Meaning
To bring honour and renown to one's name or family.
Literally: to make the name shine
See it in the verse
Naam Roshan Karna 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
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 been erased from the world — yet our name and our mark still remain.
Hope · Unity
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
Zameer-e-laala mein roshan charagh-e-aarzu kar de
Chaman ke zarre zarre ko shaheed-e-justuju kar de
Chaman ke zarre zarre ko shaheed-e-justuju kar de
Light the lamp of longing in the heart of the tulip — and make every grain of the garden a martyr to the search.
Aspiration · Hope · Restlessness
Khudi ke saaz mein hai umr-e-javidan ka suragh
Khudi ke soz se roshan hain ummaton ke charagh
Khudi ke soz se roshan hain ummaton ke charagh
Within the music of selfhood lies the trace of an everlasting life — and it is by the burning of selfhood that the lamps of whole peoples are lit.
Selfhood · Leadership · Hope
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