Meaning
Glory, dignity, splendour, pomp; high quality or standing.
How Iqbal uses it
Often paired as shaan-o-shaukat for worldly magnificence; Iqbal contrasts the hollow shaan of empire with the inner dignity of faith.
See it in the verse
Shaan in Iqbal’s couplets
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
Moti samajh ke shan-e-kareemi ne chun liye
Qatre jo the mire araq-e-infial ke
Qatre jo the mire araq-e-infial ke
Mistaking them for pearls, a generous grace gathered up the drops that were only my sweat of shame.
Humility · Hope
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
Mata-e-be-baha hai dard-o-soz-e-arzumandi
Maqam-e-bandagi de kar na lun shan-e-khudawandi
Maqam-e-bandagi de kar na lun shan-e-khudawandi
The ache and fire of longing is a priceless treasure; I would not trade the striving of a seeker even for the splendour of a master.
Aspiration · Restlessness · Self-Knowledge