KHud ko sanwar lene ki hajat use bhi thi

ḳhud ko sañvār lene kī hājat use bhī thī

shāyad ki rang-o-bū kī zarūrat use bhī thī

majbūriyoñ ne kar diyā pāband kuchh use

rasm-e-vafā nibhāne kī chāhat use bhī thī

dil toḌ kar hamārā chalā to gayā magar

nākām hasratoñ kī nadāmat use bhī thī

yuuñ pher lī nigāh ki pahchāntā na ho

kitnī shadīd mujh se rifāqat use bhī thī

kis ke ḳhayāl-o-ḳhvāb kī dahlīz par sadā

har shab guzārne kī ijāzat use bhī thī

kirdār kī bulandī kā vo bhī hai mo'tarif

maanā ki terī zaat se vahshat use bhī thī

garche anā-parast vo 'ajmal' balā kā hai

bebākiyoñ pe merī to hairat use bhī thī

KHud ko sanwar lene ki hajat use bhi thi

shayad ki rang-o-bu ki zarurat use bhi thi

majburiyon ne kar diya paband kuchh use

rasm-e-wafa nibhane ki chahat use bhi thi

dil toD kar hamara chala to gaya magar

nakaam hasraton ki nadamat use bhi thi

yun pher li nigah ki pahchanta na ho

kitni shadid mujh se rifaqat use bhi thi

kis ke KHayal-o-KHwab ki dahliz par sada

har shab guzarne ki ijazat use bhi thi

kirdar ki bulandi ka wo bhi hai mo'tarif

mana ki teri zat se wahshat use bhi thi

garche ana-parast wo 'ajmal' bala ka hai

bebakiyon pe meri to hairat use bhi thi