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3 Urdu couplets and shers with waaqif

waaqif(m): aware of, familiar

Description of waaqif: Waaqif is an Urdu adjective meaning acquainted, aware, or knowledgeable about something. Unlike broader terms like "conscious," which imply general wakefulness or sentience, waaqif specifically denotes familiarity gained through experience or information. Differs from "ilm" , as it emphasizes practical acquaintance rather than theoretical understanding. In Urdu poetry, poets like Ghalib use it to depict lovers attuned to subtle emotions.

1 / 3: waaqif

woh bhi sar-e-maqtal hai ki sach jis ka tha shaahid

aur waaqif-e-ahvaal-e-adaalat

bhi bahut thi

even they were at the site of execution

who bore witness to the truth

and she too was familiar

with the system of justice

Parveen Shakir (16)

sar (m) (8)

front, top, head

sach (m) (8)

truth

shaahid (m) (3)

witness

waaqif (m) (3)

aware of, familiar

ahvaal (m) (2)

condition, state

adaalat (f) (1)

court of law

Theme: Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

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2 / 3: waaqif

hum ishq ke bande hain mazhab se naheen waaqif

gar kaaba hua to kya

butkhaana hua to kya

we are devotees of love,

not of dogmas

whether a mosque or a temple,

so what?

Asifud Daula (6)

ishq (m) (34)

love

bande (m) (2)

children

mazhab (m) (5)

religion

waaqif (m) (3)

aware of, familiar

kaaba (m) (3)

holy mosque in Mecca

butkhaana (m) (2)

temple, place of idols

Theme: Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

3 / 3: waaqif

gunahgaaron mein shaamil hain gunahon se naheen waaqif

saza ko jaante hain hum

khuda jaane khataa kya hai

we are counted among the sinners

yet, unaware of our sins

we know the punishment,

god only knows what the crime is

Chakbast Braj Narayan (6)

gunahgaaron (m) (2)

sinners

shaamil (m) (3)

tobepresent

waaqif (m) (3)

aware of, familiar

saza (m) (4)

punishment

jaante (2)

know

khuda (m) (31)

god

khataa (m) (1)

mistake

Theme: Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Featured Themes

Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Miscellany (44)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

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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waaqif(m): aware of, familiar

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