aaya hai mujhko ek but-e-sim-bar se KHat

aayā hai mujh ko ek but-e-sīm-bar se ḳhat

maiñ kyoñ javāb meñ na likhūñ āb-e-zar se ḳhat

allah re shauq-e-silsila-e-nāma-o-payām

ik ḳhat gayā idhar se ik aayā udhar se ḳhat

kyā jānūñ hogā harf-e-tamannā bhī yā nahīñ

bhīgā thā likhte vaqt mirī chashm-e-tar se ḳhat

naama amal kā dekh na ai dāvar-e-nushūr

is par tū khīñch ḳhāma-e-rahmat-asar se ḳhat

har lafz us kā vah.y na kyoñ ho mire liye

likkhā hai us ne tā.er-e-sidra ke par se ḳhat

us par farefta kahīñ qāsid bhī ho na jaa.e

maiñ bhejtā nahīñ isī vahm-o-ḳhatar se ḳhat

'zā.iq' alī ke naam ko mushkil meñ aazmā

gardan pe teġh kā na paḌe is sipar se ḳhat

aaya hai mujh ko ek but-e-sim-bar se KHat

main kyon jawab mein na likhun aab-e-zar se KHat

allah re shauq-e-silsila-e-nama-o-payam

ek KHat gaya idhar se ek aaya udhar se KHat

kya jaanun hoga harf-e-tamanna bhi ya nahin

bhiga tha likhte waqt meri chashm-e-tar se KHat

nama amal ka dekh na ai dawar-e-nushur

is par tu khinch KHama-e-rahmat-asar se KHat

har lafz us ka wahy na kyon ho mere liye

likkha hai us ne taer-e-sidra ke par se KHat

us par farefta kahin qasid bhi ho na jae

main bhejta nahin isi wahm-o-KHatar se KHat

'zaiq' ali ke nam ko mushkil mein aazma

gardan pe tegh ka na paDe is sipar se KHat