Meaning
To finish someone off; to kill.
Literally: to complete the business
See it in the verse
Kaam tamam karna in Iqbal’s couplets
Ho mera kaam ghareebon ki himayat karna
Dard-mandon se zaeefon se mohabbat karna
Dard-mandon se zaeefon se mohabbat karna
Let my work be to defend the poor — to love the suffering and the weak.
Justice · Humility · Love
Sabak phir parh sadaqat ka, adalat ka, shujaat ka
Liya jaega tujhse kaam duniya ki imamat ka
Liya jaega tujhse kaam duniya ki imamat ka
Learn once more the lesson of truth, of justice, of courage — for you will be called upon to lead the world.
Leadership · Courage
Hai magar is naqsh mein rang-e-sabaat-e-dawam
Jis ko kiya ho kisi mard-e-Khuda ne tamam
Jis ko kiya ho kisi mard-e-Khuda ne tamam
Only that work bears the colour of lasting permanence which a man of God has brought to completion.
Aspiration · Selfhood · Action
Tu shaheen hai parwaz hai kaam tera
Tere saamne aasman aur bhi hain
Tere saamne aasman aur bhi hain
You are a falcon — flight is your work. There are still more skies in front of you.
The Falcon · Aspiration · Restlessness
Ye kaenat abhi na-tamam hai shayad
Ki aa rahi hai damadam sada-e-kun-fayakun
Ki aa rahi hai damadam sada-e-kun-fayakun
This universe is, perhaps, still unfinished — for the call of 'Be, and it is' keeps sounding, moment after moment.
Hope · Aspiration · Action
Ghulami mein na kaam aati hain shamsheerein na tadbeerein
Jo ho zauq-e-yaqeen paida to kat jaati hain zanjeerein
Jo ho zauq-e-yaqeen paida to kat jaati hain zanjeerein
In bondage, neither swords nor clever schemes are of any use — but once a relish for conviction is born, the chains themselves fall away.
Freedom · Courage · Awakening