The Book of Monasteries 9781479825752

A literary tour of Christian monasteries of the medieval Middle East The Book of Monasteries takes readers on an engagi

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Table of contents :
Letter from the General Editor
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Map: Heartlands of the Abbasid Caliphate
Map: Monasteries in Early Baghdad
Map: Monasteries of Egypt and the Levant
Map: Monasteries of Iraq, Southern Turkey, and Syria
Note on the Text
Notes to the Introduction
The Book of Monasteries
1: The Durmālis Monastery
2: The Samālū Monastery
3: The Monastery of the Foxes
4: The Monastery of the Catholicos
5: The Monastery of the Confessors
6: Ushmūnī’s Monastery
7: Sābur’s Monastery
8: The Monastery of Qūṭā (the Flock)
9: The Monastery of Mār Jirjis (Saint George)
10: Bāshahrā Monastery (The House of Vigils)
11: The Sisters’ Monastery
12: The Monastery in ʿAlth
13: The Virgins’ Monastery
14: Al-Sūsī’s Monastery
15: The Monastery of Mār Mārī
16: The Monastery of Mār Yuḥannā (Saint John)
17: The Monastery of Ṣabbāʿī
18: Al-Aʿlā Monastery
19: The Monastery of Yūnus ibn Mattā ( Jonah Son of Amittai)
20: The Devils’ Monastery
21: The Zaʿfarān (Saffron) Monastery
22: The Monastery of Aḥwīshā (the Anchorite)
23: The Fīq Monastery
24: The Monastery of Mount Tabor
25: The Bactrians’ Monastery
26: The Monastery of Zakkā (Zacchaeus)
27: The Monastery of Mār Sarjīs (Saint Sergius)
28: Ibn Mazʿūq’s Monastery
29: Sarjis’s Monastery
30: The Bishops’ Monasteries
31: The Shrine of al-Shatīq
32: The Monastery of Hind, Daughter of al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir
33: The Zurārah Monastery
34: The Monastery of Mār Yawnān
35: Qunnā’s Monastery, Also Known as the Monastery of Mār Mārī the Apostle
36: The Monastery of Kaskar
The Monasteries of Egypt That People Visit for Drink and Recreation
37: The Quṣayr Monastery
38: The Monastery of Mār Ḥannā (Saint John)
39: The Nahyā Monastery
40: The Monastery of Ṭamwayh
The Monasteries Where Miracles Are Performed According to What Those Living There Have Said and Described
41: The Scarabs’ Monastery
42: The Rabies Monastery
43: The Tar Spring Monastery
44: The Monastery of Mār Tūmā (Saint Thomas)
45: The Bāṭā Monastery
46: The Monastery of Mār Shimʿūn (Saint Simeon) near Sinn
47: The ʿAjjāj Monastery
48: The Jūdī Monastery
49: The Church of Mount Sinai
50: The Priory of Abū Hūr
51: The Monastery of Yuḥannas
52: The Priory of Itrīb
53: The Monastery in the Region of Akhmīm
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Further Reading
Index of Arabic Poetry
Index
About the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute
About the Typefaces
Titles Published by the Library of Arabic Literature
About the Editor–Translator
Recommend Papers

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The Book of Monasteries

Library of Arabic Literature General Editor Philip F. Kennedy, New York University Executive Editors James E. Montgomery, University of Cambridge Shawkat M. Toorawa, Yale University Editorial Director Chip Rossetti Associate Editor Lucie Taylor Editors Sean Anthony, The Ohio State University Huda Fakhreddine, University of Pennsylvania Lara Harb, Princeton University Maya Kesrouany, New York University Abu Dhabi Enass Khansa, American University of Beirut Bilal Orfali, American University of Beirut Maurice Pomerantz, New York University Abu Dhabi Mohammed Rustom, Carleton University Consulting Editors Julia Bray  Michael Cooperson  Joseph E. Lowry Tahera Qutbuddin  Devin J. Stewart Digital Production Manager Stuart Brown Paperback Designer Nicole Hayward Fellowship Program Coordinator Amani Al-Zoubi

Letter from the General Editor

The Library of Arabic Literature makes available Arabic editions and English translations of significant works of Arabic literature, with an emphasis on the seventh to nineteenth centuries. The Library of Arabic Literature thus includes texts from the pre-Islamic era to the cusp of the modern period, and encompasses a wide range of genres, including poetry, poetics, fiction, religion, philosophy, law, science, travel writing, history, and historiography. Books in the series are edited and translated by internationally recognized scholars. They are published as hardcovers in parallel-text format with Arabic and English on facing pages, as English-only paperbacks, and as downloadable Arabic editions. For some texts, the series also publishes separate scholarly editions with full critical apparatus. The Library encourages scholars to produce authoritative Arabic editions, accompanied by modern, lucid English translations, with the ultimate goal of introducing Arabic’s rich literary heritage to a general audience of readers as well as to scholars and students. The publications of the Library of Arabic Literature are generously supported by Tamkeen under the NYU Abu Dhabi Research Institute Award G1003 and are published by NYU Press. Philip F. Kennedy General Editor, Library of Arabic Literature

‫����ت�ا � ا ��ل��د ��ا ا � ت‬ ‫ير�‬ ‫ك� ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح��س ن �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫� ب� ��و ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ي�‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫ا�لم�عر�و��‬ ‫��ا ��ل ���� �ا � ش����ت‬ ‫ب ش ب �ي�‬

‫� ن ��م ّ‬ ‫ح��م�د‬ ‫ب�‬

The Book of Monasteries Al-Shābushtī

Edited and translated by Hilary Kilpatrick Volume editor Tahera Qutbuddin

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS New York

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS New York Copyright © 2023 by New York University All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Shābushtī, ʻAlī ibn Muḥammad, -998, author. | Kilpatrick, Hilary, editor, translator. | Shābushtī, ʻAlī ibn Muḥammad, -998. Diyārāt. Title: 880-01 The book of monasteries = Kitāb al-diyārāt / al-Shābushtī ; edited and translated by Hilary Kilpatrick. Other titles: Diyārāt. English | 880-02 Kitāb al-diyārāt Description: New York : New York University Press, 2023. | Includes bibliographical references and index. | In English and Arabic. | Summary: "A literary anthology of poetry and anecdotes related to Christian monasteries of the medieval Middle East"-- Provided by publisher. Identifiers: LCCN 2022050287 | ISBN 9781479825769 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781479825752 (ebook) | ISBN 9781479825721 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Monasteries--Middle East--Early works to 1800. | Monasteries--Middle East--Poetry--Early works to 1800. | LCGFT: Poetry. Classification: LCC BX385.A1 S513 2023 | DDC 271/.8156--dc23/eng/20221118 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022050287 New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper, and their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability. Series design by Titus Nemeth. Typeset in Tasmeem, using DecoType Naskh and Emiri. Typesetting and digitization by Stuart Brown. Manufactured in the United States of America c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Table of Contents

Letter from the General Editor

iii

Acknowledgements

xi xiii

Introduction Map: Heartlands of the Abbasid Caliphate

xxiii

Map: Monasteries in Early Baghdad

xxiv

Map: Monasteries of Egypt and the Levant

xxv

Map: Monasteries of Iraq, Southern Turkey, and Syria

xxvi

Note on the Text

xxvii

Notes to the Introduction

xxxii 1

The Book of Monasteries

2

1: The Durmālis Monastery 2: The Samālū Monastery

12

3: The Monastery of the Foxes

24

4: The Monastery of the Catholicos

30

5: The Monastery of the Confessors

38

6: Ushmūnī’s Monastery

54

7: Sābur’s Monastery

64

8: The Monastery of Qūṭā (the Flock)

74

9: The Monastery of Mār Jirjis (Saint George)

82

10: Bāshahrā Monastery (The House of Vigils)

100

11: The Sisters’ Monastery

116

12: The Monastery in ʿAlth

120

13: The Virgins’ Monastery

136

14: Al-Sūsī’s Monastery

196

15: The Monastery of Mār Mārī

210

16: The Monastery of Mār Yuḥannā (Saint John)

222

17: The Monastery of Ṣabbāʿī

228

18: Al-Aʿlā Monastery

230

19: The Monastery of Yūnus ibn Mattā ( Jonah Son of Amittai)

238

20: The Devils’ Monastery

242

21: The Zaʿfarān (Saffron) Monastery

250

vii

Table of Contents

22: The Monastery of Aḥwīshā (the Anchorite)

262

23: The Fīq Monastery

270

24: The Monastery of Mount Tabor

274

25: The Bactrians’ Monastery

288

26: The Monastery of Zakkā (Zacchaeus)

294

27: The Monastery of Mār Sarjīs (Saint Sergius)

310

28: Ibn Mazʿūq’s Monastery

312

29: Sarjis’s Monastery

316

30: The Bishops’ Monasteries

320

31: The Shrine of al-Shatīq

328

32: The Monastery of Hind, Daughter of al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir

332

33: The Zurārah Monastery

336

34: The Monastery of Mār Yawnān

352

35: Qunnā’s Monastery, Also Known as the Monastery of Mār Mārī the 362

Apostle 36: The Monastery of Kaskar

374

The Monasteries of Egypt That People Visit for Drink and Recreation

390

37: The Quṣayr Monastery

390

38: The Monastery of Mār Ḥannā (Saint John)

396

39: The Nahyā Monastery

404

40: The Monastery of Ṭamwayh

408

The Monasteries Where Miracles Are Performed According to What Those Living There Have Said and Described

412

41: The Scarabs’ Monastery

412

42: The Rabies Monastery

412

43: The Tar Spring Monastery

414

44: The Monastery of Mār Tūmā (Saint Thomas)

414

45: The Bāṭā Monastery

416

46: The Monastery of Mār Shimʿūn (Saint Simeon) near Sinn

416

47: The ʿAjjāj Monastery

418

48: The Jūdī Monastery

418

49: The Church of Mount Sinai

418

50: The Priory of Abū Hūr

420

51: The Monastery of Yuḥannas

422

52: The Priory of Itrīb

422

53: The Monastery in the Region of Akhmīm

422

viii

Table of Contents

Notes

425

Glossary

439

Bibliography

468

Further Reading

475

Index of Arabic Poetry

477

Index

488

About the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute

515

About the Typefaces

516

Titles Published by the Library of Arabic Literature

517

About the Editor–Translator

523

ix

To the peoples of Iraq and Greater Syria, whose ancestors came together in and around al-Shābushtī’s monasteries

Acknowledgements

My first thanks go to the late Kūrkīs ʿAwwād, whose edition of the single manuscript of the Diyārāt helped me throughout the preparation of my own edition. In particular his supplying dots where the copyist had been economical with them, his corrections of some erroneous pointing, and his supplying parallel texts spared me much time. It is only right to mention, as he did, the help he received from two colleagues of his, the late Muṣṭafā Jawād and Kāẓim ‫ة‬ ‫ّٰ � ة‬ �‫ر‬. al-Dujaylī. ��‫ح�م�� � او ��س�ع‬ ‫ح�م�ه�م ا لله ر‬ The Staatsbibliothek in Berlin kindly made available to me images of Wetzstein 1111, the only known manuscript of the Kitāb al-diyārāt, and my son George Waardenburg (Lausanne/Bern) made superior photocopies of it. Antoine Scrivo (Épalinges/CH) painstakingly rebound my copy of ʿAwwād’s edition, saving it from a fate worse than that of the MS. Their logistical support was essential. Boris Liebrenz (Leipzig) generously shared his expertise on manuscripts with me, elucidating Wetzstein 1111’s marginal notes. Lorenzo Capezzone (Rome) sent me a copy of his Il Libro dei Monasteri, an abridged version of the Diyārāt, while Jack Tannous (Princeton) made available for me his unpublished partial annotated translation of the text. I am grateful to all of them. Katia Zakharia (Lyon) sent me an article she had prepared for publication and her notes on the Diyārāt as a set text for the agrégation examination. Geert Jan van Gelder (Haren/NL) and Thomas Bauer (Münster) commented on knotty points of Arabic poetry. Remke Kruk (Leiden) elucidated bird and plant names for me; Salam Rassi (Oxford) gave me Syriac references; Anna Livia Beelaert (Leiden) threw light on a Persian celebration; Matthew Gordon (Oxford, OH) identified a Turkish caliphal companion and gave me references; Carsten Walbiner (Bonn/Beirut) provided books and bibliographical indications; Haci Osman Gündüz (Cambridge, Mass.) organized for me copies of works which were out of reach; Youhanna Nessim Youssef (Stockholm) answered queries about Coptic matters. Other colleagues who helped me with questions include Dmitry Morozov (Moscow), Thomas Carlson (Stillwater, OK) and Muhsin

xi

Acknowledgements

Musawi (New York). Letizia Osti (Basel/Milan) kindly gave me the run of her collection of Abbasid sources. I am much obliged to Madeleine Voegeli (Basel), who solved my problems of layout for the Arabic poetry, and to my son Johannes Waardenburg (Naples/ Lausanne), who helped me likewise with the layout of the Arabic poetry index. Michael Athanson (Oxford) prepared the maps with creative professionalism and I am very grateful to him. Of the Library of Arabic Literature team, Tahera Qutbuddin (Chicago), my project editor, provided invaluable help with the poetry and she made constructive comments throughout. Chip Rossetti (New York) regularly put his extensive experience as Editorial Director of the series at my disposal. Julia Bray (Oxford) gave me useful advice. Bilal Orfali cast a last critical eye over the poetry. It was splendid to have their backing. Finally, colleagues too many to mention encouraged me in the four years when I was working on this project and sometimes felt I would never manage it. I thank them all.

xii

Introduction

Twenty-first-century readers of al-Shābushtī’s late-tenth-century Book of Monasteries are likely to be taken aback on several counts. The monasteries in it belong to Christian communities unfamiliar to most people outside the Middle East. The characteristics generally associated with monasteries and their inhabitants—withdrawal from the world, prayer, and asceticism—are seldom mentioned, and no striking monastic figure emerges from the book.1 By contrast, al-Shābushtī’s monasteries inspire poets because of the beauty of their settings and the opportunities they provide for enjoying wine and having fun, innocent and not so innocent. Poetry thus forms a major part of the book. Moreover, some important political personalities and events are indirectly linked with monasteries, and they too appear in this book, as do scenes of festive court life and gruesome murders.

Al-Shābushtī and His Anthology The compiler of this many-sided work, Abū al-Ḥasan ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Shābushtī al-Kātib, was a state scribe of Persian origin;2 Shābushtī, an unusual name, is explained as meaning “support of the king, chamberlain” in Persian. His date of birth is unknown, but he probably grew up and had his education in Baghdad, which from 334/945 was ruled under the authority of the Abbasid caliphs by the Būyids, a Shi ʿi dynasty from northwestern Iran. The tenth and early eleventh centuries were a time of great cultural achievement,3 and the author and his book fit well into this period. From The Book of Monasteries, it is clear that al-Shābushtī traveled in Iraq, southern Anatolia, and Syria. Then, like many other cultivated scribes and administrators in this period, he moved to Egypt. In Cairo, the newly founded capital of the Shi ʿi Fatimid state, he became one of the caliph al-ʿAzīz’s (r. 365–86/975–96) court companions, his reader and his librarian. The Fatimid palace library came to be known as one of the most splendid in the Muslim world, and al-Shābushtī no doubt played a part in developing it. His death date is given as either 388/998 or 390/1000.

xiii

Introduction

Al-Shābushtī is credited with other works besides The Book of Monasteries. One was on deliverance after hardship, another on the classes of jurisprudents, and a third, Al-Tawqīf wa-l-takhwīf (Attention Arrested and Apprehension Inspired),4 apparently warned against the horrors of hell. He also left correspondence, including maxims and a collection of poetry. None of these texts have survived. The Book of Monasteries is one of several works compiled on this subject in the fourth/tenth century, but is the only one still extant, albeit in a truncated form. It is probably also the last. The other writers listed as having compiled a book of monasteries with poems about them are Saʿīd ibn Hishām (d. ca. 390/1000) and his brother Muḥammad (d. 380/990), known together as the Khālidiyyān; Abū al-Faraj ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Iṣbahānī (d. ca. 363/972); al-Sarī al-Raffāʾ (d. 362/973); and ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Shimshāṭī (d. after 376/987).5 The two Khālidī brothers, librarians at the Hamdanid court in Aleppo, were poets who also compiled several anthologies of poetry. Al-Sarī al-Raffāʾ, their bitter rival, moved between the courts of Mosul, Aleppo, and Baghdad; as well as a collection of his own poetry and his lost book on monasteries, he left one extant poetic anthology. Al-Shimshāṭī, the tutor of the Hamdanid princes in Mosul, left an extant anthology of poetry arranged by topic and including some prose accounts, and a lost philological work. His lost Book of Monasteries included some thirty entries on monasteries. Al-Iṣbahānī, a man of wide interests, was a musicologist, historian, man of letters, and poet working in Baghdad.6 An attempt has been made to reconstruct his Book of Monasteries on the basis of excerpts and references in other texts.7 Although it is far from convincing,8 this reconstruction, taken together with quotations from the other books of monasteries mentioned above, as they are found in later works, gives an idea of what these texts may have contained: a description of a monastery’s setting, followed by poetry about it and sometimes anecdotes about people who frequented it. If they were poets, further quotations of their verses are included. When a monastery provides healing or has some extraordinary feature, these are mentioned. In al-Shābushtī’s book, the treatment of Egyptian monasteries conforms to this pattern. Parts of al-Shābushtī’s Book of Monasteries are lost, including the preface where he would have explained what his purpose was and, if the book had been commissioned, who had commissioned it. He could also have answered other questions in it, such as where and when the book was compiled. Very likely, he collected material for it over several years. The fact that he includes obscure

xiv

Introduction

poets from geographically distant regions suggests that this was a project he worked on during his travels and completed after he arrived in Egypt.9 Furthermore, he might have referred to other books of monasteries he knew of. It is conceivable that his Book of Monasteries was intended as a contribution from the Fatimid domains to the genre. Nonetheless, he appeared to have innovated in several ways, as far as can be judged from a comparison of his Book of Monasteries with the fragments of the others that have survived.10 First, his book has a wide geographical scope, starting with monasteries in Baghdad, going up the Tigris into the mountains of southeastern Anatolia, moving across to Palestine and Syria, and then following the Euphrates down to the old Christian center of Ḥīrah. The short section on Egyptian monasteries, which is almost entirely devoted to poetry, follows, and the book concludes with notes on monasteries where wondrous events and healing take place. The settings for the anecdotes and poetry al-Shābushtī quotes take the reader far afield, for instance to Azerbaijan (§22.3) and Khurasan (§13 and passim), where Christian monasteries were thin on the ground. Second, as one of his medieval biographers points out, he draws on many kinds of sources.11 He provides a sample of types of prose text, such as a letter of condolence (§§13.11–15), jokes and witty retorts (§§10.4–10, §§20.6–10), tales of battles (§§13.44–46, §§24.10–11), accounts of court intrigues and extravagant festivities (§§13.60–62, §§14.3–14, §§15.14–15), and rhetorical jousts (§§18.7–8). He sometimes uses a monastery as a starting point for a historical section; the most striking example of this is when he sketches the lives of four generations of the Ṭāhirid family, curiously in reverse chronological order (§§13.6–66). The material he has brought together includes short statements side by side with tersely told incidents and more elaborate longer narratives. Frequent dialogues give the accounts vividness and immediacy. Al-Shābushtī is a transmitter of good, plausible, choicely formulated stories. They may convey a moral lesson and often have some historical value. He is not, however, concerned with the historians’ search for “true facts.”12 The poetry al-Shābushtī quotes is also varied. Some of it describes the natural settings of the monasteries; in an age before photography and in a culture where figurative art was not widely practiced, such paintings in words served as a record of places, much like eighteenth-century genre painting in Europe. Other poems celebrate meetings with attractive young people of either sex in monasteries, the vicissitudes of love affairs, or the provocations of well-known

xv

Introduction

libertines. Wine and, less often, song belong to the repertoire of these scenes, which often end on a nostalgic note: “Those were the days, my friend / We thought they’d never end.”13 A detailed study of where the different types of poetry occurs in the notices on the monasteries concluded that wine poetry dominates in the passages directly linked to the monasteries, whereas elsewhere in the notices poetry of love and nostalgia is frequent.14 But al-Shābushtī also includes samples of genres unconnected with monasteries and the goings-on in them, such as panegyric (§13.45, §§22.4–5), elegy (§§13.32–33, §14.14), satire (§1.14, §12.11), poems exchanged between friends (§§9.6–19), reflections on the transience of power (§30.4, §32.2, §32.4), and contentment with one’s lot (§36.6, §36.9, §36.12). Poetry was a mode of communication about anything from the sublime to the ridiculous to the utilitarian, and al-Shābushtī’s book reflects this; even a request for tax exemption could be put into verse (§13.29).15 Al-Shābushtī’s wide-ranging interest in poetry extends even to its form. All traditional Arabic poetry is metrical, and the meter as a rule remains constant throughout the poem. But al-Shābushtī includes unique examples of nonmetrical poetry, which, it has been suggested, were not proof of incompetence on the part of the poet al-Muʿtamid (he also composed acceptable metrical poetry) but an experiment in innovation (see §12.3, §12.6, §12.12–13, and the note to the translation). His example was not, however, followed before modern times. As the above sketch of the contents shows, The Book of Monasteries is much more than its title suggests. One can see it as a pocket anthology of Arabic literature from the coming of Islam to the compiler’s own time. Arabic anthologies are not haphazard collections of anecdotes and poetry, but are organized on a variety of principles. Poetry anthologies may focus on the works of one poet or a group of poets, perhaps from a particular period or region, or on poetic themes and motifs.16 Prose anthologies may bring together, for instance, anecdotes illustrating traits of character or genres such as speeches or letters. And many anthologies combine poetry and prose.17 Al-Shābushtī’s Book of Monasteries uses monasteries ordered geographically as a frame for a rich variety of poetry and prose. Apart from his conception for The Book of Monasteries, al-Shābushtī’s contribution is essentially behind the scenes. The sketches of the monasteries and their surroundings, which he almost certainly wrote, and which set the scene for the subsequent prose and poetry, make up a tiny part of the book. All the poetry is by others. Some of the prose texts—for instance, the letter of condolence and

xvi

Introduction

its reply—have been quoted verbatim; others, such as the pithy jokes, have a fixed form. For longer historical accounts, al-Shābushtī sometimes mentions informants, such as ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir or Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn, whom he could not have met. Whether their information was transmitted to him orally or in writing he does not say. He may have revised or polished their versions, but it is impossible to determine precisely his contribution to the final wording.

Al-Shābushtī and Shiʿism A minor theme in The Book of Monasteries is the tensions and conflicts between Sunnis and Shi ʿis, an aspect to which an irate reader of the manuscript has drawn attention. He has erased the word “cursing” (that is, cursing ʿĀʾishah) in the account of the Battle of the Camel that is attached to the Monastery of Mount Tabor (§24.11). Cursing ʿĀʾishah, the Prophet’s wife, for her hostility to his daughter Fāṭimah, his son-in-law ʿAlī, and their descendants, and for her political involvement came to be a vocal expression of Shi ʿi disapproval of the Sunnis. The same reader has erased a line in a poem that al-Shābushtī mistakenly ascribes to Ibn al-Rūmī as being an elegy for Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh, a prominent member of the Ṭāhirid family (§13.32). In fact, it is by a lesser poet and commemorates the death of al-Ḥasan ibn Zayd, ʿAlid ruler of Ṭabaristān. Whether al-Shābushtī has made an honest mistake or attempted to smuggle commemoration of a prominent Shi ʿi leader into the book is not clear. Other passages, such as the confrontation between Muʿāwiyah and the widow of ʿAmr ibn al-Ḥamiq (§§18.6–8); the reference to Abū ʿAlī ibn Jamhūr’s transmitting narratives about the family of the Prophet (§35.9); and ʿAbdallāh ibn Dāwud al-Khuraybī’s question about inheritance, which could be understood as an affirmation of Shi ʿi claims to leadership of the Community (§10.13),18 point to al-Shābushtī entertaining Shi ʿi sympathies. Yet, while his move to Cairo shows that he was not hostile to the Ismāʿīlī branch of Shi ʿism—the doctrine followed by the rulers of Egypt from 358/969 on—there is no evidence that he adhered to it. However, he might have revealed his views in the lost preface to The Book of Monasteries.

xvii

Introduction

The Christian Religious Background: Syriacs, Melkites, and Copts For al-Shābushtī, monasteries are a way into the religious community that made up about half the population of the Abbasid Empire in his time.19 To explore this further, it is necessary to consider the situation of monasteries, and of Christianity more generally, in the fourth-/tenth-century Middle East. Looking back from the twenty-first century, it is tempting to read into the situation of Middle Eastern Christianity over a thousand years ago features that only appeared later. In Egypt and the Fertile Crescent at the end of the fourth/ tenth century, Christianity was probably still the majority religion, even if it was unevenly distributed and politically subordinate to Islam.20 When Baghdad was founded in 145/762, the Christians in the surrounding villages were conscious of having four centuries of history behind them, during which they had suffered several savage persecutions by the Sassanians, and this gave them a “tranquil assurance” in their encounters with Muslims.21 Some important cities might have a Muslim majority, but the countryside must still have been largely Christian. Monasteries were not Christian islands in a Muslim sea. The Middle Eastern Christians who appear in The Book of Monasteries belonged to four churches. The Syriac tradition was represented by the Church of the East in Iraq, Persia, and further east,22 and by the Syrian Orthodox Church in Syria and western Iraq, referred to by al-Shābushtī respectively as Nestorians and Jacobites. The Melkites, chiefly in Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, were Chalcedonians, while the Copts in Egypt, whom al-Shābushtī never mentions by name, although he includes some of their monasteries, shared the beliefs of the Syrian Orthodox. The divisions go back mainly to the Fourth Ecumenical Council (Chalcedon, ad 451), where the fundamental issue of the nature of Christ was debated.23 According to the council’s definition, adhered to by the Melkites, Christ, both God and man, was incarnate in two natures. The Copts and the Syrian Orthodox, however, held that Christ was incarnate in one nature alone, hence the name “Miaphysite” applied to their churches. The Church of the East represented the Christian tradition that had developed independently in the Sassanian Empire and spread as far as China; although long associated with the beliefs of Nestorius, its view of Christ’s nature was in fact very close to that of the Chalcedonians. Al-Shābushtī shows no interest in the theological divisions between the churches. He does, however, note differences in organization between the

xviii

Introduction

monasteries of the Syrian Orthodox and Melkites, which have administrators, on the one hand, and those of the Church of the East, which do not, on the other (§43.2). And he mentions the unusual phenomenon of a Melkite monk who had installed himself in a Church of the East monastery and was administering it (§16.1). Given the doctrinal closeness between the two churches concerned, such an arrangement was possible; it would have been unthinkable for members of the Church of the East and the Syrian Orthodox Church to be involved together in this way.24 Another detail al-Shābushtī provides, without linking it to a specific church, concerns two monasteries where the monks owned their cells and could sell them to each other (§35.1, §36.1).25 Al-Shābushtī’s notions of church history and traditions are limited to mentioning people and events referred to in the Bible, as well as founders of monasteries and saints to whom monasteries were dedicated. For Syro-Palestinian monasteries, he indicates historical or legendary connections with the life of Christ (mentioning an unspecified connection of Christ with the monastery, §23.1; indicating the place where the Transfiguration took place, confusing it with Christ’s post-Resurrection appearances , §24.1). He relates prophets to the places where several monasteries stand (the mountain where Noah’s ark came to rest, §48.1; the village where Moses was born, §37.2; Mount Sinai, the place of Moses’s encounter with God, §49.1; Nineveh, the city of Yūnus ( Jonah), §19.1). He identifies two founders (both women) of monasteries (Ushmūnī, §6.1; Hind bint al-Nuʿmān, §32.1) and two patron saints (Mār Tūmā, §44.1; Mār Bākhūs, §45.1).26 Admittedly, several monasteries are named after their patron saint, making further mention of him or her superfluous. As someone outside the Christian community, what al-Shābushtī is best informed about are the monasteries’ patronal feasts, occasions on which nonChristians could join in the festivities, albeit for their own reasons. The Sundays of Lent were celebrated in some monasteries (§1.2; §11.1), while Palm Sunday (§18.2), the Veneration (or Feast) of the Cross (§35.1), and unspecified feasts were celebrated in others (§31.1; §41.1; §53.1). Monasteries attracted members of all communities when they had a healing spring or were known for treating a particular disease (rabies, §42.1; skin complaints, §43.2, §46.1; scrofula, §50.1). Al-Shābushtī also reports strange and marvelous features of monasteries, known to Christians and Muslims alike (scarabs gathering on the eve of the monastery’s feast, §41.1; resistant stone door, raven guardians, §45.1; expandable roof, §48.1; holy fire, §49.1; hornbills, §53.1). He is generally silent about Christian rituals, although he mentions Christians receiving communion (§2.1, §13.3, §41.1).

xix

Introduction

Some of his poets refer to this too (§12.2, §49.2), and also to the chanting of the monks (§6.5, §15.1, §34.1, §37.3, §40.2) and the clappers used to summon monastics to church services (§6.5, §15.1, §23.2, §27.1, §34.1, §37.3). What were the attractions of monasteries for Muslim poets and bons vivants? Several scholars have commented on the presence of wine as a magnet; Christians need wine for the Eucharist and so it was bound to be available in monasteries.27 Monasteries also dispensed hospitality to travelers. After an arduous journey across difficult terrain, it was a relief to stop where one could be sure of a welcome, and some visitors appear to have revisited a monastery later. The monasteries’ settings were certainly also a draw; not for nothing does al-Shābushtī start the section on each monastery with a sketch of its attractive grounds.28 Most monasteries were outside cities; they were peaceful havens far from the violent power struggles of Baghdad and Samarra, and places where visitors could behave freely without incurring criticism.29 Classical Arabic literature includes a multitude of anecdotes about generally Muslim poets, musicians, handsome attendants, gifted singers, and wine set in urban palaces or private houses and a vast corpus of poetry produced in and about these gatherings.30 Monasteries were thus not essential for drinking parties. Besides, the connection between wine and love poetry, so often illustrated in al-Shābushtī’s text, has roots in early poetry outside a monastery context.31 What distinguished monasteries, however, in addition to their often rural surroundings and their well-maintained grounds and buildings, was the fact that everyone was welcome. Monasteries were also centers of Syriac learning and culture, and Muslim visitors may have sensed this even though al-Shābushtī makes no reference to it.32 Their religious aura may indeed have added spice to transgressive behavior.33 But it is worth remembering that convivial gatherings at the monasteries of Ḥīrah in which rulers, courtiers, and poets took part predate the Muslim conquest,34 and Muslims could feel they were continuing this tradition. Given that conversion to Islam was an ongoing process, some Muslims would have had family or friends who, as Christians, attended services at monasteries. Al-Shābushtī provides the example of the vizier Ṣāʿid ibn Makhlad, a convert who reached the top of his profession, while his brother ʿAbdūn, who remained a Christian, took refuge in a monastery after his brother’s disgrace (§35.10, §35.14).35 Al-Shābushtī carefully points out that the Muslims only attended festivals for the accompanying fun, but this is disingenuous. In an environment where conversion occurred for a variety of reasons, mostly unconnected with doctrinal conviction or profound spiritual experience, converts to Islam continued to maintain ties

xx

Introduction

to the Christian community, employ Christian symbols, and observe Christian rituals.36 Attendance at patronal and other feasts was open to all who lived within walking or riding distance of a monastery, providing occasions for men and women of many backgrounds to mix freely.37 Areas outside monasteries could also be the venue for celebrations by Christians and Muslims together. The historian, geographer, and traveler al-Masʿūdī, who attended the Feast of the Epiphany in Egypt some years before al-Shābushtī was writing, reports that the ruler, Muḥammad ibn Tughj al-Ikhshīd, ordered lamps to be lit for the festivities, which were an occasion of general rejoicing beside the Nile.38

Monasteries and Historical Memory Apart from their attractiveness for Muslims of al-Shābushtī’s time and earlier, monasteries provided a link to the past—a past that reached back before the coming of Islam. Several sections in The Book of Monasteries record historical or legendary events, starting with prophecies of the end of the Sassanian Empire and the conquest of Ḥīrah. The latter is portrayed chiefly through the encounters of Hind, daughter of the last Lakhmid king, with three central figures in the early Muslim history of Iraq: al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf, governor from 75/694; Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ, conqueror of Iraq in 13/637; and al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah, governor of Kufa from 41/661 (§§32.1–6).39 Each meeting has its own character: al-Ḥajjāj expels Hind from her convent and seeks to impose the tax for nonMuslims; Saʿd treats her with respect; and al-Mughīrah, true to his reputation as a womanizer, proposes marriage but is turned down and made a laughing stock. At least two of these meetings are obviously legendary, but together they illustrate different attitudes to the Christian former elite and salient traits of the governors concerned. About the historicity of another event from this early period, the Battle of the Camel (36/656), there is no doubt (§§24.10–11). In this early episode of the First Civil War, al-Shābushtī’s perspective is that of the supporters of ʿAlī in Basra, who sacrificed their lives to deny entry to the city to those demanding revenge for ʿUthmān’s murder. To include this episode in his book, he has attached it to the section on the monastery of Mount Tabor. This he begins with several quotations of verses on nature and wine by a poet who is a distant descendant of the martyr in Basra, and the poet’s genealogy provides the transition to the heroic ancestor. Further indication of al-Shābushtī’s sympathy for the family of the Prophet appears in the section on al-Aʿlā Monastery, near which was the

xxi

Introduction

grave of ʿAmr ibn al-Ḥamiq, a supporter of ʿAlī who was hunted down and killed by a relative of Muʿāwiyah. Al-Shābushtī recounts the confrontation between the caliph and ʿAmr’s widow, just released from prison. She gives as good as she gets and the caliph grants her the fare back home (§§18.6–8). The last account from the Umayyad era in The Book of Monasteries takes up almost the whole of the section on the Bactrians’ Monastery (§§25.1–5). It relates the split between al-Walīd ibn ʿAbd al-Malik and ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn al-ʿAbbās, grandfather of the first two Abbasid caliphs, and then the refutation of the claim by Abū Muslim, the leader of the Abbasid revolution, that he was an Abbasid himself. Here the main Umayyad character, al-Walīd, is portrayed critically. In the portions on the Abbasid period, al-Shābushtī makes no secret of his sympathy for the Ṭāhirids, to whom he devotes the longest section in the book, 20 folios of the 135 the manuscript now contains. An unusual feature of this section is that it traces the family’s history in reverse chronological order, starting with the cultured but politically rather ineffectual ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh, and ending with his grandfather, Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn, founder of the family’s empirewide fortunes. Where caliphs are concerned, the anecdotes al-Shābushtī includes give most space to those who presided over a rich court culture of poetry and music—Hārūn al-Rashīd (r. 170–193/786–809), al-Maʾmūn (r. 196–218/812–33), al-Muʿtaṣim (r. 218–27/833–42), and al-Mutawakkil (r. 232–47/847–61)—though their successors up to al-Muktafī (d. 295/908) are not neglected. Al-Shābushtī does not try to produce coherent historical accounts. He himself may have been at a loss to understand the forces at play in the violent and chaotic period following al-Mutawakkil’s death, which he mentions. Rather, he chooses heroic or spectacular incidents, illustrations of caliphal extravagance, and events that gave rise to memorable poetry. As can be seen from the marginal comments of an owner-reader of the manuscript (translated in the endnotes to the relevant sections), some of his information still resonated five centuries later as mythicized recollections of a Golden Age. Al-Shābushtī uses these accounts not to teach history but to convey moral and philosophical lessons: the transitoriness of power, the virtues of generosity and tolerance, the effectiveness of eloquence in prose and poetry, and the fleeting nature of pleasure and beauty. Always in the background is the knowledge that at the Day of Judgment people will be held responsible for their acts. With his references to the transitoriness of this life and its pleasures and the coming of the Day of Judgment, al-Shābushtī’s message perhaps unintentionally concurs with the teachings of the monks whose monasteries he describes.

xxii

C.

7

Tig r i s

LEASE OF RABĪʿ

8

11

4

10

l

9

ana ʿĪsā C

l

ā Daj

ana A b ū ʿ A tt ā b C

KA R K H

2

j

Ruṣāfah Mosque

ROUND CI T Y

TH E

T Ḥ A R BI YYA H

re

Monastery of the Confessors (?)

HAYLĀNAH QUARTER

Kark hāy ā

Sar āt C anal

āṭiy ā Ca na l

1 Isḥāq al-Andalusiyyah’s Palace (?) 2 Ruṣāfah Cemetery 3 Durmālis Monastery, Samālū Monastery 4 Upper Bridge 5 Main Bridge 6 Lower Bridge 7 Monastery of the Foxes 8 Syrian Gate 9 Khurasan Gate 10 Basra Gate 11 Kufa Gate

BARĀTHĀ

MUḤAWWAL

Baṭ

nch

of Ṭā hi r

Kāẓimayn Shrines

ZUBAYDIYYAH LEASE

1

l na l a Ca

6



Ḥasanī Palace

is Tig r

Q U R AYYA H

ʿĪsā Palace

a Khuras

n Road

ʿa

Palace of al-Amīn

Palace of the Pleiades

l Cana Mūsā

Mu

Palace of al-Muʿtaṣim

MUKHARRIM

Khuld Palace

5

3

J a ʿ f arī Ca nal

A L - S H A M M Ā S I YYA H

ALRUṢĀ FA H

C. l lā

Fa ḍ lC a na l

Ca n

iq

āb

a Bīn C l na

Building/locality Kufa Gate

1000

2000

3000 m Concept: S. M. Toorawa and C. Rossetti Cartography: Martin Grosch

0

Main Source: Le Strange, Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate

Quarter KA R K H

Canal with lake

Bridge

Road with square

Wall with gate

Garden

Shrine/tomb

Church/monastery

Mosque

Palace

Major building

Built-up area

150–300 H [767–912 AD]

Monasteries in Early Baghdad

Note on the Text

The Edition Only one manuscript of al-Shābushtī’s Kitāb al-Diyārāt is known. It is Berlin ar. 8321 in the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin (Preussischer Kulturbesitz), which formed part of the collection acquired by Johann Gottfried Wetzstein while he was

ٰ � �‫����ت�ّ ك��ت‬ �‫��ا ب� ا ��ل��د �ي�ا را ت� ب �ح�م��د ا ّلله �و�ع� �ون�ه �و�ق��ّ �وت�ه �و‬ ‫ح��س ن �ت��وف�ي ���ق�ه �و� او �ف��ق� ا � �ف�ل ار غ �م ن��ه‬ � ‫م‬ ‫� �آ خ � �ن �ة‬ ‫��ف ��ل � �ة‬ ‫حه�ا � �� � ا ���خل‬ ‫��م���� ا ��ل��س�ا د �� � ش‬ ‫�ص��ا‬ � � � � ‫ع���ر �م ن� �ش���هر بر��ي�� ا �ل��ر ��س‬ � ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ي� ي � ب � ي وم ي س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫تّ ة‬ ‫ح��د �ى � �ث�ل�ا �ث�� ن‬ � ‫�إ‬ .��‫ي� �و��س�م�ا �ئ‬ ‫و‬ ٰ � ‫�ت‬ ّ � � ّ �‫��ق��ر �إ ��ل�ى ر‬ ‫ح�م��ة ا ّلله �عب��د ا ��ل‬ �‫ك‬ � � ‫��ب��ه ا �ل�عب��د ا � ف�ل‬ �‫ح��لي�� ب� ن� �ح�م�م��د ب� ن� �عب��د ا �ل�و�ه�ا ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� � ّٰ أ ن � غ �ف� �ذ‬ ّ ��‫�ّ ا ��لن‬ ‫� ن � � � � �م ش �ق ّ � ف‬ ‫� ر �ن�� �و�ه‬ �‫حو�ي� �و�ه�و ي���س� �ل ا لله � � �ي‬ � ‫� ا�لم�عر�و�� �ج��د ه‬ ��� � � ‫اب � عر�ي� ا �ل�د‬ � ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ت‬ .‫�وي���س��ر �عي �� �وب�ه‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��م�د ّٰلله ّ� ا ��ل�ع�ا �ل�م�� ن � �ص��ّ ا ّٰلله �ع�� �ح�مّ��د ��سّ�د ا �ل��م ��س��ل�� ن‬ � ‫ي� �و�ع��ل� � ��ل�ه‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ �‫ي‬ ‫�ي ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫�ى‬ ّ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ً ً � � � ‫ح��ه � �ج��م�ع�� ن‬ ‫�و��ص‬ .�‫ي� �و��سل��� ���س��يل��م�ا كب����ي�را �إ �ل�ى �ي ��و� ا �ل��دي� ن‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬

Prussian consul in Damascus (1848–62). The colophon reads:

God be praised, The Book of Monasteries was successfully completed with His help and strength on the eve of Thursday, Rabi al-Thani 16, 631 [ January 19, 1234].

It was copied by ʿAbd al-Ḥalīm ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd alWahhāb ibn ʿArabī al-Dimashqī, whose grandfather (or forefather) was known as “the Grammarian.” He asks God to forgive his sins and cover up his faults. Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, and His blessings upon Muḥammad, the Prince of prophets, his family, and all his Companions. And blessings upon them until the Day of Judgment.

xxvii

Note on the Text

The manuscript consists of 135 folios with fifteen lines to a page and is incomplete, with an unknown number of quires missing at the beginning and at least one missing in the middle. There was almost certainly a heading for the first and longest section in the book, on the monasteries in Iraq, al-Jazīrah, Syria, and Palestine, to match the headings for Egypt and the monasteries known for wonders and healing later on. Folio 135b has been used for writing exercises. The manuscript has been rebound, and occasionally a marginal note has been cut. ‫� �أ‬ The manuscript [‫ ]ا �ل� ��ص�ل‬is clearly and legibly written in brown ink. It occasion-

ally has catchwords. There are very few corrections. There is one small lacuna on folio 7 due to a tear. A reader of a different sectarian persuasion has erased words in two places. Diacritical points are sometimes lacking, particularly in combinations including bāʾ, tāʾ, thāʾ, yāʾ, or nūn. Vowels are often supplied. In the writing of numbers, superscript alif is usually omitted and the word ālāf is consistently written as alf. Final hamzah is omitted, as is the bearer of medial hamzah at times. Final alif maqṣūrah is often replaced by alif. Alif al-wiqāyah occurs frequently. In the prose passages, there are occasional Middle Arabic traits in gender agreement or case endings; it cannot be ascertained whether these stem from the author or the copyist. Where I have made them conform to standard usage in the edition, I have given the manuscript’s version in a footnote. Errors in number have been silently corrected, as have errors in pronoun agreement. Stylistic or syntactic Middle Arabic traits have been retained, with a footnote confirming their existence in the manuscript. Names of Syriac origin are given as they appear in the manuscript. The word mār (“Saint”), a borrowing from Syriac, is spelt variously mār, mar, or mā in the headings. The manuscript spelling is retained in the headings but in the translation Mār is used consistently. A mark in red ink of the owner and reader, Sirāj al-Dīn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Aḥmad ibn Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Zarʿī al-Anṣārī al-Ḥanafī, on the last page is dated 927/1520–21.40 Red ink has also been used, probably by this owner, to add sporadic overlinings, catchwords, commas, and dots singly or in triangles; he also makes marginal comments using both red and black ink. Other marginal comments in black ink appear to be from at least two hands, one of which may be the copyist’s, and folio 108a has a note in Turkish. I have not mentioned the marginal interjection qif (“stop!”) as a sign of appreciation, but brief marginal indications of contents and comments conveying the reader’s appreciation of certain passages are given in the notes.

The Kitāb al-Diyārāt was edited and annotated by Kūrkīs ʿAwwād ([‫)]�ع� او د‬. This edition helpfully supplies diacritical points missing in the manuscript, and

xxviii

Note on the Text

it has made my task much easier. ʿAwwād was working from photos of the manuscript and sometimes he misread it; he also occasionally omitted words or even phrases. He often supplements the MS with additional phrases from parallel texts. I have not followed him in this, nor have I noted where my reading differs from his. I have, however, mentioned instances where I have adopted his reading. Where possible, I have identified citations of verses in akhbār and poetry. I have followed the LAL guidelines about marking the vowels, and so have often omitted vowels given in the prose sections of the manuscript. I have added hamzat al-qaṭʿ and lexical shaddah. Waṣlahs are only given in the poetry. Isnāds in this text are the exception, not the rule. When an isnād mentions more than one name, I have put it on a separate line. A single name for a source, however, is incorporated into the main text. Prose and poetry passages restored in damaged parts of the manuscript on the basis of readings in other texts are listed here, as are emendations derived from such texts.

§1.13

� ُ Heading ‫س‬‎ ��‫ ‏د�ير د ر�م�ا �ل‬absent from the manuscript. Absent from the manuscript, completed from Yāqūt, Muʿjam al-

§2.12

A tear in the manuscript, completed from Arazi, Amour divin et

§1

udabāʾ, 167–68. (The edition has continuous pagination.) amour profane dans l’Islam médiéval à travers le Dīwān de Khālid al-Kātib, 256, no. 44. §2.13

A tear in the manuscript, completed from Arazi, Amour divin et amour profane, 256, no. 44.

§7.1

Emendation supplied by ʿAwwād on the basis of the meter and al-Iṣbahānī, Kitāb al-Aghānī 7:200.

§12.2

Emendation from al-Sūdānī, Jaḥẓah al-Barmakī: al-adīb al-shāʿir, 271.

§12.2

Two lines absent in the original, added from Yāqūt, Muʿjam albuldān, 2:524.

§13.32

A line erased in the manuscript (f. 53r). It and the accompanying three verses are wrongly attributed to Ibn al-Rūmī. They are by the state secretary Abū Ghamr al-Ṭamrī, mourning al-Ḥasan ibn Zayd, ruler of Ṭabaristān (d. 270/884) (al-Marzubānī, Muʿjam al-shuʿarāʾ, 463).

§13.35

Words partially erased on f. 53v.

§13.45

Emendation from al-Ṭabarī, Taʾrīkh al-rusul wa-l-mulūk, 8:622.

xxix

Note on the Text

§19.1

Emendation from Yāqūt, Muʿjam al-buldān, 2:543.

§24.11

A word partially erased on f. 92v.

§26.13

Emendation from al-Iṣbahānī, Aghānī 5:175.

§30.2

Emendation from al-Tawḥīdī, al-Baṣāʾir wa-l-dhakāʾir, 1:195.

§30.7

Emendation from Ibn Faḍlallāh al-ʿUmarī, Masālik al-abṣār fī mamālik al-amṣār, 1:285.

§32.1

Emendation from Ibn Faḍlallāh al-ʿUmarī, Masālik al-abṣār, 1:324.

§33.11

Emendation from al-Iṣbahānī, Aghānī, 7:49.

§37.3

Emendations from al-Najjār, Shuʿarāʾ ʿabbāsiyūn mansiyyūn, 6:29. The Translation

The material al-Shābushtī includes varies widely in tone and style, from the elaborate, balanced periods of formal letters of condolence, to apparently straightforward historical narrative, to the crude repartee of singing girls and their boyfriends. I have endeavored to reflect these differences in my rendering. The translations of poetry are freer than those of prose. Arabic poetry rhymes, and I have searched for rhymes in English to correspond, although I have not often been successful. I have paid attention to rhythm, trying to create an echo of the meters of Arabic verse. One problem that often occurred was how to translate “monastery.” It is a difficult word to work into poetry, and I have frequently replaced it with “convent,” which, while nowadays associated more with women’s communities, historically applied to establishments of either monks or nuns. The relationship expressed in a monastery’s name may be possessive, locative, or dedicative. Depending on the type of relationship, I have adopted different styles of translation. Here are the various styles, with examples: for founders of monasteries, “Sābur’s Monastery”; for beings associated with monasteries, “the Monastery of the Foxes,” “the Monastery of the Confessors”; for a saint to whom the monastery is dedicated, “the Monastery of Saint George”; and for places, either “Durmālis Monastery” or “the Monastery at ʿAlth,” depending partly on euphony. While Arabic dayr is consistently translated as “monastery” in the prose passages, at times it has been retained in the poetry for the sake of rhythm. As in the edition, chains of transmission of authorities have only been set apart in the translation when more than two names are mentioned. Al-Shābushtī's

xxx

Note on the Text

attitude to citing his sources is extraordinarily casual, and such chains are the exception. Many passages are introduced with qāla (“he said”), without it being clear who is speaking. One may see such instances of qāla as marking a new paragraph or introducing a new anecdote rather than referring to a specific speaker. In such cases, I have generally omitted qāla. When several poems by the same poet are quoted, each one introduced by wa-qāla, I have grouped them under a heading such as “Here are some poems he composed,” rather than introducing each one with “and he said.” I have transliterated the names of saints and personalities of the Syriac tradition in the form in which they appear in al-Shābushtī’s text. If they have a recognized equivalent in English, I have given it in brackets when the name is first mentioned.

xxxi

Notes to the Introduction

1

These characteristics of monks can be found in Arabic texts by Muslims treating ascetic and mystical subjects, and also in wisdom literature and some belles lettres. See, for a discussion of the various significances they have, Mourad, “Christian Monks in Islamic Literature: A Preliminary Report on Some Arabic Apothegmata Patrum.”

2

See al-Shābushtī, Kitāb al-Diyārāt, ed. ʿAwwād, 23–30, for the medieval accounts of his life and writings.

3

Kennedy, The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates: The Islamic Near East from the Sixth to the Eleventh Century, 173. Kennedy’s book is a readable and reliable introduction to the first four centuries of Muslim rule in the Middle East.

4

The translation is Jack Tannous’s from an unpublished paper.

5

I follow the order given by Yaiche in Les “livres des couvents”, un genre littéraire arabe médiéval: L’élite musulman et le couvent chrétien with his explanation of this chronology (118–19). Yaiche (221–23) includes a further book, Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan ibn Ramaḍān al-Naḥwī’s Kitāb al-Diyarah (or al-Dabrah), of which nothing has survived but which is mentioned by Ibn al-Nadīm in the Fihrist, 29, and by Yāqūt in al-Khazal wa-ldaʾl bayn al-dūr wa-l-dārāt wa-l-diyarah, 1:249. Since his only other title in the Fihrist is on names of wine and derived juices, and since he is classified in the section on writers on grammar and language, it is unlikely that his book, whatever its title, had much in common with the five works mentioned here.

6

The widely held belief that al-Iṣbahānī was connected with the court in Aleppo is a later invention (Kilpatrick, Making the Great Book of Songs: Composition and the Author’s Craft in Abū l-Faraj al-Iṣbahānī’s Kitāb al-Aghānī, 19–20).

7

Al-ʿAṭiyyah, ed., al-Diyārāt li-Abī al-Faraj al-Iṣbahānī.

8

Zakharia, “Le moine et l’échanson ou le Kitāb al-diyārāt d’al-Šābuštī et ses lecteurs,” 61n10.

9

Compilations in particular could sometimes take years to complete. Abū al-Faraj al-Iṣbahānī is rumored to have worked on his great Book of Songs (Kitāb al-Aghānī) for fifty years; at all events, he never finished it (Kilpatrick, Making the Great Book of Songs, 30).

10

Yaiche, Les “livres des couvents,” 107–219, presents the excerpts from these books quoted in later sources.

xxxii

Notes to the Introduction 11

Ibn Khallikān, Wafayāt al-aʿyān, 3:319.

12

The conventions of premodern Arabic historical writing (systematic indications of written or oral sources, the author’s or compiler’s comments on the veracity of his material, and the quotation of alternative accounts of the same event) are conspicuously absent from The Book of Monasteries.

13

Katia Zakharia aptly uses the refrain of Mary Hopkin’s song, of which this is the first line, as the epigraph for her article.

14

Zakharia, “‘Un paradis sans éternité’: Note sur la poésie et les poètes cités dans le Kitāb al-Diyārāt (Livre sur les couvents) de Šābuštī (m. 388/998),” 12–13, 16–18.

15

See Gruendler, “Verse and Taxes: The Function of Poetry in Selected Literary Akhbār of the Third/Ninth Century,” 96–104, for a discussion of this anecdote and the correlation between poetic and monetary currency.

16

See, for the types of poetry anthologies, Orfali, The Anthologist’s Art: Abū Manṣūr al-Thaʿālibī and His Yatīmat al-dahr, 10–33.

17

See, for examples, Kilpatrick, “Anthologies, Medieval” in Encyclopedia of Arabic Literature, 94–96. Detailed studies of some individual and highly diverse anthologies are found in Orfali and El Cheikh (eds.), Approaches to the Study of Pre-Modern Arabic Anthologies.

18

Particularly in the early Abbasid period, the issue of leadership of the Muslim community was expressed in terms of the right to inherit. Marwān ibn Abī Ḥafṣah, an Abbasid loyalist, refuted ʿAlid claims in a famous line of poetry recited before al-Mahdī, which, according to some reports, led a Shi ʿi supporter to murder him. The line ran “How could it be—no, it cannot be—that the children of daughters are heirs to their uncles” (Aghānī, 10:89, 94–95).

19

Of other religious communities, Jews are mentioned a handful of times as vintners and tavern keepers. Zoroastrians are also mentioned as vintners, and a crypto-Zoroastrian masquerades as a Christian, while Zoroastrianism as the official religion of the Sassanians is once recalled. Though Manichaeism was a widespread religion at the time, it only appears in a passing reference to a Manichaean monastery.

20 Although precise data do not exist, the consensus among historians now is that Islam became the majority religion in the Middle East later than was traditionally thought. Tannous, The Making of the Medieval Middle East: Religion, Society, and Simple Believers, chaps. 11 and 12, discusses the subject of conversion in detail. Cf. also Kennedy, The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates, 173–74; and, for the conditions favoring conversion, Ellenblum, “Demography, Geography, and the Accelerated Islamisation of the Eastern Mediterranean.” 21

Allard, “Les Chrétiens à Baġdād,” 376.

xxxiii

Notes to the Introduction 22 This church has often but erroneously been labeled “Nestorian.” See, for example, Winkler, “Terminology.” 23

Melling and Parry, “Christology.”

24 The conflicts between the Syrian Orthodox Church and the Church of the East during the sixth and seventh centuries are set out in Jullien, “S’affirmer en s’opposant: Les polémistes du Grand Monastère (VIe–VIIe siècle).” 25

These monasteries, Qunnā and Kaskar, belonged to the Church of the East, whose monks built their own cells after a period of probation (Baumer, The Church of the East: An Illustrated History of Assyrian Christianity, 130, quoting the canons of the sixth-century Abbot Dadisho).

26 Al-Shābushtī notes that another monastery was originally dedicated to Mār Mikhāʾ īl before becoming known for Bactrian camels kept there (§25.1). 27 Zakharia, “Le moine et l’échanson,” 70; Tannous, The Making of the Medieval Middle East, 466; Atiya, “Some Egyptian Monasteries According to the Unpublished MS. of al-Shābushtī’s Kitāb al-diyārāt,” 4. Wine was also available in taverns kept by Christians and Jews, but these seem often to have been sordid places (cf. §28.2). 28 This is a standard element found in other Books of Monasteries (Yaiche, Les “livres des couvents,” 17, 105, 175, 186). 29 Inside a city, riotous behavior could call down the ire of the authorities, as the fate of Abū ʿAlī ibn al-Rashīd shows (§§5.3–4). Pace Sizgorich, “The Dancing Martyr: Violence, Identity, and the Abbasid Postcolonial,” 11, although the police chief judged Abū ʿAlī to be a disgrace to the caliphal family and the Muslim community, the neighbors who complained about him are not specified as Muslims. 30 References to such gatherings in The Book of Monasteries include §5.16, §7.7, §9.11, and §33.13. 31

Dmitriev, “The Symbolism of Wine in Early Arabic Love Poetry: Observations on the Poetry of Abū Ṣakhr al-Hudhalī,” discussing the poetry of Abū Ṣakhr al-Hudhalī.

32

As Yaiche observes (Les “livres des couvents,” 243–44, 248–49), al-Shābushtī often mentions crowds attending the monasteries. The monasticism of the Church of the East was notable for engagement with the civic life of villages, towns, and cities, and for constant interaction with laypeople of every kind (Harvey, “Monasticism,” 293–94). For more on monasteries as a center of Syriac culture and learning, see the survey in Debié, “Livres et monastères en Syrie-Mésopotamie d’après les sources syriaques.”

33

It has been argued recently that the view of Christianity and Christians found in the books of monasteries is “postcolonial”—namely, that of Muslim men of the imperial Abbasid elite who desire to see themselves reflected in the desiring gaze of their submissive non-Muslim subjects (Sizgorich, “The Dancing Martyr”). His interpretation

xxxiv

Notes to the Introduction is informed by a simplistic view of early Islamic history as one of “the brutality of the Arab conquests” that subjugated the Christians (14). The social dynamics involved were far more complex and included differentiation according to ethnic origin and class. Cf. §§33.15–17 and the discussion of it in Lagrange, “Une affair de viol.” 34 Yaiche, Les “livres des couvents,” 49–52. 35

Ṣāʿid was extremely competent, whereas his brother is portrayed as slightly ridiculous and lacking appropriate qualifications for his position. This is just as likely to reflect a real incompetence as anti-Christian bias; “jobs for the boys” is a universal phenomenon. Interestingly, al-Shābushtī does not mention a possible motive contributing to the hostility to Ṣāʿid and ʿAbdūn that is found in other sources: ʿAbdūn’s success in restoring the patriarchal seat of the Church of the East just outside Baghdad after it had been vandalized (Fiey, Chrétiens syriaques sous les Abbasides surtout à Bagdad (749–1258), 115–16; Sourdel, Le vizirate ʿAbbāside de 749 à 936 (132 à 324 de l’Hégire), 321–22).

36 Tannous, The Making of the Medieval Middle East, 386–89. 37

See n. 31 above.

38

Al-Masʿūdī, Murūj al-dhahab wa-maʿādin al-jawhar, 2:69–70 = §779–80.

39 This and the section on the Bactrians’ Monastery (§25) are the only two sections in the main part of the book that do not begin with a descriptive poem. 40 The note, in the margin of the manuscript, reads: ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح ن ��مّ � �ل�ز � ّ � �أ ن ا ّ ��ل ن ف ّ �ف‬ �ّ� ‫أ ن ا � ا � ة �مت‬ ‫� �� ن‬ � � ‫ح ٰ�م ن ب� ن‬ �� � � ‫ح�م�د ب� ن� � ��م�د ب�� ح�م�د ا � رع�ي� ا �ل� ���ص� ر�ي� ا‬ .٩٢٧ �‫� ��ي‬ �‫ح‬ � � ‫� ���ه� ه �م ��ط� �ل�ع�� �م�ل��ك��ه ��س ار�ج ا �ل�دي�� �عب��د ا �لر‬ ‫��ي‬ (“Its owner, Sirāj al-Dīn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Aḥmad ibn Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Zurʿī al-Anṣārī al-Ḥanafī, completed the perusal of it in 927.”)

xxxv

‫����ت�ا � ا ��ل��د ��ا ا � ت‬ �‫ير‬ ‫ك� ب‬

The Book of Monasteries

‫ُ �‬ ‫[د ����ير د ر�م�ا �ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬

‫]‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫[‪ 1]. . .‬ا ��ل��د ا ر ا ��ل ��ت ب�� ن��ا �ه�ا ا ��ل��د ���ل�م ّ � �‬ ‫ح�م�د ب� ن� ب� �� �و�ه ب��ب��ا ب� ا �ل ش��� ّ�م�ا ��س�يّ��ة �و�م�و�ق��ع�ه � �‬ ‫ح��س ن� �م�و�ق��‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أ �ي �ي�‬ ‫أ ي‬ ‫�ق ّ ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ث � ا ت ن � � ��ش‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن�ز �‬ ‫�ص� � �ه� ك����� � ��ه � �ه��ا �ن�ه � ���س�ا ��هن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ه�و � ه ك���ي�ر ا �لب����س� ���ي� � او �ل� �ج�� ر � �وب�� �بر�ه � �ج �م�� �� ب و و ب ي ر �ل بر ب و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة � ّ �‬ ‫ا �ل�مت��تّ � ن ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� �ة �ق ف‬ ‫�و �ب ��ل��‬ ‫ي� �ي��ه �و�ه�و �م ن� ا �لب ���ق�ا ا�لم�ع�م�ور �ب�ا � �ل��ص�� � او�لم���ص�ود �ب�ا �لت���ن�ز ه � او �ل ش���رب�‪.‬‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف ا � �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ع��ا د ا �لن��ص�ا �ى ب����غ��د ا د �م�ق��� �س �م��ة �ع��ل د ��ا ا ت� �م�ع � ��ف��ة �من‬ ‫�ه�ا � �عي��ا د ا �ل� �صو� ‪� �� .‬ل��‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�أ�‬ ‫� � ن �َ�س ا �� � �أ � � ث ا ��ن � ��ل�زُ � ��ق ّ �ة‬ ‫� �� ا �ة‬ ‫ا �ل���ّو�ل �م ن��ه �عي��ده دير ا ل�‬ ‫�ص�ي � �و�ه�و �ع��ل� مي���ل م� �م� ل�و � او �ل��‬ ‫ح�د ا �ل�� �ي� دير ا ر�ي ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �أ � ى ُ �َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ََْ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �أ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ا �ل ار ��� د�ير د ر�م�ا �ل��س �ه� ا‪� .‬و�عي��ده � ح��س� �عي��د ي�ج �م�‬ ‫ح��د ا �لث��ا �ل ث� د�يرا �ل�ز �ن��د �ورد � او �ل��‬ ‫� او �ل��‬ ‫فع‬ ‫ّ بعّ � ّٰ‬ ‫��خ ة � اّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق ن ا�‬ ‫�ن ا � ��غ‬ ‫ه ا � �ق‬ ‫ح��د �م�م ن ي�‬ ‫له�و � او �ل‬ ‫عه� ‪� � .‬و ��ي�� ا �ل�� ��س �ي��ه‬ ‫��ل�ا�ع�� �إ �ل� ت��ب��‬ ‫ح ب� ا �ل�� �‬ ‫��ص� رى ب���د ا د �إ �لي�� �و�ل� �يب ���ى � � �‬ ‫� م �ي م‬ ‫� ق �ف �غ � �أ‬ ‫� �أّ‬ ‫ا �ل� �ي�ا � � �وي� ��طر��� �ون�ه ��ي� ��ي�ر ا �ل��عي��ا د‪.‬‬ ‫مأ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و�ل�� �� �ع��د ا ّلله ب� ن �‬ ‫ح�م�د �و ن� ا �ل ن��دي�� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫بي ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َا َ ْ َ ُ ْ َ ا �َ َ َ ا أَ ْ َ �نَ � ْ َ َا ��غِ�زَ �َ ٱ � �َّ ْ َ ا أَ ��فْ �تِ نَ � ْ‬ ‫�ي� د ����ير د ر��م� �ل�� �م� � �‬ ‫ح��س �ك � �وي� �� ا �ل � �ل�د ����يِر �م� � � ��ك‬ ‫س‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�َ ْ َ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��لَ شَ ا َ ْ �� ْ‬ ‫�ف ن � َ‬ ‫��نْ تَ ٱ � �َّ ْ َ �َ ا سِ َّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ئِ� ن� ��س ك‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ح���� ك �ن�ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�إِ �فِي َ وٱ ْفِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ نْ ش ّ � َ ْ � �َ نْ ْ ََ ْ‬ ‫�َو ْ�َ � َ َا َ ُ َ ا تَ �ْ َت‬ ‫هي �ع� �ِ���د �ةِ � � �لو�ج�� ِد ِب�م� � �‬ ‫ح�ز �ن��ك‬ ‫ح�ك �ي� ��ق��ل ب� � ��م� ���ن ِ�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫يْ فَ‬ ‫�ٱ ّٰ َا سِ َّ � �فَ �ِّ ُ نْ َ� ْ َ َّ نَ � ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ي  ���إِ ��ن�ه �ِم� ح��ي نِ��هِ �مك��ك‬ ‫ِا ر ���� ��بِ� �هِ �بِ� للهِ �ي� ��� ي� ِ�د �‬

‫أ‬ ‫�ذ� أ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح � ن �خ� ا �� � ا �� َّ � �� ن ّ � � ّ‬ ‫�ذ � ش‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� ��ق�ا �ل ك����ن�ا �ع ن��د �ب ��ي� �عب��د‬ ‫�وك‬ ‫���ا � �م ن� �ب��ر �ه� ا ا �ل����عر�م�ا ك��ره � ��م�د ب � � ل�د ل�‬ ‫�صر�يف�ي ي�‬ ‫ن �ف � �ق � �ذ �ن �ف ف � ّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�� ف ت �ذ �� ن ا � � ا ت � ا � ن ا ��ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا ّلله ب� ن �‬ ‫ح�م�د �و� ��ي� ا �ل�و�� ا �ل�� �ي� � � � ه �ي��ه ا�لم ��و ك��ل ��� ا ك�ر�� ا �ل�د �ي� را � �و ��ط�ي ب��ه� �وح��س��ه� �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ا ��ل���ع��ا د � او ج��تم�ا ا ��ل ن��ا �� �إ ��ل�ه�ا ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ق�د � او ّلله �ش���ّهي�ت��ن�� ��ل‬ ‫��� � او ��لت���ف ّ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ور �ه� ه ا �ل‬ ‫م او ض�‬ ‫ح ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ عً ج‬ ‫ف ا � ت ّ ع ا ��ف �أ ّ‬ ‫ف� ��ق � ت � ُ � ا � � �غ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ر ي��ده � �ل� دير د ر م� �ل��س و��د ي��ده‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه� �د ح�‬ ‫ي�ه� � او �ل����س��ل�ي� �ب��ه� � �ي� دير م �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫‪�  1‬ه� ا ب��د اي���ة ا لم�� خ���طوط وال��ص�ل ن�ا ����ص‪.‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪١،١‬‬

‫‪٢،١‬‬

‫‪٣،١‬‬

‫‪٤،١‬‬

The Durmālis Monastery

. . .1 the palace built by Aḥmad ibn Buwayh the Daylamite at the Shammāsiyyah

1.1

Gate. It is delightful and excellently situated, surrounded by many gardens and trees, and with a reed bed close by. It is large and well populated with resident monks, priests, and other celibates. It is well equipped for revelry, and people go there to stroll about and drink. In Baghdad, the Christian holidays are celebrated at different well-known

1.2

monasteries. During the season of Lent, the first Sunday is celebrated at the

ʿĀṣiyah Monastery, which is over a mile (a little less than two kilometers) from Samālū; the second at the Zurayqiyyah Monastery; the third at the Zandaward Monastery; and the fourth at this monastery, Durmālis. It is a splendid feast attended by all the Christians of Baghdad, and everyone who enjoys amusement and debauchery follows them to it. People stay there for several days. They even go there when there is no feast. The caliph’s boon companion Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn composed this

1.3

poem about it: O for the beauty of Durmālis’s Cloister, O for the charm of the monastery’s fawn! If, master, you seem to dwell in a cell, your home is deep in my breast. Alas, my heart, can’t you forgo your passion for him who has grieved you? Show him mercy, for God’s sake, master, for he’s left you his life to barter. The story of this poem was told by Aḥmad ibn Khālid al-Ṣarīfīnī: We were visiting Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn after al-Mutawakkil had banished him. We reminisced about monasteries, how pleasant they are and how beautiful during festivals when people gather in them. Abū ʿAbdallāh said, “By God, you’ve made me want to visit these places, look around, and take my mind off my problems. Which monastery celebrates its feast about now?” I replied,

3

3

1.4

‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير د ر�م� �ل��س‬

‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا ن تا � � � � �‬ ‫� �ن�ا ��ل� ا ��ل��د � � �ن �ظ� ��� �ن�ا‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �ف��ع��ل� �برك���‬ ‫���ة ا ّلله � �و �ع�دد ت� �ج��مي�� �م� �‬ ‫ح�� � �إ �لي��ه �وي��ص�ل‬ ‫� �لمث���ل�ه �و�ب ك‬ ‫��ر �إ ى ير و ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف � �ذ‬ ‫��ل ا ج��ت ا ا ��ل ن ا �� � �ت�� �ه � ا �ن� �ف �م ن ا ��ن‬ ‫�صر�ف� � �و ��م ت� �م�ع�ه ��ي� ا �ل��د�ير ��ل��ك ا �لي ��و�‬ ‫�صر� � �‬ ‫�إ �ى م� �� س و ع�ي�ي �د � و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن �غ ع � �ن ا ن � � م ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�م� ��ده �و�ج��ل��س � �م��ه �ج�م�ل��س� ي����ر� �ع��ل� ��لك ا �لب����س� ���ي� � او�ل� ا ر ���رب� �و ��ط� ب��� � ����س�ه‬ ‫ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن � �ق ض � ن ا �ل�‬ ‫� ا �ةع � ئ ن ا ا �� �� ��ف �ة ا ��لت�� ّ �ة‬ ‫��� َ ن‬ ‫�و ���ط ب� �و�‬ ‫��ره �م ن� � �‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫ح��دا ث� ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫ع �م� ك�� � �ي����ي� �ل�� اح� �ج�� �وي�ج ي����� �ب� ل�طر� �و ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ق ا �� � �أ ا ت ا �ل� ت��ق ّ �ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ش���غ� �‬ ‫�� �ب��ه� � او ��س� ��ط� ب� �و���ه �م‬ ‫�ه� �و � ل ا �ل�ب��ي�� � م� �د �م� ‪.‬‬ ‫�م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�� � ه �أ نّ ا �� �لف��ت � ن �خ ا ��ق ا ن‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ع ش���ق‬ ‫���ا ن� ��س��� �ن����ف ا �ل�مت��و ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ب أ ي�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح�تّ ���ل�غ��ه � ��ل�ه ف���ه � �ش���ع�ا �من�ه�ا‬ ‫ش تُ � � ف �‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫� او �����هر ا �ل��مر �ي��ه ى ب و ي‬

‫� ت ّ��‬ ‫�خ ا‬ ‫شا‬ ‫���� �ه��ك �� د �م ا�لم ��و ك��ل‬

‫‪٥،١‬‬

‫أَ َ ا َ � ُ �َ ْ ُ �ذْ �َه��جِ ْ َت َ � ُ َ �َ ْ نِ َ ًا َ ْ َ ٱ � � ُّ ُ تَ ُ‬ ‫� ����ش� �ه�ك �ل��ي��ل� �م� �‬ ‫� ر� �� �‬ ‫طِو�ي��ل  �وع��ي��ي� د �م� ب����ع�د � �ل�د � �موعِ ����سِ ي���ل‬ ‫ِ ي�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� ْ� َ‬ ‫َ � � نْ � َ َ�ٱ �� َّ�ْ ٰ �َ ا � ا � �� ��قُ هُ َ � ْ َ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ِ�ي‬ ‫�َبِو ي� ِم��ك �و لر� �م نِ� م�ٱْ�لُ� ��ِطي� �  و�لي����س �إِ �ى �كوى �إِ لي��ك �� ب‬ ‫ِ���ل‬ ‫ُ تُ َ �ٰ‬ ‫أ َ ا َ � ُ �َ ْ ُ ْ �زَ �ل� ُّ ّ‬ ‫نَّ ٱ �ْ َ َ ا َ �قِ � ُ‬ ‫� � م‬ ‫� ����ش� �ه�ك � �لو ي�‬ ‫� ب� ��ُودَ هِ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج�زِ ��ي� �و�ل�كِ � � � �لو��ف� ء � ِ�ل���يل�‬ ‫��ج ى ِح ب ِ‬

‫ّ � ف ت ف ف � ّ�� ��خ ف �ق � � نّ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫���ا ن� � � �� �ع��د ا ّٰلله ���س�ع �ف�م�ا‬ ‫ح��ه ا � �‬ ‫� ���ع �� ا�لمت��و ك��ل ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ب��ر ��� �ا �ل �ل�ه �إ ��م�ا � رد �ت��ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�وك� و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫ح��ل�ف� ��م�ي�نً�ا‬ ‫� � د �ن���ت���ك ��لت��ن�ا د �من�� ��ل���� ��لت��ق�� د �ع�� �غ���ل�م�ا ���ن ��ف��‬ ‫ح�ن ث� ف��ه�ا �ف� ���ط��ّ�لق �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ي� ي س و �ى ي� ر‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫� ن ت ّ �ة أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ّ ا ��ق ا �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر � �و �ع �� �م� ك�� ��� م�م��ل�وك���� �و� �م�ه ��‬ ‫ح ��ل� ���ي� ��س �� � ك�‬ ‫ك���ا ��� �‬ ‫�� � ي ���‬ ‫ح �ي� ك��ل �ع� �م‪� � .‬ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫فظ أ‬ ‫أ ً‬ ‫� ���� نّ � �نّ�ه �ل�مّ�ا‬ ‫���ل ب��ن ���ف ��ه �إ ��ل�ى ت‬ ‫��ف�� �م ا �ل�مت��و ك�‬ ‫� �� ت� ��ف�� ��ق�ا � �ب��ه�ا � �ّ�ا �م�ا ث��ّ �ج��ا ءه �ز را ��ف��ة ��ا ��ل��لي��� �ع��ل ا ��لب��ر���د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى ي �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج�ئ ت ��ف �ش‬ ‫���ن ت أ� ّ أ ن أ� ��ف‬ ‫� أ � ��ق ت � ه ��ف �ل ّ ا خ � ه ��ق ا �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ش���رب� �و� ك‬ ‫�س��ر� �مر ب� ��ل� � �م� د ���ل �ع�ي�� � ل � �ي� �ي� م� ك � ح ب� � �ج �ي� �ي�‬ ‫�ق � أ أ‬ ‫� ن ق � أ�ذ ن �ق � ق � � ت أ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫�ّ ا‬ ‫�ك��ا‬ ‫�مث���ل�ه‪�� .‬ا �ل �و�م�ا �ه�و ��ا �ل � �مر� �م�ي�ر ا�لم��ؤ �م ن���ي� �ب ��� ��ط‬ ‫�� � ���ك �و��ا �ل ���ل �ل�ه �ل��س� � �ع�ا �م��ل�ك �إ �ل� �م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ع ا �� ��ق ت ف� �ق ��‬ ‫�َ�ع��م ا �� �ل�ت �ا ن ‪� .‬ف �أ � �ذ �� � �أ ��س�ه �م ّ�ا ظ ���� نّ‬ ‫�� �غ� ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� �و�ف� � �ذ �ن�ه �م ن �خ��ا ر ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�ي �ل ف��ي � ر ى ل�ك � �ل �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ج‬ ‫ف� ل ع‬ ‫�ل� � ت �ق ّ‬ ‫���� ه ��ف � ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�صر��‪.‬‬ ‫�ص�ه �و ج� عل� �ي� ك‬ ‫�و� ي��س���‬ ‫���ا ���ور �م�ع�ه � او ���‬ ‫م‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪٦،١‬‬

The Durmālis Monaster

“Durmālis’s Monastery. Its feast is tomorrow.” “With God’s blessing! Let’s go.” I prepared everything we would need as was appropriate for someone in his station, and we set off early to the monastery. We saw the people gather and celebrate the feast. Then some of the company left, but I stayed with him in the monastery that day and the next. We sat in a room overlooking the gardens and fields. Abū ʿAbdallāh drank some wine, cheered up, and went into raptures. Some local youths came to take care of our needs, bringing us presents and sweet-smelling bouquets, and he was much taken by them. They were the reason he had a wonderful time and composed the poem above. Al-Mutawakkil banished Abū ʿAbdallāh because al-Fatḥ ibn Khāqān had a pas-

1.5

sion for Shāhak, al-Mutawakkil’s servant. The news got about and reached Abū

ʿAbdallāh, who made Shāhak the subject of several poems, such as: Shāhak, when you’d left, the night dragged on and my eyes shed tears—tears of blood. God knows my feelings for you are past bearing but I’ve no way to reach you with my pleading. Shāhak! If a lover were requited for his love I’d be rewarded. But are debts ever paid in full? Abū ʿAbdallāh made it his business to carry out al-Fatḥ’s wishes. Al-Mutawakkil summoned him when he came to hear of it. “I sought you out and placed you close to me to keep me company, not to be a pimp for my servants.” Abū ʿAbdallāh denied any wrongdoing and swore an oath in which he perjured himself. Consequently, he had to divorce his freeborn wives and set his concubines free. He was also obliged to perform the pilgrimage for thirty years, so he used to make it every year.2 Al-Mutawakkil exiled him to Takrit and he spent a few days there. Then one night, Zurāfah came to him as part of the government messenger service.3 Abū ʿAbdallāh thought that the caliph was drunk and ordered him to be killed. When the officer entered his presence, he said, “I’ve come for a purpose I’d rather not have come for.” “What’s that?” “The caliph gave the order to cut off your ear and sent you this message: ‘I’m just treating you like a brigand.’”4 Abū ʿAbdallāh realized that this punishment was much milder than the execution he had feared. Zurāfah cut off the outer cartilage of his ear without perforating the eardrum, placed it in camphor he’d brought with him, and left.

5

5

1.6

‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير د ر�م� �ل��س‬

‫ّ �ة �ق � أ‬ ‫ثّ ُ أ‬ ‫ّٰ �ف‬ ‫� ن�ز � �ف أ �ق‬ ‫ّ � �غ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ح��د ر � ب� ��و �عب��د ا لله �إ �ل�ى ب����د ا د �إ �ل�ى �م�� �ل�ه ��� ��ا �م �ب�ه �م�د ‪�� .‬ا �ل � ب� ��و �عب��د ا لله ���ل��ق�ي ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ف‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫� ا ا �� ن ا �� �� � �� ا ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح�ا � ب � �إ بر �هي�� �لم�و�ص��ل�� ب�ع�د م� ك� ب��‬ ‫�صره ��س� ��ي� ع� ب�� ر ل�� س و ل��س�ل�ط� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�زّ ن ث ّ �ق ا � � ن � ت ّ‬ ‫� ت �� ه ��غّ � �ق ��‬ ‫��ف��أ �خ��� �ت�ه ث��ّ �ش‬ ‫�� � �ذ ���ن� ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع�ل ي���س��ل�ي ن�� �و��ع � ��� �� �� �ل �ل�� �م� ا �ل �‬ ‫م��ق�د �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب ر م أ و ي �ي� ب ع ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي �ي ي ي م‬ ‫� �ؤ ن ن ���خ ّ‬ ‫ن �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��لي ��و� �ع ن��د � �م�ي�ر ا�لم� �م��� � او ل‬ ‫��ا ��ص �م ن� �ن��د �م� ��ه ��� �ل� ح�م�م�د ب�� ع�مر‪� � ��� .‬ل �ل�ي� �و�م� �ه� ا‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� نّ أ‬ ‫ف �ق ت أ ّ أ �ف ا أ‬ ‫�ق أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ل ر ي� و �ي� ب رك ب‬ ‫ا �لر ج��ل و‬ ‫ر ب و‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ض نا �‬ ‫�ذ ق‬ ‫�ق � ت ّ�� � �أ � ا � ث اث ة �ف خ‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫�م ن��ه �م ن�� �ر�� ب�‪ .‬ح�‬ ‫�� �ر� ا �ل��د ا ر �ي ��و�م �ع� �د ا�لم ��و ك��ل �ل� �و�ل�د ه ا �ل��ل� ��� ��د ���ل �مر� او � ب�� �ب �ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ف �ة ��ف �أ ن ش �ق‬ ‫�ص �د �ت�ه ا ��ل ��ت � �ق �� ��ل ف��ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� �ي و ي�‬ ‫ح���ص� � �����ده �ي‬

‫‪٧،١‬‬

‫ٌْ ََ‬ ‫�ْ ف َ �َنَ ا � ش��َ َّ ْ‬ ‫��َْ ضَ ا ُ � َ َ� َ َ‬ ‫��ي��� �ل�� بِ ���م�ه‬ ‫�ن�ا ت�ِ��ه�ا   �َورد �ف ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ء �ي� �و�ج �‬ ‫ب ي � �فِ‬

‫��ف ُ��س ّ ����ذ ��ل�� ��س � ًا �ش���د ���دًا � �أ �م ف� ن���ث �ع��ل��ه ��ْ�د �ةَ د �ن�ا �ن�� � �أ ن �تُ��ل�ق� ���ط � �تُ� ���ط � ���ف �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ره‪.‬‬ ‫ي و ر ر ي ب ر ير و �‬ ‫ر ب ك رور‬ ‫و رح ي� ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ا �� �ق ّ ��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ح � ن ‪� ��� .‬ا �ل ��ا � �م�� ا�لم��ؤ �م ن��� ن‬ ‫���ل�و��س �و�ع��ق�د �ل�ه �ع��ل� ا �يل�م�ا �م�� � او ب�ل��‬ ‫� �و �م ه ��ا �ج��ل‬ ‫ي� �م�ا ر� ��ي ت� ك�� لي��و�م ��ط‬ ‫ي ير‬ ‫رب‬ ‫ري�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ا أ أ �ق ا ّٰ‬ ‫ت ا ��ل��س ت � �أ ض� ف� �ق ا � ��مّ � ن �ع �ذ � �ع ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و �ل� � رى � �ب �� � ك ا لله �م� د ا �م� �م� او � � او �ل�ر�� �� � �ل ح�م�َد ب�� �مر�ه� ا ب��ع�د �مر�ط�و�ي��ل‬ ‫أ�ذ ن �غ َّ ق � �لِ�َ ت‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫� ا ق � � ج�ز ت‬ ‫ح�تّ ���س�م� ث‬ ‫�� ا �‬ ‫�إ ن� �ش���ا ء ا ّلله‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل�� �إ ���س‬ ‫ح� �� � �ي�و�لك � �ع� �ع��ل�ى � ���ك �و��م��ك �� ��ط �‬ ‫ع �م���ل‬ ‫عه� �م ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �آ�ذ ا ن �أ ش � ن‬ ‫� أ نّ �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫���ا � ��ي ن ف����ع��ك �م� �ه��ؤ �ل�ء‪.‬‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � ‪� � .‬ي�و��ل�ك � �لو � � �ل��ك �م���كوك � ي���� ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬

‫� ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫���ا ن� �إ�ذ ا د �ع�ا ��ه ��ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه �ع�� � ه��ة ا �ل��م�زا � ��ا � ��ا �ع� �د‪� � .‬ل�مّ�ا‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل � � �ع�ا ده ا�لمت‬ ‫��� ��ل� �خ���د �مت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ى � ح ي ب ب �ي و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ل �إ ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �فأ�� �ذ � أ‬ ‫ةأ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ه ا �ة �ق ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �ل�ك �� كب���ر �ل�ك � �و � ك‬ ‫��ره ���و�ه ب� �ل� �ج�� ر�ي� ��ي� � �ل‬ ‫ر���ي� �ع��ه �� �ل �ل�ه ��ه�ل �ل�ك �ي� �ج�� ر�ي�� � �هب �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ أّ‬ ‫ّ � � ة‬ ‫� ا ا‬ ‫ح� �م ن �ج��وا ر��ه �‬ ‫���ا �م��ل��ة ا ��ل��د ا ب� �إ ��ل�ا � ن� ب���ع ض�� ا ���خل‬ ‫ح��س�ن ��ة ك�‬ ‫�س� ��ط�ا �ن�� �‬ ‫���د � رد ا �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ل�ه� �ص� � ب �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� م‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ف�مه�ا � ��ق�د �أ ا د ت� �أ ن ت‬ ‫ح��د �ى ��ث ن���ّت��ه�ا ��ف�� ��س� دّ ت� ��ف ش����ا �ن�ه�ا �ذ ��ل��ك �ع ن��ده �و�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��مل�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� و ر‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ًع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�م� ا‬ ‫���ّ �م�ا‬ ‫���ا � �له�ا‬ ‫���ا � �ش����ئ��ا �ع �ي���م�ا ك����ي�را‪��� .‬ل�م�ا �م�ا ت� � ب� ��و �عب��د ا لله ت��ز �و�ج� ت� �ص�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫� و‬ ‫عه� ك�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ا�ل�من�ّ ف أ ت ��ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �ق �� �ل�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ب���ع��� ا �ل�ع��ل� �وي��ي�‪� �� .‬ل �ع��ل�ي� ب�� ي ي�ى �ج�� � �ر ��ي ��ه �ي� ا �ل ��و�م �و�ه�و �ي ��ول �ي�‬ ‫م‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪٨،١‬‬

‫‪٩،١‬‬

The Durmālis Monaster

Then Abū ʿAbdallāh was brought down to his house in Baghdad, where

1.7

he stayed for a time. He recounted this incident: I met Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm alMawṣilī after he had lost his sight. He asked me news of people and the palace, which I gave him, and after that I complained to him, telling him how miserable I was about my ear being cut off. He comforted and consoled me, and then he asked, “Which of the caliph’s companions is taking precedence nowadays and enjoying his favor?” “Muḥammad ibn ʿUmar.” “Who is this man, and how polite and knowledgeable is he?” “I know nothing about his manners. But I can tell you what I heard about him recently. We were at the palace on the day of the investiture of al-Mutawakkil’s three sons. Marwān ibn Abī Ḥafṣah entered and declaimed the poem in which he says: pale, with roses in her cheeks. How can we ever breathe their scent?5 “Al-Mutawakkil was overjoyed with it. He ordered a purse of dinars6 to be

1.8

poured over him, picked up, and placed in his lap; told him to be seated; and made him commander over Yamāmah and Baḥrayn. Marwān responded, ‘I’ve never seen a day like this, sire, and—may God give you long life—I shall not see another, as long as heaven and earth exist.’ Whereupon Muḥammad ibn ʿUmar said, ‘After a long life, God willing.’” Isḥāq said to me, “Good God! You’re complaining about your ear being cut off, but why on earth are you upset? So you can hear things like this? Damn it, even if you had a thousand ears, what good would they do you with people like this?” Then al-Mutawakkil restored Abū ʿAbdallāh to his service. Every time he spoke to him, he would call him Abū ʿUbayd7 as a joke. After his pardon, he asked him, “Would you like me to give you one of my slave girls?” Abū ʿAbdallāh thought he was exaggerating and didn’t believe him, but al-Mutawakkil gave him one of his slave girls, called Ṣāḥib.8 She was beautiful and extremely well mannered, but a servant had broken one of her front teeth: Ṣāḥib had been taking aim with a blowpipe and the servant had pushed it into her mouth. The tooth turned black, and that ruined her appearance in al-Mutawakkil’s eyes. He sent all her belongings with her, a huge quantity of things. After Abū

ʿAbdallāh died, she married one of the ʿAlids. ʿAlī ibn Yaḥyā al-Munajjim said he saw Abū ʿAbdallāh in a dream, declaiming:

7

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1.9

‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير د ر�م� �ل��س‬

‫� �أ‬ ‫�و�ل�ب �ي�‬

‫َُ‬ ‫أََا عِ ًّ َ ا ِ َ �ٱ ��ْل�َعَ ا َ ا أَ ْ َ‬ ‫��ب�ا‬ ‫�َ �جِ� ْ���سم �� �ٱ ��ل��ّت ا � �غ�َ�ا �� َ‬ ‫� �ب� �� ��ل� �م� ����تر�ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� ئِ����ب�  � �ب�ص ِ�ي� �فِي� ر بِ ئِ‬ ‫ِ ي�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َٱ � ْ تَ َْ �َ تْ َ ا � ُ �َ�ْ � َ‬ ‫��ب�ا‬ ‫حَ‬ ‫�ص�ا ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ص� ِح ب� ب�ع ِ�د ي� �‬ ‫و �س ب��د ل� �‬

‫ن ش‬ ‫ّٰ ش‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ات‬ ‫ّ ن �‬ ‫�عب��د ا لله ����عر �ج�ي��د �و�م� ����عره �ي��ع� �� ب� �ع��ل�ي� ب�� ي ي‬ ‫ح�ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نَ َ ْفُ َ َ‬ ‫�َ نْ َ � � نْ أ � َ‬ ‫���ص �ُم نِ‬ ‫حَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫نٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م� �ع��ذِ �ِيري� ِم� �ب ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حِٱ ي� ج ٱو�نِي� وي ٱ ْ ِر �ي�‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫ًّاِ َُ���نْ تُ �َ ُ َ‬ ‫��� ْ تِ�زَ � � ُّ � � � �بِ َ‬ ‫ك�ا ن� ��ل�ي� �خِ��ل� �وك� � �ل�ه   ك�� �م�� ا �ِ � �لر�وحِ �ب� �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫َ ج َ َِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فَ�َ�ش��� �َ ا ��ش �ِ��فغ�َ��ِّ��ي ����يَ هُ   �َ َ�ع��ل��ْ‬ ‫حْ ُ���سُ�د �نِ��‬ ‫ك�ا ن� ي�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َو‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫نَ َ فْ ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��يِ�ز‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫نّ� ا‬ ‫َ �‬ ‫�حِ �� ��ي���� �‬ ‫�ق�د �نِ�ي�‬ ‫�إِ ��م� �� د ا د ���م���عِر� ��  بِ� ��ود ا ِد ي� � ي�‬

‫أ أ‬ ‫ّٰ � ن � ن �ذ�� ت‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ا �تّ���ص� ب �ن���ا � � ن ��س��ل�م��ة � نّ� � ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫ح�م�د �و� �ي�� ك�ره � �وي��� ن��ا د ر �ب�ه �ب�ي� ن� �ي��د �ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل �ج ح ب �‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� � �م�� ا�لم�ؤ �م ن��� ن ���غ‬ ‫حض‬ ‫��� ‪�� .‬ف��ل��ق ��ه � �� �مً�ا ف����ق�ا �� �ل�ه � ��ا �ع��د ا لله ��د ���ل��� ك��‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي� ب ي ر‬ ‫ر ير‬ ‫ي� ر ي�‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫ا�لم ��و ل ي ي و‬ ‫� َخْ‬ ‫ا�ج ��ل‬ ‫�ف َ �ع� ّ �ق� �� � �إ�ذ ا �خ���ل ت �أت� ا ��ن �أ� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ه � ��ق�د �ف���ع� �� �م�ا �ف���ع� ‪ � .‬ا ّٰلله �م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل و‬ ‫و ر ي� ب و‬ ‫ل ب ي�‬ ‫ل� و‬ ‫ي �ل و م‬ ‫أ�ذي��ن �ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ح ن �� �� ا �ق ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ض�‬ ‫���� ��ي� ��لب��� ��� � �ل اب� ن� ��م�د �و� ا ل�ط�ل� � �ل�‬ ‫���ع ت� �ي��د �ي� �ع��ل�ى � ��ي� �إ �ل� �ج��د د � �ل�ه ب�����‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أت � ا � ق ن �ذ�� ت� �غ ا ت ّ أ ً‬ ‫� ا�ز ن ��ا ن �ق ا � �ذ ق ّ �‬ ‫ح��ه � �ب��د ا‪.‬‬ ‫�ل� �م �إ � ك�� � �� �ل �ه� ا �� ��ط � او �م �ر ��ه ��ط� �ل�� �إ � ك� �ر�ك ب����ي�ر �م� � ب‬ ‫�ق ا �‬ ‫��ا ن � ا � ن ��مّ � � ن � ّ� � �ا � �أ ا � ا ّٰ ا � ن� ��ف �إ�ذ ا �غ � ه ش ئًا �ف� ه ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل ك�� � �إ بر �هي�� ب � ح�م�د ب � م�د ب ر ي�ل ع ب� �ب� عب��د لله �ب� �ل� رد � ��لب�� ���ي���� د �ع� �إ ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��د �ّ��ة ا �ل�م��غ�نّ ��ة ��ا ���ة �ح�مّ�م��د � ن ��� ‪� .‬ف��غ���ل��ه � �� �مً�ا � ش‬ ‫ع��� � ن د � ن��ا ًا ��ف�� �خ����ذ �ه�ا �م ن��ه � د �ف��عه�ا ��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫ري� �ي ر‬ ‫ب � ر�ج‬ ‫و � �إ ي�‬ ‫ب يو‬ ‫ك�ر ي‬ ‫�ي أ �ج ري‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف�ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �لي��ه � ب� ��و �عب��د ا لله ب���ع�د �ل��ك‬ ‫َ‬ ‫تَقْ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ �أ نْ تَ �تَ��ْ �فُ �َ ا ��‬ ‫�ُ�قُ �قَ � َ ا ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��� ضِ���ي� � و� ِب ِ� َو‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ِ ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��قِ‬ ‫ْ ت نِ َ َ ا ��‬ ‫نْ َ َ ٰ �ذَ عِ ََّ‬ ‫�إِ � د ا �م ��ه� ا �� ��ل�ي�  � ����ف� ر� ��ي� �وِ�ع��ي� ِل�ي�‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�� ��ف‬ ‫ح�م�د � ن� � ن ��س�م�ا �ع�� � ن��ا د � ا �ل�م�عت�� � ث ّ � ث ق‬ ‫��ا ن ا ث ت‬ ‫���ا ن� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ص ��م ا �ل� او � ��� ب���ع�ده �وك�� � �ي��ع� ب��� ا�لم ��و ل ي�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّم‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن �ذ �‬ ‫ا ّ �ة � ّ �ة ��ف ك�� ه � خ � � ا �ت�� � ض ّ‬ ‫�ق ت‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫ح�� �ي� �م� �و �ر�ج ر ��س�ه� عر��‬ ‫���ا �ب�� �م�ه ����ج���ا �وك���ا � �ل��ك‬ ‫�ل�ك ا � �لو�� �و�ج�� ء ه �مر ب ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ض � �أّ أ‬ ‫��� ��ق�ا ��ل ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا‬ ‫���ا ن� ���ف ���ع�� ا �ل� ��ا‬ ‫��ع‬ ‫�� ا ��ل� او �ث��ق ‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا �م�ا ت� ا ��ل� او �ث��ق �ن�ا د � ا �ل�مت��و ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي ب � يم ر‬ ‫�ي�ج ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� م‬

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‫‪١٠،١‬‬

‫‪١١،١‬‬

‫‪١٢،١‬‬

‫‪١٣،١‬‬

The Durmālis Monaster

Oh, Abū ʿAlī, marvels have no end. My body’s out of sight, hidden in the ground. My friend Ṣāḥib’s replaced me with a new friend. Abū ʿAbdallāh produced fine poetry, such as these verses reproaching ʿAlī

1.10

ibn Yaḥyā: Who’ll plead my case to Abū Ḥasan when he snubs me and cuts me dead? He and I were close, inseparable like body and soul, Till someone defamed me and filled him with envy. He’ll know well how true a friend I am—when he loses me. Najāḥ ibn Salamah happened to hear that Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn was

1.11

talking about him and making fun of him in al-Mutawakkil’s presence. One day he met him and said, “Abū ʿAbdallāh, I’ve heard that you speak unkindly of me in the caliph’s presence. I know that you say in private, ‘Do you think I can love him after what he did to me? By God, hatred wells up in my heart every time I put my hand on my ear.’” Ibn Ḥamdūn replied, “I deserve to get divorced if I ever said this. And I swear I’ll repudiate my wife if I ever say anything about you that you dislike.” Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad ibn Mudabbir used to play backgammon with Abū

1.12

ʿAbdallāh, and he would give all his winnings to Kurdiyyah, the singing girl belonging to Muḥammad ibn Rajāʾ. One day he won twenty dinars, which he gave her. So Abū ʿAbdallāh wrote to him: You pay your dues with my cash when you know the state I’m in. If this losing streak keeps on you’ll beggar my kith and kin. Ḥamdūn ibn Ismāʿīl was a court companion of al-Muʿtaṣim and then of al-Wāthiq. In those days, he used to tease al-Mutawakkil. Once he came to him with a snake hidden in his sleeve and pulled out its head, alluding to al-Mutawakkil’s mother’s name, Shujāʿ.9 Al-Wāthiq liked that a lot. After al-Wāthiq’s death, Ḥamdūn became a companion of al-Mutawakkil. One day, al-Mutawakkil summoned Farīdah, his brother al-Wāthiq’s slave girl—she was a peerless

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1.13

‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير د ر�م� �ل��س‬

‫ّ‬ ‫ا �ُ‬ ‫� ن ا � �� ا ن‬ ‫ح ض� ا ف �ة ا ة أ �خ � ث ق‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �م ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫���ل �� �‬ ‫ح��س� �و �لإ�‬ ‫ح��س� � �ع��ل�ى �م� �ل�م ي�ر‬ ‫ا�لم ��و ك �إب‬ ‫��� ر � �ري��د �ج�� ر�ي�� � �ي��ه ا � �ل او � ��� �وك� ُ �‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�مث����ه � ��ق�ا �� ��ل���خ‬ ‫حض‬ ‫�� ت� � دُ �ف�� ��ل�ه�ا �ع� د �ف���غ�نّ ت� �غ� ن��ا ءً‬ ‫�ل��د � ن� �ل�� ت� ئ �ف� ئ �� ���ن � � ��سه�ا‪��� .‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل ول‬ ‫بر‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج �ج�ي و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ة م � ة م�ف أ � أ ي أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ت ع��غ�نّ ت �غ� ن ا ً ��ش��� ًّا ��ز ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ث � �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫عه�ا � �و �مر�ه�ا � � ������� ��ي�ره �ب� ك‬ ‫��� �و � �� ء �ج ي�� بح �‬ ‫ي����ب��ه ا �ل��د �ب�� � او�ل�م �ر ي��� �� �س�م� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ف�ز ا د‪� 1‬ذ �� � ��ف ��� �غ� ن�ا �ئ �ا �ف� �� � ن � ّ�ق ة � ت‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ح�م�د �و� �ل��لر��� ا �ل ��ي� �ت��د ا ���لت��ه‪�� .‬غ����ض‬ ‫ل�ك � � � �ه � �ج‬ ‫� ب� ا�لمت��و ك��ل �ور� �ى‬ ‫ي� ط�ي ب أ � �و م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �خ‬ ‫� ��ه ا � �ل ا �ث�ق‬ ‫� �نّ�ه �ف���ع� �ذ ��ل��‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ي ب�غ�� ض�� ك�‬ ‫ح�ز �ن�ا �ع��لي��ه �وك�‬ ‫���ل �م ن� �م�ا ��ل �إ �لي��ه‪�� .‬ف�� �مر ب��ن ���ف ي��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ث ة‬ ‫�� ��ف �أ �� �أ ن‬ ‫�ك� ن ا ��لض�� �م ن �ف� �ق ا ��ل �ا ��ل�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع��ف �ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ �ل�ى ا �ل��س�ن �د �و ض�‬ ‫�� �بر�ه �ث�ل�ا ��م�ا �ئ�� ��س�و�ط‪�� .‬س� ل � ي و� � رب� � �و� �ث�ي ب�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ع ن �ذ ��ل��ك ��ف�� � � ��ل� �ذ ��ل��ك‪� � .‬أ ��ق�ا � �من ���ف ّ�ً�ا �ث�ل�ا ث� ��س�ن �� ن‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫�ج�ي ب �إ ى‬ ‫و م ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن ف ا �ع هّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ج�‬ ‫�� �ل د �ع� �إ � ا‬ ‫بر �هي�� �ج �م� �ع�� �م ا�لم� ��� ‪� ٢‬‬ ‫�ه� �م�‬ ‫ح ����� �و�� ��س�م ب�� ر �ور �وك�� � �ي�‬ ‫� ي� ي� م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ا �م ن ا�لم�غ� نّ��� ن‬ ‫�أ� �� �ح�مّ��د � ن � ن �‬ ‫���ع� � ا �ه�� ي� ا‬ ‫�� � ا � �‬ ‫ي�‪ ٣‬ف����ق�ا �ل ��ل�ه �ع�م�ه �ل�ا �‬ ‫ح�ا ك‬ ‫ح�م�د �و� ج� ل �إ بر‬ ‫ح� ك�ي�� و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح�د ا � او � �‬ ‫ب و �م ب �‬ ‫ا��ا � ��ف‬ ‫ن � م � ��ف‬ ‫� ظ� ة �‬ ‫� ظ � ة ت ا � ��ف ��ش‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ز‬ ‫ح� ك�� ه ل�� � �ل ج�‬ ‫ج��‬ ‫ح ����� ي�‬ ‫��ن� ب��ي�� ن���ك � ب�و�ي����ه ع��م�ل ل�� ��ي� ب���ل �و�‬ ‫ح�� �ل �ي� ��ي� ء �ي ك‬ ‫ح ����� �و�ل� �ي ك‬ ‫��� ب�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف� ه ��ل �أ ن � � �د �ق�� �ة �ف‬ ‫��ت� ف��ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي�� �إ �ى � و�ج � ر ع�‬ ‫ب ي�‬

‫‪١٤،١‬‬

‫َ�ف َ �ََ ٱ ��ْ�َ‬ ‫�ا َ َ ْ ُ غَ نَّ‬ ‫َ َ ْ تَ َ َ َ‬ ‫�ُ �زَ �إِ�ذَ �تَ��ِ�نَّ ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ح�ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ي�ةِ� �م ن �ي��‬ ‫ي  �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص��ل� �ع��ل� ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ك �ل ن��ا � ل�ج و�‬ ‫�غ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ�َ �‬ ‫َى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ َ ا � َ ا � ًا �إِ�ذ تَا َ ا ��فَ � ْ � َا َ ا � �� � ُ ّ �� َ ت‬ ‫ِ�نّ ْت‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ِ�ي�� � �� ��ه�   � �ع���ط� �ه� ل�‬ ‫��ق�م�د ك���م�ا ���م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح� ِ‬ ‫ك �ل��ن� �ل ��ب ب‬

‫أ�‬ ‫��ل�‬ ‫م‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫���ا ن� �لب�ي�� ب� �غ��ل�ا � � ب��ي��ه �وك�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� � �ّم�ه �ت��ع ش�����ق�ه ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا �ق �ر ا �لر�ق��ع��ة ا ر�ت��ع�د ت� �ي��ده ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه �ع ّ�م�ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ق � ا ت�ق‬ ‫أق �‬ ‫� ���ل �ل��ك �ع� رب� �ل� � �� رب�‪.‬‬

‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫أّ �‬ ‫� ظ� ة‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ى ج��‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب� ن� ا �� �ل�ق�ا ��س� �ز ر�ز �ور � ن� �ل�ا �‬ ‫���ا ن� �‬ ‫�ي ف���� ّ ‪ ٤‬ك�‬ ‫ه��‬ ‫�و� ك��‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا �ل�غ� ن��ا ء ��ج�مي��د ا‬ ‫ح ����� �ع ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ف ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� ي�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫بر �هي�� �ف ك�‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب� ن� �ب �ي� ا �ل�عب�ي����س �ع��ل� � ن��ا �ئ�ه �و����ج���ا �ص� �وت�ه ���ل�م�ا �م�ا ت� �إ � ا‬ ‫ح��س�د �إ � ا‬ ‫��ا ن�� ت�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ف �ع ن ّ ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت��ف د �خ���ل ت �ع� � ا ��‬ ‫م��‬ ‫� ��ف�ا �ت�ه � � �ّ�ا � ا �ل ك‬ ‫�ك ك‬ ‫ه�� ف� ّ � ا ���د �م‬ ‫� ����ق�ا �ل �م�ا �ل��ك ���ل ت� �م�ا ت�‬ ‫و �ي� ي م ��ي� ٰ � �ل�ى �ل� � ي���ي� و ل �وع �ي� �ي �ي‬ ‫ّ � �‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫�إ � ا‬ ‫بر �هي�� ��ا �ل ب���س�ل�ا � ‪ � .‬او لله �ل�و �ل� ي��م ت� � �ل ت���ل��ت�ه‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل �م��ط��مو��س‪ ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬م غ��ن��ي���� ني�‪ ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬م غ��ن��ي���� ني�‪   ٤ .‬ك‬

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‫‪10‬‬

‫‪١٥،١‬‬

The Durmālis Monaster

beauty and singer—and said to the servants, “If she refuses, bring me her head.” When present, with a lute in her hands, she sang a song that sounded like a dirge or a lament. He swore at her and told her to sing something else. She wept and sang a sad, moving song, which made her singing even more beautiful. Ḥamdūn stood speechless, overwhelmed by its loveliness. Al-Mutawakkil fell into a rage, thinking that his reaction was out of grief for his brother al-Wāthiq. (Al-Mutawakkil hated anyone who sided with his brother.) He exiled Ḥamdūn to Sind and sentenced him to three hundred lashes. Ḥamdūn asked to remain clothed for the beating because he was too weak to bear it otherwise, and his request was granted. He spent three years in exile.10 Ibrāhīm11 had invited a number of singers, including Jaḥẓah and Qāsim ibn

1.14

Zarzūr. His uncle Abū Muḥammad ibn Ḥamdūn was there too. When Ibrāhīm started to mimic the singers, one by one, his uncle warned him, “Don’t imitate Jaḥẓah and don’t get on the wrong side of him.” But he took no notice and mimicked him. Jaḥẓah looked for something to write on, and he wrote on a slip of paper: You’ve managed to mimic the singers; now mimic your old woman as she sings, And mimic Labīb when he comes to her and gives her the fuck she longs for. Labīb was Ibrāhīm’s father’s servant and his mother had taken a fancy to him. When he read the note, his hand started to shake. His uncle said to him, “What did I tell you? Give a scorpion a wide berth.”

Jaḥẓah recounted the following anecdote he had heard from Ibrāhīm ibn al-Qāsim ibn Zarzūr: Lākahkīfī had a good voice and sang well, but he envied Ibrāhīm ibn Abī

ʿUbays his singing and his moving voice. When Ibrāhīm died—it was during al-Muktafī’s caliphate—I went to see Lākahkīfī with tears in my eyes. He asked, “What’s the matter?” I said, “Ibrāhīm’s died.” “Good riddance,” he retorted. “By God, I’d have killed him if he hadn’t died.”

11

11

1.15

‫�� ا �‬ ‫د ����ير س��م� � �لو‬ ‫نا أ � ة �‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫ا ا ��ل ش ّ ا ّ ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ � � ش �ق ّ �غ‬ ‫ح��� �ل��ل�م�ا ء‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير ���ر��ي� ب����د ا د ب��ب�� ب� ����م� ��س�ي �� �ع��ل�ى ���هر ا�لم�ه�د �ي� �و�ه�� ك � ر ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ��ل�ه ��� �ا �ت�� ن � �أ ��ش����ا � ن خ‬ ‫�� � ا �ل�م ض��� �ن�ز‬ ‫ح��س ن ا �ل�ع�م�ا �ة � ��ه� ��م ن �ي� ���ط ��ق�ه � ��م ن ف���ه �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��و ب س ي� و �ج ر و ل و و‬ ‫� ر ل ب � ر بو � ي �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت�ق‬ ‫� � �أ�نّه � ا � ��ق �ن� ا ��نّ‬ ‫� ب��ب��غ��د ا د ف���ه �من �ظ� ��� �ع‬ ‫� �إ ��ل�ا �‬ ‫ر�هب��ا �ن�ه‪� .‬و�عي��د ا � �ل���ص‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫�صر �‬ ‫�ج�ي ب� �ل� � �ل� �يب ��ى �‬ ‫��ره � �و �� ّرب�‬ ‫ي ٰ ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ن ا � �ل ن �ّ ا ق‬ ‫� ّ ف‬ ‫ف���ه � ��ل�ا �أ� � ن أح �ت � ّ‬ ‫هو �م� �لم��س� �م��‬ ‫�ص�ده �ل��لت���ن�ز ه �ي��ه‪� .‬و�ه�و � �‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫ي� �إ �ل� ���‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫ح�د �م� � ��ه�ل ا �ل� ��طرب� � او �ل�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن � ق ف � �ذ‬ ‫�� �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�مت���ن�زّ �ه�ا � ����د ا د ا �ل ش‬ ‫م����ه�ور �و�م� او ��ط� ا � �ل��ص�� ا�لم� ك��ور ‪.‬‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ولحم‬ ‫�ّ�م��د ب� ن� �عب��د ا�لم��ل�ك ا �ل�ه�ا ����م ّ �ي��ه‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ � ُّ ُ ُ َ �غُ َّ َ تْ أ �ْ �زَ �ُ ُ‬ ‫َ ��َ ُ َّ �َ ْ� فِ�� �َ�س َ ا ��ُ � ِ َّ ��‬ ‫ي�� � ��ح ا ��ن�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� � � � ت‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ور‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫فِ ُ ر‬ ‫وأَر ب�َي ��وٍم ي �م �لو ���م ِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ � شُ ُ حِ �ثِ ُ حِ َا َ َ � �ِ �ذ َ ْ َ َ‬ ‫ُ ْ َ ا �ُ ُ‬ ‫� ِ�د ��ي� �ه بِ�‬ ‫���و ب� �‬ ‫ح��ِد ��ي��ثِ �هِ ���ن�د ��م� ��ن�ه‬ ‫� �ل� �و�ةٍ  ��ي�ل�ت� ر�‬ ‫��ج� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و�خٍ ي� �‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ َ َ ٱ � َّ قَ َ ٱ �ُ َ ��شِ َ َ ُ َ �ل� ْ َ ا ُت َ ٱ � � َأ‬ ‫شَ ا �ُ ُ‬ ‫ح �� �ِم ن ��لم�د ا � ��� را ��ه  �وم‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع � �ل �‬ ‫ِ�ن � � �ِم ن� � �ل�� او ��� ���� ��ن�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ج َ �ل َرِ ي � ٱ� َ ُ َِٱم‬ ‫نَِ سِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ � تَْا �ُ ُ‬ ‫�َ ْت � َّ � � �ل�زَ� ا َ �ة ��ف � ���غتَ�د � ����طِ � ا ��ل ّ‬ ‫� �َو� �سِ�� �ر���سر�� �إِ ��ي�� ��ن�ه‬ ‫ب�َ ك‬ ‫��ر� ع��ل�� �بِ� �هِ ي� ر � � ى  � � �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�قِ ْ ربَ �إَِي ْ ��شِ َ �نِي أَ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�فَ�أ َ ْ ُت َ ا ��يِ نَ ا َ ُ�ق �ْ تُ �َ ُ ٱ ْ‬ ‫نَ ا َ َ �ُ ُ‬ ‫ا ن َ ��ق تُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��� را ب���� � �و � او ��ن�ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ح� � و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �مر� ��س� �قِ� �� و�ل� ل� �قِ� ��   �د �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�فَ �تِ َاْ َ تْ ُ قُ � �َ ا نَشَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ََ ِّ َ‬ ‫َ �ُ ُ‬ ‫���َ او ���ُت�هُ  �َو�ت��و��ق�د ْت� بِ�‬ ‫�ُ�خ�د �ود �نَ�ا نِ�����يرا ��ن�ه‬ ‫ِ�� بِ������ع ��و�ل�ن� �‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل� � ب‬ ‫َِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حتَّ َ� ْ تُ � نَ ا ٱ �ْ َ ا َ � َ فِ�ي�نَ ةً َٱ � � َّ ْ َ َ ْ �قُ ُ َ� ْ � نَ ا � َ � ا �ُ ُ‬ ‫حو�ل�� �حِ ي� ��ط� ��ن�ه‬ ‫��ى حِ��سب��� �ل�� � �لبِ����س� ��ط ��س�� ��  � �و �ل�د ����ير ي�ر���ص �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ���خل‬ ‫ل��ا ��ت ب� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫��ا ��ل��د ا �� ك�‬

‫‪١،٢‬‬

‫‪٢،٢‬‬

‫‪٣،٢‬‬

‫َ َ �ُ َ � َ َ ْ � َ ٱ ْ َ ُ‬ ‫َا َ نْ �َ ٱ �ْقَ ْ‬ ‫�ص�� �� ��س�م�ا � �ل  �م�ا �ل� �ع ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي� �م�� �ل � � �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي���ك � ن���ِ��ت��ق�ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫� طِ ب‬ ‫َ �زِ هٍ � �أََّ َ �فِي ٱ �ْ�خََ � َٱ �َِْي ْ شُ َ ِ َ �زُ �َ ا ُ‬ ‫ه�ا� �ا ِ�ل� ��ا �م��ك � ل‬ ‫��ص�ا �‬ ‫� او �� �‬ ‫� بِ��ه�ا �ل� �ل‬ ‫ي � �و �ل�عي����� �‬ ‫��واِ�ل��‬ ‫يِ‬ ‫فٍ‬ ‫ت ْ َ حِ َ ُ�ة ٱ � ّفُ‬ ‫ِ �قًّ َ ُ ُّ َ ُ نَ َ �ُ َ ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫���ح �ا  �و�ك� ��م�ا د �و��ه�ا �م‬ ‫�ِ��ل�ك �‬ ‫� ي��ا � �لن �� ��و�� �‬ ‫�ح�ا �ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫سِ‬

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‫‪12‬‬

The Samālū Monastery

This monastery is east of Baghdad at the Shammāsiyyah Gate on the Mahdī Canal, where the water mills are. Surrounded by gardens, trees, and palm groves, it is delightful and well cultivated, frequented by visitors as well as the monks who live there. At Easter in Baghdad, it is an amazing sight, because every Christian goes there to receive communion and Muslims who enjoy music making and fun all head for it to enjoy the surroundings. It is one of the best-known places for outings from Baghdad and is famous for the revelry it offers. Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Hāshimī composed these verses about it:

2.1

2.2

How many days have I spent in Samālū, where delight is sovereign, banishing sorrow With a brother who laces his words with sweetness, making his friends want to hear them again! He chooses not wine12 but nectar to drink, spending his time with fine singing girls. In the early morning he came to visit, overjoyed to see me, as I was to see him. “Cupbearer,” I said, “pour out the wine; for a morning’s drink this is the time.” Its heady vapors played with our brains, its fire was setting our cheeks ablaze, Till I thought the carpet we sat on a ship and the monastery’s walls were dancing around us. Khālid the Scribe has a poem on it too:

2.3

Samālū, home of revelry, your charms I can’t ever leave. Oh, for the days gone by there, with life untroubled in joy. That’s the life of true spirits; anything less is absurd.

13

13

‫�� � �‬ ‫����� ��� ���‬

‫أ �‬ ‫ق �ق � ا ق � �ّ ا �ف � �‬ ‫���ا ن �م���ل� � ش‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫�و�ه�و � ب� ��و ا � �ل�ق�ا ��س� �خ��ا ��ل��د ب� ن� �ي�ز ���د ا �� ك�‬ ‫� ا �ل����عر ر�ي �� �ه �ل� ��ي� ��و�ل �إ �ل� ��ي� ا �ل��غ�ز �ل‬ ‫ل�� �� ب� �وك� � ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ا �ت� ا �ز � �أ ةم أ ا ت � ا ي�ز � ا �‬ ‫� � ا �ه ا �ذ‬ ‫�ن � حش ��ف‬ ‫�� �م� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ي�ه� و� �ي ك‬ ‫�و�ل� ي�ج�� �و ا �ل� بر���ع�� � ب��ي�� � �و�ل� � ي��د �ع�ل�‬ ‫�� ل� ��عر �ي� م�دح و�ل� �ج � ‪ .‬و كر يم�و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح ّ�م�ا د ��ق�ا ��ل د خ��� �ع��ل َّ � �� �مً�ا � � �� �ع��د ا ّٰلله ب� ن ا ��ل���ع ا �� ّ ف����ق��ل ت� ��ا � ��ا �ع��د ا ّٰلله ���سم�ع ت� �م ن‬ ‫اب� ن �‬ ‫� رب ي�‬ ‫ي ب ب‬ ‫ل �ي� ي و ب و ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ ��غُ َ ش ئً‬ ‫�ق � ت �خ ا � � ن ي�ز �ق ا � � ا أ ن ا � �أ ّ �ذ � � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ش���عر�ه� ا ا �ل���لي�� ������� �� �ل �م� �ه�و ��ل� �� �ل�د ب�� � ���د‪� �� .‬ل �ل� � �و �� �ل��‬ ‫ح ب� �ل�ك‪� .‬صِ‬ ‫���‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ف‬ ‫حتّ م�ق�ف ف� ��ق � ت �أ ن ش ْ �أ ا � ا ّٰ ش ئًا � ن �ش � ف� ��ق ا �� نّ� ا �أ �ق �� ��ف ��ش��� ن‬ ‫�ب�ه‪�.‬ج���ا ء ��ى �و�� � �ل� �ِ����د �ب� عب��د لله ���ي���� م� ��عرك � � ل �إ �م� ��ول �ي� �ج �و�‬ ‫أن ْ أن‬ ‫��ن �ف��� � ا �أ � � � � ا �أ �ه ف‬ ‫��و‪���� .‬ق��ل ت� � �ِش����د ه ��ف�� � ش����ده‬ ‫س�ي� �ل� م�دح و�ل� �ج‬ ‫ُ ًّا � شَ ْ ُ‬ ‫� نُ نْ َ َ � ْ‬ ‫أَقُ �ُ � � ُّ �قْ ُ ْ �َ �بِ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ِ �ي� ٍ ي و� ِ � ب ِب��ك‬ ‫� ���و�ل ِ�ل�ل��س� �ِم ��ع�د �إِ �ل�ى �� �نِ��‬

‫‪٤،٢‬‬

‫�غ ا ف �ق �خُ ّ � ّ أ نّ � ّ�ق ة �ق ُ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫� ت � �ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف �ق ا � ن � � ّ �‬ ‫��س���ك �ي� ��ل� �م ��� �د �ي���ل �إ �ل�ي� � � ا �لر��� ��د �ج �م�ع� �ل��ك ��ي�‬ ‫��� � �ل اب�� ا �ل��ع ارب�ي� ح ب‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ه� ا ا �لب�ي�� ت�‪.‬‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� �أ‬ ‫� ظ� ة ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ج��‬ ‫ح��دث� ن��� �خ��ا ��ل��د ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ا ��ت ب� ��ق�ا �ل �ل� � �ش���عر �إ �ل�ا �ور��س�و�ل �إ � ا‬ ‫ح ����� �‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب� ن� ا�لم�ه�د �ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف �خ ت � �ف �إ�ذ‬ ‫ُ ش �ف‬ ‫����ّ ا ��نّ ��ق�د �غ��ا �� ��ف ا �� �ف�ل ا ��ش ‪�� .‬ف�ا ���ست����ل��س ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��د ���ل� �إ �لي��ه �� ا �بر ج���ل � ��س�ود �م ر ي�‬ ‫ص ي� ر �‬ ‫�ج ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أ ْ �ن‬ ‫ف����ق�ا ��ل � �نِش����د ��� �ش��ي��ئ��ا �م ن� �ش���عرك ��ف�� �ن ش����د �ت�ه‬ ‫ي‬

‫�ق �ف ا �ن‬ ‫��د � او �� ��ي�‬ ‫�ف���ل�� ت‬ ‫س�‬ ‫�ج‬

‫‪٥،٢‬‬

‫َ� أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ أَ‬ ‫َ ٱ �َْ ْ ٱ �� شَّ ْ ٱْ�ُ‬ ‫َ أ تْ � نْ هُ َ�ع�ْ�ينِ �َ نْ � �� َ ْ� ك�� َ‬ ‫��م�ا َ � ْت�  �م ن � �ل��د � � ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫����ئَ��ةِ� �ب�� �ل�� ْر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ري نِ� ر‬ ‫ر� ِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ِ � ب ُ ِر و سِ ضِ ي َِ ضِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �أَ ِّ ُ ُ�خ �ُ ٌ أ فَ تْ َ ْ ضُ ُ نَّ �� َ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ع����شِ يّ���ة �‬ ‫� ي ���� ب���‬ ‫�حِ يّ��ا ��ي� بِ� ��َورد ك� ���ن�ه  ��د �ود �‬ ‫���ه� �إِ ل�ى ب���ع�‬ ‫�ضِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أْ �نِ َ ٍ‬ ‫َ َ ْ َ َ�غ ضِ�‬ ‫���أَ نَّ ُ َ ا َ َ ا ُ ُ � �لِ�َا َ ّ نْ ُ � ت � ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ �نَ�ا �َ ��لَنِ‬ ‫ك�� ���سٍ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و َو ي�‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫وي‬ ‫ٱ � ٱ ْ ي�ٱ ْ ضِ ي�‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫نَ ِٱ � َّ � ْ ُ � َّ � � غُ ُ � غَ ضَّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ر ��ي� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح َرك�ا �ِ��ت�هِ �ِم� � �ل ارحِ �ِ��ف��ع�ل � �لري� �بِ� �ل����ص نِ� � �ل���‬ ‫�َو�َو �ل�ى �وفِ����ع�ل � �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ �فِ‬

‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ز � �ف �‬ ‫ح�تّ �ص�ا ر ���ف� ��ث��ل��ث ا �ل�م�ص��ل ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل ��ا بُ� ن�� ّ �ش��ّ��ه ا ��ل ن��ا ��س ا ���خل‬ ‫���د �ود �ب�ا �ل�ورد‬ ‫ي ي� ب‬ ‫ح� ى‬ ‫ي ي� �ن أ �ى م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�و�ش����ه ت� � ن�� ت� ا ��ل�ورد ��ا ���خل‬ ‫���د �ود‪� .‬ز د ��� ��ف�� �ن ش����د �ت�ه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬

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‫‪14‬‬

‫‪٦،٢‬‬

The Samālū Monaster

His full name was Abū l-Qāsim Khālid ibn Yazīd the state scribe. He com-

2.4

posed fine, delicate poems but only on love, and only in quatrains, never longer. He did not compose panegyrics or satires. Maymūn ibn Ḥammād related: One day Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Aʿrābī came to see me. I asked him, “Abū ʿAbdallāh, have you heard anything of this kid’s poetry?” “Who is he?” “Khālid ibn Yazīd.” “No. I’d like to. Summon him.” He stood before us, and I told him, “Recite some of your poetry to Abū ʿAbdallāh.” “But I only talk about my personal sorrows, I don’t praise or satirize anyone.” “Recite to him all the same.” And this is what he recited: I tell the disease, Come back to my body for love of something you’ve caused. Then Ibn al-Aʿrābī said, “That’s enough, my boy. I think you’ve put into this verse the very essence of delicacy.”

Jaḥẓah said that Khālid the Scribe told him: All of a sudden, a messenger sent

2.5

by Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mahdī came for me. I was admitted into his presence and saw him, sunk deep in the cushions, a swarthy man with thick lips. He told me to sit down and I did so. He asked me to recite and I complied: In two forms my eyes espied him, moon and light-spreading sun. That evening his greeting was roses, like cheeks added one to another. He gave me a cup filled with tears pressed from my eyes by my grief. Then he turned, swaying from the wine, a tender bough in the breeze. Ibrāhīm edged two-thirds of the way over the carpet. Then he said, “My boy, people have compared cheeks with roses, but you have compared roses with cheeks. Recite something else.”

15

15

2.6

‫�� � �‬ ‫����� ��� ���‬

‫تَ ْ ُ َ ْ‬ ‫� َ َ َ �فَ �َ ْ أَ ْ َ ا �تَ�ْ َُ‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫ع�ا ���� ت‬ ‫� ��ن �ف� سِ���� �� �ه� او  ك ��ل� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�جِ �د �ه� ���قبُ���ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ أَ ْ تُ َ ِ َ ا �َ ْ َ مَ َ� ْ أ � ْ َ ْ َ ْ �ذ �ُ‬ ‫� �و ��‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ِ�� د ا ِ�ع��ي�ه� �إِ �لي�‍  ‍��ك �و �ل�م � طِ���� �م ن� �ي��ع� �ل‬ ‫� َب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�َ ا َ � � � َ َ َ � ُ ُ َ �لُ ْ َ ْ � َ ت�ْ ثُُ‬ ‫���ع�ل � � �لو�ج��و    �وه ِ�‬ ‫�ل� � �و �ل��ذِ ي� ج�‬ ‫ح��س نِ� �و�ج� هِ� �ك َ��م���ل‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�َ ا ُ�ق ْ تُ نَّ ٱ � ِّ َْ َ ْ َ َ � ّتَ َ ا أ ْ‬ ‫�َ ُ‬ ‫��صب��ر �ع ن�‍  ‍��ك �ِم ن � �ل�� �‬ ‫�ل� ���ل� �إِ � � �ل�‬ ‫�ص� بِ�ي� � �ج ��م�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ف�� �ن ش����د �ت�ه‬

‫�ز ف � تّ‬ ‫ا �خ ا � � ّ ث ّ �ق ا � �ز ��ن‬ ‫�و � �‬ ‫ح� ح�ى �ص� ر �� ر�ج ا �لم�ص��ل�ى ��م �� �ل د �ي�‬ ‫ْ فَ‬ ‫َٱ � َّ نَ نْ �َ تَ ْ‬ ‫�َُّ � َ �سِ �� عٍ ا �َ‬ ‫�ع ش�� �‬ ‫�ق�اِ�ت��ل�ي  � �و �ل��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ى �إِ � �ل� ْم ���‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�صِ ��لنِ��� �َ او صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ب‬ ‫ك‬ ‫� ي��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ �‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ ِ‬ ‫�ِ � ��فِ َ ٱ �ْ ُ ُّ �قِ ْ‬ ‫َ َٱ � ُّ �قْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� د ��نِ��‬ ‫فٍ  �بِ�ك � �و �ل�����س �م بِ�جِ ����س�ٍم �� ��حِ �ِل‬ ‫���ظ�ٱ ْ ر � ح ب� بِ�� �ل ب ٍ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ا � َ ا �ُ � نْ َ�ْ‬ ‫��حَ ت �فِ ُ َ‬ ‫�ُ َ � َ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َو�َب ك�‬ ‫ي � ب�ك�ا �ئِ��ي� لِ�ب�ك�ا ِء � �ل��ع�ا �ذِ �ِل‬ ‫�� � �ل��ع� �ذِ �ل ِل�ي� �ِم� ر ِ�م���‬

‫‪٧،٢‬‬

‫ف ا �ق ا � ا ُ � ق‬ ‫�� ��ل� �م�ع��ك �م ن ا ��ل�ع�� ن ��ق�ا ��ل ��س�تّم�ا �ئ��ة � �خ��م�� �س ن� د � ن��ا ًا‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل ا ��ق��س�مه�ا‬ ‫و و �ي ر‬ ‫���ص�ح� �و�� �ل �ي� ب��لي ��� ك�م� ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ي�‬ ‫ً �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫���سرك�‬ ‫ب���ي ن��� � �و��� ن��ه � او ج�‬ ‫���ع�ل ا � ك‬ ‫���ا �م�ل�ا �ل��ل�غ��ل�ا � ‪.‬‬ ‫ي بي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ أ‬ ‫� ا � � ��‬ ‫ح�م�د � ن �ص�د ��ق��ة ا �ل�مغ�� ن�ّ ��ق�ا �� ا ���ت�ز ت �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا ��ت� � �� �مً�ا ف����ق��ل ت� ��ل�ه ا �ع��م� ��ل� � ����ا �تً�ا‬ ‫�� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل ي� يب‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�و ك�ر‬ ‫ب و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�أ ��غ نّ ف� ا � � � ا � �ؤ � ن � ن ��ع ن ا � � � ن ��ق ا �� ��ف � � ّ � ظّ � � �ف �ذ �‬ ‫� ا �ئ�ز�ة‬ ‫ح ��� �ل�ي� ��ي� �ل��ك �ت�� �خ��� � ن�� ت� ا�ج�ل�‬ ‫�ه� م�ي ر �لم� م��ي� �ي ��ي� �لم� م�و� � ل � ي�‬ ‫��ي� ي�‬ ‫نأ‬ ‫� � ث ف ف ت � نأ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ن � ش ��ق ا ��س ت ّا ف� �ق ا � �� أ ن ت أ ن �ذ �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح��ص� � ��ا �ع��ل ا �ل� �� ‪� .‬‬ ‫� �و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ل��� �ل�ه � ��ه �إ � �و�ص�ل��� ب ����ي� ء � �م��ه �إ �ي� ه �� � �ل ل�ي� � ��� � ��� �ل‪1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أى م‬ ‫��ق � ت أ ف �ف �أ ن ش ��ن‬ ‫��� �ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ْه � ��ف��ل�ع��ّه �أ ن ���ص��ل ن� � ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�م ن� ا ك �و ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫ل��ن� � �كِر ب ي�‬ ‫� ي �ي� ب �ي� � �ل‬ ‫تَقُ �ُ سِ َ ��فِ َ ٱْ� ُ ْ ف ُ َ َ ْ َ ُ ُ أَ�بِ ً ِ �ذْ فُ‬ ‫� �� ��و�ل ��� �ل�ا � �م نِ� � �ل�م�د ��نِ��  �و�م ن� �ع�ْ�ي ن��ه � �� �د ا ���ت� ِر��‬ ‫َ َ نْ َ�ق �ْ ُ ُ �قِ � قٌ َ ا � قٌ َ �َ ْ � َ َ أَ ْ� شَ ا �ؤُ ُ ِ ْ ُ فُ‬ ‫�و�م� ��ل��ب�ه � �ِ �ل� �‬ ‫�خ� فِ���  �ع�لي��ك � �و ح���� � ه ����تر ج� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف ظ�‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� ��� ت� ا �ل����عر �و�ع�م��ل ت�‬ ‫ض ظ � ا ا � �ة ف ّ‬ ‫ح ���� �� ه جه‬ ‫�ر ���و�ج� �ه ت�‬ ‫ب���ع��� � ي‬

‫أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا ى� ل‪.‬‬

‫ف �� ً‬ ‫حض�� �ن�ا �ع ن��د ا �ل�م��أ �م ن �م ن ا ��ل�غ‬ ‫���ا ن� ���� ن��ه � ��� ن‬ ‫�ي��ه ل‬ ‫� نا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�و� �‬ ‫و ب ي وب ي�‬ ‫ح�� �و � ر‬ ‫� ا ا ��غ ا � ة � َت ت أ ت أ ��غ نّ‬ ‫� ت�فّ ا ة �ت‬ ‫ح�� � ك‬ ‫�إ �لي��ه ب�� �� � �‬ ‫م�� ��و ب� �ع�لي�‬ ‫�ه� �ب� �ل�� �لي��� ��س�ل�و� � او ب����د � � � ��ي�‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪٨،٢‬‬

‫‪٩،٢‬‬

The Samālū Monaster

I blamed my soul for your passion, but I found it didn’t agree. I obeyed its call to adore you, ignoring all words of blame. No! By Him who made all faces bow down before the beauty of your face, I’ll not say endurance is lovelier than the love that sets my soul on fire. He edged forward till he was no longer on the carpet. Then he said, “Recite

2.7

more.” Live! Love for you will soon be my death. I’ll pine away if you show me no kindness. Love has conquered a heart sick for you, and sickness has conquered a body worn thin. Out of pity the blamer weeps over me. I weep for the blamer’s weeping. He called out, “Bulayq! How much cash have you got with you?” “Six hundred and fifty gold dinars.” “Divide them between him and me, and give him all the small coins.” This anecdote comes from Aḥmad ibn Ṣadaqah the singer: I looked in on

2.8

Khālid al-Kātib one day and said to him, “Compose some poetry for me to set to music and sing for the caliph” (meaning al-Maʾmūn). “What’s in it for me? You’ll get the reward and I’ll get the blame.” I swore that I would share any gift the caliph gave me. He said, “You’re too mean to do that. But mention me to him—perhaps he’ll give me something.” “Very well.” Then he recited: You say, “He got over it.” But who’s thin and pale? Whose eyes are always brimming with tears? Whose heart is worried and anxious for you, shaking and trembling in fear? I committed the poetry to memory and composed a setting for it. The next day, we had an audience with al-Maʾmūn. He’d had a tiff with one of his concubines, and she’d sent him an apple with “You’re over it” written in dark

17

17

2.9

‫�� � �‬ ‫����� ��� ���‬

‫�ف أ أ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ظ� �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ب� ��� �و�ج� �ه�ه‬ ‫ب� ش����عر�خ��ا ��ل��د ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا � نّ�ي��ت��ه �إ �يّ�ا ه ا ��ن ��ق��لب� ت� �ع�ي�ن �ا ه �ود ا ر�ت�ا ��� � �ّ ر� ��س�ه �و �‬ ‫�هر ا �لغ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ظ � ا ًا � ا ش ا ت ن ��ق � ت أ �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� أ �خ‬ ‫ف �ق‬ ‫حر�م�� � ��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ع��ل� �‬ ‫�و��ق�ا �ل �� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح�ا ب� � � ب��ا ر‪� ��� .‬م ت� �إ �ع ���� م� �لم� ���� �ه�د � �� و�ل� ي��‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ ن � ن � �أ‬ ‫�ذ � ظ � نّ أ ن�زّ‬ ‫�أ � � ا �ل� �ؤ �م ن � ن � ا ّٰ ه �أ ن � ظ ��� نّ‬ ‫ح��د �ع��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا �ص�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ده‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر يو‬ ‫ي �ب ب‬ ‫م�ي ر م� ي� ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ح��د ��ثت��ه � � ث‬ ‫�خ���ر‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل ��ف�م ن �ي� ن �ع � ت� �خ���ر�� �م� ��ا ر� ��ت �‬ ‫ح�تى � نّ�ي�� ت� ��� �م�ع ن��ى �م�ا ب����ي�ن�ن �ا‪�� .‬‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح�دي���ي�‬ ‫�ج ي ي�‬ ‫� � ر‬ ‫ب ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�خ ا � � ��ف � ّ ا �ن ت ت �� ق � أ ن تع أ ن �ذ � ن �ذ � � �ق ا � أ ش أ نّ� ���ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ه�ي � �إ ل�ى ���و�ل�ه � ��� � ��� �ل �م� �ل�ك �� �ل � ����ه�د � ��ك ك�� ا ك � �و ��س� ر �و�ج� �ه�ه‬ ‫�م� �� �ل�د �ل�م� ا � �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ���خل �‬ ‫�ذ � ا تّ�ف ا ق‬ ‫� �خ� ة � ف‬ ‫�و��ق�ا ��ل �م�ا � �ج�ع‬ ‫��ا �ل��د ب��مث���ل�ه‪.‬‬ ‫� ب� �ه� ا ا �ل� � �� � �� � �و �مر �ل�ي� ب �م��س�� � �ل�� د ر �هم �و‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �م ن �م���ل ش‬ ‫� ����عر�خ��ا �ل��د‬ ‫و � ي�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ ُ‬ ‫�� ُ�د � �لم ْ���ستَ َ �� ْ ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ه�ا ِ�م ك����ي�� ���ت� �و ب�‬ ‫ك��بِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�بِ َ نُ � ْ تَ َ ا �� ْ ف َ ِ َ ُ‬ ‫�� �د � � �لم���س���ه� � ك����ي�� ����ترا ه‬ ‫ِم‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫أ �ْ نَ أ �ْ نَ �ٱ �� ُّ َ ا ُ َا �ُ���مْ ��َل تَْ �َ نْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي � �ي � ٱرْ ي‬ ‫ي� �‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا نَ � ل��َ َ� �خ � ْ َت � نَ � � ّ ْ‬ ‫�يَ�ا �َم ك�‬ ‫�صب�‍‬ ‫�� � ه�وى �� �لو� ِم� ل�‬

‫� �ش���عره‬ ‫�و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ �َْ أَ ْ َ ا ُ‬ ‫� ْ ُ � ل� َ َ� َ َ َ�ا �ؤُ ُ‬ ‫�و �ل� � د ِر ��م� �ج ��ه�د �ه�وى � �وب�ل � ه‬ ‫َم‬ ‫�أ �َا َ � َ �� ْ � � �فُ�ؤَا � َ�ف�َا �زَ ُ‬ ‫���ط� �ع�ك ��طِ‬ ‫�ر�ي� �ي� �� ِد ي� �ح� ه‬ ‫�فِ �فِ‬ ‫�و�م ن� �ش���عره �وف�ي��ه‬

‫�ن‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫ح�‬

‫‪١٠،٢‬‬

‫ُ‬ ‫ �َم�ا �تُ���قَ�ا �سِ�� �م نَ �ٱ ��ْل�عُ� �ٱ ��ْ�ل�قُ��ُ�ل � ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي� ِ � ي و نِ‬ ‫��شَ���َ نٌ َ ا �َ ُ َ ُ َ ��‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫  �ج � ��م� �ل�ه سِ�� � او ه �ط ��ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�ي ب‬ ‫�حِ ُّ أَ ْ‬ ‫َ �َ ْ َ � ُ‬ ‫ح شَ����ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ئِ هِ ي هِ رِ�ي ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ُ ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫����بِر ��م�ا ِ�ل��ل��ّ�س�� �لَو فِ�ي���ك ����ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�ي ب‬ ‫�قِ ْ‬ ‫َ َّ �ُ ُ َ‬ ‫حتَّ �َ‬ ‫�جِ ْ�د �تُ�� َك �� � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ �و����شِ �د ��ت�ه ى و‬ ‫�فِي� ْ ِ ي�‬ ‫�� َ � ْ � َ َ� تَّ َ ا َ � �قَ ْ ضَ ٱ �لُ َّ‬ ‫���ةِ� � �‬ ‫�ص� ر �فِ�ي� ب��‬ ‫  لِ ��طر��فِ�ك ح�ى �‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫‪١١،٢‬‬

‫َ َ ٱ ْ تَ ٱ ْ‬ ‫ْ ْ‬ ‫َٱ ��ْ �ُ ْ نُ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫ْ �قِ َّ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�س��َع�ا َر � �ل‬ ‫�و�م�ا � �‬ ‫ل��ن�ا ���عِ �ُ �ِم ن� � �د ِه‬ ‫ح ْ��س نُ� �ِم ن� �َو�ج�� �هِ  � �و ل��غ��ص� � �‬ ‫ُ ٱ ُْ ُ م‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ ْ‬ ‫��ص�ا �نَ�ا   فِ��َ�م�ا َ‬ ‫��قِ ْ تَ َ ا تَ ْ َ ا � ْ َ‬ ‫� نَ��ا ه � ��خل‬ ‫��� �لف� �ِم ن� �َو��ع ِ�د ِه‬ ‫� �ل� �د ����ع� ����ب ن�� �بِ� �ب�� ِر يَ �ج‬ ‫َ� تَّ تَ َا َ ْ نَ ا تَ ْ َ نَا ��ل��ّ�ل ْ � � �خِ َّ � َ � �خِ َّ‬ ‫�ج� ر�‬ ‫ح�ى �‬ ‫�ح�� بِ���ك�را ر��  ِ�ح��ظِ� �� �‬ ‫� �د ي� �و�� �‬ ‫� �د ِه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫�فِي‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

The Samālū Monaster

perfume oil. I started to sing Khālid’s verses, and when I’d finished his eyes goggled and rolled in their sockets. Furious, he asked, “Do you have spies in my harem?” I stood up, horrified at his reaction, and answered, “God forbid that the caliph should suspect his servant of such a thing. His palace is too majestic to be spied upon.” “Then how did you know what had been going on between me and my concubine so as to sing about it?” I told him about my meeting with Khālid, and when I got to Khālid’s saying “You’re too mean to do that,” he commented, “I can confirm that,” and his face cleared. He added, “What an extraordinary coincidence this is.” He ordered me to be given five thousand dirhams13 and he ordered the same for Khālid. Here is one of Khālid’s fine poems:

2.10

How does the lover’s soul melt away? With the heart tormented by glances. How then does the lover’s body look? Pure grief that no doctor but he can treat. Where does sleep come to a man’s eyes when his passion spies on him? Abode of love, you’ve lost all patience and in you comfort has no part. And another one: Love’s violence, travail, and grief I knew only once you entered my heart. My sight obeyed you, gave my soul to your eyes, and it fell into love’s hand. This poem of his was set to music:

2.11

By the charm that beauty borrowed from his face and the slender branch took from his frame! We gave each other looks of reproach about the promise he never kept Till our glances, so often exchanged, wounded both our cheeks, his and mine.

19

19

‫�� � �‬ ‫����� ��� ���‬

‫� أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و�ل�ه � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ �ثَ‬ ‫��ا نَ أَ ْ ضَ‬ ‫َ ا َ َ ٱ � غَ ْ َ ا �َ ْ َ‬ ‫��‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ى �َ‬ ‫�ل �م نْ َت���َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�ا ِد �ي� � �مِ� ر ضِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م� �ع��ل�ى � �ل����‬ ‫ ‪1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ضب�� نِ� � �لو‬ ‫و ْرى ٱيِ ِ � َ َ ُ ي�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّٰ َ َ �ذ َ ق‬ ‫َ ا ��َ ��ل َ� ّاَ تَشَ ّ ْ تُ‬ ‫�‪ � ٢‬ل��َه�َ�ى ِا �‬ ‫ح��مِ ِ�د � لله ك� ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �� ضِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫��ق� ل ِ�ي� �لم� ����ك�ي‬ ‫ٱ ْ ٱ ْ ي�‬ ‫�ُ�ق �ْ تُ َ ا �ش�َ ٱ ّٰ َ أَ نْ �َ�قْ ْ �ذَ َ ْ �قَ ضَ ا ُ َ ا � ُ � َ ْ َ�‬ ‫�ل� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫��� ه �‬ ‫�ح� ��ى � لله � � �ي� ضِ���ي� ��بِ� � ا  ب���ل ��‬ ‫�ص� ِح ب� َ �لو�ج��هِ �لو ضِ ��ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�أ ن��ْ تَ ���شِ ّ َت ُ َ ا � � ��َا �لِ�مٍا ��ف‬ ‫���عِ � ��ن َ ا �ف �م نْ‬ ‫عَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج �ِل �لإِ �‬ ‫ر � ر�ق ِ ي� ظ‬ ‫��ص � ِ‬ ‫�و ضِ �ي�‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و�ل�ه � �ي� ض�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫ََْ‬ ‫� ْ �م نْ �أ��ِّ �� ��َ�ْ� َ�د �زَ �ْ��فَ �ةٍ �ُ�مَ���َّ �نِ�� �� � �َّ�ا �� �شَ ْ � ��لَ ْ ُ ُ‬ ‫ح��ل�ُ��ت�ْم �ف ك��‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫ب ي � ةٍ ِل�ل�ن سِ �‬ ‫��و�قِ�ي� �إِ ي�ك�م‬ ‫�م ِ � �ن ةٍ ب ع ْ ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�قِ ْ‬ ‫�� تُ � ِ ق تُ‬ ‫�ا ف����قَ ْ�د َ دّ َ ا � � ��ل �ق ُ��زْ َ ْ ُ ُ‬ ‫� ف ن َ � ُ�‬ ‫� � �جل‬ ‫�َو� �د ك� � � ع���ت��‬ ‫�� ��و� �ِم ن� � �لب� ك��   ر �ه� �فِ�ي� ِر�‬ ‫ح �نِ��ي� �ع��لي�ك�م‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�ل�ه � �ي� ض�‬ ‫�زَ َ � � �ُ َ َّ �مثْ َ ��خِ َّ �ْ‬ ‫ا ر�ي� �ي� �مورد ِ ���ل � �دي�‍‬ ‫�َ َْ ةٌ �نِ �َْ َ�فِ ُ‬ ‫�نْ َ �ٍ �قَ ْ ٱ � �َّ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�لي���ل�� �ل� �ي ك‬ ‫���صِر � ل�لي�‍‬ ‫�� سِ�� �وى ��‬ ‫م‬

‫َ َ ْ ُ فُ ُ ٱ ْ َ‬ ‫�ا فُ ُ‬ ‫�صو��ل�هِ � ��ل ك�‬ ‫ ‍�هِ �و�ع��‬ ‫�ق�د ��� �‬ ‫�� ���ور‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�َ َ ا َ ْ ٌ َ � ا تَ�‬ ‫�صِ ��ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �ع�ي ب� �و�ل� � �� ي ر‬ ‫ ‍�ل�ةِ� فِ�ي�‬

‫�ف أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق ا � � ظ � ة �ن‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل ج�‬ ‫ح ����� ك�‬ ‫�� ت� �ي ��و�م�ا �ع ن��د �عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن� ا �ل�م�ع��ت�ز �ف� ���ط��لب� ت� ��ن�ع��ل� �ل��� � �ج���ده ج��‬ ‫��ع��ل ت� � ���و�ل‬ ‫ي� م‬ ‫أَ ْ ُ َ‬ ‫�� َّ �نَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ قَْ ُ َ ْ � نَ ْ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي � �و �فِ��ي� �م حفِ� �عي�ل‬ ‫�ي�ا ���و�م �م ن� ِ�ل�ي� بِ�����ع��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٰ ً أ أ‬ ‫��ف ا �ذ � ت � تّ‬ ‫ا ��ن‬ ‫� ا ن �ق ا �‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا ّلله �ي ��و�م�ا ��ف�� �ب� ���ط�� ت� �ع ن��ه‬ ‫��س� ر �ه� ا ا �لب�ي��� ح�ى ر� او ه ا �ل�صب��ي�� �‪� �� .‬ل �ود �ع� �ي� � ب‬ ‫�ت � ّ‬ ‫�ف ك‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �ل�ي�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�َ ا َت� ْهُ ُ ٱ �ْ �أَ َ ُ �َ نْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ء‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ل� � ج�ر � �ل� ر �‬

‫� ظ �� �ة‬ ‫��ت� �إ ��لي��ه ج��‬ ‫�ف ك‬ ‫ح���‬ ‫�� ب‬

‫ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ ْ ُ َ َ ��فِ َ ٱ �ْ َ‬ ‫ْ�‬ ‫�ي��ع�د �و �ع��ل�ى  � ر��سِ � �ل ‪� � � ....‬ل�قِ� �ي�َرا ��ط‪٣‬‬ ‫ح‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل �م��ط��مو��س‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل �م��ط��مو��س‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل �م��ط��مو��س‪.‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪١٢،٢‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪١٣،٢‬‬

The Samālū Monaster

And here are a few more of his poems:

2.12

What if, though angered, he’d satisfied me, pitying my long-lasting sickness. He said, when I lamented my passion, “God be praised. This is your fate.” But I: “God’s far above such a decree. It comes from one with a radiant face.” Unjustly you’ve chased away my rest; requite me with just sentence against it. You are gone. What sighing, what sobs proclaim to the world my longing! My eyelids I’d freed from the fetters of tears; now my sorrow for you has enchained them again. He came to me in a mantle rosy as his cheeks, his limbs swathed in dazzling white, On a night without blemish or fault but that it was all too fleeting.

Jaḥẓah said: When I was visiting ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz one day, I looked for my sandal and couldn’t find it, so I exclaimed: Men, who’ll find me my sandal or else buy me a mount? The line caught on till it was even on the street urchins’ lips. Then one day

ʿUbaydallāh summoned me. I took my time coming, so he wrote to me: Princes don’t break with those who ride shanks’ mare a little way.14 And I replied:

21

21

2.13

‫� نَ‬ ‫َْ َ‬ ‫�م ن� ك���ا �‬

‫�� � �‬ ‫����� ��� ���‬

‫ْ ُ‬ ‫� ْ َ�فََ ُ ُ ��فِ َ ُ ٱ �ْ َ َ ا َ َ ْ ُ ُ َ � ُّ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��س ��‬ ‫�م �ج�� ا د ه � ر��س � ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ�ا ِد �َ �ِم��ث�ِ�ل ك��‬ ‫ح��ف� ِء �ود ��ي��ن�ه ��ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫� م‬ ‫ج‬

‫���ن ت أ � ش ق ا �ة � ن ا �� ��ق ا ن �ق ا �� � ا ش � ن ��ف � ت � ن � ��ل � �ة‬ ‫� ظ� ة‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ج��‬ ‫��س��ر� ع��د ي� ي��ل�‬ ‫���� �ج�� ر�ي� م� ل ي�� � ��ي� � ل �ل�ه� ���ر�وي � ك‬ ‫ح ����� ك� � � ع �‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ح ّ ت ن ��ف ت ف�ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر � � ك‬ ‫��ي� ��س ��ط��ل�� �و��مي��دي� ��ي� � او ���‬ ‫���ب�� ت� �إ �ل�ى ا �ل�ه�د ا �ه�د �ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ ْ ُ ٱ � ِّ َ ا َ �ُ ٱ �ْ ِ قْ‬ ‫ٌّ أُ �سِ ُّ‬ ‫��قِ ْ �زَ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�� �لو � �ل�����ش�م� �� �ل را جِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�هِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل����ع��ِل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر �بِ‬ ‫��فِ َ ر �نِي� ��خِ ل َ‬ ‫��ئِ ِ ح‬ ‫��قَّ ��شِ ْ � نَ �ٱ ��لّت ���خِ ئَ تْ � �ٱ �� َّ �� ْ ت َ�ٱ �ْ ��ْ � َ�ٱ ��ل َّ ْ ��‬ ‫ح� ��� ر �ِوي � ِ��‬ ‫� َ ِب �‬ ‫� �و �لإِ����بِري��قِ� �و ��س��ط�ِل‬ ‫� ل�ط��س ِ‬ ‫� � ِر���   �فِ�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً َ‬ ‫�ّ ا أتَْ تَ‬ ‫� ً� َ �أ َ ْ� تَ نْ نَ َ َ نْ َ ْ �‬ ‫� �ُم َ‬ ‫��ب�ا د را �ع‬ ‫��جِ � �ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إِ �ل� � ��ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�لا �و ر‬ ‫ح� �ِم� ��ك ٍ�د �و�ِمٱ�ْ �م ���ط�ِل‬ ‫� ل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ َت َ �ق ْ‬ ‫َ� تَّ أَ َ �إِ�ذ َ‬ ‫َ ا َ ْ َت َ ا � �ذ � � َ � �� � ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ى � را ك ا ��سكر� و �د  ����ش� رك �‬ ‫�ه� �فِ�ي� ِ�ل�ك ِ���ف�ع�ِل‬ ‫� ظ �� �ة ��ل ا � ن ��� �خ ا ن‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫عوه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ �ى ب � ر � ي �‬ ‫�وج‬

‫�َ �َ أَ َ َّ ٌ‬ ‫َ ْ َ ْ ٌ �ُ��م�َع ِّ �َةٌ َا َ ْ‬ ‫ن�ا �َ�ا � �خِ��� �ز ��ل��ة �َ او ��فِ� �ر���فره  �و� �د ر �‬ ‫�ج�ل�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ره‬ ‫�ح� ��ضِ�‬ ‫�ل� ي ْ ي‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ َ ا نَا َ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ ا ش ئ تَ � نْ �خِ َ َ � َ‬ ‫َ نَا َ ْ‬ ‫�و�م� �ِ����� ِم� �‬ ‫ع����د�ع�د ��ه� �� ِد ره‬ ‫� ب��ٍر ��ط�ي ب�ٍ � �و� ِد ر�ةٍ ب���� ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ � ُ � َ �إِ�ذَ ِ ِّ قَ تْ َ �نَ ا ٱ �َ ْ � ٱ � �ّ ْ �َ ٱْ�َا � َ ْ‬ ‫���ص����ف���  ��س � � �لب��ر�قِ� �ي� � �ل�لي��ل�ةِ� � �لم� ِ ��طره‬ ‫�وراحٍ ����تِر�ي�ك ا �‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �ُ ْ ِ�نَ �َْ َ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫َ ّ� َ �ز‬ ‫�خُنْ َ ا �ٱ �� َّ َ ُ َ �ز‬ ‫�و�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م�ا ا ��مِ� ره‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���مر�ةٍ � ي�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�مِ‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫وب و‬ ‫ح��س ��ةٍ �ل�م ي �‬ ‫ر‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫ف�خ‬ ‫�ر��ئ ت�‬

‫‪١٤،٢‬‬

‫‪١٥،٢‬‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ ْ تُ أ ْ � أ �ْ نَ �ٱ ��ْف�ُ�ؤَ ُ �ُ �م �ًا َا َ َ ا نَ �ٱ ��ْف�ُ�ؤَ أ �ْ نَ �ٱ ��ْف�ُ�ؤَ ُ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل��س� � د ِر ي� ي � ل �� د �قِي�م� ي� �مك� � ل �� ِد ي � ل �� د‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �فَ��عِ تْ هُ ٱ �ْ �أ ْ� � َ ا ُ �َعَّا �َ � َ ا َ �أ �ذَ ََ ْ هُ �ُ ْ ��قِ �ةٌ َٱ �تَّ� َا ُ‬ ‫د � �� � �ل�ح���ش� ء �م� �ي�ِل��ي�ه�  ��ف� ا ب����ت� ��حر � � �و ���ق� د‬ ‫نَأَْ تَ �فَ َْ َ ْ أَ عِ ْ ُ ٱ � ِّ نَ َ ُ ْ َت َف َ �َ ُ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ض��ى � ��ع�د � ����َ‬ ‫��� ��ي� ���ل� ��ي��ن�� �� ن��ه � �ل��‬ ‫ع�ا د �إِ �ل�ى ن� ك‬ ‫��ِ��سهِ�‬ ‫و‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫�لِ�َا َا �ِ ُ نْ َ‬ ‫�َ ��فَ ا َ ��قِ مهُ �ٱ �� ِّ ْ ُ َ ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫و � ر � ل�‬ ‫��صب��ر �فِ��ي� �ي ��و�مِ� �هِ  م� ��ف� ��ت�ه �مِ� ���ك �فِ��ي� � �مِ��س�هِ‬ ‫َ ُ ْ َْ َ ش آ‬ ‫عِ َ �قِ ْ َ عِ َ نْ‬ ‫�ٱ �ُْ�اَ‬ ‫�و�م���ست��و�‬ ‫ح�� � ��� �ب� �لب� ك�‬ ‫�� ءِ �� ��ل�ى � ��ل��بِ �هِ �و�� ��ل�ى �إِ �ِ��س�هِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫سٍ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��يِ ُّ َ � أ‬ ‫َ ��يِ ْ �َ ُ ٱ � شَّ ْ قُ ْ �نَ فْ‬ ‫�ش���ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� ر�ق� �ه�َ او هُ ِ�ل�� ْ�‬ ‫ح��� �‬ ‫َس�ا ��ئِ� �هِ � �و� ر �ثِ��ي� �ل�ه � �ل �‬ ‫���و�� �ِم� � �� ِ��س�هِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫‪22‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪١٦،٢‬‬

The Samālū Monaster

A servant of men like you has shanks’ mare as a mount and debts in dimes. Another story of Jaḥẓah’s: I was in love with a singing girl called Sharwīn. One

2.14

night she got drunk at my house and shat in my dipper and spittoon before she left. Al-Hudāhidī wrote to me: I had a visitor, a dear friend, a fine character wise in his ways. Now you owe it to Sharwīn, who shat in the dipper, the bowl, and the jug. Hurry and visit, dropping excuses and delays, and I’ll see you as drunk as she, Making a mess on the rug. Jaḥẓah sent an invitation to Ibn Tarkhān:

2.15

My friend, we’ve food aplenty and a pot bubbling away, As much good talk as you like, and an endless supply of jokes. The wine, when poured, is like a lightning flash on a rainy night. Our singer’s a mistress of modes; the flute player is superb. I don’t know where my heart’s gone; it’s not in its place. My bosom has driven it out; it’s caught fire and now is ablaze.15 Another of his poems:

2.16

You left, but his sickness did not leave. You came back and again he fell ill. He’s lost all patience today since he missed yesterday’s meeting. Lonely, a friend to weeping for his heart and his beloved— His love bleeds for his heart and his longing laments his soul.

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‫� � ا�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د ���ير ا �ل���ث�ع� � ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫��ا ن��� ا ��ل�غ� � ّ �من ا ا � ض‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫��� ا �ل�م�ع �و�ف� ب��ب��ا ب� ا ��ل‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د�ي��د � �و ��ه�ل ب���غ��د ا د‬ ‫بري� �‬ ‫�ه� �ب� �لم�و�ع ر‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير ب��ب���د ا د �ب� �ج ب‬ ‫� ا �ت�خ ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ق �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� �خ‬ ‫����ل�ف� �ع ن��ه‬ ‫�ص�د � �ون�ه � �و ت���ن�ز �ه�و ن� ف�ي��ه �و�ل�ا �ي ك�‬ ‫��ا د ي���ل�و �م ن� ��ا �‬ ‫��ي���‬ ‫�ص�د �و ��ط�ا ر�� �و�ل�ه �عي��د �ل� ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح��د���د �أ �ع�م �م ض‬ ‫ح��د �م ن ا ��لن��ص�ا �ى � ا �ل�م��س��ل�م�� ن ‪�� � .‬ا‬ ‫��� ب����غ��د ا د � � �ن�ز �ه�ه �ل�م�ا ف���ه �م ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر وع ب‬ ‫ي� ب ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�خ � ن‬ ‫���ل � � � � �‬ ‫ح�� ن �و�لت��و��س ��ط�ه ا �لب���ل��د �و � ��ه �م ن ك�‬ ‫ا �لب����س�ا �ت�� ن � او �ل���ج�‬ ‫�ر � او �ل خ�‬ ‫ح�د �لي����س ي��ل�و �م�‬ ‫بر �‬ ‫���ل � او �ل �ري� �ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� � ��ذ �ذ ت ��ف � ن ً‬ ‫� � ا� ا ت � ا خ ّ‬ ‫�ت ��‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ��ه�ل ا �لب� ��ط� �ل�� �و�ل� ي�‬ ‫���ل �ب�ه � ��ه�ل ا �ل��طرب� � او �ل�ل� ا ا � �م� او ��ط��ه � �ب��د ا �م�ور � �و �� � �ع�ه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ا � ت ن�زّ ن ش‬ ‫�ف �ن ا �ف �أ ث‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح �ون��ة �و��ق�د ��ق�ا ��ل ت� ا ��ل ش����ع ا ء ���ف� ا ��ل��د�ير � �و�ا ب� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د�ي��د �و�ب��ر� �وي�� ‪ �� 1‬ك��‬ ‫�ب� �لم��� �ه��‬ ‫���ر� او �و�و�ص���وا‬ ‫ي� �م������‬ ‫ر ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ن �ت � � � ض ��ف �أ �ط�ن�‬ ‫��� � � ب �� او‪.‬‬ ‫ح��س� �لك ا�لم� او �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ل ب�ا� ن� د�ه��ق�ا �ن��ة ا �ل�ه�ا �ش���م ّ ف�ي��ه‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ ْ ُ ٱ �ثَّ َ ا � َ �أ �َف ُ ٱ � ُّ َّا � َ �َ �حِ ُّ‬ ‫ُ َّ ��غِ�زَ �َ َ ��غِ�زَ �‬ ‫�ض�ل� �لِ �و�م‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �م� � �ل� � �ل��‬ ‫� �َل �ك�ل �� ا �ل��ةٍَ �و�� ا �ِل‬ ‫دَ����ي َر ل َ��ع� �ِلأَ ب ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� َ ا ث�ُّ ُ �ِ ِّ � َ � � ْ َ �‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�حَ��ْتُ�َ َ ُ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ْ � ْ‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫ه�ا �و��م ن��ا ِد ِ�م�‬ ‫�ه� � � � �م�ق����ط� � �ل��و�‬ ‫��ص�ا �ِل‬ ‫ك��م �ل��ي��ل��ةٍ � � ي �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�سِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َُ ُ‬ ‫�ْ تُ �َ ُ َ ُ �ْ ُت َ ا �‬ ‫ح�هِ ��ف��إِ�ذ ا �َمض���ى �َو�ق� ض��� ���سم‬ ‫��� مِ��ٌ ي�ج��ود ���بِ� ُر�وِ�‬ ‫ح� �ل�ه �و�ج��د � ِب���م� ِ�ل�ي�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ُ َح‬ ‫نُ ٱ ْ �مِ ْ ���يِ َ ُ ُ ���غِ نْ ٌ َشُ ُ �ُ�مُ �نِ ُ �ضِ َ �‬ ‫�َو�من��ِّ��ع�م ِدي�� �ب�� �� ر� � ِد ��ي��ن�ه‬ ‫ � ��‬ ‫� ي�����و ب� �ج � �و� �ه �بِ��‬ ‫�� �ل�ا �ِل‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫َ َّ ُ َ نِ فَ َ َ م َأْ‬ ‫جتُ � نْ َ �ذْ ٱْ�َ�ذَ � �زُ �َ ا �‬ ‫� �ق ْ تُ ه َ ش ْ تُ‬ ‫��فَ َش ْ‬ ‫� ����ْ � ة ���‬ ‫� � �لم� ا قِ� �ل� ِل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�س���ي�� �و���ر��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫���‬ ‫�هِ ‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ض�ل�� ك�� ِ‬ ‫ِرب ِ � بِ‬ ‫ِب‬ ‫ُ ف أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّٰ ن ّ ا‬ ‫بر �ه �� ب� ن �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن �ع��ل ّ ن‬ ‫ن �ق ا ن ة �ذ ن � �‬ ‫� ب�� �عب��د ا لله ب�� �عب�� ��س �و��ي�عر�� �ب� ب �ي�‬ ‫� او�ب� د�ه� � ��� �ه� ا �م� �و�ل�د �إ � ا يم � � ي�‬ ‫� ظ � ة أّ أ ن‬ ‫� ش‬ ‫� � �ذ ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج� �ف � ّ ن‬ ‫�ر ج��‬ ‫ح ����� � �ن�ه � � ش����ده‬ ‫��ع� رح�م�م��د ب�� �ع�مر‪� .‬و�ل�ه ����عر�م�ي�ل� و‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَ َ َق ِ � ْ تُ �َ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫� نَ َ ُ ْ ُت َ �َ ْ � َ َ �َ ْ أ ْ ��خِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ي� �����ط�َع� �ل�ك � � �و ِي� و �ج � ي ك و �م ب �ِل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�غِ َ ْ َت َ أ ظْ �� �هِ ْ َت �� َ� فْ َ ً�ة َ �ُ ْ َت عِ ََّ َ �َ ْ �تَ ْ �‬ ‫�� ر� ل�ي� ج�� ��و  �و�‬ ‫��جر� �� ��ل�� �و �ل�م ���عَِ�د �ِل‬ ‫َ��َ �د ر� � �و � �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أأ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ � ْ ْ �� �ُ ْ مِ ة � � َّ �‬ ‫نْ َ‬ ‫� � ْ�����ط َ�م�ُ ��� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��حر�� �� � �ل� �و�ِل‬ ‫��خِ ٍر �ِم� �ه� او ك  �و �ل�م ����ترع ِل�ي�‬ ‫ع �فِي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و���برون�ي��ا‪.‬‬

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The Monastery of the Foxes

This monastery is in the western part of Baghdad at the place known as the Iron Gate. The people of Baghdad go there for outings, and it is hardly ever empty of visitors and passersby. It has a festival no Christian or Muslim misses. The Iron Gate is the best-cultivated and most pleasant part of Baghdad because of its gardens, trees, palms, and foxes’ basilicum.16 Besides, it is in the center of the city and close to everyone, so people with time on their hands visit it, as do those who enjoy music making and revelry. Its grounds are well kept and always thronged with people. Poets have composed many verses about the monastery, the Iron Gate, and Fabrūniyā, describing at length the beauties of the place. Here is a poem by Ibn Dihqānah al-Hāshimī on it:

3.1

3.2

The Foxes’ Monastery is the home of the errant, a place to meet gazelle-like boys and girls. Oft have I spent there a night with my friend, pouring wine into cups, skillfully watered, Yielding its spirit freely till the last drop ran out. I forgave it then and paid more than I owed. For a sweet young follower of Mary’s Son, flirtatious, wanton, yet at times coy, I poured wine, then sipped the dregs of his glass, and had in my mouth the taste of nectar. Ibn Dihqānah was a descendant of Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās. His given name was Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad ibn ʿUmar. He is the author of fine poetry, such as these verses, which Jaḥẓah recalled him reciting to him: Ha! When I came between you and your friends and showered you with gifts, ever generous, You played me false and treated me harshly, acting the tyrant, doing me wrong. Why should I want the conclusion of your love when you showed no respect for its beginning?

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3.3

‫� �‬ ‫������ �������� � �‬

‫�ذ�� � ظ أ‬ ‫��ا ن � ا ��ل ا ��ل� �ة ��ف �أ �ّا � ا ��ل�ز ن� � �أ�نّه �أ �خ����ذ �م ن ا ��ل ن ا �� � ا �ث �ا �ث � ن أ � ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ك�ر ج�‬ ‫ح ������ة � �نّ�ه ك�‬ ‫� �� �ج ب��ه� �ل �‬ ‫� و�‬ ‫�صر �ي� ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� � �ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أّم‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ّ � �‬ ‫� ظ � ة �ث‬ ‫�ف �ق‬ ‫� ا �غ ّ �ق � ف خ‬ ‫���ا ن� ج��‬ ‫�صر�ة‪� .‬وك�‬ ‫د ��ي ن��ا ر �و��سل��� �إ �لي��ه ا �لب��‬ ‫ح ����� �ي��ك��ر�ع ن��ده �و �ل� �ي�� ب��ه‪�� .‬ا �ل � ت��� �ر ت� �ع ن��ه ��ي� �و� ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن ف�ت ت � أ ن ّٰ‬ ‫�م ن ا � �أ� ��ق ا ت ��ل� ا ض�� � ض�� ��ل �ف ّ� ه ��ل ّ‬ ‫� �ي��د �ع�و��� � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل�و �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ب��� �إ �لي��ه � ��ا � او لله �ع��لي��ل�‬ ‫ر � ر � ي� و�ج �إ ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ََ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫�ٰ‬ ‫َ �َ ْ َ َت�زْ ٱ � َّ َ َ َ‬ ‫�ْ�ح�َ �َ�ٱ ��ل��دَّ ��َ‬ ‫� ِّ ُ َ�ق ْ َ�خ ا � � � �‬ ‫م�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صْو��غِ� �هِ  �َو�ل ِك‬ ‫�و�لي����س �بِ�� �ِو�ي��قِ� � �ل��ل��س�ا نِ� �و� �‬ ‫����ن�ه ��د �� �ل��ط � ل� م و‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ب�خ��م��س�� ن‬ ‫ي� د ��ي ن��ا را‬

‫�خ � ة �ق ا � �ذ ي�ز �� �ّ ة �ف�� ا ت‬ ‫ح�� �ي�‬ ‫�و��ل�ع�� �و�� �ل �ه� ا � �ي��ل ا ل�ع�ل�� ب�ي‬

‫�ّ ا‬ ‫�إ �ل�‬

‫� ئت ن‬ ‫�ج �����ي�‬

‫�ف‬ ‫��م ض�‬ ‫��ي�� ت�‬

‫ف ّ �ّ‬ ‫���و�ج��ه �إ �ل�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ �لي��ه‪.‬‬ ‫�إ�ذ‬ ‫� ظ � �ة أ نّ‬ ‫ع ��� ا ���خ‬ ‫���ا ن � ظ‬ ‫� �ذ ك��‬ ‫���ا ن� � ن��ا د � ال�م�ع�ت�م�د � ا �ل�م� ف�ّ�ق‬ ‫���ل�ق ��ث��ق ��� ا �ج��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ر ج��‬ ‫� ��س� �وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ��ق�ا �‬ ‫ح ���� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و و� و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ض م � �ق � � �م‬ ‫�ق ا �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا ���خل‬ ‫���لي ���ف �� �ور ج�‬ ‫�� �و�� � ‪ 1‬ا �ل��د �م� ء �� � �ه�و �و�� �ل �ه� ا �ع�و��� ا � �ل ي�� � �لم� �ل� �ي ك‬ ‫��� ��ي� �د ر �ع�لي��ه‪.‬‬ ‫أ ً ع م‬ ‫أ م‬ ‫أ أ آ م أ م‬ ‫�� � ّ‬ ‫حتّ �ز � �ن ت � � � ن‬ ‫� ن �� � ا‬ ‫��ا ن � �ق �� ��ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح�تى � � �مو ت�‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك���ا � � �ك�و�ل� �وك�� � �ي �ول‬ ‫� ى � و ري � �ل‬ ‫�و�م ن� �ش���عره‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فِ �َ ْ أ نَّ � ���جِ�زَ � َ حِ �ةً �َ �أ�ْ�صَ��ْ تُ أ �ْ �زَ َ �َ نْ َ ْ�زَ ُ‬ ‫� � �لو � � �� � ع�� را �‬ ‫� �   �ل� بح� � �‬ ‫��ج م� ي ج�‬ ‫ِي‬ ‫َ �فِي‬ ‫ع َ ع‬ ‫َ �أ ْ �ُ ُ� ْ � َ َ َ ا تَ� َ� َ نْ � َ صِ ْ� � ��فَ َا أ ْ �نَ ُ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س� �‬ ‫�� ب� ِر ي� �م� �‬ ‫�صبِ� ر �ج �ه ِ�د ي� �ع��ل�ى م� رى و � ِ ي���ل �‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ع‬

‫� � ن ا �ش� ئ �ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ر ��ا ب� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د�ي��د �و�ب��ر� ��نوي��ا ‪٢‬‬ ‫�و�ل�ل�� ��� �ي�� ك� ب‬

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‫‪٦،٣‬‬

‫‪٧،٣‬‬

‫َ َ ْ ٱْ��مِ�زَ ُ �غِ ْ ُ َ‬ ‫َ ا �جِ � ٌ َ ْ َ ٱ � نََّ� �جِ‬ ‫� ِ�ل��ي�د �ي ��و� � �ل ��وى بِ�‬ ‫�م� �‬ ‫� ِ��ل��ي�دِ ب���ُ�ع�د ت� �َ �و �ل� ا ر �� �ي�ر ب���عِ� ي� ِ�د‬ ‫ََ َ م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ نَ َ ْنًا َ َ ٱ �ْفُ�ؤَ �ٱ ��ْل� �عِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫عِ ٌ‬ ‫��خِ ّ ْ ْ‬ ‫ع �و� �ع��ل�ى � � �ل �� ا ِد � ِ�مي� ِ�د‬ ‫� ب��ر ت� �ع ن� �� مِ�� �ي�ِر�ه�ا �� ب��َرا ت�  ��صِ‬ ‫�� ر� � �‬ ‫َا �َ َ ا � ٱ � �َّ ��ذَّ ت �ٱ ّٰ ُ‬ ‫َ ْ نَ ��فَ ْ ُ َ ا َ َا ٱ ْ��‬ ‫�حِ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� � ِ�د ��ي ِ�د‬ ‫� �بِ� للهِ �‬ ‫عوِد �‬ ‫�ي� �ل��ي� ِل�ي� � �ل�ل� ا ِ‬ ‫ي ب�ي� ���برونِ��ي� ‪ ٣‬وب� بِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�َ�ْ نَ �ت��ْ� َ � �� ُّ �َ َ ��قِ ْ �ن�َ�� � ْ ُ � ف َ � َ َ ْ َ � � ُ‬ ‫�َ � � �لَ �وب�‍  �‍�ل ِب����ك� � �ل ّرب�����يِ� ر���ي��ط � �ل�ُ��بر�وِد‬ ‫ب�ي� ِ لك ل بر�ى �و �د �س‬ ‫ج ٱ �ْ ْ ُ �إِ�ذَ َ ٱ �خِْ ع‬ ‫ُّ ٱ � َْ‬ ‫َ�خ �ُّ ُ ُّ َ ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َْ َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫���د � � �لوِ�عي� ِ�د‬ ‫�ص�د �غِ��هِ �ِمث���ل �م�ا � � �لَو�ع‍  ‍�د ا �م�ا � � ت�بِ��ْر ت� ضِ�‬ ‫���د �‬ ‫��د ه ضِ�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ � �َ َ �ٱ � � َ � ا ا ت َ ّ ْ‬ ‫َ َ � ّ ُ ُ �إِ�ذ َ ُ‬ ‫� �ِم ن� � �ل�ز �م‍‬ ‫   ���مِر �و�ع�ا د � �ل��سر�ور �ع�ا د � �‬ ‫عوِد �ي�‬ ‫��ط�ل ب� ل�طب���ل ��ط� �ئِ�ل� ٍ‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ور ج�� ��ا ‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و���برون�ي��ا‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪��� :‬برون�ي��ا‪.‬‬ ‫ع م‬

‫‪26‬‬

‫‪٤،٣‬‬

‫‪26‬‬

The Monastery of the Foxe

Jaḥẓah mentioned that Ibn Dihqānah was the governor of Basra at the time

3.4

of the Zanj uprising.17 In return for thirty thousand dinars from its ringleader, he handed over the city to him. Jaḥẓah spent a lot of time with Ibn Dihqānah and would visit him every day. He recounted: One time I had not been to see him for some reason or other, so he sent me an invitation. I wrote back: I’m ill, by God! It’s not a joke or a lie. I’m affected in my flesh and blood. He sent me fifty dinars and a robe of honor, saying, “This will cure the illness. Come to me, please!” Which I did. Jaḥẓah also said that Ibn Dihqānah was a court companion of al-Muʿtamid

3.5

and al-Muwaffaq. Being large and heavily built, he would lie down when the caliph rose to retire and the courtiers stood up. He explained that as a substitute for standing up, which was beyond him. He was a compulsive eater and used to say, “I’ve eaten and made myself seriously ill, but I intend to go on eating till I die.” Here is one of Ibn Dihqānah’s poems:

3.6

If my anguish brought relief, I’d be the greatest lover in anguish. I’ll do my utmost to endure this. But if my patience runs out—must I languish? And here is a poem by al-Nāshi ʾ mentioning the Iron Gate and Fabrūniyā: The cold cannot match the coldness of the day you parted. She’s far off, though she’s not far away. Her tears betrayed her hidden feelings, bringing solace to the tormented heart. Come back, by God, nights of delight between Fabrūniyā and the Iron Gate, On those slopes where the rain wove with spring’s hand a patterned veil, Its cheek as unlike its temple as a promise is unlike a threat. The tambourine asked favors from the flute, and joy returned with the strains of the lute.

27

27

3.7

‫� �‬ ‫������ �������� � �‬

‫ق‬ ‫�و�م ن� ر�ي ��ق� �ش���عره‬ ‫�َ ْ أَ ْ ُ َ ْ َ َ �َْ أَ�خُ ْ َ َ �َْ َ ُ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ�قِ ْ‬ ‫�نْ   ��� � � �ل� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�م � ���س� �ع ن���ك �و �ل� � � ن���ك �و �ل� �ي ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ٰ لْ َ أَُْ َ م َ�ق ْ َ َ ْ َ َم َّ ت� ف�فَِي عِ ْ ُ أَب نَِّ‬ ‫ت َ‬ ‫ي  ���� ِ��ل�م ت� � �‬ ‫�ل�كِ ن� ر� ��ي ت���ك ��د �م��ل�ل� � �مود ِ��‬

‫‪28‬‬

‫‪28‬‬

‫‪٨،٣‬‬

‫نَّ � ُّ ُ ّ َ‬ ‫�ا نُ‬ ‫�م� �ل��‬ ‫ل��س�� �لَو �َم ك�‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ِ �ي� َِ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫� ْ َ نُ‬ ‫دَ �َواءَ ك � �ل�ه‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫��جر �‬

The Monastery of the Foxe

This is another delicate poem of his:

3.8

I didn’t tire of you or act untrue— my heart had no room for consolation. When I saw you were weary of my love, I knew a break was the only cure.

29

29

‫�ج�ا ��ث��ل�ق‬ ‫د ����ير ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن�ز ت‬ ‫ح��د �ق� ��ه ا ��ل����س�ا �ت�� ن‬ ‫�و��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د�ير ��ي��ق ب� �م ن ��ا ب� ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��د�ي��د �و�ه�و د�ير كب�‬ ‫����ي�ر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س ن� � ه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر � ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ح�� ن � �ه �� ا �ز � د � ا ��لث��ع�ا ��ل� ��ا ��ل��ن�ز �ه��ة � ا ��ل��� � � �ع�م�ا �ة ا �ل�م �ض‬ ‫��� ��ل��أ�نّ�ه�م�ا‬ ‫� ا ��ل��أ��ش����ا � ا ��ل ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ط�ي ب و ر و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫و �ج ر و ري ي� و و ي و ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �� �ق � ا �خ � ن � ت ن�زّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ف � �ق � �ة ا � �ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ص�دي�� �ل�ه �و�ي��ه‬ ‫ح��د �و�ه�و �م���ص�ود م�طر�و� �ل� ي��ل�و �م� ا�لم��� �ه��ي� �ي��ه � او � �ل � �‬ ‫�ي� ب��ع� �و‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر�هب��ا �ن�ه �و��ق ّ��س�ا �ن�ه �و�م ن ��� � �ل�ف �ه �م ن � ��ه� ا ���خل‬ ‫��ل�ا�ع��ة � او ��لب� ���ط�ا ��ل��ة‪� .‬و��ق�ا ��ل ت� ا �ل ش����ع ار ء ف�ي��ه �و�و�ص��ف ت��ه‬ ‫� ل‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ � � ن أ � أ � ّ �ة ��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ولحم‬ ‫ل��ا ��� �ي��ه �و���ه �ل‬ ‫حن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�� ي��� ر��مل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫� ي‬

‫‪١،٤‬‬

‫�َ‬ ‫عِ َ ��قَ �مِ � ٱ � � َّ ْ �َم�ْ��سُ‬ ‫� ُ َ ٱ �ْ � نْ � َ ْ ٱ � َّ �‬ ‫�ل� ْ���ه�� �� ��ل� �� ر �� � �ل�د ����ير �ج�‬ ‫�ر � �ل ش����يَ�ا طِ ����‬ ‫��‬ ‫�صور�ةِ � �ل���� �ي� �‬ ‫نِ ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫فِ ي� َ ى ٍ �فِي‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫ٱ نِ‬ ‫إِ سِ �فِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫عٍ ا نَ � �َّ‬ ‫َٱ ّٰ َ ا أ �ْ َ تْ �َع�ْ نِ �َ�م َ ا ِ�نَ هُ �َّ ا ���خِ َ ْ� تُ �َهُ َ ��‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و للهِ �م� � ب�� �صِ‬ ‫�� ر�‬ ‫��ي� �ح� ��س �  �إِ �ل� � ر�ج � ل� � �‬ ‫طو�� � ِم� � ل�دي نِ�‬

‫� �ف‬ ‫�و�ل�ه ��ي�‬

‫�ذ � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�ه� ا ا �ل��د�ير � �ي� ض�‬

‫تَ �ذَ َّ ْ ُت َ ْ َ ٱ �ْ َ َ‬ ‫ْ ةً‬ ‫ٱ � ُّ ُ ُ أَ َ‬ ‫ْ َِ �‬ ‫ع�َ‬ ‫�ف�ا‬ ‫� ل‬ ‫ور �َ �و �ْ�س� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ��ثِ��لي ��� �َو�فِ���تيَ���   �بِ��ِه� ����ت�ّم �ل�ي� فِ�ي��هِ � �ل��سر�‬ ‫�� كر� ٱديُر � �ج قِ‬ ‫م َ�َ ِ‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا �ل نِ َ‬ ‫� ْ � ا َ ت � �ن َ ّ ُ ُ‬ ‫�ص�َ‬ ‫�ف�ا‬ ‫�صْر�ف� � �ل�زّ �َم�ا نِ� � �و �ن�� �‬ ‫� � �ل��د �ي��ا � �و���ت�م ��سُر�ور�ه�ا �و���س� م��ي� �‬ ‫بَِ َِ‬ ‫�ه�م ���ط� ب�� ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ش‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫���ص���ف�ا‬ ‫� ��ل� ر� � �� � � �د ���عِ� �م ت� ����� ��ل�هِ � ��ا د ر �م ن �ل��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� �عي��ِ����� �م�ا �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ظِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫بُ ِ �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب وم‬ ‫ْ �َّ ةَ ٱ �� َّ ��‬ ‫أُ َ ا �ُ � ٍ أَ ْ َ�عَ ٱ � ِّ � ْ � أَ ْ َ�فَ ا َ أ ْ َ‬ ‫��ْ��ع� ���قِ ْ �قَ���َ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ف�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ���غ� �ل فِي��هِ � د � � ��‬ ‫� � �هي �� �  � �و � ��‬ ‫�سىَ �بِ�هِ �ِم��س كِ�ي��� ْل�ط ِم ر‬ ‫�زِ‬ ‫ل��طر فِ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�فَ ُ �قْ ًا � �أََّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ط�َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ف�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل�� �ب �� ر���هِ� � � �ل� �د � �و�سع��ت��� ر� � �� �و���ع �� �‬ ‫������س ي�� ِ�ل� �ي�ٍ� �م��ض‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َم‬ ‫م‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ َ َ ْ تَ�قَ ا ضَ ا ٱ �ّ� َ‬ ‫�َ �تَ��ْع���سٍ�ا ���أ�ّ�َا � َ�َم ْ��تنِ� ����َ�ْ‬ ‫���ا نَ �أ � ْ�س��َ�ل�َ‬ ‫�ف�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�هِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫ِ�ل ي ٍم ر �ي� ِب ب نِ�� �م و ر � �نِ�ي� �ذِ ي� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ٍ‬

‫��حّ�م�د � ن �أ �� �أ�م ّ���ة �ه��ذ ا �أ� � � �ق ّ ن‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�و� ب � ب ي� ي‬ ‫ح�د ا �لم���ت� �د �م��ي�‬ ‫ف �غ‬ ‫�ف � � � ن‬ ‫� �ن أ��ث ش‬ ‫�ي��ه �ر��ي ب� ا�لم�ع�ا ��ي� � �و ك���ر ����عره ��ي� ا �ل��غ�ز �ل �وك���ا �‬

‫‪30‬‬

‫��ف ا ��ل ش � ق ق ا �� �� � ن ا ��لت ّ ف‬ ‫ط�� ح��س� ��‬ ‫�صر��‬ ‫�ي� ���عر ر�ي ��� ل� ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه�و � �و �خ��وه �ي ك‬ ‫ت��ا � �ل�� فل�� ض����ل ب�� ا �لر����‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب يع‬

‫‪30‬‬

‫‪٢،٤‬‬

‫‪٣،٤‬‬

The Monastery of the Catholicos18

This monastery is close to the Iron Gate. It is large, beautiful, and pleasant,

4.1

surrounded by gardens, trees, and sweet basil. It is as attractive, fragrant, and well cultivated as the Monastery of the Foxes, since they are in the same area. It attracts passersby and visitors, and people regularly go on outings to it. It houses monks and priests, as well as libertines and those with time on their hands to frequent it. Poets have composed verses about it and described it. Here, for instance, is a poem by Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah the scribe, which has a musical setting in the light ramal rhythmic mode:19 I grieve for a moon, a captive of the cloister, human in form, in cunning a devil. By God, when my eye fell on his beauty, I yielded and freely abandoned my faith. He has another poem on this monastery:

4.2

The Catholicos’s Monastery I recall, and companions with whom I spent times of utter delight. With them my joy of the world was complete, and fate was at peace with me, fair in its dealings. How many days in the shade of the convent I spent, the pleasures of life pure, Flirting with a slim, black-eyed beauty pouring me sparkling musk-scented wine. Blessed be the days I spent in their company, rich in affection and in kindness. Cursed be the days that forced me away when fate required I repay its loan. This Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah was a first-rate poet, sensitive and accomplished, going in for unusual images. Most of his poetry was on love.

31

31

4.3

‫��ل ا ث � ق‬ ‫د�يرا ج�� ��لي ���‬

‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ة � �‬ ‫�و�ه� �ع�ّ �ب �� �‬ ‫� �ش���عره‬ ‫ح ش���ي�� ش����� ا �ل��ط�نب ��ور�ي�‪� .‬و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫وم ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫حِ ً � ضَّ‬ ‫� ْ��قِ‬ ‫َ أَْتُ� َ‬ ‫� ��لْ��يِ تَْ ُ نْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� يَ��ا �ة ِ�ل��ل����‬ ‫�ي�ا �َودي� نٍ �‬ ‫�جِ ��ي � �َو�ل�� �ل� ِر�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫ر� ��ي �� حِ ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫َ َ أَ ْ أَُ َّ ِع ِ َ نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ََ �� �َ ْ َ َ ا َ ق تْ‬ ‫�����فَ �ع نْ ��م��ينِ‬ ‫� ي��مِ�ينِ�ي  ب�� جه‬ ‫�ْرك � ن� � ��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب��د ا ل�ي� ب��ع�د �م� ��سب ���‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫�َ ْ أَ ْ ُ َ ْ َ َ �َْ أَ�خُ ْ َ َ �َْ َ ُ‬ ‫�نْ � �ٱ ��ْ��قِ �ْ �م نَّ � � ُّ �َُّ َ َ ا نُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�م � ���س�ل �ع ن���ك �و �ل� � � ن���ك �و �ل� �ي ك‬ ‫� ِ ��� ِ�ل�‬ ‫��   �فِ�ي� ل� �ل ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ل��س� �لٱو �ْ�مك� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ٰ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ َ أَُْ َ مَ ْ َ َ ْ تَ َم َ َّ ت ِ عِ � ْ تُ أ ّ‬ ‫� ْ َ نُ‬ ‫� � ن� دَ �َواءَ ك � �ل�ه‬ ‫��جرا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي  ���ف�� ِ�ل�م‬ ‫�ل�كِ ن� ر� ��ي ت���ك ��ق�د �م��ل�ل� � �مود ِ���‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬

‫ق‬ ‫�و�م ن� ر�ي ��ق� �ش���عره‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫‪٤،٤‬‬

‫َا ��غِ �بٍا َ ْ� � ُ َّ ��غِ‬ ‫�َْ �يِ �ذُ قْ �قِ ْ َ َ ا َ قَ ٱ �ْلَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ي� �� ِر��� � ��ي ب� كِ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��فِ‬ ‫�� �لِ�ك�ل �� ِ ي ب‬ ‫ِي بِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ � � ّ ْ َ حِ ةٌ � ُ ُ‬ ‫َ �زَّ ُ ٱ � َّ ْ ُ �فَ�ٱ ْ َتَ � �� � � ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �� ِل� �ل� �‬ ‫�صب� ر �� ��س� را �إِ ل�ى � �ل�د �م�ِ �و�� � �ل�د ���م� را �‬ ‫�ع ه � �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق� �لو ب ِ‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�َ ْ َ مٍ أَ َ َ حَ‬ ‫ع�أَ ْ تَ� نْ ��قِ‬ ‫عْ تَ ��قِ ًا �فَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫تَ‬ ‫� �ي �� ْو�� �ا � را ك فِ�ي��هِ ك���م�ا ك ن�‍  �‍� � �ر ب�� �� ����ش� كِ�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�� ِم� � ِر��ي ب ِ‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ َّ َ ْ ْ َ �َ ا أَ نْ َ ا ُ � أَ ْ َ َ ٱ � ُّ ْ‬ ‫�َ َ نْ �َ ْ تَ فْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي � �و�ج� ب� � �ل ش��� ك‬ ‫َر ب� �ي ��وٍ�م �ِم ن���ك �ل� � ����س� ه ِ�ل��‬ ‫�ر �إِو � ل�م ���ع�ِل‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ ��ْ ِ � ُ ٱ � �َّ ْ َ ظَ � نًّ َ‬ ‫َ � ��جِ ��غ ْ���مَ ً�ة � َ ا ت�ن���جِ‬ ‫حَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ق��� � � � � �ه � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫نٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ْط َ ل�د � ر بِ���� � َو �ي�‬ ‫أَ ِ�ي�‬ ‫َ أَ َ� ٱ �‬ ‫ع�أَّا �َ �َ ا � ُ ْ � ٱ �َّ� �ي �أ ْ تَ � نْ � َ َ ��ُ ْ � � ��جِ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و َ�نِي�ٱ ْ أَ ِل�ي�‬ ‫وُ َّرى أَ ِ يْ م‬ ‫مٍ �نِي� � �ذِحٍ َر�جِ �يَ� ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ض � �ل ْ‬ ‫ه ن ُ ن � �مِ‬ ‫���لَ ا ّ � تُ �َ ْ ا َ‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫�ص�ا ِل‬ ‫ك�� �م� � ��م�ل� ي ��و�� � �‬ ‫� �  �عر��� ِ� ج� ار � د �و� � �ل��� �ِل‬

‫�و�م ن� �ن�ا د ر �ش���عره‬

‫�َ �أُ َ َّ َ �أْتَمٍ ا َ نْ ��قِ‬ ‫�ل��قِ����ي�م ن ��م� ��� � �ع� �‬ ‫ظَ � ََ ْ � َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫��ُ ُ �� ُ‬ ‫� نِ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫طو ب�‬ ‫����ل�مت��ي� فِ�ي���ك � �خ� �‬

‫َ ٱ َّ‬ ‫َ َ ٱْ‬ ‫ر���ٍ  ��ل��ْ��َ ب���ْ�عَ�د � �� �ل َا �قِ� �غ��يْ� ُر � ��لن�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ي بأَ ي س أَ أَ �فِ ر ٱ ْ ِ�ي ب ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ ْ َ ْ‬ ‫��ُ ُ‬ ‫��فَ��َل�ْ � �ق��    ‍�َ َ�ع��ل � ن� � ُردّ ُ�����ظ��ل�َ � ��ل‬ ‫خ��� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫طو ب ِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪32‬‬

‫‪32‬‬

‫‪٥،٤‬‬

The Monastery of the Catholicos

He and his brother ʿAlī were secretaries of al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabī ʿ. And he was the uncle of Abū Ḥashīshah the pandore20 player. One of his fine poems is: I held you an adornment for world and for faith, life for your companion and for your bedfellow; After I’d sworn to leave you I repented and did penance for my oath. Another one: I didn’t tire of you or act untrue— my heart had no room for consolation. When I saw you were weary of my love I knew a break was the only cure.21 This is one of his poems of sentiment:

4.4

O stranger weeping for every stranger, you’ve never felt what it’s like to part from a friend. Patience worn out, you’ve sought rest in tears, for weeping brings the heart rest. I wish I might see you one day nearby as before, to complain of your nearness. Here is another: Many a day with you I’ll never forget, yet you never thanked me for them! Now I pass my time with auspicious thoughts, laying bare heedlessness not disclosed. Time, I see, brings no closer my hope of you— it’s the end of my life it brings close. I hope for a favorable day, but separation blights my hopes. This is one of his excellent pieces:

4.5

I’ll hold a wake before long. After separation, only wailing is left. Destiny wronged me in you, and I was too weak to ward off its injustice.

33

33

‫��ل ا ث � ق‬ ‫د�يرا ج�� ��لي ���‬

‫َ َّ َ ا أَ ْ ِ َ ٱ �َْ َ � ْ�قُ ُ‬ ‫� ُ َّ �َ ا سِ�� �َّ َ‬ ‫��م�ا‬ ‫ر ب� �م� � �و�‬ ‫��ث‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج� � ل�ه�و�ى ِ�ل�� �ل �� و ب�‬ ‫م �ل ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ َ‬ ‫�َ أ�ُْ أ ْ فُ � َ‬ ‫�ل� ْم � ك��ن� � ���عِر�� � � �فِ�ل ار �ق� ��ف�� ��ق�د ْ�م‍  �‍ ت� �ع��ل�ْ�ي�هِ ��غِ��‬

‫� أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و�ل�ه � �ي� ض�‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫َ قَ ٱ �ْ ُ ُ‬ ‫��فِ� را �� � � �ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق� �ل �و ِب‬ ‫ًّ َا تَ� ْ‬ ‫را �بِ�ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جِر��ي ب ِ‬

‫ٱ �ْ َْ َ أَثْ َ‬ ‫ْ � َ قُ ُ ُ َ��َ�ذ َ أَ ْ ��ظِ � ُ �ش�َ ْ ف�َ ْ ُ َ ْ شُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���َلنِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م ي� ٍ‬ ‫� �لي ��و�م � � ُ ي� ب ِر ي ��فِ ر‬ ‫وقِ�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ ��ف � ْ َ ْ ُت � نَ � ْ �زَ‬ ‫���نْ تُ � ��ف�ْ���سحِ � � نْ قَ� ْ �َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َوك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ضِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ةٍ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫ِ ي‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫قِ�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫نْ َ ْ تَ ْ‬ ‫َٱ�غْ� تَ ا ��َنِ �زَ �َ نٌ �َ�ق ْ ُ �نْ تُ آ َ ُ هُ �تَ�ْ سٍا ���ُ ْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و ّ �� ل ��ي�ٱ ْ م� �دَ ك � �م��ن�   ع��� � ِ ��غ�د ر��تِ� �هِ ِم� ب �ع ِ‬ ‫�دْ �� �ثِوي��قِ�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�نَ َ َ � َ ْ �َ ْ أ�نْقُ ضْ َ َ َّ تَ ُ ْ َا َ نْ ��يِ َ َ� سِ نًا �نَقْ ضَ �ََ‬ ‫م او ي�‬ ‫�إِ ��ي� �ع��ل� � �ل�ع�ه ِ�د �ل�م � � ����� � �مود ��ك�  �ي� �م� �� ر�ى ح��� � � � �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ���� � �ثِ قِ�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫َ ا �ذَ �قَ ت ٱ � نَّفْ ُ َ َ شَ ْ َ أَ �َ��ذَّ نْ ُ َّ‬ ‫��م� ا �‬ ‫�� ِ�د �ي��� � �مِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هو�ةٍ � �ل� �ِم �ود صِ‬ ‫� � �ل �����س �ع��ل�ى ���� �‬ ‫ِ ُ أَ‬ ‫� �فَ �ذٰ � َ�ٱْ�َ ْ ُ نُ َ َّقٍ ٱ �ْ َ‬ ‫�َم نْ �َ�ف�ا ���تِ �هُ �ُ دّ � � � َ‬ ‫��ص�ا ِ �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حق� � �لي���قِ�‬ ‫حٍ  �� ِ�ل��ك � �لم���غب ��و� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �خٍ‬

‫� نْ‬ ‫�ي �‬ ‫� نْ‬ ‫�ي �‬

‫�‬ ‫� �ش���عره‬ ‫�و�ل�ه �و�ه�و �م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫فَ َ ا شَ ْ قُ �َ ا تَنْ�فَ ْ َ َا َ ْ ُ فِ ضْ َ ْ َ َا شَ ْ قُ َ ْ� َ ْ نَ َ �نْ � َ �نْ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��و�� �ل� �� �� �د � �و� د �م� ���� �و د  � �و� � � �‬ ‫�ي�� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ع �ْ �زِ‬ ‫� �إِ ل�ى �ج ب ِ‬ ‫��و�ُ را �ِوح َ�ب�ي� أ�ُ �ج َ ب ٍ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ع�ا ��ل� �لمنِ� �َ �َ�ا ��َ‬ ‫َ َا َ‬ ‫� َا �‬ ‫�ص��ت�ُ ك�‬ ‫ع�ا �� ُ�د � ���تِ نِ��� ��ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حت �غ َ � � ّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �وي� �� �ذِ ِي� �ي� و‬ ‫ي َ ي ��م� �ى � �أ�يَ ب� �فِ�ي� � �ل���تر ب ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�بِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا نَ َ َّ َ ا �لِ�مٍا �سِ َ ت �ف َا ٱ � َّ ا ُ َ ْنِ � ْ َ � َ ْ َ َّ‬ ‫�إِ�ذ ا ك� � � ��ع� � � ���� ����ي �ي  ��م� � �ل��ن� �� �� �ع � �� �ع ��ظ���م �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ب ي�‬ ‫بي‬ ‫�فِي ي� بِ‬ ‫ِ ِ ِ‬

‫�‬ ‫ض �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫���‬ ‫�و�ل�ه �ي��ص�� ر�و�‬

‫ََ‬ ‫���أ نّ�َ َ‬ ‫��م�ا �نُش���َ ْت� �فَ��ْ‬ ‫� نَ ا‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫�جِ �� نٍ� ك�� ْ ِ ر ُ و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ�فَِ ْ ُ نُ ٱ � ِّ ْ ٱ �‬ ‫�جِ نِ َّ ن�ُ ٌ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �ع�� � �ل���نر��� � �‬ ‫� ��ي� �ج �و�م‬ ‫يََ�‬ ‫�جِ سِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�� � �ثّ � تَ� ْ تَ َ ا ُ َ ا ٌت َ �� �ل اَ‬ ‫ِل�ل� رى �ح��ه� ���سب�� � �وِل� ��م�‬

‫‪34‬‬

‫‪٦،٤‬‬

‫‪٧،٤‬‬

‫‪٨،٤‬‬

‫قَ ��ثِ َ َ ا �حِ ٌ‬ ‫��ض َاءُ‬ ‫َ�ة �خَ� � ْ‬ ‫  �� �� را �ه� �‬ ‫� ِر�ير‬ ‫�� ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� َا ُ �ٱ ��ل َّ��ا �� � ه�ا ��سَ�م�ا ءُ‬ ‫َ �خ�‬ ‫ � �و ضِ� ر ر ري ضِ� فِ�ي�‬ ‫���خِ ٌ َ � �ْ غُ ُ‬ ‫�ص �� نَ��ا ءُ‬ ‫ ِء‬ ‫� ِ �ر���ير �وِ�ل�ل��� �و نِ� �غِ‬ ‫‪34‬‬

The Monastery of the Catholicos

Oh God, how much pain love inflicts on the heart, but it’s nothing compared to the beloved’s departure. Knowing nothing of separation, in innocence I risked it, without any experience. He also composed these poems:

4.6

Your parting today has robbed me of endurance. It’s awful to lose one’s beloved like this. Before you left I lived a life of ease, now my sorrows have crowded in on me. Time has attacked me when I thought I was safe. Cursed be its treachery after I’d trusted it. I’ve been faithful, true to your love, you who so easily broke our tryst. To the desiring soul nothing tastes sweeter than the love of a faithful friend. Not to know a true brother’s love is to be duped and ill-omened. This is one of his fine poems:

4.7

Longing, tire not! Tears, well up and flow! Yearning, roam from place to place! Critics, warn me; believers, counsel me— I’ll disobey you to the grave. If the secrets of my heart my Lord knows well, I see none who over my Lord can excel. Here is his description of a meadow:

4.8

In gardens as if covered in green silk outspread, where eyes of wondrous narcissi Shine like stars in a sky of emerald meadows, while the earth beneath slumbers To the murmur of water and the song of the branches.

35

35

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫��ل ا ث � ق‬ ‫د�يرا ج�� ��لي ���‬

‫َ‬ ‫�فَ َ ا �أ �نَا �ُ غ�ْ � ضَ ا َ َ َ ا �ٌ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و بِ ر‬ ‫� �فِي� ِر‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ُ �ْ َت ٌ� ضٍ �عِ َّ ا َ�� ْ تَ َ َ ا ٌ‬ ‫�و�م�ن�� �� �م� ك�ر�ه� �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� ��عِ� �ل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�زِح‬

‫‪٩،٤‬‬

‫ُ‬ ‫َ َ ثْ َ‬ ‫��ْ��صقُ�� ��ل �ٱ ��ل���ذّ �َ�ا �َ��ْ �َ�ق�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ضِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ �ع��ل�ى �ِم���ِل �م� و ِ ب ب ي نِ�‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫َ َ ً‬ ‫�ض�ا ك �مث�َ�ا ��ل�ا �َ��ْ نَ �َع�ْ�ينِ�� �َو َ� ا �‬ ‫ح� �جِِب�ي�‬ ‫  ِر�� ِ ب ي� ي�‬

‫َ�ْ ��فِ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ‬ ‫�� ْ تَ� ْ َ � تَ���خِ َّ َ تْ َ ا ��ل َ � � َ �ٱ �� ظُّ �� نُ نْ‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت �َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك���م � ر�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ةٍ ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ةٍ ك� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر �أَ ِي� فِي ٱ ُْ و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ ُ �ُ ٌ أ �ْ �� َ َ ْت �غَ ْ�َ َ ا �تُ ْ ُ ُ نَْتْ � َ َ� نْ هُ � ��� ُ نْ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�� � �‬ ‫ا ��ق� �لو ب� � ��ظ�هر� ��ي ر �م�   ��‬ ‫��ض مِ� ره �ب����ك ع�� عي��و�‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َُ‬ ‫حَ شَ����ا ��نَ�فَ���سً�ا   �َ � ْ��س �هِ� ُ نْ� � ��تً ��نَ�َع َ��س�ا‬ ‫�ص�َّ�ع ُ�د ��� � �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ �إِ ى‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ� �‬ ‫� ّ �ُ��َ‬ ‫�ُ � ��ل�زَّ ���فِ َا   ت� نْ� � �غ� ��فَ �َ نْ� َ���ل َ��س�ا‬ ‫ع�ا ���ل‬ ‫�ي���� ظِ �‬ ‫ر ِ �إِ َ �ى �إِو �ج‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�غِ �ذَ �ٱ � شَّ ْج �ُ ْهَ �تِ ُ َ عِ �ّ َ �نَ فْ سِ ُ ��َ َ‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫�� � ا �بِ� �ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و�قِ� م� َ�ج�� �ه  �و�� َ�ل�ل � ����� �ه بِ�عُ ى‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ُم ٌّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫س�ا �� � � �ن َ��س�ا‬ ‫�� �يّ�ر � �ل ش�����‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ىل �ج���ل��� �ئِ هِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِح ب‬ ‫ى �إِ‬

‫� �أ ّ �خ أ � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫��ا ن �أ� � ّ‬ ‫ن ش‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�وك�� � ب ��و ب� ك‬ ‫��ر �ح�م�م��د ب� ن� ا � �ل �ا ��س� ا �ل���ن ب��ا ر�ي� ي� ت�� � �م�ا �لي��ه ��ي� ��ج�م�ا �ل��س�ه ب��م�� �� �‬ ‫طوع �م� ����عر اب��‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ أُ‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� � � �ق � ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ب �� � �ميّ���ة ا ���ست��‬ ‫ح��س�ا �ن�ا �ل�ه � او ��س��ع� ا �ب�ا �ل� � �ل�ف �ا ظ ����ه � �و�ي� ّرظ ����ه د ا ��م�ا � �وي��ص��ف �ه‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬

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‫‪١٠،٤‬‬

The Monastery of the Catholicos

Here are more poems:

4.9

Here am I, eager to please you, long-suffering, as if grasping a bright double-edged sword, Eschewing what you loathe, and willing to give up my eyes just to satisfy you. What joy I knew, and what sorrow when suspicion of you entered my mind. If the heart reveals one thing and conceals another, its true feelings the eyes will betray. He heaves the deepest of sighs, Stays awake when others are nodding, Utters moans when drowsy or dozing, Feeds his mind with longing, Gives himself hope with “Perhaps”— A lover who’s turned his plaint Into friendship with his fellows. Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim al-Anbārī used to conclude his dictations in his teaching sessions with a quotation from Ibn Abī Umayyah’s poetry because he admired it and appreciated the poet’s diction. He always praised him and spoke highly of him.

37

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4.10

‫د ����ي �ُم�د ��ا ن‬ ‫ر ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ � ��‬ ‫�� �خ ا ا ن‬ ‫ن �� �خ ا ا �غ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫���� � ���م ّ‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫���قّ �م ن الم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير �ع��ل�ى ���هر ك�ر�� �ي� ب��ب���د ا د‪� .‬وك�ر�� �ي� ���هر ي� �� � و‬ ‫ي ر �ى‬ ‫ّ �ف‬ ‫ا ��� ّ ا ّ �ة ش قّ ���خ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫���ا ن ��ق�د �ً�ا ��ا �مًا � ا �ل� �ا ء ف���ه ��ا �ً�ا ث��ّ‬ ‫�ص� ��ي� د �ج���ل��‪� .‬وك� � ي�م ع ر وم‬ ‫���� ا � ك‬ ‫ل��ر� � �وي��‬ ‫لعب�� ��س�ي � �وي� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� � ن �ن�ز � ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫طّ � او ��ن �ق������ط�ع ت� ج� � ت��ه ��ا �ل�ث �� �ق� ا �ل ��ت ا � �����‬ ‫حو�ل�‬ ‫ح ت� ��ي� ا � �ل ار ت�‪� .‬و�ه�و دير ح��س� ه �‬ ‫ا �� ���‬ ‫�ير ب ب و ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ل �م ن ��ق‬ ‫��� �ا �ت�� ن � �ع�م�ا �ة � �ُ�ق��ص�د ��ل��لت���ن�زّه � ا ��ل ش��� � ��ا �خ‬ ‫�ص�د � ���ط�ا �ق� � �ه� �م ن ا ��ل ���ق�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و رب� و�ل ي و � �‬ ‫ب س ي� و ر و�ي �‬ ‫و ر وو � ب ع‬ ‫� ة � ة‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن �� ا �ل��ن�ز �ه��‪.‬‬ ‫��ل���ل ن ن ا ��لض���ّ‬ ‫ح�ا ك ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�وح��س��ي� ب�� �‬ ‫َّ ٱ ْ َ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ� ثَّ ٱْ�ُ َ َ �َ ن ��‬ ‫��أ ��َ ُ �ْت َ عِ �ةٌ �م َّ ا َ� �هِ� ُ َ �َ ا �ع �ٱ ��ل شَّ ْ � �أ �ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�حَ��ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� � �ل�م�د ا � �ف� � �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و�‪1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ٱْ ي ي�‬ ‫ي ٱ َّ قِ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�نَّ � ْ تُم � ُ ْ َ ا �ُ‬ ‫��ُ‬ ‫�بِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ق ْ�د �� �َ��ْعَ�د ُ�هُ�د �َّ � ��ل��ل�ْ��ي� ُ �ْ�هَ��ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ِر��� لِ�ر��هب�� نٍ� �‬ ‫�إِ ��ي� ���طِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� �ِ �و� ��ةٍ  �بِ� �ل� سِ ب‬ ‫و ِل رَ ْ ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫�فَ ا ْ تَنْ��فِ َ ْت ��ش���جِ نًا نَّ �ذ ْ‬ ‫�خ� � َ َ �خْ َ نًا َ أ ��ش� َ‬ ‫�ج�ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫��ر ُت� �� �هِ ك� ْر � �ل��عِ� را �قِ� �و ��وا �� � �و ��‬ ‫�� ��س����� ر� �‬ ‫� �� �ِم�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ك �بِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ف�َ �ُ �ْ تُ َٱ � �َّ ْ ُ � �ع�ْ�ي ن َّ �ُ ّ �� ٌ َ �� ش ْ �ق � � � � �� َ‬ ‫�ش�ا ِء ���َ ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ق�د �ي� � �ل�‬ ‫�ق�ل� � �و �ل�د ���م� �ي� ��ي� م���ط د  � � ل���‬ ‫ح��� نِي ر‬ ‫َِر و �و� �ي� ح �فِ‬ ‫َ َع �فِ‬ ‫َا َ ْ� َ ُ ْ َا ن � ا ُ َّ ْ تَ � نْ َ � َ ا � ْ تَ‬ ‫� �م نْ �َ�س���قِ� �م �َ�ا دَ ��ْ��ي َ �ُ�م ْ�د �َ�ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫�ي� دير ��م�د �ي� � �ل� ���عر��ي� ِم� ��س ك‬ ‫ٍي ر ي‬ ‫���نٍ �َم� هَِ�ج� ِ �‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ ْ ْ َ �قَ َّ َ نْ �ْ فَ�� ُ‬ ‫�ْ ف َ ُ ْ ُ َ ْ ُ � َّ‬ ‫�ْ�خ��ُ ��ي � نْ ك��‬ ‫�ص�ْ� �َم نْ �َ�ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ي ِ و�ج‬ ‫��ه�ل ِ�ع��ن�د ���س��ك �ِم� �عِ� �ٍل� ي بِ ر �نِ�‬ ‫بِر � ب‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ �قْ ًا َ َ ْ ًا � َ‬ ‫َ ْ نَ ٱ �‬ ‫�ُ نَ ْنَ َ � َّ ْ َ ا َ نْ َ‬ ‫�ْ�َ ا َا َ مَ‬ ‫ك�ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� �ي� �و�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر�‬ ‫��س� ي�� �ور�عي�� �لِ ك‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ِ نِ ب ي� �ج ي ةِ و رو ِ �‬

‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ا ن �� ه �ق ا ن ح�� ّ‬ ‫���ا ن� � � �� �ع�� ّ � ن ا ��ل �ش�� �د ��ل�ا�ز � �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د � � � ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق�ا �� � ك�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫له ن�‪٢‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ير‬ ‫وي رب ي و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل و ب أو �ي� � ر �ي ي م‬ ‫� � ّ � ا ت �فً ق ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن ش � ا ��لت تّ � � ن‬ ‫���‬ ‫�إ �لي��ه � �و�ي�ق�ي�� �ب�ه ا �ل� �ي�ا � �ل� ��ي��ف ��ر �ع�ز ��ا �و���ص��ف �ا‪� .‬وك�� � ����دي��د‬ ‫�ه��ك �وك‬ ‫���ا � �م ن� ي�ج��ا �ور ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ا ّ‬ ‫عة‬ ‫�ك� ن� �م�ا ���ل�ق �� �ن�ه �م ن��ه‪�� .‬ف�ا ��ن ت‬ ‫�ه� ا ���خل‬ ‫�ب��ر �إ ��ل�ى �إ ���س‬ ‫ي� ش�����‬ ‫� �و�ه�و �خ���لي ���ف ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�ا �ق� ب� ن� �إ �‬ ‫بر �هي�� ا �ل��ط� �هر�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت ف ق‬ ‫��ل�م��ة‪ ٢ .‬ال��ص� ‪ :‬ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و� �ه��ذ ه ا �ل ك�‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪( :‬ا �ل�‬ ‫ح ز� ن�) ورد � �‬ ‫ح���م���ل�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪١،٥‬‬

‫‪٢،٥‬‬

‫‪٣،٥‬‬

The Monastery of the Confessors22

This monastery is on the Karkhāyā Canal in Baghdad. The Karkhāyā Canal

5.1

branches off from the great canal in al-Muḥawwal, passes al-ʿAbbāsiyyah, cuts through Karkh, and flows into the Tigris. At first it was well maintained and the water flowed through it, but then it was covered over and stopped flowing when breaches were made in the Euphrates embankment. It is beautiful and pleasant, surrounded by gardens and cultivated land. People visit it to walk there and to drink, and it has many visitors and passersby. It is a beautiful place for an outing. Al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk composed this poem about it:

5.2

Bring on the wine, for the cup flows over, brimming with pangs of nostalgia. I delight to hear Jerusalem’s monks answering each other after night’s silence. They’ve roused grief and sorrow in me as I remember Karkh of Iraq, and my good friends there. As the tears well up in my eyes and longing strikes fire in my heart and burns, I cry, “Dayr Mudyān, as long as you rouse lovesickness, may you always be peopled, Dayr Mudyān.” Does your priest know—and can he tell me— how acceptance can bring joy to one who’s left you? May rain and prosperity bless Karkhāyā and its people who dwell between the mill and the garden. It is reported that Abū ʿAlī ibn al-Rashīd would constantly go to this monastery to drink. He took singing girls there, and would listen to music and carouse for days. He was utterly shameless, and those who lived in the neighborhood complained of the nuisance he caused. Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm al-Ṭāhirī, who was the representative of the authorities in Baghdad, came to hear of it. He sent a message to Abū ʿAlī, rebuking him for his behavior and forbidding

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5.3

‫ن‬ ‫د�ير�م�د�ي�ا �‬

‫� � � ا ن �غ �ف ّ ه � ه �ُ�ق� ّ � ه �ف� � ه ن ا � ن � ا �ة �ل� ث � ه ف� �ق ا � أ ّ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� �ي��د ��ل�� ���س‬ ‫ا �ل��س�ل��ط� � ب��ب���د ا د ��و�ج�� �إ �لي�� �ي ب��‬ ‫ح�ا ��‬ ‫� �ل� �ع�ل� � ��يو �‬ ‫�ه� ه ع� ا�لم�ع� �ود م��ل� �� � �ل � �و �ي‬ ‫إ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫م��حن � ن �� ا � ّ‬ ‫�ع� َّ � �أ � ّ �أ�م ��ل�ه ��ف َّ ‪� .‬أت� ا ه �� ن‬ ‫� � او ��ل ش��� ب� ب�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ي ث� � �ش��ت��ه��‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ل�ي� و ي� ر �ي� ر ي ي� � ع و ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف �ل ّ ا أت ا �ذ �ق � ن أ ف ظ � أ � ّ �إ�ذ‬ ‫�� ��ل � ض أ ا ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح�تى ا ك�‬ ‫� �م� � �� ه �ه� ا ا � �ل ��و�ل �م��ه � �‬ ‫��� � �و �‬ ‫���ا � ا �ل��لي���ل رك� ب� �إ �ى ا�لم�و�‬ ‫ح� �ط‬ ‫ح�� ����ه � �و �م��ه�ل‬ ‫ع أُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ه �م ن �ج��م � � ا �ت ه � �أ � �أ ن �ُ�ف��ت‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ا ب� ا �ل��د�ير � �و��ن�ز �ل �ب�ه �ع��ل� ا �ل‬ ‫�ه�ا ��ف�� �ن�ز �ل �ب�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب� � ي� �ج �ه� � و مر � �ي‬ ‫ح� �ل ا �ل ��ي� �ه�و �ع�لي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�خ ا ���خل ق ف �‬ ‫ع ��ف �ث ا � ّ ة‬ ‫� �ا ��ف �ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫� ��خ‬ ‫�ص��غ��� �و��ق�د ����م‬ ‫���ل�و��‪���� .‬ق�ا �ل �� �سوء �ل��ك ر ج���ل �م ن� �و�ل��د ا �ل�ل �‬ ‫� �ب�‬ ‫�و�ه�و � ك‬ ‫�س�� ار � �ي� �ي�� ب� م� ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ا �� � � � �� �� � �ل ه � ض � ه � ش � ن ّ �ة‬ ‫� � ث ّ ف �ف ش‬ ‫�ع��ل� �مث��� �ه��ذ ه ا ��ل‬ ‫ط ع�ي�� و�‬ ‫ح�ا �ل �� � �مر��� ر��� ب���س�ا ��ط �ع��ل�ى ب� ب� ل�دير وب �‬ ‫�� بر� ع���ري� د ر‬ ‫ى ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ّ‬ ‫تّ أ ّ �ف � �أح أ‬ ‫� ا تّ أ‬ ‫��ق ا � نّ أ � �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ؤ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ي��‬ ‫�و � �ل �إ � � �م�ي ر ا�لم� �م���ي� �ل� �ي ��ول ��� ��ل� ��ه �ى � ��ض‬ ‫له� �و�ل� �ى � د �ع�ك‬ ‫ع �ي� ا �ل��م�ور � �و �ه� �‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ � �م ن �أ�ه�� ه �ت�� ّ �ن ه �ت ف��� ض���� �ن ه ت خ � ن ��ل � ا خ� � ت �ل ه �م ن ا � ت � ا �ل ش �ة‬ ‫�و��ي رك � ل� عر�و� �و �‬ ‫حو� �و�ر�ج �و� �إ �ى م� ر�ج � �إ ي�� � ل�ب�� ل �و ����هر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا ن �ة �ل���خ �ف ة‬ ‫ت � ��ل‬ ‫ح �م��ة �و خ� ار �ج� �ه� �إ ��ل�ى ا ��ل��د ��ا را ت� � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ل�ا ��� � د‬ ‫�ص�ي � ��‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ا ت�‪� .‬و ��ي� �ت�� د ��ي ب���ك �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�و�ه��ك ا �ر‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ور ع‬ ‫ث أ‬ ‫�ف ض‬ ‫�ف أ � ف‬ ‫��ل��ك �و��ل�غ��ي�رك �ع ن �ه��ذ ه ا � �ل���ي���‬ ‫ح��ة‪� � ّ�� .‬مر ب���ع ّ�م�ا ر�ّ�ا ت� ك�‬ ‫حر�م�ه‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �م� �‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �م�ع�ه ��� رك�� ب� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّ أ �ف � �أ أ ن � اع �خّ‬ ‫ف� ��غ �ذ � � ا � � ت �فم�ت �‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ورد ه �إ �ل�ى د ا ره‪ .‬ب��ل� �ل�ك �لمع��ص� ك‬ ‫�� ب� �إ لي�� ي��ص�و ب� ر� �ي� �و�ع�ل� � �وي� �مره � � �ل� ير ��ص‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ل���‬ ‫ح��د �م ن� � ��ه�ل ب��ي��ت��ه ��ي� �مث���ل�ه‪.‬‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� ��ا ن � ش‬ ‫ح���ة ��له�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ق ش ت ا‬ ‫� �و �ّ �ب �� �ع��ل ّ �ه��ذ ا �ت��ع �ف� ب� ش��� �‬ ‫�ك�ل‪� .‬وك�� � ا �لر����ي �د ��د ا �����را �ه� �و�ص� � ب �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م ي ي�‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�تُ �ف ش �ذ ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ��‬ ‫�ك�ل � �و�ل�‬ ‫ح��س�د �ت��ه�ا �ش�� �‬ ‫��ح�م��ل ت� �ش����ذ ر �و�و��ل��د ت� � �ّ � ب����ه�ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�غ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع �����‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر� ب ر �ي أ وم‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � �ة �‬ ‫ح�تّ ا �ش��تُ��ه �ذ ��ل��ك‪� .‬و�‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�م��ل ت� �ش�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ل �و�و�ل��د ت�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ب��ه� ا ح��س�د �إ ل�ى � �مر �ع ���ي��م �م� ا �ل�ع�د ا �و ى‬ ‫ت � �ة ن أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ �أ�ّ �أ ا � تّ �غ � �أ � أ ن‬ ‫� ��ا �ع�� ّ ا ت ت ّ ا ا‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫ح�ى ب���ل� ا �ل��مر �إ �ل�ى � �‬ ‫� �و�م� ��� � �م� �ه�م� � �وب���ق�ي � ا �ل�ع�د ا �و �ب�ي�� �ب ��ي� �ع��ل�ي� �و م ب��ي �‬ ‫ب لي�‬ ‫�أ ن‬ ‫�ت�ه�ا � ��ا ��ا ��ل��أ�ش���ع�ا � �ش���ا �أ �م �ه�م�ا ���ف �ج��م�� �آ��ل ا ��ل �ش�� �د‪�� .‬ف��ل ّ�م�ا قُ�ت�� ا ��ل��أ�م�� ن‬ ‫ي� �و�ورد ا�لم�� � �مو�‬ ‫رو‬ ‫ر � ي‬ ‫ر �ي‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫� �ج ي ب‬ ‫ق أ‬ ‫ًع ّ ي ع � ّ أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�� �غ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب� ن ا�لم�ه�د �ي� � �و ب� ��و �إ ���س‬ ‫ح�ا �� � ��وه � او �ل�عب��ا ��س ا ب�� ن��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ ل�ى ب����د ا د �ج��ل��س �ي ��و�م� �وع�م�ه �إ � ا م �‬ ‫ت �ذ � � �ة �‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ذ ف � �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �و�� ا ك�‬ ‫�ر� او ا �ل�ع�د ا �و ا �ل ��ت� �ب�ي� ن� �ه� ي� ن� ����ق�ا �ل � �ل�ق�د ���سم�ع ت� ب�خ�ب��ر �ع�د ا �و���ه�م�ا ب خ� ار ��س�ا � �و� �ل�ق�د‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ت أن أ‬ ‫�ه��م�م� � � � �ص��ل ن‬ ‫�ه�م�ا‪.‬‬ ‫� ب��ي�� �‬ ‫ّ �ف أ ضح‬ ‫ً أ‬ ‫�� �أ�ّ �أ���ه�ا � �أق��� ��ع�ا ت‬ ‫ح ض� ا‬ ‫�و�و�ج��ه ��� �‬ ‫�ه�ا �و��ه� �م ���ط ��ق��ة ��ل�ا ت�ردّ �ج��وا ��ا ث��ّ � �م �� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��� ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب م ر �إب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت ت � ا ف� ��ق ا �� � �أ � ن‬ ‫�أ � �ع�� ّ ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا �أ�ت�ه �أ�ّ �أ���ه�ا ت��ن��قّ�� ت‬ ‫���ن ت� �م�� �فس� �ة ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر م بي� ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب ي� ل�ي�‬

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‫‪٤،٥‬‬

‫‪٥،٥‬‬

‫‪٦،٥‬‬

The Monastery of the Confessors

him from committing the same offence again. Abū ʿAlī burst out, “And what authority has Isḥāq over me? How can he order me about? Will he be able to stop me listening to my singing girls and drinking where I like?” When Isḥāq heard this, he was furious. He waited until it was night, and

5.4

then rode to the place and had it surrounded on all sides. He ordered the monastery’s gate to be opened and Abū ʿAlī to be fetched as he was. He was brought down drunk, dressed in gaudy, brightly dyed clothes and daubed with perfume paste.23 Isḥāq said to him, “Shame on you! A man of the caliph’s family in a state like this!” He had a carpet rolled out at the gate of the monastery and Abū ʿAlī thrown on it and given twenty blows with a blackjack. Then he said, “The Commander of the Faithful did not make me his deputy for me to mismanage and neglect his affairs. Nor did he want me to let you or any other member of his family shame him with extravagance and with the scandal you’ve created. You’ve even dishonored your womenfolk by taking them to monasteries and taverns. Your punishment will serve to preserve the caliphate’s reputation and deter everyone from such shameful actions.” He loaded Abū ʿAlī and his womenfolk into some palanquins he had brought and sent him home. When al-Muʿtaṣim heard about it, he wrote to Isḥāq, approving of his decision and the action he had taken, and instructed him never to allow any member of his family to behave in such a way. Abū ʿAlī’s mother was called Shikl. Al-Rashīd had bought her and another

5.5

girl called Shadhr on the same day. When Shadhr became pregnant and gave birth to Umm Abīhā, Shikl became jealous of her. Her jealousy reached such a pitch of hostility that it became common knowledge. Then she became pregnant and gave birth to Abū ʿAlī. Though both the mothers died, the enmity between Abū ʿAlī and Umm Abīhā lived on, to the point where they attacked each other in verse and all of al-Rashīd’s family were familiar with the situation. After the death of al-Amīn, when al-Maʾmūn had entered Baghdad, he was sitting one day with his uncle Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mahdī, his brother Abū Isḥāq, and his son al-ʿAbbās, and they mentioned the enmity between Abū ʿAlī and Umm Abīhā. Al-Maʾmūn said, “I learned of their enmity in Khurasan, and I’m resolved to reconcile them.” He sent for Umm Abīhā, and when she arrived he began to reprimand her, while she said nothing and stood with downcast eyes. Then he sent for Abū ʿAlī. When Umm Abīhā saw him, she put on her veil and covered her face. Al-Maʾmūn said, “You were unveiled, but when your brother came, you covered your face.”

41

41

5.6

‫ن‬ ‫د�ير�م�د�ي�ا �‬

‫حض �أ�خ� ت��ن ��قّ� ت ��ق ا ��ل ت � ا ّٰ ه � ا �أ � � ا �ل� �ؤ ن ن � ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّٰ ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ر �وك ب��‪ � � .‬و لل ي� م�ي ر �‬ ‫م �م���ي� �ل��س� ��ور�ي� �ب�ي�� �ي��د �ي� �عب��د ا لله ب��‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ّ �ف ا ّ ه � ا � ��ل � ��خ� � � ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫���ط�ا �ه � �ع�� ّ � ن � ش‬ ‫ه����ا � � �و�ج� ب� �م ن� ��س� ��ور�ي� �ل ب� �ي� �ع��ل�� ��و لل م� ه�و �ي� ب� و�ل�‬ ‫ر و ل� ب �‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا ي� ف �ق �ق ا � ّٰ �زّ ّ �ف ق ش ٱ �َّ ىٓ يأ ْ ��‬ ‫���عِ َ ُ َّ ن ُ َ َ َ نَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� ش‬ ‫�ل��لر����ي �د �ب� ب� ن� ��� �د �� �ل ا لله �ع �و ج���ل ��ي� �ري���� { � �ل���ذِ � � �ط� �م��ه�م �م� �ج��و �وء ا �م����ه�م‬ ‫ّ آ‬ ‫ّٰ أ عٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ل ��ذ‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ق ا � ن ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�َّ نْ �خ� ْ �‬ ‫�}‪� �� .‬ل اب�� �عب�� ��س � �م �‬ ‫�ه�م �م� ا �لب��ر��ص � او�ج‬ ‫�� ا �م �و�ه�و � او لله � �بر��ص �و�م� �ه�و‬ ‫مّ� �و فِ‬ ‫� ا �ف ن � �ف ّ ش‬ ‫�إ �ل� اب� ن� ��ل�ا � ا � �ل ار ���‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف �أ � �أ ن أ �خ ا أ ا ��� ا ق ف � ا ًّ‬ ‫� �ؤ ن ن أ ن ت ّ‬ ‫ح� �� �ج�‬ ‫�� �م ا�لم� �م�و� � �� ه � �ب� �إ س‬ ‫ح��د ا ف����ق�ا ��ل ت� ��س�وء �ة �ي�ا � �م�ي�ر ا�لم� �م���ي� � � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل�د�ه� �‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ّ ف ّٰ � �ق ظ � ن تُ أ نّ أ‬ ‫أ �خ ت � � ا ن �‬ ‫ن ا ت ��‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ��ك �ل�ب�� ا �ل ار ��� �و��س�� � �ع��ل� ب���� � ا �ل� � ء ا �‬ ‫ح�د‪ �� .‬او لله � �ل �د ������ � � � �مره‬ ‫ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت ت �ف �أ ّ ا � �آ ن ف ّٰ � ت ن ا �ق � نّ � �ة ��ل��ت �ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���س���ر‪� �� .‬م� ا �ل� � ��� او لله �لي����� ��ل��ه ا �لر� او �وي ��‬ ‫ح�د �� �ب�ه �إ �ل�ى � � � �� ��و� ا �ل��س� �ع��‪� .‬و���ه��ض‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف �ق � � أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ث ن ��خ �ف ا �ق ّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ل� ��� �م ك���ي�ر �م ا �ل‬ ‫ل�� ��� � ���ع�د �� �ل‬ ‫له� ا لله ���ل�و ك�� ��� ر�ج��ل� � ك�‬ ‫���ل� � ء‪� .‬و���ل��د‬ ‫��� � �ل ا�لم� � �مو� �� ��� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ا ئ�ز � ا ���خل �‬ ‫� �ب�ا �ع��ل� ّ ا �ل�ص�ل�ا�ة �ع��ل� �ج� �� � � �و�ل� د ا‬ ‫���ل��ف �ا ء �لي��د ر� �ع ن��ه ا �ل�ع�ي ب�‪1.‬‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� �فًا ن أ �خ ا �ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح�ز �م�ه � ��ض � �ق‬ ‫��ر �إ ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �إ ��ل�ى ك�‬ ‫�ون�ر ج�‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫� ب� ��ط�ه �ب �� �د ر‬ ‫بر �هي�� �و� ��ورد ��طر�� �م� � � ب�� ره ��ي� � و‬ ‫م أ‬ ‫� ن ُ أ‬ ‫ع ا� ت‬ ‫� �ن � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ق‬ ‫ل��ا �‪� .‬إ ���‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� �ه��ذ ا �ه� اب� ن ��خ� ���ط�ا �ه ب� ن ا �ل‬ ‫� ن��ّ � ��ا ا ��ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي� �وك���ا �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�م� ��ي�لي ��� �ب� � ك�� ب‬ ‫ي� ي ى ب‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫و �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �أ � ن ا ��� ن � ه � ا �خ �ا ��ف �ة � ا ّٰ � ن �� ا � � ض �ت ه � ّا � خ � � ا ّٰ ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا�لم� م�و� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صط�ع� �و�و�ل�ه ��ل � عب��د لله ب � �ط� هر بح�‬ ‫��ر� �لم� �ر�ج عب��د لله �إ ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ّٰ ن خ �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت�ق‬ ‫خ� ار ��س�ا ن� �وك�‬ ‫��ر�عب��د ا لله ب�� �رد ا �ب�ه‬ ‫�ص�ا �ب�ه‪�� .‬ف� ك�‬ ‫���ا � � �ش���د ا �ل ن��ا ��س � �� �د �م�ا �ع ن��ده � او � ت��ص�ا �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ً ف‬ ‫حض‬ ‫�� ��م��ل�� ا �ل�م�� � �م ن� � �� �مً�ا �و��ق�د �ع ض�� �ع��ل��ه � �‬ ‫� �نّ�ه �‬ ‫�ه�ا ر�ق��ع�� �ق��و�‬ ‫ح�م�د ب� ن� �ب �ي� �خ��ا �ل��د ر��ق�ا �ع�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف � ّ ا ق أ ا � �أ ن أ �خ ��ذ �� �ق‬ ‫� ا �ق‬ ‫���ت� �ع�� ظ ����ه �ه�ا �م�ا‬ ‫تظ � � ن ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م� ����ل�م��ي� �م� �إ ح� � ب � �إ بر �هي��م � �م� ر �ه� �لم� م�و� � ل�م وك ب ل�ى � ر‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� �أ‬ ‫�غ ت أ ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ّ � ا � ن ش ���س ق �غ‬ ‫��� �ه��ؤ �ل�اء ا �ل��� �و�ا ��ش� �إ �ل�ا ك��ل ��ط� ع� � او ���‪� .‬إ �‬ ‫ح�ا �� �ر��س�ي� ب��ي��د �ي� �و�م ن� �ر�‬ ‫�س��ه � �ج� ب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫� أُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ت ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا �ق �ق�� �ة ف� ا �م ن � �ؤ ّ �م ش ف‬ ‫� �خ ف‬ ‫ح��دًا‪ .‬ث��ّ‬ ‫�����ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ل�م ي���ل��‪� .‬ل� � ي ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م ب �إ ى �إ � ر ي� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ص�ف �مت�أ دّ � ا ُ� ن� ّ �م ن ��زّ �ت ا ض��� � �م ن ��ق�د � ��ف ا ن � أ ن ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�إ ��ل�ى �‬ ‫ح� ي �� �� ب� ي� ب �ي� � ع ��و � و � ر‬ ‫ع � �و�م� را ع�ى � ��� �ص� �و�م�‬ ‫��ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ق �ة � � �ّ�ة �غ � ��م �ة �ع �ّ ف �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫را � ب� �‬ ‫ح�م�ود � او�لم��ؤ �م ن� ك��ي����س �� ��ط ن�‪ � .‬او �ل��س�ل�ا � ‪.‬‬ ‫ح� ر‪� .‬و�ع� �ب�� ا �ل�دا �ل� ��ي ر‬ ‫م‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أغز ق ف أ‬ ‫ن أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ ف‬ ‫ّٰ أ ن‬ ‫تق‬ ‫ح� ا �ل�ّ�لٰ�ه �ت�ع�ا ل �أ �م�� ا لم�ؤ �م ن���� ن‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ �( :‬لا �‬ ‫ي� �ع ب���د ا �ل��ل�ه ا لم� �مو� �م�ا �‬ ‫ى ير‬ ‫كا � � و��سع ع�ل�م�ه و� �� ر �ع�����ل�ه �ي� � �مره و�������يل��د ه ل� ب�ي� ع��لي� �ي�‬ ‫ر م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ن���ا �ئ�ز �م� ن � لاد ا �ل�خ �ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫ا �ل���ص�لا �ة ع��ل ا ��جل‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫� و‬ ‫���ل� �ا ء) ورد ي� �‬ ‫ى‬

‫‪42‬‬

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‫‪٧،٥‬‬

‫‪٨،٥‬‬

The Monastery of the Confessors

She replied, “I swear by God, Commander of the Faithful, that it’s more proper for me to be unveiled in the presence of ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir and ʿAlī ibn Hishām than in the presence of Abū ʿAlī. For, by God, he’s not my brother or al-Rashīd’s son. Almighty God revealed about the Quraysh: «Who has fed them against hunger and given them security against fear»24 and Ibn ʿAbbās glossed that ‘He has given them security against leprosy and elephantiasis.’ He’s a leper, and he’s simply the son of one of the house servants.” On al-Maʾmūn’s orders, his brother Abū Isḥāq beat her the number of lashes

5.7

mandated for false accusation.25 She said, “Commander of the Faithful, it’s disgraceful for you to have inflicted this beating on your sister because of the son of a house servant and to have imposed Qurʾanic punishments on daughters of the caliphs. By God, I thought his condition was a secret, but now, by God, the story will be told and people will speak of it until the Day of Judgment.” She stood up and went out. Al-Maʾmūn said, “God damn her. If she were a man, she’d be much better qualified for the caliphate than many caliphs.” He appointed Abū ʿAlī to lead the prayers at the funerals for members of the caliphal family, to avert disgrace from him.26 Coming back to Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm, we will relate some instances of his decisiveness and control of affairs, as are appropriate to the nature of this book. He was the nephew of Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn and his teknonym was Abū l-Ḥusayn. Al-Maʾmūn took him into his service and, in the presence of ʿAbdallāh, whom he was sending to govern Khurasan, appointed him ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir’s deputy. Isḥāq enjoyed the greatest favor with al-Maʾmūn and was his closest associate. ʿAbdallāh ibn Khurdādhbih related that one day when he was attending al-Maʾmūn’s court, Aḥmad ibn Abī Khālid presented the caliph with some documents, including a petition from people complaining that Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm had treated them unjustly. When al-Maʾmūn had read it, he took his pen and wrote on the back of it: “This rabble are mere traitors and mudslingers. Isḥāq I have nurtured with my own hands, and those whom I nurture turn out excellently and do not disappoint.” Then he wrote a note to Isḥāq, as follows: “From a sympathetic tutor to a discriminating pupil: My boy, the mighty should show humility, the powerful should forgive; those who impose regulations should act justly and those who supervise should show caution. Capriciousness comes to a bad end, but the believer is perspicacious and shrewd. Farewell.”

43

43

5.8

‫ن‬ ‫د�ير�م�د�ي�ا �‬

‫� ّ‬ ‫ت �ف أ ّ � ّ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل �و�م�ا � ��� � ��ا � ا�لمت��و ك�‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ��ل��ل�م�� � �مو ن� ث��ّ �ل��ل�م�عت��ص� ث��ّ ��ل��ل� او �ث��ق ث��ّ �ل��ل�مت��و ك�‬ ‫�و�و ��ل�� �إ ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل ��ف�� ��ق�ا �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٰ ي م‬ ‫مم �م‬ ‫ًم‬ ‫ن � ّ� ً‬ ‫� ا � ا ت ��ف ا تُ �ع ��مّ � � ن � ا ّ � ن �� ا � � ن خ� ا ا ن‬ ‫�ا �ن ه ��ف‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ب����ه ح�م�م�د ك‬ ‫م�� � �لب�� ي���س�ي ر و م� � � �س��د �ي� ح�م�د ب � ب��د لل ب � �ط� هر م� ر ��س� �‬ ‫��ا ن ��ل ����س ق‬ ‫ُّ � ا‬ ‫ح�ا ��‪.‬‬ ‫�ورد �إ �لي��ه �م� ك�� � �إ �ى �إ‬ ‫�ذ� أ نّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ا ن � ن ا � � ��ف �ة‬ ‫��ا ن �� ه � ض � ن � ن‬ ‫س� �و� ك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م�� � م� �لمعر�‬ ‫�و ك��ر� او � � ب���ع ض��� �و�ل��د ا �لر�ش���ي �د �وك�� � ل� م�و�‬ ‫ع �م� ا �ل���� ب‬ ‫� ت ن�زّ �ف‬ ‫�ت�ف ّ‬ ‫� ا ���أد �م ض�� ����غ��د ا د �م ض ً � � � �ق‬ ‫� �� �ف ش‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫���ا ��ط�ا �ل �و�ل�م ��ي� �د ر �ع��ل�ى ا �لر �ك�و ب� ��ا ���ت��ه�ى ا �ل �� رج�‬ ‫� � او �ل��� ه ��ي�‬ ‫و �ل ب� ر � ب ب‬ ‫ق �ق � �ذ ش � ا ن ّ أ ن ُ‬ ‫� �ف أ أ ن ن �ز �ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع‬ ‫ا�لم�ا ء ��� را د � � �ي�ب���� �ل� �ل� ي�ج���ل�� �ي��ه �من��ع�ه �إ ���س‬ ‫ح�ا �� �و��ا �ل �ه� ا ����� ء �ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ب� � � �ي ��م�ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ّ ا أ أ‬ ‫�أ �ذ ن ي �ف �ذ � فخ � �أ‬ ‫� �ؤ ن ن �إ�ذ ن ف�ت � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� و‬ ‫�م���ل�ه �إ �ل� �ب� �مر� ي ر‬ ‫ب �إ ى‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫مي‬ ‫رج ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ز � ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫�ا � ن �أ � � ا � �ؤ �م ن � ن � ق‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� �ورد �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫��ت� �إ ���س‬ ‫��ل�� ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �� �ب� ��ط�ل�ا ��ق�ه �ل�ه �ف ك‬ ‫� ك���� ب� م� م�ي ر �لم� ��‬ ‫ي� �ب��إ ��ط�ل�ا �� ب�� ن��ا ء �ل� �ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�� ب‬ ‫إ‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫� ُ �ّ �� � � � ا ض �ف �ق ف ت أ �� أ ن أ ت � � � أ ��ف �ذ � � ف�ت �‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫�ل� ي�‬ ‫���ه ��و���� � �مره �إ ل�ى � � � ��س� ��ط�ل� ا �ل �ر �ي� �ي� �ل�ك‪ � .‬ك‬ ‫طو�ل�ه �و�ل� �عر�‬ ‫ح�د ل�ي� �� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ّ � �ذ‬ ‫�ل�ز � ا �‬ ‫�ت ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي �حم�ده �ع��ل�ى ح��ي � �ط� ويح�د ل�‬ ‫�ل� ل‪.‬‬ ‫رع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �و �ل�م�ا ا ��ن ت��ق���ل ا�لم�عت��ص� �إ �ل�ى ��س ّر �م ن� ر� �ى ك�‬ ‫���ا � ا �ل ن��ا ��س ��ي� �ي ��و�م ا�لم�وك� ب� �ي��� ش �‬ ‫���و� د ا ر‬ ‫� ن ت ظ‬ ‫ن ف ا م � ��ف‬ ‫�ًا �‬ ‫ع ����ًا � �أ ��ف ا �ن ف‬ ‫ا �ل� �أ � ن � � �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح��ا �ت�ه �إ �ج��ل�ا �ل� �ل��ل��س��ل��ط�ا � � �و�� ي�م� �ل��مره � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م� م�و� و�ي و ي� ل�ى ب ي � م ي� ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫� ن �ق‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ���ف� �ي ��و� �م ن ا ��ل�� �ّ�ا � ا ��ل‬ ‫�ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن� �إ ���س‬ ‫ح�ا ّر�ة �و��ق�د � ���ط�ا ��ل ا �لر �ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��و ب� � او �ج� ت��ا �ب��د ا ر ا�لم�� � �مو� �و��د‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ي م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت �تً ا � ن ا ��ل ش��� ف� ��غ أ ا �ذ � � �ف ض ه � ا �ق ًا �‬ ‫ف �ق ن‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت���ل ���ل����س� �وت�ه �ع��ل� ر�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب �‬ ‫بر‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ا �ت ا �ز ه �� ا ا ���خل ة �ذّ �ًا‬ ‫���لي ���ف �� �مت�ب�� �ل�‪.‬‬ ‫�ج��ي � ب ب�� ب�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫��ر �عب��د ا لله ب� ن خ�رد ا �ب�ه � �ن�ه خ�ر�� �ي ��و�م�ا �م ن �ب�� ن �ي��د �ي� ا�لم�� �م�و� ��� � ث�ر �إ ���س‬ ‫�و ك�‬ ‫ح�ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ �إ�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�تى ا �ص�ا ر �إ ��ل�ى ا ��ل��د �ه��ل��ي�ز ا �لث��ا ��� �و�ق��ف� �و�و�ق��ف� ا � �لق ��ّ او د � او �ل ن��ا ��س � �لو�ق��و��ف�ه‬ ‫اب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫بر �هي��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا� أ �‬ ‫��ا ن ّ �ذ � � �ق‬ ‫ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل �ي� ن �خ���لي���ف ��ة �ع��ل ّ ب� ن �ص�ا ��ل‬ ‫ح ب� � �مرا �ل��د ا ر � او�ل�مر��س�و�‬ ‫� �وك�� � �ع��‬ ‫� �ل��ك ا �ل�و� ت� �ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م ��‬ ‫ح ة �ف �أ �ت‬ ‫� � ��ف ت ه �ف‬ ‫ح ��ق �ة ث يّ ��ق ا � ��‬ ‫ث�ّ ��ق ا �� ا �ت �خ � �ف �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ر�ه �م� ��� �م ر�ع� �� � �ل ا �‬ ‫�ب�ا �ج ب��� � �ي� ب �لي� �� �‬ ‫حب����س‪ � � .‬ل �ه� �� او ��لي �� � �ص� ح ب�‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� � ��ف �أ �ت ه �ف ض ه ا ئ �ة ��ق �ة ث ّ ��ق ا � ��‬ ‫ح���� ‪ .‬ث��ّ د �ع�ا ب���ع��ل ّ ب� ن �ص�ا ��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� � �و��ص�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا �لب� ر�ي��د � ي� ب‬ ‫بر‬ ‫�ي� أ� ح ب‬ ‫ب� س م‬ ‫فر م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت�ق ن �خ ا �ت‬ ‫� �� ا �ل��� �م � ��ه�م��له�ا‪ .‬كن���تم�ا‬ ‫��ا ���ف د ا ا ��خل � �ف ة ن‬ ‫ا �لب��ر�ي��د �و��ا �ل �ل�ه�م�ا � �� ��ل��د ا � ��ل� � �م‬ ‫�ك ي� ر‬ ‫��لي �� �� �م� �ي���ضيع ور وي� �‬ ‫أ ا � �ذ أ� تَ أ ّ ا � �أ‬ ‫� �ذ ا ا � �أ �أ�قّ � ن �ذ � ن ف� ��ق ا � ا � ا � ن‬ ‫ح� م� �ه� ي �‪� � � .‬ل� �و م� ك‬ ‫���ا � �م ن� � �مر�ه�م� ا �ل�� �ي� � ن� ك‬ ‫ب��ه� �ل�د ب� �‬ ‫�� �ر�ه � �ي��ه� ا �ل��م�ي�ر‬

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‫‪٩،٥‬‬

‫‪١٠،٥‬‬

‫‪١١،٥‬‬

‫‪١٢،٥‬‬

The Monastery of the Confessors

Isḥāq governed Baghdad for al-Maʾmūn, al-Muʿtaṣim, al-Wāthiq, and finally

5.9

al-Mutawakkil. He died during the caliphate of al-Mutawakkil, who appointed his son, Muḥammad, to succeed him. Muḥammad died shortly thereafter, and then Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir was summoned from Khurasan and entrusted with the office Isḥāq had occupied. One of al-Rashīd’s sons, a man of noble descent on his mother’s side and

5.10

noted for his knowledge and culture, fell ill in Baghdad. The illness dragged on and he was unable to ride. He wanted to get out and take a trip on the river, so he decided to have a light boat built that he could sit in. Isḥāq, however, blocked the plan, saying, “We wouldn’t wish to approve this without the caliph’s knowledge and permission.” He wrote to al-Muʿtaṣim for permission, and the answer came back that he could go ahead. He wrote to the man: “I have received a letter from the Commander of the Faithful granting permission for the boat to be built, but he did not specify its length and breadth. So I’ve halted the project until I can consult him about that.” Al-Muʿtaṣim wrote to him praising him for his caution and setting out the boat’s dimensions. When al-Muʿtaṣim moved to Samarra, people went to al-Maʾmūn’s palace

5.11

on days when there were processions and took their seats there as they had done when he was alive, out of deference to the state and glorification of its prestige. One hot day, Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq was going home after he had been in the saddle a long time, and passed by al-Maʾmūn’s palace. To protect himself from the sun, he had wound his headdress round his head. When his father heard, he punished him with a beating for passing the caliph’s gate dressed in such a slovenly fashion. Ibn Khurdādhbih recounted that he left al-Maʾmūn’s presence one day hard on Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm’s heels. When Isḥāq reached the second anteroom, he came to a stop. All the commanders and the others present stood up when he stopped. Then he asked, “Where is ʿAlī ibn Ṣāliḥ’s deputy?” ʿAlī was then in charge of the palace administration and responsible for the chamberlains. His deputy was produced. Isḥāq struck him a hundred times, and said, “Prison.” Then he ordered, “Bring me the deputy of the man in charge of the postal service,” struck him a hundred times, and said, “Prison.” Calling for ʿAlī ibn Ṣāliḥ and the manager of the postal service, he said to them, “You have appointed as your deputies in the caliph’s palace two incompetent and negligent men. You deserve this punishment more than they do.” They replied, “What did they do to merit your disapproval, sire?” “The manager of the postal service was seated

45

45

5.12

‫ن‬ ‫د�ير�م�د�ي�ا �‬

‫ف �ق ا �‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫���ل ��ف �ة ف�� ض���� � � � �ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح� ا ��ل��‬ ‫ح� ا ��لب��ر���د ��ي�ق��ع�د ���ف� د ا ر ا ���خل‬ ‫�ه��ق�ه �و�ص�ا �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��� � �ل �ص� � ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫أي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ �ي‬ ‫ً‬ ‫� ا ن� ث ّ خ � �ق ا � �ف��ن‬ ‫خ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا � ك�‬ ‫��ر �� �ر� ‪� �� .‬ل ك‬ ‫ح��ا‪.‬‬ ‫�� ت� � د ���ل ا �ل��د ا ر ب���ع�د�ه�ا ��ل�ا � ر�ى ��‬ ‫�ل� ��ي � ك‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ض�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ��ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫خ ���س ا ق �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ز � � ت�� ا ��ل ّ ا ة ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل �ود ���ل �إ �‬ ‫ح� �� ��ي� �ي ��و�م � ��ور�و �إ �ل�ى ا�لم ��و ك��ل �و ��س�م� �ج��� �ب�ي�� �ي��د �ي�ه �و�ع��ل�ى ا�لم ��و ك��ل‬ ‫ش ث ق �ق ث أ‬ ‫� ا ا ��ل�� ّ ا ة � تّ ق‬ ‫ن � � ق � � � � ا �� ت تُ ن ش‬ ‫���ر � ��ص‬ ‫�ث��و ب� �و����� �م �����ل �و��د ك��‬ ‫ح� ب� س�م� �ج��� ح�ى � �بر �� او �م��ه �ل�ل�� ��ط ا �ل�د را ه�م ل ��ي� �������ر‬ ‫ي �ذ �ذ �ف ّ أ‬ ‫ح�ا �ق �ذ �� � � ��لّ �مغ�� ً�ا � �ه � �ق� �� �أ �ف ّ � �ت��ف ّ ���فم�ا �تُ�غ���ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �و�ج��� ب� �� او ��ي��ل�ه‪��� .‬ل�م�ا ر� �ى �إ ��س‬ ‫��ض� و �و �ي �ول � و �‬ ‫�ع�لي�‬ ‫� � ل�ك و �ى � ب‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت � �‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫� ُ ّ ا ��ل‬ ‫����ي�� ‪� .‬ور� ه ا �ل�مت��و ك�‬ ‫���ل �و��ق�د �و ��ل�ى ف����ق�ا �ل � �و�� ك��‬ ‫ح ار ��س�� ن��ا ا �لم�م��ل��ك���ة �م� �ه� ا ا �لت� ض�‬ ‫ل� رد � او � �ب� ا ح��س��ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�� ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م �فًا �ز �ف ة ��ّ‬ ‫ف����ق�د خ� � �مغ� ًا ف�خ � ا ل‬ ‫حّ�ا ب� � او ���خل‬ ‫��‬ ‫���د � �خ���ل��ف �ه �ود خ���ل �و�ه�و ي���س�م� �و� ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص� � �و را ��� ك�ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض��‪ .‬رج �ج‬ ‫ر�ج �� ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ؤ ن ن‬ ‫خ ت ف �ق ا ا‬ ‫� �‬ ‫���ل ف����ق�ا �ل �م�ا � ��� �‬ ‫ح�تّ �و��ص� �إ �ل�ى ا�لمت��و ك�‬ ‫� ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م��ر�وه ى‬ ‫��ض��ك �و�ل�م �ر�ج�� ��� � �ل �ي� � �م�ي�ر ا�لم� �م���ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫ا تت‬ ‫ث ا � ن ��ا‬ ‫�ع��س� ك �� ��و��هم � � �ه� ا ا�لم��لك �لي����س �ل�ه �م� ا �ل��ع�د اء �م���ل �م� �ل�ه �م� ا �ل��و�لي�� ء‪� .‬ج���ل��س ��ي�‬ ‫��ّ‬ ‫ت�ن ّ‬ ‫ت �ذ � � ف ث �ؤ � ا �� ا � تّ‬ ‫�ذ �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �من‬ ‫��ج�م��ل�� �ي����� �ل�ك �ي��ه �م���ل �ه� �ل�ء ا � ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل� ب�‬ ‫ح�ى ي�ج��� ب� �� او ��ي��ل�ك �و ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫� �ة ��ف ا � �ؤ � ن �أ ن‬ ‫ّ ��ق ا � ت‬ ‫��ن �ف ه � ا �ن �ةً �� ه ��ن ّ �ة ��ف ا �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س� ���س� دي� � �ول� ي�� � ��س�د‬ ‫�ب��ص�ور �م� ك‬ ‫��ر �م� ي �� م� � �ي�ك�و� ي�‬ ‫�ه�م �ع�د �و �د ح���� ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�س��ق�ا ��ل �ه��ذ ا � ��ل� � �خ���ل ت� ا ��ل��أ ض�� �من�ه� ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ا � ��ا‬ ‫�و ���ط� �وّ��ة رد �يّ��ة ف�ي���ث ب� �ب��ك ��م��تى ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ي�� ت �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ ً ُن � ّ‬ ‫�ف ّٰ � ا ت ��ن‬ ‫�� �� �ذ � � ��م � � ش �ف‬ ‫ح��س�� ن ��ا �ت�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ك �ج �ل��س ر�‬ ‫ا � ي� �ل � ب� �و �ل ر �ي� �ل�ى � ب ب ي� �و �ل ب‬ ‫�ظ �‬ ‫� � ّ ة‬ ‫��ي ن� �� ر�م ن��ه �إ �ل�ى ا �ل��س�م�ا �ج���‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن ا �� ن ش�خ أ نّ ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �ذ ك��‬ ‫�ر �م� ��س�ى ب� �ص� ل‬ ‫���ل� �إ ����س‬ ‫� � ��ه ك�‬ ‫بر �هي�� ��� ا �م �ر �ة �م ن� � �ه��ل�ه‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ب� ن� �إ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ب�� ��ي���‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫أ � � ن �ظ � � ف �ق � ح أ‬ ‫ق ّ ةم �ذ � أ‬ ‫ا ف ّٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫له� ��� او لله‬ ‫�ص�� �ه� ه ا�ل�م �ر �و�م� �‬ ‫�و��س�� �ل�ه ا �ل� �� ر �ل�ه� ��� � �ل �ي� � �ب� ح�م�م�د �م� ���‬ ‫ح� �ل�ه� �و�م� ب���ع�� �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف ا � تّ ت ّ‬ ‫ن �ز �‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� يُ� �� �ع�� ّ � �ز ا ��قً�ا‬ ‫���ا ن� �إ ���س‬ ‫ح�ي�ر ُت�‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل � ب� ��و ا ��لب��ر�ق� ا ��ل ش����ا �عر ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ح�ى �‬ ‫ج ر ي ل�ي� ر‬ ‫�إ � ا �ل �ي�� �ص �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ا �� �إ ��ل��ه ��له� ‪ .‬ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل ��ل� � ت‬ ‫��ف�� �ن ش����د �ت�ه � �� �مً�ا ��ف��س�� ��ل ن�� �ع ن �ع��ا ��ل� �و�م�ا � � ت‬ ‫� �عي��ا �ل��ك‬ ‫ح��اج�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي� � ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م م‬ ‫��ذ‬ ‫��ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��ذ ا ��ف ا �ز �� �خ� � ��ن � ش�� � ن �أ � �ن�ز �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ّ �ش‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب ر ي� ي� � ر ي�‬ ‫و�‬ ‫�ي� كل � ر � ي �‬ ‫�ج� �ه��لت��ه �و�ع��ل�م�ه �ه�و‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ك��ت�‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �و�ورد �ع��ل� �إ ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ب� �م ن� ا�لم�عت��ص� �و�ه�و �ج��ا �ل��س ي� ش���رب� �و�م�ع�ه �ح�م�م��د ب� ن� را �ش���د‬ ‫ى‬ ‫��ف ا مف غ ن ق �ة � ت‬ ‫ًا أث ً‬ ‫حتّ ��ق ا �‬ ‫ا ��‬ ‫�خ نّ ا ق ��ا ن �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�ص��‬ ‫ك�� ب� �ى � ل ��س�ي � �ط‬ ‫� �� �� �وك�� � � � ي‬ ‫�ص� ب� �ي ر ��ده‪� .‬م� ر� م� ر‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫حض �ذ �� � ��ف �أ� ��مّ � � ن ا �ش �د ��ف �أ �ق �م ن ��م � ه � �شُ قّ �ع ن ه � �ن‬ ‫� �ع��ق�ا ��� ن � �� ّل�ا د � ن ‪��� .‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر �ر‬ ‫يم � �ج‬ ‫و ب ي� و�ج ي �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و � و ب‬

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‫‪١٣،٥‬‬

‫‪١٤،٥‬‬

‫‪١٥،٥‬‬

The Monastery of the Confessors

in the caliph’s palace, laughing and guffawing, and the palace administrator was sitting there without reproving him.” Then Isḥāq left. Ibn Khudādhbih added, “After that, when I entered the palace, I didn’t see anyone laughing.” One Nauruz festival, Isḥāq went to visit al-Mutawakkil and saw the masked

5.13

players27 in front of him. The caliph was wearing a heavily brocaded robe. The players had crowded together and come up to him to pick up the dirhams he was scattering among them, and they were pulling at the edge of his robe. When Isḥāq saw that, he left in anger, saying, “Fie! What’s the use of our guarding the empire with these dissolute goings-on!” Al-Mutawakkil, seeing that he had gone out, said, “Damn it! Bring back Abū l-Ḥusayn. He’s left in anger.” So the attendants and servants went after him, and he came back, heaping all kinds of curses on Waṣīf and Zurāfah until he reached al-Mutawakkil. The caliph asked, “What made you angry? Why did you go away?” Isḥāq replied, “Commander of the Faithful, perhaps you imagine that this realm does not have as many enemies as it does friends. You hold an audience where dogs like these can make up to you, pulling at your robe, each wearing an ugly mask. How can one be sure that one of them is not an enemy ready to sacrifice his life for some religious conviction, driven by an evil purpose and wicked intention to attack you? Even if you rid the world of your enemies, would he abandon his aim?” Al-Mutawakkil responded, “Don’t be angry. By God, you’ll never see me in such a situation ever again.” After that, he had a dais constructed from which he could look down on the players. According to Mūsā ibn Ṣāliḥ, he spoke to Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm about a female

5.14

member of his family, asking him to take an interest in her. Isḥāq replied, “Abū Muḥammad, this woman’s story, her situation, and her husband are . . .” And Mūsā went on: “He described her in such detail I was amazed.” The poet Abū l-Barq said, “Isḥāq used to pay me a regular wage. One day I recited a poem to him and he asked me about my household and what I needed for their upkeep. He went on, ‘Your household needs this much flour each month, this much of this and this much of that.’ And he continued to tell me things about my household that I didn’t know, but he did.” While sitting drinking with Muḥammad ibn Rāshid the executioner, an intimate and valued friend of his, Isḥāq received a letter from al-Muʿtaṣim. He read the letter and said, “Whips, two whipping posts, and two hangmen.” When they arrived, he had Muḥammad ibn Rāshid pulled to his feet, stripped of his robe, and attached to the two posts, while Muḥammad was asking, “Prince,

47

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5.15

‫ن‬ ‫د�ير�م�د�ي�ا �‬

‫ا �ق ّ ت ف �ق ا � ��ُ‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� �ذ � ن‬ ‫� �ق �� �أ�ّ ا ا � �أ� � � ا ا ��‬ ‫�ص�� ��� � �ل ا ل‬ ‫حقّ ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي� ا �ل�ع��ق�ا �ب�ي� ن� �و�ه�و �ي ��ول ي��ه� �ل� م�ي ر م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��و�هر ا �ل�� �ي� ك���ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�ّ أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫حض‬ ‫ل���‬ ‫�� ت� �‬ ‫�� ت �‬ ‫� �ف ا ن � ن ��ف ت �‬ ‫�� ��نر��ه ا ��ل��س�ا �ع��ة �و �ل�ا � �ت�ي�� ت� �ع��ل� ��ن �ف���س��ك‪�� .‬ف� �ه ب� ��ي ت��� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل �ل� � م� �ص ��ه ك�ي � �وك�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�ف ّ أ‬ ‫ف �ق � أ‬ ‫��ق ا � أ ن ا أ� ض أ ّ ا � �أ � ��ق ا �‬ ‫ح��ّ ��ا ��لض‬ ‫حقّ �أ�م�� ا �ل�م��ؤ �م ن��� ن‬ ‫��ع� ا ���ل�م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫و � ير‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ر ي�‬ ‫س ب رب‬ ‫��� � �ل � و و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت � أ ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫حض� �ف � � ض‬ ‫م��ا �ن��ك � �و �‬ ‫�� ه ��ل�وق�ت��ه ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا ر� ه �إ ���س‬ ‫�ل�ا �بر�‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ��سر�� �ع ن��ه � �و �� �فس� ر �و�ج� �ه�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� � ك�‬ ‫��ره‪ �� .‬ح� ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن �ت‬ ‫�قّ‬ ‫��ق ا �� ا �ت ا ��ث ا �ًا ��ف �أ �ت �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل�ع��ة ��ف��أ ��ل����سه�ا � دّ ه ��ل �م ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل��ا � � �و ��ن ��ف ��ذ ا �� �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و � ل �ه� ��و ي�� ب� � ي� ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب � ور �إ �ى �و‬ ‫و �ج ب� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ل� ق�ت��ه ��ل� ا �ل�م�عت��ص� ف����ق�ا ��ل �ح�مّ��د � �ّ�ه�ا ا ��ل���م�� �م�ا � ���ع�د �م�ا ��� ن ا � ف�ل��ع��ل�� ن‬ ‫ي�‪ .‬ف����ق�ا �ل �و�‬ ‫ح��ك �و��ي ت�‬ ‫�إ ى‬ ‫�م ي �‬ ‫ير ب‬ ‫ب ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�و ة � ن ةم‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا ��خل‬ ‫���د �م�� � او �ل���يص��‬ ‫ح�� �‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�و��ي ت� ا�لم�ود ب���ع�د �ل��ك �‬ ‫�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫�ذ أ‬ ‫ش ش ة � �ط�ن ّ �ق ا � �ن‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � ب� �� �‬ ‫ح���ي������� ا �ل�� ب ��ور�ي� �� �ل ك�‬ ‫�� ت� �ي ��و�م�ا ���ف� �م��ن�ز ��ل�� �إ�ذ ��طر�ق� ا ��لب��ا ب� �ص�ا �‬ ‫ح ب� � �‬ ‫بري��د‬ ‫�و ك�ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ أ ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� تّ‬ ‫� ��ق�ا ��ل � �� ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا ��ق�ا ��ل � �� �ع��ل�م ت� � �نّ�ه � �م �ع�ا ��ل ��ف��ل���� ت‬ ‫س� ��ث��ا � � �م ض� ت‬ ‫ي ب ي� و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��ي��� �م�ع�ه ح�ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ج ب‬ ‫و �ج ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� �مت���ق�ا ���ل�� � �� �� � �م ن �ج��م��عه�ا‬ ‫د �خ���ل ن��ا د ا ر �إ ����س‬ ‫ح�ا �� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫بر �هي��م ���ع�د �ل ب ��ي� �إ �ل�ى �م�مر ��ط�و�ي��ل �ي��ه جحر ب وح � ي �‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ح �ة ن ا �ُ�ق ّ �� ّ �� �ف‬ ‫ئ � �‬ ‫ة � � ة �‬ ‫�� �ة‬ ‫��ع�ا � ‪�� .‬ف��أ د �خ���ل ت� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع�ا � ��ي� �ن��ه�ا �ي�� ا �لن ظ� ����ا ��ف�� �و ��ط�ي ب� ا ل ار �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ه� �و �د � �إ ل�ي� �ط‬ ‫ر� او � ا �ل��ط‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أح‬ ‫ا �ؤ ��ن ث اث ة أ � ا � ��ف ش ت أ� ض ��ن‬ ‫�ن ��قًا ف ه ��‬ ‫ط��ا ��� ��ف�ا �خ���ت �ت‬ ‫�ف ��� ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب ير‬ ‫�� ك���ل� و�ج و�ي� ب ل رط ل ُرب� و � رو�ي� � و ي‬ ‫� � �ة � أ َ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ة أخ‬ ‫ح��س ن �من�ه�ا‬ ‫���ط�ن �� ًا �من�ه�ا � � �ص���ل ت‬ ‫��� �إ �ل�ى ج�‬ ‫ح��ه �ع��ل�ىا �ل��ط �ر��ق�� � �و �ر�ج� ت� �م ن� ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫ب ور � و‬ ‫حر �ل�م � ر � � � �‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �إ�ذ ا ��ف ��م � ا � �ا ن � ا ��ل ا ن � �أ� �د �ه ا �ق ا ء �ُم���ل � ��ق��ل ن�� �ة ��س ّ �ّ�ة � � ا � �آ�خ‬ ‫و �ي� �ج �ل��س�ه� ر�ج �ل � �ج � ��س� � ع��ل�ى ح� �م� ب�� ح� و ��س�و �‬ ‫�موري� وع��ل�ى �ل� ر‬ ‫أُ‬ ‫� م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ�زّ‬ ‫ت ا �ة � ض‬ ‫���ل� �� �ف���ل�� ت‬ ‫�ث ا‬ ‫�� � ���ة ��ف��س��ل�م ت� � � �م ت� ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س� ف����ق�ا �ل �ل�� �ص�ا �‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫و ر ب �ج و س �ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي�� ب� � �و��س�� ر م� روب‬ ‫ا ��ل��س ّ ّ ة �غ ّ ف �غ ّ‬ ‫�مور�ي�� � ن� ��� ن�ي�� ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ا أَ َ � �َّ ا َ �أَ�ْهُ ُ َ نْ �َ ْ َ َ َ � أَقْ َ� َ َ �ٱ ��ْل ْ َ‬ ‫ه‬ ‫� ا ��‬ ‫��م� � را �� �ل� ��س� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�را‬ ‫َّ �نِي �إِ‬ ‫��جر م� �لي����س �‍�� أَس ير �نِ�ي� ٱ ْ ��وى َ�ع��ل�ٱىْ ِ� ج نِ�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ضِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�قٍ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ن َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫���س�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ي �م� � � � � �‬ ‫م��لنِ��� �َ او ��ثِ�� � بِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س نِ� �و��ف� �ئِ���‬ ‫�� ر �لو � �ع��ل�ى �لإِ�� نِ�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�غ ّ ُ ّ �‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ف��غ� نّ���ت��ه ��ف ش��� � ���ط� ًل�ا � ��ن ��ق ا ��ل ت‬ ‫��س��ا ر�ة �و��ق�ا ��ل � ن��وه �ف�غ�� ن��� ا �ل�ص�و ت� � �‬ ‫ح��س ن� � ن��ا ء‬ ‫رب ر و ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�خ � ت أ نّ � ت ق ف �ق ا � � �� ف ت �ق � ت �ق ّٰ ا � ا غّ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�و��ل� � � ا �لب�ي��� �ير����ص ��� � �ل �ل�ي� ك�ي ��� �ر�ى ��ل� ��د � او لله �ي� � �مو�ل� �ي� ب����� �‬ ‫�� او‬

‫‪48‬‬

‫‪48‬‬

‫���ف ا ��ل��د ��ن ��ا‬ ‫ي� ي‬ ‫�� ّ �ذ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �ه� ا‬ ‫�إ �ي‬

‫‪١٦،٥‬‬

‫‪١٧،٥‬‬

The Monastery of the Confessors

what’s wrong? What have I done?” Isḥāq simply said, “The jeweled amulet case belonging to so-and-so, which looks like such and such. Produce it for me immediately, or it will be the end of you.” Muḥammad started to apologize profusely, but Isḥāq ordered, “Make him feel it!” When Muḥammad felt the lash, he said, “I’ll bring it, Prince.” “By the obligation I owe the Commander of the Faithful, you won’t leave here until you produce it.” So he had it brought immediately. When Isḥāq saw it, he relaxed and his face cleared. “Bring clothes,” he commanded. A robe of honor28 was brought and was put on Muḥammad. Isḥāq took him back to his dwelling, answered the letter, and sent the amulet case to al-Muʿtaṣim straightaway. Muḥammad remarked, “Prince, what an enormous difference there is between these two actions.” Isḥāq answered, “I fulfilled the obligations of counsel and service—and afterward I paid friendship its due.” Abū Ḥashīshah the pandore player had this story: One day when I was at home,

5.16

a messenger from the postal service knocked at the door. “Obey the order,” he said. I could tell from his words it was important. So I got dressed and set off with him. We entered Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm’s palace and I was taken into a long passage with rooms on each side, from each of which I could smell food. I was taken into one of the rooms and brought food, excellent and delicious, which I ate. Then they brought me three measures of wine, which I drank, and a box containing pandores. I chose one and tuned it. Then I was taken off to the most beautiful room I had ever seen. Two men were in the sitting area, one wearing a coat of blended silk and a sable hat, and the other a robe of pure silk. Part of the room was curtained off. I greeted the men and was told to sit, which I did. The wearer of the sable hat said to me, “Sing something,” and I sang: I’m doomed to part from the one who thinks I’m unable to. She’s tired of me, sure of my loyalty. What harm loyalty inflicts! When I had finished, the man drank and tapped on the curtain, saying, “Sing.” The song was performed so beautifully it was out of this world, and I felt as though the room were dancing. He asked, “How do you find it?” “Sir, they’ve made me hate this song. I now find it ugly.” He laughed and asked me to repeat it three times, each time drinking a measure of wine. Then he asked,

49

49

5.17

‫ن‬ ‫د�ير�م�د�ي�ا �‬

‫� ت ��س� ّم ��ف � ن ّ ف ض‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت ا �ن ث ا ث ف ا ت ش‬ ‫���ّ د �ف��ع��ة �من�ه�ا‬ ‫�‪������ .‬‬ ‫ا �ل�‬ ‫� � ه ع�‬ ‫ح��ك � او ��س��ع� د �ي��ه ��ل� � د ���ع� � ي����رب� ��ي� ك�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صو� و �ج أ�و �ي� �ي ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫بر �ه �� �و�ه��ذ ا �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن را �ش���د ا ��ل‬ ‫ر ���ط� ًل�ا ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل � �ت��ع �فن�� ��ق��ل ت� ��ل�ا ��ق�ا ��ل � �ن�ا �إ ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫�خ نّ��ا �ق� �و� او لله‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ئ ن ظ � م � ث ي �ذ ل�‬ ‫���ل�� �م ن��� ��ل��أ�ض‬ ‫�� �� نّ���ك �ث�ل�ا ث��م�ا �ئ��ة ��س� ���ط‪��� .‬ق �إ�ذ ا �ش����ئ ت�‪ .‬ف����ق �م ت� �م ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�هر �‬ ‫ح�د��ي� �ه� ا �ج س ك‬ ‫�ل��� �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫بر‬ ‫و أم‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش ً �ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صّ �ة ��ه�ا �ث�ل�ا ��م�ا �ئ�� د � ن��ا ��ف�ا � ت ت‬ ‫���ل ن �غ ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �خ � ن‬ ‫�ه�ا ���ي��ئ��ا ���ب ��ى‪.‬‬ ‫�ي ر �ج �‬ ‫�ه�د � � � �ي� �� �م �‬ ‫�ب�ي�� �ي��د �ي�ه ح���ي� ا �ل��ل��م �ب�� ر ي�‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫��ف آ خ � ن ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ع � � ن � ا �ن �ة ��ق ا �� � ّ� ه ��ل ّ‬ ‫� �إ ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫�صر ت� �إ �ل�ى د ا ره‬ ‫�ه�ا ر ���‬ ‫بر �هي��م �ي� � �ر ا �ل �‬ ‫�و كر �مرو ب � ب� � � ل و�ج � �إ �ي‬ ‫��� �ة � ��ق ا �ن����� ��� ا �� �ل�ق‬ ‫� �خ� � ت ���ل ه � � � ا �� ��ف �� ا � �ة �م����ّ �ة � ا ��لخ�زّ‬ ‫ود �ل� ع ي�� و ه�و �ج � ل��س �ي�أ �ط� ر م� لب ��س�أ ب� � �ع��ل�ى د �ج ل� و �د ب سط �مر�ع��ل�ى‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ق ّ � � �غ ّ‬ ‫�ظ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ا �لر�و�ش�� ن� �و�ع��ل� د �ج���ل��ة �و�ه�و �م ن� � �‬ ‫ح��س ن� �من� �� ر ر� ��ي ت� �� ��ط � او�لم� ن��و�ن ‪� 1‬ج��مي��ع�ا �ب�ي� ن� �ي��د �ي�ه � �وب�� �ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق ��‬ ‫ا� ة‬ ‫ح ن � � ن � � ه ��ل �أ ن �ن‬ ‫�� ��ف ا ��ل����ا �م��ة ��فل�� �ي�ز �� ��ا ��ل��سً�ا ��م ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫و � ب ي� ي ي �إ �ى � �و ي�‬ ‫�ج�� �ل��س�� �ورا ء ع �ي� ط ر �م ل �ج‬ ‫ب �و‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ف� ��ق ا � � ��ق�م ن ا � ��ق ا �� ��ل ن ا ا ��ل�غ���ل ا ن ا �ن‬ ‫���ل��س�ن �ا ف��ه�ا‬ ‫�ص ف��� او ��ف��ن�ز ��ل ن��ا �إ ��ل�ى ا ��ل ش���ّ ���ط �ود �ع� �ون�ا ب����سم�ي�ر�ّ��ة �ج�‬ ‫��ا �جل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب ر م‬ ‫نّ ن�ز � أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ن ن ا �ز �� �ف ا � �ق ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل� � ج�‬ ‫�ج��مي��ع�ا �و��ق�ل� �ل�ه� �إ � �م� ل�ي� � رب� �م� �م�� � ك��‬ ‫��ع�ل� او �م� � � ك��‬ ‫م� ا �لي ��و� �ع��د ي� ����ع�ل� او‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أُ‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف مأ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ح�ص��ل ن��ا ���ف� ا �ل�م��ن�ز ��ل �ف� ���ط��ل� ت� ف�ي��ه �ش����ئ��ا �ي ���ؤ ك�‬ ‫���ا ر ا �ل�م�ا �ئ��د �ة ��ف�� �‬ ‫���ل �ل��� � �ج���د ��ف�� �م ت� �� �‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫��ر ت�‬ ‫ح ض�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر ب �إ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف ا �غ ة � � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �و��ق��ل ت� �ي ��و�ج��ه ك�‬ ‫طه�ا �م�ا �ئ��ة د ر�ه� ��ص‬ ‫� ��في�� ش�����تر�ي� ��ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �من� ك��‬ ‫���ل � او �‬ ‫ح�ا �‬ ‫ح ت� ��ي� �و��س ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ر��� �و�طر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫����ل ن��ا � ش��� �� ن��ا � �م ّ ��ل ن��ا � �� � ��� ّ� � �ت�ف�� ّ �ق ن��ا‬ ‫�م�ا � � ��ف ا��ا ن �‬ ‫� �ش� �ف �‬ ‫ن ن ت �أ ت �‬ ‫يري��د �م� ك�� � �ب� ��سرع �م� � � ا �م��ل� � ب��ك�ل ��ي� ء �� ك� و بر و ر ي وم ط�ي ب و ر‬ ‫� ّ ا �ف � ن ا ��� ا ق ا �ف ا ت ن ا ن ت � � � � � ة ��‬ ‫� �ن ة ��ف‬ ‫آ خ � ن ا ��ف ��ق � ن ا غ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� �را �ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ر �و �ي� �ل� بو���� � ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫��� ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س ن�‪.‬‬ ‫�ل��ك ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ف ض‬ ‫���� ت� ���ع�د �ذ ��ل��ك ��ل� ����ذ ��ل � ��س�� ��لت�ه�ا �ع ن ا ��ل��س��� �في�م�ا �ف��ع��ل�ه ف����ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ق�د ��س�� ��لت��ه �ع ن‬ ‫�م� ي ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ ى ب و � � ب ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ك � �ن�ا � �ش��ت��ه� ا ��ل ش���رب� ��� �مث���ل �ه� ه ا �ل��لي���ل��ة �م ن�� ��س�ن ��ة � �و د ا �ف�� � ����س�� �ب�ه‬ ‫��ل��ك ف����ق�ا �ل �و�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ش ت ت أ ت أ ن أ � ��ن �ف‬ ‫� � ا ��ن � ا �ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��ف��ل ّ�م�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ده‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ه�ي�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هر�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ص�ل �ل�ي� �ج �مي�� �م� � ري و �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي� ي� و �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ري‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�� ا �من � ا �م ّ ا ت� ّع � ّ ت ق �ن �‬ ‫فف‬ ‫ح��ه �لئ��ل�ا � �� ��ود ��ي� �إ �ل�ى �م�ا ت� �ري��د �����ع��ل ت� �م�ا ر� ��ي ت�‪.‬‬ ‫ل�ه� �و � �‬ ‫عه� �م� ب‬

‫�ف �ذ أ‬ ‫�ن �ف‬ ‫ة �‬ ‫� أّ‬ ‫���ا ن �م� �ذ �� � � ن � �ة�� � ن ف‬ ‫�� � ب� �� �‬ ‫ح ش���ي�� ش����� ��ق�ا �ل د �ع�ا ��ي� ��ي� ب���ع ض��� ا �ل���ي�ا �‬ ‫ل�ك‬ ‫�وك� �‬ ‫ح��س� ا�ل�مر�وء ك�ري��م ا �ل�����س‪ �� .‬ك�ر و‬ ‫ف م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫س� � ��غ�نّ �ه � �ع��ل��ه د ّ ا �ع��ة �خ�زّ �خ� ض‬ ‫�ص ت� ��ل��ه � ���ل�� ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ا �ق�ّ ���ط‪ .‬ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ار ء �ل� � ر � �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع��ل ت�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح��س ن� �م �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬

‫أ‬ ‫ّ ن‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬وا ل��مغ��ن����يو�‪.‬‬

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‫‪50‬‬

‫‪١٨،٥‬‬

‫‪١٩،٥‬‬

‫‪٢٠،٥‬‬

The Monastery of the Confessors

“Do you know me?” “No.” “I’m Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm and this is Muḥammad ibn Rāshid the executioner. By God, if ever you let on about this meeting, I will give you three hundred lashes. You can go now.” I got up and left his presence. The servant caught up with me to give me a purse of three hundred dinars. I tried to get him to take some but he refused.

ʿAmr ibn Bānah recalled: Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm sent for me at the end of the day.

5.18

I arrived at his palace and was shown in. He was sitting in a pavilion hung with silk, overlooking the Tigris. The moon was shining through the lattice window and on the Tigris, and it was the most beautiful sight I have seen. All the singers were with him, and Badhl was sitting behind a screen in the pavilion. He did not budge, with us arranged in front of him, until the dawn prayer was called. Then he stood up, as did we. He said, “The servants have gone.” So we went down to the riverbank and called for a pleasure boat. We all took our seats and I said, “My house is closer than yours, so let’s spend the day at my house.” They agreed, and we arrived home. I looked for something to eat and, not finding anything, I ordered the servants to bring the table, which arrived bare. I put a hundred solid dirhams on the table and said, “Each of you can go and buy what you want.” In no time at all the table was covered with all kinds of food. We ate and drank and passed an excellent day. At the end of the day, we parted with heavy hearts because of how Isḥāq had treated us and because we were missing that beautiful night and lovely place. Later on I went to see Badhl and asked her the reason for his behavior. She

5.19

said, “I asked him, and he replied, ‘Damn it, I’ve been wanting to drink on a night like that for a whole year and I’ve been resisting my inclination. When everything I wanted and desired came together, I wanted to show my soul my mastery and domination over it and my ability to prevent it from doing what it wanted, so that it would not induce me to follow its own desires. And so I did what you saw.’” Still, he was generous and high-minded. Abū Ḥashīshah related: One day, Isḥāq invited me to his house. I was sitting singing to him, and he was wearing a green silk outermantle, more beautiful than any I had seen. I stared at it and he understood why. He summoned his wardrobe master and said, “Some

51

51

5.20

‫ن‬ ‫د�ير�م�د�ي�ا �‬

‫أ ن �ظ � �‬ ‫�ذ أ ّ‬ ‫ف � �ظ � �ف‬ ‫�ة أث‬ ‫� ا �ز ن � ��ق ا �� � ن‬ ‫��خ‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�� ��ط ن� ب��ن� �� ر�ي� ��د �ع�ا �ب�ا �ل� � و � ل ك‬ ‫���ا � �� او �ج��ا ��ؤ � �ون�ا �م ن�� � �ي�ا �م ب���ع ش���ر � � �� او ب�‬ ‫� �� �� ر �إ �لي�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫خ�زّ �خ ض �ذ أ‬ ‫ن ��ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫حض‬ ‫ح��د�ه�ا ��‬ ‫�� �ت��س�ع��ة � �ث�� او ب� ي�ت�ج���ا �و�ز �‬ ‫�ج�ئ ن� ب��ب��� ت��ه�ا ��ف�� �‬ ‫��ر �ه� ا �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫��س��ه�ا ك��ل �و�ص��‬ ‫ي� ق�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫��ف �أ � ا �ن ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ه�ا �ب��ع ت� �م ن� ر ا �ل�ه�ا ا �لث��و ب� ب��م�ا �ئ�� د ��ي ن��ا ر‪.‬‬ ‫� �ع ��ط� �ي�‬

‫أ‬ ‫ف �ق ّ � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �ش��� ء � ن ن‬ ‫�و��ق�ا ��ل ���ط �ق� � �‬ ‫ل��ا ��ت� �إ ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�د ب� ن� �ي ��و�� �سف� ا �� ك�‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫بر �هي�� ��� �د �م �إ �لي��ه ك�ل ي�‬ ‫ح��س� �م�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أُ‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ع �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�� ��� ا �ل ت‬ ‫ا ��ل�� ��ط‬ ‫��س��ا �ر � �و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر� ا � �ل �� او ك���ه � او �ل ن�ب��ي�� �و�م ّر �ي ��و� �ل� �ي ك‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ن� �مث���ل�ه‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫أ رب‬ ‫مأ م‬ ‫ن ��غ ف �ق ا � أ � ف ت ن �‬ ‫ا �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ث�ّ �أ �� �أ � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر �ج�� ر�ي�‬ ‫�ص�ي �د‪ � .‬ح�‬ ‫ح�م�د � � �ي�ك�و� �ع��ده �م� ا �ل��د �� � �ل � �م�د ��ي� ��و� ��ي� ا �ل�‬ ‫�م ��س� ل‬ ‫��غ ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�غ ً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ح ن �من�ه � ��ق�ا � �ه� ا �ص �د ��د ا ��ّ �ت�� ن‬ ‫� �ي ك‬ ‫�و��ل�ا �م�ا �و�ر��س�ا �ل�م �ير � ���س� � م�‬ ‫�ص�� �ل�ه �م ن� ا �ل��د � �ر �ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ن ف م � ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�م�د �ش����ئ��ا �ل�� �ير�مث���ل�ه �ق�ّ ���ط‪� .‬و��ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه �إ ���س‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� � �م�� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا � �ت��ّو � او �لي ��و� �مر�ّو ‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� أّ‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ا�لم�� � �مو ن� �ي��ص�ي�ر �إ �لي��ه �إ ��ل�ى د ا ره ف�ي ��ق�ي�� �ع ن��ده ا �ل���ي�ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب� ك�‬ ‫�م��ا �ن�ه‪.‬‬ ‫� ة ��ف ّ �قت ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ً �ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫����س ا �ق �� ض‬ ‫�ه�ا ���ص�ع�د ت ��ل‬ ‫� او �ج� ت��ا ت�‪� 1‬ي ��و�م�ا ب��ي��د �ة ��ي� د �ج��ل�� �ي� �‬ ‫ح ار �‬ ‫� �إ �ى د ا ر أ �إ ح� � لب��ع���‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ ُ�ق ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا � ت ا �ف ض� � ا ���س ق � �‬ ‫حض‬ ‫��ع�ا � ��ف��أ�م ت‬ ‫���ا ره ���ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �إ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �� ا �ل��ط‬ ‫�ج� ت� �م�م�ا ر� ت� �و�م�م�ا ��د � ‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �ج �‬ ‫�ه� ��عر�� �ع�لي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م ّ أ �إ‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ا ن ت ��ل ا ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت ن �خ ت ّ ت ف � ت ّ � ن ا‬ ‫نا‬ ‫�و��ق�ا �ل ت� � او لله �م�ا ك�� ��� �ي� �‬ ‫ح� �ج��� �إ �لي��ه � �إو ��م� � رد � � � � � �ب��ر �مر� �و�ه ���و�ج��د��ه � ��م ا �ل�� ��س‬ ‫ّ �ة �ذ ن �غ ت ن ّ‬ ‫�ص�� ��ل � � ا �عل�� ب��م‬ ‫�مر�و ‪� .‬ه� ا �م � � ��‬ ‫���ي��ئ�‪.‬‬ ‫� �ي ر �ع �ي� و�ل� �م �ج ي‬

‫ح ش أ ن ًا �ث�ق ةً‬ ‫�ه�و �و�غ���ل�م�ا �ن�ه �و����م�ه � ���س� �ب�ه � �و � ��‬

‫أ‬ ‫تّ �ز �ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق ف خ ت‬ ‫تن‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫�� ن ��س‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫ح�ا � ��د ��ل�� �إ �ي�ل��ه �ل�������ظر �مروء ��ه) ورد ي� �‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪�( :‬مرور ا �ل����س�� ب�ي��د ع��لى �م��س ك� �إ‬

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‫‪52‬‬

‫‪٢١،٥‬‬

‫‪٢٢،٥‬‬

The Monastery of the Confessors

days ago they brought us ten green silk garments and this is one of them. Bring me the others.” The wardrobe master brought nine garments, indescribably beautiful, and Isḥāq gave them to me. I sold the least valuable robes for one hundred dinars apiece.

Another anecdote: Aḥmad ibn Yūsuf the secretary visited Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm

5.21

unexpectedly. He entertained him with all kinds of good food and accoutrements. The curtains were drawn for singing, fruit and wine were brought, and they spent a splendid day. Then Isḥāq asked Aḥmad if he would visit him the next day, at which Aḥmad said, “I won’t get anything out of it.”29 Isḥāq produced a slave girl, a servant, and a horse, all of surpassing beauty, and said, “This will be your catch tomorrow.” He spared no pains the next day, and Aḥmad had an unforgettable time. Isḥāq said to him, “Yesterday was nobility, today is generosity.” Al-Maʾmūn used to visit Isḥāq in his palace and spend days with him—he, his servants, and his suite—out of pleasure in his company and confidence in his standing. Zubaydah was out on the Tigris in her boat one day,30 and she disembarked and came up to Isḥāq’s palace to conduct some business. Isḥāq suggested she have something to eat, and she ordered the food to be brought. She was amazed at what she saw and what was put on the table. She said later, “By God, I didn’t need the food but I wanted to test his generosity. And I found him the most generous of mortals. For this was without taking any special pains for me and with no advance knowledge that I was coming.”31

53

53

5.22

‫أ �ش� ��ن‬ ‫د ����ير � � �‬ ‫مو�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� �أ �ش�� ��ن ا � �أ�ة ُ� ن� ا ���� � � ا ��س ا � ُ ��ف�ن ت ف� ه � � � ��قُ�ْ ��� َ �ُّ� �غ� � ّ‬ ‫� د �ج���ل�� �و�عي��ده ا �لي ��و�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د �‬ ‫و م�و�ي� مر ب �ي� ل أير ع�ل�ى �م�ه� و أ � ي��� و ه�و ب طرب�ل بري‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت أ � ا �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��ا � ات‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ا �لث��ا �ل ث� �م ن� � ش���ر� ن� ا �ل���ّو�ل �و�ه�و �م ن� ا �ل� �ي�ا � ا �ل�ع �ي��م�� ب��ب���د ا د ي ج��م�‬ ‫له� �إ �لي��ه ك�� ج �م� �ع�هم�‬ ‫ع � �ه� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ض أ ي � ا �ق أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ ا خ � � ��ف ن ��ف‬ ‫ح��د �م ن �أ��ه ا ��لت� ���طّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ ��ل�ى ب���ع��� � �عي��ا د �ه� �و�ل� ��يب ���ى �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل رب و ب �إ‬ ‫ر�ج �إ ي � م ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ��ل��س � ّ‬ ‫ا �� �� ّ ا ت � ن ��ف ��ل�ز ا �ز‬ ‫��ّ ن ا ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��س� ��ق�د �ت�ه � ��ت�� ن��ا ��ف�� �س ن� �ف�م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ه� �ي� ب ب� و ي ري � �ل �إ � ب‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫ط�� را � �و م �‬ ‫ل� ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر وي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ا ن ا ّ‬ ‫ن �ز ّ‬ ‫� ظ �� ن ا �‬ ‫ع�د � �ن�ه �� �لق�� فص��ه� � ��ي�ع�م � ن� ش���ّ ���ط�ه � � ك��ن�‬ ‫��ا ��ف�ه �ود�يره‬ ‫� م و رو‬ ‫�هر� �و�ه �ه ن�� �ل��ك �م� �ي��ه�م � ��يو ب�� �ه�و� ب��م� �ي�� و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي�� �‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ق ا ن ف ظ � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ا �ت�ه � �و�ض�‬ ‫��رب� �ل�� �و�ي� ا �لب����س ��ط�� �م �‬ ‫ط� ��ط �و���ع �� �ع�لي�‬ ‫�ي��م � او � �ل���س� ��ي‬ ‫�ه�م ا � �ل ي�� � �ي� �����ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ن �ظ �� أ ن�ز ه أ ��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫غ ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا ن‬ ‫�ه� �م ش������و �ل� �ب�� �مره �و� بك��‬ ‫�ه�و � �ج�ع ب� م�� ر � �و � �ه� � �و �ط�ي ب�‬ ‫م�� �ع��ل�ى �ل�ه�وه‪� � .‬‬ ‫ك��ل �إ ���س� � �م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن ا أ � ض ًا � �ُ�� ّ � ��ل � ث � �‬ ‫ا ت ن م�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�م ش����ه�د � �و �‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ه‪� .‬و�ه�� ك � ي��‬ ‫��� دير ي س��مى دير ا ج�ر�ج �و� �و �‬ ‫حو�ل�ه ب���س� ���ي� �و� ا رع �و�م�‬ ‫أ ش �ن‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ض ق‬ ‫���ا �� �ب�ه د�ير � ���م�و��ي�‪� 1‬ع�د �ل �إ �لي��ه‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ظ � �ة خ � ت ��ف � � ن أ ا أ �ش� ��ن �� �ق �� ّ ��ف �ل اّ‬ ‫� ت ��ل ا ��ل ش ّ ��‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �ل ج�‬ ‫ح ���� �ر�ج � �ي� عي��د م� � �عي�� د � �م�و�ي� �إ ل�ى ��طر�ب��ل � �م� �و�ص�ل� �إ �ى ����ط‬ ‫� �أن �ظ �‬ ‫���عً�ا �خ��ا ��ل�ً�ا �أ �ص�ع�د ��ل��ه �أ� �ق�� �مً�ا �ظ ��� ا ��فً�ا �أ �ن�ز ��ل �ع��ل ف أ ت �تَ ن‬ ‫�م�دد ت� �ع�ي ن�ي� �ل� �� �� ر �م�و ض�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ه�م � �ر��ي� �ف��ي ��ي�‬ ‫�إ ي و و ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّت ن‬ ‫ًا أ ن ظ � ف � ا ًا أ �ظ � ف آ � ة ف �ق ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ه� �لب�� ��س� � �و �� �‬ ‫�م ن� � �‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا �ل ن��ا ��س �و�ج��و�ه� � �و �� ����‬ ‫حو�ه� �و���ل ت�‬ ‫�ه� � �ل�� ��� �د �م ت� ��س�م�ي� ير� ��ي� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� ة م �ف‬ ‫� � ف �ق � �‬ ‫أ أ �ذ‬ ‫ت ��ق � ت ا �غ ا ��‬ ‫ط�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ت�� �ن��و ن� ��ي� ا �ل�ص�ع�ود �إ �لي� ك��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��� �ا �ل� او �ب�ا �لرح ب� و ��سع� ‪ .‬صع�د � و�ل� ي� ��ل م � ب ��ور ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف �ق ا � ا أ ّ ا � �ط�نم ف ن أ ّ ا � ن �ذ �ف ا ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫���ل�� ت‬ ‫ح��س ن ا ��ل ن��ا �� � �خ��ل�ا ��قً�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �نو�ب��ي�� �ي�‪� � ��� .‬ل� � �م� ا �ل�� ب ��ور ���ع� � �و �م� ا �ل�ب��ي�� ��ل�‪.‬‬ ‫س�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫� س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع � ��‬ ‫ع��� �ة � �أ �خ����ذ �ن�ا ��ف �أ �م �ن�ا ث��ّ ت�� ن��ا � ��ل ت ا ��ل���ط�ن � � �غ� نّ��� ت � ش‬ ‫أ �م��‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي� ر م و‬ ‫حه�م � ر و‬ ‫ب ور و ي ب ر ي�‬ ‫� �و �ل �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ �ْ ًا � �أ�شْ��ُ‬ ‫�م �� �َ ��لَ���ذّ ا ت��َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫����س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�قَي�� ِ�ل� و�نِي� و ِ�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ �قْ ًا � ا َ‬ ‫� ت� �ل� ��َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫��س� ي�� ِ�ل� �ي�ٍ�م �م��ض ِي� ِب�‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫ح� �� �َ َ��س�ا �ت� �َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫� � َا‬ ‫�إِ�ذِ �‬ ‫�صطِ�� ب�� ِ�ي� �فِي� ب ِ �ي نِ��‬

‫َ�ٱ ��ْ�َ ْ ش � َ ا �َ�ْ نَ‬ ‫َ نّ�َ�ا ت��َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫ �و لعي����ِ� �فِ���ي�م� ب�ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا َ ْ نَ �َ َّ � ْ َ ا َ‬ ‫�ح�ا ن�ت�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫ �م� �ب�ي�� ���ش��ط��ي�ه� �و� ِ��‬ ‫َ �إِ�ذْ �ُ � ُ‬ ‫�غ� �� �� د �َ�ا َ ا ت��َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫ �و �‬ ‫�غب� ��و ب �و�قِي� �فِي� ِي رِ �‬

‫أ‬ ‫ش ن‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا �‬ ‫ل������مو �ي�‪.‬‬

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‫‪٢،٦‬‬

Ushmūnī’s Monastery

Ushmūnī is a woman after whom the monastery was named and who is buried

6.1

there. The monastery is at Quṭrabbul to the west of the Tigris. It celebrates its patronal feast on the thirteenth of October, and that is a major occasion in Baghdad, when people gather as they do for some other festivals. None of those who enjoy revelry and entertainment fail to attend. Some travel by rapid skiffs, others by small boats or launches with rowers, each according to his means, and they vie with one other in what they wear and bring for amusement. They occupy the riverbank, the slopes, the monastery, and the taverns; tents or awnings are set up for the better-off; and singing girls make music for them. Everyone attends to his own affairs and concentrates on his own pleasure. It is the most marvelous and attractive sight, and the pleasantest and loveliest scene. In that same place, there is another monastery, the Jarjūth Monastery, surrounded by gardens and fields, and those who grow weary of Ushmūnī’s Monastery go there. Jaḥẓah recounted: I went to Quṭrabbul on one of Ushmūnī’s feast days, and when I arrived at the bank I looked back and forth to find an empty space where I could go ashore and an elegant group I could join. I saw two young men, handsome, nicely dressed, and well provided for, so I maneuvered my boat toward them and asked, “Will you allow me to come up and join you?” They replied, “You are most welcome.” I went ashore and summoned my servant: “Boy, my pandore and my wine.” “The pandore is fine,” they said, “but no need for the wine.” I took my seat beside them, men of excellent character and delightful companionship, and we set about enjoying ourselves. I took up the pandore and sang a song of mine: May the memory of Ushmūnī and its pleasures stay fresh, and the time I have spent in its gardens. May the memory of the days remain fresh that I’ve spent by its banks and in its taverns, And the morning wine in its gardens I’ve drunk, and the evening draft in its convents.

55

55

6.2

‫����� � ��‬ ‫� � ���������‬

‫� � �ق ث ُ � أ‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫�أ � �‬ ‫ُ �‬ ‫ح��د �ه�م�ا ��ف�د ا ك �م�ا‬ ‫�ن��عرا � �لق ��و� �و ش��� �ر �� او �ب�ا �ل��ر ��ط�ا �ل �و ش���ر�� ت� �و ��ط�ا ب� �ل ن��ا ا � �لو� ت� ��ّ ��ق��ل ت� �ل���‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ �ف �ذم ��‬ ‫� ب أ قّ � ن� � ب أ ّ ً‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج�ي�ً�ا‬ ‫ط��عً�ا �و ��ل�ا � ر�ق� �ن���ي���ذ ا‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل�� ��م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ر�ى ��ي� �ه� ا ا�ج �م‬ ‫ع ر� �مك� ب‬ ‫ي ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��شِ َ � َ قٌ ك��‬ ‫� َ ا �قِ ْ َ أ� ْ تْ َ �ْ ُ ُ ُ �ذُ َا ُ َ ا ْ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� رابِ ي� ر�قِ� ي ��� ��م‬ ‫�ي ط‬ ‫ر ي � وِ ب س� م بِ ب ب ٍ‬

‫‪٣،٦‬‬

‫� �ق ث ّ �ق �‬ ‫أش‬ ‫� �و ����ا ر �إ �ل�ى ا � �ل ��و�م �� ��ا �ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫فَ َ ْ ف َ أ ُ‬ ‫� نُ نَ � ً �َ ُ ْ أ ْ � َ �قْ َ‬ ‫ضُ َ ْ �‬ ‫�� ار ��ط‪1‬‬ ‫��كي ��� � �ك��و� ��ظِ ����ي�را �ل���ه�م  �بِ� ن� ِ�ل�ي� بِ���ع� ِ��ل�ك ‪� . . .‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل � �ز ���د ك ��ق��ل ت� ��ل�ا‪� .‬و�م ّ ��ل ن��ا � ��� � �ي��و� � �و �‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ه‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر ط�ي ب م‬ ‫م‬

‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن � �ؤ ّ � � ا �ئ ّ �ن‬ ‫ائ ن �‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ��م‬ ‫�� ت� �م� �ب ��� ا ��ل�عت��ا �هي���ة ���ف� ��س�م�ي�ر�ّ��ة �و�‬ ‫� � � �‬ ‫حّ �‬ ‫ح ن� ��س� �ر�و� �إ �ل�ى‬ ‫��م�د ب � ا�لم� �م�ل ا ل��ط� �ي� ك ع ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ف � �ق‬ ‫أ �ش� �ن �ف �غ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق �ق‬ ‫مو��� ���س�م� � ن��ا ءً ��طرب� ��ل�ه ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل�� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح��س ن� ت�ر����ص ���ل ت� ��ع� ‪���� .‬ق�ا �ل �� ب�� ن��ا ن�ر����ص‪.‬‬ ‫أ ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫أم‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ق � ت � �ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ ة �خ ف ن �ن�غ ق �ق � ن �غ ق � ن �ذ � ن‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫ح ن� ��ي� ����س�م�ي�ر�ي�� � �و ��ا �� � � �� ر��‪�� .‬ا �ل � �إو � �ر� ن��ا ن���ك�و� �م�ا ا � �لي����س ��ك�و�‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫�ش���ه�د ا ء ا ل�طرب�‪.‬‬

‫� ث �نّ‬ ‫�و�ل��ل��ر� او ��ي�‬

‫ف�ي��ه‬

‫ْ َ ْ عِ َ ��قِ ْ ٱ � ََّ‬ ‫َ ْ أُ ْ ُ‬ ‫ِ ْ‬ ‫ِا �����شر ب� �� ��ل�ى � ر � �ل ن�� او �قِ� ي����سِ  �فِ��ي� د ����يِر � �����ش� �مو��ي� بِ�����ت���غِ��لي����‬ ‫ّ َ �نِ َ َ سِ‬ ‫�َ تَ ْ َْ ٱ ُ عِ ٱ َّ‬ ‫� � ْ‬ ‫���ا ��َ � ��ل ّش���ْ � �َ �و ��ل��ل ْ���ُ ���‬ ‫�ح َ�د ��نعِ� ���ي�م �ل�ا �َو�ل�ا ب�ُ���ؤ ��‬ ‫�حِ �‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫�ل�ا خ� �‬ ‫�فِ� ك� س ربِ ي ل‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َّ ا عِ َ ��قِ‬ ‫أ ْ َ ْ ت �قُ َّ ا َ تَ ْ‬ ‫� ْ ٱ � نََّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل� �� ��ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫��ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫سِ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�صو ِ �� �‬ ‫�م����‬ ‫��قر ��و �قِ ي����‬ ‫و� �‬ ‫�إِ َّ ٱى‬ ‫� ٱ ْ�س نٍ� و أْ ِ ي سِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�فَ ن َ �‬ ‫َ ��مْ َ ُ � َ ْ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�س�� �� �هِ �وحك� � � �لو� �‬ ‫�م�ا � �ل����� ء �بِ� ���س ��‬ ‫���إِ ��‬ ‫�صفِ� بِ���� �ِ�سي����‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�بِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٱ َ سِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫فَ ٰ َ �ذ �فِ � ْ َ ْ َ � ا ف ُ‬ ‫�نْ �ُم َ ً َ َ � ّ‬ ‫��   �‬ ‫�ج�‬ ‫�هك� ا � � �����شر ب� �و �ل� � ك‬ ‫ح�ا �ِورا ب���ْ�عض��� � �ل ن��َ او �ِوي���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫�إِ‬

‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

‫‪56‬‬

‫‪56‬‬

‫‪٤،٦‬‬

‫‪٥،٦‬‬

Ushmūnī’s Monastery

My companions bellowed and drank a few measures of wine, I did too, and

6.3

we had an excellent time. Then I said to one of them, “May my life be your ransom. I cannot see anyone in this gathering with a finer nature than you two, or finer wine.” He answered: My wine is refined, as you have seen, while their syrups are mixed with flies. And he gestured toward the people round about: How can you think that I’m like them? Use your great brain, or else fart mayhem! Then he asked, “Shall I go on?”“No.” And we spent a splendid day.

An incident told by Muḥammad ibn al-Muʾammil al-Ṭāʾ ī: I was with Abū

6.4

l-ʿAtāhiyah in a launch making for Ushmūnī’s when he heard singing, which sent him into ecstasy. He asked me, “Can you dance well?” I replied, “Yes.” “Then let’s get up and dance.” “We’re in a boat and I’m afraid we’ll be drowned.” “If we are, so what? Won’t we be martyrs to ecstasy?”

Al-Tharwānī composed these verses on the monastery: Drink to the sound of the clappers,32 as dawn comes to Ushmūnī’s Convent. Don’t spurn the glass of wine at night’s end in happiness, not in misery, Except for the beat of the clappers and the chant of the priests and deacons. Things have their causes. A good description should have a firm foundation. And so drink away, and if not, go live next to a graveyard.

57

57

6.5

‫����� � ��‬ ‫� � ���������‬

‫أ �ش� �ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ي� �ي ��و�م � � �‬ ‫مو��ي�‬

‫�ق ا �‬ ‫���ت� ي�‬ ‫���ا ��م� ��ل� �ع��د ا �ل�م��ل�ك ب� ن �ح�مّ�م��د ا ��له�ا �ش��م ّ‬ ‫ح�ى ب� ن� ك�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل ك� ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ٱ � َ ْ َ أُ شْ ُ أََا ٱ �ْ فَ‬ ‫َ ْ َ َ�ع ٌ َ � َّ ُ ٱ � ظَّ � َّ‬ ‫��ْ‬ ‫� �ل �� �م � ��� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�مو�نِ�ي� � �ب� � � �ل �ل و و‬ ‫يو‬ ‫�جِ�ي ب �يَ ب ٱ �ل‬ ‫َ أَنْ تَ � �َْ‬ ‫ٌ ��فَ َ ا تَ ْ نَ ُ َ�ْ َ َا أَا � فَ ضْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ص��‬ ‫� �و ��� ِ�ل�لي ��و�ِم � �صِ‬ ‫�� ِر��ي� ��م�   ���‬ ‫عيي‬ ‫ح�ى �ي� � �ب� � � �ل�����ِل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ّا ش ���خل ف ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫�ف��و�ج��ه �إ ��لي��ه ب��م�ا ركب�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ب� �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫����ه �و�ص�ا ر �إ �لي��ه �و�عر�� ا �ج ��لم� ��� ا �ب��ر � ك‬

‫‪٦،٦‬‬

‫َ‬ ‫ٱْمِ‬ ‫َ � �ٱ�ْ َ� َّ �ٱ�لْ�ُ ْ َ �� ف�َ ٱ �� ّ ��‬ ‫�قُ�� ��ل�ا ِ��ل�عِ� ْ��د � �ل�� ��ل�ك �ٱ �ل��َ‬ ‫م�ا‬ ‫َ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�هِ‬ ‫ِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫بِ ِِ‬ ‫ر و � م‬ ‫َو‬ ‫هِ ِر‬ ‫ِ َ ٱ �ْ َْ َ َ أَ ْ َ �َ ُ �تِِ ْ نِ ُ �َ حِ َّى َ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫عو �ل�ى �‬ ‫حوا �ل�ه   �� �د � �‬ ‫� ��م� ����ترى � �لي ��و�م � �و ��‬ ‫� ��ك �بِ� �ل�د ا ئِ�ِر‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ِ ُ ْ َ َّ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َٱ �ل�زَّ‬ ‫ٌ َ �غَ ْ ٌ �زَ َ‬ ‫َْ َ‬ ‫��ق� ب�ق‬ ‫�عِ� ي��د �و� ���ي�م ا ر �فِ��ي� �ي ��و�ِم��ن�ا  ����ف� م ِ �‬ ‫ح� � �ل�عِ� ي� ِ�د � �و � ا ئِ�ِر‬ ‫�فِ َ ا ْ َ ا نَ ُ ثُّ َ ا َ ْ نَ ا ٱ �ل�زَّ‬ ‫َ�ٱ ��ْ َْ َ أُ� ْ����شُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�و لي ��و�م � َ � �مو�نِ�ي� بَ��ْ ِد ر بِْ��ن�   َ�ح���ه� �فِ�ي� ي ��و مِ� �� هِ ِر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ ُ ْ تَ َ نْ َ‬ ‫أغ‬ ‫َ َ ْ تَ ْ‬ ‫��فِ� ��لت�َنِ‬ ‫� ّ�مَ�ا �ش���� َك �ٱ ��ل شّ����ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�َ ��ُ��ث�َّم � � �‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ِر‬ ‫�‬ ‫حب����س� ي يى‬ ‫� ِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫حض‬ ‫�ف��و�ج��ه �إ ��لي��ه � �و �‬ ‫��ره �و�م ّر �ل�ه� �ي ��و� ��ط�ي ب�‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫م م‬ ‫�أ �‬ ‫�و�ل��ب ��� ا �ل ش���ب���ل ا ��لب��ر�ج���م ّ ف�ي��ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ِ‬ ‫ْ ُت َ َ � نَ ٱ � �َّ ��ذَ ت ُ � ًّ َ ُ ْ تُ َ ا َ َ ا َ ْ ً ��بِ َ‬ ‫�ق� �ع��ه� ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��حرا �َ �و� ّرا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج�� �بِ ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ََ َ ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫وأُطِ �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �سِ َ‬ ‫�فِ �َ ْ َ ثْ َ ْ ُ � � حِ ّ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫� �ل� � ر �مِ� ��� � �����ش� �مو�� �م‬ ‫� �ل�ا � ��ل���ذ ِ�ل‬ ‫�� ِر���ي�هِ �َو�ل�ا � ��� ّرا‬ ‫ح�ا ��ضِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫م‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫نْ �خِ ْ�نِ َ ُ فْ‬ ‫أنَا َ ا � �ذُ َ ُ َٱ ْ تَ��قِ َّ‬ ‫�� � َ���ْ���َ‬ ‫�ش�ا نِ� �ِم �‬ ‫�خ� ي �‬ ‫� ي���ل �و�����س���نٍ � �� �‬ ‫� را ه � �و ���س��� را‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�َ ٱ � َّ �ذَّ‬ ‫�بِ هِ َ أيَنَّ ُ َ �زُ ُ� فُ ٍ �غٍ �ٰ‬ ‫َ َّ َ ��فِ َّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫ك� ���ه�م� �� �‬ ‫� �م� ك�را �و� را‬ ‫ىل � �ل�ل� ا ِ‬ ‫حو� �وٱ��ْ � �ول كِ��  �إِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ أَ ْ َ ٌ �تِ ُ ُ هِ �َُّ ��جِ َّ‬ ‫َا ح‬ ‫� ُ َ ا �قَ َ ��قِ�زُ َ � ق �َ ا‬ ‫ك او ��س �� �د �ور �� �ل� �‬ ‫� را‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي  � �و‬ ‫���سِ �ل� ���ه�م� � � �ل �� او � � �و � �ل��ن� �نِ���‬ ‫َ ��ضِ ْ ُ� ُ َ ا ٱْ�مِ ثَا � ثُ َٱْ�َ َ ا ي �إِ�ذَ َ ا ٱ � ضَّ ْ ُ � ٱ �ْ َ ْ مٱ �� ْ�ستَ ََ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح � � ��‬ ‫ح ّرا‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ا �م� � �ل�‬ ‫�� بر���ه�م� � �ل� �� �ِل� � �و �لم��ث� �نِ���‬ ‫��ْرب� �فِ�ي� � �ُربِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ أَ ْ ُ ُ َ ا � � َ ا ُ ٱ � �َّ ْ َ � ْ عٍا �إِ�ذ أ ْ ُ ٱ �لُ ُ أ ْ نَ ��ق ْ َ‬ ‫ا � ��س�د � �‬ ‫� � سِ�� ر� ����سرا‬ ‫طو�� �‬ ‫� �و ����سر���ه�م� ���ِظب�� ء � �ل�د ����يِر �� �‬ ‫��حر�و بِ‬ ‫�َ�قِ ْ ��جِ َّ تْ �َنَ ا �ٱ ��ْل َ�هْ َ ا ُ �خِ ْ ً  �إِ�ذَ َ ا ��جِ َّ ت �ٱ ��ْل�هِ� ْ َ ا ُ ��شِ َّ‬ ‫� ر� �ل�� � ي��‬ ‫� �ل� �د �‬ ‫� � ي��‬ ‫ا �م� �‬ ‫��ج� ء �‬ ‫�ج� ء ��� را‬ ‫� �ي�را‬ ‫�‬ ‫�رِ‬

‫‪58‬‬

‫‪58‬‬

‫‪٧،٦‬‬

Ushmūnī’s Monastery

Yaḥyā ibn Kāmil wrote to ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Muḥammad al-Hāshimī on

6.6

Ushmūnī’s feast day: Today’s Ushmūnī’s feast, Abū l-Faḍl; it’s marvelous and delightful And you dearly love this day. But what will Yaḥyā do, Abū l-Faḍl? So ʿAbd al-Malik sent Yaḥyā a mount and he rode to his house. Al-Jammāsh came to hear of this and he wrote to ʿAbd al-Malik: Ask the canny ʿAbd al-Malik, and ask the Chosen One’s pure cousin, “Don’t you think this kind of day calls for you standing a round?” A feast and a thirst, two visitors today. By the truth of feast and visitor, come! It’s Ushmūnī’s day, hurry! On her feast day, wine will abound. You’ve kept Yaḥyā by you but I’m ignored in your démarche. Can it be that you’ve dropped your poet al-Jammāsh? Upon which ʿAbd al-Malik fetched him, and they spent a fine day together. Abū l-Shibl al-Burjumī composed this poem about the monastery: I’ve visited all pleasure’s playgrounds on land and by sea, but found no more joy and delight than at Ushmūnī’s mansion. By its slopes two hosts of horses and boats moored and tied, wheeling and turning like troops in battle, simply out for diversion, Their weapons—bowls, flasks, and cups—passed round again and again, sounding all the lutestrings together if blows fall in the heat of conflict, Their captives the monastery’s gazelles, while in war lions fall prisoner; this fray has been good to us, while in battle evil is the verdict.

59

59

6.7

‫����� � ��‬ ‫� � ���������‬

‫�‬ ‫���ا ن �أ�� ا ��ل ش����� �ه��ذ ا �م ن ا ��ل��� ّ‬ ‫��ك�فً�ا‬ ‫ط�� رق�ي ��ق� �وك�‬ ‫ط��ا ب� �و��ل�ه �ش���عر �م�ي��ل‬ ‫���ا ن� �من��ع��‬ ‫� �و ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك� � ب �و ب �ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ا �ف �ق � ا‬ ‫�ا نا ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ا ن � ت �� ّ � ��ف � � ا ت ��ل‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫ا �ل ش���رب� �ل� ��ي� �ا ر��ه �و �ل� �ي ��و�ج���د �إ �ل� � ك‬ ‫�س�� ار � �وك� � �ي ��طرح �ي� ا �ل�د �ي� را � � اوح� �� � �و�م� او ��ط�‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ا �� ّ ا �ق � ّ �ة � � ا ت �ق ن‬ ‫ا ��ل��ّله� ��ل�ا � �غ� ّ�ه�ا � ��ل�ا � ت��� خّ� �عن‬ ‫�ه�ا‪� .‬وك�‬ ‫���ا �ن�ا �ل� ��ي��ف ��ر��ا �‪.‬‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ب��ي�� ن��ه � �وب��ي ن� �م�م�ود ل�ور � م�ود �وك‬ ‫� و �ي ب � و �ي ر �‬ ‫�ذ� أ �‬ ‫ح �� �ق �� ّ ��ف ن ا �ل�‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫ت أن ا �‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ�ا � ��ق��ل ن��ا ��ت�� ن��ا �����ن ت� �ع���ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ك��ر � ب� ��و ا �ل ش���ب���ل ��ا �ل �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�صر� � �� �و �م�ود �إ ل�ى ��طر�ب��ل �د �ع� �و� ا �م ر و �إ ي ب ب‬ ‫�ق ف � أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫أن ض‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق �ف‬ ‫ف �ق‬ ‫ف �ق‬ ‫��ق�د � �����ج�� �ه�ا ا �ل��جه‬ ‫��ي�ر‪�.‬ج���ا ء �ن�ا �ب��ه�ا‪�� ��� .‬ل ن��ا ا ��س� ن��ا ���س��ق�ا �ن�ا ��� ��ل ن��ا ا ش���رب� � او ��س� ن��ا ����ق�ا �ل � �ن�ا �م��سل���‬ ‫م‬ ‫ًّا �ق أ � ف �ق ا � � ��م ق � ن ��خّ‬ ‫� ًا ��مت ً‬ ‫���ا ن� �ي��ه�ود �� ��د � ��سل�� ��� � �ل �ل�� ح�م�ود ���و� �ي��ك�و� ا ��ل‬ ‫�م�ا ر �ع ن��د ��ه �م��س�ل�م� ��‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫ح ّر�ج��ا �و��ه �ع ن��د‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٰم‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ّا ��ك�‬ ‫ا ����خل‬ ‫��ف�ا ر‪ � .‬ت�ر�ى ّلله ف�‬ ‫�ه� �‬ ‫ح�ا �ج���‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫ا ت �خ ن ا ��ق�ي�ن �ة ش ا �� ض ا ��لن�� � ّ‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت �ت��ق� �� ا ��ل ش‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� � ب� ��و ا �ل ش���ب���ل �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه���‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫رير و ي و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف�� ث � ا � �ًا � �أ ف �� �ف�غ�� ض �� ت � ��ق ا �� ت ��ل ت �ش��� � � �أ � ّ �ش�� ء �ت ��ّ �أ �ن ا � ا ّٰ ه �أ �ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�د‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بع�� ب��ه� ي ��و م� و �ر�ط �‬ ‫��ب � و � ل� �ي � عر ي� ب ي� ي� ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫حتّ �� ض��� � ��ف � ق � �ق �‬ ‫�م ن���ك �و��ل��ئ ن �ش����ئ ت� ��ل�� �ج�ه‬ ‫�� �ونّ��ك ��ى � �‬ ‫ح�ك‪� � .‬ب���ل �ع�ل�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �و��ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ�خ نْ َ ُ َ�ق ْ أَ فَْ َ � تْ َ‬ ‫� َ�ع��ل ْ�نَ�ا‬ ‫�����س�ا ء ��د � �ر ��ط‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫تَا تْ‬ ‫� ���أ �شْ����َ‬ ‫ع�ا َ�ه�ا َ�ع��ل ْ�نَ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫� �ه بِ‬

‫‪٩،٦‬‬

‫  ��فَ��َ��ْ َ �م��ْ َ�ا ��لَ َ�ا �ُ�م ُ‬ ‫لي ��س ِ ن�ه ��ن �‬ ‫�جِ �ي�ر‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫���أ نّ�َ َ ا �نَا َ َ ا ���جِ ���ي ُ‬ ‫  ك�� ��م� � ك�ه� � ِر� ر‬

‫�فخ‬ ‫�ن ق �‬ ‫�ج��‬ ‫���ل ت� � او � �� ��ط‬ ‫��ع ت� �ع ن� �ج��وا �ب�ه‪.‬‬ ‫��ف ا �ة‬ ‫� ��ل��أ� ا ��ل ش‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ه� ا �ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ب ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫بل ي‬

‫� � ن �ً �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ع�و��ت ب� �ع�ل�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �وك���ا � �م�و�ل�ع�ا �ب�ا �ل��س�ود ا �‬

‫ٱََ‬ ‫�غِ َ ْت ُ � � ٱْ�َ َا َ �َ ةٌ تَ ْ ت �ذ � نُِ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫��سَ ا د �َ �و ��ل��دّ ��ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫طو�ِل � �لم�ل� � ��ع�ا �ذِ �ل��   ���� ���‬ ‫ع��ع� �ل �� ��� �ل‬ ‫�� �د �� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ �َ بِ َ � ٱ ُ ُ ِم‬ ‫ُ �قِ َّ�ذَِ ي� بِٱ �ْ ُ َٱ � َّ ِج‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ََ‬ ‫��� � َ‬ ‫��ْ��ف � ��ل ّ��س�� �لُّ �ع نْ �غ� َ ٍ ���م�� �� ا ت ُ‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ل���س��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ك ك�ي � َ و َ� رر‬ ‫� � � �لو�ج��وهِ ك�� ِب‬ ‫ي رَ ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ًَ َ‬ ‫َ�ْ � نَ َ ْ نَ � � ف َ‬ ‫��خ�ا د � ��سنِ��م��ة   �ي�طِ ��� ���يُر � �ْ �وَ�ا ُر��َه�ا �ِم نَ � �� �لَو ��ه‬ ‫يح��مِ �ل �ب�� � �ل���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� ي�‬ ‫�َ ب َ َ ُ� َ ِج‬ ‫�غَ‬ ‫�َ ا عِ �ذَّ َ ٱ ّٰ ُ ُ�ؤْ نً‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل� �� � ب� � لله � �م � مِ� �� ���هِ� �ِ ��ي�ر ي� �و�ل� �‬ ‫�ه�م �ر�جِ��ي�‬ ‫ح� � �ِم �‬ ‫�فِ نَّ نِ ٱ � َّ َ ُ ْ ِبتَ مٌ َ �َِ ْ تُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�َّ ُ ْ تَ‬ ‫��بت��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��س او ِد �م �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��ب�� �ه‬ ‫�  �و�ل��س� �بِ�� �لبِ�ي��‬ ‫�ِ� ��‬ ‫� ��إِ � ��ي� �بِ�� �ل �‬ ‫�جِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ضِ‬ ‫ِج‬ ‫ج‬

‫‪60‬‬

‫‪٨،٦‬‬

‫‪60‬‬

‫‪١٠،٦‬‬

Ushmūnī’s Monastery

Abū l-Shibl was an excellent person, a composer of fine poetry with a deli-

6.8

cate talent. He was a compulsive drinker and never gave it up; indeed, he was always to be found drunk. He was a regular customer at monasteries, taverns, and places of entertainment, never absent for long. He was a close friend of Maḥmūd the Bookseller; in fact, they were inseparable. He related: One day, Maḥmūd and I went to Quṭrabbul. We called the tavern keeper and gave him our order: “Bring us a wine ten years old that has been fermented by the hot sun.” When he produced it, we asked him to pour it out and he did so. Then we said, “Have a drink, and pour us another round.” “I’m a Muslim.” (He was a Jew who had converted to Islam.) So Maḥmūd said to me, “When people have a wine seller who’s a pious Muslim—while they are unbelievers in his eyes— do you think God has any use for them?” Abū l-Shibl used to scold Khansāʾ, blind Hishām the Grammarian’s singing

6.9

girl, who also composed poetry. One day he teased her and went too far, and she angrily retorted, “If only I knew what you are trying to prove! I’m a better poet than you, and if I want to, I can lampoon you and ruin your reputation.” He looked at her and said: Khansāʾ’s gone too far, she’ll find no one to support her. She’s boasted of her poems, as though she’d been fucked by Jarīr. Khansāʾ was too abashed to reply. This is a poem by Abū l-Shibl on a black slave girl he was in love with. This earned him many rebukes but he was crazy about black girls. A scold has fired her full stock of rebuke at me, blaming me about duskiness and ink-black eyes. Damn it, how can I be consoled for pearls with pitch-black faces like small shells. Between their thighs they have mounds where the hair burns with the fire of hell. May God torment no other believer with them, or cause my organ to wither. For I’m mad about black; white women leave me cold.

61

61

6.10

‫����� � ��‬ ‫� � ���������‬

‫�ف‬ ‫ات‬ ‫���ا ن� ي� ّ ا‬ ‫�و��ل�ه ��� �ج��ا ر���ة ك�‬ ‫ح�ه� ا ��س�م�ه� � ب��ر‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫َ ٱ َّ‬ ‫َ ُ َْ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�َ ُ ْ‬ ‫����ص�� �َ�ا � �سِ�� ِ�ميّ�َ��ة � ��ل���ذ َ�ه�ِ ��تَ��ْت�� �لف� ��ن �ف� سِ��� �َ �و ن��ْ ت� ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ل� ْم ��ت��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي� ِ َ �فِي عِ ب ِ‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٱ َّ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�� َ �َ نْ �َ ْ �َ ا �َ ْ ُ ْ تَنَ َ � ْ �َ ��‬ ‫َا نْ تَ �عِ َّ ٱْ� ْ � � ��ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� و � �و�ل ِ‬ ‫�ي� ب�ِ���� �� �م ِ ��س� ِ‬ ‫ك �أَ ْم ي �جَ � و م ي طِ ب ِ‬ ‫ك َ كِ�يِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نَا َ َ � ٱْ� ْ � ُ � � ّ‬ ‫�� �ْ � �ذ � نْ ن َ‬ ‫��سَ ا د �َ �� � ��ل‍   َ‍���ط � ��ف��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫�� ��سب�� ِك �ِ�لم��س�ك �فِ�ي� � ل و ِ �فِي‬ ‫�ي ب ِ ِرم �بِ‬

‫‪62‬‬

‫‪62‬‬

‫‪١١،٦‬‬

Ushmūnī’s Monastery

He had a black slave girl he loved who was called Tibr.33 You’ve treated me unfairly, namesake of gold, you’re killing my soul just for fun. You’re the cousin of strong-scented musk, but for you who’d gather it—it would be scentless. In blackness and perfume, musk’s your kin! What a splendid kinship!

63

63

6.11

‫ا‬ ‫د ����ير ���س� ب�ر‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� ��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د � ����ز � �غ� ‪� � 1‬ه ��� ن ا �ل��م�ز ��ف��ة � ا ��ل�ص�ا ��ل ّ‬ ‫ح���ة ���ف ا ��ل ا ن � �غ ّ ن‬ ‫ير ب ب و �ى و �ي� ب ي� ر و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�� �� ب� ا �ل� بر�ي� �م� د �ج���ل��‪� .‬و��هي�‬ ‫�ي ي� �ج‬ ‫�ّا ن �م�ع �ة �أ �ت � ّ�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و� � او �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع�ا �مر �ن�ز �ه�� ك����� ا �ل����س�ا �ت�� ن � ا � �ل� ا ك����ه � ا �ل��‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ا ت� � او ��لم� ري�� �م�ور �ب� ��ه�ل ا �ل��طرب�‬ ‫ي ر ب ي� و �و و كر م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ن �ع�ا �م ��ا �خ‬ ‫� او ��ل ش��� � �و��ه� �م� ���ط ن �م ن �م� ا ���ط ن ا ���خل‬ ‫���ل�و �م ن� �مت���ن�ز ه ف�ي��ه‬ ‫���ل�ع�ا ء‪ � .‬او �ل��د�ير ���س� ر �ل ي‬ ‫رب‬ ‫ي و � � و �‬ ‫� ت �� ّ �‬ ‫�و م��طرب� �إ �لي��ه‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��ل���ل ن ن ا �ل���ّ‬ ‫ح�ا ك ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�وح��س��ي� ب�� �‬

‫‪١،٧‬‬

‫‪٢،٧‬‬

‫َ َ َ ت َا ��شِ ْ ُت َ ْ نَ حِ َ قَ ِ فَ ضَ ْ تُ ُ نَّ َ �قِ ْ َ َ‬ ‫�َ�ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫ح ُ��س نّ صِ‬ ‫�ض���ه �و� �د �‬ ‫����سر� �ب��� �‬ ‫� �د ا ئِ� ���  ����ف��‬ ‫���ح �‬ ‫�و� �‬ ‫ع اوِ���قٍ� �ب� ��� ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫���� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أَتْ ِ ْ تُ َ خ �زَ�ة ت � � َ َ ْ �زَ�ة ٰ‬ ‫حتّ ��شِ ْ تُ‬ ‫َ ا َ نّ‬ ‫� َا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �����ب�ع� �و� �ِ�لك �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫��خ ��ه��ذِ هِ  �ى �� ِرب��� ِد ��م� �ه� ��جِ ر �‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أَ ْ َ �زْ تُ ُ نَّ نَ ٱ �ْلُ ُ‬ ‫َ َ ً َ ِ َ�� تُ َ ْ نَ �حِ‬ ‫� ���م نَّ �ُ�مَ��ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ����بر ���ه �ِم� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��خ�د �‬ ‫�صو� ِ ير ِ هِ� � ب �‬ ‫حوا ����سِ را  � �و���ترك� � �‬ ‫ور �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫َ ْ َ ا ُ َ َٱ � َّ َ ا ُ َ ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫���جِ َ �ْ تُ �بِ ْ ً َ � �� ِّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��صَ��ا َ� �َ َ ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي � �مع� �� �د را �و ل� ب و ر �‬ ‫�فِ��ي� دي�ِر ���س� ����بر � �و �ل�‬ ‫�صب��ح ��ي�� �لوحَ ِ�ل��‬ ‫ًح‬ ‫�فَ�ٱ �ذْ َ ْ ظَ � َّ َ َ��ْ ف َ ش ئْ تَ ُ‬ ‫�ُّ ُ َّ ٱ ْ َتَ�فْ ُ تَ ِ ْ � ُ َ‬ ‫� َ�م�ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫� �ف ك�‬ ‫�� �ه ب� �بِ� ��� ن���ك ك�ي ��� �ِ����‬ ‫���ل�ه  ِ�م�م�ا � ��ق��ر� ت� �����غ����طر��س�ا �و���جِ �‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��خ ة �‬ ‫� ن ن ا ��لض���ّ‬ ‫� ن ا ���خل ُ ف‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ا ك �م ن ا ��ل��د ��ا ء ا ��ل ش����ع ا ء � �و ��ه� ا �ل‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫ح��س��ي� ب�� �‬ ‫��ل�ا �ع�� � اول�جم�و� � �وب�‬ ‫���لي�� �ي��عر��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ة ن �خ �ف ا ن‬ ‫ثق‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫��� ‪�� .‬ف�� �ّم�ا‬ ‫ّا‬ ‫نا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �و� د �م �ج��م� �ع�� �م� ���ل� � ء ب� ��ي� ا �ل�عب�� ��س �م �‬ ‫�ه�م ا �ل��م��ي� � او�لم�ع��ص�م � او � �ل او � ��� � او�لم ��و ك�ل‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�خ ت���ل���ط ��ه � �ذ ا ك �أ�نّ�ه ���ث ا ��ل��أ�م�� ن‬ ‫ا �ل�م�� �م�و ن� ��ف �إ� �نّ�ه �ل�� �ي��د خ���ل �إ ��لي��ه �و �ل�� ي�‬ ‫ي� ف����ق�ا ��ل ف�ي��ه‬ ‫ب و‬ ‫رى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫هِ َّا َ� تَ � سِ َّ َ ا �قَ نَ ا � َ َ َ‬ ‫� نَ � �غِ ْ َ ٱ � ِّ َفُ‬ ‫�� �ل� �ب ���ق‬ ‫ِ�ي � �ِل��� �د ��ف� ���تِ ��  �ف‬ ‫ِ�ي�ن �ا �وك���ا � ِ�ل�� �ي�ِرك � �ل��ت�� �ل�‬ ‫َ�ق ْ َ‬ ‫��ا نَ � َ �لِ�َ نْ َ ضَ َ�خ َ ف ٌ �فَ�ٱ �ْ َْ َ أَ ْ َ �زَ َ ْ َ َ ٱ ْ�� �خِ َفُ‬ ‫ع ���ع�د ك � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ل��‬ ‫��د ك�� � فِ�ي��ك م� �م���ى ���ل��   �� �لي ��و�م � � �و ب‬

‫�أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫أ أ ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ص��ل � ن ا ت ن‬ ‫��ف��ل�م�ا �ورد ا�لم�� � �مو ن� �إ ��ل�ى ب���غ��د ا د � �مر �ب�� ن� �ت��بث� ت� �ل�ه � ��س�م�ا ء �م ن� �ي��‬ ‫� �لم�� د �م��ه �مٱ� � ��ه�ل‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� ق �ذُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� نَ ��غَ ْ َ � ََّ ف ُ‬ ‫�� ن ن �� ض � ّ ف �ق � أ � � �ق ئح َ َ‬ ‫�� ف‬ ‫ا ��ل��أد � ��ف�� �ث��� ت‬ ‫ي�ه� ا ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�� ب�� ا ل���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ك ��� �ا �ل � �لي����س ا � �ل �ا ���ل �وك���ا � ِ�ل��ي�ِرك � �لت���ل��‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫وم ر م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د‪ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ى�ا ىرو�عى‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

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‫‪64‬‬

‫‪٣،٧‬‬

Sābur’s34 Monastery

This monastery lies in Bazūghī, which is between Mazrafah and Ṣāliḥiyyah to

7.1

the west of the Tigris. The village is well cultivated, attractive, and has many gardens, orchards, vineyards, and taverns with wine merchants that are frequented by those who want to amuse themselves and drink. It is a place where libertines gather. The monastery is beautiful and well maintained, regularly visited by people on outings or in search of amusement. Al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk has a poem on it:

7.2

Old jars of wine I took in gardens, breaking their seal when they’d matured untouched, The sting of one following the sting of another till I’d wounded myself with their blood. I brought them out unveiled from their boudoirs and didn't keep their sanctuary inviolate. In Dayr Sābur, as dawn appeared, I coupled the moon with daybreak and wine. Think what you like—they’re only a few of the deeds I did haughtily in defiance. Al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk was a poet, a man of letters, dissolute and frivolous. He was known as the Libertine. He was the boon companion of several Abbasid caliphs, among them al-Amīn, al-Muʿtaṣim, al-Wāthiq, and alMutawakkil. He was not granted audience by al-Maʾmūn, however, and had no contact with him, because of his elegy for al-Amīn, in which he said: Would that you’d stayed with us to fulfill our needs, and another had met his end. You were worthy of those gone by; after you there can be no successor. When al-Maʾmūn arrived in Baghdad, he asked for a list to be drawn up of men of culture suitable to be his companions. Al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk was

65

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7.3

‫ا‬ ‫د�ير��س� �بر‬

‫ّٰ � ا أ‬ ‫�ّ ا � ��ق ا � �ة ا ��ل��� � ق ��ف � � ظ ��� ��� � أ ّ � أ ن ش‬ ‫� او لله �ل� ر� �ى �و�ج� �ه�� �إ �ل� ع��ل�ى � رع� طر ���‪� .‬ل� يح‬ ‫طو�ل � �ي�ا � ا�لم�� � �مو� ب������ ء‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ ي ثً م‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ة ف� �ق ا �‬ ‫� ��ق � ن �ق‬ ‫�ت ��ل ه � ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س��ع��ف ي��ه �م ن� ا ��خل�د �م� �� � ل�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع� ��ي ر ك‬ ‫و �د ك‬ ‫���ا � �و� ت� �د �� م ��و �ل �‬ ‫�� ب� �إ ي�� ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أَ ْ َ فْ تُ أَ ْ َا �فَ َ فِ� َ ا ِ ضَ‬ ‫نْ �ْ مِ ت ْ‬ ‫ح��َد � �َ ��س��تَ� نَ‬ ‫�ي��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��س�� �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫� � ���س�ل� �ك ي�م� م � ِ � �خِ ِ �ي� �إِ ى َ و ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���نْ تُ � �ْ نَ �ع ْش��� � نَ �َ �خ� ْ�م ف����قَ ْ�د   �َ �� ْ تُ ��� ْ� ض�عٍ�ا �َ ث�� َ�ا ��� نَ‬ ‫�ي��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� ري�‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫سٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نِْ�ي تَ�جِ تِ َ‬ ‫��نَّ َ�ِ ْ ُ �فٌ ِ ضُ ْ ٱ �ْقُ َ‬ ‫�ل‍ ��ّ �دْ ُت �أ �َ�ا ��� نَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ي��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫عفِ� � � �ل ��وى �و � � �‬ ‫�إِ �ي� �ل��م�عر�و� �بِ��‬ ‫حَ ل� � �ح يِ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ْ تَ‬ ‫َ ن‬ ‫��حِ َّ �لْ تُ �عِ َ ك��‬ ‫� ْ���ب َ �تي � ْ�د � مِ ��ةَ �أ��ْ َ�ا ء �ٱ ��ل ِّ � َ�ا ��� نَ‬ ‫�ي��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�و �‬ ‫ل�ى ِ َ رِ� �خِ‬ ‫ب ٱ ِْ َ ثِ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ�هَّ�د ْت �قُ�َ ا �َ �َ �َ َ�ه تْ �أ �ْعُ ��ظ��� ي �َ‬ ‫�� ْ ُت� �� � ��ل�� ��ل�� ���عِ�زّ � �نَ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫� �َو ي�َ وو � ُ ِ �م� و رَ �فِي� عِ ةِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ فْ ُ أ ْ ْ‬ ‫��َ ٱ �ّ تُ ت‬ ‫� ٌ‬ ‫ع� �ٱ�لْ�مِ َ�د ا � � ن�اَ‬ ‫��� ت‬ ‫��جِ �َ ب �� ���م�ع‬ ‫� � ن� ��ي�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و خِ�‬ ‫ىل � �لِ��ت� ���ْ�����‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�يو�‬ ‫عب�‍يِ �ي� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جِ‬ ‫ل ِي‬ ‫ل  �إِ ي‬ ‫ِ‬

‫�ذ�� ّ ن �ذ �ق �‬ ‫� ّ��‬ ‫ّ ن �ذ � �ذ �ذ�� ن � ن � �‬ ‫ثّ ن‬ ‫�ع�ز �و� �ه� ا ا �ل�� �ي� ك�ره ���دي�� ك���ا � �ل�ل�م�عت��ص� �� ��ا د �م ا�لمت��و ك��ل‪� .‬و ك�ر �ع�ز �و� �ه� ا ��ا �ل‬ ‫ن�زّم ت �فٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�حت ن ا أم ن م ن�خ ض ن ً‬ ‫ك��ن�‬ ‫��ا �م� ا �ل�م�عت��ص� ���ف ���ع ض�� �مت��� �ه�ا ��ه ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�� ن ‪ ٢‬ب� ن‬ ‫���ا ن� �م�ع ن��ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ ‪1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي� �‬ ‫ي ب �‬ ‫ا ��لض�� ّ اع ف�ا أمن �غ ق ف �ق ض �‬ ‫ح � ن � � � تّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ك � ك�‬ ‫�� د � � �ي�� ر�� ��� ب���� �لمع��ص� �ع��ل�ىع�‬ ‫���ده �و �م�ل�ه �م� ا �ل��سر�ج �ى �عب� ر �ب�ه ا �ل �‬ ‫�هر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�قً‬ ‫�إ �ش����ف �ا ��ا �ع��لي��ه‪٣.‬‬ ‫ت تً ا ���خ‬ ‫���د � ���ّدًا � �ل�� � �ق�� ن �ذ � تّ ا ت �ق ا � � ت ّ��‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ��ل‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫�صر�ع� ا ك ح�ى �م� �‪� �� .‬ل ا�لم ��و ك��ل‬ ‫ح��س��ي� �م��س��ه��را �ب� ل م �ج و م �ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح��س�� ن‬ ‫� �ن ش����د ���ن� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ َ ْ ََ ِ ْ َ َ‬ ‫� َ ا �ُ�سَّ تَ‬ ‫ك��‬ ‫� �َ�ا �ُ ْ��سُ‬ ‫�ف � ْ ش ئ تَ ت ّ ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� �لو �ِ����� ��ي������سر�   ��م َ �ي ي ي َ ر‬ ‫أ ْ َْ َ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ص � �ٱ ��ل��أ�ْ ُ‬ ‫�ََلا �َ�ٱ ّٰلل ��ل�ا ��تَ ْ‬ ‫���ب��ب َ   � � � � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و و هِ‬ ‫ْ ِرِم ُ ْ ر‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫�فَ َّا ٱْ�َ ْ ُ َٱ � �ذَّ ُّ َ َّ ا ٱ �َْ �ذ �ُ َٱ � شّ � ُ‬ ‫�� ��م� � �لم���ن� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ع � �و �ل� �م  � �إِو �م� ْ� �لب�� �ل � �و ل����كر‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فَ َ ْ‬ ‫َ �إِ�ذ �َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حَّ�ن �� َك �ٱ ��ل��دَّ �ْهُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��د �ع��ي� �ِم� � �م او �عِ� ي��دِ ك‬ ‫�يْ ٱ ُ ْ ر‬ ‫��ا نَ فَ �قَ ا �َ ٱ �َْ �ذ �ُ َ � شّ � ُ‬ ‫فَ ُ ْ تُ أَُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���� �‬ ‫� � ّ��ُ��هَ�م�ا ك�� �   ��� � �ل � �لب�� �ل � �و �ل����ك�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ق�ل ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫فٱ‬ ‫أخ ق‬ ‫أق ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫حت����� ن���ا) د ت‬ ‫�ؤ ن ن‬ ‫� �مّ ت��� ن ‪  ٢ .‬ال�أ�ص� ‪ � :‬ن‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ � ��( :‬ج ور‬ ‫ح��س��ي�‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� �( :‬ول ا ����ظر �إ لى � ��لا � ا ل��م�ع��ت���صم � �م��ير ا لم �م����ي� �مع ع��لو‬ ‫ر ي�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ق أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت ّ‬ ‫ن ن ّ ت� قّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف أ ن ق �ذ �ف‬ ‫��د ر �جم‬ ‫��د لم�ا �‬ ‫���ل��س�ه �م�� ا ��ل� �ك‬ ‫ش���ر�� ن���ف� ��س�ه�ي�ك�� خ� ش���� ع��لى � �ك‬ ‫ح���� ق� �غر� � ح�د ج���ل��س�ا ئ��ه �� ������ ه ب�ن�� ��س�ه وح�م�ل�ه �م� ن� ��سر ج��ه ب�ن�� ��س�ه ولم ي���س� ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ ً‬ ‫ف �ذ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫� ح�د ا �م� ن� � �ب��ا ع�ه ���ع�ل �ل�ك) ورد ي� �‬

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‫‪٤،٧‬‬

‫‪٥،٧‬‬

‫‪٦،٧‬‬

Sābur’s Monastery

one of them, and the caliph asked, “Isn’t he the one who said, ‘. . . and another had met his end?’ By God, he’ll not see my face unless it’s from the roadside.” And al-Ḥusayn received no rewards during al-Maʾmūn’s rule. At the time when he was in al-Mutawakkil’s service, he had become weak

7.4

from old age, and he wrote to the caliph asking to be excused from attendance: Full sixty-one years I lent my service to your fathers, When I was twenty-five, and now I’ve passed fourscore. People know I’ve lost my strength, robust though I sometimes seem, Forcing myself to serve you like a youth despite my age. My strength is failing, my bones are brittle, I’m sick like ʿAzzūn— I fear I’ll be hastened to the illness no doctor can treat. This ʿAzzūn whom he mentions was a boon companion of al-Muʿtaṣim

7.5

and then of al-Mutawakkil. ʿAzzūn relates: We were with al-Muʿtaṣim on one of his trips and we needed to ford a river. Al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk, who was with us, almost drowned, but out of fear for his life al-Muʿtaṣim grabbed him by the upper arm and carried him from his saddle until they had crossed the river.35 Al-Ḥusayn was quite shameless where servants were concerned, and he stayed that way until he died. Al-Mutawakkil related that al-Ḥusayn recited to him one of his poems: If you wanted, you’d be compliant, like Yusr, your name;36 No, by God, don’t leave till the matter’s decided. Either refusal and blame, or generosity and thanks. Don’t come with your promises, fate’s fixed you a time. Tell me, which will it be? He said, “Generosity and thanks.”

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7.6

‫ا‬ ‫د�ير��س� �بر‬

‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ّ ا ن � ت ّ� �ف‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل � � �� �ع��د ا ّلله ب� ن �‬ ‫���ل ��� �ي ��و� �ن��ور�و�ز � او �ل�ه�د ا �ي�ا �ت��عر ض��� �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫ح�م�د �و ن� ك���ن� �ع��د ا �ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ا � � ا �ق��فًا � � �ل ه �أ � �ة � ّ �ة‬ ‫���ا ن �ش����ف �� ���خ‬ ‫�وف� ا ت ا �ث ن ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ه� ��م� �ي���ل �م� �ع�ب��ر �وك� � ي‬ ‫ع ا ل� د م و � � وع�ي�� ب�ق��ي � م�ورد ورد م�ورد و ه�و‬ ‫� �ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح��س ن ا �ل ن��ا ��س ج�‬ ‫ف�‬ ‫�ه�ا �م ن� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع�� �� ��ط‬ ‫���ع�ل ا�لمت��و ك��ل �ي��د ��� �إ �ل�ى ���� ي�� �� ��ط‬ ‫��ع�� �م� �ل��ك ا �ل�ع ن�ب��ر‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�ا ن آ خ اع ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً�ة‬ ‫ح�م ا ء � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ا ه ��ه�ا‬ ‫� ن �غ م�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫عه�ا �إ ��ل�ى ا ��ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫� �و �ق ��و�ل ِا د �ف��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س��ي�‪ � 1‬او �� �ي��ده‪� .‬وك�� � � �ر�م� د ��� �إ �ي ور‬ ‫ر ي ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ف �أ ن ش �أ ق �‬ ‫� ����� ��ي� ��و�ل‬

‫‪٧،٧‬‬

‫َ َ �ٱ �ْ َ ْ َ ٱ �َْ ْ ضَ ا َ َ‬ ‫حُ ْ َ � نَ ٱ �ْ َ ْ َ ْ َ � �غَ َا َ َ�ٱ �ْ ْ‬ ‫��� ِء �‬ ‫���� � �لَورِد‬ ‫حيّ��ا بِ����مر�ةٍ  ِم� � � �لورِد ي���س��عى �فِ�ي� ��ل� ���ئِ� �ل ك‬ ‫�وك� � �لورد �ةِ � �لب�ي��‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ك يْ��هِ ي� ْ��ستَ��دِ�ع�� � ل‬ ‫��ل�ه �َع��بِ ث�َ�ا ٌت� ِ�ع�ْ�ن�د �ك�ل �‬ ‫�حِ يّ���ةٍ  ب���‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ل� َّ �إِ �ل�ى � � �لَو�ج���ِد‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫ِ ّ‬ ‫َت َ ّ ْ ُ أَ نْ أُ ْ قَ َ‬ ‫�فَّ ْ شَ ْ �بِ �ةً �ُ �ذََ��ُ � َ ا ��قِ ْ نَ يتُ � نَ �ٱ ��ْ�َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�ي � ِم� ع��ه ِ�د‬ ‫ِ�ي ت� � � � ��س���ى ِب��ك���ي�هِ ���ر� �  �ت� كر�ي� م� �د ���س‬ ‫��م��ن‬ ‫ٱ �نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ ْ‬ ‫ِ قَ ّٰ ُ َ �ْ ً �� ْ تْ � �� ْ � �ة � نَ � � ّ ْ � ا � نْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ع��ل�ى �َو�ع ِ�د‬ ‫�����س��ى � لله د ��هرا ل�م � بِ��� فِي��هِ ل��ي�ل�   ِم� � �ل�د �هِر �إِ �ل� ِم� حِب�ي�� ب ٍ‬ ‫أ ّ‬ ‫��ف �أ ا � ت ّ� أ ن �ق �ق � �ق أ �‬ ‫� �مره �لم ��و ك‬ ‫���ل � � ي���س� ي��ه �و��ا �ل ��د � �ع ��ط�ي�ن �ا ك � �م ن�ي��ت���ك‪.‬‬

‫ّ ً�ة �ف‬ ‫ح��س�� ن � ن��ا د � �ص�ا ��ل ن � ش‬ ‫�ف ش‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫� ب�� ا �لر����ي �د ����رب� �م�ع�ه �مر ��ي�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ا � �ل�ه �ه ن��ا ك � ت‬ ‫��س��ا � �‬ ‫� �ع�م�ا �ل ك�‬ ‫����ل� او ا �وك�‬ ‫ح��س ن� �ج���لي���ل �و��س�وره �ب�ا �قٍ�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫� �ف ا �� ت ن‬ ‫� �ش���عره‬ ‫ي��ص� لب��‬ ‫حه� �ي��ه �و��هي� �م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫��س��ا � �و� ب �‬ ‫�ص�و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أََ َ َ َ ٱ � ِّ ��ظِ � ٱ � فَ‬ ‫�قِ ْ ��قِ‬ ‫أَ َّ َ َ‬ ‫� ا � �‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫حِ �َ �و ن� ��ليْ���ك �ِم نْ� � ��ل� � �ر��فري�‬ ‫� �م�ا �ن�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� ك �بِ� �ل� ْن��� ِر ل ي‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ٱ ْ َ ب ٍ ٱْ ِحِ‬ ‫َ ً َ �ِ�نْ تَ َ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�فَ َ ْ تَ � َ نَ َت� هُ ُ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� ��‬ ‫� َ�ع��ل�ْ�ي�هِ �ب�� � �لق� ْ���ت�ل � �ل��مري�‬ ‫�� را را  �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جره‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ضِ‬ ‫��ل��ي��ك ِ�ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ َ ِحِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ظِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ �ق‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح ْ��س ���� ن��َي � �َم�ا ��يَ��ْن�َه�ا ك ُ�‬ ‫بِ�‬ ‫���ا ن� � �ّو��ل ُ�‬ ‫حُ ْ��س�نِ ��ك ك�‬ ‫ح ْ���سنُ���ك �ع ن� ����بِ ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫ِّ �هِ نَ حِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫َ ّ ْ ِ ً �ُ‬ ‫ِف‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫�م�ا ��يَ�ْ���ن�ف��ك �ُم�ه���تّ�م�ا �ِل��ن���ص‬ ‫ي  ب��ِ����ن� سِ���� ��ن �ف���ُس �ُم��ت�� �م ����صِ‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�� ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ َ �ِ َ ٱْ�ُ �شِ ََ ٱ � ِ حِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�أ� ّ � � ف� ْءَ �م ن � �ا ت � ا � َ � ْ ��س� ا � �لم ّ � � �ل� ّ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ب� ِر�ي �و�ج �و �ق�ه� ��� ي��د بِ�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫����ص��فِ� ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ ب �ي� ِ �‬ ‫حِ‬

‫ن‬ ‫ت ن�زّ ا � �‬ ‫�م��� ه ب��ب�� ر ي� �و �هي� �م�‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫� � �آ ن آث‬ ‫�إ �ل�ى ا �ل� � � �و ��ا ره‪� .‬و��ا �ل‬

‫أ‬ ‫ح��س�� ن‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬

‫‪68‬‬

‫‪68‬‬

‫‪٨،٧‬‬

Sābur’s Monastery

Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn recalled: We were at al-Mutawakkil’s palace one

7.7

Nauruz when the gifts were being presented to him. They included figurines of ambergris.37 Shafī ʿ the eunuch stood there looking extremely handsome in a rose-colored coat with a rose-colored cloak over it. Al-Mutawakkil started to hand Shafī ʿ the ambergris figurines, piece by piece, saying, “Give them to al-Ḥusayn and touch his hand lightly.” The last thing he handed him was a red rose with which Shafī ʿ greeted al-Ḥusayn, at which the poet recited: Like a white rose, his greeting was a rose that was red; clad in a rose-colored gown, Gesturing with his hands at each greeting, inviting the fancy-free to love. I wished his hand would pour me wine to remind me of the past I’d forgotten. O for the time when I spent every night with a promise to meet a beloved! Al-Mutawakkil ordered Shafī ʿ to pour al-Ḥusayn some wine, saying, “I’ve given you what you wanted.” Al-Ḥusayn was a boon companion of Ṣāliḥ ibn al-Rashīd. One day he was drinking with him during an outing to Bārī, which is in the district of Kalwādhā. Ṣāliḥ owned a beautiful, magnificent garden there; its wall is still standing to this day and its ruins can be viewed. Al-Ḥusayn composed this poem about the garden and their drinking there. It is a fine piece: Didn’t my eloquent gaze address you and my wounded heart complain to you? When you parted from me jealously, if only you’d granted me death—and peace. At first I valued you for your beauty. Does your beauty not deter you from evil? Yet a good friend is accused because of the counsel he gave my soul. I love the shade of the palm trees of Bārī and its palace built on a slope,

69

69

7.8

‫ا‬ ‫د�ير��س� �بر‬

‫َ �ُ�ْ‬ ‫ُ �ذَ‬ ‫� ُ نِ تَ �َ ا ُ ُ� أَ ْ َ تَْ َ ا �َ َّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ب‬ ‫��ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو ا نٍ� �َوِ��ي����‬ ‫��ه �‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫� �ي � �ن‬ ‫و �َ�جِْ أَ نْ يَ� َ وح يَ � ُّ يَ� َ  �إِ َي� ��بِ�بِ ةَ رٱ �ْ �حِ َِرحِ َ َ ٱ � ُ � ُحِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫��ا ر�ى  �َ �ون�ا د �� �� � ل‬ ‫ل��ط�� �لو�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص�ا ر ِ�ل��ل��س ك�‬ ‫� �م�ا ِ� �ع��ل�ى � � �‬ ‫�و �ل ن� � ����سى �م�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِع‬ ‫ُ ٱْمِ حِ‬ ‫َأ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� � نُ‬ ‫� ��َ‬ ‫���� �� �� َ���مِ �� ��ِ�ع�� ��د �مِ� ��ل�‬ ‫�ف�ا ���ت�هِ ����غَر ُر � �ل�� ِ�دي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي� �قِ ي ِ‬ ‫ِ�زِ ي�‬ ‫ٱِ‬ ‫�وك سٍ �فِي� ي نِ‬ ‫َ ُ ٱ حِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫حٍ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫صِ � � ا � � � �� ت َ � ا َ � � ت�ز � � � ّ‬ ‫� � � � � �ل ّ‬ ‫���صري�‬ ‫�صري� �  �و �ه�ل ��� ِر ي� ل‬ ‫�� ِ�دي م�د م� ه �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صِريح� بِ� ّ� ِحِ‬ ‫ح َ ْ ةٍ َ �ِوي� ٱ ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�أ �َ ا �َا �ع ُ� ��ه �� � � � � ّ ُ‬ ‫حِ �� ل�� ��ل ِ‬ ‫����ص��ِّ�ي�ةِ� �ك� ُر�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�ل ي و �ل ل�ك �� � ب �و‬ ‫� �ى � فِ‬ ‫ٱ ْل حِ‬ ‫فَ َ عِر َ تَ َ �ذُ � �فِي ُ ْ َ �تِ ْ َ سِم �إِْ �سِ َ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫��بِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫� � �و�� �ل� ري�‬ ‫� � �ل��س��‬ ‫����َ ا �‬ ‫� ا � � �م� ��ل�‬ ‫�ق� م �� ��ل�ْىَ��خ� ََ ِل أُ�ق ي��هِ و�� �لَّ���ٱ �َّل بِ� ْ نِ يحِ� ٱ �ِب شَّ ِحِ‬ ‫َ �خِ � ��ل�� ْ َ ��ل�� �حِ�زَّ‬ ‫َ أَتْ ِ َ َ � �ةً سِ � ف تْ � �ْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �و �����ب� ��س ك� ��� � � � ��خ‬ ‫�حِ� ى‍‬ ‫حو ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر ل�� بِ� � رى و� ��ل�ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫يحِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا ��‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ح��س�� ن‬ ‫� �ع�م � � ن ��ا �ن��ة ��ق�ا ��ل ك��ن�‬ ‫� � ن ا ��ل �ش�� �د ���ف � ت‬ ‫��ا �ع ن‬ ‫��س��ا �ن�ه �ه��ذ ا �و�م�ع ن��ا ا ��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح � ر �ي ي� ب‬ ‫�و ك�ر رو ب � ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ا ��لض���ّ ا � �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ع ��� � ��ق�د ���ط�� � � �ق‬ ‫ا �ل��ش�� � ن‬ ‫�قت�ن ا ن‬ ‫اب�� �‬ ‫حو�ل ن��ا �م ن� ا �ل��ر�ج���س � �مر� ظ�ي�� و ل‬ ‫ح� ك �و �‬ ‫ع ا � �ل �مر�ع��ل�ى ج�ر � او �ل ��ور �و�و�� � �م�‬ ‫أ ن ��ق ت ��ئ �خ ا � ا �ل�‬ ‫���ا ن م� ّ �ق ف� �ق ا � ��ل���ل ن ق ��ف �م � �ن ا �ذ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح��ه ي���س� ي��ه �� � �ل ح��س��ي� ���ل �ي� �ج��ل��س � �ه� ا‬ ‫ح��س� �و � ر �ي� �و�� د �م �ل�ص�ح ك�� � ي ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ش����ئ��ا ��ي ت�غ�� ن��ّ �ب�ه اب� ن ��ا �ن��ة‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل � �و �ش���ا ر �إ ��ل�ى ا ���خل‬ ‫��ا د �‬ ‫ى �ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬

‫‪٩،٧‬‬

‫َ َ ف َ ٱ �َْ ْ ُ ُ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ َّ‬ ‫�ْ تُ أَ ��نَّ َ َ ا أَ َ َ أَ َ َ‬ ‫ك�ا‬ ‫ح��س ن �و�ج� ��ك �‬ ‫ح�تى �‬ ‫�و� �‬ ‫�خِ �ل� � �ي� �و��م� � را ك � را‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص� � �لب��د ر � � هِ�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ ن �َا َ‬ ‫ّ تَ ْ ُ ُ ن‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ َ َ ِ َ � ّ‬ ‫ْ ُ �غ‬ ‫ك�ا‬ ‫�َو ا ��م�ا ��ت���ن�ف���س � �ل���ن �ر��ىر�جِ���س � �ل�‍  ‍ض��� � ��و���ه�مت��ه ����سِ �ي��م ����ش�‬ ‫ُ َ ٌ ��ل��ْلُ نَ �تُ��عِ �ل �ت� �َّ� نُِ � � َ ْ َ � �ذَ ََ� ْه�جِ �ذَ َ‬ ‫ك�ا‬ ‫�خ�د ِ ��م��ى � � ‍ ��ع�لل��� ي�‍  ‍�ك �ب� �����شرا قِ� ا �و��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ةِ� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ ب‬ ‫�َ أَ‬ ‫َ يٱ �ْ فِ ّ � ِ �إِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�إِ�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫حكَ��ا ك�ا‬ ‫� ��� ت� �� ��ل � � �لُ د ِ�ل�َ‬ ‫� ُ َ ن َا �‬ ‫ه�ا ا �َو ا ك �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ى و‬ ‫�ل�د �و�م� ��م� يِ ي‬ ‫�‬

‫�‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل �ع�مر�و �ف��غ� نّ�ي�� ت� ف�ي��ه‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�و�م ّ ��ل ن��ا � ��� � �و��ق ت� � �و �‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ه‪.‬‬ ‫ر ط�ي ب‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫���ن ت� ��ا ��ل��سً�ا ���ف د ا �� � �� � �ش���� ّك � ��ق�د � �ف� ���ط ا �ل�م�� � �م ن� � � �م ا ��ل ن��ا‬ ‫ح��س�� ن � ن ا ��لض����ّ ا‬ ‫�ق ا � ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح� ك ك� �ج‬ ‫ر و و ر س‬ ‫�� �ل ا ي� ب �‬ ‫ي� ر ي ي وم‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح��س ن � ن ��ا ء � �ق �� ��ل ف��ه�ا‬ ‫��ا ��ل�� �ف� ���ط�ا ر �ج���ا ء ���ن� ر�ق��ع��ة ا ��ل‬ ‫� � ب � ر�ج �ي و ي�‬ ‫ب إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫‪70‬‬

‫‪70‬‬

‫‪١٠،٧‬‬

Sābur’s Monastery

The trees swaying in the wind, wafting toward me scents of sage and water lily. I won’t forget the drunkards’ collapse with the dove cooing dolefully in the acacias, And a cup in the hand of a scion of royalty, his traits adorned with pearls of praise, A frank devotee of wine, which loves frankness— and how could one frankness look down on another? “Come, ʿAmr, do you feel like a drink in the morning? Let’s turn to the purest spirit of all.” He rose, though his gaze faltered, and made good omens follow bad, One bender coming after another, with sobriety put off till the wine had run out. A recollection of ʿAmr ibn Bānah: We were with Ṣāliḥ ibn al-Rashīd in this

7.9

garden of his, and al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk was one of our company. We were surrounded by beds of daffodils, and the risen moon shone on the trees and flowers. We were having the most delightful time imaginable. A servant of Ṣāliḥ whom he loved was pouring wine for him, and Ṣāliḥ said to al-Ḥusayn, “Compose a poem about this gathering, which Ibn Bānah can set to music and sing.” Al-Ḥusayn gestured to the servant and said: The moon described your face’s beauty till I thought I saw you—but no. The perfume wafting from the tender daffodils seemed like the scent of your youth. Time after time my hopes that you’ve come are deceived by the light of the moon and these flowers in their splendor, Yet while I live, to the moon and the flowers I’ll stay true for as long as they resemble you.

ʿAmr continued: I set it to music and sang it, and we had a wonderful time. Al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk recounted: I was sitting at home on a Day of Doubt.38 Al-Maʾmūn had breakfasted and ordered people to eat. I received a note from al-Ḥasan ibn Rajāʾ in which he’d written:

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7.10

‫ا‬ ‫د�ير��س� �بر‬

‫َ‬ ‫���هِ�زَ �زْ �تُ� َ ���� َّ ُ � �َ �قِ ْ�د نَ َ ا �ي �أ� �ُ �ٱ�لْ�ُ�ؤ �� � نَ َ�ع �ٱ ��ل َّ‬ ‫��صيَ��ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك ِل ل� ب‬ ‫�ص ��وحِ ٱ ْو َ � ه �نِ�� مِ� ي ر � نِ ي� فَنِ� ُ ٱْ ِم‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ ُ َ ا حِ ة � َ‬ ‫َ � نْ � � نْ َنَا ت �‬ ‫�ْ� �َ ْش ٌ �َ �� ُ‬ ‫� �ب��ه�م �م�ص� �‬ ‫� �� � �ل� �د ا �‬ ‫��ر�خِ ع���ر  ي���ط‬ ‫� � �ل ك‬ ‫ِ�ي‬ ‫�و ِع� ِ�د يَ� ِم� ب���� ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� � ٱ ْ م ِم‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ نْ أ ْ ثَا � نَّ �إِ�ذ نْت شَ ْ �َ ا ��نِ َ نَا �ْ �تِ نِ ث� �مِن� َ �ل�حِ َ‬ ‫�و�م� � ��م�� لِ� �  ‪ 1‬ا � �������ي���ن�   �� را �� �ج � ��� �����م � �‬ ‫� را �‬ ‫هِ �‬ ‫َ ي‬ ‫ْرر ٱ ْ َ ِم‬ ‫فَ ُِ‬ ‫�نْ أَنْ تَ ٱ �ْلََ َ �فِ �َْ َ �ش�َ ْ ٌ أَ َ َّ � َّ‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� َل� �ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� � ��� � �ج��وا ب� � �لي���� ��� ء  � �‬ ‫� � �� � �ل ك�‬ ‫ح ب� �إِ �ل�� �ِم� �‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س ي‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫ِم‬ ‫�خُ َّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ت � ّ �ق��عت ه � ��ق�د �أ ���س ��ل ّ‬ ‫ح�ا ر ث� ب� ن ب����‬ ‫� �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�س�ن�ر �غ��ل�ا �م�ا ��ل�ه �ن ظ� ���ي ��ف� ا �ل�و�ج��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ورد � ع��ل�ي� ر أ�� و ر �ل �إ �ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح��س�ا ن� � �ق��ع�� �م�� ش���� �ة ��ق�د �خ� ت�� � ��س��ف��له�ا �مث��� ا�لم ن��ا �ش���� ��ه�ا‬ ‫�و�م�ع�ه �ث�ل�ا �ث��ة �غ���ل�م�ا ن� � �ق ا ن� �‬ ‫ور‬ ‫ور‬ ‫ي ر ي�‬ ‫� ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ َ َ ٱ ٱ ٰ أَ‬ ‫َ نُ نْ �ُ ْ �ُل�جِ ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫����سِ ر �ع��ل� � � ْ��س�م � ّللهِ �يَ�ا � �‬ ‫ح‍  �‍��س� �ِم� ��غ��ص نِ� � �ي� نِ�‬ ‫ََ ى ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫نْ َنِ ٱ �‬ ‫��َ َ ُ� سِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ث ا‬ ‫�فَِ�ي�ْ ��ل� ٱثٍ‬ ‫�ْ َ�ِم� ب� ��ي� � �لر�و  ِ�م �إِ ل�ى د ا ِر ح��� �ي�‍��س�ي� نِ�‬ ‫أش‬ ‫� ْ َ ��َ َ ْ �َ ا َ َا ُ َّ�ةَ �َ ْ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫� ����� �� � ��ل ك�‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫����ه�ل �إِٱ ل�ى � �مو   �ل� ك �ي� ���قر عي�‍   �‍�ى��ي�‬ ‫أَ ٱ �ْصُِ ْ ف َ‬ ‫� � ْ�� تَ��� ْ َ َ �َا � ْ هُ َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ِرهِ � �ل�ع���ن�� �إِ نِ�‬ ‫‍   �صى و��ط� �ِل��ب� �بِ� �دي نِ�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫َ َ ٱ �� �َّ��ْ ظَ � َ َ ا � ْ ُ ����غِ ْ �‬ ‫َ�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ود � ل�ل�ف ��� �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�خ� ���طِ ب�‍  ‍�ه بِ�� �م�زِ � َ �جِ ب ي نِ�‬ ‫َٱعِْ ��ذَ ٱ � َّ ْ َ ةَ‬ ‫� َ � ُ فّ ْ ُ �ِ ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���خ�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و � � � � � � �‬ ‫ح�ن�ي� نِ�‬ ‫ح� ِر لر ج�ع� ِم� �و ج�‍   هِ‍��ك �فِ�ي� � ي�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ت � ض ّ �‬ ‫�ا ث ت �‬ ‫��ي�� ت� �م� �غ��ل�ا � �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن ا ��ل‬ ‫��م ض�‬ ‫ح� ر� �و�رك�� الم���ي� �إ �ل�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع م‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ ْ ثَ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� � :‬م���ا �ِ�ل�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫ِم‬

‫‪72‬‬

‫‪72‬‬

‫ح ن‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س�‬

‫‪.‬‬

‫‪١١،٧‬‬

Sābur’s Monastery

I’m prodding you to a morning drink; the caliph’s forbidden the fast. I’ve ten jars, daughters of Karkh, which I’ll ply you with, excellent wine. And ten more when we’re drunk— let’s cull the fruits of sin. So be my answer and come. I like nothing more than avoiding cutting out words. When his note arrived, Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥārith ibn Buskhunnar had already sent me a good-looking servant accompanied by three others like him, with a note folded and sealed at the bottom like an official document. It said: Go in God’s name, you beauty, you slender branch of silver, Take three Byzantine boys to the house of al-Ḥusayn. Bring the fellow to your master, my darling. Treat him roughly if he demurs, demand payment of a debt. Don’t use words with him, just give him a wink, And beware of your fate if you come back without him. So I went off with Muḥammad’s servant and disregarded al-Ḥasan’s note.

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7.11

‫د ����ي �ق�� ����ط�ا‬ ‫رو‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا ت ن �مّت � �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا ��ل��د�ير �ب�ا ��لب��رد ا ن� �ع��ل� ����ش�ا ���ط� ئ‬ ‫��ص�ل�‬ ‫� د �ج���ل�� � �وب��ي ن� ا �لب��رد ا � � بو���غ��د ا د ب����س� ���ي� ��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ث ّ � ل�‬ ‫ت ن�زّ ا ت ت ت ا ة ن ا � ش ُ‬ ‫�ّ � �ّ�ة ث�ّ ��ل ا �� �� �� ��نّ ا �� �غ� � ث�ّ ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�ه� �إ �ل�ى ب���ل��� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ي ر م �إ ى‬ ‫��ر ��م �إ �ل�ى ي م �إ ى و وي�‬ ‫�و�م��� �ه� � �م��� ب���ع�� �م �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�� � � ��نّ �‬ ‫���ّ �ذ ��ل��ك ���س�ا �ت�� ن‬ ‫� ن ن‬ ‫�ب��ي�ر ث��ّ �إ ��ل�ى ا ��لب��رد ا ن� ك�‬ ‫��ر�و� �و���ج�‬ ‫�ر �و خ�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ي� �وك�‬ ‫ا � �‬ ‫� ا� ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���ل‪ � .‬او �لب��رد ا � �م�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل�ط�ول�و�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ة � �ق � ن�ز ة � �� �‬ ‫�ف ة‬ ‫����� �ة ا �ل��ط ّ ا �ق� � ا�لمت���ن�ز �ه�� ن‬ ‫��� ا �ل‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫م او ض�‬ ‫ح��س�ن �� � او �لب �� �ا ا �ل�� �ه�� � او �ل��م�ا ك�ن� ا �ل �‬ ‫ا �ل �‬ ‫ر و‬ ‫مو� �صو��� �و��هي� ك� ي ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫���ث �ة �ف‬ ‫� �ذ ا ا �� � � � ا � � ي� � �أ� ا �ًا‬ ‫��كه�ه � � �� د �ج��م�� �م�ا‬ ‫���ث��رً�ة �من�ه�ا �ع�م�ا ر�ة ا ��ل���ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و�ه�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ير‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ع و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث� �ة ن ا أ نّ ��ف ع �ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ا نا ت �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ي� ت‬ ‫�ه�ا � � ا �ل ش��� ا ب� �ه ن��ا ك �مب�� �و�ل � او �ل‬ ‫�ه� � � �ي� �ه� ا‬ ‫ح��اج�‬ ‫ح� �� � ك���ي ر �و�م �‬ ‫� �إ �لي��ه �ي��ه‪� .‬و�م �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ن � �ق ا ا �� �� ّ �ة � �ن�ز �ة‬ ‫��ل�ا�ع��ة �م ن ا ��ل� �ج�� ه ا ��ل‬ ‫��� �م�ا �ي� ���ط��لب��ه � ��ه� ا ��لب� ���ط�ا ��ل��ة � او ���خل‬ ‫ح��س� � � او �لب �� � ل�ط�ي ب�� ا �ل� �ه�‬ ‫ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف ع‬ ‫��ا د �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل�و‪.‬‬ ‫ك‬ ‫���لي����س ي ي‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ل�عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن� ا �ل�عبّ��ا ��س ب� ن� ا � ف�ل� ض����ل ب� ن� ا �لر���� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫بعي‬ ‫َا َ ْ َ قُ �َا �َ�قَ ْ �َ�هَّ�ْ تَ � � َ َا أَ�زَ َ� َ نْ �َ�ق �ْ َ ٱ �ْ �أَْ �زَ نَ َٱ �ْ ُ‬ ‫ك� َ �َ�ا‬ ‫�ي� د ����ير ���و ���ط� � �ل �د ي�ج� �ل �‬ ‫�ر��  � ا �ع� �ِبل��� � �ل��‬ ‫حْ ا َ� � �و �ل ٱ ُّ رب‬ ‫� ِ�ي� ��طِ ب‬ ‫ْي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ْ ��َ ْ �َ� � � َ َ َ �ْ تُ ٱ � ُّ ُ َ‬ ‫��خِ َ��ا‬ ‫ك��‬ ‫ور ���َه�ا  �ل� ّ�م�ا �َو� � تُ � َ ا � � ْ َ َ َ �لن�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‪1‬‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ةٍ‬ ‫��صِ �ل� �ل�ه� � �ل� د � او ر � �و َ� ب‬ ‫فِي‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫َ ا َ َُِ‬ ‫� َ أَ�نْفَقُ � ٱ � �ِّ َ ا ٱْ�َا �َ َٱ � نّ �ِ‬ ‫� م �تْ َ َ �ذَ �ُ � ٱ �ْقَ ْ‬ ‫���شَ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صفِ� �م� م�ل��ك او  � �و � � �‬ ‫�� �فِ��ي ��ةٍ �ب�� � �ل او �� � �ل�� �‬ ‫� �� او �فِ�ي� � �ل�ت�‬ ‫�ص�بِ�ي� � �لم� �ل � �و ل�� ب‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫َ َ ا َ ا َ أَ ْت �َ ْ نِ �َ ُ �شِ َ ًا � ٱ � نَّا �َ ا َ�ع��جِ ًا نْ ُ ْ َ �َ ا �عِ َ اَ‬ ‫�ه�   �� � �ل�� �� �ل� �‬ ‫ع� ه‬ ‫� �م� �ِم���ه�م �و�ل� �� ر�ب�‬ ‫�و����ش� ِد نٍ� �م� ر� � �ي��ي� �ل� ��� ب � �فِي‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ �بِ َ ُ ْ ًا نَا َ ْ تُ َ � َ َا َ نْ َ ضَ ُ ْ �ضٍ ا نَا َ ْ تُ َ �حِ َ اَ‬ ‫�� � �� د ��ي� � او �‬ ‫�قِب��ل� �� د ��ي� � او ���طِ‬ ‫ا �� �د ا � �م�‬ ‫� ر�ب�‬ ‫�ر�ب�  �و � �م���ى �م�عِر�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أ ���قِ ْ تُ �ٱ � �َّ � ْ‬ ‫حتّ َ ا َ ��ل َ �� ن ا � نْ �ْ‬ ‫� �� �َ ���� ْ تُ � �لم�ْ�� َ �َ � �� ُّ‬ ‫��ص��لَ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص� ر ِ�ي� و��ط��   ِم� �جِل�هِ ولِب ��س� س‬ ‫� �م� بِ� ل�د ���يِر �ى �‬ ‫� ل�‬ ‫ِ ح و ً أبَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ َ ا َ ��شِ َّ ا ُ ُ � َ‬ ‫��ص�ا َ ���َّ�س����ُ�س�هُ ��ل� �َ ا ��ل��د ا �َ � �َ�ا‬ ‫�ص�ا � ًا َ �خًا َ َ‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫حب�� � �و ��  �و� ر �قِ ي‬ ‫��ص� ر ��� �م� ��س�ه ِ�ل�ي� � ِ‬ ‫ِي� وِ و ب‬ ‫�ِ �� ْ ٌ �ََ �ُ � ُ � ٱ �ْ َ ا ش نَ ُ � ً ��فِ َ نْ َ نَا نْ ُ ُ غْ ِ ًّ � َ ا ��ضِ َ اَ‬ ‫��ظ�� � �ل ا �‬ ‫ح���ظ�ه �ي� � �ل�ع� ِ�����قِ� �� �����ظ‬ ‫�� ر�ب�‬ ‫ى�  � �م� د �� �ِم��ه ���م�����ترا بِ��ه� �‬ ‫ي� ً ب أَ‬ ‫بْ ي�ُ و ِ ٱ �ْ ْ �فَِ أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً أََ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن ْ ُ‬ ‫ْ � � ف� َ �ة َ �نََا ْ ��سْ �ُ هُ � �� ْ‬ ‫ع ��� �ف َ �� ُ ْ ض‬ ‫���ا �َ � ��ا‬ ‫�إِ � ��س�م��ُت�ه � � �لَو��ص�ل � ���ب�د ى ج� ��و � �و ب��  � �و �م�ت� ل‬ ‫ط� �و ل�ى �م���عِر� و ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ذ�� ا ف�� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا �ل�ى���‬ ‫ح ب���ا‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك ي‬

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‫‪١،٨‬‬

‫‪٢،٨‬‬

The Monastery of Qūṭā (the Flock)39

This monastery stands in Baradān on the banks of the Tigris. Between Baradān

8.1

and Baghdad lies an uninterrupted series of gardens and pleasure grounds, running from Balashkur to Muḥammadiyyah to Lesser Ṭūlūnī, Greater Ṭūlūnī, and then Baradān, with gardens, vineyards, orchards, and palm trees. Baradān is a lovely, attractive place, and is often talked of. It attracts many visitors and people going on outings. The monastery there shares many of its qualities: well cultivated, with an abundance of fruits and everything else one could need. For instance, wine is to be had and there are numerous taverns. Pleasure-seekers and profligates find there the beautiful faces and pleasant surroundings they look for. It is almost never deserted.

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabī ʿ composed this poem about it: Qūṭā Convent, you’ve sent me into raptures, smoothing sorrow and trouble from my heart. How many nights brought me unbroken joy, when I brought together songs and toasts With men who gave all they owned for pleasure, squandering goods and chattels for love! A young beauty, whose like I’d not seen anywhere, among Persians or Arabs— When he came to me I cried, “Oh joy!” when he turned away, “Woe is me!” I stayed at the convent till it became home for his sake, even wearing the habit and cross: The deacon became my friend and my brother; the priest was my father in body and spirit. A gazelle with fawn-like glances that dealt blows to lovers when they wandered toward him, losing their way. If I tried to approach him, he shunned me. If I showed him affection, he turned away haughtily.

75

75

8.2

‫د � �ق�� ���ط�ا‬ ‫ير و‬

‫أَُ‬ ‫َ نْ شَ َ ْ ُت ��َ ْ ُ �� �َ �� ْ‬ ‫ع�ا د ه ��ِق�ِ���طَ��ا‬ ‫��جَ ���ت�هِ �َ �َم�ا � ��ل�ا� �� �م نْ �ْ���َ‬ ‫كو� �إِ لي��هِ � � �‬ ‫�و � ��� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�قِ ي هِ ِ � �إِ ب ِ َِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ط�سِول هِ� ِ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َٱ ّٰ ��َْ َ ا �َمنِ ��ن �ف��� ��� ��مْ تُ َ ا َ َ ا ��خِ � تُ‬ ‫� �عِ� ��ل�ْ�ي� ��� ��ل�� �� �طِ��� ��لَ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و للهِ �لو ���س� ��� سِ �� ح� بِ��ه�  و م� ب� �ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫هِ بِ �ذِ ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬

‫ُ‬ ‫��ث� ا ��ت �� ّ � ��ف‬ ‫��ا ن ا � ��غ�ز �� ��م ن‬ ‫��ا ن �ع ا ّٰ ه �ذ ا �م ن ا � �أ � ا ء ا �� �ظل��� ��ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ر و �‬ ‫ب� ل و�ج �و� ي ر رح �ي�‬ ‫�وك�� � ب��د لل �ه� � �ل� ب‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫���خل ا ة � ش � � غ نّ ف ت غ نّ‬ ‫� � ا ت ��ل ا ن ا ت � اتّ ا � �أ �‬ ‫ا �ل�د �ي� را � � او �‬ ‫له�و � او ��ل� �ع��‪� .‬و�ل�ه ����عر م�ي�ل�‬ ‫� �ي�����ى �ي��ه � �و�ي�����ى �هو�‬ ‫ح� �� � � او �ل���ب��ع �ل���ه�ل ا �ل�� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ ت ً ن �ن‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫أ� ض ً ف‬ ‫�ف �غ‬ ‫�ق � � � ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� ي��‬ ‫���ا �ي��ه �و ��ي� ��ي�ره‪� .‬و��ا �ل �ل�ه ح�م�م��د ب� ن� �عب��د ا�لم��ل�ك ا �ل�ز �ي�ا � �ي ��و�م�ا � �����شِ �د ��ي� �م ن� ����عرك ��ا �ل‬ ‫ا ��ق ش � أ ّ ا � �ز ��ق ا � أ � ت �ّ��ذ � ق �‬ ‫�و�م� �د ر ����عر ي� � �ي��ه� ا �ل�و �ير � �ل � �ل��س� ا �ل� ي� ��ي���و�ل‬ ‫َ َ ا َ َ �إِ�ذْ �مِ َّ‬ ‫�و����ش� ِد نٍ� را �م َ �� ر‬ ‫َُ ُ َ‬ ‫� ْ ف َ أ �ْ�صَ�ْ‬ ‫��ي�ق ��و��ل ��ل�� ك������ي� � ب�‬ ‫ح‍‬ ‫ِي‬

‫� �ٱ ��ل شَّ �َ ا � � �قَ ْ‬ ‫ي� ���ت�ِ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫  �فِ�ي� َ ����عُ� نِ� نِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫َ �ْ ف َ ْ‬ ‫� ص ُ ثْ‬ ‫ �‍ ت� ك��ي ��� �ي� بِ��‬ ‫� �ِم��ِ�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ي�‬

‫ق � �ذ ق �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�م ن� ��ي� ��و�ل �ه� ا ��ي� ��و�ل �م�ا �م��ق�د ا ر ����عر�ي�‪.‬‬ ‫� ا ة �عّ ت ُق ّ ة ف �ق ا � ت � َ �ذ � �� �ة أ �ن‬ ‫ّٰ �� ش َ �‬ ‫�ق � �� ن‬ ‫���ق� �ع��س�ا ِ��ل �ج�� ر�ي�� �م��ه ر�ي��� ��� � �ل� �ل�ه �ب�� �ل ا � ك‬ ‫��ا �ل �وك��ا � �عب��د ا لله �ي ع �‬ ‫ل��ب��ي�ر � ر ��ي�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ا ��ل �ف ّ �ذ‬ ‫ّ ا �ذ � ت � ��ق ا �� ��ف ا ا ��ل �ن�ز �‬ ‫ح�ض‬ ‫�� ت� ����ذ �� ��ف�ا ��ت��د �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� � �إ� �م�ا �ع� ر�ت��ك � �إو �م� �ع� �ل��ك ل‬ ‫و ر ب ل ب‬ ‫�ع��س� �‬ ‫�إ �ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ا ��ل ف ّ‬ ‫� ����غ�ن ت�‬ ‫�ع��س� �‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أَ نْ �خُ ْتُْ �ٱ �ْ غَ ْ َ ْ �فَ َ �َ ُ ْ ُ �ُّ نَ ْ �َ ا �َ ٱْ� ُ‬ ‫َ َ ٱ �ْ ِ ْ‬ ‫� �ع�ه ِ�د �ي� ��م�ا �لك� ���ت ِ�د � �لو� �إِ د �ل� �ل � �ل���م�قِ� �ي��م �ع��ل�ى� �ل��ع�ه ِ�د‬ ‫� �إِ � � ن����م �بِ� �ل��‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ � َّ َّ‬ ‫�ُ ٱ ْف عِ �ُ � ْ َ ٱْ� ُ �َّ َ ْ � َ �ّ ا �فَ ُ ُّ َٱ ْف َ ُ ْ َ‬ ‫�ص�د‬ ‫�� � �ل او � �و ���� � �ل او فِ����ع�ل � �لم ِ�د �ل بِ� ��و�‬ ‫��صِ�ل�هِ  �و �ل� ��‬ ‫�ص�د � او � �و ���ع�� �ل او فِ����ع�ل �ذِ �ي� � �ل�‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ا ��ل �‬ ‫� ّ �ش� � ن ف �ق ا � � �ذ �‬ ‫�� ��ف� ت� � ن ��ا ��س�تّ ف���ق� ���ط ت‬ ‫��ف�� ��ت ت� ف�ي��ه ب� �‬ ‫� ا �ل�غ� ن��ا ء‬ ‫�ك�ل ��ي� ء‬ ‫��ع� �ع��س�ج�‬ ‫ح��س� ��� � �ل �لب�� �ل ك�ي ري � ي �ي�‬ ‫ّٰ ت ش ا �ف ّ ّٰ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ � �ق �‬ ‫ح�� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق ا � ت ا �‬ ‫� �ف�� او لله �م�ا �ش���ا �ور ت� ف�ي���ك �‬ ‫ي� �ودد �ت��ك �ن��عر ت� �ب�� �ل �و��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫�أو � �ل� �ي� عب��د ا لله ����� �ور �ي‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ّٰ �ذ‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�� ت� � او لله �ي�ا �عب��د ا لله �ع� ر�ت��ك‪.‬‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫�و�م ن� �ش���عر�عب��د ا لله‬ ‫�ْ � نِ ٱ � َّ َ� َ�ق ْ َ�خ �َ ْ تُ ٱ �ْ �ذَ َ َ تَ��حِ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�س��� � �ل ار ��د ��ل�ع� � �لِ�ع� ا را  �و�‬ ‫ِ ْ قِ ي ح ٱْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِا ��س��قِ� نِ�� ����ط�ا رد � �ل���ه� �م � �َو�ل�ا � ْ���م���م�ز ��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫وِم‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫‪76‬‬

‫‪٣،٨‬‬

‫َّ �ْ تُ � � َ �َ‬ ‫�ق�ا ��لً�ا �َ ���ي� َل�ا‬ ‫�م�ل� �فِ ي��ك‬ ‫و�قِ‬ ‫ْ ُ ٱ �ْ �غِ َ َ�ة �َّ ا َ�ق � اَ‬ ‫�ِم��ن�ه � �ل�� �د ا �إِ �ل� �ِ�ل��ي�ل�‬

‫‪76‬‬

‫‪٤،٨‬‬

‫‪٥،٨‬‬

The Monastery of Qūṭā (the Flock)

If I complained he’d left me alone, and spoke of my pain, he simply frowned. Oh God, if he asked me, I’d give my life willingly, and I’d not grudge him what he’d asked.

ʿAbdallāh was an elegant man of letters, much given to love affairs, and friv-

8.3

olous, a regular visitor to monasteries and taverns, spending time with pleasure-seekers and libertines. He has fine poetry, which has been set to music. He himself composed settings for poetry, both his own and that of others. Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Zayyāt said to him one day, “Recite me some of your poetry.” He replied, “Vizier, what’s my poetry worth?” Al-Zayyāt exclaimed, “Aren’t you the author of: A young beauty who sought to kill me on Palm Sunday by asking, ‘How are you this morning?’ What could I answer? “Does the man who’s composed this ask, ‘What’s my poetry worth?’”

ʿAbdallāh had fallen in love with ʿAsālij,40 his aunt Ruqayyah’s slave girl.

8.4

Badhl the Elder said to ʿAbdallāh, “Show me ʿAsālij. Either I’ll approve or reprove.” So he invited ʿAsālij to his house when Badhl was present, and ʿAsālij started to sing: Oh! If you’ve betrayed me behind my back, why make a show of keeping faith? Meet me and act as if you’re happy to meet, or else turn away like those who keep aloof. She performed it excellently and he asked Badhl, “What’s your opinion, madam?” ʿAsālij broke off the song, complaining, “ʿAbdallāh, are you asking someone’s opinion about me? By God, when I fell in love with you I didn’t ask anyone’s opinion!” Badhl shouted with laughter. “Well done, ʿAbdallāh, by God! I approve.” Here is some of ʿAbdallāh’s poetry:

8.5

Pour me the wine, I’ve let myself go and suffered for you all kinds of gossip; Pour me the chaser of cares, and go easy with the water this morning.

77

77

‫�و�م ن� �ش���عره‬

‫د � �ق�� ���ط�ا‬ ‫ير و‬

‫َا َ� ِّ �ذَ َْ� َ �ٱ � �َّ � َ ْ نَ ْش َ ُ َ ا �ُ ف�ْ َّةً َ ا ��يِ ْ‬ ‫�ص� �فِ� �ه‬ ‫�ي� ح��ب� ا �ي ��وم�ي� �بِ� �ل�د ا لِ�ي��ه ���� �ر��ه� ��ق��صِ‬ ‫�� ي��� �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��َّ َق ْ �ُ تْ� َ ا �َ ُ َ� ْ َ ْقَ � ٱ � �ُّ نْ َ ا �َ ُ َا ��يِ ْ‬ ‫�َم�ْ ك��ل �ر� م��ِ �لفٍ� �م� �ل�ه  �ل� ��يب ��� �� � �ل�د ����ي� �ل�ه �ب� �قِ� �ه‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫فَ‬ ‫عُ �ذْ نٍَ ٱ � �ُّ �نَْا َ �َ��ذَّ ت َ ا ��فَ نَّ� َ ا نَ�ْ نُ � َ ا َ ا �يِ ْ‬ ‫��‬ ‫��خ� �ِم� � �ل�د �ي�� �و�ل� ا �ِ��ه�   � ��م� ح بِ��ه� ��ع� ر�� �ه‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إِ‬

‫أ �ق أ أ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّٰ �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق � �‬ ‫�ص�د �ي��ق ��ل�ه �ي��د �ع�وه ج�‬ ‫��ع��ل ت� ��د ا ك � �ن�ا �و�ل��� � �و ن�� ت� � �عل��� ‪.‬‬ ‫��ا �ل �وك�� ب� �عب��د ا لله �إ �ل�ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّٰ �� ش ق ا �ة �ن �ن ّ ة‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫ه� ��ه�ا ��ف��ل�ه ف��ه�ا‬ ‫���� �ج�� ر�ي� ��‬ ‫�وك��ا � �عب��د ا لله �ي ع �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ص ار �ي��� �و�ي�� ي�م ب �‬ ‫�فِ َ َ ٱ ّٰ ُ ٱ �َّ‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��فَ��ِت نَ��تْ َ ا ُ َ ٌ�ة‬ ‫تن‬ ‫�صَّ َ ��َه�ا‬ ‫� ��ن� � �‬ ‫�صور �فِ��ي� بِ�����ي�� ��ةٍ  �َ ��� � لله � �ل���ذِ �ي� � �ور‬ ‫�زَ َ َ ا ٱ �� نَّا � شُ � تَ�ْ َ ا أ ِّ هُ �إِ�ذْ َ ا �ِ َ ا �نَ َّ َ اَ‬ ‫�صر��ه�‬ ‫�ص� ��غ�ه� ��‬ ‫�ه�  � ���ن� �‬ ‫ا د �ه� � ل�� �قِ ��� �فِ�ي� ح ِ��سي��نِ �‬

‫�و��ل�ه ف�ي��ه ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ن�‪.‬‬ ‫ا ة � �أ‬ ‫� �ق ّ ن �ت غ� نّ �ذ � ت �ت غ� نّ ��ف �ث‬ ‫ح��د ب� ا�لم� �ي�� ����� �ب��ه� ا ا �ل�ص�و� �و����� �� ك�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ي�ر �م ن� �ش���عره‬ ‫� �ج�� ر�ي�� ا �ل�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �م�ص�ابي��‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� � ن ا � ه � �ف‬ ‫� ن ا � �� ن � ن‬ ‫��ا ن ت‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �م�و�ص�و��ف��ة ��ا ��ل‬ ‫�ه� ب���غ� ن��ا �ئ�ه �وك�‬ ‫ح��س� �و �لإ�‬ ‫ح��س�ا � �وك���ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�وك�� ��� � ر�وى ا �ل�� ��س �ل� � �و عر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ّ ّ ف‬ ‫�عب��د ا لله �ي��ه� او �ه�ا‪� .‬و�م�م�ا ��غ�ن ت� �ي��ه �م ن� �ش���عر�عب��د ا لله‬ ‫أَ�َ ا ٱ ْ‬ ‫نْ �ِ ْ َ ُ َّ قَ تْ َ‬ ‫��صَ�َا � َْ َ ٱ � شَّ َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ْرك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل � ��‬ ‫هو ع���ت�� ب� ك�‬ ‫� �ل� � أُ بح� �نِ�ي‬ ‫� ْ ي ��وم ���َع� نِ�ي�نِ  ِم�ْ ق� َّ� �ةٍ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ِ نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�نٍ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ � �ْ‬ ‫ا � �‬ ‫ِ�ع نْ��د � �ن�ا �� ���ِبل��� بِ� ِ ��� �‬ ‫�ه�م ك�ِل�  � �إِو � ��ول� او ِد ��ي� � سِ�� �وى ِدي نِ��ي�‬ ‫سٍ ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ �ذ‬ ‫ن � �ذ �‬ ‫ّٰ �ف‬ ‫�غ ّ ف‬ ‫� �وك�‬ ‫��ر�ة ��ف�� �خ��� �ت�ه �ع ن��ه‬ ‫���ا � ��ق�ا �ل �ه� ا ا �ل ش����عر �و� ن��ى �ي��ه �و��هي� �‬ ‫�و�ل�عب��د ا لله ��ي� �م�ص�ابي��‬ ‫ح�ا ض�‬ ‫�غ�نّ ت ف� أ ض ً ّ �‬ ‫ح ش ا � ّ �ة‬ ‫���ا � تم�ي�� ا �ل�ه���� مي��‬ ‫�و� � ي��ه � �ي��‬ ‫م‬ ‫��نَّ َ قْ تُ عِ ُ َّ ً�ة ��فَ ِ قَ ٱ �ْ � �ُٰ عِ ُ َّ ت‬ ‫�إِ �ي� �ع���ِ���ش�� �� �د �و  ‬ ‫�����س��ى � �لإِ� �ل�ه �� �د �وِ�ي�‬ ‫�فِ َ ُ أَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َت‬ ‫َ � ْ َت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ � �د �ْت �َ ا �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي وب� ر ي� بو�‬ ‫و ي�‬ ‫�جِ �ي رِي�‬ ‫ه� �بِ� �ق� ِربِ�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ ُ َّ َ ْ �فَ �تِ َنَّ‬ ‫ُ �َ ْ � َ َ‬ ‫�� ْ � ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� ت � ث ت‬ ‫� ت ك� � ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ٱ� ِد �ل� �ج��د �ِلأَ �َ�ٱ�يْ را   نِ� �و���ن�ي � � أَ ���َّ ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ � ْ تَ ْ �قَ �نَ تْ نّ � �� ف� �ؤَ َ‬ ‫� ّ َ�ا �َ‬ ‫��ف�� دَ ��ل ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و �س�����ي� � � � ل �� ا  د حِ ب �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫‪78‬‬

‫‪78‬‬

‫‪٦،٨‬‬

‫‪٧،٨‬‬

The Monastery of Qūṭā (the Flock)

And another: Oh for my day at The Vine, drinking a pure wine from Qufṣ With peers who squander their fortune till they’ve nothing left in the world. Partake of the world and its pleasures, for we’re on loan to it.

ʿAbdallāh wrote an invitation to a friend: “I’d give my life to ransom you! Qalam’s41 at my side. What do you decide?”

ʿAbdallāh fell in love with a Christian girl. Besotted with her, he composed

8.6

these verses: An image in church has enraptured us. May God enrapture its painter. What’s even more lovely is that he’s painted a Christian. And he set them to music. Maṣābīḥ,42 the slave of al-Aḥdab, the dealer in singing girls, used to sing this song and many other compositions by ʿAbdallāh. She was the main transmitter of his poetry and most knowledgeable about his settings. She was known for her beauty and her fine performances, and ʿAbdallāh loved her. One of his poems that she sang was: Friends, on Palm Sunday, pour me old wine from Karkīn With someone I love, though her religion’s not mine. Here are verses ʿAbdallāh composed on Maṣābīḥ and set to music. He sang them in her presence and she learned them from him. Mutayyam43 al-Hishāmiyyah also sang them. I’ve fallen in love with a foe. May God shower blessings on my foe. My kith and kin and my neighbors—I’d ransom their lives for her. She’s firm and upright as cane, but bend her and she’ll yield. Sure of the love in my heart, now she’s all flirtation.

79

79

8.7

‫د � �ق�� ���ط�ا‬ ‫ير و‬

‫��ق ا �� �غ ا ض ت � ا � ُ � َ ّٰ � ن ا ��� ّ ا �� ��ف �ش�� � � غ� ا � ن ه ف � أ ن �ت ض ّ‬ ‫���ا �ه�ا‬ ‫� ل �و�� �‬ ‫��ب��� م�ص�بي �‬ ‫�ه� ع�� � ار � � �ي� ر�‬ ‫� عب��د ا لله ب � لعب�� س �ي� �ي� ء ب�ل �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫م ظ � �ف ت‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫��ف �أ�� ت �ف‬ ‫ح��ل�ف� � �نّ�ه �م�ا � �تى �ش����ئ��ا �م ّ�م�ا � ن‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ر�ق��ع��ة ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �تر�ه � �و��د �ع�و �ع��ل� �م ن� ���ل��� �ل��� �ج� ب��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ب�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫تم م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن ت�ز‬ ‫���� �ل�ه�ا‬ ‫ظ ا‬ ‫�ع ن ����� ء �م�م�ا ك�����ه �و�و���ع ت� � ت �‬ ‫ح� ا �ل�د �ع�ا ء �ع��ل�ى ا �ل���� �ل�م � �م��ي� �و�ل�م � د �ع��ل�ى �ل��ك � ك ب �إ ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَ ّ‬ ‫�َ�َا  � ��فَ��ل��ْ��َ �َ�ي ف�ْ� ن�َ �َم�ا �َ���قِ�ي�نَ�ا‬ ‫َ�ا �ُ���س ُر�ور�� ��� ��جل‬ ‫� ��م‬ ‫ِ ي بِ و بِ ي س ى ب‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ أَ �سِ ُّ ��حِ ْ‬ ‫نَ َ َّ � َ ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�ي�نَ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي � �مِ� ��ي� ر ب� � �ل��ع� �ل�م‬ ‫� فِي��هِ ِل��‬ ‫�و �� ر � ر فٍ‬ ‫�و�م ن� �ش���عره‬

‫‪٨،٨‬‬

‫‪٩،٨‬‬

‫َ‬ ‫فِ� َ َ‬ ‫غُ ْ نُ �ُل�جِ ْ‬ ‫�ذَ َ ٌ‬ ‫�� �ذ �ه ب� َرا   � �� �هِ ����ص� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �ي� نِ�‬ ‫�ه َب‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ح �بِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ّ �ة عِ ْ‬ ‫�َ�أتَ تْ‬ ‫� ���قّ �ة �عِ� ��ْ نٍ  ����يِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق‬ ‫��ف� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي� ِ ِ ي‬ ‫ي نِ�‬ ‫��قَ �مِ ٌ َ� ْ ُ ���شِ ْ ًا �مِ ْ�حِ ًا �ٱ � �ِّ َّ�َ �ْ‬ ‫َ�� ر ي��ح��مِ �ل �� �م ْ��س�  �� ر� ب�� �بِ� �ل�ن�ي ري نِ�‬ ‫ِ عٍ ا ُ�ؤْ تَ� �فِ ْ‬ ‫أ � �فَ ا ُ‬ ‫ْ َ ْ � �فَْ‬ ‫�ِ� �ل � ��سك�ري� نِ� �إِ ���لي�   نِ� ���م�� � � �م ��ِ �ل� �ي� نِ�‬ ‫�َ ا َ َ َ ْنِ َ �َ ا َ ْ نَ� ُ َ ا �َا ُ َ ْ‬ ‫�ل� ج�ر�ى ب���ي ��ي� �و�ل� ب �ي�   َ���ه�م� ���ط� ���ئِ� ر �ب�ي� نِ�‬ ‫��بِ ْ �غِ نَّْ َ ا َ ا َ نَ ا أ �بِ ً ُ ْ �تِ �قِ ْ‬ ‫�� �ل �� �ي����ن� �م� �ب ��قِ���ي��  � �� �د ا ���م�ع� نِ��� �ي� نِ�‬ ‫ُ � َ ��غِ ُ � ��َ ْ نَ ْ ��نَ�ْ ً � َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ب ��و �و� ب ��و�قٍ ل�م ���ِ��ب�‬ ‫��ي� � صِ‬ ‫ع ��ق�د ا �بِ� �دي نِ�‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫حٍ‬

‫‪80‬‬

‫‪80‬‬

The Monastery of Qūṭā (the Flock)

Maṣābīḥ had been angered by something she heard about ʿAbdallāh ibn

8.8

al-ʿAbbās. He sought to propitiate her but she was unrelenting. He wrote her a note in which he swore that he had not done anything that would have displeased her and he cursed those who had wronged him. She did not reply to his note—under his curse of the people who had injured him, she added “Amen.” Nothing more. So he wrote to her: I will stay delighted at your answer for as long as we live. The word that delights me most is “Amen” to the Lord of the Worlds. This is another poem by ʿAbdallāh:

8.9

Gold on gold, brought by a silver branch— A heart’s desire bearing my heart’s desire. A moon with the sun in its hand. Welcome to heaven’s two lights! Friends of both friendly carousals, ever in close accord, May no bird of ill omen come to part us. No! A long as we’re alive, let us stay entwined, Drinking at dawn and dusk, with no care for the future.

81

81

‫� �َ �ُ‬ ‫��جر�ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫د ���ير ��مر‬ ‫س‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ة � ن�زّ ن‬ ‫� �ذ ا ا �� � � � ا �ل�َ�ز َ ��ف �ة � � �أ� �د ا �� � � ا ا ت � ا �ل� ا ض � ق‬ ‫�ه� ل�دير ب� �م ر � و ه�و ح� ل�دي� ر � وم� �‬ ‫��� ا�لم���ص�ود � او�لمت��� �ه�و� �م ن� � ��هل�‬ ‫�و ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���غ��د ا د ي خ� �� ن� �إ ��ل��ه د ا ئ��مً�ا ���ف� ا �ل��س�م��ر�ّ�ا ت� �� �ل�ق ��ه �و ��ط�ي��ه �و�ه� �ع��ل �ش���ا ��ط ئ �‬ ‫و �ى �‬ ‫ر�ج و ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� د �ج��ل�� � او �ل�عر�و ب� �ب�ي��‬ ‫بر‬ ‫ي يي‬ ‫�� ا ن ا ت � ا �ة � ��ّ ا ت ا � � � ت ن�زّ ن �ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي��د �ي�ه � او �لب����س� ��� �م‬ ‫ح�د ��� �ب�ه � او ل‬ ‫ح� �� � �ج�م� �ور �ل�ه‪ � .‬ك�� �م� �‬ ‫ح�� � �إ �لي��ه ا�لم��� �ه�و� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫��ر‬ ‫ول ي ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف�ي��ه‪ � .‬او�ل�م�ز َر��ف��ة �م� � �‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا �لب��ل� د �ع�م� ر � �و ��ط�ي ب��ه� �ب ����ع�� �و�ب��ه� �م� ا �لب����س� ���ي� �م� �لي����س �لب���ل��د‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�م ن� ا �لب���ل��د ا �‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل� ت �� ّ ن �ف �‬ ‫� �أ� � ��ف ن �ة ا �� ��ق �ش�� ّ ف‬ ‫���ا ن� �م ن ا ���خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫���ل�ع�ا ء �و�م�د �من��� ا �ل ش���رب� �وم��طر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي� ��ي� ا �ل��د �ي�ا را ت�‬ ‫�و�ل�ب�ي� ج� �� ل ر �ي� ي و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫غ�نّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� �خ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫���ه� �ي��� �ي �ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ا ت� �و�ل� �ي ك‬ ‫���ه� ي���د �م�ه � بو���ع ض�‬ ‫��ن� ي���ل�و �م ن� ���ل�م�ا � �مْرد ب���ع ض�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ ٱَ‬ ‫َٱ ن�َ �سِ َ ٱ �ْ ��بِ ْ ُ أ َ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫��ِ��تَ �ر�ّ��ن�َم � �� ّل���ط�ْ��يُر �َ��ْ�عَ�د �ع‬ ‫��جَ�م��تِ �هِ �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��� ر � �ل� ��ر��برد ��ي� � �زِ �ّم��تِ هِ�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ أ ��قْ ��بِ َ ٱ ��ْ َ ْ ُ َ�ٱ ��َْ اَ ا ُ ��َى �زَ َ ا �قَ ْ � َ�ْ�م ش�� � ُ َّ‬ ‫ه��ه� ر �إِ ل‬ ‫� �و � �ل � �لورد �و بل��� �‬ ‫��م� نِ� �‬ ‫�صفٍ� ي ِ ��� ��بِ� ر�م��تِ هِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ا أَ ْ � َ َ ٱ �ْ َ ْ َ نْ نَ َ ْ ُت َ َ ا َ �ْ ِ ُ نِ �َ ْ ُ ُي ُ َّ‬ ‫�م� � ��ط � � � �ل ��ص� � �ج�� � �و�م� ‪��    1‬ي�ل����س��ع�� ه‬ ‫��جره بِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ح�م��تِ هِ�‬ ‫�ي ب وٱ َل �إِ و‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫َ ا �يِ ةً �تِ �ذْ َ ُ ي�ٱ ْ��مِ ْ فَْ قَ‬ ‫�َو�م ْ���ث�َ �� �لْ � � ��لن��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�جِ ��يِ� �‬ ‫��ص�َ�فِ�� ��   �� � �ه ب� �بِ� �ل� رءِ ���و�� ��هِ�ُ �م��تِ �هِ‬ ‫ِ ل و نِ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ شْ َٱ �ْ ْ ثْ َ �لْ َ‬ ‫نَا �زَ ْ تُ َ ا َ نْ سِع َ �ؤُ ُ أ �بِ ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫���قِ� �و فِل� �‬ ‫�� ��ع���ه� �م� ��� �د ا � ه � �� �د ا   �فِ�ي� لعِ �‬ ‫��سقِ� ِم���ل �م��تِ �هِ‬ ‫�قِ ْ �نَ فَ ٱ �ْ ف فَ‬ ‫� ْ ُ َ �َ ْ نَ ا أَ ْ َ َ� �زُ ْ َ‬ ‫َ ْ �مِ ْ ُ ْ‬ ‫ح   �‍��‬ ‫�َ � � �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جر �ع�ل��ي�� � ر� او ���هر��تِ� هِ�‬ ‫�فِ��ي� دي�ِر �� ر ج�ر�جِ��� �َو� �د � ��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أُ ُ ْ ُ َ �َ ْ َسٍ َ�ْ ِ ُح‬ ‫� نْ �ذٰ � � َ �ٱ ��ل ش��َّ ْ �غ�َ ْ ُ � شْ َ‬ ‫عنِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي  ِم� ِ�ل�ك ��� ءِ ���ير ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح����م��تِ هِ�‬ ‫� ِر���ي�د �ِم��ن�ه �و�لي����س ي�م���ن� ��‬ ‫أَي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �فَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫اَا َ �زَ ْ َ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫َ ُ �نْ تُ ْ �ف �‬ ‫�و��ى ِب�ِ�م���ي��ع��ع� ِد ِه �و �ور��تِ� �هِ  �وك � � �و��ى �ل�ه ��بِ� ��ذِ �م��تِ �هِ‬ ‫� �ش���عره‬ ‫�و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ ُ �عِ َّ ِ � َ َ � َّ َ‬ ‫�ص ُ�� �‬ ‫�و���م�� ر�� ���ط��ل � �ل‬ ‫ب� � ب وح‬ ‫سٍ‬

‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ول ‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬ ‫م‬

‫‪١،٩‬‬

‫‪٢،٩‬‬

‫‪٣،٩‬‬

‫َّ‬ ‫��َ�ل�فِ تً َُ ���قُنِ �ٱ �� ِّ‬ ‫��صبُّ�� ُ�‬ ‫�َو ن� نِ��‬ ‫ي  � ��ى �ي �� او فِ ��� ل�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�إِ‬

‫‪82‬‬

‫‪82‬‬

‫ُ ُ َ‬ ‫كورا‬ ‫ب�� �‬

The Monastery of Mār Jirjis (Saint George)

This monastery stands in Mazrafah. The monastery and its surroundings draw

9.1

visitors, and people from Baghdad are always going on outings to it by boat, because it is close by and attractive. It is built on the banks of the Tigris, the floating water mills are in front of it, gardens surround it, and there are taverns close by. Everything pleasure-seekers might want is to be found there. Mazrafah is very well cultivated and beautiful, and it has gardens unlike those anywhere else. Abū Jafnah al-Qurashī, who was a libertine, a steady drinker, and a fre-

9.2

quenter of monasteries and taverns, always in the company of beardless boys to serve him and sing to him, composed these verses: The birds, long silent, sing, and the cold has been led away. Roses and blossoms have come forward, all for a season of pleasure. How good is a meeting if I’m well, not stung by fever when he’s left me. A pure wine, the color of blood, transporting the drinker beyond his cares, I’ve shared with one who in debauchery and love gave measure for measure, In Mār Jirjis’s Convent, when the dawn wafted the scent of its flowers. He didn’t withhold what I wanted except when too diffident. He kept his promise and came, and I kept my share of the pact. Here is another fine poem of his:

9.3

I’m a traveler who asks for a morning drink, for I like wine in the morning;

83

83

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير�مر ج�ر ج ��س‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫َ ��قِ َ ْ تُ َ ا �يِ ةً �َ ا �َ�� َ‬ ‫��فَ��شَ���جِ ْ نَ نَ ��قِ َ ْ ُ ُ َ‬ ‫ُ َ‬ ‫��ص� �فِ�� �� ِب�م� ِء �س‬ ‫�ح�ا ��بِ� ��ةٍ  �‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫ي� � ر�ع��ت�ه نّ� �ُ���سر�ورا‬ ‫� �ي�� ِ�‬ ‫�و� ر�ع� �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫��فَ ��شِ ْ تُ ُ َّ ِ �� ْ ت هُ �ف َ � ن�َ ا َ ْ ْ ُ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ِ� ت� �ف��ْو�ق� �ل�ه�ا �ِ��ت�هِ ك�ا �ف��ورا‬ ‫���س‬ ‫��� ِرب��� ����ث�م ����س�ق‬ ‫ِ�ي �� �ك� �م�  ��سب�� ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�طِ� َ َ‬ ‫�فِ ً ُ ُ َ َ َ‬ ‫�خ� ْ ً تَُ � � ُ � � ��� � �َ ُ َ‬ ‫ع���ظ�ا � ��فت��ورا‬ ‫�َو� ��تى ���ي ِ�د ����ير �ع��ليْ���ك ��ي� ��� ر�ب�ا �ِ��ت�هِ  ���مرا � ��و�ل�د �ي� لِ�‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ِم‬ ‫َ �إِ�ذَ َ شَ فْ َ ْ شَ �فِ �فِ َ ُ َ َ َ َ‬ ‫��َت َ ٱ �ْ ُ�قَ ا ُ َ�ُ ْ َ ْ � َ نُ َ‬ ‫�ض�ا ب��ه�ا   ك�� ب� � �ل� �‬ ‫ع � ر بح��س� �و�ج� ��ك ���ورا‬ ‫�و ا ر����� ت� ِب�مِ� ر����� يْ���ك ر��‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا �ْ تُ أَ ْ َ ُ َ ا َ أَ ْ‬ ‫حتَّ َ أ ْ تُ � َ ا �نِ هُ َ ْ ُ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��سورا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�س‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ر ي� ِ س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م� �زِ �ل� � �����شر�ب��ه� � �و � �قِ�� �‬ ‫��ص ِِب �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫ْ َ ا �ت� ت هُ � ُ ُ ُ َ‬ ‫َّ ا تَ �خِ َّ� َ ت �ٱ ��لتُّ�َ ا ُ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��مِ� �م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��سورا‬ ‫ٍ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هود بِ �‬ ‫�ج� ر بِ����ب� ��بِ� �ل و ��م� � �� � �ي� �‬ ‫� �ي ر ِ‬ ‫‪٤،٩‬‬

‫َ ٱْ َْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��أ ��َ َ� ّاَ �تَ�غ�َ ِّ‬ ‫َ ُ �زْ َ َّ َ ْ �ل�َْ ���يِ َ ٱ � نَّا ��ُ �مثْ�َهُ أ َ ْ ُت َ � ْ ��‬ ‫�ضَ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و���م �ور �و�ج��هٍ �م � ر � �ل�� س ِ ��ل�  � ر‬ ‫هِ َ س‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫�ُ�ؤَ ��ذُ � نْ ُ ْ تُ � ٱ �ْ�خلَ �َّ قُ ْ �َ ةً َ ُ ْ ض ن ��� َ ا �ق � تُ �مِ ْ‬ ‫� َ��ا‬ ‫ي �� ا �خِ�� �نِ�ي� �إِ � ر�م� �ي� �‬ ‫��د �ب��ل��  �و��يَ�ْ��عِر��� �ع��ي� ك��ل�م� ��ل� �� ر� ب‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� � �ل َ �ْ تُ ُ � نَ �إِ�ذ‬ ‫َ ��َ ْ �َ ا ٱ �َّ� � ���يِ ْ تَ�ُّ تَ�ْ تَ �إِ�ز‬ ‫��ق َ �َ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫� صِ‬ ‫�َو �لو�ل� � �ل��ذِ ي� � ر �‬ ‫ج ح� ِرهِ  �ل� �ع�� ِ ��ي�‬ ‫�د �َ َرب‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ َ ْ ُت عِ َ ْ �ِ ْ َ ً�ة َا ِّ ة ةً ُ َ ُ� مِ َّا َ ا َ � َ‬ ‫��� �� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ْك����ا‬ ‫� ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫� د ر� �� ��ل��ي�هِ �ق� � � � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫هو �ب� ب�ِ�ِل��ي� ��ى�  ����تِر�ي�ٱْك �� ي�� �ه� �ع��ل�ى � ل سِ ْ و ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ ��ش���َّ َ ا ٱ � َّ ا � �َ ا �ِ َ َّ َ تْ‬ ‫�   َ�ع��َ � �ل��مَ�زْ �� سِ�� ْ �َ�ا ��لً�ا �م نَ �ٱ ��ل��دُّ َّ �ُم��ذ َ�هَ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ى ج بر ِ � ر‬ ‫�قِي� ِب ٍ ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ا �ج �‬ ‫ِ‬

‫�� ن ّ‬ ‫� �ول�ل�م�ي�ر�ي�‬

‫ف�ي��ه‬

‫َ‬ ‫���نِ�زَ �ْ تُ �َ ْ �َ ا � ْ� َ�خ ْ�َ مِ ن�ْ ��ٍ �ذَ َ ْ ُت � �أ َّا �َ ��َ ْ �َ ضَ �ْ نَ ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫هٍو م�‬ ‫� �ل� ِب��مر م� جِ ر�جِ �� ��ي ر �� � �زِ ل ك�ر� بِ�هِ ي� م ل� �‬ ‫���ي � ِ�ي�‬ ‫تَ َ� ِ �فِ‬ ‫ٱ � ُّ سٍ ُ ُ َ َ ِّ نَ ا ��فِ نْ أَ ْ ��فِ َ�أْ �ت ٱ � ُّ ُ ُ َ نْ َ‬ ‫��ّ���ن� نَ��ا �فِ���ي�هِ � �ل����سر �ور �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫ح���ف��   � ِ�م� � ��س�� �ٍل �ي� ِ�ي� � �ل��سر�ور �و�ِم� ��عِل�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ َ ا َ�َ ت ٱ � �أ َّا ُ � َ َ ا ِ فَ تْ َ َ ا َ ْت ُ ُ �فُ ٱ �لَ ا ثَا ت َ ْ َ �‬ ‫�صر�و� � �‬ ‫�و���س� �لم‬ ‫�ص� ر� �‬ ‫� � �ل� �ي� �م �فِ��ي�هِ �و���س� ����ع��  �و�‬ ‫� ِب��م�ْع�ز �ِل‬ ‫ح� ِد �� ِ‬ ‫َِ َ َْ ٱ ْ َأْ‬ ‫َ َ َ �َ ْ َ َأتَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��قِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�� �� ظ ��� �ُ �م ْ �� قٌ‬ ‫حُ ث� ��َه�ا‬ ‫��ُ�ي ِ�د ����يُر �ع��ل�ي �ن �ا � ��ل ك�‬ ‫ا � ات ا � � � �‬ ‫�� س ب ��ي� � ر� �‬ ‫ط�  ي� بِ �‬ ‫ك� �س� �ِ��ه� لي����سٱ ي� ِ��ل�ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��فَ َ ا َ ْ شَ َ ا أ ْ �فَ َ َا ��َْ ُ ُ ْ �َ َ ا َ َا َ � َ ٱ � �َّ ��ذَ ت ُ� َّ تَ ��فَ � ْ �‬ ‫� ح��ي�ي � � ����ن�زِ ِل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي� �عي����� �م� � � ��‬ ‫�صى وي� ل� �هو د م ل��ن�  وي� و �فِ �د � ل�ل� ِ‬

‫‪84‬‬

‫‪84‬‬

‫‪٥،٩‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Jirjis (Saint George)

I mixed a pure wine with water from heaven, and in joy they both sang out loud. I drank, and poured him a cup as if I was dripping camphor on his raging thirst. A joyful youth passes round the wine that fills the body with lethargy; If you sip the froth with your lips, the liquor lights up your face. I drank and poured for my friend till I saw his tongue stumbling From the vintage pressed by Babylon’s merchants or stored long by the Jews of Sūrā. And these verses are by him:

9.4

I poured wine for a falsehearted boy, with a peerless face when he feigned anger, Scolding me for trying to kiss his cheek, and turning away when I said, “Welcome.” If it hadn’t been for the quivering in his loincloth, I’d have had him stung with a scorpion for his snub. I gave him Babylonian wine to drink, which ignited the cup with stars. When the cupbearer mixed the cup with water, it was dressed in chain mail of golden pearls. Here is a poem by al-Numayrī:

9.5

I had a splendid stay at Mār Jirjis’s, recalling past days of leisure. Gaiety enveloped us with pleasure from all sides. Fate was our friend, helping us along; destiny’s blows were far. A fawn in a tunic poured us wine, tirelessly refilling our cups. What a perfect life! Pleasure, stay with us! To the bringer of joys, stop here! Live long!

85

85

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير�مر ج�ر ج ��س‬

‫أ � � ّ � ّ � ن � �ق ا � ا ��ل ن ّ‬ ‫���ا ن �م ن �أ��ه ا ���أد � ا �� ف�ل� ض��� �م���ل� � ش‬ ‫�و�ه�و � ب� ��و ا �ل��ط�ي ب� ح�م�م�د ب�� ا � �ل � �س�م �م�ي�ر�ي� �وك� � � �ل �ل ب� و �ل ي‬ ‫� ا �ل����عر‬ ‫� ح �ذّ‬ ‫ق � �‬ ‫��ا ن ت � ه ا �� ��ن�ع �ة‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫�ك��ثر ا ��ل ش��� ب� ���ف� ا ��ل��د ��ا را ت� � او �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ا ت� � �و��ل�� ��ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر�ي ��ق� ا �ل��‬ ‫ط�� �وك�� ��� �ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ل �و �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر ي ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� �عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن� ا �ل�م�ع��ت�ز �ي�� �ن�� �ب�ه �و �ل�ا ��ي��ف �ا ر��ق�ه �وك�‬ ‫��ل��ك‪� .‬وك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ج�ر�� ب��ي��ن��ه�م�ا � ك�‬ ‫م��ا ت��ب��ا ت�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ا ت� ���ف ا ��ل ش����ع � �م�د ا �ع��ا ت� ��� ّ���ة � � ن �ذ�� � �فًا ن‬ ‫�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫�و�م ن��ا �� ض�‬ ‫ب ط�ي ب و‬ ‫رو‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ح ن� ��� ك�ر ��طر�� �م �‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ت�زّ ��ت � ّ � ن ّ ً �ق‬ ‫ع �وت�ه‬ ‫��ا �ل �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� ا�لم�ع�� ك�� ب� �إ �ل�ي� ا �ل�م�ي�ر�ي� �ي ��و�م�ا �و��د د � �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �أ�ْتُ � َ �تَ ْ �ُ � ��لَ �ٱ �� ّشُ ْ �ُمْ�ع�تًا َ �تَ�قْ ِ�� �ُ �َع نَّ �ٱ �� ّشُ ْ َ َٱ �� �َّ ْ ُ �ُمْت�ُ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ِ�م�  �و�����ط ��� ل���رب� � �و ل�ل���ي�ل �مِ�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫و� �إِ ى ربِ‬ ‫ر �ي‬ ‫َ َ ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�فَ َّ ا ��شِ ْ �نِتَي ٱ � َّ َ �َ ْ َ َ ُ‬ ‫���َّ ُ‬ ‫ع ْ تَ �ٱ �� َّ َ� َ�ٱ ��ل ش��ّ�ْ ُ �تَ �ْلِ ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���إِ ��م� ��� ِرب��� � �ل ار � �ل��ي��ل�ك ك��ل�ه  �و �م� ���ر��� ل ار �و �م��س � ���م�‬ ‫�إِ ِ ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��فَ�أََّ ُ َ ا آ ���ثِ ْ َت َ ��ّ ْ تَ �ِ �ِّ هُ َ �ذَ َ ٱ �َّ� � تَ ْ َ ُ شُ ْ ٌ �ُ�م�خِ �َّ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه او ه ���رب� � �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ي����ه�م� � � ر� �وفِ�ي � ��ح�‬ ‫�ق�  و ك � ل��ذِ ي� �� �‬ ‫ع‬

‫‪٦،٩‬‬

‫‪٧،٩‬‬

‫�ق ا � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن �ذ‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�� �ل �وك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ن� �ج��ا ء ��ي� ��ل��ك ا �لي ��و�‬ ‫���ب�� ت� �إ �لي��ه ��ي� �ي ��و� �عي��د �و�ل� �ي ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�أَ � �هِ ْ‬ ‫�حِ � َل�ا ���َع�ْ�ي��� َك �ش��� ْ ءٌ  �ُه�َ �أ � ْ��س� َل�ا َك �َ�ا َ�خ���ل��ي�� َ َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ب����ع ِ�د �ي�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�بِ�بِ�ي� �� ْ�ل‬ ‫بِ نِ‬ ‫ْ �إِ�ذيَ َِأَ ِ�َي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ� ْ ُ َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫���أ �سِ� ُ ٌّ �إِ�ذ ا �ل � �ز ْ � َ � َ �ُ ٌ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�� �لو ا ر� ��ي ت���ك ِ�ع��ن ِ�د �ي�‬ ‫�م ���ت ر�نِ��‬ ‫ي �و ه�و‬ ‫���ط�ع�م ك�� �ي� �مر‬

‫�ت � ّ‬ ‫�ف ك‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �ل�ي�‬

‫َّ‬ ‫سِ َّ � أَنْ تَ �َ ْ ُ ْ � ��فَ َ ا �ذَ � َ ت �إِ�ذْ ُ ُ ْ َ‬ ‫�� �د‬ ‫ح��ي��ِل��ي� ب���لِ�ي ت� �ِم ن���ك �بِ�� صِ‬ ‫��� ي� ِ�د ي� � ���ُ �ل�م ����تِرد �نِ�ي� ��م� ا   ِ‬ ‫َ ْ َ ْ ت َ �غَ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�َ�ْ�ع��َل ُ �ٱ ّٰللهُ �َم�ا �أ �َ�ق�ا ��س � ‪� 1‬م نْ �شَ��   �� � �م ن � َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ح��سرِ��ي� �و���م� بِ��ب���ع ِ�د �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�ي هِ ِ � �و �قِي� وِ �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي م‬ ‫ّ أ َ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫��ت�� ت ��ل ه � ّ �ة �أ � ه �ف‬ ‫ّٰ �‬ ‫��ت� ��ل� ّ �ع ن��د �� �ق�� � � ��ل�ع��ل � ت�خ���ّل�� �من‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫��ا �ل �عب��د ا لله �وك� ب � �إ ي�� مر د ع�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ف ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ب�� ت� �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫�و�ع�� �لق� ا �ل�و�ع�د � ك‬ ‫�َ ْ ش ئْ تَ �جِ�ئْ تَ � �مِ َّ ْ‬ ‫�َا �َم نْ �ُ َ َّ فُ َ ْ‬ ‫ي � �لو �ِ����� � � ِب�� ره‬ ‫ي� � ي �‬ ‫��سو��‪� ٢‬و��ع ِ�د ��‬ ‫�فَ�ٱ ْ قُ ْ � َ َ ْ�نَ ا ُ قُ � ٍا َ �َ ا ُ َ ْ ف ْ � ُ ْ َ ْ‬ ‫�� ��س�� ��ط �ع��ل�ي � ��س� ��و���ط�  �و�ل� ����تر���فِر�� ِ�ل���غ�د ره‬

‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ ّف‬ ‫أ َق‬ ‫‪ 1‬ال��ص�ل‪�� � :‬ا ��سي�‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ي���سَرَ ��‪.‬‬ ‫ِ‬

‫‪86‬‬

‫‪86‬‬

‫‪٨،٩‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Jirjis (Saint George)

Al-Numayrī’s full name was Abū l-Ṭayyib Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim

9.6

al-Numayrī. He was a man of culture and virtue, a good poet with a delicate talent, a man of high rank and wealth. He enjoyed frequenting monasteries and taverns to drink. ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz enjoyed his company and was inseparable from him. They used to write to each other, competing in poetry and playful jokes. We shall mention some of them here.

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz recalled: One day when I sent an invitation to

9.7

al-Numayrī, he wrote to me: I see you’re inviting me for a drink after twilight, and you’ll break up the party when the night’s at its height; Either you should spend the whole night drinking or else you should drink when the sun is high. Whichever you prefer, give it its due. But what you’re after is quaffing cut short. I wrote to him one feast day when he had not visited me: By heaven! Has something caught your eye, my friend, and made you forget me? The wine in my cup is bitter when you’re not here, but how sweet it is when you’re with me. So he wrote back to me: Sire, you didn’t want me. What was I to do, since I’d suffered your rejection? God knows the longing I endure, the grief and regret, since I’m far from you. One day I wrote him an invitation, and he wrote back: “I have visitors, but perhaps I’ll be able to get rid of them.” He didn’t fulfill his promise, so I wrote: You’ve put off your promise to me; If you’d wanted, you’d have come like a shot. Drop in to see us straightaway;

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9.8

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير�مر ج�ر ج ��س‬

‫�فَ نْ �ضِ َ ْ � ُ َ قَ‬ ‫ٱْ��مِ َّ ْ‬ ‫َ َْ َ ٰ‬ ‫�� ب� ��ط ت� بِ����س�ا �ي�‍ْ  ‍��ك ب���ع�د ��ه��ذِ �ي� � �ل� ره‬ ‫� �إِ� � �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ أَ�ذً َ ِ ��ضِ َّ ْ‬ ‫�َ �أ ْ� سِ نَّ� َ � ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ره‬ ‫ي �ع��ل�ى ى و م�‬ ‫�ل�حبِ����� ��ك ِع��ن ِ�د �‬ ‫� ن ّ �ف آ خ ش ن‬ ‫ا �ل�م�ي�ر�ي� ��ي� � �ر����عب��ا �‬

‫�ق ا �‬ ‫ّ ��ت � ّ‬ ‫�� �ل �عب��د ا لله �وك�� ب� �إ �ل�ي�‬ ‫َا أََا ٱ �َْ َّ ا �قِ ْ شَ َّ َ ِ ْ َ ا نُ �إِ�زَ َ ْ‬ ‫��ش�‬ ‫�س�ع��ب� � ا ره‬ ‫�ي� � �ب� � �ل�ع��ب� ��سِ � �د ���‍  �‍�مر������‬ ‫َ َ ضَ َ ْ َ ��فِ َ ُ ْ‬ ‫قُ نْعَ ا نٌ ُ َ ا َ ْ‬ ‫ح� �إِ ����س� � ���غب�� ره‬ ‫�و�م���ى ي�����س��عى � �م�ا ��ي��ل‍   ِ��‬ ‫�فَ�ٱ�غْ ُ نَ ْش َ ْ َ فْ َ �ةَ ٱ � � َّ نَّ َ نَ ْ َ ْ ُ َ َ ا َ ْ‬ ‫�ص� ��و � �ل�د  � �و����س��ل��ب�ه‬ ‫ ‪� 1‬و��ق� ره‬ ‫�� ��د ����رب� �‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ َ �ذُ‬ ‫َ اَْ‬ ‫َ �� َ �قْ ُ ��شِ َ َ‬ ‫ِ�ر � ل�‬ ‫ع�‍  �‍�ل ��� ِ برْ�� ن��ا �ي�ا ِد ك� ره‬ ‫�َو ا ��م�ا ك‬

‫�ق ا � ��ت � ّ‬ ‫�� �ل �وك�� ب� �إ �ل�ي�‬

‫أ‬ ‫� ��ق�د �ت�� خّ� ا ج��تم�ا �ع ن��ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬

‫َ ٱْ�َ ُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫� ْ‬ ‫�َ َ ا َ � ��خِ ْ�ٌ � نْ �حِ َ ا � َ ْ� َ ٱ �نْ َ‬ ‫ب� ك��‬ ‫مو ت� ��ي� � �جل��م� �ع�ةِ � �ي ر   ِم� � ي�� �ةٍ �ي� و�‬ ‫ح ش�����ةٍ �َ �و � �فِ� ار ِد‬ ‫�ِم � �ل �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ�عَّ �ف�� �� � �‬ ‫�ج�ت�م�ا َ�عُه�ْ �َ��ْ �َمُ�ه�ْ �ذ ا   �َ � � ْ�س��ت��بِ ّ�د � ا َ�ع�� َّ �� � �ل�م���ي�َع� دا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر و�نِي� ِ ْ � م ي و � م‬ ‫و‬ ‫وْ ل�ي� �فِي� ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ َ َّ َ أ‬ ‫َٱ �ْ �حِ ُّ أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حَ ْ‬ ‫� َ � � ُ�سُه�ْ �َ ب�‬ ‫� �و ل‬ ‫� �‬ ‫���س��ي  ��� ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر�َر�ي� ر� ��س �ك�ل ���س�ا ِد‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� َِر�ي ِري ر � م وِ ِ � ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ ْ�خَ‬ ‫نْ َ أ �قَ َْ ةً َ ْ �ق َ � ْ‬ ‫� ��جِ نَ ا َ ُ � � ِّ َ‬ ‫�إِ � ر� �ى ��ي �ن �� ��ت���بِ ر� ش��� ِ�ل��لعِ� ش���‍   �‍� �َ �و ر �ى � �� �‬ ‫ح�ه ِ�ل�‬ ‫ل�����س�ف �ا ِد‬ ‫َ َ َ قِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ �قَ تْ � �ِ‬ ‫َ �تَ َ َّ �َ َ ا َ ��حِ َّ � ْ‬ ‫��� ْ ٱ �ْ �أ �َ ا‬ ‫ع ��� ��ف ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫هَو�ةِ � �ل� �ْو�ل� ِد‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ص�د �ى �ل�ه� �و� رك‬ ‫�و��‬ ‫طي�‍  ‍ هِ ور � ِ � �‬

‫� ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ� �‬ ‫�ف �ذ‬ ‫��ا �عت�� ر ت� �إ �لي��ه �و��س�� �لت��ه ا �لم�ص�ي�ر �إ �ل�ي�ن �ا �ج���ا ء �ن�ا‪.‬‬ ‫�ق ا �‬ ‫ّٰ ��ت � ّ‬ ‫�� �ل �عب��د ا لله �وك�� ب� �إ �ل�ي�‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ ْ تُ �َ ْ أُْ � َ ْ َ نْ‬ ‫�جِ�ئْ تُ ��َ ْ أ ْ َ ��َ��ْ� تْ ُ أ ْ ��لَ � َ �َ ْ تُ‬ ‫ع�ا ��ت‬ ‫� ����ع�ا�ى��َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غِ�� �ل�م � ��ط��ل ب� � �إِو‬ ‫ب وى بِ ي� و‬ ‫�م �ل و‬ ‫ا َ� ب‬ ‫بِ ٱ ْ ِ ب ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مٍ‬ ‫هٍ‬ ‫حٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ�أ ْ �‬ ‫��بِ َ‬ ‫َ ْ �ق ُ َ ْ‬ ‫َص�ا ِ ��ل‬ ‫� ا � َ�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��صبِ��ُر ِ�ل��ل ش �‬ ‫��ص�ا�‬ ‫���ْو�قِ� � �لم� ر� ك�ا ِر�� �ا  � �و ر� ب� �ي ��و�� �ا �‬ ‫���س� �‬ ‫� � �فِ�ي� �َ�ل� �ع او �قِ ِب‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ َ ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ف ْ ُ َف َ‬ ‫�� �َ نْ‬ ‫ح�ْ تُ هُ �مثْ� �َ‬ ‫ك� ْ � �َ�س�����ي � ��ل���ذ �َ‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫ص�ا �‬ ‫�م�ا ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫قِ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�فِي بِ ِل‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ ب ِ‬ ‫�سِ م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪��� :‬س�ل�م�ه‪.‬‬

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‫‪٩،٩‬‬

‫‪١٠،٩‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Jirjis (Saint George)

Don’t wrap yourself in apology’s cloak. If I get my hands on you after this, You won’t be able to leave, whatever’s amiss. Al-Numayrī wrote to me on the last day of Shaban:44 Abū l-ʿAbbās, Shaban’s up and running. So swift no one can catch him. Come, let’s drink the best of the cask, To rob him of his solemnity. If anyone even mentions a clear mind, Let’s raise a glass to its memory. He wrote to me, when a meeting between us had been put off:

9.9

How much better is death in company than life alone and lonely? They told me the day we’d meet, then went off and left me alone. Al-Ḥarīrī was their chief—the source of every vice, I know. If he sees a singing girl, he’s ready for love, dropping his pants for sex. He’ll make for her all aquiver, but she’s unmoved at his childish desire. So I apologized and asked him to come, which he did. And he wrote me:

9.10

If I’m absent no one asks for me; if I come I’m not let in. Blame would be justified, but I’m not a blamer. I’m patient against my will, exhausted by longing, waiting for a day with a favorable outcome. Not all the friends I’ve had are like Qāsim. Take his measure and think of good times past.

89

89

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير�مر ج�ر ج ��س‬

‫ُ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫��ت �� ّ �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��� �ي ��و� ��مي���� �ص�مت��ه‬ ‫��ق�ا � � ك�� ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫ل و ب� �إ �ي ي م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�أ �َا �ٱ ��ْل�َ َّ ا �� �َا ��خِ ْ�َ �ٱ � �أ�نَا � �تَ� ُ �ُ �َ ��َ ْ َ �ذَ ا �َ ْ�َ �ٱ ��ل َّ‬ ‫��صيَ��ا �‬ ‫ِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ير‬ ‫سِ ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫وم وي ٱسَْ ي وم ٱ ْ ِم‬ ‫��فَ َ ْ �َ� َ � ُ َ أَ� �ظَ ��‬ ‫ُ َ ا ُ � ��ل َا � َ � ��لََ‬ ‫�م�د ا � � � � �فٍ  ���س� �ع�د � �‬ ‫ح� � � � � �‬ ‫ح ا�‬ ‫��ه �‬ ‫�ل ل�ك �فِ�ي� ِم �خٍ ِر�ي� ي ِ �فِ�ي� ل ِل و �فِ�ي� رِم‬ ‫�� � ت �ذ ن ت�أ خّ � نّ �ذ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫��ت �� ّ � ن ّ‬ ‫�� �أ�نّ�ه ا �ش ت‬ ‫���غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ل�م�ي�ر�ي� ي���ست��ب� ���ط� ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �ل ك�� ب� �إ ل�‬ ‫� ر��س�ول�ي� �و�ي�ع�� ر �م� �� �ره ع��ي� � �وي�� ر‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ن �ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أّ‬ ‫�ف �ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع ا �ة ت ا �‬ ‫�ج�ت��ه � �ّم�ا �م�ا ك�‬ ‫��ر ت� �م ن� �ت�� خ�ر ر�� �سو�ل�ي� �ع ن���ك �ل��ل�� �س�ؤ ا �ل �ع ن� �خ�ب��رك ��ي� �ه� ه‬ ‫ب �م� ر ب���س�� ��ه‪� �� .‬ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫� �أّا ��ت�ف �قّ � � ��ف ��نّ أ ت � ��ق � تَ‬ ‫� �ق�� ��ل ا �� �ل�ق�ا �ئ�� �خ����ذ ا ��ل��ل��ّ �م ن ق���� � ن� ��� �خ����ذ ك � ��ل�ا ���فم�ا‬ ‫�إو‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ا �ل� �ي� �م � او ل��� �د �ل�ك �إ� �ي� ر� ��ي ��ك �ل و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ص � ل ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف � �‬ ‫� ة �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ّ ق � � �‬ ‫�صر ت� ��ي� ا �ل��س��ؤ ا �ل �ع ن���ك � او �لب��عث��� �إ �لي���ك �و� ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل��ن� �م�ا � ���و�ل �لم ن� ن���ك��س �ع��لي���ل�ه �ل��� �ي��ع�ده � او �ش��ت��ا ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ا ��ل�ز � ا � ا ت � �غ� ا �ز � �ة ا �� ��ق ا ن‬ ‫��ل ه �ل�� �ي�ز ه �م ش ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن ت‬ ‫�����غ��ل�ا �ب� ��ط �و�ق� ا �ل‬ ‫ح�ا ��ا � � او �ل��د �ي�ا را � �ورك��و ب� �ل� �ل�� �و م � �ل� ل ي�� �‬ ‫�إ ي�� �م ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ف ت‬ ‫ق �ة ة � ن‬ ‫�غ ق ا‬ ‫�ف ن‬ ‫�و�م�ع�ا �ر ا ب�� ن��� ا �ل��د �ن�ا � �ج��ا �م�ع�ا �ب�ي� ن� ��طر��ي� ���ه�ا ره ب��� ب ��و�� �ل� �ي��ه�د � ��س�ا �مره �و� ب �‬ ‫�ص�وح� �ل� ��ي� ��ر‬ ‫آ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫��ا د ��ي��ف �ه � �و خ�ر ��ي��ق ا ��ل��ر ض��� ب�‬ ‫�خ ب� ���ط ا �ل�م�ا ء ب���جم‬ ‫ح��د ي�‬ ‫ع��س��‬ ‫�ر�ي� �ل�ه�و � او �‬ ‫�خي���ل�ه �و�و�ج�ي���ف �ه‪.‬‬ ‫�ب�ا ك��ره ��ي� � ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�أ � ت � ن �خ � � ��ف �ذ ا � �أ� �� ا ��ف ا � ت �أ ن �أ �ق �� ��ف ا �ل� نّ �ة ا �� ا � ّٰ �ت� ا ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�و��س� �ل� ع� �ب� ر ي� �ي� �ه� ه �ل� م�ط� ر �م� ع��سي��� � ��ول ي�‬ ‫و ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ش � � ا �إ�ذ ت� ّ �‬ ‫�ه�ا �و خ� �‬ ‫��ف ن��ا �ي ف�‬ ‫�خ ��طت��ن �ا ب���ع�د � ن� ��س��ل ت� � ي ف�‬ ‫�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫ا �ل��� ك‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫�س� �‬ ‫��ر�ع�لي�‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫ّ �� � ّ ن ّ‬ ‫��ا �ل �عب��د ا لله �وك�� ب� �إ �ل�ي� ا �ل�م�ي�ر�ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ���نْ ُ أَ ْ ُ ُ � َ ْ ي �إِ�ذَ َ َ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�خَ ْ � ٱ �ْلَ‬ ‫ا �م�ا �ن‬ ‫�أ �مِ� ��ٌ ك� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ر�ج و ِ‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ب ِ �ج ِ �ِل‬ ‫ب بِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َتَا َ َ� ٱ �ْ َ ا َ َٱ � َّ ُ �‬ ‫َ ْ ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�مر��ض‬ ‫� ت� ��ل� �ي��ع�د �نِ��ي� �ِم ن� ��س� � ِ�م�‬ ‫ي � �و� ه ع نِ� � �لعِ� ��ي�ى� د �ةِ � �و �لر� �‬ ‫�سو�ِل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫مَ َ ةٌ ِ ْ ُ �َ َ أَ �ُّ‬ ‫� ٱ � �ِّ ْ ٱْ� �َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�و�م� بِي� �ح� �ج�� �ت�د �‬ ‫عو �إِ �ى م� �ذِ ل �بِ� �هُِ ِْل��ذِ ي�َ ني���ِلْ ِني���ِل‬ ‫ََ �لِ�ُ تَ َّ �ٱ ْ�ُ ْ � ُ �زْ ي �إِ�ذَ َ ���ن تُ أ �قْ ِ ُ ٱ ��قِ‬ ‫�ولا �م ��و�‬ ‫ا �م�ا ك� � � ����ن� �بِ�� � �ل� ِ��ل���يِل�‬ ‫� �بِ� �ل�م��ل ِك ����ي هِ���‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫��ت�� ت� ��ل��ه �ق��ع��ة ���ف � خ� �ه�ا‬ ‫�ف ك‬ ‫�� ب �إ ي ر ي� ر‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��َّ �َ ْ َ � ا َ �ةٌ َ � ْ َ ا نْ‬ ‫��ي� ك��ل ي ��و�م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫َ مِ �َ ٌ َ مِ �َقٌ َ �� ْ َ نْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جرا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و � �ل�ل و � �أَ�لَ� و هِ� �‬ ‫�خِ َا قٌ َ ّ َ‬ ‫َ�ا نْ‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫� ن ُ نّ �‬ ‫� �ل ئِ��� ك� ���ه� �غِ ��ي�ل �‬ ‫‪90‬‬

‫‪90‬‬

‫‪١١،٩‬‬

‫‪١٢،٩‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Jirjis (Saint George)

He wrote to me on a Thursday when I was fasting: Abū l-ʿAbbās, you best of men, you’re fasting but it’s the wrong day. Why not enjoy a friend’s wine, which helps, whether there’s a fiat or a ban? Al-Numayrī wrote to me, complaining of the lateness of my messenger and

9.11

excusing himself for not coming to see me. He explained he was occupied with work in his garden, so I replied, “You mention my messenger’s delay in coming to see you and ask after you and your latest news—that looks to me like the person who says, ‘Catch the thief before he catches you.’ I’ve certainly not neglected to ask after you or send messengers. But what should I say to someone who has not visited his sick friend when he’s had a relapse and who has not gone to see him when the friend missed him? Instead, he has been taken up with going to taverns and monasteries, taking boat trips, flirting with singing girls, and imbibing the daughter of the vine. He divides his days between an evening glass with a tireless storyteller and a morning draft with an unflagging companion, in two camps of revelers, one striking the water with its oars, the other pounding the earth with its horses’ hooves. “You asked how I have kept during these rainy days. What can I say about this gift for which we should thank God? The days had unsheathed their swords and we were fearful of the harm they could do, but they have moved on and passed us.” Al-Numayrī wrote to me:

9.12

A prince whose help I had hopes of, if ever disaster struck. I fell ill, but he didn’t visit me, too proud to come or send for news. Though content with little, I’ve no reason to humble myself Before a proud man crowned with power, a dispenser of favors. So I replied: Each day we see obedience and rebellion, Boredom, flattery, and separation. Qualities like demons in action.

91

91

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير�مر ج�ر ج ��س‬

‫ت � أ �� ت ف أ ّ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت � ّ‬ ‫ع �و�ه �لي ��و� � �س‬ ‫م�ي��ه �ت��� خ�ر ر�� �سو�ل�ي� �ع ن��ه �ف ك‬ ‫��ا �ل �ود � �‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �ل�ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ َ ْ تَ �َ ا َ �بِ‬ ‫عو���ن� � �و�‬ ‫د ��‬

‫�ق ا � ��ت � ّ‬ ‫�� �ل �وك�� ب� �إ �ل�ي�‬

‫�ن ّ‬ ‫ا �ل�م�ي�ر�ي�‬

‫َ �َ� ْ � ْ � ٱ ْ ت َ نْ‬ ‫��ى�د ا �ل�ك   �نِ�ك �فِ�ي� � ��سِ��هِ �م�‬

‫َ �فَ‬ ‫�و��ى‬

‫�َ ْ‬ ‫�ل��ك‬ ‫‪١٣،٩‬‬

‫َ ْ سِ َّ َ ْ ُ ُ � نْ �ُ ْ‬ ‫����بِ َّ َ� � �ٱ ��ل شَّ���ْ �قُ ��لَ �ٱ ��ل ّشُ���ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ق‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫رح بِ ي� َ �و� �إِ �ى رب‬ ‫ٍ ي ب � بِ ي�‬ ‫َ َ� ْ أَ ُ نْ أ ْ هِ ُ ُ َ ا � ًا ��ِع َ ا َ َ� ْ فُ � َا �ذَ نْ‬ ‫�و �ل� � �ك � �ع�� �د ه �‬ ‫��ص� ر ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� �فِ ي��  ف�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ج ��و�نِ�ي� �بِ�ل� ْ �� ب ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َٱم ّٰ َ ا أَ ْ فُ‬ ‫ْ َ ُ  �ذَ �نًْا َ � ٱ �ْ � فَْ � � ٱ �لُ َّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و للهِ ��م� � ���عِر� ِل�ي� ِ�ع��ن�د ه � ب�� سِ�� �وى � �لإِ� � ار ��ِط َ�فِ�ي� ٱ� َح ب‬ ‫َ نَّ نِ َ ا ُ �ؤْ ُ ُ َ ا عِ ةً � َ ا ٱ �ل َّ َ � ا �� �ّ ْ‬ ‫��ر� �‬ ‫�س ���ت�ه ���س� �� ��   �� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح� �‬ ‫�و � ��ي� ��م� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�جِ �د �و�ل� ل�لع ب ِ‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ضِ ِ‬

‫ف ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ب�� ت� �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫�ك‬

‫َ أَُّ ٱ ْ‬ ‫�َا � َ �ُ�� ْ�ستَ�ْفَ �َ ْ َ تَ�َ �َّ � َ نَ ٱ �� �ِّ � ْ‬ ‫��ا � ��َ‬ ‫ه�ا � �ل‬ ‫�ج� �ي� �وي ج� �‬ ‫���ى �لي����س �ج �ني��ك �ِم� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل���ظر�فِ�‬ ‫ي ي�‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نَّ� َ َٱ � شّ ْ قَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� نْ ُ�ؤْ � نُ � ّٰ عِ َ ��حِ �ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و�� �إِ �ل��ي�� ك�م�   �ي �� ِم� �بِ� للهِ �� ��ل�ى � ر فِ�‬ ‫�إِ ��ك � �و �ل �‬ ‫�َ َ ْ ُت آث َ ا َ َ نْ ُ َّ نَا �غَ َْ أَ َ ا � َ ٱ �� ّ‬ ‫�ُ� ْ‬ ‫حو� � ��‍    � رك �ِم� �ود �� ��ي�ر � ��س� طِ ���ي�رك ��� � ل �ص �‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫حفِ�‬ ‫َ ِ �فِي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ن � ّ ْ تَ � �َ ا �ز ْ َ �ة َ ْ ًا َ َ َ َ َ‬ ‫�و � �ج �����ش�م� �ل�ن� �ور   �ي ��و�م� �‬ ‫�ح�ا �م��ل ت� �ع��ل�ى ض�‬ ‫���ْ��ع�فِ�‬ ‫�إِ‬

‫�ق ا � ��ت � ّ‬ ‫�� �ل �وك�� ب� �إ �ل�ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَ ُ َ َ ْ ً فَ َ � َ � ٱ � ُّ ْ ُ‬ ‫� ��ت�ْ�يت���ك �م��سُر�ورا �� ��ط�ا ب� ِ�ل�ي� � �ل ش���رب�‬ ‫َف َ َ ْ َ َ ٱ �ْ َأْ ُ َ َ َ‬ ‫��جِ ْ تُ� َه�ا‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ح�تّ �ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ج�ا ر ت� �ع��ل� َّ � �ل ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��س ى ر �‬ ‫ي�‬

‫ف ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ب�� ت� �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫�ك‬

‫‪١٤،٩‬‬

‫َ نَا �َ تْ �ُ نَ ا َ ا � نَْ َ ٱ ��ْ َ ْ نُ َ�ٱ ��ْ��قَ �ْ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ � �و� �ل� مَ�� �ه�َ ِع��د ك � ل�ع�ي�� �و لَ�ل ب‬ ‫� َ ا ٱ ْ تَ ْ َ� َ ٱ � ��ذّ نْ ُ‬ ‫ثَ َا �ثِ ةَ أ َّا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫  ��ل� �� �� � �ي�ٍ�م ك��م� � ��س ��و�ج ب� � �ل� �� ب‬

‫َ َ َ َ َ َ ٱ �ْ َأْ َ �إِ�ذْ َ َ ُ ْ‬ ‫�ُ َ ا ََ �َ ْ َ �َّ ا أَ نْ َ ُ‬ ‫� نَ ل�ََ ا ٱ � ��ذَّ نْ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��س �ج��ا ر �‬ ‫�ع�ل�ا � ج�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ْر ت� � �ل ك�‬ ‫ح ك�م�ه� �ولا �ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫هو �إِ �ل�ٱ �َ� �ي��كو� َ��ه� �ٱ �لْ� �� ب‬ ‫َ م‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ َ َ �َ� َ ٱ ّٰ ُ � ُّ‬ ‫ل����س ُ � َ �َ دَ ا �َ ��لي  ��� َ �ٱ ��ْل�َع��ْ ش��ُ �َ � ��لنّ��ْ��عَ�م�ا ءُ �َ�ٱ �تّ��َ�صَ � �� �لْ�ق ْ� ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� د ا �م �ل�ك � لله � � ر ور و م ِ�� بِ ك ي � و‬ ‫و �ل ر ب‬ ‫‪92‬‬

‫‪92‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Jirjis (Saint George)

I sent him an invitation for a specific day, but my messenger did not arrive in time, so he wrote me: You invited us and changed your mind. Fuck your true friend in the ass. Al-Numayrī wrote to me:

9.13

I’m worn out with longing to drink, with a noble who shuns my company. I’m not used to his coldness. Without reason, he’s treating me harshly. By God, the only thing I’ve done wrong is to exaggerate in my love. I’ve never once harmed him, whether seriously or in jest. And I wrote back: You scorn, yet your scorn is unjust, your charges false and lacking in style. If you say you miss us, you’re like a believer with a wavering faith. You’ve erased your traces from our friendship, except for stories people tell; Should you ever embark on a visit, it’ll be out of weakness. He also wrote to me:

9.14

I came to you gladly. We had a fine drinking bout. My heart and my eyes rejoiced to see you. But the wine did me wrong, so I left off for three days— just enough time to atone for my sin. And I wrote back: Why did you leave the cup when it wronged you? If wine’s not at fault, there’s no pleasure. May God keep you in gladness and grant me your nearness in this life of leisure.

93

93

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير�مر ج�ر ج ��س‬

‫ّٰ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫� �ن ّ‬ ‫�ًا �ق � ْ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�� �م�ع ن ا ��ل ا �� �ا�ة‬ ‫��ا �ل �عب��د ا لله ب���ع�ث ت� �إ �ل�ى ا �ل�م�ي�ر�ي� �ي ��و�م �ج��م�ع�� ر�� �سو �ل� �و���ل ت� �ل�ه ا رك� ب� �� �إ �ى ل�ص�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�ة ��غ �ة ف ت‬ ‫� أ أ ّ �ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ب�� ت� ��ل�ه‬ ‫� ف����ق�ا �ل �ل�ه �ق��ل �ل�ه � �ن�ا � �ص��ل� �م� �ص�ل� ا �ل��د ا � ك‬ ‫�ف��و�ج���ده ا �لر��س�و�ل ��ق�د ا �‬ ‫�ص��ب�ط�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ََْ ُ َ‬ ‫ًَ‬ ‫ا�ة � َ ا � � ْ � َ �َا عِ ْ‬ ‫�� �ل�   �فِ ��ي�ه� ِ�ل�ب��لي���� ���ط� �� �ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�ي�ا �م ن� �ي�� صِ‬ ‫�� ��ل�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫إِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�فَ�ٱ � شُّ ْ‬ ‫نْ ُ���نْ تَ تَ�قْ َ ُ شُ ْ‬ ‫� ُ � �ذَ َ �َ�ق ا عِ ْ‬ ‫ي  �‬ ‫��ر �� ا ر � �� �ه‬ ‫�ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�إِ � ك� � � �� ��� ��� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫بل ِ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق � �ت‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫��ا �ل �وك���ب�� ت� �إ �لي��ه �و��د ا �عت���ل�ل ت� �ل���‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ ْ َ ٱ � َّ �فَ ا َ �فَ ا ً �َ ْ َ �ٱ � ُّ‬ ‫ٱ � �حِ ْ ُ ّٰ َ تَّ أَنْ تَ تَ ْ فُ‬ ‫� �م�د لِل �‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ى � ��� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫���ج و�نِ� ب‬ ‫ِ جَ ي س بِ أْ و نِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ�ق ْ ُ���ن تُ ُ �نْتَ � � ً ٰ َ ف‬ ‫�جِ�ئْ تَ � َ ��َ ْ َ َ�خ� �ْلقٌ َ ��غِ ْ � َ � �ُ‬ ‫�را �ه��ذ ا ��‬ ‫��د ك� � �م ���� ظِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هِ ‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��م‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫يس‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ي��ع�د ��ي�‬

‫‪١٥،٩‬‬

‫‪١٦،٩‬‬

‫� ف ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت �� ت �ذ ش غ � �‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ب�� ت� �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫���ا ن� �ل�ه � او �عت��ل�ا �ل �مركب����ه � ك‬ ‫�ف ك‬ ‫��� ب� �ي ع�� ر ب��������ل ك‬

‫�‬ ‫�ت � ّ‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل �ف ك‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �ل�ي�‬

‫ا �ن‬ ‫�و�ج�� ء ��ي�‬

‫�َ ا تَ ْ تَ ْ �قِ ْ �عِ َ ْ نَ ا َ َ ف َ تَ فْ َ ُ ْ َ ْ‬ ‫�سْو�� � �����ع�ل فِ���ع��ل�ك‬ ‫�ل� ����ع���ذِ ر � �د �� ر��ف��  ك � �‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ذَ َ ْ َت شُ �غْ ًا فَ َ َّ َ� َ ْ �تِ نِ َ ْ َ ش �غْ ْ‬ ‫�ه�ل�ا  ج‬ ‫��ع��ل� ��ي� ب���ع ض��� ����ِ��ل�ك‬ ‫ك�ر� �����ل� � �‬ ‫َ �َْ َ ُ نْ �َ� َ عِ ْ ٌ فَ ُ �نْ تَ تَ َْ�� ُ �نَ ْ �َ� ْ‬ ‫�و �ل� �ي��ك� �ل�ك �� �ي�ر   ��ك � �رك� ب� ��ع�لك‬ ‫م‬ ‫نْ ُ���نْ ُ أَ�ذَْ ْ ُ َ‬ ‫� ك� ت� � �ن��� ت‬ ‫� �ذ ن��ْ��بٍ�ا‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َ �قِ ْ أَتَ ْ تُ � َ َ �ْ‬ ‫���ش�ً�ا‬ ‫�و� �د � ����ي��ك �م ي‬

‫ً‬ ‫�م�ا �ش���ي �ا‪.‬‬

‫فَ�قِ ْ َ قْ تُ فَ ْ ْ‬ ‫  ���� �د � �و�ثِ ��� �بِ �����‬ ‫�ضِ��ل�ك‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� َ ا �قَ ضَ ْ َ عِ ْ � ْ‬ ‫  ك���م� ��‬ ‫��ي�� ت� بِ���� �دِ�ل��ك‬

‫ق �‬ ‫�ق � � ن ّ‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫��ا ن � ا ّٰ � ن � � �ت�زّ �� ا ��ل� ش ��ث ً � أ ن‬ ‫���ق� ك���ي�را �إ �ل�ى � � �ص�ا ر ��ي� ��و�ل �ه�و ��طر��‬ ‫��ا �ل ا �ل�م�ي�ر�ي� ك�� � عب��د لله ب � ا�لمع� �ي ع�ي ب� ع �‬ ‫��ل �إ�ذ أ‬ ‫نّ ا � �قًا أ ف ّ‬ ‫�ً تّ‬ ‫ّٰ �ف ا ن‬ ‫�ذ � ن ق � ق‬ ‫�م ن ا �‬ ‫ح�م�ق� �و ا ر� �ى �م�� �م ��طر�� � �و �م�� ك‬ ‫�� ار ا ���ه�م�ه �ب��ه� ا ا�لم�ع��ى � �و�ي� ��و�ل �و���ع ت� � او لله �ي�ا ��ل� �‬ ‫�‬

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‫‪١٧،٩‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Jirjis (Saint George)

On another occasion, on a Friday, I sent a message to al-Numayrī: “Ride

9.15

with us to the Friday prayer.” The messenger found that he had already been drinking that morning. He said to the messenger, “Tell him I’ve been praying since the early morning prayer.” I wrote back: You who pray a prayer in submission to what’s devilish, Though you accept thanks from me, to thank you for that is foolish. I wrote to him when I had fallen ill and he had not visited me:

9.16

Praise be to God! Even you have shown contempt— no little contempt—to me after friendship. It’s what I expected, and it’s what you have done. Who is safe from betrayal? He replied, excusing himself because he had some business and his mount was ill, so I wrote back to him: Don’t excuse yourself. We know you. You’ll always do what you want. You mentioned business— why didn’t you make me a part of it? And if you had no mount, why not ride your shoes? He replied: If I’ve made a mistake, in your mercy I have confidence; I’ll come to you on foot, obeying your just sentence. And he came on foot.

Al-Numayrī is the authority for the following story: ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz used to consider love a great failing; he even said it was a kind of stupidity. When he saw one of us pensive, with eyes downcast, he would accuse him of it and say, “By God, you’ve fallen. You’ve become stupid and feebleminded.”

95

95

9.17

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير�مر ج�ر ج ��س‬

‫أ‬ ‫� أن أ‬ ‫ف ئ‬ ‫�وق���ّ �ع��ق��ل�ك �و��� خس‬ ‫�رد ا �� �إ ��ل�ى � ن� ك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ف� ت� �إ �ل�ى � � ر� ��ي ن��ا ه ��ق�د �‬ ‫هو �ش���د �ي��د �و� ك‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت�‬ ‫ح��د ث� �ب�ه ��س� �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ه � �أ ا ت ��ف � � ن ا ��� ش ق ��ف ّ �ة ق �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫����‪� .‬مر ��ي� ��و�ل‬ ‫��ب��د ر �م�� ا �ل�ب��ي�� � �ي� مع��ى لع �‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ ُ أَ ً َ ُ َ ُ أَ‬ ‫� �� ْ َ �ْ �ق‬ ‫�ُ ّ‬ ‫� � �سِ�� َر � ل‬ ‫�ن� ��ْ��ب�ل � ���سِ �ي�َرا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ب� � �مِ� �ي را  ل�م �ي ك‬ ‫�فَٱ ْ َ ُ �ذُ �َّ‬ ‫َ َ َ ً ُ ْ تَ‬ ‫��� ر�‬ ‫�ص�ا ر �عبْ��د ا �م���س�جِ���ي�َرا‬ ‫�م او �ل ���عِ�زِ ����ي�زٍ �‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�ة ق �‬ ‫�و�مّر ��ي� ��و�ل‬

‫َ قْ ُ ٱْ� ُ‬ ‫م َّ‬ ‫� � �ل‬ ‫� �َ�س�ا هِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ع���ل ِ ب‬ ‫َ�ق ْ ٱ َ‬ ‫��ّ َ �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�فِ�ي� ��ل��بِ �هِ � �ل�د � او هِ �ي�‬

‫أ‬ ‫ف� �ق � ت � � � ن ّٰ ��ف‬ ‫�ذ أ ش ا ��ق‬ ‫���ن ت� �ت�� � � �مث��ا ��له�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل� ج�ع�ل��ي� ا لله �د ا ك �ه� ه � ����ي � ء �د ك� ع�ي ب‬ ‫ت نّ‬ ‫�ص��ًا ث�ّ � ا � � ث �أ ن ت�� �م ن ه � ا �ة ف� ��ق ا �� � ّ �ة‬ ‫�م ن���ك‪�� .‬ف�ي�ر ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع ��� ع� �م �ل� �ي�لب�� � ب��د ر �� ب� د ر � � ل مر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫��نِ ٰ َ �ذَ �ٱ ّٰ‬ ‫�تُ ُ َا أ ْ‬ ‫ح َ��س نَ �خَ���ْ�ل � ّٰللهِ  ��ل�ا ��تَ�ْ��تُ ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بِ هِ‬ ‫� قِ�‬ ‫�م وم ي‬ ‫رِ�ي ي�‬

‫� نّ ا ن� ن ��ن ن� � �آ ن‬ ‫م�� �وح� � ك‬ ‫��ر�ه�ا ا �ل� �‬

‫ث ّ ن فّ ف �ق‬ ‫�� ت�� �����س ��� ��ل ت�‬ ‫م‬

‫َ�ق ْ ظَ � �فَ َ ٱ �ْ شْ قُ َ ْ ٱ ّٰ َٱ نْ َ َ َ ٱ � َّ ْت ُ �َ ْ ٱ ّٰ‬ ‫ت�‬ ‫��د ���� ر � �لعِ� �‬ ‫���� بِ���ع��ب ِ�د � للهِ  � �و ���ه��َك � �ل��س��ر بِح��م ِ�د � للهِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٰ �ذ � تَ ْ َ َ قَّ ّٰ‬ ‫ِ ُ ْ �َ ُ �سِ َّ � �َ ا � ّٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ �ه‬ ‫���ف��‬ ‫لل‬ ‫لل‬ ‫��ق�ل �ل�ه ��� �م �ل�ن� �بِ�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ذِ ي � و � هِ‬

‫�ف� ض�� � �ق ا � � ا � ا�� ة ف�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�ك �و�� �ل �ل� �و �ل� ك�را �م�� � ك‬ ‫���ب�� ت� �إ �لي��ه �م ن� ��د‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ ٱ �ْ َ ْ � ٱ �ْ�قَ ْ‬ ‫�ا ُ �قِ ً‬ ‫� تْ َ ُ َ َ‬ ‫َْ َ �‬ ‫��حْر� ��ة �ِم ن � � �ل �ج��د ��� � � �ل ��‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ع�ْ�ينُ��ه �َو�ش�� ك�‬ ‫� �َم�ا ت��ن� �� فِ�‬ ‫ب�َ ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ َّ‬ ‫فَ ُ ْ تُ َ ُ‬ ‫أ َ � َ �َ ا �َ َ َ َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��� ّ‬ ‫�ق�ا �ٌ خ�‬ ‫� ��ل�ه ���سِ يَ� ِ�د �ي� �َم�ا � ��ل���ذِ �‬ ‫ي � ر�ى �ب�ك �ق� �ل ��س�‬ ‫�ق��ل‬ ‫����‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َِ‬ ‫ُ أَ م ْ فِ ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ ا �ِ َ ا � َ ا تَ� ِ‬ ‫ف�َ��ُ � تُ � � شْ قٌ ف�َ ��قَ ا �� � �قتَ� ْ عِ‬ ‫ � � � � � ت ه � � � ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫���� � � ل ��صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ت‬ ‫�ق�ل� ِع �‬ ‫ر � �ل�ى �م ��ر �م ���فِ��ي�‬

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‫‪١٨،٩‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Jirjis (Saint George)

Then we noticed that he was very absentminded and always lost in thought. Finally he began to utter verses about love. Once he said: Love has made captive a prince who was never before in subjection. Pity a mighty man’s fall; he’s a slave now, asking protection. And another time: The lover’s mind is distracted, His heart’s a prey to disaster. So I said, “May God make me your ransom! You used to reproach us for these kinds of things, and now here we are, blaming you for them.” At that he made an effort and pulled himself together. But then he would burst out, saying once: Hidden, my feelings, loveliest of God’s creatures. By God, don’t leave me thus. Then he sighed, and I said:

ʿAbdallāh’s been seized by love! His defenses are down, thank the Lord. Tell him, by God’s truth, to name us the one he loves. He laughed and said, “No, certainly not.” So the next day I wrote to him: His eyes shed tears, and he bemoaned the unquenched fire of love in his heart. So I said to him, “Sire, what’s this I see in you?” He answered, “A hidden sickness.” “Not love?” I asked. He said, “Be satisfied with what you see. Isn’t that enough?”

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9.18

‫�ت � ّ‬ ‫�ف ك‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �ل�ي�‬

‫ف ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ب�� ت� �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫�ك‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دير�مر ج�ر ج ��س‬

‫‪١٩،٩‬‬

‫َا َ ْ ُ حِ َّ ثُ عِ نَّ‬ ‫ْ َ عِ ْ‬ ‫َ � ّ �سِ‬ ‫�ي� �م ن� ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي  �بِ ظ� ��� نَ� ��� ����س�م�‬ ‫� �د � �� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع �و�� �ي نِ�‬ ‫ٍَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نْ ُ ْ‬ ‫�فَ�ٱ ْ ْ ُ فّ ْ ُ �ِ ْ‬ ‫�ْ ُ��� ُ َّ‬ ‫���ن تَ ت�خ‬ ‫����خ�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج� بِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ن�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�إِ � ك� �‬ ‫ب� ر� ر‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫ِع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ َ ِ َّ � َ ٱ � ّٰ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ نْ تَُ َ� �� ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ه�ا ت� � ظ‬ ‫�ه��َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س� ��ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح �����ك � �و �ل��ل‍ هِ‬ ‫ب وح بِ عِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ َ نْ � َ ُ فّ ْ ُ �نِ ْ َٱ ْ ْ َ َ َ َّ ْ � ْ‬ ‫���خ�� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح� �ي��نٍ � �و �‬ ‫حِر��ص �ع��ل� �‬ ‫�ح�ل ِر�ب �قِ�� �ك‬ ‫د ع��ك � �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ْ َ ْ � ْ‬ ‫تَعَ ا �َ نَ� ْ تَ اي�ْ � َ ا َت ْ َ‬ ‫��ف� �ك‬ ‫����ع� �ل �ح�� �ل �فِ���ي�م�  �� �هو�ى ���بِ� ِر���قِ�ف��ي� �و ِر� �قِ‬

‫ث ّ ت � �ف �أ �خ ��ن ق ّ ت ��ف ت � � � ف ��‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ص��ه ��س�ع�ي � �ل�ه ب��ل�� �‬ ‫ح��ل�‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�صر� �إ �لي��ه �� �ب��ر �ي� �ب ����‬ ‫ط� ا ي‬ ‫أ م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� ن� ��ف�ا �ز �ب�ا � ظل�� �ف�‬ ‫� ر � �و د رك ا �لب�غ����ي��‪.‬‬

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‫�أ ا ن� ن ��ز � أ �‬ ‫�و �ع� ��ي� ب‬ ‫ح �م ا �ل �ر �ي� �إ �ل�ى‬

The Monastery of Mār Jirjis (Saint George)

He wrote to me:

9.19

You talk of me because of what you’ve seen and heard— If you think you’ll learn my secret, your hopes will be dashed. And I wrote back: You’ll have no luck, by God, just speaking of your love! Instead of dashing hopes, try to puzzle out something. Come, let’s find a solution with your finesse and mine. Then I went to see him and he told me the whole story. Helped by his resolution, I employed my cunning, and he achieved his goal.

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‫ْ‬ ‫د ����ير �ب�ا �ش���ه ار ‪1‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ن ا ن�ز �ث �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫����� ا �ل����س�ا �ت�� ن � ا ��ل��‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا �ل��د � �ع� �ش���ا �� ئ د ���ل�� � �ه د � ح �ع� �م � ه ك‬ ‫�ر�و� �و�ه�و � �‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫ير �ل�ى ط�� �ج و �و ير ���س� ر ي ر ب أي� و ك م‬ ‫�ة � ا ت � ش �ة ا ن‬ ‫ا �ل� ا ض � ق‬ ‫ح��د � ن� �م ن ��س ّ �م ن � �ى � ا �ل�م�ص�ع�د � ن� ��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫م� �‬ ‫��� ا�لم���ص�ود � او �ل��د �ي� را � ا �لم����ه�ود �ول�م�� رو � ر � ر و‬ ‫و �إ ي�‬ ‫و� ع‬ ‫�قأ‬ ‫أ �ق ا � �أّا �ف أ � �ذّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ص�ده � �� � ا �ل� �� � ��� � �ل��‬ ‫�ي��ن�ز �ل� �ون�ه ��م ن ج�‬ ‫��ع��ل�ه ��ط �ر��ق�ا �ب�ا ت� �ي��ه � �و ��ا �م �ب�ه �إ � ��ط�ا ب� �ل�ه �و�م ن� ���‬ ‫م يم ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ن أ‬ ‫ش أ �� أ‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�عي���� � �و �� ب ه �‬ ‫ح��س ن � ك�‬ ‫م�� � � �و � �ه�ه‪.‬‬ ‫ط�ي�� � �و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫� �أ� ا ���ع�ي�ن ا ف‬ ‫���ا ن �ن�ز ��ل�ه � � ��ق�ا � ��ه � �ّ�ا �م�ا � ا � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س� ���ط�ا �ب�ه �و��ق�ا ��ل ف�ي��ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�و�ل�ب ي� ل � ي�� وك �‬ ‫و مب ي و‬ ‫��نِ�زَ �ْ َ ا َ ْ َ َا شَ ْ َ عِ َ �قَ َّ‬ ‫ظُ � ْ َ‬ ‫���هرا‬ ‫�� �ل��ن� د ����ير �ب� ������هرا  �� ��ل�ىَ���سي�����سِ �هِ َ�� �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َشُ � ًّ ��فِ أ ْ َ‬ ‫أ َ‬ ‫�عِ‬ ‫�‪�َ �      ٢‬م�ا � ���ف��تى �َو�َم�ا � � ْ���سرا‬ ‫���وِعي�‬ ‫�� ��ع��ل�ى ِدي� نِ� ي� �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فِ أ ْ �َ ْ ��جِ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ ا َ ْ تَ ْ ُ ٱ �ْلُ َ‬ ‫� �� �و �ل� �م ن �‬ ‫� ِ�مي���ل � � �لفِ��ْع  �‍�ل �م� ي���س���عب��د � �‬ ‫��ح ّرا‬ ‫ى ِ�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ ِ‬ ‫َّا نَا َ َ َّ نَا � نَ �� َّ ا ��يِ � �� عِ �ذ َ‬ ‫��ص� �فِ� �ةِ � ل�� � را‬ ‫�و�����ش����س��‬ ‫�ق� �� �ور� او ��   ِم� � ل�‬ ‫َ ْ َ‬ ‫��فِ َ َ ْ �‬ ‫� ٱ �ْ ْ ُ ٱ � َّ ْ‬ ‫�َوَ ��ط�ا بَ� � � �لَو��ق ت� ��ي� � �ل��دي�رِ � را �ب����ط نَ��ا �� �هِ �ع�����شرا‬ ‫�بِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫أُ ْ ْ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ �بِ ْ َ‬ ‫ٱ � ِّ ْ َ‬ ‫�َ �ُ�س�قَّ�� نَ‬ ‫�ي��ا �� �هِ � �ل�����ش�م��س�ا   �َ �و �خ���ِد ��م نَ��ا �� �هِ � �ل� �د را‬ ‫و‬ ‫�بِ‬ ‫أْ‬ ‫أَ ْ َ ْ �َ�ذ�بَِّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ َ‬ ‫َ �ٰ�نْ ��قَ �ِّ �َ تْ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�َ �و �‬ ‫ح�ي ت� �ل�� � �لك�� ��سِ �و�ل كِ��� �ت�ل� ��سك�را‬ ‫َ �ْ َ ا ُ َّ َ ا نَ ْ َ ُ نْ �َ��ذَّ ت �َ ا �َ ْ َ‬ ‫�ج���هرا‬ ‫� �و�نِ�ل��ن� �ك�ل ��م� ��� �‬ ‫ه او  ه �ِم� �ل� ا ِ���ن� �‬ ‫تَ َ ا َ ْ نَ ا َ �غِ نَّْ �َ ا َ أَ ْ ��غِ ْ َ ا ٱ � �َّ ْ َ‬ ‫��ص� ب����ي�� �و�� �ي���ن�  � �و ر�� �م��ن� �� �هِ � �ل�د ���هرا‬ ‫���‬ ‫�فِ ْ‬ ‫� َ تَ َ َّ ْ َ َ ْ هِ �بَِ َ ٱ � َّ ْتَ‬ ‫����َ‬ ‫ن�ا �و���هت�ك ن��ا   �و�ِم��ث��ل� �� ت���ك � �ل���س��را‬ ‫� نِ� ك‬ ‫ِ ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ��قِ ْ َ ا عِ َ نَا َ َّ نْ َ � ْ عٍا نْ ُ � ا �جِ ْ‬ ‫�و �د ���س� �� �د �� رب�� �‬ ‫ �ط�و�� � �مِ� ��ه �ل� �‬ ‫� ب��َرا‬ ‫���جِ�زَ ُ ٱ ّٰ ُ َ نْ �خِ ْ‬ ‫َ اَ �َ �َ ا �خِ �َْ‬ ‫� �ي�رٍ  �� �هِ ��ق� ب��ل�ن� �‬ ‫� ا ه � لله �ع �‬ ‫� �ي را‬ ‫ِ �قِ ْ أَ ْ � ُ ُ ْ ً �بِ �َ‬ ‫�َا أَ ْ ِ َ �َ ا َّ‬ ‫َْ ُ‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ار   ك���م� � �و����س�ع�ن� �� را‬ ‫����ف� �د � �و��س�ع��ت�ه �ش�� ك‬ ‫��بِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ف نّ‬ ‫ق ة ف� �ذ‬ ‫ت ف‬ ‫قئ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ف ة ّ �‬ ‫�� ع��ل ا لم��س�ا �مر �‬ ‫ح���ف���ظ��ه�ا وا ����ست�����‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ا ر�ه�ا ���إ � ا � ن�ل��ف� �� � ش��� � � ��ا �‬ ‫ح���ض‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪( :‬ا �ل�وا د ر ا �لوا ���ع�� ي� �ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير �ل��طي��� �� ج��د ا‪ .‬ي�ج ب ى‬ ‫س ر� بو ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا ي���سو ‪.‬‬ ‫ال���ا �ض‬ ‫� �ل) ورد ي� �‬ ‫ع‬

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‫‪١،١٠‬‬

‫‪٢،١٠‬‬

Bāshahrā Monastery (The House of Vigils)45

This monastery stands on the banks of the Tigris. It is fine, well maintained,

10.1

and pleasant, with large gardens and vineyards. It is famous and a well-known destination for visitors. People traveling down from Samarra or coming upriver stop there, and those who pass it on their way spend the night there and may stay longer. Those who make it their destination beguile days in the best, most delightful way and in very beautiful and pleasant surroundings. Abū l-ʿAynāʾ stopped there, stayed some days, and appreciated the place, composing this poem about it: Stopping one noon at Bāshahrā Convent, we met the priest, A believer in Jesus, not doctrinaire or laying down rules, But showing such kindness as to enthrall noble souls. He gave us a drink, quenching our thirst with pure, unmingled wine. We enjoyed life in the convent so much that we stayed ten days, With the moon as our attendant, drinking wine as bright as the sun, Given life by the cup’s delight, but killed by intoxication. We were granted all the pleasures we wanted, with no need to hide. Singing, carefree as children, we were masters of destiny, Indulging fancies with no fear of disgrace—I went too far, Helped along by Brother,46 quite willingly and unforced, May God reward him well for all the good he did us. My thanks equal the generosity he showed us.

101

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10.2

‫د�ير �ب�ا ش����هرا‬

‫ّ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫���ا ن �أ�� ا ��ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء �م ن ا ��ل��� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل ��ي�ج�ع‬ ‫���ا ن� ا �ل�مت��و ك�‬ ‫� ب� ب� ك�‬ ‫ط��ا ب� �وك�‬ ‫��ل�ا �م�ه �و��سر�ع�‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫�وك� � ب �و‬ ‫�ذ � ق � أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ّ ا �ّ‬ ‫�و�ع��م �ع��ل ر� �� � ر���ع�� ن ��س�ن ��ة �م ن �ع�م ه �وم�م� ���د �ل �ع��ل �ل��ك ��� �ل �ب �� �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب ي�‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫و ي �ي�‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ي� �ى‬ ‫�قِ ْ ُ‬ ‫َ �َ ْ � َ �إِ�ذْ �ذَ َ َ ٱ ��ْ َ َ‬ ‫���نْ تُ � �فْ تُ ََ �ٱ ��ل�زَّ َ‬ ‫�ص ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �د ك� � خِ��� �ي��د ��م نِ� ي��ك‬ ‫ب� ب � ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ َ ٱْ‬ ‫�ل�� ْ �أدْ �أ�نَّ�� َك �َ�� ��ل��عِ� ���ع�َمى  �تَ�� ْ��غ ن��َ �َ �َ�ْ��فَت��� ُ �ٱ ��لْ�� َش��� ْ‬ ‫م ِر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى و�ي ��قِ ر ب ر‬

‫�ج��وا �ب�ه �و�ن�� او د ره‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �لب��ص�ي�ر ف�ي��ه‬

‫ّ � ا ض ة � �ت‬ ‫� ث � � ا ن ��ف‬ ‫�ا ة � ت ّ �خ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫���ا ن� �‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫���� �م�ي�ل�‬ ‫� ا � ك��‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا �ل����عر �ج�ي��د ا �ل�ع� ر�‬ ‫س�‬ ‫ل�� �ب�� � او �ل��ر���س�ل ب�ي��� ا �ل�ل��س� � �ي� �� ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ� � �فً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� ا ه �� ��ق ا � ا خ� � ��ل ا � � �� ا �� �ة � � ا‬ ‫ا ��ل ن��ا ��س � او �لت��ع �ر�ض�� �ب��ه� ‪� .‬و�‬ ‫ح ن� �ن�� ك��ر ��طر��ا �م ن� � ب�� ر بم �د ر �ل� ي ر� �إ �ى �لإ��ط� ل� و �ل�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ي � م‬ ‫خ� ّ � �‬ ‫���ل �ب�ا �ل ش���ر ��ط‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫��ا �ل ا�لمت��و ك���ل �ل ب� ��ي� ا �ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء �م�ا � �ش���د ����ي� ء �مّر �ع��لي���ك ��ي� �ه�ا ب� �ب��‬ ‫�صرك ��ا �ل ��� او ت� ر��ؤ ��ي ت���ك‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ت� � � ن ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م�ؤ �م ن��� ن �م� � ت ا � ن ا‬ ‫� ا ��‬ ‫�ق ا � � ًا ا � ّ � � �‬ ‫ع ا ج �م�ع ا �ل�� ��س �ع��ل�ى �ج �م� �ل�ك‪� .‬و�� �ل �ل�ه �ي ��و�م� �ي� ح�م�م�د �إ �ل�ى ك�م �م�دح ا �ل�� ��س‬ ‫�ي� � �م�ي�ر ا �ل � ي�‬ ‫� ���ت��ذ �ّمه ��ق�ا �� �م�ا �أ��س�ا ��ؤ � ا � �أ� ن‬ ‫��س� او‪.‬‬ ‫ح �‬ ‫و � �م ل‬ ‫وو‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ا ن �ق أ ن ا � � ش �ف �ذ � �ق ت ف‬ ‫�خ ��ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�و��ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه �ع��ي �د ا لله ب� ��س�ل���ي�م� � ��د � �م �� �ل�ك ب����� ء ��� �ه� ا ا �ل�و�� �‬ ‫�� ه � او �ع� ر‪.‬‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي� ي‬ ‫�ق � � ا أ ف أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�إ�ذ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫���ن ت ��ف ا ��ل ن�ك���ة �ت��ع��ت��ذ � ��ف ا ��ل��د � ����ة �ت��عت���ذ ���ف�م�ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ر و �ي� ول‬ ‫�� �ل �ل� � ����ع�ل � �ي��ه� ا �ل�و �ير ا ك� � �ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر �ى‬ ‫� ا ت �ذ‬ ‫�ل� ���عت�� ر‪.‬‬ ‫ف‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫�ت ه � ه ��‬ ‫� ق � �‬ ‫��ق ا �� � �أ �� � ا �ع�د � ن ��خ‬ ‫�م��ل��د ك��ت�‬ ‫��ا �ً�ا‬ ‫�ص ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر �ي�ا � �ب�ا ا �ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع�ل ��ي� ��و�ل �إ �ل�ى �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫� ل و��س� ل ص� ب �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ق أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ق ا �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ص � او لله �لم�ا ��� � �ن ا � � � � ��� � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ �ل�ى �م�‬ ‫�صر ��� � �ل �و�م� ا ��س��ب��ع� د ك � �ع ك ا لله ل�ي� �م� ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ص � د �ي �ك ب ع�د ع��ل�ي�‬ ‫ّ �ف‬ ‫�صر‪.‬‬ ‫�م�م�ا ��ي� �م�‬ ‫أ ن ا ف �ق ا � أ ّ ا � �ز ت�ق‬ ‫ا �� ��ل ّ � ن‬ ‫خ � أ � �ق ف �ق ّ �‬ ‫حر�م�ا �‬ ‫�ود ���ل �إ �ل�ى �ب �ي� ا �ل�ص� ر ��� رب� �ج�م��ل��س�ه � �و د �� ه ��� � �ل � �ي��ه� ا � �لو �ير � �� ر��ي ب� �لو�ي� �و‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫ا ��ل�ع�د �ّو‪� .‬ود خ��� �ع��ل��ه � �� �مً�ا ف����ق�ا ��ل �م�ا � خّ� ك �ع نّ��ا ��ا � ��ا �ع��د ا ّلله ��ق�ا ��ل ُ��س �ق� �‬ ‫ح�م�ا ر�ي� ��ا �ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل ي أ يو‬ ‫ي ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ �ة ف �ق ا � ا أ خّ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ف ُ ق �ق � � ��‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�وك��ي ��� ��سر�� ��ا �ل �ل� � ك�ن� �م� ا �ل��ل��ص ��� �عر�� ك��ي ��� ��سر��ه‪� �� .‬ج��ا ء ه ب���ع�د �م�د ��� � �ل �م� � �رك‬ ‫م‬ ‫أم‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّٰ ف �ق ا � ع نّ � � �ذ �ّ ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��ا ��‪�� .‬ف�� �م ��ل�ه ب�خ��م��س�� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ع نّ��ا �ي�ا � �ب�ا �عب��د ا لله‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� د ��ي ن��ا را‪.‬‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� و ري و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ري‬

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‫‪٣،١٠‬‬

‫‪٤،١٠‬‬

‫‪٥،١٠‬‬

Bāshahrā Monastery (The House of Vigils)

Abū l-ʿAynāʾ was a pleasant fellow. Al-Mutawakkil enjoyed his conversa-

10.3

tion, his jokes, and the quickness of his repartee. He went blind in his early forties, as these verses of Abū ʿAlī al-Baṣīr show: When you lost your sight, I feared time’s hand was against you, Not knowing blindness would enrich you, while others are down and out. He was a good poet, eloquent, with a fine style in writing and correspondence, and a mordant tongue in insulting and attacking people. We include here a selection of anecdotes about him, which is not too long, so as not to go against the plan of the book. Al-Mutawakkil asked Abū l-ʿAynāʾ, “What’s the worst experience you have

10.4

had from losing your sight?” He replied, “Not being able to see you, Commander of the Faithful, when everyone agrees on how handsome you are.” The caliph asked him one day, “Abū Muḥammad, how long do you go on praising or blaming people?” “As long as they continue to behave badly or well.”

ʿUbaydallāh ibn Sulaymān once said to Abū l-ʿAynāʾ, “We’ve ordered that you be given something now. Take it and accept my apologies.” He answered, “No, I won’t, Vizier. You apologize when you’re in disgrace, you apologize when you’re in power. When don’t you apologize?” Abū l-ʿAynāʾ asked Ṣāʿid ibn Makhlad to write him a letter of recommendation for a position in Egypt. “For Egypt, Abū l-ʿAynāʾ, for Egypt!” he exclaimed. Abū l-ʿAynāʾ rejoined, “And why should my interest in Egypt surprise you, may God grant you honor? By God, it’s easier for me to get to Egypt than to the contents of your coffers!” Abū l-ʿAynāʾ was admitted to Abū l-Ṣaqr, who allowed him to draw close. So Abū l-ʿAynāʾ said, “Vizier, this is bringing a friend close and keeping an enemy at bay.” One day when he went to see him, Abū l-Ṣaqr asked, “What kept you from visiting us, Abū ʿAbdallāh?” “My donkey was stolen.” “How did it happen?” “I wasn’t with the thief to see how he stole it.” A while later he went to see him again, and the vizier asked, “What kept you from visiting us, Abū

ʿAbdallāh?” “A mountain of debts and the muleteer’s contempt.” So he gave him fifty dinars.

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10.5

‫د�ير �ب�ا ش����هرا‬

‫� ّ �ف ف � �ف � � ا� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق � خ أ �‬ ‫ً � ّ‬ ‫��ا �ل د ���ل � ب� ��و ا �ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء �ي ��و�م�ا �إ �ل�ى �ح�م�م��د ب� ن� �عب��د ا�لم��ل�ك ا �ل�ز ��ا ت� �ل��� �ير��� ��طر��ه �إ �لي��ه �و�ل� ك����ل�م�ه‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ّأّ‬ ‫ف �ق ا � نّ ن �ن‬ ‫� ا �� ا ��ل ت أ ن ت ع � ا أ ن ت� ا �� �� �ة‬ ‫حقّ ��ع�م��ة ا ّلله �ع��لي���ك �ل�م�ا � �ه��ل�ك ��ل�ه ���ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي�ه� � ج��ع�ل ب ��س�ط�‬ ‫ح� ل ��ي� ��� �ع�ل�‬ ‫�� � �ل �إ � �م� ��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل ا �ة � � ُ�خ � �قًا ��ف ن � ش �ن �ق ض � ن ا �ل� �ئ � �ة � ث � �‬ ‫�ل����ه�ل ا �‬ ‫�ك��ر�ة ا �ل��س��ؤ ا �ل �م� ا ج�ل��� ���د � �‬ ‫ح� �ج�� �إ �لي��ك ��ل� � �إ� � � �وح��� ا � � ب���� ع� م��س �ل� �و�ب�‬ ‫� ي وم‬ ‫عح‬ ‫ا �� ن ف �ق ا � � ��مّ � ��نّ أ �ف � �ف ض � ًّا ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل��س � � � ��ق� ض‬ ‫���ا ء ا ��ل‬ ‫��و�ل�� ك�‬ ‫����ي�ر ا �� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ج��ا ت� �ت��د �و� ل���ع ‪� � ��� .‬ل �ل�ه ح�م�د �إ �ي� � �عر��ك �‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � ‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر أور وب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أم‬ ‫متأ م �إ�ذ �ز � ت أ‬ ‫نّ‬ ‫ف�ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫طو�ل �ل��س� ���ك ي��م�� �م �� د ��ي ب���ك ا �ل��ل� � �و �م �ب�ه �إ �ل�ى ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حب����س‪ � .‬ك‬ ‫ت�ر�ى � � �� �‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �لي��ه � ب� ��و‬ ‫ع �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�� أ‬ ‫� ع�ي�ن ا ن ��ل �ق � ت أ نّ ��ل �‬ ‫ح��� ت �أ ن ت� � ن‬ ‫�ن ��ل���ذ ن��� �ت���ق ّ�د � �إ ��ل���‬ ‫ل��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حب���� ��د �ع�ل�م� � � ا �‬ ‫ا �� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ي ي�‬ ‫حب����س �لم � ب‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫ل � ء م� ا أ س‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� � نّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� � �د� � ت �ذ � ا‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق ت �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��س���ل�� �و�ل� �ب�� ��س � � ت� ��ير ن��ا �م ن� �ع� ��وك �م�ا � �ري��� ن��ا �م ن� ��د ر�ت��ك‬ ‫��د ر��ك �ع��ل�ي� �ل�� ك��ل �ج � ي��د ي‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫��� �مر �ب��إ ��ط�ل�ا ��ه‪.‬‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ّ �ة ��‬ ‫�ف �ق‬ ‫ح���� �ح�مّ�م��د د ا ��ّت��ه � ��ق�ا ��ل �م�ا � ا ك � ��ا �ع��د ا ّٰلله �ت�� ا �ص��ل ن��ا‬ ‫ط �و��ل��ة �ع��ل� ا �ل��طر� ��ق� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل� ي��ه ب���ع�د �م�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب و‬ ‫َّ ر ب ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف أ�� �ة � ّ أ‬ ‫أن‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ح��س� � �ج��ا ��ئ ن��ا ��ل��ك ف����ق�ا ��ل � ب� ��و ا ��ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء � �ّم�ا ا �ل�م�ع ��ف��ة ب���ع ن��ا ��ي ت���ك ��مت��� ك�د � �و ك‬ ‫��نن� � �‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫س� ا �ل�� �ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ن ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ف غ‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫ّ ف �ف‬ ‫�ج���د د � ��س��ب� ��ط�ا ء ك �ل�ي� � ار �‬ ‫حب����س��ك �م�م ن� �ي��ه ��� رد ت� � � ���ع�مره ب ��ي�‪.‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ن ة �‬ ‫���ق ُ �ز �‬ ‫�ق ا �‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ي ت�� ��ل�اه ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل��ئ ن ب����‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ح ت� �ع��لي���ك ا �ل��ع�م�� � �ل�ق�د‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫�� �ل �ود ���ل �ع��ل�ى ر ج���ل �د �ع � � �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ن �ق ة �ق � �َ �ذ �ق � � �أ�نّ أ � أ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح�ق �م ن ��ق�د ك �ف ددت� ن�� ��� ق��� ن‬ ‫� ت�‬ ‫� نت �‬ ‫ح��س��� �ب�ك ا �ل �� �م�� �� �ل �و�ل�م ا ك �� �ل �ل� ��ي� ��س� �ل��ك � � � ر � ر ر ي� ب ب‬ ‫� �م�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ث ّ �ق �‬ ‫�و�ج� �ه��ك ��م ��ا �ل‬ ‫َ ا َ َ ٱ �َْ�زْ�ُ � �ََ � فْ‬ ‫ُْ �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ص�ا �عِ� �دٍ �ج�� ء ك � �ل�ع �ل �� �ل�� �‬ ‫ق���ل �لِ�ز �َ�ْ�ي ٍ�د بْ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�فَ�ٱ ْ َ �ٱ ��ْ �هِ َّ َٱ ْ تَ ْ ِ عِ َ َ َّ� َ ٱ �ْل�خِ �َفْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ج�عِر ل�� �م و �‬ ‫�ص�بِ� ر   ��ف� ��ل�ى ر�ب�ك � �ل�‬ ‫تَ �فَ َا تُ ْ‬ ‫� ٱ � َّ فَْ‬ ‫أَنْ تَ أَ ْ �ضٍ �إِ�ذَ �‬ ‫�� �ا ا �َو�لِ�‍ي  �‍� ��ل� ���كثِ��ر � �ل�‬ ‫� ��� � �ي���‬ ‫�ض�‬ ‫�ص�� �ل�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل ا �ج� ت��ا اب� ن� �ب��د ر �ب��ب �ي� ا �ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء �و�ه�و �ع��ل� �ب�ا �ب�ه �ج��ا �ل��س ف����ق�ا �ل �ه� ا �م��ن�ز �ل��ك � �ب�ا �عب��د ا لله‬ ‫ى‬ ‫أ ف �ف �‬ ‫�ق � �ن �ف ن ئ أ ن‬ ‫��ا �ل ��ع� ‪� � .‬إ� � �ش���� ت� � � ت�ر�ى ��س�وء � ث�رك �ي��ه ��ا �ن�ز �ل‪.‬‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫أ ّ ش �خ أ � ّ �ق �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ً ف �ق � ��غ‬ ‫��ا �ل �و�م ّر �ب��د ا ر �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� �من��ص�ور �ي ��و�م�ا ��� �ا �ل �ل��ل�ا �م�ه � �ي� ����ي� ء �ب��ر �ب ��ي� ح�م�م��د ��ا �ل‬ ‫��ا ت� ّ ��ق ا � ��ف ا �� � ا أ ��س ا �� �خ �ف �‬ ‫�ص ار � ��ي� ا �ل��د ا ر‪.‬‬ ‫�مك� ح ب�‪� � .‬ل �م� ل�ي� �ل� � �م� ل�‬ ‫ع‬

‫‪104‬‬

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‫‪٦،١٠‬‬

‫‪٧،١٠‬‬

Bāshahrā Monastery (The House of Vigils)

Abū l-ʿAynāʾ was admitted to Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Zayyāt, but

10.6

the vizier did not raise his eyes to him or address him. So Abū l-ʿAynāʾ said, “Seeing that God has granted you this favor and that you occupy this position, you should make it your second nature to welcome petitioners. If they feel slighted, they do not dare to ask. There is lasting happiness, when many petitions are granted, and benefits persist when needs are fulfilled.” Muḥammad responded, “I know that your behavior is excessive and you talk a great deal. Do you think your garrulousness will prevent you being disciplined when you have committed a fault?” And he sent him to prison. Abū l-ʿAynāʾ wrote to him from prison: “I realize my imprisonment is not because I offended you earlier. Rather, it’s because you wanted to demonstrate to me the power you have over me. Every novelty causes pleasure, so there’s nothing to prevent you from showing me your capacity to forgive as you did your power.” At which Muḥammad ordered his release. Much later, Abū l-ʿAynāʾ met Muḥammad in the street. Muḥammad reined in his horse and said, “Abū ʿAbdallāh, I haven’t observed you visiting us, as would be consistent with our releasing you.” Abū l-ʿAynāʾ answered, “I am very well aware of your concern for us, but I expect that your calling on me to stop now is because your prison is empty and you want to lodge me there.” One day Abū l-ʿAynāʾ visited a man who had been dismissed from a governorship he held. He said, “Good fortune made you ugly: adversity becomes you.” “Why?” “I asked you for something beneath your worth and your refusal was uglier than your face.” Then he recited: Tell Zayd ibn Ṣāʿid, “Your dismissal has been kind. So swallow your cares and bear up. God will take care of the rest. If you get a new appointment, avoid insults when speaking your mind.” Ibn Badr passed Abū l-ʿAynāʾ while he was sitting by the doorway of his house. Ibn Badr asked, “Is this your house, Abū ʿAbdallāh?” “Yes, and if you want to see the bad impression you leave on it, you can dismount.” Abū l-ʿAynāʾ passed ʿAbdallāh ibn Manṣūr’s house one day. He asked his servant, “What’s the news of Abū Muḥammad?” “He’s just as you would wish,” he replied. “Then why don’t I hear the house full of the wails of the bereaved?”47

105

105

10.7

‫د�ير �ب�ا ش����هرا‬

‫�ق � �ذ‬ ‫�� �أ� ا ���ع�ي�ن ا �م� ن � ن � ا ف �ق ا � � ت�أ ّ‬ ‫�أ �ف���ا ���ه ��ف�ا � ت�ن�� ا � ا� ت غ� ن‬ ‫��ا �ل �و ك�ر ب ��و ل � ء ي �‬ ‫مو� ب � �إ‬ ‫بر �هي��م ��� � �ل � �لو �� ��م�ل ر ج���ل ع ل �ج ب �‬ ‫�ه� �ل� �س����ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن ��‬ ‫�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫�ع� ا �ل�د ا ب� � � �ي� ��ط�لب �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫ت ف‬ ‫�ق � � ّ‬ ‫� �ف ة �ث � ن‬ ‫م��‬ ‫� ّر� � �م�ا ���عر�ن�� ��ق��ل ت� ب���ل� �و� ك‬ ‫�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫��ا �ل � ب� ��وا �ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء ��ا �ل �ل�ي� �ح�م�م��د ب� ن� � ك‬ ‫ل��ن� �م�عر��� � ر ��ي� �ل��ك �م �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫�ق � � ّ‬ ‫��ّ �ش�� ء � � �م ن ا ��ل ن ا �� � ّ أ � ا‬ ‫� ّ ًا ا ا‬ ‫ح�تى � �و�ل�د ك‪.‬‬ ‫�و��ا �ل �ل�ه �ح�م�م��د ب� ن� � ك‬ ‫م��ر�م �ي ��و�م� �ي� � �ب� �عب��د ا لله ك��ل �ي� �ل�ك � �� س‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� � ��ن �فَ���� �ه ��ن �ف‬ ‫� ّ� �ف � �� ت� �� ��� ن‬ ‫� ��ق�ا ��ل � � �� ا ��ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء � �� ت� اب� ن‬ ‫ط��ه �ب� ���ط ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫س‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫أى‬ ‫� ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�� � � �� �م�ا ��ا � ��ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ما‬ ‫��خم ا‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�� ��ط�ه �� ��ط ��ك��ل�ى �و �ي� ا ��س��ه ا �ل�د ا �هي��� ا �ل�ع ��ظ����مى‪� .‬و�� �ل �ل�ه اب��ن ‪ � 1‬كرم ي و ي ب‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫�ف �ذ �‬ ‫ش ئًا � ن‬ ‫�ذ ت‬ ‫���ا ن� ف����ق�ا ��ل � �ت��د �ع ن��ا‬ ‫�عب��د ا لله �ه�و ا ���ص�و� �م�ع ن��ا ��ي� �ه� ا ا �ل ش����هر ���ي���� �وك‬ ‫���ا � �ش���هر ر�م ض�‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ��ل�ع �ز ن‬ ‫��و ���ص�و� ‪.‬‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّٰ � ن ��س��ل� ا ن ن أ ت أ ��زّ ّٰ أ ن تُ خ � ��ل �ز ��قًا ف� ��ق ا �� �م نّ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ل ر ج���ل ل بع��ي �د ا لله ب � يم� � �إ � ر� ��ي� آ� ع ك ا لله �أ � �ر�ج �ي� ر � أ� � ل �م�‬ ‫ت ف ظ � �زّ ّٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل خ� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر�� ا �لر�ز �ق� �ع��ل� ��ق�د ر �ذ ا ك ��ق�ا ��ل �م ن� �و��ل��د � د � ‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل � ب� ��و ا �ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء ا �‬ ‫ح��� ��� � �ع ك ا لله‬ ‫ا �لر ج���ل ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ف �ق �ن ق � أ‬ ‫�ذ � ن‬ ‫س� ��� �د ا � �� ��ط‬ ‫�� � �ص��ل�ه‪.‬‬ ‫�ب��ه� ا ا �ل����‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ت � ظع أ‬ ‫ف � � �‬ ‫�ا � ظ �‬ ‫ح ���� � �و ب� ��و ا ��ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء �ع ن��د ا ��ل‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ا ج��م� ا�ج�ل‬ ‫��ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س ن� ب� ن� �و�ه ب� ����ق�ا �ل �ل�ه ا�ج�ل�‬ ‫ح ��� �ع��ل�م ت�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ نّ � ّ ع ّٰ أ‬ ‫ّٰ أ� ن � ن أ �عث ا ن ��‬ ‫�نّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � ح�م�م�د ب�� �عب��د ا لله � ��س� � رو ب � ب ر و ب �و ب‬ ‫��س� � ب ي� � أ و �‬ ‫� ظ� أ‬ ‫ح��س ن �م ن �أ � ا ��ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء‪ .‬ف����ق�ا �� �أ� �� ا ��ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء �ه� ا ت‬ ‫�ج�ئ ت� ��ل� �م�ا ي�خ���ف �م ن � �م� �ن�ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا � �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ى � ور‬ ‫ي�ه� � � �إ ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ا�ج � ح�� � � � ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫نّ‬ ‫ف ف ضّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫����تل� ن � � ف� ه ��ل ا �ُ� �ف ف� ف� ض ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫����ل ت� ��ن �ف���س��ك �ي��ه‪� .‬إ � � �ب�ا ا �ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء �ي��د �ل �ع��ل�ى ك���ن�ي �‬ ‫����� �ي� �ع�لي��ك ي�� � �إو �ى �م� �ي عر� ���‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ا ظ � �ّ‬ ‫ة �‬ ‫� ت� � �ص��‬ ‫� ��ة �و ن� ��س��جم‬ ‫� �م ن ا ��ل�ع�ا �ه��ة �و ن� �م���ل‬ ‫� او�ج�ل‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ح ��� �ي��د �ل �ع��ل� �ع�ا �ه�� � او � ك‬ ‫ح ت�‪.‬‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ن�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�غح أ ن �ن نّ‬ ‫��ا ن ت �ت��س �ذ �ة‬ ‫��ق ا �� �أ� ا ���ع�ي�ن ا ء �ع ش�����تق� ن ا � �أ�ة � ا ��ل �ة‬ ‫�صر �م ن� ��ي�ر � � ت� ار ��ي� � �إو ��م�ا ك�� ��� �م� �ع� � �وب�‬ ‫� ل ب ��و ل �‬ ‫�ي� مر ب� ب��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف�ت تُ‬ ‫ح� ن ��ق ا � ت ���� ّ‬ ‫�� �ا �م ��ف �ل ّ ا �أت� ن ا � �‬ ‫�س����ت‬ ‫� ��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫ح�ه ا لله � �ه� ا �ه�و‪ � .‬ك‬ ‫ب� �ي� �و � �ل� ب‬ ‫���ب�� �إ ي�‬ ‫ك��ل �ي� � �م� ر ��ي�‬ ‫َنَُّ ْ تُ َ ا �َ َّ ا َ أَتْنِ تََن َّ َ ْت َ َ�ق ا �َ تْ �ذَ ٌ أَ ْ‬ ‫حَ ��ٌ �َم�ا ��لَ�هُ � ْ���س ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و�ب����ئ���ه� �ل�م� ر� � ��ي� ���ك�ر�  �و�� �ل� �ِمي�� � �ول‬ ‫�جِ �م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫� � �م نَّ �ٱ ْ� �َ ا �ًا ��فَ نّ�َ نِي �أ �� ٌ �أ �� ٌم �َ ا ��عِ ٌّ �َ � ا � ْ ُ‬ ‫َ نْ ُ ْ‬ ‫��ف�إِ� � ت��ن� كِ��ِري� ِ ��ي� �‬ ‫حِو�ل� �ل� ��إِ ��� ِد ي ب� ِري ب� �ل� يِ ��ي� و�ل� �د �م‬

‫أ‬ ‫ق � �ّ‬ ‫�ر ‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و��ا ل ل�ه �م ك‬ ‫م‬

‫‪106‬‬

‫‪106‬‬

‫‪٨،١٠‬‬

‫‪٩،١٠‬‬

‫‪١٠،١٠‬‬

‫‪١١،١٠‬‬

Bāshahrā Monastery (The House of Vigils)

Abū l-ʿAynāʾ observed of Maymūn ibn Ibrāhīm: “Contemplate Maymūn’s 10.8 actions and avoid them—you won’t need to try to acquire good manners.” Abū l-ʿAynāʾ said, “Muḥammad ibn Mukarram asked me, ‘Don’t you know me?’ ‘Yes indeed,’ I replied, ‘but I’m sorry for you that I have that sort of knowledge.’” Muḥammad ibn Mukarram remarked to Abū l-ʿAynāʾ one day, “Abū ʿAbdallāh, people have given you all you have, including your children.” Abū l-ʿAynāʾ recalled, “I saw Muḥammad ibn Mukarram—his belly was 10.9 swollen like a pregnant woman’s, he panted like a woman crazy with love, and his nose was covered in snot like a bereaved woman. His backside was an utter disaster.” Ibn Mukarram asked Abū l-ʿAynāʾ once, “Abū ʿAbdallāh, will you be fasting with us at all this month?” It was the month of Ramadan. He replied, “Do you think my old woman will let me fast?”48 A man submitted a request to ʿUbaydallāh ibn Sulaymān: “Would it please 10.10 you to award me a pension, may God keep you?” So as to award him the appropriate amount, ʿUbaydallāh asked, “What’s your genealogy?” “I’m descended from Adam,” he answered. “Take good care of this genealogy,” commented Abū l-ʿAynāʾ, “because its origin is lost.” Al-Jāḥiẓ and Abū l-ʿAynāʾ met at al-Ḥasan ibn Wahb’s house. Al-Jāḥiẓ said to Abū l-ʿAynāʾ, “I recognize that ‘Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh’ is better than ‘ʿAmr ibn Baḥr’ and ‘Abū ʿAbdallāh’ is better than ‘Abū ʿUthmān,’ but ‘al-Jāḥiẓ’ is certainly preferable to ‘Abū l-ʿAynāʾ.’” Abū l-ʿAynāʾ retorted, “Not a bit of it. You’ve touched on matters that are private and recognized my superiority, and on matters that are public knowledge and considered yourself superior. ‘Abū l-ʿAynāʾ’ (father of the girl with very black eyes) is a teknonym, whereas ‘al-Jāḥiẓ’ (the goggle-eyed) denotes a physical defect. Even if a teknonym is ugly, it’s better than a physical defect, funny though that may be.” Abū l-ʿAynāʾ related: A woman in Basra fell in love with me without seeing 10.11 me. She had simply heard how well I expressed myself. When she saw me, she thought I was ugly and said, “God damn! Is this him?” So I wrote to her: She heard about me but snubbed me on sight, saying, “Ugly, squinting, with a miserable body!” Maybe you don’t like my squint, but I’m cultured and clever, Not a fuddy-duddy or a stuttering dolt.

107

107

‫ف ّق ت �ف‬ ‫���و���ع� ��ي�‬

‫� �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ل�ب ي�‬

‫� ق ة ا ا ضّ‬ ‫ا �لر���ع�� �ي� �ع� ���‬

‫د�ير �ب�ا ش����هرا‬

‫أ‬ ‫�ظ � أ ّ � ن �‬ ‫�ب� �� ر� �م�ه �ل��د �ي �� او � ا �لر��س�ا �ئ��ل � رد �ت��ك‪.‬‬

‫ا ��ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء ���ف� �ع��ل ّ ب� ن ا �ج��ل‬ ‫� �هم�‬ ‫ي �ي� �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�أ َ ا َ َ ٌّ �أ نْ �َ�قُ ��َ ��ِق�� َ ً�ة �َ‬ ‫��م ْ�د �‬ ‫ر د �ِع��ل�ي� َ� �يَ ��ول �صِ ي��د  ِب حِ‬ ‫فَ ُ ْ تُ َ ُ ت ْ‬ ‫��جِ �َ نْ �َ ا � ��فَ �َ ْ تُ‬ ‫� ��ل�ه ��ل�ا ���ع‬ ‫�ق��ل‬ ‫����‬ ‫� �ل� بِ���إِ �ق� ��مِ �ةٍ  �ل��س�‬

‫أَ َّ‬ ‫أَ ٱْ�ُ‬ ‫م�ؤْ�مِ� ��� نَ ��فِ �� �ذ �نَ�ا‬ ‫� �مِ� �� � �ل �‬ ‫َ َ يِر َ َ نِ َي� �َ أَ‬ ‫�ع�� ُ ���طْه ف����ق�ا ��ل �َ �ل�ا � �نَ�ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل�ى � ٍر‬

‫ّٰ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫��خلُ ّ ��ف �أ � ت ه أ ن � ّ ث ن �ف ت �غ �ن �ق �‬ ‫�ق � أت‬ ‫ح��د � ��ي� ��ا ��س��ص� ر��ي� �و��ا �ل‬ ‫� ب� ��و ا �ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء ��ا �ل � ��ي�� ت� �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� د ا �ود ا � ير� ��ي� ��س� �ل�� � � ي‬ ‫�فت فّ ظ � � �ق آ ن �ق ت �ق ف ظ � �ق �ب ق أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫تّ‬ ‫�س��� ن �م ن � �� �ن�� ف����ق �أ�ت‬ ‫ح�� ��� ا � �ل � � ���ل� ��د � ت ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا �ذ �ه� ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� �����ه �� �ل ا � �ر م� ر س � ي� � ي و س ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ا ��� ش ف� �ق ا � أ� ن ت �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف�ت��ع��ّ ا �� �ف� ئ ض ��ق � ت ��ق � ف� ظ �� ت ا ��ق ا �� ��ف �أ ّ� ا أ �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� � ل � ي�م� � رب� �إ �لي��ك‬ ‫لع���ر �� � �ل � ح��س��� ا �ه ب� ل�م ل ار ����� �ل� �د ح��� �‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫ّ أ ن أ �خ �ق ت ن أ �خ �ق ا � �َ �ذ �ق ت � �أ نّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ن � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�م�ك � �و اب�� � �ي��ك ��ل� اب�� � �ي� �� �ل �و�ل�م ا ك ��ل� �ل�� �ه� ا �م� �و�ل�د �ب�ي� �و�ه� ا �م�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� � �ّ ��ق ا � أ� ن ت �ذ‬ ‫���ف ا �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف�ت � � ّ ة �ق ت �ق ف ت ت � ت ن‬ ‫�و�ل�د �ج��د �ي� � �ل �‬ ‫�ه�ا �م�ا �ي��ه ��ك � �ي�‬ ‫ح��س��� ا �ه ب� ��عل��م ا �ل�ع بر��ي��� ���ل� ��د ���ع��ل� �و���ع�ل�م� �م �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق ا � ��ف��َ �ق ا � �ع ا َ ّ ا � �ل � ن �ق � � ن � � ّ � ت �غ ة � �ن‬ ‫ف � � ��‬ ‫�� �ل ِل� �� �ل �مر �ي� للهِ �ي� ِل� �م��س�ل�م��‬ ‫ي� ���ل ت� �ل� � ا �ل� �و�ل ا ��س���ا �ث�� � او �لث��ا ��ي� �ن��د ا ء‪���� .‬ق�ا �ل �ل�و ك� ت�‬ ‫� �ّ ثًا م أ � ً ��ف �نّ � ��ل ّ‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ح�د ا �� ��س �ك �‬ ‫ح��د ��ث ت���ك‪.‬‬ ‫ح�د �� � � ي‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫�ق ا � أ � ع�ي�ن ا �خ � ت‬ ‫���ا ن� � �� �مً�ا �ص�ا ف��ً�ا‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ا‬ ‫ّٰ ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ب�� �عب��د ا لله ب�� ��ط� �هر �وك� ي و‬ ‫�� �ل � ب� ��و ا �ل� � ء د ��ل� �ع��ل�ى �ب �ي� � ح�م�د � ب‬ ‫ن �ش � ن ف � أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� أن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ّٰ ّ �ن‬ ‫�و���و�م �ب�ي� ن� �ي��د �ي�ه ��ي��ل� بع ��و� �ب�ا �ل��� ��طر�� ����ق�ا �ل �ي�ا � �ب�ا �عب��د ا لله �إ �ن�ا ���ل�ع ب� ��ي� �ن��د ب� �إ �ل�ى � � �ن��د رك‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف�ف أ ّ � ن ت ّ أ نج� ن �ق ت �ف ح�ز � �أ أ ّ ّٰ �ف نّ أ‬ ‫���ط� ا � ن ا � � ا �ل‬ ‫��ز � � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ه‬ ‫ت � �� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ع� م�� ���ي� � أي� أح ب�ي� حأ ب� � � ��ك�و� �ل� �ي� أ ب� ا �ل��م�ي ر � �ي��ده ا لله �إ� �� � �ى و ب � �ى‬ ‫ف �غُ �ن ا ف �ق ا �‬ ‫ّٰ �ق �غُ �ن ا �ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� ا ا‬ ‫ع��� � ن� ���ط� ًل�ا ��ث���لً�ا‬ ‫ا � ق ��‬ ‫�����لب� � ��� � �ل � ب� ��و � ح�م�د �ي� � �ب� �عب��د ا لله ��د ���لب� � �و��د � �ص� �ب�ك �ب �����س ��ط�ك � رو ر �ج‬ ‫ف �ق ت أ ض أ ّ � �أ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ة أ أ �‬ ‫��� ��ل� � �‬ ‫�صر ت� �إ ��ل�ى �ب �ي� ا �ل�عبّ��ا ��س ب� ن� �ث�� او �ب�� ��ف�� �ق �ر �ت�ه ا �ل��س�ل�ا �‬ ‫��ره � �ي��ه�ا ا �ل��م�ي�ر �و� �وث�ب�� ت� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�خ ف‬ ‫ح ��ق � ت � ه �نّه � ت ش ّ ��ق � � ا � ن‬ ‫�م ن �ب �� � �‬ ‫��ت� �إ ��لي���ك ر�ق��ع��ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��ا �� �م ار �و� ت���ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ّ ب‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫ف ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ًا � ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح�ض‬ ‫�ج�ئ�ن�ا ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م��لن�� ر��س�ا ��ل��ة �و��ل��س�ن �ا ��ن ��ف ��تر�ق� �إ ��ل�ا ب�‬ ‫�� �تر�ه‪� .‬فرك�‬ ‫��� �م��ع �و�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و�ج ي� ر و و ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي�‬

‫‪108‬‬

‫‪108‬‬

‫‪١٢،١٠‬‬

‫‪١٣،١٠‬‬

‫‪١٤،١٠‬‬

Bāshahrā Monastery (The House of Vigils)

She wrote on the back of the letter: “You motherfucker, did you think I wanted to give you a job in the chancery?” Abū l-ʿAynāʾ composed these verses about ʿAlī ibn al-Jahm:

10.12

ʿAlī meant to praise the caliph in a poem, so he recited the call to prayer.49 I said, “Don’t hurry with the second call. I’m not pure.” He said, “Nor me neither.” Another tale told by Abū l-ʿAynāʾ: I went to ʿAbdallāh ibn Dāwud al-Khuraybī 10.13 and asked him to transmit traditions of the Prophet to me. He was unimpressed with me, and said, “Go and learn the Qurʾan by heart.” I said, “I’ve already done so.” Then he said, “Recite from the beginning of verse sixty of the Surah of Jonah.” So I recited those ten verses. “Well done,” he said. “Now go and study the rules for dividing estates.”50 “I’ve learned them.” He asked, “Which is closer to you, your uncle or your nephew?” I answered, “My nephew.” “And why is that?” I replied, “Because my nephew is a descendant of my father, while my uncle is a descendant of my grandfather.”51 He said, “Well done. Now go and study the Arabic language.” I answered, “I’ve done that and learned enough of it.” He asked, “So why did ʿUmar52 say, ‘O God!’ and ‘O Muslims!’?” “The first is an appeal for help, and the second is a battle cry.”53 Then he said, “If I were to transmit traditions to anyone of your age, I’d transmit them to you.” Abū l-ʿAynāʾ related another experience of his: I went to visit Abū Aḥmad 10.14

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir. It was a beautiful day and there were people playing chess in his presence. He said to me, “Abū ʿAbdallāh, we’re playing for wagers until our food is brought, so which team would you like to join?” “The prince’s team, God grant him aid, for it is more eminent and illustrious.” We were beaten, and Abū Aḥmad said, “Abū ʿAbdallāh, we’ve lost. For your stake, you must produce some seventeen pounds (eight kilos) of ice.” “I’ll bring them, Prince,” I replied, and rushed off. I went to Abū l-ʿAbbās ibn Thawābah, conveyed to him Abū Aḥmad’s greetings, and said, “He’s very keen to see you. He wanted to write you a note, but he was afraid that you would come up with some trick, so he sent me as a messenger and gave me a note to carry. We will only part ways when we reach him.” He set off with me on

109

109

‫د�ير �ب�ا ش����هرا‬

‫�قُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ ن �ث ً �ف ق‬ ‫� �ق��ف� ت ��� ن ���د ��ه ��ق��ل ت �أ�ّه�ا ا ���أ�م�� ��ق�د � ت‬ ‫�ج�ئ���ك ب�ج� ب���ل�ه�م� ا � ��ج���ل�ا ��ا �ت�ض��� �م ن��ه �م�ا ��م �نر�ا � او �ل�ع ب�‬ ‫و � ب ي� ي ي � ي�� �ل ي ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح� ا � ت‬ ‫�س���ل��ق � ��س�� �ل اب� ن � �� ا ��� �ع ن‬ ‫ح��ك �‬ ‫�م� � ��‬ ‫ح�ا ���ك ���ف� ا ��ل��ا ���ق�‪ �� .‬ض��‬ ‫�ص�� ���ع �� ا �ل‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب��ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� وب �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫عّ ا �ق�ف � ه �ش���ت�م ن �ن �ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�صر�‪.‬‬ ‫���ل�م� �و�� �ع�لي�� ��ي� � او ��‬

‫ّ‬ ‫�ق ا � �‬ ‫� ت ّ��‬ ‫�ق ا � أ � ع�ي�ن ا �خ � ت‬ ‫����ل�مت��ه ��ف�ا ���ست�� �خ � ا‬ ‫ع ت� ��ل�ه �وك�‬ ‫ح��س ن� � ��ط� ب �ي� �و�� �ل �ل�ي�‬ ‫�� �ل � ب� ��و ا �ل� � ء د ��ل� �ع��ل�ى ا�لم ��و ك��ل �ود � �و‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ن ن � � ش ّ �ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب���لغ��ن�� � نّ� ف����ك ش���ًّا ف����ق��ل ت� ��ا � �م�� ا�لم��ؤ �م ن‬ ‫��ر الم‬ ‫ح��س ن �ب� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ن ا �ل���ر ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ا �ن�ه � او �لم��س�� ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي ّ ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ة ْ َ ٱ �ْ َ ْ ُ ِّ ُ ٓ أَ َّ‬ ‫�� ّٰ ّ �زّ �ذ ّ ف� �ق ا � ��ف‬ ‫��ق ا �‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب��إ ��س�ا ء ��ه �� �د ك�ى ا لله ج���ل �و�ع �و �م �� � �ل �ي� ا �ل� كي��� { �نِ ���ع�م لعب��د �إِ ���ن�ه ۥ � � او ب�} �و � �ل‬ ‫�ف � �ذ ّ َ َّ ا َّ شَّ �آ نَ َّ َّا ��َّ�ْ�خِ ْ ْ أَ ُ َُّ َ ْ َ �ذَٰ َ َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��� ا �ل�� � {�ه��م� �م���� ِء بِ����مِ ��م �م ن�� ل��ل‬ ‫� �ي�ر �ُم�عتَ�ٍ�د � ثِ�����ي�م �عت���ل ب���ع�د ِ��ل��ك �ز �����ي�م} ��ف�د �م�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫نِ ٍ‬ ‫�زٍ‬ ‫ۭ �ي ٍ عٍ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٍ ۭ‬ ‫�ت ا �� ��س ه ��ق ��ق ا � �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ع� ل�ى ا �م� �و �د � �ل ا �ل���� �عر‬ ‫�َْ أَثْ َ �بٍ َ �َْ أَ شْ ت ٱ �ْ ٱ َّ ٱْ ُ َ ِ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ أَنَا �ٱ ْ� َ‬ ‫م�ْ�ع ُ‬ ‫���ْ��َ � ��ل��ل��� َ � �ل�م��ذ � ّ��مَ�م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و م ِ�ِم �جِ ب س ئِ �ي م‬ ‫ا � �� �بِ� �ل ر و فِ م نِ� ئِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫فَ َ َ َ�فْ تُ ٱ �ْ�خَ َْ َٱ � ّشَ َّ �ٱ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ش قّ � َ ّ ُ َ‬ ‫���س�ا � �َ �َ � � �ل� َ�م�ا‬ ‫� فِ���ي�� �ع �� � ل‬ ‫��ي�ر � �و �ل���ر �بِ� ��س��مِ �هِ �و� �‬ ‫��� ِ�ل�ي� � لله � �لم مِ و‬ ‫م ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �ن ّ � �ذ ّ ّ � � َّ‬ ‫ن ّٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ��ا ن � ش ّ ف �‬ ‫�����ع�ل ا �ل�ع��قرب� ا �ل ��ت� �ت��ل��س� ا �ل�ب�� � او �ل�� �م�ي� �ب� ��‬ ‫ط�� �ل�ا ي��م�ي��ز ‪ 1‬ف����ق�د �ص�ا � ا لله‬ ‫�و � ك�� � ا �ل���ر ��ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي ع ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�عب��د ك �ع ن� �ل��ك‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ؤ ن ن �� ف أ�� ن ف ًّ‬ ‫� ��ق�ا �� ��ل� � ���لغ�� ن� �أ�نّ��ك ا �ف� ض�� ّ‬ ‫� ف����ق��ل ت� �ي�ا � �م�ي�ر ا�لم� �م���‬ ‫ي� �وك�ي��� � ك��و� را ����ض�ي �ا � ب�و��ل��د �ي�‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫و ل ي� بو �ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ا ي ا أ ا �ذ � �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ص �ة � �م ن�� ش����� �� �� �م����س��د �� �م�عه� � � � ت‬ ‫�س�� �� ا �ل� �ص�م�ع ّ � �ل���� ي���ل� ‪� ٢‬م ن ا د د � ن‬ ‫ي ي� �ج �ج � و‬ ‫ا �لب�� ر و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي� وي س و � �إ ر ي �‬ ‫�ن �ف أ‬ ‫ن أ‬ ‫ً ف �ق أ‬ ‫أ �ن �ف ن أ‬ ‫أ خّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت�ق‬ ‫� �و د �ي��ا‪� � .‬إ� � � را د � او د ��ي ن��ا ��� �د � �ج��م� ا �لم��س��ل�م�و� �ع��ل�ى � �� �دي�� �م ن� � �ر� او � �إو � � را د � او د �ي��ا ��� ن�� ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّع‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�آ � ا �ؤ �أ� ا ء ا �ل� �ؤ �م ن � ن � ا‬ ‫م ��‬ ‫ي� �ل� د ��ني��ا �إ �ل� �م�ع��ك‪.‬‬ ‫�و ب� � ك مر �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف����ق�ا ��ل ك�‬ ‫��ي��ف� د ا ر�ي� �ه��ذ ه ف����ق��ل ت� ر� ��ي ت� ا ��ل ن��ا ��س ب�� ن�� او د �ور��ه ���ف� ا ��ل��د ��ني��ا � �و ن�� ت� ج�‬ ‫��ع��ل ت�‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ف �ق ت �‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ق � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّٰ �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا �ل��د ��ني��ا ��� د ا رك‪ .‬ف����ق�ا �ل ��ل�� �م�ا �ت�� ��و�ل ��� �‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ب�� ي‬ ‫ح�ى ��� ��ل� ا �ل�عب��د لله �و�ل��ك �من�����س�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّم‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��� ن ���ط�ا �عت��ه � �خ���د �مت���ك � ���ؤ�ث ض� ا‬ ‫��ّ �ف ا ئ �ة ا‬ ‫ّت‬ ‫ي رر‬ ‫و‬ ‫��� ك �ع��ل�ى ك��ل �� ���د �و�م� �ع�ا د �ب��ص�ل�ح� ر�ع�ي ���ك �ع��ل�ى ك��ل‬ ‫ب ي�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫���ا ن �ع �ف� �أ ���نّ � ���د �ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ل���ذ ‪� � ��� .‬ل �م� � �� ��و�ل ��� �ص� �‬ ‫مو� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫ح ب� ا �لب��ر�ي��د �يم� �‬ ‫بر �هي�� �وك� � ر ي� و�ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ذ�� ا ف� ال�أ ص� �ل�ع�ّ ك�لم��ة ق‬ ‫��س����ط ت‬ ‫�� �ه ن���ا‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ی�ت�����م��ي�ز ‪   ٢ .‬ك ي� � ل و ل �‬

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Bāshahrā Monastery (The House of Vigils)

horseback and we arrived. When I entered Abū Aḥmad’s presence I said to him, “Prince, I have brought you this block of ice, so take what we lost at gambling, and play with your friends for the rest.” Abū Aḥmad laughed so much he collapsed. Ibn Thawābah asked what was going on, so we told him, and when he understood he cursed me and left. Abū l-ʿAynāʾ also recalled: After I was admitted to al-Mutawakkil’s presence, 10.15 I prayed for blessings on him and delivered a speech. The caliph appreciated it and said to me, “I’ve heard that you can be offensive.” I replied, “Commander of the Faithful, if being offensive is mentioning a benefactor with his good deeds and a malefactor with his evil ones, God, the mighty and glorious, has praised and blamed. As praise, He said, «How excellent a servant! He was penitent»,54 and as blame, «Backbiter, spreader of slander, hinderer of good, transgressor, sinner, greedy, moreover ignoble».55 The Almighty has led the way. And a poet said: If I didn’t praise the well-doer or curse the wretched, vulgar wrongdoer How would I know good and evil by their names? God would split my ears and my mouth. “And if the scorpion was evil when it stung both the Prophet and the nonMuslim without distinction, at least God has protected me, your servant, from that.”56 Al-Mutawakkil went on, “I’ve heard that you are a heretical Shi ʿi.” “How 10.16 could I be a Shi ʿi, when I come from Basra, grew up in its Friday mosque, and my teacher was al-Aṣmaʿī? There are people who seek either right belief or power. If they want belief, the Muslims have agreed to give precedence to those whom they kept back,57 while if they want power, you and your forefathers are the caliphs, and there is no power without you.” Then al-Mutawakkil said, “What do you think of this palace of mine?” I replied, “I’ve seen people who built their houses in the world, but you have put the world in your house.” “And what do you think of ʿUbaydallāh ibn Yaḥyā?” “He is the servant of both you and God, divided between obeying God’s commandments and serving you. He prefers satisfying you to any personal profit and prefers the welfare of your subjects to any pleasure.” “And what’s your opinion of the head of the postal service, Maymūn ibn Ibrāhīm?” (He knew that

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‫د�ير �ب�ا ش����هرا‬

‫ت �ت ض �‬ ‫�ل ه ��ف �ت�ق � �ق� � �م ن ه ف� ��ق � ت � ا �أ � � ا � �ؤ �م ن � ن ت ق‬ ‫ث‬ ‫م ��‬ ‫ي� �ي��د ���سر�� � او ��س� ��‬ ‫�ع�ي�� �ي� ���ص�ي ر �و� ب ي� �� � �ل� ي� م�ي ر �ل �‬ ‫��ر ��ط �ه�و �م���ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا ت ه ��� �ة‬ ‫� ��ق�د ��س �ق �ن��ص�ف� �ج�ز� ت��ه ��ف��ل�ه ��ق�د ا � ��م�ا � دّ �ى � �م�ع�ه �� ا � ا �ق‬ ‫ط�ي��ع�‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫�إ م ب‬ ‫ح� �م �لم� ب����ي�‪� .‬إ ��س� ء �� ب‬ ‫و �إ �ج‬ ‫�ي��ه�ود �ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ا ن ت� فّ‬ ‫�و �‬ ‫ح��س� ��ه � ك�‬ ‫��� �ل�‪.‬‬ ‫�ا أ‬ ‫� � ت ف �ق ت � ا أ‬ ‫�إ ف �ق � �نّ أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا أ �ق � �ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �ا �ل �إ ��� � ر���د ك �جم‬ ‫ط�� ا ك �و�ل� � ���وى �ع�لي��ه �و�م� � ��و�ل �ه� ا‬ ‫�� �ل��س��ي� ��� �ل� �ل� � ��ي �‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ًا ا � �ف �ذ ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح�و ب� �و �ج�‬ ‫ل����� ر ج���ل �ج�‬ ‫�ج� �ه�ل� ب��م� �ل�� ��� �ه� ا ام‬ ‫ح�و ب� � ���ل�� �إ ���� ر��ه‬ ‫� � �م ا �ل��� � � � ك‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫�ج �ل��س أ� أ ّر� و ي‬ ‫� �ا � �غ ا ن‬ ‫�خ��ف � ه � ا �ؤ � � �ز ّ � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض�� � وو�ج �ه�ك ر ضٍ� و ب ك م ر ضٍ�‬ ‫�وي ��ى �ع�لي�� �إ ي�م� ه‪ .‬يو�ج �و �ع��ل�ي� � ل�م ب ك�ل م �� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� غ ا ن � ت � أ ّ��ز ن �ذ ن �� �ق �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫��ض�� � �و م��ى �ل� � �م�ي �ب�ي�� �ه� ي�� �ه� ك‬ ‫�ص�د � ت� �و� ك‬ ‫ل�� ت�‪�� .‬ا �ل �‬ ‫ل��ن� ���ل�ز �م ن��ا‪��� .‬ل ت�‬ ‫�و�و�ج� �ه�ك ��� ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�ز � � ا �� �ف�ل ض�� ا ��ل� ا �ج�� �ف�� �ص��لن�� ���ع ش��� �ة � �ل�ا �� د �ه� ‪�� � .‬ق�ا �ل �ل� � �� �م�ا � ��ق�د د �خ���ل ت� �ل��ه ��ا‬ ‫ر م و ي� ي و و‬ ‫�إ ي ي‬ ‫وم ر � و ب و ي� ب ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ ا �غ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ح�مّ�م��د �م�ا ب�����ق ���ف� ال�جم‬ ‫���ل��س � �‬ ‫ح��د �إ �ل� ا � ت��ا �ب��ك �ع��د �ي� ��� ��ل�‬ ‫ي� ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ َ َ تْ َ� نَّ‬ ‫�ضَ��ا �نً�ا َ�ع�ََّ‬ ‫��َ ا �ُ َ�ع ش�����َ ��تي  ��فَ� َل�ا �زَ ا ��َل �غ�� ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ر ضِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي��� ع��ي� كِر م ِ ي رِ�‬ ‫ب ل�ي�‬

‫ه�ا‬ ‫لِ�� ئَ��ا �ُم�َ‬ ‫�‬

‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ��س��ل� ا ن أ � ه � ن ا ��ل� ا �ة‬ ‫ّٰ ّ‬ ‫�و�ه�و � ب� ��و �عب��د ا لله �ح�م�م��د ب� ن� ا � �ل�ق�ا �� �‬ ‫س ب� ن� �خ��ل�ا د ب� ن� �ي�ا ��سر ب�� يم� � � �و �ص�ل� م� يم� �م�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن�ت‬ ‫�ن ا �� �ة ث‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح�ن ��ف �ة �أ��ن �ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�� ��س ّ �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م��س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�م ن� ب� ن��� � ي� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م و‬ ‫ب ب ر م ل �إ ى ب‬ ‫و جع ر �‬ ‫أ ي � �ق � ّ�� أ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ا ة ��غ �ل�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �� ا � �ة �م���ل ا ��ل ش � �� � ق � �ّ ا ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ر� �ى �و ��ل� ا�لمت��و ك��ل � �و �� � �ب��ه�‪� .‬وك�� � �‬ ‫ل�� �ب�� ب��لي�� ا �ط� ب� ي �‬ ‫ح��س� ا � ك��‬ ‫� ���عر�ط�ل�� ا �ل�ل��س� �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ض � �ة � ا �ق � �ق �ح � ّ�� أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ا ��ل���ذ �ّ � او ��ل�ا��س��� ��ط� ء ��س �� ا �ج�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��را �ل ن�� د ر �ل� ��ي� � � �ل�ه‪� .‬و�� �ل ا�لم ��و ك��ل � �����ه� � �� د �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ير‬ ‫ي� م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب م‬ ‫أ ا �� ع�ي�ن ا � � ا أ ن هّ‬ ‫ع ف� ��غ �ذ � � أ ا �� ع�ي�ن ا ف� �ق ا �� ن أ �ف ا ��ن أ � � �ؤ � ن ن � ن �ؤ �ة‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��ر�ر ب��ل� �ل�ك � �ب� ا ل� � ء �� � ل �إ � � �ع� � �ي� � �م�ي ر ا�لم� م���ي� م� ر � �ي�‬ ‫� �ب� ا ل� � ء �ل�و�ل� � �� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ث ّ��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �أ �ّ ة �ق �ة �ن ق ش ���خل �ف �ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� ��ل�ه‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل �و�ج��‬ ‫ا �ل��ه�ل�� �و ا ء � � �� �� ا‬ ‫��وا ت�ي�� � �إ� ��ي� �ت �ص��ل‬ ‫ح ب� �ح�م�م��د ب� ن� � ك‬ ‫م��ر�م � �ب�ا ا �ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء �� ك�� ب�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ ر �ت و �� أ �م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ا ت �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ل ّ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع�ي�ن ا �‬ ‫�ج�ن� �م ش����ا � � �� ت‬ ‫� � ك�‬ ‫�ي��عت�� ر �م ن��ه �ف ك‬ ‫م�� ��ب�� ‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �لي��ه � ب� ��و ا �ل� � ء ب ي�‬ ‫�ه� �و�ع�� ر �إ �ي‬ ‫أ �خ ��ث �ة � �نّ أ‬ ‫حت � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا � � �و ��ق ت�� �ه ا ��ل ش��� ���ط �و��ل�ا ي خ� ��‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫م�ق�د ا ر �م�ا ي��م��ل�ه ا � ك�‬ ‫� �ن �ا � �ورد �ن�ا ب�� �‬ ‫� �و � ب��ا ره ك���ي�ر �و� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ض�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫� ج‬ ‫�ّ � أ‬ ‫��ت‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�س�ا � ت� � الم ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ع�ي�ن ا ن‬ ‫��ا ر�ئ�ه �إ �ل�ى ا�لم��ل�ل‪� .‬وك�� ب� اب� ن� � ك‬ ‫� ن��و�‬ ‫م��ر�م �إ �ل�ى �ب �ي� ا �ل� � ء �ع��د �ي� � كب����ج رع ب� �ج‬

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‫‪١٧،١٠‬‬

‫‪١٨،١٠‬‬

‫‪١٩،١٠‬‬

Bāshahrā Monastery (The House of Vigils)

I was angry with Maymūn because I’d suffered from negligence on his part.) I answered, “Commander of the Faithful, he’s a hand that steals and an ass that farts. He’s like a Jew who has stolen half the money he was supposed to collect in taxes. He boasts of what he has paid and keeps quiet about the rest. Evil comes naturally to him and when he does good, he’s shamming.” Al-Mutawakkil then said, “I’d like you to sit with me at court.” “It’s not in 10.17 my power; it’s beyond me. I don’t say this out of ignorance of the honor that attending court would confer on me. But I’m a man whose eyes are veiled. Those who are sightless may be out of step in their advice and not notice gestures. I might speak as if angry while you were pleased, and as if glad while you were angry. And to fail to distinguish between these moods would be the end of me.” “You are right,” he said, “but keep us company.” “I will,” I replied, “as a binding obligation.” Then he gave me ten thousand dirhams. One day, when I had gone to attend al-Mutawakkil, he said to me, “Muḥammad, there’s no one at the audience who has not slandered you to me.” I recited: If the nobles of my tribe are content with me, let the base ones be angry. Abū l-ʿAynāʾ’s name was Abū ʿAbdallāh Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim ibn Khallād 10.18 ibn Yāsir ibn Sulaymān. His family was from al-Yamāmah and were members of the Banū Ḥanīfah tribe by blood. He used to live in Basra but then moved to Baghdad. He went to Samarra to make money, met al-Mutawakkil, and settled there. He wrote well, and was an eloquent speaker and a fine poet. He was ready to blame and complain when kept waiting, was quick in repartee, and always had a joke up his sleeve. No one could stand up to him. Al-Mutawakkil said, “I’d like to have Abū l-ʿAynāʾ as a companion, but he’s blind.” When Abū l-ʿAynāʾ heard that, he said, “If the Commander of the Faithful will let me off spotting new moons and reading inscriptions on rings, I’m his man.” Muḥammad ibn Mukarram kept Abū l-ʿAynāʾ from seeing him, but then he wrote to apologize to him. Abū l-ʿAynāʾ wrote back: “He keeps me at a distance orally and apologizes in writing.” There are many anecdotes about him, but we wanted to include only as 10.19 much as the book would take without violating its plan and boring the reader.

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‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ح��د��ي ث� �ي� ���ط ب� الم‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ح�ز �و�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫َ ا �َ ٱ �خْ سـَُٔ ۟ َ ا ََ‬ ‫{ ��ق� �ل � ��� � او ��ي�ه� �ولا‬ ‫فِ‬

‫د�ير �ب�ا ش����هرا‬

‫أ ن أ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫�خ� ن � ال�م �ز‬ ‫��ا �و�ن ‪�� 1‬ف�ل�ا �ت��ع��ل�و �ع��ل� ّ � �و �ت��و�‪�� .‬ف�� �ج��ا �ب�ه � ب� ��و ا �ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء‬ ‫� �إو �وا ��ك �ج‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫تُ َ َّ ُ‬ ‫�مو نِ�}‪.‬‬ ‫��ك��ل �‬

‫أ‬ ‫ال� ن‬ ‫ح�ا �ز و�‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬م��‬

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Bāshahrā Monastery (The House of Vigils)

Ibn Mukarram wrote to Abū l-ʿAynāʾ: “I’ve a dish of sikbāj58 that will amaze a madman, talk that will delight a sad man, and old friends from your clan. So don’t be proud—come to me unbowed.” At which Abū l-ʿAynāʾ replied, “«Go away into it and do not speak to me.»”59

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‫د ����ي ا ��خل ت‬ ‫��وا ��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ت ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � ا � � ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ه� ا ا ��ل��د�ير ب���ع��‬ ‫�كب��را �و�ه�ود�ير كب���ي ر �ع� �مر ي ك‬ ‫��س��ن��ه ���س�ا ء �م��ر�هب��ا ت� �مت�ب��ت��ل�ا ت� �ي��ه �و�ه�و �و��س ��ط‬ ‫� ت � �ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �أ � �أ �‬ ‫�� ا �ت � ن �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ر�و� �‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا�لم�و�ق�� �و�عي��ده ا �ل��‬ ‫ا لب����س� �‬ ‫ح��د ا �ل��ّو�ل �م ن� ا �ل�ص�و� ي ج‬ ‫ي� � او � ك‬ ‫��م� �إ �لي��ه ك���ل �م ن� ��ي� رب�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف �ذع‬ ‫� ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ا �ل�ع �د �ل��� � ا �ل ا �ش ش‬ ‫�م ن��ه �م ن ا �لن��ص�ا � � ا �لم��س��ل�م�� ن ّ‬ ‫ا ن�ز‬ ‫ي� �ي��عي��د �ه��ؤ �ل�ء � ��يو ت��� ه �ه��ؤ �ل�ء‪� .‬و ��ي� �ه� ي� ي ل� م� �‬ ‫رى و‬ ‫��و���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ّ أ أ‬ ‫� � �ف ا ّ أ‬ ‫� ة ت‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ا �ع ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح�د �ي��ده �ع� ����ي� ء �و�ل� �يرد � �‬ ‫�و��هي� �لي���ل�� � ���ل��ط ا �ل����س� ء �ب� �لر�ج�� �ل ��ل� �يرد � �‬ ‫ح�د � � �‬ ‫� � ّٰ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن ا �ز � �ق ف‬ ‫ن ا ن �ش‬ ‫له�و‪.‬‬ ‫����ي� ء‪� .‬و�ه�و �م� �م�ع� د � ا �ل��� ار ب� �و�م�� �ل ا � �ل��ص�� �و�م� او ��ط ن� ا �ل�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ ث ن ف‬ ‫�و�ل��ل ن��ا �ج�� �ب ��ي� �ع�م�ا � �ي��ه‪1‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�آ � ��قِ ��ْل � نَ �ٱ �� ِّ‬ ‫حِ �ِم نْ �جَ��َ ا ر ُ���م�زَ��ّ��ِن�ا ت� �مِ� � َل�ا �‬ ‫��صَ��ا ���بِ �ةِ� � �‬ ‫ِب ��ي� ِم� ل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َ � و ٍ َ ي ٍ ٱ حِ‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫َ أََّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �فَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫نٍ �ذ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ص��ا �‬ ‫ك‬ ‫� �و�ج��هٍ ِ�م‬ ‫�َو���ت� �ةٍ ك� ْ���ه� ����ص� �ب� � ا ِ‬ ‫���ث�ِل � ��وِر � �ل� ب حِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ ْ َ َ ْ ٱ ��خََ ت �ٱ ّٰ َ َّ َ ْ َ َ َ ش �ق ضَ‬ ‫�� �م نْ ُ‬ ‫� نَ��ا �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ��ه�ل �ع��ل�ى �ع�ا �ِ �‬ ‫� �بِ� للهِ رب ���‬ ‫� ���ه�ل د ����يِر � ��وا ِ‬ ‫��قٍ� � ى ِ � �ج حِ‬ ‫��ا ن �أ� �ع�ث ا ن �ذ ا ا � � �ة ا � ن ا ��ل � �م ّ‬ ‫�وك�� � ب ��و م� � �ه� ر وي� ب � رو �ي�‬ ‫ف ا ���خل � �أ�غ �ن � �‬ ‫��مر � او �ل� ��ا ��ي� � او �ل��غ�ز �ل‪� .‬و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ص��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أَ ْ َ سِ َ َ ةُ َ‬ ‫���أْ َ ٱ �ْ ُ �قِ‬ ‫َ ضَ ا � شَ ْ َ �شَ ْ َ �ٱ ��ْ��قَ َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ِد ر �ي�ا ��� �ل�ا �م�� ك�� ��س � �ل����ع� � رِ �و�‬ ‫��� ِه بِ ����د �ِوك ���د �و ل �م� ِر ي�‬ ‫ٱَ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ ُ �ذْ َ ا ُ عِ تَّ�قِ ةً ُ �زَّ�ةً تَ ُ ُّ‬ ‫� َ�ع��َ � ��ل��لّ�ْ��ي� �ثَ��ْ َ� � ��لنّ�َ�َه�ا‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� ��ه� �م�� ��� �� ���م   ���‬ ‫�ص ب ل�ى ِل و ب ْ � ِر‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫� ْ ا َا ف ْ‬ ‫ن�ا �ع��َ‬ ‫َ ْ َ �خل‬ ‫� َا‬ ‫ُ �َ‬ ‫ه�ا � ل‬ ‫� �د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جِ ر�ي� �ل��ه�  �ي���ه ِ�د ���ي�هِ ِ�ل��ل�� �ي� نِ� �ي ��و�م � ��م� ِر‬ ‫��ي� �زِ‬ ‫�و�ه�و �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش ح‬ ‫����عره‬

‫ّ � ا �ن‬ ‫قق � �‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫ع �ج�ي��د ا�لم�ع� ��ي�‬ ‫ا �ل����عر ر�ي ��� ا �ل�� ب‬

‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫أ ث ن ن‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� �( :‬بو �ع�ما � ا ��ل��ا ج��م) ورد ي� �‬

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‫�ف‬ ‫��ي�‬

‫‪١،١١‬‬

‫‪٢،١١‬‬

‫‪٣،١١‬‬

The Sisters’ Monastery

The Sisters’ Monastery is in ʿUkbarā. It is large and well maintained, inhabited

11.1

by women who live the monastic life and are celibate. It stands in the midst of gardens and vineyards, and is well situated in a delightful spot. Its patronal festival is the first Sunday of Lent, when everyone who lives close by, Christians and Muslims, gather there. The Christians celebrate the feast and the Muslims enjoy themselves. The Night of Māshūsh60 falls during this feast. It is a night when women and men mix freely, no one observes any restraint, and no one imposes restrictions on anyone else. The monastery produces wine and is a place of revelry and enjoyment. Al-Nājim Abū ʿUthmān has this poem on it:

11.2

Ah, my heart, for love! Ah, for bejeweled beauties! Girls like slender boughs, faces like the light of the morn. People of the Sisters’ Convent, by the Lord God! A lover’s met his death— what wrong has he done? This Abū ʿUthmān was the transmitter of Ibn al-Rūmī’s poetry, a fine poet, sensitive, using excellent imagery to describe wine, singing, and love. One of his fine poems is: Salāmah, vie in your song with the turtledove’s coo, And pass around the cups of wine matured with a full bouquet, clothing the night in the robe of day. Our cheeks take their crimson from it, And with a hangover they pass the color to the eye.

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117

11.3

‫� �ش���عره‬ ‫�و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫ح‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫�و��ل�ه �وف�ي��ه‬

‫������ �����‬ ‫���� �‬

‫ُ ُ َ ثَّ ٱ َ‬ ‫َ َا َ �ةَ ْ نَ َ‬ ‫� � ��ل ّا �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�ل� �َم� ب�� ��سعِ� ��ي�دٍ ي�جِ ي��د ٱحْ َ رحِ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ �ت �غِ نَّ �زَ �مِ ْ نَا َ َ ْ � � �أ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا ��� �� �� ر��  �ع��ل��ي�هِ �� �ل� ��ق�د ا �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫بِ‬

‫�َّ ا َ ْ َ ٱ � َّ ْ ٱ ْ‬ ‫�َم�ا �نَ�ِ��� �قَ تْ َ ا ت ٌ َ مِ�زْ َ ُ َ ا‬ ‫نا �‬ ‫ه �َ �و �� �ل��فِ� َر�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫��ط�� ��ع� ِ�� ب� �و� �هر�ه�  �إَِ �ل� �وب��ِ��ت�� ‪� 1‬بِ� �ل�� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٱ َّحِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ ْ �نَ ا ُ ُ � ُ ٱ َ‬ ‫���ٱ ��لْ ُ��بْ ء � َ� سِ‬ ‫ط ��ل � ��ل ّ��س��قَ�ا � �َ �و ��ل��ت َر�‬ ‫��ل�َه�ا ��غِ� نَ��ا ءٌ ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ ِمٱ ْ حِ‬ ‫ْ ُ‬ ‫�تَ�ْ ُ ُ ُ ٱ �� َّ ُ� �فَ ْ َ َ ا نَ ِ � قَ تْ‬ ‫�ق نَ��ا �َ�س�ا ���ٌد َ�ع��ل � �� �ل�قِ� َ�د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�عب��د ه � ل ا �‬ ‫�  �إِ ب ِر�ي‬ ‫رح � �ي‬ ‫�جِ �ى حِ‬ ‫�َ ا �نَ ِ�� �قَ تْ َ ا ت ٌ‬ ‫� �َ �مِ�زْ َ�هُ َ�ه�ا‬ ‫م� ����ط�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ��ع� ِ�� ب‬ ‫َ ُ أَ‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ �ْ‬ ‫ت ْ � ُ ْ تا ُ ا‬ ‫�����ط��ل ب� � � �و� ر�ه� � �ل�ه� �مو�م �ب� �و‬

‫�ن‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫ح�‬

‫َّ َ ٱ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫��ل�ا َ ���ط��ل�ْ�ب نَ��ا ��� ��ل َّا � ��نُ�ْ��ع�م��ُل�َ‬ ‫ �إِ‬ ‫َ بِ رحِ ِ �‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫  �تَ�ا ���فِ َ�م�ا �ت ْ��ستَ ��� ��قُ �تَ����قتُ���ُل�َ‬ ‫ٍر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�فِ ي �‬

‫َّ َ ْ‬ ‫َ َ َ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫���ْ �قُ ��ل�ا �أ�ذ َ ت� �ٱ ��ْل�عِ� �ْ� نُ دُ �ُ�م ��َ‬ ‫ا� ش‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ْ ي� و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� َ�م� د ��ع� �نَِ�ي� � �ل و �إِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ ُت ��ل��لُ َّ‬ ‫� � �ن‬ ‫نّ� َ ْ‬ ‫� َ �����ي��َ‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إِ � �‬ ‫ي ��صِ‬ ‫�م�ا � ب��‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ك�ي� ِ�ل� ���‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�� رٱ ْ� ِح ب رِب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��جِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �م���َ‬ ‫ح َ��س نَ � �ل نّ��ا �� �َ � �ْ �ل� � �ل ن�‍ َ ‍�ا �� ���‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫ح ْ��س �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫نِ� ِ ي‬ ‫� َ� سِ و وى‬ ‫أَ سِ بِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ ا أ َ �� َ نْ َ‬ ‫ح�� �ي � ���بِ �د ‪�� � ٢‬ل��د ���ه ����نِ�ز � ��َ‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِر و‬ ‫��م� � ر�ى ِل�ي� �ع� ِب �يبِ��‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫‪ 1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬وى�ع ن���ا‪ ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا ب��د ا‪.‬‬

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‫‪٤،١١‬‬

‫‪118‬‬

‫‪٥،١١‬‬

The Sisters’ Monaster

Here is another fine poem of his: Salāmah ibn Saʿīd61 pours wine well and swiftly; When he sings, we clink our cups in harmony. And another:

11.4

Every time we hear ʿĀtib and her lute, our time is full of fun and rejoicing. Her singing’s a cure for a body weakened by sickness and grief. She only needs to sing for the wine to bow down and kneel in the cup in adoration. And another: Every time we hear ʿĀtib and her lute, we call for wines and put them to work. Her strings call out our cares with cords that never fail to kill them. This poem of his has a musical setting:

11.5

When longing calls me, tears well up in my eyes; I weep because I’ve become the springtime for my love, The loveliest of beings, most suited to beauty. Never, I believe, will I abandon my beloved.

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‫� ْ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫د ����ي ا �ل��َ‬ ‫ع��ل�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ْ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ا ن��� ا ��ل ش��� ���ق ّ �من‬ ‫� ا �ل��َ‬ ‫ع��ل ث� �ق ���ة �ع��ل� �ش���ا ���ط� ئ د �ج���ل��ة ���ف� ا�ج��ل‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ه�ا � �وب��ي ن� �ي��د �ي��ه�ا �م ن� د �ج���ل�� �م�و ض�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫��‬ ‫ري � ى‬ ‫ب ت ري‬ ‫�ذ � ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ر �ش���د ���د ا ج�ل‬ ‫� ي ��ق ال�جم‬ ‫��ا ك����ي�را �ج��‬ ‫���‬ ‫� �ر�� �ج� ت��ا ���ه ا �ل��س��� ن ب��م ش�����ق��‪� .‬و�ه� ه ا�لم� ا ض�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ�ص�ع ب� ��ض �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي �ف � أ � � �ز �ّ و ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إ�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت��س� ّ ا ����أ� ا � ا � ا � ت ا �ل��س�ف�� ن �ل ا �ل�ع��ل ث � �� ت ��ه�ا �� �ا � ت� ّ‬ ‫ه��� �ل�ه�ا ا �ج�ل‬ ‫��وا �إ �ل� �ب��ه�ا ٍد‬ ‫�مى �ل ب �و ب� و و �‬ ‫� �إ �ى � ر س� ب � ل �ي � ي‬ ‫� ن ت�خ ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت � � � ض �ف ا ّ � ا � تّ �ت�خ ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن أ � ا ت‬ ‫��� ��ل� ي�‬ ‫طه� ح�ى ي����‬ ‫��س��ا � �وي�����ل�ل �ب��ه� �‬ ‫له� �ي��‬ ‫�ك��ر� �ون�ه �ي�م��س��ك ا �ل ك�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م� � �ه� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ص‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�� ��� �ة � � �م ن � � ن ا �� � � ا ا ت � �ق� ا � � �ن�ز ا � ض ُق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ص�د‬ ‫�ه�ا‪� .‬و�ه� ا ا �ل��د�ير را ك� ب� د �ج ل� و ه�و � ح��س� ل�دي� ر � م�و�ع� و �ه�ه� م�و�‬ ‫���ع�ا ��ي���‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت �ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل ب���ل��د � �و� ���ط ��ق�ه ك�‬ ‫�م ن ك�‬ ‫��ا د ي�خ���ل�و �م ن ��من��‬ ‫ح��د �و�ل�ا �ي ك�‬ ‫���ل � �‬ ‫ح��د ر �و�م�ص�ع�د‪� .‬و�م ن� د �خ���ل�ه �ل� ي��ج���ا �و ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ا � ا �َ ْ‬ ‫�� �غ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�ي��ه �و� �ه��ه � � � د �ج �م�� �م� �‬ ‫ح�� � �إ �لي��ه �ب� �ل�ع�ل� � �وب�ه‪.‬‬ ‫�إ ل�ى ���ي�ره �ل�� ب‬ ‫وو�ج �و يع ي ج‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح ������ة ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�وج‬ ‫أََُّ ا ٱ �َْ ا �� َا �ٱ ّٰ ُ َّ َٱ ْ�� َ ٱ � َّ َ َ ٱ � ُّ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ه� � �ل�م� ِ ل‬ ‫�ص�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح� نِ� �ب� للهِ �‬ ‫�ح�ا ��ل�� � �ل�����شرا �َ �و �ل��س ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ج�د ا  � �وٱ ِ َِي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ �َّ َ ا � ُ ُ َ ا � ��بِ َ َ نَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ب� �ل�ا ��ل� ‪� 1‬م نَ � ��ل��د �نَ�ا � د �نَ�ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ب�ل���غ� �� ��ه ِ�د ��ي���ت�م� � �ل� رد ا ��  � �و �� �‬ ‫�ى�زِ ُ ِي� ِ � َ نِ ِ‬ ‫�نِي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��فِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�َ�ٱ ْ �َ ا � ��لَ �ٱ �� �لقَ����� َّ� �ٱ ��ل�زَّ ْ � َ ا ء َ � � � َ ُ� � � ��ْ‬ ‫��ح�زَا �نَ�ا‬ ‫و �ع ِ�د �ل� بِ ي� �إِ �ى بِ ي �صِ ي��ةِ �ه‍ ��هر ِ �ع��ل�� ���فر � �ل�‬ ‫َ ج‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ أَ��قِ ُ َ �ً َ مٍ َٱ قْ ي‬ ‫ُ ُ أ َ ن اَ‬ ‫َ َ ا � ْ ت � ْ ا ت� َ ا ا ��ف � � َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�ي �ا بِ ��ي� �إِ �ل�ى ك�ر�و� � � او ��‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�و ا �م� � �م� �‬ ‫حو�ل� ��م� �� �   � ��‬ ‫ُ أَ ِْم‬ ‫َ ِّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َٱ ْ �َ ا � ��َ ��شِ‬ ‫��قِ تْ هُ َ ُ ُ �ز َ ا ن اَ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫هود ه � ��م� ��‬ ‫� �ع��ِتي ���قٍ �ع���ت ���ت� �� �ي�� �‬ ‫� �و �َ���ن�زِ �ل� بِ�ي� �إِ ل�ى � ر ب ٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ قّ حِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نِ ْ‬ ‫� تَّ َ� ْ �ُ هُ ��خِ َ ْ‬ ‫َ ا � �� ْ‬ ‫��ج ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫ر�� � ��ى حِ��سب���ت�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫� �د �م ن� � �ب�‍  �د �ل ��ي� �ِم ن� �ِو� �‬ ‫��ص� ِ�ل�هِ هِ‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َٱ ْ ُ � َ � ا � ٱ � َشّ َ َ �ٱ � َّ ْ �ٱ �ْ َ ْ‬ ‫��َ�عِ َّ أُ َ‬ ‫��ب�ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫�ع�ا ��� ُ � ��ل ُّ ْ�ه َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫��شِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و ح ��ط��ط� ِل�ي� � �ل��� ارع �بِ� �ل�دي�ِر �بِ�ٱ�ْل�ع�ل ثِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ � َ َ ْ َ نَ ْ ً َ � � ْ‬ ‫� َا َ ْ نَ ����سْ‬ ‫ح ًَ�ة �ُ��ق ْ �َ�ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫�وظِ ����‬ ‫�ب�اٍء ��ي��ت�� �لْو� ِ��س����فرا �ِم ن� � �لإِ� ��ن  ��جِ ي���ل �ب�‬ ‫ك�ر� أَرْ رب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�َ ا َ ا ت � نَ � �ل�ُُ � َ ا ًا �ِ َ َ ٱ ّٰ ُ ت� ْ تَ َ ا غ َ َ‬ ‫��ص�ا �ن�ا ‪٢‬‬ ‫��سو ثِ����ي�ى� �ب�  �‬ ‫�ل�بِ����س� � ِم م �‬ ‫��ج��ع�ل � لله �ح��ه� � ���‬ ‫ٍ � حِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫‪   1‬ف� ال�أ ص� ‪�َ :‬ٱ ن�ْ�زلَا � ‪ ٢ .‬ق‬ ‫ ��س����ط �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��� ت‬ ‫�� �م� ن� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫ي� � ل و ِ بِي�‬ ‫بي‬

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‫‪١،١٢‬‬

‫‪٢،١٢‬‬

The Monastery in ʿAlth

The village of ʿAlth is on the east bank of the Tigris. In front of it a stretch of the

12.1

Tigris flows through rough country, narrow and stony, with a very fast current, and it is difficult for boats to navigate. That place is called the Gates. When boats arrive at ʿAlth, they dock and go no farther unless they have secured the services of a pilot. He works the rudder and steers them through the passage, only taking his hands from the rudder when he has taken them through that stretch of the river. The monastery rises above the Tigris. It is a beautiful, delightful site, and people from all over come and visit it, including people traveling up or down the river. Those who enter it go no farther, for it is lovely and pleasant, and everything one needs can be had there or in ʿAlth itself. Jaḥẓah composed this poem on it:

12.2

Sailors! By God, stir yourselves. Trim the sails and set the rudder! Bring me, God keep you, to Baradān and open jar after jar, Then to Qabīṣah the Radiant, where maybe I can cast off my sorrows, And after a full year there, take me to Awānā’s vineyards, Letting me stop for an ancient wine long matured by the Jews, Its taste so fine I thought it the cheek of one who loved me and left me. Then lower the sails at ʿAlth’s Convent and let me spend time with the monks And gazelles who recite from the Gospels and take communion at daybreak Clad in hair shirts under which God has hidden young branches,

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‫�‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع��ل ث�‬

‫َ تَّ �إِ�ذَ َ َ ٱ �ْ َ أْ ُ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� ِ فْ نَ �ٱ ��لنُّ��ُ َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� َ ا ت �‬ ‫خ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�� ��س ����� � �ور‬ ‫� ح�ى ا د ا ر ِ‬ ‫���فِ ر ٍ‬

‫� ت‬ ‫� �ول��ل�م�ع��م�د‬

‫َٱ � ُّ ْ‬ ‫��ب�ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫�ص��ل َ‬ ‫� �و �ل�‬

‫ٱ ْ‬ ‫َا ُ � �َ �َ ْ �فَ ٱ �� َّ �ْ أَتْ ِ ْ تُ ُ‬ ‫� �خ� ْ����سَرا ���َ �ب�� ��لَّرب�‬ ‫طو�ل �ل��ي��ل� �ب �� �م� ل�‬ ‫حِ � �����ب�ع‬ ‫��ص�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي� �� �‬ ‫ِ ي� َِ ِ‬ ‫ٱ �ْقَ ْ َٱ �ْ�قَ ُ � � �نِي َ ِٱ � شَّحِْ‬ ‫�َ ْ َ َ َ ْ � َ َ�ق ْ َ ضَ‬ ‫ط �ل � � �ل�����‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل� �‬ ‫حِل‬ ‫ه��� �ع��ل�ى د �هر�ل ن��ا ��د �م���ى  �بِ�� � �ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صِر � �و � �ل � �� �و ِ و‬ ‫ٱ � فَِّي ْ ٱ �ْ َ ٍْ َ ُ ْ َ ُ ُ َ ْ َ ٱ‬ ‫�َ ٱ � � َّ نْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ع�ا ���ي� �ل�ى � �ل�د �‬ ‫� �ور�هب�� ���ن�ه  �ب�ي�� � �ل�����ش�� نِ نِ �إِ‬ ‫�بِ� �ل�د ����يِر �بِ� �ل�ع�ل ثِ‬ ‫حِ‬

‫ّ �ق � � �أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ّ ش �غ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� � ن �� ت ش‬ ‫���ه�ا � �و�ي����س�د‬ ‫وك‬ ‫���ا � �ل�ل�م�ع��م�د ����عر �ج�ي��د �و����عر ��ي�ر �م�و �و�ن ‪� 1‬ورب��م�ا ��ا �ل ا �ل�ب��ي��ا ت� �ي���ص‬ ‫�ّ ب���ع ض�‬ ‫ح � �أ � ن � اّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ق �‬ ‫�غ� نّ ن ���ع � ن � ��ل ف‬ ‫اق ا ن �‬ ‫ط�� � او �ل� �ل‬ ‫�ه� �وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��ه ا�لم ���ي� ي �م�ل�و� �ع�لي��ه � �‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ا �ي���غ�ي ب� �‬ ‫ع�ي��ه ��ي� ا �لت��� ��‬ ‫���ا � �ي��ع ��‬ ‫ح�ا � �إ �ل�‬ ‫�ب� �ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�خ ا ّ ة �‬ ‫�ص�� ا �ل ن��ا ��س‪.‬‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ت غ � � �أ ��ل ا ن �ف�ا ن ت ت ق �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق ا �� ت � � �‬ ‫�ه ا � �‬ ‫� �� � � � � �‬ ‫��ا الم�ع� � � ه � ش���� ه �ل � �� ل�‬ ‫أ� ل� ب��د �ع� ك� � أ �م�د ي ��و�ج � ب عر �إ �ى عري ب� �ص�و� ل� �ل�ح� � ك� � � ��ول و �ي��ل�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ��غ ن�ّ ��ف � ف � ف‬ ‫حر�و�� � �ل�� �ب�ا �ت�ا �ث�ا‪.‬‬ ‫ك�م� �ي� �ي�‬ ‫��ق ا �� ا �� ��ل ّ �أ ن ش ��ن � ا ّٰ � ن � � �ت�زّ � ن �ش � � �ز ن‬ ‫� ل ل� �صو�ي� �����د �ي� عب��د لله ب � ا�لمع� م� ��عره ا �ل �‬ ‫مو �و�‬ ‫َ َ�ق ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ََْ‬ ‫ٰ ّ‬ ‫� تُ‬ ‫��‬ ‫��حْ�م ُ�د لِ ّلهِ َر ��َي �م��‬ ‫��حِ�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �َم�اِ��ل��ك ���ِب �ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْب�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫َ َ ا َ َ ْ �ً �‬ ‫فَ ُ ً �ُ‬ ‫�ُ َّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��ص� ر � �مو�ل‬ ‫� ْر ت� �َ�مْو��ل�ى �لِم��ل كِ��‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�� صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬

‫�ّ أ ث � ّ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�م ن� �ش���عره �لم�ا � ك��‬ ‫م��ا ن� �إ ��ل�ى � ك�‬ ‫���ر ا�لم�و�ف��ق� ��ن ��ق��ل�ه �م ن� � ك�‬ ‫م��ا �‬ ‫أَ � فْ ُ ٱ � ِّ َ ُ َ ٱ �ْ�غُْ �بِ ْ فَ ُ‬ ‫��َّ َ ْ أَ �َا ُ ْ �بِ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ِ� �ل� ت� � �ل��تب��ا ��ع�د � �و �ل� �ر� �ه   ����� ك�ل �ي ��و�م � ���ط� ����تر�� �ه‬ ‫فِ ي� َ ٍَ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ � ُ��َّ َ ْ أَ َ� َ ً‬ ‫� � ُ��ْ�بِ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�ا ِد �ث�ا   �يُ���ؤَدَ �ي� �إِ ��ل�ى ك�� ِ�د ي� ك� �ر� �ه‬ ‫�و�� ك��ل �ي ��و�م � رى �‬ ‫�بِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَ �فِ�مِي َّ ٱ �ل�زَّ ٍَ نُ �ََ َ ��‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ ا ة �ذ �بِ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �� ر � � ��م�ا � �ل ن��ا �ط‬ ‫�ع�� �ه   ��م� �إِ � �ر�ى ��س� �ع�� �ع� �� �ه‬ ‫� �ه��ذ ا �ش���ع �ج� ّ��د ��ص‬ ‫�ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر ي ي‬ ‫ح‬

‫�ف‬ ‫��ي�‬

‫� �ز ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�م�ع ن��ا ه �و�م ن� ����عره ا�لم�و �و�‬

‫ف أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ً �غ‬ ‫‪�  1‬ي� ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ش����عرا ج�يّ���د ا و ش����عرا ��ير �مو �ز و�‪.‬‬

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‫‪٣،١٢‬‬

‫‪٤،١٢‬‬

The Monastery in ʿAlth

Shy till when the wine has gone round, they bare their breasts and show their crosses.62 And al-Muʿtamid composed this poem on it:

12.3

O for my long night at Fam al-Ṣilḥ, when I drank Khosroes’s wine as a winner; O how I look back on the time we passed at Qaṣr, Qāṭūl, and Shilḥ, And—from Palm Sunday to Epiphany— with the monks of the Convent of ʿAlth.63 Al-Muʿtamid composed some excellent poetry, and also some that had no recognizable meter. Sometimes he made poems that were part metrical and part unmetrical.64 Then the singers would come and compose settings for them, and the musical periods and the melodies hid their shortcomings from all but the cognoscenti. Bid ʿah recalled that al-Muʿtamid used to send his poetry to ʿArīb for her to set to music, and she would complain, “Alas, how can I set the alphabet to music?” Al-Ṣūlī is the authority for the following narrative: ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz recited to me some of al-Muʿtamid’s metrical poetry: Praise be to God my Lord, for I own the queen of my heart. Now I’m possessed by my slave, and she’s possessed by my love. And this is a poem he composed when al-Muwaffaq kept moving him from place to place: I’m a stranger now, far from loved ones; Every day I tread foreign earth, Exposed to distressing events. Time’s taste has turned bitter in my mouth— Will it ever again become sweet? This is fine poetry, aptly expressing the theme. Another of his metrical poems:

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12.4

‫�‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع��ل ث�‬

‫ُ � تُ شَ ا َ ٱ ْ ْ‬ ‫ح ْ��س�نً�ا‬ ‫���� ��لبَ��د ر ُ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب��لِ�ي � بِ����� ِد نٍ� ك ِ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫َ � َ ْ �نَ ا َ ْ ُ ُ َ ا‬ ‫�وِ�ل�ي� �ع�ي � نِ� د �م�ع��ه�م� ����غِ�زِ ����ير‬

‫�ذ�� � � ّ‬ ‫�و ك�ر ا �ل� �صو�ل�ي�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ز ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �م ن� ا�لم�و �و�‬

‫أ نّ‬ ‫��‬

‫�ن ف أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ه�ا � �ي� ض�‬ ‫�وك�� � �ي�‬

‫َ‬ ‫ُ عِ �ذَّ ُنِ �أ نْ َ ٱ �ْلِ‬ ‫���ج�َ‬ ‫  �ي��� � ب� ��� �ب� � �� او � �‬ ‫�ف�ا ِء‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي َِ عِ‬ ‫  �َ �نَ�ْ �ُ ُ��هَ�م�ا �أ ���قِ ُّ �م نَ �ٱ ��ْلَ �َ‬ ‫��ف�ا ِء‬ ‫و �وم�‬ ‫�ل ِ � �و‬

‫��ت أ‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت �ة‬ ‫ا �ل ك‬ ‫م�� ����ف� � خ�ر�� �إ �ل‬ ‫�ه� �م�د ا � � ك‬ ‫م�� �� �وب�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي ج‬ ‫م ح‬

‫َٱ ْ تَ َ ٱ ْ‬ ‫�َ �َ َٱ ّٰ عِ �ذَ‬ ‫����تئَ��ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ط� �ل � �و للهِ �� � اَبِ��‬ ‫ي � �و ِ���م� ِم�ي� � �و ك ِ بِ ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �غ�َ�زَ �� � نْ َ� نِ �ٱ �ْ �أ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ص   �ف�‍�َ ��ل�ا �ُ�ْع��‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بِ� ا ٍل ِم� ب ��� �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ ي�‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�أ �نَا �ُ � ْ ً � � َ‬ ‫هَ ا هُ  �َو�ْه�َ �ُم�غ�ْ ً�ى ��� �جْ�ت�ِ�نَ�اب��‬ ‫� ��م���غرى بِ�� �و‬ ‫و ر بِ ِ ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ �إِ�ذَ َ ا �ُ�ق �ْ تُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� ��ْلنِ‬ ‫���ا � �ل�ا �ِم ْ��ن�ه �ج��َ ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ا �م� �ل‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫وبِ ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ِّ َ ٱ �ْ ُ ُّ ُ ْ �قِ ْ �فِ �قِ ْ‬ ‫ْ ُ �ُ ْ ��قِ ْ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �بِ �����فر� �ه  � بِ��� ��ِبل��� �ِم��ن�ه ��حر �ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج�ل � ح ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� � ُ �ّ ْ‬ ‫�ُ َّ ��ق‬ ‫�� �م َ‬ ‫�م�اِ��ل�� ٌك ��� �ل‬ ‫ي �َ �و �نَ�ا � ��م ��مِ�لك ر�ق�ه‬ ‫ح ب� ِر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫نَّ َ ا َ ْ َت ْ ُ� � َّ‬ ‫ُّ �إِ�ذ أ ظْ � َ َ � شْ ��قِ ْ‬ ‫�هر ِع���� �ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إِ ���م� ي����س��ر�و � �ل‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِح‬

‫ّ‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫� �ول��ل�م�ع��م�د �ش���عر��غ�ن ت� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫َأََّْ ُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�ُ َّ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ت�� �ن�ي�� ت� �بِ�� ح ب�‬

‫ش ا ة ��ف � �ق ة �‬ ‫���� ر�ي�� �ي� ��ط �ر�ي� �� ا �لر��م�ل‬ ‫ََ أَ‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫�ُ َّ َ ً ُ َ‬ ‫َ ْ ً َ�‬ ‫ط �� ًل�ا  ��ف��ل�ْ � َر ��� � �حل‬ ‫� �ي ��ْو�م�ا ��سُر�ورا‬ ‫د ���ه ا ��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م �فِي‬ ‫ر �ِوي‬

‫ّ ّ ف‬ ‫�و�م�م�ا ��غ�ن ت� �ي��ه �م ن� �ش���عره‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫� ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ب�ا ��ل�� �ه ب� �م ن� �ش���ع ارلم�ع��م�د �ف ك�‬ ‫��ا �‬

‫‪٥،١٢‬‬

‫�نَّ �َ �أُنْ‬ ‫ُ َ �َ ْ‬ ‫َا �نَ فْ ُ َ ْ َ َ َ �َ ْ‬ ‫�ي� � ����س �وي�‬ ‫ِ�ر �‬ ‫ح��ك �م�ا �ل��ك  �إِ ��ي� �ل� ��ك‬ ‫ح�ا �ل��ك‬

‫‪124‬‬

‫‪124‬‬

‫‪٦،١٢‬‬

The Monastery in ʿAlth

I’m tortured by a fawn lovely as the moon, Who punishes me with rebuffs of all kinds. My eyes shed incessant streams of tears. He doesn’t keep his promises, And they sleep even less. Al-Ṣūlī related that al-Muktafī showed them panegyrics by al-Muʿtamid

12.5

written in gold. One of the metrical ones was: By God! Torture, cares, and sorrow have long been my lot, caused by a Byzantine fawn careless of my feelings. I’m obsessed with love for him, and he with avoiding me. If I say, “Be generous,” “No!” is his reply to me. Another of these poems is: Love brought swift separation, and my heart was rent. Love improved your fortune, while enthrallment is all I own. A lover only knows peace when he’s declared his passion. This is a verse by al-Muʿtamid, which Shāriyah made a setting for in the ramal rhythmic mode:65 I’ve suffered in love for an age! I’ve not seen one day of joy. Another of his verses that she set to music is: My soul, alas! What troubles you? I’m ignorant of your state. Another poem of his:

125

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12.6

‫�‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع��ل ث�‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ نْ �َّ ْ‬ ‫أ �ْ�صَ��ْ تُ �َ ا أ �ْ � � ُ َ ْ �عٍا �لِ� َ‬ ‫�م�ا  �أ ���َ‬ ‫س�ا �ُ �ِم نْ� �خ� ْ�����سفٍ� �و�م� �ذِ �ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ب � �ل ِ ك‬ ‫َ ُ م‬ ‫ْ ِ َ ّ َْ‬ ‫َت‬ ‫�‬ ‫أُ ٱ � َ‬ ‫ْ َ‬ ‫� ْ�مضِ���� � �ُ�موُر � �ل نّ��ا �� دُ �و ��� �َو�ل�ا ي������ش�عُر ب �� ��� �ذِ ك�ِر�ه�ا �قِ���ل�ه‬ ‫ِي �فِي‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ يٱ ْ َ َ ْ ُ ٱ � سَِّ‬ ‫�نِ �يَّ‬ ‫�عِ نَّ َ َ ا �ُ َ ا ُ نَ ا �َّ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا � �ش��ت��ه�ي ت� � �ل ش����� ء �و� �ل او �� �هِ � ��� �و��ق� � �ل او ��ه� ��ه�� ِ�ع�ل�ه‬ ‫�بِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬

‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫�ف ت‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ���ط��ل� الم�ع�ت�م�د �ث�ل�ا ث��م�ا �ئ��ة د ��ي ن��ا ر �ي���ص� �ب��ه�ا �ع � ب��ا �و��ق�د �‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫��ر ت� �ع ن��ده �ل��� � ��و�ج���د �� ��ط��ل ب�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ير‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ئ ت ن ا ��ف�� ت � ف� � ��ق ا �‬ ‫�م� � ��� د ��ي �� ر ل� � ��و�ج��د ب� ك��‬ ‫�ى �و � �ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫��يِ َ َ ا ��قِ َّ �ُ ْ �تِ �نَ ًا َ َ‬ ‫أَ �َْ َ نَ �ٱ ��ْل�َع َ ا أَ نَّ ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �لي���� �ِم� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � ِ�م��ث�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي  � رى م� �ل � � ع� �ع�ل��ي�هِ‬ ‫�ج� ئِ�� ب ِ‬ ‫س‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �تُ َ�خ� �ُد ��ٱ �ْ�س � �� �ّ نْ َ ا � �ًا َ �َ ا �م نْ �ذ ا �ش�� ْ ءٌ � �َ َ � ْ‬ ‫�و��و �ُ بِ� ِ�م�هِ ل�دَ ����ي� �ج ِ�م���يع�  �و م� ِ � ك �ي� �فِ�ي� ي��د ��ي�هِ‬ ‫�َْ ت ْ َ ُ ٱ �ْ �أ ْ َ �ُ ُ � ًّ َُ ْ �نَ ُ َ ْ ضَ َ ُ ْ َ �َ‬ ‫��ح��م� � �ل��م� ا �ل ����طرا  �و���م� � ���ع�� �م�ا ي�‬ ‫�لي��هِ �‬ ‫�ج��ى �إِ �ل�ْ�ي هِ�‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫ل و‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫يعب �‬ ‫� ن � ّ ف ّ ض � �أ � أ �خ أ أ‬ ‫ت � � ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ا‬ ‫� ��ه �ب ��� � �‬ ‫� �ا ��ي ت��ه ا � �ل�قي��ا � �ب��ه�ا � �وت�ف�� �ر�غ��ه‬ ‫ح�م�د � او ��س��ر�و �إ �ل�ى ��ك‬ ‫�وك�� � �لم� ���و��� ا �ل��مر �إ �ل�ى � ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ل��‬ ‫له�و � او ��ل ش���رب� � او �ل��ل�ع ب� �وت�رك ا �لن �ظ� �� ر ���ف� ����� ء �م ن� � �مرا �لم�م��ل��‬ ‫�ك���ة � �و ا �لم��س�ئ��ل�� �ع ن��ه ���ط�م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� � فع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �� � �‬ ‫�ك���ة �ورا � الم�ع�ت�م�د ب���ع�د �ذ ��ل��ك �ت��غ�ي��ي�ر ا �ل‬ ‫ح�م�د � او ��ست��ب��د �ب�ا �ل���مر �و�غ���ل ب� �ع��ل� ا �لم�م��ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ل ���ع�زّه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �أ�ع �ز ه � ا �م��ت��ن� �ع��ل��ه � ����ط�م� ا ��ل ن��ا �� �ج��م��عً�ا ف���ه �إ�ذ �أ � ه �م�غ���ل� �ً�ا �ع� �أ �م ه � �أ � ا ��ل�ا �ض‬ ‫�� ّ‬ ‫و � و‬ ‫وب �ل�ى ر ور و‬ ‫رو‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫س ي ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� و �ف ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا �ن‬ ‫�و �ل� � ف��� ��ي� �ي��ده‪.‬‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ا �ق ن ّ � أ نّ �م�ف����لًا ّ� ه ��ل ال�م�ع�ت ��ق ا �� ق � ه ��ق ��س � ت ه�ز ً ا �ة‬ ‫��ر �إ ���س‬ ‫�و ك�‬ ‫ح� � ب�� �مر�وح ‪ � � 1‬ح� �و�ج �ه� �إ �ى �م�د �و � ل ���ل �ل� �د �مع� � ا را �ج�� ر�ي�‬ ‫ً � ّ �ف أ � ن �ف أ‬ ‫� ن �ف أ � ت ن أ ت أ ن أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أن‬ ‫�كه�ا � �أ�� ت� ���د ا ا �ل ن ا � ع‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �م�� ا �ل ��ؤ ن � ع‬ ‫ح�ب�� ت� � �‬ ‫ير‬ ‫���ل�� ر �� ب‬ ‫م �م���ي� �� �ج� ب�����ي� � �و � ب‬ ‫�ج��ي� �� � ب‬ ‫ح�ب��� � � � �م��ل��� ور ي ب ر �ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ة � � ت‬ ‫ت أ �ذ‬ ‫��ه ��ف � ّ ه � ا أ � � �ؤ � ن ن ��ل ّ أ ّ‬ ‫أن‬ ‫�س��� ��ن ت��ه‬ ‫�‪�� .‬ف�� د ��ي ت� ا �لر��س�ا �ل�� �إ �ل�ى الم�ع��م�د ب���ع�د � � ا �‬ ‫� �م��ل��ك� �لي ��و�ج�� ب��ه�م� � �م�ي ر ا�لم� م���ي� �إ ي�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ك��ذ ا � ف����ع ا ��ل�ع� �د ��ا �ل�م ا ��ل � غ�� �ن‬ ‫ف� ا �ف � ّ ا �‬ ‫� ب� �و خ�ر�ق� ��ثي��ا �ب�ه �و��ق�ا ��ل �‬ ‫عه�ا ����ض‬ ‫�ه� �ي �ل ب �ي ب �و �ي� �ي � ب �‬ ‫�ه� ��ل�م� �س�م� �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ص�و��ه�م �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت��ّ �أ ش ا � ظ �� ة �ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل �مث��� � ��� �ص�ا ل�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س��‬ ‫ح ��مه� � ��ل�م� ��ه� � � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�� �ب� ����ي � ء ي�م�� �ر�ج� �� �رد �� �و��د � ك‬ ‫� م‬ ‫ل بي ح‬ ‫ير � م و � م و م‬

‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ىرو ‪.‬‬ ‫ح‬

‫‪126‬‬

‫‪126‬‬

‫‪٧،١٢‬‬

‫‪٨،١٢‬‬

‫‪٩،١٢‬‬

The Monastery in ʿAlth

I cannot brush aside The base humiliations I suffer. People conduct their affairs without me; My absence is not felt. If I want something, It’s withheld from me, And they say, “There’s a reason.” Al-Muʿtamid asked for three hundred dinars to give ʿArīb when she had

12.7

come to visit him, but they could not be had. So he asked for two hundred dinars, and they could not be had either. Then he said: How amazing that a man like me sees a small sum withheld; The whole world’s in his name, but he holds none of it in his hands. All revenues come to him— and he’s not even allowed a fraction! Al-Muʿtamid took it easy when he entrusted the government to his brother

12.8

Abū Aḥmad. Confident of Abū Aḥmad’s capacity to govern, he could devote himself to entertainment, pleasure, and fun without having to examine or inquire into affairs of state. But Abū Aḥmad monopolized power and took control of the entire empire, so when al-Muʿtamid wanted to alter the situation it proved impossible. He was powerless, lived under restrictions, and was taken advantage of by everyone when they saw he had no influence and could neither harm nor help them. Isḥāq ibn Murawwiḥ related that Mufliḥ sent him to al-Muʿtamid with this message: “Tell him that I heard Hazār, the Commander of the Faithful’s singing girl, perform. I was amazed at her and I’d like to own her. I saw Badr al-Jullanār66 and found him handsome, and I’d like to own him. Let the Commander of the Faithful have them sent to me.” I conveyed the message to al-Muʿtamid with his permission. When he heard it, he flew into a rage and tore his clothes. “Is this how slaves treat their masters?” he exclaimed. “Abducting their womenfolk and seizing their servants!” And he swore terrible oaths. We left the room, but he called us back when he had calmed down and said, “A request

127

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12.9

‫�‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع��ل ث�‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ُ ّ‬ ‫���� �س �ت�ه�ا � �ف �ش��ه�ا � �� ا ��ه�ا � �ج��م�� �م�ا ��له�ا‪�� .‬ف�� �ّم�ا‬ ‫�ل�ا ي�رد �ع ن� ��ط��لب�ت��ه‪�� .‬ق�د � �مر ت� ب �ح��م�ل �ه�ز ا ر �م�‬ ‫ع ك� و � و ر � و�ج و ري � و يع �‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�خ � ت�ن ا � ه � نّ ا ض ف ق �‬ ‫�ف ت� ف‬ ‫���د ا ��ل ّ ف ق‬ ‫��� ‪������ .‬ل �ل�ه ي���س�ع� ن��ا �ب��رك����ه‪��� .‬ع�د ت� �إ �ل�ى �م� ��ل‬ ‫���ل ن��ا ر ����ق�د �و��� �ع��ل�ى ��د �م� � �و�ل� م�� �م�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ن ع‬ ‫ب�ف أ �ج � ف ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫آ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ل�ز ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص �ل‬ ‫��� �خ�ب��ر�ت�ه �ب� ��ط �� �م ن ا �ل��و�ل � �و�ا �ل��ر �وك���ا � �ع��ل ا �ل‬ ‫ح� ا � ��‬ ‫حرب� �ص�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر�و �� �إ �ل�ى ا �لب��‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫� ّج‬ ‫ن ا ن �ذ ��ل أ �خ ��ذ‬ ‫�إ�ذ‬ ‫ف� ��ق ا �� � ا �أ � ا ����س ا �ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ل ن��ا‬ ‫ه�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ل ي� ب� �إ ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ر �ج ر‬ ‫رو ر‬ ‫رب‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�م ن��ه �ش���ا ء � � �ب ��ى‪�� .‬ر�� ��� �ص�ا �ب�ه ��س�ه� ��م�ا ت�‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ���سم‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل�ه‬ ‫�‬

‫ُ ّ‬ ‫��ا ن ال�م�عت ن أ ��س آ �‬ ‫ن ا �ل� ت ن �ق �‬ ‫� � ��ل ا �ل�عبّ��ا ��س �وك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ي��مث���ل ب��ي�� ن��ه � �و��� م��س��ع��‬ ‫�وك�� � ��م�د �م� � �م‬ ‫ي� � �و�ي� �ا �ل‬ ‫أ بي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�غُ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ا ن� �ج�يّ��د ا ��لت��د ���ر �‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �وك�‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �ب�ا �ل��م�ور ���ل�م�ا ���ّو ض��� � �مره �و���ل ب� �ع��ل� ر� �ي�ه‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫بي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع ن��د ا �ل ن��ا ��س‪.‬‬ ‫أ � ال� � ت �ف ش ف �ق ا � �‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �ح�مّ��د � ن �ع� �د ا ّٰلله � ن ي� ن �خ ا �ق ا ن ث‬ ‫ح�ى ب�� �� �� � ب���ع� ب �ي� �ب �ي� �إ �ل�ى مع��م�د ��ي� ����ي� ء ��� � �ل �ل�ي�‬ ‫ب� ي‬ ‫�م ب � ب �ي‬ ‫�ف ا ت � ت �ذ ف ّ � �أ‬ ‫�ف ا ت �ذ ت �أ نّ � ا �ز � ف �ق ا � � ا � ّ نّ‬ ‫ا �ج���ل�� �� ��س��ع ��ظ���م� ا ك � د ا �ل��م �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫� �� �ع�� ر� �ب� ��ه �ل� ي�ج��و �ل�ي� ��� � �ل �ل�ي� �ي� ح�م�م��د �إ �‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫أ � ��ف �� �ق � � نّ �خ � � ن أ � ��في �خ ا ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� د �ب�ك �ي� ل ب ��ول ��� ��ي ر م� � د �ب�ك �ي� ��ل �ي�‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫�م� �و �ل�ي�‬ ‫��ن �ق�� ت‬ ‫�ص�‬

‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ ���ل��� ���ع ض�� � ��س��ا � �م� ��س�ى ب� ن ���غ��ا �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م�� �ه ا ف� �ق ا �‬ ‫�م�و س�ى �ج�� ه �� � �ل‬

‫�ذ ن ة �ف ّ‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ا ��ت ب� ا�لم�عر�و�� ب��ب��ا �ج��ا �ن�� ���ل�م�ا �م�ا ت�‬

‫ُٰ ُ َ‬ ‫�َ ا َت ��قَ ُّ ٱ �� �َّ � ْ �ُ �َ�س ��َ�َ نَ �ٱ �� َّ�ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� وى‬ ‫م� � ��س � ل�د ���يِر �مو �ى  ل�ع لر‬ ‫�فِ� تُ قَ ٱ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا نَ ضَ‬ ‫��فَ �َ�قِ ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫���ع ���فً�ا  �� � ��� � لل ���� ����س�ا‬ ‫� �ل� �د ك� � � ِ ي‬ ‫ي �ى هِ سِ ي‬ ‫��فَ ُ ُ‬ ‫ُ ْ � َقٌ َٱ �ْ ُ‬ ‫��ح�زْ نُ �َ�ق ْ�د َ ا َ َ‬ ‫ح��� َ��س�ا‬ ‫ور�ي� �م���ط�� �ل� � �و �ل‍  � � �‬ ‫�ص� ر �ِب ي‬ ‫����سر� ِ‬

‫ف� ��غ �ذ ا �� ش ال�م�ع�ت ف� ن ق ض ف �ق �‬ ‫ب��ل� �ه� ا ل����عر �م�د ����‬ ‫���ه ��� �ا �ل‬

‫َ ٱ � َّ ْ ٰ ُ ُ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َْ ٱ َ‬ ‫��حِ �م � �لر�‬ ‫�َم�ا َت� �خ��ي� ُر � ��ل نّ��ا �� �ُ�مو���سى  َر�‬ ‫��ح�م ن� � �مو���سى‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫��فَ �َ�قِ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ع�ا ��ل� َ � �� �ل�قِ� ْ�د َ ���� َ��س�ا‬ ‫ك�ا نَ� َ���ل��ي� ًل�ا �َ‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�ل��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ ئِي‬ ‫ِي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أَ ْ � �َقَ �‬ ‫�ُ �زْ نَ َ �خِ‬ ‫���فِ َ‬ ‫ح �َ ���ق���فٍ�ا َ‬ ‫ح��� َ��س�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ���ط� �ل� � ��ح � �و� ��ل�ى  رِ �ي� و‬ ‫ِب ي‬ ‫‪128‬‬

‫‪128‬‬

‫‪١٠،١٢‬‬

‫‪١١،١٢‬‬

The Monastery in ʿAlth

from someone like Abū Ṣāliḥ cannot be refused. I’ve ordered Hazār to be conveyed to him along with her wardrobe, her furnishings, her maids, and all that she owns. But I need Badr al-Jullanār to serve me, and I’m fond of him. So ask Abū Ṣāliḥ to do us a favor by letting us keep him.” I went back to Mufliḥ and reported part of al-Muʿtamid’s first reply and the whole of his second one. Mufliḥ was just leaving for Basra to fight the leader of the Zanj, so he said, “Abū Isḥāq, we’ve got Hazār, and when we come back from this campaign we’ll take Badr al-Jullanār from him, whether he likes it or not.” He marched out, was struck by an arrow, and died. Al-Muʿtamid was one of the most easygoing of the ʿAbbāsid family. He was 12.10 compared to al-Mustaʿīn and it was said that they were the most easygoing caliphs ever. He managed affairs very well and understood them, but his status declined when he delegated his power, and his opinions were ignored. Muḥammad ibn ʿUbaydallāh ibn Yaḥyā ibn Khāqān recalled: For some reason my father sent me to al-Muʿtamid, and al-Muʿtamid said, “Sit down.” I was too astonished at his invitation to accept it, but he repeated it. I excused myself, saying, “It’s not fitting.” So he said, “Muḥammad, it’s better manners to accept my invitation than to go against me.” One of Mūsā ibn Bughā’s underlings wronged Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī the secre- 12.11 tary, known as Aubergine. When Mūsā died, Muḥammad lampooned him: Mūsā, the convent’s priest, has died. God curse him. He was a feeble man, of contemptible piety. My joy at his death is boundless—sorrow is imprisoned. When al-Muʿtamid heard these verses, he composed a rebuttal: Mūsā, the best of men, has died. God have mercy on him. He was powerful, much respected, a true leader. Sorrow has free rein—it’s imprisoned my joy.

129

129

‫�‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع��ل ث�‬

‫� �ذ � ق �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�و�م ن� ����عره ا�ل�مر �و�ل ���و�ل�ه ‪1‬‬

‫ٰ �ذَ ٱ ْ� ََ َ � �َ أَ ْ َ‬ ‫���نِ نِ �ٱ فْ�تَ َ ْ �ُ هُ � َ ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َم�ا ��ل�� �َو��ه� ا � ل�ه� �ى �م�ا �ل�� ْ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ِب ِي�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي � �لَو � م ك ي�‬ ‫ُِ‬ ‫َ ِٰ�ذيَ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�َ ُ َ ا َُ‬ ‫�فَ�أنَا ِ َ �� ْ َ‬ ‫� � �َ ا �‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ه� ا � ل‬ ‫حِب�ي�� ب� �م� �ي �� او �‬ ‫ي  �� �� ���م� هِ�‬ ‫��جرا ��نِ� �هِ �فِ�ي� �قِ�ت� �ِل‬ ‫�صِ �ل���‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫� َّ َ ُ �نْ تُ َ ّ َ ا �بِ َ �‬ ‫���بِ َ�د ا ��ل� َ�ع�� �َم�ا � َ � �� ُ‬ ‫حب��هِ  �وك � � �و للهِ �م� �� �د ا ِ�ل�ي�‬ ‫ِي� ل�ى رى �فِي�‬

‫‪١٢،١٢‬‬

‫� �� ه �م ن �ذ ا ا �� �ف نّ‬ ‫ول� � �ه� ل���‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�ُ َّ �َ َ ا نَ َ ُ ًا أ �ْ‬ ‫�َ نْ َ ا �َ ��نَّ أ ْ� شَ قُ �َ ْ َ َّ ُ‬ ‫��حَ قْ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫َم� ��ق� �ل �إِ �ي� � �� و وَرو‬ ‫ر�ج َ أَْ َ��‬ ‫ب أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن ْ ٌ � قْ‬ ‫أ ُ ُ ٱ ��ْ ُّ ُ �� َ� �فِ َا أ َ‬ ‫�� ن�ّ نِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫طو � ��ف�ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫س�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫� د �ور � ل���س� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫أَ َ �‬ ‫أَ ْ أَ ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� ن �� � � قْ‬ ‫َت� مِ � نَّ ْ تُ‬ ‫� �م نْ �ش‬ ‫��ْ �� ��ل�ْ�ي�هِ � ن� � ْ ����ط��ل�َ َ�ع��ل�ْ�ي� ��ف��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫�� �م�ي�� � و�قِي �إِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ َ � ٱ � َّا �ُ�مْ ِ ٌ ْ � َ َ َ ُ عْ َ �َْ ْ ُ ��فِ َّ قْ‬ ‫ي �و�ه� او ���ه�م �ع�لي �هِ‬ ‫�ه�وى � �ل��ن� ��سِ �ج ���ت مِ� � ِ�ع��ن ِ�د �‬ ‫��� �م ���م�� ر ��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ � �أ‬ ‫�ق ا � ف�ت � ض �خ ت‬ ‫� ّ ���ط�ه �‬ ‫�� �ل � ك‬ ‫ح ت� �ه� ه ا �ل�ب��ي��ا ت�‬ ‫��� ب� ا �ل ار ���ي� ب‬ ‫�َّ‬ ‫َ ا ٌ �ٱ � شَّ ْ أَ ْ‬ ‫حَ قْ‬ ‫��َ ْ �َ�قُ ْ �ذَ ا �ٱ ��ل شَّ����ْ�ع َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�هِ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل�َم �ي���ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ٱِ‬ ‫ِ أَْ َ�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ ْ ُ َ ا ٌ �ذ ُ نُ‬ ‫ضَ ا ُ �‬ ‫ْ َ � قْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫نٍ ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫��ص� ب� �و �ج� و‬ ‫�ئِع فِ‬ ‫�ةِ ب �‬

‫�و�م ن� �ش���عره‬

‫َ ْ ُ ْ ٰ �ذَ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ َ‬ ‫حُ َّ �َ�ا  ُ� �َ‬ ‫�ْ ��ُ�ل � ُ‬ ‫ح�ا َ�ى �� � �ل‬ ‫�ج ت ن‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر �بِ هِ‬ ‫َ�� ب‬ ‫وب‬ ‫ِ�� �ِم� �� َه� ا � ب‬ ‫�أ َ ا َك �َ�ا �����َ�ا �لِ��ُ ��ا ��ُ��ت ���يُ�د �ي �ٰ�ه��ذَ ا �َ�ٱ ّٰلل �َهً� �َ �مْ� ��ُ�ل � ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َر ي ظ م �ل ِر �نِ�� َ و هِ �وى �ق و ب‬ ‫أ نْ تَ � ُ� ْ � َ ُ ُ ف ُ‬ ‫���صَّ � �َ�ْ��ع�قُ� � ُ‬ ‫�   �َ �أ �نَ�ا �� ��ُ‬ ‫� ��� �� ح���س نِ��ك �ي ��و����س�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫وب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أَ �فِي‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ ْ تُ أَ ْ� نِ َ ْ قُ َ ٱ � َّ �فّ ا َ نْ تَ � �� ِّ‬ ‫����ص ّ�َ�ا ُ �َم ْ ��ُ�ل � ُ‬ ‫�ل��س� � ع��� �ي�� �‬ ‫ع ��و ب� � �ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص � ر  � ��� ل� �ف ر �‬ ‫��ص و ب‬ ‫ي‬

‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫أش‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫ر�ذ ة ت‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪�( :‬م� ن� ال�����ع�ا ر ا ل�م و�ل�� �ل�ل�م�ع�����م�د) ورد ي� �‬

‫‪130‬‬

‫‪130‬‬

‫‪١٣،١٢‬‬

The Monastery in ʿAlth

Here is one of his poems that critics reject as unmetrical:

12.12

How, oh how can I deal with this love? If I could, I’d give all I own for it And this beloved who ignores me— his avoidance kills me. I’d renounced his love, or so I thought, but by God I’ve not! And another poem of the same kind: Whoever said I was in love, if they imagined it, he was stupid. I wander over the roofs without seeing my love, like a black-and-white cat. From longing I want to catch sight of him; then I’ll be a stork. Within me I combine all men’s love, while among them it is divided. Under these verses, al-Rāḍī wrote in his own hand: The composer of these verses was either stupid and knew nothing of poetry, Or was insane, afflicted with madness, deluded, and crazy. Here are two more of his unmetrical poems: This love amazes me— the beloved’s feelings are not mirrored. I see you don’t want me, tyrant! By God, it’s a love back-to-front. You are Joseph in your beauty, while in my pain I’m Jacob;

131

131

12.13

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫�‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع��ل ث�‬

‫َ قْ ُ نْ َ ً َ‬ ‫�ْ َ ْ َ ْ ُ ُ َ‬ ‫���ٱ �ْ��قِ َ ٱ �ْ �أَ�زْ �هِ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع���ِ���ش� ت� �إِ ���س�ا �ن�ا ِب� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ر و�ج �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�فَ �َ َّ ا شَ َ ْ ُت �َ ْ َ َ ُ �َ� �َ� َ أ سِ ُ َ فَ ّ ْ‬ ‫كو� �إِ �ل��ي�هِ �ه� او ه ��‬ ‫��ل��م� ��� �‬ ‫ �ط� ���ط� ر� ��� �ه �و��َك�ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ُ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ا قُ ُت ٱ �ْ �أ ْ‬ ‫� �مِ ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ُهَ �ٱ ��ل���ذّ َ�ه ُ �ٱ �ْ���ْ �ي�ز‬ ‫ح ْ��س �هِ � �ه� � �ل� َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�ى‬ ‫�و َّ ب إِ ب ِر �فِي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫َو‬ ‫�نِ و و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ ْ َ � نِ َ َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�فِ َ ُ ْ‬ ‫َا � ن َ‬ ‫�م ن� د �ل ��ي� �ع��ل�ْ�ي�هِ � ��ل�ه �عِ� ن� ِ�د ��‬ ‫ي �ك�ل ��م� �� ��ى �و� �د ر‬ ‫َ ا ً �َ ا شَ � َّ ِ َ َ نِ َ �شَ� ِّ ْ‬ ‫َ� َّ ِ � نْ ُ‬ ‫�ل�م�ا ����ظ نَ�����ُت�ه بِ����يِ ِ�د �ي� �‬ ‫ح� �صِ‬ ‫�� �ل�ا  �ل� ����ك ����ترك��ي� �و ����مر‬

‫ف �ق �‬ ‫ف أ � ئً ف‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �ود خ��� �ي �� �مً�ا ا �ج��ل‬ ‫��و�� �سق� � �ر �ى ��ط�ا � ار ���ص�ا ده ��� �ا �ل‬ ‫ل و‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�� ��ا � �م�ي�ر ا �ل�م��ؤ �م ن��� �� �ع ��ط� ه �إ �� ه ��ل�م� �‬ ‫ح��ص�ل �ي� �ي��ده‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� �ف ض � � ال�م�عت ض��� ً‬ ‫�ا ش ً ��ق ا �‬ ‫ح�ك ��م�د �‬ ‫� �و� ��ط�ي�ر����‬ ‫ح ك�‬ ‫�� ����د �ي��د ا �و � �ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ َ�خ �ْ تُ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫�َ�ْ�َ�س��َ‬ ‫� �يَ��ْ��مٍ�ا � ��جل‬ ‫د ��ل‬ ‫أَ �خِ �ذَ ُ و نَّ ٱْ�وَُ فَّ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫م ����َ‬ ‫��‬ ‫� � ه �مِ� ��ي� � �ل �و‬ ‫َ �َا َ‬ ‫�و���ط� ر �مِ�‬

‫� ف�ّق ا أ ت أ ن ن �ف‬ ‫ا�لم�و �� �م� ر� ��ي� � �‬ ‫ه��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س� �م��ه � ب‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح��ه‬ ‫� ��ف��ل ت� �و ج�‬ ‫���ع�ل �ي��ص� ��� ب�ج� �� �ي‬

‫أََْ‬ ‫�فَ�ٱ ْ ِ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫�ص���ط ْ�د ُت� َ ���ط�ْ�ًا � ��� �ل�َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫  �� �‬ ‫ير ب‬ ‫فَ أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� �� ن‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫ �‬ ‫ي� � �‬ ‫���ف�ص �‬ ‫��ه�‬ ‫�حِ‬ ‫نْ��هُ ���فِ َ �َ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫ر‬

‫�ق ا � � ّا ��ش��خ� أ أ � �� �‬ ‫ق � ت‬ ‫أ �ق �‬ ‫�ص �ة � او�ج��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�� ش��� �م�ع�ه � �وب �����الم�ع��م�د ب���س ّر �م ن� ر� �ى ��ا �ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�� �ل �و�لم� � ��ص � ب� ��و � ح�م�د �إ ل�ى ا � ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ُ ٌّ �ُ ٌّ �ُ ٌّ �ُ ٌّ َ أ�ْ ٌ �فَ �� �ٌ َ أ ْ ٌ ُ ُ�ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هِ� � � �هِ� � �  � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ص‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫أَم�َ �م م��هِأَ ْ �تِم م� ْ َ�م م��هِ ُ ُّ ُم وأَْ ُر ظِ ٱ ْع و َرَّ رم‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� ن ُ� ُ �ْ‬ ‫�ْ ُ نُ ن‬ ‫�هُ�� او ك�‬ ‫����ل ك��‬ ‫�مْ  �َ �و �ق��ع�د ��ي� � �لبَ�ي�� تِ ك�� ‪ 1‬ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ح��س� � � َ�� � َ ب‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫� ُ�ْي� ُ ُرم‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ� ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�� �ْ‬ ‫�َو� ْ�م��� � ��ل���مِ� ��ُر � �ُ�� � �‬ ‫��دُ�ْ ك�‬ ‫ح مِ�� �دٍ  �َ ��ض��َ ُ ��� �ل��ط�� ك�‬ ‫ي بو‬ ‫ي ضِ ي�‬ ‫وي � رب� بِ ب �ِل ر م د م‬ ‫أُ‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل � خ� �ج� ت� ���ث �ة �ع�� ��ق�د � ���د �غ��ل�ا �م�ه ��ف�� �خ��� ����ذ ��ل��ك ��ف�ا ��غ ت��ّ ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا‬ ‫���ا ن� ���ع�د �ع�تم��ة خ� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ب ر ل�ى م ب ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ور‬ ‫بر ب‬ ‫رج‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح ت ه ا ئ ً � ه ��ق ا �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�إ �ل�ى ج� �ر� �ع� ���د ا �ل� �و � �ل‬ ‫�ظ ة ّ ة ق ة ن أ نّ‬ ‫ع�ىك� �ي�‪.‬‬ ‫‪�  1‬ل���ف���� ع�ا �مي���� �عرا �ي���� ب����م�‬

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‫‪١٤،١٢‬‬

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‫‪١٥،١٢‬‬

The Monastery in ʿAlth

Not Jacob the Coppersmith. That’s you, coppersmith on the cross.67 I loved someone in Kaskar, with a face like a radiant moon. When I complained to him of my love, he pondered and looked down. He’s pure gold in his beauty; he’s the ruby, deepest red. Anyone who brings me to him can have whatever reward he wants, and more. Yet when I thought he’d yield a return, he took to his heels and fled. Al-Muʿtamid entered the Jawsaq Palace one day and saw a bird, which he 12.14 caught. Al-Muwaffaq said, “I’ve never seen a lovelier bird. Give it to me, Commander of the Faithful.” He did so, but when al-Muwaffaq took hold of it, it escaped, flapped its wings, and flew off. Al-Muʿtamid laughed like anything and said: One day I came to the Jawsaq And caught a piebald bird. Al-Muwaffaq took it from me, But it beat its wings And flew away in panic. When Abū Aḥmad set out for Basra with the army while al-Muʿtamid stayed in Samarra, he said: Such important business! A terrible affair's come about! Is it right that you all go off, and leave me at home like a woman? Prince Abū Aḥmad marches off, and the drums beat “Kedum, kedum.” A pustule erupted on the leg of Badr, al-Muʿtamid’s servant, and al-Muʿtamid 12.15 was informed of it. He was upset, and after nightfall he visited him in his room. He said:

133

133

‫�‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع��ل ث�‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫ُ ْ � ُ هُ �َ�ْ َ �ٱ ��ْل�َ ِ ْ ��ل� �َّ� �َا �ثَ � َ َ �ٱ ��ْ��قَ َ �ْ‬ ‫��ع�د ��ت� ب��ع�د ع���ت� ِِع�ل�ةٍ �ح� ِد �ةٍ �ع��ل� ل �د‬ ‫ى م‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َم ضَ ْ تُ �أ �ْم ش�� � �ٱ �� �ُّ �� �َ ْ �َ �ْ‬ ‫� �د � ��فَ� َ�ا َ�خ���ْلقٌ �عِ� �� ْ‬ ‫��ي��� ِ ��� �ي� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ظ�ل�  و ح ِ ي� ل � ل�‬ ‫ي �فِ‬ ‫� ِم‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ق �فَ�ٱ ْق ُ ْ نَ َ�خ ْ ف َ َا ُ‬ ‫َ �ِ� َ ا نٌ �أ �تَا َ ���خ�ز‬ ‫���س ْ‬ ‫�نَّ � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ض� �‬ ‫ب ِب � و ر‬ ‫م ر أْ ُ َ‬ ‫��ُ �ٱ ��ل��ّ ْ َ َا ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫نَ �َْش ُ � ْ�‬ ‫��ل َ�� ن ���� تَ‬ ‫س��ا ن� �ى��ىر�هى��ك �ي��هِ  �َ�� ك��ل �ل‬ ‫��ح�م �ب� ِرد ا �‬ ‫�ىىي� ب‬ ‫ٱي‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫�حِ ��ي� ي��َ��طر‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ح�مَ ْ‬ ‫�َ �و ��ل ّ��� ث‬ ‫�ُ ْ��نُ�د �َم� عِ� �هُ دَ �ق�� ��قٍ�ا   �َ �و � ّل���ط��ل�ْع��ل�ُ �َو� ْش���ُ � ��ل� ْ��� � ��ل�� ْ�‬ ‫�ي�َ�ا �َ �و ��جل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع �قِ ر ب ي ضِ�‬ ‫رثِ‬

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The Monastery in ʿAlth

I visited him after nightfall when he had a sore leg. I found my way in the dark, with no one any the wiser. And another of his poems:68 Ramadan has arrived . . . So sit behind your doors and . . . . . . in a garden. . . eating slices of cold meat. And the . . . and the soldiers with him in broad daylight, with . . . and peeling red eggs.

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135

‫� �ذ‬ ‫د ����ير ا �ل��ع� ا ر�ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ش ا � ئ � � �ة‬ ‫� ظ �� � �ة‬ ‫ح ��ل�ه ا ��ل����س�ا �ت�� ن‬ ‫ح��س ن �ع�ا‬ ‫�و��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د�ير � ��س�ف��� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ير‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ر و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ا ت ا � � � ا �خ� � ن ت ن�زّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫� او � ك‬ ‫�ر�و�م �و�ي��ه �ج��مي�� �م� يح�� � �إ �لي��ه �و�ل� ي �ل�و �م� �م�� ه ��ي���‬ ‫�ص�ده �ل�ل���رب� � او ل�ل�ع ب� �و�ه�و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫� أّ‬ ‫ّ ُ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫ح��س�ن ��ة � � ��ق��عت��ه �م ن ا ��ل ���ق�ا ا �ل�م ت‬ ‫�م ن ا ��ل��د ��ا را ت� ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س� ���ط�ا �ب��ة �و ن��م�ا ��س��مّ �ب��د�ير ا �ل�ع� ا ر�ى �ل�� ن� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫نّ ّ‬ ‫� � ت تّ ا ت �ذ‬ ‫�س�ا �ن ه � �ق ّ �� ا �ن ه ��ف ُ��س ّ ا ���� � � نّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج �وا ٍر م�ب����ل�� �ع� ا ر�ى �ه� � ك�� � و��ط� � ��م� ل دير ب��ه�‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫� � ت ن �م�ز ّ � ن ��ل ا � ظ � �ق �‬ ‫ح��ّدث� ن� ا � ن �ف � ا ��ل���ت�غ���ل� ّ �أ نّ �ق� �مً�ا �م ن � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ك��ر ي�م�و� ب�� ا�ل� ر ع� ا�ج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ��� ��ا �ل � �ي� ب � رج�‬ ‫ب�ي� � �و � ب ي�‬ ‫� �ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ نّ � � � ا ن ��ق ن �ذ‬ ‫�� �ع��ل �م�ا ��ل ا ��ل��س��ل���ط�ا ن� ��ف�� ت��ت�ه� ا �ل�م�ع�ا � ن���ة ��ف�� �ع��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ت��غ���ل ب� � را د � او ا � �لق� ��‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أع ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�� � � ف�فُ ت �‬ ‫� ا ���ست خ� �ف ا ��ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ث ّ �ز‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ب��ه� ���س�ا ر� او �� � �م� �ع او �ل�ى �ل‬ ‫رو �إ �ى ير � � م�‬ ‫رى‬ ‫�ي� ير‬ ‫�ف م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف ّ أ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ف ��‬ ‫�خ ��ف ��‬ ‫ا �ز‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ح �خ��ل�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫��م�ا ا �س� رو �ى مع�و و� �‬ ‫حو ر ي���ل �ي� �ط� ب �‬ ‫�ه�م‪� � .‬م� ��و و�ج�� و ��ه�م ي���ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ف �إ�ذ � ق ّ ��ق �ف غ ن ّ ف �ق �‬ ‫ح��د �من�ه� ب��ا ���ة ��ه �ع ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ده‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه ن� ��� �ا �ل ب���ع ض�‬ ‫���هم�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ك��ل و‬ ‫� م �ج ري ي�‬ ‫ر� �‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ف �ذ �‬ ‫��ي� �ل��ك‬

‫‪١،١٣‬‬

‫‪٢،١٣‬‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ أ �ْ َ َ � � نْ َ‬ ‫�يِ َّ �ع َ�أ نَّ ٱ � نَّ َ ا َ َ �َ ْ ��حِ َ �ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي �ب� � � �ل�����س� ء �ع�ل��ي�هِ � ا‬ ‫� �� �دِ ��‬ ‫� �و �لو ��ط ِم� را هِ� ب ٍ‬ ‫رم‬ ‫ُ �حِ َّ ُ َ ْ ضَ ا َ �مِ ْ ُ‬ ‫� َ ً�ة َ ُ غْ‬ ‫� �ٱ ��لَْ ضْ َ� نْ َ ا �غُ َ�ا �ُ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ر� ب����ي� � ء �� �م��ك‬ ‫��� ع ه� ��‬ ‫ � ���� ��‬ ‫�� َ َ �ور و�ي �نِ يٱ هَِ �فِ�ي� ٱ بَّ� ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع �� ل م‬ ‫َ َ َ غَ ّ ْ َ �‬ ‫َ � � �ّ �ْ � � � ْ � نْ هُ ُ َ �ُ‬ ‫�إِ د ا �َم�ا �م ش����ى �� ض��� �ع ن� ��طْر� �هِ �و�ي� � �ل�ديِر �ب� �ل�ل���ي�ل ِم�� ���عرا‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ِ ِ‬ ‫َ َ � ْ ُ �ٱ ��ْ�َ �ذَ َ � �فُ ضُ ٌ� ��َ ُ نَّ َ � نَْ �ٱ �� �ُّ ُ �� َ � ثٌ َت�َ ا �ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��و ل�ه�  وِ ��د ل�ل�ص �‬ ‫ح�د �� �‬ ‫�ود ���ير لع� ا ��‬ ‫� �و صِ ِ ي� �م م‬ ‫رى �ح‬

‫��ً�ا د � �ُ�ع �ف ���د � ا ��ل�ع��ذ ا � ���ف �ق� ���ط��ع��ة ا ��لن��ص�ا � �ع�� �ن�ه ا ��ل�� ا � �ُ� ّ‬ ‫�ف �غ أ ض‬ ‫�و ��ي� ب����د ا د � �ي�� ير �ي ر� ب ير رى ي� ي‬ ‫رى ل�ى � ر �ج‬ ‫د���ج‪� 1‬و �س�مي�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ة أّ ق �‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ذ � � أ نّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �إ�ذ ��ن �ق ض‬ ‫� ��� ّ‬ ‫�ب�� �ل��ك �ل��� �ل�ه� � �صو� �ث�ل�ا �ث�� � �ي�ا � �ب���ل ا �ل� �صو� ا � ك‬ ‫ل��ب��ي�ر ي س��مى � �صو�م ا �ل�ع� ا ر�ى �� ا ا ����ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا �ل�ز ج��ا�ج ‪.‬‬

‫‪136‬‬

‫‪136‬‬

‫‪٣،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery69

This monastery lies below Ḥaẓīrah on the banks of the Tigris. It is beautiful,

13.1

well appointed, and surrounded by gardens and vineyards. It has everything one needs, and is never without visitors coming to drink and have fun there. It is a fine monastery in splendid surroundings. It is called “the Virgins’ Monastery,” taking its name from celibate virgins who live there.

Yamūt ibn al-Muzarri ʿ cited al-Jāḥiẓ who had it from Ibn Faraj al-Taghlibī:

13.2

Some men of the Banū Taghlib wanted to seize government money as it was being transported, but their scouts told them that the authorities had learned of their plan. They moved off and decided to hide in the Virgins’ Monastery. They were given admission, but hardly had they begun to relax when they heard the sound of horses’ hooves in pursuit. When they were sure they were safe and the horses had passed, each paired with a woman whom he imagined to be a virgin, but it turned out the priest had already been with them all. A poet has said: What a pervert the monk is who says women are forbidden him, Calls a fair comely girl taboo, and does it with a boy instead of a pussy. He walks with lowered eyes, but has wild nights in the convent. It’s the Virgins’ Monastery— but they’re nothing but hussies. The bandits can tell you all about it. In Baghdad there is also a monastery called the Virgins’ Monastery in the Christians’ concession on the Poultry Canal. It acquired that name because the Christians have a three-day fast before Lent, which is called the Virgins’

137

137

13.3

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫�ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا �ل� �صو� ا ج��م� �ع او �إ ��ل�ى �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د�ير �ت��عبّ��د � او � �وت���ق ّ �ر �� او‪� .‬و�ه�و د�ير�‬ ‫ح��س ن� ��ط�ي ب�‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫� �ق ّ �ذ‬ ‫� ا ن � �ت�زّ ��ف‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�و�ل ب��� �لمع� �ي� دير لع� رى م �د م كر‬

‫‪٤،١٣‬‬

‫�خَ ََ ُ ْ َ� تَّ نَ ُ َت نَ ٱ � ُّ ْ‬ ‫� �َ ا �ِ ���خِ َّ ا �َ َ ا تًا َا قَ ْ‬ ‫���ل��ي��ل ّ‬ ‫�مو� �ِم� � �ل��س ك‬ ‫� ���ق�م ح�ى � �‬ ‫��رِ بِ‬ ‫�ح� ��ن�ةِ� � �م� ٍْر �م�م� �� �بِ�ل� �ب�ِر‬ ‫نَِ ْ �ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ��ّ ْ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ص� �ع ن ��� � ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫� � �و �ل�د �ه ِر‬ ‫حوا ِد ثِ‬ ‫�َوَ������شر بَ� �ِم� ك�ر�خِ���ي��ةٍ �ه��بِ ي���ةٍ  �و � � �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ ً�ة َ ْحٱ �ْ َ �ذَ َ� َٱ � َّ َ َٱ �ْقَ ْ‬ ‫أ � ا ُ َّ أ َّا ِ �ضِ ْ نَ ��حِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل� ر� � �� � ��م�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ى‬ ‫بِ ِر‬ ‫�� �� � ِ‬ ‫ر َ َو و مِ‬ ‫ع و ْ ِر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ْ بْ �َ ي �ٍم ُ ْ َ ي � � ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َِّ ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫�َ ك��� �م ن �لَ��ا �ل �م��س�ع�د ا ت� �ل�� �� � ل�ه� �ى �ج���سْ ت� �ع��ل � �ل��ل�� ا ت� �� ن ��� ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫وم ِ � ي ٍ ِ ٍ ِ �ذِ ي ّو‬ ‫ي� � بِ �جِ ِر‬ ‫ِ فِ هِ‬ ‫ر �ى‬ ‫��فَ َا ��ل َ َ �َ ا �لُ�مْ��ِتنِ � �م نْ َ�ص ْ‬ ‫َ�خ � َ ْ �فَ َا تَ ْ � �ُ ْ �فَ َا� َ َ�خ �َنِ‬ ‫ي �م� ِ�ي� �ع��ل�ى م� ��ي� �فِ��ي�هِ ِ � � ب�ِر‬ ‫�ِ�ل��ي��ل�ي� ��ل� �����ط�ل ب� ��ل� ِح�ي� �و��ل���‬

‫�‬ ‫���ه� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�و�لب��ع ض�‬ ‫م‬ ‫نَ أَ ْ‬ ‫�حِ َ َ‬ ‫�َ ا َ ُ �ذْ � � َ � َّ َ ْ ٱ ��ْ َ �ذَ َ‬ ‫�� ْ ُت َ�ع�ا �ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫������ي هِ�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ي��ا ر�ى‬ ‫�ق� �م �ع� ِر ي� �فِ�ي� ��ط�ي� د ����يِر � ل�ع� ا ر‬ ‫ِ ي� ب ر‬ ‫ِ قِ‬ ‫ْ َ ةٌ �عِ َّ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��خِ � َل�ا ��قَ �َ�ٱ �ْ�ست ��ْ  �ل ت� �ع�� �م���س��ل�م �هِ� � � � �لن�� َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ص�ا ر�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ِي� ِم و‬ ‫ئِ �� و و‬ ‫�فِ��ت��� �� �م ِ‬ ‫ل�ى‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫� �ّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�� ّ ن أ ��ا ن � ت�زّ‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا ّلله ب� ن� �عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن� ���ط�ا �هر�م ن� ب���غ��د ا د �إ ل�ى ��سر �م� ر� �ى �وك�� � ا�لم�ع��‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل �و�لم�ا خ�ر�� ب�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�س��د �ع�ا ه �ن�ز �� �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د � ��ف��أ ��ق�ا � ��ه � �� �م�� ن � ا � ت‬ ‫�س� ���ط�ا ��ه � ش��� � ف���ه ث��ّ ��ق�ا �� �ه��ذ ه ا ��ل��أ����ا �ت‬ ‫ا� ت‬ ‫ب و رب ي م ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ير م ب ي و ي� و‬ ‫بي‬ ‫ُ  �زََ نٌ َ ا ٌ َ ْ ٌ نَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ ِ َ � َ َ �قْ َ َ َ‬ ‫ح��ك �َور �و ض��� �� �ضِ�‬ ‫�ض� ِ�‬ ‫�� ي��د‬ ‫�م�ا ����تر�ى ��طِ�ي ب� �و���تِ ن��ا �ي�ا ��س�عِ� ي��د �م� ��‬ ‫َ َ ضٌ‬ ‫َ �أَنَّ ُ نَّ‬ ‫ُ َّ َ ْ �َ ُ نَّ صِ ْ�غٌ �جِ ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ب��� � ِ�د �ي��د‬ ‫�و ِر�ي�ا ��� ك� ���ه� ����ب ���ىر�ود  �ك�ل �ي ��و�ٍم �ل�ه� �‬ ‫َ َ �أَ نَّ ٱ �� شَّ قَ َ ا َ قٌ َ َ �أَ نَّ ٱ �ْ َ َ ا َ َ ٌّ �عِ ُ‬ ‫� �� ِ�مي��د‬ ‫�وك� � � ل�����قِ� ي ��� �فِ� �ي�ه� �ع����شِ ي ���  �وك� � � �بل���ه� ر �‬ ‫�ص ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ َ �أَ نَّ ٱ �ْ غُ ُ نَ‬ ‫َ أ نَّ ٱ � َّ َ‬ ‫ً ُُ ٌ‬ ‫َ ا ُ �ق ُ‬ ‫�صو� �َم�ْ�ي�ل�ا ��ق�د �ود  �َوك�� � � �ل ن��َ او ر �فِ� �ي��ه� ���ع ��ود‬ ‫�وك� � � �ل��� �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ �أَ نَّ ٱ � َّ َ ا َ َ � َ َ ق �‬ ‫َ ا ٌ � نْ � ْ ت نَّ نُ ُ ُ‬ ‫�ُ ضْ � َ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫هود‬ ‫�وك� � � �ل���ث�م� ر � �و � �لور�� � �‬ ‫� � �� �‬ ‫��‍    ��ىر ثِ����ي �ى� ب� ِم� �حِ هِ�‬

‫‪138‬‬

‫‪138‬‬

‫‪٥،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

Fast.70 When it is over, they gather in this monastery, celebrate the liturgy, and receive communion. It is a fine and beautiful monastery. Ibn al-Muʿtazz composed this poem on the Virgins’ Monastery mentioned

13.4

earlier: Come, my friends, let’s drink till we die in a tavern where the owner will leave us unburied. Drinking a golden wine from Karkh, absolving the sins of the hazards of fortune. How many laudable days we’ve spent in the Virgins’ Monastery, its cells and the castle! How many nights helpful to lovers I dared to devote by the bridge to pleasure! Friends, leave me, don’t seek my welfare; the passion you blame me for I can’t endure. And these are some verses by another poet: I’d an excuse for a gazelle in the Virgins’ Convent, when I saw its lovers bewildered, Seduction spread throughout mankind, Muslims and Christians alike falling victim. When ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir left Baghdad to go to Samarra, in response to al-Muʿtazz’s summons, he spent two days in this monastery. He liked it and enjoyed some of its wine. And he composed this poem: Saʿīd, remember the good time we’ve spent, days of joy in well-kept gardens, In meadows like cloaks spread out, each day a different hue. Anemones were our beloveds, oxeyes their persistent suitors; Branches like slender figures swayed, garlanded with spring flowers; Green foliage was draped around the fruits like garments concealing breasts.

139

139

13.5

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫ُ َ َ َتُ ُ‬ ‫��فَ�ٱ ْ � َ ا َ حٍ ُ ُ َ ٱ �ْ َ َّ ُ‬ ‫�س�� �ي��ه� را �‬ ‫���‬ ‫� �ا ����تِري� �ِم ن� � �ل�ه  �‍ �َو��ت ْ��ب ِ�د �ي� ُ����س����سر�ور�ن�ا �و���عِ� ي��د‬ ‫�ٱ قِ �نِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ �ثُ �� َ َ ُ ف �قَ ْ‬ ‫� ثّ � َ نَا �ٌ � َ ا َ ��حِ � ّ ُ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل ك�‬ ‫عود‬ ‫��� ��س �ي�ا ��سِ�عي��د ��� �د َح�‍  ‍�ك �� ي� بِ��ه� �و� ��حرك � �‬ ‫� �و ح ثِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َٱ �ْ �َت ْ �ذ َ �ةَ � �ّ ��ذ �ذ ت � َ � ْ � � ���عِ �ذ َ� �ِ �عِ � َ ا � ا �تَ�ُ ُ‬ ‫� �و �ف� ر �عِ� � ر � �ل�ل� ا ا‬ ‫� �ي� دي�‍ ��ىِر ل� � ا رى ��ف� �ل��ه� �ل� �ع�ود‬ ‫ِ �فِ‬ ‫ِع‬

‫ائ �‬ ‫ّٰ � ن أ� ن � ن ا أ ًا ش ً ت ّ ��فًا ��ف‬ ‫�� � ��ن �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله م� � ح��س� ا �ل�� ��س � د �ب� �و����ع ار � �و��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�و� ب‬ ‫أ م ع رم س‬ ‫�صر� �ي‬ ‫� �ة � � ت�زّ‬ ‫ا � �ق ا ن �ف‬ ‫ّٰ ن �ف ت � �ذ �‬ ‫� � ن �خ � ق � ّا‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله �م� ��س� �ر�ه ا�لم� ك��ور �إ �ل�ى ا�لم�ع�� � �مره �ب� �لم� � �م �ع��ده ��ي�‬ ‫ح��س� ��ل��‪� .‬و�لم� �و��ص�ل � ب‬ ‫�ذ � � �ف أ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ك ا �لي ��و� �� �� � ‪.‬‬ ‫م م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �ع� �د ا ّٰلله ��ف�� ���س� ا �ل�م�ع��ت�ز ��ل� �ش���ا ���ة � ن� خ� �� ف�ت��ع�ا ��ل ت� �ع��ل��ه ف����ق�ا ��ل �ع ن��د �� �م ن‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب �ي‬ ‫ر ل‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫�إ ى ري‬ ‫رج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ أ‬ ‫فخ ت ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��� ت �خ���ل�ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫� � ن� ي����سم�ع��‬ ‫��ورك‪� .‬‬ ‫ح� �ل��ك �و�ل�ه �ل��ك �و�ل� �ب��د �م ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫�ر�ج�� �ج� ل��س� �‬ ‫ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫يح ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل ت‬ ‫��س��ا ر�ة ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ل�و�ل�ا ا ��ل�ز ا ئ�ر �م�ا �‬ ‫�ج�ئ ت�‪�� .‬ف�� �ّو��ل �ص�و ت� ��غ�ن ت��ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ُ ْ َ ٱ �ْ َ شْ‬ ‫ٱْ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غَ� � ْ تُ ٱْ�َ �َ �َ ٱ �ْ �أ�نْ �عِ‬ ‫ن�ا �زِ �ل �بِ�� �ل� ��� �مِ  ك��م���ن�عر�� � � �لو�� �‬ ‫� ��ي� �ِ�لم�ْ�ع� �صِ‬ ‫���ش‬ ‫ِ�ي � � �لم�‬ ‫�� �ِم‬ ‫ِم �فِ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ِِ‬ ‫ث ّ‬ ‫��ّ ��غ�ن ت� ب���ع�ده‬ ‫م‬

‫�َ�قَ ْ َ َ� نِ‬ ‫� �ل �د را ع��ي�‬

‫� �َْ ْ َ ْ ُ‬ ‫�صو ت�‬ ‫ِ�ل�لب��ي� نِ� � �‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ َ غُ ْ‬ ‫� َا َ‬ ‫��ص �َ�ا � َ��ا �َ ��َتْ�َه�ا‬ ‫ح�م� �م��ةٍ �ع��ل�ى �� نِ� ب نٍ �ج بو �‬

‫َ‬ ‫�َ ُ‬ ‫ح�م�ا ���ئِ� �م‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف �ق � � � ت�زّ � ت‬ ‫ش ًا ظّ �‬ ‫�ث ن ّ � �‬ ‫ح ���� ا ��جل�ع‬ ‫��� �ا �ل �ل�� ا�لم�ع�� ك�‬ ‫�ي ��ف� ���س�م� ��ق��ل ت� � ��س�م� �����ئ�� �‬ ‫� ب� �م ن��ه � ك����ر �م� �‬ ‫ح��د ا �ل��طرب�‬ ‫ع ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ق ض ف أ ش أ‬ ‫�ذ �� ا نّ ث ّ أ �� ن �ز �زُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع�� � � �ز �م��هن‬ ‫س‬ ‫��ف�ا ���ست��‬ ‫ح��س ن �ه� ا ا � ك�‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫ل��ل�� �م��ي�‪� � �� .‬م�ع��ي� �مر �� � ا � ا �مر �و��د �‬ ‫ع� � �و ر� � و‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫مأ‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫ح�م�د � ن � ��س ا �ل�م ن�د �� �م ن � �ف‬ ‫ا ��لن ���ق �� � �أ ا ��ن ا ���آ����ة ا ��ل�ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا ا�لم�ا ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫��‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب � �و ى � س � ر ير �ل ي�‬ ‫ر س و ر �ي� �ل ل �ي� �‬ ‫� �ف ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��في�����سم� ��له�ا �ز �م ا ��ل��س �ن�ا ��‪ .‬ث��ّ � د �خ���لن�� ��ل� �ش��ّ��ا ك � � �م � ن� ي�ج��م� ��� ن ا ��ل��س�� � ا � �ل ��� � � � ت�ه�م�ا‬ ‫ب ي� ب و ي ل ر �ي �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ع � ر ري م‬ ‫ب� أ ةر أ ع � ة ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن ث ّ �ق � �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�ي ��� ��ي ت�� او ��ثب��ا � �� ��ا �ل �ل�ي� � ك�ر � ��ي� � ر��ي ت���ك ا �لي ��و�م � بر���ع�� � �ش���ي �ا ء ��ط �ر�ي� �� ���ل ت� ��ع� �ي�ا ��س�ي �د �ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ق �غ‬ ‫ة ف �‬ ‫�ق � أ ّ أ �ظ � ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ص�د � ت�‪.‬‬ ‫��ا �ل � �ي��ه�ا � �� ر�� �ع ن��د ك ���ل ت� � ن��ا ء �ش���ا ر�ي��‪���� .‬ق�ا �ل �‬

‫ش �خ ة أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ً ف‬ ‫� ظ � ة �خ � ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ا ء ه �م��‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا ّلله ب� ن �عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن ���ط�ا �ه �ي ��و�م�ا �ج�‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ج��‬ ‫���� ��ف�� �مر��ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح ����� د ��ل� �ع��ل�ى � ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫خ أ‬ ‫� � ��ف �أ � ا ��‬ ‫� � �� � ن �ش�� ا �‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫ح��دا ث� �ف�� �ق ف�� �� ا ��� ن‬ ‫ن � �ي�ن‬ ‫ا ��ل �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ل‬ ‫�ب� �ج��ل�و��س �ع� ي�م �ه �و�ج�� ء ه �ك�ه�و�ل � �مره�م �ب� �ج و س �‬ ‫و و ب ي�‬ ‫‪140‬‬

‫‪140‬‬

‫‪٦،١٣‬‬

‫‪٧،١٣‬‬

‫‪٨،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

Pour the wine, rid us of care, and call forth our joy again, Hurry, Saʿīd, and pass the cups, urged on by the flute and the lute. Make the most of pleasure in the Virgins’ Monastery, for it may never return.

ʿUbaydallāh was a most cultured man, a poet, familiar with all branches of

13.6

knowledge, noble of spirit and upright. After this journey, al-Muʿtazz asked him to spend the rest of the day with him, so he did.

ʿUbaydallāh takes up the story: Al-Muʿtazz sent a message to Shāriyah summoning her, but she snubbed him. So he said, “I have a visitor who wants to hear you, and I’d like that for both of your sakes. You must come.” Then she came and took her seat behind the curtain, saying, “If it weren’t for the visitor, I wouldn’t have come.” The first song she sang was: I came with the herds to the abandoned campsite, its traces like lines of tattoo on a wrist. And then she sang: Startled by a dove’s coo, echoed by her sisters in the ben tree’s branches, I feared a parting. Al-Muʿtazz asked me, “What do you think?” I replied, “What I’ve heard

13.7

amazes me even more than the ecstasy it inspired.” He approved of this answer. Then he made me listen to the playing of Zunām the flautist, whose body trembled because he had become feeble and was plagued by gout. He showed me the machine made by Aḥmad ibn Mūsā71 the Engineer, with a pipe through which water flows, producing the sound of a flute. He took me to a window and ordered lions and elephants to be assembled in the same space, and I saw how they tried to attack each other. Then he said to me, “Now, I’ve shown you four curiosities.” “Yes, sire.” “And which of them is the finest, in your opinion?” “Shāriyah’s singing,” I replied. “You’re right,” he concurred. Jaḥẓah related: One day I was visiting ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir when some elderly men arrived. He told them to be seated on his right. Then

141

141

13.8

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف �أ � ت ه � ن ف� �ق ا � �ؤ � ا � ن ّ أ أ � � �خ‬ ‫�ي��د �ي�ه �و �ل�� ��� �م �ه� ��ا �ج��ل‬ ‫���ل�و��س ��س� �ل�� ع‬ ‫� � �و �و�م�� �إ �ل�ى ا �ل ش���ي ��و� �و�ه��ؤ �ل�اء‬ ‫�ه� �� � �ل �ه� �ل�ء ب ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫مي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أ ي‬ ‫ن � أ �أ �� م �� � �ؤ � ا ن � أم �أ �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��دا ث�‪�� .‬ق��ل ت� �� ن�� ك ��ل��أ�ّ �أ � ��ل��أ�ّمه�ا �ت‬ ‫ب�� ��و �ه � �و �و�م� �إ ل�ى ا �ل��ك�ه�و�ل �و�ه� �ل�ء ب�� ��و �ه � �و �و�م� �إ ل�ى ا �ل��‬ ‫بو م و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ق � مأ‬ ‫أن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا � � � �ج �م��‬ ‫عه� ���� �ج �ي�‪� � .‬و �����د‬ ‫ل م ي�م‬ ‫َ َ ٱ �ْ َ َ �فَٱ ْ َت َّ ٱ � ِّ َ ٱ �ْ َ �ذْ‬ ‫�زَ َ ْ�ع تُ �َ �� َ�ا � �َ���ْ�نَ�نَ�ا � ��شِ�� �����بِ �ت‬ ‫ه �ى ��� �ع �� ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر � و ��ش �جِ �ي� ب ي �فِ�ي� ِبَي ِ�� �غِ ر‬ ‫م بِ ِر ْ ب ِ‬ ‫� ةٌ �قِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��فَ شَ����ا َ� ��َ نُ� �شَ���ا �� �� ظَ ����ْه � �َ �أدْ َ ُك��‬ ‫� او  �َو����ش�ا ب� ب�� ن��و�ه� ْم �و��ه� ��م�ا �لِ��ك��� � ��ِبل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ب �و �جِ ي� لِ � ِر ي� و ر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل � ��ه �م�ع �م��ذ ��س��ع�� ن‬ ‫ي� ��س�ن ��‪.‬‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و ي� �ي�‬ ‫��ا ن ض ا�ل�من��ّ ن � � ت ه �ق � ا ��ف ا ت ت �ق � ه ف� �ق ا �‬ ‫�وك�� � ب���ع��� �ج �م��ي� � ك��‬ ‫له� �م� ��� ب��ل� �� � �ل‬ ‫ح� ب�م� �و� ب�� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫��جِ ًا � نَّ َ َّ نْ َ َ ْ تُ ُ �أ ْ َ�� أ ْ َ ا ٱ �ْ َ‬ ‫هَ �ى �َ َ �َ‬ ‫ف� َ��ا �ع‬ ‫�ع�ا �نِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��مِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫بِ ْ و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫بِ ِ‬ ‫أُ ي� َ أَ �‬ ‫َ أَ تَ َ �قْ ُ ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫� ا � �ت ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ت �‬ ‫�وك � � ر�ج �ي� � � � �ك�و� ��فِ �د اء ه   ��ل��م� � �ى �و � � ��حِ �م� ِ�م � �د ا �نِ�ي�‬

‫ّٰ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� � ن ��ق ا � �ة ��ق ا �� � ض ت � ن ا �ز�ة ش ا � ��ف �ل ّ ا ا �ن ف‬ ‫�صر� ن��ا د �خ���ل ت� �م�‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله‬ ‫��ر� �ج �� ���� �ج �ي� � �م� ��‬ ‫�و ك�ر اب � �د م� � ل ح�‬ ‫ع �ب‬ ‫�خ ّ �ف أ �ً أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫نً‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ً �‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫��ا � �‬ ‫ح��س ن� �م ن��ه ��ّ ر�ف��‬ ‫�م��س�ا �ع�د ا �ل�ه �و�م��ؤ ���س�ا �و�ه�و �م ��طر�� �ود �م�و�ع�ه ج�ر�ي� �ع��ل�ى ���د �ي�ه �ل��� � ر �ب�ا كي��‬ ‫م‬ ‫م ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف �ق �‬ ‫أق‬ ‫ر� ��س�ه � �و �ب���ل �ع��ل�ي�ن �ا ��� �ا �ل‬ ‫َ ِ�ي�نًا �أَ �نَّ �َْ ُ تُ ِ ْ‬ ‫�ق�د ��َه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي��‬ ‫�م � �بِ� �ي� � �لو ب��لِ�ي � �بِ ������ف� ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�َ �أْ شَ� تُ َ ٱ َ‬ ‫� ��ق�ْ��ت�َ � ��لنّ��فْ��� �ع ْ��نَ�د � َا ��َه�ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ل��و��� ك‬ ‫سِ ِ‬ ‫فِر قِ �‬ ‫ل‬

‫َ �نَ ْ ضُ ْ � �ْ حِ َ َ � ُّ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ � � � ��� �� � �ل��ل‬ ‫� ��ا � �ل��لن� ك‬ ‫����‬ ‫وِبٰي� ِب � �عِ رقٍ� �قِِ َي َ�ةَِ وِ َ ْ سِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ّ َ ا َ ا تَ تْ َ ْ �ذ ْ �ن ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫ت � ����‬ ‫َ �ل ك‬ ‫ �و ِ �ن�ه� �م� ��� �و� �د �هب�� سِ �ي�‬

‫�ل�ز ا �ة ��ق � ا ��ف �ل ّ ا � ّ ا � ا ن ف �ق �‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ث��ّ �‬ ‫��ر ت� �م�ع�ه � �ي� ر ب� ر�ه� � �م� ه� �ب� �ل����‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫�ص ار �� ��ا �ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬

‫‪142‬‬

‫‪142‬‬

‫‪٩،١٣‬‬

‫‪١٠،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

some men in their prime came in and he had them sit on his left. Finally, some youths came in and stood before him, without him telling them to be seated. I asked him who they were, and, gesturing to the elderly men, he said, “These are my sons”; gesturing to the men in their prime, he said, “and these are their sons”; and gesturing to the youths, “and these are their sons.” “Your sons by one mother or several?” I inquired. “The mother of all of them is Shājī,” he said, and then he recited: “In my youth I sowed love’s seeds with Shājī, and the harvest came rich and sweet. Our sons became men, and their sons too, with Shājī still the queen of my heart. “We’ve been together for seventy years.” An astrologer had predicted that he would die before her, but she died first

13.9

and he spoke these verses: Strange! I cherished my love so dearly, And my love cherished me. I’d hoped to save her with my life, But when the time came, She gave her life for me. Ibn Qudāmah related: I attended Shājī’s funeral and when we separated, I went 13.10 back with ʿUbaydallāh to his house to support him and keep him company. He was speechless, with tears running down his cheeks; I never saw a more handsome mourner. Then he raised his head, turned to us, and said: I swear that had I known her loss while my pulse was still beating, To keep me alive and suffering, I’d have nigh killed myself when she left me. But she’s dead and my soul has already departed. I was with him when he visited her grave, and when he was about to leave, he said:

143

143

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫َ نْ �زَ َ َ َ أَ َّ �‬ ‫�حِ َ ا ت ْ َ �لِ�َ ا ُ�ؤَ َّ ُ � نْ �� � َ ا �ُ�ْ َ ُ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م� ا ر د ا ر � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�هِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�حِ ب���ةٍ ِ ي ِ� �م و م ي � �ل ِ � ِ �ق ٍ �يٱْ ر‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�فَ �ْ َ �أ ت َ َ أَ َّ َ �نُ �‬ ‫�� ا َ � �� ظ � ا َ � �� � � َ‬ ‫حْ َش���ُ‬ ‫�ق�ا ءُ �لم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫� د ر ِحب��ةٍ �س� ��و ِب���ل�ى  كرم� و ِح�ف��� و لل�‬ ‫��ل��ي� ِ‬ ‫ر‬

‫ّٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث أن‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل �و�م�ا ت� اب� ن� �ل� بع��ي �د ا لله �م ن�‪� 1‬ش���ا �ج��ي� �ف�ز ا ر ��قب��ره ��ّ � � ش����د‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَا �َ�م ْ َ َ ٱ �ْ �أ�ْ َ ا �َ�ْ َ �تَ����فِ ُّ � أ َ َ ��قِ �بٍا َٱ � ِّ َ�ا � َ َ‬ ‫�ش�ا ��س��َ‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫قٍ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر� ر‬ ‫ُِري َ و َ �قِي�‬ ‫ع َ َ ب بِ ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫هٍ‬ ‫�جِ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا َ � ��‬ ‫� ا � �ز ُ ُ‬ ‫َ ْف‬ ‫� �� ك َ ���ط�ا ���َ‬ ‫��فَ�َ‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫�ي�ا �ع‬ ‫� ب�� � �ي� � �ورك �مك�ر�� �  �وفِ�ي��ك � �ل� �ل�ى � �ه�و�ى � �و ج� � و‬ ‫�ئِ‬

‫ّٰ �‬ ‫� ا ��ل���ذ �� �ل�� ُ� �مث���ل�ه �ف �ث�ا �ه�ا‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ا ��ل�ص� ��ل� ّ ‪�  ٢‬ل�مّ�ا �م�ا ��ت ت� �ش���ا �ج�� � �ع��ل ا‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ا �لج�زع ي م ير‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫و�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ه� � ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ا ة ي � �أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ج�زع � ّ �ة �ق‬ ‫�ا ن �أ� ن � ا ّ � ��ف �ذ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ب��ع�د ��ص� ���د � ك�‬ ‫�� � ح��س� م� �مر ب�ي� �ي� �ل�ك‬ ‫�ج �م� �ع�� �م� ا �ل�د �ب� ء �ور�� �ه� � ب‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ �‬ ‫� �ة ا ��لت� �ز �ة‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا ّلله ب� ن� �عب��د ا ّلله �وك�‬ ‫ر��س�ا ��ل��ة �ل�عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن� ا�لم�ع��ت�ز �إ �لي��ه �و�ج��وا �ب��ه�ا �م ن� �‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �����خس� �ع ��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫تّ‬ ‫أ �زّ ّٰ �خ �‬ ‫ة ف ّٰ � �ق أ ش‬ ‫����ن ا ��له�ّ ��ه�ا �م�ع��ك � � �ل�مّن�� �من�ه�ا �م�ا‬ ‫و ي� �‬ ‫ا ����ص�ل‪  ٣‬ب �ي� � �ع ك ا لله �ب��ر ا �لم�صي��ب��� ��� او لله � �ل �د � ���رك�ي� � م ب �‬ ‫ً �‬ ‫ن ضً‬ ‫أ � ّ� �ف �ً ا أ �خ‬ ‫� ن �ة ش �ً � �ف‬ ‫� ا �� �ل�ق‬ ‫� � �و�ث��ا �ت�ا �ل��ل�م‬ ‫���ا �ع ن �ع��ثر�ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ار �لم� ي��د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� �و��� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر و�‬ ‫ج�زع ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�م�ك ��صب� ر ي� ي� ت �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح � �و�‬ ‫ا �ل��ع�م�� ��ت���ق�د �� ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س ن ا �ل�صب��ر �و � ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت�‬ ‫�صي���ل ا �ل� ج�ر�ع��ل�ى �‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ب ي م رم‬ ‫ًُ‬ ‫َ � �َ ةُ َ ظًّ � نْ َ‬ ‫َ ��قُْ ِّ ةٌ � ْ َ ٱ �ْ غُ ْ �تَ�ْ��سِ ْ‬ ‫ع�فَ�ا �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �َو�م نْ� �ت��ق��ى �و���مِر���ي�� �� �ذِ ر�و�ةِ � �ل����ص� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ِ�لَ��ي�ل�� َح ��� ِم� � ْ َفٍ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫تََ �ّ تْ َ � ْ �َ ْ �تُ ْ �� َ ٱ � أ ْ ُ �غِ ْ َ‬ ‫���ف ْت َ �‬ ‫�نْ � ا أ َ� ٱ � �أ ْ ض�َ تَ ْ َ ُ‬ ‫� ��و�ل� �و� �ل �ل� ��ط‬ ‫�ه�ا �َو�ل كِ��� �ل� � رى � �ل� ر�� �����شب���‬ ‫���ع � �ل�� ر ض��� �� �ي�َر�ه�ا  ��ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫و م ِم‬ ‫أ � � ّٰ‬ ‫�و��ق�د � ��ط�ا �ل ا لله‬ ‫�إ�ذ ت‬ ‫ا ا ر ج�‬ ‫عه�ا �م ن���ك‬ ‫�� �‬

‫���ع ف����ق�د�ه�ا �ل�مث� ��ت��� ا ��ل�ت ��ه �أك���‬ ‫�� �من�ه�ا‬ ‫�إ �مت��ا �ع��ك ���ه�ا �م ن���ذ �و�ه � ا � �‬ ‫� بو ك �ي� ي� ب ر �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ه� �ل�ك �و ج� �ل‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �أ‬ ‫ّٰ � ا ُ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�مث���ل�ك � �ي�ّ�د ك ا لله �ل� ي�‬ ‫ح�� �ع��ل� �‬ ‫ح�� ��� د ��ي ��ه �ل� ��ك ���ع�ل�م�ه �و�ر� ب� �ي��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ن ت�زّ‬ ‫قف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ذ ت ز ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪( :‬ر��س�ا �ل��ة ا � ت�ل��ع ز��ي��ة � ر��س���ل�ه�ا ا ب� ا ل��م�ع��‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ب�‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ ����( :‬ع��لى �ه� ه ا ��ل��ع��ي�� ا �ل��غري�ب���) ورد ي� �‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ ن‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫�إ لى �ع ب��ي���د ا �ل��ل�ه �ب� ط�ا �هر) ورد ي� �‬

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‫‪١١،١٣‬‬

‫‪١٢،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

Let him who visits the abode of loved ones during their life, not hoping for a meeting foreordained, Visit his loved ones when they dwell in the earth, Nobly to remember them, till the Last Day’s meeting. One of ʿUbaydallāh’s sons by Shājī died, and when he went to visit the grave he declaimed: You who unite loved ones after they have parted, I find you close, though the meeting’s far away. Strange! Though my loved ones are with you, my visits are forced, my avoidance voluntary. Al-Ṣūlī reported: When Shājī died, ʿUbaydallāh was more distressed than 13.11 anyone had ever seen before. Many men of letters mourned her, and

ʿUbaydallāh himself composed a number of elegies on her. One of the finest pieces I saw was a letter ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz wrote to ʿUbaydallāh and his reply. Here is the text of the letter of condolence: God give you strength! I have heard the news of the calamity. By God, it has made me share your distress and given me as much pain to bear as yours. Have patience in bearing Fate’s verdict, brother; rise above the misstep of affliction, stand firm in this trial, and thank the Bestower of Favors that He has allowed your wife to precede you and allowed you to receive a reward for your noble endurance, though she was A gift of fortune, a consort chaste and pious, a dove cooing high in the branches. Gone! She was enough for the earth to take— but the earth is voracious. God granted you long years to enjoy her after He had given her to you. He has made her loss an occasion for you to receive a reward greater than you would merit if He were to return her

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13.12

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫تّ �ذ أ �ذ ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫��ا �‬ ‫�نّ ا �ل�م�ص�ا ��ئ� ر��م�ا �ع�ص�ف� ت� ��ا �ج��ل‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�و�ت��س�ا ر �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫��ر � �و �ي�ُ� ك�‬ ‫ح�ى �ي�� ك�‬ ‫��ر ��ف�ي�را ج�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�� ا �لر ض�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�زع‬ ‫أ نع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ ت ا ً � � �ة �� ت � ا ّ‬ ‫� عن �‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �م� �ل� ي�ج �ور وي ب �‬ ‫��س�� ل�صب� ر �ع��ل�ى صي��ب�� �� ر ل�ل��س�ل�و ��ي� �ل� ب��د م� � ي��ص�ي ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح ��ف‬ ‫��ل ا ا ض‬ ‫�����ط ا ًا‪� �ّ � .‬خ��� �ة �مّ �ة � �‬ ‫� � ه � �ه� ا ��ل��د �ه ا ��ل���ذ �� ��ن�ع ��ف�ه � ��ل�ا � ���ؤ ��ت �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ ي�‬ ‫ر ر ور ب ي ر ر و ي ي� رو و و ر ي ر و ي ى �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح�ت � ث� ا لله ا �ل�� ض�� � �م ن �ع��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�غ� ّر�ة �ب�ه‪� .‬ه� ه �‬ ‫�ج�ي ��ه �و�ب��ه� ا � �� �د �م� ��س�ي�ر��ه ك�� �ل�ك ى ير‬ ‫ر � و � ي�‬ ‫��خِ ْ� ُ �ٱ ��ْ َٰ � � نَ‬ ‫�و�ه�و {� �ي ر �لوِر�‬ ‫ي�}‪.‬‬ ‫ثِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�زّ ّ �‬ ‫� � ا �ّ ة ا �ئ�ق ة � ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫��� ك���‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص ت� ��ل���ك ���د ��ل�ا �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ب� �ور��س�ول�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫� ل‬ ‫�و�ل�و�ل� �ع�ل�� �ع� � � �� ع� ل � ��ك ع ك لل ل� ر �إ ي ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ �غ‬ ‫ح�ا ض‬ ‫ح�قّ��ك � � � ت��ه �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل�� ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ي�� ت� �ب�� �ل��ك � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�و�� ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر �ود ه �و��ا ��ئ ب�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ور‬ ‫و‬ ‫ور‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ ظ � ّٰ أ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ � ث‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫� غ‬ ‫� ا لله � ج�رك � �و �ج�ز �ل ��� او �ب��ك �ود �ل �ع��ل�ى ��سب��ي���ل ا �ل�ع�ز ا ء ���لب���ك �و��ك� �ا ك‬ ‫�ل�م �ي��� ب� �ع�م�ا �ع ن��ا‪� � .‬و �ع ���‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح ا ��ل ت �تُ ��فّ ت � � � ا ا �تّ � ت � ه �م ن ا � �آ خ� �ة‬ ‫م�ا � � � ف�ّ ��ق � �ل� ا � ا ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ب � �ل ر‬ ‫� ك�� ر�ه�ك وو� �ك م� ي ��و �ك ور م �ي� �و �يآ� و ج �ل‬ ‫نَّا َّ َ نَّ� �َ ْ َٰ ُ نَ‬ ‫�خ ً �م ّ ا ��ن �ق ��‬ ‫��ع ت� �ع ن��ه �م ن� ا ��ل��د ��ني��ا �و{ �� لِلهِ �و �� �إِ �لي��هِ ر جِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي�را �م� ا �‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�� �عو�}‪.‬‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ف�� ��ا ��ه �ع� �د ا ّلله ب� ن �ع��د ا ّٰلله � ���ط�ا ��ل ا ّٰلله � ���ق�ا ء ا ��ل��سّ�د ا �ل�م��ؤ �ّ�م� ��ل��ل��د ��ن ��ا � ا ��ل��د � ن � ا � ن‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ج ب ب �ي‬ ‫ل ي و ي � وب�‬ ‫م��ع ن �ل�‬ ‫� ا �ة ا �ل� ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫��� �ل�ف �ا ء ا ��ل ا �ش���د � ن � ا ��ل���آ�ا ء ال�م ن��ت�� ��� ن � �ز ا د ا ّٰلله ا ��ل��سّ�د �تش��� � ��فً�ا � �ت ف���� � ًل�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل��س� د‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج ب ي� و‬ ‫ي� و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ر�ي و �ض�ي‬ ‫ر ي� و ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ة �غ � ة � ا ة � � � ن � ظ � ا �ة ن ن‬ ‫� �و د ا �م �ل�ه ا �ل�ع�ز � او �ل��س�ع�ا د � او � ك‬ ‫ل�� ار �م�� � او �ل� ب� ��ط�� � او �ل��س�ل� �م�� �و�ج��د د �ل�ه ا ل��ع�م ا �ل���� �هر � او�لم���‬ ‫�ق ّ ن � ّ‬ ‫� ن ��ّ‬ ‫�م �ذ ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ت �ف ة �‬ ‫� �وه ��ف�داء ه �و��د �م�� �إ �ل�ى ك�‬ ‫���ل �مر�ه�و ب� �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�� �ور �ب���ل�ه‪.‬‬ ‫س‬ ‫م�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا�لم��را د ��� �و ج��ع�ل��ي� �م� ك�� و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬

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‫‪١٣،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

to you. A man like you, may God fortify you, does not need to be reminded to observe the precepts of your religion, because you know them, desire to follow them, and hasten to observe them. But calamities may sometimes shake those who are stricken, until they remember or their memory is prompted. Then, by the decree of Him who is never unjust, they recover their equanimity. Fortitude precedes disaster, preferring consolation, which the bereaved will undoubtedly obtain. Many a good thing is bitter, and many an adversity hides something commendable. This is destiny as we know it. It does not take us unawares: this is its nature and this is how it has been and will be until God shall inherit the earth and those who are on it. He is «the best of inheritors».72 Illness prevents me from being with you, God keep you! Otherwise I would have come in person rather than sending a letter. Thus, I would have fulfilled my obligation to you—I would have considered it your due. But how often the visitor comes without friendship, and how often a person who is absent is only too aware of what you suffer. May God increase your reward, recompense you generously, and guide your heart toward consolation. May He protect you from adversity and lead you to what is beneficial. May He have mercy on the departed, making the hereafter she has arrived at better than this world whence she has been taken. «We are God’s and to God we shall return.»73 This is ʿUbaydallāh’s reply:

13.13

May God grant long life to the prince, hope of the world and the faith, descendant of generous lords, rightly guided caliphs, and excellent ancestors. May God increase him in honor and precedence. May God perpetuate his glory, happiness, nobility, rapture, and health, and may He bestow on him ever-new public favors and gifts without cease. May He direct at me any evil or adversity that might befall him, and put me forward to face every terror and danger before him. The prince’s letter—may God give him long life—has arrived, abounding in affection, merits, and generous favors, and exemplary in its refinement and charms without number. I received

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‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫��� ا ا ��ل ّ �أ �� ا �� ا ّٰ ه � ��ق ا ء �م � ءًا � ا �� � ّ ا �� ف�ل� ض� ا � ���ن� ا � ا ��لت �� � ف‬ ‫طّو�ل �و��� او �ئ��د‬ ‫�و��ص�ل ك��ت� ب� ��س�ي �د �ط� ل لل ب� � ه �م�ل�و ب� لب� ر �و ���ل �و �لإ� ع� م �و �� �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫� ا ن ف�ت � �قّ ت ه � ��قّ ه � ن � � ظ �‬ ‫ا ��ل��د ب� �و�ج��وا �م� الم‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح� ��س�‪�� .‬ل��ي�� بح � م� ا �لإ� �‬ ‫�ر � او�لم�عر��ف�� ب���ع��ل�ّو ��ق�د ره‬ ‫ع ����ا �م � او �ل ش��� ك‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫تّ�ف ق � �ن‬ ‫� أ� ف‬ ‫� او ر�ت���ف �ا د ر�ج� ت��ه � او ر�ت���ق�ا ء �رت�ب��ت��ه ���ف� �‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا �لت��� �لي ��� � او � �� �ا �� ا�لم�ع�ا ��ي� �و�ج���لي���ل ا �ل�ص� او ب�‬ ‫� �ق ف ّٰ ي � �أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫� ع ��‬ ‫ا ��ل�ع�� ن �ظ �� أ � ا ا � ّ أ ّ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� ���ط�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ج �مي���ل ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫له�م� �ب� �ل��س�ي �د � �ي��ده ا لله‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب و م وو ر �‬ ‫ب و ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫حتّ � ��ق � ت نّ ا ��ت �ز ة �ذ‬ ‫�ة � ن �ت ف� ض ّ‬ ‫ن ا ت �ق ت �ف � ّ ا ش ا �� ة �‬ ‫����ل�ه ��ى � �لو �ل� �إ � ل��ع ��� �ب��ه� ه‬ ‫هود م� ���‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫ب���ع�� ��ي ��ه ‪� 1‬و��د ر��ه‪� �� .‬م� ا �لم���� رك���� �م� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ح��تق� ن �� �ش ��ف ه � ا � ��زّ� �عن ا � � ا � �أ� ��م ا � � ض � ق‬ ‫ا �ل�م�ص�����ة ا ��ل ��ت ��ل‬ ‫�ه� ج رى �ل� مر ج ر ه وو�‬ ‫��� ا � �ل��‬ ‫� �ي� ل�و �‬ ‫��و� ب��ه� وع ى‬ ‫�ص�د ��ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ب ي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ� ّ‬ ‫�ص�ده‪.‬‬ ‫حق� �م��ق�ا �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ّأ‬ ‫ف � ��ذ � � ا ّ ن ض � ً أ ت ا ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫����ط ار را � �و ا �‬ ‫�خ��ي � را‬ ‫�ه�و ا �ل� ي� �ل� �ب��د �م��ه ا �‬ ‫� �و �م� ا �ل�صب��ر � �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ �َ ا أ َ‬ ‫�ص�ا ��َ تْ �ذَ ا َ‬ ‫ح َ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا م� � ب َ ي �ةٍ‬ ‫�فَ َا َ ُ َ ْت ْ أ نْ تُ َ َّ�َ‬ ‫��م� ب����ع�د � �ِم ن� � � ��‬ ‫حو�ل‬

‫ُ َ ةٌ‬ ‫�صِ ي��ب���‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫ْ َ ةً‬ ‫�نِ����ع�م��‬

‫ف�َ َ اَ �َ َ ا نْ ُ �ٱ ��لتَ���حِ ُّ ُ َٱ � ِّ ْ ُ‬ ‫ ���‬ ‫�ق� ب��ل�ه� �ِم��ه � ��م�ل � �و �ل�‬ ‫��صب��ر‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ قُّ َ َ ْ نَ ا �ل�حِ ْ ُ ّٰ َٱ �ْ شُّ ْ�ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �ع��ل��ي�� � �‬ ‫� �م�د لِلهِ � �و �ل��� ك‬ ‫��ر‬ ‫ ي ِ ��‬

‫‪١٤،١٣‬‬

‫أ ّ ا ��‬ ‫� ���فم�ا �أ �ص�ا � �أ� � � � �أ �ل�� ّ � �ّ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �و �م� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�خ � و أو ع و م وروع‬ ‫� � نج�زع � ا ن ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��ه � ��س��ه�ل‪.‬‬ ‫�إ �ل�ى ا �لب��د � � او �ل��ل��س� � � �� ب‬ ‫ش � � � ال� خ فَّ ف ��ل��ل�م � ّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� ة �ف �‬ ‫مو�ل�ى م‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح ن� � او �لم���تَ�م� �ل��لن��ع� ا�لم� ��ي� ا �ل ن�� او ��ئ ب� � او �ل�ع�ص�م�� ��ي� ا �لم�ص�ا ��ئ ب�‪.‬‬ ‫�و��� ك‬ ‫��را �ل �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف�زع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ن �ا �‬ ‫�زّ ّ � ّ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ��ا ن � � � � ت ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�و�ل�و ك�� � ��ط�و�ل ا �لإ��م��ع � �ع ا لله ا �ل��س�ي �د ي���س��ل�ي� �ل� ي���س��ل�و �ع��ه �إ �ل� �لم ن�‪�� ٢‬س� �ع�ده �و �و��هى‬ ‫� ة � �أ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫أش ّ �‬ ‫ّ�ز ن ظّ �‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫أ �غ‬ ‫�ص��ص �و�ل�و�ع�� ا �ل��ب��د‬ ‫�ع� �ده �لم�ا �ع��م�ل �ع��لي��ه ��مم�ي� �� ����ا ر �و�ل�و ك���ا � �ع��ل�ى � ����د ا �لمض�‬ ‫��ض��� � �و �م ّر ا �ل���‬ ‫أق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ود � او � ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��م�د‪� � .‬و ���و�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫أَ �سِ ُّ أُ ُ ٱ � َّ ْ َ ا َ أَ�غَ ِّ َ ا َ ُ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ي�ا‬ ‫�ص�ا َ �َ��ْعَ�د َك �َ�ا ��ل�َ‬ ‫�ك�ّ َ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��� ر � � �مو ِر � �ل��د ���هِر �‬ ‫�ص� ر � ���م�ه�  �و‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫َر ب‬ ‫ل �ج ِ ٍ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ْ َ ْ ُ أ ْ َّ‬ ‫�َ ُ � نْ �ش�ُ ْ تَ�َ َّ��َ َ�ع�� �ل��قِ ًا َ � نْ ضَ‬ ‫��فِ ��أ �‬ ‫���َ‬ ‫�ي�ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح��ٍك �ل� �ي��ع�د � ن� ظَ ������ل �بَ�اِك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ِ�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج ب ِ � � ٍ و‬ ‫وِ �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن �إ�ذ � ت ّ‬ ‫ع�د ا ��ل�ع�� ن � �ق‬ ‫��ف�ل�ا ��م‬ ‫ح��د �ع��ه �و ا �ل� ��ي ��‬ ‫ي� � او � �ل ��ل ب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬

‫ف � �أ‬ ‫� � ن � ا ��ف ��م ا � ا ��ف‬ ‫ح ا ال��خ‬ ‫� �أ�ّم�ا ا ��ل��س��ل� �ة �أ�ع�زّ ا ّٰلله ا ��ل��سّ�د ��ف��ل���� ت‬ ‫س� �م ن‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫رر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي� ي� ي و ي�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي ي‬ ‫� أل‬ ‫�ا ا ��ل�ع ا �ذ � ا ّٰ ه �م ن ف� ��ق ا ��ل� �زا ء � �ف‬ ‫�م ا ت نّ� ا � ا � ت�ن ا � ا � ا� ت‬ ‫ا �تّ ا �� ا � ك��‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م� � �و �م� ه�و �غ� � �ل�ح����س� ب� �و ��ص� ل �ل�ب�� د �و ي�� ب� لل � � �د ع �و� �د‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫م‬

‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ب��ع ن���اي��ه‪   ٢ .‬ك‬

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‫‪١٥،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

it with due honor and gratitude, recognizing its value and high degree. I am conscious of its superb and fine composition, the appropriateness of the ideas it conveys, the rightness of its sentiments, and the beauty of its style of address. God has honored letters and learning through the prince, and men of culture look up to him, may God support him with His solicitude and strength. His sympathy is a sign of his beneficence, which I am accustomed to. So may I say that if the condolence I have received for this calamity that has befallen me has been expressed in speech and is consolation for my loss, then things have taken their normal course and the intended purpose has been achieved. As for patience, it is essential, whether it is forced on us or we

13.14

choose it. When calamity strikes a mortal man and he meets it with patience and fortitude, It may well be changed to a favor, for which we praise God and thank Him. As for distress, what has befallen me, causing me grief, pain, and dismay, cannot be avoided. If it confines itself to the eyes and the heart, without affecting the tongue and the rest of the body, it is easier to bear. To thank God who lightens sorrows and bestows all favors is a refuge in trials and a protection in tribulations. Even if the memory of long-lasting delight were a consolation—may God fortify the prince—there is only consolation when one receives sympathy.74 This is agreed on by those of discernment and perspicacity, even when they themselves are suffering extreme misery, bitter grief, and endless pain and sorrow. As I have put it: Fate’s greatest delights have turned bitter; with your parting, everything new has become old. How amazing the honey that has turned to gall, the man who laughed but now only weeps. Consolation—may God keep the prince—is not a deed done by noble and sincere friends, either for life or death, but an occasion to add something in one’s favor for the Day of Judgment and

149

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13.15

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫ّ‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫�ّ ن‬ ‫�أ� ه‪�� � .‬ا ّٰلله ��ا ��سّ�د � نّ ا ��ل��ش��خ‬ ‫��ا �ش��� �و ن� ا �ل���ط �ف� ��ل��د ا �م� �و ن� ا �� �ل�ق��ل� ��ل‬ ‫�� �� ���خل‬ ‫ح ار �‬ ‫ج ر وب ي �ي ي� �إ �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ ع �إ‬ ‫ص ع �إ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�� ص‬ ‫�� ‪� .‬و�� �ل�ق�د �ص�ا د ��ف ت� �ه��ذ ه ا �ل‬ ‫�م�و ج�‬ ‫�‪�� � .‬س� �ا � �مت� ��ط�ا �و�ل�� �و�م�صي��ب��‬ ‫�ح�‬ ‫ح� �ل �ب��د �� �م� �ي��ه �ع� �و ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� ة � ا �ق ن �ل�ز ن‬ ‫�م�و�ص�و�ل�� ب�م� ب����ي� �م� ا � �م�‬ ‫َ َ ْ َ ٱ �ْ فَ تَ َ ْ� َ َ ْ ُ ُ �شَ ْ َ ُ َ َ أْ �ُ �فُ ُ �إِ�ذْ َ َ ُ ْ َ‬ ‫� �َ �ُ نْ� َ�د � ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وب����ي ن��ا � � �ل��ى ��ي ب� كِ��‬ ‫�� �و��ي��ن�د ب� ���ج���وه   �و�م�� � �لو��ه �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�ا ر ��ي ب� ك�‬ ‫�ى �يو ب‬ ‫ي‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ � ّ � �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� � ��ل�ا ��س�م� � ا �ذ��‬ ‫��ه ا ��ل��سّ�د ج�‬ ‫��ع��لن��� ��ف�د ا ه �م ن� � �مر ا �ل�ع��ل��ة ا �ل ��ت� �ل�ا ك�‬ ‫� �و �ّم�ا �م�ا ك�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع �ل�ه� �ب�� ك�ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أً ّ ��‬ ‫��ا ن �م ّ ا � ا ن �� � ق �ذ�� � � ا ن أ ن ا أ � �ذ ا ّٰ ا ��� ظ � � ��ذ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ب��د ا ��ف �إ� �ن�ه �ل�و�ل�ا�ه�ا �� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل��ا � �وك�� � �م� �ل� �ي ��ط�ل�� ب�� كره ا ل�ل��س� � و � ي�� ه ب� لل ع��ي�� ا ل� ي�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫����ل�ه ���كّ �خ���لق ك��‬ ‫� �م�ا‬ ‫��سف� ا �� ف�ل���ع� ا ��ل���ذ �� ��ل�ا ي�ج�ز �� � د �ن�ا ه � �ق��ص� ا �ل ش‬ ‫�ر�� �م ن� �ت��ع ّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ل �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ �ف‬ ‫���ة ا � ��غ أ �ق�� � ن ا �ز �� �� ش �ف‬ ‫��س��ل�ف �م ن ال��خ‬ ‫��ا ���ط���ة � ا �ل� ش‬ ‫م����ا‬ ‫ح�ا �و��ل � �ع��ل� �م�� ث�ر ا � �ل خ�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ش � ّا ن �‬ ‫� ن ّ ّ‬ ‫أ ن ا أ �ف ا ض‬ ‫ّ � ا � ّ �ق ا � ش‬ ‫طق ��ه ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ز � � �و ب��ث��ه �إ �ي�ا ه‪.‬‬ ‫� �و �� � �� �و��� ا �ل��س�ي �د � ��ط� �ل ا لله �ب �� � ء ه ا ل����ي� ء ب���ع�د ا ل����ي� ء م�م� �� �� �� ب‬ ‫�ف �ذ �‬ ‫��م ن� �ل��ك‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �َق�فْ تُ َ َ ٱ �ْ �أ ْ� َ ا َٱ � �ّتُ ْ ُ ُ نَ ُ ْ ���ِ���نفْ��� ُ ُ� ٌ تَ�ْ تَ �ت �ْ � َ ٱْ� ِ � َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� و ل ر ب� و�� �م بِ �ي� و�ج �و � ِ ك �‬ ‫�ق ِب�ِر‬ ‫�و��� �ع��ل�ى � �ل� ب بِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� ُ����س�َ ا ن َ ً َ ا � � � ِّ َ‬ ‫ح ْ َا �‬ ‫�َو�َم�ّ��ث�َ ��ل�� �َم�ا �نَ�ا ��ل �ِم نْ ُ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل����س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫نِ �بِ �‬ ‫ئِ ِر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل ِي‬ ‫ٍِ بِ‬ ‫ثّ ث �‬ ‫ّ �ة ق ا ئ �ق ا � ا ف‬ ‫�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫��م ب���ع� �إ �لي��ه ب���ع�د ���ص� ���د �� �ل�ه� �ي�‬

‫أ أ ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ق ا �� � ّا ا �خ‬ ‫ح�ا �� �ع� �د ا ّٰلله ���ع ث� ��ل��ه ا �ل�م�عت� ض‬ ‫� ت���لّ ت‬ ‫���د ي���س�� ��ل�ه � ن� ��ي�����‬ ‫� ��ل ش����ا �ج��� ��� �ز ��ا ر�ت�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ل �و�لم�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي ي ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ت ّ‬ ‫�خ ت � �ة �� ه�ي�ئ �ة ��ف�� ّ ��ف �� � ا � تّ ظ �‬ ‫��ف ش ّ �ذ �‬ ‫ة �‬ ‫�هر �م ن��ه �ت��ه�د �ي��د ��ل�ه‬ ‫�ّ �ب�� �ن��ه�ا �ع��لي���ل�� �و�م ��ل� ا ل� � �ل‬ ‫���ق� �ل��ك �ع��لي��ه � او �ح��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ح�ى �� �‬ ‫� �ي� �ط�لب �‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ح�� ن‬ ‫ف ث ا‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�ه�ا � �ن��ه�ا ��ا �ل ت� ا � ت�‬ ‫ح� ر ت� � ����س�� �‬ ‫ي� د ���ل ت� �ع��ل�ى �ج��وا ر�ي�ه �لم�ا ر� ��ي ت�‬ ‫�ب��ع� �ب��ه� �إ �لي��ه �� ك�ر�ع �‬ ‫ي‬

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to unite hearts. May God protect us from receiving no consolation and losing our recompense! By God, Prince, this person is humble, his eyes are full of tears, his heart is burning with pain. The disaster has struck a body that cannot function properly, suffers lasting sickness, and endures calamities related to the remaining time accorded him, While a man weeps and laments his distress, as he is wont to do since his birth. And about the illness the prince mentioned—may God inflict this illness upon me. May it cease to exist and never be mentioned. Else he would have been here, and there would have been no reason to speak of it. I ask him to seek refuge with Almighty God, who bestows His favors on every noble being, from the vexation of the deed that falls far short of the enormous gratitude we feel for earlier conversations and meetings. These meetings were the pinnacle of honor and the peak of glory. In return, I will send the prince—God grant him long life—poems that voice my sorrow, one after another. Here is one: I stood by my beloveds’ graves, separated from them by dust. For those faces beneath the stones I’d give my life. I pictured the decay their beauty has suffered. Praise to the Lord who knows the secrets of all hearts. And he sent him a number of poems he composed about her. When ʿUbaydallāh’s situation had become precarious, al-Muʿtaḍid asked 13.16 him to allow Shājī to visit him. ʿUbaydallāh was disturbed by the request75 and he made excuses for her, saying she was unwell and not in good shape. Al-Muʿtaḍid insisted she come. He even threatened ʿUbaydallāh, so he sent her to him. She is said to have said, “I despised myself when I met his slave girls because of the jewels and fine clothes I saw they were wearing. And they

151

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‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫� نّ � ن � ّ نّ � � � نّ � ��ق ��ن � أ � ض ًا � تّ �غ نّ ت �غ نّ ن �ف ا �ن ت ق‬ ‫ظ�ا‬ ‫�ه� م� �‬ ‫له� �وح ر�و�ي� ه� ‪ � 1‬ي��‬ ‫��� ح�ى � �ي��� �و� ���ي� �� � �����ل �إ �ع ���� �م�ي�‬ ‫�ه� �وح�ل �‬ ‫ح�لي �‬ ‫�ع�لي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ة �‬ ‫� نّ ��ل ّ � ن ّ �ف ّ خ ْ‬ ‫ح��م �م� ا ا�لم�عت� ض �د � ش �ة � ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه ن� ���ل�م�ا �ر�ج� ت� � �ل ع�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع���ر � �ل�� د ر��ه �وك���س�و �و ��ط�ي ب�‬ ‫�ل�ه� �إ �ي� م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ا ء ت� �ش���ا �ج�� � �ع� �د ا ّٰلله � ا ��ل�ه ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا � �ه�ا ��س �� �ع ن��ه ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل ��له�ا ��ه� � �� ت� �ش����ئ�ً�ا‬ ‫�ج�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ل ري ِ ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف ت‬ ‫� َْ‬ ‫ح�� ن��ت ه ف� ��ق ا �� ت � ا ا ّٰ ه �ّ ا � ًا �م ن � �ذ � � �أ�نّه ��م ف� ًا � ا‬ ‫�ل� ت�ر�ي� �مث���ل�ه �ع ن��د �ن�ا ��ا ���س�� س ِ�� � � ل� �ل� �و لل �إ �ل� ع�ود � ع�ود �و �ل�ك � ح ��ور �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ً �ف ت �ظ � ف‬ ‫�مب���يّ��ا ��ا ��س� �� ر�ت��ه‪.‬‬ ‫ّ �ذ � � �‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫��ا ن �م ّ ا � ن‬ ‫���د‬ ‫��ا �ل �وك�� � �م�‬ ‫�ص��عت��ه �و��غ�ن ت��ه �ل��ك ا �لي ��و�م �ل��ل�م�عت� ض�‬

‫‪١٧،١٣‬‬

‫ْ �قِ َّ‬ ‫َ ا �ذَ ٱ ْ تَ َ ا َ ٱ �ْلُ ُ ْ َ ْ‬ ‫�َ�ٱ ��ْل��ُ ُ ص نُ ٱ �� �َّ‬ ‫�م� ا � ��س���ع� ر � �‬ ‫ن�ا ��عِ� �ُم �ِم ن� � �د ِه‬ ‫ح ْ��س ن� �ِم ن� �و�ج�� �هِ و �غ�� � � ل�‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��َ��قِ ْ �تَ َ ا تَ ْ � َ ا � ْ َ ا نَا ��َ ا ��جِ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� نَ��ا ه � �ل‬ ‫��خ��ل�ف� �ِم ن� �َو�ْ�ع ِ�د ِه‬ ‫��ص� ِر��   ي�م�‬ ‫ل� �د ���ع� ��ب���ن�ى� �بِ� �ب��‬ ‫� َّ‬ ‫�قِ ْ َ �خِ َّ‬ ‫�حِ تَّ تَ َا َ ْ �َ ا ت ْ‬ ‫ك� َرا ر�نَ�ا  ِ�ل���ل‬ ‫� ��ى �‬ ‫�ج� ر�‬ ‫�ْح ���ظِ� ��� � ��ِبل��� �و��� �‬ ‫� �د ِه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ن� بِ��ِ�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�فِي ٱ ي �فِي‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫�فَأَ ْ َ َ ٱ � ِّ‬ ‫� َ َ أ ْ َ ْ تُ هُ َ �سِ َّ � � �� ِّ َّ َ ْ‬ ‫�� �د ِه‬ ‫��� د رك � �ل��ث �ى� ر � �و د رك��  �و��� ر�نِ�ي� �بِ� ل�‬ ‫��ص�د �ع ن� � صِ‬

‫ن ّ ّ أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫���ا � �م�م�ا ��غ�ن ت��ه � �ي� ض�‬

‫ُ َ ٱ � َّ ْ ُ �َ ا ُ ْ � َ �َّ ا تَ َّةً َ �َ ا َأْ ُ�خ ُ�ذ ٱْ�َْ ُ َ �َّ ا تَ غَ ُّ‬ ‫�����شَ�م�ا‬ ‫م �ه� � �ل� ����‬ ‫�ه�و � �ل��د �هر �ل� �ي��عطِ�� ي���ك �إِ �ل� ��� عِ� ��ل��   � �ل� ��� ��� � �ل �‬ ‫و يْ ً َ َو َو بٱ � َ �إِ ُّ ُ أَ‬ ‫َ َ � �إِ�ذ � ن ّ‬ ‫َ َ �إِ�ذَ َ �فَ َ َ ْ � َ ُ َ �‬ ‫ح�زَ�َم�ا‬ ‫�� ب��ر � ْ�‬ ‫�صب� را ا ك‬ ‫���ا � � �لت�� صِ‬ ‫ٍ �و�‬ ‫�ع�ز ا ءً ا �م�ا ��ا ت� �م ��ط��ل ب� �ه�اِ�ل��ك‬

‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن � �ز �ة �‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫��حّ�م�د ب� ن ا ��ل�ع�ل�اء ا �ل��ش�� ّ � ّا ت�ق � �‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل � � �� �ع��ل ّ ��م‬ ‫���د‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ب� ن� ��س��يل�م�ا � ا � �لو ا ر �ل��ل�م�عت� ض�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ر�ي� �لم� � �� �ل�د � ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ف � ا ّٰ � ن � ا ّٰ � ن �� ا � ��ل ّ �ق� �ة �أ ��ل ن � ض ا � ا ّٰ � ن ��س��ل� ا ن‬ ‫د ��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ع��ي �د لل ب � ب��د لل ب � �ط� هر �إ �ي� ر�ع� ��س� ��ي� عر�‬ ‫ع��ي �د لل ب � يم� �‬ ‫���ه� �ع��ل�ى ب‬ ‫ع ب‬ ‫ف�‬ ‫��ا ن� ف��ه�ا‬ ‫� ك� ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَ ْ ِ �فَ فِ َ ْ نُ‬ ‫أ �َ َ ْ ُ نَا ْ �َ ا ف�َنَ ا � ��نُ ف�ُ ِ�نَ‬ ‫� ُّ �َ ��نُ�ْ �ع���� ظِ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�بى د هر� �إِ �سع� �� �فِ�ي� ��َو��س �  و �س�َ�ع �� ي�م� ��جِ �ل و ��م‬ ‫ف�َ ��قُ �ْ تُ ��َهُ ��نُ�ْ��عَ ا َ � ْ �أت� ّ��ِ َ ا َ َ ْ �أ�ْ��مَ �نَا نَّ �ٱ�لْ�ُ َّ �ٱ�لْ�ُ��قِ َّ ُ‬ ‫م� �د �م‬ ‫�ِه�م ِ م�ه� �ودع ر� �إِ � م�هِ� �م‬ ‫� �ل� ل� �م� ك فِي�‬

‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

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despised me too. But when we all sang, my admiration for them gave way to their admiration for me.” When she left, al-Muʿtaḍid sent ten thousand dirhams, clothes, and perfume with her. She came back to find ʿUbaydallāh on tenterhooks, but when he saw her he relaxed. He asked her, “Did you see anything there you admired that we cannot match?” “No,” she replied, “except for a lute. It was made of a single piece of hollowed-out wood, and had not been assembled. I thought it elegant.” One of her settings she sang to al-Muʿtaḍid that day was:

13.17

By the charm that beauty borrowed from his face, and the slender branch took from his frame! We gave each other looks of reproach about the promise he never kept Till our glances, so often exchanged, wounded both our cheeks, his and mine.76 Then he took his revenge and so did I; gladly I saw him rebuff his adversary. And another was: Fate gives only to distract you, and its gifts behave unjustly. So, patience when a mortal misses his goal, patience, when patience is the wisest course. Abū ʿAlī Muḥammad ibn al-ʿAlāʾ al-Shajarī related the following: When 13.18

ʿUbaydallāh ibn Sulaymān was appointed al-Muʿtaḍid’s vizier, ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir gave me a note, asking me to show it to him. The text was: Fate has refused to help us directly, but it’s helped us through those we admire and honor. I said to it, “Complete your favors to them, and forget our affairs. What’s important has come before.”

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153

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫� أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ن �ت‬ ‫�� �ف �ت � ّ �� �ف � ش �‬ ‫��ف�ا ���ست�� ن‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ب� ن� ��س��يل�م�ا � �م�ا ك��� ب� �ب�ه �و��ق�ا �ل � �م�ا ت�ر�ى ك�ي�� �ل�‬ ‫ط� �ل�����ك�و�ى‬ ‫ح��س� � ب‬ ‫ا �� ه ث�ّ �أ �خ� ��ذ ��م � ��ق ا ه �ف �ق� �� ه ف� ا ب��م � � ا �أ� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ب�‪.‬‬ ‫ي�ه� �ج ي� م�‬ ‫ح� ل� � � �ج ي� ر � �ع� ��و� ل� �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّٰ أ ع� ت أ ّ � �أ أ أ‬ ‫�ق � م �ق � أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� تّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�س��� ‪� � 1‬ي��ه�ا ا �ل��م�ي�ر � � � ���و�ل‪�� .‬ا �ل �إ � � ك‬ ‫��ا �ل �و��ا �ل � ب� ��و ا �ل�ع�ي�ن �ا ء �ي ��و�م�ا �ل� بع��ي �د ا لله � � ك‬ ‫�س���‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ �ق‬ ‫نّ ا �إ�ذ �ت‬ ‫نّ ا �إ�ذ �ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�ج�� ن��ا �إ �لي���ك �وت��ب��ع�د �ع�� ا ا‬ ‫���ف�ي ت� �و ن� ��ق��ل ت� � �ص�غ��� �إ �لي���ك �و �ن��ك ت��ت�� ّرب� �م�� ا ا‬ ‫��ك‬ ‫�ح�ج�� ت�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ �ل�ي�ن �ا‪.‬‬ ‫�و�م ن� �ش���عره �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫�َ �عِ ْ‬ ‫�ل�� �مِر�ي�‬ ‫� أَ َ َ‬ ‫ِ�ل�� �نّ��ك �مِ�‬

‫‪١٩،١٣‬‬

‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��َ� نْ �حِ � َّ ثْ تُ ��نَ�فْ��� َ �أ ن�َّنِي �أ ف�ُ تُ� َ نَّ �ٱ �� َّ�أ �َ �مِ� نَّ ��َ� َ ا ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ئِ � � �ح�د ���ْ سِ �ي� �� �و�ك �إِ � ر ي� �ي� �ع �ع �زِ ب�‬ ‫نَّ ٱ ْ� َ َ ٱ �ُ‬ ‫نَ ٱ �ْ �أَْ أَ ��نَّ ٱ � ْ تَ نْ َ ضَ‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫��تْ��نِ �ٱ�لْ� َ�ذَ ا � ُ‬ ‫ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ي� م� هِ ب�‬ ‫ي  ِم� �ل� ر ضِ� �ى‬ ‫��ي� �بِ� �لمك� نِ� ِ ��ي�ِط بِ�‬

‫�ذ� أ‬ ‫ّ � �أ � ّ أ نّ أ ا � ��مّ � ن � � ّ‬ ‫� ا ��ل��س ّ ا �� ا ��لن��� � ّ ��ا ن � ّ ا ة ن‬ ‫��ر ح�م�د ب�� ا �ل��س‬ ‫ك��ر � ب� ��و �ع��ل�� ا �ل�� او ر�ج �ي� � � � �ب� ب� ك‬ ‫حو ي� ك�� � يح ب� �ج�� ر�ي�� �م�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أي‬ ‫�ً‬ ‫جّ‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً ّ‬ ‫ا �� �ل�ق ��ا ن� ��ف�� ��ن ف� ��ق �ع��‬ ‫م��‬ ‫� ����ف �م ن� ا �لر��ق��ة خ�ر�� ا �ل ن��ا ��س ��ي ن �ظ� �� ر�و ن� �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫�ه�ا �م�ا �ل�ا �ج�ز ��ل�ا ��ف��ل�م�ا �ورد ا �ل ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫فخ ت أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش ا‬ ‫س �ع��د ا لله ا�لم� �ص�� ّ � �ن ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل��س � �ع��ل�ى ر �و���� د ا ر اب�� �ج� �ه����ي � ر‬ ‫و ل�ي� �ج‬ ‫�ر�ج�� � �� �و�ه�و � �و ب� ��و ا � �ل � �� �م ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن� ��ف �ل ّ ا ��ف �ن �ظ ��� ن ا �� ه ���ست�� ّ‬ ‫��� ن ا � ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ل� را ه � �م� � او �ى �و� �ر� �إ لي�� ا‬ ‫�ر ا �ل��س ّ ار �� � او �ج���د ا �ع��ل� �ه� ه‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ا ه ك��ل��‪� .‬وك‬ ‫���ا � � ب� ��و ب� ك‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ���ة � �م�غ��ا ًا � ا ف� �ق ا �� ��ق � ض‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫��ر��� ����� ء ��ف�ا ك�‬ ‫��� ب� �ف ك‬ ‫���ب�� ت�‬ ‫ا�ج ري و � ب‬ ‫��ض�� �ل�ه� �� � ل �د ح� ي ي‬

‫َ�ق ا َ ْ تُ َ ْ نَ ��جِ َ ا �� َ ا َ َ ا �� َ ا �فَ �إِ�ذَ ٱْ�َ َا حِ ةُ �ٱ �ْل �نِ �َ َ‬ ‫�� ���س� �ب�� �‬ ‫� �م� ِل��ه� �و���ع� ِل��ه�   �� ا � �لم�ل�� �� �� �‬ ‫��خِ يَ��ا �� �ةِ� �ل�ا �ت فِ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫� َٱبِ ْ أَ َٱ ْ ُْ َ ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َٱ ّٰ �َ ا َ � ْ تُ َ ا َ �ََ ٱ نَّ َ ا َ‬ ‫��� ��ل ش�� ْ أ ْ��� � َ ْ ْ��� ��ت‬ ‫� �و للهِ �ل� ك�ل��م���ه� �و� �لو � ���ه�   ك�� ��م�� � �و ك�� �لب��د ِر � �و ك�� �لم ك‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫فِ��ي�‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث��ّ �مض��� �ل���ل‬ ‫ح��د��ي ث� �م�د �ة ���ط� �و��ل��ة �وك�‬ ‫���ا ن� � ب� ��و �عب��د ا ّلله �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن� �إ ��س�م�ا �عي���ل �ز �ج�� ّ ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ا ��ت ب�‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ن � �ف ت ��ا ن �ّ‬ ‫�إ�ذ �ذ � � �ت � �أ� �‬ ‫� �ق�ي�ن ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��د � ث��ه �م�عه�ا‬ ‫��� ب� �ل ب��� ا �ل�عب�� ��س ب�� ا � �ل ار � �وك�� � ي�‬ ‫�ل�ك �ي ك‬ ‫ح�د ��ه ب� �ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي��ه�وى � �� �و�ه�و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ف ��ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫� ا �ت ش � ن � ت‬ ‫ة � �أنّ � ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و�ل� يح�����م�ه‪� .‬وك���ا � ا ج �م�ا �ع�ه�ا �م�ع�ه ��ي� ك��ل �ي ��و�م �ج��م�ع�� �ل� ��ه ك���ا � �ي ��و�م � �� بو��ت��ه ��ي� د ا ره‪�� .‬ا �ل‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح��ّدث� ن�� �ز ن� ّ ��ق�ا ��ل �غ��د � ت� � �� � ��س�� ت� �ع�� � � ا ��ل�ع ّ��ا �� � ن ا �� �ف�ل ا ت� ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل� �م�ا‬ ‫� � �� �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫وم ب‬ ‫�ى ي‬ ‫ي� �ج �‬ ‫و �ي�‬ ‫أ ي ف �ّ �ثت ا �ت ا ن ا ف �ق ا � � ��ف‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫�ت � �ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �ب� رك � �م�� �‬ ‫ح�د � ��ه �ب� ج �م� �ع�� �� � �ل ل�ي� �م� ك�� � �ص�و�ك � �ل�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

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‫‪154‬‬

‫‪٢٠،١٣‬‬

‫‪٢١،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

ʿUbaydallāh ibn Sulaymān appreciated what he had written and commented, “Don’t you see how subtle he is in complaining about his situation?” He had all the notes ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh had written collected together, and he endorsed all his requests. Abū l-ʿAynāʾ asked ʿUbaydallāh one day, “Should I keep silence, Prince, or 13.19 should I speak?” “If you keep silence, it’s satisfactory, but if you speak, I will listen. You approach us when we need you, but stay far when you need us.” Here is a poem by ʿUbaydallāh: By my life, if I thought I’d ever escape from you, my mind would be wandering. You are where I am on earth, no matter where my paths have taken me.

According to Abū ʿAlī l-Awārijī: Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn al-Sarī al-Sarrāj 13.20 the Grammarian was in love with a singing girl and spent huge sums on her. When al-Muktafī arrived from Raqqa, everyone came out to see him.77 I, Abū Bakr, and Abū l-Qāsim ʿAbdallāh al-Mawṣilī went out and took our seats in Ibn Jahshiyārī’s oriel window to see him, and as he passed we looked at him and we all admired him. Abū Bakr ibn al-Sarrāj was irritated and angry with this singing girl, and he said, “I’ve just thought of something. Write it down.” So I wrote: I’ve suffered from her beauty and her deeds; betrayal can’t be paid for by beauty. By God, I won’t ever speak to her, even if she were the sun, the moon, and al-Muktafī. A long time after this, Abū ʿAbdallāh Muḥammad ibn Ismāʿīl Zanjī the Sec- 13.21 retary was in love with a singing girl. At that time, he was working for Abū l-ʿAbbās ibn al-Furāt, and he used to talk to him frankly about his relationship with her, hiding nothing. She met him on Fridays, because that was the day he spent at home. Zanjī told me: “On Saturday morning, when I presented myself before Abū l-ʿAbbās ibn al-Furāt, he asked me, ‘What news of yesterday?’ So I told him about our meeting. Then he asked, ‘And what was the song you listened to?’ I said:

155

155

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫ََ‬ ‫��جِ َ�م�اِ��ل�َه�ا �َ ���َع�ا �ِ�ل�َه�ا‬ ‫�ق ا ْ تُ َ ْ نَ �‬ ‫�� ي���س� �ب�ي�� � � وفِ �‬

‫� ت�زّ ث ّ �� أ‬ ‫ف �ق ا � � أ � ّ ا � ن �ذ � ش �ق ت �‬ ‫� ّا‬ ‫ّٰ ن‬ ‫��� � �ل �ل�ي� � ب� ��و ا �ل�عب�� ��س �لم� �ه� ا ا �ل����عر ���ل� �ل�عب��د ا لله ب�� ا�لم�ع�� ‪�� .‬م رك� ب� � ب� ��و ا �ل�عب�� ��س‬ ‫ٰ ف‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫�� ث أ نش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن � �ف ت � � �ز � �ق ا � ن‬ ‫ح��ّد �ث�ه �ب��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا ّلله ��‬ ‫ح�د��ي� � �و �����ده ا �ل����عر �و��س� ر‬ ‫اب�� ا � �ل ار � �إ �ل�ى ا � �لو �ير ا � �ل � �س�م ب�� � ب‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� � ه ��ل � �ث ّا ث�ّ �ن ف‬ ‫� � ��ف � ا �ن ه ��ف��ل ّ ا �عل�� �أ ن ��ق �ق ا �ن‬ ‫�ص ا ��ف�ه خ� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مع� �إ �ى ا �ل� ر�ي� � ا ��‬ ‫�صر�� �ع ن��ه �ج��ل��س �ي� دي ��و � �م� � � �د رب�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ف� ت �قّ ا �ف � ّ ا � �ق م �ّ ث نّ ن ش �‬ ‫�ت�ف �‬ ‫نّ � � ن �ق ا �ئ � �ف ّ �ف نّ �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�د ��ه � ��ه � �����د ا �ل ك‬ ‫م� ���� ا ل����عر � �و ��ه ��س� �ل�ه �ع� � ��ل�ه ��عر�ه � ��ه ل� بع��ي �د ا لله‬ ‫���ل� � ه ��ل�م� � �ل ي��ه �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫نّ‬ ‫نّ �ق �‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ف �ق‬ ‫اب� ن �ع��د ا ّٰلله ب� ن ���ط�ا �ه ‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل ��ف�� �م ���ن � ن� � �‬ ‫ح��م�ل �إ �لي��ه � �ل�� د ��ي ن��ا ر ��� ��ل ت� �إ ��م�ا ���ل ت� �ل��ك �إ �‬ ‫ري�‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ا �� ش � ��� ّٰ ن � �ت�زّ ��ف ن ت ه �� ن � ا ف� �ق ا � ّٰ ا �ق �� �ّ ا أ نّ� ��ق � ت ن هّ‬ ‫ل���عرلعب��د ا لله ب�� ا�لم�ع� ����سب���� �إ ل�ى اب�� ��ط� �هر�� � �ل � او لله �م� �و�� ل�ي� �إ �ل� � ��ك �ل� �إ ��‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ّٰ � ا � � �ة � �أ � ف ه ع��ق ا �� �ز ن ّ ��ف �ل ّ ا �ن ف‬ ‫�ل� بع��ي �د ا ّلله �و�ه� ا ر�ز �ق� ر�ز ��ق�ه ا ّلله ب�‬ ‫ح��ل� �ل��‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله �ل�‬ ‫ح�د �ي�� ‪ � .‬ل �ج��� � �م� ا ��‬ ‫�صر��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �ذ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّٰ ق‬ ‫� ��� ا ��ل�ع ّ��ا‬ ‫ح��ّدث� ن�� �ب��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح��د��ي ث� �و��ق�ا �ل �خ��� � ن�� ت� ا �ل��د �ن�ا �ن�ي�ر � او �م�� �ب��ه�ا �إ ��ل�ى ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله �و��ل�‬ ‫بو ب س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ضِ�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ث � ت‬ ‫� �ذ �ز ق ثي ّٰ‬ ‫�� ت �‬ ‫�ّ �ثت �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�د � ��ه ا �‬ ‫س� �حم�ل� �إ �لي��ه ا �ل�د �� ��ي�ر �و�‬ ‫ح�د��ي�‬ ‫�ل�ه �ه� ا ر � ب��ع��ه ا لله �إ �لي��ك �م� ح�ي � �ل� ح���� ب‬ ‫�ف ّٰ ش � أ ا � ّ ا ف�ا ن �ذ م � ا تّ�ف ا ق �ل��‬ ‫�� � �ه� ا �م ن ا �ل� � �� � �� ا ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر � �ب� ا �ل�عب�� ��س � ك�‬ ‫�ج�ي ب�‪.‬‬ ‫�ح�م��د ا لله �و��� ك‬ ‫�‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ح� ا ��ل��س��ل���ط�ا ن� �و�خ���د �م�ه ا � ت‬ ‫ح��ا �� � ن� ���د خ��� � �ع�م �و خ� ��‬ ‫���ا ن� �ع� �د ا ّلله ��ي�ق�� ��ل �م ن ��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب �ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أخ‬ ‫� �ر��س‪1.‬‬ ‫�و�م ن� �ش���عره‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ أَْ َ �َ تَ فْ ضُ ْ َ َ‬ ‫�َ َ‬ ‫َ َّ َ ُ ْ َ َ َّ ُ َ ْ‬ ‫�سَوا‬ ‫ا � ن�� ت� �ل� ْم � �������ل �ع��ل�ى �ذِ �ي� � �مَود �ةٍ �وك�ن ت� �و �ي�ا ه ِب��م���ن ���ى�زِ �ل��ةٍ � �‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫َ �َ ْ َ نَّ� َ ا �ُ�َ ا ��قَ ُ �ٱ � ��ذَّ نْ �ٱ ��ْ ف�لَ�تَ �َ ا َ َ �ٱ �� َّ ضَ‬ ‫�فِ َا تَ� ُ �ذَ ت‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ى �ل �ل�ى ر�‬ ‫� �ل� ��ك ا ِ����ي�هٍ �ع�ل��ي�هِ � �إِو ��م�   �ي ع� ب� �بِ� �ل� �� ِب‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ‬ ‫أَ َ َّ َ ْ‬ ‫نْ َ َ ْ َ ٱ �َّ� َ ضَ‬ ‫�لَ�َ ْ�آ�نُ �م نْ �أ�ْ��مَ ْ� َ�خ‬ ‫�ْ��ِت�� �ل�فَ�ا‬ ‫� ��ل�ا ن� ��ق��بل�� �م���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إِ ِ � ِ ب‬ ‫�ذِ ي‬ ‫ري نِ�‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫ِ نِ�‬ ‫ْ َي َ ْ ُ ُ أَ�ذً �َ َ َٱ �ْ �أَ�ذَ‬ ‫عِ ُ ُّ ٱ ْ� ََ �َ نْ ُ َ �َ �َ َ‬ ‫ًَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫�ل �‬ ‫� � ن � � ت� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�وى ِم��ك �ي �� �لوه ى �ل�ك �و �ل� ى �� �د �و �ه�وى � ي ��و�ج��د ِب�م ك نِ�‬

‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّة‬ ‫ح��ت���ه � �ظ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫��ك���ير ي�ن�ب� غ��� ع��ل ا �ل �ك‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� �( :‬ول لا �خ���صو��صي���� �ل��ل��س��ل��ط�ا � ب�ل �‬ ‫�م�ا ل �م���ص�ا � ب و‬ ‫ح���ف�� ا �ل��سر) ورد ي� �‬ ‫كل ب‬ ‫ي ى‬

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I’ve suffered from her beauty and her deeds. “‘Who’s the composer?’ he asked. I replied, ‘ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz.’ Then Abū l-ʿAbbās ibn al-Furāt rode off to the vizier al-Qāsim ibn ʿUbaydallāh, told him the story, and recited the poetry to him. Abū l-ʿAbbās accompanied him to the Thurayyā Palace and then left him to go to his own office. When Abū l-ʿAbbās knew that the time for the vizier to leave was approaching, he came out to meet him, and al-Qāsim told him that he had recited the poetry to al-Muktafī, and when al-Muktafī asked who it was by, he said, ‘ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir.’ At that, al-Muktafī ordered, ‘Take him one thousand dinars.’ Zanjī objected: ‘But I told you it was by ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz and you’ve ascribed it to Ibn Ṭāhir.’ ‘I only heard that you said it was by ʿUbaydallāh. This is a gift from God to ʿUbaydallāh, and no one can change that.’” Zanjī went on: “When Abū l-ʿAbbās left work, he told me the story and said to me, ‘You take the dinars, bring them to ʿUbaydallāh’s house, and say to him, “This is a gift God has given you unexpectedly.”’ So I took him the dinars and told him the story. He said, ‘God be praised,’ and he thanked Abū l-ʿAbbās.” It was an extraordinary accident.

ʿUbaydallāh used to say, “He who keeps company with the ruler and serves 13.22 him needs to come into his presence blind and leave it dumb.”78 Here is some of ʿUbaydallāh’s poetry: If you’re not more eminent than one who loves you But you are both of equal standing, don’t treat him with contempt. Punishment’s for offenses, not when there’s satisfaction. After what you did, my heart is home to two opposites: Your love, and then the pain you inflicted. Pain is love’s enemy— they never meet in one place.

157

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‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫‪٢٣،١٣‬‬

‫َ�� َ ا َ َ ٱ � �ُّ �نَْا ٱ � �َّ ِّ �ُ ً‬ ‫��ك��ف� ك �ع � �ل�د �ي�� � �ل�د ����ي�ةِ� �م‬ ‫�ْ�خبِ��را‬ ‫نِ�ٱ َ َ نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ أ نَّ َ ا �َ �� نّ فْ ت�ْ تَ‬ ‫� �َمَ�د ا ���سَه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫و � ِر�ج ل ِ‬ ‫ع‬

‫ٱْ‬ ‫��َ ا �م�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫ �غِ� ن��َ َا � َ ا َ ��ف �قَ ا‬ ‫ى �ب� �خِ�ِ�ل��ي�ه� � �و �ِ���ت � ِر �كِر ِ �‬ ‫َ أَ نَّ َ ا �َ ٱ � ضُّ َّ فَْ قَ‬ ‫ِ�نَ�ا �م�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ � �و � ِر�ج�� �ل � �ل�‬ ‫��ر ���و�� �س ِ �‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �َ ا ��ُ ا �غَ ً ا �َ نْ�أ � ��فَ َا �أ نْ تَ َ ا ��ُ‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�و�ق� �ل ��د �� ى �م� ��� �‬ ‫َ َ �زَو��فِ َ ٌ�ي َ َ ُ َ َ ِ ُّ �نِع‬ ‫��� � ا ت� ���ْ�ين نّ ت ف ٌ‬ ‫ر ب �‬ ‫�ه� ������ن���س‬ ‫ب ل�ى‬ ‫َ �ذُ �ٌّ َ ْ � َ قٌ َ ْ‬ ‫�ٌ َ �َ‬ ‫ح ْ����سٌَ�ة‬ ‫�و �ل �و ����طرا �� �وفِ� ك‬ ‫��ر �و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�إِ‬

‫َ َ‬ ‫��فَ َا ُ َ �ّ ا �أ نْ �تَ� ضَ �ٱ�لْ�مِ َ ا � ُ‬ ‫ �م� �ه�و �إِ �ل� � فِ����ي��� � �د مِ �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ُ��ِ َّ � ْ نَ �َ�ق �ْ َ�ٱ ��ْ ُ ُ ُ ٱ � نََّ ُ‬ ‫  �ق����ط��ع �بل�� � ل�ه� �م � � �ل �� ا‬ ‫�ي أَ ْ ��ظِ � ِ ْي� و تُ ُومٱ �ْ أَ و ��زِع‬ ‫َ � � �� ُ �من َ ا �َ ا � نّ � � َ ا ��ُ‬ ‫�ض� ِل‬ ‫ �و ع�� �م ِ ���ه� م� �جِ � �ل���‬ ‫ع‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫�ق ا �‬ ‫�ت ت �‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ت�زّ �‬ ‫�� �ل �عب��د ا لله ب�� ا�لم�ع�� ك��ب��� �إ �ل�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�م��ؤ ���س‪� 1‬ع��ل�ى ش���ر ��ط ب���غ��د ا د‬ ‫ُ ْ َ ُ�ق ْ تُ َ َ َ�ق ْ َ َّ‬ ‫��فِ ْ تُ �َ ا أَ ضْ َ ا �فُ ُ ُ نَ َ�ق ْ‬ ‫� �م نْ �نَ��ْ�م� �ٱ ��ل��دَّ �ْهُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح� ِب�م� � �‬ ‫���ع� ��ه د �و� ��د ِرك�م  �َو�ل� َ���سى �د َ�ه ب ِ � وِ هِ َ ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ ا َ ْ �َ ةٌ‬ ‫ِّ ةٌ‬ ‫�فِ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��م�ا ���بِ َ�د �أ ْت� �َ�ٱ ��ل��أ�ْ��مُ �م نْ �َ��ْ�ع�د ه �ٱ ��ل��أ�ْ ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج� �فِ���ي�� د �و�ل�� ���ط� ��هِ� ر���ي��   ك‬ ‫� ��ر�‬ ‫�ِ‬ ‫و ر ِ � ب ِ ِٱ ْ مر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ َ ُّ ن َّ � َ‬ ‫�ع�ا � ٍ �َ �ل�ا ��ُ�د �م نْ � ْ����س �إِ�ذ ا �َم�ا � ن����تَ � ْ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ع���سى � لله �إِ � � لله �لي����س بِ�����غ� ��فِ �ل و ب ِ � ي ٍر‬ ‫��‬ ‫هى � ل�ع��سر‬

‫ّٰ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ن ��ل ن ه �خ �ا ��ف �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� ��ط�ا �هر�‬ ‫ح��ي� �و �ي� ا ب���� ��ل �‬ ‫�ب‬

‫‪٢٤،١٣‬‬

‫أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫��ف�� �ج��ا �ب�ه ب�‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله‬

‫ْ‬ ‫فَنَْ ُ �َ ُ‬ ‫� ْ نْ َ ِّ نَ ا َ ْ ُ َ� فْ َ َ نَّا َ َ �َ �أَ َ ا ٱ ��ْ َّ ْ� ُ َٱ ��ْ ُ �ذْ ُ‬ ‫���� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ةٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ج‬ ‫و وِ �ى و ئِ � ْ ب ر و ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح� �ل كم �إِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ْ ُ َٱ � شُّ ْ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫��فَ نْ َ َ� َ تْ‬ ‫� �م نْ ��ْ��عَ�م�� �ٱ ّٰلل دَ �ْ ��لَ��ةٌ ��لَ ْ�نَ�ا ��ف�م نّ�َ�ا �ع نْ�َ�د َ�ه�ا � �ل‬ ‫ح��م�د � �و �ل��� ك‬ ‫��إِ � ر ج‬ ‫��ع ِ � �نِ ةِ هِ و  �إِ �ي ِ ِ‬ ‫��ر‬

‫ّ ش ��ث أ �خ ا �ظ � �ف ة �خ ت ن ا ن ا ا � ق �غ ض � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا خ‬ ‫�ه� �م� ��ي�لي ��� ب��� ر��� ا � ك��‬ ‫ل��ا ب� �و�ل� ي�رج�‬ ‫� �إ �ل�ى‬ ‫�و�ل� بع��ي �د ا لله ����عرك���ي�ر � �و � ب�� ر �� �ر�ي� �� ا ���ر�� �م �‬ ‫�ّ � � � ا � ة‬ ‫��ا ن ت ��ف ا �ة � ا ّ ه � ن �ع ا ّ ه � ن �� ا � ��ل��� �ة ا ��ل ت � ا �ث��ن ت � ش �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�د ا �لإ� ��ط� �ل��‪� .‬وك�� ��� �و � ب‬ ‫ع��ي �د لل ب � ب��د لل ب � �ط� هر ي ل� ��سب��� �ل� ��ي� ع���ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪� :‬يو���س‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

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It tells you enough about this world of ours—

13.23

the wealth of misers and the poverty of benefactors. Those who do good it tramples upon, those who do harm ride high on its back. They said, “Tomorrow she’s leaving. What’ll you do then?” Right away my eyes flood with tears, sighs and moans wound my heart, pierced by sorrows. Humiliation, silence, cares, regrets, and above all, the emotions surging in my bosom.

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz recalled: I wrote to ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn 13.24 Ṭāhir when his son was appointed deputy to Muʾnis, the commander of the Baghdad police: I rejoiced at something far beneath your rank, and said, “Maybe fate’s awakened from its sleep And we’ll have the Ṭāhirids in power again as they were before, though matters take their course. God grant—God’s not heedless—79 when hardship ends, ease will surely come.”80 And ʿUbaydallāh replied: We stay true, though harsh injustice strike us, enduring and excusing in adversity. If by God’s grace power returns to us, we’ll give Him praise and gratitude.

ʿUbaydallāh composed much poetry and there are many interesting anecdotes 13.25 about him. We have made a selection appropriate for the purpose of this book and kept it within bounds. ʿUbaydallāh died on Saturday night, the twelfth of Shawwal in the year 300 [May 5, 913]. When he died, Shaghab,81 al-Muqtadir

159

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‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫� �ة � �ق ت �أ ّ‬ ‫��ل���ل��ة �خ���ل ت �م ن �ش ّ � �ن ة ث ا ث ا ئ ة � ّا تُ �فّ ّ ت ش غ‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�� او �ل ��س �� ��ل� ��م� ���‪� .‬و�لم� � ��و��ي� �و�ج� �ه� ����� ب� � او �ل��د ا�لم� ��د ر �ب� �م � �مو��س�ى‬ ‫��فّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ا �و��ك��ن��ه ب����ك�� ن �‬ ‫�ص�د �� ��� �ج� ن��ا ��ه‬ ‫�هر�م�ا ��� �إ �ل�ى �و�ل��ده �و�‬ ‫ح ����ي�ر�ي� ‪� � 1‬و��‬ ‫ا � �ل �‬ ‫حر�م�ه ���ع ���ه� �ع �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ق ت م � أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫أ� ف‬ ‫�ب�� �ل�� د ��ي ن��ا ر � �و �ل�� د ر�ه� �و��ا �م� ب�ج �مي�� � �م�ور�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬

‫أ أ‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ا ف�ا ن ً ً‬ ‫ً ���س ً‬ ‫� �أ�خ ا ق‬ ‫� �و �ّم�ا � �خ�� ه ��م‬ ‫��ر��م�ا ��س �ّ�ا �ج��وا د ا م‬ ‫ح�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � ك�‬ ‫��حّ�م�د ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله ب�� ��ط� �هر � ك�‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا �ل���ل� ��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن � ��ف ة ��ف � ن ن �ف‬ ‫ا ة ت�ق ّ ��ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م� � د ب� �وح��س� م�عر�� � او �‬ ‫ت��ا � ��ي� ���س�ا ئ�ر ا �ل�ع��ل�و و��ض‬ ‫� ب��ط و��س�ي � ���س� و� �د م �ي�‬ ‫ّ م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ن � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ا �ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��� ا � ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��لت��د ��� ‪ � .‬ك���ا � ا�لمت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س��د �ع�ا ه �م ن� خ� ار ���س�ا ن� �لم�ا �م� � �إ �‬ ‫ح� � ب�� �إ � ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بر �هي�� ا �ل��ط� �هر ي�‬ ‫ب ير و‬ ‫ول‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�ف أ ق ّ أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�وح�م�م��د ا ب�� ن��ه �و�و�ل�ه ��ل� ���ه ب��ب���د ا د �� �ر � �� ه ��ط� �هر ب�� �عب��د ا لله �ع��ل�ى � ار ��س� � �وك�� �‬ ‫أ� �خ‬ ‫� كب����ر �إ �� �وت�ه‪.‬‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ا � أ نّ ض � �زّ �ز ن ض‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ا ث‬ ‫�ّ ن‬ ‫�و ك�‬ ‫��ر ا ��ل ش����ا ه ب� ن� �مي� ك�‬ ‫�� �ل � � ب���ع��� ا �لب�� ا ي�� �عر��� �ع��ل�ى ح�م�م��د ب�� �عب��د ا لله ب�� ��ط� �هر � �� بو�ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن ا ن ا �� ن ��نّ �ق‬ ‫حض‬ ‫� �ش��� �ف��ع �ف�ه�م�ا � �نّ�ه�م�ا �م ن ��ث��ا ��ه ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�هر�م�ا �ن�ه ��ف�� �مره‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ي� ر �‬ ‫بر‬ ‫ر �إ ي � رو‬ ‫ر ي� �‬ ‫� يب‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م ت ��ف �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�� �أ�نّه � ا �� �ف ا �أ�نّه � �ل�‬ ‫أن � ض‬ ‫�� ا �لث�� ��� ن ا �ل��ل�� � ن �م ن �ص� ت ا�� ت‬ ‫�ه�م� �و � ر ج��‬ ‫�ه�م� ك�ي� � �وك��ي � � ك�ر � �ل� �ي عر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع �إ �ى‬ ‫� � يح� ر وب ي� ي � �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح� ا ء ��فل�� ���د �ه ا ف� ه � � � ��ل ا ����د � ا ن �ف ���د �ه ا �ث ا ��ت � ن ف � ت أ � ف‬ ‫ا �لإ�� ص� � ي�ج �م� ي�� ور ج� �إ �ى ل ي ��و � ��و�ج �م� � ب ��‬ ‫ي� �ي��ه �وك���ا �ن�ا ا ب����ي��ع�ا �ب�� �ل��‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��خع �ف أ �خ ت أ نّ �� ت �ف � أ‬ ‫�خ��م��س ا ئ �ة ن ا ��ف �أ �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ�ز ا �ن��ة � ��ا �ع�ه�م�ا � � ��س�ق� ���ط �م ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و �م� �� د ��ي �� ر ��س� ل� ع� ب� ر � �ب� ر� � ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل�� �� ب� �ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� � ت ت �ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل���‬ ‫ح�ص�ا ء �ع�دد �ه�م�ا‪�� .‬ف�� �م ب�‬ ‫حب���� ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ا ��ت ب� �و��ق�ا �ل �لإ�� � ا‬ ‫�� ب� �م ن� ��ي��ق�د � �ه� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫بر �هي�� � �ي�و�لك ���س� ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫إ‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف ف أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ث �ذ �ل�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ا �� � نمه � ا � �ف � ه � ث �ذ ��ل�ز �ّ�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل� ��د ا � �‬ ‫ح��ل�� � ��ه �م� �و� ��� �ع��ل�ى م���ل �ه� ه اح� ل م�� �و�ل� عر� �ل� م���ل �ه� ه ا �ل� ‪.‬‬ ‫إ‬ ‫�ذ �ف �نّ‬ ‫ف �ق ا � م ن ��ا ن � �أ‬ ‫���ذ �� � ��ف��لُ �����لق � �أ � �� ه ب�خ��م��س� ا �ئ �ة د � ن ا � ��ق ا �� �� ه �ت�� ف�ّ �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ي ر و ل‬ ‫�إ �ي�‬ ‫� ب�‬ ‫��� � �ل �إ � ك�� � ا �ل� ر ل�ك ي �� و ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ ظ � ّ ��خ ّ‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫���ل��ة �‬ ‫� ��� ن ا �ل‬ ‫ح�م��لت���ك �ع��ل�ى �ل��ك �ورد ا �لث�� �وب�ي� ن� �ع��ل�ى ا �لت��ا ج�ر � �و ��ط��ل��ق�ه‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ق�ا �� � ك��‬ ‫� ّ��ن�ا �ي ��و�م�ا �ع ن��د �إ ����س‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب� ن� �م�ص�ع ب� ف����ق�د �م ت� ا �ل�م�ا �ئ��د �ة �وك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ق�د �ت���ق�د �‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫ل و‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ظ‬ ‫ف �ق ت‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ه�ا � �ر �ى �ش���عر�ة ��ف�� �و�م�� �إ �ل�ى ب���ع ض�� ���ل�م�ا �ن�ه‬ ‫ب ع��م�ل �هر�ي��س�� ��� �د �م� �إ �لي��ه ا �ل�هري���س�� �� �� ر �إ �لي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ ة �ف ض ا ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ّة‬ ‫ّ �ة‬ ‫أن‬ ‫� �ن ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ه�ا � ك‬ ‫عه� �ور��� ا �ل‬ ‫�ه�م�ه ��م�ا �لب� ث� � � �ج��ا ء �ب� ��ط���في� ��ور�ي�� �ع��ل‬ ‫مك��‬ ‫م��ب��� ��و�‬ ‫ب�����ي� ء �ل�م � � �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪� :‬خ��ط��ير‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

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‫‪٢٦،١٣‬‬

‫‪٢٧،١٣‬‬

‫‪٢٨،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

bi-llāh’s mother, sent Umm Mūsā, the head of her household, to his children and womenfolk to convey her condolences. She provided him with a fine Ḥaẓīrī82 shroud, distributed one thousand dinars and one thousand dirhams at the funeral, and took care of all the family’s needs.

I turn now to his brother, Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir, who was noble, 13.26 firm, generous, conciliatory, and a man of probity. Cultured and knowledgeable, he was well grounded in all branches of learning, and in the exercise of power and policy. He was also an excellent administrator. Al-Mutawakkil had summoned him from Khurasan after the deaths of Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm al-Ṭāhirī and Isḥāqʾs son Muḥammad. He made him his deputy in Baghdad and appointed Ṭāhir ibn ʿAbdallāh, his oldest brother, governor of Khurasan. Al-Shāh ibn Mīkāl related that a cloth merchant offered two brocade robes 13.27 to Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir. He recognized them and knew they were his, so he summoned his majordomo, Ibrāhīm ibn Hārūn the Christian, and told him to bring the two robes, which he described, from his wardrobe. Ibrāhīm said he couldn’t recall them. He had consulted the inventory, where he couldn’t find them, so he turned to the accounts, where he saw an entry that they had been sold for fifteen hundred dinars. Al-Shāh made inquiries and learned that the clerk of the wardrobe had put them up for sale and removed them from the inventory. Muḥammad ibn Ṭāhir had the clerk imprisoned. He rebuked Ibrāhīm, saying, “Damn it, do you appoint men who do this sort of thing?” Ibrāhīm swore that he had never discovered him acting like this before or noticed him making any error. “In that case,” said Muḥammad, “release him.” He gave the clerk five hundred dinars with the words, “Take this and behave yourself. I think you were driven to it by poverty.” He also returned the two robes to the merchant and let him go. Al-Shāh ibn Mīkāl also told the following story: One day we were at Isḥāq ibn 13.28 Ibrāhīm ibn Muṣʿab’s place when the table was prepared. A dish of harīsah had been ordered, and when it was brought in Isḥāq looked at it and noticed a hair. He made a gesture to one of his attendants, which we didn’t understand. Soon after, a dish was brought in with a cover, and when the cover was raised, the cook’s hand, covered in blood, lay in the dish. We raised our hands in horror.

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‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫ّ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف � �‬ ‫�ف �إ�ذ‬ ‫ا �� �� ّ�خ‬ ‫����ل ن��ا �م ّ�م�ا � د �ع��ل�ي�ن �ا � ��ق�م ن��ا‬ ‫ط� ��ور�ّ��ة‪� .‬فر�ف��ع ن��ا � �ي��د ��ي ن��ا �وت��ن�غ���� � ك�‬ ‫ط��ا � �ب��د �م�ه�ا ��� ا �ل�� ي ف�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ور‬ ‫�� ا �ي��د ل� ب‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّ أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ��ن��ت��ف�� ب��ن��ف���س�ه‪ .‬ث��ّ ا ج��تم�ع ن��ا ���ع�د �ذ ��ل��ك ���د �ه �ع��ل �م�ا �ئ��د �ة �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن �ع��د ا ّٰلله ب� ن‬ ‫�و�لي����س �م ن��ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ُ ب ر �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا ��ا ن �ق ت�ق ّ‬ ‫ا � � ن ش ت ا ���ع � ه ا ه ا �� �� ّ�خ‬ ‫�صً�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��ا � ب��ن ��ف���س�ه �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫حر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��ط� �هر �وك�� � ��د � �� م ب �إ ح و‬ ‫ل و�ج ب‬ ‫ّ ف‬ ‫� � ت ه ��ف �أ ��ف � ت ا �� �� ف� ّ ة‬ ‫ن �ق � �ف � ّ ا ق‬ ‫�ت�ق ّ‬ ‫ن ث ���‬ ‫ط� ��ور�ي�� �ع��ل�ى �ح�م�م��د ���ص�ا ر ت�‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ا �ل �� رب� �م� ��لب��ه ��ل�م� �رب� �م��ه �ع��ر ب�جع�ل�� � �ل� ل� ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�غ ت‬ ‫��ق‬ ‫ا � �ي�ن ا‬ ‫��ث��ا ��ه � �م�ا ت� ت ن ف ش ة ف �ق ا � �ق ت ف �غ ّ �ث ا‬ ‫يب و‬ ‫ح��ه �م� �ر��� � �ي��‪� � ��� .‬م �ل��ل�و�� ����ي�ر �ي�� �ب�ه � او ������س�ل �و�ع� د �إ �ل � ب� ��و�ج��ه ��ط� �ل�‬ ‫� ا ئ �ة ث ّ �ق ا � ّ �ف ا ن � � ّ ا�خ� ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ّث‬ ‫� ء �ه �� � ا‬ ‫�ل� �ي ���ؤ�ر �ي��ه �م�ا ج�ر�ى �و�ج���ل��س �ع��ل� ا�لم� ���د �� �� �ل �ع��ل� �ب �� �ل� � ا �ل��‬ ‫ط�� �ج��� ب� و ه�و �ل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� � ن �ق ة ف �ق � �ى أ‬ ‫ي� أ‬ ‫ش � ّ ��ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ح ّ �� � ه ا ّٰ ه ّ � ��زّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�����ك �ي� �‬ ‫ح�ل�و�ل ا ل� �م�� �� � �ل �ل�ه � ح��سب���� �د ر�ع�� ك‪� ��� � .‬ر ل�و�ج � لل ج���ل وع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ق ّ ت� ا‬ ‫�ف ا ن ة ��ل ا‬ ‫���ع �ن ا ن‬ ‫� �� �ة �ف � � ن ا ا � ا‬ ‫�و��ل� ��� ا�ج�� ر�ي�� �ل�ك �و��د �و�ج� ���ك�ه� � �و �مر �ل�ه �ب��ص�ل�� �وك��س�و �� �ب��ل�� �ب� �ل�د �ع� ء �ل�ه �و�ج�ب� � �م�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫��ر�ن�ا �ف���ع�ل �إ ���س‬ ‫�ف��ع��ل�ه �و ك�‬ ‫ح�ا ��‪.‬‬ ‫أ �ف ن ن ُ� نّ أ‬ ‫� �ٰ ن ش ا ً � ً‬ ‫ة �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�و�ع�ا �وك�‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ‪ 1‬ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� اب� ن� �ب �� ���� �و�ي ك‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �ل�ه ��ض‬ ‫����ى � �ب�ا �عب��د ا �لرح�م� ���� �ع ار �م �� ب �‬ ‫�ي��ع�� ��ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�ف�ت‬ ‫ح�ا ش��� �� ض���� ��ل��ه ف� �ؤ�ذ ��ه � ّ�� �ا �أ ��ش��خ‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ��ل‬ ‫ط��ع��ة �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن� �عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن� ���ط�ا �هر �وك�‬ ‫�� �ص�ه ك‬ ‫� ر ي � ي ر �إ ي ي �� ي وربم‬ ‫��� ب�‬ ‫�� �� ي‬ ‫تّ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ك�و ا ��ل‬ ‫�إ ��ل�ى �ح�مّ�م��د ي� ش�����‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ش���ر �و�م�ا ����ل��قى �م ن��ه �م ن� ا �لإ��ع ن��ا ت�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ِ ٱ �ْ أَ‬ ‫ْ نَّ‬ ‫أ َنِ ُ‬ ‫أ �ْ�صَ��ْ تُ‬ ‫�� � � ��‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫�ب ��ي� ح���سِ‬ ‫بح� �فِ�ي� ���نفِ� �ل� مِ� �يِر‬ ‫ح���س�ي نٍ� �إِ ���‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫عِ �َ ا � ِّ‬ ‫َ �َ �َ ا ِ �َ ا شُ � �� �� �َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ل���ن‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِ يِر‬ ‫ول�ن� ��م�ع� يِ���� �فِ�ي� طِ ي�  �‍ �تِ هِ �ى‬ ‫َ َ � ْ تُ َ ْ �تٍا َ ْ ِ � هُ ����سِ َّ ْ تُ هُ �َ ْ تَ �ٱ �� ُّ ُ‬ ‫�وب���ن‬ ‫ِ�ي � ب��ي��� � �و���س���ط�   �م��ي�� ب�ي���‬ ‫ور‬ ‫ل����سر� ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ ْ تُ �إِ�زَ َ ُ َ شَ ْ تُ نْ َ �َ ٱ �ْ َ‬ ‫��فِ �إِ�ذ ��جِ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫�ح�ل��س� اء ه  �و���ر��� �ِم� �‬ ‫� � �ل�ع�صِ‬ ‫�� �ي�ِر‬ ‫ح�ل ِب‬ ‫ِب‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ُ �ْ تُ � ���ِ � َ ا � َّا َ �َ � ْ تُ َ ��خل َ ْ نَ َ � َّ‬ ‫�ق�ل� ل��ع��ف� �ل�م� رو�‍ي  �‍� �ع��ل� �‬ ‫��ور� ��قِ�‪� � ٢‬و �ل���س ِ�د �ِير‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���ٱ �ْ َ �ْ � �َ ْ �َ � ��‬ ‫��َلْ �َ�ا ��ِ��تَ ّدُ دُ � �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ل ر �ح�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب ِ �فِي� ي وٍ طِ يِر‬ ‫� ْ ��شِ رُ أُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� �ف� ا �م ن ��سُ‬ ‫�ل �َ � �ه�ه  � خ� � ت‬ ‫��فِ ��إِ�ذ ا ���بِ َ�د ا �‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ور�ي�‬ ‫ِر�ج‬ ‫َ يِ و�ج �‬ ‫ر ِ� ر ِ‬ ‫�ِ �هِ ٱ �ْ �أ‬ ‫ُ ُ‬ ‫نْ ُ ْ ِ � �َْ � �ُ‬ ‫� ���ط�ل�ع�ت�هِ �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق�‬ ‫�جِ �ي�ِر�ي�‬ ‫�ف�� �ِل � �ل��مِ� ��م�ي�ر بِ�ج��وِد هِ �ِم� � حِب‬ ‫ِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف ق ن‬ ‫ن أ فن ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا �ل�‬ ‫حروى ق�‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪( :‬ا �ب� � ب�ي� ���� �م� ن� ا �ل����عرا ء ا �ل���م�� ��ل����ي�) ورد ي� �‬

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‫‪٢٩،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

The sight had taken away our appetite, so we got up and left and the day was ruined for us. Years later, we were gathered for a meal at Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir’s. A dish that he especially liked had been ordered, and when it was ready the cook brought it in himself out of a desire to curry favor with his master. As he got close to him, he tripped in his haste and the dish landed on Muḥammad. His clothes and the furnishings where he was sitting were a sight to be seen! He got up immediately and went out, changed his clothes, washed, and came back to us looking cheerful and completely unaffected by what had happened. He took his seat at the table and said, “Bring me the cook.” The cook was fetched, certain it was his last hour. But Muḥammad said, “I’m sure we’ve scared you. You are a freeman for the sake of God, almighty and glorious is He. I’m giving you so-and-so the slave girl and marrying you to her.” He also gave him money and clothes. We turned to him, calling down blessings on him, amazed at his behavior. And we recalled how Isḥāq had acted. Another anecdote: Ibn Abī Fanan, surnamed Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, who was a 13.29 gifted poet, owned property in Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir’s concession.83 The official responsible for the corvée used to come and tyrannize him, sometimes even summoning him. So he wrote to Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh complaining of the official and his ill-treatment: Sons of Ḥusayn, the prince has taken me under his wing. I’ve property in his fief on the sweet-water canal; I’ve built a house there, which I call the House of Joy, And I sit before it, savoring wines anything but banal, Untroubled that al-Khawarnaq and al-Sadīr are no more. But when the corvée master, like a dog on a rainy day, Shows his face, I have no joy left. Can’t the prince in his generosity Keep his ugly mug away?

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‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫أ‬ ‫�ف ّ ق أ � ّ � �أ ت ّق ت �ق أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ٰ ن � �أ� �ن ا � ا � ت � خ‬ ‫���ل�م�ا � � ح�م�م��د ا �ل�ب����ا � � ��� ت‬ ‫ح�ه�ا ��د � ج� �نر�ا ك � �ب�ا �عب��د ا �لر��م� و مر� ب�‬ ‫ح�م�ا �ل � ار �ج���ك‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫ع��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ّ � أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ن �غ ث �ن ة آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�وك���ا � �مب���ل��ه ��م�ا �ي��� � �ل� �� د ر��ه �و�و�ج��ه �إ �لي��ه �ب�� �ل�� د ��ي ن��ا ر �و�‬ ‫ح��ل�� �ع��لي��ه � � ��ي� ب���ل�ه�ا �وك�� �‬ ‫ت �ق ّاً‬ ‫ن أ � مش ئً‬ ‫��ا ن � ن ��ل ا �‬ ‫ا � ن �أ � ��ف ن� ن � ا � ��ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�د ���ي���� �وك�� � ح��س ا �‬ ‫ح� �ل �م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س� �ل�‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب � ب�ي� � � �ل� �ي ب ل �‬ ‫�‬

‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ّٰ � ن � �أ�ف ا � �� � �ة ا � � �‬ ‫�� �ه�ا � �ف�م�ا‬ ‫�ولحم‬ ‫ل��ر�م� �م� �ي� �‬ ‫طو�ل ا �ل ش���ر� �ب�� ك�‬ ‫�ّ�م��د ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله م� ا �ل���ع� �ل ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�م���ل ش ق �‬ ‫� ����عره ���و�ل�ه ‪1‬‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ�ق ا �َ تْ نَ ا � � َ أ �قْ ْ فَ ُ ْ ُ �َ َ ٱ � َّ ْ �ََّ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ‬ ‫�� �ل� بِ���� ��� ظِ‬ ‫�ِر�ه�ا � ����بِ �ل ����ق��ل ت� �ل��ه�ا   �بِ�� �ل��د �م� �لب��ي �� ِك �ي�ا ���سمعِ��� �َ �وي�ا �ب���صِ‬ ‫�� ِر�ي�‬ ‫أَ ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ع �َ َّ َ ْ ي �غَ ْ ُ ْ ت تَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ� تَّ �إِ�ذَ َ � تْ ن �ق ْ �� ف تُ َ ا ْ َ تْ‬ ‫ح�ى ا �عِ�ل�م� � � ��د ك��ِ�ل��� ِب���ه�  � �و�م� �إِ �ل�ي� ��بِ� �دَ���ٍم� ُ��ي�ِر �م���س�ِ��ِر‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫��ا ت� � �فِ ةَ ٱ �ْ َ �ش� �َ�مَ ِ ُ �نَّ عِ ْ‬ ‫أ ْعَ أ ُ ْ َ �‬ ‫ح ّ��بتَ��ه  �إِ ��ي� �َو�� ي�� ِش����� ِك � ���قر� ه �ِم ن� �ن �����ظِ‬ ‫�ِر‪٢‬‬ ‫�ي�ا ك��ِِ��م� �خِ ���ي�� �� � � �ل او ِ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�قُ �� ي � ْ � َ ا َت ْ َ ْ نَ أَ ْ ُ ُ َٱ ْ تَ نْ �� نَا �� � ُ�خْ ْ �ٱ �ْل�خِ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك �ب� �‬ ‫� � ��ع ه � ��س����ط � �‬ ‫ل � ���طِ � �‬ ‫� ب�ِر‬ ‫��وِ�ي� بِ��ر�فِ� ِك م� �� �هوي� � ِر��ف�  �و ِ �قِ��ي� � �ظِ ِر ي� ي بِ� ر ِ ِ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ا �ئت ن ��ف � � � ة �� ت فُ��ت‬ ‫ة ت‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫ح�ه�ا‬ ‫�صب ي���� ت‬ ‫ح ت� ���ف� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا � �م�و�ل��د �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله ��س�ن �� ���س�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع �و�م� � ���ي� �ي� ا �ل�لي��ل�� ل ��ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن ��خ �� ّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�����س� � �و��ه�ا �ُو�ل��د �ع� �د ا لله ب� ن �خ��ا ��ق�ا � � �و �‬ ‫ح�م�د ب� ن �إ ��س ا ��ئي��� � او �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫لهم�‬ ‫ح��س ن� ب�� �م��ل�د �وك��� �‬ ‫ك�ي وم ي �‬ ‫ب �ي‬ ‫� ر ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت �� ث �ا ث � ش �ة �خ � ت � ن �ذ � ا �� �ق � �ة �ن �ة‬ ‫� � �ز �ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�و �ل�ي� ا � �لو ا ر ‪� .‬و�م�ا ت� �ح�م�م��د �ي ��و� ا �ل��سب��� ل��ل � ع���ر ��ل� م� ي� ل�ع�د ��س �‬ ‫ّم أ‬ ‫أ � ن �ن ة ��ا ن ت ��ف ا ت � ن �ث �ة خ � ت ��ف‬ ‫�ث�ل�ا ث� � �خ��م��س�� ن � �م�ا ��ئت��� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� �و��س�ن �ه � بر�‬ ‫و ي� و‬ ‫ع و بر ع�و� ��س � وك� ��� و � � م� ب� ر ر�ج � �ي�‬ ‫�فّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�إ�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ ��ف � ا ن� ا تّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح��ل��ق�ه‪� .‬و�ت��و��� � او � �ل�ق �مر ��� ا �ل��ك��س�و�� �وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا � ��ي� ��و�ل ا �� ا �ل��ك��س�و�� � �وب��د � �ي� ا �ل��ج �ل�ء �م�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ّٰ �ف �أ ق ّ � ت�زّ م ّ � ا ��خل ��‬ ‫�م��ف�� �خ � �ف �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫���س�خ� � ف �خ ا‬ ‫�ا �� �‬ ‫�ف ك�‬ ‫� ��لي �� �‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله �� �ره ا�لم�ع�� �و�و�ج��ه �إ �لي��ه �ب� ��ل� �م� ل‬ ‫�� � ك�� �ل�ك‪ � .‬او �� �ل� � �� ه � ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا ّ ة � تّ ا تح �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � ّ � ن ا �ز � �أ أ ا ن‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫�ا ��ا ن � ا‬ ‫�ب� كي��� ك‪� .‬وك�� � ��ط� �هر ب�� ح�م�م�د �� �ع�ه ا �ل��مر � �و �ع� ��ه � �م او �لي��ه � او �ل�ع� �م�� ح�ى �ج�� ء � ا �لر���س�ل‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫���خل � �ف ا ت �ق � �أ �‬ ‫� او ��ل� �� �‬ ‫�س�� ّر ا �ل��مر�ل� بع��ي �د ا لله‪.‬‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ�� ن ا ���ف ا ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ك�ر�� ه ��ك � �ي��‪� .‬و�م�‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� �ظ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص� ‪( :‬ي�‬ ‫م���‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا � ن�ل����ظر‪.‬‬ ‫ح���ف�� ) ورد ي� �‬ ‫ل‬

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‫‪٣٠،١٣‬‬

‫‪٣١،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

When Muḥammad read the verses, he wrote beneath them: “We’ll protect you, Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān. We’ve ordered your tax to be covered.” It amounted to eight thousand dirhams. And he sent him one thousand dinars, making him swear to accept them, for Ibn Abī Fanan never accepted anything from anyone. He was well off and independent. Muḥammad’s acts of generosity would take too long to recount—we have 13.30 given enough examples. Here is a fine poem of his:84 With her glance she said, “Come!” and I, in tears, “I come, O my ears and my eyes.” When she knew I loved her, she beckoned to me, not veiling her tears. “You who’ve hidden your love for fear of slander, I swear I read it in your eyes.” Let your glance say what you want and I’ll know it. Ask my eyes to speak and they’ll tell what I feel. Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh was born in the year 209 [823–24] in the night 13.31 before the morning when Kaysūm was conquered. ʿUbaydallāh ibn Yaḥyā ibn Khāqān, Aḥmad ibn Isrāʾ īl, and al-Ḥasan ibn Makhlad were born that same night too, and they all became viziers. Muḥammad died on Saturday the fourteenth of Dhu’l-Qadah, 253 [November 15, 867], at the age of forty-four. His death was caused by the eruption of a pustule in his throat. He died during an eclipse of the moon; he used to say, “When the eclipse has reached its peak and started to decline, I will die,” and so it was. He appointed his brother

ʿUbaydallāh as his successor, and al-Muʿtazz confirmed this, sending him robes of honor via Mufliḥ, Bākiyāk’s deputy. Ṭāhir ibn Muḥammad contested this appointment and was supported by his dependents and the common people, but ʿUbaydallāh’s position was secured when the messengers and the robes of honor arrived.85

165

165

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫ّٰ ن � ا‬ ‫��مّ � ن‬ ‫ح�م�د ب�� �عب��د ا لله ب�� ��ط� �هر‬

‫�ان � ّ‬ ‫�و�ل ب��� ا �لر�و�م�ي�‬ ‫َا َت ٱ �ْ �أَ ُ َ َا َت �بِ ْ ُ �سِ َ ا َ ا ٰ �ذَ َُ َّ ُ نَ ا َ ٰ �ذَ َ ْ فُ‬ ‫�ب� � � �ل��مِ� �ي�ر � �و� � �� �د ر ��� �م� ئِ����ن�  ��ه� ا �ي ��ود ��ع�� �و��ه� ا �ي�كِ �‬ ‫��س�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�فِ َ َ‬ ‫��قَ �مِ ٌ َ أَ ��قِ َ ً َ ُ ُ ِ فْ‬ ‫� أَ َ ا ُ أَ�خٌ� ُ َ �ُ نْ فُ‬ ‫�ى � �‬ ‫�� ر ر� �ى � �م ار ي�ج��ود بِ������ن����سِ �هِ � ب� ك��‬ ‫�خ� ه � � �م او ��سٍ م�ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ص�‬ ‫ٱ �ْ �أََّا ُ َ ْ َ َ � َ ةٌ أَ نْ َ ْ ف َ ُتْ َ ف ُ ُ نْ ُ َ ا �َ ا ُ�خْ َفُ‬ ‫فَ َ َ ْ‬ ‫�ت�ك ت� ��بِ� �هِ � �ل� �ي� �م �و��هي� �عِ�ل���ي�م��  � � � �‬ ‫�سو�� ��ي ���ل�� �م��ه �م� �ل� ي���ل��‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�ير ��ي�‬

‫‪٣٢،١٣‬‬

‫�و��ق�ا ��ل ف�ي��ه‬

‫َ‬ ‫ُ�ق ْ ُ ٱ � ِّ َ �َ ا َ َّ َ َ � َ‬ ‫َ َأ �ْ ُ َ ْ ُ فَ َ َ َ � َ‬ ‫�و���‬ ‫س�� �ل ت� �ع ن��ه � قِ������ي�ل �ب�ا ت� �لِ�م�ا ��بِ� �هِ  ���ل ت� � �ل��ن�د �ى �ل� �ش����ك �ب�ا ت� �لِ�م�ا ��بِ� هِ�‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَ ْ َ ا �بِ ُ �فَ �بِ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���أ ن� َ ا ضَ � نّ � �ل�زّ‬ ‫�م�ا ن �ع�� � � �لَ َ �ى  ���ِ���ب�َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ئِ� �هِ � �و ��ه� �� �ه �� �د ا ��بِ� هِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َوك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ل�ى ور‬ ‫م �‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فَ � َ نْ أ ُ نُ مِ َ‬ ‫نْ َ ْ‬ ‫َ �لِ�َ ْ ُ َ تَ �ْ َ ُّ نْ ْ َ ا‬ ‫�ِ�ل�م� � � �‬ ‫�صو� �� �د ا �مِ عِ��ي� �ِم� ب����ع ِ�د هِ  �وم ن� ����تر�ى ���ن��ه�ل �ِم� � ���سب�� ��بِ� �هِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ََ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �شِ‬ ‫��ل�� �ُ � َّ نْ َ‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫َ�ا �� �هِ ِ�جل‬ ‫لِ�� � �َ ا � �ل‬ ‫��وا ��بِ� �هِ  �ِل��� بَ��ا ��بِ� �هِ ِ ل�‬ ‫��غ��عر �ِم� � د ا ��بِ� �هِ‬ ‫�صو �بِ� �هِ ِ�ِخ��ط �بِ‬

‫ّٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ل� بع��ي �د ا لله‬

‫�ق �‬ ‫�و��ا �ل‬

‫�أ �خ‬ ‫�ي��ه ف�ي��ه‬

‫ٱْ َ‬ ‫َ��َ ف َ ٱ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� � ��لَ� ْ�د ُ �َ � ��ل��أ�مِ� ��ُ �ج��م��عً�ا‬ ‫ك� �‬ ‫��س‬ ‫رو‬ ‫ر ِي‬ ‫َ ٱ �ْ ب�بِ ْ َ نُ ُ ُي � تَ�جِ َّ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�ع�ا �َود � �ل� �د ر � ��وره ِ�ل��‬ ‫� ��لي�‍‬

‫َٱ نْ َ َ ٱ ْ �بِ ْ ٱ �ْ أَ‬ ‫�عِ ُ‬ ‫� ُ �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫  ��� �ج���ل�ى � �ل� �د ر �َ �و �ل��مِ� �ي�ُر �� ِ�مي��د‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �نُ ُ ٱ �ْ �أ � َ ا �َ ا �َ�ُ ُ‬ ‫ ‍�هِ �و ��ور � �ل��مِ� �يِر ��م� �ل� �ي �عود‬

‫‪٣٣،١٣‬‬

‫ََ أَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫َّ َ ا َ �ٌ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ُ َ تَ ْ قُ ُ‬ ‫��ْ ُت� � �� �م نْ �غ�َ�ْ� � ْ��سَ�ا‬ ‫��هِ �َ ��لكن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�ه� �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل ����ت‬ ‫ِ�زِ ���ي�د �و������ن��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ ص‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِّ ُ �َ ِ ْ َ‬ ‫ح�ُ نِ َ ْ شٌ َ �َ ْ �ُ ِ غّ ُ‬ ‫َ َ َ� ْ أ ْ َ ٱ � َّ َ‬ ‫� � �خ��ل�ا �قِ� � �ل�ز �م�ا نِ� �َو ���ن�ه  �ل��ي���ص �ب��� �عي����� �ع�ل��ي�هِ م���ن���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع��ل�ىح��س ب ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�إِ‬

‫ن أ أ نّ � �أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�و �ل�م�ا �م�ا ت� �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن� �عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن� ���ط�ا �هرا �ش��ت��د �و�ج���د ا �ل�م�ع��ت�ز �ع��لي��ه �وك�‬ ‫���ا � ر� �ى � � ا �ل��ت ار ك‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��ا �ن�ه ف����ق�ا ��ل ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�ي��ه�ا ب� �� �ون�ه �م ن� � �ج���ل�ه �و �ل ك�‬

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‫‪166‬‬

‫‪٣٤،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

This is part of an elegy Ibn al-Rūmī composed on Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh 13.32 ibn Ṭāhir: Night has fallen on the prince, night has fallen on the moon in our sky; He has bidden us farewell, the moon is eclipsed. The moon saw another moon depart this life, A brother justly commiserating weeps for his friend. Fate has destroyed him, knowing full well That he has no successor. And here is another elegy: I asked after him. They told me, “His illness has killed him.” I said, “His illness has killed generosity,” As if Fate grudged mankind his staying alive, or feared him and took him far away.86 Whom shall I keep my tears for after him? For which of his qualities do they flow? His judgment, his eloquence, his ready wit, his youth, his brilliant culture? His brother ʿUbaydallāh composed these lines on him:

13.33

The moon and the prince were both eclipsed. The moon now shines; the prince is in shadow. The moon has risen, luminous again. The prince’s light has gone forever. And these: I recall my brother, not forgetting his memory, but it’s a humor that waxes and wanes According to destiny’s mood. The life I live now is troubled forever by his loss. When Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir died, al-Muʿtazz grieved for him 13.34 especially intensely because he saw that it was thanks to Muḥammad and his standing that the Turks stood in awe of him. He composed these verses:

167

167

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫�ذَ َ َ ْ َ ْ �جِ ُ ٱ ْ‬ ‫نَ أَ ضْ‬ ‫�� َ �ُ�م�حِ َّ ٌ � ٱ �ْ�قُ ُ‬ ‫� � َل�ا ��فِ �� �عِ� نّ�َ�ا‬ ‫� ��ة � �ل‬ ‫�ه� ت� ب��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�فِ�ي� ب �وِر‬ ‫ةِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ َ َ نَ َ َ ُّ ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ن �ن ا ا ا ش‬ ‫َ�ع نْ ���ل��� ن����ك � � � �‬ ‫ح�د ا � د �هرٍ �ع� ��س � �� ِر�ه� ي� ِ��� ب� � �ل��سِ�ع�ي�ر‬ ‫� ِ ي ٍل و‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�ا ن ن أ �خ � ّ ن � ا أ�ن �ف �ذ �‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل � �و �ّم�ا ��س��ل���ي�م�ا ن� ب� ن� �عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن� ���ط�ا �هر �ف ك�‬ ‫�� � اب�� � �ي��ه ح�م�م��د ب�� ��ط� �هر � � � � ه �إ �ل�ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ّ �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل�ع ا �ق� ���ف ��س�ن ��ة �خ��م�� � �خ��م��س�� ن � �م�ا ��ئت��� ن‬ ‫ي� �خ���لي ���ف ��ة ��ل�ه ��ف�� �مض���ى ا�لم�ع��ت�ز ��ل��ك �و�ع�ز �ل ب�‬ ‫ع��ي �د‬ ‫س و ي� و‬ ‫ر ي�‬ ‫ّٰ ف‬ ‫ّ �ف �أ ق ّ أ ّا ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� � ه �ّ ا ش �� �ة ��غ� ا ��ز �� ��س��ل� ا ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ��ل� �ع�لي�� �و�و�ل�ه ���ر�ط� ب� �د د �وع ل يم� �‬ ‫ا لله �� �ره � �ي� �م� �و�ر�ج �إ �لي��ه � ب‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ّٰ �� �غ ع �خ � ق ظ � ن � �أ � ا �ق ّ ف ت � �ق اّ‬ ‫اب� ن� �عب��د ا ّلله ��ف�د خ���ل �‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله �إ ل�ى ب����د ا د �و�م�ع�ه �� �ل� �ع ���ي�� �م� ا �ل��و�لي�� ء � او � �ل �� او د ���ل� � ه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ان ق‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫ا ��ل ن ا �� � �ف � � ا‬ ‫خ‬ ‫� �خ � � ن �ف � �ق ا‬ ‫�� س و ر �‬ ‫حوا ب� ��و�ل���ي ت��ه‪� .‬و�ر�‬ ‫� ��س�يل�م� � �ب���ل �و�ص�و�ل � �ي��ه �إ �ل�ى ا �لب��رد ا � �� �� �م �ب��ه� �إ �ل�ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫� ن� � د �م� ��س� ب� ن ���غ��ا �م ن ا �ج�‬ ‫� ��� � د �إ �ل��ه � �م ا �ل ش��� ��ط�� ب�����د ا د � ��س ّ �م ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ور و ى � ب � ب ل ر ي ر ر ب‬ ‫و ّر � ر و ر‬ ‫�خ� ن ا �ئت ن ��ف��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّٰ �� � ا �ة‬ ‫�ز � �� �ل ا ن �ذ � � �ف �ن ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س��‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ا ل�و�ل��ي�‬ ‫ا �ل��س� او د �و�ع �ل س�ي�م� � �و �ل�ك ��ي� ��س �� � ب‬ ‫ع �و �م��س��ي� �و�م� � ���ي�‪�� .‬سل��م � ب‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �أ �‬ ‫��ي� �ج��م�ا د �ى ا �ل��و�ل�ى‪.‬‬ ‫ثّ ض �‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ � � ّة‬ ‫�ف ّ ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�� ا �‬ ‫����طرب� � �مر ا �ل��ط�ا �ه �ر�� ب خ� ار ��س�ا � �ود ���ل �ي��ع� ��و ب� ب� ن� ا �ل��ل�ي ث� �ن�ي����س�ا ب� ��ور ���ل�م�ا �رب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن ا م �ذ � � ��ف �ن ة ث� ا ن ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت � �ذ ن ��ف �ت � ��ق ��ف�� � �ذ ن � ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �و �ل�ك �ي� ��س �� �م� � �و�ج��ه ح�م�د ب�� ��ط� �هر �إ �لي��ه ي���س�� ��ه �ي� �ل ي��ه ل� �ي� � �ل�ه ب��ع�‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫���ع�م �مت��ه � � ��ه ����ت��ه ���ل�ق� ه � د خ� �ن����� �ا � � �ن�ز � ��ط ��ف�ا �م ن � ��ط ا � ا ��‬ ‫��مّ � ن‬ ‫�و و ��ل ي س ب ��ور و ل ر � ر �‬ ‫�ه�‪� .‬رك� ب� �إ �لي��ه ح�م�د ب��‬ ‫ب �و و �ل ب ي‬ ‫ث ّ ��ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت ��ت‬ ‫ت�ف � �ف‬ ‫�� ��ق ه ��ف � ض �ف ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫��ط�ا �هر �ول ي�� �ي� م�‬ ‫�� �بر�ه ��� �ب���ل �ي��وب��ه �ع��ل�ى � �� �ر� ��ط�ه ��ي� �ع�م��ل�ه �� �و ك��ل �ب�ه � �وب�� ��ه�ل ب��ي����ه �وك�� ب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � ض �ة �ذ أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ا �ة �� � � ا ت �ّ ا � ��‬ ‫���ع ن �ع�� �ح�مّ��د‪� .‬ف دّ ا �ل�م� �فّ�ق‬ ‫�إ �ل�ى ا �ل‬ ‫�� � �نّ�ه �ع��ل ا �ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫��ر �ي�� ك�ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر و�‬ ‫أ و ي � �ى‬ ‫�أى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ �ا ّ‬ ‫�ذ � ث ق‬ ‫� ه أ �ق� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� رد � �و �ع��ل�م�ه� � �ن�ه �ل� ��ي��ق�ا ر�ه� �ع��ل�ى �ل��ك‪� � ّ�� .‬ب���ل �ي��ع�ق ��و ب� ب� ن� ا �ل��ل�ي ث� �إ �ل�ى ب���غ��د ا د‬ ‫�ع�لي�� � ب �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّم‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح�ع��م�د �� �ف ا ت‬ ‫���ا � ا�لم� ���ق �� ا�لم��ق�د �م�� � �م� ��س� ب� ن ���غ��ا �� اليم��م ن��� � �م��س � ا �ل����خل ّ‬ ‫�و��س�ا رالم‬ ‫و و ى � ب ي�‬ ‫حوه �� �ل �� �� او �وك� و � ي�‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫ور ب��ي�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ش ا ن ن ف� �ق ت ن‬ ‫ح��د ��ل��س�� �خ � ن ن‬ ‫��ي� ا�لمي����سر�ة ‪� 1‬و �ل��ك �ي ��و� ا �ل���‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع ��ل�و� �م� ر�ج� ب� �وك�� � �ي ��و�م ����ع� ���ي�‪��� �� .‬ل �م�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ث� ش ت ّ ت ��‬ ‫�� ش‬ ‫ا ���أ� ��ل��ا ء �خ���لق‬ ‫���ف� ا �ل�م� �ف��ق �ع ن � ��س�ه � ��ق�ا ��ل � �ن�ا ا ��ل�غ��ل�ا � ا ��له�ا �ش��م ّ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫رب‬ ‫��‬ ‫و� �‬ ‫�ل و ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ث��ّ �ص�ا ت� ا �ل��د ا ئ� �ع��ل ��ع� �� � ��ا ��ه � � ��� ه�ز‬ ‫ن �غ ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫م ر‬ ‫ر �ى �ي و ب �‬ ‫� � ي��م�� � او ��ب�� �‬ ‫عه�م ا�لم�و���� �و�م�و�س�ى ب�� ب���� ��� ���ل� او‬ ‫ب‬ ‫مح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫���ة ��� ن ��ع��ق�� � � ن ا �ل�ل�� ث ��� ن ا �ل�خ �ف ة ق‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫���يل�� �� ب�ا �ل����ر ب� �م� ن� ب����د ا د) ورد ي� �‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪( :‬ا ل��م�عرك بي� ي و ب ب� ي�� وبي�‬

‫‪168‬‬

‫‪168‬‬

‫‪٣٥،١٣‬‬

‫‪٣٦،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

The caliphate’s splendor left us when Muḥammad went to dwell in the grave. Before long we’ll be the fuel of destiny, a flame flaring from the glow of its fire. Muḥammad ibn Ṭāhir ibn ʿAbdallāh sent his nephew Sulaymān ibn ʿAbdallāh 13.35 ibn Ṭāhir to Iraq in the year 255 [869] as his deputy. Al-Muʿtazz approved the appointment and dismissed ʿUbaydallāh ibn Ṭāhir. He recognized Muḥammad for a few days, but then ʿUbaydallāh visited him and he gave him a robe of honor and appointed him military commander of Baghdad, dismissing Sulaymān. ʿUbaydallāh entered Baghdad with a large crowd of high officials and army commanders. Everyone welcomed him, delighted with his appointment. Sulaymān had left the city for Baradān before his brother entered it, and he stayed there until Mūsā ibn Bughā arrived from Jibāl. Then Mūsā was again given military command of Baghdad, Samarra, and the region south of Baghdad, Sulaymān having been dismissed. This was in the year 257 [871], and

ʿUbaydallāh was made governor in Jumada al-Awwal [March]. The Ṭāhirids faced unrest in Khurasan, with Yaʿqūb ibn al-Layth entering 13.36 Nīshāpūr. When he approached the city in the year 258 [872], Muḥammad ibn Ṭāhir requested a meeting, but Yaʿqūb did not agree. Then Muḥammad sent his uncles and other relatives and they met him. After Yaʿqūb entered Nīshāpūr, camping on the outskirts, Muḥammad rode out and met him in his tent. Yaʿqūb started to upbraid him for his negligence as an administrator, then he appointed an agent to take charge of him and his family. He wrote to the caliph assuring him of his complete obedience and his firmness in administering what would be entrusted to him, and he leveled accusations against Muḥammad. Al-Muwaffaq replied to him in the ugliest fashion, announcing that he did not accept the arrangement they had made. Yaʿqūb then advanced toward Baghdad, and al-Muʿtamid marched out to meet him. When the armies met, al-Muwaffaq was leading the vanguard, with Mūsā ibn Bughā on the right wing and Masrūr al-Balkhī on the left wing. It was Sunday the ninth87 of Rajab [April 12, 876]—Palm Sunday, in fact. Many high officials were killed, and as the battle raged, al-Muwaffaq bared his head and shouted, “I’m the Hāshimite champion!” Then the tide turned against Yaʿqūb and he suffered a crushing defeat. Al-Muwaffaq and Mūsā pursued his army and inflicted great carnage. They flooded the land behind the fugitives and more

169

169

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫ُ‬ ‫� ا ف �غ ق أ��ث � ّ قُ‬ ‫�ق ةً ظ‬ ‫ع ����م��ةً � �أ ���ط��لق‬ ‫���ا ن �ح�مّ��د � ن ���ط�ا �ه �م�ع�ه �مث���قّ� ًل�ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�م‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�م� ت���ل�� � ي و �� ي� م�‬ ‫ر� ُ ر � �ل و � �م ب �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُّ‬ ‫ّٰ � ن ��‬ ‫� �د� ��ف �أ ��� �لق �م ن � �د��ده � ُ�خ��� � ���ل ه � �أ �ن�ز �� ا �ع ّ ه ��مّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح� ي��د � ط� �� � ح� ي� و ل ع ي�� و ل د ر �م� ح�م�د ب � ب��د لل ب � �ط� هر ورد‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ائة أ�‬ ‫� �ع � خ� ا ن أُ � � ق � �خ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�� ال�م�ع�ت�م�د ��ل� ���غ��د ا د � ��س�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ �لي��ه �م�ل�ه ب ار ��س� � � �و ��ط�ل�� �ل�ه �م�� �م� ��� � �ل�� د ره� ‪� .‬ور ج�‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫�إ ى ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا �ل�م�و�ف��ق� �إ ��ل�ى � او ��س ���ط �و�ع��ق�د �ل� بع��ي �د ا ّلله �ع��ل� ا �‬ ‫حر�م��ي�‪.‬‬ ‫ى‬ ‫أُ �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫ق أ �خ‬ ‫�و�ورد ا ���خل‬ ‫مو ت� �ي�� �‬ ‫عق ��و ب� ب� ن� ا �ل��ل�ي ث� �و�ي��ا � � �ي��ه �ع�مر�و � �و �خ��� ت� ا �لب�ي��ع�� �ع��ل� �ع�مرو�‬ ‫�ب��ر ب�� �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� تا ن‬ ‫� �ُ�ق��ّل��د خ� ا ��س�ا ن� � ��ف�ا‬ ‫�� �م�ا ن� �و����جس‬ ‫�ص��ه�ا ن� � او ��ل��س�ن �د‪� .‬وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��� ب� �ع�مر�و �إ ��ل�ى ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع��ي �د‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫س‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�إ ب‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫� � �ع �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�أ �مض� ا � �فّق �ذ ��‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا لله ��ت�� � ت‬ ‫ل�ي��ه ا �ل ش���ر ��ط�� ��ل�ا ��� �ل�ه �و�و�ج��ه �إ �لي��ه ب �ل� �و �م�ود �ه ب� �و ��ى �لم�و ��� �ل�ك‬ ‫بو‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّٰ أ ض اً‬ ‫�و�خ���ل�‬ ‫���‪.‬‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله � �ي��‬ ‫ع �ع��ل�ى � ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن �ة تّ‬ ‫تّ‬ ‫� ف قف‬ ‫� �م�ا ت� ��س��ل�م�ا ن� � ن �ع��د ا ّٰلله � ن ���ط�ا‬ ‫�س��� ن �و�م�ا ��ئت��� ن ���ف� الم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�س‬ ‫س�‬ ‫ح ّر�م ���و� ���‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي ب� ب ً ب�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫�ق تّ ائ‬ ‫�ف ه ��ق ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �خ�� ه �ع� �د ا لله �ع��ل ���ره �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�� � �و � �ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ى ي‬ ‫و ب �ي‬ ‫�ى‬

‫‪٣٧،١٣‬‬

‫‪٣٨،١٣‬‬

‫ٱْ َ‬ ‫ٱَ‬ ‫� ��لنّ��فْ���ُ �م ن��َّ َ ��ِ��ت ْ ���قَ �� � �مِ� َ ا ��َه�ا �َ دَ �ْم�َع��ةُ � ��ل�َع��ْ ت�ْ �� �� �َ�مَ�ا ��َه�ا‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي نِ� َ ج ِر ي �فِي� �ج ِري �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫قِ‬ ‫�ُقْ عِ س َي َ أَ ْ َ �فِْنِي َ�� َّ َ َ �َ ا َ�� َ‬ ‫� ْ���ثَ �أ ْ‬ ‫ح َ��ا � �ثَ��َ �ْ ا ��َه�ا‬ ‫������ �� �م�ا � ت� �ع � ��ك� ��لت ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫لِب‬ ‫ةٍ ر‬ ‫�ه�‪�       1‬و�ل� ك� ك ر�ةِ ب ب ٍ وو فِي�‬ ‫�ي ي� �قِ ِ �‬

‫أ‬ ‫ث ّ ���ست�خ� � ف‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ا‬ ‫ّٰ ��مّ � ن � ا‬ ‫ن ��خم � � ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��م ا ��ل�� �ص� �ع�د ب�� ��ل�د � �ب� �عب��د ا لله ح�م�د ب�� ��ط� �هر ب�� �عب��د ا لله ب�� ��ط� �هر‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ن ة � ا �ف‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�ن ة‬ ‫ا �ئ ت ن ف �ق ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله �و�‬ ‫حب����س�ه‪.‬‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �م�د ��ي ��� ا �ل��س�ل� �م ��ي� ��س �� � ب‬ ‫�س��ع��ي� �و�م� � ���ي� ��� ب���� �ع��ل�ى ع�م�ه � ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ث ّ ت�خ ف �‬ ‫���د �غ��ل�ا �م�ه ���د ًا �ع��ل �م�د � ن���ة ا ��ل��س�ل�ا � � ا ��ن ��ق ض�� � �م ا ��ل���ط�ا �ه �ّ��ة �من�ه�ا � �م ن‬ ‫�� ا ���س����ل�� ا�لم�عت� ض�‬ ‫ب ر �ى �ي‬ ‫ري � و �‬ ‫مو ر� ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف ة‬ ‫خ ا ان‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل��س��ل�م�ا ن� �ش���ع �م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه� �و�م�عر���‪.‬‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر يح و ب و � م‬ ‫� ف� ن أ �غ �خ ت � ن � أ‬ ‫� �ف � �ش‬ ‫��ا � � �ص� �� ��ه � ك���ا‬ ‫� ن �ع��د ا ّٰلله � ن ��ط�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب� ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر و‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله �وك�‬ ‫�إ ��ل�ى � �ي��ه ب�‬ ‫���ا � � ��وا ه �عب��د ا لله �و��س��يل�م�ا � �‬ ‫حب����س�ا ه‬

‫� �أ �ّم�ا �ع��د ا ��ل�ع�ز�ي�ز‬ ‫و ب‬ ‫� � �ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‪�� .‬م ن� ����عره‬ ‫م�ي�ل�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ق ْ �� تُ ْ� ُ ��ن نْ � َ ن نَ�زَ � تْ‬ ‫�� َ ��بِ‬ ‫� �ْ َ � نَّ‬ ‫� بِ�ي� � �ِو�ي� �إِ ل�ى �ج�� �ِل‬ ‫��د ك� � � ح� سِ� ب�ْ �َ�ي� �ِم��َك �إِ � � �ل  �إِ‬ ‫�ح�د �ى � �ل�� او ئِ�� ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ� تَّ �إِ�ذَ َ �ِ َ ٱ � �أ ْ ُ ٱ �ّ� � َ َ�َ تْ � � ثْ� نُ ْ َ ت ْ �غِ ْ َ �فَ ��شِ‬ ‫ح�ى ا �و��ق� � �ل����مر � �ل��ذِ ي� �و�ج ب��   �فِ�ي� ِم�ِ�ل�هِ ���‬ ‫���صرِ��ي� �ِم ن� �� �ي�ِر �م�ا ���� ِل�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ی�ك��ع��ل��ی �ه�ا‪.‬‬

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‫‪٣٩،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

were drowned than were killed. Muḥammad ibn Tāhir had accompanied Yaʿqūb, loaded with chains, and he was released from his fetters, given a robe of honor, and lodged in the house of his uncle, Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir. He was reinstated as governor of Khurasan, with a grant of five hundred thousand dirhams. Al-Muʿtamid returned to Baghdad while al-Muwaffaq marched to Wāsiṭ, where he appointed ʿUbaydallāh governor of the Two Holy Cities. Then news came of Yaʿqūb’s death and his brother ʿAmr’s emergence. 13.37

ʿAmr swore allegiance to the caliph and was invested with the governorship of Khurasan, Fars, Kirman, Sīstān, Isfahan, and Sind. He then wrote to

ʿUbaydallāh, appointing him his deputy in command of the police and sending him robes of honor and a golden staff. Al-Muwaffaq endorsed the appointment and also gave ʿUbaydallāh robes of honor. Sulaymān ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir died in the year 266 in Muharram 13.38 [August–September 879]. His brother ʿUbaydallāh stood by his grave, leaning on his sword, and declaimed: My soul ascends to the heights, while my tears flow and furrow my cheeks For a place as small as any I’ve ever seen, where so many loved ones rest. Subsequently, Ṣāʿid ibn Makhlad appointed Abū ʿAbdallāh Muḥammad ibn Ṭāhir ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir governor of Baghdad in the year 270 [883–84], and Muḥammad ibn Ṭāhir arrested and imprisoned his uncle ʿUbaydallāh. Then al-Muʿtaḍid appointed his equerry Badr governor of Baghdad, and the Ṭāhirids’ power there and in Khurasan decreased. Sulaymān composed good poetry, and he was a man of culture, intelligence, and knowledge. The youngest of the brothers was ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir. He was 13.39 cultured, intelligent, and a good poet. This is a poem he sent to his brother

ʿUbaydallāh when he had been imprisoned by two other brothers, ʿAbdallāh and Sulaymān. I used to think, if misfortune struck me, that I’d find you a tower of strength. But when the blow fell and you had a duty to help me without fail,

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171

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ ا ٰ َ �ذَ َ‬ ‫أَ� ْ�� ��َلْتَنِ �‬ ‫��ا نَ �تَ��قْ � � َ �َ ا أ مِ‬ ‫�ُُ �� ٱ �� �َّ �ْ �تَ��ْ�َ ُ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫� س �م��ي� ِ �و بِ‬ ‫ٱَِْر ب‬ ‫� بِ� َ هك ْ َ� أََ ِ ِيري� و�ل ُ ِ�ل�ي�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��حِ‬ ‫��َ ْ ُ �نْ تُ‬ ‫ث �ة ّا َ ْ � َ �‬ ‫�ل�َ ا َا � ْ تُ عِ‬ ‫� ��� �َ��ل��د �نَ�ا ��� �لم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�لو ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�  �ب� �ل�ي � �� ��ع��ر � �ي� ِ�م�ي� �و�ِم��ث��لكَ ِ�ل�ي�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب ٍ‬ ‫�نَّ أَ�خُ َ ٱ �َّ�فِي َ�ق ْ �ئِي ُ ْ َ َأْ �َ�فُ ُ َ ُ ْ ُ َ ْ ِ ْ �ُ‬ ‫�ُ َ ْ ًا َ �َ ْ أ�زَ �‬ ‫�إِ ��� � ��وك � �ل���ذِ �ي� ��د ك�ن ت� �ت�� � �ل �ه  �م�ا �‬ ‫�ح��ل ت� �ع ن� ��ع�ه ِ�د ك��م �ي ��و�م� �و �ل�م � �ِل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ِّ � ٌ َ َ ٱ � ِّ َ �فَ � قْ ِ � ْ َ ْ ُ أ ْ فَ‬ ‫�نَّ أَ�خُ َ َ نَّ ٱ ّٰ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ ��ي� � ��وك �و � � لله ��م��م���ط�ِ�ل�  �ع��ل�ى � �ل����سرا ���ئِ� ِر �� ������ط� ب���ع�د � �و ����صِ‬ ‫�� �ِل‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن ش أ ض ًا �� أ �خ � ّا ُ‬ ‫��ا ن تُّ �أ نّ‬ ‫��ا ت ا ��خل‬ ‫�َ ت ا ��نّ �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ت� �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�م� ����عره � �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫��� �إ ل�ى � �ي��ه �لم� ب س و‬ ‫�مب‬ ‫ي� ب �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫خ ق‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ل�� �ع��ل�ى �ب� ��ط�ل�ا � �ل��ك �وك�� ب� � �را �لر���ع�� �ب��ه� ه ا �ل�ب��ي��ا ت�‬ ‫حب����س ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫تَقُ �ُ َ �قِ ْ َ تْ ُ َ ْ َ ��م ْ َ‬ ‫�� َ ا َ َ ثُ ْ‬ ‫أُ َ‬ ‫�ك�ٌ ��فَ�ا‬ ‫� �� �� �ل �و� �د ر��ع� ��س��ل���ي ِب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ح��‬ ‫��ج�ٌ � �ّ �َ او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫�حِ ِ�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫��مى ِ ب ُ � َ رع ٱ َ ل ِعُ َّم‬ ‫أَ َ ٱ � َّ ْ ُ ِ �َّ ا أَ نْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ر��ف�ه   ك���ع� د ��ت�هِ � �ل�ك�را ِء �� ك��ل �م� �‬ ‫�جِ ِ�د‬ ‫�ب ��ى � �ل�د ���هر �إِ �ل� � � ��ي �� �و�ك � �صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ ُ �ْ تُ َ�� َ ا �غُ ضَّ عِ �َ ْ � �فَ نَّ َ ا تُ ُ ٱ � َّ َ ا �َ َ ا َ ا ُت ٱ � شَّ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ص� ئِ����ب� � � �ل����د ا ��ئِ� ِ�د‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ف�‬ ‫ي ب� ر�ج ل �‬ ‫�ق�ل� ل��ه� ����ي� � ي�� ِك �إِ �م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫��جِ‬ ‫��جِ‬ ‫� � نْ َ َ ا حِ ّ ُ ُ‬ ‫�ل��لحِ ْ َ َ‬ ‫ح��ك �َ � �ع‬ ‫�َ ��ل�ا ���ع‬ ‫ي ِ�ل� ��ك�ِر �م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �د ��ث��ت�ه ��ي� � �لم ش����ا �هِ� ِ�د‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ ْ تُ ي� َْ َ سِ شَ ي ْ ُت �� َ َ َ َ أَ ْ َ َ َ َّ أَ �فِ َٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح � �م�ا ��� �د � ����ف�ا � ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ����س‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ا �نِ��ي� � �خِ��ي� � �وب� ن� � اوِ�ل��ِد �ي�‬ ‫كِ‬ ‫هِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حه�  � �و � ب‬ ‫حبِ����س� ِ�رب ٍ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� �ش���عره‬ ‫�و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َا أ ُّ َ ا ٱ �ْ�قَ َ ُ ٱْ� ُ ُ ٱ �ل�زَّ ُ‬ ‫�يَ� �ي���ه� � � �ل �مر � �لم��نِ �ي�ر � � ا ��هِ� ر‬ ‫أ ْ��غْ شَ هِ تَ � َ ٱ � ِّ‬ ‫���س� َل�ا�َ �َ َ�هنَّ�َه�ا‬ ‫��ِ���ي�� ��ك � �ل‬ ‫مو �‬ ‫� ب��ِل� � ب‬

‫َْ�ُ ْ قُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫حَ َ��س نُ �ٱ ��لَْ� ُّ �ٱ ��لْ�َ�ب�ا � ُ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ا �لم���ِر�� � � ب ِ�َ�‬ ‫هِ ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه َّي‬ ‫�ٱ �� نَّ ْ َٱ ْ �لْ َ ا �أ ��ن َ‬ ‫��س�ا � ُ‬ ‫  �بِ� ل��و�ِم � �و ��عِ� �م�ه� �بِ� �ي� � هِ ر‬

‫ن �‬ ‫�ذ � ش ف غ نّ ف �ف‬ ‫���د ي����ست��‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫���ا � ا�لم�عت� ض�‬ ‫ح��س ن� �ه� ا ا �ل����عر������ى �ي��ه ��ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ص� او �ت�ه‪.‬‬

‫أ‬ ‫ن أّ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫كا � ب�� ن��ه‪.‬‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و �‬ ‫‪ 1‬ك‬

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‫ن أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ط �ر��ق��ة خ� �‬ ‫��ف ي ��ف� ا �لر��م�ل �وك�‬ ‫���ا � � �‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫�ي‬

‫‪٤٠،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

You left me to be fate’s plaything— against all hope and expectation. Living far away, I’d not heed fate’s trials with a man like you beside me. I’m your brother, you loved me, I’ve kept faith with you till now. I’m your brother. God knows men’s hearts. So either sever our ties or restore them! In another letter he sent to his brother from prison, after being accused of 13.40 having corresponded with al-Khujistānī, he swore that that was untrue, and at the bottom of the paper he wrote: Stricken by my imprisonment, like the bereaved mother of an only child, Sulaymā cried, “Fate refuses to spare you its blows. Thus does it treat the illustrious.” I answered, “Hush! The arrows of misfortune strike only men of worth. Damn it, don’t let prison astound you but be astounded at the terrible tale I tell. I’m a prisoner because of a war I never fought; my jailors are both my father’s sons.” Another good poem of his is: You bright radiant moon, shining in beauty, dazzling in splendor, Greet your likeness, wish her a good sleep, and tell her I’m wide awake. Al-Muʿtaḍid admired this poem, for which he made a setting in the light ramal mode. It was one of his noteworthy compositions.

173

173

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ�� أ‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ا ��ا ن ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ّ ن‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ن نّ � ّ � ن‬ ‫ح �ت �‬ ‫�و ك�ر � ب� ��و �عب��د ا لله ب�� ح�م�د �و� � � ح�م�م�د ب�� �عب��د ا لله ب�� ��ط� �هرك�� � �ج� ب� ا�لم ��و ك�ل ب���سر �م�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�خ �ف �خ �ف‬ ‫فق‬ ‫� �غ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ر� �ى �ش���هر� ن ث��ّ ي�ن��‬ ‫ح��د ر �إ �ل�ى ب����د ا د �ي���ي�� �ب��ه�ا ����هري� ن� �وي���ل� �ه ���ل� �ا ��ؤ ه ب���س ّر �م ن� ر� �ى‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف �ق ا �ق ة أ م�خ ��ذ‬ ‫�م �زي�ز ��ا ن �ق ش ت � ا ة � ا ن �ق � � ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �م�ع�ه � �� ه �عب��د ا ل�ع � �وك�� � �د ا ���� رى �ج�� ر��� �ل�ه� �م� �لب��ه �‬ ‫��� �د �م�ه� ��د �م�� � �� ي�‬ ‫�ح�ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف ا ش ت ّ � ف �ق ا ��ف � �� ن أ ن أ ت � �ذ ن أ �خ ا � ��ف �‬ ‫أ ن �� ��� ن‬ ‫�� �غ‬ ‫�� �����د �ع�لي��ه � ار �‬ ‫�ه�‪�� .‬س� ل ��ي� � � � ��س�� � � �� ه �ل�ه �ي� ا �لر�ج��وع �إ ل�ى ب����د ا د �ع��ل�ى � � �ي عط�ي �ي�‬ ‫ش ًّا���ن ت أ ت ت ت ف� ف � ت �ف �أ �ذ ن � �ف �أ � ا ��ن � ش ّ ث ّ أ ن ش ��ن �ذ ش�‬ ‫����هر�� ك� � ر� ��ي ��ه �‬ ‫ح��ه ����ع�ل� �� � �ل�ه‪� �� .‬ع ��ط� �ي� ا �ل����هر�ي� ��م � �����د �ي� �ه� ا ا �ل����عر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أَ �قُ �ُ َ� ّاَ َ ا َ� �َ�ق �ْ ٱ � ��ذَّ ْ َ � َٱ ْ َت َ َ ْ َ ْ َ � ٱ � َّ َ ٱ � شَّ ْ َ‬ ‫� ��و�ل �لم� ��ه� � �ِبل��ي� � �ل� ك�رى � �و �ع��ر��ض‬ ‫� ت� �و��س ��ط� �ل��س�م�ا ِء � �ل����عر�ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫جُ �تِ ةٌ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫ْ َ‬ ‫َ ا أ ْ �� � �‬ ‫َ �أ نَّ َ ا �َا �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫طَو�ل � �ل��ل�ْ��ي�ل ب� ُ����سّر �َم ن� را‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م �‬ ‫ك� � ه ي �و� �فِ�ي� مِ َ ر‬ ‫نَ ِ أُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ُ َ ًّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫�ا َ��فَ َ ا ٱ �ْ �أ ْ َ � � ن �ُ ْ ��ل ���َ ا �ْ َ‬ ‫�يَ�ا ر بّ� �ف ك�‬ ‫�ج� �ةٍ � �‬ ‫�� ��ك�ك�‬ ‫ك � �ل�����سرى  ��إِ � �‬ ‫�ج�د ِ�ي� بِ�‬ ‫��خر�ى‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫أ �ْ � �عِ ُ أ ْ ��نَ �خَ� َ �� َ �ت �ُ ْ َ‬ ‫حتَّ أ �ؤُ َ �ٱ ْ� ِ �َا َا َ� ْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ط او ِ�ي� ب��‬ ‫��ج� �ل � د �ى � �‬ ‫���صرى  �ى � � �و ب� �بِ� �ل�م ���ط� �ي� ح����سرى‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ُ َ أَ‬ ‫َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�� ن��َ‬ ‫ه�ا �ِم ن� � �ل ك�‬ ‫��ل�ا �ِل ��س ك‬ ‫��ر�ى ����ث�م � ِ�عي�� ش��� �ِم���ث�ل �عي�� ش��ِ� ِك�����سر�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫� �غ‬ ‫� ا � �أ ة � ّ‬ ‫� خ �غ‬ ‫�و�ل�م �ي��د ���ل ب����د ا د �م ن� �و�ل��د �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� ��ط�ا �هر ��ي�ر �ه��ؤ �ل�ء ا �ل� بر���ع�� ح�م�م��د �و�عب��د ا لله �و��س�يل�م�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�عب��د ا �ل�ع�ز�ي�ز ‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ةً‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ت � ن ا أ ًا �ف ض ً‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ف�� �ّم�ا �عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن� ���ط�ا �هر �ف ك�‬ ‫���ل�ا �و��س�ي �ا ��س�� � �وت��د �ب�ي�را‬ ‫��ا � �م ن� ��سر� او � ا �ل�� ��س � د �ب� �و��‬ ‫أ‬ ‫����خ ا ً � ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن �م� ��ل��ده ��س�ن ��ة ا �ث�ن��ت��� ن � ث��م�ا �ن�� ن � �م�ا �ئ��ة � �ذ ك��‬ ‫���ا ن� ا �ل�م�� �م� ن� �ت��� نّ��ا ه � �ّ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر�م�ا‪� .‬وك�‬ ‫�و �س� ء �وك�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ب ورب و‬ ‫ي� و ي� و و ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫ّٰ أ نّ أ ا � ّٰ ن � ا �ن ف � ة‬ ‫� ن �ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر�� �لي���ل�� �م ن� د ا ر ا�لم�� �م�و� �و �ل��ك ب���ع�د‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله � � � �ب� ه عب��د ا لله ب�� ��ط� �هرا ��‬ ‫� ب� ��و � ح�م�د � ب‬ ‫خ � �ا‬ ‫� � ن �ذ ف ا ت ��ف � �ق ّ ة � � ا ّ ة ن‬ ‫�� خ ا ن ��ا ن �ق �غ �‬ ‫�ر�و�ج ��ط� �هر �إ ل�ى � ار ��س� � �وك�� � ��د ��ل ب� �ع�لي��ه ا �ل�ب��ي�� ‪� .‬ب�� � �ي� ا � �ل ب��� ا �ل��ط� �ه �ري�� �م�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا ��ل ش��� �ة ��ف ا �ت ��ق ت ا �� ��ق ّ �ة‬ ‫د ا ر ���ط�ا �ه ب��م�د ��ي ن���ة ا ��ل��س�ل�ا � ف�ت��ع�� �لق� ���ط �ف� �م ن ا ���خل‬ ‫�ي�� ش��� �و��ق�د �ي�ب����س �ب� م�ع� � �‬ ‫ح� ر � ل ب��‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� تُ‬ ‫ّٰ �ف �أُ خ � م ن ا تّ‬ ‫���خل � � ا �ف�ت‬ ‫ّٰ �ذ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ؤ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ب� �إ ل�ى �عب��د ا لله �ي�ع� �ل�ه �و� �� � ب��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او ح� ل ب‬ ‫رج � و ل ب ر ب ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ف��� ض���� ت � أ ن ��غ � �� ن �ذ‬ ‫� �و �ق��و��ل ��ل�و �ورد ا ���خل‬ ‫�ب��ر ب� ��و��ف�ا �ت��ك ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� � ��س��ه�ل �ع��ل� ّ �م ن� �ور�وده ب ي�‬ ‫ح��ك � �و � ��ي ب��ل� �ب�ك ا ل�ب��ي��‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫� �ف أ‬ ‫ض أ ن يف� أ‬ ‫�غًا � ا ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� � �� ���ه � �� �م ه �� ل�� ه � ا �ل‬ ‫�مب���ل�� �ل� �‬ ‫ح��س �م�ع�ه �� �‬ ‫�ر�و �� �إ �لي��ه‪� ��� �� .‬ل��عب��د‬ ‫ح�� ا � �م �‬ ‫ب ر � �و ع ت� ي وي رت ب �ج � و ج‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�خ �‬ ‫ّٰ �ذ � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا ب� �و ج�‬ ‫��ع��ل�ه �‬ ‫ح ت� �م�ص�ل�ا ه‪.‬‬ ‫ا لله �ل��ك �وك��م�ه �ج��مي�� ا �ل ن��ا ��س �و� ت�� ا � ك��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪٤١،١٣‬‬

‫‪٤٢،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn related: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir would 13.41 spend two months in Samarra as al-Mutawakkil’s chamberlain and then go down to Baghdad, spending two months there, with his deputies replacing him in Samarra. Once when he went there, he took with him his brother ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz, who had just bought a slave girl of whom he was very fond. He found it hard to be separated from her, so he asked me to request his brother’s permission for him to return to Baghdad. In return he would give me a mixed-breedhorse I had seen him riding. I did so, and he gave me the horse. Then he recited: I say, as memories move my heart and the Dog Star rises like a gemstone in a diadem, “Long are the nights in Samarra!” O Lord, free me like a captive, and if you grant me further release, I’ll direct my first steps to Buṣrā. Then with weary mounts, as if drunk from fatigue, I’ll come back and live like Khosroes! Among ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir’s sons, only these four, Muḥammad, ʿUbaydallāh, 13.42 Sulaymān, and ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz, ever visited Baghdad.

ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir was outstanding in culture, virtue, political and administrative skills, generosity, and nobility. Al-Maʾmūn had taken him under his wing and educated him. He was born in the year 182 [798]. Abū Aḥmad ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh mentioned that one night after Ṭāhir had set out for Khurasan, ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir, ʿUbaydallāh’s father, left al-Maʾmūn’s palace, having drunk too much. He settled down for the night in the Ṭāhirid dome in their palace in Baghdad, but part of the linen wall hangings, which were dry, touched the candle and the dome caught fire. ʿAbdallāh was carried out of the fire. When the news reached Ṭāhir, he wrote to ʿAbdallāh blaming and scolding him, saying, “If I had heard the news of your death, it would have been easier to bear than hearing of this scandal and that you get so drunk that you are not even aware the place you are in is on fire.” And he ordered him to get ready to set out to join him. This disturbed ʿAbdallāh, and he hid the news from everyone, sealing the letter and putting it under his prayer mat.

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175

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫�خ ّ �ف أ‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫أ نّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ت ث ّ أ �‬ ‫�وت�����ّ ن ا ��ل�ه�ّ �ع��ل��ه ��ف���س�� ��ل�ه ا �ل�م�� � �م ن� �ع ن �خ���ره � ك‬ ‫���م�ه �� ���س�� �ل �م ن� ي� �‬ ‫�ص�ه ��� �ع��ل�م�ه � �‬ ‫ب ي� م ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ف أ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫ف �ف أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ل��ا ب� ��� �‬ ‫����ت�ا ��ا �ورد �ع��لي��ه ��ل� �ي��عل��� �م�ا �ي��ه‪��� ��� .‬س� �ع��لي��ه ا�لم�� �م�و� ��� �إ �‬ ‫��ره‪.‬‬ ‫���ا ر ا � ك��‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ك� ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ه �م ّ � �‬ ‫�ف �ت � ن � �‬ ‫ح�ل� �ل� �‬ ‫�� ب� ا�لم�� �م�و� �إ �ل�ى ��ط�ا �هر �ي��ع�ا ت��ب��ه �ع��ل� �م�ا �ف���ع�ل �و��ع��ل�م�ه �م��ن�ز �لت��ه �ع ن��ده �و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ح�ل ا �ل�و�ل��د‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫أ �إ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ض �ة‬ ‫� �أ�ن ه ا � � � ا � ���ل ه ا �ق �خ ا ت �ف‬ ‫��ه �ع ن ا �ل‬ ‫�ص ��ف�ه �عن � ا � �‬ ‫ي�ز �ع‬ ‫��ر ‪.‬‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫و � �ل� ي��د ل�ط� هرع ي�� �إ �ل� ب �‬ ‫�ه� �لي����ُس �ل�ه � � � �ج �‬ ‫ح���ل� ���ه � �إ� � � ر‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا � ش � �ت � �إ�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ا �ق ّ ة � � ت�ز � �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ا ن� �ه� ا ��م‬ ‫طّو��ل�ه ك�‬ ‫��� �ج��ا ب� ��ط�ا �هر �ب� �ل��� ك‬ ‫��ر �ل� �� �‬ ‫ح��ل�ه �ع��ده � �و �عي��د ب���� ء ا � �ل ب���‪ .‬ل��م � �ل �إ �ل�ى‬ ‫أ ن �ن ق‬ ‫� ت� ���ف ��س�ن ��ة �ث�ل�ا ث� � �ت��س�ع�� ن � �م�ا ��ئت��� ن‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫و ي� و‬ ‫� � � ����ض ي�‬ ‫أن‬ ‫��‬

‫ف‬ ‫ن ش ث �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و خ�ر�� �عب��د ا ّلله �إ ��ل�ى ا ��ل ش����ا � ���ف� ��س�ن ��ة �ت��س� �و�م�ا ��ئت��� ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ر ب� ���‬ ‫�صر ب�� ���ب��� �إ �ل�ى‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ �� �ف�‬ ‫� ر �ب�ه‪.‬‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ّدث� ن�� �ن��ص�� � ��ا ��س � �ج��م�ا �ع��ة �م ن �م ش����اي�خ� � �م ا ��ل�ي�ن �ا � نّ� � ��ا‬ ‫ّٰ ن‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل �‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ب�� �عب��د ا لله � ي� ي ر وي ر و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّأ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت� ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا �ل�عبّ��ا ��س �عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن ���ط�ا �ه �ل�م�ا � ش��� �ف� �ع��ل� ك�‬ ‫��ي����س�و�‬ ‫ح��ص ن� �ب��ه�ا ���‬ ‫�صر ب� ن� �ش��ب�� ث� �ورك� ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف ّ‬ ‫�م ن ا ��ل�غ� � ��ق �ع ّ�أ ��� ش ه ����ّ��ق ا ء �ف ا ��ف �ن‬ ‫�صًا �و��ق�د خ� �� �م ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ص ن� ���ص�ف� �ب��إ�ز ا �ئ�ه �و� او �ق���ف �ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫رج �‬ ‫� �د و �د ب�� �ج ي ���� لل � ��و �ى ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّٰ �ق ّ ف �ق ا � �ذ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ش ا‬ ‫ح � ث��ّ � �و��ق�د �ن�� � ن‬ ‫�إ ��ل�ى ا �ل��لي���ل �ع��ل� �غ��ي�ر �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�صرا �ل��ي�را � ���� �ور �عب��د ا لله �� او ده ��� � �ل� او �ه� ا ا �ل�لي���ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف ل�‬ ‫��ف�ن ن �ف ن ت ��ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ن ا ث�ّ ��ن�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف� ��ق ا �� نّ ا �ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح�ا � ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع��س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�صر� � �و�ب���ي � �ي�‬ ‫ي رب� ل �إ � � ر � ر ب و ص‬ ‫كر‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�اً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ن�ز �‬ ‫���ا ن � ّ‬ ‫� ��ل�� ت‬ ‫ح�ّم �ْ�� ��ا ن ن ت‬ ‫�ه�ا �ت��ل�ك ا �ل��لي���ل��ة �ف��و�ع��ك �و� ك�‬ ‫ع��‬ ‫س� � �بر� �م ن� �م�و ض�‬ ‫����ع�‪� ��� .‬ل �وك� � ي‬ ‫ح� ��ى ِ بر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع �وك�� � � �� بو�� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ف م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف ً�ة ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ف� ا �أ ا �ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ح� ��ر �‬ ‫عه� ����ق�ا �ل ا �‬ ‫��ن �م�‬ ‫�ش���د �ي��د ا ��ا �ل�م��س �م�ا �ي��د � ئ��ه �ل��� � ك‬ ‫ح ر�و�ه� �ب� ��س�ي � �‬ ‫ح� ر� او � ي‬ ‫�ه�م‪� � 1‬و �مر‬ ‫مي� �م‬ ‫أ ن ُ� � ت ن � ن ��خم ا �� � � ّ ف ُ � �ق ��ف ��‬ ‫� ��ف � �ة ف� ف� � �ذ � � ث�ّ � ف‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�ه�ا‪� .‬و�ج��ا ء ت�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫� � ي�ج �م� ا �ل���ب� م� �� ل�ي� ا �ل�د � او ب� �ي�� �ل�ى �ي� ا ي ر‬ ‫م �ج س ي�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫� ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ت‬ ‫� ��� �ن�ز �� � �‬ ‫ا �ل��س�م�ا ء �ب��ه ����ط�ل �و�ود ��ق ‪� ٢‬ش���د �ي��د ف����ق�ا �ل ا ��س��تر�و ��ي� �ب��ترا � ك��‬ ‫�� �ل��ك �لي���لت��ن�ا � �ج��م� ���س��ره‬ ‫�س� ل� ل ك�‬ ‫م م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫تّ أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و�ص��ل�ي�ن �ا �و�ص��ل�ى‪.‬‬ ‫ح�ى � �ب�ص�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ح ن �م�ع�ه‪ .‬ف� ن �ظ� ��� ��ف��إ�ذ ا ��ل���� �خ��ا ر �� ا ��ل‬ ‫��� �فر��س�ه � �وت� ��طّر�ف� �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و �ع�ا د ��س�ل�ا �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح��ص�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح�ه �ورك ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ّ ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ح��د ف����ق�ا ��ل �خ���د �ع ن��ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�ص�ن �ه �و�و ك�‬ ‫�خ ب�ي�� ث� � �و �و�ه�م ن��ا � �نّ�ه �ي��� ت� �ب��إ�ز ا ��ئ ن��ا �ود خ���ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ل �ب�ه �م ن� �ي ��و��د‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ب �ي‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫ف ق � ا �ٱ� ا � �ةً أ ف‬ ‫‪  1‬كذ ف ّ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪ :‬وب� ق�‪.‬‬ ‫ح��ف� ��ير ب�� ����سي���ا ����ه� ‪   ٢ .‬ك‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �عوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪������ :‬ا لو ح����فرو‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪٤٣،١٣‬‬

‫‪٤٤،١٣‬‬

‫‪٤٥،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

People could see that he was worried, and al-Maʾmūn asked him what was 13.43 wrong, but he said nothing. So al-Maʾmūn asked someone close to ʿAbdallāh, who told him that a letter had arrived for him but he did not know its contents. Al-Maʾmūn made ʿAbdallāh swear to produce the letter, which he did. Then al-Maʾmūn wrote to Ṭāhir, criticizing him for what he had done, reminding him of ʿAbdallāh’s standing with himself, and pointing out that he treated him like a son. Ṭāhir therefore had no influence over ʿAbdallāh except by right of being al-Maʾmūn’s deputy. If al-Maʾmūn had removed ʿAbdallāh from his father’s authority, it was not for Ṭāhir to drive ʿAbdallāh away from the caliphal presence. Ṭāhir wrote back thanking al-Maʾmūn for his generosity, in view of the position ʿAbdallāh occupied with him. The dome was rebuilt and remained standing until the year 293 [905]. In the year 209 [824], ʿAbdallāh set out for Syria, where he fought and van- 13.44 quished Naṣr ibn Shabath. According to ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh, who had it from Nuṣayr, Yāsir, and several other elderly clients of his family who had witnessed the event: When Abū l-ʿAbbās ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir approached Kaysūm, Naṣr ibn Shabath entrenched himself there. The next day ʿAbdallāh prepared his army for combat and advanced, appearing before Naṣr, who had come out of the fortress. He drew up his army facing Naṣr’s and confronted him without giving battle until nightfall. Then Naṣr lit fires, and ʿ‎Abdallāh conferred with his commanders. They advised, “Let’s go off tonight, spend the night in our camp, and attack him early tomorrow morning.” He countered, “If a combatant leaves, it means he’s retreating. I’ll not budge,” and he dismounted. He suffered from quartan fever and a bout occurred that night. He had a high fever and looked for something to keep him warm, but they had nothing. He said, “Let’s dig a trench,” and they dug it with their swords. He ordered them to collect the straw from the animals’ forage bags and throw it into the trench. When that was done, he settled himself in the trench. Then it started to rain and the rain came down in torrents. He said, “Protect me with your shields,” and we did so, protecting him the whole night. When morning came, we prayed and so did he. He took up his weapons again and mounted his horse to reconnoiter, with 13.45 us accompanying him. We looked, and there was no one outside the fortress. He said, “The cunning fellow has outwitted us, making us think he was spending the night drawn up against us. He went back into the fortress and had the

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‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫ف‬ ‫�خ ��ذ‬ ‫�ن ن � ا ة خ � �� ّ‬ ‫��‪ � .‬د �ع�ا ا ��ل�ع�ز�ي�ز ‪ 1‬ف����ق�ا �� ا �م�� ���ف �أ ��ل��ف‬ ‫ح���ذ رك��‬ ‫ح��د �ت�ه ��‬ ‫� ب�‬ ‫ا �ل��ي�را � � او �ل��س� �ع�� ي�ر� �ع�لي� ك��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ ضِ� أ ي أ ي�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ت � �� مّ �‬ ‫� �ن ن ف� ه � � ا‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د � �و �ي�� ت��ي��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫حو و ��مى ل�ه� م�و�‬ ‫حوا � او ��س� ير �‬ ‫��ا ر��س ��� ير��‬ ‫��ع� ي ك�و ��و� ي�� و�ل� ي�برح � ك�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب� ن� �م�د رك ب�ر��س�ا �ل ��ت�‪�� .‬ف��إ�ذ ا � �ت�ا ك ��ف �إ� ن� ��ق�د ر ت� � ن�� ت� � �و ���ص‬ ‫ح�ا ���ك � ن� ت���‬ ‫�ك�و�ن��وا‬ ‫��ط�ا �هر ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ف أ ن ة � � م‬ ‫� ت ت ّ ��‬ ‫حتّ �ت ا �ف ��ن ��ف ا �ف� � ا ��ف�مض‬ ‫حتّ خ� � �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� � ج����‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ى وم ي �‬ ‫ح�� ا �ل��ط�ي�ر ى و وي�‬ ‫م ى ر�ج ر و �ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّٰ �ق أ �� ا ��ف‬ ‫ّٰ �ف ّ‬ ‫��ل ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �ب��ر �إ �لي��ه �عب��د ا لله ��ي� �د � � ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع��ل‬ ‫ح� �ب�ه ل�� � �ل ا � ك‬ ‫�ه�م � او�ج��ل� د �و�عب��د ا لله ��ي� �د �ي�‬ ‫ل�� ار � ب��ي�� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ ي� م‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�� َ ن‬ ‫�� �ً �� ن ا ت ا �ل ش��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن ف �‬ ‫��ف �� ا �ل�� ا �‬ ‫� ��ص‬ ‫ح� �ب�ه �و��ي�ع�د �هم �و�يرم�ي� � ����س�ه ك�ل �مرم�ى �إ ل�ى � � �ص� ر� �م��س �ي� كب���د �سم� ء �و ك�ل �م�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف �ف �ف ّ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�م� ه � ت�� �ّ ن ف� ا ��لض � �ف � ا ��ل�ع �ف‬ ‫� � ي�ز‬ ‫ع� ��‬ ‫�ه� �‬ ‫�ج�ز ��� ر���س�ل �إ �ل�ى ا �ل�ع�ز � �ي�� �مره �ب�ا �لإ���س ار ��� او ��ى ���ل�م�ا ر� �ى ���‬ ‫��ع� و‬ ‫�صر‬ ‫و ب ي� ي� م‬ ‫ّٰ أ � ع تّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت نّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ات‬ ‫ن �خ � ا ج�ز‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و�م� �م�ع�ه ا �ل ار �ي� � ا �ل��س�ود � او �ل���س�ود ا �ل��س�ود �وك�� � �عب��د ا لله � �و�ل �م� ا �� �ه� � �ع� او �و��ب��ي��‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّٰ � � �زي�ز ش �أ ن � أ ��ص ا � ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن �ّ ا ا �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح� �ب�ك �‬ ‫�ه� ا � �فل� ش�����ل‪� .‬و��ق�ا �ل �عب��د ا لله �ل�ل�ع � ���� ��ك � �و �‬ ‫حو ا � �لق ��و� ‪� .‬ل��� �ي ك‬ ‫��� �إ �ل� ��س� �ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫أم‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� تّ ن �ز ن‬ ‫�ص�ن �ه ��ف�د �ع�ا � � �� ا ��ل�ع ّ��ا �� ��ا ��لن���قّ�ا ��� ن � � �م ب��ن‬ ‫�ص �و�ج��ا ء �إ ��ل�ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص� ا �ل�ع ار د ا ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب ب ي� ر‬ ‫ح�ى ا ���ه �م ��� ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ال�م ا �ن ق � ا �‬ ‫� ص ن �أ� ً �إ�ذ ن‬ ‫ّ �� � ��ف �‬ ‫��ف ��ل‬ ‫�صر��ق�د ��ن �ق� ب� ��ن ��ق ب��ا �م ن� �ورا ء‬ ‫ح��د ا �و ا ���‬ ‫�و�ج�� �ي��� � او �ل��س�ل� �لي��م � او �ط�ل�ع� او ل��م �ير� او �ي� ا ح�� �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ح��ص ن � خ� �� �م ن��ه‪� � � .‬م ا ��ل ��ا ��ل ���ف��ت��� � ا‬ ‫ح�ا ��ه �ج��مي�� �م�ا ���ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫خ �ف غ ن ��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ر ر�ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح��ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حوا ا �لب�� ب� �ود ���ل ��� ّ��م � �و ب ع ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ُ ّش ��ف �ذ � � � ��ق ت ُ�ه نّ ئ ا �� �لف��ت ��ف �أ ن‬ ‫�ف � ن �‬ ‫حل�� ا ��لخ�ز ا �ع ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ده‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وب����ر �ي� �ل�ك �و � و � ب �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫و ب� م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ُ شْ ُ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫ا ��� ك‬ ‫��ر‬

‫� ََّ َ َْ َ ٱ �ْ ْ ��َْ َ ُ فَ�قِ ْ َ َ ا َ ِ�زَّ ٱ � نَّ ْ َٱ � ظَّ � فَ‬ ‫� �� � � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر � �و �ل�� �‬ ‫ح��ص� �نِ ع�مت��ه   ���� �د �‬ ‫حب�� ك بِ���ع � �ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ِر‬ ‫لِ بر�ك ي ��و�م ِ نِ‬ ‫ِ‬

‫ق‬ ‫�ة � ة‬ ‫�و��هي� ��‬ ‫�ص�ي �د ��ط� �و��ل��‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ا � � ت� ّ �ن �ف ا ا � �أ ا ن ف�ت‬ ‫ّٰ � � أ ن‬ ‫�مض� �ن �ف أ �‬ ‫�ص �ه ��ع� د �ب� �ل��م� � � ك‬ ‫�و ��ى ��‬ ‫�صر ��ج���ل�� �إ �ل�ى �ج� ب�� �ل �ل�م ح�‬ ‫��� ب� �عب��د ا لله �إ �ل�ى ا�لم�� �م�و�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ � ف ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن �� ا � � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫م�ؤ �م ن��� ن � �و ن ���ف � ف���ه � ك��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ب� �إ �لي��ه � �ع ��ط�ه ا �ل���م�ا � �ع��ل� � � �ي� ��ط� ب���س� ��ط � �م�ي ر ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ب�ب� ره � ك‬ ‫ح�م�ه‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ٰ ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ل � ض �ة � ن‬ ‫�ف ض��� ����ذ ��ل��ك �و�و�جّ��ه ��ه �عب��د ا ّلله �م� �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر ا�لم�� �م�و�‪٢.‬‬ ‫ح��س ن� ب� ن� �م�ص�ع ب� �إ �ى ح�‬ ‫ر ي� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ف آ � أ نع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � ف� ��ق ا �� �ن ح�� ه ا ��ث ن ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �وك�‬ ‫�صر �د كب�� ر �ر ه ا�لم� �م�و� �و��ل� �م� � �ل�ه ي �حم�ل� ��ه �ع��ل�ى ا ل��سر� � � ل ��‬ ‫���ا � ���‬ ‫�صري �م�ل� �� �‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ف� �ق ا � ��ن� ا أ � � �ؤ � ن ن � ا �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� � �ل �ع �ي� � �م�ي ر ا�لم� م���‬ ‫ي� �و�ل� �ي��ن�ز �ل�ه �م�ا ��ئت��ا �‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ �ظ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫أ ن ن‬ ‫ن ش ث‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫�� �م� ن� ا �ل��ط��بر�ي�‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪( :‬لم�ا ����فر ا لم� �مو� ب�����صر �ب� ����ب���) ورد ي� �‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا �ل����ر�ير‪ .‬وا ��ل�ت���صوي� ب‬

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‫‪٤٦،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

people inside it keep fires going, and soon he’ll be coming to attack us in full fury. Be on full alert!” He summoned al-ʿAzīz and said, “Take two thousand horsemen to this place”—mentioning the name—“and let the horses rest and take some rest yourselves. Let no one leave until Ṭāhir ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Mudrik brings a message from me. When he comes, take the wings of a bird, you and your company, and join me as soon as you can.” He rode off, and no sooner had he finished speaking than Naṣr marched out and attacked them. Taking the lead, ʿAbdallāh engaged him in combat, and they charged and exchanged blows, with ʿAbdallāh sacrificing himself for his companions, encouraging them with promises and taking all kinds of risks. Then, when the sun was high overhead and his companions were tiring, enfeebled, and visibly exhausted, he sent Ṭāhir to al-ʿAzīz, ordering him to come quickly. When he arrived and Naṣr and his comrades saw the black banners and the black lions—ʿAbdallāh was the first to adopt them88—they took fright, realizing that they had lost the day. ʿAbdallāh said to al-ʿAzīz, “Now it’s up to you. Fall on them!” And in no time Naṣr was routed, retreating into his fortress. ʿAbdallāh summoned the sappers and ordered the catapults, mangonels, and ladders to be brought. But when they scaled the walls, they found no one inside, because Naṣr had dug a tunnel at the rear of the fortress and escaped through it. ʿAbdallāh gave the order for his men to open the gate and enter, and they seized everything in the fortress. The good news was dispatched and ʿAbdallāh was congratulated on the victory. ʿAwf ibn Muḥallim al-Khuzāʿī declaimed this to him: Give thanks to your Lord for His favor on the Day of the Fortress; He showered on you the glory of victory and conquest. It is a long poem. Naṣr fled to the mountains, which did not offer him a refuge, so he came 13.46 back after he had obtained a safe conduct. ʿAbdallāh wrote to al-Maʾmūn to explain his situation, and he answered, “Grant him amnesty, on condition that he comes to tread the caliph’s carpet and submits to his judgment.” Naṣr agreed, so ʿAbdallāh dispatched him with Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan ibn Muṣʿab to appear before al-Maʾmūn.89 Naṣr had grown old, and when al-Maʾmūn saw him being lifted into his saddle by two servants, he said, “Naṣr needs two men to lift him!” “Yes, Commander of the Faithful,” he responded, “but two hundred men can’t bring him down.”

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‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫ّٰ‬ ‫ت �أ ن �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ثّ‬ ‫�ن ة ش‬ ‫ع��� � �ف�ت�� ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� ��س�ا ر �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� ��ط�ا �هر �إ �ل�ى �م�‬ ‫�صر ��ي� ��س �� � ر و‬ ‫ح�ه� � او ��س�� �م� �إ �لي��ه اب��‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �أ ن �ق أ � �‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫�� � ّ �أ ��ق ا � � ا ��‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ل��سر ي� و � ب��ه� �إ �ى ��س � �إ ح�د ى ع���ر و �د �ع��ل�ى �لم� م�و� و �د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ب��ل�د و�ج �ب�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫مت �ق ت أ � ف �قّ أ‬ ‫��� ا ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س� �ا �م� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� � � او ل�عب�� ��س ب��ن ‪ 1‬ا�لم� �م�و� �و �د � �م�ع�ه‬ ‫حوا �ل�ه‪ � .‬ت���ل� �ا ه � ب� ��و �إ �‬ ‫� �م� او �ل�ه � او � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��غ���لّ � ن � ن‬ ‫�صر‪.‬‬ ‫�ب�ا �ل ت ب��ي� ك‬ ‫���ا � �� او �ع��ل�ى �م�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ح��س ن‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �و��ق�ا ��ل ا �ل�م�� � �مو ن� �ي ��و�م�ا ��ه�ل �ت��عرف���و ن� ر�ج��ل�ا �ي�ز ���د �ع��ل� �ج��مي�� � ��ه�ل د �هره �ن�ز ا �ه��ة �و�‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫ي ى ع‬ ‫� ا � ا �ل� ّ � ا �أ �عل�� �أ� �دًا �� �مث �ذ ا ا ��لن�� ت � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة ف �ق ا � ّ ن ا ��ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��س�ي�ر ��� � �ل �ع��ل�ي� ب�� �ص�ح �صٰ� ح ب� م�ص��ل�ى م� �م ح� ل�ه ‪��� ٢‬ل �ه� ع� �إ �ل� �مر‬ ‫ف �ق � � أ ن � ّ ّ غ �ف ً � أ ق ً �ف أ‬ ‫ف � � أ ن �ذ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫اب� ن ا ���خل‬ ‫� ّ ���ط�ا ب�‪� ��� .‬ا �ل ا�لم�� �م�و� ا �ل��‬ ‫له� � �‬ ‫� ار �ل� � رد �ر� ش����ا ��� �م��س��ك ا � �ل ��و�م‪���� .‬ق�ا �ل ا�لم�� �م�و� ا ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫م أ � ا � ّة ف � �‬ ‫ّٰ ن � � ّ ا ت ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�صر � �و �م� او �ل�ه� �ج �م�� ���و�ج��د �ل� بع��ي �د ا لله ب�� ا �ل��سر ي� �م� � ����‬ ‫�عب��د ا لله ب�� ��ط� �هر �و�ل�ي��ه �م�‬ ‫�صر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫�ة ا ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� �ف ة �ف ت ّ ض‬ ‫�ع ن��ه ا �ل� �ص �� ��م�ا ���عر��� �م ن��ه �ل��د ��ي ن��ا ر �و�ل� �ل��د ر�ه� �و�ل�م ي خ�ر�� �م ن� �م�‬ ‫�صر �إ �ل� ب���ع ش���ر � �ل� ��‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫م خّ أ‬ ‫ح ا ن ��‬ ‫� �أ ن ش نّ أ ً �ف‬ ‫د ��ي ن��ا ر � �وث�ل�ا �ث��ة � �ف ا �� �و�‬ ‫�نّ��ه �غ�ر��س �ي��د �ي� �و�ري ��‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫� � ب��ي��ا �ت�ا ��� �ص��ف ت��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�د�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ث أن‬ ‫��ّ � � ش����د‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫نَ �َ ا َ ْ َ �� َّ َ َ ُ ُ‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫َ� � ٌ َ َ ٱ � ِّ �قْ َ � ��ش�ُ��َا ٌ َ َ �ٱ �� َّ َ‬ ‫� ُ‬ ‫ح�� �ل� ��ي��ن�د �ى � ل����س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�ج� �م� لرد‬ ‫حِ�ل���ي�م �م� � �ل���ت ��وى �‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�ا ب� ��س���كو ب�‬ ‫ٍ ِ ي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ُ �ُ � ���َ ا � � نَ َ � ُ‬ ‫�شَ���د ���دُ �َمنَ�ا ��� �ٱ ��ْ�ل�قَ��لْ � � �ل�مْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ل�ع� �ل�مِ �ي� �و ��ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�ي ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�بِ هِ ِ و ْبِ‬ ‫ٱبِ َّ �فِي� ُ وقِ فِ �ذِ‬ ‫ِي � ِ‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�غِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�غِ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� �د  �َ �ع ن � �� �ت�� د �� � �ل َ� �َ‬ ‫َا‬ ‫� ��تً �ُه�َو �ِم ن �� �ي�ر � �ل��‬ ‫� ر�‬ ‫�ح�ا �ِل � ِد ��ي ب�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫� ��ل�قِ� ��م� ��جِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫و � � يِر ِ ي ب ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ش ت أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن ظ ��‬ ‫��ف �أ ��ق ا � �ق � ا �ل� �أ � ن � �ن �ة ث�ّ ّ� ه ��ل � ا � � ��ق‬ ‫��وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ه ��ف�� ��ق�ا � �ب��إ�ز ا �ئ�ه‬ ‫�هر �و�ع ��ظ���م ت� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � م ب��ل م� م�و� �س � �م ��س�ي ر �إ �ى ب� ب�ك �و‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ن � ��ق ا � ه � ض �ة‬ ‫���ا ن� ش���ر ���ط �ع��ل� ا �ل�م�� � �مو ن� � �نّ�ه �إ ن� ظ �� �ف�‬ ‫��س�ن ��ة �وك�‬ ‫�� �ع��ل� ا �لب��ا ب� �ف ك�‬ ‫� ر ب��ب��ا �ب��ك ر ج�‬ ‫�� � م � م� بح�‬ ‫��ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �أ � ن‬ ‫�خ ت��ا �خ‬ ‫�� �ا ف�ت��ه �ع�� خ� ا ��س�ا ن �م ن �أ� ّ ن �خ ت �ف �أ �ق ا ا � � ن ت ة أ ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح ب� �م� �إ �� �و�ه‪� �� �� .‬م �ب� �ل�د ��ي ��ور ���س�ع�� � ����هر‬ ‫�ى ر‬ ‫ا�لم� م�و‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ذ � � �إ�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� � ن ت�‬ ‫��ا � �ص�ا � ن ا‬ ‫ت ّ � �ق ت ا � ا � ف� ن ا‬ ‫ي���س��ع�د � �ل �� �ل �ب� �ب�ك ب�ي���� �ه�و ك�� �ل�ك �ورد �ع��ل�ى ا�لم� �م�و� ك�� ب‬ ‫ح ب� ��ي����س� ب���ور �ي�� ك�ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ّ �ة �أ�نّ �أ� ق‬ ‫�أ نّ� ا �ل�م�ا ��ق��ة �أ�غ��ا ت� �ع�� �ق ���ة �من�ه�ا � ��ق�ا ��ل ��له�ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر��� او �و� ب �‬ ‫ح�م ار ء �ع��ل�ى ��طر�ي��ق� ا�ج�ل� د �و ��هم�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ل�ى ري � �ي‬ ‫�س� او‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫� ن ا � �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ � �ف �ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل��ك �ع��ل� ا�لم� � �مو� �ود �ع�ا �إ ��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫بر �هي�� �و�ه�و ��لي �� �‬ ‫�و�ت���ل� او ا �ل����س� ء � او �ل� ��ط� � �ل‪�� .‬ع ���‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّٰ م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ث �� ث � ا ��‬ ‫ح� � ن � ك��‬ ‫���ت� �م�عه�م�ا‬ ‫�ع��د ا ّٰلله ب� ن ���ط�ا �ه �ع��ل ا ��ل ش��� ���ط��ة �وي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر �ى ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫يى � م ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ ً‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪ � :‬ح�د ا �مث���ل‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬با� ن�ى‪   ٢ .‬ك‬

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‫‪٤٧،١٣‬‬

‫‪٤٨،١٣‬‬

‫‪٤٩،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

After that, ʿAbdallāh departed for Egypt in the year 10 [825], and when he 13.47 conquered it, Ibn al-Sarī asked for amnesty. He stayed there until the year 11 [826], when he presented himself before al-Maʾmūn, having restored order to the country, collected the taxes, and established a proper administration. He was met by Abū Isḥāq al-Muʿtaṣim and al-ʿAbbās, al-Maʾmūn’s son, and he brought with him those who had been in power in Egypt and had been defeated. One day al-Maʾmūn asked, “Do you know of someone who surpasses all the 13.48 men of his time in his self-control and excellent lifestyle?” ʿAlī ibn Ṣāliḥ, the Master of the Prayer Carpet,90 volunteered, “I know no one who corresponds to this description except ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb.” Al-Maʾmūn responded, “God forgive me, I didn’t mean a member of the Quraysh,” and everybody fell silent. Then al-Maʾmūn said, “It’s ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir. I appointed him governor of Egypt and all its revenue. He discovered Ibn al-Sarī’s unimaginable shortfall, but he didn’t accept a single dinar or dirham from him, and when he left, he took ten thousand dinars, three horses, and two donkeys, no more. He’s a plant I nurtured and the product of my education. I’ll recite you some verses describing him: Judicious and pious, courageous, openhanded, showering bounty when clouds withhold their rain, stouthearted where wise men feel fear, a champion, glorious without pretense, refined without need of any instruction.”

ʿAbdallāh spent a year in attendance on al-Maʾmūn, and then the caliph sent 13.49 him to combat Bābak, who had raised a rebellion and become very powerful. He campaigned against him for a year. He had stipulated to al-Maʾmūn that if he vanquished the rebel, he would return to the palace and remain a member of al-Maʾmūn’s entourage, with the ability to choose whichever brother he wanted to deputize for him in Khurasan. He spent nine months in Dīnawār in preparation for the campaign against Bābak, and while he was there al-Maʾmūn received a letter from the governor of Nīshāpūr with the news that the heretics91 had attacked a village called al-Ḥamrāʾ on the main Khurasan road, burning and killing, and taking the women and children prisoner. Al-Maʾmūn was very worried, and he summoned Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm, ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir’s

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‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫ت‬ ‫� ه أن � �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ً �خ ّ � �‬ ‫ّٰ ُق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫حّو�ل �مض�‬ ‫ك����ا �ب�ا ب� ��ط�ه �إ �ل�ى �عب��د ا لله ��ي����س� �ع�لي�� � � ي �‬ ‫�� �بر�ه �م ن� �و�ج��ه �ب�ا �ب��ك �إ �ل�ى �و�ج��ه � ار ��س�ا �‬ ‫�ف نّ خ ا ن أ ّ ن � � ةم ّ‬ ‫� ض �ة أ ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫����له�ا ���ع�د ا ��ل‬ ‫��ر � �و � ي� ش����ي�ر�ع��لي��ه ب��م ن� ��ي ب��ع ث� �ب�ه �إ �ل�ى �ب�ا �ب��ك‪.‬‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫� �إ� � � ار ��س� � � ��هم �م� ا �لم�م��ل��ك��� ك� � ب‬ ‫ن أ ّ ّ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ف�ا �مت�ث��� �م�ا � �م ه ��ه � � �ش���ا ���ع�� ّ � ن � ش‬ ‫���ا ��ت ب� �م ن� ب خ� ار ��س�ا � ب��م�ا � �‬ ‫ه����ا � �وك�‬ ‫ح ب� �و��ق�د � � �خ��ا ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر ب و ر ب �� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ق ّ � ت ه ي ��ف ا ّ � ن ش ا ف� ف� �ق ه ا �� �� � ق ��ف ��م ا �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�م�م��د ب� ن� ��ط� �هر�ع��ل�ى �م �د م�� �و� او � ه �ع��ل�� ب � �ه���� � �� او �� � �ع��ل�ى ل�طر ��� �ي� ح� ر�ب� �ب� �ب�ك‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ض �‬ ‫���ت� ��ل� ا �ل�م�� � �م ن� �أ نّ� �أ�م�� ا �ل� ��ؤ ن ن‬ ‫� خ ا ن � تّ �ف ن ا‬ ‫ير‬ ‫�و�م���ى � �لو�ج� �ه�ه �إ �ل�ى � ار ��س� � ح�ى � او ��ى ��ي����س� ب� ��ور �وك� ب �إ ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫م �م���ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ �ن‬ ‫� ن�� ��ل� �ه��ذ ا ا ��لث��غ� ���س��� �م�ا ��ق�د �غ���ل� �ع��ل��ه �م ن �أ �م ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��د�ث�ه ا �ل�م�ا ��ق��ة ��ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م ار ء �و�م�ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر ب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫رب ب ب‬ ‫� ّأ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ن � ت ن ا �ف � ت ا � ا شّ‬ ‫ع�� ا �ل�م�ا ر��ق��ة �و�و�ج���د �ت��ه�ا � �ه�ّ ا ��ل��‬ ‫�ك�و ر � او�لم�ه� � �ب��د �‬ ‫حو�ل�ه� �‬ ‫� �و �ي� � او �ف�ي � ب���ي����س� ب� ��ور ��و�ج��د � �م� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� تّ م‬ ‫� �أ ن ن � ت‬ ‫�ذ � � ف ظ � ة � ي�ز � ا ��ا ت �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �أ � ‪�� .‬ق�ا �� ��ف��أ �‬ ‫ل��ا‬ ‫�� � �ن�ه�ا ����ن‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ب�‬ ‫و �‬ ‫و رى ل �ج ب‬ ‫وم‬ ‫ب �ي رو � ب ي � م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ا ن �ق ا ه خ ا ن ��ل ن �ت ��ف ا �خ� � ش �ة ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع���ر ��س�ن ��‪.‬‬ ‫�وك� � � �م � �م� ب� ار ��س� � �إ �ى � � ��و�ي� �ب��ه� �م��س‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّٰ ًا خ ا ن أ ن ف ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ�� ن � ن ن ��ل � ّ �ق ا � �‬ ‫�و ك�ر اب�� �ج��د ا � �ع� ا�ج��ل�ود �ي� �� �ل �ج��ل��س �عب��د ا لله �ي ��و�م� ب� ار ��س� � � ���ص�� �ي��ه �م�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �أ‬ ‫� �أ‬ ‫� �أ ا ق ق � � �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�� ا �ل��ي��د �ي� � او �ل�ر ج���ل �و�ع��ق�د ا �ل�ع�ق ��ود‬ ‫��رب� ا �ل��ع ن�� �� �و�� ��ط‬ ‫�و�ج��وه ا � �ل ��ّ او د � �و �م ار ء ا �ل��ج� ن��ا د �و ض�‬ ‫أ �ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ّ‬ ‫��ق ا �� ��ل ّ ��ن عأ ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ف � ّ ا �ز � ت ا �ل ش��‬ ‫���ل�ود �ي� �وك�� ت� � �رب� �م ن� ���لب��ه � �و د �ل �ع��لي��ه � ت���ل��ق�ا ه‬ ‫��ل�م� ا �ل� �م��س د ���ل د ا ره‪ � .‬ل ا�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �غ � ة‬ ‫ف �ف ا ���غ� �ا � �ة‬ ‫� �د � ��ف �أ �خ� ��ذ �ذ ا ق� ا ه � �أ �خ� ��ذ �آ خ� خ� �ّ آ خ‬ ‫ا ��خل� � � �ه� ب�� و �‬ ‫��ف �ه � �و �ر را �ن�ه � �وب ��ق��� ��ي� ��ل�ا �ل�� �و��س ار �و�ي��ل �ر�� ل �ل �ل�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫�ع��ل� ك�‬ ‫�� ���ف �ه �و ج�‬ ‫���ع�ل ��ي� ��ول�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ � نَّ ْ‬ ‫�����شُ � ْ � ٌ �َ�ٱ ��ُْ ُ� هُ دَ �نَا � �ُ �َ �أ ْ ��� َا �فُ �ٱ ��لْ��بِ نَ ا �َع���نِ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫و و�ج و‬ ‫� �ل�� ر ِ‬ ‫نِي ر و ر‬

‫� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �غ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ل�ه � ��ق��ل ت �ل�ه � � ا �ل� �‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل ��ف�ا � ت ظ� ��� ت� �ع��لي��ه �و�ن�ز �ع ت� �ث�� �و�ه �ع ن� �ع�ا �ت���ق�ه �وردد �ت�ه �إ �ل�ى �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و � �ج �ل��س ي �وم‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��خم ا ق �ق ا � ف� ن �ظ �� �� ّ �ن �ظ ��‬ ‫� ا ةف‬ ‫تف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج�م��ل��س ا �لإ��� ك‬ ‫�س����د ر �ود ا را ب�� د ا را � �و �����ع�ل ا �ل��س� �ع�� ����ع�ل �ع� �ل �وي�ه �و�� ر��‪� �� .‬ل �� ر �إ ل�ي� �� ر‬ ‫ا ��ل �‬ ‫��ت�ف �ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّث‬ ‫�ج �‬ ‫��م�ل ا �ل� �ص�ؤ �و�ل �ورد � �� �وب�ه �ع��ل�ى ك� �� �ه �و��ا �ل‬ ‫�َ ا‬ ‫�ل�‬

‫� نَ ْ ُ َ َّ �فِ ةً �َ ٱ � تَّنَقُّ ْ َ � �َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��ُ َّ�د ��ل��لنَّ��فْ��� �إِ�ذ َك���ا �� ت‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�ص � �� �ل� � �ل� ����� �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِل ِ � ٍ �إِ ى‬ ‫ر  �إِ ى‬ ‫ب ِ سِ‬

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‫َ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�ا �ِل‬

‫‪٥٠،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

deputy in command of the police, and Yaḥyā ibn Aktham, dispatching them to

ʿAbdallāh with a letter written in his own hand begging him to change his route from Bābak to Khurasan, for apart from the caliphal palace Khurasan was the most important place in the empire. He asked him to advise him whom to send to fight Bābak. ʿAbdallāh obeyed, and suggested ʿAlī ibn Hishām. He exchanged letters with the officials in Khurasan about his policy there. He put his brother Muḥammad in charge of the advance troops, and when ʿAlī ibn Hishām joined him they agreed on how to fight Bābak. Then he set off for Khurasan. From Nīshāpūr, he wrote to al-Maʾmūn: “The Commander of the Faithful sent me to this frontier post because of his great concern about al-Ḥamrāʾ and what the rebels did there. I arrived in Nīshāpūr and found the surrounding countryside a hotbed of rebels, with Nīshāpūr a real hornet’s nest. The important thing now is to make a start and see what happens.” Al-Maʾmūn appreciated his use of this expression, and the secretaries often quoted it among themselves.

ʿAbdallāh spent fifteen years in Khurasan, until he died there. Ibn Jaddān told the following on the authority of al-Jallūdī: While ʿAbdallāh 13.50 was in Khurasan, one day he dispensed justice for his chief commanders and army captains, ordering executions and the amputation of hands and feet, and concluding contracts. When the sun went down, he entered his palace— al-Jallūdī added, “I was very close to his heart and familiar with him”—and was met by his servants; one took his cloak, another his slippers, and a third his leggings. He was left in his tunic and drawers. He hitched the tunic up on his shoulder and started to repeat: Women’s breath smells of musk, Faces are golden coins, fingertips jujubes. I lost my temper with him, and pulled down his tunic and straightened it, saying, “You’ve been sitting all day like Alexander and Darius the son of Darius, and now you’re behaving like ʿAllūya and Mukhāriq.” He gave me a look like a rabid camel, hitched up his tunic again, and said: When a person is put under pressure, he must change from one state to another.92

183

183

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫�و �ل�م�ا �م�ا ت� ا �ل�م�� � �مو ن� � �ق ّ ا�لم�عت��ص� �عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن� ���ط�ا �ه �ع��ل� خ� ار ��س�ا ن� �و ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫بر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫أى‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ا ��ف ا ن ا ّٰ ًا ف� �ق ��ا ن ت ��ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ا ن ��س ّ ئ ا ��م�أ � ف� ه �ف�ت � ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�خ��ل�ا �ت��ه ب��ب��غ��د ا د �وك�� � ي��� لر ي� ي�� ك‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �لي��ه � �م� ب�ع�د �ع� � � لل مع� � �د ك� ��� �ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫ح�ز ا �ز ا ت� �غ��ّ� �ه�ا � ���ق�ا ء ا ��ل�ا��ن ت���ق�ا � �ع��ل���ك ��ل��ك � ��ق�د � ��� ت� �من�ه�ا �ه ن��ا ت� � �خ��ا �ف� �من�ه�ا‬ ‫� ����س�� �ع��لي���ك �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير ب‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫و ب ق�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّأ‬ ‫�ف ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ��ف ا ت�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س���ك �م�م�ا � �ن�ا �من� ��ط�و�ع��لي��ه �ل��ك �إ ظ ��‬ ‫�ه�ا ر�ي� �إ �ي�ا ك �م�ا ��ي� ��م�ي�ر�ي� � او �ل��س�ل�ا � ‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع�لي��ك �ل� � �� �د �م �وح ب‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫م‬

‫ّٰ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ن �ذ� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف �‬ ‫�ا �ة‬ ‫�ق � � ف‬ ‫��ا �ل ا � �ل� ض����ل ب� ن� �مر� او � ك��ر ا�لم�عت��ص� �ي ��و�م�ا �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� ��ط�ا �هر� ن��ا �ل �م ن��ه � �وت�ا ب���عت��ه ا �ج ��لم� �ع�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف نّ � ا � � تّ‬ ‫���ت ��ل�ه ��ف ا �� �ل�ق‬ ‫ح�ا ض‬ ‫�� ف����ق �م ت� � ��ق��ل ت‬ ‫� � � فص� �� ه ���س� ء ا ��ل���ط�ا �ع��ة � � �ن�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫س‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫وو و ب و‬ ‫م �إ‬ ‫ي� ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ً أ‬ ‫�ات‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي���ش��خ‬ ‫�� �� ف����ق�ا ��ل ا �ج���ل�� � او ك��� �إ �لي��ه ��ا �ل‬ ‫�ب��ر‪ � .‬ك‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �ل�ى ا�لم�عت��ص� ك����ا �ب�ا � � � � ه د رج�‬ ‫� ك��� ب ��ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ف أ �م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ل ه � �أ ��ل ن� �أ ن �أ� �ص�� ه �م ن � � ��ل ��ده ف� ف���� � ت ����ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ص � � �ق��� ���س�� ��ل ن�� �ع ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ ي�� و��س� �� � و ل� � ي��د ي� �إ �ى ي�‬ ‫�م و ب ل ي ي� �‬ ‫ع�ل�‪ .‬ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل �ف � ��‬ ‫�� � � �ف � ن‬ ‫� �ف ��ف �أ ف��ت ���ل ه ��ف �إ�ذ ا � ��ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا �ل � د �ع��ل��ه ��ا �ل����خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب� ي � �‬ ‫حر� ب��ع�د ر� � ي‬ ‫ب� �و ور ي ب �و ص‬ ‫�و‬ ‫تّ ش�خ ح‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫�لم�ا � �م��س� �‬ ‫ح�ى ي������ ��ص‪.‬‬ ‫ى‬

‫� أ �‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ف � ّ � �ز � �أ �ق ً‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل � ب� �� او �ل�ع�م ث�ي���ل د �خ���ل ت� �ع��ل�ى�عب��د ا لله ب� ن� ��ط�ا �هر����ق�ا �ل �إ �ن��ك �ل ن��ا � ا �ل�د ��ؤ ر ���لي��ل�ا �م�ا ت�ر�ى �و�م�د‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ�ث ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�� ّ ف� ��ق ّ � ت ف �‬ ‫�ذ �ق � �خ ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ه�ا ����ق�ا �ل �م�ا �ع����تق�ن�� �ب�ه � ك����ر �م�م�ا ب�ررت� ن���‪��� .‬ل ت� ب��م�ا ا ��ا �ل ب� ش���� �ون�� �ش���ا ر�ب��ك‪.‬‬ ‫�ي��ده �إ ل�ي� � ب��ل �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫ّ � ّ ��ل ّ � ن � ا ئ �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق �ف ا‬ ‫��ق��ل ت� نّ �ش‬ ‫�� ّر �برث� ن� ا �ل���س�د‪�� .‬ا �ل �ه� ا � او لله � ح ب� �إ �ي� م� �م�د �م� ��‬ ‫��وك ا � �ل ن �� � �ل� �ي�ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ة آ‬ ‫�ق ف ة أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ا �ي��� � �و �مر �ل�ي� ب���ع ش���ر � �ل� �� د ر��ه ‪.‬‬ ‫م‬

‫�ئ ن �ف أ ّ � ث ق �ذ � أ‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ا ��ف‬ ‫��ا ن ت �ف ا �ة‬ ‫�ن ة ث اث ن ا ت � ا‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ح�م�د‬ ‫�وك�� ��� �و�� �عب��د ا لله ب�� ��ط� �هر �ي� ��س �� ��ل� ���ي� �و�م� � ���ي� �ي� � �ي� �م ا �ل� او � ���‪� .‬و ك�ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف ا �ة‬ ‫� ث ق � ّا‬ ‫� �� ش ا‬ ‫ّٰ ن‬ ‫ن � �ؤ نّ � ّ � ن‬ ‫���خل‬ ‫اب�� �ب�ي� د � ا د � � ح�م�م�د ب�� �عب��د ا�لم�لك � ���� ر �ع��ل�ى ا �ل� او � ��� �لم� �ورد ا �ب��ر ب� ��و�� �عب��د ا لله ب��‬ ‫ٰ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ط�ا �ه � ن� ي خ� �� �إ ���س‬ ‫م��ا ن� �عب��د ا ّلله ��ف�� �ج��ا �ب�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب� ن� �م�ص�ع ب� �إ ��ل�ى خ� ار ��س�ا ن� � ك�‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ّ � ّ � ث ق �ف ض ت � ف أ‬ ‫� �ذ � أ ج أ ن �ت ��ت ن �ظم� �ف ت‬ ‫ي�ز‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ل �‬ ‫���� ك����ه � �و� �� ��� �ج� �ه�� ه �و�و�ج��ه �إ �ل�� ا �ل� او � �� �‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫��ر� ا �ل��د ا ر � �ر��ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ �ى �ل�ك � �و �مره � � �ي ك ب ب �ي ر ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �ف ّ آ �ن �قأ‬ ‫ا � ن � ّ �ت � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن �عب��د ا�لم��ل�ك �و ����س‬ ‫ل��ا ب� ���ل�م�ا ر� ��� � ���لب��ه‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫بر �هي�� �ج�� �ل��س��ي� �وح�م�م��د �ي ك‬ ‫��� ب� ا � ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف ت�ف ا � ت أ نّ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �� � ء �ل� � � ا �ل� ي� ه�م� �ي��ه ��سي�� �� �ل ب�‪� .‬ود ��ل� �إ �ل�ى ا �ل� او � ��� �� ك�ر �ل�ي� �ب��ر �و�� �عب��د ا لله‬ ‫‪184‬‬

‫‪184‬‬

‫‪٥١،١٣‬‬

‫‪٥٢،١٣‬‬

‫‪٥٣،١٣‬‬

‫‪٥٤،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

When al-Maʾmūn died, al-Muʿtaṣim confirmed ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir as governor 13.51 of Khurasan and Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm as his deputy in Baghdad, but he had a low opinion of ʿAbdallāh. He wrote to him: “Now may God forgive us both. I used to be overcome by waves of anger toward you, but your revenging yourself upon yourself has changed that. What I feel now is petty resentment, but I fear for you because of it, so do not come to court. Where my attitude to you is concerned, be content that I have revealed my feelings.93 Farewell.” Al-Faḍl ibn Marwān related: Al-Muʿtaṣim one day slandered ʿAbdallāh ibn 13.52 Ṭāhir, and the rest of the company followed suit, describing him as disloyal. I was there, and I got up and said, “Send him a letter summoning him to Baghdad. When he gets it, he’ll set off the same day.” Al-Muʿtaṣim said, “Sit down and write to him about our exchange.” ʿAbdallāh wrote back a letter to al-Muʿtaṣim, which he folded into the letter I had sent him, asking me to put it into the caliph’s hand, which I did. Al-Muʿtaṣim read it and asked me what it meant, word by word, and I explained it. As it turned out, ʿAbdallāh had sworn in his letter that if a letter containing a summons had arrived, he would have set out before evening. Abū l-ʿUmaythil recalled: I entered ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir’s audience hall and he 13.53 said, “You’re somewhat distant, don’t you think?” He stretched out his hand to me and I kissed it. He remarked, “You’ve shown me more disobedience than filial piety.” “How’s that?” I asked. “With the roughness of your mustache.” I responded, “The hedgehog’s prickles can’t harm the lion’s claws.” “I like this better than the praise of a hundred poems,” he said, and he ordered that I be given ten thousand dirhams. 13.54 ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir died in the year 230 [844–45] in the reign of al-Wāthiq. Aḥmad ibn Abī Duʾād remembered: When the news of ʿAbdallāh’s death arrived, Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik advised al-Wāthiq to dispatch Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Muṣʿab to Khurasan in his stead. Al-Wāthiq accepted the suggestion,

ordering him to draw up the documents and organize his equipment. Al-Wāthiq then summoned me, and when I entered the palace, I saw Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik and Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm sitting together, with Muḥammad writing the letter of appointment. When he saw me, he turned it over, and I saw that as an omen that their plan would be overturned. I entered al-Wāthiq’s presence and

185

185

‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫أ‬ ‫� ا �ق ��ل خ ا ن أ ن � ض ّ � �خ ة آ � ا ف‬ ‫اب� ن� ���ط�ا �ه � �و �نّ�ه ��ق�د �ع��م�ل �ع��ل� �إ خ� ار �� �إ ���س‬ ‫� �إ �لي��ه ��م��س�� � �ل� ��‬ ‫ح� � �إ �ى � ار ��س� � � �و � ي�� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أى ج‬ ‫أ ن � � ق � � ���س ا ق �خ� ة آ � ا �ف م أ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� � � ن �ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ج��� �م ن ا �ل ن‬ ‫�ه� � �و � �ي� ��ط�ل�� �لإ� �‬ ‫ح� �� �م��س�� � �ل� � � �ل�� د ر �ه مع� �و�‬ ‫ر ل � �ج‬ ‫� ��د � �وي� ��ط��ل�� � ر ا � �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف����ق��ل ت� ��ا � �م�� ا�لم��ؤ �م ن��� ن �‬ ‫ح�ا �� �ه�ي�ن �� ا � �ل �� � �ع ن��د ك �� � � � �ج� ت‬ ‫��ن �� ���د ك �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي ير‬ ‫ي� �إ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫م ي � ي� ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫وم‬ ‫ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن �ف �أ ن ت �م ت ا � �� �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ��ف� �ت�ف�� ّ �ق�ه� ��ل�ا ��س�ّم�ا �م� �م�ا ت��ن ف���ق‬ ‫ل�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا � �لق ��و� ����� ء � او �ج ��د �� ��� �‬ ‫�ه� � ك‬ ‫ح�� � �إ ل�ى ا � �� د �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف� � خ� ا � �ذ ه ا � �أ� ا �� � ا � � ه �� ه � � ا �ه ن ا � ا � �خ� � �م ن �ذ �� � ��ق ا �� � � ا � ��ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�و ي ر � ل�ك ل و �و �‬ ‫�ه�م �إو ر �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ل �و ل �ل و�ج‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ط� �م�ا ���د �ه�م�� ن‬ ‫ي� ت� ك‬ ‫��� ب� �ي��ه �إ �ل�ى ��ط�ا �هر ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� ��ط�ا �هر �ب�ا �ل��ع�ز ��� �ع ن� � ب��ي��ه �بو��ج����د�ي��د‬ ‫و رب ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ة�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ق�ه �وت���ك�و� ��د � ��م�م ت� ا �ل�ص��ي��ع�� �ع ن��د �عب��د ا لله �و�و�ل��ده � �و �‬ ‫ا �ل�و�ل�ا�ي�� �ل�ه �وت� بر� �م�ا ت�� �� �‬ ‫ح��س�� ت�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��خ‬ ‫�� �ا ��ف��ة ف��ه ‪ .‬ف����ق�ا �� ا ��ل�ص ا � �م�ا ��ق��ل ت�‪� � .‬أ�م �ح�مّ �د � ن �ع��د ا �ل�م��ل�ك ����ذ ��ل�� � ا ��ل�� ض‬ ‫�� ا � �ع ّ�م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل ل ي� م�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و ر �م ب � ب‬ ‫و إ رب‬ ‫وب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� ��ا ن ت ّ �ة‬ ‫ح��ا �ة �ع��د ا ّٰلله � ن ���ط�ا �ه ث��م�ا ��ن �ً�ا � �أ ���ع�� ن‬ ‫��ا ن �‬ ‫ي� ��س�ن ��‪.‬‬ ‫ر ي و بر‬ ‫ك�� � ع��م�ل �ع�لي��ه‪ .‬ك�� ��� �م�د �ي ب‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫ّ �أ ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح��س�� ن‬ ‫� �و �ّم�ا ���ط�ا �ه ب� ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� �ف ك�‬ ‫��ا � �م ن� ��سر� او � ا �ل ن��ا ��س �و �و�ي� ا �ل �ر �ي� � او �لب��� ��س‪�� .‬س�م�ا ه ا�لم�� � �مو�‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�أ �� ا �ل� �عت � ا �ة � ن �خ� ّ‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫�ذ � ا ��ل��م�ي�ن � ن �ف‬ ‫�ص�ه �ع ن �م�ع ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ��ت� ��ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� و‬ ‫ب ي ب ب‬ ‫� ى‬ ‫ي� ي �ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ح��ق�ا ��� ن‬ ‫���س�مي���ة ���ط�ا �ه �ب�� �ي� ا �يل��م�ي�ن �� ن �ل��� �ي��ع ���وه ����ق�ا �ل �ح�م�م��د ب� ن �عب��د ا�لم��ل�ك �م�ع ن��ا ه �و ا �ل� ���س��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي� م ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫���ست� �ق ا �ق ا ��ل �ّ �ة ن ّ ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ا ن �أ � ا ��لن ��ق ا ا ���ست�� ��ق ا �ق � ا � ه ��ف � �ة � �أ � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫ح� � � �ب� �ج��د �ود � ��و �ي� ا �ل�د �و�ل�� �وك�� � �‬ ‫ح�د � ب�� ء �و ح � � م� �ل� �ي� د �و�ل� ا�لم� م�و�‪.‬‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� � �نَ�ا �م نْ��هُ ��� �ل��مِ �� } � �� ��ا �ل�ا ���س�� �ق ا ق �ق ا � � ش ا‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ا ّلله �ت��ع�ا ��ل�ى { �ل���‬ ‫ي� ي ب‬ ‫ح� � ��‪� .‬و�� �ل ا �ل���� �عر‬ ‫ِ بِ ي نِ‬

‫‪٥٥،١٣‬‬

‫َ َ َّ َ �عِ َ َ ةُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ َ َ َ ةٌ ُ َ ْ �َ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫ا �م�ا ا ��� ���ع ت‬ ‫� لِم‬ ‫�ج�دٍ  �ت�� �ل�ق�ا �ه�ا �� را �ب�� �ب�� �ل���يِ ِ�م�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ي رفِ‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫ِ‬

‫�أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� ة � �ّ‬ ‫�� � �ه�ا ن ا ��ل ش‬ ‫ح��س�� ن‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� ب� ن� �م�ص�ع ب� �ج�يّ��د ا �ل �ر �ي� �‬ ‫������ع ّ ��ق�ا ��ل ك�‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا �لإ��ص�ا �ب�� �ب�ا � ظل��� ن�‪.‬‬ ‫ك�ر �ج ب � �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً ي‬ ‫ن ��ل ن ��ف شُ ّ‬ ‫ا ��ف‬ ‫ّ � ن �ع���� � ن ا ا ن ��ق أ � ��‬ ‫�ق ا � ���ن ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ب �ل‬ ‫� و ر ب ط ر ب�‬ ‫�� �ل ك� � �ي ��و�م� �ي� ر �ل�ي� ب � ي �ى ب �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح��س�� ن �أ �م�ا ت� �ى �ه��ذ ا ا �ل� ش‬ ‫ا ة ف �ق ا � �� ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م����د �ود �ي��عن��� ا ب�� ن��ه �لي���ق ت���ل نّ �ص�ا �‬ ‫ح ب� �ه� ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�إ ل�ى ��س� ر�ي�� ��� � �ل ل�ي� ا ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ف‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف� � �ذ �ق � ن � �م � � �ز � ث ّ‬ ‫���ا ن� �م ن � �م �ه�م�ا �م�ا‬ ‫�ج� ت� �م ن‬ ‫���ا ن� ���ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ا � �ل��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر‪ .‬ج�رى �ه� ا ا � �ل ��و�ل �ع��د ي� ج�رى ا �ل�ه �ل ��م ك� � ر‬ ‫‪186‬‬

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The Virgins’ Monastery

he told me the news of ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir’s death, adding that he had taken steps to have Isḥāq sent to Khurasan, accompanied by five thousand soldiers, with their pay assured and Isḥāq to receive five million dirhams’ worth of support. I exclaimed, “Commander of the Faithful, Isḥāq guarantees the people’s submission to you. If you send him away, you’ll have no power over them. You need to increase the army, so how can you divide it, especially with what you’ll spend on it? There’s no sense in paying out these sums. I have a better suggestion.” “What is it?” he asked. “Take a roll of parchment costing two dirhams and use it to write to Ṭāhir ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir, offering your condolences on his father’s death and transferring the governorship to him. You’ll get a return on what you spend, and you’ll have bestowed the utmost favor on ʿAbdallāh and his descendants and improved the caliphate’s standing with them.” “What you’ve said is quite right,” al-Wāthiq said, and he ordered Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik to carry it out and stop what he was working on.

ʿAbdallāh lived forty-eight years. Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn was outstanding, a man of judgment and courage. 13.55 Al-Maʾmūn called him “he of the two right hands,” and he signed his letters with this epithet and was addressed thus as well. Al-Muʿtaṣim asked a group of his close associates why Ṭāhir was called “he of the two right hands,” and they did not know the reason. Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik said, “It means ‘possessing two merits, one of pursuing a right policy and fidelity to the Abbasid cause’”—he was one of its principal proselytizers—“‘and the other of having helped al-Maʾmūn to establish himself as caliph.’ Almighty God has said, «We would have seized him by the right hand»94—that is, by his merit. And as the poet said: If a standard was raised in glory,

ʿArābah seized it with the might of his right hand.”95 A recollection of Jabhān the Shi ʿi: Al-Ḥusayn ibn Muṣʿab had good judgment 13.56 and his suppositions turned out correct. I was in ʿAlī ibn ʿĪsā ibn Māhān’s palace one day when he had ordered Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn to be tied up with a rope to a pole. Al-Ḥusayn said to me, “Take a look at this fellow tied up here. He’ll surely kill the owner of this palace.” I took it to be a joke, but then

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‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫ن‬ ‫ح � ن ��ق ا �� � �ل� ّا �أ��ن ��ف �ذ ا � �أ� � ن � ّ � ن �ع����س � ن � ا � ا ن ��ف ا ��ل ش � خ‬ ‫�ق�� ��ل ا ��ل‬ ‫�ي ��و��� �إ �ل�ى � ار ��س�ا �‬ ‫� ��س�ي�‪ � .‬ل وم� � �ل� م�ي� ع��ل�ي� ب � ي �ى ب � م� ه� � �ي� �ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫� �أ�خ �ذ � أ ن �ن �ف �ذ � �ق � أ‬ ‫أ ةآ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ا �ه � �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ا � ن ا �ل‬ ‫ي� �ع��ل� � ر���ع�� � �ل� �� �و�و�ج� �ه�ه‬ ‫�ل��� ا�لم� �م�و� � �إو � � � ه �إ لي�� �ع �د ا�لم� �م�و� ل��ط� �هر ب � ح��س�أ� ى ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � � ّ‬ ‫�ن ظ � نّ‬ ‫� ��ل‬ ‫��ت ب� �إ �لي��ه �ع��ل� ّ ب� ن� �عي����س�ى � ن� ��ي�ق�ي�� ��ل�ه ا �ل�م�ي�ر�ة �و�ل� �ي ك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حرب� �ع��ل� ّ ب� ن� �عي����س�ى �ف ك‬ ‫�� �ي� ����‬ ‫�إأ ل�ى ا لر ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �نّ�ه ي�‬ ‫ح�ا ر�ب�ه‪.‬‬

‫��ق�ا �� �ع� �د ا ّٰلله � ن �ع��د ا ّٰلله � ن ����ا �ه � �ّ ث ن‬ ‫ح ٰ�م ن � ن �ف�ه �ع ن �ع ّ�م�ه ��ق�ا �� ��ش��خ‬ ‫�� � ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب� ب‬ ‫ل ب �ي‬ ‫ح�د � ��ي� �عب��د ا �لر � ب � � �م �‬ ‫ب� ط ر‬ ‫أ �أ‬ ‫� �ق ة �ف أ ت �� ّ ئ � ف �ف �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ر���د ا�لم�� �م�و� ��د ���ع� �إ �ل�ى �‬ ‫ع��س��ر ��ط�ا �هر �ي ��و� ا �ل�و��ع�� �ر � ��ه �ي بع��� ا �ل�ص� ��و� � �وي�� �ه ب� �و�ج���ء‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫يي‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ا �� ف� ه ا ف� ��ق � ت أ ّ ا � �أ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� بو��ي��ده ك��سر�م� �ب� �و�م� ��ل� � �ل�ه ك��و �م� ر�ص� ص ي�� �م� ء � �ل� � �ي��ه� ا �ل��م�ي ر �لي����س �ه� ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ع � � �� � ن � ا � �ف �خ � � ا خ � ��ف ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �ة‬ ‫��ع�ا � �م��ذ �ث�ل�ا �ث‬ ‫�و��ق ت� � ك�‬ ‫���ل‪�� .‬ق�ا �ل �م�ع� ر �إ �لي��ك �و ل�ى م� �ل� �ي�عر� �ب� ر ي�‪� .‬م� د ���ل �ج �و�ي� �ط‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ �إ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح��ا �� ��ل� ��ن �ف����س ف��ت�خ��� ن� ن�� ���ف �ه��ذ ا ا �� �ل ��ق ت� ف� ف����ع��ل ت� �م�ا‬ ‫��ل ش����غ���ل ��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل���م ‪� .‬و�خ��ّ ��ف ت� � ن� � � ت‬ ‫ج �إ ى ي� و ي� ي�‬ ‫�� ب �‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أ ت ي ف� �ق � ت � �أ أ �خ � ا ا ��ن‬ ‫ر� ��ي�‪� �� .‬ل� ا �ل��م�ي�ر � �ب��ر ب�م� �ي��ع� �ي�‪.‬‬

‫ّ أ‬ ‫��ق ا �� � ا ّٰ ه � �ّدث� ن � ا �ة �م ن �ش �خ‬ ‫���ا ن� �ص�ا �‬ ‫� ن��ا ��ق�ا ��ل �ل�م�ا � �قب���ل �ج�ي�� ش�� �ع��ل� ّ ك�‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫ع��ي �د لل �وح� ��ي� �ج �م� �ع� � ��ي ��و‬ ‫�ل ب‬ ‫أ ْ � ي�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ع��ل � ا � ا � � ا � � �ق‬ ‫ظ ��خل � ق‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫� ا � ائ �‬ ‫ح�ت �ه� �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ه� ح� � ل�ط� �ي� �وك‬ ‫���ا � ��د ض�‬ ‫ح�م � �لي���ي��ه �وك�� � �ع ���ي��م ا ��ل��‬ ‫��رب� �م� �م� ��� ى ب‬ ‫م أم‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت �ف‬ ‫��ف �إ�ذ‬ ‫حت � ق ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن � ه �أ �� �ة �غ �ل ا ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�س�و�ى ��� ��سر�ج��ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫����د �ي��د ا �لب��� ��س و �‬ ‫بر‬ ‫� م و ى �ي �ي� ر�ج‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫ُ ّ أ � ف �ف‬ ‫�ع�د �ب�� �ل�� ��ا ر��س‪.‬‬ ‫�ق ا � � ا ف‬ ‫ًّ‬ ‫ح � ت � ��ف �ل ّ ا ن ت ن �إ�ذ‬ ‫� �د� � ا‬ ‫��ع��لت��ه � ك���‬ ‫�د �� �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ك�ف ا ���ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ي��د �ل�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل ��ط� �هر ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ري‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت�خ‬ ‫�� ���ة �ف �أ�� ت� �أ�مًا �ه�ا ��ل ن� ف����ق��ل ت� ��ل���� ��ل�ا �أ ن �أ ض‬ ‫���ل�� ��ل��ه ا ��لض‬ ‫�� ��ه �ع��ل� ا ��لب�ي� ض� ة �ف ن �ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫���� � �إ� � ��م�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ب ى‬ ‫في‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ ه ف� ��ق ت �� ض �ة‬ ‫�س�ف ف� ا � �ّ ا �ف ا ��لت���ل�ف‬ ‫��م�ع ت ��د � َّ ث��ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�دد‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ه‬ ‫� ب ي�‬ ‫�ه� �إو �ل � �و �‬ ‫� ي ي� م � بر �ل�ى ر‬ ‫ا �ل� ي �� ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫حتّ �ن ش ا ��ل� ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�س��� �ب�ي� ن� ��ث ن��ا �ي�ا ه‪.‬‬ ‫� او �ل �ر ��س �ى ��� ب� ي‬ ‫�ًا �ف ق ّ ة �ف ن�ز � ن ُ‬ ‫�ق ا � ��ف � ّ ا �قُت ا ت ض ّ‬ ‫����� ا �� �لق‬ ‫���ا ن� �ع�� ّ � ن �ع����س� ا ك���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا �و��ق�د �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�� �ل �ل�م� ���ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح� ��م ا � رب وم و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي� � ى ر ب ي� ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ش ّ أ أأ‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫ا �ق أ ن ��ت ّ� �ف‬ ‫�ص�د � � ر ج���ل ��ل�ي�ركب�‬ ‫�ن ��� ��سر�ج��ه ف����ق ت���ل�ه‬ ‫����ه �� ��ط‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫��ع ن��ه د ا �ود ��س�ي � ه ب���ل � � ي ك‬ ‫�إ �لي��ه ����هر�ي� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� � ف �ق � �ق ق ت �ق ض � � ث ّ أ ت أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ا �ف‬ ‫ع��س��ر �� � �ى � �‬ ‫�و�ه�و �ل� �ي��عر��ه �و�ص�ا ر �إ �ل�ى ��ط�ا �هر ��� �ا �ل ��د �ت���ل� ��ا ���ي� ا �ل� ك‬ ‫بر ��س�ه � ن��ا د �ى‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪٥٨،١٣‬‬

‫‪٥٩،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

things happened between them the way they did, and I was amazed at what al-Ḥusayn had said. When al-Amīn sent ʿAlī ibn ʿĪsā ibn Māhān with the armies to Khurasan to capture al-Maʾmūn and dispatch him to him, al-Maʾmūn gave Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn command over four thousand men and sent him to Rayy to fight

ʿAlī. ʿAlī had written to Ṭāhir demanding he provide supplies; he was not expecting Ṭāhir to fight him.

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir got this account from ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn 13.57 Fahm, who had it from his uncle: I had set out to go to al-Maʾmūn and I pushed on till I reached Ṭāhir’s camp. It was the day of the battle, and I saw him marshaling the troops and going back and forth with a piece of bread in his hand, while a servant of his was holding a tin jug of water. I said, “Prince, this is not a time to eat.” “I beg your pardon,” he said, “and the pardon of those who don’t know the state I’m in. For three days I haven’t eaten anything because I’ve been so consumed with this business. I was afraid my strength would fail me when I needed it most, so I’m doing what you see.” I responded, “The prince knows best what he is going through.”

ʿUbaydallāh also cited elderly members of the family: When ʿAlī’s army 13.58 advanced, the standard-bearer was Ḥātim al-Ṭāʾ ī.96 He had suffered a flogging of eight hundred lashes and so he had no flesh left on his buttocks. He was corpulent but very brave, so he had four servants who lifted him into the saddle, and when he was sitting firmly, he was worth a thousand horsemen. Ṭāhir said, “I set my sights on him and charged. Up close, I saw he was covered in chain mail and there was no way a blow could reach him. It was a terrifying sight. I thought, ‘The only thing is to strike him on the helmet. Either the sword cuts through it, or it’s the end of me.’ I clasped my hands round the sword and struck him on the crown, splitting the helmet and his head, and the sword stuck in his front teeth.” The army was alarmed by the killing of Ḥātim. ʿAlī ibn ʿĪsā had been riding 13.59 in a palanquin, but he came down and a fine bay with a white sock was brought up for him to ride. Before he was settled in the saddle, Dāwud Siyāh struck him and killed him, without knowing who he was. He went to Ṭāhir and said, “I’ve killed the army’s judge,” but then ʿAlī’s head was brought and Ṭāhir’s herald proclaimed, “Anyone who takes anything can keep it, and those who

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‫� ذ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع�� ا ر�ى‬

‫� ن ا � � ا � ن أ �خ ��ذ ش ئًا �ف � ئ � �ذ ّ ة � ّ �ف �‬ ‫��ت � � أ ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫هو �ل�ه � بو�ر�� ت� ا �ل�� �م�� م�م ن� ��س� ��ك ا �ل��د �م�ا ء‪� .‬وك�� ب� �إ �ل�ى ا�لم�� � �مو�‬ ‫م�� د ي� ��ط� �هر م� � �� ���ي���� �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت �ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س��� ن ك��ت�‬ ‫�ذ � ا ت‬ ‫��اب �� �ور� �� �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫�ص���ع� � او �ل��س�ل�ا � ‪.‬‬ ‫� ب� ن� �عي����س�ى �ب�ي� ن� �ي��د �ي� �و�خ��ا ��م�ه ��ي� �إ �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�و �ي� ا �ل �ري� � ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ا ن � ن �أ � ا � ن‬ ‫��ّ ��س�ا ر ���ط�ا �هر �إ ��ل�ى ب���غ��د ا د �ف ك�‬ ‫���ا �‪.‬‬ ‫�� � م� �مره م� ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ق ا �‬ ‫�س ��� � ��مّ � � ن ا ��ل�ع ّ ا �� ا �� ��� ��س ّ‬ ‫���ا ن ا �ل�م��أ �م ن �ع ن��د د �خ� ��ل�ه ��ل� ���غ��د ا د ��ق�د ����خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل�ى �م ب � ب س و ي�‬ ‫و �إ ى ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ن �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن �� ه �ص�د � ��قًا � �أ �� ه �� �ؤ ا �� ا �ل� �أ � ن ��ف ا ��ل�صف �ع ن ه ��ف�د خ‬ ‫��ف�ا � ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�س��ع�ا �ذ �ب� ��ط� �ه ب� ا �‬ ‫ح��س��ي� �وك�� � ل� � �ي � و��س� ل� �س ل م� �مو� �ي� �‬ ‫� �� ���ل‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح �‬ ‫���ط�ا �ه �إ ��ل�ى ا �ل�م�� �م�و ن� �و�ه�و ي� ش��� ب� ��ف��س��ق�ا ه ر ���ط� ًل�ا � �و �م ه ��ا �ج��ل‬ ‫���ل�و��س ف����ق�ا ��ل ��لي���� �ل�ص�ا �‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫� � أ‬ ‫ف� �ق ا � � �أ ن �ذ ��ف �م � � ا ّ ة ��ف �أ ّ ا ��ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل���ر ��ط � � ي�ج �ل��س �ب�ي�� �ي��د ي� ��س�ي �ده‪ � �� .‬ل ا�لم� �م�آو� ا ك �ي� �ج��ل��س ا ل�ع� �م� � �م� �ي� �ج��ل��س‬ ‫� � � ق ث ّ �ق ا � � ن خ ن ت�غ �غ ت �ي�ن ا ف �ق ا � � � ا‬ ‫��ا �ّ ة �ف ا ��ل �‬ ‫ا ���خل‬ ‫�ص�� �� �ج��ل�و��س �ل�ه �م ��ط�ل��‪�� .‬م ��س� � ه ر ��ط�ل��ي� � �ري�� �و��� ر�ر� �ع � ه ��� � �ل �ل�ه ��ط� �هر‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫أ�ذ � �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� � ا �أ � � ا � �ؤ � ن � ن � ا �أ � ّٰ ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�لِ� ت��ب� ك��‬ ‫�ى ا لله �عي���ي���ك �و��د د ا ن�� ت� �ل��ك ا �لب��ل�ا د � �و �ع ن� �ل��ك ا �ل�عب��ا د‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‪ 1‬ي� م�ي ر �ل �‬ ‫م م��ي� �ل� ب� ك�‬ ‫م يت � � ّ ة �ف ��ّ أ‬ ‫ف� �ق ا � � �أ ��ف �ذ‬ ‫�� �ذ ��ّ ��ف �ت‬ ‫ح�ز ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص � �إ �ل�ى الم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��� ��ي� ك��ل � م�ورك‪ � � .‬ل �ل��مر �ي� كره ل و �ي� ��س� ره � و م� ي �ل�و‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫�و� ر‬ ‫أ � ّ �ف �قأ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ � � ن ��ش��� ف��ت‬ ‫��� � ا �ة ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ��ل��ك‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ا � �م�� ا �ل�م��ؤ �م ن��� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن� �ب ��� ا �ل�عب��ا ��س ��� ���ل�ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ير‬ ‫ح�د م� �ج �و م �ج �إ‬ ‫أي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫تت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫� ا ض�� �ع ن��ه‪�� .‬ق�ا �ل ��ق�د ض� ت ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ور �‬ ‫��ي��� �ع��ه � �و �مر� �ب��ص�ل��ه �ورد �م �ر�ب����ه �و�ل�و�ل� � ��ه �لي����س �م� � ��ه�ل‬ ‫� �أن � �أ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا �ل���� �ل��‬ ‫�� �ر�ه‪.‬‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫س‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �ذ �� � � ا ��ل��ل � � ن � ا ��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ��ؤ ه‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل �ل�مر� او ن� ب� ن� �ج� ب�غ� �� �و�ه‬ ‫�صر�ف� �و��ق�د �ش��غ����ل ��ق��لب��ه ب� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ش��� ك‬ ‫�ر ل�ك ود �ع� �م� م�و� و �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫نّ � تّ‬ ‫� � � �ف ة أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ ان ت ّ‬ ‫�خ ��ذ � ث �ا ث ا ئ �ة‬ ‫�ص� ���ع ض‬ ‫��ا ت‬ ‫ل��ا � �ل��ط�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ه� ��لب��ع ض�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �م�ع�ك ��ل � �م� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫ك�� ��ب��ه �إ � �ل� ك�� ب‬ ‫و ل ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ئ ت أ � ف � � ّ م � ن ئ ة أ � ف ت �أ‬ ‫� ��ل�ف� د ر�ه� ��ف�� �ع ���ط ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�� ن ا ���خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا د � �م�ا ���� � �ل�� �وك���ا ت��ب��ه ح�م�م��د ب� ن� �ه�ا ر�و� �م�ا ��� � �ل�� �و���س�� �ل�ه‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫أ ن أ � مأ‬ ‫� �ؤ ن ن �لِ�َ � ف ف �ذ � � ��ف � ّ ا �خ ا �ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� � ن � ا � �أ � ن � ن �غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي� ب �و� � وط ب�‬ ‫�ل ل�ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� � ي���س� �ل � ي ر � ي� م ب �ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �ئ�ه ‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه � �ل��َ ��س�� ��ل ت� �ع ن �ذ ��ل��ك ف����ق�ا ��ل �ل�غ��ّم ��ه � ت��ن�غ�ّ��ص� �م ن‬ ‫��ن �ف���س�ه ��س�� ��ل�ه �ع ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي� ب‬ ‫ي� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ب ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�أ��� ه ف� ��ق ا �� � �ش�� ء ن خ� � �م ن �أ � �ق ت �لت � ف� ��ق ا �� � ا � ّ�د � � �م�ت �أ�خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج ل� ‪ � � .‬ل ه�و �ي� �إ � ر�ج � ر ��س�ك �� ��ك‪ � � .‬ل ي� �س�ي ي� و �ى ر�ج �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ًّ ف �ق ا � � ّا أ ت � ا ً �ذ‬ ‫�خ ن���تق� ن ا ��� � �ة ��ف ا �ت � ت ��‬ ‫�� ت� � �خ�� � �م�ا �ن�ا ��ل�ه �م ن ا ��ل���ذ ��لّ��ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي� و‬ ‫ي� ب ر‬ ‫�إ ى‬ ‫��س ار ��� � �ل �لم� ر� ��ي� ��ط� �ه ار ك�ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ً نّ‬ ‫ا � � ��ف ا ض ة � ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ره‪.‬‬ ‫���� �و �ل ن� ��ي� ��و ت� ��ط�ا �ه ار �م��ي� �م�ا �ي ك‬ ‫�لإ� � �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�خ �‬ ‫�ذ � � �ف‬ ‫��ف�� �خ��� �ح�مّ�م��د � ن �ه�ا � ن� ���ط�ا‬ ‫��� ���ط�ا �ه �إ ��ل�ى � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�م�د ب� ن� �ب �ي� ��ا �ل��د �و�هو�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫رب‬ ‫ا �� �ز � ف� �ق ا �� نّ ا �ل� � �ف � ن � �غ � ض ا ��ئ � �ث�ن ا �م نّ �‬ ‫� �خ‬ ‫� ��� �ف��غ� ّ���ن�� �ع ن �ع�� ن‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫ل�و ير �� � ل �إ � معر�و� ع��د ي� ��ي ر �‬ ‫ع � او �ل � ء ��ي� �لي����س بر ي ص ي ب ي� � ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ت�ب��ك‪.‬‬

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‫‪٦٠،١٣‬‬

‫‪٦١،١٣‬‬

‫‪٦٢،١٣‬‬

The Virgins’ Monastery

shed blood will not be held responsible.” Ṭāhir wrote to al-Maʾmūn and Dhū al-Riyāsatayn:97 “I’m writing to you with ʿAlī’s head in front of me and his ring on my finger. Farewell.” Then Ṭāhir marched to Baghdad and his subsequent history is well known. At the time when al-Maʾmūn entered Baghdad he was incensed against 13.60 Muḥammad ibn Abī l-ʿAbbās al-Ṭūsī. Muḥammad turned to Ṭāhir, who was a friend of his, for help, asking him to request a pardon from al-Maʾmūn. When Ṭāhir went to see al-Maʾmūn he was drinking, and he poured Ṭāhir a measure and told him to take a seat. Ṭāhir objected, “It’s not for the chief of police to sit in his master’s presence.” Al-Maʾmūn replied, “That’s in a public gathering, but in private he’s free to sit.” He poured him two more measures, and his eyes filled with tears. Ṭāhir asked, “Why are you weeping, Commander of the Faithful? May God never give you cause to weep. The country has submitted to you, the servants have been subjugated, and you have achieved what you wanted in all your affairs.” Al-Maʾmūn said, “Because of something that is humiliating to talk about and distressing to hide. Everyone knows some sorrow. Mention a request, if you have one.” “Commander of the Faithful, Muḥammad ibn Abī l-ʿAbbās is in the wrong. Pardon him and restore him to your favor.” “He’s pardoned. I’m giving him a gift and reinstating him to his rank. I’d summon him if he were good company.” Ṭāhir thanked al-Maʾmūn, invoked God’s blessings, and left, his mind occu- 13.61 pied with the caliph’s weeping. He said to his secretary, Marwān ibn Jabghūyah, “Secretaries know how to be subtle. And there’s a clannishness among the Khurasanis. Take three hundred thousand dirhams and give Ḥusayn the Eunuch two hundred thousand and his secretary Muḥammad ibn Hārūn one hundred thousand, and tell Ḥusayn to ask the Commander of the Faithful why he wept.” Marwān carried out the order and the next day, when Ḥusayn was with al-Maʾmūn and the caliph was in a good mood, he asked him why he had wept. Al-Maʾmūn said, “Why do you ask?” “Because I’m sad and upset about it.” “If you breathe a word of it, I’ll kill you.” Ḥusayn protested, “Sire, when have I ever revealed a secret?” “When I saw Ṭāhir, I remembered my brother and the humiliation that befell him, and I was choked with tears. But I relaxed and let them flow. Sooner or later I’ll do something horrible to Ṭāhir.” Muḥammad ibn Hārūn passed the information on to Ṭāhir, who rode off 13.62 to see Aḥmad ibn Abī Khālid, the vizier. “No favor done me is forgotten,” he

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‫ّ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ؤ ن ن ف �ق ا � � ّ‬ ‫� ��ل ّ‬ ‫� �غ��دًا ��ف� ���ن� ��س�� �ف���ع� ‪� .‬ف��غ��د ا �ع��ل��ه �و�غ��د ا اب� ن �ب �� �خ��ا ��ل��‬ ‫� �م�ي�‬ ‫م �م���ي�‪� � ��� .‬ل �ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّى‬ ‫� أ ن �ف ّ‬ ‫�� ه ��ق ا � ��نّ ا ن� ت � ا �ة ��ق ا � �لِ�َ � ��ق ا � � �أنّ� �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�لم�� �م�و� ���ل�م�ا �و��ص�ل �إ لي�� � �ل �إ �ي� م� �م� لب�� ر�‬ ‫ح� ‪ � .‬ل و�م ويح�ك � ل �ل� ��ك ول�ي �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�غ ّ ا ن ن ّ ا خ ا ن‬ ‫���� �ة �أ �� ��ف �أ �خ� ا �ف �أ ن خ� � �ع��ل ه �خ� ا � ّ‬ ‫َن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ي�‬ ‫رج ي‬ ‫� ��س� � ب�� �عب�� د � ار ��س� � �و�ه�و �و�م� �م�ع�ه � ر س‬ ‫� ت ف ا فّ‬ ‫ف� � � �ق ا � � �ق ف ّ‬ ‫ح��س�� ن ‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل ��ا‬ ‫� ت ف ��ف ن ت � �ق ا � � ا‬ ‫ن ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي��‬ ‫�ص��ط�ل�م�ه �� �ل � �ل �د � ك‬ ‫��ر� ي��م� � ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫��ر� �ي��ه �م� �رى‪� �� .‬ل ��ط� �هر ب�� ا ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ع�ق�د ��ل�ه � ����خ‬ ‫ح�م�د �ه� � او ّلله �خ��ا ��ل� �ل��� �ي�ز ��ل ��ه �‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�تى � �ج��ا �ب�ه �ود �ع�ا �ب� ���ط�ا �هر�م ن� ��س�ا �عت��ه �ف�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ص‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع ن �خ� �ل � ن ش ا � �ذ �‬ ‫�� � �ة ��ل��ل��� �ة � � ت �م ن �ذ � ا �� �لق�� �ة‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م ن � �� �م�ه ��ف��ن�ز ��ل � ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س��ا � ي���ل ب � �ه���� و �ل�ك ي ��و �ج مع� ي ل� ب��ق�ي � � ي� ع�د‬ ‫� يو‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫��س�ن ��ة ��م�� � �م�ا ��ئت��� ن‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫سو‬ ‫ن ��ل ن خ ا ن ��ا ن ت � ش �ة �ق ��ث‬ ‫تّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا �‬ ‫ح��ص�ل ��ط� �ه ب� ا �‬ ‫ح��س��ي� ب� ار ��س� � �وك�� ��� ا �ل��� ار ��د ك���ر� �ه�� ك � او ��س��ب��د‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫�ت ض ّ �ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف�ت � � أ ن �تً‬ ‫��ث� �ة ت� ثّ‬ ‫� �ع��لي��ه ���ج��‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �مر�ه� � ك‬ ‫��ع�ه ��ي� � �مر�ه�‬ ‫��� ب� �إ �لي��ه ا�لم�� � �مو� ك���ب��ا ك���‬ ‫ح��ه �ع��ل�ى �م ن��ا �ه��ض‬ ‫� ت��ه� � ��يو ن� ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ�� �غ ظ � أ‬ ‫ّ �ف‬ ‫�ت ��‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ت�ه� � �و �نّ�ه ي� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ا �� �إ ��ل�ى �ز ��ا د �ة �ع�د �ة ��� ر�ج��ا ��ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ف ك‬ ‫��� ب� �ط� هر ي�� كر ��ل�� �مر � و ��و � �‬ ‫��و �‬ ‫ي أ أي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ق ا � �ف �أ ف ظ � �ذ � � � �أ ن ف�ت � �غ ظ � � ق � �‬ ‫ت � ن � ّ ��‬ ‫���� �إ �لي��ه �ي����ل��� �ل�ه � �و � ��و�ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�لي���ل� � ه� �� �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫م�م‬ ‫د‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر �إ ى‬ ‫ح�� ��� �ل�ك ا�لم� �م�و� ك ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫مأ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ي ث� � ب��ي���ك‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح��س�� ن‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ي ت���ق��ل��د ا ��ل��ر���د �ع��ل ���ط�ا �ه ب� ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر ك�‬ ‫����لث��و� ب� ن� �ث�ا ب�� ت� ب� ن� �ب �� ��س�ع�د �وك�‬ ‫ي� ب خ� ار ��س�ا ن� � �نّ�ه‬ ‫��ف� ك�‬ ‫ب ي �ى ر �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�خ ��‬ ‫ا �� ��ق � ن ا �ل� ن � � ّا ت �ّ ن ا � ث � ن ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ج���ل��س �ب� ل رب� م� م�ب� ر �لم� ب��ي� م� �‬ ‫ح�د � م� �ط� هر ��د ورود م� ورد �ع�ي�� ‪� .‬ط ب�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف ّ‬ ‫�ف ا �ؤ ن �ة‬ ‫�غ� ��ل� �ذ ك��‬ ‫ح ت� ��ه � � ��ل��ا ء ك � ا ��ك�‬ ‫� � �ّم��ة �ح�مّ��د ��م�ا � �ص��‬ ‫���ل ���ف ��ة ��ق�ا ��ل ا ��ل��ّله�ّ � �ص��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ر ا ���خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل�م�ا ب���ل‬ ‫�ه� �م� � �و�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب وي‬ ‫ّ �ش م ث ح‬ ‫ا �ذ ت � ن ف ت أ �نّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح�ق�� ن ا ��ل��د �م�ا ء � �ص�ل� � ا � ا �ل��� ‪��� .‬ع��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م ن� ب���غ��ى �‬ ‫ح ش����د �ع��ل‬ ‫�ه�ا �بل��� ا �ل����ع� �‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� � أ�نّ � أ أ م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫تت ت‬ ‫ت ���خل �‬ ‫�ا � ن � ا �ف�� ت ��ن �ف‬ ‫��ن �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ � �ق ت � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و�ل �م� ��و�ل �ل��ي� �ل�م � ك� � ��د ر �ل�ى ر ب ر و م ي � ي ر ب ي� � ط ر م � �ي�‬ ‫�أ ن‬ ‫��ت ت ��ف �أ �ت ا ّٰ � ن ن � ه � ��ق � ��ف ا �ة �� ا � � ا �ل� �أ� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫��س��ه‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫رب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى‬ ‫رأ م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ر �ع��ل ا�لم�� �م� � ��� �ل��ك �ش���ق �ع��ل��ه �ود �ع�ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�د ب� ن� �ب ��ي� ��ا �ل��د �و��ا �ل �ل�ه ��د ك� ت�‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫�و�لم� �ورد ا لب �ى و ب‬ ‫� �ف � � ّ أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ن ت �أ �ع�� � ه �ف� ض��ّ�ن ت � ا � ن‬ ‫��ق��ل ت� �ل��ك ��ي� ��ط�ا �هر�لم�ا � ش���ر ت� ب��ت���ق��لي��ده خ� ار ��س�ا � �م�ا ك� � ل� ب� �م � م� �ي�‬ ‫�ك�و� � �وب�ا لله‬ ‫م‬

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The Virgins’ Monastery

said to him, “and my praise does not come cheaply. Get me out of the Commander of the Faithful’s sight.” “Come to me tomorrow morning early. I’ll take care of it.” The next day Aḥmad ibn Abī Khālid went to see al-Maʾmūn, and when in his presence he said, “I couldn’t sleep last night.” “Why on earth not?” “Because you have appointed Ghassān ibn ʿAbbād governor of Khurasan. He and his people are easygoing, and I’m afraid that a Kharijite will revolt against him and overthrow him.” Al-Maʾmūn responded, “You’ve had the same idea I’ve had. Who would be suitable?” “Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn.” “But Aḥmad, he’ll throw off his allegiance, by God.” Aḥmad kept on at al-Maʾmūn until he secured his agreement. He summoned Tāhir immediately and gave him the letter of appointment. Ṭāhir left straightaway and established a temporary camp in Khalīl ibn Hishām’s garden. It was Friday,98 the twenty-ninth of Dhu’l-Qadah in the year 205 [May 6, 821]. When Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn arrived in Khurasan, the Kharijites had acquired 13.63 many followers there and were a force to be reckoned with. Al-Maʾmūn wrote him many letters urging him to fight them and denouncing his lack of action against them. Ṭāhir replied, pointing out their fierceness and bravery, and saying that he needed to expand his army to fight them. That angered al-Maʾmūn, who wrote back with insults and threats, saying, “I’m thinking of sending you to join your father.” Kulthūm ibn Thābit ibn Abī Saʿd, who headed the postal service in Khurasan 13.64 under Ṭāhir, told how he was sitting near the pulpit when it emerged that Ṭāhir had taken the decision he’d taken, after he had received this message from al-Maʾmūn. Ṭāhir delivered the Friday sermon, and when he came to the point of mentioning the caliph he said, “O God, grant Muḥammad’s community prosperity, as You have done to those close to You, and preserve it from the harm caused by those who act tyrannically toward it and mobilize force against it. Reunite it, save it from bloodshed, and heal the discord within it.”99 Kulthūm said, “I knew I would be the first to be killed, because I couldn’t keep quiet about this sermon, and couldn’t keep my actions from Ṭāhir. I forced myself to write, but God granted me an unexpected favor when Ṭāhir died soon after.” Al-Maʾmūn was disturbed by the news of the sermon. He summoned 13.65 Aḥmad ibn Abī Khālid and said, “When you advised me to appoint Ṭāhir

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‫�ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ئ ن � ت ت� ّ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ن ت �� �ف ا � �أ ض ّ‬ ‫�ل��� �ل� ����ل�� �‬ ‫طف� �لإ���ص�ل�ا � � �مره‬ ‫��ر� ن� �عن���ق��ك‪� ��� .‬ه�د �ى اب� ن� �ب �ي� �خ��ا �ل��د‬ ‫�ك��ا ك� � ل���س� ده ‪� 1‬ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫��ل ��‬ ‫ا �� �� ا ��ف ا ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫���ا �‬ ‫� � ���ض�� �م���سم� � ��ل�ع��ل�م�ه �� �‬ ‫��ا ��ه ��ه ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا � �ص��ل ت� ا ��له�د ا ��ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ �ى �ط� هر�ه�د ي� و ل�ط� � و ي �‬ ‫ب �إ �ج ب ب‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫ب ي � وم‬ ‫� � أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�� � ن ��‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ل��ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ت��د ا �� �م ش‬ ‫��� ��� ��م�ا ت� ���ع�د � �� �م�� ن‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب يو‬ ‫�إ ل�ى ��ط� �هر� ل �‬ ‫رج وي‬ ‫�� ن �ف ل�‬ ‫�ن �ة ت �خ� ن ا ئ �ة ��ف ا ت ه �ن �ة‬ ‫حّ‬ ‫ح��س�� �� ا‬ ‫���ا ن� �م� ��ل��د ���ط�ا �ه ب� ن ا ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�س‬ ‫و ي� و وو‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�وك� و‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �م�ا ��ئت��� ن‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫و‬ ‫ئ � ف �ق ّ � أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ن ه ���ط���ل �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫غ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫خ�ز‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و�لم� �م� � ������ ا �ج�ل‬ ‫ه� او � ا � ن� ��ط� �هر ��� ��ل��د ا�لم� � �مو� � ك�‬ ‫م�� �� ح�‬ ‫� ب�‬ ‫� ��د ب� ار ��س� � � او � �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ب�� ن��ه �و�و�جّ��ه ��� �‬ ‫ح�م�د ب� ن� �ب �ي� ��ا �ل��د �إ �ل�ى � ار ��س�ا � �لي��ع�ا � �و�ه ��ي� �إ �ص�ل� � ا �ل��مر ���ص�ا ر �إ �ل�ى �ه ن��ا ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ � � �أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ن ض ّ‬ ‫��ً�ا ���أ ��ل��ف‬ ‫ح��ة �ث�ل�ا �ث��ة �آ ��ل�ا �ف� �أ ��ل�ف� د �ه� � �ع � �ض‬ ‫�����ط ا ��ه�ا � � ّ��ه ��ل��ه ���ط���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �و �ص�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫� ا �ل� ور و‬ ‫ر ب � وو�ج ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر م و رو ب �ي�‬ ‫أ� ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن ا ��� ّ ا �� � �خ ة آ � ا ف‬ ‫� �ل�ف� د ر�ه� �و�و�ه ب� �لإ�� � ا‬ ‫���ا ت��ب��ه ��م��س�� � �ل� �� د ر���ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب � لعب�� س ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬

‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪��� :‬س�ا د ه‪.‬‬

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The Virgins’ Monastery

governor of Khurasan I told you what I knew about him, and you vouched for his actions. By God, I’ll have you beheaded if you don’t find a way to make sure that he acts properly, just as you enabled him to spread iniquity.” Then Ibn Abī Khālid sent presents and different kinds of gifts to Ṭāhir, including a certain white vinegar sauce he was very fond of. It was poisoned, and when he ate it as an accompaniment to roasted pheasant, he died two days later.100 Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn was born in the year 159 [775–76] and he died in the year 13.66 207 [822–23]. When Ṭāhir died, the soldiers went on the rampage and plundered his treasury. Al-Maʾmūn appointed his son Ṭalḥah to succeed him and sent Aḥmad ibn Abī Khālid to Khurasan to help him restore order. On his arrival, Aḥmad restored order and put down the disturbance. Thereupon Ṭalḥah sent him three million dirhams and other goods worth two million dirhams, and he gave his secretary, Ibrāhīm ibn al-ʿAbbās, five thousand dirhams.

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‫����ي ا ��ل�� ��س ّ‬ ‫د ر �سو �ي�‬ ‫� ��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د � ��ل���ط��ف� �ع�� �ش���ا ��� ئ د ���ل��ة � ���ق�ا د��سّ��ة ��س ّ �م ن �أ �ى � ��� ن ا �� �ل�ق�ا د��سّ��ة � ��س ّ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ير ي‬ ‫ل�ى ط�� �ج ب‬ ‫�ي ر � ر وب ي�‬ ‫�ي و ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫����له�ا �مت��� �ه�ا ت� � ���س�ا �ت�� ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�م ن ر� �ى � ر���ع�� � ا ���س‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �و�ه� ه ا �ل ن�� او �‬ ‫ي� �وك��ر�و� ‪.‬‬ ‫� � او �لم��ط�ي�ر ب��ي�� �‬ ‫ح�ي� ك� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ر‬ ‫وب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن �ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ص�د �و� �ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير �وي���� �ر ��و� �ي� ب���س� ��ي����ه �و�ه�و �م� �م� او ��ط� ا �ل��سر�ور �و�م� او �‬ ‫� او �ل�� ��س ��ي���‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫ا � �لق��ص�ف� � او �ل��ل�ع ب�‪� .‬و�ل ب�ا� ن� ا�لم�ع��ت�ز ف�ي��ه‬

‫‪١،١٤‬‬

‫َا �َ َ ا �� َّ �ٱ �لْ� ِ �� َ َٱ ��ْ َ ْ � َ َ ْ ٱ � ُّ َّ ٱ ّٰ ُ‬ ‫�م� ���ير�ةِ � �و لك�ر �خِ �ود ����يِر � �ل �‬ ‫��سو� سِ��ي� �بِ�� للهِ � �‬ ‫عوِد �ي�‬ ‫�ي� �ل��ي� ِل�ي� �بِ� ُطِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ ُ ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���نْ ت � نْ � أ ن�ُ �ذ ا ت � نَ‬ ‫ن َ ا ���غِ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ�� �لوِد‬ ‫ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ةِ ِ ���ه بِ � �عي ِر �‬ ‫� ِع� ِ�د ي� � �‬ ‫� ِم� �ج‬ ‫�مو �ج�� ٍ‬ ‫ِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫أ ن�ز‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� او �� �ل�ق�ا د��س�يّ��ة �م ن� � �‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا�لم� او ض�‬ ‫��� � �و � �ه�ه�ا �و��هي� �م ن� �م�ع�ا د � ا �ل ش��� ار ب� �و�م ن��ا ��ا ت�‬ ‫ّة ن � ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ع � ا � ة ��‬ ‫� ا �ة ا �‬ ‫�� �ق‬ ‫�ت � ّ ن ا ة � ا �‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫د�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�صره‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ي ب �ى �و �ل �‬ ‫ر بو‬ ‫ا�لم� ��ط �بر��ي� �ج�� �م�ع�� �لم� �ي� ��ط��ل ب� � ��ه�ل ا �لب� ��ط� �ل�� � او‬ ‫� ا ن � ت�زّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�� ا ا � �ل�مّ�ا �ف غ �م ن �� ن��ا �ئ‬ ‫� ف ْ‬ ‫���ا ن� �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ا�لم�عر�و�� �ب�ب�رك��و ر و ر� � ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫أن ة � ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�� � �أ���ّ ا � ���لغ�� ت ا ��لن ف� ��ق �ة �ع��ل ه � ش أ � ف أ � ف‬ ‫ح��س ن � ������� ا�لمت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫له� بو � �� � ي��‬ ‫ع���ر� ن� � �ل�� � �ل�� د ر�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ول و �‬ ‫� � بي‬ ‫�ذ أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّٰ � ت�زيّ أ ا �� �ف ت ن �خ ا �ق ا نم ا � ت�أ ّ‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �و �ل�م�ا ��ص‬ ‫� ب�� �� �� � �ب� �ل�� �ه ب� �ل�‬ ‫� �ع�ز �م�ه �ع��ل�ى �إ �ع� ا ر �ب ��ي� �عب��د ا لله ا�لم�ع�� � �مر ل���‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� �ح‬ ‫ة �ذ‬ ‫ا �ًا � � ن ��ف‬ ‫��ا ن �� �‬ ‫� �أ ن ���ل�ت ��ف �خ�ز ا ئ� ن ا �� �ف�ل ��ش‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫طو�ل�ه �م�ا �ئ�� را‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫و � �ي م��س �ي� � ر � ب ط ل إلي �و � �ي� ر� و �و و � �‬ ‫�ف أ ة ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ه �خ��م��س�� ن �ذ ا �عً�ا ��فل��� � �� ���د ��ل�ا �ف�م�ا �ق�ض�� �ع ن � ن�� � �م ّ���ة ��ف� �نّ�ه � ���د �� � �م��ع�� � ش‬ ‫ه����ا �‬ ‫�و�عر ض�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي� ر م ي و�ج �إ‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫� � ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن ا �ًا � ���س ًّا �غ� �ز �ذ ّ � �ف� �ز‬ ‫� � �� ن‬ ‫اب� ن� �عب��د ا�لم��ل�ك �ع��ل�ى ��ط�و�ل ا �لإ��ي �� او � �و�عر ض�‬ ‫���ه �وك�� � ب���س� ��ط� ا بري �مي�� ر �م� �ه ب� م ر�و‬ ‫ّ آ � ّ أُ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫� ت ّ ا �ذ أ ّ ُ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ل � �ج�ع‬ ‫�مب ّ� ���ط ن ‪�� 1.‬ف��ل�م�ا ر� ه ا�لمت��و ك�‬ ‫� ب� �ب�ه � �و را د � ن� �ي��عر�ف� ي���مت��ه �ج ���م� �ع��لي��ه ا �ل�ج��� ر �و ك�‬ ‫��ر � �ن�ه �ق��ّو�‬ ‫أ�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ة آ‬ ‫ن ا �ف ُ � �ف � � ن ع � ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل � �ف ة ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى � �و��س ��ط ا � �ل�ي�� �ع���ر � �ل� �� د ��ي �� ر �ب����س ��ط ��ي� ا �لإ��ي �� او �‪� .‬وب���س ��ط ل �لي �� �� �ي� �‬ ‫�ص�د ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪( :‬طول ا �ل�ب���س�ا ط �م�ا ئ���ة را و�عر �ض‬ ‫� �ه ‪ )٥٠‬ورد ي� �‬ ‫ع‬

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Al-Sūsī’s Monastery101

This is a pleasant monastery on the banks of the Tigris at Qādisiyyah, not far

14.1

from Samarra. The two places are more than twelve miles (twenty kilometers) apart, and between them lies Maṭīrah. The whole area is one of parkland, orchards, and vineyards. People visit the monastery and drink in its grounds. It is a festive place, the scene of merrymaking and games. Ibn al-Muʿtazz mentions it in a couplet: Nights at Maṭīrah and Karkh, Nights at al-Sūsī’s Monastery, Come back! You were like glimpses of Paradise, But a paradise imprisoned in time. Qādisiyyah is a fine, healthy place, a center of wine production and a venue

14.2

for music lovers. In fact, it offers everything loafers and wastrels could want. It is where al-Mutawakkil built his palace called Barkuwārā. When he had finished building it, he gave it to his son al-Muʿtazz and organized his circumcision banquet there. It was one of the most beautiful and impressive of alMutawakkil’s buildings, and it cost twenty million dirhams. When al-Mutawakkil decided to celebrate Abū ʿAbdallāh al-Muʿtazz’s circumcision102 with a banquet,103 he ordered al-Fatḥ ibn Khāqān to take care of the preparations, including looking in the furniture treasury for a carpet that would fit the width and breadth of the ceremonial hall, which measured fifty by one hundred cubits. No such carpet could be found except among the belongings confiscated from the Umayyads, where one of Hishām ibn ʿAbd al-Malik’s carpets had the right dimensions. It was of floss silk woven with gold thread, with fringed borders and a lining. Al-Mutawakkil was amazed at the sight of it and wanted to know its value. He summoned the merchants to view it, and, so it is said, it was valued at around ten thousand dinars.104 It was spread out in the ceremonial hall, and a throne was set up for the caliph in the place of honor. In front of it were placed four thousand gold stands studded with precious stones

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14.3

‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل��س�و���سي�‬

‫ّ‬ ‫ّ ة ا ��ل ف ا ت ا �ث �‬ ‫ف �ذ‬ ‫أ ة آ� ا ف‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫ا �لإ��ي �� او � ��سر�ر �و�م�د �ب�ي� ن� �ي��د �ي�ه � بر���ع�� � �ل� �� �مر��� �ه ب� �مر�‬ ‫�ه� ��م� �ي���ل ا �ل�ع ن�ب��ر‬ ‫�ص�ع�� �ب� �ج��و�هر �ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ً ع‬ ‫ا �ً‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ل�ا �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �ل ن��د � او �� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��ور و ج�ع�ل� ب���س� �ط� �م�د ود ‪.‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ ض �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ت��غ� ّ�د �ى ا �ل�مت��و ك�‬ ‫���ل � او ��ل ن��ا ��س �و�ج���ل�� �ع��ل� ا ��ل��س �ر � �و �‬ ‫��ر ا �ل���م ار ء � او � �لق ��ّ او د � او �ل ن��د �م�ا ء‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫س ى ري‬ ‫أُ‬ ‫ا ��ل��س ا �� ف � �ة � ا ء ا �� �ف�ل ّ ا �ش ن ��ز �� ��ق‬ ‫���ع ��� ن �ص ا ��ن‬ ‫��ف�� ���ل��س� ا �ع�� �م ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��و� ب ب �ل �د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ه� �و �م� �ط �ر�ج � �و�ج � ر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج و ل�ى ر ب � م و ج �ل ب ي� و ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ن �ف من �ف ّ ت ��ف ت � � � �ف � � تّ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ش���ي�� ت� �ب�� د � �م�م��ل�وء د �ن�ا �ن�ي�ر �ود را ه� ���ص� ��ي� ��صب��� �ي� ��لك ا � �ل ر� ح�ى ا �ر ����ع�‪.‬‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ق ��غ ن م ف ق أ‬ ‫من ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ف �ة ا �‬ ‫أ ن � ن ت�ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫���ّ �م ن � ش��� � ��ث��ل�ا �ث‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�و�� �م ا �ل���ل�م� � ���و���ه� � �و �مرو ل�� س ع� �ي� � ب� ل���رب� و � ي ����ل ل � ي رب ب‬ ‫ت �ف ��ّ‬ ‫ن �ذ � � � ا � �ف� ن �إ�ذ ق �‬ ‫ح��د �من‬ ‫ح��ف ن��ا ت� �م�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �م�ا ا ج��م� ��� ك��م�ه‬ ‫ح�م��ل ت� �ي��د ا ه �م� �ل�ك ا�لم� �ل ك�‬ ‫��ا � ا ��ن ����ل ا �ل� او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �غ‬ ‫����ّل�م�ا �ف غ �م� ض� أ ت � �ف ّ ش‬ ‫�� ن� ��م�ا‬ ‫�ه� �و�ع�ا د �إ ��ل�ى ��ج�م��ل��س�ه �وك�‬ ‫� خ�ر�ج��ه �إ �ل�ى ���ل�م�ا �ن�ه ��ف�د �ف��ع�ه �إ �ل‬ ‫��� � ��ى ا � �ل ار � �و ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ث �خع ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� �ؤ ن � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ض‬ ‫ح��د �و�‬ ‫�� �ث�ل�ا � ���ل� ك�‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل�ه‪� .‬و�خ���ل� �ع��ل� ��س�ا ئ�ر �م ن �‬ ‫ي�م��ل� � �و�ه‬ ‫ح�م��ل�وا‬ ‫���ل � او �‬ ‫ح�تى �ي�� �عود ا �ل�ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ �� ّ‬ ‫�ش ا ّ‬ ‫� ن �ن ف‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫تق � ت �‬ ‫���ل �ع ن ا �ل�م�ع��ت�زّ � ��ل�ف� �عب��د � �و �م � �‬ ‫ع��د ا ��‬ ‫�ص ار � �‬ ‫ل�ك�ل‬ ‫�ه�م �ع��ل�ى ا �ل� � ار ��س � او �ل����ه� ر�ي� � �و �ع ��� ا�لم ��و ك �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ث اث ة ثأ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� ا�� ن‬ ‫�ه� ب��م�ا �ئ�� د ر�ه� � �و�ل� ��� � � �� او ب�‪.‬‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح�د �م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ن ا ��ل��د ا ��� ن ���د �� ا ��ل��� �� ا ن� �أ �����ع�م�ا �ئ��ة �ُ��لّ���ة �ع��ل�ه نّ �أ�ن�� ا ا ��ل��ث��ا � � ��� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�وك�� � �ي� �� ر ب ي� ي ي إ ي و بر‬ ‫ب ي ي� � وع ي ب وب ي�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � نّ �أ �� �لف ن������ � �خ��ي�ز ا ن ف� أ ن‬ ‫� ف ��‬ ‫�ه�ا � � �� او ا � �ل �� او ك���ه �م ن� ا �ل��ترج�‬ ‫� � او �ل ن��ا ر �� �ع��ل�ى ���لت��ه ك���ا �‬ ‫ي��دي��ه� � ب ي�ج �ة ‪ � 1‬ر � ي�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ش �ة � ا ف‬ ‫�خ ة � ا ف ا �ق ة ن‬ ‫�ف �ذ � � �ق ت �ت�فّ ا � ش ا ّ �‬ ‫ع���ر � �ل� ��‬ ‫��ي� �ل��ك ا �ل�و�� � او �ل�� �ح� ا �ل���� �م�ي� � او �ل�يل�م�و�ن ‪� ٢‬و��م��س�� � �ل� �� �ب� ��� �ر�ج���س �و‬ ‫ت�ق ّ � � ف ت أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ق ة ن ف‬ ‫� ة �ن‬ ‫� ا ��‬ ‫� ��� ن� �ي� ن�� ش��� �ع��ل� ا ��لب���لي��ا ت� �و�خ���د � ا ��ل��د ا ر � او ��ل‬ ‫�ب�ا ��� ب�� �������س‬ ‫ح�ا �ش���ي �� �م�ا ك���ا �‬ ‫� � �و �� �د �م �إ ل�ى ل��� ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ ّ �ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ش ن أ �ح أ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ش �ف أ �ذ � ف ت‬ ‫� �ع�د ه �ل�ه� �و�ه�و �‬ ‫ع���ر�و� � �ل�ف� � �ل�ف� د ر�ه� ��ف��ل� ��ي��ق�د � � �‬ ‫ح��د �ع��ل�ى ا �ل���ت��ق�ا ��ط����ي� ء ��� �خ��� ا � �ل���‬ ‫�‬ ‫م م �ق م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� ًا �ف�أ��مّ ت ��‬ ‫� ا � فنُ‬ ‫� ا �ة‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت �‬ ‫ح��ة ��ق�د �ت���ق ّ�د �م ت� ���أ ن �ت��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د ر ه�م� �� كب��� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��رب� د را �ه�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�ل�ى ل � ب� و � ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ّ � � �ذ‬ ‫ّ � �ت�زّ ا ّ �ف ضُ‬ ‫�ع��ل� � ة‬ ‫��رب� �ل�ه�ا � �ل�ف� � �ل�ف� د ��ه‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �برك����� �م ن� ا لله �لإ��ع� ا ر �ب �ي� �عب��د ا لله ا�لم�ع� �ب� لله ��‬ ‫رم‬ ‫�م�ز ّ ن �َ ن ��ف‬ ‫� ا ّ �ة‬ ‫��خ‬ ‫ح�ّ��ز ه � ا ��ل�غ���ل�م�ا ن � ا ��ل ش����ا ك��‬ ‫�ن�ُ�ث ت‬ ‫� �رّ��ة �و�ق��ه�ا ر�م��ة ا ��ل��د ا ر � او ���خل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫���د �م ا �ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر �ى ي� و � ي� ي و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ن � ض ن �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ا � � او �ل��س�ود ا �‪.‬‬ ‫�م� ا �لب�ي��‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ّ � �ن ت‬ ‫���ا ن �م ّ�م ن � ض‬ ‫�ص ‪� � ٣‬و � �� � �‬ ‫�� الم �ذ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�د � �و ب� ��و��س��يل�م�ا � ا ب�� ن��ا ا �لر�ش���ي �د‬ ‫���ل��س �ل�ك ا �لي ��و�م ح�م�م�د ا �لم �� ر ب و‬ ‫ح� ر �ج‬ ‫أ �وك � �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن �� ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ّا‬ ‫ا � ت‬ ‫ح�م�د � ن� ا ��ل ن��دي�� � � � ن‬ ‫� �و �‬ ‫ح�م�د � او �ل�عب�� ��س ا ب�� ن�� ا�لم�ع��ص� �و�م�و���سى ب�� ا�لم� �م�و� � او ب�� ن�� � و‬ ‫م و‬ ‫ح�م�د ب�� �ب �ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن ن ا ��لض���ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � ّ � ن ال�من�ّ �خ‬ ‫ر��ؤ �� � او ��ل‬ ‫ح�ا ك �و�ع��ل ّ‬ ‫ح��س��ي� ب�� �‬ ‫�� � �و ��وه‪.‬‬ ‫� ب� ن� ا �ج�ل �ه�م وع��ل�ي� ب‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫يم‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫حمّ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫‪ �  1‬ذ ا ف� �ع ّ ا د؛ ال أ ص� ‪��� :‬س����ه (�غ�� ا ��ض� ة‬ ‫��م�د � نب� ا لمن����ت���صر‪.‬‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪:‬‬ ‫ح��)‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬وا �ل�لي�����موه‪   ٣ .‬ك‬ ‫ك�� ي� و �� ل ب ج ير و‬

‫‪198‬‬

‫‪198‬‬

‫‪٤،١٤‬‬

‫‪٥،١٤‬‬

‫‪٦،١٤‬‬

Al-Sūsī’s Monastery

and decorated with figurines of ambergris, solid perfume, and camphor. These stands were arranged to look like a carpet. Al-Mutawakkil and the other people came in for the banquet and he took his place on the throne, while the princes, commanders, and court companions were seated according to their rank. There were open spaces between their trays and the cloth the food was placed on. The house servants came with leather-covered plaited palm-leaf bags filled half with dinars and half with dirhams, which were emptied until the spaces were piled high. Slave boys stood by, and they conveyed the caliph’s order that the guests should drink and that everyone who drank should take three handfuls of coins, as much as his hands could hold. If anyone felt the coins he had stored in his sleeve105 were too heavy, he took them out to his slaves, gave them to them, and returned to his place. When the spaces were empty, the house servants brought more coins to fill them up again. Three ceremonial robes were bestowed on each guest, and when they left, they were given thoroughbreds or grade horses to ride. Al-Mutawakkil freed a thousand slaves106 in al-Muʿtazz’s name and had each one given a hundred dirhams and cloth for three robes. In the palace courtyard in front of the ceremonial hall were four hundred dancing girls from Ubullah wearing different costumes, with a thousand cane trays before them piled with citrons, oranges (although it was not the season for them), apples from Syria, and lemons, as well as five thousand bouquets of narcissi and ten thousand bouquets of violets. The caliph ordered al-Fatḥ to scatter among the dancing girls, the house servants, and the retinue the gift he had prepared for them: twenty million dirhams. When no one came forward to take anything, al-Fatḥ picked up a dirham, and then they all threw themselves on the money and snatched up every coin. Qabīḥah had had dirhams minted on her own initiative with the inscription “A blessing from God. For Abū ʿAbdallāh al-Muʿtazz bi-llāh’s circumcision feast.” A million dirhams were struck and distributed to the barber who performed the operation and his assistants, the slave boys, the caliph’s personal bodyguard,107 the palace superintendents, and the black and white eunuchs of the household. Among those who attended the ceremony that day were Muḥammad al-Muntaṣir; Abū Aḥmad and Abū Sulaymān, the sons of al-Rashīd; Aḥmad and al-ʿAbbās, the sons of al-Muʿtaṣim; Mūsā, the son of al-Maʾmūn;108 Ḥamdūn the Companion’s two sons; Aḥmad ibn Abī Ruʾaym; al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk; ʿAlī ibn al-Jahm; and ʿAlī ibn Yaḥyā the Astrologer and his brother.

199

199

14.4

14.5

14.6

‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل��س�و���سي�‬

‫أ‬ ‫ح ن أ �� ا ن ا ��ل ف‬ ‫ح��� ّ ا � ن � ّ�ّ‬ ‫ن انة �‬ ‫ن � �غ نّ �‬ ‫م�‬ ‫�� ��س��ل�م��ك �عث��ع ث�‬ ‫� �صي� ب � ا �ل كي�‬ ‫�و�م� ا�لم� ���ي�ن ‪ 1‬ع�مر�و ب�� �ب� ��� � �م�د ب�� �ب �ي� ا ل�ع�ل� ء اب��‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��س��ل�م�ا ن ا ��ل��� ّ‬ ‫ح ‪ ٢‬ا ��ل��د ��فّ�ا �ف� �ز �نّ�ا � ا ��ل�ز ا �م �ت���فّ�ا �‬ ‫ط��ا ��ل ا �ل�م��س�د �ود � ب� �� �‬ ‫ح ش���ي�� ش�����ة اب� ن ا �� �لق��ص�ا ر �ص�ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي � ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر نح‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ن ا ن �من � � � �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا ��ل�ز ا �م ‪� � .‬م ن ا�لم��غ�ن �ا ت� �ع ��� ���د �ع�� ��ا � ت‬ ‫�ه�ا ��س ار ب� �ش���ا ر�ي�� �و�ج��وا ر�ي��ه� ���د �م� � �ع� �ج �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ري ب ب‬ ‫ر و � �ي‬ ‫�ج ر�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ ة ف �ة �ف ن‬ ‫ت�رك��ي��� � �ر��د �عر��ا �‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬

‫� تّ‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � ّ � ّا ُ �� ّ � ت�زّ ت‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل �إ � ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب�� ا�لم�د ب�ر‪� ٣‬لم� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫طهر ا�لم�ع�� ا ج��م� �م ش����اي� ا � ك�� ب� ب ي� ي ي� �و ل و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ف�� �‬ ‫ح� ب� ن �خ��ا ��ق�ا ن� � او ب�� ن��ه �ع��ي �د ا ّلله �إ�ذ �ذ ا ك ا ��ل�و�ز �ر �و�ه�و � او �ق��ف� �م�و�ق��ف� ا ���خل‬ ‫���د � �ب ���ق ب��ا ء‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي�ه�م ي يى �‬ ‫ّ ي‬ ‫أم‬ ‫ّٰ �ذ‬ ‫� ن �ذ ف �ق ا � � ت � �‬ ‫ن � �ق ة ��ا ن � �‬ ‫حً�ا �م ن �ت��ل�ك ا ��ل�� ��ق�د ا �‬ ‫ح�ى �ل�ا ي� ش���رب� ا �ل�ب��ي�� ��� � �ل ا�لم ��و ك‬ ‫���ل �ل� بع��ي �د ا لله �خ��� ��ق�د �‬ ‫�و�م� ��ط� �� �وك�� � ي ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�فّ ح‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫�ذً‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح �ف ض �ف �� �ق �‬ ‫� او �صب�� ب� ف�ي��ه �ن�ب��ي�� ا �و�ص�ي�ر �ع��ل� ك�‬ ‫�� ���ف��ك �م ن��د �ي�ل�ا � او �م��� �إ �ل�ى � ب��ي���ك ي�ي�ى ��‬ ‫���ع�ه ��ي� ��ك �ه ��ا �ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ّ ضِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�� ن ف �ق ا � �‬ ‫ح � ا ت ّ ��ق ا � � ا ا أ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�ؤ �م ن��� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف� ف�����ع� �ف �ف�� �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ى ر� ��س�ه ا ل�ى ا ب‬ ‫عيي‬ ‫ل �و �ل ي يى �ل أر ل �ل ي ي ر � ي�‬ ‫ل ر‬ ‫ّٰ �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ه��� ك ا لله ا �ل��ع�م�� � �ل� ��س��ل��ن �ا �م�ا‬ ‫ث��ّ ش��� ��ه �و��ا �ل ��د �ج���ل ت� ��ع�مت���ك �ع ن��د ��ا ��ا � �م��ر ا�لم��ؤ �م ن��� ن ��� ن‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م بر‬ ‫نّ أ ت أ‬ ‫ن � �خ � �ف ة ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�أ ��ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي يى �إ ر‬ ‫و ي ب ي� ي ي ي ي�‬ ‫م ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫طه�ور �و �ل�ي� �ع�ه�د‪.‬‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫�ق ا �‬ ‫بر �ه �� ب� ن ا ��ل�ع ّ��ا �� ��س�� ��ل ت� � ��ا � � ة �م�ز ّ ن ��ف �ذ � ف �ق � ت �‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�و�� �ل �إ � ا يم � ب س‬ ‫حر�م�ل�� ا�ل� ي�� �ي� �ه� ا ا �لي ��و�م ��� �ل� ك�م ح��ص�ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �� أ ن ُ ض �� ��‬ ‫��ع�ا � ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ن ّ��ف� � ث��م�ا �ن�� ن� � ��ل�ف� د � ن��ا‬ ‫�ص �ا �غ��ا ت� � او ���خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ا ل‬ ‫ط‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ل�ك �إ ل�ى � � �و�‬ ‫��وا ت�ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُو‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّم‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�� �ق‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫� ث ا ث ة ّا ث ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ص ه ا ج��ل‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫� ت �ق ا � �ق ا � ت �‬ ‫��ع� ر�ي�‬ ‫� او �ج��وا �هر � او �ل�ع�د ا �‪� �� .‬ل � �و �� �م ا�لم ��و ك�ل �ب�ب�رك�� او را ��ل� ��� � �ي� �م ��م � �ص�ع�د �إ ل�ى �� ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ًا ا أ �ن ف ق �ف �ذ � � �ذ‬ ‫أ أ ن �� �‬ ‫ن � ّا‬ ‫� �وت���ق�د � �� �‬ ‫���ا ر �إ � ا‬ ‫ح ض�‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب�� ا �ل�عب�� ��س � �و �مره � � �ي ع��م�ل �ل�ه �ع�م�ل� ب��م� � � � ��� ��ي� �ه� ا ا �لإ��ع� ا ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م �إ‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �� ض ه �ع��ل ه ف� ف���� �ذ �� � ��ف ا �ش���ت ا ��ل�ع��م �� � تّ �ة � ث�� ا �ن � ن أ � ف أ � ف‬ ‫��� ي�� �ع�ل ل�ك � �م�ل �ل ع�ل�ى �س�� وم� �‬ ‫ي� � � �ل� � � �ل� د ر�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫و�ي عر�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت��ث ن ا أ�ن ف �ق ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫حت‬ ‫ح��س ن ب� ن ��س��ه� ���ف ُ�ع �� ا ��ن��ت��ه � �� را ن� �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� ا �ل ن��ا ��س ي���س���ك� ر�و� �م� � � � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ه ا � � ل ي� ر س ب ب و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ة � ّ‬ ‫�ة � � ا ث ّ أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�� � ا �أ �ن�� �ذ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل��ك ��ي� ا � ك‬ ‫ل��� ب� �و��س�م�ي ت� د �ع�و ا �لإ���س�ل� � �� � ��ى �م ن� د �ع�و ا�لمت��و ك��ل م� س�ى �ل�ك‪.‬‬ ‫م م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫غن ن‬ ‫‪ 1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا ل��م����ي����ي�‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ص��ل��ح‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� ( :‬ي�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت ف‬ ‫ً �ذً ف‬ ‫ح� � ن ش‬ ‫���ف� وا �ل�د ه ي�‬ ‫مم��لوء ا ن�ب�ي�� ا �ي� ك‬ ‫�يى و‬ ‫كا � لم ي����ر�ب� �ه�ا) ورد � �ي�‬

‫‪200‬‬

‫أُ‬ ‫� ّر�خ�‬

‫ّ‬ ‫ّأ‬ ‫ق ً‬ ‫ق ن أن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ك ا �ل��ف� ت���� � نب� ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��د ح�ا‬ ‫ح�يى � نب� خ��ا ��ا � �ي���ض‬ ‫خ�ت���ا � ا ل��م�ع��ت�ز � �م ا لمت�� �‬ ‫� � ع‬ ‫ر ول ح‬ ‫ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫�‬

‫‪200‬‬

‫‪٧،١٤‬‬

‫‪٨،١٤‬‬

‫‪٩،١٤‬‬

Al-Sūsī’s Monastery

The musicians included ʿAmr ibn Bānah, Aḥmad ibn Abī l-ʿAlāʾ, Ibn al-Ḥafsī, Ibn al-Makkī, Salmak, ʿAth ʿath, Sulaymān the Drummer, Masdūd of the blocked nose, Abū Ḥashīshah, Ibn al-Qaṣṣār, Ṣāliḥ the Tambourine Player, Zunām the Flautist, and his colleague Tuffāḥ. Among the singing girls were ʿArīb and her slave girl Bid ʿah; Sarāb; and Shāriyah and her slave girls Nadmān, Munʿim, Najlah, Turkiyyah, Farīdah, and ʿIrfān. A recollection from Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mudabbir: When al-Muʿtazz was circum-

14.7

cised, the senior state secretaries met with al-Mutawakkil. Yaḥyā ibn Khāqān was there, as was his son, ʿUbaydallāh, who was the vizier then. ʿUbaydallāh, who was standing as a servant would, was wearing a robe and sash. Yaḥyā did not drink wine, but al-Mutawakkil said to ʿUbaydallāh, “Take one of those glasses, fill it with wine, put a napkin on your shoulder, go over to your father, and put the glass in his hand.” He did so. Yaḥyā raised his head to look at his son, but then al-Mutawakkil said to him, “Yaḥyā, don’t refuse it.” “Certainly not, sire.” When he had drunk it, he exclaimed, “How great are your favors to us, sire! May God give you joy with His bounty and not deprive us of what He has granted us through you.” At which al-Mutawakkil rejoined, “Yaḥyā, all I wanted was for you to be served by a vizier in a caliph’s presence at a crown prince’s circumcision.”109 Ibrāhīm ibn ʿAbbās said: I asked Abū Ḥarmalah the barber that day, “How

14.8

much had you received by the time the food arrived?” “Some eighty thousand dinars,” he said, “not counting the gold and silver jewelry, the rings, precious stones, and promissory notes.” He went on: Al-Mutawakkil stayed three days in Barkuwārā; then he was conveyed upstream to the Jaʿfarī Palace, which he had built. He summoned Ibrāhīm ibn ʿAbbās and ordered him to draw up a list of what had been spent on this circumcision celebration and to present him with the calculation. Ibrāhīm did so, and the amount came to eighty-six million dirhams. People used to think that what al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl had spent on his daughter Būrān’s wedding was a huge sum—it was recorded as such in books, and the celebration was known as “the Banquet of Islam.” But what was spent on alMutawakkil’s banquet consigned it to oblivion.

201

201

14.9

‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل��س�و���سي�‬

‫ً �‬ ‫�ة � ت ّ �ذ‬ ‫��ا ن�� ت ا �� � � ا ت ا �ل� ش �ة �ف � �‬ ‫�ن �مث��� ا ��ف ن‬ ‫عو ا�لم�ع���ز �ه� ه‬ ‫هور ��ي� ا �لإ���س�ل�ا � �ث�ل�ا �ث�ا �ل� �ي ك‬ ‫�ه�ا د � �‬ ‫عو � م���� �‬ ‫�وك�� � ل�د �‬ ‫له� �م �‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�� �ة � ن ا � �� �ز �ة ن ت � � �ف� � ن � � �ف ن � ّ �ز‬ ‫�� �فع� ر � �إ� � ا�لم�ه�د �ي� �ّو �� ا ب�� ن��ه ا �لر�ش���ي �د‬ ‫�ه� عر س ب��ي��د ب����� ج�ع ر ب � �ب ي� ج‬ ‫ا�لم� ك��ور ‪� .‬و م �‬ ‫آ ج‬ ‫� ه ��ف ا � ت � ّ � ا ا � �ُ ت � ّ � ا أ�ة �ق � ا � ن � � � �ة‬ ‫� �أ�ّ � � �ف� ا �� ن �ة �أ �خ‬ ‫�ص�ن �ا د �ي��ق ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س�‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫مي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب� م ج�ع ر ب �� ي‬ ‫ر ب � �‬ ‫� ور‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة أ � ا ا ن �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫ح��ل� ّ � او �ل ي���ج���ا ن� � او �ل��ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���� � او �ل�� �ه ب� � او �ل��ط�ي ب� � او �ل��ك��س�و � �و �ع ��ط� �ه� �ب��د ��‬ ‫���ا �لي���ل �و�ب��ا ب� ا � �ل� ض�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ع� �د �ة ا �� ن���ة �ع��د ا ّٰلله � ن �ي�ز ���د � ن �م�ع�ا � ���ة ا �م � �ة � ش‬ ‫ه����ا � � �ل�� يُ� َ ���ف ا ��ل����س�ل�ا � �مث���له�ا � �م �ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب �ي ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م و م ر ي� إ م � و ل‬ ‫ب � ي ب � وي ر‬ ‫�خ ّ � ن ق ت أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح ا ق ا � ن �� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�َ ّ‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ��ل�� �� ك���ا � �� ا �ا‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫�ص�د ر�ه�ا � ��ط�ا � �ي�ا ���و� � ��مر � �وب� ��‬ ‫�هر�ه�ا �و�‬ ‫ي�ه� م� ا �ل�د ر‬ ‫ي�ه� �وك�� � ��ي� �� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫اح ب‬ ‫�ف ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫تّ ن ا ئ ة ��ف‬ ‫�ن ة �خ‬ ‫�ا � ��ذ � �‬ ‫خ‬ ‫حّ‬ ‫ا � ش‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ث�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ا � بك��‬ ‫�م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س و ي� و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ل�� ر ا �ل� ي� �لي����س �م��ل�ه‪� .‬ود ���ل �ب��ه� ا �لر����ي �د �ي� ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�آ‬ ‫� �أ � أ ً ظ � ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � � �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف ف‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫ح ش���را �ل ن��ا ��س �م ن� ا �ل�� ��ف�ا �ق� �و� ّر�ق� �‬ ‫�صره ا�لم�عر�و�� �ب�ا ��خل�ل�د �‬ ‫�ه� �م ن� ا �ل��م� او �ل � �م ار �ع �ي���م�ا ‪1‬‬ ‫���‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫تُ‬ ‫��ف ا ا ت �ف ض ّ ة � � � ��ف ا ا ت �ذ‬ ‫ن �ف� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن�� ت� ا �ل��د �ن�ا �ن�ي�ر ج �ل �ي� �ج � � و ر �ي� �ج �‬ ‫ب� و �و � م��س�ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ة �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫�ف ق �ذ �‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ي�ه� �خ���ل�‬ ‫�و�ج��م�ا �ج�� ا �ل�ع ن�ب��ر � او �ل�غ��ا �لي��� ��ي� ب� �� او ��ط�� �ج��ا �� � �و�ي� ّر�� �ل��ك �ع��ل�ى ا �ل ن��ا ��س �وي���ل� �ع��ل�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �ذع أ ع‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫ة أ‬ ‫� �ش� م �‬ ‫��ف ت � � � � � ة �ش� �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�و ��ي� ا�لم����س�و�ج���‪� � .‬و �و �د �ب�ي�� �ي��د �ي�ه �ي� ��لك ا �ل�لي��ل�� �م� ا ل�ع�ب� ر �ي� � � �� او ر ا �ل� �ه ب� � �و ح�‬ ‫��ر‬ ‫ن ا ن ا ش ��ا ن ف � ّ‬ ‫� ً ف‬ ‫� �ة � ن ّع� ً ف‬ ‫� �وك�� � ���د ��� �إ �ل�ى ك�‬ ‫���ل � او �‬ ‫ح�د م‬ ‫�ه ن� ك��ي����س�ا �ي��ه د �ن�ا �ن�ي�ر �وك��ي����س�ا ‪� ٢‬ي��ه د را �ه�‬ ‫���س� ء ب� ��� �ه� �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�� � �ة �ف ض ّ �ة ف ا ��‬ ‫ّ �ة‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫���ل� �ع��ل�ه�ا �خ���ل�ع��ة � ���� �مث��ق��� �ل��� ُ� ���ف ا �ل����س�ل�ا � �مث���له�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ص��ي�ن�ي � ب ي ر � ي� ط�ي ب� وي ع ي�‬ ‫و ي� ل م ير ي� إ م �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ف ة �ف �ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ّ‬ ‫� ��خ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ص��ة ��س�و�ى �م�ا � ��ن ف����ق�ه ا �لر�ش���ي �د �م ن� �م�ا ��ل�ه‬ ‫� ب�و��ل�� ت� ا �لن�����ق�� ��ي� �ه� ا ا �ل�عر��س �م ن� ب��ي�� ت� �م�ا �ل ا �ل� �‬ ‫�خ�� � ن أ � ف أ � ف‬ ‫م��س�‬ ‫ي� � �ل�� � �ل�� د ر�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫أ � م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��ا � � � �ف‬ ‫�ة ق‬ ‫ي�ز‬ ‫�ص�ه�ا �و��ه� �ص�غ��ي�ر�ة �وك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت�‬ ‫��ع� ر �ير���‬ ‫� او ��س�م ب��ي��د � �م�� ا �ل�ع�ز � �و ب��ي��د � �ل� ب� �وك�� � ب ��و ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ّ �ز‬ ‫�ّ �ز‬ ‫�ذ � ا‬ ‫��س�م�ي�ن �� � �و�ي�ق ��و�ل �م�ا � ن�� ت� �إ �ل�ا ب��ي��د �ة �م�ا � ن�� ت� �إ �ل�ا ب��ي��د �ة ��مض���ى �ع��ل‬ ‫�ه�ا �ه� ا ا �ل� ��س� ‪.‬‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� ْم‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ا ن ت �� ن ف �ق �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ا �ع ��س ا �ل�م�� �م�و ن� ب��ب ��ورا ن� ا ب�� ن���ة ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س ن ب� ن� ��س��ه�ل �وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل��ك �ب ف���� ا �ل�‬ ‫� �وك�� ��� ا ل���� �‬ ‫�صِ ��ل‬ ‫�و�م � ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ ً ظ ً‬ ‫� �� � � ن �ز �ة � ن �ت��ق � �� ن ف �ق �ة ��ف ا ��� �� ف� �ق ا � ت ا ن �خ� �ة‬ ‫�ع��لي��ه � �م ار �ع �ي���م�ا ‪� ٣‬و��س� ل ا�لم� �م�و� ب��ي��د ع� � �دير ا ل �� �‬ ‫� � �ي� لعر س �� � �ل� �م� �ب�ي�� �م��س�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف �ق ا � أ نّ‬ ‫�ث �ا �ث � ن �أ �� �ف �أ �� �ف ��‬ ‫�س��ع��ة � �وث�ل�ا �ث�� ن � ��ل�ف� � ��ل�ف� ف�ب���‬ ‫�غ� ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س ن ب� ن� ��س��ه�ل ��� � �ل ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���� � ‪٤‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ل �ي� ل� ل� �إ ى ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��لن ف‬ ‫��ق ن��ا ��م��س��ة � �ث�ل�ا �ث�� ن‬ ‫���ا ن� ي ج� �� ���ف� �ج��م��ل��ة ا ج��ل‬ ‫ي� � � �لف� � � �لف� �وك�‬ ‫��ق��ة �ع��ل� �ي��د �ز ��ي��د �ة‪�� � .‬ن ف� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ار �ي�ا ت�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ّ � � �� ��ن ّ��ف � �ث �ا �ث � ن �أ ��ل�ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي� ك��ل ي ��و ع�ل�ى ي � و�ل �ي� � م�ل ‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫كا �‪.‬‬ ‫���ي��س‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا�مر �ع���ظ�ي ‪  ٤ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬‬ ‫���ي��س‪ ...‬وك‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ع ب��ي���د ه‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ك‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪١٠،١٤‬‬

‫‪١١،١٤‬‬

‫‪١٢،١٤‬‬

Al-Sūsī’s Monastery

There were three famous unparalleled banquets in Islam. One was this ban- 14.10 quet for al-Muʿtazz’s circumcision. The second was Zubaydah bint Jaʿfar ibn Abī Jaʿfar’s wedding. Al-Mahdī married his son al-Rashīd to Zubaydah Umm Jaʿfar, his brother’s daughter, providing her with a trousseau the likes of which no woman had had before. It included furnishings, caskets of precious stones, jewelry, coronets, tiaras, gold and silver palanquins, perfumes, and clothes. He also gave her the jewel-studded surcoat that had belonged to ʿAbdah, the daughter of ʿAbdallāh ibn Yazīd ibn Muʿāwiyah and wife of Hishām. Nothing like it, not even its pearls, had ever been seen in Islamic times. It had two rows of rubies on the front and back, and the rest was studded with pearls of unparalleled size and beauty. Al-Rashīd consummated the marriage with Zubaydah in Muharram 165 [November 781] in his palace of al-Khuld. He assembled people from far and wide and distributed quantities of costly gifts among them. Dinars had been put into silver bowls and dirhams into gold ones, while pouches of musk and wooden boxes of ambergris and perfume were ranged in glass bowls. He dealt them out to the attendees and gave them ceremonial robes of woven brocade. That night, candles of ambergris in golden candlesticks were lit in his presence. He summoned the Hashimite women and gave each one a purse of dinars, a purse of dirhams, and a large silver tray laden with perfumes, as well as a ceremonial robe of encrusted brocade. Nothing like that had ever been seen in Islamic times. The expenses for this wedding, which were paid from the private treasury, apart from what al-Rashīd spent of his own money, ran to fifty million dirhams. Zubaydah’s given name was Amat al-ʿAzīz; Zubaydah was her nickname. 14.11 Her grandfather Abū Jaʿfar used to dance her on his knees when she was little, and because she was plump he would say, “You’re just a little butter pat (zubaydah), you’re just a little butter pat,” and the name stuck. The third banquet was for al-Maʾmūn’s wedding to Būrān at Fam al-Ṣilḥ. 14.12 It cost a huge amount. Al-Maʾmūn asked Zubaydah to estimate the expense of the wedding, and she replied, “Between thirty-five and thirty-seven million dirhams.” Al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl learned of her comments, and objected, “As though Zubaydah was paying for everything! We spent thirty-five million, and the expenses every day included the pay for about thirty thousand sailors.”110

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‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل��س�و���سي�‬

‫� �ع�� �ش���ا ��� ئ � ة ��ل ث ا ن �خ ن ن ش‬ ‫��ا ن �خ � ا �ف � ن ة � ت ن ا ا ف ا �� �‬ ‫�وك�� � د ��و�ل�ه� ��ي� ا�لم�د ��ي ��� ا �ل ��ي� ب���� �ه� �ب ����م ل�ص�ل ل�ى ط�‬ ‫� د �ج��ل�� �م� � ���ل�و� �م� ����هر‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع��� � �م�ا ��ئت��� ن‬ ‫�م ض� ا ن �ن ة ش‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫��� � ��س �� � ر و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�خ ة آ � ا ف أ‬ ‫ن ةأ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ائ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫نا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل � �و �م�هر ا�لم� �م�و� ب� ��ورا � �م� ��� � �ل�� د ��ي �� ر �و �م��س�� � �ل� � � �ل�� د ره�م � �و �و��د �ب�ي��‬ ‫د� ا �ن ا ف� ��ق ا �� ت �ز �� �ة �نّه ف�� ا ظ ��� �م ن ا �ل� ء �ة‬ ‫ت � � � ة ث ا ث �ش ا ت ن ��ث �خ‬ ‫�هر � �مر�و‬ ‫�ي��د �ي�ه ���لك ا �ل�لي���ل�� ��ل� � ��م�ع� � �ع�ب��ر �وك���ر � ��ه� � � ل� ب ي��د �إ � يم� �‬ ‫�ذ � ش �‬ ‫ت �ش‬ ‫�� ��ف ة ف‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫��ك �ا �ي�� ا ر��� �ع او �ه� ا ا �ل���م� ا �ل�ع ن�ب��ر �و�ه�ا � �� او ا �ل���م� ‪.‬‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل � �ل�م�ا ُ���ل ت� � �� ا ن� �ع�� ا �ل�م�� �م� ن� �ن��ث �ع��ل�ه�ا � ّ ا �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫���ا ن� ���ف ك�‬ ‫���م�ه �ف��و�ق�� �ع��ل� �‬ ‫ح�ص�ي�ر‬ ‫ح�� كب��� را ك� ي�‬ ‫و �ج �ي ب ور ل�ى و ر ي� ب‬ ‫ع ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ن ن ا ��ن ئ � ث ق �‬ ‫���ا ن� � ت‬ ‫ح��ه ف����ق�ا ��ل ّلله د ّر ا ��ل‬ ‫�ه ب� ك�‬ ‫ح��س� ب�� �ه� �� ح�ي � ��ي� ��و�ل‪1‬‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َأَ نَّ ُ ْ َ ُ‬ ‫نَ ٱ � ��ذَّ َ‬ ‫�� ْ َ � نْ �فَ َ � َ ا َ� ْ َ ا ُ ُ ًّ َ َ أ ْ‬ ‫���� � �غ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�ص� ر�ى �و ���برى ِم� ��و قِ�عِ �ه�  ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك� �‬ ‫�صب�� د ر �ع��ل�ى ر ضٍ� ِم� � ل� �ه ب ِ‬ ‫� �ن ن ��ا ن ا ض ً أ ن � تق � ش ئًا ف �ق ا � � �أ ن أ�� ن ا ��ف ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�د ت� �ز ����د �ة ���د�ه�ا‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل � او �م�ت� � �م� ك�� � �‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫�� ار � � ��ي�ل ��� ��ط ���ي���� ��� � �ل ا�لم� � �مو� � ك�ر�م �‬ ‫بي ي‬ ‫��ف �أ �خ ��ذ ت � ّ ةع ��ف ا �تق � �َ ن � ض � �ق‬ ‫��را �لب��ا ��ي�‪.‬‬ ‫ح��� � �ل��� ��ط م� ح�‬ ‫� �� � ب‬ ‫�ئ ن �ف ّأ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ��س� ب� ��ورا � ���دي�ج��� �وك�‬ ‫ح��د � � ��س��ع�� ن � �م�ا � ت��� � � ��ا �‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �و��ا �ت��ه�ا ��ي� ��س�ن �� �‬ ‫�إ ى و ب ي� و ي� �ي� ي م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ال�م�ع�ت �� ا ث� ا �ن ن �ن �ة �� ا ن ت� ��ث � �أ � ن‬ ‫�م�د �ول�ه� �م� ��و� ��س � �ولب ��ور � ر �ي� ا�لم� م�و�‬ ‫أَ ْ َ � َ َ ٱ �ْ ُ َ‬ ‫ك�ا �ُ �م�قْ��لَ��ِت ّ�َ�ا‬ ‫� ��س�عِ� �د ا �نِ�ي� �ع��ل� � �لب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ َ‬ ‫ىَ ٱ �ْ�زَّ َ �فَ َ‬ ‫���نْ تُ أ ْ ُ ��‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ط َ�ع�� � �ل ��م�ا � ���ل��م�ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫و ل�ى‬

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‫ْ ُت �َ�ْ َ ٱ �ْ � َ‬ ‫�ي�ا‬ ‫�م�ا � ��ل��ْل َ�ه�َّم ��فَ�َّ‬ ‫ ��صِ‬ ‫�� ر� ب�ع�د � �لإِ�� ِم ِ �‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ي�ا‬ ‫ �َم�ا ت� � ا ل�زّ ا‬ ‫ط �ع��ل�َّ‬ ‫�ص� ر � � �م� � ي���س �� �و‬

‫ّ‬ ‫� ش ا �ة �‬ ‫� �أ ن ة � ت ن ا ا � ��‬ ‫�ذ�� ن خ �ذ أ نّ � ت�� أ �ن ف ق‬ ‫�و ك�ر اب�� �رد ا �ب�ه � � ا�لم ��و ك��ل � � � ��� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل�ب����ي��� ا �ل ��ي� ب���� �ه� �و �هي� �برك�� او را � او �ل���� � او �ل�عر�و��س‬ ‫� ة � ق ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� �فع� � ّ � ا ��ل�غ‬ ‫�خ ت��ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او ��لب��رك����� � او �ج�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫� � او�لم�ي��ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � او �ل��س�ن �د ا �‬ ‫ج‬ ‫��و��س�� �و ر و ر ي و ري ب و ب �يع و ب ي‬ ‫�ت ّ‬ ‫��� ّ ة �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� �ق ة �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� �ح�ؤ�ة تح أ � ف أ � ف‬ ‫�ص � او�ج��ل‬ ‫� او � �ل��‬ ‫��ا �م� � او � �ل �ل�ا �ي�� � او �لب��ر �� �و���‬ ‫�ه�و � او �ل��ل��ؤ �ل� �م�ا ئ���ي� � �ل�� � �ل��‬ ‫�صر ا�لم ��وك��لي��� � او �لب �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫أ �ظ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪�( :‬م�ا � �ع����م�ه �م� ن� ����ا �عر �����ص��ي��ح) ورد ي� �‬

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Al-Sūsī’s Monastery

The consummation took place in the city that al-Maʾmūn had built at Fam al-Ṣilḥ on the banks of the Tigris, on Ramadan 9, 210 [December 23, 825]. Al-Maʾmūn gave Būrān one hundred thousand dinars and five million dir- 14.13 hams as a bride-price. He had three ambergris candles lit in his presence that night. They produced a lot of fumes, so Zubaydah said, “Enough of this show of generosity! Remove these ambergris candles and bring wax ones.” When Būrān was unveiled in front of al-Maʾmūn, he scattered over her some huge pearls he had in his sleeve. They fell onto a golden rug beneath him, at which he exclaimed, “How splendid a poet Abū Nuwās was! And how eloquent when he said:111 Bubbles of air, great and small, on the surface of wine, Like fine pearls on a carpet of gold.”112 Those who were present refrained from taking anything until al-Maʾmūn said, “Do her honor!” Then Zubaydah stretched out her hand and took a pearl, and the other women picked up the rest. Būrān’s given name was Khadījah. She died at the age of eighty in the year 14.14 271 [884], during al-Muʿtamid’s reign. She lamented al-Maʾmūn with these verses: Eyes, give me tears to weep! Our imam113 has gone— Grief ’s made me a shade. I had lorded it over Fate. Then he died— And Fate became my lord. Ibn Khurdādhbīh reported that al-Mutawakkil spent 274 million dirhams and 14.15 100 million gold dinar coins on his buildings: Barkuwārā, the Ewe, the Bride, the Blessing, al-Jawsaq, the Choice, Jaʿfar’s Palace, the Strange, the Original, the Comely, the Lovely, the Great Building, the Castle, the Mosque, the Chamber, the Tower, the Mutawakkiliyyah Palace, the Courtyard, and the Pearl.114

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‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫د�يرا �ل��س�و���سي�‬

‫� ن �ق ة � ق‬ ‫� �أ ��� �ة � ��س�� � ن �أ ��ل�ف �أ ��ل�ف د �ه� � �م ن ا ��ل� � ن ئ ة أ � ف أ � ف‬ ‫و بر ع� و ب ع�ي� � � ر و � ع�‬ ‫ي� �م�ا ��� � �ل�� � �ل�� د ��ي ن��ا ر ت���ك�و� ي�م�� ا � �لور��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ي�نًا �� �ف ا �� ��ق ت �م� � ا ف� ه �م ن ا ��ل� � ن �ث �ا �ث �ة � ش � ��ل�ف � ��ل�ف د � ن ا � ��م���س ا �ئ �ة � ��ل�ف‬ ‫ع � ب�‬ ‫�صر� ل�و �‬ ‫م� ي�� � ع�ي� �ل � ع���ر � � �ي �� ر و م� � �‬ ‫عأ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫د � ن��ا � ��م��س�� � � ش‬ ‫ع���ر� ن� � �ل�� د ��ي ن��ا ر‪.‬‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي ر و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫ً �ف �� ف �ق � � ئ أ أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن �أ �ّا � ا �� � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل ���رب� ا�لم ��و ك��ل �ي ��و�م� �ي� �برك�� او را ��� � �ل �ل��د �م� ��ه � ر�ي� �� �و �ن ‪�  1‬ل� � ك‬ ‫��� ي� ل�ورد �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�إ م‬ ‫�ن ن‬ ‫�� ام �ّ ا ا � ف� �ق ا �‬ ‫�� ا ��ق ا � ا أ � � �ؤ � ن ن � ا � ن �‬ ‫��ع��م�ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م م���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫عوا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� �ل� �ي��ك�و� ا �ل ش����ا د ك��ل� ه �إ �ل� �ب� � �لور ل ب �ل�ى �‬ ‫ح ن� �ش���ا د ك��ل� ه ‪� � � ٢‬ل او �ي� � �م�ي ر ا �ل �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ّ � � ّ ن �ق �‬ ‫حض ف � ت�ق ّ أ ن ت‬ ‫��ل� �ع� �د ا ّٰلله ب� ن ي�‬ ‫��رب� ��ل�ي� د را ��ه ��ي� ك��ل د ر �ه‬ ‫��ر����ق�ا �ل � �� �د �م �ب�� � ��ض�‬ ‫ح�ى �� �‬ ‫حب�ت��ا � ��ا �ل‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫ي� ب �ي‬ ‫ٰم‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�� � �ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫� �ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� ��ه�ا‬ ‫�ؤ ن ن ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع��ي �د ا لله ��ي� � بر �‬ ‫ك�م ا�لم� �د ا ر �ي� � �م�ي�ر ا�لم� �م���ي� �� �ل �م��س�� � �ل� �� � �ل�� د ره�م �� �د �م � ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف� ض‬ ‫ح�م �ة � ا ��ل� �فص� �ة � ا ��ل��س� ا د � ا ت� ك ���ع ض‬ ‫�غ� �من�ه�ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �� ت� �و�ع ّ ��ف�ه ا ���خل‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل�ه‬ ‫�ب��ر ف����ق�ا �ل ا‬ ‫���ه�ا �ع��ل� �‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ا ش ة ��ا ن � ا ئ ة أ ن ّ��ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ف� ف���� ث��ّ �ت���ق ّ�د � ��ل ا ���خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �من‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه� ق�ب��ا ءً �ج���د�ي��د ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �ي �ل و‬ ‫مو‬ ‫م �إ �ى‬ ‫�ي و �و‬ ‫�ع�ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫حّرك�‬ ‫�و��ق��ل ن����س�و�ة �ع��ل� �خ��ل�ا �ف� �ل�و ن� �قب��ا ء ا �ل�� خ�ر �و��ق��ل ن����س� �وت�ه ف� ف����ع��ل� او‪� ّ�� .‬ع�م�د �إ ��ل�ى �ي ��و� �‬ ‫�� ت� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� فُ ى � ق ّ ة � أ ن ً �ف ض ��‬ ‫ط ف� ا �‬ ‫���خل � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا �ل � � ن��ص�� ت� �ل�ه ���� �له�ا � ���ع� � ��ا ��ا ��ا �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه� � او �ل��د �م� ء �‬ ‫ع ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫حو�ل�ه �و�لب����س ا ��د �م ا ل�ك��س�و‬ ‫ب � بر و ب ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�يتح أ‬ ‫�� ن ث � ف ن ث ت أ ّ �ًا أ ّ �ً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ا ن ت �� � ت� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل��� � �ع�د �ه� � � �م ����� ا �ل�د ا ه� �ك�ا � ��� ا �ل� د ���� � � � �ل� � � �ل� � ك�‬ ‫�� ��� ا ل �ح�م� ا �ل�د ا ه�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� و ر ب � رأ ر م م �ي ر � ور ر وأ و أ � ّ يرح أ � ل ر م‬ ‫�ا ن �م ن � � ن � �ّا � ا�لمت ك� �ظ �ف‬ ‫ف�ت�ق �ف � � ن ا �ل��س ا ء � ا � ض�� ��ا � �ق �ف ا � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل � �و �� ر��ه‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫و �ل ر � �م� �ي � �ور‬ ‫� � ��س� ي م �و‬ ‫� � ب ي�‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ ت ف‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ف ضّ‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫��ة‬ ‫����ة � � ك����‬ ‫ً ظ � ا ًا‬ ‫ن�ي��ه ج�‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ��لب��ر �� �م ن� � �‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫ح��س ن� � ب���‬ ‫���ع�ل �ي��ه �ص�ورا �ع ���� �م� �م ن� ا �ل�� �ه ب� � او � �ل�� بو ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �ة �ه� ��ه�ا‬ ‫ش ا ظ ا ا ا ن‬ ‫���ع� �ع��لي� ا ����‬ ‫�ع �ي��م�� ج�‬ ‫ط�ه�ا �ص� �ا � ا � �ل� ض�‬ ‫ب ي�‬ ‫���ع�ل �ر����ه� ���� �هر�ه� � �وب� �� �‬ ‫���� �و ج� ل‬ ‫�ه� ج ر‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�فّ �ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ �‬ ‫���ل ���ط�ا ئ�ر �ي�� �صّ ت� � �و��ص� � ك�‬ ‫م���ل�ل��ة ��ا �ج��ل‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫ط بو�ى‪� .‬و�ع��م�ل �ل�ه ��سر�ر �م ن� ا �ل�� �ه ب�‬ ‫��و�هر �و��س�م�ا �ه�ا �� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�غ �ذ �‬ ‫����� �ع��ل��ه �ص� �ت�ا ��س��َع�� ن �ع ���َ�م�� ن‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �ص�ور ا �ل ب ا � ا �ل��‬ ‫� � �� �‬ ‫ي� �ود ر �� �ع��ل�‬ ‫ور ب ي� ي‬ ‫كب� ي ر ي‬ ‫��س��ع و ��س�ور و��ي ر ل�ك ع��ل�ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫� ا � � �ف � ه � ��س��ل� ا ن � ن ا �ع��ل� ا ا ��ل �ا � � � � � ن � ق‬ ‫ن خ‬ ‫ح� ��ط�ا � ا � �ل��‬ ‫م� ي ��و ص� ب� ��سرير يم� � ب � د �ود ي�ه�م� ��س�ل م �و ج��ع�ل ي‬ ‫�صر�م� د ا ���ل‬ ‫�ذ �ق أ ف�‬ ‫�خ ا � � � ّ �ة ا �� �ف �ف ا �� �خ ا � �ذ ّ ف� � غ� ت �� ن ف �ق ة‬ ‫�س����س� ء � او لر�� � ا�لم� �ه ب� ب��ل�� ا ل �� �‬ ‫� �� �ع��ل�ى �ه� ا ا � �ل��‬ ‫�صر� �ل��‬ ‫�و�� ر�ج م�لب����س� �ب� ل�� ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ�‬ ‫ة أ� ف‬ ‫� �ل�ف� �و�‬ ‫�س�� �م�ا �ئ�� � �ل�� د ��ي ن��ا ر‪.‬‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ش � ث ة أ أ �ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ج���ل�� ف�ي��ه �ع��ل� ا ��ل��سر�ر ا ��ل���ذ �ه ب� �و�ع��لي��ه ��ثي��ا ب� ا �ل�و����� ا �ل‬ ‫م���ق��ل�� � �و �مر� �ل�ا �ي��د خ���ل �ع��لي��ه � �‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫شى ن ي ة أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫���ا ن� ���ل� ��س�ه ف���ه ���ف ��س�ن ��ة �ت��س� � �ث�ل�ا �ث�� ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ل�ا ���ف ��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‪.‬‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ ي� ي ب و ي�‬ ‫ر و �ج و ي ي�‬ ‫ع و ي�‬ ‫و�ج و �ي ب ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫حت‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص� ‪( :‬و) ورد �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ا �ل��س��طر‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪�� :‬س�ا د ح�لا ه‪.‬‬ ‫ل‬

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‫‪١٦،١٤‬‬

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‫‪١٨،١٤‬‬

Al-Sūsī’s Monastery

At the exchange rate for gold, the silver content of the dirhams was worth thirteen million five hundred and twenty-five thousand dinars at that time. Ibn Khurdādhbīh went on: One day al-Mutawakkil settled down to drink 14.16 at Barkuwārā, and he turned to his courtiers. “What do you think? Even if it’s not the season for roses, can’t we hold a rose-petal-scattering session?”115 “But sire, you need roses for petal scattering.” “Indeed. Summon ʿUbaydallāh ibn Yaḥyā to me.” When ʿUbaydallāh presented himself, al-Mutawakkil said to him, “Have dirhams struck for me, each one weighing two grams.” “How many, sire?” “Five million.”

ʿUbaydallāh arranged for the minting, and when the coins were struck he informed al-Mutawakkil, who said, “Now have them colored, some red, some yellow, some black, and leave some as they are.” ʿUbaydallāh did so. Al-Mutawakkil had the servants and retainers, who numbered seven hundred, prepare new robes and caps, each a different color from the servant beside him. They did so. He chose a windy day and had a domed pavilion with forty doors set up. He began with a morning drink, surrounded by his courtiers, while the servants wore the clothes he’d had prepared. At his order, the dirhams were scattered apiece like roses. The wind caught them up and they floated between heaven and earth as if they were roses. It was among al-Mutawakkil’s best and most entertaining days. The Tower was one of his finest buildings. Inside, he had placed large pictures 14.17 in gold and silver and a great fishpond, silver-plated inside and out, with a golden tree just beside it. All kinds of birds chirped and sang in its bejeweled branches, and he named it the Tree of Bliss. A large golden throne was made for him with statues of two lions and images of lions, eagles, and suchlike on the steps up to it, along the lines of the description of the throne of Solomon son of David (eternal peace be theirs).116 He had the walls of the palace set with mosaics and gilded marble. The outlay for it was 1.7 million dinars. When al-Mutawakkil, attired in brocade heavy with gold, took his seat 14.18 upon the golden throne to inaugurate the palace, he ordered that only those wearing garments of woven silk or faced with embroidery were to be admitted. This ceremony took place in 239 [853]. When he called for the dishes to be brought, the courtiers, all the singers and musicians present, and everyone

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‫ا �ئت ن ث ّ ا ا � � ا � ض �‬ ‫ا ئ � �غ� ن ّ ن ا � � ّ ن أ� �‬ ‫���ل ا �ل ن��ا ��س �ورا �‬ ‫��را �ل ن��د �م�ا ء �و��س� �ر ا�لم ��ي�� �و�لم�‬ ‫ه���ي�‪� � 1‬و ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�و�م� � ���ي� �� د �ع� �ب� �ل��ط‬ ‫��ع� �م �وح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف � ّ ا��ا ن �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن ف� � �‬ ‫�� ن � ��ف ا �ت ّ�أ � ه ف� �ق ا �� � ه ا � �لف��ت ا � � ا �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�� ل� � � ل ل� �‬ ‫ا ل ��وم �م� �� ي‬ ‫� ي� م�و�ل� ي� �لي����س �ه� ي ��وم ��وم‪�.‬ج �ل��س ل�ل���رب� � �م� ك� � ل ي���ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ً‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫نف‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ن ّ �ف ف‬ ‫� ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫را � ا �ل ن��و� ��م�ا � � ك‬ ‫���ع�ل �م ن��ه �ش��ي��ئ��ا ‪� ٢‬ع��ل�ى ر� ��س�ه � �وت��� ش�����ق�ه �ل��� ��ي ن ����ع�ه‪.‬‬ ‫م��ن��ه ��د �ع�ا �ب��د �ه ن� ب�� �������س‬ ‫�ف م‬ ‫�ن ق أ م‬ ‫� � ن ث ّ ُ ّج‬ ‫� ث ث م اث ة أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫حّ ا ّ �ة ��ف ا ��ن ت�ق ��ل ا �� ا � ّ � � �خ‬ ‫� ��ه ا ��ل� ا �ث�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �ل� ي� �� �� �‬ ‫� ك‬ ‫ح� ���مى �‬ ‫ح� د � ����ل �إ �ى ل�ه� ر�و�ي� ��‬ ‫�م��� ��ل� ��� � �ي� �م ب��لي�� �لي�‬ ‫�صر ي و ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫نً‬ ‫��ف �أ ��ق ا � ه تّ‬ ‫�س���ة �أ �ش��ه �ع��ل�� ً�ا � �أ �م ��ه�د � ا ��ل�� � � ض‬ ‫�� ب� �ت��ل�ك ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ل� ّ �ع�‬ ‫� � �ب� �‬ ‫�ي��ا‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م ج‬

‫أ‬ ‫‪ 1‬ال�أ�ص� ‪ :‬ا ل��مغ��ن������ ن ا لم���له�� ن‬ ‫ي�‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ش��َى‪.‬‬ ‫ي ي� و �‬ ‫ل‬

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Al-Sūsī’s Monastery

else ate. Then he wanted to sleep, but sleep eluded him. Al-Fatḥ117 said, “Sire, this is not a day for sleeping.” So he had wine brought and drank until nightfall. Then he wanted to sleep but could not, so he called for oil of violets, put some on his head, and inhaled it. It did not help, and for three days and nights he did not sleep. Then he developed a high fever and was moved to the Hārūnī Palace, built by his brother al-Wāthiq, where he lay ill for six months. He ordered the Tower Palace to be razed and the adornments to be melted down.

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‫د ����ير �َمر�م�ا ر�ي�‪1‬‬ ‫�ث � ن‬ ‫� � ه��ذ ا ا ����د � � ّ �م ن �أ � �ع ن�د ق�ن� ��� �ة � ف‬ ‫حو��ل�ه‬ ‫و�‬ ‫�ص��� �و�ه�و د�ير �ع�ا �مر ك����ي�ر ا �لر�هب��ا � ��‬ ‫ل ير ب ��سر � ر ى � طر و� ي‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫� ض‬ ‫ك��‬ ‫ن ّا‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫��� ا �ل�� �ه�� � او �ل ���ق�ا ا �ل�� ��� ا �ل‬ ‫�ر�و� �و���ج�‬ ‫�ر �و�ه�و �م ن� ا�لم� او ض�‬ ‫ح��س ��‪� .‬و�ل�ل������ل ب�� ا �ل�عب�� ��س‬ ‫ب ع ط�ي ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫اب� ن� ا�لم�� �م�و ن� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫َ ُ نَ �نَ فْ‬ ‫ُ َّ َ ْ َ أَ �خَ ْ َ �َ�ذَّ ت َ ْ‬ ‫َ �ِ ْ َ �ت‬ ‫أَ�نْ ضَ ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫�ه� �م��ى سِ���ي� �و���ش� �‬ ‫ه او ِ�ي�‬ ‫��ي��� �فِ�ي� ��سر �م� ر� ى ي���ل �ل� ا ِ��‬ ‫ي � �و�نِ�ل� �فِ ي�‬ ‫ْ أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��غِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�جِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�َع �مِ�� ت ��ه�ا � �� َ�ا � �ل��له �من��� �م��س�ا   � � � �لق���ْ��ص �َم�ا ��� ن � ن �ا �َ‬ ‫� نّ��ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر� فِي� بِ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�فِ�ي� � فِ� ْب ي� ���ه ٍر و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�قع ُ � �ِو‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ��ن�ْ َ �‬ ‫� � ّا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ْ �مِ ْ َ ا �إِ�ذ �‬ ‫ح� � �ل�ّ ُ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��بِ� �د ����يِر �� ر �م� ِر يِ ي� ب‬ ‫�ص ��وح ��بِ� �هِ �و ��ع��م�ل � �لك� ��س �فِ���ي�هِ �بِ� ل�ع����شِ ي�� ِ‬ ‫َٱ � ِّ ْ‬ ‫آ ��نِ �ةً َتَا َ �ةً �َ�ْ نَ‬ ‫�َ��ْ نَ �ٱ ��ل نَّ��َ‬ ‫��ى َ�د ا �َ �نَ�ا �َ�ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫نٍ ي ِ‬ ‫ب ي� َوْ�قِي سِ ْ ��غِ�زَ � أَ�غِْ ي�يِ سِ ِ � َ بي� َّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� � ُ�د �نَ�ا ���ٱ ��ل���ل �َ‬ ‫ح�ا ���� �ٱ ��لْ�َ‬ ‫�ي�ا �ت‬ ‫�ب�ا ���ل�َّ‬ ‫�وك�م ��بِ� �هِ �ِم ن� �� ا �ٍل � � � ٍ�د ����غِ�زِ �لٍ  �ي��صِ ي بِ �ح‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� ظِ‬ ‫ِب ِ‬

‫�ق � �ف �ن ق �‬ ‫� ت�زّ �‬ ‫�ذ أ ّ خ �ذ‬ ‫��ع ن��ا �ع ن ا �ل� ��‬ ‫�ذ� � ف ض‬ ‫�و ك��ر ا � �ل�����ل �ه� ا � �ن�ه �ر�� ا ت� �ي ��و�م �م� ا�لم�ع�� �ل��ل�‬ ‫موك� ب�‬ ‫�ص�ي �د ��ا �ل ��ا � �� ��ط � �‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن ُ�غ ا ��ف ش �ا � �ت�زّ � � شع ف� �ق � ت � ا أ � � �ؤ ن ن ّ �ف �ذ‬ ‫� �ن�ا �و�ه�و �و� ��و�ن�� ب�� ب���� ��� ك�‬ ‫�� ا�لم�ع� ا �ل�ع ��ط��� �� �ل� �ل�ه �ي� � �م�ي ر ا�لم� �م���‬ ‫ي� �إ ن� ��ي� �ه� ا‬ ‫ي أس‬ ‫ّ �ة � �ن ة ف آ � ا ت � � ة �ف � �أ � �ؤ ن ن أ ن �ن � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ًا‬ ‫��ه�ل �ل��م�ي�ر ا�لم� �م���ي� � � ��ع�د �ل �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫ا �ل��د�ير را �هب�� � �عر��ه �ل�ه �م�ود ح��س �� �و�ي��ه � �ل�� �ج �مي��ل�� �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف ن ا �� � � �نّ ف ّ‬ ‫�ق � ف‬ ‫ح� �� ن��ا � �ت��ل��قّ�ا �ن�ا � �ج���م� �� �ل�ق�ا ء � ��ا ء �ن�ا ��م�ا ء ��ا د ��ف ش��� �� ن��ا‬ ‫�ص �ر� �إ ل�ى ا �ل�د � ا‬ ‫��ا �ل ا ����ع�ل‪�� .‬‬ ‫ب بر‬ ‫ير ��ي� �ر� ب ب و‬ ‫و�ج‬ ‫ل‬ ‫بر‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� � ا �ت ّ ��ف � ن ت�ن � ن‬ ‫�و�ع ض��� �ع��ل�ي�ن �ا ا ��ل��ن�ز �و��ل �ع ن��ده �و��ق�ا ��ل ت��ب���ترد �و ن� �ع ن��د �ن�ا �و�‬ ‫��رك�� م� �ي����سر �ي� د �‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫ير�ا ��ف� �ا �ل�و�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ن ه ��ف ا � ت �ظ ��� ��ف ه � � �ت�زّ ��ق ا �� �ن�ز �� ن ا �� ه ��ف �ن�ز �� ن ا ��ف �أ ��ل ن � � � ��نّ � ن � � �ت�زّ � ن‬ ‫م�� ‪� � .‬س� ر� ا�لمع� �و � ل ا ل ب���� �إ لي�� ‪ � .‬ل�� ��س� ��� ا �ل�د ا‬ ‫ير �ي� ع� ا�لمع� �وي��و���س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ف � ت ا ن ن أ�ز � �ل�‬ ‫ن �غ ا ف� �ق � ت �ه ا � ن أ ن ا ��ل ف �ق �‬ ‫� ف� ��ق � ت �ذ �‬ ‫� ن��د ��� �ا �ل ب���ل � �م �ل�� � �م� � � او�ج ا �‬ ‫اب�� ب���� �� �ل� �م� م� � ب���� ء ا �ج‬ ‫حور � �ل� �ه� ا �لي����س‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ح��ك ا �ل�م�ع��ت�ز ��ّ ��ا ء �ن�ا‬ ‫�م ن� د ��ي ن���ك �و �ل�ا ا �عت���ق�ا د ك‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل �ه�و ا �ل�� ن� �م ن� دي� ن��� � او �عت���ق�ا د �ي�‪������ .‬‬ ‫م �ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�خ أ‬ ‫� ن � ث � ه ��ف � � ا ت �ف�ا ن � ن أ ن ظ � ف �� ا أ ��‬ ‫����ز � � �ش���ا ���ط�� � �م�ا‬ ‫ح��س ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�ي��ه � �و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب ب و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ أ‬ ‫ت ّم أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫����ل ن��ا �و� ��س��ل ن��ا � �ي��د ��ي ن��ا‪���� .‬ق�ا �ل �ل�� ا�لم�ع�� ���ل �ل�ه ب���� ن���ك � �و��� ن��ه �م ن� �‬ ‫� ��ني���ة ��ف�� ك�‬ ‫ح ب� � � �ي��ك�و� �م�ع��ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫بي‬ ‫ي‬

‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬د�ير �مر �م�ا ر‪.‬‬

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The Monastery of Mār Mārī

This monastery is in Samarra at the Waṣīf Bridge. It is prosperous, houses

15.1

many monks, and is surrounded by vineyards and orchards. People go there on outings, as it is a pleasant and beautiful spot. Al-Faḍl ibn al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Maʾmūn composed a short poem on it: I wore out the steeds of my pleasure in Samarra, fulfilling my wishes and my heart’s desire, Bringing life to parks of pleasure, plunged into revelry between rivers and gardens at Mār Mārī Monastery. Again we drank the morning draft, and in the evening passed the cup around, At times to the rhythm of the clappers and the chants of priests, at times to the sound of lutes and plaintive pipes. And how many tender, flirtatious gazelles hunted us with their Babylonian glances! Al-Faḍl went hunting with al-Muʿtazz one day. He recalled: Al-Muʿtazz, Yūnus ibn Bughā, and I got separated from the rest of the company. Al-Muʿtazz complained of feeling thirsty so I said to him, “Sire, there is a monk in this monastery whom I know. He is a good friend and the monastery is well appointed. Would the Commander of the Faithful like us to turn off to it?” “Let’s do that.” We came to the abbot of the monastery, who welcomed us and gave us a fine reception. He brought us cold water to drink and then invited us to dismount and spend some time with him, saying, “You can cool off here and we will bring you such food as the monastery can offer.” Al-Muʿtazz took to him and said, “Let’s dismount and follow him.” When we had dismounted, the superior asked me about al-Muʿtazz and Yūnus. “They are army officers.” “No,” he retorted, “they are two husbands of houris118 who have slipped away.” “That isn’t part of your religion and creed.” “It is now,” he answered, and al-Muʿtazz laughed. The abbot brought us bread and light food such as can be found in monasteries. It was very wholesome, tasty, and nicely

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15.2

‫د�ير�مر�م�ا ر�ي�‬

‫ف‬ ‫��ل�ا �ه�م�ا � ت���مًا‪ �� .‬ض���� � � ت�زّ � تّ ا � ن‬ ‫��ل�ه ف����ق�ا ��ل ك��‬ ‫ح�ك ا�لم�ع�� ح�ى �م� �ل �م�‬ ‫ور‬ ‫أن ت‬ ‫�خ� �ا ��ف �ه��ذ ا د �م�ا ‪� .‬م�ا �خ���لق‬ ‫�خ ت��ا ف����ق�ا ��ل ا ��ل�ا�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي ي‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫� ا �ف �ق �ق �‬ ‫�م ن� �ه� ي� ن� �و �ل� ��ي� �ا ر���ك ��ا �ل‬ ‫ا ��لض���� � ف� ��ق � ت �� � � � ا ��نّ � ا‬ ‫ح�ك‪� � .‬ل� ل�ل�دير �ي� �ل�‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ً ّ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا لله �ع��ق�ل�ا ي��م�ي��ز �ب�ي� ن� �ه��ؤ �ل�ء‪.‬‬ ‫ت � ا تن ق � ّ �� ّ ف �ف �نّ‬ ‫�� �ف ا ت ا � � �نّ ف �ق ا � � � ت�زّ‬ ‫�َ �‬ ‫�� ا ا‬ ‫ث��ّ ��ل‬ ‫ح��ق ن��ا ا�لم�وك� ب� �� ر�� ا �ل�د � ا‬ ‫ح��ا ��ي� �ل� �� ��� ��ط‬ ‫ع �ع�م� ك���ن� �ي��ه � �إ� ��ي�‬ ‫ير ��ي� ��� � �ل �ل�ه ا�لم�ع�� ب�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ا ع ق �ف � �ن ا ا ة أ � � ت�زّ �خ� ن أ �‬ ‫� ن ث ّ �� �‬ ‫� ف� �ق ا �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي� � �ل�ف� د ره� �� � ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د �ي���‪�.‬ج��ل��س � ��س� �ع�� � �و �مر�ل�ه ا�لم�ع�� ب �م��س��‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫�لم� � �و�ى و � � �‬ ‫ت م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ش � ��ق ا � ا ��ق ا �‬ ‫� ا ّٰ ه � ا ق� �لت ا �ّ ا‬ ‫�ك� ن� � �م�� ا �ل�م��ؤ �م ن��� ن ���ف د �ع� � �م� �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �إ �ل� �ع��ل�ى ���ر�ط‪ � .‬ل و م� ه�و � ل ي و ي ر‬ ‫و لل �ل� ب�� �‬ ‫ي� ي� وي� ع �‬ ‫أ ّ �ف ُ ق �غ ة أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�أ� ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ج�ئ�ن�ا ه ���ه �ع�� �م�ا‬ ‫� ن��ا‬ ‫� ��ق�ا ��ل �ذ ا ك �ل���ك‪�� .‬ا‬ ‫ح� �ل��� ��ي �� ��ا ��� � �و ��ا � ب��م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�إ ي‬ ‫ب م ب� ي‬ ‫حب‬ ‫م أ�‬ ‫أ ي �ى‬ ‫ي وم‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ا ن� �م�ع�ه �و�ج��ا ء �ب�� �و�ل�اد ا �لن��ص�ا ر�ى ����د �م� �ون�ا � �‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫ح��س ن �خ���د �م��‪��� .‬س ّر ا�لم�ع���ز ��سر�ورا �م�ا ر� ��ي ت��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ي�ر �و�ل� �ي�ز ��ل �ي� ��ط ��ق�ه �إ�ذ ا ا �ج� ت��ا �ز ��ه � �و�� ك�‬ ‫ُ��س ّر �مث���ل�ه �و�و�ص��ل�ه ���ف� �ذ ��ل��ك ا �لي ��و� ب��م�ا ��ل ك�‬ ‫���ل �ع ن��ده‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أ ي‬ ‫ب ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ �ة ّ‬ ‫�وي� ش���رب� �م�د � �ي�ا �م�ه‪.‬‬ ‫�ف � أ‬ ‫�ق ا � ��ا ن � ت�زّ �� أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ً � ن‬ ‫� ا ��ل���خ��ل�ا �ق� � ا ��س� ا �لن‬ ‫�ه� � �و �ق ��و��ل �ش���ع ا �ص�ا ��ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل �وك�� � ا�لم�ع�� �سم‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �وك���ا �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب و�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح �ذ �‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫���ا ن� �ه� � � �� �ن�� � ن ���غ��ا �م ن � � ن � ن ا‬ ‫� �ي ��و�ن�� ب� ن� ب���غ��ا �ه� ا �و�ل�ا �ي��صب��ر �ع ن��ه �وك�‬ ‫ح��س� ا �ل�� ��س‬ ‫و ويو س ب � ب �‬ ‫يح ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ن ��ف �خ� � ��ف ا � ن ا �� ّ ا �� � � ن � ا � ن ا �� � ن � ت�ز � ن‬ ‫� � ه�ا � � �ج��م��‬ ‫له� �و�ل� �ي ك‬ ‫��� �ي� �ل � ء ب ��� لعب�� س ح��س� �و�ج �ه� م� �ل� م�‬ ‫ي� � او�لم�ع�� �وك���ا �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و�ج � و � م� م‬ ‫� ن ��ل �‬ ‫ُض‬ ‫�� ب� �ب��ه�م�ا ا�لمث��� ���ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫�م�ا �ل‪.‬‬ ‫ح��س� � او �ج �‬ ‫�ي�� ر‬ ‫ل ي‬ ‫ف �ق‬ ‫��� ��ل ت�‬ ‫ّ ن‬ ‫�ب��د �م�‬

‫� ة أ‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة �ف‬ ‫�ّ��د ا ��ل��أ�م�� ن‬ ‫�� ت� لحم‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ت� �عر�� ب� ك�‬ ‫ي� �و� ي �‬ ‫�ص��ف �� ��ي� �ع�د ا د ا � �لو�ص�ا ��ئ�ف� � ��لب����س ق�ب��ا ء �و�من� ��ط��ق�� � �و �ق��و�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ ي‬ ‫ّ� ا ت � نّ �إ�ذ �ذ‬ ‫� ش �ة �ن �ة‬ ‫��ا ن �أ� ن �خ� �لق ا ّٰ ه �ل�� ُ� َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س� ع���ر ��س � وك� � ح��س� � �� لل م ير‬ ‫ك ب‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ر� ��س� ورب�م� ��س�ق�ي�� و ��ي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫� � ا �أ ن� ث �مث��� ه � ا �ًا‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ح��س�نً�ا‬ ‫ح��س ن �خ���ل�ق ‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح�م�د ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� �إ ��س�م�ا �عي��ل�‬ ‫ك�ر‪� 1‬و�ل� ��ى ل� �ج �م� �ل� و‬ ‫ع � �‬ ‫ن � ا ا أ ن ��ا ن � ت�زّ ن ف� �ق أ ن ا � ن � �أ ن �ق ا � ت ��ا ن � ت�زّ‬ ‫��� ّ‬ ‫ا �ل��م ا ك�‬ ‫� �و�ه�و اب�� �م�و�ل��ه� �ي�� ك�� � ا�لم�ع�� �م��ه �� �د ر� ��ي �� ه �و�ل� �ر ا �ل��م��ي� �� �ل� ك�� � ا�لم�ع��‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ر �ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف�ي��ه لم‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� �م��ه � �و �م� �م���ل�ه ل�� �ي ك‬ ‫��ن�‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ � ف �‬ ‫�ق � � ن � ف � ت�زّ � ن‬ ‫�ص��ا �ل��� ��ي��ف �ا ر��ق�ه �و�ه�و �ل�ا �ي��صب��ر �ع ن��ه �و��ل�ه‬ ‫��ا �ل �وك���ا � �إ �ل�� ا�لم�ع�� �لي ��و���س ب� ن� ب����ا �إ �ل�� ا �ل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف أ ش �ث �ة �ف �ذ �‬ ‫�ي��ه � ����ع�ا ر ك����ي�ر ��م ن� �ل��ك‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ ً‬ ‫�را‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ك‬

‫‪212‬‬

‫‪212‬‬

‫‪٣،١٥‬‬

‫‪٤،١٥‬‬

‫‪٥،١٥‬‬

‫‪٦،١٥‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Mārī

served. We ate and washed our hands, and then al-Muʿtazz said to me, “Ask him privately which of us two he would like to be with him and stay here?” I passed on the question, and the abbot said, “Both of them and then some!”119 Al-Muʿtazz laughed so much he leaned back against the wall. I said to the abbot, “You must choose.” “In this matter, selection is perdition. God has created no mind that could distinguish between them.” The rest of the company caught up with us, and the abbot was alarmed.

15.3

Al-Muʿtazz said to him, “By my life, let’s not interrupt what we were doing. I’m master of those people there, but friend to the people here.” So we sat together for a while, and al-Muʿtazz ordered that the abbot be given fifty thousand dirhams. The abbot said, “By God, I’ll only accept them on one condition.” “What’s that?” “That the Commander of the Faithful be my guest, together with whomever he likes.” Al-Muʿtazz replied, “I grant you that.” Then we agreed on a day when we would visit him as he requested. He took the utmost pains, involving his community in the preparations, and he provided young Christians, who served us very well. Al-Muʿtazz was happier than I had ever seen him. He gave the abbot a great deal of money that day, and as long as he lived, he regularly called on him when he passed the monastery to eat and drink there. Al-Faḍl went on: Al-Muʿtazz had a generous spirit; he was broad-minded,

15.4

cultured, and intelligent. He was also a good poet. He loved Yūnus ibn Bughā and couldn’t be without him. He and Yūnus were extremely good-looking and elegant; of all the Abbasid caliphs, none were more handsome than al-Amīn and al-Muʿtazz. In fact, their beauty and elegance were proverbial.

ʿArīb recalled: I was one of those in attendance on Muḥammad al-Amīn. I

15.5

used to wear a gorgeous belted robe and stand at his head, and I sometimes poured the wine for him. I was seventeen then. He was the handsomest man God made; we never saw a man or woman like him for beauty, elegance, and good character. Aḥmad son of Ismāʿīl ibn ʿAbdallāh al-Marākibī, who was the son of ʿArīb’s owner, once asked her: “How did al-Muʿtazz compare with him? After all, we’ve seen al-Muʿtazz but we haven’t seen al-Amīn.” “Al-Muʿtazz had something of al-Amīn about him,” she replied, “but he didn’t really look like him.” Al-Muʿtazz was passionately attached to Yūnus. He never left his side, and couldn’t bear to be away from him. He composed a lot of poetry about him, such as these verses:

213

213

15.6

‫د�ير�مر�م�ا ر�ي�‬

‫َ َ ا َ َ�فْ تُ َ َ َ ٱْ� َ ْ َٱ �ْلُ َ‬ ‫��نَّ ََ ��فْ تُ َ َ َ ٱ � َّ � َّ نْ َ َ‬ ‫���ي �و�م� �عر�� د �واء � �لمك�ر � �و �‬ ‫�� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�إِ �ي� عر � ْد �واء ٱ ْل�طَ ب� ِم� �و ج عِ�‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ تُ �ل��لُ َّ‬ ‫َ ْ ُت � َ ا ��ن � � �عَ ُ نْ َ ْ َ نْ َ �زَ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� �َ � ل‬ ‫� �ع� ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��مى � صِ‬ ‫�� ب��ر� �ل�ه�  �إِ �ي� �ل��ج� ب� �ِم� �‬ ‫حب و‬ ‫�صب��ِر�ي� �و�ِم� ج� ِ�ع�ي�‬ ‫��جِ�زِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ نْ َ‬ ‫�َ ُ َ‬ ‫��ا نَ � ش ��غِ � ُ َ� نْ �� � َ �ِ‬ ‫��ج�ٌ ��فَ � ْ َ � ش����غ�َ��لنِ َ� نْ ُ‬ ‫ْ َ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م� ك�� � ي���� �ل�ه ع� �إِ ل�فِ� �هِ �و‬ ‫ع   �لي����س ي ��ي� ع� حب�ك�م �و ج�عِ��ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫���ا ن� ا �ل�م�ع��ت�زّ � ش��� � �ع��ل � ت‬ ‫��س��ا ن� ��مم��ل� ء ��ا ��ل�ن ّ�م�ا � � ��� ن ا ��ل�ن ّ�م�ا � �ش����ق�ا �ئ��ق ��ف�� ق���� � �� �ن�� ب� ن‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي رب �ى ب‬ ‫� ل و س �‬ ‫و ب م وب ي� م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ق ا �خ� ض ف �ق ا � � ت�زّ‬ ‫��ر��� � �ل ا�لم�ع��‬ ‫�و�ع�لي��ه ب�� ء � �‬

‫���غ��ا‬ ‫ب‬

‫‪٧،١٥‬‬

‫َ َ ٱ �ُّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ِ َّ ْ تُ ُ ْ َ َ َ َّ‬ ‫ٱ � ِّ َ‬ ‫���ش�ه� �‬ ‫ح���مر�ة �خ���د ِه ��� �ث��ْ �و��هِ  ب� ش����‬ ‫�ق�ا ئِ� ��� � �لن��ْ��عَ�م�ا نِ� ��ي� � �ل���نّ�م�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�فِي ِب ِ‬ ‫قِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ِم‬

‫� غ� نّ‬ ‫ث ّ �ق ا � أ ي�ز ف ف‬ ‫نا‬ ‫��م �� �ل � �ج��� � او �ي��ه �ب��د ر ب���� �ن ‪ 1‬ا�لم���ي�‬ ‫َٱ ��ْ�قِ َّ نْ ُ �إِ�ذَ �بِ َ �ُ �تِ ثَ نَّ�يٍا �ٱ ��ْ �ُ ْ‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و �ل� �د �ِم��ه ا �� �د ا م� ���� �   �بِ� ل��غ نِ�‬ ‫ف �ق �‬ ‫��� �ا �ل‬

‫�غ ّ‬ ‫ف����ق�ا ��ل � نَ� ف�ي��ه‬

‫�آ ف‬ ‫ا �ل�� ن� ���ع��م�ل ف�ي��ه‬

‫��ل نً �غ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ا �و� نّ��ا ه �إ �ي�ا ه‪.‬‬

‫�‬ ‫��ي� �ل��‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�فِ ِ نٍ‬

‫ََ‬ ‫�َو ُ�‬ ‫ح ْ��س� �ق�� او �‬ ‫نِ ِم‬

‫ً‬ ‫�ق أ ّ‬ ‫��ل ��ئ�ز �ف خ �غ ف �ق �‬ ‫ع�د ا ��ل‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �و ش��� ب� ا �ل�م�ع��ت�زّ �ي ��و�م�ا � او�ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��خ��ل�‬ ‫���ل��س�ا ء �ب�ي� ن� �ي��د �ي�ه �و��د � �‬ ‫��وا �� ��د ���ل ب����ا ��� �ا �ل‬ ‫ع � او �ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ن ��ف � ت � تش ت أ ن ت �ف �أ �ذ ن � ف�خ � �ف ت � ت�زّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ي�ا ��س�يّ�د �ي� � او �ل��د �عب��د ك �ي ��و��� �� ا�لم�و� �و �ه� ������ه� � � � ار ه �� � �ل�ه �ر� �و���ر ا�لم�ع��‬ ‫سي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫���ا ن� � ��ق ت� ا �ل�م�غ� � �ع�ا د � �� �ن�� � ��� ن ���د ��ه ا ��ل ش���م� ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� �ت��غ��ّ� ث��ّ ��ن�ع�� ف� ن��ا � � �ن�ا � ا ��ل ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل��س� ء �ل�م� ك� و‬ ‫يو س و‬ ‫و ي ر م س م و م �ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� أ ع‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫آ � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ح��س ن �م ّ�م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� م �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ر� ه ا�لم�ع��ت�ز د �ع�ا �بر ����ط�ل ��ف ش��� �ر�ه �و��س� � ه �م��ل�ه �� �ع� د ا �ل��د �م� ء �ور ج�‬ ‫ع �ج��ل��س �إ ل�ى � �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ا ن ف ف �ق ا � � ت�زّ‬ ‫ك�� � �ي��ه ��� � �ل ا�لم�ع��‬ ‫تَ � ُ �فِ أَ ْ‬ ‫� � � َل�ا � ���فَرُ�‬ ‫����غ‬ ‫ِ�يْ ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��فَ�أ ��ص��ْ تُ َ ا َ نَ �ذ ْ‬ ‫� بح� �م� �ب�ي�� �ي�‍‬

‫َ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫��ف��ل�ْ�يتَ��� َك ��ل�ا ��تَ�ْ��بَرُ�‬ ‫َ تُ ح‬ ‫�� ٌ � ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جَرُ�‬ ‫�‍� �ل�ي� ك���بِ�د �‬ ‫نِ ِ‬ ‫ح‬

‫َ‬ ‫نْ ُ��نْ َ َ �ذَّ ْ �تِ نِ أ َّ َ �َ ا تَ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�َو � ك�� ت� �ع� ب��� ��ي� �بِ�� �ن��ك �ل� �����س����س�م‬ ‫ُ نُُّ َ � أَ ْ حَ‬ ‫َ�إِ َ �ذَ َ َ ّ‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ع��ل� ا ك �ي�ا �َ�س�يَ ِ�د �ي� د � ��وك �ل�� � �‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�ُ‪٢‬‬ ‫��ص��ل‬ ‫ِي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح‬

‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ر �ىى�ا �‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪�( :‬ه �ك‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل) ورد ي� �‬

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‫‪٨،١٥‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Mārī

The doctors’ cure for pain I know; for cunning and deceit I know no remedy. In love I’m restive, patient when I’m feverish; how strange to be both patient and impatient. Pain may turn a man from his beloved; from love of you my pain will not distract me. Al-Muʿtazz was drinking in a garden full of thyme with anemones grow-

15.7

ing among it. Then Yūnus ibn Bughā arrived wearing a green cape. Al-Muʿtazz said: Red cheeks and a green cape, anemones in thyme. “Cap it!” Bunān the Singer volunteered: and his figure when he bends—a branch in supple beauty. “Put it to music now,” ordered al-Muʿtazz. And Bunān composed a setting and sang it to the caliph.

Al-Muʿtazz was drinking one day with Yūnus ibn Bughā beside him to pour the wine for him and the courtiers in front of him. He had had ceremonial robes and rewards prepared. Then Bughā came in and announced: “Sire, your servant Yūnus’s mother is at death’s door and she wants to see her son.” Al-Muʿtazz gave Yūnus leave to go. The caliph became listless, his mood changed, and then he became drowsy and fell asleep. The courtiers, too, fell asleep. When it was time for the evening prayer and al-Muʿtazz had returned to the gathering, Yūnus came back, with candles borne in front of him. At the sight of him, the caliph called for a goblet of wine, drank it, and gave him one like it. The courtiers came back and the gathering resumed, even better than it had been before. Al- Muʿtazz declaimed: You’re gone. I know no joy. Would you were still here. Yet if you come you torture me, resist, and stay severe. Between these two I feel my heart will perish. Stay by me, master. Close to you I flourish.

215

215

15.8

‫د�ير�مر�م�ا ر�ي�‬

‫ف‬ ‫ف ّ‬ ‫� ن ف �ق ا � � ا ن �ق ّ ا � � أ � ا ن � �ط�ن أ � أ خ ف ّ‬ ‫�غ ّ‬ ‫�ص� ر � �و�لك � �ل‬ ‫ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل � ن�� او ف�ي��ه ج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �و � �‬ ‫��ر�و� ��� � �ل �ل�ب�� ا � �‬ ‫��ع��ل� او ��ي�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� � ا �ل�� ب ��ور � �ص�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ئ ة ا ف ا ا �ئ ا ن �ت ح ��ّ‬ ‫�ف غ نَّ ف �ف �غ نّ ا ��ف ف � ن ا ن � ��‬ ‫� � �� �ة‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫����� ي�� �� ه �د � �إ ي�� د � �ي ر ر��ط� و �ي� م� � د �ي �� ر �‬ ‫ي�ه� م� �� � م� ��و ب� �ع��ل�ى �ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫د � ن��ا �من ا ض‬ ‫� �� ���ط��ة � �م�ي�ر ا �ل�م��ؤ �م ن��� ن ا �ل�م�ع��ت�زّ ��ا ّلله ث��ّ د �ع�ا ��ا ���خل‬ ‫�� � �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د ��ي ن��ا ر ��ا �ج��ل‬ ‫��ل��‬ ‫��و��س�ق ��خل‬ ‫�ي ر �‬ ‫�ه� � رب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� ري‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ئ�ز � ا ئ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� او �ج�ل�وا � �ل��س� �ر ا �ل�� ��س‪.‬‬ ‫ن �غ ا ا �ئ‬ ‫��ق ا �� �ص����ط � ت�زّ ًا ن‬ ‫ا ن قّ� ث‬ ‫ح��س�نً�ا ���فم�ا‬ ‫له�م�ا �‬ ‫� ل � او � ب �‬ ‫ي ‪� 1‬و�ج� �ه� � �� ��ط �م��� �‬ ‫� ا�لم�ع�� �ي ��و�م� �و�ي��و���س ب�� ب���� �و�م� ر ���‬ ‫ت ث ا ث ح ا ا ت � تّ � ف �ق ا � � ت�زّ‬ ‫�س�� ار ��� � �ل ا�لم�ع��‬ ‫�م��ض‬ ‫� � ��ل� � ��س� �ع� � ح�ى � ك‬ ‫َ ا نْ ِ َ َ نْ � � ً نْ ش ئ تَ ُ َ� َ �نًا �َّ ا َ عٍ ا تَ َ ا َ َ ْ نَ ُ‬ ‫ْ َْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص �ر�� � ���ه� د �ى �ب�ي�� �‬ ‫�م� �إِ � ����تر�ى �م����ظِ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�را �إِ � �ِ������ه ح��س �  �إِ �ل� �‬ ‫ري نِ�‬ ‫ِ �ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ نَ ْ‬ ‫َ ا � ُ َ � � َ ْ َ ُ ��‬ ‫� ٱ �� شَّ َ ا َ ُ‬ ‫� �م نْ �َه�َ � َ �ش‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��إٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪٢‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫���‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٍر � و‬ ‫�ذِ ي ي و‬ ‫��س ك ِر ب بِ‬ ‫ي نِ�‬

‫‪٩،١٥‬‬

‫‪١٠،١٥‬‬

‫� �ف‬ ‫�و�م ن �ش���ع ه ���ف� �ي �� �ن�� �وف���ه ��ل‬ ‫ح ن� ��ي�‬ ‫� ر ي و س ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ْ ف َ أَ ْ فُ‬ ‫نَ ٱ�نْ‬ ‫َ ََ َ ْ‬ ‫��عِ ��ّلُ�م � َك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و�نِي�‬ ‫ج و‬ ‫ل�ى ر ٍم ِ � فِ�ي�‬ ‫َ �ِ � َ ا � �َ� َ �َا �ُ نُ ُ �َ �مْ ُ نٌ �َ �ْ‬ ‫��ج��ف� �ئِ�ي� �ل�ك ي� ي ��و  ���س �‬ ‫��‬ ‫��قر �و� بِأُح���فِت��ي�‬ ‫و�غِ ْ أَ َّ ٱ ّٰ �قِ ْ َ ْ َ أُ‬ ‫� �َ � ن � هَ � �د ��ع  �� ُ �َ ا � � ْ�د � �َ � �ْ‬ ‫� �ي ر � لل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل� م� َ ��ب ِ ْي� و‬ ‫��فِخ���ي�‬ ‫َ ٱ ّٰ ُ َ ٱ�ي � ْ َم‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فَ��َ ��ق�ا �� � لله ����ك � �ل��د د �ه َ � � ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صْ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �نِي�‬ ‫فِي‬ ‫ر ي ِي� بِ رفِ‬ ‫� �ق ة �‬ ‫��ط �ر�ي� �� ا �لر��م�ل‬

‫أ �ق � ���ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح��دث� ن��� ��س�عي��د ب� ن� �ي ��و�� �سف� ك�‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل �ه�ا ر�و� ب� ن� �عب��د ا �ل�ع�ز�ي�ز ب� ن� الم�ع��م�د �‬ ‫���ا ��ت ب� �ب ��ي� ��ا �ل ك� ت�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ش أ �خ �ذ ت � أ‬ ‫أت�ق ّ خ�ز ئ �� �ة � ن �إ�ذ أ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ ا ��ف ��لخ�ز ئ ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ت�زّ � ن �‬ ‫� � �� �ل�د � ا �� ا �ل��ك��س�و �وك�� � ا � �مرا�لم�ع�� �لي ��و���س ب ����ي� ء � �� � �ل�ه � ج���ل �م� �ي� ا � ا ��‬ ‫أ� �ن ��ا ن ّ ��ن �ف ا أق ّ ّ� ا خ ��لخ�ز ن ة �ف ن‬ ‫ح��ه ف����ق��ل ت� ��ل�ه � �� �مً�ا ��ا‬ ‫� �ت�ه � �م�ا �ز � ت‬ ‫� �و ح��س �ه‪� .‬وك�� � �ي�ب�ر�ي� ��ل� � �ب���ل �بره �ورب�م� د ���ل ا‬ ‫� ا ��� �ج�ر و‬ ‫يو ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫الم�عت ّ ا ��لت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫فّ � ا � � أ ن ت تش ّ ف‬ ‫� ة�ّ � ن‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫نا‬ ‫ح���ة ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن �� م�م�ا �ي��ك�و�‬ ‫��س�ي �د �ي� � �� �عب��د ك �و�م�و�ر�لم� �ل�ك � �و ��� ����ر�� �م��سر�ور ���ص�مي� �ب� �ي‬ ‫�ف ّ � ن �ف � ّ‬ ‫�ذ � ف �ق � � ة ن‬ ‫أ � ن أ ن �ف ا ت ّ ف ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب�ي�� �ي��د �ي� � �م�ي�ر ا�لم��ؤ �م ن���ي� � �و ��ا ��ل� � ش���ر��ي� ب��مث���ل �ل��ك‪� ��� .‬ا �ل ا �ل��لي���ل�� � �� بو��ت���ك ���ل�م�ا ك��ا � ��ي� ا �ل��لي��ل�‬ ‫ّ ة �ذ‬ ‫ف �خ �خ ف ق ّ �ف �ن ف ث ّ�� �إ�ذ� ن‬ ‫���ع ث ��ل ّ‬ ‫�ص�ف� ا ���خل ا‬ ‫� ب� ��و� ي �‬ ‫�ه�ا ��و� ������ل ��ي� � ����س�ي� ��م كب���ر ك���ا �‬ ‫�� د �م �و�م�ع�ه �ص��ي�ن�ي �� �ه ب� �ي�‬ ‫ب � �إ �ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ر� �ى‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ر ش���� ءٍ‪.‬‬

‫‪216‬‬

‫‪216‬‬

‫‪١١،١٥‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Mārī

He turned to the musicians who were present: “Set it to music.” They put

15.9

their minds to the task, but then he said to Ibn al-Qaṣṣār the Pandore Player, “Come on. Tunes on the pandore are better and lighter. You make a setting.” And he did so. Al-Muʿtazz gave him the dinars in the presentation purse, which held one hundred Meccan dinars and two hundred bearing the inscription “This dinar was minted in the Jawsaq Palace for the caliph al-Muʿtazz bi-llāh’s presentation purse.” Then he called for the ceremonial robes and jewels to be given to the other courtiers. One morning al-Muʿtazz was drinking with Yūnus ibn Bughā; no faces 15.10 more handsome had ever been seen. Within three hours, they were drunk. Al-Muʿtazz proclaimed: No sight will you see more beautiful than a youth brought low by carousing, Swaying from wine and the love of a gazelle. See them together, two branches entwined. Another of al-Muʿtazz’s poems on Yūnus runs: They taught me to reject you against my will. O Yūnus, if I spurn you it will bring on my death! God alone knows what I tell and hold back. May God protect us both from Fate’s cruel blows. It has a setting in the ramal rhythmic mode. Hārūn ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn al-Muʿtamid related this incident told by Saʿīd ibn 15.11 Yūsuf, his father’s secretary: I was in charge of the garment treasury, and when al-Muʿtazz gave the order for Yūnus to receive a gift I would bring out the most gorgeous and beautiful robe in it for him. He would try to tip me but I didn’t let him. Occasionally he would come into the treasury and I would give him a tap on the head, making a joke of it. One day I said to him, “Sir, I am your servant and I work to increase your wealth. You do Masrūr al-Muʿtaṣimī the honor of greeting him politely, as is usual in the caliph’s presence. But you don’t do me the same honor.” “Tonight will be your turn.” That evening Yūnus sent Waṣīf the eunuch to me bearing a golden tray with plums on it. At first they did not impress me, but

217

217

‫د�ير�مر�م�ا ر�ي�‬

‫���خل ة أ �ذ‬ ‫� �ة ف ن �ظ �� ت ا �ف �إ�ذ � ��ق شُ قّ ت أُ خ � ا ف ا ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م ن� ��ج�م��ل�� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫���لي ���ف �� ��ف�� �خ��� ت� � او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫ح�د ��� �ر��ه� �� ا �هي� �د ������ � �و �ر�ج �م� �ي�‬ ‫�ه� �و ج �ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫ف�ا ن ش ئًا ��ث ً‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫ا ��ا ن ف ا ��ف �أ خ � ت ا ��ف‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � ��ي���� ��ي ر ‪.‬‬ ‫م��ا �ن�ه �ن��د � �ج �و� �ع��ل�ى م �د ر م� ك� � �‬ ‫ي�ه� � ر�ج � م� �ي� ي�ع� ك‬

‫� ت ّ �ف ن �ق خ‬ ‫�و�ل��ل�م�ع���ز ��ي� �ي ��و���س �و��د �ر�� �و�ع�ا د‬ ‫ج‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ �ذْ ْ تَ عِ نَّ َ ا ٌ َ ْ‬ ‫ٱٰ‬ ‫�حِ �� � �أ ن�َّنِ‬ ‫�ُ� � ُ‬ ‫� ّللهُ �َ�ْ�ع ��ع��ل� ُ �َ�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غِ�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ بِ ي� �‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫ي� ��ئِ‬ ‫َْ نُ ٱ � ُّ ُ ُ م�إِ�ذَ َ نَا � َ َ ْ � ٌ َ �َ ُ َ فْ ُ ٱ �ْ َ ْ‬ ‫نَ �تَ� ُ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ي��د � ��و � �ل��سر�ور ا د �� �ب�ك �م���ن�زِ �ل  �و��غِ�ي ب� � �‬ ‫�ص ��و � �ل�عي����� ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ي� ��غِ�ي ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬

‫�‬ ‫��ا ن ت ا �� �ة �� �ل �ت�زّ � ا ���خل‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�ن ة ث ن ت ن �خ� ن ا �ئت ن‬ ‫��م���� ��لث��ل�ا ث� �خ���ل�و ن� �م ن الم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر�م ��س �� ا �������ي� �و �م��س��ي� �و�م� � ���ي�‬ ‫�وك� ��� لب�ي��ع� ل� �م�ع� ي ��و�م ي س‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ة �خ‬ ‫� ن ا �ئت ن ق‬ ‫� � ب� �ة‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� �خ���ل� �لث��ل�ا ث� � ���ق�� ن‬ ‫ي� �م ن� ر�ج� ب� ��س�ن �� ��م��س �و �م��س��ي� �و�م� � ���‬ ‫ي� �و�ت���ل ب���ع�د ا �ل�ل� �م��س�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أّ ع ّ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّة أ‬ ‫اً‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�س��� � ���ه � � ���ع�� � ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ع��� � � ��س�ن �� � � ت‬ ‫ع���ر �ي ��و�م�‪.‬‬ ‫و‬ ‫� �ي� �م �و��س �ه � بر��� �و� رو‬ ‫� ر و بر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫��ا ن ت ����� ة‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫له� ���ف� ك�‬ ‫� ت� ا �ل�م�ع��ت�زّ �ع��ل� ا ��ل���ت ار ك �و��ق�ا ��ل ت ا � ن ّ �ق ت �‬ ‫���ل � ك�‬ ‫ح�� �‬ ‫ح ّر��ض‬ ‫م��ا �‬ ‫��ا �ل �وك�� ��� ب ي‬ ‫� �ي� ب ��ي� ا �� �ّ م ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� �ق أ � ّ‬ ‫�خ ّ ًا � � ا �ئ ه ف� ��ق ا �� � ا �أ �ّ ه ا �ف�� ه � ا ا ا �� �ل�ق‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫أخ ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر ي �إو‬ ‫� �و �ر�ج�� �إ �لي��ه �مي���ص � ب��ي��ه ا�لم��و ل‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر ي ص‬ ‫��ق�م��ص�� ن‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬

‫�ذ � أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�د ب� ن �‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫�� ��س�ق ���ف� ا �ل��ص‬ ‫ح�م�د �و ن� ��ق�ا ��ل ب� ن�� ا �ل�م�ع��ت�زّ ���ف� ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا ��م�ل ب����ت��ا ��ق�د ر�ت�ه ��ل�ه‬ ‫ح ن ا �� ك�‬ ‫�و ك�ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ ي و � ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫أّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث� ت‬ ‫� ّ��ن�ا‬ ‫��ا � � �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح� ��ط�ا �ن�ه �و��س�ق ��و��ف�ه �ف ك�‬ ‫ح��س ن� ب��ي�� ت� ر ��ي�‪�� 1‬ق�ا �ل ��د �ع�ا �ن�ا ا�لم�ع���ز �إ �لي��ه �ف ك‬ ‫� �م�ه �و�م��ل� �ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ئ‬ ‫ً �خ� � �ف � ت ا �ة � �غ�نّ �ة �ت�غ�� نّ أ� �غ ن ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ف� � �‬ ‫ح��س ن� �ي ��و�‬ ‫ي ‪�� ٢‬سر�ورا �و �ل� ا �ل��س�� ر م� �ي � ��� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح��س ن� � �� ء �لي����س �ل�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب��ه� ع�ه�د‪.‬‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ق ا � �ف�ن�� ن ��ف �ذ �إ�ذ خ � �ي�ن ا �خ ا ��ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��ق� �ع��لي��ه � ك‬ ‫�ده‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��بّ��� ���و ض�‬ ‫���ع�ه ��ي� �و��س ��ط‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �ل ح� �ي� ا ك د ���ل �ع�ل � �� د �م �ي� ي‬ ‫ف �� ّ ة ف ف �ف �إ�ذ أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن ��ف ���د ا �ل�م���ت�زّ ��ق�د � ��ف ش��� ��ه � ش��� �� ن�ا ث��ّ ��ق�ا � �ل���خ‬ ‫م����� � ��� ا‬ ‫�ل�ا د � ا ر���‬ ‫ا �لب�ي�� ت� �وك� � �ي� ي ع‬ ‫ر و ر�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع ا �ل كب ر �‬ ‫عه� �� ا ر� ��س‬ ‫م‬ ‫أح ب‬ ‫ب م‬ ‫� تّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل� ت ن ��ف ا �� �� �ف ّ‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ي ت� ف����ق�ا �ل ��ل�ي� ا�لم�ع���ز �ي�اب� ن� ا � �ل�ف �ا �ع��ل�� �م�ا �ه� ا‬ ‫ط�ق� ���ل�م�ا ر� ��ي ت��ه �ش���ه�ق� ت� �و�ب ك‬ ‫م��س��ع��ي� �ي� ل� ب �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ل ّ‬ ‫� نّ �ذ�‬ ‫���� �نّ��ك د �خ���لت���ك ��ل�ه ��ق��ة ف� ث��ا‬ ‫�س��‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫� ت� �و��ق��ل ت� �م�ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �لر��ق��ة �و� ك‬ ‫� �ع��ق��ل� �و��م�ا � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل����ي� ك��ر ت�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ب ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬را �ى‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬را �ى‪.‬‬

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The Monastery of Mār Mārī

then they went up in my estimation since they came from the caliph’s court. I took one and examined it, and saw that it had been split and the stone had been taken out and replaced with the same amount of precious perfume. I took the perfume out of all the plums and it came to a large amount. More of al-Muʿtazz’s verses on Yūnus, when he had gone away and then come 15.12 back: God knows, my friend, that since you went I’m anxious and distressed. When you are near joy comes close; when you’re away I live in torment. The oath of allegiance was sworn to al-Muʿtazz on Thursday Muharram 4, 252 15.13 AH [ January 26, 866], and he was deposed on Rajab 25, 255 AH [ July 12, 869]. Five days later he was killed. He was twenty-four years, six months, and fourteen days old.120 Qabīḥah stirred him up against the Turks, saying, “My boy, kill them everywhere.” She showed him his father al-Mutawakkil’s shirt, stained with his blood. He replied, “Mother, take it away. Otherwise we will have two shirts instead of one.”

Aḥmad ibn Ḥamdūn recounts: Al-Muʿtazz had a pavilion built in the Perfect 15.14 Courtyard of the Jawsaq Palace. His mother had made the plans, comparing the dimensions of the walls and the roofs, and it was the loveliest building ever seen. He invited us there and we spent the most festive day, with a singing girl I did not know performing songs that were new to me. While we were enjoying ourselves, a servant came in carrying a covered dish, which he put down in the middle of the pavilion. Al-Muʿtazz was holding a goblet and he drank it. We drank too. Then he said to the servant, “Take off the cover.” And there was al-Mustaʿīn’s head in the dish. When I saw it, I gasped and started to weep. Al-Muʿtazz turned to me. “You bastard! What’s the matter? You seem to have a soft spot for him.” I came to my senses, pulled myself together, and replied, “Not at all. But I was just reminded of death.”

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‫� ت �ف �أ ��غ ا ّ �� ّ ة ف � � ق ف ف ���أ نّ � ت�زّ �خ � ت �ف ت �ة �ذ‬ ‫م��ب��� �ور��� ا � �‬ ‫ط� �ر���ع�ه �وك�� � ا�لم�ع�� د ��ل��ه ���ر �وك��‬ ‫مو�‪� �� .‬مرا �ل��ل� � �برد ا �ل ك‬ ‫�� ��ل��ك �ج��مي��‬ ‫ا �ل �‬ ‫ع ل� ب ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف �ت �ق ن ا � ن ��ل �‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�م ن �‬ ‫��ر � او � ر �� ع� ا �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل ا �ل ��ت� ك����ن�ا �ع��لي��ه �م ن� ا �ل��سر�ور‪.‬‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق ا � ��ن‬ ‫��ذ �� � �إ�ذ ���سم�ع ن ا � ا ء ا ��ل �ت ض����ّ �ة � �ف�ز � ت�ن ا ��ف �إ�ذ ا ا � � �ة �ت���ص � ا � � �ة � �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� �ل ح ك� ل�ك‬ ‫� و مر رى‬ ‫�� ور ��س� ر �ج � ع� � � مر‬ ‫تش ت � �ئ ة � ئ ة ت ق � ق أ �خ �ذ ت �ن غ ً ث ّ ت ئ �نح أ‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص��ا �� �‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ح�� � او �ل�ص�ا �‬ ‫���� �� ا �ل�ص�ا �‬ ‫�ج�ي ��و���ي ‪� � 1‬‬ ‫بر ��س �م�و�ل� �ي�‬ ‫ح�� � �� ��و�ل �ي� ���و�م � �� �م�و�ي� ��� ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف م‬ ‫ّ ��ف‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫ت �� ��ق ضُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫تض‬ ‫���ا ن ا ��ل�ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ر ب� �ل�ه�ا � او �ل ش����ا ��‬ ‫د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�س‬ ‫��� �و ب ي� ي ي�‬ ‫�و� �و � رب� ب ر � و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � �ة � ن � ا � ا �ل�م ت � � ن ��ق ا �� ��ف ا �ن ف‬ ‫ف �ق‬ ‫� � �أ ق�� ن‬ ‫� ب ي����‬ ‫ح��ة �وك�‬ ‫�ص ار �� �و��د‬ ‫�صر� ن��ا �ع ن� ال�جم�ل��س ب �‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا�ج�ل� ري� م� �ج �و ر ي� ��س�ع�ي� � ل � ��‬ ‫� ا ���‬ ‫ح‬ ‫نّ‬ ‫� �ي�ن ا ا �ّ� ف‬ ‫��ا �ي��ه‪.‬‬ ‫ت���غ����ص �ع�ل � �م� ك �ن‬ ‫ّ أ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�ة � ّ‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� �ل�� ت��م�� ��ل�ا � �ّ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�تى �و��ث ب� ا �ل���ت ار ك �ع��ل� ا�لم�ع��ت�ز ف����ق ت���ل�وه ��ّ د �ع�� ب�� ن��ا �ل�ن ن �ظ� �� ر �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫و م ضِ� �إ ي م ي ي ر‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ّ تً‬ ‫�ف �ذ � �‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫�إ�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��د �خ���ل ن��ا �ع��لي��ه ��ي� �ل��ك ا �لب�ي��� �� ا �ه�وم�م�د �ود �ي� �و��س ��ط�ه �م��ي��‪.‬‬

‫أ‬ ‫ت� ن‬ ‫���يو�ي�‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ج‬

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Al-Muʿtazz told the servant to replace the cover and take the dish away, which he did. Al-Muʿtazz seemed to have become listless, as had everyone present. The joy we had felt before had left us. While we were in that state, we heard an outcry behind the curtain, star- 15.15 tling us. One woman was screaming and another woman was cursing her. The one who was screaming cried out, “Look, everyone! You seized me by force and now you bring me my master’s head and put it in front of me!” Then we heard the sound of the lute striking her head. The woman cursing and using the lute as a weapon was Qabīḥah, and the girl was one of al-Mustaʿīn’s slaves. We left the gathering in the gloomiest mood and the pleasure we had felt during it was ruined. Only a few days later, the Turks attacked al-Muʿtazz and killed him. We were invited to view the corpse, and so we went into the pavilion and there he was, lying in the middle of it, dead.

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‫� نّ‬ ‫ح��ا‬ ‫د ����ي �م ي�‬ ‫ر ر‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ث � �ق ّا ت � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا �ل��د�ير �إ �ل�ى �ج��ا ن�� ب� ت� ك‬ ‫��ر��ي ت� �ع��ل�ى د �ج���ل�� �و�ه�و كب���ي�ر �ع�ا �مر ك���ي�ر ا � �ل �ل� �ي�ا � � او �لر�هب��ا �‬ ‫ا ف ن�ز � �� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م ���ط �و�ق� �م�ق��ص�ود ��ل�ا ي�خ���ل�و �م ن ا�لمت� ���ط ّ��� ن ا �ل�مت���ن�زّ �ه�� ن �و��ل�ا �م ن �م��س� � ��� �ل�ه �و� �‬ ‫ل�ك�ل �َم ن� ��طر��ق�ه‬ ‫ري‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫بري�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ق � ض ا ف � ا �خ ّ‬ ‫�غ ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ث� �ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ِم ن� ا �ل�� ��س ��ض�ي � ��� �� �م�� �ع��ل�ى ��د ر ا �لم�‬ ‫��� �� �ل� ي��� �لو� �ب��ه�‪� .‬و�ل�ه � ا رع �و��ل� � ك���ي ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ّ ة ن‬ ‫� ���س�ا �ت�� ن‬ ‫ي� �وك�‬ ‫طور �و�ع��ل� �ب�ا �ب�ه � �صو�م�ع�� �عب��د �و� ا �ل ار �ه ب� ر ج���ل �م ن� ا�لم�� ك‬ ‫��ر�و� �و�ه�و �ل��ل����س ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ي��� ب� ��ى‬ ‫وب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��س�و�ل�ي� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل��د�ير � او � �ل�ي�� �ب�ه � بو��م ن� �ي��ه‪.‬‬ ‫ا �ل�ص�و�م�ع�� �و� �ل�ه�ا ���ص�ا ر� ���عر�� �ب�ه �و�ه�و ا �ل� � ا �لم �‬ ‫� م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫�و��ق�د ب� ن�� �إ ��ل�ى �ج��ا ��ن ب��ه ب�� ن��ا ء ���ن�ز ��ل�ه ال�جم‬ ‫� ت��ا �ز �و ن� � �و �ق�ي�� ��ل�ه� ا �ل��ض�ي �ا ��ف��ة �وي�‬ ‫ح��س ن� �ل�ه� ا � �ل ر�ى‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ق ق �ف �ذ � أ‬ ‫ف م � م ن�ز ت ��ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�ي��ه �و� �ه��ه �م� �ل�ك ���و�ل ع�مر�و ب�� �عب��د‬ ‫�و��د ي���ل �ي� �ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير � ����ع� ر �و�و� �ص� �� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّق‬ ‫ا�لم��ل�ك ا � �لورا ��‬

‫َ‬ ‫أَ َ� ��قِ �ْ َ �قِ ْ �حِ‬ ‫�حِ نّ�َ�ا‬ ‫� نّ�َ�ا ��ل�ى دَ ��ْ��ي � �مِ� ي�‬ ‫� رى �ِبل��� � �د‬ ‫ِر ِر‬ ‫ �إِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫��َ ْ َ ت ٱ ��ْ �غِ نّ اَ‬ ‫�َ ْ �‬ ‫حِ �إِ ل�ى بِ�ركِ��هِ � ل�� ��‬ ‫�إِ �ل�ى �غِ�ي� ���ط�ا ��نِ� �هِ � � �ل��فِ�ي��‬ ‫ٱْ ْ ٱ ْ‬ ‫�َ �ظِ � ْ نَ ٱ �ْ � نْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� نّ�َ�ا‬ ‫�ص ُ�د � ��ل���ن��َ �َ �و �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إِ �ل�ى ��� ب ��� �ِم� � �ل��‬ ‫��سِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ�ي ْ إِ س‬ ‫�َ غُ ْيٍ َ ٱإِ�ْ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫� � ��ل َ ��قِ ْ �ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ج نّ�َ�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�إِ �ل�ى ����ص� �ِم ن� � �لب�� �نِ  �بِ� �هِ ِب ��� �د �‬ ‫�َ أَ ْ نٍ �خِ ْ ٱ � ّٰ‬ ‫نْ َ�قيَّ َ أَ ْ �غِ نَّ‬ ‫ح َ��س � � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س و ى‬ ‫�ٱ � �لقِ� � �ل�ل‍ هِ �إِ‬ ‫�إِ ل�ى � �‬ ‫�فَ َ َّ ا ٱ نْ �بِ نِ �ََ �� ُّ ْ ُ ��بِ�زَ �ْ �َ ا َ ْ �ِ نَ ا َ نّاَ‬ ‫���ل��م� � ��� �ل �‬ ‫�   �� �ل�ن� ب��ي��� �ى‬ ‫���ص�‬ ‫ن�ى�� د ��‬ ‫� ل� ْ ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ� َّا َ َ‬ ‫ج ��‬ ‫��أ ��ُ  � دَ ْ �نَ�ا �َ���ْ��ِ �ى نَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ْح نَ��ا‬ ‫�ى��ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر بي ن‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� لك س‬ ‫�و �ل�م� د ا ِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ َ� َّا �َه ِ َ � ُّ‬ ‫ع�ا ��نَ�ْ��ق نَ��ا‬ ‫ن�ا �َ �تَ���َ‬ ‫ل����سَّ�م�ا   ُ نِ�ْ�م��َ‬ ‫��ج� � �‬ ‫�و �ل�م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�خ ا �ة � ا ت ت �‬ ‫���ل�ع�ا ء ال�مّ ن � ن‬ ‫���ا ن� �ع�م �و �ه��ذ ا �م ن ا ���خل‬ ‫�ك�� ن ���ف� ا ��ل� ���ط�ا ��ل��ة � او ��ل‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫ه��ا ر �ب�ا �ل�مرد‬ ‫��ا � ا�لم �‬ ‫� ��س� ر � او �ل���س��‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ه�م��ي� ي ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫��ق �ذ �‬ ‫ا ��ت �� ّ � ��ف � � ا ت � ش ��‬ ‫ف ا ��خل‬ ‫� نا ن ا � ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث� ��ف الم‬ ‫�و ل��طرح �ي� ا �ل�د �ي� را � �و�ل�ه ����عرك��ي ر �ي� �ج �و� �و�و�ص�� �مر‪� .‬و �د ك�ر�� �م��ه �م� ��ي�لي ���‬ ‫ا� ت‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ل��ا ب� ��م ن �ش���عره �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫�ب� � ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪222‬‬

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‫‪٢،١٦‬‬

‫‪٣،١٦‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Yuḥannā (Saint John)

This monastery lies on the Tigris near Takrit. It is large and prosperous and has

16.1

many monks and hermits’ cells. Passersby stop there and it attracts visitors. Singers often make music in it and people come to enjoy the surroundings. It puts up travelers, and whoever stops there invariably receives hospitality according to his state. Round this monastery are orchards, vineyards, and fields planted with different kinds of crops. It belongs to the Nestorians.121 At its entrance, however, is the hermitage belonging to Monk ʿAbdūn, a Melkite.122 He built it and lives in it now, and it is named after him. He is the superior in charge of the monastery and its residents. Beside it he has built a house to lodge those who are passing though; he puts them up and feeds them very well. Poems have been composed about this monastery, celebrating its good and

16.2

healthy air, for instance these lines by ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Warrāq: I feel my heart’s yearning for Mār Yuḥannā’s Monastery, Its endless fields, its pool ringed with plants, And a gazelle of a boy, hunter of men and jinn, Pliant as a supple branch, who’s put madness in my heart, Handsomest of God’s creatures when he chants or swings the censer. At first light we broached a jar of wine, And as the cups went round we tossed each other tunes Till voices fell silent and we lay twined in each other’s arms. This ʿAmr was frivolous and dissolute, a playboy and wastrel attracted to beardless boys, who enjoyed having a good time in monasteries. He composed many poems celebrating debauchery and describing wine. We quote here a selection appropriate to this book. One such poem runs:

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‫���������� ��‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬

‫َ �َ ْ ُ‬ ‫َ ا �ٱ ��ْل�ِ َ �� ْ‬ ‫َ �ِ �� ِّ � � َ ا �ٱ ��ْل�ِ َ �� ْ‬ ‫�غ�ا �ل�ي ت� �فِ� �ي��ه� �ب� �‬ ‫ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َو� ظِ‬ ‫ع�ط ب‬ ‫ح����ي�ةٍ ‪� 1‬فِ ��ي�ه� �ع�ط ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ�تْ�َ�فْ تُ � َ ا َ ا َ َ ْ تُ َ َ ا � �ْ تُ � نَ �� ن شَ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل�� �فِ ��ي�ه� ��م� ك��سب�‍  �‍� �و�م� �ج �مع� ِم� � ل����� ب‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ ا �ْ تُ �حِ � تَّ �ْتُ َ ا � َ ْ ت �ُ � ْ َ‬ ‫�َ شَ ْ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ض���ط � � �ل‬ ‫� م�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ِربِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��م� �زِ �ل� � �ح��ى ��نِ�ل���ه�   �فِ�ي� ب��ي�� ِ‬ ‫َ ْ� ِّ � ��حِ ْ َ َ � نْ َ ا �ٱ ��ْ�ِ�نَ ْ‬ ‫َ ُ َ مِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��م�د ا �� ��ةٍ ك�ر�خِ ��ي�ةٍ � �م ار ء ِم� ��م�ٱ ِْء ل�ع ب‬ ‫�َ�ا ���قِ ���قْ تُ َ�ا � � ْ��تَ���ةٍ  ��لَ��ْ ُ��س ا �عِ� �َ د � � ��ل��عِ� ���عَ � ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫ر���ه �فِ�ي� �فِ ي‬ ‫ي �و‬ ‫�ل�ى ِي نِ�‬ ‫رب‬ ‫� ِ �ْ ��شِ َ �هِ ُ �ٱلْ�َمَ ا �نِ ةَ � ٱ � �َّ ��ذَ �ذَ َٱ �� ِّ ��‬ ‫���صَ� ْ‬ ‫�� ���مع��� ٍر �م�� ر � او �‬ ‫ل��ط‬ ‫�ج�   �� �� �ي� � �ل�ل� ا �ةِ � �و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� رب‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ِ عِ �ُ �ٱلْ�َمَ ا �نِ ةَ ُ ت ً�ة �‬ ‫َا �‬ ‫�� ّتَ ْ‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج�� � �ل او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� �� �� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س� ر  ِ�ل�ل��ع ��ع� �ذِِ�ل��ي� �� ��ل�ى � لر�� ب‬ ‫َت� ْ‬ ‫ٱ � ِّ َا�ةُ عِ �َ ْ‬ ‫َٱ � ُّ ْ�ُ � نْ ُ ْ � �ٱ ��ْل�ِ َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�هِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِ ‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي � م و ر ِ � م �فِي�‬ ‫�� ضِ ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا ن � �ْ َ ا � � � ْ‬ ‫�فَ �إِ�ذَ َنَ ِ‬ ‫�ى�ه �َم نْ� �تَ�ن��بّ�‍  �ه‬ ‫�� ا �ت��� ّ��ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك� � ِم�ن�ه� �فِ�ي� ���ط�ل ب‬ ‫َ �إِ�ذَ �ِ َ تْ‬ ‫�َّْ �ُ َ ا َ � � َ َ� ْ‬ ‫�َلَ ا ت�ُ ُ��ه ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ج‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�و ا �م��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�فِي‬

‫��ف ال�م ن أ ض ً‬ ‫ش‬ ‫���ا ‪٢‬‬ ‫�و�م ن� ����عره �ي� �ج��و� � �ي��‬ ‫أَُّ َ ا ٱ � ِّ ا ُ عِ نَّ �َ ْ تُ نْ أَ ْ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫�ص� َل�ا �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َي���ه� � �ل���س� ���ئِ� �ل �� ���‬ ‫ي �لَ��س� ِم� � ��ه�ِل ْل� حِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�أ �نَا نْ َ ا نٌ ُ ٌ‬ ‫�  � � ْ���شَت‬ ‫ه ��نَ ْ���ك � �ل�مِ� �ل�ا �‬ ‫� �إِ ��� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�س�س� � ���مِر��ي ب‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫ِ ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫� ْ‬ ‫�َ�ق ْ ��قَ �سِ ْ تُ‬ ‫� � ��ل��دّ �ْ��هَ �َ��ْ �َم�‍ْ‬ ‫��س� �َو�� َا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د ��� �م‬ ‫‍‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫َ قٍ� َ لِرحِ‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫�َ ا أَُا � َ نْ ��َ َ ا � �َ ا أُ � ُ ٱ � � ّ ْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ي  �ل� � طِ �� ���ي� � �ل�د ���هر �ل� ِ�‬ ‫�ل� � �� �ل�� �م ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�‬ ‫ح�ي�‬ ‫�ح� �نِ��‬ ‫ب ِي �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ ضً‬ ‫���ا‪٣‬‬ ‫� �ي��‬

‫�و�م ن� ��ج�م� �ون�ه‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ أ نْ تَ ��َ ْ تَ ْ َ ْ �ُ � َ ا ً َ �َْ تَ �ُ ْ ��‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � � �م ر ب� �ق ر و ط‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ ��َ ْ َت� ْ َ َ ْ �ٍا � نْ قِ ��َا َ �َْ َ تْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و �ل�م ي�ِب���‬ ‫�ول�م ���م�ل ب��يَ���ت� ِم ْ� �ح� ب ٍ‬ ‫َ �َ ْ تَ� ُ �ٱ � ّش ْ � َ ن َ ْ ً ُ َ ً‬ ‫�ق�ا ��مِ� را‬ ‫�و�ل�م ��ك �بِ� �ل�������طر �ِ� �عب��د ا � �م�‬ ‫َ �َ ْ تَ� ُ � �َ ْ جٱ � نَّ َ� ُ ِ َ ا ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ك�‬ ‫� � �ل ��وى �م���ت�م� ِ�‬ ‫�ول�م ��ك �فِ�ي� ل�ع ب ِ‬

‫َ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ح َ ا ُ �َ‬ ‫ ��فِ ��أ ن��ْ تَ ��َل��عِ� ْ�م � �َ‬ ‫�سَ اءُ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� َ ِر ي� و ِ �م �م ر �و‬ ‫َ شُ َ أ ْ �ضٍ َ َ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ�ا ءُ‬ ‫�� �ا ��م�ا �ع��ل�ْ�ي�هِ غِ�����ط‬ ‫  ���فِ را �����ك � ر�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ ٱ � نَّ ْ نَْ �‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�َ�ْ�ص ‪� ٤‬م نْ�� َ �َ �َ‬ ‫��ف�ا ءُ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ �و�فِ�ي� � �ل��رِد ِ�ع��د � َ ِل ِ‬ ‫�فِ تُ ْ �َ َ َ ا �ًا أ ْ َ ُ‬ ‫ك نَ �َ��َ�آءُ‬ ‫ � �����س�ل ب� ��م� �ل� � �و �ي� �و� ب و‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ّق‬ ‫قف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫ش �‬ ‫م���‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪:‬‬ ‫خَ��طي����ةٍ‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ ����( :‬ع��لى ����عرع�مرو �ب� �ع ب���د ا لم�ل�ك ا �لورا � وع��لى �م� �ه ب���ه) ورد ي� �‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ِ � :‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫�َعبْ���د ُ�م��قَ���ا �مٌر‪  ٤ .‬ال��ص� ‪ :‬ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل‪.‬‬ ‫حَ���ض‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِ‬

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‫‪٤،١٦‬‬

‫‪٥،١٦‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Yuḥannā (Saint John

A cosseted girl, soft as down, Cost me the earth in earnings and fortune. I shelled them all out, completely unhinged, Until I possessed her. Red wine from Karkh, blood of the grape, I have drunk with youths not of my faith, Companions expert in pleasure and music, Folly their shield from censure and blame, Far gone in drink, oblivious to prayers. When they come to, they ask for more wine. If ever they pray, they don’t know what they say.123 Here is another of his poems on debauchery:124

16.4

If you want to know me, I’m not a man of virtue— A dubious character, I like fucking beauties. Time for me is just two days— one for fucking and one for drinking. I don’t care who blames me. For me, fucking’s a duty. And another:

16.5

If you don’t drink wine and you don’t fuck boys, by God, you’re just like an ass. If you don’t fill your house with whores, make your bed on the bare earth, Gamble at chess, or hedge your bets at backgammon, Quarrel over knucklebones to win the stake or else draw,

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‫���������� ��‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬

‫َ ��َ ْ تَ�تَّ�� �ذْ َ �ْ �بٍا َ �قَْ ًا َ ُ ْ ُ �قٍا َ � ُ ْ َ� ��حِ َ ا �َْ �ُ ْ � َ َ‬ ‫َ�ا ءُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ول�م ��خِ � ك�ل� � �و ��و��س� �وب����ن�د � �  �و���بر � � �م� � �ل� ي��صِ‬ ‫�� ب��ك ر �خ‬ ‫ٍم م‬ ‫َ ْ َ َّ ً �فِ أَ ج‬ ‫َ ��َ ْ �تِ ْ َ ا عِ ْ شٌ َ � ْ تَ � قَ � ��ذ �ة � � نْ تَ‬ ‫� َ�م�ا ٌ ��لَ��ْ��َ � ��� َك ��مِ� َاءُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ول�م �� �د ِر ��م� �� ي����� �و �ل� �� �ل� �ل�   � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�حِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي س �فِ ي‬ ‫�فِ نْ أَنْ تَ �َْ تَ � ْ َ � نْ � َ ْ ش م َ‬ ‫� �ْ �ِ هُ ��فِ ُ نَ َ هُ َ‬ ‫�ق�ا ءُ‬ ‫�م�ا دَ ا �َ � ��� َك �َ���َ‬ ‫� �إِ� � � ��� �ل�م � ���ف ��ط� ِ�ل�عي����� �ج �هِ� �ل�ت�   �د � �و�ك� �‬ ‫م �فِ ي ب‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ َّا َ أَ نْ تَنْ�فَ � َّ نْ ُ‬ ‫ْ �َا فِ�� َ َ ا �ؤُ َ �ُ�صْ��حٍا َ � �� ِّ‬ ‫�س�ا ءُ‬ ‫��صَ��ا ُ� �َم�� َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�و �ي� ك � � ���� �ك �ِم� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ط‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫َ أَ ْ َو ب ح‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ � � ْ �َم نْ ��َ� تَ �ٱ �� �َّ ْ� َ �منْ ْ َ ا‬ ‫�نْ �عِ ��ل ْ � �إِ�ذ ا � �عَ ���طْ �� � نْ‬ ‫�م���ك �َ�ا ءُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�وك مِ‬ ‫�ونِ�ك � قِ�ي �‬ ‫ر ِ � �م و�ل ي � � ي��ك‬ ‫�إِ ب‬

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The Monastery of Mār Yuḥannā (Saint John

Own a dovecote, hunt with a dog and pellet bow, you’ll always miss out, You won’t know what life is, you’ll have no fun; No doubt about it, you’ll be an ass. If you haven’t seized what you’ve missed In life, go for it now and for as long as you can. Take good care that you don’t sober up, That your morning’s evening and your evening morn; fuck anyone you meet anytime you want. No fault of yours if they ask you for more.

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‫�� ّ‬ ‫ص��ا �ع�ي�‪1‬‬ ‫د ����ير � ب‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ق ّ‬ ‫� �� ت� �م��ق�ا ب��� ��ل�ه�ا �م ش��� �ف� �ع��ل د �ج���ل��ة �و�ه� �ن�ز ه �ع�ا �م ��ل�ه ظ �����ا �ه �ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا �ل��د � ش��� �� ت� ك‬ ‫�ج�ي ب�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر �ى‬ ‫ير ري� ري‬ ‫فق‬ ‫ح ���ه �ع� �ن ه �� ّ �م ن د �����ة ��ل ا ��� ����س�ا ��ق ّ � �ه �خ����ل �‬ ‫��ف���س� م�ز‬ ‫�ص�د‬ ‫�ص� � �ج ل �إ �ى �لإ ح �ي� و �و ي ��‬ ‫� كب����ي�ر‪� .‬ي ����‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �و� ا رع ��ول �ل�ى �� ر ي � ب‬ ‫�ذح‬ ‫�إ�ذ �ذ � ن �ظ ��‬ ‫ج ف �خ � ق ��ث‬ ‫ن ��ف أ ا أ ّا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا ك م�� ر�‬ ‫�ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير�م� �رب� �م��ه �ي� � �عي�� ده � �و �ي� � ا �لر����‬ ‫ح��س� �ي��ه ��ل�� ك���ي�ر‬ ‫ع �و�ه�و‬ ‫م بي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م ن� ر�هب��ا �ن�ه �و��ق ّ��س�ا �ن�ه‪� .‬و�لب��ع ض�� ا �ل ش����ع ار ء ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ َّ ٱ �ْفَُ ُ �َ‬ ‫� ن �ؤ‬ ‫ح� � � �ل �� ا د �إِ �ل�ى‬

‫َ ُ ٱ َّ‬ ‫َ ْ تَ ْ تْ َ ْ نَ َ َ‬ ‫عْ �� ْت‬ ‫�صبّ��ا ِ�ع�� �َو��ق��ّ � ��ل��دي�ِْر ِ� �ف�‬ ‫دي�ٍر بِ���ك�ِر��ي�  �ب�ي�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِي‬

‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ض��� بَ���ا �عي�‪.‬‬

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The Monastery of Ṣabbāʿī125

This monastery lies to the east of Takrit, opposite to it and overlooking the Tigris. It is pleasant and well kept, with wonderful spacious grounds and surrounded by fields. It is on a side canal flowing from the Tigris into the Isḥāqī Canal,126 which is a great waterway. People from the surrounding area visit this monastery on its feast days and in the spring. Then it is a beautiful sight. Many people, monks and priests, live there. A poet said of it: For a monastery by Takrit yearning fills my breast, Ṣabbāʿī’s Convent—and its fiend of a priest.

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17.1

‫� �أ‬ ‫د ����ير ا �ل��ع�ل��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ف �ق ّ‬ ‫ة �‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ه� ا ا �ل��د�ير �ب�ا �لم�و��ص�ل �ي� ���ط�ل �ع��ل�ى د �ج���ل�� � او �ل�عر�و ب�‪� 1‬و�ه�و د�ير ك���ب�ي�ر �ع�ا �مر �ي��ه ��ل�ا �ي�ا ت�‬ ‫ة ن‬ ‫�ث �ة � ا ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة ن ق �ة ��ف ��ل ت ف ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ا �ل�م�ا �ئ��ة �م ��ق�ا �ة � �ع��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر و ي�‬ ‫ك���ي�ر �لر�هب�� ��ه �و�ل�ه د ر�ج��� �م �� ��ور �ي� ا �ج� ب���ل � ������ي� �إ �ل�ى د �ج��ل�� و‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�� � �ة �ت ّ ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ة � ا ��ق ت ن‬ ‫�ُ� ت �ق � ا ن‬ ‫� ة � ت ��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ص� �إ ل�ى د �ج��ل�� �و�ل�ه� �و � �م�‬ ‫�س���ى ا�لم� ء �م� د �ج��ل�� �ف‪� .‬وح� ا �ل�د�ير �ع��ي� ك���ب�ي ر �� ب‬ ‫�ذ�� ن أ‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫ا � ا ������ست��ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � او �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ك��� �و�� ����‬ ‫ا �ل��س �� ��ي���‬ ‫�ص�د�ه� ا �ل ن�� ��س ي ح �‬ ‫�مو� �م �‬ ‫�ه� � �وي�� ك�ر�و� � ���ه� � ب��ر�� �م� ا جلرب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �ق ن �‬ ‫ا�لم� ر�ع��‬ ‫ي� � او �ل�ز �من��ى‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا �� ش � ا �ن � ن ��ف �ذ ا � � � � ن خ� � � � ن ا � ���ق ن ف� � � ّا ش ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و ل���ع� �ي� �ي� �ه� ا �ل�دير‬ ‫ح��س� ي ر�ج �إ �لي��ه ا �ل�� ��س ي ي�م�و� ي��ه ا �ل� �ي� �م ي���� �بر ��و� �و�م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ج� ت��ا �ز ��ا �ل�م�و��ص� �م ن ا ��ل� �و�ل�ا�ة �ن�ز �ل�ه‪� .‬و��ق�د ��ق�ا �ل ت� ا �ل ش����ع ا ء ��� �ه� ا ا �ل��د�ير �و�و�ص�ف� ت� �‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل �‬ ‫ر ي‬ ‫ن�ز ت � � ث ��ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�و� �ه��ه �و�ل�ل��ر� او �� �ي��ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ْ � نِ ٱ � َّ َ� صِ َ ا َ ا ��ِ ْ ً�ة ِ‬ ‫��ص ْ�هَ��ا ء َ ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�� ب�� �‬ ‫ِا �س�قِ� ��ي� � �ل ار �‬ ‫هَو � � ب ر �‬ ‫�ح�   ق� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� شَ‬ ‫َٱ ْ ���طِ ْ � ٱ � �َّ ْ � ْ‬ ‫�ص��� �َ�ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي� طِ �ب �‬ ‫ر �ل �ل ��‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫�و َ بِ‬ ‫ح �فِيَ ْ ِ� ْ َ �ٱ �ْ �فَِي َ �َ َ نِْ َنِ نَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حه�ا � �ل  �‍�ْ � �ل ْ ���لق � �َ�ا �َ‬ ‫نّ� �َم نْ ��ل ْ �ي�� �‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ج�ح �‬ ‫ي �وم �م �ي �� �‬ ‫��ص��طِِب‬ ‫��‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�إُِ � َ �قِ َّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� �� � � َ�ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫����ث ���ى�ّم � ��ل��د �نِ��ي� �ِم ن� � �ل�ز ��ي  �‍ت��و نِ� � �و �خل�و صِ ِو���ش �‬ ‫فِ� ٱ � ِّ‬ ‫��� ش�َ�ا ��� �َ نْ �َ�ا  �َ�ق ْ تَ � �ذَ ا َ �ٱ ف�ْت���َ�ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�� � �ل‬ ‫ي� و � �ل �ي � �فِ�ي� ك ِ �ض �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ي ّ ٱ ْ أَ نِ نِ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ �َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع���� ظ� � �� �ْ � �ا �َ �َ � �ل ُّ�ه  �‍َ��ا ن � � �ل ُّ ��ل َ � �لم� �ا�َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫��ص ب� ِ ل�‬ ‫�� � ِم �ل �عل م و ر ب � و �‬ ‫�َ�ٱ ْ� �عِ ٱ �ْ عِ ةَ َٱ �ْقَ ْ‬ ‫��جِ �م���عٍ�ا �ُم��ْ ��َتَ ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�ص‍� َ �‬ ‫�س ر �‬ ‫��� �ِل � �ل��بِ ��ي �� �� � �و � �ل��‬ ‫وج‬ ‫���صر � ِ ي‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�م�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���م ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫��ل�ا ك�م ن ����م � ‪� ��� ٢‬ل ش‬ ‫���صر � �و ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫� ��ِل� �� �‬ ‫ٱ � ي ح بِ ٱ � ُ�ةِ‬ ‫أَ ْ َ � ِّ‬ ‫ع ٱ �ْ َّ‬ ‫��َّ َ نْ َ ْ َ‬ ‫ْ َ�ة َ �ْ َ‬ ‫�ص� َ�ا�َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و دعِ � �ل ����ش���س�ه�َو  ‪� � ٣‬و �ل�ز �ْم   ك��ل �م� ي�� �هوى � �ل� ل�‬ ‫ٱ �ْ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�ُ ْ عِ ةَ ٱ �ْ ُ ْ َ �ةَ‬ ‫� َ�ا �َ�ٱ ��ل َّ �َ ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�َ �و �ل�ز � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر �فِ �ي��ه �م و رو �‬ ‫وب‬ ‫ِم‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ع ّ ا ا � ش هر�ة‬ ‫ل����� ‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا �ل��غرو ب�‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ي�مر ‪   ٣ .‬و د‪:‬‬ ‫ح‬

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‫‪١،١٨‬‬

‫‪٢،١٨‬‬

Al-Aʿlā Monastery127

This monastery is in Mosul, overlooking the Tigris and the ʿArūb River. It is

18.1

large and flourishing, with many monks’ cells. A staircase with about a hundred treads cut into the rock leads down to the Tigris, and that is how the monks draw water from the river. Under the monastery is a large spring whose water flows into the Tigris. At a certain time of the year, people come and bathe in it; they say it cures scabies and eczema and helps those with hair loss and the chronically ill. Palm Sunday in this monastery is beautiful. People go there and spend several days drinking. Governors who pass through Mosul visit it. Poets have sung of it, describing its beauty and natural surroundings. Al-Tharwānī has the following verses: Pour me wine in the morning, crimson, dark, and generous, An early drink in al-Aʿlā’s Convent, a cup on Palm Sunday. He who doesn’t drink today is a ne’er-do-well and hopeless. Dress me in a garland of palms and olive leaves To celebrate Palm Sunday, though you think it a scandal. Honor the banners, the monks, and the fine crosses; Make the church and the citadel a place to relax, Not like those who make fun of fame and marks of honor. Or else give up sensual pleasure, keep company with God-fearers, Spend your day at the mosque, and attend the Friday prayers.

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18.2

‫� �أ‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫دير �ل��ع��ل�ى‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫���ا ن� ا �ل�م�� � �م ن� ا � ت��ا �ز ��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د � ���ف خ� � ��ه ��ل� د �م ش���ق ��ف�� ��ق�ا � ��ه �أ �ّ�ا �مً�ا � � ا �ف�ق‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ير‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� أم‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� � ن �ف ن�ز � ا �‬ ‫ن�ز �‬ ‫� ش ا ن ن �ف �ذ��‬ ‫ح�م�د � ن � �ق ة �ق ا � خ ا‬ ‫� �و�ل�ه �عي��د‪ 1‬ا �ل����ع� ���ي�‪ �� .‬ك�ر � � ب‬ ‫�ص�د ��� �� �ل �ر�ج� ن�� �م� ا�لم� �م�و� ��� �ل ن�� ا �ل��د�ير‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �أ‬ ‫�ش ان ن ف‬ ‫�عأ ن �ف‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫ي� �ج�‬ ‫��� �م ن��ه‬ ‫ط�ي��ه �و�ن�ز �هت��ه �و�ج��ا ء �عي��د ا �ل����ع� ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫���ل��س ا�لم�� �م�و� ��ي� �م�و ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا �ل� �ى ب و ل ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ � � � ع �زُ � نّ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ات ن ش ا‬ ‫ن َن‬ ‫ح��س ن �م ش��� �ف� �ع��ل� د �ج���ل�� � او �ل��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ار ء � او �لب����س� ���ي� �وي����� �ه�د �م��ه �م� �ي��د ���ل ا �ل�دير‪� .‬و ي �‬ ‫� ر ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫�ق ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز ّ خ‬ ‫ا ��ل��د�ير ���ف� �ذ ��ل��ك ا �لي ��و� �ب�� �‬ ‫ح �له �ت�ف� �ا �ن�ه‬ ‫ح��س ن � � � � �ه��ا �ن�ه � ���س�ا �ن�ه �ل� ا�لم� ب � �‬ ‫أ ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� ي� و ر�جشّ ر ب و � �إ ى حأ و و �أ �م �ي � �م‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫� ا ��ق �ت��ق �ّ � ا ا � � ا ن �ت ����� ا � ا �ل� ن ا � ا �ل ن �ق ش �ة �ف � � ا � � � ن �ذ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب�� �ي��د �ي��ه� �ج � �مر �د � �ل�د و ل�ص�لب�� � و ��و �‬ ‫حو ب� م�� دي��ل م� ��و���� ‪ .‬ر ى �لم� م�و� �ل�ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف ا ���ست�� �ن ث ّ ن �ف �‬ ‫�� ��ق ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �و �ر� ���ه� �و�ع �� �‬ ‫�ص ا � �ل �� � ل� � � �ل‬ ‫�� ح��س �ه‪ �� .‬ا ���‬ ‫ط� �إ ل�ى ا�لم� �م�و� �م� ك�� �‬ ‫�ر� وم �إ ىّ ل ي� م ب ت م‬ ‫� م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ا � ا �ل�غ� �ل ا ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�� ن � ق�ت‬ ‫ح��ف ��ة �م ن ��ا‬ ‫ح��د �من‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م � �وب�� �ي��د �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بي ل و‬ ‫عه�م �م� ا �ج�ل�و ر ي و‬ ‫� ري ي� و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ؤ‬ ‫ن �ذ‬ ‫�أ �خ ��ذ ن �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ج��م�ا �ع��ة �من ��‬ ‫�ه�ا � �ن�� او ا �ل ش��� ار ب� ��ف�� د �ن�ا �ه� �و ج�‬ ‫���ع�ل �ي� �� �م� �ه� ا �و�م� �ه� ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م �ك� �و��س �ي�‬ ‫�ّ م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ا ��ف�ي�ن ا ا � ن �ذ ا ه�‬ ‫��ف �خ �ا �� �ذ ��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت� ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�� ��م�ا � ه �من‬ ‫ح���ة �و��ق�د ���� �‬ ‫�ه� �و�م� � �إ �ل� م� �ه� ه �‬ ‫ح� �ل� ‪� .‬و�ه�و �ي� ��ل ل �ل�ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �غ ُ‬ ‫ي� ش���رب� � او �ل� ن��ا ء �ي��ع��م�ل‪.‬‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��� نّ نّ‬ ‫ث��ّ � �م �� خ� ا �� �َم ن �م�ع�ه �م ن � �ص�ا ��ئ��ف �ه ا �ل��م�زنّ� ا ت� ��ف�� خ� �� ��ل��ه � ش‬ ‫ع���ر�و ن� �و� ي ��ف �ة �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�و‬ ‫رج �إ ي‬ ‫م ر ب �إ رج �‬ ‫�ص� � ك� ���ه�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ن ف �ق �‬ ‫ا ��ل��د �ور �ع��‬ ‫�ه نّ ا ��ل��د ��ي ��ا �� �و ���ف� � �ع ن��ا �ق��ه نّ �ص��ل��ا ن� ا ��ل���ذ �ه� ��� ���د ���ه نّ ا ���خل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��و��ص � او �ل�ز��ي ت��و�‪� ��� .‬ا �ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ�‬ ‫�ق �ق� ت �ف ج � اي أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫غ�ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫اا�‬ ‫�ؤ‬ ‫��ا � �‬ ‫ح�م�د ��د ���ل� ��ي� �ه� �ل�ء � ب��ي�� �� ��� �ي�‪� ٢‬ب��ه� �و��هي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َا ٌ ٱ �ََْ‬ ‫َ ٱ � َّ َ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ظِ �����ب�ا ءٌ ك�� �ل��د �ن�ا �نِ�ي�رِ �ِم�ل� � ��ي� � �ل �‬ ‫م�ق�ا �‬ ‫�صِ �ي�ِر‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ َا ُ َّ ٱ � شَّ َ ُ َ َ ْ َ ٱ‬ ‫ا ن‬ ‫�ل�زَّنَا‬ ‫نا‬ ‫�ج��ل� �ه ن� � �ل‬ ‫�����ع� نِ���ي�  �ع��ل�َ�ي�� �فِ��ي� � � �� نِ�����يِر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ�ق ْ �زَ ْ فَ نَّ ْ َ �غً‬ ‫��� �ذ نَا �ل�زَّ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�ص�د ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�و��د ر�� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ب ِ ر �زِ ِر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ أ ��قْ �بِ �ْ نَ �أ ْ َ ا ��‬ ‫���� �ْ �َ�س�ا ���ط‪�� � ٣‬ل�زَّ�ن�َا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ط‬ ‫� بِ و‬ ‫� �و‬ ‫بِ ِر‬ ‫و ِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫�ف ة ف ّ‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت‬ ‫ث��ّ � خ� �� ��ن�ع� ��ا � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ص�� �� ����غ�ن ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م رج �ج ر�ي و‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫فَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���جِ‬ ‫َ �زَ َ�ع ْ ت أ ��نَّ � ��‬ ‫َ�ا ��ل�ٌ ��ه‬ ‫� ْرت� ��ي  �َو َر�َم ْ ت� ��‬ ‫��� ِ�د �ي� ب� َ��سْ�ه�م �نَ�ا �فِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � �ي� � ْ ِ َ ِ نِ�‬ ‫�و �م ِ‬ ‫َ �ي ِ �فِي ٱ �ُِْ َ ِ �ٱ ٍْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫� َ‬ ‫�صف� َ ت َ َ‬ ‫�َو��ن�َ�عْ ظَ ������لْ�متُ���ك ��فَ�� � �‬ ‫ي �ه��ذ ا �َ �م�قَ�ا �ُ �لم���ست��‬ ‫�جِ �ي�ِر � �ل��ع�ا ��ئِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� �و�ج��ا �و�زِ ��‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬

‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أْ‬ ‫فغن ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�س��ط‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ع���د‪ ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪������� :‬ي��ي�‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ك� و� ِ‬

‫‪232‬‬

‫‪232‬‬

‫��ذِ‬ ‫��ذِ‬

‫‪٣،١٨‬‬

‫‪٤،١٨‬‬

Al-Aʿlā Monastery

Al-Maʾmūn visited this monastery on his way to Damascus128 and spent

18.3

several days in it. His stay happened to coincide with Palm Sunday. Aḥmad ibn Ṣadaqah recalled: We had set out with al-Maʾmūn and we stopped at al-Aʿlā Monastery in Mosul because of its beauty and pleasant surroundings. When Palm Sunday came, al-Maʾmūn took his seat in a lovely spot looking out over the Tigris, the fields,129 and the gardens, where he could see who came into the monastery. The monastery had been beautifully decorated that day. The monks and priests processed to the altar, accompanied by their servers with censers and wearing crosses and embroidered vestments. Al-Maʾmūn found it a beautiful scene to watch. Then those present retired to their cells and their festive offerings. The girls and boys who had accompanied them approached al-Maʾmūn, each with a bunch of freshly cut basil, and a group carrying glasses of different kinds of drink. He motioned to them to come closer, accepting a greeting from first one and then another, delighted at their behavior. All of us felt the same way. Meanwhile, he drank while the singers performed. Then he summoned the girdled130 servant girls who accompanied him, and twenty girls, lovely as full moons, clad in brocade with golden crosses round their necks and palm and olive branches in their hands, appeared. He turned to me. “I’ve made up some verses about them, so set them to music.” These were the verses: Palm Sunday revealed to us gazelles like coins of gold, lovely in their chambers, Resplendent in their girdles, advancing, locks curled like starlings’ tails, Swaying, wasp-waisted. Then he summoned his concubine, the singing girl Nuʿm,131 and she sang: You claimed I was unfair and broke with me, aiming an arrow that pierced my heart. Yes, I wronged you. But forget and forgive! I’m begging for help. Won’t you give me support?

233

233

18.4

‫� �أ‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫دير �ل��ع��ل�ى‬

‫أ أ أَ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت ا �� ت �ف ا ت ث ّ ��ق ا � � ��ي�ز ّ‬ ‫حن‬ ‫ح��س ن �م ّ�م�ا �‬ ‫� � ر� ��ي ت� � �‬ ‫�و ��طرب� �و ش���رب� � او ��س��ع� د ا ل� �صو� د ��ع� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن ه � ف ظ �� ه � � ��ق ا �‬ ‫ف���ه ��ق�ا ��ل ��ن�ع� ��ا � �م�� ا �ل�م��ؤ �م ن��� ن � ن� �تش‬ ‫�ر �َم ن� �خ��ّو��ل��ك ��ف��ي�ز ���د ك �م�� �ويح����� �ع�لي��ك‪ � .‬ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫� � ث ّ أ ث اث ن أ �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ه ف�ت ّ �ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب�ا رك ا لله �ع��لي���ك ���ل��ق�د ك�� ت� �� �م� ض�‬ ‫��� ا �ل�� ك��رى �� � �مر ب����ل� ���ي� � �ل�� د ر � ��‬ ‫�ص�د �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر ي� و ع‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫�ب��ه�ا �ل��ل�و� ت�‪.‬‬

‫حَ ق ��‬ ‫� ��ل� ��ا ن��� �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د � �م ش���ه�د �ع�م � � ن ا ��ل‬ ‫���د ‪�� 1‬ن��ت��ه �� ن�� � ن ّت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ�ز ا �ع� ّ �و�م���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�د ا � ��ي ���صل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إو ى �ج ب‬ ‫ير � رو ب � مِ �‬ ‫ي أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت ّٰ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ا �� �ل�ق�� ‪�� � .‬ل�ع�م � � ن ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�ق ��‬ ‫ص‬ ‫���ا � �م ن� � ���ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��� �وك�‬ ‫ح�ا ب� �ع��ل� ّ ب� ن� �ب ��� ��ط�ا �ل ب� �ص��ل� او � ا لله �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫ب ب ر و رو ب � � ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ش ا �� ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��ا ��ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ش���ه�د �م�ع�ه �م���� �ه�ده ك���‬ ‫له�ا �وك�‬ ‫م��ا � �إ �ل�ى � ك�‬ ‫���ا � �م�ع�ا � �و�� ��ط��لب��ه د �ه ار �و�ه�و �ي���ت�����ل �م ن� � ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� �ٰ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ق�د ��س��ق �� ��� ن‬ ‫ح�م ن ب� ن � �ّ ا ��ل‬ ‫ظ �� �ف�‬ ‫مو��ص�ل �وك�‬ ‫� ر �ب�ه‬ ‫ط��ه � او �ش��ت��د ت� �ع��لت��ه ��ف�د �ل �ع��لي��ه �عب��د ا �‬ ‫� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أ �� م ة م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��ف �غ ا ا �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا ��لث��ق���ف ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و�ه�و اب� ن� � �خ� ت� �م�ع�ا � �وي�� كب����س� �ي� �� ر ب� �لم�و��ص�ل و ��ل� و ��م�ل ر ��س� �إ �ى مع� وي� ‪.‬‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�و�ه� � �و�ل ر� �� �‬ ‫ح��م�ل ��� ا �ل���س�ل�ا � �م ن� ب���ل��د �إ �ل�ى ب���ل��د �ود ��ف�ن ت� �‬ ‫��� ‪.‬‬ ‫�ج�ث��ه ��ي� �ه� ا ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫س‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي إ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أت آ‬ ‫ًا � ًا �ف ّ ا ُ‬ ‫شق ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫حب����س�ه� �م�ع� � �و�� �‬ ‫حب����س� ��ط� �وي�ل� �ل�م� ح��م�ل‬ ‫�وك�� ��� ا �م �ر ��ه � �م��� ب����� ا �ل��� �ري��د �ب��د �م ��‬ ‫يأَ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ه ّ ه ه ��ل آ � ن �ة ��ل ا ��ل���س �ق ا � �‬ ‫ح ا � ا�ف‬ ‫ح� ظ‬ ‫� �ق �ف �‬ ‫� ���� �م�ا‬ ‫ر� ��س �ع�مر�و �إ لي�� �و�ج�� �ب� �إ �ى � م�� �إ �ى �ج‬ ‫� ن� �و�� �ل �ل��لر�� �سو�ل � � �ل �ه ��ي� ج�ر�ه� و‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن �ن ف ت‬ ‫�ت�ق �� ��ف �ل ّ ا أت ا ا ت ا ت � ه أ�ّ ت�ق ث �‬ ‫��� ت� � �� بّ���ل�ه ��ّ ��ق�ا �ل ت� � او ��ض‬ ‫�ي��عت��ا ��ي� د ا ر �ه� او �‪�� � .‬ي��م�وه‬ ‫� ��ول‪� � ٢.‬م� � �� �ه� ا ر�� �ع� �ل� � �و كب‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ً أ ت � ّ ً �ف أ ً‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ً ��ن � �غ �ق � ة‬ ‫� �غ‬ ‫��ط� �و�ل�ا � �و �ه�دي��م�وه �إ �ل�ي� �ت�ق��ي �ل�ا ��� �ه�ل�ا �و��س�ه�ل�ا ب��م ن� ك�� ت� �ل�ه ��ي�ر ��ا �لي��� � �و �ن�ا �ل�ه ��ي�ر �ن�ا ��س�ي ��‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ق � ا �ة أ ت ّٰ �‬ ‫ح ش �م ن � �أ�ه�� � � � ا غ� �ف‬ ‫� ��ل��ك �ذ ��ن ���ك‪� .‬ف��ع�ا د ا ��ل ��س� ��ل ��م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر و ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫���ل أوي ي �م أُ و و و �‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا ة ف‬ ‫حض� ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا �� � ن ش َ�‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ف�� �م �ب��ه�ا ��ف�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��� �ش���د ق�ي��ه‬ ‫��ر� �و�ع��ده �ج��م� �ع�� �ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ه�م �إأ �ي� س ب � ���رحب�ي���ل �وك ي‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ��ل��س�ا ��ه ��� �ا �ل �م�ع�ا � �و�� �ل�ه�ا �ي�ا �ع�د �و ا لله � ��� �ص�ا �‬ ‫ح��� ا � ك�‬ ‫��ن ت��وء �ل�عظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل� �م �� �ل� ��ع� ��ي�ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أن أ‬ ‫ن ش ام ّٰ‬ ‫ن ا �ز �ة � نمه � ا � � ت �ذ �ة � ن ه ��ق ��ل�ع � � ت ت ��ف �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�د �إ � ���� ء ا لله‬ ‫�ه�د � �ي� ا �ل�د �ع� ء � �و �� � �ج �‬ ‫�� �ع� ع�� �و�ل� مع�� ر م�� �و �د �مر ي� ا �ج �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��ا ن �ز � ا � �أ �قّ‬ ‫� ا ّٰلله �م ن � ا ء ا ��ل�ع��ا د‪�� .‬ف�� �م��س��ك �م�ع�ا � ���ة ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ا �� ا � ت��� �ه� ه ��م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ور‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�إ ي س ل‬ ‫أ و�ج � ب ��‬ ‫وي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ن ش ق � �ث ا ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�أ ن ت �ت � � ���ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ك�ا�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�‪� � ��� .‬ل� �م� �ل��ك � �و�لك �ب��� ����د �ي��ك ج �م� � ا �ل� �‬ ‫�� �د �و ��� �َ�مره ب ���ل�� �م‬ ‫�ب� � �ل ���ل �م �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ي‬ ‫قُ‬ ‫ن ُ ُ �ّ �آ أ ن تَ ُ نَ �جِ َّا ً ٱ �ْ �أْ َ َ ا ُ ُ أ ن تَ ُ نَ‬ ‫كو� �‬ ‫�ت���ل ب���ع��ل�� { �إِ � ����تِر���ي�د �إِ �ل� � � �� �‬ ‫� ب�� را �فِ��ى � �ل�ر��ضِ� �و�م� ����تِر���ي�د � � �� �‬ ‫كو�‬ ‫َ ٱْ� ُ‬ ‫ا ة � ة ا ن ا ��خ‬ ‫�ف� ض‬ ‫م�يْ‬ ‫� ��ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ِم ن� �ل ِ�‬ ‫�حِ ��ي�}‪� .‬‬ ‫ح�ك �م�ع� � �وي�� � او �ج �م� �ع�� � �وب� � ج���ل �ي� �إ �ي� ��س‪.‬‬

‫أُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�خ�ا ط����ة �آ�م ن����ة �ن� ت‬ ‫�� ا � ش‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص� ‪� :‬م��س�� ج��دًا‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص� ‪ ( :‬م‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫ل���ر�ي�د �ل���م�ع�ا و�ي�� ب��ع�د �م�ا � �ل��ق��� �إ ��ل��ي �ه�ا ر� ��س �ز و �ج‬ ‫� �ه�ا) ورد ي� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬

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Al-Aʿlā Monastery

He was ecstatic and drank some wine, asking her to repeat the song several times. Then he asked al-Yazīdī, “Can you think of anything better than the situation we are in?” “Yes, Commander of the Faithful. Giving thanks to the One who has given you this power, so that He may increase it and preserve it for you.” Al-Maʾmūn said, “God bless. It is entirely apposite of you to mention God.” Then he called for thirty thousand dirhams, and gave them away on the spot.

18.5

Beside this monastery is the tomb of ʿAmr ibn al-Ḥamiq al-Khuzāʿī and a mosque connected to it built by the Banū Ḥamdān. ʿAmr ibn al-Ḥamiq was a Companion and one of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib’s supporters, God’s blessing be upon him. He was with ʿAlī during all his battles. Muʿāwiyah hunted for him for a long time as he moved from place to place, and finally captured him in Mosul. ʿAmr had developed dropsy and become seriously ill, and Muʿāwiyah’s nephew ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Umm al-Ḥakam, who had been told of his whereabouts, surprised him in a cave, killed him, and took his head to Muʿāwiyah. (It was the first head to be taken from one city to another in Islamic times.) His corpse was buried in this place. His wife, Āminah bint al-Sharīd, was in Damascus, where Muʿāwiyah had kept her imprisoned for a long time. When ʿAmr’s head was brought to him, he had it taken to Āminah in prison, instructing the messenger, “Drop it into her lap and take note of what she says.”132 She was shocked when he came. She bent to kiss the head and then cried out, “Woe is me in this abode of shame! You banished him for an age, then you brought him to me slain. Hail, hail this man I’ve never hated and will never forget! Say to Muʿāwiyah, ‘May God make your children orphans, may He make your wives mourn your demise, and may He never forgive your sins.’” When the messenger reported back what she had said, Muʿāwiyah sent for her. He was with a group of men, among them Iyās ibn Shuraḥbīl, whose cheeks bulged because his tongue was so large. Muʿāwiyah asked her, “Enemy of God, are these your words?” “Yes. I take nothing back and do not apologize. I swear, I’ve dedicated myself to cursing and, God willing, I’ll go on doing so. God is behind his servants.” Muʿāwiyah held his tongue, but Iyās burst out, “Kill her! She deserves to be killed more than her husband.” “What’s the matter with you, damn you! You’ve got a dead toad in your mouth. You’re telling him to kill me as he killed my husband. «You only want to be a tyrant in the land, not one of those who set things right.»”133 Muʿāwiyah and the rest of the company laughed, while Iyās was visibly embarrassed.

18.6

235

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18.7

‫� �أ‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫دير �ل��ع��ل�ى‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه�ا �م�ع�ا � �و��ة ا خ� �ج��� �ع ن��ّ ��ف�ل�ا � ��س�م� ���ك ���ف� �ش���� ء �م ن ا ��ل ش����ا � ‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل ت� ��س�� خ� ��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ر ي ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ن � ا أ � ف ع� �‬ ‫� ن � ��ف ا �� ش ا � ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن � �� �ل�ق�د �ع ��ظ����م ت ف���ه �م�ص��ي�ت‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع��ك �م� ا ل���� �ي� ب ��و�ط� و�ل� عر� ي�� �ع��ل� �مي�� و�ل� ك‬ ‫�س�� و‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫ب �ي�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ج �ة � ا � م ث ���ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�م�ا � ّر ت� �ب�ه �ع�ي �� �و�م� � �� �إ �لي��ك ب���ع� ���د �و�ل� �ل�ك ح�ي � ك � �‬ ‫�ه� ب��ي��ده‬ ‫ح� �م�د ‪ ���� � .‬ر �إ �لي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ًا � ا �ة � � ّ �غ �‬ ‫�ف ّ خ‬ ‫أن خ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ف �ق ا � ت �‬ ‫� �رب� �ل��س�ا �ن�ه �وي� ش����ي�ر �إ �ل�ي� ب��ب�� ن��ا �ن�ه‪��� .‬ل�م�ا �ر�ج� ت�‬ ‫� � ا �ر�ج��ي� ��� � �ل� �جع ب�� �لم�ع� � �وي� ي�ب����س ��ط �ع��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ق ا �� � � ا � �ة ُح� �� ا � ا �ُ�ق َ �� � ه � ا �ن ا �ع نّ تُ خ� �ف ّ � ه ��ل � � � ا ف����ق‬ ‫� ت� �م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� م� �ي��ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ل مع� �وي� ي ��م�ل �إ لي�‬ ‫ع ب� �ل��س� �� �ي� و � ب �إ �ى ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ت ��ل � ت �ف‬ ‫خ ت ت �� �ف ة �ف � ّ ا‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ح�م��ص � ��و��ي ت� �ب��ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫�ل�ه� �ب�ه �و�ر�ج�� � �ري��د ا �ل��ك�و��� ��ل�م� �و�ص�ل� �إ �ى‬

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Al-Aʿlā Monastery

Muʿāwiyah turned to her. “Leave here and go. I don’t want to hear that you’re still in Syria.” “I’ll leave you and go. Syria’s not my country and I’ve neither relative nor sanctuary here. This is where I’ve suffered calamity and known no amity. I won’t come back to you, and wherever I may be, I’ll utter no praise of you.” Muʿāwiyah gestured to her to leave, upon which she remarked, “Just look at Muʿāwiyah, unleashing his vicious tongue on me and pointing his finger at me!” When she had left, Muʿāwiyah said, “Give her enough to silence her attacks on me and enable her to get home.” She accepted this and set out for Kufa, but died when she reached Homs.

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18.8

‫د ����ي � �� �ن�� ب� ن‬ ‫ر يو س �‬

‫تّ‬ ‫�م‬ ‫��ى‬

‫ن تّ � �ن ّ ّ ّٰ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ � � ُ ن‬ ‫� ُن‬ ‫س� �إ �ل�ى �ي ��و���س ب�� �م��ى ا �ل�ب�ي� �ص��ل�ى ا لله �ع��لي��ه �و�ع��ل�ى ا �س�م�ه ب� ��ي� �و�ه�و ��ي�‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير �ي����� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة ف‬ ‫�ا ن � ض ُ ف‬ ‫� �ق ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا�ج��ل‬ ‫مو��ص�ل ب��ي�� ن��ه � �وب��ي ن� د �ج���ل�� �ر����خس� � �و �مو�‬ ‫��ا ن�� ب� ا �ل ش���ر��ي� �م ن� ا �ل �‬ ‫���ع�ه �ي��عر�� ب����ن�ي ��و�ى � �و�ي�� ن��و�ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ه �م�د � ن���ة � �� �ن�� ‪� 1‬ع��ل��ه ا ��ل��س� �ا � ‪� � .‬أ ض‬ ‫����ّله�ا �ن��ّ ا � �ش����ق�ا �ئ��ق � ��ل�ه ���ف � �ّ�ا � ا ��ل ���� ظ �����ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫لم و ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� �ي ي و س ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ي م بري‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن تُ‬ ‫ن ن �ف ا � ن ا ق ع ن �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح��س ن �م�و�ن��ق �و�ه�و �م�ق��ص�ود‪� .‬و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د �و� �ه� ا‬ ‫ح ت� ا �ل��د�ير �ع��ي� ���عر�� ب���ع��ي� �ي ��و���س �� �ل�� ��س ��ي���‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��ل�ا ��ل �من�ه�ا ا ��لت���ن�زّه � ا ��ل��ل�ع� � �من ا � ت ّ‬ ‫���ع�ه � �من ا � ا�غ ت ا � ن � ن‬ ‫��� ���خل‬ ‫ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل�ب��رك ب��م�و� و �‬ ‫و ب و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل� �����س� �ل �م� ا �ل�ع��ي�‬ ‫�ت ت‬ ‫�ً‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ن ّ‬ ‫ع ت ا ��ا ن �‬ ‫��ف أ ّا ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫ن ‪٢‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫� م�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �و و‬ ‫ا �ل ��ي� � �‬ ‫ح�ه�‪� .‬وك�� � ا �ي� �و �ي� ي م ��س� ب � ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف خ � � أ‬ ‫ن ف� ��ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫���ر �إ ��ل�ى اب� ن �‬ ‫ه� �‬ ‫ح��د ث� ف�ي��ه � او �ت���ص� ا ���خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��د ���ل ا �ل� ي‬ ‫ح�م�د ا � �ج��م� ك��ل �ي��ه�ود �ي� �ب�ا �لم�و��صل�‬ ‫�ك�ل � �و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف��ص�ا د �ه� �ع�� �م�ا �� ك��‬ ‫��ث�� � �خ����ذ ه �من‬ ‫�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫ر م ل�ى ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�و�ل��ب ��� �ش���ا ��س �م ن��ي�ر �ي��ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َا َ ْ� َ ُ نُ َ َ ا َ ْت َ ْ َ� َ ٱ � �َّ ���يِ ُ َ� َّ ُ َ َ‬ ‫ًا ��ٱ ��ل نُّ ت��َ�ْ��تَ��� ُ‬ ‫ح�تى ����تر�ى �ن�ا ��ضِ�‬ ‫�ص� ��ك � �ل�د � � ‬ ‫�ي� دير �ي ��و���س �ج�� د � �‬ ‫�� ر بِ� ��و ِر ب �سِ م�‬ ‫وب َ َ � مأ َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�حِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ل�َْ �َ ْ � � �نَا � �َ ا ءٌ ����ظِ َ‬ ‫� ���ل� �َم�ا ءُ � �ل ����ش ُ‬ ‫� ي�����شفِ� �ي� � �‬ ‫��م��ٍ  ك���م�ا �ش ��‬ ‫���فى � ر ِب �ي� ك‬ ‫بِ��‬ ‫��جِ ٍر‪ٌ ٣‬م� �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫َ �فِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫�َّ ا تَ حِ ََّ َ ْ ُ �ذٰ � َ ٱ � ِّ ��قِ ُم‬ ‫��قِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �ل�َْ َ�ُ ��ّ� َ �َ�م ْ �ز ن‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ي‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�م  �إِ �ل‬ ‫و� �بِ هِ‬ ‫َم‬ ‫�َل ن ِل ك ٱ ْ �َم‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫��غِ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�أ �ْ ت‬ ‫�سَ�� ْ � ُ � ّ هَ � نْ ف� تْ � � � �� نَ ���جِ َ � َ َّ � � َ �ْ� � َ � �� ��قِ � ُ‬ ‫��غ ر لل ِم� �� ٍك �بِ� ��ذِ ي� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ � رى �ع��ل�� �بِ� �هِ �فِ�ي� بر�ِع�ك ل� �ل�‬ ‫� �فِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ن أ‬ ‫�ذ � ن أ �� � ن ا �م���ل � ش �ث � ف �����خ ا�ز ً �‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫���ا � � ب� ��و �ش���ا ��س �ه� ا م� � �‬ ‫ط�� ا �ل�� ��س ي �‬ ‫� ا �ل����عرك����ي�ر ا � �لو�ص�� ل�ل�مر�م�ل� �م�ا �ل��ل��د �ي�ا را ت�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫حً�ا ��ه�ا �م��ف ت�� �نً�ا � �ه��ا �ن�ه�ا � �َم ن ف��ه�ا ��ف�م ن �ش���ع ه ا ��ل���ذ �� � �ص�ف� ف���ه ا ��خل‬ ‫ت �ّ‬ ‫� �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫��مر �و�م��ل‬ ‫و بر ب � و � ي� � ر ي و‬ ‫�م� ��طر� ب �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أَ َ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫� �ْ ُ َٱ �ْ َ َ ا ُ ثَ ًْا � نَ �ٱ �� ِّ ْ ت �َ ا �َُ ا ُ‬ ‫َا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل �ي ر‬ ‫� ��ع� رك �ٱ ْحِ ل�م و �و�ق ر �وب ِ �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�َ ْ ��فَ�ٱ �ْ�متَ�� نْ َ ا  �إِ�ذَ ٱ ْ تَ َ�ق َّ ْت َ ٱ � َّ َا ُ‬ ‫فَ �قُ ْ �َ ��خل‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫ا � ��س�� ر� �بِ��ك � �ل��د �ي� ر‬ ‫��� �م �إِ �ل�ى � ���مِر � ِح �‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ح��س�� ن‬ ‫ح��ة ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص� ‪ :‬ن�ي� ن�و�ن�‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص� ‪ :‬ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫ي�‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ن�ا � ‪� ،‬م���ص��‬ ‫ح��� ي� �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�خرٍ‬

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‫‪١،١٩‬‬

‫‪٢،١٩‬‬

‫‪٣،١٩‬‬

The Monastery of Yūnus ibn Mattā ( Jonah Son of Amittai)134

This monastery is linked to the prophet Yūnus ibn Mattā, God’s blessings be

19.1

upon him, and is called after him. It stands to the east of Mosul, some six miles (ten kilometers) from the Tigris, at a place called Nineveh. Nineveh is the city of Yūnus, peace be upon him. Its grounds are carpeted with flowers such as anemones. It looks lovely and delightful in spring, and attracts many visitors. Beneath the monastery is a spring known as Yūnus’s Spring. People visit the place for various reasons, such as walking in the gardens, amusement, gaining blessing from the place, and washing in the spring below. In the days of al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdān, the Jews had one of their people infiltrate the sanctuary and defecate there. When Ibn Ḥamdān heard of it, he rounded up all the Jews in Mosul and confiscated a large sum of money from them. Here are verses by Abū Shās Munīr:

19.2

Convent of Yūnus! May the rains be kind to you, make you radiant, smiling in the sunlight. No draft for a thirsty man on a torrid day can equal your cool water to quench my desire’s heat. The man of sorrow and sickness comes to you, and is freed of his ills and healed. I ask God’s forgiveness for seducing a coquettish youth; I let my pen run over him in your abode. Abū Shās was very gifted and composed fine poetry. He often described wine, and used to frequent the monasteries for relaxation and because he was attracted by the monks and other people there. One of his beautiful poems describing wine is: Insight and gravity have clothed you In a mantle free from blame.

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239

19.3

‫ن ن تّ‬ ‫د�ير �ي ��و���س ب�� �م��ى‬

‫َ �غَ �نَّ ت �ٱ �� َّ �� ْ ُ � َا �ضٍ �زَ َّ نَ � َ نَ َ ا ٱ �خْ� َ ُ‬ ‫� ل�ط���ير �فِ�ي� ِر�ي� �� ي�� ِعي��د ا ���ه� � ��ضِ�‬ ‫�� را ر‬ ‫�و� ٱ َِّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� نَ � �� ت َ ا نَ َ ا ُ � ٌ � ُ ُ � َّ ا َ �ة ��� َ ا ُ‬ ‫��ص� ���ه� ��م� �لوك   �ه �ه�م � �ل���س� د � ل ِك‬ ‫ِم� لِ��ي� �‬ ‫����ب� ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ �بِ َ ْت َ � �ُّ َ ُ ٌ َ ا َ َ َ‬ ‫�ا نَ � �ّ َ� نَ َ ا ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص� ر �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� �د � � �و �ل�د �ج��ى � قِم�����ي�م  �‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى � ر‬ ‫َأََّ ُ ْ َٱْ�ُ َ َ ْ‬ ‫��ٌ َ�ؤُ�ُّ ُ ْ � ٱ � �ِّ � َا نَا ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِم ر‬ ‫ك�� ����ه�م � �و �ل�م�د ا �م ر ب ي � م �فِي�‬

‫ش أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫� ����عره � �ي� ض�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ِّ ةُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ َ ِْ �‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫�ح�� � ل ْ‬ ‫� ْ�مِ  ���ب �� � فِ��ف����َه�ا صِ‬ ‫���‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ل� ���ْ�ع ِ�د �ل ن� �ع نِ� � ب����ن�ةِ� � �ل ك‬ ‫� ����س�ِم‬ ‫�جِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ ْ َْ أ َ َ ْ �َ‬ ‫�ْ تَ ��غَ ْ� َ ا َ َ �� �َ تْ َ �َ ْ � َ �َ���س َ ا ُ ٱ �ْ َ َّ‬ ‫ّ ن�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �و ��عل��� �بِ�� �ن��ك �إِ � لِ��جه � بِ���ي ِر�ه�  �ه�ط�ل� �ع�لي��ك‬ ‫�ح� ئِ�� ب� � �ل��ه�م‬ ‫َ �إِ�ذَ مشَ ْ تَ فَ ُ‬ ‫حِ تَّ تُ �بِ َّ نَ � َ ةَ ٱ � ِّ‬ ‫�نْ ��َ َ ا ُ �تِ َقَّ � � ٍ‬ ‫ل�����ط�ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِم‬ ‫َ ٱى َ ي � طِ ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�و اَ ���ِرب��� � ك� �‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��غِ‬ ‫ْ َ‬ ‫��َ ْ �ل� ْ َ ُ�ْ‬ ‫ا � �ل���خِ ُ ْ �يِ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫�ن� ��ي� ش��� ْر��ه�ا �ِم ن� را �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ك‬ ‫ح��ةٍ �إِ �ل�‬ ‫� ��ل��ص �ِم ن� �� ِ�د � �ل�� �م‬ ‫�لو م ي �فِ‬ ‫بِ‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫أَ َ ا �َ َ ا َ َ ْ َ ُ َ َ �ذْ �ُ� َ � ٱْ� ُ َ َ �ُم�� ْ�ستَ� ُ‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫� ��ع� �ذِ �ل �م� �ع��ل� �ِم��ث��ل� ��سب�����ي�ل  �و�ع� �ل�ك �� � �لم�د ا �م�ةِ�‬ ‫حي���ل‬ ‫َ �فِي‬ ‫أَ َ ا �َ �َ ا تَ �ُ ْى نِ ِ ي� ََِ َ ا �فِ نّ‬ ‫تَ ا َ �َ ا َ ا َ � ُ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه� �� �‬ ‫� ��ع� �ذِ �ل �ل� �� ��م��ي�ْ �فِ��ي� �ه� او �ه�  � ��إِ � �عِ� �� ب���ن�َ فِ�ي�‬ ‫طِ �و���ي�ل‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ َّ‬ ‫��خلَ ْ ْ مٍ �فِ َ ْ نِ �َ ا أ قُ �ُ َ �َ ا تَقُ �ُ‬ ‫��ل�ا �نَ�ا ���يِ �دِ�ع�� ��� �‬ ‫كِ��‬ ‫����مِر ِ�ع��ل�� �ا  � �د ��ع��ي� �ل� � ���و�ْل �و�ل� � �� ��و�ل‬ ‫ي �فِي‬ ‫َ ْ ُ أََ‬ ‫���أ ٌ ��شِ ُ �ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫أَ �َْ َ � � ِّ ت َ َ ْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م� ��ي��� �‬ ‫ح�ق ��و�ي� �غ��ل�ا �مٍ  �َو �و��ص�ل � �ن�ا �مِ� ��ل� ك�� ��س ��� � �مول�‬ ‫� �لي��َ��س طِ ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�إِ�ذ َ‬ ‫��ا نَ تْ َنَا ُت � َ ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫���جِ ُ‬ ‫�َ َ نُ �ل‬ ‫�ْ�م ش���ْ ���ي �َ �و�ن ��قْ��ل �َو�جْ� �ُه�هُ � �ل‬ ‫ا ك�� ��� ب���� � � �ل ك‬ ‫ِ ي�‬ ‫ح��س� � � ِ�مي���ل‬ ‫��ر ِ َ بِر‬ ‫�‬ ‫أَِ�نْ تُ �ذَ ْ َ ا َ ةَ ٱ � ّ َ ا � َ َ ا نَ َ َ َ َ �َ ٱ �ْ ُ �ذُ �ُ‬ ‫ي �و��ه� � �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫� �م�ا ��ق�ا �ل � �ل��ع� �و�ل‬ ‫� �م � ��بِ� � ي� نِ� ��ع� قِ�ب��� � �ل��ل��ي� ِ�ل��‬ ‫َ ِ�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�َ ُ َ ْ �� ْ نَا � � َ ا َ ُ �ُ‬ ‫َ ُ ْ �تِ‬ ‫��لَ َّ َ ْ � عِ ْ‬ ‫� بِ� ش��� ����طِر �� �ي��نٍ �ل�ه �ع ن� ك�����سِر �� ��� ظِ‬ ‫�و�م�ع� ��ذِ ٍر �إِ ي�‬ ‫�ِر��ه� ر� �‬ ‫�سو�ل‬ ‫َ َ �فْ تُ ٱ ْ َ‬ ‫��أْ َ َ نْ ُ نَ ��غَ نَّ َ نَّ � َ ا �نِ ُ نْ َ ا �ثَ ُ‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫� � ��ل ك�‬ ‫�� ��س �ع��ه ِ�‬ ‫ح��ي� ��ى  �و � �ِل���س� �� �ه �ِم���ه� � قِ�����يل�‬ ‫�ر‬ ‫أَ ْ نِ �قِ ْ ِ َ َّ َ ت ٱ � ُّ َ ّاَ َ �إِ َ ا �َ تْ ُ��َّ �َ ْ َ ْ َ �غُ �ُ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‪� � 1‬ل���ثر�ي�  �و���غ� �ل� ك��ل �ل��يِ��ل�� �ع ن���ك � �و�ل‬ ‫� ِر�ح��ي� �د ����تر�ي�ع ِ‬ ‫ي‬

‫‪  1‬ال�أ�ص� ‪� � :‬یعـ� ؛ �ع ّ ا د‪ :‬ت� ف���ع ت‬ ‫��‪.‬‬ ‫ل یر ں و ر‬

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‫‪٤،١٩‬‬

‫‪٥،١٩‬‬

The Monastery of Yūnus ibn Mattā ( Jonah Son of Amittai)

Come, taste the wine and savor it, now that you’re settled And the birds are singing in meadows of green branches. It’s wine kept by kings, true lords and mighty. When it’s poured in the dark, darkness turns to day— They’re night raiders guided by a wine like a fire. Here is another of his good poems:

19.4

Don’t frown at the daughter of the vine— by God, it ensures the body’s health; Don’t doubt, if you've a passion for anything else, clouds of care will descend and engulf you. And when you drink, stay wide awake to savor the wine’s bouquet, Even if drinking it brings no rest except escape from distress and decay. Another poem of his:

19.5

Blamer! There’s no way you can touch me. To blame me for wine is absurd. Blamer! Don’t reproach me for love of it. Your reproaches have gone on too long. We both claim to know about wine, so let me be, without any wrangling. Don’t I ride on the hips of a youth, with a full cup at my fingertips? If the vineyard’s daughters are my drink, and his beautiful face my nibbles, I’m safe from the blows of destiny. What blamers say I hold in contempt. When he cast a glance of excuse at me, sending a message from his downcast eyes, I turned the cup away from him as he sang— his tongue was already heavy from wine. Let be! The Pleiades tremble in the sky and my whole night is lost to you.

241

241

‫د ����ي ا ��ل�ش�� �ا ���ط�� ن‬ ‫ر �ي ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� ��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د � �غ� � ّ د ���ل��ة �م ن �أ �ع�م�ا ��ل ���ل��د ��� ن �ج� ���ل�� ن‬ ‫ي� ���ف� �� ا �ل� او د �ي� ��ل�ه �من �ظ� �� ر�‬ ‫ح��س ن� �و�م�و�ق��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ير بري� �ج �‬ ‫ب ب ي� ب يأَ م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫عة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ن �ش‬ ‫نا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��� ب� ��ه �و�ه�و�م ن �م ��ط�ا ر� � ��ه� ا �لب� ��ط�ا �ل�� �و�م� او ��ط ن �و�� ا �ل‬ ‫��ل�ا�ع��‬ ‫�ج��لي���ل‪ � .‬او �ل�� ��س �ي� ��طر��� �و�ه �ل� ر ب‬ ‫� ح ل‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫�خل ّ ا �ز � � � � ّ‬ ‫��ل��‬ ‫� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�و� ب�� ا �لب��ل�د ي‬

‫َ ٱْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ � َّ �‬ ‫���خِ ْ َ َ ةً ْ َ ٱ � َّ �‬ ‫ُر ْ�ه�َ�ب�ا ن� دَ ��ْ��ي �ِ����سق ��ْ ��� � �ل‬ ‫��ص�ا فِ�يَ��� �ِمث���ل � �ل ش����يَ�ا طِ ����ي� ��ي� دَي�ِْر � �ل ش����يَ�ا طِ ���ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫َ شَ ْ ��َ ٱ � َّ � �َ شْ َ ٱ � ُّ�خَّ� َٱ نْ َ َ �فُ َٱ � َّ ُ� َت�ْ ش � ْ �َ شْ َ ٱ �ْ��فِ َ‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه�م م��‬ ‫��‬ ‫� � � �ل� را �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� او �إِ ل�ى � �ل ارحِ م ي� ر و ر و و رح ِ ي� بِ ِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�زِ نِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ن ُ ّ �ة � ّ �ن �ف � ّ‬ ‫ف� �‬ ‫��� ��ل� ا �ل�م� ��ص� ي��مض��� ��ل� د � ا ��ل ش��� �ا ���ط�� ن ��ف�� ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا ا ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير‬ ‫�وك�� � �عب�� د �لم� � � � ه ا�لم ��و ل �إ ى و ل ي� �إ ى‬ ‫�ي ي� ي رب ي و م ي �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف ا �ق ف‬ ‫ُ� نّ‬ ‫ح��س ن ا ��ل ن��ا �� � � هً�ا � ��ق ّ�دًا �ف ا‬ ‫�غ ا ًا ن � ا ن ا � � ��ا ن ن‬ ‫��ي� � ر��ه � �‬ ‫�ه�و�ي� ��ل� �م� �مَ� ا �لر�هب�� � �ب� �ل�د�ير �وك�� � �م� � � � س و�ج � و �‬ ‫�ه� �م �ب�ه �و�ج �‬ ‫�خ �‬ ‫� � ه � �ا �� ��ف ه �� �� � أ ن‬ ‫ن أ � � ي�ز � �خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ز � �‬ ‫ط��ه �إ �ل�ى � � ��س��ل‬ ‫�ع�لي��ه �و� �م ا �ل�د�ير �م� � �ج��ل�ه �و�ل�م � �ل ي �د �ع� �وي�ل �ط � �و�يع� ي‬ ‫� ا �ل ار �ه ب� �م�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا ��ل��د�ير �و خ�ر�� �م�ع�ه‪� .‬و�ف� ���ط ن ر�هب��ا ن� ا ��ل��د�ير ب���عبّ��ا د �ة �و�م�ا �ف���ع�ل �م ن� �إ ��ف��س�ا ده ا �ل�غ��ل�ا � ��ف�� را د � او �ت���ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج أ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫��ف�� � �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ‪.‬‬ ‫�ب�� � �ير�م�وه �م ن� � �ع��ل�ى ا �ل�د�ير �إ ل�ى ا �ل� او د ي� ��� ��ط� �ب��ه� �و�هرب� ل� �ي�ع�د �إ ل�ى ا�لم�و�‬ ‫أ ّ م ً أ م‬ ‫ن �ة ع أ‬ ‫��ا ن ّ ا �ة ن أ �‬ ‫خف‬ ‫حض‬ ‫�� �ه� ��ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫��ه� � � ا‬ ‫���ا ن� � � �� ه �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫رم ر و‬ ‫�وك�� � �عب�� د �م� � ��ط�ي ب� ا �ل ن�� ��س � �و � � � م رو‬ ‫ح� � �و‬ ‫بو �‬ ‫�فخ � ا �ذ �قًا ا � �‬ ‫ا أ ًا �ف‬ ‫�� ّ ا �خ� � �أ � ن � ن‬ ‫�خ� ث ّ ا ت أ ف��ت�خ�نّ ث‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ا � �م�ع�ه �ر� �‬ ‫ط�� �ي� ا�لم� �مو� �وك‬ ‫� ��م �م� � � ب� ��وه �� � �و�ص� ر ر� ��س� ��ي�‬ ‫ح� �� �ب� �ل��طب ي‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫أج‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�إ�ذ �ذ‬ ‫ا ��� ا �ة ا ���خل ا ة ف ُ ف � � � ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫حض ��ف � ّ ا ق ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫اك �‬ ‫ح��د ث� ��ا ���س�� �‬ ‫لعي�� ر �و‬ ‫��ل��ع��‪��� .‬و�ص�� �ل�ل�م� �م�و� �و�ه�و‬ ‫��ره �ل�م� �و���� �ب�ي��‬ ‫أ‬ ‫تض‬ ‫�� ا �ز� ��ف ا ت � � ن ف �ق �‬ ‫�� او �ب�ه �إ ��ل�ى �ز ��ي��د �ة ��ل��ترا ه � �و�����‬ ‫ح�ا ك��ى �و�م� � �‬ ‫�ي��د �ي�ه ت�� ن��ا د ر �و�‬ ‫�س� ��ط�ا �ب�ه ا�لم�� �م�و�‪� ��� .‬ا �ل ا �م ض� �‬ ‫ح��ك‬ ‫أب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ة �ذ ّ‬ ‫�ذ ة خ ت‬ ‫ن ��ف ض‬ ‫�� ا ��ه �إ ��ل ا �ف � ّ ا خ �‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�ج���د�ه�ا �ع��ل�ى �بر �ع�� �ت�ا ����‬ ‫� �و�ع��ل�ى ر� ��س�ه�ا �ج��ا ر�ي�� �ت�� ب�‬ ‫�م��ه �م� �و ب ي�‬ ‫�ه� ��ل�م� د ���ل �ع�لي�‬ ‫تّ أ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫فض‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫طف� ا ��لب��رك���‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫�ه�ا ب��م� �بّ��ة �خ��و��ص‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل �عبّ��ا د �ة �ي�ا ��س��� ك�‬ ‫� ت� �م ن��ه‬ ‫���� �نّ��ك �م ن� �ن�ا �� �‬ ‫���ة ������ ك‬ ‫�ع �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫� ا� ت‬ ‫�� ت‬ ‫�س� ���ط�ا ب��ت��ه‪�� .‬ف�� ��ق�ا � �ع ن��د�ه�ا � �ّ�ا �م�ا �ف��و�ص��لت��ه �وك�‬ ‫��س��ه �وك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �ل�ا ت� ك�‬ ‫��ا د ���صب��ر �ع ن��ه‪.‬‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �أ ن �ف ض � �أّا أ �أ ن تُ ض ����‬ ‫��ل ن ا ُ ت ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫��ا �ل �ج���ل�� ا�لم� �م�و� ��� ب���ع�� ا �ل� �� � � �و �م �� � �‬ ‫حو� � او �‬ ‫حي �� او � �و�م� ي�‬ ‫ح�� � �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�� ار ل�ل�‬ ‫� يم رب‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ ض ً �ق ً � أ‬ ‫�ق ا � � ن ا � � ��ّ‬ ‫� ن� �ق ً ��‬ ‫ن آ�ة � �‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�د �م� ك��‬ ‫� ك��ل � او �‬ ‫� � ��وه‬ ‫���‬ ‫� �و�� �ل �ل�ل��د �م� ء �لي��ب�ط�‬ ‫� ��د را �و�ب�ط�‬ ‫��� ��د را �و�ب�ط�‬ ‫� �ه�و � �ي��‬ ‫�م� � �ل�� ا �ل��طب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪242‬‬

‫‪242‬‬

‫‪١،٢٠‬‬

‫‪٢،٢٠‬‬

‫‪٣،٢٠‬‬

‫‪٤،٢٠‬‬

The Devils’ Monastery135

This monastery stands to the west of the Tigris in the district of Balad, between two mountains at the entrance to the valley. It is beautiful and occupies a splendid site. People visit it to drink, and it is a place where loafers and profligates gather. Al-Khabbāz al-Baladī has these verses on it:

20.1

The monks poured me pure wine to drink, like the devils in the Devils’ Convent. Like rooks they walked to the wine, and turned back mincing like queens.136 When al-Mutawakkil exiled ʿUbbādah to Mosul, he would go to the Devils’ Monastery to drink and stay there. He fell in love with a very handsome young monk who had a fine figure and became crazily infatuated with him. He stayed there because of him, deceiving and flattering him and giving him presents, until he prized him away from it and spirited him away. The monks, who realized what ʿUbbādah was up to and how he had debauched the youth, wanted to kill him by throwing him from the highest point of the monastery into the valley, but he guessed what they were planning and fled, never to return. ʿUbbādah was one of the nicest people, witty and full of jokes. His father had been one of al-Maʾmūn’s cooks, and through spending time with him he became an expert in cooking. When his father died, he came out and turned into a thorough vagabond and wastrel. He was mentioned to al-Maʾmūn when he was very young, so al-Maʾmūn summoned him. In the caliph’s presence, ʿUbbādah started to tell funny stories, mimicking and cracking jokes. Al-Maʾmūn found him amusing and said, “Take him to Zubaydah for her to see him and laugh at him.” When he entered her presence, he found her sitting on a Nīshāpūrī saddlecloth with a slave girl behind her fanning her with a palm-frond fan. ʿUbbādah said, “Madam, you look as if you were made of cream on top of pastry.” She laughed. She liked him, and so he stayed for a few days with her. She gave him money and clothes, and could hardly let him out of her sight. One day, al-Maʾmūn was holding audience. He ordered butchered meat and all the necessary cooking utensils. Then he said to his courtiers, “Let everyone

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20.2

20.3

20.4

‫�ش ا � ن‬ ‫د�يرا �ل���ي�� ��ط��ي�‬

‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح ت� ��له�ا � ا ئ� �غ���ل� ت� �ع�� � ا ئ� ��ق�د � �ه� ��� ًا‬ ‫� ا ق �ق ً ف �ف ا‬ ‫� ّ ة ���ع‬ ‫� ب� ��و �إ ���س‬ ‫ط�ي�� �و�ع ��ط �ري�� �ج� ب �� او‬ ‫ح� �� ��د را ��� � � � روح ب‬ ‫ل�ى روح ور م ب‬ ‫ف � ن أ‬ ‫ّ ا �ة ا ض ف‬ ‫أ ن �ز �ف �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ف ُ ّ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫�م ن� �ل��ك‪� .‬و�عب�� د �‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫�ص ب�‬ ‫ح��س�ده ����ق�ا �ل �إ � � رد ت� � � ت� �ي��د ��ي� ��ط�ي ب� ��د رك ��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ّ ا ��ف �� ��ق ��ف ا �ة ّ � ُّ�ّ �ة‬ ‫� ��ف �أ �خ ��ذ ُ �ّ �ة‬ ‫ف� ُ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ّ� �ة ��خ‬ ‫� َك���‬ ‫���ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��ر�ج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر�ج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��ر�ج � ك‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ص� ا �ل��س ك‬ ‫���ا �م � �� ��س ك‬ ‫�ه�ا ��س ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب ر و ب � ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��ف ا � ت � ا ئ� �م ن ت ن �ة ف� �ق ا �� � �أ ن �� ا �ذ �� ئ� �ة ا �ل� ن ت ن �ة ��ق ا �� � ّ ا �ة ئ� �ة‬ ‫� ح� �ل�ه� ر� او ����� ‪ � �� .‬ل ا�لم� �م�و� � �و� ك��‬ ‫ل� �م� �ه� ه ا ل ار ح� م����� � ل عب�� د را ح�‬ ‫� �ح�خ � �ذ � َ ف �ي م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق أ �خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ���ك ا �ل�� ّ ا �ق ا ا‬ ‫ح ت� ��ه�ا �‬ ‫ح�ى �ع�ا د � ب���ع�د ا �ل��ط�ي ب� �إ �ل�ى �ه� ه ا ل ار ح�‬ ‫ط�� � �� �ل �م� ا ��طر� ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��د ر � ي‬ ‫�خ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف � ُ‬ ‫��� � �ش���ا ��ه�ا �ع ّ��ا د �ة‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل � �م�ا �ع��ل�م ت� � �نّ��ك �إ�ذ ا � د �خ���ل ت� �ج���س�مً�ا �م ّت�ً�ا‬ ‫���ا �م‬ ‫�ّر�ج���ة ك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫����ق�ا �ل ��س ك‬ ‫� كب�� ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ّ أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ �ة �ف ّ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ �ق ث ّ �ق �‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫� � ��ف��س�ده �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح� �د�ه�ا ا�لم�عت��ص� �ع��ل�ى �عب��ا د ���ل�م�ا �و �ل�ي� ا�لم�عت��ص� � �مر �ب �� ت���ل�ه ��م ��ا �ل‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �ج ��س�م ح�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�م�ا �ل�ه� ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫��ا ن� �م�ع�ه‬ ‫�ن ا ��ن ف� ��وه ��ف�ُ��ف�ن�� ‪�� .‬ف��ل�م�ا �و ��ل�� ا �ل� او �ث��ق� ردّ ه �ف ك�‬ ‫ل���ل ب� �م ن� ا � �ل�ق�د ر �م�ا ��ي� ت���ل �و� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ثّ غ‬ ‫� ّ� ف �ف � �‬ ‫ثّ‬ ‫� ّ�‬ ‫مو��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫�� �م� ا�لمت��و ك���ل ب���ع�ده �� ����ض‬ ‫� ب� �ع��لي��ه ا�لمت��و ك���ل �ن �� �ا ه �إ �ل�ى ا �ل �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ق ا �‬ ‫�� ف ��ق ا �‬ ‫��ا ن أ �ظ �� ��ف ه ق‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫ع �أ� ا �ز � ا �� ف�ل���ق‬ ‫�� �ع ّ ا �ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ل ب ��و �‬ ‫ح� م ي�� و �د ج رى كر ب�� د م� ك� � ر� ‪ .‬ي���ل و ي�� � ل ك� �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫���ل ��ن ��ف �ا ه ���ل�م�ا �‬ ‫ا �ل�مت��و ك�‬ ‫ح��ص�ل �ب�ا �لم�و��ص�ل ت��ب��ع�ه �ر�م�ا ��ؤ ه �و ��ط�ا �لب ��وه �و��د �م�وه �إ �ل�ى �ع��ل� ّ ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫بر �هي��‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ث �آ ث �آ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل�غ�َ � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و�ه� ��ق�ا ض��� ا �ل�م� ��ص� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ل�ف� �ل� او � � �ّ � خ �ّ � خ ف� ��ق ا � ّ � ن �‬ ‫بر �هي�� �و�‬ ‫ح�ك‬ ‫�مر ي و ي� و ل‬ ‫ح�د �م �ل��ر �م �ل��ر � � ل �ع��ل�ي� ب � �إ ا م ي‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫ّ ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �ع��سر�ة ك�‬ ‫�� �إ ��ل�ى ��ن �ف���س��ك ��ف �إ� ن� ك�‬ ‫ت�ر�ى �ه��ؤ �ل�اء � �ج��م� �ع او �ع��ل� ظ �����ل�م��ك ��ف�ا �ت��ق� ا ّلله � او ر ج�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫��ق ت �ف ت � � ���ّ عّ � ��‬ ‫�إ�ز ئ ن �ظ � �ة �ق �‬ ‫���ّ ا ّ �ع ا �� �ق‬ ‫��ذ � � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د � �د �ي ��ك �لي����س ك�ل�ه� د �ى ك� ب� و�ل� ك�ل�ه� د �ى ل�‬ ‫�ب� ا ���ه�ا �� �� ر ‪�� .‬ا �ل �‬ ‫�ص�د �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫نّ� ا �ف ت ا � ا أ ��‬ ‫ط�ق ‪ .‬ث��ّ ردّ ه ا �ل�مت��و ك�‬ ‫�و �م� د ��ع� �م� �ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي� م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�وك�� � �م � �‬ ‫��را �ل�� ��س �� د ر � �و ��سر�ع�ه� �ج��وا �ب� �و�� �ل ا�لم ��و ك��ل �ل�عب�� د ا � ��� � د‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أَ م‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ي وم ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫حتّ أ�ز ّ � ��ق ا �� ن ت �خ � �ف �ة‬ ‫ا � �ة‬ ‫ا ��ل��‬ ‫�خ ن�ي�� ث� ��ى � �و�ج��ك‪ � .‬ل � ��� ��لي �� � � �و د �ل� �ل� ‪.‬‬ ‫ن ا ّ ا �ة � �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ح� ت � ا��ت ت أ ً آ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه اب� ن �‬ ‫�� �ل� ك�����سب��� � ج� ار �ور� ك ا �ل��ن�ا ��س ��ي� �م���ثل�‬ ‫ح�م�د �و� �ي� �عب�� د �ل�و ج�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �� �ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا اّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ا ا �ل�و�ج��ه ا�لمب�� رك �� � �ل ا ����س�م�ع� او � �و� ك��‬ ‫ل� �إ ل�ى �ه� ا ا ل�عي�� ر � �‬ ‫يري��د � � �ي ف�ي �ي� �م� ���س� �مر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �ج���م�ل‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً ٰ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�و��ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه د �عب��� �ي �� �م�ا � او ّلله ��ل�� �ج�ه‬ ‫�� �ونّ��ك ��ق�ا ��ل � او ّلله ��ل��ئ ن �ف��ع��ل ت� ��ل�� خ�ر�ج� نّ � �ّم��ك ���ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫�خي��ا �ل‪.‬‬ ‫ل و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬

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‫‪٥،٢٠‬‬

‫‪٦،٢٠‬‬

The Devils’ Monastery

cook a potful.” He cooked a pot, and so did his brother Abū Isḥāq. The smells that wafted from Abū Isḥāq’s pot were delicious, more savory than the rest, and everyone was surprised at that. ʿUbbādah, who was present, was jealous. He said to him, “If you want to make your dish tastier, add half a cup of vinegar condiment.” Abū Isḥāq took half a cup of vinegar sauce with capers and added it to the pot, and the moment he did so it produced a disgusting smell. Al-Maʾmūn exclaimed, “What’s this filthy smell, damn it?” ʿUbbādah replied, “The smell of your brother the cook’s pot.” Al-Maʾmūn turned to his brother. “What did you add to turn the delicious smell into this?” “Vinegar sauce with capers. ʿUbbādah suggested it to me.” Al-Maʾmūn commented, “Didn’t you know that adding a ‘dead’ ingredient to a ‘living’ one ruins it?”137 Abū Isḥāq al-Muʿtaṣim held this against ʿUbbādah, and when he became caliph, he ordered his death. But then he said, “This dog is not important enough to deserve killing. Send him into exile.” And exiled he was. When al-Wāthiq succeeded, he had ʿUbbādah brought back, and ʿUbbādah attended him, and attended al-Mutawakkil after him. Then he angered al-Mutawakkil, who exiled him to Mosul. When the talk had turned to ʿUbbādah, Abū Ḥāzim the jurist said, “How

20.5

witty he was!” The others asked, “In what way?” So he explained: After

ʿUbbādah had reached Mosul, his creditors came after him, demanding he settle his debts. They presented him to ʿAlī ibn Ibrāhīm al-Ghamrī, the judge in Mosul, and he swore to one after the other that he had paid them. “Damn it!” said ʿAlī ibn Ibrāhīm. “Do you think they’ve agreed among themselves to wrong you? For God’s sake, come to your senses. And if you are in a real difficulty, we can look into it.” “You’re right, may I be your ransom. They are not all lying, and not all telling the truth. But by God, I’ve paid out more than I can bear.” Later, al-Mutawakkil summoned him back. He was brilliant at telling jokes and had the quickest repartee. Al-Mutawakkil said to him once, “Stop being effeminate so I can find you a wife.” He retorted, “Are you a caliph or a matchmaker?” Ibn Ḥamdūn suggested to him: “ʿUbbādah, if you were to perform the pilgrimage, you would earn recompense and people would see you in a blessed place like Mecca.” “Listen to this rogue, damn it! He wants to expel me from Samarra on a camel.” Di ʿbil warned him one day, “By God, I’ll lampoon you without fail.” He parried, “By God, if you do so, I’ll put your mother into a shadow play.”

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20.6

‫�ش ا � ن‬ ‫د�يرا �ل���ي�� ��ط��ي�‬

‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل��ا ��ت� ��ق��ل ت� ��ل�ه � �� �مً�ا‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل ��س�ع�د ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫يو‬ ‫بر �هي��م ا � ك� ب‬ ‫ن ة‬ ‫� ن �م���ل � ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� �ي��ك�و� �مث���ل ��ا ��ضٍ� �ب��د �و� د ��نيّ���‪.‬‬ ‫�ي��ك�و� ي �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫نأ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ق ا ��ح� �ًا � �‬ ‫ح���ذ �ف ن ��ق�ا �� ��ا �‬ ‫�خ�نّ ث� � ض‬ ‫��� ���د �� �ع�� � � ه��ك � � ��ا‬ ‫ح �م��ل��ة ا �ل��م�ز ّ� ن‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي ي �ى و�ج � و‬ ‫�و � ل ي ��و م� �ل ب� ي� ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت ��ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���عه�ا �ع� � ��ه �أ�م�� ا�لم�ؤ �م ن��� ن ��ق�ا � ��ف�� ن�� ت � �� ض���ا �ت�ض‬ ‫�أ ض‬ ‫عه�ا �ع��ل� �ب�ا ب� ا ��س���ك ك��ل �ي ��و�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��م��س �م ار ت�‪.‬‬ ‫خ ّ ا �ة ًا � ّ �غ ئ�ز ت �ذّ �ًا �غ � ت ش �ف � ّ‬ ‫��ق ا �‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫� ا �ل‬ ‫� �و ��� ا ��حل‬ ‫�ا � � �‬ ‫�م�ا � ش��ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫� �ج���لي��ل�‬ ‫� ل �ود ���ل أعب�� د ي ��و�م� �حم� �م ب���ي ر �م� ر �م�ب�أ� �ل� أ��ي ر ح���� �م ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫تت‬ ‫ّ ة ��ة �ق � ت ن‬ ‫ف �ق ا � ش‬ ‫ت ن� ا �‬ ‫ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه �و�‬ ‫ح��ك � �م�ا ����ست��‬ ‫ح�ي� ا ��س���ر ب��ي��د ك ��� � �ل � ي���� � ��س��ر �إ �م� �هي� �ه�د �ي�� �م��ك�� �م� �ل���ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�و�م��س� او ك‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح ن ث �‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �ع�� ّ � ن ي�‬ ‫ح�ا ض� ا‬ ‫ح� ال�م�ج��� ��ق�ا ��ل �عبّ��ا د �ة �ي ��و�م�ا �ل��ل�مت��و ك�‬ ‫���ل �وي�ي�ى ب�� � ك�‬ ‫���� ا � �ل�ق�ا ض���� �‬ ‫��ر �ي� � �م�ي�ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل�ي� ب �‬ ‫تي‬ ‫ف � � ّ � م‬ ‫ّ م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �ي��ع�ل�م�� � ا ��ض�� ا �ل�ص��ل� ��� �ا �ل ا�لمت�� ك�� ي��‬ ‫ا �ل�م��ؤ �م ن��� ن �ق�� ��يل��‬ ‫ح�ى �ه�و ا ����سم� ��� �ا �ل �و��د �عل���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫ي� ل يى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي� ر �‬ ‫� � أ ّم‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫أ نّ � ت ّ �غ‬ ‫ّ ا �ة �‬ ‫�أ � �م ا �ًا ا أ � �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ف ��ق ا � � ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ؤ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ا�لم ��و ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل ��م�ز �ع�لي��ه �عب�� د �لي����� د ر �ب�ه ��س� �ل �‬ ‫ح� �ل� �ي� � �م�ي ر ا�لم� �م���ي� � �ل �وكي�� � ل �ل��‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل ش����ا �عر ��ي���و�ل‬

‫� ن �م ّ‬ ‫� �ن �‬ ‫�ن � ا‬ ‫�ي��ك�و� �‬ ‫�خ�ن ث� ب���غ��ي�ر ب���غ��ا ء ��ق�ا �ل ���ع �و� ك‬ ‫ل��� �ل�‬ ‫م‬

‫نَّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�و �‬ ‫�إِ‬

‫‪٧،٢٠‬‬

‫‪٨،٢٠‬‬

‫َ ْ أَ َّ ْ �ِ ُ ٱ � َّ َ َ‬ ‫���ٱ �ْ ُ ُ ْ �قَ ٱْ�َا َ �غَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن � ه � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ص‬ ‫ى�   ك�� ل� �عوِد ي� ��‬ ‫��سى � �لم� ء �فِ�ي� �ر�ِ�س�هِ‬ ‫م� د ب���ت� �فِ�ي� ل� ب‬

‫�ذ ش�خ � ا �ن�� ف �ت � ��ن ن ��ا ن � ن � ث �ذ�� �ف � �أت ن أ �ّ ف ن �ظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��� �إ � ك�� � �ل�ه اب�� �‬ ‫� �ي��ه ا �ل��ع�لي�� �و� ك‬ ‫�و�ه� ا ��ي���‬ ‫� �ل� يج�‬ ‫ح�د � ك�ر ��لي�� � ��ي� �ب�ه � �ع�ل�م�ه �� ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ �ة �ق � �ق ض � ���ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�ن �ا � ت‬ ‫ع��ن�ا �م�ا �ق�� �� ���ك � � � ف �ق ا � � ت ن‬ ‫�إ �لي��ه �عب��ا د �و��ا �ل �ي�ا ��ا ���ي� �ل�و ك� ت� �م ن� � ��ه�ل �‬ ‫ح�د ��� � �ل �ل��س� �م�‬ ‫وي ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ن ا � ت � � ا � �أ� �د ّ ق �ة‬ ‫� ���ّو ‪.‬‬ ‫� ��ه�ل �‬ ‫�ص � ع��ك �و م� ب� ح� �ع��لي�‬ ‫أ� �أ‬ ‫�ق ا � خ � ّ ا �ة ًا ��ف ا ��ل��� � �� ّ �ف �غ ً‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫ح �ل� ا �حل‬ ‫�� �ل � � �ع�� د � �� �م� � س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ا � ����ل��ق� ��ل�ا�م�ا �م ن� � �و�ل�اد ا �ل���ت ار ك ��ف�� �ع ��ط�ا ه‬ ‫و ر�ج ب ي و أ ي� ر �إ ى � م ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ق � ق �‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫� ش �ة‬ ‫�� � ّ � ف ن ا �غ ا ف �ق �خ � ف � �‬ ‫�إ�ذ ش �ف ت �ع‬ ‫ع���ر د را ��ه �و��ا �ل ا �� ��ط‬ ‫ع � �مرع�م�ك �ب�ي���� ا �ل��ل� �م ���و��ه ��ل�� ا �ل�د ر ب� � ���ر�� �ج �و‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ز ا ��ل��س ء ا ��لن ��ق� ��ف ا ��س�ت‬ ‫ح ت� ا ��ل��ل�ص� �� ف����ق�ا �� �ع ّ��ا د �ة ��ا �‬ ‫�م ن �غ� ��ف��ة ��له�ا �ف � �ت�ه�م�ا �ف��ص�ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫وص‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب ي �ج و‬ ‫ب ي� ي�‬ ‫� ر � ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ص�ي �ا �‬ ‫ح��ك � ن�� ت� �م� � ي����‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ات‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ق ا ض �ق ا �‬ ‫�� ت �م� � ا � �م ش ق � � ا � ن � ّ� � ن ا‬ ‫�و ك�‬ ‫��ر � ب� ��و �‬ ‫���� م ب � م�د ب ر �وك‬ ‫���ا � �ل� �يرد �ع��لي��ه ك���� ب�‬ ‫ح�ا ��م ا � �ل � ���ي� �� �ل ك� � ي�م� ب��د �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ���س �خ � �ف ة � ع ّ ن أ ف� �ق أ ت ّ �‬ ‫��ل�ا �أ �ق �أ��ن ��ه �ف�� د �ع��ل��ه ك��ت�‬ ‫��ا ب� ��س�عي��د ا �لر �‬ ‫س �و�ل� �ي��د �ف��ع�ه‬ ‫ح ‪�� 1‬لي�� �� �ل�ه ب���سر �م� ر� �ى �� �ر ه � �و�ب����‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�إ ر و‬ ‫م م‬ ‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

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‫‪٩،٢٠‬‬

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The Devils’ Monastery

Saʿd ibn Ibrāhīm the secretary related: “I said to ʿUbbādah once, ‘Can a

20.7

queer exist without debauchery?’ ‘Yes,’ he answered, ‘but he won’t be any fun. He’ll be like a judge without a vice.’”

ʿUbbādah told Abū Ḥarmalah the barber one day, “Give me a trim.” “You queer, am I supposed to touch your face with the hand that touches the Commander of the Faithful’s face?” “But you touch the hole in your butt with it five times a day.”

ʿUbbādah once went into the hammam without a loincloth, careless and without a shred of modesty. A venerable shaykh who was there exclaimed, “Have you no shame? Cover yourself with your hand.” He flung back, “What should I cover? This is a gift from Mecca: two palm fruits and a toothpick.” According to ʿAlī ibn Yaḥyā al-Munajjim, ʿUbbādah one day said to al-Mut-

20.8

awakkil when Judge Yaḥyā ibn Aktham was in attendance: “Commander of the Faithful, tell Yaḥyā to teach me the inheritance rules for direct descendants.”138 Al-Mutawakkil said to Yaḥyā, “You hear what he says?” Yaḥyā, who realized that al-Mutawakkil had put ʿUbbādah up to making fun of him, responded, “He’s asked the impossible, Commander of the Faithful.” “How’s that?” “As the poet says: Someone you’ve trained in his youth is like a sapling watered when planted. “This fellow is old and unteachable, but if he has a young son, I’ll teach him.” ʿUbbādah looked at him and said, “Judge, if you were in our profession, no one could get the better of you.” At which Yaḥyā answered, “I’m not in your profession, but still no one has the whip hand over me.” Another anecdote ʿAlī ibn Yaḥyā told: One early morning when ʿUbbādah

20.9

was on his way to the hammam, he met a young Turkish servant. He gave him ten dirhams, saying, “Take care of your uncle’s needs.” While the boy was on top of him behind the door, an old woman saw them from her room. “Thieves!” she cried out. ʿUbbādah responded, “The disaster is the hole in my butt. Why are you shouting?” Abū Ḥāzim the judge related: I was living in Damascus with Ibn al-Mud- 20.10 abbir. No letter arrived without him getting me to read it. But one day a letter came from Saʿīd al-Rasḥ, one of his deputies in Samarra. He read it and smiled, and didn’t hand it to me. Then I asked him what it said. He replied, “Saʿīd wrote to say that he was standing at al-Mutawakkil’s door when Mūsā ibn

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‫�ش ا � ن‬ ‫د�يرا �ل���ي�� ��ط��ي�‬

‫�ذ�� أ نّ � ن ق�فً‬ ‫� ّ �ف أ �‬ ‫ف ف �ق � ��ت �‬ ‫� ّ�� �إ�ذ خ‬ ‫�إ �ل�ي� ���س�� �لت��ه �م�ا �ي��ه ��� �ا �ل ك�� ب� �ل�ي� ��س�عي��د �ي�� ك�ر � ��ه ك���ا � � او ��� �ا ب��ب��ا ب� ا�لمت��و ك��ل �رج�‬ ‫� � �مو��س�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة أ �‬ ‫�مت�غ� ّ� ا �� ه ف� ��ق ا �� ���غ� �ا � ه ا � �‬ ‫ق �ا‬ ‫ح��م�ل �إ �ل�ى �عبّ��ا د � �ل�ف� د ر��ه �و���ل �ل� �ت��ع�ا �ود‬ ‫اب� ن� �عب��د ا�لم��ل�ك �و�ه�و � �ي ر ل�و�ج�� � � ل ل �ل م�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ث �ف ض � � ��ف �أ � ت � ن ا ���خل ف �ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫��ة‬ ‫��� � �ه ��ا ��ل�� �ع� � ك����‬ ‫� ن� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ب��ر ��� ي���ل د ���ل �م�و��س�ى �ع��ل�ى ا�لمت��و ك�ل و �و �ج س �ل�ى بر‬ ‫ر و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ق � � ّ‬ ‫ت�ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�أ ��س �ع ّ ا �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�� � ا � ��س ��ق‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س��ا �و�عبّ��ا د �ب��� �ي��د �ي�ه �ي � ك‬ ‫ا �ل‬ ‫�ص�د ر �ي� ب�� د‬ ‫�ل�� �و��ي� بع�� ��� � �ل ا�لم ��و ك��ل ي� م�و �ى �د �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف ع‬ ‫ف �ق � أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� م�ؤ ن ن ��‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫حن‬ ‫� ا ت �ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ة ا ��ل����س�د ف����ق�ا ��ل �ع ّ��ا د �ة ��ن�ع� ا ���ط �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ط‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل ي ي ر � ي� ر �ي� بر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�م� �يرح ي�‬ ‫م ر ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ش ق � تّ ����ستخ� � � �أ � ن ف ت�غ ّ‬ ‫���ة ا ��ل����س�د � ا �‬ ‫� �ن�ا ���ف� �برك���‬ ‫ح�م��ل�ه �ه�و �إ �ل�ى � ��س�د د �م����� ح�ى ي �رج�‬ ‫و‬ ‫� �ل��ك ا �ل��م� او �ل �م��ه ����ي�ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�� �ق ا ت � � �ق ا ة ث �� ّ ا �ة � ا � أ �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�و س�ى �و � �م� �ع�لي��ه ا � �ل ي�� �م�� � بو��ع� �إ ل�ى �عب�� د ب�م� �ل � � ك‬ ‫�س���ه ���ب�ه‪.‬‬

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The Devils’ Monastery

ʿAbd al-Malik came out looking upset. Mūsā told his servant, ‘Take ʿUbbādah a thousand dirhams and say to him, “Don’t do me such great favors again.”’ I asked around about what had happened and was told that Mūsā had been admitted to al-Mutawakkil while he was sitting by the pool of the lions with

ʿUbbādah in front of him talking and playing the fool. Al-Mutawakkil turned to Mūsā. ‘Mūsā, ʿUbbādah’s given me a headache. Can you get rid of him for me?’ ‘Commander of the Faithful,’ he answered, ‘throw him into the lions’ pool.’

ʿUbbādah retorted, ‘Yes, throw me into the pool of the lions, and send him to the lion of Damascus to extort the revenues from him for you.’ Mūsā’s face fell, and he panicked and sent ʿUbbādah money to keep his mouth shut.”

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‫�ُع���م ا ��ل�ز���فع�� ا ن‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� � ش �ف‬ ‫��ه��ذ ا ا �ل�ع�م ب��ن��ص����ب�� ن �م ّ�م�ا‬ ‫��ا ن��� ا ��ل ش��� ���ق ّ �من‬ ‫� ��� � او �ج��ل‬ ‫�ه�ا ���ف� ا �ج��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل ر � �ى‬ ‫ر ي ي� �ي ��‬ ‫ري‬ ‫� �ة ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � � ا ت � ي ��ف ة � ض � �ذ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫حو��ل�ه ا �ل��ش�ج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ا�لم� ك��ور �ب� ل��ط�ي ب� � او �‬ ‫ا �لب���ل��د �و�ه�و �م� ا �ل�د �ي� را � ا�لم�و�ص�و�� � او�لم� او �‬ ‫ح��س� �و �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ُح� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ث�� ا �� �ل�ق� ّل�ا ��ا ت� � ا ��ل �ه��ا ن ‪ � .‬ش‬ ‫ن ت ت فّق‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ص‬ ‫� او � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ر�و�م �و�ي��ه �عي ��و� ����د ���� �و�ه�و ك� ي ر‬ ‫ل �إ ى‬ ‫ي ور ب‬ ‫و رب و و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن �غ ا �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا ئ� � ��ق ا ه �م�ع �ة‬ ‫�خ ن أ � ق ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫هو �و���س� ر ب� � �ع� � �مور‬ ‫���صي����ب��ي� �و��ي�ر�ه� �و�لي����س ي���ل�و �م� � ��ه�ل ا � �ل��ص�� � او �ل��ل�ع ب� � �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ب��م ن� �ي� ��طر���ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫فّ‬ ‫ا ت أُ خ ��ف‬ ‫� ��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل ث اث‬ ‫ح��س ن �ش��� ء �من �ظ� ��� ًا � � ���ّل�ه �م� �ق��عً�ا‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫وب � �ج‬ ‫رو‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ي�‬ ‫� ب���ل ��ل� ���ة ‪ 1‬د �ي� را � � �ر �ي�‬ ‫و‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع ا � �م � � ��� ن ‪� � ٢‬م �� � نّ‬ ‫ح��ا � او �ل�ع�مرا � ك‬ ‫��� � �‬ ‫ح��د �مت���ن�ز �ه�ا ت� ا �ل��د ��ني��ا‪.‬‬ ‫ل��ب��ي�ر �ب�ا �لم�و ض�‬ ‫�و��هي� �ع�مرا �ل�ز � � ر � و ر و�ج ي� و ر ي �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ن ت ت فّق ع أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ُ� �ف‬ ‫� �� ا ��له �م�ا �� � �ه� �ن�ه �ن��ص����� ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ف ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ي� �و�عي ��و� ����د ���� �م ن� � �ل �ج ب �ل و�ي ر�‬ ‫� �و ��س����ل ا �ج ب �ل �ِ ر س و و � ر ي ب‬ ‫�ذ � أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �م ن �ن��ص����� ن‬ ‫� ��� � �ّ ��ل ���ط� �ع��د � ن � �ه� �ع�� �ث�ل�ا �ث��ة �ف ا ���‬ ‫بر �� ا �ل�م�ا ء‪� .‬و�ه� ا ا �ج�ل‬ ‫�خس‬ ‫��� � �‬ ‫ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ي ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�� و �ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا ف� ت �� ا �ل��ش�� �ف �إ�ذ‬ ‫��ل �ن�� � ن �ف ت ق‬ ‫� � �� �ه��ذ ا ا ��لن�ه ��� ن �ج� ���ل�� ن‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر �� ا �و��ص�ل �إ �ى صي��ب��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� ا ���ر��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫روم و ج‬ ‫يو ج ر ي‬ ‫� ر ب ي� ب ي� و �ى‬ ‫ّ ��ف �ل�‬ ‫ف ق ت ن ��ف ن ه ا � ت ا �ز ا ���سن� ا ��ف �ق ا ن ا � ن �‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص� �ي� ا �� ب� ��ور‬ ‫�ر����ي� �م�� �م� ي�ج �� ب��ب�� ب� �ج�� ر ي���� �س�ي� �م� �ه�� ك م� ا �لب����س� ���ي� � �وي�� ب‬ ‫�ق � ا ت ن أ ض ً‬ ‫� ن ه ا �� �� ��ل ش ��ق ّ ا �� � � ف � أ � ة‬ ‫���ا �و�م�ا �ه ن��ا ك‪.‬‬ ‫ح��� �ه ن��ا ك �وي��� �س�� ا �لب����س� ���ي� � �ي��‬ ‫�و م�� �م� �ي ع�د ل �إ �ى ���ر�ي� لب��ل�د �ي��دير � ر ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ت �ف‬ ‫� �ف ن‬ ‫�و �لم�ص�ع ب� ا ك�‬ ‫ل��ا �� ب� ��ي� د�ير�ع�مرا �ل�ز �ع� ار �‬ ‫� تْ َ ا غَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ع ْ ت َ ا َ ُ�عْ ٱ �ل�زَّ �ْ ���فِ َ‬ ‫�����َ�ا ��فِ �� ��َ‬ ‫�ج�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع� را �نِ  �ب �‬ ‫� �ب �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���مِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ةٍ‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫نٍ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ �قِ ٱ ّ نِ�‬ ‫ع ِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ �فت � نُّ � � ّت َ‬ ‫�ص�ا �ي  �َ َ�ْ �هَ �ى � ُ�� ْ َ َ ا �ت� � � �َ �نَا‬ ‫ب��‬ ‫ح� �إِ �ل�ى � �لْ�� بِ� وَي � و‬ ‫ِ�ك�ل �ى يِ‬ ‫��شر ب� �ع� ِ�� ٱ�ْةِ � �ل�د � نِ�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫ُ َ فتً ُ � �َ َ‬ ‫َ ْ‬ ‫�صَ ا ت� � �ل�� ث�َ�ا �ِ�ل� �َ �و �ل�م �ى��ثَ ا �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ِ�ك�ل ��ى ي�ِ�مي���ل �إِ �ل�ى � �لم�ل�ا هِ��‬ ‫ي � �و � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ى� �نِ�ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ثِ‬ ‫َ� ِ ْ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫بِ � َْ �نُ ُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ُ ْ َ َ � ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫����ظ��ل�ل�َ‬ ‫�ا ا ت‬ ‫� قش ل‬ ‫�ن�ا ��ْ��ع��مِ �ل � �ل ك�‬ ‫�� ���س� ِ‬ ‫� �فِ���ي�هِ �ع��ل�ى ر�و��ضٍ� ك�����ن���ِ� � ����سر� او �نِ�ي�‬ ‫ت َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ أَ غْ َ ا َت� ُ � َ ا َ ا ٌ ��قِ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ج�ا ��� دَ �َ او �نِ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و ���‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫��ص� نٍ� مِ�� ي���ل بِ��ه� ثِ��م� ر  � ِري��ب ٍ‬ ‫� ِ � � �نِي‬

‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫‪  1‬ال�أ�ص� ‪ :‬ى�ل ث‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا و�حي�‪.‬‬ ‫��‪   ٢ .‬ك‬ ‫ل‬

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The Zaʿfarān (Saffron) Monastery

This monastery lies to the east of Nisibis on a mountain that overlooks Balad.

21.1

It is often described and noted for its fragrance and beauty. It is surrounded by trees and vineyards and it has bubbling springs. It is the location of many cells and monks, and its wine, which is famous, is transported to Nisibis and other places. Pleasure-seekers and revelers frequent it, and its grounds are filled with visitors. There are three other monasteries along this mountain ridge, all in a row, and they are a beautiful sight in impressive surroundings. Mār Awgīn’s Monastery, Mār Yūḥannā’s Monastery,139 and the Great Monastery140 together form one of the most memorable places to visit, besides the Zaʿfarān Monastery. Beneath the mountain flows Hirmās, the river on which Nisibis stands, while springs well up from the foot of the mountain in a place known as the Water’s Head. The mountain is the beginning of the Tūr ʿAbdīn range and is about nine miles (fifteen kilometers) from Nisibis. The river flows between two mountains, its banks lined with vineyards and trees. When it reaches Nisibis, it divides. One stream passes the gateway to Sinjār, irrigating the orchards there and flowing into the Khābūr River. The other turns off to flow east of Balad, where it drives water mills and irrigates orchards and everything else there. Muṣʿab the Secretary composed these verses on the Zaʿfarān Monastery: Zaʿfarān Monastery, may your grounds be thronged with men noble and proud, Lovers in search of adventure and of wine long matured in jars, Men who turn to lighthearted play as the plucked lutestrings vibrate. How often we’ve passed the cups around in meadows brocaded with flowers, And branches heavily laden with fruit within reach of hands to pluck it;

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21.2

‫� ف ن‬ ‫�ع�مرا �ل�ز �ع�� ار �‬

‫َ َ ا تَ �ثِ نَّ‬ ‫ُ ْ قَ َ‬ ‫�تُثَ َّ َ ا ٱ � ََّا ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن�ا‬ ‫�م�ا � �� ���َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�����ن �ه� � �ل ��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� بِ ��س نِ� �و مِ هِ ِو ي ٱ�جِ ُ ُ نِ�‬ ‫أَ �ي� ُ يرح‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ نْ َ ا �ت سِ � ُ �َ ا َا ت َ � ُ� َ َ ا � ُ َ ا َ � ْ� َ‬ ‫� � �ؤ � �ؤ ا‬ ‫�ج� ِر�ي� �ٍ  ��ي� �لو ب����ي� �‬ ‫� �و ���ه� ٍر ��� �ل����سِ �ل �‬ ‫��ض�ه� ّ ك� �ل� �ل �ل نِ�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ أ ْ �� َ ا �إِ�ذَ �غَ �ِّ تْ � َ �ْ �نَ تْ‬ ‫ن�ا‬ ‫�م�ا �� َ �َ َ�ع نْ ��ُ��َ‬ ‫�   َ�ع � �ْ � �ل�َ‬ ‫� �و �ط��ي� ٍر ا � �ن��ك � ��غ‬ ‫ِ نِ� ب نِ� ٱ ْ ِر �قِي� و ٱ� ْ ب نِ�‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ َ َ ْ شَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نُ َ ا ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ا ا �ن‬ ‫ح ت� ب�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫هق� هِ� �� � � �لق ��َ ا � �َ � � �لق���َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن�ا �نِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ج� ِ� بو‬ ‫ِ �ج و بَِ � � ةِ و ��قِ�زِ و َ ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�مِ‬ ‫�ت�ُ َ ف َ‬ ‫َ ��غِ�ز ا‬ ‫� ا�‬ ‫�ج�ا ��� �ِمن��ُ��ه�ُم �َم�ا � �د �����‬ ‫ي �����‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�� �ل� نٍ� �� را ِ�ع��‬ ‫ه�ا ����ؤ ا ِد ��‬ ‫�ج� �نِ�ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫ �ذَ ُ ٱ �ْ � ْ َ َٱ � ُّ ٱ ْ‬ ‫���شِ�� ْ �ُ نٌ َ ُ �حِ‬ ‫� نّ�َ�ا �َ ��ِ���ش�ْع�َ‬ ‫ح َ��س�ا‬ ‫ح��س�ا‬ ‫�ي�ا‬ ‫�صَ ر � �ِل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�و �م �عو� ‪� 1‬و�ي��و‬ ‫ٱ ْ وِ ٱ ْ نِ�‬ ‫َ إِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ � ّ َْ ن‬ ‫�غ � ْ تُ‬ ‫ْ َ نَ �‬ ‫َ ُ‬ ‫� غَ َ �‬ ‫��ي�� ت� ب�� �ْم �ِم ن� � �ل��د ��ني��ا ���‬ ‫ر ضِ�‬ ‫�صِ �ي�بِ���‬ ‫ي  � �نِ�ي � ِب���هِ� �م �ع� � �لبِ�ي���ضِ� � �ل��� او �نِ�ي�‬ ‫أُ�قَ َّ ُ �ذَِ �هِ َ أَ �ْ ُ �خِ َّ ٰ �ذَ َ ٰ �ذَ ُ ْ ٌ َ ُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫� � �� �َ ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫� � ا � ا �م �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ب� َل ٱ ْ � �و �ل���ثِ َ �م � �د �ه�  �وَ�ه� ����سِٱعْ ِ�د ��سِ�ل��س ٱْلعِ �ن� نِ�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ِف ٰ � ا � �ل�َ شُ ا �ْ ض�� �َ �ن � �َ ا �َ �ف‬ ‫َا � َ � َا �‬ ‫حو � و ��وى و�ل� و�‬ ‫��ه عي����� �ل� �‬ ‫�ص� � �ل��م��ع� ِ�ل�ِم � �و �لم���غ� �نِ�ي�‬

‫ت ًّ أ‬ ‫ت تً‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ص�ع� �ه��ذ ا �م ن �أ ����ش ّ�د ا ��ل ن��ا �� ��� ت‬ ‫���ث �ه� �خ��ل�ا �ع��ة � ��م� �نً�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا � �‬ ‫ه��ا را‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫���ا � �م�‬ ‫�وك‬ ‫و�ج و و �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��� ا ��ف �غ � ا ن ا ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ا �ل��م د � �ت� ��ط ّ‬ ‫�ا نا ت �� ا ت ش ا‬ ‫ح�ا ���ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ر و‬ ‫ح� �� � � او �ل�د �ي� را � � �و ����ع� ره ك�� �‬ ‫له� �ي� ا �ل��ل�ُم� � �ل� ���ع�د �و �ه� ا ا�لمع��ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �غ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح ن � �� د �م ن �ل��ك �م�ا ���س� ��ط �� � ���س� ��ط�ا � � ي��س���م��ل ن ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ب و‬ ‫ر و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �م� �م�ع� �ي��ه‪� .‬و�م�‬ ‫�إ ل�ى ��ي�ره �و�� ور �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ش���عره �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�نَّ َ َ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫�� ْ ٱْ�َ� َ ا � ��َ َ ُ‬ ‫�أنَا ٱْ�َ ا � نُ ٱ � �ُّ ��‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫� م�ع� صِ �ي� لر �غِ ب‬ ‫أَ�ُ � �ل�م� َ�جِ أ�َ � �ل� �لوِ�ط�ي� ِدي ��ي� وَ �حِ �د   �إِو �ي�ّ �فِ�ي� ��س ب ِ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫� ُ � َ � ا �زْ ��فِ َ ْ َ َ‬ ‫حتَّ ٱ ��ْ َ ا مِ � َ ا � ُ‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل�ا ������طٍ�ا   ��فِ � ���ن ��ل�هُ َ�‬ ‫� � �لو ��ط �و�ل� � ��� � �م ن ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إِ ي�‬ ‫ئِ‬ ‫ةِ‬ ‫ى قِ‬ ‫ِ ب‬ ‫ٱ�نِي ِ َ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫� ��ل ّ ْ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫أ � نُ‬ ‫حَْ ْ� � ك��‬ ‫����ثِ ٍ �َ ��نََ َ�ع نْ د � � ��ل�زُّ�ن�َا ��َ � � َ�ا ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫��ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م �إِو ي� � ِي نِ� �ةِ‬ ‫� ِي � �بِ ِي نِ� ي�خِ يى ب نِ�‬ ‫ِ ب‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ قَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���� �ٱ ��لَْ��ا � �َّ �ش���ا ��طٍ �إِ�ذ ا �َم�ا ��َ َ�د ا �ل��ل��طْ � ��ف�� �ل�ِ���عق�� �ع� � ُ‬ ‫�و�مث��� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ضِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ ِل‬ ‫�ل َ ا�زِ ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�زِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫��ْلنِ �ِ�زَ ْ َ تَ ش ُ لَ� َ ا َا ْ� نَ ٱ �ْ�َ ٱ � ��ذّ َ ُ‬ ‫�َهُ نَ� ْ َ �ةٌ نْ �ُ�ق �ْ تَ‬ ‫�ل� ���خر �إِ � �ل� �صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��ي� ب �ور�ةٍ �ِ���ي��ُ ب�َ ��ه� �ي� ب � � �ل كِ�� ار �ِمْ � �ل� � او ئِ�� ب‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ َ ْ ُت �َهُ � نْ �قَْ ��ُ � � َ ا �بِ �ةً تَ �� ل� ُ ْ � � نَّا َ ا ت � َ َ ا ُ‬ ‫عو� �ل� ِم� ��و�ِم �لو ��ٍط ِع�‬ ‫� � �لم�‬ ‫د ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص� �� �   ����ذِ ل �ه�م �فِ�ي� � �ل�� ��ئِ ب�� ِ‬ ‫�ص� ِ�ع ب‬

‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و��سو�ه ‪.‬‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪٣،٢١‬‬

The Zaʿfarān (Saffron) Monastery

The wind makes them bend like oryx cows lovely in exquisite gardens. Streams cascade there, and rivulets, their drops gleaming white as pearls, While birds sing songs so lovely Māriqī’s son and Bunān are eclipsed. When their cooing becomes a lament, we reply with chuckling cups and bottles. How many gazelles, come to graze in my heart, have shaken me to the core! Shamʿūn, Yūḥannā, and Shaʿyā, granting favors, well-favored themselves, With them I’ve had all I hope for from life. I’ve no need of fair maidens; I stroke one’s cheek, kiss another, and the third, biddable, makes me happy. This is life! Forget troughs and date pits, and poems about landmarks and campsites.141 Muṣʿab was an extreme example of frivolity, dissoluteness, and debauchery. He was infatuated with young boys and spent his time in taverns and monasteries. All his poems are about boys; he never treats another theme. We will quote some pleasant, interesting, and attractive examples of his poetry and the motifs he develops. For instance: I’m a rake and a pervert, it’s all I believe in; I want to earn a reward for my sins. I go for boys, not girls, and anyone who’s a perv will have me as a friend till Judgment Day. I follow the faith of Shaykh Yaḥyā ibn Aktham, not for me the girl-fuckers’ creed. A willow-like boy, dressed as a scoundrel— when he appears, I lose my mind. He’s got such an ass: when I say, “Pay me a visit,” the sequel, my friend, will turn your hair white. I called for a band of gays to meet him— no mishap or calamity ever stops them

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21.3

‫� ف ن‬ ‫�ع�مرا �ل�ز �ع�� ار �‬

‫َ‬ ‫فَ َ ا �َ َ �قِ ْ غُ َّ ٱ �ل�زَّ َا ُ حِ ْ‬ ‫�َ � َ ا �َ�ةَ �َ نْ أ ْ َ تْ َ �َ ٱْ�َ�ذَ ُ‬ ‫�ق� �ل �و� �د ���� � � �� ر بِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫����‬ ‫� �� �ل�قِ� �هِ  م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق� �ل� م� � �ي � ي هِ‬ ‫هِ ب‬ ‫ص ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ�� ٌ َ ا َ ْ ُ نَ � � ّ‬ ‫�نََْ �ة َ ّ‬ ‫َ � �ل� �تُ ْ هُ �� نّ َ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫كِ�ري�� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ص� ب����ت�ه �ِم� � �ل�د ِ و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ �ي ٍ م ب‬ ‫و ئِ ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ش أ ضً‬ ‫���ا ‪1‬‬ ‫�و�م� ����عره � �ي��‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�نَ حِ ةُ َ ْ َ َ أُ�ذْ نً َ � ْ �فٍ أََتْ َ َ َ ْ ف َ َ‬ ‫� �ت ْ��س�َعُ�د نْ� �َف�� عِ� ��لتَ��ا‬ ‫��صِ‬ ‫��ي��‬ ‫�سو�‬ ‫حو�ى � ��ا �و���طِ‬ ‫� �� �م ن� ��‬ ‫�ر� �ا  � ت�����ك �و� �‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ َ ْ َ �إِ�ذَ �َ تَ‬ ‫َ��نْ نْ‬ ‫� ب�ُ ْ‬ ‫�����ثِ ‪�� � ٢‬ل�ّ���ث�قَ��َل��ْ �َ�سْ��متَ��ا‬ ‫�ع��لي���ك ا � �ل�قِ�ي َ ِ‬ ‫ح��س نِ� بِ������شر‬ ‫ٍ �و ك�� �ِم� � ك� ِر‬ ‫ي نِ�‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ �َ ا تُ ْ ٱ �ْ �أ َ ا َ نْ ُ قُ‬ ‫َ �غُ تَّ ٱ � �ّ‬ ‫َم�ا ��َ ��� ��ل��آ�ثَ�ا ���غِ تّ�َ�ا‬ ‫�و�ل� �‬ ‫���خ�ِل � �ل��‬ ‫��ص�بِ��� �ِم� �ع� ��ودٍ  �و� � � �ل�ن�� س بِ ِر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ ظْ � ُ ْ َ نْ َ ُ َ ْ ُ َ‬ ‫�َا تٍ �َ ��ا �ت�َ�دَ � ��ل ُ َ �ا ءَ �إِ�ذ ا �َ �َ �‬ ‫عْ����ظتَ��ا‬ ‫� �ع ��‬ ‫�ه�م � �و ����ه�ه�ْ �ع ن� ��من�ْ ك‬ ‫��ر � و�ل عِ ب�ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫وِ � أََ ٱ �َّ مَ ْ ُ َ ْ َ ُ �ُ أَ ُ أَ‬ ‫َ �قِ ْ ظَ � ��فِ ْ ت اَ‬ ‫ََ � ا �� ت‬ ‫هَ ا ه ك���م�ا   � ��َ‬ ‫�ق�ا �ل � �خ��و � ب����ي�هِ �و� �د �� �‬ ‫�� ر��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�و� او�خِ َ � �ب� � �ل��ذِ ي� ��� �و‬ ‫َِ‬ ‫َ نْ أ�ْ َ ْ َت ��شِ ْ َ � � َ َ ْ نَ �قَ ْ � َ ��َ ْ �تَ ْ � ْ ��ف َ‬ ‫���س�ا �قْ� نْ� �نَ����ظِ��� ْ �ت�َا‬ ‫�و � � ب��‬ ‫�صر� ��� ر ��ط�ك �ب�ي�� ��ومٍ �و ل�م ��‬ ‫�صبِ� ر‬ ‫َر‬ ‫ِر �إِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���أَنَّ� َ �َ ْ تَ ُ ْ نَ ��ظِ � ً أ َ ْت اَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ‬ ‫�إِ نْ فَ َ � ُ ْ � ث َ‬ ‫�َو � �� ��ط ن�� او ��ف�� ��طر�ق� ��ّ �ف�ك�ر   ك�� ��ك �ل�م ���ك ن� ����� را � رد ��‬ ‫َ �إَِ ٱْ� ُ ْ َ ْ َِ ُ مْ �ُ‬ ‫َ �َ ا تََ ٱ � �َّ َ �إِ�ذَ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِ�ْ �تَ�ا‬ ‫�ود ا ر � �ل��مرد �ِم ن���ك بِ�‬ ‫ح��س� � �‬ ‫ل����ط�‬ ‫فٍ �وَ�ل� ���دعِ � �ل�دب�ِ�ي�� ب� ا ��سكر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ َ ا �ت َا َ ُ �فَ َا �ِ َ ْ َ ا �فَ � نْ تَ نَ �ْ�فَ َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�س� نْ� قَ����لْتَ��ا‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫��ص� ِ�ي� �ي� ��سعِ� ��ي�د ��ل� ��ت�د �ع�ه�   �� ��� �ِم� ‪� � � ٣‬ل �ل�ِ� �فِ �إِ ِب‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫‪٤،٢١‬‬

‫‪٥،٢١‬‬

‫َ‬ ‫ٱ � تَّ َ َ ْ ْ‬ ‫�َْ ُت �ُ�مُ � ��فَ�ٱ ْ �َت َ ْ� تُ َ ٱ �ْ عِ �ذْ � َُ���نْ تُ َ َ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �ِم ن� � �ل�� � �لِ  �وك� � �و�م�ا ِ�ل�ي� �فِ��ي� � �ل��م�ا ِد �ي� �ِم ن� �ِم���ثِل�‬ ‫جهر� �ج �و�نِ�ي� � ��س� ر‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ َ ُّ‬ ‫ف�َ َ ا ْ نَ َ� َ ا َ ْ � �سِ �ْ تَ‬ ‫� ����َع�ا �ش‬ ‫َ ْ َ ضَ �ق ْ‬ ‫�د �م نَ � ��ل ن��ّ َّ��س�ا‬ ‫ي�� �ب�� ي��م� نٍ� ��ه�ل �� مِ� ع‬ ‫���قٍ  �ي��ع‬ ‫ك �فِ��ي� �م ن� �م���ى ���بي��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�سِ ْ أَ �ذَ ّ ْ أَ ِ ْ ِ‬ ‫أَ �َ ِ َ أَ �نَّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�سِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حٍ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� �� نَ �أ��ْ �د � �م��� �� �ا   ���� �م ت � � ً �َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ج‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل�َم ����تر � ��ي� حِ ي� َ و ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ بِي� ر و�فِ �قِ� بِ ي�ٱ ْ � � �ِل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ َ َّ َ ت ٱ �ْ َ ْ َ‬ ‫َ أ �خْ� شَ ُ � �َ شْ َ أ ْ فُ نَ �‬ ‫�ٱ � َّ ْ َ � َ ْ ّ‬ ‫� �و ���� � م‬ ‫�����ي� � �و �‬ ‫�صِر�� ��ا �ظِ �� ِر��ي �و����ج�س�ا د ِ�ي� �فِ��ي� � � �لو�ج��هِ ك���� �ل��د ر�ه�ِم� �لب����غي��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ِ يِ‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫َ� ْ َ َ � �َ ُ صِ َّ ُ ُ ْ ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع �ٱ ْ� ْ ُ � � ا نْ �ت� َّ‬ ‫َ�آ ُ ُ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل� ِم� �قِ� ي��ةٍ و ���ي� و ��و�ي� �ل� ي��‬ ‫�� �د �ق� ِ��فعي�ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫و ���م بِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت ف ق‬ ‫قف‬ ‫ّة‬ ‫��ا ت���) د ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� �( :‬‬ ‫و� �ه��ذ ه ا �ل ك�‬ ‫ح���� نس�) ورد � �‬ ‫��ل�م��ة‪.‬‬ ‫�� ا �ل ك� ب ور‬ ‫ي� �‬ ‫‪ 1‬ال��ص�ل‪ ����( :‬ع��لى و��صي���� �م���ص�ع ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫‪  ٣‬ال��ص�ل‪�( :‬م� ن�) ورد ي� �‬

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The Zaʿfarān (Saffron) Monastery

And he spoke, when the pincers were plunged in his arsehole, the words of a person who sees no way out: “An honorable man struck by a blow of fate— and which honorable man doesn’t suffer fate’s blows?”142 Another of his poems:143

21.4

Here’s advice from one who’s used his ears and eyes. Follow it and you’ll have good fortune. Be cheerful at a meeting; behave like the best of men and jinn, Prayer beads slipping through your fingers; smother the company with “The Prophet said . . . ,” Preach to them, warn them against what’s forbidden, and accompany your sermon with tears. Get close to the father of your object of love; when his dad calls you friend, you’re well on the way. If you glimpse your proposition in a group and can’t control yourself, just steal a glance. If they notice, drop your gaze, be lost in thought, as if taking a look was the last thing you meant. Hang around young boys, treat them kindly, always creep up to them when you’re tipsy. Follow my advice, lucky fellow. If you take it, you’ll be a philosopher, sure as can be. Here are further poems of his:

21.5

I gave up debauchery, and my critics left me in peace. I’ve taken the prize for perseverance. Yamāni’s son, did you ever hear before of a lover who was reckoned an ascetic? Haven’t you seen me walking, praising God, with the mien of Abū Dharr but debauched as Abū Jahl? I walk humbly, with my eyes on the ground; prostration’s left a mark like a dirham on my forehead. I enjoin what is good, but not out of piety; how could I, when my deeds don’t match my words?

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255

‫� ف ن‬ ‫�ع�مرا �ل�ز �ع�� ار �‬

‫أَقُ �ُ �إِ�ذَ َ ُ ْ ُ َ ْ مٍ أَ�َ ا ٱتَّ َ �َ �عِ َ فُ َ � �َ‬ ‫��حِ َّ ل�َ ُ ْ ��قِ تْ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ���و�ل ا ��م�ا ��ق��ل ت� �ي ��و�� �ا � �ل� � � ���قِ �و� �لْو �� ر��� او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�ا ِ�ل�ي� �ل م يل‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�َ �َ�م ْ َ�َ �ت َ �أ ��ُ �ٱ �� َّ�َا ء �َ َ ��فْ ِ �ت��ى � �َ ��نَ�ْ َ ��ٱ �ْ �أ�ْ���س َ ا �أ �ْ َ ا �حٍ ا �ْ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫و�حب� ر ي� ر س لر� ِ ود ��� ِر�ي و �ع��ل� � �ل� �ح�‬ ‫�جي�ل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� َبِ ٱْ� ُ ِْرُ ُوْ ِر ئِ ٱ � ِرِّ ِْ‬ ‫�ْ هِ ُ َ �ٰ�ِْ ي �َ‬ ‫أَ�ؤُ ُّ فَ ًا �َ ْ َ �هِ َّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �م ����قِ� �ي�ه� �لي����س �� ��م� ِ��ف�ق�� �ه �ول كِ�� �ل�د ���ي�هِ � �ل��مرد �ج ���ت مِ� �‬ ‫ع � ل�����ش��م�ِل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�فَ َ َّ َ ُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫فَ َ ا ُ َّ‬ ‫��حِ�زْ ُ َ ا َ �ضِ‬ ‫� �َم� ْ���غ ُ � ����غِ َ ْ ُت� ��َ�د ��فْ�ِ��ت �ي  ���ل�م�ا ��ث�َ‬ ‫�ن�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�� �هُ ِ���ف�ْع��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ور‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َِ‬ ‫ي ر ب أَ ٍ‬ ‫�ذَ ِّ ُم ْ �ذَ ٱ �ْ ِ قْيِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َا � َ � � �‬ ‫ْ َ‬ ‫� ْ� ٰ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�وك�م � ���مَرٍد � �د ��ق� �ل � اوِ�ل�د ه �ل�ه   �َع�لي��ك ِب���ه� ا �إِ ���ن�ه �ِم� �ِو�ي� ٱ�ْ�ل����ع���ِل‬ ‫�َ ��قِ ْ‬ ‫�َ� ُّ � نْ أ نْ �ُ� َ ا َ َ‬ ‫��َ نْ �فَ َّ � نْ َ� َّ ٱ �ْل َ‬ ‫�ش�ا ���� ًا   ك�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�ي��فِ� ر �بِ�هِ ِم� � � �ي �ع� �����شِ ر ���‬ ‫� ارحِ� �إِ �ل�ى � � �ل� ت��ِل�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�طِ‬ ‫ُ ْ� ر � ْر جِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� ف � َ �� َ‬ ‫�ا َ �َْ أَ �ْ ف َ َ ا ��جِ�زً َ���ن تُ � ُ‬ ‫�فَ�أَ ْ َ ْ ُ ُ �نَ ْ ً‬ ‫��� � ِ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �و��س�ع��ت�ه �ي� ك�‬ ‫�� �و �ل� � � �ل� ��ع� � ا  �وك � �ل�ه �� � ِ �‬ ‫ح� ��ظِ� � �و �ل�ل��‬ ‫ي� ك�� �ل���ب��ع�ِل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ �َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ع�زّ‬ ‫��ا �َ�َّنَ � �� َّ َّ ا ض��ُ �ُم ْ���سَت� ْ � َ �ٱ � � �ْ‬ ‫ِّ�نْتُ��هُ ��� ��ل َّ �فْ� �م نْ ��َ�ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ةٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بِ ر �قِ� ِ � ب ِ �عِ‬ ‫م ي � رو �‬ ‫�و�ل�‬ ‫عِ ب إِ ب �ِل‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ �َ ا �َ ِ ْ ُ� صِ َا� ��َ � مِ تَ ف�َ ُ �ْ تُ �َ َ ا َ ا َ َ � ٱ �ْ �أَْ� أ ْ َ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق�ل� �ل�ه� �م� د ا �م �ي� � �ل�ر�ضِ� � ��مرد‬ ‫�� �ل� ِح�ي� �إِ ل�ى � ��ى ���‬ ‫�و�ق� ��ئِ�ل��ةٍ ����تر�ج �و �‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ف�َ � َ ا �َ تْ ��َ��قَ ْ أ �نْ ضَ ْ تَ � �� غَ َّ َ ا ً َ َ ا َ � ْ نْ تَ � َ ا � ُ َ َّ ُ‬ ‫��س� � ��� �فِ �ي��ه� ���ترد د‬ ‫�ق� �ل� ل �د � ��‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ي��� �فِ�ي� � ل���ي� �ج�� َهِ� �د ا  رك� ئِ�� ب� �فِ قٍ�‬ ‫� نَشْ َ ْ َ نَ شْ ��فَ َ ا أ َ� ُ َ ا َ َ َ� تَّ َنْ�فِ َ ٱ � �َّ ْ ُ َ ْ �فَ ُ‬ ‫أَتَ ْ‬ ‫ك�� ِ�ل�����ءٍ ب����ع�د ����ءٍ ��م� � رى ب��ك� ء ك ح�ى ��ي ��� �د � �ل�د �هر ��ي����ن �د‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ب ِ‬ ‫نِ َ ََّ أَ ��فْ سِ ُ‬ ‫أَ َ ا �َ ي �َ ْ �َ ا ٱْ�ُ ْ ُ أَ �ْ�صَ��ْ تُ َ ا ً ُ ُ أَ ْ �َ ُ‬ ‫� ��ع� �ذِ �ل � �لو�ل� � �ل��مرد � بح� ��ع� ��بِ� �د ا ���ه�م � �ه�ل �‬ ‫ك او ِدي� ��ي� َ�ع��ل�ي� � �و ���َ �د � او‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�خُ� شُ � أَ�َ ا � �ل�زُّ ْ ��ص�ْ تُ �ز َ ُ‬ ‫َ َ ا � أنَا ��ٌ �زَ ً نَ أ �ْ �صِ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د ��ع� �ي� � � س هِ� �د ِ�‬ ‫���و �ي� �ل� �ي� �ه ِ�د بح� �ه�د‬ ‫�� رو  ‬ ‫ح�ي� ب��‬ ‫�ِْ أَ �فِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫نَ َ ْ �نُِ َ� ُ تَ ْ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�خُ شُ َ َ‬ ‫َ ا نًا َ َ ُ � ْ َ ُ‬ ‫�ا � َ �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�� ت� �ل��ه� ْم �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و �م ك�‬ ‫ع او �قِ ب� ��ح�م�د‬ ‫ي �وِ�ل�لر ��قِ� � �‬ ‫ح�� �� � �‬ ‫ح ت� � �‬ ‫�� �يِ� ِ�د �‬ ‫ح� ي‬ ‫�� ب‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫تَ �شِ َّ ْ تُ � ُّ َّ َٱ � �حِ ْ ُ ُ�خ ْ عِ ةٌ َ َ َ ْ تُ � تّ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ َ ّ تُ َ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ��� �ل�ز ��ه�ا د � �و ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫����‬ ‫� �َ �و �ل��كف� ���ْ���ع�ق�د‬ ‫���‬ ‫� ر ب� ��د �� ��  �وراء ��ي� �بِ� �ل����سبِحِي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب � بِ‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ‬ ‫ُ ُّ‬ ‫�حِ َ�ا �� َ�ا د � �ِ��ف� َ�ا � َ�د ٌ�ة   � �ٱ�لْ�ُ��م ْ دُ �َ�ا �ٱ �ْ نَ َ���َ�ا �أ ��فْ سِ ُ�د � ا د ��نِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ةٍ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ�ك�ل‬ ‫بِ ُ ِ نٍ�‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫ِْ ي�‬ ‫نٍ‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫�ْ �تَْ�َ� �َ��ْ َ َ ا �أ خْ�َ� �ٱ � ْ�س��تَ � ْ تُ � َ ا ��فِ ��َ ْ َ َ �ْ�ه � عِ َ � نِ � َ�أ �ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ِ�� بِ��ه�  لي����س د � ِر ي� �� ��ل�ى ِدي ��ي� ِب��م� �مو نِ�‬ ‫ك��م ��وب�ةٍ ب ع�د �ه� رى � ب‬

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‫‪٦،٢١‬‬

‫‪٧،٢١‬‬

The Zaʿfarān (Saffron) Monastery

If I say something once, I say, “Surely, you should fear God,” but if they knew what I was like they’d have the right to kill me. My inkwell and notebook are the height of hypocrisy, my sandals at dawn and my feet on the move. I frequent a jurist not for his rulings but because he’s collected a bevy of boys. My scholarly comportment has fooled so many! When resolution makes them bend, they’re faced with my acts. Many a boy has heard his father say, “Let this man teach you, he’s a superior intelligence.” He consents to his son going about with a rogue like one who flees from wounding to certain death. I’ve fucked him and fucked him, never found wanting; I’ve been like a mule, holding back, then letting loose, And I’ve treated him gently after rough handling, as a trainer is gentle with an unruly camel. Ask a woman who hopes to reform me, “How long still?”

21.6

“I’ll carry on as long as there are boys in the world.” “Your transgression’s exhausted debauchery returning to sin time and again. Do you weep for one calf and then for another? I guess you’ll be weeping till the end of time.” “You blame me, but if not for boys I’d be a hermit; they’ve brought me to sin and ruined my faith. Men have called me ascetic, seeing my humility, but I’ve renounced abstinence, I’m no ascetic. Beneath humility’s cloak I’ve set my snares. Cunning can bring praiseworthy fruits. I wear an ascetic’s disguise, but ‘deception’s part of warfare.’144 While I seem to tell my beads, my hand’s out for a deal.” Life without religion is corrupt, Yamāni’s son, and boys have ruined my religion. How many acts of repentance I’ve performed! Yet my fate’s not secure against my religion.

257

257

21.7

‫� ف ن‬ ‫�ع�مرا �ل�ز �ع�� ار �‬

‫َ َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�َ أَ ِّ‬ ‫�م�تْ��نِ� �ٱ ��ّ�� � ��نَ�فْ� سِ�� ت�خ�ََّ �ُ �هُ  �منْ ُ�ه ْ ���ِ��ب�غ�ْ َ�د ا دَ �َ ْ�ً�ا �ُ ��ذْ ُت ���ٱ ��ل��َّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �لْو � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أَ �ي� �ذِ ي� �ي� ُ �و��ف ِ �� �م بِ‬ ‫ي �و ٱ ْ � بِ � ص نِ‬ ‫َ �قِ ْ َ � �ْ تُ �خَ ً نْ ت َ‬ ‫�فَ � � َّ نْ ُ ُ ْ � َ ْ‬ ‫�ص� �ُ نْ�����ينِ‬ ‫�ج�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِ ي�‬ ‫�و �د ���سٱ� �ل� ��بِ �يَ ْرا ِم� � َ ِ هِ‬ ‫ُ ْ ُ ٱ �ْ ُ ُ نِ� أَ ْ �َ ْ َ ٱ � ُّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ص�� � �� �لَ ا نٌ� �تَ��ل�� نُ ��ل�َ‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ل ��� ��ل� َّ‬ ‫ف�َ���َ‬ ‫�ق�� �ل‬ ‫�ص��ل ب� � � �ل�‬ ‫ه�ا  �‬ ‫� � �و �مٌر �لي����س �بِ�� �ل��د �و نِ�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ َ ا � �ُ �ذْ �� ْ ت �ٱ ّٰ ُ �ْ تُ ��َهُ �َ نْ ��ل � نَ �ٱ�لْ�ُ ْ � �ٱ �ْ � ْ‬ ‫ح َا � يُ�ن����ينِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� للهِ ��ق�ل‬ ‫�و��ق� ��ئِ� �ل �ع� بِ ��ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ُ ل�   م� ِ�ي� ِم� ��مرِد �فِ�ي� َّ �لإِ� رِم �جِ ي�‬ ‫ِ�ي ِ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ �بِ َ تْ‬ ‫ُ �ثُ ٌ ����ث تْ � َ ا � �ز ٌ �َ �ق��ف� تُ �ن ْ ا �لِ نْ‬ ‫�ْح ��� ����يِ �م��ينِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ا �� �د �‬ ‫ب� لِي � بِ�� ر و � � ب � بِ َظِ� رِ �ي�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�حِ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�� َ ْ ُ‬ ‫َ نْ � �إِ�ذَ َ‬ ‫ُ َ ُْ‬ ‫� �ُ �م �� �� َ ��� �َ‬ ‫ط او فِ���هِ� �مِ �ه ن��ا ك ��ي ب� ِ�د �ي� ��ِ�م�ي�ِر�ي� ك��ل �مك ن��و نِ�‬ ‫�م� ِ�ل�ي� ا را � َو�نِي� �فِي�‬ ‫َ � َ ٱْ�ُ ْ �ّ ا ٱ ّٰ ُ َ ْ‬ ‫َ ُّ ٱْ�َ َ ا � َ ٰ � هٰ ٱ �� َّ ��‬ ‫�� ُ�منِ‬ ‫طَ‬ ‫�م�ا �ل�� �م ن � �ل��م د �ل� � لله �ي��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫� رب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ُِي ِ � رِ �إِ‬ ‫ّ �نِي�َ و َ وٱ و سِ نِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ�ق ْ‬ ‫���نْ تُ � ٱ � نُّ ْ � �قَ ْ َ ٱ �ْ َْ �ُمن��غ�َ ًا َشُ ُ ُ�َ ل� ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��د ك� � �فِ�ي� � �ل����س� ِك ب���ل � �لي ��و�ِم ِ�م��س�  ي� �‬ ‫���و ب� ب‬ ‫ح�ي� �ه�م س�م� �ب� نِ� ���سِ �ي�ِري� نِ�‬ ‫ُ ٌّ � ُ َّ �نَ ّ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫أَ ْ نُ عِ ْ تَ ّ َ شْ ُ ُ ْ َ‬ ‫��خِ َّ � �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� د � ��و ب���� �� � ����ً �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫لِ�ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و ����م�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ح �‬ ‫�ق��ِ���ه‬ ‫�ل قِ��‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٱ ْ آ ِ ي نِ� فََ قِ ي�‬ ‫�ذِٱيْ� ِ نِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ ْ تَ غْ ُ ٱ ّٰ َ َٱ � ّتَقْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��فَ � � � نَ تُ ْ تُ‬ ‫ح��ْ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫���فِ� ر � لله � �و �ل ���� ي��� ��� � ل‬ ‫�ر��ي � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل� � ��ب��‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي� �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�بِ ل �فِي‬ ‫نِ‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ‬ ‫َنَقُّ‬ ‫�َْ أ ْ َ ً �َ َ ْ عٍ �َ َ َ‬ ‫��نَّ َ َ ْ تُ �ل ْ‬ ‫�صِ �هِ  �ل� � �ب�� ِك ر ْ����س�م�ا �َو�ل�ا بر���� �ا �َو�ل�ا د ا را‬ ‫� ���س�ٍم �فِ��ي� ت�� ����‬ ‫�إِ �ي� ب��ك�ي � ِ�جِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫أْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�قٍ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫� ْ َ‬ ‫�ف ّ‬ ‫َ � َ ا ��� � �ٱ �خْ� � َ ا �� � تَ �ّ‬ ‫���� �لغ����ص� �ي�� � �لف� ���س�ا � �ا �َو ش���ّ ����ط�ا را‬ ‫�ر�‬ ‫�هِ ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و���ش� ِطر �ذِ ي� �ِتي�� ٍل �فِ�ي� � ك‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ ا �ْ تُ ٍ َ نْ ُ َ ْ‬ ‫� ٱ ْ��‬ ‫ن َ ا َ ْ �َ ا نُهُ �ل���ل َّ ْ َ َ‬ ‫� �َ ا ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حق� �إِ �ن�ك�ا را‬ ‫ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص� ر ِعر�ف� � ِ‬ ‫�م� �زِ �ل� �ع��ه ِب��م ك‬ ‫�ري� و�خِ �دعِ �إِ �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� ً أَ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ�ق ا تَ ْ تُ َ قْ َ ٱ �ْ فَ تَ � � َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���خِ ْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �� � ���قرُ�ع�َه�ا  ��� �ل‬ ‫�� ���ل�‪� � � � � � 1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ْ�مر � ت��بِ��ُ�ع�ه�ا �ِش���ْ��عرا �َ �و ْ����سَ�م�ا را‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ع���ل ل��ى �بِ� ل ٱ َّسِ ِْ‬ ‫بِ �قِ ِٱ � َّ أَ‬ ‫عٍ أ َْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��جِ تَ هُ َ َ ضَ ن ْ ُ ْ َ ا ا َ َ َ‬ ‫حتَّ �إِ�ذَ ا �َ �ا �ٱ �ْ ت‬ ‫َ�‬ ‫�سَ��َع�ا َر � ��ل��ل ْ���ُ �م�ه‬ ‫��ص�ا را‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ��  �َو� ب���� � �ل ��و�م � ����س�م� �� � � �و �ب��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ ْ تُ أ �ْم ش َ َ ٱ ��ْ َ� ِّ ْ أ �ْ ُ‬ ‫��َ�م شْ ُ ْ �َت � �� � ِّ ْ أ َ َ‬ ‫��ك��ف�ي�� �ِ�لم ُ���س�ه   ك� ����� �م���س� ِر� ِل�‬ ‫دب��ب��� � ِ����� �ع��ل� �‬ ‫ل����س�م� � ْ����سرا را‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫َي ى‬ ‫ٱ َّ يِ ْ قٍَ ٱ ْ آ ِ‬ ‫ع أَ‬ ‫َ نِ َ َ‬ ‫َ َ ُْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ُُ َ � َ‬ ‫�َوك�ّر ي��م ش����قُ� ��ي� � ْقِر����ط�ا �ِ�س�هِ ��ق��ِ��مل‬ ‫ي  �َ �و �ل��ل�ْ��ي�ل �م�� �ل� �ع��ل� � �ل�� ��ف�ا �قِ� � � ْ��ستَ��ا را‬ ‫�‬ ‫قٍ ى‬ ‫�فِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫� ّ فَ تَ ْ تُ‬ ‫��‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ٯ�ا ى�ل�ٮ؛ عوا د‪�� :‬ا ��ل‬

‫‪258‬‬

‫‪258‬‬

‫‪٨،٢١‬‬

The Zaʿfarān (Saffron) Monastery

Were it to protect me from what I fear of them in Baghdad, I’d seek refuge in China. I asked a well-informed merchant about China. He gave me a glowing description: In China there are boys to soften any heart, of every kind, and fine ones too. Some have advised me, “Take refuge in God’s House,”145 but who will save me from boys in pilgrim’s garb? When buttocks appear swathed in wrappers, I stand erect if someone looks my way. What can I do? If they crowd round me at the Kaaba, all my secret thoughts are revealed. What have I to do with boys? May God protect me, Lord of the Qurʾan, its surahs and verses. I was immersed before in self-denial, hiding my desire, as pious as Ibn Sīrīn. My God-fearing eyes spoke of love as I approached every supple boy with pure and pious cheeks. Now repentant, I only look at them, and, God forgive me, steal a kiss from time to time. I don’t cry over ruined campsites or pastures; I lament for my body as it declines. A smart fellow, his distaste seductive, a pliable branch, friend of perverts and scoundrels, I kept at him with cunning and deceit till the Truth he’d recognized he came to deny. I fought with his mind, in my arms cups full of wine, following them up with poems and sweet talk Until the night had laid claim to his spirit and sleep had closed his eyes and ears. Then I crept my way toward him, like someone stealing overheard secrets. My pen ran back and forth in his parchment, while night’s curtains hid the horizon.

259

259

21.8

‫� ف ن‬ ‫�ع�مرا �ل�ز �ع�� ار �‬

‫َ‬ ‫ف�َ � َ ا �َ َ� ّاَ ٱ نْ��جِ َ َ� نْ َ ْ َ َ نٌ َ �قِ ْ َ أ ت َّ �ةً �ُ َّ ْ آ َ َ‬ ‫�ح��ل ت� �َ �و �ث�ا را‬ ‫�ق� �ل �لم� � � ��ل�ىع� �ع�ي �نِ �هِ �و��س�  �و� �د ر� �ى �ِ�ك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� ث ��ق ْ �َ ْ �� ُ ق نَ ����س َ َ‬ ‫َ َ َ �‬ ‫َّ �‬ ‫َ ْ ُ‬ ‫�ح�ا را‬ ‫حوا ِد � �د ي����طر��� �‬ ‫�ي�ا را ��قِ �د � �ل��ل�ْ��ي�ِل �م����سر �ورا �بِ�� �وِ�ل�هِ �إِ � � ل�‬

‫� أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و�ل�ه � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ ٱ ْ َأْ‬ ‫نْ ُ ْ‬ ‫َ ُ غْ َ‬ ‫� تََ �ذّ �ْ تُ َ ا َ نَ ْ �ِ � ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�فٍ� �ع��ل� � ��ل ك�‬ ‫� � ��‬ ‫�ص�ا � �ِم ن� ���ظ���هِرِه‬ ‫��� ��سِ �ِم� ��س ك‬ ‫��رهِ  ��ب�� �ل� �م� �‬ ‫وَم ْ ى‬ ‫�َ ْ أَ َ �َّ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ��ق ِّ � ُ ُ‬ ‫ا ئ� ت ْ ��ق ْ � � َ �ل ْ ض�� ا َ ��ث� ْ‬ ‫�و ��ب�ل ه‬ ‫��ت� �مِ� ��م� ��ي� ��ب�ل�ةٍ �و�م �ٱ ْر � �إِ �ل� ��ع��ل�ى أَ���غ���عِرهِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ �أ �ْ �زِ�زْ عِ َّ � َ ا �سِ ّ � � نَ � � � ��ق َ ا عِ � ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي  ِم� �ل� ��تِ �د ِر �� ��ل� ���م‬ ‫و ��ع �� �� �‬ ‫�م� �� ر�نِ��‬ ‫���مِرهِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫إِ‬ ‫ل�� ِب َ‬ ‫��فِ �َ َّ ا تَ �ِ ي َّ َ أ �ْ ْ ُ ُ � نَ ٱ ��ْ�غَ ْ � َ خ�ْ ُ ُ� � نْ � ْ‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�ل��م� ���نب��ه � ب��‬ ‫���صِ ر���ت�   ِمٰ� ل ي��ظِ� ي ر�ج َِم� �قِ �����شِرهِ‬ ‫َُّ ُ َّ ن‬ ‫َ ا نَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ�ق ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ �قْ ��ا‬ ‫ي �َو�ل ِ ن ه � � �‬ ‫�و��د ك� � �فِ��ي� ��س� يِ��هِ ك�� د �نِ���‬ ‫ك�� رد �فِ�ي� ��ح��حِرهِ‬

‫� أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و�ل�ه � �ي� ض�‬

‫ْ‬ ‫�ْ َ فُ َ ٱ ّٰ فَ‬ ‫َ أَُّ ٱْ� ُ ْ ُ �قِ ْ �نَ َ ْ تُ �َ ُ‬ ‫��ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ا � ��َ‬ ‫��ض�َ ��نِ����قَ�م��ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ه�ا � �ل��مرد � �د ����ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح� �ل ك�‬ ‫ِ هِ‬ ‫�خ� ��و ِم� للهِ �� ل‬ ‫ي ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ ِ �َا ْ َ ٌ َتَا َ‬ ‫��ا نَ َّ ِ ْ ��‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫طَ ��ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ ا ���س���ط� � ���مرد � �و� ه �� ��ل�ى ��ع� ِ�����قِ� �هِ ك�� � �غِ� ب� ���س� �وِ هِ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ نْ َ ْ َ ثَ ٱ ٰ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫��جِ‬ ‫َ�ا ��� ��هِ �ش���ْ��عًرا � ُ ْ� �����ط��� � َ�ا ءَ ب��ه‬ ‫� � ّللهُ ��� ��م‬ ‫� �����ب�ع‬ ‫� ِت�هِ�‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫ي فِ ي� �ضِ�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ�ُ ي ُ ٱ ْ أَ �فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� ْت  �ذ �ن � ُ هُ � �ُ‬ ‫� �يِ ت‬ ‫��خ ُ �و �� ِل‬ ‫عق �� ���بِ ��ة � �ل���ْ��مرد � ��ل�� �� ك�‬ ‫���ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ِ��هِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫� �و‬ ‫ِ �ذِ ي‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫ِج‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ُنْ�ُ � �َّ ا ُ �َ ْ َ �َ �ْ � � َ � ْ تََ َ ُ �‬ ‫�ِ ف َت‬ ‫طو��ِل �‬ ‫�صْ او �بِ� �� �‬ ‫��ي � كِ��ره � �ل�ن� ��س ب��ع�د م��عِر �ةٍ  �و �د � �� او � �‬ ‫��ج� �� �وِ�هِ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�ذَ نَ ُّ ٱ �ْ � �ٰ �قَ َ ُ ُ �قِ ْ أَنْ َ َ ْ ُ ُ ُ نُ �خْ َ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ه�ه� ا ِب� ��‬ ‫� � �لإِ� �ل�هِ ��ْ�ب��لك�  � �د � ��ك�ر���ت�ه ��عي ��و� �إِ �� �وتِ هِ�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أَ م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ نَ‬ ‫َ ْ َ أَ�ْلَ ُ � ُ‬ ‫َ �َ ْ َ ُ أْ نَ ُ‬ ‫ح ْ نُ �َ �ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ب��ك�ر � �و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ����ظ�ه �بِ ���فِ� ت���ِت�هِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫� بوأَ��ع َ�د ه ي � � و نَ هِ بِ� َ ٍ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ �ْ نَ ��ْ � �‬ ‫َ�ا ُ ه �َ �خ�� ��ُ�ت�هُ  �َ ��ق ْ���ت �ى��ل�ه � �لم ْ تَ �ِ ْ َ ت‬ ‫� �وي � ب‬ ‫�خ���ط ���ط ر و‬ ‫و‬ ‫��ب���ل�ى بِ���نب �� �وِ�هِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ�ق ْ َ� ��ق َ َ � �� ّ‬ ‫حْ ت � ْ َت‬ ‫�ص ْ�د غ �ف��ْ �ق� �َ �جْ��نَت��هِ  َ�ع��ل ��َ�َ‬ ‫�ي�ا ��� �ِم نْ� �‬ ‫�د ع رب� ل�‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ح���مر�ِ�هِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ضٍ‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫َ َ َ َ ٱ � َّ � َ ْ َ �عِ�زَّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�عِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �� �مِ��هِ‬ ‫��ص� ر �ع��ل�ى � �ل��ن� ��سِ ب���ع�د �� �ِ�ت�هِ �مِ� ���ل ���ق�عي����سٍ بِ����ب� بِ‬

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The Zaʿfarān (Saffron) Monastery

When the sleep cleared from his eyes and he saw his undone pants and the stains, He said, “You watcher, happy as night falls, disasters may happen at dawn.”146 A boy so drunk he lolled over his cup,

21.9

I paid out freely to keep him afloat. I gave him kisses two hundred times, accepting nothing but his mouth. What joy it was when at last I took him and possessed him. When he came to, I saw that he was beside himself with fury. He’d tricked me when he poured the wine, but he paid for it when he was slaughtered. You beardless boys, here’s some advice: Fear God’s engulfing vengeance. If a boy’s haughty and spurns his lover, his power will come to an end When God grows hair on his face, dimming the light of his splendor. The boy who’s committed many sins is punished with a beard, People who knew him ignore him, in league to give him the cold shoulder. Long before you, the prophet of God was looked down on by his brothers.147 And then Abū Bakr,148 where’s his lovely face, and his so-seductive glances, His swaying walk, his arrogance, his murder of his lovers with rejection, His locks curled scorpion-like over his temples, his skin lily white with a hint of pink? After his moment of glory, he’s become a wretch in the rain with nowhere to go.149

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‫ُ� أَ ْ‬ ‫ح �����ش�ا‬ ‫ع���م � �‬ ‫ر �وي‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ت ف � أَ ْ� ش ا ا � ّ ا �ن ّ ة ��‬ ‫ن �ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫����� �ة �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫� �و ������س�ي ر � �‬ ‫حِوي�����َ �ب� �ل��س �ري� �ي��� ا ب‬ ‫ح�ي����س و�ه� �مر ب ��سعر� و�سعر� ‪ 1‬م�د �ي �� ب ي ر �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�� ا ئ ة‬ ‫ظ� ف‬ ‫�ز ن‬ ‫� ا � �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز ن ا ��‬ ‫دي� ر ب� ك‬ ‫��ر �ب �� رب� � ر � �و لع�مر �م ���ط�ل �ع��ل�ى � ر � �و�ه�و كب���ي�ر �ع ���ي�� �ي��ه � بر�ع�م� ��� را �ه ب� ��ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� مق ��ث �ة � ف �� �ل�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ح �ل�ه ���س�ا �ت�� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق�ل�ا ��ل�� �و�‬ ‫��ر�و� �و�ه�و ��� �ن��ه�ا �ي�� ا �ل�ع�م�ا ر�ة �و�‬ ‫ي� �وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا�لم�و��� �وك���ر ا � �ل �� او ك���ه � او �م�ور‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫عث أ‬ ‫ن ظ ��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح� ء‪� .‬و �ل�ى �ج�� � ب��ه‬ ‫�وي �ح��م�ل �م��ه ا �مر �إ �ل�ى ا�لم�د � ا�لم� �ك�ور ‪� � .‬وب�� �ر�ه �ع��ي� عي��م�� ���د�ير ��ل� � � ر�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ُ� �ف ��ن ا �� � � � �ذ ا ا ��ل�ع � �ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ّ �م �ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��� ��ل��لت���ن�زّه ف���ه � او ��ل ش��� �‪ � .‬او ���خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫���ل�ع�ا ء‬ ‫م‬ ‫�هر لرو و�ه� �مر م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���هر �ي عر� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫رب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� � ن أ�غ‬ ‫� او�لمت� ��ط ّ �ر ��و� � ���ل ب� �ع��لي��ه �م ن� � �ه��ل�ه‪.‬‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �ّ ّ ا � ّ‬ ‫� ا ��ل ش����ا �عر ف�ي��ه‬ ‫د‬ ‫�و�ل�لب�� ي‬ ‫أُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا � � ٱ �ْ�غُ ُ‬ ‫َ ْ َ‬ ‫ك �هِ� َّ�م�� َك �م نْ � �نَ�ا‬ ‫�د �َّو �َو��� � ��ل َّ �َ او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫سٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�فِ���تي��ا نٍ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٱفٍ �فِي�‬ ‫خِ‬ ‫َِ �‬ ‫�فِي ْر حِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫نَ َ ْ تُ ْ َ ْت ُ ٱ � ّ ْ ُ ْقً َ ضَ ْ ُ � ُّ ْ ْ‬ ‫�َ ن�َ�ا �‬ ‫� �َ �مق��ُ � �ُ �ل‬ ‫���ه��ض‬ ‫��وء � �ل�ب�ص�‬ ‫� � ب�� �م �و���سِ ��ر � �ل��ل���ي�ِل �م�� �ل��ى �و� �‬ ‫�صو�ص � َ�ج حِ‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫َِ �هِ أَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫��قِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��غِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� َ‬ ‫�نَ�ؤُ�ُّ � � ْ��ي � � � َ ا ���غِ�ز‬ ‫���� � �ل� َ�م � ��ل��ل�َ‬ ‫�ي�ا �‬ ‫� �ل‬ ‫حُ ْ��س ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� م �بِ� �د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫حِو ����ش� �‬ ‫�ا ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫ِرٱ ُ � ي‬ ‫َ َ َِي ٱ � نِ� َ ٱ �ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ف ��ف ْ نَ ا � � ِّ َ ا � َ َ � � ِّ‬ ‫َ َ ا ��بِ ْ نَا �� ّ َ � ش �قٍ �‬ ‫��صَ��ا �‬ ‫��صب�� �م�‬ ‫��ْو� �ا �إِ �ل�ْ�ي�هِ  �� او ��ي�� ل�‬ ‫�وك� � �د �� � ل��سرى � �‬ ‫ع ل� ٱ َب حِ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��نِ�زَ �ْ َ ا مِ نْ �ًا َ‬ ‫ح سِ نًا ��قٍا � َ ا نَ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫هَ ا هُ � ِ��م�ْ��ع�ُ �م َر � ��ل نّ��َ ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل��ن� �� ���زِ �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ِب‬ ‫�و‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫و وحِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫َ َ ٱ �ْ َ ْ � �ل� � َ � �ٱ ْ‬ ‫��قَ �سِ‬ ‫��� ْ�م�َ�ا �ٱ ��ْلَ �ْ�ق تَ �� � ���ٱ�غْ� � َ‬ ‫�ص��� �َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ب�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�لِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫قٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �فِ هِ ِ �تِ ب � َل�ى و هِ يحِ وِ طِ حِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ِ� َ ْ �َ ا َ ْ نَ َ ْ‬ ‫�س�ا �� ُ�د �نَ�ا فِ��� َ‬ ‫حٍ �َ � �ْ �تَ�ا �تُ���س�� َ‬ ‫��ص�ا �‬ ‫َ�ا � �َو َرا �‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫نٍ‬ ‫ٱ َ حِ‬ ‫��ظ�لل�ن� ‪� ٢‬ب�ي��ٱ ري‬ ‫أُ ٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ � َ�ا �ِ���ع�فِ� نَ��ا � ��ل�زّ� َ�ا ن � َ�ا � َ دْ �نَ�ا   ��فِ �� ��ْ �َ�ا ��� �� �ل�فِ� � � َ�ا � �َ ��� ��لن��َ‬ ‫�ج�ا �‬ ‫و��س‬ ‫�م � ِب��م ر‬ ‫� حِ‬ ‫ب�ن بِ �فلحِ وِب‬

‫أ‬ ‫� ن �ذ � ّ ّ ُ� نّ أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�نا‬ ‫ح�م�د � ن �ح�مّ�م��د �م ن ��� ّ ا‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫�وك���ا � �ه� ا ا �ل��لب��ا د �ي� �ي ك‬ ‫����ى � �ب�ا ب� ك‬ ‫حه�م �و �و�ي�‬ ‫ط�� ب� ا �ل�� ��س �و�م�ل� � �‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫��ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫� ا ن �ة ���خل ا ة �ُ ّ � � ّ ا ّ � �أنّ‬ ‫���ا ن� ���ل���� � ���دًا �ع��ل ��ث��ا ��ه ��ل��ا دًا � �‬ ‫ح�مر‪.‬‬ ‫ا�جم� �� � او‬ ‫��ل� �ع��‪� .‬و��س�مي� ا �ل�لب�� د �ي� �ل� ��ه ك� �ي ب س ب �ى ي ب ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫�ظ َ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪ �� :‬نل��ا‪.‬‬ ‫‪ 1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ب���س�عو ب� و��س�عو ب�‪   ٢ .‬ك‬

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‫‪٢،٢٢‬‬

The Monastery of Aḥwīshā (the Anchorite)

Aḥwīshā is a Syriac word meaning “anchorite.” This monastery is by Siirt, a

22.1

large town in the Diyarbakir region near Arzan, and it overlooks Arzan. It is enormous, with four hundred monks living in cells. Orchards and vineyards surround it; it is flourishing, beautifully situated, and well supplied with fruit and wines. The wine is sent to the cities mentioned above to be sold. Close to the monastery is a large spring whose water powers three mills, and next to it flows a river called the Byzantines’ River.150 People from all over visit this monastery to relax and drink, and revelers and pleasure-seekers in fact outnumber the residents. The poet al-Lubbādī composed these verses on it: With young men better than any, light in their movements and cheerful, I set off when night’s curtain was drawn, and the wings of the morning’s light clipped. We sought a gazelle at the Anchorite’s Monastery, of wondrous beauty, a silvery moon. For longing for him we bore the night journey, and we saw his matinal charm as dawn broke. We lodged in a fine and elegant dwelling richly supplied with all our needs. We toasted his face in the morning; in the evening we toasted it again, Between scented basil, wine, and the lute, its strings giving voice to our delight. Fate granted us what we wanted; success and prosperity were ours. Al-Lubbādī’s full name was Abū Bakr Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad. He was a very pleasant and good-looking fellow, frivolous and dissipated. He earned the nickname “al-Lubbādī” because he always wore a red felt over his clothes.

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22.2

‫أ‬ ‫ح � ش����ا‬ ‫�ع�م � �‬ ‫ر �وي‬

‫أ‬ ‫�ذ�� أ ّ � �أ � ّ أ نّ ��ا ن ت�ق �ّ � أ ْ‬ ‫�ق ا � ف� �ق ّ � ت ��ف ��ق ت ن � � �ق ا ت ش ن‬ ‫ك�ر � ب� ��و�ع��ل�ي� ا �ل��وا ر�ج �ي� � ��ه ك�� � ��ي �� �ل�د � رد ب��ي���ل �� �ل ����س ��ط� �ي� �و � �م� ا �ل��و�� � �ع���ري��‬ ‫�ق أ � ف� ف‬ ‫ّ �ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �ق ه ا ��لت�ق‬ ‫�أ �� �ف � ن ا ا ��� �� ف‬ ‫��ا ن� �ي��م ن ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��س� ��ط ا �ل��لبّ��ا د �ي� �ه� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ� د �ي �� ر ب� ع�د ل م �ى‬ ‫وأ م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�إ�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�� � ا ��س� ه � ش � � ن ا ا � ا � � �� ن ا � �ن ا � ا � � ا � � � ا � ���س خ� �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف ك‬ ‫� ب� ب� م� ع���رو� د �ي �� ر أ‪ � .‬ل ب�ي �� � �ج � لأ��س �ي� ل�دي ��و � �ر�ج د ���لأ �ع��ل�ي�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ا �ز �‬ ‫ح�م �و�ع�م�ا �م��ة �‬ ‫� �ا �‬ ‫ر ج��� ��ق�د ���ط��ّ ن �و�ج� �ه�ه �� ���ط�� ن � �‬ ‫ح�م ار ء �و��ي��ده � ك�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ع�� � ح�مر‬ ‫ح�مر �و�ع�لي��ه �لب�� د � ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ني� �ف ّ‬ ‫خ �فّ ن أ‬ ‫أ ن ش ��ف �ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص �د �ة �ع�م��له�ا ��ق�ا ��ل ف��ه�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ���ف� ر�ج���ل��ه � � �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� � � � ح�م ار � ��سل��م �و�و� ��� � �وب��د � �ي�������د �ي� �� �ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ٱ ُّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ ْ َ‬ ‫��ا نَ ٱ �ْ �أ �ُ ٱ ��فْ � َ‬ ‫��َ � �ٱ ��لنَّ َ‬ ‫�ص�ا‬ ‫�ق�ا ٌر ��ل�ى � ��ل ش����َعَا ِء ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�� ن� ك�� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ �إِ‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�فِ ِم‬ ‫�َئِ�قِ ْ أَ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ �أََّا ُ �حِ تَّ �َ�قِ ْ َ َ ٱ �ْ َُ قَ نَ ٱ �ْ� َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� � � �� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ل� �د � �ود � �� �هِ � �ل� �ي� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ى ل� �د را �م � ل�ع ار � ِم� � ل كِ��ل� ب ِ‬ ‫�بِ‬ ‫م‬

‫‪٣،٢٢‬‬

‫ف ف ث ّ أ�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�ي �د �ت�ه‬ ‫ا �ل ش����ا �عر‪� .‬ر���عت��ه �� ��س�� �لت��ه �ع ن� ���‬ ‫م‬

‫ف� �ق � ت � ن �ذ ��ق ا � �ذ أ � � ّ ّ‬ ‫�� �ل� م� �ه� ا � �ل� او �ه� ا � ب� ��و ب� ك‬ ‫��ر ا �ل��لب��ا د �ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ذ �ئ ّ‬ ‫���ف� � �‬ ‫ح�م�د ب� ن� �‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا�لم�ا را ��ي� �و�خ�ب��ره �م�ع�ه‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ف �ق ا � � ق ت ف ت ا ئً ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو �ق�ز �و� ن� �ف��و�ق��ف� ت� ��ل�ه �ع��ل� ��ط �ر��ق�ه �خ���ل�ف� ج��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫حر �ب��ه� ا‬ ‫� � ل �ي� ��‬ ‫�ص�د � ��و�ج�أ� � ��س� ر � ي‬ ‫ى �ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ز� ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� ا ��ل���ذ �� ت� ار ه �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫� ���ل�م�ا � � د �ن�ا �م��ي� �ر�ج� ت� �إ �لي��ه ��� ��ل ت�‬ ‫ا� ي ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫صِ َّ َ‬ ‫��َا ِ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫��م� ���ترى �‬ ‫�� �ي ر�نِ��‬ ‫ف � �ذ‬ ‫����ق�ا �ل �م�ا ا‪.‬‬ ‫ف �ق‬ ‫��� ��ل ت�‬

‫�ِ ْ �� � ��� َ ا َ �ٱ �� �َّ �َ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ �‬ ‫ق���طعِ�ي� قِ ��فَ� ْ ِر ل�د نِ�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫أَ �قْ ِ �� ُ َ ا َ � ْ ً َ َ � ْ ً � � ُّ‬ ‫����سَ � �ت��� ����ط�ُ�ع�نِ‬ ‫� ����ط��ع�ه� �� �‬ ‫طورا �و �� �‬ ‫طو  را �بِ� �ل رى‬ ‫َ �ي�‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَ ْ � َ َ سِ َّا �قِ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � سِ�� �ْ� � َ�ا ��ل ْ ت�خ‬ ‫� ����سر ي� �ع��ل� ��� ب�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ةٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي�ثِِر ٱم نِ�‬ ‫ى َ‬ ‫�َ ا �تَ��ْ��ع �فُ �ٱ �����ذُّ ��ّ �ََ ا � َ�د تْ ��� ن�ْ � ��ل َّ��سَ‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫� ل ل ل   � �ب �‬ ‫� ٱ ْر نِ�‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ِر ُ َو ً �قِ �َ ي َ ِ يِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫حَ��سَ‬ ‫� � ْ���س�َ�ع �ب��َه�ا ���م�ْ�ع��ت��س��ف �ا �لي�ْ‍    ��ك �َ�ا ابْ� نَ � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ِ‬ ‫ �إِ‬ ‫ىِ‬ ‫ي � ٱ َ نِ�‬ ‫عِ َ ُ ُ � � � ��ل�زّ�َ‬ ‫�ُم ْ��� تَ�ْ �ًا ��فِ �أ �ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫س���ع ِ�دي� � �ع ِ�د �نِ��ي �� ��ل� �‬ ‫���صرو فِ‬ ‫� م نِ�‬ ‫فَ �قَ ْ َ َ َّ ٱ � ُّ ْ أَ ْ َ ى� َ َ شْ ُ ُ‬ ‫ك�نِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�����ي� ر‬ ‫�� �د �ور ب� � لر�ك نِ� � �و   �هى ِل�ي� يِ‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫‪264‬‬

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The Monastery of Aḥwīshā (the Anchorite)

Abū ʿAlī al-Awārijī related that once, when he was governor of Ardabīl, he

22.3

levied twenty thousand dinars, dividing the amount fairly according to the circumstances of the different individuals. He takes up the story: One of the people concerned was al-Lubbādī, and I assessed him for twenty dinars. While I was sitting in the office to receive the money, a man came in. He had plastered his face with red clay and was wearing a red felt and red turban. He had a red cane in his hand and was wearing red slippers. He greeted me, struck a pose, and began to recite from a poem he had composed: If the emir ever had need of poets of noble origin, Fate has brought him so low That he’d even take their gnawed bones from the dogs. I asked, “Who on earth is this?” and was told that it was the poet Abū Bakr al-Lubbādī. I asked him to stop, and then inquired about his poem in praise of Aḥmad ibn al-Ḥasan al-Mādharāʾ ī and the meeting they’d had. So he told me: “I set out to meet him and found him on the road to Qazvīn. I lay in wait for him on the road behind a rock, dressed as you see me. When he approached, I stepped out to meet him, declaiming: As you now see me, I’m wearied. “‘What?’ he asked. So I went on: From crossing the wastes with their ruins. At times I traverse them with ease; at others the night journeys exhaust me, Mounted on a swift racing camel, who never falls short in her paces, Who knows no humiliation and has no need of a halter. With her I turn aside to meet you, Ḥasan’s son, to ask your help. Support me, I beg you, against fickle time’s changes! By the Lord of the Kaaba, my life’s course has shaken my firm frame.

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22.4

‫أ‬ ‫ح � ش����ا‬ ‫�ع�م � �‬ ‫ر �وي‬

‫غَ َّ‬ ‫َ ��ُ ِّ‬ ‫َ ْ َ� ْ َ�ع�� َ� َّ��عِ نِ‬ ‫�� نِ‬ ‫��ص��ةٍ ��‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ك�ََم ج ر ةٍ ج ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٱ ْ ي�‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ��أ نّ���َ�ا �َ�ْ����ط��لُ ُ��بنِ‬ ‫�� � �مِ� ���مَره ��� ��ل�� َ�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك مي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ بِ إِٱ َ نِ�‬ ‫� َ‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫��حِ � ْ ُ ّٰ ٱ �َّ� � أ َ �َ � نْ َ ْ � � � �ّ‬ ‫��فِ �� �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ ِ � ِرٱيْ ُ �نِ ي�‬ ‫هِ �ذِ‬ ‫َ ٱ � ُ َ ْ نِ ل�‬ ‫َا �ذَ ٱ �َّ� � �ْ ُ‬ ‫�ْ��تِ �نِ‬ ‫�ج� �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫د‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي� ا � �ل��ذِ ي� �َِم�ن�ه ثِ‬ ‫ي� �ج �ي�‬ ‫ر �ج وِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ� ُ َ � نْ أ ْ َ ٱ � ��ذ َ � َ ُ � َ ْ ت ُ‬ ‫� ���م�ْ�عِ��ل‬ ‫عو بِ�� �‬ ‫�ج �ود ك ِم� � �ع��ل�ى � �ل� رى  �ي��د � �‬ ‫�صْو ٍ ٱ َ نِ�‬ ‫َ ٱ ٱْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ َّ‬ ‫ح َّ �عِ � � ��ل��بِ ْ�د � �ل ّ��سنِ‬ ‫حَ َ‬ ‫� ��عِ ��ل �ب�ْ � �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫نِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ى نِ�‬ ‫ح�ي‬ ‫� َي �ى ٱْ ِٱْ ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ نْ ُ ُ ُ �� َ ْ �َ ا � ُ �زُ‬ ‫� َّ عِ‬ ‫� � �ل�م� ِء � �ل‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ح�ي� �� ��ل�ى �م� �ج��ود ه   �ك� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫��م نِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫فَ‬ ‫�جِ�ئْ تُ �أ � ْ�� س�َ �َ�ٱ ��لّ�� �ى �م نْ ���عِ ْ � � �َ ف�ّ���قِ� نِ‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ْ �ى و �ذِ‬ ‫ِ � ر �شِأَ ْ�قِهِ و َ �ي�‬ ‫� ُ َّ آ � ٱ � ُ ْ ِ � فَ‬ ‫َ ُ‬ ‫�حُّ ُ ْ �ن‬ ‫ِل‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ب� � �ِل � �لم�‬ ‫��ص�����ط��ى �َو� ب �‬ ‫���ه�م � � �� ��ق� �نِ�ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ ا �قَ � � ا �جِ‬ ‫ُ �ن‬ ‫� ��ل تُ ��َ ا �� ���� نِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُد �و�ك�ه� َ�� او �قِ‬ ‫��ف��  � � َ� فِ‬ ‫ي�ه� ِفط��ي�‬ ‫� ْ ُ َ َ ا أ ْ َ نُ نْ �ُ ْ ن‬ ‫� ��عِ ��عَ�د �نِ�‬ ‫� � �م � �‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ل����س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب ك�ه� ح��س� ِ �   لب����سِ �سِ يِج�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ��ف�� �م ��ل� ���ع ش��� �ة � ��ل�ا �ف� د ��ه � �‬ ‫ح�م��لن�� �ع��ل� دَ ا �بّ��ة ب���س �ج��ه �و�ج��ل‬ ‫��ا �م�ه‪.‬‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي� ى‬ ‫أ ري ّ ر � ت م‬ ‫�ة � ا ��ق � � �ف �أ �خ ��ذ � �ة ش � ��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل � ب� ��و�ع��ل� ّ ف���و�ق��ع ت� �إ ��ل�ى الم���س خ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر� �ب��إ �ع ��ط� ��ه �براء ب�م� ��س ��ط �ع�لي��ه �� �� ا �لب� راء �و��� ك‬ ‫��ر�ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫�صر��‪.‬‬ ‫� او ��‬

‫أ‬ ‫�ذ أ � � ا � �ف ا ��‬ ‫��ف � ّ ا خ‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫� � � ّ ا � ّ ا �ق ا �‬ ‫�و�م�دح ا �ل�لب�� د ي� � �ب� �� �س�م �ي ��و�� �س� ب�� د �ي ��ود ا �ب�ي� ا �ل��س��ج‪�� 1‬ص� ر �إ ل�ى د ا ره �ل�م� د ���ل‬ ‫أ� �ز ّ � ّ أ ّ ش أ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ��ل��د �ه��ل��ي�ز ��ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه ا ��ل‬ ‫� ����� ء � ن�� ت� ��ق�ا ��ل �ش���ا �عر �و��ق�د �م�د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ج� ب� � �و ن� ك‬ ‫ح ت�‬ ‫��ر �ي�ه �و�لب�� ده � �ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ن ف ��ت � أ‬ ‫�زَ�ْ �� ْ ف�ز � ��‬ ‫ا ��ل��أ�م�� ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل��ع ض�� �م ن ��� ن‬ ‫� �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن‬ ‫�ص ��‪� .‬وك��� �إ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي بر �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب � � ب ي� ي ي ب ر ب ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ��ت� ا �ل� � ش����� ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�د‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬د �يود ا � نب� � ب�ي� ا �ل��س�ا�ج ‪.‬‬

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‫‪٥،٢٢‬‬

The Monastery of Aḥwīshā (the Anchorite)

How many blows I’ve suffered, how many sorrows I’ve had! As though in the turns my life’s taken I’ve been attacked with hatred. Praise be to God who has deflected scandal from me. You whose largesse bears fruits that all may pluck, Your generosity shouts in ringing tones from the highest peak, ‘Come to Ḥasan’s son, come to the radiant moon. Come to the giver whose gifts rain down from the clouds.’ So by the One who helped me from His throne, I’ve come, Brought by love of the Prophet and of his family. I offer these verses over which I’ve long reflected. They suit you better by far than any brocade from Aden.” Al-Lubbādī continued: “He ordered me to receive ten thousand dirhams and gave me a mount with saddle and bridle.” Abū ʿAlī said: So I sent a note with my signature to the receiver to give him an exemption from what he had been assessed for. He took the exemption, thanked me, and left. Al-Lubbādī composed a panegyric on Yūsuf ibn Dīwdādh Abī al-Sāj and took it to his palace. When he entered the hallway, the porter, who didn’t like the look of his clothes and his felt, said to him, “What are you?” “A poet,” he answered, “and I’ve made a poem praising the emir.” The porter turned to one of the bystanders. “Throw him out.” He was thrown out, so he went off and wrote to Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad, the Afshīn’s151 secretary:

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267

22.5

‫أ‬ ‫ح � ش����ا‬ ‫�ع�م � �‬ ‫ر �وي‬

‫َْ‬ ‫��جِ ْ َ ُ ُ ْ تَنْ � � َ ْ‬ ‫مِ َ ْ تُ ٱ ْ أَ أَ َ‬ ‫� � ��ل���مِ� �ي�َر � �َ�ا ��ق�ا ��� �مٍ �َ �و�ن �ف� سِ��� ِل‬ ‫�� �د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �د � او ه �م���س����� ظِ‬ ‫�ره‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ْ ب �سِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�غَ َّ َ ُ ٱ � ِّ� ُّ �إِ�ذْ َا َ َ ْ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�َ ْ � َ َ ش َ‬ ‫ل���ط�ل �ب� ك�ره‬ ‫كو����� ِر�ي�ا ��ضِ� � �ل ّر���ي‍     �‍ِ� ���ل��س�ه � � �‬ ‫ب�م�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ُ ٱ �ْ أَ‬ ‫ِ حٍ �ُ ُ َ يِ ُ ٱ � ِّ ِ ع‬ ‫َ َ� َّا أَ َ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫� ���ل � �ل��ث ن��ا ءِ �‬ ‫�َو��ق�ا � �ل او �ه�م�ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جِ�زِ ����ي�ل � �ل� �ي�ا ِد �ي� �و �ل�م� � ره‬ ‫��جِ�زِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�فِ َ َّ ٱ نْ �ِم ْ ُ �َ‬ ‫ُ تُ َ َ َ ْ �زَ ْ �طِ � َ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ِ�ي ت� �ل�ى د ا رهِ �‬ ‫��ج�زِ ��� �ع��ل� �م�د ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�هِ �ب���� ره‬ ‫�َ �ل��م� � ���ت��ه �إِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فَ�أ نْ َ ْ ُت َ ا ��ئِ�زَ ت نْ ُ ُ َ َ َ ْ � َ ْ َ أ ُ ْ َ َ ْ‬ ‫�ه�م  �وك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �ل�ع���مر‪� 1‬ب �ي� �م ن�ك�ره ‪٢‬‬ ‫�� �َ�ك�ر� �ج�� �� �ي� �ِم �‬ ‫��نْ ُ َ ْ‬ ‫َأ ْ َ‬ ‫نَ ِٱ �ْ َ ا ثَا ت َ أَْ�ِ�نْ تُ أَ �نَّ ِ ُ ٱ � ِّ َ ْ‬ ‫�� ت‬ ‫ح� د �� �ِ  � �و ��ي��ق � � �‬ ‫� ��ن �ف� سِ��� �ِم � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ِر�� � �ل�����شره‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و �م ك ٱ ّ ي� � ْ ْ ِ‬ ‫ي ٱْ ِ ْ�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫َ َ �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ف�َ َ � َّ َ َ � ��ل شَ����ْ َ�ٱ � ُ �َ َ‬ ‫�ر�م�ا ت�ِ �َ �ون�ا ِد �بِ هِ�� نّ� �ِم ن� � �ل���مق����بِ ���ىره‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب��ك �ع��ل�ى ��عِر �و �لم ك‬ ‫فَ�قِ ْ أَ �ْ�خََ ٱ ّٰ ُ َ ْ َ ٱ‬ ‫ُ َ ا �ُ �َ ُ ٱ �ْ �آ نَ َ ا أَ ْ �عِ َ ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫���� �د � ��‬ ‫�ق� �ل �ل�ه � �ل� � �م� � �����ش�� ره‬ ‫�س ن� � لله �ع�ي� ن� � ���مِر��ئٍ  ��ي��‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ُّ ٱ � ّ �ةَ أ َ �ل�حِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫فَ‬ ‫� نْ��جِ َ ْ‬ ‫ه�ا � � �‬ ‫��حِ َّ�مُ�د �م نْ �نَ�ا �� �ٍ  �� ُ���ب� � �ل��ل �َ‬ ‫��هِ� �ْ �َ�ا ��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫� ره‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ � ��ئِ ل ي ل‬ ‫َ� ل ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫��فَ نْ َ فْ �عِ ٱ �ْ �خِ ْ َ َ�خ ْ ً ��يِ َ ْ َ َ نْ َ فْ َ ٱ � ِّ َّ شَ ًّ ��يِ َ ْ‬ ‫�م ��ي���� � � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ي�ر ��ي�را �� ره   �و�م� ��ي����ع�ل � �ل�����شر ��� ار �� ره‬ ‫ِل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬

‫ً � � �ذ �ف أ‬ ‫ف �ق � أ � أ‬ ‫ّ �� ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ � ت ق ًا �خ� ن ن ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫��� �ا �ل � ب� ��و ب� ك‬ ‫ه�� �� ب �ى‬ ‫��ر � �ي� � او لله �وك�را �م��‪� .‬و�و�ج��ه �إ �لي��ه � ��و�ي��ع� ب �م��س��ي� د ��ي �� را ‪� ٣‬إ �ل�ى ا �ج� � ب‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ه���ذ �أ ن � ��ق �ض�� ا ��لت�� ق��� �ّ�ل�ا �أ ن � �ق�� �ع ن��ده ��ف��أ ��ق�ا � �ع ن��ده � د �ف�� ��ل��ه ا ���خل‬ ‫��م��س�� ن‬ ‫ي� د ��ي ن��ا را ‪٤‬‬ ‫ا �ج�ل � ب � �ي ب � و ي �إ � �ي ي�‬ ‫و ع �إ ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ث ّ أع أ‬ ‫فض‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫م � أ �‬ ‫�خ ة‬ ‫ح��د ��ي ث��ه ������‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح��د �ث�ه �‬ ‫�ر �إ �ل�ى �ب ��ي� ا � �ل�ق�ا ��س� �ي ��و�� �سف� �و�‬ ‫�و��م��س�� �م ن� �ع ن��ده‪� � �� .‬و�ص��ل�ه � ب� ��و‪ ٥‬ب� ك‬ ‫ح��ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�م ن ه ��س � �ش � �أ � �� ا � �‬ ‫�� �و �م ��عره �و ع�ط� ه و�‬ ‫ح�م��ل�ه �وك�����س�ا ه‪.‬‬ ‫ع‬

‫َق ْ أَ‬ ‫ش أ ت أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫مَ ْ ن أَ نْ أَ ُ نَ مَ ْ َ ن َ ْ قُ‬ ‫َن‬ ‫يَ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ال�رب��ع��ة ال�ت�ي���ة‪َ :‬و��د � �بَى لي� � �ع ِ�د �ي� ‪ � � /‬لَا � ك‬ ‫‪ 1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ل�ع���مرو‪�  ٢ .‬ي� ا ��ل�ه�ا �م��� ال�ب�ي��ا‬ ‫�و� �ع د ِ�ي� ‪ //‬وا �لِ�عر� ِ�م� ن� � ِ�د �ي� د ِ�ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫يَأْ نَفُ نْ ُ َ ْ َ ن ََ ْ تُ َّ نْ َّ ُ‬ ‫خُ ْ ُ َّ مَ ن أ ُ تُ �ظَ ْآنً َ أ شْ رَ ُ َ �لُ َ‬ ‫غَره ‪ /‬ف�� ا � نّ�ل��ا ��س �� �ض�� ر ا �ل�د � �� ‪� � //‬مو� ��م� �ا ولَا ‪ ��� � /‬ب� �م�اء ا �‬ ‫‪�ِ ���� �� /‬م���ه د ي��د �ي� ‪ //‬و�ل����س�� ِ�م���م�� �‬ ‫ح��ق��� ن�‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬د ي�ن��ا ر‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫‪  ٤‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬د ي�ن��ا ر‪  ٥ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬إ لى‪.‬‬

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The Monastery of Aḥwīshā (the Anchorite)

I praised the emir Abū Qāsim, and appealed to him for a gift, With a poem bright as a meadow in spring, glistening at dawn, after night’s dew. They said: He’s a hero, deserving high praise, a generous giver. I’d never seen him. When I reached his palace, all I got for praising him was to be thrown out. I didn’t approve their reward, I swear by my father, blame it deserved,152 But I set my mind to reflect on it, and saw I’d fallen victim to greed. Lament for poetry and generous deeds! Proclaim their fate from the graveyard! A man who’s much admired as a poet has wept hot tears of spite. Is there any gift now in view, Muḥammad, to move throat and tongue to action? He who does good, it’s good he’ll see; he who does evil will see evil.153 Abū Bakr responded, “Yes, certainly, by God.” He sent a signed request for fifty dinars in favor of al-Lubbādī to the clerk of finances, who refused to honor it unless the poet spent some time with him. When al-Lubbādī did so, he received the fifty dinars and an extra five from the clerk. Then Abū Bakr brought him to Abū l-Qāsim Yūsuf, telling Abū l-Qāsim about him. Abū l-Qāsim laughed, listened to his poetry, and rewarded him with money, a mount, and clothes.

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269

‫���ي ��ف ق‬ ‫د � ر ي ���‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ة � ّ ة �ف‬ ‫ا ��� ��ق �ة‬ ‫� ��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د�ير ���ف ظ ����ه �ع��ق ���ة ف� ��ق �في�م�ا ����ن‬ ‫�ه�ا � �و�� ن� ب�‬ ‫ح�ي�ر ��طب��ر�ي�� ��ي� �ج� ب���ل ��ي ت���ص�ل �ب� لع ب��‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ي� � ر ب ي � ب ي‬ ‫بي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن � ا�‬ ‫� �و�ه�و�ع�ا �م ب��م ن �ي��ه �و�م ن �ي� ��ط ��ه �م ن ا �لن��ص�ا ر�ى �ج�ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��ل�ا �ل�� ��د ه �ع ن��د �ه� ‪� ��� � .‬ه�‬ ‫� ر �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�م �� ��ور �ي� ج ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر أ ّ � م و ي رّم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن أّ أ �‬ ‫� ّ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ص ا ��نيّ���ة � �و ن� ا �ل‬ ‫م���س‬ ‫�ص�ده �ل��لت���ن�ز ه � او �ل ش���رب� �ي��ه‪ � .‬او �لن��ص�ا ر�ى �ي�ز�ع�م�و� � �ن�ه � �ّو�ل د�ير �ل��لن�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ّ ن ف � �ذ�� أ نّ �‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫���ا ن� ��� �و�� �إ ��لي��ه �و�م ن��ه د �ع�ا ا �ل‬ ‫� ك� � او � � ا �ل‬ ‫حوا ر��� �و�ي��ه جح‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���س‬ ‫ا ّلله �ع��لي��ه ك�‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ي�ج���ل�� �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ذ � ي ي ��‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� ت ًّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫خ �‬ ‫�� �ق �� ة‬ ‫�ّ َ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح ا ��ل��د � ���ف ا �ل�م �ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ك���سر��ط‬ ‫�ك�ل �م ن� د ���ل ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫��ع�� �م ن� �ل��ك ا ج ر ب� رك� ب� ‪ .‬و ��م�ل �ه� ير ي� و�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ع��لي��ه ا �ل��س�ل�ا � ‪.‬‬ ‫م���س�‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ا ��س�م ا �ل ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� أ ح �ذ‬ ‫�و�ل��ب ��� �ن�� او ��س �ي�� ك�‬ ‫��ره‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َّ َ‬ ‫ِب�ج��‬ ‫ح��ك‬

‫��فِ َ � ْ َ ٱ � نَّ ْ َ َ ا ��فِ َ ْ َ‬ ‫�َ�ق�ا �صِ ًا �َ ا � ْ� َ ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ي � �ل �‬ ‫���ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �د م� ���سِ ر�جِ ���س� �نِ  �د ر ��وب��ه� ِر �د � ر �فِ ي قِ�‬

‫أ‬ ‫� �ه �ق��ص �د �ة ���ط � ��ف ��ة �خ‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ه� ا ه‪�� ّ� � 1.‬له�ا‬ ‫��ا ���ط� ف��ه�ا �غ��ل�ا�مً�ا �ن�� �ن ًّا‬ ‫ر�ي ي‬ ‫و�‬ ‫ب ي�‬ ‫�ص ار �ي�� ك� ي � و‬ ‫و �ي� � �ي‬

‫� ِ ْ ُ ِّ ٱ � َّ ْ ٱ �ْ َ‬ ‫ُ ْ � � َّ َ ا �ٱ �ْ َ ا �ثَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫قِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫بم‬ ‫��ه �‬ ‫ِب���م���ع�م� د ���ي�� � �ل��د ����ي � �ل� �‬ ‫�ج ِ ي �قِ�‬ ‫��شِ ْ ُ وِ ُةِ حِ َِر �تِ َي � ِ َ �سِ ْ ِري َِ ي � ٱ �ْ َ بَِّ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫بِ���� �م� �� � نّ ا ���� ����‬ ‫� ا � � � � � �ق � �ل ش�����‬ ‫�عوٱنٍ��َِْبي ��و� �� بِ عِ ي �سنْى ِب�م� �� ر�جِ ي����س أْبِ� ل���سٱ ْ �فُِ ي ��قِ�‬ ‫�ُ ق‬ ‫���مِ �� َ�ا د � �لم��� ����س� َ ْ‬ ‫��ب�ا ُ� � ثَا َ‬ ‫حٍ  �� َ‬ ‫��ت�� د ���يِ �ةِ� � �ل‬ ‫� ِب��ي ��و�ِم ِد � ب‬ ‫ِب ي ل ِ �سِ ي‬ ‫���ح ��و�قِ�‬ ‫ع �و� بِ�� ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�أُ ْ ُ َ سِ ْحِ �قِ َّ َ �ْ ُ ْ َ َ ا َ ا ُ َ‬ ‫� ًا َ� نْ ��‬ ‫� � ا �م � ع ��طِ �‬ ‫�بِ� �����ش� �مو��ي� �و��� ب��� �م�‬ ‫ع � �د ت�ه�م �وٱم�ْ ُح� د �و �ج ِٱ��ْ��يَع� �ٱ ْ َ�ِري��قِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ْ �‬ ‫َ ا َ ت �نِ �مِ ْ ��يِ ٍ َ َ ْ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫حٍ �َ‬ ‫��ق ْ ��ا �َ � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫���م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �� �ر� �ٍم �ِبو��ي ��وِ�م ِ � ِوب ُ رب نِ� و‬ ‫ِب��م� ر ِ‬ ‫ِرٱ ْ �تِ ي �قِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ � �� ّ � َ ا �ِ ْ �ف��ُ َ ا َ ا ٌ� �تَ َ��أ � � � نَ تُ ضُ � � ُ ُ‬ ‫�ص�ل��ب� نِ� ���تر ع��ه� ِر��م�‬ ‫  �ل �ل�‬ ‫� �وب� ل�‬ ‫�حِ ��ي� � ��و�ِم��� �بِ� �ل���بر �و �قِ�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َِ‬ ‫�َّ� َ َ‬ ‫��فِ َ � ْ َ � نّ ْ َ َ ا ��فِ َ ْ َ‬ ‫ً َا ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ي � �ل �‬ ‫ِب�ج��ك � �صِ ا � �‬ ‫���ي‬ ‫�� �د م� ���سِ ر�جِ ���س� �نِ  �د ر ��وب��ه� ِر �د � ر �فِ ي��قِ�‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ خ �ذ‬ ‫�ة أ خ �ذ‬ ‫ش ق �ً‬ ‫ن �ذ ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫�� ب��ه �م�ع���و��ه ع�مرا) ورد ي� �‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪�( :‬م�� �ه� ه ا �ل��������صي���د � �� �م�د رك �م�ا � �� ه و��ا ط ب‬

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‫‪270‬‬

‫‪١،٢٣‬‬

‫‪٢،٢٣‬‬

The Fīq Monastery

This is a monastery behind the Fīq Pass,154 between it and the Sea of Galilee,

23.1

built into a mountain. It is well populated with residents and also with the Christians, who come to visit it because they venerate it so. Other people, too, visit it for recreation and to drink. According to the Christians, it was the first monastery to be established in Christianity. Christ, God bless him, used to spend time there, and it was there that he summoned the disciples. There is a rock upon which they say Christ sat, and everyone who visits the place chips off a piece of it to acquire blessing. The monastery was built there and called after Christ, peace be upon him. Abū Nuwās mentions it in a line of poetry: By your pilgrimage making for Mār Sirjisān and the monasteries of Nawbahār and Fīq.155 It’s an unusual poem, in which he addresses a Christian boy he was in love with, and it starts: By the baptistery of the Old Monastery, the catholicos and the bishops, By Shimʿūn, Yūḥannā, and ʿĪsā, by Mār Sarjīs and the compassionate priest, By Christ’s birth, by the Epiphany, by Easter and the payment of church tithes, By Ushmūnī and the seven she led— none ever abandoned the true path— By Mārt Maryam and the Resurrection, the host and the wine grown old, By the crosses raised upon lances, shining as the lightning flashes, By your pilgrimage making for Mār Sirjisān156 and the monasteries of Nawbahār157 and Fīq,

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23.2

‫�‬ ‫������� ���‬

‫َ‬ ‫أَتَ ْ ُ ْ �َ‬ ‫� ��َْ�عِ � ٱ � �ُّ�َّ �ٱْ�ُ ��فِ َّ � َ ��قُ ِّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫س‬ ‫ب���هِ ي�ْ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ك�ِل ب ي�� �ةِ � �ل�ل�د �ل��م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫نٍ‬ ‫ٱ َ َ ٱ ُ قِ�‬ ‫ٱ �ْ َ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫َٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا�ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫شُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �وب�� �ل��ن�ا ���و��سِ ��ي� � �ل��بِ ��ي �‬ ‫ي  � �� �ا �م ��ه�ا � �ل�‬ ‫ع � �ل�� �ل او ِ��‬ ‫�ص�ل� �ل�د �ى � �ل���ر�و �قِ�‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �مِ ْ ��يِ َ �ٱ �لْ�مَ َ ُ َ َ ْ‬ ‫َ�َ �ً‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫حب� رٍ  � ا‬ ‫� �و�ك�ل �‬ ‫ِب�� �ر� �م �بِ� �سِ��ي �‬ ‫حو ِر ي� �� ��ع��ل�ى ِدي نٍ� � �ثِوي��قِ�‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫� �ذُ َ َ ا أَ َ ا ُ ُ َّ � ُ‬ ‫ُ ْ َ ا ٱ � َّ‬ ‫�ْ َ ْ‬ ‫�صَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���بِ� ْر��هب�� نِ� � �ل� و مِ ِ �فِي� ر‬ ‫َ َو ٱ َم �فِي� �ج � ٍ ٱو �ضَِ ي �قِ�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ٱ � شَّ َ ع ٱْ�ُ �فِ َّ‬ ‫َ�ش��ْ َ � � نّ َ ا َ � �� ّ ��‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�جِ ي���ل � �ل�����ع�ا ���ي� � �ل���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص� ر�ى �� � ل�طر��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫     ‬ ‫‪1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫ةِ‬ ‫�فِي ٱ َ ِ ي قِ�‬ ‫بِ �إِٱ ِْ ٱ ْ َ � نِ نِ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ �ٱ �ل�زُّنّاَ‬ ‫��ِ ْ � � ّ‬ ‫َ � �� ُّ � � ��ل� �ع���ظ َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ح�� ن ت����د �و   � �و� � �� ر �� � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ص‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫� �وب� ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫ةِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ْ ِي� ِ ي�‬ ‫�ص�ل ب ِ‬ ‫ِب ِ �فَِي‬ ‫ُِ َ ي قِ�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �ٱ �ْلُ ْ �َُ ّ‬ ‫� � َ � َ� ْ تَ ت��حِ ُّ � َ ُ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� �و� �‬ ‫ح �‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫��‬ ‫� فِي�� �ا  �م �‬ ‫��‬ ‫��س نِ� �ل�مرك ب ِ‬ ‫أَِب‬ ‫ك �إِ �ل رِ � �فِ ر�قِ�ي� و ج �و َ� ِر�يقِ��ي�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ي مِ�� ��ي� ��ى ِ� �ل� �� �ع���‬ ‫� �م� � �و � �ل�‬ ‫� �ِم� ب���ع ِ�د � �ل�ت�� �ئِ���‬ ‫��قر بِ‬ ‫�ق� ِِل�هِ ‪ ٢‬ٱ ْ ِ ُشي ��قِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫��َ��قِ ْ أ ��ص��ْ تَ �نِ �ة‬ ‫� َ ا � � �َ � �ل�ُ �عق‬ ‫�� دَ ��ْ��يٍ �َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�د‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل ر و عِ ي ٍ ع ج ��ف ئِ�ك و �وقِ�‬ ‫لأَ� َّ�د � ب � �زِ ي‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ � �ذ نَ َ ا �ش �قُ َ ��ل � ��لنّ َ ا َ � � نَ � � � ْ َ�ا � ُ �� ًّا � �ل� ُ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و � �ع� ِ����وك �إِ �ى ��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ص� رى  ِم� �لإِ����س�لِم ���طر �بِ� ��م قِ�‬

‫ٱ ْ ُ َّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� � :‬ل���م بَ���د ا‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪�ِ:‬ل��ق���اِئ��ِلِ�ه‪.‬‬

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‫‪272‬‬

The Fīq Monaster

By the altar of the church of Lydda the ransomed,158 and priests who visit it from afar, By the clappers resounding in the churches announcing the service at daybreak, By Mary, by Christ, by all the disciples, wise men confessing a firm faith, By monks in their cells on the summits living in struggle and hardship, By the proclamation of the Palm Sunday gospel and the candles Christians carry in the road, By the great crosses when they’re brought out, and the girdle round the slender waist,159 By all the beauty you’re made up of, pity my burning passion and parched mouth! I swear by nearness after distance, as a lover of his killer swears an oath, Though you scorn and disobey me, you grace every convent and every feast, And all those Muslims who love you proclaim gratitude to Christians as their creed.

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273

‫�ُ�‬ ‫د ����ير ا �ل�� �‬ ‫طور‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت ّ �أ �‬ ‫ت � ت �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�أ ف‬ ‫� او �ل��ط�ور �ج����ب�ل �م��س��د�ير م�‬ ‫��س��د �ق� ا �ل���ع��ل� �ل�ا ��ي ت��ع�� �لق� ب� ش����� ء‬ ‫�س� ��طي���ل � او ��س� ا �ل����س����ل �م‬ ‫� ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫ح��د � �ه ف�� �ا ��� ن ����� �ّ��ة � ا �ل���ل ن �م ش��� �ف �ع� ا ��لغ‬ ‫� ��ا ��ل � ��ل���� ��ل��ه ��ل�ا ���ط ��ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر �ى ور‬ ‫�م� ا �ج�ل ب وي س �إ ي �إ‬ ‫ري� و و و ب ي� ب ري و�ج و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � � ��ف �ن ف ا �� ��ق �ّ�ة � � ه �� �تُ �ف �‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫�و�مر�� ا �ل�ج���ل�و ن� �و�ع��‬ ‫�صر ��ا �ل ش��� ار ب� �ع ن��د �ه�‬ ‫حو�ل� ك�ر�و�م ��ع�‬ ‫ي� �ت���ب�� �ب��ه� � او �ل�د�ير �ي� � ����س ل �ل� �و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ثج ُ ف أ ض ًاع �� ت ّ � �أ نّ �‬ ‫ّ ّٰ‬ ‫ت ّ �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �ص��ل�ى ا لله �ع��لي��ه �ع��ل�ى �ع�م�ه� �ج���ل�ى �لت��ل�ا �مي�� ه ب���ع�د‬ ‫م���س�‬ ‫ك���ي�ر‪� .‬و��ي�عر�� � �ي��‬ ‫��� �ب��د�يرا �ج����ل�ي� �ل� � ا �ل ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ ن ُ ف تّ أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� � ض � �ق ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫� � ر��� �‬ ‫�ص�د � �ون�ه �م ن� ك��ل م�و�‬ ‫ح�ى � را ��ه � ����س�ه �و�عر���وه‪ � .‬او �ل ن��ا ��س ��ي���‬ ‫��� ي ��ي�م�و� �ب�ه �وي� ش��� �بر ��و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�فع‬ ‫� ن � ض � �ّ ة‬ ‫ف�ي��ه ��م�و�ق��ع�ه �‬ ‫��� ا �ل��ط�ي ب���‪.‬‬ ‫ح��س ن� �و�ه�و م� ا�لم� او �‬ ‫� ع‬ ‫�و �ل�م�ه��‬ ‫ل�ه�ل ب� ن� ي��م�و ت� ب� ن� ا�ل�م�ز ّر ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ ٱ �� نُّ ُ �� ��لَ َ ا أ� ْ‬ ‫�نَ�ِ�ه��ضْ تُ ��لَ ا �� ُّل���ط � � ْ��تَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ةٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � �إِ �ى �وِر �فِ�ي�َ �فِ ي‬ ‫�سِ رعِ � و ضِ� �إِ ى ِ ب‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ل���ط � ْ‬ ‫َ َ َّ � َ نْ � ْ َ أ �نْ ِ قُ ت ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�ه�م�ك �ِم� �فِ��تي���ةٍ � � �����ف �� او   �ِ�ل� د ���ه�م �فِ�ي� ��سبِ�����ي�ِل � � � َر ب‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ ٱ �ْ ُ‬ ‫��َ ٱ �ْلُ ُ‬ ‫��ُ �� ٱ ��ْ ُ�قُ �� شَ َ ا �ٱ �� �ّ� ْ‬ ‫�ج�د �ود ِ�‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ح���س�ا نِ� � � �لُو�ج��وهِ  �ك� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫هو ِل � ل�ع ��و ِل ���ب�� بِ‬ ‫�َ ل�لعِ ب‬ ‫أَكِرا ِم � � ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�فِ � ُّ‬ ‫ْ � �سِ َ‬ ‫� ّ َ َ ا � ْ � �َ �� ْ‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫� �زَ � َ‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�هِ‬ ‫�هِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�َ َ� �ي‬ ‫م طِ ب‬ ‫نٍ ِ‬ ‫نٍ ِب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �ق � ّ ْ تُ � نْ َ� �َ َ ا � ْ‬ ‫�ْ تُ � �� َّ َ ا َ عِ َ � ْ‬ ‫�أ ن�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب َ�ى ِر و ِ�ي ِ �‬ ‫هِ �جِ ب‬ ‫َ أَ ْ �زَ �ْتُُ ْ َ ْ َ � أ‬ ‫أُ َ َّ ْ نْ َ‬ ‫� �ٱ ��ْ�ِ�نَ ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق��هِ� �م �ِم� �ع�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �يِر لْ�عُ ب‬ ‫� �وَ����ن ل����ه�م �و���س ��ط � ��ع�� ��بِ� �هِ � ��س� ي‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��قِ‬ ‫أْ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�قٍ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ْ‬ ‫� � غ� ن‬ ‫ح ��ضِ ْ ْ َ‬ ‫�َ �و �‬ ‫�� رت��ُ��ه� � �م ار �ُم�����شِر� �ا   �ِ�م���ي�ل ل‬ ‫�صو� �� �هِ ��ي� � �ل ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ب‬ ‫َ �بِ �فِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫نَ ُ ثُّ ٱ �ْ ُ �ؤُ َ �أَ ْ �زَ‬ ‫َ � �مِ�زْ ُ أ ْ َ ا � َٱ �� �ِّ َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك و س بِ� ��ه �‬ ‫�جِ �هِ و � �موِم ر �م� ِل�هِ و ل�ن�‬ ‫ح� � �ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص ب‬ ‫ُ ُ ٱ �ْ أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ ا َ ْ نَ �ذ‬ ‫�حِ �د �� ثٌ ����يِ ُ � �قُ  �َ �خَ� ْ ض��ٌ ��ل ُ��ه�ْ � ف� ن� � �� دَ � ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�م� �ب�ي�� ا ك � ِ ي� رو� و �و � � م �فِ�ي� �و نِ� �ل ب‬

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‫‪١،٢٤‬‬

‫‪٢،٢٤‬‬

The Monastery of Mount Tabor

Tabor is a long mountain, round and extended, with a broad base and flat-

24.1

tened summit. It stands alone with no other mountains near it, and can only be reached by one road. It lies between Tiberias and Lajjūn,160 overlooking the Jordan Valley and the plain of Lajjūn, with a spring that rises in it. The monastery stands right on the summit, surrounded by vineyards from which wine is pressed. They produce a great deal of wine. The monastery is also known as the Monastery of the Transfiguration because, as the Christians claim, Christ, God bless him, appeared to his disciples after he was raised up, showing himself to them so they could recognize him.161 People from all parts visit it, staying there and drinking. The setting is beautiful and it is a pleasant place. Al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarri ʿ mentions it in a poem: I went up to Tabor with a company, swift to perform what I want, Splendid fellows who’d spent their fortunes in the search for pleasure, Of noble descent and handsome mien, wise in their thoughts but boys at play, With them every hour’s joyful, every place a delight. I halted the column at the monastery, performing the rites it demands. I settled them among the vines and poured the juice of the grape. I brought them a shining moon, a swaying branch on a sandhill. The cups made quick rounds with his songs, light, joyful, and solemn. Our talk was a feast of the mind, touching on refinement and letters,

275

275

24.2

‫� �‬ ‫د�يرا �ل��ط�ور‬

‫��فَ َا � ِ�ئْ تَ نْ َ ��ثِ‬ ‫َ � نْ ��خِ � َ� نَا �ُم ْ����ستَ��َ ْ‬ ‫َا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م� ���ش � �ِم� �م� �ٍل ���س� ���ئِ� رٍ �وِم� ��حب� ٍر �� ِد ٍر َ ح ب‬ ‫ف�َ َ ا �� َ �ذَ ٱ ��ْ َ ْ ش ��َْ ��َ ْ ���يِ�زَ��ْ َ َا ُ� ْ نَ �ذَ �ٱ �� َّ �ْ ��َ ْ �ل� ْ �َ� ْ‬ ‫ي�� ��ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�ي ب� ا � ل�عي����ِ� �لو ل�م � ل   � �وي� ح��س� ا ل��سع ِ�د �لو �م �ي غِ� ب‬

‫� �ا �ة‬ ‫�ك�� ن �ف ��خ‬ ‫���ا ن �مه��ل�ه �م ن ا �ل�م��� ن �ف � ش‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ه�م��‬ ‫ي� ��ي� ا �ل�ل �ع�‬ ‫�وك� � � � �ل � ب �‬ ‫ط�و�ع��ي� ��ي� ا �ل����عر � او�لم �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫��ف � ا �� ن ا ����ّٰ � ا ��ل��� � �ا�ز � ا �ل���ل ا �ن ا ت � ا �� � � ا ا ت � � ن‬ ‫ح ن� � ��ورد‬ ‫له�و و طرب� م�ل م� ح� � � و ل�دي� ر �‪ .‬و‬ ‫�ي� م�و �ط� ل �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ب�� ن��ا �ه� ا‪.‬‬ ‫ب� ك��‬ ‫��ل ثّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش�‬ ‫�ق ه�‬ ‫��م ن �ش���عره ��� �و� �صف� ا �ل �ر�ا ض��� � او �‬ ‫ح� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل���رب� ��و�ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ُ نُ �ٱ ��ْ َ َ � َ � ْ تُ َ� �َ ا � ��فِ َ َ ا � �َ�أ ّ�ُ� َ ا �ٱ ��ْ�َ ا �َ ا‬ ‫ِ�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ج ��و نِ� ل� �‬ ‫ِ�� �ج �ن� �نِ��‬ ‫هوى �و � ب‬ ‫ي َ �د ��ع��ع� �نِ�ي� ي� ي �ه� لأَ�ع� �ذِ �ل� نِ�‬ ‫َ ٌ ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��حِ َر �� �َم نْ   ��ل�ا� مِ� نِ�� ��� ��خِ َا عِ ْ نَ َ ا �‬ ‫� َر ��� �ز ا �� �د ����ف�� �‬ ‫���طِ‬ ‫� �ل� �� ��ةٍ � �و ���َه� �نِ�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ئِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ي �فِ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ أ �ْ‬ ‫��غِ‬ ‫�� ٱ � َّيَا ضُ نَ ٱ �ل�زَّ ْ‬ ‫َ �ٱ �� ُّ ُ‬ ‫�قِ ْ أََا نَ تْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص ن��و�� �َ �و �ل�� � �لَوا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫��ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِري ب�‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫� �د ب � يِ ٱْري � ِ �‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫ٱفِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ �بِ َ ٱ � ِّ ْ ُ � ُ ��فِ تَّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫��فِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نْ ُ ُ‬ ‫� ْ َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ُ ����يِ ْر�ن��و  �ِم� �‬ ‫��فج� ��و� � ��ل ك�‬ ‫� �و� �د ا � �ل���نر��� � �ل���م�‬ ‫��ا �ف��ور �ب�� �ل�زّ����ع� را‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�جِ س‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫نِ َ ِ ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��ُ ُ ��قِ ْ �حِ َّ ��قَ تْ َا َ ا ت نَا � ��‬ ‫������ط َا ت‬ ‫�س�ا‬ ‫ح�� َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �إِ ��ل�ى �ُو�جُ��وه ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٱ ْ ب هِ‬ ‫ٱٍ‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫ي و نٍ‬ ‫� رًٍَ � ُّ‬ ‫�َتَ �ثِ نَّ �زَ ��بِ ْ��جِ ُ � �� ��ِ ْ‬ ‫ْ هُ ��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ي�ا‬ ‫�جِ �ْ� �َ � ��ل����عقْ��َ‬ ‫� ����ط ��ا ِ�ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �ِم��ن�  ��طِ‬ ‫ي���� ��ى �� ر� �د ل�ق��ض‬ ‫� بِ‬ ‫رب ٱ يَ نِ� و ِ ٱ ْ ُ نِ�‬ ‫َ ِ ف َ ٱ � ِّ � ُّ ٱْ�َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ن َ ا ُ ّ َ ا َ تْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ��ف�� نْ� �هِ� �مِ� ث�� � �جل‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� َ‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و����ق� � �ل����ط�ل �فِ��ي� �ل�ح ��جِ ِر ِ ���ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ل �ل‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫َ ٱ‬ ‫َ �غُ َا ُ ٱ ْ نِ فَ�قِ ْ ضَ‬ ‫���� � َ �ٱ ��ْ َ ق�ْ تُ �َ ��قِ ْ تَ�َّ ��� ُ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫� �ٰ�ه��ذ ا � ��ل�زَّ� َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‍‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫�يَ� ��ل� �م � ����س�قِ� ��ي� ��� �د ِ َ و‬ ‫م ْطِ�ي ب‬ ‫َ ٱ ْ َ نِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫قَ ���ست ثّ ���ؤ َ ُ ّ‬ ‫نَّ � �َ نَا نَ ُ ف ّ‬ ‫أْ‬ ‫� � ��ل�� �َ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صف� � �� �ل�ق نَ��ا �نِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫‍‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� د نِ‬ ‫وس‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ُ َ َ بٱ �َِْ ي � �َ ا تَ ْ َ َّ �فَٱ �ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�تِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ ش َ‬ ‫َ� ت َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َا‬ ‫ن � ��ُ ُ َ ا �‬ ‫�ب� ِد ِر � � �لو � � �و � � �نِ��م ����فر��ص � �ل�عي�‍  �‍��ِ� �و�ل� ��ك��ذِ ب�� �� ل��ع�مر ���ف� �نِ�ي�‬

‫� او ��ل��ل�ع� � او ��لت� ���طّ �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫رح‬ ‫ن ش‬ ‫ا �ق‬ ‫�م� ����عره �م� ��ي�لي ���‬

‫�و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬

‫�ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫����عره ��ي�‬

‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ه� ا ا�لم�عن��ى �ق��و��ل�ه‬

‫‪276‬‬

‫‪٣،٢٤‬‬

‫‪٤،٢٤‬‬

‫‪276‬‬

The Monastery of Mount Tabor

Proverbs, jokes, strange anecdotes, all that one could enjoy. What a wonderful life had it not ended; what happiness were it not over! Al-Muhalhil was a naturally gifted poet, given to dissipation and frivolity.

24.3

He frequented places where people enjoyed themselves and made music, and he spent much time in taverns and monasteries. Here we will quote some of his poetry appropriate to this book. This is one of his fine poems describing flowering meadows and encouraging drinking: I’ve given myself over to the madness of love. Leave me alone, you brace of blamers, I’m in utter ecstasy. The sinner is he who blames me or forbids me depravity. The meadows have revealed flowers of wondrous forms and colors, The narcissi, as they open, gaze with eyes of saffron surrounded by camphor, Like eyes gazing in wonder and contemplating beautiful faces. Their emerald stems sway, dancing in delight at gold and silver. Their eyes are filled with dew till they move and scatter it like pearls. Boy, pour me a drink, for time is laughing, and this age cannot be better. Bring the wine jars close, line up the pitchers, send the cups around, and the bottles. Don’t miss the moment, seize the chance to live, don’t disappoint. This life’s not forever. Another of his good poems on this theme is:

277

277

24.4

‫� �‬ ‫د�يرا �ل��ط�ور‬

‫نٌ أَ ُ َ َ ْ ُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�زَ َ ا نُ ٱ � َّ َا �زَ‬ ‫��خِ َ�ا عِ � َ ْ شٌ َ قُ‬ ‫�م�ا � � � �ق  � �ع�� ش‬ ‫�مَ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ةِ‬ ‫��م� � � �ل �ري� ��ضِ�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ �نِ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ � َ �قِ �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �قِ ْ ��جِ‬ ‫� َ َ �ٱ ��ْ َ ��ق تُ �َا ��لْ َ ا � َ نْ �ذ ا � � قُ َ �َ نْ � ْ���ست�� قُ‬ ‫�و� �د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ع و‬ ‫ْي � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٱْ ِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫نَّ َ‬ ‫�� َ � نَ َ َ نْ ُ َ � �لُ َّ‬ ‫أَا �َ نْ ُ َ � ُّ �‬ ‫ح� قُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َي � و و َ يِ و‬ ‫و � و بِٱ ب َ ُ ٌّ ي� �قِ ي �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ ْ َ��‬ ‫� ��يِ ُ قُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ْ ظَ ��� َ� ْ � َ �أ �ْ��م �ْ‬ ‫�ج�ه ��ي ���م � �� � �لَ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫� ِد ر‬ ‫�فِ�‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫روِج ري ضِ� ل رَو�‬ ‫�ي �نِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ٌ َ �ز � ٌ � � قُ‬ ‫ٌ َ َ ْ ضٌ ن‬ ‫� ���َ ا تُ �‬ ‫نى��ُ �َ � َ‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�م�ا ءٌ �ِ�م���ير  �ور�و��� �� �ضِ�‬ ‫�ق�ع ���ِ� ي ر و‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫�� �ي ر ‪� 1‬و � ر �نِي ���‬ ‫فَ‬ ‫�َ ُ �نَُ‬ ‫�خٌ �ُ َّ َ تْ ��فَ�ٱ ْ تَ �َ ا َ ْ‬ ‫��ِ ٌّ �� َ� � ٌ َ �َم�ْ�عنً َ � قُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ل���ي �‬ ‫� ��حرر� � ��س���ن� ر�  �‬ ‫�ل�ه ���س‬ ‫خ�ط �ج ِ �ل و ��ى َد �قِ ي ���‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ ضَ ا ُ ْ‬ ‫� َ � َ َ ْ هٌ َ� ش قٌ َ �َ �ْ�ق �َم ��شِ َّ � َ ْ � ٌ ��ف قُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ِ�‬ ‫ح��ك �َو�ج �ه�ك �و�ج�� ع ِ���ي���  � �يو�ل��ى ��� �م�ك �ِم‬ ‫�ي��‬ ‫��س�كٱ �تِ ي���‬ ‫َ‬ ‫فَ َ‬ ‫�ْ ف َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��خِ َ�ا �ُ َ �أْ� نَ � �� ِّ�� � قُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح�� � �ل�ز �ه َ �هُ � �ل َ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ ا ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ضِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر ر ري �‬ ‫َص وي � َ ِري��‬ ‫ٌََ َ ْ َ‬ ‫�غ�َ ْ َ ُ َ َ ���نِ ْ� َ �ش��� قٌ �ش��� قُ‬ ‫ه�ا ر �ب���هِ� ر ت� �� �هِ ���ي��ىره  �ع��ل� � ر�جِ �� �و �قِ� ي ��� �فِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ َ ٱَْ �‬ ‫�بِ‬ ‫سٍ‬ ‫�ذَى خَ‬ ‫�فِ �ذَ َ ا ش قٌ َ ٌ َا ف ٌ‬ ‫�ٌ َ َ �ذ ا � ��ل�ع ���� قُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �و�‬ ‫��جِ �ل �‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫� ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ��ع� �ِ ��‬ ‫�خ� �ئِ�   أوَ ْ جِ ��ل وك� ك َِشي ���‬ ‫ِ ُ ُ�ق � َ ْ ُ ُ ُ نٌ ِ ُ قُ َ� �لَ ا �� َ ا َ ُ ُ ٌ تشُ قُ‬ ‫���ه� �و�‬ ‫����تر�و��ك �ِم��ن�ه ��عي ��و� ����تر�و��  �ب� �‬ ‫�ح� ظِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ�د �ود � �‬ ‫���و��‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫مِ َ نُ َ� ْ �ْ نَ �طِ � َّ ٱ � ِّ َ � فَ َ َ‬ ‫ع قُ‬ ‫�ه�اِت��ي���ك ِ��ت�ْ��بٌر �َو��ه��ذِ �ي� � ��قِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �د ا هِ� � ي��حِ�م�ل� َ��� �ل � �ل��ن�د ى  � �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫تَ ��ضِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َّ نُ �أ ْ َ ا قُ َ ا ُ َّ ُ َ �َ ن ُ � ْ هُ � � � ا � �� قُ‬ ‫���ص�م� �ور ���ه� د ره �و������ثر ِم��ن� � �ل��ذِ ي� �ل� ي��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َي‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ � � �غ َ ا َ ا ��ف ِ �ْ ضٌ �ن � َ ا َ � َ �َ�ْ ضٌ �ُ �م قُ‬ ‫َ� ُ � �� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫يَِ�م���ي�ل ل سِ �ي بِ‬ ‫ب � ي�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫فَ َ ْ ُ ٱ �ْ ََ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ٌْ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص� قُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�َح�ا د �ث�ا ت� � �ل�ز ��َ‬ ‫�ف َ ا ْ َ ا‬ ‫�ج�ه � ل‬ ‫م�ا �نِ  ���و�‬ ‫حوا ِد ثِ � ه � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ب� ِد ر بِ����ن� � ِ ِ‬ ‫� �و�ج � �فِ ي ���‬

‫� �ش���عره �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫�و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ََ ٱ َ‬ ‫أَ ْ‬ ‫��أ ��َ فِ��َ ا �تُ� ُ َ َ ا ْ ف�َ ��قَ ْ ���شِ�� َ �َ �ْ نَ ا �ٱ ��ل ُّ �ُ ُ‬ ‫� ِ�ع�د � ُ����شْر���ك � ��ل ك�‬ ‫�� س ي�م� �عِ ��ي�د  �و���س� ِ�ع�د � �د �م�ل�ت�� ��س �عود‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�فِ نَّ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫نَّا ُ �قُ ُ‬ ‫َ ُ� ثَّ �ٱ �� َّ ُ َ� �� ضَ ْ �ٱ �� َّ َ‬ ‫�ََا ثَ �عِ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫حو ِد � � �ع�� ر ��ود‬ ‫�ح ل‬ ‫�ص ��و لِ �‬ ‫�صب��حِ  ��إِ � � �‬ ‫���وِ ل�‬ ‫و � �ب ح‬

‫أ‬ ‫ن ٌ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪��ِ � :‬ط��ير‪.‬‬

‫‪278‬‬

‫‪278‬‬

‫‪٥،٢٤‬‬

The Monastery of Mount Tabor

The season of meadows is a pretty time, the life of frivolity’s a life that is fine. Fate has brought these two together, now who will wake up, who will come to? You whom I entreat, you whom I desire, you who are worthy of my love, Look around you, turn your gaze on the fields flowering in all their beauty. Blooming meadows, water that’s clear, gardens all alike, blossoms fine and lovely Like finely written texts that glisten, their script majestic and meaning delicate. A beloved face greets you with a smile, your nose encounters a fragrant scent. When the meadows’ flowers laugh among their fellows, how to be free? Where’s the path? Beauty with which you surpass its like possessed by narcissi and tender anemones, Here’s a lover, timid and fearful; there’s a violet, a bashful beloved. You marvel at its eyes with delightful glances and at its cheeks, which fill you with desire. Hollows in the rock bearing dawn’s dewdrops, some gold and some carnelian, Flowers with petals embracing pearls, which scatter in showers, far and wide, When the breeze sways with its branches, some drunken, others alert. Come, let us forestall the disasters of fate; such disasters have a shameless face. Here is another good poem of his:

24.5

Drink again from the cup, drink over and over, come to our help as we’re swallowed in happiness. Hasten the morn’s drink to the light of dawn while fate sleeps, heedless of us.

279

279

‫� �‬ ‫د�يرا �ل��ط�ور‬

‫أََ نَ ْ ُ ٱ ْ‬ ‫�ُ � �� �ل���ف�ْ��ع�َ �م نْ �َ��ْ�� نَ��ا‬ ‫� �م�ا � ش��� ك‬ ‫��ر ِ‬ ‫ل ِ � ي و مِ‬ ‫�سِ َ تَ ُ ُ َ َ ْ ضٌ نَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�� ي��د‬ ‫��� �م�ا ءٌ �ج��ود �ور �و��� �� �ضِ�‬ ‫َ �ِ ٌّ �َ ف�ُ ُ� َ َ ٌ� � ُ � �ُ‬ ‫� �و�ن�د �ي ��وح �وراح ���ت ��ى ي‬ ‫َ ِرح‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫قٌ‬ ‫�صْ ٌت� �َشُ �قُ َ �زَ ْ ٌ‬ ‫�و� �و ي �‬ ‫���و� �و ���مر ر�فِ� ي ���‬ ‫أَ َ َ ٱ �ْ � �ُٰ �َ �َ ا عِ ْ �شِ‬ ‫��� �� نَ‬ ‫�س��ا‬ ‫� د ا � � �ل� �ل�ه �ل�ن� �� ي��‬ ‫م إِ‬

‫�ف �ذ �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�و��ق�ا ��ل ��� �ه� ا ا�لم�عن��ى �و�ت�غ�� ن��ى ف�ي��ه‬ ‫ي‬

‫َ نَ ْ َ � َ ا نَ�ْ نُ � �ُ �ُ ُ‬ ‫�خ� �لود‬ ‫هى ِب��م� ح� �فِ��ي�هِ �‬ ‫ �و�� ��ب� �‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ �زَ�ْ ٌ ��جِ ٌ غ ْ ٌ‬ ‫� ِ�د ���ي�د �َو����ص ن� ي� مِ�� ي��د‬ ‫  �و ��هر‬ ‫َ ا � � مِ� �لِ�� ٌ َ نَا �ٌ َ ُ ُ‬ ‫عود‬ ‫ �َو���س���س� قٍ� ي �‬ ‫� � �و� ي� �و� �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ح ٌّ ِ‬ ‫َ عِ ْ شٌ �أ� قٌ َ ��جِ‬ ‫ �و�� ي����� �نِي ��� و�‬ ‫� �د ����س�عِ� ي��د‬ ‫ُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�َ ُ ُ‬ ‫ �َ �َ�ا �نَ�ا ��َ �م �َّ�ا �ُ � نَ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��سود‬ ‫و�ل ل ِ �ن �م‬ ‫�م��ا ه � �‬

‫َ�ق ْ ُ َّ َ تْ � ُّ ُ أَ�نْ َ �ُ َ َ ثَّ شَ ْ َ ٱ � َّ َ َ شَ َّ ُ‬ ‫��د ��ق�د �م� ِ�ل��ل��سر�ور � � ���ف�ا �ل‪�     1‬و�‬ ‫�� او �ل‬ ‫�ص�ي �ا �م � �‬ ‫ح� ����هر � �ل�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َّ ةً َ � ُ َّ أ�ذ َ ُ‬ ‫َ أَ�قْ ��بِ َ ٱ �ْ �غِ ْ ُ �َ ا سٍا ُ َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و �� �ل � �ل�� ��م �ل�ب���� � �‬ ‫كي��� ��م� �ل��ه� � �ي� ل‬ ‫�ح�ل�ل�ا �ِم��س ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ َّ َ ٱ �ْ �أَْ ضَ �ي َ ِْ ضُ َ َف �غِ َ ُ نْ ��شِ ُ َ َٱ �ْ �أْ ضُ ت ْ َ ُ‬ ‫� د ب� � �ل� �� � � ا‬ ‫�ه�ا � �و �ل�ر��� �‬ ‫��خت��ا �ل‬ ‫ج ر � رو‬ ‫و �‬ ‫���ه� ���� �د ا   �ي������ ر فِ�ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نَ ٌ َ ُ َّ تْ ٱ � َّ أ ْ �َ ُ‬ ‫َٱ ْ َت�زَّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع د �و�‬ ‫ح ن� �ِم ن� ��طرب�ٍ ��ا �ي� �و�ع�م� �بِ�� �ل ارحِ� � ر ���ط�ا �ل‬ ‫� �و ��ه�� � �و‬ ‫َ ُ َّ َ تْ � ْ ُ ُ آ َ ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�َ �ُ� �� َ�د �ٱ �ْ�خ‬ ‫�َ� ْ�ف �م نْ �‬ ‫َ�ا رهِ �و���قر��� ِ�ل��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ��م�ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �و عِ‬ ‫و ِ�‬ ‫و بِ‬ ‫�ذِ‬ ‫أَّبَ ُ َ ٱ �ْ حِ َ َ �يِِ ةٌ تَ ُ ثُّب � ْ�فِ َ آ َ ُ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫�ح��َ‬ ‫ا نا � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�ا ِ�ل�� �ل� ن��ا ِء � �‬ ‫�ج�ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ي� �ْ�م�� �فِ�ي� � � ي�� �ةِ ��ع� ِر�� َ��   �‬ ‫�فَٱ �غ �ِ نِ ُ ُ ْ َ ةَ ٱ � َّ َ َ � تُ ��فِ َّ ُ � �فَٱ � َّ َ نُ ُ غْ ُ‬ ‫�م ا ���ف � ل�ز ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ط ا ��� �ل�ز ��م�ا � �م�� َ‬ ‫��ت�ا �ل‬ ‫�� �ت� �و ر‬ ‫�ص�� � � �م� نِ� �و�ل�ا  � ��� ر �� �و‬

‫ّ‬ ‫� ف�ي��ه �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫�و�م�م�ا �م��ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫��� � ّ َ ا ْ َ‬ ‫�زَ َ نٌ َ‬ ‫� ْ‬ ‫َ ْ َ ُ � � � ُّ ُ‬ ‫��� � ِّ َ‬ ‫َ � َ�‬ ‫طو�ِل � �ل�‬ ‫ي ب���ع�د �� �‬ ‫أَْ�م� ك�� �ل����شب�� َبِ‬ ‫� َ� �و ك�� �ل� َ��ترا ضِ����‬ ‫�ص�د �وِد � �و �لإِ��ع ار �ضِ�‬ ‫أ ْ‬ ‫� قََ ٱ �ْ غَ ْ ثُ ُ أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حَ تْ   � � �َ�اد �َ �َ��ْع �‬ ‫���ّ � ْ�� ��فَ�� ض��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ُض�َه�ا ��� ��م‬ ‫َ�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�فِي� ِو ٍ بو‬ ‫� � �ل���ي � ك�ل ر ضٍ�‬ ‫ضِ�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫حُ َ ٱ‬ ‫ََْ َ َ َ َ ٱ ْ‬ ‫َ َ ْ ضَ َ ٱ َْ‬ ‫�يَ�ا �غ��ل�ا�ُ � � ْ�� قِ��س�نِ�� ف����ق�د ��ِ�� � � ْ شُ � �ن ا َ شّ ْ �ن َ ا �‬ ‫ح�ك � �ل�عي�  �‍��� �إِ �ل�ي � �و�ه��� ب���ع�د � � قِ����ب� �ضِ�‬ ‫أَ م ُ ُ ٱ ْي‬ ‫ُ ُ َ َّ َ َ َ ْ ٱ َ‬ ‫َ َ � �ؤْ � �ؤَ �‬ ‫�حِ َ��ا � ��ُ َ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��ب�ا ر��ي  �� �ل�ؤْ �� �ل�ؤَ ا �� ّل����ط�ل �ف��ْو�ق� �ز ���هر � ��لَّ�ر�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ي ضِ�‬ ‫� �و ر�ى � �ل � �ل � ب بِ ي ِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫أَ ْ َ ُ‬ ‫‪ 1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا ى�ع�ا ل؛ �ع ّوا د‪ � :‬ث���ق���ا ل‪.‬‬

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‫‪٦،٢٤‬‬

‫‪٧،٢٤‬‬

The Monastery of Mount Tabor

Let’s give thanks for our doings today, and be joyful at what we may stay in forever, A generous sky, a carpet-like meadow, fresh flowers, the swaying of branches, Fragrant perfume, wine, which gives rest, a handsome cupbearer, a flute and reed pipe, A voice full of longing, a gentle melody, a life of elegance and the favors of fate, May God grant us this life the livelong day, and may the envious not rob us of our desires. On the same theme, he also composed this poem, which was set to music:

24.6

Gifts have been brought to celebrate, Shawwal162 follows hard on the month of the fast. Clouds cloaked in mantles of musk have arrived and have left no trail. Gardens have woven brocade for the earth, who struts proudly in her new display. The lutestrings quiver, the flute plays a yearning tone, wine’s poured out, measure on measure. Cautious men now get rid of their fear, hope’s been brought to hearts— Our days in this life are unarrayed, urged on at fixed times to destruction, So seize any chance destiny offers— don’t let it slip; fate will only deceive. Another of his fine poems:

24.7

A period like youth—or reconciliation after aversion and long-lasting rejection. Rain has made the whole earth fertile: a part has given birth, a part’s still in labor. Boy, pour me a drink! Life has smiled on us, laughing and cheerful after dejection. I see the pearl-like bubbles rivaling the pearls of dew on the garden’s flowers.

281

281

‫� �‬ ‫د�يرا �ل��ط�ور‬

‫َ‬ ‫� ��ق�ا �� �أ ���ض‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫ول ي‬

‫أَ َ ٱ ٰ‬ ‫َ� َّ َ َ‬ ‫َ ا � ً َٱ � َّ ْ فُ‬ ‫ََ �‬ ‫�َْ‬ ‫� �ْ�ست ��ْود ُ � ّللهَ �َم نْ� �ل� ����يِ ْر�و ��ل��‪� 1‬ن �ظ� �� ر��ي  �لم�ا �مض���ى �‬ ‫�خ� ��� طِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�را � �و �لرد ��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫�ُِ َ َ ْ نَ �ذَ‬ ‫��ا ت م ٱ �ْ غُ ِْ ِ أَ شْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ� ِع نْ َ َ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح كِ��ي��هِ �ِم� �‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�� ِ ��س� ِك‬ ‫حر ِ‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫� وِ � يٍ�م ِ ي‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬ ‫َ� ُّ َ نْ َ ْ ٱ �َْ قْ‬ ‫�َ �و��بِ �د �� �ي كِ�‬ ‫�ص �هِ � �ل� �‬ ‫��ل �ع� �و� �فِ�‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫ِ �ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫عٱ �ْ‬ ‫فَ ْ َ ٍَ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ�ا ���ط �ٱ ��لّ�� �� دَ �قّ� �َم�ْعنَ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫هو ك�� ل ِ ِر �ذِ ي‬

‫‪٨،٢٤‬‬

‫َ� ْ ُ ُ‬ ‫�ج��ذِ �ب�ه‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أَ ْ �� �يِ ُ ُ‬ ‫� �ط� ب��ه‬

‫َ‬ ‫ُ � � �ْ َ �� َ ْ�َ ٱ �ْ �أ� ْ َ‬ ‫�ص�ا‬ ‫ �‍�ل ِ�ل����فرا �ِط �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ي ر�ةِ � �ل� بَ ِر‬ ‫ُ �فَ�أَإِ ضْ َ َ ُ �ُ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ �أ فْ�اَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ���‬ ‫ح� ي�ج��و�ل �� � �ل� � ك�‬ ‫�� ِر‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫ه � �ى‬

‫أَ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬ ‫ََ َ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ أَْ َ تَ‬ ‫َ�ق ْ َُّ��َ تْ فَ‬ ‫���أ نَّ أ ْ� �فَ ا �نِ هُ � نْ � ْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫كِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هي� �فِ�ي� �ل���س � ِم ح�ي��هِ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� �هِ  �د ركب�� �‬ ‫ك�� � � ج� � � � ِم� �جِ ْ���س�ِم ��ع� ِ �قِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ � ُ ْ َ� �ْ�ق َ ٌ � ْ �َ ا �غَ ةٌ ْ َ قُ � ْ �غ َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ع رب� ِ�ل�جِ���ل���س�ِم �ل� ِد ��� ِ د ر�ي�ا �� �ل��د � ��ِت�ه�ا ��ي� � �ل َر� ��قِ� �ِم ن� ��فِ ي�هِ�‬ ‫�و �فِ�ي� �‬ ‫�ص�د �غِ��هِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫�ن� �نّ‬ ‫���ا ن � ّ‬ ‫ح��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص ار ��ي� ك� � ي ب‬

‫� �ف‬ ‫� ��ق�ا � � �غ�� �ا �‬ ‫و ل �ي� ل م‬ ‫ِ َّ �زُ َّ َ ُ عِ َ ِّ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ٱ �ل�زُّنّاَ‬ ‫�شِ َّ �ٱ ��ْ�ُ �ُ َ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�َ ْ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ش�د �ن�ا ره �� ��ل� ِد ��ق�ةِ� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���ص‬ ‫���ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق و ب� �فِ�ي� ِر‬ ‫َِر و‬ ‫َ أَ َ �َ ٱ �ْ �أَ ْ َى غَ فَْ قَ �ذَ‬ ‫َ�خ ُ ٱ �ْ �ذَ‬ ‫أنَا نْ شْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ٍ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و ���س�ا �ل � �ل��‬ ‫�ص�دا� ���و�� ِ�ع� ر � ِم� ِ ����قِ� �هِ �ِ�ل���ي ل عِ� � ِر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�بِ َ ْ ْ ُ ُ � َّ�ةٌ ُ �ذ‬ ‫�ُ � َّ‬ ‫ل��ن�ا   ����� ظِ َ � ْ ًا َ ُ ُ فَْ قَ نَ َ ا‬ ‫�َ �و� �د ت� �ِم��ن�ه ����طر �ت�� ��كِر � �‬ ‫�ر �ل��ي�ل� ��ي�� �لوح� ���و�� ���ه� ِر‬

‫� ّ‬ ‫� � ن � � �ة‬ ‫أ ن‬ ‫����ل��ة �م�ه��‬ ‫مو ت� ب� ن� � �مو��س�ى ب� ن� � ك‬ ‫�و�ه�و � ب� ��و �� ض�‬ ‫ح��ي�� ب � �ج ب��ل�‬ ‫مو ت� ب� ن� ا�ل�م�ز ر ب� ن� ي�� �‬ ‫ل�ه�ل ب� ن� ي�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫�ص �ة ا ��ل���ذ �� �من�� �ع�ا �ئ ش�����ة � ���ط��‬ ‫ح��ة � ا ��ل�ز ��� ا ��ل��د �خ�� ��ل ��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�عب��د �ي�‪� .‬و� ك‬ ‫ه��د �ب�ا �لب��‬ ‫ح��ي�� �ه�و ا �ل����‬ ‫و و ب ير‬ ‫و �إ ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ُم‬ ‫أ‬ ‫عّا ت ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ���ط��ل ة �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� �ا‬ ‫ح�تّ �ق ت‬ ‫���ا ن� �م ن �خ���ره �و�م��ق ت���ل�ه � �نّ�ه �ل�م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�� �‬ ‫�صر�ة �و� ت���ل�وا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح�� � او �ل�ز �ب��ير �م ن� ا �لب��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ر�ب��ه�م �ى ل و‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ �خ ��ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح�ن ��ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س��ع�و� ر�ج��ل� �م� ��ي�ر �� ب� �و�ل� ��سب�� ب� � �و �� � او �م� � ب�� � ي �‬ ‫حر��س ب��ي��� ا�لم� �ل �و ه�م � ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ىرو �ي�‪.‬‬

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‫‪282‬‬

‫‪٩،٢٤‬‬

‫‪١٠،٢٤‬‬

The Monastery of Mount Tabor

Here are three couplets:

24.8

I commend to God one not hidden from my eyes as he walked past proudly, pulled at by a follower. He’s imitated by the loveliest swaying branch and the most fragrant musk borne on the breeze. A youth tiring the mind that wants to describe him, for he leaves the eyes so distraught. He’s like an idea, subtle in meaning, moving freely through one’s thoughts. His eyelids seem to be part of his lover’s body, for they copy him in their sickness. From his forehead hangs a scorpion that stings the body; its antidote is his mouth’s saliva. And he composed this poem on a Christian boy he loved:

24.9

He’d tied his belt fast round his slender waist, and he tied many hearts into his belt; His locks hung low in front of his cheeks. I’ve the cheek to love him with no excuse. At its parting his hair recalls night looming over the light of day.

Muhalhil’s full name is Abū Naḍlah Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarri ʿ ibn 24.10 Yamūt ibn Mūsā ibn Ḥakīm ibn Jabalah al-ʿAbdī. Ḥakīm was the martyr in Basra who prevented ʿĀʾishah, Ṭalḥah, and alZubayr from entering it, fighting to death. Apropos of his deeds and his death: Ṭalḥah and al-Zubayr, when they conquered Basra, killed the guards of the treasury, seventy men in all, for no wrong or reason. They seized ʿUthmān ibn Ḥunayf al-Anṣārī, the governor of Basra appointed by the Commander of the Faithful ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, God bless him, and plucked out his beard and were

283

283

‫� �‬ ‫د�يرا �ل��ط�ور‬

‫� �أ�ن ا � ّ ا � أ � � �ؤ � ن ن ّ أ � �‬ ‫� ا ت ا ّٰ ه ���ل ه ا ��ل �ة �ن ت ف‬ ‫� ب� ن� �ب �ي� ��ط�ا �ل ب� �ص�ل�و � لل ع ي�� �ع��ل�ى ب��‬ ‫ا �ل���ص� ر ي� �ع� �م�ل � �م�ي ر ا �ل �‬ ‫�صر � �و �� �� او‬ ‫م م���ي� �ع��ل�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ��ف �ق � ه �خ� ��� ا ف����ق ا �� �� � ا �ق � ن ا � ن � ف‬ ‫ح ت�ي��ه � � ا د � ا ق�ت���ل�ه ��ق�ا‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ط�ي�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�ني��� د �م �م�ص�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مي و‬ ‫م يم ي و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ّٰ‬ ‫أ ا ن ة ّ �ة ّٰ � � �ن � �ي�ن ا أ ً � ن ن ا ��‬ ‫�قّ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��ا �ن�ه �م ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫� �و �م� ��� �م�ود ا � او لله �ل�و �ل� �ي ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫لل‬ ‫س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��� �ع�ل � � �م�ي�را �لم��ع�� ه � �ج و ر و‬ ‫�ر و‬ ‫أ�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫�ّ ف� ف � �ل�‬ ‫�قّ ا �� � ا� �ة �ّ ا �أ نّ ��ل ّ � ّ ت ا �ل� ّ ت � �ؤ �� ��ف �ّ ا � ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا لله �ع��لي��ه �و��سل�� � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �و ل�و�ل�ي� ‪� .‬إ �ل� � ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�ي� م�ي � �وم�ي � م��س� �ول‪� .‬إ� م� �‬ ‫��ي ��� و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ ً �ف أ‬ ‫�ق � �ف �ذ � أ‬ ‫�� ا ا � �‬ ‫�� ا �ًا �ّ ا �أ ن �ت‬ ‫ت� ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪1.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫���‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م �و �� او ك�ر م� � �إو � ي �و ر ر �ج ب �و �إ �ى‬ ‫م �إ ي و ل �ي� ل�ك ب �و‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ ة ��‬ ‫صّ �وك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ف�ا ر��س ا � �لق ��و�‬ ‫� �ميّ��� ا �ل�� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ َ ا ش َ َ ْ ٱ �ْ�قَ ْ ُ تُ َ َ ٱ ��َّ ت تَ ُ ُّ َ � ًّا َٱ ْ ��ذَ ُ سِ َّ ةَ ٱ �ْ �غِ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ���سر �عِ�لي�� � �و �‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ح� ر� او َ��� ب��� � �ل�� ّ ِر‬ ‫�م�ع� ِ���ر �عب� ِ�د � � �ل ي����سِ � �م �و �� او �ع��ل�ى لِ���‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ُ تُ ��َ ً فَ ْ َ أ ْ َ فُ � �ذَ��ْ‬ ‫ٱ َ‬ ‫�َ ��ل�ا ��ِ��تْ َ�هُ�� ا �� � ّٰلل �� �لْ � مِ� ��ةَ ��ل�ا�� �مٍ  � � �م � �� ا � ا �م�ا‬ ‫ه � �����ش �� ِ�ل��ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫و و كِر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫��ئِ‬ ‫و �فِي‬

‫ن أ ��ص � �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش ت ا ئ ش �ة �فخ � ���ط���ل �ة‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ي�� ��� �ث�ل�ا ث��م�ا �ئ��ة ر ج���ل �م� � �‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫�و��د ا � ك‬ ‫ح�ا �ب�ه �إ �ل�ى ا �ل�ع�د �ّو �و�ه�و ي���� �� ‪� ٢‬ع� ����� �ر� ح�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�ز � � م ئ ة‬ ‫� �ق ت ا �ًا‬ ‫� � �ذ � � ا ��ل � �ُ��س ّ � � ا ��ل � �أ م ف‬ ‫��م�ل ا �ل� �ص�غ� ر‪���� .‬ق�ا �ت��ل � ك‬ ‫ح��ي�� �� �ل�‬ ‫ح�م�ل�ا �ع�ا � ش����� �ع��ل�ى ا �ج ��ل�م�ل و �ل�ك ي ��و ي ��مى ي ��و �ج �‬ ‫� او �ب�ير �و‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ق � ن� ا ت ن ن �تُ ا � ن � � �ن ا � ظّ‬ ‫ح ����ً�ا‪ .‬ا ��ل��ّله�ّ ا ق�ت���له�م�ا ��م ن �ق ت��ل�ا‬ ‫�ش���د �ي��د ا �و ج�‬ ‫���ع�ل ��ي� ��و�ل �إ �م� � �ري��د ا � � � ��صي��ب�� م� ا �ل�د �ي��‬ ‫� م � ب�‬ ‫� ا ت � ا ا �أ � ا � ا ت � غ ا ا أ ّ ا � ا ت غ �ف � ا أ ً‬ ‫ح � ا � ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م� �م� � �م�ل� �و �ل� ��� �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫طه�م� �م� ��س� �ل� �و �ل� ��ب��ل� �‬ ‫�و �ل� ���ع �� �‬ ‫� ر �ل�ه�م� � �ب��د و �ل ي� و م ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ��زأ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ع��� � ��ل�ا �ف� �و�ه� ���ف �ث�ل�ا ث��م�ا �ئ��ة �ف�ه�ز �مه� �‬ ‫ح�ت � د �خ���‬ ‫له� ��س��ك���ة‪� .‬و�ش���د ر ج���ل �م ن� ا �ل� د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف أ �ذ‬ ‫�غ ف ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ��ز ّ‬ ‫�ق ف ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫�� ر�ج���ل�ه ��� �خ��� � ك‬ ‫�� �ر�ه �ع��ل�ى ��س�ا ��ه ���� ��ط‬ ‫ح��ي�� �و�ه�و ��ا ���ل �� ض�‬ ‫ح��ي�� ر�ج���ل�ه �� ض�‬ ‫��رب� �ب��ه�ا ا �ل� د �ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن ق �‬ ‫ف �ق‬ ‫ثّ‬ ‫���‬ ‫�صر�ع�ه �� �ج��ا ء ��� ت���ل�ه � �و � ش����� ��ي� ��و�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�َ�ا ��نَ�فْ���ُ َلا ��ُ��تَ ا ِ�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ي�‬ ‫ي س‬ ‫نْ �قُ �� َ تْ‬ ‫� ُك��‬ ‫�َ ا ِع��‬ ‫�إِ � ��ِ‬ ‫��ط�ع ر ي�‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن� �ِ��م� را ِ�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫عِ�ي� �ذِ ي�‬ ‫�إِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫ة ن �‬ ‫� �ق ت�� � � �ث �ا �ث �ة �خ� �ة �� ه � �أ خ‬ ‫�ص �ة � � ��� �ل �ه� �عن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �ل ه�و و�ل � �إ �و ل� و ر�ج و بر ي � ب ر و �ج و م �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫أ �غ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪ :‬د ع�ا �ه و��ا ل‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل ��ير وا ��‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬

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The Monastery of Mount Tabor

intending to kill him. Then Ḥakīm stood up in the tribal assembly and delivered a speech: “Men, Ibn Ḥunayf ’s life must be protected, a trust we have been given. Even if he were not our governor, I swear by God we would defend him because of our duty to protect him and because of his standing with the blessed Messenger of God. So what about now, when he has both right and the governorship on his side? Every living person is bound to die, and every dead person will be asked to give account of his acts. Die as noblemen or live as free.” They consented to his proposal. Upon this, Abū Umayyah al-Aṣamm, the tribe’s champion, composed verses: Tribe of ʿAbd Qays, die for what pleases ʿAlī, beware of being cursed for treachery. Don’t fear any slur, by God, die as nobles, and earn respect for your memory. Cursing163 ʿĀʾishah, Ḥakīm faced the enemy with three hundred men 24.11 of his tribe, and Ṭalḥah and al-Zubayr came out to meet them. ʿĀʾishah had been mounted on a camel, and so that day is known as the lesser Battle of the Camel.164 Ḥakīm fought fiercely, taunting his opponents: “You both are just out for worldly gain. God, kill them in revenge for those they killed, don’t grant their request, don’t fulfill their hopes, don’t ever forgive them.” With his three hundred men he charged their twelve thousand and routed them, making them flee into an alley. Then an Azdī attacked him, catching him unawares, and struck his leg and cut off his foot. Ḥakīm picked it up, struck the Azdī with it, and felled him to the ground. Then he turned and killed him, saying: My soul, fear not! Though my foot’s been cut, my arm can still clout. He and three of his brothers were killed, and Rabī ʿah was driven out of Basra and forbidden to enter it.

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‫� �م ن �ش���ع �� � ت ن �م�ز ّ �ف ن‬ ‫مو� ب�� ا�ل� رع ��ي� ا ب����ه �م�ه�� �‬ ‫و� ري‬ ‫ل�ه�ل‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��غِ ُ ْ َ أَ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ ت َ َ ُ � كْ‬ ‫�ُمَه��ْل هِ�ُ ��ِ���ش�قّ�نِ‬ ‫� �� رك  � �و ��س���ل د �م ِ�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � ألَ ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫ََ ْ‬ ‫أَ ُ ُت ��فَ ُ َّ َي أَ��ثِ ُ � كْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ن�ا �‬ ‫��ل��د �ى � ك�‬ ‫� ����ش� �ِم�ه�ِ � � �مو� ���ي��م‬ ‫ح�ى � �� ر�‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ ْ م �َ��جِ َّ �َ َ ْ �خَ � ُ� كْ‬ ‫َ ��َ ْ ُ ��مْ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ت� ��ي� �ع���مِر�ي � �ل ل�دي���هِ� �ِم ��طِ‬ ‫�ر�‬ ‫�و �لو � �‬ ‫�سوِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َُ � � � ْ َ ��فِ ُ � كْ‬ ‫عِ � ّ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫طو�ل �إِ لي���هِ� �ِم��س� ر�‬ ‫���َ او � ����فِ�س��� �� ��ل�ى �ل�م��ةٍ  �ي� �� �‬ ‫َ نْ أَ ْ ي � ْ �فِ نَّ ٱ ّٰ َ ُ نَ ٱ �ْ�خَ ْ � َ �زَ ُ � كْ‬ ‫�و � � ��هِ��لك � � � � لله  د �و� � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �لقِ� ِ�ل�ي� �و ر‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫حت � ت‬ ‫ف ن �‬ ‫ن � � �ث �ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫نّ �ذ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ه�ل ك����ي�ر ��ي� ��س�ا ئ�ر � ن��و� ا �ل ش����عر � �إو ��م�ا ك��ر�ن�ا �م�ا ا ��م��ل�ه ا � ك��‬ ‫ل��ا ب�‬ ‫�و����عره �و����عر ا ب����ه م�ه� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ه ا �ل�����شر ��ط‪.‬‬ ‫� او �ت� ض�‬

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The Monastery of Mount Tabor

Here is part of a poem by Yamūt ibn al-Muzarri ʿ addressing his son Muhalhil: Muhalhil, your youth rends my heart, and I weep to see your distress. If I die on Syria’s slopes, then you will have no honor left. If I am granted life, you will enjoy great prestige in their eyes. Alas for the companions to whom your road will be long. If I perish, then God, not men, will take care of you for me. He and his son Muhalhil composed a great deal of poetry in the various genres, but here we have only mentioned what suits the book and corresponds to its purpose.

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24.12

‫د � ا ��لُ�خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير ب �‬ ‫ف ����خ‬ ‫���ا ن �ُ��س ّ د � ��م�خ‬ ‫���ا ��ئ�� ��ف ُ���س ّ‬ ‫� ��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د � ���د �م ش ق‬ ‫��� ن �من ا‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�� � � ن �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير ب �‬ ‫و‬ ‫���� �ع��ل�ى �ر سي� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ه� �و�ه�و دير كب��ي ر ح��س� �وك � ي ��مى ير ي ل ي�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� �ل� ت ��ا ن ت‬ ‫ا ��ا‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫ّ ن‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫نا �‬ ‫�ب��ه� ا ا �ل� �س�م ب�� ك�� ��� �ل�عب��د ا�لم�لك ب�� �مر� او � ي�م�� �ه�� ك ��عر�� �ب��ه�‪� .‬وك�� � �ل�ع��ل�ي� ب��‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع��د ا ّٰلله � ن �ع ّ��ا �� ����ذ ��ل�� ا �ل�م ض‬ ‫�ن خ‬ ‫��� �ج� ن�ي�� ن���ة �م��ق�د ا ر�ه�ا � ر���ع��ة � ج� �ر��ة �ف ك�‬ ‫�ه�ا � ��يو ت���ن�ز ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب� ب س ب ك �‬ ‫��ا � ي�رج�‬ ‫� �إ �لي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫وع‬ ‫ف أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫����‪.‬‬ ‫�ه� � �ي� �م �م� � �م�ه �ب��د �م �‬ ‫�ي�‬

‫� �ق �‬ ‫��ف��ذ ك��‬ ‫� �ع�� ّ � ن �ح�مّ��د � ن �أ �� � �ف � ئ ن ّ‬ ‫�س�� ا�لم�د ا � ��ي� �ع ن� ر�ج��ا �ل�ه ��ا �ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّة �‬ ‫� ةأ ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا �ش����ر�ى �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� �عبّ��ا ��س �ب�ا �لم�د ��ي ن��� � �م�� � �فص� ار ء �برب� �ري�� �ف��و�ل��د ت� ��ي� �م��ن�ز �ل �عب��د ا لله‬ ‫ّٰ �‬ ‫�غ�� �ا �مً�ا ��ف��س ّ�م�ا ه ��س��ل� ���طً�ا � �ن ش�����أ ���ف �م��ن�ز ��ل�ه �ف�خ � ���ل��دًا �ظ ��� � ��فً�ا ث��ّ ��ش��خ‬ ‫�� �� �م� �ع��ل ّ ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ب�� �عب��د ا لله �إ �ل�ى‬ ‫ي و ي�‬ ‫ص ع ي�‬ ‫ر�ج �ج � ر�ي م‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ي�ز‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا ��ل ش����ا � �ل��� � �ل �� ���د �مت��ه �‬ ‫ح�ى �م�ا � �عب��د ا�لم��ل�ك �و�و�ل�ي� ا �ل�و�لي��د ا ب�� ن��ه ��� �� � ا �ل�� ا ��م‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�هر ح� أ �ل �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫م م‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫ّ � ض �ة ن ا�‬ ‫�ق � ن � �ة ّ أ �� غ ��ف � ��ف‬ ‫�ع��ل ّ‬ ‫� ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله �و�ع�ي ب��ه بح�‬ ‫��ر ا �ل�� ��س �و��س��عى ��و�م م� ح��س�د �ع��ل�ي� � �و ��ه�ل ا لب����ي� � ��س�د � او‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫� ��ًا �ز �ّ ن ا � ه ا ّ ا � ا �ة � ا ّٰ � ن � ّ ا �� ��ق ا �� ا �أ ن ت �ش ه ��ف � ا � � �ه ئ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �ي� �ج �م� �ل�ك �و ي�����ك‬ ‫��س�لي��ط� �و �ي ��و �ل� د �ع� ء �و�ل�د عب��د لله ب � عب�� س �و � ل�و ��� ��ب��ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف�ا دّ �ع� ��س��ل� ���ط � �نّ�ه ا � ن �ع��د ا ّٰلله � ن �ع ّ��ا �� � �خ��ا �ص� �ع��ل ّ�ً�ا ��ل� ا �� �ل ��ل��د‪�� .‬ف�� �م ا � �ل �ل��د � �ف��عه�م�ا‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر و ي بر �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫� � ق اً‬ ‫أ ن �ذ � � �� � �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��ق ا ض‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫���ق ��� �‬ ‫��س��ه � �و ���ه�ى �ل�ك �إ ل�ى ا �ل�و�لي��د‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫��ر��س�لي� ��ط‪��� 1‬و�م� ����ه�د � او �ل�ه �ع��ل�ى � ب‬ ‫�إ أل�ى � ���ي� د �م ��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن ا �ز ت ّا � تّ‬ ‫�خا‬ ‫ّٰ ن � ّ ا‬ ‫� � � ًّا ��ف � ث � �‬ ‫��ف�� ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ق �‬ ‫ح� �ه ب��عب��د ا لله ب�� ا �ل�عب�� ��س‪� ��.‬ص�م ��س�لي� ��ط �ع�لي�� �ي� ا�لم�ي�را � �و ��ط�ل ب� �م�� �ع��ه �إ �ي� ه ح�ى‬ ‫ئ أ‬ ‫ّ ��ف‬ ‫ا � ف�‬ ‫�ق ا‬ ‫��ا ن� � �ق �� � ��ل�ع��ل ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫حوا �ج��ه � �و �م�وره‪.‬‬ ‫� ب��‬ ‫�� ر�ب�ه �ع��ل�ي� �و�ص�ي�ره �ي� �عي�� �ل�ه � ك� �ي وم ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�فخ � ّ ً �‬ ‫ي�ن��ه ���د � ا ��ل�خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل�ه ف� ا ق �� ن ن‬ ‫� � نّ ن‬ ‫�� ت� �وك�‬ ‫� �ي ��و�م�ا �إ �ل�ى �ج� ن��� ب ير ب‬ ‫�ه� ���و�م �ي ع�م��ل�و� �م �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ر�ج �ع��ل�‬ ‫�ه�م � ب� ��و ا �ل�د � �م�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫فق‬ ‫�و�ل��د �ب �ي� را ��� �م�و�ل�ى ر��س�و�ل ا لله �ص��ل�ى ا لله �ع��لي��ه ���و���ع ت� ب��ي��ن��ه� � �وب��ي ن� ��س��لي� ��ط �م ش����ا ج�ر ‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع ��ق ت � �� أ ن �ن �ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ � ن � ا ّٰ ��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح��ف ا �� ه � �ف� �ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �و�ثب �� او �ع��لي��ه �� ��ل�وه ب�ع�د � � ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� و رو‬ ‫�إ ى‬ ‫�صر �ي� � ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا ��ل ن ن ة ف‬ ‫�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫�ب� �ج� �ي����� ��� او ر �وه �ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪�� :‬س��ل�ي��ط�ا‪.‬‬

‫‪288‬‬

‫‪288‬‬

‫‪١،٢٥‬‬

‫‪٢،٢٥‬‬

‫‪٣،٢٥‬‬

The Bactrians’ Monastery

This monastery, large and beautiful, is about two and a half miles (four kilome-

25.1

ters) from Damascus. It used to be called Mīkhāʾ īl’s Monastery, but its name was changed because ʿAbd al-Malik’s Bactrian camels were stabled there and then it was named after them. ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās had a garden there of about ten acres (four hectares), which he used to visit and relax in when he was in Damascus.

ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad ibn Abī Sayf al-Madāʾinī quoted his authorities as saying: ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās bought a fair Berber slave girl in Mecca who gave birth

25.2

to a boy in his house. He named him Salīṭ. Salīṭ grew up there, tough and likable; he accompanied ʿAbdallāh to Syria, and continued in his service until

ʿAbd al-Malik died and his son al-Walīd succeeded him. When the new caliph showed hostility to ʿAbdallāh’s son ʿAlī, and criticized him in public, people jealous of ʿAlī and other troublemakers worked on Salīṭ, suggesting that he claim to be ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās’s son. For, as they said, he was handsome like him and had the look of him. Salīṭ then alleged that he was ʿAbdallāh’s son and challenged ʿAlī before al-Walīd, who referred the question to the judge in Damascus. Salīṭ produced individuals who testified to his descent and he reported this to al-Walīd, who incorporated him in ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās’s genealogy. Then Salīṭ challenged ʿAlī over the inheritance, demanding his share. But ʿAlī got on good terms with him, including him among his dependents, and he saw to ʿAlī’s needs and affairs. One day ʿAlī went out to his garden at the Bactrians’ Monastery, where the people who worked for him included Abū l-Dann, a descendant of Abū Rāfiʿ, the freedman of the blessed Prophet. A dispute broke out between Salīṭ and the laborers, who attacked and killed him after ʿAlī had left for Damascus, and then dug a grave in the grounds, where they buried him.

289

289

25.3

‫د � ا �� خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل� ت�‬ ‫ير ب‬

‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خُ ت أ نّ خ ��ل ة �‬ ‫��ف�ا � ت‬ ‫ح�ب���� ��س��لي� ���ط �ع��ل� � �ّم�ه ��ف�ا ��س��ترا ب�� ت� ��خر�ج� ت� ���ف� ���ط��لب��ه ��ب��ر� � ��ه د ���ل ا‬ ‫� ن�ي�� ن��� �و�ل�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّٰ ف �ق �‬ ‫ي خ� � ن‬ ‫�ه�ا ��ف�� ��ت ت� ��ا � ا ��ل� ��ل��د �ص�ا ر�خ���ة ف����ق�ا ��ل �م ن ت��ت��ه�م�� ن ��ق�ا ��ل ت� �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫� ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله‪� ��� .‬ا �ل‬ ‫� �م �‬ ‫ب ب و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ رج‬ ‫�ذ � �ف أ‬ ‫��ل ن ن ة �ف �أ ض ت ش ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر� ��ي� �م� ي�����ه�د �ع��ل�ى د �و�ل�ه �م�ع�ه �ج �ي����� � ح�‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫��ر� ����ه�ود ا �ع��ل�ى �ل�ك � ر���س�ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� � � ق ًا � ��‬ ‫� ن�� ن �ة � ن �ظ� ��� ن � � ن �ش ��ئًا �أ �أث�ًا ��ف � �ث ا ا �من ّ �ة‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ه�ا �ع�د �م� او ض�‬ ‫�إ �لي��ه‪ 1‬ا �ل�و�لي��د ���و�م� �إ �ل�ى ا �جل �ي �� �ي ر�و� �ه�ل ير�و� ��ي �� �و ر‪ � � .‬ر�و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� أّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ا ن �ف �‬ ‫� ن ن ة � خمُ � ا � ا � ّ ت ّ‬ ‫� ���ف خ‬ ‫� � �ه�ا‬ ‫�ل��� �ير� او �ش��ي��ئ��ا‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل �ل�ه� � ك�� ر ك�‬ ‫ح�تى �ي���ب��ي� ن� �� ك��‬ ‫�ه� ا�لم� ء‬ ‫���ا � ��ي� ا �ج�ل �ي����� ا �ر� او �ع�ل‬ ‫ل�‪� .‬مرو‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أ م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف م ن‬ ‫� �ً‬ ‫�ف ا ���ست‬ ‫� ف �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � � روه � ر�ج �و ��س�لي��ط�‪.‬‬ ‫��ا ��س� �لم�و�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف� � ث �� �� ��ل ّ �ف� نّ�ف ه �غ � ظ �� � ه ��ق ا �� ّٰ � ئ ن ��صّ‬ ‫ّ ق � �ق ّ‬ ‫ب�ع� ا ل� ل��د � �ع�� �ع �� � � � ��ل�� �ل� � � ل � ا لله �ل��‬ ‫� �ع ن��د �ي� � �ن��ك � ت���لت��ه �ل� � ت���ل ن���ك‬ ‫أ ّو ي �إ قى ل�ي �� أ و ف و � � و ت� ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �ل � �م ا ء ا ���م�ص�ا � ف���ق ئ‬ ‫��ه‪� .‬‬ ‫ح��ل�ف� � �ن�ه �م�ا � ت���ل�ه �و�ل�ا � �م �ب ���ق ت���ل�ه �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حب����س�ه ا �ل�و�لي��د �وك� ب� �إ �ى ر �ل‬ ‫�ه�ا ���هم�‬ ‫رو �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ت �� ه �ع � ن � ا ��� �ز�ي�ز � ن ا � � ن �ة �أ ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ص��ه �و�م� ا ���ه� �ب�ه �و�م� ����ه�د �ع��لي��ه‪ � .‬ك‬ ‫�ب ����‬ ‫��� ب� �إ لي�� �مر ب � عب��د لع م� �لم�د �ي �� �ب� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّٰ ف ض أ � ً‬ ‫ُض‬ ‫�� � � �وُ��ل���� �ج� ّ���ة �ص� �ف� � �و� ���ط�ا �ف� ��ه‪�� .‬ف�د �ع�ا ا ��ل� ��ل��د ���ع��ل ّ‬ ‫ح�د ا‬ ‫�� �ر�ه � �‬ ‫� ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله ��‬ ‫�ي�� رب �ي ب س ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ي ب ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ًا � � ��ق ا �� � ا �ئ �ة ث�ّ �أ �� ا ��ف ه � �أ ��ق ا � ه ��ف ا ��ل ش��� � �أ ���� ه � ّ �ة �ش‬ ‫� � تّ � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫وأ�س��ي� ��س�و�ط� و�ي � ل م� � �م �ط� � و � م� �ي� م��س و لب ��س� �ج ب�� ٰ ر و أ ب �ى‬ ‫ن ً‬ ‫ً �‬ ‫ا ً ف� � �ذ‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫�ص�د ��ي��ق�ا �ل�ع��ل� ّ ب� ن� �عب��د ا ّلله �وك�‬ ‫�غ� ��ل��ك �عبّ��ا د ب� ن� �ز ��ا د �وك�‬ ‫���ا � � �ث�ي�را �ع ن��د‬ ‫ر� ��س�ه �م� ء ب��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل ه ف ه ��ق ا � ا � � �ؤ � ن ن ّ ُتّ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ف�‬ ‫ا �� �ل ��ل��د �ف��ا ء ��ف�� ���ل��ق ��ث��ا ��ه �ع��ل �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫� �ود ���ل �إ �لي��ه � ك�� �م� �ي�� �و � �ل �ي� � �م�ي ر ا �ل �‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫� ��ي �‬ ‫و ي �ج‬ ‫ى ي ب �ى ي�‬ ‫م م���ي� �ع��لي�‬ ‫ا �� ��ق ت ّ أ �ت�ق ّٰ أ �ف ض � ن أ ن � ��ق ت أ � ً ��ف �أ ه � � ��ف ُ ّ� �� َ � � ��ف �ل اّ‬ ‫�ب� ل ���ل �ع��ل� � ���ى لله � �و �����ل م� � � �ي ���ل � �‬ ‫ح�د ا‪� � .‬مر �ب� ا �ل�و�لي��د ��س�ي ر �إ ل�ى د �ه�لك‪� � .‬م�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ّ ف� ��س��ل ا ن ن � ا �ل� � � ��ق ا � ا � �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ؤ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� خ�ر�� �ع ن� د �م����� كل�� ي��ه ي�م� � ب�� عب��د م�لك �و � �ل �ي� � �م�ي ر ا�لم� �م���ي� رد ه � او ح�ب����س�ه‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أُ‬ ‫فُ‬ ‫�ًا ف م ث أ‬ ‫ن ا ��ف ق ة ن ا � تّ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ف� ث‬ ‫���ا ن� � د ك ��ا �� �ف�ل �ع�ا ء �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫س‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب��ع ر و ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي� ري � ى‬ ‫ر و � ر ب ر‬ ‫ب س‬ ‫ات � �‬ ‫� َ � ا ن ف ّ �ف ن�ز � ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�م��ة ��ا ��ل ش��� ا �ة �م ن ا ��ل���ل��ق�ا ء‪�� � .‬اع ‪� ٢‬ع��ل ّ � ت‬ ‫��س��ا �ن�ه‬ ‫بو‬ ‫�م� � ا � �لو�لي��د �و�و �ل�ي� ��س�يل�م� �‪� .‬رد ه ��� �ل ي ب ر � ب‬ ‫�ي� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف � ة ن‬ ‫���د � ا ��لُ�خ‬ ‫�� ت� �م ن� ��ا ���ط�م�� ب���� ت� �عب��د ا�لم��ل�ك‪.‬‬ ‫ب ير ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫���ا � �ع��د ا�لم��ل�ك �ع ن��د �و��ا �ت�ه �و��ص ا �ل� �ل��د ب��ث��ل�ا �ث�� � � ‪�� .‬ا �ل �ل�ه �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �وك�‬ ‫� ب� ن� �عب��د‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫ّٰ ��ف ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�� � ه � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��قّ�ه � �أ�خ�� ك �ع��د ا ّٰلله �أ �ق ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س��ه �و� ار ��ت��ه � او ��ن �ق� ��ط�ا �ع�ه �إ �ل�ي�ن �ا �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا لله �ي� �‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف ّ �‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن ق‬ ‫ا ��ل �ة‬ ‫�ص � ��ل�ا �ت��ع�ز ��ل�ه �عن‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�ع�م��ك �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن� �مر� او � � � ّره‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ز �ر � او �عر�� �ل�ه � �مو ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع�ه‪� ��� .‬و�ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م� ر و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ � :‬ب�ا ‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬ ‫ع‬

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‫‪290‬‬

‫‪٤،٢٥‬‬

‫‪٥،٢٥‬‬

The Bactrians’ Monastery

Salīṭ’s mother missed him and grew suspicious. She started to look for him and was told he had entered the estate and not left it. So, screaming, she came to the door of al-Walīd’s palace. “Whom do you suspect?” he asked her. She replied, “ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh.” “Bring me someone who can testify that Salīṭ entered the grounds with him.” She produced witnesses, upon which al-Walīd sent people to the garden to see if they could find any clue or trace. They dug up various areas and found nothing, but then a laborer who worked there advised them, “Channel water over those places and then you’ll see.” They did so, and one area subsided, so they dug it up and brought out Salīṭ. Al-Walīd sent for ʿAlī, mishandled and insulted him, and said, “I will kill you

25.4

in revenge if it turns out that you killed him.” ʿAlī swore that he had neither killed him nor given an order to have him killed, but al-Walīd put him in prison. He then wrote to the governors and legal authorities of the main cities about the accusations against ʿAlī and the testimonies. From Medina, ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz replied, “Beat him, dress him in a hair shirt, and have him paraded through the city.” So al-Walīd summoned ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh, gave him sixty-one lashes (some say one hundred), had him paraded through the city, exposed him in the sun dressed in a hair shirt, and poured water over his head. When al-ʿAbbād ibn Ziyād, who was a friend of ʿAlī and in favor with al-Walīd, heard, he came and threw his mantle over him. Then he appeared before the caliph to intercede for him, saying, “Commander of the Faithful,

ʿAlī is accused of murder. But he is too God-fearing and upright to kill anyone.” So al-Walīd ordered ʿAlī to be banished to Dahlak. After he had left Damascus, Sulaymān ibn ʿAbd al-Malik mentioned his case to the caliph: “Commander of the Faithful, bring him back from Dahlak and detain him.” Thereupon, al-Walīd sent a messenger, who had ʿAlī imprisoned where he found him. That was in al-Farʿāʾ. So he was kept in detention in a village there until al-Walīd died and was succeeded by Sulaymān. Sulaymān had ʿAlī brought back to Syria. He settled in al-Ḥumaymah in the Sharāh Mountains in the Balqāʾ and sold his garden at the Bactrians’ Monastery to Fāṭimah bint ʿAbd al-Malik. When ʿAbd al-Malik was dying, he commended three people to al-Walīd with these words: “Honor ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh and recognize his rights because of his ancestry, his being a relative, and his loyalty to us. Confirm your brother

ʿAbdallāh as governor of Egypt and don’t dismiss him. Confirm your uncle Muḥammad ibn Marwān as governor of the Jazīrah and recognize his position

291

291

25.5

‫د � ا �� خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل� ت�‬ ‫ير ب‬

‫�‬ ‫أ أ �خ‬ ‫� ��ُ�ق ّ �ة � ن ش � � ��ز �� �ع ّ ه �ع ن ا ��لج�ز � �ة‬ ‫�م�ا �ب��د � �ب�� �ي��ه �ع�ز �ل�ه �ع ن� �م�‬ ‫�صر ب ر ب � ���ري�ك �وع ل �م� � � ير‬ ‫� � ّ‬ ‫�ب�ا �ل��س�و ��ط �م �تر��ي ن�‪.‬‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �� ن�� ا ��ل�ع ّ��ا �� �ل�مّ�ا � ��ل� ا ا ��ل��أ�م � ���د � ا ���ف �خ�ز ا ئ� ن � ن�� �م � ا ن� ك��ت�‬ ‫��ا �ً�ا �م ن ��س��يل�م�ا ن� ب� ن‬ ‫� ب � رو‬ ‫�وك� ب و ب س و و ر و�ج و ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب �‬ ‫ّٰ ّ �ف ي �قّ ف�ا ن �ذ ��ات‬ ‫اً‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫أ �ف‬ ‫�عب��د ا�لم��ل�ك �إ ��ل�ى ا �ل�و�ل��د ي���س�� ��ل�ه ��� �ع��ل� ّ ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله �و��عر��ه �‬ ‫ح� �ه � ك�‬ ‫ل�� ب� ��سب��ب��‬ ‫�� � �ه� ا ا � ك��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫��ل��ت ك ��س��ل�م�ا ن ��ف ��ق�� ه ���د ا ��ق �ل�� � ن��� ش��� ا �ع ن��ه�ك�ا �ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫��� او �ع ن� �إ �خ�� �وت�ه �و� ن��� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر ب�‪.‬‬ ‫�م� ب �‬ ‫ر ي � �ي� ب ر ب ب �� م �ي ب �و‬ ‫بي‬ ‫ّ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ا ن� � ب� ��و �م��سل��� �ص�ا �‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫ح ب� د �ع�و�ت��ه� �ي��د �ع�ي� � ��ه �م ن� �و�ل��د ��س��لي� ��ط ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� �عب��ا ��س‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ّ � تَ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ا ن �م ّ ا �ق ه � ه � � � �ف‬ ‫ف�‬ ‫� � �نّ��ك اب� ن� ��س��لي� ���ط ب� ن� �عب��د ا ّلله ب� ن� �عبّ��ا ��س‪� .‬ف ك�‬ ‫��ا �‬ ‫� ك�� � �م� ر�ع� ب� ب ��و ج‬ ‫��ع� ر � او د ع�ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� أ � ّ ت ق � نّ‬ ‫ن �خ � ا ث ّ ت �ف ّا �ذ ن ف�ت‬ ‫�ذ أ �‬ ‫�ه� ا � �ّو�ل �م�ا �ب��د � �ب�ه �م� � ��ط� �ب�ه �� ���ع �ر� �ه �إ �ي� ه �ب�� � �� �و�ه � ك‬ ‫���ب�� ت� �إ �ل�ى �ب ��ي� ا �ل�عب��ا ��س � �� ��و�ل �إ �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م �ي‬ ‫� � ا أق ّ � ا ت‬ ‫�س� د �ع�ه �ّ�ا ه �ح�مّ�م��د � ن �ع�� ّ �م ن �ن��س���ك � � ��ل�اد �ة �ع��د ا ّٰلله � ن �ع ّ��ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�إ � ا‬ ‫ب � ل�ي� � ب وو‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب� ب س‬ ‫بر �هي��م ا �لإ��م� �م � �ر ب�م� ا � �و �إ ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫� �ٰ‬ ‫�إ�ذ ت ّ �ذ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّا‬ ‫نّ�‬ ‫ح�م ن� ب� ن� ��س��لي� ��ط ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله ب� ن� �عبّ��ا ��س � �و �ن�ه �و�ع�د ك ا � ��ّ ا لله �ه� ه‬ ‫�إ �ي� ك � �و ��ك �عب��د ا �لر‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫ّٰ �ف ���ن‬ ‫� � �ة ق ت �‬ ‫��ك�ف �ة �م ن ب� ن�� � �م ّ���ة � ن� �ي�ز �ّو�ج���ك � �ّ �ع��ل ّ �� ن�� ت� �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫� ب� ن� �عب��د ا لله ��م�ا ك� ت�‬ ‫ا �ل�د �ع�و �و����ل ا �ل�� ر � ي� ي‬ ‫م �ي� ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ ٰ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ن �ق �‬ ‫� �ه� ��ل ا ��ل ن����س� �ع��ل ن � �‬ ‫��ق�ا �ئ� ًل�ا ��لر��س� ��ل ا ّلله �ص��ل ا ّلله �ع��لي��ه � �و ن�� ت� ال�جم‬ ‫�ص��ه�ا �‪�� .‬ا �ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �م� �ع�ل�و�ج �إ � ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن أ �خ �نى �ذ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ن ا ��ف‬ ‫��ا نج �ذ �ق �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫م�ؤ �م ن���ي� � �ب��ر ��ي� �ب��ه� ا � ��وك �إ � ا‬ ‫�ي�ا � �م�ي�ر ا �ل �‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب�� ح�م�م��د‪� .‬وك�� � �ه� ا ا � �ل ��و�ل ج�ر�ى ب�ي�� �‬ ‫�ه�م� �ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ق ق ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� ��ط�ا ب� ��ط�و���ل �ب���ل �ت���ل�ه �إ �ي�ا ه‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬

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‫ض‬ ‫�� � �ع��ل ّ�ً�ا‬ ‫�و� رب ي‬

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‫‪٦،٢٥‬‬

‫‪٧،٢٥‬‬

The Bactrians’ Monastery

in the family.” The first thing al-Walīd did was to dismiss his brother from the governorship of Egypt in favor of Qurrah ibn Sharīk. Then he dismissed his uncle from the Jazīrah and had ʿAlī whipped twice. When the Abbasids took power, they found in the Marwanid treasury a

25.6

letter from Sulaymān ibn ʿAbd al-Malik to al-Walīd, asking him to treat ʿAlī well and recognize his rights. This letter was the reason Sulaymān was left in his grave at Dābiq and not dug up like his brothers and the Banū Ḥarb. Abū Muslim, who was in charge of Abbasid propaganda, used to claim that he was a son of Salīṭ ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās, and this was one of the accusations Abū Jaʿfar al-Manṣūr leveled at him: “You’ve claimed that you are the son of Salīṭ ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās.” That was how he began his speech, before confronting him with his offences. “You wrote to Abū l-ʿAbbās saying that Imam Ibrāhīm accepted what Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī confided to him about your descent and ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās being your father, and so you are ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Salīṭ ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās. And you claim Ibrāhīm promised you that if God granted success to this propaganda and killed the Umayyad infidels, he would marry you to Umm ʿAlī, the daughter of ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh. What would you say then to our blessed Messenger, with your unknown lineage, you uncouth pagan from Isfahan?” Abū Muslim answered, “Commander of the Faithful, it was your brother Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad who told me this.” They traded words about these claims for a long time before al-Manṣūr killed Abū Muslim.

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25.7

‫ّ‬ ‫��‬ ‫د ����ير �ز ك��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د � ��ا ��ل �ّ�ق��ة �ع�� ا �� �ف�ل ا ت� � �ع ن �ج� ن�����ه �ن�ه ا ��لب���‬ ‫ح��س ن ا ��ل��د ��ا ا ت� �م� �ق��عً�ا‬ ‫� � �ه� �م ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫ير ب ر ل�ى ر و � ب ي � ر ي‬ ‫و �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ا �ز ت ن�ز � أ �ق ا ت ف � �أنّ � ت ف ��ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�إ�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع�ا‪� .‬وك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا�لم��ل�وك ا ا �ج� ت�� � �ب�ه � �لت��ه � �و �� �م� �ي��ه �ل� ��ه ي ج��م�‬ ‫� �و �ن�ز �ه�ه�ا �م�و ض�‬ ‫ع �ي��ه ك��ل‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� أّ‬ ‫� ض �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ا � ���د � �ن�ه �م ن �ع�م�ا �ت�ه � ��ن ��ف �ا ��س��ة � ��� ت‬ ‫��� ا �ل ��ت� �ب�ه‪� .‬ونُ��ز �ه�ه ظ �����ا �هر�ة �ل�� ن� ��ل�ه‬ ‫ن�ي��ه �و ��ط�ي ب� ا�لم� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫يري و � ر و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع ي‬ ‫� � ا ن � �أ‬ ‫�� �ذ � � �م ّ‬ ‫� ا ا �ل�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�غ�ز‬ ‫��ا � �م ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق ا ا �ع‬ ‫�ج�ي���ة‪� .‬و�� ن��ا �‬ ‫ح ت�ي��ه �م� ا �ل� �ل� � � او �ل�را �� ب� �و�م� ���� ك��ل �ل�ك �م� �ي��‬ ‫�ب �� � �ي� � ب‬ ‫�ص��ط� د �ب� �ج رح �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف � �ف‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫�ص�ن �ا �� ا �ل��ط�ي�ر‪� .‬و ��ي� ا � �ل ار ت� �ب�ي� ن� �ي��د �ي�ه �م ��ط�ا ر� ا �ل ش���ب��ا ك �ل��ل���سم��ك‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� ر�ى � �و‬ ‫��ط�ي�ر ا�لم� ء � او ل ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� �ق ة � �خ� � ن ا �ل� ت �� ّ ن � � � ّ أ ّ �‬ ‫�ف � ا � � ��‬ ‫ل�ك�ّ �م�ا‬ ‫ير��د ا �ل�م��ل�وك � او �ل��س�و���‪� .‬و�ل���� ي �ل�و �م� م��ط �ر��� �ل ب�‬ ‫ط�ي��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�م�ا � �ي�ا � ا �لر����‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�و �ج � م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع � �ل‬ ‫يس‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م بعي‬ ‫بي‬ ‫�ف نّ � ��ف �ذ � � � �ق ت ن �ظ � ً �ع اً‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ج�ي��‪.‬‬ ‫� �إ� � �ل�ه �ي� �ل�ك ا �ل�و � م� �� ار � ب‬ ‫�� ن ّ‬ ‫� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�ل�ل� �‬ ‫�ص� بو�ر�ي‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫�جِ ُ ٌّ َ‬ ‫���خصُ ُ ٱ �ْلَ ا �بِ ْ‬ ‫َ ا �َ ُ �ٱ �َّ ��قَّ �تِ ْ‬ ‫� َرا �قَ� �سِ��‬ ‫� ن�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��و ب� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� نِ��� �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫نِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫بِ ر ي �‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫بوي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ُ‬ ‫ُ ٱ � ُّ � َّ تَ ْ‬ ‫ُ َ ا ُِ ُ �طِ‬ ‫َ أ ْ َ � � َّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صي ��ف� �ُم�زْ�نٍ  �ي���ع� �ود ه ��� ِ �ر���ير � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل���طر��ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �و ى ِ رِ� ي فِ� رِ�‬ ‫أْ َ نِ�‬ ‫أَ ْ ِ‬ ‫���َ ِ ْ هِ َ ْ َ َ � � �فِ ْ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫َ َ ُ ْ آ� ُ َ‬ ‫ع�ا هِ� �د ����بِ �ل � مِ� ��ِ�ل�ف� �ب�ا ��قِ يَ��ا ت�   �ب� ك�ر� ���م�ع�� �دي�� �و��م� � �ل� �ي�‬ ‫�م��‬ ‫نِ أَ ُ نِ�‬ ‫ُ َّ َف ًّ فَِ َ ِْم‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ َا � َ � ُ‬ ‫� � �� ض�� َ � ُ َ نْ نُ َ ا ْ �ل�جِ ْ‬ ‫ه�ا � � �ل���فَرا ُت� ِب� �‬ ‫�ض� ِ�‬ ‫�ك�ل ��   ي ��‬ ‫ح�ك �ع� ���� � � �‬ ‫حك‬ ‫����‬ ‫�ي���‬ ‫�ض� ٍر �وَ� �ي نِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�أَ نَّ ٱ �ْ �أْ ضَ ْ ُ �فْ َ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�عِ ُ ٌ ت�ْ �تِ َ � ُ �ّ �تِ ْ‬ ‫حْ‬ ‫ك���� � � �ل�ر��� �ِم ن� � �‬ ‫ٍ �� ر�و��س �ج � ��ل� �ي� � �‬ ‫�ص ر �و����م‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح�لِ�َ �ي نِ�‬ ‫ى �فِ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫َ َّ‬ ‫َ َ َ ْ ٍ‬ ‫��ى �إِ�ذَ ٱ ْ �تِ نَ�قَ ا َ ا قُ �ُم��تّ مِ ْ‬ ‫���أ نَّ �� نَ ا �ق �ن ْ‬ ‫� ‪ 1‬دَ ��ْ��ير �ز ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �ع� �� � ِ�ع��ن� �� ي��� �ي�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�� � عِ‬ ‫� � ري‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� �َ َ نْ ��مت��َ‬ ‫َ ��قَ تْ �ذَ � �ل �بِ ���خَ �يِ ُ � � َ ا �� َ �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ا �و َرْ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و � ا ك � �لِي �‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي  �و‬ ‫� �� �د � �ل�ل��ي� ِل��‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫لأَ �ٱ ُ ْ َِ ي نِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَ َ ا َ ا َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���ٱ � َّ َ َ ْ ْ ت َ ً َ �� ف ْ ْ َ‬ ‫��� � � ّ ��م��ل�جِ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك �‬ ‫� �� � �‬ ‫ا ا‬ ‫� ��ق� ��م� ك�� �ل � ا � �‬ ‫��سو ري نِ� ���سِ��دَ ر  أَ�عَ��ل�ى �ِ��ت���ي�هِ �و ك� ل�د � �ي نِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ََّ‬ ‫ْ �زَ ّ‬ ‫� ْ تَ� ُ ُ �زْ َ ت � َ ُ �زْ َ �ِ ْ‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫� �ي�ا �ُ�متَ��ن��ز ��ي� ��ي� دَ ����يِر ك�ى � �ل� ��ك ����ن ِ�ه�� �ب�ك ����ن �ه�ت�ي�‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫ي ِ‬ ‫هِ �فِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫أَُ َّ ُ َ ْ نَ َ ْ �نِ َ َ � ْ �فٍا ُ َ َّ ُ َ ْ نَ َ ْ ٱ �ْ َ ْ� �ِ تَ ْ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� رد د �ب�ي�� �ورِد �� �د ا ك ���طِ‬ ‫�ر� �  ���يرد د ب�ي� �ورِد �لو�ج �ن��ي نِ�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪. ��� :‬‬ ‫هرٍ‬

‫‪294‬‬

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‫‪١،٢٦‬‬

‫‪٢،٢٦‬‬

The Monastery of Zakkā (Zacchaeus)

This monastery stands above the Euphrates in Raqqa, with the Balīkh River

26.1

flowing on both sides. It has one of the best and loveliest settings. Rulers used to stop and spend time there when they passed by, because it offered what they wanted.165 It is well kept, with fine buildings and pleasant grounds, and it provides obvious attractions with amazing ruins, gazelles, and hares, as well as waterfowl, bustards, and such small game as are hunted with birds of prey. Before the monastery on the Euphrates are places where fishers cast their nets. It thus combines everything both high and low require. Pleasure-seekers visit it because of its attractiveness, especially in the spring, when it looks wonderful. Al-Ṣanawbarī has a poem about it:

26.2

A south wind has rained on Raqqa and its surroundings, torrents dashing down on all sides, Covering the embankment with a blanket of rain, a familiar friend to the plants on the banks. Abodes well known, where meetings occur, preserved in the noblest places where friends gather. In its gorges the Euphrates smiles at them, laughing with glistening gold and silver. The earth clad in red and yellow flowers seems a bride in her robes, her face revealed. The river encircles Zakkā’s Monastery like the embrace of two rapturous lovers. Destiny’s hand has protected Balīkh and the great river, neighbors both, Like bracelets or armlets around Zakkā’s upper arms. Oh Zakkā, when I strolled in your grounds, didn’t my delight in you take two forms? I turned on the roses of your moist soil a gaze that wandered to the roses in the cheeks,

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295

‫����� ����‬ ‫� � ��‬

‫َ� ِ ْ � َ أُ ْقَُ‬ ‫�جِ َا ُ ٱ � ِّ � ُّ َ ْ نَ شَ � ��قِ تَ ْ‬ ‫�َ �ُم ْ��ب��تَ��� � ك���� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن����ظ��م ْ � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫������ي� ��ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫نٍ ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�سِ ٍم‬ ‫قِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫َ َّ ٱ � ِّ � ْ َ ْ نَ ٱ ْ��ل َ ا �بِ ْ‬ ‫َ َا ُ فُ نَ �ٱ ��ْ�ُ َ ت �َ ْ ثيُ تَ ْ َ‬ ‫ل��ط�ي�ر �ب��� � �‬ ‫� بِح�ي � ��� � �‬ ‫� �� �‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫� �وي� ��س���� ل���فرا ِ‬ ‫هوى �ه�َِو ي� َ � ِ ي‬ ‫�ج� نِ�َ �ي نِ�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫���جِ تَ �َا ُ َ َ ْ َ‬ ‫تُ �‬ ‫َ�ا ردُ �ُ �مق�� � َل�ا ت� �ُم ْ�د �� َرا ت�ٍ  َ�ع��ل �ع‬ ‫� ْ�‬ ‫� �ل �����ط� رد �ع��س ك�‬ ‫�����ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫��بِ‬ ‫�ري نِ�‬ ‫�بِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫َ ا �ًا �َ ا نُ ِ غَّ ُ ُ �بِ ْ‬ ‫�� َ‬ ‫ُ ََ َ‬ ‫��م�ا ��ِعهِ� ْ�د �نَ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��ص� �ل� �ل� �����ن�‬ ‫��ص�ه بِ��� �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ترا �ن�ا � او �صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ِ��لي���ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِو‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫أَ�َ ا َ َ َ َّ ُ �ذَ‬ ‫نَ ا ��نَ ْ َ َ َ ���سِ �� ْ ُ َ ا نْ َ ا َ ْ‬ ‫��ص�ا �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ص� ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�حِ ب ��� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حب��ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� عِ �ي� �و ي� ِ‬ ‫ِ� �‬ ‫� �ل� �ي�ا �‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ�قِ ْ غَ َ َ ْ ٱ ��خَ‬ ‫��مْ ُ نَ �َ�فت�ْ‬ ‫�ي  �َ � �َ�ا �َم تْ �َ��ْ نَ ��لَ���ذّ ا �ت �َ ��َ�ْ�ينِ‬ ‫�ص����تنِ�َ � ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫كِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ُ�‬ ‫� �ل� �د َ� ب �ي�‬ ‫ب ي�َ ِي بََ ي�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ْنَا َ ْ َ �ذ � � � ْ‬ ‫��� ْ �َّ‬ ‫��ا نَ �ٱ �� �ّ ْ ُ � �ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ر�� ب����ع�د ا ك ِ�ل�عِ� �ل�ت�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي  ��‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫نِ� �‬ ‫�وك�� � ل� �‬ ‫هو ِع� ِ ي‬ ‫نِ�‬

‫� �ش���ع ه ���ف � �ص�ف� ا ��ل قّ�ت��� ن‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�و�م� �م�ي�ل� ر ي� و‬ ‫ر ي�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا �غَ تْ فُ نُ نَ ُ � َّ َ ا أ ��فْ َ‬ ‫أ َّا �ٱ �� ََّا ض��ُ ف�َ ��قِ ْ �بِ َ ْت �أ ��ْ َ نُ َ‬ ‫��ن�ا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �و �� � ص � �و� ِي���ه‬ ‫� َم ري �‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ ��قّ تْ �ِ �َ ا َ ا َ َ �ق ���� �ُ َ ا َ َ َ تْ ��مَ ا نُ َ ا َ َ � ا َ �ز َ‬ ‫�م�ا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫ر � ��م�ع� نِ��ي��ه� �ور� َ سَِي��م�ه�   � �وب��د � ح� سِ�� ��ه� �و ��ط� ب� � �‬ ‫نُ � َ ْ َ�ق َ ُ �زَ ْ َ ��َ‬ ‫�نُ � �� َ تْ �زُ ُ ُّ ُ َ ا ��لَ قْ َ‬ ‫�ي�ا ��َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�� ��ظِ���م ت� ��ل�ا �� �د ���ه �ه�ا ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ظِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫د‬ ‫�هِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫     ‬ ‫‪1‬‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِر �ج‬ ‫�و ٍر‬ ‫ر �إِ ى ِ نِ�‬ ‫�ئِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٰ �ذَ ُ �زَ َ ا َ ا َ �ذَ �قَ ْ ُ ُ َ ا ٰ �ذ شَ َ ا قُ َ ا َ �ذ َ‬ ‫حْ �ذ ا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫��ه� ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صو�م�ه�  ��ه� ا �����‬ ‫��خ ا ��م� �ه� �و ا ي�� �‬ ‫�ق� ��ئِ����ه� �و ا ��و �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ ْ أ نَّ �غُ َ ن � �ل����س ا ت َ � تْ � ْ �ن ا �إِ�ذ ت َ َ � تْ‬ ‫� ���غ�د َ ا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫� �و � �‬ ‫� �لو � � ر �‬ ‫�و � ْ َ ر �‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ا �ْ � َ‬ ‫�َح�ا ���بِ ��ةٍ �َم�ا � ن ت����مِ ّ �م نَ � ��ل�ُ‬ ‫�ف�ا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫� َ�ع��ل�ْيَه�ا َ�ع��ْ نُ �ك�َ ���‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت��ب�ْ كِ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ �قَ َ ٌ�ة َ � َ ٱ �ْ َ ُ �إِ�ذَ ََ ْ فَ َ أ نََّ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ نُ‬ ‫��ن�ا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�� ا‬ ‫�ُم����ن �ا د �� �ْ ل ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ب��د َ�   ��ك� �م� بِ��ي� َِ�د � �ج و بِ ِ �‬ ‫طوع � �ج� ��ْو بِ‬ ‫َ هٍا � َ �قِ ٱ‬ ‫�َ نُ �َ�محِ �ّ ةً َ� ُ نَ تْ َ ا أنْ َ ا ُ َ ا َ َ‬ ‫��ن�ا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل��  ح��س��ّ� �بِ��ه� � ���ه� ر�ه� �و�جِ� ْ �‬ ‫� او �� � لِ� ار ِ����ف� �ةِ� � �ج ��و بِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َا َ �ْ �َ ً�ة َ ا �زَ �َ �َ ْ �ُ � �قِ ْ ُ َ‬ ‫��َ نَا � َ َ َ ْ �ُ� ُ َ‬ ‫�ش��أ ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� ب��ل�د �م� ا �ل �ي��‬ ‫ع����ظ�ُم � �د ر�ه�ا   �فِ��ي� ك��ل ��‬ ‫�حِ ي���ةٍ �و��ي�ع����ظ�م ��� �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَ َّا �ٱ ��ْ�ُ َ ُت �فَ ّ ُ ����ْ ضَ ا ُ َ ا ّ‬ ‫َ�ا � �لهِ� نِ� ُّ ��ف� ��ّ�ن�هُ ���ْ�ستَ��ا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫� ��م� ل���فرا � � �إِ� ���ن�ه ح�‬ ‫��� � �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫حه�  � ��م � �ي� �إِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫��جَ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص� ‪ :‬ل‬ ‫�وا � ‪.‬‬ ‫ل‬ ‫هرٍ‬

‫‪296‬‬

‫‪296‬‬

‫‪٣،٢٦‬‬

The Monastery of Zakkā (Zacchaeus

And a smile like two rows of chamomiles, unveiled by a shower, between anemones. Ships of the Euphrates! As you sail by, speeding like birds between its banks, Advancing and retreating swiftly, like armies in maneuvers, You see us coming, as is our custom, in a meeting we’ll not spoil with parting. My friends, take over the reins of my love; my friends, may harm never befall you; Fifty years have robbed me of daring and built a barrier between my pleasures and me. Playful enjoyment was like my mother’s son; now we’re sons of two different mothers. Here is a fine poem of his describing the twin cities of Raqqa and Rāfiqah: The meadows have seen their colors appear, the branches have formed their many ornaments. Their motifs are delicate, light as the breeze; their beauty’s displayed, their time’s a delight. Their gemlike flowers have been strung into necklaces of jewels, with emeralds paired to carnelians. Here’s lavender, there’s the southernwood plant. Here are anemones, there water lilies. If the pools of the clouds were to bring eternal rain, then their pools too would form a chain. The eyes of the clouds weep for them, their lids never cease to shed tears, Pliant, obeying the south wind when it blows, as though the south wind had taken them in hand. O for Rāfiqah, lying to the south, whose rivers and gardens are full of yearning, A town of ever-increasing importance, enjoying high prestige everywhere. The Euphrates is the pool before it, the Hanī Canal is its garden.

297

297

26.3

‫����� ����‬ ‫� � ��‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫�و��ل�ه‬

‫َ‬ ‫ََ َ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���أ نَّ أ�زْ َ ا نَ ٱ ��ْ َ َ � أ�زْ َ‬ ‫َ َ �أ نَّ �أ �َّا �َ �ٱ �� َّ‬ ‫��صَ��ا �أ �ّ�َا �ُ� َه�ا  �َ‬ ‫�م�ا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب ي � و � م � � �وى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِوك � ي م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�� ْ َ ا �نَ ْ ��غِ�زْ � ا نَ َ ا �َْ �ًا � ��قَ ْ �ِ�� تْ ت‬ ‫�� �ُ�د ��ق�� �ل ��َنَ��ا ����غِ�زْ��ل�ا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�� �د �ل� ���ه� ي ��و م� ��ف �د �‬ ‫م���ه�م� ��صِ‬ ‫بو‬ ‫ �ظ��ل�‪��� 1‬صِ ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ َّ ٱ �ْ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ك�ؤُ � ��َ ��فَ� نّ �ٰ� ��ذ ا �َ ��ق��ُ َه�ا  �َ‬ ‫�� � ��ل َّ�َ�ا ض��َ ��فِ � نّ �ذ ا �ّ�َا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و � و‬ ‫حَ� � �ل و س‬ ‫�إِ ب �‬ ‫ِل أَ ري � �إِ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�ٰ‬ ‫ْ َ ُّ ُ َ‬ ‫نّ �� َّ َ َ� ُّ �قِ ْ ُ شُ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���س�ا ن�ُ�َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�إِ � � لرب�����ي� ي�‬ ‫��جِ �ل � �د ر ���� �هوِرهِ �ل�كِ ن� � ج���ل �ش��� �‬ ‫هوِرهِ �نِ�ي�� �‬ ‫ِع‬ ‫‪٤،٢٦‬‬

‫ُ‬ ‫نَّ ٱ �ل�زَّ َ ا نَ �غِ َ َ ْ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� َّ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫��ن�ا ����نِ َا هُ �ِ���ط��ل���َ‬ ‫���ا ِ ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حٍ �ِم نْ� ب���ْع ِ�د �َم�ا ك�‬ ‫�إِ � � � ��م� � �� �د ا ب� ��و�‬ ‫�ج�هٍ ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َِي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫َِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ َّا َ أ �ْ���سَ ُ �فَ ْ َ أ َّا � �� َّ َ ا � � ��‬ ‫� َ َ�ع��ْ ش�� ��ل�ا ����يِ�زَا �� � � ���َ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ي� � � ح ب� ��‬ ‫��ض�ل � �ي� ِ� ل�‬ ‫ل �نِي‬ ‫��صب��   �فِ�ي� ��ّظِ �ل َ ي أَ ٍ�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إِ�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��ٱ �� َّ ِّ � �ٱ ��لْ��بِ ْ ا ء � ت �ع � �ل� ا � �ق َ ا � �ع � نّ �ُ �ق َ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫�ض� ِ ���ر �ى م�ه�  ��ح��� �و�ل� ر �ى ل�ه� ��ح ��و�‬ ‫بِ� لر��ق�ةِ ي���‬ ‫ْي‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�غِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫عٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أَ ْ ُ َ َ ٱ �� �َّ ��ذَّ ا ت �َ �ُ‬ ‫� مِ �ن‬ ‫ع �ا �َ �ل�ا ���م�خ��� �� �ت�� �ع � ��َ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫� ���غ�د �و �ع��ل�ى � ل�ل� ِ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� أَ� يِر ر �قِ��فِ ب� أْ ُ َ� و ٱ و فٍ ِو�ي‬ ‫�خِ ��َل�ُ ا � �ع�ّ َت ُ ْ � َ ا �َ� �� ن � ُ���� طُ � � ��ل ِّ َ ا �ُ ُ � �َ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫��� �فِ���ْتَ���ةٍ �‬ ‫�ْ �عو ِ َ�ن��ه�م �م�  ي� �لو� �فِ�ي� �رقِ� ���س�د ِد مرو‬ ‫�فَِي �زَ ْ ُ ُي َأ سٍ َ أ نَّ نَ‬ ‫ْ ٌ تَ ضَ َّ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �� � �ل� �ن�ا ء � ت‬ ‫ِ� ���َ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫� ���� ا‬ ‫��� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن�ا �عت� ْ �‬ ‫في‬ ‫���ه�م ك� ��� � َك�َ � سِ ي��م�ه�  �ِمَ��سُ�ك ‪� ��� ٢‬وع �فِي� إِ ِ ِ‬ ‫َ ٱ � ّ َ� ّ َ َ َ ْ � ف ّ ٱ � ِّ‬ ‫ِ َّ ْ‬ ‫نَ ا �َ َ ا �َم شْ �قُ َ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫������شق� ت� �قِ� نَ��ا � �ل��ل�ْ��ي�ل �لم�ا ���غ�ا د ر ت�  ��ك�� � �ل��ن ِ�د ����ي�ِم �قِ� �� ع�ه� ��� ��و�‬ ‫َ َ أَ َّ �سِ َ أُ‬ ‫َ َ غَ تْ َ َعَ ُ َِا ُ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ْ �ةُ �َ َ‬ ‫ع ���َ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫�ٌ � �عِ� ي� َ�د � �قِ ي�‬ ‫�س او د د �‬ ‫�ج� ه‬ ‫ح�مَر � �لْو�نِ��ه�ا   �ف�ك�� �ن��ه�ا ��� ب ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص���� � �‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �َ�قِ ْ ق � �‬ ‫حَ َّ � � ا َ� ��ل � � ��ل ِّ ُ � َ � �� �ف�ل َا ت �غ� ُ �َ‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫ص�ا‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و� �ل� �د � ���و�ل لِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ب و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫و �ى ر ِ‬ ‫َّ ِي بِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نَّ �ٱ ��ْ�ُ َ َت ُ َ � َّ� قُ ن�َ ا تَ ِ َ ا َ � َ ا َ � َّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح ���َ‬ ‫�ق�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إِ � ل���فرا � �ه�و � �لر�حِ ي��� � �إِو �م�  �����ت�ع� ��طي�� نِ� �ع��ل�ى � �لر حِ ي قِ� رِ ي‬ ‫َ ٱ �ْ أَ‬ ‫�قِ ْ أَ ْ َ قَ ٱ �ْ َ ْ ُ �ٱ � ِّ‬ ‫� َ�ا ��َ �ُ ْ تَ ا � � � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �د � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫قِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�ح�د �� � � �لورد �بِ� �ل�� �قِ ي �� �خِ ل ل ب‬ ‫نِ�َك �ل �نِي �قِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �أ �ّ � ُ َ� ْ � ُ ُ ُ� ٌ ُ ْ ت ْش �ف ا ٌت �� َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫حر���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك� ��ن ��ن� �‬ ‫حول� وأ�جْ �و   َ ���س ���ِر� � �إِ �ىَ َ ِ ي قِ�‬ ‫�فَٱ ْ ْ َ َ �ذَ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��� ًا ت ْ َ ْ َ �قًا َ‬ ‫�� ش َ‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫عي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫��ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ���رب� �ع��ل�ى ا � ل �قِ ي قِ�‬ ‫ر ب �قِ ي �ى �قِ قِ�‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ ً‬ ‫�ضَ َّ تْ‬ ‫��‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪�ِ :‬م��س ك�‬ ‫��ا‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪�� � :‬ل‬

‫‪298‬‬

‫‪298‬‬

‫‪٥،٢٦‬‬

The Monastery of Zakkā (Zacchaeus

Its days are like the days of youth; methinks its seasons the seasons of love. We hunt its gazelles for just one day; they forever hunt our hearts. Hurry on the cups, for this is their hour; move to the meadows, for their time has come. All the months of spring have their splendor, but April is the most splendid month. Here are several poems of his:

26.4

The face of fate has now turned somber, when we’d been used to see it gladsome, In days when I trailed the hem of youth in the shadow of a life still graceful, In fair Raqqa, where oryxes respected my rights, though I respected no right of theirs, Pursuing pleasure, heeding no taboo, undismayed by any hindrance, With fellows who’d thrown off all restraint, at pains to press into the paths of obstruction. With them I shared wine whose bouquet was musk, spreading its sharp scent from the pitcher, It tore night’s veil when my friend’s hand tore the wine’s veil in two. Its ruddy hue dyed the darkness of night— black shells turned to carnelian. To my friends I said, “Join my morning cup to my evening cup on the Euphrates. The true wine’s the Euphrates, so you’ll simply partake of one wine on another.” Roses gaze at anemones on the borders of your fair garden, As though around it were faces gazing up at a fire. Raise a cup to those anemones, drink agate on carnelian.

299

26.5

299

‫����� ����‬ ‫� � ��‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫�قٍ � ْ ُ َ‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ �فَ َ ْ َ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫أَ نَّ شَ‬ ‫�ُف�ُ نُ‬ ‫�م َّ أ� � نُ‬ ‫� �ا �َِ�ل��ل‬ ‫��ْ‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫ح�� ن ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ُ�خُ�د �ود � �جل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�� � و‬ ‫و ِ ب نِي� ِ ي�‬ ‫ِ و�‬ ‫ٱ ل�ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� َ � نُ‬ ‫�آه �م نْ �ز ����ف ����ف �� ن�� ئ َ ا � ��ل ش ْ �ق َ َ ا ءٌ �َ� نَ � � ُّ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر�ةٍ ي ����ش���ه� �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ِ ِ�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫���ٱو �َ �ود أَ ب�ي َ� ل�� ْ عِ ٱْ� َ �‬ ‫َ��ْ ف َ َ ْ ُ ٱ � شَّ ُ أَ ْ َ��ْ ف َ َ نْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�هِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�يِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ْ�زُ نُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل��� ّ � �‬ ‫�ص� � � ك����ي� � � �لم‬ ‫ك�ي��‬ ‫� ي���س� �لو َ َ�جِ���ي� � �م كي��� ي������سى � �ل  ‍�َ ب‬ ‫� � � � �ل ح �و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نّ � �ل � �� ّ ��ق �تِ‬ ‫ْ َ � نُ‬ ‫�َ�ا �ت��ل�ْ�منِ� ��� ��ل ّ ��قّ �تِ ��ْ �َ دَ �ْ�ع ��عنِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي� بِ ر َ� ي نِ� و‬ ‫ِ ي� بِ َر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي �إِ‬ ‫ي نِ� ٱ ْر ي �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�َ � � نُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ا � َا ْ‬ ‫�َ�ا ���ن ���ن�د ��م � � َ‬ ‫ح نّ �ل�ى � � �لق�� � �‬ ‫�م�ا ِ�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ يِ�ي�‬ ‫�ص  �‍فِ� ف��ه� �و � ��ي��ب�دٱ� ْو � ح�ِن�ي �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا � ِ َ � َ ا َ �ٱْ�ُ صِ َّ َ �قِ ْ أ شْ َ �قَ �ْ هُ �ُ �� ُ ُ ُ َ �� ُ ُ �� نُ‬ ‫�� ��ل�ى �و� �د � ���‍   ���مر� �ِم� ��‬ ‫�م� ���ترى �ج�� نِ�� ب� �لم�‬ ‫نى� ��ظ� �‬ ‫هوره � �و ل ��ب� �‬ ‫طو�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫أُ ْ�قَُ نٌ َ َ ْ َ نٌ َ ِ‬ ‫َا ٌ‬ ‫�ْ نَ َ �ذ �ُ نُ‬ ‫� قٌ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�سو��س� �و����قِ�‬ ‫حوا � �و� �‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫� ي�‬ ‫�ق��  و ب���ه ��ه� ر ي ��ُى وٱ ِري��و�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ � َ ا َ تْ ُ ُ � ُ َ �‬ ‫ُ ُ ُ� �� � ْ ��‬ ‫أ ْ َ� تْ‬ ‫�ُ�زُ نُ‬ ‫� �� �َ�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫����س‬ ‫��م‬ ‫����س‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍ ‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�فِي� ِري �ضِ هِ رج قِ ِر َو‬ ‫� ِر‬ ‫ب أَ َ � و و و �‬ ‫ٱ �ْ �أ‬ ‫نَّ آ�ذَ َ � َْ‬ ‫� ْ�ئ اً‬ ‫�ذَ ْ تَ�ْ تَ َ‬ ‫�يِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�� �ِّ هُ َ ا �نُ نُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِ�ي � � ك��‬ ‫�إِ � � ا ر �ل�م �� ��ى� ر ح� �ب� ��ط�نِ � �ل�ر��ضِ� ���ش‬ ‫ن� ك� ��و�‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ ٱْ ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫���أ ْ ثَا �� ُ ُ � ِ ْ �ن � ْ َ ا � نُ‬ ‫�َ �و��بِ �د ا � ��ل ّ���نْر���ُ � ��ل��بِ ِ�د �ي��ُ ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�جِ س‬ ‫�‬ ‫نٍ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ ا َ �ٱ ��ْ هِ نِ َّعَ �قِ ْ أَ شْ َ قَ‬ ‫َا َِ‬ ‫� � � � ُّ َ�ٱ �� نَّ ْ � نُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫����س‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�م� ����ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍ ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ٱنِْ ب‬ ‫�غِ َ �خِفِ ِ ي ٱ ِ ِ ي�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُّ‬ ‫� �هِ�زَ ُ نَا َ‬ ‫نّ‬ ‫�� َ� َّ � ��ل��ّ� �ْ � نُ‬ ‫� �قُ ْ‬ ‫� َا‬ ‫ش‬ ‫��ص�ح� فِ�ي��هِ � �ل�� ا ر ��ح� ��بِ� �هِ � � �ل �م‍ ���مِر�ي� �� ��ى ي‬ ‫� �ج �وهِ ْ ����ف نِ��ي �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ ٱْ‬ ‫َٱ � َ ا � ْ � نُ‬ ‫�فِ � ٰ �ذ ��ق ْ ُ ُ هُ َ �ُ‬ ‫� �زَا َ ا‬ ‫َ �ذ ا � �� َ ْ ُ �‬ ‫���س‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل�ه� ا ��ي� �‬ ‫�صو��م� �و‬ ‫��خ ��م�       ه �ُو �لورد �فِ��ي�هِ � �و �لٱ��ي� ِ�م�ي �‬ ‫ِ � أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن � � � َ َت �� ْ ن ُ َ ا ْ نُ �ل�جِ‬ ‫ا � ِّ � � نُ‬ ‫ُ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���ه�م� �ع�ي‍  �‍ �‬ ‫� �ي�� �ي�� �عو� �فِ� �ي�ه� � ل���‬ ‫�وك� � ل���فرا � ب�َ�ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�فِ� �ي �‬ ‫م‬ ‫نٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ُ ُ � ٱ �ْ حِ َّ أ ْ َ‬ ‫��ُظ �� ُ �ٱ ��لْ �‍َ ْ َ � َّ ا ت أ �ْ �َ َ تْ َ ا �ٱ ��ْ�ُ ُ نُ‬ ‫� ات‬ ‫ط� � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ش‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� � �و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ي�� ِ‬ ‫َ َ �فِ ِ َ ْ �‬ ‫كب�� �و نِ‬ ‫ي و�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ ا أَ �تَ ٱ � �َّ ا َ ثْ ُ �ذ � َ ا َ ا ٌ � ا َ � ا َ ا َ ْ ُ �ذ �‬ ‫� � نُ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � �� �مِ� � ا � �� �‬ ‫� ء �م ��ث ا � �‬ ‫ي� �حِ �ي �‬ ‫مَ� �ى � ل�ن� س ��لٱ ْ أَ َ لع� ِم ��ع� �م   �ل� �و�ل� �ج � ِ � �ل �حِ � نِ‬ ‫ٌَ ْ‬ ‫َ �َ���سَ ا ٌ ���جِ ُّ �ٱ ��ْ��عِ�زَ ��لَ � هِ تُ نُ‬ ‫�قُ � � ��ز ا � �ُ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب���ل��د �ُم���‬ ‫��شْ ����سِر� �ل� �هِ� ِٱْر �موعٍ �و�ح� ب� َ� �م � ا �ى � ��و�‬ ‫تَ َ َا ��قَ ٱ � َ ا ُ َ ا ٌ نَ �ُ �زْ‬ ‫َ َ ا ٌ � ْ � َ َ ا ٌ ِ � � نُ‬ ‫��جِر ي� �و��م� ء �‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�م� ء �ِم� � �ل��م‬ ‫����ت�ل� �ى � �ل�مِ ي�� ه � �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬

‫‪300‬‬

‫‪300‬‬

‫‪٦،٢٦‬‬

The Monastery of Zakkā (Zacchaeus

There’s longing and a lover’s groan

26.6

when eyelashes cover the cheeks. Alas for a sigh born of desire and a sickness hidden in the heart. How can sorrow be consoled, the lover forget, or the griever not remember? Don’t blame me about Raqqa and Rāfiqah! Let be! My heart is pledged to Raqqa and her sister. My friend, don’t you long for revelry? Now’s the moment when longing appears. Don’t you look here at the side of the prayer place? Within and without it’s radiant. Violets, windflowers, oxeye daisies, lilies, anemones—all to be plucked. In its gardens incense burners have been lit, perfuming its flower beds and its paths. March has brought from under the earth all that December had kept concealed. As if the lovely narcissus flowers are eyes to which other eyes turn. And look there by the Hanī Canal, where jonquils and violets bloom, With nightingales’ warbling, the cooing of doves, and pigeons’ song in the air, On the one side lemongrass and lavender, roses and jasmine on the other, And the Euphrates between them an eye of silver, the ships swimming along it Like serpents’ bellies or the blades of swords forged by silversmiths nearby. No one has known a year like this, nor a season. A well-watered place, radiant with flowers, where clouds empty well-filled waterskins, A meeting of waters, rain from heaven, the flowing river, and tears of relief.

301

301

‫����� ����‬ ‫� � ��‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ �غِ َ نَْ َ َ ْ �زَ َّ��َ ْ َ�ق ْ‬ ‫� ��فِ َ َ� َ ْ َ � � نُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك� � ن � �‬ ‫ك� �� �د ا �� �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‍‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫حوُد ���يِر �ى َِمأَ�ْ �ل ب ٍ‬ ‫� ُ �حِ يحٍ� أَرح و �و ُ�حِ�زِ ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫�ْ تَ �َ مٍا � � �� َ تْ � َ � � نُ ن َ ْ �� َ َتْ � َ � نُ نُ‬ ‫��َ ْ عِ َ ٱ � � َّ � ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�لو �� ��ل�ى � ل�د ���يِر �ج � ي ��و�� � �ل� ل�ه�  �ك ��ف �‬ ‫�ف�و� َو ٱ�ْ��ط بر����ك ��ف ��و�‬ ‫َ ا َ� ت ��قِ ْ َ �ِ ْ ً� َ �تَ��ُل�ْ نِ نّ �مِ َ�ا َ �ُ نُ نُ‬ ‫�َ ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل� ئِ � ي�‬ ‫ب ِ ي�‬ ‫ْ ي� �إِ‬ ‫و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��َّ ٱ �ْ َ ْ ُ َ ْ �ذُ‬ ‫ِ ي�َ �فِْ �غَ‬ ‫�ٌ َ ٱ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��خِ َّ ْ هُ َ ْ ٌ �ِ ُ نُ‬ ‫ك� ��ز ا �ل ��� ��ك��ف�هِ � � �لورد �م��ب� �و  �ل �و��� � ل‬ ‫� �د �ِم��ن� �ورد �م� �‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫م َ ٍ �فِي‬ ‫�صو�‬ ‫�فِ �إِ�ذَ َ ا أ ��جِ �ْ تُ �� ْ � َ � ��خِ ْ َ ْ َ ا �َ تْ � ٱ ��ْ��قَ �ْ �م نَّ �ٱ �� ظُّ�� نُ نُ‬ ‫� � ا �م� � � �ل� ��طِ‬ ‫�ر�فِ�ي� �فِ�ي� � �د  د �ي�هِ �ج�� �ل� �فِ�ي� � ل �ل ب ِ‬ ‫� ِ ��ي� ل�� ��و�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�َ ا َ � ٌ �َ نْ �َ ْ َ � ْ � ُ ��جِ ْ ٌ � ِ � ٌ َ �َا � ٌ �َم ْ��يُ نُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل� �سعِ ��ي�د م� �لي��ٱ��ْس ي��س عِ� �د ه � �د  د ��� عِ� ي��د �و��ط� ��ئِ� أْر � �مو�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ� َ ٌ‬ ‫َ ا �قٌ �عِ�زْ ُ هُ َ َ �ٌ َ � نُ‬ ‫�ُ َ َ �قِ ٌ‬ ‫س�ا ن� �ِم ْ���ث�َ � �ل‬ ‫�و�ِل���‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫��ص� ِد � �� ��م� �ور� ي� ر�صِ‬ ‫�س�ا ِ�م �و� ��ل ب�  �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�� �ي �‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫‪٧،٢٦‬‬

‫َ ا �زَ �َ َ� تَّ َ �ضِ نِ �ٱ �ْ �بِ ْ‬ ‫��ٌ �َ��ْ نَ �ٱ ��ل�زَّ��َ�ا �َ ��َ�ْ�ينِ‬ ‫�َم نْ �َ ا‬ ‫�� ��� �ب� �ل� �ي�‬ ‫ي �م� ا �ل ح�ى را �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح� كِ��م ب ي� م َ نِ� و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َي ِ نِ�‬ ‫�فِ �أَ َ ا َ َ ْ َ َّ ٱ � �َّ ��ذَ ْ تَ�أ ِّ َ �َ ا �ُعْ تُ َ ْ َ ُ�هَ ا َ َ ْ عِ ْ‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫� � ��م� �و بر����ع� � �ل�ل� ي�� �� �� � ا‬ ‫�ب�ى َ�د  أَ�ل� �ج � أَب�أَ�ع�د �م� �ع��ل�ى بر�� �ي نِ�‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫َ ا �� نَ�أَْ تُ يَ �ٱ ��ْ َ نِ َّ َُ���نْ تُ �‬ ‫ْ � ُ نْ� � َ نْ ُ َ �� ْ �فَ ةَ َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م� ل�ي� �� ��ي� �ع� ل�ه��� �وك � �ل�ا � ��سطِ� ي�� � � �ع ه � � �‬ ‫ع � ى �� َطر� ْ �ع�ي نِ�‬ ‫ِ َ َّ‬ ‫� ُ��نْ نَِ أَ ْ ي َ َ أْ �َ‬ ‫َ نَّ ٱ �ل�زَّ َ ا نُ‬ ‫َ � �فِ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�يَ�ا دَيْ� َر �ز ك��ى ك� � � �‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��سَ� �م� � �لفٍ‬ ‫�‪       1‬م� ��م� � �بِ�َ�هِْ �ع��ل�ى �إِ ُل� �ي نِ�‬ ‫َ ��نَ�فْ َ ٱْ� َْ ُ� ٱ �َّ� ٱ ��ْ��ت َ�� َ تْ �َنَ ا َ� �نِ َ ا تُ ُ َ نْ �ع���س�جِ َ �ل�جِ ْ‬ ‫�ه �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � س �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫���� � �ل‬ ‫�َبِو ُ سِ �ي� ٱ�مَّر�ج � ل��ذِ ي� بُ ْ�م� ل��  �ج � ب�� َ� أَ ْ��قِع� َ �ُ ٍ�دٱ �وِ� َ�ي نِ�‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫حْ � � �ق � ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح َّ َ � ��ث� َ�ا َ ا � َ ُ‬ ‫ح�م��ل ت� �ِم نْ�  �ش �ْ � � ��ث� � ه � �ل� � �‬ ‫� �لْو����م�ل ل�� �ل نِ� �م�‬ ‫��وقٍ� �ل� � �ل ��م�ل� ��ث �ل�ي نِ�‬ ‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬ ‫َ �َ ٱ � َّ�قَّ ِ ْ أَ ْ � ��قِ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ ْ��قِ‬ ‫�َْ ��‬ ‫ط ��ِّ�ي�ةِ� � �� �ل� َرا �مِ� ��ذ َ�ع�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و �ل�ى � �ل ���ت�� � �� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ �د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫طِو ي�ٱ ْ� رى � �لبِ ي ِ ِب ِو‬ ‫�إِ رْ ي �‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫�ْ�خنُِ َ َّ �ذَ � ُْ ُ �َ ا َ ْ َ َّ �ذَ ٱ � َّ ْ ُ حِ َ ٱ‬ ‫َ َّ �ذَ ٱ � َ‬ ‫� ّ�َ��ذ ا � ��ل َّ��سْ �َ �تَ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫حب�� ا � �ل��دي�ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر� �‬ ‫حب�� ا � ل�ع�مر �ل� ب���ل  �‬ ‫حب�� ا � �ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ٱ ْ َ ْ ٱ ْ أَ نِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ َ ا غَ ��َ ُ َ � ��غَ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ�ق ْ �جِ � َّ ُ � ُ � �ل�زّ ْ‬ ‫ح��ل َ � �ل� ��ا �نِ�‬ ‫�ص� � �حل‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫� ��ل� � �لر�����ي� �‬ ‫�د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍  ‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫َ ْ �ي� ٱ ْ ي�‬ ‫ع �فِ�ي� �ح�ل�ِل � �ْ َ ْ ِ‬ ‫أَْ َ ى ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫نَ � � � َ ُ ْ ً ��� � � ت �حِ َّ � ��ل ََا � ّ‬ ‫� سِ َ �يِ �‬ ‫��� تْ��ه�ا �� ُ�د � �ل َّر�����ي� �ِم� � �ل� �ل‍  ‍� او نِ� ����برد ا ك�� �ل� �‬ ‫� �لب��‬ ‫� ِ��مي� ي��م� �نِ�ي�‬ ‫بِ عِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫مَ أَْ ً‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل ‪� � � :‬ل��ف� �ا‪.‬‬

‫‪302‬‬

‫‪302‬‬

‫‪٨،٢٦‬‬

The Monastery of Zakkā (Zacchaeus

How many hearts have gone to Zakkā’s Convent healthy, and returned deeply afflicted! If one day you turn aside to the monastery, you’ll find much to divert you, much to delight. You who reprove me for my passion, stop! Don’t blame me, for blaming is madness. Many a gazelle gives out roses with her hands while the roses in her cheeks stay safe, And if my glance wanders over her cheeks, in my heart speculations arise. No man is happy who receives no aid from auspicious fate and a bird of good omen, From a sword-keen tongue, a heart true of purpose, and a judgment firm and composed. Who will judge between me and destiny?

26.7

It’s tamed me at last with separation. By the spring encampments, now deserted (may I never visit such encampments again), Why did I ever quit and desert the Hanī, when I couldn’t take my eyes from it? Zakkā’s Convent, you were the best haunt that fate could give two lovers. I’d give my life for the gardens whose borders smiled to us with silver and gold. If men and jinn bore my burden of longing, under its weight they’d be bowed. Bound for the twin cities of Raqqa, I pass desert encampments, on a docile mount, gaunt from traveling. Would I were at Karkh or the cloister or, better, the monastery with its cypress trees. Spring has appeared, clad in robes of flowers; doves have fashioned ornaments of song. Spring’s hand has unfurled cloaks brightly colored like the brocades of Yemen and Tihāmah.

303

303

26.8

‫����� ����‬ ‫� � ��‬

‫َّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ � َ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ ٰ‬ ‫َا ��خِ‬ ‫�ص�ْهب�َ�ا ءَ ��ل�ا �ت�َ ْ�د َر� �نِ��‬ ‫� ِ��ل��ي��ل َّ �ه�ُ��تَ�م�ا �عِ� ��ل� َل�ا �‬ ‫ي �ع�ا طِ�� ي��ا ��ي� � �ل‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ �� َ �َ ا َ �� َ � ا َ �ق َ ا ْ َ ا ْ َ‬ ‫ن�ا ت� � ��ل��َد �نَ�ا‬ ‫�ي�ا ��َ��َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ء‬ ‫� ب� عِ� �د �م� ب عِ� �د �لم� ��و م� د نِ��ي� د نِ��� ب‬ ‫ِ ٱ ْ أَ ْ نِ�‬ ‫ْ ُ َّ �َ‬ ‫نَ ٱ � َّ � َ َ ُ�َّ ٰ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ِ قَّ َ‬ ‫�ي�ا ��� �ِم ن ك�‬ ‫���ل ��ه��ذِ ِه � �ل�� � �لَوا‬ ‫���ل � �لْو� �ِم� � �ل ار  حِ �ع��ل� ك‬ ‫�����س��‬ ‫ى ٱ ْ أَ َ ٱ ْ أُ نِ�‬ ‫أَ ْ �نِيٱ َّ � َٱ ُ نٍ أَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� ضَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫���� �ل�ز ���مّرد ��� � �‬ ‫ح  �‍�م َر � ا � � � � �‬ ‫��ر � �ل�� �لْو� ك�‬ ‫��� � �َ ا‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ِ �فِي‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�ص� �فِ�ي�ٱ ْ �ل�ِديِ�م ك�ٱ ْ�ل�ر�ج �و نِ�‬ ‫أَ ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ َ ْ نَ � َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� � َْ اَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��� � � �ؤْ � � � َّ ْ �� �ق ْ‬ ‫��� �ب�� � �ل� �‬ ‫ع�قِ� ي ��� �ب� �ل�مر�‬ ‫�ص  ‍�صِ‬ ‫�َ �و ��ق�احٍ� ك�� �ل� �ل �ل�ؤِ لر�ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��د ���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ج� نِ�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫قِ‬ ‫ِ�زَ ْ ٱ �ْ �خِ ْ َّ َٱ �ْ ُ �ذَ‬ ‫ٱَ‬ ‫�َ ُ‬ ‫َََ‬ ‫� �ي�ر�� � �و ل‬ ‫ه�ا ر �ِم�ْ��ث�َ � ��ل��دّ �نَ�ا �����ير �م‬ ‫�ْ�فح� ��و   �� ب� �ه � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ب��َ� َ ٱٍ ُ ل‬ ‫نِ ِ‬ ‫فٍ َ ِر َ ِ ي ٱ ُ نِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫���أ نّ � ��لنّ��ْ َ ا نَ ��حِ َّ َ �َ ْ َ ا �ُ � ًا � نْ ش � َ‬ ‫�ق�ا ��� � ��ل�ّ��ن�ْع�م�ا‬ ‫�وك�� � ��ع�م� � � �ل �ع�ل��ي�ه�  �ح�ل�ل� ِم� ���� ئِ قِ�‬ ‫نِ�‬

‫� �ذ �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� ش‬ ‫�و�ل��لر����ي �د �ي�� ك�ر �ه� ا ا �ل��د�ير‬

‫‪٩،٢٦‬‬

‫ُ ْ‬ ‫سِ َا ٌ َ َ ٱ � َّا ٱْ�ُ‬ ‫�� ْ‬ ‫مغ�ْ ِ ْ تَ� ِّ �ةُ َ ًّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫��� �ل� �م �ع��ل�ى � �ل��ن� �زِحِ � �ل ْ ِ ب‬ ‫ْ ِ�ئِ ب‬ ‫َّ ب َ �بِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��غِ�زَ �ٌ �مِ َ ت ُ � �بِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ شَ ْ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫��ى ف���ق�� ْ �ل‬ ‫� ��ل�ى دَي�ْر �ز ك��‬ ‫�� ا �ل �� را �ِ��ُ�ع�ه �بِ�� �ل� �لِ�ي� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���صِر � َ��� ب‬ ‫�خِ �إَِ ِ‬ ‫أََا َ نْ أَ َ ا نَ عِ َ �نَ فْ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�َا � ًا �َ نْ أ َ� ْ‬ ‫�ْ�خ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ    ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫���‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ِ ي �فِ هِ ُ �ئِ َ� ُ ب‬ ‫� �ي� أَم� � ��ع� � �� ��ل�ى � � سِ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �َ نْ � ّ �َ نْ ا � ْ‬ ‫َ � ْ ت َ � ّ ت نْ ���� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫���س� ���س��ر � �و �ل��س��ر �ِم� ِ ي��ِ ���‬ ‫ي �ه�وى م� � ِح ب� ِب�م� �ل� � ِح ب‬

‫ّ‬ ‫ا ا �ة أ ّ أ � ��� ق �‬ ‫���ا ن� �ع ن��د �م��س�ي�ره �م ن ا ��ل ار ف����ق��ة �إ ��ل�ى ب���غ��د ا د �خ��� �لف� �ب��ه� �م� رد � � �ب�� �إ س‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ح�ا �� ا�لم�عت�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ا ش ت ا ق‬ ‫��ا � ا �ل �ش�� �د �ع��ل ا ��ق ا ت � ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ت �ق ا � �ف � ّ ا‬ ‫��� �ل ا‬ ‫�ه�ا �ف ك‬ ‫�ه� �ب��ه� ه ا �ل�ب��ي�� � �� �ل ��ل�م� �ورد ك�� ب ر �ي ي�‬ ‫�� ب �إ ي�‬ ‫�� ����� � �‬ ‫�ه� � �ل� لب��ع���‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�م ن � �ق �� ��ل ا ��ل ش����ع � � ��ه ف����ق�ا ��ل �ع ن ��ل��س�ا �ن�ه�ا‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �ي و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ��ُّ ٱ ��ْ�َ‬ ‫َ َ َ ٱ �ْفَ‬ ‫�َ ْ‬ ‫�أ �تَ�ا � كتَ��ا �ُ� َ �َ�ا ���سِ َّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ِ � وفِي هِ‬ ‫�نِ�ي� ِ ب�ك ي‬ ‫�ِل �ل �ج ب‬ ‫أَ ِ�زْ ُ ُ أَنَّ� َ �� َ ا ش قٌ َ أَنَّ� َ‬ ‫ع �ُ ْ َت َ ا ٌ َ َ ْ‬ ‫���   � �و ��ك بِ �ي� م���س��ه� �م �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ����ت ���ع�م � ��ك ِل�ي� ��ع� �ِ �‬ ‫�ص ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �ذَ �َْ َ ُ‬ ‫َ �َ ْ َ‬ ‫��نِ نُ ْ �زًَ�ة � �ْ ُ‬ ‫ك� َ� ْ‬ ‫�نْ   ��ل��تِ �تْ�ُ‬ ‫���ا نَ� ٰ�ه��ذ ا ك� ا �ل� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م � ِ ر ي� � ِ‬ ‫�و� �لو‬ ‫رب‬

‫‪304‬‬

‫‪304‬‬

‫‪١٠،٢٦‬‬

The Monastery of Zakkā (Zacchaeus

Friends, come pour for me, give me a morning cup to drink, don’t send me away! Keep water at bay, keep water at bay, bring close the wine jars and their daughters! Pour me to drink all kinds of wine, of every vintage and color, An emerald’s dark hue mingled with clear-surfaced reddish purple. Here are chamomiles like soft pearls strung between coral and carnelian, Oxeye daisies like gold coins surrounded by gillyflowers and lilies. And King Nuʿmān has spread out there robes of his sisters, anemones.166 Hārūn al-Rashīd has verses in which he mentions this monastery:

26.9

Greetings to the distant exile from one who loves her and grieves For a gazelle who pastures by the Balīkh, the Zakkā Convent, and Khashab Palace. I have wronged myself by willingly leaving behind the one I love; Concealment’s a trait of mine, so I’ll hide my love for my darling behind one I don’t love. When al-Rashīd traveled from Rāfiqah to Baghdad, he left Māridah,167 the 26.10 mother of Abū Isḥāq al-Muʿtaṣim, at the Zakkā Monastery. Then he missed her and so he wrote these verses to her. When his letter arrived, she asked someone who could compose poetry to reply to him in her name: Sire, I received your letter, which with all its merits is wondrous. Do you claim that you love me, that you’re crazy with longing for me? If this were true, you’d not have left me a prey to every torment.

305

305

‫����� ����‬ ‫� � ��‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ أ نْ تَ ِ � ْ َ َ �ِ ْ �َ � َ ا َا ض��َ ٱ � �َّ ��ذَ �ذَ َ َ �َ نْ تُ� ْ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر �ى بِ ه ِري � ل �ةِ ع �ٱ ُِ ب‬ ‫� �و َ� بِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ُ ْ‬ ‫�َ ��َ ْ ��ا �ٱ�ت�� َ�ا ��ؤُ �َ�ا ���سِ َّ‬ ‫ي �� �لَ ا � تْ��� َك ب �� �نَ�ا � َ��ا ُت� � �ل�جن�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ ي �جِ‬ ‫و �لو�ل ��ق ك ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫يِ‬

‫ّ‬ ‫� ا ن قت �‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا �ق �أ ك��ت�‬ ‫��ا �ب��ه�ا �و�ج��ه ي�‬ ‫�ه�ا �إ �لي��ه‪.‬‬ ‫ح�د ر�ه� �ِم� �و� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا �ة ش �قًا ّ اً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ذ�� ا ��ل‬ ‫� ا �ل��رك��� �وك���ا � ا�لم�عت��ص� ��� ج�‬ ‫���ق� ا �لر�ش���ي �د �م� رد �ع���� � �مب��ر�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫حره ��ا �ل �ع �‬ ‫�و ك�ر �ص�ح ي‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ف����ق�ا ��ل ف��ه�ا‬ ‫ي�‬

‫‪١١،٢٦‬‬

‫نَ �ْ � َ نَ ْ ُ‬ ‫�َ �إِ�ذَ ا �نَ � ���ظِ ْ َت ��لَ �َ�مَ ا ��� َ ا ��فَ � ُ َّ َ‬ ‫ِ�ك�ل � �مْو ِ��‬ ‫�ه�   �ل‬ ‫��ضِ� ������ظر�ةٍ �����بل�‬ ‫و ���ر� �إِ �ى �ح� سِ نِ �‬ ‫َ تَ �َ ا �ُ نْ � َ �حِ َّ نَا � � َ ا َ ا �َ ا َ �َ ا �ُ حِع َّ ٱ � نَّ ْ ُ‬ ‫�ر�ه�  �م� �ل� ��ي�ن� �ل بِ�‬ ‫� �د ِه � �ل��‬ ‫���ص�ل‬ ‫�و���ن� �ل �ِم��ك بِ� ُ ّ�د �� ��� ظِِ‬ ‫شَ �غِ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ ��َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ ا ��قَ �َمَا نَ َ ْ� َ ا شُ ْ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫����� ��لت���ك �و��ه� �لِ �‬ ‫ٍ  �ل� �ى �‬ ‫�ك�ل �ذِ �ي� �ب��‬ ‫�ح�ٱ �ِْ�س� �و�ج هِ����ه� �������غ�ل‬ ‫�صر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�فِ �قِ ْ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ل� َ َ َ �� َ � ْ � َ ا َ ْ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �ِ� �ل� ��ل ��ب�َه�ا �‬ ‫�حِ �ل�م ��ي��ب� �عِ� َ�د �ه�  �ع� �ذِ �ي� � �ه�و�ى �ولِ ��طرِ�ف�ه� ُ�ج� ��ه�ل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫��ْ ُ‬ ‫َ � َ ْ� َ ا نْ َ �ْ َ ا ��ق �مِ ٌ َ � َ ْ َ ا نْ َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ي���ه� ��ح�ل‬ ‫�ي���ه� ِ � ع� نِ‬ ‫ولِ�و�ج هِ� ��ه� ِ � و � هِ� ��ه� �� ر  وِ ع� نِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ب��ه�ا � �و ك�‬ ‫�����ثر �ش���عره ��� �ج��وا ر��ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬

‫ا ��ل أ ا ت �ف ت ��ا ن ��ت ثّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫��ص�‬ ‫� �ل��ل �ش�� �د ����ع �‬ ‫� � �و ب��ي�� � �م� رد ا � ك�� � ي �م���ل‬ ‫و ر � �ي �ف ر � ح‬ ‫�و�ع ش�����ق�ه �ل�ه نّ ‪�� .‬م ن �ق��و�ل�ه‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ََْ‬ ‫�ا �ٰ� �ِّ ُ � ُ ْ‬ ‫� تُ َ نْ أَ ْ َ َ � َ ا � ً‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫َ�ا ��ل ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب� ِ�ي� �م لِ‬ ‫ك هِ ظ ِ�م‬ ‫�م�ل ك� �‬ ‫ِٰ �ن �فِ�ي� �م�ل ْ ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�َ ْ ش ئ تُ � � ْ تَ ا �ق �ْ ُ � ْ َ �ة َ ��نّ ُ ْ‬ ‫�ُ َّ � � ُ‬ ‫ك�َ � �ل‬ ‫� �لو �ِ����� �ل���س�� ��ت�ه �ل�� ��ق�د ر  �و�ل كِ�� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح ب� ِ�ل�ي� �ل�ا�زِ �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِي‬ ‫ّ م‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫� َ ْ �ُ ُ نْ َ ْ ٰ �ذَ ٱ �ْ َ َ� َ ْ َ �ُ َ �خِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫�ع�ا ��ل ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح��� �‬ ‫� حب�ب���ت�ه �ِم� �ب��� ��ه� ا � � �لورى � �ه� ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خبِ� ر � ِ�م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َو و ِ ب ي أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��قَ ُ � ْ نَِ َ نٌ َ ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ُ �هُ ��ْ � ُ � � � ث�ا �� �� �ا �� ُ‬ ‫� ِ��ف���ع�ل �‬ ‫���بِ ي �‬ ‫ح��س� �و�ج ��ه   �‬ ‫ع �ذِ ر �فِ�ي� �م� ِلهِ � ل�ل ��ئِ �م‬ ‫أَ ٍْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��يَ أَ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٌ ْ �ّ ُ‬ ‫أْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح نُ �َ نْ‬ ‫� ُ‬ ‫ح��ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫نِ هِ ر �حِ م‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫� ��س� � ب‬ ‫ر �و �ن �فِ�ي�‬ ‫�و��ل�ه‬

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‫‪١٢،٢٦‬‬

The Monastery of Zakkā (Zacchaeus

You’re in Baghdad now, playing in pleasure’s grounds with your lover. But for my fear of you, sire, swift camels would have brought me to you. When Hārūn read this letter, he immediately had her brought to Baghdad. Ṣāliḥ al-Turkī, who was al-Muʿtaṣim’s tutor, remembered: Al-Rashīd was 26.11 passionately in love with Māridah and he composed this poem about her: If you look at her beauties, each one’s a pointed arrow. Her sharp glances cut you deeper than any dagger. She obsesses anyone who sees her beauty as much as she obsesses you. Her heart’s reason keeps her far from lovers, but there’s folly in her gaze, Her face has given itself moonlike beauty, her eye’s kohl comes from her eye. Al-Rashīd composed sound poetry and stand-alone verses he loved to quote. 26.12 Most of his poetry is about his slave girls and his love for them, for instance: I own a girl who’s now my owner, and as an owner she’s unjust. I could force her to come, if I wanted, but I obey the laws of love. I love her above all mankind, of my love she’s well aware. Ugly deeds and a lovely face, blamers for her find excuses; The most beautiful being ever seen— if only, in her beauty, she were to show mercy. Another of his poems:

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‫����� ����‬ ‫� � ��‬

‫َ َّ َ � ٱ �ْلُ ُّ �َ َ ِ َ‬ ‫أَنْ��حِ‬ ‫�ص�ي�ر�� � �‬ ‫ح ب� �إِ �ل�ى �م�ا ����تر�ى � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ�ق ْ َ��َت�نِيَ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ٰ �ذَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��د ك��� � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي �ه� ا‬ ‫ح ب� �ع��ل�ى �ج ��ب� ِه���‬ ‫ب‬

‫َ � ْ َ ��قِ ْ َ‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل �جِ ��ِ�س�مي� � ِو� �ل� �ِبل��ي� �ك�و�ى‬ ‫��قَت ٌ � َ ٱ �ْ َ َ‬ ‫ِ���ل �فِ�ي� ��سبِ��ي���ِل � �ل� �‬ ‫هو�ى‬ ‫�ي‬

‫ا ن ة ا ة أ �خ � ا � أ ّ‬ ‫ح�ه�ا � ّ‬ ‫�ق أ ��ش��خ‬ ‫�ق ا � ��ا ن � ش‬ ‫ح�ً�ا‬ ‫�� �ل �وك�� � ا �لر����ي �د ��د � �� ��ص �هي��ل� ��� �ج�� ر�ي�� � �ي��ه ا �ل�ه� د ي� � �و � ب � ب‬ ‫�خ ّف �ف ض أ‬ ‫ا ق ف � �ذ � �أ‬ ‫�ف���ل� ا‬ ‫�ف ا �غ ث ّ ش ت‬ ‫�ه�ا ����ق�ا �ل �ه� ه ا �ل�ب��ي��ا ت�‬ ‫�ه� ��ي� ب���ع��� � ��س� � ره ب��ب���د ا د ��م ا ����� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫أَ ْ َ ٱ �ْ َ ُ َ َ ٱ �ْ َ نُ َ َ َ ُ َٱ ْ ُ ْ َ َ َ َ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫��شَ ا �� َ‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫��س� َل�ا � َ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫حب���� �م� ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��س�ل�ا �م�ه   ��ف�� رد د �ع��ل�ْ�ي�هِ �م� � �ل��� �م� ِل �‬ ‫ع � �ج� ��و بِ‬ ‫� �ه�د �ى � ِ ي ب‬ ‫ُ ٱ �ْ أَ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫�َ�ٱ �ْ �ف ْ � � � � َ �َ ا �ت� ��ضِ ّ نَ �َ�ق � ُ هُ �َ ��تِ � َ ا �َ � ا � َ‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫هَ ا كَ�م�ا ‪� � 1‬ل�� �ّ�ا � َ‬ ‫و ��عر� ب�� �لب��ك م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� َ�م� َ�ل��ب�  و� �ى�د و�ل� بِ�� و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ ْ ِ َ َِ َِ ْ َ �َ ُ �فِ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫�ج�ا � َ‬ ‫��م���ه�م�ا ب��ك�ي ت� �ل�ه � �� ��ي��� ن � ���ن�ه  ��س���فِ� ي�ض�� �ع�ي �ن �ا ه � �ل��د � �مو  ‪� ٢‬سِ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫قِ �‬ ‫ُ �‬ ‫َ ع‬ ‫نْ‬ ‫�فِ �ٱ ْ ْ ُ ُ َ � َ َ �ْ َ ةً � ُ‬ ‫���نْ تَ تَ�ْف�َظُ �� أ ْ تَ�ُ ُ �� َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫�م�ا � َ‬ ‫���‬ ‫حو�ط �ذِ �‬ ‫��ح�م�� ِ�ل��د � �مو�عِ� �هِ �إِ � ك� � ح��� � �و �‬ ‫�حبِ����س د � �مو�ع�ك ر‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن ش‬ ‫�و�م� ����عره ��ي�‬

‫ً‬ ‫�ش���د �ي��د ا‬

‫�‬ ‫�ج��وا ر�ي�ه ا �لث��ل�ا ث�‬

‫نَّ نِ َ �زَّ ْ تُ �ُ َّ �َا عٍا َ ْ نَ ��شَ� ْ‬ ‫َ ا َ � ُ �نُ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ح��� ���ط� �ئِ��� �  �ب�ي�� �ج���و و �ضِ�‬ ‫�� ي�� ٍ و�خ �‬ ‫�إِ � ��ي� �و �ع� � ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�َتَ نَ ا �زَ ْ� نَ �ٱ ��ْ َ َ � � نْ � َ ً �ى � � نَ ا ت �ُ �ْ َ ً � َ ْ َ‬ ‫� ْث‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع�ق�د �ة �ل�ا ��ت��نت� ِك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي����� ع� ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫هوى ِم� �ذِ ي� �ه�و‬ ‫َ مِ� �� ٍ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ شَ ْ أََ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫� ِ فَ تْ عِ نَّ َ ��شَ� ْ� ٌ ُ��َّ َ ثْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َو ا ����ج���ٌو � ��ت ت� ا ���ئِ�‬ ‫���ىر   ك�������ش�� �� ��ي� �ج��و ك��ل ب���‬

‫أ‬ ‫� ّأ‬ ‫��ا ن � � �� ش‬ ‫� � �ّو��ل ��س�ن ��ة ث��م�ا ن� � �و ر���ع�� ن �و�م�ا �ئ��ة �و�ُو��ل��د ا �� ف�ل� ض���� ب� ن ي�‬ ‫ا� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��ق ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل � يى‬ ‫ب ي�‬ ‫� �ل �وك� � أ �م�و�ل�د أا لر����ي �د �بأ� لر ي‬ ‫�ق � ه � ة ّ‬ ‫� �ا ��ف �ة ��ل � �ة � ت � �أ � � ش �ة ��ل � �ة‬ ‫ّ �ف‬ ‫� ��خ‬ ‫��س��ع�� � �ي�ا � ��ف�� ر ض�‬ ‫���عت��ه � � ا � �ل� ض����ل �وب� ��و�� �ل�ه �ب�ا �ل�ل � ي��ل� ا �ل��سب��� �ل� بر�� ع���ر ي��ل�‬ ‫ب��ل� ب ب‬ ‫أ م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ئ ة ُ � �ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ � ن‬ ‫� ��� ت� �م ن �ش��ه ���� ا �ل���ّ ��ل ��س�ن ��ة ��س��ع�� ن‬ ‫ي� �و�م�ا ��� �و�و�ل��د ��ي� �ه� ه ا �ل��لي���ل�� �عب��د ا لله ا�لم�� � �مو�‬ ‫� � ر بر ي و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب ق�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ة تُ‬ ‫ف��ف �ذ � � � ة ا ت �خ � �ف ة �� َ �خ � �ف ة ُ � � �خ � �ف ة �ذ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�م ن� �ج��ا ر�ي�� ����س�مى �م ار ج���ل‪� ���� .‬ه� ه ا �ل�لي��ل�� �م� � ��لي�� �� �و�ول�ي� ��لي�� �� �و�و�ل�د ��لي�� �� �و�ه� ا‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� � ة‬ ‫� ا ّ �ق‬ ‫�م ن� ا �ل� �ت���ف �ا ��ا ت� ا �ل��ط �ر��ف ��‪.‬‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�فّ �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �خ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�و�ت��و��� ا �لر�ش���ي �د �ب ���ق �ر��ة ‪� ٣‬ت��د �ع�ى ��س�ن �د ا �ب�ا �م ن� �ع��م�ل ��ط�و��س �و�ل�ه ��م��س � �و بر���ع�و ن� ��س�ن �� �ي ��و�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ا ��ل��س�� ت� ��ل��أ ��� �خ���ل� ن� �م ن �ج��م�ا د �ى ا ��ل��آ خ� �ة ‪�� ٤‬س�ن ��ة �ث�ل�ا ث� � �ت��س�ع�� ن‬ ‫ي� �و�م�ا �ئ��ة �وك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �خ��ل�ا ف�ت��ه‬ ‫بر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع �ن ة ش ً ن �ف اً‬ ‫�ث� �ا �ثً�ا � � ش‬ ‫ع���ر� ن� ��س �� �و����هرا � �و��ص� �‪٥.‬‬ ‫ل و ي‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ بَ َ َ �تَ َ ُ مَ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫نْ ُ ّ ُ‬ ‫ن ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫� ذ�� ا ف�� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪� :‬غرف���ة‪  ٤ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ال��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خر‪  ٥ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و����ص�‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و��د ا ولَا � �هوا � �ا‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬م���ه ل�ل�د �موع‪   ٣ .‬ك ي‬

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‫‪١٣،٢٦‬‬

‫‪١٤،٢٦‬‬

‫‪١٥،٢٦‬‬

The Monastery of Zakkā (Zacchaeus

Love has rendered me as you see, my body wasted, my heart seared. Love has inscribed upon my forehead: “A martyr on passion’s field.” Al-Rashīd summoned Hīlānah,168 his brother al-Hādī’s slave, and he fell 26.13 violently in love with her. He left her behind in Baghdad when he went on a journey, and missed her. So he composed these verses: The lover sends his greetings borne by the south wind; send back a greeting on the wind from the north. Know in your heart what his heart hides; let the days pass between you, united in passion. Whenever you weep for him, have no doubt he will be shedding a torrent of tears. Hold back your tears from compassion for his if you honor the duty you have to protect him. Here is one of his poems on his three slaves:

26.14

I’ve divided my love submissively between Shajw, Ḍiyāʾ, and Khunth:169 They fight over their lover’s passion, trusting in a pact never broken. When Shajw comes for a visit, she brings out all my secret sorrows. Al-Rashīd was born in Rayy at the beginning of 148 [765]. Al-Faḍl ibn Yaḥyā 26.15 was born a week before him and al-Faḍl’s mother was his wet-nurse. He was acclaimed caliph on Saturday night, Rabi al-Awwal 17, 170 [September 9, 786]. That night a slave girl called Marājil170 gave birth to ʿAbdallāh al-Maʾmūn. So, on the night a caliph died, a caliph assumed power and a caliph was born— an unusual coincidence. Al-Rashīd died aged forty-five in a village called Sandābādh in the district of Ṭūs on Saturday, Jumada al-Thani 3,171 193 [March 24, 809]. His reign had lasted twenty-three years, one month and a half.

309

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‫د ����ي � �ا ‪�� 1‬س ���‬ ‫ر �م ر ر�ج ي ��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ث‬ ‫�و��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د�ير ب���ع�ا �ن��ة �و�ع�ا �ن��ة �م�د ��ي ن���ة �ع��ل� ا � �ف�ل ار ت� �ع�ا �مر�ة �و���ه�ا �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د�ير �و�ه�و كب�‬ ‫����ي�ر �‬ ‫ح��س ن� ك���ي�ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫ا ت ن ��ش�� �‬ ‫� ن�زّ ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���‬ ‫�صر �وب���س� ���ي� �و ج�ر � او�لم�و�‬ ‫ا �لر�هب��ا � � او �ل ن��ا ��س ��ي���‬ ‫�ص�د � �ون�ه �ل��لت��� ه �ي��ه �و�ه�� ك ك�ر�و�م �و�م�ع� �‬ ‫� أ � � � ف فع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت�ف ّ‬ ‫ح��ا � أ � � ّ‬ ‫���ف� �ن��ه�ا ���ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‪� .‬و�ل ب�� ن� �ب ��ي� ��ط�ا �ل ب� ا�لم���ك ��و��‬ ‫� �إ �لي��ه � ��ه�ل ا �لت� ��طرب� � او �ل �� رج�‬ ‫ح��س ن� �ج��ا �م� �لم�ا ي� تج�‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا � �ل او ��س ��ط� �ي��ه‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ْ َ َ ٱْ� َ‬ ‫ُ َّ َ‬ ‫�َق ْ َ َا � ِّ ��خِ � نْ َ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�صْه َ��ا ءَ �م ن ����ن�ا ت� �ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫هو�ةٍ �ب� ب��ِل��ي��ةٍ � �‬ ‫سِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ِري���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ سِ‬ ‫َ َ ��قِ ِ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�قِ � ّ ت َ ا �َ ا َ ُ‬ ‫��ق�ْ��ب � ْ � �ل ش��� ّ ا �� �� � �َّ‬ ‫ن�ا �ق��و��‬ ‫ِ�ي ��ه� بِ���ن� �� �و�‬ ‫� �د ح‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫ٱ َعِ‬ ‫��ُ�س َ ِ يٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َو����غِ�زَا ��ل �مك‬ ‫�ّ�ح�ل‪� ٢‬ي� دَ ��ل�ا ��لٍ �َ�س�ا حِ�ر� � ّل���طْ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ا �ً ُ ��‬ ‫ِ ر‬ ‫ٍ ٱ �ذِ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫� ���س� �مِ ِر ي� ٱ�عَْر�و سِ‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫َ �إِ�ذَ‬ ‫ا �خِ َا �فِ ُ ل�‬ ‫� نَّ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُُ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِد ��ي��ن�ه �م��عِ�ل� ِ�ل�ِدي� نِ� � ل��‬ ‫��ص� رى �و ا ��م� �َ �ل ِ�دي �ٱ ْ�جَ �و سِ‬ ‫�قِ ْ �خِ �َ ْ نَا � ظَ �� ْ َ نَ�ْ �ِ‬ ‫َ ْ َ َ ْ ت �� َ‬ ‫�صَ��ا � � ��خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫    ‬ ‫‪٣‬‬ ‫هِ ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ِ�مي����‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي وم ب ٍ �إِ ى ب حِ‬ ‫� �د � � �ل �و� بِ����بي��ةٍ �ج � ِ‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��نِ‬ ‫َ ْ َ� ْ َ َْ َ َ‬ ‫�َ��ْ نَ �َ ْ د �َ �� ���ى ْ��� �َ َ��َ‬ ‫ه�ا رٍ �و��س ��ط ب���ست��ا نِ� دي�ِر �م�ا ��سْر�ي����‬ ‫ب ي� ورٍ و ر�جِ سٍ و ب�‬ ‫�جِ سِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� ّا ��ش��خ‬ ‫��ا ن ا �� ش‬ ‫��� ��ق � ّ ا �� ف� ض � ن �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح � ن �خ ا � � � ن � � �‬ ‫�و�ب��ه� ا ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫ع ب� ر � �م ل�����ل ب � ي ي�ى ب � �� �ل�د ب ّ� بر�م�أك �وك� � لر����ي �د �لأم� ��ص‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫حّ ��ش��خ‬ ‫ير��د ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �� �م�ع�ه ا ��لب��را �م��‬ ‫�ك���ة ف�ت��و��ف ت� � �ّ ا � ف�ل� ض����ل �وك�‬ ‫�م ن� ا �لر��ق��ة �إ ��ل�ى ب���غ��د ا د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� � ر ض�‬ ‫���ع ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫�ي م‬ ‫ج ّ ا ّ‬ ‫��ا ن � � ا �� ف� ض ق‬ ‫� � �� ش � �ة‬ ‫� ن � ف ض ��ا ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س�ع��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ه� �وي�ج �ل�ه�‪ .‬وك� � م�ول�د ل�����ل ب���ل م�ول�د لر���ي �د ب ب‬ ‫ا �لر����ي �د ب��ل��ب� ا � �ل�����ل �وك�� � ي ب �‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� � �ق ن ا ��‬ ‫� �ّ�ا � ��ف�� �م ا ��ل �ش�� �د ��ف�ا �ش����ُت �� ت� ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫ع��� �ة � � ���ة �م ن � ت‬ ‫��س��ا ن� �ع ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ري �‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫ر ر �ي‬ ‫بر � ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر �ى‬ ‫ش ام � � �ف ت �ف ُ �ف�ن ت ن ا ُ ت � ا ق ّ ة ف تُ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� ّ �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫���� ��ط� ئ‬ ‫ه� ���عر�� �ب �� ب��� ا �لب��ر� ك‬ ‫م����ي� ‪.‬‬ ‫� ا � �ل ار � ��د � � �ه�� ك � ب�و���ن�ي � �ع�ل�ه� ���� ��‬ ‫ي� ب � �ي‬

‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص� ‪� :‬م�ا‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص� ‪� :‬م �ك‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫�م�ل‪   ٣ .‬ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ٍ‬

‫‪310‬‬

‫‪310‬‬

‫‪١،٢٧‬‬

‫‪٢،٢٧‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Sarjīs (Saint Sergius)

This monastery is situated in ʿĀnah, a flourishing city on the Euphrates. It

27.1

is large and beautiful, and has many monks. People visit it for recreation, since it possesses vineyards, winepresses, gardens, and orchards, and is in an extremely beautiful setting, offering all that pleasure-seekers and fun-lovers could want. Here’s a poem on it by Ibn Abī Ṭālib al-Makfūf al-Wāṣitī: Many a ruby-colored wine, a Magians’ daughter, a vintage from Babylon, long matured, I’ve sipped to the sound of flute and lute, before the deacon struck the clappers. A gazelle with kohl-rimmed eyes, coquettish, her gaze bewitching, a Sumerian bride, Proclaiming that her faith is Christian, but in secret a follower of Zoroaster— We unveiled her, fawn-like, to spend from Saturday to Thursday morn, Alone among roses, narcissi, and daisies, in Mār Sarjīs’s gardens. The grave of Umm al-Faḍl, the mother of al-Faḍl ibn Yaḥyā ibn Khālid ibn Barmak, is here. The Barmakids accompanied al-Rashīd when he traveled from Raqqa to Baghdad on his way to the pilgrimage, and Umm al-Faḍl died here. Al-Rashīd was fond of her and honored her because she had suckled him with al-Faḍl’s milk. (Al-Faḍl was born a week before al-Rashīd.) About twenty-five acres (ten hectares) of a garden were bought at the Valley of the Bridges on the banks of the Euphrates and she was buried there. A dome was built over her grave, which is known as the Dome of the Barmakid Lady.

311

311

27.2

‫د ����ي ا � ن �م�ز � ق‬ ‫ر ب� �‬ ‫عو��‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن�زّ‬ ‫ث �‬ ‫�ذ � � ا ��ل �ة �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫طه�ا �و�ه�و د�ير ك�‬ ‫����ي�ر ا �لر�هب��ا ن� �‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير �ب� �‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا �ل�ع�م�ا ر�ة � �‬ ‫ح��د ا�لمت��� �ه�ا ت�‬ ‫ح�ي�ر ��ي� �و��س �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة � �أ �� �‬ ‫��ف �ة لمّ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ح ٰ ن ا �� �ث � ا ��نّ‬ ‫� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫ا�لم���ص�ود � او �ل��م�ا ك�ن� ا�لم�و�ص�و� ‪� .‬وح‬ ‫��م��د ب� ن� �عب��د ا �لر��م� ل� رو ي�‬

‫‪١،٢٨‬‬

‫�مْ �ِ �صِ‬ ‫َ ْ �َ� َ � َ �ْ َ ا ��فَ�ثْ ُ نْ َ � َ � ْ ٱ �ْ َ �زْ ُ قَ �غَ ْ �ُ�خ‬ ‫عو�� ��ي�ِر �ت�‬ ‫��ه�ل �ل�‬ ‫ي د ���يِر �ب نِ� �م � �‬ ‫ك �فِ�ي� َديِر �م� ِر ي ��و� ‪� 1‬و�فِ��‬ ‫�� ِر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ ْ َ �َ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫نَ � � ْ َ َ ْ مِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َو���ْ�س�� �ل � �ل��ر ض��� �ع ن� �� نَ��ا بِ����ِت�ه�ا  �َو��ع��ه ِ�د �ه�ا �بِ�� �ل ّرب�����ِي� �َ �و �ل�م���طِ‬ ‫�ِر‬ ‫أْ ِ ِ فْ ٱ‬ ‫َٱ ْ‬ ‫ع � ��ل� ّ�َ��س�حِ‬ ‫�َا �َ� َ ��� ًا َ ��شِ َّ َ ا �حِ‬ ‫�حِ‬ ‫���� �ل�م ْ��س��ك �َ�� ��ت بِ������ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�� �و��� �م ر ئِ‬ ‫� ��ةٍ  ك� ِ ِ ي ِي�‬ ‫ةِ‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ي� �ل�ك طِ � ب‬ ‫شُ ْ �خَ‬ ‫� ْ َ �سِ ْ �ُ�مْ ِ�نَ تُ �ْ � َ َ ْ نَ ٱ � �َّ َ ا َٱ �َْ ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ���مٍر �و��� �م�‬ ‫ع ح��س ��ةٍ  ��ل�هِ� ي��ك �ب�ي�� � �ل�ل���س� نِ� � �و � �ل �و���تِر‬ ‫�فِ�ي� ���ربِ‬ ‫أَ ِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��قِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ � �� َ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ َ ا ��� �ّ ُ � �مِ ٌ َ ْ �ز َ � � ْ‬ ‫���ك�ل ���س� �قٍ� ك�� ��ن�ه �� ر  ب���ل ا د �فِ�ي� ح���س نِ��هِ �ع��ل�ى ل� �مِر‬ ‫َ� ْ َ ْ �ُ ٱ ّٰ ُ ْ �َ ُ َ ��شِ ً ��ِ ْ َ �حِ َ ا ٌ�ة َ ُ ْ َ ةُ ٱ �ْ َ ��شِ‬ ‫�ل� ي�‬ ‫���‬ ‫��خ�ل�قِ� � للُه �ِم��ث�ل�ه ب���� را   ف� �‬ ‫هو � ي�� �و�مُ��ني��� ‪� � ٢‬لب�� ِر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫نَ � َ ا � ��ل� ّ�� ُ � � ّ‬ ‫فِ� ُ َ ���َ تْ �إِ�ذ َ �� �ََ تْ‬ ‫�صَ‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫د‬ ‫ د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫وِر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫بِ �ج وِ �فِي�‬ ‫ِي � �‬ ‫ور�ةٍ ِ‬

‫� ��ف ّ �م ن ا �ل�م��� ن �ف � ش‬ ‫� ث �نّ �ذ �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ك�� ن ���ف ا ��ل� ���ط�ا ��ل�ا ت� � ا �ل�مت� ���ط ّ� ن‬ ‫� او �ل��ر� او ��ي� �ه� ا ك��و�ي� � ب �‬ ‫ط�و�ع��ي� ��ي� ا �ل����عر � او�لم �‬ ‫�ه�م��ي� ي� ب‬ ‫ح��ي�‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫� �غ �ق �ف ّ‬ ‫� � ا ف ش ً �غ �ذ �‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ا ت� � ا �ل�م�د �م ن��� ن ��ل ش��� � ا ���خل‬ ‫���ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��مر � او�لم� ر��ي� ن� ��ي� ا ت��ب��ا ا�ل�مرد �ل� �ي��عر�� ���ي��ئ��ا ��ي�ر �ل��ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫آ عأ أ أُ‬ ‫أ � �ن �ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ن��ة �خ� ّ�م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ل�ا ‪� ٢‬ي ��و�ج��د ��ي� ����ي� ء �م ن� � �مرا �ل��د �ي�� �إ �ل� �ي��ه‪� .‬وك�� � � �ر� �مره � � � �صي�� ب� �ي� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ز �قّ �خ‬ ‫� �ش���عره �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫�ب�ي� ن� ��ي� ��مر �و�ه�و �م�ي ت�‪� .‬و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أَتَا َ َ َ ٱ � ُّ�خُ � ٱْ� ْ َ َ ا نُ تُشَ َّ ُ ُ ٱ � ِ َ ا فُ َٱ �ْ َ ا نُ‬ ‫� �� ك �ع��ل� � �ل��د ��و�ِل � �لمِ���هر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫������ع�ه � �ل��م��ع� �زِ �� � �و � �ل�قِ� ي�� �‬ ‫�ج� �  � ي‬ ‫ىَ ْ َ َ ٱ � َّ ْ َ ا ُ ْ �فٍا تَ ُ � َ ا َ تَ ْ ُ َ ا ٱ � َّ نَا نُ‬ ‫َ �زُ �فَّ تْ ن‬ ‫� � �  ���� ��ر ب��ه� �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ه‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��حِ�م��ل��ه� � �ل��د �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�و �� و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫سِ ْ ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ٰ �ذَ ٱ �ْ َ ف ْ ٌ ُ ْ تَ نٌ عِ � � َّا تَ ْ ُ ُ َ َ نُ‬ ‫��‬ ‫لِ��ه� ا � �لي��و� ���‬ ‫��ض�ل �م��س����بِ��ي�  �� ��ل�ى � �ل� �ي� ِ�م �����عِر��ف�ه �و���‬ ‫�ش�ا �‬ ‫ِم‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪�� :‬ا ىور‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و�م�ىت���ه‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬لا‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

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‫‪٢،٢٨‬‬

Ibn Mazʿūq’s Monastery

This monastery stands in the middle of Ḥīrah. Many monks live there; it has

28.1

fine buildings, and is a place people go to on excursions. Poets have often described it. Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Tharwānī has these verses about it: Shall we go to Mār Fāthyūn’s Convent or Ibn Mazʿūq’s, a leisurely walk? We’ll ask the earth about its plants and when it last saw spring and rain. How perfumed you are, and fragrant as musk wafting on the dawn breeze! A singer whose delightful song and lute accompanies the wine we drink, Every cupbearer mirrors the moon— no, he’s lovelier than it by far. God has created no beings like them; they’re the life and desire of mankind, In a form perfected, and when they appear, we bow down before their images. Al-Tharwānī came from Kufa. He was a naturally gifted poet, thoroughly dissolute, a frequenter of taverns, a compulsive drinker, and an obsessive pursuer of young boys. He had no other interests or ambition in life. He met his end in a wine cellar, being found dead between two jars of wine. This is one of his good poems: The autumn festival172 comes to greet you, to the sound of flutes and singers. Pure wine is brought to meet you, borne by casks and pitchers— This day is far above any other, and that you very well know.

313

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28.2

‫ق‬ ‫د�ير اب� ن� �م ز��ع�و��‬

‫َ أَ ْ‬ ‫��َ َ َ ٱ � ِّ ف ُ ٱ �ْ ُ ْ ُ�زَ نُ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ َ ِّ ْ ِ ُ َ �ِّ � ْ َ �� ْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫��ش‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا �و���قر���ت�ه �ع����ظ�م ت� ِك�����سر�ى � �و كرم�ك‬ ‫ِر�ي� � ر �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ضَ ا َ ٱ �ْ ُ �زَ نُ‬ ‫َ َا َ َ‬ ‫َ أ ْ ��فَ ا َ �ٱ ��ْ َ َ � �َ ْ َ �ُ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص � ك ل� �هوى ب����هر م �ج �ورٍ و���س� ر �فِ�ي� ِر�‬ ‫� �و �‬ ‫��� ك فِل����ير �‬ ‫َ ع أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ِْ �‬ ‫ْ َ َ نُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� �قِ ْ �ّ � ُ ُ َ ن‬ ‫�ِل���ت�عظِ ������ي�ِم � �ل���ذِ �ي� � �د �ع����ظ�م�وه �َود ا � �� �هِ � �َ او ��ئِ��ل���ه‬ ‫���م�م �ود ا ��� او‬ ‫�بِ‬ ‫�فَ َ ْ َ ْ َ ٱ �ْ َا ف َ َ �َ ا َ َ تَّ َ َ ْ ف َ أَ ُ ُ‬ ‫�ْ َ �نَ �عِ ْ َٱ �ْ �آ نُ‬ ‫��ل� �� �و�ل� �و�‬ ‫��د �ع ن���ك � ل‬ ‫�سو�� � �‬ ‫�جِ�ي�ئ ك��‬ ‫ح�ى �و� �‬ ‫� �و��� �م � �و �ل��‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ع�فُ َ �َ ا َ ُ �زُ َ َ ٱ‬ ‫َ �َ ا ��يِ ْ ضَ �ذَ َ � ْ َ َ ا نُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�خِ��ل�ا ���ك �ل� ي�ج��و �ع��ل� � �ل��ن�د ا �م�ى �و�ل� �� ر���ى �ب�� ا ك � �لمِ���هر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ى‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫‪٣،٢٨‬‬

‫ً ٱ ْ�ََ َّ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�ِ‬ ‫تُ�قَ �َّ ُ َ �� ْ �ف َ َ ْ � َ نْ �َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�ي��ه�ا �ب�� �ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫مود �ةِ �َ �و � �لَو�عِ� ي� ِ�د‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �� �ل ب� �طر� �ع�ي �نِ �ك �ِم� ب ِ ي‬ ‫ُبِ ِ‬ ‫ٌّ ٱ ْ�ل�‬ ‫� ُُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫ُ ُ �‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت����قِ� ّر �بِ�َ ��ط ْر�� �عْ ��ك ��ل�� ب� ��َو��ص�لٍ �َو�ِ��ف�ْ�ع��ل�ك �ل�� ����م��قِ� ر �ب�� ج�‬ ‫حود‬ ‫�‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٱ ِ ِ‬ ‫تُشَ َّ ُ‬ ‫�نِ َ أَ ْ �َ ُ أَ نَّ ٰ �ذَ َ ً َ ْ نَ �ٱ ��تَّ َ ُّ � َ � ُّ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�����ك ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫����� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص�د �وِد‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫فِ� و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ََ َ ًَ‬ ‫�جِ َ�د دُ هُ � ����ل َ ا ��ل �َ � ا ��َ ْ � �عِ � � �مِ� َّ � �ل�ُ� ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هود‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ه� او ك �ه�و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ى �ى‬ ‫ِ‬

‫ش أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و�م ن� ����عره � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ��َّ ٱ � ّشَ َ ُ َ َ نَشْ َ نَ �ُ ْ َ �‬ ‫َ�ق ْ َ َّ َ ْ ُ َ ٱ � َّ ُ �َ َ‬ ‫�ص�ب�‬ ‫��� او � م�‬ ‫حِ  ��د �ه ب� ي� ش���َ �ر��ه�ا �َ �و �ل��د �ي��ك �ل� ْم �ي�صِ‬ ‫�ط�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�ر � �ل��� ار ب� �ع��ل�ى � �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫بَ ٱ � ُّ َ َ حِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ ْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ � �َّ ْ ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� َ� ً �ََا � هُ �م نَ � �ل�� � َ ض ْءُ � �ل��صْ � ضِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل� ْم �ي�����‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫� او �ل�ل���ي�ل �فِ�ي� ��س كر �ج �م ب �و ِر�ق‬ ‫ِ َ� �ج وِمَ ْ ُوُ َو ٱ َّ ْحِ ٱ �َْ حِ‬ ‫َٱ �ْ َ ْ شُ �َ ا َ ْ شٌ ٍ �َّ ا أَ نْ َُ َ‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫تا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص�ْه َ��ا ءُ �ت���ق ت��� �ه� َّ � ��لن��ف��� ��� � �ف�ل َحِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل م‬ ‫� �و �ل�عي����� �ل� �َعي����� �إِ �ل� � � ��ب�� ِرك�ه�  � ب‬ ‫سِ بِ ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ٱ ��مِْ‬ ‫َ َّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫َّ ٱ ّ َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ْ�ختَ��ا ��ل ك���� �ل� رحِ�‬ ‫ح�تى �يَ ظ�َ ������ل � ��ل�� �ي� ��ق�د �بَ�ا َت� ي� ش���َ �ُ��َه�ا  �َو �ل�ا � �مِ� را � �ب�هِ ي�‬ ‫بر‬ ‫�ذِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫حِ‬

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Ibn Mazʿūq’s Monastery

Respect it and you honor Khosroes, while the noble Hurmuzān will honor you, Bahrām Gūr will be your true friend, Fīruzān will speed to please you— As you exalt the one they exalted and worshipped, they and their fathers before them. Stop arguing, saying “No” and “Until,” “I’ll come to you,” “Yes,” or “Now”; Such arguments don’t work with friends, and the festival won’t accept them. And here are two other poems of his:

28.3

You turn your gaze to me from afar, apparently loving or threatening; Your looks assure me we’ll meet, but your actions proclaim rejection. You leave me in doubt, knowing your love wavers between affection and refusal. Fate has renewed my love for you; time’s passing can never exhaust it. A second round’s poured for the merry fellow who rose to drink before cockcrow, While night was encamped with the flashing stars and morning had not yet dawned. This is the life! A life blessed by wine, which kills cares with gaiety, Till the worry-worn man who drank it struts proudly, filled with joy.

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‫د ����ير �َ�س �ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ر س‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� ة �‬ ‫ن � �ذ‬ ‫ّة‬ ‫ح�ا ��فّ��ة ا ��ل���ط � ��ق � ����ن�ه�ا‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا ��ل��د�ير ك�‬ ‫���ا � �ب� ��ط��ي�ز �ن�ا �ب�ا �و�ه�و �ب�ي� ن� ا �ل��ك�و��ف�� � او � �ل�ق�ا د��س�ي �� �ع��ل� �‬ ‫ري� بوي �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل��ش�� ��‬ ‫ّة‬ ‫��ا ن ت ��م ف �ف ة �‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ا ت‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت‬ ‫ح��د �ى ‪ 1‬ا ��ل ���ق�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�ر�و� �و ج�ر � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح� ��و��� �ب�ا � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �وب��ي ن� ا � �ل�ق�ا د��س�ي �� �مي���ل‪� .‬وك�� ���‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ة � �ن�ز �‬ ‫قَ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�� ت‬ ‫��ف ة ��ق خ ت‬ ‫ف ت ثا ا ت ّ ت ا ا‬ ‫ا�لم���ص�ود � او �ل� ه ا�لم�وّ�ص�و�� �و �د �رب��� � �وب� ��ط�ل� �و�ع��� � �� ر�ه� �و���ه�د �م� � �ب� ر�ه� �و�ل�م ��يب ���‬ ‫�ة أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ق ة � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م ن �ج��م�� ��س �مه�ا ���ا ق���ا � خ� ا � � �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ر �ع��ل�ى ��ا ر�ع�� ا �ل��طر� ��ق� ي���س��مي��ه ا �ل ن��ا ��س �م�ع�‬ ‫�صر �ب �ي�‬ ‫� يع ر �و � �إ ل ب ب ر ب و ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ن�� ا �� ‪�� � .‬ل��أ� �ن�� ا �� ف��ه�ا‬ ‫و س و ب ي� و س ي�‬

‫‪١،٢٩‬‬

‫ٱْ‬ ‫ََ َ �ذَ‬ ‫َُ‬ ‫�َ ّ َ ْ ُ �َ ُ أَ ْ ُ ٱ �ْ �ٰ َ أَ�خْ َ �‬ ‫�ق�ا �� �ل ا �ت�َ ن��َ َّ��س�� َك �َ��ْ�ع َ�د � ���ل‬ ‫حَ ��ق��ل ت� ل�ه�ْم  � ر�ج��و � �ل�� �ل�ه �َ �و � ش����ى طِ �� ���ي ��ى�ز �ن�ا �ب�ا ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫َ �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ج أَ‬ ‫َ أْ َ ٱ �ْإِ َ � َ نْ أَ ْ َ ْ ُ �غْ �ذَ �ذَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�أ �خ� ش�� �� � َ َ‬ ‫��ر�م � ن� ��يُنَ��ا ��عِ نِ��ي ر� ��س � �خِل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ط�ا � �و � � ��سر�ع ت� �إِ �� ا ا‬ ‫ِ�ي ب� ك‬ ‫��ى ق�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫�زِ �‬ ‫َ ٱ � ِّ َا مِِم �إِ �َْ أَ ْ َ ْ ِ ْ َ �ذَ‬ ‫�فِ نْ سِ ْ ُ َ َ �نَ فْ ٍ َ َ �قِ‬ ‫� �إِ� � ��� ِ��ل�م ت� �و�م�ا � �� سِ���� �ع��ل� ��ثِ�� ��ةٍ �ِم ن� � �ل���س�ل� �� �ةِ� �ل� � ���س��ل� بِ�����ب���غ�د ا ا‬ ‫َ أَ ْ عِ َ ٱ � ُّ ْ َ ْ َ�ق ْي تَى��ضِ َّ َ ُ ُق ْ � َ ُّ ٌ ِ ُ َ م َّ م فَ َ ْ َ �ذَ‬ ‫� ن ��‬ ‫ا �� �‬ ‫� ���‬ ‫��قر�ى بِ����ن�ا ��ك�� �ل او ا‬ ‫�� �م ن��ه   ������ط �ر���ب�ل ����ف�‬ ‫�م� � ب�� �د � لر����ش�د ِم� �ل ب ٍ‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن �ذ �‬ ‫ح��س ن ا ��ل��د ��ا ا ت� ���ع�م�ا �ة � � �ن�ز �هه�ا‬ ‫ح��س�� ن ب� ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ض�عً�ا‪� .‬و�ل���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك�� � �ه� ا ا �ل��د�ير �م� � � ي ر‬ ‫ر و � و‬ ‫ي� �‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ا �ل����‬ ‫�ّح�ا ك ف�ي��ه‬ ‫أَ�خَ َ� َّ َ َّ َ َ ٱ � ِّ ُ � َ َ ا ًا ُ َّ َ �َ ا تَ َ ٱ � ِّ‬ ‫ل��ن�د ����يَ َ �َ ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫� ��و� �‬ ‫�صب�� �‬ ‫ح�  �ه�‬ ‫ح�ي� �ع��ل�ى � �ل�‬ ‫�ب�ا �و�ل� ��ِ�ع�د ا � � ِ � رو �‬ ‫��صب ��و �‬ ‫َ َ أُ م‬ ‫يَ‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�َ ْ َ ا أ َ ا َ َ َ � �� ِّ‬ ‫��صُ� � �ُم َ��س�ا �عٌ�د  �َ َ�ع�َ � ��ل��غِ� ُ� � ��ف��ل نْ � ���يَ�د ����بِ َا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫و �ل�ى َ ب �وقِ� � ِر‬ ‫م�ه�م� � ��ق� �م �ع��ل�ى ل� ب �وحِ َ ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ َ � َ َت َ َ � َ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح��مِ ُ�د �ُمغ����ِت�د � �َ �َم ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫ع د ا ِ�ل��ع�ا د ����ن�ا �‬ ‫�حِ ��ة � �ْم��� نَ��ا   ��ف�� �ل� �عْ دُ � �‬ ‫�صبِ ي���‬ ‫ى و ر�‬ ‫� �و‬ ‫و‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ ْ �ت�ْ �ذ َ ا � َ ْ� َ ْ� َ َ ا � ًا � � �ل���صْ � �ْ �ِ َ �َا �ذ ا �ُ‬ ‫�ج نَ��ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫حِو و ���تري� نِ� ك‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ه�ل �ع� ر نِ� بِ��ديِر ��سر�جِ ��س �‬ ‫�ص� ِحب��  بِ� �‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫�نَّ أُ �ذُ ُ ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��قِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫َ‬ ‫كَ�م�ا ���أ ��ْ�ل�فِ� �� ����� ن��ا  � � ش���َ ��ا � �� � � � �ل ا ت � ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�إِ ��ي� � �عِ� ي��‬ ‫� ر�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫بِ ةِ ب ي‬ ‫ر ِ‬ ‫برَ بِ ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ� َّ تْ قَ َ ��ق�زْ نَا َ �قِ َّ َ �ق ُّ َ ا َ َ ًا َ أ ْ‬ ‫���خ‬ ‫�صَْ��نَ�ا �ٱ ��ل��دَّ َ��ا َ� �صَ�ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ع �‬ ‫�ج � �ِ�ي �‬ ‫�ج�� �� او ��قِ� � �� �و� �د ��س ���س��  �هر�ج�� � �و ب‬ ‫ج‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ � :‬ح�د‪.‬‬

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‫‪٢،٢٩‬‬

Sarjis’s Monastery

This was a monastery at Ṭayzanābād, beside the road between Kufa and

29.1

Qādisiyyah, a mile (less than two kilometers) from Qādisiyyah. It was surrounded by vineyards, orchards, and taverns; attracted many visitors; and was much spoken of. Now it is ruined and abandoned, its wells have fallen in, and no trace of it remains except tumbledown domes and stones at the edge of the road people call Abū Nuwās’s winepress. He mentions the place in this poem: They ask, “Have you turned ascetic after the hajj?” I say, “I put hope in God, I fear Ṭayzanābād.” However much I press my mount ahead, I fear a branch of the vine will seize its bit and bridle. If I stay safe, and I’m far from sure of that, I won’t escape the dangers of Baghdad. Good sense is far from one who dwells in Quṭrabbul, Binnā’s hamlets, and Kalwādhā. This monastery was very prosperous and in a most pleasant setting. Al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk composed these verses on it: Brothers, come early to the morning cup, hurry! Don’t promise your friend to come later. Though many join us, drinking early or late, I’ll never have a mind to depart. Let’s go back to yesterday’s custom; to return is praiseworthy, whether you come or go. Can you excuse a friend’s sobriety at Sarjis’s Convent, or is it a sin? I beg you, for our friendship’s sake, don’t drink the pure water of the Euphrates. Our goblets have clinked, our priest’s prayer is in disorder, our shouting has roused the hens to cackle.

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29.2

‫� �‬ ‫دير ��سرج ��س‬

‫ُْ‬ ‫��ل��ْ َ‬ ‫ِّ �فَ ْ ُ َ ا ��فَ�ِ��ت�َ ِّ َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ْ�ن�تُ َ ا تَ� َ�َا �ذَ ا َ صِ‬ ‫�� � َ�ا �َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ِ�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�جلا �إِ � ��م ري نِ� ك � ل �‬ ‫�ج ��شِ ِر�ي ةِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�لُ ُ َ‬ ‫ِ ْ ُ �‬ ‫َا ُ ّ ُ � �تِ‬ ‫� �� نَ � َ ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��فج� ��و� بِ�� ن��ْو� مِ� ��ةٍ  ن�� ��ّب��هتُ��ه �ب�� �ل ّارحِ� �‬ ‫�حِ�حي� ر �‬ ‫�يَ� أَر بَ� �م�ل� بِ����سِ �أْ� نِ‬ ‫ْ أْ أَ ِ‬ ‫فَ‬ ‫نَ نََ ْ ُ ُ � َ‬ ‫نْ َ ضَ � َ� َ ُ‬ ‫�� نّ َ َّا ٱ �ْ َ‬ ‫� نَ��ا �َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك��‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح ش����ا ه �جَ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫سِ � � �فِي�‬ ‫سِ ِ ي� ب‬ ‫أَ ري‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫� ْ َ نَ َ‬ ‫�فَ � َ ا َ َ ْ ث ُ � فُ ضُ‬ ‫�ْ�خ�� ُل��� ��� ��ل�� ث�َ�ا � �مِ� َ ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��و��ل ردَ ا �� �هِ  ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ل�ا � ي� ِ ط بِ عِ ِر ر �‬ ‫�ج� ب� �ي���ع��ر �فِ�ي� �� � ِ ِ ُ�ئِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� تُ‬ ‫�ت ��م � ����ت هِ ّ‬ ‫�فَ�هِ تَ‬ ‫�ي  � �ك �ُم��ل ��يِ �� �َ‬ ‫حْ تُ �َ �َ�ا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫كِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل � ةٍ وب � وب �‬ ‫� � � سِ ر �ج �و�نِ هِ بِ � �� �فِ�ي�‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫َ �ُ ضْ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا �زَ �َ َ ضْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫���َ‬ ‫�نِ� �� �هِ �َم�ا � ْ���ست��� �قُ دُ ��َ�ا ���بِ ��ة �َ �ُ��م�زَا �َ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫ح�� ُك � �وي���ِ��‬ ‫�م� ا �ل �ي�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي �فِ ي �� ع و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِي‬ ‫ي� �بِ‬

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Sarjis’s Monastery

The predawn drink has merits. Don’t hold back, hurry, if you believe it’s the right thing to do. Many a friend, his eyelids confounded by sleep, I’ve woken with wine, after his rest. And the scent from the cup when I’ve called him to drink has given him wings to go on. He’s responded, stumbling in the folds of his cloak, hurrying to cover his misstep with mirth. Foolish myself, I’ve torn the veil from his folly, in games where we’ve both unburdened our hearts. He’s not stopped mocking me and inspiring me to mock him, never sobering up, with teasing and banter.

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‫د � ا ا ت ا � �أ� ا �ق ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� ر � �ل� ��س� �‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫أ ّ � ��‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ظ � ا �� � ة‬ ‫ح�� �ة � ��ه �ق��ا � � �ق��ص� �ت���س ّ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ه� ه ا �ل��د �ي�ا را ت� �ب�ا �لج�� �‬ ‫�ك�و��ف�� �و�ه�و � �و�ل ا‬ ‫�ف� �ب� ���� �هر ا ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و ى‬ ‫ق أ‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫د � ا ا ت ا � �أ ا �ق��ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫حض‬ ‫�� �ت�ه�ا �ن�ه �ُ�ع �ف� ��ا ��ل�غ��د � �ع ن ��م�ي�ن‬ ‫�ص � �� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� ر � �ل���س�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي ب وى‬ ‫ر ب ي�‬ ‫بو ر � � ر �ي ر ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��خل�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�أ � � �ف‬ ‫�صر �ب ��ي� ا � �صي�� ب� �ه� ا‬ ‫��ع� ر �و�ع ن� ���م�ا �ل�ه ا �ل��س�د�ير � �وب��ي ن� �ل��ك ا �ل��د �ي�ا را ت�‪� .‬و���‬ ‫ب�ي� ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ � � � ظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هر � �و��ص�ع�د �م ن� � ��س��ف��ل�ه‬ ‫�ف� �و�ع��ل� �ل�ك ا‬ ‫ح��د �مت���ن�ز �ه�ا ت� ا �ل��د ��ني��ا �و�ه�و �م ش���ر�ف� �ع��ل� ا �لج�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة � � �خ‬ ‫ن �ق �ة �‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ح��س ن �و ��ج�م��ل�� ‪�� .‬في�� ش��� �ف� ا ��ل ن��ا �ظ ��� �ع��ل ا ��لنج�‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى د ر�ج��� ��ط�و�ل�ه�ا ��م��س�و� �مر��ا �إ �ل�ى ��س ���‬ ‫��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� أ س‬ ‫ر �ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ة � خ � �� �� ا �خ� ن ��ق ا �ة ��‬ ‫� � �ة �م ن �ذ �� � ا �ل� ض ث ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫س‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�ي ر � ل�ك م�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��� ‪�� .‬م �ي��ص�ع�د �م��ه �ى ر�ج‬ ‫و ر �إ ى‬ ‫ر و�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ع أ‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� �‪� � .‬و � �� ا ���خل‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ط � �ف�� � � ع‬ ‫� �صي��� �ه��ذ ا �م�و��ل�ى �ب ��� ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع� ر ا�لمن��ص�ور �و�‬ ‫ح�ا �ج� ب��ه‪.‬‬ ‫بو‬ ‫س�� ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �و�ج�م�ل��س �ج�ي ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ح ح ق‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫ا �ق � �آ ن ن ف‬ ‫أن ة‬ ‫�ل�ز ا ن‬ ‫���خل �ف �ق‬ ‫�صر �‬ ‫ع ���ي�� �م ن� � ب����ي��� �م��ل�وك‬ ‫� او �ل��س�د�ير ���‬ ‫هو د �ي�ا را ت�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ��ي� ��دي��م ا � �م� �‪� .‬و�م� ب����ي� ا �ل� � �م��ه � �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� بو��ي�� �ل��لن��ص�ا ر�ى‪.‬‬ ‫ع � ّ ن ��مّ � ��لّ �نّ � ّ �ذ� �ذ �‬ ‫���‬ ‫�و�ل�ع��ل�� ب�� ح�م�د ا �ح‬ ‫�م�ا ��ي� ا �ل�ع��ل�و�ي� �ي�� ك��ر�ه� ه ا�لم� او ض�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ ْ َ ْ �فِ �َ� َ �ٱ �ْ�خلََ ْ نَ �َ ا تُ َ �زَ �ٱ ْ�ََ فْ‬ ‫ك�م �و���ق�� ��ةٍ �ل�ك �بِ� ��ور  � ��قِ� �ل� ��‍  ‍� او �ى �بِ� �ل �‬ ‫م او قِ����‬ ‫�َ َا َ ت ٱ �ْ �أَ َ فْ‬ ‫َ ْ نَ ٱ �ْ �غِ‬ ‫��َ ٱ � ِّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل����س�ا قِ� ���‬ ‫�ب�ي�� � �ل�� ِ ِر �إِ ى‬ ‫ِ َِر �إِ ى ِ ي ر ِ‬ ‫���فِ َ َ � ٱ � ُّ ْ َ ا � أ ْ � َ ا َ�خ ا �فِ‬ ‫َ ا فْ‬ ‫ي � ����ط�م� ِر �� ��ئِ�� ��ةٍ �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� ��ئِ��‬ ‫�م�د ا ِر �ِج َ � �لر��هب�� نِ� �فِ��‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� َ ْ نَ أَ ْ َا َ ٱْ� َ �َا فْ‬ ‫َ نٌ َ �أ نَّ َا �ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ِد �م� ك� � ِر�ي� � � ي ي � �عل م م�ط ِر�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا ُ شُ ٌ � َ َ ا فْ‬ ‫َ َ �أ نّ�َ َ ا ُ ْ َ نُ َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك� ��م� �� �‬ ‫�غ�ع�د ر ��ه�   فِ �‬ ‫���ور �فِ�ي� م�‬ ‫ي�ه� ع �‬ ‫�ص� ِح�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ َ �أَنَّ َ ا أَنْ َ ُ َ ا تَ ْ ِ �ى�زّ � � َّ � َ َ فْ‬ ‫�وك� ���م� � � �� او ر��ه��ه�   ���ه� ��‬ ‫��ت �بِ� �لري� � �ل� �ع او صِ‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ � َ ُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫نَ َ ا � ُ � َ ٱ �ْ َ َ فْ‬ ‫َْ ِ‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫����طرر � � �لَو�‬ ‫ص�ا ��ئِ�فِ� ��ي��ل����قِ�تي�‍  �‍� �بِ��ه� �إِ �ل�ى ��طرِر � � �لو�‬ ‫�ص�ا ��ئِ��‬ ‫َ‬ ‫تَ ْقَ أََ ُ‬ ‫َ َ ا �أَ �ْ َ ٱ �ل�زَّ َ ا فْ‬ ‫� َ�ا �أ�َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م و ��خِ ر بِ �و نِ� �خ ِر�‬ ‫��� �ل��ى � � او ��ئِ�� ��ه‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ ِّ‬ ‫ة �شِ تََ تُ َ ا ��بِ َّ ِّ ة َ ا � َ فْ‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫��حِر���ي ��ى�� ��� �� او ���ه�   �� ر���ي�� فِ��‬ ‫ي�ه� � �لم�‬ ‫��ص�ا ��يِ ��‬

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‫‪١،٣٠‬‬

‫‪٢،٣٠‬‬

The Bishops’ Monasteries

The Bishops’ Monasteries are in Najaf, outside Kufa and close to Ḥīrah. They

30.1

are a group of domes and palaces with a river, the Ghadīr, running between them. To the right is the palace of Abū l-Khaṣīb, Abū Jaʿfar’s freedman, and to the left is al-Sadīr, with the monasteries in between. Abū l-Khaṣīb’s palace is a truly memorable attraction for visitors. It looks out over Najaf and the open country, with a staircase of fifty steps leading up to a lovely terrace and place to sit. From there one looks toward Najaf and Ḥīrah. Another flight of fifty steps leads up to a vast terrace with a wonderful reception area. Abū l-Khaṣīb was Abū Jaʿfar al-Manṣūr’s freedman and his chamberlain. Al-Sadīr was a great palace built by the Lakhmid kings in times past, but all that remains of it now are Christian monasteries and churches.

ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥimmānī al-ʿAlawī mentions these places in a poem: How often you’ve stopped at al-Khawarnaq, times that have no equal, Between the Ghadīr, the Sadīr, and the convents of the bishops, And the paths of the monastics, shabbily clad and fearful. Ruins where the grass seems to outrival silk brocade banners And the pools to contain verses of writing in sacred texts. Imagine the palace lights flickering in the gusts of stormy wind, And carefully coiffured servant girls coming and going, Maidens meeting maidens with ornaments in plenty, Their winters spent on water, their summers on the land.

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30.2

‫� �أ ق ف‬ ‫د�ي�ا را ت� ا �ل���س�ا ����‬

‫ُ ٱْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ِح� ْ‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫دُ َّر��ِّ�ي��ة � �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��صبَ��ا ِء ك�‬ ‫ُ َ ٱ ْ ��بِ َ ْ َ ٍّ َ‬ ‫���َ�ب�ا‬ ‫����ث�ّم � ن��� ر ت� ����س‬ ‫ح�ا ك�‬ ‫�‬

‫فُ ِّ ةٌ َ ا ٱْ� َ َ ا فْ‬ ‫  ���وِر���ي�� �فِ���ي�ه� � �لم����ش� ِر��‬ ‫َ �أَ ْ َ عِ �ذَ َ فْ‬ ‫ كي���ةٍ ‪� 1‬بِ� بر���� ��ةٍ � او ِر��‬ ‫ِ‬

‫�ذ�� أ ّا ا �‬ ‫� �أ ن‬ ‫�و�ل�ب �ي� � �� او ��س �ي�� ك�ر � �ي� �م�ه �ب� �ل��س�د�ير‬ ‫َ ُ ُ َ َ ٱ � ِّ َ َ َ �عِ�زْ‬ ‫أََّ ُ َق‬ ‫ْ نَ � ٱ � ِ‬ ‫�ُ�ع�د � �ل�ي� �ب�� �ل ّ���سِ�د �ِير � �ي�ا � ��‬ ‫فٍ �و����سر�‬ ‫��ْ��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ور �م� � �ل��ن�د ا �م�ى �و�� �فِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ِ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ ُ ُ نُ �ٱ �� ظَّ �� َ ا �ِ ْ �نُ �َ ْ نَ ا �ُ ��نْ� َ ا ت ع ُ َّ � ًّ َ ��ُ ْ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِ�ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ط‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ب�‬ ‫�ل ��بِ ر و فِ�‬ ‫�عِ ٍ‬ ‫�و��عي ��و� ْ ��ب ِ ر �و �إِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ �� ْ‬ ‫�خُ � َ َ َ ُ َ � َ‬ ‫�خِ ��م � �ل‬ ‫�َو َر�‬ ‫� ���ط�ا �ي�ك�ا د �ِم ن� � �لر�‍ق  �ةِ� ���ي�دِ�م�ي� � ِدي���مِ �ه �ك�ل ��طِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر�فِ�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ُ َّ �ْ‬ ‫فَ�قِ ْ �خَ َّ ُ َ َ‬ ‫َ َّ �م نْ هُ �ٱ �� َّ � ُ‬ ‫� �� �َ�مْ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�ل ِ �� ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ �د ���� �د � �‬ ‫�ص�ه �ع��ل�ى �ك�ل �إِ � �لفِ�‬ ‫�ص�لِ�ي ب �فِي� و ضِ ِ �جِ ي ِ‬ ‫َ فَّ‬ ‫�قِ ْ أَ َ ْ نَا َ َ� ٱ � ِّ ع ثَ َاثًا َ َ صِ �ْنَ ا ٱ � نَّ َ َ�� ّ اٍ‬ ‫� �د � د ر�� رح�ى � �ل���نعِ� ���ي�ِم ��ل� ��  �و�و�‬ ‫�� �ل�� � �ل��عِ� �ي��م ��ك��ف� ب��‬ ‫ِ��ك�‬

‫ّ‬ ‫�� � �ف� ن � � �‬ ‫��ّ‬ ‫� �ة ��ق ت ن‬ ‫�ص ��ف�ه �م ن ا ��ل‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �و �ل�م�ا �ن�ز ��ل ا ��لر�ش���ي �د ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ى �إ �ل�ى ا �ل��س�د�ير‬ ‫ح رك� ب� ج��ع ر ب�� ي ي‬ ‫ح�ي�ر �و � �م�� ر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫ج أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ف � �ف ن �ظ � �‬ ‫ثّ ق‬ ‫���‬ ‫�� ��ط�ا ��ه � �و� �� ر �إ �ل�ى ب�� ن��ا �ئ�ه �� �و���ع ت� �ع�ي�ن �ه �ع��ل�ى ك����ا ب� ��ي� � �ع�ل�ا ه ��� �مر �م ن� �ص�ع�د �إ �ل�ى ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ق م � � ت �ف �أ �ًا � ا أ �خ ا �ف ن �‬ ‫ف� ُ�ق ئ ��ف �إ�ذ‬ ‫ف �ق أ ف �ق � �ف �ن ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��‬ ‫��� �ر ه‪� ��� .‬ا �ل ��ي� � ����س�ه �د ج��ع�ل��ه �� �ل� �لم� � �� ��ه �م� ا �ر �ي ر�‬ ‫�و‬

‫‪٣،٣٠‬‬

‫‪٤،٣٠‬‬

‫َ ا َ ٱ��نْ�قَ ضَ ْ �َ ْ ثُ شَ ا َ �ٱ ��ْ َ �ةَ ٱ �� َّ ُ‬ ‫نَّ َ� نِ �ٱ�لْ�ُ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إَِ � ب ��ي� م� �ذِ ِر م‬ ‫و ِ �ي‬ ‫ر هِ ب‬ ‫بِ ي‬ ‫أ ضْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫����َ ْ َ �َ ا ���يِ ْ ُ� �ُ ُ َ ٌ � ْ ا َ ا ���يِ ْ ُ ْ َ ُ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫حوا �و�ل�أَ � ر�ج �و ه�م را �غِ� ب�  ي ��و�م� �و�ل� � ر ب�ه����ه�م را هِ� ب‬ ‫َ أَ ْ َ ُ ْ‬ ‫�� ً�ا � �ُ ٱ � ِّ َ � َٱ�نْقَ ِ � َ ٱْ�َ ْ � �ُ ُ َٱ � َّ � ا � ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حوا � ك�ل ِل�د وِد � ل���ثرى و ����ط‬ ‫� �و � ب�ص���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع � �لم�ط� �لو ب� و ل�ط� ِل ب‬

‫ّٰ أ‬ ‫� �أ‬ ‫ق � �ذ‬ ‫�ف��ز ن � �ف � �ذ �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ع� ر �ل�� �ل��ك �و�ص�ا ر‪� ٢‬ي��� ش����د ا �ل�ب��ي��ا ت� � �و�ي� ��و�ل �ه ب� � او لله � �م �نر�ا‪.‬‬ ‫ح� ج‬

‫ق‬ ‫ف آ�ز‬ ‫�ذ � �أ ن ة � قّ �‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�س� ���ط��� �ة �م�� �قّ ��� �ة ش ��ق ّ‬ ‫� ا ��ل‬ ‫�و�م ن� �ه� ه ا �ل�ب����ي��� ا �لم��س�� ��ط�ا ت� �و�ه�و ���‬ ‫�صر �ي��ه � ا �� �م� ي ل� س�ط� ���ري�‬ ‫ح�ي ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫��ّ�ة ا ��ل ��قّ ا �� ث��ّ �ق� ا ��ل�ع�د� ّ�� ن ث��ّ ا � �أ �ق��ص ا � �أ�� ض� ث��ّ‬ ‫��ا ّ� ث��ّ ا �� �لق��ص ‪ ٣‬ث��ّ‬ ‫�ع��ل� ���ط � ��ق ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح�ج م � ر م و‬ ‫م ر‬ ‫ى ري�‬ ‫ى ي � م‬ ‫�ي ي� م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫بَ يَ‬ ‫�ل ّ‬ ‫ق ة ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ذ�� ا ف�� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ل��ذ �ل�ك ي�ن� ش����د‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا �‬ ‫ح�ا�ج ا �ل��ق�����صر‪.‬‬ ‫‪� (  1‬ا ِ�ك���ةٍ)‪�� :‬س�ا ���ط�� �م�� ال��ص�ل‪   ٢ .‬ك ي‬

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The Bishops’ Monasteries

Pearl-like the stones of the palaces, camphor white the hills. Then the rain started pouring torrents, emptying four waterskins. Abū Nuwās has a poem recalling the days he spent at Sadīr:

30.3

Days of revelry at Sadīr I recall, days of joy with companions and music, Gazed at by the eyes of gazelles adorned with gentleness and kindness. A boy lightly stepping, so delicate any look seems to wound his skin, Set apart from all his friends by the cross around his neck. Three days we ground the mill of pleasure. and pleasure we reached, hand in hand. When al-Rashīd stopped at Ḥīrah on his way back from the pilgrimage,173

30.4

Jaʿfar ibn Yaḥyā rode over to Sadīr, walked around it, and looked at the buildings. He noted an inscription high up, so he ordered someone to climb up and read it, thinking it was a portent of what he feared from al-Rashīd. The inscription ran: The sons of al-Mundhir, the year their rule ended— the year the monk built the church— Had no more visits from petitioners, and inspired awe no longer. They became food for worms in the earth, seeking nothing and never sought after. Jaʿfar grieved at these verses and used to recite them, saying, “We’re finished, by God.” These buildings include al-Musaqqatāt, a palace with extensive porticoes with encrusted decoration east of Ḥīrah on the Pilgrims’ Road, and then Kuwwat al-Baqqāl, the ʿAdsī Palace, the Farther White Palace, and finally the Palace of Banū Buqaylah. This last palace belonged to ʿAbd al-Masīḥ ibn Buqaylah

323

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30.5

‫� �أ ق ف‬ ‫د�ي�ا را ت� ا �ل���س�ا ����‬

‫ُ�ق ة � غ ّ ا �نّ ّ ُ ُ � أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��ا ن �ذ ا ا �� �ق‬ ‫�ص ��ل�عب��د ا �ل‬ ‫� ب� ن �ب �� ي���ل�� ا �ل����س� �‬ ‫م���س‬ ‫�صر ب� ن��� �ب ���قي���ل��ة �وك�‬ ‫� �و ن��م�ا ���س�مّ �ب ���قي���ل��ة �ل�� �نّ�ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫حّ‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫ف �ق �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش ت � �أ خ‬ ‫ح��لّت��� ن �خ� ض‬ ‫خ � ًا‬ ‫�� ار �وي� ن� ��ق�د ا ت��ز ر �ب� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��دا �ه�م�ا ‪ � 1‬او �����م�ل �ب�ا �ل��ر�ى ��� �ا �ل‬ ‫�ر�ج �ي ��و�م� �ع��ل�ى ���و�م�ه �ي� � ي�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ا �ل�م���س �ذ‬ ‫� ن أ�خ� ت ��س ����ط ��‬ ‫�ّ ا �ُ���ق � �ة ��ف ُ��س ّ � �ذ �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل��ا �ه ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫���و�م�ه �م� �ه�و �إ �ل� ب ي��ل� ��مي� ب�� � و ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ب�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ح آ ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫فح ف �ق �‬ ‫����س �ى � ��ن ��ف ��ذ ه �إ ��ل�ى ��‬ ‫� ب���س��� ا ��لر��ؤ ��ا ا �ل ��ت ر� �ه�ا‪�.‬ج�‬ ‫��ا ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ء ه �و�ه�و ي�ج��ود ‪ ٢‬ب��ن�����س�ه‪� ��� .‬ا �ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي ي�‬ ‫�وك�� � ك ر‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫أ ّأ‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ � ف ��‬ ‫ح ��ف أ ا ت ف���ف �ت �� ���ط �ي�ن ��ق ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �ع��ل�ى �ج���مل�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �ص�م � م ع ر�ي ي � ي� ب ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ق �� ن‬ ‫�م��ش��� ��ا ء ��ل� ��س ����ط� � ��ق�د �أ� ���ف �ع� ا �لض‬ ‫ا ان ا ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �م� �ب���ل �م�لك ب� ��ي� ��س� ��س� � �ل�ر�ج�� ��س‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� يح �ج �إ ى يح و و ى �ذ ل�ى يح‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل���ي �� او � �و��م�ود ا �ل ن��ي�را � �ور��ؤ ��ا ا�لم� �و�� ا �‪ � .‬او �ل‬ ‫�ب��ر �م ش����ه�ور ت�رك��ن��ا ه �ل ش����ه �رت�ه‪.‬‬ ‫إ‬ ‫ي ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه �خ��ا ��ل��د �م ن �ي� ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ل�م� � �ل �� �ل�د ب� ا �ل�و�ل��د ا ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���س�‬ ‫ح�ي�ر �ر�ج �إ �لي��ه �عب��د �ل ي‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� اّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� � ت � �ق ا � �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ق��ص� � ث�رك ��ق�ا ��ل �م ن �ص��ل� � � ‪�� .‬ا �ل �م�ا �ع ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�� �إ �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب ي‬ ‫ّ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت�ن � ن ا �ق ا � ��ف ا ا � �ذ ��‬ ‫� ن ��ق ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ع�م�ا ��س� �ل� �ع��ه‪� �� .‬ل �م� � � �� �� �ل �عرب� ا ��س�� ب� ��ط��‪� �� .‬ل �م� �ب� �ل �ه� ه ا ح�ص�و� � �ل‬ ‫� م‬ ‫�ق � أت ق �ق � �ن أق‬ ‫� أن‬ ‫� ق �ف‬ ‫ب����ن�ي�ن �ا �ه�ا ن�ت��‬ ‫حّ �ز �ب��ه�ا �م ن ا�ج�ل‬ ‫��ا ��ه�ل �إ �ل�ى � � ي�ج���ء ا �ل�ع�ا ���ل ��ي�رد �ع�ه‪�� .‬ا �ل � ���ع����ل ��ا �ل ��ع� � �و �ي��د‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أ ي‬ ‫� م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ق�ا �� ���فم�ا �� نّ‬ ‫�� � ��تى �ع��ل���ك ��ق�ا ��ل ��ل� � ��تى �ع��ل ّ �ش���� ء � �ل�ق ت���ل ن�� ‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل ك��‬ ‫�� ‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل ك��‬ ‫�س���ك ��ق�ا �ل �عظ ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫� أم‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ا ئ ��ق ا‬ ‫��ق ا‬ ‫� ض � ن‬ ‫فن‬ ‫�� ا ئ � �ن � ��ق ا � ا ت � ن ا �ل�ع‬ ‫م���ى م� ���ع�مرك � �ل � بر���ع�م� �� ��س � � �ل �م� ر� ��ي� م� �ج � �� ب� � �ل ر� ��ي� ا �ل��س����‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ف ئ �ف �ذ �‬ ‫ح�� �ة ��ل� ا ��ل����ش�ا � ��م��غ�ز ��له�ا‬ ‫��� �ور� ��ي ت� ا �ل��م � �ة �و��ه� خ� �� �م ن ا ��ل‬ ‫� ��ي� �ه� ا ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫�و��هي� ����تر�‬ ‫�ي ر �إ ى‬ ‫م ب �‬ ‫ر ي رج �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫��ن خ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫م��‬ ‫له�ا �ع��ل� ر� ��س�ه�ا �ل�ا �ير�و�ع�ه�ا � �‬ ‫� � ا �� ك‬ ‫ح��د �و��هي� ا �ل� � � ار ب� ��ي ب��ا ب�‪� .‬و �ل��ك د � ب�‬ ‫�ي� ي��د�ه� و �ت� � ى‬ ‫ّٰ �ف �خ‬ ‫ا لله ��ي� ���ل��ق�ه‪.‬‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ذ � �ذ �ف‬ ‫� ن �ف‬ ‫ة �ق �‬ ‫�ق ّ �ق � �خ �‬ ‫�ق � ّ‬ ‫�وك���ا � ��ي� �ي��ده ����ي� ء ��ي� ��لب��ه‪�� .‬ا �ل ��ا �ل��د �م�ا �ه� ا ا �ل�� �ي� ��ي� �ي��د ك ��ا �ل ��س�م ��س�ا �ع��‪�� .‬ا �ل‬ ‫� � ا �ت� ن � � ه ��ق ا �� ن �أ �ع ���ط�ت�� ن� � ا �أ� ّ � �ّ ا ق�ت � ت ��ن �ف���س � ه � �ل�� �أك��‬ ‫�ن �أ�ّ �� �م ن �أد خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و م� �‬ ‫�ص� ب� � ل �إ �‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ي �ي� م� ح ب� �إو �ل� ��ل� �ي� ب� و م � ول �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �ذ �ّ‬ ‫ا � ن ف �ق ا � �خ ا � � � ّ �� ّ ف � ّ ف �‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ح�ه‬ ‫� � ن��ا �و�ل�ه �إ �ي�ا ه �� ��طر�‬ ‫ا �ل�� �ل �ع��ل�ى ���و�م�ه �و��س�ا �� �إ �ل�‬ ‫ي�ه� �م� �ي ك‬ ‫��ر�ه�و�‪� � ��� .‬ل �� �ل�د �ه�ل�م�ه �إ لي�‬ ‫م‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� � ف ق‬ ‫ح��ي�� �و� (ي��ي�ك��د)‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ب�� ح�د�ه�م�ا‪  ٢ .‬ال� ص� ‪ :‬د ا �ل�ت�� ص��‬ ‫� ل ور � ح‬

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‫‪٧،٣٠‬‬

The Bishops’ Monasteries

al-Ghassānī. Buqaylah acquired this name when he appeared before his clan one day clad in two green robes, one worn as a wrapper and the other as a cloak. They said, “He’s just a green shoot (buqaylah),” and the name stuck.

ʿAbd al-Masīḥ was the son of Saṭīḥ the diviner’s sister. Khosroes174 sent him to Saṭīḥ to have his dreams interpreted, but when he arrived, Saṭīḥ was on the point of death. He recited some verses with the question “Is Yemen’s lord deaf or can he hear?” at which Saṭīḥ opened his eyes and replied: On a strong camel ʿAbd al-Masīḥ has come to inquire of Saṭīḥ, who’s not yet in the earth. Sent by the Sassanian king whose palace is shaking, his fire is dying and his chief priests see visions appearing.175 The story is so well known that we have not included it. When Khālid ibn al-Walīd stopped in Ḥīrah, ʿAbd al-Masīḥ came out to

30.6

greet him. “How far back do you trace your descent?” asked Khālid. “To my father’s loins.” “That’s not what I asked you.” “But I only answered what you’d asked,” said ʿAbd al-Masīḥ. Khālid went on: “What kind of people are you?”

ʿAbd al-Masīḥ replied, “Bedouin Arabs who’ve become Nabatean farmers.”176 “And what’s the point of these fortifications?” “We built them to protect ourselves from the Ignorant until the Wise One would come and destroy them.” “Are you in your right mind?”177 “Yes, and I kill in revenge as well.” “What’s your age?”178 “An ancient bone.” “How much time have you lived through?”179 “If anything finished me off it would kill me.” “How many years have you lived?” “Four hundred.” “And what amazing sights have you seen?” “I’ve seen boats mooring here. I’ve seen a woman setting out from Ḥīrah to Damascus with her spindle in her hand and her basket on her head, unmolested. And now it’s dust and ruins. That is God’s way with His creation.”

ʿAbd al-Masīḥ was turning something in his hand, and Khālid asked, “What’s that in your hand?” “Quick-working poison. If you grant me what I ask, fine. If not, I’ll use it to kill myself. That way I won’t be the first man to bring humiliation on his people and impose something abhorrent on them.” “Give it here,” said Khālid. Khālid took it from ʿAbd al-Masīḥ and, pouring the phial into his

325

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30.7

‫� �أ ق ف‬ ‫د�ي�ا را ت� ا �ل���س�ا ����‬

‫�ف ف �ق �‬ ‫��ف �أ �خ ��ذ ت ه �غ� ش �ة ث�ّ أ ��ف ا �ق �أ نّ ن ش �‬ ‫ّٰ �ز‬ ‫��ي� �ي��ه �و��ا �ل ب���س� ا لله � او د رده‪���� �� �� � .‬ي � � � � � ك‬ ‫���� ��م�ا ���� ��ط‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ّ ا �ة‬ ‫�عب��د ا �ل‬ ‫� �إ ��ل�ى �ق��و�م�ه ف����ق�ا ��ل �‬ ‫�ج�ئ�ت ك��‬ ‫� �م ن� �ع ن��د ر ج���ل ش���رب� �‬ ‫س ��س� �ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���س�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن فم‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ص �� �عن‬ ‫�إ ��لي��ه �م�ا ��ل�ا �ص�ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫ح�ه �ع��لي��ه � او ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ث ّ ��ق ّ ة �غ ن � �م ّ ا ا ��لن�� ف �ف �ذ �ق‬ ‫��‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ور ي ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�م� ب���ع�ده د ا ر �ع�و� ��م ��ب�� ��ص��ي� و ي� �ي ل�ي� ج‬ ‫� ق ة � �آ ن‬ ‫ا �لب��ا �ي��� ا �ل� �‪.‬‬

‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ي���ه �ع���صر‪.‬‬

‫‪326‬‬

‫‪326‬‬

‫�‬ ‫�م ن� �ع��ق�ا �ل‪� .‬فر ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�و�م�ا ض� ّ �‬ ‫��ره �وح��م�ل‬

The Bishops’ Monasteries

mouth with the words “In the name of God,” he swallowed it. He fainted, but then he came round, lively as if he’d just been set free. ʿAbd al-Masīḥ went back to his people, saying, “Greetings. I come from a man who has drunk deadly poison and suffered no harm.” Then he brought Khālid tribute, they made peace, and Khālid departed. After the palace of Banū Buqaylah comes the residence of ʿAwn, and then Ghuṣayn’s Dome, which is close by Najaf. These are the palaces of Ḥīrah that are still standing.

327

327

‫��ق ّ �ة‬ ‫��ب�‬

‫ا ��ل ش���ت���ق‬ ‫ي ��‬

‫أ‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ح�ا ّ �إ�ز ئ ا ق ا �ق ا � � ا � ش‬ ‫ح�ي�ر�ة �ع��ل� ���ط � ��ق ا ��ل‬ ‫�و��ه� �م ن ا ��ل��ب��ن��ي���ة ا �� �ل�ق�دي��م��ة ��ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�‬ ‫� � �وب� ا ���ه� �ب�� ب� ��ي� � �ل �ل�ه� ا �ل�����ك�ور‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫ى ري�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫� �ة �� ا �� ��ق ّ �ة ��ف أ� ن �ز � ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ج��م�� ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫عه� �ل�ل��ص� رى ي�ر�ج �و� �ي ��و�م �عي��د ه�م �م� ا ل����ك�ور �إ ل�ى ل ب�� �ي� � ح��س� ي� �ع�لي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ن أ‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ث�� �م ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫عه� ��ي� �د ��س� � � �و���ب�� � �‬ ‫ا �ل�ص��لب�� � �� �ي��د �ي��ه� �جم‬ ‫�� �مر �و �م� �م��س�� � او � �ل���س� � �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫عه�م ��ل�� ك� ي ر �‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫نمأ‬ ‫�� �� ا � �ة ��ل �أ ن � ��� غ� ا ق ّ �ة ا ��ل ش ت ق � ت ��ق ّ � ن � ت��ع ّ ن ث�ّ �� ن‬ ‫ت �ّ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي �� �ف�ي بر �و� و و� م �ي �و و�‬ ‫�م� ��ط بر�ي� ا �لم��س�ل�م��ي� � �و �ل ب�ط �إ �ى � �ي ب �و ب‬ ‫�ظ �‬ ‫�ا � ف‬ ‫ب��مث��� �ت��ل�ك ا ��ل‬ ‫�‪.‬‬ ‫�ه�و �من� �� ر�م�ي��ل�‬ ‫ح� �ل � �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� ض �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�لب��ع�� ا ل����ع ار ء ي��ه‬ ‫�‬

‫‪١،٣١‬‬

‫َ َّ‬ ‫َ َ ْ َّ ُ ُّ حِ ْ‬ ‫ٱ � ََ‬ ‫َ�ٱ ��لنَّ َ‬ ‫�ص�ا َر�ى �ُم ش����د دَ ا ُت� ‪� � 1‬ل�زّ�ن�ا نِ����ي���مِر �ع��ل��ي� ن �ك�ل �‬ ‫� ��ل� �َ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫يٍ �ثِّي قِ�‬ ‫َ هِ َ� ُ ٱ �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫� �ّ تَ‬ ‫�ّ َ‬ ‫��ل ���صْ �ق ِ‬ ‫��يَ�ِ��تَ�م شّ�����ْ نَ �م نْ � َ��ا‬ ‫� � �ل ش����ع�ا نِ����ي �‍‬ ‫ح� � ّ��ب�ةِ� � �ل���ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي � ِ � قِ ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�ي��قِ�‬ ‫ٱ � تَّ‬ ‫نَِ ِ َ ٱ �نِ َّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�فِ َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫َا ��خِ‬ ‫هَ ���هِ ��� �ل��‬ ‫� ِ��ل��ي��ل� � �ل�ا ���� ن���نِ� �ي ��ْو  � ����تر�ى � �ل��‬ ‫���قِ�ح‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫قِ�‬ ‫ِ ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬

‫�� � � ن �خ ا �ة‬ ‫��ر ب � �� ر�ج��‬ ‫�ولب� ك‬

‫ٱ ُّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ٱْ‬ ‫َا َ�خ � ََّ �عِ َّ َ‬ ‫�� ْ َ‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫ك�ْم ��ُ��ت َا � َ��ا � � ��لن���ُ � َ‬ ‫ح�  ���مَر ك��‬ ‫�ج�ا ب �� ��ل�ى � �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي� �ِ�ل��ي��ل� �� ر�‬ ‫قِ‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ِ ي �إِ ِ‬ ‫�ةِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا ت�ن‬ ‫َٱ �ْ � َ ا � � نْ �َ ْ ت ت�ن��ُ �َ َ ًا ��ِ ْ َ ً�ة � ا ُت‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫حُ � َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو را �‬ ‫ح�   ق� �‬ ‫� �و �قِ‬ ‫ك��س� �و‬ ‫هو �ل� ��م� ِ‬ ‫�س ي�� �نِ�ي� ِم� ب�ي�� ِ‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�بٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫حش‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫���ُ �ه�ا ����ظَ��ا ءٌ �م�ل�ا �  � ي�ه��� ا ��� �ل��د �ل�ا �ل ��ق��ل� �ا ����س��قِ� � َ‬ ‫�ح�ا �� �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ج و ِب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫سٍ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��شِ‬ ‫� �إِ�ذ ا �َ ا ����س���ْ�ي�ت َ ا � ��� ا � ا ��خِ نْ‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫�ْ�خت�� � َ‬ ‫ا ت�ق ا �م‬ ‫ر ب�  ‬ ‫و م�‬ ‫��م� �نِ�ي�‬ ‫� ��د ِري���� � ���م�ع �� � � و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��فَ�ٱ �قْ َ �ق ة � ت َ � ً َ‬ ‫�نَ � ��ل��دّ ْ� َ ��قِ ْ�د � سِ�� َ��ا �� َ ����َ‬ ‫م�ا‬ ‫�� �د ا ��ِّ�ب�� � �ل ش���ِ��ي ��� �َوظ ����ْ�بي��ا  ��س ك‬ ‫� ��صِ‬ ‫ب �نِي� ر خِي‬ ‫��� َ ير‬ ‫قِ‬ ‫َ أ ْ َ ََْ ٱ ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�شا �‬ ‫�ن ا ه � ّ‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫ح�ز � � َ‬ ‫���ص� ��� � �ل� ��ل‍  �‍� � �و �م���س ��� ن � �ل‬ ‫����ع�‬ ‫ح���� �م و‬ ‫ى ب ي�‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫�ق�د � ِر ِ ��و� ل بِ‬

‫َ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال�أ�ص� ‪�ُ :‬م شَ��� ّ�د د � ن‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ل‬

‫‪328‬‬

‫‪328‬‬

‫‪٢،٣١‬‬

The Shrine of al-Shatīq180

This is one of the ancient buildings in Ḥīrah. It stands on the Pilgrims’ Road,

31.1

and opposite it is a group of shrines known as al-Shukūrah.181 They all belong to the Christians, who process from al-Shukūrah to the shrine on their feast day in their best clothes, wearing crosses and with censers in their hands. The deacons and priests celebrate the liturgy and a crowd of pleasure-loving Muslims and idlers follow them until they reach the Shrine of al-Shatīq, where they receive communion and baptisms are performed. Then they go back the same way. It is a lovely sight, and a poet has composed these verses on it: Christian girls, with their tightly tied sashes and their jewels finely set, Walking from the Shrines of the Palms to the court of the Shrine of al-Shatīq. Friend, on a day when you see joy fulfilled, don’t ever reproach me. This poem is by Bakr ibn Khārijah:

31.2

Friends, come with me to Ḥīrah! How often we’ve watched the stars. Now pour me wine from Tanḥūm’s182 cellar. Don’t haggle with him over the price In a tavern filled with lovely gazelles, their coyness stirring the suffering heart. And when you’ve poured me a night-dark aged wine, untouched, Let’s make for Shatīq’s shrine and convent, where a slender fawn’s enslaved me. He’s tied his belt around my heart— my bosom is bound.

329

329

‫� � ن �خ ا �ة‬ ‫��ر ب � �� ر�ج��‬ ‫�و�ب ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �لت� ���طّ � ���ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ا ت�‬ ‫ب رح ي‬

‫ق ّة � ش ت ق‬ ‫�ب��� ا �ل�����ي ���‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫أ �� �ف ة‬ ‫���ا ن� �م ن ا �ل�من � ن ��ف ا ���خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت ت ن‬ ‫�ه� ا �م ن� � ��ه�ل ا �ل��ك�و��� �وك� � �‬ ‫�ه�م��ك��ي� �ي� �مر � او �لم��س��ه��ري��‬ ‫�ف �ذ � �ف ش أ‬ ‫� ا �� � � ا ا ت � � ن أ�ث ش‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫و ل�دي� ر � وك‬ ‫���ا � � ك����ر ����عره ��ي� �ل��ك‪�� .‬م ن� ����عره � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ َ نَ ٱ �ْ َا نَ َ ْ‬ ‫�َا �نَا ���فِ�زَا َ � � �هِ� ًّا َ �أ �ْ‬ ‫��ح�زَا �نَ�ا‬ ‫را � �ِم � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح� ��ةِ� ��س ك‬ ‫��ر �   د �نِ�ي� �م� �و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح تَ نْ�ُ َ ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫� َّ َ ا � �� �قَ � �َ ن اَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �نِ�ي را ��‬ ‫حو�م � ِ�ل ��ي� � صِ‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ةِ� ����‬ ‫��َ�ي�ر�  �ِم� حب �‬ ‫�ه� �فِ�ي� � �ل �ل ب ِ‬ ‫َ ْ نُ � َ ْ نَ ْ شَ ا أ ْ َ َ تَ َ ا �ُ ُ � ُّ ْ‬ ‫� َ ْ نَ ا ن اَ‬ ‫حور   �‬ ‫��ر �و���س�� ��‬ ‫��خ� �ل�ه ِ�ل��ل��س ك‬ ‫ي�ر� ��و بِ��ع�ي �ي� ���� ِد نٍ� � ��‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا َ أَ ت ٱ �ْ َ ْ�نَ ا ش ْ ًا �َ ُ نْ ًا �إِ�ذ ُ ّ َ � ا َ‬ ‫�ج�ا �نّ�َا‬ ‫����ه� �ل�ه  �إِ ���س� ا ��ع�د �و�ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م� ر� ِ‬ ‫� � �ل�ع�ي � نِ� �ِ ب‬ ‫َّ ْ �تِ ٱ �ْ ّ أَ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫َ َ ا ل�زّ ن ا � �خ� ْ‬ ‫�ُ َ‬ ‫� � � �لَ ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫�ص هِ ��عِ � ب��� نِ�� ��� ل‬ ‫ح بَ و‬ ‫َي� ب‬ ‫�َم��ع� �قِ��د � � �� ِر �فِ�ي� � ِر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�� ِ ْ تُ ُ� َّ َ َ َ َ �َ ُ َ ْ ً َ أ ْ‬ ‫حَ ا ��لً�ا �َ �أ�زْ ��َ‬ ‫م�ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫ك����ت�م� ب‬ ‫ح�ي� �و�ه� او �ي� �ل�ه  د ���هرا � �و ��و و‬ ‫َ َ َ َّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��فِ‬ ‫���ْ��تَ�م�ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�تّ �تَ�� ��ل�ى �جَ� َ��س�د �� ِ��ل��لب���لى  � َ�م�ا � ����طِ ��قُ � ��ل��ْ �َ ِك�‬ ‫ى و‬ ‫ِ ي ِ�‬ ‫ي � ي وم‬

‫‪330‬‬

‫‪330‬‬

‫‪٣،٣١‬‬

The Shrine of al-Shatīq

Bakr ibn Khārijah was a Kufan, a compulsive drinker, and given to debauchery in taverns and monasteries. Most of his poetry is on that subject. Here is another piece: He left the tavern drunk, filling me with worry and grief: Tanḥūm’s tavern— for love of it my heart is on fire— His eyes those of a black-eyed fawn, drowsy through drink. His like has never been seen among men, no, nor among jinn. The sash knotted round his waist torments me with all kinds of love. For a week I hid my passion for him, and then for months, for years, Till my body wasted away, and now I cannot conceal it.

331

331

31.3

‫ن ت � ن ا ن ن � �ذ‬ ‫د�ير�ه��ن�د ب����� ا �ل����ع�م� � ب�� ا �لم��ن� ر‬ ‫َ نَ ت ن �ذ � � ا �� �ة ّ‬ ‫ً � ًث‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب����� �ه��د �ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير �� ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ي�ر �وت�ر�هب� ت� �ي��ه �و� ك‬ ‫�س�� ت�ن��ه �و�ع�ا �ش�� ت� د �ه ار ��ط� �و�ل�ا ��ّ �ع�م�ي ت�‪.‬‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن أ � ظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫ح�ي�ر � �و �ع�م �ه� �و�ه� ��� ا �ل‬ ‫� د �� را � ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��د �� �و�‬ ‫��ر‪.‬‬ ‫��ر�ة ‪ 1‬ب� ك‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫�و�ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير�م� � ع��م ي‬ ‫و ب ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ةأ‬ ‫ن ق � نّ ن �� �ة � ة ً‬ ‫حّ ا � ��‬ ‫� �ل� ّا ��ق�د � ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك� ��ف��ة ���ف ��س�ن‬ ‫�س��ع�� �ي��� �ل�ه �إ � �ب�� ا ل‬ ‫ح�ي�ر � او �ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ك�و��ف�� د � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫وم�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي� ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ّب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م � �ج ج‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ع � ن أ ا � ��ق � ا ��ف ا �ن �ظ �� �� ا ��ف نّ ا �ت��ق ّ �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ه��د ���� ت� ا �ل��ع�م�ا � � ��ه ���ه � ��ه �م� ك ن‬ ‫�ه� �إ� ���ه� � ي�� ‪.‬‬ ‫و ي� ي و ي�‬ ‫�م�����ة ‪ ٢‬م� ر� �ي��ه� �وع � �‬ ‫له� � �� ر �إ لي�‬ ‫�ل� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف�‬ ‫حتّ �أ �ت ا ����د � ف����ق �� �� ا �ه��ذ ا ا � �أ� � ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حّ�ا �� ��ا ��ل��ا � ��ف�ا ّ ���ط��ل�ع ت� �م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�رك�� ب� � او �ل ن��ا ��س �م�ع�ه ��ى �ى ل ير ي �ل ل�ه�‬ ‫�ل� م�ي ر �ج ج ب ب ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�� �م�ا �أ�� ت�‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل ت� خ� � � �مث��� ��ل� �مث���ل�ك‪�� .‬ف�ل�ا‬ ‫�ن�ا � ة � �‬ ‫ف �ق ا � � ا ا ن ا �ع‬ ‫رو�ج ل�ي� �إ ى‬ ‫ري‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح��� ا �ل�د�ير‪� � ��� .‬ل �ل�ه� ‪� ٣‬ي� �ه��د �م� � �ج ب‬ ‫حّ ا � ا � � �ن ا ��ف نّا أ ��ص�� ن ا ن� ن ��ا ��ق ا �� � ن ا ��غ �ة‬ ‫تت‬ ‫�‬ ‫���غ��� ّر �ي�ا �ج�� � �ب� �ل�د �ي�� �إ� �� � بح�� �وح� �مك� � ل ا �ل�� ب���‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أْ‬ ‫ُ ُ َ ْ ُ أَ‬ ‫َ أَْتُ � َ َ نْ �تَ�ْ ْ �َ ُ َ‬ ‫ح ث‬ ‫ح ْ���بَ � ِّ�م��ةٍ �م نَ �ٱ ��ل نّ�َ�ا �� �َ�� �َم نْ َ��س ْ‬ ‫� � ْ �َ��َع�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر� ��ي ��ك �م� ����ع�قِ� �د �ل�ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫بر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫سِ ي � ر‬ ‫�ل �ذِ‬ ‫�أ �ّ ا �ف أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ّ ا ن� أ�ذ �ّ �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح ن� � �ل ا �ل ن��ا ��س �وق���ل �إ �ن�ا ء ا �مت��ل� �إ �ل� ا ن���‬ ‫��ك �� ‪.‬‬ ‫�و�ل�م ��م��سِ �إ �ل� �و‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�ف ن‬ ‫��ض�ً�ا � ���ع ث� ��ل�ه�ا �م ن يُ خ� � ه�ا �م ن ا ��ل��د � � � ت‬ ‫��س��� د �ي��ه�ا ا ��خل‬ ‫�صر�ف� ا ��جل�‬ ‫ح�ا �� �مغ�‬ ‫� ار ��‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أُ‬ ‫ث �ا ث � � ن أ � ا ف� �ق ا �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح��دا �ه نّ ���ف خ� � � ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ر�ج � م‬ ‫ع �ل � �ج �و ر م� �ه�ل�ه� � � �ل� �إ � � ي� رو�ج �‬ ‫�َّ َ‬ ‫ُ �ذْ عِ ٌ‬ ‫َ َ ٌ ُ َ ْ ْ َْ‬ ‫�خ��ا ِر�ج��ا ت� ي���س�ق�� نَ� �ِم ن� دي�ِر هِ� نْ��دٍ ��م� �� نَ��ا ت� �� ��ذِ �ل��ةٍ �َو�ه�َوا‬ ‫ٱ َ �بِ ٱ ْ نِ�‬ ‫�َ ْ تَ ش ْ أَأََّ �ُ ٱ �ْلَ ْش ٰ �ذَ أَ ْ �ََ ا � � ّ ْ ُ �غَ َْ�ةَ � تْ‬ ‫فِ�َ�ا‬ ‫�ل�ي � ِ����ع �� � � �و�ل � �‬ ‫ح���ر�ه� ا  � � �م � � � � �‬ ‫ِر ي‬ ‫م ح� � �ل�د هر ��ي ر ل� �ي نِ�‬ ‫ِ‬

‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ّ ت ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ف ش����د ��ف��تى �م ن� � ��ه�ل ا ��ل��‬ ‫�ك�و��ف��ة �ع��ل� �فر��س�ه ��ف�ا ��ست��ن ���ق� �ه نّ� �م ن� � ش��� ار ���ط ا ��جل�‬ ‫�غ�‬ ‫ح�ا �� �و����غ�ي ب�‪� .‬ب���ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫حّ ا � ش ا �ف ا �� ف�ل�ت ف� �ق ا � ن أت ا ن ا �ف آ � ن ن ظ �� �ف� ن ا ق ت � ن ا ��ف �أت ا ا �� ف�ل�ت ف� �ق ا �‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�ه�و � م� �و � �� �ر� �ب�ه ���ل�� ه‪ �� � .‬ه �ى �� � ل�‬ ‫��� � ����عر�ه� �و���ع�ل �ى �� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�ج ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�خ ة ّ‬ ‫ن �ذ‬ ‫ت ف‬ ‫ثق ف ّ ن ن ت‬ ‫ح���صرا ه‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص� ‪ :‬و�ه� ف�ي���ه �م� ن ر� ��ي�ه�ا‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص� ‪ ( :‬م‬ ‫��ا ط ب���� ا �ل‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� ج��ا�ج ا ��ل�������ي� ��ل�ه���د ب���� ا �ل���م��� ر) ورد � �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل ي‬ ‫ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫�‬

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‫‪١،٣٢‬‬

‫‪٢،٣٢‬‬

‫‪٣،٣٢‬‬

The Monastery of Hind, Daughter of al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir

Hind built this monastery in Ḥīrah, took the veil, and lived there. At the end of

32.1

her long life, she went blind. It is one of the largest and most flourishing monasteries in Ḥīrah, standing between the Trench and Bakr’s settlement. When al-Ḥajjāj came to Kufa in the year 74 [693–94], he was told that

32.2

between Ḥīrah and Kufa there was a monastery founded by Hind bint al-Nuʿmān, where she was living. She was pious, in full command of her wits, and worth visiting. So he set off for Hind’s Monastery with his retinue. When he arrived, she was informed that Commander al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf was at the gate. She came out from round the side of the monastery, and al-Ḥajjāj asked her,183 “Hind, what’s the most extraordinary thing you have experienced?” She replied, “Someone like me coming out to someone like you. Ḥajjāj, don’t set any store by this world. We used to be as al-Nābighah says: When you extend the hand of protection to someone, I’ve seen how his flocks are safe wherever they graze.184 “But now we have become the most wretched of people. Seldom is a vessel filled without being broken. ” Al-Ḥajjāj left in a rage, sent some guards to make her leave the monastery, and demanded she pay the tax. She was forced to leave, taking three young relatives with her, and as they left one of them declaimed these verses: We leave, driven from Hind’s Monastery, suffering insult and humiliation! Is this perchance the start of Judgment Day? Has fate erased all sense of honor? A Kufan saddled his horse, rode to rescue them from al-Ḥajjāj’s guards, and then disappeared. Al-Ḥajjāj heard of the girl’s poetry and the man’s action, and declared, “If he comes to us of his free will, he will have safe conduct. But if we arrest him, we’ll kill him.” The man presented himself, and al-Ḥajjāj asked him,

333

333

32.3

‫ن ن ت � ن ن ن �� ن ذ‬ ‫د�ير �ه��د ب����� ا �ل��ع�م�ا � ب�� الم��� ر‬

‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق � � �ة ف‬ ‫ح�م�� � � � ا � ن‬ ‫�ص��ع ت� ��ا �ل ا �ل�غ��ي�ر ���و�ص��ل�ه �و�خ��ل�ا ه‪.‬‬ ‫�ل�ه �م�ا � لك ع��ل�ى م�‬

‫أ‬ ‫ا ف‬ ‫��ا ن � � � ن �أ � �ّ�ق ا �� � ن �ف�ت ا ��� ا �ق �أ �ت ن ��‬ ‫�خ � ت� ��ل��ه ��ف�� ك��‬ ‫� �مه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�وك�� � �سع�د ب � ب�ي� �و � ص �‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح�ي� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ير‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫� لعر � �ى �ه��د �إ ى‬ ‫ي ر�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ا � ّ‬ ‫ح ��ك ب ��� ّ ��ا ن ت‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫� �ع ض�� �ع��ل�ه�ا ��ن �ف���س�ه ���ف �� ئ ا ف �ق ا ت �‬ ‫ح��ا �ب��ه�ا �م��ست���ك‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫و ر � ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح��� ك�� ��� � �م�ل� ك��ن ي‬ ‫حوا �ج� �ه� ��� � �ل� ��س� � �ي�ي‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ف� �ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ا � ا ��غ نً‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّٰ � � �� �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ئ‬ ‫�ي��د �ن�ا �ل�ه�ا ف����قر ب���ع�د � ��ى �و�ل� �م��س���ك �ي��د �� �ل�ه� ��ى ب���ع�د �� ر �و�ل� ج�‬ ‫���ع�ل ا لله �ل�ك �إ ل�ى �ل ي��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن ّ‬ ‫ً � ّ‬ ‫ح�ا ���ة � ��ل�ا � ا ّٰلله �ع ن‬ ‫�� �� ��ع�م��ة �إ ��ل�ا ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��ع��ل�ك ��سب��ب��ا �لرد �ه�ا �ع��لي��ه‪.‬‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫�جث و ن�زع‬ ‫� ّ يم�ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ف ة �ف ا ت �أ �ذ ن � ا ف� ��ق � ا أ � �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا ا �غ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه� � ي���ل �ل�ه� � �م�ي ر �ه� ه‬ ‫��م �ج�� ء �ه� ا�لم��ي�ر�ة ‪� 1‬لم� �و�ل�ه �م�ع� � �وي�� ا �ل��ك�و�� �� ��س�� � �ع�لي�‬ ‫� �أ أ‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫� � ا � �ف �‬ ‫ف � ق� �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫أ �ا‬ ‫ا�لم�د ر �ب�ا �لب��ا ب� ����ق�ا �ل ت� ���و�ل� او �ل�ه �م ن� � �و�ل�د �ج� ب���ل�� ب� ن� ا �ل��ي��ه� � ن�� ت� ��ق�ا �ل �ل�‪�� .‬ق�ا �ل ت� ��م ن� �و�ل��د‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ا �ل�م ن���ذ � ن �م�ا ء ا ��ل��س�م�ا ء ��ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ا‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ف�م ن � ن�� ت� ��ق�ا ��ل ا �ل�م�غ��� �ة � ن �ش���ع���ة ا ��لث��ق���ف ّ ‪�� .‬ق�ا ��ل ت� ���فم�ا‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ت �خ ا � ًا �ق ا � ت � ئت ن � � أ ا � � �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ن �أ د �ت‬ ‫ح�ا �ج� ت���ك ��ا �ل � �‬ ‫ط��‪� �� .‬ل� �ل�و �ج� ����� �ج ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ا �ل � �و �‬ ‫�ج�ت���ك �و� ك‬ ‫ل��� ر‬ ‫�ج�ئ��ك �� �� ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ح� �ل �ل��ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت ن ت ا �لن��ع ا ن ن � ن �ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ا ��ف � � ّ ف�خ ��ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�أ ن �ت��� ش���ّ �� �� �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ��� ا �ل�ع � �ت���� �ل �‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر �إو‬ ‫ي ر ي�‬ ‫� ر ب ي� ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل رب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت أ‬ ‫ا ج��م�ا � �ع�ور �و�ع�مي��ا ء‪.‬‬ ‫ف عث � �ق � �� ف � ن أ‬ ‫� ت � � ��‬ ‫أ� ن ا ا ً �‬ ‫�� ��ق ا � ت �أ �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫س‬ ‫� ر ل�ك �ج �و ب�‬ ‫�ه�ا ��ا �ل ك�ي ��� ك���ا � � ر �‬ ‫�ب��ع� �إ �لي�‬ ‫ّي‬ ‫ولي��س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� � ا � �غ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫� �ي�ن ا � �ن ا ث�ّ ��ص�� ن �‬ ‫ّ �ا‬ ‫�ف � �أ ض‬ ‫ح��ا �و�لي����س � �‬ ‫ح ن� ن�ر� ب�‬ ‫��ي� ا �ل�ر��� �ع بر�ي� �إ �ل� �و�ه�و �ير� ب� �إ �ل � �وير� به� � �م � ب‬ ‫ح�د �إ �ل� �و‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ن ن ��ف‬ ‫��ا ن أ� � �ق �� ��ف ��ث��ق �ف ��ق ا � ت �خ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ �لي��ه �ون�ر�هب��ه‪�� .‬ق�ا �ل ��م�ا ك�� � � ب ��وك �ي ��ول �ي� ي�� � �ل� ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ي ر�ج‬ ‫� م ي�‬ ‫ش أ‬ ‫ّ �ق �‬ ‫� �آ خ �‬ ‫�ن ت �‬ ‫�ز ن ف ق ض م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ي� ء � �‬ ‫ح��د �ه�م�ا �ي� ��م� �إ �ل�ى �إ �ي�ا د � او �ل��ر �إ �ل�ى ب� ك‬ ‫��ر ب� ن� �ه� او � �������ى �ب�ه �ل� إل�� �ي�ا د �ي� �و��ا �ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫نَّ‬ ‫�إِ �‬

‫�ثَ �فًا ��َ ْ َ ُ نْ َ َ نَا َ ��لَ ْ ُ َ ا ْ َ ا ً َ َ‬ ‫�م�ا �نَ�ا‬ ‫� قِ�����ي� � ل�م �ي��ك� �ه� او �زِ ��  �و �م ��ي��ن� � سِ� ب� �ع� �مِ ار �و� �زِ‬

‫أ‬ ‫ف����ق�ا ��ل ا �ل�م�غ��� �ة � �ّم�ا‬ ‫ير‬

‫ن‬ ‫ح ن ��ف�م ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬

‫�ز ن �ف ق أ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ر ب� ن� �ه� او � ���لي�����ل � ب� ��وك �م�ا ����ش�ا ء‪.‬‬ ‫ب� ك‬

‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ا �ل���م غ���� �ة � ن ش����ع����ة ل �ه ن���د �ن� ت‬ ‫تن‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�� ا �ل���م ن����ذ ر ي�‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪�( :‬‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫�خ��ط���ب�ه�ا �ل وا �ج��ه�ا وا�م�����ا ��ع�ه�ا) ورد ي� �‬ ‫ح���ض و ر ير ب� ب �إ ى‬ ‫ب‬

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‫‪334‬‬

‫‪٤،٣٢‬‬

‫‪٥،٣٢‬‬

‫‪٦،٣٢‬‬

The Monastery of Hind, Daughter of al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir

“What made you do what you did?” “My sense of honor.” Al-Ḥajjāj rewarded him and let him go. When Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ conquered Iraq,185 he went to visit Hind in her

32.4

monastery. She came out to him, and he showed her honor and offered to supply her needs. “I will give you the greeting our kings used to use,” she said. “May you receive gratitude from those afflicted by poverty after wealth, not from those enriched after poverty. May God preserve you from seeking a base man’s help. May God not strip fortune from a noble man unless He makes you the instrument of its return to Him.” Then al-Mughīrah came to her,186 after Muʿāwiyah had appointed him gov-

32.5

ernor of Kufa. He asked permission to speak to her and she was told, “The commander of this city is at the gate.” She replied, “Ask him if he’s a son of Jabalah ibn al-Ayham.” He said, “No.” “Or descended from al-Mundhir ibn Māʾ al-Samāʾ.” “No.” “So who are you?” she asked. “Al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah al-Thaqafī.” She asked, “What’s your business?” He answered, “I’ve come to ask your hand in marriage.” “If you’d come to me for my beauty or wealth, I would have agreed. But you just want to win honor when the Arabs muster by saying you’ve married the daughter of al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir. What’s there to boast about if a one-eyed man and a blind woman come together?” He sent a messenger to ask her about her family’s status and she replied, “I’ll answer in a few words. One night there was no Arab who did not petition us and fear us, and the next day there was no one we did not petition or fear.” “And what did your father say about Thaqīf?” “Two Bedouins of Thaqīf asked him to arbitrate between them—one was from Iyād and the other from Bakr ibn Hawāzin. He decided in favor of the Iyādī and commented: Thaqīf ’s not Hawāzin, nor the equal of ʿĀmir and Māzin.” Whereupon al-Mughīrah said, “We’re from Bakr ibn Hawāzin. Your father can say what he likes.”187

335

335

32.6

‫���ي �زُ ا �ة‬ ‫د� ر ر ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ّ�م�ا � � �ع�� ن �ن�ا‬ ‫��ا �� �م ن‬ ‫�و�ه� د�ير� ن ن � �� �ف ة �‬ ‫ح���ة �ع ن ا �ل���ط � ��ق �ع��ل� ي��م�� ن ا ���خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج �‬ ‫� ري� ى ي�‬ ‫ح��س� �ب�ي�� �ج ��سرا �ل��ك�و��� �و م ي�‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫�ث� ��ل ا ن ا ت �‬ ‫� ��ف �ة‬ ‫ا � � ن �� ��� ��ق ه � ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���‬ ‫ب����د ا د �إ �ى ا ل�ك�و� �و�ه�و�م�و�‬ ‫ع ه ح��س� ك��ي ر اح� �� � � او �ل��� ار ب� �ع� مر ب�م� ي طر� �ل� ي �ل�و‬ ‫� ّٰ‬ ‫ن � � ن ال�م ت‬ ‫� �ؤ �ث � � ا � �ة‬ ‫��س��ص���ل ة � �ذ �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ّن ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� �ل�� �ل��ك‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م�م� �ي� ��ط�ل ب� ا �ل�ل�ع ب� � او �ل�� � و وي ب‬ ‫وو � و‬ ‫�‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ح � ن �ز ا � �� � ن ا �� ا َّ � ن �ف ّ ق‬ ‫ح��د �ه�م�ا‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل خ�ر�� ي�ي�ى ب � �ي� د �و م�‬ ‫ي� ���ل�م�ا � �ر�ا �م ن� د�ير را ر�ة ��ق�ا �ل � �‬ ‫ط�� ب � �إ �ي� س �‬ ‫ح� �ج��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ه ��ه� ��ل��ك � ن� ��ن ��ق ّ�د � � ��ث��ق�ا ��ل ن��ا � ن��مض��� ��ل� �ز ا �ة ��ف ن�� ش��� � ���ف د�ير�ه�ا ��ل���لت��ن�ا � �ن��ت�ز �ّ د �م ن‬ ‫�ل�ص�ا �‬ ‫و ي� �إ ى ر ر رب ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي و و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �خ� ا ا �ف�ي�ن ا �� �� �ة ث ّ ��ن���ل أ �‬ ‫أ ��ق ا ا ��ف�� ي�ز �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫حق� �ب�� ��ث��ق�ا �ل ن��ا ف� ف����ع�ل�ا �و��س�ا ر ا �ل ن��ا ��س � �و � �م� ل� � ل�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�مرد�ه� �و �مر�ه� �م� �ي���ك� � �إ ل�ى �و م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ا � �� �ف ة‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� أن ن‬ ‫ح��ل��ق�ا ��ؤ � ��سه�م�ا ‪ � 1‬ك���‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫ح�ا �ّ �ف ّ ا‬ ‫�ص �ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل��ك د � �ب��ه�م�ا �إ �ل�ى � � ا ���‬ ‫� ���ل�م� �و�ص�ل� �إ �ل�ى ا �ل���كو��� � ر و �‬ ‫ور ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫��ل ّ � �‬ ‫ب���ع�ي�ر � ن� �ود �خ��ل�ا �م� ا �‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫ح�ا �� ف����ق�ا �ل �م ��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أَ �َْ ِ َ َ َ ْ َ �إِ�ذْ �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ا نَ ٱ ْ��لَ ُّ نْ �خِ ْ ٱ �لتَّ َ ا َ ْ‬ ‫�َْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل� ����تر ��� �وي�‬ ‫�ج نَ��ا  �َوك�� � ��‬ ‫� �ي�ر � ��‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ح �ِم� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� ره‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�يح��ى ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫م��خِ َ ْ�نِي َ �َ � َ ْ َ�ّ‬ ‫�فَ َ ا �َ‬ ‫ج � َّ � قُ �َ �زُ َ َ ْ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج ن��ا ���ط�ا لِب� ��� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �وِدي��نٍ ��م� �ل بِ���� � �ل��طر� ��� �إِ �ل�ى را ره‬ ‫َ ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��قِ‬ ‫نَ ٱ �ْ�خَ َ ا َ ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��فَ��آ َ � ��ل نّ��ا ��ُ ��ق�د � نِ� ُ َ�‬ ‫ح� ا  �َ �و ب��ْنَ��ا �ُ�م � َر� �ِم � ل‬ ‫� ��س� ره‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�م او �و�ج�و‬ ‫و ي نِ� �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل ف�ي��ه‬ ‫م‬

‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

‫نّ � �أ ا ت � �أ‬ ‫أ ض ًا ف� ��‬ ‫� ن �ق‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ي��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �و ي��ه � و ي ل �إ‬ ‫ب ي�‬ ‫بي‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫� ةَ ُ‬ ‫ح َّا حٍ �زُ َ َ‬ ‫���خِ َ�ْ َ ْ ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ا �َو �ّ او را‬ ‫� ر�‬ ‫�ج نَ��ا �ن�ب�����تغِ���� �م ك‍‬ ‫�ج� �‬ ‫�  � �‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�فِ �َ َّ ا �قِ َ ٱ �ْي َ  �ةَ اَ‬ ‫���جِ َ َ ا َ‬ ‫� �ل��م� � �د � � ل‬ ‫�ح� ِد �ي� � �م��ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح� را‬ ‫�حِ ٱ�ي�َر‬ ‫أَِ ي�‬ ‫ِم‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�قِ ْ‬ ‫َ ا َ �َ غ�ُ ُ � ��لن��ْ ُ � ْ� ْ َ ا � ْ َ ا َ‬ ‫��صب��حِ � �و ���غ� را‬ ‫�َو� �د ك� د �ي ��ور ج  ‍� ِ�ل� إِل� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫فَ �قُ �ْ تُ ٱ ْ ُ � ْ � َ ا َ ْ‬ ‫َ �َ ا تَ� ْ � ْ �َ نْ َ َ‬ ‫��� �ل� � �‬ ‫س�ا را‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ي �و�ل� ��ح��فِ� �ل ِب�م� ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح ��ط��ط �بِ��ه� ر ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نَّ آ َ َ‬ ‫�ف�َ�جِ � ّ ْ نَا ُ ُ ً َ َ َ ْ‬ ‫هود ا ��س  �� �لف� ت� �مِ� �‬ ‫�م��ا �َ �و �ث�ا را‬ ‫� �ح�د د �� ��ع� �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �ِ � ّ ْ �نَ ا �ُ َ ا نَا ت �َ َ ا َ ا نَ تْ َ أ ْ �َا َ‬ ‫ِ�ي � �ل��ب�ى� �� �ٍ �ل��ن� ك� ��� � �و �و ���ط� را‬ ‫�و�ق�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫�ع��ل‬ ‫� ا �لب��ص�ي�ر‬ ‫�ي‬

‫‪336‬‬

‫‪336‬‬

‫‪١،٣٣‬‬

‫‪٢،٣٣‬‬

‫‪٣،٣٣‬‬

The Zurārah188 Monastery

This is a fine monastery between the embankment of Kufa and Aʿyan’s Bath,189

33.1

some way from the road on the right as you go from Baghdad to Kufa. It is a pretty, attractive place, well supplied with taverns and wine, and full of visitors. Many go there for pleasure and entertainment or to pass the time, and it is an excellent place for that. Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād and Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās set out on the pilgrimage, but when they

33.2

approached the Zurārah Monastery, one of them said to the other, “What do you think? Let’s send our baggage on ahead, go to Zurārah, and spend tonight drinking in the monastery. We’ll have had enough boys and wine to keep us going till we come back, and we’ll catch up with our baggage afterward.” The rest of the caravan continued on its way while they stayed there, spending the time as they had proposed, until the pilgrims returned. Then they went to Kufa, shaved their heads, mounted two camels, and entered Baghdad with the pilgrim caravan. Muṭī ʿ composed a poem about it: Have you seen how Yaḥyā and I went on hajj? What a splendid deal it was. We set out as pilgrims to fulfill our duty but the road took us to Zurārah. The others came back, profiting from the hajj, while we were laden with loss. He made another poem, which was set to music. Some say the author was Abū ʿAlī al-Baṣīr: We set out for Mecca, visitors and pilgrims, But when he reached Ḥīrah, My camel driver faltered. The stars had almost set as daylight dawned, So I said, “Let’s stop. Forget who’s going on.” We saw old friends, revisited old haunts, Fulfilled all the wishes and desires we had,

337

337

33.3

‫� ز ا ة‬ ‫دير �ر ر�‬

‫َ َ ا َ� ْ نَ ا َ ا َ � ْ ً َ ��قَ َّ سٍا َ ���خِ� َ َ‬ ‫��حّ�م�ا را‬ ‫��ص� ح��ب�� �بِ��ه� د ���يرا �و ���سي����� � �و�‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�� ْ �ز ّ َ‬ ‫�َ ظَ ���� ْ��ب��ا ��ع�َ‬ ‫�ع�ا � �د ا �َ��ْ نَ  � ��ل�ِّ��ن��قَ�ا �َ � ل‬ ‫���صِر �ن�ا را‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫و��شِ ي َ َ أَ�قِ ْ ب ي ً� أَ َ و َ أَ‬ ‫َ ْ ��مْ �َ ا �ْ � َ َ‬ ‫� َ�ْ‬ ‫�ح نَ��ا ��ل��ك � �خ� َ‬ ‫ح��ا را‬ ‫��ب�ا را  � �و د �ج �ن� ك � �‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�� ر‬ ‫� ب‬

‫� ���أ� �ن ا �� ��ف �ه��ذ ا ا �ل�م�ع ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و�ل ب ي� ��و س �ي�‬ ‫ى‬

‫‪٤،٣٣‬‬

‫�هِ ْ ُ ُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�َ َّ ُ�ق �ْ تُ �َ ُ �نَ �عِ ْ �إِ�ذَ ��فَ � َ تْ �َ��ذَّ ُت َ ْ َ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �‬ ‫�و��ق�ا ���ئِ� �ل �� �ل ����تِر���ي�د � ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ِ�ي �أَ � ب �غ �ذِ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ ْ‬ ‫�� َ ا َ‬ ‫���ْ َ‬ ‫أ َ ا َ �قُ ْ � َ ُّ نْ َ ا َ‬ ‫ج ثُ �ِ َ � ف�َ ��قُ َّ� �ٱ ��ْ� ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك ِم� ك��ن�‬ ‫� ك� �لو �ذِ ي�‬ ‫� ��م� و����طر���ب�ٍْل ِم��ه� َبِح�ي � ���ترى  ب��ةِ َ ��فِ� ر ِ‬ ‫فِ ُ �ذَّ‬ ‫�فَ�ٱ � َّ ا �� َّ �فَ�ٱ � َ‬ ‫�ْ ٱ �ّ ٱ ْ تَََ ْ‬ ‫ُ �ذّ �ذُ َ ْ َ َ �‬ ‫�ص� ِ ِل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حي��ةِ� �� �ل ك‬ ‫�� �ل�‬ ‫��ر� � �ل���ذِ �ي� � ج��م�ع ت�  ����ش� ا ب�����غ�د ا د ِ�ل�ي� فِ�ي��هِ بِ� ����ش� ا �ذِ �ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��غِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى�ا‬ ‫��ْ��ف� ���‬ ‫حَ �ل� �َم�ا د �ْم ت� �من��� �م��س�ا   �� ���� ت� �ق��ّ ا د � �ْ ���� ت� ن�� ّ��ب �ى�َ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ي بِ � ِي�‬ ‫ُ ِّ‬ ‫�ذِ‬ ‫� ب ي ِ ٱ َّو �ةٍُ و ب ي ِ‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ج �قَ ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫َ َ ْ � َ نْ‬ ‫�ص ���غ��د ا د ���ل� نِ‬ ‫���ْ���يف� � �ل�� ُ �� نْ � ي�ز نَا َا‬ ‫ي  ك�‬ ‫�ص���‬ ‫� ��ل��ص ِل�ي� �ِم� ���طِ �� �� �ب� �ذِ‬ ‫�و�هب��ك �ِم� �� �فِ� ب ٍ‬

‫� ن � ّ � �أ ّ � ن �ق أ ّ ��خ �‬ ‫ّ َ ْ �‬ ‫حّ‬ ‫���ا ��ت ّ �ل��ل‬ ‫ط�� ��س�يل�م�ا � ب� ن ح�م�م��د ا �ل��م� �� �وك���ا � ��د � �ع�د ا ب�ل‬ ‫�و�م�م ن� �ف���ع�ل �ف���ع�ل �م ��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫� ��ف �ة � ه أ ��ق ا ��ق ا �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��س��ت��ه ��ف��ل�م�ا �و��ص�ل �إ ��ل�ى ا �ل��ك�و� �ب��د ا �ل� � �و � � �و � ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ ٱ �ْ َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ََّ �أ ��فْ سِ َ�د � �ل‬ ‫�َ�ا  �إِ�ذْ �ل��َْ �أ���ْد �ِ�مْهَ �ً�ا �َ �َ�ا �َ�منْ��َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ا‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� رب و�ل �‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫حِ�ر صِ��ي� �ع��ل�ى � �ل�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م �جِ‬ ‫ُ َْ ُْ‬ ‫جَ �ٱ �� ��ذُّ�نُ َ ْ َ ْ ��بِ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫تُ ْ تُ �َ ْ‬ ‫�ج�ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ي��ه‬ ‫� �و�ِم ن�  �عر��ضٍ� �� ِر�ي� ٍء ِب���من� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ب��� �إِ �ل��ي�هِ �ِم� ل� ��و بِ‬ ‫��ٍر‬ ‫���فِ َ َّ � َ ً �َ �قِ َ‬ ‫ح َ قَ � ش‬ ‫َ َف‬ ‫ع�ْ�ُ هُ ��ُ��ي ْ�َ‬ ‫�ج�ا‬ ‫رد �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي  �و���ْو�ِل ِ����ْ��عٍر �و� �و ر�‬ ‫�خ�ا ���سِ ئ��ا �إِ �ل�ى � �د ِ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �زَ نْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ ْ ث�نُِ �تُ ضْ �ل�زَ َ ا قُ َ�خ ا َ ةً‬ ‫حْ��� ُ َه�ا �م نْ �َ�سَ ا د �� �ا �ً‬ ‫�ج�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ي � ِ��‬ ‫ح�� � � ��ق� � �� ضِ�‬ ‫���ع��   سِ ب�� ِ � �و ِ ه �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ َ ِ‬ ‫��ض�ْ� نَ ا �� � �زَّ �قَّ �َا ��� �يِ �ةً �َ �ُ�حَّ �َ �ْ هُ �َا ُ �� هُ �َ�م ّ‬ ‫َ�ا‬ ‫ا �و�� ع�� ِل�ل � ب� طِ � �  و� �ل ع�ن� ِرب� ��ط� �‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�َ ٱ �ْ ََّ َ َ ُ �نْتَ ً �َ ٱ ْ تَ َ ْ تُ ٱْ ُ َ َ ٱ َ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�ج�ا‬ ‫�ز ا د �� �ل�ى � ل‬ ‫� � �ل�م�د ا �َم��ة � ��ل�زّ ���ل‬ ‫�ص�ا ر ��م ���قِ� �ل�ا  �لِم�ا � �‬ ‫ح����سي��‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ْ �‬ ‫ج�زُ ْ��َ ت �نَ ْ ُ َ َ ْ ُ ً�ة َ تُ َ قُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�َ ��ِمض����ِ‬ ‫�ُ ْ�َ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �‬ ‫��جعِ��� كرِي� ِ �م� بِ��ه�   ��م� �لوء م� ���ف� ِر� � ر�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�َّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�عِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ�ذ ا َ �َم ن �� ��ط��ل � �لث�َ ا � �ا  ����ن� ض� � �����ّ �� �� �َ‬ ‫�ج�ا‬ ‫ك�� ك � ي ب� �و ب� و�ل ي �ه�� �إِ �ل بِ نِ�ي ةٍ ر�‬

‫نّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫عه�ا ��ط�و�ل‬ ‫�ص�� �‬

‫‪338‬‬

‫‪338‬‬

‫‪٥،٣٣‬‬

The Zurārah Monastery

Taking in the convent, the priest and taverner, And a gazelle, his sash tied between hip and waist. Some things we’ve told you, others hidden. Abū Nuwās has a poem on the same theme:

33.4

I’m often asked if I want to go on hajj. Yes, say I, when Baghdad’s empty of pleasure. But by the Quṭrabbul quarter, as you see, the Firk Dome behind Kalwādhā, Ṣāliḥiyyah, and Karkh, where Baghdad’s misfits meet with the misfit I am, How can I make hajj while I’m stuck in the house of a wine seller or a pimp? And even if you rescued me from the revelry of Baghdad, how to rescue me from Ṭayzanābād? Another poet who acted like Muṭī ʿ was Sulaymān ibn Muḥammad al-Umawī. He had acquired Bactrian camels for the hajj and spent a year feeding them up, but when he reached Kufa he changed his mind and stopped there. He made verses about it: Longing to be a pilgrim ruined my wits, I couldn’t find a way to get out of it; For the hajj I repented of my sins and of harmless exchanges meanly maligned. But it spurned me and sent me back to my cups and my verses, though I hope for forgiveness. I saw the wineskins submissive and humble, so dark they looked like black men. Then we set a jug to the wineskin, broke the seal and let it pour; My hajj provisions changed direction when the wine slipped down my throat. I slept in bliss where my wineskin was in the saddlebag, full and to hand— Here’s one who seeks a reward from God, but starts off, his intention twisted.

339

339

33.5

‫� ز ا ة‬ ‫دير �ر ر�‬

‫ّ�ا � � ن �غ ا � � ن �ش�� ّ ا �� �أ� ّ ا ��ل � � ش ا � � � ن‬ ‫� خ� � �أ� ا �ل�مض � ّ‬ ‫و ر� ب ��و �‬ ‫يري��د �و�‬ ‫��ر�ج �ي� �و��س�ل م ب � �� �ل ب� ب � �م� س �و ب ��و �ع��ل�ي� ب��ص�ي ر‪ 1‬ا �ل���� عر‬ ‫� ج‬ ‫� ّا ث ّ ض أ � ض ّ ف �ق � أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫�� �ف ة �‬ ‫� �ف ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫حّ ���ل�م�ا ��د م�و ك�و� ب��د �ل ب� ي� �ع��ل�� ب��ص�ي ر‪ ٢‬ول��س�ل م � ��ى ب ��و م�‬ ‫ا ��ل�‬ ‫��ر�ج �ي� � � ل ب ��و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ ً ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ع�� ّ ا ��ل��ص�� ‪  ٣‬ي�خ��ا ���ط� ��س�ل�ا �م�ا‬ ‫ل�ي� ب ي ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ُ�خ ْ َأْ ٱ �ْ �َ َٱ ْ تَ ٱ � ّٰ َ �َ َ �قَ‬ ‫نَ ٱ � َّ ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���د بِ� �ر ��سِ � � �لقِ� ���ط�ا ِر‪� � ٤‬و ���س خِ��ر� �ل��ل‍  �ه �إِ �ل�ى د ا ِر ��‬ ‫�ي ��ي��ةِ ل ْر� َ�محِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ ثُ �َ ا تُنْ َ‬ ‫�ُ ٱْ�َ َ ا �فُ َ�ٱ �ْ�خ‬ ‫�َ ْ ُ َ َ ضْ �ُ �ٱ �ْ � �ْ � َ � � ��ْ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫حَا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫���م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�زِ و‬ ‫ِ�ي � �ل� ��� كر‬ ‫ر وو ع ي ِ ي �ى رحِ‬

‫ش ً أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫���ا ن� �م ���ط�� � ن ��ا �� �م ن �أ �ظ ��� �ف� ا ��ل ن��ا �� � �أ� ن‬ ‫���ث �ه� �ن�ا د �ة � � �ش�� ّ�د �ه� ��م� �نً�ا‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫سو‬ ‫ح��س��ه�م ����ع ار � �و ك�� ر م ر و‬ ‫م �ج و‬ ‫يع ب � �إ ي س � ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�خ �ة � � �ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ا ن � ا � غ� ّ‬ ‫� ا ��ل ش��� � � او ��ل��ل�ع� � او ��ل�ا�ن��ه�م�ا ك ���ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫���‬ ‫�و�خ��ل�ا �ع�� �وك�� � �ل� �ي �‬ ‫� ��س�ا ر � او �لت� ��طّر� ��ي� � �م او ض�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� � ��ذّ ت ��ا ن � ��‬ ‫ح ّ ا ا �� ا � �ة � ا � ��ف �ت �ق ن‬ ‫ح ّ�م�ا د �‬ ‫���ا ن� �ج�‬ ‫ح� � ن �ز ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫عهم�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر وي �ي ر و و‬ ‫جر و‬ ‫ا �ل�ل� ا �‪� .‬وك�� � م ي و يى � ي و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫���ّ �ُ ّت َ ا ��ل�ز ن ��ق �ة‬ ‫� �ا �ة‬ ‫ح��د ��ف ا ���خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �ب� ���د � ‪.‬‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه�ا �‬ ‫� � او � �ي�‬ ‫و �م �‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �م �‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف �ذ�� � ت ّ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫ح��د � ث�ً�ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �م ن� � ��ه�ل ا ��ل��‬ ‫�ك�و��ف��ة �ل� � ر �ق�ّ ���ط � �‬ ‫� �ع ن� � ب��ي��ه ��ق�ا ��ل ��ق�د � �ع��ل�ي�ن �ا ش��ي��‬ ‫�� ك� ا �ل�ع��‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫ح��س ن� �م��ه � �ي‬ ‫ر ب�ي‬ ‫ّ م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف�ا ن ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ��ئ‬ ‫�ن ي� �ّ ث ن‬ ‫ط�� � او ���حل‬ ‫�ك�و��ف��ة �و�ج�ع‬ ‫�م�ا دي� ن� �و�ع ن� �ظ �� ر��ف�ا ء � ��ه�ل ا ��ل��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� � ي�‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫ح��دث� ن��� �ع ن� �م ��‬ ‫�ه� ‪� .‬ل��� �ي ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح�د � �ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ � � ن � � ن �م ّ ا � �ّ ث� ن ه � ن � �� ن ا �� ف� �ق � ت �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ن ت� � ا ّٰلله � �ش��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ط�� ب�� �إ �ي� س �� �ل� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه� � �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح�د م �‬ ‫�ه�م �ب� ح��س� �م� يح�د ��ي� �ب� ع� م� ي‬ ‫�ن � �ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف �ق‬ ‫ف �ق �� ف �ق �� ت‬ ‫ط��ع�ا‪� ��� .‬ا �ل � او لله �ل�و ر� ��ي ت��ه �ل�� �ل�ق�ي ت� �م ن��ه �ب�ل�اءً �ع �ي���م�ا‪�� ��� .‬ل ت� �وك�ي ��� ��ا �ل ك� ت� �ر�ى‬ ‫� ر�ى �م �� ي‬ ‫� ق �إ�ذ آ‬ ‫� ه �أ� �ّ ا ف ت ض‬ ‫ًا � ا‬ ‫ن ا‬ ‫� ا ����‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫� �ب�ه‪.‬‬ ‫ح��د �إ �ل� ا �����‬ ‫ر�ج��ل� �ل� �ي��صب��ر �ع��ه ا �ل�ع� ���ل ا ر� ه �و�ل� ي ص ب‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫ًا ن أ �� � ة �ف أ � ح �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ق�د ��ص‬ ‫��ر اب� ن� �‬ ‫ط�� �وك�‬ ‫ح��ه‬ ‫�و ك�‬ ‫ح�ي�� ب� ��ق�ا �ل ر� ��ي ت� ر�ج��ل� �م� � ��ه�ل ا ل�‬ ‫�ك�و��ف�� ���س�� �لت��ه �ع ن� �م ��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ا ت�رد � ن� �ت��س�� ��ل �ع ن��ه‪�� .‬ق��ل ت� �و �ل�� �ذ ا ك ��ق�ا ��ل �م�ا ��س��ؤ ا ��ل��ك �ع ن ر ج��� �إ�ذ ا �‬ ‫��رك‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫� ل‬ ‫ن � ش ا �ق � �إ�ذ م �ف ت ����ص ف ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل���ك �و�إ�ذ ا �غ��ا ب� �ع��ك ���� ��ك �و ا �عر�� ب �‬ ‫حب�ت��ه ������‬ ‫�م�� ك�‬ ‫ح��ك‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ ض �م � � � ت ن � ّ ة‬ ‫ّ ة �ق‬ ‫���ا ن� �م ��ط�� � ن ��م‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫��ر�� ا �ل�د �ول���‬ ‫ي� ا �ل�� �م �و�� � او �ل�عبّ��ا ��س�ي �� �و��د �م�د � ا � �لو�لي��د ب� ن� �ي�ز �ي��د‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع أ م� � ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �ون�ا د �م�ه �و�م�د � � �خ��ا ه �و�خ� ��ص �ب�ه‪.‬‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ش ة ن �‬ ‫� ة ن ��‬ ‫�ق ا � � ض � ��‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫�� �ل ح�‬ ‫ح�� ب�‬ ‫��ر م� ي‬ ‫ع ب�� �إ �ي� ��س �و��� ار �ع�� ب�� ا � ���د ب� ��و�ذ ‪� ٥‬وي ي�ى ب�� �ي� د �و� او �لب��� ب�� ا ب‬ ‫ض � �أ‬ ‫ا �� �ف ة �ف ا �ت �� ّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�و�ع��د ا ّلله ب� ن �ع ّ��ا ��ش ا �ل�م�ن ت�� �ف� �و�‬ ‫ح ّ�م�ا د ج�ع‬ ‫�رد ب���جم‬ ‫لهم�‬ ‫���ل��س ب���ع��� ا �ل��م ار ء �ب� �ل��ك�و��� �� ج �م�ع� او ك��� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ي � و‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� � :‬بو ا ��ل�ب���ص��ير‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� � :‬بو ا ��ل�ب���ص��ير‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� � :‬بو ا ��ل�ب���ص��ير‪  ٤ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا �ل��ق����ط�ا‪  ٥ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا �لرى�د ىود‪.‬‬

‫‪340‬‬

‫‪340‬‬

‫‪٦،٣٣‬‬

‫‪٧،٣٣‬‬

‫‪٨،٣٣‬‬

‫‪٩،٣٣‬‬

‫‪١٠،٣٣‬‬

‫‪١١،٣٣‬‬

The Zurārah Monastery

Abū l-Miḍrajī, Sallām ibn Ghālib ibn Shammās, and Abū al-Baṣīr the poet

33.6

set out on the pilgrimage, but when they reached Kufa, Abū al-Baṣīr and Sallām changed their minds, while Abū l-Miḍrajī went on. So Abū al-Baṣīr said to Sallām: Take the caravan’s head and ask God’s guidance to lead us to al-Rammāḥ’s singing girl’s house, Where music and wine are not frowned on, nor is putting a hand on someone’s pussy. Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās was a most delightful person, a fine poet, a store of witty anec-

33.7

dotes, frivolous and dissolute. He was always engaged in drinking and having fun, a thoroughly depraved haunter of places of pleasure. He, Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād, Ḥammād ʿAjrad, and Ḥammād al-Rāwiyah were inseparable—all were equally dissolute, and all were accused of unbelief. Al-ʿUtbī said, quoting his father: There was a certain shaykh who came to

33.8

us from Kufa, and I never encountered a more entertaining talker. He used to tell me about Muṭī ʿ, the two Ḥammāds, and the wits of Kufa and their amazing doings. The best incidents he related were about Muṭī ʿ, so I said to him, “I’d really like to see Muṭī ʿ.” “By God,” he replied, “it would be disastrous for you if you were to see him.” “Why?” “You’d see a man that intelligent people can’t bear to be away from once they’ve met him, but if they keep him company they get a bad name.” This anecdote comes from Ibn Ḥabīb: I met someone from Kufa and asked

33.9

him about Muṭī ʿ, who was a friend of his. He replied, “You shouldn’t ask about him.” “Why not?” “What’s the point of asking about a person who dominates you if he’s with you, makes you long for him if he’s absent, and exposes you to infamy if you’re seen in his company?” Muṭī ʿ was one of those who composed poetry under the Umayyads and 33.10 the Abbasids. He made panegyrics of al-Walīd ibn Yazīd and became a companion of his; he also praised al-Walīd’s brother and was closely associated with him. Muṭī ʿ; Shurāʿah ibn al-Zandabūdh; Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād; Wālibah ibn al-Ḥubāb; 33.11

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAyyāsh, he of the plucked beard; and Ḥammād ʿAjrad were attending the court of one of the governors of Kufa. The others all got together

341

341

‫� ز ا ة‬ ‫دير �ر ر�‬

‫ف �ق �‬ ‫����ّ ث ّ‬ ‫�ع�� �م ���ط�� ف�‬ ‫��ا ���د �وه �و�ج�ه ف �غ �‬ ‫له�م ��م �ب��د�ه�ه�م ��� �ا �ل‬ ‫�ه�م ك� �‬ ‫��وه ����لب �‬ ‫ل�ى ي‬ ‫ع � ك� ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �خَ‬ ‫� ْ َ � �َ�ق ْ أَا �نُ ��ل َ َ َ َت ُ ْ َ �َ�ق ْ �تَ�ََّظ � ل�َ ُ ْ � �ْ ً َ َ ����طنْ�� ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و �م��س�ةٍ �د � ب و ِي� َو � م و ��ى م مِ ل�ى و �جِ ر‬ ‫َ َ َ‬ ‫ٌ ََ‬ ‫�َ ْ َ ْ‬ ‫�ْ تَ ق َّ مِ ُ‬ ‫���ْ ٌ َ ْ َ ُ َ � نْ ُ‬ ‫�ق�د ُر�و ن� َ�ع��ل �ل‬ ‫� �لو ��ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح��م�� �����س�� �ه   � ْقِرد �وك��ل ب� �و جِ�ر� او ء �و�‬ ‫�خِ ���زِ ����ير‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ى ِي‬

‫فق �‬ ‫أق �‬ ‫��‬ ‫���� ��ط‬ ‫عه� � �و � ّر� او �ل�ه‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ز � ة‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل � ا ج��تم� �ع ا � ش��� � �� ن� ��ف�� ��ق�ا � �م ا �ع�� �ذ ��ل��ك � �ّ�ا �مً�ا ف����ق�ا ��ل ��له� ي�‬ ‫ح�ى ب� ن� �ي�ا د �لي���ل�� �و�ه�‬ ‫و و ي بر و‬ ‫�م ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و ل�أى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫حتّ �ن ّ ف� �ق ا � ��ن� ف� �ق ا � ��‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫�س��ا ر�ى �و� ك��‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫� �م�ا �ص��ل�ي�ن �ا �م ن�� ��ل� ��� � �ي�ا � ��� ��و�م� او ب�� ن��ا ��ى ��ص��ل� ‪� � �� .‬ل� او ع� �� � � م�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ا �غ ا � �ة‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ��ل�ا‬ ‫��ف�� �ذ ن� � � ��ق�ا � ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل ��ل��ل�م��غ�نّ ��ة �ت���ق ّ�د �م� �ف��ص�� �� ن��ا ف�ت���ق ّ�د �م ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ه� ��ل� �ل�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب ر ويل و ي�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي� ��‬ ‫و م م‬ ‫� ش ف ت ا ا �ف يث � ا � �� ف� ��ق ّ � ه ث ّ ��ق ا �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫رق�ي ���ق��ة‪�� .‬ف��ل ّ�م�ا ��جس‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�ه� م�‬ ‫���� �م�� �ع�ه� ��و�� ب� �إ �ل‬ ‫��د � ا � ك‬ ‫ط�� � ب��ل� ��م � �ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ َ� َّ �بِ َ ٰ ُ َ َ مٍ َ‬ ‫�َ أْ َ � َ �َْ �تَ��ْ�عتَ ْ‬ ‫�و �ل�م�ا �� �د ا �ه��ن�ه�ا �‬ ‫�ج�ا ثِ��� �ا   ك��ر� �� �‬ ‫حِ�لي ��� �و �ل� ���مِ �د‬ ‫�‬ ‫سٍ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫م‬ ‫قٍ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ �جِ ْ ُت َ َ ْ َ �قَ ِّ ْ �ُ ُ َ‬ ‫��ا َ فْ َ ُ ٱ �ْ َ ا ُ �ل� ْ‬ ‫مَ ْ‬ ‫���س‬ ‫�ت��هِ� �د‬ ‫� �د � �ع��لي��هِ �و���ب��ل�ت�ه   �مك� ��ي����ع�ل � �ل�ع� ��بِ� �د �ج‬

‫فق �‬ ‫�� ا � �ا �ت � ا ��لض���� � ث�ّ ا � ا ��ل � ا � ن‬ ‫���ا � �� او �ع��لي��ه‪.‬‬ ‫���� ��طع�و ص�ل ��ه� ب� ح�ك � �ع� د و �إ �ى م� ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ق ا � ��ت‬ ‫���ن ت ��ف ا �غًا �ف‬ ‫��ف ن‬ ‫��ل ّ‬ ‫ح� � ن �ز ��ا د � �� �مً�ا ��ل� �م ���ط�� � �ن�ا �نش���� ���ط ��ل�� ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل ك�� ب� ي�يى ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر �إ ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫رب �إ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع � �ف� ا ت ه �� �ق �ة � ن � ّ � ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ا ن �ع ن��د �ن������ذ ��� ّ � �غ� ن��ا ء � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�ا د ا �ل ار � �و�� �و� ك��‬ ‫�ج�ئ��ك‪�.‬ج � ء �� ا لر��ع� �وع‬ ‫�ده‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫� �إو � ك� �‬ ‫ك ب ي ط�ي ب� و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل� او د �ي� �و�غ��ل�ا � � �مرد ��ف�� �ج��ا �ب�ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�نَ �عِ ْ �ََ َ �ذٌ‬ ‫��� �م �ل ن��ا �ن�ب����ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ن�ا‬ ‫�َ �ع ْ��نَ�د �نَ�ا �َ ا د ����َ‬ ‫و ِي‬ ‫وِ‬ ‫َ �خِ ْ ُ َ �َ‬ ‫� �ٌ‬ ‫� � نا‬ ‫� �ي�ر�� ك���ثِ �ي ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫َ �َ ْ ُ نَا �َ‬ ‫�ذٌ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه �و� �ل��ذِ �� �‬ ‫�ي�ى�‬ ‫�و�ل� �‬ ‫أَ ْ تَشْ تَ �فَ َ ا ً‬ ‫� �و �����هِ� �� ���س� د ا‬ ‫ي‬

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‫ََْ َ‬ ‫حَّا ُ‬ ‫ �َوِ�ع��ن�د �ن�ا ���م� د‬ ‫َ ْ َ �َ َ ا �ع َ ا ُ‬ ‫  �و�ه�و �ل��ن� ِ ��م� د‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫��خِ ْ� ُ ُ ْ �َت�زَ ُ‬ ‫ �َ �و �ل‬ ‫� �ي ر ي���س� ا د‬ ‫��َ ْ تَ�ْ ُ هُ �ٱ ��ْ� َ ا ُ‬ ‫له� لعِ ��ب� د‬ ‫ ل�م �� �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فَ� �ْ نَا ��ف َ ا ُ‬ ‫ �عِ �ن�د �� ���س� د‬

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The Zurārah Monastery

to set a trap for Muṭī ʿ and lampoon him, but he got the better of them, and then he improvised: Five have shown me their enmity, with a frying pan and saucepan on the fire; If they could seize my flesh, they’d divvy it up— ape, mangy camel, pig, and dog. With that he silenced them and they admitted he’d gotten the better of them. Once they had a drinking session that lasted several days. One night when 33.12 they were drunk, Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād exclaimed, “Shame on us. We haven’t prayed for three days. Let’s get up and perform the prayer.” “Yes,” they said. Muṭī ʿ stood up and gave the call for prayer, then stopped. He turned to the singing girl. “Come to the front and lead the prayer for us.” She came forward. She was not wearing drawers and she had a thin tunic on, so when she prostrated herself her private parts could be seen. Muṭī ʿ sprang forward to kiss them, and then he said: When she showed her pussy unwittingly, and it looked like a shaven pate; I bowed low and kissed it, as prayerful as a hermit. Laughing, they broke off their prayer and went back to what they had been doing. One day Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād sent a note to Muṭī ʿ: “I feel like a drink. If you’re 33.13 free, come to me. But if you’ve got fine wine and some good music, I’ll come to you.” The note arrived when Ḥammād al-Rāwiyah, Ḥakam al-Wādī, and a young boy were with him, so Muṭī ʿ replied: We’ve wine, Ḥammād, and our mainstay, our Wādī, And many other good things, but we won’t say no to more, We’re having loads of fun, which the pious ignore. If you want dissipation, we’ve got what you want;

343

343

‫� ز ا ة‬ ‫دير �ر ر�‬

‫أَ‬ ‫� �ْ �تَشْ���تَ هِ �غ�ُ� َل�ا �مً�ا‬ ‫و ��‬ ‫� ي� ْ‬ ‫�َم�ا نْ �� � �ٱ ��لت��َ ا ءٌ‬ ‫�إِ � �بِ هِ ِ و‬

‫ِ � نَْ نَا َا ُ‬ ‫ ���ف عِ� ��د �� �زِ �ي� د‬ ‫�عِ نَّا َ �َ ا � َ ا ُ‬ ‫ � �� �و�ل� بِ���ع� د‬

‫��ف �ل ّ ا ق أ �� �ق �ة ا �� ف ت ّ �ق ة‬ ‫�ه� ���م� �م او �ب �� يّ��� �ي ��و�م�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫� �م� � �ر ا لر��ع� �ص� ر �إ لي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا ��ف ن ي�ن�ن ا � �غ ا �ة‬ ‫��ق ا �� � ن �ز ا � ن � � ق ن ا �� �ف ا ن ة � غ�نّ ة ��ا ن‬ ‫��ض��‬ ‫�و � ل ي ي‬ ‫ح�ى ب�� �ي� د �ل�ه ا �� ��ط�ل�� ب���� �إ ل�ى ��ل� ��� ا�لم�� �ي �� �وك�� � �ي��ه� او �ه� �إ� � ب���� � م�� � ب‬ ‫ّٰ أ ن �ف �خ ا � �ف قأ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �� ن�� � ����ن�ه�ا � ����ئ�� ا �ل�م�ص��‬ ‫��ف��ل�ع��ّل�ك � ن� �ت��ص��‬ ‫ح� ��ع�ا ت���ه�ا‬ ‫� � او لله � �� ت�‪�� .‬د��ل� �إ �ل�ه�ا ��� ���� ي�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي� ب ل يى �ي ب �‬ ‫ب �ي � بوي � وب‬ ‫�س أ‬ ‫ا�� ت حف �ق ا � ي � ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ت ّٰ ن�أ ت � ف� �ق ا � � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫�و�م ��‬ ‫�س��� ا لله �� �م��ك‪� � �� .‬ل م�‬ ‫��س��ك � � ك‬ ‫ط�� ��س� ك�� ��� � �ل �ل�ه �م� ي� ك��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫ٌَّ َ‬ ‫�ي�ً�ا ��ل�ِ���نفْ���س� �� �َه�َ ا � ك‬ ‫� ن��ْ ت� �ُم�ْع��تِ ��ل��ة َ�ع��ل�ْ�ي� �َو�َم�ا �ز ا  ��ل �ُم � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ هِ �فِي� و ِ‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�هِ‬

‫‪١٤،٣٣‬‬

‫أ‬ ‫ف �ق �‬ ‫شّ � �ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ي�‬ ‫��ف�� �ج�ع‬ ‫ح�ى �م�ا ��ق�ا �ل�ه �و�‬ ‫ه��� �ل�ه �و��ا �ل �هي��ه ��� �ا �ل‬ ‫ب ي‬

‫ٱْ‬ ‫�فَ َ‬ ‫ُ� �َ تْ‬ ‫ٱَ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ��نَ�فْ� ُ��س�هُ � ��ل�غ�َ َ�د ا َ�ة � َ�د ا � ك‬ ‫�صِِ��ل�� �بْ� ن� �إِ �ي�ا ��سٍ  ج�ِ�ع�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��د ِ�عي��هِ �َو� او �‬ ‫�فِ ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف �ق ا � � �‬ ‫�ق � أ � �ذ‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ح�ى �ب�ا �ل�و��س�ا د ي�ج���ل��د �ب��ه�ا ر� ��س�ه �و��ا �ل � �ل�ه� ا د �ع� �وت��ك �ي�ا اب� ن� ا � �ل�ف �ا �ع��ل��‪.‬‬ ‫��� � �م �إ �لي��ه ي ي‬ ‫�ق � � أ �غ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق ا � ��ا ن ا � �ف ة �ق ن �ق ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل�ه اب� ن � � �ا �ل �ل�ه � � � ن‬ ‫�غ� �وك�‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�� �ل �وك�� � �ب� �ل��ك�و��� �م� �ي�� ��ي� � �ل �ل�ه � ب� ��و ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫� �ي‬ ‫�ص�� � ح��س�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ن �ز ا � ّ‬ ‫� � غ� ش ن ن�ز �‬ ‫شق ن‬ ‫���ا ن� �م ��� ن ا‬ ‫ا �ل ن��ا ��س �و�ج� �ه�ا �وك�‬ ‫ح�م�ا د ج�عرد �ي � �‬ ‫���و� �م�� �ل�ه �و��ي�ع���� ��و�‬ ‫ط�� ب�� �إ �ي� ��س �وي�ي�ى ب�� �ي� د �و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ز �ف أ‬ ‫ن � فع �ز أ � �أ �غ أ ن � ��‬ ‫ن � ا �ق‬ ‫� � �� �مً�ا �م� ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�� �ع��ل� � � ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ى ب� ن� �ي�ا د ��� �ه�د �ى‬ ‫ا ب����ه �و�ل� ��ي� �د ر�و� �ع�لي��ه ���ع �م � ب� ��و ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫�ص ب ي و ع ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ا ًا ف �خًا �فا�� ةً شح ًا ف �ق ا � أ � �أ‬ ‫نّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ��‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�غ� �ج��ل‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫��وا ر�ي�ه �إ �‬ ‫ح�ى �م� ا �ل�لي���ل �ج��دا ء �و �ج‬ ‫د�� �ج�� �و� ار �� �و�� �ك�ه�� �و��� ار �ب�‪� � ��� .‬ل � ب� ��و ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫�إ �لي��ه ي ي‬ ‫��ف � ّ ا ف غ ن � � �‬ ‫ح ن �ز ا � ن ن ا ��ف �أ �ص���ل �‬ ‫�ًا‬ ‫حوا �ل�ه �م�ا ي� ش���ت�‬ ‫ه��ه ‪� 1‬ل�م� �ر �م� ا �ل��ط‬ ‫��ع�ا �م �ل�م ي�ج���د ر�� �سو �ل� ��ي ب��ع ث�‬ ‫ي�ي�ى ب�� �ي� د ع��د �� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ّ‬ ‫�غ� ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه ��ل�ا �ت��ر� �إ ��ل�ا �وي�‬ ‫�غ� ��ق�ا �ل �ل��ل�غ��ل�ا �‬ ‫�ب�ه �إ �لي��ه ��س�و�ى ا ب�� ن��ه �‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ى �م�ع��ك‪��� .‬ل�م�ا �ج��ا ء ه � �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ �خ� � ه ت�ن َّ أ ن ت أ�غ � ق �� ا ��ف ن أ ا ��خل � ��ف ا �من � ه ��ف �ل ّ ا خ �� ه أ �غ ّ‬ ‫� د �ل� �و �‬ ‫�ص�� � �و د �ى‬ ‫� � ��� � �و ��ل�� ا لب�� ب� �إ� � � را د �ر�و�ج � �ع� ‪� � .‬م� د ���ل �إ لي�� � � ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫���ه �ل�� � ��ق‬ ‫ح� �ع ن ��ن �ف���س�ه ��ف�ا �مت��� �ث��ا �وره ي�‬ ‫ا ��ل ��س�ا ��ل��ة را �وده ي�‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ح�ل ت� ك‬ ‫�صر�ع�ه �ورا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ي� ش�������ب�ه�ه‪.‬‬ ‫‪ 1‬ك‬

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The Zurārah Monastery

If you desire a boy, we can let you have Ziyād— He’s not standoffish, from us he never turns away. When he read the note, he joined them, and they spent the rest of the day together. Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād suggested to Muṭī ʿ, “Let’s go and see so-and-so the 33.14 singer”—he was in love with her—“because we’ve had a quarrel, and perhaps you can make peace between us, though you’re a poor peacemaker, by God.” At her house, Yaḥyā started to reproach her while Muṭī ʿ kept silent. So Yaḥyā turned on him. “Why don’t you say anything, God stop your mouth?” So he said: You find excuses to annoy him, while he demeans himself with your love. Yaḥyā was delighted and said, “Go on.” Leave him and come to Ibn Iyās, who would give his life for you. At which Yaḥyā got up, seized the cushion, and beat him about the head with it, saying, “That’s not why I invited you, you bastard!”190 There was a dealer in singing girls in Kufa called Abū l-Aṣbagh who had a 33.15 very good-looking son, Aṣbagh. Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās, Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād, and Ḥammād

ʿAjrad used to visit his house frequently. They all wanted his son but couldn’t get anywhere with him. Abū l-Aṣbagh decided to invite Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād for a morning drink, because the evening before Yaḥyā had sent him kids, poultry, chickens, fruit, and wine. Abū l-Aṣbagh said to his slave girls, “Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād will be with us, so prepare what’s appropriate for him.” After he had dealt with the question of food, he couldn’t find anyone to send to Yaḥyā except his son Aṣbagh, and he instructed him, “Don’t come back without Yaḥyā.” When Aṣbagh reached the house, Yaḥyā said to his servant, “Let him in, leave him alone with me, and lock the door. And if Aṣbagh wants to leave, stop him.” When the boy arrived and delivered the message, Yayḥā tried to seduce him but he resisted. He threw himself on him and wrestled him to the ground. Then he tried to undo the cord of his drawers and couldn’t, so he cut it. When

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‫�ف أ �خ �ذ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫��� ��� �ه�ا‪� .‬و��ا �ل‬

‫ت‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ � ف ق �‬ ‫ح� ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا �ف غ �أ �ع ���ط�ا ه �أ ���ع�� ن‬ ‫��عه�ا ي�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �‬ ‫ي� د ��ي ن��ا را ك�‬ ‫ح ت� �م�ص�ل�ا ه‬ ‫�ل��ك ���� ��ط‬ ‫بر‬ ‫� يأى أ ر�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح�ى ا �م��� ��� �ن�ا �ع��ل�ى � ث�رك‪.‬‬ ‫�ل�ه ي ي‬ ‫ضِ‬ ‫فخ أ‬ ‫�ت�ز ّ ن �� ت�� خ�ّ ��ف خ � � ��‬ ‫�غ ت‬ ‫�غ� �م ن �ع ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ده‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�ر�ج � ب �‬ ‫و ل يى و�ج س ي ي � و ر‬ ‫ل ي � ي�ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫فأ‬ ‫قّ�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف ف �ق ا � � �� ف ��ص‬ ‫ح ت� ��فل��� ي�ج� ��ه �و�ش���خ‬ ‫ح�ا �ج� ب��ه ف����ق�ا �ل �ل�ه‬ ‫� �ب�� ��ن ��ف �ه �و�� ��ط ب� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ر �ى �م� �ه�و �ي��ه ��� � �ل �ل�ه ك�ي ��� � ب�� م ب‬ ‫أ �� ّ‬ ‫أ ت ت�ز ّ ت ت خّ أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ك �م�ا ��ل��ك �ن�ز ��ل �ع��لي���ك ا �� �لو�‬ ‫� را ك ��� � ن �و�� ب���‬ ‫�ر �ي� ن� �ع�ز �م ت� �ل��� ي�ج� ب��ه ف����ق�ا �ل �و�‬ ‫ح�ي� � �و ك���ل�مت���ك‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ � ا � ا �ق � �ف أ‬ ‫� ا أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ل� ��� � �ه� � �� �م� ئ � � ��س�ه �ل� �ل�‪�� .‬ا �ل ��� ا ك ��د ��ه� �ع��ل�ي�ن �ا ��م�ا‬ ‫�ك���ة � �و ب� ��و�� �ل��ك ��ا �ل‬ ‫ا�لم�ل� ئ���‬ ‫و و ي و� بر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ّ � تّ‬ ‫� تّ‬ ‫ط�ي��ه � ���ع�� ن‬ ‫�غ� ‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل � �� � ا ّٰلله ا ��ل��س�ا �ع��ة � � �ع ��� ت‬ ‫���� �نّ��ك ��ق�د ن‬ ‫�غ� ب� ن‬ ‫ت���ت ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫ب � ب ي� ب‬ ‫�ل��م ح�ى‬ ‫بر ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً � � أ ت‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫أ � � ن �ف ق ُ‬ ‫د ��ي ن��ا را‪�� .‬ق�ا �ل ��ف �إ� �ل�ى �ي� ن� ��مض���� ��ق�ا �ل �إ �ل�ى د �ع�و�ة � ب��ي��ه ف����ق�ا �ل �م ��‬ ‫ط�� ا �م �ر �ت�ه ��ط�ا ��لق� �إ � ��ا ر�ت���ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ أ أ‬ ‫ع � �ف ّ‬ ‫� � � ق� ّ��� � � ك ��ف�� ���د ا ه ي�‬ ‫ح�ى ��ل�ه ف����ق بّ���ل�ه‪ .‬ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه ك�‬ ‫��ي ��ف� ��ق�د ر ت� �ع�لي��ه �‬ ‫ح��د ��ي ث��ه �و��ق�ا �‬ ‫ح��د �ث�ه �‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و بل‬ ‫أ م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� �ن�ز � أ � �أ �غ �ف �أت � ��‬ ‫� ا ة ث ّ �قّ ا�‬ ‫ا ت � �ذ ن‬ ‫� ض‬ ‫�ص�� ‪�� �� .‬ب��ع�ه م�‬ ‫�يل��م���ي� �إ ل�ى �م� �ل �ب �ي� ا �ل��‬ ‫ط�� �و�صب� ر ��س� �ع�� ��م د � ا �لب�� ب� �و ��س�� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف�خ � ��ل ه ا ��ل �� �� ف� ��ق ا �� �� ه �نّه ا ��ل � � �ش غ� � ا � ت���ف ّ غ �� � ف�ت�� �ذ ��ق ا �� ��ف ا ���ع ث ��ل ّ‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�إ ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ر�ج �إ ي�� ر س�ول � � ل ل� �إ � ي ��وم ع��ل�ى �� ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� � أ � �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة ق � ا ًا ف�ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫د � او �و�ر ��ط� ��س� ‪ � 1‬ك‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�غ� �ب��ه� ه ا �ل�ب��ي��ا ت�‬ ‫��� ب� �م �� ي‬ ‫ع �إ �ل�ى �ب ��ي� ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َا أََا ٱ �ْ �أَ ْ َ �َ ا �ْ تَ َ َ‬ ‫��َّ �َ ا �� َ‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫�ع�ا ��ل��يٍ�ا �ُمْ�م��تِ � ��َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي� � �ب� � �ل��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ٍ ِ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫��صب�غِ��� �ل� �زِ �ل� َ�ع��ل�‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�شِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫عٍ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �تُ صِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫��� �ا ��� � ��َ‬ ‫�� �ي� ُر ��ي� ��ي� � � �لُود ك��م نْ� ‪������  ٢‬ط� � �لت���ك���ة �ق��ط‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫لأَ َ � َ �نِ �فِ‬ ‫ع أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حظ‬ ‫� ���� �قً ُ‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫�ض� ��َ‬ ‫�َ �و �ت �َم�ا ���ْ��شَت‬ ‫�ه� �ل�ا ��يَ��ْنتَ�هِ �ي  �خِ�ي ���ف ��ة � �ْو ِ� ف�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �� �ي‬ ‫َ ��‬ ‫َ ى ٱيْ أَ ِ ي�‬ ‫ْ ً خَ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ََ � �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫����َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ْصبَ��� �م����ل �‬ ‫��ِ�ي�ن �ا �‬ ‫ح��ت�ه  �م��س� ك‬ ‫�جِ �ل� ��د � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �لْو ت�ر�ى � �ل��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َُ ْ‬ ‫ٌ َ �َ ْ َ�ع ٌ َ َ ً َ َ َ َ�ق ْ‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫��صِ ��نَ��َ‬ ‫�َو��ل�ه دَ ���ف ���ف� �ع�ل��ي�هِ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جِ �ل  �ش��ب ���ق�ا ��س�ا ءَ ك �م�ا ��د �‬ ‫ََ أَ ً �قَ‬ ‫�فَ�ٱ ْ ُ �ٱ �ْ �أَ ْعَ �فَ�ٱ ْ ف ْ َ َ ُ‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫�حٍ�ا ��ِف�ظِ������َ‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل�ه  � سِ�� ��تر�ى � �ْم ا �بِ ي����‬ ‫��صب��� �� �عر�� �‬ ‫�� د �� ���‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع بِ ل �غِ ِ‬

‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و�رط�ا ��س‪   ٢ .‬ك‬

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The Zurārah Monastery

he’d finished, he took forty dinars from under a prayer carpet and gave them to the boy, who accepted them. Then he said to him, “Go back home. I’ll follow you.” After Aṣbagh left, Yaḥyā washed. He was sitting preening himself and per- 33.16 fuming himself with incense when Muṭī ʿ arrived. He noticed the state Yaḥyā was in and asked, “How are you this morning?” Yaḥyā didn’t answer but just turned up his nose and frowned. So Muṭī ʿ said, “I can see you’ve been grooming and perfuming yourself. Where are you off to?” He still didn’t answer, so Muṭī ʿ said, “What’s the matter with you, damn you? Have you received a revelation? Have the angels spoken to you? Have you become caliph and received the oath of allegiance?” Each time, Yaḥyā just gestured with his head to say no. “I see you’re too high and mighty to speak to us. You’re acting as though you’d fucked Aṣbagh.” “Yes, by God, that’s just what I’ve done, an hour ago. And I gave him forty dinars.” “And where are you going now?” “To his father’s house. He’s invited me.” Muṭī ʿ exclaimed, “May he divorce his wife if I leave you without kissing your dick.” Upon which Yaḥyā took it out and he kissed it. Then he asked, “How did you get the better of him?” So Yaḥyā told him the story. Then he got up to go to Abū l-Aṣbagh’s house. Muṭī ʿ followed him, waited for a while, and then knocked at the door to be let in. A servant came out and told him, “He’s busy today and has no time for you. Please excuse him.” Muṭī ʿ asked for a piece of parchment and an inkwell and wrote these verses to Abū l-Aṣbagh: Abū l-Aṣbagh, may you always enjoy honor and respect, And not treat me, your friend, as the villain who cut the cord, Doing what he wanted, unrestrained by fear or deference to any right. Had you seen Aṣbagh prostrate beneath him, submissive and ashamed, And him, goatishly screwing him, the sight would have shocked you. Call Aṣbagh, ask him what happened: you’ll hear a disgusting tale.

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‫� ز ا ة‬ ‫دير �ر ر�‬

‫�‬ ‫ف �ق ا � أ � �أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �ن ة �ق � � ا ف‬ ‫�غ� �يل�� ف � ت‬ ‫��رب� ب��ي��ده �إ ��ل�ى ت���‬ ‫�ك���ة ا ب�� ن��ه‬ ‫�ه�ا �ي�ا اب� ن� ا �ل�ز ا �ي��� ��ا �ل �ل� �� ض�‬ ‫ح�ى ���ع�ل �‬ ‫��� � �ل � ب� ��و ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫�ص� ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن � ��ذ � � ن‬ ‫�ف � � ا � �ق ��� �ة ��ف �أ� �ق ن � ا �� ف�ل� ض����� �ة ف� ��ق ا �� ي� �ق‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫���ا � �و��س��عى �إ �لي���ك �م ��‬ ‫ح�ى ��د ك�� � ا �ل� ي� ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫��و�ج �د�ه� م�ط�و�ع� � �ي��� ب� يح� � � ل ي‬ ‫� ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫نأ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫اب� ن ا ��ل�ز ا ��ن ���ة‪� � .‬ه��ذ ا اب� ن�� � �ه� � �ف ه �م ن ا �� ن���ك � � ��ا � �ه� �ع �� اب� ن �ع ����� � ا �� ن���ك � � ��ط ّ اب� ن‬ ‫� ي و‬ ‫و و و بري� � بر ي و ب‬ ‫� وو ر � ب‬ ‫ب �ي� �‬ ‫ن ش يً �ا ن � ّ �ة � ت ن� تُّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ن ��ق � ت � � ن ا ن � ��‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ن � ��� ّ‬ ‫ح�د�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط���ة‪ .‬ف� ن���ك اب� ��� �ع��� ار � ك�‬ ‫��� ا ب����ك ���ك�و� �د برح� ا �ل�د �� ��ي ر �و�ل�ل� او �‬ ‫م�� � ا�ل�مر ا �ل ��� � ك‬ ‫ب ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ش �ة �ف ض ي أ � �أ‬ ‫�غ� � ��ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ا�� ن��ه �ه�ا ت� ا ��ل��د �ن�ا �ن�� ��ا � ن ا �� �ل�ف �ا �ع��ل��ة �ف �م� ��ه�ا ��ل��ه � ��ق� �ا‬ ‫�ع��� ‪� ����� .‬‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ص� و‬ ‫ح�ك � ب� ��و ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫ير ي ب �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أ رى ب � �إ ي و ٰم‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ � ا خ � �� � ن ��ل�ز ��ن �ة ف� �ق ا �� � � � �غ � ه ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�� ًل�ا‪� ��� .‬ا �ل ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫�ص�� �و�ج �وا ر�ي� � او لله‬ ‫ح�ى � او لله �ل� د ���ل م� ي‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع اب � ا ا ي�� �� � ل � ب ��و ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫� �خ ّ � ف �ق �ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ّ � ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ل��د ���ل ن �ل�ي�ن �ا ��� �د ����� ن ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ى ي�����م�ه ب� �ك�ل �ل��س� �‬ ‫ح��‪ �� .‬د ���ل �و�ج���ل��س ي����رب� �م� �‬ ‫ي � �إ‬ ‫عه�م �وي ي‬ ‫� ���ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�� ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ك‪.‬‬ ‫�و�م �� ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�خ ف‬ ‫�ل �� � � �خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ب��ا ر ك�‬ ‫����ي�ر�ة ��ط �ر��ف �� �من�� �م ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫ير د�ه�ا ��و�� ا �لإ� ��ط�ا �ل�� �و�م�ا �ت��د � �‬ ‫�وم ي‬ ‫عو �إ �لي��ه �م�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف �ذ‬ ‫ّ �ف‬ ‫ا �ل�م�ل�ا ��ل��ة‪� .‬و��ل�ه �ش���عر�‬ ‫� � �و�يت�غ�� ن��ى ��� �ش���عره ��م ن ��ل��ك �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫ح��س ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ هٍا � �ِ � ْ َ َ ْ ُت نَا �َ ْ َ� َّ ٱ ْ�ث َ � َّ‬ ‫��صِ ��َ�ل�َ‬ ‫�ف�ا‬ ‫ح�تى � �ن� ن��ى �ل�ي� بِ� ��ُود ِه �‬ ‫ظ��� ر�ج��و �� ���ه  ‬ ‫� او �� � لِ� ��� ب‬ ‫� َ �ئِ ل َ َ َ ُ ِْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫يٍ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�َ ا نَ تْ َ‬ ‫حتّ �إِ�ذ ��ق � تُ � � تُ هُ �نْ َ‬ ‫�صَ �َ‬ ‫��ف�ا‬ ‫حَ ا �ش�� � ��ل� �َ �و ���ط�م�َعنِ��ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫�ل���� و ِ�ي ِي‬ ‫�ق ا � أ ض ً � ف �غ‬ ‫���ا �و�ل�ه �ي��ه � ن��ا ء‬ ‫�و�� �ل � �ي��‬

‫َ�خ � �ُ�م ْ ٌ أَ�بِ َ ُ مِ َّ �غِ ً َ �غِ َ‬ ‫��خ�ِ� �لف� � �� �د ا  ي��� ن��ي� نِ��� �� �د ا �ف��� �د ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�ل��ي��ل��‬ ‫َ��َ�ذ �َ اي َ ْ قَ‬ ‫َ َ ْ ِ يَ �غَ َ ْ َ �غِ‬ ‫أَ�بِ َ‬ ‫� بو����ع�د � ٍ�د � بو���ع�د �� �دٍ  ك� ا �ل� ��ي����ن� ضِ���� � �� �د ا‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ْ ُ ٱ �ْ غَ ضَ ا أَ نْ َ ْ قَ ٱ �ْ َ َ‬ ‫�َ ��لَ��ْ��َ �� َل�ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫��� � � ي�‬ ‫�ِب��د ا‬ ‫حر�� � �ل ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ج ���مر � �ل  �‍���‬ ‫ب‬ ‫وي س بِ ِ ثٍ‬ ‫ِ‬

‫� �ش���عره �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫�و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ا ْ�خ���َل�ْ �ذ ا َ َ � � �� َ َ � َ � شْ َ ْ �ُم�َ ِّ ��قَ �ةَ ٱ � �َّ �نَا‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ع ٱِ�عْ� رك �فِ�ي� ل� �هوى �وٱ ْ���رب� ع���ت � �ٱ �ْل�د � نِ�‬ ‫� َ ا نَ �ُ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ج�ا ��هِ� ًا   ��فَ�� ��ل�َع��ْ ش��ُ �� �َ �ْ�ص� � �� �ل َ��ا‬ ‫��� � � �ل�قِ� ي�� � �م‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫�و�صِ ِل‬ ‫ي � �فِي�َ ٱ �ْوُ ِل �قِ ي نِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�َ ا �ُ �ْ �يِ نَّ� َ �غ� ْ ُ َ ا َت ْ َ� ��فِ ن � �ل�ع ْ َ �َ‬ ‫�ف�ا �نِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل� �ي�ل�هِ � ��ك ���ير ��م�  �� �هوى �إِ� � ���مر ي�‬

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‫‪١٧،٣٣‬‬

‫‪١٨،٣٣‬‬

The Zurārah Monastery

Abū l-Aṣbagh asked Yaḥyā, “Did you do this, you son of a bitch?” “No.” 33.17 So Abū l-Aṣbagh felt the cord of his son’s drawers, found it was cut, and realized they had been disgraced. Then Yaḥyā said, “What’s happened has happened. Muṭī ʿ, that bastard, has told on me. Here’s my son, who’s fresher than yours. He and I are Arabs son of Arabs, while your son’s a Nabatean, son of a Nabatean mother. Fuck my son ten times for the one time I fucked your son, and you’ll have won the dinars and the ten fucks for the price of one.” Abū l-Aṣbagh laughed and said to his son, “Give me the dinars, you son of a bitch.” The boy gave them to him and got up to go, ashamed. Yaḥyā begged, “Don’t allow Muṭī ʿ in.” But Abū l-Aṣbagh and his slave girls protested, “Let him come in. He’s given us good advice.” So he was invited in and sat drinking with them while Yaḥyā cursed him, calling him every name he could think of, and he just laughed.191 There are many entertaining stories about Muṭī ʿ, which have not been 33.18 included because they would go on too long and might bore the reader. He has excellent, beautiful poetry, some of it set to music. Here is one poem: Alas for a gazelle whom I hoped to possess; when he seemed to be slightly friendly, The affection he showed led me to hope, but just when I thought I’d caught him, he scarpered. This poem has a setting: My love is always putting me off: tomorrow, she says, and tomorrow, The day after, the day after, the day after, on and on forever. The embers of her refusal will soon sear my heart and liver. And here is another fine poem of his: Throw shame to the winds, make love, drink mature, full-bodied wine, Spend time with singing girls, don’t try to hide, that’s what living’s about. Don’t let anything deflect you, for life passes all too quickly.

349

349

‫� ز ا ة‬ ‫دير �ر ر�‬

‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن � ��‬ ‫�ا ن �ة � ن ً �ذ� ق ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ط�� ��ي ب�غ�� ض�� � ��ا ه �و���جه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك�� � م‬ ‫��وه �و�ه�و �م ن� ب� ��ي� ك��ن�� �� �وك‬ ‫���ا � �ي ��و�م�ا �ي�� ك��ر �ب��ا �ئ��ل �ر� ش��� � او �ل�عرب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫حض� �ف � ن ن �‬ ‫�ا ن ة ف �ق ا � �غ �مت ّ �ف � � ن‬ ‫� �و��ص�ف� �ق��و�م�ا �ق��و�م�ا ف����ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ه ب���ع ض�� �م ن �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��ر ��ي�� ب�� ��و ك��ن� ��� ��� � �ل ��ي�ر ��م��ه�ل �ب �� �ل��س ��ط��ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ن ن �‬ ‫أ �ق � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫يح �‬ ‫��س�و� ا �لرك��و ب�‪ � .‬را د ��و�ل ا �ل���� �عر‬ ‫�حِ �َقٌ � نْ‬ ‫� � �ل� ِم�‬

‫�� َ ا �نَ�ةَ َ� ْ ��ل � � �َ ْ �� � نَ‬ ‫َنِ‬ ‫ب� ��ي� ِك���ن� � �‬ ‫حوِ��ي بِ��فِ�ل��� طِ‬ ‫س��ي�‬

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‫ُ ْ ُ نَ ٱ � ُ ُ‬ ‫�� �َ�ا‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح���سِ ن��و� � �ل ّر وب�‬

‫‪١٩،٣٣‬‬

The Zurārah Monastery

Muṭī ʿ hated his father and composed lampoons on him. He belonged to 33.19 the Banū Kinānah. One day he was talking about Quraysh and the other Arab tribes, mentioning them one by one, and someone present asked him, “What about Banū Kinānah?” He answered straight off, “In Palestine, swift mounted horsemen.” He was alluding to what the poet said: Around me a circle of Banū Kinānah— in Palestine, swift mounted horsemen.192

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‫�عُ���م ���م � �� �ن�ا ن‬ ‫ر ر يو �‬ ‫ُ�ع � ��ث � �ق ّا ا ت � ا ن‬ ‫� ��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل�ُع�م ��ا ��ل����نأ��ا �ع�� ا �� �ف�ل ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س ن� ك���ي�ر ا � �ل �ل� �ي� � � او �لر�هب�� � �و�ع��لي��ه ��س�ور‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫ر ب ب ر ل�ى ر‬ ‫�م� � �ن ا �ف ��ا �ل�‬ ‫� ن � ه �ل ا�‬ ‫ا �ق ه � ا �خ� � � ن ا � ت �ن�زّ ن ا �ل�مت�ظ �� ّ ��ف ن ه�‬ ‫� ك��‬ ‫�ه�و ك�� ح��ص� �ل� � او�ج�� �م� �م�ل� �ص� � ‪� .‬و�ل� ي �ل�و م� �لم�� �ه��ي� �و �� ر�ي�� �و�ل�‬ ‫ح� ا �لب� � ء �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ئ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ن ��ا �ل ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح��س ن � �من �ظ� �� �‬ ‫ظ� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�س�م�ا ��� � �ي�ا � ا �لر���� �ل��� ��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ر��ه �و��س�ا �ر � را ��ض�ي �ه ت���ك�و� ك�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح�لل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ ي‬ ‫��� ر � و ر �ج�ي ب أي ي م ب ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ك��ثر�ة ���ط ا ��ئ�ف� �ز �ه ه �وف� ن�� ن� � �ن�� ا ره‪� .‬و�م ن ا �ج� ت��ا �ز ��ا ��ل����ن ب��ا ر �م ن ا ���خل‬ ‫��ل��‬ ‫��� �ل�ف �ا ء �و�َم ن� د �و�ن��ه� �ي��ن�ز ��ل�ه‬ ‫ر و و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ�� ت ��ف أ ش ا ا ��ل���ل ن ن ا ��لض���ّ‬ ‫ح�ا ك ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�م�د �ة �م��ق�ا �م�ه‪� .‬و��ق�د �و�ص��ف ت��ه ا �ل ش����ع ار ء �و ك� �ر�ه �� � ����ع� ر�ه�‪� .‬وح��س��ي� ب�� �‬ ‫ي‬

‫‪١،٣٤‬‬

‫آ�ذَ َ َ ٱ � َّ قُ ُ ٱ �ْ فَ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫َ ���غِ َّ َ �ٱ �� َّا ُ � �ٱ ��ْل�ُ�عْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫نى�ا ��� �� ��� � �ل‬ ‫ن�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ِ ‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ر و ر ر هِ ب� �فِ�ي�‬ ‫� ��ك � �ل� � و س ب‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�تَ ضْ َ � ُ َ نْ ُ ْ َ َ نْ ُ �فْ‬ ‫َٱ َّ ��� َ َ ْت َ ْ �نَ ا َ � َ ْ ضَ‬ ‫ح�ك �ع �‬ ‫����ةٍ  ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و طرد � �ع�ي � ك �فِ�ي� ر �و�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ْ ْ ٍر � ِر‬ ‫َ َ َّ �َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ ا َ ت ��� ُ َ �قِ ْ‬ ‫�ْ��خُ ٌ ��لَ ���خِ ْ‬ ‫حن‬ ‫م‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هِ ‬ ‫�م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ور ى‬ ‫س �‬ ‫�فَٱ ْ�غَ� ْ َ ٱ � َّ �إِ �َ َ َِر َ ْ�غَ ْ َِ ٱْ�َْ �َى ٱ � نّ َْ‬ ‫نْ � شْ ا ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫مو ت �‬ ‫�� ر� ب� �ع نِ� � �ل ��وِ�م �إِ ل�ى ��� ِ�بر��ه�   �ر� ب� �ع نِ� � �ل � ِ‬ ‫� �إِ ل�ى � �ل�����ِر‬

‫�‬ ‫� ش����ا �ج�� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�و� ك‬ ‫م‬

‫َ ٱْ َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ح� ��ل� � ��ل��أ��نْ�َ�ب�ا ِ �تَشْ���َ� � ��ل َّا َ� �� �شَ��َ��ا � � ��لنّ�َ�َه�ا‬ ‫ا ��ْ�غ ُ�د �َ�ا � َ ا �‬ ‫ربِ رح �فِْي� ب بِ َ � ِر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫��ص� ِ ِب ي� �إِ ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ َ َّ ٱ � ُ ُ‬ ‫َٱ ْ ُ ٱ �ْ ُ ْ َ �ٱ � َّ �ذَ �ذَ َٱ �ْقَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫��ك�ؤ � �� �َ � ��ل��أ�ْ ��‍ت َ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و �ع���مِر ل��ع�مر �بِ� �ل�ل� ا �ةِ � �و �ل��‬ ‫�ص  �‍�فِ� �وح� � ل� و سِ و و ِر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �نَْ َ َٱ�زْ َ‬ ‫ِ ��‬ ‫�َ ا ��ِ تَ � �ٱ ����دَّ ْ� َ �قِ ْ�د �أ �تَا َ � َ �ْ‬ ‫�هٍ �ط��ل� ��َ�ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م� ��رى ل هر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب و�ةٍ َو ِور ِر‬ ‫بِ و‬ ‫َ ِ قٍ�ُ ب�َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ ا ًا �ُ �َّةً � نَ ل�زّ ْ‬ ‫��ا نَ تْ‬ ‫�ى �م‬ ‫�   ��ق ْ‬ ‫��ص�ا‬ ‫ح�ُ ���بِ ��ة �ع � �ل��� ْ�� َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫�ل�بِ���س� �ح�ل�� ِم� � � � ر‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫�ل �ج و‬ ‫�ٱ �ْ ُ ُ ��يِ ْ �قُ ُ ِ َ ْ َ ْ َ ُ ْ �غِ ْ ْ نَِ أَ ْ �ذَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��نِ‬ ‫�� ْر���ٌ ك���� �ل�عي ��و� �� ر� ب� �م ن� �ي��ه‍  ‍� او ه �ِم ن� �� �ي�ر ر��قب���ةٍ � �و �‬ ‫�حِ � ا ِر‬ ‫ِ ِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�جِ س‬

‫‪352‬‬

‫‪352‬‬

‫‪٢،٣٤‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Yawnān

This monastery, which lies on the Euphrates at al-Anbār, is a large and beauti-

34.1

ful building with many cells and monks, surrounded by a thick wall so it looks like a fortress. The mosque abuts it. Many people come to visit it on outings or in search of pleasure. The surrounding area is lovely and presents a wonderful sight, especially in spring, when, because of the myriad flowers and blossoms, the steppe and the rest of the land round it look like decorated robes. Caliphs and lesser notables who have to pass through al-Anbār put up there for the length of their stay. It has been mentioned and described by poets, for instance in these verses by al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk: The clappers at dawn and the monks’ chant in the convent have called you to prayer. You’ve let your eyes stray over meadows, joyful in yellow and red; A tipsy man’s longed for his wine, and the cup’s come just as he wanted. So turn from sleep to drain it, and you’ll turn from death back to life. Kushājim has this poem on it:

34.2

Let’s go to Anbār to drink wine in the youthful hours of the day; Let’s furnish the convent with delights, revelry, drinking, and songs. See! Fate comes toward us bright-faced, after haughty aversion, Clad in a robe of flowers hidden from view until now. Narcissi like bold eyes watch the beloved without precaution,

353

353

‫ن ن‬ ‫�ع�مر �مر �ي �� �و�ا �‬

‫َ‬ ‫�َ �إِ�ذَ ا َ ا ��بِ َ ا �ٱ ��ل شَّ � َ ا � قُ َ ا �َ �َ ُ ٱ � ّ‬ ‫َ�ا ����� ظِ ُ نَ شُ ْ ةَ نَا‬ ‫�ه�  �‬ ‫و ��م� � �د ����‬ ‫�خ�ا �ل�ه � �ل��ن‬ ‫�ر�و� �����ع��ل�� �� ِر‬ ‫�ق� ئِ ��� �فِ� ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��فِ‬ ‫��جِ َّ‬ ‫أَ ْ َ َ ا نُشَّ َ ْت َ �َا ُ � ْ ٌ �‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك�م� �ْ���ر� �م ���ط� ِرد ح�مر  َِ�ل�� مِ���م�ي ٍر �فِ�ي� ج��ح� �ٍل � ر ِر‬ ‫� �و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ �ُ‬ ‫ُ�خ �ُ � ََ‬ ‫َ َ � نّ � ��ل��بِ ن ��ف��َ�� َ �� غَ ضَّ � َ‬ ‫��قْر�� ��� ��د �ود � �جل‬ ‫�ه�ا  � ث�ر � � �ل�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫��وا ِر�ي�‬ ‫�وك� �‬ ‫� � ل����� �فِ ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ ِ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫نُ �َّ � َ ْ ٱْ�َ�ذَ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫���خ � � � ّ‬ ‫���� �ل ��َ ا � ت‬ ‫ل����سَ�م�ا �� ّ � �ه�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫� ������ظ�م ت� �فِ��ي� � �لم� ا ِر�ي�‬ ‫�ئِيَ� �فِ ي�‬ ‫� �و���تر�ى َ� ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�قِ�ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ َ َ َ َ َ ْ تُ�خُ ُ � تَ‬ ‫َ َ �أ نَّ ٱ �ْ َ �ْ ثُ َ �ُ �ّ ةُ َ �ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫يٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�و� �و� َ �ج ِر‬ ‫�وك� � � �لم�ن ��ور �ح�ل�� �وٰ � ِ ��ث �‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� تْ َ ��ْ نَ ِّ قَ تْ‬ ‫� �َ � ْ���شَ َ ا �يِ ُ � � ْ �َا‬ ‫� َرا � ��ل َّر�����ي� ِ�‬ ‫حي� ك‬ ‫�فِ��ي ��� طِ‬ ‫�ه� �� �د � �ل��م���ط� ِر‬ ‫��� �و�ل كِ��ن�   ����م�� و ي �‬ ‫�قَُ ٌ �زِ بِ ِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أُ ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ َ نٌ َ‬ ‫�ان َ َ‬ ‫ح َ نُ � ��ل نّ�   �َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫�ٌ �ُم���نِ ْ�م���نِ �ٌم �َم�ْ ��َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫‍    ‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ح‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بِ� ِر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر و ��شِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�فَٱ �غْو�تِ ِ ْ َ ةَوٱ � َّ� َ �َ ْو ِٱ �فْ َت ْيح �َ�ذَّ �ةَ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� � � �� ْ ����غ���ف��ل�� � �ل�ز ��م�ا � �َ ��ا د  �َ � ��� �� �ل�� � �ل��ل��ي�ا �ل� � � �ل�� َ ا‬ ‫��ص� ِر‬ ‫�نِ م‬ ‫نِ وب ِ ر و ِر ص‬ ‫ِي� قِ‬

‫��ش ا � أ ا �� �ف ت ��م ن ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق ق �� ��‬ ‫� ن ��‬ ‫ل��ا ��ت �م���ل� ا ��ل ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط�� �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��س ن ا �ل�و�ص�ف� ��ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�وك����� �ج � � ب� ��و ل���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ي‬ ‫� ح�م�ود ب�� ا ي�‬ ‫ر ري أ� بع �‬ ‫�ف ح‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ت ث م أ ح �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�� ب� ك�‬ ‫����ي�ر�ة � �وت�� ��لي ���ف �ا ت� ��ط �ر��ف ��ة‪�� .‬م ن �ش���عره ��� ب���ع ض�� �م ن� ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �ي�� � �ل�ف �ه �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫َ نْ َ � نْ �ذَ َ� ْ َ َ �أ َ َّ ضَ ٱ �ْ�قَ �ْ َ � �أَ ْ َ ا ٱ � ََّفْ‬ ‫� � �لت��� �ل�‬ ‫�َم� �ع��ذِ ����يِر ي� �ِم� ِ�ع� ا رى ر����ش�ٍ ‪�    1‬عر��� � � �ل �ل ب� ِ�ل���سب�� بِ‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ ا �خِ َّ ْ َ َ َ ٱ � ِّ َ فْ‬ ‫��ق �مِ ٌ َ َ َ‬ ‫حُ ْ��س ���‬ ‫�ج�ا ��ل ��ن�عِ� ��ُم � �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ��م� ِء �‬ ‫�� ر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �د �ي�هِ �ع��ل�ى ��م�ا ِء � �ل���تر��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ذَ � ِ ّنِِ � �فِ ُ َ ْ نَقُ ٱ �ْ �عِ�زَّ �أَ ْ َا ٱ � ِّ َ فْ‬ ‫َ �َ ُ � ِ ّ �ُ‬ ‫�و�ل�ه �‬ ‫�خ ��ط �عِ� � ا ر �‬ ‫�خ���ط�ه  ر�و� ��� � �ل�� �بِ� ��ق�ل�ِ�م � �ل�����شر��‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� َ � ْ �ُ �زْ َ ّ � نَفْ‬ ‫َ �قِ ْ ُ � َ �ز ْ‬ ‫�مِ ة‬ ‫ح ك�‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫��ج �‬ ‫�را �زٍ �ل� ي�‬ ‫��� �� ��ي� �نِ��ْ��ع�م��ةٍ � �د ����طر ت�   �بِ���� طِ‬ ‫ح��د � �ل ش������‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� ُ �ن ِ َ � فْ‬ ‫َ ا ْ� �ذ‬ ‫���جِ َّ شَ ا ��خِ ّ ْ � ُ َّ ��نْ�َ ِ �� � َ‬ ‫ح َ��س نَ� ا ك � �ل�م� ��ع�� �‬ ‫��ط��ف�ا  � ِه �م� �‬ ‫� �م���� � �د ���ي�هِ ���ث�م � ع�‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫ٱ َّ‬ ‫ٱ � َّ‬ ‫َ ا �جِ �َ ُ أَ �ِّ‬ ‫َ ا َ َ �َ ْ فََ ِ فْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��عِ ��ل�َ � �ل ش����ْ��عُر � ��ل�� �ي� ��ع� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ل�ه  � ��ن�ه �‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ح� ر �ع�ل��ي�هِ ���و����ق�‬ ‫�ذِ‬ ‫�ِ ِْم‬ ‫ُ َت فٌ ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ �تَّ َ َّ َٱ � َّ َ فْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫هَو �فِ��ي� �و����ق���تِ �هِ ���م��ع��ِر��   �بِ� �ل�ت ن�� هِ��ي� �فِ��ي� � �ل��ع�د �ي� � �و �ل��سر��‬ ‫�ف� �‬

‫أ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ر ش����ا ءٍ‪.‬‬

‫‪354‬‬

‫‪354‬‬

‫‪٣،٣٤‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Yawnān

The anemones when they bloom flash like fire, Or red javelins deployed for a commander’s mighty host. The tender violets recall the mark of love bites on slave girls’ cheeks, The blue lavender flowers are sapphires threaded on the prongs of a flail, Wallflowers are brocade cloth such as merchants keep in their chests, Woven on the looms of spring but cuffed by the hand of the rains. Chamomile and lilies with lovely flowers, wormwood stippled with daisies— Hurry while fate’s distracted, drink to the lees the pleasures of nights all too brief. Kushājim’s name was Abū l-Fatḥ Maḥmūd ibn al-Ḥusayn. He was a secretary and a good poet, sensitive and gifted in description. He wrote many books, some of them remarkable. Here is a poem of his about someone he loved: Who’ll excuse me for the down on a fawn’s cheeks, exposing my heart to ruin, A moon whose fresh face with its graceful beauty floats on pure luxury. With a noble pen, majesty’s splendor has traced his mustache’s fine line, An embroidered epigram of grace; it’s not reached the scroll of the ears. It burdens his cheeks, then curves— ah, what a lovely curve! The hair has grown swiftly but knows it’s wronged him and stopped— And, stopping, admits it’s gone too far and committed many a fault.

355

355

34.3

‫� �ف �ف ة‬ ‫عود ‪1‬‬ ‫�و�ل�ه ��ي� �ص� �� � �‬

‫� �ف‬ ‫�و�ل�ه ��ي�‬

‫ن ن‬ ‫�ع�مر �مر �ي �� �و�ا �‬

‫َ �أَ نَّ �نَ ْ َ َ ُ َ ْ ُت �فِ َ ا تَشْ ُ‬ ‫� َ قَ �فَتَ‬ ‫َ ْ ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج��ا ءَ ت� بِ��� �عودٍ ك� � �����غ�مت��ه  � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صو�ََ � �� �ةٍ ���� و فِر � ى‬ ‫�ُمَ ِّ ف ٌ ِ فَّ ت ٱ � نُّفُ ُ‬ ‫َ �أ نّ�َ ا ٱ �ل�زَّ ْ ُ َ‬ ‫حْ ��لَ�هُ ن��َ��بِ تَ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح����ف� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ح� ِ � �ل � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ٱ ��وْ سََ �بِ‬ ‫ْ َ ٱ �خْ َ ٱ �ْرَ �فَّ ْو ُ َّ َ تَ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� تَ���ل�ف� تْ  �مث�� � � ت�� �ا � � ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ َ ْت َ َا‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫� � �ل���ك �ي� نِ� ���ب� ك��‬ ‫� ِ �ل ِ ل‬ ‫د ا ر� �م�ل� �ِ �وي�هِ فِ�ي��هِ � �و‬ ‫فِ‬ ‫�َ �حِ َّ َ‬ ‫ٱ َْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���ْ�ت�هُ �َ َ ا ءَ �ُ�منْ�� �ٍ  َ�ع��َ ����بِ ���ي�د ��ل��َ‬ ‫ع�ا �َ� �َ � ��لت���فِ� تَ��ا‬ ‫� �لو �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� رك ور َ� �هِ�زِ م ُ�ى ِر ٍ ج و‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َا ُ ْ َ َ ْ تَ َ َ‬ ‫��� نَّ ُ�هَ ا  �أ �ْ‬ ‫�� ��نْ�َع�� ��ِ��تَ ا �َ�س��لتَ��ا‬ ‫�ي� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ختَ��ا نِ� ��ي� � صِ‬ ‫�صو����ْي�ِه�م�ا ك�� ��� �م�‬ ‫ح��س ن� � �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ةٍ‬ ‫عِ ْ َ َ�فِ ْ ُ َ ُ ُ نْ َ َتَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ َ ُ ن َ‬ ‫�� تْ  �� ن َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫�َو�ه�َو �ع��ل� ا ��ي ن��و ب� �إِ � ��س ك‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�ع��ن�ه ��ي ن��و ب� �إِ � ��س ك��‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬

‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ل��ك‬

‫َ َّ‬ ‫عِ تَ ْ نُ عِ َ ُ ِ‬ ‫�َهُ �زَ ���جِ � ٌ َ ا �� َ �َ ْ َ �َهُ �سِ��� ْ ُ‬ ‫�َو�ُم ْ����س مِ� �� ��ةٍ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح ��و �� ��ل�ى �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ٍُ ْوي س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ َ ا تَ�أَ ِّ ْ تَ ٱ �ْلَ شَ‬ ‫�ْ ُ‬ ‫�ْ �تِ هُ �تَ ��ضِ َّ نَ ْ �بٍا َ ْ َ ���من����خِ �قٌ �ْ ُ‬ ‫ا ��م� �� ��م��ل� � �‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِر� ٱ ْ ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ ُ �نَ ��غِ ٌ ُ فْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ ثُ‬ ‫�َ ْ ُ‬ ‫� نَ � نْ‬ ‫� �َ��ا �تُ ���ْ�ف�� � َ ا َ ا � ��خل‬ ‫�كَّ ���َ‬ ‫س�ا �ِ��م�ٍ �إِ ��ل�ى �‬ ‫�ل�ه ��� �م ��ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‪٢‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫����ش� ِر�ِب��ه� ���مر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ضِ‬ ‫ِ�ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ضِ‬ ‫ي ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ �ِ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ �� َ �قَ ْ ُ � � َ‬ ‫َ� � ْ����س �م نْ ���س َ ا � �لن�� ْ�حُ �َ � �� ِّ ْ ُ‬ ‫ا ��طِ‬ ‫�ر���ت�ه �بِ�� �ل� �ن�ا ��مِ�‬ ‫���م�ِل � �و �ل���ت�ق��ى ع��ل�ى �جِ ِ�م�هِ ِ � �جِ ِ�م�ه� � ر و ل�‬ ‫��ص�د ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ َ � ًَا �فِ � ��ْ�ست� ض�� َ � َ � �ّ ْ َ ْ‬ ‫�َ ُ َ �ف ّ تْ‬ ‫ْ تُ � َ � �� َّ ْ ُ‬ ‫� ُ�عَ �ى � ��ل���ْ�سَ��ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ب��ك�ى ���طِ‬ ‫�ر�ب� � �‬ ‫حوه  �و���ض‬ ‫� � �و ��س�ِ�ل ب� ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�صب��ر‬ ‫ح�ك � �ل� �‬ ‫هو‬ ‫ب‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫��فِ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫���خِ ْ ُ ٱ � َّ تُّ َ � ��ل�َ ْ ُ‬ ‫ت�ْ���منَ��ُ هُ �ٱ �ل�ُ��ي�م ن � َ ا � ا �� ��م ِّ‬ ‫ح �مِ‬ ‫��ص�ل�ا  ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫��ش‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��س‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫سو‬ ‫�و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ٱ �ْ �لْ فِي �َّهِ أَ‬ ‫ٱ ُّى ِ ْ أبَ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �ُ ا ن ِ � َ �‬ ‫��فِ ُ تّ �صِ َ �‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� � ْ �� َ‬ ‫� �َم�ْ�يتَ���ةٍ �َو�َم�ا � ل‬ ‫� �م� �‬ ‫�� ِر��ي� � �ل��سكِر ��ط‬ ‫�حِ �ل� �إِ �ل� � � ي������س�ف�ه��ك � �ل��سك�ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬

‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫قف‬ ‫م�� ‪  ٢ .‬ال�أ�ص� ‪ :‬ن��ع���ص�� ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ت ف�‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال� �ص�ل‪ ����( :‬ع��لى و�ص� ا �ل�عود) ورد � ي� ا ��ل�ه�ا � �‬ ‫ل‬

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‫‪356‬‬

‫‪٤،٣٤‬‬

‫‪٥،٣٤‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Yawnān

Here is a poem of his on a lute:193

34.4

She came with a lute whose song was of a girl lamenting separation, Well wrapped, with hearts around it, like a flower in a garden of plants. She turned the pegs and they argued, as two hands twined together will. A fugitive on a swift horse would stop and listen if he heard her playing. Singer and lute, how lovely their voices, like sisters communing in their art. If she’s silent, it takes her place, and if it’s silent, she gives voice. And another poem on this theme:

34.5

A singer bows over a chanter, loud-voiced but without magic. Look inside and you think it’s solid, but in fact it’s hollow and void. Its melody transports the listener to a place beyond wine. If her fingers pluck it and their bodies meet, its neck on her breast, It weeps for joy, summoning pleasure to laugh, And friends forget friends, all patience gone. Her right hand explores all the notes of the scale And I die, felled by drink— an excellent death; True wisdom dictates that drink makes men fools.

357

357

‫ن ن‬ ‫�ع�مر �مر �ي �� �و�ا �‬

‫� �ش���عره‬ ‫�و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َقُ �ُ نَ تُ ْ ٱ َ‬ ‫�� ��ُ � �َ �أ�غ�ْ َ َ َ ْ ُت � �ل�َثَا � َ � �ل�َثَا � َ ا ��‬ ‫� �َ �و ��ل ك�‬ ‫� � �� � �ل � ��‬ ‫�� س �فِ�ي� ي� ِ�د ي��دٍ �و� �‬ ‫� �ع� ِل�ي�‬ ‫�صو� م�� �نِ�ي�َ �ومَ�� �ل ثِ‬ ‫َ�ي ُ ْو و �َ ب �َ ُ �نْ أَ ضْ َ َ ًَ أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� تُ‬ ‫ف� ��ق � تُ ل ُ‬ ‫��� � �بِ ��‬ ‫� � ���م ْ ُت� �ت��ْ���ة �َ � ��� �صِ ُت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ْ � �لْو ك�‬ ‫� �ل�‬ ‫ر وب و ب‬ ‫�� ر� �ه� ا ك�ل�ه �ل� �د ا ِل�ي�‬ ‫م‬

‫‪٦،٣٤‬‬

‫� ه � �ف � � �ز ��ف �ة‬ ‫�و�ل� ي��ص� مع �‬

‫َ‬ ‫ُ ْ َ�قِ ةُ ٱ �ْ �أَْتَ َ‬ ‫��َ � ٱ ��ْ ��غِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫���ص ِّ ا ��بِ �ةٌ ل�َ َ ا َ� � نٌ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م��ع�� �ل� �� � �ل�� �و� ِر‬ ‫ي� ِري ب‬ ‫�نِ ي� ِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�زَ َ ْت َ َ ٱْ�مِ�زْ �هِ � ًا َ �قِ ْ تَا َ تْ َ َ ٱ � نَّا �خ ْ‬ ‫� ْ‬ ‫�َ�� �ل �ع‬ ‫ا د � �ع��ل � �ل� �� ر ��طِ�ي�� �و� �د   �� �ه� �ع��ل � �ل�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ب‬ ‫� بِ قٍ� �جِ�ي ب‬ ‫يِ‬ ‫�َى‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫َ ْ‬ ‫� ُ َّ ٌ�ة أ ْ� َ ا �ؤُ َ ا � �ْ �َ ً�ة َ ْ ضَ ا َ � نْ � �ْ � �غَ��زَ �� َ ْ‬ ‫�م ك‬ ‫��سو � ح����ش� � ��ه� �‬ ‫��� ء ِم� �‬ ‫�جِ �ل�د  ب��ي��‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�جِ �ل� ِد ا ٍل ب�رِ�ي�� ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ � ن َ ا ت ْ عِ ة ْتَا َ ا نُ ْ نَ ش َ ً‬ ‫��ا � َ‬ ‫�صْ�د � �� �ل�قُ�� �ل � ْ‬ ‫ك� ���م� ِ�����س�� �� � � �و� ِر��ه�  ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صِ ب��� � ��� ار ك�� لِ� � �ي ِ و ب‬

‫� �ف‬ ‫�و�ل�ه ��ي� �مض�‬ ‫�� ار ب�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ ْ ��ل��ْل�ُم َّ �فِ �أَنْ تَ أَ ْ ُ ٱ �ْلُ‬ ‫َا أ ُّ َ ا �ٱ �� ِّ � �ف ُ �ٱْ� ُ ��ُّ �ُ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��ود‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ي� � ي �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ ِ �نِ‬ ‫ٱ َِ ب‬ ‫�ل �ج ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خْ َ � َ �قْ ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ� َ � �لت� ّ �‬ ‫� ��قُ ُ �� � ضْ َ‬ ‫�ا � ْ‬ ‫ح ك�‬ ‫طفِ� �م �� �‬ ‫ع �� �‬ ‫� َ�‬ ‫�� ا‬ ‫ح��س�نِ �هِ ح��س� �‬ ‫طفٍ� � �م �د �وِد‬ ‫�� ك ب‬ ‫بِ� ب ��و ِل ِم�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫َ ً َ نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ُ قُ‬ ‫�ُ تَ �شِ َّ ٌ � َ نَ ��ْ ُ � � ا ا ت� ُ َ ْ نَ ��مَ‬ ‫م����� ب��ه �ب�ك ِ�‬ ‫�ج�ا ���سِ ٍ�د �و���ع� ��ود‬ ‫طو �ل� هِ� ي��   �و مِ�� ي����س �ب�ي�� �‬ ‫ح��ي� �خ �� �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�َ ا تُ ْ تَنَّ � َ �‬ ‫�َ ُ َ َ َّ َ�فْ � َ‬ ‫ُ ّ َ� ُ َ َ َ� ُ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�����ش �‬ ‫��سود �� رد هِ  ��ي� ِ�د �ي�ك �ك�لح � د � ح‬ ‫��سود‬ ‫َ�ل� أَ � ِ�م� � بِ�ي� ح � ��بِ‬ ‫��س��قِو �ةٍ و ْ � ِ‬ ‫�ْ ْ‬ ‫�َ� َ َا ُ نَ ا �َ َ نَّ� َ ا أَ ْ َ ْ ُ ُ ُ تَ� ًَّا �� � ُ‬ ‫هه�د ��ي��ت�ه ��م�� ر�ب� ِل�ل� �عودِ ‪1‬‬ ‫�ل� � ��ه ِ�د ِه �ل�ك �ي� ��م�� ي� �و ��م�  � ����‬ ‫م‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫� �ث‬ ‫�و�ل�ه �ير ��ي�‬

‫��ق ًا � ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د �‬ ‫���ا � �ل�ه ا ن� ك‬ ‫ح� ك‬ ‫����سر‬

‫‪٧،٣٤‬‬

‫‪٨،٣٤‬‬

‫َ فَ‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫�َ َ ا ��ُ �� � �َّ‬ ‫ن�ا �� َ‬ ‫��ب�ا ت�ِ  �َو��ل��ْ��َ �ك��‬ ‫��ج�َع��ت نَ��ا ��� �� �ل�قِ� َ�د ْ�‬ ‫�َو��عِ نْ� ِ�د �ي� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ئِ‬ ‫يس‬ ‫ِ ْ بِ ٱ َّح‬ ‫ٱْ� ُ �ئِع‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫ُٱُ‬ ‫� ��َ‬ ‫�مَ�د ا � �َ �وتَ�ا �ُ� � ��ل��بِ نَ��ا �نِ �َو���ْد ن� � ��ل ّ��سُ�ور �َو�ُم�ق� صِ�� � ��ل��ت َر ْ�‬ ‫ع�ا ءُ � �ل‬ ‫ِو‬ ‫رِ‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫ي� ح‬ ‫ِم ج‬

‫ت‬ ‫�� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫‪ 1‬ورد ا � ب�ل��ي� ي� �‬

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‫‪358‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Yawnān

Here are some more attractive verses:

34.6

They say, “Repent!” Here’s a slender youth with a cup in his hand and the lute’s ravishing sounds. I reply, “If I were minded to repent and saw all this, I’d certainly change my mind.” Here he describes a lyre:194 With its strings tightened, it cries out, loud as a stranger’s lament, Lovelier than the lute, outdoing the flute with its wondrous sweetness, Clad inside in white leather from the skin of a young gazelle. Its nine cords resemble a net cast to trap hearts. And here a plectrum:

34.7

You haughty fellow, coquettish in beauty, be generous to your lover—you’re one to be generous, By accepting a plectrum whose beauty copies yours, nicely turned, slender waisted, slim, It looks like you as you playfully prance in your saffron robes and necklaces. Don’t reject it and make the envious gloat! May all the envious be your ransom. I’ve not given it to you, my hope and desire; I’ve given it to the lute, to bring me nearer. In this poem, he mourns a cup of his that had broken: I’ve suffered disasters fit to be mourned, but nothing to equal the loss of this cup, A vessel for wine, a jewel in the hands, a friend to joy, banishing sorrow.

359

359

34.8

‫ن ن‬ ‫�ع�مر �مر �ي �� �و�ا �‬

‫� �ف‬ ‫�و�ل�ه ��ي�‬

‫ٱ َّ‬ ‫ت ْ �َ ُ �فِ َ ْ تَ تَّ �ذْ ُ �مِ َ ً�ة صِ َ‬ ‫�ْ �� ��م َ‬ ‫����يِ ُ دُّ َ�ع��َ � ��ل��ش����‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫��ث�ا �ل�ه   � �� �لو ���‬ ‫��خِ � ه �� را �‬ ‫�� ��ل‬ ‫ر ل�ى خ صِ ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ نْ ِ فِح‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ك�ا دُ �َم�َ �ٱ �ل��َ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫م�ا ء نْ� �م���س�ه   �لِ�م�ا ��� �م ن ��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ش��هِ� �هِ �ي��������س�‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫فِ � ِ ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� �زَّ َ ��غِ‬ ‫عِ �ضِ َ‬ ‫�فِ �قِ َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫�� نّ���ةٍ  ��بِ� �هِ ِ�ل��ل �‬ ‫�م�ا نِ� �� ِ �ر���ي�ٌم ��مِ��ل‬ ‫� �� ����ف� �د نِ����ي�هِ �� ��ل�ى �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��فِ َ َ ِ �عِ َّ ُ �غَ َ ٱْ�ُ َ‬ ‫َ �أ نَّ �َهُ نَا � �� �� ً َ نْ ِ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ظِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ي � �م�ا ��ي���ت�� �م�د � �ْ��ير � �ل�م��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ي قِ��‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫��قِ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��فَ� َل�ا ت��َْ��ع�د ن� �ف�ك�ْم �م نْ �‬ ‫ح ش����ى �ع��ل ْ���ك ك��ل�� �َو� ��ل� � رْ�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ٍ ِح‬ ‫ِ �ي ٍ‬

‫�‬ ‫ا �ل ي�ن���ل‬ ‫َ ضَ َ ُ‬ ‫��أَ نَّ ٱ � �نَّ َ نَ أَ تَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��َّ َ ت ٱ � َّ َ ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل���ترا‬ ‫ك��� � � �ل ي���ل ِ�‬ ‫ٍ �و�ف� �� ب��ه� �وك��س‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫ح��ي� � ��ى ِبِ�م�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�سِ َ ٌِ َ‬ ‫َا ُ‬ ‫�ُ َ‬ ‫َ أ ْ �َ �قَ �ٱ ��ْ��قَُ� � نْ ُ�َّ ْ‬ ‫�َ �‬ ‫ح�د � �ب� ل رى ِم� ك‬ ‫� �و �‬ ‫���ل �َو�ج��هٍ ��� �م�ا �َ او ت� �ك�� او ك���ب�ه�ا �ضِ�‬ ‫�� ي��‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ع‬

‫�ق ا � �ف‬ ‫�و�� �ل ��ي�‬

‫� ّ�‬ ‫ا �لب� ��ي�ط‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫�‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ َ �� َّ أ�ْ َ � �َ �َ ا َ �� َّ ًا ��فَ َ �َّ َ ا �ٱ�لْ�ُ ْ َ � َ َ ٱْ�ُ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫� � �ه�د ى �ل�ن� ط��يب��   �د �ل��ن� م��ه�د ى �ع��ل�ى م��ه ِ�د ي�‬ ‫�و�ط�ي ب ٍ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َا َ َ � َ �‬ ‫ْ �غ‬ ‫َ� � ْ تَ‬ ‫��حِ ْ‬ ‫� �م نْ��هُ ث����مِ َ � �ل‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�ج�ا ��� � �لبِ� ��‬ ‫� �م ِ�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ِم ن� � ْر��س�هِ �ج �ن‬ ‫��ط�‬ ‫ِ�ي َ ِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي�َْ َأْ �نِي حِ َّ�خِ أَ َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ َ ٌ أ �ْ �نَ تْ َ ٱ � �ِّ َّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ��ت � �ت�����َ‬ ‫�ل� ��� ��ت��َ‬ ‫ن�ا �‬ ‫ن�ا ��بِ� �هِ ر� او ئِ� � ��غ � �ع نِ� � �ل�ن�ى�د‬ ‫م يِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�أَ نَّ َ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ش �ف ُ � نْ هُ ٱْ� ُ � َ� نْ �زَ ْ� �ف�َ َ � �ف َ � شَ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ك���� ���م� � ك‬ ‫��ِ���� ِم�� � �لم�د ى ع� ع ار نٍ� ِد �ي� �ي� ����ه ِ�د‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫���أ نّ�َ َ ا � َ� ْ � ��ِ ْ َ ٌ�ة ��ُ ْ �ِ �ُ � َ ا � مِ نْ َ ��ٌ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�� � �‬ ‫��ق فِ �‬ ‫هو  ي���ن�‬ ‫�م�م� �فِ�ي� �ج �و�فِ �هِ ق� �‬ ‫ي�ه� � ��د ل هِ� ��ن ِ�د ي�‬ ‫ع‬

‫ف أ‬ ‫�ف ا ت ���ف ا ة ت�ف ا � ش � � ا ت�ت ا �ز ��ل ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�و��م�ا � �ت�ي�� ن��ا �ب�ه �م ن� ��ط �ر�ف� �ش���عره �و�ر�� ب� �ص� � ��ه ��ك � �ي�� ���� �ب� �ل���ر ��ط �و �ل� �ج��� �و ا �‬ ‫�ح�د‪.‬‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬

‫‪360‬‬

‫‪360‬‬

‫‪٩،٣٤‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Yawnān

It gave back to its holder his likeness; if you wanted, it would make a fine mirror. If crystalline water was poured into it, like crystal it melted into water. Though I guarded it jealously from fate, a pestering rival made me lose it. It seems he was watching, on the lookout, his sights set on things of beauty. If only you had not perished! How many mourn you! How many wounded hearts miss you! He composed these verses on the Nile:

34.9

The Nile, when it floods Egypt, breaking down the embankments, Surrounding the villages on every side, is like a sky with hamlets for stars. And these on a watermelon: Someone good gave us something good, and the gift told us who was the giver. When you plucked the watermelon from its tendril, you plucked a fruit of praise. Until you brought it, we didn’t know There are perfumes more fragrant than ambergris. Under the knife its flesh appears as saffron mingled with honey, As if it has wine in its heart, mixed with sandalwood oil. These passages we have quoted of his amazing and unusual poetry are enough for the book’s purpose.

361

361

‫�ُ نّ‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫ُ ف أ ً د ���ير ��ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا �ب��د ����ير ���مر ��م�ا ر�ي� ا �ل���س�ي��ل�‬ ‫�و��ي�عر�� � �ي� ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ً‬ ‫� ا ن � ش ��ق ّ‬ ‫تّ �ة ش �ف ����خ‬ ‫�سًا � ن ��غ‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫��من�� � ��ف ��ل‬ ‫�‪ .‬ب���� ن��ه‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير �ع��ل�ى ��س�� �ع���ر ر � م� ب���د ا د ح�د را �ي� ا�ج � �� ب� ا �ل���ر�ي ي‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س ن �ن�ز ه �ع�ا �مر �وف�ي��ه‬ ‫د �ج���ل�� �مي���ل � �ون��ص�ف� � ب�و�ي�� ن��ه � �وب�� ن� د�ير ا �ل�ع�ا �ق��و�ل � �‬ ‫بري��د‪� .‬و�ه�و د�ير �‬ ‫�ق ّا ة � ا ن � ت تّ ن ف ي �� ّ‬ ‫��ق ّ�ا � �ة �ه � ت ا �� ن �ذ ا �� ��ق �ا ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ل� ��� �لر�هب�� ��ه � او�لم�ب�����ل�� �ي��ه‪� � .‬‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ل ر �خ ب ل ي وً م ي ب �ي و� ّ ّ ل ي� ب ي � �م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ن نا‬ ‫نا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫نا‬ ‫ح �ل ك�� ��ل� ��� � ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��س��ا � �ي��ه‬ ‫�م� � �ل�� د ��ي �� ر �إ �ل�ى �م� � ��ي� د ��ي �� ر �إ �ل�ى �م��س��ي� د ��ي �� را‪� 1.‬و��و ل ي ب‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�ن خ‬ ‫�� � ا ��ل�ز� ت�� ن� � ت��ُ��ا �غ���لّ��ت�ه �م ن �م�ا ئ� ��ت د � ن��ا ��ل� �خ��م���س�� ن‬ ‫ي� د ��ي ن��ا را‪٢.‬‬ ‫�م ن� �ج��مي�� ا �ل�م�ا ر � او �ل� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ي� �ي ر �إ ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ف ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ذ � ي� �‬ ‫� ه ع � ظ �� � �‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫��تم� ا �ل ن��ا ��س �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫ح� ��ط �ب�ه �و ��ي� �و��س ��ط�ه ���هر �ج��ا ٍر‪� .‬و�عي��ده ا �ل� ي� ج‬ ‫�و�ع�لي�� ��س�ور ع��ي��م ي ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�عي��د ا �ل�ص��ل�ي ب�‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��ق�د �و�ص��ف ت��ه ا �ل ش����ع ار ء �و�ل ب�ا� ن� �ج��م�ه�ور ف�ي��ه‬

‫ن‬ ‫� �وب��ي�‬ ‫ا ئ �ة‬ ‫�م� ��‬

‫�قِ ْ َ ْ َ ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�قِ ْ‬ ‫َا مِ نْ �َ ٱ � �َّ ْ‬ ‫�حِ نّ�َ�ا‬ ‫هو �� َ�د ��ْ��ير ��ق نّ�َ�ا  � ��ِبل�� ��ل�ى �ِت��ل�ك � ��ل ُّر�َى � �د �‬ ‫�ي� �� ���زِ �ل �َ �ل� �‬ ‫ي� �إِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ل �ِ �بِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ ْ ًا � �أ َّا � َ � َّا ُ‬ ‫ح��ْ�س نَ��ا‬ ‫ك نّ�َ�ا   ن��ْ�متَ��ا ُر �مِ� نْ��� َك ��ل���ذ �ة �َو ُ�‬ ‫�����س�‬ ‫�قي�� ِ�ل� �ي� ِ�م�ك �ل�م�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أََّا �َ ا �نْ‬ ‫َ عِ ْ‬ ‫نَّا  �إِ�ذ نْت شَ ْ � َ ا َ �� َ‬ ‫�عِ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫حْ �ن�َا �ُ�ع ْ�د �نَ�ا‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �������ي��� �‬ ‫� �ي� � �ل� � ��� ���ع�م �� ي����� �مِ� ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�م� �و �و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ِنمْ �فِ نَ َ نٌّ ��بِ�زَ �ْ � ٍَ ً‬ ‫�م�ا �جُ���ن نّ�َ�ا‬ ‫�حِ ��تّ �ُ ظ�َ ���� نَّ � ن��َّ��ن � َ‬ ‫�م�ا ‪ ٣‬دَ �نّ�ا �‬ ‫�و � � ��ى د � �� �ل� �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ىي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ َّ َ أ َ ْ نَ َ ْ� �ََ ٱ �ْ غُ ْ نَ ٱ � َّ � َ ٱ‬ ‫�َ �ُم ْ‬ ‫� � ��ل��ّل��دْ �نَ�ا‬ ‫� �ل ن��ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫كِ‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫عِ ٍ �ي�‬ ‫ي �ي�‬ ‫� رطِ�ي ب‬ ‫َ �غِ نَّ‬ ‫أَ ْ َ �خِ ْ�فِ ٱ ّٰ أَ َّ �َ ْ نًا َ َ َّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �� �ل � للهِ � د �ى ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ح��   �و�ج���س �زِ ����ي ���ىر � �‬ ‫ح��س نِ� � قِ�‬ ‫عودَِِه �و�َ� ��ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ َا َ ا � نّ � مِ تَ َ ْ تَ‬ ‫�ٱ ّٰ َا ��ق‬ ‫�ش�� � ��ل�����غِ نّ�َ�ا‬ ‫� � ��ل َّ���َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب� للهِ �ي�‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫��‬ ‫���‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ري ر‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫ِ مِ تَ َ أَْسِ َ س تْ �نَ ت ُ حِ َّ آ �إِ�ذَ‬ ‫ا َ أَ ْ تَ �ثِ نَّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�مَ‬ ‫�� ��ى ر� ��ي ت� ��فِ ��ِ��� �ي ��و�‬ ‫� ن��ا  �ٍه ا ��م�ا � �‬ ‫�م� ��س � �و ��� ��ى‬ ‫ي‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬د ي�ن��ا ر‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬د ي�ن��ا ر‪  ٣ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ن��ز � ن�ل��ا‪.‬‬

‫‪362‬‬

‫‪362‬‬

‫‪١،٣٥‬‬

‫‪٢،٣٥‬‬

Qunnā’s Monastery, Also Known as the Monastery of Mār Mārī the Apostle195

This monastery lies some twenty-five miles (forty kilometers) downriver

35.1

from Baghdad to the east and nearly two miles (about three kilometers) from the Tigris. It is one post stage distant from the ʿĀqūl Monastery. It is a beautiful, well kept, and flourishing monastery, with a hundred cells for the monks and ascetics who live there. Each monk owns a cell and they exchange these cells among them for prices that range from fifty to two hundred to one thousand dinars. Each cell is set in a garden with all kinds of fruit, palm trees, and olives, and the sale of the produce brings in between fifty and two hundred dinars. The monastery is surrounded by a massive wall, and a stream flows through the middle of it. The feast when people come to visit it is the Feast of the Cross.196 Various poets have described it, among them Ibn Jamhūr: Qunnā’s Convent, home of enjoyment, my heart’s filled with longing for those haunts; The memory’s fresh of those days when you plied us with beauty and pleasure, A time when life held nothing finer than drinking and getting sober again and again. When one jar was exhausted, we brought out another till you’d think we’d gone crazy. We had a helper for all we needed, like a fresh branch, supple and lissome, The best of mankind in performing a tune, plucking the lutestrings and singing. By God, you priest of Mār Mārī at Qunnā, did you ever see such a soft-spoken fawn? Did you ever see the entrancing Yūḥannā, how he walked tall yet swayed back and forth!

363

363

35.2

‫ق نّ‬ ‫د�ير ��ى‬

‫َا ُ �ْ َ ةَ ٱ �ْ�قِ ْ �إِ�ذَ َت مِ نَّ فَتَ ْ تَ �ٱ � َّ َّ َ ٱْ� ُ َ نَّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ْ�� ��ى ��ك� �بِ� �ل�‬ ‫�ص ب� �بِ�ك � �ل��مع��ى‬ ‫�ي� �م�ني��َ � ل� �لٱ ب ِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ُ َّ �قِ � ْ تَ � � َ َ �لم�جِ نَّا عِ �ذ ْ �تِ ُ � �لُ َّ‬ ‫� ��ف��ّنٍ�ا � نّ�َ�ا‬ ‫����ث�م � �لب�� �� � �ل� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫هو�ى � ��  �� � ب����ى�ى�هْ �بِ� ح ب‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ ا َ ت ٱ �ْ �أَْ ضُ َ �َ ْ �سِ��� ْ نًا ���فِ َ ا ُ َا � �لِ فْ نُ نْ ُ �ِ‬ ‫��ج���ف نَ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج��   �م� �ي�ل� �� � �‬ ‫���ج��� �ِم��ه �‬ ‫� � �ل� ر�� �ع�لي��هِ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫��ص� ر ِ‬ ‫�قِي‬ ‫أَ ْ َ �َْ َت ْ ُ ْ َ ًّا ُ نَّا �قِ ْ َ‬ ‫��ا نَ نْ �غِ ْ َ �ُ ْ �� َ نّ اَ‬ ‫� ��ف�د ���ك �ل� ��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صب�� �م �ضِ�‬ ‫�� ��  � �د ك�� � �ِم� �� �د ِرك م��ط�م��ئِ ��‬ ‫��جر �‬ ‫ِي م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أَ َ �أْ ُت �إِ�ذْ أَ�ْ‬ ‫ح َ��سن��ْ تُ � � َ �ٱ �� ظَّل���� نّ�َ�ا  �َ‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫ص�ا َ ��قِ ��بل�� �� ��َ َ�د �ْ�� َك َ �ْ�ه نَ��ا‬ ‫� ��س� � �‬ ‫� فِي��ك‬ ‫و� ر ِ ي� �فِي� ي ي ر‬

‫�ق � ف أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل �ي��ه � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ‬ ‫َُ‬ ‫�َ ك��‬ ‫�ْ �َ �ْق���فِ� �� �� دَ ��ْ��ي �ق ن�ّ �َ �َق ف��ْ�ت�ُ�َه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫وَ م و ةٍ �فِي� ِرَ ى و �‬ ‫َ أ‬ ‫َ ��ْ فَتْ َ‬ ‫�ك��� ��ل� ��� �ل�� ْ � �نْ��َ ��� َ��َه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ك��م ��� ةٍ ِي� فِي هِ م س طِ�يب �‬

‫َ‬ ‫أُ�غَ �ُ � �َ ا ت نَ �ٱ �� َّ �� ْ � أ ْ� َ‬ ‫ � �‬ ‫� ل�‬ ‫حَورا‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫��ا�زِ ل فِي��هِ �ف�ِ� طرفِ‬ ‫أََ تُّ َ ا ُ ْ �فًا أَ ْ ْ تُ ُ نْ َ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ � �م� ���ه� �ع �� � �و �‬ ‫ح��ي‬ ‫ِ�ي � �م� ك‬ ‫�� ار‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِب‬

‫أ‬ ‫�ة أ‬ ‫ن أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�� ن‬ ‫�و�ه� � � �� �ع��ل ّ �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� ب� ن� �ج��م�ه�ور ا �ل�ع�ّ�م ّ ‪� 1‬وك�‬ ‫���ا � � ب� ��وه �م ن� ر� او � ��ه�ل ا �لب�ي�� ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ب ٰو �ي�‬ ‫ا � �أ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫��ا ن أ ي ّ �ظ � �فًا ت�أ ًّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ا �ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص��ل� او ت� ا لله �ع��ل‬ ‫ح� �م��ل� ا �ل� �ر �ع‬ ‫�ه� �و�‬ ‫� ا �ل����عر � او � ك��� �ب�‬ ‫�ه� ‪� .‬وك�� � � ب� ��و�ع��ل�� �� �ر� � �م�� د �ب� م�ي�ل�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫��خ ح‬ ‫ي �يأ‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ا �ت‬ ‫�و��ق�د ��س�ا �ف ���ف� ���ط��ل� ا ��ل�عل��� � �وت� ���طّ � ���ف� � �م او ���ط ن ا ��ل��ل�ع� �و�ع�ا ش��� � ��ه� ا �ل‬ ‫��ل�ا �ع��ة �و ���ط �ق� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫ر ي أ ب م رح ي‬ ‫ا ت � ���ن‬ ‫� � ا ت ث ّ �ق ا ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ث� �ة‬ ‫�ص �ة �و�‬ ‫ح��س�� ت� �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل�ه �ب��ه�ا �و�ص� ر� �ل�ه ع�م�� ك���ي ر ‪.‬‬ ‫� او �ل�د �ي� را �‪�� .‬م � �� �م �ب� �لب�� ر‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ��� ا � �ل�قي��ا ن� �ت��عر�ف� ب��ز ا دْ �َم�هر �ج��ا ر���ة ا�لمن��ص�ور�ّ��ة �وك�‬ ‫�و�م ن� �ش���عره ��� �ج��ا ر���ة ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ��ل�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ث أ تّ أ‬ ‫�ف � ن أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا د��ي ث� ��ط �ر��ف ��ة ��ّ �ت�� ��ى ��ل�ه � ن� ا �ش����ترا �ه�ا �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫عه�ا ��ي� ا � �ل�قي��ا � � �‬ ‫�م� �‬ ‫�ي م‬ ‫ُ َّ َ ا ٱ ْ تَ ْ َ َ ٱ َ‬ ‫أَ ْ‬ ‫� �َ �و � ْ�ستب���ْ  �‍�عِ� َ�د � ���مٌر �َو�ْه�َ دَ ا �نِ��‬ ‫رب���م� � ��س��‬ ‫و ي�‬ ‫�ص�ع ب‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�َ ف�ْ���عِ ُ �ٱ �ْ � نْ َ ا نُ �َ ا �َ ْ َ ا ُ � ِ‬ ‫���ف�صْ�� � ��ل�زَّ��َ‬ ‫م�ا‬ ‫�ي � �ل‪٢‬ٱْ� ُ�لإِ����َ�س� � م�ٱ ْي��آه‍  ‍�و ه �فِ�ي� � ِوٱ ْ أَ نِ�‬ ‫�فِ َ�َ� �لم�� ْ�ست�� ْ َ � �‬ ‫َ نْ �نَ ْ � � َ ا �‬ ‫� �ي رى‬ ‫��خ��ذِ �ي� � �ل� يِ ���س �ِم� �ي���ِل � �ل�َ��م� �نِ�ي�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�قِ ْ َ‬ ‫� � �غ� � َ ا �� َ � َ ا‬ ‫��ا ن ���يِ ْ ُ�‬ ‫� �د َ�� � �َ ا �‬ ‫حوى م� ك� � � ر�ج �و   �فِ�ي� �ِتب�� �ٍط �و ��م� نِ�‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫يَأْ ت‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫ّّ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪� �� :‬ي�‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا �ل��ق����م�‪   ٢ .‬ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬

‫‪364‬‬

‫‪364‬‬

‫‪٣،٣٥‬‬

‫‪٤،٣٥‬‬

Qunnā’s Monastery

Heart’s desire, if ever the heart had a wish, you’ve slain the lover tormented by your love, You’ve dealt craftily with the one who adores you, inflicting on him all kinds of torture. The world has closed in on him like a prison— a prison in which his eyes never close. I beg you, don’t abandon this suffering lover, who was certain you would not betray him. In thinking well of you I was mistaken— in your hands, my heart became a pawn. He also composed these verses on the monastery:

35.3

How often I’ve stopped in Qunnā’s Convent, flirting with an entrancing black-eyed boy, Taking liberties with him—how sweet they were— burying decency, breathing life into infamy. This poet’s full name was Abū ʿAlī Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn Jamhūr al-ʿAmmī. His father was one of the transmitters of information about the Prophet’s family, God bless them, and the bearers of traditions originating with them. Abū ʿAlī was witty, cultivated, and a good poet and writer. He traveled to various cities to study, frequented places of amusement, moved in frivolous circles, and visited taverns and monasteries. Then he settled in Basra, his material situation improved, and he acquired great wealth. He composed poetry on a girl called Zādmahr, the servant of the singer al-Manṣūriyyah.197 There are many amusing stories about his relationship with her while she was with the singing slaves; later on he had the opportunity to buy her. Here are verses of his about her: At times a thing seems out of reach when really it’s close by; When fortune smiles, a man may do exactly as he will— He who’s meek and despairs of getting what he wants Finds rapture and security when his hope’s fulfilled.

365

365

35.4

‫ق نّ‬ ‫د�ير ��ى‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ نْ �ُم ًّ �شِ‬ ‫َ��ْ َ�ق ْ أَ َتْنَا ُ ُ �فُ ٱ � �َّ ْ نْ �َعَ‬ ‫ٱ �� ُّ قْ َٱ �ْ َ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك��م ��د � ر���� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر�و� � �ل�د �هِر �ِم� �ج ب وِ � ِ ب‬ ‫ِ ي ِ أَ ِ�م و و ب ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ �سِ ٱ � ِّ � َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ َ ا �َ ُ ٱ � �َّ ُ � ت نَا � � غ� �يِ تَ ُ‬ ‫ّ نْ �ت� ش ُ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص��ف� �ل�ه � �ل�د ���هر � ��ى �� �ل ب��� ��ه  ��مِ� �م� �ع����� �ه �فِ�ي� � ي���� ِر � �ل���ط�ل ِب‬

‫أ‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫�خ ا‬ ‫عه�ا �و�م� �غ ا ن � �ق ا ن �ع‬ ‫�ج�ي���‪.‬‬ ‫� �و � ب�� ره �م� �‬ ‫ع ��ي�ر�ه� �م� ا � �ل ي�� � ب‬ ‫�ذ � � � � �ف ش أ ض‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ق � � �ز ْ َ‬ ‫�ف � �ق ن �ق‬ ‫��ا �ل ت� �ل�ه ا د �م�هر �ه� ه �و��هي� ��ي� ا � �ل ي��ا � �و��د د �ع�ا �ه�ا �خ��� �ل�ي� ا �ل��ط�ا �ل� ��ي� ����ي� ء � ���م �تر�ه‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ل ا �� ��ق � ش �ع ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � د ا ئ�� ا �� ف‬ ‫��ف�� �خ����ذ ا ��ل���ط�ا ��ل� � �ز �ق�ه�ا ف����ق�ا ��ل ��س�� ��ل ت� �ع ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي رب‬ ‫� ل ل‬ ‫م ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع �ق أ‬ ‫أ ظ � �ف � ا ة ن ا ن �زي�ز �ف� ض‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ت ث�ّ ��ق ا �‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ط�و��� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح�� � � �ل� �م��سر�ع�‬ ‫���فى �ع��ل�ى � �مر�ع ���ي�� ��ي� ��ط� �ع�� �إ ���س� � �ع � ‪.‬‬ ‫ح�ي�ر ��د � �ش ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي �ظ � أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ل��ا �ذ ‪ � .‬ا ّٰلله �م�ا �� ��أ ��ل ت �ّ�ا �ع ن ا ��لث ال�م�صَ�م ت ا ��ل���ذ � � �ع�دت� ن� ��ه‪� .‬م�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫س � �إ �ل � ��و ب�‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �ب� �� ر� �م ا � فك� ب� و‬ ‫� ي� و �ي� ب �ى‬ ‫� ّ �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫ت��ب��ع ث� �ب�ه �إ �ل�‬ ‫��ج�ل � بو���ع� �ب�ه �إ �لي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ���طّ �ز �مّ �ة �م ن��د �� ًل�ا ��ه��ذ ه ا ��ل��أ����ا ت� � � ��ن ��ف ��ذ ه ��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫بي و‬ ‫و ر ر ي ب�‬ ‫�إ ي�‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َّ‬ ‫َا َْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�أ �نَ�ا َ �ُ�س ��ٌ �م نْ ��فِ �تً َ�ع�ا �ش‬ ‫�ج� ر��ه‬ ‫���قٍ � دْ �ُم�ُ�ع�ه �ِم نْ� �خ���د ِه �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر �ول ِ � �ى ِ �‬ ‫ِي‬ ‫ٰ �ذَ ٱْ نُ ُ� ْ ُ �فَ ُ �َ ُ‬ ‫نْ � �َ ا َ ْ َ ُ َا �َ ا َ ْ‬ ‫ِ�ي �ه‬ ‫هور �ج��وِد �ي� �ل�ه  �مِ� �� ِك ِب�م� ي�� �ه او ه �ي� �ق� ��س‬ ‫�ه� ا �ب�� �ج �م� �‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �َ ْ َ ت ٱ � نَّفْ ُ َ نْ شَ فّ َ ا �ُ ُّ� َا َ ْ � ا�تِ ُ َ ا � َ ْ‬ ‫�ه�  �حب�� ِك �ي� � �مو�ل��� �ه ���س� لِ�ي��ه‬ ‫� � �ل �����س � �إِو � ���� �‬ ‫�و�لي����س ِ‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�فردّ ت� ا�لم ن��دي���ل �و��ق�د ��ط ّر�ز ت� ��� �و��س ���ط�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أُ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫���خِ ُ �� نَ��ا‬ ‫� �ُّم �َم نْ ي����‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر بِ‬

‫َ تَّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ى‬

‫‪٦،٣٥‬‬

‫َ َ‬ ‫� َ ا �زَ �يِ ْ‬ ‫����ن� ا نِ��� �ه‬ ‫�ي�نِ��ي� ك‬

‫ٰ ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� نّ‬ ‫���ت� ��ل ا �ق ��ا ن ت �‬ ‫� �ت�ه ��ا ��سّ�د �ة �عب��د�ه�ا � او ّلله �إ ن� ا ��ل���ذ �� ب���ل�غ���ك ��ا ����ط� �� ك�‬ ‫�وك� ب �إ ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ه� �و��د ك�� ��� جهر ي �ي‬ ‫ب ل‬ ‫ل���ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق � � �ق �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ ت ف‬ ‫� ة�‬ ‫ة �‬ ‫� �ع��ر�� �ب�ه ��ط�ا �ع�� �ل��ك � �و ���و�ل �مك��ا ��ا �ل بر��ي��ع�� ا �ل���س�د �ي�‬

‫‪366‬‬

‫‪٥،٣٥‬‬

‫‪366‬‬

‫‪٧،٣٥‬‬

Qunnā’s Monastery

And here are other verses: Many a strange turn of fate we’ve seen, many a lover sorely tried and sick, Till destiny helped him gain his wish of his beloved—without him even asking! There are splendid anecdotes about Abū ʿAlī with Zādmahr and with other

35.5

singing girls. One day when he invited Zādmahr with the singing girls, she said to him, “Cast a horoscope. What’s in the stars for me?” but did not say why. He did so and looked at her intently, saying, “You’ve asked about a man who’s sick at heart, burdened with cares, always pensive, ever regretful. A terrible fate will befall him because he’s yielded to someone he loves.” She burst out laughing and replied immediately, “Fuck the liar’s mother! By God, I was only asking about the velvet robe you promised me. When will you send it to me?” Embarrassed, he sent it to her. One day he sent her a handkerchief on which he’d had the following verses

35.6

embroidered: I bear a message from a young lover whose tears flow down his cheeks. It’s Ibn Jamhūr. Be generous, give him what he wants, cruel one. Though love for you, mistress, wore him out, he’d never be consoled. She returned the handkerchief after she had embroidered in the middle of it: If anyone mocks me until he fucks me, his mother’s a whore. When she was avoiding him, he wrote to her: “Mistress of her slave, what you have heard about me is untrue, but I’ll admit to it just to obey you. I’ll say, quoting Rabī ʿah al-Asadī:

367

367

35.7

‫ق نّ‬ ‫د�ير ��ى‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ�ه نِ ٱ ْ َ ً أ�ذْنَ ْ تُ �ذَ نْ �بٍ ا َ� �ْ ُ ُ‬ ‫ِب���ي ��� � �مرء ا � ��ب��� ��� � �ج ��ل��ت�ه‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ َ ٱ ّٰ َ َّ َ ْ َ َ �َ ْ ُ َ ً‬ ‫�ع��ف �ا � للهُ �ع�م�ا ��ق�د �مض���ى �ل��س ت� �ع�ا �ئِ��د ا‬

‫�ق �ق أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��د ���ل ت� � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ �َ ْ آ� �َ ْ ً َ �ذُ ٱ �ْل �ْ َ�ْ �هِ ُ‬ ‫ �و �ل�م � �ِ�ت�هِ ع�م�د ا �و �و � �‬ ‫�حِ �ِل�م يَ�ج �� �ل‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ َ ا أَنَا �ذَ نْ �ُ��س�ْ ��ْ تَنَ ِّ ُ‬ ‫  �و��ه� � �� ا �ِم� �‬ ‫�خطِ�� ك��‬ ‫� � ����‬ ‫���ص�ل‬ ‫م‬

‫ْ ُ �نْ َ أْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� تُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�أ � مِ‬ ‫� �أ�خْ� َ ���ط��   ُت� َ �شَ���ا د �� �� �َه�َ ا � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ر ِ ي �فِي� و ِ‬ ‫ِ ل�� �إِ‬ ‫��فَ �َ�قِ يْ أَ ْ �هِ ْ ُت َ ْ نًا أ ��قَ تْ �ْ َ َ��َ �‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل� �د � ��س�� ر� �ع��ي��  � ِر � ِ�ع�ن�ى�د ك�را ِ‬ ‫ُ َْ ْ‬ ‫�فِ �ٱ ْ‬ ‫�صف�َ ��عِ نَّ َ ُ‬ ‫��ع��ل ت‬ ‫� ��نَ�ف� سِ��� � َ�د ا � ك‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� �فِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� ِ ي� ي� وِ‬

‫�ف�� �ّق��ع ت� �ع�� ظ ����ه ا ��ل �ق��ع��ة �م�ا ��ل��ك �ت��غ��ّ‬ ‫ل�ى � ر ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ص�ط��ل ن‬ ‫ا ��ل�غ��ل�ا ��ل�� �و��د ا �‬ ‫ح��ا‪.‬‬ ‫� ��ل�ه ف��ه�ا‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫ت ّ�‬ ‫ّ �ّ‬ ‫�� �ف ��ت � �أش ا‬ ‫��ن �ف���س��ك � �وت���ن� ��ط‬ ‫ع ��ي� ك�� ب� ا �ل�����ع� ر‪� .‬و�ج��ه �إ �ل�ي�‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫ََ ْ‬ ‫َ َ ا أ تُ َ �َ َ� ُ ُ َ َ ا ��َ�� ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��سود ك ��م� �ق‬ ‫�ب�ا ��ت ت� �عِ� �د ا ك ك�م� �بِ�ي���  و قِل��� �‬ ‫ِ�ي �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ْ �َ ا شَ تَ َ َ‬ ‫َا �َ نْ � ِ �� تُ‬ ‫� َّ‬ ‫�ك��ا �شَ���� ُت‬ ‫� بِ�‬ ‫�ُ�‬ ‫ح��هِ �صِ‬ ‫�ي� م� ����ش�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ب‬ ‫���ل �ل� �����قِ�ي � �م قِ�ي‬ ‫ِ�ي‬ ‫�َ ا �خُ �نْ تُ َ ْ َ َ َ ا َ تُ َ �َ ا �ِ ِ � ْ تُ َ �َ ا نَ‬ ‫تُ‬ ‫�ل� � � �ع��ه�د ك �م� �‬ ‫حيِ�ي���  �و�ل� �ق����ط�ع� �و�ل� ����س‬ ‫ِ�ي �‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��نْ َ ْ�ف َ �� ِ�ئْ تَ نّ� نِي � ْ�ع َ ا َ َ ا � ���‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي � � �إِ �� ر �ى ِو ك �م ب ِ�ي �‬ ‫�‬

‫�ق ا � � ا ًا ا ق ة �ق ا � ت � ا ن ا ��لق ت ن ف �ق ا � � ا � � أ ق � � � ا ق‬ ‫ح���ة ف�ت��ق�� ��ل�� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�� �ل �ل�ه� �ي �� �م� �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫ح��� �� �ل� �ل�ه �ي� اب�� حب����ي�‪� � ��� .‬ل �ل�ه� � �ي�و�لك � ��و�ل �ل�ك �ي� ب و ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ل�ق ن ف �ق � ت �ن أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ل�� �ي�ا اب� ن� ا �‬ ‫مو��ص � رد �ب� � �و ��‪.‬‬ ‫حب�ت���ي� ��� � �ل� ��ع� � �� ��� �‬ ‫أ ج‬ ‫ي ّ‬ ‫� م �ة �ف أ‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �غ � ا ��ف �إ�ذ �ف غ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ه� ل��س�ل و��ي ر�ه� �‬ ‫�صر يم��ل�� ب�� ر �ه�ل ب�ي��� �ع� �‬ ‫�وك��ن� ح�‬ ‫��ر �ج �ل��س� ب� ب��‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ ر�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ّ �ف �إ�ذ ف �غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن ث ّ �ق �ق‬ ‫�م ن ا ��ل���م�ل�اء ا ب��ت��د � �ج��وا ر��ه ف����ق � ن� ��� ��ل‬ ‫ح�ا � �� ���ل ن� ا � �ل��ص�ا �ئ��د ا �ل�ز �ه�د �ي�ا ت� �� ا �ر� ن� �م ن� �ل��ك‬ ‫ي ر ب‬ ‫� إ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن �ف � ن ن �ف � ت � ن � ن �أ ن ه �ع ا �� �غ� ن ا �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�صر� � او ح�ب����س ع��ده م� �ي� ���س �ب� �و ��م�ل ل �� ء � او �ل���رب�‪.‬‬ ‫�صر� م� ا ���‬ ‫ا ���‬

‫‪368‬‬

‫‪368‬‬

‫‪٨،٣٥‬‬

‫‪٩،٣٥‬‬

Qunnā’s Monastery

Suppose I’m someone who’s sinned without knowing, Unintentionally—even the wise make mistakes; may God forgive what has passed!— I’ll not sin again, and my repentance will wash away your anger. “And I’ve composed some verses too: If I’ve been wrong, I hope to find my right mind in your love. My eyes have been wide open, sleepless while you slept; Forgive me and be generous. I’d give my life for you.” So she wrote on the back of the message: “Why do you wear yourself out thumbing through books of poetry? Send me the under-tunic and we’ll be friends again.” This is another poem of his about her:

35.8

Your enemies and I are in the same state; those who envy you experience my fate. You for whose love I’ve suffered much, receive me! May you never suffer like me. I won’t betray your trust while I’m alive, or cut you or forget you. Be as you will—as long as I live, I’ll stay your faithful lover. Once he cursed her: “You whore!” She replied, “You son of two whores.” “Damn you,” he said, “I say to you, ‘you whore,’ and you answer, ‘you son of two whores.’” “Yes, I’m difficult. I reply with the double.” We used to attend his receptions in Basra, where he dictated reports about the Prophet’s family, peace be upon them, and other subjects. When he had finished dictating, his slave girls would come and chant surahs of the Qurʾan, and then sing ascetic poems. People would leave when they finished, except for those he asked to stay because he felt at ease with them, and then the singing and drinking would start.

369

369

35.9

‫ق نّ‬ ‫د�ير ��ى‬

‫�ق ا �‬ ‫�م � � �ع ن ��ف ا �ة �أ �خ‬ ‫�م�� �د �أ�خ� � ا �ع�د � ن ��خ‬ ‫��ا ن �ع �د � ن � ن �َ�خ‬ ‫�ي��ه �و ���ط�ل�ا ��ق�ه �م ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل �وك�� � ب� و� ب �‬ ‫س‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ا ��ل � �ق نّ ��ف �أ ��ق ا � ف ه �ت�� ّ � ن‬ ‫�ص�� �ة �ش �د ��د ا ��لت�خ� ّ ف‬ ‫ن �ذ ق � ن‬ ‫���ا � �عب��د �و� �ه� ا �ن�ا ����ص ا �ل� ع� �� ي�‬ ‫�ص� ر �إ �ى دير �ى � � �ي�� �و عب��د �وك‬ ‫���ل��‬ ‫ظم‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ع ����ًا ��ف �أ �ّا � �أ �خ‬ ‫� ��ه‪�� .‬ق�ا �� ��ف�� �ه�د ت� � ّ�ق ا �ل�م��غ�نّ ��ة ��ل� �ع��د � ن ��ف�ا �كه��‬ ‫�غًا �‬ ‫�غ� �م� �ذ � �‬ ‫� ب�و��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ري�� �ي �إ ى ب و� �‬ ‫ع �ل�ك �مب���ل�� ي�م� �ي� ي� م ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫� �ة ف��ه�ا �ت�� ن‬ ‫���ت� ��ل ا‬ ‫قت‬ ‫�ه�ا ب� ش����ع �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ل�ف� � �نّ�ه‬ ‫ي� �ور�ّم�ا ن� �و�غ��ي�ر�ه�م�ا ف����ق�ا �ل �� ك�‬ ‫�مب� ك‬ ‫��ر ي�‬ ‫�ه� �ج��وا ب� ر���ع �‬ ‫ل�� ��ب��ه ا ك� ب �إ ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّ ن �ذ �ن ن ا�‬ ‫ن غ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫�ق � ش ق ّ � ف‬ ‫��ض��ا �ش���د �ي��د ا �و��ا �ل � ن�� ت� �ب�ي� ن� �ي��د �ي� �م�� ��س ��ي� �ل�‬ ‫�م�ا ��ا �ل ����ع ار �� ��ط ��غ����ض‬ ‫� ب� �عب��د �و� ��� ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ت� ��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫ح��س ن �ق��ص�ا �ئ��د ا ��ل��س�� ��ا � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م� ر ا ك� ب �إ ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫عي‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫�قِ ْ �أ�تَتْ �َ ا � هِ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �د �ن ه ِ ي��ت نِ� ِك‬ ‫فِ�‬ ‫�� �َ� � �ِ�م ْ��ه َ�َ‬ ‫ي ي �وِم � ر�‬ ‫�ج�ا �نِ�� ِك‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ أ َ �ْ � َ ا � نْ ُ َّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و ك�ل�ن�ى� ِم� ر��م� �نِ� ِك‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �أنَّ� َ ا نْ�َ ا �نُنَا نَ�ْ ُ َ نْ َ ُ‬ ‫ِ�ل� �� ِك �ج�� �ج � � �� و�‬ ‫ح ن� �ج��ا �ج��ا �ن�� ِك‬

‫�ث‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫ح�ز �مً�ا � ��ض �ًا �‬ ‫��ف ا ةً �‬ ‫� ًا �ن ًا ��ا ن �‬ ‫ا� ا ت � ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ب� ��ط� �و��ك � �ي�� �وك�ر�م� � �و ب��ل� �وك�� � ك���ي�ر‬ ‫�وك�� � �ص� �ع�د �م� ر�ج�� �ل�� ا �ل ن�� ��س � و‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫� �ق ا ت �‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫� �فّق‬ ‫� ت � ًا ن ا ��ا ن ��ف ّا �ز ت � �ل �ف ق �‬ ‫ا �ل� �‬ ‫�ص�د � � � او �ل�ص�ل� او � �لي��ل� �و���ه� را �وك�� � �ي� � �ي� �م �و ا ر��ه �ل� �م�و ��� �يرك ب� �إ ل�ى د ا ر ا�لم�و ���‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا ا ت ّ ن ف � ن�ز � ن �ظ �ف‬ ‫حا � ا‬ ‫ف�ي ��ق�ي�� ب�‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫�� �تر�ه � بر��� ��س� �ع� � �� ��ي ��‬ ‫� ا �ل ن�� ��س � �و � �مور‬ ‫�صر�� �إ �ل�ى �م�� �ل�ه ��ف�ي � �� ر ��ي� ��و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�م‬ ‫��غ ا ئ ع � � ظ � ث ّ ت�غ ّ‬ ‫� ش ّ ن �ظ � �ف � �أ �‬ ‫ثّ‬ ‫ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر � او �ل�� �� ب� �إ �ل�ى ا �ل��‬ ‫ح�ا ض�‬ ‫�هر �� ��ي ���د �ى � ��يو ن��ا �م �� ي�ج���ل��س �ب�ا �ل�ع����ي� ��ف�ي � �� ر ��ي� ا �ل��ع�م�ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� � ا �ن ّ ة � ش ا � � خ �ة � ا‬ ‫ح��م �من ا ا �ن ف ق‬ ‫ح�ّ�ص� �ج��م�� � � � ا �‬ ‫ع ا �ل��م� او �ل �م� �ل �‬ ‫ا �ل��س��ل��ط� �ي��� �إ �ل�ى �ع���� ء ا �ل��ر �ل� �ي�ب�رح� � �و ي� ل ي‬ ‫�ه� �و�م� � � ����‬ ‫ًا �ف ��ّ‬ ‫ش �ّ‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�خ�ف‬ ‫�و�م�ا ب�����ق�‪� .‬و��ي�ع��م�ل �ل�ه �ب�� �ل��ك �ع�م�ل� ��ي� ك��ل �ي ��و�م �و��ي�عر��� �ع��لي��ه �و�م�ا ي���ى �ع ن��ه ����ي� ء م�م�ا ي ج�ر�ي�‬ ‫ث ّ ن �ظ � �ف أ‬ ‫�ف � ي�أ ا � ��ّ‬ ‫أ ا ت�ق ّ �� �� ا ئ �خ ا ّ‬ ‫�صت��ه ��م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي� ا �ل��ع�م� �ل ك��ل ي �وم م �ي ر �ي� ر �ض�ي و ب ب �يو م �إ �ى و ل و � ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ث‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ي� ت‬ ‫ح��ا �� �إ �لي��ه ��ّ �ي���ت ش����ا غ���ل ب���ع�د ��ل��ك �م� �ن��دي�� �ي���ت ش����ا غ���ل ب�‬ ‫ح��د ��ي ث��ه � �و�� �ن��س �ب�ه ��ّ ��ي ن��ا � � �و �ق ��و�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م م �ي م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � � ا �لف� ث ّ �ذ ن �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف خ � �ف‬ ‫ث ّ ��‬ ‫��ي� � �را �ل��لي���ل ��ل�ا �ي�ز ا �ل �ي��ص��ل�� �إ ل�ى ��ط�ل�‬ ‫�ر�� �ي�� � �ل��ل ن��ا ��س �ي����س��ل�م�و� �ع��لي��ه �� �يرك� ب�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� فّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ �ل�ى د ا ر ا�لم�و���ق�‪.‬‬ ‫�ا �� ه � ف�ّق أ �ع � ن � � ث ��ق �ّ�ة‬ ‫�ق � � ّ ن‬ ‫�صر�ف� �ص�ا �ع�د �م ن� ��ف�ا ر��س �ش�� ك�‬ ‫مو ��� � �مر �مر�و ب � ا �ل�ل�ي � �و�ل�‬ ‫��ا �ل �و�لم�ا ا ���‬ ‫�� �إ لي�� ا �ل �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� � ُ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل���م� ا ��ل �و�م�ا ي� ت‬ ‫�ر � او �ل�تم�� �م ن��ه ا �‬ ‫ح��ا �� �إ �لي��ه �لإ���ن��ه�ا ض��� ا �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حت��ي �ا �ل �م�ا �ل ي خ�ر�� �ب�ه را �ش���د ا‬ ‫ع��س�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫س‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫��ل ا �� ��فّ ا ف� ��ق ا �� ا ّٰ � ا �ل�‬ ‫��ث �م ن � �ظ‬ ‫ح ��� ا ��لن �� �ف‬ ‫ح���ل��ة �أك���‬ ‫��ق�ا ت� � �من�� ا �ل��م ت��ز ��ق�� ن ‪ .‬ف����ق�ا ��ل ا �ل�م� �فّ�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ �ى ل�ص � ر‪ � � .‬ل �و لله م� �ي� ي‬ ‫و ع ر ي�‬ ‫ر � ر‬ ‫و ��‬ ‫‪370‬‬

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‫‪١٠،٣٥‬‬

‫‪١١،٣٥‬‬

‫‪١٢،٣٥‬‬

Qunnā’s Monastery

When Ṣāʿid ibn Makhlad died, his brother ʿAbdūn ibn Makhlad was released 35.10 from prison. He went to the Qunnā Monastery and lived an ascetic life. He was not properly qualified as a secretary and was not quick on the uptake, yet he reached a high position during his brother’s time in office. Rayyiq the singer offered him some early fruits once—figs, pomegranates, and other things—so he said to his secretary, “Write a reply to her note in poetry.” The secretary swore that he had never composed verses, which infuriated ʿAbdūn. “You’ve been working for me for years and you don’t even know the Poems of the Seven,”198 he said. “You ass, write to her: We’ve got your presents, on the day of your phaste,199 We’ve eaten of your pomegranate, you’re our beloved amorosa and we’re your adoring amoroso.”200 Ṣāʿid was an outstanding personality: decisive, precise, competent, gen- 35.11 erous, and high-minded. He regularly gave alms and prayed day and night. When he was al-Muwaffaq’s vizier, he would ride to the prince’s palace, spend four hours with him on business, and then return home, where he would look into petitions and the affairs of those far and near until midday. Then he had lunch, took a siesta, and in the evening dealt with affairs of state until the night prayer. He would not leave until he had checked all the finances, income, expenses, and balance. Accounts were drawn up and presented to him every day, and nothing escaped him. Subsequently, he would look into the situation of his estates and other property, pointing out to his agents and close aides what should be done. He would spend some time with one of his companions, enjoying conversation with him, and relaxing before going to bed. Then he would get up at the end of the night to pray until daybreak, give permission for his attendants to come in and greet him, and ride off to al-Muwaffaq’s palace. When Ṣāʿid left Fars, al-Muwaffaq complained to him about the threat 35.12 posed by ʿAmr ibn al-Layth al-Ṣaffār, mentioning how short he was of money and how much was needed to refit the army. He asked him to think of a plan to raise money to finance sending Rāshid to fight ʿAmr. Ṣāʿid responded, “By God, the only plan I can think of is to reduce expenses and dock pensions.” “That’s not what I need,” said al-Muwaffaq. “I want you to take a loan from the

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‫ق نّ‬ ‫د�ير ��ى‬

‫�أ � ن � �ق�� �ذ ��ل��ك �م ّ�م�ا �أ� ت ا � � ��ذ أ أ ن ت�أ �خ ��ذ ن ��لت ّ ا ق ض‬ ‫��ً�ا �و�ت�� ظّ ��� �ف �‬ ‫�ه�م �و�ع��لي���ك‬ ‫�� �ع�لي�‬ ‫ي � �ي‬ ‫ح���ج � او �ل� �ي� � ر�ي��د � � �� �� �م� ا �ج��� ر �ر� و‬ ‫ع تّ‬ ‫ش �ف �إ�ذ تّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل��ا � � ا �ل�ع�م�ا �ل �م�ا �ل� ���س��ع�� ن‬ ‫ي�ه� ‪.‬‬ ‫ي� �ب�ه �ع��ل�ى �إ � ار �� را ����د �� ا ا ���س�ع ن��ا ردد ��ا ه �ع��ل�‬ ‫�و�ع��ل�ى ا � ك�� ب و‬ ‫� ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف ا ت‬ ‫ح���ل��ة ���ف ا ��لت���ا �ع�د �ع ن��ه ف����ق�ا ��ل � �ّم�ا � �� ا ��س ���ط ��ف�ل�ا‬ ‫�س� � ش ا‬ ‫� ا � �ل‬ ‫ن �ذ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫بو‬ ‫�� � �و‬ ‫ح��� �ص� �ع�د �م� �ل�ك � �و را د �إ ع�م� �ل ا ي ي� ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ت ّ�أ �� ��‬ ‫�ن �إ ن� � �ذ ن� ��ل� ا ��ل���م��ر ���ف ا �ل�م�ص��ر ��ل� �م�د ��ي ن���ة ا ��ل��س�ل�ا � ر�ج�� ت� � ن� � � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ا ��ل ��ل�ه‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ي �‬ ‫ي �إ ى‬ ‫ي� ي ي�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م و‬ ‫ه�� ل�ي� �و �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫���� ��ل� � � ا �ل�ع ّ��ا �� ا �� ن��ه ��ا � �ل�ق �ض�� �ع�� �م�ا �ل�ص�ا �ع�د ���س ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫� � � ك�‬ ‫� ا � � �� � ا � �‬ ‫ب ر‬ ‫م� يري� أ�د‪ � � .‬ل ع م �ع��ل�ى أ ل�ك و ب �إ ى ب ي� ب س ب ب ب � ل�ى‬ ‫�م ن� ر� �ى � بو��ب��غ��د ا د �و�ج��مي��‬ ‫�س��ا �ب�ه‪.‬‬ ‫ع �� ب‬

‫��‬ ‫ل��ا ��ت� �ف �أ�� ت� �ص�ا �ع�دًا ���ف ا ��ل �� � ا ��ل���ذ �� قُ��ض�� �ع��ل��ه ف���ه �مت��ث�ا ��ق� ًل�ا‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل �إ ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ق� ب� ن� �إ � ا‬ ‫بر �هي��م ا � ك� ب ري‬ ‫ي� ي وم ي ب � ي ي‬ ‫�غ ا �ة �� ة‬ ‫�ع ن ا �ل� � ��ل ا �ل� �فّق ��ف�� �أ�ز �� � ه ��ل �أ ن �ق� ��ف ا �� ��� ّ �ة‬ ‫ط��ا ر �و�ه�و�ع��ل�ى �� �ي� ا � ك‬ ‫� م�ص�ي ر �إ �ى �‬ ‫مو ��� ل�م ل ب� �إ �ى � �ع�د �ي� ل ي‬ ‫ل�� ار �ه�� �و�و��ص�ل‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�� � ض‬ ‫�� �ة ا �ل�م�و�ف��ق �و��ق�د � او �ق��ف� ا �ل�م�و ف���ق را �ش���دا ‪ � 1‬ن� ���س�ي�ر �إ ��ل�ى د ا ر �ص�ا �ع�د �ع ن��د �‬ ‫ح�ص�و��ل�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إ ل�ى ح� ر �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫��� ش‬ ‫��� ن ���د ��ه ف� ���ق �ض�� �ع��ل �م�ا ف��ه�ا � �ع��ل ا ب�� ن��ه � � ��س��ا ��ه ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا � �ى �ص�ا �ع�د �ع ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��‬ ‫س‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب ي� ي ي ي ب � �ى ي� و �ى و ب ب‬ ‫ي ر �ج ي � �ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا � ه � ��ذ � ن خ � ن‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ��س ��ق�ا ��ل �م�ا �ه��ذ ا � �ع�زّ ا ّٰلله ا ��ل���م�� ��ق�ا ��ل ا � ت‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س��� � ��ي� را ����د �ي� �عر��� ر�ج�� �ل� ا �ل� ي � ي�ر�ج �و�‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ا �ج ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ق � �ف أ ق أ ض ن‬ ‫�ق ض �‬ ‫ض � �‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫حو�ه� � �و �‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫���ه� ‪�� .‬ا �ل ��� ���و�م � �و �م���ي� ��‬ ‫�م�ع�ه �إ �ل�ى ��ا ر��س �و��د �م���ى �ل�عر ض�‬ ‫��ر�عر��� ا �لر�ج��ا �ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� �ة �� ت أ ّ‬ ‫ا �ع�د ��ل��مض�� �ف��ُ�د �� � ه ��ل ا ��ل‬ ‫�ق ا � ف ف ث‬ ‫��� ��ه � �ق�ض‬ ‫ع�د ت� ��ل�ه �و �و ك�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�م�ع�ه‪� �� .‬ل ا ����ع�ل ���و�� ب� �ص� ي �ي� ع ل ب� �إ �ى ج ر ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � أ �� ا ��ف‬ ‫ا��ا ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع ن �أ �خ‬ ‫ح��ص� �م ّ�م�ا‬ ‫ح��د‪� .‬و�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� ي وم و‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �م� ك�� � �ل�ه ب� �� او ��س ��ط �و�ع��ل�ى ب��د �و� ي و يع و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫قُ‬ ‫أ� أ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ �خ‬ ‫�ب�ض��� �ع ن��ه �و�ع ن� � �ي��ه � او ب�� ن��ه �م ن� ا �ل��ض�ي �ا �م�ا �م��ق�د ا ر ا ر�ت���ف �ا �ع�ه � �ل�ف� � �ل�ف� د ��ي ن��ا ر �و�ُو�ج���د‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫� �ف ش � �آ� ا ت ا � ا �ق ة � ��ث ً�ة ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � تا‬ ‫�ك�� �س �ة � او ��ل��� � � او �ج�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫��و ر و ر � و �ل �ل � �ل ي‬ ‫ر و �و‬ ‫�ل�ه�م �م� ا�لم��ع � او ل�� و ط�ي ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ آ�‬ ‫أ آ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ر���ع��ة � �ل�ا �ف� ر� ��س �م ن� ا ��ل��د � او بّ� � او �لب��غ��ا ��ل � �و ر���ع��ة � �ل�ا �ف� �غ��ل�ا � �ب�� ن� �‬ ‫�ح�ل �و�خ��ا د � �و�ل� �ي ��و�ج���د ��ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫م م‬ ‫ن � ا � �ّ ا ن ا ئ ت أ �‬ ‫نا ث‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�� ش �ف �أ � ا �� � � د ا ���ئ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�م�م� ��‬ ‫حو �م� ���ي� � �ل�� د ��ي �� ر�� �و�‬ ‫�هر �م� ا�لم� �ل �إ �ل� �‬ ‫عهم�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع �ي��ده �ي� ك���� م�و ل�ه�م وو �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف� ن �ذ � أ ً ظ �مً‬ ‫�س��ا �ب��ه� � ك�‬ ‫�و�م�ص�ا د را ت� � �‬ ‫��ا � �ل��ك � �م ار �ع �ي���م�ا‪.‬‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ي�ز � �‬ ‫ح �� ��سً�ا ��ل� ��س�ن ��ة �خ��م�� � ��س��ع�� ن ‪� � ٢‬م�ا ��ئت��� ن ث��ّ ��نُ�ق�� ��ل� د ا ا � ن ���ط�ا �ه ���فم�ا �ت‬ ‫�و�ل�م � �ل �م ب و �إ ى‬ ‫س و ب ي� و ي� م �ل �إ ى ر ب �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�خ ة أ‬ ‫�ف ُ ف �إ�ز �‬ ‫� �ف ة‬ ‫�ه ن��ا ك �م ن� ���ل��ف �� � �ص�ا ب��ت��ه ��د �� ن� �ب� ا ء ا �ل��د ا ر ا�لم�عر�و��� �ب�ه‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ث ة‬ ‫� �م�ا ت� � �خ�� ه �ع��د � ن� � �ه� �م��ت ّ�ه� ���د � �ق ن�ّ ���ف ��س�ن ��ة � ش‬ ‫ع���ر � �وث�ل�ا ��م�ا ���ئ��‪.‬‬ ‫ير‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ب و و و ر ب ب ى ي�‬ ‫‪  1‬ال�أ�ص� ‪ :‬ا ق���ف� ا ش����دًا ا �ل���م فّ� ق ‪  ٢ .‬ال�أ�ص� ‪� :‬ت��س�ع�� ن‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل و‬ ‫ل و‬ ‫و�‬

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‫‪١٣،٣٥‬‬

‫‪١٤،٣٥‬‬

Qunnā’s Monastery

merchants and collect a levy from them, from yourself, and from the secretaries and administrators to finance Rāshid’s expedition. When things become easier, we’ll pay them back.” Ṣāʿid found the idea odious and he started to think of a way to distance himself from the prince. “I won’t be able to manage that in Wāsiṭ,” he said, “but if the prince allows me to go to Baghdad, I hope I could find a way to get him what he wants.” “Do that,” said al-Muwaffaq. At the same time, he wrote to his son Abū l-ʿAbbās201 to seize Ṣāʿid’s property in Samarra and Baghdad and all his possessions. Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm the secretary recalled: I saw Ṣāʿid on the day he was arrested 35.13 hanging back from going to al-Muwaffaq, and I persuaded him to take his seat in the skiff, though he was extremely unwilling. When he was admitted into al-Muwaffaq’s presence, the prince had already agreed with Rāshid to go to his residence as soon as he arrived, confiscate everything there, and put his son and his household under arrest. Ṣāʿid saw the army drawn up by the bridge and said, “What’s this, God preserve the prince?” “Rāshid asked my permission to parade the men who accompany him to Fars, and he’s gone off to inspect them.” “Let me go and join them and see the parade with him.” “Very well.” Ṣāʿid sprang up to leave, but was seized, taken to the room prepared for him, and put under guard. His property in Wāsiṭ was seized, his brother ʿAbdūn was arrested, and everything they owned was confiscated, all in one day. The estates belonging to him, his brother, and his son that were confiscated were worth a million dinars. Their utensils, clothes, perfumes, jewels, furnishings, and vessels were too numerous to be valued. They had around four thousand beasts of burden and mules and four thousand male slaves, uncastrated and eunuchs. On first inspection, they had only two hundred thousand dinars in cash, but when al-Muwaffaq got his hands on the inventory of their wealth and deposits and the confiscations of their household, it came to a huge amount. Ṣāʿid remained in prison until the year 275 [889], when he was transferred 35.14 to Ibn Ṭāhir’s palace, where he died from dementia. He was buried opposite the palace called after him. His brother ʿAbdūn died in 310 [922–23] in the Qunnā Monastery, where he had become a monk.

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‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع���مر ك���سك�ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ف �‬ ‫� ا ن � ش ��ق ّ � ن ا ا � �ق ة � �ف ة‬ ‫�نّ ف �� ّ‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫�ه� �ب� � �ل �ري�� ا�لم�عر�و��� �ب�ب�ر�ج��و��ي� ‪� 1‬و�ي��ه ك�ر���سي�‬ ‫�و�ه�و � ��س����ل �م� � او ��س ��ط ��ي� ا�ج�ل� �� ب� ا �ل���ر�ي� م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ن‬ ‫�ث �ة‬ ‫� ا ��ل� ن‬ ‫���� � ظ‬ ‫�ص��ع��ة �� � �ق ّا ا ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ّ ��ق� ّل�ا���ة �من�ه�ا‬ ‫ع ����ي�� �‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا �لب��ن �ا ء ��م ك��‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ا �لم��ط ار � �و�ه�و�ع�مر كب� ي ر‬ ‫حو�ل�ه ��ل��ي� � ك���ي�ر ك�ل ي �‬ ‫م� �ق ّا ا ت ا ��ّ ت م �ق نّ‬ ‫ح� ���ط ��ا �ل�م ض‬ ‫��� ���س�ا �ت�� ن‬ ‫��ل ا �ه� � ��س����� ا‬ ‫���ث�� �ة ف��ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫له� ��سب��ي���ل ا � �ل �ل� �ي� � ل ��ي� �ب��د�ير �ى و ي ب و ع ب ي� ي ر ي�‬ ‫ر ب و بي �‬ ‫� �ق ��ّ �ذ ��ش� ت ّ‬ ‫ا ئ �� ث ا ف� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫ا ��ل��ش�� ��لن خ‬ ‫��� �و��س� �را ل�م� ر � �‬ ‫�ك�ل �ي� �� ر�� �ي� ��طر��ه �و ك��ل �ي� �ج�� ن� �ي�����س��ل�ى �ب�ه‪.‬‬ ‫ج�ر � او � ل‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ � ن ا �ز ف ��ا ن �ق‬ ‫ح��س ن‬ ‫�ولحم‬ ‫ح��س ن ب� ن ��س��ه� ب� �� او ��س ���ط �و�م�د � ا ��ل‬ ‫�ص�ده � �ّ�ا � �م��ق�ا � ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫يم م‬ ‫� م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ث ن �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫اب� ن� ��س��ه�ل �و�ل�ه �م�ع�ه �‬ ‫ح�د��ي� ��� ك�ره ب���ع�� ب� ا ل����عر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱُ‬ ‫ُْ َ َ � َ � َ ٱ � َّ ْ‬ ‫�َ ُ‬ ‫ل ُ �َ�ٱ �� َّل���طَ ُ   �َ�ٱ ��لْ َ�ا د َ �ا َ ا ُت �َ�ٱ �ْ��أدْ �َ ا ُ �َ � ��لنّ�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫هو و رب� و ��ي ِ ك ر � و �ل و ر و ب�‬ ‫بِ���ع���مِر � او سِ�� ��ط ��ط�ا ب� � �ل�� � �‬ ‫ٱْ َْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ �� تْ َ �بِ �ذَ �ُ � ْ َ �أ أَ��نْ�فُ َ ُ ْ َ أَ ْ ��جِ ُ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��أ �� �َ ا َ� ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وفِ��ي ��ةٍ �� � � �ل او ِ�ل��لك� ��سِ � ���س���ه�م  � �و �و� ب �� او لِ�ر �ضِ�‬ ‫�� ��يِ� � ل ك�� سِ م� ي�جِ ب�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ أَ�نْفَقُ � َ ٱ �ْقَ ْ‬ ‫�ت َ‬ ‫�ص �َ �ا �َ َ���ُد � ا  �َ �أ �نْ�هِ� ُ ا � َ�ا ل���ُ�ه ْ � َ�ا �َ �َ �ا � ك��‬ ‫� �و � � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��سُ��وا‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م فِ�ي� و‬ ‫��� او �فِ�ي� ��سبِ��ي���ِل � � �ل� فِ‬ ‫و�ج و وَ � ب و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ُ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫ْ ت ْ ْت ُ ْ َ ُ‬ ‫�جِ�دُت� ُ��ه�ْ دَ �ف��ُ�ع ا  �َ � ����س َ ا َ‬ ‫�ح�ا فِ� ������ِظ�� نَ نِ� � ��س����‬ ‫�م‬ ‫� � م و و‬ ‫��خِ يَ�� ء �إِ نِ� � ��س ��و�ه��ب����ه�م �و�ُ� ب �� او‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ َ ُ ُْ‬ ‫�� ا مٍا َ ا َ �ةً �ُ ا �� هِ �ذ � � نَ ن���مِ تْ ُ ْ َ َ �ة ُ ُ‬ ‫�ن�ا د �ْم ت� �ِمن���ه� ْم �كِر �� � ���س� د �‬ ‫�جب��  م�� � بِ�ي� ����ه�م ��‬ ‫�س�ا د �ج� ب�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��فَ �َ ْ ���نِ�زَ��ْ � �َا �� �ٱ ��ْل�ُ��عْ ��نَ�عْ ُ ُ َ ا �َق� ْ �فٍ َ تَ ْ ُ ُ َ ٱ � َّ �ذّ ُ َٱ � ِّ � َ ُ‬ ‫�م ���م �ه�   �‬ ‫�ل� � ل � �‬ ‫�ص�� �ا �و������غ�م �نر�ا � �ل��ل�� ا ت� � �و �ل����طر ب�‬ ‫ٱم � َ ْ �فِيَ� ضْ َِري ُ ضِ�ٱ �ْ أََْ ِرَ ر ةٌ ٱ � َ ُ ُ ُ ٱ �ْ أَ َ ُ تَ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص ��� ُ‬ ‫ح��ك �َ � �ل�� �ن�� ا ءُ ��ا كَ���  �َ � �ل�ّ�ن�ا � � ْ����س�ع�د �َ � �ل���ْ �ت�ا ��‬ ‫َ ل�زّ ُ �‬ ‫ط ب�‬ ‫�خِ‬ ‫� �و � ���هرْ ي����� و و ب ِ ي و‬ ‫ي� ي ِ و و ر‬ ‫�فَ�َ� ٱ � َّ ��ذَ ت َ ٌ‬ ‫َ نَ ْ‬ ‫َ�ة تَ� ْ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ َ أ ُ‬ ‫� نُ ل�ََ ا � َ ْ � َ ا �ُق ُ �� ُ‬ ‫� دا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ �و �لك�� ��س ��ي� ��ل ِك � �ل��ل� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِر ي� و � �فِ�ي� و ِر ه‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ئِر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َٱ �� �َّ �ْ ُ ��قِ ْ ُ ��� ��فَ تْ �عِ نَّا �نََا � �� ُ ُ ��فََ ا � ُ َ �َّ �ُ نَ ا �ٱ �ْ �أ�ْ َ ا ثُ �َ�ٱ ��لنَُّ ُ‬ ‫�و ل�د ��هر �د طر � � �� ��و �� ظِ‬ ‫�ره  ��م� ���ترو�ع�� �ل��ح�د � و ��و ب�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ز أ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ّ ف نّ �� �أ ت ا � ا ��ن ا �� ت‬ ‫ح��د ا ��ل ش����ع ا ء ا �ل�م��� � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا � � �‬ ‫���ا � �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن� �‬ ‫�وك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ط�و�ع��ي� ي�ج�ي��د ك�ل ��� �يرك�ب��ه � �وي� �ي� �ب� �لم�ع� �ي� ل ��ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ت ت‬ ‫���ثر �ش���ع ه ���ف� ا �� �ل�ق ن��ا �ع��ة �و�م�د � ا ��لت��ص�ّو ن� �و�ذ �ّ ا ��ل‬ ‫��س��غ���ل�ق� �ع��ل� �غ��ي�ره �وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� � ك��‬ ‫حر��ص � او �ل���ط�م� ‪.‬‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص� ‪ :‬ی�ی��ر�‬ ‫حو�ی‪.‬‬ ‫ل‬

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‫‪٣،٣٦‬‬

The Monastery of Kaskar

This is a monastery below Wāsiṭ, lying to the east of it in the village called

36.1

Barjūnī. It is large and imposing, well and solidly built, and surrounded by numerous cells. Each cell belongs to a monk, and they exchange them as the monks do the cells in Qunnā’s Monastery. Round it are many gardens with trees, palms, and all kinds of fruit. It is visited by men of refinement, who have a good time, and by men experiencing grief, who find solace there. Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim composed this poem about it: he had visited it

36.2

when al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl was residing at Wāsiṭ and he went to recite a panegyric to him. Their story will be told after the poetry: Fine pleasure and music Wāsiṭ’s Convent offered, memories, songs, and toasts; A company devoted to the cup, giving their due to those weaned on the glass, Spending all they had on revelry, surrendering wealth and gains; Protective: if you sought their help, they gave it; generous: if you asked for a gift, you received it. My companions they were, noble lords, well born, the cultured sons of noble fathers. We reveled in the convent’s gardens— gardens that drowned us in music and pleasure. The flowers laughed as the setting stars wept, while the flute played joyfully and music filled the air. The cup revolved slowly in pleasure’s firmament, and we were its poles as it revolved. Destiny had averted its eyes from us, and so we feared no reversal or blow. Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim was a naturally gifted poet who excelled in every genre he practiced. He employed images and motifs that others did not

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‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��� �� �‬ ‫�����‬

‫�ف أ‬ ‫ة �ف‬ ‫�ذ�� ��مّ � ن �ز �ذ �ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت� �ل�ي� �‬ ‫� ك� ح د � �‬ ‫ح��س ن� ب� ن� ��س��ه�ل ��� �ت�ي��ت��ه �و��د‬ ‫ح�ا � �ه� ا ��ا �ل �عر��ض‬ ‫ح�ا �ج��� ��ي� � ك‬ ‫ع��س��ر‬ ‫و �ن ر �م� ب � م‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�� ت ��ق � ت ��ف ا �� �ف�ي�ن �ة �ش � ��ف �خ � ت ��ل ��مّ � � ن � � � ن ا �ل� ا �� ا ّ �ف ن ت‬ ‫� ��ا ������سب�� ت�‬ ‫ك� � �ل� �ي� ل��س� � ��ع ار �د ��ل� �إ �ى ح�م�د ب � �سعي��د ب � ��س� �م لب�� �ه��ل�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ف ف ن أ ن�ز � ن أ‬ ‫ش ً ف �ق �‬ ‫ث ّ �ق � �‬ ‫� أق‬ ‫�ق �ف � �أ �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���عر��ي� � �و � �ل ��ي� � �و ك�ر�م �مث�� او �ي� ��م ��ا �ل �ل�ي� �م�ا ���ل ت� ��ي� ا �ل��م�ي�ر ���ل ت� �ل�م � ���ل ب���ع�د ���ي��ئ��ا‪� ��� .‬ا �ل‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ ً أ� أ أ‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ر ج���ل ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �م��ع ��� ا �ل��س��ف�ي�ن ��ة ب���ل� ��ق�د ��ق�ا ��ل � ب��ي��ا �ت�ا ��ف��س�� �ل ن��� � ن� � �ن ش����ده �إ �يّ�ا �ه�ا ��ف�� �ن ش����د �ت�ه‬ ‫ي� ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� مٍا فَ �قُ ْ تُ َ َ ْ ف َ‬ ‫َ �َ ا ��ُ ��ل مِ َ ْ� تَ‬ ‫� ��فِ �تً َك��‬ ‫� ��ل� � ���فِ� �تً َك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ق� �ل او �ي� �� �د ح‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى ِير‬ ‫َ و َ ٱ ْ�يُ��جِ َ ِي� ِ ى ِ يِم‬ ‫َ َ ْ ُ ٱ �َِّ َ ُ �ذْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �لو ت� � �ل ن��ا ��س �م� �م��� ��  ‪� 1‬ع� �م�  �وح���س��ك �� �‬ ‫� � �م �� ��ل ��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫سِ ي�‬ ‫�َ ا أَ بحِ ٌ بِ َ ُ ُ رعِبِ َِ � �حِ ِيِم‬ ‫��فَ َ ا أَ حِ ٌ ُ عِ ُّ � َ ْ �خَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� �د �� �ع د �� ��ل �‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ٍ �و�ل� � �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ���ي‬ ‫� مِ� ��‬ ‫�م� �ٱ �ْ�فِ�د �ي � �د لِأَيُ��و�ِم � ر أَ‬ ‫ُْ‬ ‫� ُ �ي ُ وَ ْ َ �ُى �َ يِم‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ ��ي�ع‬ ‫��ُ�بنِ��� � � �ل� ���ف��تى �َ �و ظ ���� نّ �خ��ْ��يرا   ��ف�� ك�������ش�ف� �ِم نْ��ه �ع ن� ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج�ل �ل��ئِ ي��‬ ‫َوَ�جِِ َ ي َ ْ ُ ُ َ ْ �ضٍ� �فِ أَ ضْ َ ْ َ ِأَ‬ ‫ًّ ٍ ْ أَ ِم‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ت��ق��ّ��ب ���ع ض ْ‬ ‫حوا  ب�نِ��� � ب� ��و� نِ� ��ق ��ق�د ا �ِم ن� � ِدي��‬ ‫�ل ب �‬ ‫�� �ا � �� �����‬ ‫�����ه�م ب���ع�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ ْ َ ٱ �ْ َ ِم‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫طَ ا �‬ ‫���ه�ُم ����بِ�ز ���م�ز � �َ �و ل‬ ‫�ف�َ ���ط�ا �ف� � ��ل نّ�َ�ا ��س ��� ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح َ��س بْ�� ��س��ه�ل �‬ ‫ٍ �‬ ‫ح��ِطي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫نِ نِ‬ ‫� ُ ُ ْ�بِ ةَ ٱ � َ ُم ٱ �ْ َ � ِم‬ ‫ً ََ ْ‬ ‫َ َ ا ��ُ ا � سِ َّ ًا �ُ�ْ ��‬ ‫����� �شف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ‬ ‫ ‪٢‬‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج�‬ ‫�و��ق� �لو �� ي��د �ي ِط�ي� ��جِ�زِ يل و‬ ‫�قِي ْ ُِ ْ تَ ٱ �ْر��بِ ر َِل ٱ � َّ �ظِ يِم‬ ‫ف�َ ُ ْ ُ َ ضَ �ذَ َّ ٱ �ْقَ ش ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� �م���ى �بِ�� �م � � �ل��ْوِ�م ِ����عِر��ي  �و� �د �ي ���ؤ �ى � �ل� ِر�ي� ءُ �ِم ن� � �ل��س��قِ� ي��‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِم‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�ظِ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫َ َ ا ��خِ َ�ٌ � ُ َ�َّ‬ ‫��جُ�م�هُ ���� نُ�� نٌ�   ��� ��ْ���ف�شَ�� �ِم نْ �ُم��َع�ا ��يَ��نِ �ةِ� � �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��م� � � ر ���ت‬ ‫ح‬ ‫كي��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�فِ نْ َ ُ َب َنَ ِّ ر َ َ ْ ُ ِ ًّ َ ِ ْ ُ أُ ْ ٱ � َ ُ ٱْ�ُ ِم‬ ‫���ح�ق�ا  ر�‬ ‫��ج�ع ت� ��� ��هَ��� � �ل ّ �‬ ‫� � � ���ك �م�ا �ت��������ش �ع��ن�ه �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج� � �ل���م� ��‬ ‫�إِ نْ َي ُ �غَ ْ �ذَ َ ر�حِ َ ْ ُ َ َّ َ �زَ �َ ٱ � َّبِ ُّ بَ ةِْ َر ُ ِل �قِ يِم‬ ‫��ج �حِ‬ ‫�َو � ���ك ��ي�َر ا ك �‬ ‫ي �و ا �ل � �ل ش�����ك �ع ن� ر�‬ ‫� �م�د ت� بر �‬ ‫� �ِ�لي��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ٱ �ْ َ أ ُ ٱ �ْ َ ِم‬ ‫َ �إِ�َ ْ َ ٱْ� �ُ َ ْ � ُ‬ ‫َ �ٰ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل���� � �ل َ‬ ‫�م�ا �ل �ي���عِ�� �‬ ‫��ر�� � ��و � �لك� ��‬ ‫ن � �ل ك‬ ‫ط��ف��ي� �ع��ل�ْ�ي�هِ  � �ل‬ ‫وي س‬ ‫ِريِم‬ ‫و �كِ � ِ يم‬

‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�خ ن‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬م��سو�‪   ٢ .‬ك‬

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understand. Most of his poetry was on contentment with one’s lot or in praise of the virtuous life and condemnation of greed and ambition. He himself told the following story: I went to al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl’s camp because I had some business there. On the boat going there I composed some verses, so when I arrived I went to see Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd ibn Sālim al-Bāhilī.202 I introduced myself, and when he realized who I was, he gave me a lodging and treated me well. He asked me, “What verses have you composed about the prince?” “I haven’t composed anything yet.” But a man who was on the boat with me butted in: “Oh yes, he has composed a poem.” Muḥammad asked me to recite it, and I did so: They asked, “Have you ever praised a man of nobility?” I answered, “Where can I find such a man?” For fifty long years I’ve tried out people, and you know experience is the best teacher. No one can be relied on when things go well; no one bestows favors on relatives. I may like a man and think highly of him, but then I discover he’s base and mean. Some people throw their arms around each other and become brothers, chips off the same block. Pilgrims circle around al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl as they do round Ḥaṭīm and Zamzam’s well.203 They say, “A chief who's openhanded, relieving the sorrow of those who conceal it.” And I, “My verses have always been lampoons, but what’s sick may produce something healthy. No hearsay arising from suspicions is more effective than a wise man’s witness. If what’s told of him is true, I’ll receive the help of a man who sets things right. If it turns out otherwise, I’ll praise my Lord, and a man of insight will have lost his doubts. Wealth will not make me turn to him, but one noble man is another noble’s brother.”

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‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��� �� �‬ ‫�����‬

‫�ذ ت � �أ‬ ‫�ف ّ أ ن ت � ش �ق �‬ ‫ّ � � ن ن ظ�‬ ‫� �ز � أ ن‬ ‫���ل�م�ا � � ش����د ��ه ا �ل����عر ��ا �ل ب��مث���ل �ه� ا ����ل��قى ا �ل��م�ي�ر � او لله � �لو ك���ا � �� ����ي�رك �لم�ا �ج��ا �ل��ك � �‬ ‫�� ّ أ‬ ‫�نّ � أ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت�خ‬ ‫��ا ���ط��ه ��ه��ذ ا‪�� .‬ق��ل ت‬ ‫ح�ه‪� .‬و� ك‬ ‫ح�ه �م�د �‬ ‫ل�� ن��� ��س�� �م�د �‬ ‫�ص�د � ت� �و�ل�� �ل��ك ��ق��ل ت� �إ ��ي� �ل� � �م�د �‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ف أ‬ ‫��خم أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ �� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ه �م ن � �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�تش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�����ه�ه‪� � .‬ل ا ���ع�ل‪� .‬ود ���ل �إ ل�ى ا �‬ ‫ح��س� � �ب� ره ا �ب� ر � �و �����ده ا ل����عر �و�ج ب�� � �ج �ود‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫د��ا ��ل �ع��ل��ه ��ل�غ��� �م�د �‪�� .‬ف��أ د �خ���ل ت ��ف��أ�م ��ن �أ ن �أ�ن ش����ده ا ��ل ش‬ ‫ا ��ل��� ت ا ���أ�خ��� ‪�� .‬ف��أ�م �� �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ري�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب ي � �ل ي ر ُ ر ب �إ ي� ي ي ر ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة �ذ‬ ‫�خ �ف‬ ‫�ذ � �ذ �إ�ذ‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫��ف ا � ت ت �ف ف‬ ‫ف�ي��ه �ل��� �ي��ع�� ن�� �و��ق�ا �ل ��ق�د �ن��ع ت� �ب��ه� ا ا �ل�ع� ر �ل� �ت��د ���لن��� ��ي� �ج��م��ل�� �م ن� �م�م ت� �و�م�‬ ‫� �س��ع��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ك �م�ا ��ل��ك �و��ل��ل ن��ا ��س ���عّ�م�ه� �ب�ا �ل��جه‬ ‫م��ا ��ف�� �ت��ك ��ف�� �ن ش����د �ت�ه ������‬ ‫�ه��ذ ا �ف��ع��ل�ي�ن �ا �‬ ‫ح��س ن � ك�‬ ‫ح��ك �و��ق�ا �ل �و�‬ ‫��ا ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� أ �ق � �ق ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف �ق‬ ‫ح��س���ك ا ��ل�� ن� �م ن �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل�ن�م���ط � �و � ��ق �ع��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه� ��� ��ل ت� ��د �و� به�ت��ه� �ل�ل�� �م�ي�ر ��ا �ل ��د �ب���ل ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ ب � ي� م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ ة ف� ��ق � ث‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫أ أ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫� �و �ن�ا � ��ط�ا �لب���ك �ب�ا �ل�و��ا ء �م ��ط�ا �لب��� �م ن� � �ه�د��ي ت� �ل�ه �ه�د �ي�� � ب��‬ ‫له�ا ��ّ �و�ص��لن��� ��� �ج�ز �ل‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف����ق��ل ت� ف�ي��ه � �و �ن ش����د �ت�ه‬ ‫َ َ ْ ُ ٱ �ْقَ َ � َْ ْ َ ْ َف َ َّ َ نِ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫�َ ����يَ �م نَ �ٱ ��لثَّ��َ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�و�ه� ت� � � �ل ��ْو� ِ�ل���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح َ��س� ب�� ��س��ه�لٍ  ��� �عو��ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ٱ ْ��ي� � ج �زِ َ �ل ِ � َ و ب ِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ�ق ا �َ َ �ٱ ��ْم َ ا َ َ قُ ْ َ‬ ‫� ً �فَ نّ �قَ ْ َ أ قَْ ُ � ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�و�� �ل د لِ�ه‬ ‫�ص�د � �رب� ِ�ل��ل� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� ء �و���ل �ج ِ�مي��ل�ا  � �إِ� � � � �ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص او ب ِ‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫فَ�قِ �ْ تُ �َ ُ ��بِ ئْ تُ � ْ � َ نْ ُ‬ ‫� ت ُ ُ �ُ ْ قَ ِ� � ّ َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫���� �ل� ل� � ِر��� �إِ لي��ك ِ ��ه�  �ي����ه�م ِب�م���ن����ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع ٱلْ���تَر ب ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْم‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �َ �َ ا ْ مِ ةُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫عِ ََّ ��ل ُ��سْتُ ُ ْ ُ َ � َ �ذ‬ ‫�َ َ ْ َ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ٍ �‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و� �لْو�ل� ��نِ�ع�� �� �‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫نِ� َ نِ� � ل َ �ي� �‬ ‫و ّ بِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أَ�� ُ ُ ُ ُ َ‬ ‫�ا �يِ َ �ةَ ٱ � �أ َ ا � َ أ �خْ� � ُ ْ �ُ�م َ ا �تَ �َ�ةَ ٱ � ��ذَ �َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ِك���ي�د �ه�م �م ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �� �د � �ل���ع� ِد �‬ ‫ي � �وَ ��تِ ٱ�ْل�َ��ه�مَ��خ� �ل� ٱ �ْ �ل� �ي� ب ِ‬ ‫ُ ُ‬ ‫َاًا �غِ َْ أَ ��نَّ َ أ ْ تُ �ق ْ َ أ شْ َ ا َ �� اَ‬ ‫ي ر� ��ي� � � �ل ��و� � ���ب�� ه � �ل كِ�‬ ‫ك�ل� �ب� �� �ي�ر �‬ ‫�َو�َم�ا �م�سِ���خ��وا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل� � ِب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م‬

‫أ‬ ‫فض‬ ‫ا أ ��ف � ت ن � �� ف� ��ق � ت �ذ � ��ق ّ �ة‬ ‫ح��ك ث��ّ ��ق�ا ��ل � �و��ل�ك ا ��ل��س�ا �ع��ة ا ب��ت��د � ت� ب���جه‬ ‫������‬ ‫��ا �ئ��ه� �و�م� � �ل �� او �م��ك ب�ع�د � �ل� �ه� ه ب� ي��‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫أ ٰ �أم‬ ‫�ق م أ ن ا ّ‬ ‫���ط�ف‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫ح ت� �ع��ل ��ب��‬ ‫���ا �ف� �عن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �م�ا � ب�����قى ا لله ا �ل��م�ي�ر‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ى ي� و‬ ‫�م‬

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The Monastery of Kaska

When I recited his poem to him, he said, “Is this the kind of poetry you will

36.4

confront the prince with? By God, it wouldn’t be suitable for you to address him like this even if he were your equal.” “That’s right,” I said, “and that’s why I said that I hadn’t composed a eulogy. But I’ll produce a panegyric appropriate to him.” “Do so,” said Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd. Then he went in to see al-Ḥasan and told him the story, reciting the poem and pointing out how good the last verse was. Al-Ḥasan ordered that I be admitted, but without praising him. So I was allowed in and he ordered me to recite the poem. I asked to be excused, but he did not agree, saying, “Since you haven’t included me among the people you’ve cursed, I accept your excuse. All the same, you deserve a good reward from me.” So I recited him the poem and he laughed, saying, “Damn it, what’s your problem with people? You make them all targets of your lampoons. Enough of that. Let them live!” I replied, “I’ll grant the prince their lives.” “I accept. And as someone to whom you’ve made a gift, which he has accepted, I demand you keep faith.” And he rewarded me generously. Then I composed this poem, which I recited to him: I granted men’s lives to al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl, and generous was his reward. “Leave satire,” he said, “and speak fair. That way you’re close to the mark.” And I, “I’ve given them to you. Would that they lay in an abyss. But for al-Ḥasan’s favor to me, I’d mete them out a horrid punishment, With the stratagems of a foe, creeping up on them like a wolf. They haven’t been transformed into dogs, but that’s how they look.” He laughed. “Damn you, you’ve started to lampoon them immediately. They haven’t escaped you yet.” I answered, “This is the last thing I had in my heart. Now, while God grants life to the prince, I won’t attack them again.”

379

379

36.5

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��� �� �‬ ‫�����‬

‫ً‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ة‬ ‫��ا ن ��مّ � � ن �ز‬ ‫بر �هي�� ب� ن� �ش�� ك�‬ ‫ح�ا � ��ق�د �ن��س��ك �وت�رك ش���رب� ا �ل ن�ب��ي�� ��ف�د خ���ل �ي ��و�م�ا �ع��ل� �إ � ا‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل �وك�� � ح�م�د ب � �‬ ‫��ل�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف �ن م�ق �‬ ‫أ� أ ن‬ ‫ح�ا د �ث‬ ‫��� �م�ع�ه � ���ل�� � ا �ه �� ��ل�� ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل���رب� �و��س�� �ل�ه � � ي� ش���رب� �م�ع�ه ��ا �م��ت� � �و��ا �ل‬ ‫بر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫يم‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أَ َ ْ َ �خَ‬ ‫� ْ � نَ �أ ْ ُ َ�ٱ ��ل شَّ ْ ُ ��ل���لَ ْ َ� ْ ُ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫� ب����ع�د ِ ي� � ب �و و ي ب� �ج � �ِل ر ب�‬ ‫نٌّ َ شَ ْ ٌ َ �ِ ْ ٌ أَ ْ ٌ ��َل�َع ْ ُ َ َ‬ ‫�ص�ْ ُ‬ ‫�ِ�س� �و���ي�� ب� �و ��ج��ه�ل  � ���مر ���مرك � ع ب�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َا ٱْ نَ ٱ �ْ � َ فَ هِ َّ أ َّ ُ ُ‬ ‫َ َْ� ُ‬ ‫�� � � � �ل���‬ ‫م�ا ِ�م ��� �ل�ا � �ي�ا �م �ع‍   ‍�وِد �ي� ر ��ط ب�‬ ‫ي َب ْ� إِ أْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ �ش ُ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫� َر� �سِ��� ��قِ��ل���ي�  �َو�من� �هِ� � � ل‬ ‫ح ب� �ع� ب�‬ ‫� ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�و��ي�� ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�إِ�ذْ َ‬ ‫َ ا ٌ َ �ن�� �َ ْ َ � ُ‬ ‫�َو ���ِس�ه�ا ِ�م�ي� �صِ‬ ‫�� ي�� ب�  �و �ص�ل �سي �فِ���� ع��ض‬ ‫� ب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�َ �إِ�ذْ � َ ا ءُ �ٱ ��ْلغ�َ َ ا � �مِ� نَّ َ� � ثٌ �َ �ُ ْ ُ‬ ‫ي  ��ي� ح� ِد ��ي� و��قر ب�‬ ‫و ���ِ��ش��ف� ��و �نِ��‬ ‫�فِ �ٱ �ْ �آ نَ َ� َّا َ أَ� � ٱ �ْ ُ �ذَّ �ُ َ ا �َ�ق ْ أَ َ ُّ‬ ‫ي � �ل��ع� ا �ل �م� �د � �‬ ‫� � �ل� � �ل�م� � ى �‬ ‫حب �� او‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫َر بِ َّ� َ أُ‬ ‫َآ نَ َ ٱ �� ُّ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�مِ� ن �ق ْ �ٌ � ا ُ َ � ْ ُ‬ ‫� �و ���س � لر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ي  ��و ��ع� ب� �و �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫��صب و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حّ ّ َ‬ ‫��� ً ا َ‬ ‫آ ��َ ْ تُ �أ � ْ ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ش‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ج ِ هِ ر‬ ‫� ل�ي � ر ب� ��س �م �‬

‫� آ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ح�م�د ا ن� ب� ن ي�‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ح�ا �ز � � �نّ�ه ��ق�ا ��ل ��ل�� �ل�� ��ي ��ق �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫�و ك�‬ ‫ح�ى ��ق�ا �ل � خ�ر�م�ا ��ف�ا ر� ت� �ع��لي��ه �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ٰ م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ذّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �ن ا ن � ف� ��ق � ت � ه أ ����خس ّ‬ ‫����ي� ء �م ن� ا �ل��ل�� ا ت� �إ �ل�ا ب��ي�� ا �ل��س � ��ي ر‪� � .‬ل� �ل� �‬ ‫� ن� ا لله �ع�ي�ن ��ك � ي� ش��� ��ل��ك ��ي� ب��ي��‬ ‫أ ع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ن ا ��ل�ع �زع� ن ا ت�خ ا � ن ت ق � �ذ ن ّ‬ ‫� �ن ا ن �ق ا � ���ع‬ ‫�س� �� ُ��س �ق� �م ن��ّ ��ف�� �ق�� ��ل ��له�ا‬ ‫�ج��ي� �ج‬ ‫ا �ل��س � ��ي�ر �� �ل ب‬ ‫��و ا �لر�ع�� ء �� ص�م��ي� � �و �� ��و�ل �ه� ا � �ور ي ر ي� و �‬ ‫��ذ ت ث ّ �تش����ت ن أ �ش��ت ا ت�خ� ا �ص ن أ �خ ا � ا �ق ا � أ ن ش ��ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ��م �م��ي� � �و ��م�ه� �و � �م��ي� � �و �� ص�م�ه�‪� �� .‬ل � �و �����د �ي�‬ ‫ك� ب�� ِ‬ ‫ْ �خَ‬ ‫ْ �خُ َ ا ً �خ�َ ْ‬ ‫� ْ َ ً�ة �ُ َ‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫���خ�م�ا رٍ  �َو��صِ‬ ‫���ل ���مر بِ‬ ‫�� �ل��م� را بِ ���مِر‬ ‫َ ُ �ذْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ �ز‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �����ك �م��نه�ا ا د ا �ل� � ت‬ ‫�خ� ب� ظ‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ح�ي ث� ���د ِر�ي�‬ ‫�إِ ى‬ ‫� ِ‬ ‫ِ �‬

‫� أ ف � � � ة ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫����ق��ل ت� �إ �ل�ى �ي� ن� ����ق�ا �ل �إ �ل�ى ا �ل�ه�ا � �وي�� �ي�ا ر�ي�� ‪.‬‬ ‫ع‬

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‫‪٦،٣٦‬‬

‫‪٧،٣٦‬‬

The Monastery of Kaska

After Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim had embraced asceticism and renounced wine,

36.6

he presented himself one day at Ibrāhīm ibn Shaklah’s.204 They talked and ate together, and then Ibrāhīm settled down to drink. He asked Muḥammad to join him but he declined, saying: At over fifty, should I behave like a boy? White hair’s the enemy of folly. Believe me, old age, white hair, and folly don’t make good partners. Son of the Imam, tell me, will the fresh days of yore come back, When my hair was scarcely gray and the source of love ran sweet, When my arrows found their mark and my blade was keen, And the company and chatter of young beauties was balm to my heart? Now, when my behavior finds approval with the critics, And they’ve gotten used to my wisdom, should I earn blame with folly? I’ve sworn never to drink wine as long as pilgrims ride to Mecca. Ḥamdān ibn Yaḥyā205 related: The last time I saw Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim, he said, “Selling cats is the only pleasure I have left in life.” “May God afflict you! What pleasure can you have in selling cats?” “I like it when a stupid old woman argues with me and says, ‘This is my cat, which was stolen from me.’ I say, ‘Liar!’ She curses me, I curse her back; she argues with me and I with her.” And he recited to me: Put wine and a tavern together, a tavern keeper and wine; Take your share as supplies for where you decide to go. “Where’s that?” I asked. “The bottomless pit, you idiot.”

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36.7

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��� �� �‬ ‫�����‬

‫� �ش���عره �ق��و��ل�ه‬ ‫�و�م ن� �م�ي��ل�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح ّ �تنِ َ ا � ا أ � قُ نَ ٱ � شُّ ْ‬ ‫أَ ٱ ْ َ َ‬ ‫َُْ‬ ‫�غَ َ ةَ ٱ � ّ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ي�ا �ب� ن� ��سِ�عي�ٍ�د ج��ز ت� بِ��ي� ��ا �ي�� � �لبِ��َر  �و��م�ل��ي� �م� �ل� � طِ��ي ��� �ِم� � �ل��� ك‬ ‫��ِر‬ ‫�فُ َّ َ� ْ َ ُ ْ َ َ َ �َ ُ �ذْ‬ ‫َ نَّ ٱ ْ َ ً أَ ْ َ � ا َ �َ ْ ُ َ شُ ْ‬ ‫� هِ �َ � ت �َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و � � �مرء ا � �ع ��ط� ك �ج�م � �‬ ‫هود ��� كر و � و ي‬ ‫ك �فِ�ي� ِر‬ ‫تُ �إِ�قَ َّ ُ َ ا �ٌ �� �ْ��فِ تَ َ ْ َ َ ا �َِ َ تَ ْ قَ أَمَا ُ َّ�ةٌ �� ��فِ تً ُ َّ‬ ‫�ح� �ل��ةٍ  �و�����ب��� � �� د �‬ ‫��حر ِل� �� �‬ ‫�ح� �ل ِل�ل� ��ى ب���ع�د �‬ ‫� �� ��ل ب� �‬ ‫��حر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى يٍ‬

‫‪٨،٣٦‬‬

‫�و�م ن� �ج�يّ��د �ش���عره �ق��و��ل�ه‬

‫ْ َ َ ُ ُّ ُ َ َ ا �لِ�َ ْ َ َ ٱ �ْ َ َ مِ ُ �ُ‬ ‫�نَّ َ�ذُ ّ � َ‬ ‫�ج� �� م ن را � � جل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�َو ��� ��ل�� �و �ُودً �لِم‍    �‍ ن د ا � �ود ه �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ف�ا ءَ �� �� �لو�ل‬ ‫فٍ � م‬ ‫َ� م‬ ‫�إِ يَّ ٱ ْ َ ً أْ‬ ‫�َّ تََ ِّ َ ُ َ ا ٱ � َّ َ ا ُ �ذَ � ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َو ن� � ���مرء ا �يَ�� �ِو�ي� �إِ �ل�ى د ا ِر �ذِ �ل��ةٍ  ���ع��ب�د ه �فِ� �ي��ه� � �لر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� ء �ِل���ي�ل‬ ‫�إِ ٱ ْ أْ‬ ‫نْ �ذُ �َّ ٱْ�ََ� ا َ َ ةٌ َ � ٱ � َّ ا �م َّ نْ �َ ا تُ ُّ َ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َو��ي� � �ليَ��� سِ ِم� ل � �لم�ط� مِ ِ ر �‬ ‫ح�  و�فِ�ي� � �ل��ن� سِ ِ�م� �ل� ِح ب� ب� ِ�د ���ي�ل‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ع‬

‫�ق ا � �ف‬ ‫�و�� �ل ��ي�‬

‫ا �� ��ق ن ا �ة‬ ‫ل �� �ع�‬

‫ٱ ّٰ َ أَ ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ً ��فَ �بِ َا �ؤُ ُ َ َ نٌ ���جِ‬ ‫ح مِ ُ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� لله �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�م‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ِ َ �ل‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ ُ �ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ �ْ��ص��ْ تُ �َ ْ تُ ُ َ �ف َ‬ ‫ع�ا  ��ى �ب�� نَ� � ��ن�ُ��ع ���عِ�م�هِ � �ج��ول�‬ ‫� بح� م���س ��ورا �م��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ْ ً نَ ٱ �ْ �أَ ْ �زَ‬ ‫ف َّ ٱ � ظَّ � ْ �ُ�قْ ُ نِ ٱ �ْ�قَ � ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خِ��� �ل او �ِم� � �ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ح نِ� خِ�� ل� �‬ ‫�هِر �ي ِ َ��ي� ل ِ�ل���ي�ل‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ ٌ َ � ا ٌَ َ � ُ‬ ‫�َ ْ �ُ ْ � نِ � َ �‬ ‫��م�ٌ �َو�ل�ا �‬ ‫�ل�م ي�����ش�قِ� ��� ���طِ‬ ‫��حِ ر��ص �و�ل� � ��م�ل �� �‬ ‫طِ �و���يل�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نْ �ذُ � نَ �‬ ‫تْ َا فُ َ � َّ ُ ُ � ��ل� ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�يّ�ا نِ� ِ�ع� ِ�د ي� �و � �لغِ����ى ل  �‍ِ�م��ل� �� � �و �لر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫��ج�ل ب�خِ����ي�ل‬ ‫عِ نَّ فَ �َا َ �� َ ٱْ�َ ُ‬ ‫َ �نَ � ْ تُ �ٱ �ْ َ�أْ �ٱْ� ُ نَ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ِ�ي � �ب� �ل��ي� �� �ل�م��ى �� ��� �� ���ط� ب� ل�� � �ل قِ�‬ ‫م����ي�ل‬ ‫ِي‬ ‫ُسِ‬ ‫�وٱ�ف ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ف تْ َ�ؤُ نَ ُ ُ َ�خ � ُ‬ ‫� �� �َّ‬ ‫ن�ا ��س ك��ل�ُ��ه�ُم �لِم نْ  �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ل�‬ ‫��خ��� � �م �و����ت�ه �ِ�ل���ي�ل‬ ‫�‬

‫��ق ا �� ��مّ � � ن �ز‬ ‫� ل ح�م�د ب � �‬ ‫ح�ا �م ب���ع ث�‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫ت�خ‬ ‫د ر�ه�م �و� ت� ��ثي��ا ب� �و��ا �ل‬

‫� � ّ ة ���ن‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�إ �ل�ي� ب���ع ض��� ا �ل��ط�ا �ه �ر�� �وك� ت�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�أ �م�ا �م�ا ��ق�د �مض�� ��ف�ل�ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ي �ل‬ ‫�ى‬

‫‪382‬‬

‫��ق�د � ا ��لغ�� ت ��ف �ه أ ف � أ � ف‬ ‫��وه � �و �ر ��ط ت� �ب�� �ل��‬ ‫ب� � �ي� �ج‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� نّ � � ّ‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫� � �ل�ا ت��ز ���د �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫�إ ��ل�ى ردّ ه �و� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬

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‫‪٩،٣٦‬‬

‫‪١٠،٣٦‬‬

The Monastery of Kaska

Here is one of his good poems:

36.8

You’ve been more than generous with me, Ibn Saʿīd, and loaded me with a huge burden of thanks; A man can be excused if he gives you all the gratitude he can, but it still falls short. Circumstances may change from one day to the next, but noble favors from a man of honor live on. And this is an excellent piece: I show affection to those whose love is lasting; indifferent, I cold-shoulder those who snub me. To enter the abode of ignominy, a slave to hope, is to be mortified. Renounce the yoke of ambition, find rest. When you don’t like someone, you can find someone else. This poem is about contentment with one’s lot:

36.9

I praise and give thanks to God, for His blessings are many and fine, My needs are taken care of. Protected, I go from favor to favor, Free from sorrows, lighthearted, contented with very little, Untroubled by ambition, avarice, or far-fetched hope. The rich spendthrift and the miser to me are alike. I’ve banished desires with despair; taking rest agrees with me. When a man lives on little, everyone’s his friend. Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim related the following: After I’d lampooned a member 36.10 of the Ṭāhirid family ferociously, he sent me a thousand dirhams and a set of clothes with the message: “What’s past is past and cannot be recalled. But I’d

383

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‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��� �� �‬ ‫�����‬

‫ً‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ش����ئ��ا‪� .‬ف دد ت� ا ��ل��د را ��ه � او ��ل�ث�ي �ا ب� �وك�‬ ‫���ب�� ت� �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أَ �ْ َ ْ تُ ُ َ ا ً َ َ ٱ � �َّ ْ‬ ‫�َ ا أَ �ْ َ ُ �ٱ ��لنَّ�ْ َ ا َ � نْ َ ُ‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫�ل� � �لب����س ���ع�م� ء ِم� ر ج �ل ب‬ ‫ر ل�ى‬

‫ثّ أ‬ ‫� ت� �ع ن �ج�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫م��س�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��ا �ئ�ه‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�قً � �ف أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق ا �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح�ا ��� � د �� �عن�ه�ا‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫�ص�د � � �ا �ل� ���س�� �لت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� و‬ ‫�ي ي�‬ ‫�ج ر ي� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي ب�‬ ‫رب ل�ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ا ��ن �ق ��‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ت ت �‬ ‫�ه ت� ض ّ‬ ‫��ع ت �ع ن ه ف���ع ث ��ل ّ � � �ل�ف‬ ‫���ا ��� �فردد �ت��ه�ا �وك��ب��� �إ �لي��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬

‫‪١١،٣٦‬‬

‫ٱْ‬ ‫ُ تَ َّ ُ ٱ � ِّ ْ َ ٌ �لِ� َ ا َ‬ ‫�ُ ّ �َ�ُ �ٱ ��ْ�ُ �َّ ُ‬ ‫�� ��قُ �َع�ْ�ن�هُ � �ل‬ ‫ح � �م�   �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�م������س� � �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و ْ ْ ب‬ ‫��ص�د ِر رَِ�ي ب‬ ‫ي �ضِ َ ي � أَ‬ ‫ع ٱ �ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�فِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ْ تَ ْ ُ هُ َ ُ ّ� َ ا �تِ َ � �‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ ا �ِ‬ ‫��ج�َ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ��ت ورب�م�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫َر‬ ‫ع �بِ� ب �ى‬ ‫ب��ك �م نِ ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ ���جِ ْ َ ��فَ ٱ � �َّ ْ َ َ َ أ ِّ هُ ُ َ َّ ٌ �ٱ �ْ �بِ ْ �ُ ْ تَ�ْ تَ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل �و�ى � �ل�د ���هر �ع��ل�ى � ���ن�  � �مو�ك�ل �بِ� �ل� �ي� نِ� م���سَ��ع� ب‬ ‫ُ قْ �يٍا َ ُ ْ ًا �لِ�زَ َ َ ضَ‬ ‫�َع نَّ َ �َ ْ ُ ٱ � شَّ ا ت ٱ �ْ �أ�خْ�َ ُ‬ ‫م�ا نٍ� �م���ى  ��� �و�س�ه� � �ل‬ ‫��س��� � �ور��عي�� � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ � �ل� �ي ب‬ ‫���� �ِم ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ٌ َ َ أَ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�قِ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� � ُ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�ج�ا ءَ ��� �مِ� نْ���ك �ُم�َ ����ي� ��ف��ل�ْ  � ���عر ض��� �ل�ه �َ �و ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �د �‬ ‫��حر �ل� �َي �ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ذِ ب‬ ‫و َل م َ َ َِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�نِ‬ ‫أَ ْ َ َ ا �ًا ْ َ َ ْ َ ٱ �ّ‬ ‫أ ْ ��ل ْت‬ ‫َ ْ َ ٌ �َ ْ �ُ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب� ي‬ ‫�خ��ذِ �يَ� �َم� �ل� �ِم��ك ب���ع�د � �ل �ذِ � ٱو ي ُ �نِ ي هِ ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ� �فْ تُ ن ْ َ َ � نْ َ � �� َّ ضَ‬ ‫���ا  �و� �ل����س�‬ ‫�ْخ��� ��ا �َم ْش���َ �ً�ا ��ْ�ع��ذ � ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �نِ�� � ����شر ب� ِ ��د لر�‬ ‫ِط �إِ �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫بر �ي َ ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ �عِ�زَّ � ٱ �ْ َ�أ ُ َ أ ��ْ نَ ��فَ َ ا ْ ُ‬ ‫َ � ّٰ َ � ا ْ َ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‍‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‍‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�نِي�‬ ‫ر و ِ و‬ ‫سو ى‬ ‫هِ و ر ب‬ ‫�َ�ق ا ُ نُ � نْ � � �ٱ ��ْل�� نَ �ُ �ْ ٌ َ �� َّ�م ت َ ا �فَْ �قَ َ ا مِ �ذْ َ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� َر�و� ِع� ِ�د ي� �فِ�ي� غِ��ى مع ِ�د �م  �َو �هِ ِ��ي� �م� ��و ��ه� �َ� �َ �ه ب‬ ‫�فِ �أ � ُّ َ ا تَ ْ �ِ َ � َ ا أ ْ ُ ��لَ َ ا � � َ أ ْ أ ْ�غَ ُ‬ ‫هه� ��ي� نِ� ���ترا �نِ�ي� ب���ه�  � �‬ ‫� � ي� ����‬ ‫�‬ ‫��صب ��و �إِ �ى ��م�ِ�ل�ك � �و � ر� ب‬ ‫ِ‬

‫�ف‬ ‫ن ش‬ ‫�و�م� ����عره ��ي�‬

‫�‬ ‫ا � �ل�ق ن��ا �ع��ة �ق��و��ل�ه‬

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rather you did not carry on with such attacks.” I sent back the dirhams and the clothes with this verse: I’ll not wear the clothes of a man whom I’ve clothed in shame for eternity. Then I stopped lampooning him. Saʿīd ibn Masʿūd al-Quṭrabbulī was a friend of mine. I requested something 36.11 from him and he refused me, so I broke off relations. Then he sent me a thousand dirhams to placate me but I sent them back with this poem: A greathearted generous man, abhorred by the fickle and inconstant, Changed his mind to please me— at times an offense makes you see reason— Ever faithful through forced separation, and when I asked him to relent. Ah, for the memory of a time gone by when the gloater drew the short straw. You’ve sent me a paltry sum, but I’ve not touched it— a noble man does not lie— To accept your money after how you treated me Is a course too hard to follow. Whether anger flares or contentment ensues, I’ll only partake of what’s pleasant. Despair has given me riches and strength, I hope in God; I’ve no fear of Him. For all his wealth, in my eyes Qārūn206 has nothing, No road rises beyond my ambition. So, what do you think my state of mind is? Do I yearn for your money or reject it? Here is one of his poems on contentment:

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‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��� �� �‬ ‫�����‬

‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ أَ ْ َ َ ٱ �َْ�أْ َ َ‬ ‫��ا نَ �ٱ ��َْ�أ ��ُ َ ا � �َهُ �ُم�َ �عِّ���� ظ ًا �أ��بِ ًا � �أ ْ �ُ ٱ �� ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ�ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م� � �ع��م�ل � �لي�� ��س � ي س �ج َِ‬ ‫�ْ َ عي نِ� �ن سِ‬ ‫�فِ�ٱي‬ ‫َ ُ َ ْ ٱ�َ‬ ‫نَ َ أ ى �ذُ �ًّا َ َ ُّ ُ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ل� �و�‬ ‫��سوه �ُم َّر � �لمن�� ��� ك�ا ��‬ ‫�َو�َم نْ� ر�َم�ا �ه� ْم ب���ع�ي�� � � ّل���ط�ا �مِ �عِ� ��ي� ر� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫ِ �فِي‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِ نِ ْ أْ‬ ‫نْ ثَ� �مِ‬ ‫َ ا ت ٱ ْ َ ً �ذَ �َّ َ ْ َعٱ �َْ�أْ � � نَّ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ َ �أ ُ �خِ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ل��ي� ��س �‬ ‫� �ي ر �و�م� ِ�ل�ل��ي� ��سِ �ِم� �� ر‬ ‫ٍ �ه� ِ‬ ‫� � �مرء ا �ل ب��ع�د � �لي�� ��سِ ِ�ل�ل�� سِ‬

‫� ��ق�ا �� ��ف �ه��ذ ا ا �ل�م�ع ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ل �ي�‬ ‫ى‬

‫�َ‬ ‫َ عِ ْ ُ � ِ ةَ ٱ �ْ آ َ � َأْ سٍ �فِ آ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫ج�‬ ‫��� ��ل ت� �َمطِ �� �ّ�ي�� � �ل����م�ا �ِل �ي�� ��� �ا   � ��ف�� �َ او ��ي� �إِ �ل�ى كن ��فٍ� �َوِد �ي��‬ ‫َ َ �نِ ُ�شِ ُّ �َ نُ ُ ِع‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ ا‬ ‫��فَ� �� � َ �َ ��� ِّ �ة � � �� َ ا �� ��ُ���غ��فٌ � �ا �ْ‬ ‫��س‬ ‫��ح�ل ي�������س�د �و�ل� � وعِ�‬ ‫َ �تِ لك مطِ ��ي� َ�ل� �م� ِل � �ل  بِ�ل ر‬ ‫ٱ �ْ �أٍَْ حِ َ ْ َ ٱ �ْل��جِ‬ ‫��ل�َع ْ ُ َ ��َ��ْ��قَ � ُ �أ ُ نُ َ ْ‬ ‫� �دي� �و��� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ِ�مي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���مرك للِ�ل���ي�ل � �‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�صو� �و�ج ِ� �� بِ هِ �فِي� و‬ ‫نِ� �فِي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ِ َ‬ ‫َ ً ُت� مِ ُّ �َ ْ أَ ْ نَ ا قُ ٱ �ْل�ُ ضُ‬ ‫أَ َ ُّ �َ َّ‬ ‫� �ِم نْ ����ط��ِبل�� ك��ي�را   �� �د �ل��ي�هِ � ��ع�� �� � �‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�خ� وعِ�‬ ‫ثِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ح ب� �إِ ل�ي �‬ ‫َ َ �إِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مٍ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا ت ضّ‬ ‫�ِ��ف� ش��ْ ��� � �لق �� ت‬ ‫��ُ‬ ‫� �يَ��ْو�� �ا ب���ْ�ع�د �ي ��ْو�ٍ  ك���م��َ � �ل�� �‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ط���ف�ل فِ�ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ص‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫�َعِ ِ� بَِ و َ أَ‬ ‫ِٱ �ْ �أََ َ �َ‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ ا � ْ �غ� ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��حِ ر��صٍ  �‬ ‫� ٍ�د بِ�‬ ‫� �إِ ��ل�ى � �‬ ‫�� ��ي �‬ ‫��ي�ى� � � � ��ا � � � �‬ ‫و�ل� ���تر ب‬ ‫َر�فِ� �َ ٍ‬ ‫ع �فِ�ي� �ل ِم و�ل و �ضِ� عِ‬ ‫َ �َ�ق ْ َ َ َ ٱ � شَّ َ ا ُ َ َ َّ شَ ْ ٌ �ف َ ْ � � َ � نْ شَ َ ا � َ � نْ ُ�ُ‬ ‫  �ه � م � � � م‬ ‫� �د � � �ل � � � �����‬ ‫و ر�ح�ل ���ب� ب� و�ح�ل ي ب� � �ل ل�ك ِ � ��ب� بِ�ك ِ � ر�ج �وعِ‬

‫�‬ ‫أّ‬ ‫ح�ا �ز � د �خ���ل ت� �ع�� ا �ل�م��أ �م� ن ��ف��ل ّ�م�ا �م��ث��ل ت� ��� ن ���د ��ه ��ق�ا �� ك��‬ ‫�صرك �ب�� �ي�ا �‬ ‫��ق�ا �ل �ح�مّ�م��د ب� ن� �‬ ‫�ي ��ف� �ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ي� ي ي ل‬ ‫ل�ى و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ق أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن �ق � أ ن‬ ‫� ن �ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫أ �خ‬ ‫ا �ل ن��ا ��س � �و � ب��ا ر ا �ل�عرب� ���ل ت� � �ن�ا �ع��ل�ى ا�لمي��د ا � ���لي� ��ط��ل�ق� �م ن� �ع ن��ا ��ي�‪�� .‬ا �ل � � ش����د �م�ا �ب��د ا �ل��ك‪.‬‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ أ‬ ‫�خ ا �ف ة � ت آ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� ت� �م�ا � �و�م�� �إ ��لي��ه �و�ع�م��ل ت� ���ف� � ا � � ��ن �ق � ت � �‬ ‫��ف��ترك�‬ ‫��ص�ل�ح ����ش� �ي� �و��ل� �ج�م�ل��س ��ل� ��� �و�ل��س� � �م�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��نب ��و�ة ��ف�� �ن ش����د �ت�ه‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ �قْ تُ َ �قْ ًا َ �َْ أُ ْ �زَ قْ ُ ُ َ تَ ُ َ َ ا ٱْ� ُ ُ َ �ةُ �َّ ا َ�� ْ‬ ‫���ثَ ُ�ة �ٱ �ل��َ‬ ‫م�ا �‬ ‫ر�زِ �� � �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ع �ل� �و �ل�م � ر �� �مر�وء ��ه  �و�م� � �ل��مر�وء �إِ �ل� ك� ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ�ذَ أَ َ ْ ُت ُ َ ا َ ا �ة ت َ ا َ َ‬ ‫�عِ ّ ا ُنََّ ُ � �ْ� � ة �‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي  �م� �ي ��وه بِ� ِ��مي� ِر�ق� � �ح� ِ‬ ‫ا � رد � �م���س� �م� � ����ق� �ع�د بِ�‬

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‫‪١٣،٣٦‬‬

The Monastery of Kaska

When a man adopts despair, despair will make him a great man forever in people’s eyes. While he who approaches them with requests will drink from humiliation’s bitter cup. Despair is best, though it bears no fruit; a man who expects nothing is never brought low. And on the same theme: I’ve loaded my hopes on the mount of despair, and it’s brought me to a haven of calm. That mount bears no owner’s brand; it carries no saddle, no straps fasten its load. I swear, the little I need to preserve my repute whether I’m with few or among a crowd, Has my favor. I’d rather not seek for wealth at which the lowly will crane their necks. Take your food as it comes, day by day, just as the suckling seeks milk in the breast. Pin no hopes, request no favors from anyone, high or low. Youth has departed, gray hair’s appeared; do you think your youth will come again? Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim also recounted: I was admitted to al-Maʾmūn’s pres- 36.13 ence, and when I appeared before him, he asked, “How do you see the course of destiny and the Arabs’ past?” “I’m lined up to race,” I replied, “so give the signal for me to be off.” Then he said, “Recite what you think fit.” But, ignoring his suggestion, I decided to act in my own interest, thinking that this was a caliphal audience and I couldn’t be sure something disagreeable wouldn’t happen. So I recited to him: I was given a mind, but wasn’t given nobility, because nobility comes only with wealth. If I want to rise up in the world, I’m held back from a great reputation by my slender means.

387

387

‫�ق �‬ ‫��ا �ل‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫س‬ ‫ا �لت�ب���� �‬ ‫م‬

‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ّ�ق �ة‬ ‫ا �ل�م�� � �مو ن� ا �ل��شي��‬ ‫� ي� ش�����ك�و ر �‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�إ �ل�ا �خ��ي�ر ��ف�� �ن ش����د �ت�ه‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��� �� �‬ ‫�����‬

‫ت ّ‬ ‫� � �ف ُ ف � أ � ف‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫س ف����ق��ل ت� �م�ا �ورا ء‬ ‫ح�ا �ل ���لي��د ��� �إ �لي��ه � �ل�� د ر��هم � �و�ب���� �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ نْ تَ �سِ‬ ‫�� َ�م�ا ءٌ �َ ���يِ �� �د � �أ ْ �‬ ‫��ُضَه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫و ى ِ ي� ر �‬ ‫نْ َ �َ�م ْ ُ َ �ةً‬ ‫�فِ �ٱ�زْ َ ْ �يِ ً‬ ‫� � ر �� �د ا ��عِ � ِ�د �ي� ��ح� �مود‬ ‫ع‬

‫�ق � �ذ � ن أ ق‬ ‫��ا �ل �ه� ا ا�لم�ع��ى � ���و�ى‬ ‫� ض �ن‬ ‫ن �ف �‬ ‫� � � �ة‬ ‫��ر��ي� ب��ي��ت��ا � ��ي� ا ��خل�د �ي�ع�‬ ‫ح�‬

‫َٱ �ْ �أَْ ضُ َ�ق ْ تَ�أْ ُ ُ �غَ ْ ثَ ٱ � ِّ‬ ‫����سَ�م�ا‬ ‫ � �و �ل�ر��� ��د �� ���م�ل � �ي � � �ل‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫تَ�ْ ُ ْ‬ ‫ٱَ‬ ‫ح ْ��س نَ � ��ل�ّ�ث نَ��ا‬ ‫�ص�د �ب��َه�ا ��� � ��ل نّ��ا �� ُ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ح� ِ �فِي‬ ‫سِ‬

‫�ق‬ ‫�م ن ا � �أ�ّ �� � �أ � ��ل � �أ ��ل�ف �ه ث�ّ ��ق ا �� �خ� �د � ت �ق‬ ‫ع� ن�� ���ل ت� ��د‬ ‫� �ل� ول و مر �ي� ب� ��� د ر � � � ل �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف����ق�ا ��ل �و�م�ا �ه�م�ا ��ف�� �ن ش����د �ت�ه‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ ٱْ َ َ‬ ‫�َ � � عِ � ��فِ َ أ ْتَهُ فِ� َ ا ِ ُ ُ ُ َ ا ُ‬ ‫َ �إِ�ذ �‬ ‫� ��ُ �أ�ت�َ��ْ �ِ �هُ َ�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ةٍ ‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ا � �ل ك‬ ‫��ِري ي ت ب‬ ‫ر �ي ي روم ي س ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِع‬ ‫نَّ ٱ �ْ َ‬ ‫�فَٱ ْ َْ َأ َّ َ �َْ تُ�خَ ْ َ ً‬ ‫� َ � � �ْ � َ�تَ�َ ا َ ُ‬ ‫��ر�� بِ�فِ�عِ�ل�هِ ي�‬ ‫��خ� د‬ ‫��� �عل��� �ب�� �ن��ك �ل� ��ا د �ج��ا هِ� �ل�ا �إِ � � �ل ك‬ ‫ِ يم‬ ‫م‬ ‫م ِع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �أّ � أ‬ ‫�أ �� ن‬ ‫�� � ث ا‬ ‫ف����ق�ا ��ل �ه�م�ا � ا ّٰلله � � ن ن‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح��س� �م� ا �ل��و�ل � �و �مر ل�ي� ب�م���ل �م� � �مر �ب�ه �و���س� ل ��ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��ف�� �ن ش����د �ت�ه‬

‫‪١٤،٣٦‬‬

‫أن أن‬ ‫� � � �����ش�ده‬

‫َ‬ ‫�فَََ‬ ‫�َ ا َ ْ َ �قَ َّ َ ضَ‬ ‫�� ْ� ٌَ�ة ْ َ‬ ‫�ل ْ� ُ َ ْ� َ �أ نْ ُت� َ� �َم ْ �ؤُ �َ ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ل� ت�ر �‬ ‫د‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س �و�ل�‬ ‫�ر �ِم ن� ��س�ا �ئِ��لٍ  ��� ي ر ِرك � رى �‬ ‫�ه ن���ك‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ ا تَ ْ ََ ْ ٱ ْ�َ ْ َ ْ َ ُ َ َّ‬ ‫فَ�َ� َ ا ءُ �ِ�زَّ َ �أ نْ تُ� َ� � َ �أ �ُ �َ ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق� ع ك � رى �م� �مو�ل�‬ ‫�ج���ه ن� �بِ�� �لم� ِ��ن� �و�ج��ه � �م�ؤ ��م�لٍ  ب��‬ ‫�ل� � ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�َ�ٱ ْ���َ ْ � � �نَّ� َ �َع نْ �َ�ق��ل��ي َ ا �ٌ �خَ����بِ ًا �ف‬ ‫�نْ َ�خ��َ�ًا ����يِ ُ � �قُ �ج��م�� َل�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫و عل� بِ� �ك � ِ � �ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص� ئِر‪      1‬ر � ب ر رو ِ ي‬ ‫ُ ْقَ م ٱ �ْ َ‬ ‫� ُ ��فَ ُ ْ تَ ٍَ �ُّ شْ‬ ‫َ تَ َ� ٱ �ْ ُ ُ َ َ َ ٱ � �َّ َ � اَ‬ ‫��ر�� ي�����س��د �ل �ب�ب�����رهِ �و�رى � �ل� بع ��و��س �ع��ل� � �ل�ل ي�� د لِ�ي��ل�‬ ‫��� �ل � �ل ك‬ ‫ِِ ِ‬ ‫�ي ��ى ِ يم‬ ‫ى �ئِ ِم‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ف����ق�ا ��ل ّلله د ّرك �م�ا � �‬ ‫ح��س ن� �م�ع�ا ��ني���ك‪� .‬ي�ا ��ل�ا � �ص��ك �ل�ه ب��مث���ل �م�ا � �ع ��ط�ي�ن �ا ه‪.‬‬ ‫م‬

‫�ت‬ ‫ن ّ �‬ ‫� ن �ذ � ف نّ �غ �ّ ش‬ ‫�خ ف‬ ‫� �ا خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل����� ء �‬ ‫ل��ا ب� �ع� �‬ ‫ح��س ن� �و� �لو�ل� �ر�و�� ا � ك��‬ ‫ح��د ه ا�ل�مر�� �سو�م �و��و��‬ ‫�و�ل�ه �م�‬ ‫�ه� ا ا � �ل��� �و��ي ره ك ي‬ ‫ّج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ف ة‬ ‫ا ��ل�� ���ط�ا ��ل��ة ��ل�� �ورد ت� �م ن �غ� ر �ش���ع ه �و ��م‬ ‫ح�ا ��س�ن �ه �م�ا ��ي��لت�� �ب�ه ��س�ا �م�ع�ه‪� .‬و�ي�م�ا � �ورد �ن�ا ه ��ك� �ا ���ي��‪.‬‬ ‫� ر ر‬ ‫إ‬

‫أ‬ ‫َ ً‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ص�اِئ�را‪.‬‬

‫‪388‬‬

‫‪388‬‬

‫‪١٥،٣٦‬‬

The Monastery of Kaska

Al-Maʾmūn remarked, “The old man’s complaining about his poverty. Let him be given a thousand dirhams,” and he smiled. I thought to myself, “What’s behind that smile of his just now?” And I declaimed: You are the heaven, my hand is your earth, and the earth can hope for rain from the clouds. Sow there a good seed of favors and gifts; you’ll garner fine praise from the people around. Al-Maʾmūn remarked, “This motif is more effective than the first one,” 36.14 and he ordered me to be given two thousand dirhams. Then he said, “You’ve deceived me.” I responded, “I’ve just thought of two verses about being deceived.” “And what are they?” So I declaimed: If you come with a lie to a generous man, and you see him hurry to fulfill your request, Be sure you haven’t really fooled a fool; he’s pretending to be fooled to do your behest. “They’re both better than the first efforts,” al-Maʾmūn said. He ordered me to be given the same as before and asked me to recite something else, so I did: Don’t let petitioners drive you crazy; to get requests is the best you could want. Don’t frown in the face of any hopeful; hopes pinned on you prove your worth. Soon you’ll be gone but people will talk of you. Make sure what they say is praise and honor; The sign of a giver is his cheerful mien, a miser’s betrayed by his gloom and frown. Al-Maʾmūn was enthusiastic. “Well done! How well you develop this theme. Servant! Write him an order of payment for the same amount as we’ve given him.” Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim composed excellent poetry on all kinds of themes. 36.15 If they had not taken up more space than the book foresees, I would have included gems of his poetry and anecdotes to delight their hearers. But what I have mentioned is enough.

389

389

‫�‬ ‫ا �� ت ت ق‬ ‫���صر ل ��� � �‬ ‫د �ي�ا را ت� �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص�د �ل��ل�����شر ب�‬ ‫��ف ا � ي‬ ‫�ت��ن�زّه ��ه�ا ��ف�م��نه�ا‬ ‫��ي�ه� � او �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫� ا �� �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص�‬ ‫دير ل ي ر‬

‫أ‬ ‫� �ف ّ‬ ‫� � ن � �ن ا ��م� ا �� ن ة‬ ‫�و��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د�ير ���ف� � �ع��ل ا �ج��ل‬ ‫ط ��ي� ��ق��لت��ه �و�ه�و دير ح��س� ا �لب� � ء ك��‬ ‫�ص��ع�� �ن�ز ه‬ ‫ح� ل�‬ ‫� ب���ل �ع��ل�ى��س ���‬ ‫ي �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح ق �ة �ف ��‬ ‫� ُ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ل�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��لب ��ق��ع��ة ف�ي��ه ر�هب��ا ن� �م�ي�م�و� �ب�ه �و�ل�ه ���ر �م �� ��ور �� جح‬ ‫�ه� �و�� �هي� ك�‬ ‫ه �‬ ‫�ر ي� ��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��س�ى ا�لم� ء �ل� م � ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � ض � � ن �ظ � �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ص �ة �م �� ���ف �‬ ‫ح ا‬ ‫���‬ ‫م���س�‬ ‫مو�‬ ‫� �ع��لي��ه ا �ل��س�ل�ا �م � او �ل ن��ا ��س ��ي���‬ ‫�ص�د �و� ا �ل �‬ ‫ع �ل�ل� �� ر �إ �ل�ى‬ ‫�ور ر � ج‬ ‫�ر�ه� � �صور ا �ل ي‬ ‫�ذ � يم �ةي �ف أ ا �غ �ف ة ح‬ ‫� � ن � أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��� ش�� ��م�ا ر � �و�ه ب� ن � �‬ ‫�ه� ه ا �ل�ص�ور ‪� .‬و��� � �ع�ل� ه � ��� ب�� ن��ا �ه�ا � � �� ا �ل‬ ‫ح�م�د ب� ن ��ط� �ل� � �له�ا � ر���‬ ‫أ ي‬ ‫نر ث � ب و �جن ي � ��ذ � ي ً� � � �و و ف � بع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ش‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ط�ا ��ا ت� �إ �ل�ى � بر��� �ج� �ه� � �وك�� � ك��ي ر ا ل������ي � � �ل�ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير �ج ب�� �ب� ل�ص�ور ل ��ي� ي��ه ي����رب�‬ ‫� � �ع‬ ‫ن �ظ‬ ‫�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ا �ل� �� ر �إ �لي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف � �‬ ‫ْ �ف‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة �ف أ ّ‬ ‫�و ��ي� ا �ل��طر� ��ق� �إ �ل�ى �ه� ا ا �ل��د�ير �م ن� �ج� �ه�� �م‬ ‫�صر�ص� �ع �و�� ��� �م�ا �م ن� قِ�ب���ليّ��ه ���س��ه�ل ا �ل�ص� �عود‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ة�ات‬ ‫� ّ ا �� ��ق �ة ا � � ��ف �ة‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫� ن�ز � �‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ه� و ه�و م��ط�ل �ع��ل�ى ل ر� معرو�‬ ‫ح�ي����س ي ك�و� �‬ ‫� او �ل�� �و�ل � �إو �ل�ى �ج�� ب�� �ص�و مع� �ل� �ل�و م� ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ � �ق ة � �ذ �‬ ‫� �ة �ق ���ة ك��‬ ‫���ي�ر�ة �ع�ا �م �ة �ع��ل� �ش���ا ���ط� ئ ا �ب�ل��‬ ‫ح ا ء � او �ب�ل��‬ ‫ب� ش����هرا ن� �و�ع��ل� ا �ل���ص‬ ‫حر‪� .‬و�ه� ه ا � �ل �ري�� ا�لم� ك��ور ري ب‬ ‫حر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر ى �‬ ‫أ ّى‬ ‫ّ ّٰ � ُ � � ف ا ن ا أ �� ��ق ت أ ّ �� ا ��ل� ��ف �‬ ‫�ذ�� ن ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� � ل ��ه � �م�ه �إ ل�ى ب�‬ ‫حر �ي� ا �ل�� ب� ��و�‪.‬‬ ‫�ه� �و�م �‬ ‫� �وي�� ك�ر�و� � � �م�و�س�ى �ص��ل�ى ا لله �ع�لي��ه �و�ل�د �ي�‬ ‫�ذ أ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف � ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ح��د ا ��ل��د ��ا را ت� ا �ل�م�ق�� �صود �ة ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر � �و �ع�م�ا �ل�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫ح��س ن� � �مو���ع�ه � �إو ش��� ار ��ه �ع��ل�ى�م�‬ ‫��د�يرا � �ل��ص�ي�ر �ه� ا � � ي‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫�ذ�� �‬ ‫�ق �ق � ف ش‬ ‫ط�ي��ه �و�ن�ز �هت��ه �و�ل��ب �� �هر�ر�ة اب� ن� �ب �� ا �ل�ع�ص�ا � ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�و��د ��ا �ل �ي��ه ����ع ار ء �م�‬ ‫�صر �و ك�ر� او �� ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ ُ��َّ‬ ‫�� ْ �� َ ْ ٱ �ْقُ َ ْ نْ �قَ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�صْ�َ �َ � �ظَ ��� ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�د‬ ‫فِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�ل �ذِ ي� � ب �و�ةٍ و�ذِ ي� رفِ�‬ ‫ِ�ي� بِ يِر � يِر ِ � � �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع ُ ُ َ ْ ُ �بِ َ ُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫��غِ نْ تَقْ‬ ‫�َ َ ْ ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ  �‬ ‫�ش�س� ِد نٍ� ��‬ ‫هو� �فِ��ي�هِ بِ������‬ ‫���صر ع��ن� � �د �ئِ �لو�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل� �‬ ‫�صفِ�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ق � ف أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل �ي��ه � �ي� ض�‬

‫‪390‬‬

‫‪390‬‬

‫‪١،٣٧‬‬

‫‪٢،٣٧‬‬

The Monasteries of Egypt That People Visit for Drink and Recreation

The Quṣayr207 Monastery

This monastery stands high on the mountain,208 on a terrace at the summit.

37.1

It is well and solidly built and has a pleasant setting. There are monks living there, and it has a well hewn in the rock from which they draw water. In the altar209 stands an icon of Mary with the image of Christ, peace be upon Him, on her lap, and people visit the place to look at it. Above it is a hall built by Abū l-Jaysh Khumārawayh ibn Aḥmad ibn Ṭūlūn, with four arches on the four sides. He used to visit this monastery often because he loved this icon, and he would sit drinking and looking at it. From the city of Cairo, the monastery is hard to reach, but from the south the ascent and descent are easy. Beside it is a cell where there is always a hermit living. The monastery looks out over the village called Shahrān, the desert, and the Nile. Shahrān is a large, prosperous village on the banks of the Nile. They say it is where Moses, God bless him, was born and where his mother cast him into the Nile in a casket. The Quṣayr Monastery attracts visitors because of its beautiful situation, looking out over Cairo and its surroundings. Egyptian poets have celebrated it, mentioning its beauty and the entertainment it offers. Here is Abū Hurayrah ibn Abī al-ʿIṣām: What times I’ve had at Quṣayr’s Convent, with friends of folly and distinction. I had lots of fun with a coy young thing whose beauty defies description. And this poem is also by him:

391

391

37.2

‫�ق‬ ‫د�يرا � �ل��ص��ير‬

‫أَ�ذْ َ‬ ‫��َْتنِ َا َ ْ ُ َ نْ �قِ ْ َ ضَ‬ ‫نْ أَ ْ ُ َّ َ ُ َ ا �فَ ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ِل و ي� و �‬ ‫��ص ِي�‬ ‫� ِ�‬ ‫� َ كر �ي� ي ير �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ْ َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�يى� َل�ا ت‬ ‫���ا نَ� ��ل� ���� َك �َ ��ه�ْ �َم�ع�ا �م نْ ����ط � � �ّ�ا � �َ ��ل�ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ ك��م‬ ‫ِي فِي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫فِي ِ‬ ‫ِ� ْ ِ�ي ب ِ أَ ي ٍم‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ شْ‬ ‫� ��ل ّٰ �ُ َ‬ ‫�ص�ا � ��هْ �َ‬ ‫�ق َ�د �نَ�ا � �ْ��هَ � �ل���مُ � ءَ ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بِي� بِ ِ م و‬ ‫� � و �إِ ى هِ‬ ‫ل رو ِ‬

‫�ف‬ ‫� ل�مّ‬ ‫��م��د ب� ن� �ع�ا � �‬ ‫وح‬ ‫صم ��ي�‬ ‫�َ ْ أََّ َ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫نَّ َ ْ َ ٱ �ْقُ ْ� َ ا َ� ٱ َّ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ص�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�س�ا � � �� �ل�� َ‬ ‫ح���س�� َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�إِ � د ����ير � � �ل�� صِ‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫�� �ي ِر �ه��ج � د ك ِر� � �و ي ِ�ي� ِ‬ ‫نِ ْقِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �زَ َ ا نًا ِ ض‬ ‫��حِ �م��ي�دًا ����سِ ���عٍ�ا   �َ ��شِ�� �� َ ا ًا ْ َ � َّ َ � ُ َ ا‬ ‫�س�� �ب� �ِم���ث�ل � �لرد ا ِء � �ل��م��ع� ِر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ �ير‬ ‫�و ��م� �� ��م���ى � ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�عِ َّ ��فَ ْ نِ ُ ُ ُ ُ َ ْ َ نُ ْ‬ ‫�ِ �عِ‬ ‫َ ��فْ تُ ٱ � ُّ ُ َ �ٱ �ْ � نْ َ‬ ‫ك�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٍ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ر ��ت��ي� رب� ��و��ع�ه ب����ع�د ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر ْ رب وع بِ إِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فَ ََ ٱ نَّ ٱ � َّ َ َ تَ ْ ُ ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�قٍ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�مِ�ز‬ ‫�ي�ا � �ا  �ل ش���ك ت� � ف� َ َ ْ‬ ‫ك � �شْ����ت�َ‬ ‫� ا ش‬ ‫� ��وِ��ي� � بو����ع�د �� ا ِر�ي�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫��� �لو � � � �ل�د �ي� ر َ���� �و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �َ َ ا َ ْت ن�ْ تَ ُ �لِ�َ ا �قِ ْ ُ���ن تُ‬ ‫� � � َه�ا � سِ�� �ّ� ْ ُت� �م نْ � �شْ����َ‬ ‫�و�لك� د � �‬ ‫ع�ا ِر�ي�‬ ‫ير ِ �‬ ‫حِو�ي� ����سِ �ي�ر �م�َ � �د   ك� �فِ ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫فَ َ �أَ ��نَّ �إِ�ذْ �زُ ْ ُ ُ َ ْ َ‬ ‫� َ ُ نْ � نْ َ � َ ا �� َ َ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر���ت�ه ب����ع�د �‬ ‫ٍ �م �ي��ك� ِم� �م��من�ى� �زِ ِ�ي� وِدي� ِر ي�‬ ‫��ك� �ي�‬ ‫��جر‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ْ َ ا ت � ََ‬ ‫�إِ�ذْ ُ ُ � عِ �‬ ‫� َ�ا د ��ل ْ �هِ �َ‬ ‫�حِ َ�د ا ر�� ���‬ ‫�ق� � � �جل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫��وا ِر�ي�‬ ‫و‬ ‫نِ ِ‬ ‫���ص� �عودِ ي� �� ��ل�ى � �جِ‬ ‫ِ �إِ‬ ‫ِ ي �فِي‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�� ق‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�م�ا ء �َ �َ‬ ‫ح ��ش ض� �َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫بِ �‬ ‫�� او ِر�ي�‬ ‫��ُ��ص ��وٍر �إِ �ل�ى � �ل��د ��م � َ ِ‬ ‫�ص او دٍ �و‬ ‫� �� ��ل�ى � � �لو��َو ِ�‬ ‫ك�ل� ب‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫مِ ن� ا � ْ تُ‬ ‫�� ��ا �َم�ا ِ� �ل� ��بل��ي �َ �ل����نف� سِ��� ���ي� �م نَ � �ل���ْ ����ط� َ ا‬ ‫� ��م‬ ‫�ح�صِ‬ ‫�� � �زِ �ل� �ل��س‬ ‫ِ� و‬ ‫��ص� ِر‬ ‫ي� �فِ هِ ِ � و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ�‬ ‫َ ا � ُ َ� ْ � ُ َ � ّ َ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫مِ نْ �ًا ْ‬ ‫�سِ َ‬ ‫�� ���زِ �ل� �ِم ن� �ُ �‬ ‫��ص�ِبي�‬ ‫�ع�ع�� �لوهِ ك��� �م�ا ءٍ  � �و �ل�م�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��ص�‬ ‫حو�ل�ه ك�� �ل��د را ِر�ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ �أ نَّ ٱ � ُّ ْ َ ا نَ � �ٱ �� شَّ �عِ ٱ �ْ �أَ ْ َ ُ ُ ٱ ��ْ ُ ح ْ َا � ٱ �ْ �أَْ َ‬ ‫ك�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�سود � ل�� �‬ ‫��غ‬ ‫�وك� � � �لر��هب�� � �فِ�ي� ل���� ِر � �ل���س‍  ‍�وِد � �‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫��عر�ب� نِ� �فِ�ي� � �ل��و‬ ‫ٱ ْ أَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� َ ا � نْ ُ �نْ ُ �� � ٱ �خْ� َ‬ ‫����غِ ْ ��ُ �هُ �ذُ � �ٱ ��ل�� �َ‬ ‫ه�ا‬ ‫ح�ا �َ � ��ل�� نْ��َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�د‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر�ب و ِب‬ ‫ضِ ر ِر‬ ‫سٍ �ذِ ْي‬ ‫ِر و � ر �فِي� �ثِي بٍْ ِ �‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ؤَ �تِ‬ ‫��غِ َّ َ ْت َ ْ نَ َ ا � ّ � ُ ف �َ َ ْ‬ ‫ّ ْ َ �َا‬ ‫�� رد � ب����ي���ه� ‪� � 1‬‬ ‫ل��طي ��ور �����ط�ا ر ت�   �بِ �� �� ا ِد � �لم�‬ ‫�ى�ي��ِم � �لم���ست����ط� ِر‬ ‫�َْ أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �ذَ‬ ‫َ َ ش �بٍا ِ ْ‬ ‫َ ْ‬ ‫َ ْ ��خِ َ ْ ُ ٱ �ْ �ذ َ‬ ‫� ��ل�ع ت� � �ل� عِ� � ا ر فِ�ي��هِ �و �ل� �‬ ‫�مِ���ي��� � ِب�����م���فِر�قِ��ي� �و�عِ� � ا ِر�ي�‬ ‫ك�م‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ ع‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ه� ا ا �ل��د�ير‬

‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ب�ي� ن�� ن���ا‪.‬‬

‫‪392‬‬

‫‪392‬‬

‫‪٣،٣٧‬‬

The Quṣayr Monastery

You remind me, cloister, of those passed away, people I loved and felt good with; How many splendid nights and days I spent with them in your grounds. I lament to God of what befell me when I lost those noble companions. Muḥammad ibn ʿĀṣim composed a poem on this monastery: Quṣayr’s Monastery has aroused my memories of fine days of pleasure, A blessed time too quickly gone, my youth like a borrowed gown. It left its mark on me forever, and I knew the place after I’d denied it. If places would complain from longing, it would say I’d gone off and shunned it. It almost set out to find me because I’d put it in so many verses, But when I visited it after an absence, I felt I’d never been in its houses, When I rode up to it on a good mount, then came down through a series of passes, With falcons thirsty for blood, and hounds who’d been trained for the chase. It’s a place where my heart and soul have more desires than I’ll ever tell. Buildings as high as the heavens, lit by lights shining like pearls, The monks in their coarse black habits, like crows in their lofty nest, To the west a land of rivers and streams, a cloth of green silk spread like brocade. The birds warbled, stealing the lover’s volatile heart in flight; How often did I let myself go, heedless of threads of gray on my head or beard;

393

393

37.3

‫�ق‬ ‫د�يرا � �ل��ص��ير‬

‫َ‬ ‫كْ ���شِ�� ��ْ َ�ا َ�ع�َ �ٱ ��لّتَ���َ�ا � ����ي �� �هِ  ���� ص� �َ ا �َ�م ْ ثُ �ثِ َ‬ ‫َا‬ ‫� ِرب��ن �ل�ى � ص ِو ِر �فِ �ي بِ ِ� ��‬ ‫كب�� ِر‬ ‫�غ�ع� ٍر �ح �� �و� ��ةٍ �وَ ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٱْ أ‬ ‫ْ نَ ةً � ْ ُ‬ ‫�ِ � �َّ تْ‬ ‫ُ َ ٌ�ة � نْ �ُ َ َّ‬ ‫��ص�ا‬ ‫�ق��ُ�ل � �َ � ��ل��� ْ�� َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صور �فِ��ي�هِ ��ظ�ل�   �فِ��ت�� ِل�ل�‬ ‫�صور ِم� �م� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫�ق � و بِ و ْ ب‬ ‫أَ ْ � َ َ ْ َ �غِ ْ ٍِ ْ �فِ أَ �ْ َ ْ َ ْ �سِ َ ٱ �ْ َ َٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�مِ�ز‬ ‫� �ن ت‬ ‫َا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ����طرب����ت ن�� بِ���� �ي�ِر ���ش�د �ٍو � � ��غ �  �ع� ��� �م�عِ � �لعِ� ��ي�د ا نِ� � �و �ل�ٱ ��م� ِر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ فْ ُ ُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� ْ ُ نَ ِ ْ‬ ‫ح ْ��� نًا � ��ُ نُ �م نْ ����طِ���ص ْ َ ا � ��ل� ّ���س ّ‬ ‫َ�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫����س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫��ي�����تر � �جِ م ِ ي� رِ هِ‬ ‫بِ و نٍ ِ �‬ ‫َ رفِ �‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ � َ نْ‬ ‫�� َ�ا َ ا ت َ�ا ��لَ �َم نْ َ � � َ�ا   ��‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َا‬ ‫�ُ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ����ش �س رِ���ه �إِ �ى � ر �‬ ‫��و �و�ذِ �ل��ةٍ � �و ��‬ ‫خحض� �‬ ‫ه بِ‬ ‫ك���س� ِر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫عٍ َّ َ ٱ �ْ ُ َ‬ ‫�َ ا َ ُ� ْ �ٱ ��ْل�َ ْ نَ �ْ َ�ٱ ��ل ِّ ��فِ � �ٱ �� �ّلْ َ ا � �ْ َ ا َ ��خِ‬ ‫�ج��لّ��َ‬ ‫� �د ��ه�ا � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن�ا ِر�ي�‬ ‫�ل� �وح��س نِ� ع��ي��ي نِ� �و �����ش� �ةِ ل� �م  �‍ي�� ِء ِم�ن�ه� �و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�مِ �م�زَ‬ ‫َ � ْ نَ‬ ‫�َ ا تَ��خِ �َّ�فْ تُ �َ نْ � �مِ � �م�زَ � � �َ � ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫ٍ  هِ��ي� �فِ���ي�هِ �و� �لو ��� �ى بِ��ي� �� �� ا ِر�ي�‬ ‫�ل� � �ل�� ع� � � ا ِر ي� ِ�ل�د � ر‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ٱْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�فِ ٱ قْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�غِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��ص�ا‬ ‫�� َ ا �َع نْ � مِ� � َل�ا �م� َ � ��ل َ��ْ �َ ���ني �� �� �� ���سِ �� �لَ �َ �ل�ا ��ق� َ‬ ‫� �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ِ ي� ي وم �إِ َ�‬ ‫ي ر �ذِ ي‬ ‫ر َ�‬ ‫و�ةٍ و �إِ‬ ‫��فَ ِ قَ ٱ ّٰ ُ أ ْ ض��َ �ُ �ْ َ نَ �فِ �ٱ ��لنّ خ�ْ َ �فِ َ � ْ َ ٱ ��ْقُ ْ� َ َ ٱ �ْ �َ‬ ‫�صْو ب� � � �لقِ����ط�ا ِر‪1‬‬ ‫�����س��ى � لله � ر � �ح� �ل او � � � �  �‍�ل � �د ���ير � �ل�� صِ‬ ‫�� �يِر � �‬ ‫ٱ �ْ أَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ ْ تَ �ِ ت َّ‬ ‫�ى�ْه تُ �م نْ ��لَ���ذَ ا �ذَ �نَ�ْ�مي  ���ِ��ن�� �� �ٱ ��ل ُّ�ْ� � َ‬ ‫ه��ا � �� � �ل������سَ ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح� ِر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ه� ب نِ �فِي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�م ���ن�� ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ةِ‬ ‫ِ عِ ِ ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ْت َ‬ ‫ح َّ �َا �نَا � � مٍا �عِ‬ ‫�َ�ٱ ��ل نَّ�َا �� ُ َ�ا ئِ�َ‬ ‫ك�ا‬ ‫ن�ا‬ ‫ح�ا ٌت� ��تُ��َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �و � ي �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئِ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ي� ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ى اِ ب ِ‬ ‫َ�ق َ �قِأَ نْ ُ س ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�جِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�جِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �د ���ي�د ا  � ���ل�ْ‬ ‫�ع�ا � ن َ ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ْ��ب� � � ��ي�ْ�ب��ل َ � ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �لِ���ه� ِر‬ ‫نِ ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ِ�د �ي��د � � ِ‬ ‫��ي�ٍل ���م��ع � �قِ بٱٍْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫نَّ ل ٰ ِ ي�ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ عِ َ �ُ ْ تَ‬ ‫َ ا �ةُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع�ا‬ ‫ع��ى َ دُّ � �ل��ُ�م��َ‬ ‫�� َ‬ ‫�م�ا ��ه� ِه � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع او رٍ �و�� ��ل� � �لم���س��عِ� � �‬ ‫ح��ي ��م� � �‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫��ي ِر ر‬ ‫�ذِ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫ى‬

‫� ا ن �ل�ز ��ن �ق ّ � � ّ ��ف‬ ‫ن ش �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�و�ل ب��� ا � ب ���� ا �لم�‬ ‫�صر ي� �ي� د�ير ا � �ل��ص�ي�ر �م� ����عر ��ط�و�ي��ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َا َ ْ َ ً�ة ٱ �ْ�قِ ْ َ ا أَ�قْ �ِ َ َ ا َ‬ ‫���أ نَّ َ ا � ٱ �ْ�قَ �ْ أَ ْ � َ فُ ٱ �ْ �أَ َ ْ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ��ط ار �� � �ل����سل�‬ ‫له�   � �فِي�‬ ‫� �م� َ � ��ت�� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح����سر �فِ�ي� � � �ل� �ل ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫يَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫� َّ‬ ‫َ�خ ْ �َ �حِ ّْ‬ ‫� َْ��ْ َ َ ْ نْ � ْ �َ أ ْ َ ْتُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك� ك��م �وك� �ِم� �ل��ي�ل��ةٍ � �‬ ‫ح�� �ب� �ل�د ����ير �� ��ي�ر �‬ ‫حي�ي����ه�   �ي� �‬ ‫� �ل‬ ‫��ص� ِِب ي ِ ِ �فِي ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫َا َ نْ َ أَ ٱ �ْلَ نَّةَ � َ أْ َ َ ْ‬ ‫َ � ْ �ٱ ��ْ�قُ َ ْ� �ٱ ��ْ���فِ ْ � � َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫��ب‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫د � ِر � ي ِر رِ �فِ�ي� ��ف ِت ي � ر ى �ج �فِ�ي� ر سِ �ج �ل‬

‫ت ف ق‬ ‫‪  1‬ال�أ�ص� ‪( :‬ا �ل� ش‬ ‫و� �ه��ذ ه ا �ل ك�‬ ‫ع����ا ر) ورد � �‬ ‫��ل�م��ة‪.‬‬ ‫ل‬

‫‪394‬‬

‫‪394‬‬

‫‪٤،٣٧‬‬

The Quṣayr Monastery

How often we raised to its images cups quickly drained, great and small. An icon, the work of an artist, utter delight for heart and eyes, Enthralled us despite its silence. We were deaf to lutes and oboes. Our bodies grew weak from its beauty as it gazed at us so bewitchingly, Beckoning humbly to those who saw it, meekly and in submission. No! By the beauty of its eyes, its delicate mouth, and rose-red cheeks, I’ll not stay away from its convent home, though the journey to reach it is long. Now, cut short your reproaches. I’ll not be consoled or silenced. May God bless Ḥulwān, its palm trees, and Quṣayr looking out on the caravans. How often sweet sleep was broken by the gruff chant of the monks at matins, While the clappers loudly called, “Come, you sleeper, to morning prayer, Before the new day passes, overtaken by a new night and day.” This life is on loan to us, and he who borrows must repay. Here is part of a long poem by the Egyptian Ibn al-Zanbaqī where he mentions the Quṣayr Monastery: Alas! The grief in my heart is killing me with the tips of lances! How many, many nights we enlivened, friend, in that convent, the best of places. Quṣayr’s Monastery, unique of its kind. Whoever saw Paradise on a hilltop?

395

395

37.4

‫د � �م � نّ‬ ‫ح��ا‬ ‫ير ر‬

‫أَ ْ َ ُ َ َ حٍ ��شِ ُ �ًا ��قِ ْ قَ�فٍ َ ُّ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫� ْ َ َ ا � ٱ �ْ �أُ ُ ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �����شر���ه�ا را �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫� �ا ��� � �مو�ل� � ر���� �ا   �� ِ�د ب� �فِ��ي� � �جِ �‬ ‫سم � ب ِ �ي� و �ل �ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ُ�ْ َ نْ � َ اِ َ َ َ نْ � َ ا َ ��قَ ��تِ ْ‬ ‫� ُ � ُ َ ا �ذُ ��ُ��غنُ � � �� ْ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ء‬ ‫� بِ���ظِ‬ ‫��ي ِ�د ���ير �ه� و ��‬ ‫�ر�فِ �هِ  يِ �ي� م� ���ش� و م� ٱْ���ش� � �ل‬ ‫َ أَ ِّ ُ غُ ْ ٌ ٍ‬ ‫ج ٱ �ْ َ ا َ َ�ق ْ  �زَ َ عِ َ ْ �ٱ �ْقَ َ � ُ ْ َ �ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�� ���ن�ه ����ص ن� �ِم� � �ل��ب� نِ� �و �د ا د �� �ل��ي�هِ �بِ� � �ل �� او ِ�م �ل��م�ع� ِ�د �ل‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ُ �ّْ‬ ‫�َثْغَ‬ ‫� ْت ف ُ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫أ �ْ ِ�غ�ُ َ‬ ‫تَ َ َ َ َ ٱ �ْ َ َ ت‬ ‫� �ل���ث‬ ‫ح ��� � �ل��ن�ا ��سِ �فِ��ي� �ل�����تِ �هِ  ��ا ه بِ���ه�ا �ع��ل�ى � � �لور�ى ِ����ي�ه ��م ِ�د �ل‬ ‫َ �ًّ َ ��غِ�زَ �ْ‬ ‫نْ َ ا �َ نَا ٌ َ ا �َ نَا غٌ أَ َ ُ ْ نُ ٌ َ ُ ْ ُ غٌ‬ ‫�إِ � ��ق� �ل �� ر � � � � � ���ق � � �‬ ‫��ق�ل �ن��و ����ى�د �ل �و�� ل�‬ ‫�ق� ل �� �و �ي� �ل   ��ور �ي� َ � �بِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫��ضِ‬ ‫ْ ا ���ع��جِ ْ‬ ‫��ضِ ْ � ا َ َ ْ‬ ‫�َ ��ضِ َ َ ٱ �� َّا �قُ ��َ � َ ا � ٌ‬ ‫�� ر�� ِب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ل�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�� ر ب� � ل��ن� ��و س �فِ��ي�هِ ر هِ ب‬ ‫� ي ثٍ‬ ‫�فِ ٱ ْ �ثُ ثْ �ُ‬ ‫��ؤُ َ ٱ � َّ َا َ ا �يِ َ ا َٱ �غْ �تِب ٱى� َّ ْ َ �فَ َّ ْ ب ُ َ �ْ‬ ‫� �� �‬ ‫ح � �ك� �و��س � �ل ارحِ� �ي� ��س� �قِ�� ن��  � �و � � �نِ��ِم � �ل��د ���هر �ِ��ل�ل��د ���هِر د �و�ل‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ َ�ق ْ أ نْ َ ْ � ُ �قِ َ َ ْ نٌ �فِ َ َ ْ ِ ُ ْ َ ٱ �ْ �بِ ْ � ْ تٌ َ � �عِ ّْ‬ ‫�م ن ����ب� � � ������ط � ن��ا ��� � �ل�ا  ������ن���ف� ن‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع �عِ� ��د � �ل� �ي� نِ� �ل�ي � �و�ل�� �ل‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫ِل ي ر ب ي�‬

‫� � َ� �َّ‬ ‫ن�ا‬ ‫دير مرح�‬

‫ح�� ش �ق �� �م ن ا ��ل�� � ا �ن‬ ‫ا ت ن أ ن ش �أ ض‬ ‫��ه�ا‬ ‫���ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�و��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د�ير �ع��ل� �ش���ا ���ط� ئ �برك���‬ ‫�ب ��� ري ب� � ب‬ ‫حر � �إو �ل�ى �ج�� � ب��ه ب���س� ���ي� � ����� ب���ع� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �أ ت أ�خ أى � �ؤ ن ن � �زي�ز ا ّٰ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ه�م�ا ا ��ل��س�ل�ا � �و ��ج�م��ل�� �ع��ل� �ع�م�د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ح��س ن� ا �لب��ن �ا ء‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا �ل��م�ي�ر ��مي�� � ��و � �م�ي�ر ا�لم� � ��ي� ع ب� لل �‬ ‫س‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� م‬ ‫�ذ � � ئ تُ ف ئ ن ا ت ّ‬ ‫�ص�� �ة � َّ �أ�ن ش �أه ا � �أ� � ت� �أ �� ض ًا � � ���ق‬ ‫�م���ل ا �ل� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ص‬ ‫���‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ور‬ ‫ب ر ر ب ر �ج ي�‬ ‫ي ر يم ي‬ ‫وب رب‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ع��لح�ه�ا �ج��م��ي�ز�ة ي ج�‬ ‫�ه�ا �و� ش��� � ��و� �ع ن��د�ه�ا‪� .‬‬ ‫��م� ا �ل ن��ا ��س �إ �ل‬ ‫��� �م ن� �م� او ض�‬ ‫�ه� ا ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫��� ا �ل�ل�ع ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ع‬ ‫� � ّٰ‬ ‫ع � ن�ز �ف أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��س ن ا �ل�من �ظ� ��� �ن�ز ه ا ��ل ���ق�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ه � ا �ل��ط � � ه �� � �� � ا �ل�ن��� � �� د ��ه � ا �م��ل� ء ا �ل�� ك���� �‬ ‫� � �م ا ��ط ن ا �ل��ل �‬ ‫و �ذو ��ف أ�ّو و� رب � ي� ي �م ي ل و ي و� � ب ر � ّ � ر ب ع‬ ‫�ا �خ ن ت ّ‬ ‫ح�� ن � ا�لمت���ن�ز �ه�� ن‬ ‫�وك��‬ ‫�� ��ل��ك ��� � �ي�ا � ا �ل�ز ر � او �ل ن��ّ او ر‪� .‬و�ل�ا �ي ك�‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫�� د ي���ل�و �م� ا�لم� ��طر�ي� و‬ ‫ي م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ق�د �ذ ك��‬ ‫�ر ت� ا ��ل ش����ع ا ء �‬ ‫ط�ي��ه �و�ل ب�ا� ن� �ع�ا �ص� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ه �و ��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪١،٣٨‬‬

‫‪٢،٣٨‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Ḥannā (Saint John)

I’ve drunk wine there so cold it sends shivers through the body night and morn, Poured by a coquettish boy who can kill you or make you reborn. He’s like a slender branch, but lovelier because better balanced. His guttural r’s drive men crazy and he proudly shows them off, With “fighe” for “fire” and “lyghe” for “lyre,” such coquetry and charm. A monk has plied the clappers on him, now quickly, then taking his time. Hurry, cupbearer, fill the cups, let’s enjoy the moment while fate smiles, Before we’re forced to part, and “perhaps” or “if only” are in vain.

The Monastery of Mār Ḥannā (Saint John)

This monastery stands on the banks of the pool known as the Ethiopians’ Pool,

38.1

close to the Nile. It is flanked by gardens, some of which were laid out by Prince Tamīm, the brother of the Commander of the Faithful al-ʿAzīz bi-llāh, peace be upon them both. He also put up a meeting room on columns, well built, of fine craftsmanship and decorated with frescoes. Near the monastery is a well, known as Najātī’s Well, under a sycamore tree, and people gather there to drink. It is a place where entertainment, revelry, and exquisite music-making happen, and it is delightful when the Nile rises and floods. When the pool floods, it is a beautiful sight in a lovely setting, as it is at seedtime and with spring blossoms. It is seldom without revelers and people seeking entertainment. Poets have described its beauty and attractiveness, among them Ibn ʿĀṣim:

397

397

38.2

‫د � �م � نّ‬ ‫ح��ا‬ ‫ير ر‬

‫َ � َ أََّ ِ فَ‬ ‫�ْ تُ َ َ �ٱ �� َّ َ َ � ْ َ ٱ �ْ َ َ‬ ‫َ ا �َ���ِ �سفْ �ٱ�لْ� َ �ْ � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�ي�ا ��طِ�ي ب� � �ي�اٍ�م �����س �‬ ‫�و � �وى �فِ �ي� ب �‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َحَِ ت َتَ َ ُّ‬ ‫�فَٱ �ْ ْ َ ةُ ٱ �ْ �غِ َ �فَٱ �‬ ‫عَّ � ْ ُ ٱ �َّ� � َ�ق ْ َ َ ��فِ ْ َ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �ل���بِ رك�� � �ل�� نّ��ا ءُ ��� �ل��د ���ير � �ل �ذِ�‬ ‫ي  ��د ��ه�ا �� � ر ��ط �‬ ‫��صِ ب��اب�ِ��ي� � �و ف��� ك‬ ‫��ِر�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ََ ج‬ ‫�فَٱ ْ �ثُ ثْ ُ‬ ‫��ؤُ َ َ َ �غُ َا ُ َ أَ ْ‬ ‫�ْ ُت َ �خَ‬ ‫�ف � �قَ ْ‬ ‫�ُْ َ � ْ � َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� �ك�� � ��س��ك ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي  � �ل �د ��س كِ��ر� �و �مر �طر��فِ�ك �م��س كِ��ري�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و �فِ َ �‬ ‫ُ َْ ِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ أَ َ� ٱ � ُّ َ ّاَ � � ِّ‬ ‫ل����سَ‬ ‫َ � �نَّ َ ا �تَا ٌ� �تَ ف�َ ِّ َ �َ ا َ ا ه � � �هِ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� � � �ل���ث �� � � �‬ ‫ء‬ ‫���ص‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ب‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫نِ َ ِ�ج و َ ِر‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫َٱو ْرى َري �فِي� ٱ ِ �غَ ّ � ُ�ج‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫س�ا �� � �ل�� � نَ � �ل�� ْ��َ‬ ‫ن � ْ � � َّ‬ ‫��ف�� ش���َربْ� �ع��ل� ُ�‬ ‫ح ْ��س� � �لَ�ر�ا ��ضِ� �َو� ��ننِ��‬ ‫حوِر‬ ‫ي  ا �������ظ َر �إِ �ل�ى � �ل��� �قِي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫نِ ي‬ ‫َّ أََّا َ ٱ �ْلحِ َ ا �قِ � �َ ةٌ َ ��َ عِ �ّنِ �قِ َّ ْ ُت َ ا �َ ْ ُ ْ َ‬ ‫�فَ َ �عِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل�� ���ع�ل ي� م � � ي�� �ةِ ِ�ل��ي�ل�  و ��ي� �د ر� ��م� ل�م �ي�‬ ‫�ق�د ِر‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫‪٣،٣٨‬‬

‫�عِ َّ ْ� �ُ َّ ْ�زَ ٱ �ْ َ ْ َ ا َ � َّا �ت � ِ‬ ‫����س�فْ �ُ‬ ‫�ح��ْ�لَ ا نَ ��فَ��ٱ �لْ�مِ�� �ْ ���ٱ ��لتُّ��َ ��ْ�َ‬ ‫�ت�ا ت‬ ‫��ج�م�ي� �ةِ � �ل�عر�‬ ‫�� ر � بِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� �م���طِ ي��ِ��‬ ‫و‬ ‫َ م بِ وي ِ‬ ‫ي بِ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫َٱْ� ْ قَ ْ ٱ ْ ْ َ � ا َ ��فِ ُ ّ�َ تَ َ ا ُ حِ ْ ُت � �أ َّا � َ �َ ْ َا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ص‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و �ل�مِ� �ْم بِ ِر ب نِ� بِ ط م ر ��م َ عِ � �فِ �ي هِ بِ ي ِ�ي� و �يلِي�‬ ‫َٱ �ْ َ أ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ نَّا ٱ � ِّ َا َ ف�َ �قَ ْ أ ْ َ �ِ �ذَ ُّ ُ ُ � نَّ صِ َ ا َا ت‬ ‫� �و ��قر� �ع��ل� د � �م �‬ ‫ح�� � �ل���س�ل� � �� �د � ���ب�د �ى ��ت� ك�ره ِم��ي� �‬ ‫�� ب�� �ب�ِ�ي�‬ ‫ى ٱيِْر ر ٱ َ َ ْم‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ ْ َ ةُ �لََ ش � ّا �ت �� هَ � َ ا ْ َ�� تُ َ ا ش ئ تُ نْ � ْ َ � �ذ ت‬ ‫�و�رك�� � �‬ ‫حب����ِ� � �ل�ل�ِ�ي� بِب ��ج‬ ‫��ِت�ه�  � د رك�� �م� �ِ����� �ِم� ل�ه�ِو�ي� �و�ل�� اِ��ي�‬ ‫ِبَ َ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���أ نَّ �أ �ْ َ ا لَ�� َ ا �م ن � ْ � ا ����س ٌ‬ ‫�   � ��������ش�ع ت� ���ع�د �� ����ط �ع ن ��س��َ‬ ‫م�ا �َ ا �ت‬ ‫ك�� � �‬ ‫�جب�� �ه� ِ � �‬ ‫َ ب‬ ‫و ِ‬ ‫ٍر �‬ ‫حولِ �ه� ح ب‬ ‫ََ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫���أ نَّ �أ�ذْ �نَا َ �َ ا ��ق‬ ‫�� ��د ��لنَ��ا  �م نْ � ��ْ��بَ �م����َ �َ َ ا � ��� �ل ����ش� ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ِ � رِ ي س ور �‬ ‫ك�� �‬ ‫َ � ي‬ ‫يٍ بِ ب �ي ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أَ نَّة �خ� � َ تْ ْ � َ ف َ ا َ‬ ‫ْ َ ْ تَ ��نِ�زَ ُ ُ نْ ��جِ َ‬ ‫�َح�ا �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ٍ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ��بِ� �د‬ ‫� ���سِ ��� �‬ ‫ض‬ ‫و د ��‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ِ�� � ����طرا � َ�‬ ‫عوه ِم� � ر‬ ‫�� ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫مِ َ �ًا ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� َ َ ا نَا �ت‬ ‫���نْ تُ � �غ� ����َ�ا َ�ه�ا �َ � ْ �����طُ �ق�َه�ا  �َ‬ ‫��نّ � ْ�د �مً�ا �َ�مَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ن��ا �زِ �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �خِ ي ِر ي و ِي�‬ ‫و ر � و � �قِ‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫أَ أََّ‬ ‫َ َ ا ٱ ّٰ ُ نَ ْ َ ٱْ� ْ �زَ َ ْ‬ ‫َ ا � ٱ �ْ ْ َ تَ ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك � لله � ��وء � �ل�مِ� ر �م�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫نِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق ِ‬ ‫� � �ي� ِ�ي�َ بِ ����ش ِط�ي� ��بِ ر َ ي �‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َ ّ � ت � ف �ؤَ َ � ْ َ �ِ ْ‬ ‫�َ�قِ ْ أ�ذْ َ ْ ت نِ َ �� َ َ ل� ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � �ل �� ا د ب�� �لو�ع�ت�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫� �ل� �د � َك�رِ� ��ي� �ط ِبر�ي� �و� ِو‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ َ أ َّا ُ نَ ا � ٱْ�ََ‬ ‫َ ُ ُ َ ا �� َ ا نْ َ ْ َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص� ل�ه� �ِم� ب����ع ِ�د �ب��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫����تر�ى � �ي� ��م�� ��فِ ي�� ِك � �ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫مو ضِ � �ي و ِو‬ ‫ي نِ�‬

‫‪398‬‬

‫‪398‬‬

‫‪٤،٣٨‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Ḥannā (Saint John)

How sweet the days I spent in my youth, obedient to love, gazing on beauty, On that gorgeous garden and convent, which aroused my fervent longing and memories. Quick, boy, fill the cups and forgive me. I’m drunk from the wine of your gaze. The Pleiades in the sky are like a bejeweled crown. Drink to the meadows’ beauty! Sing! Gaze at the dark-eyed, sweet-voiced cupbearer. Life’s days may be few. But I may have foreseen something not predestined. Here are two more poems of his:

38.3

Turn aside at Najātī’s sycamore by Ḥulwān’s foot; make for the mulberry bushes, For Ibn Bisṭām’s palace. Often my days and nights there were happy. Greet Mār Ḥannā’s Convent. Memories of it arouse my longing, And the lovely Ethiopians’ Pool, where I had my fill of fun and pleasure. The surrounding hills resembled clouds, scattered after rain; The tails of the tilapia and perch when landed were lances, with bloodied points, or swords drawn from wounds. These were places I visited, my brothels and taverns of old. May God refresh with rain

38.4

my memories of days at the twin pools! They recall ecstasy and fill my heart with longing— Will the days spent there delight us again after separation?

399

399

‫د � �م � نّ‬ ‫ح��ا‬ ‫ير ر‬

‫َ أَ ْ َ � شَ مِ نْ �ًا �ٱ �ْل�جِ �ْ َ �ِ ْ‬ ‫ِ قَ ٱ ّٰ ُ ٱ �ْ �قَ ا َ ُ � ثَّ �َق ْ ��‬ ‫ٍ � �و �ع ��ط�� �� �� �ل� �ب� �‬ ‫له�ت�ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�����س��ى � لله � �ل�ِ���ب � �مِ�ل� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫َ ٱ َّ� �زِ ِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ُ ّ ْ�زَتَ ْ‬ ‫�َ َ �� َّ �ٱ �� َّ ��� ْ �َ َ ا نَ � َ‬ ‫��خِ � َل�ا ت� ��ف�� ل‬ ‫�صْو� َ ����ط�ًل ��ل�ى � ��لن��‬ ‫��ج�م�ي� ��ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و��ط�ل لطيْ��ل��س� � بِ�� � بِ‬ ‫ �إِ‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫َ ا ُ ُ �زْ‬ ‫َ ٱ مِ َ‬ ‫تَ ُ ��َ �جِ نَ ا ٱ � َّ ْ َتَ ْ‬ ‫�َودَ ا َر َ�ع��ل� � �ل�� �د ا ر ر��ه� � ���م �نٍ ���� �ي�ر ل�ى �‬ ‫� �� نِ� � �ل��سر� �و�ي�‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ِ ِ م‬ ‫َ �خَ َّ ٱ � َّ َْتَ ْ فَ َ ْ ��غِ�زَ‬ ‫َ ْ نَ ت �ْ � َ ٱ � َّ َْتَ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و� ��ص � �لر� �� �و��� ��ك� �� ا �لٍ ر�ب� ِ‍    �‍�ي ب ٍ � � �� � � � � �‬ ‫� ب�ي� ِ لك أْلَرب ��و�ي نِ�‬ ‫َ َ �ُ َب ْ ي نِشَ ْ َ ٱ � ّمَ ْ َ َ أَْ‬ ‫��َ ِ �ْ هِ َ ْ َ َ � � �فِ ْ‬ ‫نا‬ ‫نا‬ ‫هو فِ�ي� ا � � � � ���مع �‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫��م�� �زِ �ل ��ق�د ����هِ� �د �� � �ل�� �‬ ‫�ه�  بِ� كرِم �� �دي نِ� �وٱ�ْ�م� ْل� �ي نِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ُ ق َ �ِ ْ‬ ‫�� ْ نْ َ ْ َ ُ َ ْت �قَ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َوك�� �ِم� ب�����ي�ع��ةٍ �ع��قِ� �د � ِ� �‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫فٍ  �َو�ع�زْ �� ��ي� ِر��ا ��� � �ل���ب���ع�ت�ي�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫فٍ �فِ ي ضِ‬ ‫نِ�‬ ‫َم‬ ‫�� ْ نْ ُ ْ‬ ‫َ�ق ْ َ ا �زَ َ ْ ً َ نَا �َ ُ نَ ا ُ َ ْ َ � ٱْ� ُ نَْ �تِ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�� � �م �‬ ‫ح� �و� � � � �‬ ‫�َوك� �ِم� �م�د ��نِ�فٍ� �د �‬ ‫�ص�لا �و� ل �م�� ه �و س�ط �ي��� �ي نِ�‬ ‫م‬

‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�ص�ي �د‬ ‫�و�ل��ل�عب��ا ��س ب� ن� ا �لب��‬ ‫�صر�ي� ‪� 1‬م ن� ���‬ ‫َ َ ٱْ َ ْ َ‬ ‫�قِ ْ �ذَ َ� َ ٱ �� شَّ ْ �قُ �فُ�ؤَ � ��فَ�ٱ نْ �ذَ �عِ ْ‬ ‫���أ �� �أد ْ َ�ا �َ�ٱ �ْ�س�� نِ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�َ�ا � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ر �و� � ِ ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح� ��مِ �ل � �ل ك� سِ َِ ر َو �قِ ��‬ ‫أََ ا ِ َ ٱ �ْ ْ��َة َ ا أ �ْ‬ ‫ح َ نَ َ ا  �إِ�ذَ �ِ َ �َ ٱ � ِّ � ْ� ُ َ ا �فَ َ ���فِ ْ‬ ‫ي�ه� ��‬ ‫� �م� ����تر�ى � �ل���بِ رك���� �م� � ��س���ه�‬ ‫ا ��ت�د ا ع�ى � � �‬ ‫ل��ط�ي ر فِ��‬ ‫�ص� ر‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫أََ ا ِ َ � نَُّ َ َ ا أََ ا ِ َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ ا َ ا �إِ�ذ ا � �حِ َ ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �م� ����ترى � �� او ر��ه� � �م� ����ترى ح��س� م���سِ ي���ل م� �ئِ�ه�‬ ‫� �د ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا َ ْ �ذُ �َ�ةٌ �َ ْ َ َ ا � نْ ُ���متَّ����جِ ْ‬ ‫َ �أ نّ�َ َ‬ ‫��ُ��صْ���فُ �ٱ ��ل��دّ �نَ�ا‬ ‫��م�ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و ي س ِب � ِ �‬ ‫نِ َِربِ �‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�فِ ٱ نْ �تِ ثَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�هِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��ْ�� ُ �� � � �لَ ا ��َه�ا   ن�����ثَ �� �ت��ل�ك � �ل ن��َ ا � �‬ ‫َ � ن� َ ا ل‬ ‫ح�ي� � � ��� ��ر‬ ‫وِ‬ ‫ر �فِي� ِ‬ ‫ك�ََ��م� � �ج و ُ ر �فِي� و نِ�‬ ‫َ �أ نّ َ ا َ ف ّ َ َ َ �َ َ تْ‬ ‫�ِ ْ ٱ �ْ َ ْ‬ ‫�ذٰ � َ ٱ � َّ ْ‬ ‫ك� ���م� �ك�� �ج�َ�وا ٍد �و�ل�ع�   �فِ��ي� ِ�ل��ك � �لر�و��ضِ� بِ���تب� ِ�د �ي� ِ�د � �ل��بِ�د ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� أْ‬ ‫َ أ ْ ِ ضُ ٱ � ِّ ْ‬ ‫َ ْ ُ ٱ �� نَّ َ � ��َ ْ �َ ا ٱ � تَّ شَ ا � ��َ�قَ �� ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و ب����ي��� � �ل���نر�جِ �� �فِ�ي� � ج���ف� ��نِ� �هِ د �م� � ل��د ى ل�و�ل� � �ل������ �جِ �ي� ل���طِ‬ ‫�ر‬ ‫سِ َ‬ ‫نَ �ْ �عَ ُ�ة ِ ْ ُ َ َ ْ � ُ ْ َ‬ ‫� �سِ ْ‬ ‫�ح����من‬ ‫�َ �نَ ��ْ�����ظَ �ةُ �ٱ ��ْل�َ ْ د ��ل�َ �أ��ْ��ت ���ى َا �� �هِ ������ظ ���م�ع ش���� � �ب��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫���‬ ‫وقٍ�‬ ‫و ر ورِ �إِ ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ظٍ �َّ ا َ‬ ‫َ ْ َ ةُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َ ْ نِ ��فَ َ ا أَ ْ � � ُ �َّ ا �ٱ �ْ َ �بَِ‬ ‫��َ ْ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫د ��ع�� ��م� � ��هِ�لك �ل� �� �جل‬ ‫��و�ى �م� ِ�عي������� � �ل��ع� �ِ �‬ ‫��قِ� �إِ �ل� �فِ��ي� ك�د ر‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�إِ بِ‬ ‫�ة‬

‫ت �ذ‬ ‫���ة‬ ‫�و��ل�ص�ا ��ل‬ ‫��ر ا ��لب��رك���‬ ‫� ب� ن� �م�و��س�ى � �مو��ل�ى ب� ن��� ��مي�� �ي�� ك�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ي م‬

‫‪٦،٣٨‬‬

‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬عبّ���ا ��س � نب� ا ��ل�ب���صر�ي�‪.‬‬

‫‪400‬‬

‫‪٥،٣٨‬‬

‫‪400‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Ḥannā (Saint John)

May God send it shower upon shower— and drought to the desert camp— Watering the fields of flowers like brocade, the sycamores and palm trees. Let it drizzle throughout the year, falling in the cypress gardens And on the two hills where so many young gazelles have been raised. We reveled in those places with the noblest allies and friends. How many oaths were sworn to carouse and make music in the meadows; How many wan lovers fulfilled their wish of meeting their beloveds. This is part of a poem by Ibn al-ʿAbbās al-Baṣrī:

38.5

Fill the cup you bear and give me a drink, for longing has struck fear in my heart. See how lovely the pool is when the birds round it sing to each other. Look at its flowers, at its beauty, with the stream flowing downhill, As though gold dinars had been strewn on its surface, beyond the merchant’s grasp; As though many-colored jewels had been scattered there and lay unclaimed, As though an openhanded man reveled in sowing purses in that meadow. The white narcissi have dewdrop tears in their lashes, held back in their grief. The roses exchange lovers’ glances, their eyes meekly lowered. Leave me! Passion alone will kill me. A lover’s life is truly one of sorrow. Ṣāliḥ ibn Mūsā, the client of Banū Tamīm, composed this poem on the pool:

401

401

38.6

‫د � �م � نّ‬ ‫ح��ا‬ ‫ير ر‬

‫َ ٱ �ْ َ‬ ‫�ْ ُ ْ َ �ذَ �ْ‬ ‫��ُة �مِ ْ أً �َ ا ُ َ ْ تَ ْ �ذُ �ُ َ �ْ ًا �َْ َ ُ‬ ‫�َو َ�‬ ‫��ن� ِب��م��بت�� ل�‬ ‫ح ْ���سبُ���ك � �لبِ��ْرك���� �� ر� �ى �ل� ي���م�ل  ����ب� �ل �و���شي�� �ل� �ي ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫نْ شَ ا � ٱ � �نَّ ��َ �َ �فْ ٱ �ْلَ َ ْ‬ ‫ُ ّتَ َ ٱ �ْ �أَْ � َ �غَ َْ ُ نْفَ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م���صِ � �� ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ئِ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ي�ر �م����صِ‬ ‫���ل   ِم� ���� ِ�ط�� ل ي���ل �إِ �ى �‬ ‫� ْ �ج ب���ل‬ ‫�� �ل �ل�ْطر فِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أَ ْ ْ ت � � َ مِ نْ �ًا �لِ�َ نْ ��نِ�زَ � َ�ق ْ ن � َ � تْ ْ � َ ا ُ ُ َ ْ َ �� َ ْ‬ ‫� ك�ِر� بِ��ِ��لك �� ���زِ �ل� م� �� �ل   ��د ����ِش��ط� � ��طي�� ره ب���ع�د � �ل ك‬ ‫�����س�ل‬ ‫َ �َ ِ َ تْم َ َ ِ َ تْ َ َ َ �هِ ْ َ ْ نَ ٱ � ِّ‬ ‫َٱ �ْ خَ‬ ‫َٱ � َّ �مِ ْ‬ ‫�و���س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��ج�ع� �ور�‬ ‫��ج�ع� �ع��ل� �م�� �ل  �ب��� � �ل����ث����ي�ل � �و � �فِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ي ��فِ� � �وْ�لر�� �ل‬ ‫ي َ قِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ أَ‬ ‫ْ � ��جِ ْ �ْ‬ ‫َ َ �جِ َ �ْ َ نُ ْ َ � ا �� � ْ ٰ‬ ‫ك�� �نّ��ُه نَّ ��‬ ‫ح ن �ل� ِل��ل‬ ‫� �د �ل  ي���‬ ‫�ُ�ح�ز � ��ل�كِ ن ِ�ل��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�مِ‬ ‫� �د �ل‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫نِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �فِي ُ �ذْ‬ ‫ْ نَ َ ا أََّا مِ َ ا ٱ �ْ ُ َّ ٱ �ْ �أَُ �ْ‬ ‫ِ�ر����ن� � �ي� �� ن�� � �ل����غر � �ل� �ول�‬ ‫�ي�� ك‬

‫�ق ا � أ ض ً �ذ‬ ‫���ة‬ ‫��ر ا ��ل��د�ير � او ��لب��رك���‬ ‫���ا �ي�� ك�‬ ‫�و�� �ل � �ي��‬

‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ث�ّ‪.‬‬ ‫م‬

‫‪٧،٣٨‬‬

‫�نَّ �لِ�‬ ‫���ٌ �فِ �ٱ �ْ‬ ‫��جنَْ ��لَ َّ َ �َ ا �تَ�ُ ْ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�م�ْ��ل� َك �نَ�ا‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�إِ ��ي� �مِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ �إِ ي� و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� َْ‬ ‫ن ْ َ ا ُت‬ ‫َا‬ ‫ب�َ�ك�ر �إِ �ل�ى د ����يِر � �ل��م��ع�   �ِفِر� � � �و��ق� � � �لب�ك�ر‬ ‫َ ٱَْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أَ َ ِ َ ُ ٱ‬ ‫����ت َ��س��ْ نَ �م نَ � ��ل�زَّ�َه ْ‬ ‫ح ْ��س نَ � ��ل َّ�َ�ا  �� � �م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ت�ىر�ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫� �و��م�ا �� ��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� � ر‬ ‫� َري ضِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ َ� ِّ �ذ َ ْ ُ � َّ‬ ‫َ ْ ُ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫�إِ�ذ ��ِ��� �هِ ْ‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫��ب‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ه � �ل ِرب ِ و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و ُ ٱْربَِ ِ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ َ شْ ُ نْ ��شِ ع‬ ‫ع فُ َٱ �ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ ��بِ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َُ‬ ‫حف� �َ � �ل � ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� � �لو����ي� �ْي������ ر � �و �ل� �م�ل�ا  ِ� � و‬ ‫م��ط� ِر�� � �و ح� ر‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٰ �ذَ � ��ل��بِ نَ�فْ َ ُ � ٱ �ْل َ‬ ‫� �غِ ْ� �ُ �زْ �قِ ْ ظَ �� َ ْ‬ ‫� �� � �‬ ‫��ه� ا �����‬ ‫ د بِ��� �يِر ��ح نٍ� � �د � �‬ ‫�هر‬ ‫�حِ �د ا ِ‬ ‫جس �فِي‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ُ� ْ � ْ �َ �هِ ْ‬ ‫َ أ �تَ �ٱ ��ْ َ َ ا ُ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �و ى ب���ه� ر بِ �‬ ‫������فر�ةٍ  �ل‬ ‫ِ�ك�ل ح��س نٍ� �د ب��� ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ َ‬ ‫َ َ �أ نَّ آ�ذَ ْ ُ �ِ‬ ‫��ا َ ا ُت �خ� ْ تَ ْ �تِ ْ‬ ‫�وك�َ� � ر�ي�� �و�ن ��ى�ه   ك�� ���س� � ���مٍر ��ب��� ِ�د ر‬ ‫َ َ �أ نّ�َ َ ا ٱ �َْ �ْ ثُ ُ ْق ٌ‬ ‫ٱ �نْتَ ��شِ ْ‬ ‫ �د �� َ��َ‬ ‫�وك� ��م� � �لم�ن ��ور ِ� �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�فِي� �ج و نِ �بِ هِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َٱ �ْ �أُ ْ�قَُ نُ �ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َُ ْ‬ ‫َ ا � ٌ � نْ‬ ‫�جِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� �و �ل���‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫حوا � � �� �‬ ‫ٍ �فِ��ي هِ رر‬ ‫��ص ِح�ك َ �‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ثِ‬ ‫ْ َ‬ ‫َ ِ � َ ا � قُ � �لن��ْ َ ا � �‬ ‫َّ �لِ�َ نْ �نَ � �� ْ‬ ‫���� �ل‍  �� ��ع�ل�ا � �� �م ‪  1‬م� ���ظِ‬ ‫�ق� ئِ ��� ��ع�م� نِ� ك‬ ‫�و�����ش�‬ ‫�ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُّ َ َ َ ْ ً‬ ‫َ تَ َ ّ َ � َ ْ ُ � ��ذ‬ ‫�ا � � �ل����س�حِ ْ‬ ‫ك�  �و�‬ ‫�ف�ا � �ِم��س ك�‬ ‫� ��‍   ‍� د � � �ل د � �ل�‬ ‫�� �فِ�ي�‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫وتَ ور وَ �ر ٱ �ْ ُ ُ ي‬ ‫ح ُ َّ �َ‬ ‫َ �َ َ َ ْ‬ ‫�ْ �ُم شْ تَ ْ‬ ‫ُ غ‬ ‫ِ�ك� ل‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�صو   نِ� ب��‬ ‫�ج�ا �وب�� ت� ��ط�ْ��ير � �ل��� �‬ ‫ح نٍ� ���� �هِ�� ر‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��غِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��خِ‬ ‫��فِ ُ َ َ‬ ‫�شِ َ � ُ �ق �ز �مِ ْ‬ ‫ح َ��س نُ � �ل��� نَ ا‬ ‫�ع��  ِء ��� �د ا َ� �و‬ ‫� ر �ٱ�د َ �� ر‬ ‫� �م�� رد َ� � �غِ‬ ‫َ تَ �سِ َّ �قَ تْ أ�نْ َ ا ُ نَ ا نَ‬ ‫أ��نْ� َ ا �� � ��ل� ّ���س�حِ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف� ���س��   ����‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�و���� ر�� � � �� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫سِ‬ ‫بِ سِ �ي ِ‬

‫‪402‬‬

‫‪402‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Ḥannā (Saint John)

The pool’s a sight you never tire of, Clad in unworn brocade. Its edges run even and unbroken From the banks of the Nile to the mountain. What a splendid place to stop at. The birds, idle for a while, are lively, Warbling and cooing, unrushed, In various rhythms, heavy and light, As though engaging in dispute, Plaintive not from sorrow but joy, Reminding us of splendid days now past. And this is a poem of his on the monastery and the pool: I’ll give you some advice, so listen and pay attention: Go early to the Maʿāfir210 Convent, it’s time for a morning meeting. Don’t you see the lovely gardens clad in flowers, The face of spring’s revealed. Ah! The splendid face of spring, With shot silk in drapes, cloaks, veils, and robes, Violets in mourning colors yet untouched by grief Yellow oxeyes, their beauty unsurpassed, Marigolds like cups of wine rushed to relieve a drinker, Gillyflowers like a necklace adorning the garden’s walls, Daisies with laughing faces of gold set with pearls, Anemones like signs pointing the way to such beauty, Fragrant roses blushing, wafting musk in the rays of dawn, Birds serenading each other with tunes well known, Sweet-voiced nightingales and warblers with fluted tone. The early morning breezes have stolen our breath away.

403

403

38.7

‫َ‬ ‫د � ن���ْه��ا‬ ‫ير ي‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ن��ْ�هي��ا ��ا �ج��ل‬ ‫���ي�ز�ة �ود�ير�ه�ا �م ن� � �‬ ‫ح��س ن ا ��ل��د �ي�ا را ت� � �و �ن�ز �ه�ه�ا � �و ��ط�ي ب��ه�ا �ع�ا �مر �بر�هب��ا �ن�ه �و� ك�‬ ‫�س��ا �ن�ه‪.‬‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ت �ف �إ�ذ ن ف � ا �زُ‬ ‫� � ��ل��أ نّ� ا �ل�م�ا‬ ‫ح� ���ط ��ه �م ن �ج�‬ ‫�و��ل�ه ���ف� ا ��ل�ن��� �من �ظ� ��� �ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ج�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي يل ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ة � ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�غ ئ � ّ أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫�ص�ن �ا �ف� ا ��ل�ز �ه �ف�ه� �م ن ا �ل�مت���ن�زّ �ه�ا ت� ا �ل�م� �ص� ��ف�� � ا �ل ���ق�ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ظ ��‬ ‫�هر ت� � را ��ض�ي �ه � ار �� ب� ا �ل �� او ر � �و �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫��ت �� ه ا ئ� ا �� �� �ف‬ ‫ه �أ �� ض‬ ‫� ي ج�‬ ‫ا �ل� ش‬ ‫��ً�ا �مت‬ ‫�ص�يّ�د �‬ ‫هور�ة‪� .‬و��ل�ه ��ي��ل‬ ‫ح��س ن �و��ق�د �و�ص��ف ت��ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ�� ت �ج �ن ه ع ��‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع� ‪.‬‬ ‫ا �ل ش����ع ار ء �و ك�ر� ح��س � و�ط�ي ب� م�و�‬ ‫ن �� � ّ‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�و�ل��ل�عب��ا ��س‪ 1‬ب�� ا لب��‬ ‫�صر ي‬ ‫َأْ‬ ‫ْ ٱ �ْ ُ َّ‬ ‫َا َ نْ �إِ�ذَ َ �َ ٱ � ِّ‬ ‫��غِ َ تْ �ََ ظُ � ُ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ن�د ����ي�ُ‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�هِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِي وِ‬ ‫�ي� �م�ٱ ا ��س كِ��ر � �َ َِّ ِ ٱسِ‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫ٱ َ ْي قِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َّ َ � ْ نُ َ ا � �ل�زّ �ن َ‬ ‫ِ�� �َ َ � �� ِّ َ ا ُ� ��ف َ��س� نِ �ت �ْ� َ � �� ت �ُ �� �لَ تْ ��ف ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س��ه �ل�و���ه� �ب� � �‬ ‫��‬ ‫���‬ ‫��ط�ل� ل�‬ ‫��ص��‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ��ظِ� �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ق��ي� ِ�لك ِل ���‬ ‫َ ِ ْ ب قِ�‬ ‫بح‬ ‫َٱ �ْ قَع�ٱ �� ِّ َ ا َ� نُ َ ْ � ِّ ُ �َ ا َ �ْ ِ �ٱ ��ْ���فِ َ َ ا �حِ تّ َ � ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��صب�� ��‬ ‫� �و ��ل� ل�‬ ‫ج�� ِك �إِ ���ن�ه   �ل� ��ي�ل� قِ���ت�� ل� � � � � ��ل� �ت‬ ‫ح بِ ��وِر �و �� هِ‬ ‫� رَ�ح نِ� َ �ى�قِ �ي ��قِ��ي�‬ ‫�َّ‬ ‫يِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫��قِ ��ْل� �ٱ ��لّ�� � �ل� �ُ� ��� �َهَ ا كُ �ا � ��� � ّ‬ ‫�ق���ة �نَ�ا �ش‬ ‫��ْو�قٍ� � �د �ب �قِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ �إِ �ل ب�قِ‬ ‫َ ِب �ي� �ذِ ي� م �يب �قِ� فِي هِ �و‬ ‫ي ِ‬ ‫أَ َّ ي�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫أ ََ‬ ‫َ ا ٱْ�ُ َ � �‬ ‫َ ��قِ ْ �زَ َ تْ أَنْ َ ُ ُ نَ‬ ‫َ ٱ�َ‬ ‫� �َو�َم�ا ت�ر�ى �َو�جْ��ه � �ل ّر�����ي� �و �د �ه�  � � �� او ره ب����ه ��م� ِرهِ � �لم��ت ��م� �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫قِ�‬ ‫بِ ِ‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ع ُ َ تََ ِّ َ تْ أَ شْ َِ ُ ُ َ ْ �ثَ‬ ‫�زَ ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ تَ�َا َ َ تْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��عِر ���هٍر � �مو�‬ ‫� � ��ط��ي�ى� ره �و�ب������س�م�  � �‬ ‫�ج� ره �ع� ���‬ ‫��غ‬ ‫�ج� �وب��‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫نِ قِ�‬ ‫حِ تَّ تَ ��فِ تََّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫َ�ذ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ ُّ َ� فْ �ُ ْ �� َ‬ ‫��ل�َ ْ �َ� ْ��غ� ��َ‬ ‫�� � �ل ّ ا ب�����بِ رد هِ �‬ ‫� ��ى � ���‬ ‫� �ك�ل ج �‬ ‫���� م�‬ ‫ه�ا ���طِ‬ ‫�ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م �ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ذِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫نٍ أَ ْ قِ�‬ ‫�أَ ِّ ُ َ ْ ٌ مِ ح‬ ‫َٱ � �بِ ْ ُ َ َ � ٱ � ِّ َ ا َ‬ ‫نَ ا �ز َ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ه �� ��م�لِ� � �‬ ‫� �و �ل� �د ر ��� �و��س ��ِط � �ل����س�م� ِء ك�� ���ن�ه  �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �فِ�ي� �قِ� ��عٍ � ر �قِ�‬ ‫َ � َّ َ َ �فِي ٱ �ْ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ�ا � َ َ ا َ ا � نْ ��‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َّ �� � ت شَ ُّ‬ ‫�مِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��ا �ل��ل��د ��ا ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل�مِ� �م�لحِ و��م� ب���ه�   ِم� ��ط‬ ‫� ي ��وم � ���مر ِ�ي� بِ��� �‬ ‫يَ ِ ي ر‬ ‫ِ�ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫���وقِ�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ٍ‬ ‫أ َّ َ ُ ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ا َ ت �َْ ُ ْ � َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ه�ا  � � ��� ��ُ �ش‬ ‫��ْ‬ ‫���ن ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ا � �ل� �����ش����غ� ��َ‬ ‫�� ب�� ب� �� �ل� �ي� ��ط��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ي� �م ك� و ِي�‬ ‫وَ سِ ي ر و‬ ‫ِ ي�‬ ‫ل ِب�‬ ‫قِ�‬ ‫قِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱَ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫َا َ ْ َ نَ ْ َ ا َ ا �ذ��ْتُ� َ َ ا عِ ةً � ا تَ �ذَ ّ‬ ‫ك� ْر ُت� � ��ل شّ���َ��ا َ� ِب�� � �‬ ‫�ي� د ����ير ���هي�� �م� ك� �ر�ك ���س� �� ��  �إِ �ل� ���‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫م���فِر�قِ�ي�‬

‫أ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و�ل�عبّ���ا ��س ‪.‬‬

‫‪404‬‬

‫‪404‬‬

‫‪١،٣٩‬‬

‫‪٢،٣٩‬‬

The Nahyā Monastery

Nahyā is near Giza. Its monastery is most beautiful, pleasant, agreeable, and

39.1

flourishing with its monks and those dwelling there. It is an amazing sight when the Nile floods, for it is surrounded by water on all sides, and when the water recedes and its grounds are sown, they produce an amazing variety of blossoms and flowers. It is a famous place, a well-known destination for outings. A canal attracts all manner of waterfowl, so it is a good place for hunting. There are many descriptions of it in poetry, celebrating its attractive and lovely setting. Here are two poems by al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Baṣrī: When my friend’s drunk from the wine in his cup, and your eyes are fixed on the second round, Morning’s come! Pour me a draft of the nectar in which the color of the lily’s not to be found. Greet the morning with a bright face, good things happen when they meet; In my heart your love has left no trace but embers of the fire of a longing ever discreet. See! The face of spring shines full of light, bright with radiant oxeye daisies; Its birds sing in chorus, its trees sway and smile, flowering with blossoms like young beauties, Nourished by the cool dew and drizzle, and opening their eyes to reveal their petals. The moon, high in the heaven, looks down like a lovely face draped in a midnight-blue surround. Oh, for the fine convents and wonderful days I spent there, a prey to longing and desire, A time when its people filled my thoughts and the prisoner of my passion was not set free. Nahyā’s Convent, whenever I remember you I recall my youth and my hair, not yet gray,

405

405

39.2

‫د � �ن�ه��ا‬ ‫ير � ي‬

‫ُ َ َ َ تُ ٱ �ْ‬ ‫َٱ � �َّ �ْ ُ غَ ضٌّ �ٱ ��ل�زَّ َ ا نُ ُ َ‬ ‫�َ ْ َ‬ ‫�ق�ا ��م ن��ا � �م� �����َ‬ ‫���س�ا �� ٌ�د  �َ �ِ���م�َ‬ ‫ن�ا �ب�� �جل�و�‬ ‫� �و �ل�د ��هر ����� �و ��م� � �م‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫عِ‬ ‫�بِ ْ َ ِ‬ ‫قِ�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ �إِ�ذَ ُ �ْ تَ َ ٱ � ُّ � ُ َ َ ْ َ ا َ ُ نُ َ ا �ف � ْ ُ ق َ ن � ْ تُ ْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�ص�د �� �و � �ل� ���‬ ‫�ص�ي ِ�د �ه�   �و�ج� ��و سِ�� �ه� �� �‬ ‫�و ا ��س�ئِ �ل� �ع نِ� � �ل��طي ��وِر �و�‬ ‫�ص قِ�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ � ��يِ َ �إِ م ٱ �ُْتَ حِ َّ‬ ‫��فَ�ٱ ��ْل�ُ���غُّ ��فَ�ٱ ��ْ َ �َ �َ ا نُ ��فَ�ٱ ��ْ�ل َ ا ُ � ُ‬ ‫�جِ ��� َك ��� ��ط� را ���ن�هِ �ل�م��‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ور �إِ�ذ  ي���ش���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ� ر � لكرو � � ��ف� ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َي �فِي‬ ‫ُ ُ قِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫ُ ّ � َ َّ‬ ‫ٱَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ّ ق‬ ‫نْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� �ش��هِ� ْ�د َت� َ� ْ َ � ّ � ْ �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر ب� � �ل��ط�ي�ِر �فِ�ي� �غِ�ي����ط� �نِ��هِ  �ل�م� �ج �و�� �مِ� ��م��ه �ك�ل �ج��و�قِ�‬ ‫ٱ � ُّ َّ‬ ‫�َ �ٱ ��ْل��َ� ْ َ ا نَ � َ �ْ �� �َهُ َ�نْ��ِ ُّ �� �َ�ْ نَ ُ َ َّ َ �ُ ��بِ َّ‬ ‫�َ � �ل�ز �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫���م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب � �فِ�ي� ر ٍط‬ ‫و �‬ ‫ي حط ب ي َ� ٱ ْ ر�ع ٍ وٱْ ر قِ�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫َ َ أَْ تُ � ْ َ ا َّ ِ ْ � َ �ةَ‬ ‫�ذُ �ّ � ِ‬ ‫َ � غَ‬ ‫��م �ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��ف�����ي � �ل‬ ‫�ور� ��ي� ِ�ل��ل��ب� �زِ �ي� ���س �� �‬ ‫طو � �مو����سِ ر‬ ‫ٍ  �وِ�ل�����يِرهِ �َل � � �ل� قِ‬ ‫��ىِر ٱ ْ �م�ِ �لقِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َّ �ت َ �� َ � ْ تُ ْ َ ا �ت ��بِ َ �ْ � ُ نْ ُ‬ ‫�� ْ �َ�ق ْ َ َ ْ ُت � َّ �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ْ �فِي� ��شِ رِ� و‬ ‫ب و ب ��غِ ر‬ ‫و � ر‬ ‫� َ قِ�‬ ‫م‬ ‫طِ �ِ َ ِيٱ �ُ‬ ‫َ تَّ نُ ْ تُ �َ ِي َ ا � يِٱ �ْ �أ‬ ‫َ ��خِ �َ�ْ تُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و‬ ‫�فِي�‬ ‫ى ب �إِ ى فِ ِ‬ ‫ر قِ�‬ ‫ب ِ �ج و نِ ب �ئِِل��‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ نْ �َ ْ َ ْ َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�قِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫فَ ُ‬ ‫�َ �ُم�َ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫ه�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جِ ر �َو�ُمك�ا ���ثِ� ٍر �َو��م نَ��ا ��فِ� رٍ � ��ِ �لق� � � �ل ���ؤ ا د ��بِ� �هِ �و � �ل�م ��ي�� ��‬ ‫و�‬ ‫�ق� �لقِ�‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫�إِ‬ ‫�َ ْ َ َ َ ٱ � ُّ �فَّ ُ ُ ْ َ �ةَ �خِ َّ �َ صِ َ �َ‬ ‫َ ا � �ذَ َ ٱ � َّ ْ نَ‬ ‫� �ل ��ع�اي� ن � �ل���ت� �ا � �‬ ‫ح���مر �‬ ‫�� ب��ا �إِ �ل�ى ِد ��ي��ب�ى� �ِ ا � � � �‬ ‫� �د هِ �ل�‬ ‫و �‬ ‫جْ ك ٱلْرْوَ��قِ�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َا َ ا َ ٱ � ِّ ح ٱ َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫���سيْ��� � ��ل�غ�َ َ�د ا �ة �َوَ ���طْ ��ف�هُ  � �ْمض��� �ِم نَ � ��ل ّ��س ْ��� � �ل‬ ‫حُ َ��س�ا � � �ل�م���ط�ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي� �‬ ‫�ح� ��مِ �ل ل فِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ٱ ى � ي فِ ٱ َ ِم ٱ قِ�‬ ‫ُ ْ فُقْ َ ْ َ �َ ا تُ � ْ أَ��شْ� َا �نِ ُ َ ْ فُقْ َا َ ا َ �ثّ ْ � ِّ‬ ‫ا ر��� ب���ع��ب�د ك �ل� �� �طِ��� � ��‬ ‫�ص� ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ب� � �ل�����غ � �ل� �ن‬ ‫�ج� �� �ه  � �و ر ���� �بِ�هِ �ي� �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ِ‬ ‫ِر ��قِ��ي�‬

‫�ق � أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل � �ي� ض�‬

‫َ‬ ‫أ �تَ نْ �ِ ُ �� � � ّشُ ْ َا � سِ َّ � ��فِ َ ْ ُ � َ ٰ �ذَ َ � قُ ٱ � �ُّ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ي� ي� ِ�د �‬ ‫� ���ش�ط ِل�ل���ربِ‬ ‫ي  ي ��و�م�ك �ه� د �قِ ي ��� � ل�دٱ ْرَو�زِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ َ قتُ ُ َ ا نْ َ َ �‬ ‫َف ْ � �َ� َ ٱ �ْ َْ َ َ شْ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫��� �َّت�َ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ا �� � �ل�ج�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫نِ ��س‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��عِ� ��ن ِ�د ي� �ل�ك � �لي ��و�م �م ِو�ي‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِج ُو�زِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�خَ‬ ‫� ْ ُ نَ َ ْ �ضِ‬ ‫�� �هْ ‪� 1‬مثْ��ُ � ��لنّ��ُ �ِ �خَ���بِ ْت�ُه نَّ �م ن�َّ َ � َ� ْ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َو �م � ��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��سو� ْب ي�� ِ �لْ �ج وم َ � � ِ ي�ٱ ْ�فِي� �ج وٱفِْ و�زِ‬ ‫�َ َ‬ ‫ِ َ ا �فِ �تُ َ ا َ تَ َ � ُ َ‬ ‫�ا �ل�حِ‬ ‫� ْ َ نْ ِ‬ ‫�� نِ� � �‬ ‫�ن�ا �َو�ل��ُت�ه نّ  �َو �ل� �ت�������تفِ��ْ �ب�� �لم ك�‬ ‫� ِري�زِ�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ف� � �ل‬ ‫����غ� ���ه� �و � َ َ � مَ َ َ ع ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ ْ ْ‬ ‫َ � ْ َ‬ ‫أ �تَ ن��ْ �ِ ُ‬ ‫ش ���ط ِ�ع نْ� ِ�د �ي� �ع��ل� ��ن بَ��ق���ِت�ي��نِ �ع��ل� � �لْو�ز �تَ�ي�� �ع��ل� �ق�ْ�����طَر� مِ� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ���‬ ‫ي�زِ‬ ‫نِ ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬

‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

‫‪406‬‬

‫‪406‬‬

‫‪٣،٣٩‬‬

The Nahyā Monastery

When time was young and fate on my side, and the Jawsaq Palace was where I stayed. Nahyā’s Convent, when I recall you I speed toward you at a swift steed’s pace. If you’re asked about birds in all their breeds, speak the truth, though you won’t be believed, The coot, the water hen, the plover fill one with pleasure as they circle in flight. Have you seen the birds battle in the fields, as they caw and squawk, caught up in their fight? And the angry buzzard, swooping down on a group, now like a thunderbolt, now a flash of lightning. I’ve seen the hawk wax arrogant, like a rich man, while other birds, poor underlings, bow down. How often I’ve played, with a young man’s ardor, passing the time with pellet bow; I sprang all my traps in the hunt for frivolity, till my actions gave me the name of a fool. My beloved, often defiant, contentious, who troubles the heart, but is untroubled, Your cheek would be the envy of an apple for the smooth beauty of its rich color; You carry a sword in the morning, though your glance cuts deeper than a sword; Pity your slave, put an end to his sorrows, mercy, you whose mouth breathes delight. Are you keen for a drink, sir?

39.3

Today your wish will come true. I’ve got two roasted birds, nicked from the old woman’s hen coop. Fifty eggs like stars, which she hid from me deep in a jar, Filched without her knowing, the “safe place” was no bar. Come, get busy at my place, with grape juice, almonds, and a pitcher,

407

407

‫�‬ ‫د�ير ���ط�م� �و�ه‬ ‫ي‬

‫َ ��نَ�قْ ُ َ‬ ‫�َ ْ �� َ ُ� ٱ ��ْ َ ْ َ�ٱْ��مِ ْ نَ�ُ‬ ‫َ ْ ً �َ َ‬ ‫��ُص�د ن�� ْ�هيَ��ا �َود ����يرا ل��ه�ا   �ب�هِ م���طر � �لورِد �و �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�زِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ نَ ْ َ ُ نْ َ ا َ ْ � َ َ ا َ�� ِّ َ َ ن�ت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� بِ�ر ���ط�ل �و�‬ ‫� � � ك����ب � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�َ�����شر ب� �ِم �‬ ‫�ج�مٍ َو رٱ�ةٍ و ِ ب ٍ بِٱ ْ و�زِ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫أ ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫��ف �بِ �ْ نَ � �� َّ�َا �� َ �َ�ْ نَ � ��ل�ُ ُ‬ ‫��فِ �� �َّم�ا � �� ُّل���طُ�� ُ �� �ف�لَ ْ ���ط � ��ل ُّ��سُ‬ ‫��غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫رور‬ ‫ي ور ر ِ‬ ‫ي � ري َضِ� وب ي�َ َ رو�زِ‬ ‫�فَ ٰ �ذَ �َ� ُ َ َ ٱ �ْلَ ا ثَا ت تَ�نَ َّ َ ٰ �ذ َ ا � ا ت�ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �صِ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ح� ِد �� �ِ  ��‬ ‫� �ع��ل� � �‬ ‫ح�� �و��ه� ا  ‪ 1‬بِ����ن� �ل� �ج �و�زِ ي�‬ ‫�ه� ي يح� أَ ى‬ ‫َي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ �خَ� ْ � تَا نَا َ � � � ا �� ن َ ا � � �لن � َ �‬ ‫خلُ�زُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�و �����شفٍ� � �� �� ر َ�خِ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �ي��ِم � �ل�د �ل� لِ �����ش� �فِ�ي� �ِع�ي��ِم �و� سِ ْ ُ �زِ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ ُّ ٱ � ِّ َ �َ َ أ ش َ ا َ� ْ َ � ْ َ َ َ ُ ْ � ��نُ‬ ‫ي ِ�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ل ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ب� � �ل��ن�د ا م�ى � �و �����ع� ر �هم  �ويَ�ِب�خ��َي� �ودٱا ��ئِ� �‬ ‫عه�مٱ ْ �فَِ�ي� و�زِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫��فِ�زُ ْ ت �ْ َ َّ � َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��َ � ْ َ �‬ ‫� � � � �‬ ‫م�َ�ا ��ِ �َ ��ا � � ��ف�� ك�‬ ‫� � �ل �‬ ‫��س� � �لي��و�م طِ ����ي�زِ �ي�‬ ‫ر�نِ�ي� �جِ �د �نِ�ي� �و�فِ�ي‬ ‫�ق ل �إِو �ل �فِ�ي� عِ‬ ‫� �ز � � �‬ ‫���ل� ا ء ال�مّ ن � ش‬ ‫���ا ن� اب� ن ا ��لب�� ّ �ذ ن ���خل‬ ‫��ا � �و�ل�ه ����عر ي ج�ر�ي� �ج�مر�ى ا �ل�ه �ل � او �ل��ط�ي ب�‪.‬‬ ‫�صرُ�ي� �ه� ا �م� ا ع� �ج‬ ‫�وك� �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫��ص�ا ر �يرك�‬ ‫�و�خ���د � � �ب�ا ا �� �ل�ق�ا ��س� � �و�ن��و�ج��ور ب� ن� ا �لإ���خ� ش����ي �د ��ف�� �‬ ‫�� ب� �م�ع�ه‬ ‫ح��س ن� �إ �لي��ه �وك���س�ا ه �و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � م ا نًا أ�ز �ق ت ش ّ ا �‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��ا ن �أ �ن � ��ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ح�م�� ه � � �ذ � ن �أ �ص��ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��ل��س� �� � ر� �ي������ب��ه �ب� � �ل��‬ ‫��� �وك�� � �و ��و�ج �ور �د ل� ع��ل�ى بر و�‬ ‫�وك�� � ��ي�لب����س �� ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�غ � ظ � � � � ف� ن �إ�ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫أق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��لي� ��� �ب� ��ط� ء ا �ل��س�ي ر � ك�‬ ‫��� ك��‬ ‫��ا � ا ���س�ا ر �م� � ��� او � �م ن� �إ ��وا �ن�ه ��ق�ا �ل �ل�ه� صِ‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫� � �� او �ل�ي� � �مو ض�‬ ‫أ ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ة ��ف‬ ‫��ث� �‬ ‫� ا � �ة‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�تّ � ��ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ص�ي �د ل� �ي� �ج �د ب��د‬ ‫�‪ .‬وك� � ي �‬ ‫� �ج � ل��س� ��ي ر ل�� د ر وك� � ي�ب��ي� ل�‬ ‫حق� ب� ك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫�صر‪.‬‬ ‫ا لله ب��م�‬

‫‪٤،٣٩‬‬

‫�� ْ‬ ‫َط� �م �و��ي�ه‬ ‫د�ير���‬

‫�طِ � ْ �ف �‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�إ�ز‬ ‫�� ا ��ل�� � � �‬ ‫� � � � ا ��ل����س�ا �ت�� ن‬ ‫ي� � او ��لن خ�‬ ‫�و��� � �م �و�ه ��ي� ا �ل�غ� رب� �ب� ا ء �‬ ‫حو�ل�ه ا � ك‬ ‫ح��ل� او � � او �ل��د�ير را ك� ب� بحر �و �‬ ‫ل��روم و ب‬ ‫���ل‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ��ف � � ن �ظ ��‬ ‫� ض ّ � �أ ض� ��ف نّ‬ ‫ح�� ن ت�خ‬ ‫� �ف�ه �ن�ز‬ ‫�ك� ن� ��� ن‬ ‫ا �ل��ش�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�و ج�ر � �و‬ ‫ر �ل و �ي� ي �ل ر ��س� و ي� � ر �ل ر � �إ ي و ب ي�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ن�زّ‬ ‫ا ت ن ن ا ��ل� �‬ ‫ض �‬ ‫� �ذ� �ة‬ ‫ا ا �ل� ش �ة‬ ‫ب���س� ���ي� �م� ب�‬ ‫حر � او �ل�ز ر ‪� .‬و�ه�و� �‬ ‫م����ه�ور ‪.‬‬ ‫��� �ل�ه�و�ه�‬ ‫�صرا�لم� ك���ور �و�م� او �‬ ‫ح��د �مت��� �ه�ا ت� �م�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬و�ه� ا �ي��ق��ول‪.‬‬

‫‪408‬‬

‫‪408‬‬

‫‪١،٤٠‬‬

The Monastery of Ṭamwayh

And let’s make for Nahyā’s Convent, with its roses and acacias, To drink measures of wine in goblets, toasting with vintage sorts, The birds, crazed with joy, between meadow and vine stock, Sing, “Be off ” to destiny, telling it to keep its distance. A fawn comes, sweetly coy, clad in silks and reared in riches, Loving your friends’ poems and hiding their assets in his rocks. Visit me, you’ll find I’m telling the truth. If not, my bum’s yours for the knocks. Ibn al-Baṣrī was frivolous and dissolute. His poems were on amusing and

39.4

pleasant themes. He served Abū l-Qāsim Ūnūjūr ibn al-Ikhshīd, who treated him well and rewarded him with garments. He accompanied the prince when he rode out, wearing a blue headdress like that worn by judges. Ūnūjūr had given him a pale, sturdy horse with a slow gait, and when he went out riding with some of his friends he would say, “Tell me where you’re going so I can catch up with you.” He was good company and a mine of anecdotes. He used to sell medicinal drugs at the mosque of ʿAbdallāh211 in Cairo.

The Monastery of Ṭamwayh

Ṭamwayh is on the west bank of the Nile opposite Ḥulwān. The monastery is just by the river, surrounded by vineyards, gardens, palm groves, and trees. It is pleasant, flourishing, and well populated. When reflected in the Nile, it looks beautiful. When the ground turns green in spring, it lies between two carpets, the river and the crops. It is a notable destination for an outing from Cairo and a well-known place of diversion.

409

409

40.1

‫�‬ ‫د�ير ���ط�م� �و�ه‬ ‫ي‬

‫�‬ ‫�و�ل ب�ا� ن� �ع�ا �ص� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫م‬

‫َ‬ ‫سِ َْ َ �َ ا قْ‬ ‫�أ �قْ� َ ا َ�ع نْ � مِ َ�ا �م َ �ٱ ��لْ َْ �َ ��نَّ �غَ ْ� ُ‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫ص�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫�صِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ِ ي� ي وم �إِ � ي ر �ذِ ي‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫و�ةٍ و �إِ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫��فَ ِ قَ ٱ ّٰ ُ َ ْ َ �� ْ َ ْ �غَ ْ �ثًا غَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�����س�� � لله د ����ير ��طِ‬ ‫�� �م �وي�هِ � �ي �  بِ��� �� او ٍد � �مو�‬ ‫�ص‍   �‍و�ل��ةٍ بِ���س‍   �‍ او ِر�ي�‬ ‫َ ى‬ ‫ٱ �ْ أَ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�� ْ ��ََ ا �� ��نََ ْ تُ � نْ �نَ ْ � ُ‬ ‫� �يِ  ���ِ��ن�ع�� � ��ل ُّ�ْ�هَ��ا � � �� ����سَ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ِم� ��وِم ��س ك‬ ‫�ِر� بِ ِ ي ِر ر ب نِ� �فِ�ي� �ل � ِر‬ ‫ك�م� لي�� ٍل ب �‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� َّ َا نَا � مٍا عِ � ْت َ‬ ‫َٱ �� نََّ � ُ َ‬ ‫�َح�ا ٌت� ��تُ�َ‬ ‫ك�ا‬ ‫�ن�ا‬ ‫��ص�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �و ل �� او �قِي����س �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئِ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ئِ‬ ‫ِر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ى اِ ب ِ‬ ‫ي� ي‬

‫�ق � ف أ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�و��ا �ل �ي��ه � �ي� ض�‬

‫‪٢،٤٠‬‬

‫‪٣،٤٠‬‬

‫ْ‬ ‫�خ�َ ْ‬ ‫َٱ شْ َ ْ ��َ ����طْ َ �ْ � نْ َ ْ َ ا َ َ‬ ‫���م �ُ��قَ� � ت َ َ ا نَا ت‬ ‫�ص�ا فِ�يَ���ةٍ تُ��ز ر�ي� ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� �و ���رب� بِ � �مو�هِ ِم� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�هب�� ء �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫هِ�ي‬ ‫� �و��ع� �� ِ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ْ ِ‬ ‫َ ِ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫عِ َ َا �� � نَ �ٱ �� نََّّ �ز � � َ � ْ‬ ‫��جِ َ ا � �� � نْ َ ا �َ�ْ نَ َ� ّ‬ ‫َ�ا �ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�� ��ل�ى ِر�ي� ضٍ� ِم� ��و ِر �هِ� ��هر�ةٍ �‬ ‫��جِر ي� � � �د ِول ِم���ه� ب�ي� �ج ��ن ِ‬ ‫َأَ نَّ َ ْ َ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫��ا َ ا ُت �خَ‬ ‫ثْ َ‬ ‫ٱ �ْ ُ ْ ُ َّ َ ا َ‬ ‫� ْ ََ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ا �َ�س�ا �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫���� � �ن�ب�� ت� � �ل����قِ� ي ��� لع�‬ ‫�ص���فِر ي� �بِ��ه�   ك�� ��س� � �مٍر �ب��د � �فِ�ي� �إِ �ِر ك� ِ‬ ‫قِ‬ ‫َأَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ فْ �يِ تَ �تِ َ َ ٱ � �ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫��نِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن ا � � �َا ت‬ ‫���� � �� ر���س�ه�ا ��� �‬ ‫� �د �ق�   ��� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�نِ �هِ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���خ�� ��ةٍ ��� �� �ج �ى �بِ� �لإِ����ش� را ِ‬ ‫كأََ ٱ �جِ � �فِي‬ ‫�فِي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �مِ َ ن‬ ‫� َ ا ُ ْ تَ � ٌ � ُ ُ‬ ‫َ ا ّا ت‬ ‫��� ن َ ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�� ���م� � �ل��ني���ل �فِ�ي� �� ر � �ل�� سِ‬ ‫��� �ي��ِم بِ��ه�  �م���س��ل���ئِ �م �فِ�ي� د ر�و ���س� ���بِ� ِر�ي� ِ‬ ‫َ َ ا �ًا ُ �نْ تُ �َ �ْ تُ نًا َ ا َ ِ ًا َ ُ نَّ � ْ ًا َ َ عٍ َ َ ا نَا ت‬ ‫�م��ن� �زِ �ل� ك � م��ف �� �و� �ب��ه� ��ي����ف�ع�   �و�ك� �قِ�د �م� � �م او �خِ��ي�ر�ي� �و�‬ ‫�ح� �� ِ�ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫��ضِ ْ ٱ � َّ‬ ‫�إِ�ذْ �َ ا أَ�زَ �ُ �ُ � ٍّا �ٱ � ِّ ُِ َ َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫صِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�� ّ�ً�ا ���ٱ ��ل��دَ �َ�ا َ ا �ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫م��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��صب ��و� �ع��ل�ى �‬ ‫�ح� �بِ� �ل�‬ ‫�ل� � ا �ل � ِ‬ ‫� � �ل�� او �قِي����سِ � ب بِ ي ر ِ‬ ‫�� ر بِ‬ ‫حِ‬

‫‪410‬‬

‫‪410‬‬

The Monastery of Ṭamwayh

Ibn ʿĀṣim composed this poem on it:

40.2

Stop blaming me today, I’ll not be consoled or silenced. May God send rain morn and night to Ṭamwayh’s Convent. Often I was dragged from a drunken stupor by the monks’ gruff chanting, While the clappers loudly called, “Come, sleeper, wake up for matins.” Here is another of his poems:

40.3

At Ṭamwayh drink a pure red nectar, which scoffs at the wine of Hīt and ʿĀnah In meadows like Paradise, brilliant with blossoms, crisscrossed by streams, Where the carmine anemones are like cups of wine in succession, The lovely narcissi like eyes secretly communicating through their sparkles. When the breeze passes over, the Nile shimmers in Shapur’s armor. These places charmed me in my youth; they were my brothels and taverns of old. The cup at the sound of the clappers and love for the convent have not lost their hold.

411

411

‫ا ��ل��د ��ا ا ت� ا �ل�م���ع � ��ف��ة ��ا ��ل�‬ ‫�ج�ا ��ئ� �ع�� �م�ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ل�‬ ‫ي ر أ رو ب‬ ‫�ذ ك� ه � �ه��له�ا � � � فص� �� ه �عن�ه�ا ��ف�مى��نه�ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫� وو و �‬ ‫�خ ن ا ��ف‬ ‫د�ير ا �ل‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬

‫��ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫��ث�� ا ��ل �ه��ا ن� ��ل�ه � �� � ���ف ا ��ل��س�ن ��ة ي ج�‬ ‫��تم� � ن ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ي وم ي�‬ ‫ع ا �ل�� ��س �إ �لي��ه �م� ك��ل‬ ‫�و�ه�و �ب�ي�� ا�لم�و��ص�ل � ب�و�ل�د كب���ي�ر ك� ي ر ر ب‬ ‫ق �ف أ‬ ‫ض فت ظ �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫حتّ �ت غ� ّ � � �‬ ‫�خ ن ا �ف �ذ � � � �‬ ‫�هر ف�ي��ه ا ��ل‬ ‫���‬ ‫���ه �وي���س�ود‬ ‫�م�و�‬ ‫ح� ��ط�ا �ن�ه �و��س� ��و��ه � �و ر ض�‬ ‫ع �� �� �‬ ‫� �� ���س �ل�ك ا �لي ��و�م �ى �� ��ط�ي� ي‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ف �ق ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م � ه � ن �ف �إ�ذ � ن‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ه� �‬ ‫�ك�ل ��� �د �� �س او ‪1‬‬ ‫�ه�ا‪ �� .‬ا ك���ا � ا �لي ��و�م ا �لث��ا ��ي� �و�ه�و �عي��د ا �ل��د�ير ا ج �م� �ع او �إ �ل�ى ا �ل� ي‬ ‫�ج ي�ع� م �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�خ ن ا ��ف � ّ � ا ُ‬ ‫� �ذ � � �ق‬ ‫� �وت���ق ّ � �� او � او �ن�� �ف ��ق �غ ا ت ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�تى �ل� ي�ر�ى �من��ه�ا ����ي� ء �إ �ل�ى �ل��ك ا �ل�و� ت�‪.‬‬ ‫بر‬ ‫�صر �� او �و �د �� ب��� �� ��س‬

‫‪١،٤١‬‬

‫��‬ ‫د�يرا �� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل ب‬

‫ض ّ �� َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ُ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف ه � ن � ضّ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫����ل ب� كِ�‬ ‫���ه ك�‬ ‫����ل ب�‪�� .‬م ن� �ع�‬ ‫مو��ص�ل � ب�و��ل��د‪� .‬ي��ع�ا ��ل �ي�� م� ع�‬ ‫�و�ه�و �ب�ي� ن� ا �ل �‬ ‫���ه ك���ل ب� كِ���ل ب� �ب� د ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت � أ � ن ًا ن � ض ّ ة � �ن� ف �‬ ‫�إ ��لي��ه �ف��ع�ا �ج��ل‬ ‫���� �ل� ي ج�‬ ‫��وه �م ن��ه � �‬ ‫�� �ي��ه ا �ل�ع�ل�ا ��‪.‬‬ ‫بر �و�م ن� �م��ض‬ ‫� � �ل�ه � بر��ع�و� �ي ��و�م� �م� ا �ل�ع�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬

‫أ‬ ‫ف ّ‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪��� :‬ق����سوا‪.‬‬

‫‪412‬‬

‫‪412‬‬

‫‪١،٤٢‬‬

The Monasteries Where Miracles Are Performed According to What Those Living There Have Said and Described

The Scarabs’ Monastery

This is a large monastery between Mosul and Balad, with many monks. On one

41.1

day in the year, people assemble there from all over, and that is when the scarabs appear. They cover its walls, roofs, and ground, turning the whole place black. The next day, which is the monastery’s patronal festival, people gather in the church, celebrate the liturgy, receive communion, and then leave. By then, the scarabs have disappeared and nothing more is seen of them until the same time the following year.

The Rabies Monastery212

This lies between Mosul and Balad. People who are bitten by rabid dogs are treated there. Anyone bitten by a rabid dog who goes there quickly to be treated will be cured. But the treatment will have no effect on anyone who waits forty days after being bitten.

413

413

42.1

‫� ا �� �ق َّ ا �ة‬ ‫دير ل���ي� ر‬

‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ا ن�� ا ��ل�غ� � ّ‬ ‫� �ه� ��ل��ل��ع�ق �� �� ّ���ة �ع�� � ��� �ف ا ���‬ ‫� �م ن � �ع�م�ا ��ل ا ��ل‬ ‫�خس‬ ‫� �م ن ا �ل�م�و��ص� ���ف� ا�ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ��ي ث��� �م ش���ر��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫بري �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و و ي بو ي ل�ى بع ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ص� �� د ���ل�� � ي خ� �� �م ن��ه ا � �ل�ق�� ��م�ا‬ ‫ح��ه �ع�� ن ��ق�� � ��ه �ع�� ن � �� �� ��م�ا ء ��ا‬ ‫�ع��ل د �ج���ل��ة � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ف ير‬ ‫ي� ي ر و ي� ي� ور ب �ج ٍر ب ي�‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫و رج‬ ‫فّ‬ ‫� �ق ��ف ا ئ ف � ّ ن � ت ّ‬ ‫�إ�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ت � ن �ي���� � ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ه�و �ل�ي�� ي�م��د �� ا �� ر�� ا�لم� ء �و�رد ج� �‬ ‫��‪� .‬و�ه�� ك ���و�م ج مع�و� �ج مع�و�‬ ‫د ا �م ا � �ل �ي�ر �ي� �م� ��ه � �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �� ��ق � � �غ� �ف ن ه � ن ا ئ ه ا � �ق ��ف ا ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ح �ن�ه �ع��ل ا �ل�� ض�� � ��له� ��ق�د � � �‬ ‫�ه� ا ا ل �ي ر �ي ر �� �و� م� �م� �� �ب� ل‬ ‫ح�د�ي��د بك��� ر‬ ‫� � �� � �وي� ��طر��و �ى ر � و � م ور‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� فُ �‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫��ق � ت � تّ �ذ‬ ‫ُ�ن خ‬ ‫����ل ��ل�ه ا �لر��م�ل �ي� ��طر� �ع��لي��ه ب��م��ق�د ا ر �ي��عر�ف�� �ون�ه �و� ��و �د ح��ه‬ ‫�خ ت���ل��ط �ب�ا �لر��م�ل �و��ه‬ ‫ح�ى �ي�� �و ب� �وي‬ ‫�وي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ت ً ًح‬ ‫ُ م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�إ�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ا �م�ه ���ل� �ع�� ا �ل� �� �� ��ط ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ّك��� �ون�ه �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ا ���س�� ك�‬ ‫حر� ك�‬ ‫�غ� �‬ ‫��ا د ا ��م�ا �� ا ب���ل‬ ‫��ع� �ج�م�م��د � �وي��ص��ل ب� �وي �ح�م�ل‬ ‫ب ل�ى ُ ر �‬ ‫ي ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�غ �ذ � ّ ت‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫�إ ��ل�ى ا ��لب���ل��د ا ن� ��م ن��ه �تُ���ق�يّ�ر ا ��ل��س�ف�� ن � او ��حل‬ ‫�م�ا �م�ا ت� �و��ي�ر �ل��ك �م�م�ا ي���س��ع��م�ل �ي��ه ا � �ل�ق�ي�ر‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ست‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ذ � ض � ن�زّ ف‬ ‫حّ ن‬ ‫�ث ن � ق‬ ‫�مو� �م ن� �ل��ك ا�لم�ا ء‬ ‫مو�‬ ‫� او �ل ن��ا ��س �ي��ك��ر�و� ا � �ل��‬ ‫��� �ل��لت��� ه �ي��ه � او �ل ش���رب� �وي ��� �‬ ‫�ص�د ل�ه� ا ا �ل �‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫ع ��لّ �ف �ق �‬ ‫� � �أّ ق‬ ‫�م�ا ت� ��ي� ���ل� ا �لب�ث ��ور‪.‬‬ ‫ا �ل�� �ي� ي خ�ر�� �م�ع�ه ا � �ل�ق�ي�ر �ل� �ن�ه ��ي� ��و� �م��ق�ا � ا �ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ئ‬ ‫� ن � �ف �ق ئ �‬ ‫��ّ � �� �ل � �ق ّ �ة ا �ل� �� ة ف‬ ‫�ق ئ �ف أ ّ‬ ‫�و�ل�ه ��ق�ا �� �و ك��ل دير ل�ي�ع ��و��ي�� �وم� ك‬ ‫ل��يّ��� ���ع ن��ده ��ا �� ��� �م�ا د �ي�ا را ت� ا �ل����س ��ط�ور ��ل�ا ��ا �� �ل�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬

‫‪١،٤٣‬‬

‫‪٢،٤٣‬‬

‫د � �م ‪� 1‬ق�� ��م�ا‬ ‫ير ر و‬

‫��ّ‬ ‫��� ن �من�ه�ا ���ف � �� �ع�ا ��ل ��ل�ه �ع��د ي ج�‬ ‫�ذ � � � � ّ ا ��ف ا ��ق ن‬ ‫��تم� � ن ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف ����خس‬ ‫ع ا �ل�� ��س �م� ك��ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا �ل�دير ب�مي�� أ� ر ��ي� �ع��ل�ى �ر ي� � ي� �ج ب �ل ٍ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�ده � ��ه� ا ��ل� ���ط�ا ��ل��ة � ا ���خل ا ة � ش‬ ‫��تم� ف� ا ا � �أ � ا‬ ‫ل��� � ف���ه � � ت‬ ‫� �مو ض�‬ ‫��� � �و�ي���‬ ‫�ه� �م� ء ا �ل��م ��ط� ر‬ ‫��ل� �ع�� �ل�� رب ي و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح��ه �برك ي ج ع ي�‬ ‫ل ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أّ‬ ‫�و�م ‪� ٢‬ق�� �م�ا �ه��ذ ا �ه� ا ��ل ش����ا �ه�د ا ��ل���ذ �� ف���ه �ي�ز�ع� ا ��لن��ص�ا ر�ى � ن� ��ل�ه ��س�� �م�ا �ئ��ة ��س�ن ��ة � �و �نّ�ه �م ّ�م ن‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫تُ ف أ ّ أ ع‬ ‫� مأ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫خ�ز‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هر �م��ه ���ص� �ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫يم ي م ي �‬ ‫����ه�د ا �ل ي و و ي�‬ ‫ب � بو ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪� :‬بر�و�م�ا‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬بر�و�م�ا‪.‬‬ ‫‪ 1‬ك‬

‫‪414‬‬

‫‪414‬‬

‫‪١،٤٤‬‬

The Tar Spring Monastery

This monastery belongs to the Jacobites. It lies some fourteen miles (twenty-

43.1

four kilometers) from Mosul in the western part of the district of Ḥadīthah, looking out over the Tigris. Beneath it is a tar spring—that is, a spring of hot water flowing into the Tigris from which tar is extracted. The tar stays soft in the water and can be manipulated, but becomes brittle when it is taken out and cools. There are people who gather to collect the tar. They scoop it out of the water in baskets and put it on the ground. They place a little sand in big iron cauldrons, then add a specific quantity of the tar and keep a fire going under the cauldron, stirring all the time, until the tar melts and mixes with the sand. When it has reached the right consistency, it is poured out on the ground, becomes solid, and hardens. Then it is exported and is used to tar ships and baths and for other uses tar is put to. Many people visit this place to enjoy themselves and have a drink. They

43.2

bathe in the water from which the tar is extracted because it is as efficacious at removing pustules as mud baths. The monastery has an administrator; unlike the Nestorian monasteries, all the Jacobite and Melkite monasteries have administrators.

The Monastery of Mār Tūmā (Saint Thomas)

This is a monastery some six miles (ten kilometers) from Mayyāfāriqīn on a high mountain. People gather from all over for its patronal festival, and it attracts lovers of fun and depravity to drink there. Beneath the monastery is a pool where rainwater gathers. Mār Tūmā was a martyr who, according to the Christians, lived for seven hundred years. He was one of those who saw Christ. His body is kept in a wooden casket, which has doors that are opened during their festivals. Then the upper part of his body appears, upright. His

415

415

44.1

‫ا ش��� � ن ن � � نّ‬ ‫د�ير�م� ر مع�و� ب�� �� او ح�ي� ا �ل��س�‬

‫� �أ‬ ‫�ق ا ئ أ�ن �ف ش �ف ت � � ا ق � ا ن �ذ � � أ نّ أ�ة ت ا � ت � ّ ق �‬ ‫طو�ع� �‪� .‬و �ل�ك � � ا �م �ر ا �‬ ‫ح�تى �� ��ط‬ ‫��ع ت�‬ ‫ح�� �ل�‬ ‫ا �ل��ع��ل�ى �و�ه�و �� �� � �و � � �ه �و���� ��ه ا �ل�ع�لي�� �م�� �� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ف ن ت � ا ً ��ف � ّ ّ ة ��ف ��‬ ‫أ�ن �ف ش �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� � ب��ه�م� ‪  1‬ب���� �‬ ‫�ر���‪.‬‬ ‫� � � �ه �و���� ت��ه �و�م��ض‬ ‫ي�ه�م� دير �ي� ا �لب� ري� �ي� طر ��� � ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬

‫د � ��ا ���ط�ا‬ ‫ير ب‬

‫��‬ ‫ح��س ن �ع�ا �م �ن�ز ه ���ف �أ �ّ�ا � ا ��ل ���� � ي�ُ��س� ّ �أ �� ض‬ ‫�ذ � � ا � ش‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫د‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�و�ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير �ب� �ل���ر��ق ‪� ٢‬و�ه�و د�ير � � ر ي� ي م بريع و �مى ي‬ ‫ح �ذ�� �‬ ‫ُ ف‬ ‫�ك�� ‪� � ٣‬ه �ن�ا ء �ع ن د ���ل��ة � �ع ن ا �ل�م�د � ن���ة‪�� � .‬ل�ه ��ا � �‬ ‫شا‬ ‫�ر ك�ر ا �لن��ص�ا ر�ى‬ ‫�و���� �ه�ده �ي��عر�� ب���مر ب��� س و �و ٍ � �ج و � �ي و ب ب ج‬ ‫�أ نّ �ذ ا ا �� ا � �ف��ت�� ه ا �� ا � � ا �ث ا ن‬ ‫ح�تّ �ت���ا � �ز ا ��ل��س��ع��ة ��ف� ن ت��ا � �ز ا ��ل ة � �ق‬ ‫� �ه� لب�� ب� �ي ح� �لو �‬ ‫�إ � �ج و‬ ‫ح�د � او �ل� � ن�� � �ى ي�ج و‬ ‫��س��ع�� �ل�م ��ي� �د ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف�ت�� ه � ا � �ف��ت�� ه � ن ئ �ذ � ا � ة‬ ‫��� ن‬ ‫�س��ع��‪.‬‬ ‫�ه�م �ع��ل�ى ح� �و�ل� �ي ح� ي‬ ‫ح�د �م �‬ ‫ح����� �إ �ل� ب‬ ‫� � ا �أ �� ض��ً�ا �أ نّ ف���ه � ْ��ا ن �ت�ت�� ن��ا ���س �ه ن��ا ��ا �خ���ل� �من�ه�ا �ف ّ��م�ا ���ط ��ق�ه ا ��ل��ل�ص �� ��ف �خ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�د���ل�وه‬ ‫�و ك�رو ي � � ي �غِ بر �‬ ‫�و ص‬ ‫�ل ك �ل ي و � بر ر‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف أ‬ ‫ح��د �من‬ ‫�ه� �ص�ع�د ا ��ل�غ� ا ��ا ن� �ع��ل �بر �� ‪ ٤‬ا ��ل��د�ير ��ف��إ�ذ ا � �ق��� �إ ��ل��ه � � � �م ّ ن‬ ‫��ف� ن� �‬ ‫ح��ص�ل �ي��ه � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫بل ي‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح�د �م�‬ ‫ى ج‬ ‫�م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� �ق أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ا �ل�م ن���ذ � ن ��ل�ه ف�ي��عل��� � نّ� ���ف ا ��ل��د � �ق�� �مً�ا‬ ‫�ص�ده ��� �ل � ه ا �ل� ا �� � ي���يص�� �‬ ‫�ي� ��طر��ه � �و ��ي���‬ ‫م ي� ير و‬ ‫رب‬ ‫ح� � �ي� �و�ج� �ه�ه ك� ري �‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ن ��ف ا �� � � � � � ف‬ ‫��ف�ي�ر ج�‬ ‫�� ��ف �إ� � �ل� �ي ك‬ ‫ح��د �ل� ��ي���ع�ل�ا �ش��ي��ئ��ا �م ن� �ل��ك‪.‬‬ ‫��� �ي� ل�دير‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬

‫‪١،٤٥‬‬

‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح �� نّ‬ ‫د�ير�م�ا ر������م�ع�و�‪ ٥‬ب�� ن�� او ��ي� ا ل‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬

‫‪٦‬‬

‫��ف �ذ � � �� �� ّ � �أ ق ف ف أ ض ًا �ئ ��ف ن ��ل �ق َ َ ق‬ ‫�غ ت‬ ‫ن �ئ‬ ‫��� �ب� ر �م �‬ ‫�� �ه� ا ا �ل�د�ير ك�ر س�� ا �ل���س� �‬ ‫هق� ���‬ ‫�� �و�ي��ه � �ي��‬ ‫ح� �ه �ب�� �‬ ‫�ص�ده � او ������س�ل �م� ا �لب���ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� � � تّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ل� �ي�ب�ر ح�ى � �و�ل �ع��ه‪.‬‬ ‫م ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �ع ّوا د؛ ال��ص�ل‪� :‬مر ي��ك��س‪  ٤ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬مر�ج ‪.‬‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل‪   ٣ .‬ك‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ب� �ه�ا‪   ٢ .‬ك‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪  ٦ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا �ل��س‪ ،‬ال��ص�ل‪�( :‬ه �ك‬ ‫ىرى�ا ر��سو�‪ .‬ال��ص�ل‪�( :‬ه �ك‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ال��ص�ل) ورد ي� �‬ ‫��� ا �ي�‬

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‫أ‬ ‫‪ ٥‬كذ ف ّ‬ ‫��� ا �ي� �عوا د‪ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬د�ير‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ف� ا ��له�ا � ش‬ ‫م���‪.‬‬ ‫ال��ص�ل) ورد ي� �‬

‫‪١،٤٦‬‬

The Monastery of Mār Shimʿūn (Saint Simeon) near Sinn

nose and his upper lip have been amputated. A woman contrived to cut them off, took them away, and built a monastery over them in the desert on the road to Takrit.

The Bāṭā Monastery

This is a monastery in the east, beautiful, flourishing, and pleasant in spring.

45.1

It is also known as the Donkey’s Monastery. It is dedicated to the martyr Mār Bākhūs. It is a long way from the Tigris and Baghdad.213 It has a stone door, which the Christians say can be opened by as many as seven people, but cannot be opened by more than seven. They also say there are two ravens that breed there and never leave. The ravens fly onto the monastery tower if robbers turn up and manage to gain entry to the monastery. When the intruder reaches the tower, the ravens fly and squawk in his face as if to warn him, and make it known that the monastery is inhabited, at which the robbers retreat. The ravens would not behave like this if the monastery was uninhabited.

The Monastery of Mār Shimʿūn (Saint Simeon) near Sinn

This monastery houses the bishop’s seat. It also has a well, and anyone with a skin complaint who goes there and washes in the well will be cured before he leaves.

417

417

46.1

‫�ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��ه� ا ا �ل��د � ��� ن ت� ك‬ ‫��ر�� ت�‬ ‫ير ب ي� ي‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ف � �‬ ‫�ه ن��ا ك �و ��ي� ا �لب��رك���� ��س�م��ك‬ ‫�م ن �ت��ل�ك ا ��ل�ع�� ن‬ ‫ي�‪.‬‬ ‫�‬

‫�‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�ج�ا ��‬ ‫د�يرا �ل�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬

‫��ث� ا �� �ه ا ن � �خ ا � ه � ن � ا ء �ت ّ‬ ‫���ة‬ ‫ت ا‬ ‫�ص� �إ ��ل�ى �برك���‬ ‫�و�ه�ي � �ع� �مرك���ي ر لر ب�� � و�� ر�ج � �ع�ي� م� �� ب‬ ‫�خ ض ُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� �ت��س��ق‬ ‫ح ��ل�ه �م�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫د‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫ه‬ ‫س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م و و‬ ‫� و و و ط�ي ب‬ ‫رع و ر �ى‬

‫‪١،٤٧‬‬

‫��ل ّ‬ ‫��ود �ي�‬ ‫د�يرا �ج‬

‫��ل ّ‬ ‫� ��ذ‬ ‫ت �ق ّ ت � � ف�ي�ن ة ن �ذ ��ل‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫ج�ز �ة ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �ج��ود �ي� �ه�و ا �ج ب���ل ا �ل� �ي� ا ��س�� ر� �ع�لي��ه ا �ل��س�� �� � �وب��ي� �ه� ا ا �ج ب���ل �و� �ير اب�� ع�مر‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق �ّ�ة ا ��ل ُ � ّ ُ‬ ‫�ذ أ ّ ن‬ ‫�‪� � .‬ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��د � �م� ن ّ‬ ‫��س��ع��ة �ف ا ���‬ ‫�خس‬ ‫� �ع��ل�ى �ل�‬ ‫� ب���ل ��ي��ق�ا �ل �إ �ن�ه ب� ن��� �م ن�� � �ي�ا � � ��و� �ع��لي��ه ا �ل��س�ل�ا � ‪.‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ير‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ نّ ح��‬ ‫ي�ز ن أ نّ ف أ‬ ‫� ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ج�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح�د � �� �ب��ه� ب���ع�� ���ص� رى ا ل‬ ‫� �ر �و �ه� � � ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ه ي����ب��ر ي���ك�و�‬ ‫�و� ع�م�و� � � �ي��ه � �ج�� �وب�� � ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً ث ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ف� ن‬ ‫�ك� ن� ث��م�ا ��ن ���ة ‪ �   ٣1‬ش‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫ع���ر� ن� �ش��ب��را ث��ّ �ي��ع�ا �ود ق�ي��ا ��س�ه ف�ي���‬ ‫ع���ر �ش��ب��را ��ّ �ي��ع�ا �ود �ي���ك�و� ا ��ث ن���ي�ن ‪٤‬‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ش ً �ف ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫���ل د �ف��ع��ة � ش���ب��ر ي�‬ ‫ع��� � ن ���ب��را �و��� ك�‬ ‫�خ ت���ل�ف� �ع�دده �و �ن�ه ا �عت�ب��ر �ل��ك �و��ق�ا ��س�ه ���و�ج���ده‬ ‫�و� ري�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�إ‬ ‫�ذ�‬ ‫�ك��ا ك��ر‪.‬‬ ‫�م‬

‫‪١،٤٨‬‬

‫��ن ة � �‬ ‫ك��ي����س�� ا �ل��ط�ور‬

‫� ��ذ تُ ّ ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط ر ��س�� ن��ا �ه� ا �ج��ل‬ ‫مو��س�ى �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫� ب���ل ا �ل� �ي� �ج���ل�� �ي��ه �ل �‬ ‫�و �� �و ي و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ض�� � �ن ه � �ة‬ ‫� �ع��ل ا �ج��ل‬ ‫� ب���ل �مب�ن��يّ���ة ب ج��‬ ‫�س��ع�‬ ‫حر� ��س�ود �وعر � ح�‬ ‫�ص � ب‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ث ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬م�ا �ي�‪  ٤ .‬ال��ص�ل‪ :‬ا ث�ن��ا �‪.‬‬

‫‪418‬‬

‫ُ‬ ‫���ن ة �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص� �عق� ف�ي��ه‪ � .‬او ك‬ ‫ا �ل��س�ل�ا � �و�‬ ‫ل���ي����س�� ��ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �ذ � ��ل�ه �ث�ل�ا �ث��ة � � �� ا � � �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح�د�ي��د �و ��ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫وب‬ ‫ع‬

‫‪418‬‬

‫‪١،٤٩‬‬

The ʿAjjāj214 Monastery

This monastery lies between Takrit and Hīt. It is flourishing and houses many

47.1

monks. Outside there is a spring whose water flows into a pool containing black fish. They are good and tasty. Round the monastery are fields growing vegetables irrigated from the spring.

The Jūdī Monastery

Jūdī215 is the name of the mountain on which the ark came to rest. It is about

48.1

twenty-five miles (forty kilometers) from Jazīrat Ibn ʿUmar. The monastery is built on the summit and is said to have been constructed in the time of Noah, peace be upon him. They say there is something extraordinary there, which a Christian of the Jazīrah told me about. When its roof terrace is measured, sometimes it is twenty spans216 long, sometimes eighteen spans, sometimes twenty-two spans. Each time it is measured, the number changes. He himself had tried measuring it and found that what they said was accurate.

The Church of Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai is the mountain where Moses, peace be upon him, experienced the revelation and fell down thunderstruck.217 The church, built of black stone, is at the top of the mountain. Its fortifications are seven cubits thick. It has three iron doors, and on the west side there is a small door with a stone in front

419

419

49.1

‫ةأ‬ ‫ب��ي��ع�� �ب �ي� �ه�ور‬

‫أ أ‬ ‫� � ف �ق ّ � � �إ�ذ أ‬ ‫ن ق‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ط�� ��د ا �م�ه جح‬ ‫�ر�� ّ��ه �ب�ا ب� �ل�� ي �‬ ‫�ص�د �ه� � �‬ ‫ح��د � ر��س��ل�وه‬ ‫�ر �ل�ه� ا � را د � او ر���ع�ه ر��� �عوه � �إو � ���‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ض ��ف�� �ُ �ف � ن �‬ ‫� ا �خ� � ا � � ن � ا ء � �خ� ا � ا � � ن أ خ‬ ‫��� ل� �ي�عر� � ك�‬ ‫��ف�ا �ن� ��‬ ‫م��ا � ا �لب��ا ب�‪ .‬ود �ل�ه� ع�ي� م� و � ر�ج �ه� ع�‬ ‫ي� � �ر�ى‪.‬‬ ‫ط�ق� �ع��ل�ى ا�لم�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫أّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع م ً‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�و�ز �ع� ا ��لن��ص�ا ر�ى � ن� �ب��ه�ا �ن�ا را �م ن �ن��و ا ��ل ن��ا ر ا�ج��ل‬ ‫���د�ي��د �ة ا �ل ��ت� ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �ب�ا �لب�ي�� ت� ا�لم��ق�د ��س �ي��و��د �و�ن ‪1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ا ��ف‬ ‫ع � �ف ة �ل�‬ ‫� ّ � ا ت� �ق ث ّ ت ق � �إ�ذ أُ ��ق ن ا �‬ ‫ض‬ ‫���ّ �ع ش���ّ��ة � ��ه ��� ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل��سر� ‪.‬‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ه� ي� ل‬ ‫و �‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي و ي� ب ي‬ ‫ر� م و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫مو� �صو���‪.‬‬ ‫�و�ه�و �ع�ا �مر �ب�ا �لر�هب��ا � � او �ل ن��ا ��س ��ي���‬ ‫�ص�د � �ون�ه �ل� �ن�ه �م ن� ا �ل��د �ي�ا را ت� ا �ل �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ص ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�و�ل ب�� ن� �ع�ا � �‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ�قِ ْ أَ‬ ‫� َ ْ َ ٱ �� ُّ �� ُ‬ ‫َا َ َ ٱ � �َّ ْ� َ ا �ذَ �ٱ �� ضَّ ْ ُ َٱ � نُّ ُ ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي� را هِ� ب� � �ل�ديِر �م� ا ل� �‬ ‫��وء �َ �و �ل ��ور   �َ��� �د � �ض �بِ هِ �فِ�ي� ِرك �ور‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ ن ْ ُ� َ ا ْ �غ َ َ � �بِ ْ ُ �َ نْ هُ �ف ْ َ �َ ْ تُ ُ‬ ‫َ ْ َ �َّ ت �ٱ ��ل ش��ّ�ْ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ه�ل �‬ ‫���‬ ‫��‬ ‫هو س ��ور‬ ‫� �م��س فِي��هِ د و� ب ر�جِ �ه� و �ي ب� � ل� �د ر �� �‬ ‫ح�ل ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫��قِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف�َ � َ ا ��َ َ ا �حِ � هُ ��شِ ْ ٌ َ � ا ��ق �مِ ٌ �‬ ‫نْ �تَ� َّ َ � � �� َْ �َ �ق ْ � ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر ب فِي هِ ي وم و�زِ ر‬ ‫�ق� ل �م� � �ل� ��� �م��س �و�ل� �� ر  � �كِ �‬

‫‪٢،٤٩‬‬

‫ةأ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب��ي���ع�� �ب ي� ور‬

‫�ة�ث �ة � ن � أ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫�ذ � ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ص�د�ه�ا‬ ‫�صر�ع�ا �مر ك����ي�ر ا �لر�هب��ا � �ل�ه�ا � �عي��ا د ��ي���‬ ‫�و��ه� ه ا �لب�ي��ع�� ب� سِ�� �ر�ا ���و��س �م ن� � �ع�م�ا �ل �م�‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ي �ذ�� أ‬ ‫أ نّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� ن ا �ز � � �ق‬ ‫��ا ن�� ت � ه �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ��ل ن��ا �� ‪ � .‬ف� ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د �ه� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ير �ي �‬ ‫س و ي�‬ ‫�ه� ‪� ٢‬ع��ل�ى �م� ك�ره � � �ج �وب و �ي� � � � ب‬ ‫أ‬ ‫� ض �ُ � ف أ‬ ‫� ض ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ض �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫��� �لي��ع�ا ��ل‬ ‫��� ي���ج��‬ ‫��� ا �ل� ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ع�ه � �وي�� ت��ي��ه ب��� �ير ��ي�ر��س��ل�ه �ع��ل �م� �‬ ‫� �ب�ه �ي��� ��� ه ر��ي����س ا�لم�و�‬ ‫ا�لم�و�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ذ ّ�ى و ع و ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫فأ‬ ‫�� ���خل �ن�ز � ��ذ � ف� � ا � ت ّ � �ذ � � � ض ��ف �إ�ذ ت ن ظّ � ف �‬ ‫��� � ا ��� �� �‬ ‫��� ر �ع��لي��ه �م ن� ر�م�ا د‬ ‫�ي��� ك��ل ا �� �ير ا �ل� ي� ي��ه �ل� �ي ��ع�د ى �ل�ك ا�لم�و�‬ ‫�� ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�خ���ن�ز � �ف�� �مث�� �ه��ذ ا ا �� ف�ل�� �م ن �ق�� � �م ن �ز �� ت ق� ن��د �� ا ��ل���ع��ة ف���� �أ ث��ّ � �ؤ �خ����ذ �ذ �� � ا ���خ‬ ‫���ن�ز‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ير‬ ‫�ع�ل � ب �ل و � ي� ي �ل ب ي ي ب ر م ي‬ ‫ير �ع�ل �ل‬ ‫�ذ ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ل �‬ ‫ف�يُ�� ب� �و�‬ ‫حر�ق� �و��ع�د ر�م�ا ده �لمث���ل �ه� ه ا �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل‪.‬‬ ‫ح ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ي��ق���د و�‪  ٢ .‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬ي���ه‪.‬‬

‫‪420‬‬

‫‪420‬‬

‫‪١،٥٠‬‬

The Priory of Abū Hūr

of it. When they want to, they raise the stone, but if attacked, they let it down and it covers the place so no one knows where the door is. There is a spring inside the monastery and one outside as well. The Christians claim that there is a fire in the church like the New Fire in Jerusalem.218 Each evening, they light their lamps from it. It is white and does not give out much heat or burn fiercely, but it flares up when lamps are lighted from it. There are many monks living there and people visit it because it is a much-talked-of monastery. Ibn ʿĀṣim composed this poem on it:

49.2

You monk of Sinai, what’s this light and radiance the mountain has lit in your convent? Has the sun abandoned the planets to live there, or the moon sought shelter as a migrant? “No, neither moon nor sun have come near, but Qawzīr219 took communion here.”

The Priory of Abū Hūr

This priory is in Siryāqūs on the outskirts of Cairo. It is flourishing and houses many monks, and it has several festivals, which people flock to. It is said that a particular miracle happens there. A person suffering from scrofula220 goes there for treatment. The superior of the priory takes him, makes him lie down, and brings a pig, which he directs to the affected part. The pig eats the patient’s scrofula but nothing else. The patient recovers when the wound has been cleaned, and the ashes of a pig who had performed this operation earlier are sprinkled on it, together with oil from the priory lamp. Then the pig is slaughtered and burned, and its ashes are kept for a subsequent case.

421

421

50.1

‫ُ َ نَّ‬ ‫د� �‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ير ي س‬

‫أُ‬ ‫أ �‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�إ�ذ ��ا ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ور �م ن� � �ع�م�ا �ل �م�‬ ‫�صر‪ .‬ا ك�� � �ي ��و�م �عي��ده � ر�ج ���� �ه�ده م� ا ل�دير‬ ‫��ه� ا ا �ل��د�ير �ب��د �م �‬ ‫� �أ ض � ا �ق أ أ‬ ‫� تّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ه � ا‬ ‫ح��د � ن� ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي� �ت�ا ب� ��و ت� �ي����س�ي�ر ا �لت��ا ب� ��و ت� �ع��ل� �و�ج��ه ا �ل�ر��� �ل� ��ي� �د ر � �‬ ‫م��س�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا ��ل�� ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �إ ��ل�ى � ك�‬ ‫حر �ي�غ�� ���ط�� ف�ي��ه ��ّ �ير ج�‬ ‫م��ا �ن�ه‪.‬‬ ‫�يرد ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫م ع‬

‫‪١،٥١‬‬

‫�����ع��ة ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب ي �إ ي ب‬

‫ة �ذ� ن أ نّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ا ة ض ا ت� ئ �ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و�ع��ي�د�ه�ا ا ��لي ��و� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ء‬ ‫ح�ا د �ي� � او �ل�ع ش���ر�و� �م ن� ب� ���ؤ � �ون��‪� 1.‬ي�� ك��ر�و� � � ��م� �م�� ب��ي��‬ ‫�ج�ي ��ه�م ��ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ن أ ن ا ت ثّ �‬ ‫�ذ � � � ف� ت خ � �ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ك ا �ل�عي��د ��د ���ل ا�لم� ب �ل� �ي��د ر�و� �م� �ي�� �ج�� ء � �� �ل� �ير�و���ه� �إ ل�ى �ي ��و� م��ل�ه‪.‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬

‫�ود�ير ب�� ن�� او �‬ ‫ح�ي�‬

‫أ �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬

‫�ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ق ا ��ل � ف‬ ‫ُق‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د �م ن� ك���ل � �مو ض�‬ ‫د ����ير كب����ي�ر �ع�ا �مر ��ي���‬ ‫��� �و�ه�و ب� رب� �ج‬ ‫ه� �و ��ي�‬ ‫� ب���ل ا�لم�عر�و�� ب�ج� ب���ل ا �ل��ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� � � ف‬ ‫ع �ذ � � َ‬ ‫� ش قّ �إ�ذ ا � ن‬ ‫���ا � �ي ��و� �عي��د �ه� ا ا �ل��د�ير �ل� ��يب ��ق� �م ن� ا �ل��ط�ي�ر ا�لم�عر�و�� ب��ب ��و��ق�ي�ر����ي� ء‬ ‫��� ك‬ ‫�م�و ض�‬ ‫��� �م ن� ا �ج�ل ب���ل � �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ث � تّ‬ ‫ع �‬ ‫�� � ض ف � ن أ ً ظ � ً �� ث‬ ‫�ف �ذ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��ا ن � �ه� ��ه ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��ل��ك ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح�ى ي�ج���ء �إ ل�ى ا�لم�و�‬ ‫��� �ي���ك�و� � �م ار �ع �ي���م�ا �ل��ك��ر�ت�ه � او ج��م�ا �ع�هم�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ً‬ ‫ن �ذ � �م � ش قّ ث ّ � ا يي�ز �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ع� ا � � خ �أ ه ��ف �ذ � � ا ��ل ش قّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص � �‬ ‫حه� �ع��د �ل�ك ا �ل‬ ‫ح�د ا ب��ع�د �و �‬ ‫���� �� �ل� � ا �ل�و� � او �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�د ي��د ���ل ر ��س� �ي� �ل�ك �‬ ‫����‬ ‫و �ي � م‬ ‫� م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���‬ ‫� �وي خ�ر�� �و�ج���ء �غ��ي�ره �ي ف�����ع�ل ���ع��ل�ه �إ �ل�ى � � �ي��ع�� �لق� ر� ��س � �‬ ‫� �وي��ي�ص�‬ ‫مو ض�‬ ‫ح��د �ه� � �وي��� ش��� ب� ��ي� ا �ل �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح جّ ي ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف‬ ‫حت � ت �� ن ئ �ذ � ت��ف ّ �ق ا �� ا �ق ن � � ن �‬ ‫ف�ي�ض� � �‬ ‫��ع�و� �إ �ل�ى �م� او ض�‬ ‫���ع���ه� ‪٢.‬‬ ‫ح����� �ي � ر� لب�� ��و� �وير ج‬ ‫����طرب� �ى ي�م�و� ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ ف ٌ أُ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ّٰ أ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ا � ت‬ ‫�� ي��د � �‬ ‫�خ��ط رد �ي� ء‪�� :‬لا ي�ب�ق��ى �م ن����ه�ا ط�ا�ير وا �ل��ل�ه � ع��ل ‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ال��ص�ل‪� :‬بون��ه‪� �  ٢ .‬ض‬ ‫�خر�ى ب‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪١،٥٣‬‬

The Monastery of Yuḥannas

This monastery is in Damanhur, a town in Egypt. On its feast day its patron

51.1

saint is brought out of the monastery in a casket, and it travels along the ground, and no one is able to restrain it or stop it until it reaches the Nile. It plunges into the water and then goes back to its place in the monastery.

The Priory of Itrīb

Its feast day is on the twenty-first of Baʾūnah [ June 28].221 It is said that on that

52.1

day a white dove comes and enters the altar. They do not know where it comes from and they do not see it again until the same day the following year.

The Monastery in the Region of Akhmīm

Near Akhmīm there is a large monastery that attracts visitors from everywhere; it lies close to the Mountain of the Cave. In this mountain is a crevice, and on the monastery’s feast day all the hornbills from the surrounding areas (and there are a great many of them) collect there. It is a splendid sight to see them gathered at the crevice, cawing. Each hornbill puts its head into the crevice, caws, and takes it out, to be followed by another who does the same thing. This goes on until one puts its head into the crevice and it sticks fast. The bird struggles until it dies, at which point the others separate and return to where they came from. So there are no birds left there. And God is all-knowing.

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53.1

Notes

1

Because the first part of the manuscript is lost, this section starts shortly after the monastery has been named, in the middle of the passage describing its situation and surroundings.

2

It was common practice to swear to divorce one’s wife and free one’s concubines if one was lying, to emphasize the truth of what one was saying or to give force to a vow.

3

The postal service (barīd) consisted of couriers who transmitted messages; it also served as a spy network.

4

Cropping an ear was a punishment for offences such as stealing or vagrancy in both the premodern Muslim world and Europe.

5

This line is not in Marwān ibn Abī Ḥafṣah’s diwan.

6

A purse containing either ten thousand dirhams or seven thousand dinars. The dinar was a gold coin weighing 4.25 grams; it was the basis of the monetary system.

7

ʿUbayd is a diminutive of ʿAbdallāh as well as meaning “little slave.” By addressing Abū ʿAbdallāh as Abū ʿUbayd, al-Mutawakkil reminded him of his mutilated state.

8

The name means “companion.”

9

The name means “courage” but also “snake.”

10

One or two folios are missing from the manuscript here. The continuation is from Yāqūt’s Dictionary of Writers (Muʿjam al-udabāʾ, 167–68).

11

Where the manuscript resumes, the Ibrāhīm mentioned is a member of the Banū Ḥamdūn family, not Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad ibn (al-)Mudabbir.

12

Drinking played an important part in libertine and some palace circles. Wine was usually made from grapes but sometimes from dates. It was often mixed with water. The best times for drinking were considered to be early in the morning or in the evening after dinner.

13

The dirham was a silver coin that originally weighed a little less than three grams. It was worth one-tenth of a dinar in the eighth century but its value fell sharply in the ninth century.

14

At least one word is missing because of damage to the folio.

15

These two lines are part of a different poem.

16

Foxes’ basilicum (rayḥān al-thaʿālib) is a fragrant plant of the genus Artemisia.

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Notes 17

This revolt of slaves working on the land in southern Iraq broke out in ad 869 and lasted until ad 884. The slaves, from East Africa, were known as “Zanj.” Their leader, ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad, whom al-Shābushtī does not mention by name, was of obscure origin and born in Iran.

18

The catholicos was the head of the Church of the East (Nestorian Church).

19

Musical settings were indicated by the rhythmic mode, here light ramal, and sometimes by the melodic mode as well. See Wright, “Music and Verse,” and for more detail Sawa, Music Performance Practice in the Early ʿAbbāsid Era 132–320 AH / 750–932 AD, 35–107.

20 The pandore (Ar: ṭunbūr) is a long-necked lute with two strings. It is not clear from this anecdote whether the Baghdadi or the more elaborate Khurasani pandore is meant (cf. Sawa, Musical and Socio-Cultural Anecdotes from Kitāb al-aghānī al-kabīr, 56, 418–19). 21

These two verses were previously mentioned in §3.8, on the Monastery of the Foxes, where they are attributed to al-Nāshi ʾ al-Akbar.

22 Arabic mudyān from Syriac mawdyānī. This translation is proposed by ʿAwwād. 23

The perfumed dye paste (khalūq) mentioned here was one of many varieties of perfume used by men and women of the wealthy classes. Perfumes and their erotic significance are discussed in King, “The Importance of Imported Aromatics in Arabic Culture: Illustrations from Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Poetry.”

24 Q Quraysh 106:4. 25

The false accusation of adultery, like adultery itself, is subject to a penalty mandated in the Qur’an (Q Nūr 24:4).

26 Comment in the margin: “May Almighty God be merciful to the Commander of the Faithful ʿAbdallāh al-Maʾmūn. How wise he was and how well he managed his affairs, including appointing Abū ʿAlī to lead the prayers at the funerals of members of the caliphal family.” 27 Masked players, sammājah, are attested at festivals at the court in Baghdad, though whether they performed mimes, slapstick comedy, or dances is not clear. See Moreh, Live Theatre and Dramatic Literature in the Medieval Arabic World, 45–48. 28 Robes of honor (sing. khilʿah) were luxury garments or ensembles presented by rulers to their subjects as a reward or sign of distinction. 29 Literally “I won’t catch any game.” 30 Travel in Iraq was generally by boat, either on the Euphrates, the Tigris, or one of the many canals. 31

Comment in the margin: “The Lady Zubaydah’s passing Isḥāq’s dwelling, with her entering it to examine his generosity.”

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Notes 32

The clappers (Gk. semantron) consist of a piece of wood beaten with a mallet, used to summon monastics to chapel. They are used in monasteries in the Near East, the Balkans, and Russia. See the survey in Debié, “Livres et monastères en Syrie-Mésopotamie d’après les sources syriaques.”

33

The name means “gold.”

34 It is unlikely that this monastery was named after any of the Sassanian rulers called Shapur. Two bishops called Sābūr are known to have lived in the fourth and seventh centuries, and one of them may have founded it (Fiey, Assyrie chrétienne: Contribution à l’étude de l’histoire et de la géographie ecclésiastique et monastique du Nord de l’Iraq, 3:297). 35

Comment in the margin: “I say: Consider the ethics of al-Muʿtaṣim’s act along with his nobility. He was afraid to upset his circle with a disaster if one of his companions were to drown, so he himself rescued him and supported him from his saddle, not asking any of his followers to do it.”

36 The name means “ease” or “prosperity.” 37

A waxy substance produced in the stomach of sperm whales that, when dried, becomes fragrant. It is much used in perfumes.

38

A day at the end of the month of Shaban when the sky is overcast, hiding the new moon, and so it is not certain whether the fast of Ramadan, the next month, has begun.

39 Qūṭā may be the name of an otherwise unrecorded village. In Syriac, however, it can mean “troop,” “herd,” or “flock.” (I thank Salam Rassi for this suggestion.) Some monasteries had nicknames, for instance, the Foxes’ Monastery or the Devils’ Monastery. 40 The name means “tender branches.” 41

A well-known singing girl. The name means “reed pen.”

42 The name means “lights.” 43 The name means “enthralled (by love).” 44 After the end of Shaban, the fast will start. 45 Comment in the margin: “The witty anecdotes in [the section on] this monastery are delightful. A conversationalist needs to commit them to memory and keep them in mind, for the doings of men of excellence elevate the mind.” 46 Syriac: rabban. 47 This joke and several of the following ones have Abū l-ʿAynāʾ as the protagonist here but are attached to other personalities or anonymous figures in other collections of anecdotes. See, for this joke, Marzolph, Arabia ridens: Die humoristische Kurzprosa der frühen adab-Literatur im internationalen Traditionsgeflecht, vol. 2, no. 767; and, for the joke in §10.11, no. 830. 48 The fast includes abstaining from sexual intercourse during the day.

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Notes 49 Presumably, ʿAlī ibn al-Jahm was making a song and dance about reciting his poem and Abū l-ʿAynāʾ laughed at him. The call to prayer would not normally be recited except to introduce the ritual prayer. 50 This refers to the division of estates according to Islamic inheritance law. 51

This is an oblique reference to the dispute between Abbasids and ʿAlids about the right to lead the Community, the Abbasids being descendants of Muḥammad’s uncle and thus more distantly related to him than the ʿAlids, his direct descendants.

52

That is, ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, the second “rightly guided” caliph.

53

The context was ʿUmar’s being stabbed to death, and the grammatical point concerns the voweling of the particle before “God” and “the Muslims.” In the first case it is la-, entreating God’s help, and in the second li-, rallying the Muslims. See al-Khaṭīb al-Baghdādī, Tārīkh Baghdād, 3:172.

54 Q Ṣād 38:30, 38:44, referring to Solomon and Job. 55

Q Qalam 68:11–13, referring to opponents of Muḥammad in Mecca.

56 Apparently an inaccurate reference to a tradition of the Prophet, who is reported to have said when a scorpion stung him during prayer: “May God curse the scorpion, for it does not spare anyone, whether he is praying or not” (Ibn Mājah, Sunan Ibn Mājah, book 5, #1246). 57

This refers to the fact that the uprising against the Umayyads, in which both descendants of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib and descendants of the Prophet’s uncle al-ʿAbbās took part, originally foresaw a caliph from the Prophet’s family, an ambiguous expression embracing both lineages.

58 A sweet-and-sour dish of lamb with vinegar and dried fruit. 59 Q Muʾminūn 23:108. God is replying to unbelievers in hell. 60 A belief developed among Muslims that the Night of Māshūsh was a time of uninhibited licentiousness and promiscuity among Christians, monks, nuns, and laity; see Tannous, The Making of the Medieval Middle East, 470–71, and the references there. See also §13.2. The idea that monasteries and convents were hotbeds of corruption and promiscuity was not confined to the Near East, as can be seen from several stories in Boccaccio’s Decameron and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. 61

Unidentified singer.

62 The last two lines are added from Yāqūt, Muʿjam al-buldān, 523, to complete the sense. 63 Palm Sunday falls at the end of March or in April, and Epiphany is on January 6, which implies nearly a year’s stay at the monastery. But the poet may have inverted the feasts for the sake of the rhyme.

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Notes 64 Arabic poetry traditionally has rhyme and quantitative meter. It has been suggested that since al-Muʿtamid could compose metrically, his nonmetrical poetry was experimental (van Gelder, Sound and Sense in Classical Arabic Poetry, 147–49). 65 Arabic music traditionally has rhythmic modes or patterns. Some of them have names resembling those of poetic meters but they are not identical with them. 66 “Badr,” meaning “full moon,” was a common name for a servant. “Jullanār” means “pomegranate blossom.” 67 Jacob the Coppersmith refers to Yaʿqūb ibn al-Layth al-Ṣaffār (see his entry in the Glossary). The “coppersmith on the cross” is possibly a reference to Yaʿqūb’s brother ʿAmr, who was captured, taken to Baghdad, and publicly humiliated before he died in prison. 68 Several of the words in the manuscript lack pointing and are incomprehensible. The poem might be a subversive invitation to eat during the day in Ramadan. 69 Several monasteries of this name existed in Iraq and Syria apart from the two al-Shābushtī mentions here. 70 Fiey traces the origin of this story to Ḥīrah and substitutes young girls for nuns. The fast occurred shortly after Epiphany (Assyrie chrétienne, 3:122–23). 71

The device described in the text was a hydraulic organ (Farmer, The Organ of the Ancients from Eastern Sources (Hebrew, Syriac and Arabic), 85–116).

72 Q Anbiyāʾ 21:89. 73

Q Baqarah 2:156.

74 Conjectured translation. The text appears to be faulty. 75

He was afraid the caliph would seize her from him. For another example of a more powerful or socially superior person confiscating a singer, see above, §12.8, where a leading Turkish general appropriates one of the caliph’s singers.

76 The first three lines of this poem also appear in §2.11. 77 This was in 289/902, when al-Muktafī processed to Baghdad on succeeding his father as caliph. 78 Comment in the margin: “I say this is not specific to the ruler, but every great man must be kept company in perfect manners and discretion.” 79 Q Baqarah 2:74, 85, 140, 144, 149 (slightly modified). 80 An echo of Q Ṭalāq 65:7. 81

The name means “discord.”

82 Different towns were known for the cloth they produced. Al-Ḥaẓīrah near Baghdad was famous for fine cotton weaves. 83

Comment in the margin: “Ibn Abī Fanan composed sublime poetry.”

84 Comment in the margin: “This should be committed to memory.”

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Notes 85 Robes of honor made of luxurious material were awarded by rulers to mark an investiture or as a reward. 86 Most of this line of poetry has been scratched out. It is supplied from al-Marzubānī, Muʿjam al-shuʿarāʾ, 463. The poem is falsely attributed to Ibn al-Rūmī; it comes from an elegy of the ʿAlid ruler of Ṭabaristān, al-Ḥasan ibn Zayd, by his secretary. 87 “Eighth” in the text. 88 Black was the color associated with the Abbasids. It is not certain that this was the first instance of black banners being deployed in a battle. 89 Comment in the margin: “When al-Maʾmūn vanquished Naṣr ibn Shabath.” 90 The prayer carpet spread out over the caliph’s divan was regarded as an insignia of royalty; a special official was in charge of it. 91

From the caliph’s point of view, anyone who refused allegiance to him was a heretic, because they called into question the God-given order he represented.

92 Modified quotation of a line by Abū l-ʿAtāhiyah, Dīwān, 22:45. 93 Hostility may have existed between al-Muʿtaṣim and ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir on account of the caliph’s suspicions of his powerful lieutenant in the east, but it was embroidered upon in works of belles lettres, as here. See The History of al-Ṭabarī, vol. 23, Storm and Stress, 137n181, and Kaabi, Les Tahirides: Étude historico-littéraire de la dynastie des Banū Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn au H̱urasān et en Iraq au IIIe s. de l’Hégire IXème s. J. C., 1:147–53. 94 Q Ḥāqqah 69:45. 95 Al-Shammākh ibn Ḍirār al-Ghaṭafānī (d. after 651), Dīwān, 336. 96 Not to be confused with the famous poet of the Jahiliya. 97 That is, al-Faḍl ibn Sahl. The name “Dhū al-Riyāsatayn” means “holder of the dual leadership.” 98 In fact Monday. 99 During the Friday sermon (khuṭbah), the caliph was named and prayed for by the preacher, generally the most important dignitary in the town. To leave his name out was a sign of rebellion. 100 Al-Shābushtī’s taste for sensationalism is reflected here. Other reasons for Ṭāhir’s appointment as governor of Khurasan and reports that he died a natural death are discussed in Kaabi, Les Tahirides, 1:184–85, and Daniel, “Taherids,” Encyclopaedia Iranica (online version). 101 Also known as Mary’s Monastery (Yāqūt, Muʿjam al-buldān, 2:672). The monastery was founded by a monk from Sūs (southwestern Iran) (Fiey, Assyrie chrétienne, 3:119). 102 Circumcision is an obligatory ritual for Muslim boys, a sign of their belonging to the Islamic community. It is carried out by a barber at any age before puberty and is an occasion for rejoicing.

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Notes 103 This celebration, one of three famous lavish ceremonial banquets, is frequently cited. For another version, with more explanation of the objects involved, see al-Qaddūmī, Book of Gifts and Rarities, 136–41. 104 Comment in the margin: “The carpet was one hundred cubits long and fifty cubits broad. It was valued at ten thousand dinars.” 105 Sleeves were often wide and could be used as pockets. Sometimes extensions were added to them, increasing their capacity. 106 Freeing slaves was a pious act often performed to mark an important occasion. 107 The Arabic term shākiriyyah is somewhat obscure but refers to freeborn professional soldiers, probably of central Asian origin (Gordon, The Breaking of a Thousand Swords: A History of the Turkish Military of Samarra (A.H. 200–275/815–889 C.E.), 40–42). 108 The guest list at the ceremony starts with princes of the Abbasid family. Apart from al-Muntaṣir, they do not appear elsewhere in the book and are otherwise unmemorable, so they have not been included in the Glossary. 109 Comment in the margin: “At al-Muʿtazz’s circumcision, al-Mutawakkil ordered al-Fatḥ ibn Yaḥyā [sic] ibn Khāqān to put a cup full of wine in his father’s hand, although he didn’t drink.” Al-Mutawakkil clearly sought to impose his authority on an elderly man in front of his professional colleagues (mashāyikh al-kuttāb), forcing him to act against his principles. Conceivably, the caliph wanted to show the secretaries that he could make them obey him even though he infringed the shariah. See Samer M. Ali, “Early Islam— Monotheism or Henotheism? A View from the Court,” 16–17, who however understands the mashāyikh as “pious elders.” 110 The guests were transported by boat from Baghdad. 111 Comment in the margin: “What an immensely eloquent poet he is.” 112 Abū Nuwās al-Ḥasan ibn Hāni ʾ, Dīwān, 3:36. 113 “Imam,” leader of the Muslim community, was a title of the caliph. 114 Of the palaces in and around Samarra listed here, only Balkuwārā, al-Jawsaq, and the Mutawakkiliyyah Palace occur elsewhere in the text; they are mentioned separately in the Glossary. For the others, see Alastair Northedge, “The Palaces of the ‘Abbasids at Samarra.” 115 The Persian festivity shad-gulī (rose joy), more often termed gul-afshānī (rose-strewing), was an occasion when rose petals, sometimes mixed with light coins and perfume, were scattered during a drinking party. It is mentioned in several poems in Arabic and Persian (Ṭabāṭabāʾ ī, “Gul-i surkh u bāda-yi gulgūn: Bāz-khwānī-yi abyātī az dīwān-I Abū Nuwās bar pāya-yi āyīn-i kuhan-i shādgulī.” I thank Anna-Livia Beelaert for tracking down and summarizing this reference.)

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Notes 116 Cf. OT I Kings 11:18–20. Solomon (Sulaymān) is mentioned in the Qurʾan as a ruler and a prophet with magical powers, the material about him being chiefly rabbinic in origin. 117 That is, al-Fatḥ ibn Khāqān. 118 The bearing of the two noble beings suggests they are more than human, like husbands of the fabled beauties who, according to the Qurʾan, inhabit Paradise. 119 The Arabic original is the proverb “Both of them and dates too” (al-Maydānī, Majmaʿ al-amthāl #3079: kilāhumā wa-tamran). 120 For the background to the brief caliphates and violent deaths of al-Mustaʿīn and al-Muʿtazz, see Gordon, The Breaking of a Thousand Swords, 95–101. 121 This and the following ecclesiastical term are discussed in Tannous, The Making of the Medieval Middle East, 12–14, with further references. “The Church of the East” is the designation the Nestorians use for themselves, and is generally accepted today. 122 For a comment on this unusual state of affairs, see Tannous, The Making of the Medieval Middle East, 122–36 and n. 44. 123 Literally “they pray Jumada during Rajab.” Rajab follows Jumada al-Thani. It is one of the four sacred months during which special prayers are said, but these drunkards are behind with the calendar for prayers. 124 Comment in the margin: “Take note of ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Warrāq’s poetry and his manner.” 125 This monastery was dedicated to Shimʿūn bar Ṣabbāʿé, martyred in 329. 126 So called because it was dug by Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Muṣʿab. 127 Al-Aʿlā Monastery was built in the highest part of Mosul, hence its name, aʿlā (“higher” or “highest”). 128 In 215/830. 129 For this translation of ṣaḥrāʾ see Bray, “Figures in a Landscape: The Inhabitants of the Silver Village,” 80–81. 130 These girdles (zunnār) were a distinguishing mark of Christian dress. 131 The name means “prosperity.” 132 Comment in the margin: “Āminah bint al-Sharīd’s address to Muʿāwiyah after he cast her husband’s head at her.” 133 Q Qaṣaṣ 28:19. 134 The monastery is said to have been founded in the fourth century, at the site of ancient Nineveh. It seems to have disappeared by the end of the thirteenth century (Fiey, Assyrie chrétienne, 2:497–504).

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Notes 135 Unlike other monasteries named for a saint, a founder, or the place where they are located, “Devils” appears to be a nickname. Unfortunately, al-Shābushtī does not comment on it. 136 The image is from chess. According to the rules in this period, the queen only moved one square at a time. 137 I have not found a satisfactory explanation of al-Maʾmūn’s remark and the distinction he makes between “dead” and “living” ingredients. 138 The phrase also means “the religious obligations linked to getting hard,” hence the subsequent exchange. 139 Probably the monastery of Saint John at Zāz in Ṭūr ʿAbdīn, founded at the end of the sixth century (Ṣādir, Mawsūʿat al-adyirah al-naṣrāniyyah fī al-bilād al-mashriqiyyah ḥattā nihāyat al-ʿuṣūr al-ʿabbāsiyyah, 347, quoting Barṣūm, Tārīkh Ṭūr ʿAbdīn, 217). 140 Monastery of Saint Abraham the Great of Kashkar (Kaskar), reviver of East Syrian monasticism in the sixth century. 141 An allusion to motifs of pre-Islamic poetry still employed in some conventional Abbasid poetry. 142 A proverbial expression adapted from a line by the pre-Islamic poet Labīd. 143 Comment in the margin: “Take note of Muṣʿab al-Kātib’s counsel.” 144 Literally “War is deception,” a saying attributed to the Prophet in Sunni and Shi ʿi hadith collections (e.g., al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, #3028, #3029; Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, #1739, #1740; al-Qāḍī al-Nuʿmān, Sharḥ al-akhbār fī faḍāʾil al-aʾimmah al-aṭhār, 1:297. 145 “God’s House” is the Kaaba in Mecca. This and the subsequent verses allude to rituals of the pilgrimage to Mecca. 146 Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim al-Bāhilī, Dīwān, 56. Pace ʿAwwād, the line is not found in Ibn al-Rūmī’s diwan. 147 An allusion to the story of Joseph in the Qurʾan (Surah 12). In Islamic tradition, his beauty is proverbial. 148 Not the first caliph in Islam, but an otherwise unknown ninth-century rent boy. The fluctuation between religious and profane references is typical of this poet’s work. 149 Literally “Quʿays at his aunt’s door,” a proverbial expression. 150 Known to the Arab geographers as Nahr al-Sarbaṭ. 151 Afshīn was a title that was used not only by a famous commander of al-Muʿtaṣim but also by the Sājid rulers of Azerbaijan in the early tenth century, including Yūsuf. 152 Addition to the poem in the margin: “My origin prevents me from not standing by my friends, / An ignoble man’s favor I’m not wont to accept; / I’m not fooled by those whose fine appearance masks filth; / I’d rather die of thirst than slake it with clyster water.”

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Notes 153 Echoing Q Zalzalah 99:7–8: «Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it. Whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it». 154 The pass leading down from the Golan to the Jordan Valley. The village of Fīq was an important stage on the road from Damascus to Jerusalem (Sharon, “An Arabic Inscription from the Time of the Caliph ‘Abd al-Malik,” 369). 155 Comment in the margin: “From this poem Mudrik took certain verses to address his beloved ʿAmr.” As ʿAwwād points out, this poem is not in Abū Nuwās’s printed poetry. The Mudrik mentioned is Mudrik ibn ʿAlī al-Shaybānī (early tenth century). 156 A monastery near Wāsiṭ, possibly dedicated to saints Sarjīs (Sergius) and Bākhūs (Bacchus), warrior martyrs whose names are often linked. Sirjisān means “the two Sergiuses.” 157 This is a reference to the Nawbahār temple in Balkh, most likely a Manichean center (Kamoliddin, “On the Religion of the Nawbahar Temple in Balkh”). 158 Perhaps a reference to the Islamic legend that the Antichrist will be vanquished before the door of the church in Lydda (Lod). 159 The girdle said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary and given to the apostle Thomas. It is an important relic in the Syriac Christian tradition. Here it forms a transition to the poet’s addressing his beloved. 160 Lajjūn was built on hills southwest of the Jezreel Valley. After 1948 it was destroyed by the Israelis, who built the kibbutz of Megiddo on the land. 161 According to the Gospels, the Transfiguration happened before the Crucifixion and the Ascension: Mt 17:1–9; Mk 9:2–13; Lk 9:28–36. Al-Shābushtī appears to be confusing the Transfiguration with Christ’s appearances after the Resurrection. 162 That is, the month following Ramadan. 163 “Cursing” has been partially erased in the manuscript. See the Introduction for the reflections in The Book of Monasteries of the confessional strife between Sunnis and Shi ʿis. 164 The Battle of the Camel between ʿAlī and his supporters on one side and ʿĀʾishah, Ṭalḥah, and al-Zubayr on the other took place over two days, the first of which, when

ʿAlī had not yet arrived, is termed the lesser one. 165 It was the residence of the Syrian Orthodox patriarch in the seventh century. 166 This is the literal meaning of the Arabic name for anemones, shaqāʾiq nuʿmān. 167 The name means “rebellious.” 168 Helena, not to be confused with Haylānah, the slave girl al-Rashīd acquired from Jaʿfar the Barmakid, mentioned by Ibn al-Sāʿī in Consorts of the Caliphs: Women and the Court of Baghdad, 22. 169 Respectively, “Emotion,” “Brightness,” and “Softness.” 170 The name means “Yemeni brocades.”

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Notes 171 Not 5, as in the manuscript. 172 The autumn festival, in Arabic (from Persian) Mihrajān, is the autumn counterpart to Nauruz, for which see the Glossary. “Mihrajān” has come to mean “festival” in general, without being specific to a season. 173 This pilgrimage was in 187/803. While in Mecca, al-Rashīd, who was becoming increasingly independent of his supporters, the Barmakids, arranged the question of his succession, and it was after that that he turned against the Barmakids. See Kennedy, The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates, 141–44. 174 Here the sixth-century Khosroes Anūshirwān is meant. 175 ʿAbd al-Masīḥ had been asked to interpret the king’s dream and could not, so he turned to his uncle. In the context of Zoroastrianism with its cult of fire worship, the mention of the dying fire has a symbolic meaning, pointing to the replacement of the ancient Persian religion with Islam. Short and obscure rhyming phrases are typical of the speech associated with pre-Islamic soothsayers. 176 In this context, “Nabatean” designates Aramaic speakers. 177 Or: “do you pay blood money?,” playing on two senses of ʿaqala. 178 Or: “what is your tooth?,” playing on two senses of sinn. 179 Or: “How much has finished you off?,” playing on two senses of atā ʿalā. 180 Probably from the Syriac shatīqā, meaning “silent” (al-Shābushtī, Diyārāt, ed. ʿAwwād, 241n1). 181 Possibly the Syriac shakūrā, “flowers, roses” (al-Shābushtī, Diyārāt, ed. ʿAwwād, 241n2). 182 I thank Liran Yadgar for suggesting this Jewish name, attested in late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. 183 Comment in the margin: “Al-Ḥajjāj al-Thaqafī’s conversation with Hind bint al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir.” 184 This line is absent from the diwans of both al-Nābighah al-Dhubyānī (late sixth century) and the younger al-Nābighah al-Jaʿdī (seventh century). The former is the probable author, since he was the court poet of Hind’s father, the ruler of Ḥīrah. 185 The decisive battle was at Qādisiyyah in 15/636. 186 Comment in the margin: “Al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah’s visit to Hind bint al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir to ask for her hand in marriage and her refusal.” 187 The tribal confederation Hawāzin in the Hijaz included ʿĀmir ibn Ṣaʿṣaʿah and Māzin ibn Ṣaʿṣaʿah. The tribe of Thaqīf, based in Ṭāʾif, traced its lineage back either to Hawāzin or to Iyād (al-Yaʿqūbī, The Works of Ibn Wāḍiḥ al-Yaʿqūbī, 2:539–41). Whether this anecdote is genuine or made up by Hind on the spur of the moment, the aim was to give al-Mughīrah his comeuppance.

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Notes 188 This monastery was established on the estate of Zurārah ibn Yazīd ibn ʿAmr of the Banū l-Bukkāʾ ibn Rabī ʿah, from which it took its name (al-Shābushtī, Diyārāt, ed. ʿAwwād, 247; al-Ṭurayḥī, al-Diyārāt wa-l-amkinah al-naṣrāniyyah fī al-Kūfah wa-ḍawāḥīhā, 109–10). 189 So called after a freedman of Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ, conqueror of Iraq. 190 A parallel version of this anecdote has the same situation and poetry, but the protagonists are Ḥammād ʿAjrad, the spurned lover, and Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās, who is proposing to replace him in the girl’s affections (Ibn al-Muʿtazz, Ṭabaqāt al-shuʿarāʾ al-muḥdathīn, 253–54). 191 In this striking anecdote, peer rivalry, concepts of masculinity and femininity, and social differentiation are all present. Empathy with the victim of the rape, which a modern reader tends to expect, is absent. See Lagrange, “Une affair de viol,” for an illuminating discussion of the text. The translation he provides is, however, not from al-Shābushtī but from another unspecified adab work. 192 The line is from a poem by Ibn Qays al-Ruqayyāt (Dīwān, 109). 193 Comment in the margin: “Note the description of the lute.” 194 Examples of the use of this instrument are given in Sawa, Musical and Socio-Cultural Anecdotes, 55, 170. 195 According to legend, Qunnā was a noblewoman whom the first-century apostle Mārī cured of leprosy, and in gratitude she gave him the land for the monastery. The monastery was destroyed by the Sassanians in the fifth century but was later rebuilt. It became a flourishing center of learning of the Church of the East and provided secretaries for the Abbasid administration. 196 It falls on September 14. 197 Al-Manṣūriyyah means “slave or freedwoman of al-Manṣūr.” 198 The Seven Poems, often known as the Muʿallaqāt, are the most famous collection of pre-Islamic poetry. The first efforts to assemble this canonical anthology go back to the second/eighth century. 199 The spelling mistake is intentional. 200 ʿAbdūn uses a Persian word here and abandons any semblance of meter. 201 The later Caliph al-Muʿtaḍid. 202 Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim went to the otherwise unidentified Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd, an attendant on al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl, as a member of the same tribe, Bāḥilah. 203 The well of Zamzam is in the Holy Mosque of Mecca. Al-Ḥaṭīm is a low wall close to the Kaaba. 204 That is, Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mahdī.

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Notes 205 Al-Shābushtī has pruned the chain of transmission of this anecdote, which has four names in the Kitāb al-Aghānī (14:101), leaving only the penultimate name, Ḥamdān ibn Yaḥyā (Ḥammād ibn Yaḥyā in the Aghānī). 206 Qārūn is the Qurʾanic counterpart of Korah in the Old Testament. A contemporary and opponent of Moses, he was fabulously wealthy, arrogant, and unjust (Q Qaṣaṣ 28:76–82). 207 The name means “little fortress.” It was built in the fifth century and is also known as the Monastery of Saint Arsenios the Great. 208 The Moqattam Hills. 209 In the Eastern churches, this refers to the area known in the West as the sanctuary. 210 The Maʿāfir Pool was another name for the Ethiopians’ Pool, and the Monastery of Saint John was thus also called the Maʿāfir Monastery. 211 Presumably the mosque of ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān, in the area between Darb al-Maʿāṣir and Bāb al-Ṣafā (Ibn Duqmāq, Kitāb al-Intiṣār li-wāsiṭat ʿiqd al-amṣār, 4:91). 212 Al-ʿUmarī, Masālik al-abṣār, 1:698, apparently reproducing information of the Khālidīs, describes the setting of this monastery in terms very like those al-Shābushtī has used for monasteries in the main part of the book. It contrasts with al-Shābushtī’s laconic presentation. ʿAwwād, however, following a communication from J. M. Fiey, gives the location as at Maʿlathāyā close to Dohuk, and I have adopted this. 213 Literally “the city,” al-Madīnah. While al-Madīnah normally refers to the famous city in the Hijaz, it could also refer to Madīnat al-salām, the City of Peace, another name for Baghdad. But the geographical indications are problematic. 214 The name is a contraction of ʿAyn Jājj, the spring of Jājj. It was founded in the seventh century and dedicated to Saint Sergius. 215 Mount Jūdī is mentioned in the Qurʾan (Q Hūd 11:44) as the site where Noah’s ark came to rest after the flood. Its location (in southeastern Turkey near the Syrian and Iraqi borders) reflects Mesopotamian tradition. The location further north on Mount Ararat appears in about the tenth century. 216 A span is 23.1 centimeters. 217 An allusion to the story of Moses in the Qurʾan (Q Aʿrāf 7:143). 218 Presumably the Holy Fire, whose descent in Christ’s tomb is celebrated on Holy Saturday. 219 I have not been able to discover a satisfactory meaning for this word. In the context of Ibn ʿĀṣim’s poem, it seems likely to be a personal name (cf. al-Najjār, Shuʿarāʾ ʿabbāsiyūn mansiyyūn, 6:28–29). The manuscript has “Qawzīr,” but ʿAwwād, followed by al-Najjār, transcribes it “Qawrīr.”

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Notes 220 Scrofula, also known as king’s evil, is an infection of the lymph nodes in the neck often connected with tuberculosis. The name is the diminutive of Latin scrofa, meaning a brood sow; the Arabic name, khanāzīr, means “pigs.” 221 Baʾūnah is the commemoration of the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Caesarea Philippi. Pace ʿAwwād (al-Shābushtī, Diyārāt, 313n2), it is not the Feast of the Dormition (August 15), which in the Coptic calendar is Mesori 16.

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ʿAbbād ibn Ziyād ibn Abī Sufyān  (d. 100/718) son of Muʿāwiyah’s adopted brother. He served as general and governor under Umayyad caliphs. al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Baṣrī  (fl. mid-fourth/tenth century) poet at the Ikhshīdid court in Egypt, probably of Iraqi origin. al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Maʾmūn  (d. 223/838) al-Maʾmūn’s eldest son, leader of military expeditions. He died in prison after a failed conspiracy against his uncle al-Muʿtaṣim.

ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir  (mid-third/ninth century) unremarkable youngest son of ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir. ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān ibn al-Ḥakam  (ca. 23–86/644–705) second caliph of the Marwanid branch of the Umayyad dynasty, succeeded 65/685.

ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Muḥammad al-Hāshimī, Abū al-Faḍl  (fl. third/ninth century) unidentified descendant of the Prophet.

ʿAbd al-Masīḥ ibn Buqaylah al-Ghassānī  (fl. early seventh century ad) member of a prominent and long-established family of Ḥīrah, around whom many legends were woven.

ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Fahm  (fl. third/ninth century) obscure transmitter. ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Umm al-Ḥakam  (fl. late first/seventh century) governor of Kufa for Muʿāwiyah, his mother’s brother. ʿAbdah bint ʿAbdallāh ibn Yazīd ibn Muʿāwwiyah  (early second/eighth century) granddaughter of the second Umayyad caliph, Yazīd ibn Muʿāwiyah, and wife of the tenth Umayyad caliph, Hishām ibn ʿAbd al-Malik. ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās  (d. 68/619–87) cousin of the Prophet and revered transmitter of traditions about him.

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabī ʿ  (d. 247/861) grandson of the chamberlain al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabī ʿ, courtier, poet, and musician. Began his career at court by performing before al-Rashīd.

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān  (ca. 57–131/677–749) Umayyad general and governor of Egypt.

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ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAyyāsh  (d. 171/788) Kufan transmitter of poetry and historical accounts.

ʿAbdallāh ibn Dāwud al-Khuraybī  (d. 211/826) Hadith transmitter of Kufan origin who settled in Basra.

ʿAbdallāh ibn Khurdādhbih  (fl. early third/ninth century) Khurasanian commander, governor of Ṭabaristān, the Iranian province south of the Caspian Sea.

ʿAbdallāh ibn Manṣūr  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) influential state secretary in Samarra, briefly vizier under al-Mustaʿīn. ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz  see Ibn al-Muʿtazz. ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn  (182–229/798–844) governor of Egypt and then Khurasan under al-Maʾmūn and al-Muʿtaṣim. He was a patron, man of letters, poet, and musician.

ʿAbdūn ibn Makhlad  (d. 310/922) Nestorian state scribe, brother of the vizier Ṣāʿid, who occupied important positions until his brother’s fall from favor. Abū l-ʿAbbās ibn al-Furāt  (d. 291/904) influential state scribe in charge of land department under al-Muʿtaḍid. Abu l-ʿAbbās al-Saffāḥ ʿAbdallāh ibn Muḥammad  (d. 136/754) grandson of ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh, brother of Ibrāhīm the Imam. First Abbasid caliph from 132/750. Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn  see Ibn Ḥamdūn. Abū Aḥmad ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir see ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir. Abū ʿAlī al-Awārijī, Hārūn ibn ʿAbd al- ʿAzīz  (d. 344/955) state scribe and administrator. Abū ʿAlī al-Baṣīr al-Faḍl ibn Jaʿfar  (d. ca. 252/866) blind poet and man of letters, much admired at Baghdad and Samarra courts. Abū ʿAlī ibn al-Rashīd  (d. 230/845) unremarkable son of Hārūn al-Rashīd. Abū ʿAlī Muḥammad ibn al-ʿAlāʾ al-Shajarī  (fl. late third/ninth century) unidentified state scribe. Abū l-Aṣbagh  (fl. late second/eighth century) owner and seller of singing slave girls in Kufa. Abū l-ʿAtāhiyah, Ismāʿīl ibn al-Qāsim  (130–211/748–826) poet at al-Mahdī’s court, famous for his love poems and later his ascetic verses. Abū l-ʿAynāʾ Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim Abū ʿAbdallāh  (d. ca. 283/896) man of letters and courtier in Basra and Baghdad, a renowned wit around whom many humorous anecdotes collected.

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Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim ibn al-Anbārī  see Ibn al-Anbārī. Abū l-Barq  (fl. third/ninth century) obscure poet, client of Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm al-Ṭāhirī. Abū l-Dann  (fl. early second/eighth century) obscure laborer, descended from a freedman of the Prophet. Abū Dharr al-Ghifārī  (d. 31/652) Companion of the Prophet Muḥammad, one of the earliest converts to Islam. Abū Ḥarmalah  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) al-Mutawakkil’s barber. Abū Ḥashīshah Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī ibn Umayyah  (d. before 279/892) court companion and musician, virtuoso on the pandore (long-necked lute), and author of two books on music. Abū Ḥāzim  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) jurist. Abū Hūr  Coptic saint, probably a martyr executed during the persecutions of the late third and early fourth centuries ad in Egypt. Abū Hurayrah ibn Abī al-ʿIṣām  (fl. early fourth/tenth century) Egyptian poet. Abū Isḥāq ibn al-Rashīd  see al-Muʿtaṣim bi-llāh. Abū Jaʿfar al-Manṣūr  (d. 158/775) second Abbasid caliph, grandson of ʿAlī ibn

ʿAbdallāh and brother of Ibrāhīm the Imam, succeeded 137/755. Founder of Baghdad. Abū Jafnah al-Qurashī  obscure Iraqi poet of the Abbasid period. Abū Jahl ʿAmr ibn Hishām  (d. 2/624) contemporary of Prophet Muḥammad, notable of the powerful Makhzūm clan and leader of the Meccan opposition to the Prophet. Killed at the battle of Badr. Abū al-Jaysh Khumārawayh ibn Aḥmad ibn Ṭūlūn  (250–83/864–96) son of Aḥmad ibn Ṭūlūn, a Turkish general who established himself as the autonomous ruler of Egypt in 254/868. Succeeded his father in 270/884. Abū l-Khaṣīb Marzūq  (fl. second/eight century) freedman and chamberlain of al-Manṣūr. Abū l-Miḍrajī  (fl. late second/eighth century) Iraqi libertine. Abū Muslim ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Muslim al-Khurāsānī  (d. 137/755) of Persian origin, leader of the revolution that overthrew the Umayyads and brought the Abbasids to power. Abū Nuwās al-Ḥasan ibn Hāniʾ  (ca. 139–99/757–815) leading “modern” poet especially famous for his wine songs. Panegyrist of al-Rashīd, companion of al-Amīn. Abū l-Qāsim ʿAbdallāh al-Mawṣilī  (fl. third/ninth century) obscure individual who was probably a state scribe.

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Abū al-Qāsim Ūnūjūr ibn al-Ikhshīd  (d. 349/960) succeeded his father, Muḥammad ibn Tughj al-Ikhshīd, as ruler of Egypt in 334/946. Al-Ikhshīd, the title of the kings of Ferghānah (where the family originated), was bestowed on Muḥammad ibn Tughj for his successful resistance to the Fatimids. Abū l-Ṣaqr Ismāʿīl ibn Bulbul  (ca. 229–79/844–92) state scribe and vizier to al-Muʿtamid and al-Muwaffaq, imprisoned by al-Muʿtaḍid. Abū Shās Munīr al-Ghiṭrīf ibn Ḥuṣayn ibn Ḥanash  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) poet and man of letters connected with al-Muʿtaṣim’s army. Abū l-Shibl al-Burjumī, ʿĀṣim ibn Wahb  (fl. third/ninth century) poet from Basra, active in Baghdad and Samarra. Abū l-ʿUmaythil ʿAbdallāh ibn Khulayd  (d. 239/854) tutor of ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir’s sons, poet and man of letters. Aḥmad ibn Abī Duʾād  (d. 239/854) companion of al-Maʾmūn, chief judge in Baghdad under al-Muʿtaṣim and al-Wāthiq, responsible for imposing the doctrine of the created Qurʾan. Aḥmad ibn Abī l-ʿAlāʾ  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) son of a court musician, excellent singer. Aḥmad ibn Abī Khālid  (d. 211/826) state scribe and close companion of al-Maʾmūn who headed the administration after al-Faḍl ibn Sahl’s death. Aḥmad ibn Abī Ruʾaym  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) court companion of al-Mutawakkil. Aḥmad ibn Buwayh  (302–56/915–67) member of a Shi ʿi family from Daylam in northwestern Iran who took power in various regions of the eastern Muslim world in the tenth century. Better known as Muʿizz al-Dawlah, he occupied Baghdad in 333/945 and ruled as emir under the Sunni caliph. Aḥmad ibn al-Ḥasan al-Mādharāʾī  (fl. late third/ninth century) member of an influential family of state secretaries and finance officials in Iraq and Egypt, originally from Mādharā, a village near Wāsiṭ. Aḥmad ibn Isrāʾīl, Abū Jaʿfar  (207–83/823–96) state scribe of Nestorian origin, vizier of al-Muʿtazz, tortured to death by Ṣāliḥ ibn Waṣīf under al-Muhtadī. Aḥmad ibn Khālid al-Ṣarīfīnī  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) fiscal prefect of Egypt in 255–56/840–41 and briefly al-Mutawakkil’s vizier in 232–33/847–48. Aḥmad ibn Mūsā ibn Shākir  (fl. third/ninth century) one of the three Banū Mūsā brothers known for their writings on astronomy, geometry, and mechanical devices.

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Aḥmad ibn Ṣadaqah  (fl. third/ninth century) from a family of musicians, he sang at the courts of al-Maʾmūn and al-Mutawakkil. Aḥmad ibn Yūsuf  (d. ca. 213/828) private secretary, companion, and vizier of al-Maʾmūn, famed for his literary gifts.

ʿĀʾishah bint Abī Bakr  (d. 58/678) youngest wife of the Prophet, transmitter of hadiths. After opposing the third caliph, ʿUthmān, she was one of those who sought to avenge his killing and led the army that fought against ʿAlī in the Battle of the Camel. Akhmīm  town on the east bank of the Nile in Upper Egypt, opposite Sohag. Alexander the Great  (356–323) Greek conqueror of much of Asia, symbol of royal power.

ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās  (ca. 40–118/661–736) grandson of the Prophet’s uncle ʿAbbās and grandfather of the first two Abbasid caliphs, al-Saffāḥ and al-Manṣūr.

ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib  (d. 40/661) cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muḥammad, fourth rightly guided caliph (according to the Sunni view); first caliph after Muḥammad (according to the Shi ʿi view). Attacked by Muʿāwiyah for not punishing the killers of the third rightly guided caliph, ʿUthmān, he was murdered by a Kharijite.

ʿAlī ibn Hishām  (d. 217/832) cousin of Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn, one of al-Maʾmūn’s generals. A music lover, he was the commander in the campaign against Bābak, and was subsequently disgraced and executed.

ʿAlī ibn Ibrāhīm al-Ghamrī  (fl. third/ninth century) judge in Mosul. ʿAlī ibn ʿĪsā ibn Māhān  (d. 195/811) governor of Khurasan under al-Rashīd. He championed al-Amīn’s cause against al-Maʾmūn and was killed in battle against al-Maʾmūn’s forces led by Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn. ʿAlī ibn al-Jahm  (ca. 188–249/804–63) poet and man of letters who was al-Mutawakkil’s court companion for a time.

ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥimmānī al-ʿAlawī  (d. 260/874) descendant of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib from Kufa, composer of elegies on his Shi ʿi relatives and on the passing of youth.

ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad ibn Abī Sayf al-Madāʾinī  see al-Madāʾinī. ʿAlī ibn Ṣāliḥ  (fl. early third/ninth century) freedman of al-Maʾmūn, his chamberlain and Master of the Prayer Carpet, controlling access to him.

ʿAlī ibn Yaḥyā al-Munajjim  (199–274/815–88) member of the cultivated Banū l-Munajjim family, man of letters, poet, musician, and author, patron of

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poets and writers, court companion of caliphs from al-Mutawakkil to al-Muʿtamid.

ʿAlids  descendants of the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib. ʿAllūya, ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh  (d. 235/850) singer at court from the time of al-Amīn to al-Mutawakkil.

ʿAlth  village about four and a half miles (seven kilometers) northwest of Balad on the east bank of the old course of the Tigris. al-Amīn, Abū Mūsā Muḥammad  (170–98/787–813) sixth Abbasid caliph, succeeded 193/809, generous patron of poets. He tried to restore Baghdad’s authority over Khurasan, his brother al-Maʾmūn’s province, and was defeated and killed by him. Āminah bint al-Sharīd  (d. ca. 50/670) one of the women of the early Umayyad period renowned for their eloquence in debate and repartee.

ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Warrāq  (fl. early third/ninth century) dissolute poet in Baghdad who composed poems on the siege of Baghdad during the civil war between al-Amīn and al-Maʾmūn, lamenting the city’s destruction.

ʿAmr ibn Bānah  (d. 278/891) son of a secretary, singer at court from the time of al-Maʾmūn. ʿAmr ibn al-Ḥamiq al-Khuzāʿī  (d. 50/670) Companion of the Prophet. Involved in the murder of ʿUthmān, he supported ʿAlī and fought on his side against Muʿāwiyah at Ṣiffīn (36/657). ʿAmr ibn al-Layth al-Ṣaffār  (d. 289/902) succeeded his brother Yaʿqūb ibn alLayth as ruler of much of Iran, while pursuing a more conciliatory policy toward the caliph. He was defeated by the Sāmānid ruler of Transoxiana and sent to Baghdad as a prisoner.

ʿĀnah  town on the Euphrates on a major trade route between the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf.

ʿĀqūl Monastery  on the Tigris south of Baghdad, site of the Abbasid victory over Yaʿqūb al-Ṣaffār in 262/876. It flourished at least until the end of the tenth century.

ʿArīb  (181–277/797–890) leading singer at court, poet, and courtier. She was owned by al-Amīn and al-Maʾmūn and freed by al-Muʿtaṣim; she also performed for later caliphs. The name means “ardent.” Arzan  town to the east of Mayyāfāriqīn (present-day Silvan), prosperous up to the tenth century but now in ruins.

ʿAsālij  singing girl belonging to Ruqayyah bint al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabī ʿ (fl. early third/ninth century). The name means “tender branches.”

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al-Aṣmaʿī, ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Qurayb  (123–213/740–828) Basran philologist and grammarian, collector of pre-Islamic poetry.

ʿAthʿath  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) a black slave and gifted musician, he witnessed al-Mutawakkil’s murder. The name means “softy.” Awānā  village near the town of Dujayl, about forty miles (sixty-five kilometers) north of Baghdad.

ʿAwf ibn Muḥallim al-Khuzāʿī  (d. ca. 215/830) poet, man of letters, and companion of Ṭāhir and his son ʿAbdallāh. Awgīn (Eugene), Saint (d.  ad 363) Egyptian monk said to have brought monasticism to Mesopotamia. al-ʿAzīz  (fl. early third/ninth century) freedman of ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir. al-ʿAzīz bi-llāh, Abū Mansūr Nizār  (344–386/955–96) fifth Fatimid caliph, and al-Shābushtī’s employer. He succeeded in 364/975.

ʿAzzūn ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz al-Anṣārī  (fl. third/ninth century) court companion of al-Muʿtaṣim, al-Wāthiq, and al-Mutawakkil. Bābak  (ca. 175–223/795–838) leader of resistance to Muslim settlers in northwestern Iran, defeated and executed in Samarra. Badhl  (fl. early third/ninth century) singer trained in Basra and owned by al-Amīn. She was vastly knowledgeable about the musical repertoire. The name means “giving.” Badr  (d. 289/902) chief of police in Baghdad and later commander-in-chief of al-Muʿtaḍid’s armies. He was named “al-Muʿtaḍidī” because of his influence over the caliph. “Badr,” meaning “full moon,” was a common name for a servant. Badr al-Jullanār  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) slave and favorite of al-Muʿtamid. “Jullanār” means “pomegranate blossom.” Bakr ibn Hawāzin, Banū  major tribal grouping based in the Hijaz to which the tribe of Thaqīf belonged. Bakr ibn Khārijah  (fl. first half third/ninth century) notorious drinker who composed wine songs and love songs. Bakr ibn Wāʾil, Banū  important tribe settled mostly in Iraq. Many inhabitants of Ḥīrah belonged to it. Balad  (1) town some twenty-five miles (forty kilometers) northwest of Mosul. (2) Town fifty miles (eighty kilometers) north of Baghdad. Balashkur  village between Baradān and Baghdad on the east bank of the Tigris. Balīkh River  tributary of the Euphrates, which it joins at Raqqa.

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Balkuwārā Palace  palace on the Tigris south of Samarra, built by al-Mutawakkil for his son al-Muʾtazz around 239/854. Baradān  town twenty-two miles (thirty-five kilometers) north of Baghdad to the east of the Tigris. Bārī  village in the neighborhood of Kalwādhā. Barmakids  a family of viziers and administrators, originally Buddhists from Balkh, who served the first five Abbasid caliphs. They fell from favor in 187/803, when al-Rashīd executed or imprisoned many of them. Bāshahrā  monastery between Baghdad and Samarra. The name means “House of Vigils.” Bazūghī  village to the north of Shammāsiyyah, some seven miles (eleven kilometers) from Baghdad. Bidʿah  (ca. 241–302/856–915) singer, pupil, and confidante of ʿArīb. She sang before al-Muʿtazz and al-Muʿtaḍid. The name means “nova.” Bunān  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) singer and famous lutenist at the courts of al-Mutawakkil, al-Muntaṣir, and al-Muʿtazz. Būrān  (191–270/807–84) daughter of al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl, married to al-Maʾmūn. Buṣrā  village near Baghdad. Not the town in Syria. Catholicos  Patriarch of the Church of the East (Nestorian Church). In this period, he had his seat in Baghdad. Companion  A person belonging to the first generation of followers of the Prophet Muḥammad. Dābiq  locality north of Aleppo close to the Byzantine frontier. Dahlak  archipelago in the Red Sea not far from Massawa (present-day Eritrea). Darius the son of Darius  last king of the Achaemenid dynasty in Persia, defeated by Alexander the Great in 330. A symbol of royal greatness. Dāwud Siyāh al-Khwārizmī  (fl. early third/ninth century) commander in Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn’s army. Diʿbil ibn ʿAlī al-Khuzaʿī  (148–246/765–860) Shi ʿi poet from Kufa at court of al-Rashīd and al-Maʾmūn, famous for his panegyrics and satires. Durmālis Monastery  in the Shammāsiyyah quarter of northeast Baghdad. Fabrūniyā (Febronia)  saint martyred in Nisibin during the persecution of Diocletian ad 303–13. al-Faḍl ibn al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Maʾmūn  (fl. late third/ninth century) grandson of al-Maʾmūn who was a cultivated poet and governor of Medina. al-Faḍl ibn Marwān  (d. 250/864) state scribe of Christian origin. An expert in land taxation, he was briefly vizier under al-Muʿtaṣim.

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al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabī ʿ  (139–207/757–823) vizier of al-Rashīd and al-Amīn, whom he supported against al-Maʾmūn. al-Faḍl ibn Sahl  (ca. 153–202/770–818) counselor and later briefly vizier of al-Maʾmūn. He bore the title Dhū al-Riyāsatayn: Holder of the Two (civil and military) Commands. al-Faḍl ibn Yaḥyā al-Barmakī  (148–92/765–808) eldest son of Yaḥyā al-Bar­ makī, very influential at court, tutor to al-Amīn, disgraced when his brother Jaʿfar was executed. Fam al-Ṣilḥ  town on the Tigris at its confluence with the Ṣilḥ Canal, to the south of modern Kūt al-ʿAmārah. al-Farʿāʾ  region in the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula, north of Yemen. Farīdah  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) slave girl owned by the singer ʿAmr ibn Bānah, who gave her to al-Wāthiq. After his death, she was acquired by alMutawakkil, who married her. She had a beautiful voice and was an excellent performer. The name means “solitaire.” al-Fatḥ ibn Khāqān  son of a Turkish army commander, state scribe and companion of al-Mutawakkil, man of letters, and patron of poets. He was murdered with al-Mutawakkil in 247/861. Fāthiyūn (Pethion), Mār (d.  ad 448) saint martyred in Persia. Fāṭimah bint ʿAbd al-Malik  (fl. late second/eighth century) daughter of the caliph ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān and wife of the caliph ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Marwān. Ghassān ibn ʿAbbād  (fl. third/ninth century) cousin of al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl. Governor of Khurasan under al-Maʾmūn until replaced by Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn, subsequently governor of Sind. Ghuṣayn  monk after whom a dome in Ḥīrah was named. al-Hādī, Abū Jaʿfar Mūsā  (147–69/764–86; succeeded 168/785) fourth Abbasid caliph. He died unexpectedly, and was succeeded by al-Rashīd. Ḥadīthah  village on the Tigris not far from the Great Zab. al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf al-Thaqafī  (41–100/661–714) capable and ruthless governor of Iraq under ʿAbd al-Malik. Ḥakam al-Wādī  (fl. second half second/eighth century) singer from Wādī l-Qurā north of Medina, performed before al-Walīd ibn Yazīd and al-Mahdī. Ḥakīm ibn Jabalah al-ʿAbdī  (d. 35/656) Companion of the Prophet, partisan of

ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib. Ḥamdān, Banū  clan of the Banū Taghlib, which produced two Shi ʿi dynasties that ruled in Mosul and Aleppo in the tenth century.

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Ḥamdūn, Banū  (fl. third/ninth century) family of courtiers serving al-Muʿtaṣim, al-Wāthiq, and al-Mutawakkil, and on occasion occupying administrative positions. Ḥammād ʿAjrad  (d. ca. 158/775) notoriously dissolute poet from Kufa, famous for his satires. Ḥammād al-Rāwiyah  (75–155/695–772) collector of poetry, courtier, and libertine from Kufa. Ḥanīfah, Banū  important tribe from central Arabia. After the Muslim conquests, many of them settled in Iraqi cities such as Kufa. Ḥarb, Banū  Abū Sufyān ibn Ḥarb ibn Umayyah and his descendants, including the caliphs Muʿāwiyah and Yazīd ibn Muʿāwiyah. al-Ḥarīrī  (fl. late third/ninth century) libertine, friend of the poet al-Numayrī. Not to be confused with the author of the Maqāmāt. Harīsah  dish of wheat or other grains simmered with meat and flavored with cinnamon and sugar. Hārūn ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn al-Muʿtamid  (fl. early fourth/tenth century) grandson of al-Muʿtamid. Hārūn al-Rashīd  see al-Rashīd, Hārūn. al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdān Nāṣir al-Dawlah  (303–58/916–69) second Ḥamdānid ruler of Mosul and the Jazīrah. al-Ḥasan ibn Makhlad  (207–68/823–82) state scribe of Christian origin who twice served as vizier under al-Muʿtamid and died in exile. al-Ḥasan ibn Rajāʾ, Abū ʿAlī  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) state scribe, son-inlaw of al-Faḍl ibn Sahl, who held administrative posts in Baghdad and Iran. He was a poet and patron of poets. al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl  (d. 235/850) served al-Maʾmūn as secretary and head of taxation, then withdrew from public life after the assassination of his brother al-Faḍl. Married his daughter Būrān to al-Maʾmūn in a lavish ceremony in 210/825. al-Ḥasan ibn Wahb, Abū ʿAlī  (d. ca. 248/862) state scribe and poet who occupied important posts at Samarra. Hāshimite  member of the Banu Hāshim, the clan of the Quraysh tribe to which the Prophet Muḥammad and his descendants and also the descendants of his uncle ʿAbbās belonged. Ḥātim al-Ṭāʾī  warrior in ʿAlī ibn ʿĪsā ibn Māhān’s army at Rayy. Not to be confused with the pre-Islamic poet.

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Ḥawāzin  important tribal confederation in the Hijaz to which Thaqīf is sometimes counted as belonging. Hazār  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) singing girl belonging to al-Muʿtamid. The name means “nightingale.” Ḥaẓīrah  large village on the Tigris to the south of Balad, famous for its fine cotton cloth. Hīlānah  (fl. late second/eighth century) slave girl of al-Hādī and then al-Rashīd, not to be confused with Haylānah, the slave girl he acquired from Jaʿfar al-Barmakī. Hīlānah is an Arabized form of Helena. Hind bint al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir  (d. ca. 22/643) daughter of the last king of Ḥīrah, retired to a convent. Ḥīrah  ancient and wealthy city in Iraq just south of present-day Kufa. It was the capital of the Lakhmid kings and the center of Christianity in preIslamic Iraq. Hishām ibn ʿAbd al-Malik  (71–125/691–743) tenth Umayyad caliph, capable ruler and strict administrator. Hishām ibn Muʿāwiyah al-Ḍarīr al-Naḥwī  (d. 209/824) from Kufa, al-Maʾmūn’s grammar teacher. al-Hudāhidī  (fl. late third/ninth century) possibly the owner of a slave girl called Sharwīn in Baghdad. Ḥulwān  town just south of Cairo. al-Ḥumaymah  village some thirty-seven miles (sixty kilometers) north of Aqaba, home of the Abbasids before they established their caliphate in Baghdad. Ḥusayn the Eunuch  (early third/ninth century) trusted attendant of al-Rashīd, al-Amīn, and al-Maʾmūn. al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk  (155–250/772–864) poet and profligate from Basra who frequented caliphal courts from al-Rashīd on and was known especially for his wine poetry. al-Ḥusayn ibn Muṣʿab  (d. 198/814) father of Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn, ruler of Būshang, a small principality in Khurasan. Ibn ʿAbbās, ʿAbdallāh  (d. 68/688) cousin of the Prophet, grandfather of the first Abbasids, leading early transmitter of Muslim traditions. Ibn Abī Fanan, Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Aḥmad  (d. between 260/874 and 269/883) state scribe and respected poet in Baghdad. Ibn Abī Ṭālib al-Makfūf al-Wāṣitī  (fl. early third/ninth century) poet, possibly author of poetry on the siege of Baghdad by al-Maʾmūn.

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Ibn al-Anbārī, Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim  (271–327/885–939) grammarian and lexicographer in Baghdad, famous for his amazing memory. Ibn al-Aʿrābī, Abū ʿAbdallāh Muḥammad  (150–230/767–845) Kufan philologist, later in Baghdad and Samarra, authority on poetry, genealogies, grammar, and lexicography. Ibn ʿĀṣim al-Mawqifī al-Miṣrī, Muḥammad  (fl. late third/ninth century) poet and probably state scribe. Ibn Badr  (fl. third/ninth century) contemporary of Abū l-ʿAynāʾ. Ibn Bisṭām, Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad  (fl. late third/ninth and early fourth/tenth centuries) administrator and tax collector in Egypt. Ibn Dihqānah al-Hāshimī, Muḥammad ibn ʿUmar  (d. 278/891) governor of Basra and court companion. Ibn Faraj al-Taghlibī  (early third/ninth century) possibly a singer and transmitter of anecdotes. Ibn Ḥabīb, Muḥammad  (d. 246/860) Baghdadi transmitter of poetry, scholar of history and genealogy. Ibn al-Ḥafsī  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) court singer and companion of al-Mutawakkil. Ibn Ḥamdūn, Abū ʿAbdallāh Aḥmad  (d. 254/868) poet and member of the Banū Ḥamdūn family of courtiers. He was a companion of caliphs from al-Mutawakkil to al-Muʿtamid. Ibn Ḥamdūn, Abū Muḥammad ʿAbdallāh ibn Aḥmad  (fl. late third/ninth century) son of the above, court companion of the caliphs from al-Mutawakkil to al-Muʿtaḍid. Ibn Jaddān  (late third/ninth century?) obscure transmitter of historical accounts. Ibn Jahshiyār, Abū l-Ḥasan ʿAlī  (late third/ninth century) chamberlain of al-Muwaffaq. Ibn Jamhūr, Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥusayn al-ʿAmmī  (d. 210/825) man of letters and transmitter of traditions in Basra. Ibn Khurdādhbih, ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh  (d. 229/844) administrator, geographer, and courtier. Son of ʿAbdallāh ibn Khurdādhbih. Ibn al-Makkī, Aḥmad ibn Yaḥyā  (d. 248/862) son of a famous singer, court musician from the time of al-Maʾmūn on. Ibn al-Māriqī, ʿAlī  (fl. third/ninth century) singer at court under al-Mutawakkil and earlier.

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Ibn al-Mudabbir, Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad  (d. 269/883) state scribe, fiscal administrator, and man of letters. Ibn al-Muʿtazz, ʿAbdallāh  (247–95/861–908) Abbasid prince, poet, musician, patron, author of books on poetry and criticism. Caliph for a day, he was killed in the struggles over the succession to the caliphate. Ibn al-Qaṣṣār, Sulaymān ibn ʿAlī  (d. ca. 255/869) singer and lutenist at court from al-Muʿtaṣim’s reign on. Ibn Qudāmah, Jaʿfar  (d. ca. 319/931) state scribe, man of letters, and poet, member of Ibn al-Muʿtazz’s circle. Ibn al-Rūmī, ʿAlī ibn al-ʿAbbās  (221–83/836–96) a leading poet of his time who excelled in many genres. He lived in Baghdad but was never a court poet. Ibn al-Sarī ibn al-Ḥakam, ʿUbaydallāh  (d. 251/865) governor of Egypt 206– 11/822–26. He sought to make himself independent by withholding taxes from the caliph in Baghdad and was ousted by ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir. Ibn Sīrīn, Abū Bakr Muḥammad  (33–110/654–728) transmitter of traditions, renowned for his piety, and author of a book of interpretation of dreams. Ibn Tarkhān  (early third/ninth century) slave trader, probably in Baghdad, specializing in singing girls. Ibn Thawābah, Abū l-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad  (d. 272/886 or 277/890) state secretary, assistant to viziers, talented stylist and poet, socially inept. Ibn al-Zanbaqī  (d. after 384/994) Egyptian poet. Ibrāhīm ibn al-ʿAbbās al-Ṣūlī  (178–243/792–857) state scribe and highly regarded poet, official and courtier under several caliphs from al-Maʾmūn onward. Ibrāhīm ibn Abī ʿUbays  (fl. late third/ninth century) probably member of the Banū Ḥamdūn family, fine singer. Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mahdī  (162–224/779–839) prince, singer, composer, and poet. Briefly counter-caliph when his nephew al-Maʾmūn was in Marw, then resigned, and was later pardoned. Subsequently concentrated on musical activities. Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mudabbir  see Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Mudabbir. Ibrāhīm (the Imam) ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn al-ʿAbbās (82– 131/701–49) descendant of the Prophet’s uncle, al-ʿAbbās, resident in al-Ḥumaymah, leader of the Abbasid faction until his execution by the Umayyads.

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Glossary

Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Mudabbir  (ca. 214–80/829–93) state scribe, poet, and man of letters who occupied important administrative posts and was a companion of al-Mutawakkil. Ibrāhīm ibn al-Qāsim ibn Zarzūr  (fl. early fourth/tenth century) court singer of al-Muqtadir who was a member of a family of musicians.

ʿIrfān  (fl. early third/ninth century) singer belonging originally to Shāriyah. Her name means “knowledge.” Iron Gate  on the west side of Baghdad leading to the Dujayl Road. Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm  (fl. end third/ninth century) obscure state scribe. Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm al-Mawṣilī  (150–235/767–850) the greatest musician of his time, leader of the “classical” school of performance, poet, courtier, man of letters, and author of books on music. Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Muṣʿab al-Ṭāhirī, Abū al-Ḥusayn  (d. 235/850) member of the powerful Ṭāhirid family, long-time police chief in Baghdad and the caliph’s representative there. Isḥāq ibn Murawwiḥ  (fl. late third/ninth century) courtier. Itrīb  monastery near Banhā, an important town thirty miles (forty-eight kilometers) north of Cairo. Iyād  Arab tribe that in pre-Islamic times migrated from the Hijaz to Iraq. Iyās ibn Shuraḥbīl  (fl. mid-first/seventh century) son of a commander of the Arab armies that conquered Syria; companion of Muʿāwiyah. Jabalah ibn al-Ayham al-Ghassānī  (d. 24/645) last of the Ghassānid rulers in Syria, allies of the Byzantines and twice defeated by Muslim armies. Jabhān al-Shī ʿī  (fl. late second/eighth century) notable in Khurasan. Jacobites  members of the Syrian Orthodox (pre-Chalcedonian) Church. Jaʿfar ibn Yaḥyā al-Barmakī  (d. 187/803) member of the Barmakid family, minister and close friend of al-Rashīd for ten years before al-Rashīd had him executed. al-Jaʿfari Palace  built by al-Mutawakkil in 245–47/859–61 at the north end of Samarra. It is the largest palace ever built in the Islamic world (521 acres or 211 hectares). al-Jāḥiẓ, ʿAmr ibn Baḥr Abū ʿUthmān  (159–272/776–868) major prose writer, author of works of literature, theology, and religious-political polemics. Jaḥẓah al-Barmakī  (ca. 224–324/839–936) member of the Barmakid family of ministers. Poet, musician, and court companion. al-Jallūdī, ʿĪsā ibn Yazīd  (fl. early third/ninth century) one of al-Maʾmūn’s commanders, he succeeded ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir as governor of Egypt.

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al-Jammāsh  (fl. third/ninth century) obscure poet in Baghdad. Jarīr ibn ʿAṭiyyah  (ca. 32–111/653–729) famous poet of Bedouin origin, author of panegyrics and love poetry, renowned for his flytings with al-Farazdaq. Jarjūth  unidentified place near Quṭrabbul. Jawsaq Palace  one of the two principal palaces at Samarra, it was the residence of the caliphs and their families. Jazīrah  area between the Euphrates and the Tigris, in present-day northern Iraq, northeastern Syria, and southeastern Turkey. Jazīrat Ibn ʿUmar  town in southeastern Turkey, known today as Cizre. Kalwādhā  township on the eastern bank of the Tigris just south of Baghdad. Karkh  large suburb and commercial area to the south of the Round City of Baghdad. Karkhāyā Canal  branching off from the ʿĪsā Canal (called “great” in the text), which is a tributary of the Euphrates. A major waterway, it flowed through the western quarter of Karkh and rejoined the ʿĪsā Canal to flow into the Tigris. Kashkar  town opposite Wāsiṭ on the Tigris, seat of the senior bishopric of the Church of the East. Kaysūm  village in the upper Euphrates region, southwest of Adıyaman. al-Khabbāz al-Baladī, Abū Bakr Muḥammad  (fl. fourth/tenth century) noted poet from Balad. Khālid ibn al-Walīd  (d. 21/642) converted to Islam before the conquest of Mecca, commander during the early Muslim conquests who led armies in Iraq and Syria. Khālid al-Kātib  (d. ca. 262/876) state scribe from Baghdad and companion of leading officials. The author mainly of brief poems of love and longing, he finally lost his mind. Khansāʾ  (fl. ninth century) singer and poet. The name means “snub-nosed.” Kharijites  various separatist groups in early Islamic history who believed that anyone could rule the Muslim community if he held the right beliefs and behaved piously, and who attacked the ruling establishment as unbelievers. al-Khawarnaq and al-Sadīr  two magnificent palaces built by the Arab king of Ḥīrah around ad 400. Khosroes  (Ar. Kisrā) generic term for Sassanian rulers, symbols of Persian high culture. al-Khujistānī, Aḥmad ibn ʿAbdallāh  (d. 268/882) military commander in Khurasan, briefly ruler of Nīshāpūr.

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Khuld Palace  caliphal palace built by al-Manṣūr in 158/775 to the northeast of the Round City of Baghdad. The name refers to the Eternal (khuld) Paradise mentioned in Q Furqān 25:15. Khurasan  region that includes today’s northeastern Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of central Asia. Kinānah, Banū  tribe originally from the region south of Mecca. Kulthūm ibn Thābit ibn Abī Saʿd  (fl. early third/ninth century) head of the postal and intelligence service in Khurasan, originally from the Marw oasis. Kurdiyyah  singer belonging to Muḥammad ibn Rajāʾ. Her name means “Kurdish girl.” Kushājim, Abū l-Fatḥ Maḥmūd  (d. ca. 359/970) poet and man of letters at the Ḥamdānid courts of Mosul and Aleppo, a founder of the genre of nature poetry. Lākahkīfī  (fl. early tenth century) obscure singer. Lakhmids  Arab dynasty that ruled in Ḥīrah from about ad 300 to 602, often allied with the Sassanian kings against the Byzantines. al-Lubbādī, Abū Bakr Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad  (fl. late third/ninth century) poet and eccentric in northwestern Iran. al-Madāʾinī, ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad ibn Abī Sayf  (d. ca. 228/843) important early compiler of historical and literary traditions who worked in Baghdad. Mahdī Canal  one of the main canals watering northeastern Baghdad. Maḥmūd ibn Ḥasan al-Warrāq  (d. ca. 230/845) courtier, known for admonitory and gnomic poetry. al-Maʾmūn, ʿAbdallāh  (169–218/786–833) seventh Abbasid caliph. Declared second successor by Hārūn al-Rashīd after his brother al-Amīn, he defeated al-Amīn in a civil war and was proclaimed caliph in 196/812. A patron of poets and scholars, he encouraged the translation movement. Manichaean  pertaining to the religion of Mānī, a third-century ad Iranian prophet whose extreme dualistic views about the struggle between the two principles of good and evil (Manichaeism) spread widely in western and central Asia as far as China. Mār Sirjisān  monastery near Wāsiṭ, possibly dedicated to Saints Sarjīs (Sergius) and Bākhūs (Bacchus) (known as the two Sergiuses), warrior martyrs whose names are often linked. Marājil  (fl. late second/eighth century) slave of al-Rashīd and mother of al-Maʾmūn. The name means “Yemeni brocades.”

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Mārī, Mār  (d. ca. ad 121) disciple of Addai (Thaddeus/Judas), one of the apostles mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (1:13). The two are regarded in the Syriac tradition as the evangelizers of Edessa and Iraq. Māridah  (fl. late second/eighth century) slave girl belonging to al-Rashīd. The name means “rebellious.” Marwān ibn Abī Ḥafṣah al-Aṣghar ibn Abī al-Janūb  (d. after 247/861) panegyrist of caliphs from al-Maʾmūn to al-Mutawakkil and author of lampoons. Marwān ibn Jabghūyah  (fl. early third/ninth century) state scribe of central Asian origin. Marwānids  branch of the Umayyad family descended from Marwān ibn al-Ḥakam. Maṣābīḥ  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) singing girl belonging to al-Aḥdab. The name means “lamps.” Masdūd, Abū ʿAlī al-Ḥasan  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) singer and famous player of the pandore. “Masdūd” is a nickname meaning “blocked nose.” Masrūr al-Balkhī  (d. 280/893) senior military officer, leading armies against Yaʿqūb ibn al-Layth and the Zanj. Masrūr al-Muʿtaṣimī  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) servant acquired by al-Muʿtaṣim. His name means “delighted.” Maṭīrah  a pleasure ground south of Samarra, first laid out by al-Maʾmūn. Mayyāfāriqīn  town east of Diyarbakir in eastern Anatolia, known today as Silvan. Maymūn ibn Ḥammād  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) unidentified man of letters. Maymūn ibn Ibrāhīm  (late third/ninth century) from the Mādharāʾ ī family of state secretaries, employed in the land tax department under ʿUbaydallāh ibn Sulaymān and as head of the postal-cum-intelligence service. Mazrafah  large village some ten miles (sixteen kilometers) north of Baghdad on the west bank of the Tigris. Melkite  (in this period) Christians accepting the Council of Chalcedon (ad 451). Moqattam Hills  range of hills located in southeast Cairo. Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān  (d. 60/680) first caliph of the Umayyad dynasty. A member of this powerful clan of the Prophet’s tribe, Quraysh, he converted to Islam in 8/630 and played a leading role in the conquest of Syria. Governor of Syria for the caliphs ʿUmar and ʿUthmān, he sought to avenge

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the latter’s murder and clashed with ʿAlī. In 40/660 he established himself in Damascus as leader of the Muslim community. Mufliḥ al-Turkī, Abū Isḥāq  (d. 257/871) commander of al-Muʿtamid’s army, killed fighting the Zanj. al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah al-Thaqafī  (d. ca. 48/668) a convert to Islam in ca. 3/625. Despite many scandals, he became governor of Kufa under Muʿāwiyah in 41/661. al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ  (d. ca. 331/943) great-nephew of al-Jāḥiẓ, and a highly regarded poet. Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Hāshimī  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) poet and man of letters. Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Zayyāt  (131–233/749–848) state scribe, man of letters, and vizier of al-Muʿtaṣim and al-Wāthiq. He was executed under al-Mutawakkil. Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir  (209–53/824–67) governor of Baghdad who quelled various ʿAlid uprisings. He was a poet, and a patron of scholars and singers. Muḥammad ibn Abī l-ʿAbbās al-Ṭūsī  (fl. early third/ninth century) Khurasanian commander in al-Maʾmūn’s army, brother-in-law of Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn. Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah  (fl. early third/ninth century) state scribe and poet in the time of al-Maʾmūn. Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī  (fl. late third/ninth century) poet and state scribe known as “Aubergine.” Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh  (d. ca. 126/744) descended from the Prophet’s uncle ʿAbbās, and father of Ibrāhīm the Imam, Abu l-ʿAbbās al-Saffāḥ, and Abū Jaʿfar al-Manṣūr. Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥārith ibn Buskhunnar  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) son of a music-loving governor, he was a singer and the owner of singing girls. Muḥammad ibn Hārūn  (fl. early third/ninth century) secretary of Ḥusayn the Eunuch. Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan ibn Muṣʿab  (fl. early third/ninth century) cousin of Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn. Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim al-Bāhilī  (fl. early third/ninth century) miserly poet from Basra. He worked in Baghdad, composing poems of invective and poems preaching contentment with one’s lot. Muḥammad ibn Marwān  (d. 100/719) half brother of ʿAbd al-Malik. He was a successful general, and governor of the Jazīrah, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

456

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Muḥammad ibn al-Muʾammil al-Ṭāʾī  (fl. late second/eighth century) friend of Abū l-ʿAtāhiyah. Muḥammad ibn Mukarram  (fl. third/ninth century) sparring partner of the wit Abū l-ʿAynāʾ. Muḥammad ibn Rajāʾ  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) army commander. He took part in the campaign against the Byzantines in 248/862 and was governor of Basra in 254/868. Muḥammad ibn Rāshid  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) court companion of al-Muʿtaṣim and executioner. Muḥammad ibn al-Sarī al-Sarrāj Abū Bakr  (d. 316/928) important grammarian, applying the rules of logic to grammar. Muḥammad ibn Ṭāhir ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir  (d. 297/910) governor of Khurasan. Driven out by Yaʿqūb ibn al-Layth, he was subsequently appointed governor of Baghdad, replacing his uncle ʿUbaydallāh ibn

ʿAbdallāh. Muḥammad ibn ʿUbaydallāh ibn Yaḥyā ibn Khāqān see ʿUbaydallāh ibn Yaḥyā ibn Khāqān. Muḥammad ibn ʿUmar  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) falconer and court companion of al-Mutawakkil. Muḥammadiyyah  village also known as Ītākhiyyah on the east bank of the Tigris north of Balashkur. Muḥawwal  suburb on the western side of Baghdad. al-Muhtadī, Muḥammad ibn Hārūn al-Wāthiq  (d. 256/870) fourteenth Abbasid caliph. He succeeded in 255/869 and instituted a pious style of life, but fell victim to the intrigues and discontent of Turkish soldiers. Muʿizz al-Dawlah  see Aḥmad ibn Buwayh. Mukhāriq ibn Yaḥyā  (d. 230/845) leading singer trained by Ibrāhīm al-Mawṣilī, famed for his beautiful voice. al-Muktafī, Abū Aḥmad ʿAlī  (263–96/877–908) seventeenth Abbasid caliph. Succeeded 289/902. A cultured ruler and patron of poets, he continued his father al-Muʿtaḍid’s policy of restoring Abbasid power. al-Mundhir ibn al-Nuʿmān (d. ad 554) also known as al-Mundhir ibn Māʾ al-Samāʾ, king of al-Hīrah during the first half of the sixth century. He was succeeded by his three sons. Munʿim  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) singer whose name means “benefactor.” al-Muntaṣir bi-llāh, Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad  (222–48/837–62) eleventh Abbasid caliph.

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Mūsā ibn ʿAbd al-Malik  (d. 245/859) official in charge of the land-tax office under al-Mutawakkil. Mūsā ibn Bughā  (d. 263/877) son of a Turkish general of al-Muʿtaṣim, close associate of al-Muwaffaq. He was the most powerful general from 256/870 until his death. Mūsā ibn Ṣāliḥ ibn Shaykh  (d. 256/870) poet, man of letters, companion of Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm al-Ṭāhirī. Muṣʿab ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Baṣrī  (fl. third/ninth century) state scribe, bookseller, and libertine poet. al-Mustaʿīn bi-llāh, Aḥmad  (d. 252/866) twelfth Abbasid caliph. Chosen by Turkish commanders to succeed al-Muntaṣir in 248/862, he abdicated in favor of al-Muʿtazz in 251/866 and was murdered shortly after. al-Muʿtaḍid bi-llāh, Abū l-ʿAbbās Aḥmad  (243–89/857–902) sixteenth Abbasid caliph. Son of al-Muwaffaq, he succeeded in 279/892. al-Muʿtamid ʿalā Allāh, Abū l-ʿAbbās Aḥmad  (ca. 229–79/843–92; succeeded 256/870) fifteenth Abbasid caliph. He served mainly as a figurehead for his brother al-Muwaffaq, the regent. al-Muʿtaṣim bi-llāh, Muḥammad  (ca. 191–227/807–42; succeeded 218/833) eighth Abbasid caliph. Before becoming caliph, he governed Egypt for his brother al-Maʾmūn. He organized campaigns against rebels and the Byzantines, founded Samarra, and continued al-Maʾmūn’s support for the doctrine of the created Qurʾan. al-Mutawakkil ʿalā Allāh, Jaʿfar  (207–47/822–61; succeeded 233/847) tenth Abbasid caliph. Hostile to the Shi ʿah, he was inclined to unrefined extravagance. He sought to break the power of the Turkish military and was murdered by Turkish soldiers. Mutayyam al-Hishāmiyyah  (fl. early third/ninth century) concubine of ʿAlī ibn Hishām, singer and composer. The name means “enthralled by love.” al-Muʿtazz, Abū ʿAbdallāh Muḥammad  (231–55/845–69; succeeded 252/866) thirteenth Abbasid caliph. Unable to master events in Baghdad and Samarra, he was deposed and killed. Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās  (d. 169/785) Kufan poet and libertine, companion of princes, who composed wine songs and poems in other genres in both refined and vulgar styles. al-Muwaffaq, Abū Aḥmad Ṭalḥah  (227–78/842–91) brother of al-Muʿtamid, he ruled as his regent and started the restoration of Abbasid power, defeating the Ṣaffārid Yaʿqūb ibn al-Layth and the Zanj.

458

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al-Nābighah al-Dhubyānī  (fl. end sixth century ad) leading poet of Bedouin origin in the pre-Islamic period, he composed memorable panegyrics of al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir. Nadmān  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) singer in Samarra. Her name means “regretful.” Najaf  town five and a half miles (nine kilometers) from Kufa, the site of ʿAlī’s shrine and presently a major pilgrimage destination and center of Shi ʿi learning. Najāḥ ibn Salamah  (d. 246/860) powerful state scribe in charge of the Bureau of Registering and Supervising Government Officials. He fell from favor and was put to death under al-Mutawakkil. al-Nājim Abū ʿUthmān Saʿd ibn al-Ḥasan  (d. 314/926) friend of Ibn al-Rūmī and transmitter of his poetry. Najlah  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) singer in Samarra. Her name means “wide-eyed.” al-Nāshiʾ al-Akbar ʿAbdallāh  (d. 292/905) poet and scholar from al-Anbār who worked in Baghdad and Cairo. Naṣr ibn Shabath al-ʿUqaylī  (fl. 196–201/811–25) leader of a tribal revolt in northern Iraq, northeastern Syria, and southern Anatolia during the civil war between al-Amīn and al-Maʾmūn. He was defeated by ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir. Nauruz  festival of Iranian origin to celebrate the solar New Year on March 21. Nawbahār Monastery  Manichaean monastery in Balkh. Nestorians  name often used for the members of the Church of the East, mistakenly believed to follow teachings about Christ’s natures ascribed to the fifth-century bishop Nestorius. Nuʿm  (fl. early third/ninth century) singing girl belonging to al-Maʾmūn. The name means “prosperity.” al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir  (r. ca. ad 580–602) member of the Lakhmid dynasty, last king of Ḥīrah. al-Numayrī, Abū l-Ṭayyib Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim  (fl. third/ninth century) well-born poet and friend of Ibn al-Muʿtazz. Qabīḥah  (d. 254/868) Byzantine slave of al-Mutawakkil, mother of al-Muʿtazz. She was famous for her beauty, hence her apotropaic nickname meaning “ugly.” Qabīṣah  village near Samarra.

459

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Qādisiyyah  village near Samarra. Not the same as Qādisiyyah south of Baghdad, where the Persian army was defeated by the Muslims in 15/636. Qalam al-Ṣāliḥiyyah  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) owned by a high official, bought by al-Wāthiq. Singer and composer. Her name means “reed.” al-Qāsim ibn ʿUbaydallāh  (258–91/872–904) son of ʿUbaydallāh ibn Sulaymān ibn Wahb, vizier of al-Muʿtaḍid and al-Muktafī. Qāsim ibn Zarzūr  (d. 297/909 at a great age) court singer and flautist under al-Muʿtamid and al-Muʿtaḍid. Qaṣr see ʿAlth. Qāṭūl  canal dug by Khusraw Anūshirwān (mid-sixth century) near Samar. Quraysh, Banū  the tribe to which the Prophet Muḥammad belonged. Subsequently, rulers of the Muslim community, including the Umayyads, Abbasids, and Fatimids, belonged to this tribe. Qurrah ibn Sharīk  (d. 97/715) tribal noble related to al-Walīd ibn ʿAbd al-Malik and effective governor of Egypt. Qūṭā, Mār  (late sixth century ad) tree-dwelling saint from Mayyāfāriqīn. Quṭrabbul  area famed for its vineyards to the west of the Tigris and north of the Round City of Baghdad. Rabī ʿah al-Asadī al-Raqqī  (d. 199/814) blind poet from Raqqa, panegyrist and courtier of al-Mahdī and al-Rashīd. al-Rāḍī bi-llāh, ʿAbdallāh  (d. 329/940) twentieth Abbasid caliph, succeeded 320/932. al-Rāfiqah  garrison town beside Raqqa established by Abū Jaʿfar al-Manṣūr as his capital before he founded Baghdad. Rāshid  (fl. late third/ninth century) freedman and general of al-Muwaffaq. al-Rashīd, Hārūn ibn al-Mahdī  (146–94/763–809; succeeded 170/786) fifth Abbasid caliph. At first, he left administration to the Barmakids, but after their fall he took over the government. He divided his empire between his sons al-Amīn and al-Maʾmūn. He was a patron of poets, writers, scholars, and singers. Rayy  important ancient city, close to modern-day Tehran. Rayyiq  (early third/ninth century) prominent singer taught by Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mahdī, whose style she propagated. She had vast knowledge of his repertoire. Ruqayyah bint al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabī ʿ  (fl. early third/ninth century) daughter of al-Rashīd’s and al-Amīn’s vizier al-Faḍl. She was the owner of singing girls.

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Ṣabbāʿī, Shimʿūn bar (d.  ad 339) martyred during the persecution of the Christians by the Sassanian emperor Shapur II. Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ  (d. ca. 256/870) companion of the Prophet, commander of the Arab armies during the conquest of Iraq. Saʿd ibn Ibrāhīm  (fl. third/ninth century) state scribe. al-Sadīr  castle by Ḥīrah said to have been built by the Persians, a symbol of Lakhmid power. Ṣāʿid ibn Makhlad  (d. 276/889) convert to Islam from Nestorian Christianity, he was the chief minister to al-Muʿtamid and al-Muwaffaq in 265/878, fell from power in 272/885, and died in prison. Saʿīd ibn Masʿūd al-Quṭrabbulī  (fl. early third/ninth century) scribe working for the Nūshajānī family, notables from eastern Khurasan. Saʿīd ibn Yūsuf  (fl. late third/ninth century) secretary of al-Muʿtamid’s son. Saʿīd al-Rasḥ (?)  (fl. third/ninth century) secretary employed by Aḥmad ibn al-Mudabbir. Ṣāliḥ ibn Mūsā  (probably third/ninth century) Egyptian poet. Ṣāliḥ ibn al-Rashīd  (fl. early third/ninth century) brother of al-Amīn. He governed Egypt for his half brother al-Maʾmūn and tried to reconcile him with al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk. Ṣāliḥ the Tambourine Player  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) instrumentalist. Ṣāliḥiyyah  quarter of Baghdad. Possibly the concession originally belonging to Ṣāliḥ, a son of al-Manṣūr. Salīṭ  (fl. early second/eighth century) putative son of ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās. Sallām ibn Ghālib ibn Shammās  (fl. late second/eighth century) friend of Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās. Salmak  (fl. early third/ninth century) Persian singer from Rayy. Samālū Monastery  occupied extensive grounds in the Shammāsiyyah quarter. Samālū, a town on the Armenian frontier, was captured by al-Rashīd and its inhabitants were transported to Baghdad. The monastery took the name of their hometown. Samarra  city on the east bank of the Tigris sixty-two miles (one hundred kilometers) north of Baghdad, founded by al-Muʿtaṣim in 221/836 as a new capital. In 279/892 the capital returned to Baghdad. al-Ṣanawbarī, Abū Bakr Aḥmad  (ca. 273–334/886–945) poet at the court of Sayf al-Dawlah in Aleppo, famous for his poetry on nature and gardens in a mannerist style.

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Sarāb  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) singer in Samarra. Her name means “mirage.” Saṭīḥ ibn Rabī ʿah  legendary pre-Islamic diviner, whose name is connected with prophecies of the coming of Islam. Shadhr  (fl. late second/eighth century) slave girl belonging to al-Rashīd, mother of Umm Abīhā. Her name means “vivacity.” al-Shāh ibn Mīkāl  (fl. late third/ninth century) general and governor serving the Ṭāhirids. Shājī  (fl. ninth century) gifted singer and composer, and beloved wife of

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir. Her name means “heartrending.” Shajw  (fl. late second/eighth century) one of a trio of slave girls belonging to al-Rashīd, her name means “emotion.” Her companions were Ḍiyāʾ (“brightness”) and Khunth (“softness”). Shammāsiyyah  quarter in northeast Baghdad. The name derives from shammās (deacon). The quarter was originally home to several monasteries, the most important of which were Durmālis and Samālū. Shamʿūn, Mār (Saint Simeon)  (fl. end sixth and early seventh century ad) monk and founder of the monastery of Sinn of the Church of the East, which was also the seat of a bishopric. Shapur  name of three Sassanian emperors, one of the third century and two of the fourth century. Probably Shapur II the Great (ad 309–79) is meant. Sharāh  mountainous region southwest of Amman. Shāriyah  (fl. early third/ninth century) singer, trained by Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mahdī and adept of his style, who had many pupils. Her name means “quarrelsome.” Shihrī  a horse of mixed breed, with the sire being Arabian and the dam nonArabian. They were highly valued. Shikl  (fl. late eighth century) slave girl belonging to al-Rashīd, mother of Abū

ʿAlī ibn al-Rashīd. Her name means “coquetry.” Shimʿūn, Mār (Saint Simeon)  (fl. end sixth and early seventh centuries ad) monk and founder of the monastery of Sinn of the Church of the East, which was also the seat of a bishopric. Shujāʿ  slave girl from Khwārizm (a large oasis lying between modern Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan), mother of al-Mutawakkil. Her name means “courage” but also “snake.” Shurāʿah ibn al-Zandabūdh  (fl. late second/eighth century) Kufan libertine. Siʿird  town in eastern Turkey southwest of Lake Van, known today as Siirt.

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Sirjīs/Sirjiyūs, Mār (Saint Sergius)  Roman army officer martyred in the early fourth century ad in Syria when he was discovered to be Christian. Ruṣāfah (Sergiopolis), where he and his companion Bacchus were buried, was a major pilgrimage center, and many monasteries and churches were dedicated to him. Sulaymān ibn ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān  (55–99/675–717) seventh Umayyad caliph. Governor of Palestine, succeeded 97/715. Sulaymān ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir  (d. 266/879) after governing Ṭabaristān (south of the Caspian Sea), Sulaymān replaced his brother ʿUbaydallāh in 255/869 as security chief in Baghdad at a time of great turmoil and remained in that position till his death. Sulaymān ibn Muḥammad al-Umawī  (fl. late second/eighth century?) descendant of the Umayyads, libertine and poet. Sulaymān the Drummer  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) player of the hand drum (ṭabl) in Samarra. al-Ṣūlī, Abū Bakr Muḥammad  (ca. 261–335/874–946) man of letters, court companion of three caliphs, writer on court life and “modern” poets, chess master. Sūrā  city east of the Euphrates and south of Baghdad. A center of Torah studies and the site of an important Jewish academy. Taghlib, Banū  important seminomadic tribe in northern Iraq, southeastern Turkey, and eastern Syria, mainly Christian until the mid-ninth century. Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn Muṣʿab  (160–207/776–822) general of al-Maʾmūn’s army fighting al-Amīn, commander of police in Baghdad, then governor of Khurasan. Patron of poets and prose writer. Ṭāhir ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Mudrik  (fl. early third/ninth century) officer of ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir’s army in the campaign against Naṣr ibn Shabath and later in Tabaristān. Ṭalḥah ibn ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿUthmān  (d. 35/656) Companion of the Prophet who was killed fighting against ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib at the Battle of the Camel. Tamīm ibn al-Muʿizz al-Fāṭimī  (336–74/948–84 or ’85) eldest son of the caliph al-Muʿizz li-Dīn Allāh. He was a poet and man of letters. Tanḥūm  (fl. early ninth century) Jewish tavern keeper in Ḥīrah. Thaqīf  tribe sometimes considered as part of the Ḥawāzin confederation settled round Ṭā’if south of Mecca. al-Tharwānī, Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān  (fl. third/ninth century) obscure libertine poet.

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Tibr  (fl. third/ninth century) slave girl belonging to Abū l-Shibl. Her name means “gold.” Tuffāḥ  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) instrumentalist at court. His name means “apples.” al-Ṭūlūnī  two villages, Lesser and Greater, on the east bank of the Tigris, probably estates of Aḥmad ibn Ṭūlūn, who established himself as ruler of Egypt in 258/872. Tūmā, Mār (Saint Thomas)  one of the Twelve Apostles, believed to have evangelized the Parthians and even to have reached India. He is particularly venerated in the Church of the East. Turkiyyah  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) singer owned by Umm Jaʿfar, al-Mutawakkil’s mother. Her name means “Turkish girl.”

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir  (223–300/838–913) son of ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir, police chief in Baghdad, highly cultivated patron, author, poet, and musician.

ʿUbaydallāh ibn Sulaymān ibn Wahb  (225–88/840–901) son of a vizier and himself vizier under al-Muʿtamid and al-Muʿtaḍid. ʿUbaydallāh ibn Yaḥyā ibn Khāqān Abū l-Ḥasan  (d. 263/877) served as vizier of al-Mutawakkil and al-Muʿtamid. ʿUbbādah  (d. ca. 250/864) homosexual court entertainer and buffoon, around whom many humorous anecdotes collected. Ubullah  a town near Basra, famous for dancing girls.

ʿUkbarā  a town between Baghdad and Samarra on the west bank of the Tigris. ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Marwān  (ca. 60–101/680–720) eighth Umayyad caliph. He was previously governor of Hijaz and is remembered as a model of piety.

ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb  (d. 23/644) Companion of the Prophet, second of the rightly guided caliphs, succeeded 13/634. He is regarded in Sunni tradition as the model of a just ruler and paragon of virtues. Umayyads  first Muslim dynasty, ruling from Damascus 40–132/660–750. They were overthrown by the Abbasids. Umm Abīhā  (fl. early third/ninth century) daughter of Hārūn al-Rashīd by a concubine called Shadhr. Ushmūnī  (fl. second century bc) mother of the seven Maccabean brothers. In the Eastern Churches they are all honored as martyrs. Ushmūnī is her name in Syriac.

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al-ʿUtbī, Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Muḥammad  (d. 227/842) poet and historian from Basra. He worked in Baghdad.

ʿUthmān ibn Ḥunayf al-Anṣārī  (d. after 40/660) Companion of the Prophet and governor of Basra under ʿAlī. He fought on ʿAlī’s side in the Battle of Ṣiffīn. Wālibah ibn al-Ḥubāb  (fl. late second/eighth century) poet and libertine from Kufa. Not accepted at court, he composed mainly on wine and boys. al-Walīd ibn ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān  (ca. 54–96/674–715) sixth Umayyad caliph, succeeded 86/705. al-Walīd ibn Yazīd ibn ʿAbd al-Malik  (90–126/709–744) eleventh Umayyad caliph, succeeded 125/743. He was a poet and patron of poets, famous for his dissolute lifestyle. Waṣīf  (1) (d. 253/867) Turkish slave acquired by al-Muʿtaṣim. He served as army commander and later as chamberlain to al-Wāthiq and al-Mutawakkil. He took part in al-Mutawakkil’s murder but was later killed by another Turkish faction. (2) (fl. late ninth century) Eunuch, client, and general under Yūsuf ibn Dīwdādh Abī al-Sāj in northwestern Iran and Armenia. Wāsiṭ  city in Iraq on the Tigris between Basra and Kufa, founded in 83/702. Important center of road and river communication. al-Wāthiq bi-llāh, Hārūn  (ca. 198–232/814–47, succeeded 227/842) ninth Abbasid caliph. Continued his father al-Muʿtaṣim’s policies, including support for the doctrine of the created Qurʾan. He was a composer and musician. Yaḥyā ibn Aktham  (d. 243/857) chief judge in Baghdad and counselor of al-Maʾmūn. Yaḥyā ibn Kāmil  (fl. early third/ninth century) obscure poet in Baghdad. Yaḥyā ibn Khāqān al-Khurāsānī  (fl. mid-third/ninth century) brother of al-Fatḥ ibn Khāqān, secretary of al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl, later head of the Bureau of Taxation. Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād al-Ḥārithī  (fl. mid-second/eighth century) poet from Kufa, panegyrist of early Abbasids and libertine. Yamāmah  region in the center of the Arabian Peninsula, part of what is now Nejd. Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ  (d. ca. 302/914) man of letters and grammarian, nephew of al-Jāḥiẓ.

465

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Yaʿqūb ibn al-Layth al-Ṣaffār  (225–65/840–79) led an uprising in the eastern Iranian region of Sistan, conquered much of Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, but was defeated when he invaded Iraq. al-Yazīdī, Abū Muḥammad Yaḥyā  (d. 201/817) grammarian and man of letters from Basra, he tutored al-Maʾmūn and other princes, and was the founder of a dynasty of scholar-poets. Yūnān, Mār  (fl. fourth century ad) disciple of Saint Awgīn, who lived as a hermit in the region of Anbār. Yūnus ibn Bughā  favorite of al-Muʿtazz and son of Bughā the Younger, a Turkish military leader who held power under two previous caliphs, al-Muntaṣir and al-Mustaʿīn. Yūnus ibn Mattā ( Jonah the son of Amittai)  (fl. eighth century bc) Old Testament prophet who is also venerated in Christianity and Islam. He was sent to Nineveh to prophesy about God’s punishment for its inhabitants’ wickedness. Yusr  slave at the court of al-Mutawakkil. The name means “ease” or “prosperity.” Yūsuf Abū l-Qāsim ibn Dīwdādh Abī al-Sāj  (d. 316/928) army commander of Soghdian origin. He governed Azerbaijan and northwestern Iran in 288– 306/901–19 and 310–16/922–28. Zakkā, Mār  (fl. end sixth century ad) Syrian Orthodox monk, staunch opponent of the Nestorians. Zandaward Monastery  in eastern Baghdad, south of the caliphal palaces. It took its name from the Zandaward Canal. Zanj  black slaves from East Africa working in gangs on the salt flats east of Basra under terrible conditions. In their uprising in 255–69/869–83, they controlled the main cities of southern Iraq for several years. Zanjī, Abū ʿAbdallāh Muḥammad ibn Ismāʿīl  (d. 333/945) state scribe influential in the period from al-Muʿtaḍid to al-Rāḍī. Zayd ibn Ṣāʿid  (fl. third/ninth century) obscure acquaintance of Abū l-ʿAynāʾ. Zoroastrianism  Iranian religion looking back to the prophet Zarathustra (between 1500 and 500), which in the third century ad became the state religion in Iran. It teaches that in the struggle between Ahura Mazda, the creator and good spirit, and Ahriman, the evil spirit, good will eventually win. Fire as a symbol of purity plays a major role in the rituals of Zoroastrians, who are often called “fire worshippers.”

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Zubaydah, Amat al-ʿAzīz bint Jaʿfar  (ca. 146–216/763–831) cousin and wife of al-Rashīd, mother of al-Amīn, later reconciled with al-Maʾmūn. Patron of poets, scholars, and musicians, and generous funder of public works. al-Zubayr ibn al-ʿAwwām  (d. 35/656) cousin and Companion of the Prophet, one of those seeking to avenge ʿUthmān’s murder, killed shortly after the Battle of the Camel. Zunām the Flute Player  (fl. first half third/ninth century) court musician from the reign of al-Rashīd to al-Muʿtazz. The name means “calamity.” Zurāfah  (d. ca. 252/866) one of al-Mutawakkil’s chamberlains. He was involved in his murder and died later in Cairo. Zurayqiyyah  monastery in Baghdad in the Shammāsiyyah quarter.

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ʿAwwād. 2nd ed. Baghdad: Maṭbaʿat al-Maʿārif, 1386/1966. Al-Shammākh ibn Ḍirār al-Dhubyānī. Dīwān. Edited by Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Hādī. Cairo: Dār al-Maʿārif, 1968. Sharon, Moshe. “An Arabic Inscription from the Time of the Caliph ‘Abd al-Malik.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 29 (1966): 367–72. Al-Shīrwānī, Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad. Ḥadīqat al-afrāḥ li-izāḥat al-aṭrāḥ. Bulaq: Dār al-Ṭibāʿah al-ʿĀmirah, 1228/1866. Sizgorich, Thomas. “The Dancing Martyr: Violence, Identity, and the Abbasid Postcolonial.” History of Religions 57 (2017): 2–27. Sourdel, Dominique. Le vizirate ʿAbbāside de 749 à 936 (132 à 324 de l’Hégire). Damascus: Publications de l’Institut français de Damas, 1959. Stigelbauer, Michael. Die Sängerinnen am Abbasidenhof um die Zeit des Kalifen Al-Mutawakkil: Nach dem Kitāb al-Aġānī des Abū-l-Faraǧ al-Iṣbahānī und anderen Quellen dargestellt. Vienna: Verband der wissenschaftlichen Gesellschaften Österreichs, 1975. Al-Sūdānī, Muzhir. Jaḥẓah al-Barmakī: Al-adīb al-shāʿir. Najaf: Maṭbaʿat al-Nuʿmān, 1397/1977. Al-Ṭabarī, Muḥammad ibn Jarīr. Tārīkh al-rusul wa-l-mulūk. Edited by Muḥammad Abū al-Faḍl Ibrāhīm. 11 vols. Cairo: Dār al-Maʿārif, 1960.    . The History of al-Ṭabarī. Vol. 32, The Reunification of the ʿAbbāsid Caliphate. Translated by C. E. Bosworth. New York: State University of New York Press, 1987.

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Bibliography    . The History of al-Ṭabarī. Vol. 23, Storm and Stress along the Northern Frontiers of the

ʿAbbāsid Caliphate. Translated by C. E. Bosworth. New York: State University of New York Press, 1991.    . The History of al-Ṭabarī. Vol. 34, Incipient Decline. Translated by Joel L. Kraemer. New York: State University of New York Press, 1989.    . The History of al-Ṭabarī. Vol. 35, The Crisis of the ʿAbbāsid Caliphate. Translated by George Saliba. New York: State University of New York Press, 1985. Ṭabāṭabāʾ ī, Sumayya al-Sādāt. “Gul-i surkh u bāda-yi gulgūn: Bāz-khwānī-yi abyātī az dīwān-I Abū Nuwās bar pāya-yi āyīn-i kuhan-i shādgulī” (“The Red Rose and Rose-Red Wine: A Re-Appraisal of Some Verses from the Dīwān of Abū Nuwās on the Basis of the Ancient Custom of shādgulī”). Adab-i ʿarabī 11, no. 2 (2019): 209–29. Tamari, Steve. “The Bible Came from Lebanon: Sacred Land and Worldly Delights in a Seventeenth-Century Journey to the Valley of the Prophets.” In In the House of Understanding: Histories in Memory of Kamal S. Salibi, edited by Abdul Rahim Abu Husayn, 405–21. Beirut: American University of Beirut Press, 2017. Tannous, Jack. The Making of the Medieval Middle East: Religion, Society and Simple Believers. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2018. Al-Tanūkhī, al-Muḥassin ibn ʿAlī. Stories of Piety and Prayer: Deliverance Follows Adversity. Edited and translated by Julia Bray. New York: New York University Press, 2019. Al-Tawḥīdī, Abū Ḥayyān. Al-Baṣāʾir wa-l-dhakhāʾir. Edited by Widād al-Qāḍī. 10 vols. Beirut: Dār Ṣādir, 1988. Toral-Niehoff, Isabel. Al-Ḥīra, eine arabische Kulturmetropole im spätantiken Kontext. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2014. Al-Ṭurayḥī, Muḥammad Saʿīd. Al-Diyārāt wa-l-amkinah al-naṣrāniyyah fī al-Kūfah wa-ḍawāḥīhā. Beirut: Maṭbaʿat al-Mutanabbī, 1401/1981. Al-ʿUmarī, Ibn Faḍl Allāh. Masālik al-abṣār fī mamālik al-amṣār. Edited by Aḥmad Zakī. 2 vols. Cairo: Dār al-Kutub al-Miṣriyyah, 1924. Van Gelder, Geert Jan. Sound and Sense in Classical Arabic Poetry. Wiesbaden, Germany: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2012. Winkler, Dietmar. “Terminology.” In Wilhelm Baum and Dietmar Winkler, The Church of the East: A Concise History, 3–5. London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2003. Wright, Owen. “Music and Verse.” In Arabic Literature to the End of the Umayyad Period (The Cambridge History of Arabic Literature), edited by A. F. L. Beeston et al., 433–59. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983. Yaiche, Salah. Les “livres des couvents,” un genre littéraire arabe médiéval: L’élite musulman et le couvent chrétien. Saarbrücken, Germany: Éditions universitaires européennes, 2012.

473

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Bibliography Al-Yaʿqūbī, Ibn Wāḍiḥ. The Works of Ibn Wāḍiḥ al-Ya‘qūbī. Vol. 2. Edited by Matthew S. Gordon et al. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2018. Yāqūt al-Ḥamawī. Al-Khazal wa-l-daʾl bayn al-dūr wa-l-dārāt wa-l-diyarah. Edited by Yaḥyā Zakariyyā ʿAbbādah and Muḥammad Adīb Jumrān. 2 vols. Damascus: Manshūrāt Wizārat al-Thaqāfah, 1998.    . Muʿjam al-buldān. 5 vols. Beirut: Dār Ṣādir, 1965.    . Muʿjam al-udabāʾ. Edited by Iḥsān ʿAbbās. Beirut: Dār al-Gharb al-Islāmī, 1993. Zakharia, Katia. “Le moine et l’échanson, ou le Kitāb al-diyārāt d’al-Šābuštī et ses lecteurs: Une certaine représentation du couvent chrétien dans le monde musulman médiéval.” Bulletin d’Études Orientales 53–54 (2001–02): 59–74.    . “‘Un paradis sans éternité’: Note sur la poésie et les poètes cités dans le Kitāb al-Diyārāt (Livre sur les couvents) de Šābuštī (m. 388/998).” Unpublished paper.

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Further Reading

Political and Social History Gordon, Matthew S. The Breaking of a Thousand Swords: A History of the Turkish Military of Samarra (A.H. 200–275/815/889 C.E.). Albany: State University of New York Press, 2001. Kennedy, Hugh. The Court of the Caliphs: When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World. London: Weidenfeld and Nicholson, 2004. Kennedy, Hugh. The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphs: The Islamic Near East from the Sixth to the Eleventh Century. 3rd ed. London: Routledge, 2016. Lagrange, Frédéric. “Une affaire de viol.” Tumultes 41 (2013): 61–70. Al-Qaddūmī, Ghāda al-Hijjāwī, trans. and ann. Book of Gifts and Rarities: Kitāb al-Hadāyā wa al-Tuḥaf. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1996. Robinson, Chase, ed. A Medieval Islamic City Reconsidered: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Samarra. Oxford Studies in Islamic Art 14. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. Szombathy, Zoltan. Mujūn: Libertinism in Mediaeval Muslim Society and Literature. Cambridge, UK: Gibb Memorial Trust, 2013. Toral-Niehoff, Isabel. Al-Ḥīra, eine arabische Kulturmetropole im spätantiken Kontext. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2014.

Christianity Allard, Michel. “Les Chrétiens à Baġdād.” Special issue, Arabica 9 (1962): 375–88. Baumer, Christoph. The Church of the East: An Illustrated History of Assyrian Christianity. London: I. B. Tauris, 2006. Cannuyer, Christian. Les Coptes: Fils d’Abraham. 2nd ed. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, 1996. Parry, Ken, ed. The Blackwell Companion to Eastern Christianity. Malden, MA: John Wiley, 2007. Ṣādir, Kārīn. Mawsūʿat al-adyirah al-naṣrāniyyah fī l-bilād al-mashriqiyyah ḥattā nihāyat al-ʿuṣūr al-ʿabbāsiyyah. Beirut: Dār al-Mashriq, 2018. Sélis, Claude. Les Syriens orthodoxes et catholiques: Fils d’Abraham. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, 1988.

475

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Further Reading Tannous, Jack. The Making of the Medieval Middle East: Religion, Society and Simple Believers. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2018. Thomas, David, ed. Christians at the Heart of Islamic Rule: Church Life and Scholarship in

ʿAbbasid Iraq. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2003.

Literature Bencheikh, Jamal Eddine. Poétique arabe. Paris: Gallimard, 1989. Cooperson, Michael, and Shawkat M. Toorawa, eds. Arabic Literary Culture 500–925. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2005. Dmitriev, Kirill. “The Symbolism of Wine in Early Arabic Love Poetry: Observations on the Poetry of Abū Ṣakhr al-Hudhalī.” In Insatiable Appetite: Food as Cultural Signifier in the Middle East and Beyond, edited by Kirill Dmitriev, Julia Hauser, and Bilal Orfali, 165–89. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2019. Gruendler, Beatrice. “Verse and Taxes: The Function of Poetry in Selected Literary Akhbār of the Third/Ninth Century.” In On Fiction and Adab in Medieval Arabic Literature, edited by Philip F. Kennedy, 85–124. Wiesbaden, Germany: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2005. Kennedy, Philip F. The Wine Song in Classical Arabic Poetry: Abū Nuwās and the Literary Tradition. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1997. Leder, Stefan, and Hilary Kilpatrick. “Classical Arabic Prose Literature: A Researchers’ Sketch Map.” Journal of Arabic Literature 23 (1992): 2–26. Ya’iche, Salah. Les «livres des couvents», un genre littéraire arabe médiéval: L’élite musulman et le couvent chrétien. Saarbrücken, Germany: Éditions universitaires européennes, 2012. Zakharia, Katia. “Le moine et l’échanson, ou le Kitāb al-diyārāt d’al-Šābuštī et ses lecteurs: Une certaine représentation du couvent chrétien dans le monde musulman médiéval.” Bulletin d’Études Orientales 53–54 (2001–02): 59–74.

476

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Index of Arabic Poetry

Section Poet

Lines

‫ء‬

§4.8

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

§16.5

ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Warrāq

�‫ب‬

§1.9

Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn

§2.4

Khālid al-Kātib

§2.10

Khālid al-Kātib

§2.10

Khālid al-Kātib

§4.4

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

§4.5

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

§4.7

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

§4.9

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

§6.11

Abū l-Shibl al-Burjumī

§8.2

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabīʿ

§9.4

Abū Jafnah al-Qurashī

§9.13 al-Numayrī §9.14 al-Numayrī §9.14

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

§12.4 al-Muʿtamid §12.4 al-Muʿtamid §12.5 al-Muʿtamid §12.13 al-Muʿtamid §13.8

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

§13.15

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

§13.19

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

§13.32

Ibn al-Rūmī (attributed)

§13.48 al-Maʾmūn

477

3

khafīf

9

ṭawīl

477

Rhyme

ُ‫�خَ� �ض�ْ رَ ا ء‬ � ُ‫َ��سَ ا ء‬ ‫و‬

َ‫ٱْعَ ج‬ ‫� �ل�����ا ئ�ِبَ��ا‬ ْ َ‫َ ب‬ 1 munsariḥ ‫��س��بِ��ك‬ ُ ُ ُ‫ٱْ ق‬ 4 khafīf �‫� �ل������لو ب‬ ْ َ� � 2 ṭawīl �‫�ق��لبِ�ي‬ ْ‫ٱ‬ َ� ‫�ل‬ 3 khafīf � ِ ‫�ٱ َّحبِ����ي� ب‬ ‫�ن‬ � 4 khafīf � ِ ‫� جَل���ْ�ِحي��� ب‬ ‫ن‬ 3 ṭawīl � ِ ‫َ���� ب‬ ‫�ق ض‬ 2 ṭawīl � ِ ‫َ�ا ِ���� ب‬ 3 munsariḥ � ‫�ل ِ����ع� ب‬ َ‫ٱْ ُ َِب‬ �‫وَ� �ل ك‬ 11 basīṭ ‫�ر �ا‬ َّ َ‫ت‬ 5 ṭawīl ‫���غَ�ض���� بَ���ا‬ ‫عَ ت‬ 3 ṭawīl � ِ ‫ب�ُِ��ا ِ� ب‬ ْ� 4 sarīʿ �‫��ق�ْربِ�ي‬ ْ ُ �� ‫ٱ‬ 2 ṭawīl �‫وَ� �ل���قَ ��ل� ب‬ ُ ْ َّ‫ٱ �ذ‬ 2 ṭawīl �‫� �ل� ن� ب‬ ْ ‫َق‬ � 2 mujtathth �‫��لبِ�ي‬ َ‫�ُ ْ ب‬ ْ 3 mutaqārib ‫��ت�ر��ه‬ ْ‫ٱ‬ َ‫� � ئ‬ 4 ramal �‫وَْ� �ك��ِ��ت���ابِ�ي‬ ُ ُ ْ َ‫ٱ م‬ ��� ���‫� �ل‬ 4 — �‫ح��لو ب‬ ْ‫ٱْعَ�ذ‬ 2 ṭawīl � ِ ‫� �لُ��َ ب‬ ُ ْ 1 ṭawīl �‫َوي�ن��د ب‬ ُ ‫َعَ �ز‬ 2 ṭawīl �‫�ل��ا ِ ب‬ ‫ب�ِ�ه‬ 4 kāmil ُ ُ ُِ 3 ṭawīl ‫��س ك‬ �‫�و ب‬ 3

§9.10 al-Numayrī

Meter

rajaz

Index of Arabic Poetry

Section Poet §14.13

Lines

Abū Nuwās

Meter

1

basīṭ

§15.12 al-Muʿtazz

2

kāmil

§16.3

ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Warrāq

10

ṭawīl

§21.3

Muṣʿab al-Kātib

8

ṭawīl

§22.3 al-Lubbādī

2 wāfir

§24.2

al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ

11

mutaqārib

§24.8

al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ

2

basīṭ

§26.9 al-Rashīd

4 mutaqārib

§26.10

unidentified poet

5

mutaqārib

§30.4

unidentified poet

3

sarīʿ

§33.19

Ibn Qays al-Ruqayyāt

1

khafīf

§34.6 Kushājim

4 sarīʿ

§35.4

Ibn Jamḥūr

2

basīṭ

§36.2

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

9

basīṭ

§36.5

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

6

wāfir

§36.6

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

9

mujtathth

§36.11

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

10

sarīʿ

�‫ت‬

§6.2 Jaḥẓah

3 sarīʿ

§8.7

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabīʿ

4

kāmil

§9.2

Abū Jafnah al-Qurashī

8

munsariḥ

§15.1

al-Faḍl ibn al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Maʾmūn

5

basīṭ

§17.1

unidentified poet

1

basīṭ

§21.4

Muṣʿab al-Kātib

9

wāfir

§21.10

Muṣʿab al-Kātib

10

munsariḥ

§34.4 Kushājim

6 munsariḥ

§35.8

Ibn Jamḥūr

4

kāmil

§37.2

Abū Hurayrah ibn Abī al-ʿIṣām

3

sarīʿ

§38.3

Muḥammad ibn ʿĀṣim

8

basīṭ

§40.3

Muḥammad ibn ʿĀṣim

7

basīṭ

3

ramal

�‫ث‬

§26.14 al-Rashīd

478

478

َ َّ‫ٱ �ذ‬ � � ُِ‫� ل�ْ �ه� ب‬ ُ� َ‫�م‬ �‫ك�رو ب‬ ْ َ ْ‫ٱ‬ �‫بِ�� �ل�عَ��ط� ب‬ ُ ‫َ َ �غ‬ �‫�لرا ِ� � ب‬ َ َّ‫ٱ � ن‬ � ِ ‫�أُ�ل����ص�ا ب‬ ْ � �‫ح� ب‬ ِ َ‫�ي‬ ُ‫�ْ�ج��ذ ُ��ه‬ ‫��� ِ ب‬ ْ ‫ُ ْ تَئ‬ �‫�م��ك��ِ�� ب‬ ْ َ‫ٱْعَ ج‬ �‫� �ل����� ب‬ ُ َّ ‫ٱ‬ �‫� �لرا ِ�ه� ب‬ َ‫ٱ ُ ُ ب‬ ‫� �ل ّركو�ا‬ ْ ْ� ‫ٱ‬ �‫� ل‬ �‫�غَري� ب‬ َِْ‫ٱ‬ � � َ‫ص‬ ‫ل‬ � � � ِ ‫وَ�ٱ ُّو خَ ب‬ ُ � ‫�ن‬ �‫وَ� ل���� � ب‬ َ َّ‫ٱ ث‬ � � ِ ‫� �ل�وا ب‬ ُ ْ� �‫حَر ب‬ ُ َّ ُ�� ْ‫ٱ‬ �‫� �ل���ق��ل� ب‬ Rhyme

َ ‫جَ َّ �ت‬ ‫� ن���ا �ِ �ه�ا‬ ‫َ ُ َّ ت‬ �‫ع�د وِ�ي‬ ‫أَ�ز َّ ت‬ ِ‫� ِ �مِ���ه‬ ‫َ شَ ْ َ ت‬ �‫و�����هواِ�ي‬ ْ ْ�� �‫ِ�ع���ف�ِري� ت‬ َ‫فَ عَ ْ ت‬ ‫��� ��ل��ا‬ ‫ن قْ مَ ت‬ ِ‫فَِ�������� ِ���ه‬ ‫��تَى‬ ُ‫�َق ت‬ ����‫ل��ِ��ي‬ ‫َ ُ َ فَ ت‬ � ‫ا‬ � � �‫و�م���ص�ا ِي‬ ‫ٱ � تُّ َْ�تَ ت‬ � ِ ‫ب�ِ� َ�ل�وي���� �ا‬ ‫َ نَ ت‬ � ِ ‫وع�ا �ا‬ ْ ُُ َ �‫و خ� ن��� ث‬

Index of Arabic Poetry

Section Poet

Lines

�� ‫ج‬

§2.13 Jaḥẓah

Meter

1 kāmil

§6.10

Abū l-Shibl al-Burjumī

5

munsariḥ

§33.5

Sulaymān ibn Muḥammad al-Umawī

8

munsariḥ

§7.2

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

5

kāmil

§7.8

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

12

wāfir

§11.2

Abū ʿUthmān al-Nājim

3

khafīf

§11.3

Abū ʿUthmān al-Nājim

2

mujtathth

§11.4

Abū ʿUthmān al-Nājim

3

munsariḥ

� ‫ح‬

§12.3 al-Muʿtamid

3 sarīʿ

§15.8 al-Muʿtazz

4 mutaqārib

§16.4

4

ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Warrāq

ramal

§18.2 al-Tharwānī

10 ramal

§22.2 al-Lubbādī

8 wāfir

§28.3 al-Tharwānī

4 basīṭ

§29.2

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

12

kāmil

§33.6

Abū ʿAlī al-Baṣīr

2

khafīf

§34.8 Kushājim

§2.11

Khālid al-Kātib

§2.15

Jaḥẓah (?)

7 mutaqārib

‫د‬

3

sarīʿ

2

wāfir

§3.7 al-Nāshiʾ

6 khafīf

§7.7

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

4

ṭawīl

§8.4

unidentified poet

2

ṭawīl

§9.7

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

2

khafīf

§9.7 al-Numayrī

2 khafīf

§9.9 al-Numayrī

5 khafīf

§13.5

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

8

khafīf

§13.17

Khālid al-Kātib

4

sarīʿ

§13.33

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

khafīf

§13.40

ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

5

ṭawīl

§14.1

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

2

khafīf

479

479

Rhyme

ُ ُّ َ ‫ط��سَو�ج‬ ّ‫ٱ‬ ‫وَ� �ل�د َ�ج�ع‬ ِ َ‫ج‬ ْ َ‫م‬ ‫� ن������ا‬ َ‫�صَ ح‬ �ِ ‫ح�ا �ا‬ َ �‫���ق� ي‬ ‫ح‬ ِ ‫َِر‬ ‫�م� ا‬ ‫ٱِ َل ِح‬ ‫� �ل ّ ا‬ ‫ٱرْ فَِح‬ َ� �����‫َ� �ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح‬ ِ ‫ٱ َّ ْ ر‬ �‫ب�� �لرب‬ ‫ِ ح‬ ُ َِ�‫�تَ��ْ�ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ٱ � َّ َح‬ ‫� �ل�� ص� ا‬ ‫� ل ِح‬ َ‫َ ح‬ ‫را �ا‬ َ‫ٱ‬ ‫� �ل ّ َ ا‬ ‫رو ِح‬ ِ��‫�ص‬ ِ��َ‫�ي‬ ‫ح‬ َ‫َ َ ح‬ ‫روا �ا‬ َّ َّ ‫ٱ‬ ‫� �لر �ا‬ ‫���م ِْح‬ َ َ ْ‫ٱ‬ ‫� �ل��ق���د‬ ‫بِ� ح‬ َّ َ‫ق‬ ‫�� �د ِه‬ َ‫�ؤ‬ ُ ُ‫ٱْ �ف‬ ‫� �ل�� ا د‬ َ‫ب‬ ‫� ِ�ع����ي ِ�د‬ ‫ٱ‬ ْ َ َْ ‫ك� �لور ِد‬ ْ َ‫ٱْ ع‬ ‫� �ل���ه ِ�د‬ ْ َ‫ب‬ �‫��ع ِ�د �ي‬ َّ ‫ب�ِ���� �صَ� �د‬ ْ‫ٱ‬ ‫وَ� ن���فِ��رَ ا ِد‬ ُ ‫ن‬ ‫�َ�ضِ����ي���د‬ َّ َ‫ق‬ ‫��� �د ِه‬ ُ َ‫ع‬ ‫��� ِ��مي���د‬ ‫َوا ِح ِ�د‬ ُ �‫�عودِ �ي‬

Index of Arabic Poetry

Section Poet

Lines

§21.6

Muṣʿab al-Kātib

§24.5

al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ

§28.3 al-Tharwānī

Meter

7

ṭawīl

7

mutaqārib

4 wāfir

§33.12

Muṭīʿ ibn Iyās

2

mutaqārib

§33.13

Muṭīʿ ibn Iyās

7

rajaz

§33.18

Muṭīʿ ibn Iyās

3

wāfir

§34.7 Kushājim

5 kāmil

§34.9 Kushājim

5

sarīʿ

‫�ذ‬

§18.4

unidentified poet

2

kāmil

§29.1

Abū Nuwās

4

basīṭ

§33.4

Abū Nuwās

5

basīṭ

2

khafīf

§2.12

‫ر‬

Khālid al-Kātib

§2.15 Jaḥẓah

4 mutaqārib

§6.6 al-Jammāsh

5 sarīʿ

§6.7

Abū l-Shibl al-Burjumī

8

wāfir

§6.9

Abū l-Shibl al-Burjumī

2

munsariḥ

§7.6

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

5

hazaj

§8.6

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabīʿ

2

ramal

§9.3

Abū Jafnah al-Qurashī

7

kāmil

§9.8

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

4

mujtathth

§9.8 al-Numayrī

4 ramal

§9.17

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

2

ramal

§10.2

Abū l-ʿAynāʾ

13

hazaj

§10.3

Abū ʿAlī al-Baṣīr

2

kāmil

§11.3

Abū ʿUthmān al-Nājim

3

mutaqārib

§12.6 al-Muʿtamid

1 mutaqārib

§12.13 al-Muʿtamid

5



§12.15 al-Muʿtamid

3



§13.4

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

5

ṭawīl

§13.4

unidentified poet

2

khafīf

§13.10

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

kāmil

§13.14

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

ṭawīl

480

480

ُ َ‫أَ ْر‬ ‫� �م د‬ ُ ُ ُّ ‫ٱ‬ ‫� �ل��س�عود‬ َ ْ‫ٱ‬ ‫وَ� �لو�ِعي�� ِ�د‬ ْ َ‫تَ ْت‬ ‫��ع���ِ��م�د‬ ُ َّ َ‫ح‬ ‫�� ��م�ا د‬ َ َ‫فَ غ‬ ‫�����د ا‬ ُ ْ� ‫ٱ‬ ‫ل‬ � ِ‫�ٱْ�ج ْود‬ ُ �‫� �ل����م�ه ِ�د �ي‬

Rhyme

‫نَ ف�ذ‬ �� ‫�ا‬ َ‫ِي�زَِنَ بَ �ذ‬ ‫ِط�� �ا �ا ا‬ ‫بَ غْ َ �ذ‬ ِ ‫����د ا‬ ُ ُ‫ٱ �ْ َ� ف‬ ‫�ل ك‬ ‫��ا �ور‬ ْ َ‫حَ ر‬ ‫�ا ِ�ض� ه‬ َّ ‫ٱ‬ ‫� �ل��ط�ا ِ�هِر‬ َ َ‫ب‬ ‫َو�� �ّرا‬ ُ ‫ُم‬ ‫�ِ�ج��ير‬ �� ُْ ُ‫��س‬ ‫ي� ر‬ َ َ َّ َ ‫�صور�ه�ا‬ َ ُُ ‫�ورا‬ ‫ب� ك‬

ْ َّ ‫ب����مَره‬ ْ َ َ‫ِ �ز‬

‫�إ ا ره‬ ِ َ َ‫أ‬ ‫يرا‬ ��‫� ِ��س‬ ُْ ‫�ظ��هرَ ا‬ ْ ْ‫ٱ‬ ‫�ٱ �ْ�ل�بَ���صَر‬ َ‫قَ م‬ �‫� �ل������� �ا ِر�ي‬ َ ُُ ‫��سر ورا‬ ْ � ْ‫�ٱْل أَ�ز‬ ‫� هَر‬ ْ ‫ت‬ ‫و��ك��سر‬ ْ َ‫�ق‬ ‫�� ب��ر‬ َ َ‫� ِي‬ ‫حَ�����ا ر�ى‬ ُ َ ْ‫ُ ق‬ ‫ي������د ر‬ ْ ُ َّ ‫ٱ‬ ‫وَ� �ل���ص ب��ر‬

Index of Arabic Poetry

Section Poet

Lines

§13.15

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

§13.24 §13.24 §13.29 §13.30

Meter

2

ṭawīl

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

3

ṭawīl

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

ṭawīl

Ibn Abī Fanan

8

kāmil

Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

4

basīṭ

§13.34 al-Muʿtazz

2

khafīf

§13.40

ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

kāmil

§13.41

ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

5

sarīʿ

§13.45

ʿAwf ibn Muḥallim al-Khuzāʿī

1

basīṭ

§18.4 al-Maʾmūn

4 hazaj

§19.3

Abū Shās Munīr

6

munsariḥ

§21.8

Muṣʿab al-Kātib

9

basīṭ

§21.9

Muṣʿab al-Kātib

5

mutaqārib

§22.5 al-Lubbādī

10 mutaqārib

§24.8

al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ

2

khafīf

§24.9

al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ

3

khafīf

§24.10

Abū Umayyah al-Aṣamm

2

ṭawīl

§28.1 al-Tharwānī

7 munsariḥ

§33.2

Muṭīʿ ibn Iyās

3

wāfir

§33.3

Muṭīʿ ibn Iyās/Abū ʿAlī al-Baṣīr

9

hazaj

§33.11

Muṭīʿ ibn Iyās

2

wāfir

§34.1

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

4

sarīʿ

§34.2 Kushājim

13 khafīf

§34.5 Kushājim

7 ṭawīl

§35.3

Ibn Jamhūr

2

ṭawīl

§36.7

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

2

mujtathth

§36.8

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

3

ṭawīl

§36.10

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

1

sarīʿ

§37.3

Muḥammad ibn ʿĀṣim

27

khafīf

§38.2

Muḥammad ibn ʿĀṣim

6

kāmil

§38.5

Ibn al-ʿAbbās al-Baṣrī

9

sarīʿ

§38.7

Ṣāliḥ ibn Mūsā

15

kāmil

§39.3

Ibn al-ʿAbbās al-Baṣrī

12

mutaqārib

§40.2

Muḥammad ibn ʿĀṣim

4

khafīf

§49.2

Muḥammad ibn ʿĀṣim

3

basīṭ

481

481

َ‫ٱْ مَ ق‬ ‫� �ل�َ�������ابِ�ِر‬ ُ ‫�ٱ �ل ّ�د ْ�ه‬ ‫ر‬ ُ ْ‫ٱ �ْ ُ�ذ‬ ‫وَْ� لَ�ع� ر‬ ‫ٱ أ‬ ��‫� ل��م‬ ‫ير‬ ِِ ��َ‫�ب‬ �‫صَر�ي‬ ِ ُ�ْ‫ٱ‬ ُ����‫� �ل��ق‬ ‫بو ِر‬ ُ َ‫ٱْب‬ ‫�ٱ ��ل��اّ ِ�هر‬ َ‫شَ ْ ر‬ ‫� �ل���َ�ع �ى‬ ّ‫ٱ‬ ������‫َ� � �ظل‬ ‫فَر‬ ِ َ َ‫ٱوْ م‬ ��‫� �ل�����ق���ا ص‬ ‫ير‬ ِ �ِ َ‫ُع‬ ُ ‫�ي��ا ر‬ َ َ ‫د ا را‬ ْ ‫�ظَ��هره‬ ْ َ‫ُ ْ تَِنِْظ ر‬ ‫�م��س��� ِ��� ه‬ َ َْ‫ٱْ أ‬ ‫� ل� ب�َ���ص�ا ِر‬ ّ�ُّ‫ٱ �ز‬ ‫� �ل ��ن�ا ِر‬ ْ َ‫ٱْ غ‬ ‫� �ل���د ِر‬ ُْ ‫م‬ � ���َ‫�خ��ت‬ ‫صَر‬ ِ ّ ْ َ َ‫ٱ تَ ج‬ ‫� �ل������ا ره‬ َ َُ ‫وَ�ز ّوا را‬ ُ ْ‫َ َ ن‬ ‫وْط����جِ���ير‬ ُْ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�ٱ �ل�َع���مِر‬ َ ّ‫ن‬ ‫� ��ل���ه�ا ِر‬ ُ ْ‫��س‬ ‫أَِ��ح�ر‬ َ �ْ ‫ح َورا‬ � ْ‫�خَ���م‬ � � ‫ب ر‬ ْ ِ ُّ‫ٱِ ش‬ �� �‫ل�����كر‬ ِ ْ َّ ‫ٱ‬ ‫�ٱ �ْل�د �هِر‬ َ ‫ق‬ ‫� �ل��ِ�����ص�ا ِر‬ ْ َ‫ٱْ م‬ �����‫� �ل� ن‬ ‫ظَر‬ ِ َ‫فَٱ ْ�� �ذ‬ ْ � ‫�� ��ن� �عَر‬ ْ ُ� َ‫ت‬ ‫�ٱ���غ�ُر‬ ‫� � ّ�د ُ �ز‬ ِ ‫لْق َرو‬ ‫�إِ ����ص�ا ِر‬ ُ ُّ ‫ٱ‬ ‫� �ل��طور‬ Rhyme

Index of Arabic Poetry

Section Poet

‫��س‬

§2.16 Jaḥẓah §4.9

Lines

Meter

4 mutaqārib

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

4

wāfir

§6.5 al-Tharwānī

5 sarīʿ

§12.11

3

ramal

§12.11 al-Muʿtamid

Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī

3

ramal

§13.10

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

ṭawīl

§20.8

unidentified poet

1

sarīʿ

§27.1

Ibn Abī Ṭālib al-Makfūf

6

khafīf

§36.12

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

3

basīṭ

§13.33

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

ṭawīl

§2.5

Khālid al-Kātib

4

ṭawīl

§2.12

Khālid al-Kātib

4

ramal

§24.7

al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ

4

khafīf

§2.13

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

1

kāmil

§6.3

unidentified poet

2

mutaqārib

§3.6

Ibn Dihqānah al-Hāshimī

2

mutaqārib

§4.2

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

6

ṭawīl

‫��ص‬ ‫ض‬ ��� � ‫��ط‬ ‫ع‬

§9.7 al-Numayrī

3 ṭawīl

§9.15

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

2

§11.5

Abū ʿUthmān al-Nājim

4

ramal

§13.10

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

ṭawīl

§13.11

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

2

ṭawīl

§13.23

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

3

ṭawīl

mujtathth

§15.6 al-Muʿtazz

2 basīṭ

§24.11

Ḥakīm ibn Jabalah al-ʿAbdī

3

rajaz

§32.2

al-Nābighah al-Dhubyānī

1

ṭawīl

482

482

Rhyme

ُْ ‫� ِ��سِ�ه‬ ‫ن� ك‬ َ َ‫نَع‬ ‫����س�ا‬ ْ‫تَ غ‬ ‫ب�ِ����ِل��ي ِ��س‬ ُ ‫�مو��سَى‬ ُ ‫�مو��سَى‬ ْ ُّ‫َ ن‬ ‫و�لِ�ل����ك ِ��س‬ ْ� ‫غَر ِ��سِ�ه‬ َ ْ‫خَ ن‬ ‫ٱ�َ���د ِر�ي ِ��س‬ ّ‫ن‬ ‫� ��ل��ا ��ِس‬ ُ ُ‫َ تَ�ْ ق‬ ‫و�����ن�����ص‬ َْ‫ٱْ أ‬ � ‫ل‬ ِ‫ب�ِ� �ر �ض‬ ��‫َرَ ض‬ �ِ ‫�مٱْ ي‬ ْ � َ‫ل � ر‬ ِ‫وَ� إِ�ع ا �ض‬ ْ َ ْ‫ٱ‬ ‫� �ل��قِ����يرا ط‬ ْ َُ ‫ي���س�ا ط‬ ُ َ‫يَ�ْ �ز‬ �‫����ج‬ َ‫ع �ف‬ َ‫أَ ْ ع‬ ‫وَ� ��س��� �ا‬ ُ �ْ ُ ‫�م���م����ت‬ ‫َ َِع‬ ْ‫ط�ا ع�ه‬ َ ُُ ‫د �موع�ا‬ َ‫َ ع‬ ‫ش����ا ِ��س��ا‬ ْ �َ‫تَ ْ ج‬ � ��‫���س‬ ‫ع‬ ُ ‫�ٱ �ْ مَ َ ا‬ ‫ل��� �د ِ�م‬ ‫ٱ ْ ُ َع‬ ‫َ� �ل‬ � ‫�� �د‬ ‫ُوَ �خ ِع‬ � �‫ت‬ �ِ ‫أَرا عَعي‬ َ‫ْ ب‬ ‫� ر���ا‬

Index of Arabic Poetry

Section Poet §33.16

Lines

Muṭīʿ ibn Iyās

6

Meter basīṭ

§34.9 Kushājim

2 wāfir

§36.12

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

7

wāfir

§36.14

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

2

kāmil

§2.8

Khālid al-Kātib

2

mutaqārib

§4.2

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

6

ṭawīl

§7.3

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

2

kāmil

§9.13

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

4

sarīʿ

‫ف‬ ��

§9.18 al-Numayrī §10.7

3 mutaqārib

Abū l-ʿAynāʾ

3

khafīf

§12.4 al-Muʿtamid

2 mutaqārib

§13.20

Abū Bakr ibn al-Sarrāj

2

kāmil

§13.32

Ibn al-Rūmī

3

kāmil

§15.10 al-Muʿtazz

4

ramal

§30.2

ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥimmānī

11

kāmil

§30.3

Abū Nuwās

5

khafīf

§33.18

Muṭīʿ ibn Iyās

2

munsariḥ

§34.3 Kushājim

7 ramal

§37.2

Abū Hurayrah ibn Abī al-ʿIṣām

2

munsariḥ

§4.6

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

4

basīṭ

‫ق‬ ��

§9.19 al-Numayrī

3 mujtathth

§12.5 al-Muʿtamid

3 ramal

§12.12 al-Muʿtamid

4



§12.12 al-Rāḍī

2

ramal

§12.14 al-Muʿtamid

5

rajaz

§23.2

Abū Nuwās (?)

1

wāfir

§23.2

Abū Nuwās (?)

17

wāfir

§24.4

al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ

15

mutaqārib

§26.4 al-Ṣanawbarī

10 kāmil

§26.5 al-Ṣanawbarī

3 mujtathth

§31.1

unidentified poet

3

khafīf

§39.2

Ibn al-ʿAbbās al-Baṣrī

23

kāmil

483

483

Rhyme

َ‫ُ ْ ع‬ ‫�م���م���تَ��نِ����ا‬ ُ َ َّ‫ٱ �ت‬ ‫� �ل��� � ا‬ ‫رع‬ َ ‫ود �ي‬ ِ َِ‫ُ س‬ ُ‫ع‬ ‫���� �ا‬ ‫ي ِرع‬

ُ‫تَ�ذْ ف‬ ��‫� َ ِر‬ َ‫أ ْ عَ �ف‬ ‫وَ� ��س��� �ا‬ ُ‫ٱ َّ َف‬ �‫� � ت�ل���ل‬ ‫ٱ � ظّ ْ ف‬ ���‫� ل‬ �ِ�‫َر‬ ‫�تَنْ�َ��ط��ف‬ �� �‫ِ ي‬ ْ‫َ ف‬ ���‫�لَ��ط‬ َ‫ٱ �ْل �ف‬ ‫���جَ� �ا ِء‬ �� � ‫تَ ف‬ �‫���ِْ��ي‬ ُ‫يَ ف‬ ‫�ك‬ �‫� ِ��س‬ ‫�ٱنْ�����ف‬ � ْ‫ٱ ِْ يَ ق ف‬ ����ِ ‫ب�ِ� �ل���م َوا‬ ‫َ عَ ْ ف‬ �ِ��‫و� ز‬ َ‫َ َ�ف‬ ‫�ص��ل� �ا‬ ْ‫ٱ ََّ ف‬ �‫� � ت�ل���ل‬ ‫ْف‬ � �ِ�‫ظَر‬ ‫مَ ْ شُ ق‬ �ِ‫� �ع���و‬ ْ ْ ‫ب�ِِ�ع ش���قِ���ك‬ ُ ْ‫�ْ �َق�ه‬ ‫حر‬ ْ‫أَ ْحمَق‬ � � َ‫�أ‬ ْ‫ْحمَق‬ � � �َ‫�ج‬ َ َ ‫ٱ �ْل‬ � ‫� ْو��سق���ا‬ ‫���ف�� ق‬ �‫ي‬ ِْ ‫ِٱ‬ ‫��جَ�اثَ���ل� ق‬ ‫� �ل‬ �‫ي‬ ِ ِ ُ ��‫ب�َِ ق‬ ‫��� ق‬ �‫رِي‬ َ َ ‫ط�ِ�لي�ق���ا‬ َْ ‫�ٱل�أن�� ق‬ �‫ي‬ ِِ ‫َث�� ق‬ �‫ي‬ ُِِْ‫ٱو‬ َ ‫�� ّ ق‬ �ِ ��‫� �ل����في‬

Index of Arabic Poetry

Section Poet

Lines

‫ك‬

4

Meter

§7.9

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

§24.12

Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ

5

wāfir

§33.14

Muṭīʿ ibn Iyās

2

khafīf

§35.7

Ibn Jamḥūr

3

ramal

§1.5

Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn

3

ṭawīl

§1.12

Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn

2

mujtathth

§2.3

Khālid al-Kātib

3

munsariḥ

§2.6

Khālid al-Kātib

4

kāmil

§2.7

Khālid al-Kātib

3

basīṭ

� ‫�ل‬

khafīf

§2.13 Jaḥẓah

1 mujtathth

§2.14 Jaḥẓah

4 kāmil

§3.2

Ibn Dihqānah al-Hāshimī

5

kāmil

§3.3

Ibn Dihqānah al-Hāshimī

3

mutaqārib

§4.4

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

4

basīṭ

§6.6

Yaḥyā ibn Kāmil

2

sarīʿ

§8.3

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabīʿ

2

mujtathth

§8.5

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabīʿ

2

khafīf

§9.5 al-Numayrī

5 ṭawīl

§9.12 al-Numayrī

4 wāfir

§9.12 al-Numayrī

1 mujtathth

§9.16

3

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

mujtathth

§9.16 al-Numayrī

2 mujtathth

§11.4

2

Abū ʿUthmān al-Nājim

munsariḥ

§12.6 al-Muʿtamid

1 mujtathth

§12.6 al-Muʿtamid

3 sarīʿ

§12.12 al-Muʿtamid

3



§13.39

ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

6

basīṭ

§13.50

ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

1

basīṭ

§19.5

Abū Shās Munīr

9

wāfir

§21.5

Muṣʿab al-Kātib

13

ṭawīl

§24.6

al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ

7

munsariḥ

5

kāmil

§26.11 al-Rashīd

484

484

Rhyme

َ ََ‫أ‬ ‫كا‬ � ‫� را‬ ُْ َ ‫�ع��س‬ ‫َرك‬ َ ‫�ه َوا ِك‬ َ ‫�ه َوا ِك‬ ُ َ‫ت‬ ‫� ِ����سي���ل‬ َ‫ح‬ �‫�ا ل‬ ُ ‫ٱ نْتِقَي‬ ‫� �ِ����ا ل‬ ُ َ‫تَ قْ ب‬ ‫��������ل‬ َ �‫َوا ِ�صِ��لي‬ ْ‫ن‬ �ْ‫�ٱْ��ِ�ع��لي‬ ‫عَ ق‬ ‫� �ل�غَ����� ِل‬ َ‫َ � ز‬ ‫َو �ا ِل‬ ْ‫أ‬ َ‫�خ‬ � ‫� ب�� ِل‬ َ‫تَ �فْ ع‬ ‫ٱ��� ّ���ّ� ِل‬ َ َ‫�ظ‬ ‫� �ل���ل‬ ْ� ‫���قَ ت����ل‬ � ‫ي‬ ِ َ ‫َوق�ي���لا‬ ِ ‫ل‬ � َ‫ِٱي �ْ ج‬ ‫ل‬ � ‫ل‬ � � � � � ‫�َ ��ْ ِي ِل‬ ‫�ل�ك‬ ْ َْ ‫ف‬ ‫ِ���ع�ل�ك‬ ْ ْ ‫ب�����فَ���ض‬ ‫� �ِل�ك‬ َ ُ ْ ُ‫ِن‬ ‫��ع�ِ��م���ل�ه�ا‬ ْ َ َ‫ح‬ ‫�ا �ل�ك‬ َ ْ‫�ذ �لّ�ه‬ ِ َ‫م‬ �‫بِ���� �اِلي‬ َ‫جَ ب‬ ‫���� ِل‬ َ‫ح‬ ‫�ا ِل‬ ُ َ‫ُ ْ ت‬ �ِ����‫�م����س‬ ‫حي���ل‬ ْ ���‫ِ�مث‬ ُ ‫شَ َِّل‬ ‫���وا ل‬ ُ َْ‫ن‬ ‫�ب��ل‬

Index of Arabic Poetry

Section Poet

Lines

Meter

§34.6 Kushājim

2 ṭawīl

§35.7

Rabīʿah al-Raqqī al-Asadī

2

ṭawīl

§36.8

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

3

ṭawīl

§36.9

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

7

kāmil

§36.13

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

2

basīṭ

§36.14

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

4

kāmil

§37.4

Ibn al-Zanbaqī

11

sarīʿ

§38.6

Ṣāliḥ ibn Mūsā

11

rajaz

§1.7

Marwān ibn Abī Ḥafṣah (attributed)

1

kāmil

§2.12

Khālid al-Kātib

2

ṭawīl

� ‫م‬

§3.4 Jaḥẓah

1 ṭawīl

§7.10

4

al-Ḥasan ibn Rajāʾ

wāfir

§9.10 al-Numayrī

2 wāfir

§10.11

Abū l-ʿAynāʾ

2

ṭawīl

§10.15

unidentified poet

2

ṭawīl

§10.17

Abū l-ʿAynāʾ

1

ṭawīl

3

mutaqārib

§12.15 al-Muʿtamid

2



§13.2

unidentified poet

4

mutaqārib

§13.6

unidentified poet

1

mutaqārib

§13.6

unidentified poet

1

ṭawīl

§13.17

unidentified poet

2

ṭawīl

§13.18

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

ṭawīl

§13.23

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

ṭawīl

§13.50

ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

1

sarīʿ

§12.14 al-Muʿtamid

§15.7 al-Muʿtazz

1 kāmil

§15.7

Bunān the Singer

1

kāmil

§19.2

Abū Shās Munīr

4

basīṭ

§19.4

Abū Shās Munīr

4

kāmil

§26.12 al-Rashīd

5

sarīʿ

§26.13 al-Rashīd

4

kāmil

§31.2

Bakr ibn Khārijah

6

khafīf

§36.3

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

12

wāfir

485

485

Rhyme

َ �‫ع�ا ل‬ ُ َ‫يَِْي‬ � ‫���ُ�ج�هُ�ل‬ َ‫م‬ ‫� ��لول‬ ُ َ‫�ج‬ ‫ٱِْ�مي���ل‬ َ‫م‬ ‫� �ل��� �ا ِل‬ ُ‫مَ ْ �ؤ‬ � ‫��س ولَا‬ ْ َ َ‫ٱْ أ‬ ‫ل‬ � ‫��س‬ � ‫� ْل‬ َ‫ُ م‬ ‫�ي��� �ل‬

ْ‫� شَ������مَّ�ه‬ ِ‫ب‬ ُ ُ َْ‫��ل‬ � ‫�إ ي� ك‬ َ‫ِ ٱ َّم م‬ ‫وَ� �ل�د � �ا‬ ّ ‫ٱ‬ ‫� �ل��صَ� يَ���ا‬ ‫ٱ ّ� ِم‬ ‫� �ل��صَ� يَ���ا‬ ‫�ْ ِم‬ ُ‫���س‬ ِ‫ج‬ َ‫ٱْ ُ �ذَم َّ م‬ ‫� �ل���م� �م��� �ا‬ َ ُ َ‫ئ‬ ‫�ِ�ل��ا ��م�ه�ا‬ ُُْ ‫�صر‬ ْ ‫ٱْ قَ َم‬ ‫� �ل�����د‬ ‫م‬ ُ ‫�َرَ ا‬ ‫ح‬ َ ‫ٱ �ْ ْم‬ ‫� ل���م�ع���ص‬ ‫َ مَِ ئ ِم‬ ُ� ‫ح� �ا‬ ِ َ‫تَ غَ ُّ مم‬ ‫��� ش������ �ا‬ ُ ‫َ ن�ُ�ْ�ظ‬ ���ِ ‫و ع‬ َ‫َ م‬ ‫�ِرا �ِ�م�ه�ا‬ ‫ك‬ َ‫� ن‬ ْ�َ ‫ع‬ َّ‫ٱ نَّم‬ ‫� �ل�����م�ا‬ ‫َق ِم‬ ‫�َا‬ ‫تَْوتَِم‬ ُ‫������س‬ ‫ٱب ْ ِ ْم‬ ‫� �ل‬ ‫���س‬ ‫�ظَ �جِ ُ ِم‬ ‫�اِل‬ َ‫َ َم م‬ ‫��س�لا� �ا‬ َ‫ٱ ُّ م‬ ‫� �ل ن���� ج�ُو� �ا‬ َ‫ك‬ �� ‫ِريِم‬

Index of Arabic Poetry

Section Poet

§1.3

Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn

§1.10

Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn

Lines

‫ن‬ �

Meter

4

sarīʿ

4

munsariḥ

§1.14 Jaḥẓah

2 wāfir

§2.2

7

Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Hāshimī

kāmil

§3.8 al-Nāshiʾ

2 kāmil

§4.1

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

2

basīṭ

§4.3

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

2

wāfir

§4.3

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

2

kāmil

§4.6

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

2

sarīʿ

§4.9

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah

2

sarīʿ

§5.2

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

7

basīṭ

§5.16

ʿAbbās ibn al-Aḥnaf

2

khafīf

§7.4

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

6

munsariḥ

§7.11

Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥārith ibn Buskhunnar

6

ramal

§8.7

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabīʿ

2

munsariḥ

§8.8

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabīʿ

2

kāmil

§8.9

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabīʿ

7

ramal

§9.12

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

3

rajaz

§9.16

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

2

basīṭ

§9.19

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

2

mujtathth

§10.12

Abū l-ʿAynāʾ

2

ṭawīl

§12.2 Jaḥẓah

10 khafīf

§13.9

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

ṭawīl

§13.22

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

ṭawīl

§13.55

al-Shammākh ibn Ḍirār

1

wāfir

§15.10 al-Muʿtazz

2

basīṭ

§16.2

ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Warrāq

8

hazaj

§20.1

al-Khabbāz al-Baladī

2

basīṭ

§21.2

Muṣʿab al-Kātib

14

wāfir

§21.7

Muṣʿab al-Kātib

12

basīṭ

§22.4 al-Lubbādī

17 rajaz

§24.3

10

al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ

khafīf

§26.2 al-Ṣanawbarī

17 wāfir

§26.3 al-Ṣanawbarī

14 kāmil

486

486

Rhyme

ْ َ ْ‫أَ ف‬ ‫� ����تَ��ن���ك‬ ‫َ ْ ُن‬ �‫تَو�يَ���َصِر�مِ�ي‬ ّْ �‫�َ���غَ��ن��� ت‬ ْ‫أ‬ ُ‫� زَ ا ن�ُ�ه‬ �َ‫� ح‬ ُ‫مَ ن‬ �‫� ك‬ � ‫��ا‬ ‫ل��َّ���يَ���ا ط�� ن‬ ‫�ٱ � ش‬ �‫ي‬ ِ ِ ْ ‫َ �ل��لق�� � ن‬ �‫ي‬ ِ ُ‫وِ َ َِر‬ ‫�مَ � ن‬ ‫َك‬ � ‫��ا‬ ْ‫أ ن‬ �� �‫� ِ���مي‬ ْ‫ٱ �ظُّ نُ ن‬ �‫�َ�ل�� ��و‬ َ �ْ ‫أ‬ � ‫حيَ���ا ن�ا‬ ‫�ٱ �ْ ْ�رَ ا ن‬ �ِ ‫ِ�ل�ه���ج‬ َ َّ‫ت‬ ‫َو ِ��س��ي�� ن���ا‬ ‫�ُلجَ ْ ن‬ �� �ِ��‫�كَ� ي‬ ‫�ْك�� ن‬ � � �‫ي‬ ِ ِ َ‫بِبَ ر‬ ‫���ق�������ان‬ ‫ُِي‬ ‫��جَ ْ�� ن‬ �‫���ل ي‬ ْ‫َ ِْ يَ ن‬ � ‫و ِ�ع����ص���ا‬ ‫ٱ ُّ ن‬ �ِ ‫بِ�� �ل�د و‬ ‫َ عَ ْ ن‬ �ِ��‫وأ�َ�� ي‬ َ ّ‫فََ�ذ‬ ‫�� ن�ا‬ َ �َ ُّ ‫ٱ‬ ‫��ا ن�ا‬ ‫وَ� �ل��س ك‬ ‫َ ََ ن‬ �‫ورع�اِ�ي‬ َ‫ي‬ ‫��ْ تَ �فَ ن‬ � �ِ ‫���خ���ِ�ل� �ا‬ ْ ‫��ٱ �ل��يَ���م�� ن‬ �‫ي‬ ِ ِ‫ب‬ ِ ‫ُ ْ َْن‬ �ِ ‫��س��ك�ر�ي‬ َّ ‫�مَِري�حَ��ن���ا‬ ‫ل��َّ���يَ���ا ط�� ن‬ ‫�ٱ � ش‬ �‫ي‬ ِ ِ ‫�جَ ن‬ ‫�ه‬ �ِ ‫��ا‬ ِ ‫د ��ن‬ �‫ِ يِي‬ ‫َّ َ ن‬ �‫��صَ� ي��ر �ي‬ ‫�ٱ �ْ عَ �ذِ ل ن‬ �ِ ‫ل��� �ا ِ َا‬ ‫�ٱ �ْلجَ ن بَْ ن‬ �� �ِ��‫�� �اِ��ي‬ َ ُ‫أَ �ْ َ ن‬ ‫� ��فن���ا ���ه�ا‬

Index of Arabic Poetry

Section Poet

Lines

§26.6 al-Ṣanawbarī

Meter

25 khafīf

§26.7 al-Ṣanawbarī

6 kāmil

§26.8 al-Ṣanawbarī

11 khafīf

§28.2 al-Tharwānī

8 wāfir

§31.3

Bakr ibn Khārijah

7

sarīʿ

§32.3

unidentified poet

2

khafīf

§32.6

al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir

2

rajaz

§33.18

Muṭīʿ ibn Iyās

3

kāmil

§35.2

Ibn Jamhūr

26

rajaz

§35.4

Ibn Jamhūr

4

ramal

§35.10

ʿAbdūn ibn Makhlad

2

rajaz

mushawwah §38.4

Muḥammad ibn ʿĀṣim

§9.17

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

§9.18

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz

‫�ه‬

§9.18 al-Numayrī

§8.5

10

wāfir

2

rajaz

1

sarīʿ

2 sarīʿ

‫�ى‬

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabīʿ

3

sarīʿ

§12.7 al-Muʿtamid

3 wāfir

§13.14

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

ṭawīl

§13.22

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

ṭawīl

§13.38

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

2

basīṭ

§14.14 Būrān

2

khafīf

§24.8

2

basīṭ

§26.12 al-Rashīd

2

sarīʿ

§35.6

Ibn Jamḥūr

3

sarīʿ

§36.13

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim

2

sarīʿ

al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarriʿ

487

487

ُ‫ٱ ْ�لُ �فُ ن‬ �‫���ج� و‬ �� � ‫��ٱ �ْ�لبَ�ْ�� ن‬ �‫بِ ي‬ ‫�ذْ َِ ن‬ �ِ ‫ِ�م� ع�ا‬ ُ‫ٱْ ق يَ ن‬ � ‫وَ�َ�ل��ِ�����ا‬ َ َ‫أ ْ ز‬ ‫وَ� ح‬ ‫��ا ن�ا‬ ‫َ َ�ه َ ا ن‬ �ِ ‫و و‬ َ َ ‫�ه َوا �زِ ن�ا‬ ‫�ٱ � َّ نَ ن‬ �ِ ‫ل�د �ا‬ َّ ُ� ‫���قن���ا‬ ‫َ ن‬ �‫د اِ�ي‬ َ ‫هَ ّ �تَ ن‬ ‫�ك‬ ِ ِ� ‫��� ِ�د ي���� �ا‬ Rhyme

‫ٱْ ْ �زَ مَ ْ ن‬ �ِ��‫� �ل�ِ��مر � ي‬

� �ِ ‫��سَ�ٱ�ا ٰ هي‬ ّ ‫�ِ��ب� �ل��لِ�ه‬ ّٰ ‫ٱ‬ ِ‫�ِ��ب� �ل��ل�ه‬ ْ‫َص�ا ف�يَ���ه‬ ِ َ‫�ل‬ ْ َ ِ‫ع���ي��ه‬ َ‫ب‬ ‫�ا �ِ�ليَ��ا‬ َ ‫��سَوا‬ َ َ َ‫�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ا ِر �ي� �ه�ا‬ َ� ‫���فَ يّ���ا‬ َ‫ت‬ ْ� � ‫ح ِ��كي�ِ�ه‬ َ َ‫ك‬ ‫�و�ى‬ َ‫ج‬ ْ‫��ا يَ��ه‬ ‫ِر‬ َ‫ٱ َّ م‬ ‫� �ل��س��� �ا‬

Index

ʿAbbād ibn Ziyād ibn Abī Sufyān, §25.4

ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Umm al-Ḥakam, §18.6

al-ʿAbbās (uncle of Prophet), 428n57

ʿAbdūn (monk), §16.1

al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Baṣrī, §38.5, §§39.2–4

ʿAbdūn ibn Makhlad, xx, §35.10, §§35.13–14

al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Maʾmūn, §§5.5–6, §13.47,

Abraham the Great, Saint, Monastery of

§14.6

(Great Monastery), §21.1 Abū l-ʿAbbās ibn al-Furāt, §13.21

Abbasids, xxii, §13.55, §25.6, 428n51,

Abū ʿAbdallāh, §10.10

430n88 abbots, §§15.2–3

Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Aʿrābī, §2.4

ʿAbdah bint ʿAbdallāh ibn Yazīd ibn

Abū ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdūn. See Ibn

Muʿāwwiyah, §14.10

Ḥamdūn, Abū Muḥammad ʿAbdallāh

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn

ibn Aḥmad

al-Rabī ʿ, §§8.2–9, §25.2, §25.5, §25.7

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAyyāsh, §33.11

Abū Aḥmad (brother of al-Muʿtamid), §12.8, §12.14

ʿAbdallāh ibn Dāwūd al-Khuraybī, xvii,

Abū Aḥmad (son of al-Rashīd), §14.6 Abū Aḥmad ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn

§10.13

ʿAbdallāh ibn Khurdādhbih, §5.8

Ṭāhir. See ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn

ʿAbdallāh ibn Manṣūr, §10.7

Ṭāhir

ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz. See Ibn al-Muʿtazz ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn, §5.6, §5.8, §§13.38–39, §§13.42–54, §35.14

ʿAbdallāh ibn Yazīd ibn Muʿāwiyah, §14.10 ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir, §§13.39–42

Abū ʿAlī al-Awārijī, Hārūn ibn ʿAbd al-

ʿAzīz, §13.20, §§22.3–4 Abū ʿAlī al-Baṣīr al-Faḍl ibn Jaʿfar, §10.3, §33.3 Abū ʿAlī ibn al-Rashīd, xxxiv n29, §§5.3–7, §§5.5–6, 426n26

ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān ibn al-Ḥakam, §§25.1–2, §25.5

Abū ʿAlī Muḥammad ibn al-ʿAlāʾ al-Shajarī, §13.18

ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Muḥammad al-Hāshimī,

Abū l-Aṣbagh, §§33.15–17 Abū l-ʿAtāhiyah, Ismāʿīl ibn al-Qāsim, §6.4

Abū al-Faḍl, §§6.6–7

ʿAbd al-Masīḥ ibn Buqaylah al-Ghassānī,

Abū l-ʿAynāʾ Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim Abū

ʿAbdallāh, §§10.2–19, §13.19

§§30.5–7

ʿAbd al-Qays (tribe), §24.10

Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad, §22.5

ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Fahm, §13.57

488

488

Index Abū l-ʿUmaythil ʿAbdallāh ibn Khulayd,

Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim al-Anbārī. See Ibn al-Anbārī

§13.53

Abū Bakr (rent boy), §21.10

Abū Umayyah al-Aṣamm, §24.10

Abū l-Barq, §5.14

acacias, §39.3

Abū al-Baṣīr, §33.6

Adam (biblical figure), §10.10

Abū l-Dann, §25.3

ʿAdsī Palace, §30.5

Abū Dharr al-Ghifārī, §21.5

adultery, 426n25

Abū Ḥarmalah, §14.8, §20.7

agate, §26.5

Abū Ḥasan, §1.10

ageing, §7.4, §36.6, §39.2

Abū Ḥashīshah Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī ibn

al-Aḥdab (dealer in singing girls), §8.7

Umayyah, §4.3, §§5.16–17, §5.20, §14.6 Abū Ḥāzim, §20.5, §20.10

Aḥmad (son of Ismāʿīl ibn ʿAbdallāh al-Marākibī), §15.5

Abū Hurayrah ibn Abī al-ʿIṣām, §37.2

Aḥmad (son of al-Muʿtaṣim), §14.6

Abū Isḥāq ibn al-Rashīd. See al-Muʿtaṣim

Aḥmad ibn Abī l-ʿAlāʾ, §14.6 Aḥmad ibn Abī Duʾād, §13.54

bi-llāh Abū Jaʿfar al-Manṣūr (caliph), §14.11, §25.7, §30.1

Aḥmad ibn Abī Khālid, §5.8, §13.62, §§13.65–66

Abū Jafnah al-Qurashī, §§9.2–4

Aḥmad ibn Abī Ruʾaym, §14.6

Abū Jahl ʿAmr ibn Hishām, §21.5

Aḥmad ibn Ḥamdūn, §15.14

Abū l-Jaysh Khumārawayh ibn Aḥmad ibn

Aḥmad ibn al-Ḥasan al-Mādharāʾ ī, §§22.3–4 Aḥmad ibn Isrāʾ īl, Abū Jaʿfar, §13.31

Ṭūlūn, §37.1 Abū l-Khaṣīb Marzūq, §30.1

Aḥmad ibn Khālid al-Ṣarīfīnī, §§1.3–4

Abū l-Miḍrajī, §33.6

Aḥmad ibn Mūsā ibn Shākir, §13.7

Abū Muslim ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Muslim

Aḥmad ibn Ṣadaqah, §§2.8–9, §18.3

al-Khurāsānī, xxii, §25.7

Aḥmad ibn Yūsuf, §5.21

Abū Nuwās al-Ḥasan ibn Hāni ʾ, §14.13, §23.2, §29.1, §30.3, §33.4, 434n155

Aḥwīshā, Monastery of (the Anchorite), §§22.1–2

Abū l-Qāsim ʿAbdallāh al-Mawṣilī, §13.20

ailments. See disease

Abū l-Qāsim Ūnūjūr ibn al-Ikhshīd, §39.4

air, healthy, §16.2

Abū l-Qāsim Yūsuf, §22.5

ʿĀʾishah bint Abī Bakr, xvii, §§24.10–11

Abū Rāfiʿ, §25.3

ʿAjjāj Monastery, §47.1

Abū Ṣāliḥ, §12.9

Akhmīm, Monastery in the Region of, §53.1

Abū l-Ṣaqr Ismāʿīl ibn Bulbul, §10.5

al-Aʿlā Monastery, xxi–xxii, §§18.1–4

Abū Shās Munīr al-Ghiṭrīf ibn Ḥuṣayn ibn

alcohol. See wine

Ḥanash, §§19.2–5

Alexander the Great, §13.50

Abū l-Shibl al-Burjumī, ʿĀṣim ibn Wahb,

ʿAlids, 428n51 ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās, xxii, §§25.1–7

§§6.7–11

489

489

Index

ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, xvii, xxi–xxii, §18.6,

Anchorite, Monastery of the (Aḥwīshā), §§22.1–2

§24.10, 428n57

ʿAlī ibn Hishām, §5.6, §13.49

anemones: Ibn ʿĀṣim on, §40.3; Ibn

ʿAlī ibn Ibrāhīm al-Ghamrī, §20.5

al-Muʿtazz on, §15.7; Kushājim on,

ʿAlī ibn ʿĪsā ibn Māhān, §13.56, §§13.58–59

§34.2; al-Muhalhil on, §24.4; Ṣāliḥ ibn

ʿAlī ibn al-Jahm, §10.12, §14.6

Mūsā on, §38.7; al-Ṣanawbarī on, §26.2,

ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad, 426n17

§26.3, §26.5, §26.6, §26.8; ʿUbaydallāh

ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥimmānī al-ʿAlawī,

ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir on, §13.5; at

§30.2

Yūnus ibn Mattā, Monastery of, §19.1

ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad ibn Abī Sayf

anguish, §3.6

al-Madāʾinī. See al-Madāʾinī

animals: birds (see birds); camels, §25.1,

ʿAlī ibn Ṣāliḥ, §5.12, §13.48

§33.5; cats, §36.7; chickens, §39.3;

ʿAlī ibn Yaḥyā al-Munajjim, §§1.9–10, §14.6,

elephants, §13.7; horses (see horses);

§§20.8–9

lions, §13.7, §14.17, §20.10; oryxes,

Allāh. See God

§21.2, §26.4; pigs, §50.1; scarabs, §41.1;

ʿAllūya, ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh, §13.50

scorpions, §1.14, §9.4, §10.15, §24.8,

ʿAlth, Monastery in, §§12.1–3

428n56; at Zakkā, Monastery of, §26.1

ambergris (fragrant substance), §7.7, §14.3, §14.10, §14.13, §34.9, 427n37

anthologies, xvi Antichrist, 434n158

al-Amīn, Abū Mūsā Muḥammad (caliph), §5.5, §7.3, §13.56, §13.61, §§15.4–5

appearance. See beauty apples, §2.9

Āminah bint al-Sharīd, §§18.7–8

ʿĀqūl Monastery, §35.1

ʿĀmir ibn Ṣaʿṣaʿah, §32.6

Arabic language, §10.13

amnesty, §§13.46–47

Ararat, Mount, 437n215

amputation, §13.28, §13.50, §15.14, §§18.6–7,

ʿArīb (leading singer), §12.3, §12.7, §14.6,

§24.11, §44.1

§15.5

ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Warrāq, §§16.2–5, 432n124

ark, Noah’s, xix, §48.1, 437n215 Arzan (town), §22.1

ʿAmr ibn Baḥr, §10.10

ʿAsālij (slave girl), §8.4

ʿAmr ibn Bānah, §§5.18–19, §7.9, §14.6

Aṣbagh (son of Abū l-Aṣbagh), §§33.15–17

ʿAmr ibn al-Ḥamiq al-Khuzāʿī, xvii, xxii,

Ascension, 434n161

§§18.6–8

ashes, §50.1

ʿAmr ibn al-Layth al-Ṣaffār, §13.37, §35.12,

ʿĀṣiyah Monastery, §1.2 al-Aṣmaʿī, ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Qurayb, §10.16

429n67 amulet cases, §5.15

ʿAth ʿath (musician), §14.6

ʿĀnah (town), §27.1

ʿĀtib (singing girl), §11.4

al-Anbār (town), §34.1

attacks, §13.49

490

490

Index §§13.3–5; Zandaward Monastery, §1.2;

Attention Arrested and Apprehension Inspired (Al-Tawqīf wa-l-takhwīf) (al-Shābushtī), xiv

Zurayqiyyah Monastery, §1.2 Bākhūs, Mār (saint Bacchus), xix, §45.1,

autumn festival (Mihrijān), §28.2, 435n172 Awānā (village), §12.2

434n156 Bakr ibn Hawāzin, Banū (tribal grouping),

ʿAwf ibn Muḥallim al-Khuzāʿī, §13.45

§32.6

Awgīn, Mār, Monastery of, §21.1

Bakr ibn Khārijah, §§31.2–3

ʿAwwād, Kūrkīs, xxviii–xxix

Balad (town), §21.1

Aʿ yan’s Bath, §33.1

Balīkh River, §§26.1–2, §26.9

al-ʿAzīz bi-llāh, Abū Mansūr Nizār (caliph),

banishment, §1.6, §1.13, §20.4, §25.4

xiii, §38.1

banners, §13.45

al-ʿAzīz (freedman), §13.45

banquets, §§14.3–10

ʿAzzūn ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz al-Anṣārī, §§7.4–5

baptism, §31.1 Baradān (town), §8.1, §12.2

Bābak (leader of resistance), §13.49

barbers, §14.5, §14.8, §20.7, 430n102

Bacchus (saint), xix, §45.1, 434n156

Bārī (village), §7.8

backgammon, §1.12, §16.5

Barkuwārā Palace, §§14.2–8, §§14.15–16

Bactrians’ Monastery, xxii, §25.1, §§25.3–4

Bāshahrā Monastery (House of Vigils),

Badhl (singer), §§5.18–19, §8.4

§§10.1–2

Badr (chief of police/commander-inchief ), §13.38

Basra (city), xxi, §3.4, §10.16, §§24.10–11 Bāṭā Monastery, §45.1

Badr al-Jullanār, §12.9, §12.15

battles: Abū l-Shibl al-Burjumī on, §6.7; against ʿAlī ibn ʿĪsā ibn Māhān,

Baghdad: Abū Nuwās on, §33.4; background, xiii; Bāṭā Monastery,

§§13.56–59; Camel, Battle of the, xxi,

distance from, §45.1; Christians in

§§24.10–11; against Naṣr ibn Shabath,

surrounding villages, xviii; feasts,

§§13.44–46, 430n89; against Yaʿqūb ibn

celebrations of, §1.2, §6.1; gardens surrounding, §8.1; Iron Gate, §3.1, §3.7, §4.1; Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm al-Ṭāhirī, rule

al-Layth, §13.36 Baʾūnah (commemmoration of first church dedicated to Mary), §52.1, 438n221

of, §5.9; Karkh, §§5.1–2, §16.3, §26.8,

Bazūghī (village), §7.1

§33.4; Karkhāyā Canal, §5.1; Madīnat

beards, §21.10, §24.10

al-salām, 437n213; pleasure grounds

beating, §5.11

surrounding, §8.1; al-Rashīd travels

beauty: of al-Amīn, §15.2, §§15.4–5; houris,

to, §§26.9–10; Samālū Monastery and,

§15.2, 432n118; al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

§2.1; ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn

on, §7.8; of Joseph, 433n147; of

Ṭāhir appointed military commander

al-Muʿtazz, §15.2, §§15.4–5, §15.10;

of, §13.35; Virgins’ Monastery,

491

491

Index beauty (cont.): of Salīṭ (putative son of

history and traditions, xviii–xix, §16.1,

ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās), §25.2; of slave

§35.1, §36.1, §43.2; dialogues, use of, xv;

girls, §1.9, §1.13, §8.7; of Yūnus ibn

erasing of words and lines from, xvii,

Bughā, §15.7, §15.10

xxviii, 434n163; factual correctness,

Bible, xix, 432n116

lack of, xv; geographical scope, xv;

Bid ʿah (singing girl), §12.3, §14.6

ink, xxviii; manuscript, xxvii–xxx; on

birds: al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Baṣrī on, §§39.2–3;

monasteries, xviii–xix; poetry in, xv–

doves, §52.1; eagles, §14.17; hornbills, §53.1; hunting for, §39.1; hunting with, §26.1; Muṣʿab ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Baṣrī

xvi; sensationalism, §13.65, 430n100; sources, xv–xvii; translating, xxx–xxxi Book of Monasteries, marginal comments

on, §21.2; al-Muʿtamid catches a,

in: in general, xxii, xxviii; Abū Nuwās,

§12.14; ravens protecting monastery,

praising, 431n112; on Abū Nuwās’

§45.1; Ṣāliḥ ibn Mūsā on, §§38.6–7;

poetry, 434n155; additions to poetry,

al-Ṣanawbarī on, §26.6, §26.8; at Tower

433n152; ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik

(palace), §14.17; at Zakkā Monastery,

al-Warrāq, praising, 432n124; on

§26.1

carpets, 431n104; on ethics, 427n35;

Bishops’ Monasteries, §30.1

on al-Fatḥ ibn Khāqān, 431n109; Ibn

black (color), §13.45

Abī Fanan, praising, 429n83; on Isḥāq

Black women, §§6.10–11

ibn Ibrāhīm, 426n31; al-Maʾmūn,

blessings, §23.1

praising, 426n26; on manners, 429n78;

blindness, §§10.3–4, §§10.17–18, §13.22,

al-Muʿtaṣim, praising, 427n35; on

§32.1, §32.5

al-Mutawakkil, 431n109; remembering

boasting, §6.9

anecdotes, 427n45, 429n84

boats: Abū l-Shibl al-Burjumī on, §6.7;

ʿAlth, travelling to, §12.1; dancing

Book of Songs (Kitāb al-Aghānī) (al-Iṣbahānī), xxxii n9

in, §6.4; Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm asks for

breast milk, §26.15, §27.2

permission to build a boat, §5.10; Isḥāq

brocade, §14.10, §14.18, §18.4, §24.6, §26.8,

ibn Ibrāhīm travels on a pleasure boat,

§34.2

§5.18; al-Maʾmūn’s wedding, travelling

Bunān (singer), §15.7, §21.2

to, 431n110; travelling by, 426n30; at

Buqaylah, Banū, Palace of, §30.5

Ushmūnī’s Monastery, §§6.1–2, §6.4,

Būrān (daughter of al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl/wife

§6.7; Zubaydah travels on a boat, §5.22. See also ships

of al-Maʾmūn), §14.9, §§14.12–14 Byzantines’ River (Nahr al-Sarbaṭ), §22.1

bodyguards (shākiriyyah), §14.5, 431n107 Book of Monasteries (Kitāb al-Diyārāt)

Cairo, xiii, §39.4

(al-Shābushtī): in general, xiv–xvii;

caliphs. See specific caliphs

Biblical stories in, xix; on church

Camel, Battle of the, xxi, §§24.10–11

492

492

Index camels, §25.1, §33.5

Christians: converting to Islam, xx–xxi,

camphor, §9.3, §14.3

§6.8; Muslims and, xx–xxi, §13.4;

canals, §17.1, §39.1, 426n30

Muslims falling in love with, §§8.6–7,

candles, §14.10, §14.13, §15.8, §23.2

§23.2, §24.9

capes, §15.7

Church of the East, xviii–xix, 432n121,

carnelian, §24.4, §26.3, §§26.4–5, §26.8

436n195. See also Nestorians

carousing, §§5.3–4

circumcision, §§14.2–3, §14.5, 430n102

carpets, §14.3, §14.13

cities, xx

caskets, §44.1, §51.1

Civil War, First, xxi, §§24.10–11

Catholicos, Monastery of the, §§4.1–2

clappers: in general, xx; Abū Nuwās

cats, §36.7

on, §23.2; al-Faḍl ibn al-ʿAbbās ibn

cells, xix, xxxiv n25, §34.1, §35.1, §36.1, §37.2

al-Maʾmūn on, §15.1; al-Ḥusayn ibn

chains of transmission (isnāds), xxix, xxx,

al-Ḍaḥḥāk on, §34.1; Ibn Abī Ṭālib al-Makfūf al-Wāṣitī on, §27.1; Ibn ʿĀṣim

437n205 Chalcedonians, xviii–xix, §16.1, §43.2

on, §37.3, §§40.2–3; Ibn al-Zanbaqī on,

chamomiles, §26.2, §26.8, §34.2

§37.4; al-Tharwānī on, §6.5

chanting, xx, §6.5, §15.1, §34.1, §37.3, §40.2

cloaks, §7.7

chess, §10.14, §16.5, §20.1, 433n136

cloth, §14.4, 429n82

chickens, §39.3

clothing. See garments

children, §13.8

coats, §5.16, §7.7

China, §21.7

coins, minting of, §14.5, §14.16, §15.9

Christ. See Jesus Christ

comments in the manuscript. See Book of

Christian church divisions: in general, xviii–xix; Church of the East, xviii–

Monasteries, marginal comments in communion: in general, xix; Ibn ʿĀṣim on,

xix, 436n195, 432n121; Copts, xviii;

§49.2; Jaḥẓah on, §12.2; at Mount Sinai,

Jacobites, xviii, §§43.1–2; Melkites,

receiving, §49.2; at Samālū Monastery,

xviii–xix, §16.1, §43.2; Nestorians, xviii,

receiving, §2.1; at Scarabs’ Monastery,

§16.1, §43.2, 432n121; Syriacs, xviii,

receiving, §41.1; at Shrine of al-Shatīq,

434n159; Syrian Orthodox Church,

receiving, §31.1; at Virgins’ Monastery,

xviii–xix, 434n165

receiving, §13.3

Christian feasts, rituals, and symbols:

companions of caliphs, §7.3

baptism, §31.1; communion (see

compilations, xxxii n9

communion); crosses, §8.2, §12.2,

concubines, §1.6, §2.9, §18.4

§§18.2–4, §23.2, §30.3, §31.1; Eucharist,

Confessors, Monastery of the, §§5.1–4

xx; host (sacramental bread), §23.2;

confiscation of property, §35.13

icons, §37.1, §37.3; Lent, xix, §1.2, §11.1,

contentment with one’s lot, xvi, §36.3,

§13.3; relics, §44.1, 434n159

§36.9, §36.12

493

493

Index convents, xxx. See also monasteries

ʿUbays, §1.15; mourning, §§13.10–15; of

conversion to Islam, xx–xxi, §6.8

Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir,

cooks and cooking, §13.28, §§20.3–4

§§13.31–34; of al-Mustaʿīn, §15.14; of

Copts, xviii

al-Muʿtazz, §15.13, §15.15; noblemen,

coral, §26.8

dying as, §24.10; of Salīṭ (putative son

corvée masters, §13.29

of ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās), §25.3; of Shājī

cosmetics, §26.11, §27.1

(singing girl), §§13.9–15; of Sulaymān

cotton, §14.4, 429n82

ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir, §13.38; of

covered dishes, §13.28, §15.14

Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn, §§13.65–66; of

cropping of ears, §§1.6–8

al-Tharwānī, §28.2; tombs, §18.6; of

Cross, Feast of the, xix, §35.1

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir,

crosses, §8.2, §12.2, §§18.2–4, §23.2, §30.3,

§13.25; of ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn

§31.1

Ṭāhir’s son, §13.10

Crucifixion, 434n161

debauchery, §§16.3–5, §20.2, §20.7,

crying, §§13.60–61, §26.13

§§21.3–10, §31.3

cupbearers, §§9.4–5, §28.1

defecation, §19.1

cups, §34.8

descent. See genealogy

cursing, xvii, §18.7, §24.11

Devils’ Monastery, §20.1

daffodils, §7.9

dinars, §38.5, 425n6. See also money

Dahlak (archipelago), §25.4

dirhams, 425n13. See also money

dais (platform), §5.13

disease: ʿAbdallāh ibn al-Muʿtazz suffers

Di ʿ bil ibn ʿAlī al-Khuzaʿī, §20.6

daisies, §26.6, §26.8, §27.1, §34.2, §38.7

from, §13.12, §13.15; chronically ill

dancing, §6.4

people, §18.1; dropsy, §18.6; eczema,

dancing girls, §14.5

§18.1; elephantiasis, §5.6; fevers, §13.44,

Darius the son of Darius, §13.50

§14.18; gout, §13.7; hair loss, §18.1;

David (biblical figure), §14.17

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk suffers from,

Dāwūd Siyāh al-Khwārizmī, §13.59

§7.4; Jaḥẓah on, §2.16; Jaḥẓah suffers

Day of Doubt, §7.10

from, §3.4; Khālid al-Kātib on, §2.4,

Day of Judgment, xxii, §13.15, §32.3

§2.7, §2.12; leprosy, §5.6, 436n195;

death: of ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir, §13.54;

love described as, §9.18; pustules,

of ʿAlī ibn ʿĪsā ibn Māhān, §13.59; of

§12.15, §13.31, §43.2; rabies, xix, §42.1;

ʿAmr ibn al-Ḥamiq al-Khuzāʿī, §18.6;

al-Rashīd’s son suffers from, §5.10;

elegies, xvi, §7.3, §§13.11–15, §§13.32–34,

scabies, §18.1; scrofula, xix, §50.1; skin

§14.14, 430n86; funerals, §5.7, §13.10,

complaints, xix, §46.1; treatment of, xix,

§13.25; graves, §13.10, §13.15, §13.38,

§42.1, §46.1, §50.1; visiting sick friends,

§25.3, §25.6, §27.2; of Ibrāhīm ibn Abī

§§9.11–12, §9.16

494

494

Index divorce, §1.6, §1.11. See also marriage

excrement, §2.14

Ḍiyāʾ (slave girl), §26.14

executions, §13.50

Dome of the Barmakid Lady (ʿĀnah), §27.2

exile, §1.6, §1.13, §20.4, §25.4

Donkey’s Monastery (Bāṭā Monastery),

eyes: clouds compared to, §26.3; Ibn Abī

§45.1

Ṭālib al-Makfūf al-Wāṣitī on, §27.1; kohl,

doors, §45.1, §49.1

§26.11, §27.1; al-Muhalhil on, §24.3,

doves, §52.1

§24.4, §24.8; Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh

dreams, interpreting, §30.5, 435n175

ibn Ṭāhir on, §13.30; narcissi compared

drinking. See wine

to, §4.8, §24.3, §26.6, §34.2, §38.5,

dropsy, §18.6

§40.3; one-eyed men, §32.5; al-Rashīd

drowning, §7.5, §13.36

on, §26.11; al-Ṣanawbarī on, §26.3, §26.6

drunkenness, §2.14, §13.42, §16.3, §21.9 Durmālis Monastery, §§1.2–4

eyesight, §§10.3–4, §§10.17–18, §13.22, §32.1, §32.5

eagles, §14.17

Fabrūniyā (Febronia), §3.1, §3.7

ears, cropping of, §§1.6–8

al-Faḍl ibn al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Maʾmūn, §§15.1–4

Easter, §2.1, §23.2 eating, §3.5, §7.10, §12.15, §13.57. See also

al-Faḍl ibn Marwān, §13.52 al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabī ʿ, §4.3

fasting; food ecstacy, §6.4, §13.7

al-Faḍl ibn Sahl, §13.59

eczema, §18.1

al-Faḍl ibn Yaḥyā al-Barmakī, §26.15, §27.2

edema, §18.6

faith, §13.12

Egypt, xviii, §10.5, §§13.47–48, §25.5, §34.9.

false accusations, §§5.6–7, 426n25 Fam al-Ṣilḥ (town), §12.3, §14.12

See also Nile elegies, xvi, §7.3, §§13.11–15, §§13.32–34,

al-Farʿāʾ (region), §25.4 Farīdah (slave girl), §1.13, §14.6

§14.14, 430n86 elephantiasis, §5.6

Farther White Palace, §30.5

elephants, §13.7

fasting: Abū l-ʿAynāʾ on, §10.9; eating

embroidery, §14.18, §18.3, §35.6

during, §12.15, 429n68; al-Ḥasan ibn

emeralds, §4.8, §24.3, §26.3, §26.8

Rajāʾ on, §7.10; month following

emirs, §22.5

Ramadan, §24.6; al-Muʿtamid on,

enbankments, §5.1, §26.2, §34.9

§12.15; al-Numayrī on, §9.10; sexual

Epiphany, §12.3, §23.2

intercourse and, §10.9, 427n48; start of,

espionage, §2.9

427n44; Virgins’ fast, §13.3 al-Fatḥ ibn Khāqān, §§1.5–6, §14.3, §14.5,

Ethiopians’ Pool, §§38.3–7

§14.18

eunuchs, §14.5 Euphrates, §5.1, §§26.1–4, §26.6, 426n30

495

Fāthyūn, Mār, Monastery of, §28.1

495

Index Fāṭimah bint ʿAbd al-Malik, §25.4

food, §5.16, §5.18, §13.28, §39.3. See also

Fatimid state, xiii

eating; fasting

feasts: in general, xix–xxi; at Akhmīm,

footwear, §2.13

Monastery in the Region of, §53.1; of

forgiveness, §§13.27–28

the Cross, §35.1; at Durmālis Monastery,

fortresses, §§13.44–45

§§1.2–4; at Samālū Monastery,

Fourth Ecumenical Council, xviii

§§2.1–3; at Scarabs’ Monastery, §41.1;

Foxes, Monastery of the, §§3.1–2, §4.1

at al-Shatīq, Shrine of, §31.1; at Sisters’

foxes’ basilicum (rayḥān al-thaʿālib), §3.1

Monastery, §11.1; at Tūmā, Mār,

Friday prayer, §9.15, §18.2

Monastery of, §44.1; at Ushmūnī’s

Friday sermon (khuṭbah), §13.64, 430n99

Monastery, §§6.1–3, §§6.6–7; at

friendship: poems exchanged between friends, xvi, §§9.6–19; quarrels among

Yuḥannas, Monastery of, §51.1 female genitalia, §33.6, §33.12

friends, §§9.11–16; rivalry among,

fevers, §13.44, §14.18

§§33.15–17; visiting sick friends, §§9.11–12, §9.16

fields, §18.3 finances, §§35.11–12

fruit, §2.9, §15.11, §34.9, §35.10

Fīq, 434n154

funerals, §5.7, §13.10, §13.25

Fīq Monastery, §§23.1–2 gambling: backgammon, §1.12, §16.5; chess,

fire, §13.42, §49.1, 437n218

§10.14, §16.5; knucklebones, §16.5

First Civil War, xxi, §§24.10–11

games: backgammon, §1.12, §16.5;

fish, §47.1 Flock, Monastery of the (Qūṭā), §§8.1–2 floods and flooding, §13.36, §34.9, §38.1,

chess, §10.14, §16.5, §20.1, 433n136; knucklebones, §16.5 gardens, §§7.8–9, §18.3, §25.3

§39.1 flowers: acacias, §39.3; anemones (see

garments: Abū l-Qāsim Ūnūjūr ibn

anemones); daffodils, §7.9; daisies,

al-Ikhshīd gifts garments to Ibn al-Baṣrī,

§26.6; gillyflowers, §26.8, §38.7; at

§39.4; brocade, §14.10, §14.18, §18.4,

Ḥannā, Mār, Monastery of, §§38.3–5,

§24.6, §26.8, §34.2; capes, §15.7; cloaks,

§38.7; javelins, §34.2; lilies, §26.3,

§7.7; coats, §5.16, §7.7; embroidered,

§26.6, §26.8, §34.2, §39.2; marigolds,

§14.18, §18.3; girdles, §18.4, §23.2,

§38.7; meadows, §4.8, §§24.3–7, §26.3,

434n159; hair shirts, §25.4; headwear,

§§34.1–2; at Nahyā Monastery, §39.1;

§5.11, §39.4; lampooning, sent to stop,

narcissi (see narcissi); oxeyes, §13.5,

§36.10; looking poorly, §§22.3–5;

§26.6, §26.8, §38.7, §39.2; in spring,

mantles, §5.20, §25.4; robes (see robes);

§26.3, §26.8, §§34.1–2, §38.7, §39.2;

robes of honor, §5.15, §13.31, §13.35,

violets, §24.4, §26.6, §34.2, §38.7;

§§13.36–37, 426n28; from silk, §14.18;

wallflowers, §34.2

sleeves, §14.4, §14.13; surcoats, §14.10;

496

496

Index garments (cont.): in trousseau, bridal, §14.10; tunics, §13.50. See also footwear genealogy: in general, xxi–xxii; of Abū Muslim, §25.7; Arab descent, §33.17, §36.13; Khālid ibn al-Walīd asks about

ʿAbd al-Masīḥ’s genealogy, §30.6; Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim on, §36.13;

gout, §13.7 governorship, §§13.36–38, §13.51, §13.54, §13.62, §24.10, §25.5 graves, §13.10, §13.15, §13.38, §25.3, §25.6, §27.2 Great Monastery (Monastery of Saint Abraham the Great), §21.1

pension based on, §10.10; of Salīṭ

grief, solace from, §36.1

(putative son of ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās),

gul-afshānī (rose-strewing), 431n115

§25.2; Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād on, §33.17 generosity: Abū l-ʿAynāʾ on, §10.2; of Abū l-Qāsim Yūsuf, §22.5; at Bāshahrā Monastery, §10.2; al-Ḥusayn ibn

al-Hādī, Abū Jaʿfar Mūsā, §26.13 hair: beards, §21.10, §24.10; in food, §13.28; loss of, §18.1

al-Ḍaḥḥāk on, §7.6; of Isḥāq ibn

hair shirts, §25.4

Ibrāhīm, §§5.20–22; al-Lubbādī on,

hajj (pilgrimage), §20.6, §21.7, §30.4,

§22.5; of al-Maʾmūn, §13.43, §36.14; of

§§33.2–5

Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir,

al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf al-Thaqafī, xxi, §§32.2–3

§§13.26–30; Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim on,

Ḥakam al-Wādī, §33.13

§36.13

Ḥakīm ibn Jabalah al-ʿAbdī, §§24.10–11

genitalia, §9.4, §20.7, §33.12, §33.16

Ḥamdān, Banū (clan), §18.6

George, Saint, Monastery of (Mār Jirjis),

Ḥamdān ibn Yaḥyā, §36.7 Ḥammād ʿAjrad, §§33.7–8, §33.11, §33.15,

§§9.1–2, §9.5 Ghadīr (river), §§30.1–2

436n190

Ghassān ibn ʿAbbād, §13.62

Ḥammād al-Rāwiyah, §§33.7–8, §33.13

Ghuṣayn’s Dome (Ḥīrah), §30.7

hammams, §20.7, §20.9

gifts, §7.7, §14.10. See also money, gifting of

al-Ḥamrāʾ, §13.49

gillyflowers, §26.8, §38.7

hands, amputation of, §13.28

girdles (zunnār), §18.4, §23.2, 434n159

hangmen, §5.15

God: Abū l-ʿAynāʾ on, §§10.15–16; cursing

Hanī Canal, §26.3, §§26.6–7

of, §18.7; in elegies, §§13.12–15;

Ḥanīfah, Banū (tribe), §10.18

grammatical use of term, §10.13, 428n53;

Ḥannā, Mār, Monastery of (Saint John),

al-Maʾmūn on, §18.5; on merit, §13.55; Muṣʿab ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Baṣrī on, §21.7; Muslim wine sellers and, §6.8;

§§38.1–7 Ḥarb, Banū (Abū Sufyān ibn Ḥarb ibn Umayyah and his descendants), §25.6

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir

al-Ḥarīrī, §9.9

receives a gift from, §13.21

harīsah (dish), §13.28

gold, §14.8, §14.10, §14.15

497

497

Index Hārūn ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn al-Muʿtamid, §15.11

Hishām ibn ʿAbd al-Malik (caliph), §14.3, §14.10 Hishām ibn Muʿāwiyah al-Ḍarīr al-Naḥwī,

Hārūnī Palace, §14.18 Hārūn al-Rashīd (caliph). See al-Rashīd, Hārūn

§6.9 Holy Fire, §49.1, 437n218

al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ḥamdān Nāṣir

homosexuality: Abū Nuwās, §23.2; ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Warrāq describes,

al-Dawlah, §19.1 al-Ḥasan ibn Makhlad, §13.31

§§16.2–3; Bakr ibn Khārijah on, §31.3;

al-Ḥasan ibn Rajāʾ, Abū ʿAlī, §§7.10–11

al-Muhalhil, §24.9; Muṣʿab, §§21.3–10;

al-Ḥasan ibn Sahl, §14.9, §14.12, §§36.2–5

al-Muʿtazz loves Yūnus ibn Bughā,

al-Ḥasan ibn Wahb, Abū ʿAlī, §10.10

§§15.6–8, §15.10, §15.12; Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās,

al-Ḥasan ibn Zayd, xvii, 430n86

§§33.15–17; ʿUbbādah, §20.2, §20.9;

Hashimite women, §14.10

Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād, §§33.15–17

Ḥātim al-Ṭāʾ ī, §§13.58–59

hornbills, §53.1

hats, §5.16

horoscopes, §35.5

Hawāzin (tribal confederation), §32.6,

horses: Abū l-Shibl al-Burjumī on, §6.7; ʿAlī ibn ʿĪsā is killed while mounting, §13.59;

435n187 Hazār (singing girl), §12.9

Ibn al-Baṣrī, belonging to, §39.4; Isḥāq

Ḥaẓīrah (village), §13.25

ibn Ibrāhīm gifts horse to Aḥmad ibn

heads, amputation of, §15.14, §§18.6–7

Yūsuf, §5.21; Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh

headwear, §5.11, §39.4

ibn Ṭāhir gifts horse to Abū ʿAbdallāh

healing springs, xix, §18.1, §19.2

ibn Ḥamdūn, §13.41; al-Mutawakkil gifts

helmets, §13.58

horses during circumcision banquet,

heresy, 430n91

§14.4; al-Numayrī claims he can't come

Hīlānah (slave girl), §26.13

because horse is ill, §9.16; Saʿīd ibn

Hind bint al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir, xix,

Masʿūd al-Quṭrabbulī on, §36.12

xxi, §§32.1–6

hospitality, xx–xxi

Hind’s Monastery, §§32.1–4

host (sacramental bread), §23.2

Ḥīrah (ancient city): Bishops’ Monasteries,

hostility, §13.51

§30.1; buildings in, §30.5, §30.7;

houris (fabled beauties), §15.2, 432n118

convivial gatherings at monasteries

House of Vigils (Bāshahrā Monastery),

of, xx; Hind’s Monastery, §§32.1–4; historical memory of, xxi; Ibn Mazʿūq’s Monastery, §28.1; Khālid ibn al-Walīd visits, §§30.6–7; al-Sadīr, §§30.1–4;

§§10.1–2 al-Hudāhidī (possible owner of slave girl), §2.14 Ḥulwān (town), §37.3

al-Shatīq, Shrine of, §§31.1–2 Hirmās (river), §21.1

498

498

Index humor: jokes, §§10.7–11, §10.14, §20.3, §§20.6–10, §§33.11–12; satire, xvi, §1.14,

Ibn al-Mudabbir, Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad, §20.10 Ibn al-Muʿtazz, ʿAbdallāh: circumcision

§12.11 hunting, §§15.1–2, §16.5, §26.1, §39.1, §39.2

banquet, §§14.2–5, §14.7; elegy by,

Hūr, Abū, Priory of, §50.1

§§13.11–15; Jaḥẓah can’t find sandal

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk, §5.2, §§7.2–11,

when visiting, §2.13; Muḥammad ibn

ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir and, §§13.34–35;

§14.6, §29.2, §34.1 al-Ḥusayn ibn Muṣʿab, §13.56

al-Numayrī and, §§9.6–19; reciting

Ḥusayn (the Eunuch), §13.61

poetry by al-Muʿtamid, §12.4; on

hydraulic organs, 429n71

al-Sūsī’s Monastery, §14.1; ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir and, §§13.5–7,

Ibn Abī Fanan, Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān

§§13.11–15, §13.21, §13.24, §13.31, §13.35;

Aḥmad, §13.29

on Virgins’ Monastery, §13.4

Ibn Abī Ṭālib al-Makfūf al-Wāṣitī, §27.1 Ibn al-Anbārī, Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim, §4.10

Ibn al-Qaṣṣār, Sulaymān ibn ʿAlī, §14.6, §15.9 Ibn Qays al-Ruqayyāt, §33.19

Ibn ʿĀṣim, al-Mawqifī al-Miṣrī, Muḥammad,

Ibn Qudāmah, Jaʿfar, §13.10 Ibn al-Rūmī, ʿAlī ibn al-ʿAbbās, xvii, §11.3,

§37.3, §§38.2–5, §§40.2–3, §49.2 Ibn Badr, §10.7

§13.32, 433n146

Ibn Bisṭām, Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad, §38.3 Ibn Dihqānah al-Hāshimī, Muḥammad ibn

ʿUmar, §§3.2–6

Ibn al-Sarī ibn al-Ḥakam, ʿUbaydallāh, §§13.47–48 Ibn Sīrīn, Abū Bakr Muḥammad, §21.7

Ibn Faraj al-Taghlibī, §13.2

Ibn Tarkhān, §2.15

Ibn Ḥabīb, Muḥammad, §33.9

Ibn Thawābah, Abū l-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn

Ibn al-Ḥafsī, §14.6

Muḥammad, §10.14

Ibn Ḥamdūn, Abū ʿAbdallāh Aḥmad, xvii, §§1.3–13, §7.7, §13.41, §20.6

Ibn al-Zanbaqī, §37.4 Ibrāhīm (the Imam) ibn Muḥammad ibn

Ibn Ḥamdūn, Abū Muḥammad ʿAbdallāh ibn Aḥmad, §1.14, §14.6

ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn al-ʿAbbās, §3.3, §25.7 Ibrāhīm ibn al-ʿAbbās al-Ṣūlī, §13.66, §14.8

Ibn Jaddān, §13.50 Ibn Jahshiyār, Abū l-Ḥasan ʿAlī, §13.20

Ibrāhīm ibn Abī ʿUbays, §1.14, §1.15

Ibn Jamhūr, Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥusayn

Ibrāhīm ibn Hārūn (the Christian), §13.27

al-ʿAmmī, xvii, §§35.2–9

Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mahdī, §§2.5–7, §5.5, §36.6

Ibn Khurdādhbih, ʿUbaydallāh ibn

Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Mudabbir,

ʿAbdallāh, §5.12, §§14.15–16

§1.12, §14.7

Ibn al-Makkī, Aḥmad ibn Yaḥyā, §14.6

Ibrāhīm ibn al-Qāsim ibn Zarzūr, §1.15

Ibn Mazʿūq’s Monastery, §28.1

ice, §10.14

499

499

Index icons, §37.1, §37.3

Jabhān al-Shī ʿī, §13.56

illness. See disease

Jacob (biblical figure), §12.13

imams, 431n113

Jacob (the Coppersmith), §12.13

inheritance, xxxiii n18, §20.8, §25.2

Jacobites, xviii, §§43.1–2

iniquity, §13.65

Jaʿfar ibn Yaḥyā al-Barmakī, §30.4, 434n168

instruments. See musical instruments

al-Jaʿfari Palace, §14.8, §14.15

insults, §10.16. See also lampooning

al-Jāḥiẓ, ʿAmr ibn Baḥr Abū ʿUthmān,

ʿIrfān (slave girl), §14.6

§10.10, §13.2

al-Iṣbahānī, Abū al-Faraj ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn, xiv, xxxii n9

Jaḥẓah al-Barmakī: mimicking of, §§1.14– 15; poetry of, §§2.13–16, §§6.2–3, §12.2;

Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Muṣʿab al-Ṭāhirī,

recounting anecdote of Ibn Dihqānah

Abū al-Ḥusayn: Abū ʿAlī ibn al-Rashīd

al-Hāshimī, §§3.3–5; recounting

punished by, §§5.3–4; Abū Ḥashīshah

anecdote of Ibrāhīm ibn al-Qāsim ibn

and, §§5.16–17; amputating cook’s hand,

Zarzūr, §1.15; recounting anecdote of

§13.28; ʿAmr ibn Bānah and, §§5.18–19;

Khālid al-Kātib, §2.5; ʿUbaydallāh ibn

beating Umm Abīhā, §5.7; control

ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir and, §2.13, §13.8

of affairs while governing, §§5.9–15;

al-Jallūdī, ʿĪsā ibn Yazīd, §13.50

death of, §13.26; digging of Isḥāqī

al-Jammāsh (poet), §§6.6–7

Canal, 432n126; generosity, §§5.20–22;

Jarīr ibn ʿAṭiyyah, §6.9

al-Maʾmūn and, §5.5, §5.8, §13.49;

Jarjūth Monastery, §6.1

al-Muʿtaṣim and, §13.51, §13.54

jasmine, §26.6

Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm al-Mawṣilī, §§1.7–8

javelins, §34.2

Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm (obscure state scribe),

Jawsaq Palace, §12.14, §14.15, §15.9,

§35.13

§§15.14–15, §39.2

Isḥāq ibn Murawwiḥ, §12.9

Jazīrah (area between Euphrates and

Isḥāqī Canal, §17.1, 432n126

Tigris), §25.5

Islam: Christianity and, xviii; conversion to

Jazīrat Ibn ʿUmar (town), §48.1

Islam, xx–xxi, §6.8; Shi ʿism, xvii, §10.16;

jealousy, §5.5

Sunnism, xvii. See also fasting; Muslims

Jerusalem, §49.1

Ismāʿīl ibn ʿAbdallāh al-Marākibī, §15.5 isnāds (chains of transmission), xxix, xxx, 437n205

Jesus Christ: in general, xix; Abū Nuwās on, §23.2; Ascension, 434n161; Epiphany, §12.3, §23.2; Fīq Monastery, connection

Itrīb, Priory of, §52.1

with, §23.1; Holy Fire, 437n218; nature

Iyād (tribe), §32.6

of, xviii; at Quṣayr Monastery, icon of,

Iyās ibn Shuraḥbīl, §18.7

§37.1; Resurrection, §23.2, 434n161; Tabor, Mount, connection with, §24.1;

Jabalah ibn al-Ayham al-Ghassānī, §32.5

500

Transfiguration, xix, §24.1, 434n161;

500

Index Jesus Christ (cont.): Tūmā, Mār, and, §44.1

Khuld Palace, §14.10

jewelry, §14.8, §14.10

Khunth (slave girl), §26.14

jewels, §15.9, §26.3, §38.5

Khurasan, xv, §13.36, §13.49, §13.54,

Jews, xxxiii n19, xxxiv n27, §6.8, §19.1 Jirjis, Mār, Monastery of (Saint George), §§9.1–2, §9.5

§§13.62–63 Kinānah, Banū, §33.19 kissing, §9.4, §13.53, §21.9

John, Saint, Monastery of (Mār Yuḥannā), §§16.1–2, §21.1, 433n139

knucklebones, §16.5 kohl, §26.11, §27.1

jokes, §§10.7–11, §10.14, §20.3, §§20.6–10,

Kufa, §33.2, §§33.5–6, §33.8 Kulthūm ibn Thābit ibn Abī Saʿd, §13.64

§§33.11–12 Jonah Son of Amittai, Monastery of,

Kurdiyyah (singing girl), §1.12

§§19.1–2

Kushājim, Abū l-Fatḥ Maḥmūd, §§34.2–9

jonquils, §26.6

Kuwwat al-Baqqāl, §30.5

Joseph (biblical figure), §12.13, 433n147 judges, §20.8

Labīb (servant), §1.14

Judgment Day, xxii, §13.15, §32.3

Labīd ibn Rabī ʿa, 433n142

Jūdī, Mount, §48.1, 437n215

Lajjūn (village), §24.1, 434n160 Lākahkīfī (singer), §1.15 lampooning: Di ʿ bil threatens to lampoon

Kaaba (Mecca), §21.7 Kalwādhā (township), §29.1, §33.4

ʿUbbādah, §20.6; Khansāʾ threatens to

Karkh (suburb and commercial area of

lampoon Abū l-Shibl, §6.9; Muḥammad

Baghdad), §§5.1–2, §16.3, §26.8, §33.4

ibn ʿAlī lampoons Mūsā ibn Bughā,

Karkhāyā Canal, §5.1

§12.11; by Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim,

Kaskar, Monastery of, xxxiv n25, §36.1

§§36.3–5, §36.10; Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās is

Kaysūm (village), §13.44

almost lampooned, §33.11; Muṭī ʿ ibn

al-Khabbāz al-Baladī, Abū Bakr

Iyās lampoons his father, §33.19 lashing: of ʿAlī ibn ʿAbdallāh, §25.4, §25.5;

Muḥammad, §20.1 Khābūr River, §21.1

for false accusation, §5.7; of Ḥamdūn

Khālid ibn al-Walīd, §§30.6–7

ibn Ismāʿīl, §1.13; of Ḥātim al-Ṭāʾ ī,

Khālid al-Kātib, §§2.3–12

§13.58; Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm threatens

Khalīl ibn Hishām, §13.62

to sentence, §5.17; of Muḥammad ibn

Khansāʾ (singer and poet), §6.9

Rāshid, §5.15; Muḥammad ibn Rāshid

Kharijites (Islamic sect), §§13.62–63

threatens to sentence, §5.17; for murder,

Khashab Palace, §26.9

§25.4; for stealing, §5.15; of Umm Abīhā,

al-Khawarnaq (palace), §30.2

§5.7

Khosroes, §30.5

launches (boats), §6.1

al-Khujistānī, Aḥmad ibn ʿAbdallāh, §13.40

lavender, §26.3, §26.6, §34.2

501

501

Index leadership, xxxiii n18

al-Lubbādī, Abū Bakr Aḥmad ibn

lemongrass, §26.6

Muḥammad, §§22.2–5

Lent, xix, §1.2, §11.1, §13.3

lunar eclipse, §§13.31–33

leprosy, §5.6, 436n195

lutes, §13.16, §15.15, §§34.4–7

libertines, xv–xvi, §4.1, §7.1, 425n12

Lydda (city), §23.2, 434n158

libraries, xiii

lying, 425n2

lilies, §26.3, §26.6, §26.8, §34.2, §39.2

lyres, §34.6

lions, §13.7, §14.17, §20.10 Maʿāfir Monastery (Monastery of Mār

loans, §35.12 lodges, §16.1

Ḥannā), §§38.1–7

loneliness, §§9.9–10, §12.6

Maʿāfir Pool, §§38.3–7

love: ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn

al-Madāʾinī, ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad ibn Abī

al-Rabī ʿ falls in, §8.4, §§8.6–7; ʿAbdallāh

Sayf, §25.2

ibn al-Muʿtazz on, §§9.17–19; Abū

al-Mahdī (caliph), §14.10

ʿAbdallāh Muḥammad ibn Ismāʿīl Zanjī

Mahdī Canal, §2.1

is in, §13.21; Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn

Maḥmūd (the Bookseller), §6.8

al-Sarī al-Sarrāj (the Grammarian) is

male genitalia, §9.4, §20.7, §33.16

in, §13.20; Abū l-ʿAynāʾ, woman falls in

al-Maʾmūn, ʿAbdallāh (caliph): in general,

love with, §10.11; Bakr ibn Khārijah on,

xxii; ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir and, §§13.42–

§31.3; Christians, Muslims falling in love

43, §§13.46–49, §13.51; Aḥmad ibn

with, §§8.6–7, §23.2, §24.9; disease,

Ṣadaqah recites poetry to, §§2.8–9;

described as, §9.18; homosexual (see

birth of, §26.15; Būrān (wife) and,

homosexuality); Ibn al-ʿAbbās al-Baṣrī

§§14.12–14; death of, §13.51; generosity,

on, §38.5; Ibn Ḥamdūn, Abū ʿAbdallāh

§§36.13–14; al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

Aḥmad on, §§1.5–6; Ibn Jamhūr on,

and, §7.3, §7.10; Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm

§35.2, §35.4, §§35.6–8; Ibrāhīm ibn

and, §§5.8–9, §§5.11–12, §5.22; Khālid

al-Mahdī on, §§2.6–7; Jaḥẓah on, §2.16;

al-Kātib composes poetry for, §§2.8–9;

Khālid al-Kātib on, §2.10; Kushājim

al-Aʿlā Monastery, visiting, §§18.3–5;

on, §34.3; al-Muhalhil on, §§24.8–9;

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim and, §§36.13–14;

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah on, §4.3,

praise of in marginal comments,

§§4.5–6; Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās and, §33.14;

426n26; Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn and,

Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās on, §33.18; al-Nājim

§§13.55–56, §§13.59–66; ʿUbbādah and,

Abū ʿUthmān on, §11.5; al-Rashīd on,

§§20.3–4; Umm Abīhā and, §§5.5–7;

§§26.9–14; al-Ṣanawbarī on, §§26.6–7;

wedding banquet, §§14.12–13

seeking approval of, §8.4; al-Tharwānī

Manichaeism, xxxiiii n19

on, §28.3

al-Manṣūriyyah (singer), §35.4 mantles, §5.20, §25.4

502

502

Index manuscript. See Book of Monasteries

Mihrijān (autumn festival), §28.2, 435n172 Mīkhāʾ īl’s Monastery (Bactrians’

(al-Shābushtī) Marājil (slave of al-Rashīd/mother of al-Maʾmūn), §26.15

Monastery), xxii, §25.1, §§25.3–4 mimicking of singers, §1.14

marginal comments in the manuscript.

miracles: in general, xix; caskets, involving,

See Book of Monasteries, marginal

§44.1, §51.1; curing of rabies, §42.1;

comments in

curing scrofula, §50.1; curing skin

Mārī, Mār (disciple of Addai), 436n195

complaints, §46.1; dove returning

Mārī, Mār, Monastery of, §§15.1–3

to monastery, §52.1; fire at Mount

Māridah (slave girl), §§26.10–11

Sinai, §49.1; hornbills sticking heads

marigolds, §38.7

in crevice, §53.1; ravens protecting

marriage, §1.9, §32.5. See also divorce

monastery, §45.1; scarabs appearing,

Marwān ibn Abī Ḥafṣah al-Aṣghar ibn Abī

§41.1; terraces changing size, §48.1; at

al-Janūb, xxxiii n18, §§1.7–8

Tūmā, Mār, Monastery of, §44.1; at

Marwān ibn Jabghūyah, §13.61

Yuḥannas, Monastery of, §51.1

Mary, Virgin, §23.2, §37.1, 434n159

monasteries: in general, xiii;

Mary’s Monastery (al-Sūsī’s Monastery), §14.1

administrators, §43.2; attractions of, xx–xxi; cells, xix, xxxiv n25, §34.1, §35.1,

Maṣābīḥ (singing girl), §§8.7–8

§36.1, §37.2; clappers (see clappers);

Masdūd, Abū ʿAlī al-Ḥasan, §14.6

convents and, xxx; corruption at,

Māshūsh, Night of, §11.1, 428n60

428n60; diseases, treatment of, xix,

masked players (sammājah), 426n27

§42.1, §46.1, §50.1; feasts, patronal (see

Masrūr al-Balkhī, §13.36

feasts); gatherings at, xx, §5.16, §7.7,

Masrūr al-Muʿtaṣimī, §15.11

§9.11, §33.13; healing springs at, xix,

al-Masʿūdī, ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn, xxi

§18.1, §19.2; historical memory, xxi–xxii;

Maṭīrah (pleasure ground), §14.1

hospitality, xx–xxi; miraculous events

Maymūn ibn Ḥammād, §2.4

at (see miracles); monks (see monks);

Maymūn ibn Ibrāhīm, §10.8, §10.16

Muslims and Christians at, xx–xxi,

Māzin ibn Ṣaʿṣaʿah, §32.6

§13.4; naming of, 433n135; priests, §10.2,

Mazrafah (village), §9.1

§18.3; promiscuity at, §11.1, 428n60;

meadows, §4.8, §§24.3–7, §26.3, §§34.1–2.

translating, difficulty of, xxx. See also

See also flowers

specific monasteries

Mecca, §21.7, §36.3. See also pilgrimage

money: carpet, value of, §14.3; confiscated

Megiddo (kibbutz), 434n160

from Ṣāʿid ibn Makhlad, §35.13; dinars,

Melkites, xviii–xix, §16.1, §43.2

§38.5, 425n6; dirhams, 425n13; finances,

merchants, §13.27, §35.12

§§35.11–12; flowers resembling dinars,

messengers, §9.10, §9.12

§38.5; gambling, §1.12;

503

503

Index money (cont.): minting of coins, §14.5, §14.16, §15.9; al-Mutawakkil’s spending of, §§14.15–18; for prostitution, §20.9; scattering of, §14.16; seizing of, §13.2

Muʿallaqāt (Seven Poems), §35.10, 436n198 Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān (caliph), xvii, xxii, §§18.6–8, §32.5 Mudrik ibn ʿAlī al-Shaybānī, 434n155

money, gifting of: by ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir,

Mufliḥ al-Turkī, Abū Isḥāq, §12.9, §13.31

§13.53; ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir refuses

al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿ bah al-Thaqafī, xxi,

to accept, §13.48; by Abū l-Ṣaqr,

§§32.5–6

§10.5; by ʿAmr ibn Bānah, §5.18;

al-Muhalhil ibn Yamūt ibn al-Muzarri ʿ,

bride-price, given to Būrān as, §14.13;

§§24.2–10, §24.12 Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir:

at circumcision banquet, §14.4, §§14.4–5, §14.8; at funerals, §13.25; by

in general, §13.26; in battle, §13.49;

Ibn Dihqānah, §3.4; by Ibrāhīm ibn

birth of, §13.31; death of, §§13.31–34;

al-Mahdī, §2.7; by Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm,

erasing of line from, in manuscript,

§5.17; lampooning, sent to stop, §36.10;

xvii; genealogy, §10.10; generosity,

by al-Maʾmūn, §2.9, §§36.13–14; by

§§13.27–30; governing Baghdad, §5.9,

Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir,

§§13.41–42

§13.29; to Muḥammad ibn Tāhir, §13.36; by al-Muktafī, §13.21; by al-Muʿtaḍid, §13.16; by al-Muʿtamid, §12.7; by

Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Hāshimī, §2.2 Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Zayyāt,

al-Mutawakkil, §1.8, §5.13, §10.17,

§8.3, §10.6, §§13.54–55

§14.16; by al-Muʿtazz, §15.3, §15.9; by

Muḥammad ibn Abī l-ʿAbbās al-Ṭūsī, §13.60

Shaghab, §13.25; to slave girls, §12.7,

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah, §§4.1–10

§13.16; by Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn, §13.61;

Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī, §12.11, §25.7

by Ṭalḥah (son of al-Maʾmūn), §13.66;

Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥārith ibn Buskhunnar,

by al-Wāthiq, §13.54; at wedding, §14.10 monks: chanting, xx, §6.5, §15.1, §34.1, §37.3, §40.2; clappers (see clappers);

§7.11 Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan ibn Muṣʿab, §13.46

at Confessors, Monastery of the,

Muḥammad ibn Ḥāzim al-Bāhilī, §§36.2–15

§5.2; al-Aʿlā Monastery, §18.3; sexual

Muḥammad ibn Hishām, xiv

intercourse, having, §13.2; ʿUbbādah

Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm

falls in love with a monk, §20.2

al-Ṭāhirī, §5.11, §13.26

moon, §7.9, §§13.31–33, §13.40, §39.2, §49.2

Muḥammad ibn Marwān, §25.5

Moses (biblical figure), xix, §37.2, §49.1

Muḥammad ibn al-Muʾammil al-Ṭāʾ ī, §6.4

Mosul, §§18.1–2

Muḥammad ibn Mukarram, §§10.8–9,

mountains, §21.1, §23.1, §24.1

§§10.18–19

mounts. See horses

Muḥammad ibn Rajāʾ, §1.12

mourning, §§13.10–15

Muḥammad ibn Rāshid, §§5.15–17

504

504

Index Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd ibn Sālim al-Bāhilī,

rhythmic modes, §4.1, §12.6, §13.40, §15.10, 426n19, 429n65; Shāriyah,

§§36.3–4, §36.8 Muḥammad ibn al-Sarī al-Sarrāj Abū Bakr,

singing by, §§13.6–7; singing girls, §12.8, §13.16, §13.20, §13.21, §33.12, §§35.4–5

§13.20 Muḥammad ibn Ṭāhir ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn

music, poetry set to: ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabī ʿ, §8.3, §§8.6–7;

Ṭāhir, §§13.35–36 Muḥammad ibn Tughj al-Ikhshīd, xxi

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk, §7.9; Khālid

Muḥammad ibn ʿUbaydallāh ibn Yaḥyā ibn

al-Kātib, §2.11; al-Maʾmūn, §18.4;

Khāqān. See ʿUbaydallāh ibn Yaḥyā ibn

al-Muhalhil, §24.6; Muḥammad ibn

Khāqān

Abī Umayyah, §4.1; al-Muʿtamid, §12.3,

Muḥammad ibn ʿUmar, §§1.7–8

§12.6; al-Muʿtazz, §15.7, §15.9

Muḥammad (Prophet). See Prophet

musical instruments: lutes, §13.16, §15.15,

al-Muhtadī, Muḥammad ibn Hārūn

§§34.4–7; lyres, §34.6; organs, 429n71;

al-Wāthiq, §§13.61–62

pandores, §5.16, §6.2, §15.9, 426n20

Muʿizz al-Dawlah. See Aḥmad ibn Buwayh Mukhāriq ibn Yaḥyā, §13.50

musk, §6.11, §14.10, §24.6, §24.8, §26.4, §28.1. See also perfume

al-Muktafī, Abū Aḥmad ʿAlī (caliph), xxii, §1.15, §12.5, §§13.20–21

Muslims: Christians, falling in love with, §§8.6–7, §23.2, §24.9; Christians and,

al-Mundhir ibn al-Nuʿmān, §30.4, §32.5 Munʿim (singing girl), §14.6

xx–xxi, §13.4; as tavern keepers, §6.8 al-Mustaʿīn bi-llāh, Aḥmad (caliph), §12.10,

Muʾnis, §13.24

§§15.14–15

al-Muntaṣir bi-llāh, Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad (caliph), §14.6

al-Muʿtaḍid bi-llāh, Abū l-ʿAbbās Aḥmad (caliph), §§13.16–18, §13.38, §13.40,

al-Muqtadir bi-llāh (caliph), §13.25

§25.7, §35.12

Mūsā (son of al-Maʾmūn), §14.6

al-Muʿtamid ʿalā Allāh, Abū l-ʿAbbās

Muṣʿab ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Baṣrī, §§21.2–10 Mūsā ibn ʿAbd al-Malik, §20.10

Aḥmad (caliph), xvi, §3.5, §§12.3–15, §13.36 al-Muʿtaṣim bi-llāh, Muḥammad (caliph):

Mūsā ibn Bughā, §12.11, §§13.35–36 Mūsā ibn Ṣāliḥ ibn Shaykh, §5.14

in general, xxii; ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir and,

al-Musaqqatāt (palace), §30.5

§13.47, §§13.51–52; Ḥamdūn ibn Ismāʿīl

music: in general, xvi; Abū Ḥashīshah,

and, §1.13; al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk and,

singing by, §§5.16–17; dancing and,

§7.3, §7.5; Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm al-Ṭāhirī

§6.4; Farīdah, singing by, §1.13; Ḥamdūn

and, §5.4, §§5.9–11, §5.15; Māridah

ibn Ismāʿīl is moved by song, §1.13;

(mother), §§26.10–11; sons attending

Kushājim on, §§34.4–5; Lākahkīfī

circumcision banquet, §14.6; Ṭāhir

envies Ibrāhīm ibn Abī ʿUbays' singing,

ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn Muṣʿab and, §13.55;

§1.15; mimicking singers, §1.14;

ʿUbbādah and, §20.4

505

505

Index al-Mutawakkil ʿalā Allāh, Jaʿfar (caliph):

Ṭālib al-Makfūf al-Wāṣitī on, §27.1;

in general, xxii; Abū l-ʿAynāʾ and,

Ibn ʿĀṣim on, §40.3; Kushājim on,

§§10.3–4, §§10.15–18; circumcision

§34.2; al-Muhalhil on, §24.3, §24.4;

banquet for son, §§14.2–4, §§14.7–10;

Muḥammad ibn Abī Umayyah on, §4.8;

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk and, §§7.3–7; Ibn Ḥamdūn, Abū ʿAbdallāh Aḥmad and, §§1.4–9, §1.11, §1.13; Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm and, §5.9, §5.13; marginal comment on, 431n109; Muḥammad ibn

al-Ṣanawbarī on, §26.6 al-Nāshi ʾ al-Akbar ʿAbdallāh, §§3.7–8, 426n21 Naṣr ibn Shabath al-ʿUqaylī, §§13.44–46, 430n89

ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir and, §13.26, §13.41;

Nauruz festival, §5.13, §7.7

al-Muʿtazz is shown shirt stained with

Nawbahār Monastery, §23.2, 434n157

blood of, §15.13; spending of money,

nectar, §2.2, §3.2

§§14.15–18; ʿUbbādah and, §20.2, §20.4,

Nestorians, xviii, §16.1, §43.2, 432n121. See

§20.6, §20.8, §20.10

also Church of the East

Mutawakkiliyyah Palace, §14.15

Night of Māshūsh, §11.1, 428n60

Mutayyam al-Hishāmiyyah, §8.7

Nile: casket miraculously travels to, §51.1;

al-Muʿtazz, Abū ʿAbdallāh Muḥammad (caliph), §§15.2–15

flooding, §38.1, §39.1; Ibn ʿĀṣim on, §40.3; Kushājim, Abū l-Fatḥ Maḥmūd

Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās, §§33.2–3, §§33.7–19

on, §34.9; Moses cast into, §37.2;

al-Muwaffaq, Abū Aḥmad Ṭalḥah, §3.5,

Ṣāliḥ ibn Mūsā on, §38.6; Ṭamwayh

§12.4, §12.14, §§13.36–37, §§35.11–13

Monastery reflected in, §40.1 Nineveh, xix, §19.1

Nabateans, §30.6, §33.17, 435n176

Nīshāpūr, §13.36, §13.49

al-Nābighah al-Dhubyānī, §32.2, 435n184

Nisibis (city), §21.1

Nadmān (singing girl), §14.6

Noah’s ark, xix, §48.1, 437n215

Nahr al-Sarbaṭ (Byzantines’ River), §22.1

Nuʿm (singing girl), §§18.4–5

Nahyā Monastery, §§39.1–3

al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir, §26.8, §§32.5–6

Najaf (town), §30.1

al-Numayrī, Abū l-Ṭayyib Muḥammad ibn

Najāḥ ibn Salamah, §1.11

al-Qāsim, §§9.5–19

al-Nājim Abū ʿUthmān Saʿd ibn al-Ḥasan, §§11.2–5

nursing, §26.15, §27.2 Nuṣayr, §13.44

Najlah (singing girl), §14.6 nakedness, §20.7

organs, 429n71

narcissi: at circumcision banquet,

oryxes, §21.2, §26.4

§14.5; eyes compared to, §4.8,

outermantles, §5.20

§24.3, §26.6, §34.2, §38.5, §40.3; Ibn

oxeyes, §13.5, §26.6, §26.8, §38.7, §39.2

al-ʿAbbās al-Baṣrī on, §38.5; Ibn Abī

506

506

Index palaces: of Abū l-Khaṣīb, §30.1; ʿAdsī,

petal scattering, §14.16

§30.5; Barkuwārā, §§14.2–8, §§14.15–16;

pigs, §50.1

Buqaylah, Palace of Banū, §30.5, §30.7;

pilgrimage, §20.6, §21.7, §30.4, §§33.2–5

caught on fire, §§13.42–43; Farther

plectrum, §34.7

White, §30.5; Hārūnī, §14.18; of Ibn

plums, §15.11

Ṭāhir, §35.14; Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm’s,

poems exchanged between friends, xvi,

§5.16; Jaʿfarī, §14.8, §14.15; Jawsaq, §12.14, §14.15, §15.9, §§15.14–15, §39.2; Khashab, §26.9; al-Khawarnaq, §30.2; Khuld, §14.10; al-Maʾmūn’s, §§5.11–12;

§§9.6–19 Poems of the Seven (Muʿallaqāt), §35.10, 436n198 poetry: in general, xiii, xv; form, xvi;

al-Musaqqatāt, §30.5; al-Mutawakkil

innovations in, xvi, §12.3, §12.6, §§12.12–

asks Abū l-ʿAynāʾ’s opinion on his

13; metrical vs. unmetrical, §§12.3–4,

palace, §10.16; Mutawakkiliyyah, §14.15;

§§12.12–13; motifs of pre-Islamic,

al-Mutawakkil’s spendings on, §14.15,

433n141; set to music (see music, poetry

§14.17; al-Sadīr, §§30.1–4; thrones,

set to); translating, difficulty of, xxx

§14.3, §§14.17–18; Tower, §14.15,

poison, §13.65, §30.7

§§14.17–18

police, §13.24

palanquins, §5.4, §14.10

Pool, Ethiopians’, §§38.3–7

Palm Sunday, xix, §12.3, §13.36, §§18.2–4,

postal service, §5.12, §5.16, 427n3

§23.2

poverty, §13.27

pandores, §5.16, §6.2, §15.9, 426n20

power: delegation of, §12.8, §12.10; display

panegyrics: in general, xvi; by ʿAwf ibn Muḥallim al-Khuzāʿī, §13.45; by

of, §10.6; reflections on transience of, xvi, §30.4, §32.2, §32.4

al-Lubbādī, §§22.4–5; by Muḥammad

praise, §13.53

ibn Ḥāzim, §36.2, §36.4; by

prayer: Abū ʿAlī ibn al-Rashīd leading

al-Muʿtamid, §12.5; by Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās,

prayers at funerals, §5.7; ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd

§33.10

al-Malik al-Warrāq on, §16.3; call to,

parading through the city (punishment), §25.4

§10.12; Friday prayer, §9.15, §18.2; Muṭī ʿ ibn Iyās asks singing girl to lead the

patronal feasts. See feasts

prayer, §33.12

pearls, §14.10, §14.13

prayer beads, §21.4, §21.6

penises, §9.4, §20.7, §33.16

prayer carpets, 430n90

pensions, §10.10

priests, §10.2, §18.3

perfume, §14.3, §14.10, §15.11, §24.5. See

priories, §50.1, §52.1

also musk

prison, §5.12, §10.6, §13.27, §§13.39–40

perfumed dye paste (khalūq), §5.4, 426n23

private parts, §9.4, §20.7, §33.12, §33.16

perjury, §1.6, 425n2

processions, §5.11

507

507

Index promiscuity, §11.1, 428n60

§13.24; 2:156, §13.12; 7:143, §49.1; 11:44,

promissory notes, §14.8

437n215; 21:89, §13.12; 23:108, 428n59;

Prophet: al-ʿAbbās (uncle), 428n57;

28:19, §18.7; 28:76-82, 437n206; 38:30,

ʿĀʾishah (wife), xvii, §§24.10–11;

§10.15; 38:44, §10.15; 65:7, §13.24;

freedman of, §25.3; genealogy, xxi–xxii;

68:11–13, §10.15; 69:45, §13.55; 99:7-8,

stung by a scorpion, §10.15; traditions

434n153; 106:4, §5.6

of, §10.13, §35.4, 428n56; on war,

Quraysh, Banū (tribe), §5.6, §13.48, §33.19

433n144

Qurrah ibn Sharīk, §25.5

prose, xv, xvi–xvii

Quṣayr Monastery, §§37.1–4

punishment: for adultery, 426n25; beating,

Qūṭā, Monastery of (the Flock), §§8.1–2

§5.11; blows, giving of, §5.4; cropping

Quṭrabbul (area west of Tigris/north of

of ears, §§1.6–8; cutting of hands,

Baghdad), §§6.1–2, §6.8, §29.1, §33.4

§13.28; exile, §1.6, §1.13, §20.4, §25.4; hair shirts, wearing of, §25.4; lashing

Rabī ʿah al-Asadī al-Raqqī, §24.11, §35.7

(see lashing); parading through the

rabies, xix, §42.1

city, §25.4; prison, §5.12, §10.6, §13.27,

Rabies Monastery, §42.1

§§13.39–40; Qur’anic, §5.7

race, §§6.10–11, §36.13. See also genealogy al-Rāḍī bi-llāh, ʿAbdallāh (caliph), §12.12

pustules, §12.15, §13.31, §43.2

al-Rāfiqah (town), §26.3, §26.6, §26.8, Qabīḥah (slave of al-Mutawakkil/mother of al-Muʿtazz), §14.5, §15.13, §15.15

§26.10 rain, §26.2, §26.3, §§38.3–4

Qabīṣah (village), §12.2

Ramadan, §12.15. See also fasting

Qādisiyyah (village), §§14.1–2, §29.1,

ramal rhythmic mode, §4.1, §12.6, §13.40,

435n185

§15.10, 426n19

Qalam al-Ṣāliḥiyyah, §8.5

al-Rammāḥ, §33.6

Qārūn (Qurʾanic counterpart of Korah),

rape, §§21.8–9, §§33.15–17

§36.11, 437n206

Raqqa, §§26.1–4, §26.6, §26.8

al-Qāsim ibn ʿUbaydallāh, §13.21

al-Rashīd, Hārūn ibn al-Mahdī (caliph):

Qāsim ibn Zarzūr, §1.14

in general, xxii; birth of, §26.15; death

Qaṣr, Monastery in (ʿAlth), §§12.1–3

of, §26.15; Jaʿfar ibn Yaḥyā and, §30.4;

Qāṭūl (canal), §12.3

Māridah and, §§26.9–11; on slave girls,

queer, §20.7

§§26.12–14; sons attending circumcision

Qunnā monastery, xxxiv n25, §§35.1–3,

banquet, §14.6; son wants to build a

§35.10, §35.14, §36.1, 436n195

boat, §5.10; succession, §30.4, 435n173;

Qurʾan, §5.7, §10.13, §35.9, 432n118

Umm al-Faḍl and, §26.15, §27.2;

Qurʾan, verses of: 2:74, §13.24; 2:85, §13.24;

wedding banquet, §14.10; on Zakkā,

2:140, §13.24; 2:144, §13.24; 2:149,

508

Monastery of, §26.9

508

Index Rāshid (freedman), §§35.12–13

Ṣāliḥ ibn Mūsā on, §38.7; al-Ṣanawbarī

ravens, §45.1

on, §26.2, §26.5, §26.6; strewing (gul-

Rayyiq (singer), §35.10

afshānī), 431n115

rebellions, §13.49

rugs, §14.3, §14.13

red (color), §§22.2–3

Ruqayyah bint al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabī ʿ, §8.4

reflections on the transience of power, xvi, Ṣabbāʿī, Monastery of, §17.1

§30.4, §32.2, §32.4 relics, §44.1, 434n159

Ṣabbāʿī, Shimʿūn bar, §23.2

repentance, §21.7

sable hats, §5.16

Resurrection, §23.2, 434n161

Sābur’s Monastery, §§7.1–2

revolts, §3.4, §12.9, §13.62, 426n17

saddlecloths, §20.3

rhythmic modes, §4.1, §12.6, §13.40, §15.10,

Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ, xxi, §32.4, 436n189 Saʿd ibn Ibrāhīm, §20.7

426n19, 429n65 riverbanks, §§6.1–2

al-Sadīr (palace), §§30.1–4

robbers, §45.1

Saffron (Zaʿfarān) Monastery, §§21.1–2

robes: flowers compared to, §26.8, §34.1,

Ṣāḥib (slave girl), §§1.9–10

§34.2; Ibn Jamhūr promises robes to

Saʿīd ibn Hishām, xiv

singing girl, §35.5; Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm

Ṣāʿid ibn Makhlad, xx, §10.5, §13.38,

gifts robes to Abū Ḥashīshah, §5.20;

§§35.10–14

made of silk, §5.16; Muḥammad ibn

Saʿīd ibn Masʿūd al-Quṭrabbulī, §36.11

Ṭāhir is offered his own stolen robes,

Saʿīd ibn Yūsuf, §15.11

§13.27; al-Mutawakkil gifts robes, §14.4,

Saʿīd al-Rasḥ, §20.10

§14.16; al-Mutawakkil’s robe is pulled

sailors, §14.12

at, §5.13; al-Muʿtazz gifts ceremonial

Salāmah ibn Saʿīd, §11.3

robes, §§15.8–9; al-Rashīd gifts robes,

Ṣāliḥ (the Tambourine Player), §14.6

§14.10; Saʿīd ibn Yūsuf brings out robes

Ṣāliḥ ibn Mūsā, §§38.6–7

to Yūnus ibn Bughā, §15.11

Ṣāliḥ ibn al-Rashīd, §§7.8–9

robes of honor (khilʿah), §5.15, §13.31, §13.35, §§13.36–37, 426n28

Ṣāliḥiyyah (quarter of Baghdad), §33.4 Ṣāliḥ al-Turkī, §26.11

roses: al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Baṣrī on, §39.3; Abū Jafnah al-Qurashī on, §9.2; cheeks

Salīṭ (putative son of ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās), §§25.2–4, §25.7

compared to, §1.7, §§2.5–6, §26.2,

Sallām ibn Ghālib ibn Shammās, §33.6

§26.6, §37.3; al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk

Salmak (singer), §14.6

on, §7.7; Ibn al-ʿAbbās al-Baṣrī on,

Samālū Monastery, §§2.1–3

§38.5; Ibn Abī Ṭālib al-Makfūf al-Wāṣitī

Samarra (city), §13.41, §15.1

on, §27.1; Ibn ʿĀṣim on, §37.3; joy (shad-

al-Ṣanawbarī, Abū Bakr Aḥmad, §§26.2–8

gulī), 431n115; petal scattering, §14.16;

sandals, §2.13

509

509

Index sapphires, §34.2

al-Shammākh ibn Ḍirār al-Ghaṭafānī, §13.55

Sarāb (singing girl), §14.6

Shammāsiyyah Gate, §2.1

al-Sarī al-Raffāʾ, xiv

Shamʿūn, Mār (Saint Simeon), §21.2

Sarjīs (saint Sergius), §23.2, 434n156,

shanks (footwear), §2.13

437n214

Shāriyah (singing girl), §12.6, §§13.6–7,

Sarjis’s Monastery, §§29.1–2

§14.6

Sarjīs, Mār, Monastery of, §§27.1–2

Sharwīn (singing girl), §2.14

Saṭīḥ ibn Rabī ʿah, §30.5

al-Shatīq, Shrine of, §§31.1–2

satire, xvi, §1.14, §12.11

Shaʿ yā, §21.2

scabies, §18.1

Shi ʿism, xvii, §10.16

scandals, §5.4

Shikl (slave girl/mother of Abū ʿAlī ibn

Scarabs’ Monastery, §41.1

al-Rashīd), §5.5

scorpions, §1.14, §9.4, §10.15, §24.8, 428n56

al-Shimshāṭī, ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad, xiv

scrofula, xix, §50.1

Shimʿūn, Mār, Monastery of (Saint

Sergius (saint), 434n156, 437n214

Simeon), §46.1 Shimʿūn bar Ṣabbāʿé, 432n125

Sergius, Saint, Monastery of, §23.2, §§27.1–2

ships, §26.2, §26.6, §43.2. See also boats

sermon, Friday (khuṭbah), §13.64, 430n99

shrines, §§31.1–2

servants, §5.21, §7.6, §12.9, §14.7, §14.16

Shujāʿ (slave girl/mother of al-Mutawakkil),

Seven Poems (Muʿallaqāt), §35.10, 436n198 sexual intercourse: ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Warrāq on, §§16.4–5; fasting and,

§1.13 al-Shukūrah (shrines), §31.1 Shurāʿah ibn al-Zandabūdh, §33.11

427n48; Muṣʿab ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Baṣrī

Si ʿird (town), §22.1

on, §21.3, §21.5, §21.8; rape, §§21.8–9,

sikbāj (dish), §10.19, 428n58

§§33.15–17; at Virgins’ Monastery, §13.2

silk: al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Baṣrī on, §39.3; ʿAlī

Shaban (month), §9.8, 427n38, 427n44

ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥimmānī al-ʿAlawī

al-Shābushtī, xiii–xvii

on, §30.2; carpets made of, §14.3; Ibn

shad-gulī (rose joy), 431n115

ʿĀṣim on, §37.3; mantles made of,

Shadhr (slave girl), §5.5

§5.20; people wearing silk admitted to

Shafī ʿ (the eunuch), §7.7

al-Mutawakkil’s palace inauguration,

Shaghab, §13.25

§14.18; robes made of, §5.16; Ṣāliḥ ibn

Shāhak (servant of al-Mutawakkil), §1.5

Mūsā on, §38.7

al-Shāh ibn Mīkāl, §§13.27–28

silver, §14.8, §14.10, §14.15

Shahrān (village), §37.2

sin, §21.3, §21.6, §21.10, §35.7

Shājī (singing girl), §§13.8–17

Sinai, Mount, Church of, xix, §§49.1–2

Shajws (slave girl), §26.14

singing girls, §12.8, §13.16, §13.20, §13.21,

shākiriyyah (bodyguards), §14.5, 431n107

510

§33.12, §§35.4–5. See also music

510

Index Sulaymān ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir, §13.35,

Sinjār (town), §21.1 Sirjisān, Mār (monastery), §23.2, 434n156

§§13.38–39, §13.42 Sulaymān ibn ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān,

Sisters’ Monastery, §§11.1–2 skiffs, §6.1, §35.13

§25.4, §25.6

skin complaints, xix, §46.1

Sulaymān ibn Muḥammad al-Umawī, §33.5

slander, §10.17

Sulaymān (son of al-Rashīd), §14.6

slave girls, §5.21, §13.28, §13.41, §15.15,

Sulaymān (the Drummer), §14.6

§§26.12–14. See also specific slave girls slaves, §3.4, §12.9, §14.4, 426n17. See also specific slaves

al-Ṣūlī, Abū Bakr Muḥammad, §12.4, §12.5, §13.11 summons, §13.52

sleeping, §14.18, §15.8

sun, §49.2

smells, §20.4, §26.6

Sunnism, xvii

snakes, §1.13

surcoats, §14.10

sodomy, §21.3

al-Sūsī’s Monastery (Mary’s Monastery),

Solomon (biblical figure), §14.17

§14.1

song. See music

swords, §13.58

soothsayers, §30.5, 435n175

Syriacs, xviii, 434n159

spies, §2.9

Syrian Orthodox Church, xviii–xix,

spring (season): flowers in, §26.3, §26.8,

434n165

§§34.1–2, §38.7, §39.2; Ṭamwayh in, Monastery of, §40.1; Zakkā in,

Tabor, Monastery of Mount, xxi, §§24.1–2

Monastery of, §26.1

Taghlib, Banū (tribe), §13.2

springs: at Aḥwīshā, Monastery of, §22.1; at

ʿAjjāj Monastery, §47.1; healing springs, xix, §18.1, §19.2; at al-Aʿlā Monastery,

Ṭāhir ibn ʿAbdallāh, §13.26, §13.54 Ṭāhir ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn Muṣʿab, xxii, §5.8, §§13.55–66

§18.1; at Sinai, Mount, §49.1; Tar Spring

Ṭāhir ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Mudrik, §13.45

Monastery, §43.1; Yūnus’s Spring,

Ṭāhir ibn Muḥammad, §13.31

§§19.1–2; at Zaʿfarān Monastery, §21.1

Ṭāhirid family, xv, xxii, §13.24, §13.36, §13.38

stealing, §5.15, §13.27, §45.1

Takrit, §17.1

stones, precious: agate, §26.5; carnelian,

Ṭalḥah (son of al-Maʾmūn), §13.66 Ṭalḥah ibn ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿUthmān,

§24.4, §26.3, §§26.4–5, §26.8; at circumcision banquet, §14.3, §14.8;

§§24.10–11

emeralds, §4.8, §24.3, §26.3, §26.8;

talking about other people, §1.11

jewels, §15.9, §26.3, §38.5; pearls, §14.10,

Tamīm, Banū (tribe), §38.6 Tamīm ibn al-Muʿizz al-Fāṭimī, §38.1

§14.13; sapphires, §34.2 storm, §26.2

Ṭamwayh, Monastery of, §§40.1–3 Tanḥūm ( Jewish tavern keeper), §§31.2–3

511

511

Index Tar Spring Monastery, §§43.1–2

§13.39; Abū ʿAlī Muḥammad ibn al-ʿAlāʾ

taverns, xxxiv n27, §6.8, §§31.2–3. See also

al-Shajarī and, §13.18; Abū l-ʿAynāʾ

wine

and, §10.14, §13.19, §13.21; chronology

taxes, §13.29, §§22.3–4

in Book of Monasteries, xxii; death

Ṭayzanābād, §33.4

of, §13.25; Jaḥẓah al-Barmakī and,

teeth, §1.9

§2.13, §13.8; Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh

teknonyms, §10.10

ibn Ṭāhir and, §13.31, §13.33, §13.35;

terraces, §48.1

al-Muʿtaḍid and, §13.16; al-Muʿtazz and,

Thaqīf (tribe), §32.6, 435n187

§§13.5–7, §§13.11–15, §13.24; poetry

al-Tharwānī, Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd

by, §§13.22–24; recounting anecdote

al-Raḥmān, §6.5, §18.2, §§28.1–3

of battle, §13.44, §§13.57–58; robes of

theft, §5.15, §13.27, §45.1

honor, receiving, §13.31, §13.35, §13.37;

Thomas (apostle), 434n159

Shājī and, §§13.8–16; as source for

thrones, §14.3, §§14.17–18

Book of Monasteries, xvii; Sulaymān

Tiberias (city), §24.1

ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir and, §13.38;

Tibr (slave girl), §6.11

on Virgins’ Monastery, §13.5; visited

Tigris, §5.18, §12.1, §18.1, §43.1, 426n30

Baghdad, §13.42

ʿUbaydallāh ibn Sulaymān ibn Wahb, §10.4,

Tihāmah (coastal plain), §26.8 titles, 431n113, 433n151

§10.10, §13.18

ʿUbaydallāh ibn Yaḥyā ibn Khāqān Abū

tombs, §18.6 tongues, §18.7

l-Ḥasan, §10.16, §12.10, §13.31, §14.7,

Tower (palace), §14.15, §§14.17–18

§14.16

Transfiguration, xix, §24.1, 434n161

ʿUbbādah (court entertainer), §§20.2–10

travelling, §6.1, 426n30, 431n110

Ubullah (town), §14.5

Tree of Bliss, §14.17

ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Marwān, §25.4

trousseau, bridal, §14.10

ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, §10.13, §13.48

Tuffāḥ (musician), §14.6

Umayyads, xxii, §14.3, §25.7, 428n57

Tūmā, Mār, Monastery of (Saint Thomas),

Umm Abīhā, §§5.5–7 Umm ʿAlī, §25.7

xix, §44.1 tunics, §13.50

Umm al-Faḍl, §27.2

Tūr ʿAbdīn range, §21.1

Umm Mūsā, §13.25

Turkiyyah (singing girl), §14.6

unbelief, §33.7

Turks, §15.13

uprisings, §3.4, §12.9, 426n17, 428n57

tying up of people, §13.56

Ushmūnī (mother of the seven Maccabean

ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir: ʿAbd

Ushmūnī’s Monastery, §§6.1–7

brothers), xix, §6.1, §23.2 al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn Ṭāhir and,

512

512

Index al-ʿUtbī, Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Muḥammad,

Jafnah al-Qurashī on, §§9.2–4; Abū Nuwās on, §23.2; Abū Shās Munīr

§33.8

ʿUthmān ibn Ḥunayf al-Anṣārī, xxi, §24.10

on, §§19.3–5; ʿAmr ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Warrāq on, §§16.3–5; Bakr ibn

Valley of the Bridges, §27.2

Khārijah on, §31.2; in Baradān, §8.1; at

vegetables, §47.1

Bāshahrā Monastery, §10.2; carousing,

veiling, §5.6

§§5.3–4; compulsive drinking, §6.8;

Veneration of the Cross, xix, §35.1

cupbearers, §§9.4–5, §28.1; at Devils’

vinegar, §13.65, §20.4

Monastery, §20.1; drunkenness, §2.14,

violets, §24.4, §26.6, §34.2, §38.7

§13.42, §16.3, §21.9; Eucharist, needed

Virgins’ fast, §13.3

for, xx; al-Ḥasan ibn Rajāʾ on, §7.10;

Virgins’ Monastery (Baghdad), §§13.3–5

al-Ḥusayn ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk on, §5.2, §7.2,

Virgins’ Monastery (Ḥaẓīrah), §§13.1–2

§§7.7–8, §29.2, §34.1; Ibn Abī Ṭālib al-Makfūf al-Wāṣitī on, §27.1; Ibn ʿĀṣim

Wālibah ibn al-Ḥubāb, §33.11

on, §40.3; Ibn Dihqānah on, §3.2; Ibn

al-Walīd ibn ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān

al-Muʿtazz on, §§9.7–8, §§9.13–14,

(caliph), xxii, §§25.2–6

§13.4; Jaḥẓah on, §2.15, §§6.2–3, §12.2;

al-Walīd ibn Yazīd ibn ʿAbd al-Malik

al-Khabbāz al-Baladī on, §20.1; Khālid

(caliph), §33.10

al-Kātib on, §2.5; Kushājim on, §34.2,

wallflowers, §34.2

§34.5; at al-Aʿ lā Monastery, §18.2; at

war, 433n144. See also battles

Mār Mārī Monastery, §15.1; al-Muhalhil

Waṣīf (slave), §5.13, §15.11

on, §§24.2–3, §§24.5–7; Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik al-Hāshimī on, §2.2;

Wāsiṭ (city), §13.36. See also Kaskar, Monastery of

Muslims selling, §6.8; al-Nājim Abū

waterfowl, §39.1

ʿUthmān on, §§11.3–4; al-Numayrī on,

watermelons, §34.9

§§9.7–8, §9.10, §§9.13–15; preventing

al-Wāthiq bi-llāh, Hārūn (caliph), §1.13,

pilgrims from completing their

§5.9, §7.3, §13.54, §14.18, §20.4

pilgrimage, §33.5; refraining from

weddings, §§14.9–10, §§14.12–13

drinking, §§5.18–19, §6.2, §§36.6–7;

weeping, §§13.60–61, §26.13

al-Ṣanawbarī on, §26.4, §26.8;

wells, §38.1, §46.1

Sulaymān ibn Muḥammad al-Umawī

wetnurses, §26.15, §27.2

on, §33.5; at Tabor, Monastery of

whips. See lashing

Mount, §24.1; taverns, xxxiv n27, §6.8,

wind, §14.16, §26.2, §26.3, §26.13

§§31.2–3; al-Tharwānī on, §6.5, §18.2,

wine: in general, xvi, xx; al-ʿAbbās ibn

§§28.1–3; ʿUbaydallāh ibn ʿAbdallāh ibn

al-Baṣrī on, §39.3; ʿAbdallāh ibn ʿAbbās

Ṭāhir on, §13.5; Yaḥyā ibn Khāqān is

ibn al-Faḍl ibn al-Rabī ʿ on, §8.5; Abū

forced to drink wine, §14.7, 431n109

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Index wine (cont.); at Yawnān, Mār, Monastery of, §§34.1–2; at Zaʿfarān Monastery,

Yūnus ibn Mattā ( Jonah the son of Amittai), §19.1 Yūnus ibn Mattā, Monastery of, §§19.1–2

§21.1 wine cups, §34.8

Yūnus’s Spring, §19.1

women, §5.6, §§6.10–11, §10.9, §§11.1–2. See

Yusr (slave), §7.6 Yūsuf Abū l-Qāsim ibn Dīwdādh Abī al-Sāj,

also slave girls; specific women

§22.5 Yaḥyā ibn Aktham, §13.49, §20.8, §21.3 Yaḥyā ibn Kāmil, §6.6

Zādmahr (singing girl), §§35.4–8

Yaḥyā ibn Khāqān al-Khurāsānī, §14.7

Zaʿfarān (Saffron) Monastery, §§21.1–2

Yaḥyā ibn Ziyād al-Ḥārithī, §33.2, §33.7,

Zakkā, Monastery of (Zacchaeus), §§26.1– 2, §§26.6–7, §§26.9–10

§§33.11–17 Yamūt ibn al-Muzarri ʿ, §13.2, §24.12

Zandaward Monastery, §1.2

Yaʿqūb ibn al-Layth al-Ṣaffār, §§13.36–37,

Zanjī, Abū ʿAbdallāh Muḥammad ibn Ismāʿīl, §13.21

429n67 Yāsir, §13.44

Zanj uprising, §3.4, §12.9, 426n17

Yawnān, Mār, Monastery of, §§34.1–2

Zayd ibn Ṣāʿid, §10.7

al-Yazīdī, Abū Muḥammad Yaḥyā, §18.5

Zoroastrianism, xxxiii n19, §27.1, 435n175

Yemen, §26.8

Zubaydah, Amat al-ʿAzīz bint Jaʿfar, §5.22,

Yūḥannā, Mār (Saint John), §21.2, §23.2,

§§14.10–13, §20.3 al-Zubayr ibn al-ʿAwwām, §§24.10–11

§35.2 Yuḥannā, Mār, Monastery of (Saint John), §§16.1–2, §21.1, 433n139

Zunām (the Flute Player), §13.7, §14.6 Zurāfah (chamberlain), §1.6, §5.13

Yuḥannas, Monastery of, §51.1

Zurārah ibn Yazīd ibn ʿAmr, 436n188

Yūnus ibn Bughā, §15.2, §15.4, §§15.6–8,

Zurārah Monastery, §§33.1–3

§§15.10–12

Zurayqiyyah Monastery, §1.2

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About the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute

The Library of Arabic Literature is supported by a grant from the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, a major hub of intellectual and creative activity and advanced research. The Institute hosts academic conferences, workshops, lectures, film series, performances, and other public programs directed both to audiences within the UAE and to the worldwide academic and research community. It is a center of the scholarly community for Abu Dhabi, bringing together faculty and researchers from institutions of higher learning throughout the region. NYU Abu Dhabi, through the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, is a world-class center of cutting-edge research, scholarship, and cultural activity. The Institute creates singular opportunities for leading researchers from across the arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, and the professions to carry out creative scholarship and conduct research on issues of major disciplinary, multidisciplinary, and global significance.

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About the Typefaces

The Arabic body text is set in DecoType Naskh, designed by Thomas Milo and Mirjam Somers, based on an analysis of five centuries of Ottoman manuscript practice. The exceptionally legible result is the first and only typeface in a style that fully implements the principles of script grammar (qawāʿid al-khaṭṭ). The Arabic footnote text is set in DecoType Emiri, drawn by Mirjam Somers, based on the metal typeface in the naskh style that was cut for the 1924 Cairo edition of the Qurʾan. Both Arabic typefaces in this series are controlled by a dedicated font layout engine. ACE, the Arabic Calligraphic Engine, invented by Peter Somers, Thomas Milo, and Mirjam Somers of DecoType, first operational in 1985, pioneered the principle followed by later smart font layout technologies such as OpenType, which is used for all other typefaces in this series. The Arabic text was set with WinSoft Tasmeem, a sophisticated user interface for DecoType ACE inside Adobe InDesign. Tasmeem was conceived and created by Thomas Milo (DecoType) and Pascal Rubini (WinSoft) in 2005. The English text is set in Adobe Text, a new and versatile text typeface family designed by Robert Slimbach for Western (Latin, Greek, Cyrillic) typesetting. Its workhorse qualities make it perfect for a wide variety of applications, especially for longer passages of text where legibility and economy are important. Adobe Text bridges the gap between calligraphic Renaissance types of the 15th and 16th centuries and high-contrast Modern styles of the 18th century, taking many of its design cues from early post-Renaissance Baroque transitional types cut by designers such as Christoffel van Dijck, Nicolaus Kis, and William Caslon. While grounded in classical form, Adobe Text is also a statement of contemporary utilitarian design, well suited to a wide variety of print and on-screen applications.

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Titles Published by the Library of Arabic Literature

For more details on individual titles, visit www.libraryofarabicliterature.org Classical Arabic Literature: A Library of Arabic Literature Anthology   Selected and translated by Geert Jan van Gelder (2012) A Treasury of Virtues: Sayings, Sermons, and Teachings of ʿAlī, by al-Qāḍī al-Quḍāʿī, with the One Hundred Proverbs attributed to al-Jāḥiẓ   Edited and translated by Tahera Qutbuddin (2013) The Epistle on Legal Theory, by al-Shāfiʿī   Edited and translated by Joseph E. Lowry (2013) Leg over Leg, by Aḥmad Fāris al-Shidyāq   Edited and translated by Humphrey Davies (4 volumes; 2013–14) Virtues of the Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, by Ibn al-Jawzī   Edited and translated by Michael Cooperson (2 volumes; 2013–15) The Epistle of Forgiveness, by Abū l-ʿAlāʾ al-Maʿarrī   Edited and translated by Geert Jan van Gelder and Gregor Schoeler   (2 volumes; 2013–14) The Principles of Sufism, by ʿĀʾishah al-Bāʿūniyyah   Edited and translated by Th. Emil Homerin (2014) The Expeditions: An Early Biography of Muḥammad, by Maʿmar ibn Rāshid   Edited and translated by Sean W. Anthony (2014) Two Arabic Travel Books   Accounts of China and India, by Abū Zayd al-Sīrāfī    Edited and translated by Tim Mackintosh-Smith (2014)   Mission to the Volga, by Aḥmad ibn Faḍlān    Edited and translated by James Montgomery (2014) Disagreements of the Jurists: A Manual of Islamic Legal Theory, by al-Qāḍī al-Nuʿmān   Edited and translated by Devin J. Stewart (2015)

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Titles Published by the Library of Arabic Literature

Consorts of the Caliphs: Women and the Court of Baghdad, by Ibn al-Sāʿī   Edited by Shawkat M. Toorawa and translated by the Editors of the Library   of Arabic Literature (2015) What ʿĪsā ibn Hishām Told Us, by Muḥammad al-Muwayliḥī   Edited and translated by Roger Allen (2 volumes; 2015) The Life and Times of Abū Tammām, by Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā al-Ṣūlī   Edited and translated by Beatrice Gruendler (2015) The Sword of Ambition: Bureaucratic Rivalry in Medieval Egypt, by ʿUthmān ibn Ibrāhīm al-Nābulusī   Edited and translated by Luke Yarbrough (2016) Brains Confounded by the Ode of Abū Shādūf Expounded, by Yūsuf al-Shirbīnī   Edited and translated by Humphrey Davies (2 volumes; 2016) Light in the Heavens: Sayings of the Prophet Muḥammad, by al-Qāḍī al-Quḍāʿī   Edited and translated by Tahera Qutbuddin (2016) Risible Rhymes, by Muḥammad ibn Maḥfūẓ al-Sanhūrī   Edited and translated by Humphrey Davies (2016) A Hundred and One Nights   Edited and translated by Bruce Fudge (2016) The Excellence of the Arabs, by Ibn Qutaybah   Edited by James E. Montgomery and Peter Webb   Translated by Sarah Bowen Savant and Peter Webb (2017) Scents and Flavors: A Syrian Cookbook   Edited and translated by Charles Perry (2017) Arabian Satire: Poetry from 18th-Century Najd, by Ḥmēdān al-Shwēʿir   Edited and translated by Marcel Kurpershoek (2017) In Darfur: An Account of the Sultanate and Its People, by Muḥammad ibn

ʿUmar al-Tūnisī   Edited and translated by Humphrey Davies (2 volumes; 2018)

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Titles Published by the Library of Arabic Literature

War Songs, by ʿAntarah ibn Shaddād   Edited by James E. Montgomery   Translated by James E. Montgomery with Richard Sieburth (2018) Arabian Romantic: Poems on Bedouin Life and Love, by ʿAbdallāh ibn Sbayyil   Edited and translated by Marcel Kurpershoek (2018) Dīwān ʿAntarah ibn Shaddād: A Literary-Historical Study   By James E. Montgomery (2018) Stories of Piety and Prayer: Deliverance Follows Adversity, by al-Muḥassin ibn ʿAlī al-Tanūkhī   Edited and translated by Julia Bray (2019) The Philosopher Responds: An Intellectual Correspondence from the Tenth Century, by Abū Ḥayyān al-Tawḥīdī and Abū ʿAlī Miskawayh   Edited by Bilal Orfali and Maurice A. Pomerantz   Translated by Sophia Vasalou and James E. Montgomery (2 volumes; 2019) Tajrīd sayf al-himmah li-stikhrāj mā fī dhimmat al-dhimmah: A Scholarly Edition of ʿUthmān ibn Ibrāhīm al-Nābulusī’s Text   By Luke Yarbrough (2020) The Discourses: Reflections on History, Sufism, Theology, and Literature— Volume One, by al-Ḥasan al-Yūsī   Edited and translated by Justin Stearns (2020) Impostures, by al-Ḥarīrī   Translated by Michael Cooperson (2020) Maqāmāt Abī Zayd al-Sarūjī, by al-Ḥarīrī   Edited by Michael Cooperson (2020) The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, by Abū Rayḥān al-Bīrūnī   Edited and translated by Mario Kozah (2020) The Book of Charlatans, by Jamāl al-Dīn ʿAbd al-Raḥīm al-Jawbarī   Edited by Manuela Dengler   Translated by Humphrey Davies (2020)

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Titles Published by the Library of Arabic Literature

A Physician on the Nile: A Description of Egypt and Journal of the Famine Years, by ʿAbd al-Laṭīf al-Baghdādī   Edited and translated by Tim Mackintosh-Smith (2021) The Book of Travels, by Ḥannā Diyāb   Edited by Johannes Stephan   Translated by Elias Muhanna (2 volumes; 2021) Kalīlah and Dimnah: Fables of Virtue and Vice, by Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ   Edited by Michael Fishbein   Translated by Michael Fishbein and James E. Montgomery (2021) Love, Death, Fame: Poetry and Lore from the Emirati Oral Tradition, by alMāyidī ibn Ẓāhir   Edited and translated by Marcel Kurpershoek (2022) The Essence of Reality: A Defense of Philosophical Sufism, by ʿAyn al-Quḍāt   Edited and translated by Mohammed Rustom (2022) The Requirements of the Sufi Path: A Defense of the Mystical Tradition, by Ibn Khaldūn   Edited and translated by Carolyn Baugh (2022) The Doctors’ Dinner Party, by Ibn Buṭlān   Edited and translated by Philip F. Kennedy and Jeremy Farrell (2023) Fate the Hunter: Early Arabic Hunting Poems   Edited and translated by James E. Montgomery (2023) The Book of Monasteries, by al-Shābushtī   Edited and translated by Hilary Kilpatrick (2023)

English-only Paperbacks Leg over Leg, by Aḥmad Fāris al-Shidyāq (2 volumes; 2015) The Expeditions: An Early Biography of Muḥammad, by Maʿmar ibn Rāshid   (2015) The Epistle on Legal Theory: A Translation of al-Shāfiʿī’s Risālah, by  al-Shāfiʿī (2015) The Epistle of Forgiveness, by Abū l-ʿAlāʾ al-Maʿarrī (2016) The Principles of Sufism, by ʿĀʾishah al-Bāʿūniyyah (2016)

520

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Titles Published by the Library of Arabic Literature

A Treasury of Virtues: Sayings, Sermons, and Teachings of ʿAlī, by al-Qāḍī  al-Quḍāʿī, with the One Hundred Proverbs attributed to al-Jāḥiẓ (2016) The Life of Ibn Ḥanbal, by Ibn al-Jawzī (2016) Mission to the Volga, by Ibn Faḍlān (2017) Accounts of China and India, by Abū Zayd al-Sīrāfī (2017) A Hundred and One Nights (2017) Consorts of the Caliphs: Women and the Court of Baghdad, by Ibn al-Sāʿī   (2017) Disagreements of the Jurists: A Manual of Islamic Legal Theory, by al-Qāḍī  al-Nuʿmān (2017) What ʿĪsā ibn Hishām Told Us, by Muḥammad al-Muwayliḥī (2018) War Songs, by ʿAntarah ibn Shaddād (2018) The Life and Times of Abū Tammām, by Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā  al-Ṣūlī (2018) The Sword of Ambition, by ʿUthmān ibn Ibrāhīm al-Nābulusī (2019) Brains Confounded by the Ode of Abū Shādūf Expounded: Volume One, by   Yūsuf al-Shirbīnī (2019) Brains Confounded by the Ode of Abū Shādūf Expounded: Volume Two, by   Yūsuf al-Shirbīnī and Risible Rhymes, by Muḥammad ibn Maḥfūẓ al-Sanhūrī   (2019) The Excellence of the Arabs, by Ibn Qutaybah (2019) Light in the Heavens: Sayings of the Prophet Muḥammad, by al-Qāḍī al-Quḍāʿī   (2019) Scents and Flavors: A Syrian Cookbook (2020) Arabian Satire: Poetry from 18th-Century Najd, by Ḥmēdān al-Shwēʿir (2020) In Darfur: An Account of the Sultanate and Its People, by Muḥammad al-Tūnisī   (2020) Arabian Romantic: Poems on Bedouin Life and Love, by ʿAbdallāh ibn Sbayyil   (2020) The Philosopher Responds, by Abū Ḥayyān al-Tawḥīdī and Abū ʿAlī Miskawayh   (2021) Impostures, by al-Ḥarīrī (2021) The Discourses: Reflections on History, Sufism, Theology, and Literature—   Volume One, by al-Ḥasan al-Yūsī (2021) The Book of Charlatans, by Jamāl al-Dīn ʿAbd al-Raḥīm al-Jawbarī (2022) The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, by Abū Rayḥān al-Bīrūnī (2022) The Book of Travels, by Ḥannā Diyāb (2022)

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Titles Published by the Library of Arabic Literature

A Physician on the Nile: A Description of Egypt and Journal of the Famine  Years, by ʿAbd al-Laṭīf al-Baghdādī (2022) Kalīlah and Dimnah: Fables of Virtue and Vice, by Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ (2023) Love, Death, Fame: Poetry and Lore from the Emirati Oral Tradition, by alMāyidī ibn Ẓāhir (2023)

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About the Editor–Translator

Hilary Kilpatrick received her DPhil from Oxford. She has taught at universities in the UK, the Netherlands, the US, and Switzerland and is now an independent scholar based in Lausanne, Switzerland. She has published a study of al-Iṣbahānī’s Book of Songs and many articles on modern, classical, and Ottoman Arabic literature. Her other major translation is of Ghassan Kanafani’s novella Men in the Sun.

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