rasta hi rasta tha naqsh-e-pa tha hi nahin

rāsta hī rāsta thā naqsh-e-pā thā hī nahīñ

dasht-e-vahshat meñ koī apne sivā thā hī nahīñ

ibtidā se paḌh chuke dil kī kitāb āḳhir talak

lekin is meñ to kahīñ zikr-e-vafā thā hī nahīñ

vo koī gor-e-ġharībāñ thā ki thā shahr-e-ġhazal

ās-pās us ke koī ātish-navā thā hī nahīñ

husn-e-sīrat se munavvar thī fazā-e-anjuman

itne chehroñ ke muqābil aa.ina thā hī nahīñ

sāhib-e-ehsās hī sunte rahe ġhairoñ kā dukh

apnā ġham az-ibtidā tā-intihā thā hī nahīñ

vo to the 'iqbāl' bas har haal meñ sarshār-e-ishq

bandagān-e-ishq ko roz-e-jazā thā hī nahīñ

rasta hi rasta tha naqsh-e-pa tha hi nahin

dasht-e-wahshat mein koi apne siwa tha hi nahin

ibtida se paDh chuke dil ki kitab aaKHir talak

lekin is mein to kahin zikr-e-wafa tha hi nahin

wo koi gor-e-ghariban tha ki tha shahr-e-ghazal

aas-pas us ke koi aatish-nawa tha hi nahin

husn-e-sirat se munawwar thi faza-e-anjuman

itne chehron ke muqabil aaina tha hi nahin

sahib-e-ehsas hi sunte rahe ghairon ka dukh

apna gham az-ibtida ta-intiha tha hi nahin

wo to the 'iqbaal' bas har haal mein sarshaar-e-ishq

bandagan-e-ishq ko roz-e-jaza tha hi nahin