Waris Shah (1722–1798) was a Punjabi Sufi poet. His seminal work Heer Ranjha, written in 1766, is considered one of the quintessential works of classical Punjabi literature. The story of Heer was also told by several other writers but Waris Shah’s version is by far the most popular today. Waris Shah is also called Shakespeare of the Punjabi language because of his great poetic love story, Heer Ranjha. Some critics say that through this story of romantic love, he tried to portray the love of man for God (the quintessential subject of Sufi literature).
Waris Shah was born in Jandiala Sher Khan, District Sheikhupura. Waris Shah acknowledged himself as a disciple of Pir Makhdum of Kasur. Waris Shah’s parents died when he was young, and he probably received his education at the shrine of his preceptor. After completing his education in Kasur, he moved to Malka Hans, a village twelve kilometers north of Pakpattan. Here he resided in a small room, adjacent to a historic masjid, now called Masjid Waris Shah. His tomb is in Jandiala Sher Khan.
Editor’s Note: Visitors may write their valuable instant comments at the end of this page.
A Punjabi Couplet on Waris Shah’s Tomb
Tomb of Waris Shah
Opening Lines of ‘Heer’ by Waris Shah.
“Awwal hamd Khuda da vird kijiye, Ishq kita so jag da mool, Mian. Pehlay aap hi Rabb nay ishq kita, mashooq he Nabi Rasool, Mian.”
(Translation: “First of all let us acknowledge God, who has made love the worth of the world, Sir. It was God Himself that first loved, and the Prophet (Muhammad) is His beloved, Sir.”
‘Heer” by Waris Shah. Opening lines of a great poetic love story.
Complete Text of ‘Heer Ranjha’. The online text is in Urdu (‘Heer Ranjha’ starts from page 61. The previous pages have Preface and Index). Click here to read complete ‘Heer Ranjha’.
Related Pages:
Poetry of Baba Bulleh Shah
Poetry of Khawaja Ghulam Farid
Poetry of Sultan Bahu
Poetry of Sani Ali Shah
Editor’s Note: If you have liked this web page, then please share it on Facebook and Twitter. Please also write your brief comment at the end of this page under the heading “Leave a Reply here”.
in ankhon main b thi kisi heer ki tamana ..
yhe suljha hua larka b kbi ranjha raha haa..
Farrukh awAn..
very informative, but where are the wordings?
Ki Mukk Jana Si Waris Shah Da,
Likhi Ranjhe Naam Je Heer Hundi.
Bada ishq ishq tu karna aain,
Kadi ishq da gunjal khol te sahi
Tenu mitti vich na rol deve
Do pyar de bol tu bol ta sahi
Sukh ghat te dard hazar milan
Kadi ishq nu takadi tol ta sahi
Teri hasdi aakh vi pij jave
Kadi sanu andron phol ta sahi.
Waris Shah was a great poet.
Thanks, editor.
Awesome!!!
Heer Ranjha Zindabad!!
The hyperlink, (Click here to read complete ‘Heer Ranjha’) doesn’t seem to work. Where can I get the trasliterated romanized version of Heer?
Assi nazuk dil de loki haanm saadha dil na yaar dukhaya kar,
Na jhotay waday karya kar na jhootiyan qasmaan chaya kar.
Tenu kai wari mein aakhiya aay mainu wal wal na aazmaya kar,
Teri yaad de wich merr jaasan sanu itna yaad na aaya kar.
Bulleh Shah
Mysticism is life!!
Dear Misbah,
A.O.A.
Very nice…?
WARIS SHAH
Heeray sastay milday waikhay,
Laal tarakri wich tulday waikhay.
Phull pairaan wich rulday waikhay,
Sayaanay galaan toun bhulday waikhay.
Koi kissay naal pyar nahi karda,
Dil duniya wich rulday waikhay.
Rung barungi duniya waikhi,
Kaye kaye rung badalday waikhay.
Sukh tay azal toun wairi mairay,
Dukh hee akhian khuldayaan waikhay.
Bus ker Dilla, chadd day kherra,
Chadd day raam kahaani tou.
Tou rull gaya tay taan ki hoya?
Shah vi galiyaan wich rulday waikhay.
Mahi
I think, it is Bulleh Shah’s poetry. 🙁
I love Sufi poetry very much.
Hamara yeh haq banta hai keh hum pehlay sufism ko samjhain aur phir apnay dostoon ko bhee batain ta keh hamaray ander kee nafrat muhabbat may badal jaye. Akhir may mein yeh kahoon ga kay agar muhabbat ka asal roop dekhna ho tou yeh sufism ko study karnay aur us ko samjhnay say patta chalta hai.
Hi sir,
Can you tell me how can I read whole Waris Shah’s Heer in Hindi or Punjabi in any book for Sufism?
You can get it in book form or even online http://www.wichaar.com/news/280/
If you want to read it in book form, it is available in market in Pakistan in Shahmukhi script. Aziz, Abdul. Heer Waris Shah. (Lahore: Aziz Book Depot, 2008).
Sufis and Saints everyone preached for patience and brought people closer to Allah Almighty. Alas! now people and rulers are greedy for worldly affairs and we in the Agricultural country Pakistan have to import Tomato, Onion and Potato. May Allah lead us towards right path of Tawakal through assistance of such pious saints. This era badly needs upright people because we are going far off the right and true path. Allah Jee Muslamano ko suchey rehbar inayat keejay!
Now this is the need of time that we should go back to our culture. We should really think to preserve the poetic treasure of our Sufi poets. But we are forgetting their poetry which is full of love, peace, happiness and hope.
Nice material!!
In this modern age, Sufi kalam is the best way to convey the messeage of Islam to the humanity.
Taqwa (Arabic: تقوى taqwā / taqwá , “piety”) is the Islamic term that denotes God-consciousness, mindfulness and piety.[1] As an ethical base for the Muslim community, taqwa plays a significant role in one’s relationship to God by reminding His believers of His great power and knowledge. Taqwa also has a major role in the Sufi/Mystical part of Islam as it is one of the Stations of the Sufi Path. This station is important as it has the ability to bring one closer to God.