kisi ke wada-e-farda par etibar to hai

kisī ke vāda-e-fardā par e'tibār to hai

tulū-e-sub.h-e-qayāmat kā intizār to hai

mirī jagah na rahī terī bazm meñ lekin

tirī zabāñ pe mirā zikr-e-nāgavār to hai

matā-e-dard ko dil se aziiz rakhtā huuñ

ki ye kisī kī mohabbat kī yādgār to hai

ye aur baat ki iqrār kar sakeñ na kabhī

mirī vafā kā magar un ko e'tibār to hai

maqām-e-dil koī manzil na ban sakā na sahī

tirī nigāh-e-mohabbat kī rahguzār to hai

vo zauq-e-dīd na shauq-e-nazāra ab lekin

mirī nazar ko abhī un kā intizār to hai

agar nigāh-e-karam sheva ab nahīñ na sahī

mirī taraf abhī chashm-e-sitam-shi.ār to hai

ye aur baat nasīb-e-nazar nahīñ lekin

nafas nafas tire jalvoñ se ham-kanār to hai

zamāna saath nahīñ de rahā to kyā 'aḳhtar'

abhī jilau meñ mire baḳht-e-sāzgār to hai

kisi ke wada-e-farda par e'tibar to hai

tulu-e-subh-e-qayamat ka intizar to hai

meri jagah na rahi teri bazm mein lekin

teri zaban pe mera zikr-e-nagawar to hai

mata-e-dard ko dil se aziz rakhta hun

ki ye kisi ki mohabbat ki yaadgar to hai

ye aur baat ki iqrar kar saken na kabhi

meri wafa ka magar un ko e'tibar to hai

maqam-e-dil koi manzil na ban saka na sahi

teri nigah-e-mohabbat ki rahguzar to hai

wo zauq-e-did na shauq-e-nazara ab lekin

meri nazar ko abhi un ka intizar to hai

agar nigah-e-karam shewa ab nahin na sahi

meri taraf abhi chashm-e-sitam-shiar to hai

ye aur baat nasib-e-nazar nahin lekin

nafas nafas tere jalwon se ham-kanar to hai

zamana sath nahin de raha to kya 'aKHtar'

abhi jilau mein mere baKHt-e-sazgar to hai