Meaning
Magnificent, grand, splendid, majestic.
See it in the verse
Aali-shaan in Iqbal’s couplets
Har lehza hai momin ki nayi shaan nayi aan
Guftar mein kirdar mein Allah ki burhan
Guftar mein kirdar mein Allah ki burhan
Every moment the man of faith wears a new splendour, a new grace; in his speech and in his character, he is the proof of God.
Selfhood · Action · Awakening
Nigah-e-faqr mein shaan-e-sikandari kya hai
Khiraaj ki jo gada ho wo qaisari kya hai
Khiraaj ki jo gada ho wo qaisari kya hai
In the eyes of true inner wealth, what is the grandeur of an Alexander? What is an emperor who must beg for tribute?
Freedom · Selfhood · Humility
Moti samajh ke shan-e-kareemi ne chun liye
Qatre jo the mire araq-e-infial ke
Qatre jo the mire araq-e-infial ke
Mistaking them for pearls, a generous grace gathered up the drops that were only my sweat of shame.
Humility · Hope
Nigah-e-faqr mein shan-e-sikandari kya hai
Khiraj ki jo gada ho wo qaisari kya hai
Khiraj ki jo gada ho wo qaisari kya hai
In the eyes of a free spirit, what is the splendour of an Alexander? An empire that begs for tribute is no empire at all.
Selfhood · Freedom · Self-Knowledge
Mata-e-be-baha hai dard-o-soz-e-arzumandi
Maqam-e-bandagi de kar na lun shan-e-khudawandi
Maqam-e-bandagi de kar na lun shan-e-khudawandi
The ache and fire of longing is a priceless treasure; I would not trade the striving of a seeker even for the splendour of a master.
Aspiration · Restlessness · Self-Knowledge