Umm Hakim’s Elegy for Her Father

Umm Hakim al-Bayda’, daughter of Abd al-Muttalib, said, mourning her father: O eye, pour forth and let the tears begin; weep for the man of generosity and noble deeds.

[10] Istahilli means “show your weeping”; the imperative of “weep for him” is intensified in the verse.

O eye, woe to you, help me with a downpour of streaming tears; weep for the best rider of mounts, your good father, a torrent of generosity; long of reach, Shaybat of lofty rank, noble in nature, praised for his gifts; steadfast in maintaining kinship, a handsome, accomplished man, a rain-giver in years of drought; a lion when the lances clash, pleasing to the eyes of those who look upon him; the wise leader of Banu Kinana, their hope when time brings them misfortunes; their refuge when war rises with a calamity and a difficult adversary. Weep for him; do not tire of grieving, and let the women weep for him as long as they live.

[1] Recension A reads “assist me.” The verb means to help someone in weeping. [2] Al-khayr is originally intensified; al-tayyar means the main flow of water, and al-Furat is fresh water. [3] Khim means nature and disposition. [4] Hibrizi means handsome and comely; it can also mean skillful in one’s affairs. [5] Tashjar means to mingle and interlock; al-‘awali are spearheads, referring to battle. [6] Hanat is the plural of hanah, a euphemism for ugly or shameful matters. [7] Mafza‘aha means her refuge; hayaj means war. [8] The phrase means “do not grow weary.”