bata ai dil ki nalon se hua kya

batā ai dil ki nāloñ se huā kyā

tire rone se vo but Dar gayā kyā

jo tum par mar miTā marne se pahle

vo kyā jaane baqā kyā hai fanā kyā

na samjhe ham to ab tak is qadar bhī

ki un kī zulf-e-pur-ḳham hai balā kyā

vo kahte haiñ naqāb-e-ruḳh haTā kar

hayā-o-sharm se ab vāsta kyā

mirā dil le ke mujh se phir ga.e tum

koī aisā bhī matlab-āshnā kyā

nahīñ aur haañ pe apnā faisla hai

hamārī ibtidā kyā intihā kyā

khaḌe haiñ chup dam-e-āḳhir mire sab

atibbā kyā azīz-o-aqribā kyā

nahīñ is daur meñ koī kisī kā

kisī kī ab shikāyat kyā gila kyā

na rakhte ho hunar koī na daulat

batāo to karoge tum 'atā' kyā

bata ai dil ki nalon se hua kya

tere rone se wo but Dar gaya kya

jo tum par mar miTa marne se pahle

wo kya jaane baqa kya hai fana kya

na samjhe hum to ab tak is qadar bhi

ki un ki zulf-e-pur-KHam hai bala kya

wo kahte hain naqab-e-ruKH haTa kar

haya-o-sharm se ab wasta kya

mera dil le ke mujh se phir gae tum

koi aisa bhi matlab-ashna kya

nahin aur han pe apna faisla hai

hamari ibtida kya intiha kya

khaDe hain chup dam-e-aKHir mere sab

atibba kya aziz-o-aqriba kya

nahin is daur mein koi kisi ka

kisi ki ab shikayat kya gila kya

na rakhte ho hunar koi na daulat

batao to karoge tum 'ata' kya