na jab koi sharik-e-zat hoga
mera ham-zad mere sath hoga

gharon ke band darwazon mein raushan
wahi ek zakhm-e-ehsasat hoga

na yun dahliz tak aao ki bahar
gali mein fitna-e-zarraat hoga

kurede jao yun hi rakh dil ki
kahin to shoala-e-jazbaat hoga

dariche yun to khul sakte nahin the
hawaon mein kisi ka hat hoga

kitabon mein milenge sher mere
mera gham raunaq-e-safhat hoga

yahi din mein dhalegi raat 'akhtar'
yahi din ka ujala raat hoga