The Original Urdu (English Transliteration)
Nahin nigaah me manzil toh justjoo hi sahi,
Nahin wisaal mayassar toh aarzoo hi sahi,
Na tan mein khoon faraaham, na ashk aankhon mein,
Namaaz-e-shauq toh waajib hai, be-wuzoo hi sahi,
Kisi tarah toh jame bazm maikade waalon,
Nahin jo baada-o-saagar toh haa-o-hoo hi sahi,
Gar intezaar kathin hai toh jab talak ai dil!
Kisi ke waada-e-fardaa ki guftgoo hi sahi,
Dayaar-e-ghair me mehram agar nahin koi,
To 'Faiz', Zikr-e-watan apne roobaroo hi sahi.........
English Translation
If the goal is not in sight, For mere desire I'd settle,
If a glimpse is too much to ask, For mere longing I'd settle,
Even with no blood to spare and no tears to shed,
Dutiful is my prayer of passion, Pure or impure I'd settle,
My fellow taverners! Let the revelry begin now,
Empty goblets, No flowing wine, For mere banter I'd settle,
If painful is the wait, till then Oh Love!
Her future promises, For mere reminiscing I'd settle,
If no friend amongst unknown faces I find, Face to face,
My country's praises 'Faiz', For a mere mention I'd settle.......
Subtle Complexities and Myriad Simplicities.......: A Translation: Nahin Nigaah Mein Manzil......... Faiz Sahab's Ghazal