kab ashk-e-shab-e-hijr samundar na huā thā
haañ qatra-e-naisāñ abhī gauhar na huā thā

pur-nūr huā ḳhāna-e-dil un ke qadam se
is se kabhī pahle ye munavvar na huā thā

zulfeñ to sañvartī hī rahīñ bārhā lekin
ā.īna kabhī ruḳh ke barābar na huā thā

ham-zād kī sūrat rahī tā-umr asīrī
us se jo rahā honā muqaddar na huā thā

milnā thā na miltā hai sukūñ dahr meñ mujh ko
hāsil vo huā ab jo mayassar na huā thā

miltī hī kahāñ chhāñv mujhe vādī-e-ġham meñ
saaya bhī mirā qad ke barābar na huā thā

da.avā-e-suḳhan karnā to ik baat hai 'māhir'
ab tak koī shā.ir tirā ham-sar na huā thā

kab ashk-e-shab-e-hijr samundar na hua tha
han qatra-e-naisan abhi gauhar na hua tha

pur-nur hua KHana-e-dil un ke qadam se
is se kabhi pahle ye munawwar na hua tha

zulfen to sanwarti hi rahin barha lekin
aaina kabhi ruKH ke barabar na hua tha

ham-zad ki surat rahi ta-umr asiri
us se jo raha hona muqaddar na hua tha

milna tha na milta hai sukun dahr mein mujh ko
hasil wo hua ab jo mayassar na hua tha

milti hi kahan chhanw mujhe wadi-e-gham mein
saya bhi mera qad ke barabar na hua tha

dawa-e-suKHan karna to ek baat hai 'mahir'
ab tak koi shair tera ham-sar na hua tha