aag ke saath hī paanī bhī baham rakhnā thā
dil meñ thā ishq to āñkhoñ ko bhī nam rakhnā thā

mujh ko mālūm thā badlī huī rut kā anjām
phir bhī be-tāb umañgoñ kā bharam rakhnā thā

ab kahāñ dil kī talab aql se ho kuchh imdād
ik zarā soch ke pahlā hī qadam rakhnā thā

un se ummīd na rakhtā maiñ vafā kī kaise
dast-e-ulfat meñ mohabbat kā ilm rakhnā thā

shiddat-e-ishq meñ karnā thā izāfa 'rāġhib'
aur betābī-e-jazbāt ko kam rakhnā thā

aag ke sath hi pani bhi baham rakhna tha
dil mein tha ishq to aankhon ko bhi nam rakhna tha

mujh ko malum tha badli hui rut ka anjam
phir bhi be-tab umangon ka bharam rakhna tha

ab kahan dil ki talab aql se ho kuchh imdad
ek zara soch ke pahla hi qadam rakhna tha

un se ummid na rakhta main wafa ki kaise
dast-e-ulfat mein mohabbat ka ilm rakhna tha

shiddat-e-ishq mein karna tha izafa 'raghib'
aur betabi-e-jazbaat ko kam rakhna tha