Majaz

Majaz, or majāz, is a term in Arabic rhetoric used to indicate figurative or nonliteral language. It denotes expressions whose meanings go beyond the literal sense, as opposed to haqīqa (literal truth). In Arabic, Persian, Urdu and related literary traditions, majaz encompasses a range of devices such as metaphor (istiʼāra) and simile (tashbīh), as well as other figurative uses that evoke images, emotions, or social meanings. The concept has long informed both poetry and prose, offering ways to articulate complex ideas, abstractions, and critique through vivid, nonliteral language.

Majaz Lucknowi, commonly known simply as Majaz, was a prominent Indian Urdu poet active in the mid-20th century. He was born as Asrar-ul-Haq and lived 1911–1955. The pen name Majaz Lucknowi reflects his association with Lucknow's literary milieu. His poetry is noted for lyrical intensity, romantic sensibility, and engagement with social issues, and he is considered an important figure in modern Urdu poetry. He is often linked with the Progressive Writers' Movement.

Beyond biographical note, the term majaz remains a central concept in studies of Arabic-derived literatures and their influence on South Asian poetry. In criticism, majaz is discussed as a tool for expressing ideas that are amplified or reinterpreted through imagery, rather than stated directly; poets and critics examine how figurative language shapes meaning and nuance. The legacy of Majaz supports the continued relevance of such devices in contemporary Urdu verse and literary analysis.