zindagi aisi saza hai ki saza bhi to nahin

zindagī aisī sazā hai ki sazā bhī to nahīñ

dil dhaḌaktā hai dhaḌakne kī sadā bhī to nahīñ

kyā ḳhad-o-ḳhāl the kuchh yaad rahā bhī to nahīñ

aisā bachhḌā koī muddat se milā bhī to nahīñ

āhaTeñ kyā tire qadmoñ kī sunā.ī deñgī

ab ki pahlū meñ dil-e-naġhma-sarā bhī to nahīñ

rah-navardān-e-rah-e-ishq bhaTak hī na sakīñ

itne tābinda nuqūsh-e-kaf-e-pā bhī to nahīñ

yuuñ tirī yaad meñ ik 'umr guzārī ki mujhe

apnī tanhā.ī kā ehsās huā bhī to nahīñ

kis ko rūdād-e-ġham-e-ishq sunā.ī jaa.e

dasht meñ aur koī ābla-pā bhī to nahīñ

ek muddat se koī zaḳhm-e-dil-o-jāñ 'nashtar'

be-niyāz-e-karam mauj-e-sabā bhī to nahīñ

zindagi aisi saza hai ki saza bhi to nahin

dil dhaDakta hai dhaDakne ki sada bhi to nahin

kya KHad-o-KHal the kuchh yaad raha bhi to nahin

aisa bachhDa koi muddat se mila bhi to nahin

aahaTen kya tere qadmon ki sunai dengi

ab ki pahlu mein dil-e-naghma-sara bhi to nahin

rah-nawardan-e-rah-e-ishq bhaTak hi na sakin

itne tabinda nuqush-e-kaf-e-pa bhi to nahin

yun teri yaad mein ek 'umr guzari ki mujhe

apni tanhai ka ehsas hua bhi to nahin

kis ko rudad-e-gham-e-ishq sunai jae

dasht mein aur koi aabla-pa bhi to nahin

ek muddat se koi zaKHm-e-dil-o-jaan 'nashtar'

be-niyaz-e-karam mauj-e-saba bhi to nahin