The Light of Truth — Page 287
REFUTING OBJECTIONS Among the peculiarities of the word al-mirrah is that it shares, in both Arabic and Urdu, connotations of idārah and iḥkāmul- fatl, in exaggerated form. Indeed, Indians define the term imrār as مروڑنا ]marorna-to twist (s. t. )], which is well known among [Urdu-speaking] Indians. This is clear proof, free of even the slightest tinge of falsehood, to ascertain the true reality that is preserved in both languages, which is a point that brings delight to the scholars. As for the term ذِی مِرَّة ]dhi mirrah] and its meaning of aql [intelligence]-if you were to ask me for an example with an authentic reference—know that the author of Tājul-Arūs and commentator of al-Qāmus explained that dhī mirrah means ذي الدهاء ]dhid-dahā-possessing intelligence]. He writes that in an expression of the Arabs who are chaste in speech, it is said: إنَّهُ لَذُو مِرَّة، أَي عَقلِ ]He is possessed of Mirrah,' meaning intelligence[. ¹ If this proverb does not suffice, even though it is from a pri- mary source, and you ask me for another example from the days of Jahiliyyah and ancient times, then read this couplet from the author of the fourth Qasidah from the Seven Suspended Odes. He was from among the masters of his era, and in eloquence he was pre-eminent among his contemporaries, and reached the ripe old age of 150. 2 It reads: حَصِدٍ وَنُجْحُ صَرِيمةٍ إِبرامها رَجَعا بأمرهما إلى ذي مِرَّةٍ 287 With regard to their own matter they turned to a man of intelligence and strength; Success in a matter is achieved by perfecting its execution. 1. See Tājul-Arūs min jawahir-il-qamūs by as-Syed Muhammad Murtadā al-Husainī az-Zabīdī, under مرر m-r-r] [Publisher[ 2. Hadrat Labid ibn Rabīʻah al-'Amirira (d. 664 CE) [Publisher] 3. The Arabic for 'a man of intelligence' in this couplet is : ذِي مِرَّةٍ ]dhi mirrah. [Publisher]