From the lecture of Sir Yousuf Almas to Young Students of Rawalakot, Pakistan

We are all familiar with Iqbal’s Shaheen. Since early childhood, we have heard about this concept. But seldom have we really understood the essence of the example, Iqbal left us!

So, what is Iqbal’s Concept of Shaheen (Falcon)

Poet of the East ‘Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal’, was a poet that this world comes across once in centuries. His genius and poetic grit bought about a historical revolution amongst people translating into the creation of Pakistan. On his quest to awaken the Muslims, Iqbal addressed the youth at numerous occasions.

One of the inspirations he left for the young people of this nation is ‘Shaheen (Falcon)’. The Falcon is a unique bird with attributes and values like valor, freedom, grace, speed, endurance, and ambition. Iqbal has reflected upon these traits and advised the young people to follow in the Eagles footsteps.

How can we follow ‘The Shaheens Footsteps’?

Iqbals wisdom is timeless. Sometimes, we tend to ignore this wisdom by not paying enough attention to its impacts on our lives. For young people, the Shaheen is a guide towards success and a life of purpose. Let’s explore this guide,

1. Always Have High Ambitions and Goals

One of the most impressive traits of the Shaheen is its high flight. It can fly at the height of 10,000 to 15,000 meters above ground level. Most of the other birds do not go above 3000 meters. This kind of greatness, it achieves with a great deal of courage, resilience, and an attitude of independence. The mother falcon pushes the falcon down from a high altitude and catches it very close to the ground until the it finally learns how to fly.

So, when Iqbal, refers to you as ‘falcons’ he urges you to develop an attitude that makes you aim high, think bigger, and act courageously according to the goals you set.

2. Be Vigilant and Far Sighted Like the Falcon  

The Falcon is a highly focused bird. It keeps a close eye on its surroundings, and strategizes in advance to adapt to the changing dynamics around itself. It remains aware of the opportunities for food and shelter around itself, and grasps them all.

Iqbal has given a similar message to the young. He has suggested that you should also remain highly focused and aware of the world around you. He has stressed that you equip yourself with the tools required to succeed individually, and as a nation according to the modern world. He has given the message that you must grasp the opportunities you can and create a lasting positive impact on your society.

3. Be Curious and Open to Experience

Another unique behavior of the Shaheen is that it is not fixated to a single task all its life. It pursues its goals, and learns every related thing it needs to learn in order to do its work with utmost perfection.

When applied to humans, Iqbal has given us the message that humans should also not stick in one place. So, you must go out and see what the world has to offer. He urges the you to experience different kind of tasks and skills.

Here you must understand that being open to experience does not mean you should be inconsistent. It doesn’t mean that you learn a skill, and then switch it out of boredom. Remember perfection needs consistent practice. It means that you should do your own work and yet be vigilant of other skills side by side.

4. Live a Life of Purpose and Dignity

One of the most profound lessons that Iqbal left us is of purpose and dignity by giving the example of a Falcon. A Falcon always hunts for its food. It would never take a prey that is already dead. So, it plans its hunt, and very tactfully makes a successful attack. If it occasionally fails, it turns back and catches the pray.

This type of determination and dignity is what can help you lead a respectful and fulfilling life. Unlike many humans who often chase money and wealth, a Falcon does not remain desperate for food, and keeps its values intact.  Iqbal has taught us the lesson of self-reliance, and dignity by the example of Shaheen. He urges you to understand themselves, find a purpose, and then chase your goals with extreme determination. Leading a life with no real purpose, and service to humanity may bring you wealth, but not satisfaction.

5. Achieve Grace and Perfectionism

If you have witnessed Shaheen’s flight, or its attack on the prey, you would agree that every move it makes is perfect and beautiful. A falcon spends a lot of its time strategizing and practicing its moves. This helps it catch prey and fly away very swiftly and smoothly.

Iqbal has signaled you to also strive for excellence and do whatever you do with perfection and grace. Only then would you be seen and recognized like the Shaheen does amongst many other bird species. To achieve this level of grace and perfection you need to continually practice and improve yourself.

6. Never Give Up on Your Dreams

The Falcon does not give up. When it needs to catch a prey, and it fails in the first try, it will improve its attack and grab the pray in the second or third try. Similarly, when it ages, it preserves itself by plucking away its feathers. What does this show?

It shows that a Falcon does not give up!

Iqbal has given you the message that you must follow in its footsteps. You should also not give up on your goals, and ambitions. Failure must not discourage you. In fact, it must make you work harder, improve yourself, and come back stronger.

7. Do Not Depend on Others, Be Self Reliant and Resilient  

A Falcon takes pride its freedom and independence. This strong trait makes it overcome its weaknesses bravely. As the Falcon ages, its wings become weak, restraining its flight. In such times it plucks its own feathers out with its beak. Then, new feathers grow and help it fly.

This behavior of the Falcon is also very impressive. It teaches Iqbal’s followers to not give up and succumb to weaknesses. In fact, it inspires you to face challenges heads on. Giving up and remaining defeated after being encountered by a challenge is not a desirable trait. Because this drives you away from your goals, making you lose hope and motivation.

8. The vulture and the falcon soar
    In the same air, but in worlds apart.

This verse of Iqbal has pointed out a very important lesson for the youth. Falcons can not surround themselves by vultures. Here the vulture is a bird that does not fly high or exhibit the Falcons incredible traits. It rather surrenders to death and decay.

Iqbal has hinted that you should realize your worth and make friends accordingly. Aim high, and then be surrounded with like minded individuals. If you have friends with no purpose and lesser aims, they would be flying in the same sky, but not as high as the Falcons.

If a Falcon flies with vultures, its existence would also be small!

At last, your life is a consequence of decisions you make. So, its upon you to decide, whether you would become an Eagle or be a Vulture,

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