meri mahfil mein agar chand sitare hote

merī mahfil meñ agar chāñd sitāre hote

vo bhī qurbān mirī jaan tumhāre hote

mujh ko sahrāoñ se jaane kī ijāzat hotī

phir ye dariyā na samundar na kināre hote

vo to bas jhūTī tasallī ko kahā thā tum se

ham to apne bhī nahīñ, ḳhaak tumhāre hote

un ke pīchhe bhī koī ġham kā samundar hogā

varna aañsū na kabhī aañkh meñ khāre hote

tere va.adoñ ko bhī bachchoñ kī tarah se rakhtā

mujh se hote to sabhī raaj dulāre hote

tum nahīñ the to mirī rah ga.ī izzat 'aḳhtar'

maiñ to paḌ jaatā agar paañv tumhāre hote

baat saada thī magar der meñ samjhe 'aḳhtar'

duur kyuuñ hote agar paas tumhāre hote

meri mahfil mein agar chand sitare hote

wo bhi qurban meri jaan tumhaare hote

mujh ko sahraon se jaane ki ijazat hoti

phir ye dariya na samundar na kinare hote

wo to bas jhuTi tasalli ko kaha tha tum se

hum to apne bhi nahin, KHak tumhaare hote

un ke pichhe bhi koi gham ka samundar hoga

warna aansu na kabhi aankh mein khaare hote

tere wadon ko bhi bachchon ki tarah se rakhta

mujh se hote to sabhi raj dulare hote

tum nahin the to meri rah gai izzat 'aKHtar'

main to paD jata agar panw tumhaare hote

baat sada thi magar der mein samjhe 'aKHtar'

dur kyun hote agar pas tumhaare hote