sab karobar-e-naqd-o-nazar chhoDna paDa

sab kārobār-e-naqd-o-nazar chhoḌnā paḌā

bikne lage qalam to hunar chhoḌnā paḌā

qurbānī māñgtī thī har ik shāḳh-e-be-samar

basne na paa.e the ki shajar chhoḌnā paḌā

karnā thā jo safar hameñ ham ne nahīñ kiyā

bachchoñ ko aaj is liye ghar chhoḌnā paḌā

aa to ga.e ho soch lo jāoge phir kahāñ

ye shahr-e-bad-lihāz agar chhoḌnā paḌā

ghar se chalā thā bār-e-saqāfat uThā ke maiñ

raste meñ thoḌā thoḌā magar chhoḌnā paḌā

nafrat ke saañp aa ga.e ghar tak to maiñ 'zahīr'

itnā Darā ki ḳhauf-e-safar chhoḌnā paḌā

sab karobar-e-naqd-o-nazar chhoDna paDa

bikne lage qalam to hunar chhoDna paDa

qurbani mangti thi har ek shaKH-e-be-samar

basne na pae the ki shajar chhoDna paDa

karna tha jo safar hamein hum ne nahin kiya

bachchon ko aaj is liye ghar chhoDna paDa

aa to gae ho soch lo jaoge phir kahan

ye shahr-e-bad-lihaz agar chhoDna paDa

ghar se chala tha bar-e-saqafat uTha ke main

raste mein thoDa thoDa magar chhoDna paDa

nafrat ke sanp aa gae ghar tak to main 'zahir'

itna Dara ki KHauf-e-safar chhoDna paDa