Ahmad Faraz

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Syed Ahmad Shah (pen name: Ahmad Faraz)
• Born: January 12, 1931; Kohat, British India (now Pakistan)
• Died: August 25, 2008; Islamabad, Pakistan
• Education: M.A. in Urdu and Persian, University of Peshawar
• Profession: Poet, Lecturer, Scriptwriter, Chairman of Pakistan Academy of Letters and National Book Foundation
• Notable Works: Tanha Tanha, Be Awaz Gali Kuchon Mein, Janan Janan, Dard-e-Aashob, Ghazal Bahana Karoon
• Awards: Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Imtiaz (returned in protest, 2006), posthumous Hilal-e-Pakistan
• Children: Three sons – Saadi, Shibli Faraz, and Sarmad Faraz

Biography

Ahmad Faraz, born as Syed Ahmad Shah in 1931, is remembered as one of the greatest modern voices in Urdu poetry. His hometown was Kohat, where he spent his early years before moving to Peshawar for his education. Literature fascinated him from a young age, and the works of Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Allama Iqbal left a lasting impression on his style and thinking.

After completing his master’s degrees in Urdu and Persian from the University of Peshawar, he began his career as a lecturer and later worked for Radio Pakistan. His first collection of poetry, Tanha Tanha, announced his arrival as a powerful new poet. Faraz wrote with a blend of romance and rebellion, often weaving themes of love, injustice, and social consciousness into his verses.

His poetry soon found a wider audience through music. Legendary singers like Mehdi Hassan, Noor Jehan, Ghulam Ali, and Jagjit Singh brought his ghazals to life, turning them into timeless classics. Lines such as “Ranjish hi sahi” became household favorites, resonating with generations across South Asia.

Faraz never hesitated to raise his voice against oppression. During General Zia-ul-Haq’s rule, he was arrested for openly criticizing the regime through his poems. Choosing exile, he lived for several years in Britain, Canada, and Europe, before eventually returning to Pakistan. His defiance only strengthened his image as a poet of truth and conscience.

The government recognized his contributions with prestigious awards like Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Hilal-i-Imtiaz, but Faraz returned the latter in protest against the suppression of democratic rights. After his passing in 2008, he was posthumously awarded the Hilal-e-Pakistan, one of the country’s highest honors.

In his personal life, Ahmad Faraz was a family man. He had three sons, including Shibli Faraz, who went on to become a politician. Despite his fame, Faraz was known to be humble and approachable, always carrying warmth for his admirers.

Ahmad Faraz died in Islamabad in 2008 following kidney failure. He was laid to rest in H-8 Graveyard, where admirers from all walks of life gathered to bid him farewell. His words continue to echo in gatherings, classrooms, and hearts, reminding us that poetry can be both tender and revolutionary.

Faraz remains a poet who spoke for love and justice in equal measure, leaving behind verses that continue to guide, comfort, and inspire.