aks-e-ruKH-e-nigar hai jam-e-sharab mein

aks-e-ruḳh-e-nigār hai jām-e-sharāb meñ

hai āftāb jalva-numā āftāb meñ

kuchh to kamī ho roz-e-jazā ke azaab meñ

ab mai piyā kareñge milā kar gulāb meñ

mujh se na ab haqīqat-e-ta.abīr pūchhiye

vasl-e-sanam ke naqsh nazar aa.e ḳhvāb meñ

un kī bisāt-e-husn ne pāñsa palaT diyā

ḳhurshīd-o-mah ko maat milī āb-o-tāb meñ

kab tak tah-e-naqāb rahegī hayā-o-sharm

kab tak rahegā māh-o-hafta sahāb meñ

ruḳhsār-e-chashm-e-yār kī tasvīr dekhnā

nargis ke phuul bāñdh diye haiñ gulāb meñ

hai bostān-e-umr meñ do-roz kī bahār

duniyā ke imbisāt ko dekhā hai ḳhvāb meñ

jaltā huuñ maiñ bhī ahl-e-jahannam bhī haañ magar

vo kam haiñ aur maiñ huuñ ziyāda azaab meñ

'aḳhtar' ye pā-e-nāz par ab tak jhukā rahā

lekin ye sar ab jhuk gayā terī janāb meñ

aks-e-ruKH-e-nigar hai jam-e-sharab mein

hai aaftab jalwa-numa aaftab mein

kuchh to kami ho roz-e-jaza ke azab mein

ab mai piya karenge mila kar gulab mein

mujh se na ab haqiqat-e-tabir puchhiye

wasl-e-sanam ke naqsh nazar aae KHwab mein

un ki bisat-e-husn ne pansa palaT diya

KHurshid-o-mah ko mat mili aab-o-tab mein

kab tak tah-e-naqab rahegi haya-o-sharm

kab tak rahega mah-o-hafta sahab mein

ruKHsar-e-chashm-e-yar ki taswir dekhna

nargis ke phul bandh diye hain gulab mein

hai bostan-e-umr mein do-roz ki bahaar

duniya ke imbisat ko dekha hai KHwab mein

jalta hun main bhi ahl-e-jahannam bhi han magar

wo kam hain aur main hun ziyaada azab mein

'aKHtar' ye pa-e-naz par ab tak jhuka raha

lekin ye sar ab jhuk gaya teri janab mein