Meaning
Thought and action; reflection joined to deed, a recurring Iqbalian pair.
Literally: lit. thought and action
How Iqbal uses it
A keynote of Iqbal's philosophy of the self (khudi), which insists that contemplation must issue in dynamic action.
See it in the verse
Fikr-o-Amal in Iqbal’s couplets
Amal se zindagi banti hai jannat bhi jahannum bhi
Ye khaki apni fitrat mein na noori hai na naari hai
Ye khaki apni fitrat mein na noori hai na naari hai
By our deeds we make life a heaven or a hell. This creature of dust is, by nature, neither angel of light nor demon of fire.
Action · Courage
Watan ki fikr kar nadaan, museebat aane wali hai
Teri barbadiyon ke mashware hain aasmanon mein
Teri barbadiyon ke mashware hain aasmanon mein
Think of your homeland, you fool — calamity is on its way; the plans for your ruin are already being drawn up in the skies.
Awakening · Courage
Yaqeen muhkam, amal paiham, mohabbat fateh-e-aalam
Jihad-e-zindagani mein hain ye mardon ki shamsheeren
Jihad-e-zindagani mein hain ye mardon ki shamsheeren
Firm conviction, ceaseless action, and a love that conquers the world — these are the swords of the brave in the struggle of life.
Action · Love · Courage
Khirad-mandon se kya poochun ki meri ibtida kya hai
Ki main is fikr mein rahta hoon, meri inteha kya hai
Ki main is fikr mein rahta hoon, meri inteha kya hai
Why should I ask the wise where I began? The question that occupies me is: what is the end I am headed toward?
Self-Knowledge · Aspiration · Selfhood
Aql ko tanqeed se fursat nahin
Ishq par aamaal ki buniyaad rakh
Ishq par aamaal ki buniyaad rakh
Reason never finds a free moment away from criticism — so build your deeds on the foundation of love.
Action · Love
Agar kaj-rau hain anjum aasman tera hai ya mera
Mujhe fikr-e-jahan kyun ho jahan tera hai ya mera
Mujhe fikr-e-jahan kyun ho jahan tera hai ya mera
If the stars run crooked, is the sky yours or mine? Why should I fret over the world, when the world is yours and not my charge.
Selfhood · Freedom · Courage