“Noor He Noor Mahak Kaif o Saroor” is an ecstatic Naat by Khawar Soharwardy that captures the spiritual fragrance (Mahak) of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) presence. The poet uses the classic Sufi metaphor of Jam-e-Tahoor (Pure Wine) to describe Divine Love and addresses the restless heart (Dil-e-Baitaab) to find peace in the arrival of the Mercy to the Worlds.
Thematic Connections: The Presence of Mercy
Khawar Soharwardy’s themes of spiritual peace and intercession are mirrored here:
نور ہی نور، مہک ، کیف و سرور آئے ہیں
دل بیتاب ذرا صبر ، حضورؐ آئے ہیں
Noor He Noor Mahak, Kaif o Saroor Ayay Hain
Dil-e-Baitaab Zara Sabr, Huzoor (ﷺ) Ayay Hain
Light upon light, fragrance, ecstasy, and joy have arrived!
O restless heart, have patience, for the Presence (ﷺ) has arrived.
چشم پر نم ہے ، طبیعت میں سکوں کا عالم
زہے!ذولفضل وکرم، رحمت و نور آئے ہیں
Chashm-e-Pur Nam Hai, Tabiyat Mein Sukoon Ka Aalam
Zahay! Zul-Fazl o Karam, Rehmat o Noor Ayay Hain
Eyes are tearful, yet the soul is in a state of deep peace
O, what glory! The Master of Grace, Mercy and Light has arrived.
قدسیاں فرط اَدب سے ہیں ہر سمت کھڑے
اور ہاتھوں میں لئے جام طہور آئے ہیں
Qudsiyan Fart-e-Adab Se Hain Har Samt Kharay
Aur Haathon Mein Liye Jam-e-Tahoor Ayay Hain
Angels stand on every side with the utmost reverence
Holding the cups of pure celestial wine in their hands.
جام پہ جام لنڈھاؤ کہ صلائےعا م ہے یارو
اپنے رندوں کو پلانے خود حضورؐ آئے ہیں
Jaam Pe Jaam Lundhao Ke Salaye-Aam Hai Yaaro
Apne Rindon Ko Pilane Khud Huzoor (ﷺ) Ayay Hain
Pour cup after cup, for the invitation is open to all, O friends!
To quench the thirst of his lovers, the Presence (ﷺ) himself has arrived.
عاصیو! بڑھ کے پکڑ لو اپنے مولیٰ کے قدم
وہ شفاعت کو یوم النشور آئے ہیں
Aasiyo! Barh Ke Pakar Lo Apne Maula Ke Qadam
Woh Shafa’at Ko Yaum-un-Nushoor Ayay Hain
O sinners! Step forward and hold the feet of your Master
He has arrived for your intercession on the Day of Resurrection.
اپنے پلے تو نہیں کچھ بھی بجز اس کے کہ ہم
حمد اور نعت کی محفل میں ضرور آئے ہیں
Apne Pallay To Nahin Kuch Bhi Bajuz Is Ke Ke Hum
Hamd Aur Naat Ki Mehfil Mein Zaroor Ayay Hain
We possess nothing of merit in our hands, except for this—
That we have surely presented ourselves in this gathering of Praise.
ہیں تجلی گہ ربی یہ بزرگوں کے مزارات
کون کہتا ہے کہ ہم پیش قبور آئے ہیں
Hain Tajalli Gah-e-Rabbi Yeh Buzurgon Ke Mazarat
Kaun Kahta Hai Ke Hum Pesh-e-Quboor Ayay Hain
The shrines of the saints are the stations of Divine Manifestation
Who says that we have come merely to stand before graves?
تاکہ ہم پر بھی ہو واجب یہ شفاعت خاور
در اقدس پہ جبھی پیش حضورؐ آئے ہیں
Ta-kay Hum Par Bhi Ho Waajib Yeh Shafa’at Khawar
Dar-e-Aqdas Pe Jabhi Pesh-e-Huzoor (ﷺ) Ayay Hain
So that intercession may become mandatory for us too, O Khawar
That is why we have presented ourselves at his sacred door.
The Station of Tajalli (Divine Manifestation)
In this Naat, Khawar Soharwardy makes a profound theological point regarding Mazarat (shrines). He argues that visiting the resting places of the Auliya (Saints) is not “worshipping graves” (Quboor), but rather visiting locations where the Tajalli (Manifestation) of God’s light is exceptionally strong due to the spiritual rank of the person buried there.
The poet also emphasizes Shafa’at (Intercession), reminding the believers that the Prophet (ﷺ) is the final refuge on the Yaum-un-Nushoor (Day of Gathering). By holding the “Master’s feet,” the sinner finds hope in the midst of fear.
Vocabulary: Noor he Noor Mahak
- Kaif o Saroor: Spiritual intoxication and joy.
- Qudsiyan: The angelic beings (the holy ones).
- Jam-e-Tahoor: Pure, celestial drink mentioned in the Quran.
- Yaum-un-Nushoor: The Day of Resurrection/Gathering.
- Tajalli-Gah: A place where Divine Light is revealed.