Meaning
A small worm or grub; also a firefly or glow-worm (Persian diminutive of kirm, worm).
Literally: Persian kirm (worm) plus the diminutive -ak.
How Iqbal uses it
In the verse the kirmak-e-shama, the little moth at the candle, speaks of an ancient ardour now missing from both poet's tale of burning and the candle's account of melting, a lament that the old intensity of love has faded.
See it in the verse
Kirmak in Iqbal’s couplets
Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri
Zindagi shama ki surat ho khudaya meri
Zindagi shama ki surat ho khudaya meri
My longing rises to my lips as a prayer: O God, may my life be like a candle's flame.
Hope · Aspiration
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