“Ay Chehra-e Zeba-e-Tu” is a masterpiece of Persian poetry where Amir Khusro reaches the pinnacle of mystical expression. This ghazal is defined by the profound concept of Fana (Annihilation), most famously captured in the verse “Mun tu shudam tu mun shudi.” It describes the total dissolution of the lover’s ego into the Divine presence, leaving no room for duality. This theme of spiritual merging is a cornerstone of the Sufi path, echoing through the ages from the classical Persian Poetry of Khusro to the ecstatic Arifana Kalam of the later saints, where the distinction between the seeker and the Sought finally vanishes.
ای چہرہ زیبای تو
رشک بتان آزری
ہر چند وصف می کنم
در حسن زاں بالا تری
Ay chehra-e zeba-e-tu
Rashk-e butan-e-Azari
Har chand wasf-e mi kunam
Dar husn zan bala tari
O Your beautiful face
Is the envy of the idols of Azar
However much I describe Your beauty
In loveliness, You are far above that description
تو از پری چا بک تری
و ز برگ گل نازک تری
و ز ہر چہ گوئم بہتری
حقا عجائب دلبری
Tu az pari chabuk tari
Wa’z barg-e gul nazuk tari
Wa’z har che goyam behtari
Haqqa ajaib dilbari
You are more graceful than a fairy
And more delicate than a rose petal
You are better than anything I could say
Truly, You are a wonderful heart-stealer
عالم ہمہ یغمای تو
خلقی ہمہ شیدای تو
آں نرگس شہلای تو
آوردہ رسم کافری
Aalam hama yaghma-e-tu
Khalqi hama shaida-e-tu
Aan nargis-e shahla-e-tu
Aawarda rasm-e kafiri
The whole world is plundered by You
And all creation is mad for You
Those dark, intoxicating eyes of Yours
Have introduced the tradition of infidelity
آفاقہا گردیدہ ام
مہر بتاں ورزیدہ ام
بسیار خوباں دیدہ ام
لیکن تو چیزی دیگری
Aafaqha gardeeda am
Mihr-e butan warzeeda am
Besiyar khuban deeda am
Laikan tu cheez-e deegari
I have wandered through the horizons
And cherished the love of many beauties
I have seen many beautiful ones
But You are something else entirely
من تو شدم تو من شدی
من تن شدم تو جان شدی
تا کس نہ گوید بعد ازیں
من دیگرم تو دیگری
Mun tu shudam tu mun shudi
Mun tun shudam tu jaan shudi
Taakas na goyad baad azeen
Mun deegaram tu deegari
I have become You and You have become me
I am the body and You are the soul
So that hereafter, no one may say that
I am someone and You are someone else
خسرو غریب است و گدا
افتادہ در شہر شما
با شد کہ از بہر خدا
سوی غریباں بنگری
Khusrau ghareeb ast o gada
Futada dar shahr-e-shuma
Bashad ke az bahr-e Khuda
Suye ghareeban bangari
Khusrau is poor and a beggar
Fallen in Your city
May it be that for God’s sake
You cast a glance toward the poor and the strangers
Vocabulary: Ay Chehra-e Zeba
- Zeba: Beautiful / Adorned.
- Rashk: Envy / Jealousy.
- Butan: Idols (Metaphor for beauties).
- Azari: Relating to Azar (the father of Prophet Ibrahim), famous for carving beautiful idols.
- Wasf: Praise / Description.
- Yaghma: Plunder / Booty.
- Aafaq: Horizons / The world.
- Mun Tu Shudam: I became you.