be-sabab hi shor sara tha kabhi

be-sabab hī shor saarā thā kabhī

dard-e-dil bhī dil kā chāra thā kabhī

ḳhud se ab bāteñ nahīñ hotī magar

bārhā ḳhud ko pukārā thā kabhī

jal rahā hai aaj apne aap meñ

haañ ye sho.ala ik sharār thā kabhī

zindagī pahle thī be-ma'ānī zarūr

haal kyā aisā hamārā thā kabhī

qatl karne ko bhare bāzār meñ

merī gardan par ishāra thā kabhī

kar rahā hai kyoñ takabbur gulsitāñ

goyā har dam abr-pāra thā kabhī

chal rahe haiñ kyoñ zamīñ ko thaam kar

gar nahīñ jhuknā gavāra thā kabhī

ham ko bhī āsān thā karnā safar

naam apne ik sitārā thā kabhī

be-vafāoñ se bharī tanzīm meñ

bā-vafāoñ kā idāra thā kabhī

kashtiyāñ socheñgī dariyā paar kar

is kināre kā kinārā thā kabhī

lauT kar aa.eñ haiñ 'sādiq' ham jahāñ

apnā bhī ik goshvāra thā kabhī

be-sabab hi shor sara tha kabhi

dard-e-dil bhi dil ka chaara tha kabhi

KHud se ab baaten nahin hoti magar

barha KHud ko pukara tha kabhi

jal raha hai aaj apne aap mein

han ye shoala ek sharar tha kabhi

zindagi pahle thi be-ma'ani zarur

haal kya aisa hamara tha kabhi

qatl karne ko bhare bazar mein

meri gardan par ishaara tha kabhi

kar raha hai kyon takabbur gulsitan

goya har dam abr-para tha kabhi

chal rahe hain kyon zamin ko tham kar

gar nahin jhukna gawara tha kabhi

hum ko bhi aasan tha karna safar

nam apne ek sitara tha kabhi

be-wafaon se bhari tanzim mein

ba-wafaon ka idara tha kabhi

kashtiyan sochengi dariya par kar

is kinare ka kinara tha kabhi

lauT kar aaen hain 'sadiq' hum jahan

apna bhi ek goshwara tha kabhi