Word Meaning
माशूक़ी
māshūqī
Meaning
The quality or state of being a beloved; loveliness, coquetry.
Detailed Meaning
In Urdu poetics, 'maashooqi' refers to the state, identity, or conduct belonging to the beloved (maashooq), traditionally characterised by beauty, disdain, and commanding allure. In this couplet, Ghalib laments the paradox of a beloved who lacks daring and spirit ('be-hauslagi'), dampening the lover's frenzy. It evokes the anomaly of possessing the exalted status of love without the requisite passion or pride.
Etymology
Derived from Arabic 'ma‘shūq' (beloved, from the root ‘-sh-q meaning passionate love) with the Persian abstract noun suffix '-ī'.
Usage
In the ghazal, it is commonly paired with or contrasted against 'aashiqi' (the state of being an ardent lover).
Examples
The haughty pride inherent to being a beloved
A dispute between lover's passion and the beloved's indifference