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.
41
isi ne mujh se kaha bai’at¹-e yaziid² na kar
isi ne mujh se kaha maslak³-e husain⁴ pe chal     1.alliegance 2.self-anointed king who demanded allegiance from husain 3.path, conduct, method 4.took a principled stand in the face of certain death and refused allegiance
This has reference to the battle of karbala which is often used in urdu poetry as a symbol of the struggle for justice. The stand that husain took is help up as a symbol of courage in the face of oppression. Thus it is the pen that told me not to accept allegiance of the oppressor. It is that pen that told me to walk the path (righteous courage) of husain.
42
isi ne mujh se kaha zahr¹ ka payaala uTha
isi ne mujh se kaha jo kaha hai us se na Tal²     1.poison 2.move away, turn away
This has a reference to the story of Socrates. It is the pen that told me to pick up the poisoned cup/chalice. It is the pen that told me not to turn away from my commitment.
43
isi ne mujh se kaha aajizi¹ se maat² na kha
isi ne mujh se kaha maslehat³ ki chaal na chal     1.helplessness 2.defeat 3.expendience, convenience, hidden/immoral purpose
It is the pen that told me not to accept defeat because of helplessness (but to keep resisting). It is the pen that told me not to make a move of convenience at the expense of principle.
44
isi ne mujh ko inaa’et¹ kiya yad-e-baiza²
isi ne mujh se kaha sair³-e saameri⁴ se nikal    1.granted 2.white hand 3.enchantment 4.magic
This has reference to the story of moosa/Moses. He went up mount tuur asking to see god. He heard a voice asking him to hide his hand in the folds of his cloak. After a while he heard the same voice asking him to withdraw his hand. It had turned completely white. This was supposed to be a miraculous demonstration of the powers of god. Thus, to get a ‘white hand’ is like being able to understand divinity. While moosa was away on mount tuur, a local magician saamer enchanted his followers and persuaded them to worship a golden calf. This is considered to be getting trapped in worldly enchantment and forgetting the universal spirit. Thus, it is the pen that showed me the miracles of divinity. It is the pen that persuaded me to get out of the trap of worldly enchantment.
45
isi ne mujh se kaha aql¹ tah-nashiini² hai
isi ne mujh se kaha varta³-e Khirad⁴ se nikal     1.intelligence, reason 2.lowered hand, gesture of receiving 3.whirlpool 4.knowledge
It is the pen that told me that intelligence is in receiving humbly. It is the pen that told me to get out of the whirlpool of knowledge (and look beyond to the world of mysticism and love).
46
isi ne mujh se kaha vaz’a¹-e aashiqi ko na chhoR
vo Khwaah² ijz³ ka lamha⁴ ho ya Ghuroor⁵ ka pal⁶     1.ways 2.whether 3.humility 4.moment, occasion 5.pride 6.moment
It is the pen that told me not leave the ways of love whether is an occasion of humility or pride.
47
aziyyatoN¹ ne jo baKhshi² mujhe vo ne’mat³-e sabr⁴
keh mere dil meN girah⁵ hai ne mere maathe⁶ pe bal⁷     1.difficulties, pain 2.granted 3.blessing 4.patience 5.knot 6.forehead 7.wrinkle
Pain has granted me the blessing of patience so that there is not knot (ill will) in my heart nor a wrinkle on my brow (anger).
48
teri ata¹ ke sabab² ya meri ana³ ke sabab
kisi dua ka hai mauqa⁴ na iltejaa⁵ ka mahal⁶    1.grant, gift 2.basis 3.self-hood 4.occasion 5.pleading 6.occasion
Whether based on your gifts (O god) or my self-reliance, there is no chance to pray nor any occasion to plead i.e., I am not going beg any favours from you.
49
na koii tujh sa hai Khaaliq¹ na mujh si hai maKhlooq²
na koii tera badal³ hai na koii mera badal    1.creator 2.created, creatures 3.used here to mean equal
There is no creator like you, nor is there a creature like me. There is none equal to you not to me i.e., we are both unique and we both have our place in the cosmos. He is declaring his independence and equality with god.