LessonsʿAmr ibn Kulthūm: Wine Gathering, Umm ʿAmr, Mortality and Parting (Verses 1–11)Quiz

In kaʾanna l-ḥuṣṣa fīhā, kaʾanna is a particle resembling a verb, al-ḥuṣṣa is its accusative subject, and fīhā expresses the predicate through an understood relation.

The thing compared is the mixed drink’s appearance; the comparison is the appearance of a colouring substance in it. The simile does not prove literal addition. Idhā mā l-māʾu khālaṭahā fixes the moment that gives rise to the visual impression.

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The mechanics of the ḥuṣṣ simile

ʿAmr ibn Kulthūm: Wine Gathering, Umm ʿAmr, Mortality and Parting (Verses 1–11)

In kaʾanna l-ḥuṣṣa fīhā, kaʾanna is a particle resembling a verb, al-ḥuṣṣa is its accusative subject, and fīhā expresses the predicate through an understood relation.

The thing compared is the mixed drink’s appearance; the comparison is the appearance of a colouring substance in it. The simile does not prove literal addition. Idhā mā l-māʾu khālaṭahā fixes the moment that gives rise to the visual impression.