Word Meaning
सहर-ख़ेज़ी
sahar-khezi
Meaning
Early rising; waking or getting up at dawn, especially for prayer or meditation.
Detailed Meaning
Sahar-khezi refers to the practice of rising early at the break of dawn, traditionally associated with morning devotion, ascetic discipline, or contemplation. In Iqbal's couplet, it denotes maintaining the cultural and spiritual habit of early rising (for morning prayer or study) despite the biting winter cold of London. It represents spiritual steadfastness and allegiance to one's Eastern spiritual routines in a Western metropolis.
Etymology
Compound of Arabic 'sahar' (dawn/early morning) and Persian 'khez' (root of 'khashtan', to rise) with the abstract noun suffix '-i'.
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, sahar-khezi is often praised as a noble virtue of the pious, the scholar, or the yearning lover seeking silent communion at dawn.
Examples
The mystic spent his youth in fasting and early rising.
Early rising at dawn brings tranquility to the restless heart.