sharik-e-KHalwat-e-KHun-bar thoDi hota hai

sharīk-e-ḳhalvat-e-ḳhūñ-bār thoḌī hotā hai

ye shahr ġham kaa, nigah-dār thoḌī hotā hai

shikast o fat.h ke asbāb tai-shuda to nahīñ

jo ek baar ho, har baar thoḌī hotā hai

hai ek vaqt muqarrar, vagarna duniyā meñ

koī zavāl pe tayyār thoḌī hotā hai

fareb-e-da.avā-guzārī hai, mas.ala kuchh aur

sabhī ko 'ishq kā āzār thoḌī hotā hai

lahū kī taal pe āġhāz raqs karte hue

idhar udhar se sarokār thoḌī hotā hai

ulaTnā chāhe jo kār-e-munāfiqat kā naqāb

ye shahr! is kā taraf-dār thoḌī hotā hai

lakīreñ khīñchte rahne se ban ga.ī tasvīr

koī bhī kaam ho, be-kār thoḌī hotā hai

sharik-e-KHalwat-e-KHun-bar thoDi hota hai

ye shahr gham ka, nigah-dar thoDi hota hai

shikast o fath ke asbab tai-shuda to nahin

jo ek bar ho, har bar thoDi hota hai

hai ek waqt muqarrar, wagarna duniya mein

koi zawal pe tayyar thoDi hota hai

fareb-e-dawa-guzari hai, masala kuchh aur

sabhi ko 'ishq ka aazar thoDi hota hai

lahu ki tal pe aaghaz raqs karte hue

idhar udhar se sarokar thoDi hota hai

ulaTna chahe jo kar-e-munafiqat ka naqab

ye shahr! is ka taraf-dar thoDi hota hai

lakiren khinchte rahne se ban gai taswir

koi bhi kaam ho, be-kar thoDi hota hai