maal-e-soz-e-talab tha dil-e-tapan malum

ma.āl-e-soz-e-talab thā dil-e-tapāñ mālūm

sitam kī aag bhī hone lagī dhuāñ mālūm

shikasta-pā bhī pahuñch hī ga.e sar-e-manzil

na rāste kī ḳhabar thī na kārvāñ mālūm

shamīm-e-dost baḌhātī hai zindagī lekin

hameñ haqīqat-e-hastī abhī kahāñ mālūm

na jaane fitna-garoñ ne lagā.ī thī kab aag

hameñ to aañch huī us kī nā-gahāñ mālūm

guzar chuke had-e-tūfāñ se moḌ lo kashtī

yahāñ se hote haiñ sāhil ke kuchh nishāñ mālūm

bichhaḌ ke aap se kyā kyā guzar ga.ī dil par

kahūñ kisī se to ho us ko dāstāñ mālūm

ubhar ke kahte haiñ phūloñ se ḳhār-e-ġham 'ahsan'

ki ham na hoñ to na ho rañg-e-gulsitāñ mālūm

maal-e-soz-e-talab tha dil-e-tapan malum

sitam ki aag bhi hone lagi dhuan malum

shikasta-pa bhi pahunch hi gae sar-e-manzil

na raste ki KHabar thi na karwan malum

shamim-e-dost baDhati hai zindagi lekin

hamein haqiqat-e-hasti abhi kahan malum

na jaane fitna-garon ne lagai thi kab aag

hamein to aanch hui us ki na-gahan malum

guzar chuke had-e-tufan se moD lo kashti

yahan se hote hain sahil ke kuchh nishan malum

bichhaD ke aap se kya kya guzar gai dil par

kahun kisi se to ho us ko dastan malum

ubhar ke kahte hain phulon se KHar-e-gham 'ahsan'

ki hum na hon to na ho rang-e-gulsitan malum