   humble   r e q u e s t
To you O' charming soul
Please stay forever
Y o u n  g

✒ ℐamil Hussain

S h e
C a m e   w i t h   h e r
S w e e t   a n d   h o n e y e d   l i p s
S h e  then  g a z e d , winked and  h e r
C h a r m i n g   eyes   began   to   pull
M y   h e a r t    i n t o   t i n y
S t r i p s

✒ ℐamil Hussain

Love
C o m e s t
Into my heart
Transforming
Water into Thy
S a c r e d
Wine

✒ ℐamil Hussain

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

A
Thrilled
Beautiful rose said
To another shining gorgeous rose*
Breathing your perfume fills the air of my existence
Now come stand by my side with your silent ecstasy*
And comfort the glory of
My passionate
Pose

✒ ℐamil Hussain

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

Until
This era is, O’ let it be
Enraptured with pleasing joy
Make me

Unto
You O’ Cup bearer
The whole world sacrificed be
Ultimate wine of love this is
O’ serve me

Twofolds
Pour O’ Cup bearer
One for the sake of you, O' rose faced
And the other in the name of Lord the
Great be

Unconditionally fulfilled
May the aching desires of this futile
Heart be.

― Jamil Hussain

O' Cup bearer
From within my sorrows
An image of bursting joy offer me

A single sip of your aching bliss be
Pour a droplet, embraced within it an ocean be

O’ Cup bearer , unto you blessings be
And unto your tavern favours be
Elating holy wine offer me

Senseless for a lifetime
I   d e s i r e   to
B  e

✒ ℐamil Hussain

I
S t a n d   f i r m
L i k e  a  m o u n t a i n
A t   t i m e s   i t   r a i n s ,
A t  t i m e s   i t   t h u n d e r s
A n d  a t   t i m e s  i t   f l o o d s
B u t  m y  l i p s  a r e  s e a l e d
I n   p r a y e r   o f   y o u r
L  o  v  e

✒ ℐamil Hussain

O'
P r e t t i e s t
I breathe   l i f e   into my
Desires and I gather all my hopes
I f   your shy   e y e s   say-so
Audacious can
I   b e

◈◈◈

O'
W i s h i n g
Within my heartbeats
A r e  thousands  o f  affections
If   y o u r  modesty permits
Shameless can
I   b e

✒ ℐamil Hussain

◈◈◈
O' Lord
Flourish her
With all the success
She is magnificent I
Must confess
◈
Give
Her long
And healthy life
Take my remaining years
And let forever her
Thrive
◈
O' Lord
Bless her with
More charms and beauty
Forgive her actions and
Grant her a
Bounty
◈
Let
Her accomplish
All her wishes and dreams
Give her all the strength and
Knowledge so that
She gleams
◈
O' Lord
Gift her with all the
Wealth and what she desires
So she may appreciate your
Kindness and return her
Admires
◈
Grant
Her a place
In heavens hereafter
Let her attain your joy
For the ultimate life
Thereafter
◈
O' Lord
Please accept
My sincere and
Heartily
Prayers
◈
Let
Not go to
Waste my high
Hopes and my
Flowing
Tears
◈
You are
All-powerful
And a witness
To all
◈
You are
The greatest
Helper for the
People who
Fall.
◈
— Jamil Hussain

A
T r u e
M o m e n t  until
The beloved is to unveil
Thy face, and in an absolute
Silence, It’s  t o  become
The  s u p r e m e
G r a c e

O'
T o u c h i n g
Words    a n d    d e e p
Whispers will start thereafter
The beloved will become the
Only sunrise and sunset
W i t h i n    y o u r
Heart

✒ ℐamil Hussain

The
Heart wants
To be intoxicated
At first sight and the mind
Has a desire to stage a
Dance of endless
Delight

The
Blood is
Commanding to
Rush through the body with
Extremes of joy and the soul
Craves for nothing
Less than love at
First sight

✒ ℐamil Hussain

Everywhere I observed
And place of ‘’ℋℯ’’ is what I saw

None-else came before my sight
When ‘’ℋis’’ manifestation I saw

✒ ℐamil Hussain

Tulu-e-Subah Tere Rukh Ki Baat Hone Lagi
Tumhari Zulf Jo Bikhri Toh Raat Hone Lagi
Tumhari Mast Nazar Ka Khumaar Kya Kehna
Nashe Mein Garq Sabhi Kayanaat Hone Lagi*

Rise of morning and debate of your appearance begun  
Then your tresses scattered and the night begun
Intoxication of your enchanting eyes – what can we say!
O’ in drunkenness, sinking of whole world begun

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

T h o u
Blowest into
My soul from above
A soft resistless
F l a m e   of
L o v e

✒ ℐamil Hussain

M y
Heart opening
As the rose petals
Thou hast pouring
On it aroma of
Patience

✒ ℐamil Hussain

Jalwa-e-Mahtab Se Pahle
Rang Mehke Ghulaab Se Pahle
Apna Kaif-o-Suruur Dikhla Kar
Hosh Lootain Sharaab Se Pahle*

Before the splendour of moon
Before the flourishing colour of a rose
O' intoxicating pleasure you exposed
Plundering my senses, before the wine was even poured

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