This Blog is a humble Tribute to the Legendary Indian Playback Singer, Mohammed Rafi (1924-1980) whose songs continue to attract the older and the newer generations day by day. This Blog transliterates and translates his Solo Songs into English for wider appreciation. The Blog will also publish posts on his life and times, and other topics.
Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:
Waah re zamaane, kyaa rangg dikhaaye, FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!
Waah re zamaane, kyaa rangg dikhaaye, FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!
Pal me.n ha.nsaaye, pal me.n rulaaye, MAKING US LAUGH ONE MOMENT; THE OTHER MOMENT,MAKING US WEEP,
Kyaa rangg dikaaye, WHAT FICKLENESS!
Waah re zamaane, kyaa rangg dikhaaye... FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!
Mohabbat ka nannaah, diyaa TimTimaayaa, A LITTLE LAMP OF LOVE FLICKERED,
Pehle hee jho.nke ne, aakar bujhaayaa, THE VERY FIRST GUST CAME, EXTINGUISHING IT,
Aa.nkho.n me.n taareekee dil me.n andheraa, BLINDNESS IN THE EYES, DARKNESS IN THE HEART,
Aa.nkho.n me.n, taareekee dil me.n andheraa, BLINDNESS IN THE EYES, DARKNESS IN THE HEART,
Pag pag Thokar khaaye STUMBLING AT EVERY STEP,
Pag pag, Thokar khaaye, STUMBLING AT EVERY STEP,
Kyaa ranggg dikhaaye, WHAT FICKLENESS!
Waah re zamaane, kyaa rangg dikhaaye.. FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!
Haatho.n kee me.nhdee ko dekhe suhaagan, THE NEWLY WED LOOKS AT THE HENNA-ADORNED HANDS,
Haatho.n kee me.nhdee ko, dekhe suhaagan, THE NEWLY WED LOOKS AT THE HENNA-ADORNED HANDS,
Aa.nkho.n men aa.nsoo, soona hai aangan, TEARS IN THE EYES; DESERTED IS THE COURTYARD,
Aa.nkho.n men aa.nsoo, soona hai aangan, TEARS IN THE EYES; DESERTED IS THE COURTYARD,
Khusheeyo.n ke din, toh beet chuke hai.n, THE DAYS OF HAPPINESS ARE OVER,
Khusheeyo.n ke din, toh beet chuke hai.n THE DAYS OF HAPPINESS ARE OVER,
Reh gaye haay, haay BEWAILMENT REMAINS!
Kyaa rangg dikhaaye, WHAT FICKLENESS!
Waah re zamaane, kyaa rang dikhaaye, FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!
Pal me.n hansaaye, pal men rulaaye MAKING US LAUGH ONE MOMENT; THE OTHER MOMENT,MAKING US WEEP,
Kyaa ranggg dikhaaye, WHAT FICKLENESS!
Waah re zamaane, kyaa rang dikhaaye, FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!
NASIR
We are all of us, in this world, more or less like St. January, whom the inhabitants of Naples worship one day, and pelt with baked apples the next. - Madame Anne Sophie Swetchine (Soimonoff)
Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Hindi Lyrics:
doh vidaa doh praan mujh ko GIVE O GIVE ME LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa doh praan, GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa doh praan, GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa doh praan mujh ko GIVE O GIVE ME LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa doh praan, GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa doh praan.. GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE…
aaj se hoon main hoon teraa, pardes waasee meet, FROM TODAY MY FRIEND, I’M AN ALIEN FOR YOU,
sur ke taro.n par bajegaa praan kaa sangeet, THE MUSIC OF LIFE WILL PLAY ON THE KEY STRINGS,
sun sako voh raag toh, jhankar apnee jhilmilaane IF YOU HAPPEN TO HEAR THAT NOTE, FLASH YOUR STRINGS,
sun sako voh raag toh, jhankar apnee jhilmilaane IF YOU HAPPEN TO HEAR THAT NOTE, FLASH YOUR STRINGS,
doh vidaa doh praan mujh ko GIVE O GIVE ME LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa doh praan, GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa doh praan.. GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE…
neh se bharpoor hain hamm, aa.nhhh FULL OF TENDERNESS ARE WE,
neh se bharpoor hain hamm, FULL OF TENDERNESS ARE WE,
phir kaho, kab duur hain hamm, THEN TELL ME, HOW CAN WE BE APART!
phir kaho, kab duur hain hamm, THEN TELL ME, HOW CAN WE BE APART!
yaad main aaoo.n tumeh toh, dheer naa apna gawaana, WHEN I RECUR TO YOUR MEMORY, DON’T LOSE YOUR PATIENCE,
yaad main aaoo.n tumeh toh, dheer naa apna gawaana, WHEN I RECUR TO YOUR MEMORY, DON’T LOSE YOUR PATIENCE,
doh vidaa doh praan mujh ko GIVE O GIVE ME LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa doh praan, GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa doh praan.. GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE…
sach naheen toh jhoot bhee kab hain hamaaare, madhur sapne IF OUR SWEET DREAMS MAY NOT BE TRUE, YET THEY AREN’T FALSE,
phool me.n ha.ns nit jharo.n me.n beh rahe.n hain pyaar apne, OUR LOVE LAUGHS IN FLOWERS, FLOWS IN CASCADES ETERNALLY,
aa.nsuuo.n ko pee ke saathee, moteeo.n me.n muskurunaa, BY DRINKING THE TEARS, KEEP ON SMILING IN PEARLS MATE,
aa.nsuuo.n ko pee ke saathee, moteeo.n me.n muskurunaa, BY DRINKING THE TEARS, KEEP ON SMILING IN PEARLS MATE,
doh vida doh praan mujh ko, GIVE O GIVE ME LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa, doh praan GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa doh praan, GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,
doh vidaa doh praan. GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE.
NASIR.
If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with. - Michael Jackson
Kaee yahaa.n khoye.nge, MANY WILL LOSE THEMSELVES HERE,
kaee yahaa.n paaye.nge, MANY WILL FIND THEMSELVES HERE,
raahee~~, TRAVELLER....,
kaee abhee jaaye.nge, MANY WILL NOW BE GOING,
kaee abhee aaye.nge, MANY WILL NOW BE COMING,
O~~~.. raahi O TRAVELLER!
kaee abhee jaaye.nge~~~~ MANY WILL NOW BE GOING....
kaee abhee aayenge~~~~ MANY WILL NOW BY COMING...
raahee~~ o.. raahee. TRAVELLER O TRAVELLER,
NASIR
A Himalayan trek is a metaphor for life itself. On a trek we are searching for a majestic peak or high plateau, a beautiful stream or waterfall, or a shrine or monastery. The destination or goal serves to quench our thirst, our desire. It provides a short respite from the rigors of the trail, a brief "One Night's Shelter." Then we have to descend, move on. We cannot stay there. Yogavacara Rahula – Traversing the Great Himalayas.
Rafi Sahaab singing so soothingly about Sadness of Separation, and the Eternal Love and Hope of Meeting the beloved again in some Rebirth: O Goree Laakhon Janam Se...
Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:
ho~~~ho~~~~ho~~~~~
O~~~ Goree, laakho.n janam se, O FAIR ONE, SINCE MILLION REBIRTHS
Dor teree bandhan kee, uljhee hai hamse, YOUR TYING OF THE KNOT IS INVOLVED WITH US,
Raam kare phir ho, hamraa milanwaa, MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!
Raam kare, phir ho hamraa milanwaa... MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!
O~~~ Goree, laakho.n janam se, O FAIR ONE, SINCE MILLION REBIRTHS
Dor tere bandhan kee, uljhee hai hamse, YOUR TYING OF THE KNOT IS INVOLVED WITH US,
Raam kare phir ho, hamraa milanwaa, MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!
Raam kare phir ho, hamraa milanwaa... MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!
Ho~
Tere mere jeevan kee, ek kahaanee THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE AND MINE IS ONE,
Tere mere, jeevan kee, ek kahaanee, THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE AND MINE IS ONE,
Palko.n me.n nayn jaise, nayno.n me.n paanee, LIKE THE EYES IN THE EYE-LIDS; THE TEARS IN THE EYES,
Tere mere jeevan kee, ek kahanee, THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE AND MINE IS ONE,
Palko.n me.n nayn jaise, nayno.n me.n paanee, THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE AND MINE IS ONE,
Chaahe jag chooTe naa TooTe, preet puraanee, THE WORLD BE RELINQUISHED, BUT NOT THE OLD-STANDING LOVE,
Ho~~~ Gori, laakho.n janam se, O FAIR ONE, SINCE MILLION REBIRTHS
Dor tere bandhan kee, uljhee hai hamse, YOUR TYING OF THE KNOT IS INVOLVED WITH US,
Raam kare phir ho, hamraa milanwaa, MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!
Raam kare, phir ho hamraa milanwaa... MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!
Kaisaa naseeb ne yeh, khel rachaayaa WHAT A GAME THE FATE HAS CONTRIVED!
Kaisaa, naseeb ne yeh, khel rachaayaa, WHAT A GAME THE FATE HAS CONTRIVED!
Pyaar toh paaya teraa, sangg naa paayaa, I GOT YOUR LOVE, NOT YOUR TOGETHERNESS,
Kaisaa naseeb ne yeh, khel rachaayaa, WHAT A GAME THE FATE HAS CONTRIVED!
Pyaar toh paaya teraa, sangg naa paayaa, I GOT YOUR LOVE, NOT YOUR TOGETHERNESS,
aa.nsuuo.n me.n rehtee hai ab, teree hee chhaayaa, ‘TIS YOUR REFLECTION THAT NOW DWELLS AMONG THE TEARS,
O~~~~ Gori, laakho.n janam se, O FAIR ONE, SINCE MILLION REBIRTHS
Dor tere bandhan kee, uljhee hai hamse, YOUR TYING OF THE KNOT IS INVOLVED WITH US,
Raam kare phir ho, hamraa milanwaa, MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!
Raam kare, phir ho hamraa milanwaa... MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!
Ho~~~~ho~~~~~ho~~~~~
NASIR
Ye flowers that drop, forsaken by the spring, Ye birds that, left by summer, cease to sing, Ye trees that fade, when Autumn heats remove, Say, is not absence death to those who love? ~Alexander Pope
Rafi Sahaab's Gem of a parting gift: Koee Belee Naa Saathee...
Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:
Koee, belee naa saathee THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NOR COMPANION,
Bujhee, aas kee bateee, THE WICK OF HOPE IS EXTINGUISHED,
luTaa sapno.n kaa, sarmaayaa, THE DREAMS’ CAPITAL HAS BEEN ROBBED,
teree dunyaa se Daataa, O BESTOWER, WITH YOUR WORLD
TooTaa har ik naata, ALL RELATIONS HAVE BEEN SEVERED,
Mujhe jeenaa, raas naa aayaa, LIFE DID NOT SUIT ME,
Koee, belee naa saathee THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,
Bujhee, aas kee batee... THE WICK OF HOPE IS EXTINGUISHED...
aa.nsoo jisko, dho naa paaye, THAT WHICH THE TEARS WERE UNABLE TO WASH AWAY,
daaman me.n woh, daagh chhupaaye, THAT STAIN, HIDDEN AS IT IS IN MY LAP,
aa.nsoo jisko, dho naa paaye, THAT WHICH THE TEARS WERE UNABLE TO WASH AWAY,
daaman me.n woh, daagh chhupaaye, THAT STAIN - HIDDEN AS IT IS IN MY LAP,
daaman me.n woh, daagh chhupaaye, THAT STAIN - HIDDEN AS IT IS IN MY LAP,
dil jalta rahegaa, THE HEART WILL KEEP ON BURNING,
aur palta rahegaa, mere seene me.n, dard paraayaa, AND IN MY BREAST THE PAIN OF OTHERS WILL KEEP ON THRIVING,
Koee, belee naa saathee THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,
Koee, belee naa saathee... THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,
Raah naa jaane, meraa Thikaanaa, THE PATH KNOWS NOT MY DESTINATION,
Dard kahe tuu, chalte jaanaa, THE PAIN SAYS, “KEEP ON GOING”,
Raah naa jaane, meraa Thikaanaa, THE PATH KNOWS NOT MY DESTINATION,
Dard kahe tuu, chalte jaanaa, THE PAIN SAYS, “KEEP ON GOING”,
Dard kahe tuu, chalte jaanaa, THE PAIN SAYS, “KEEP ON GOING”,
Sang apno.n kaa chhooTaa, LOST MY NEAR AND DEAR ONES,
Taqdeer ne luTaa, THE FATE BURGLED ME,
Sukh chheene, Khoon rulaayaa SNATCHED MY JOYS, MADE ME SHED BLOODY TEARS,
Koee, belee naa saathee THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,
Bujhee, aas kee bateee, THE WICK OF HOPE GOT EXTINGUISHED,
luTaa sapno.n ka sarmaayaa, THE DREAMS’ CAPITAL HAS BEEN ROBBED,
teree dunyaa se Daataa, O BESTOWER, WITH YOUR WORLD
TooTaa har Ik naataa, ALL RELATIONS HAVE BEEN SEVERED,
mujhe jeenaa, raas naa aayaa LIFE DIDN’T SUIT ME,
koee, belee na saathee THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,
koee, belee na saathee THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,
koee , belee na saathee. THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,
NASIR
If you have no friends to share or rejoice in your success in life -- if you cannot look back to those whom you owe gratitude, or forward to those to whom you ought to afford protection, still it is no less incumbent on you to move steadily in the path of duty; for your active excretions are due not only to society; but in humble gratitude to the Being who made you a member of it, with powers to save yourself and others. SIR WALTER SCOTT
Rafi Sahaab sings of anxiety, broken heart, physical destruction, calamitous affects of being stricken with passionate love, in a style that only he could sing in: Ishq Ne Todee Sar Pe Qayamat....
Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu Lyrics of Jigar Moradabadi:
Ishq ne to.dee, sar pe qayaamat, THE PASSIONATE LOVE HAS UNLEASHED OPPRESSION,
Zor-e-qayaamat, kyaa kahiye, THE OPPRESSIVE POWER – WHAT TO SAY!
Sun-ne waala, koee nahee.n, NO ONE TO HEAR...
Rudaade muhabbat, kyaa kahiye, THE LOVE STORY - WHAT TO SAY!
Rudaade muhabbat, kyaa..., kahiye... THE LOVE STORY - WHAT TO SAY!
Dil hai kisee kaa, raaz-e-haqeeqat, SOMEONE’S HEART IS IN ESSENCE A MYSTERY ,
Raaz-e-haqeeqat kyaa kahiye, THE MYSTERIOUS ESSENCE – WHAT TO SAY!
Hairat se jalwaa, mohar ballabh hai, WITH ASTONISHMENT THE DISPLAY IS SEALED WITH THE DESIRE,
Jalwaa-e-hairat kyaa kahiye. THE ASTONISHING DISPLAY - WHAT TO SAY!
Jab se usne, pher lee.n nazre.n, FROM THE TIME SHE AVERTED HER EYES,
Dil kee haalat, kyaa kahiye, THE HEART’S CONDITION - WHAT TO SAY!
Ek tajallee, ek tabassum, ek nigaah-e- bandanawaaz. A MANIFESTATION, A SMILE, A PATRONISING GLANCE,
Is se ziyaadah, ay ghame jaanaa.n, MORE THAN THIS, O ANXIOUS FOR BELOVED,
Dil kee qeemat, kyaa kahiye, THE HEART’S WORTH - WHAT TO SAY!
Kyaa kahiye, kyaa kahiye, WHAT TO SAY, WHAT TO SAY!
Sheeshaa-e-dil woh, hastee-e-naazuk, THE FRAGILE HEART, THAT DELICATE BEING,
Thes lagee aur, TooT gayaa, GOT SHATTERED ON RECEIVING A KNOCK,
TooT gayaa, GOT SHATTERED,
Uspe kisee ke, teer-e-sitam kee, ON TOP OF THAT, SOMEONE’S OPPRESIVE DART’S
mashq-e-siyaasat kyaa kahiye, TORTUROUS PRACTICE - WHAT TO SAY!
Mashq-e-siyaasat, kyaa kahiye. THE TORTUROUS PRACTICE, WHAT TO SAY!
NASIR.
“Neither love nor fire can subsist without perpetual motion; both cease to live so soon as they cease to hope, or to fear.” – Francois de la Rochefoucauld
Movie: BIN MAA KE BACHCHE (1981) Lyrics: S.H. Bihari Music: O.P. Nayyar
Rafi Sahaab’s another sad and beautiful ‘bidayee’ song: Chho.d Baabul Ka Ghar Aangana...
Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:
Jahaa.n bachpan bitaayaa aaj voh, aangan paraaya hai, THE COURTYARD WHERE THE CHILDHOOD PASSED, IS SOMEONE ELSE’S TODAY,
Chalee beTee toh kyaa ronaa, WHY WEEP IF THE DAUGHTER GOES,
ke beTee dhan parayaa hai, ‘CAUSE DAUGHTER’S THE WEALTH THAT BELONGS TO ANOTHER.
Ke beTee, dhan parayaa hai... ‘CAUSE DAUGHTER’S THE WEALTH THAT BELONGS TO ANOTHER....
Chho.d baabul ka ghar, aangana, LEAVING THE FATHER’S HOUSE, THE COURTYARD,
Aaj Doleee chalee, THE ‘DOLI’ LEAVES TODAY,
Doleee leke chale, saajnaa, THE HUSBAND LEADS THE ‘DOLI’,
Kaun roke sakhee, NO COMPANION WILL RESTRAIN,
Chho.d baabul ka ghar, aangana... LEAVING THE FATHER’S HOUSE, THE COURTYARD...
Kaisaa dunya kaa, dastoor hai, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS CUSTOM!
Chho.d jaane pe, majboor hai, TO LEAVE IS A COMPULSION,
Maa ke dil kalee, THE BUD OF HER MOTHER’S HEART,
Baap kee laa.dlee, HER FATHER’S DARLING
Rote rote bhayee, baawree, HAS GONE CRAZY BY ALL THAT WEEPING!
Chho.d baabul ka ghar, aangana, LEAVING THE FATHER’S HOUSE, THE COURTYARD,
Aaj Dolee chalee, GOES THE ‘DOLI’ TODAY,
Doleee leke chale saajnaa, THE HUSBAND LEADS THE ‘DOLI’,
Kaun roke sakhee, NO COMPANION WILL RESTRAIN,
Chho.d baabul ka ghar, aanganaa... LEAVING THE FATHER’S HOUSE, THE COURTYARD...
Laa.dlee tuu, jahaa.n bhee rahe, WHEREVER YOU STAY SWEETHEART,
Saaraa jeevan, khushee me.n kaTe, MAY ALL YOUR LIFE PASS IN HAPPINESS,
Gham hee gham hai mujhe, I’M GOING THROUGH GRIEF AND SORROW,
Doo.n toh kyaa doo.n tujhe, WHAT TO GIVE YOU IF I’VE TO?
Saath le jaa duaaye.n mereee. TAKE AWAY MY BLESINGS WITH YOU.
Chho.d babul ka ghar, aangana, LEAVING THE FATHER’S HOUSE, THE COURTYARD,
Aaj Dolee chalee, GOES THE ‘DOLI’ TODAY,
Doleee leke chale, saajnaa, THE HUSBAND LEADS THE ‘DOLI’,
Kaun roke sakhee, NO COMPANION WILL RESTRAIN,
Doleee leke chale saajnaa... THE HUSBAND LEADS THE ‘DOLI’...
NASIR.
Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express.” - Joseph Addison.
Movie: RAJPUT (1982)
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi (written before his daughters got married)
Comments: Doli ("dooley" in archaic British English) is a Sedan Chair used in India to send brides to her husband's home just after the weddings - a custom that has now dwindled.
Rafi Sahaab’s another sad but beautiful, ‘Bidaayee’ song: Dolee....
Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:
Doleee, ho Doleee, ho Doleee Doleee, ho Doleee,
DOLI O DOLI, O DOLI...DOLI , O DOLI,
Jab jab guzree, tuu is dagar se,
WHENEVER YOU PASSED BY THIS WAY
Bichha.daa koee, hammjolee
SOME PARTNER GOT SEPARATED,
Doleee, ho Doleee, ho Dolee Dolee, ho Dolee...
DOLI O DOLI, O DOLI..DOLI O DOLI...
tuu kyaa jaane, kaun suhaagan,
WHAT DO YOU KNOW WHO’S A BLESSED WIFE?
tuu kyaa jaane, kaun suhaagan,
WHAT DO YOU KNOW WHO’S A BLESSED WIFE?
tuu kyaa jaane, kaun abhaagan,
WHAT DO YOU KNOW WHO’S AN UNFORTUNATE WOMAN?
jo baithaa bas, usko uthaayaa,
WHOEVER SAT, THAT WAS IT! PICKING HER UP
apne raste, ho lee
YOU WENT YOUR WAY,
Dolee, oh Doleee, oh Doleee Doleee, oh Doleee....
DOLI O DOLI, O DOLI..DOLI O DOLI...
ik aangan tuu, phulwaa baaTe.n,
IN ONE COURTYARD YOU DISTRIBUTE FLOWERS,
ik aangan bikhraaye, kaante.n,
IN ONE COURTYARD THE THORNS YOU STREW,
tere aage, peechhe dukh sukh,
AT YOUR BIDDINGS THE PAIN AND PLEASURE
khele aankh, micholee,
PLAY HIDE AND SEEK,
Dolee oh Doleee, oh Dolee Dolee, oh Dolee,
DOLI O DOLI, O DOLI..DOLI O DOLI....
jag me.n aisaa, kyu.n hotaa hai,.
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN LIKE THIS IN THE WORLD?
ik ha.nstaa hai, ik rotaa hai,
ONE LAUGHS, ONE WEEPS,
tujh se kitnee, baar yeh poochhaa,
HOW MANY TIMES WAS THIS ASKED OF YOU,
tuu ik baar, naa boleee
YOU DIDN’T REPLY EVEN ONCE.
Dolee, oh Dolee,
DOLI O DOLI,
jab jab guzree, tuu is dagar se,
WHENEVER YOU PASSED BY THIS WAY
bichha.daa koee, hammjolee,
SOME PARTNER GOT SEPARATED,
Doleee, oh Doleee, Dolee, oh Dolee.
DOLI O DOLI, DOLI O DOLI.
NASIR
Many people enter into marriage expecting so many things. They enter into wedlock for so many reasons. It can be a blissful institution when everything is alright. However, you will find people who entered into the marriage by force. Forced marriage is quite common than people think. It happens mainly to vulnerable people of the developing world. This is not to say that the west is immune, many girls are taken forcefully into marriage...... Forced marriage is not acceptable in the eyes of the law and religion....... From: Quotesonmarriage.Com
ek thaah diyaa, ek baatee, THERE WAS A LAMP, AND A WICK,
ek thaah diyaa - -. THERE WAS A LAMP - .
NASIR.
Marriage--yes, it is the supreme felicity of life. I concede it. And it is also the supreme tragedy of life. The deeper the love the surer the tragedy. And the more disconsolating when it comes. -Mark Twain - Letter to Father Fitz-Simon, 6/5/1908
“ISLAM STANDS FOR PEACE & RECONCILIATION,” SAYS OBAMA.
Hopes of Mumbai Muslims were raised by the overall substance in the speech made in the Great Hall of the Cairo University by the President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama, on Thursday, June 4, 2009. At least this is what appeared from the post-speech discussions organised by the American Centre in Mumbai. Those who contributed to the discussions were Muslim scholars, clerics and the common Muslims. It was generally agreed that Peace was of paramount importance, and that those who opposed peace were only the “fringe extremists,” who should be isolated, if Peace was to be given a chance. It cannot be doubted that the positive sentiments of the Mumbai Muslims are shared by all the Indian Muslims as well as the Arabs and rest of the world.
Let’s hear what Obama said at Cairo. Drawing applause at his traditional Islamic greeting of “Assalaam Alaykum”, Obama praised the City of Cairo as the city of tradition and progress. He boldly outlined the historical causes and the sweeping changes of modernity and globalisation that have led the modern Muslims to view the West as hostile to their aspirations and the tradition of Islam. According to him, it was this hostility that has been exploited to the hilt by the violent extremists who represent only a small number of minority Muslims. On the other hand, violence against the civilians by this fringe group has led some of his country-men to view Islam as ”inevitably hostile” to America, the Western countries, and the human rights. It was with the view to ending the mutual discord and suspicion, that he had come to Cairo, “to make a new beginning between United States and the Muslims round the world based on mutual respect and mutual interest”.
Obama interspersed his speech with many verses from the Holy Qur’an, some from the Bible, and one from the Talmud, drawing a huge round of applause. The koranic verses were quoted in right context, stressing that one must be God conscious and always speak the truth; that killing of one innocent person is tantamount to the killing all mankind; that saving of one person is tantamount to saving all mankind. He also spoke on the proud tradition of tolerance in Islam that he had personally read in history and seen for himself in various countries. He enumerated the achievements of the Muslims in various fields including Maths and Science, Arts and Architecture in the past that had led to the renaissance of Europe, and stated that Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds on the possibilities of tolerance and racial equality. Therefore, religious tolerance, freedom and diversity must be upheld. He categorically stated that Islam was an important part in promoting peace as against the narrow hatred of a few.
Obama stated that there were 7 million Muslims in America, who are playing important parts in enriching America. In fact, an American Muslim was elected to Congress and he took the oath to defend American by swearing on the Holy Qur’an that one of the founding fathers of America, Thomas Jefferson, used to keep in his library. He stated that education and innovation being the currency of the 21st century, America will encourage more Muslim internship and exchange programmes for Americans to study in Muslim communities, and invest in online learning. He, however, expressed the need to isolate the extremists in Muslim communities sooner, so that sooner will all the people be safe.
Obama also dwelt at length on democracy, Women’s Right and Muslim women’s education the deprivation of which was the deprivation of her right to equality. According to him, it was not right for the western countries to dictate what the Muslims should or should not wear in pursuant of their religious beliefs. According to him, having known Islam on three continents, his conviction was that partnership between America and Islam should be based on what Islam is, - and not what Islam isn’t. Therefore, it was the negative stereotypes of Islam that America is fighting against. Obama explained that just as the Muslims don’t fit into that crude stereotype, America, too, must not be viewed by the Muslims as the crude stereotype of a “self-interested empire.”
The misdeeds of the Bush regime, and the invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq on the false assumption of finding the weapons of mass destruction there, and its aftermath, must have been surely weighing on Obama’s mind. He admitted that the trauma of 9/11 had led America to act contrary to its traditions and ideals, but he was doing to set the things right and had in fact taken steps such prohibiting the use of torture by the United States, and closing down of the Guantanamo Bay by early next year. He rued the Sunni-Shia conflict in Iraq. As regards Afghanistan, he was heard saying that he does not want American troops in Afghanistan, but that since the violent extremists who perpetrated the 9/11 are unrepentant and hiding in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, and planning more attacks on a massive scale, compels the U.S. to go after them. The fact remains that the Karzai Government has not been able to deliver, and the Taliban presence pose a strong threat. Obama assured everyone that America is not, and never will be at war with Islam.
Strongly reaffirming America’s commitment that no nation holds the nuclear weapon, Obama stated that no nation should pick and choose which nation should hold the nuclear power. Specifically naming Iran, he also spoke about the nations’ right to access peaceful nuclear power, but that it was the responsibility of such nations to comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This means that Obama will pursue his policy on this front.
Regarding the Palestine issue, Obama merely pointed out the plight and persecution of the Jews down the centuries in Europe - which is, of course, not denied. He admitted that the bond between the US and Israel was unbreakable. Naturally, he never stated how out of the original Palestine the State of Israel was carved out in 1948 and the original inhabitants hounded out of their homes. With more and more Israeli settlements still coming up, this trend continues to this day, thus drastically shrinking the size of the original Palestine for the Palestinians. Now, it does not require a Pandit to tell us that the conclusions in this regard are foregone, yet it will be interesting to know what steps the U.S. will take under Obama in creation of the State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. This is one gray area where the sense of Justice and Equality, enshrined in the American constitution, is yet to see the light of the day. Besides, it is well-known that the Jewish lobby which has great clout in Capitol Hill with many known supporters in administration, will never support the creation of the home for Palestinians. Not to speak of the strong opposition by the Netanyahu Government in Israel to the pressure from the U.S. How Obama will walk his talk is anybody’s guess. Was that a soft diplomacy to brighten the image of US worldwide? But then, appreciation is in order that he has openly talked about the Palestinian State while of course pointing out Israel’s right to existence, stirring up mixed feeling in both the camps.
Though some might criticise Obama’s speech as pursuing the administration policy of telling the Muslims what Islam really means, or his reiterating the known policy on Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Arab-Israel conflicts and democracy, still all said and done, Obama’s speech has been accepted with cautious optimism in the Arab world. However, Obama has a greater chance in enhancing the reputation of America in the Muslim World, since he is not the stereotype President. What’s more, though he is a Christian, he comes from the humble Muslim background and knows a lot about the psyche of a Muslim and the world that he lives in. He has chosen to address the Muslim world, knowing that it is important to have the Muslim world on his side without whose help America can never win the war against Terror. Who knows Obama might go down in history as the first United State President who worked the miracle of bringing about an everlasting peace in the Middle East and the entire world.
Par hamesha yahaa.n, aisaa hotaa nahee.n, BUT HERE, LIKE THIS IT DOESN’T ALWAYS HAPPEN,
Sunte aaye hai.n jo, waisaa hotaa nahee.n, WHAT WE’VE BEEN HEARING ALL ALONG, LIKE THAT IT DOESN’T HAPPEN,
Ishq kee raah me.n, baarhaa yeh huwaa, IN THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE, REPEATEDLY IT HAS HAPPENED:
Ishq kee yeh duwaa, bann gayee bad-duwaa, THIS BLESSING OF LOVE INTO A CURSE TURNED,
Pyaar bichha.daa kahee.n yaar maaraa gayaa, SOMEWHERE THE BELOVED PARTED; SOMEWHERE THE LOVER GOT KILLED,
Chorus: pyaar bichha.daa kahee.n yaar maara gayaa, SOMEWHERE THE BELOVED PARTED; SOMEWHERE THE LOVER GOT KILLED,
Yaar bichha.de jahaa.n, leke tanhaaeeyaa.n, WHERE THE LOVERS PART WITH LONELINESS,
Dil pe lipTee huwee, jaltee parchhaaeeyaa.n, WITH THE BURNING SHADOWS CLINGING TO THE HEART,
Phir sulagne lage, jism ke sangg jaa.n, THEN THE SOUL BEGINS TO BURN ALONG WITH THE BODIES,
Aag aisee lage, chhaaye aisaa dhuaa.n, SUCH CONFLAGRATION OCCURS, SPREADING SUCH SMOKE
Khaak ho jaaye.n jal jal ke dono jahaa.n, THAT BOTH THE WORLDS ARE BURNT DOWN TO ASHES,
Chorus: khaak ho jaaye.n jal jal ke dono.n jahaa.n, THAT BOTH THE WORLDS ARE BURNT DOWN TO ASHES,
Dil kee bastee luTe toh, basaayee, nahee.n jaaye re, IF THE ABODE OF THE HEART IS PLUNDERED, IT CAN’T BE SET-UP,
Yeh agan, lagg jaaye toh, bujhaayee, nahee.n jaaye re.. WHEN THIS FIRE CATCHES ON, O IT CAN’T BE QUENCHED!
Laagee lag jaaye, logo.n, lagaayee nahee.n jaaye re, LOVE JUST HAPPENS, O PEOPLE ‘TIS NOT INDUCED,
Yeh agan, lagg jaaye toh, bujhaayee, nahee.n jaaye re. WHEN THIS FIRE CATCHES ON, O IT CAN’T BE QUENCHED!
NASIR
The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along. (Rumi)
“Say this is my way. I am inviting you towards God by the way of internal sight.” (12:108)
We must get to know some idea as to what we mean by the term “Spiritual Eye,” also known as the “Inward Eye,” “Eye of the Heart,” (‘Chashme Qalb’) all of which are opposed to the “Carnal Eye,” and “Material Eye”. The eyes that are visible to us are the “Material Eye,” but the sight which is the prerogative of the select few is calld the “Spiritual Eye,” as it is not commonly visible. When the Holy Qur’an says, “You perceive (it) not” (2:154) while stating that the Martyrs are alive, it is actually referring to our material eye and its inability to perceive the hidden realities which can only be seen by the spiritual eye.
In his celebrated masterpiece, IHYA ULUM ID DIN, Imam Ghazaali (Reh.) speaks of this distinction:
“When a man dies, he is removed from this material world to a world which is unknown and spiritual and it cannot be seen with this material eye.
“An eye is created within the mind of every man but it is covered by him with passions and earthly desires and nothing of the spiritual world can be seen with the eye of heart unless the screen over it is removed. As this screen is removed from the eyes of the Prophets, they can see things of the spiritual world.”
An authentic prophetic tradition in Nasaai, which is also confirmed by Haakim as genuine, states:
“Do you feel surprised at the friendship of Ibrahim with Allah, His talking with Moosa, and His being seen by Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam).”
Therefore, as the screen of earthly desires and passions was removed from the eyes of the Prophets, Ibrahim (a.s.) became ‘Khaleel Allah’ (bosom friend of Allah). Moosa (a.s.) was ‘Kalimullah’ (who spoke to Allah), and Muhammed (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) is the Messenger of Allah who has seen Allah.
The distinction between the Material Eye and the Spiritual Eye has also been alluded to by Ali bin Usman al-Hajwiri (Daata Ganje Baksh rahamatullah) in his celebrated KASHF AL MAHJUB. According to him, the the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) told Aisha (Radi Allah Anha) that he did not see Allah on the Night of Ascension whereas Ibn Abbas (Radi Allah Anhu) relates that the the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) told him that he saw Allah on that occasion. This seeming contradiction has been explained by the Awliya-Allah in terms of the “Material Eye” and the “Spiritual Eye”. He explains that in saying that he did not see Allah, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) was referring to his Material Eye. By saying that he did see Allah on that occasion, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) was referring to his Spiritual Eye. Since Aisha (R) was a Formalist (ahl-e-rusoom) and Ibn Abbas (R) was a Spiritualist (ahl-i-ma’ani) it was necessary for the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) to speak to each of them according to their insight.
This insight is also commonly known as the “Kashf” which is the station of revelation or the “unveiledness”. In order that the screen or veil be removed from the person, that person should continually be seeking the Truth and fleeing from the Falsehood. But for a person who essentially sees no difference between the Truth and the Falsehood, will never have his screen removed because he falls into the category of those whose hearts have been “sealed” by Allah.
We will now see how when the screen is not removed, it leads to blindness of the heart which is the Spiritual Eye. Such a person remains blind even in the hereafter in contrast to the people of faith who will be provided with a light there. This light, again, varies with the degree of the faith and the degree of the veil removed.
In Surah Noor of the Holy Qur’an we read:
“Say to the believing men to lower their gaze....” (24:30)
“Say to the believing women to lower their gaze..(24:31)
So, we are told to close our eyes to the physical lusts. What needs to be really opened wide is our Inner Eye or the Eye of the Intelligence and to have no thought except the vision of God. Our hearts being synonymous with the rest of Intellect, and Intellect in turn being synonymous with the Light, it is really the blindness of this eye, i.e. the heart, which the Qur’an speaks of:
“Truly, it is not the eyes that are blind, but the Hearts which are in their breasts.” (22:46).
The heedless and the ignorant who follow their lusts are blind. That this blindness means that the children of darkness will not receive the Light of Allah’s countenance is clear:
“But those who were blind in the world, will be blind in the Hereafter. And most stray from the path. (17:72)
In the Darkness of the Day of Judgment, those who believe in Allah and the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) will “have their reward and their Light” (57:19).
Again, in the same Surah al-Hadid of the Holy Qur’an it is stated:
“O ye that believe! Fear Allah, and believe in His Messenger, and He will bestow on you a double portion of his Mercy: He will provide for you a Light by which ye shall walk (straight in your path) and He will forgive you (your past); for Allah is oft-Forgiving and Merciful.” (57:28)
It is further stated in the same Surah:
“The Day shalt thou see the believing men and the believing women – How their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands; (Their greetings will be) ‘Good news for you this Day! Gardens below which flow rivers! To dwell therein forever!’ This is indeed the highest triumph.” (57:12)
This verse shows that the light of faith by which the believers were guided in this life, but which was visible only by spiritual eye, would be clearly seen going before the believers on the Resurrection Day.
“Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the earth...(24:35) and in the same verse of Surah Noor it is also said: “Allah guides to his light whom he pleases”. But this Light is not distributed uniformly. The Holy Qur’an also states: “To all are degrees (or ranks) according to their deeds.” (6:132). It also points out that the believers have “grades of dignity” (8:4). In the Holy Qur’an these ranks have been mentioned variously as Prophets, the affirmers of truth (Siddiqeen), the martyrs, and the righteous (Saaleheen)...(4:69), on all of whom is the Grace of Allah.
Again, in Surah Waqiah, we have three classes: The Companions of the Right Hand (Ashaab ul-Maimana), Companions of the Left Hand (Ashaab al-Mash-ama), and the Foremost (Saabeqoon) who will be the nearest to Allah (al-Muqurreboon): the first group being the righteous people; the second, of those who will be in the “midst of a fierce blast of fire and in boiling water and in the shade of black smoke” for persisting in “wickedness supreme”; and the third group of those who attained the highest degree in spiritual understanding.
In verse 35 of Surah Ahzaab of the Holy Qur’an, the believing men and women have been categorised variously as those who submit, who believe, who are devout, who speak the truth, who are patient, who are humble, who give alms, who fast, who guard (their chastity) and who remember (Allah much) - all for whom Allah has prepared forgiveness and a vast reward.
In Surah Mujaadila, it is stated: “Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks.” (58:11)
True, faith equalises all before Allah, but there is leadership, and rank and degree, depending on the knowledge and insight. For example, regarding the Awliya-Allah, the Holy Qur’an states:
“Behold! Verily on the Awliya-Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (10:62)
According to a prophetic tradition, the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) stated:
“Allah created his creation in darkness, then He sprayed it with His Light. Those whom the light reached became rightly guided, while those it did not, went astray.”
The Holy Qur’an states:
“Some faces on that day shall be bright. Looking to their Lord.” (75:22, 23)
According to the authentic traditions, some will be shining as the bright full moon on the night, some like the bright shining stars, and so on. This light is in direct proportion to the degree of faith and attainment of the gnosis of Allah.
Imam Ghazaali (Reh.) points out in his IHYA, the light of the faith of the prophets and the apostles is as the rays of the sun; the light of the Siddiqoon (the Truthful) is like that of the moon; the light of the Awliya-Allah is like that of the stars; and the light of the ordinary believers is like that of a lamp. According to him, the light gets stronger with the involvement of sure faith: if it is just blind faith as in the case of ordinary believer, it is dim; the faith of the followers of jurisprudence or Fiqh involves some proof and is not based on hearsay, so the light is stronger than that of the ordinary believers. Coming to the light of Awliya-Allah, he says that it involves certain faith. This is real knowledge gained by the direct sight of the Inner Eye. So the intensity of this light is much more than that of the above categories.
In the words of Shaikh Nuh Ha Mim Keller in his article on Haqiqat al-Muhammadiyya: “The light of each human being depends upon his faith, knowledge and virtue. The most powerful lights are those of Divine Messengers, then those of Prophets, Saints, virtuous believers, and finally those of sinful believers.”
For the lover of Allah, the light in his heart keeps him busy with the next world When his Spiritual Eye is opened, his bodily eye is shut and he sees nothing but Allah. When ‘Abd Allah Ibn ‘Umar (R) was circumambulating the Ka’ba, someone wished him the Salaam; but he did not hear since he had shut himself off from the external world. Later on, when that person asked him the reason for not replying to his Salaam, he stated: “We were seeing God”. Similarly, when Hazarat ‘Ali (R) was asked if he saw God, he replied: “How should we worship the One we don’t see?” Indeed, this is the foremost component of ‘Ihsan’ the second one being to worship Allah as if He is seeing you - the first being to worship Allah as if you see Him.
Therefore, it behoves a believer to seek ways and means to get acquainted with the ‘Chashme Qalb’ or “Ruy’at al-Qalb” or the Vision of the Heart, or the Inner Heart or Spiritual Eye rather than the outward or the Carnal Eye, so that while living in this world he or she don’t go about being blind to the spiritual truths lest the Heart gets Sealed by Allah and they becomes blind in the hereafter where such people would have to go without any light and thus stray from the right path. That’s the importance of the Spiritual Eye in short.
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