“Meray Ishq Ki Hai Azmat” is a soul-stirring Kalam by Khawar Soharwardy that defines the grandeur of a lover through their attachment to the Prophet’s (ﷺ) threshold. The poem transitions from the metaphysical emergence of light to the emotional refuge found at the Sabz Gumbad. It is a masterpiece of Ishq-e-Rasool (ﷺ), portraying the Prophet as the ultimate source of Irfaan (Gnosis) and the only true destination for a broken heart.
Thematic Connections: The Sacred Sanctuary
The theme of the ‘Aastana’ as the final refuge is central to the following works:
مرے عشق کی ہے عظمت ، تیرا سنگ آستانہ
ہے یہی مرا نشیمن، ہے یہی مرا ٹھکانہ
Meray Ishq Ki Hai Azmat Tera Sang-e-Aastana
Hai Yehi Mera Nasheman Hai Yehi Mera Thikana
The greatness of my love is Your stony threshold
This alone is my nest, this alone is my destination.
سر پردہ سرا سے ہے ظہور کنز مخفی
کہ جہاں میں پھیل جائے تیرے حسن کا فسانہ
Sar-e-Parda Sara Se Hai Zuhoor-e-Kanz-e-Makhfi
Ke Jahan Mein Phail Jaye Tere Husn Ka Fasana
From behind the veil, the Hidden Treasure has emerged
So that the story of Your beauty may spread across the world.
کسے ہمسری کا وعوی، کسے سروری کا یارا
کہ ہو انبیا میں یکتا تو رسل میں یگانہ
Kise Hamsari Ka Daawa, Kise Sarwari Ka Yaara
Ke Ho Anbiya Mein Yakta Tu Rusul Mein Yagana
Who can claim equality, who has the strength for such mastery?
For You are unique among Prophets and matchless among Messengers.
تیری رحمتیں سراپا ، تیری شفقتیں سرا سر
تری بخشش وکرم کا ہے معترف زمانہ
Teri Rahmatein Sarapa, Teri Shafqatein Sarasarr
Teri Bakhshish-o-Karam Ka Hai Mu’tarif Zamana
You are mercy from head to toe, Your kindness is absolute
The entire world acknowledges Your forgiveness and grace.
اُمت کے عاصیوں کا ، ٹوٹے ہوئے دلوں کا
واللہ یہ سبز گنبد ہے آخری ٹھکانہ
Ummat Ke Aasiyon Ka, Toote Huay Dilon Ka
Wallah Yeh Sabz Gumbad Hai Aakhri Thikana
For the sinners of the Ummah and for the broken-hearted
By God, this Green Dome is the final refuge.
تو خدا کی ہم پہ رحمت ، تو خدا کا ہم پہ احساں
کہ تمیں سے ہم نے پایا یہ عرفان کا خزانہ
Tu Khuda Ki Hum Pe Rehmat, Tu Khuda Ka Hum Pe Ehsaan
Ke Tumheen Se Hum Ne Paaya Yeh Irfaan Ka Khazaana
You are God’s mercy upon us, You are God’s favor upon us
For through You alone we found this treasure of gnosis.
مجھے کیا غرض زماں سے ، مجھے کیا غرض مکاں سے
مری آرزو تمہیں ہو اے نور دلبرانہ
Mujhe Kya Gharaz Zaman Se, Mujhe Kya Gharaz Makan Se
Meri Aarzoo Tumheen Ho Ae Noor-e-Dilbarana
What concern have I with time? What concern have I with space?
My only desire is You, O beloved Light.
گہے سوزش محبت ، گہے صبر نا شکیبا
غم عاشقی سلامت، ہے یہ قرب کا بہانہ
Gahe Sozish-e-Mohabbat, Gahe Sabr-e-Na-Shakeeba
Gham-e-Aashiqi Salamat, Hai Yeh Qurb Ka Bahana
Sometimes the burning of love, sometimes restless patience
May the sorrow of love remain, for it is but a pretext for nearness.
تیرا غم میر ا مداوا، تیری یاد میرا حاصل
کیا عجب کہ رنگ لائے میرا عشق والہانہ
Tera Gham Mera Madawa, Teri Yaad Mera Haasil
Kya Ajab Ke Rang Laye Mera Ishq-e-Valihana
Grief for You is my remedy, Your memory is my attainment
How wondrous it would be if my ecstatic love bears fruit!
وہ جذب و شوق مضطرکہ لی چوم چوم جالی
اسی جذب میں ہے مضمر ، میرے عشق کا فسانہ
Woh Jazb-o-Shouq-e-Muztar Ke Li Choom Choom Jaali
Isi Jazb Mein Hai Mudmir, Mere Ishq Ka Fasana
That restless absorption and longing that led me to kiss the screens
Within that very ecstasy lies the secret of my love’s story.
یہ سگ در قلندر یہ بہ عرف عام خؔاور
تیرے در کا ہے گداگر اور فقط ترا دیوانہ
Yeh Sag-e-Dar-e-Qalandar Yeh Ba-Urf-e-Aam Khawar
Tere Dar Ka Hai Gada-gar Aur Faqat Tera Deewana
This dog at the Qalandar’s door, commonly known as Khawar
Is a beggar at Your threshold and solely Your devotee.
Insight: The Hidden Treasure (Kanz-e-Makhfi)
Khawar Soharwardy opens this poem with a reference to the Hadith Qudsi: “I was a Hidden Treasure (Kanz-e-Makhfi) and I loved to be known, so I created the creation.” In Sufi thought, the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is the first manifestation of that treasure. By calling the Prophet (ﷺ) the Noor-e-Dilbarana and the Irfaan Ka Khazaana, the poet suggests that knowledge of God is impossible without first recognizing the beauty of the Messenger.
The mention of the Sabz Gumbad (Green Dome) as the Aakhri Thikana (Final Destination) serves as an emotional anchor. It reminds the reader that while the Prophet’s reality is metaphysical, his physical presence in Madinah remains the ultimate sanctuary for the Ummat Ke Aasiyon (sinners of the community).
Vocabulary: Meray Ishq Ki Hai Azmat
- Aastana (آستانہ): Threshold or the abode of a Saint/Master.
- Kanz-e-Makhfi (کنز مخفی): The Hidden Treasure (referring to the Divine Essence).
- Nasheman (نشیمن): Nest or home.
- Irfaan (عرفان): Gnosis; direct spiritual knowledge.
- Madawa (مداوا): Remedy or cure.
- Sag-e-Dar (سگِ در): Dog of the threshold (a symbol of extreme humility).