Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim Zauq (1790 – November 1854) was an Urdu poet and scholar of literature, poetry and religion.

He wrote poetry under the pen name "Zauq", and was appointed poet laureate of the Mughal Court in Delhi at the age of just 19.

During his lifetime Zauq was more popular than Ghalib for the critical values in those days were mainly confined to judging a piece of poetry on the basis of usage of words, phrases and idioms.

[3] It was no less than a miracle that Zauq, without having the proper treatment on account of the extreme poverty of his family, survived the attack of a disease like smallpox during his childhood.

His natural bent of mind towards poetry coupled with his singular obsession to excel in the pursuit brought him fame and fortune.

Another poet, Meer Kazim Husain Beqarar, a friend of Zauq's was appointed the mentor of the Crown Prince Zafar, who later ascended the throne.

When Beqarar took up the job of Meer Munshi (Head Clerk) in the Office of John Elphinstone, Crown Prince Zafar appointed Zauq as his mentor with a monthly salary of Rs.

Since he got associated with the royal court right from his teens and remained there till his death, he had to write mostly eulogies to seek the patronage and rewards from the princes and the King.

His grave was restored after the Supreme Court orders in early 2000s, but his home in nearby Nabi Karim area, was never identified.

Maulana Muhammad Hussain Azad compiled a slim volume of his poetry with the help of his pupils like Hafiz, Veeran, Anwar and Zaheer that contains twelve hundred couplets of Ghazals and fifteen Eulogies.