मैं हूँ सदफ़ तो तेरे हाथ मेरे गुहर की आबरू
मैं हूँ ख़ज़फ़ तो तू मुझे गौहर-ए-शाहवार कर
— Allama Iqbal
Meaning
If I am mother-of-pearl, then my hands are yours, the beauty of a jewel; and if I am the earth, then make me the magnificent jewel of the king.
Explanation
This profound couplet speaks to the immense power of perception and potential. The poet suggests that his worth is not inherent; it depends entirely on how the beloved views him. If he is merely a humble shell (sadf), he still holds the honor of a pearl. But if he is rough coal (khazf), the beloved has the power to transform him into the most magnificent, radiant jewel—the pearl of the palace. It's a beautiful plea for recognition and transformation.