ek shaKHs raat band-e-qaba kholta raha

ik shaḳhs raat band-e-qabā kholtā rahā

shab kī siyāhiyoñ meñ shafaq gholtā rahā

tanhā.iyoñ meñ aatī rahī jab bhī us kī yaad

saaya sā ik qarīb mire Doltā rahā

husn-e-bahār ḳhuub magar dīda-e-bahār

motī chaman kī ḳhaak pe kyuuñ roltā rahā

us ne sukūt ko bhī takallum samajh liyā

kuchh is adā-e-ḳhās se dil boltā rahā

hijrāñ kī raat mashġhala-e-dil se pūchhiye

us zulf-e-ḳham-ba-ḳham kī girah kholtā rahā

ham kushtagān-e-ḳhvāb girāñ-gosh hī rahe

sūraj saroñ pe vaqt-e-sahar boltā rahā

is rāh-e-jazb se bhī guzarnā paḌā 'zahīr'

jis raah meñ ḳhirad kā qadam Doltā rahā

ek shaKHs raat band-e-qaba kholta raha

shab ki siyahiyon mein shafaq gholta raha

tanhaiyon mein aati rahi jab bhi us ki yaad

saya sa ek qarib mere Dolta raha

husn-e-bahaar KHub magar dida-e-bahaar

moti chaman ki KHak pe kyun rolta raha

us ne sukut ko bhi takallum samajh liya

kuchh is ada-e-KHas se dil bolta raha

hijran ki raat mashghala-e-dil se puchhiye

us zulf-e-KHam-ba-KHam ki girah kholta raha

hum kushtagan-e-KHwab giran-gosh hi rahe

suraj saron pe waqt-e-sahar bolta raha

is rah-e-jazb se bhi guzarna paDa 'zahir'

jis rah mein KHirad ka qadam Dolta raha