ishq ki rah mein mushkil kabhi aisi to na thi

ishq kī raah meñ mushkil kabhī aisī to na thī

be-qarārī tujhe ai dil kabhī aisī to na thī

dāstān-e-dil-e-bismil kabhī aisī to na thī

guftugū-e-lab-e-qātil kabhī aisī to na thī

aaj shāyad kisī kashtī kā yahāñ dam TuuTā

sogvārī lab-e-sāhil kabhī aisī to na thī

shāḳh-e-gul hai na nasheman ġham-e-sayyād alag

muzmahil jān-e-anādil kabhī aisī to na thī

kuchh dikhā.ī nahīñ detā hai añdhere ke sivā

uf ye gard-e-rah-e-manzil kabhī aisī to na thī

āsmāñ par haiñ nigāheñ na samundar kī taraf

qaum hālāt se ġhāfil kabhī aisī to na thī

aaj har lafz tirā kyoñ hai riyā-kār-e-jahāñ

guftugū nāzish-e-mahfil kabhī aisī to na thī

ruḳh-e-mahbūb kī zulfoñ kā ghanerā bādal

ye ghaTā pyaar ke qābil kabhī aisī to na thī

mushkileñ yuuñ to ai 'muḳhtār' bahut aa.ī haiñ

haañ magar raah meñ mushkil kabhī aisī to na thī

ishq ki rah mein mushkil kabhi aisi to na thi

be-qarari tujhe ai dil kabhi aisi to na thi

dastan-e-dil-e-bismil kabhi aisi to na thi

guftugu-e-lab-e-qatil kabhi aisi to na thi

aaj shayad kisi kashti ka yahan dam TuTa

sogwari lab-e-sahil kabhi aisi to na thi

shaKH-e-gul hai na nasheman gham-e-sayyaad alag

muzmahil jaan-e-anadil kabhi aisi to na thi

kuchh dikhai nahin deta hai andhere ke siwa

uf ye gard-e-rah-e-manzil kabhi aisi to na thi

aasman par hain nigahen na samundar ki taraf

qaum haalat se ghafil kabhi aisi to na thi

aaj har lafz tera kyon hai riya-kar-e-jahan

guftugu nazish-e-mahfil kabhi aisi to na thi

ruKH-e-mahbub ki zulfon ka ghanera baadal

ye ghaTa pyar ke qabil kabhi aisi to na thi

mushkilen yun to ai 'muKHtar' bahut aai hain

han magar rah mein mushkil kabhi aisi to na thi