وقال عليه السلام وقد سئل عن قريش:
Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, was asked about the Quraysh, when he replied:
أَمَّا بَنُو مَخْزُومٍ
As for Banu Makhzum
فَرَيْحَانَةُ قُرَيْشٍ،
they are the blossoms of the Quraysh.
نُحِبُّ حَدِيثَ رِجَالِهِمْ،
It is delightful to talk to their men
وَالنِّكَاحَ فِي نِسَائِهِمْ.
and to marry their women.
وَأَمَّا بَنُو عَبْدِ شَمسٍ
As for Banu 'Abd Shams,
فَأَبْعَدُهَا رَأْياً،
they are farsighted
وَأَمْنَعُهَا لِمَا وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهَا.
and cautious about all that is hidden from them.
وَأَمَّا نَحْنُ فَأَبْذَلُ لِمَا فِي أَيْدِينَا،
As for ourselves (Banu Hashim) we spend whatever we get
وَأَسْمَحُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ بِنُفُوسِنَا.
and are very generous in offering ourselves in death.
وَهُمْ أَكْثَرُ
Consequently, those people are more numerous,
وَأَمْكَرُ
more contriving
وَأَنْكَرُ،
and uglier
وَنَحْنُ أَفْصَحُ
while we are more eloquent,
وَأَنْصَحُ
well-wishing
وَأَصْبَحُ.
and handsome.
