kabhi mili hai jo fursat to ye hisab kiya

kabhī milī hai jo fursat to ye hisāb kiyā

savāb kitne kiye kitnā irtikāb kiyā

hamesha apne amal kā ḳhud ehtisāb kiyā

ḳhud apne aap ko aise bhī be-naqāb kiyā

tamām umr bhaTakte rahe gumānoñ meñ

vo shai milī hī nahīñ jis kā intiḳhāb kiyā

darāz kar na sake phir bhī kāsa-e-ġhairat

tarah tarah se tabī.at ne be-hijāb kiyā

kabhī to zabt ne dariyā ko kar diyā sahrā

kabhī junūñ ne bhī sahrā ko aab aab kiyā

alag na ho sakā dil yād-e-raftagāñ se kabhī

tire ḳhayāl se har-chand ijtināb kiyā

ye zindagī hameñ kaise muaaf kar detī

vo vaqt vaqt thā ham ne jise ḳharāb kiyā

javāb de ga.iiñ saarī zihānateñ 'sālim'

kisī savāl ne tā-umr lā-javāb kiyā

kabhi mili hai jo fursat to ye hisab kiya

sawab kitne kiye kitna irtikab kiya

hamesha apne amal ka KHud ehtisab kiya

KHud apne aap ko aise bhi be-naqab kiya

tamam umr bhaTakte rahe gumanon mein

wo shai mili hi nahin jis ka intiKHab kiya

daraaz kar na sake phir bhi kasa-e-ghairat

tarah tarah se tabiat ne be-hijab kiya

kabhi to zabt ne dariya ko kar diya sahra

kabhi junun ne bhi sahra ko aab aab kiya

alag na ho saka dil yaad-e-raftagan se kabhi

tere KHayal se har-chand ijtinab kiya

ye zindagi hamein kaise muaf kar deti

wo waqt waqt tha hum ne jise KHarab kiya

jawab de gain sari zihanaten 'salim'

kisi sawal ne ta-umr la-jawab kiya