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2 Urdu couplets and shers with subah

subah(m): dawn

Description of subah: Subah is an Urdu word meaning "morning" or "dawn," referring to the early hours of daylight. Unlike the Persian-derived administrative term for a Mughal province, it evokes the natural transition from night. Differs from "shaam," which denotes evening, by symbolizing renewal and beginnings. In Urdu poetry, subah often appears in ghazals to metaphorically represent hope, love's awakening, or spiritual enlightenment.

1 / 2: subah

ham aise ahl-e-nazar ko suboot-e-haq ke liye

agar rasool na hote to

subah kaafi thi

for us people of insight

looking for proof of truth

if there’s no prophet

just the dawn would do

Josh Malihabadi (5)

rasool (m) (1)

prophet, guru

subah (m) (2)

dawn

kaafi (3)

enough

Theme: Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

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2 / 2: subah

shab ko mai khoob se pee subah ko tauba kar lee

rind ke rind rahe

haath se jannat na gayi

indulged in wine by night,

sought forgiveness by dawn

i remained a wine-lover

but did not lose paradise

Jalal Lakhnavi (4)

shab (f) (14)

evening, night

mai (f) (7)

spirit, wine

subah (m) (2)

dawn

tauba (m) (3)

repentance, abstinence

rind (m) (2)

free-spirited reveler

rahe (21)

remain

jannat (f) (10)

heaven

Theme: Religion, Reason, & Tradition (72)

Featured Themes

Voice, Expression, & Language (80)

Life, Learning, & Living (132)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (72)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (119)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Friends, Family, & Community (141)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Miscellany (44)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (111)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Love, Passion, and Longing (117)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

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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subah(m): dawn

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