Repentance comes from imitating the nightingale and the peacock; the nightingale is only the voice, and the peacock is only the color.

This couplet is a profound critique of superficial imitation. Allama Iqbal suggests that true repentance (Tauba) cannot come from merely mimicking the Nightingale's song or the Peacock's dazzling colors. He points out the fundamental nature of each: the Nightingale is defined only by its voice, and the Peacock, only by its appearance. The message is clear: authenticity matters more than mere show or mimicry.