aisa lagta hai muKhaalif hai KHudai meri

aisā lagtā hai muḳhālif hai ḳhudā.ī merī

koī kartā hī nahīñ khul ke burā.ī merī

mujh meñ madfūn baḌe shahr-e-ma.ānī the magar

duur tak kar na sakā vaqt ḳhudā.ī merī

be-sadā shahr thā ḳhāmosh the galiyoñ ke makīñ

ek muddat mujhe āvāz na aa.ī merī

ḳhair-ḳhvāhī kā rahā yuuñ to sabhī ko da.avā

chāhtā bhī to koī dil se bhalā.ī merī

shab kī dahlīz pe qazzāq zarūrat to nahīñ

chhīn letā hai jo din-bhar kī kamā.ī merī

kuchh mire ilm ne bhī mujh ko fazīlat baḳhshī

fan se nisbat ne bhī tauqīr baḌhā.ī merī

mujh ko mujh tak hī na mahdūd samajhnā 'saifī'

lā-makāñ se bhī pare tak hai rasā.ī merī

aisa lagta hai muKHalif hai KHudai meri

koi karta hi nahin khul ke burai meri

mujh mein madfun baDe shahr-e-maani the magar

dur tak kar na saka waqt KHudai meri

be-sada shahr tha KHamosh the galiyon ke makin

ek muddat mujhe aawaz na aai meri

KHair-KHwahi ka raha yun to sabhi ko dawa

chahta bhi to koi dil se bhalai meri

shab ki dahliz pe qazzaq zarurat to nahin

chhin leta hai jo din-bhar ki kamai meri

kuchh mere ilm ne bhi mujh ko fazilat baKHshi

fan se nisbat ne bhi tauqir baDhai meri

mujh ko mujh tak hi na mahdud samajhna 'saifi'

la-makan se bhi pare tak hai rasai meri