Meaning of
khau'f
खौ़फ • خوف
English
fear; dread; apprehension
Hindi
डर; भय; आशंका
Urdu
خوف; ڈر; اندیشہ
Origin
Arabic
Ash'aar
parind kyun mirii shaakhon se khauf khaate hain
ki ik darakht hooñ aur saaya-daar main bhi hooñ
24
ghar men bhi dil nahin lag raha kaam par bhi nahin ja raha
jaane kya KHauf hai jo tujhe choom kar bhi nahin ja raha
raat ke teen bajne ko hai yaar ye kaisa mahboob hai
jo gale bhi nahin lag raha aur ghar bhi nahin ja raha
296
yahaañ maut ka khauf kuchh yuñ hai sabko
ki jeene ki KHaatir mare ja rahe hain
56
tum par ik din marte marte mar jaana hai
deewane ko kahaan khabar hai ghar jaana hai
ek shabd tumko andhere ka khauf dilaakar
baad men KHud bhi jaan bujhkar dar jaana hai
54
haadson ki zad pe hain to muskurana chhod den
zalzalon ke khauf se kya ghar banaana chhod den
49
ai aasmaan tere KHuda ka nahin hai khauf
darte hain ai zameen tere aadmi se ham
33
dushmanon ki jafaa ka khauf nahin
doston ki vafaa se darte hain
30
masaail to bahut se hain magar bas ek hi hal hai
sehar se shaam tak sar meraa hai begum ki chappal hai
mere maalik bhala isse burii bhi kya saza hogii
meraa shaadi-shuda hona hi dozakh ki rehersal hai
25
is khauf men ki KHud na bhatk jaayen raah men
bhatke huoon ko raah dikhaata nahin koi
25
bhale hain faasle qurbat se KHauf lagta hai
ye kya bala hai jo aisi viraani qaid hui
24
parind kyun mirii shaakhon se khauf khaate hain
ki ik darakht hooñ aur saaya-daar main bhi hooñ
24
ghar men bhi dil nahin lag raha kaam par bhi nahin ja raha
jaane kya KHauf hai jo tujhe choom kar bhi nahin ja raha
raat ke teen bajne ko hai yaar ye kaisa mahboob hai
jo gale bhi nahin lag raha aur ghar bhi nahin ja raha
296
Nuance
Khau'f embodies a deep-seated fear or dread, often lurking in the shadows of the mind. In poetry, it becomes a powerful force, shaping the emotional landscape with its intensity. It is the silent whisper of unease that can haunt the soul.
Poetic Usage
Poets use 'khau'f' to explore themes of vulnerability and the unknown. It can represent the barriers within oneself or the external threats that loom large. It contrasts with courage, highlighting the struggle between fear and bravery.
Closing Insight
Khau'f in poetry is a testament to the human condition, where fear and courage dance in a delicate balance.