Meaning
Before the eyes; in view, present to one's sight or mind.
Literally: before the gaze
How Iqbal uses it
When the beloved's face stays pesh-e-nazar even in absence, memory becomes a continual, aching presence.
See it in the verse
Pesh-e-Nazar in Iqbal’s couplets
Kabhi ae haqeeqat-e-muntazar nazar aa libas-e-majaz mein
Ki hazaron sajde tadap rahe hain teri jabeen-e-niyaz mein
Ki hazaron sajde tadap rahe hain teri jabeen-e-niyaz mein
O long-awaited Truth, show Yourself once in the garb of the visible — for a thousand prostrations quiver in this humble, waiting brow.
Love · Aspiration · Restlessness
Khirad ke paas khabar ke siwa kuchh aur nahin
Tera ilaj nazar ke siwa kuchh aur nahin
Tera ilaj nazar ke siwa kuchh aur nahin
Reason has nothing to offer but information; your cure lies in nothing but vision.
Self-Knowledge · Awakening
Gesu-e-tabdar ko aur bhi tabdar kar
Hosh-o-khirad shikar kar qalb-o-nazar shikar kar
Hosh-o-khirad shikar kar qalb-o-nazar shikar kar
Make the radiant tresses more radiant still — capture sense and reason, hunt down the heart and the eye.
Love · Aspiration · Restlessness
Roz-e-hisab jab pesh ho mera daftar-e-amal
Aap bhi sharmsar ho mujh ko bhi sharmsar kar
Aap bhi sharmsar ho mujh ko bhi sharmsar kar
On the Day of Reckoning, when the ledger of my deeds is laid out, be Yourself abashed even as You make me ashamed.
Humility · Love · Courage
Kabhi ai haqeeqat-e-muntazir nazar aa libas-e-majaz mein
Ki hazaron sajde tarap rahe hain meri jabeen-e-niyaz mein
Ki hazaron sajde tarap rahe hain meri jabeen-e-niyaz mein
O long-awaited Truth, show yourself once in the dress of the visible — for a thousand prostrations are stirring restlessly on my brow of longing.
Love · Aspiration · Restlessness
Uqabi rooh jab bedar hoti hai jawanon mein
Nazar aati hai un ko apni manzil aasmanon mein
Nazar aati hai un ko apni manzil aasmanon mein
When the eagle's spirit awakens in the young, they begin to see their destination up among the skies.
Youth · The Falcon · Awakening