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Nuskha ha-e Wafa / نسخہ ہائے وفا

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704 pages, Hardcover

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About the author

Faiz Ahmad Faiz

59 books284 followers
Faiz Ahmad Faiz [فيض ١حمد فيض] was born on February 13, 1911, in Sialkot, British India, which is now part of Pakistan. He had a privileged childhood as the son of wealthy landowners Sultan Fatima and Sultan Muhammad Khan, who passed away in 1913, shortly after his birth. His father was a prominent lawyer and a member of an elite literary circle which included Allama Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan.

In 1916, Faiz entered Moulvi Ibrahim Sialkoti, a famous regional school, and was later admitted to the Skotch Mission High School where he studied Urdu, Persian, and Arabic. He received a Bachelor's degree in Arabic, followed by a master's degree in English, from the Government College in Lahore in 1932, and later received a second master's degree in Arabic from the Oriental College in Lahore.After graduating in 1935, Faiz began a teaching career at M.A.O. College in Amritsar and then at Hailey College of Commerce in Lahore.

Faiz's early poems had been conventional, light-hearted treatises on love and beauty, but while in Lahore he began to expand into politics, community, and the thematic interconnectedness he felt was fundamental in both life and poetry. It was also during this period that he married Alys George, a British expatriate, with whom he had two daughters. In 1942, he left teaching to join the British Indian Army, for which he received a British Empire Medal for his service during World War II. After the partition of India in 1947, Faiz resigned from the army and became the editor of The Pakistan Times, a socialist English-language newspaper.

On March 9, 1951, Faiz was arrested with a group of army officers under the Safety Act, and charged with the failed coup attempt that became known as the Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case. He was sentenced to death and spent four years in prison before being released. Two of his poetry collections, Dast-e Saba and Zindan Namah, focus on life in prison, which he considered an opportunity to see the world in a new way. While living in Pakistan after his release, Faiz was appointed to the National Council of the Arts by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government, and his poems, which had previously been translated into Russian, earned him the Lenin Peace Prize in 1963.

In 1964, Faiz settled in Karachi and was appointed principal of Abdullah Haroon College, while also working as an editor and writer for several distinguished magazines and newspapers. He worked in an honorary capacity for the Department of Information during the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, and wrote stark poems of outrage over the bloodshed between Pakistan, India, and what later became Bangladesh. However, when Bhutto was overthrown by Zia Ul-Haq, Faiz was forced into exile in Beirut, Lebanon. There he edited the magazine Lotus, and continued to write poems in Urdu. He remained in exile until 1982. He died in Lahore in 1984, shortly after receiving a nomination for the Nobel Prize.

Throughout his tumultuous life, Faiz continually wrote and published, becoming the best-selling modern Urdu poet in both India and Pakistan. While his work is written in fairly strict diction, his poems maintain a casual, conversational tone, creating tension between the elite and the common, somewhat in the tradition of Ghalib, the reknowned 19th century Urdu poet. Faiz is especially celebrated for his poems in traditional Urdu forms, such as the ghazal, and his remarkable ability to expand the conventional thematic expectations to include political and social issues.

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5 stars
667 (71%)
4 stars
179 (19%)
3 stars
56 (6%)
2 stars
13 (1%)
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16 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Jibran.
226 reviews766 followers
July 26, 2015
Reading Faiz is akin to discovering a new existence such that once you discover it, the life you had hitherto known feels utterly without meaning, without purpose, without substance, as if none of it had mattered before, as though you have been born just now. I know I'm waxing poetic but how can one praise Faiz if not by poetry itself? The fact is, there are no words to enumerate the gifts Fiaz's words bestow on you. You just accept it, like a penitent, kneeling, head bowed, with a bowl of palms spread to receive the elixir of his poetry. His word is humanity in its most pristine; it teaches you the highest form of existence, all in a single volume of his collected works, Nuskha Haye Wafa - the manuscript of faith, the treatise of love, a compendium of all that makes one a human being.

Faiz is my all time favourite poet. He's most certainly and most undoubtedly the best modern poet Urdu has produced in Pakistan, in India and elsewhere. I ritually read him every year, every month, every week, picking up this volume with shaking hands, leafing through it abruptly, settling on a poem at random, scanning the words, which devastate me without fail every time I set my eyes on them. A shiver runs through my guts. I stand, I pace about the room, I can't sit down with a mug of coffee or a Cuban tucked between my fingers. I must stand, slightly dazed, with a light head like a helium balloon, an itch trembling in my nose, warming my forehead, a thin film of moisture lining my eyelashes, viscous blood boiling in my veins, and coursing through my heart swelling it with one hundred and one emotions.
Profile Image for Ammara Abid.
205 reviews170 followers
August 5, 2016
Phenomenal........
I absolutely loved it ♡

مانا کہ یہ سنسان گھڑی سخت کڑی ہے
لیکن مرے دل یہ تو فقط ایک گھڑی ہے
ہمت کرو، جینے کو تو اک عمر پڑی ہے

°•○●○•° °•○●○•° °•○●○•° °•○●○•°

نہ دید ہے نہ سخن، اب نہ حرف ہے نہ پیام
کوئی بھی حیلہء تسکین نہیں اور آس بہت ہے
امید یار، نظر کا مزاج، درد کا رنگ
تم آج کچھ بھی نہ پوچھو کہ دل اداس بہت ہے
Profile Image for W.
1,185 reviews4 followers
Read
July 18, 2020
I have very mixed feelings about Faiz Ahmed Faiz.I am awestruck by the sheer beauty of his poetry,I don't think there has been a better wordsmith in the Urdu language.

His communist ideology is another matter though,I can't subscribe to his political views.But I keep reading him for the sheer elegance of his verse.It touches the heart.

This book is a mixed bag,it has beautiful poetry and a good deal of his Marxist ideology.The Soviet Union even awarded him the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962,while his country Pakistan,had frosty relations with the Soviets.He was again nominated for this prize shortly before his death,in 1984.At that time,Pakistan and the Soviets were at loggerheads over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Faiz suffered for his political views and spent time in prison and in exile.He didn't live long enough to see the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Profile Image for Muhammad Arqum.
104 reviews72 followers
July 10, 2016
Genius! Haunting!
Faiz's words are like robots with mechanical hooks and his poems are torture cells. He knew how to reach into hearts and pull them right out ripping the chests open. And you love it, you love to bleed, you long to stay in his torture cells, because there is hope too, hope through the rozan-e-zindaan..
Profile Image for Abubakar Mehdi.
159 reviews243 followers
August 16, 2014
I just can't explain my love for his verse. He is my favorite poet, and as i believe one of the greatest poets who ever lived. If someone is surprised by this claim, he'd better read him first.
Profile Image for Bushra Ayub Khan.
202 reviews9 followers
November 18, 2016
Mind Blowing... justtt lovely piece of poetry ... every context, every ghazal, every word made a great impression ...

اب ٹوٹ گریں گی زنجیریں، اب زندانوں کی خیر نہیں ...

or another lovely line

مجھ سے پہلی سی محبت میرے محبوب نہ مانگ ...
Definitely I rate it 5 stars ... just awesome
Profile Image for Mujahid Khan.
111 reviews19 followers
November 26, 2020
فیض کے بارے میں کچھ کہتے ہوئے لفظ کم پڑجاتے ہیں۔

اور نسخہ ہائے وفا کی تاثیر ہی الگ ہے۔ یہ کتاب شاعری کے ان چند کتابوں میں شامل ہیں جن کو میں اکثر کسی بھی جگہ سے کھول کے پڑھنے لگ جاتا ہوں۔ جیسے سلویا پلاتھ کا ایریل، زاہد امروز کی کتاب خودکشی کے موسم میں، یا پھر پابلو نیرودا کی محبت کی نظمیں۔
Profile Image for Wahid Watan-Yar.
3 reviews
April 19, 2020
In His Words:
اک فرصت گناہ ملی وہ بھی چار دن
ہیں ہم نے حوصلے پروردگار کے
Profile Image for Marriam Khurshid.
32 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2025
Nuskha Haye Wafa : The gem collection 💎 ✨
مجھ سے پہلی سی محبت مری محبوب نہ مانگ

میں نے سمجھا تھا کہ تو ہے تو درخشاں ہے حیات
تیرا غم ہے تو غم دہر کا جھگڑا کیا ہے

تیری صورت سے ہے عالم میں بہاروں کو ثبات
تیری آنکھوں کے سوا دنیا میں رکھا کیا ہے

تو جو مل جائے تو تقدیر نگوں ہو جائے
یوں نہ تھا میں نے فقط چاہا تھا یوں ہو جائے

اور بھی دکھ ہیں زمانے میں محبت کے سوا
راحتیں اور بھی ہیں وصل کی راحت کے سوا
Profile Image for Rabia.
233 reviews66 followers
May 17, 2019
قفس اداس ہے یارو، صبا سے کچھ تو کہو
کہیں تو بہرِ خدا آج ذکرِ یار چلے
The poet who belongs to my beloved Sialkot. Indeed he had same views as mine today and he acknowledged and opted this city as I'm today. The Phenomenal book it is indeed. Each verse of his poetry bring up a new discovery and great impression on the reader. It effect more to the one who like to read and write poetry. Faiz is such a gem person, and poet. I consider Nuskha Haye Wafa as one of my invaluable possessions.
گلوں میں رنگ بھرے، بادِ نو بہار چلے
چلے بھی آؤ کہ گلشن کا کاروبار چلے
If i want to memorize a book in my life, I'm pretty sure I'll opt nuskha hay wafa.
آرزو
مجھے معجزوں پہ یقیں نہیں مگر آرزو ہے کہ جب قضا
مجھے بزم دہر سے لے چلے
تو پھر ایک بار یہ اذن دے
کہ لحد سے لوٹ کے آ سکوں
ترے در پہ آ کے صدا کروں
تجھے غم گسار کی ہو طلب تو ترے حضور میں آ رہوں
یہ نہ ہو تو سوئے رہ عدم میں پھر ایک بار روانہ ہوں
He made up his poetry mixture of revolution and romance. This mixture brought up a new sense of poetry. His poetry has a particular taste which made this poetry as poetry if current time. While he died almost 35 years ago. Mirza Galib once said:
تالیف نسخہ ہائے وفا کر رہا تھا میں
مجموعۂ خیال ابھی فرد فرد تھا
And Faiz presented Nuskha haye wafa. This is a book that stirred my mind and imprisoned my soul for forever!
I love with the poem صبح آزادی , انکے نام جو تاریک راہوں میں مارے گئے and "ڈھاکہ سے واپسی پر"
I'm fan of his poetey untill i waa school going and didn't have idea who is he and what are the meaning of this poetry , when i first time read it and still love it whenever i see it on social sites.
قرب کے نہ وفا کے ہوتے ہی
سارے جھگڑے اَنا کے ہوتے ہیں
بات نیت کی ہے صرف ورنہ
وقت سارے دعا کے ہوتے ہیں
بھول جاتے ہیں ، مت برا کہنے
لوگ پُتلے خطا کے ہوتے ہیں
وہ جو بظاہر کچھ نہیں لگتے
ان سے رشتے بلا کے ہوتے ہیں
And
اب کے تجدید وفا کا نہیں امکاں جاناں
یاد کیا تجھ کو دلائیں تیرا پیماں جاناں
And the one i wrote somewhere in my adultage/teenage diaries :
وہ لوگ بہت خوش قسمت تھے
جو عشق كو كام سمجھتے تھے
اور کام سے عاشقی کرتے تھے
ہم جیتے جی مصروف رہے
کچھ عشق کیا کچھ کام کیا
کام عشق کے آڑے آتا رہا
اور عشق سے کام الجھتا رہا
پھر آخر تنگ آ کر ہم نے
دونوں کو ادھورا چھوڑدیا۔
This book is immensely pleasurable. Rxtensive in pages but light in reading and delightful. If you like to read poetry go for it with out wasting a second and within few hours you will find a new love and it'll be Nuskha haye wafa. Recommend to all باذوق and بدذوق people. Because باذوق know it is interesting and بدذوق will find interest in it. I'm deadly sure for this.
Profile Image for Aasia Abdali.
16 reviews17 followers
February 28, 2016
Ab Toot Girain Gi Zanjeerain, Ab Zandaanon Ki Khair Nahi
Jo Darya Jhoom K Uthe Hain, Tinkoon Say Na Taalay Jayain Gay!

kut'tay Bhi Chalo, Bhartay Bhi chalo, Baazo bhi Buhat Hain, Sar Bhi Buhat
Chalte Bhi Chalo, K Ab Deiray Manzil Hi Pay Dalay Jayain Gay

Aye Zulm K Maato Lab Kholo, Chup Rehne Walo Chup Kab Tak
Kuch Hashar To Un se Uthe Ga, Kuch Dur To Nalay Jayain Gay!


No words can do justice to Faiz. He is one the best poets Urdu Literature have ever had!
Profile Image for Mohsina Asif.
31 reviews7 followers
September 11, 2015
An unparalleled poet, who has so smoothly touched such diverse subjects. Ranging from romance, to social awakening, to shunning capitalism to being one of the few people who saw 1971 from an unbiased perspective. Beautiful read. Moreover, the language used is not so heavy and contains minimal words from punjabi / Farsi. I will recommend it to anyone wanting to begin with urdu poetry, this legend is the perfect start.
Profile Image for Omama..
713 reviews73 followers
March 15, 2020
Just.Can't.Get.Enough.

لوٹ جاتی ہے ادھر کو بھی نظر کیا کیجئے
اب بھی دلکش ہے ترا حسن، مگر کیا کیجئے
اور بھی غم ہیں زمانے میں محبت کے سوا
راحتیں اور بھی ہیں وصل کی راحت کے سوا
مجھ سے پہلی سی محبت مری محبوب نہ مانگ
••••••

بول کے لب آزاد ہیں تیرے
بول زباں اب تک تیری ہے

بول کہ سچ زندہ ہے اب تک
بول، جو کچھ کہنا ہے کہہ لے

••••••

جو رکے تو کوہِ گراں تھے ہم، جو چلے تو جاں سے گزر گئے
رہ یار ہم نے قدم قدم تجھے یادگار بنا دیا
Profile Image for Rural Soul.
550 reviews88 followers
March 15, 2016
I always found this book in my dad's room in his racks. I didn't realize on that time that its a book for communist lunatics like me. Must read it if you are mature enough to get real core of poetry. Absorb these flowing words by a revolutionary poet.
Profile Image for Nadia Latif.
2 reviews7 followers
January 6, 2013
This is one of my favorite books in my collection. I am a huge fan a love reading it again and again.
2 reviews
August 13, 2018
تم میرے پاس رہو جس گھڑی رات چلے۔۔

فیض کی شاعری کا کمال یہ ہے کہ اس میں ہمارے ہاں کی روایتی شاعری کے آہنگ میں نئے افکار اور اصناف ایسے پیرائے میں ڈھالے گئیں ہیں کہ وہ پڑھنے والے کے ذہن و فکر کو معطر کر کے رکھ دیتے ہیں۔ جن لوگوں کو کلاسیکی ادب میں دلچسپی ہو یعنی ہمارے ہاں جو غزل، قصیدہ و رباعی وغیرہ کی اصناف ہیں ان سے سیر ہونے کے بعد آپ خیال کرتے ہیں کہ اب ادب کی کوئی اور صنف آپ کو متاثر نہیں کرسکتی۔ لیکن فیض کو پڑھنے کہ بعد آپ اس رائے پر قائم نہیں رہ سکیں گے۔

یوں تو اردو نظم فیض سے پہلے بھی کہی جاتی تھی لیکن جو مقبولیت اور قبولیت خاص و عام کے ہاں فیض کے کلام کو حاصل ہوئی وہ اپنی جگہ آپ ہے۔ اگر چند لفظوں میں بیان کرنا ہو تو بجا طور پر کہا جاسکتا ہے کہ اردو شاعری فیض کے بغیر مکمل نہیں ہوتی۔
20 reviews28 followers
February 25, 2017
Faiz is a revolutionary poet, and his works are truly inspiring. His simple yet eloquent style is very motivating. His poetry represent his love for his homeland and highlights the need of struggle for true independence and peace. Faiz is a great poet, and his enticing words captivate the heart of the reader.
|Jis Dhaj Se Koi Maqtal Mn Gaya Wo Shan Salamat Rehti Ha
|Yeh Jaan To Aani Jaani Hai Iss Jaan Ki To Koi Baat Nahi
6 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2021
An Amazing Piece Of Art Which Addresses Almost All Parts Of Life Equally Rather Than Love And Stuff It Is Also A Reliable Source Of Motivation Through Which One Can Drive Motivation To Be Contented In Every Situation Of Life.
Profile Image for Muhammad Afaq khattak.
5 reviews11 followers
March 30, 2021
اردو شاعروں میں میرا سب سے پسندیدہ شاعر ہے۔ نسخہ ہائے وفا میں فیض صاحب کے کمال کے اشعار موجود ہے۔ اگر حالاتِ وقت، ماضی، انقلاب، نظریات، امید کی کرن اور ظلم کو محبت کی زباں میں بیان کرنے کا فن، دیکھنا اور سمجھنا ہے، تو ہر باذوق انسان نسخہ ہائے وفا پڑھے۔
1 review1 follower
November 2, 2018
title is good thats why i want to read this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mason Carter.
Author 48 books25 followers
February 18, 2019
Loved every poem to bits. Still keep reading it almost every night before going to bed. All poems are pregnant with revolutionary and romantic ideals.
1 review1 follower
May 30, 2019
Peace of mind reading faiz
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for WAQAR A.KHAN.
6 reviews12 followers
July 12, 2019
GREAT ... ONE OF MOST GREATEST POETRY COLLECTION IN URDU .
WHAT U CAN SAY ABOUT FAIZ . AFTER GHALIB AND IQBAL HE WAS THE BEST OF URDU POETS .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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