Meaning
The people of the gathering; companions of an assembly.
Literally: Ahl (people of) plus mehfil (assembly).
How Iqbal uses it
Addressing the ahl-e-mehfil, the company of the gathering, Iqbal speaks as the dawn-candle about to gutter out, a parting word from the soul to its fellow guests of life.
See it in the verse
Ahl-e-mehfil in Iqbal’s couplets
Tere seene mein dam hai, dil nahin hai
Tera dam garmi-e-mahfil nahin hai
Tera dam garmi-e-mahfil nahin hai
There is breath in your chest, but no heart. Your breath carries none of the warmth that lights up a gathering.
Awakening · Selfhood · Love
Hai Ram ke vajood pe Hindostan ko naaz
Ahl-e-nazar samajhte hain us ko imam-e-Hind
Ahl-e-nazar samajhte hain us ko imam-e-Hind
India takes pride in the very existence of Ram; those of discerning sight regard him as the spiritual leader of India.
Unity