ishq ki rah mein mushkil kabhi aisi to na thi
be-qarari tujhe ai dil kabhi aisi to na thi

dastan-e-dil-e-bismil kabhi aisi to na thi
guftugu-e-lab-e-qatil kabhi aisi to na thi

aaj shayad kisi kashti ka yahan dam tuta
sogwari lab-e-sahil kabhi aisi to na thi

shakh-e-gul hai na nasheman gham-e-sayyaad alag
muzmahil jaan-e-anadil kabhi aisi to na thi

kuchh dikhai nahin deta hai andhere ke siwa
uf ye gard-e-rah-e-manzil kabhi aisi to na thi

aasman par hain nigahen na samundar ki taraf
qaum haalat se ghafil kabhi aisi to na thi

aaj har lafz tera kyon hai riya-kar-e-jahan
guftugu nazish-e-mahfil kabhi aisi to na thi

rukh-e-mahbub ki zulfon ka ghanera baadal
ye ghata pyar ke qabil kabhi aisi to na thi

mushkilen yun to ai 'mukhtar' bahut aai hain
han magar rah mein mushkil kabhi aisi to na thi