jaan di kis ke liye hum ye bataen kis ko

jaan dī kis ke liye ham ye batā.eñ kis ko

kaun kyā bhuul gayā yaad dilā.eñ kis ko

jurm kī tarah mohabbat ko chhupā rakkhā hai

ham gunahgār nahīñ haiñ ye batā.eñ kis ko

ruuTh jaate to manānā koī dushvār na thā

vo ta'alluq hī na rakkheñ to manā.eñ kis ko

kaun detā hai yahāñ ḳhvāb-e-junūñ kī tā'bīr

ḳhvāb ham apne sunā.eñ to sunā.eñ kis ko

koī pursān-e-vafā hai na pashīmān-e-jafā

zaḳhm ham apne dikhā.eñ to dikhā.eñ kis ko

chāk-e-dil chāk-e-garebāñ to nahīñ ham-nafaso

ham ye tasvīr sar-e-bazm dikhā.eñ kis ko

kaun is shahr meñ suntā hai fuġhān-e-durvesh

apnī āshufta-bayānī se rulā.eñ kis ko

ho gayā ḳhaak rah-e-kū-e-malāmat 'aḳhtar'

raah par laa.eñ jo ahbāb to laa.eñ kis ko

jaan di kis ke liye hum ye bataen kis ko

kaun kya bhul gaya yaad dilaen kis ko

jurm ki tarah mohabbat ko chhupa rakkha hai

hum gunahgar nahin hain ye bataen kis ko

ruTh jate to manana koi dushwar na tha

wo ta'alluq hi na rakkhen to manaen kis ko

kaun deta hai yahan KHwab-e-junun ki ta'bir

KHwab hum apne sunaen to sunaen kis ko

koi pursan-e-wafa hai na pashiman-e-jafa

zaKHm hum apne dikhaen to dikhaen kis ko

chaak-e-dil chaak-e-gareban to nahin ham-nafaso

hum ye taswir sar-e-bazm dikhaen kis ko

kaun is shahr mein sunta hai fughan-e-durwesh

apni aashufta-bayani se rulaen kis ko

ho gaya KHak rah-e-ku-e-malamat 'aKHtar'

rah par laen jo ahbab to laen kis ko