jalwa be-maya sa tha chashm-o-nazar se pahle
zist ek hadsa thi qalb-o-jigar se pahle

husn ke soz-e-numaish ka hai inam-e-hayat
waqt bhi waqt na tha shams-o-qamar se pahle

wahi utri dil-e-betab ki tashkil ke baad
ishq tamir hua ilm-o-hunar se pahle

ain firdaus mein jal uttha tha aadam ka shabab
aag barsi thi yahin dida-e-tar se pahle

phir kahin dil ke siwa un ko aman hi na mili
but nikale gae allah ke ghar se pahle

zindagi mazra-e-taklif-o-sukun hai 'afzal'
sham ugti hai yahan nur-e-sahar se pahle