“Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” is one of the most beloved and cherished verses in Urdu literature. Written by the great philosopher and poet Allama Iqbal, this naat is actually a dua (supplication) that reflects a childlike innocence and deep spiritual longing. It is widely recited in homes, schools, and religious gatherings across the Muslim world, especially in Pakistan and India.
In this post, you will find the original Urdu lyrics of Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua, their English transliteration, an English translation, and an explanation of the meaning and background of this beautiful naat.
Background of Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua
Allama Iqbal wrote “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” as a poem for children, published in his collection Bang-e-Dra (The Call of the Bell). Despite being written for children, its depth and spiritual beauty have made it popular among people of all ages. The poem is taught in schools across Pakistan and India, and it is often recited as a naat in religious gatherings.
The poem reflects a childs pure heart asking Allah for guidance, goodness, and the company of righteous people. It is a simple yet profound expression of Islamic faith and the desire to live a life of virtue.
Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua – Urdu Lyrics
Here are the full Urdu lyrics of Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua:
لب پہ آتی ہے دعا بن کے تمنا میری
زندگی شمع کی صورت ہو خدایا میریدور دنیا کا مرے دم سے اندھیرا ہو جائے
ہر جگہ میرے چمکنے سے اجالا ہو جائےہو مرے دم سے یونہی میرے وطن کی زینت
جس طرح پھول سے ہوتی ہے چمن کی زینتزندگی ہو مری پروانے کی صورت یا رب
علم کا شمع سے ہو مجھ کو محبت یا ربہو مرا کام غریبوں کی حمایت کرنا
درد مندوں سے، کمزوروں سے محبت کرنامرے اللہ! برائی سے بچانا مجھ کو
نیک جو راہ ہو اس راہ پہ چلانا مجھ کوشام آئے پہلے آئے تیرے در پر شام
صبح ہو تو کروں تیرا ہی ذکر صبح و شام
English Transliteration
Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri
Zindagi shamma ki soorat ho Khudaya meriDaur-e-duniya ka mere dam se andhera ho jaye
Har jagah mere chamakne se ujala ho jayeHo mere dam se yunhi mere watan ki zeenat
Jis tarah phool se hoti hai chaman ki zeenatZindagi ho meri parwanay ki soorat ya Rab
Ilm ka shamma se ho mujh ko mohabbat ya RabHo mera kaam ghareebon ki himayat karna
Dard-mandon se, kamzoron se mohabbat karnaMere Allah! Burai se bachana mujh ko
Naik jo raah ho us raah pe chalana mujh koShaam aaye pehle aaye tere dar par shaam
Subah ho toh karoon tera hi zikr subah o shaam
English Translation
My wish takes the form of a prayer on my lips
O my God, let my life be like the candle (bright and selfless)Let the darkness of the world disappear through me
Let every place be illuminated by my radianceLet me be the adornment of my homeland
Just as flowers adorn the gardenO Lord, make my life like that of the moth (who gives itself for light)
O Lord, let me love knowledge the way the moth loves the flameLet my work be to help the poor
To love the suffering and the weakMy Allah! Protect me from evil
Guide me onto the righteous pathWhen evening comes, let me first come to Your door
And when morning comes, let my morning and evening be spent in Your remembrance
Meaning and Explanation
Verse 1: The Prayer of a Pure Heart
The poem opens with the speaker saying that their deepest wish takes the form of a prayer on their lips. They ask Allah to make their life like a candle: bright, giving, and selfless. The candle burns itself to give light to others, which is the ideal life of service.
Verse 2: Being a Source of Light
The speaker wishes to dispel darkness from the world. This is a metaphor for removing ignorance, injustice, and suffering. They want to be a source of light and guidance everywhere.
Verse 3: Serving the Homeland
This verse expresses love for ones country. The speaker wants to be an adornment to their homeland in the same way flowers adorn a garden. It teaches patriotism and contributing to the betterment of society.
Verse 4: The Love of Knowledge
The speaker asks for their life to be like a moth that sacrifices itself for the flame. This is a beautiful metaphor for the pursuit of knowledge. Just as the moth is drawn to the flame, the speaker wants to be drawn to the light of knowledge, even if it requires sacrifice.
Verse 5: Helping the Needy
This verse focuses on social responsibility. The speaker asks Allah to make their work the service of the poor, the suffering, and the weak. It highlights the Islamic obligation to care for those less fortunate.
Verse 6: Seeking Protection and Guidance
The speaker directly asks Allah for two things: protection from evil and guidance to the righteous path. This mirrors the daily prayer in Surah Al-Fatiha: “Guide us to the straight path.”
Verse 7: Constant Remembrance of Allah
The final verse expresses the desire to begin and end each day with Allah. The speaker wants to come to Allahs door in the evening and spend both morning and evening in His remembrance. This reflects the Islamic practice of starting and ending the day with prayer and dhikr.
Why This Naat is So Beloved
“Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” resonates with people because it captures the pure, innocent faith of a child. It is both a personal prayer and a universal message of hope, service, and devotion. The poem teaches important values: selflessness, love for ones country, pursuit of knowledge, compassion for the poor, and constant remembrance of Allah.
It is also musically beautiful, with a rhythmic flow that makes it easy to memorise and recite. Many famous naat reciters have performed it, making it a staple in naat gatherings and school events across the Muslim world.
Download and Share
You can use these lyrics for personal recitation, school events, or sharing with friends and family. If you want to listen to the naat being recited, search for “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” on YouTube where many beautiful renditions are available.