शबानी

Meaning

Shepherding; pastoral care; the humble occupation of a shepherd.

Detailed Meaning

In classical Urdu and Persian poetry, 'shabani' refers to the occupation or state of being a shepherd. In this couplet, it serves as an allusion (talmih) to the period Moses spent tending flocks in Madyan before his divine communion, symbolizing sincere, humble guardianship as a prerequisite for spiritual leadership. Iqbal contrasts this genuine pastoral spirit with the empty pomp of worldly caravan leaders.

Etymology

Persian, derived from 'shaban' (shepherd, protector of sheep) combined with the abstract noun suffix '-i'.

Usage

In reflective Urdu poetry, it is most often employed as a Quranic allusion to Moses' humility prior to prophethood.

Examples

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Related Words