Out of the 3 great poets that Delhi produced, momin probably ranks second, after Ghalib and ahead of ustaad Zauq. Momin’s central theme is love, ishque, of which he has a rich personal experience. This is the same Momin, that said
Tum meray paas hotay ho goya
Jabb koee doosra nahiN hota
Ghalib was so impressed by this that he was willing to give his entire deewan for just this couplet.
I like Momin for the melody in his poetry. The selection of words to express his thoughts is so smooth, like a flowing stream (behta jharna sounds more approp). Anyway below is Momin in probably one of his most musical works.
Woh jo hum maiN tum maiN qarar tha tumhaiN yaad ho keh nah yaad ho
Wohi waada yaani nibah ka TumhaiN yaad ho keh na yaad ho
Woh jo lutf mujh peh thay peshtar Woh karam keh tha mray haal per
Mujhay sabb hay yaad zara zara TumhaiN yaad ho keh na yaad ho
Woh naay gilay woh shikaayateN Woh mazay mazay ki hikayateN
Woh har ik baat peh roothna TumhaiN yaad ho keh na yaad ho
Hooay ittefaq say gar baham To wafa jatanay ko dam badam
Gila-e-malamat-e-aqrabaa TumhaiN yaad ho keh na yaad ho
Koi baat aisee gar hooee Keh tumharay jee ko buree lagee
To bayaN say pehlay hee bhoolna TumhaiN yaad ho keh na yaad ho
Kabhi hum maiN tum maiN bhi chah thee Kabhi hum maiN tum maiN bhi rah thi
Kabhi hum bhi tum bhi thay aashnaa TumhaiN yaad ho keh nah yaad ho
Woh bigarnaa wasl ki raat ka Woh naa ma’an-na kisi baat ka
Who nahiN nahiN ki har aan adaa TumhaiN yaad ho keh nah yaad ho
Jisay aap gintay thay aashnaa Jisay aap kehtay thay baawafa
MaiN wohi hooN Momin-e-mubtalaa TumhaiN yaad ho keh nah yaad ho