Meaning
Lacking in courtesy; impertinent, irreverent.
Literally: Be (without) plus adab (manners).
How Iqbal uses it
Having spoken a secret aloud in the full assembly, Iqbal calls himself be-adab and asks for punishment, the lover's playful confession that his ardour has overrun the bounds of propriety.
See it in the verse
Be-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
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