IN PRAISE OF ALI is one of Charbel Baini's books translated by from Arabic by Naji Mourad, Joseph G. Yamouni, Elias Shaanin

Psalm 10

-1-

You were quoted to have said:-

“Woman is evil.”

They denied the moment you spoke

Your Fatima..

In her agonizing farewell

You kissed her grave and cried.

-2-

To her…

Your Life is an enchanting fragrance.

And her life to you..

Piety and love.

Two lovers who produced

A breed worthy of devine delight.

-3-

To you woman is,

A spring of virtues,

A source for future generations.

You honoured her,

You let the birds

Recount to her

The most beautiful story.

-4-

The presence

Of your daughter Zainab

Occasioned the blessing

Of every home.

You enlightened her and began

To pamper and nurture her.

-5-

You loved all..

And all loved you,

Men,

Women and children,

You became a rendition

Implanted in people’s minds.

-6-

You were the undaunted judge

Who nourished the oppressed.

When their hunger was satisfied,

In your name…

They destroyed the oppressor

-7-

You were

What was inconceivable to be.

The living..

The perpetual..

Who dwells in the heart..

In the eyes of the flowers

Which germinate flowers.

-8-

You who are crowned with knowledge,

Crowns knelt at your feet,

You repelled them.

You repelled darkness,

So faith may dawn within us.

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