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Allama Iqbal

1877 - 1938 | Lahore, Pakistan

One of the greatest Urdu poets, the national poet of Pakistan, who penned 'Saare jahaan se achha Hindostaan hamara' and 'Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri'.

One of the greatest Urdu poets, the national poet of Pakistan, who penned 'Saare jahaan se achha Hindostaan hamara' and 'Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri'.

TOP 20 SHAYARI of Allama Iqbal

maanā ki terī diid ke qābil nahīñ huuñ maiñ

merā shauq dekh mirā intizār dekh

agreed I am not worthy of your vision divine

behold my zeal, my passion see how I wait and pine

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The speaker admits unworthiness before the beloved, showing humility rather than complaint. Yet he presents his intense desire and steadfast waiting as his real “qualification.” The couplet turns worthiness into an emotional measure: sincerity, persistence, and love itself become the proof. Its core feeling is hopeful, aching devotion that refuses to fade.

mana ki teri did ke qabil nahin hun main

tu mera shauq dekh mera intizar dekh

agreed I am not worthy of your vision divine

behold my zeal, my passion see how I wait and pine

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The speaker admits unworthiness before the beloved, showing humility rather than complaint. Yet he presents his intense desire and steadfast waiting as his real “qualification.” The couplet turns worthiness into an emotional measure: sincerity, persistence, and love itself become the proof. Its core feeling is hopeful, aching devotion that refuses to fade.

ḳhudī ko kar buland itnā ki har taqdīr se pahle

ḳhudā bande se ḳhud pūchhe batā terī razā kyā hai

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet urges inner elevation—strengthening character, will, and moral self—until one is no longer passive before destiny. “Selfhood” is a metaphor for a disciplined, awakened self that acts with purpose. The striking image of God asking the servant highlights the dignity of human agency when aligned with higher values. Emotionally, it is a call to confidence, effort, and responsible choice.

KHudi ko kar buland itna ki har taqdir se pahle

KHuda bande se KHud puchhe bata teri raza kya hai

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet urges inner elevation—strengthening character, will, and moral self—until one is no longer passive before destiny. “Selfhood” is a metaphor for a disciplined, awakened self that acts with purpose. The striking image of God asking the servant highlights the dignity of human agency when aligned with higher values. Emotionally, it is a call to confidence, effort, and responsible choice.

hazāroñ saal nargis apnī be-nūrī pe rotī hai

baḌī mushkil se hotā hai chaman meñ dīda-var paidā

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The poet uses the narcissus—often imagined as an eye—to symbolize a world that longs for true sight. Its “lack of light” suggests spiritual or intellectual blindness and a persistent yearning to see clearly. The “garden” stands for society, where a genuine seer—someone with insight and guidance—emerges only rarely. The emotional core is both lament for blindness and hope for the arrival of real vision.

hazaron sal nargis apni be-nuri pe roti hai

baDi mushkil se hota hai chaman mein dida-war paida

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The poet uses the narcissus—often imagined as an eye—to symbolize a world that longs for true sight. Its “lack of light” suggests spiritual or intellectual blindness and a persistent yearning to see clearly. The “garden” stands for society, where a genuine seer—someone with insight and guidance—emerges only rarely. The emotional core is both lament for blindness and hope for the arrival of real vision.

shāhīñ hai parvāz hai kaam terā

tire sāmne āsmāñ aur bhī haiñ

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The falcon symbolizes a courageous, self-reliant spirit whose nature is upward flight, not settling. The poet urges the listener to reject complacency and keep expanding their limits. “More skies” becomes a metaphor for endless possibilities and higher goals. The emotional core is hope mixed with a disciplined call to strive.

tu shahin hai parwaz hai kaam tera

tere samne aasman aur bhi hain

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The falcon symbolizes a courageous, self-reliant spirit whose nature is upward flight, not settling. The poet urges the listener to reject complacency and keep expanding their limits. “More skies” becomes a metaphor for endless possibilities and higher goals. The emotional core is hope mixed with a disciplined call to strive.

sitāroñ se aage jahāñ aur bhī haiñ

abhī ishq ke imtihāñ aur bhī haiñ

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet urges the seeker not to stop at visible limits: even the farthest “stars” are not the end. “Worlds beyond” symbolizes higher goals and deeper truths still to be reached. The second line frames love as a journey of continual testing—each stage brings new challenges. Emotionally, it blends hope with resolve: keep moving forward, keep proving your love.

sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain

abhi ishq ke imtihan aur bhi hain

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet urges the seeker not to stop at visible limits: even the farthest “stars” are not the end. “Worlds beyond” symbolizes higher goals and deeper truths still to be reached. The second line frames love as a journey of continual testing—each stage brings new challenges. Emotionally, it blends hope with resolve: keep moving forward, keep proving your love.

apne man meñ Duub kar surāġh-e-zindagī

agar merā nahīñ bantā na ban apnā to ban

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet urges deep self-exploration: the “clue of life” is not outside, but within one’s own consciousness. The speaker refuses shallow dependence and asks for inner sovereignty—if you can’t be mine, don’t be anyone’s tool. The emotional core is a call to awaken selfhood and live with purpose. Freedom here means becoming truly oneself.

apne man mein Dub kar pa ja suragh-e-zindagi

tu agar mera nahin banta na ban apna to ban

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet urges deep self-exploration: the “clue of life” is not outside, but within one’s own consciousness. The speaker refuses shallow dependence and asks for inner sovereignty—if you can’t be mine, don’t be anyone’s tool. The emotional core is a call to awaken selfhood and live with purpose. Freedom here means becoming truly oneself.

tire ishq intihā chāhtā huuñ

mirī sādgī dekh kyā chāhtā huuñ

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The speaker’s desire is absolute: not a portion of love, but its final height. In the second line he recognizes, with a tender irony, how naïve and audacious this wish is. “Intihā” becomes a metaphor for total union or complete fulfillment, while “sādgi” admits human limitation. The emotion is a mix of longing, devotion, and self-aware humility.

tere ishq ki intiha chahta hun

meri sadgi dekh kya chahta hun

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The speaker’s desire is absolute: not a portion of love, but its final height. In the second line he recognizes, with a tender irony, how naïve and audacious this wish is. “Intihā” becomes a metaphor for total union or complete fulfillment, while “sādgi” admits human limitation. The emotion is a mix of longing, devotion, and self-aware humility.

dil se jo baat nikaltī hai asar rakhtī hai

par nahīñ tāqat-e-parvāz magar rakhtī hai

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

Iqbal says sincere speech has its own force: when words arise from the heart, they move others and change realities. The “wingless flight” is a metaphor for influence without outward means—no status, no rhetoric, no resources. The emotional core is faith in inner truth: genuine feeling can rise and reach far on its own.

dil se jo baat nikalti hai asar rakhti hai

par nahin taqat-e-parwaz magar rakhti hai

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

Iqbal says sincere speech has its own force: when words arise from the heart, they move others and change realities. The “wingless flight” is a metaphor for influence without outward means—no status, no rhetoric, no resources. The emotional core is faith in inner truth: genuine feeling can rise and reach far on its own.

nasha pilā ke girānā to sab ko aatā hai

mazā to jab hai ki girtoñ ko thaam le saaqī

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet contrasts easy cruelty with difficult kindness. Intoxication stands for any temptation or influence that weakens a person, and the “saqi” symbolizes the one with power to give or withhold. The poet says it’s common to push people into a downfall; true greatness is to take responsibility and support them at their weakest.

nasha pila ke girana to sab ko aata hai

maza to jab hai ki girton ko tham le saqi

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet contrasts easy cruelty with difficult kindness. Intoxication stands for any temptation or influence that weakens a person, and the “saqi” symbolizes the one with power to give or withhold. The poet says it’s common to push people into a downfall; true greatness is to take responsibility and support them at their weakest.

achchhā hai dil ke saath rahe pāsbān-e-aql

lekin kabhī kabhī ise tanhā bhī chhoḌ de

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet advises a balance between intellect and feeling. Reason is pictured as a “guard” that can protect the heart from mistakes, yet constant policing can also suffocate love, courage, and spontaneity. At times, one must trust the heart’s own instinct and let it act without overthinking.

achchha hai dil ke sath rahe pasban-e-aql

lekin kabhi kabhi ise tanha bhi chhoD de

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet advises a balance between intellect and feeling. Reason is pictured as a “guard” that can protect the heart from mistakes, yet constant policing can also suffocate love, courage, and spontaneity. At times, one must trust the heart’s own instinct and let it act without overthinking.

jis khet se dahqāñ ko mayassar nahīñ rozī

us khet ke har ḳhosha-e-gandum ko jalā do

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet argues that production without the producer’s share is morally illegitimate. The “field” stands for an economic system where the peasant toils yet remains hungry, while others profit. “Burning the wheat” is a metaphor for rejecting and dismantling such unjust arrangements, even if it means destroying the visible yield. The emotional core is fierce demand for justice and human dignity.

jis khet se dahqan ko mayassar nahin rozi

us khet ke har KHosha-e-gandum ko jala do

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet argues that production without the producer’s share is morally illegitimate. The “field” stands for an economic system where the peasant toils yet remains hungry, while others profit. “Burning the wheat” is a metaphor for rejecting and dismantling such unjust arrangements, even if it means destroying the visible yield. The emotional core is fierce demand for justice and human dignity.

yaqīñ mohkam amal paiham mohabbat fātah-e-ālam

jihād-e-zindagānī meñ haiñ ye mardoñ shamshīreñ

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

Allama Iqbal presents inner qualities as real weapons: unwavering faith, steady action, and transformative love. The “jihad of life” is the constant moral and practical struggle a person faces. Victory is not through steel, but through character and sustained effort. The couplet stirs courage by turning virtues into a warrior’s arms.

yaqin mohkam amal paiham mohabbat fatah-e-alam

jihad-e-zindagani mein hain ye mardon ki shamshiren

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

Allama Iqbal presents inner qualities as real weapons: unwavering faith, steady action, and transformative love. The “jihad of life” is the constant moral and practical struggle a person faces. Victory is not through steel, but through character and sustained effort. The couplet stirs courage by turning virtues into a warrior’s arms.

bāġh-e-bahisht se mujhe hukm-e-safar diyā thā kyuuñ

kār-e-jahāñ darāz hai ab mirā intizār kar

Why did you bid me leave from paradise for now

My work is yet unfinished here so you wil have to wait

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The speaker questions the reason for being sent away from a state of bliss, as if exiled from Paradise into worldly life. “Journey” becomes a metaphor for the human mission and struggle on earth. In the second line, he consoles the beloved/Paradise/God: his task in the world is lengthy, but he will return—so he asks for patience. The emotional core is homesickness joined with resolve to fulfill a duty before reunion.

bagh-e-bahisht se mujhe hukm-e-safar diya tha kyun

kar-e-jahan daraaz hai ab mera intizar kar

Why did you bid me leave from paradise for now

My work is yet unfinished here so you wil have to wait

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The speaker questions the reason for being sent away from a state of bliss, as if exiled from Paradise into worldly life. “Journey” becomes a metaphor for the human mission and struggle on earth. In the second line, he consoles the beloved/Paradise/God: his task in the world is lengthy, but he will return—so he asks for patience. The emotional core is homesickness joined with resolve to fulfill a duty before reunion.

urūj-e-ādam-e-ḳhākī se anjum sahme jaate haiñ

ki ye TuuTā huā taarā mah-e-kāmil na ban jaa.e

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

Iqbal portrays the human being—made of dust—as a “fallen/broken star” whose ascent unsettles the heavens themselves. The stars symbolize established cosmic ranks and fixed limits, now anxious before human growth. The “perfect moon” stands for complete radiance and fulfillment: a transformation from seeming weakness into mastery. The couplet celebrates limitless human potential and the power of self-making that can surpass old hierarchies.

uruj-e-adam-e-KHaki se anjum sahme jate hain

ki ye TuTa hua tara mah-e-kaamil na ban jae

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

Iqbal portrays the human being—made of dust—as a “fallen/broken star” whose ascent unsettles the heavens themselves. The stars symbolize established cosmic ranks and fixed limits, now anxious before human growth. The “perfect moon” stands for complete radiance and fulfillment: a transformation from seeming weakness into mastery. The couplet celebrates limitless human potential and the power of self-making that can surpass old hierarchies.

ne ye kyā ġhazab kiyā mujh ko bhī faash kar diyā

maiñ to ek raaz thā sīna-e-kā.enāt meñ

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The speaker addresses a “you” who has revealed what should have remained concealed. Calling himself a “secret in the bosom of the cosmos,” he suggests an inner, precious essence—selfhood or spiritual truth—meant for intimate keeping. The pain comes from sudden exposure: what gave him uniqueness and depth is now laid bare. The couplet turns unveiling into a kind of cruelty, where disclosure feels like loss.

tu ne ye kya ghazab kiya mujh ko bhi fash kar diya

main hi to ek raaz tha sina-e-kaenat mein

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The speaker addresses a “you” who has revealed what should have remained concealed. Calling himself a “secret in the bosom of the cosmos,” he suggests an inner, precious essence—selfhood or spiritual truth—meant for intimate keeping. The pain comes from sudden exposure: what gave him uniqueness and depth is now laid bare. The couplet turns unveiling into a kind of cruelty, where disclosure feels like loss.

na pūchho mujh se lazzat ḳhānamāñ-barbād rahne

nasheman saikḌoñ maiñ ne banā kar phūñk Daale haiñ

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The speaker claims an unsettling joy in being “house-destroyed,” meaning refusing settled comfort. The “nest” symbolizes home, security, and attachment; burning it is a deliberate act of breaking one’s own bonds. Emotionally, it conveys fierce restlessness and a chosen homelessness—preferring freedom and onward flight over stability.

na puchho mujh se lazzat KHanaman-barbaad rahne ki

nasheman saikDon main ne bana kar phunk Dale hain

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The speaker claims an unsettling joy in being “house-destroyed,” meaning refusing settled comfort. The “nest” symbolizes home, security, and attachment; burning it is a deliberate act of breaking one’s own bonds. Emotionally, it conveys fierce restlessness and a chosen homelessness—preferring freedom and onward flight over stability.

anokhī vaz.a hai saare zamāne se nirāle haiñ

ye āshiq kaun bastī ke yā-rab rahne vaale haiñ

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet marvels at the lovers’ distinct way of living and feeling, as if they belong to a different world altogether. Their “unusual style” suggests a love that refuses common rules and social norms. The poet’s question to God turns this difference into a metaphor for a higher, almost spiritual homeland of true love. Emotionally, it carries awe and admiration for love’s radical otherness.

anokhi waza hai sare zamane se nirale hain

ye aashiq kaun si basti ke ya-rab rahne wale hain

Interpretation: Rekhta AI

The couplet marvels at the lovers’ distinct way of living and feeling, as if they belong to a different world altogether. Their “unusual style” suggests a love that refuses common rules and social norms. The poet’s question to God turns this difference into a metaphor for a higher, almost spiritual homeland of true love. Emotionally, it carries awe and admiration for love’s radical otherness.

Recitation

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