Diwan Jamil Buthaina

Author's name: Jamil bin Muammar

Whenever Jameel ibn Ma'mar is mentioned, the mind is immediately drawn to that platonic love for which the sons of 'Udhra, the tribe of the poet, were so famous. It was said that if they loved, they died, because of their sincerity and devotion, and because of their chastity and restraint of the soul from its desires when they were with their beloved, despite the separation and deprivation they faced. Jameel ibn Abdullah ibn Ma'mar al-'Udhri suffered what happened to other unfortunate poets. He loved Buthayna bint Hubban ibn Han ibn Rabi'ah from 'Udhri, as she was his cousin and they were related to Han from Rabi'ah. It was said that he loved her when he was a young boy, and she was a young girl who had not yet reached maturity. And so his love for her grew, and he devoted his love and poetry to her, mentioning her name sometimes and calling her by another name other times, until she became famous and she became famous for him. It was then said, Jameel Buthayna. This love that Jamil bore for Buthaina was not mixed with any other passion, despite the many girls who came to him, even though they were from his own tribe, to turn him away from her. His heart was not drawn to anyone but her, nor did he find any conversation more enjoyable than hers, nor did he find any lips sweeter than hers. He did not write poetry after he loved her, except about her, and her memory died in his heart and tongue. The last poem he wrote he sent to her. She is the one who inspired him with the beautiful flirting poetry, the effect of which ancient poetry had never known to be clearer on the soul, nor more eloquent in moving the heart and stirring emotions. It is not limited to the adoration of a woman’s charms, but adds to it something spiritual, concerned with the soul of the poet, her feelings, her pains and her hopes. Perhaps his concern with himself was more than his concern with describing his beloved, so he would hardly mention her until he turned to Ibn Al-Madinah and what he encountered of the pangs of separation, deprivation and estrangement, with sincere anguish and a pure conscience and tongue. I have rarely read any of his poetry that casts doubt on his chastity and the chastity of his companion, except for a few verses through which one glimpses suspicion, perhaps motivated by a grudge against Buthaina if she abandoned him or inclined to someone else. As for his stories, there are many contradictions in them according to the different versions. Some of them speak of his chastity and exaggerate it, and some of them show us suspicion in his seclusion with Buthaina, spoiling for us the beauty of platonic passion. So they are two lovers seeking pleasures like all lovers. His poetry, despite its faults, is more deserving than his stories of preserving the face of platonic beauty. Most of his poetry was written in love, and the least of it in praise, pride, and satire.