taKHliq kise kahte hain hai azmat-e-fan kya

taḳhlīq kise kahte haiñ hai azmat-e-fan kyā

āvāz-faroshoñ ke liye sher-o-suḳhan kyā

phūloñ kī tijārat kā chalan aam hai ab bhī

luTtī hī rahegī yūñhī taqdīs-e-chaman kyā

mazlūm kī chīḳhoñ ko bhī suntā nahīñ koī

is shahr meñ baste haiñ sabhī sañg-badan kyā

ham aa to ga.e ban ke ziyā zulmat-e-shab meñ

is ghor añdhere meñ magar ek kiran kyā

vaqt aane pe sar apnā kaTā dete haiñ 'rahbar'

ham ko nahīñ mālūm ki hai hubb-e-vatan kyā

taKHliq kise kahte hain hai azmat-e-fan kya

aawaz-faroshon ke liye sher-o-suKHan kya

phulon ki tijarat ka chalan aam hai ab bhi

luTti hi rahegi yunhi taqdis-e-chaman kya

mazlum ki chiKHon ko bhi sunta nahin koi

is shahr mein baste hain sabhi sang-badan kya

hum aa to gae ban ke ziya zulmat-e-shab mein

is ghor andhere mein magar ek kiran kya

waqt aane pe sar apna kaTa dete hain 'rahbar'

hum ko nahin malum ki hai hubb-e-watan kya