sikha saki na jo aadab-e-mai wo KHu kya thi

sikhā sakī na jo ādāb-e-mai vo ḳhū kyā thī

jo ye na thā to phir is darja hāv-hū kyā thī

jo bār-e-dosh rahā sar vo kab thā shorīda

bahā na jis se lahū vo rag-e-gulū kyā thī

phir ek zaḳhm-e-kushāda jo dil ko yaad aa jaa.e

vo lazzat-o-ḳhalish-e-sozan-o-rafū kyā thī

jo izn-e-ām na thā vāliyān-e-mai-ḳhāna

ye sab numā.ish-e-paimāna-o-subū kyā thī

agar nigāh-e-jahāñ ke shumār meñ na the ham

to phir hamārī ye shohrat bhī chār-sū kyā thī

na ḳhūn-e-shab thā na shab-ḳhūñ ye maan leñ lekin

shafaq tulū-e-sahar ko lahū lahū kyā thī

jab aa rahī haiñ bahāreñ liye payām-e-junūñ

ye pairahan ko mire hājat-e-rafū kyā thī

tumheñ shikāyat-e-ahl-e-vatan hai kyuuñ sāhab

ḳhud apne shahr meñ 'ġhālib' kī aabrū kyā thī

sikha saki na jo aadab-e-mai wo KHu kya thi

jo ye na tha to phir is darja haw-hu kya thi

jo bar-e-dosh raha sar wo kab tha shorida

baha na jis se lahu wo rag-e-gulu kya thi

phir ek zaKHm-e-kushada jo dil ko yaad aa jae

wo lazzat-o-KHalish-e-sozan-o-rafu kya thi

jo izn-e-am na tha waliyan-e-mai-KHana

ye sab numaish-e-paimana-o-subu kya thi

agar nigah-e-jahan ke shumar mein na the hum

to phir hamari ye shohrat bhi chaar-su kya thi

na KHun-e-shab tha na shab-KHun ye man len lekin

shafaq tulu-e-sahar ko lahu lahu kya thi

jab aa rahi hain bahaaren liye payam-e-junun

ye pairahan ko mere hajat-e-rafu kya thi

tumhein shikayat-e-ahl-e-watan hai kyun sahab

KHud apne shahr mein 'ghaalib' ki aabru kya thi