Is collection se writer-diverse top picks for quick reading.
safar mein dhup to hogi jo chal sako to chalo
safar men dhuup to hogi jo chal sako to chalo
sabhi hain bhiid men tum bhi nikal sako to chalo
kisi ke vaste rahen kahan badalti hain
tum apne aap ko khud hi badal sako to chalo
yahan kisi ko koi rasta nahin deta
mujhe gira ke agar tum sambhal sako to chalo
kahin nahin koi suraj dhuan dhuan hai faza
khud apne aap se bahar nikal sako to chalo
yahi hai zindagi kuchh khvab chand ummiden
inhin khilaunon se tum bhi bahal sako to chalo
safar mein dhup to hogi jo chal sako to chalo
sabhi hain bhid mein tum bhi nikal sako to chalo
kisi ke waste rahen kahan badalti hain
tum apne aap ko khud hi badal sako to chalo
yahan kisi ko koi rasta nahin deta
mujhe gira ke agar tum sambhal sako to chalo
kahin nahin koi suraj dhuan dhuan hai faza
khud apne aap se bahar nikal sako to chalo
yahi hai zindagi kuchh khwab chand ummiden
inhin khilaunon se tum bhi bahal sako to chalo
vo afsana jise anjam tak laana na ho mumkin
use ik khub-surat mod de kar chhodna achchha
main akela hi chala tha janib-e-manzil magar
log saath aate gae aur karvan banta gaya
apne man men duub kar pa ja suraghh-e-zindagi
tu agar mera nahin banta na ban apna to ban
the couplet urges deep self-exploration: the “clue of life” is not outside, but within one’s own consciousness. the speaker refuses shallow dependence and asks for inner sovereignty—if you can’t be mine, don’t be anyone’s tool. the emotional core is a call to awaken selfhood and live with purpose. freedom here means becoming truly oneself.
tire mathe pe ye anchal bahut hi khuub hai lekin
tu is anchal se ik parcham bana leti to achchha tha
यह शे’र इसरार-उल-हक़ मजाज़ के मशहूर अशआर में से एक है। माथे पे आँचल होने के कई मायने हैं। उदाहरण के लिए शर्म व लाज का होना, मूल्यों का रख रखाव होना आदि और भारतीय समाज में इन चीज़ों को नारी का शृंगार समझा जाता है। मगर जब नारी के इस शृंगार को पुरुष सत्तात्मक समाज में नारी की कमज़ोरी समझा जाता है तो नारी का व्यक्तित्व संकट में पड़ जाता है। इसी तथ्य को शायर ने अपने शे’र का विषय बनाया है। शायर नारी को सम्बोधित करते हुए कहते हैं कि यद्यपि तुम्हारे माथे पर शर्म व हया का आँचल ख़ूब लगता है मगर उसे अपनी कमज़ोरी मत बना। वक़्त का तक़ाज़ा है कि आप अपने इस आँचल से क्रांति का झंडा बनाएं और इस ध्वज को अपने अधिकारों के लिए उठाएं।
shafaq sopori
apne ehsas se chhu kar mujhe sandal kar do
apne ehsas se chhu kar mujhe sandal kar do
main ki sadiyon se adhura huun mukammal kar do
na tumhen hosh rahe aur na mujhe hosh rahe
is qadar tuut ke chaho mujhe pagal kar do
tum hatheli ko mire pyaar ki mehndi se rango
apni ankhon men mire naam ka kajal kar do
is ke saae men mire khvab dahak utthenge
mere chehre pe chamakta hua anchal kar do
dhuup hi dhuup huun main tuut ke barso mujh par
is qadar barso miri ruuh men jal-thal kar do
jaise sahraon men har shaam hava chalti hai
is tarah mujh men chalo aur mujhe jal-thal kar do
tum chhupa lo mira dil ot men apne dil ki
aur mujhe meri nigahon se bhi ojhal kar do
masala huun to nigahen na churao mujh se
apni chahat se tavajjoh se mujhe hal kar do
apne ghham se kaho har vaqt mire saath rahe
ek ehsan karo is ko musalsal kar do
mujh pe chha jaao kisi aag ki surat janan
aur miri zaat ko sukha hua jangal kar do
apne ehsas se chhu kar mujhe sandal kar do
main ki sadiyon se adhura hun mukammal kar do
na tumhein hosh rahe aur na mujhe hosh rahe
is qadar tut ke chaho mujhe pagal kar do
tum hatheli ko mere pyar ki mehndi se rango
apni aankhon mein mere nam ka kajal kar do
is ke sae mein mere khwab dahak utthenge
mere chehre pe chamakta hua aanchal kar do
dhup hi dhup hun main tut ke barso mujh par
is qadar barso meri ruh mein jal-thal kar do
jaise sahraon mein har sham hawa chalti hai
is tarah mujh mein chalo aur mujhe jal-thal kar do
tum chhupa lo mera dil ot mein apne dil ki
aur mujhe meri nigahon se bhi ojhal kar do
masala hun to nigahen na churao mujh se
apni chahat se tawajjoh se mujhe hal kar do
apne gham se kaho har waqt mere sath rahe
ek ehsan karo is ko musalsal kar do
mujh pe chha jao kisi aag ki surat jaanan
aur meri zat ko sukha hua jangal kar do
hayat le ke chalo kaenat le ke chalo
chalo to saare zamane ko saath le ke chalo
khincho na kamanon ko na talvar nikalo
jab top muqabil ho to akhbar nikalo
neither bow and arrow nor a sword do you require
pubish a newspaper when faced with cannon fire
mujh pe hain saikdon ilzam mere sath na chal
mujh pe hain saikdon ilzam mire saath na chal
tu bhi ho jaega badnam mire saath na chal
tu nai subah ke suraj ki hai ujli si kiran
main huun ik dhuul bhari shaam mire saath na chal
apni khushiyan mire alam se mansub na kar
mujh se mat maang mira naam mire saath na chal
tu bhi kho jaegi tapke hue aansu ki tarah
dekh ai gardish-e-ayyam mire saath na chal
meri divar ko tu kitna sambhalega 'shakil'
tutta rahta huun har gaam mire saath na chal
mujh pe hain saikdon ilzam mere sath na chal
tu bhi ho jaega badnam mere sath na chal
tu nai subah ke suraj ki hai ujli si kiran
main hun ek dhul bhari sham mere sath na chal
apni khushiyan mere aalam se mansub na kar
mujh se mat mang mera nam mere sath na chal
tu bhi kho jaegi tapke hue aansu ki tarah
dekh ai gardish-e-ayyam mere sath na chal
meri diwar ko tu kitna sambhaalega 'shakil'
tutta rahta hun har gam mere sath na chal
baare duniya men raho ghham-zada ya shaad raho
aisa kuchh kar ke chalo yaan ki bahut yaad raho
meer taqi meer contrasts life’s shifting states—grief and joy—with the one enduring demand: purposeful action. the couplet suggests emotions come and go, but what truly matters is leaving a mark. “walking from here” hints at life’s departure, so the speaker urges deeds that outlast the self. the emotional core is a sober, motivating call to make one’s life memorable through meaningful work.
ai 'zauq' takalluf men hai taklif sarasar
aram men hai vo jo takalluf nahin karta
save trouble, in formality, zauq nothing else can be
at ease he then remains he who, eschews formality
the poet argues that social etiquette and formal behavior ('takalluf'), often adopted to please others, actually impose a heavy burden of suffering on the individual. true peace of mind is found only in simplicity, where one is free from the exhausting obligations of artificial manners and societal expectations.
kuchh kahne ka waqt nahin ye kuchh na kaho khamosh raho
kuchh kahne ka vaqt nahin ye kuchh na kaho khamosh raho
ai logo khamosh raho haan ai logo khamosh raho
sach achchha par us ke jilau men zahr ka hai ik pyala bhi
pagal ho kyuun nahaq ko suqrat bano khamosh raho
un ka ye kahna suraj hi dharti ke phere karta hai
sar-ankhon par suraj hi ko ghumne do khamosh raho
mahbas men kuchh habs hai aur zanjir ka aahan chubhta hai
phir socho haan phir socho haan phir socho khamosh raho
garm aansu aur thandi aahen man men kya kya mausam hain
is bagiya ke bhed na kholo sair karo khamosh raho
ankhen muund kinare baitho man ke rakkho band kivad
'insha'-ji lo dhaga lo aur lab si lo khamosh raho
kuchh kahne ka waqt nahin ye kuchh na kaho khamosh raho
ai logo khamosh raho han ai logo khamosh raho
sach achchha par us ke jilau mein zahr ka hai ek pyala bhi
pagal ho kyun nahaq ko suqraat bano khamosh raho
un ka ye kahna suraj hi dharti ke phere karta hai
sar-ankhon par suraj hi ko ghumne do khamosh raho
mahbas mein kuchh habs hai aur zanjir ka aahan chubhta hai
phir socho han phir socho han phir socho khamosh raho
garm aansu aur thandi aahen man mein kya kya mausam hain
is bagiya ke bhed na kholo sair karo khamosh raho
aankhen mund kinare baitho man ke rakkho band kiwad
'insha'-ji lo dhaga lo aur lab si lo khamosh raho
charagh-e-tur jalao bada andhera hai
charaghh-e-tur jalao bada andhera hai
zara naqab uthao bada andhera hai
abhi to subh ke mathe ka rang kaala hai
abhi fareb na khaao bada andhera hai
vo jin ke hote hain khurshid astinon men
unhen kahin se bulao bada andhera hai
mujhe tumhari nigahon pe e'timad nahin
mire qarib na aao bada andhera hai
faraz-e-arsh se tuuta hua koi taara
kahin se dhund ke laao bada andhera hai
basiraton pe ujalon ka khauf taari hai
mujhe yaqin dilao bada andhera hai
jise zaban-e-khirad men sharab kahte hain
vo raushni si pilao bada andhera hai
ba-nam-e-zohra-jzbinan-e-khitta-e-firdaus
kisi kiran ko jagao bada andhera hai
charagh-e-tur jalao bada andhera hai
zara naqab uthao bada andhera hai
abhi to subh ke mathe ka rang kala hai
abhi fareb na khao bada andhera hai
wo jin ke hote hain khurshid aastinon mein
unhen kahin se bulao bada andhera hai
mujhe tumhaari nigahon pe e'timad nahin
mere qarib na aao bada andhera hai
faraaz-e-arsh se tuta hua koi tara
kahin se dhund ke lao bada andhera hai
basiraton pe ujalon ka khauf tari hai
mujhe yaqin dilao bada andhera hai
jise zaban-e-khirad mein sharab kahte hain
wo raushni si pilao bada andhera hai
ba-nam-e-zohra-jzbinan-e-khitta-e-firdaus
kisi kiran ko jagao bada andhera hai
bichhadne ka irada hai to mujh se mashvara kar lo
mohabbat men koi bhi faisla zaati nahin hota
vatan ki fikr kar nadan musibat aane vaali hai
tiri barbadiyon ke mashvare hain asmanon men
fear for your country, trouble will soon arise
words of your destruction have been spoken by the skies
allama iqbal addresses the careless person with a stark warning: a nation’s safety depends on vigilance and concern for the homeland. “heavens” suggests higher powers, destiny, or the larger forces of the world already moving against you. the emotional core is urgency—wake up and take responsibility before decline becomes irreversible.
dhup mein niklo ghataon mein naha kar dekho
dhuup men niklo ghataon men naha kar dekho
zindagi kya hai kitabon ko hata kar dekho
sirf ankhon se hi duniya nahin dekhi jaati
dil ki dhadkan ko bhi binai bana kar dekho
pattharon men bhi zaban hoti hai dil hote hain
apne ghar ke dar-o-divar saja kar dekho
vo sitara hai chamakne do yunhi ankhon men
kya zaruri hai use jism bana kar dekho
fasla nazron ka dhoka bhi to ho sakta hai
vo mile ya na mile haath badha kar dekho
dhup mein niklo ghataon mein naha kar dekho
zindagi kya hai kitabon ko hata kar dekho
sirf aankhon se hi duniya nahin dekhi jati
dil ki dhadkan ko bhi binai bana kar dekho
pattharon mein bhi zaban hoti hai dil hote hain
apne ghar ke dar-o-diwar saja kar dekho
wo sitara hai chamakne do yunhi aankhon mein
kya zaruri hai use jism bana kar dekho
fasla nazron ka dhoka bhi to ho sakta hai
wo mile ya na mile hath badha kar dekho
bhigi hui aankhon ka ye manzar na milega
bhigi hui ankhon ka ye manzar na milega
ghar chhod ke mat jaao kahin ghar na milega
phir yaad bahut aaegi zulfon ki ghani shaam
jab dhuup men saaya koi sar par na milega
aansu ko kabhi os ka qatra na samajhna
aisa tumhen chahat ka samundar na milega
is khvab ke mahaul men be-khvab hain ankhen
jab niind bahut aaegi bistar na milega
ye soch lo ab akhiri saaya hai mohabbat
is dar se uthoge to koi dar na milega
bhigi hui aankhon ka ye manzar na milega
ghar chhod ke mat jao kahin ghar na milega
phir yaad bahut aaegi zulfon ki ghani sham
jab dhup mein saya koi sar par na milega
aansu ko kabhi os ka qatra na samajhna
aisa tumhein chahat ka samundar na milega
is khwab ke mahaul mein be-khwab hain aankhen
jab nind bahut aaegi bistar na milega
ye soch lo ab aakhiri saya hai mohabbat
is dar se uthoge to koi dar na milega
dushmani laakh sahi khatm na kiije rishta
dil mile ya na mile haath milate rahiye
enmity however strong, the contact never break
hearts and minds may be apart, the hands must ever shake
apna gham le ke kahin aur na jaya jae
apna ghham le ke kahin aur na jaaya jaae
ghar men bikhri hui chizon ko sajaya jaae
jin charaghhon ko havaon ka koi khauf nahin
un charaghhon ko havaon se bachaya jaae
khud-kushi karne ki himmat nahin hoti sab men
aur kuchh din abhi auron ko sataya jaae
baaghh men jaane ke adab hua karte hain
kisi titli ko na phulon se udaya jaae
kya hua shahr ko kuchh bhi to dikhai de kahin
yuun kiya jaae kabhi khud ko rulaya jaae
ghar se masjid hai bahut duur chalo yuun kar len
kisi rote hue bachche ko hansaya jaae
apna gham le ke kahin aur na jaya jae
ghar mein bikhri hui chizon ko sajaya jae
jin charaghon ko hawaon ka koi khauf nahin
un charaghon ko hawaon se bachaya jae
khud-kushi karne ki himmat nahin hoti sab mein
aur kuchh din abhi auron ko sataya jae
bagh mein jaane ke aadab hua karte hain
kisi titli ko na phulon se udaya jae
kya hua shahr ko kuchh bhi to dikhai de kahin
yun kiya jae kabhi khud ko rulaya jae
ghar se masjid hai bahut dur chalo yun kar len
kisi rote hue bachche ko hansaya jae
sanwar nok-palak abruon mein kham kar de
sanvar nok-palak abruon men kham kar de
gire pade hue lafzon ko mohtaram kar de
ghhurur us pe bahut sajta hai magar kah do
isi men us ka bhala hai ghhurur kam kar de
yahan libas ki qimat hai aadmi ki nahin
mujhe gilas bade de sharab kam kar de
chamakne vaali hai tahrir meri qismat ki
koi charaghh ki lau ko zara sa kam kar de
kisi ne chuum ke ankhon ko ye dua di thi
zamin teri khuda motiyon se nam kar de
sanwar nok-palak abruon mein kham kar de
gire pade hue lafzon ko mohtaram kar de
ghurur us pe bahut sajta hai magar kah do
isi mein us ka bhala hai ghurur kam kar de
yahan libas ki qimat hai aadmi ki nahin
mujhe gilas bade de sharab kam kar de
chamakne wali hai tahrir meri qismat ki
koi charagh ki lau ko zara sa kam kar de
kisi ne chum ke aankhon ko ye dua di thi
zamin teri khuda motiyon se nam kar de