Recitation
ahmad faraz
دیکھتے ہیں . احمد فراز
سنا ہے لوگ اسے آنکھ بھر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سو اسکے شہر میں کچھ دن ٹھہر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے ربط ہے اسکو خراب حالوں سے
سو اپنے آپ کو برباد کر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے درد کی گاہک ہے چشم ناز اسکی
سو ہم بھی اسکی گلی سے گزر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے اسکو بھی ہے شعر و شا عری سے شغف
سو ہم بھی معجزے اپنے ہنر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے بولے تو باتوں سے پھول جھڑتے ہیں
یہ بات ہے تو چلو بات کر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے رات اْسے چاند تکتا رہتا ہے
ستارے بام فلک سے اٌتر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے دن میں اسے تتلیاں ستاتی ہیں
سنا ہے رات کو جگنو ٹھہر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے حشر ہیں اْسکی غزال سی آ نکھیں
سنا ہے اْسکو ہرن دشت بھر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے رات سے بڑھ کر ہیں کاکلیں اْسکی
سنا ہے شام کو ساۓ گزر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے اْسکی سیاہ چشمگی قیامت ہے
سو اْسکو سرما فروش آہ بھر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے اْسکے لبوں سے گلاب جلتے ہیں
سو ہم بہار پہ اِلزام دھر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے آئینہ تمثال ہے جبیں اْسکی
جو سادہ دل ہیں اْسے بن سنور کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے جب سے حمائل ہیں اْسکی گردن میں
مزاج اور ہی لعل و گوہر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے چشم تصوّر سے دشت اِمکان میں
پلنگ زاویے اْسکی کمر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے اْسکے بدن کی تراش ایسی ہے
کہ پھول اپنی قبائیں کتر کے دیکھتے ہیں
وہ سرو قد ہے مگر بے گل مراد نہیں
کہ اِس شجر پہ شگوفے ثمر کے دیکھتے ہیں
بس اک نگاہ سے لٹتا ہے قافلہ دل کا
سو رہروان تمنّا بھی ڈر کے دیکھتے ہیں
سنا ہے اْسکے شبستاں سے متصّل ہے بہشت
مکیں اْدھر کے بھی جلوے اِدھر کے دیکھتے ہیں
رکے تو گردشیں اْسکا طواف کرتی ہیں
چلے تو اْسکو زمانے ٹھہر کے دیکھتے ہیں
کسے نصیب کہ بے پیرہن اْسے دیکھیں
کبھی کبھی در و دیوار گھر کے دیکھتے ہیں
کہانیاں ہی سہی سب مبالغے ہی سہی
اگر وہ خواب ہے تعبیر کر کے دیکھتے ہیں
اب اْسکے شہر میں ٹھہریں کے کوچ کر جائیں
فراز آؤ ستارے سفر کے دیکھتے ہیں
देखते हैं – अहमद फ़राज़
सुना है लोग उसे आंख भर के देखते हैं
सो उसके शहर में कुच्छ दिन ठहर के देखते हैं
सुना है रब्त है उसको ख़राब हालौं से
सो अपने आप को बरबाद कर के देखते हैं
सुना है दरद की गाहक है चश्म-ए-नाज़ उसकी
सो हम भी उसकी गली से गुज़र के देखते हैं
सुना है उसको भी है शेर ओ शाएरी से शग़फ़
सो हम भी मोजेज़े अपने हुनर के देखते हैं
सुना है बोले तो बातौं से फूल झड़ते हैं
ये बात है तो चलो बात कर के देखते हैं
सुना है रात उसे चाँद तकता रहता है
सितारे बाम-ए-फ़लक से उतर के देखते हैं
सुना है दिन में उसे तितलियाँ सताती हैं
सुना है रात को जुगनू ठहर के देखते हैं
सुना है हश्र हैं उसकी ग़ज़्ज़ाल सी आँखें
सुना है उसको हिरन दश्त भर के देखते हैं
सुना है रात से बढ़ कर हैं काकुलें उसकी
सुना है शाम को साए गुज़र के देखते हैं
सुना है उसकी सियाह चश्मगी क़यामत है
सो उसको सुरमा फ़रोश आह भर के देखते हैं
सुना है उसके लल्बौं से गुलाब जलते हैं
सो हम बहार पे इल्ज़ाम धर के देखते हैं
सुना है आईना तिमसाल है जबीं उस की
जो सादा दिल हैं उसे बन संवर के देखते हैं
सुना है जब से हमाएल हैं उसकी गर्दन में
मिज़ाज और ही लाल ओ गोहर के देखते हैं
सुना है चश्म-ए-तसव्वुर से दश्त-ए-इम्कां में
पलंग ज़ाविए उसकी कमर के देखते हैं
सुना है उसके बदन की तराश ऐसी है
के फूल अपनी क़बाएँ कतर के देखते हैं
वो सर्व क़द है मगर बे गुल-ए-मुराद नहीं
के इस शजर पे शगूफ़े समर के देखते हैं
बस एक निगाह से लुटता है क़ाफ़िला दिल का
सो रहरवान-ए-तमन्ना भी डर के देखते हैं
सुना है उसके शबिस्तां से मुत्तसिल है बेहिश्त
मकीं उधर के भी जलवे इधर के देखते हैं
रुके तो गर्दिशें उसका तवाफ़ करती हैं
चले तो उसको ज़माने ठहर् के देखते हैं
किसे नसीब के बे पैरहन उसे देखें
कभी कभी दर-ओ-दीवार घर के देखते हैं
कहानियाँ ही सही, सब मुबालेग़े ही सही
अगर वो ख़्वाब है ताबीर कर के देखते हैं
अब उसके शहर में ठहरें के कूच कर जाएँ
फ़राज़ आओ सितारे सफ़र के देखते हैं
dekhte haiN – ahmed faraaz
Click here for overall comments and on any passage for meanings and discussion. A very popular, light hearted Ghazal describing the beauty of the beloved.
suna hai log use aaNkh bhar ke dekhte haiN
so uske shahr meN kuchh din Thahr ke dekhte haiN
suna hai rabt1 hai usko Kharaab haalauN2 se
so apne aap ko barbaad3 kar ke dekhte haiN1. association, liking 2. mad/passionate looking 3. destroy, become mad
I hear people keep staring at her, cannot take their eyes off her, so let me go to her town for a few days and see myself. I hear that she likes mad, passionate looks, so let me put on my frenzied looks and try.
suna hai dard ki gaahak1 hai chashm-e-naaz2 uski
so hum bhi uski gali se guzar3 ke dekhte haiN
suna hai usko bhi hai she’r o shaa’eri se shaGhaf4
so hum bhi mo’jeze5 apne hunar6 ke dekhte haiN1. customer, asking/looking for 2. stylish/proud eye 3. pass through 4. liking, love 5. miracles 6. talent
I hear that her (otherwise disdainful) eye looks kindly on pain (of passion), so let me pass through her lane and see. I hear that she likes verse and poetry, so let me try the miracle of my talent.
suna hai bole to baatauN se phool jhaRte haiN
ye baat hai to chalo baat kar ke dekhte haiN
suna hai raat use chaand takta rahta hai
sitaare baam-e-falak1 se utar ke dekhte haiN1. roof of the sky
I hear that her speech is like petals falling from her lips. If this be so, let me go and speak with her. I hear that the moon stares at her at night and stars come down from the sky to look at her.
suna hai din meN use titliaaN sataati haiN
suna hai raat ko jugnu Thahr ke dekhte haiN
suna hai hashr1 haiN uski Ghazaal2 si aaNkheN
suna hai usko hiran dasht bhar3 ke dekhte haiN1. doomsday 2. doe 3. from all over the wilderness
I hear that butterflies hover over her all day long and moths circle her at night. I hear that her doe-like eyes are sure to kill and that deer from all over the wilderness come to see.
suna hai raat se baRh kar haiN kaakuleN1 uski
suna hai shaam ko saae2 guzar ke dekhte haiN
suna hai uski siyah chashmagi3 qayaamat4 hai
so usko surma farosh5 aah6 bhar ke dekhte haiN1. tresses, forelocks 2. shadows 3. darkness of eyes 4. doomsday 5. vendors of eye blackening 6. sigh
I hear that her forelocks are darker than the night. I hear that the shadows of the evening come by to look. I hear that her eyes are dark and cause great havoc. Eyeliner traders despair that wares are of no use.
suna hai uske labauN se gulaab jalte1 haiN
so hum bahaar pe ilzaam2 dhar ke dekhte haiN
suna hai aaiina-timsaal3 hai jabeeN4 us ki
jo saada-dil5 haiN use ban saNwar ke dekhte haiN1. jealous 2. accusation 3. mirror-like 4. forehead 5. easily deceived, innocent
I hear that the rose is envious of her lips, so let me accuse Spring and see. I hear that her brow is clear like a mirror. I hear that simpletons prim themselves to try out their reflection in it.
suna hai jab se hamaa’el1 haiN uski gardan meN
mizaaj aur hi2 la’al o gohar3 ke dekhte haiN
suna hai chashm-e-tasavvur4 se dasht-e-imkaaN5 meN
palaNg6 zaavie7 uski kamar ke dekhte haiN1. pregnant, encircled 2. different (proud) attitude 3. rubies and pearls 4. eye of imagination 5. wilderness (many) of possibilities, wild imagination 6. cheetah 7. angles, curves
I hear that ever since they have encircled her neck, rubies and pearls have acquired an attitude. I hear that with a rich imagination of possibilities, cheetahs look at the curve of her back.
suna hai uske badan ki taraash1 aisi hai
ke phool apni qabaaeN2 katar ke dekhte haiN
vo sarv-qad3 hai magar be4 gul-e-muraad5 nahiN
ke is shajar6 pe shagoofe7 samar8 ke dekhte haiN1. sculpted shape, cut 2. aprons, petals 3. cypress stature, tall and slender 4. without 5. flower of desire or desirous flower 6. tree 7. buds 8. fruit
I hear that the cut of her body is such, that flowers try cutting their petals to match. She is tall and slender but not without tempting blooms. They say that young fruit can be seen on this cypress. The last she’r is probably a reference to budding womanhood-adolescence.
bas ek nigaah1 se luTta2 hai qaafila3 dil ka
so rahravaan-e-tamanna4 bhi Dar ke dekhte haiN
suna hai uske shabistaaN5 se muttasil6 hai behisht7
makeeN8 udhar ke bhi jalve9 idhar ke dekhte haiN1. look 2. plundered 3. caravan 4. travellers on the path of desire/love 5. bed chamber 6. next to 7. heaven 8. residents 9. sights
One look is enough to plunder the whole caravan of lovers. So seekers of love also look at her with fear. I hear that heaven is next to her chamber. Residents (hoories) from there also look towards it for beauty – she sets the standards of beauty for the hoories of heaven.
ruke to gardisheN1 uska tawaaf2 karti haiN
chale to usko zamaane3 Thahr ke dekhte haiN
kise naseeb4 ke be-pairahan5 use dekheN
kabhi kabhi dar-o-deevar ghar ke dekhte haiN1. movement, grace 2. circumambulation, going around with devotion/tribute 3. times, the world 4. available, luck 5. without clothes
If she stops for a while, Grace itself pays tribute and if she walks, the whole world stops to look. Who can be so lucky as to see her disrobed. Only the walls and doors of her house get to see her such occasionally.
kahaaniyaN1 hi sahi, sab mubaaleGhe2 hi sahi
agar vo Khwaab hai taabeer3 kar ke dekhte haiN
ab uske shahr meN ThahreN ke kooch4 kar jaaeN
faraaz aao sitaare safar5 ke dekhte haiN1. stories, fables 2. exaggerations 3. realization of dream 4. depart 5. stars (omen) for travel
These may be fables, may be exaggerations. If this is dream, I want to realize the dream and see. Should I tarry a while yet in her town or leave. Faraaz, let me look at the stars for a good omen to decide.
dekhte haiN – ahmed faraaz
Overall Comments: A very popular, light hearted Ghazal describing the beauty of the beloved.
suna hai log use aaNkh bhar ke dekhte haiN
so uske shahr meN kuchh din Thahr ke dekhte haiN
suna hai rabt1 hai usko Kharaab haalauN2 se
so apne aap ko barbaad3 kar ke dekhte haiN
1. association, liking 2. mad/passionate looking 3. destroy, become mad
I hear people keep staring at her, cannot take their eyes off her, so let me go to her town for a few days and see myself. I hear that she likes mad, passionate looks, so let me put on my frenzied looks and try.
suna hai dard ki gaahak1 hai chashm-e-naaz2 uski
so hum bhi uski gali se guzar3 ke dekhte haiN
suna hai usko bhi hai she’r o shaa’eri se shaGhaf4
so hum bhi mo’jeze5 apne hunar6 ke dekhte haiN
1. customer, asking/looking for 2. stylish/proud eye 3. pass through 4. liking, love 5. miracles 6. talent
I hear that her (otherwise disdainful) eye looks kindly on pain (of passion), so let me pass through her lane and see. I hear that she likes verse and poetry, so let me try the miracle of my talent.
suna hai bole to baatauN se phool jhaRte haiN
ye baat hai to chalo baat kar ke dekhte haiN
suna hai raat use chaand takta rahta hai
sitaare baam-e-falak1 se utar ke dekhte haiN
1. roof of the sky
I hear that her speech is like petals falling from her lips. If this be so, let me go and speak with her. I hear that the moon stares at her at night and stars come down from the sky to look at her.
suna hai din meN use titliaaN sataati haiN
suna hai raat ko jugnu Thahr ke dekhte haiN
suna hai hashr1 haiN uski Ghazaal2 si aaNkheN
suna hai usko hiran dasht bhar3 ke dekhte haiN
1. doomsday 2. doe 3. from all over the wilderness
I hear that butterflies hover over her all day long and moths circle her at night. I hear that her doe-like eyes are sure to kill and that deer from all over the wilderness come to see.
suna hai raat se baRh kar haiN kaakuleN1 uski
suna hai shaam ko saae2 guzar ke dekhte haiN
suna hai uski siyah chashmagi3 qayaamat4 hai
so usko surma farosh5 aah6 bhar ke dekhte haiN
1. tresses, forelocks 2. shadows 3. darkness of eyes 4. doomsday 5. vendors of eye blackening 6. sigh
I hear that her forelocks are darker than the night. I hear that the shadows of the evening come by to look. I hear that her eyes are dark and cause great havoc. Eyeliner traders despair that wares are of no use.
suna hai uske labauN se gulaab jalte1 haiN
so hum bahaar pe ilzaam2 dhar ke dekhte haiN
suna hai aaiina-timsaal3 hai jabeeN4 us ki
jo saada-dil5 haiN use ban saNwar ke dekhte haiN
1. jealous 2. accusation 3. mirror-like 4. forehead 5. easily deceived, innocent
I hear that the rose is envious of her lips, so let me accuse Spring and see. I hear that her brow is clear like a mirror. I hear that simpletons prim themselves to try out their reflection in it.
suna hai jab se hamaa’el1 haiN uski gardan meN
mizaaj aur hi2 la’al o gohar3 ke dekhte haiN
suna hai chashm-e-tasavvur4 se dasht-e-imkaaN5 meN
palaNg6 zaavie7 uski kamar ke dekhte haiN
1. pregnant, encircled 2. different (proud) attitude 3. rubies and pearls 4. eye of imagination 5. wilderness (many) of possibilities, wild imagination 6. cheetah 7. angles, curves
I hear that ever since they have encircled her neck, rubies and pearls have acquired an attitude. I hear that with a rich imagination of possibilities, cheetahs look at the curve of her back.
suna hai uske badan ki taraash1 aisi hai
ke phool apni qabaaeN2 katar ke dekhte haiN
vo sarv-qad3 hai magar be4 gul-e-muraad5 nahiN
ke is shajar6 pe shagoofe7 samar8 ke dekhte haiN
1. sculpted shape, cut 2. aprons, petals 3. cypress stature, tall and slender 4. without 5. flower of desire or desirous flower 6. tree 7. buds 8. fruit
I hear that the cut of her body is such, that flowers try cutting their petals to match. She is tall and slender but not without tempting blooms. They say that young fruit can be seen on this cypress. The last she’r is probably a reference to budding womanhood-adolescence.
bas ek nigaah1 se luTta2 hai qaafila3 dil ka
so rahravaan-e-tamanna4 bhi Dar ke dekhte haiN
suna hai uske shabistaaN5 se muttasil6 hai behisht7
makeeN8 udhar ke bhi jalve9 idhar ke dekhte haiN
1. look 2. plundered 3. caravan 4. travellers on the path of desire/love 5. bed chamber 6. next to 7. heaven 8. residents 9. sights
One look is enough to plunder the whole caravan of lovers. So seekers of love also look at her with fear. I hear that heaven is next to her chamber. Residents (hoories) from there also look towards it for beauty – she sets the standards of beauty for the hoories of heaven.
ruke to gardisheN1 uska tawaaf2 karti haiN
chale to usko zamaane3 Thahr ke dekhte haiN
kise naseeb4 ke be-pairahan5 use dekheN
kabhi kabhi dar-o-deevar ghar ke dekhte haiN
1. movement, grace 2. circumambulation, going around with devotion/tribute 3. times, the world 4. available, luck 5. without clothes
If she stops for a while, Grace itself pays tribute and if she walks, the whole world stops to look. Who can be so lucky as to see her disrobed. Only the walls and doors of her house get to see her such occasionally.
kahaaniyaN1 hi sahi, sab mubaaleGhe2 hi sahi
agar vo Khwaab hai taabeer3 kar ke dekhte haiN
ab uske shahr meN ThahreN ke kooch4 kar jaaeN
faraaz aao sitaare safar5 ke dekhte haiN
1. stories, fables 2. exaggerations 3. realization of dream 4. depart 5. stars (omen) for travel
These may be fables, may be exaggerations. If this is dream, I want to realize the dream and see. Should I tarry a while yet in her town or leave. Faraaz, let me look at the stars for a good omen to decide.
Key Search Words: romance, romantic, beauty, beautiful, beloved
