zindagi ehsan hi se mawara thi main na tha

zindagī ehsān hī se māvarā thī maiñ na thā

taaq par rakkhī huī merī davā thī maiñ na thā

merī hastī ā.īna thī yā shikast-e-ā.īna

baat itnī sī na samjhe mere sāthī maiñ na thā

tū hī to sab kuchh sahī nā-chīz ye ab kuchh sahī

vo to merī ibtidā be-intihā thī maiñ na thā

dekhtā rahtā huuñ manzar dīdanī nā-dīdanī

haañ magar hairān chashm-e-mā-sivā thī maiñ na thā

tū mujhe dushman samajhtā hai to dushman hī sahī

tū bhī vāqif hai koī nādān sāthī maiñ na thā

mere andar kā darinda khā rahā thā pech-o-tāb

aur phir shā.istagī zanjīr-e-pā thī maiñ na thā

ḳhair ab to chyūñTī bhī dauḌtī hai kāTne

jhūlte the jab ki darvāze pe hāthī maiñ na thā

zindagi ehsan hi se mawara thi main na tha

taq par rakkhi hui meri dawa thi main na tha

meri hasti aaina thi ya shikast-e-aina

baat itni si na samjhe mere sathi main na tha

tu hi to sab kuchh sahi na-chiz ye ab kuchh sahi

wo to meri ibtida be-intiha thi main na tha

dekhta rahta hun manzar didani na-didani

han magar hairan chashm-e-ma-siwa thi main na tha

tu mujhe dushman samajhta hai to dushman hi sahi

tu bhi waqif hai koi nadan sathi main na tha

mere andar ka darinda kha raha tha pech-o-tab

aur phir shaistagi zanjir-e-pa thi main na tha

KHair ab to chyunTi bhi dauDti hai kaTne

jhulte the jab ki darwaze pe hathi main na tha