Meaning
The acquisition of knowledge; the earning of learning by effort.
See it in the verse
Iktisaab-e-ilm in Iqbal’s couplets
Zindagi ho meri parwane ki surat ya-rab
Ilm ki shama se ho mujh ko mohabbat ya-rab
Ilm ki shama se ho mujh ko mohabbat ya-rab
Let my life be like the moth's, O Lord; let me love the lamp of knowledge.
Love · Aspiration · Youth
Ye ilm ye hikmat ye tadabbur ye hukoomat
Peete hain lahoo dete hain taleem-e-masawat
Peete hain lahoo dete hain taleem-e-masawat
This science, this philosophy, this statecraft, this government — they drink men's blood and preach the lesson of equality.
Justice · Awakening
Na ho naumeed, naumeedi zawal-e-ilm-o-irfan hai
Umeed-e-mard-e-momin hai Khuda ke razdanon mein
Umeed-e-mard-e-momin hai Khuda ke razdanon mein
Do not despair — despair is the downfall of knowledge and insight. The hope of a person of conviction stands among those who know the deepest secrets.
Hope · Youth · Courage
Khudi ho ilm se mohkam to ghairat-e-Jibril
Agar ho ishq se mohkam to soor-e-Israfil
Agar ho ishq se mohkam to soor-e-Israfil
A selfhood made firm by knowledge can rival the angel of revelation; a selfhood made firm by love can rival the trumpet that wakes the world.
Selfhood · Love · Action
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
Ishq ki tegh-e-jigar-dar uda li kis ne
Ilm ke haath mein khali hai niyam ai saqi
Ilm ke haath mein khali hai niyam ai saqi
Who has carried off love's brave, heart-piercing sword? Knowledge holds only an empty scabbard now.
Love · Action · Courage