This quote portrays the heart as vulnerable and exposed, completely subject to the overwhelming power of desire. It suggests that love can make one feel trapped and without escape, emphasizing its compelling and often uncontrollable nature.
Quote by Ka'b ibn Zuhayr: “The heart is left without a refuge, a prisoner of love's desire.”
The heart is left without a refuge, a prisoner of love's desire.
Insight
Historical Context
Continuing the theme of lost love from *Bānat Suʿād*, these lines describe the speaker's emotional state after Su'ad's departure, highlighting his helplessness in the face of his powerful feelings.
About the Author
Arab poet from the pre-Islamic and early Islamic period, born in Arabia in the late 6th century, son of the famous poet Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma. His celebrated ode Banat Su'ad, recited before the Prophet Muhammad as a plea for forgiveness, is one of the most famous poems in classical Arabic literature.
View all quotes by Ka'b ibn Zuhayr