jaan rahe ya na rahe nam rahe

jaañ rahe yā na rahe naam rahe

sāthiyo rasm-e-junūñ aam rahe

bārhā sa.ī-e-talab kī ham ne

ye alag baat ki nākām rahe

azmat-e-ishq se nā-vāqif the

jo asīr-e-havas-e-ḳhām rahe

kyā ta.ajjub hai ki pīrān-e-haram

mar ke bhī tālib-e-asnām rahe

kyā ḳhabar hai ki yuuñ hī ai 'aḳhtar'

tā-ba-kai gardish-e-ayyām rahe

jaan rahe ya na rahe nam rahe

sathiyo rasm-e-junun aam rahe

barha sai-e-talab ki hum ne

ye alag baat ki nakaam rahe

azmat-e-ishq se na-waqif the

jo asir-e-hawas-e-KHam rahe

kya tajjub hai ki piran-e-haram

mar ke bhi talib-e-asnam rahe

kya KHabar hai ki yun hi ai 'aKHtar'

ta-ba-kai gardish-e-ayyam rahe