aalam-e-barzaKH

ye to barzaḳh hai yahāñ vaqt kī ījād kahāñ

ik baras thā ki mahīna hameñ ab yaad kahāñ

vahī taptā huā gardūñ vahī añgārā zamīñ

jā-ba-jā tishna o āshufta vahī ḳhāk-nashīñ

shab-garāñ zīst-garāñ-tar hī to kar jaatī thī

sūd-ḳhoroñ kī tarah dar pe sahar aatī thī

ziist karne kī mashaqqat hī hameñ kyā kam thī

mustazād us pe pirohit kā junūn-e-tāza

sab ko mil jaa.e gunāhoñ kā yahīñ ḳhamyāza

nā-ravā-dār fazāoñ kī jhulastī huī luu!

mohtasib kitne nikal aa.e gharoñ se har sū

tāḌte haiñ kisī chehre pe tarāvat to nahīñ

koī lab nam to nahīñ bashre pe farhat to nahīñ

kūcha kūcha meñ nikāle hue ḳhūnī diide

gurz uThā.e hue dhamkāte phirā karte haiñ

nau-e-ādam se bahar-taur riyā ke tālib

ruuh be-zār hai kyuuñ chhoḌ na jaa.e qālib

zindagī apnī isī taur jo guzrī 'ġhālib'

ham bhī kyā yaad kareñge ki ḳhudā rakhte the

ye to barzaKH hai yahan waqt ki ijad kahan

ek baras tha ki mahina hamein ab yaad kahan

wahi tapta hua gardun wahi angara zamin

ja-ba-ja tishna o aashufta wahi KHak-nashin

shab-garan zist-garan-tar hi to kar jati thi

sud-KHoron ki tarah dar pe sahar aati thi

zist karne ki mashaqqat hi hamein kya kam thi

mustazad us pe pirohit ka junun-e-taza

sab ko mil jae gunahon ka yahin KHamyaza

na-rawa-dar fazaon ki jhulasti hui lu!

mohtasib kitne nikal aae gharon se har su

taDte hain kisi chehre pe tarawat to nahin

koi lab nam to nahin bashre pe farhat to nahin

kucha kucha mein nikale hue KHuni dide

gurz uThae hue dhamkate phira karte hain

nau-e-adam se bahar-taur riya ke talib

ruh be-zar hai kyun chhoD na jae qalib

zindagi apni isi taur jo guzri 'ghaalib'

hum bhi kya yaad karenge ki KHuda rakhte the