tū agar ġhair hai nazdīk-e-rag-e-jāñ kyuuñ hai
nā-shanāsā hai to phir mahram-e-pinhāñ kyuuñ hai

hijr ke daur meñ har daur ko shāmil kar leñ
is meñ shāmil yahī ik umr-e-gurezāñ kyuuñ hai

aaj kī shab to bujhā rakkhe haiñ yādoñ ke charāġh
aaj kī shab mirī palkoñ pe charāġhāñ kyuuñ hai

aur bhī log haiñ maujūd bayābānoñ meñ
dast-e-vahshat meñ faqat merā girebāñ kyuuñ hai

dil to muddat se kaḌī dhuup meñ jaltā hai 'zahīr'
aag barsātā huā abr-e-bahārāñ kyuuñ hai

tu agar ghair hai nazdik-e-rag-e-jaan kyun hai
na-shanasa hai to phir mahram-e-pinhan kyun hai

hijr ke daur mein har daur ko shamil kar len
is mein shamil yahi ek umr-e-gurezan kyun hai

aaj ki shab to bujha rakkhe hain yaadon ke charagh
aaj ki shab meri palkon pe charaghan kyun hai

aur bhi log hain maujud bayabanon mein
dast-e-wahshat mein faqat mera gireban kyun hai

dil to muddat se kaDi dhup mein jalta hai 'zahir'
aag barsata hua abr-e-bahaaran kyun hai