qismat mein dard hai to dawa hi na launga

qismat meñ dard hai to davā hī na lā.ūñgā

ā.īna-e-yaqīñ pe siyāhī na lā.ūñgā

yā to mire bayān pe munsif yaqīñ kare

yā phir sazā likhe maiñ gavāhī na lā.ūñgā

is daur-e-nā-shanās meñ kuchh bhī kahūñ magar

ab dāstāñ meñ zikr-e-vafā hī na lā.ūñgā

apnoñ se jañg hai to bhale haar jā.ūñ maiñ

lekin maiñ apne saath sipāhī na lā.ūñgā

dosh-e-karam pe baar hai jab harf-e-mudda.ā

phir maiñ zabāñ pe harf-e-duā hī na lā.ūñgā

jab tum saf-e-adū meñ chale jāoge to phir

dil meñ malāl-e-kor-nigāhī na lā.ūñgā

maidān-e-kār-zār meñ 'aḳhtar' kabhī bhī maiñ

ḳhauf-e-sinān-e-zill-e-ilāhī na lā.ūñgā

qismat mein dard hai to dawa hi na launga

aaina-e-yaqin pe siyahi na launga

ya to mere bayan pe munsif yaqin kare

ya phir saza likhe main gawahi na launga

is daur-e-na-shanas mein kuchh bhi kahun magar

ab dastan mein zikr-e-wafa hi na launga

apnon se jang hai to bhale haar jaun main

lekin main apne sath sipahi na launga

dosh-e-karam pe bar hai jab harf-e-muddaa

phir main zaban pe harf-e-dua hi na launga

jab tum saf-e-adu mein chale jaoge to phir

dil mein malal-e-kor-nigahi na launga

maidan-e-kar-zar mein 'aKHtar' kabhi bhi main

KHauf-e-sinan-e-zill-e-ilahi na launga