Persian · noun · Nation, Faith & Society
Raahi
राही
said RAA-hee
also written: rahi, raahee
Meaning
A traveller, wayfarer or passer-by.
Literally: one of the road
See it in the verse
Raahi in Iqbal’s couplets
Ye kaenat abhi na-tamam hai shayad
Ki aa rahi hai damadam sada-e-kun-fayakun
Ki aa rahi hai damadam sada-e-kun-fayakun
This universe is, perhaps, still unfinished — for the call of 'Be, and it is' keeps sounding, moment after moment.
Hope · Aspiration · Action
Har shai musafir har cheez raahi
Kya chand tare kya murgh o maahi
Kya chand tare kya murgh o maahi
Every thing is a traveller, every object a wayfarer — whether the moon and stars, or the birds and the fish.
Restlessness · Action · Unity
Kabhi chhodi hui manzil bhi yaad aati hai rahi ko
Khatak si hai jo sine mein gham-e-manzil na ban jae
Khatak si hai jo sine mein gham-e-manzil na ban jae
Sometimes the traveller remembers even the destination he left behind; I fear this faint ache in my chest may grow into grief for a settled place.
Restlessness · Aspiration
Puchh us se ki maqbul hai fitrat ki gawahi
Tu sahib-e-manzil hai ki bhatka hua rahi
Tu sahib-e-manzil hai ki bhatka hua rahi
Ask nature, for its testimony is accepted: are you the master of your destination, or a traveller who has lost his way?
Self-Knowledge · Aspiration · Awakening
Teri zindagi isi se teri aabru isi se
Jo rahi khudi to shahi na rahi to ru-siyahi
Jo rahi khudi to shahi na rahi to ru-siyahi
Your life depends on this, your honour depends on this: if selfhood remains you reign like a king, if it is lost only disgrace remains.
Selfhood · Courage · Self-Knowledge