Ilmoun Bas Kari O-Yaar (Aik Alif) BY Bulleh Shah

Ilmoun bas kari oo yaar
Eko Alif terey darkar

Enough of learning, my friend!
An alphabet should do for you

Ilam na awey wich shumar
Jandi umar, Nahi aitbaar
Eko Alif terey darkar
Ilmoun bas kari oo yaar
To it there is never an end
An alphabet should do for you
It’s enough to help you fend.
Enough of learning, my friend!

Ilmoun bas kari oo yaar
Enough of learning, my friend!

Parh parh, likh likh lavein dher
Dher kitabaan, char chuphery
Kar dey chanan, Wich haneyr
Pucho: “Rah?” tey khabar na saar
You’ve amassed much learning around
The Quran and its commentaries profound
There is darkness amidst lighted ground
Without the guide you remain unsound
–
Ilmoun bas kari oo yaar
Enough of learning, my friend!

Parh perh shekh ma shaikh khawein
Ultay masley gharoon bata dein
Bey ilmaan nu lut lut khawein
Jhuthey Sachey karain aqrqr
Learning makes you Sheikh or his minion
And thus you create problem trillion
You exploit others who know not what
Misleading them with wild opinion
–
Ilmoun bas kari oo yaar
Enough of learning, my friend!

Parh parh nafal namaz guzarien
Uchian bangaan changha marein
Manber tey charrh waaz pukarein
Keeta tainu ilam khawar
You meditate and you say your prayers
You go and shout at the top of the stairs
You cry reaching the high skies
It’s your avarice which ever belies
–
Ilmoun bas kari oo yaar
Enough of learning, my friend!

Jad main sabak Ishq da parhaya
Darya dekh Wahadat da warria
Ghuman gheraan dey wich urria
Shah Inayat laya paar
The day I learnt love’s lesson
I plunged into the river of devine passion
An overwhelming gale. I was confused and lost
When Shah Inayat cruised me across

Ilmoun bas kari oo yaar
Enough of learning, my friend!