Word Meaning
ताइब
tā'ib
Meaning
Repentant; one who sincerely turns away from sin toward God.
Detailed Meaning
In classical poetry and Islamic thought, 'tā'ib' describes someone who sincerely renounces transgressions and turns toward spiritual reform through repentance (tawba). In the couplet, it contrasts the humble seeker who genuinely weeps and reforms himself with the rigid Sheikh who still lacks the divine grace to truly repent.
Etymology
Arabic, active participle from the root t-w-b (ت-و-ب), meaning to turn back, repent.
Usage
In ghazal poetry, 'tā'ib' is frequently used in ironic contexts where the lover or drinker renounces wine and worldly pleasure, only to immediately break his vows.
Examples
Having repented of drinking, he still gazed longing towards the tavern.
The sinner wept through the night and emerged fully repentant.