pahle bantī hī na thī baat so ab bantī hai
āj-kal un ke tasavvur se ġhazab bantī hai

chaliye chal kar kahīñ DhūñDe koī ujḌī huī raat
apnī in chāñd sitāroñ se to kab bantī hai

nafs jab ruuh pe haavī ho to phir vahshat meñ
tishnagī dekhiye qurbat kā sabab bantī hai

surma.ī shaam meñ sūraj kā lahū mil jaa.e
tab kahīñ jā ke mirī jaan ye shab bantī hai

phir sambhāle na sambhaltī hai agar bigḌe to
aur bigāḌe na bigaḌtī hai ki jab bantī hai

pahle pahle to kisī khel sī lagtī hai magar
sar pe chaḌh jaa.e mohabbat to talab bantī hai

āshiqī had se guzartī hai tabhī jā ke 'shahāb'
qais-o-farhād kā rāñjhe kā laqab bantī hai

pahle banti hi na thi baat so ab banti hai
aaj-kal un ke tasawwur se ghazab banti hai

chaliye chal kar kahin DhunDe koi ujDi hui raat
apni in chand sitaron se to kab banti hai

nafs jab ruh pe hawi ho to phir wahshat mein
tishnagi dekhiye qurbat ka sabab banti hai

surmai sham mein suraj ka lahu mil jae
tab kahin ja ke meri jaan ye shab banti hai

phir sambhaale na sambhalti hai agar bigDe to
aur bigaDe na bigaDti hai ki jab banti hai

pahle pahle to kisi khel si lagti hai magar
sar pe chaDh jae mohabbat to talab banti hai

aashiqi had se guzarti hai tabhi ja ke 'shahab'
qais-o-farhad ka ranjhe ka laqab banti hai