Status Updates From Bustanul 'Arifin (Taman Ora...

Ahmad al-‘Ajali related that Rabi* at-Tabi‘i was a trustworthy man who never told a lie. He had two sons who rebelled during the governorship of al-Hajjaj. Al-Hajjaj was told, “Their father never tells a lie. Why don’t you send a messenger to him to enquire about them?” He sent a messenger to him who asked, “Where are your sons?” He said, “In the house.” He said, “We have pardoned them because of your truthfulness.”

نصبت لنا الدنيا زخارف حسنها
مكرًا بنا خديعة ما فتَّرت..
وهي التي لم تَهْنَ قط لذائقٍ
إلا تغير طعمها وتمررت..
خداعةٌ بجمالها لو اقبلت
فجّاعةٌ بزوالها إن أدبرت..
وهَّابةٌ سلابةٌ لهباتها
طلَّابةٌ لخراب ما قد عمّرت..