ishq ki rahon pe chalna hai to ruswai na dekh

ishq kī rāhoñ pe chalnā hai to rusvā.ī na dekh

tujh ko paanī meñ utarnā hai to gahrā.ī na dekh

dekhnā ye hai pas-e-parda mulavvis kaun hai

paañv meñ kis shaḳhs ne zanjīr pahnā.ī na dekh

paḌh sake to paḌh hikāyāt-e-ġham-e-vāraftgāñ

dhuup meñ jhulse hue chehroñ pe ra.anā.ī na dekh

ḳhār-zāroñ se guzar jā tū bilā ḳhauf-o-ḳhatar

ai musāfir har jagah rasm-e-shanāsā.ī na dekh

tujh ko manzil kī talab hai to qadam aage baḌhā

is safar meñ ham-safar koī mire bhaa.ī na dekh

sāmne aa guftugū kā hausla rakhtā huuñ maiñ

merī sūrat par na jā zaḳhm-e-shanāsā.ī na dekh

ḳhud na ban 'aḳhtar' tamāshā is tamāshā-gāh meñ

dekh apne aap ko zarf-e-tamāshā.ī na dekh

ishq ki rahon pe chalna hai to ruswai na dekh

tujh ko pani mein utarna hai to gahrai na dekh

dekhna ye hai pas-e-parda mulawwis kaun hai

panw mein kis shaKHs ne zanjir pahnai na dekh

paDh sake to paDh hikayat-e-gham-e-waraftgan

dhup mein jhulse hue chehron pe ranai na dekh

KHar-zaron se guzar ja tu bila KHauf-o-KHatar

ai musafir har jagah rasm-e-shanasai na dekh

tujh ko manzil ki talab hai to qadam aage baDha

is safar mein ham-safar koi mere bhai na dekh

samne aa guftugu ka hausla rakhta hun main

meri surat par na ja zaKHm-e-shanasai na dekh

KHud na ban 'aKHtar' tamasha is tamasha-gah mein

dekh apne aap ko zarf-e-tamashai na dekh