As It Reminds Of Snow On The Sahara

As ....

I'll pray the skies above,

For snow to fall on the Sahara

(Photo Credits: The images of Lahore, today during a hail storm, have been randomly collected from the web, and are not my property.)

Peera Ho

"Peera Ho" became quite a sensation when it hit the pop music scene back in the early 90's. 

Khalid Anum (whose version I have followed in the recording below) isn't the first person to have sung this sufi kalam, but his rendition did bring this kalam to the happening music circle. The masses aren't usually aware of the sufi kalam being read in the sufi sittings, or at shrines, so his take was most definitely a welcomed addition - and to my knowledge, the most popular version of this kalam, too.

Since the Punjabi language comes in a rich variety of dialects, the verse changes every time with a slight variation of the dialect. I have tried to adhere to the one used popularly, but I would appreciate any suggestions that make across.

Merey hath kee reetiyan tootiyan 
Mera Peer sach tey mein jhootiyan 
The fate in my hands is a cluster of cracks
My Beloved is the sole truth, I -the false whacks


Shaana Waleya Peera 
My Beloved of the Mighty grace
Peera ho Peera 
My Beloved, My Love!
Peera ho Peera 


meri dachi dey gal wich taliyan 
meri dachi dey gal wich taliyan 
vey mein Peer manwan chaliyan 
Around my camel's neck,
as the caravan bells ring
I embark to seek His fling

Shaana Waleya Peera 

My Beloved of the Mighty grace

Peera ho Peera 

The Beloved, the Love!

Peera ho Peera 


merey haath katora hai maangaan da 
merey haath katora hai maangaan da 
Mera Peer wali inaa rawaan da 
My hands make a beggar's bowl
seeking alms
My Love is the Lord of this path


Shaana waleya Peera 
My Beloved of the Mighty Order
Peera Ho Peera 
The only Love, the Beloved!
Peera Ho Peera 


Meri dachi de gal wich taliyan 
Meri dachi de gal wich taliyan 

vey mein Peer manwan chaliyan 

Around my camel's neck,

as the caravan bells ring

I embark to seek His fling

Shaana Waleya Peera 

The Beloved of the Mighty grace

Peera ho Peera 

The Beloved, the sole Love!

Peera ho Peera 

Poet: Shah Hussain (as mentioned in the comments below)

Inapt translation: mine. 

Today, as I surfed through a couple of versions of this poetry, nostalgia hit so strong that it had to be accommodated somehow... :)
I would really appreciate your patience in bearing the untouched-up crudeness ....

Gonee Goes Official

Meet Gonee Muneer!

My son has wanted to have a son of his own for quite some while now. It has always been a dearly amusing experience to see him tell all the well-thought-of reasons he MUST, SHOULD, NECESSARILY have a son! :)

But tonight his lavish fatherhood knew no bounds!

Following is an excerpt of talk we had about his "son", lovingly called Gonee!

Angel: mama, Gonee baitay ka poora naam kia hai?

(What is son Gonee's full name?)

Me: How would I know? Baba tou ap ho uskay!

(You are the father, you tell)

My angel thought a little, and chirped happily: mama, Gonne Muneer kaisa naam hai?

(How does Gonee Muneer sound?)

Since mama, too, thought that it was an awesome name, its Gonee Muneer for all future references, secret/public correspondence.

Its another story how we cut out (fake) school ID cards for my son's son with a full name now. ;)

Disclaimer: Gonee Muneer does not have a facebook page, and any resemblance to any person living or dead, is purely coincidental! All rights reserved by father of Gonee Muneer! :p

Go Greens!

 And call unto Him with fear and longing: verily, God's grace is ever near unto the doers of good!

7:56 Al Quran

Behold as for those who call God's messages in question without having any evidence therefor - in their hearts is nothing but overweening self-conceit, which they will never be able to satisfy: seek thou, then, refuge with God - for, verily, He alone is all-hearing, all-seeing. 

Greater indeed than the creation of man is the creation of the heavens and the earth: yet most men do not understand [what this implies]. But [then], the blind and the seeing are not equal; and neither [can] they who have attained to faith and do good works and the doers of evil [be deemed equal]. How seldom do you keep this in mind!

Verily, the Last Hour is sure to come: of this there is no doubt; yet most men will not believe it. But your Sustainer says: "Call unto Me [and] I shall respond to you! Verily, they who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, abased!"

40:56-60 Al Quran 

Untitled

Photo Credits: Roman Wysiade

Lutf'e Peer'e

These days I am spell bound to the following track, whose audio has been very graciously shared by a kind reader. 

Many thanks :)

I think this is one of the most beautiful musical pieces I have ever come across....

The lyrics mean:

my heart will not be still
it is trapped in His noose
if it does not perish in this passion
it is because of the master's grace

His pain is the real cure
heart ache and burning has no end
if the burning continues,
it is because of the master's grace

oh Lord make me more of a lover
make me give up my intellect
do believe me, if I am sincere
it is because of the master's grace

I do not seek drunkenness
i have nothing in hand
if i do not possess any existance
it is because of the master's grace

I shall throw out wisdom
And begin madness
If i succeed to destroy alienation in the world
it is because of the master's grace

i am afflicted with pain and have given up my heart
not concnered with anything,
In short, If i have lost myself
it is because of the master's grace

I am a poor wretched soul
in love with pain and clamaity
If I am afflcied with his pain
it is because of the master's grace

His love is the hope of my soul
it brings comfort to the hearts and is my refuge
If my heart knows none other than him
it is because of the master's grace

if my heart has leapt up
flown away and found peace
in his sky
it is because of the master's grace

if my heart wanders in his district
to see his beautiful face
And is in constant desire for Him
it is because of the master's grace

I am both candle and moth
I am both treasure and ruin
If I am stranger to my self
it is because of the master's grace


I am a begger of His love
Calling his name day and night
If i keep talking about His beauty
it is because of the master's grace

The fire of the heart is the light
buring the ego away
and if it seals my lips
it is because of the masters grace

I seek none other than him
if he looks on me for a moment
I become the life bestower of both the sun and moon,
but this too, I know
it is because of the masters grace

I totally loved putting these beautiful images from the web to accompany the audio tracks.

I Learnt It The Hard Way

How do you make peace with a negative past and with those who have wronged you? (Alex asked Paulo Coelho)

Coelho answers:

In order to move from the past to the present you need to accept your scars. But you need to do everything in your power in order to heal them so that the ghosts of your past will no longer barge in your present life.

It is a long and difficult process I grant you – but it’s a way out of guilt and hatred in my eyes.

......... But I am glad I did learn.

And place thy trust in God [alone]: for none is as worthy of trust as God.

33:3 Al Quran

Fear

The biggest stumbling block in the path to success is the fear to lose.

Kar Raha Tha Gham-e Jahan Ka Hisaab ...

Na deed hai na sukhan, ab na harf hai na payyaam

Koi bhi heela-e taskeen nahi, aur aas bohat hai

Umeed-e yaar, nazr ka mizaaj, dard ka rung 

Tum aj kuch bhi na poocho, kay dil udaas bohat hai

(Faiz)

(zaroori nahi kay) Raqeeb Say

Aa keh wabasta hain us husn ki yadain tujh say

Jis nay is dil ko pari khana bana rakha tha

Jis ki ulfat main bhula rakhi thi dunya hum nay

Deher ko deher ka afsana bana rakha tha

Aashna hain teray qadmon say wo rahain jin per

Us ki madhosh jawani nay inayat ki hai

Karwan guzray hain jin say usi ra’nai kay

Jis ki in aankhon nay bay-sodd ibadat ki hai

Tujh say kheli hain wo mehboob hawain jin main

Us kay malboos ki afsurda mehek baqi hai

Tujh pe bhi barsa hai us baam say mahtaab ka noor

Jis main beeti hui raaton ki kasak baqi hai

Tu nay dekhi hai wo peshani, wo rukhsar, wo hont

Zindagi jin kay tasawur main luta di hum nay

Tujh pe uthi hain wo khoi hui sahir aankhain

Tujh ko maloom hai kyun umr ganwa di hum nay

Hum pe mushtarka hai ehsaan-e-ghum ulfat kay

Itnay ehsaan keh ginwaoon to ginwa na sakoon

Hum nay is ishq main kia khoya hai kia seekha hai

Juz teray aur ko samjhaoon to samjha na sakoon

Aajzi seekhi, ghareebon ki himayat seekhi

Yaas-o-harmaan kay, dukh kay maani seekhay

Zair daston kay masaib ko samajhna seekha

Sard aahon kay, rukh-e-zard kay maani seekhay

Jub kaheen beth kay rotay hain wo be-kus jin kay

Ashk aankhon main bilaktay huay so jatay hain

Na tawan kay niwalon pe jhapat’tay hain uqaab

Baazo tolay huay mandlatay huay aatay hain

Jub kahi bikta hai baazar main mazdoor ka gosht

Shahrahon pe ghareebon ka lahoo behta hai

Aag si seenay main reh reh kay ubalti hai na pooch

Apnay dil pe mujhay qaboo hi nahin rehta hai

Faiz

Ecstasy of "Teray Hotay Janam Liya Hota"

If I sound ecstatic I am not to be blamed. Trust me!

I have been looking for this for more than a decade now. 

Probably the only thing ever I have searched for so longingly!!!

It was the Ramzan of 1999. One eve just before the iftaar hour, there was this usual television program of some celebrity telling about his/her perception and routine of Ramzan. That day the guest was Hasan Nisar, the journo.

Though I was just 17 at that time, I had strong biases. Hasan Nisar did not fit the bill on any matter, other than his oozing passion (albiet in completely opposite direction). He was (/IS) passionately pessimist about anything under the sun, and I found him too much of a bigot and self worshiper to be liked.

As the interview reached the end, he offered to share a naat (nasheed) that he had written, stating that he hoped that this one thing he held more dear than anything else could be his face saviour on the day of judgement.

I still remember the smirk that I couldn't help.

Talat Hussain's voice narrated the words as the visuals of the desert land appeared on screen.

When the voice trailed into dimness and the credits rolled, only then I realized the little puddle in my palms that lay there in my lap facing up....

That was when I fell in love with Nisar.

I dont agree to his views. I think he has a flawed perception of the political setup. I think he is absolutely unreasonable in his expectations of the people. But if you ask me.......... 

I love him.

If someone just says all that you did not think you could ever spell, believe me, he knows whats inside your heart. Thats exactly whats inside his heart!

He may never know, a nobody that is me. Yet I love him.

And I love him for having said this to my Love صلى الله عليه وسلم........

Terey hotey janam liya hota

Koi mujh sa na doosra hota

Saans letta Tu aur mein jee uth'ta

Kaash Makkah ki mein fiza hota

Hijraton mein paraoo hota mein

Aur Tu khuch dair ko rukaa hota

Terey hujray key Aass pass kaheen

Mein koi kacha rastaa hota

Beech Taaif bawaqt e sung-zani

Teray lab pe saji dua hota

kisi ghazwa mein zakhmi ho ker mein

Terey qadmon mein jaa gira hota

Kaash “Uhad” mein shareek ho sakta

Aur baqi na phir bacha hota

Teri kamli ka soot kiyun na howa

Terey shano'n pey jhooltaa hota

Chob hota mein teri chokhat kee

Ya terey hath ka asaa hota

Teri pakeeza zindagi ka mein

Koi gumnaam waqiaa hota

Lafz hota kissi mein ayat ka

Jo Terey hont sey adaa hota

Mein koi jungjoo arab hota

Aur Terey samney jhuka hota

Mein bhi hota Tera ghulam koi

Laakh kehta na mein rihaa hota

Sochta hoon mein tab janam leta

Jaaney phir kiya sey kiya hota

Chaand hota Terey zamaney ka

Phir Terey hukm sey battaa hota

Paani hota udaas chashmo'n ka

Terey qadmo'n pey beh giya hota

Poda hota mein jaltey sehra mein

Aur Terey haath sey laga hota

Teri sohbat mujhey milli hoti

Mein bhi tab kitna khush'numa hota

Mujh pey parti jo Teri chashm-e-karam

Admi kiya .... mein moujza hota

Tukra hota mein ik baadil ka

Aur Terey sath ghoom'ta hota

Aasman hota ahed-e-Nabvi ka

Tujh ko hairat sey dekh'ta hota

Khaak hota mein Teri galiyoon kee

Aur terey paoon choom'ta hota

PaiR hota khajoor ka mein koi

Jiss ka phal Tu ney khaa liya hota

Bacha hota ghareeb bewa ka

Sir Teri goad mein chupa hota

Rasta hota teray guzarnay ka

aur Tera rasta daikhta hota

Buutt hee hota mein khana-e-Kabba mein

Jo Terey haath sey fanaa hota

Mujh ko Khaaliq banata ghaar Hasan

Aur mera naam bhi Hiraa hota.

Many thanks to "Intoxicated" at paklinks.com for sharing the hand written text on the web.

ps: Just incase you might be wondering, one naat with the same title so lavishly present at web is a contribution of Dr. Tahir ul Qadri. 

Man Bekasam!

Nisbat kia ajab shaey hai. 

kaisay khud main samo laiti hai.

barsaat ki moosladhaar barish main chaatay kay mazboot hisaar ki tarah!

Ghani (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say ho jaey tou banda apni mushkilain bhool jaey!

banda-e-naqis ko wajood-e-kamil (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say ho jaey tou apni kajiyon ka khayal na aey

Shah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) kay dar say ho jaey tou gada uss faqeeri pe dunya tujj day!

I just dont know why ...... why for years this one line has never stopped haunting me ....

"Yaad rakho agar uth gayi ik nazar, jitne khali hein sab jaam bhar jaein ge...."

Bheek Milay

Though I have no doubt that NO qawaali could ever surpass the greatness of Tajdar e Haram, shared in the last post, there are a few others of the Sabri brothers that never fail to make one's heart yearn in the agony of an anguished lover .....

mujhay nazr e karam ki bheek milay

main jholi khali laya hoon ........

Ik Nazar Ka Sawal Hai!!!!

Tajdar-e-Haram


kismat mein meri chain say jeena likh day
dhobe na kabi mera safina likh day
jannat bhe gawara hai magar mere liye
Ay Qatib-e-tadqeer bs Madina likh day

Taajdaar-e-Haram ho Nigaah-e-Karam
Hum ghareeboon k din bhe sanwar jaein gay

Chashm-e-Rehmat bakusha soo-e-manandaaz nazar
Ay Qureshi laqabi Hashmi o Muttalabi

Taajdaar-e-Haram ho Nigaah-e-Karam...
Hum ghareeboon k din bhe sanwar jaein gay


Ya Rasool Allah  ba ahwal e kharab e maa bibiin
Roo ba khaak uftaada am az sharmo isiyan dar zameen
Muznab e choon man na baashad dar tamami ummatat
Rehmatun bar haali ma ya Rehmatan Lil aalamiin 

Taajdaar-e-Haram ho Nigaah-e-Karam.
Hum ghareeboon k din bhe sanwar jaein gay

Kya Tum se kahun Ay Rab ke kunwar  Tum jaanat ho mann ki batiya
kar fursat to Ay Ummi Laqab  kate na katat hain ab ratiya
Tori deed mein sud bud sub pisri kab tak ye rahegi bekhabari
taa hema fighan duzdeeda nazar kabhi sun bhi to lo humri batiya

Taajdaar-e-Haram ho Nigaah-e-Karam.
Taajdaar-e-Haram ho Nigaah-e-Karam

Ya Mustafa  Ya Mujtaba  irham lana dast e hama bechara ra daamaan tui
man asiyam, man ajizam, man bekasam, haale mara, ya shafi e roze jaza  pursaan tui
ae mushqi be zanbar fishan, ae ke naseem e subh dam, ae charagar, zeeshan nafas
ae moonis e beemar e gham, ae qasid e farkhunda e tujh ko usi gul ki qasam

ey mushq bezam barzisha baiqe naseere subah dam

ey charagar essa nafas ey mulis e beemar e gham
ey qasid e farkhunda pe tujh ko usi gul ki qasam
in nilta ya rihas sabah youman ila ardil haram
baligh salami rouztan fihan Nabi al Mohtaram 

Taajdaar-e-Haram ho Nigaah-e-Karam...
Hum ghareeboon k din bhe sanwar jaein gay

hami e beqasa kya kahay ga jahaan
Aap ke dar se khaali agar jain ge

koi apna nahi gham ke maray hein hum
aap ke dar pe faryaad laye hein hum
ho nigah e karam warna choukhat pe hum
Aap ka naam le le ke mar jain ge

ho nigah e karam...

maikasho aao aao Madina chalein
aao madine chalein aao Madine chalein...
dukh dard o alam sub kat'te hein hasnain ke sadqe bat'te hein
maikasho aao Madina chalein
aao Madine chalein aao Madine chalein...

Tajallion ki ajab hai faza Madine mein
Nigah-e-shouq ki hai intiha Madine mein
gham-e-hayat na khouf-e-qaza Madine mein
namaaz-e-ishq karin ge adaa Madine mein

idhar udhar na bhatak'te phiro khuda ke liyeh
barah-e-rast hai raah-e-khuda madine mein
Madein chalein aao madine chalein aao madine chalein
maikasho aao aao madina chalein dast-e-saqi-e-kauser se pene chalein

Yaad rakho agar uth gayi ik nazar, jitne khali hein sab jaam bhar jaein ge
khouf-e-toofan hai bijlion ka hai dar, sakht mushkil hai Aaqa kidhar jain hum
Aap he gar na lain ge hamari khabar, hum musibat ke maray kidhar jaein ge

Taajdaar-e-Haram ho Nigaah-e-Karam.
Taajdaar-e-Haram ho Nigaah-e-Karam

    

Musafat Iss Qadar

Idhar kay rastay fiqat nishaan, manzilain gumaan hain

Udhar kay nigah e shauq say roshan hai manzil ka diya

Hum Sehl Talab Kaun Say Farhaad Thay Laikin ....

..... Ab shehr main teray koi hum sa bhi kahan hai! 
(Faiz)




On his birth centenary, some of my most favorite Faiz pieces:

and finally .....

From, "The Alchemist"

“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?” the boy asked, when they had made camp that day.

“Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you’ll find your treasure.”

“But my heart is agitated,” the boy said. “It has its dreams, it gets emotional, and it’s become passionate over a woman of the desert. It asks things of me, and it keeps me from sleeping many nights, when I’m thinking about her.”

“Well, that’s good. Your heart is alive. Keep listening to what it has to say.”

“My heart is a traitor,” the boy said to the alchemist, when they had paused to rest the horses. “It doesn’t want me to go on.”

“That makes sense. Naturally it’s afraid that, in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you’ve won.”

“Well, then, why should I listen to my heart?”

“Because you will never again be able to keep it quiet. Even if you pretend not to have heard what it tells you, it will always be there inside you, repeating to you what you’re thinking about life and about the world.”

“You mean I should listen, even if it’s treasonous?”

“Treason is a blow that comes unexpectedly. If you know your heart well, it will never be able to do that to you. Because you’ll know its dreams and wishes, and will know how to deal with them.

“My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer,” the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky.

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”

“Every second of the search is an encounter with God,” the boy told his heart.

“Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him,” his heart said. “We, people’s hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later, we simply let life proceed, in its own direction, toward its own fate. But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them—the path to their destinies, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out indeed, to be threatening place.

“So, we, their hearts, speak more and more softly. We never stop speaking out, but we begin to hope that our words won’t be heard: we don’t want people to suffer because they don’t follow their hearts.”

Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

So Doob ...

Khusro darya prem ka, ulti wa ki dhaar
jo utra so doob gaya, jo dooba so paar


O Khusro, this current of love
flows in a strange course....
One who steps in, drowns;
He who drowns, makes across.




Poetry: Ameer Khusro.
Inapt translation: mine.

Gem

What an amazingly insightful advice/observation:

"A woman needs to be maintained financially, spiritually, morally, and above all intellectually because women are creatures of sound, and men are creatures of sight. And above all you must know the art of a relationship, is based upon communication." 

–Imam Malik

Close

It hit a road sign and jumped uncontrollably over the pavement and then bouncing and tossing it rammed through the extended green belt.

30 feet away from the road it stopped only when it had crashed into and bounced back from that huge tree trunk in front of the Azam Garrison. 

The insurance guys were not ready to believe to have no causalities inside!

What matters the most ...... more than any other thing, Alhamdolillah, my little angel was unharmed.
Alhamdolillah.

PS: I saw the face of God today. 
PPS: I love my people. 
PPPS: alhamdolillah e Rabil Aalameen.