Couplets › Aspiration
From Zarb-e-Kalim, 1936 — 'Momin' · originally composed in Urdu
Aflak se hai is ki hareefana kashakash
Khaki hai magar khak se azad hai momin
Khaki hai magar khak se azad hai momin
“His struggle is a rivalry with the very heavens; made of dust, yet the man of faith is free of the dust.”
Romanहिन्दी
अफ़्लाक से है इस की हरीफ़ाना कशाकश
ख़ाकी है मगर ख़ाक से आज़ाद है मोमिन
ख़ाकी है मगर ख़ाक से आज़ाद है मोमिन
The couplet in Devanagari — it carries the authenticity of the original, and every Hindi reader can read it.
The Interpretation
The believer contends with the skies themselves — he will not accept given limits. Though formed from clay like everyone, he is not bound by his earthly origin. Iqbal's self refuses to be defined by where it came from.
For You, Today
You are made of ordinary stuff, but that need not cap what you reach for. Iqbal's figure wrestles with the heavens and refuses to be limited by his clay. Don't let your origins write your ceiling.
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
Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain
Abhi ishq ke imtihan aur bhi hain
Abhi ishq ke imtihan aur bhi hain
Beyond the stars there are worlds yet — there are still more trials of love to come.
Aspiration · Love · Restlessness
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