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2 Urdu couplets and shers with vahm

vahm(m): illusion, suspicion, fear

Description of vahm: Vahm is an Urdu word meaning unfounded suspicion, baseless fear, or a mistaken notion arising from imagination rather than evidence. Unlike khauf, which denotes genuine terror rooted in real danger, vahm lacks any tangible basis and dissipates under scrutiny. It differs from shaq, a rational doubt supported by incomplete facts, by being purely illusory. In Urdu poetry, vahm often depicts love's torments, as in Ghalib's verses where it ensnares the

1 / 2: vahm

aqaa’ed vahm hai mazhab khayaal-e-khaam hai saaqi

azal se zehn-e-insaan

basta-e-auhaam hai saaqi

religion but a fanciful belief

a string of delusions

forever the human mind has been

hostage to a bundle of superstitions

Sahir Ludhianvi (18)

1971: Padma Shri

2013: Commemorative Stamp India

vahm (m) (2)

illusion, suspicion, fear

mazhab (m) (5)

religion

khayaal (m) (15)

thoughts

saaqi (f) (10)

wine-pourer, bartender

azal (m) (3)

eternity, from beginning

zehn (m) (4)

mind

insaan (m) (12)

human

basta (m) (1)

bundle

auhaam (m) (1)

superstition

Theme: Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

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2 / 2: vahm

dard ho to dawaa bhi mumkin hai

vahm ke

kya dawaa kare koyi?

for true pain

remedy exists

but what cure

for mere suspicion?

Yagana Changezi (8)

dard (m) (21)

pain

dawaa (f) (5)

medicine, cure

mumkin (8)

possible

vahm (m) (2)

illusion, suspicion, fear

Theme: Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Featured Themes

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Miscellany (44)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Alfaaz Ki Mehfil is a curated space for timeless poetry celebrating words, emotions, and the enduring beauty of expression. From classic Urdu couplets to modern reflections, it brings together generations of poetic voices that speak of love, longing, hope, and the human soul.

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vahm(m): illusion, suspicion, fear

Featured Shaayars

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Featured Themes