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جب عشق سکھاتا ہے آداب خود آگاہی by Allama Iqbal — Analysis & Translation

2 min read Urdu

Original Poem

جب عشق سکھاتا ہے آداب خود آگاہی کھلتے ہیں غلاموں پر اسرار شہنشاہی عطارؔ ہو رومیؔ ہو رازیؔ ہو غزالیؔ ہو کچھ ہاتھ نہیں آتا بے آہ سحرگاہی نومید نہ ہو ان سے اے رہبر فرزانہ کم کوش تو ہیں لیکن بے ذوق نہیں راہی اے طائر لاہوتی اس رزق سے موت اچھی جس رزق سے آتی ہو پرواز میں کوتاہی دارا و سکندر سے وہ مرد فقیر اولیٰ ہو جس کی فقیری میں بوئے اسد اللہٰی آئین جواں مرداں حق گوئی و بیباکی اللہ کے شیروں کو آتی نہیں روباہی علامہ اقبال✨❤️

Translation (English)

When love teaches the ways of self-awareness The secrets of kingship are revealed to the servants Whether it be Attar, Rumi, Razi, or Ghazali Nothing is gained without the morning sigh Do not lose hope in them, O wise leader They are not hardworking, but they are not without passion O heavenly bird, death is better than the food Which hinders your flight Better than Dara and Sikandar is that poor man In whose poverty there is the scent of the Lion of Allah The code of the brave is truthfulness and fearlessness The lions of Allah do not know deceit Allama Iqbal

About the Poet

Allama Iqbal (20th century)

Sir Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938) was an Islamic philosopher and poet, regarded as the national poet of Pakistan. His vision of a separate homeland for Muslims in British India inspired the Pakistan Movement. He is considered one of the most influential Muslim thinkers of the 20th century.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Historical Context

Literary Form
Ghazal
When Written
Early 20th century
Background
The poem reflects Iqbal's philosophy of self-awareness, spiritual awakening, and the revival of Islamic values. It emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and spiritual growth over material wealth.

Sources: https://www.rekhta.org/ghazals/jab-ishq-sikhaataa-hai-aadaab-e-khud-aagaahii-allama-iqbal-ghazals?lang=ur, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Iqbal

Detailed Explanation

This ghazal by Allama Iqbal explores themes of self-awareness, spiritual enlightenment, and the rejection of materialism. The opening lines suggest that true understanding and self-awareness come through love, which reveals the hidden truths of power and leadership even to those who are seemingly powerless. The poem references historical and spiritual figures like Attar, Rumi, Razi, and Ghazali, emphasizing that spiritual insight and success require dedication and sacrifice, symbolized by the 'morning sigh.' Iqbal encourages perseverance and warns against despair, highlighting that while some may lack diligence, they are not devoid of passion or potential. The poem contrasts the transient nature of worldly power, represented by historical conquerors like Dara and Sikandar, with the enduring spiritual richness of a humble person who embodies divine qualities. The final lines advocate for truthfulness and courage, qualities that define the 'lions of Allah,' who are immune to deceit and cunning. Through this poem, Iqbal calls for a revival of spiritual values and self-awareness as the true path to greatness.

Themes

  • Self-awareness
  • Spiritual enlightenment
  • Rejection of materialism
  • Courage and truthfulness

Literary Devices

  • Metaphor: Love as a teacher of self-awareness.
  • Allusion: References to historical figures like Attar, Rumi, Razi, and Ghazali.
  • Contrast: Between worldly power (Dara and Sikandar) and spiritual richness (poor man).
  • Symbolism: The morning sigh as a symbol of spiritual dedication.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
جب جبکہ when jab
عشق محبت love ishq
سکھاتا پڑھاتا teaches sikhaata
ہے ہے exists hai
آداب طریقے manners aadaab
خود اپنا self khud
آگاہی جانکاری awareness aagaahi
کھلتے ظاہر ہوتے are revealed khulte
ہیں ہیں exist hain
غلاموں نوکروں slaves ghulaamon
پر پر upon par
اسرار راز secrets asraar
شہنشاہی بادشاہت kingship shahanshaahi
عطارؔ عطار Attar Attar
ہو ہو be ho
رومیؔ رومی Rumi Rumi
رازیؔ رازی Razi Razi
غزالیؔ غزالی Ghazali Ghazali
کچھ کچھ something kuchh
ہاتھ ہاتھ hand haath
نہیں نہیں not nahin
آتا آتا arrives aata
بے بغیر without be
آہ آہ deep breath aah
سحرگاہی صبح کی دعا morning sigh sahar gaahi
نومید مایوس despair naumeed
نہ نہیں not na
ان ان them in
سے سے from se
اے اے O ae
رہبر رہنما guide rahbar
فرزانہ عقلمند wise farzaana
کم کم less kam
کوش محنتی diligent kosh
تو تو though to
لیکن مگر but lekin
ذوق شوق taste zauq
راہی مسافر traveler raahi
طائر پرندہ bird taair
لاہوتی آسمانی celestial laahooti
اس یہ this is
رزق کھانا sustenance rizq
موت مرنا death maut
اچھی بہتر better achhi
جس جو whose jis
آتی آتی arrives aati
پرواز اڑان flight parwaaz
میں میں in mein
کوتاہی کمی hindrance kotaahi
دارا دارا Dara Daara
و اور and wa
سکندر سکندر Sikandar Sikandar
وہ وہ that woh
مرد آدمی man mard
فقیر غریب poor faqeer
اولیٰ بہتر better awlaa
کی کی of ki
فقیری غریبی poverty faqeeri
بوئے خوشبو scent booe
اسد شیر lion Asad
اللہٰی اللہ کی of Allah Allaahi
آئین قانون code aaeen
جواں نوجوان young jawaan
مرداں مردوں men mardaan
حق سچ truth haq
گوئی بولنا speaking goee
بیباکی بے خوفی fearlessness beebaaki
اللہ خدا Allah Allah
کے کے of ke
شیروں شیر lions sheeron
کو کو to ko
روباہی مکاری cunning roobaahi

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