sun raha hun be-sada naghma jo main ba-chashm-e-tar

sun rahā huuñ be-sadā naġhma jo maiñ bā-chashm-e-tar

chupke chupke zindagī hañstī hai mere haal par

apnī saarī umr kho kar maiñ ne paayā hai tumheñ

aao mere ġham ke sannāTo mire nazdīk-tar

ek dil thā so huā hai pā.emāl-e-ārzū

ab na koī rahnumā hai aur na koī ham-safar

har qadam par pūchhtā huuñ paañv ke chhāloñ se maiñ

ye mirī manzil hai yā baaqī hai merī rahguzar

kaun hai ye jo mire dil meñ hai ab tak mahv-e-ḳhvāb

DhūñDte haiñ ek muddat se jise shām-o-sahar

band haiñ vāraftagān-e-husn par sab rāste

tere dar se maiñ agar uTThūñ to jā.ūñgā kidhar

jal rahā hai ātish-e-furqat meñ lekin zinda hai

kyuuñ liye baiThā hai ye ilzām 'aḳhtar' apne sar

sun raha hun be-sada naghma jo main ba-chashm-e-tar

chupke chupke zindagi hansti hai mere haal par

apni sari umr kho kar main ne paya hai tumhein

aao mere gham ke sannaTo mere nazdik-tar

ek dil tha so hua hai paemal-e-arzu

ab na koi rahnuma hai aur na koi ham-safar

har qadam par puchhta hun panw ke chhaalon se main

ye meri manzil hai ya baqi hai meri rahguzar

kaun hai ye jo mere dil mein hai ab tak mahw-e-KHwab

DhunDte hain ek muddat se jise sham-o-sahar

band hain waraftagan-e-husn par sab raste

tere dar se main agar uTThun to jaunga kidhar

jal raha hai aatish-e-furqat mein lekin zinda hai

kyun liye baiTha hai ye ilzam 'aKHtar' apne sar