“Azal Ka Woh Sirr-e-Nihaan” is a deeply philosophical poem by Khawar Soharwardy that bridges the gap between the Divine Essence and the physical manifestation of Light. It celebrates the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) as the means through which the “Hidden Secret” of Allah became manifest. This Kalam touches on the cosmic significance of Kun Faya Kun and the elevated status of the Ummah through the blessing of the Prophet (ﷺ).
Thematic Connections: The Divine Secret
The revelation of the ‘Hidden Treasure’ through the Prophet (ﷺ) is a theme explored by these masters:
ازل کا وہ سرِّ نہاں اللہ اللہ
ترے دم قدم سے عیاں اللہ اللہ
Azal Ka Woh Sirr-e-Nihaan Allah Allah
Tere Dum Qadam Se Ayaan Allah Allah
The hidden secret of pre-eternity—Allah, Allah!
Has become manifest through Your blessed footsteps—Allah, Allah!
یہ رشتہ عبد اور معبود واللہ
نفس در نفس کن فکاں اللہ اللہ
Yeh Rishta Abd Aur Mabood Wallah
Nafas Dar Nafas Kun Fakaan Allah Allah
This relationship between the Servant and the Worshiped, by God!
Is the breath within the breath of ‘Be, and it is’—Allah, Allah!
یہ ہمت، یہ قدرت یہ شان تصّرف
یہ تسخیر کون و مکاں اللہ اللہ
Yeh Himmat, Yeh Qudrat, Yeh Shaan-e-Tasarruf
Yeh Taskheer-e-Kaun-o-Makaan Allah Allah
This courage, this power, this glory of spiritual influence!
This conquest of the entire universe—Allah, Allah!
کلام محمد—————کلام الہٰی
یہ حسن کلام و بیاں اللہ اللہ
Kalam-e-Muhammad… Kalam-e-Ilahi
Yeh Husn-e-Kalam-o-Bayan Allah Allah
The speech of Muhammad is the speech of God
This beauty of discourse and expression—Allah, Allah!
ملا ئک کو ہے رشک اہل زمیں پر
کہ ہے یاں تیراآستاں اللہ اللہ
Malaik Ko Hai Rashk Ahl-e-Zameen Par
Ke Hai Yaan Tera Aastaan Allah Allah
The angels envy the dwellers of the Earth
Because Your threshold (Astaan) is here—Allah, Allah!
حقیقت کھلی جس گھڑی لا الہ کی
ملا بے نشاں کا نشاں اللہ اللہ
Haqeeqat Khuli Jis Ghari La-Ilaha Ki
Mila Be-Nishan Ka Nishan Allah Allah
The moment the reality of ‘There is no god’ was revealed
The sign of the Signless One was found—Allah, Allah!
ہے تیری بدولت عجب شانِ امت
کہ خیر الامم در جہاں اللہ اللہ
Hai Teri Badoulat Ajab Shaan-e-Ummat
Ke Khair-ul-Umam Dar Jahan Allah Allah
Due to You, the Ummah has achieved a wondrous glory
As the ‘Best of Nations’ in the world—Allah, Allah!
میں کلمہ طیب پہ قرباں کہ اس میں
تیرا نام ہے ہم عناں اللہ اللہ
Main Kalima-e-Tayyab Pe Qurban Ke Is Mein
Tera Naam Hai Hum-Inaan Allah Allah
I sacrifice myself for the Pure Kalima, for within it
Your name is joined alongside His—Allah, Allah!
ہے تو جن کی دنیا،ہے تو جن کا عقبی
وہ سوئے مدینہ رواں اللہ اللہ
Hai Tu Jin Ki Dunya, Hai Tu Jin Ka Uqba
Woh Soye Madinah Rawaan Allah Allah
For those to whom You are the world and the hereafter
They are ever-traveling toward Madinah—Allah, Allah!
سفر میں ،حضر میں، نظر میں ، خبر میں
تیرا ساتھ ہو جانِ جاں اللہ اللہ
Safar Mein, Hazer Mein, Nazar Mein, Khabar Mein
Tera Saath Ho Jaan-e-Jaan Allah Allah
In travel, at home, in vision, and in news
May Your company be with me, O Life of Souls—Allah, Allah!
تمنّا ہے خؔاور درونِ لحد بھی
کہے دل “محمد” زباں اللہ اللہ
Tamanna Hai Khawar Daroon-e-Lahad Bhi
Kahe Dil “Muhammad” Zubaan Allah Allah
It is the wish of Khawar that even inside the grave
The heart says “Muhammad” and the tongue, “Allah Allah!”
Insight: The Unity of Name and Essence
In the verse “Main Kalima-e-Tayyab Pe Qurban,” Soharwardy highlights a central Sufi tenet: the name of the Prophet (ﷺ) is inseparable from the declaration of Allah’s oneness. This concept of being Hum-Inaan (joined like two reins of a horse) suggests that the path to the Creator is only accessible through the Messenger.
The poet also uses the term Aastaan (Threshold), suggesting that the physical presence of the Prophet (ﷺ) on Earth is a source of envy even for the angels. By closing with a prayer for the grave, he reinforces the belief that the connection to the Prophet (ﷺ) is the only constant in every stage of existence—from pre-eternity (Azal) to the afterlife.
Vocabulary: Azal Ka Woh Sirr-e-Nihaan
- Azal (ازل): Pre-eternity; time without beginning.
- Sirr-e-Nihaan (سرِّ نہاں): Hidden secret.
- Kun Fakaan (کن فکاں): ‘Be, and it is’ (The Divine command of creation).
- Taskheer (تسخیر): Conquest or subduing.
- Hum-Inaan (ہم عناں): Side by side; joined together.
- Lahad (لحد): The grave.