harf-e-jaan dil mein nihan harf-e-zaban shahr mein tha

harf-e-jāñ dil meñ nihāñ harf-e-zabāñ shahr meñ thā

aag kā naam na thā phir bhī dhuāñ shahr meñ thā

shor sahrā kā sunā shor samundar kā sunā

shor kā naam hī thā shor kahāñ shahr meñ thā

bas zarā 'aks hī ubhrā thā safoñ se merā

ek hangāma-e-kotāh-qadāñ shahr meñ thā

ātish o qatl nahīñ shor nahīñ chīḳh nahīñ

sirf aur sirf dhuāñ sirf dhuāñ shahr meñ thā

dekhnā aañkh ne kyā siikh liyā thā sāhib

ek do chiiz nahīñ saarā jahāñ shahr meñ thā

mustaqar kis ko banāte kahāñ rahte 'shahpar'

gaañv meñ thā to kabhī sarv-e-ravāñ shahr meñ thā

harf-e-jaan dil mein nihan harf-e-zaban shahr mein tha

aag ka nam na tha phir bhi dhuan shahr mein tha

shor sahra ka suna shor samundar ka suna

shor ka nam hi tha shor kahan shahr mein tha

bas zara 'aks hi ubhra tha safon se mera

ek hangama-e-kotah-qadan shahr mein tha

aatish o qatl nahin shor nahin chiKH nahin

sirf aur sirf dhuan sirf dhuan shahr mein tha

dekhna aankh ne kya sikh liya tha sahib

ek do chiz nahin sara jahan shahr mein tha

mustaqar kis ko banate kahan rahte 'shahpar'

ganw mein tha to kabhi sarw-e-rawan shahr mein tha