Is Se Pahale Ke Bevafaa Ho Jaaye.n
By Ahmed Faraz

Translated by Ayesha Kaljuvee

is se pahale ke bevafaa ho jaaye.n
before that day we become disloyal
kyo.n na ai dost ham judaa ho jaaye.n
why not, my friend, go our separate ways

tuu bhii hiire se ban gayaa patthar
you also turned from a jewel to stone
ham bhii kal kyaa se kyaa ho jaaye.n
i too will change to another tomorrow

tuu kay yakta tha bayshumar hoo.ah
you who were lone became ubiquitous
ham bhii toote.n to jabaja ho jaaye.n
when i break, everywhere I too will scatter

ham bhii majabuuriyo.n kaa uzr kare.n
i should also contest my obligations
aur kahii.n aur mubtalaa ho jaaye.n
and involve myself somewhere else

ham agar manzale.n naa ban paaye.n
if i can't become the destination
manzalo.n tak ka raasta ho jaaye.n
let me be the path to that haven

dair say soch mei.n hai.n parwanay
like moths, my thoughts flutter around you
rakh ho jaaye.n, ya hawa ho jaaye.n
should i die in that fire, or fly like the wind

ishq bhii khel hai nasiibo.n kaa
love is the playground of the fortunate
Khaak ho jaaye.n kimiyaa ho jaaye.n
to become ash, to be like cinders

ab ke gar tuu mile to ham tujh se
if i meet you again, to you
aise lipaTe.n terii qabaa ho jaaye.n
i will cling as if you were my Mecca

bandagii ham ne chho.D dii hai 'Faraz'
i have left behind religion, Faraz
kyaa kare.n log jab Khudaa ho jaaye.n
now that even humans seem divine