ek KHana-e-matam hi ye aalam to nahin hai

ik ḳhāna-e-mātam hī ye aalam to nahīñ hai

taqdīr-e-bashar nauha-e-paiham to nahīñ hai

naġhmāt-e-masarrat bhī haiñ lamhāt-e-tarab bhī

ye shām-e-alam virsa-e-ādam to nahīñ hai

ḳhushbū kā tabassum bhī hai rañgoñ kī hañsī bhī

gulshan meñ faqat girya-e-shabnam to nahīñ hai

kuchh aur bhī jazbe haiñ jo dildār haiñ dil ke

ik ġham hī dil-e-zār kā marham to nahīñ hai

ik sham.a añdheroñ meñ abhī tak hai farozāñ

go tez nahīñ raushnī maddham to nahīñ hai

ik chashma-e-tanvīr bhī phūTegā yahīñ se

māyūs shab-e-tār se 'akram' to nahīñ hai

ek KHana-e-matam hi ye aalam to nahin hai

taqdir-e-bashar nauha-e-paiham to nahin hai

naghmat-e-masarrat bhi hain lamhat-e-tarab bhi

ye sham-e-alam wirsa-e-adam to nahin hai

KHushbu ka tabassum bhi hai rangon ki hansi bhi

gulshan mein faqat girya-e-shabnam to nahin hai

kuchh aur bhi jazbe hain jo dildar hain dil ke

ek gham hi dil-e-zar ka marham to nahin hai

ek shama andheron mein abhi tak hai farozan

go tez nahin raushni maddham to nahin hai

ek chashma-e-tanwir bhi phuTega yahin se

mayus shab-e-tar se 'akram' to nahin hai