Sawt Safiri Al Bulbuli: The Song of the Nightingale

Sawt Safiri Al Bulbuli: The Song of the Nightingale

A melodious Arabic poem, light as a bird’s flight, yet deep as the ocean of eloquence. “Sawt Safiri Al Bulbuli” is a lyrical gem attributed to the young Imam al-Shafi’i, often used as a test of articulation and poetic brilliance.

@halalbite4soul

“Ṣawtuṣ-Ṣafīri al-Bulbulī” (صوتُ الصّفيري البُلبُلِي) is a captivating Arabic poem admired for its rhythm, depth, and linguistic elegance. Traditionally attributed to Imam al-Shafi’i in his youth, it has long been used by scholars and students to practice fluency in Arabic recitation.

Arabic Text:

صوتُ الصَّفِيرِ البُلْبُلِ

هَيَّجَ قَلْبِي الثَّمِلِ

الماءُ والزهرُ معاً

مَعَ زَهْرِ لَحْظِ المُقَلِ

وَأَنْتَ يَا سَيِّدَ لِي

وَسَيِّدِي وَمَوْلِي

فَكَمْ فَكَاكَ فَكَ لِي

مِنْ فِقَةٍ وَعَقْلِي

شَمَّمتُهُ بِأنْفِي

فَزَادَنِي كَفَى بَلِي

فَوَيْلَ لِي وَوَيْلَ لِي

مِنْ سُكْرِهِ الْمُعَطَّلِ

فَكَيْفَ تَسْتَعْمِلِي

مِثْلَ الَّذِي فِي شُغُلِي؟

حَتَّى غَدَا وَكِيلِي

يَقُولُ لَا لَا تَفْعَلِ

هَذَا هَوَىً البُلْبُلِ

قَالَهُ فِي غُرْدَلِ

وَالحُكْمُ لِي وَلِي

بِسَطْوَةِ المُبَجَّلِ

English Translation (Simplified):

The chirping voice of the nightingale

Stirred my drunken heart.

Water and flowers joined together

With the glance of those eyes.

And you, O my master and protector,

How many times have you saved me

From confusion and tangled thoughts?

I inhaled its fragrance,

And it only deepened my sorrow.

Woe to me from its sweet intoxication.

How can one manage

Such obsession and passion?

Even my guardian warns me:

“No, do not go further.”

This is the nightingale’s love,

He sang it amidst blossoms.

And the ruling is mine,

By the might of the noble one.

This playful yet intricate piece reflects the brilliance of Arabic poetry and the profound expressive power of language. Though it seems like a lighthearted love poem, it’s actually a showcase of meter, rhyme, and tongue-twisting skill that earned admiration throughout generations. For Imam al-Shafi’i, poetry was not just beauty—but a tool for da'wah and truth.

May this poetic jewel awaken our love for the Arabic language, our appreciation of its eloquence, and remind us of the beauty hidden in simplicity. Let us preserve and celebrate the voices of our past.

— halalbite4soul

#arabicpoetry #imamshafii #classicalpoetry #sawtulsafiri #halalbite4soul #islamicarts #poempost #voiceofthenightingale #muslimcreatives #SafiriAlBulbuli

"one du'a, one bite, one soul at a time".