Word Meaning
इंफ़िआल
infi'al
Meaning
Shame, embarrassment, remorse, or humiliation arising from helplessness.
Detailed Meaning
In classical philosophy and Urdu poetics, 'infi'al' fundamentally means being affected or acted upon, which metaphorically evolved into the feeling of deep shame, passivity, and moral discomfort. In this couplet, it represents the humiliation and regret born of a lack of inner resolve. Ghalib considers seeking or accepting even a moral lesson from the world as a source of disgrace for an independent spirit.
Etymology
Arabic (انفعال), verbal noun of Form VII from the trilateral root f-'-l (ف-ع-ل), meaning 'to be acted upon', 'passivity', hence 'shame/embarrassment'.
Usage
In ghazal poetry, it is prized as a sophisticated term to denote the quiet, overwhelming pangs of shame or remorse rather than ordinary guilt.
Examples
drowning in the sweat of infi'al
a heart burdened by infi'al and grief