Forbidden Love

The story behind one of the greatest poems in Arab history

The story of Antarah ibn Shaddad, the Arabian Knight, and Ablah, his cousin and sweetheart, is a timeless love story of the Arab culture.

Antarah ibn Shaddad poem

Translated from arabic by: Ibrahim Al Mumayyiz

This poem is one of the seven poems called ‘Moalaqa’ in Arabic, which means poems that you will always remember. The seven poems are considered as the greatest poems in Arabic history, and they are well known among the Arab people throughout time.

This poem consists of 79 verses. The 16 verses below are taken from different sections of the poem.

The poem :

Have poets left aught that had not before been told?

Do you now know the house you did not know of old

O Ablah’s “Jiwaa’” home, of beloved ones, do tell

Good morn, Ablah’s home! May you ever fare safe and well

Jiwaa, Ablah has chosen as a place to stay

“Hazn”, “Samman” and “Mutathallim” were our folks’ way

…

Should you, when seeing me, at once put on your veil