Taajdaar-e Haram: Praying for Grace

AI-generated art depicting Muslim pilgrims arriving in Arabia via sea

About the Poem

AuthorsHakim Mirza and H.B. (Habib) Madani [attributed; authorship unclear]
Time PeriodUnclear
LanguageUrdu
Typena’at
Metermutadaarik musamman muzaa’af saalim
= – = / = – = / = – = / = – = / = – = / = – = / = – = / = – =

Introduction

“Taajdaar-e Haram” is a devotional qawwali famously performed by the late Sabri Brothers, Ghulam Farid Sabri (1930-1994) and Maqbool Ahmed Sabri (1945-2011), from Pakistan. Their live rendition of this hymn is rich and complex, containing excerpts from poems written by diverse authors in different languages and time periods.

This qawwali is a na’at (praise of the prophet Muhammad), since it serves as a plea to Muhammad to bestow his grace and mercy upon the needy. According to the 1970 record released by the Sabri Brothers, the lyrics are by Hakim Mirza and H.B. (Habib) Madani, both of whom are difficult to identify. Some report that the Hakim Mirza who wrote this na’at is the same Hakim Mirza who was the brother of the Mughal emperor Akbar. As the Urdu used in “Taajdaar-e Haram” appears to be modern, it is unlikely that he wrote the main poem, but he may have written some of the Farsi verses interspersed within the qawwali whose authorship remains unclear. Given the takhallus (pen name) in the last line of the main poem, it is clear that someone named Habib wrote those verses.

The Sabri Brothers insert pious pleas by other renowned poets in their version of this qawwali. Towards the beginning, they recite a Farsi line from the poem “Marhaba Sayyidi Makki Madani” by Muhammad Jaan Qudsi Mashhadi (-1646), the poet laureate of the Mughal Empire under Shah Jahan. Later on, the Sabri Brothers include an Urdu na’at by the Pakistani poet Muzaffar Warsi (1933-2011), who is famous for writing the hamd (praise of God) titled “Wohi Khuda Hai”. Another Farsi excerpt is from Maulana Jami (1414-1492), a Sufi theologian and poet from modern-day Afghanistan. There are also a few lines in Arabic from a poem attributed to Zayn al-Abideen (659-713), a descendant of the prophet Muhammad and the fourth Shia imam.  

Two other excerpted poems are notable for their bilingual verse. One is the classic ghazal “Zihaal-e Miskeen”, attributed to Ameer Khusrau (1253-1325), who was a Sufi disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya and the father of qawwali. It alternates between Farsi and Hindi lines. The other is “Ai ‘Arab Ke Kunvar”, a poem is attributed to Bhai Mardana, a companion of the Sikh leader Guru Nanak. Its structure contains two lines in Purbi (a dialect of Hindi), one line in Farsi, and another line in Purbi. These works of Khusrau and Mardana both follow the Sufi trope of a woman lamenting her separation from her beloved. In the context of this qawwali, it symbolizes the believer’s separation from Muhammad. 

In “Taajdaar-e Haram”, the speaker asks for a glance of mercy from the prophet Muhammad in order to cleanse his sins, rejuvenate his faith, and give him strength. The speaker beseeches the morning breeze (saba) to carry his prayer to Muhammad’s tomb in Madinah. If the prophet accepts, wine will metaphorically flow forth, filling all the believers’ empty goblets. The prophet Muhammad acts as the wine-pourer, i.e. the guide facilitating believers’ relationship with the divine. Specifically, he is mentioned as the wine-pourer of Kausar (or Kawthar). According to Islamic tradition, Kausar is a body of water (sometimes called a “lake-fount”) in heaven that God promised as a gift to Muhammad. In “Taajdaar-e Haram”, when Muhammad fills the cups of his followers with the waters of Kausar, he is fulfilling their material and spiritual needs.

The different puzzle pieces of “Taajdaar-e Haram” employ different metaphors and styles, but are united by the theme of seeking guidance and mercy from the prophet Muhammad. Since this qawwali is so complex, I have done my best to indicate the language and author of each section where possible.

Correction: This post previously incorrectly attributed “Taajdaar-e Haram” to Purnam Allahabadi. Purnam wrote a different poem titled “Sultan-e Haram”. Please forgive the error.

Featured Rendition

Live performance by the Sabri Brothers

Text, Transliteration, and Translation

Farsi (Unverified Author)

صبا تحیتِ شوقم بہ آں جناب رساں

सबा तहियत-ए-शौक़म ब-आं जनाब रसां
saba tahiyat-e shauqam ba-aaN janaab rasaaN
O morning breeze! Carry my passionate greetings to His Holiness [Muhammad]!

حدیثِ ذرّۂ مسکیں بہ آفتاب رساں

हदीस-ए-ज़र्रा-ए-मिस्कीं ब-आफ़्ताब रसां
hadees-e zarra-e miskeeN ba-aaftaab rasaaN
Carry the word of this mere speck of dust to the glorious sun!

تُرا مقام کہ آرام گاہِ اقدسِ اُوست

तुरा मक़ाम कि आराम-गाह-ए-अक़्दस-ए-ऊस्त
tura maqaam ke aaraam-gaah-e aqdas-e oost
Since your destination is his holiest of all resting places,

زمیں ببوس و سلامِ منِ خراب رساں

ज़मीं बि-बोस-ओ-सलाम-ए-मन-ए-ख़राब रसां
zameeN bi-bos o salaam-e man-e kharaab rasaaN
Kiss the ground and convey the greetings of this sinner there!

Urdu (Unverified Author)

قسمت میں مِری چین سے جینا لکھ دے

क़िस्मत में मिरी चैन से जीना लिख दे
qismat meN miri chain se jeena likH de
Ordain for me a fate of living in peace!

ڈوبے نہ کبھی میرا سفینہ لکھ دے

डूबे न कभी मेरा सफ़ीना लिख दे
Doobe na kabHi mera safeena likH de
May my ship never sink – write it!

جنّت بھی گوارہ ہے مگر میرے لیے

जन्नत भी गवारा है मगर मेरे लिए
jannat bHi gavaara hai magar mere liye
[Reaching] paradise is also desirable, but for me,

اے کاتبِ تقدیر مدینہ لکھ دے

ऐ कातिब-ए-तक़दीर मदीना लिख दे
ai kaatib-e taqdeer madeena likH de
O Writer of Destiny [God], ordain [a visit to] Madinah!

تاجدارِ حرم ہو نگاہِ کرم

ताजदार-ए-हरम हो निगाह-ए-करम
taajdaar-e haram ho nigaah-e karam
O King of the Holy Sanctuary [Muhammad], spare a glance of mercy!

ہم غریبوں کے دن بھی سنور جائیں گے

हम ग़रीबों के दिन भी संवर जाएंगे
ham ghareeboN ke din bHi saNvar jaa’eN ge
Even we, the downtrodden, will see our days turn for the better!

Farsi (Qudsi Mashhadi)

چشمِ رحمت بکشا سوے من انداز نظر

चश्म-ए-रहमत बिकुशा सू-ए-मन अंदाज़ नज़र
chashm-e rehmat bi-kusha soo-e man andaaz nazar
Open the eye of mercy, and cast a glance towards me,

اے قریشی لقبی ہاشمی و مطّلبی

ऐ क़ुरैशी लक़बी हाशिमी-ओ-मुत्तलिबी
ai quraishi laqabi hashimi-o muttalibi
O Qurayshi, you who are titled Hashemite and Muttalibite!

Urdu (Unverified Author)

تاجدارِ حرم ہو نگاہِ کرم

ताजदार-ए-हरम हो निगाह-ए-करम
taajdaar-e haram ho nigaah-e karam
O King of the Holy Sanctuary, spare a glance of mercy!

Farsi (Unverified Author)

یا رسول الله به احوالِ خرابِ ما ببیں

या रसूल-अल्लाह ब-अहवाल-ए-ख़राब-ए-मा बिबीं
ya rasool-allaah ba-ehvaal-e kharaab-e ma bi-beeN
O Prophet of God, look at my devastated conditions!

رو بہ خاک افتاده ام از شرمِ عصیاں بر زمیں

रू ब-ख़ाक उफ़्तादा-अम अज़ शर्म-ए-इस्यां बर ज़मीं
roo ba-khaak uftaada-am az sharm-e ‘isyaaN bar zameeN
I have fallen, with my face in the ground, from the shame of sin.

مذنبِ چوں من نباشد در تمامِ اُمّتت

मुज़्निब-ए-चूं मन नबाशद दर तमाम-ए-उम्मतत
muznib-e choon man nabaashad dar tamaam-e ummatat
There is no sinner like me in your entire community.

رحم کن بر حالِ ما یَا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِیں

रेहम कुन बर हाल-ए-मा या रेहमतल-लिल-आलमीं
reham kun bar haal-e ma ya rehmatal-lil-‘aalameeN
Bestow mercy on my condition, O mercy for the worlds!

Urdu (Unverified Author)

تاجدارِ حرم ہو نگاہِ کرم

ताजदार-ए-हरम हो निगाह-ए-करम
taajdaar-e haram ho nigaah-e karam
O King of the Holy Sanctuary, spare a glance of mercy!

Purbi (Mardana)

توری پریت میں سدھ بدھ سب بسری

तोरी प्रीत में सुध बुध सब बिसरी
tori preet meN sudH budH sab bisri
In your love, I have lost all sense of consciousness;

کب تک یہ رہے گی بےخبری

कब तक यह रहेगी बेख़बरी
kab tak ye rahe gi be-khabri
How long will this state of unawareness last?

Farsi & Hindi (Khusrau)

زِحالِ مسکیں مکن تغافل دُرائے نیناں بنائے بتیاں 

ज़िहाल-ए-मिस्कीं मकुन तग़ाफ़ुल दुराए नैनां बनाए बतियां
zi-haal-e miskeeN makun taghaaful / duraa’e nainaaN banaa’e batiyaaN
Do not neglect the condition of this wretch! He turns his eyes away and makes excuses.

کہ تابِ ہجراں ندارم اے جاں نہ لیہو کاہے لگائے چھتیاں

कि ताब-ए-हिज्रां नदाराम ऐ जां न लेहो काहे लगाए छतियां
ke taab-e hijraaN na-daaram ai jaaN / na leho kaahe lagaa’e chHatiyaaN
For I cannot bear separation, my dear. Why do you not hold me in your embrace?

چو شمع سوزاں چو ذرّہ حیراں ہمیشہ گریاں بعشق آن مہ 

चो शमा सोज़ां चो ज़र्रा हैरां हमेशा गिर्यां बइश्क़ आन मह
cho sham’a sozaaN cho zarra hairaaN / hamesha giryaaN ba-ishq aan meh
Like a burning candle, like a bewildered speck of dust, I forever weep out of love for that moon!

نہ نیند نیناں نہ انگ چیناں نہ آپ آویں نہ بھیجیں پتیاں

न नींद नैनां न अंग चैनां न आप आवें न भेजें पतियां
na neend nainaaN na ang chainaaN / na aap aaveN na bHejeN patiyaaN
No sleep for my eyes, nor rest for my limbs. And you neither come to me nor send letters!

Purbi (Mardana)

توری پریت میں سدھ بدھ سب بسری

तोरी प्रीत में सुध बुध सब बिसरी
tori preet meN sudH budH sab bisri
In your love, I have lost all sense of consciousness;

کب تک یہ رہے گی بےخبری

कब तक यह रहेगी बेख़बरी
kab tak ye rahe gi be-khabri
How long will this state of unawareness last?

Urdu (Unverified Author)

جو جانے والے مدینے کے ہیں سنیں وہ ذرا

जो जाने वाले मदीने के हैं सुनें वो ज़रा
jo jaane vaale madeene ke haiN suneN vo zara
Listen, all those who are on their way to Madinah!

شہِ مدینہ سے اتنا ضرور کہہ دینا

शह-ए-मदीना से इतना ज़रूर कह देना
shah-e madeena se itna zaroor keh dena
Make sure to tell the King of Madinah

کہ ایک زخمئِ تیرِ نگہ نظر جو پڑا

कि एक ज़ख़्मी-ए-तीर-ए-निगह नज़र जो पड़ा
ke ek zakhmi-e teer-e nigeh nazar jo paRa
That when one wounded by the arrow of your glance saw you,

تڑپ تڑپ کے وہ کہتا تھا یا رسول الله

तड़प तड़प के वह कहता था या रसूल-अल्लाह
taRap taRap ke vo kehta tHa ya rasool-allaah
He would restlessly call out, “O Messenger of God!”

Purbi & Farsi (Mardana)

توری پریت میں سدھ بدھ سب بسری

तोरी प्रीत में सुध बुध सब बिसरी
tori preet meN sudH budH sab bisri
In your love, I have lost all sense of consciousness;

کب تک یہ رہے گی بےخبری

कब तक यह रहेगी बेख़बरी
kab tak ye rahe gi be-khabri
How long will this state of unawareness last?

گاہے بفگن دزدیدہ نظر

गाहे बिफ़िगन दुज़दीदा नज़र
gaahe bifigan duzdeeda nazar
Secretly cast a glance towards me sometime!

کبھی سن بھی تو لو ہمری بتیاں

कभी सुन भी तो लो हमरी बतियां
kabHi sun bHi to lo hamri batiyaaN
Listen to what I too have to say sometime!

Urdu (Unverified Author)

تاجدارِ حرم ہو نگاہِ کرم

ताजदार-ए-हरम हो निगाह-ए-करम
taajdaar-e haram ho nigaah-e karam
O King of the Holy Sanctuary, spare a glance of mercy!

کہنا صبا حضور سے کہتا ہے ایک غلام

कहना सबा हुज़ूर से कहता है एक ग़ुलाम
kehna saba huzoor se kehta hai ek ghulaam
O morning breeze, tell the Prophet that a servant of his pleads,

بس اِک نظر ہو ایک نطر کا سوال ہے

बस इक नज़र हो एक नज़र का सवाल है
bas ik nazar ho ek nazar ka savaal hai
“Spare a glance, ‘tis a matter of just one glance!”

Arabic (Unverified Author)

یَا مُصْطَفیٰ یَا مُجْتَبیٰ إِرْحَمْ لَنَا إِرْحَمْ لَنَا

या मुस्तफ़ा या मुज़्तबा इरहम लना इरहम लना
ya mustafa ya mujtaba irham lana irham lana
O Mustafa, O Mujtaba, have mercy on us, have mercy on us!

یَا مُصْطَفیٰ یَا سَیِّد

या मुस्तफ़ा या सय्यिद
ya mustafa ya sayyid
O Mustafa, O master,

مُطَهَّر مُنَوَّر فِي الْبَیْتِ وَالْحَرَم

मुतह्हर मुनव्वर फ़िल-बैति वल-हरम
mutahhar munawwar fil-baiti wal-haram
Purified and illuminated in the House and Sanctuary [the Kaaba]!

یَا طَیِّب الله

या तय्यिब अल्लाह
ya tayyib allaah
O pure one – by God!

یَا مُصْطَفیٰ یَا سَیِّد

या मुस्तफ़ा या सय्यिद
ya mustafa ya sayyid
O Mustafa, O master,

یَا مُصْطَفیٰ صَلِّ عَلی

या मुस्तफ़ा सल्लि अला
ya mustafa salli ’ala
O Mustafa – upon [him] be blessings!

یَا رَسُولُ الله یَا حَبِیبُ الله

या रसूल-अल्लाह या हबीब-अल्लाह
ya rasool-allaah ya habeeb-allaah
O prophet of God, O beloved of God!

Urdu (Warsi)

پھر گدڑیوں کو لعل دے جاں پتھرون میں ڈال دے

फिर गुदड़ियों को लाल दे जां पत्थरों में डाल दे 
pHir gudRiyoN ko la’al de jaaN patHaroN meN Daal de
Give rubies to rags once again, and give life to stones.

حاوی ہوں مستقبل پہ ہم ماضی سا ہم کو حال دے

हावी हों मुस्तक़बिल पे हम माज़ी सा हमको हाल दे 
haavi hoN mustaqbil pe ham maazi sa ham ko haal de
So that we may comprehend our future, give us a condition like the past!

دعوٰی ہے تیری چاہ کا

दावा है तेरी चाह का 
da’ava hai teri chaah ka
This is a call for your favor

اِس اُمّتِ گمراہ کا

इस उम्मत-ए-गुमराह का 
is ummat-e gumraah ka
From this astray community of yours!

تیرے سوا کوئی نہیں

तेरे सिवा कोई नहीं 
tere siva koi naheeN
There is no one but you,

یَا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِیں

या रेहमतल-लिल-आलमीं
ya rehmatal-lil-‘alameeN
O mercy for the worlds!

Arabic

یَا مُصْطَفیٰ صَلِّ عَلٰی

या मुस्तफ़ा सल्लि अला
ya mustafa salli ’ala
O Mustafa – upon [him] be blessings!

Farsi & Arabic (Jami)

یَا مُصْطَفیٰ یَا مُجْتَبیٰ إِرْحَمْ لَنَا إِرْحَمْ لَنَا

या मुस्तफ़ा या मुज़्तबा इरहम लना इरहम लना
ya mustafa ya mujtaba irham lana irham lana
O Mustafa, O Mujtaba, have mercy on us, have mercy on us!

دستِ ہمہ بیچارہ را داماں توئی داماں توئی

दस्त-ए-हमा बेचारा रा दामां तूई दामां तूई
dast-e hama bechaara ra daamaaN tu’i daamaaN tu’i
For the hands of all helpless ones, you alone are the hem [to grasp]!

من عاصیم من عاجزم من بےکسم حالِ مرا

मन आसियम मन आजिज़म मन बेकसम हाल-ए-मरा
man ‘aasiyam man ‘aajizam man be-kasam haal-e mara
I am a sinner, feeble and destitute. About my condition,

یا شافعِ روزِ جزا پرساں توئی پرساں توئی

या शाफ़े-ए-रोज़-ए-ज़ज़ा पुरसां तूई पुरसां तूई
ya shaafi’-e roz-e jaza pursaaN tu’i pursaan tu’i
O intercessor on the Day of Recompense, you alone will ask!

Farsi & Urdu (Unverified Author)

اے مشک بیز عنبر فشاں

ऐ मुश्कबेज़ अम्बर फ़िशां
ai mushk-bez ‘ambar fishaaN
O diffuser of musk, spraying fragrance!

پیکِ نسیمِ صبحدم

पैक-ए-नसीम-ए-सुबहदम
paik-e naseem-e sub’ha-dam
O courier of the sweet morning breeze!

اے چارہ گر عیسیٰ نفس

ऐ चारागर ईसा नफ़स
ai chaara-gar ‘eesaa nafas
O healer with the breath of Jesus!

اے مونسِ بیمارِ غم

ऐ मूनिस-ए-बीमार-ए-ग़म
ai moonis-e beemaar-e gham
O consoler of the grief-stricken!

اے قاسدِ فرخندہ پَے

ऐ क़ासिद-ए-फ़र्ख़ुंदा-पय
ai qaasid-e farkhunda-pai
O messenger with auspicious feet!

تجھ کو اُسی گل کی قسم

तुझको उसी गुल की कसम
tujH ko usi gul ki qasam
I swear to you by that same flower!

Arabic (Zayn al-Abideen)

إِنْ نَلْتِ يَا رِيحَ الْصَّبَا يَوْمًا إِلىٰ أَرْضِ الْحَرَم

इन नलति या रीह-अस-सबा यौमन इला अर्द-इल-हरम
in nalti ya reeh-as-saba yauman ila ard-il-haram
O morning breeze, if you go to the sacred land someday,

بَلِّغْ سَلَامِي رَوْضَةً فِيهَا الْنَّبِيُّ الْمُحْتَرَم

बल्लिग़ सलामी रौज़तन फ़ीहन-नबी-युल-मुह्तरम
balligh salaami rauzatan feehan-nabi-yul-muhtaram
Carry my greetings to the tomb of the revered Prophet.

Urdu (Unverified Author)

تاجدارِ حرم ہو نگاہِ کرم

ताजदार-ए-हरम हो निगाह-ए-करम
taajdaar-e haram ho nigaah-e karam
O King of the Holy Sanctuary, spare a glance of mercy!

ہم غریبوں کے دن بھی سنور جائیں گے

हम ग़रीबों के दिन भी संवर जाएंगे
ham ghareeboN ke din bHi saNvar jaa’eN ge
Even we, the downtrodden, will see our days turn for the better!

حامئِ بےکساں کیا کہے گا جہاں

हामी-ए-बेकसां क्या कहेगा जहां
haami-e be-kasaaN kya kahe ga jahaaN
O Protector of the Helpless, what will the world say

آپ کے در سے خالی اگر جائیں گے

आपके दर से ख़ाली अगर जाएंगे
aap ke dar se khaali agar jaa’eN ge
If we leave empty-handed from your door?

کوئی اپنا نہیں غم کے مارے ہیں ہم

कोई अपना नहीं ग़म के मारे हैं हम
koi apna naheeN gham ke maare haiN ham
I have nobody to call my own and am afflicted with grief.

آپ کے در پہ فریاد لائے ہیں ہم

आपके दर पे फ़र्याद लाए हैं हम
aap ke dar pe faryaad laa’e haiN ham
I have arrived at your door with a plea!

کملی والے محمّد

कमली वाले मुहम्मद
kamli vaale muhammad
O Muhammad, the cloaked one!

کوئی اپنا نہیں غم کے مارے ہیں ہم

कोई अपना नहीं ग़म के मारे हैं हम
koi apna naheeN gham ke maare haiN ham
I have nobody to call my own and am afflicted with grief.

آپ کے در پہ فریاد لائے ہیں ہم

आपके दर पे फ़र्याद लाए हैं हम
aap ke dar pe faryaad laa’e haiN ham
I have arrived at your door with a plea!

ہو نگاہِ کرم ورنہ چوکھٹ پہ ہم

हो निगाह-ए-करम वरना चौखट पे हम
ho nigaah-e karam varna chaukHaT pe ham
Spare a merciful glance, or else at your doorstop

آپ کا نام لے لے کے مر جائیں گے

आपका नाम ले ले के मर जाएंगे
aap ka naam le le ke mar jaa’eN ge
I will perish crying out your name!

مےکشوں آؤ آؤ مدینے چلیں

मैकशों आओ आओ मदीने चलें
mai-kashoN aao aao madeene chaleN
Come, wine drinkers, let’s go to Madinah!

آؤ مدینے چلیں

आओ मदीने चलें
aao madeene chaleN
Come, let’s go to Madinah!

اِسی مہینے چلیں

इसी महीने चलें
isi maheene chaleN
Let’s go this very month!

آؤ مدینے چلیں

आओ मदीने चलें
aao madeene chaleN
Come, let’s go to Madinah!

جب سال کے قریب مہینے پہنچ گئے

जब साल के क़रीब महीने पहुंच गए
jab saal ke qareeb maheene pahunch ga’e
When the number of months [spent in travel] reached nearly a year,

جدّے میں عاشقوں کے سفینے پہنچ گئے

जद्दे में आशिक़ों के सफ़ीने पहुंच गए
jadde meN ‘aashiqoN ke safeene pahunch ga’e
The ships of those lovers [of Muhammad] arrived in Jeddah.

جن کو طلب کیا ہے

जिनको तलब किया है
jin ko talab kiya hai
Those whom he summoned…

جسے چاہا در پہ بلا لیا

जिसे चाहा दर पे बुला लिया
jise chaaha dar pe bula liya
Whomever he wills he calls to his door.

جسے چاہا اپنا بنا لیا

जिसे चाहा अपना बना लिया
jise chaaha apna bana liya
Whomever he wills he makes his own.

یہ بڑے کرم کے ہیں فیصلے

ये बड़े करम के हैं फ़ैसले
ye baRe karam ke haiN faisle
These decisions come from his bountiful grace,

یہ بڑے نصیب کی بات ہے

ये बड़े नसीब की बात है
ye baRe naseeb ki baat hai
And this is a matter of great fortune!

جن کو طلب کیا ہے مدینے پہنچ گئے

जिनको तलब किया है मदीने पहुंच गए
jin ko talab kiya hai madeene pahunch ga’e
Those whom he summoned reached Madinah.

پیاسے تھے سال کے پینے پہنچ گئے

प्यासे थे साल के पीने पहुंच गए
pyaase tHe saal ke peene pahunch ga’e
Thirsty for a year, they arrived to take a drink!

پڑھتے ہوئے درود مدینے پہنچ گئے

पढ़ते हुए दुरूद मदीने पहुंच गए
paRHte hu’e durood madeene pahunch ga’e
Whilst reciting prayers for the Prophet, they reached Madinah!

تجلّیوں کی عجب ہے فضا مدینے میں

तजल्लियों की अजब है फ़िज़ा मदीने में
tajalliyoN ki ‘ajab hai fiza madeene meN
The wonder of divine manifestations is in the air of Madinah!

نگاہِ شوق کی ہے انتہا مدینے میں

निगाह-ए-शौक़ की है इंतिहा मदीने में
nigaah-e shauq ki hai intiha madeene meN
The zealous and ever-seeking gaze finds fulfillment in Madinah!

غمِ حیات نہ خوفِ قضا مدینے میں

ग़म-ए-हयात न ख़ौफ़-ए-क़ज़ा मदीने में
gham-e hayaat na khauf-e qaza madeene meN
Neither sorrows of life nor fear of death exist in Madinah!

نمازِ عشق کریں گے ادا مدینے میں

नमाज़-ए-इश्क़ करेंगे अदा मदीने में
namaaz-e ‘ishq kareN ge ada madeene meN
We will offer our prayer of love in Madinah!

اِدھر اُدھر نہ بھٹکتے پھرو خدا کے لیے

इधर उधर न भटकते फिरो ख़ुदा के लिए
idHar udHar na bHaTakte pHiro khuda ke liye
Don’t wander to and fro, for God’s sake,

براہِ راست ہے راہِ خدا مدینے میں

बराह-ए-रास्त है राह-ए-ख़ुदा मदीने में
ba-raah-e raast hai raah-e khuda madeene meN
For the path to God is clear and direct in Madinah!

مےکشوں آؤ آؤ مدینے چلیں

मैकशों आओ आओ मदीने चलें
mai-kashoN aao aao madeene chaleN
Come, wine drinkers, let’s go to Madinah!

دستِ ساقئِ کوثر سے پینے چلیں

दस्त-ए-साक़ी-ए-कौसर से पीने चलें
dast-e saaqi-e kausar se peene chaleN
Let’s go drink from the hand of the Wine-Pourer of Kausar!

یاد رکھو اگر اُٹھ گئی اِک نظر

याद रखो अगर उठ गई इक नज़र
yaad rakHo agar uTH ga’i ik nazar
Keep in mind that if he looks up just once,

جتنے خالی ہیں سب جام بھر جائیں گے

जितने ख़ाली हैं सब जाम भर जाएंगे
jitne khaali haiN sab jaam bHar jaa’eN ge
All the empty goblets will be filled!

خوفِ طوفان ہے بجلیوں کا ہے ڈر

ख़ौफ़-ए-तूफ़ान है बिजलियों का है डर
khauf-e toofaan hai bijliyoN ka hai Dar
I have a storm to fear and lightning bolts to dread.

سخت مشکل ہے آقا کدھر جائیں ہم

सख़्त मुश्किल है आक़ा किधर जाएं हम
sakht mushkil hai aaqa kidHar jaa’eN ham
My misery is severe, O master, where should I turn?

آپ ہی گر نہ لیں گے ہماری خبر

आप ही गर न लेंगे हमारी ख़बर
aap hi gar na leN ge hamaari khabar
If even you will not take notice of my condition,

ہم مصیبت کے مارے کدھر جائیں گے

हम मुसीबत के मारे किधर जाएंगे
ham museebat ke maare kidHar jaa’eN ge
Where will I, suffering from calamities, go?

آپ کے در سے کوئی نہ خالی گیا

आपके दर से कोई न ख़ाली गया
aap ke dar se koi na khaali gaya
No one has ever left your door empty-handed;

اپنے دامن کو بھر کے سوالی گیا

अपने दामन को भर के सवाली गया
apne daaman ko bHar ke savaali gaya
Each seeker returned with his daaman filled.*

ہو حبیبِ حزیں پر بھی آقا نظر

हो हबीब-ए-हज़ीं पर भी आक़ा नज़र
ho habeeb-e hazeeN par bHi aaqa nazar
Also look upon this sorrowful Habib, O master,

ورنہ اوراقِ ہستی بکھر جائیں گے

वरना औराक़-ए-हस्ती बिखर जाएंगे
varna auraaq-e hasti bikHar jaa’eN ge
Else the pages of my existence will scatter away!

بندہ پرور نگاہِ کرم کیجیے

बंदा-परवर निगाह-ए-करम कीजिए
banda-parvar nigaah-e karam keejiye
O sustainer of mankind, look upon me mercifully!

اب نہ کچھ امتحانِ وفا لیجیے

अब न कुछ इम्तिहान-ए-वफ़ा लीजिए
ab na kuchH imtihaan-e vafa leejiye
Do not take any more tests of my loyalty!

مجھ کو اقرار ہے میں گناہگار ہوں

मुझको इक़रार है मैं गुनाहगार हूं
mujH ko iqraar hai maiN gunaahgaar hooN
I have given my confession that I am a sinner.

مجھ کو کملی میں اپنی چھپا لیجیے

मुझको कमली में अपनी छुपा लीजिए
mujH ko kamli meN apni chHupa leejiye
Hide me within your cloak!

آپ کے در سے کوئی نہ خالی گیا

आपके दर से कोई न ख़ाली गया
aap ke dar se koi na khaali gaya
No one has ever left your door empty-handed;

اپنے دامن کو بھر کے سوالی گیا

अपने दामन को भर के सवाली गया
apne daaman ko bHar ke savaali gaya
Each seeker returned with his daaman filled.*

ہو حبیبِ حزیں پر بھی آقا نظر

हो हबीब-ए-हज़ीं पर भी आक़ा नज़र
ho habeeb-e hazeeN par bHi aaqa nazar
Also look upon this sorrowful Habib, O master,

ورنہ اوراقِ ہستی بکھر جائیں گے

वरना औराक़-ए-हस्ती बिखर जाएंगे
varna auraaq-e hasti bikHar jaa’eN ge
Else the pages of my existence will scatter away!

تاجدارِ حرم

ताजदार-ए-हरम
taajdaar-e haram
O King of the Holy Sanctuary!


* The daaman that is filled refers to a concept similar to that of the jholi in “Bhar Do Jholi”. Literally, a daaman would be the hem of a long South Asian garment. Folding up and holding one’s daaman to form a sort of pouch is a way of begging for money. Since Muhammad is believed to have been generous to the poor, this qawwali mentions how he fills up the daaman of all those who come to his door. At the same time, the other meaning is that everyone is metaphorically a beggar asking for and receiving the prophet’s alms, i.e. his forgiveness.


While not in the live recording, the following lines appear in other versions of this qawwali:

Purbi & Farsi (Mardana)

کا تم سے کہوں اے عرب کے کنور

का तुमसे कहूं ऐ अरब के कुंवर
ka tum se kahooN ai ’arab ke kuNvar
What is there to tell you, O prince of Arabia,

تم جانت ہو من کی بتیاں

तुम जानत हो मन की बतियां
tum jaanat ho man ki batiyaaN
You know what is in my heart!

در فرقتِ تو اے اُمی لقب

दर फ़ुर्क़त-ए-तू ऐ उम्मी-लक़ब
dar furqat-e tu ai ummi-laqab
In separation from you, O unlettered one,

کاٹے نہ کٹت ہیں اب رتیاں

काटे न कटत हैं अब रतियां
kaaTe na kaTat haiN ab ratiyaaN
My nights do not pass now!

Urdu (Unverified Author)

دکھ رنج و الم سب چھٹتے ہیں

दुख रंज-ओ-अलम सब छटते हैं
dukH ranj-o alam sab chHaTte haiN
Sadness, agony, and suffering are all escaped

حسنین کے صدقے بٹتے ہیں

हसनैन के सदक़े बटते हैं
hasnain ke sadqe baTte haiN
As the charity of Hasan and Husayn is distributed!


Further Reading and References

  • For more information about the original 1970 record featuring “Taajdaar-e Haram”, visit the Maqbool Sabri blog. [link]
  • On Sufinama, you can read the excerpted poem by Muzaffar Warsi. [link]
  • On AzKalam, you can read the excerpted poem by Qudsi Mashhadi. [link]
  • On YouTube, you can listen to a rendition of the excerpted poem by Maulana Jami. [link]
  • In this digital collection of prayers, you can find the na’at attributed to Zayn al-Abideen. [link]
  • On this blog, you can read the excerpted poem that is attributed to Bhai Mardana. [link]
  • Shad, Hamza. “Zihaal-e Miskeen: A Bilingual Masterpiece”. The Khusrau Circle. 10 February 2023. Visit this page to learn more about the poem “Zihaal-e Miskeen”, which is attributed to Ameer Khusrau. [link]

Further Listening

  • Unique cover by Sonu Nigam and Sukhwinder Singh, two prominent Bollywood singers [link]
  • Amjad Sabri and Shahi Hasan version, with modern instrumentation [link]
  • Atif Aslam version on season 8 of Coke Studio in 2015 [link]
  • Live version by Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad in 2016 [link]
  • A recitation of the Urdu na’at “Taajdaar-e Haram”, without insertions from other poets [link]
  • Instrumental cover on clarinet by Iqbal Hussain [link]
  • Rendition by an unknown street singer in Delhi [link]

Suggested Citation

Shad, Hamza. “Taajdaar-e Haram: Praying for Grace”. The Khusrau Circle. 26 June 2023. khusrau.com/taajdaar-e-haram/.