تَعَلَّمْ فَلَيْسَ الْمَرْءُ يُولَدُ عَالِمًا
This poem by Imam Al-Shafi'i underscores the significance of acquiring knowledge. It begins by stating that no one is born with knowledge, emphasizing the necessity of learning. The poem contrasts the knowledgeable and the ignorant, suggesting that a person with knowledge is inherently superior to one without it. It further illustrates that a leader without knowledge is insignificant, especially in critical situations like when armies gather. Conversely, even a young person can be considered great if they possess knowledge, as people will naturally turn to them for guidance. This reflects the Islamic value placed on education and wisdom, suggesting that true greatness comes from understanding and learning rather than age or social position.
| Word | Easy Meaning | Translation | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| تَعَلَّمْ | اكتسب المعرفة | Learn | ta'allam |
| فَلَيْسَ | ليس | is not | fa-laysa |
| الْمَرْءُ | الإنسان | person | al-mar'u |
| يُولَدُ | يأتي إلى الحياة | comes into life | yuwladu |
| عَالِمًا | ذو معرفة | knowing | aaliman |
| وَلَيْسَ | ليس | is not | wa-laysa |
| أَخُو | صديق | friend | akhu |
| عِلْمٍ | دراية | understanding | ilmin |
| كَمَنْ | مثل من | like one who | kaman |
| هُوَ | هو | he | huwa |
| جَاهِلُ | غير واعي | unaware | jahil |
| وَإِنَّ | وحقًا | and indeed | wa-inna |
| كَبِيرَ | ضخم | important | kabira |
| الْقَوْمِ | الجماعة | the people | al-qawmi |
| لَا | ليس | not | la |
| عِلْمَ | دراية | understanding | ilma |
| عِنْدَهُ | لديه | with him | indahu |
| صَغِيرٌ | قليل الأهمية | insignificant | saghirun |
| إِذَا | حين | when | idha |
| الْتَفَّتْ | تجمعت | surrounded | iltaffat |
| عَلَيْهِ | حول | around him | alayhi |
| الْجَحَافِلُ | الجيوش | armies | al-jahafil |
| صَغِيرَ | قليل الأهمية | unimportant | saghira |
| إِنْ | إذا | if | in |
| كَانَ | كان | was | kana |
| كَبِيرٌ | عظيم | great | kabirun |
| رُدَّتْ | أعيدت | turned back | ruddat |
| إِلَيْهِ | إلى | to him | ilayhi |
| الْمَحَافِلُ | التجمعات | assemblies | al-mahafilu |
Imam Al-Shafi'i was a prominent Islamic scholar and poet, known for his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and Arabic literature. He lived during the Islamic Golden Age and is one of the four great Imams of Sunni Islam.
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