zad-e-rah

tavīl raat ne āñkhoñ ko kar diyā be-nūr

kabhī jo 'aks-e-sahar thā sarāb niklā hai

samajhte aa.e the jis ko nishān manzil kā

fareb-ḳhurda nigāhoñ kā ḳhvāb niklā hai

thakan se chuur haiñ aage baḌheñ ki lauT aa.eñ

chhupe hue haiñ añdheroñ meñ vasvase kyā kyā

har ek ḳhizr pe rahzan kā shak guzartā hai

har āstīn meñ ḳhanjar dikhā.ī detā hai

pare saraktī hī jā.egī sub.h kī sarhad

hamārī jur.at-e-āġhāz bhuul thī shāyad

hamāre haath meñ ummīd kā charāġh nahīñ

ye vo charāġh thā jis par hamesha rakhte the

ham apne sang se aahan se 'azm kā saaya

vahī to thā dil-e-ḳhasta kā ek sarmāya

ḳhulūs aur yaqīñ se bhī haath dho baiThe

gaye haiñ aise ki ham e'tibār kho baiThe

tawil raat ne aankhon ko kar diya be-nur

kabhi jo 'aks-e-sahar tha sarab nikla hai

samajhte aae the jis ko nishan manzil ka

fareb-KHurda nigahon ka KHwab nikla hai

thakan se chur hain aage baDhen ki lauT aaen

chhupe hue hain andheron mein waswase kya kya

har ek KHizr pe rahzan ka shak guzarta hai

har aastin mein KHanjar dikhai deta hai

pare sarakti hi jaegi subh ki sarhad

hamari jurat-e-aghaz bhul thi shayad

hamare hath mein ummid ka charagh nahin

ye wo charagh tha jis par hamesha rakhte the

hum apne sang se aahan se 'azm ka saya

wahi to tha dil-e-KHasta ka ek sarmaya

KHulus aur yaqin se bhi hath dho baiThe

gaye hain aise ki hum e'tibar kho baiThe