apni tahzib ki diwar sambhaale hue hain

apnī tahzīb kī dīvār sambhāle hue haiñ

mere bachche mirā ghar-bār sambhāle hue haiñ

tū ne kuchh bhī na diyā ham ko aziyyat ke sivā

zindagī ham tujhe bekār sambhāle hue haiñ

koī aatā nahīñ ab un kī qadam-bosī ko

donoñ hāthoñ se vo dastār sambhāle hue haiñ

vaqt se aage nikal jā.eñge jab chāheñge

dil-girafta abhī raftār sambhāle hue haiñ

muflisī jhāñktī hai rauzan o dar se lekin

ham laraztī huī dīvār sambhāle hue haiñ

ye bhī ik turfa tamāshā hai ḳhudā-vand-e-jahāñ

terī duniyā ko gunahgār sambhāle hue haiñ

fāqa-mastī meñ bhī jiite haiñ ba-āġhāz-e-junūñ

zindagī ham tirā pindār sambhāle hue haiñ

ābdīda kabhī hone nahīñ dete 'aḳhtar'

mujh ko ab tak mire ġham-ḳhvār sambhāle hue haiñ

apni tahzib ki diwar sambhaale hue hain

mere bachche mera ghar-bar sambhaale hue hain

tu ne kuchh bhi na diya hum ko aziyyat ke siwa

zindagi hum tujhe bekar sambhaale hue hain

koi aata nahin ab un ki qadam-bosi ko

donon hathon se wo dastar sambhaale hue hain

waqt se aage nikal jaenge jab chahenge

dil-girafta abhi raftar sambhaale hue hain

muflisi jhankti hai rauzan o dar se lekin

hum larazti hui diwar sambhaale hue hain

ye bhi ek turfa tamasha hai KHuda-wand-e-jahan

teri duniya ko gunahgar sambhaale hue hain

faqa-masti mein bhi jite hain ba-aghaz-e-junun

zindagi hum tera pindar sambhaale hue hain

aabdida kabhi hone nahin dete 'aKHtar'

mujh ko ab tak mere gham-KHwar sambhaale hue hain