A Tribute: The Remarkable Life Of Arfa Sayeda Zehra
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
14 November 2025
Though India and Pakistan's relations have hit the nadir and both the countries are at loggerheads with each other, there're still a few things, precisely individuals, who are above this seemingly implacable rancour and rancid scenario. Their achievements or departure are rejoiced and mourned by both the countries as true intellectuals aren't bound by geographical limits and nation's boundaries.
Dr Arfa Sayeda Zehra was one such personality who was admired wholeheartedly in India. In fact, Lahore-born Arfa Syeda Zehra was more popular in India than she was in Pakistan. A writer par excellence and a human rights activist, Arfa was also vocal about all that she didn't like. In fact, it wasn't prejudicial, personal or private. What she disliked was always relevant in a larger context.
It was her Urdu that impressed and endeared her to all those who listened to her. Yet, she had the honesty to admit that it was the kind of Urdu spoken in Lucknow and Rampur in India that was far better than the Pakistani Urdu because the Urdu of Pakistan was influenced by a host of languages like Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Pakhtuni etc. She once said that the Muhajirs (who migrated to Pakistan from India) spoke finer and better Urdu.
It was her Urdu that impressed and endeared her to all those who listened to her. Yet, she had the honesty to admit that it was the kind of Urdu spoken in Lucknow and Rampur in India that was far better than the Pakistani Urdu because the Urdu of Pakistan was influenced by a host of languages like Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Pakhtuni etc. She once said that the Muhajirs (who migrated to Pakistan from India) spoke finer and better Urdu.
She was an educationist who believed in the combination of Taalim and Tarbiyat (character, upbringing). She believed that mere degrees could get you jobs but not character or upbringing. Degrees only inflate a person's ego.
Arfa had a mischievous side as well. She knew extremely rare Urdu/Persian and Arabic expletives that don't sound offensive such as 'Sang-e-Benoon' (Dog; Sag: Kutta or a dog in Persian) or Nutfa-e-Betahqeeq (نطفہ بے تحقیق) for an illegitimate child / bastard, though the phrase Nutfa-e-Haraam (نطفہ حرام) is a similar and more common term with the same meaning; Soosmaar-Khor (literal meaning: Lizard-eater or Lizard-eating)- A slur often directed at Arabs or things perceived as Arab-influenced (such as mullahs or the government), used to imply someone is backward or uncivilized or Tokhm-e-Sag (offspring of a dog); Ja Kesh/ Kos Kesh (Pimp) or Khayeh (Balls) etc.
She was one of the greatest exponents of spoken Urdu and also wrote it so admirably. She was recognised for her knowledge of the Urdu language and literature, and specialised in intellectual history and South Asian social issues; outside of the university sphere, she spoke at language conferences and televised forums. Her command of English was also praiseworthy. Zehra was an advocate for development, basic human rights, and gender equality. She stated that she has never been an official member of any non-governmental organization, instead choosing to work through education. She breathed her last on November 10 at the age of 88.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/tribute-arfa-sayeda-zehra/d/137628
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