In my childhood, we used to listen to a Na’at called “Faslon Ko Takaluf” (Distances being pretentious) by Waheed Zafar. Then, I was way too young, ignorant, and lazy to dig deeper in the words of this marvelous and praise-worthy poem; but, somehow the words left an inexplicable impression on my love for such music-less masterpieces. A couple of weeks ago, I thought of giving it a one more try. Beyond doubt, I loved it far more than I used to. I am paying tribute from the depths of my heart to the lyricist, Qari Waheed Zafar. Following are the lyrics, in Urdu and English. I found the English translation here and it’s a very good effort worthy of being appreciated.

Faslon ko takalluf hai hum se agar, Distances, if pretentious to us,
hum bhi bebas nahin besahara nahi. Neither we helpless, nor despairing.
Khud unhi ko pukarengey hum door se, We ourselves shall beseech Him,
Raaste mein agar paon tak jayengey. En route, if our feet be weary.
Hum Madine mein tanha nikal jayengey We companionless, shall enter Madina,
Aur galiyon mein kus dun batak jayengey We shall in streets, be deliberately lost.
Hum wahan jakey wapas nahin ayengey Having reached, return we shall not,
Doond te doondte log tak jayengey In search for us, weary folk shall grow.
Jaise hi sabz Gumbad nazar ayega Whence the green Minaret is sighted,
Bandagi ka kareena badal jaye ga The flower of slave-hood shall change.
Sar juka ne ki fursat miley gi kisey Who shall have the opportunity to bow?
Khud hi palkon se sajdey tapak jayengey Of themselves shall from eyes prostrations drip
Naamey Aaka jahan bhi liya jayega The liege-lord’s name wherever shall be mentioned,
Zikr unka jahan bhi kiya jayega His remembrance wherever shall be made,
Noor hi noor seeno mein bhar jayega Naught but light shall fill the breasts,
Sari mehfil mein jalwe lapak jayegey Majesties shall leap the entire gathering.
Eh Madiny ke zahi KHuda ke liye O sojourner of Madina! For God’s sake,
Daastaan ne safar mujko yumad suna The journey’s epic do not describe.
Baat bhar jayegi dil tarap jayega The matter shall exceed, the heart left bereaved,
Mere mohtat aasoo chalak jayege My cautious tears shall flow forth.
Unki chashme karam ko hai iski khabar His generous vision has knowledge of,
Kis musafir ko hai kitna shaukey safar Which traveler to travel how greatly aspires.
Hum ko Iqbal jab bhi ijazat mili, Iqbal! Whenever granted permission,
Hum bhi Aaka ke darbar tak jayegeney We too shall visit the court of the liege-lord.
Faslon ko takalluf hai hum se agar, Distances, if pretentious to us,
hum bhi bebas nahin besahara nahi. Neither we helpless, nor despairing.
Khud unhi ko pukarengey hum door se, We ourselves shall beseech Him,
Raaste mein agar paon tak jayengey. En route, if our feet be weary.