Jis Ki Janib Woh Nazar Apni Uttha Lete Hain
Uss Ki Soyee Hui Taqdeer Jaga Dete Hain

Towards whom they raise their glance
His resting destiny they awaken in a trance

Teri Duzdeeda Nigahon Ko Dua Dete Hain
Jitne Chubte Hain Yeh Teer Utna Maza Dete Hain

For your peeking gazes, I pray
The more these arrows wound, the more delighted I lay

Jab Se Dekha Hai Unhein Apna Mujhe Hosh Nahin
Jane Kya Cheez Woh Nazroon Se Pila Dete Hain

Ever since them I saw, senseless I have become
What they pour from their glances, a mystery it has become

Takht Kya Cheez Hai Aur Laal-o-Jawahir Kya Hai
Ishq Wale To Khudai Bhi Loota Dete Hain

What is a throne and what are lustrous jewels?
Lovers surrender divinity against the rules

Aik Din Aisa Bhi Ata Hai Mohabbat Mein Zaroor
Khud Ko Ghabra Ke Naqab Apna Uttah Lete Hain

There is one such moment in love, indeed!
With nervousness, they raise their veil

Apni Barbadi Pe Khush Hoon Yeh Suna Hai Jabse
Woh Jisse Apna Samajhte Hain Mitta Dete Hain

Happy with my own ruin I am, ever since I have learned
Who they consider their own, obliterated have turned

Apne Daman Ko Zara Aap Bacha Kar Rakhna
Sakhat Aahon Se Bhi Hum Aag Laga Dete Hain

Your own hem a little, you save and claim
With deep sighs, we set the fire aflame

Jis Ki Janib Woh Nazar Apni Uttha Lete Hain
Uss Ki Soyee Hui Taqdeer Jaga Dete Hain*

Towards whom they raise their glance
His resting destiny they awaken in a trance

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

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

Bheed Mein Ek Ajnabi Ka, Saamna Acha Laga
Sabse Chup Kar Woh Kisi Ka, Dekhna Acha Laga

Within a crowd, facing of one stranger I liked
Hidden away from all others, her staring I liked

Surmayi Aanchal Ke Neeche Phool Se Khilne Lage
Kehte Kehte Kuch Kisi Ka Sochna Acha Laga

Grey colour below the eyes, flowers begun to bloom
Talking and losing of her thoughts I so liked

Baat To Khuch Bhi Nahi Laikan Uska Ekdam
Haath Ko Honton Pe Rakh Kar Rokna Acha Laga

It was all nothing but suddenly
Placing of her hands over my lips and asking me to stop I liked

Uss Adoo-e-Jaan Ko Amjad Mein Bura Kaise Kahoon
Jab Bhi Aaya Saamne, Woh Bewafa Acha Laga*

O’ Amjad how can one say anything negative to that enemy of life
Whenever she came before me, that treacherous I liked

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Poet Amjad Islam Amjad, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Unke Dar Pe Pahunchne To Paayein
Yeh Na Poocho Ke Hum Kya Kareinge
Sar Jhukana Agar Jurm Hoga
Ham Nigahon Se Sajda Kareinge

Once I reach the door
Spare me from asking what I will do
If blasphemous it is to prostrate my body
My gaze shall bow at the door

Baat Bhi Teri Rakhni Hai Saqi
Zarf Ko Bhi Na Ruswa Kareinge
Jaam De Ya Na De Aaj Hum Toh
Maikade Mein Sawera Kareinge

I am to keep your words too, O' Cup Bearer
And I cannot offend the cup
Whether or not you serve me tonight
I will meet my dawn at your door

Iss Taraf Apna Daman Jalega
Uss Taraf Unki Mehfil Chalegi
Hum Andhere Ko Ghar Mein Bulaakar
Unke Ghar Mein Ujaala Kareinge

Here, my life will be on fire
And there celebrations will begin at yours
I willingly invite the darkness to my abode
So that brightness may exist at yours

Baat Tarq-e talluq Bhi 'Anwar'
Itna Ehsaa- e-Rasm-e-Wafa Hai
Aakhiri Saans Tak Bhi Hum Unse
Berukhi Ka Na Shikwa Kareinge*

Even after renouncing our relationship O’ Anwar
I am to maintain the ritual of faithfulness
Even unto the last breath
Never will I complain of aloofness

— 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

Sara Jahan Mast
Jahan Ka Nizam Mast
Din Mast, Raat Mast, Sahar Mast, Shaam Mast
Mast Sheesha, Mast Suboo, Mast Jaam Mast
Hai Teri Chashm-e-Mast Se Har Khaas-o-Aam Mast*

The world is intoxicated
The order of universe is intoxicated
The day is intoxicated; the night, the dawn and the evening are intoxicated
The glass is intoxicated, the goblet and the wine itself is intoxicated
Your enchanting eyes have made everything so intoxicated.

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

Jab Raat Dhali Aadhi Maikhane Ko Hosh Aaya
Angrai Li Botal Ne Paimane Ko Hosh Aaya

When the night cast halfway, tavern came to its senses
The bottle took a yawn and the cup came to its senses

Utha Jo Naqaab Unka Deewane Ko Hosh Aaya
Jab Shamma Howi Roshan Parwane Ko Hosh Aaya

They appeared from their veil, crazy came to their senses
Then the flame became evident and the moth came to its senses

Phir Dard Utha Dil Mein Phir Yaad Teri Aayi
Phir Teri Mohabbat Ke Afsanay Ko Hosh Aaya

Then the pain grew within, your memories unfolded
And then your affectionate tale came to my senses

In Mast Nigahon Ne Girtay Ko Sambhala Hai
Sagar Ke Saharay Se Mastanay Ko Hosh Aaya

Intoxicating glances have balanced the tumbling
With the support of a cup, the drunk came to their senses

Woh Daikho Fana Daikho Jaam Aa Gaye Gardish Mein
Woh Mast Nazar Uthi Maikhane Ko Hosh Aaya*

Look there O’ Fana, see the cups are quickly rotating
Emergence of intoxicating glance; tavern has now come to its senses

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Poet Anwar Farrukhabadi, Sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Main Talkhi-e-Hayat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya
Gham Ki Siyah Raat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

With the worry from bitterness of life, I drank
With the grief of my darkest night, I drank

Itni Daqiq Shai Koi Kaise Samajh Sake
Yazdan Ke Vaqiat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

Such delicate substance, how can one comprehend?
With the fear of merciful moment, I drank

Chhalke Hue The Jaam Pareshan Thi Zulf-e-Yaar
Kuchh Aise Hadsat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

Overflowing cups and beloved’s anxious tresses
With the concern for such calamities, I drank

Main Aadmi Huun Koi Farishta Nahi Huzur
Main Aaj Apni Zaat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

Human I am and no angel O’ respected
Today, with the vigilance of my own being, I drank

Duniya-e-Hadsat Hai Ik Dardnak Giit
Duniya-e-Hadsat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

World of incidents is an agonising song
With the discomfort of this world of incidents, I drank  

Kante To Khair Kante Hain Is Ka Gila Hi Kya
Phulon Ki Vardat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya

Thorns are yet thorns and there is no complaint
With the scare from crimes of flowers, I drank

Saghar Vo Kah Rahe The Ki Pi Lijiye Huzur
Un Ki Guzarishat Se Ghabra Ke Pi Gaya*

Saghar they said drink O’ respected
And with the care for their wishes, I drank

— Translated by Jamil Hussain, Poet Saghar Siddiqui, 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

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

Dard bhi kya sikandar hai.
Is ko na kisi ki fikar, na dar hai.
Jab yeh aata hai toh sab bhula deta hai.
Jo fateh karle toh kya ummeed kya khwahish hai.
Bas dard hi dard hai.
Dard se bachna hai.

Khushiyaan aati hai toh kisi na kisi dar ke saath.
Chhin jaane ka dar,
Nazar lag jaane ka dar,
Zyaada khush ** liye toh phir baad mein rone ka dar.

Lekin dard ko kis cheez ka dar?
Jis ka dar tha jab wohi aakar hum se lipat jaaye,
toh phir kis baat ka dar?

Kitni ajeeb baat hai,
aur yeh kaisa mazedaar rishta hai dard aur khushiyon ka.
Khushiyaan dard ka veham lekar aati hai,
toh dard ki inteha ek dhundla sa daawa khushiyon ka.

Lagta toh har kisi ko yahi hai, ke ab is dard se azaadi na mumkin hai.
Magar dard hi toh azaadi hai.
Yeh khaathma nahin.
Yeh toh khaatme ki shakal mein shuruwaat hai
----- ek nayi khushi ki, ek nayi tumhari.

Junoon Ka Hukm Suno Aur Amal Karo Us Per
Khirad Ko Aag Lagao Bahar Ke Din Hein*

Listen to the command of madness and act
Set rationality on fire – spring has returned!

— 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**** 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

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