Meaning
One who has true vision; a person of insight able to see the inner reality.
Literally: possessor of sight
How Iqbal uses it
The seer who pierces appearances to the truth beneath; the sahib-e-nazar perceives the divine glory hidden in the ordinary face of things.
See it in the verse
Sahib-e-nazar in Iqbal’s couplets
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
Nazar nahin to mere halqa-e-sukhan mein na baith
Ki nukta-ha-e-khudi hain misal-e-tegh-e-asil
Ki nukta-ha-e-khudi hain misal-e-tegh-e-asil
If you have no vision, do not sit in my circle of speech — for the subtleties of selfhood are like a sword of true steel.
Selfhood · Self-Knowledge · Courage
Hai Ram ke vajood pe Hindostan ko naaz
Ahl-e-nazar samajhte hain us ko imam-e-Hind
Ahl-e-nazar samajhte hain us ko imam-e-Hind
India takes pride in the very existence of Ram; those of discerning sight regard him as the spiritual leader of India.
Unity
Tujhe kitab se mumkin nahin faragh ki tu
Kitab-khwan hai magar sahib-e-kitab nahin
Kitab-khwan hai magar sahib-e-kitab nahin
You cannot be free of the book, for you are a reader of books but not their master.
Self-Knowledge · Action · Selfhood
Sultani-e-jamhur ka aata hai zamana
Jo naqsh-e-kuhan tum ko nazar aae miTa do
Jo naqsh-e-kuhan tum ko nazar aae miTa do
The age of the people's rule is arriving; whatever old patterns you still see, wipe them away.
Freedom · Awakening · Justice