Word Meaning
ग़रीबाँ
gharibāñ
Meaning
The poor, destitute, or friendless strangers and wanderers.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu, this is the plural form of 'gharīb', signifying those who are destitute, helpless, or alien strangers far from home. In the context of this couplet, it appears in the compound 'gor-e-gharībāñ' (the grave or graveyard of the poor/strangers), where no one comes to light a lamp or mourn. It evokes total neglect, loneliness, and the tragic fate of unexpressed grief.
Etymology
From Arabic 'gharīb' (stranger, poor, solitary) combined with the Persian plural suffix '-ān'.
Usage
In classical Urdu ghazals, 'gharībāñ' often evokes the tragic romance of dying in exile or dying destitute without mourners.
Examples
shab-e-gor-e-ghariban (the dark night at the pauper's grave)
haal-e-dil-e-ghariban (the inner plight of the friendless)