You see a youth beneath the shade of lances,
Taking lives in exchange for lives.

Were there nothing in valour except that the brave man, by the mere sound of his reputation and his name, wards off the people’s harm (1) and keeps them (2) from daring to attack him, that alone would suffice as honour and distinction. As ʿAmr ibn Barraqa—an infamous killer, celebrated for his bold assaults and his steadfastness (3)—said:

“You lie, by the House of Allah! You shall never seize it by force
So long as a sword still stands upright.
Whenever a keen heart, a biting blade,
And a proud, protective spirit are joined, wrongdoers (4) give you wide berth.”

Taʾabbata Sharran, the formidable raider and fleet-footed runner whose name was Thābit (5), said:

“Rarely does he complain when a grave matter strikes him;
His passion is abundant—his aims and pathways (6) are many and far-flung.”