Hatim al-Tai, A form, an ideal!

Disgusted the poet Hatim al-Tai, was by someone, so this was the motivation behind the poem, so in a sense he is affirming what he is, and belittling the person with whom he is disgusted.

- Disgusted! you! me! What are you? I am a form that nobody can stand as, unless he is virtuous, noble, and righteous, just like me.

- In poverty, I am pure and chaste, and in richness, I am ready to share my money.

- Giving and honor is all about me, never done in such a manner before me.

The event is, it had a continuation, it had an effect on the poet, so poetry was a way for the poet, to deal emotionally with the event.

The split is here, the work is here, the poet is not just about talking, but he actually places his deeds where his mouth is, so he uses his money to help people, to do good deeds, go or stay, he is honorable.

Continuing to make his point, about who he is, in events like war, his true self will shine, he is a lion in courage, and perseverance, and in providing for all what war necessitates.

Unhappy he is, with being walked out, away with his family, he is without a family, but yet enough for him is to build honor with his own work, and to carry the hardships of time for others.

He ends his poem by citing a proverb, which is people do not change, a low and mean person, will stay low and mean, with or without hardships, actually hardships will also cause him avarice, if ever he has money.

I, you, alike? Poverty? Pure and Chaste! Rich? Ready to share! Likeness of you? Uhh! not me.

I, no, no, no, no …. I? A form, an ideal! Virtuous! Righteous! Noble! That is it, people, like me.

I, no, no, no, no …. I? A catalyst, honor and bestowal, never, never done, me.

I, I instrument my money, in help, in assistance, in good deeds, go or stay, my, honor, me.

I, a shake in existence, war, grinding, smiling, cannot be straighten, I, a lion, courageous, capable, enduring, dominating, giving away money.

I, not happy that he walked with his family, left, without my family.

Enough, building honor by my work, carrying for you the hardships of time.

Once, mean and low, remember, avarice.

The original poem in Arabic:

وَإِنّي لَعَفُّ الفَقْرِ مُشْتَرَكُ الغِنَى
وَوُدُّكَ شَكْلٌ لا يُوافِقُهُ شَكْلِي

وَشَكْلِيَ شَكْلٌ لا يَقُومُ لِمِثلِهِ
مِنَ النَّاسِ إِلَّا كُلُّ ذِي خُلُقٍ مِثْلِي

وَلِي نِيقَةٌ في المَجْدِ وَالبَذْلِ لَمْ يَكُنْ
تَأَنَّقَها فِيمَنْ مَضَى أَحَدٌ قَبْلِي

وَأَجْعَلُ مالِي دُونَ عِرْضِيَ جُنَّةً
لِنَفْسِي فَأَسْتَغْنِي بِما كَانَ مِنْ فَضلِ

وَلي مَعَ بَذْلِ المالِ وَالبَأسِ صَوْلَةٌ
إِذا الحَرْبُ أَبْدَت عَنْ نَوَاجِذُها العُصْلٍ

وَما سَرَّنِي أَنْ سارَ سَعْدٌ بِأَهْلِهِ
وَأَفْرَدَنِي في الدّارِ لَيسَ مَعِي أَهْلِي

سَيَكْفِي اِبْتِنائي المَجْدَ سَعْدَ بن حَشْرَجِ
وَأَحْمِلُ عَنْكُمْ كُلَّ ما حَلَّ في أَزْلِ

وَما مِن لَئِيمٍ عالَهُ الدَّهرُ مَرَّةً
فَيَذْكُرَها إِلّا اِسْتَمالَ إِلى البُخْلِ

Originally published at https://difyel.com.