LessonsZuhayr ibn Abī Sulmā: Reconciling ʿAbs and Dhubyān, Honoring Peacemakers and Keeping Covenants (Verses 16–27)Quiz

أَلَا أَبْلِغِ الْأَحْلَافَ عَنِّي رِسَالَةً ۞ وَذُبْيَانَ هَلْ أَقْسَمْتُمْ كُلَّ مَقْسَمِ
Meaning: Now carry a message from me to the allied clans and to Dhubyān: have you not sworn every binding oath?

Alā alerts the hearer. Abligh is an imperative from form IV (ablagha), “deliver.” Al-aḥlāf denotes allied groups, while Dhubyān names a particular tribe.

Hal aqsamtum kulla maqsam is grammatically a question, but context makes it a forceful reminder of solemn oaths already sworn. The poem moves from praise to accountability: the success of reconciliation now depends on the parties keeping their pledges.

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Verse 25: an urgent message to the tribes

Zuhayr ibn Abī Sulmā: Reconciling ʿAbs and Dhubyān, Honoring Peacemakers and Keeping Covenants (Verses 16–27)

أَلَا أَبْلِغِ الْأَحْلَافَ عَنِّي رِسَالَةً ۞ وَذُبْيَانَ هَلْ أَقْسَمْتُمْ كُلَّ مَقْسَمِ
Meaning: Now carry a message from me to the allied clans and to Dhubyān: have you not sworn every binding oath?

Alā alerts the hearer. Abligh is an imperative from form IV (ablagha), “deliver.” Al-aḥlāf denotes allied groups, while Dhubyān names a particular tribe.

Hal aqsamtum kulla maqsam is grammatically a question, but context makes it a forceful reminder of solemn oaths already sworn. The poem moves from praise to accountability: the success of reconciliation now depends on the parties keeping their pledges.