kahkashan ke tanazur mein hum kya hamara sitara hai kya

kahkashāñ ke tanāzur meñ ham kyā hamārā sitāra hai kyā

an-ginat āftāboñ kī aqlīm meñ ik sharāra hai kyā

kaun samjhe zabāñ barg-o-ashjār kī dasht-o-kohsār kī

kaun jaane ki is be-karāñ ḳhāmushī meñ ishāra hai kyā

ham mohabbat ko ik mansab-e-āshiqāna samajhte rahe

ye na sochā mohabbat kī saudāgarī meñ ḳhasāra hai kyā

ye tilism-e-tamāshā hai saarā jahāñ ik tilism-e-nazar

raushnī kā samundar haiñ āñkheñ magar āshkāra hai kyā

vo hai be-misl us ko usī ke havāle se samjhā karo

us ke idrāk meñ daḳhl-e-tashbīh kyā isti.āra hai kyā

ek miTTī ke ghar meñ jiye umr bhar aur miTTī hue

kul jahāñ yuuñ to 'akbar' hamāre liye par hamārā hai kyā

kahkashan ke tanazur mein hum kya hamara sitara hai kya

an-ginat aaftabon ki aqlim mein ek sharara hai kya

kaun samjhe zaban barg-o-ashjar ki dasht-o-kohsar ki

kaun jaane ki is be-karan KHamushi mein ishaara hai kya

hum mohabbat ko ek mansab-e-ashiqana samajhte rahe

ye na socha mohabbat ki saudagari mein KHasara hai kya

ye tilism-e-tamasha hai sara jahan ek tilism-e-nazar

raushni ka samundar hain aankhen magar aashkara hai kya

wo hai be-misl us ko usi ke hawale se samjha karo

us ke idrak mein daKHl-e-tashbih kya istiara hai kya

ek miTTi ke ghar mein jiye umr bhar aur miTTi hue

kul jahan yun to 'akbar' hamare liye par hamara hai kya