rah-e-talab mein dam-o-diram chhoD jaenge

rāh-e-talab meñ dām-o-diram chhoḌ jā.eñge

likh lo hamāre sher baḌe kaam ā.eñge

jhūTā hai jhuuT baat ye bolegā ā.īna

aao hamāre sāmne ham sach batā.eñge

tanhā jo apnā bojh uThā.e hue haiñ ḳhud

mar jaa.eñ ham to chaar ye mil kar uThā.eñge

thoḌī sī be-ḳhudī ho to ham uTh ke chal paḌeñ

hosh-o-havās meñ to qadam laḌkhaḌā.eñge

ham ne tumhāre ba.ad jalāyā nahīñ charāġh

tum kyā samajh rahe the ki ham dil jalā.eñge

'aḳhtar' ham āsmān pe aa to ga.e magar

aisā nahīñ ki apnī zamīñ bhuul jā.eñge

rah-e-talab mein dam-o-diram chhoD jaenge

likh lo hamare sher baDe kaam aaenge

jhuTa hai jhuT baat ye bolega aaina

aao hamare samne hum sach bataenge

tanha jo apna bojh uThae hue hain KHud

mar jaen hum to chaar ye mil kar uThaenge

thoDi si be-KHudi ho to hum uTh ke chal paDen

hosh-o-hawas mein to qadam laDkhaDaenge

hum ne tumhaare baad jalaya nahin charagh

tum kya samajh rahe the ki hum dil jalaenge

'aKHtar' hum aasman pe aa to gae magar

aisa nahin ki apni zamin bhul jaenge