dasht-e-ghurbat hai alalat bhi hai tanhai bhi

dasht-e-ġhurbat hai alālat bhī hai tanhā.ī bhī

aur un sab pe fuzūñ bādiya-paimā.ī bhī

ḳhvāb-e-rāhat hai kahāñ niiñd bhī aatī nahīñ ab

bas uchaT jaane ko aa.ī jo kabhī aa.ī bhī

yaad hai mujh ko vo be-fikrī o āġhāz-e-shabāb

suḳhan-ārā.ī bhī thī anjuman-ārā.ī bhī

nigah-e-shauq-o-tamannā kī vo dilkash thī kamand

jis se ho jaate the raam āhū-e-sahrā.ī bhī

ham sanam-ḳhāna jahāñ karte the apnā qaa.im

phir khaḌe hote the vaañ huur ke shaidā.ī bhī

ab na vo umr na vo log na vo lail o nahār

bujh ga.ī tab.a kabhī josh pe gar aa.ī bhī

ab to shubhe bhī mujhe dev nazar aate haiñ

us zamāne meñ parī-zād thī rusvā.ī bhī

kaam kī baat jo kahnī ho vo kah lo 'akbar'

dam meñ chhin jā.egī ye tāqat-e-goyā.ī bhī

dasht-e-ghurbat hai alalat bhi hai tanhai bhi

aur un sab pe fuzun baadiya-paimai bhi

KHwab-e-rahat hai kahan nind bhi aati nahin ab

bas uchaT jaane ko aai jo kabhi aai bhi

yaad hai mujh ko wo be-fikri o aaghaz-e-shabab

suKHan-arai bhi thi anjuman-arai bhi

nigah-e-shauq-o-tamanna ki wo dilkash thi kamand

jis se ho jate the ram aahu-e-sahrai bhi

hum sanam-KHana jahan karte the apna qaim

phir khaDe hote the wan hur ke shaidai bhi

ab na wo umr na wo log na wo lail o nahaar

bujh gai taba kabhi josh pe gar aai bhi

ab to shubhe bhi mujhe dew nazar aate hain

us zamane mein pari-zad thi ruswai bhi

kaam ki baat jo kahni ho wo kah lo 'akbar'

dam mein chhin jaegi ye taqat-e-goyai bhi