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4 Urdu couplets and shers with maal

maal(m): treasure, goods

Description of maal: The Urdu word maal primarily means goods, merchandise, or property, encompassing material possessions and commodities of value. It carries connotations of wealth and tangible assets within South Asian contexts. Unlike English terms that distinguish between singular items and collections, maal functions fluidly across both singular and plural meanings depending on context. Differs from simple "stuff" by implying value and intentionality rather than random accumulation. In Urdu poetry and literature, maal

1 / 4: maal

tahqeeq ki nazar se aakhir koon ham ne dekha

aksar hain maal waale

kum hain kamaal waale

after deep scrutiny

we discovered this truth

there are many with wealth

but few with true excellence

Siraj Aurangabadi (4)

tahqeeq (m) (1)

scrutiny, research

nazar (f) (34)

perspective, sight

aakhir (5)

alas, afterall

koon (m) (3)

poetic form of ko

aksar (7)

often

maal (m) (4)

treasure, goods

kamaal (m) (3)

feat, wonder

Theme: Friends, Family, & Community (146)

2 / 4: maal

is khazaane mein se jo chaaho uThaa le jaao

aur baDh jaataa hai yeh maal

jo kam hotaa hai

from this treasure,

take what you wish

the wealth within increases

the more you draw from it

Ali Sardar Jafri (6)

1997: Jnanpith Award

1967: Padma Shri

khazaane (m) (1)

treasures

maal (m) (4)

treasure, goods

Theme: Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

3 / 4: maal

hijaab karne ki bandish mujhe gawaara naheen

ki mera jism koyi

maal-e-zar tumhaara naheen

i reject the restriction

to wear a veil

my body is not a treasure of gold

for you to claim

Syeda Arshia Haq (2)

hijaab (m) (1)

veil

bandish (f) (2)

stringing / restriction

gawaara (1)

tolerate

jism (m) (6)

body

maal (m) (4)

treasure, goods

zar (m) (1)

gold, riches

Theme: Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

4 / 4: maal

tabl-o-alam hi paas hain apne na mulk-o-maal

ham se khilaaf ho ke

karegaa zamaana kya

we have only the drum and the banner

neither land nor wealth

what can the world do

by turning against us?

Haidar Ali Aatish (9)

tabl (m) (1)

drum

alam (m) (3)

flag, sail, pain, affliction

maal (m) (4)

treasure, goods

khilaaf (m) (3)

against, opposed

zamaana (m) (9)

world, age, days

Featured Themes

Love, Passion, and Longing (120)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (114)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (59)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (55)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (73)

Miscellany (44)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (121)

Nature, World & Universe (51)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Friends, Family, & Community (146)

Voice, Expression, & Language (82)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (38)

Time, Life & Learning (133)

Home, Country, & Belonging (31)

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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maal(m): treasure, goods

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Featured Themes