In this poem, Iqbal imparts invaluable advice to his young son (Javed Iqbal), emphasizing the importance of self-discovery, creativity, and embracing one's identity and heritage. The poem is not just a fatherly guidance but a profound philosophical message that reflects Iqbal's thoughts on individuality, spirituality, and cultural pride.

Tera Johar He Noori, Paak Hai Tu

Farogh-e-Deeda-e-Aflaak Hai Tu

Tere Saidhe Zaboo Aa-Farishta-o-hoor

Kay Shaheen-e-Shahe Lo-Laak Hai Tu

The crux of your creation is Noor (light), You are pure

Heavenly eyes want to see your progress

Angels and Beautiful Maidens are for you

You are an Eagle of God’s Beloved (Shah) the owner of lo-laak (realm where no one can go)

 

Hakimi Nay Musalmani Khudi Ki

Kalimi Ramz-e-Pinhani Khudi Ki

Tujhe Gur Fakr-o-Shahi Ka Bata Doon

Ghareebi Mein Nigehbani Khudhi Ki

 

Wisdom is when Khudi reaches climax and becomes Muslim

Hidden secret to Khudi is when one can start talking with God

Let me tell you the secret of poverty and richness

In poverty you be guardian of Khudi

Dyar-e-Ishq Mein Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

Set your own standard in the realm of love!

(Create a place for thyself in the realm of love;)

 

Zindagani Hai Sadaf Qatra-e-Nesa Hai Khudhi

Woh Sadaf Kya Ke Jo Qatre Ko Gohar Ker Na Sakay

 

Life is like an Oyster Seashell, Khudi is a droplet of irritant

What’s the worth of an Oyster Seashell? If it cant create a Pearl from an irritant

(Foreign irritants stimulates nacre production within Oyster Seashell to create a Pearl)

 

Ho Agar Khudnegaro, Khudgaro, Khudgeer Khudi

Yeh Bhi Mumkin Hai Ke Tu Mout Se Bhi Mar Na Sakay

 

If Khudi is under these qualities “Self vigilance”, “Self molding”, “Self Critical”

Then Its possible that even death cant kill you

 

Dyar-e-Ishq Mein Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

 

Set your own standard in the realm of love!

(Create a place for thyself in the realm of love;)

 

Khudi Ki Jalwatoon Mein Mustafai

Khudi Ki Khalwatoon Mein Kibriai

Zameeno Asmano Arsh-o-Kursi

Khudi Ki Zud Mein He Saari Khudai

 

When Khudi is apparent then its Prophet-hood

When Khudi is hidden then its Divine

Earth, Skies, Heaven and Throne

Way to God is in the grip of Khudi

 

Deikh, Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

Look!…Set your own standard

 

 

Tere Seene Mein Daam He, Dil Nahi Hai

Tera Daam Garmian Mehfil Nahin Hai

Guzar Ja Aqal Se Agay, Ke Yeh Noor

Charagh-e-Raah He Hai, Manzil Nahin Hai

 

In your chest is heartbeat, but no passion no emotions

Your heartbeat is not capable to stir up or warm-up the congregation

Go beyond the realm of logic, that this light (Noor)

Is a light to a path, but its not final destination

 

 

Deikh, Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

Look!…Set your own standard

 

 

Phir Charagh-e-Lala Se Roshan Hoay Koh-o-Daman

Mujh Ko Phir Naghmon Pe Uqsanay Laga Murgh-e-Chaman

Apne Mun Mein Doob Ker Baja Suragh-e-Zindagi

Tu Agar Mera Nahi Banta Na Bun… Apna To Bun

 

Then, Tulips Blossoming have brought life to Mountains and Valleys

Seeing this scenery and Birds singing; its tempting me to sing as well

Dive within yourself and find the secret of life

If you dislike following me, then don’t! but at least listen to your own self

 

 

Mun Ki Dunya Mun Ki Dunya Sooz-o-Masti Jazb-o-Shouq

Tan Ki Dunya Tun Ki Dunya Sood-o-Sauda Makr-o-Fun

Mun Ki Doulat Haath Aati Hai To Phir Jaati Nahi

Tan Ki Daulat Chaaon Hai Aata Hai Dhan Jata Hai Dhan

 

Inward world is feelings-emotions, and passion-interests

Outward world is bargain-dealings, and deception-art

When one attains inward wealth then one never looses it

Outward wealth is like a shadow, Money comes and goes

 

Mun Ki Dunya Mein Na Paya Mein Ne Afrangi Ka Raaj

Mun Ki Dunya Mein Na Dekhe Mein Ne Shaikh-o-Brahman

Paani Paani Ker Gayi Mujh Ko Qalandar Ki Yeh Baat

Tu Jhuka Jab Ghair Ke Agay Na Mun Tera Na Tan

 

In inward world I don’t find the throne of Britishers

In inward world I didn’t find Sheikhs nor Brahmins

This message of saint made me humble and brought humility

When you protest in front of others you lose both inner and outer world

 

 

Abb to, Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

At least Now!…Set your own standard

 

Nahin Tera Nashemen Qasr-e-sultani Ke Gumbat Per

Tu Shaheen He Basera Ker Paharon Ki Chatano Mein

 

Your abode is not on the domes and palaces of sultans

You are an Eagle, traverse and dwell through the heights of mountains

(You were not made to take things lightly and relax, you were made to face challenges head-on and overcome them)

 

Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

Set your own standard

 

 

Khudi Mein Gum He Khudai, Talaash Ker Ghafil

Yehi He Tere Leyee Abb Salah-e-Kaar Ki Raah

Hadith-e-Dil Kisi Darwaish Bay-Qaleem Se Pooch

Khuda Kere Tujhe Tere Maqam Se Agah

 

Path to God is hidden in Khudi, Find it! Oh the one who has neglected

This is now the way of your salvation and reawakening

Ask the one who has achieved contentment about situation of his heart

I pray that God makes you aware of your true status

 

Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

Set your own standard

 

Nigah-e-Fakr Mein Shaan-e-Sikandri Kya Hai

Khiraj Ki Jo Gadda Ho Woh Qaisri Kya Hai

Buttoan Se Tujh Ko Umeedain Khuda Se Na Umeedi

Mujhe Bataa To Sahih Aur Kaafri Kya Hai

 

In the eyesight of Fakr (contentment) what is the glory of Alexander?

What is that Cesar? Who is begging and is in need of taxation from his subjects

You have tied your hopes with Idols, and from God you have no hope or expectations

Tell me!! what could be more infidelity/disbelief than this?

 

Faqat Nigah Se Hota He Faisla Dil Ka

Na Ho Nigah Mein Shokhi To Dill Barri Kya Hai

Kise Nahin He Tamana-e-Sarwari Laikin

Khudi Ki Moat Ho Jis Mein Woh Sarwari Kya Hai

 

Only! Just Through eyesight a decision of heart is made

But if eyesight doesn’t have sharpness then what is the value of power of attraction

Who doesn’t yearn for superiority, leadership, upper status? But

What is superiority, leadership, and upper status if it means that your Khudi is dead in the process?

 

Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

Set your own standard

 

Khudhi Ko Ker Buland Itna Ke Her Taqdeer Se Pehle

Khuda Bande Se Khud Pochay Bata Teri Raza Kya Hai

 

Raise your rank so high that before destiny is decided

God himself asks you “What is your Will?”

 

Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

Set your own standard

 

Galla To Ghoant Dia Ahl-e-Madrassa Ne Tera

Kahan Se Ayae Sadda La Ilah Ill Lallah

 

The inhabitants of madrassah have choked your throat

Now from where will come the voice of La Ilah Ill Lallah?

 

Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

Set your own standard

 

Her Shay Musaafi Her Cheez Raahi

Kya Chand Tare Kya Murgh-o-Maahi

 

Everything is traveling, on a journey; everything is bound to perish

What moon? What birds?

 

Kuch Qadar Apni Tu Ne Na jaani

Yeh Be-Sawaadi Yeh Kam Nigahi (should be besawadi, rahat sings besawami)

Peere-Haram Ko Daikha Hai Mein Ne

Qirdar Be-Soaz Guftar Wahi

 

Some of it is your fault; that you have not yet realized your value

This life void of spark and purpose, This lack of foresight and under sightedness

I have seen the guardian of Harem (referring to vast majority of Mullah and clergy)

In character there is no attraction, and speech is useless vain talk

 

Daikh…Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

Look!….Set your own standard

 

 

Dil-e-Toor-e-Seena-o-Faaraan Do Neem

Tajali Ka Phir Muntazir He Qaleem

Musalmaan He Tawheed Mein Garam Joash

Magar Dil Abhi Taak He Zunaar Poash

 

Cut open is the heart of Sinai and Faran,

And Moses waits for a renewed appearance of God

Muslim passionately says that God is One!

But his heart is Still a heathen caught up in idol rituals:

 

 

Tamadun, Taswauf, Shariat, Kallam

Buttaan-e-Ajam ke poojari tamamm

Haqeeqat Khurafat Mein Kho Gayee

Yeh Ummat Rawaiat Mein Kho Gayee

 

In culture, mysticism, canon law, And dialectical theology

He worships idols of non-Arab make.

The truth has been lost in absurdities,

And in traditions is this ummah rooted still.

 

(The truth was lost in trifles, vain disputes

And the nation was lost in conventions and traditions)

 

Daikh, Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

Look!….Set your own standard

 

Lubhata He Dil Ko Qalam-e-Khateeb

Magar Lazzat-e-Shoaq Se Be-Naseeb

Bayan Uss Ka Mantak Se Suljha Hooa

Lughat Ke Bakheron Mein Uljha Hooa

 

The speaker’s (Khateeb-Mullah) rhetoric is Enchanting,

But is devoid of passion

His speech is clothed in neat logic

But lost in a maze of words

 

Woh Sufi Ke Tha Khidmat-e-Haq Mein Mard

Muhbat me Yakta; Hamiat Mein Fard

 

The sufi, was unique in the love of truth,

Unique in the love of God, and in devotion

 

Ajam Ke Khialiat Mein Kho Gya

Yeh Saaliq Maqamat Mein Kho Gya

Bujhi Ishq Ki Aag Andhair Hai

Musalmaan Nahin Raakh Ka Dhair Hai

 

He got lost in foreign ideas

He was lost in the hierarchic ranks

The fire of love is extinguished

Muslim is no more he is a heap of ashes

 

Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

 

Set your own standard

 

Shrab-e-Kohan Phir Pila Sa Kia

Wohi Jam Gardish Mein La Sa Kia

Mujhe Ishq Ke Pur Laga Ker Ura

Meri Khaq Jugnoo Bana Ker Ura

 

O Saqi (O God’s Beloved)! Give me the old wine again(Intoxication of Tawhid)!

Let the potent cup go round!

Let me soar on the wings of love

Make my dust bright and fly

 

Hari Shaakh Millat Tere Num Se Hay

Nafas Iss Badan Mein Tere Dam Se Hai

Tarapne Pharakne ki Taufeeq De

Dil-e-Murtaza Soaz-e-Siddiq de

 

You are the one that can provide nourishment to this nation

You are the one that can sustain it

Make them alive, restless, stir them shake them up

Give them Ali’s heart; give them Siddiq’s passion;

 

Jiggar Se Wohi Teer Phir Paar Ker

Tamana Ko Seeno Mein Bedaar Ker

Tere Asmanoo Ke Taroan Ki Khair

Zameeno ke Shab Zinda-Daron Ki khair

 

Let the same old love pierce their hearts;

Awaken in them a burning zeal, will, determination;

Let the stars throw down their spears,

And let the earth’s dwellers tremble

 

Jawanao Ko Soaz-e-Jigar Baksh De

Mera Ishq Meri Nazar Baksh De

 

Give the young a passion that consumes;

Give them my vision, my love of God;

 

Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

Set your own standard

 

Dyar-e-Ishq Mein Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

Naya Zamana Nayae Subho Shaam Paida Ker

 

Create a place for thyself in the realm of love;

Create a new age, new days and nights.

 

Khuda Agar Dil-e-Fitrat Shinaas De Tujhko

Sukoot-e-Laalaa-o-Gul Se Kalaam Paida Kar

Mein Shaakh Taak Hoon Meri Nazar He Mera Samar

Mere Samar Se Naye la-lafam Paida Ker

 

If God grants you a heart of nature that can understand nature (fitrah),

Create poetry(talking Kalaam) from the silence of Tulips and roses.

My ghazal is the essence of my life-blood,

Create thy elixir of life out ‘of this essence.

 

Mera Tareek Ameeri Nahi Faqeeri Hai

My ways are not wealth but poverty (contentment),

 

Na Momin He Na Momin Ki Ameeri

Raha Sufi Gayee Roshan Zameeri

Khuda Se Phir Wohi Qalb-o-Nazar Maang

Nahin Mumkin Ameeri Be Faqeeri

 

Neither there is a Muslim (Believer) nor his power/wealth remains;

The Sufi has outlived his radiant soul;

Ask God for the heart and soul of men of the past (righteous generations),

Become a fakir (contentment), first! to regain your lost power/wealth.

 

Mera Tareek Ameeri Nahi Faqeeri Hai

Khudi Na Baich Ghareebi Mein Naam Paida Kar

 

My ways are not wealth but poverty (contentment),

Do not sell selfhood, create honor in poverty.

 

(My way of life is poverty (contentment), not the pursuit of wealth)

(Barter not thy Selfhood; win a name in adversity)

 

Dyar-e-Ishq Mein Apna Maqaam Paida Ker

Naya Zamana Nayae Subho Shaam paida ker

 

Create a place for thyself in the realm of love;

Create a new age, new days and nights.




-Allama Iqbal

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Vaar 1, 23

ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿੰ ਪਠਾਯਾ ॥

ਚਰਨ ਧੋਇ ਰਹਿਰਾਸ ਕਰ ਚਰਨਾਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਪੀਲਾਯਾ ॥

ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪੂਰਨ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਅੰਦਰ ਇਕ ਦਿਖਾਯਾ ॥

ਚਾਰੈ ਪੈਰ ਧਰੰਮ ਦੇ ਚਾਰ ਵਰਨ ਇਕ ਵਰਨ ਕਰਾਯਾ ॥

ਰਾਣਾ ਰੰਕ ਬਰਾਬਰੀ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਪਵਣਾ ਜਗ ਵਰਤਾਯਾ ॥

ਉਲਟਾ ਖੇਲ ਪਿਰੰਮ ਦਾ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਉਪਰ ਸੀਸ ਨਿਵਾਯਾ ॥

ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਬਾਬੇ ਤਾਰਿਆ ਸੱਤਨਾਮ ਪੜ੍ਹ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਸੁਣਾਯਾ ॥

ਕਲਿ ਤਾਰਣ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਯਾ ॥23॥ 

Alternative Translation - 

ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿ ਪਠਾਇਆ
Sunee Pukaari Daatar Prabhu Guru Naanak Jag Maahi Pathhaaiaa
The benefactor Lord listened to the cries (of humanity) and sent Guru Nanak to this world.