मज़हब

Meaning

Religion, creed, sect, or spiritual path.

Detailed Meaning

In classical Urdu usage, 'mazhab' denotes an institutionalized religion, theological school, or creed. In Mir's couplet, compounded as 'deen-o-mazhab', it signifies formal orthodoxy and outward communal identity. The poet deliberately renounces these societal religious markers to emphasize total submission to the intoxicating path of love.

Etymology

Arabic مَذْهَب (maḏhab), noun of place/manner from the root ذ-ه-ب (ḏ-h-b), literally meaning 'a path taken' or 'a way of going'.

Usage

In classical ghazal poetry, 'mazhab' is frequently contrasted with 'ishq' (true love) to critique dogmatic hypocrisy and celebrate spiritual freedom.

Examples

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