hath uThta hai mera jab bhi rag-e-jaan ki taraf

haath uThtā hai mirā jab bhī rag-e-jāñ kī taraf

dil se āvāz ye aatī hai bayābāñ kī taraf

ai junūñ rāh-e-mohabbat meñ mirā saath na chhoḌ

ik nazar dekh to le jaib-o-garebāñ kī taraf

dil kī zid hai ki abhī mahfil-e-jānāñ meñ rahūñ

umr kahtī hai chalo shahr-e-ḳhamoshāñ kī taraf

dekheñ is daur meñ kyā haal huā hai dil kā

le chalo mujh ko zarā shahr-e-nigārāñ kī taraf

dil dhaḌaktā hai mirā bād-e-sabā kuchh to batā

kyoñ ḳhizāñ jaatī nahīñ sehn-e-gulistāñ kī taraf

jaane kyā ahl-e-nazar dekh rahe haiñ 'aḳhtar'

un ke dāman kī taraf mere garebāñ kī taraf

hath uThta hai mera jab bhi rag-e-jaan ki taraf

dil se aawaz ye aati hai bayaban ki taraf

ai junun rah-e-mohabbat mein mera sath na chhoD

ek nazar dekh to le jaib-o-gareban ki taraf

dil ki zid hai ki abhi mahfil-e-jaanan mein rahun

umr kahti hai chalo shahr-e-KHamoshan ki taraf

dekhen is daur mein kya haal hua hai dil ka

le chalo mujh ko zara shahr-e-nigaran ki taraf

dil dhaDakta hai mera baad-e-saba kuchh to bata

kyon KHizan jati nahin sehn-e-gulistan ki taraf

jaane kya ahl-e-nazar dekh rahe hain 'aKHtar'

un ke daman ki taraf mere gareban ki taraf