For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the “English” or “Notes” tab.
Recitation
مرثیۂ امام – فیض احمد فیض
۱
رات آئی ہے شبیر پہ یلغارِ بلا ہے
ساتھی نہ کوئی یار نہ، غم خوار رہا ہے
مونس ہے تو اک درد کی گھنگھور گھٹا ہے
مُشفق ہے تو اک دِل كے دھڑکنے کی صدا ہے
تنہائی کی ، غربت کی ، پریشانی کی شب ہے
یہ خانۂ شبّیر کی ویرانی کی شب ہے
۲
دشمن کی سپہ خواب میں مدہوش پڑی تھی
پل بھر کو کسی کی نہ اِدھر آنکھ لگی تھی
ہر ایک گھڑی آج قیامت کی گھڑی تھی
یہ رات بہت آلِ محمد پہ کڑی تھی
رہ رہ كے بُکا اہلِ حرم کرتے تھے ایسے
تھم تھم كے دیا آخرِ شب جلتا ہے جیسے
۳
اک گوشے میں ان سوختہ سامانوں كے سالار
اِن خاک بسر خانماں ویرانوں كے سردار
تشنہ لب و درماندہ و مجبور و دِل افگار
اِس شان سے بیٹھے تھے شہِ لشکرِ احرار
مسند تھی ، نہ خلعت تھی ، نہ خدّام کھڑے تھے
ہاں تن پہ جدھر دیکھیے سو زخم سجے تھے
۴
کچھ خوف تھا چہرے پہ نہ تشویش ذرا تھی
ہر ایک ادا مظہرِ تسلیمِ رضا تھی
ہر ایک نگہ شاہدِ اقرارِ وفا تھی
ہر جنبش لب منکرِ دستورِ جفا تھی
پہلے تو بہت پیار سے ہر فرد کو دیکھا
پِھر نام خدا کا لیا اور یوں ہوئے گویا
۵
الحمد قریب آیا غمِ عشق کا ساحل
الحمد كہ اب صبح شہادت ہوئی نازل
بازی ہے بہت سخت میانِ حق و باطل
وہ ظلم میں کامِل ہیں تو ہم صبر میں کامِل
بازی ہوئی انجام، مبارک ہو عزیزو
باطل ہوا ناکام ، مبارک ہو عزیزو
۶
پِھر صبح کی لَو آئی رُخِ پاک پہ چمكی
اور ایک کرن مقتلِ خونناک پہ چمكی
نیزے کی اَنی تھی خس و خاشاک پہ چمكی
شمشیرِ برہنہ تھی كہ افلاک پہ چمكی
دم بھر كے لئے آئینہ رو ہو گیا صحرا
خورشید جو ابھرا تو لہو ہو گیا صحرا
۷
پر باندھے ہوئے حملے کو آئی صفِ اعدا
تھا سامنے اک بندۂ حق یکہ و تنہا
ہرچند كہ ہر اک تھا اُدھر خون کا پیاسا
یہ رعب کا عالم كہ کوئی پہل نہ کرتا
کی آنے میں تاخیر جو لیلائے قضا نے
خطبہ کیا اِرشاد اِمامِ شہدا نے
۸
فرمایا كہ کیوں درپئے آزار ہو لوگو
حق والوں سے کیوں برسرِ پیکار ہو لوگو
واللہ كہ مجرم ہو گنہ گار ہو لوگو
معلوم ہے کچھ کس كے طرفدار ہو لوگو
کیوں آپ كے آقاؤں میں اور ہم میں ٹھنی ہے
معلوم ہے کس واسطے اِس جاں پہ بنی ہے
۹
سطوت نہ حکومت نہ حشم چاہیے ہم کو
اورنگ نہ افسر نہ علم چاہیے ہم کو
زَر چاہئے نے مال و دِرم چاہیے ہم کو
جو چیز بھی فانی ہے وہ کم چاہیے ہم کو
سرداری کی خواہش ہے نہ شاہی کی ہوس ہے
اک حرفِ یقیں دولتِ ایماں ہمیں بس ہے
۱۰
طالب ہیں اگر ہم تو فقط حق كے طلبگار
باطل كے مقابل میں صداقت كے پرستار
انصاف كے ، نیکی كے ، مروّت كے طرفدار
ظالم كے مخالف ہیں تو بیکس كے مددگار
جو ظلم پہ لعنت نہ کرے آپ لعیں ہے
جو جبر کا منکر نہیں وہ منکرِ دیں ہے
۱۱
تا حشر زمانہ تمھیں مکّار کہے گا
تم عہد شکن ہو ، تمھیں غدّار کہے گا
جو صاحبِ دِل ہے، ہمیں ابرار کہے گا
جو بندۂ حُر ہے، ہمیں احرار کہے گا
نام اونچا زمانے میں ہر انداز رہیگا
نیزے پہ بھی سَر اپنا سرافراز رہیگا
۱۲
کر ختم سخن محو دعا ہو گئے شبّیر
پِھر نعرہ زناں محوِ وغا ہو گئے شبیر
قربانِ رہ صِدق و صفا ہو گئے شبیر
خیموں میں تھا کہرام ، جدا ہو گئے شبیر
مرکب پہ تنِ پاک تھا اور خاک پہ سَر تھا
اِس خاک تلے جنّتِ فردوس کا دَر تھا
मर्सिया-ए इमाम – फ़ैज़ अहमद फ़ैज़
१
रात आई है शब्बीर पे यलग़ार-ए बाला है
साथी ना कोइ यार ना ग़मख़्वार रहा है
मोनिस है तो एक दर्द की घनघोर घट है
मुशफ़िक़ है तो एक दिल के धड़क्ने की सदा है
तन्हाइी की, ग़ुरबत की, परेशानी की शब है
ये ख़ाना-ए शब्बीर की वीरानी की शब है
२
दुश्मन की सिपह ख़्वाब में मदहोश पड़ी थी
पल भर को किसी की ना इधर आंख लगी थी
हर एक घड़ी आज क़यामत की घड़ी थी
ये रात बहुत आल-ए मुहम्मद पे कड़ी थी
रह रह के बुका अहल-ए हरम करते तहे ऐसे
थम थम के दिया आख़िर-ए शब जलता है जैसे
३
एक गोशे में उन सोख़्ता सामानों के सालार
इन ख़ाक ब-सर ख़ानुमां वीरानौं के सरदार
तिश्ना-लब ओ दरमांदा ओ मज्बूर ओ दिल अफ़्गार
इस शान से बैठे थे शह-ए लश्कर-ए अहरार
मसनद थी, ना ख़िल’अत थी ना ख़ुद-दाम खड़े थे
हां तन पे जिधर देखिए सौ ज़ख़्म सजे थे
४
कुछ ख़ौफ़ था चेहरे पे ना तश्वीश ज़रा थी
हर एक अदा मज़हर-ए तसलीम ओ रज़ा थी
हर एक निगाह शाहिद-ए इक़रार-ए वफ़ा थी
हर जुम्बिश-ए लब मुनकीर-ए दस्तूर-ए जफ़ा थी
पहले तो बहुत प्यार से हर फ़र्द को देखा
फिर नाम ख़ुदा का लिया और यूं हुए गोया
५
अलहम्द क़रीब आया ग़म-ए इश्क़ का साहिल
अलहम्द के अब सुबह शहादत हुई नाज़ील
बाज़ी है बहुत सख़्त मियान-ए हक़ ओ बातिल
वो ज़ुल्म में कामिल हैं तो हम सब्र में कामिल
बाज़ी हुई अंजाम, मुबारक हो अज़ीज़ो
बातिल हुआ नाकाम, मुबारक हो अज़ीज़ो
६
फिर सुबह की लौ आई रुख़-ए पाक पे चमकी
और एक किरण मक़्तल-ए ख़ून-नाक पे चमकी
नैज़े की अनी थी ख़स ओ ख़ाशाक पे चमकी
शमशीर बरहना थी के अफ़्लाक पे चमकी
दम भर के लिए आईना रू हो गया सहरा
ख़ुर्शीद जो उभरा तो लहू हो गया सहरा
७
पर बाँधे हुए हमले को आई सफ़-ए आदा
था सामने एक बंदा-ए हक़ यक्का ओ तन्हा
हरचंद के हर एक था उधर ख़ून का प्यासा
ये रो’ब का आलम के कोइ पहल ना करता
की आने में ताख़ीर जो लैला-ए क़ज़ा ने
ख़ुत्बा किया इरशाद इमाम-ए शोहदा ने
८
फ़रमाया के क्यूं दर-पा’ए आज़ार हो लोगो
हक़ वालौं से क्यूं बरसर-ए पैकार हो लोगो
वल्लाह के मुजरिम हो गुनहगार हो लोगो
मालूम है कुछ किस के तरफ़दार हो लोगो
क्युं आप के आक़ाओं में और हम में ठनी है
मालूम है किस वास्ते इस जां पे बनी है
९
सित्वत ना हुकूमत ना हाशम चाहिए हम को
औरंग ना अफ़्सर ना अलम चाहिए हम को
ज़र चाहिए ने माल ओ दिरम चाहिए हम को
जो चीज़ भी फ़ानी है वो कम चाहिए हम को
सरदारी की ख़्वाहिश है ना शाही की हवस है
एक हर्फ़-ए यक़ी दौलत-ए ईमां हमें बस है
१०
तालिब हैं अगर हम तो फ़क़त हक़ के तलबगार
बातिल के मुक़ाबिल में सदाक़त के परस्तार
इंसाफ़ के, नेकी के, मुरव्वत के तरफ़्दार
ज़ालिम के मुख़ालिफ़ हैं तो बेकस के मददगार
जो ज़ुल्म पे लानत ना करे आप ल’ईं है
जो जब्र का मुन्किर नहीं वो मुन्किर-ए दीं है
११
ता हश्र ज़माना तुम्हें मक्कार कहेगा
तुम अहद शिकन हो, तुम्हें ग़द्दार कहेगा
जो साहिब-ए दिल है हमें अबरार कहेगा
जो बंदा-ए हुर है हमें अहरार कहेगा
नाम ऊंचा ज़माने में हर अंदाज़ रहेगा
नैज़े पे भी सर अपना सर-अफ़्राज़ रहेगा
१२
कर ख़त्म सुख़न महव-ए दुआ हो गये शब्बीर
फिर नारा ज़नां महव-ए वेग़ा हो गये शब्बीर
क़ुरबान-ए रह-ए सिद्क़ ओ सफ़ा हो गये शब्बीर
ख़ैमों में था कोहराम, जुदा हो गये शब्बीर
मरकब पे तन-ए पाक था और ख़ाक पे सर था
इस ख़ाक तले जन्नत-ए फ़िरदौस का दर था
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. In one of his books faiz marks this as done by “special request”. Some critics have sought to suggest that this therefore does not express his views. But in another book in an interview/preface faiz makes clear that the “special request” did NOT imply that he did not agree with the sentiments expressed. And to suggest that faiz would be the kind of person who writes something he does not strongly believe is rather strange.
1
raat aaii hai shabbir pe yalGhaar1-e balaa2 hai
saathi na koii yaar na GhamKhwaar3 raha hai
monis4 hai to ek dard ki ghanghor ghaTa hai
mushfiq5 hai to ek dil ke dhaRakne ki sada hai
tanhaaii6 ki, Ghurbat ki, pareshaani ki shab hai
ye Khaana7-e shabbir ki veeraani8 ki shab hai 1.assault 2.calamity 3.sympathizer 4.friend 5.close friend 6.loneliness 7.house of 8.destruction
It is night and shabbir (another name of husain) is being assaulted by calamities. There are no friends or sympathizers left. The only friend is the thick cloud of sorrow descending on him. The only sympathetic sound he can hear is the beating of his heart. It is a worrisome night of loneliness, away from home. It is a night of the destruction of the family of husain.
2
dushman ki sipah1 Khwaab2 meN madhosh3 paRi thi
pal bhar bhi kisi ki na idhar aaNkh lagi thi
har ek ghaRi aaj qayaamat4 ki ghaRi thi
ye raat bahut aal-e mohammed5 pe kaRi6 thi
rah rah ke buka7 ahl-e haram8 karte thhe aise
thham thham ke diya aaKhir-e shab9 jalta hai jaise 1.army 2.sleep 3.intoxicated, unconscious 4.doomsday 5.progeny/family of mohammed 6.difficult 7.mourning 8.people of the household 9.late night
The enemy camp is content, lost in sleep. Here (on husain’s side) no one has been able to shut their eyes even for a moment. Every moment is like an apocalypse. This night is a calamity for the household of mohammed. Every so often wails rise from family members like a lamp flickers late at night.
3
ek goshe meN un soKhta-saamaanauN1 ke saalaar2
in Khaak ba-sar Khaanuma-veeraanauN3 ke sardaar
tishna-lab4 o darmaanda5 o majboor6 o dil-afgaar7
is shaan se baiThe thhe shah8-e lashkar9-e ahraar10
masnad11 thi, na Khil’at12 thhi, na Khud-daam13 khaRe thhe
haaN tan pe jidhar dekhiye sau zaKhm saje thhe 1.grief stricken 2.leader 3.those who have wilderness for a home 4.thirsty lips 5.helpless 6.oppressed 7.torn hearts 8.king of 9.army of 10.free – the implication is that they are free to choose to leave but they choose to stay and fight for liberty 11.throne 12.robe 13.servants
In a corner of the tent, the leader of the grief stricken, the leader of those with dust on their heads, wandering the desert, thristy, helpless and oppressed. There was no throne, no robe, no courtiers and yet the leader of freedom lovers sat with great dignity and honor, his body decked with a hundred wounds.
4
kuchh Khauf1 thha chehre pe na tashveesh2 zara thhi
har ek ada3 mazhar4-e tasleem5-e raza6 thhi
har nigah7 shaahid8-e iqraar9-e vafa10 thhi
har jumbish11-e lab12 munkir13-e dastoor14-e jafa15 thhi
pahle to bahut pyaar se har fard16 ko dekha
phir naam Khuda ka liya aur yuN hue goya17 1.fear 2.anxiety 3.gesture 4.revealing, showing 5.acceptance of 6.will (of god) 7.glance 8.testimonial 9.affirmation 10.faith (in god) 11.movement 12.lips 13.denial, refusal 14.tradition of 15.oppression 16.individual, person 17.to speak
There was no fear or anxiety on his face. Every gesture showed acceptance of the will of god. Every glance was a testimony to the affirmation of faith in god. Every word was a refusal to accept the hegemony of oppression. He looked at every person with love and spoke thus …
5
alhamd1 qareeb2 aaya Gham-e ishq3 ka saahil4
alhamd ke ab subah shahaadat5 hui naazil6
baazi7 hai bahut saKht8 miyaan9-e haq-o-baatil10
vo zulm meN kaamil11 haiN to hum sabr12 meN kaamil
baazi hui anjaam13 mubarak ho azizo14
baatil15 hua nakaam, mubarak ho azizo 1.praise be (to god) 2.near 3.love/passion/faith 4.shore/destination 5.martyrdom 6.descended, arrived 7.play/move, action 8.difficult 9.between 10.truth and falsehood 11.expert 12.patience, acceptance (of the will of god) 13.result, climax 14.friends 15.falsehood
Praise be to god, the destination of faith is at hand. The morning of martyrdom has arrived. The struggle between truth and falsehood is hard. They are experts in oppression, we are experts in patience. Our moves have come to climax, felicitations my friends. Falsehood loses out, congratulations, my friends.
6
phir subah ki lau1 aaii ruKh2-e paak3 pe chamki
aur ek kiran maqtal4-e Khoon-nak5 pe chamki
naize6 ki ani7 thi Khas-o-Khaashaak8 pe chamki
shamshir9-e barhana10 thhi ke aflaak11 pe chamki
dam bhar ke liye aaiina-ruu12 ho gaya sahra13
Khursheed14 jo ubhra to lahu15 ho gaya sahra 1.brilliance 2.face 3.pure, upright 4.slaughter house 5.bloody 6.lance 7.tip, point 8.rubble, sand of the desert 9.sword 10.naked, unsheathed 11.skies 12.face of the mirror, reflecting like a mirror 13.desert 14.sun 15.blood, red
The first light dawn shone on that upright face and rays lit up (brought into view) that bloody slaughter house. The point of lance shone in the desert sands. faiz brings out the point of the lance specifically because the story of karbala has it that at the end of the battle husain’s head was cut off and mounted on the point of a lance and presented to yazid. Unsheathed swords flashed at the skies. For a moment the desert reflected what was to come – as the sun rose, the desert turned red.
7
par1 baandhe hue hamle ko aaii saf2-e aada3
thha saamne ek banda-e haq4 yakka-o-tanha5
harchand6 ke har ek tha udhar Khoon ka pyaasa
ye ro’ab7 ka aalam ke koii pahal8 na karta
ki aane meN taaKheer9 jo laila-e qaza10 ne
Khutba11 kiya irshaad12 imam-e shohada13 ne 1.flanks 2.line, battle formation 3.enemy 4.servant of god 5.one and only 6.even though 7.awe, fear 8.initiative 9.delay 10.death 11.sermon 12.speak 13.leader of martyrs
Flanks ready, the battle formation of the enemy came to war. Standing against them was a lone servant of god. Even though they were thirsty for blood, his dignity was such that none would come forward for fear. And when Death was delayed, the leader of martyrs delivered a sermon, thus ….
8
farmaaya1 ke kyuN dar-paye2 aazaar3 ho logo
haq4 vaalauN se kyuN barsar5-e paikaar6 ho logo
vallah ke mujrim7 ho gunahgaar8 ho logo
maaloom hai kuchh kis ke tarafdaar9 ho logo
kyuN aap ke aaqaauN10 meN aur hum meN Thani11 hai
maaloom hai kis vaaste is jaaN pe bani12 hai 1.spoke 2.bent upon 3.cruelty 4.truth, right 5.engaged in 6.conflict 7.transgressors 8.sinners 9.partisan 10.lords, leaders 11.disagreement 12.(life) is in danger
He spoke and said, “O, people, why are you bent on cruelty. Why are you arraigned against the truthful/righteous. By god you transgress and are sinful. Do you know whose partisan you are? Do you know why there is disagreement between your leaders and us? Do you know why my life is in danger.
9
sitvat1 na hukoomat na hasham2 chaahiye hum ko
auraNg3 na afsar4 na alam5 chaahiye hum ko
zar6 chaahiye ne maal o diram7 chaahiye hum ko
jo cheez bhi faani8 hai vo kam chaahiye hum ko
sardaari9 ki Khwaahish10 hai na shaahi11 ki havas12 hai
ek harf-e-yaqeeN13 daulat14-e eemaaN15 hameN bus hai 1.grandeur 2.wealth, power 3.throne 4.office 5.banner 6.gold 7.money 8.material (as opposed to spiritual) 9.leadership 10.desire 11.empire 12.greed 13.word of truth, qur’aan 14.treasure of 15.faith
We do not seek power or grandeur. No throne, office or raised flag for us. We are not after gold, goods or money. Everything that is material/worldly is not desirable for us. We do not desire leadership nor entertain greed of empire. Just the qur’aan and the strength of faith is sufficient for us.
10
taalib1 haiN agar hum to faqat2 haq3 ke talabgaar4
baatil5 ke muqaabil6 meN sadaaqat7 ke parastaar8
insaaf9 ke, neki ke, muravvat10 ke tarafdaar11
zaalim ke muKhalif12 haiN to bekas13 ke madadgaar14
jo zulm15 pe laanat16 na kare aap la’iiN17 hai
jo jabr18 ka munkir19 nahiN vo munkir-e-deeN20 hai 1.seeker 2.only 3.truth 4.demanding 5.untruth, evil 6.opposed to 7.truthfulness 8.worshippers 9.justice 10.kindness, benvolence 11.partisan 12.opposer 13.helpless 14.helper 15.cruelty 16.curse, abjure 17.deserving of being cursed 18.force, oppression 19.deny, resist 20.denier of faith
If we seek anything, it is truth and righteousness. Opposed to evil, partisan of virtue. We are on the side of justice, goodness, and kindness. We stand against the oppressor, helping the helpless. Those who do not abjure cruelty, are truly cursed. Those who do not oppose oppression are outside the realm of faith. Said sahir ludhianavi …
qaatil ko jo na roke vo qaatil ke saath hai
zaalim ko jo na Toke vo shaamil hai zulm meN
11
ta1 hashr2 zamaana3 tumheN makkaar4 kahega
tum ahd-shikan5 ho, tumheN Ghaddaar6 kahega
jo sahib-e-dil7 hai hameN abraar8 kahega
jo banda-e-hur9 hai hameN ahraar10 kahega
naam ooNcha zamaane meN har andaaz rahega
naize11 pe bhi sar apna sarafraaz12 rahega 1.until 2.doomsday, end of the world 3.times, world 4.deceitful 5.promise-breaker 6.unfaithful, liar 7.person of heart, sincere, good 8.virtuous 9.liberty loving person 10.free, respected, honoured 11.spear 12.head held high, dignified
The world will consider you deceitful until the end. You have broken your promise, you will be known as unfaithful. The sincere will know us as virtuous. Freedom lovers will know us as dignified. Our name/reputation will remain unblemished under all conditions. Even on the tip of a spear my head will stand tall.
12
kar Khatm suKhan1 mahv2-e dua ho gaye shabbir
phir naara-zanaaN3 mahv-e veGha4 ho gaye shabbir
qurbaan5-e rah6-e sidq7 o safa8 ho gaye shabbir
KhaimauN9 meN thha kohraam10, juda11 ho gaye shabbir
markab12 pe tan13-e paak thha aur Khaak pe sar thha
is Khaak tale14 jannat-e firdaus15 ka dar16 thha 1.speech 2.absorbed in 3.shouting intent, war cry 4.war 5.sacrificed 6.in the path of 7.truth 8.virtue 9.tents 10.tumult 11.depart 12.horse 13.body 14.underneath 15.heaven 16.door
Having finished his speech, husain bowed in prayer and then raising a cry he engaged in war, sacrificing himself in the path of truth and virtue. While his body was still on the horse, his head, cut off fell on the sand. Underneath him was the door to heaven.
marsia-e imam – faiz ahmed faiz
In one of his books faiz marks this as done by “special request”. Some critics have sought to suggest that this therefore does not express his views. But in another book in an interview/preface faiz makes clear that the “special request” did NOT imply that he did not agree with the sentiments expressed. And to suggest that faiz would be the kind of person who writes something he does not strongly believe is rather strange.
1
raat aaii hai shabbir pe yalGhaar1-e balaa2 hai
saathi na koii yaar na GhamKhwaar3 raha hai
monis4 hai to ek dard ki ghanghor ghaTa hai
mushfiq5 hai to ek dil ke dhaRakne ki sada hai
tanhaaii6 ki, Ghurbat ki, pareshaani ki shab hai
ye Khaana7-e shabbir ki veeraani8 ki shab hai
1.assault 2.calamity 3.sympathizer 4.friend 5.close friend 6.loneliness 7.house of 8.destruction
It is night and shabbir (another name of husain) is being assaulted by calamities. There are no friends or sympathizers left. The only friend is the thick cloud of sorrow descending on him. The only sympathetic sound he can hear is the beating of his heart. It is a worrisome night of loneliness, away from home. It is a night of the destruction of the family of husain.
2
dushman ki sipah1 Khwaab2 meN madhosh3 paRi thi
pal bhar bhi kisi ki na idhar aaNkh lagi thi
har ek ghaRi aaj qayaamat4 ki ghaRi thi
ye raat bahut aal-e mohammed5 pe kaRi6 thi
rah rah ke buka7 ahl-e haram8 karte thhe aise
thham thham ke diya aaKhir-e shab9 jalta hai jaise
1.army 2.sleep 3.intoxicated, unconscious 4.doomsday 5.progeny/family of mohammed 6.difficult 7.mourning 8.people of the household 9.late night
The enemy camp is content, lost in sleep. Here (on husain’s side) no one has been able to shut their eyes even for a moment. Every moment is like an apocalypse. This night is a calamity for the household of mohammed. Every so often wails rise from family members like a lamp flickers late at night.
3
ek goshe meN un soKhta-saamaanauN1 ke saalaar2
in Khaak ba-sar Khaanuma-veeraanauN3 ke sardaar
tishna-lab4 o darmaanda5 o majboor6 o dil-afgaar7
is shaan se baiThe thhe shah8-e lashkar9-e ahraar10
masnad11 thi, na Khil’at12 thhi, na Khud-daam13 khaRe thhe
haaN tan pe jidhar dekhiye sau zaKhm saje thhe
1.grief stricken 2.leader 3.those who have wilderness for a home 4.thirsty lips 5.helpless 6.oppressed 7.torn hearts 8.king of 9.army of 10.free – the implication is that they are free to choose to leave but they choose to stay and fight for liberty 11.throne 12.robe 13.servants
In a corner of the tent, the leader of the grief stricken, the leader of those with dust on their heads, wandering the desert, thristy, helpless and oppressed. There was no throne, no robe, no courtiers and yet the leader of freedom lovers sat with great dignity and honor, his body decked with a hundred wounds.
4
kuchh Khauf1 thha chehre pe na tashveesh2 zara thhi
har ek ada3 mazhar4-e tasleem5-e raza6 thhi
har nigah7 shaahid8-e iqraar9-e vafa10 thhi
har jumbish11-e lab12 munkir13-e dastoor14-e jafa15 thhi
pahle to bahut pyaar se har fard16 ko dekha
phir naam Khuda ka liya aur yuN hue goya17
1.fear 2.anxiety 3.gesture 4.revealing, showing 5.acceptance of 6.will (of god) 7.glance 8.testimonial 9.affirmation 10.faith (in god) 11.movement 12.lips 13.denial, refusal 14.tradition of 15.oppression 16.individual, person 17.to speak
There was no fear or anxiety on his face. Every gesture showed acceptance of the will of god. Every glance was a testimony to the affirmation of faith in god. Every word was a refusal to accept the hegemony of oppression. He looked at every person with love and spoke thus …
5
alhamd1 qareeb2 aaya Gham-e ishq3 ka saahil4
alhamd ke ab subah shahaadat5 hui naazil6
baazi7 hai bahut saKht8 miyaan9-e haq-o-baatil10
vo zulm meN kaamil11 haiN to hum sabr12 meN kaamil
baazi hui anjaam13 mubarak ho azizo14
baatil15 hua nakaam, mubarak ho azizo
1.praise be (to god) 2.near 3.love/passion/faith 4.shore/destination 5.martyrdom 6.descended, arrived 7.play/move, action 8.difficult 9.between 10.truth and falsehood 11.expert 12.patience, acceptance (of the will of god) 13.result, climax 14.friends 15.falsehood
Praise be to god, the destination of faith is at hand. The morning of martyrdom has arrived. The struggle between truth and falsehood is hard. They are experts in oppression, we are experts in patience. Our moves have come to climax, felicitations my friends. Falsehood loses out, congratulations, my friends.
6
phir subah ki lau1 aaii ruKh2-e paak3 pe chamki
aur ek kiran maqtal4-e Khoon-nak5 pe chamki
naize6 ki ani7 thi Khas-o-Khaashaak8 pe chamki
shamshir9-e barhana10 thhi ke aflaak11 pe chamki
dam bhar ke liye aaiina-ruu12 ho gaya sahra13
Khursheed14 jo ubhra to lahu15 ho gaya sahra
1.brilliance 2.face 3.pure, upright 4.slaughter house 5.bloody 6.lance 7.tip, point 8.rubble, sand of the desert 9.sword 10.naked, unsheathed 11.skies 12.face of the mirror, reflecting like a mirror 13.desert 14.sun 15.blood, red
The first light dawn shone on that upright face and rays lit up (brought into view) that bloody slaughter house. The point of lance shone in the desert sands. faiz brings out the point of the lance specifically because the story of karbala has it that at the end of the battle husain’s head was cut off and mounted on the point of a lance and presented to yazid. Unsheathed swords flashed at the skies. For a moment the desert reflected what was to come – as the sun rose, the desert turned red.
7
par1 baandhe hue hamle ko aaii saf2-e aada3
thha saamne ek banda-e haq4 yakka-o-tanha5
harchand6 ke har ek tha udhar Khoon ka pyaasa
ye ro’ab7 ka aalam ke koii pahal8 na karta
ki aane meN taaKheer9 jo laila-e qaza10 ne
Khutba11 kiya irshaad12 imam-e shohada13 ne
1.flanks 2.line, battle formation 3.enemy 4.servant of god 5.one and only 6.even though 7.awe, fear 8.initiative 9.delay 10.death 11.sermon 12.speak 13.leader of martyrs
Flanks ready, the battle formation of the enemy came to war. Standing against them was a lone servant of god. Even though they were thirsty for blood, his dignity was such that none would come forward for fear. And when Death was delayed, the leader of martyrs delivered a sermon, thus ….
8
farmaaya1 ke kyuN dar-paye2 aazaar3 ho logo
haq4 vaalauN se kyuN barsar5-e paikaar6 ho logo
vallah ke mujrim7 ho gunahgaar8 ho logo
maaloom hai kuchh kis ke tarafdaar9 ho logo
kyuN aap ke aaqaauN10 meN aur hum meN Thani11 hai
maaloom hai kis vaaste is jaaN pe bani12 hai
1.spoke 2.bent upon 3.cruelty 4.truth, right 5.engaged in 6.conflict 7.transgressors 8.sinners 9.partisan 10.lords, leaders 11.disagreement 12.(life) is in danger
He spoke and said, “O, people, why are you bent on cruelty. Why are you arraigned against the truthful/righteous. By god you transgress and are sinful. Do you know whose partisan you are? Do you know why there is disagreement between your leaders and us? Do you know why my life is in danger.
9
sitvat1 na hukoomat na hasham2 chaahiye hum ko
auraNg3 na afsar4 na alam5 chaahiye hum ko
zar6 chaahiye ne maal o diram7 chaahiye hum ko
jo cheez bhi faani8 hai vo kam chaahiye hum ko
sardaari9 ki Khwaahish10 hai na shaahi11 ki havas12 hai
ek harf-e-yaqeeN13 daulat14-e eemaaN15 hameN bus hai
1.grandeur 2.wealth, power 3.throne 4.office 5.banner 6.gold 7.money 8.material (as opposed to spiritual) 9.leadership 10.desire 11.empire 12.greed 13.word of truth, qur’aan 14.treasure of 15.faith
We do not seek power or grandeur. No throne, office or raised flag for us. We are not after gold, goods or money. Everything that is material/worldly is not desirable for us. We do not desire leadership nor entertain greed of empire. Just the qur’aan and the strength of faith is sufficient for us.
10
taalib1 haiN agar hum to faqat2 haq3 ke talabgaar4
baatil5 ke muqaabil6 meN sadaaqat7 ke parastaar8
insaaf9 ke, neki ke, muravvat10 ke tarafdaar11
zaalim ke muKhalif12 haiN to bekas13 ke madadgaar14
jo zulm15 pe laanat16 na kare aap la’iiN17 hai
jo jabr18 ka munkir19 nahiN vo munkir-e-deeN20 hai
1.seeker 2.only 3.truth 4.demanding 5.untruth, evil 6.opposed to 7.truthfulness 8.worshippers 9.justice 10.kindness, benvolence 11.partisan 12.opposer 13.helpless 14.helper 15.cruelty 16.curse, abjure 17.deserving of being cursed 18.force, oppression 19.deny, resist 20.denier of faith
If we seek anything, it is truth and righteousness. Opposed to evil, partisan of virtue. We are on the side of justice, goodness, and kindness. We stand against the oppressor, helping the helpless. Those who do not abjure cruelty, are truly cursed. Those who do not oppose oppression are outside the realm of faith. Said sahir ludhianavi …
qaatil ko jo na roke vo qaatil ke saath hai
zaalim ko jo na Toke vo shaamil hai zulm meN
11
ta1 hashr2 zamaana3 tumheN makkaar4 kahega
tum ahd-shikan5 ho, tumheN Ghaddaar6 kahega
jo sahib-e-dil7 hai hameN abraar8 kahega
jo banda-e-hur9 hai hameN ahraar10 kahega
naam ooNcha zamaane meN har andaaz rahega
naize11 pe bhi sar apna sarafraaz12 rahega
1.until 2.doomsday, end of the world 3.times, world 4.deceitful 5.promise-breaker 6.unfaithful, liar 7.person of heart, sincere, good 8.virtuous 9.liberty loving person 10.free, respected, honoured 11.spear 12.head held high, dignified
The world will consider you deceitful until the end. You have broken your promise, you will be known as unfaithful. The sincere will know us as virtuous. Freedom lovers will know us as dignified. Our name/reputation will remain unblemished under all conditions. Even on the tip of a spear my head will stand tall.
12
kar Khatm suKhan1 mahv2-e dua ho gaye shabbir
phir naara-zanaaN3 mahv-e veGha4 ho gaye shabbir
qurbaan5-e rah6-e sidq7 o safa8 ho gaye shabbir
KhaimauN9 meN thha kohraam10, juda11 ho gaye shabbir
markab12 pe tan13-e paak thha aur Khaak pe sar thha
is Khaak tale14 jannat-e firdaus15 ka dar16 thha
1.speech 2.absorbed in 3.shouting intent, war cry 4.war 5.sacrificed 6.in the path of 7.truth 8.virtue 9.tents 10.tumult 11.depart 12.horse 13.body 14.underneath 15.heaven 16.door
Having finished his speech, husain bowed in prayer and then raising a cry he engaged in war, sacrificing himself in the path of truth and virtue. While his body was still on the horse, his head, cut off fell on the sand. Underneath him was the door to heaven.
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