Ahmad Faraz, the name that resonates with poetry enthusiasts, stands as a towering figure in the realm of Urdu literature. Born as Syed Ahmad Shah in Kohat, British India, on January 12, 1931, Faraz became one of the most celebrated and beloved poets of his time. His profound words, rich metaphors, and poignant expressions captured the hearts and minds of countless readers, cementing his legacy as a master poet.

Faraz's poetry is characterized by its depth, intensity, and the ability to touch the deepest recesses of the human soul. His verses delve into themes of love, loss, longing, revolution, and social justice, reflecting the trials and tribulations of the society he lived in. Faraz possessed an uncanny talent for weaving together words that evoked strong emotions, often stirring a sense of longing, melancholy, or hope within his readers.

One of the distinctive aspects of Faraz's poetry is his mastery of the ghazal form. He revitalized this traditional poetic form, infusing it with his unique style and contemporary sensibilities. His ghazals are replete with captivating imagery, thought-provoking symbolism, and a lyrical quality that sets them apart. Faraz had an innate ability to capture the nuances of human relationships, particularly the bittersweet nature of love, with remarkable finesse.

Throughout his poetic journey, Faraz remained a voice of dissent and resistance. His verses became a powerful medium to criticize social and political injustices, and he fearlessly confronted the prevailing power structures of his time. He spoke for the downtrodden, the marginalized, and the voiceless, embodying the spirit of a true poet-activist.

Faraz's poetry not only resonated within the confines of his native Pakistan but transcended borders, touching the hearts of Urdu poetry enthusiasts worldwide. His words became an integral part of the cultural fabric, inspiring generations and leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape.

Ahmad Faraz breathed his last on August 25, 2008, leaving behind a rich body of work that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day. His verses remind us of the power of words, the beauty of language, and the profound impact that poetry can have on society.

In the realm of Urdu poetry, Ahmad Faraz's name shines like a radiant star, forever illuminating the hearts of those who seek solace, inspiration, and an unfiltered expression of the human experience. His legacy remains an eternal testament to the enduring power of poetry to touch the very core of our existence.

ab kis kaa jashn manaate ho us des kaa jo taqseem huaa
ab kis ke geet sunaate ho us tan-man kaa jo do-neem huaa
us Khvaab kaa jo rezaa rezaa un aaNkhon ki taqadir huaa
us naam kaa jo TukaDaa TukaDaa galiyon men be-tauqir huaa
us parcham kaa jis ki hurmat baazaaron men nilaam hu_i
us miTTi kaa jis ki hurmat mansuub uduu ke naam hu_i
us jang ko jo tum haar chuke us rasm kaa jo jaari bhi nahin
us zaKhm kaa jo sine pe na thaa us jaan kaa jo vaari bhi nahin
us Khuun kaa jo bad_qismat thaa raahon men bahaayaa tan men rahaa
us phuul kaa jo beqimat thaa aaNgan men khilaa yaa ban men rahaa
us mashriq kaa jis ko tum ne neze ki ani marham samajhaa
us maGarib kaa jis ko tum ne jitana bhi luuTaa kam samajhaa
un maasuumon kaa jin ke lahuu se tum ne farozaaN raaten kin
yaa un mazaluumon kaa jis se Khanjar ki zubaaN men baaten kin
us mariyam kaa jis ki iffat luTati hai bhare baazaaron men
us isaa kaa jo qaatil hai aur shaamil hai Gam_Khvaaron men
in nauhaagaron kaa jin ne hamen Khud qatl kiyaa Khud rote hain
aise bhi kahin dam_saaz hue aise jallaad bhi hote hain
un bhuuke nange DhaaNchon kaa jo raqs sar-e-baazaar karen
yaa un zaalim qazzaaqon kaa jo bhes badal kar vaar karen
yaa un JhuuTe iqaraaron kaa jo aaj talak aifaa na hue
yaa un bebas laachaaron kaa jo aur bhi dukh kaa nishaanaa hue
is shaahi kaa jo dast-ba-dast aa_i hai tumhaare hisse men
kyon nang-e-vatan ki baat karo kyaa rakhaa hai is qisse men
aaNkhon men chhupaaye ashkon ko honThon men vafaa ke bol liye
is jashn men bhi shaamil huuN nauhon se bharaa kashkol liye
Ahmad faraz

Qurbaton men bhi judai ke zamane maNge
Dil vo bemehar ki rone ke bahane maNge
Apana ye hal ke ji har chuke luT bhi chuke
Aur muhabbat vahi andaz purane maNge
Ham na hote to kisi aur ke charche hote
Khalqat-e-shahar to kahane ko fasane maNge
Dil kisi hal pe mane hi nahin jan-e-`Faraz`
Mil gaye tum bhi to kya aur na jane maNge
Ahmad Faraz

vafaa ke Khaab muhabbat kaa aasra le jaa
agar chalaa hai to jo kuchh mujhe diyaa le jaa
maqaam-e-sood-o-ziyaa.N aa gayaa hai phir jaanaa.N
ye zaKhm mere sahi, teer to uThaa le jaa
yahi hai qismat-e-saharaa yahi karam teraa
ki bu.Nd bu.Nd ataa kar ghaTaa ghaTaa le jaa
Guroor-e-dost se itanaa bhi dil_shikastaa na ho
phir uTh ke saamane daaman-e-iltajaa le jaa
nadaamate.n ho.n to sar baar-e-dosh hotaa hai
'Faraz' jaa.N ke evaz aabaru bachaa le jaa
Ahmad Faraz

ye kyaa ke sab se bayaaN dil ki haalaten karni
'Faraz' tujh ko na aain muhabbaten karani
ye qurb kyaa hai ke tu saamne hai aur hamen
shumaar abhi se judaai ki sa'aten karani
koi Khuda ho ke patthar jise bhii ham chahen
tamaam umr usi ki ibaadaten karani
sab apne apne qarine se muntazir us ke
kisi ko shukr kisi ko shikaayaten karani
ham apne dil se hain majboor aur logon ko
zaraa sii baat pe barpaa qayaamaten karni
milen jab un se to mub-ham sii guftaguu karna
phir apne aap se sau-sau vazaahaten karani
ye log kaise magar dushmani nibhaaten hain
hamiin ko raas na aain muhabbaten karani
kabhii 'Faraz' naye mausamon men ro denaa
kabhii talaash puraanii raqaabaten karani
Ahmad Faraz

ab ke rut badalii to Khushbuu kaa safar dekhegaa kaun
zaKhm phuulon kii tarah mahakenge par dekhegaa kaun
dekhanaa sab raqs-e-bismal men magan ho jaayenge
jis taraf se tiir aayegaa udhar dekhegaa kaun
vo havas ho yaa vafaa ho baat maharuumii kii hai
log to phal-phuul dekhenge shajar dekhegaa kaun
ham chiraaG-e-shab hii jab Thahare to phir kyaa sochanaa
raat thii kis kaa muqaddar aur sahar dekhegaa kaun
aa fasiil-e-shahar se dekhen Ganiim-e-shahar ko
shahar jalataa ho to tujh ko baam par dekhegaa kaun

ab ke ham bichhDe to shaayad kabhi Khaabon men milen
jis tarah suukhe hue phuul kitaabon men milen
DhuuNDh ujaDe hue logon men vafaa ke motii
ye Khazaane tujhe mumkin hai Kharaabon men milen
tuu Khudaa hai na meraa ishq farishton jaisaa
donon insaaN hain to kyon itane hijaabon men milen
Gam-e-duniyaa bhii Gam-e-yaar men shaamil kar lo
nashaa baDataa hai sharaben jo sharaabon men milen
aaj ham daar pe khenche gaye jin baaton par
kyaa ajab kal vo zamaane ko nisaabon men milen
ab na vo main huuN na tu hai na vo maazii hai Faraaz
jaise do shaKhs tamannaa ke saraabon mem milen

Usne sukoot-e-shab mein bhi apna payaam rakh diya
Hijr ki raat baam per maah-e-tamaam rakh diya
Aamad-e-dost ki naveed koo-e-wafa mein garm thi
Meine bhi ik charagh sa dil sar-e-shaam rakh diya
Shiddat-e-tishnagi mein bhi ghairat-e-maikashi rahi
Usne jo phair li nazar meine bhi jaam rakh di
Usne nazar nazar mein he aisay bhalay sukhan kahey
Meine to uske paaon mein saara kalaam rakh diya
Dekho woh merey khwaab thay dekho yeh mere zakhm hain
Meine to sab hisaab-e-jaan barsar-e-aam rakh diya
Ake bahaar ne bhi keen aisi shararatein ke bus
Kubk-e-Dari ki chaal mein tera khiraam rakh diya
Jo bhi mila usi ka dil halqa baghosh-e-yaar tha
Usne to saaray shehr ko karke ghulaam rakh diya
Aur faraz chahiyein kitni mohabbatein tujhe
Maaon ne tere naam pe bachon ka naam rakh diya
By : - Ahmad Faraz

vafaa ke Khvaab muhabbat kaa aasara le jaa
agar chalaa hai to jo kuchh mujhe diyaa le jaa
maqaam-e-suud-o-ziyaaN aa gayaa hai phir jaanaaN
ye zaKhm mere sahii tiir to uThaa le jaa
yahii hai qismat-e-saharaa yahii karam teraa
ki buuNd buuNd ataa kar ghaTaa ghaTaa le jaa
Guruur-e-dost se itanaa bhii dil_shikastaa na ho
phir uTh ke saamane daaman-e-iltajaa le jaa
nadaamaten hon to sar baar-e-dosh hotaa hai
'Faraz' jaaN ke evaz aabaruu bachaa le jaa
Ahmad Faraz

Bhalay dino ki baat hai bhali si ik shakal thi,
na yeah k husun tam ho na dekhnay mai aam si.
Na yeah k woh chalay to kehkashan c rah guzar lagay,
magar jub wo sath ho to phir bhala bhala safar lagay.
Koi bhi rut ho us ki wo chup fiza ka rang roop thi,
wo germiyo ki chaon thi wo serdiyo ki dhoop thi.
Na aisi khush libasiyaan k sadgi gila karay,
na itni be takalufi k aina haya keray.
Na asihq juno ki k zinadgi azab ho,
na is qadar kathorpan k zindagi kharab ho.
So ek roz kiya hua k wafa pe behas chir gai,
mai ishq ko amar kaho wo meri zid say chid gai.
Mai ishq ka aseer tha wo ishq ko kafas kahay,
k umer bhar k sath ko wo ba aittaraz hawas kahay.
Na us ko mujh per maan tha na mujh ko us per zaum hi,
jo aihad bhi koi na ho to phir kiya gham e shikistaghi.
So apna apna rasta hasi khushi badal diya,
woh apni rah chal pari mai apni rah chal diya.
Bhali si is shakal thi bhali si us ki dosti,
ab us ki yad raat din to nahi mager kabi kabi....
Ahmad Faraz

us ne sukut-e-shab men bhi apna payaam rakh diya
hijr ki raat baam par maah-e-tamaam rakh diyaa
aamad-e-dost kii navid ku-e-vafaa men aam thi
main ne bhi ik chiraaG-saa dil sar-e-shaam rakh diyaa
dekho ye mere Khvaab the dekho ye mere zaKhm hain
main ne to sab hisaab-e-jaaN bar_sar-e-aam rakh diyaa
us ne nazar nazar men hi aise bhale suKhan kahe
main ne to us ke paaNon men saaraa kalaam rakh diyaa
shiddat-e-tishnagi men bhi Gairat-e-maikashi rahi
us ne jo pher li nazar main ne bhi jaam rakh diya
aur 'Faraz' chaahiiye kitanii muhabbaten tujhe
ke maaoN ne tere naam par bachchon ka naam rakh diyaa
Ahmad Faraz