The Hawk by Allama Muhammad Iqbal

Farewell to this land of the earthbound, whose craving

It needs only water and food to appease!

Joy to my soul is the stillness of deserts-

My nature since time first began has scorned ease.

Stanza 1: In the first stanza, the speaker bids farewell to the land of the earthbound. The
earthbound refers to those who are limited to material things like food and water to satisfy their
needs. The speaker mentions that the stillness of deserts brings joy to his soul, indicating that
the speaker prefers the vast and uninhabited spaces over the bustling city life. The last line of
the stanza suggests that the speaker has always had a nature that does not seek ease, meaning
that he has always been inclined towards a life of challenges and difficulty.

No languishing love-notes, no zephyr of springtime

For me, no fair flower-reaper: I must depart
From the nightingale?s haunts, from these dwellers in gardens
Whose charms come too near to seducing my heart.
Those winds of the wilderness temper the sword
That soldiers of righteousness draw in the field;

Stanza 2: The speaker continues to contrast his preferences with those of the dwellers in
gardens, referring to people who prefer beautiful and peaceful places of rest. The speaker
implies that he is not interested in the gentle and seductive charms of gardens and the songs of
nightingales. He indicates that he must depart from such places because they have the potential
to seduce his heart, suggesting that the speaker is a person of emotional restraint who does not
want to be swayed by trivial things.

It is not for quail nor for pigeon I hunger-

By hard vows the falcon?s existence is steeled.

To swoop and retreat, and retreating to swoop-

Not seeking for prey, but to let the blood race!
Stanza 3: The speaker declares that he is not like soldiers who fight for quail or pigeon, creatures
that are considered easy prey. Instead, he affirms that his existence as a falcon is hard and
requires constant vigilance to keep his skills sharp. He enjoys the rush of adrenaline that comes
from the quick bursts of movement and speed as he dives and rises again. He indicates that his
survival depends solely on his ability to endure hardship and steeled determination.

I leave the tame region of eastward and west

To the partridge; blue sky for me, limitless space!
Through the kingdom of birds an Ascetic I roam:
The hawk builds no nest, for the hawk needs no home.

Stanza 4: In the final stanza, the speaker asserts that he prefers to roam like an ascetic among
birds without any fixed abode or home. He likens himself to a hawk that does not build a nest,
indicating that the ascetic's existence is nomadic and boundless. The speaker reveals that he is
not limited to any specific area or territory, but instead, experiences the vastness of the blue sky
and limitless space. He concludes that his life as a hawk soaring through the sky dedicated to
asceticism and simplicity.

Critical Appreciation
"The Hawk" by Allama Muhammad Iqbal is a poem that explores the nature of power and its
consequences. Written in Urdu, it highlights the essence of the hawk as a symbol of dominance
and control, using this imagery to address themes such as the struggles for power and the
importance of freedom.
The poem is rich in metaphors, and the hawk is presented as a powerful and majestic creature.
Through its depiction, Iqbal makes it clear that power is a desirable trait. However, the poem's
central message highlights how power can be a double-edged sword. The hawk's formidable
presence is tempered by its constraints, such as being restricted to the skies. This connection to
nature implies that there are boundaries to power that we cannot break, and that even the
mightiest of creatures are limited in their dominion.
Throughout the poem, Iqbal emphasizes the importance of freedom and the struggles for
supremacy. The hawk, despite its strength, is subject to the whims of the wind and the skies.
This suggests that even those who possess power are not in control of everything, and that
external forces can impact their ability to exert their will on the world. This is perhaps most
visible in the final lines, which suggest that the hawk will never be able to truly overcome its
limitations, despite its strength.
In terms of literary technique, the poem's use of imagery is particularly noteworthy. The hawk
serves as a symbol of power, and the way it is described conjures up vivid mental pictures of the
bird in flight. Meanwhile, the way that Iqbal contrasts this imagery of dominance and the bird's
vulnerabilities (such as its need to return to its nest) underscores his message about the
limitations on even the most powerful beings.
Overall, "The Hawk" is a remarkable piece of Urdu poetry that explores powerful themes, such
as the nature of power and the importance of freedom. Through the use of vivid imagery and
metaphorical language, Iqbal manages to make his message about power's limitations and the
struggles for dominance resonate strongly with readers.

Themes:
. Freedom: The theme of freedom is prominent in the poem as the hawk represents the freedom to
soar and hunt in the skies. The poem also highlights the limitations imposed upon human beings and
their longing for freedom.
2. Power: The hawk is portrayed as a powerful and majestic creature that is admired for its strength
and prowess. The poem explores the relationship between power and freedom.
Symbols:
. The Hawk: The hawk represents freedom, power, and strength in the poem. It is a symbol of the
natural world and the innate desire for independence and self-determination.
2. The Hand: The hand symbolizes the limitations and constraints imposed upon human beings. It
represents the human condition and the struggle for freedom and autonomy.
Hidden Meanings:
. The poem can be interpreted as a critique of colonialism and the restrictions imposed upon
colonized peoples. The hawk represents the colonized people seeking liberation from colonial rule.
2. The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition and the struggle for
individual liberty and self-expression. The hawk symbolizes the human desire to break free from
societal norms and expectations and to assert one's own identity and agency.