Persian · noun · Struggle & the Sword
Aazaad-mardi
आज़ादमर्दी
said aa-zaad-mar-dee
also written: Azad-mardi
Meaning
The spirit of the free man; manly independence and self-reliance.
Literally: free-manliness (azad + mardi)
How Iqbal uses it
A virtue Iqbal exalts: the upright independence of the free person who bows to no tyrant. The counterpoint to ghulami (slavery).
See it in the verse
Aazaad-mardi in Iqbal’s couplets
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.
Aspiration · Selfhood · Freedom
Khirad ko ghulami se azad kar
Jawanon ko peeron ka ustad kar
Jawanon ko peeron ka ustad kar
Free the intellect from slavery; make the young the teachers of the old.
Youth · Freedom · Awakening
Asar kare na kare, sun to le miri faryad
Nahin hai daad ka talib ye banda-e-azad
Nahin hai daad ka talib ye banda-e-azad
Whether it has an effect or not — at least hear my plea. This free soul is not asking for any applause.
Freedom · Courage · Selfhood
Tere azad bandon ki na ye duniya na wo duniya
yahan marne ki pabandi wahan jeene ki pabandi
yahan marne ki pabandi wahan jeene ki pabandi
Neither this world nor that one truly belongs to your free spirits — here there are restrictions on dying, there restrictions on living.
Freedom · Justice · Restlessness
Aazad mujh ko kar de o qaid karne wale
Main be-zaban hun qaidi tu chhod kar dua le
Main be-zaban hun qaidi tu chhod kar dua le
Set me free, you who keep me caged; I am a voiceless captive, release me and earn a blessing.
Freedom · Justice