Couplets › Courage
From Bal-e-Jibril, 1935 · originally composed in Urdu
Allah ke ko aati nahin
“The code of the brave is to speak the truth and to be fearless — the lions of God do not know the ways of the fox.”
Romanहिन्दीاردو
अल्लाह के शेरों को आती नहीं
The couplet in Devanagari — it carries the authenticity of the original, and every Hindi reader can read it.
آئین جواں مرداں حق گوئی و بیباکی
اللہ کے شیروں کو آتی نہیں روباہی
اللہ کے شیروں کو آتی نہیں روباہی
The couplet as Iqbal wrote it, in Urdu (Nastaliq).
♪ Hear the coupletA recitation in a synthesized voice.
The Interpretation
Iqbal sets the bravery he admires against cunning. The truly valiant person has one method: say what is true, plainly and without fear. The fox's craft — manoeuvre, evasion, cleverness — is simply not part of the lion's repertoire.
For You, Today
When a situation tempts you toward cleverness and evasion, Iqbal offers a cleaner standard: the brave speak the truth and do not flinch. Cunning may win the moment, but it is not the way of the lion.
In the same spirit
Khudi ko kar buland itna ki har taqdeer se pehle
Khuda bande se khud pooche, bata teri raza kya hai
Khuda bande se khud pooche, bata teri raza kya hai
Raise your selfhood so high that, before issuing every decree of destiny, God Himself asks you: tell me, what is your wish?
Selfhood · Courage
Nahin tera nasheman qasr-e-sultani ke gumbad par
Tu shaheen hai, basera kar paharon ki chattanon mein
Tu shaheen hai, basera kar paharon ki chattanon mein
Your nest is not on the dome of a royal palace. You are a falcon — make your dwelling on the rocks of the mountains.
The Falcon · Freedom · Courage
Apne mann mein doob kar pa ja suragh-e-zindagi
Tu agar mera nahin banta na ban, apna to ban
Tu agar mera nahin banta na ban, apna to ban
Dive into your own self and find the trace of life. If you will not be mine, then do not — but at least become your own.
Selfhood · Self-Knowledge