Mujh Meiñ un kī Sanā kā Salīqa Kahāñ (مجھ میں ان کی ثنا کا سلیقہ کہاں), commonly known by its refrain Woh Kahāñ Maiñ Kahāñ (وہ کہاں میں کہاں), is a deeply humble Urdu naat by the early 20th-century Indian poet Riyaz Khairabadi (1853–1934). Like the more widely known Tū Kujā Man Kujā by Muzaffar Warsi, this poem expresses the poet’s profound sense of unworthiness before the majestic station of the Prophet ﷺ. Anchored around the repeated refrain “Where is he, and where am I?”, the poem draws sharp, reverent contrasts between the poet’s sinful, lowly self and the exalted, merciful reality of the Prophet—the intercessor of sinners, the pride of creation, and the comfort of souls. The final verse names the poet (Riyaz), a common feature of classical Urdu poetry, reaffirming his awareness of his flaws and his longing to be counted among those connected to the Prophet ﷺ.
Lyrics
– verse 1 –
مجھ میں ان کی ثنا کا سلیقہ کہاں
وہ شاہِ دو جہاں ۔ وہ کہاں میں کہاں
ان کا مدح سرا خالقِ اسرٰی
وہ رسولِ زماں ۔ وہ کہاں میں کہاں
Mujʰ meiñ unki sanaa kaa salīqā kahāñ
Woh shaah-e do jahaañ, woh kahaañ maiñ kahaañ
Un kaa madḥ saraa Khaaliq-e-Asraa
Woh Rasool-e-zamaañ, woh kahaañ maiñ kahaañ
How can I have the ability to praise him?
He is the King of both worlds — where is he, and where am I?
The one who praised him is the Creator of the Night Journey
He is the Prophet of all times — where is he, and where am I?
Audio Samples
🎙️a cappella · 🪘drum(s) · 🎶music · ♀️female vocals
Syed Fasihuddin Soharwardi 🎙️
Share
Do you have any suggestions or corrections regarding the lyrics, description or categories for this hymn? Or would you like to share a reflection?
Feel free to comment below.
Leave a Reply