ye ittifaq tha main us ka ham-zamana tha

ye ittifāq thā maiñ us kā ham-zamāna thā

jo zindagī se ta.āruf thā ġhā.ebāna thā

kahīñ mile to kabhī umr-e-rafta se pūchhūñ

kahāñ hai aaj tirā jis se dostāna thā

banā ke ab mujhe īñdhan jalā.e jaatā hai

yahī thī shāḳh kabhī jis pe āshiyāna thā

kabhī jo zo.am huā vaqt rah gayā pīchhe

nazar uThā.ī to dekhā vahī zamāna thā

kahāñ thī koī samā.at makīñ vahāñ to faqat

jabīn-sā.ī kī ḳhātir ik āstāna thā

kabhī ġhazāl sī ḳhū-e-gurez hī na ga.ī

thī qurbateñ to bahut ek shāḳhsāna thā

ye ittifaq tha main us ka ham-zamana tha

jo zindagi se taaruf tha ghaebana tha

kahin mile to kabhi umr-e-rafta se puchhun

kahan hai aaj tera jis se dostana tha

bana ke ab mujhe indhan jalae jata hai

yahi thi shaKH kabhi jis pe aashiyana tha

kabhi jo zoam hua waqt rah gaya pichhe

nazar uThai to dekha wahi zamana tha

kahan thi koi samaat makin wahan to faqat

jabin-sai ki KHatir ek aastana tha

kabhi ghazal si KHu-e-gurez hi na gai

thi qurbaten to bahut ek shaKHsana tha