insaniyat

Insaniyat is a word used in South Asian languages, especially Urdu and Hindi, meaning "humanity" or "humaneness." Written as انسانیت in Urdu and इंसानियत in Hindi, it derives from the Arabic word insān (إنسان), which means "human." The term conveys ideas of compassion, empathy, dignity, mutual aid and ethical treatment of others.

As a moral and social concept, insaniyat appears across religious, philosophical and secular contexts. It is invoked in everyday speech, moral teaching, humanitarian discourse and political rhetoric to emphasize shared human responsibilities, social solidarity and concern for vulnerable people. In literature and poetry, insaniyat often signifies the better qualities of character—kindness, mercy and selflessness—while in human rights and social welfare discussions it aligns with principles of dignity and humane treatment.

Insaniyat has also been used as a title in South Asian popular culture, including films and television, where it typically signals themes of moral duty, sacrifice and social justice. The term's appeal lies in its ability to bridge personal ethics and collective obligations, making it a recurring motif in cultural narratives about how individuals and societies ought to treat one another.

Contemporary usage spans interpersonal advice, advocacy for refugees and the poor, and calls for civility in public life, reflecting the concept's enduring role as a shorthand for humane values.