Urdu poetry holds a deep mirror to the human experience, and within its vast landscape, verses dedicated to struggle (koshish) and perseverance (jad o jehad) resonate deeply. From the heart-wrenching laments of life’s hardships to the triumphant anthems of overcoming challenges, Urdu poetry offers a powerful exploration of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Inspirational Urdu Poetry about Struggle in Life
ik pal kii dau.D dhuup me.n aisaa thakaa badan
mai.n KHud to jaagtaa huu.n magar so gayaa badan
PREM KUMAR NAZAR
sirf ha.ngaama kha.Daa karnaa miraa maqsad nahii.n
merii koshish hai ki ye suurat badalnii chaahiye
DUSHYANT KUMAR
mai.n jis koshish se us ko bhuul jaane me.n lagaa huu.n
ziyaada bhii agar lag jaa.e to hafta lagegaa
TAHZEEB HAFI
ḳhudī ko kar buland itnā ki har taqdīr se pahle
ḳhudā bande se ḳhud pūchhe batā terī razā kyā hai
ALLAMA IQBAL
Motivational Urdu Poetry about Mehnat by Ghalib
Poets like Mirza Ghalib (1797-1869), with his iconic lines “Haasil karenge hum woh manzil bhi kar li hai dua, Gar raahein hain mushkil, par hum hain musafir” (We shall reach that destination too, for which we have prayed. Though the paths are difficult, we are travelers), and Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911-1984), whose poignant verses in “Nazm-e-Bekhudi” (The Poem of Selflessness) speak of fighting for justice despite the odds, exemplify the genre’s profound exploration of struggle.
maiñ akelā hī chalā thā jānib-e-manzil magar
log saath aate ga.e aur kārvāñ bantā gayā
MAJROOH SULTANPURI
ham ko miTā sake ye zamāne meñ dam nahīñ
ham se zamāna ḳhud hai zamāne se ham nahīñ
JIGAR MORADABADI
kashtiyāñ sab kī kināre pe pahuñch jaatī haiñ
nāḳhudā jin kā nahīñ un kā ḳhudā hotā hai
AMEER MINAI
rañj se ḳhūgar huā insāñ to miT jaatā hai rañj
mushkileñ mujh par paḌīñ itnī ki āsāñ ho ga.iiñ
MIRZA GHALIB
koshish bhī kar umiid bhī rakh rāsta bhī chun
phir is ke ba.ad thoḌā muqaddar talāsh kar
NIDA FAZLI
chalā jaatā huuñ hañstā kheltā mauj-e-havādis se
agar āsāniyāñ hoñ zindagī dushvār ho jaa.e
ASGHAR GONDVI
Hard Times / Koshish Pe Urdu Ghazal
Beyond individual verses, entire collections delve into the complexities of koshish (struggle) and jad o jehad. Allama Iqbal’s (1877-1938) “Bang-e-Dara” (Call of the Bell) is a passionate call to action, urging readers to strive for self-improvement and societal progress. On the other hand, collections like Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib’s “Diwan-e-Ghalib” and Mir Taqi Mir’s (1723-1810) “Kulliyat-e-Mir” offer more introspective explorations of internal struggles and philosophical musings on life’s challenges.
Motivation and the promise of success find their voice in Urdu poetry as well. Poets like Mohammad Iqbal (1889-1938), with his famous lines “Khudi ko kar buland itna ki har taaq pe tera naam ho, Zamin par ho ya aasman par, har jagah tera naam ho” (Elevate your self so high that your name is etched on every archway, Whether on earth or in the sky, let your name be everywhere), and Allama Mashriqi (1898-1970), whose verses in “Parcham-e-Islam” (The Flag of Islam) celebrate unwavering determination, serve as testaments to the power of human potential.
Final Words
Even contemporary Urdu poetry doesn’t shy away from portraying the struggles of modern life. New collections like “Shayad” by Fahmida Riaz and “Safar Mein Dhup” by Kishwar Naheed grapple with themes of personal struggles, societal issues, and the anxieties of the 21st century. For students facing the pressures of academics and career choices, Urdu poetry offers solace and encouragement. Poets like Sahir Ludhianvi (1921-1980), with his lines “Kabhie aarzu mein haar ke dil ko na shikast dena, Yeh zindagi hai yaaron, hamesha rahega imtihan” (Never give up on your dreams, even when faced with defeat. This is life, dear friends, it will always be a test), remind them of the importance of perseverance and the eventual rewards of hard work.