LessonsZuhayr ibn Abī Sulmā: War, the Grinding Mill, and the She-Camel Metaphors (Verses 28–32)Quiz

In verse 29, matā is conditional; the first tabʿathūhā states the condition, and the repeated form its consequence. Both belong to the five-form imperfect paradigm, whose jussive commonly drops the final nūn. The pronoun -hā refers repeatedly to war.

In verses 30–31, the verbs fa-taʿrukukum, talqaḥ, tuntaj, tutʾim, turḍiʿ, tafṭim create a sustained unfolding process. Poetic rhyme may affect the audible final vowel; grammatical analysis should consider syntax rather than assigning each form from the visible vowel alone.

Opening interactive controls...

Imperfect verbs in conditional and sequential clauses

Zuhayr ibn Abī Sulmā: War, the Grinding Mill, and the She-Camel Metaphors (Verses 28–32)

In verse 29, matā is conditional; the first tabʿathūhā states the condition, and the repeated form its consequence. Both belong to the five-form imperfect paradigm, whose jussive commonly drops the final nūn. The pronoun -hā refers repeatedly to war.

In verses 30–31, the verbs fa-taʿrukukum, talqaḥ, tuntaj, tutʾim, turḍiʿ, tafṭim create a sustained unfolding process. Poetic rhyme may affect the audible final vowel; grammatical analysis should consider syntax rather than assigning each form from the visible vowel alone.