Khazan Ke Maray Huay Janib-e-Bahar Chalay: Allama Riaz-ud-Din Soharwardy
Seeking the Spiritual Spring
خزاں کے مارے ہوئے جانب بہار چلے
قرار پانے زمانے کے بے قرار چلے
Khazan Ke Maray Huay Janib-e-Bahar Chalay
Qarar Panay Zamanay Ke Be-Qarar Chalay
Those stricken by the autumn of life have turned toward the eternal spring;
The restless souls of this world have set out to find their ultimate peace.
The Paths of the Beloved
وہ راہیں مہکیں وہ کوچے بھی عطر بیز ہوئے
جدھر جدھر سے وہ محبوب کرد گار چلے
Woh Rahein Mehkein Woh Kochay Bhi Atar-Baiz Huay
Jidhar Jidhar Se Woh Mahboob-e-Kirdigar Chalay
The pathways turned fragrant and the lanes became infused with celestial scent;
Wherever the Beloved of the Creator happened to pass by.
The Plea of the Needy
اے تاجدارِ جہاں اے حبیب ربِ کریم
وہ بھیک دو کہ غریبوں کا کاروبار چلے
Ay Tajdar-e-Jahan Ay Habib-e-Rabb-e-Karim
Woh Bheek Do Ke Ghareebon Ka Karobar Chalay
O Crown-bearer of the universe! O Beloved of the Most Generous Lord!
Grant us such spiritual alms that the life-affairs of the poor may flourish.
The Embrace of Divine Mercy
وہیں پہ تھام لیا اُن کو دست قدرت نے
نبیؐ کے در کی طرف جب گناہگار چلے
Wahin Pe Thaam Liya Unko Dast-e-Qudrat Ne
Nabi Ke Dar Ki Taraf Jab Gunahgar Chalay
The Hand of Divine Power embraced them at that very spot;
The moment the sinners turned their footsteps toward the Prophet’s ﷺ door.
The Threshold of Grace
جھکا کے اپنی جبیں اُن کے آستانے پر
نصیب بگڑا ہوا تھا اسے سنوار چلے
Jhuka Ke Apni Jabeen Unke Astanay Par
Naseeb Bigra Hua Tha Usay Sanwar Chalay
By bowing their foreheads upon his blessed threshold;
Those with broken destinies have set out with their lives restored.
The Only Offering
ہمارے پاس ہی کیا تھا جو نذر کرتے انہیں
بس ایک دل تھا جسے کر کے ہم نثار چلے
Hamare Paas Hi Kya Tha Jo Nazr Kartay Unhein
Bas Aik Dil Tha Jise Kar Ke Hum Nisar Chalay
What did we truly possess that we could offer as a worthy gift to him?
There was but one heart, and that we have sacrificed in his devotion.
The Majesty of the Blessed Sandals
ریاضؔ عظمتِ نعلینِ مصطفےٰ کی قسم
سروں پہ رکھتے ہوئے اس کو تاجدار چلے
Riaz Azmat-e-Nalain-e-Mustafa Ki Qasam
Saron Pe Rakhtay Huay Isko Tajdar Chalay
Riaz! By the oath of the greatness of Mustafa’s ﷺ blessed sandals;
Even the kings of this world have walked with its dust upon their heads.
The Final Triumph
ریاضؔ اُن کے کرم سے ہوئی ہے جیت اپنی
وگرنہ بازی تھے ہم زندگی کی ہار چلے
Riaz Unke Karam Se Hui Hai Jeet Apni
Wagarna Baazi Thay Hum Zindagi Ki Haar Chalay
O Riaz! It is only by his grace that we have secured our victory;
Otherwise, we were destined to lose the very wager of our lives.
Insight: The Sanctuary of the Soul
This Naat is a masterpiece of Niyaz (humility). The poet emphasizes that the Prophet’s ﷺ door is the only place where “broken destinies” (Bigra naseeb) are mended. By including tags like Mahak and Aasi, we highlight the sensory and emotional depth of this journey—the sinner (Aasi) following the spiritual fragrance (Mahak) to the door of Tajdar-e-Jahan.
Vocabulary: Hikmat-e-Soharwardy
- Khazan (خزاں): Autumn; in Sufi imagery, it represents spiritual desolation, aging, or the state of a sinner.
- Janib-e-Bahar (جانبِ بہار): Toward the Spring; turning toward the mercy and presence of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Atar-Baiz (عطر بیز): Scent-scattering; a path or place that has become infused with perfume.
- Mahboob-e-Kirdigar (محبوبِ کرد گار): The Beloved of the Creator (Allah).
- Ghareebon Ka Karobar (غریبوں کا کاروبار): The “business” or life-affairs of the poor; referring to both spiritual and worldly sustenance.
- Dast-e-Qudrat (دستِ قدرت): The Hand of Divine Power; the manifestation of Allah’s help and mercy.
- Jabeen (جبیں): The forehead; the place where one bows in prostration or respect.
- Astana (آستانہ): Threshold or door; a sacred place of refuge.
- Nalain (نعلین): The blessed sandals of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Baazi (بازی): A game, wager, or stake; here referring to the gamble of one’s life.