Poetry About Love
Here are some of the most beautiful verses of poetry dedicated to love:
Pre-Islamic Era
This includes works by renowned poets like Imru’ al-Qais, Antarah ibn Shaddad, and Al-A’sha.
Imru’ al-Qais
The famous Mu’allaqat of Imru’ al-Qais, particularly ‘Cufa Nabki,’ reflects memories of a beloved and a home. This poem, written in the 6th century A.D., is considered one of the finest pieces of Arabic poetry. It is composed in the long meter (al-bahr al-tawil), and the number of verses varies among scholars, with counts ranging from 77 to 92. Notable lines include:
You have deceived me; your love is fatal,
Whatever you order, my heart shall comply.
Our sanctuary, if trials should beset us,
While I shall remain as long as the grass is green.
O guardian, we are both strangers here,
And every stranger shares kinship with another.
If you should burn us, then kinship binds us,
But if you forsake us, we remain estranged.
O guardian, what has passed cannot return,
And what is yet to come is not far off.
Not all who dwell far from their homes are strangers,
But only those whom the earth conceals are truly estranged.
Antarah ibn Shaddad
- Antarah ibn Shaddad expressed:
If my heart were with me, I would choose none but you,
And I shall not accept another in love.
I have blamed the caprices of fate for you until my life fades,
And I am devoted in my rebuke.
I have confronted my foes, protecting my kin,
But they abandoned me and did not safeguard my honor.
- Additionally, Antarah said:
My heart has freed itself from what it once desired,
And now it neither laments nor grumbles.
It has revived after a drunken stupor,
And the heart that loves the lofty rises in distress.
How long must I conceal my submission to you,
And expend my efforts to please, only to find you angry?
Al-A’sha
Al-A’sha, whose name was Maimun ibn Qais, was known for his poor eyesight, and he is frequently referred to as the ‘Blind Poet.’ He was one of the foremost poets of the pre-Islamic age, celebrated for his extensive vocabulary and poetic style influenced by his numerous visits to both Arab and Persian royalty. His eloquence is unmatched:
A star from dawn that graces the sun,
Wrapped in the lushness of abundant grass.
Never have I seen a more exquisite fragrance,
Nor anything more beautiful than the source of blooms.
You adorned me with charms that others are jealous of,
For another was enraptured by her beauty, yet I remain unwavered.
I too was captivated, though I am scorned,
And all of us are entranced by our beloveds, near or distant.
Early Islamic Era
Included within the works of K’ab ibn Zuhair, Hassan ibn Thabit, ‘Umar ibn Abi Rabi’a, and Qays ibn al-Mulawwah are the following verses:
K’ab ibn Zuhair
K’ab ibn Zuhair was a prominent poet who excelled in both the pre-Islamic and Islamic periods. He gained recognition through the poetry he inherited from his father. His works span across various forms including love, satire, elegy, and praise. Among his poignant love poems is one that begins with the verses:
S’ud has departed, and now my heart is abloom,
In fervent longing for her, I remain bereft.
What is ‘S’ud’ but a gazelle strengthened in her beauty.
With enchanting charm, she has captivated every eye.
She brightens the shadows of injustice with her smile,
Just like a well comes alive in its overflowing delight.
Oh, may she retain her promise, for had she kept,
It would have been the truth lamented, not mere affection.
Hassan ibn Thabit
The poet of the Prophet, Hassan ibn Thabit, notes:
Why is it that my eye does not cease to weep,
When recalling the beautiful one who has distanced herself?
Separation bears with it a heavy weariness,
And the place we cherished feels foreign.
Until I witnessed the camels leaving,
Leaving my sorrows and unresolved longings.
‘Umar ibn Abi Rabi’a
‘Umar ibn Abi Rabi’a, a Qurashi poet known for his mastery in romantic verse, once proclaimed:
I recall you on the day of your abode in the palace of ‘Aamer,
And my tears began to flow freely.
Lost in thought, I rested my spirit,
As we waited to embark upon our travels.
I conjured memories numerous,
And the greatest weight upon my heart was your essence.
As daylight breaks, I remember her,
And as the sun sets, her name lingers.
Qays ibn al-Mulawwah
- Qays ibn al-Mulawwah states:
He rested his head upon the rocks of solitude,
And died wounded, a heart that remains in despair.
How I wish love would fall but once,
So the lover may understand the plight of separation.
Umayyad Era
Included in this age are the works of ‘Urwah ibn Hizam, Jamil Buthayna, Qays ibn Dhurayh, and Al-Ahwas.
‘Urwah ibn Hizam
‘Urwah ibn Hizam, a lovesick poet from Banu ‘Adrah, longed for his cousin Afra, whom he grew up with since childhood. Despite his proposal, she was betrothed to a wealthy Umayyad suitor, leading him to profound sorrow:
A shiver arises upon mentioning your memory,
Transfixed between body and bone I feel its crawl.
It is but a moment before I gaze upon you,
Rendering me speechless, where my thoughts momentarily wane.
While my heart is stifled by its silent longing,
Love is revealed like profound wishes.
Jamil Buthayna
- Jamil Buthayna expresses:
O friends, in this life, did you hear of a lover,
Weeping for a love that has afflicted him dearly?
Have mercy on me, for my fate is sealed,
This pain is my companion—O Buthayna, this is my truth.
I am blamed for my love, my companions chastise,
Though they understand not the throes of my heart.
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