سلطاني
English title: KINGSHIP
کسے خبر کہ ہزاروں مقام رکھتا ہےوہ فقر جس ميں ہے بے پردہ روح قرآني
The lofty states of faqr are known to few, the faqr that brings the soul of Koran to view.
خودي کو جب نظر آتي ہے قاہري اپنييہي مقام ہے کہتے ہيں جس کو سلطاني
When selfhood sees its sway and upper hand, this exalted state the folk as kingship brand.
يہي مقام ہے مومن کي قوتوں کا عياراسي مقام سے آدم ہے ظل سبحاني
This rank gives verdict of a Muslim's worth, and makes him vicegerent of God on earth.
يہ جبر و قہر نہيں ہے ، يہ عشق و مستي ہےکہ جبر و قہر سے ممکن نہيں جہاں باني
This is not mere power and authority; this is Love; as kingship is not possible with power and authority alone.
کيا گيا ہے غلامي ميں مبتلا تجھ کوکہ تجھ سے ہو نہ سکي فقر کي نگہباني
You have got bondage as a fit reward, for you have failed to keep on Faqr a guard.
مثال ماہ چمکتا تھا جس کا داغ سجودخريد لي ہے فرنگي نے وہ مسلماني
Prostration made like moon his forehead shine, Alas! The Franks have snatched that essence fine.
ہوا حريف مہ و آفتاب تو جس سےرہي نہ تيرے ستاروں ميں وہ درخشاني
Your stars have lost their pristine glow and sheen that made them rivals of Sun and Moon so keen.
Sources and translator credits
- Original text transcription: Zarb-e-Kalim — سلطاني — Digital transcription file at commit 39d44fc0c2b8ca25769c4b36e6eac4d90cb42b35; the source dataset does not identify the underlying print edition.Verified against this pinned digital transcription file; not checked against a print edition.Source
- Iqbal Demystified source list: Zarb-e-Kalim — Pinned digital dataset commit 39d44fc0c2b8ca25769c4b36e6eac4d90cb42b35; the underlying print edition is not identified by the dataset.Community dataset list; not reconciled against a print edition.Source
- Zarb-e-Kalim English translation at allama-iqbal.com — Kingship — Public digital poem page, retrieved 2026-10-06; pinned to allama-iqbal.com commit 82547635bb6b758c45082084b2f152fc453a8056.Translation by Syed Akbar Ali Shah; English Translation by: Syed Akbar Ali ShahSource