Wednesday, June 3, 2026

The wolf is nicknamed Abu Ja'dah. الذَّئْبُ يُكْنَى أَبَا جَعْدَةَ‏.‏

It is said that Ja'dah is a young sheep, and the wolf is nicknamed after it because it targets and seeks out sheep due to their weakness and gentleness. It is also said that Ja'dah is a fragrant plant that grows in spring and dries quickly. Similarly, if a wolf is honored with a nickname, it will quickly become treacherous and will not remain in one state. Another interpretation is that the wolf, though its nickname may be good, acts reprehensibly. Yet another explanation is that it originated with 'Ubayd ibn al-Abras when Nu'man ibn al-Mundhir wanted to kill him. This proverb is used to describe someone who flatters with words but intends harm. Ibn al-Zubayr was asked about temporary marriage (mut'ah), and he said: "The wolf is nicknamed Abu Ja'dah," meaning that it is a good nickname for a cunning wolf. Likewise, temporary marriage has a good name but a bad meaning.
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The proverb "The wolf is called Abu Ja'dah" is used to describe someone who feigns kindness and pleasant speech, or who bears a good name, while concealing malice and deceit, or someone who speaks well but harbors ill intentions.
One of the closest English equivalents is:
"A wolf in sheep's clothing."
This is the most famous and closest English proverb to this meaning.
"Fair words, foul deeds."
"Honey in the mouth, poison in the heart."
"Beware of a smiling enemy."
"Fine feathers do not make fine birds."
The closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
"A wolf in sheep's clothing."
"A wolf in sheep's clothing."
Because it combines outward goodness with inward malice, which is exactly what the Arabic proverb meant.
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يقال‏:‏ إن الجَعْدَة الرِّخْلُ، وهي الأنثى من أولاد الضأن، يكنى الذئب بها لأنُه يقصدها ويطلبها لضعفها وطيبها، وقيل‏:‏ الجَعْدة نبت طيب الرائحة ينبت في الربيع ويجفُّ سريعاً، فكذلك الذئب إن شَرُف بالكنية فإنه يغدر سريعاً، ولا يبقى على حالة واحدة، وقيل‏:‏ يعني أن الذئب وإن كانت كنيته حسنة فإن فعله قبيح، وقيل‏:‏ إنه لعَبيد بن الأبرص قاله حين أراد النعمان ابن المنذر قتله‏.‏
يضرب لمن يبرك باللسان ويريد بك الغَوَائل‏.‏
وسئل بن الزبير عن المتعة، فقال‏:‏ الذئب يكنى أبا جعدة، يعني أنها كنية ‏حسنة للذئب الخبيث، فكذلك المتعة حسنة الاسم قبيحة المعنى‏.‏

They went to Israa Qunfud ذَهَبُوا إِسْرَاءَ قُنْفُذٍ‏.‏

That is, their going at night was like a hedgehog that only goes at night
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The proverb "They traveled under the cover of night" is used to describe someone who travels or journeys at night, as the hedgehog is known for its nocturnal activity.
Some of the closest English equivalents are:
"They traveled under the cover of night."
This is the closest direct equivalent.
"They moved by night."
"They set out after dark."
"Like creatures of the night."
"They traveled by moonlight."
The closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
"They traveled under the cover of night."
This preserves the image of nocturnal travel inherent in the Arabic proverb.
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أي كان ذهابهم ليلا كالقنفذ لا يَسْرِي إلا ليلا‏.‏

A wolf alone is a lion. الذِّئْبُ خَالياً أَسَدٌ‏.‏

It is also narrated as "more aggressive," meaning that if it finds you alone, it will be bolder towards you. This is a saying attributed to some. A better interpretation is that a wolf, when alone and without helpers of its own kind, is like a lion, because it relies on its inherent strength and power, leaping with a ferocity that leaves no trace. This is closer to the truth, because "alone" describes the state of the wolf, not something else. The intended meaning is: a wolf resembles a lion when alone, just as you might say, "Zayd is like the moon when laughing." The comparison here governs the state. Abu Ubayd said: He means that if it has power over you in this situation, it is stronger and bolder in its oppression. That is, in other circumstances, it means you are not incapable of attacking it, nor does it have any helper of its own kind. He also said: This proverb is sometimes used In religion, and from it is the hadith of Mu'adh, may God be pleased with him: "Adhere to the community, for the wolf only preys on the stray sheep that wanders off." Abu Ubaid said: This proverb became applicable to matters of religion and worldly affairs. It is used to describe anyone who isolates himself in his opinion, his religion, or his travels.
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This proverb, "A lone wolf is a lion," especially with the explanation provided, is used to describe someone who isolates themselves from the group and becomes vulnerable, or someone who relies solely on themselves without support. It is also used to warn against isolation, acting alone, or traveling.
Some of the closest English equivalents are:
"A lone sheep is easy prey for the wolf."
Meaning: A lone sheep is easy prey for the wolf.
This is very similar to the aforementioned hadith of Mu'adh.
"The wolf catches the stray sheep."
Meaning: The wolf hunts the stray sheep.
"There is safety in numbers."
Meaning: Safety lies in unity.
This is a well-known English proverb that corresponds to the general meaning.
"United we stand, divided we fall."
Meaning: United we stand, divided we fall.
This also conveys the meaning of warning against division.
"No man is an island."
Meaning: No one can live entirely on their own.
The closest equivalent to the proverb in the context of warning against isolation is:
“There is safety in numbers.”
“Safety lies in the group.”
However, if the intended meaning is:
“The wolf catches the stray sheep.”
“The wolf preys on the stray sheep.”
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ويروى ‏"‏أشَدُّ‏"‏ أي إذا وجَدَك خاليا وَحْدك كان أَجْرَأ عليك، هذا قول قاله بعضهم‏.‏
وأجود من هذا أن يقال‏:‏ الذئب إذا خلا من أَعْوانٍ من جنسه كان أسداً، لأنه يتكل على ما في نفسه وطبعه من الصَّرَامة والقوة فَيَثِب وَثْبة لا بُقْيَا معها، وهذا أقرب إلى الصواب، لأن ‏"‏خالياً‏"‏ حال من الذئب لا من غيره، والتقدير‏:‏ الذئب يشبه الأسد إذا كان خالياً، كما تقول‏:‏ زيد ضاحكا قمر، ومعنى التشبيه عامل في الحال، قال أبو عبيد‏:‏ يقول‏:‏ إذا قَدَرَ عليك في هذه الحال فهو أقوى عليك وأجرأ بالظلم، أي في غير هذه الحال، أراد لا تَعْجِزْ عنه ولا معين له من جنسه‏.‏
وقال أيضاً‏:‏ قد يضرب هذا المثل في الدِّينِ، ومنه حديث معاذ رضى اللّه تعالى عنه ‏"‏عليكم بالجماعة فإن الذئب إنما يُصيب من الغنم الشَّاذَّةَ القاصِيَة‏"‏ قال أبو عبيد‏:‏ فصار هذا المثل في أمر الدين والدنيا‏.‏
يضرب لكل متوحِّدٍ برأيه أو بِدِينه أو بسفره‏.

He went to the most despicable place. ذَهَبَ فِي الاَخْيَبِ الاَذْهَبِ‏.‏

And he went to utter disappointment, if he sought what he could not find, and his seeking would not benefit him at all, but rather he would return disappointed.
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This proverb, "He went on a wild goose chase," is used to describe someone who pursues something impossible or futile, only to return empty-handed.
Some of the closest English equivalents are:
"A wild-goose chase."
Meaning: A pointless pursuit with no result.
This is one of the most common equivalents for this meaning.
"To chase a pipe dream."
Meaning: To pursue an impossible dream or an unattainable illusion.
"To come away empty-handed."
Meaning: To return with nothing after striving and seeking.
"To seek the impossible."
Meaning: To seek the impossible.
"Much cry and little wool."
Meaning: Great effort with little or no result.
The closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
"He went on a wild-goose chase."
"He went in pursuit of something pointless, and returned disappointed."
If you want to preserve the meaning of disappointment after striving and seeking, the expression is:
"He came back empty-handed."
"He returned empty-handed."
It is the closest in terms of the outcome to which the proverb leads.
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وذهب في الخيبة الخَيْبَاء، إذا طلب ما لا يَجِدُ ولا يُجْدِى عليه طلبه شيئاً، بل يرجع بالخيبة

The wolf is envied for its belly. الذِّئْبُ مَغْبُوطٌ بِذِي بَطْنِهِ‏.‏

It is also narrated, "The wolf is envied for something other than its belly." "What is in its belly" refers to what is inside it. It is also said that "the belly" is a name for excrement. And it is said, "He defecated," meaning he relieved himself. Abu Ubaid said: This is because it is never thought to be hungry; rather, it is thought to be well-fed, because it preys on people and livestock. The poet said:
And whoever dwells in the two seas, his spleen will be enlarged, and what is in his belly will be envied, even when he is hungry. Others said: This is said because he always has a large belly. (The word "belly" is pronounced with a short "u" sound followed by a long "u" sound.) The stomach), does not show signs of shrinkage, even if it is suffering from hunger. The poet said: Like a wolf, its belly is envied, even though it is hungry.
-This proverb is used to describe someone whom people perceive as living in comfort and prosperity, envying or belittling their situation, while in reality, they are suffering and struggling. Appearances suggest wealth or abundance, but the reality is quite different.
Some of the closest English equivalents are:
“The grass is always greener on the other side.”
Meaning: People think others are better off than they actually are.
“Appearances can be deceiving.”
Meaning: Appearances can be deceiving.
This is very close in meaning to the proverb.
“Not all who seem happy are happy.”
Meaning: Not everyone who appears happy is truly happy.
“People envy the life they don't understand.”
Meaning: People envy a life they don't know the reality of.
“He is envied, but not understood.”
Meaning: He is envied and belittled, but people don't know what he is going through.
The closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
“Appearances can be deceiving.”
Appearances can be deceiving.
To put it more precisely:
“He is envied for a happiness he does not have.”
“He is envied for a happiness he does not possess.”
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ويروى ‏"‏الذئب يُغْبَطُ بغير بطنة‏"‏ وذو بطنِهِ‏:‏ ما في بطنه، ويقال‏:‏ ذو البطن اسمٌ للغائط، ويقال‏:‏ ألقى ذا بَطْنِه، إذا أحْدَثَ، قال أبو عبيد‏:‏ وذلك أنه ليس يُظَنُّ به أبدا الجوعُ، إنما يظن به البِطْنَة، لأنه يعدو على الناس والماشية، قال الشاعر‏:‏
وَمَنْ يَسْكُنِ الْبَحْرَيْنِ يَعْظُمْ طِحَالُهُ * وَيْغُبَطُ ما فِي بَطْنِهِ وَهْوَ جَائِعُ
وقال غيره‏:‏ إنما قيل ذلك لأنه عظيم الجُفْرَةِ أبدا ‏(‏الجفرة - بضم فسكون - البطن‏)‏، لا يَبِينُ عليه الضُّمُور، وإن جَهَدَه الجوع، وقال الشاعر‏:‏
لكالذِّئْبِ مَغْبُوطُ الْحَشَا وَهْوَ جَائِعُ*


The wolf is dark-skinned. الذِّئْبُ أَدْغَمُ‏.‏

Ibn Duraid said: The explanation of this is that wolves are dark-skinned whether they have lapped or not, and the darkness is inherent in them. It is sometimes said that they have lapped while hungry. This is said of someone who is envied for something they have not attained. And darkness also means blackness, and a dark-skinned man is called a *dughman*.
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This proverb is used to describe someone who is thought to have gained something good or beneficial, or who is envied for something they haven't actually obtained; that is, they are envied for something they don't possess.
A close English equivalent is:
“The grass is always greener on the other side.”
Meaning: People think others are better off than they actually are.
This is similar to the idea of ​​envy based on illusion.
“People envy what they only imagine.”
Meaning: People envy what they imagine, not what actually exists.
“Envy sees what isn't there.”
Meaning: Envy sees things that aren't there.
“All that glitters is not gold.”
Meaning: Not everything that looks good is gold.
This is similar to the reason for misguided envy.
“He is envied for blessings he never had.”
Meaning: He is envied for blessings he has never possessed.
The closest expression to the meaning of the Arabic proverb is:
“He is envied for what he does not possess.”
"He is envied for something he does not possess."
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قال ابن دُرَيْد‏:‏ تفسير ذلك أن الذئاب دُغْم وَلَغَتْ أو لم تَلَغ، والدُّغْمَة لازمة لها، فربما قيل قد ولغ وهو جائع‏.‏ يضرب لمن يُغْبَطُ بما لم يَنَلْه‏.‏
والدُّغْمَة‏:‏ السواد، والدُّغْمَانُ من الرجال‏:‏ الأسْوَدُ‏.‏

مميزة

More protective than the protector of the caravan أحمى من مجير الظعن

أحمى من مجير الظعن هو ربيعة بن مكدم الكناني. ومن حديثه، فيما ذكر أبو عبيدة، أن نبيشة بن حبيب السلمي خرج غازياً فلقي ظعناً من كنانة بالكديد ...