Meaning
The ritual Islamic prayer performed five times daily.
How Iqbal uses it
Iqbal repeatedly distinguishes the namaaz that is mere bodily routine from the prayer that ignites the self and binds the community. He calls Muslims back to a prayer that is action and not just gesture.
See it in the verse
Namaaz in Iqbal’s couplets
Main jo sar-ba-sajda hua kabhi to zameen se aane lagi sada
Tera dil to hai sanam-aashna tujhe kya milega namaz mein
Tera dil to hai sanam-aashna tujhe kya milega namaz mein
Whenever I bowed my head in prostration, a voice rose from the earth: your heart is in love with idols — what will you gain from prayer?
Self-Knowledge · Humility
Tera imam be-huzoor teri namaz be-suroor
Aisi namaz se guzar aise imam se guzar
Aisi namaz se guzar aise imam se guzar
Your prayer-leader is without presence, your prayer without rapture — move past such a prayer, move past such a leader.
Awakening · Courage · Freedom
Related words
ARABIC
Salaat
The obligatory ritual prayer of Islam; the Arabic term for namaaz.
ARABIC
Ruku
The bowing posture in prayer, an act of reverence before the Divine.
ARABIC
Qiyaam
The standing posture in Islamic prayer; also uprising or steadfast standing.
ARABIC
Ibaadat
Worship; acts of devotion and service offered to God.