I am horrified that someone would simplify the lyrics of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's songs to " 'Oh, please don't be bad to each other' in various ways."
Nusrat's songs derive from an ancient
Sufi tradition--the mystical
Islamic tradition that glorifies a sublimely
transcendent and fiercely
immanent God. His lyrics range from the most human, emotional, painful and blissful experiences of
God as a
friend and
lover, to the most sublime, cosmological, and universal aspects of a
God in comparison with whom we are nothing. Some examples of his most lyrically beautiful songs include:
Sanson Ki Mala Pe Simaroon Mein Pi Ka Naam
The title means: "I pray the name of
God on a
rosary of breaths."
Muslims (like
Hindus and many
Christians) use a string of beads to keep track of certain prayers. In this song, Nusrat is using each breath as a bead, keeping God on his mind continuously. As the song progresses, he becomes lost in the
prayers, and night falls without him noticing the passage of time. Eventually, Nusrat becomes the prayers themselves.
Kiven Mukhare Toh Nazaran Hatavan Ve Tere Vich Rab Disadan
The title means: "How can I avert my gaze from your face, as I see
God in you?" This song
intoxicates me; the idea of a love so strong and pure that it centers on the image of
God is such a beautiful concept!
Tumhen Dil Lagi Bhul Jani Paregi
This song compares the minor loves of our world to the true
Love of God. The title translates as "You'll have to forget these small loves..." For this song translating some principle verses is worthwhile:
Tumhen dil lagi bhul jani paregi; muhabbat ki rahon mein aa kar to dekho.
You'll have to forget all these small loves . . . take a chance and bask in the light of the true Love.
Tarapane pe mere na phir tum hasoge, kabhi dil kisi se laga kar to deko.
You'll no longer laugh at my
anguish, if you take a chance at the true Love.
Zakham pe zakham kha ke ji. Zakham pe zakham kha ke ji. Apane lahu ke ghunt pi. Aha! na kar, labon ko si, ishq hai ye dil lagi nahin!
Suffer wound after wound. Survive by drinking your own blood. Don't complain and shout, this is the true Love, not some minor
attachment!
Yeh ishq nahi asan, bas itna samajalijiye. Ik aag ka dariya hai aur dub ke jana hai.
This Love is not easy, understand this much. It's a
river of fire crossed only by drowning.
Wafaon ki humse tawwaqo nahin hai; magar ek bar azaman kar to dekho.
We are
faithless and not known for our loyalty, but oh Lord, take a chance on us just once!
Zamane ko apana bana kar to dekha, hame bhi tum apana bana kar to dekho.
You made the entire world yours, now Lord make me yours too!
I apologize for awkwardness in the translation, as I am neither a skilled translator or poet, I just did the best I could.