يهز الجيش حولَكَ جَانِبَيْهِ كَمَا نَفَضَتْ جناحَيْهَا العقاب (

Abu al-Tayyib al-MutanabbiArabic1 lines1 public analyses
Original Poetry
Translation
يهز الجيش حولَكَ جَانِبَيْهِ كَمَا نَفَضَتْ جناحَيْهَا العقاب (
The army moves around you on both sides Like an eagle flaps its wings
 

Explanation

This line from Al-Mutanabbi's poetry uses a powerful simile to compare the movement of an army to that of an eagle shaking its wings. The imagery evokes a sense of strength, agility, and majesty, suggesting that the army is as formidable and awe-inspiring as a mighty eagle. The poem is a tribute to Sayf al-Dawla, emphasizing his leadership and the might of his forces. Al-Mutanabbi's choice of an eagle, a symbol of power and freedom, enhances the grandeur and nobility of the army, reflecting the poet's admiration and the cultural significance of such imagery in Arabic literature.

Word Dictionary8

WordIn ArabicIn EnglishPron.
يهزيحركshakesyahuzzu
الجيشالقوات المسلحةarmyal-jaysh
حولَكَبجانبكaround youhawlaka
جَانِبَيْهِطرفيهits sidesjaanibayhi
كَمَامثلlikekamaa
نَفَضَتْهزتshooknafadat
جناحَيْهَاأجنحتهاits two wingsjanaahayha
العقابالنسرeagleal-uqaab

Poet & Context

Era10th century

Al-Mutanabbi, born Ahmad ibn al-Husayn al-Mutanabbi, was a renowned Arab poet of the Abbasid era. He is considered one of the greatest poets in the Arabic language, known for his eloquent and powerful poetry that often praised leaders and depicted the grandeur of the Arab world.

View on Wikipedia
When10th century
WhyThis poem is part of Al-Mutanabbi's praise for Sayf al-Dawla, a ruler of the Hamdanid dynasty. The poem uses vivid imagery to describe the strength and might of Sayf al-Dawla's army, likening it to the powerful and majestic movements of an eagle.
FormClassical Arabic poetry

Themes & More

powerstrengthnature imagery
simile: comparing the army to an eagleimagery: vivid description of movement and power