Meaning
Knowledge and wisdom; science and philosophy together.
Literally: 'knowledge and wisdom'
See it in the verse
Ilm-o-hikmat 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
Har ek chiz se paida khuda ki qudrat hai
Koi baDa koi chhoTa ye us ki hikmat hai
Koi baDa koi chhoTa ye us ki hikmat hai
Every single thing reveals the power of creation; that one is large and another small is part of its wisdom.
Humility · Self-Knowledge · Hope