Meaning
The roof of the world; the highest plateau or loftiest region of the earth.
Literally: roof of the world
See it in the verse
Bam-e-duniya in Iqbal’s couplets
Door duniya ka mere dam se andhera ho jaye
Har jagah mere chamakne se ujala ho jaye
Har jagah mere chamakne se ujala ho jaye
May the world's darkness be dispelled by my being; may every place be lit by my shining.
Aspiration · Hope · Youth
Sabak phir parh sadaqat ka, adalat ka, shujaat ka
Liya jaega tujhse kaam duniya ki imamat ka
Liya jaega tujhse kaam duniya ki imamat ka
Learn once more the lesson of truth, of justice, of courage — for you will be called upon to lead the world.
Leadership · Courage
Dhoondne wala sitaron ki guzargahon ka
Apne afkaar ki duniya mein safar kar na saka
Apne afkaar ki duniya mein safar kar na saka
He who charts the very pathways of the stars could not journey through the world of his own thoughts.
Self-Knowledge · Selfhood
Uthho meri duniya ke ghareebon ko jaga do
Kakh-e-umara ke dar-o-deewar hila do
Kakh-e-umara ke dar-o-deewar hila do
Rise, and awaken the poor of my world — shake the doors and the walls of the mansions of the privileged.
Justice · Action
Parindon ki duniya ka darvesh hoon main
Ki shaheen banata nahin aashiyana
Ki shaheen banata nahin aashiyana
I am the dervish of the world of birds — for the falcon never builds itself a nest.
The Falcon · Freedom
Be-khatar kud pada aatish-e-Nimrood mein ishq
Aql hai mahv-e-tamasha-e-lab-e-baam abhi
Aql hai mahv-e-tamasha-e-lab-e-baam abhi
Love leapt fearlessly into the fire — while reason still stood on the rooftop's edge, lost in watching the spectacle.
Courage · Love · Action