hum wahan arz-e-haal kya karte

ham vahāñ 'arz-e-hāl kyā karte

chup na rahte kamāl kyā karte

apnā ronā na ro sake ham to

aur kisī kā ḳhayāl kyā karte

shauq-e-vaslat hī miT gayā dil se

rābtoñ ko bahāl kyā karte

'ishq vahshat pahan ke niklā thā

terā husn-o-jamāl kyā karte

sunñe vaalā hī jab na thā koī

phir vahāñ qīl-o-qāl kyā karte

raqs jaarī thā nāznīnoñ kā

ye qalandar dhamāl kyā karte

ḳhvāhisheñ iḳhtiyār meñ kab thiiñ

ḳhvāhishoñ kā malāl kyā karte

chor sādhū meñ gāḌhī chhantī thī

phir vahāñ kotvāl kyā karte

jab muqaddar hī ghaat meñ thā phir

nīm-bismil ġhazāl kyā karte

terī tasvīr naqsh thī dil meñ

ham tire ḳhadd-o-ḳhāl kyā karte

raah takte guzar ga.e maañ baap

tere bheje riyāl kyā karte

jin ko roTī se fursateñ na milīñ

haq kī ḳhātir jidāl kyā karte

zindagī raas kab rahī 'arshad'

zindagī se savāl kyā karte

hum wahan 'arz-e-haal kya karte

chup na rahte kamal kya karte

apna rona na ro sake hum to

aur kisi ka KHayal kya karte

shauq-e-waslat hi miT gaya dil se

rabton ko bahaal kya karte

'ishq wahshat pahan ke nikla tha

tera husn-o-jamal kya karte

sunne wala hi jab na tha koi

phir wahan qil-o-qal kya karte

raqs jari tha nazninon ka

ye qalandar dhamal kya karte

KHwahishen iKHtiyar mein kab thin

KHwahishon ka malal kya karte

chor sadhu mein gaDhi chhanti thi

phir wahan kotwal kya karte

jab muqaddar hi ghat mein tha phir

nim-bismil ghazal kya karte

teri taswir naqsh thi dil mein

hum tere KHadd-o-KHal kya karte

rah takte guzar gae man bap

tere bheje riyal kya karte

jin ko roTi se fursaten na milin

haq ki KHatir jidal kya karte

zindagi ras kab rahi 'arshad'

zindagi se sawal kya karte