‘Sympathy’ by Allama Muhammad Iqbal

Introduction to the Poet and the Poem

Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938), widely known as a ‘Poet of the East’, was not only a
poet but a philosopher, reformer, and a visionary thinker. His poetry aims to awaken the soul
of the Muslim Ummah and bring about moral, intellectual, and spiritual revival. ‘Sympathy’
is a well-known poem by Allama Muhammad Iqbal, included in his famous poetry Collection
Bang-e-Dra (The Call of the Drum), that was published in 1924. It was written during the
period of British colonial rule in India, a time marked by widespread oppression and
injustice. In this poem, Iqbal urges the readers to realise the sufferings of the community and
feel compassion and empathy for them. This message aligns with the main themes of Bang-e-
Dra, where Iqbal encourages people to develop their inner strength (Khudi) along with the
deep concern for justice and welfare of others. The poem ‘Sympathy’ teaches us the
importance of caring for humanity, offering hope in times of despair, and standing against
injustice. In this poem, he addresses a universal message that transcends age, religion, and
region: the importance of helping others with whatever resources or light we have. It is a
short moral poem written for children but carries profound lessons for people of all ages. Its
simple language, gentle tone, and use of animal characters help make deep values
understandable and relatable.
Summary of the Poem
The poem presents a touching interaction between a nightingale and a glow-worm. The
nightingale, sorrowful and afraid in the darkness of night, worries about returning to its nest.
In its moment of despair, a glow-worm notices its condition and offers help by lighting its
path. Though small, weak and insignificant in appearance, the glow-worm realises that God
has blessed him with light to serve others. This symbolic story emphasises the idea that every
being, no matter how small or ordinary, can play a meaningful role in making the world
better. The act of kindness by the glow-worm becomes the central point of moral and spiritual
guidance.
Symbolic Interpretation

The poem is not just a simple dialogue; it symbolises a deeper philosophy of life. The
nightingale is portrayed as a beautiful but helpless bird who finds itself lost in the darkness of
night, scared and uncertain about how to return home. It is anxious and afraid due to the
surrounding dense darkness. Lonely and confused, it longs for safety and guidance, feeling
powerless and dependent on the help of others. Symbolically, the nightingale represents the
general human soul lost in complete despair. It represents vulnerable individuals in need of
emotional or moral support, facing the hardships of life. Through this image, Iqbal reflects
the emotional and spiritual fragility that many experience during dark and trying times. The
deep darkness of the night symbolises the tensions, problems, and despair of life.
Historically, the nightingale symbolises the Muslim community of the Indian Subcontinent,
engulfed in despair and longing for a leader who could guide them towards light and hope.
The glow-worm, offering light and guidance, symbolises the kind of enlightened leadership
or spiritual awakening Iqbal hoped would uplift the Ummah. Iqbal’s broader poetic mission is
to awaken self-awareness (Khudi), inspire unity, and encourage the revival of Islamic values
in the face of subjugation and despair. The nightingale, traditionally a poetic symbol, is
portrayed as sensitive and emotionally expressive, embodying sincerity and heartfelt
vulnerability. Its openness to receiving help reflects a deep humility, while its innocence and
pure-hearted nature evokes compassion. In Iqbal’s vision, the nightingale becomes a soulful
metaphor for those whose fragility is not weakness, but a quiet strength rooted in sincerity
and hope. The moral function of the symbol of the nightingale is to remind us that suffering
are natural parts of the human experience, and acknowledging the need for help is natural and
not the expression of weakness. In the poem, the glow-worm, a small insect, notices the
nightingale’s sorrow and offers its light to guide her safely home. Although it is tiny but very
calm, caring, and composed. It feels a profound responsibility to use its God-given gift for the
good of others. Symbolically, the glow-worm represents selfless and humble individuals who
quietly serve their communities with their spiritual strength. It conveys the powerful idea that
even apparently insignificant and tiny creatures can contribute to the greater good of
community. It also symbolises a divine guide just as a Sufi figure leading lost souls. Humble
and God fearing, the glow-worm does not boast about its light but shares it generously.
Despite its small size, its generous and supportive nature expresses its real glory and
greatness. Morally, it teaches that helping others with humility and selflessness is a sacred
mission. Ultimately, the glow-worm inspires us to use whatever blessings we have, great or
small, to brighten the lives of others, serving as a model of the ideal believer. The meeting
between the nightingale and the glow-worm is more than just a dialogue; it reflects a deep
philosophy of life. It shows that all living beings are connected, and kindness matters in every
relationship. Strength or size doesn’t define value, and nothing is useless. The nightingale,
though strong, needs help, while the glow-worm, though small, offers wisdom. This moment
teaches us that anyone can give support, and anyone can need it. No one is too small to make
a difference, and no one is too privileged to need care.

Thematic Analysis

The main message of the poem ‘Sympathy’ is helping others selflessly, considering it a moral
duty. Iqbal encourages us to feel for those in pain and be ready to support them. In God’s
creation, no one is without purpose. Each person has value and a special light within, whether
it is talent, wisdom, or something else. One should use these gifts to benefit others. God
blesses everyone with some ability, and it is his responsibility to share it selflessly as a moral
obligation. Iqbal often emphasises self-awareness, purpose, and the moral duty to uplift
others. This poem also encourages self-realisation, urging the reader to look within, reflect on
their outlook on life, and recognise the value of selfless support and guidance for others. It
reminds us that even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference. The poem
calls us to embrace our role in serving humanity with sincerity, compassion, and empathy.
The poem teaches that genuine concern for others is the root of morality. Sympathy binds
human beings and makes life meaningful. The glow-worm does not consider its size or
weakness; it offers help from a pure heart. It reflects that true greatness is shown in service,
not status. The glow-worm’s light in the night represents hope during hopeless times. It
reminds us that even in difficulty, there is always light whether we seek or offer it. The glow-
worm’s light in the darkness symbolises hope in times of despair. It reminds us that even in
the hardest moments. The poem gently teaches the timeless lesson of hope. The poem clearly
shows that moral and spiritual strength is far more valuable than physical strength. The tiny
glow-worm becomes a hero because of its inner light and will to serve. The glow-worm says,
‘God has given me a lamp’ indicating strong faith that whatever one has, it is from God and
must be used responsibly for the betterment of the community. The nightingale and glow-
worm show how even the weak can help the strong, and that all creatures are connected. This
theme promotes social cooperation and universal brotherhood. The poem carries deep
philosophical wisdom. It explores themes like the purpose of life, the value of selfless
service, and the spiritual fulfillment found in empathy and selfless service. Helping others,
even in small ways, is the essence of humanity. True light lies not in external brightness but
in the intention to guide. The poem carries a Sufi essence, showing that those who serve
others are closest to God. The act of kindness brings purpose to one's existence. Inner beauty
and usefulness are far superior to outward appearance.
Literary Devices
The poet uses many literary devices to make the oral appeal powerful. He personifies the
nightingale and the glow-worm, giving them human thoughts and voices, making the poem
emotionally relatable. These creatures and elements, such as nightingale, glow-worm,
darkness, and light, are symbols with deeper meanings. The nightingale represents a
sorrowful, helpless soul; the glow-worm stands for a selfless helper or spiritual guide;
darkness symbolises fear, ignorance, hardships and pessimism; and light represents hope,
self-awareness, and moral courage. The poem is in dialogue form between the nightingale
and glow-worm, which feels natural and touching, symbolising the inner struggle within the
human soul, where hope wins over despair. The contrast between their voices emphasises the
importance of hope and spiritual strength. By contrasting light and darkness, the poet
encourages self-reflection and self-realisation. Vivid imagery such as ‘the nightingale wept’
and ‘darkness has enveloped the whole world’ adds emotional depth to the poem. Metaphors
such as ‘God has given me a torch to carry’ highlight the themes of hope and guidance. The
gentle tone of the poem, along with alliteration such as ‘darkness has drawn near’ gives the
message a soft, musical flow.
Conclusion
The poem ‘Sympathy’ by Allama Iqbal is not just a children’s poem. It is a philosophy of life
in poetic form. It teaches that in a world full of sadness, selfishness and pessimism we must
try to bring light and hope to others. The poem emphasises that no act of kindness is too
small, and what truly matters is our sincere intention and selfless willingness to serve. In a
world full of selfishness and competition, this poem reminds us of the beauty of selfless
service based on empathy. It inspires readers to be leaders through service, not pride. The
poem teaches that one candle can light another, and thus we should always use our blessings
to benefit others. It is a call to moral action, human compassion, spiritual responsibility, and
self-realisation. The universal appeal of the poem encourages us to live not merely for
ourselves but for others, and in doing so, discover our true purpose and place in the world. No
one is too small to help, and what really matters is our honest intention to help others. Iqbal
reminds us that the best way to worship God is by serving others. In present day world, where
materialism and selfishness often prevail, this poem remains deeply relevant, reminding us
that the greatness of man lies in having empathy for humanity. It is the real form of worship
through which a person can find his true place and purpose in the world.
Expected Questions
Short Answer Questions
1. What is the symbolic meaning of the nightingale in the poem ‘Sympathy’ by Allama Iqbal?
2. How does the glow-worm demonstrate spiritual awareness in the poem?
3. What message does Iqbal convey through the dialogue between the nightingale and the
glow-worm?
4. Explain how the poem ‘Sympathy’ reflects the theme of unity, selfless service, hope and
interdependence.
5. How does the poem encourage readers to use their God-given abilities to serve humanity?
Expected Analytical Questions
1. Describe the moral qualities of the glow-worm and how they reflect Iqbal’s vision of an
ideal human being.
2. Explain the role of personification and how it enhances the emotional appeal of the poem.
3. ‘No one is too small to make a difference’ How does Iqbal emphasise this idea in the poem
‘Sympathy’?
4. Discuss the relevance of the poem ‘Sympathy’ in today’s society. Provide examples to
support your answer.
5. Compare and contrast the characters of the nightingale and the glow-worm in terms of
emotional and symbolic significance.
How Iqbal does encourages for self-realization through contrastive dialogue of the poem
‘Sympathy’

Long Answer / Critical Thinking Questions

1. Critically evaluate the literary devices in the poem ‘Sympathy’ such as symbolism,
imagery, and metaphor to make the central message compelling.
2. Discuss the spiritual and philosophical depth of the poem. In what ways does the poem
reflect Sufi principles?
3. How does the poem promote moral responsibility and selfless service as a universal duty?
4. Iqbal’s poem presents a balance between individuality (Khudi) and social responsibility.
Discuss with reference to the poem ‘Sympathy’
5. Evaluate the universal appeal and the timeless message of the poem ‘Sympathy’ for
children and adults alike. How does its simplicity make it universally powerful?
6. How does Allama Iqbal use symbolism in the poem Sympathy to convey deeper
themes such as empathy, hope, and moral responsibility in the face of suffering?

 "Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely
remember what life was like without them."

"Some souls just make life more beautiful—grateful for those who light up my world."
✨