safar hi shart-e-safar hai to KHatm kya hoga

safar hī shart-e-safar hai to ḳhatm kyā hogā

tumhāre ghar se udhar bhī ye rāsta hogā

zamāna saḳht girāñ ḳhvāb hai magar ai dil

pukār to sahī koī to jāgtā hogā

ye be-sabab nahīñ aa.e haiñ aañkh meñ aañsū

ḳhushī kā lamha koī yaad aa gayā hogā

mirā fasāna har ik dil kā mājrā to na thā

sunā bhī hogā kisī ne to kyā sunā hogā

phir aaj shaam se paikār jaan o tan meñ hai

phir aaj dil ne kisī ko bhulā diyā hogā

vidā kar mujhe ai zindagī gale mil ke

phir aisā dost na tujh se kabhī judā hogā

maiñ ḳhud se duur huā jā rahā huuñ phir 'aḳhtar'

vo phir qarīb se ho kar guzar gayā hogā

safar hi shart-e-safar hai to KHatm kya hoga

tumhaare ghar se udhar bhi ye rasta hoga

zamana saKHt giran KHwab hai magar ai dil

pukar to sahi koi to jagta hoga

ye be-sabab nahin aae hain aankh mein aansu

KHushi ka lamha koi yaad aa gaya hoga

mera fasana har ek dil ka majra to na tha

suna bhi hoga kisi ne to kya suna hoga

phir aaj sham se paikar jaan o tan mein hai

phir aaj dil ne kisi ko bhula diya hoga

wida kar mujhe ai zindagi gale mil ke

phir aisa dost na tujh se kabhi juda hoga

main KHud se dur hua ja raha hun phir 'aKHtar'

wo phir qarib se ho kar guzar gaya hoga