karna hai zindagi jo qafas mein basar mujhe

karnā hai zindagī jo qafas meñ basar mujhe

phir kyuuñ na hoñ vabāl mire bāl-o-par mujhe

allāh re shauq-e-dīd jidhar dekhtā huuñ maiñ

juz husn dost kuchh nahīñ aatā nazar mujhe

hotā hai koī dam meñ charāġh-e-hayāt gul

shām-e-firāq kyā ho umīd-e-sahar mujhe

rāh-e-talab meñ dūrī-e-manzil kā ġham nahīñ

mā'lūm ho chukā hai ma.āl-e-safar mujhe

taqdīr ke likhe ko miTā duuñ jabīñ se maiñ

qismat se mil to jaa.e tirā sañg-e-dar mujhe

baiThā huā qafas meñ yahī sochtā huuñ maiñ

laa.ī chaman se kaun kashish khīñch kar mujhe

afsāna zindagī kā na pūchho ki 'ishq meñ

taknī paḌī hai rāh-e-ajal 'umr-bhar mujhe

barbādiyoñ kā apnī koī ġham nahīñ magar

pā.egī phir kahāñ ye tumhārī nazar mujhe

'sho.ala' ḳhayāl-e-dost se ġhāfil nahīñ huuñ maiñ

manzūr hai jo chāra-e-dard-e-jigar mujhe

karna hai zindagi jo qafas mein basar mujhe

phir kyun na hon wabaal mere baal-o-par mujhe

allah re shauq-e-did jidhar dekhta hun main

juz husn dost kuchh nahin aata nazar mujhe

hota hai koi dam mein charagh-e-hayat gul

sham-e-firaq kya ho umid-e-sahar mujhe

rah-e-talab mein duri-e-manzil ka gham nahin

ma'lum ho chuka hai maal-e-safar mujhe

taqdir ke likhe ko miTa dun jabin se main

qismat se mil to jae tera sang-e-dar mujhe

baiTha hua qafas mein yahi sochta hun main

lai chaman se kaun kashish khinch kar mujhe

afsana zindagi ka na puchho ki 'ishq mein

takni paDi hai rah-e-ajal 'umr-bhar mujhe

barbaadiyon ka apni koi gham nahin magar

paegi phir kahan ye tumhaari nazar mujhe

'shoala' KHayal-e-dost se ghafil nahin hun main

manzur hai jo chaara-e-dard-e-jigar mujhe