In the Rainbow City in the Silk Province in the Star Kingdom, Mohammad Azzumurrud, the Arab and Muslim Koran memorizer, is still sharing his knowledge with his twenty Chinese friends (Yueliang Jian, Taiyang Jian, Junjie Song, Liling Heng, Mei Shun and the rest fifteen students) in regular knowledge sharing sessions held at the Merlin School. Since Arabs are the supreme masters of eloquent speech (prose and poetry), Mohammad wanted to translate some Arabic prose into Chinese to share some of the beauty and splendor of Arabic literature with his Chinese friends.
Therefore, Mohammad chose to translate 100 Arabic proverbs taken from the Arabic book: The Confluence of Proverbs (مجمع الأمثال). The Confluence of Proverbs was authored by Ahmad Bin Mohammad Almaydani (أحمد الميداني), a great famous Arab and Muslim scholar [AB-3]. Almaydani died on Wednesday, Ramadan 25, 518 AH (Hegira Date) [equivalent to November 5, 1124 AD] [AB-3] [W-7]. Almaydani said in the introduction of his book that he compiled more than 6000 proverbs [AB-3]. Almaydani authored numerous useful books and was a distinguished luminary of the Arabic and Islamic civilization. One of the friends of Almaydani praised him with an indelible quote [AB-3][EB-1]:
“If intelligence, chivalry and grace had a picture, Almaydani would have been that picture”.
Proverbs occupy an exalted rank and play a central role in the Arabic language, literature and lore. There is a plenty of reasons for this lofty rank of proverbs and one eloquent quote by Ibrahim Alnazzam explains this phenomenon [AB-3][EB-1]:
“Four elements are combined into a proverb that are not combined in other types of speech: the conciseness of the word, the accuracy of the meaning, the beauty of simile and the quality of metaphor so it is the ultimate rhetoric”.
Concise proverbs are short and fast ambassadors for any civilization and they provide us with a feeling about the collective mind of a nation. They frequently reflect indelible stories that emitted wisdom, shrewdness and acumen [EB-1]. Here is a list of the 100 proverbs that Mohammad Azzumurrud translated into Chinese for his twenty Chinese friends [EB-1]:
The 100 Arabic Proverbs
1إن المعافى غير مخدوع
The healthy person is not deceived.
2إن في الشر خياراً
In evil there is good.
3إن الجواد قد يعثر
The horse may stumble.
4إن المعاذير يشوبها الكذب
Apologies might be tainted by lies.
5إن من لا يعرف الوحي أحمق
He who does not know nonverbal signals (or indirect speech) is a fool.
6إن في المعاريض لمندوحة عن الكذب
Indirect speech is an alternative for lying.
7إن الكذوب قد يصدق
The liar might say the truth.
8إن لم تغلب فاخلب
If you do not defeat, deceive.
9إن البلاء موكل بالمنطق
Tribulation is associated with speech.
10إن الذليل الذي ليست له عضد
The servile is he who has no supporting arm.
11أخوك من صدقك النصيحة
Your brother is he who is sincere in your advice.
12الإثم حزاز القلوب
The sin pains the hearts.
13إنما هو كبرق الخلب
He is like a cloud without rain (He promises then breaks his promises).
14إن كنت ريحاً فقد لاقيت إعصاراً
If you are a wind, then you have met a whirlwind (If you are strong, you have met someone stronger than you).
15إن جانب أعياك فالحق بجانب
If one side has tired you, then go for another side.
16إياكم و خضراء الدمن
Be careful with the woman of beautiful body with corrupt upbringing.
17إنه ليعلم من أين تؤكل الكتف
He knows from where to eat the shoulder.
18إياك و ما يعتذر منه
Be careful with things from which you apologize.
19إذا زل العالم زل بزلته عالم
When a scholar errs, a world errs with him.
20إن لم يكن وفاق ففراق
If no agreement, then parting.
21إنك لا تجني من الشوك العنب
You cannot obtain grapes from thorns (when you oppress someone, expect their vengeance).
22إبلي لم أبع و لم أهب
My camels; I did not sell nor did I gift.
23آفة العلم النسيان
The disease of knowledge is forgetting.
24إذا حان القضاء ضاق الفضاء
When destiny comes, the space narrows.
25إذا ظلمت من دونك فلا تأمن عذاب من فوقك
If you oppress someone below you (weaker than you), do not feel secure from the torture of someone above you (stronger than you).
26إن المناكح خيرها الأبكار
The best of marriages is virgins.
27إذا أتاك أحد الخصمين و قد فقئت عينه فلا تقض له حتى يأتيك خصمه فلعله قد فقئت عيناه جميعاً
If one antagonist comes to you with his eye gouged out, do not judge for him until his antagonist comes to you because maybe the latter has his two eyes gouged out.
28إنما نعطي الذي أعطينا
We give only what we are given.
29إنك لا تهدي المتضال
You cannot guide him who chooses to go astray on purpose.
30أن أصبح عند رأس الأمر أحب إلي من أن أصبح عند ذنبه
To become at the head of the matter is dearer to me than to become at the tail of the matter.
31إن أخاك من آساك
Your brother is he who shares your sorrow.
32إن من ابتغاء الخير اتقاء الشر
Of seeking good is to avert evil.
33أكلتم تمري و عصيتم أمري
You ate my dates and disobeyed my order.
34بعض الشر أهون من بعض
Some evil is milder than another evil.
35بقل شهر و شوك دهر
Herbs for a month and thorns for a lifetime.
36بعض القتل إحياء للجميع
Some killing is revival for all.
37البطن شر وعاء صفراً و شر وعاء ملآن
The abdomen is the worst empty container and the worst full container.
38بقدر سرور التواصل تكون حسرة التفاصل
As the joy of gathering increases, the grief of parting increases.
39بيت به الحيتان و الأنوق
A house with whales and camels (gathering the antitheses).
40بعد البلاء يكون الثناء
After trial is the praise.
41اتق شر من أحسنت إليه
Fear the evil of him to whom you have done good.
42تناس مساوئ الإخوان يدم لك ودهم
Forget the faults of brothers so that their love for you lasts.
43التجارب ليست نهاية و المرء منها في زيادة
Experiences are not the end and for the human they are on the increase.
44تزاوروا و لا تجاوروا
Visit one another but do not become neighbors.
45تعاشروا كالإخوان و تعاملوا كالأجانب
Consort with each other as brothers (in personal affairs) and treat each other as foreigners (in financial affairs).
46تكلموا فقد كلم الله موسى
Speak; Allah (the One and Only True God) spoke to Musa (Moses).
47تألف النعمة بحسن جوارها
Magnetize the blessing by keeping a good neighborhood with it.
48ترك ادعاء العلم ينفي عنك الحسد
Leaving the claim of knowledge keeps envy away from you.
49تاج المروءة التواضع
The crown of chivalry is modesty.
50التعبير نصف التجارة
Eloquent speech is half the trade.
51اتق مجانيق الضعفاء
Fear the catapults of the weak people (their supplications to Allah [the One and Only True God]).
52التدبير نصف المعيشة
Planning is half the livelihood.
53ثمرة العجب المقت
The fruit of vanity is hatred.
54ثمرة الجبن لا ربح و لا خسر
The fruit of cowardice is neither profit nor loss.
55جاورينا و اخبرينا
Become our neighbor and experience us.
56جاور ملكاً أو بحراً
Become the neighbor of a king or a sea.
57جدك لا كدك
Your luck, not your hard work.
58الجار ثم الدار
The neighbor then the house.
59أجهل من حمار
More ignorant than a donkey.
60جهلك أشد لك من فقرك
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Your ignorance is worse than your poverty.
61الجهل موت الأحياء
Ignorance is the death of the alive.
62حسبك من غنى شبع و ري
What suffices you from richness is satiation and watering.
63حبك الشيء يعمي و يصم
Your love for something makes you blind (you do not see the faults of your beloved) and deaf (you do not hear what is against your beloved).
64الحرب خدعة
War is deceit.
65حميم المرء واصله
Your lover is he who treats you well.
66حال الأجل دون الأمل
Death prevents fulfilling the hope.
67الحزم حفظ ما كلفت و ترك ما كفيت
Firmness is preserving (fulfilling) what is assigned to you and leaving what has been already fulfilled.
68الحرب غشوم
War is an oppressor.
69أحشفاً و سوء كيلة؟
Bad dates and bad weighing? (Combining two bad things)
70الحر حر و إن مسه الضر
The free is free even if distress seizes him.
71الحياء من الإيمان
Shyness is from faith.
72الحرب سجال
War is alternating (once you are the victor and once you are the loser).
73الحكمة ضالة المؤمن
Wisdom is the sought-after thing of the believer.
74أحذر من ذئب
More watchful than a wolf.
75حسن طلب الحاجة نصف العلم
The good request of a thing is half the knowledge.
76حياء الرجل في غير موضعه ضعف
The shyness of a man in an unsuitable situation is a weakness.
77الحيلة أنفع من الوسيلة
The trick is more beneficial than the means.
78الحر عبد إذا طمع و العبد حر إذا قنع
The free is a slave if he is greedy and the slave is free if he is content.
79الحسد في القرابة جوهر و في غيرهم عرض
Envy among relatives is essential and among foreigners is accidental.
80الحياء يمنع الرزق
Shyness prevents provision.
81الحركة بركة
Movement is boon.
82الحاجة تفتق الحيلة
Need brings forth trick.
83الحسود لا يسود
The envier does not become a master.
84خالف تذكر
Be different so that you are mentioned.
85التجرد لغير النكاح مثلة
Stripping for non-marriage is a punishment.
86خير مالك ما نفعك
The best of your money is that which benefits you.
87خير الفقه ما حاضرت به
The best of comprehension is that with which you lecture.
88خير الخلال حفظ اللسان
The best of manners is preserving the tongue.
89خير العفو ما كان عن القدرة
The best of forgiveness is that which happens after a complete ability to punish.
90خالطوا الناس و زايلوهم
Mingle with people (for good deeds) and keep away from them (for bad deeds).
91خير الأمور أوساطها
The best of matters is the moderate (between the two extremes).
92خير الأمور أحمدها مغبة
The best of matters is that of the most praiseworthy consequence.
93خير الغنى القنوع و شر الفقر الخضوع
The best of richness is contentment and the worst of poverty is submission.
94الخطأ زاد العجول
Error is the provision of the hasty.
95خل من قل خيره لك في الناس غيره
Leave him who has little good; You have an alternative among people.
96خير الرزق ما يكفي
The best of provision is that which suffices.
97خالص المؤمن و خالق الفاجر
Act with sincerity toward the believer and treat the wicked with kindness.
98خاطر من استغنى برأيه
He who considers his opinion self-sufficient is at risk.
99خير الأعمال ما كان ديمة
The best of deeds is that which has continuity.
100خير الناس من فرح للناس بالخير
The best of people are those who rejoice for the good of other people.
Mohammad's friends benefited and enjoyed Arabic prose and the eloquent proverbs. They also shared with Mohammad some famous Chinese proverbs. It was an interesting instance of cross-pollination of ideas between two different civilizations.
Today is the Lantern Festival in the Rainbow City where beautiful traditional Chinese lanterns will adorn the markets of the Rainbow City. Lanterns have remarkable aesthetic appeal and are one of the beauty elements in the traditional Chinese culture. Yueliang, Taiyang, Junjie, Liling, Mei and Mohammad agreed to attend the Lantern Festival together and explore its beauty. In the Lantern Festival, Yueliang bought a lantern for Liling and Liling bought a lantern for Yueliang; Mohammad bought a lantern for Taiyang and Taiyang bought a lantern for Mohammad; Junjie bought a lantern for Mei and Mei bought a lantern for Junjie. It was a memorable experience for the entire group. They group agreed to have dinner together after they completed their tour in the Lantern Festival. The group arrived at a restaurant and had a lovely conversation as follows:
Yueliang: Mohammad, how do you like China so far?
Mohammad: I like it so much. It is a beautiful, rich and diverse culture. Seeing is not like hearing. Chinese people have brilliant minds with nimble clever hands. Your handicrafts and inventions speak loud of your great exquisite talents. I also like traditional Chinese clothes. They reflect the beautiful taste of Chinese people. Chinese architecture and engineering of houses greatly captivate me. You have distinct and distinguished styles that give you unique characteristics that differentiate you remarkably from other people and nations.
Taiyang: Thank you, Mohammad, for the nice testimony. I wish to visit Bilad Ash-sham (Syria) one day and explore its beauty with you.
Mohammad: Xiuying, you are most welcome in Bilad Ash-sham. I hope we will have the opportunity to visit Bilad Ash-sham one day together. I will be your guide to its attractions and antiquities.
Junjie: Mohammad, in the Arabic proverbs you shared with us there was one proverb that captured my interest which is: “More watchful than a wolf.” I assume that Arabs have other proverbs that are centered around animals. Am I right?
Mohammad: You are absolutely right, Dingbang. Arabs are very diligent and intelligent in observing animals with acute discernment and sharp perception. Arabic literature is rife with describing animals in prose and poetry. Many Arabic proverbs and verses of poetry revolve around animals, their distinct attributes and how these attributes are similar to those of humans. For example, the proverb: “More watchful than a wolf” is based on the acute observation that a wolf has special form of sleep. It sleeps with one eye open for guarding and one eye closed [AB-3]. An Arab poet expressed this phenomenon is an eloquent verse of poetry [AB-3]:
بأخرى المنايا فهو يقظان هاجع
ينام بإحدى مقلتيه و يتقي
“It (the wolf) sleeps with one eye and it avoids deaths (dangers) with the other eye so it is asleep and awake (at the same time).”
The rabbit sleeps with two eyes open. [AB-3]. This signifies the perfection of Allah and His Power in creating exhaustive attributes in His creatures. In other words, Allah created creatures which sleep with two eyes closed such as humans; Allah created creatures which sleep with one eye open and the other eye closed such as wolfs; Allah created creatures which sleep with two eyes open such as rabbits. These are all the possibilities of sleep with regard to opening and closing the eyes. Allah ordered Muslims in the Holy Koran to ponder on the creation of the Heavens and the Earth and all the creatures in them to increase their knowledge about and faith in Allah. Allah said in the Holy Koran:
“Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. (190) Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire. (191)” [THK: S 3: V 190-191].
“And among His Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.) is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and whatever moving (living) creatures He has dispersed in them both. And He is All-Potent over their assembling (i.e. resurrecting them on the Day of Resurrection after their death, and dispersion of their bodies) whenever He wills. (29)” [THK: S 42: V 29].
“Ha-Meem [These letters are one of the miracles of the Koran and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. (1) The revelation of the Book (this Koran) is from Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. (2) Verily, in the heavens and the earth are signs for the believers. (3) And in your creation, and what He scattered (through the earth) of moving (living) creatures are signs for people who have Faith with certainty. (4) And in the alternation of night and day, and the provision (rain) that Allah sends down from the sky, and revives therewith the earth after its death, and in the turning about of the winds (i.e. sometimes towards the east or north, and sometimes towards the south or west, sometimes bringing glad tidings of rain, etc. and sometimes bringing the torment), are signs for a people who understand. (5) These are the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.) of Allah, which We recite to you (O Muhammad) with truth. Then in which speech after Allah and His Ayat will they believe? (6)” [THK: S 45: V 1-6].
Liling: Thank you so much, Mohammad, for the beneficial information you shared with us. You are truly an erudite and perspicacious. Please tell us more. I am all ears.
Mohammad: Thank you, Liling, for your compliment. The supreme and most famous Arabic perfume is musk followed by ambergris [AB-8]. The substance of musk is taken from deer while the substance of ambergris is taken from whales. Arab poets have numerous verses mentioning musk and ambergris. I will mention three verses, one mentioning musk alone, one mentioning ambergris alone and one mentioning both musk and ambergris. Ahmad Almutanabbi (أحمد المتنبي) said:
فإن المسك بعض دم الغزال
فإن تفق الأنام و أنت منهم
“So if you surpass the people while you are one of them,
(this is like) the musk which is some of the blood of the deer.”
Jameel Bin Abdullah (جميل بن عبد الله) who is known in Arabic as Jameel Buthayna (جميل بثينة) said:
عن مثل رائحة العنبر
و كان التفرق عند الصباح
“And the parting was in the morning
with the likeness of the fragrance of the ambergris.”
Ahmad Almaarri (أحمد المعري) said:
و قذى من الحيتان و هو العنبر
و أجل طيبهم دم من ظبية
“And the greatest of their perfumes is blood from a (female) deer
and stain from the whales which is ambergris.”
Abdurrahman Assoyooti (عبد الرحمن السيوطي), one of the famous Arab and Muslim scholars, wrote one Maqama (مقامة) comparing and contrasting musk, ambergris, saffron and another type of perfume [AB-8]. In Arabic literature, Almaqama (المقامة) is a short eloquent story that usually combines prose and poetry.
Mei: Thank you, Mohammad, for the pearls of knowledge you share with us. I am curious to know whether musk or ambergris were mentioned in the Holy Koran and the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad.
Mohammad: Thank you, Mei, for your sweet words. To satisfy your curiosity, musk was mentioned once in the Holy Koran and numerous times in the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. This is one of the reasons why musk is the supreme perfume. Allah said in the Holy Koran describing Paradise:
“Verily, Al-Abrar (the pious who fear Allah and avoid evil) will be in Delight (Paradise). (22) On thrones, looking (at all things). (23) You will recognize in their faces the brightness of delight. (24) They will be given to drink of pure sealed wine. (25) The last thereof (that wine) will be the smell of Musk, and for this let (all) those strive who want to strive (i.e. hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allah). (26) It (that wine) will be mixed with Tasneem. (27) A spring whereof drink those nearest to Allah. (28)” [THK: S 83: V 22-28].
Prophet Muhammad said in one Hadeeth where he describes Paradise when he entered it during his sacred journey to the Heavens which is known in Arabic as The Journey of Alisraa and Almiraj (رحلة الإسراء و المعراج): “Then I was admitted into Paradise where I found small tents (made) of pearls and its earth was musk (a kind of perfume).” [BH-1][BH-2]. As for ambergris, it was not mentioned in the Holy Koran for sure. To the best of my knowledge, it was not mentioned in the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad as well but I am not certain about that.
Taiyang: Thank you so much, Mohammad. I am dazzled by your comprehensive knowledge and eloquent speech.
Mohammad: Thank you, Xiuying. It is my pleasure to share what I know readily with you. Continuing on the topic of animals, Arabs use the phrase (The Mind of the Sparrow) (حلم العصفور) to describe the mind of a fatuous person. Hassan Bin Thabit said one verse of poetry:
جسم البغال و أحلام العصافير
لا بأس بالقوم من طول و من قصر
“The folk are free from faults with regard to their length and shortness; the bodies of mules and the minds of sparrows.”
[Mohammad and his friends laughed at this verse of poetry].
Finally, Arabs use the phrase (The Beauty of the Peafowl) (حسن الطاووس) to describe a beautiful person. The proverb (more beautiful than the peafowl) is also used. Alkhobzarzi (الخبزأرزي) said these three verses of poetry:
جمع الملاحة بل أعز و ألطف
سيفاً و في عينيه سيف مرهف
إني أراه يعود ساعة يقطف
طاووس حسن بل أتم محاسناً
ما ضره ألا يكون مقلداً
سل ورد خدك أي ورد جنسه
“The peafowl of beauty; nay, (she is) more perfect in attractions; (She) aggregated the beauty; nay, (she) is mightier and more delicate.
It does not harm her that she does not carry; a sword and in her eyes is a tender sword.
Ask the roses of your cheek: what is their type?; I see them returning (regrowing) when they are picked.”
Another Arab poet said two verses of poetry:
و يا عصفورة الجنة
ـه لي أحلى من المنة
أيا طاووسة الحسن
و يا من قبلة من فيـ
“O the peahen of beauty; and O the sparrow of Paradise.
O you whose a kiss from her mouth; for me is sweeter than doing good (or power).”
Yueliang: Thank you so much, Mohammad. The conversation with you is quite interesting, enjoyable and intriguing. Where can we find more information about Arabic prose and poetry centered around animals and their attributes?
Mohammad: Thank you for your kind words, Huang. I recommend that you read two Arabic books: The Confluence of Proverbs (مجمع الأمثال) authored by Ahmad Almaydani (أحمد الميداني) and The Fruits of the Hearts in the Appended and Ascribed (ثمار القلوب في المضاف و المنسوب) authored by Abdulmalik Ath-thaalibi (عبد الملك الثعالبي) [AB-3][AB-4].
Taiyang: Mohammad, we do not speak Arabic. You need to translate these books into Chinese for us [smile].
Mohammad: Xiuying, I will do my best to translate these books into Chinese for you [smile].
The group then left the restaurant after the enjoyable dinner. In the next day, Taiyang went shopping and she bought two small jars of musk and ambergris, wrapped them and placed them in beautiful boxes. She then gifted Mohammad these jars with a short Chinese poem written on a paper, rolled and tied with a ribbon and a flower and scented with musk. Then, she handed Mohammad her gift. Here is the poem:
Love Poem 3: The Charming Peacock
1. You are my charming peacock.
2. I wish to be together around the clock.
3. With you I am steadier than a rock.
4. If you depart, I shall be in shock.
5. My heart is secured for you with a lock.
Mohammad was extremely happy for receiving the lovely gift from Taiyang and he admired greatly her sublime and beautiful taste. He was so touched by her brilliant beautiful poem. Mohammad thanked Taiyang deeply for her gift. In the same day, Mohammad went to shop for a gift for Taiyang. He bought her a pair of golden bracelets. He wrapped them inside a box and he wrote his love poem for Taiyang on a paper, rolled it and tied it with a ribbon and a flower and scented it with ambergris. Next, Mohammad handed Taiyang his gift. Here is the poem:
Love Poem 4: The Beautiful Peahen
1. You are my beautiful peahen.
2. You chose me over all other men.
3. We shall marry; but I do not know when.
4. I shall protect you by my sword and pen.
5. You impress me always with a perfect ten.
Taiyang felt extraordinarily happy to receive Mohammad's gift and lovely poem. She is impressed with this unique love experience and that both of them express their love to one another through eloquent poetry and precious symbolic gifts. Taiyang thanked Mohammad for his generous gift and they exchanged a pretty conversation about different topics. At dusk, Taiyang and Mohammad spent some time together in the garden of their house and a gentle breeze blew so the fragrance of musk on Mohammad's body spread. Taiyang said: “How astounding the Breeze of Dusk with the Scent of Musk is.” Mohammad said: “Taiyang, your body is the most beautiful flower and your soul is the musk of my life.” This is the beauty of chaste love that is expressed with sweet words and good deeds and without sins. Chaste love chimes with Islam and its pure instructions.