na jab koi sharik-e-zat hoga
mira ham-zad mere saath hoga
gharon ke band darvazon men raushan
vahi ik zaḳhm-e-ehsasat hoga
na yuun dahliz tak aao ki bahar
gali men fitna-e-zarrat hoga
kurede jaao yuun hi raakh dil ki
kahin to sho.ala-e-jazbat hoga
dariche yuun to khul sakte nahin the
havaon men kisi ka haat hoga
kitabon men milenge sher mere
mira gham raunaq-e-safhat hoga
yahi din men dhalegi raat ‘aḳhtar’
yahi din ka ujala raat hoga