Maulana Hali declared 'simplicity' an essential condition for poetry. However, according to Shamsur Rahman Faruqi's analysis, Hali's concept of simplicity is the result of a long linguistic and intellectual misunderstanding. When Milton called poetry 'simple' in contrast to rhetoric, he did not mean simplicity of expression or style, but rather the simplicity of reasoning, assertion, and argument. In Milton's time, 'simple' was actually the opposite of 'complex'—meaning an argument free from a multiplicity of elements and entanglement.
Coleridge transformed this logical term into an attribute of poetry (Simplicity). Comparing science and poetry, he stated that the path of science is arduous, whereas poetry is like a broad and easy highway. Hali adopted Coleridge's metaphor verbatim, writing that while the path of knowledge is difficult for a student, a reader of poetry should find a smooth road to walk on comfortably. Thus, Milton's logical discourse was turned by Hali into a utilitarian simplicity that established a new and restrictive standard for Urdu poetry.
Since Hali had to champion this utilitarianism, he judged even the finest examples of classical Urdu poetry by this criterion, distorting their meanings. For instance, consider this famous couplet by Momin Khan Momin:
rahte Hain jama koocha-e-janaan mein ḳhaas-o-aam
aabad ek ghar hai jahaan-e-ḳharaab mein
(The elite and the commoners all gather in the beloved's alley
Only one house thrives in this ruined world)
Objecting to this couplet, Hali argues that the poet, seeing a few suitors of the beloved, concluded that the entire world gathers in her alley, which fails to create any impact. Faruqi clarifies that Hali is ignoring the creation of meaning here. The couplet actually means that since all kinds of people—both elite and common—are enamored with the beloved, hers is the only inhabited house in this desolate world.
Similarly, Hali's commentary on another couplet by Momin reflects his utilitarianism:
ek ham Hain ki hue aise pashemaan ki bas
ek vo Hain ki jinhen chaah ke armaan honge
(There is me, who became so utterly regretful
And then there are those who still harbor desires of love)
Hali interprets this as a moral statement against lust and worldly desires, whereas the true meaning of the couplet is that love is an experience that yields nothing but longing and deprivation. According to Faruqi, by declaring simplicity as a relative concept, Hali managed to save his favorite poets (like Ghalib), but he erected a scaffold for ordinary Urdu poets that severely damaged the poetics of the ghazal.
Maulana Hali declared 'simplicity' an essential condition for poetry Howewer, according to Shamsur Rahman Faruqi's analysis, Hali's concept of simplicity is the result of a long linguistic and intellectual misunderstanding When Milton called poetry 'simple' in contrast to rhetoric, he did not mean simplicity of expression or style, but rather the simplicity of reasoning, assertion, and argument In Milton's time, 'simple' was actually the opposite of 'complex'—meaning an argument free from a multiplicity of elements and entanglement
Coleridge transformed this logical term into an attribute of poetry (Simplicity) Comparing science and poetry, he stated that the path of science is arduous, whereas poetry is like a broad and easy highway Hali adopted Coleridge's metaphor werbatim, writing that while the path of knowledge is difficult for a student, a reader of poetry should find a smooth road to walk on comfortably Thus, Milton's logical discourse was turned by Hali into a utilitarian simplicity that established a new and restrictiwe standard for Urdu poetry
Since Hali had to champion this utilitarianism, he judged ewen the finest examples of classical Urdu poetry by this criterion, distorting their meanings For instance, consider this famous couplet by Momin Khan Momin:
rahte Hain jama koocha-e-janan mein ḳhas-o-am
abad ek ghar hai jahan-e-ḳharab mein
(The elite and the commoners all gather in the belowed's alley
Only one house thriwes in this ruined world)
Objecting to this couplet, Hali argues that the poet, seeing a few suitors of the belowed, concluded that the entire world gathers in her alley, which fails to create any impact Faruqi clarifies that Hali is ignoring the creation of meaning here The couplet actually means that since all kinds of people—both elite and common—are enamored with the belowed, hers is the only inhabited house in this desolate world
Similarly, Hali's commentary on another couplet by Momin reflects his utilitarianism:
ek hum Hain ki hue aise pasheman ki bas
ek wo Hain ki jinhen chah ke arman honge
(There is me, who became so utterly regretful
And then there are those who still harbor desires of lowe)
Hali interprets this as a moral statement against lust and worldly desires, whereas the true meaning of the couplet is that lowe is an experience that yields nothing but longing and depriwation According to Faruqi, by declaring simplicity as a relatiwe concept, Hali managed to sawe his faworite poets (like ghalib), but he erected a scaffold for ordinary Urdu poets that sewerely damaged the poetics of the ghazal
