Gar Ishq e Haqiqi Ast O Gar Ishq Majaz Ast Lyrics & Meaning – Bu Ali Qalandar

This profound Persian Hamd, composed in the classical Ghazal form by Bu Ali Qalandar (Sharafuddin), explores the deep spiritual philosophy of Ishq-e-Haqiqi (Divine Love). In the famous opening lines, “Gar Ishq e Haqiqi Ast O Gar Ishq Majaz Ast,” the poet bridges the gap between metaphorical and absolute love, arguing that the true purpose of both is to ignite the heart through Soz-o-Gudaz (spiritual burning). The Kalam moves from the primordial covenant of Alast to a sharp critique of outward religious formalism, teaching that the only gift truly accepted at the door of the Divine is Ajz-o-Niyaz—sincere humility.

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گر عشق حقیقی است و گر عشق مجاز است
مقصود ازین ہر دو مرا سوز و گداز است

Gar Ishq-e-Haqiqi Ast-o Gar Ishq Majaz Ast
Maqsood Azeen Har Do Mera Soz-o-Gudaz Ast

Whether it be Divine Love or metaphorical (earthly) love;
My ultimate purpose in both is only the burning and melting (of the soul).

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گفتی تو الست و زدم آواز بلی من
بنگر کہ مرا با تو ز میثاق نیاز است

Gufti Tu Alast-o Zadam Awaz-e-Bala Man
Bingar Ke Mera Ba Tu Ze Meethaq-e-Niyaz Ast

You asked “Am I not (your Lord)?” and I cried out “Yes!”;
See how my bond with You is tied to that primordial covenant of devotion.

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راز تو بلب نیارد و دل شودش خون
ہر کس کہ درین دہر ترا محرم راز است

Raaz-e-Tu Ba Lab Nayard-o Dil Shawadash Khoon
Har Kas Ke Dareen Dehr Tu Ra Mahram-e-Raaz Ast

One does not bring Your secret to the lips, even as the heart turns to blood;
Whosoever in this world becomes the confidant of Your mysteries.

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عشق ہست و صد آفات محن لازم وملزوم
این منزل دشوار و رہ سخت دراز است

Ishq Hast-o Sadd Aafat-e-Mihan Lazim-o-Malzoom
In Manzil-e-Dushwar-o Rah-e-Sakht Daraz Ast

Where there is Love, a hundred afflictions and trials are inseparable;
This destination is difficult, and the path is exceedingly long.

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اندر دل او گاؤ خر و ذکر بلبہا
قاضی بتصور کہ ہمین حق نماز است

Andar Dil-e-Oo Gao-o-Khar-o Zikr Ba Lab-ha
Qazi Ba Tasawwur Ke Hameen Haqq-e-Namaz Ast

Within his heart are cattle and donkeys, yet Your remembrance is on his lips;
The Qazi (formalist) imagines that this alone is the true essence of prayer.

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خواہی کہ روی بردر آن دوست قلندر
آن ہدیہ کہ مقبول شود عجز و نیاز است

Khuahi Ke Rawi Bar Dar-e-Aan Dost Qalandar
Aan Hadya Ke Maqbool Shawad Ajz-o-Niyaz Ast

O Qalandar! If you wish to go to the door of that Friend;
The only gift that is accepted there is humility and supplication.

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