Word Meaning
हिकायत
hikayat
Meaning
A story, tale, narrative, or recount of an experience.
Detailed Meaning
In Urdu poetry, 'hikayat' denotes a narrative, tale, or the retelling of one's personal trials and passions. In this couplet, it appears in the izafat construct 'hikayat-e-sabr-e-gurez-pa', meaning the account or story of elusive, fleeting patience. It serves as a contrast to complaint ('shikayat'), presenting the lover's inner struggle as a poignant tale to be told.
Etymology
Arabic حِكَايَة (ḥikāya), from the root ح-ك-ي (ḥ-k-y), meaning to relate, recount, or narrate.
Usage
In the classical ghazal, poets often pair 'hikayat' with 'shikayat' for phonetic harmony and to frame their suffering both as a narrative and a lament.
Examples
hikayat-e-dil-e-khush-fehm (the tale of a hopeful heart)
Hearing my tale of sorrow, even the rivals were moved.