Word Meaning
रिया
riyā
Meaning
Hypocrisy, dissimulation, pretense, especially feigned piety or deceit.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'riya' denotes hypocrisy, ostentation, and the deliberate pretense of piety to deceive observers. In Ghalib's couplet, the compound 'arbab-e-riya' signifies the practitioners of deceit whose hidden corruptions were once unmasked by the poet's penetrating sight. It represents the antithesis of spiritual sincerity and inward devotion.
Etymology
Arabic (رِياء, riyā'), derived from the root r-'-y (to see, to show), signifying doing good deeds merely to be seen by others.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, 'riya' is frequently contrasted with 'ikhlas' (sincerity) and serves as an indictment of the sanctimonious ascetic or preacher.
Examples
arbab-e-riya (masters of hypocrisy)
zuhd-o-riya (piety and pretension)