Word Meaning
सूफि़याँ
sūfiyāñ
Meaning
Sufis, mystics, or ascetic spiritual seekers.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu and Persian poetry, this is the Persian plural form of 'sufi', referring to mystical ascetics devoted to spiritual realization. In this couplet, it evokes seekers of divine truth who passed away in sublime unawareness, transcending conventional perception where absolute awareness borders on total oblivion.
Etymology
Arabic 'ṣūf' (wool), forming 'ṣūfī' (one who wears coarse wool), combined with the Persian plural suffix '-ān'.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, Sufis are sometimes revered for inner gnosis and transcendence, but also frequently satirized alongside the ascetic zahid for outward hypocrisy.
Examples
The Sufis remained indifferent to mundane glory.
The way of the Sufis lies beyond formal reason.