Word Meaning
बुल-हवस
bul-hawas
Meaning
A superficial lover driven by lust or selfish desire; a pretender.
Detailed Meaning
In Urdu poetry, 'bul-hawas' denotes a pretender in love whose feelings are limited to carnal desire or shallow infatuation rather than genuine devotion. In the given couplet, such a fake lover is contrasted with the true lover, as the 'bul-hawas' flees in terror when the sword of love is unsheathed, while the speaker readily steps forward to shield the blow. It epitomizes cowardice and insincerity in the court of romance.
Etymology
Arabic compound derived from 'bū' (an abbreviation of 'abū', meaning possessor or father of) prefixed to the definite article 'al' and 'hawas' (desire, lust, caprice).
Usage
In classical ghazal, 'bul-hawas' is frequently invoked as the exact antithesis of the true lover ('aashiq-e-saadiq'), exposing the cowardice and shallowness of false suitors.
Examples
A true lover endures torment while the bul-hawas flees from danger.
The sanctuary of love is forbidden to the selfish bul-hawas.