kabhi to multawi zikr-e-jahan-gardan bhi hona tha

kabhī to multavī zikr-e-jahāñ-gardāñ bhī honā thā

kabhī to ehtimām-e-sohbat-e-yārāñ bhī honā thā

tavaqqo ke mutābiq hai ye tabdīlī to hairat kyā

use mushkil bhī honā thā mujhe āsāñ bhī honā thā

riyā-kāroñ pe kal tak jis ke darvāze muqaffal the

usī jannat meñ jashn-e-fitna-pardāzāñ bhī honā thā

kabhī dekhā na thā yuuñ ham ne bāzār-e-vafā vīrāñ

to kyā is shahr meñ qahat-e-ḳharīdārāñ bhī honā thā

abhī tak jo kināre se ba-zāhir shānt lagtā thā

usī dariyā ko ab tūfāñ pas-e-tūfāñ bhī honā thā

bil-āḳhir ham bhī shab bhar jāgte rahne se baaz aa.e

dayār-e-hijr meñ kuchh vasl kā sāmāñ bhī honā thā

ye taaza bāb-e-dānā.ī yahāñ aa kar maiñ shashdar huuñ

jo kal tak the bahut daanā unheñ nādāñ bhī honā thā

kabhi to multawi zikr-e-jahan-gardan bhi hona tha

kabhi to ehtimam-e-sohbat-e-yaran bhi hona tha

tawaqqo ke mutabiq hai ye tabdili to hairat kya

use mushkil bhi hona tha mujhe aasan bhi hona tha

riya-karon pe kal tak jis ke darwaze muqaffal the

usi jannat mein jashn-e-fitna-pardazan bhi hona tha

kabhi dekha na tha yun hum ne bazar-e-wafa viran

to kya is shahr mein qahat-e-KHaridaran bhi hona tha

abhi tak jo kinare se ba-zahir shant lagta tha

usi dariya ko ab tufan pas-e-tufan bhi hona tha

bil-aKHir hum bhi shab bhar jagte rahne se baz aae

dayar-e-hijr mein kuchh wasl ka saman bhi hona tha

ye taza bab-e-danai yahan aa kar main shashdar hun

jo kal tak the bahut dana unhen nadan bhi hona tha