ek harf-e-arzu pe KHata-kar hum hue

ik harf-e-ārzū pe ḳhatā-kār ham hue

itnī sī baat thī ki gunahgār ham hue

ik din kisī ke ḳhvāb meñ so.e tamām raat

ik din kisī kī aañkh se bedār ham hue

pahle to nā-samajh the zamāne kī aañkh meñ

phir hote hote kitne samajhdār ham hue

is daur-e-be-hunar meñ hameñ kaun pūchhtā

vo to kaho ki apne ḳharīdār ham hue

pahle-pahal to aql se uktā.e kuchh bahut

phir yuuñ huā ki dil se bhī bezār ham hue

muddat ke baad ḳhud se mohabbat huī hameñ

muddat ke baad apne talabgār ham hue

tere liye kisī ke muḳhālif rahe the ham

tere liye kisī ke taraf-dār ham hue

chāhat kī dāstāñ bhī rahī ham se munsalik

dil kī kahāniyoñ ke bhī kirdār ham hue

honā to chāhte the bahar-taur aap sā

aap aise bad-lihāz kahāñ yaar ham hue

pal pal badalte Thor Thikānoñ ke shauq meñ

is paar ham hue kabhī us paar ham hue

badle haiñ mausamoñ kī tarah ham bhī ai 'rafī.a'

iqrār ham hue kabhī inkār ham hue

ek harf-e-arzu pe KHata-kar hum hue

itni si baat thi ki gunahgar hum hue

ek din kisi ke KHwab mein soe tamam raat

ek din kisi ki aankh se bedar hum hue

pahle to na-samajh the zamane ki aankh mein

phir hote hote kitne samajhdar hum hue

is daur-e-be-hunar mein hamein kaun puchhta

wo to kaho ki apne KHaridar hum hue

pahle-pahal to aql se uktae kuchh bahut

phir yun hua ki dil se bhi bezar hum hue

muddat ke baad KHud se mohabbat hui hamein

muddat ke baad apne talabgar hum hue

tere liye kisi ke muKHalif rahe the hum

tere liye kisi ke taraf-dar hum hue

chahat ki dastan bhi rahi hum se munsalik

dil ki kahaniyon ke bhi kirdar hum hue

hona to chahte the bahar-taur aap sa

aap aise bad-lihaz kahan yar hum hue

pal pal badalte Thor Thikanon ke shauq mein

is par hum hue kabhi us par hum hue

badle hain mausamon ki tarah hum bhi ai 'rafia'

iqrar hum hue kabhi inkar hum hue