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The Art of Comparison: Tashbeeh (Simile) vs. Istia'ara (Metaphor)

Published on October 07, 2025

Beyond its structure and themes, the true beauty of Urdu poetry often lies in its rich use of literary devices. Among the most important are the tools of comparison: Tashbeeh (simile) and Istia'ara (metaphor). While they may seem similar, the difference between them is key to appreciating the poet's craft.

Tashbeeh (تشبیہ) - The Simile

Tashbeeh is a direct or explicit comparison. It's when a poet says something is like or as something else, based on a shared quality. In Urdu, you can often identify it by words like "sa", "jaisa", or "ki tarah". Consider this classic sher by Mir Taqi Mir:

Nāzukī us ke lab kī kyā kahiye
Pankhuṛī ik gulāb kī sī hai

Here, Mir compares the delicacy of the beloved's lips to that of a rose petal. The word "sī" (like) makes this a clear and beautiful Tashbeeh.

Istia'ara (استعارہ) - The Metaphor

Istia'ara is an indirect or implicit comparison. Instead of saying something is *like* another, the poet states that it *is* that other thing. The comparison words are removed, creating a much stronger and more profound statement. For example, instead of saying "he fights *like* a lion" (Tashbeeh), you would say "he *is* a lion in battle" (Istia'ara).

Last night, my Moon was smiling from the balcony.

In this line, the poet isn't saying the beloved is *like* the moon; they are directly calling the beloved their "Moon". This is Istia'ara. It forces the reader to connect the qualities of the moon (beauty, radiance, distance) to the beloved on their own, making it a more powerful literary device.