Word Meaning
शहीदों
shaheedoñ
Meaning
Martyrs; in poetry, lovers slain by the beloved's glance or beauty.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, a martyr is traditionally the lover slain by the cruelty, glance, or elegance of the beloved. In this couplet, the speaker remarks that the blood-soaked shroud of those slain by love bears such splendor that even celestial houris gaze upon them in envy and wonder. The plural oblique form denotes these devoted casualties of desire.
Etymology
Arabic origin, from 'shahīd' (witness, martyr), derived from the root š-h-d signifying to witness or attest.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, the lover's death from unrequited passion is sanctified as an act of martyrdom.
Examples
The houri's covetous gaze upon the martyrs of love
Honoring the martyrs slain by the sword of beauty