Word Meaning
ख़याली
khayaalii
Meaning
Imaginary, illusory, fancied, or existing only in thought.
Detailed Meaning
The term describes something born of pure imagination, subjective thought, or illusion rather than concrete reality. In the cited verse, it qualifies the idols ('asnaam') as mental constructs and phantoms of perception rather than physical statues. The poet reflects on how these conceptual illusions lead one away from true unity into spiritual disbelief.
Etymology
Arabic 'khayaal' (imagination, shadow, phantom) + Persian adjectival suffix '-ii'.
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, it frequently qualifies entities like beauty, union, or idols to highlight the illusory and fleeting nature of human perception.
Examples
Duniya-e-khayaalii (an imaginary world)
Paimaan-e-khayaalii (an illusory promise)