Excerpted from Allama Iqbal’s monumental work, Zarb-e-Kaleem, the poem “Qalandar ki Pehchan” (The Recognition of a Qalandar) serves as a profound manifest for the Mard-e-Momin. Through these verses, Allama Muhammad Iqbal illustrates the fearless character of the spiritual revolutionary—the Qalandar—who remains independent of the tides of time. Rather than being a passive observer of destiny, the servant of Truth acts as the master and examiner of the sun, moon, and the very stars themselves.
کہتا ہے زمانے سے يہ درويش جواں مرد
جاتا ہے جدھر بندہ حق، تو بھي اُدھر جا
Kehta hai zamane se ye darvesh jawan mard
Jata hai jidhar banda-e-haq, tu bhi udhar ja
This courageous dervish says to the entire world:
Wherever the servant of Truth goes, you must follow him there.
ہّنگامے ہيں ميرے تری طاقت سے زيادہ
بچتا ہوا بُنگاہِ قلندر سے گزر جا
Hangame hain mere teri taqat se zyada
Bachta hua bungah-e-qalandar se guzar ja
My spiritual storms are beyond your strength to endure;
Pass by the sanctuary of the Qalandar with great caution.
ميں کشتي و ملاح کا محتاج نہ ہوں گا
چڑھتا ہوا دريا ہے اگر تو تُو اتر جا
Main kashti-o-mallah ka muhtaj na hun ga
Charhta hua darya hai agar tu tu utar ja
I shall never be dependent on the boat or the oarsman;
Even if the river is in full flood, descend into it with courage.
توڑا نہيں جادو مري تکبير نے تيرا
ہے تجھ ميں مُکر جانے کي جرات تو مُکر جا
Tora nahin jadu meri takbeer ne tera
Hai tujh mein mukar jaane ki jurat to mukar ja
If my ‘Takbeer’ has not yet shattered your worldly illusions;
Then deny it, if you have the audacity to deny the Truth.
مہر و مہہ و انجم کا محاسب ہے قلندر
ايّام کا مرکب نہيں، راکب ہے قلندر
Mehr-o-maah-o-anjum ka muhasib hai qalandar
Ayyam ka markab nahin, rakib hai qalandar
The Qalandar is the accountant of the sun, moon, and stars;
He is not the beast of burden for time; he is the rider of time itself.
Hikmat-e-Iqbal: Vocabulary
- Bungah-e-Qalandar: The spiritual sanctuary of the Qalandar; a realm of Divine Majesty beyond worldly compromise.
- Jawan Mard: A courageous, noble, and spiritually brave individual.
- Hangame: Spiritual storms, tumults, or the fervor of the soul.
- Mallah: Oarsman or navigator of a ship.
- Muhasib: One who holds others accountable; an examiner or accountant.
- Ayyam: Plural of ‘Yaum’ (day); represents time or epochs.
- Markab: A beast of burden or a vehicle.
- Rakib: The rider or master who controls the mount.
Spiritual Echoes: The Universal Vision
The cosmic authority and spiritual station of the Qalandar as described by Iqbal find their roots in the teachings of the great masters:
Ghous-ul-Azam : Faqir (The State of Fana)
The Qalandar’s mastery stems from the definition of a true Faqir—one who is annihilated in the Divine Essence (Fana Fee Zaat):
Allama Iqbal : The New Glory (Nai Shaan)
The “Recognition of a Qalandar” is the recognition of a Momin, whose every moment brings a new glory and a new character:
Pir Naseer : The Muhasib in the Majlis
The couplet “Mehr-o-Maah” is so iconic that it is often displayed on large banners in spiritual gatherings. See its visual presence here:
Allama Iqbal : The Lasso of Light
Iqbal describes the Qalandars as those who strive to conquer the earth and sky, lassoing the sun and moon with their vision:
Abul Faiz Qalandar : Rider of Time
Echoing the mastery of time (Ayyam), the Qalandar is described not as a servant of time, but as its commanding rider (Rakib):
Voice: Qalandar ki Pehchan – Allama Iqbal
The Poet of the East:
Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal (علامہ محمد اقبال)
Discover the profound Urdu and Persian wisdom of:
Bang-e-Dara |
Bal-e-Jibril |
Zarb-e-Kaleem |
Asrar-e-Khudi
Explore the Kulliyat-e-Iqbal Digital Archive →