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, Ji Biming, An Bo, Chang Dequan, Cong Fai, Jiang Qi, Wen Yu, Zhong Ming, Guotin Chuanli, Baozhai Aiguo, Chyou Bolin, Daiyu Chaoxiang, Fen Huizhong, Ju Jianyu, Nuo Park and Shu Qianfan) 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 poetry into Chinese to share some of the beauty and grandeur of Arabic literature with his Chinese friends.
The Poetry Rank in the Arabic and Islamic Civilization
Poetry has an exalted and eminent station and rank in the Arabic and Islamic civilization. There is one Sura of the Holy Koran titled: The Poets (سورة الشعراء). In this Sura, Allah described poets as follows:
“As for the poets, the erring ones follow them, (224) See you not that they speak about every subject (praising people - right or wrong) in their poetry? (225) And that they say what they do not do. (226) Except those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, and remember Allah much and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged [by replying back in the poetry to the unjust poetry (which the pagan poets utter against the Muslims)]. And those who do wrong will come to know by what overturning they will be overturned. (227)” [THK: S 26: V 224-227].
In the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Prophet Muhammad said in one Hadeeth: “Some eloquent speech is as effective as magic.” He also said: “Some poetry contains wisdom.” [BH-1].
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of Arab poets and many poets have their poems compiled in divans. Poets and their poetry are immortalized in the Arabic civilization and touch the hearts of millions of Arabs generation after generation. Arabic poetry revolves around seven general categories or topics and these are: description, love, boasting, praise, satire, elegies and apology [W-10].
The traditional Arabic poem has specific characteristics. Each verse of poetry consists of two halves. The second half of each verse strictly adheres to a single rhyme throughout the poem. In other words, the traditional Arabic poem is strictly monorhymed. Also, the traditional Arabic poem must adhere to one of the sixteen predefined meter patterns [W-10]. These sixteen meter patterns are known in Arabic literature as The Seas of Poetry (بحور الشعر). The combination of a single rhyme and a predefined meter pattern make the traditional Arabic poem exquisitely and brilliantly beautiful, bewitching, charming and pleasing to the ear, the mind and the heart.
Poetry allows people to communicate their feelings, emotions, experiences in a concise and eloquent manner. The rhyme and meter of poetry aggrandize and exalt the aesthetic touches of the speech and add numerous levels of syntactical and semantic beauty to poems. Poetry lives long in the hearts, minds and souls of people and they memorize it well due to its charming beauty. Mohammad Albaba said these three Arabic short poems to describe and articulate the essence of poetry [AB-6]:
قول رصين و عند الناس مقياسُ
و منه تِـبْر و بعض الشعر ألماس
بجمر شوق و سلوى فاح إحساس
الشعر ذخر و ذكرى ثم نبراسُ
منه الرخيص بلا وزن و لا ثمن
إن الجَنان ليغدو منه متقداً
“Poetry is a hoard, a reminder, then a lantern; sedate speech and a criterion among people.
Some of it is cheap without weight or price; some of it is gold and some of it is diamond.
Verily, the heart becomes ablaze because of it; with the embers of yearning and consolation the feel is fragrant.”
در نضيد من بيانْ
و بلا زمان أو مكان
كقلائد الحور الحِسان
الشعر مرآة الجَنانْ
سفر خلال عوالم
سبك الكلام بحكمة
“Poetry is the mirror of the heart; ranged clusters of pearls of eloquent speech.
Travel through worlds; without time or space.
Casting speech with wisdom; like the necklaces of the beautiful houris.”
سحر المعاني في بهاء قوافِ
خلدت بقول اللوذعي الشافي
و جبالها و سهولها و فياف
الشعر ينبوع البيان الصافي
و عبور أسوار الزمان بحكمة
يصل النجوم بأرضنا و بحارها
“Poetry is the spring of pure eloquent speech; the magic of meaning in the splendor of rhymes.
And passing through the walls of time with wisdom; immortalized by the healing speech of the sagacious.
It connects stars with our earth and its seas; mountains, plains and deserts.”
In an attempt to let his Chinese friends taste and experience the beauty and charm of Arabic poetry, Mohammad translated fifty verses of Arabic poetry into Chinese for his twenty Chinese friends. That was a great way for intercultural communication and exchange of information between two very different nations. Here is the list of the fifty verses of Arabic poetry that Mohammad translated into Chinese which revolve around different ideas and topics.
The 50 Verses of Arabic Poetry
Labeed Bin Rabeea (لبيد بن ربيعة) said:
حتى اكتسيت من الإسلام سربالا
الحمد لله إذ لم يأتني أجلي
All the praises and thanks be to Allah that my death has not come; until I have worn a garment of Islam (i.e. until I have converted to Islam).
Abu Tammam (أبو تمام) said:
و أجلها في سنة و كتاب
لك في رسول الله أعظم أسوة
In the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) you have the greatest example; and the greatest of which is in the Sunnah (of Prophet Muhammad) and the Book (The Holy Koran).
Yahya Bib Hubayra (يحيى بن هبيرة) said:
و أراه أسهل ما عليك يضيع
و الوقت أنفس ما عنيت بحفظه
And time is the most precious thing you are meant to save; and I see it as the easiest thing for you to waste.
Ali Bin Abi Taleb (علي بن أبي طالب) said:
و لكنهم في النائبات قليل
فما أكثر الإخوان حين تعدهم
How plentiful brothers are when you count them; but they are few in calamities.
The poet said:
فإن خلائق السفهاء تعدي
و لا تجلس إلى أهل الدنايا
And do not sit with (or accompany) low people; because the ethics of the foolish are contagious.
و الجود بالنفس أقصى غاية الجود
يجود بالنفس إن ضن البخيل بها
He gives generously his soul (sacrifices his soul) when the stingy withholds it; and generosity in giving the soul (sacrificing the soul) is the ultimate form of generosity.
جاءت محاسنه بألف شفيع
و إذا الحبيب أتى بذنب واحد
And when the sweetheart comes with one sin; his beauties come with one thousand intercessors.
و عين الحب لا تجد العيوبا
فعين البغض تبرز كل عيب
So the eye of hatred exposes every fault; and the eye of love does not find faults.
و لا تحت المذلة ألف عام
فعيشك تحت ظل العز يوماً
Your (true) life is under the shade of might for one day; and not under humiliation for a thousand years.
و لعل يومك آخر العدد
أيام عمرك كلها عدد
Your days are all a number; and perhaps your (current) day is the last number.
فإن اللمجد تدريجاً و ترتيبا
لا يؤيسنك من مجد تباعده
Do not despair of glory because of its farness; verily, glory has gradation and arrangement.
و هجرك الموت الزؤام
في وصلك العيش الهني
In your attachment (emotional bond) is the delightful life; and your parting is the violent death.
فلسنا مدى الدهر ننساكم
فلا تنسوا العهد فيما مضى
So do not forget the covenant of the past; and we will never forget you throughout time.
فمطلبها كهلاً عليه شديد
إذا المرء أعيته السيادة ناشئاً
If (seeking) mastership has tired man during his youth; seeking it when he is old is difficult.
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بون كذاك تفاضل الأشياء
و القوم أشباه و بين حلومهم
And the folk are alike and between their minds; is vast contrast and this is the differentiation of things.
و كيف يسود ذو الدعة البخيل
أترجو أن تسود و لن تعنى
Do you wish that you become a master and you are not faced with difficulties?; and how will the relaxed stingy become a master?
كما يفعل المائق الأحمق
أعلل نفسي بما لا يكون
I soothe myself with that which will never happen; as the foolish stupid does.
فكل جديدها خلق
تولت بهجة الدنيا
The delight of this life has turned away; so every new of it is worn-out.
على طول مر الحادثات بقاء
و لا خير في وصل إذا لم يكن له
There is no good in attachment (emotional bond) if it has no; continuity over the lengthy passage of calamities.
و من بنين أعقة عقمه
خير من البخل للفتى عدمه
Poverty is better for man than stinginess; and infertility is better than his undutiful (unfilial) sons.
إلى أن يجوز الأربعين و ينحط
كأن الفتى يرقى من العمر معلمـاً
It is like man ascends a milestone in age; until he exceeds the (age of) forty and he declines.
كنقص القادرين على التمام
و لم أر في عيوب الناس عيباً
And I have not seen a fault among people's faults; like the deficiency of those capable of achieving perfection.
ندمت على التفريط في زمن البذر
إذا أنت لم تزرع و أبصرت حاصداً
If you do not plant and you see a harvester; you regret negligence during the time of placing seeds.
سوى فرقة الأحباب هينة الخطب
وجدت مصيبات الزمان جميعها
I found all the calamities of time; except the parting of sweethearts, to be easy in effect.
و دع الذي فيه الكدر
خذ من خليلك ما صفا
Take from your sweetheart that which is pure; and leave that in which there is turbidity.
و مدمن القرع للأبواب أن يلجا
أخلق بذي الصبر أن يحظى بحاجته
Man of patience deserves to attain (or fulfill) his need; and he who is addict to knocking at doors deserves to enter.
و رجالاً لقصعة و ثريد
خلق الله للحروب رجالاً
Allah created men for wars and men; for a bowl (of food) and porridge.
إن اللبيب بمثلها لا يخدع
أحلام نوم أو كظل زائل
The dreams of sleep or a fleeting shade; the wise is not deceived by the like of it (this life).
أكل الفواكه شاتياً فليصطل
النار فاكهة الشتاء و من يرد
The fire is the fruit of winter and he who wants; eating the fruits in winter let him warm himself (by fire).
ربداء تنفر من صفير الصافر
أسد علي و في الحروب نعامة
A lion against me and an ostrich in wars; whose color is like ash and it flees from the whistle of a whistler.
و إن عدواً واحداً لكثير
و ليس كثيراً ألف خل لواحد
It is not plentiful for one to have one thousand friends; but one enemy is plentiful.
و أفضل البقل بقل الذئب يا صاح
الخبز أفضل شيء أنت آكله
Bread is the best thing you can eat; and the best of herbs is the herbs of the wolf (i.e. meat), O my companion.
الماء و الخضرة و الوجه الحسن
ثلاثة تجلو عن القلب الحزن
Three (things) remove sadness or (distress) from the heart; water, greenness and a beautiful face.
فمن العار أن تموت جبانا
و إذا لم يكن من الموت بد
And if death is inevitable; it is from shame to die as a coward.
و لا يلتام ما جرح اللسان
جراحات السيوف لها التئام
The wounds of the swords has healing; but what the tongue has wounded does not heal.
بالحسن إن الحسن أحمر
و إذا دخلت تقنعي
And when you enter veil your face; with beauty; verily, beauty is red.
إن الغني من استغنى عن الناس
استغن عن كل ذي قربى و ذي رحم
Do without every relative and close relative; verily, the rich is he who do without people.
Abu Alatahiya (أبو العتاهية) said:
هذا و ربي في القياس بديع
إن المحب لمن يحب مطيع
تعصي الإله و أنت تزعم حبه
لو كان حبك صادقاً لأطعته
You disobey God and you pretend loving Him; this is, by my Lord, novel in the criterion.
If your love is truthful, you would obey Him; The lover is obedient to whom he loves.
أم كيف يجحده الجاحد
تدل على أنه الواحد
فيا عجباً كيف يعصى الإله
و في كل شيء له آية
How strange is that God is disobeyed; or how the disbeliever denies Him.
And in everything He has a sign; that signifies that He is the One.
The poet said:
زاد يبلغه المحلا
و الظل حين يريد ظلا
حسب الفتى من عيشه
خبز و ماء بارد
It suffices man from his life; a supply (of food) that lets him reach the destination.
Bread, cold water; and shade when he wants shade.
فمرضت من حذري عليه
فبرئت من نظري إليه
مرض الحبيب فعدته
و أتى الحبيب يعودني
My sweetheart got sick so I visited him/her; so I got sick out of my watchfulness over him/her.
And the sweetheart came to visit me; so I recuperated out of my looking at him/her.
و رقصك قد تعلمه فؤادي
فقد أصبحت فرداً في العباد
غناؤك غنيتي عن كل زاد
و أنت المحسن الحسن المحيا
Your singing let me dispense with every supply (of food); and my heart learned (or is fond of) your dancing.
And you are the one who does good with a good face; so you have become one (unique) among the slaves (of Allah).
ليس للدنيا ثبوت
نسجته العنكبوت
أيها الراغب قوت
إنما الدنيا عناء
إنما الدنيا كبيت
إنما يكفيك منها
This life is weariness; this life has no constancy.
This life is like a house; knitted by a spider.
It suffices you from it; O wanter, a diet.
After Mohammad shared all this beautiful poetry with his Chinese friends, they thanked him very much for letting them experience the beauty of Arabic poetry and eloquence and then discussed some relevant topics. Here is a snapshot of the conversation:
Mohammad: Arabic poetry is a gargantuan sea and I only shared with you a tiny scoop from this sea.
Ji: Thank you so much, Mohammad, for what you shared with us. I enjoyed your translations of Arabic poetry.
Fen: Thank you, Mohammad. Arabic poetry is rife with wisdom.
An: Thank you, Mohammad. Arabic poetry provides concise lessons in an eloquent manner.
Ju: Thank you, Mohammad. I hope you translate to us more pearls of Arabic poetry and literature.
Mohammad: You are most welcome, my dear friends. I will do my best to import for you more precious words from the Arabic and Islamic literature.
Chang: Thank you, Mohammad, I have a question if you do not mind.
Mohammad: Go ahead, Chang. I am all ears.
Chang: Mohammad, you said that Arabs are the supreme masters of eloquence and eloquent speech. Can you prove that? I mean that this is just a claim that is very difficult to prove.
Nuo: I agree with Chang. How can you prove this for us, Mohammad? To prove this claim, you need to exhaustively master every human language with excellent command and then carry out systematic comparison and contrast to determine who the supreme masters of eloquence and eloquent speech are. This is impossible for a human being.
Daiyu: A human being speaks one language by default. Very few speak two languages. I have never heard of someone who speaks three languages.
Shu: The problem is that eloquence is not something quantifiable that can be directly measured. It is an abstract and intangible concept that has many different dimensions.
Wen: Nice observation, Shu. This is very true. Eloquence in prose in different from eloquent in poetry.
Zhong: Also, eloquence in long speech is different from eloquence in short speech. Each has different characteristics and considerations.
Mohammad: Thank for your questions and comments that reflect your intelligence. I will answer your questions and concerns to the best of my knowledge and ability. First, we have two mutually exclusive options to consider: Option 1: All nations of different languages are equal in eloquence and eloquent speech; Option 2: Nations of different languages excel one another in eloquence and eloquent speech. In other words, some nations are better than others in eloquence and eloquent speech. I believe in Option 2 because when we look at different nations, we see them excelling one another in different skills, fields, professions, etc. For example, Chinese people excel Arabs by manufacturing, inventions and handicrafts. By the same token, nations excel one another in eloquence and eloquent speech. When I said that Arabs are the supreme masters of eloquence and eloquent speech, this implies one of two mutually exclusive options: Option 1: Arabs are the most eloquent people and every other nation are below Arabs in eloquence and eloquent speech. Option 2: Arabs are the most eloquent people and there are some other nations who are equal to Arabs in eloquence and eloquent speech.
Baozhai: So which option do you believe in, Mohammad?
Mohammad: I personally believe in Option 1. To prove for you that Arabs are the supreme masters of eloquence and eloquent speech, I need to familiarize you with the proof methods of the Arabic and Islamic civilization. In Islam, we have three kinds of proofs: proof by mind (a logical proof)[دليل العقل], proof by revelation [دليل النقل] (proof by the Holy Koran or the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad) and proof by both mind and revelation. The proof of the supremacy of Arabs in eloquence and eloquent speech is based on both proof by mind and proof by revelation. The proof goes as follows:
The Proof of the Supremacy of Arabs in Eloquence and Eloquent Speech
Premises:
1. Allah is the Creator of everything.
2. Allah is the One and Only True God.
3. Allah is able to do all things (Omnipotent) and knows everything (Omniscient).
4. Allah is perfect in His Self, Names, Attributes and Actions.
5. Allah is the Most Eloquent One in existence.
6. Allah reveled the Holy Koran to Arabs.
7. The Holy Koran is the miraculous speech of Allah and the most perfect and eloquent speech in Arabic.
8. Allah challenged Arabs and all other nations to bring the like of the Holy Koran in eloquence.
9. It does not befit Allah and His perfection that Allah challenges the inferior in the presence of the superior.
10. It only befits Allah and His perfection to challenge the superior and the supreme nation in eloquence and eloquent speech.
Conclusion:
11. Arabs are the best and supreme masters of eloquence and eloquent speech.
Chyou: Nice proof, Mohammad. But many of your premises are based on the Islamic faith.
Mohammad: Yes, this is what I meant by proof by revelation. Some of my premises are based on verses from the Holy Koran and Hadeeths from the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. If you do not believe in Islam and its two major resources: (the Koran and the Sunnah), this proof will not be fully meaningful and convincing to you.
Jiang: Mohammad, can you further elucidates your theoretical proof by a practical example?
Cong: Yes, please, Mohammad. You always convince us with your brilliant examples.
Guotin: Perhaps a practical example from our Chinese culture and environment.
Mohammad: Sure. It is my pleasure. Suppose that Jiang is the supreme master of Kung Fu in the entire Chinese nation and no other person in China can defeat Jiang in Kung Fu in a formal fight. Suppose also that Cong is the second best person in Kung Fu in the entire Chinese nation and Guotin is the third best person in Kung Fu in the entire Chinese nation. If Jiang wants to prove that he is the best master in Kung Fu across the entire Chinese nation and he has the option of either challenging Cong or Guotin in exactly one and only formal fight, which one of the two should Jiang choose? Cong or Guotin?
Yueliang: He must certainly choose Cong for the one and only formal fight. This is because he is the second best martial artist in China after him.
Taiyang: True. If Jiang chooses the fight Guotin, his challenge will be inferior and imperfect.
Junjie: True. The perfect and superior challenge is between Jiang and Cong, not between Jiang and Guotin.
Mohammad: Nice analysis and reasoning. This example reveals and elucidates the simile of the challenge of Allah to Arabs. It only befits Allah to challenge the best nation in eloquence and eloquent speech because this represents the perfect and supreme challenge that befits Allah and His Perfection. If Allah challenges Arabs while there is another nation better than them in eloquence and eloquent speech, this will make the challenge of Allah inferior and this results in directly attributing imperfection to Allah. Blessed, Exalted and Glorified is Allah, the Perfect Creator and Lord of the Worlds.
Liling: Thank you, Mohammad, for the wise example. I now understand what you meant well.
Mei: Islam has strong logic and convincing power. I liked your reasoning, Mohammad.
Mohammad: Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I am happy that the concept is crystal clear to you now.
Mohammad's friends thanked him for his valuable knowledge sharing with them and told him that they learned from him so much precious information on different topics. Mohammad expressed his gratefulness to them for dedicating their valuable time for seeking his knowledge and learning from him. Mohammad told them: “A teacher is meaningless without students.”
Taiyang wishes to meet Mohammad on the beach of the Peafowl Lake to recall their beautiful memories when they first met. She agreed to go with Mohammad to the lake and have lunch together. Taiyang prepared Jiaozi (Chinese dumplings) and other snacks and also wanted to surprise Mohammad with a gift as usual. Mohammad also prepared a special gift for Taiyang. After Mohammad and Taiyang ate lunch, Taiyang handed Mohammad her gift which was a pair of gloves she sewed by her hands. Also, there was a poem she wrote in Chinese for Mohammad along with a flower. Mohammad also gifted Taiyang a beautiful jewelry box he designed for Taiyang that showcases his carpentry skills. He also gifted her a Chinese poem along with a flower. In their meeting, Mohammad told Taiyang: “Being with you is a panacea, my sweetheart. The world is much more beautiful when you are in it.” Taiyang smiles and replied: “Being with you is the true comfort. I forget about all my pains when I am with you, my sweetheart.” Mohammad said: “Our love is more precious than the most precious gemstone.” Taiyang said: “Our love will last despite all hardships that we might face together.”
Love Poem 5 - Mohammad's Poem: My Sweetheart, We Will Never Be Apart
1. Your happiness I will always seek.
2. Unlike others, you are unique.
3. Being with you is my felicity's peak.
4. Life without you is dry and bleak.
5. I love you forever; the truth I speak.
Love Poem 6 - Taiyang's Poem: The Indelible Glory of a Love Story
1. Your words are shining and wise.
2. You captivate me by your eyes.
3. When together, I wish time never flies.
4. A sincere love story never dies.
5. I love you forever and with you I rise.
When Taiyang read Mohammad's poem and Mohammad read Taiyang's poem, they were extremely happy to experience the eloquence of one another and their bewitching love poetry. Also, they were extremely happy to see the overlap of their souls when they admitted for the first time to one another that they love one another. Both said: “I love you forever” in the last verse of their poems. This overlap of ideas is nearly impossible in real life. Confessing love in poetry is not sufficient for Mohammad so he wanted to confess his love for Taiyang in prose as well. Mohammad said to Taiyang for the first time: “Dear Taiyang, I love you so much. You are my one and only sweetheart.” Taiyang smiled and her face was glowing with merriness. She also confessed her love to Mohammad in prose and said to him: “Thank you, Mohammad, for sharing your sincere feelings with me. Mohammad, I also love you so much and you are my one and only sweetheart.”
Mohammad: We are blessed to have this chaste pure love and we must cherish it as much as we can so that it grows and flourishes.
Taiyang: Mohammad, how do we cherish our love and strengthen it?
Mohammad: Love is cherished by sweet words and good deeds. Truthfulness, faithfulness and loyalty are very important in love.
Taiyang: I agree with your wisdom. Also, showing care and considerateness to your loved one is very vital for a healthy love relationship.
Mohammad: Certainly. I hope always to be at the best of your expectations. I will do my best to cherish you, help you and protect you.
Taiyang: I also hope to be your ideal sweetheart. Please let me know if I fall short of your expectations at any stage of our love. I will work hard to improve as you wish.
Mohammad: You will never fall short of my expectations. You are the best woman I know. Your upbringing, morals, ethics and manners are exalted and well refined. I can never dream of a woman better than you.
Taiyang: Thank you so much, Mohammad, for your kind words.
Mohammad: Dear Taiyang, lovers hold the hands of one another, touch one another and kiss one another. However, we will not do these things now. This is because I want to keep pure and chaste love with you. In Islam, it is preferred that a man does not touch his sweetheart until they get married with a formal marriage contract. This is because plain touching can evolve over time to erotic touching and erotic touching can evolve over time to fornication which is one of the major sins in Islam. Islam sets many layers of defense against fornication and instructs us to not follow the steps of the devil who wants to lead us astray by luring us into fornication and other forbidden acts of lust.
Taiyang: I understand now. Thank you for the explanation. I promise to keep pure and chaste love with you until we get married. I promise not to touch you before we are married.
Mohammad: Thank you so much. Let us keep our love pure, chaste, clean and free of sins. Also, let us eat your delicious Jiaozi and enjoy the nice weather at the Peafowl Lake.