POEM · PERMANENT EDITION

Muhammad Iqbal غریبی میں ہُوں محسودِ امیری Ghareebi mein hoon mahsood-e ameeri ●sher 1 of 2

غریبی میں ہُوں محسودِ امیری

Ghareebi mein hoon mahsood-e ameeri

کہ غیرت مند ہے میری فقیری

Ke ghairat mand hai meri faqeeri

In my poverty, I am envied by prosperity,
For my indigence possesses dignity.

حذر اُس فقر و درویشی سے، جس نے

Hazar us faqr-o darveshi se, jis ne

مسلماں کو سِکھا دی سر بزیری!

Musalman ko sikha di sar bazeeri!

Beware of that poverty and dervish-hood, which
Taught the Muslim to bow their head low!

Context

This Urdu poem espouses a noble concept of 'faqr' (spiritual poverty or self-sufficiency) rooted in 'ghairat' (self-respect and honor), distinguishing it from a meek, degrading form of destitution. It critically admonishes any spiritual practice or 'faqir-o-darweshi' that cultivates servility instead of empowering individuals with dignity. The verses assert an active, honorable ideal for Muslims, implicitly rejecting interpretations of faith that promote submission or weakness.