Meaning
Spiritual courtesy; the refined comportment and reverent etiquette the seeker observes before God and the master.
Literally: courtesy, discipline, good manners
How Iqbal uses it
Iqbal regards inner adab as the discipline of the soul, the reverent bearing that befits the presence of God.
See it in the verse
Adab in Iqbal’s couplets
Jab ishq sikhata hai aadab-e-khud-aagahi
Khulte hain ghulamon par asrar-e-shahanshahi
Khulte hain ghulamon par asrar-e-shahanshahi
When love teaches the discipline of self-awareness, the secrets of sovereignty open up even to slaves.
Freedom · Self-Knowledge · Awakening
Zamistani hawa mein garche thi shamshir ki tezi
Na chhute mujh se london mein bhi aadab-e-sahar-khezi
Na chhute mujh se london mein bhi aadab-e-sahar-khezi
Though the winter wind cut like the edge of a sword, even in London I never let go of the discipline of rising at dawn.
Action · Courage · Self-Knowledge