اردو شاعری: فکر الحاد کے تناظر میں ایک تجزیاتی مطالعہ

A CRITICAL STUDY OF URDU POETRY IN THE CONTEXT OF ATHEISTIC THOUGHT

Abstract

Atheism refers to the denial of an absolute reality or the existence of God. Literature serves as a reflection of life and thoughts, and throughout the literary world various ideologies have emerged, among them atheistic thought. Followers of atheistic ideologies have existed in every era, though due to social and economic pressures, they have not always openly expressed their beliefs. However, their poetry often contains skeptical elements that suggest a deep sense of disillusionment and questioning of divine existence. Like world literature, Urdu literature too has witnessed the influence of diverse philosophical and existential conditions be  they social or individual. Urdu poets and writers have also gone through various circumstances, which are reflected in their works. In many cases, their poetry includes questions about the existence of God or expresses a complete sense of denial. Among the early poets, figures like Mir Taqi Mir, Momin, Dagh, Ghalib, and Mir Dard are noteworthy. While their poetry is not entirely atheistic, it does contain prominent skeptical and atheistic undertones. In the twentieth century, these ideas became more pronounced and matured within Urdu poetry. Poets such as Jaun Elia, Noon Meem Rashid, and Rafi Raza clearly reflect atheistic ideologies, often portraying a more explicit denial of divine existence in their works.