फ़क़ीर

Meaning

A dervish, Sufi mystic, mendicant, or humble self-reference.

Detailed Meaning

In classical Urdu poetry, 'faqeer' denotes an ascetic or dervish who renounces worldly riches in favor of spiritual contentment. In this couplet, it also operates as an emblem of the speaker himself, who proudly rejects royal pomp in favor of the humble felt cap of the mystic.

Etymology

Arabic (فقير), from the root f-q-r meaning 'poor', 'destitute', or 'in spiritual need of God'.

Usage

In the ghazal, poets often deploy 'faqeer' to embody spiritual supremacy over earthly rulers, and as a humble first-person surrogate for themselves.

Examples

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Related Words