dil mein ek jazba-e-bedad-o-jafa hi hoga

dil meñ ik jazba-e-bedād-o-jafā hī hogā

vo ḳhudā-vand bhī hogā to ḳhudā hī hogā

gard sī uḌtī nazar aatī hai āñdhī hogī

duur tak naqsh-e-qadam haiñ koī raahī hogā

ham se jo pūchhnā hai pūchh lo varna kal tak

kis ko andāza-e-nā-karda-gunāhī hogā

kahīñ girtī huī dīvāreñ kahīñ jhuktī chhateñ

aap kahte haiñ to ye qasr-e-vafā hī hogā

phuul se tarse hue log ḳharāboñ meñ kahāñ

dasht-e-vahshat meñ koī ābla-pā hī hogā

jaate jaate mire darvāze ke paT khol ga.ī

ye bhī 'aḳhtar' koī andāz-e-sabā hī hogā

dil mein ek jazba-e-bedad-o-jafa hi hoga

wo KHuda-wand bhi hoga to KHuda hi hoga

gard si uDti nazar aati hai aandhi hogi

dur tak naqsh-e-qadam hain koi rahi hoga

hum se jo puchhna hai puchh lo warna kal tak

kis ko andaza-e-na-karda-gunahi hoga

kahin girti hui diwaren kahin jhukti chhaten

aap kahte hain to ye qasr-e-wafa hi hoga

phul se tarse hue log KHarabon mein kahan

dasht-e-wahshat mein koi aabla-pa hi hoga

jate jate mere darwaze ke paT khol gai

ye bhi 'aKHtar' koi andaz-e-saba hi hoga