fareb-e-shauq mein aa kar sukun pa na saka

fareb-e-shauq meñ aa kar sukūn pā na sakā

vo choT khaa.ī ki jis ko kabhī bhulā na sakā

ye silsila rahe qaa.em jafā kī umr darāz

ki tere naaz koī bul-havas uThā na sakā

fareb-kār zamāne meñ hasratoñ kā charāġh

bujhāne vaale bahut the koī jalā na sakā

phañsā ga.ī mujhe uljhan meñ yuuñ adā-e-sukūt

ki apnī tishnagī-e-shauq bhī bujhā na sakā

mujhe to is kā hai ronā ki ro nahīñ saktā

shikāyat is kī nahīñ hai ki muskurā na sakā

nuqūsh-e-hastī-e-fānī bane miTe lekin

lakīreñ apne muqaddar kī maiñ miTā na sakā

'navāb' ḳhush hai isī par ki ho gayā terā

ye ġham nahīñ hai ki apnā tujhe banā na sakā

fareb-e-shauq mein aa kar sukun pa na saka

wo choT khai ki jis ko kabhi bhula na saka

ye silsila rahe qaem jafa ki umr daraaz

ki tere naz koi bul-hawas uTha na saka

fareb-kar zamane mein hasraton ka charagh

bujhane wale bahut the koi jala na saka

phansa gai mujhe uljhan mein yun ada-e-sukut

ki apni tishnagi-e-shauq bhi bujha na saka

mujhe to is ka hai rona ki ro nahin sakta

shikayat is ki nahin hai ki muskura na saka

nuqush-e-hasti-e-fani bane miTe lekin

lakiren apne muqaddar ki main miTa na saka

'nawab' KHush hai isi par ki ho gaya tera

ye gham nahin hai ki apna tujhe bana na saka