Hum Dekhenge is an Urdu poem by Pakistani poet and author Faiz Ahmad Faiz. In Hum Dekhenge, Faiz portrays the torturous times under Pakistani military dictator, Zia Ul Haq, who imposed restrictions on civil liberties during his regime.
Hum dekhenge goes beyond a mere expression of hope; it serves as a call for justice and equality. Faiz’s words resonate with the struggles of the oppressed, assuring them that a day of reckoning is on the horizon. At the same time, his words act as a caution to the tyrant about the day of reckoning, and remind him that on that day, “we shall witness.”
The influence of Hum Dekhinge extends far beyond the literary realm. The poem has been recited at protests globally, becoming a universal symbol of hope and defiance against injustice. Artists, activists, and leaders have drawn inspiration from Faiz’s words, highlighting the power of poetry to spur a revolution.
Needless to say, his verses had a price, a price that was paid with imprisonment, and his political detention was evident in several collections of poems written during this period.
Read Hum Dekhenge lyrics in English below:
ہم دیکھیں گے
[Hum dekhenge]
We shall witness
لازم ہے کہ ہم بھی دیکھیں گے
[Lazim hai keh hum bhi dekhenge]
It is certain that we too shall witness,
وہ دن کے جس کا وعدہ ہے
[Woh din keh jis ka waada hai]
The day which has been promised
جو لوحِ ازل پہ لکھا ہے
[Jo loh-e-azal pe likha hai]
Inscribed in the book of destiny.
ہم دیکھیں گے
[Hum dekhenge]
We shall witness
جب ظلم و ستم کے کوہِ گراں
[Jab zulm o sitam kay koh-e-garan]
When the mountains of tyranny and oppression
روئی کی طرح اُ ڑ جائیں گے
[Rooyi ki tarah urr jayen ge]
Will blow away like cotton.
ہم محکوموں کے پاوٗں تلے
[Hum mehkoomoun ke paon tale]
Underneath our feet – those who have been silenced
یہ دھرتی دھڑ دھڑ دھڑکے گی
[Yeh dharti dhar dhar dharkay gi]
The earth will tremble.
اور اہلِ حکم کے سر اوُپر
[Aur ehl-e-hukum kay sar upar]
And above the heads of the oppressors,
جب بجلی کڑ کڑ کڑکے گی
[Jab bijli karr karr karrkay gi]
The heavens will crack with the sound of divine thunder
ہم دیکھیں گے
[Hum dekhenge]
We shall witness.
جب ارضِ خدا کے کعبہ سے
[Jab arz-e-khuda ke qaabay say]
When, from the land of the Almighty,
سب بت اُٹھوائے جائیں گے
[Sab but uthwaye jayen ge]
All false idols are cast aside.
ہم اہلِ صفا مردودِ حرم
[Hum ehl-e-safa mardood-e-haram]
Then, we, the dispossessed who clung to hope
مسند پر بٹھلائے جائیں گے
[Masnad per bethaye jayen ge]
Shall rise to claim our place upon the throne of justice.
سب تاج اُچھالے جائیں گے
[Sab taaj uchalay jayen ge]
All crowns will be tossed,
سب تخت گرائے جائیں گے
[Sab takht giraye jayen ge]
All thrones will be toppled.
ہم دیکھیں گے
[Hum dekhenge]
We shall witness
بس نام رہے گا اللہ کا
[Bus naam rahay ga Allah ka]
Only Allah’s name will remain,
جو غائب بھی ہے حاضر بھی
[Jo ghaeb bhi hai haazir bhi]
Who is both hidden and present,
جو منظر بھی ہے ناظر بھی
[Jo manzar bhi hai nazar bhi]
Who is both the vision and the beholder
اُٹھے گا انالحق کا نعرہ
[Uthay ga ana-Al-Haqq ]
The chant of “I am the Truth” will resound
جو میں بھی ہوں اور تم بھی ہو
[Jo main bhi houn aur tum bhi ho]
Encompassing both you and me
اور راج کرے گی خلقِ خدا
[Aur raaj karay gi khalq-e-khuda]
And the creation of God shall rule,
جو میں بھی ہوں اور تم بھی ہو
[Jo main bhi houn aur tum bhi ho]
Encompassing both you and me
ہم دیکھیں گے
[Hum dekhenge]
We shall witness,
لازم ہے کہ ہم بھی دیکھیں گے
[Lazim hai keh hum bhi dekhenge]
It is certain that we too shall witness.
ہم دیکھیں گے
[Hum dekhenge]
We shall witness,