إذا ما كنتَ مُفْتَخِرًا فَفَاخِرْ
This poem by Imru' al-Qais, a prominent pre-Islamic Arab poet, is a celebration of noble lineage and the virtues associated with it. The poet urges those who are proud to boast of a house as noble as that of Banu Sadus, a tribe known for its leadership and hospitality. The imagery of leaders standing or sitting unchallenged in the house signifies their authority and respect. The mention of Luqman bin Aad, a legendary figure, further emphasizes the nobility and wisdom associated with the tribe. The poem reflects the cultural values of pride in one's heritage and the importance of hospitality and leadership in Arab society.
| Word | In Arabic | In English | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| إذا | حين | if | idha |
| ما | شيء | something | maa |
| كنتَ | كنت | were | kunta |
| مُفْتَخِرًا | متباهيا | proud | muftakhiran |
| فَفَاخِرْ | تفاخر | then boast | fafakhir |
| بِبَيْتٍ | بمنزل | of a house | bibaytin |
| مِثْلِ | مثل | like | mithli |
| بَيْتِ | منزل | house | bayti |
| بَنِي | أبناء | sons of | bani |
| سَدُوسَا | سدوس | Sadus | sadusa |
| بَبَيْتٍ | بمنزل | of a house | bibaytin |
| تَبْصُرُ | ترى | you see | tabsuru |
| الرُّؤُسَاءُ | القادة | leaders | al-ru'asa'u |
| فِيْهِ | داخله | inside | fihi |
| قِيَامًا | وقوفا | standing | qiyaman |
| لا | ليس | no | la |
| تُنَازَعُ | تتحدى | challenged | tunaza'u |
| أو | أو | or | aw |
| جُلُوسَا | جلوس | sitting | julusan |
| هُمُ | هم | they | humu |
| أَيْسَارُ | نبلاء | noble ones | aysaru |
| لُقْمَانِ | لقمان | Luqman | luqman |
| بنِ | ابن | son of | ibni |
| عَادٍ | عاد | Aad | aadin |
| أُجْمَدَ | تجمد | freezes | ujmida |
| الماءُ | المياه | water | alma'u |
| القَرِيسُ | البارد | icy | alqareesu |
Imru' al-Qais was a pre-Islamic Arab poet, often considered one of the greatest poets of the Arabic language. He is known for his passionate and vivid imagery, and his work is a major part of the Mu'allaqat, a collection of pre-Islamic poetry.
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