“Raise yourself to such heights, that even destiny must ask you: Tell me, what is your will?”

 

"Khud hi kar buland itna ke har taqdeer se Khuda bande se khud poche, bata teri raza kya hai."
(Allama Iqbal)

At times, when I am surrounded by complete oblivion of darkness, these words echo through my heart and soul like a beacon of light. Iqbal Sahab, as I once mentioned, was one of South Asia’s most outstanding poets. In my earlier blog “Firefly Pray”, I reflected on how his poetry during the time of Partition felt like a breath of fresh air for Muslims drowning in despair. But truth be told—his words are timeless. They are not bound by Partition, by a century, or by a generation. They fit every age and every soul.

This world is full of temptations and lusts. It is a sandpit in which we often find ourselves trapped. At times, it is difficult to realize what’s right and what’s wrong. We try to keep ourselves afloat, but sometimes we end up merely pleasing ourselves superficially, falling deeper into emptiness.

Iqbal’s verse is a call—not just for Muslims, but for every soul who believes in a Creator, regardless of religion. Whether you are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, or simply a seeker—it is for anyone who holds a sincere bond with the Divine. After all, who are we to know who is truly close to Him and who is not?

Yes, the thought that each one of us will return to Him can frighten us. The unknown is terrifying. But imagine—what if after all the hardships, after all the sincere efforts, after trying and failing and rising again—we return to Him and He asks us this very question:

“Bata teri raza kya hai? Tell me, what is your deepest desire?”

Imagine that moment. The delight. The awe. The intimacy of the Creator asking the creation to choose. It is a reminder that we are not powerless pawns of fate—we are meant to rise so high in sincerity, effort, and spirit that even destiny itself must pause and take our permission.

Iqbal was not only writing poetry. He was whispering a revolution into the soul: Rise, awaken, believe in your worth, and dare to become so sincere, so strong, so pure—that the Author of destiny Himself consults you about your destiny.

And maybe, just maybe, this is the secret to life: to live in such a way that when we return, the question waiting for us is not of judgment but of delight—
“Tell me, my servant, what is your wish?”

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🌍 English Translation

“Raise yourself to such heights, that even destiny must ask you: Tell me, what is your will?”
(Allama Iqbal)

“Tell me, my servant, what is your wish?”

Allama Iqbal

Inspirational Poetry

Faith and Spirituality

Overcoming Darkness

Timeless Wisdom

South Asian Literature