ho gae hath qalam ye to KHabar honi thi

ho ga.e haath qalam ye to ḳhabar honī thī

lekin is zulm se tā.īd-e-hunar honī thī

husn jalva hai ki parda hai ki mahrūmī hai

aise andeshoñ meñ badnām nazar honī thī

tum to bas mash.aleñ le kar sū-e-manzil nikle

raushnī sīnoñ meñ hamrāh-e-safar honī thī

fikr jazbe kī tahārat hai gunahgār na kar

jo ġhalat baat thī mahrūm-e-asar honī thī

mo'tariz koī na thā zar kī suḳhan-goī par

muflisī muft meñ badnām magar honī thī

us kī muTThī meñ mire ashk kī qīmat ko na pūchh

siip meñ aate hī ye buuñd guhar honī thī

maiñ to āvāz thā kaise nazar aatā ai 'nūr'

sirf rusvā.ī-e-arbāb-e-nazar honī thī

ho gae hath qalam ye to KHabar honi thi

lekin is zulm se taid-e-hunar honi thi

husn jalwa hai ki parda hai ki mahrumi hai

aise andeshon mein badnam nazar honi thi

tum to bas mashalen le kar su-e-manzil nikle

raushni sinon mein hamrah-e-safar honi thi

fikr jazbe ki tahaarat hai gunahgar na kar

jo ghalat baat thi mahrum-e-asar honi thi

mo'tariz koi na tha zar ki suKHan-goi par

muflisi muft mein badnam magar honi thi

us ki muTThi mein mere ashk ki qimat ko na puchh

sip mein aate hi ye bund guhar honi thi

main to aawaz tha kaise nazar aata ai 'nur'

sirf ruswai-e-arbab-e-nazar honi thi