Best Quotes by Allama Iqbal to Live By
Quotes by Allama Iqbal- Allama Iqbal (1877–1938) was a philosopher, poet, and politician in British India who is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Urdu literature and Islamic thought in the modern era. He is also considered the spiritual father of Pakistan.
Known as the “Poet of the East,” he is one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century. He inspired millions with his poetry and ideas about self-realization, faith, and human dignity. Iqbal’s philosophy focuses on “Khudi” (selfhood), which means understanding and strengthening oneself.
He believed that people and nations should realize their true potential and power. His poetry, written in Urdu, Persian, and English, continues to inspire people today. In this post, we will explore some of the best quotes by Allama Iqbal that teach us about life, spirituality, and personal growth.
Best Quotes by Allama Iqbal in English
Self-Discovery & Inner Strength
“The ultimate aim of the ego is not to see something, but to be something.”
“Man is the maker of his own destiny.”
“You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly.”
God is not a dead equation!
Be aware of your own worth, use all of your power to achieve it. Create an ocean from a dewdrop. Do not beg for light from the moon, obtain it from the spark within you.
“I tell you the sign of a believer; When Death comes, there is a smile on his lips.”
“The real purpose of education is to teach one to find their own path.”
From your past emerges the present, and from the present is born your future.
2. Philosophy & Knowledge Quotes by Allama Iqbal
“People who have no hold over their process of thinking are likely to be ruined by liberty of thought.”
“A wrong concept misleads the understanding; a wrong deed degrades the whole man, and may eventually demolish the structure of the human ego.”
“Nations are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.”
“Look at the evils of the world around you and protect yourself from them. Our teachers give all the wrong messages to our youth, since they take away the natural flare from the soul. Take it from me that all knowledge is useless until it is connected with your life, because the purpose of knowledge is nothing but to show you the splendors of yourself!”
“The new world is as yet
behind the veil of destiny
In my eyes, however
its dawn has been unveiled”
“Be not entangled in this world of days and nights; Thou hast another time and space as well.”
“Look at the evils of the world around you and protect yourself from them. Our teachers give all the wrong messages to our youth, since they take away the natural flare from the soul. Take it from me that all knowledge is useless until it is connected with your life, because the purpose of knowledge is nothing but to show you the splendors of yourself!”
“The alchemist of the West has turned stone into glass, but my alchemy has transmuted glass into flint.”
“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.”
“The dream is the interpretation of the dreamer.”
“The more I see, the more I realize that the true journey is within.”
“The pen is mightier than the sword, but I have written both with one hand.”
“Without a doubt, knowledge is the light of the soul.”
“To know the past is to understand the present.”
3. Quotes on Spirituality & Faith
“It is true that we are made of dust. And the world is also made of dust. But the dust has motes rising.”
“Divine life is in touch with the whole universe on the analogy of the soul’s contact with the body.”
“Islam is itself destiny and will not suffer destiny.”
“Be aware of your own self, for a person who does not understand his own self, will never understand God.”
“My ancestors were Brahmins. They spent their lives in search of god. I am spending my life in search of man.”
“The heart is like a mirror. Do not prevent it from being broken. It’s breakage is more dearer in the sight of its maker [Allah], than its safety.”
“God is nearer to you than your jugular vein.”
“The revealed and mystic literature of mankind bears ample testimony to the fact that religious experience has been too enduring and dominant in the history of mankind to be rejected as mere illusion. There seems to be no reason, then, to accept the normal level of human experience as fact and reject its other levels as mystical and emotional.”
“From love’s plectrum arises
the song of the string of life
Love is the light of life
love is the fire of life”
“The most beautiful world is a world of our own making.”
“It is the little things that are the most valuable, not the external aspects of life.”
“With the strength of my faith, I rise to conquer all.”
“Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.”
“In your own heart lies the key to salvation.”
“Everything that possesses life dies if it has to live in uncongenial surroundings.”
4. Motivation & Inspiration Quotes by Iqbal
“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.”
“A person who has not been able to set himself on fire will never light up the world.”
“Vision without power does bring moral elevation but cannot give a lasting culture.”
“I tell the truth: your enemy is also your friend—his presence makes your life fuller and richer.”
Life is a struggle and not a matter of privilege. It is nothing but one’s knowledge of the temporal and the spiritual world.
Pharaohs of today have stalked me in vain”
“Failure is not fatal until we surrender. Trying again is the key to glorious victory.”
“Do not grieve over what you have lost, but rejoice in what you have now.”
“The power of positive action and thought will bring change.”
“The ultimate aim of the ego is not to see something, but to be something.”
Must Read: Best 23 Jummah Mubarak Quotes in Urdu and English With Explanation
“Man is the maker of his own destiny.”
“To build a new world, one must first conquer one’s own self.”
5. Patriotism & Nationalism Quotes by Allama Iqbal
“Muslims are not meant to bow before anyone except God.”
“Nations are built on dreams; we must dare to dream for our country.”
“I have seen the future of this country; I have seen a nation with strength, with purpose, and with a soul.”
“The strength of a nation lies in the will of its people, and not in its resources.”
“A person who has not been able to set himself on fire will never light up the world.”
“Democracy is a system where people are counted not weighed.”
Best Quotes by Allama Iqbal in Urdu
“Aisa nahi ke Nafs ka Shaitaan Mar gaya hai
Shaitaan to hai Zinda
Haan! Musalmaan Mar gaya hai
Sajdo me Sar Jhukane ki Fursat nahi rahi
Momin ki rooh me basa Insaan mar gaya hai
Masjid to pakki banadi, aur shaandaar bhi
Kacchi hain Rabb Se chahatyen, Aur Imaan mar gaya hai
Baatil ko jhoota kehni ki taaqat nahi rahi
ho haq sir buland, ye armaan mar gaya hai
Aye ‘irfaan’ hairat hai teri Qismat pe
Ke kis tarah paida hua Khusnuma
Aur! Veeran mar gaya hai.”
“Sony do agar wo so rahe hain ghulami ki neend main Ho sakta hai wo khawb azadi ka dekh rahe hon.”
“Ki Muhammed (S.A.W.) Se Wafa Tu Ne Tau Hum Tere Hain, Yeh Jahan Cheez Hai Kya, Loh-o-Qalam Tere Hain.”
“Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqder se pehle Khuda bande se khud pooche bata teri raza kya hai.”
Conclusion
These quotes by Allama Iqbal inspire change, bring hope, and guide us toward excellence. His philosophy of “Khudi” (selfhood) teaches that true strength comes from within, and his focus on learning offers a path for growth. Iqbal’s wisdom is practical for modern life, offering timeless lessons on unity, self-reliance, and determination. His greatest gift is awakening our potential, encouraging us to rise above the ordinary, follow our purpose, and make a difference. In a world that needs inspiration, Iqbal’s words remind us that our dreams are within reach.
“وممات الحي فقدان الرجاء
يُطفئ الشعلة فِقدان الهواء”
