Word Meaning
वफ़ा-दारी
wafa-dari
Meaning
Faithfulness, steadfast loyalty, fidelity, or unwavering devotion.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'wafa-dari' signifies unconditional fidelity, dedication, and constancy in love or conviction. In this couplet, it represents resolute commitment to one's path, emphasizing that steadfast adherence to a principle—even idol-worship—transcends ritual orthodoxy and constitutes the true core of faith. It posits devotion itself, rather than formal dogma, as the ultimate spiritual virtue.
Etymology
Compound of Arabic 'wafā' (loyalty, fulfillment) and the Persian nominal suffix '-dārī' (holding, possessing).
Usage
In the ghazal, it is celebrated as the defining quality of the true lover, standing in permanent contrast to the proverbial indifference or cruelty of the beloved.
Examples
In the lane of love, unwavering loyalty is the sole criterion.
He spent his entire life in fidelity, asking for nothing in return.