ujalon ko andheron se bachana paD gaya hai

ujāloñ ko añdheroñ se bachānā paḌ gayā hai

ajab yak-tarfa mushkil meñ zamāna paḌ gayā hai

zamīñ kā dosh kaisā kam-nigāhī se hamārī

parindoñ ko yahāñ kam āb-o-dāna paḌ gayā hai

tahaffuz kī lakīreñ khīñch kar baiThe the ham log

par ab dīvār ik ūñchī uThānā paḌ gayā hai

kahā thā maiñ ne kho kar bhī tujhe zinda rahūñgā

vo aisā jhuuT thā jis ko nibhānā paḌ gayā hai

haqīqat ko tamāshā se judā karne kī ḳhātir

uThā kar bārhā parda girānā paḌ gayā hai

'shahāb' itnī havā.eñ ho ga.iiñ haiñ zahr-ālūd

ki ḳhud sāñsoñ se apnī muñh churānā paḌ gayā hai

ujalon ko andheron se bachana paD gaya hai

ajab yak-tarfa mushkil mein zamana paD gaya hai

zamin ka dosh kaisa kam-nigahi se hamari

parindon ko yahan kam aab-o-dana paD gaya hai

tahaffuz ki lakiren khinch kar baiThe the hum log

par ab diwar ek unchi uThana paD gaya hai

kaha tha main ne kho kar bhi tujhe zinda rahunga

wo aisa jhuT tha jis ko nibhana paD gaya hai

haqiqat ko tamasha se juda karne ki KHatir

uTha kar barha parda girana paD gaya hai

'shahab' itni hawaen ho gain hain zahr-alud

ki KHud sanson se apni munh churana paD gaya hai