muqarrebin mein ramz-ashna kahan nikle

muqarrebīn meñ ramz-āshnā kahāñ nikle

jo ajnabī the vahī apne rāz-dāñ nikle

haram se bhaag ke pahuñche jo dair-e-rāhib meñ

to ahl-e-dair hamāre mizāj-dāñ nikle

bahut qarīb se dekhā jo fauj-e-a.adā ko

to har qatār meñ yārān-e-mehrbāñ nikle

qalandaroñ se milā muzhda-e-subuk-rūhī

jo bazm-e-hosh se nikle to sar-garāñ nikle

qabīla-e-haram o qaum-e-dair o firqa-e-riñd

hamāre chāhne vaale kahāñ kahāñ nikle?

sukūt-e-shab ne sikhāyā hameñ salīqa-e-nutq

jo zākirān-e-sahar the vo be-zabāñ nikle

miyān-e-rāh khaḌe haiñ is intizār meñ ham

ki gard-e-rāh haTe aur kārvāñ nikle

gumāñ ye thā ki pas-e-koh bastiyāñ hoñgī

vahāñ ga.e to mazārāt-e-be-nishāñ nikle

gire zamīñ pe jo haft āsmāñ se Takrā ke

to har qadam pe yahāñ aur haft-ḳhvāñ nikle

ufuq se apne to dhuñdlā sā ik ġhubār uThā

phir is ke baa'd sitāroñ ke kārvāñ nikle

kabhī kabhī to har ik saañs par huā mahsūs

ki jaise qālib-e-ātish-zada se jaañ nikle

samajh rahā thā zamāna jinheñ nufūs-e-jamāl

vo sirf chand nafas-hā-e-ḳhūñ-chakāñ nikle

kamāl-e-shauq se chheḌā thā jin ko mutrib ne

vo raag saaz ke siine se nauha-ḳhvāñ nikle

'ra.īs' hujra-e-tārīk-jāñ ko khol to duuñ?

jo koī āfat-e-qattāla-e-jahāñ nikle

muqarrebin mein ramz-ashna kahan nikle

jo ajnabi the wahi apne raaz-dan nikle

haram se bhag ke pahunche jo dair-e-rahib mein

to ahl-e-dair hamare mizaj-dan nikle

bahut qarib se dekha jo fauj-e-ada ko

to har qatar mein yaran-e-mehrban nikle

qalandaron se mila muzhda-e-subuk-ruhi

jo bazm-e-hosh se nikle to sar-garan nikle

qabila-e-haram o qaum-e-dair o firqa-e-rind

hamare chahne wale kahan kahan nikle?

sukut-e-shab ne sikhaya hamein saliqa-e-nutq

jo zakiran-e-sahar the wo be-zaban nikle

miyan-e-rah khaDe hain is intizar mein hum

ki gard-e-rah haTe aur karwan nikle

guman ye tha ki pas-e-koh bastiyan hongi

wahan gae to mazaraat-e-be-nishan nikle

gire zamin pe jo haft aasman se Takra ke

to har qadam pe yahan aur haft-KHwan nikle

ufuq se apne to dhundla sa ek ghubar uTha

phir is ke ba'd sitaron ke karwan nikle

kabhi kabhi to har ek sans par hua mahsus

ki jaise qalib-e-atish-zada se jaan nikle

samajh raha tha zamana jinhen nufus-e-jamal

wo sirf chand nafas-ha-e-KHun-chakan nikle

kamal-e-shauq se chheDa tha jin ko mutrib ne

wo rag saz ke sine se nauha-KHwan nikle

'rais' hujra-e-tarik-jaan ko khol to dun?

jo koi aafat-e-qattala-e-jahan nikle