sadd-e-rah aap agar laghzish-e-raftar na ho

sadd-e-rāh aap agar laġhzish-e-raftār na ho

rāh-rau ko rah-e-dushvār bhī dushvār na ho

dūriyāñ dūrī-e-manzil ke tavahhum kī thiiñ

dekh nazdīk rag-e-jāñ hī kahīñ yaar na ho

kar sake kaise jilā koī us ā.īne par

bār-e-saiqal bhī uThāne ko jo tayyār na ho

kahīñ us ke liye manzil kī khulī hai āġhosh

jis meñ josh-e-safar-e-kūcha-e-dildār na ho

josh-e-vahshat meñ nikal jā.iye bastī se magar

sar kahāñ phoḌiye jab sāmne dīvār na ho

hāsil-e-girya-e-shab kyā ye gudāz-e-shabnam

dāman-e-sabza-o-gul bhī jo guhar-bār na ho

kisī gul-būTe kā kyā hogā nigahbāñ 'ārif'

jo ki ḳhud apne gulistāñ kā vafādār na ho

sadd-e-rah aap agar laghzish-e-raftar na ho

rah-rau ko rah-e-dushwar bhi dushwar na ho

duriyan duri-e-manzil ke tawahhum ki thin

dekh nazdik rag-e-jaan hi kahin yar na ho

kar sake kaise jila koi us aaine par

bar-e-saiqal bhi uThane ko jo tayyar na ho

kahin us ke liye manzil ki khuli hai aaghosh

jis mein josh-e-safar-e-kucha-e-dildar na ho

josh-e-wahshat mein nikal jaiye basti se magar

sar kahan phoDiye jab samne diwar na ho

hasil-e-girya-e-shab kya ye gudaz-e-shabnam

daman-e-sabza-o-gul bhi jo guhar-bar na ho

kisi gul-buTe ka kya hoga nigahban 'arif'

jo ki KHud apne gulistan ka wafadar na ho