Arabic · noun · Selfhood & Will
Faqr
फ़क़्र
said faqr
also written: faqeeri, faqiri, faqeer, faqir
Meaning
Spiritual poverty; the dervish's chosen detachment from wealth and power.
Literally: “Poverty, need.”
How Iqbal uses it
Not destitution but a sovereign indifference to gold and crowns. The gaze of faqr makes the splendour of Alexander look like nothing; a beggar for tribute is no true king. Iqbal's faqr is wealth turned inside out — the freedom of a man who wants nothing the world can give or take.
See it in the verse
Faqr in Iqbal’s couplets
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
Mira tariq amiri nahin faqiri hai
Khudi na bech gharibi mein naam paida kar
Khudi na bech gharibi mein naam paida kar
My way is not wealth but faqr, the dervish's poverty. Do not sell your selfhood; make your name in poverty itself.
Selfhood · Humility · Courage
Faqir-e-rah ko bakhshe gae asrar-e-sultani
Baha meri nava ki daulat-e-parvez hai saqi
Baha meri nava ki daulat-e-parvez hai saqi
To the wayfaring beggar were granted the secrets of kingship; the price of my song is the whole treasure of Parvez.
Self-Knowledge · Humility · Selfhood