pesh jo aaya sar-e-sahil shab batlaya

pesh jo aayā sar-e-sāhil-e-shab batlāyā

mauj-e-ġham ko bhī magar mauj-e-tarab batlāyā

hai batāne kī koī chiiz bhalā nām-o-nasab

ham ne pūchhā na kabhī nām-o-nasab batlāyā

rañg mahfil kā ajab ho gayā jis dam us ne

ḳhāmushī ko bhī mirī husn-e-talab batlāyā

dil ko duniyā se sarokār kabhī thā hī nahīñ

aañkh ne bhī magar is ruḳh ko ajab batlāyā

ye udāsī kā sabab pūchhne vaale 'ajmal'

kyā kareñge jo udāsī kā sabab batlāyā

pesh jo aaya sar-e-sahil-e-shab batlaya

mauj-e-gham ko bhi magar mauj-e-tarab batlaya

hai batane ki koi chiz bhala nam-o-nasab

hum ne puchha na kabhi nam-o-nasab batlaya

rang mahfil ka ajab ho gaya jis dam us ne

KHamushi ko bhi meri husn-e-talab batlaya

dil ko duniya se sarokar kabhi tha hi nahin

aankh ne bhi magar is ruKH ko ajab batlaya

ye udasi ka sabab puchhne wale 'ajmal'

kya karenge jo udasi ka sabab batlaya