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
Bante hain meri kaargah-e-fikr mein anjum
Le apne muqaddar ke sitare ko tu pehchan
Le apne muqaddar ke sitare ko tu pehchan
Stars are forged in the workshop of my thought — so come, recognise the star of your own destiny.
Selfhood · Aspiration · Action
Kyun ziyaankaar banun sood-faramosh rahun
Fikr-e-farda na karun mahv-e-gham-e-doosh rahun
Fikr-e-farda na karun mahv-e-gham-e-doosh rahun
Why should I make myself a loser, forgetful of all gain — give no thought to tomorrow and stay lost in yesterday's grief?
Restlessness · Courage · Awakening
Roz-e-hisab jab pesh ho mera daftar-e-amal
Aap bhi sharmsar ho mujh ko bhi sharmsar kar
Aap bhi sharmsar ho mujh ko bhi sharmsar kar
On the Day of Reckoning, when the ledger of my deeds is laid out, be Yourself abashed even as You make me ashamed.
Humility · Love · Courage
Mard-e-Khuda ka amal ishq se sahib-e-firogh
Ishq hai asl-e-hayat maut hai is par haraam
Ishq hai asl-e-hayat maut hai is par haraam
The deeds of the man of God shine with love; love is the essence of life, and death is forbidden to touch it.
Love · Aspiration · Action
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