ek jabr-e-mustaqil hai musalsal azab hai

ik jabr-e-mustaqil hai musalsal azaab hai

kahne ko zindagī pe ġhazab kā shabāb hai

pūchhā kisī ne haal to dīvāna ro diyā

kitnā hasīn kitnā mukammal javāb hai

kyoñ talḳhī-e-hayāt kā ehsās ho chalā

yaaro abhī to raqs meñ jām-e-sharāb hai

is ahd-e-irtiqā meñ haqīqat ke daur meñ

insān kā vajūd abhī tak sarāb hai

pā.egī kyā faroġh shab-e-tār-e-zindagī

pinhāñ har ek zarre meñ ik āftāb hai

'tālib' ye ek lamha-e-ishrat kī hai sazā

muddat se dil rahīn-e-ġham-e-be-hisāb hai

ek jabr-e-mustaqil hai musalsal azab hai

kahne ko zindagi pe ghazab ka shabab hai

puchha kisi ne haal to diwana ro diya

kitna hasin kitna mukammal jawab hai

kyon talKHi-e-hayat ka ehsas ho chala

yaro abhi to raqs mein jam-e-sharab hai

is ahd-e-irtiqa mein haqiqat ke daur mein

insan ka wajud abhi tak sarab hai

paegi kya farogh shab-e-tar-e-zindagi

pinhan har ek zarre mein ek aaftab hai

'talib' ye ek lamha-e-ishrat ki hai saza

muddat se dil rahin-e-gham-e-be-hisab hai