maKHfi tha ishq aaj magar aashkar hai

maḳhfī thā 'ishq aaj magar āshkār hai

ai dil-nashīñ kisī ko tirā intizār hai

kaise kaheñ ki bāġh-e-vafā ḳhār-dār hai

dekhā hai ham ne terī qasam lāla-zār hai

nādāñ hai dil lagī pe mirā dil nisār hai

haa.e sitam libās-e-badan taar taar hai

ruḳh par naqāb ḳhuub hai par kyā kareñ janāb

dīdār-e-husn-e-yār ko dil be-qarār hai

koshish to ham ne kī thī ki chāheñ na aap ko

dil par magar kisī kā kahāñ iḳhtiyār hai

mai muḳhtalif sabhī kī hai sāġhar bhī muḳhtalif

phir bhī har ek shaḳhs yahāñ bāda-ḳhvār hai

'aḳhtar' buland kar nahīñ saktī sadā-e-haq

vo qaum jis kī rūh-e-nazar dāġhdār hai

maKHfi tha 'ishq aaj magar aashkar hai

ai dil-nashin kisi ko tera intizar hai

kaise kahen ki bagh-e-wafa KHar-dar hai

dekha hai hum ne teri qasam lala-zar hai

nadan hai dil lagi pe mera dil nisar hai

hae sitam libas-e-badan tar tar hai

ruKH par naqab KHub hai par kya karen janab

didar-e-husn-e-yar ko dil be-qarar hai

koshish to hum ne ki thi ki chahen na aap ko

dil par magar kisi ka kahan iKHtiyar hai

mai muKHtalif sabhi ki hai saghar bhi muKHtalif

phir bhi har ek shaKHs yahan baada-KHwar hai

'aKHtar' buland kar nahin sakti sada-e-haq

wo qaum jis ki ruh-e-nazar daghdar hai