zulf honi chahiye ruKHsar hona chahiye

zulf honī chāhiye ruḳhsār honā chāhiye

shā'irī meñ kuchh ḳhayāl-e-yār honā chāhiye

'ishq meñ iqrār kā kuchh lutf lene ke liye

kam se kam ik baar to inkār honā chāhiye

ghar kisī kā phūñk kar tum to bahut masrūr ho

ab tumheñ to surḳhi-e-aḳhbār honā chāhiye

aap ko bhī 'ishq meñ phir lutf aa.egā zarūr

aap kā mā'shūq bhī makkār honā chāhiye

pyaar to ik ḳhūb-sūrat āgahī kā naam hai

ye junūñ kī niiñd se bedār honā chāhiye

rūThnā aur phir manānā ik purānī rasm hai

ye visāl-o-hijr bāram-bār honā chāhiye

ik kamī ab bhī hai tere ḳhūb-sūrat shahr meñ

ik galī meñ pyaar kā bāzār honā chāhiye

dekh 'aḳhtar' tū zarā ā.īna-e-ḳhauf-e-ḳhudā

ab to terī ruuh kā singār honā chāhiye

zulf honi chahiye ruKHsar hona chahiye

sha'iri mein kuchh KHayal-e-yar hona chahiye

'ishq mein iqrar ka kuchh lutf lene ke liye

kam se kam ek bar to inkar hona chahiye

ghar kisi ka phunk kar tum to bahut masrur ho

ab tumhein to surKHi-e-aKHbar hona chahiye

aap ko bhi 'ishq mein phir lutf aaega zarur

aap ka ma'shuq bhi makkar hona chahiye

pyar to ek KHub-surat aagahi ka nam hai

ye junun ki nind se bedar hona chahiye

ruThna aur phir manana ek purani rasm hai

ye visal-o-hijr baram-bar hona chahiye

ek kami ab bhi hai tere KHub-surat shahr mein

ek gali mein pyar ka bazar hona chahiye

dekh 'aKHtar' tu zara aaina-e-KHauf-e-KHuda

ab to teri ruh ka singar hona chahiye