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خودی کو کر بلند اتنا کہ ہر تقدیر سے پہلے by Allama Iqbal — Analysis & Translation

2 min read Urdu

Original Poem

خودی کو کر بلند اتنا کہ ہر تقدیر سے پہلے خدا بندے سے خود پوچھے، بتا تیری رضا کیا ہے نہ ہو مایوس، اے دل! روشنی ہر سو ملے گی اگر تُو خود کو پہچانے، تو دنیا بھی جھکے گی

Translation (English)

Raise your self-esteem so high that before any fate God Himself asks you, what do you want? Don't be discouraged, dear heart! You'll find light everywhere If you understand yourself, the world will respect you too

About the Poet

Allama Iqbal (20th century)

Sir Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938) was an Islamic philosopher and poet, considered one of the greatest Urdu poets of the 20th century. His vision for the Muslims of British India played a significant role in the Pakistan Movement. He was born in Sialkot, studied in Europe, and is renowned for his poetic works like 'Asrar-e-Khudi' and 'Bang-e-Dara'.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Historical Context

Literary Form
Nazm
When Written
Early 20th century
Background
This poem reflects Iqbal's philosophy of self-realization and empowerment. He encourages individuals to elevate their self-worth and consciousness to such a level that they become active participants in shaping their destiny, rather than passive recipients of fate.

Sources: https://hamariweb.com/poetry/خودی-کو-کر-بلند-اتنا-کہ-ہر-تقدیر-سے-پہلے-pid113544/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Iqbal

Detailed Explanation

This poem by Allama Iqbal emphasizes the importance of self-realization and empowerment. The first couplet suggests that one should elevate their self-esteem and consciousness to such a level that even God would seek their opinion before determining their fate. It reflects the idea of taking control of one's destiny through self-awareness and personal growth. The second couplet advises against despair, promising that light and hope are omnipresent. It further encourages self-discovery, implying that once an individual truly understands their own potential, the world will recognize and respect them. Iqbal's message is one of optimism and self-empowerment, urging individuals to strive for greatness and self-knowledge.

Themes

  • Self-realization
  • Empowerment
  • Destiny
  • Optimism

Literary Devices

  • Metaphor: Elevating oneself to a level where God asks for one's desire.
  • Personification: The world bowing to an individual.
  • Imagery: Light found everywhere as a symbol of hope.
  • Repetition: Use of 'خود' to emphasize self-awareness.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
خودی خود شناسی self-awareness khudii
کو کے لئے to ko
کر کرو do kar
بلند اونچا high buland
اتنا اتنی حد تک so much itna
کہ تاکہ so that ke
ہر تمام every har
تقدیر قسمت destiny taqdeer
سے کے ذریعے from se
پہلے قبل before pehle
خدا اللہ God khuda
بندے انسان human bande
خود اپنے طور پر by oneself khud
پوچھے سوال کرے asks pooche
بتا کہو tell bata
تیری تمہاری your teri
رضا خواہش desire raza
کیا کیا ہے what is kya
ہے ہے exists hai
نہ مت do not na
ہو بن جاؤ be ho
مایوس ناامید disheartened mayus
اے اے hey ae
دل قلب heart dil
روشنی نور light roshni
سو طرف everywhere su
ملے حاصل ہو found mile
گی ہوگی will gi
اگر اگر supposing agar
تُو تم you tu
پہچانے سمجھے recognize pehchane
تو پھر then to
دنیا جہان world duniya
بھی بھی also bhi
جھکے جھک جائے bow jhuke

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