Al-Buhturi
He is Al-Walid bin Ubayd bin Yahya, known as Abu Ubadah, an esteemed Arab poet. Born in Manbij, he spent his childhood and youth between Manbij and Aleppo, where he became familiar with the famous Alawiya neighborhood that he referenced in his poetry.
Later, Al-Buhturi returned to Iraq, where he developed a strong connection with the minister Al-Fatih bin Khakan, ultimately gaining favor with the caliph Al-Mutawakkil. His stature grew in their eyes, leading to abundant praises and generous gifts bestowed upon him. It is recorded that he spent the final years of his life in Manbij, where he passed away in 284 AH.
Poem of Loyalty
Here are some verses from Al-Buhturi’s poem of loyalty:
We have lost loyalty like the loss of a close friend,
And we weep for the lofty as we mourn the ruins.
I do not desire to criticize time unnecessarily,
For I am fully occupied with condemning all imperfections.
Do you think that wealth is a reward for the ambitious,
When they are merely standing at the door of the base?
And I can see in the embarrassment of my response,
That it poses a significant risk in the inquiry.
And a generous friend has approached, extending his hand,
Seeking permission in a favor from the noble soul.
He has earned my praise, and the winds that
Bring the rain, resemble the praise of the clouds.
A return after an initial departure from you,
O Ahmad bin Abd al-Rahim.
Do not delay with doubt, nor let your face
Mirror the look of my urgent needs.
Poem of Refusal to the Night
Below are verses from Al-Buhturi’s poem addressing Iraq and its governor:
The night has refused to relent with its length,
For a lover burdened with scant dreams.
Whenever the reproachers admonish him,
He is met with tears that do not hold back for the reproach.
Perhaps the proximity of home will ease his tears,
Allowing him to find solace or heal the yearning inside him.
And the longing has kept me in anguish,
With the distance causing a deep sadness for the fields and plains.
Until the land of Iraq dawned forth, and the curtains of night were lifted
Revealing its water and palm trees.
The white doves linger in its corners,
Reminding the hearts of its beloved companions through their cooing.
Reuniting with a loved one revives the heart,
Bringing joy as they welcome a dear friend.
With the grace of the Commander of the Faithful and his generosity,
Life has become rejuvenated after being withered for long.
O Imam, whom God has favored over His servants,
Indeed, He has guided them to the right path.
And a sea that spreads the eyes of seekers towards the surface of good in them,
Reveals the land that is watered by its rains.
They see the earth quenched by its passing,
And adorned with growth brought forth by its descent.
He has come from the lands of the West, in a number of exchanges,
Pure as sand, from his knights and steeds.
The face of the East brightened, as if
The full moon had emerged after its decline.
Baghdad has donned her finest attire,
In welcoming him, she yearns for his proximity.
And its longing for him is often matched with fighting desire,
Indulging in the vast courtyard of Al-Ja’fari.
To a dwelling where his dear friends reside,
Their reunion is the highest aspiration and hope.
This place enhances life with the tenderness of its night,
And the pleasant cooling of its morning breeze.
Indeed, the caliph Ja’far has returned,
And in every soul, there is a need for his coming.
Desire called him from the secret of whom he saw,
Returning swiftly, like a lion towards his den.
Even though its fragrance has transformed,
And the essence of its companionship dissipated with his departure.
And its excess in beauty, upon his return,
Mirrored its excess in ugliness when he left.
May his son, the best of sons, Muhammad, rejoice,
For a father of such high status will return, laden with nobility
And he stands out alone among all virtues;
Is there anyone to share his qualities or match his status?
The heirs of the throne embody wisdom and virtue,
And in excellence are comparable to his character.
Poem: Does He Think of Me or See Me?
Here are verses from Al-Buhturi’s poem “Does He Think of Me or See Me?”:
Does he think of me, or does he see me,
Oblivious to the promise I cherished with him?
Indeed, whoever extended the reach of my desire in his affection,
And caused me pain with what he has done to me.
There is a settled anguish that resides within the heart,
With both obedience and disobedience residing inside.
How many have intensified the whispers against me,
And the people reproach me for loving that individual?
O you who command others to abandon this youthful folly,
You sought from me what is beyond my ability.
Release me, for I have no guidance from you,
Nor assurance from you for my uncertainty.
And my companion, whom I awoke in the night, as twilight fades,
While the morning light struggles against the night.
Let us rush toward fasting, for the crescent moon has emerged from Sha’ban,
And it is sweeter for me than the delights of dreams.
To the Imam, who is honored by God,
His majesty dwarfs the faction of the sovereigns.
When the wickedness of transgression fades,
Those who record wrongdoing can emerge.
Speak to him, and the remarkable will be relayed, even if
It’s by hearsay, beyond the sight of eyes.
Consider him with your full view. Is there anyone satisfied with God, or angry?
He possesses authority that overwhelms the stars, and a dominion
In which the accomplishments of time are magnified.
They yielded under the burden when the heat
Was cast upon them by the blame of harsh judgments.
A glorious victory stories every day,
Telling the tale of those enemies as they fall.
Every speedster now bears the banner of victory,
Retreating is solely the task of the coward.
We have received tidings from the truthful messenger,
With news about an enemy gathering, pitched in this affair.
Here, brave strongholds stand in defense,
As establishments of rich camaraderie and refuge converge.
Double-edged blades now testify, and the war grows fierce,
As if they weave their tale of conquest and encampment.
There are casualties among us, falling beneath the spears,
While prisoners observe the battle, with great concern.
The high-ranking ones do not recover,
And neither do noble deeds do him any gain.
Poem: Between the Eastern Sky and the Western Horizon
The following are verses from Al-Buhturi’s poem, reflecting on rivalry:
Between the eastern sky and the western horizon,
Jealousy or competition may occupy the minister.
Every time the paths part for the land,
I favor it above others with joy.
An alluring being competes with the East and West,
Radiating from the luminous light of his face.
And the wetness of his palm recalls the change,
Just as the near of Samir turned towards it.
O father of the falcon, do not cast a shadow of envy,
And the intensity of your arm shall bear witness.
To be always like a poor relation among his kind,
Indeed, there are remnants of virtue that are rarely found.
You are the rain that revives the lands, restoring life,
When the people face drought, you are the ocean of oceans.
Do not conspire against my needs; Abu Talha,
With the portrait of your noble essence as my supporter.
Now, in general terms or certain details,
It is acceptable for the majority of this journey.
Little act of generosity turns beneficial, unless
You do not see me today as a place for abundance.
Poem: I Ask You by the Little One
Here is a reference to the verses of the poem:
I ask you by the little one,
And the beauty of his radiant face.
With his good character, praised everywhere,
He is honored and has great etiquette.
And the finesse of the letters when started,
A melody and a correction of the lines.
Did you not know that the offspring of the Euphrates,
Are of high rank and great nobility?
And that Abu al-Abbas carries signs
Indicating generosity and goodness?
When his merits are presented before us,
We thank him for his prudent advice.
We aspire to his favor,
And hope to see him be loyal to the minister.
Poem: Longing for You
Here follow passages from Al-Buhturi’s poem:
Longing for you, tears overflow,
And a fervor for you causes my sides to ache.
And a passion rekindled by the nights, every time
They arrive, and the years remind me, they return.
Indeed, my heart has more to say than the pilgrims, as long as
There exists a rift that hinders the journey.
I entrust you with my utmost affection, without neglecting,
For my utmost affection is of no use if it bears no favor with you.
And I see you as the best of all I see, although your indifference
May become apparent, and your approach remains aloof.
Desire approaches me toward you, igniting
A passionate urge, and your love compels me to follow.
Hopelessly in love with you, enraptured, I find solace
In honoring the lineage of the Abbasids, for your father
Is the uncle of the Prophet, and his offspring is revered.
I perceive the caliphate as the greatest station,
Rightfully designed for your lineage, and a legacy that shall not be revoked.
It has been granted to you by God, with knowledge of your worth,
And Allah gives to whom He wills and withholds from whom He pleases.
Who shall enter into confrontation with you, whilst the pool of Muhammad,
By the favor of al-Abbas, stands in your defense?
A king whose pleasure renders kings pleased, and whose displeasure
Is the demise of adversaries, and their defeat is anticipated.
He is generous and well-respected, avoiding all that,
The generous man has rejected.
O you, the king who quenched the longing of creation,
From both hands, your grace is like a coma that does not fade away.
May you flourish in your distinguished position, as it encapsulates
The joy of being in a pleasant abode and a lovely retreat.
Bright fragrances draw in the gentle breeze,
While the supply flows with hope—inviting like a flood.
In it, the saints have gathered, as they met in
The court of a new speaker of the assembly, where they were united.
So elevate the reminder, for the lofty place of remembrance,
Is undoubtedly above comparison, as you move upward.
Will your regard return to me once again at a decisive moment,
When I express it whilst you hear?
Through my longing, there exists a refuge,
To which I can flee from troubles, and find comfort.
So why do you reject a friend, yet draw near,
As the journeys of the malicious lean toward me?
And they seek to cause harm to my side;
Those who once were not privileged to be near.
Except if it is a sin, for your justice is covering,
Or if I have erred, your forgiveness always abounds.
Poem: If Your Heart Softens for Me
Here, we have some lines of the poem:
If your heart softens for me with what I face,
From excessive torment or profound longing.
And you present the connection for a lover,
Then bestow upon me before the time departs.
Indeed, Allah has established Ja’far,
As a protector of faith and a vanquisher of hypocrisy.
Whoever does not advise you from the bottom of his heart,
Shall find no righteousness remaining within his religion.
Grant us peace that our honor may remain,
And stay with us, for indeed, goodness prevails through your existence.
For Damascus has become a paradise,
Adorned in the greenery of gardens and shaded like rain.
Its space is open and sleekly moist,
And its water flows smoothly, sweet to the taste.
And the era is unburdened amidst its shade;
While life there is delicately charming.
A gaze now turns toward you, yearning,
From me to your proximity, and the impending meeting.
How can it not affect you with love,
When even its summer feels like the winter of Iraq?
Poem: In the Beginning of Tears
Here are lines from the poem:
In the beginning of deep, flowing tears,
When they rain, a cure for pains deep within.
By my life, there remains a bitter truth,
In the aftermath of illness for pure hearts.
A painful sorrow has overwhelmed the eyes,
For a destination that resides beneath the soil, never departing.
What a resolve,! And how firm the determination to bury them,
When new sorrows are laid in the switches and mists of birth.
Upon hearing his lament, I can only think,
That he guaranteed his own tale and the story of jest.
Though I did not fear that he should receive dishonor,
Except by a look from the despairing eyes.
Had he feared darkness, he would have sought retreat,
With companions strong, resolute gladiators.
O see, how misguided the people’s disposition was,
That his beloved were burdened with adversity.
Even as those of victory stood by him, they are diverted,
In their gathering alongside the wrath of vengeance.
Shame upon them, by believing and neglecting their own heart,
The turning of fate in the view of their strengths.
Having no means to declare their disbelief,
As he seeks affirmation, facing death for his men.
And among these lies those high climbers intent on bridging the heavens,
In strong unity, standing fast beside their leaders.
They learned by seeing the time’s changes leaning,
Upon the dear labor of his actions over the cunning of fate.
Let glory pour over the reign, while kindling its luck,
The will shines forth despite setbacks and changes in trend.
Through many experiences that cement the wisdom of the experts,
And clear the way for outstanding decision-making.
A beacon amongst duties and tasks is now present,
Attention to them remains keen as it proceeds with work.
May peace flow from the rises to the ultimate destinies in their endeavor.
And as fatigue settles over the journeys,
We see how his keen heart orchestrates the affairs related to his interests.