Word Meaning
नुजूम
nujūm
Meaning
Stars, constellations; in astrology, celestial bodies determining destiny or misfortune.
Detailed Meaning
'Nujoom' is the Arabic broken plural of 'najm', denoting stars or celestial constellations. In classical Urdu poetry and Islamic astrology, stars were often believed to govern earthly fortunes and adversity. In this couplet, it specifically evokes the astrological bodies whose adverse alignments were thought to cut short human life.
Etymology
Arabic plural of 'najm' (نجم), from the root n-j-m, meaning to appear or rise like a star.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, 'nujoom' is commonly invoked alongside fate, insomnia, or the indifferent cruelty of the night sky.
Examples
The turning of the stars brought no solace to the wounded heart.
A sky full of stars watched over the restless lover throughout the night.