When I first stumbled upon Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s couplet

Dil na-umeed toh nahi, nakam hi toh hai
Lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi toh hai

it felt like a quiet conversation with an old friend. These lines, penned by one of Urdu poetry’s greatest voices, carry a weight that’s both heavy with longing and light with possibility. Let’s unravel this masterpiece, explore its layers, and see why it still speaks to us in 2025.

What Does the Couplet Mean?

At its heart, this couplet is a gentle nudge to keep going. The first line, “Dil na-umeed toh nahi, nakam hi toh hai,” translates to: “The heart isn’t hopeless, it’s only failed.” Faiz draws a fine line between hopelessness and failure, as if to say, “You may have stumbled, but don’t give up on dreaming.” It’s a tender reminder that setbacks don’t define us.

The second line

Lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi toh hai

paints a picture of a long, sorrowful evening: “The evening of grief is long, but it’s only an evening.” The word “shaam” (evening) feels deliberate, carrying the promise that even the darkest moments will fade into dawn. It’s not just poetry it’s a lifeline.

“The heart isn’t hopeless, it’s only failed.”
— Faiz Ahmad Faiz

The Heartbeat of Resilience

Finding Light in the Dark

What makes this couplet so special is its quiet strength. Faiz doesn’t shout about resilience; he whispers it. By saying the heart is “na-umeed toh nahi” (not hopeless), he’s urging us to hold onto hope, even when life feels like a string of disappointments. It’s the kind of wisdom you’d hear from a loved one over chai, coaxing you to keep moving forward.

The Fleeting Nature of Pain

The image of the “gham ki shaam” (evening of sorrow) is so vivid you can almost see the sky dimming. Yet, Faiz’s genius lies in that small word, “magar” (but). It’s a turning point, a reminder that sorrow, no matter how endless it feels, is temporary. This speaks to anyone who’s ever felt stuck in a moment of grief, waiting for the morning.

A Voice for the Times

Faiz wasn’t just a poet; he was a rebel with a pen. Writing during turbulent times, his words often carried the weight of political and social struggles. This couplet feels like a quiet rally cry for those fighting injustice or personal battles. The “nakam” heart could be a revolutionary’s spirit, bruised but unbroken, or an ordinary person facing life’s hardships. Faiz’s hope is universal, it’s for all of us.

Why These Words Still Matter

In 2025, with the world wrestling with uncertainty, be it job losses, climate worries, or personal struggles, this couplet feels like a warm hug. It’s for the student who failed an exam, the artist chasing a dream, or the activist pushing for change. Faiz’s words remind us that failure is not the end, and sorrow is just a chapter, not the whole story.

A Timeless Embrace

Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s couplet,

Dil na-umeed toh nahi, nakam hi toh hai
Lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi toh hai

is a gift wrapped in words. It’s a reminder to hold on when life feels heavy, to trust that dawn follows even the longest night. Whether you’re a poetry lover or just someone needing a spark of hope, these lines are for you. What does this couplet mean to you? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s keep Faiz’s magic alive.