raqs-e-taus-e-tamanna nahin hone wala

raqs-e-tā.ūs-e-tamannā nahīñ hone vaalā

ab yahāñ koī tamāshā nahīñ hone vaalā

sarfarāz-e-jahāñ honā hī nahīñ hai mujh ko

sāhibo maiñ sag-e-duniyā nahīñ hone vaalā

khīñch lo dast-e-talab band karo chashm-e-umīd

vo tunuk-zarf kisī kā nahīñ hone vaalā

mujh ko hañgāma-e-duniyā ne navāzā hai bahut

maiñ to ḳhalvat meñ bhī tanhā nahīñ hone vaalā

phir bhī masrūf haiñ ham us kī taraf-dārī meñ

jānte haiñ vo hamārā nahīñ hone vaalā

ab bhī tābinda haiñ ā.īna-e-ayyām meñ ham

aks apnā kabhī dhundlā nahīñ hone vaalā

raat bhar jashn-e-mulāqāt munavvar hī sahī

sub.h-dam koī kisī kā nahīñ hone vaalā

yuuñ to sab kuchh hai magar ḳhema-e-ḳhush-ḳhvābī meñ

ham faqīroñ kā guzāra nahīñ hone vaalā

koī mausam bhī ho shādāb rahegā 'aḳhtar'

shajar-e-shauq fasurda nahīñ hone vaalā

raqs-e-taus-e-tamanna nahin hone wala

ab yahan koi tamasha nahin hone wala

sarfaraaz-e-jahan hona hi nahin hai mujh ko

sahibo main sag-e-duniya nahin hone wala

khinch lo dast-e-talab band karo chashm-e-umid

wo tunuk-zarf kisi ka nahin hone wala

mujh ko hangama-e-duniya ne nawaza hai bahut

main to KHalwat mein bhi tanha nahin hone wala

phir bhi masruf hain hum us ki taraf-dari mein

jaante hain wo hamara nahin hone wala

ab bhi tabinda hain aaina-e-ayyam mein hum

aks apna kabhi dhundla nahin hone wala

raat bhar jashn-e-mulaqat munawwar hi sahi

subh-dam koi kisi ka nahin hone wala

yun to sab kuchh hai magar KHema-e-KHush-KHwabi mein

hum faqiron ka guzara nahin hone wala

koi mausam bhi ho shadab rahega 'aKHtar'

shajar-e-shauq fasurda nahin hone wala