rafta rafta aarzuon ka ziyan hone ko hai

rafta rafta ārzūoñ kā ziyāñ hone ko hai

darhamī kuchh aisī zer-e-āsmāñ hone ko hai

pā-shikasta ho ga.e haiñ ham kaḌaktī dhuup meñ

shām-e-ġham ab dekhiye kab aur kahāñ hone ko hai

be-ruḳhī gar aap kī ai jān-e-jāñ yuuñ hī rahī

āḳhirash kār-e-vafā dil par garāñ hone ko hai

Dar hai dil āsūda-e-hirmāñ na ho jaa.e kahīñ

aag thī raushan jahāñ vo ḳhāk-dāñ hone ko hai

chashmak-e-barq-o-sharar se raat āñkhoñ meñ kaTī

sun rahe haiñ sub.h-e-nau ab zarfishāñ hone ko hai

kal talak to chal rahī thī dil-jaloñ kī dāstāñ

aaj un kā zikr zeb-e-dāstāñ hone ko hai

is qadar hai hasrat-e-nākām kā 'rāhī' ġhubār

naqsh-pā-e-ārzū bhī be-nishāñ hone ko hai

rafta rafta aarzuon ka ziyan hone ko hai

darhami kuchh aisi zer-e-asman hone ko hai

pa-shikasta ho gae hain hum kaDakti dhup mein

sham-e-gham ab dekhiye kab aur kahan hone ko hai

be-ruKHi gar aap ki ai jaan-e-jaan yun hi rahi

aaKHirash kar-e-wafa dil par garan hone ko hai

Dar hai dil aasuda-e-hirman na ho jae kahin

aag thi raushan jahan wo KHak-dan hone ko hai

chashmak-e-barq-o-sharar se raat aankhon mein kaTi

sun rahe hain subh-e-nau ab zarfishan hone ko hai

kal talak to chal rahi thi dil-jalon ki dastan

aaj un ka zikr zeb-e-dastan hone ko hai

is qadar hai hasrat-e-nakaam ka 'rahi' ghubar

naqsh-pa-e-arzu bhi be-nishan hone ko hai