Get to know Emirati proverbs — 1

il-khonfos fii e’in ummah ghazaal

In the eye of his mother a beetle is a gazelle

and

‘as-sibaal fii aein ‘ummah ghazaal

In the eye of his mother a monkey is a gazelle

Other meanings: ‘All her geese are swans’ or ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’

This proverb applies to anything seen as valuable by its owner, even if it is not as valuable as he or she assumes. For instance, mothers have a tendency to see their children with their hearts rather than with their eyes, viewing them favourably even when he or she is not the most beautiful one. In Arab culture, the reference to the gazelle is used in different poems and literature as a symbol of beauty. When this symbol of beauty is contrasted with the beetle or a monkey, the comparison between the two becomes clear. Another proverb that carries similar meaning is, ‘Diyayit-hum faras’ (‘Their chicken is a mare’).

There is a short story behind this proverb: When a rooster is accidentally killed by someone, the rooster’s owner rushes to the judge weeping and crying. “The deceased rooster used to wake us up for prayer and laid eggs that we used to eat,” he laments. The judge laughs as he understands that the man is only exaggerating [the importance of the rooster] in order to get the highest compensation for his loss because how can a rooster ever lay an egg?

2) saam zidd l-liyaali w-fTer A’ala SafSuuf

He fasted the most rewarding nights, and then broke his fast with a small bird.

This proverb describes a situation when a man works hard and tirelessly without expecting or obtaining any substantial profit.

During Ramadan, Muslims break their fast at sunset by eating dates, following the example or sunna of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and then enjoy the iftar feast with family, friends and the entire community of believers. However, a person would not be able to replenish all their strength when only eating a small bird.