23/09/2026
This Arabic proverb teaches us not to underestimate what appears small or insignificant.
The proverb is related to a delightful anecdote about Al-Asmaʿi, the famous Basran philologist and transmitter of Arabic poetry. He once encountered a young boy from Banu Asad, so poorly dressed, Al-Asmaʿi thought he was unable to string two words together. Al-Asmaʿi asked his name to which the boy replied “Hurayqis” (which is in a diminutive form). He jokingly remarked, “Was it not enough for your family to name you Hurqus, that they had to shrink your name further [into a diminutive form]?
The boy’s retort was: “ إنّ السقط يحرق الحرجة”
Indeed, the falling ember burns the thicket.
His answer was a reminder that smallness does not determine significance.
Al-Asmaʿi, taken aback by the cleverness of his reply, asked the boy to recite some poetry of his tribe. The boy recited verses so eloquently that Al-Asmaʿi was stunned. He recited the verses to Harun al-Rashid, who wished he could have met the boy so he could have elevated him to the highest ranks.
The classical commentary explains the proverb:
الأمر الصغير قد يصير إلى أعظم
A small/trivial matter may become something much greater.
والرجل المستحقر قد يغني غناء المستعظم
And a person who is looked down upon could prove as valuable as one who is held in high esteem.
Takeaway: Never assume that something is insignificant because it appears small.
