Word Meaning
हवा-ख़्वाही
hawa-khwahi
Meaning
Goodwill, well-wishing, devotion, or seeking someone's well-being and favor.
Detailed Meaning
The compound denotes well-wishing, genuine concern, or acting out of loyalty and sympathy toward someone. In this couplet, it implies that the Egyptian morning breeze did not carry the scent of Yusuf's tunic out of benevolence or pity for Jacob's grief, but purely to test its own fragrance-bearing power. It highlights the contrast between self-absorbed nature and true compassion.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'hawa' (desire, inclination, air) and 'khwah' (present stem of khwastan, to wish/desire) with the abstract noun suffix '-i'.
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, हवा-ख़्वाही frequently conveys sincere loyalty or questions the true motives behind the beloved's and rival's apparent kindness.
Examples
an expectation of goodwill in love
feigned sympathy and devotion