LessonsṬarafah: Three Pleasures of Life and the Certainty of Death (Verses 55–67)Quiz

وَكَرِّي إِذَا نَادَى الْمُضَافُ مُحَنَّبًا
كَسِيدِ الْغَضَا نَبَّهْتَهُ الْمُتَوَرِّدِ
Meaning: The second is to turn swiftly when a distressed person calls for aid, on a fast horse like a desert wolf alert to its need for water.

Karrī suggests a quick return or charge. Al-muḍāf here is an anxious person seeking assistance; sīd al-ghaḍā evokes a wolf associated with the desert shrub called ghaḍā. The image gives the horse speed, alertness, and forceful movement, while the act of answering a plea provides the speaker’s claim to courage and helpfulness.

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Verse 59: the second pursuit—rushing to aid

Ṭarafah: Three Pleasures of Life and the Certainty of Death (Verses 55–67)

وَكَرِّي إِذَا نَادَى الْمُضَافُ مُحَنَّبًا
كَسِيدِ الْغَضَا نَبَّهْتَهُ الْمُتَوَرِّدِ
Meaning: The second is to turn swiftly when a distressed person calls for aid, on a fast horse like a desert wolf alert to its need for water.

Karrī suggests a quick return or charge. Al-muḍāf here is an anxious person seeking assistance; sīd al-ghaḍā evokes a wolf associated with the desert shrub called ghaḍā. The image gives the horse speed, alertness, and forceful movement, while the act of answering a plea provides the speaker’s claim to courage and helpfulness.