Word Meaning
ज़ुन्नारी
zunnari
Meaning
Wearing a sacred thread; infidel-like, pagan, or idolatrous.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu poetry, 'zunnar' refers to the sacred cord associated with non-Muslims (such as the Hindu janeu or the Christian girdle), making 'zunnari' an emblem of infidelity or paganism. In this couplet by Iqbal, the poet laments his inner spiritual crisis, stating that his intellect has succumbed to Western influences while his faith remains compromised and akin to that of an idolater.
Etymology
Arabic/Persian 'zunnar' (ultimately from Greek 'zonarion', diminutive of 'zone' meaning belt/girdle) + Persian adjectival suffix '-i'.
Usage
In ghazal poetry, it is frequently used to symbolize heterodoxy, spiritual alienation, or romantic surrender to an idol-like beloved over formal religion.
Examples
A heart caught between orthodox prayers and zunnari inclinations.
The zunnari thread of devotion tied to the beloved.