Persian · phrase · Character & Virtue
Faqr-e-Ghairat
फ़क़्र-ए-ग़ैरत
said faqr-e-ghai-rat
also written: faqr e ghairat, faqre ghairat
Meaning
Self-respecting poverty; Iqbal's dignified, spirited faqr that owns nothing yet bows to none.
Literally: faqr (spiritual poverty) + ghairat (self-respect, honour)
How Iqbal uses it
Iqbal redefines faqr not as begging destitution but as a kingly inner wealth joined to fierce self-honour.
See it in the verse
Faqr-e-Ghairat in Iqbal’s couplets
Khudi ho ilm se mohkam to ghairat-e-Jibril
Agar ho ishq se mohkam to soor-e-Israfil
Agar ho ishq se mohkam to soor-e-Israfil
A selfhood made firm by knowledge can rival the angel of revelation; a selfhood made firm by love can rival the trumpet that wakes the world.
Selfhood · Love · Action
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
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