Meaning
The houri of Paradise; the heavenly beauty.
Literally: houri of heaven
How Iqbal uses it
The paradisal houri embodies promised beauty; Iqbal sometimes measures the dynamic passion of earthly love and longing against this static heavenly reward.
See it in the verse
Hoor-e-Bahisht in Iqbal’s couplets
Baagh-e-bahisht se mujhe hukm-e-safar diya tha kyun
Kaar-e-jahan daraaz hai ab mera intezaar kar
Kaar-e-jahan daraaz hai ab mera intezaar kar
Why was I given the command to depart the garden of paradise? The work of the world is long now — so wait for me.
Action · Aspiration · Restlessness
Ilm mein bhi suroor hai lekin
Ye wo jannat hai jis mein hoor nahin
Ye wo jannat hai jis mein hoor nahin
There is a certain delight in knowledge too — but it is a paradise without companions.
Self-Knowledge · Love · Humility