Jeevan Ke Lamhe (w/ English translation)

By Ruhudeen Ali
March 9th, 2009

Jawani ka ek khaas darja hai ye
ke sari zindagi ka mazaa hai issi meh
baaqi hise ko kisi se koi parwaa hai?
issi se milta hain ruhani chayn
jab pelhi baar dekhe they mehboob ke nayn
woh pal aur is din meh kya farak
jayse bahar aur sardi hote alag!
samaj gaya hoon iss jeevan ko, jisme pyaar nahin hota
yehi to hai humaari zindagi ki dastaan
na pataa kis rukh par chaleyga yeh carawaan
jispe dawat dete howe naik falsafe
magar meh jaa bhi sukta hoon in haalaton meh
jab ek paon pe pargaye chaale
aur doosre bhi aabla paa?
Shayad pyaar dikhaade ga mujhe raasta


Pyaar jawani ka ek phal hai
jeevan ke lamhon meh
maghar phal, phal nahin hota bin mithaas
baaqi umar hum naah rahein
to kyun rahoge udhaas?
Humne kuch nahin payaa iss jawani meh
Sawaye musalsal pyaas 

pyaar ko dhoond dhoondke
bus booj ti reh gayi humari aas
Kya yehi hai meri sazaa?
ke pyaar aur zindagi hamesha ke liye rehenge judaa?
O mere Khudaa, jiske ilaawah koi Rabb nahin hai Tere siwa!
Agar yehi haqiqat hai toh behtar tha
Aap mujhe mitaa de duniya se
meh nahin khel sakta hoon is mushkil khel main
shayad yehi hai wajaa ke zindagi lagti hain aik silakhon jaisi
insano ko dolat ki diwangi meh sirf yaad raha paisa
sochta tha ke main nahin aisa
is mu'ashare ne dokhon ki holi kehli
aur palat gaye hum hogaye hairan
abhi tak inh raastonse se anjaan.


Oh mere Parvardigaar, mujhe banaadein ek naik insaan
aur hamesha ke liye rahoon waisa
chalo jawani ka phal nahin mila
kumse kum baaqi dinon meh milay sawaab
zindagi keh sareh imtehaan
ehsani se charwadein Aap banaker mudje Apna khaas mehmaan
aur dil meh mere likh dein shahadatein Musalmaan
taqay duniya ko pata lagaye Islam ki Shaan
aur Khuda mazboot banadey Shaan ka imaan!
yeh hain mere khwayishein tamaam
ya Malik, ye sab hoga Tera ehsaan
baaqi Khuda par chorta hoon meh jo likhein woh mera anjaam 

***Special thanks to Editor 'Ms.N!'***

English Translation:

Moments of Life

Youth's special place is this
that all of life's fun is contained within
the rest of its chapters, does anybody care? [to read them]
from it is found spiritual inner peace
like the first time you saw your beloved's eyes
from that moment and these days now - what is the difference?
like unto Spring and Winter's opposition!
I now understand the life that is devoid of love
after-all this is my life's story
not knowing which way [turn] the caravan travels
that carries righteous men calling to a righteous way [philosophy]
but can I even go [with them] in this condition?
when one foot has blisters
and the other has the same?
Maybe love will show me the way.

Love is the fruit of youth
among the moments of life
but a fruit is not a fruit without sweetness
if I don't live out my remaining days
why remain reminiscent?
I haven't had anything in my youth
besides unending thirst.
Ever-searching for love,
my hope has extinguished.
Is this then my punishment?
That love and life will forever remain separate?
Oh my God, who beside, there is no other Sustainer but You!
If this then is the truth than it would've been better
If You had erased me from this world
I cannot play in this difficult game [of life]
maybe that's why life feels like a prison
and people chase after money like madmen
I used to think that I am not like them
Then society played its deceitful tricks
and I became lost, not knowing how.

Oh Cherisher, make me a righteous man
and keep me this way forever
Even if I didn't acquire youth's fruit
at least give me rewards in my remaining days
All of life's tests
gracefully help me climb as Your guest
And in my heart write the two *shahadatein [proclamations of faith] of the Muslims
so that the world will come to know Islam's greatness and glory
and God strengthen Shaan's faith!
These are all my wishes
Oh King, all this granted, would be of Your grace
the rest I leave to God's written fate!

*la ilaha ilAllah, Muhammad RasulAllah = "There is no god but God and Muhammad is His Messenger" [the shahadatein or proclamations of faith that attest one's faith in Islam]