sahra ka shajar faiz mein maon ki tarah tha

sahrā kā shajar faiz meñ maaoñ kī tarah thā

jo dhuup meñ jannat kī fazāoñ kī tarah thā

maiñ ġhurbat-o-iflās ke sahrā kā musāfir

vo resham-o-atlas kī qabāoñ kī tarah thā

jo jism pe rakhtā thā ra.īsoñ kā labāda

vo shaḳhs mizājan to gadāoñ kī tarah thā

ai jān-e-bahārāñ tire ik aane se pahle

ye dil kisī ujḌe hue gaaoñ kī tarah thā

vo lamha jo guzrā tire bin kaise batā.ūñ

tūfān-e-havādis kī havāoñ kī tarah thā

ye 'uqda khulā jo mirā dam-sāz thā ab tak

sahrā meñ vo be-faiz sadāoñ kī tarah thā

us shaḳhs se mahrūm huā dast-e-tamannā

jo mujh ko musībat meñ du'āoñ kī tarah thā

rah rah ke bahut dhuup meñ yaad aatā hai 'rāhī'

apne liye bargad kī jo chhāoñ kī tarah thā

sahra ka shajar faiz mein maon ki tarah tha

jo dhup mein jannat ki fazaon ki tarah tha

main ghurbat-o-iflas ke sahra ka musafir

wo resham-o-atlas ki qabaon ki tarah tha

jo jism pe rakhta tha raison ka labaada

wo shaKHs mizajan to gadaon ki tarah tha

ai jaan-e-bahaaran tere ek aane se pahle

ye dil kisi ujDe hue gaon ki tarah tha

wo lamha jo guzra tere bin kaise bataun

tufan-e-hawadis ki hawaon ki tarah tha

ye 'uqda khula jo mera dam-saz tha ab tak

sahra mein wo be-faiz sadaon ki tarah tha

us shaKHs se mahrum hua dast-e-tamanna

jo mujh ko musibat mein du'aon ki tarah tha

rah rah ke bahut dhup mein yaad aata hai 'rahi'

apne liye bargad ki jo chhaon ki tarah tha