Meaning
To earn a good reputation.
Literally: to earn a name
See it in the verse
Naam kamana in Iqbal’s couplets
Nahin hai naumeed Iqbal apni kisht-e-veeran se
Zara nam ho to ye mitti badi zarkhez hai saqi
Zara nam ho to ye mitti badi zarkhez hai saqi
Iqbal is not without hope, even from his barren field — let there be a little moisture, cupbearer, and this soil is wonderfully fertile.
Hope · Aspiration
Mira tariq amiri nahin faqiri hai
Khudi na bech gharibi mein naam paida kar
Khudi na bech gharibi mein naam paida kar
My way is not wealth but faqr, the dervish's poverty. Do not sell your selfhood; make your name in poverty itself.
Selfhood · Humility · Courage
Yunan o Misr o Roma sab mit gaye jahan se
Ab tak magar hai baqi naam-o-nishan hamara
Ab tak magar hai baqi naam-o-nishan hamara
Greece, Egypt and Rome have all vanished from the world — yet to this day our name and trace remain.
Adversity · Hope
Yunan o Misr o Roma sab mit gaye jahan se
Ab tak magar hai baqi naam-o-nishan hamara
Ab tak magar hai baqi naam-o-nishan hamara
Greece, Egypt and Rome have all vanished from the world — yet to this day our name and trace remain.
Adversity · Hope
Mera tariq amiri nahin faqiri hai
Khudi na bech ghareebi mein naam paida kar
Khudi na bech ghareebi mein naam paida kar
My way is not wealth but inner sufficiency — do not sell your selfhood; earn your name even in poverty.
Selfhood · Freedom · Courage
Mera tariq amiri nahin faqiri hai
Khudi na bech gharibi mein nam paida kar
Khudi na bech gharibi mein nam paida kar
My way is not wealth but a chosen poverty; do not sell your selfhood, make your name even in want.
Selfhood · Courage · Humility