Word Meaning
दोज़ख़
dozakh
Meaning
Hell or the underworld; a place or condition of intense fiery torment.
Detailed Meaning
Literally denoting the realm of hell and infernal fire in Persian and Islamic cosmology, 'dozakh' symbolizes supreme torment. In this couplet, it serves as a vivid metaphor for the lover's daily and nightly agony born from the burning fire of passion ('soz-e-ishq'). It is juxtaposed directly against 'bahisht' (paradise) to question whether a heart already scorched by earthly love could ever belong in heaven.
Etymology
Persian (دوزخ - dōzax), from Middle Persian 'dušox', derived from Avestan 'daushahuua' (evil existence or bad realm).
Usage
In classical Urdu ghazal, poets frequently pair 'dozakh' with 'bahisht' (paradise) to contrast the fiery suffering of passion against spiritual reward or pious expectation.
Examples
The agony of separation turned every breathing moment into hell.
A heart ablaze with longing cares little for the flames of hell.