hayat kya hai maal-e-hayat kya hoga

hayāt kyā hai ma.āl-e-hayāt kyā hogā

tū is pe ġhaur karegā to ġham-zada hogā

sambhal sambhal ke jo yuuñ pattharoñ pe chaltā hai

zarūr us kī hifāzat meñ aa.ina hogā

jo kah rahā ki niiñd uḌ ga.ī hai āñkhoñ se

ye shaḳhs pahle bahut ḳhvāb dekhtā hogā

sunā kiyā jo mirā haal is tavajjoh se

vo ajnabī bhī kisī ġham meñ mubtalā hogā

kisī ke rabt-o-ta.ashshuq pe itnā naaz na kar

hinā kā rañg hai do roz meñ havā hogā

javān hotā to pāgal havā se laḌtā bhī

daraḳht thā vo purānā ukhaḌ gayā hogā

ye ḳhisht ḳhisht bikhartā huā khañDar 'sābir'

kabhī na jaane ye kis kā mahal-sarā hogā

hayat kya hai maal-e-hayat kya hoga

tu is pe ghaur karega to gham-zada hoga

sambhal sambhal ke jo yun pattharon pe chalta hai

zarur us ki hifazat mein aaina hoga

jo kah raha ki nind uD gai hai aankhon se

ye shaKHs pahle bahut KHwab dekhta hoga

suna kiya jo mera haal is tawajjoh se

wo ajnabi bhi kisi gham mein mubtala hoga

kisi ke rabt-o-tashshuq pe itna naz na kar

hina ka rang hai do roz mein hawa hoga

jawan hota to pagal hawa se laDta bhi

daraKHt tha wo purana ukhaD gaya hoga

ye KHisht KHisht bikharta hua khanDar 'sabir'

kabhi na jaane ye kis ka mahal-sara hoga