banñā thā to bantā na farishta na ḳhudā maiñ

insān hī bantā mirī takmīl to ye thī

banna tha to banta na farishta na KHuda main

insan hi banta meri takmil to ye thi

dhyān aayā mujhe raat kī tanhā-safarī kā

yak-dam koī saaya sā galī se nikal aayā

dhyan aaya mujhe raat ki tanha-safari ka

yak-dam koi saya sa gali se nikal aaya

jis tarah log ḳhasāre meñ bahut sochte haiñ

aaj kal ham tire baare meñ bahut sochte haiñ

jis tarah log KHasare mein bahut sochte hain

aaj kal hum tere bare mein bahut sochte hain

mirī ḳhaak us ne bikher dī sar-e-rah ġhubār banā diyā

maiñ jab aa sakā na shumār meñ mujhe be-shumār banā diyā

meri KHak us ne bikher di sar-e-rah ghubar bana diya

main jab aa saka na shumar mein mujhe be-shumar bana diya

vo bhī ro ro ke bujhā Daalā hai ab āñkhoñ ne

raushnī detā thā jo ek diyā andar se

wo bhi ro ro ke bujha Dala hai ab aankhon ne

raushni deta tha jo ek diya andar se