Quote by Wallada bint al-Mustakfi: “To my lover I say: You are my heart’s desire, and my soul's refuge.”

This quote expresses deep romantic devotion, portraying a lover as both the object of intense longing and a source of profound comfort. It reveals a desire for emotional and spiritual sanctuary within a passionate relationship.

Wallada had several prominent love affairs, most notably with the poet Ibn Zaydun, which were well-documented and celebrated in Andalusian literature. Her poetry often candidly explored themes of love, longing, and intimacy.

Andalusian princess and poet born around 1001 in Córdoba, daughter of Caliph Muhammad III, who ran one of the first literary salons in medieval Europe and was known for embroidering her own poems onto her garments. Her love poetry, especially her exchanges with Ibn Zaydun, is among the most celebrated in classical Arabic literature.