This is a qaseeda – a panegyric verse in praise of something.  This is a praise of the pen, versification and of declaring independence from orthodoxy.  I could not find a print version anywhere in faraz’s books.  It is posted on youtube as a recitation by faraz at a private gathering.  I transcribed it painfully and cross-checked it to the best of my capability.  It is long.

In order to make it convenient to read, listen and ponder, I have divided it into 5 segments.

Khuda se Khitaab – ash’aar 01-12:  The poet addresses in terms of familiarity and equality, inviting him to come down to earth.  Implied in this a look at the variety, beauty, ugliness, injustice and oppression on earth and bland contentment in heaven.
aap apna hi hal – ash’aar 13-22:  The poet describes the human condition in which he/she has to struggle to make his/her own place on earth.  There is no room for prayer, there is a mixture of good and bad – take it as it comes.
mad’h-e qalam – ash’aar 23-31:  The poet praises the pen, and by implication poetic verse, in the most effusive terms.  The pen can see what angels cannot see.  The pen has granted the poet the ability to write.
dars-e qalam – ash’aar 32-40:  Lessons that the pen has taught the poet – lessons in humility, love, sense of justice and much more.  Very eloquent.
bai’at-e yaziid na kar – ash’aar 41-49:  The poet concludes with a high note – lessons learnt about taking a steadfast, principled stand.  He even declares a sort of equality of positions vis-à-vis god.

The audio, both ahmad faraz and my recitation is also posted in corresponding segments for easy listening.

Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. ahmad faraz (1931-2008) popular love and romance poet as well as a substantial contributor to progressive themes. This is a qaseeda, composed in Ghazal structure but not considered a Ghazal. It is a continuous theme in praise of something or someone. Please click on the Overview tab to see the full description.
32
tamaam siina-figaaroN¹ ko yaad mere suKhan²
har ek Ghairat³-e maryam⁴ ke lab⁵ pe meri Ghazal     1.heart-broken 2.words, ash’aar 3.dignity 4.Mary 5.lips
‘Ghairat-e maryam’ – the envy of Mary is used a symbol of dignity and self-esteem of the beloved. Thus, (because of the gift of the pen) all heart-broken lovers recall my ash’aar and the beloved has my Ghazal on her lips.
33
isi ne sahal¹ kiye mujh pe zindagi ke azaab²
vo ahd³-e saNg⁴ kahiiN tha keh daur⁵-e teGh⁶-e ajal⁷     1.easy 2.troubles, difficulties 3.times, age 4.stone 5.age, period 6.sword 7.death
This is probably a reflection of the saying, the pen is mightier than the sword from the stone age to the present day of weapons like the ‘teGh-e ajal’ – the sword of death. Thus, it is this (the pen) that eased my difficulties from the stone age to the present.
34
isi ne mujh ko dikhaaii hai raah¹-e ahl-e-safa²
isi ne mujh se kaha hai pul-e-siraat³ pe chal    1.path 2.people of purity, mystics 3.bridge passing over hell to get to heaven
It is the pen which showed me the path of mystics. It is the pen that told me to walk the straight path over the bridge over hell to get to heaven.
35
isi ne mujh ko chaTaanoN¹ ke hausle² baKhshe³
vo karbala-e fana⁴ thi keh kaargaah⁵-e jadal⁶     1.rocks, mountains 2.steadfast courage 3.granted 4.annihilation 5.workshop 6.conflict
‘karbala’ is an epic battle in islamic history that is often used as a symbol of principled courage in the face of certain death. Thus, it is the pen that granted me steadfast courage to stand firm like a rock, be it the battle to certain death or the workshop of conflict.
36
isi ne mujh se kaha is meN ahl-e-sidq¹ amar²
isi ne mujh se kaha such³ ka faisla⁴ hai aTal⁵     1.people of truth/integrity 2.immortal 3.truth 4.decision, judgement 5.unchanging, forever
It is the pen that told me that people of integrity live forever in its words. It is the pen that told me that the judgement/victory of Truth is final.
37
isi ke faiz¹ se aatish-kade² hue gulzaar³
isi ke lutf⁴ se har zisht⁵ ban gaya ajmal⁶     1.benvolence, kindness 2.fires 3.blossoming gardens 4.delicacy, fine taste 5.ugliness 6.beautiful
It is the benevolence of the pen that turns raging fires into blossoming gardens. It is the delicacy of the pen that can turn ugliness into beauty.
38
isi ne mujh se kaha jo mila bahut kuchh hai
isi ne mujh se kaha jo nahiN hai haath na mal     It is the pen that told me that whatever I have received is plenty. It is the pen that said to me, do not rub your hands in regret for what you don’t have.
39
isi ne mujh ko qanaa’at¹ ka boriya² baKhsha³
isi ke haath se dast⁴-e daraaz⁵-e tam’a⁶ hai shal⁷    1.contentment 2.straw mat 3.granted 4.hand 5.stretched 6.greed 7.paralyzed, tired
To spread out a mat of contentment – qanaa’at ka boriya – means to be content with what you have and not crave for more and more. Thus, it is the pen that granted me the straw mat of contentment. It is because of the pen that the stretched hand of greed is weakened.
40
isi ki aag se mera vujood¹ hai raushan²
isi ki aag se mera zamiir³ hai saiqal⁴     1.existence, being 2.shining 3.consciense 4.polished
In the fire of the pen, my being shines. In the fire of the pen, my conscience is polished.