bahut baDhne lagi hain zehn ki be-tabiyan logo

bahut baḌhne lagī haiñ zehn kī be-tābiyāñ logo

koī qissa koī afsāna ab jādū-bayāñ logo

hamāre ḳhūn-e-nāhaq par koī pursish nahīñ hotī

magar taslīm kar lete ho qātil kā bayāñ logo

hamārī sangsārī kā tamāshā dekhte jaao

magar mahfūz kar lo apne shīshoñ ke makāñ logo

ḳhud apnī zaat ko maiñ lamha lamha qatl kartā huuñ

kahāñ tum DhūñDte phirte ho qātil kā nishāñ logo

tumhāre nāz-o-andāz-e-sitam ke ham bhī qaa.il haiñ

na jaane kis liye rahte ho phir bhī bad-gumāñ logo

'ajab nādān ho be-raunaqī kā ab bhī shikva hai

sajī hai shahr meñ har samt zaḳhmoñ kī dukāñ logo

'ajab bād-e-muḳhālif thī ki 'sūfī' shahr meñ apne

huā ḳhāmosh jaise ek shahr-e-be-nishāñ logo

bahut baDhne lagi hain zehn ki be-tabiyan logo

koi qissa koi afsana ab jadu-bayan logo

hamare KHun-e-nahaq par koi pursish nahin hoti

magar taslim kar lete ho qatil ka bayan logo

hamari sangsari ka tamasha dekhte jao

magar mahfuz kar lo apne shishon ke makan logo

KHud apni zat ko main lamha lamha qatl karta hun

kahan tum DhunDte phirte ho qatil ka nishan logo

tumhaare naz-o-andaz-e-sitam ke hum bhi qail hain

na jaane kis liye rahte ho phir bhi bad-guman logo

'ajab nadan ho be-raunaqi ka ab bhi shikwa hai

saji hai shahr mein har samt zaKHmon ki dukan logo

'ajab baad-e-muKHalif thi ki 'sufi' shahr mein apne

hua KHamosh jaise ek shahr-e-be-nishan logo