mail-e-lutf hai aamada-e-be-dad bhi hai

mā.il-e-lutf hai āmāda-e-be-dād bhī hai

vo sarāpā-e-mohabbat sitam-ījād bhī hai

shab-e-tanhā.ī bhī hai saath tirī yaad bhī hai

dil kā kyā haal kahūñ shaad bhī nāshād bhī hai

daulat-e-ġham se har ik gosha hai is kā ma.amūr

dil kī duniyā mirī ābād bhī barbād bhī hai

be-sabab to nahīñ ehsās ḳhalish kā mujh ko

bhūlne vaale tire dil meñ mirī yaad bhī hai

kyuuñ na āsāñ ho rah-e-ishq ki mere ham-rāh

jazba-e-'qais' bhī hai himmat-e-'farhād' bhī hai

jal gayā apnā nasheman magar afsos ye hai

phūñkne vāloñ meñ ik barq-e-chaman-zād bhī hai

merā vijdān muharrik hai mire naġhmoñ kā

tab-e-mauzūñ mirī pāband bhī āzād bhī hai

kyā batā.ūñ maiñ tumheñ kyā hai navā-e-'aḳhtar'

naġhme kā naġhma hai fariyād kī fariyād bhī hai

mail-e-lutf hai aamada-e-be-dad bhi hai

wo sarapa-e-mohabbat sitam-ijad bhi hai

shab-e-tanhai bhi hai sath teri yaad bhi hai

dil ka kya haal kahun shad bhi nashad bhi hai

daulat-e-gham se har ek gosha hai is ka mamur

dil ki duniya meri aabaad bhi barbaad bhi hai

be-sabab to nahin ehsas KHalish ka mujh ko

bhulne wale tere dil mein meri yaad bhi hai

kyun na aasan ho rah-e-ishq ki mere ham-rah

jazba-e-'qais' bhi hai himmat-e-'farhad' bhi hai

jal gaya apna nasheman magar afsos ye hai

phunkne walon mein ek barq-e-chaman-zad bhi hai

mera wijdan muharrik hai mere naghmon ka

tab-e-mauzun meri paband bhi aazad bhi hai

kya bataun main tumhein kya hai nawa-e-'aKHtar'

naghme ka naghma hai fariyaad ki fariyaad bhi hai