Word Meaning
बाब
baab
Meaning
Matter, affair, subject, or chapter; regarding or concerning (in 'ke baab mein').
Detailed Meaning
Literally meaning a gate, door, or chapter, 'baab' in Urdu frequently signifies a matter, subject, or heading. In this couplet, it appears in the postpositional phrase 'ke baab mein', signifying 'in the matter of' or 'concerning the enemy'. The poet questions why he should harbor suspicion toward a friend regarding an adversary.
Etymology
Arabic origin from the root b-w-b (ب و ب), originally meaning 'door' or 'gate'.
Usage
In ghazal poetry, 'baab' is commonly employed either metaphorically as a gateway/chapter of life or idiomatically as 'ke baab mein' to mean 'in the context of' or 'concerning'.
Examples
In the matter of love, reason often falters.
Say nothing more in this regard.