maut bhi hai yahi hayat bhi hai

maut bhī hai yahī hayāt bhī hai

zindagī din ke saath raat bhī hai

kyuuñ na phir dil kā ehtirām kareñ

hai ye ka.aba to somnāt bhī hai

maiñ gunahgār hī sahī lekin

is meñ shāyad kisī kā haat bhī hai

un kī ik ik adā pe marte haiñ

be-ruḳhī bhī hai iltifāt bhī hai

hijr kī raat terā kyā kahnā

haañ nazar meñ suhāg-rāt bhī hai

na baḌhāo to baat kuchh bhī nahīñ

baat hī kyā hai koī baat bhī hai

be-sabātī to ḳhud hai zid apnī

be-sabātī meñ ik sabāt bhī hai

jaan detā to hai hayāt pe tū

kuchh tirā maqsad-e-hayāt bhī hai

dām-e-ġham meñ nafas nafas hai asiir

kisī sūrat kahīñ najāt bhī hai

dil shikasta na ho zamāne se

zindagī jiit bhī hai maat bhī hai

zindagī nang-e-kā.enāt sahī

zindagī faḳhr-e-kā.enāt bhī hai

jān-levā bhī ik taraf hai vo shoḳh

ik taraf hāsil-e-hayāt bhī hai

baat yuuñ to zarā sī hai 'tālib'

baat apnī jagah pe baat bhī hai

maut bhi hai yahi hayat bhi hai

zindagi din ke sath raat bhi hai

kyun na phir dil ka ehtiram karen

hai ye kaba to somnat bhi hai

main gunahgar hi sahi lekin

is mein shayad kisi ka hat bhi hai

un ki ek ek ada pe marte hain

be-ruKHi bhi hai iltifat bhi hai

hijr ki raat tera kya kahna

han nazar mein suhag-raat bhi hai

na baDhao to baat kuchh bhi nahin

baat hi kya hai koi baat bhi hai

be-sabaati to KHud hai zid apni

be-sabaati mein ek sabaat bhi hai

jaan deta to hai hayat pe tu

kuchh tera maqsad-e-hayat bhi hai

dam-e-gham mein nafas nafas hai asir

kisi surat kahin najat bhi hai

dil shikasta na ho zamane se

zindagi jit bhi hai mat bhi hai

zindagi nang-e-kaenat sahi

zindagi faKHr-e-kaenat bhi hai

jaan-lewa bhi ek taraf hai wo shoKH

ek taraf hasil-e-hayat bhi hai

baat yun to zara si hai 'talib'

baat apni jagah pe baat bhi hai