Meaning
For one's reputation to be utterly destroyed.
Literally: one's honour mixing with the dust
See it in the verse
Aabroo mitti mein milna in Iqbal’s couplets
Nahin hai naumeed Iqbal apni kisht-e-veeran se
Zara nam ho to ye mitti badi zarkhez hai saqi
Zara nam ho to ye mitti badi zarkhez hai saqi
Iqbal is not without hope, even from his barren field — let there be a little moisture, cupbearer, and this soil is wonderfully fertile.
Hope · Aspiration
Kuchh baat hai ki hasti mitti nahin hamari
Sadiyon raha hai dushman daur-e-zaman hamara
Sadiyon raha hai dushman daur-e-zaman hamara
There is something in us that our existence will not be erased — though for centuries the turning of the age has been our enemy.
Adversity · Hope · Unity
Kuch baat hai ki hasti mitti nahin hamari
Sadiyon raha hai dushman daur-e-zaman hamara
Sadiyon raha hai dushman daur-e-zaman hamara
There is something about us that refuses to be erased — for centuries the turning of the age itself has been our enemy.
Hope · Adversity · Self-Knowledge
Teri zindagi isi se teri aabru isi se
Jo rahi khudi to shahi na rahi to ru-siyahi
Jo rahi khudi to shahi na rahi to ru-siyahi
Your life depends on this, your honour depends on this: if selfhood remains you reign like a king, if it is lost only disgrace remains.
Selfhood · Courage · Self-Knowledge