hum to gawah hain ki ghalat tha likha gaya

ham to gavāh haiñ ki ġhalat thā likhā gayā

kyā faisla huā thā magar kyā likhā gayā

ye kaisī munsifī thī ki munsif ke rū-ba-rū

jhūTī shahādatoñ ko bhī sachchā likhā gayā

maktūb-e-ġham hamārā paḌhā hī nahīñ gayā

varna to us meñ haal thā saarā likhā gayā

mulzim ko bhī to miltā hai kuchh bolne kā haq

phir kyuuñ nahīñ bayān hamārā likhā gayā

ham chup rahe ki faisla saarā thā tai-shuda

ya.anī jo mudda.ī ne likhāyā likhā gayā

bantī kisī bhī harf kī pahchān kis tarah

jo bhī likhā gayā vo adhūrā likhā gayā

bhūlī nahīñ vo zulm ki 'shabnam' sar-e-furāt

ātish ko aab dasht ko dariyā likhā gayā

hum to gawah hain ki ghalat tha likha gaya

kya faisla hua tha magar kya likha gaya

ye kaisi munsifi thi ki munsif ke ru-ba-ru

jhuTi shahadaton ko bhi sachcha likha gaya

maktub-e-gham hamara paDha hi nahin gaya

warna to us mein haal tha sara likha gaya

mulzim ko bhi to milta hai kuchh bolne ka haq

phir kyun nahin bayan hamara likha gaya

hum chup rahe ki faisla sara tha tai-shuda

yani jo muddai ne likhaya likha gaya

banti kisi bhi harf ki pahchan kis tarah

jo bhi likha gaya wo adhura likha gaya

bhuli nahin wo zulm ki 'shabnam' sar-e-furaat

aatish ko aab dasht ko dariya likha gaya