alaw

ham ajnabī the musāfir the ḳhāna-vīrāñ the

aur is alaav ke raqsāñ hinā.ī bātoñ ne

bulā liyā hameñ apne hasīñ ishāroñ se

to is kī raushnī-e-ahmarīñ kī tābish meñ

ḳhud apne aap ko ik dūsre se pahchānā

ki ham vo ḳhāna-badoshān-e-zīst haiñ jin ko

azal se apne hī jaise musāfiroñ kī talāsh

kiye hue hai inhī dasht-o-dar meñ sar-gardāñ

hamārī apnī sadā ajnabī thī apne liye

diloñ ne pahle-pahal zer-e-lab kahā ham se

ki ahl-e-zarf-o-ġharībān-e-shahr-e-ehsāsāt

taras rahe haiñ suḳhan-hā-e-guftanī ke liye

aur is alaav ke sho.aloñ ne ham se bāteñ kiiñ

hamārī guñg zabānoñ ko phir zabāneñ diiñ

aur apnī apnī sunā.īñ kahāniyāñ ham ne

kahāniyāñ jo haqīqat meñ ek jaisī thiiñ

phir is alaav ne ham se kahā ki dīvāno

vo shai jo shoa.la-fishāñ hai tumhāre sīnoñ meñ

usī ko ziist kā raushan alaav kahte haiñ

yahī alaav hai jis ne muhīb rātoñ meñ

shu.ūr-e-sho.ala-tarāzī atā kiyā tum ko

isī alaav se ubhrā hai aarzū kā fusūñ

isī alaav se sīkhā hai tum ne ism-e-junūñ

aur is ke ba.ad mujhe yaad hai ki ham sab ne

ye ek ahd kiyā thā isī alaav ke gird

ki is kī aag meñ ḳhāshāk-e-ġham jalā.eñge

aur is alaav ko apnā ḳhudā banā.eñge

hum ajnabi the musafir the KHana-viran the

aur is alaw ke raqsan hinai baaton ne

bula liya hamein apne hasin ishaaron se

to is ki raushni-e-ahmarin ki tabish mein

KHud apne aap ko ek dusre se pahchana

ki hum wo KHana-badoshan-e-zist hain jin ko

azal se apne hi jaise musafiron ki talash

kiye hue hai inhi dasht-o-dar mein sar-gardan

hamari apni sada ajnabi thi apne liye

dilon ne pahle-pahal zer-e-lab kaha hum se

ki ahl-e-zarf-o-ghariban-e-shahr-e-ehsasat

taras rahe hain suKHan-ha-e-guftani ke liye

aur is alaw ke shoalon ne hum se baaten kin

hamari gung zabanon ko phir zabanen din

aur apni apni sunain kahaniyan hum ne

kahaniyan jo haqiqat mein ek jaisi thin

phir is alaw ne hum se kaha ki diwano

wo shai jo shoala-fishan hai tumhaare sinon mein

usi ko zist ka raushan alaw kahte hain

yahi alaw hai jis ne muhib raaton mein

shuur-e-shoala-taraazi ata kiya tum ko

isi alaw se ubhra hai aarzu ka fusun

isi alaw se sikha hai tum ne ism-e-junun

aur is ke baad mujhe yaad hai ki hum sab ne

ye ek ahd kiya tha isi alaw ke gird

ki is ki aag mein KHashak-e-gham jalaenge

aur is alaw ko apna KHuda banaenge