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Recitation
arsh malsiani
جہل کی رات ۔ بالمکند عرش ملسیانی
۱
عقل کی صبح کہاں، جہل کی ہے رات ابھی
ذہنِ اِنساں میں ہیں فرسودہ خیالات ابھی
۲
پائے عالم میں ہے زنجیرِ قدامت اب تک
گردنِ دہر میں ہے طوقِ روایات ابھی
۳
طاقتِ جستِ عمل سے ہے ابھی دِل محروم
زینۂ عقدہ کشائی ہے مناجات ابھی
۴
دِل میں اِنسان کے ہے وحشتِ اِشراق ہنوز
ثَبت اِلہام پہ ہے مُہرِ کرامات ابھی
۵
روحِ احساس پہ ہے گردِ تُنُک مایا ہنوز
دوشِ افکار پہ ہے زُلفِ خُرافات ابھی
۶
جنّتِ خوب میں ہے شیخ کا ہر قول ہنوز
دوزخِ زِشت میں ہے رِند کی ہر بات ابھی
۷
منعمِ بیہودہ ہے مرکزِ اِنعام اب تک
مُفلسِ غمزدہ ہے موردِ آفات ابھی
۸
خونِ مزدور ہے ارزاں ابھی پانی کی طرح
بحرِ سرمایہ ہے یہ مفت کی سوغات ابھی
۹
عیب سازوں سے ہے افسردہ ہُنر مند اب تک
نقص بازوں سے ہے آزردہ کمالات ابھی
۱۰
دہر میں جوہرِ قابل کی نہیں قدر کہیں
پُجتے ہیں جاہ و حشم کے حُبل و لات ابھی
۱۱
رہروِ راہِ تعقُل کا خدا حافظ ہے
راہ میں وہم کے لاکھوں ہیں مقامات ابھی
۱۲
خاکۂ حُسن ابھی ذہنِ تصوّر میں نہیں
خام تخئیل ہے محرومِ محاکات ابھی
۱۳
ابھی آئینۂ افکار نہیں پیشِ نظر
دِل ہے نظارگیِٔ جلوۂ آیات ابھی
۱۴
ابھی ممنوع ہے دارائیِ شرح و تفسیر
ناز فرما ہیں اشارات و کِنایات ابھی
۱۵
خندۂ دلکش و گُلدستۂ رنگیں کے عوض
خنجر و تیغ سے ہوتی ہے مدارات ابھی
۱۶
آستاں امن کا اب تک نہیں مسجودِ بشر
آستاں جنگ کا ہے قبلۂ حاجات ابھی
۱۷
گرہِ زیست کی ہے عقدہ کُشا ناخنِ مرگ
خِدمتِ امن میں داخل ہیں فسادات ابھی
۱۸
عرشؔ کیوں خواب سے بیدار ہوا جاتا ہے
بند کر آنکھ، کہ باقی ہے یہاں رات ابھی
जहल कि रात – जोश मलीहाबादी
१
अक़्ल कि सुबह कहां, जहल कि हा रात अभी
ज़हन-ए इन्सां में हैं फ़रसूदा ख़यालात अभी
२
पा-ए आलम में है ज़ंजीर-ए क़दामत अभी
गरदन-ए दहर में है तौक़-ए रवायात अभी
३
ताक़त-ए जस्त-ए अमल से अभी दिल महरूम
ज़ीना-ए उक़्दा-कुशाई है मुनाजात अभी
४
दिल में इन्सान के है वहशत-ए इश्राक़ हुनूज़
सब्त इल्हाम पे है मोहर-ए करामात अभी
५
रू-ए एहसास पे है गर्द-ए तुनुक माया हुनूज़
दोश-ए अफ़्कार पे है ज़ुल्फ़-ए ख़ुराफ़ात अभी
६
जन्नत-ए ख़ूब में है शैख़ का हर क़ौल हुनूज़
दोज़ख़-ए ज़िश्त में है रिन्द कि हर बात अभी
७
मुन’इम-ए बेहुदा है मरकज़-ए इन’आम अब तक
मुफ़्लिस-ए ग़मज़दा है मोरिद-ए आफ़ात अभी
८
ख़ून-ए मज़्दूर है अरज़ां अभी पानी कि तरह
पीर-ए सरमाया है ये मुफ़्त कि सौग़ात अभी
९
ऐब-साज़ों से है अफ़्सुर्दा हुनर-मन्द अब तक
नक़्स-बाज़ों से है आज़ुर्दा कमालात अभी
१०
दहर में जौहर-ए क़ाबिल कि नहीं क़द्र कहीं
पुज्ते हैं जाह ओ हशम के हुबल ओ लात अभी
११
रहरव-ए राह-ए ता’क़ुल का ख़ुदा हाफ़ेज़ है
राह में वहम के लाखों हैं मक़ामात अभी
१२
ख़ाका-ए हुस्न अभी ज़हन-ए तसव्वुर में हैं
ख़ाम तख़’ईल है मरहूम-ए मोहाकात अभी
१३
अभी आईना-ए अफ़्कार नहीं पेश-ए नज़र
दिल है नज़्ज़ारागी-ए जल्वा-ए आयात अभी
१४
अभी मम्नू’ है दाराई-ए शरह ओ तफ़्सीर
नाज़ फ़रमा है इशारात ओ किनायात अभी
१५
ख़न्दा-ए दिलकश ओ गुलदस्ता-ए रंगीं के एवज़
ख़न्जर ओ तेग़ से होती है मुदारात अभी
१६
आस्तां अम्न का अब तक नहीं मस्जूद-ए बशर
आस्तां जंग का है क़िब्ला-ए हाजात अभी
१७
गिरह-ए ज़ीस्त कि है उक़्दा-कुशा नाख़ुन-ए मर्ग
ख़िदमत-ए अम्न में दाख़ेल हैं फ़सादात अभी
१८
अर्श क्यूं ख़्वाब से बेदार हुआ जाता है
बंद कर आँख, के बाक़ी है यहां रात अभी
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. Earlier, I had transcribed this from a recording that was made and given to me by my cousin and dear friend, asad amir ali, during a private gathering in 1968. I mistakenly thought that it was josh. The style and the voice were so like his. I could not find a print version. Finally, when I did, it turned out that it was a Ghazal by arsh malsiani. I also found two ash’aar missing from the tape. This is the corrected version and now attributed correctly to arsh malsiani.
1
aql ki subah kahaaN, jahl1 ki hai raat abhi
zahn2-e insaaN meN haiN farsooda3 Khayalaat abhi 1.ignorance 2.mind, intellect 3.obsolete
This is not the dawn of reason, it is still the night of ignorance. The mind of man still retains obsolete/outdated thoughts.
2
paa1-e aalam2 meN hai zanjir3-e qadaamat4 ab tak
gardan-e dahr5 meN hai tauq6-e rivayaat7 abhi 1.feet 2.world, mankind 3.chain 4.old/ancient (beliefs/thoughts) 5.world 6.fetters, chain 7.traditions, superstitions
Mankind’s feet are still tied in the fetters of ancient beliefs. The neck of man is still chained by suprestitions.
3
taaqat1-e jast2-e amal3 se hai abhi dil mahroom4
zeena5-e uqda-kushaaii6 hai munajaat7 abhi 1.strength, power 2.leap 3.action 4.deprived, devoid 5.stairs, ladder 6.untying knots, solving puzzles, overcoming difficulties 7.prayers
The human heart is devoid of the power/courage to leap into action. The way to overcome problems is still through prayer.
4
dil meN insaan ke hai vahshat1-e ishraaq2 hunooz3
sabt4 ilhaam5 pe hai mohr6-e karamaat7 abhi 1.fear 2.dawn, light 3.still 4.stamped, engraved 5.intuition, imagination, revelation 6.stamp (as in stamp of approval) 7.miracles
Man is still terrified of the light of knowledge. Intuition (superstition) still carries the stamp of authenticity of miracles.
5
roo1-e ehsaas2 pe hai gard3-e tunuk-maaya4 hunooz5
dosh6-e afkaar7 pe hai zulf8-e Khurafaat9 abhi 1.face of 2.senses, observations, measurements 3.dust 4.light/low value 5.still 6.shoulder, back 7.thought, reason 8.hair 9.trivialities
The face of (scientific) measurement is still covered in dust. Reason is symbolized as a damsel, but her dark hair are like trivial rituals. They are still spread out on the shoulders of Reason.
6
jannat-e Khoob1 meN hai shaiKh ka har qaul2 hunooz3
dozaKh4-e zisht5 meN hai rind6 ki har baat abhi 1.good (heavenly virtue) 2.pronouncement 3.still 4.hell 5.ugly 6.one who drinks – used here to mean progressive/thinking/secular
Every pronouncement of the shaiKh is still considered a gateway to heaven. The sayings of a thoughtful/reasonable (non-religious) person are considered to lead to hell.
7
mun’im1-e behuda2 hai markaz3-e in’aam4 ab tak
muflis5-e Ghamzada6 hai morid7-e aafaat8 abhi 1.wealthy, blessed 2.(here) undeserving 3.focus, centre 4.reward, gift, grant 5.pauper 6.sorrowful 7.target 8.calamities
The undeserving wealthy are the focus (recipients) of rewards even now. The sorrowful pauper is visited by calamities still.
8
Khoon-e mazdoor hai arzaaN1 abhi paani ki tarah
piir-e-sarmaaya3 hai ye muft4 ki sauGhaat5 abhi 1.plentiful, cheap 2.foot 3.capitalist, landlord 4.free 5.gift, offering
The blood of the worker flows freely like water. The free gift (of labour) is still offered to the lord of capital.
9
ayb-saazauN1 se hai afsurda2 hunar-mand3 ab tak
naqs-baazauN4 se hai aazurda5 kamalaat6 abhi 1.defect creating, creators of bad goods/art 2.melancholy, sad 3.talented 4.dealers in defective products/art 5.gloomy, distressed 6.skill
The talented are still shamed by makers of defective art/goods. The skilled are even now distressed at the dealings of deceivers.
10
dahr1 meN jauhar2-e qaabil3 ki nahiN qadr4 kahiN
pujte5 haiN jaah6 o hasham7 ke hubal8 o laat8 abhi 1.world 2.talent, capabilities 3.capable 4.value, respect 5.are worshipped 6.rank, grandeur 7.retinue of servants, wealthy 8.names of gods/idols in pre-islamic k’aaba, false gods
The world still does not value the talent of capable people. The false gods of grandeur and wealth are worshipped even now.
11
rahrav1-e raah2-e ta’aqul3 ka Khuda hafiz4 hai
raah meN vahm5 ke laakhauN haiN maqamaat6 abhi 1.traveler 2.path of 3.understanding, knowledge 4.protector 5.superstition 6.places, stations
Only god can protect the sojourner of the path of knowledge. On this path there are still many stations/obstacles of superstition.
12
Khaaka1-e husn2 abhi zahn3-e tasavvur4 meN nahiN
Khaam5 taKh’eel6 hai mahroom7-e mohakaat8 abhi 1.sketch 2.beauty, vision of truth 3.mind 4.imagination, conception 5.imperfect 6.thinking 7.deprived of 8.mutual discussion
The mind still has not imagined/conceived a sketch of truth/beauty. Imperfect thinking is still deprived of learning by mutual discussion.
13
abhi aaina-e-afkaar1 nahiN pesh2-e nazar3
dil hai nazzaragi4-e jalva5-e aayaat6 abhi 1.mirror that reflects Reason, logic 2.in front of 3.eyes 4.sightseeing 5.manifestation 6.signs (of god), miracles
We do not yet have a mirror before us that reflects Reason/Logic. Our hearts are still engrossed with search for/sightseeing for miracles/blessings/signs of god.
14
abhi mamnoo’1 hai daaraaii2-e sharah3 o tafseer4
naaz-farma5 haiN ishaaraat6 o kinaayaat7 abhi 1.forbidden 2.hegemony, power 3.explanation 4.commentary 5.demanding attention 6.signs 7.hidden indications
The power/use of (logical) explanation and commentary is still forbidden. Mysterious signs and (ambiguous) indications still command attention.
15
Khanda1-e dilkash2 o guldasta3-e raNgiN ke evaz4
Khanjar5 o teGh6 se hoti hai mudaraat7 abhi 1.smile 2.heart pleasing 3.bouquet 4.instead of 5.dagger 6.sword 7.welcome, reception
Instead of a warm welcome with a pleasing smile and a colourful bouquet, we are faced with a reception with dagger and sword.
16
aastaN1 amn2 ka ab tak nahiN masjood3-e bashar4
aastaN juNg ka hai qibla5-e hajaat6 abhi 1.threshold 2.peace 3.object of worship/obeisance 4.human 5.focus of worship 6.prayers
Humans still do not bow down at the threshold of peace. The altar of war is still the focus of prayers/worship.
17
girah1-e zeest2 ki hai uqda-kusha3 naaKhun4-e marg5
Khidmat6-e amn7 meN daaKhil8 haiN fasadaat9 abhi 1.knot, problem 2.life 3.untying knot, solving problem 4.finger nail 5.death 6.in the service of 7.peace, tranquility 8.entered, accepted 9.conspiracies
The fingers of Death still solve the problems of Life. Conspiracies still enter into the service of peace i.e. they deceive and destroy peace and tranquility.
18
arsh1 kyuN Khwaab2 se bedaar3 hua jaata hai
bund kar aaNkh, ke baaqi4 hai yahaaN raat5 abhi 1.sky, heavens, god, fate 2.sleep 3.awake 4.remains 5.night, darkness, ignorance
This is saracastically stated … why are you waking up from sleep, O god, ignorance still reigns supreme here.
Earlier, I had transcribed this from a recording that was made and given to me by my cousin and dear friend, asad amir ali, during a private gathering in 1968. I mistakenly thought that it was josh. The style and the voice were so like his. I could not find a print version. Finally, when I did, it turned out that it was a Ghazal by arsh malsiani. I also found two ash’aar missing from the tape. This is the corrected version and now attributed correctly to arsh malsiani.
1
aql ki subah kahaaN, jahl1 ki hai raat abhi
zahn2-e insaaN meN haiN farsooda3 Khayalaat abhi
1.ignorance 2.mind, intellect 3.obsolete
This is not the dawn of reason, it is still the night of ignorance. The mind of man still retains obsolete/outdated thoughts.
2
paa1-e aalam2 meN hai zanjir3-e qadaamat4 ab tak
gardan-e dahr5 meN hai tauq6-e rivayaat7 abhi
1.feet 2.world, mankind 3.chain 4.old/ancient (beliefs/thoughts) 5.world 6.fetters, chain 7.traditions, superstitions
Mankind’s feet are still tied in the fetters of ancient beliefs. The neck of man is still chained by suprestitions.
3
taaqat1-e jast2-e amal3 se hai abhi dil mahroom4
zeena5-e uqda-kushaaii6 hai munajaat7 abhi
1.strength, power 2.leap 3.action 4.deprived, devoid 5.stairs, ladder 6.untying knots, solving puzzles, overcoming difficulties 7.prayers
The human heart is devoid of the power/courage to leap into action. The way to overcome problems is still through prayer.
4
dil meN insaan ke hai vahshat1-e ishraaq2 hunooz3
sabt4 ilhaam5 pe hai mohr6-e karamaat7 abhi
1.fear 2.dawn, light 3.still 4.stamped, engraved 5.intuition, imagination, revelation 6.stamp (as in stamp of approval) 7.miracles
Man is still terrified of the light of knowledge. Intuition (superstition) still carries the stamp of authenticity of miracles.
5
roo1-e ehsaas2 pe hai gard3-e tunuk-maaya4 hunooz5
dosh6-e afkaar7 pe hai zulf8-e Khurafaat9 abhi
1.face of 2.senses, observations, measurements 3.dust 4.light/low value 5.still 6.shoulder, back 7.thought, reason 8.hair 9.trivialities
The face of (scientific) measurement is still covered in dust. Reason is symbolized as a damsel, but her dark hair are like trivial rituals. They are still spread out on the shoulders of Reason.
6
jannat-e Khoob1 meN hai shaiKh ka har qaul2 hunooz3
dozaKh4-e zisht5 meN hai rind6 ki har baat abhi
1.good (heavenly virtue) 2.pronouncement 3.still 4.hell 5.ugly 6.one who drinks – used here to mean progressive/thinking/secular
Every pronouncement of the shaiKh is still considered a gateway to heaven. The sayings of a thoughtful/reasonable (non-religious) person are considered to lead to hell.
7
mun’im1-e behuda2 hai markaz3-e in’aam4 ab tak
muflis5-e Ghamzada6 hai morid7-e aafaat8 abhi
1.wealthy, blessed 2.(here) undeserving 3.focus, centre 4.reward, gift, grant 5.pauper 6.sorrowful 7.target 8.calamities
The undeserving wealthy are the focus (recipients) of rewards even now. The sorrowful pauper is visited by calamities still.
8
Khoon-e mazdoor hai arzaaN1 abhi paani ki tarah
piir-e-sarmaaya3 hai ye muft4 ki sauGhaat5 abhi
1.plentiful, cheap 2.foot 3.capitalist, landlord 4.free 5.gift, offering
The blood of the worker flows freely like water. The free gift (of labour) is still offered to the lord of capital.
9
ayb-saazauN1 se hai afsurda2 hunar-mand3 ab tak
naqs-baazauN4 se hai aazurda5 kamalaat6 abhi
1.defect creating, creators of bad goods/art 2.melancholy, sad 3.talented 4.dealers in defective products/art 5.gloomy, distressed 6.skill
The talented are still shamed by makers of defective art/goods. The skilled are even now distressed at the dealings of deceivers.
10
dahr1 meN jauhar2-e qaabil3 ki nahiN qadr4 kahiN
pujte5 haiN jaah6 o hasham7 ke hubal8 o laat8 abhi
1.world 2.talent, capabilities 3.capable 4.value, respect 5.are worshipped 6.rank, grandeur 7.retinue of servants, wealthy 8.names of gods/idols in pre-islamic k’aaba, false gods
The world still does not value the talent of capable people. The false gods of grandeur and wealth are worshipped even now.
11
rahrav1-e raah2-e ta’aqul3 ka Khuda hafiz4 hai
raah meN vahm5 ke laakhauN haiN maqamaat6 abhi
1.traveler 2.path of 3.understanding, knowledge 4.protector 5.superstition 6.places, stations
Only god can protect the sojourner of the path of knowledge. On this path there are still many stations/obstacles of superstition.
12
Khaaka1-e husn2 abhi zahn3-e tasavvur4 meN nahiN
Khaam5 taKh’eel6 hai mahroom7-e mohakaat8 abhi
1.sketch 2.beauty, vision of truth 3.mind 4.imagination, conception 5.imperfect 6.thinking 7.deprived of 8.mutual discussion
The mind still has not imagined/conceived a sketch of truth/beauty. Imperfect thinking is still deprived of learning by mutual discussion.
13
abhi aaina-e-afkaar1 nahiN pesh2-e nazar3
dil hai nazzaragi4-e jalva5-e aayaat6 abhi
1.mirror that reflects Reason, logic 2.in front of 3.eyes 4.sightseeing 5.manifestation 6.signs (of god), miracles
We do not yet have a mirror before us that reflects Reason/Logic. Our hearts are still engrossed with search for/sightseeing for miracles/blessings/signs of god.
14
abhi mamnoo’1 hai daaraaii2-e sharah3 o tafseer4
naaz-farma5 haiN ishaaraat6 o kinaayaat7 abhi
1.forbidden 2.hegemony, power 3.explanation 4.commentary 5.demanding attention 6.signs 7.hidden indications
The power/use of (logical) explanation and commentary is still forbidden. Mysterious signs and (ambiguous) indications still command attention.
15
Khanda1-e dilkash2 o guldasta3-e raNgiN ke evaz4
Khanjar5 o teGh6 se hoti hai mudaraat7 abhi
1.smile 2.heart pleasing 3.bouquet 4.instead of 5.dagger 6.sword 7.welcome, reception
Instead of a warm welcome with a pleasing smile and a colourful bouquet, we are faced with a reception with dagger and sword.
16
aastaN1 amn2 ka ab tak nahiN masjood3-e bashar4
aastaN juNg ka hai qibla5-e hajaat6 abhi
1.threshold 2.peace 3.object of worship/obeisance 4.human 5.focus of worship 6.prayers
Humans still do not bow down at the threshold of peace. The altar of war is still the focus of prayers/worship.
17
girah1-e zeest2 ki hai uqda-kusha3 naaKhun4-e marg5
Khidmat6-e amn7 meN daaKhil8 haiN fasadaat9 abhi
1.knot, problem 2.life 3.untying knot, solving problem 4.finger nail 5.death 6.in the service of 7.peace, tranquility 8.entered, accepted 9.conspiracies
The fingers of Death still solve the problems of Life. Conspiracies still enter into the service of peace i.e. they deceive and destroy peace and tranquility.
18
arsh1 kyuN Khwaab2 se bedaar3 hua jaata hai
bund kar aaNkh, ke baaqi4 hai yahaaN raat5 abhi
1.pen name of poet, sky, heavens 2.sleep 3.awake 4.remains 5.night, darkness, ignorance
The poet may be addressing himself or saracastically suggesting … why are you waking up from sleep, O god, ignorance still reigns supreme here.
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