uṯēndi wa ja'fari bismillähi ar-rahmani ar-rahīmi

Transcription

1 ا ت ن د و ج ع ف ر uṯēndi wa ja'fari The Ballad of Ja'far ب س م الل ه الر حم ن الر ح ي م bismillähi ar-rahmani ar-rahīmi In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful (١) ب س م ل ه ا و ل * پ و ك ا س ي م ث ل * ب ن ڠ ن ج م م ف ض ل * ر ي ا ل ت ن ر ك و alutanrikiwa riyu * mfad ili njima bingu * mithali asiyu pwiki * awwali bismilahi [1] (1) bismillahi awali * pweke asiyo mithali * mbingu njema Mfadhili * ndiyo alotandikiwa In the name of God at the beginning, alone, without equal, [Creator of] Paradise, the Beneficent -- that is what is written [first]. (٢) ب س م ل ه ا خ و ان * پ م ن ا ر اح م ن * ن ا ر اح ي م ي و ان * ر ي ي ل ت غ ل ى yalutaghuliya riyu * yuwa ni naara h ı mi * naara h amani pami * ikhwa ni bismilahi [2] (2) bismillahi ihiwani * pamwe na ar-rahamani * na ar-rahimi yuwani * ndiyo yalotanguliya (٣) ك ت ك س ك ر ز ن ڠ * ك و ر ا م ت ن ب ز ك و ن ڠ * ن و اپ خ ب ار ي ن ڠ * ك ص ػ ل ن ج ر ي ا nijiriya kʲalu kisạ * yangu khaba ri niwa pi * kwangu matim bizi kwira * ruzangu siku katika [3] (3) katika siku nduzangu * kwenda matembezi kwangu * niwape habari yangu * kisa chalonijiriya (٤) ن ل ن ر اؤ د ي ن * ك ا ن م ت ن ي م بان * م ي و ا ك ت م ن * ك و ا ح ل ل ا ك ر ض ي ا karid iya h alalī kwa * ukatamani muyuwi * nyumba ni mtu kauna * diyani nirau nali [4] (4) nali nendao ndiani * kaona mtu nyumbani * moyowe ukatamani * kwa halali karidhiya (٥) ن م ه ر ي ي و ان * ن ل م پ ز ي د ان * ن ل ن پ ت ػ ن د ان * ك و اح ك م و ات ي ا kumuwa tiya kawa h i * kʲanda ni piti nalina * zayda ni nalumpa * yuwa ni namahariyi [5] (5) na mahariye yuani * nalompa zaidani * nalina pete chandani * kawahi kumuwatiya 1 (٦) ع ل ى ك ت ك ك و اك * ا ن ر ب م ي و اك * ا ك ر ا ك و م ك ى و اك * م ك ن ك ف م ب ت ي ا kafumbatiya mkunu * wa ki mkii kwa akira * wa ki muyu ruba una * kwa ki kituka ʿalii [6] (6) Aliyi kitoka kwake * una ruba moyo wake * akenda kwa mke wake * mkono kafumbatiya (٧) م و ان ب ن ت ر س و ل * ح ي ا س ت ع م ل * ا ك ر ا م و ن ي ع ق ل * خ ب ار ا ك م و اب ي ا akamwa biya khaba ri * ʿaqili mwinyi akira * asitaʿamali h ayu * rasu li binti mwa na [7] (7) Mwana binti Rasuli * hayo asitaamali * akenda mwenye akili * habari akamwambiya (٨) ا ك ن ر ا ا غ ي ز ي * ف ط م ن ك و اب ي * ع ل ي ا و ز اي * خ ب ار ه ي س ك ي ا huyasikiya khaba ri * ūzīyi ʿalii * nikwa biyi fatịma * ughı ziyi akinira [8] (8) akenenda ungizie 2 * Fatima nikwambie * Aliyi uozee * habari huyasikiya 1 I succeeded in leaving it with her. 2 and entered [the house] 1

2 (٩) ا ك ف ن ي م ش و اش * ف ط م ا ك م ك ن ش ا * ا ل م ك م و ن ي ش * ت ن ب ح ك م ت ي ا kamtiya tanabuh i * kamuwunı sha alama * akamkanusha fatịma * mshawa sha akafanyya [9] (9) akafanya mshawasha * Fatima akamkanusha * alama kamuonyesha * tanabuhi 3 kamtiya (١٠) س پ ت ك و م ب ا ن ك و ل * ح ج س ك ت ع م ل * ا ر د پ ك و ا ر س و ل * ا ي ت م و اغ ل ي ي tamuwaḡhalıȳa iyu * rasu li kwa arudipu * sikutaʿamali h uja * nikwili kwamba sipate [10] (10) sipate kwamba ni kweli * hoja sikutaamali * arudipo kwa Rasuli * yeo tamuangaliya (١١) م و ان ب ن ت ا م ي ن * ح ي ن ر ي ت م ك ن * ا ل ن پ ت ػ ن د ان * ك و اح ك م ڤ ل ي ا kumvuliya kawa h i * kʲanda ni piti alina * tamkini nriyu h ayu * mı ni binti mwa na [11] (11) Mwana binti Amini * hayo ndiyo tamkini * ali na pete chandani * kawahi kumvuliya (١٢) ا ك ف ن ي ا ح ل م م * ا س و ز ف ط ي م * ح س ن ا ك م ت م * ب ب ك ن م ك ل ي ا namkuliya babaku * akamtuma h asani * fatị ma asiwizi * mama h ali akafanyya [12] (12) akafanya halimama * asiwezi Fatima * Hasani akamtuma * babako namkuliya (١٣) ن م ك ل ي ك و ا س ر * ا س ك ي و ا ب ش ي ر ا * ا ػ ن ر ا ا ك ف ص ي ر * م ب ي ز ت م و ا ن ب ي ا nabiya tumwa za mbii * akafasị ri akʲinra * bashirī asikuyuwī * siri kwa namkuliya [13] (13) namkulia kwa siri * asikuyue Bashiri * achenda akafasiri * mbee za Tumwa Nabiya (١٤) ك ف ص ي ر م ع ي ن * ح م ك ل و ا ن ي م ب ان * ك س ك ي ك و ا م ي ن * ع ج ب ا ك م ڠ ي ي ا ikamgıȳa ʿajabu * amı ni kusikiyakwi * nyumba ni h amkuliwa * muʿayani kafasị ri [14] (14) kafasiri muayani * hamkuliwa nyumbani * kusikiakwe Amini * ajabu ikamngiya (١٥) ك م و ل ز ا ه ش ي م * ي و ا ن ن ف ط ي م * ح ك و م ك و ك و ا ح ي م * ن ي س ي م ز و ي ا mazuwiya siyu nayu * h ı ma kwa h ukwamkuwa * fatị ma unani yiwu * hashı ma kamuwuliza [15] (15) kamuuliza Hashima * yeo una-ni Fatima * hukuamkua kwa hima * nayo siyo mazoeya (١٦) ع ل ي ا ك ي ن ك * ا ك ن ر ا ك و ح ر اك * ح ت ى ن ي م ب ان ك ف ك * م و ان ف ط ي م ح ل ي ا h uliya fatị ma mwa na * kifika nyumba ni h atay * h ara ka kwa akinira * akaynuka ʿalii [16] (16) Aliyi akainuka * akenenda kwa haraka * hata nyumbani kifika * Mwana Fatima huliya (١٧) ع ل ي ك ش و ش ك * ك و ا ر ح م ك م ش ي ك * ك و ان د ا ف ط ي م پ ل ك * ا ل ل ن ل ن م ب ي ا nambiya nalu ulilu * pulika fatị ma kwa nda * kamshı ka ruh uma kwa * kashawishika ʿalii [17] (17) Aliyi kashawishika * kwa ruhuma kamshika * kwanda Fatima pulika * ulilo nalo nambiya (١٨) ا ن ك ط ح ك ؤ م * ا و و اش ك و ا ن ح م * ا ك م ج ب ف ط ي م * ك و ا م ر ض ي س ك ل ي ا sikuliya marad ii kwa * fatị ma akamjibu * nah uma wa shikwa aw * h ukuuma kitạ una [18] (18) una kitwa hukuuma * au washikwa na huma * akamjibu Fatima * kwa maradhi sikuliya 3 and made her aware. 2

3 (١٩) م م ح پ ن م ت ك * و و ح ن ن ه ت ي ك * ن ك م ك ت و ات ك * ا س خ ف ك ن م ب ي ا kunambiya usikhufu * wa taka kitu nakama * hutı ka h unina wiwi * nimtuka h apa mimi [19] (19) mimi hapa nimetoka * wewe hunena huteka * na kama kitu wataka * usihofu kunambiya (٢٠) و ت ك م ن ر ي ن ڠ * ك ث م ي ن ر ح ي ن ڠ * م و ي ا پ و م ت ن ڠ * ن و ا ك م ك ل ي ي ا kulıȳa ukumi nawi * matungu upuwi mu yu * yangu ruh u kathamı ni * ruyangu mni wataka [20] (20) wataka. nini.... nduyangu * kathamini roho yangu 4 * moyo upoe matungu * nawe ukome kuliya (٢١) ف ط ي م ا ك ت م ك * پ ت ي ك ن ي ت ك * ع ل ي ا ك ش ت ك * ه و ز ا ن ك و م و ب ي ا niku mwabiya huwaza * akashutuka ʿalii * naytaka yaku piti * akatamka fatị ma [21] (21) Fatima akatamka * pete yako naitaka * Aliyi akashutuka * huwaza ni kumwambiya (٢٢) ك س ع ل ي ح ي د ار * ن ن ا ل ل ا ف ص ي ر ا * ا ن ي ا ب و ب ك ر * ت ك و ن ر ك ك ت و ل ي ا kukutwaliya takwinra * bakari abuu unayu * fasị rī ulilū ninu * h ayda ri ʿalii kisa [22] (22) kisa Ali Haidari * neno ulilofasiri * unayo Abu Bakari * takwenda kukutwaliya (٢٣) پ ت ي ك ي ػ ن د ان * ب و ب ك ر س ك ف ن * ن م ت ك ت م ك ن * ي و ع ل ي ن م ب ي ا nambiya ʿalii yiwu * tamkini nimitaka * sikifani bakari buu * yakʲanda ni yaku piti [23] (23) pete yako ya chandani * Bu Bakari si kifani * nimetaka 5 tamkini * yeo Aliyi nambiya 6 (٢٤) ه و ن م و ز ن و ا پ ل * م م س ك ت ع م ل * ا ن ن م ك ي و پ ي ل * خ ب ار ن م س ك ي ا nimsikiya khaba ri * pı li wa namkii una * sikutaʿamali mimi * pili niwa mwizi hu nu [24] (24) hunu mwezi ni wa pili * mimi sikutaamali * una na mke wa pili * habari nimesikiya (٢٥) ك م ب و الل ه ر ي ن غ * ن و پ و ك م ك و ن غ * ن ن ي ن ع د و ي ن ڠ * ح ل م ت ي ن م ب ي ا nambiya mtuyi h ila * yangu ʿaduwi ninyyani * wanghu mki pwiki niwi * ruyanghu wallahi kamba [25] (25) kamba wallahi nduyangu * niwe pweke mke wangu * ni nyani adui yangu * hela mtuye nambiya 7 (٢٦) ك م ج ب ك و ا ل س ن * م ت ي س م ب اء ن * پ ت ي ك ي ػ ن د ان * ا ن پ پ ت ر ظي ي ا tarizịȳa unipapo * yakʲanda ni yaku piti * simbaini mtuyi * lisani kwa kamjibu [26] (26) kamjibu kwa lisani * mtuye simbaini 8 * pete yako ya chandani * unipapo taridhiya (٢٧) ع ل ي ا ك ب ي ي ن * ن ك و م ب ي ت م ك ن * ي ل غ ي ك س م ان * ا و م و ز ن ب ي ا nabiya muwuzi awu * kisima ni yalighiya * tamkini nikwambiya * akabayı ni ʿalii [27] (27) Aliyi akabaini * nikwambia tamkini * yalingia kisimani * au muuze Nabiya 9 4 that I may answer for my soul. 5 I want the real reason. The -me- tense formative is used here as an immediate present compare 214a. 6 tell me now, Ali. 7 Come tell me [the name of] this person. ب ي ن spelling: 8 A marginal note in the MS gives an alternate 9 or go and ask the Prophet [if you don t believe me]. 3

4 (٢٨) م ي ن ن پ ت ي ك * م ح ل ا ي و ت ي ك * ك م ه ي م ت م ك * ب ب غ س ت م و اب ي ا situmuwa biya babaghu * matamku haya kama * uywitı ku mah ali * yaku piti nina muya [28] (28) moya nena pete yako * mahali uiweteko * kama haya matamko * babangu sitomwambiya (٢٩) ع ل ي ا ك و ض ي ك * ف ط ي م ك ك ص ي ر ك * ا ك ي ن ك ا ك ت ك * ا ك ن ر ا ك و ا ن ب ي ا nabiya kwa akinira * akatuka akaynuka * kukasị rika fatị ma * akawud ı ka ʿalii [29] (29) Aliyi akaudhika * Fatima kukasirika * akainuka akatoka * akenenda kwa Nabiya (٣٠) ك م و ل ز ا ح ش ي م * و ل و ن ن ف ط ي م * ع ل ي ك ت ك ل م * م ت م ا ك م و م ب ي ا akamwambiya mtumi * katakallama ʿalii * fatị ma nani waliwu * h ashı ma kamuwuliza [30] (30) kamuuliza Hashima * walio nani Fatima * Aliyi katakalama * Mtumi akamwambiya (٣١) ا ك م و ام ب ي ا ش ر ف * ف ط ي م م ن ك ل ف * ز ي پ ز ن ي م خ ف * ز ن ڠ ن م م ت ل ي ا nimimtiliya zingi * makhufu zinyi ziyapu * minikalifu fatị ma * sharifu akamwa mbiya [31] (31) akamwambiya Sharifu * Fatima menikalifu * ziapo zenye mahofu * zingi nimemtiliya (٣٢) ي ك و ل ي و ر س و ل * ن م ن ل ف ن ي ك و ل * ك م و ام ب ي س ح م ل * خ ف ز م ز ن غ ي ا zimizunighiya khufu * sih imili kumwa mbiya * kwili nalifanya nami * rasu li yakwiliyawi [32] (32) yakweleawe 10 Rasuli * nami nalifanya kweli * kumwambiya sihimili * hofu zimezoningiya (٣٣) ا ن ر ا و و س ي د * ك م و ن ي ا ب ر د * ك ي ن ك ا م ح م د ا * ح پ ك ا ن د ام ن د ي ا ndiya kaanda ma h apu * muh ammadī kaynuka * aburudi kamuwunyyi * sayı di wiwi inira [33] (33) enenda wewe Sayidi * kamuonye aburudi * kainuka Muhamadi * hapo kaandama ndiya (٣٤) ا ت ر ا ح ي ج ل س * ا س ا ك ل ى ن ك س * ك ف ن ي ك م ه ي س * م ك و ن ر ك م و اڠ ل ي ا kumwaḡaliya mikwinra * haysi kama kafanya * nakasi ukalii usu * jilisi h aya atira [34] (34) atenda hayajilisi * uso u kali na kasi 11 * kafanya kama haisi * mekwenda kumwangaliya (٣٥) ك م و ل ز ا ح ش ي م * و ل و ن ن ف ط ي م * ح س ان ا ي ي ح م * ع ل ى ك م و اد م ي ا kumwa damiya ʿalii * h ima uyyi h asa ni * fatị ma nani waliwu * h ashı ma kamuwuliza [35] (35) kamuuliza Hashima * walio nani Fatima * Hasani uiye hima * Aliyi kumwandamiya (٣٦) ف ط ي م ح ك ك ص ي ر * ا ك م و ام ب ي ب ش ي ر ا * ع ل ي ز اك ى خ ب ار * ي و ن م ز س ك ي ا nimizisikiya yiwu * khaba ri za kii ʿalii * bashīrī akamwa mbiya * h akukasị ri fatị ma [36] (36) Fatima hakukasiri * akamwambia Bashiri * Aliyi zake habari * yeo nimezisikiya (٣٧) ك م و ل ز ا ا م ي ن * ن ك م خ ب ار غ ان * ا س م غ ج ن ي م ب ان * ا ك ي ك م و ن د ام ي ا kumwanda miya ukaya * nyumba ni usimghuji * gha ni khaba ri nikama * amı ni kamuwuliza [37] (37) kamuuliza Amini * ni kama habari gani * usimngoje nyumbani * ukaya kumwandamiya 10 to make it clear to you, Prophet. 11 with a sharp and stern look. 4

5 (٣٨) ا ك ن ي م ا ء ف ط ي م * ا ك م ت ح ش ي م * ا ل و م ت ك ك ل ي م * ن ي ك و ل ي ن ب ي ا nabiya nayakwiliyi * kalı ma ilu mtuka * h ashı ma akamta * fatị ma akanyyamaaa [38] (38) akanyamaa Fatima 12 * akamba Hashima * ilomtoka kalima * nayakwelee Nabiya 13 (٣٩) ي و ات و اب ز و و * م س ت ت ن م م و * ا ك ر د ف ك ل ي و * ف ط ي م ل ز اه ر ي ا liza hariya fatị ma * kilı wu akarudufu * namumiwu musititi * wa biziwiwu yawa ti [39] (39) yawate wambiziweo 14 * musitete na mumewo * akarudufu kilio * Fatima li-zahariya (٤٠) ا ك م ب ت ن م و ان غ * ا ت ك پ ر ض ي ن ڠ * ن ه ي م ن ي ن ي غ * ي و ا ك ن ر ظ ي ي ا ukanirizịȳa yiwu * yaghu manı nu nihayu * yangu rad i utakapu * mwa naghu tina akamba [40] (40) akamba tena mwanangu * utakapo radhi yangu * ni hayo maneno yangu * yeo ukaniridhiya 15 (٤١) ك و م ب و اك و ف ط ي م * ي ت ا ك ي س ك م * ك س ك ڤ ت ك ل ي م * ب ب ك ا ك م و ام ب ي ا akamwa mbiya babaki * kalı ma kavuta kisa * akayasukuma yuti * fatị ma kuwambiwa kwi [41] (41) kuambiwakwe Fatima * yote akayasukuma * kisa kavuta kalima * babake akamwambiya (٤٢) ا ك م و م ب ي ب ب ڠ * ت ن ن ن م م و ان ڠ * ن ي و ا م ؤ ڤ ي ن ڠ * س م و ن ي ك پ ن د ل ي ا kupindiliya simwinyi * yangu mauvu nayuwa * namumiwa ngu tunani * babagu akamwambiya [42] (42) akamwambiya babangu * tuna-ni na mume wangu * nayua maovu yangu * si mwenye kupendeleya (٤٣) ن م ت و ل ن غ ر * س س ا ن م م ف ك ر ا * ه ت پ ن د ل ي خ ي ر * ح و ز ك ت و اغ ل ي ي kutwaḡhalıȳa h awizi * khı ri hatupindiliyi * nimimfikirī sasa * walinighuri nimtu [43] (43) ni mtu walonighuri * sasa nimemfikiri * hatupendelei heri * hawezi kutwangaliya (٤٤) ت ن ه ظ م م ي ن * م ت ي ن ش ي ط ان * و ل ك ي ك ن ل ن * ن ي م ب ڤ ك ن ت ي ا kunitiya mbuvu niya * kunilini walikuya * nishaytạ ni mtuyi * muyuni huzụmu tina [44] (44) tena hudhumu moyoni * mtuye ni shaitani * walikuya kunilini * nia mbovu kunitiya And the conclusion in my heart [is that] that person was a devil -- it came to curse me, planting evil intentions in me. (٤٥) ب ع د ه ي ك ك م * ك ت و ا ك و اك ى ف ط ي م * ا ل ي ػ ن ر ا ك س م م * س ك ي ج م ا ك ي ا ikiya yajuma siku * ma kisima alı kʲinra * fatị ma kwa kii kutuwa * kukuma hayu baʿda [45] (45) baada hayo kukoma * kutoa kwake Fatima * alichenda kisimama 16 * siku ya juma 17 ikiya After these [things] were over, andfatima had calmed down, [Ali] was going [to the mosque], and stopped, [because] Friday had come. 12 Fatima was silent. 13 let me explain it to you, Prophet. 14 leave off what you have said. 15 and today you will make me happy. 16 Because a devil (see 46b), disguised as a human being, wanted to speak to him the disguise makes it easier for them to lead people astray. This devil, who has already upset Fatima, and is now trying to deceive Ali, is probably disguised as a pious and inoffensive old man ( see abu in 51c. 17 = Ijumaa. The Friday prayers are the most important of the week. 5

6 (٤٦) ا ك س م م ن د ي ان * ا ك م و ام ب ي ا ش ي ط ان * ت ص ل ي پ ز ام ان * خ ي ر ا ك ي ر د ي ا ukayrudiya khı ri * za ma ni tusạlı pu * shaytạ ni akimwa mbiya * ndiya ni akisimama [46] (46) akisimama ndiani * akimwambia shetani 18 * tusalipo zamani * heri ukairudiya When he stopped on the road the devil said to him: We have already prayed there -- you might as well go back home. (٤٧) س ي و ت ك ت ز ي * ح ك غ ج و و ا ي * ل غ ج ل غ ي ن ل ي ي * ي و ح ك ع ظ م ي ي ا h ukuʿazịmıȳa yiwu * lıȳi lighı ni lighuji * uyi wiwi h ukughuja * tukitiziyi siyiwu [47] (47) si yeo 19 tuketizie * hukungoja wewe uye * lingoje lingine liye * yeo hukuadhimiya 20 We we sitting for ages waiting for you to come. Wait for next [Friday] to come -- today you had no intention [of coming to pray]. (٤٨) ع ل ي ه پ ك ر د * ا ك ت ك ك ر اد اد * ا م و ن م ح م د * ن ي م ب ان ك م غ ل ي ا kimghiliya nyumba ni * muh ammadi umu ni * kurādīdi ukatika * karudi hapu ʿalii [48] (48) Aliyi hapo karudi * u katika kuradidi 21 * umuone Muhamadi * nyumbani kimngiliya So Ali went back, muttering to himself. Muhammad saw him and went into the house to him. (٤٩) ك م و ل ز ا ا م ي ن * ي و ع ل ي ا ن ن * ح ك ي م س ك ي ت ن * ل پ ل ل و ك ز د ي ي ا kuzidıȳa liluu lipi * msikı tini h ukuya * unani ʿalii yiwu * amı ni kumuwuliza [49] (49) kamuuliza Amini * yeo Aliyi una-ni * hukuya msikitini * lipi lilokuzidiya 22 The Trustworthy One asked him: What is the matter today, Ali? You did not come to the mosque -- what was it that prevented you? (٥٠) ا ك م و م ب ي ا ح ش ي م * ي و س ك و اح ج م * ك ل غ ن ن ك س م * و ن ي ك ص ل ه غ ي ا hughiya kusạli winyi * nakisima kilighana * juma sikuwa h i yiwu * h ashı ma akamwambiya [50] (50) akamwambia Hashima * yeo sikuwahi juma 23 * kilingana na kisima 24 * wenye kusali hungiya 25 Ali told the Hashimite: Today I did not manage [to attend] Friday [prayers]. As I drew near the well, those who were at prayers [had left the mosque] and were entering [their homes]. 18 In Swahili shetani can also be used to mean temptation. For instance, if you have some work to do and a friend persuades you that you should put off the work and go out for a walk with him instead, you may say: haya, shetani mekuja, alright, I'll give in to the temptation. 19 lit. it is not today that we were waiting. Similarly, in the English of Northern Ireland, when two people meet for the first time in a number of years, one may say to the other: It s not the day [today] nor yesterday we saw each other. 20 The devil taunts Ali by saying that if he had really wanted to come to the prayers he would have made sure he was in plenty of time. 21 He is saying things like: a! nimechelewa!, how did I let myself be late? 22 -zidia refers to something out of the ordinary happening, which is too much for you (-zidi, increase), and therefore overwhelms you or prevents you from doing something. See also 328d. 23 It is unfortunate that Ali does not tell the Prophet of his meeting with the person who stopped him on the way the Prophet would have known immediately that it was a devil, as he demonstrates in 66c. 24 Every mosque has a well for ablutions. But in the early days of Islam, when these events are supposed to take place, the mosques did not have a well these were introduced later. So this is an example of a contemporary situation being projected back in time. 25 The obvious translation is: the congregation was already going in, but being late would not have prevented Ali going in being late for prayers is not a sin even though he might have been ashamed to be even a few minutes late. We are probably to understand that Ali, misled by the devil, thought the prayers were completely over, i.e. wenye kusali hutoka, those who had been praying were already coming out. hungia may have been used instead of hutoka because of the rhyming requirements in Sh.Yahya s view, there is often shoddy composition in ballads because the composers are not the best poets, and remain anonymous. 6

7 (٥١) ح ت ن ج م ل پ ي ل * ع ل ي ك ر ا ا و ال ي * ا ب ا س ت ج م ل ي * ه م ل ر ا ك م و م ب ي ا kumwambiya humlirra * asutajamalii abu * awa lii kira ʿalii * lapı li nijuma h ata [51] (51) hata ni juma la pili * Aliyi kenda awali 26 * abu 27 asotajamali 28 * humlinda kumwambiya So, the second Friday Ali set off early, but the wicked devil was waiting to talk to him. (٥٢) ا ك م و ام ب ي ا ش ي ط ان * ع ل ي ن ك و امب ي ي ن * ل ب د ا ه ك ن ي م ب ان * ك ت ك ه ك و م ي ا hukuwimiya kutuka * nyumba ni huku labuda * nikwa mbiı ni ʿalii * shı tạ ni akamwa mbiya [52] (52) akamwambia shetani * Aliyi nikwambie-ni 29 * labuda huku nyumbani * kutoka hukuemeya 30 The devil said to him: Ali, what can I say? Perhaps, your home there, it is difficult for you to leave it. (٥٣) ن ي و خ ي ر ا ر و د * ك و ان ح ي ز ن ك ص د * ا ك م ن م ح م د * ي و م ك و ظ ك ي ا mikuwuzịkiya yiwu * nimuh ammadi ukumu * nikasịdi h ı zu kwa ni * uru di khı ri nayiwu [53] (53) na yeo heri urudi * kwani hizo ni kasidi 31 * ukomo 32 ni Muhamadi * yeo mekuudhikiya You had better go home today too, because this [behaviour] is on purpose -- it has ended up with Muhammad being annoyed with you today. (٥٤) ع ل ي ا ك و ظ ي ك * ك ر د ا س ي ت ك * ح ت ن ي ب ن ك ف ك * م ك و ك ك م و ام ب ي ا kamwa mbiya waki mki * kifika nyubani h ata * asiyutaka kurudi * akawuzị ka ʿalii [54] (54) Aliyi akaudhika *. karudi asiyotaka * hata nyumbani kifika * mke wake kamwambiya Ali was annoyed, and went back [home] without really wanting to. And when he came into the house his wife spoke to him. (٥٥) ك م و ل ز ا ف ط ي م * ل ب د ا ك ك ل م پ م * ح ن ي ن و ن د ج م * و و ه ي س ك ل ي ا huyasikiliya wiwi * juma windi h unı na * mapima kukali labda * fatị ma kamuwuliza [55] (55) kamuuliza Fatima * labda kukali mapema 33 * hunena wende juma * wewe huyasikiliya 34 Fatima asked him: Perhaps it is still early? You said you were going to Friday [prayers], but you cannot have arrived yet [at the mosque]. (٥٦) ع ل ي ا ك ب ئ ي ن * ك ب م پ م ي ن ي ن * م م ك ك م د ي ن * و ن ي ك ص ل ه غ ي ا hughiya kusạli wanyi * diyani kikuma mimi * yanı ni mapima kaba * akabaı ni ʿalii [56] (56) Aliyi akabaini * kamba mapema ya nini 35 * mimi kikoma ndiani * wenye kusali hungiya Ali spoke and said: What do you mean, early? When I got to the road the people who were at prayers were going into [their homes]. 26 lit. first. 27 abu, father shows that the devil has disguised himself as a pious old man. 28 lit. who was not used to doing good deeds. 29 This expresses a scornful rebuke. 30 The devil criticises Ali again, as he did in 47d, this time saying he was late for the prayers because he did not really want to leave the comfort of his home. This taunt is kali, biting, cutting, because the devil is insinuating that Ali is succumbing to temporal blandishments, and should force himself to think of more spiritual things. 31 That is, Ali s lateness was not an accident, but was deliberate. This too is a cutting taunt, and gains force from the fact that this is the second time that Ali has (according to the devil) missed prayers it begins to look as though he is making a habit of it. 32 lit. end. ukomo ni, it is getting to the stage where Fatima is surprised that Ali has come back so soon after leaving, and supposes that it was not yet time for the prayers. 34 = -fika. 35 lit: early of what, which expresses indignation: how can it be early? See also sina-ni in 109b. 7

8 (٥٧) ت ن ا ن پ ت خ ب ار * ا م و ظ ك ب ش ي ر * و ل ا ز و س ا خ ي ر * و و و غ ئ ص ل ي waghaisạliya wawu * siakhı ri ziwu wala * bashı ri amiwuzịka * khaba ri nipiti tina [57] (57) tena nipete habari * ameudhika Bashiri * wala zeo 36 si aheri * wao wangaisaliya Also, I have received word that the Bringer of Good Tidings is annoyed with me. [But] the time [I set out] was not late, even if they had already [started] praying. (٥٨) ك و ن د ب ن ت ر س و ل * ه ي ا س ي ق ب ل * ا ك م و م ب ي ا س ك و ل * ح ي ا م ز ن م ب ي ا umizunambiya h ayu * sikwili akamwambiya * asiyaqubali hayu * rasu li binti kwanda [58] (58) kwanda binti Rasuli * hayo asiyakubali * akamwambia si kweli * hayo umezonambiya At first the daughter of the Prophet did not accept that. She told him: They are not true, these [things] you have told me. (٥٩) و و ح پ ا ك ت ك ا * س ع س ت ا م ف ك * ا م ك و ا ن ح ر اك * ي ك ص ل ي ش ن ب ي ا nabiya yakusạlı sha * nah ara ka amikuwa * imifika sita saʿa * ukituka h apa wiwi [59] (59) wewe hapa ukitoka * saa sita imefika 37 * amekuwa na haraka * ya kusalisha 38 Nabiya When you left here the sixth hour had [just] arrived. Was he in a hurry to lead the prayers, the Prophet? (٦٠) ن ب د ء ف ط ي م * ك ت د ا ح ي ك ل م * و م س ك ي ي ح ش ي م * ح د ا ك و اپ ج ي ا jiya akiwa pi h udi * h ashı ma wamsikıȳa * kalima h iyu kutida * fatị ma nabadai [60] (60) na baadaye Fatima * kutenda hiyo kalima * wamsikia 39 Hashima * hodi akiwapijiya 40 And after Fatima had made this comment, they heard the Hashimite asking them if he could come in. (٦١) ت م و ا ك غ ي ك و ا ن ر ان * ع ل ي ا پ ك ت ي ن * ڠ و ز ل ي م و ل ن * م ت م ك م و اغ ل ي ا kimwaḡhaliya mtumi * muwilini zilii guu * kitı ni upu ʿalii * nra ni kwa kighiya tumwa [61] (61) Tumwa kingia kwa ndani * Aliyi upo kitini * nguo zili muwilini 41 * Mtumi kimwangaliya When the Prophet came inside Ali was [sitting] on a chair, still wearing his good clothes. The Prophet looked at him [in surprise]. (٦٢) ا ك ت م ك ا ح ب ب * ع ل ي ب ن ط ل ب * ن ي و ن ن ص ب ب * ج م ي ك ت ئ ل ي ي ا yakutuilıȳa juma * sịbabu nina nayiw * tạlibu bun ʿalii * h abibu akatamka [62] (62) akatamka Habibu * Aliyi bun Talibu * na yeo una.... sababu * juma ya kutoiliya The Beloved of God spoke: Ali, son of Abu Talib, and today do you have a reason for not coming to Friday [prayers]? (٦٣) ع ل ي ا ك ف ص ر * ي ك و ل ي و ب ش ي ر ا * و ي و ا س ن ا ج و ر * ز ا ك م و ن ي ج ل ي ا jaliya kumuwunyya za * jawuri sina wayuwa * bashīrī yakwiliyawi * akafasịri ʿalii [63] (63) Aliyi akafasiri * yakweleawe Bashiri * wayua sina jauri * za kumuonya Jaliya 42 Ali spoke: To explain to you, Bringer of Good Tidings, you know I have no impudence to show to the Almighty. 36 Ali means that he set out in good time, so his lateness is inexplicable. Am. zeo is from a Bantu root, whereas Mv. wakati is from an Arabic root. Compare Muyaka: njeo hizi kutavunda, this era will come to an end. 37 Fatima suspects there is more to this than meets the eye. 38 That is, did the Prophet for some reason start the prayers so early that Ali still missed them? 39 The use of the -a- tense here emphasises the simultaneity of Fatima s finishing talking and the Prophet s hodi ( May I come in the equivalent of a knock on the door in the West). 40 lit. calling out hodi to them. 41 lit. [his] clothes were on [his] body. Ali is wearing the equivalent of Sunday best (see also 64d). The Prophet is amazed because Ali has obviously dressed in preparation for going to the prayers, but never showed up. 42 In other words, he does not mean to offend God. 8

9 (٦٤) ت ن ا ي و ن ن ا م ت * ن م ت ك ك و و ق ت * ن ر د ش و ز م ت ة * غ و س ي ز اغ ل ي ا siyazaḡhaliya ghuu * matitï nirudishiwzi * waqati kwa nimituka * mati nina yiwu tina [64] (64) tena yeo nina mati * nimetoka kwa wakati * nirudishizwe matiti * nguo siyazangaliya And today I was nervous [about being late], [so] I left [the house] on time, but I was quickly made to come back -- I haven't even attended to my clothes yet. (٦٥) ح ت ى ف ط ي م ح ب ب * ي و ا م ت ع ج ب * ا م پ ر ا م ح ر اب * ا ي ن ر ان ه ن م ب ي ا hunambiya nra ni iyu * mih ira bu amipara * amitaʿajabu yiwu * h abibu fatị ma h atay [65] (65) hata Fatima Habibu * yeo ametaajabu * amepanda mihirabu 43 * yeo ndani hunambiya Even Fatima, Beloved of God, was amazed today: has he led the prayers [early], she was telling me just now in the inner [rooms] (٦٦) ا ك م و ام ب ي ا ح ش ي م * ح ي س م و ان ا د م * ن ش ي ط ان ف ه م * س اس ا م ك و ز غ ي ا amiku zighiya sa sa * fahamu nishı tạ ni * adamu simwa na h uyu * h ashı mu akamwa mbiya [65] (66) akamwambia Hashimu 44 * huyo si mwana-adamu * ni shetani fahamu * sasa amekuzengeya 45 The Hashimite told him: this is not a human being -- know that it is a devil. He has gone around now looking to [trap] you. (٦٧) ع ل ي ك ت ق و ل ي * ك و م ب و ي و ا ن ك و ل * ح ل ج م ن ل پ ل * ن ل ت ت ا ت ك ي ا atakuya nalatatu * nilapili juma h ili * nikwili wayuwa kwamba * qawlii kita ʿalii [67] (67) Aliyi keta qauli * kwamba wayua ni kweli * hili juma ni la pili * na la tatu atakuya Ali spoke saying: You know, that's true! This is the second Friday [he has been here], and he will come for a third. (٦٨) ن م س س ا م ح م د * ن م ئ پ ك ع ه د * ش ي ط ان ت م ر د * م ب ي ز ا ج ف ر پ ي ا piya jafiri za mbii * tamrudi shı tạ ni * ʿahadi nimipika * muh amadi sa sa nami [68] (68) nami sasa Muhamadi * nimepeka ahadi * sheitani tamrudi * mbee za jafiri piya Now, Muhammad, I have made a promise that I will get my own back on the devil, in front of all the people. (٦٩) ن ػ غ ل ي ح ق ي ك * ا ن ي ب و ل ت ك * ن ي ا ت ن ك م ب ك * س ك ز ت ا ك ل ي ا akiliya sikuzuti * atanikumbuka nayi * walitaka yabu una * h aqı ka nikʲaghaliya [69] (69) nichangalia hakika * una yambo walitaka * naye atanikumbuka * siku zote akiliya 46 Indeed, when I consider [things, I realise that] he had something [in mind] that he wanted [to achieve]. And when he remembers me [in future] he will cry every day. (٧٠) ع ل ي ا ك ص ب ر * ح ت ج م ع ل ك ج ر ا * ك ن ر ا م و ن ي ك م و غ ر * ه م ل ر ا ك م و م ب ي ا kumwambiya humlirra * kumu ghuri mwinyi kinirra * likajirī jumaʿ h ata * akasụbiri ʿalii [70] (70) Aliyi akasubiri * hata juma likajiri * kenenda mwenye kumughuri * humlinda kumwambiya Ali waited until Friday came round again, and [sure enough] the person who had deceived him went and waited to talk to him. 43 Ali is repeating Fatima s comment in 59cd, but (perhaps because of his confusion) mixes up two things: -panda mimbari is when the imam goes up the minaret to call the people to prayers, and -ngia mihirabu is when the imam goes into the mosque to lead the prayers, with the people standing behind him. Note that the key word of Fatima s comment, mapema, early, is omitted. 44 A passage seems to be missing here, where Ali tells the Prophet about his encounters with the devil. See note to 50b. 45 The Arabic script is ambiguous as to whether the verb is -zingia, go about, or -zengea, look for. 46 In English we must reverse the -ta- and -ki- tenses. Ali is determined to teach the devil a lesson he will not forget. 9

10 (٧١) ع ل ي ك ي ر ا ت ي ت * ه ت ى ا ك ي و ق ت * ا ك ي ت و ا م ت ي ت * ه پ ك ي ن د ام ن د ي ا ndiya kayanda ma hapu * matı ti akaytuwa * waqati ukaya hatay * tı ti kayra ʿalii [72] (71) Aliyi kaenda titi 47 * hata ukaya wakati * akaitoa matiti * hapo kayandama ndiya Ali went carefully until the [proper] moment came, then he acted quickly and headed along the road. (٧٢) ا م و ن ا ب ل ي س * ا ي و م ئ ل ب ي س * ن ي ا ك ر ا ا پ س * ا ل ك م ك ر ب ي ي ا kumkurubıȳa ili * upisi akira nayi * miilabı si uyawu * iblı si umu ni [73] (72) umuone ibilisi * uyao miilabisi 48 * naye akenda upesi * ili kumkurubiya He saw the devil, who was coming along well-dressed, and he went quickly to get near to him. (٧٣) ا ب ل س ك ت م ك ا * ع ل ي ا ن ه ر اك * س ي ج م ع ت م ش ك ا * م م ي ه ك س ل ي ا hakusaliya mmuya * tumishuka jumaʿ sii * hara ka una ʿalii * katamka iblisi [74] (73) ibilisi katamka * Aliyi una haraka * sisi.... juma tumeshuka * mmoya hakusaliya The devil spoke: Ali, you are in a hurry. [But] we have already come out of Friday [prayers] -- not one [person] is [still] praying there. (٧٤) و و ه ت ك ن ي ب ن * ل ك ي م س ك ت ن * ا س ا ه م ت ز ن ي ا ن * ت و ن م ب ي د ن ي ا duniya mbii tu ni * nyaani humtiza asa * msikitini lakuya * nyubani hutuki wiwi [75] (74) wewe hutoki nyumbani * la kuya 49 msikitini * asa humteza nyani * tuone mbee duniya 50 You don't leave home [early enough] to come to the mosque. Who are you trying to fool? We have seen [you put] this world before [the next]. (٧٥) ع ل ي ك ي ت ك ل ي م * ا و ر ن غ و ك ه ك م * ي و ا ت ن ف ه م * ڠ و ل ك م پ ت ي ا likamputiya guwu * utanifahamu yiwu * hukuma waku u runghu * kalı ma kı ta ʿalii [76] (75) Aliyi keta kalima * urongo wako hukoma * yeo utanifahamu 51 * guu likampoteya 52 Ali uttered these words: Your lying is over. Today you will see what's what. [The devil] took to his heels. (٧٦) ا ك ي ز ن غ ش ط ان * م م ت ي م ك ن ن * ت و ن ر م س ك ت ن * س ؤ پ س ك ك م ب ي ا kukimbiya siupisi * msikitini twiniri * mkununi mimtiya * shitạ ni akı zingha [77] (76) akizinga shetani 53 * memtia mkononi * twenende msikitini * si upesi kukimbiya As the devil dodged, [Ali] grabbed him by the arm [and said:] Let us go to the mosque -- [you] will not quickly escape. (٧٧) ك ن ر ا ن ي ش ي ط ان * م پ ك م س ك ي ت ن * ك ف ز ي ك پ ي ان * ك ف ن و ا ك م ت ي ي ا kimtıȳa kifunuwa * kipiya ni kafuziya * msikı tini mpaka * shaytạ ni nayi kinra [78] (77) kenda naye shaitani * mpaka msikitini * kafuzia 54 kipiani * kifunua kimtiya He took the devil right up to the mosque. He went straight up to the pillar supporting the roof, lifted it up, and put [the devil underneath]. 47 The meaning of titi is uncertain. It may be related to matiti, fast, (71c), or the vowels signs in the Arabic may have been miswritten ( ت ي ت instead of and (ت ي ت we should read tiyati, ground, i.e. he went along. Sh. Yahya s view was that the general meaning seemed to be taratibu-taratibu, carefully. 48 There is also the connotation here of being well-disguised. 49 We understand jambo: as regards this matter of coming to the mosque. 50 The meaning of this line is unclear. 51 lit. you will recognise me. Ali is going to teach the devil a lesson see note to 69d. 52 lit. the foot was lost to him. The devil realises the game is up, and takes off. 53 The devil is too slow akigeuka tu, Ali akamshika, no matter how he twisted, Ali grabbed him. 54 -fuzia is related to -fuliza, continue without interruption, hurry to do something, and implies that Ali went single-mindedly to the pillar, and nowhere else. 10

11 (٧٨) ح پ ا ك ش ش ا م و ن ڠ * ا ك ب ا س و م ر ن غ * ڠ اء ه ت ر ك ج ن غ * ن و م ب غ ا ك غ ي ا ukaghiya mbighu nawi * kijunghu hutirri gaa * mrunghu usuu akaba * mwangu akashusha h apa [79] (78) hapa akashusha mwango * akamba 55 uso mrongo * ngaa hutendi kijongo * nawe mbingu ukangiya Then he set down the pillar and said: Your face [is that of] a liar. If you do not [stop] doing wicked things, you will not enter Heaven. (٧٩) م ب ي ك ش ي ط ان * ا ي و ز او ن ن ي ن * و ل ا ه پ ن ك ف ن * ك ت ك د ه ر ب ي ا biya dahri katika * kifani hapana wala * ninyyani ayawiza wu * shaytạ ni yaku mabu [81] (79) mambo 56 yako shaitani * ayawezao ni nyani 57 * wala hapana kifani * katika dahari piya..... Your doings, devil, who is able to [equal them]? In fact, there is nothing like [them] in the whole of history. (٨٠) ك ل ي اب ه ل و ت * ه و ن و ت ه ك و ت * ه و ن ل ي ت ك و ت * ن و ا ك ز ڠ ت ي ي ا ukazigatıȳa nawi * kuwita layti hu na * huku ta watu huwuna * huliwita ya bu kula [82] (80) kula yambo hulieta 58 * huona watu hukuta * huna laiti kuweta * nawe ukazingatiya You do every [wicked] thing. You think people are afraid of you. You have no remorse, and you think [yourself invincible]. (٨١) ا م ئ ف ن ي ن غ و ر * ك و م ك و ك ف ي ر * ه ن ل و م م ي ل خ ي ر * ا م ب ل و ف ر اح ي ا wafura h iya ambalu * lakhı ri mmuya hunaluu * kafı ri mkuu kwa * naghu ri umiifanyya [83] (81) umeyifanya na ghuri 59 * kwa mkuu kafiri * hunalo moya la heri * ambalo wafurahiya 60 You have misled yourself, [and become] a great unbeliever. You do not have a single good [point] which you could take pride in. (٨٢) ك م ت و ا ك پ ي ان * ك م ه ر ا م ك و ر ن * ا ك ن ي ن ش ي ط ان * ا م ش ه د ن ب ي ا nabiya umishuhudi * shaytạ ni akanı na * mku runi kamhura * kipiya ni kamtuwa [84] (82) kamtoa kipiani 61 * kamhora 62 mkondoni 63 * akanena shaitani * umeshuhudi Nabiya 64 [Ali] took the devil our from under the pillar and threw him into the gutter. The devil said: Prophet, did you see that? 55 The devil, presumably, akaangua kilio, akalia, burst out wailing, so Ali rebukes him as set out in this stanza and the next two, showing that his punishment is well-deserved. 56 mambo yako ya ajabu, mambo mabaya-mabaya. 57 i.e. it is almost pointless trying to persuade the devil to change its ways. 58 -eta = -leta. 59 This line seems to have the same meaning as umejighuri. 60 Ali means that if someone listens to their conscience, they feel unhappy after doing something bad; however, this unhappiness can be tempered by the knowledge that they have done a few good things in their time. The devil feels not remorse to begin with, and even if he did, he has done absolutely nothing that he could feel happy about were he to listen to his conscience. 61 One or more stanzas may be missing here, in which the Prophet tells Ali to release the devil. 62 Ba. -hora = -tupa. 63 mkondo has the basic meaning of a place where water passes by, hence when referring to the sea it means current, and when referring, as here, to a town it means drain, gutter. It is commonly believed that spirits live in drains. When a woman is possessed and speaks in tongues, and the woman s relatives succeed in appeasing the spirit, which then wants to leave, they take the woman to the mkondo to throw the spirit out. Ali therefore throws the devil into the drain to warn him to stay in his proper place. 64 The cowardly devil, making out that he is the injured party, now tries to get the Prophet to rebuke Ali for using undue force. If a child is being bullied by someone, he may appeal to the nearest adult by saying umeshuhudia, you saw him, in order to get the adult to intervene. 11

12 (٨٣) ا م ش ه د م ك و و * ت ع د ا ن ت د ئو ا * ا م ي و ن ي ئ و * ي ل ن د ن ن م پ ي ا namapiya yalindini * yaiwu umiyawuna * anitidiwū taʿadi * mkwiwu umishuhudi [85] (83) umeshuhudi mkwewo * taadi anitendeo * umeyaona ya yeo 65 * yalindeni na mapiya 66 You have seen your son-in-law, the aggression he displayed towards me. You have seen the [things] which [happened] today -- watch out for the new [things that I will do next]. (٨٤) ا س ي و ن ر ي ب اس * ا ل ي ك ن ن ك و س * ش ت ن ت و ك ص س * ك س ن ت و اي ن د ي ا nadiya nitwaī kisa * kisạsi nituwi shati * kuninuku si aliyu * ba si riyu usı wuni [86] (84) usione ndiyo basi * aliyo kuninukusi * shati nitoe kisasi * kisa nitwae na diya 67 Don't think that this is the end [of the matter] -- whoever humiliates me, I must have revenge [on him], and then I should get recompense as well. (٨٥) ن ي ه ي ن ي ن ه ي * ه ك و ا ػ ن ر ا م ب ي * ػ م ب و ا ع ل ي ه ي * ه ر ا ا ك ز ن ڠ ك ي ا akizungukiya hira * huyu ʿalii kʲambiwa * mbiyu kʲinira hukū * hayu huyanı na nayi [87] (85) naye huyanena hayo * huku chenenda mbiyo 68 * chambiwa Aliyi huyo 69 * henda akizungukiya And while he was saying these [things], he was running away at the same time. When he was told: Look out! Ali [is coming after you!] he would turn [to see if it was true], and kept going. (٨٦) ا و ن پ ح م و ان * ا ك ن ي ن ش ي ط ان * ا س ا ع ل ي ن ن ي ن * ه ت ى م ك ن ت ي ي ا mukanitayya hattay * ninyyani ʿalii asa * shaytạ ni akanı na * h amūni awnapu [88] (86) aonapo hamuoni * akanena shaitani * asa Aliyi ni nyani * hata mukanitayiya 70 When he looked and did not see [Ali following him], the devil said: Hah! Who is Ali, that you should mention him to me? (٨٧) ع ل ي ك ر د ك و ك * ا ك ر ا ك و مك و ك * ف ط ي م ا ت م ك * ح ل خ ب ر ن م ب ي ا nambiya khabari h ila * atamki fatị ma * waki mki kwa akirra * kwaki kurudi ʿalii [89] (87) Aliyi kurudi kwake * akenda kwa mke wake * Fatima atamke * hela habari nambiya 71 On returning [home], Ali went to his wife. Fatima said: Well, tell me the news. (٨٨) ي و ا ك ن ر ا ن د ي ان * ح ك و پ ش ي ط ان * ع ل ي ك ن ي ن ك و ان * ا ن ك ت ن ئ ل ي ي ا kutuniilıȳa una * kwa ni kanı na ʿalii * shaytạ ni h akuwipu * ndiya ni ukinra yiwu [90] (88) yeo ukenda ndiani * hakuwepo shaitani * Aliyi kanena kwani * una kutoniiliya 72 Today you went along the road -- was the devil not there? Ali said: Yes, of course! He could not resist coming! 65 i.e. mambo ya leo 66 The devil changes from pleading his innocence to making hollow threats: you haven t heard the last of this just you wait! He is referring to the Swahili belief that people may sometimes behave unjustly towards you because they believe you do not have the power to retaliate. He now warns that if Ali thought he would have everything his own way, he has another think coming. However, his subsequent actions (see 85) suggest that his threats are just so many empty words he has been justly trounced, and he knows it. 67 The devil demands absurd recompense for his disgrace. kisasi, execution, is the Islamic penalty for murder. The government executes the murderer on behalf of the family, so if they forgive him, the government remits the sentence of execution. diya, blood money, is the Islamic penalty for manslaughter it may be paid in animals such as camels. Neither penalty is applicable to the devil s case, and moreover he demands that both be paid for the one offence, which is impossible. 68 The devil decides to get out while the going is good. The complaint and threats were just a smokescreen for his escape. 69 Huyo! is a cry of warning, and may mean Stop, thief!. Here the congregation of the mosque amuse themselves by shouting huyo! yuwaja! at the fleeing devil, to see him turn and look back in consternation. 70 When he realises that the congregation is pretending and that Ali is not pursuing him, the devil claims that he is not afraid of Ali, and that there is no point in using Ali s name to frighten him. 71 Fatima knows that something has happened, because this time Ali did not return early. 72 lit. why + he has + to not come to me, i.e. does he have [the capability] not to come to me?. 12

13 (٨٩) ي و ا م ج ت ه د * ك و ا ك ن ي و ا ه ر د * ت پ ن ب ن ه ر اد د * ي ؤ ر ن ڠ ه ن م ب ي ا hunambiya yaurungu * hura didi tupim bini * hurudi kuniyuwa kwa * umijitahidi yiwu [91] (89) yeo umejitahidi * kwa kuniyuwa hurudi * tupembeni huradidi * ya urongo hunambiya He tried his best today, knowing that [on the other two days] I had gone back. We met and he spoke, telling me his lies. (٩٠) ف ط ي م ا ك ب ي ن * ي و ا م م ت ر ان * ا غ ل ي س ل ط ن * ا س م ك م و ر ك ي ا kumuwurukiya isimu * sultạni aghaliya * umimtirra ni yiwu * akabayini fatị ma [92] (90) Fatima akabaini * yeo umemtenda-ni * angalia sultani * isimu kumwondokeya 73 Fatima said: What did you do to him today? [Ali replied:] Even though he was a master deceiver, he wept [to see] his prestige taken away from him. (٩١) ك م پ ج ي ا م ف ن * ف ط ي م ك ت ك م ن * ك ب ا ن ن م ن ي ن * ك و ا ح ك ح ن ك ت ي ا h unikatiya h uku kwa * namanı nu una kaba * mnu katika fatị ma * mfanu kampijiya [93] (91) kampijia mfano * Fatima kateka mno * kamba una na maneno * kwa huku hunikatiya 74 [Ali] gave her the whole story, and Fatima laughed a lot. [Ali] said: He abused me from a distance. (٩٢) ن ا م م ن و ات ك * ػ ن ر ا ا ت ش ت ك * ا س م ا ت و ن ر ك * ز م و ت ن ك ز ڠ ي ا kizigiya mwituni za * utawunruka usimi * atashutuka kʲinirra * niwa tuka mimi na [94] (92) na mimi niwatoka 75 * chenenda atashutuka 76 * useme utaondoka * za 77 mwituni kizengeya 78 But whenever I came out [of the mosque] and went [after him], he would tremble, and the talking stopped as he headed for the forest. (٩٣) ق د ت م ت ك ل م * ا ن ر ا م ن ي ك ل م * ا ل و و ج ه ن م * ا ج ل ح م ز ڠ ي ا h umzigiya ajali * jahannamu uliwiwu * kalimu minyi inira * kalimu tammati qad [95] (93) qadi 79 tammati kalimu 80 * enenda mwenye kalimu * uliweo jahanamu * ajali 81 humzengeya I have finished [bandying] words with you, [I said] -- Go away, you braggart, destined for Hell. His moment of death is coming looking for him. 73 lit. even though he cried, a king / his name leaving him. sultani can be applied to someone who is brave, or a master of his craft. isimu here means good name, reputation. To make a proper translation in English, we have to separate the conditionality from the verb -lia and attach it to sultani. Ali is saying that even though the devil was a past master at deluding people, he met his match today and was thoroughly beaten. 74 These two lines are unclear. kumkatia mtu maneno, to abuse someone. 75 < niwapo kutoka. 76 Note that the -ta- tense formative, usually translated as a future tense, here has a meaning of repetition or continuity. So also in the sentence: ukimkopesha, hatakulipa, if you lend him [money], he does not pay you back. Other tense formatives also have a much wider meaning than that usually given in the grammar-books. For example, -a-, usually translated as a present tense, may emphasise simultaneity (see note to 60c), or refer to the immediate future, as in mi nashuka, I'll get off [the bus] at We are to understand pande, sides, edges, direction. Compare uko za Ulaya huko, he is in Europe somewhere. 78 See 66d. 79 The context of this stanza is unclear. The first line seems to suggest that it is the epilogue of the episode of Ali and the devil (compare 197a), and the following lines may be a general reference to Satan. However the overall sense, and especially 93d, seems to fit better with the preceding stanzas if we assume that Ali is making a final comment on the devil and his fate. In either case, the transition to 94 is abrupt. 80 Maneno yametimia sasa. This could either mean this part of the story is over, or the time for talking is over. 81 ajali means fate in the sense of moment/manner of death. It is the end-point of one s umri, allotted lifespan. Thus, you might say of someone who had a close shave with death, ajali yake hajafika. Hence -jaaliwa, be predestined, in the sense that all the main events of one s life have been written out in advance, especially the time, place and manner of death. It can therefore be said, as here, that your ajali seeks you out it is conceived of as an unavoidable, implacable force brought closer by every day of your life, and which it is pointless to try to escape (compare Muyaka). It should be noted, though, that this idea of predestination, of everything having its allotted place and time, is seen as a consoling notion, and not necessarily one which leads to a fatalistic outlook on life, as so many Western authors on Islam imply. 13

14 (٩٤) ح ي ن م ي خ ت م * ن م غ ي ن ن ن ظ م * ك و ا ج م ع م ف ه م * ن م پ ن د ك و اب ي ا kuwa biya nimipinda * mufahamu jamiʿi kwa * ninuzụmu namaghı ni * nimiyakhitimu h aya [96] (94) haya nimeyahitimu * na mangine ninudhumu * kwa jamii mufahamu * nimependa kuwambiya (٩٥) ف ه م ن و و ڠ و ان * ي و ن و اپ م ع ن ا * پ ت ي ن ڠ ي م ئ ي ن * ح ج ن ل و ا و ات ي ا iwa tiya naluu h uja * yamaı na yangu piti * maʿana niwa pi yiwu * wawugawa na fahamuni [97] (95) fahamuni waungwana * yeo niwape maana * pete yangu ya maina * huja naloiwatiya (٩٦) ن ل ئ و ات ك س د * س م ح ب ك ن ز د ا * م ر ا ح و ز او و ا لد * ا ك ص ي ر ك پ ت ي ي ا kuputıȳa akasị ri * waãldi h u za wa mara * kunizidī simah aba * kasidi naliiwa ta [98] (96) naliiwata kasidi * si mahaba kunizidi * mara huzawa. walidi * akasiri kupoteya 82 (٩٧) ع ل ي ا ل ف ك ي ر * ن ر ي ي ت ي ل ج ي ر * ا ك واز و ا ج ع ف ر * و م و ل ن ا ع ل ي ʿaliya mawlana wa * jaʿfari akawa zawa * yalujı ri yuti nriyu * alufikı ri ʿalii [99] (97) Aliyi alofikiri * ndiyo yote yalojiri * akazawa Jaafari * wa Maulana Aliya (٩٨) ا ك ئ ي ڠ ك ج ان * ن ب ب ك و ك ف ن * ك ل ا ل ك م و ن * س و ر ز ل ك م و ل ي zalikimwiliya su ra * alokimuwuna kula * wakafana nababaki * kija na akaıȳaga [100] (98) akayiaga kijana * na babake wakafana * kula alokimuona * sura zalikimweleya (٩٩) و ت و ل ك ي ذ ك ر * ع ل ي ح ن ا خ ب ر ا * ح ت م م ي ك و ا س ر * ه ك ن ا ل م و م ب ي ا alumwambiya hakuna * siri kwa mmuya h ata * khabarī h ana ʿalii * walikı dhukuri watu [101] (99) watu walikidhukuri * Aliyi hana habari * hata mmoya kwa siri * hakuna alomwambiya (١٠٠) ا ل پ پ ن د ا م ن ان * ك م و ام ب ي ا م ع ي ان * ك ن ك س م م ت ن * ا ك ر ا ك ت ن ڠ ل ي ا kutangaliya akira * mituni kisima kuna * muʿaya ni kumwa mbiya * mana ni pinda alipu [102] (100) alipopenda Manani * kumwambiya muayani * kuna kisima mwituni * akenda kutangaliya (١٠١) ت ن ا ك ر ا ك و ش ك * م اء ا س پ ي ت ك * ن ي ا ك ك ف ن ك * ن و از ا ك ت ي ر ي akitı riya niwa zi * akakifinika nayi * yataka asipu mai * shaka kwa akira tina [103] (101) tena akenda kwa shaka * mai asipoyataka * naye akakifinika * ni wazi akitendeya (١٠٢) ح پ ع ل ي ح ي د ر * ك و ز ا ن ك ف ي ك ر ا * و م ك ي م ك ف ر ا * ي و كين ف ن ل ي ا kı nifunuliya yiwu * makufarī wamikuya * nakufīkirī kiwaza * h aydari ʿalii h apu [104] (102) hapo Aliyi Haidari * kiwaza na kufikiri * wamekuya makufari * yeo kinifunuliya (١٠٣) ا ك س ا ا ك ت م ك * ن ي و ت ك ف ن ك * س ن ا ب د ت م ش ي ك * م ت و ا م ي ز و ي amı zuwiya mtuwi * tamshı ka budi sina * takifinika nayiwu * akatamka akisa [105] (103) akisa akatamka * na yeo takifinika * sina budi tamshika * mtuwe amezoeya 82 he should be hidden and lost. 14

15 (١٠٤) ا ػ ر ك ح ك ن ي م * ج عف ر ا ك ڠ ي م * ب و ا ك ل س ك م * م ب ل ا ك ل م ب ي ر ي akalimbı riya mbali * akalisukuma bawu * akigı ma jaʿfari * nyuma h uku akʲuruka [106] (104) achondoka huku nyuma * Jaafari akegema * bao akalisukuma * mbali akalimbiriya (١٠٥) ب ز و ك ي ك و ا ح م * ج ع ف ر ا ك ن ي م * ك س ن ا ا ك ڠ ي م * ع ل ي ح مو اغ ل ي ا h umwaḡhaliya ʿalii * akigı ma nai kisa * ukunyuma jaʿafari * h ima kwa wakaya buzi [107] (105) mbuzi wakaya kwa hima * Jaafari uko nyuma * kisa naye akegema * Aliyi humwangaliya (١٠٦) ا ك ڠ م ك ر اد د * ت ت ش ن ر ان ك س د * ك و ان د ا ي و ا ك ر د * ح ل د ر كى ا ك ي ا akiya h alidirikı * akirudi yiwu kwa nda * kasidi tutashinra na * kara didi akigima [108] (106) akegema karadidi * tutashindana kasidi * kwanda yeo akirudi * halidiriki akiya (١٠٧) ك م ح ف ن ي ن ب ر * ا ي پ ا ت ن ك ي ر ا * ح ل ه پ ت ب د ر * غ و ا ت غ ن ي ك ي ا utaghinı kiya ghuu * badari hupata h ili * atanikīrī ayapu * nibiri h ufanya kama [109] (107) kama hufanya nibiri * ayapo atanikiri * hili hupata bandari * ngoo utanginikiya (١٠٨) م ئ ك ت ك ك ت ك * ن ي ع ل ي ك ت ك ا * م ك و ن ا ك م ش ي ك * ج ع ف ر ا ك م و م ب ي ا akamwambiya jaʿfari * akamshı ka mku nu * katuka ʿalii nayi * katika katika mai [110] (108) mai kateka kateka * naye Aliyi katoka * mkono akamshika * Jaafari akamwambiya (١٠٩) و و ح ن ش ي ك ي ن * م م س ك ػ س ن ن * ح ت ا ك و ا ن ج ن * ن ي و ا ك ك س م ي ا kukusumiya nayuwa * najini ukiwa h ata * sinani sikukʲi mimi * h unishı kiyani wiwi [112] (109) wewe hunishikia-ni * mimi sikuchi sina-ni * hata ukiwa na jini * nayuwa kukusomeya (١١٠) ح ي ا ن م ز ف ص ي ر * س ك ي ن ن ك و ا س ر ا * ا ك ت ك ا ا ظ ه ر ا * ن ز ء د ت ك و ام ب ي ا takwa mbiya nazaidi * izḥarī ukitaka * sirī kwa sikuyanina * nimizufasị ri h aya [113] (110) haya nimezofasiri * sikuyanena kwa siri * ukitaka idhihari * na zaidi takwambiya (١١١) ك م ڤ ت ي ك و م ب ل * و ك و ن و و و ي ل * ك س ك ڤ ت ق و ل * ج ع ف ر ا ك م و م ب ي ا akamwambiya jaʿfari * qawli kavuta kisa * wawı li wu wakawana * kwambali kamvutiya [114] (111) kamvutia kwa mbali * wakawana wao..... wawili * kisa kavuta qauli * Jaafari akamwambiya (١١٢) ا ك م و م ب ي ا ا ك ب ي ن * م و ان ا د م ن ن ي ن * ب ب ا ه ك د ن ي ان * ن ر پ ا ك ن و ن ي ا ukaniwaniya nripu * duniya ni haku baba * ninyani adamu mwa na * akabayini akamwambiya [115] (112) akamwambia akabaini * mwana-adamu ni nyani * baba hako duniani * ndipo ukaniwaniya (١١٣) ك م و ل ي ز ا ا ن ن * و و ب ب ك ن ن ي ن * ك ب ن پ ة ػ ن د ان * ع ل ي ك م و اغ ل ي ا kamwaḡhaliya ʿalii * kʲanda ni nipitï kaba * ninyani babaku wiwi * unani kamuwulı za [116] (113) kamuuliza u nani * wewe babako ni nyani * kamba ni pete chandani * Aliyi kamwangalia 15

16 (١١٤) پ ت ك و غ ل ي ك و ك * ك س م ا ن ن ل ك * ا ر د ا س ك ت ك * ن م ي ت ك م غ ي ا kumghiya namayutu * asikitiki arudi * nilaki ina kisuma * kwaki kwaghaliya piti [117] (114) pete kwangalia kwake * kisoma ina ni lake * arudi asikitike * na mayuto kumngiya (١١٥) ك س ح پ ا م و م ب ي * س غ ل ن ك پ ج ي ا * ا ن ل ك و ح ت و اا ي * ب ب ا ن م م ع ل ي ا ʿaliya nimimi baba * h itwaiyi lakuu ina * nikupijiya sighali * amwambiyi h apu kisa [118] (115) kisa hapo amwambie * singali nikupijia * ina lako hitwaye * baba ni mimi Aliya (١١٦) ن ڠ ل پ ت ي ز ا د ام * ك ب س ك ك ف ه م * ك ج ان ك ت ك ل م * ج ع ف ار ا ك م و م ب ي ا akamwambiya jaʿfa ri * katakalamu kija na * sikukufahamu kaba * da mu putı za nigali [119] (116) ningalipoteza damu * kamba sikukufahamu * kijana katakalamu * Jaafari akamwambiya (١١٧) و و م ت ح م و ن * ك و ان د ح م و ز ا ن * ح ن ئ ن ي ا ج ڠ ي ن * و ل ا ن ت ك م ب ي ا takimbiya waliuna * ujagı na h uniunya * ina h umuwuzi kwa nda * h umuwuna mtu wiwi [120] (117) wewe mtu humona * kwanda humuuzi ina * hunionya ujagina * waliona takimbiya (١١٨) ك ن د ا ن پ ا پ ت ي ن ڠ * ا ك س ا ا و ن ب ب ڠ * ا م ن ت ي ا م ت ن ڠ * م ي ل ن ك ن ن ي ا kuniniya muyilini * matungu uminitiya * nibabagu uwi ukisa * yangu piti nipa kanda [121] (118) kwanda nipa pete yangu * ukisa uwe ni babangu * umenitia matungu * muilini kunendeya (١١٩) ا ك م و ام ب ي ا م م ك * ن م ي و ا س ر ا ز اك * ن ي ح پ ا ت م ك * ا ن ل ك ك م و م ب ي ا kamwambiya laki ina * atamki h apu nayi * za ki sura namuyuwa * mamaki akamwa mbiya [122] (119) akamwambia mamake * namuyuwa sura zake * naye hapo atamke * ina lake kamwambiya (١٢٠) ك م و م ب ي ا ك ف ص ي ر * م م ح ت و ا ج ع ف ار * و ع ل ى ح ي د ار * ن م و اك ا ن و ا ت س ي ا tisiya niwa namwa ka * h ayda ri ʿalii wa * jaʿfa ri h itwa mimi * kifasị ri kamwambiya [123] (120) kamwambia kifasiri * mimi hitwa Jaafari * wa Aliyi Haidari * na mwaka ni wa tisiya (١٢١) و ت و م ب ز م و ت و ن * ا ك و ا ت ن ن د ي ان * ت و ن ر ز پ م ي ي ن * ج ع ف ار ك م و ام ب ي ا kamwa mbiya jaʿfa ri * muyı ni zipu twiniri * ndiya ni tina ukawa * mwitu ni mbuzi watuwi [124] (121) watoe mbuzi mwituni * ukawa tena ndiani * twenende zipo muyini * Jaafari kamwambiya (١٢٢) ك م و ام ب ي ا ن ر ا ز ن غ * ن ن ا ن م و ال ي م و ن غ * ن م و انڠ ن م م ن غ * ك س ك ش ن ت ك ي ا nitakuya kishu kisa * namamanghu nimuwa ngi * wanghu namwa lı mu nina * zanghu nira kamwa mbiya [125] (122) kamwambia nenda zangu * nina na mwalimu wangu * nimuage na mamangu * kisa kesho nitakuya (١٢٣) ك ش ك ك پ ب و ك * ن م پ ي م ت ي ن ك ا * س ع م ي ا ك ف ي ك * ب ب ا ت ك و اص ل ي ا takuwa sịliya baba * ikifı ka muya saʿa * taynuka namapı ma * kukipabawuka kishu [126] (123) kesho kukipambauka * na mapema tainuka * saa moya ikifika * baba takuwasiliya 16