Meaning
The loop of the snare; the trap laid for the free spirit.
Literally: 'ring of the net'
See it in the verse
Halqa-e-daam 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
Ho mere dam se yunhi watan ki zeenat
Jis tarah phool se hoti hai chaman ki zeenat
Jis tarah phool se hoti hai chaman ki zeenat
Let my country be adorned by me, as a garden is adorned by its flowers.
Aspiration · Youth · Action
Ho halqa-e-yaaran to bresham ki tarah narm
Razm-e-haq-o-baatil ho to faulad hai momin
Razm-e-haq-o-baatil ho to faulad hai momin
Among friends, the man of faith is soft as silk; in the battle of truth against falsehood, he is steel.
Courage · Selfhood · Justice
Ishq dam-e-Jibreel ishq dam-e-Mustafa
Ishq Khuda ka Rasool ishq Khuda ka kalaam
Ishq Khuda ka Rasool ishq Khuda ka kalaam
Love is the breath of Gabriel, love the breath of the Prophet; love is the messenger of God, love is the Word of God.
Love · Aspiration
Khudi mein doob ja ghafil, ye sirr-e-zindagani hai
Nikal kar halqa-e-shaam-o-sahar se javedan ho ja
Nikal kar halqa-e-shaam-o-sahar se javedan ho ja
Dive into your selfhood, O heedless one — this is the secret of life. Step out of the ring of evening and morning, and become everlasting.
Selfhood · Self-Knowledge · Awakening
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