“Raise your khudi (selfhood) so high that before every decree of destiny, Allah Himself asks His servant: ‘Tell me, what is your wish?’”
— Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Bal-e-Jibril
Original (Urdu, in Hindi script): “ख़ुदी को कर बुलंद इतना कि हर तक़दीर से पहले, ख़ुदा बंदे से ख़ुद पूछे, बता तेरी रज़ा क्या है।”
What this verse means
This couplet by Allama Iqbal, the “Poet of the East”, is one of the best-known lines in Urdu poetry. Khudi does not mean pride. It means self-respect, a strong sense of who you are, and trust in the abilities Allah has given you. Iqbal tells us to build our character, effort and Iman so high that our striving begins to shape our destiny. Instead of sitting idle and blaming taqdeer, become the kind of person to whom success comes naturally.
A real-life example
Think of a student from a small town whose home has no study atmosphere. Instead of complaining, he studies for one hour every morning, asks his teacher for help in his weak subject and keeps his phone away. Within a few months both his confidence and his marks change. That is khudi – turning circumstances into a ladder, not an excuse. A worker who learns a new skill, or a mother who teaches her children to live with dignity, walks the same path. For more on effort, read our earlier quote: Hard Work Is the Real Genius.
What to do today
- Write down one good habit and one weakness, and take one small step today to fix the weakness.
- Pick one task you keep avoiding with “I can’t do it” and give it just 20 minutes.
- Keep your word and your promises – that is where self-respect begins.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote “Khudi ko kar buland itna”?
It was written by Allama Muhammad Iqbal and appears in his Urdu poetry collection Bal-e-Jibril (1935).
Does khudi mean arrogance?
No. For Iqbal, khudi means self-respect and self-awareness – recognising your abilities as a blessing from Allah and using them fully. Arrogance pulls a person down; khudi lifts him up.
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