The subject matter of this post of mine is a short Arabic poem named An-Namlah or Al-Namlah whose equivalent in English is an Ant. This poem is the third chapter of Al-Qiraatur Rashida Volume First written by Ali Miyan for the students of the language of the revealed religion. The poem has been taken from another Arabic reader namely Mabadi al- Qiraatur Rasheeda. The name of the poet has not been mentioned in the book. It would not be out of place to mention that there is an entire Surah named An-Namlah in the Holy Quran. Here is the text of the poem in Arabic script:
An-Namlah
النَّمْلَةُ
طَالَ سَعْيِي بِالأَمَل
غَايَتِي نَيْلُ الطَّلَبْ
أَبْتَنِي الْبَيْتَ الْحَسَنُ
وَلِقُوْتِي أَذْهَبُ
كُلَّ صَيْفٍ أَجْمَعُ
لَسْتُ أَرْضَى بِالْكَسَلْ
لَا أُبَالِي بِالتَّعَبْ بِنــــــــامِ لِلسَّكَـــــــن
لَسْتُ يَوْمَا أَلْعَبُ
لِي طَعَاماً يُشبِعُ كَانَ لِي بَيْتِي الْمَقَرْ
فَإِذَا جَاءَ الْمَطَر
ذَاكَ شَأْنِي فِي الصَّغَر
وَنِظَامِي فِي الْكِبَر
إِنَّنِي نِعْمَ المَثَل
بِاجْتِهَادِي فِي الْعَمَل
مَبَادِئُ القِرَاءَةِ الرَّشِيدَةِ
The Ant
My striving has been long, with hope as my goal to attain my desire. I build a fine house, and for my sustenance I go every summer to gather. I am not content with laziness. I do not care about fatigue. I sleep to rest, I do not play. I have food that satisfies me, my house was my dwelling place, when the rain comes. That was my way in my youth and my way in my old age. I am a good example through my diligence in work.
A Note on the Ant:
Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. More than 13,800 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified. They are easily identified by their geniculate (elbowed) antennae and the distinctive node-like structure that forms their slender waists.
Ants form colonies that range in size from a few dozen individuals often living in small natural cavities to highly organized colonies that may occupy large territories with a sizeable nest (or nests) that consist of millions of individuals; in some cases they reach hundreds of millions of individuals in super colonies. Typical colonies consist of various castes of sterile, wingless females, most of which are workers (ergates), as well as soldiers (dinergates) and other specialised groups. Nearly all ant colonies also have some fertile males called “drones” and one or more fertile females called “queens” (gynes). The colonies are described as superorganisms because the ants appear to operate as a unified entity, collectively working together to support the colony.
Ants have colonized almost every landmass on Earth. The only places lacking indigenous ants are Antarctica and a few remote or inhospitable islands. Ants thrive in moist tropical ecosystems and may exceed the combined biomass of wild birds and mammals. Their success in so many environments has been attributed to their social organization and their ability to modify habitats, tap resources, and defend themselves. Their long co-evolution with other species has led to mimetic, commensal, parasitic, and mutualistic relationships.
Ant societies have division of labor, communication between individuals, and an ability to solve complex problems. These parallels with human societies have long been an inspiration and subject of study. Many human cultures make use of ants in cuisine, medication, and rites. Some species are valued in their role as biological pest control agents. Their ability to exploit resources may bring ants into conflict with humans; however, as they can damage crops and invade buildings. Some species, such as the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) of South America, are regarded as invasive species in other parts of the world, establishing themselves in areas where they have been introduced accidentally.
(Wiki)
ΩΩΩ
A Debate – Nadvi vs. Qasmi
Mohammad Saghir Ahmad Misbahi
ALI MIYAN: (When I reached the age of seven)
NADVIYAT KYA HAI?
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