اے جہاں آفریں خداے کریم
Ae jahan aafreen khuda-e-kareem
صانع ہفت چرخ و ہفت اقلیم
Saan-e-haft charkh o haft aqleem
O Creator of the world, Gracious God,
Maker of seven heavens and seven realms,
O Creator of the world, Gracious God,
Maker of seven heavens and seven realms,
Whose name McLeod is famous,
May he always, with a hundred joys and delights,
Remain happy with life and wealth,
And remain kind to Ghalib.
This Urdu poem is a 'dua' or supplication, invoking God as the ultimate creator of the universe. It transitions into a prayer for an individual named Macleod, wishing them long life, happiness, and prosperity. The poet, Ghalib, includes a plea for Macleod to remain benevolent towards him, a common practice among poets seeking patronage during the Mughal and British Raj eras, reflecting the symbiotic relationship between poets and their benefactors.
faith & the divine · love & longing (ishq, judāī)