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Momin Khan Momin was a contemporary of Mirza Ghalib and Ibrahim Zauq. He was also a physician, astrologer and chess player. Mirza Ghalib is famously said to have offered his complete diwan (collection of poems) for this one sher of Momin:
tum mere paas hote ho goya,
Jab koi doosra nahin hota
The beauty of this sher is in multiple layers that emerge by using the word ‘goya’ which means ‘as if/as though/as it were’
First meaning: When you’re with me(on my mind), no one else is.
Second meaning: You’re with me (on my side), when no one else is.
Click on a previous Urduwallahs post to know more: https://urduwallahs.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/goya/
Here is another wonderful sher by Momin capturing a beautiful and simple thought:
Umr to saari kati ishq-e-butan mein ’Momin’
Akhiri waqt mein kya khaak musalman honge
Life has gone by in the love of idols, Momin
In the final stage of life it is worthless to try and become a Muslim now
Momin Sahib needs no comment. I remembered the first coup[plet from my days at Government college Ludhiana where I read Galib sahib. Why are modern day poets not as exalted?