Man Banda e Azadam Ishq Ast Imam Man – Complete Persian Ghazal & Translation

“Man Banda e Azadam Ishq Ast Imam Man” is a masterpiece from Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s Persian work, Zaboor-e-Ajam. In these verses, Iqbal declares his spiritual independence, crowning Love (Ishq) as his supreme guide while placing Intellect (Aqal) in its rightful place as a servant.

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من بندہ آزادم عشق است امام من
عشق است امام من عقل است غلام من

Man Banda-e-Azadam Ishq Ast Imam Man
Ishq Ast Imam Man Aqal Ast Ghulam Man

I am a free man, Love is my leader;
Love is my leader, and Intellect is my slave.

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ہنگامۂ ایں محفل از گردش جام من
ایں کوکب شام من ایں ماہ تمام من

Hangama-e-In Mehfil Az Gardish-e-Jaam-e-Man
In Kokab-e-Shaam-e-Man In Maah-e-Tamaam-e-Man

The tumult of this assembly is due to the circulation of my cup;
This is the evening star of my night, this is my full moon.

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جاں در عدم آسودہ بے ذوق تمنا بود
مستانہ نواہا زد در حلقہ دام من

Jaan Dar Adam Aasuda Be-Zouq-e-Tamanna Bood
Mastana Nawaha Zad Dar Halqa-e-Daam-e-Man

The soul was resting in non-existence, void of the zest for desire;
It began singing ecstatic songs once it was caught in the net of my existence.

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اے عالم رنگ و بو ایں صحبت ما تا چند
مرگ است دوام تو عشق است دوام من

Ae Aalam-e-Rang-o-Boo In Sohbat-e-Ma Ta Chand
Marg Ast Dawam-e-Tu Ishq Ast Dawam-e-Man

O world of color and scent, how long will our companionship last?
Death is your ultimate end, while Love is my eternal life.

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پیدا بضمیرم او پنہاں بضمیرم او
ایں است مقام او دریاب مقام من

Paida Ba-Zameeram Oo Pinhan Ba-Zameeram Oo
In Ast Muqam-e-Oo Daryab Muqam-e-Man

He (the Divine) is manifest in my heart, and He is hidden in my heart;
This is His station—now contemplate and discover my own station!

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