sard mausam tha bahut soz-e-alam se pahle

sard mausam thā bahut soz-e-alam se pahle

ziist dilchasp kahāñ thī shab-e-ġham se pahle

aaj jiine kā samajhte haiñ sahārā is ko

ham ki vāqif bhī na the shām-e-alam se pahle

zindagī itnī hasīñ aur dil-āvez na thī

ai mohabbat tire altāf-o-karam se pahle

chal paḌe log to phir koī bhī khaTkā na rahā

manzileñ saḳht thiiñ bas pahle qadam se pahle

fikr-e-āzar ko du'ā do ki kiyā husn talāsh

pāra-e-sang meñ taḳhlīq-e-sanam se pahle

apnī kotāhī-e-dāman ko bhī arbāb-e-talab

dekhte vus’at-e-dāmān-karam se pahle

sar pe saaya thā buzurgoñ kā to sūraj bhī 'aqīl'

itnā barham na rahā kartā thā ham se pahle

sard mausam tha bahut soz-e-alam se pahle

zist dilchasp kahan thi shab-e-gham se pahle

aaj jine ka samajhte hain sahaara is ko

hum ki waqif bhi na the sham-e-alam se pahle

zindagi itni hasin aur dil-awez na thi

ai mohabbat tere altaf-o-karam se pahle

chal paDe log to phir koi bhi khaTka na raha

manzilen saKHt thin bas pahle qadam se pahle

fikr-e-azar ko du'a do ki kiya husn talash

para-e-sang mein taKHliq-e-sanam se pahle

apni kotahi-e-daman ko bhi arbab-e-talab

dekhte wus’at-e-daman-karam se pahle

sar pe saya tha buzurgon ka to suraj bhi 'aqil'

itna barham na raha karta tha hum se pahle