Poetic Verses on Wisdom
- A verse by Ali Ibn Abi Talib:
Nothing of what you see lasts in its brightness,
Only God remains, while wealth and children fade away.
The treasures of Hormuz never benefited him,
And immortality was sought by ‘Aad, yet they did not endure.
Nor did Solomon, as the winds swept for him,
And humans and jinn wandered in between.
Where are the kings that once had glory,
To whom visitors journeyed from all directions?
There lies a pool there, unclouded,
One must inevitably drink from it, just as they did.
- Words from Al-Asma’i:
Advice is the cheapest thing that men can barter,
So do not hesitate to heed the counsel of a well-meaning adviser.
The sources of wisdom are clear to men of intellect and understanding.
- From the poet Muhammad Al-Warraq:
The wise one, when faced with dispersed matters,
Knows the art of deliberation and consultation.
While the one ignorant of wisdom relies solely on his own opinion,
And often finds himself in precarious situations.
- Words from Idris Al-Tai:
The correct opinion has vanished from his mind, as if
His views were derived from mere acclaim.
And when adversity darkens, clarity returns,
In the morning light of success and guidance.
- Al-Rashid spoke when considering the appointment of Al-Amin over Al-Ma’mun:
The perception of my reasoning has become clear to me, but I
Withdrew from that which seemed most prudent.
How can we revert what is settled and divided,
When it has already become the prey of division?
I fear the matter may twist after stability,
And that the bond, once strong, may unravel.
My companions, not all counsel lies in one direction,
Please advise me today on what you see fit.
- From Abu Al-Aswad Al-Du’ali:
Not every adviser gives sound counsel,
And not everyone who advises is wise.
But when both come together in one place,
He who is worthy has earned his share of obedience.
Wisdom Verses from Al-Mutanabbi
- The man of intellect suffers in bliss due to his thought,
While the ignorant revels in misery.
- This is how fate has dictated among its inhabitants:
The calamities of some are the benefits of others.
- The man of intellect suffers in bliss due to his thought,
While the ignorant revels in misery.
People have discarded diligence, so the unrestrained
Forgets the past and the sober is left regretting.
Do not allow an enemy’s tear to mislead you,
And guard your youth against a merciful adversary.
Among the plights is reproaching those who do not forsake
Ignorance nor engage in discussions with the unwise.
Among enmity is what benefits you,
And among friendship are sources of pain.
And humiliation is evident in the humble’s affection,
Yet I wish well from him who wishes to harm.
- When a youth is accustomed to facing death,
Then the mud he wades through is but a trivial encounter.
Wisdom Verses from Imam Al-Shafi’i
- Imam Al-Shafi’i, may God be pleased with him, said:
Your tongue should not speak of another’s faults,
For you too have imperfections, and people possess tongues.
And if your eyes reveal others’ shortcomings,
Say, ‘O eyes, others have eyes too.’
- Imam Al-Shafi’i states:
Every time fate educates me,
I see my intellects frailty.
And the more knowledge I acquire,
The greater my understanding of my ignorance.
- Imam Al-Shafi’i remarks:
The death of those who passed before me does not harm me,
And the life of those after me does not secure my eternity.
- Imam Al-Shafi’i says:
Guard your tongue, O human,
It can indeed sting; it is a serpent.
How many a brave person, once reclining,
Fell victim to the lethal strike of his tongue?
- Imam Al-Shafi’i asserts:
If a person only observes you out of obligation,
Let them be, and do not grieve excessively over them.
For among the people are substitutes, and in letting go lies tranquility,
And there is patience in the heart for a beloved, even when distant.
Not everyone whom you cherish will reciprocate your affection,
Nor does every friend you cultivate remain true.
When mutual affection does not arise naturally,
Then there is no goodness in forced friendship.
And there are no advantages in a friend who betrays,
Merely to encounter indifference after camaraderie has begun.
And he who denies a past association,
Will disclose a secret that was cleverly concealed earlier.
Peace be upon the world, if it lacks
A sincere friend, devoted to their word, and just.
- Imam Al-Shafi’i tells us:
The love for safety can hinder one’s resolve
From pursuing greatness and lures one into lethargy.
- Imam Al-Shafi’i advises:
Travel far from your homeland in pursuit of excellence,
For in journeys lie five advantages:
Relief from worries, a means of sustenance,
And the acquisition of knowledge, manners, and esteemed companionship.
- Imam Al-Shafi’i highlights:
If your matter confounds you between two meanings,
And you cannot discern the right from the wrong,
Then go against your whims, for desires
Lead souls towards what is blameworthy.
Poetic Inspirations on Wisdom
- Poet Isa Ibn Ali remarked:
If you are one of reason, be also a thinker,
For hastening opinions leads to the decay of judgment.
- Sayyid Ibn Razikah reflected:
To God I lament the submission of my soul to desires,
And its extravagance in its folly and faults.
It led me to seek what it longs for, and I complied,
Therefore, my share was lost in pursuing its quota.
And it is nothing but a moth; it perceives
The world as flames, then burns in them.
- Poet Al-Tughrayi suggested:
Support your brother if you have doubts about his affection,
And reflect on the passage of time.
If he continues in his corruption, then release him,
For a diseased limb must be severed.
- Poet Al-Sughrayi expressed:
I soothe myself with hopes as I anticipate,
For how constricting life is without the breadth of hope.
- Ali Ibn Abi Talib advised:
Be mindful of God if you are oblivious,
He brings you sustenance from where you least expect.
So how can you fear poverty when God is the provider,
For He has provided for the birds and the fish in the sea?
He who believes that sustenance comes solely from strength,
Does not realize how the sparrow eats alongside the eagle.
Depart from life, for you do not know
When night falls, will you reach the dawn?
For how many healthy ones have died without ailment,
And how many ill have lived on for a time?
And how many young men have risen and set their laughter,
While their shrouds are sewn in the unseen, and they are unaware?
For whosoever lives a thousand and more,
Must face the day they travel to the grave.
- Ahmad Shawqi expressed:
Collaboration is a heavenly strength,
It builds men and inspires creations.
- Abu Al-Wardi stated:
Indeed, roses grow amidst thorns, and nothing
Blooms but the narcissus without the bulb.
- Poet Ibn Al-Abbas Al-Suli noted:
Relief came, when I thought it wouldn’t arrive,
The chokehold of despair tightened until its grasp weakened.
- Abu Al-‘Attahiya claimed:
Each person revolves in hopes of permanence,
While the days turn towards the inevitable end of existence.
- Poet Ibn Al-Rumi articulated:
Your enemy may come from your friends,
Thus, do not see friendship’s count too high.
And among people, the best is the one
Who serves the needs of others through his means.
Do not withhold your hand of goodness from anyone,
As long as you are capable, fortune favors the bold.
And be grateful for the blessings of God, as they have brought
Your needs to you, not for you to seek among others.
- Uthman Ibn Affan advised:
The pleasures gained from what is illicit fade away,
While sin and disgrace remain forever.
- Ibn ‘Aram reflected:
We lean towards our wishes, enthralled by deceptions,
Hoping they persist, even though this is untruth.
- Safi Al-Din Al-Hili emphasized:
Patience only shines in its rightful situations,
And loyalty only fits those who express gratitude.
- Al-Farazdaq stated:
Do not marvel at a world you are leaving behind,
How many kings have attained it, and then vanished?
- Muhammad Ibn Al-Baghdadi asked:
O accumulator of wealth in this world for your heir,
Will wealth benefit you after death?
- Da’bal Al-Khuzai expressed:
A bad poet dies at the hands of his own people,
While a good one remains, even if his poet passes.
- Al-Tughrayi remarked:
He who fears men will remain apprehensive,
And he who belittles men will cease to be feared.
- Poet Zuhayr Ibn Abi Sulma noted:
He who does not accommodate in numerous affairs,
Will be bitten by fangs and trampled by hooves.
And he who bestows kindness without concern for his honor,
Is sidelined, while he who does not guard against insult will be insulted.
He who has merit yet withholds it from his community,
Will find that his worth diminishes and is criticized.
He who fears death’s grip will find it unavoidable,
And he who ascends to the heavens may do so with a ladder.
He who bestows kindness where it is not warranted,
Will have his praise turned into reproach, and he shall regret.
He who is exiled assumes a friend is an enemy,
And he who does not honor himself will find no honor.
And whatever nature one possesses,
Even if hidden, it will be revealed to others.
And how many you see from a silent one who is admired,
Their gain or loss is in their speech.
A young man’s tongue is half of his essence,
So all that remains is the shell of flesh and blood.