For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
آج کی رات – اسرارالحق مجازؔ
۱
دیکھنا جذبِ محبّت کا اثر آج کی رات
میرے شانے پہ ہے اُس شوخ کا سر آج کی رات
۲
اور کیا چاہۓ اب اے دلِ مجروح تجھے
اُس نے دیکھا تو بہ انداز دِگر آج کی رات
۳
پھول کیا خار بھی ہے آج گلستاں بکنار
سنگریزے ہیں نگاہوں میں گہر آج کی رات
۴
محو گل گشت ہے یہ کون میرے دوش بہ دوش
کہکشاں لگتی ہے ہر راہگزر آج کی رات
۵
پھوٹ نکلا در و دیوار سے سیلابِ نشاط
اللہ اللہ میرا کیفِ نظر آج کی رات
۶
شبنمستان تجلّی کا فسوں کیا کہۓ
چاند نے پھینک دیا رختِ سفر آج کی رات
۷
نور ہی نور ہے جس سمت اُٹھاوں آنکھیں
حسن ہی حسن ہے تا حدّ نظر آج کی رات
۸
قصرِ گیتی میں امڈ آیا ہے طوفانِ حیات
موت لرزاں ہے پسِ پردۂ در آج کی رات
۹
اللہ اللہ وہ پیشانیِ سیمیں کا جمال
رہ گئی جم کے ستاروں کی نظر آج کی رات
۱۰
عارضِ گرم پہ وہ رنگِ شفق کی لہریں
وہ میری شوخ نگاہی کا اثر آج کی رات
۱۱
نرگس ناز میں وہ نیند کا ہلکا ساخمار
وہ میرے نغمۂ شیریں کا اثر آج کی رات
۱۲
نغمہ و مۓ کا وہ طوفانِ طرب کیا کہئے
گھر میرا بن گیا خیّام کا گھر آج کی رات
۱۳
میری ہر سانس پہ وہ اُن کی توجہ کیا خوب
میری ہر بات پہ وہ جنبشِ سر آج کی رات
۱۴
وہ تبسم ہی تبسم کا جمالِ پیہم
وہ محبّت ہی محبّت کی نظر آج کی رات
۱۵
اُف وہ وارفتگیِ شوق میں اِک وہمِ لطیف
کپکپاتے ہوئے ہونٹوں پہ نظر آج کی رات
۱۶
اپنی رفعت پہ جو نازاں ہیں تو نازاں ہی رہیں
کہہ دو انجم سے کہ دیکھیں نہ اِدھر آج کی رات
۱۷
اُن کے الطاف کا اِتنا ہی فسوں کافی ہے
کم ہے پہلے سے بہت درد جگر آج کی رات
आज की रात – अस्रार-उल-हक़ मजाज़
१
देखना जज़्ब-ए मोहब्बत का असर आज कि रात
मेरे शाने पे है उस शूख़ का सर आज कि रात
२
और क्या चाहिए अब ऐ दिल-ए मजरूह तुझे
उस ने देखा तो बा-अन्दाज़-ए दिगर आज कि रात
३
फूल क्या ख़ार भी है आज गुलिस्तां बा-किनार
संग्रेज़े हैं निगाहों में गोहर आज कि रात
४
मह्व-ए गुलगश्त है ये कौन मेरे दोश ब दोश
कहकशां लगती है हर राहगुज़र आज कि रात
५
फूट निकला दर ओ दीवार से सैलाब-ए निशात
अल्ला अल्लाह मेरा कैफ़-ए नज़र आज कि रात
६
शब्नमिस्तान-ए तज्जली का फ़ुसूँ क्या कहिये
चान्द ने फैंक दिया रख़त-ए सफ़र आज कि रात
७
नूर ही नूर है जिस सिम्त उठाऊं आंखें
हुस्न ही हुस्न है ता हद्द-ए नज़र आज कि रात
८
क़स्र-ए गेती में उमड़ आया है तूफ़ान-ए हयात
मौत लरज़ाँ है पस-ए परदा-ए दर आज कि रात
९
अल्ला अल्लाह वो पेशानी-ए सीमीं का जमाल
रह गई जम के सितारों कि नज़र आज कि रात
१०
आरिज़-ए गर्म पे वो रंग-ए शफ़क़ की लहरें
वो मेरी शूख़ निगाही का असर आज कि रात
११
नर्गिस-ए नाज़ में वो नींद का हल्का सा ख़ुमार
वो मेरे नग़मा-ए शीरीं का असर आज कि रात
१२
नग़्मा ओ मै का वो तूफ़ान-ए तरब क्या कहिये
घर मेरा बन गया ख़य्याम का घर आज कि रात
१३
मेरी हर सांस पे वो उनकी तवज्जोह क्या ख़ूब
मेरी हर बात पे वो जुम्बिश-ए सर आज कि रात
१४
वो तबस्सुम ही तबस्सुम का जमाल-ए पैहम
वो मोहब्बत ही मोहब्बत कि नज़र आज कि रात
१५
उफ़ वो वारफ़्तगी-ए शौक़ में एक वहम-ए लतीफ़
कपकपाते हुए होंटों पे नज़र आज की रात
१६
अपनी रफ़’अत पे जो नाज़ां है तो नाज़ां हि रहें
कह दो अंजुम से के देखें न इधर आज कि रात
१७
उनके अल्ताफ़ का इतना हि फ़ुसूँ काफ़ी है
कम है पहले से बहुत दर्द-ए जिगर आज कि रात
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. asrar-ul haq majaz (1911-1955) was progressive as well as romantic poet, a heartthrob. He received his BA from aligaRh after interruptions in earlier schooling. He developed close relationships with progressives and was a major force in the Progressive Writers’ Association. He lived in aligaRh, dehli and lucknow working for radio stations, editing magazines on and off but with no steady income. He met with a rather tragic end at the young age of 44. This was probably composed specifically for recital at a musha’ira celebrating that specific evening. See other similar compositions of faiz, maKhdoom and josh, all accessible on the Theme Page linked to the icon, ‘aaj ki raat’.
1
dekhna jazb1-e mohabbat ka asar2 aaj ki raat
mere shaane3 pe hai us shooKh4 ka sar aaj ki raat 1.short for jazba-emotion 2.effect 3.shoulder 4.mischievous, playful
See the effect of the strength of my love tonight, which has made the head of that mischief maker rest on my shoulder, tonight.
2
aur kya chaahye ab aye dil-e majrooh5 tujhe
us ne dekha to ba andaaz-e digar6 aaj ki raat 5.wounded, love stricken heart 6.different style
What more do you want O love stricken heart, she turned around and took a second look, in different (loving) way, at you tonight.
3
phool kya Khaar7 bhi hai aaj gulistaaN bakinaar8
saNgreze9 haiN nigaahauN meN gohar10 aaj ki raat 7.thorns 8.embracing 9.pebbles 10.pearls, jewels
Not just flowers, even thorns are in loving embrace in the garden. Even pebbles are like jewels to my eyes, tonight.
4
mahv-e gulgasht11 hai ye kaun mere dosh-ba-dosh12
kahkashaaN13 lagti hai har raahguzar14 aaj ki raat 11.engrossed taking a walking in the garden 12.shoulder to shoulder 13.constellations, stars 14.pathway
She is rapt, walking shoulder to shoulder in the garden with me and every walkway looks star studded tonight.
5
phooT nikla15 dar-o-divaar16 se sailaab-e nishaat17
alla allaah mera kaif-e nazar18 aaj ki raat 15.burst forth 16.doors and walls, all around 17.flood of joy 18.pleasure for the eyes
A flood of joy has burst forth all around, by god, what a pleasure for my eyes, tonight.
6
shabnamistan19-e tajjali20 ka fusooN21 kya kahye
chaand ne phaiNk diya raKht-e safar22 aaj ki raat 19.garden of dew drops 20.light, sparkling 21.magic, enchantment 22.travel bag, packed clothes for travel – the “travel bag” of the moon is moonlight
What can I say about the enchantment of sparkling dew drops, it is as if the moon has thrown down its light tonight.
7
noor hi noor hai jis simt23 uThaauN aaNkheN
husn hi husn24 hai taa25 hadd-e nazar26 aaj ki raat 23.direction 23.beauty 25.to, until 26.limit of sight
Everywhere I look, there is brilliance. As far as the eye can see, there is beauty tonight.
8
qasr-e geti27 meN umaD28 aaya hai toofan-e hayaat29
maut larzaaN30 hai pas-e parda-e dar31 aaj ki raat 27.house of the world, earth 28.welling up 29.storm of life, desire to live 30.trembling 31.behind the door curtain
The storm of life surges all over the earth. Death is trembling behind the curtain tonight.
9
alla allah vo peshaani-e seemeeN32 ka jamaal33
rah gaee jam34 ke sitaarauN ki nazar aaj ki raat 32.silver brow 33.beauty 34.fixed
By god, the beauty of her silver brow. The gaze of the stars is fixed on her tonight.
10
aariz-e garm35 pe vo raNg-e shafaq36 ki larhreN37
vo meri shooKh nigaahi38 ka asar39 aaj ki raat 35.warm/flushed face 36.colour of the horizon, red 37.waves 38.mischievous look 39.effect
The silver brow is like the crescent moon. The gaze of the stars fixed on the crescent moon is nicely juxtaposed with all eyes of the world gazing at the beloved. Her flushed cheeks, red like the horizon. It is the effect of my loving glance, tonight.
11
nargis-e naaz38 meN vo neend ka halka sa Khumaar39
vo mere naGhma-e shiriN40 ka asar41 aaj ki raat 38.titillating/teasing eyes 39.intoxication 40.sweet song 41.effect
The intoxicating look in her mischievous eyes. O, the effect of my sweet singing tonight.
12
naGhma-o-mae42 ka vo toofan-e tarab43 kya kahye
ghar mera ban gaya Khayyaam ka ghar aaj ki raat 42.wine and song 43.storm of pleasure
The storm of pleasure of wine and song, what can I say. My house is transformed into the house of Khayyam, tonight.
13
meri har saaNs pe vo unki tavajjah44 kya Khoob45
meri har baat pe vo jumbish-e sar46 aaj ki raat 44.attention 45.good 46.nodding head in agreement
Her attention to all I had to say, how nice; nodding her head in agreement on everything, tonight.
14
vo tabassum47 hi tabassum ka jamaal48-e paiham49
vo mohabbat hi mohabbat ki nazar aaj ki raat 47.smile 48.beauty 49.again
O, that smiling face, again and again, O, that look of love, tonight.
15
uff50 vo vaaraftagi51-e shauq52 meN ek vahm-e lateef53
kapkapaate54 hue hoNTauN pe nazar aaj ki raat 50.Oh 51.unaware, lost (in love) 52.desire 53.pleasant illusion 54.trembling
Oh! the pleasant illusion of that “lost in love” look, her trembling lips tonight.
16
apni raf’at55 pe jo naazaaN56 haiN to naazaaN hi raheN
kah do anjum57 se ke dekheN na idhar aaj ki raat 55.height 56.proud, vain 57.stars
Let them be proud of their heights, if they want to be, tell the stars to keep their gaze away tonight.
17
unke altaaf58 ka itna hi fusooN59 kaafi60 hai
kam hai pahle se bahut dard-e jigar61 aaj ki raat 58.benevolence 59.illusion 60.enough 61.heartache
This much illusion of her benevolence is enough, my heart hurts less than it used to, tonight.
asrar-ul haq majaz (1911-1955) was progressive as well as romantic poet, a heartthrob. He received his BA from aligaRh after interruptions in earlier schooling. He developed close relationships with progressives and was a major force in the Progressive Writers’ Association. He lived in aligaRh, dehli and lucknow working for radio stations, editing magazines on and off but with no steady income. He met with a rather tragic end at the young age of 44. This was probably composed specifically for recital at a musha’ira celebrating that specific evening. See other similar compositions of faiz, maKhdoom and josh, all accessible on the Theme Page linked to the icon, ‘aaj ki raat’.
1
dekhna jazb1-e mohabbat ka asar2 aaj ki raat
mere shaane3 pe hai us shooKh4 ka sar aaj ki raat
1.short for jazba-emotion 2.effect 3.shoulder 4.mischievous, playful
See the effect of the strength of my love tonight, which has made the head of that mischief maker rest on my shoulder, tonight.
2
aur kya chaahye ab aye dil-e majrooh5 tujhe
us ne dekha to ba andaaz-e digar6 aaj ki raat
5.wounded, love stricken heart 6.different style
What more do you want O love stricken heart, she turned around and took a second look, in different (loving) way, at you tonight.
3
phool kya Khaar7 bhi hai aaj gulistaaN bakinaar8
saNgreze9 haiN nigaahauN meN gohar10 aaj ki raat
7.thorns 8.embracing 9.pebbles 10.pearls, jewels
Not just flowers, even thorns are in loving embrace in the garden. Even pebbles are like jewels to my eyes, tonight.
4
mahv-e gulgasht11 hai ye kaun mere dosh-ba-dosh12
kahkashaaN13 lagti hai har raahguzar14 aaj ki raat
11.engrossed taking a walking in the garden 12.shoulder to shoulder 13.constellations, stars 14.pathway
She is rapt, walking shoulder to shoulder in the garden with me and every walkway looks star studded tonight.
5
phooT nikla15 dar-o-divaar16 se sailaab-e nishaat17
alla allaah mera kaif-e nazar18 aaj ki raat
15.burst forth 16.doors and walls, all around 17.flood of joy 18.pleasure for the eyes
A flood of joy has burst forth all around, by god, what a pleasure for my eyes, tonight.
6
shabnamistan19-e tajjali20 ka fusooN21 kya kahye
chaand ne phaiNk diya raKht-e safar22 aaj ki raat
19.garden of dew drops 20.light, sparkling 21.magic, enchantment 22.travel bag, packed clothes for travel – the “travel bag” of the moon is moonlight
What can I say about the enchantment of sparkling dew drops, it is as if the moon has thrown down its light tonight.
7
noor hi noor hai jis simt23 uThaauN aaNkheN
husn hi husn24 hai taa25 hadd-e nazar26 aaj ki raat
23.direction 23.beauty 25.to, until 26.limit of sight
Everywhere I look, there is brilliance. As far as the eye can see, there is beauty tonight.
8
qasr-e geti27 meN umaD28 aaya hai toofan-e hayaat29
maut larzaaN30 hai pas-e parda-e dar31 aaj ki raat
27.house of the world, earth 28.welling up 29.storm of life, desire to live 30.trembling 31.behind the door curtain
The storm of life surges all over the earth. Death is trembling behind the curtain tonight.
9
alla allah vo peshaani-e seemeeN32 ka jamaal33
rah gaee jam34 ke sitaarauN ki nazar aaj ki raat
32.silver brow 33.beauty 34.fixed
By god, the beauty of her silver brow. The gaze of the stars is fixed on her tonight.
10
aariz-e garm35 pe vo raNg-e shafaq36 ki larhreN37
vo meri shooKh nigaahi38 ka asar39 aaj ki raat
35.warm/flushed face 36.colour of the horizon, red 37.waves 38.mischievous look 39.effect
The silver brow is like the crescent moon. The gaze of the stars fixed on the crescent moon is nicely juxtaposed with all eyes of the world gazing at the beloved. Her flushed cheeks, red like the horizon. It is the effect of my loving glance, tonight.
11
nargis-e naaz38 meN vo neend ka halka sa Khumaar39
vo mere naGhma-e shiriN40 ka asar41 aaj ki raat
38.titillating/teasing eyes 39.intoxication 40.sweet song 41.effect
The intoxicating look in her mischievous eyes. O, the effect of my sweet singing tonight.
12
naGhma-o-mae42 ka vo toofan-e tarab43 kya kahye
ghar mera ban gaya Khayyaam ka ghar aaj ki raat
42.wine and song 43.storm of pleasure
The storm of pleasure of wine and song, what can I say. My house is transformed into the house of Khayyam, tonight.
13
meri har saaNs pe vo unki tavajjah44 kya Khoob45
meri har baat pe vo jumbish-e sar46 aaj ki raat
44.attention 45.good 46.nodding head in agreement
Her attention to all I had to say, how nice; nodding her head in agreement on everything, tonight.
14
vo tabassum47 hi tabassum ka jamaal48-e paiham49
vo mohabbat hi mohabbat ki nazar aaj ki raat
47.smile 48.beauty 49.again
O, that smiling face, again and again, O, that look of love, tonight.
15
uff50 vo vaaraftagi51-e shauq52 meN ek vahm-e lateef53
kapkapaate54 hue hoNTauN pe nazar aaj ki raat
50.Oh 51.unaware, lost (in love) 52.desire 53.pleasant illusion 54.trembling
Oh! the pleasant illusion of that “lost in love” look, her trembling lips tonight.
16
apni raf’at55 pe jo naazaaN56 haiN to naazaaN hi raheN
kah do anjum57 se ke dekheN na idhar aaj ki raat
55.height 56.proud, vain 57.stars
Let them be proud of their heights, if they want to be, tell the stars to keep their gaze away tonight.
17
unke altaaf58 ka itna hi fusooN59 kaafi60 hai
kam hai pahle se bahut dard-e jigar61 aaj ki raat
58.benevolence 59.illusion 60.enough 61.heartache
This much illusion of her benevolence is enough, my heart hurts less than it used to, tonight.
