का'बे

Meaning

The Kaaba, Islam's sacred sanctuary in Mecca (oblique form: in/to the Kaaba).

Detailed Meaning

The Kaaba is the holiest shrine of Islam, located in Mecca. In this couplet, it designates the site of divine devotion where the lover paradoxically languished near death because he was separated from his worldly beloveds ('butān'). Classical ghazal poetry regularly employs it to symbolize formal, orthodox faith in contrast to the religion of love.

Etymology

Arabic (كَعْبَة / kaʿbah), literally meaning 'cube' or 'cubic structure'.

Usage

In the ghazal tradition, Ka'ba stands for orthodox piety and asceticism, frequently contrasted with the temple (dair) or tavern (maikhāna) to champion mystical love over outward ritual.

Examples

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Related Words