The Impermanence of Life: Lessons from Labid ibn Rabi’ah’s Poem

Understanding Mortality Through Labid ibn Rabi’ah’s Timeless Wisdom

EVERYTHING BESIDES ALLĀH IS BOUND TO PERISH

Labid ibn Rabi’ah said in a poem mourning al-Nu’man ibn al-Mundhir:

ألا كل شيء ما خلا اللهَ باطل ۞ وكل نعيم لا محالة زائل

Undoubtedly, everything except ALLĀH is bound to perish, and every blessing, without doubt, will fade away.

وكل أناس سوف تدخل بينهم ۞ ذويهية تصفرّ منها الأنامل

It will soon enter upon everyone, a great disaster (i.e death) that makes them bite fingers in regret.

وكل امرئ يوماً سيُعلم غيبُه ۞ إذا حصلتْ عند الإلهِ الحصائلُ

And every person, that day, his hidden aspects will be made known, when deeds are made apparent before ALLĀH.

فإن أنت لم ينفعك علمك فانتسب ۞ لعلك تهديك القرون الأوائل

If you do not take heed through knowledge, then ponder, perhaps the early generations will guide you (i.e, remember your forefathers and how they were buried under the soil).

الأدب: نصوره وتاريخه