Persian · noun · Poetry, Speech & Art
Sho'la-Nawai
शोला-नवाई
said SHO-laa-na-VAA-ee
also written: Shola Nawai,Shola-Navai
Meaning
Fiery, impassioned utterance — verse that 'sings flame', full of ardour and rousing power.
Literally: flame-singing
How Iqbal uses it
The phrase suits Iqbal's own rousing, fiery style, which seeks to kindle the self and the community.
See it in the verse
Sho'la-Nawai in Iqbal’s couplets
Khudi ko na de seem-o-zar ke ewaz
Nahin shola dete sharar ke ewaz
Nahin shola dete sharar ke ewaz
Do not trade away your selfhood for silver and gold — no one hands over a blazing flame in exchange for a mere spark.
Selfhood · Freedom · Courage
Ye aql o dil hain sharar shola-e-mohabbat ke
Wo khar-o-khas ke liye hai ye nistan ke liye
Wo khar-o-khas ke liye hai ye nistan ke liye
Both intellect and heart are sparks of the flame of love — one is meant for thorns and straw, the other for a whole reed-bed.
Love · Self-Knowledge · Action