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فإِنْ تَفُقِ الأنام وأنتَ مِنْهُمْ فإن المسك بعض دم الغزال by Unknown — Analysis & Translation

2 min read Arabic

Original Poem

فإِنْ تَفُقِ الأنام وأنتَ مِنْهُمْ فإن المسك بعض دم الغزال

Translation (English)

If you rise above the people while being one of them, Then musk is just a part of the gazelle's blood.

About the Poet

Unknown (Classical Arabic Poetry)

The poet of this specific line is not clearly identified, but it is a part of classical Arabic poetry, which is known for its rich use of metaphors and similes.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Historical Context

Literary Form
Classical Arabic Poetry
When Written
Classical era
Background
This line uses a metaphor to express the idea of someone standing out among others, similar to how musk is derived from the blood of a gazelle, symbolizing rarity and value.

Sources: https://answers.mawdoo3.com/ما-نوع-التشبيه-في-فإن-تفق-الأنام-وأنت-منهم-فإن-المسك-بعض-دم-الغزال, https://shamela.ws/book/147062/1639, https://islamport.com/l/adb/5616/121.htm, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_poetry

Detailed Explanation

This line of Arabic poetry employs a metaphor to convey the uniqueness and excellence of an individual among their peers. The poet compares the person to musk, which is a rare and valuable substance derived from the blood of a gazelle. This comparison implies that just as musk is a precious and distinguished product, so too is the individual exceptional and stands out among others. The use of such a metaphor highlights the person's extraordinary qualities and sets them apart from the ordinary, much like how musk is distinct and treasured. This type of metaphor is common in classical Arabic poetry, known for its rich imagery and symbolic language.

Themes

  • Excellence
  • Uniqueness
  • Metaphor

Literary Devices

  • Metaphor: Comparing a person to musk derived from gazelle blood to highlight uniqueness and value.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
فإِنْ إذا if fa'in
تَفُقِ تتجاوز surpass tafuq
الأنام الناس the people al-anam
وأنتَ أنت you wa anta
مِنْهُمْ من بينهم among them minhum
فإن لأن then fa'inna
المسك عطر musk al-misk
بعض جزء some ba'd
دم دماء blood dam
الغزال ظبي deer al-ghazal

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