خرد مندوں سے کیا پوچھوں کہ میری ابتدا کیا ہے
In this profound ghazal, Allama Iqbal explores themes of selfhood, destiny, and the divine. The opening couplet, "خرد مندوں سے کیا پوچھوں کہ میری ابتدا کیا ہے" suggests a deep existential inquiry, questioning the very nature of one's beginning and purpose. Iqbal's contemplation leads him to ponder not only his origin but also his end, indicating a continuous search for meaning in life.
As the poem progresses, Iqbal urges the reader to elevate their selfhood, stating, "خودی کو کر بلند اتنا کہ ہر تقدیر سے پہلے". This line emphasizes the importance of self-realization and personal growth, suggesting that a strong sense of self can influence one’s destiny. The divine interaction he describes, where God asks the servant about their desires, illustrates a profound relationship between humanity and the divine, highlighting the significance of individual will.
The emotional arc of the poem transitions from introspection to a sense of urgency and yearning. The speaker's tone shifts as he reflects on the depths of destiny, revealing a mix of hope and despair. The line, "نظر آئیں مجھے تقدیر کی گہرائیاں اس میں" captures this duality, as the speaker grapples with the complexities of fate.
Iqbal employs rich metaphors, such as comparing himself to an alchemist, to convey the transformative power of the soul. The phrase, "یہی سوز نفس ہے اور میری کیمیا کیا ہے" speaks to the essence of personal struggle and the alchemical process of turning suffering into wisdom. Additionally, the reference to the "چشم سرمہ" (kohl-like eye) evokes imagery of insight and perception, suggesting that true understanding comes from within.
Ultimately, Iqbal's exploration of these themes reflects his broader philosophical vision for the Muslim community in the early 20th century, advocating for spiritual awakening and self-empowerment. His work remains a cornerstone of Urdu literature, resonating with readers seeking to understand their place in the world and their relationship with the divine.
| Word | Urdu میں | English میں | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| خرد | عقل | intellect | khird |
| مندوں | عقل مند | wise individuals | mandon |
| سے | سے | from | se |
| کیا | کیا | what | kya |
| پوچھوں | پوچھنا | to ask | poochun |
| کہ | کہ | that | keh |
| میری | میری | my | meri |
| ابتدا | آغاز | beginning | ibtida |
| ہے | ہے | is | hai |
| میں | میں | in | main |
| اس | یہ | that | is |
| فکر | سوچ | thinking | fikr |
| رہتا | رہنا | to remain | rehta |
| ہوں | ہوں | am | hoon |
| انتہا | ختم | final point | intaaha |
| خودی | خود | selfhood | khudi |
| کو | کو | to | ko |
| کر | بنانا | to make | kar |
| بلند | اونچا | high | buland |
| اتنا | اتنا | so much | itna |
| ہر | ہر | every | har |
| تقدیر | قسمت | destiny | taqdeer |
| پہلے | پہلے | before | pehle |
| خدا | اللہ | the Creator | khuda |
| بندے | انسان | servant or human | banday |
| خود | خود | self | khud |
| پوچھے | پوچھنا | to inquire | poochay |
| بتا | بتانا | to tell | bata |
| تیری | تیری | your | teri |
| رضا | پسند | will or approval | raza |
| مقام | جگہ | position or status | maqam |
| گفتگو | بات چیت | conversation | guftagu |
| اگر | اگر | if | agar |
| کیمیا | کیمیا | alchemy or transformation | kimiya |
| گر | کیمیا گر | alchemist | gar |
| یہی | یہی | this very | yehi |
| سوز | جلن | passion or burning | sooz |
| نفس | روح | spirit or soul | nafs |
| اور | اور | and | aur |
| نظر | نظر | view or sight | nazar |
| آئیں | آنا | to come | aain |
| مجھے | مجھے | to me | mujhe |
| کی | کی | of | ki |
| گہرائیاں | گہرائی | depths or profoundness | gehraiyan |
| نہ | نہیں | not | na |
| پوچھ | پوچھنا | to ask | pooch |
| اے | اے | O | ae |
| ہم | ہم | we | hum |
| نشیں | ساتھی | companion | nashien |
| مجھ | مجھے | me | mujh |
| وہ | وہ | that | woh |
| چشم | آنکھ | eye | chashm |
| سرمہ | سرمہ | kohl | surmah |
| سا | جیسا | like | sa |
| ہوتا | ہونا | to be | hota |
| مجذوب | مجنون | enlightened mystic | majzoob |
| فرنگی | غیر ملکی | foreigner or Western | farangi |
| زمانے | وقت | era | zamane |
| تو | تو | then | tu |
| اقبالؔ | اقبال | Iqbal | Iqbal |
| سمجھاتا | سمجھانا | to explain | samjhaata |
| کبریا | بڑا | greatness | kubriya |
| نوائے | آواز | sound or call | nawaaye |
| صبح | صبح | morning | subah |
| گاہی | گاہ | of the dawn | gahi |
| نے | نے | has | ne |
| جگر | دل | heart or inner self | jigar |
| خون | خون | blood or life essence | khun |
| دیا | دینا | to give | diya |
| میرا | میرا | my | mera |
| خدایا | اے خدا | O Lord | khudaya |
| جس | جس | which | jis |
| خطا | غلطی | mistake or sin | khata |
| یہ | یہ | this | ye |
| سزا | سزا | punishment or consequence | saza |
Sir Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) was an influential Islamic philosopher and poet from British India, known for his profound poetry in Urdu and Persian. His works inspired the Pakistan Movement and he is regarded as one of the most important Muslim thinkers of the 20th century.
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