aadmi ba-wafa banate hue

aadmī bā-vafā banāte hue

kyā banāyā hai kyā banāte hue

us ne āġhāz kyā kiyā hogā

vaqt kī ibtidā banāte hue

kis tarah darmiyāñ banā hogā

ibtidā intihā banāte hue

guuñj paidā bahut huī hogī

ḳhāmushī meñ sadā banāte hue

the kahāñ āsmān aur zamīn

darmiyānī ḳhalā banāte hue

kyā kiyā hogā itnī miTTī kā

us ne āb-o-havā banāte hue

kis tarah kā tirā taḳhayyul thā

mujh ko mere binā banāte hue

kyā savāb-o-gunah the pesh-e-nazar

mujh ko achchhā burā banāte hue

der us ko zarā nahīñ lagtī

koī shai der-pā banāte hue

maiñ banāne lagā tirī tasvīr

daf'atan ruk gayā banāte hue

ḳhud-ba-ḳhud 'ishq ho gayā taḳhlīq

dil banā dil-rubā banāte hue

rang kyoñ zard kar liyā shāmil

ek pattā harā banāte hue

diqqateñ to uThānī paḌtī haiñ

ek rasta nayā banāte hue

kitne sāñpoñ kī parvarish kī hai

ham ne 'āsim' 'asā banāte hue

aadmi ba-wafa banate hue

kya banaya hai kya banate hue

us ne aaghaz kya kiya hoga

waqt ki ibtida banate hue

kis tarah darmiyan bana hoga

ibtida intiha banate hue

gunj paida bahut hui hogi

KHamushi mein sada banate hue

the kahan aasman aur zamin

darmiyani KHala banate hue

kya kiya hoga itni miTTi ka

us ne aab-o-hawa banate hue

kis tarah ka tera taKHayyul tha

mujh ko mere bina banate hue

kya sawab-o-gunah the pesh-e-nazar

mujh ko achchha bura banate hue

der us ko zara nahin lagti

koi shai der-pa banate hue

main banane laga teri taswir

daf'atan ruk gaya banate hue

KHud-ba-KHud 'ishq ho gaya taKHliq

dil bana dil-ruba banate hue

rang kyon zard kar liya shamil

ek patta hara banate hue

diqqaten to uThani paDti hain

ek rasta naya banate hue

kitne sanpon ki parwarish ki hai

hum ne 'asim' 'asa banate hue