Persian · noun · Poetry, Speech & Art
Ahl-e-zabaan
अहल-ए-ज़बान
said ahl-e-za-baan
also written: Ahl-e-zaban
Meaning
Native speakers; those whose mother tongue sets the standard of a language.
Literally: people of the tongue
How Iqbal uses it
Those who command idiomatic, authoritative usage of a language, the arbiters of correct speech.
See it in the verse
Ahl-e-zabaan in Iqbal’s couplets
Hai Ram ke vajood pe Hindostan ko naaz
Ahl-e-nazar samajhte hain us ko imam-e-Hind
Ahl-e-nazar samajhte hain us ko imam-e-Hind
India takes pride in the very existence of Ram; those of discerning sight regard him as the spiritual leader of India.
Unity
Hazar khauf ho lekin zaban ho dil ki rafiq
Yahi raha hai azal se qalandaron ka tariq
Yahi raha hai azal se qalandaron ka tariq
Let there be a thousand fears, yet let the tongue stay true to the heart; this has been the way of free spirits since the beginning of time.
Courage · Selfhood · Self-Knowledge
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