Arabic · proper noun · People & Roles
Ali
अली
said a-lee
also written: ali ibn abi talib, haider, murtaza, sher-e-khuda
Meaning
Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, the 'Lion of God' famed for valour, justice and wisdom; the emblem of the heroic, gnostic warrior-saint.
See it in the verse
Ali in Iqbal’s couplets
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
Khuda tujhe kisi toofan se aashna kar de
Ki tere bahr ki maujon mein iztirab nahin
Ki tere bahr ki maujon mein iztirab nahin
May God acquaint you with some storm — for the waves of your sea carry no restlessness in them.
Restlessness · Adversity
Patthar ki mooraton mein samjha hai tu Khuda hai
Khaak-e-watan ka mujh ko har zarra devta hai
Khaak-e-watan ka mujh ko har zarra devta hai
You have imagined that God dwells within stone idols — for me, every single speck of my homeland's dust is itself a deity.
Unity · Love
Na ho naumeed, naumeedi zawal-e-ilm-o-irfan hai
Umeed-e-mard-e-momin hai Khuda ke razdanon mein
Umeed-e-mard-e-momin hai Khuda ke razdanon mein
Do not despair — despair is the downfall of knowledge and insight. The hope of a person of conviction stands among those who know the deepest secrets.
Hope · Youth · Courage
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
Tu raaz-e-kun-fakan hai apni aankhon par ayan ho ja
Khudi ka raazdan ho ja, khuda ka tarjuman ho ja
Khudi ka raazdan ho ja, khuda ka tarjuman ho ja
You are the secret of creation — become visible to your own eyes. Become the confidant of your selfhood, the interpreter of the divine.
Self-Knowledge · Selfhood · Awakening
Related words
ARABIC
Haidar
'The Lion', an epithet of Ali ibn Abi Talib; evokes his unmatched courage in battle.
ARABIC
Najaf
The Iraqi holy city, burial place of Ali ibn Abi Talib; a revered site of pilgrimage and devotion.
ARABIC
Saqi-e-Kausar
The cup-bearer of the heavenly fountain of Kausar — by tradition Ali — who serves the blessed in paradise; emblem of the giver of the pure, sacred draught.
ARABIC
Husain
The younger grandson of the Prophet, martyred at Karbala, revered as a symbol of sacrifice against tyranny.