Word Meaning
शहीदाँ
shaheedañ
Meaning
martyrs; lovers slain in devotion
Detailed Meaning
The Persian plural form of the Arabic word 'shahid', meaning martyrs. In classical Urdu ghazal, it primarily signifies 'martyrs of love' who have sacrificed their lives at the altar of the beloved's indifference or beauty. In the given couplet, it appears in the compound 'khak-e-shaheedan' (the dust/ashes of martyrs), conveying the enduring passion of lovers whose essence remains restless even in death.
Etymology
Arabic root sh-h-d (witness/martyr) with the Persian plural suffix '-ān'.
Usage
Commonly invoked in mystical and romantic poetry to elevate the suffering of mortal love into a revered act of spiritual martyrdom.
Examples
The dust of martyrs marks the lane of the beloved.
A tribute paid to the martyrs of fidelity.