Today we translate one of the most famous poems by Faiz, Nahin nigaah mein manzil. The emotions that the poet expresses in this poem, we believe, orignitate from the attempt to reconcile the situations as they are with how he'd like them to be.
All poetry, perhaps all art, is an attempt to reduce the incompleteness in the world, or shall we say, metmorphosize the incompleteness? The poet believes in a certain idea of perfection which he compares with reality and tries to complete the imperfections with his poetry.
In this case, the poet is trying to remedy the imperfections of the situations by very tastefully letting us know that we mustn't lose heart, and do the best possible, meanwhile coming up with wonderful methaphors, 😀.
Nahin nigaah mein manzil to, justajoo hi sahi,
Nahin visaal mayassar to, aarzoo hi sahi
If the destination is not in sight, at least we have the desire to reach,
If a meeting isn't possible, we make do with the yearning.
(This second line is very beautiful done, and can be even on it's own.)
Na tan mein khoon faraaham, na ashq aakhon mein,
Namaaz-e-shauq to vajib hai, be-vuzoo hi sahi
No blood flows in the body, the eyes are bereft of tears,
The prayer for desires is acceptable, even if it is without the ablutions
(The namaaz, when offered to the Gods, is done after washing oneself with water. Here the poet very tastefully extends that idea to namaaz-e-shauq, by which we'd imagine he means remembering the loved one, lamenting her absence and desiring to meet her. But the ablutions for lamenting the beloved are done with not water, but blood and tears!)
(So, he's saying it is tolerable to lament the beloved and pray for your desire for her, even when you've cried all the tears out and bled-out all the blood, and there's nothing left to 'cleanse' yourself with!)
Kisi tarah to jame bazm, maiqade waalon,
Nahin jo badaah-o-sagar to, haao-hu hi sahi
Let's have a gathering, somehow, my bar-mates,
If not the globlet and the wine, a spectacle would do.
(If the alcohol is not available, let's just meet to create a some commotion.)
Gar intezaar kathin hai to, jab talaq ai dil,
Kisi ke vaada-e-fardaa ki guftoo hi sahi
If the wait is too tough, then my impatient heart,
Just chatting about her unfulfilled promise would be fine.
Dayaar-e-gair mein mehram agar nahin koi,
To 'Faiz' zikra-e-vatan apne roobaru hi sahi
If there are no confidants / fellow countrymen in a foreign land
Then why not just speak about your own land country to yourself?
(If you can't find anyone from your own country in a foreign land then just remind yourself of your home country)
I am inclined to interpret the second line in an alternate way as well. Could it mean "If there are no fellow country-men in a foreign land, why not discuss the country which is in front of you?". zikra-e-vatan apne rubaru may even mean "mention of the country in front of you"?