Meaning of
ikhtiyaar
इख़्तियार • اختیار
English
authority; choice; control
Hindi
अधिकार; चुनाव; नियंत्रण
Urdu
اختیار; انتخاب; کنٹرول
Origin
Arabic
Ash'aar
dard gham pareshaani kuchh nahin muhabbat men
kaash vaqt par meraa ikhtiyaar kar letiin
aaj ye mirii vehshat bhi mirii b-daulat hai
maut par zaraa hamko yaad yaar kar letiin
4
kya galat-fahmi men rah jaane ka sadma kuchh nahin
vo mujhe samjha to saka tha ki aisa kuchh nahin
ishq se bach kar bhi banda kuchh nahin hota magar
ye bhi sach hai ishq men bande ka bachta kuchh nahin
307
ab apna ikhtiyaar hai chahe jahaan chalen
rahbar se apni raah juda kar chuke hain ham
31
is ka apni hi ravaani par nahin hai ikhtiyaar
zindagi shiv ki jataaon men hai ganga ki tarah
31
unhin ke faiz se bazaar-e-aql raushan hai
jo gaah gaah junoon ikhtiyaar karte rahe
21
mujhe pasand nahin aise kaarobaar men hooñ
ye jabr hai ki main KHud apne ikhtiyaar men hooñ
18
ye pyaar ishq kaun kahtaa hai ke hai KHataa koi
ai dost thoda to magar akhtiyaar hona chahiye
mar jaana sirf husn par to aqlman
dii hai nahin
mahboob koi ho magar hushyaar hona chahiye
7
seth bas saansen hain us bewa ki girvi rakhne ko
yoon bhi kya bachta hai mangalsutra ko de dene se
5
koii khushiyaan koii KHvaahish to ulfat maangata koii
kisi peepal ke zariye se bhi mannat maangata koii
agar aadam ko KHud pe ikhtiyaar aa jaata to maulana duniya men koii aata na jannat maangata koii
5
gali ke mod pe bachchon ke ek jamghat men
kisi ne dard-bhare lay men maahiya gaaya
mujhe kisi se mohabbat nahin magar ai dil
ye kya hua ki tu be-ikhtiyaar bhar aaya
4
dard gham pareshaani kuchh nahin muhabbat men
kaash vaqt par meraa ikhtiyaar kar letiin
aaj ye mirii vehshat bhi mirii b-daulat hai
maut par zaraa hamko yaad yaar kar letiin
4
kya galat-fahmi men rah jaane ka sadma kuchh nahin
vo mujhe samjha to saka tha ki aisa kuchh nahin
ishq se bach kar bhi banda kuchh nahin hota magar
ye bhi sach hai ishq men bande ka bachta kuchh nahin
307
Nuance
In its original sense, 'ikhtiyaar' denotes the power or right to make decisions. In poetry, it often reflects the internal struggle between choice and destiny, highlighting the human desire for control amidst life's uncertainties.
Poetic Usage
Poets use 'ikhtiyaar' to explore themes of freedom and constraint. It can signify the burden of choice or the liberation found in surrender. Often contrasted with fate, it serves as a reflection on autonomy.
Closing Insight
Ikhtiyaar embodies the delicate dance between control and surrender. It invites reflection on the power we hold and the power we relinquish.