Urdu Ethics Poetry: 30 Verses on Morals (Trans)

Achhe ikhlaaq, zeenat-e-insaan hain,
Neki ki raah pe, yahi pehchaan hain.
Good ethics are the adornment of humans,
On the path of virtue, this is the identity.
Sachaai ka daaman, kabhi na chhorna,
Jhoot ki nadi se, munh morna.
Never let go of the hem of truth,
Turn your face away from the river of lies.

Amaanat mein khayaanat, bada gunaah hai,
Dayanat daari hi, asal panaah hai.
Betrayal in trust is a great sin,
Honesty itself is the real refuge.

Reham dili apnaao, sab pe meherbaan ho,
Dil mein na keena ho, na koi gumaan ho.
Adopt compassion, be kind to all,
May there be no malice in the heart, nor any suspicion.

Sabr-o-tahammul se, kaam lena seekho,
Ghusse ki aag mein, na jalna seekho.
Learn to work with patience and forbearance,
Learn not to burn in the fire of anger.

Aajizi ikhtiyaar kar, yahi hai baraai,
Takabbur ne hamesha, di hai ruswaai.
Adopt humility, this is greatness,
Arrogance has always brought disgrace.

Waada karo toh nibhaao, yeh hai shaan-e-momin,
Baat kaho toh sachi, chaahe ho dushman.
If you make a promise, fulfill it, this is the glory of a believer,
Speak the truth, even if it’s to an enemy.

Doosron ki izzat, apni izzat jaano,
Kisi ko haqeer tum, hargiz na maano.
Consider others’ respect as your own respect,
Never consider anyone inferior.

Husn-e-sulook se, dil jeet lo sab ka,
Yahi toh sabaq hai, hamaare Rabb ka.
Win everyone’s heart with good conduct,
This indeed is the lesson from our Lord.

Kirdaar buland ho, toh duniya salaam kare,
Neki ka har amal, dil mein maqaam kare.
If character is lofty, the world will salute,
Every act of virtue will make a place in the heart.

Badon ka adab, chhoton pe shafqat,
Yahi hain ikhlaaq ki, asal haqeeqat.
Respect for elders, affection for youngers,
This is the true reality of ethics.

Zabaan ko qaabu mein rakh, yeh hai talwaar do dhaari,
Ik lafz se bane dost, ik se dushman bhaari.
Keep your tongue in control, it is a double-edged sword,
One word can make a friend, another a heavy enemy.

Hasad ki aag mein, khud ko na jalaao,
Doosron ki khushi mein, khushi tum manaao.
Don’t burn yourself in the fire of envy,
Celebrate happiness in others’ happiness.

Maaf kar dena, hai bada kamaal,
Dil mein na rakhna, koi ranj-o-malaal.
To forgive is a great excellence,
Don’t keep any sorrow or resentment in the heart.

Insaaf ka daaman, haath se na chhoote,
Chaahe apna hi koi, tum se roothe.
May the hem of justice not leave your hand,
Even if someone close to you gets upset with you.

Shukr guzaari se, ne’matein barhti hain,
Naa-shukri se khushiyaan, aksar ghat’ti hain.
With gratitude, blessings increase,
Often with ingratitude, happiness decreases.

Mehmaan nawaazi, ikhlaaq ka hissa hai,
Is se ghar mein barkat, Rabb ka waada hai.
Hospitality is a part of ethics,
With it, there is blessing in the home, this is God’s promise.

Paakeeza soch ho, paakeeza nigaah,
Yahi toh hai momin ki, seedhi raah.
May thoughts be pure, gaze be pure,
This indeed is the straight path of a believer.

Aib joi na karo, kisi ki kabhi,
Apne girebaan mein, jhaanko tum sabhi.
Never find faults in anyone,
All of you, look into your own collars (selves).

Ikhlaaq-e-Hasana, Nabi ki hain meeraas,
Is ko apnaaoge, toh paaoge falaah.
Excellent morals are the Prophet’s (PBUH) heritage,
If you adopt them, you will attain success.

Saadgi mein bhi hai, ik shaan-e-niraali,
Banaawat ki duniya, hai saari hi khaali.
There is a unique grandeur even in simplicity,
The world of affectation is entirely empty.

Jo doosron ke liye, achha sochega,
Us ki apni zindagi, khushiyon se bharega.
One who thinks good for others,
His own life will be filled with happiness.

Guftugoo mein narmi, lehje mein mithaas,
Yahi hain achhe ikhlaaq ki, asal asaas.
Softness in conversation, sweetness in tone,
This is the real foundation of good ethics.

Ummeed achhi rakho, gumaan achha rakho,
Har haal mein tum, Rabb pe imaan achha rakho.
Keep good hope, keep good opinion,
In every situation, keep good faith in God.

Khidmat-e-khalq mein, jo waqt guzaarega,
Wohi toh Khuda ki, rehmat ko paayega.
One who spends time in serving creation,
Will indeed attain God’s mercy.

Kirdaar ki khushboo, door tak jaaye,
Achhe insaan ko, har koi saraahe.
The fragrance of character goes far,
Everyone praises a good human.

Haq baat kehne se, kabhi na darna,
Chaahe is ki khaatir, pade tumhein marna.
Never be afraid to speak the truth,
Even if for its sake, you have to die.

Ehsaan karo toh, jataao na kabhi,
Neki ka sila toh, Rabb dega tabhi.
If you do a favor, never show it off,
The reward for virtue will be given by God then.

Dil mein na ho nafrat, na ho koi bughz,
Mohabbat hi mohabbat ho, yahi hai asal farz.
May there be no hatred in the heart, nor any malice,
May there be only love, this is the real duty.

Ikhlaaq se banti hai, insaan ki pehchaan,
Isi se milti hai, duniya mein izzat-o-shaan.
A human’s identity is formed by ethics,
From this, one gets honor and glory in the world.