- English translation
When a rich man dies, the women come trailing their cloaks to mourn him; when a poor man dies, nobody even hears of it.
- Literal wording
A rich man died: they dragged the wraps; a poor man died: there is no news.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying contrasts two deaths. When a wealthy man dies, women hurry to the house of mourning in such numbers that their loose outer wraps (al-ḥabar, not ink) trail behind them, while a poor man's passing draws no visitors and not even a word of news.
The Arabic halves rhyme, ḥabar against khabar, sharpening the contrast between crowded mourning and total silence. Beyond the funeral scene, it criticizes a society that measures worth by money, granting the rich public grief and ceremony while forgetting the poor. It expresses resentment at unequal regard rather than offering advice.
- When it is used
Suitable as a wry or bitter comment when attention, sympathy or ceremony flows toward the wealthy while ordinary people's losses go unnoticed. It can be used of funerals or of any unequal social response; the tone is critical and may sound pointed in mixed company.
- Register
- Colloquial Arabic
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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