ye to kahte hain shadman hote

ye to kahte haiñ shādmāñ hote

ġham na hotā to ham kahāñ hote

dil ko barbād kar diyā varna

apne qabze meñ do jahñ hote

be-navā.ī se apnī behtar thā

be-makāñ hote be-nishāñ hote

ek jalva hazār tāsīreñ

kis ke kis ke mizāj-dāñ hote

rañg-e-gulshan samajhne vaale kyuuñ

mutamannī āshiyāñ hote

ek hālat pe gar jahāñ rahtā

dil ke armāñ vabāl-e-jāñ hote

na mohabbat meñ jaan se jaate

na haqīqat ke rāzdāñ hote

thak ke baiThe haiñ jāda-e-ġham meñ

chalte rahte to ham kahāñ hote

baat bantī agar qafas vaale

ek dil hote ik zabāñ hote

parda-e-daustī meñ jo milte

ġham vo nā-qābil-e-bayāñ hote

kaash duniyā ko chāhne vaale

dil-e-'bismil' ke rāz-dāñ hote

ye to kahte hain shadman hote

gham na hota to hum kahan hote

dil ko barbaad kar diya warna

apne qabze mein do jahn hote

be-nawai se apni behtar tha

be-makan hote be-nishan hote

ek jalwa hazar tasiren

kis ke kis ke mizaj-dan hote

rang-e-gulshan samajhne wale kyun

mutamanni aashiyan hote

ek haalat pe gar jahan rahta

dil ke arman wabaal-e-jaan hote

na mohabbat mein jaan se jate

na haqiqat ke raazdan hote

thak ke baiThe hain jada-e-gham mein

chalte rahte to hum kahan hote

baat banti agar qafas wale

ek dil hote ek zaban hote

parda-e-dausti mein jo milte

gham wo na-qabil-e-bayan hote

kash duniya ko chahne wale

dil-e-'bismil' ke raaz-dan hote