“Jab Ishq Sikhata Hai” is a spiritually awakening Ghazal by the Poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, from his renowned work Bal-e-Jibril. In this masterpiece, Iqbal explores the transformative power of Divine Love (Ishq), which grants even the lowly “slaves” the secrets of ultimate sovereignty. Below are the complete lyrics in Urdu, Roman Urdu, and English translation.
جب عشق سکھاتا ہے آدابِ خود آگاہی
کھلتے ہیں غلاموں پر اسرارِ شہنشاہی
Jab Ishq Sikhata Hai Aadab-e-Khud Aagahi
Khulte Hain Ghulamon Par Asrar-e-Shahenshahi
When Love teaches the etiquette of self-awareness,
The secrets of ultimate sovereignty are revealed even to the slaves.
عطار ہو، رومی ہو، رازی ہو، غزالی ہو
کچھ ہاتھ نہیں آتا بے آہِ سحر گاہی
Attar Ho, Rumi Ho, Razi Ho, Ghazali Ho
Kuch Hath Nahin Aata Be-Aah-e-Sahar Gahi
Whether one be Attar, Rumi, Razi, or Ghazali;
Nothing is attained without the tearful longing of the pre-dawn hours.
اے طائرِ لاہوتی! اس رزق سے موت اچھی
جس رزق سے آتی ہو پرواز میں کوتاہی
Ai Tair-e-Lahooti! Is Rizq Se Maut Acchi
Jis Rizq Se Aati Ho Parvaz Mein Kotahi
O Celestial Bird! Death is better than that sustenance,
Which hinders the freedom and height of your flight.
دارا و سکندر سے وہ مردِ فقیر اولیٰ
ہو جس کی فقیری میں بوئے اسد اللّٰہی
Dara-o-Sikandar Se Woh Mard-e-Faqir Aula
Ho Jis Ki Faqiri Mein Boo-e-Asadullahi
Superior to emperors like Darius and Alexander is that Dervish,
Whose spiritual detachment carries the majestic scent of the Lion of Allah (Hazrat Ali).
آئینِ جوانمرداں حق گوئی و بے باکی
اللہ کے شیروں کو آتی نہیں روباہی
Aaeen-e-Jawanmardan Haq-Goi-o-Bebaki
Allah Ke Sheron Ko Aati Nahin Roobahi
The law of the brave is truthfulness and fearlessness;
The lions of Allah do not know the cunning ways of the fox.
Listen to Abida Parveen – Jab Ishq Sikhata Hai
Word Meanings
- Aadab-e-Khud Aagahi: The etiquette of self-awareness and self-realization.
- Asrar-e-Shahenshahi: The secrets of spiritual sovereignty and true kingship.
- Aah-e-Sahar Gahi: The tearful sighs and prayers of the pre-dawn hours.
- Tair-e-Lahooti: A celestial bird (metaphor for a soul that transcends the material world).
- Faqiri / Faqr: Spiritual dervishhood; a state of supreme independence from the material world.
- Mard-e-Faqir: A spiritual master; one who has mastered the self and relies only on God.
- Asadullahi: Pertaining to the “Lion of Allah” (the title of Hazrat Ali R.A.).
- Roobahi: Fox-like behavior; cunning, cowardice, or sycophancy.
bohat bohat khob kalam
I love you Alama Iqbal