It creates signs of madness (a mystical state); whether it is Timur or Genghis, they are signs of Allah's might.
This powerful couplet is a profound commentary on the transient nature of worldly power. Allama Iqbal suggests that the sheer ambition and intoxicating nature of rulership (mulukiyyat) can lead men to acts of madness and extreme arrogance. However, he reminds us that no matter how mighty an empire or ruler—be it Timur or Genghis—they are ultimately just fleeting candles (nishthar) in the grand scheme of divine will. Power is temporary; God's dominion is eternal.
Interpretation note: meanings and explanations may be AI-assisted and should not replace a primary text or scholarly edition. See the editorial policy.
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