kabhi be-muddaa dena kabhi ba-muddaa dena

kabhī be-mudda.ā denā kabhī bā-mudda.ā denā

samajh meñ kuchh nahīñ aatā tirī sarkār kā denā

kabhī mehrāb-e-dil ko darḳhur-e-ka.aba banā denā

kabhī dāmān-e-ġham ko bhī madīne kī havā denā

mubārak un ko apnī raah meñ kāñTe bichhā denā

hameñ aatā hai bas dushman ke haq meñ bhī duā denā

janāb-e-shaiḳh kā ye zohd-o-taqvā kyā ibādat hai

ma.āl-e-bandagī hai zindagī apnī miTā denā

tirī nazroñ ke sadqe be-piye hī mast haiñ saaqī

hamāre sāmne se sāġhar-o-mīnā haTā denā

riyāz-e-zaḳhm ko dī tāzgī merī nigāhoñ ne

mire ashkoñ ko aatā hai ḳhizāñ meñ gul khilā denā

ġhazal ko ab 'hayāt'-afroz nazzāroñ kī hājat hai

qadāmat se alag haT kar na.ī duniyā basā denā

kabhi be-muddaa dena kabhi ba-muddaa dena

samajh mein kuchh nahin aata teri sarkar ka dena

kabhi mehrab-e-dil ko darKHur-e-kaba bana dena

kabhi daman-e-gham ko bhi madine ki hawa dena

mubarak un ko apni rah mein kanTe bichha dena

hamein aata hai bas dushman ke haq mein bhi dua dena

janab-e-shaiKH ka ye zohd-o-taqwa kya ibaadat hai

maal-e-bandagi hai zindagi apni miTa dena

teri nazron ke sadqe be-piye hi mast hain saqi

hamare samne se saghar-o-mina haTa dena

riyaz-e-zaKHm ko di tazgi meri nigahon ne

mere ashkon ko aata hai KHizan mein gul khila dena

ghazal ko ab 'hayat'-afroz nazzaron ki hajat hai

qadamat se alag haT kar nai duniya basa dena