أسد علي و في الحرؤب نعامة
This poem criticizes a person who is brave in speech but cowardly in action. The metaphor of a lion suggests strength and courage, while the ostrich represents cowardice. The imagery of fleeing from a mere whistle emphasizes the extent of the cowardice. This line is often attributed to a poet who criticized Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, a historical figure known for his harshness and tyranny, yet perceived as cowardly in actual combat. The poem uses irony and contrast to highlight the hypocrisy of those who boast of their bravery but fail to act courageously when it matters.
| Word | In Arabic | In English | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| أسد | حيوان قوي | lion | asad |
| علي | ضدي | against | 'alay |
| و | و | and | wa |
| في | داخل | in | fi |
| الحرؤب | المعارك | battles | al-huroob |
| نعامة | طائر كبير جبان | ostrich | na'aamah |
| فتخاء | جبانة | cowardly | fatkhaa' |
| تنفر | تهرب | flee | tanfur |
| من | من | from | min |
| صفير | صوت | whistle | safeer |
| الصافر | الذي يصفر | the whistler | al-saafir |
The poet of this line is not definitively known, but it is often attributed to a poet critical of Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, a prominent Umayyad governor. The line criticizes hypocrisy and cowardice.