The Poetry of the Pre-Islamic Era
The poetry produced during the pre-Islamic era represents one of the oldest forms of Arabic literature. Characterized by its complex dialect and profound meanings, this period showcases vivid portrayals of women and intertwines their beauty with nature. Numerous poets gained prominence during this time, and in this article, we will highlight some of their love poems.
Beauty Behind the Veils
Among the notable poets of the pre-Islamic period is Antara ibn Shaddad, born in 525 CE. Renowned for his verses on chivalry, he expressed a deep, noble love for his cousin Abla. He passed away in 600 CE, leaving behind poignant love poetry, including the following lines:
Glistening eyes of maidens peeking through their veils,
Sharper than the purest white that cuts.
When drawn forth, courage falters,
And his eyes bleed with a flood of tears.
May God grant my uncle a sip from the hand of death,
And may his hands be constrained after finger severance.
As one like me led into the realm of despair,
And attached my hopes to the hem of ambition.
Indeed, Abla bade me farewell one day,
A farewell that assuredly confirmed my irreversible fate.
She lamented, asking, “How will you fare after us,
If you are absent from us in vast wastelands?”
By your truth, I never sought solace through time,
Nor did ambition ever steer me away from my desires.
Thus, trust in my genuine affection,
And live blissfully in a joy that is not anxious.
I replied, “Abla, I am but a traveler,
Even if obstacles rise between us.”
We were created for this love since the earliest days,
So how could doubts penetrate my ears?
O banner of happiness, am I to return,
And watch your land be graced by the flowers of returning home?
My eyes shall behold the hills and hollows,
And the inhabitants of that branch amidst the pastures.
Our resting place shall be the land of Al-Sharba and Al-Liwa,
And we will find serene pastures in its folds.
O breezes of the fine fragrance, by God, tell Abla,
Of my travels, where I would find my rest.
And, O lightning, deliver to her my greetings this morning,
And to the dwellings in the sanctuary and my resting place.
O lamenting trees, should I die, let it be known,
On my soil, among the gentle, sorrowful birds.
And mourn for him who died unjustly and found no recompense
Other than the distance from his beloved and the tragedies.
O steeds, weep for the knight who faced
The onslaught of death amidst the dust of battles.
He became far removed in love and disgrace,
Bound by heavy chains of fate.
Yet I shall not weep when death approaches me,
But my heart longs, and tears stream forth.
It is not vanity that I recount my sorrow and burden,
For my name has spread through all gatherings.
By love, do not reproach me or prolong your judgment,
For judging is futile and serves no usefulness.
How could I endure the anguish for the one I adore,
When the flame of love has ignited within my very veins?
Oh, How I Wish the Days of Youth Could Return
Jamil ibn Ma’mar, born in al-Hijaz and who died in Egypt in 701 CE, is famously known as Jamil Buthayna due to his profound love for her. He approached her for marriage, but her father rejected him and wed her to another, deepening his longing. His verses dedicated to her love include the following:
I wish the days of youth would renew,
And the time that has passed, oh Buthayna, would return.
So we could stay as we once were, with you near,
And if you were only to spare a little of your wealth.
And I do not forget anything, I cannot forget her words,
Which draw me closer to you in the land of Egypt.
Had it not been for the eyes that truly see,
I would have visited you, so pardon me, may your ancestors be my ransom.
O my companion, the agony I suffer is hidden,
And my tears testify to what I conceal today.
Indeed, I see that there’s a Lord of sorrows,
When distance builds between us, my heart will ache further.
When I tell Buthayna, “You are my slayer,”
She responds that my destiny leads to stability.
And if I ask her to return even a fragment of my lost mind,
She turns away, saying that is far from me.
I am neither rejected for being a seeker,
Nor is her love like anything that perishes and fades.
Greetings to you, O Buthayna, my well-being,
When a friend departs, he is spoken of in praises.
And I said to her, “You must know,”
“That a covenant with God exists between us.”
The love you have for me was both new and everlasting,
And truly, love is a tale both fresh and old.
And if the bond of connection remains tethered between us,
And she makes it easy with delightful dreams.
I have spent my lifetime waiting for her promise,
And the years have passed like shadows.
I wish that the eyes of others between us would vanish,
Standing in judgment, doubt always prevails.
Let them multiply their chains, coveting her,
Foolishly believing that I sought them out.
How I dream of an evening spent in the valley,
I would be truly happy.
And shall I descend to earth, where the winds breathe gently,
To share its blessings with me?
Will I encounter Sa’da once during my life,
And will I not regret any stem of the bond of intimacy?
The scattered can be gathered once again after separation,
And needs once out of reach may be fulfilled.
To what extent will I defy a harsh dominion,
With a piece of fabric that rivals their strength?
On a deserted back, like a frightened wanderer,
When no paths take me to tranquil resting.
She captivates me with moans amidst energies that collide,
And her chest distinctly, rings like crystal.
She possesses a wholeness, untainted by tumult,
And when she embraces me, I can count my blessings.
So may the spark of desires flourish anew,
And bring joy even when night veils the skies.
To like-minded hearts, oh Jamil, strive for a struggle,
And know that there is no battle other than the pursuit of her affection.
The Mu’allaqat of Imru al-Qais
Imru al-Qais is a revered Arab poet, and he stands out as one of the foremost poets of the pre-Islamic era. Born in 501 CE and passing away in Turkey in 565 CE, his love poems encapsulate the emotions of his time:
Stop that we may weep over a beloved and a dwelling,
At the foothills, between the lands of Dakhul and Hawmal.
The visitation at dawn did not erase their faces,
For what it weaved from the south and the north.
You will find the remnants of hoof prints in their courtyards,
And in their valleys, like grains of black pepper.
As if on the day of parting, they say that the entrusted,
Stood amongst the Sidra trees of our clan.
My companions stood waiting for me with their steeds,
Urging me, “Do not let sorrow consume you, be strong.”
But my remedy is a flood of tears,
Is there comfort in the ruins of a forgotten place?
As once I had with the mother of Huwayrith before her,
And her companion, the mother of al-Rabab, in a state of lament.
Whenever they stood, the air was filled with perfume from them,
Wafting through gentle breezes infused with scent of carnation.
And the overflowing tears flowed upon my neck,
Until my weeping soaked my garment.
Oh, there is a day of value worth all of this,
Especially the day in al-Juljul.
The day I sacrificed for beauty my steed,
How remarkable is the praise the women give.
And the maidens of my heart cherish their flesh,
As if adorned with the finest leather wraps.
And the day I entered the apartment of Unayzah,
Her kin cursed me, saying, “You deserve this plight!”
They said, “You have slaughtered my deer!”
And I replied to her, “Take your time and be generous.”
Do not distance me from your delightful embrace,
For the likes of you would be kind enough to bestow fondness.
And I captured the heart of the one with sacred charms,
As long as I could stand behind her brave exile.
And on days where the sun shall shine kindly on us,
We stood together veiled from unwanted gazes.
And upon the edge of the high dunes, the passing winds whispered,
Pushing me into the sanctuary to behold her beauty.
If the Pleiades in the night sky were to pursue me,
They would crimp between closer garments, awaiting my return.
As I came, dust swirling around me during my search,
Finding clarity amidst the throngs seeking darkness.
Crowned in grace without embellishments,
With her breasts free from bonds and confines.
Further, the glaze of smooth skin encapsulated by soft silks,
Residing in jackets that form around pure innocence.
The gentleness reflected through the folds of time,
That draws together warmth of compassion once more.
Let the sun’s rays blazing between free bodies,
Illuminate the silent darkness of those longing souls.
For indeed, it has been said: there is an enemy within you that calls,
When my heart dips, and I entrench my side with resolve.