na tha kuch to khuda tha, kuch na hota to khuda hota
na tha kuch to khuda tha, kuch na hota to khuda hota
duboya mujhko hone ne, na hota main to kya hota

hua jab ghum se yu bebas, to ghum kya sar ke katne ka
hua jab ghum se yu bebas, to ghum kya sar ke katne ka
na hota agar juda tan se, to jaano par dhara hota

huyi muddat ke gaalib mar gaya par yaad aata hai
huyi muddat ke gaalib mar gaya par yaad aata hai
wo har ek baat per kahna ke yu hota to kya hota

Before existence, God; if nothing, still God.
Before existence, God; if nothing, still God.
Existence drowned me, what would I be if naught?

When grief made me helpless, what sorrow in a severed head?
When grief made me helpless, what sorrow in a severed head?
If the body had not separated, I would be upon the soul.

For ages, Ghalib's gone, yet his memory lingers, bright.
For ages, Ghalib's gone, yet his memory lingers, bright.
His every word: *If this happened, what would be the light?*