Word Meaning
एहतिज़ार
iḥtiz̤ār
Meaning
The agony of death; the state of dying or deathbed moments.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetics, 'ehtizār' (properly 'iḥtiz̤ār') denotes the final agony or threshold of death when the soul is on the verge of leaving the body. In this couplet, the speaker lies in this dying state and urgently implores the beloved to arrive without delay, warning that his last breath (dam-e-vāpasīñ) is about to depart forever.
Etymology
Arabic, derived from the root ḥ-ḍ-r (ح-ض-ر), literally meaning 'being brought to presence' (specifically the presence of death/angels).
Usage
In the ghazal, it is frequently invoked to convey the lover's dramatic final appeal for a glimpse of the beloved before life departs.
Examples
Even in the throes of death, I remain waiting for you
The agony of death lasted until the final breath