Word Meaning
मग़रिब
maghrib
Meaning
The West, the Occident; sunset or the cardinal direction west.
Detailed Meaning
Literally meaning the place or time of sunset, 'maghrib' designates the cardinal direction west. In Urdu socio-philosophical poetry, particularly by Allama Iqbal, it prominently represents the Western civilization and its materialistic outlook. In this couplet, it denotes Europe and the Western nations whose capitalism and mercantile values are being critiqued.
Etymology
Arabic (مَغْرِب), derived from the root gh-r-b (غ-ر-ب) meaning to set (of celestial bodies) or to depart.
Usage
In modern and classical Urdu poetry, it is frequently paired in contrast with 'mashriq' (the East) to debate spiritualism versus materialism.
Examples
The fading glow of Maghrib filled the heart with longing.
Entangled in the allure of the Maghrib, travelers lost their true path.