Arabic Proverbs
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Arabic Proverbs
@arabicproverbs.bsky.social
Translations of al-Maydānī's (d. 1124) Proverbs (مجمع الأمثال) by Nathaniel Miller (PhD Arabic Literature, Chicago). All screenshots are from the ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd edition.
The Prophet saw someone who spent so much time and effort in worship that their eyes appeared hollow. The Prophet said, "This religion is firm, so practice it gently" and quoted the proverb.
January 2, 2026 at 3:23 PM
But I am a calm man so I spoke the best that I knew, but when I became angry I said the vilest thing I could find."

The Prophet then said, "Indeed, eloquence is a kind of magic."
January 2, 2026 at 12:15 AM
So then ʿAmr said, "Well, by God, he also lacks manly virtue, he's close-fisted with his watering hole, his uncles are scoundrels, and his father is stupid. By God, O Prophet of God, I didn't lie at first and I also spoke the truth afterwards.
January 2, 2026 at 12:15 AM
al-Zibriqān said, "O Prophet of God, He knows much more than this about me but he's envious of me [so he is saying less]."
January 2, 2026 at 12:15 AM
ʿAmr ibn al-Ahtam, al-Zibriqān ibn Badr, and Qays ibn ʿĀsim came to see the Prophet. The Prophet asked ʿAmr about al-Zibriqān, who said:

"He's courageous, obeyed by his tribe, and a strong fighter in the rear guard."
January 2, 2026 at 12:15 AM