Zaman-e-hijr Mite Daur-e-wasl-e-yaar Aaye

Zaman-e-hijr mite daur-e-wasl-e-yaar aaye,
Ilahi ab to khizaa'n jaaye aur bahaar aaye.. 

Sitam-zareefi-e-fitrat ye kya mu'amma hai,
Ke jis kali ko bhi soonghun main bu-e-yaar aaye..

Chaman ki har kali aamada-e-tabassum hai,
Bahaar ban ke meri jaan-e-nau-bahaar aaye..

Hain tishna-kaam hum un baadalon se poochhe koi,
Kahaan bahaar ki pariyon ke takht utaar aaye..

Tere khyaal ki be-taabiyan maaz-Allah,
Ke ek baar bhulayen to laakh baar aaye..

Wo aayen yun mere aaghosh-e-ishq mein 'Akhtar',
Ke jaise aankhon mein ek khwab-e-be-qaraar aaye.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____
Zaman-e-hijr = time of separation,
Sitam-zareefi-e-fitrat = oppression/tyranny of temperament/nature,
Mu'amma = riddle, puzzle, enigma,

Yoon To Kis Phool Se Rangat Na Gayi Bu Na Gayi

Yoon to kis phool se rangat na gayi bu na gayi,
Ai mohabbat mere pahlu se magar tu na gayi..

Mit chale meri ummidon ki tarah harf magar,
Aaj tak tere khato'n se teri khushbu na gayi,

Kab bahaaron pe tere rang ka saaya na pada,
Kab tere gesuon ko baad-e-sahar chhu na gayi,

Tere gesu-e-mo'ambar ko kabhi chheda tha,
Mere haathon se abhi tak teri khushbu na gayi.!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____
Gesu-e-mo'ambar = tresses fragrant with ambergris, amber

Yaaro Ku-e-yaar Ki Baatein Karein

Yaaro ku-e-yaar ki baatein karein,
Phir gul o gulzaar ki baatein karein,

Chandni mein ai dil ek ek phool se,
Apne gul-rukhsaar ki baatein karein,

Aankhon aankhon mein lutaye may-kade,
Deeda-e-sarshaar ki baatein karein,

Ab to miliye bas ladaai ho chuki,
Ab to chaliye pyaar ki baatein karein,

Phir mahak utthe faza-e-zindagi,
Phir gul o rukhsaar ki baatein karein,

Mahshar-e-anwaar kar dein bazm ko,
Jalwa-e-deedar ki baatein karein,

Apni aankhon se bahayein sail-e-ashk,
Abr-e-gauhar-baar ki baatein karein,

Un ko ulfat hi sahi aghyaar se,
Hum se kyun aghyaar ki baatein karein,

'Akhtar' us rangeen ada se raat bhar,
Taala-e-bedaar ki baatein karein.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____

Deeda-e-sarshaar = intoxicated eyes,
Mahshar-e-anwaar = congregation of rays of life,
Sail-e-ashk = flood of tears,
Abr-e-gauhar-baar = pearl raining cloud,
Taala-e-bedaar = awakened fortune,

Yaqeen-e-waada Nahin Taab-e-intizaar Nahin

Yaqeen-e-waada nahin taab-e-intizaar nahin,
Kisi tarah bhi dil-e-zaar ko qaraar nahin,

Shabo'n ko khwab nahin khwab ko qaraar nahin,
Ke zeb-e-dosh wo gesu-e-mushk-baar nahin,

Kali kali mein samaai hai nik'hat-e-salma,
Shamim-e-hoor hai ye bu-e-nau-bahaar nahin,

Kahaan kahaan na hue mah-ru juda mujh se,
Kahawn kahaan meri ummid ka mazaar nahin,

Ghumo'n ki fasl hamesha rahi tar o taaza,
Ye wo khizaa'n hai ke sharminda-e-bahaar nahin,

Bahaar aai hai aise mein tum bhi aa jao,
Ke zindagi ka ba-rang-e-gul aitebaar nahin,

Kisi ki zulf-e-pareshan ka saaya-e-raqsaa'n hai,
Faza mein baal-fishaa'n abr-e-nau-bahaar nahin,

Sitara-waar wo pahlu mein aa gaye shab ko,
Sahar se kah do ki mahfil mein aaj baar nahin,

Gul-e-fasurda bhi ek turfa husn rakhta hai,
Khizaa'n ye hai to mujhe hasrat-e-bahaar nahin,

Har ek jaam pe ye naghma-e-hazin saaqi,
Ke is jawani-e-faani ka aitebaar nahin,

Khuda ne bakhsh diye mere dil ko ghum itne,
Ke ab main apne gunaahon pe sharmsaar nahin,

Chaman ki chandni raatein hain kis qadar viraan,
Ke is bahaar mein wo mah-e-nau-bahaar nahin,

Shareek-e-soz hain parwaane shama ke 'Akhtar',
Humare dil ka magar koi ghum-gusaar nahin.!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____

Zeb-e-dosh = decorated shoulder,
Shamim-e-hoor = fragrance of houri,
Baal-fishaa'n = scattered, stringed hair,
Baar = load/ burden,
Gul-e-fasurda = withered flower,
Turfa = strange, agreeable, wonderful, rare,
Naghma-e-hazee'n = sad song,
Shareek-e-soz = joined in sorrow, burning,

Yaad Aao Mujhe Lillah Na Tum Yaad Karo

Yaad aao mujhe lillah na tum yaad karo,
Apni aur meri jawani ko na barbaad karo,

Sharm rone bhi na de bekali sone bhi na de,
Is tarah to meri raaton ko na barbaad karo,

Had hai peene ki ke khud peer-e-mughaa'n kahta hai,
Is buri tarah jawani ko na barbaad karo,

Yaad aate ho bahut dil se bhulane waalo,
Tum humein yaad karo tum humein kyun yaad karo,

Aasman rutba mahal apne banane waalo,
Dil ka ujda hua ghar bhi koi aabaad karo,

Hum kabhi aayen tere ghar magar aayenge zaroor,
Tum ne ye waada kiya tha ke nahin yaad karo,

Chandni raat mein gul-gasht ko jab jaate the,
Aah azra kabhi us waqt ko bhi yaad karo,

Main bhi shaista-e-altaaf-e-sitam hun shayad,
Mere hote hue kyun ghair pe bedaad karo,

Sadqe us shokh ke 'Akhtar' ye likha hai jis ne,
Ishq mein apni jawani ko na barbaad karo.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"

Wo Kabhi Mil Jaayen To Kya Kijiye

Wo kabhi mil jaayen to kya kijiye,
Raat din surat ko dekha kijiye,

Chandni raaton mein ek ek phool ko,
Be-khudi kahti hai sajda kijiye,

Jo tamanna bar na aaye umr bhar,
Umr bhar us ki tamanna kijiye,

Ishq ki ranginiyon mein doob kar,
Chandni raaton mein roya kijiye,

Poochh baithe hain humara haal wo,
Be-khudi tu hi bata kya kijiye,

Hum hi us ke ishq ke qaabil na the,
Kyun kisi zaalim ka shikwa kijiye,

Aap hi ne dard-e-dil bakhsha humein,
Aap hi is ka mudawa kijiye,

Kahte hain 'Akhtar' wo sun kar mere sheyr,
Is tarah hum ko na ruswa kijiye..!!

"Akhtar Shirani"

Waada Us Mah-ru Ke Aane Ka

Waada us mah-ru ke aane ka,
Ye naseeba siyah-khane ka,

Kah rahi hai nigaah-e-duz-deeda,
Rukh badalne ko hai zamane ka,

Zarre zarre mein be-hijaab hain wo
Jin ko daawa hai munh chhupane ka,

Haasil-e-umr hai shabab magar,
Ek yahi waqt hai ganwane ka,

Chandni khamoshi aur aakhir shab,
Aa ke hai waqt dil lagane ka,

Hai qayamat tere shabab ka rang,
Rang badlega phir zamane ka,

Teri aankhon ki ho na ho taqseer,
Naam ruswa sharab-khane ka,

Rah gaye ban ke hum sarapa ghum,
Ye nateeja hai dil lagane ka,

Jis ka har lafz hai sarapa ghum,
Main hun unwaan us fasane ka,

Us ki badli hui nazar tauba,
Yun badalta hai rukh zamane ka,

Dekhte hain humein wo chhup chhup kar,
Parda rah jaaye munh chhupane ka,

Kar diya khoogar-e-sitam 'Akhtar',
Hum pe ahsaan hai zamane ka.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____

Mah-ru = having a face as beautiful as the, moon,
Nigaah-e-duz-deeda = avoiding glance,
Khoogar-e-sitam = habitually tyrannical,

Us Mah-jabeen Se Aaj Mulaqaat Ho Gayi

Us mah-jabeen se aaj mulaqaat ho gayi,
Be-dard aasman ye kya baat ho gayi,

Aawargan-e-ishq ka maskan na poochhiye,
Pad rahte hain wahin pe jahaan raat ho gayi,

Zikr-e-shab-e-wisaal ho kya qissa mukhtasar,
Jis baat se wo darte the wo baat ho gayi,

Masjid ko hum chale gaye masti mein bhool kar,
Hum se khata ye peer-e-kharabaat ho gayi,

Pichhle ghumon ka zikr hi kya jab wo mil gaye,
Ai aasman talaafi-e-mafaat ho gayi,

Zahid ko zindagi hi mein kausar chakha diya,
Rindon se aaj ye bhi karamaat ho gayi,

Be-chain rakhne waale pareshaan hon khud na kyun,
Aakhir ko teri zulf meri raat ho gayi,

Jhoola jhulaayen chal ke haseenon ko baagh mein,
Gujraat mein suna hai ke barsaat ho gayi,

Kya fayeda ab 'Akhtar' agar paarsa bane,
Jab saari umr nazr-e-kharabaat ho gayi.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____

Talaafi-e-mafaat = rectifying mistakes,
Nazr-e-kharabaat = offering to those ruined,
Peer-e-kharabaat = owner of ruined,

Un Ras Bhari Aankhon Mein Haya Khel Rahi Hai

Un ras bhari aankhon mein haya khel rahi hai,
Do zahar ke pyalon pe qaza khel rahi hai,

Hain nargis-o-gul kis liye mas'hoor-e-tamasha,
Gulshan mein koi shokh ada khel rahi hai,

Us bazm mein jaayen to ye kahti hain adaa'en,
Kyun aaye ho, kya sar pe qaza khel rahi hai,

Us chashm-e-siyah mast pe gesu hain pareshaan,
May-khane pe ghanghor ghata khel rahi hai,

Bad-masti mein tum ne unhein kya kah diya 'Akhtar',
Kyun shokh-nigaahon mein haya khel rahi hai.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____
Mas'hoor-e-tamasha = enchanted,spellbound by spectacle,

Un Ko Bulayen Aur Wo Na Aayen To Kya Karen

Un ko bulayen aur wo na aayen to kya karen,
Bekaar jaayen apni duayen to kya karen,

Ek zohra-wash hai aankh ke pardon mein jalwagar,
Nazron mein aasman na samayen to kya karen,

Maana ke sab ke saamne milne se hai hijaab,
Lekin wo khwab mein bhi na aayen to kya karen,

Hum laakh qasmein khaayen na milne ki sab ghalat,
Wo door hi se dil ko lubhayen to kya karen,

Bad-qismaton ka yaad na karne pe hai ye haal,
Allah agar wo yaad hi aayen to kya karen,

Naaseh humari tauba mein kuchh shak nahin magar,
Shaana hilayen aa ke ghatayen to kya karen,

May-khana door raasta tareek hum mareez,
Munh pher dein udhar jo hawayen to kya karen,

Raaton ke dil mein yaad basayen kisi ki hum,
'Akhtar' haram mein wo na bulayen to kya karen.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"

Umr Bhar Ki Talkh Bedaari Ka Samaa'n Ho Gayin

Umr bhar ki talkh bedaari ka samaa'n ho gayin,
Haye wo raatein ke jo khwab-e-paresha'n ho gayin,

Main fida us chaand se chehre pe jis ke noor se,
Mere khwabon ki faza'en yusufista'n ho gayin,

Umr bhar kam-bakht ko phir neend aa sakti nahin,
Jis ki aankhon par teri zulfein paresha'n ho gayin,

Dil ke pardon mein thin jo jo hasratein parda-nasheen,
Aaj wo aankhon mein aansu ban ke uryaa'n ho gayin,

Kuchh tujhe bhi hai KHabar o sone waale naaz se,
Meri raatein lut gayin neendein paresha'n ho gayin,

Haye wo mayoosiyon mein meri ummidon ka rang,
Jo sitaron ki tarah uth uth ke pinhaa'n ho gayin,

Bas karo o meri rone waali aankhon bas karo,
Ab to apne zulm par wo bhi pashemaa'n ho gayin,

Aah wo din jo na aaye phir guzar jaane ke baad,
Haye wo raatein ke jo khwab-e-paresha'n ho gayin,

Gulshan-e-dil mein kahaan 'Akhtar' wo rang-e-nau-bahaar,
Aarzuein chand kaliyaan thin paresha'n ho gayin.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____

Khwab-e-paresha'n = a dreadful dream,
Yusufista'n = imaginary city of Joseph-like, beautiful people,
Uryaa'n = naked, bare, Nude,
Pinhaa'n = concealed, hidden,

Tamannaon Ko Zinda Aarzuon Ko Jawaan Kar Lun

Tamannaon ko zinda aarzuon ko jawaan kar lun,
Ye sharmeeli nazar kah de to kuchh gustakhiyan kar lun,

Bahaar aai hai bulbul dard-e-dil kahti hai phoolon se,
Kaho to main bhi apna dard-e-dil tum se bayaan kar lun,

Hazaron shokh armaan le rahe hain chutkiyan dil mein,
Haya un ki ijazat de to kuchh bebakiyan kar lun,

Koi surat to ho duniya-e-faani mein bahalne ki,
Thehar ja ai jawani maatam-e-umr-e-rawa'n kar lun,

Chaman mein hain baham parwana o shama o gul o bulbul,
Ijazat ho to main bhi haal-e-dil apna bayaan kar lun,

Kise maloom kab kis waqt kis par gir pade bijli,
Abhi se main chaman mein chal kar aabaad aashiyan kar lun,

Bar aayen hasratein kya kya agar maut itni fursat de,
Ke ek baar aur zinda shewa-e-ishq-e-jawaan kar lun,

Mujhe donon jahaan mein ek wo mil jaayen gar 'Akhtar',
To apni hasraton ko be-niyaz-e-do-jahaan kar lun.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"

Sama Kar Dil Mein Nazron Se Nihaa'n Hai

Sama kar dil mein nazron se nihaa'n hai,
Mujhe yaad aane waale tu kahaan hai,

Khudaai kahkashan kahti hai jis ko,
Wo azra ka khiraam-e-raegaa'n hai,

Andhere baadalon se poochh zahid,
Meri khoi hui tauba kahaan hai,

Ye kis ne pyaar ki nazron se dekha,
Ke mere dil ki duniya phir jawaa'n hai,

Jawani raegaa'n jaaye to achchha,
Jawani ek khwaab-e-raegaa'n hai.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"

Nik'hat-e-zulf Se Neendon Ko Basa De Aa Kar

Nik'hat-e-zulf se neendon ko basa de aa kar,
Meri jaagi hui raaton ko sula de aa kar,

Fikr-e-farda o ghum-e-dosh bhula de aa kar,
Phir usi naaz se deewana bana de aa kar,

Ishq ko naghma-e-ummid suna de aa kar,
Dil ki soi hui qismat ko jaga de aa kar,

Kis qadar teera o tareek hai duniya-e-hayat,
Jalwa-e-husn se ek shama jala de aa kar,

Ishq ki chandni raatein mujhe yaad aati hain,
Umr-e-rafta ko meri mujh se mila de aa kar,

Zindagi ban ke mere dil mein sama ja salma,
Maut ek parda hai ye parda utha de aa kar,

Aag si dil mein laga jaata hai tera har khat,
Aa mere khirman-e-hasti ko jala de aa kar,

Teri furqat mein mere sheyr hain kitne ghumgeen,
Muskuraati hui nazron se hansa de aa kar,

Phir wahi hum hon wahi din hon wahi raatein hon,
Ahd-e-rafta ko phir aaina dikha de aa kar,

Shauq-e-nadeeda mein lazzat hai magar naaz nahin,
Aa mere ishq ko maghroor bana de aa kar,

Shab-e-furqat pe meri hanste hain ai khanda-e-noor,
Mere qadmon pe sitaron ko gira de aa kar,

Tishna-e-husn hun ai saaqi-may-khana-e-husn,
Apne honthon se phir ek jaam pila de aa kar,

Kab talak raunaq-e-shaam-e-awadh ai mah-e-rawaa'n,
Shaam-e-lahore ko bhi subah bana de aa kar,

Ho chuki sair-e-bahaaran-kada-e-qaisar-baagh,
Baagh-e-lawrence mein bhi phool khila de aa kar,

Gomti dekh chuki jalwa-e-aariz ki bahaar,
Satah-e-raawi ko bhi aaina bana de aa kar,

Tera rumaan naya khwaab hai 'Akhtar' ke liye,
Aa aur is khwaab ki tabeer bata de aa kar.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____
Nik'hat-e-zulf = fragrance of tresses,
Fikr-e-farda = worry of tomorrow,
Ghum-e-dosh = sorrow of last night,
Khirman-e-hasti = Harvest; heap, stack, or rick of unthreshed corn of life,
Shauq-e-nadeeda = desire for unseen,
Khanda-e-noor = laughter of light,

Na Wo Khizaa'n Rahi Baaqi, Na Wo Bahaar Rahi

Na wo khizaa'n rahi baaqi, na wo bahaar rahi,
Rahi to meri kahaani hi yaadgar rahi,

Wahi nazar hai nazar jo ba'in-hama pasti,
Sitara-geer rahi kahkashan shikaar rahi,

Shab-e-bahaar mein taaron se khelne waale,
Kisi ki aankh bhi shab bhar sitara-baar rahi,

Tamaam umr raha garche main tahi-pahlu,
Basi hui mere pahlu mein bu-e-yaar rahi,

Koi azeez na thehra humare dafn ke baad,
Rahi jo paas to shama sar-e-mazaar rahi,

Wo phool hun jo khila ho khizaa'n ke mausam mein,
Tamaam umr mujhe hasrat-e-bahaar rahi,

Kabhi na bhoolengi us shab ki lazzatein 'Akhtar',
Ke mere seene pe wo zulf-e-mushk-baar rahi.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____

Ba'in-hama = with everything,
Pasti = lowness,
Sitara-geer = attracting/catcher of star,
Sitara-baar = starry,
Tahi-pahlu = empty sides,
Zulf-e-mushk-baar = tresses perfumed with saffron,

Na Chhed Zaahid-e-nadaan Sharab Peene De

Na chhed zaahid-e-nadaan sharab peene de,
Sharab peene de khana-kharab peene de,

Abhi se apni nasihat ka zahar de na mujhe,
Abhi to peene de aur be-hisaab peene de,

Main jaanta hun chhalakta hua gunah hai ye,
Tu is gunah ko be-ehtisaab peene de,

Phir aisa waqt kahaan hum kahaan sharab kahaan,
Tilism-e-dahr hai naqsh-e-bar-aab peene de,

Mere dimagh ki duniya ka aaftab hai ye,
Mila ke barf mein ye aaftab peene de,

Kisi haseena ke boso'n ke qaabil ab na rahe,
To in labo'n se hamesha sharab peene de,

Samajh ke us ko ghafoor-ur-raheem peeta hun,
Na chhed zikr-e-azaab-o-sawaab peene de,

Jo rooh ho chuki ek baar daagh-daar meri,
To aur hone de lekin sharab peene de,

Sharab-khane mein ye shor kyun machaya hai,
Khamosh 'Akhtar'-e-khana-kharab, peene de.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____

Zaahid-e-nadaan = ignorant preacher,
Be-ehtisaab = uninhibited,

Na Bhool Kar Bhi Tamanna-e-rang-o-bu Karte

Na bhool kar bhi tamanna-e-rang-o-bu karte,
Chaman ke phool agar teri aarzu karte,

Janaab-e-shaikh pahunch jaate hauz-e-kausar tak,
Agar sharaab se may-khane mein wazu karte,

Masarrat aah tu basti hai kin sitaaron mein,
Zameen pe umr hui teri justuju karte,

Ayaagh-e-baada mein aa kar wo khud chhalak padta,
Gar us ke mast zara aur haao hu karte,

Unhein mafar na tha iqraar-e-ishq se lekin,
Haya ko zid thi ki wo paas-e-aabru karte,

Pukaar uthta wo aa kar dilon ki dhadkan mein,
Hum apne seene mein gar us ki justuju karte,

Ghum-e-zamana ne majboor kar diya warna,
Ye aarzu thi ki bas teri aarzu karte,

Giraa'n tha saaqi-e-dauraa'n pe ek saaghar bhi,
To kis ummid pe hum khwahish-e-subu karte,

Junoon-e-ishq ki taseer to ye thi 'Akhtar',
Ke hum nahin wo khud izhaar-e-arzu karte.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____

Ayaagh-e-baada = cup of wine,
Mafar = escape/ run away,
Paas-e-aabru = care for dignity,
Giraa'n = unpleasant/ dear, costly,
Saaqi-e-dauraa'n = cup-bearer of times,
Khwahish-e-subu = desire for wine,

Mohabbat Ki Duniya Mein Mashhoor Kar Dun

Mohabbat ki duniya mein mashhoor kar dun,
Meri sada-dil tujh ko maghroor kar dun,

Tere dil ko milne ki khud aarzu ho,
Tujhe is qadar ghum se ranjoor kar dun,

Mujhe zindagi door rakhti hai tujh se,
Jo tu paas ho to use door kar dun,

Mohabbat ke iqraar se sharm kab tak,
Kabhi saamna ho to majboor kar dun,

Mere dil mein hai shola-e-husn raqsaa'n,
Main chaahun to har zarre ko toor kar dun,

Ye be-rangiyaan kab tak ai husn-e-rangeen,
Idhar aa tujhe ishq mein choor kar dun,

Tu gar saamne ho to main be-khudi mein,
Sitaaron ko sajde pe majboor kar dun,

Siyah-khana-e-ghum hai saaqi zamana,
Bas ek jaam aur noor hi noor kar dun,

Nahin zindagi ko wafa warna 'Akhtar',
Mohabbat se duniya ko maamoor kar dun.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____

Siyah-khana-e-ghum = dark chamber of sorrow,
Maamoor = ordered, commanded, deter-mined,

Meri Shaam-e-ghum Ko Wo Bahla Rahe Hain

Meri shaam-e-ghum ko wo bahla rahe hain,
Likha hai ye khat mein ke hum aa rahe hain,

Thehar ja zara aur ai dard-e-furqat,
Humare tasawwur mein wo aa rahe hain,

Ghum-e-aaqibat hai na fikr-e-zamana,
Piye ja rahe hain jiye ja rahe hain,

Nahin shikwa-e-tishnagi may-kashon ko,
Wo aankhon se may-khane barsa rahe hain,

Wo rashk-e-bahaar aane waala hai 'Akhtar',
Kanwal hasraton ke khile ja rahe hain.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____

Rashk-e-bahaar = envoy of spring,
Ghum-e-aaqibat = conclusion of sorrow /end of sorrow,

Meri Aankhon Se Zaahir Khun-fishaani Ab Bhi Hoti Hai

Meri aankhon se zaahir khun-fishaani ab bhi hoti hai,
Nigaahon se bayaan dil ki kahaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Suroor-ara sharaab-e-arghawani ab bhi hoti hai,
Mere qadmon mein duniya ki jawaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Koi jhonka to laati ai naseem atraaf-e-kan'aan tak,
Sawaad-e-misr mein ambar-fishaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Wo shab ko mushk-bu pardon mein chhup kar aa hi jaate hain,
Mere khwabon par un ki mehrbaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Kahin se haath aa jaaye to hum ko bhi koi la de,
Suna hai is jahaan mein shadmaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Hilaal o badr ke naqshe sabaq dete hain insaan ko,
Ke nakaami bina-e-kaamraani ab bhi hoti hai,

Kahin aghyaar ke khwabon mein chhup chhup kar na jaate hon,
Wo pahlu mein hain lekin bad-gumaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Samajhta hai shikast-e-tauba ashk-e-tauba ko zaahid,
Meri aankhon ki rangat arghwaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Wo barsaatein wo baatein wo mulaqatein kahaan humdam,
Watan ki raat hone ko suhaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Khafa hain phir bhi aa kar chhed jaate hain tasawwur mein,
Humare haal par kuchh mehrbaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Zabaan hi mein na ho taseer to main kya karun naaseh,
Teri baaton se paida sargiraani ab bhi hoti hai,

Tumhaare gesuon ki chhanw mein ek raat guzri thi,
Sitaaron ki zabaan par ye kahaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Pas-e-tauba bhi pi lete hain jaam-e-ghuncha-o-gul se,
Bahaaron mein junoon ki mehmaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Koi khush ho meri mayoosiyan fariyaad karti hain,
Ilahi kya jahaan mein shadmaani ab bhi hoti hai,

Buto'n ko kar diya tha jis ne majboor-e-sukhan 'Akhtar',
Labo'n par wo nawa-e-aasmaani ab bhi hoti hai.!!

"Akhtar Shirani"
_____

Sharaab-e-arghwaani = crimson, purplish wine made from cercis/red bud,
Atraaf-e-kan'aan = around city kanaan,
Sawaad-e-misr = relish, enjoyment, of Egypt,
Ambar-fishaani = spraying amber, ambergris,
Mushk-bu = like the smell of musk,
Shadmaani = happiness,
Hilaal = the new moon,
Badr = full moon,
Bina-e-kaamraani = foundation of success,
Arghwaani = purple,
Sargiraani = bundle of worries and troubles,
Nawa-e-aasmaani = celestial voice,