5 Urdu ash'ar / shayari (shers, couplets) by
Ibn-e-Insha
1927-1978,
Phillaur (Punjab)
Ibn-e-Insha Biography
Sher Muhammad Khan, remembered by his pen name Ibn-e-Insha, was one of the most beloved voices of modern Urdu literature. He was born on 15 June 1927 in Phillaur, Punjab. After Partition, he moved to Pakistan and later settled in Karachi. His education in literature and his wide cultural exposure shaped his sharp yet heartfelt writing style.
Ibn-e-Insha wrote poetry that blended humor with deep emotion. His ghazals were simple, direct, and often carried a touch of melancholy. Alongside poetry, he became famous for his travelogues, essays, and columns, which revealed his wit and keen observation of society. He also worked with Radio Pakistan, the Ministry of Culture, and even served with the United Nations, experiences that broadened his perspective and enriched his writing.
One of his most famous ghazals, “Insha Ji Utthoo Ab Kooch Karo”, remains timeless for its haunting simplicity and emotional pull. Readers continue to recite it as a symbol of restlessness, departure, and longing.
Ibn-e-Insha passed away from Hodgkin’s lymphoma on 11 January 1978 in London and was laid to rest in Karachi.
1 / 5: Ibn-e-Insha
pyaar mein jab talak naheen TuuTe
dil kisi kaam ka naheen hota
it is not worth mentioning
not does it belong anywhere
until it breaks for the sake of love
this heart is of no use anywhere
Theme: Heart, Mind, & Memory (62)
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2 / 5: Ibn-e-Insha
kuchh ne kaha ye chaand hai
kuchh ne kaha chehra tera
‘twas full moon last night
with all the talk about you
some said it was the moon
others said it was you
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3 / 5: Ibn-e-Insha
tum se to itna ho sakta hai
poochho haal bechaaron ka
they won’t open their mouths
those who love you will say nothing
if it is possible for you, at least
ask the condition of the poor souls
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4 / 5: Ibn-e-Insha
ab sukh ke sapne kya dekhen
jab dukh ka sooraj sar par ho
those nights have gone with the moon
those words have gone with the moon
how can i now see dreams of happiness
with the searing sun of sorrow on my head
Theme: Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (106)
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5 / 5: Ibn-e-Insha
jin ki khaatir basti chhoDi
naam na lo un pyaaron ka
insha, spend the rest of your life
in peace among strangers
the loved ones for whom you
left your town, think not about them
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