zulm to ye hai ki shaki mere kirdar ka hai

zulm to ye hai ki shākī mire kirdār kā hai

ye ghanā shahr ki jañgal dar-o-dīvār kā hai

rañg phir aaj digar barg-e-dil-e-zār kā hai

shā.iba mujh ko havā par tirī raftār kā hai

us pe tohmat na dhare mere junūñ kī koī

mujh pe to saaya mire apne hī asrār kā hai

sirf ye kahnā bahut hai ki vo chup-chāp sā thā

us ko andāza mare sheva-e-guftār kā hai

kis ne kis haal meñ chhoḌā thā vafā kā dāman

mas.ala ye to mirī jaañ baḌī takrār kā hai

raat bhar niiñd na aane kā gilā kis se karūñ

is meñ bhī haath mire tāla-e-bedār kā hai

dard kī dhuup se bachne ke taraddud meñ khulā

silsila tā-ba-ufuq ḳhauf ke ashjār kā hai

rāt-din khoj meñ dariyā kī sadā rahtī hai

aadmī koī tire gaañv meñ us paar kā hai

har ghaḌī mohtasib-e-shahr ho maujūd jahāñ

kaam is bazm meñ kyā mujh se gunahgār kā hai

jhūlnā daar pe is ahd meñ āsāñ hai magar

marhala saḳht bahut jur.at-e-iz.hār kā hai

zindagī sā.at-e-maujūd ke qadmoñ meñ jhukāo

faisla aaj yahī vaqt ke darbār kā hai

kis na.e ġham se charāġhāñ hai nazar mahfil-e-jāñ

rañg kuchh aur hī ab ke tire ash.ār kā hai

zulm to ye hai ki shaki mere kirdar ka hai

ye ghana shahr ki jangal dar-o-diwar ka hai

rang phir aaj digar barg-e-dil-e-zar ka hai

shaiba mujh ko hawa par teri raftar ka hai

us pe tohmat na dhare mere junun ki koi

mujh pe to saya mere apne hi asrar ka hai

sirf ye kahna bahut hai ki wo chup-chap sa tha

us ko andaza mare shewa-e-guftar ka hai

kis ne kis haal mein chhoDa tha wafa ka daman

masala ye to meri jaan baDi takrar ka hai

raat bhar nind na aane ka gila kis se karun

is mein bhi hath mere tala-e-bedar ka hai

dard ki dhup se bachne ke taraddud mein khula

silsila ta-ba-ufuq KHauf ke ashjar ka hai

raat-din khoj mein dariya ki sada rahti hai

aadmi koi tere ganw mein us par ka hai

har ghaDi mohtasib-e-shahr ho maujud jahan

kaam is bazm mein kya mujh se gunahgar ka hai

jhulna dar pe is ahd mein aasan hai magar

marhala saKHt bahut jurat-e-izhaar ka hai

zindagi saat-e-maujud ke qadmon mein jhukao

faisla aaj yahi waqt ke darbar ka hai

kis nae gham se charaghan hai nazar mahfil-e-jaan

rang kuchh aur hi ab ke tere ashaar ka hai