While the original text is in Arabic, several resources and partial translations exist to aid English speakers:
The book (Selections from Arabic Literature) is a seminal anthology compiled by the renowned scholar Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi . It serves as a comprehensive "reader" for students of Arabic, featuring eloquent prose and poetry from the early Islamic era to the 20th century. While originally written in Arabic, English resources and partial translations are available to assist non-native speakers in navigating its classical and contemporary texts. Overview of the Anthology Mukhtarat Min Adab Al-arab English Translation
The fourth caliph's aphorisms are translated with biblical parallelism: While the original text is in Arabic, several
Arberry, famous for his luminous translation of the Qur’an, brings his poetic sensibility to Mukhtarat . His version of al-Mutanabbi’s boast “ Ana wa-l-laylu wa-l-fayruju ” (“I and the night and the horseman”) captures the swagger: “I am the one who, when the night stretches its legs / And the stars advance like foot soldiers, I do not retreat.” Arberry adds extensive footnotes explaining ‘asabiyya (tribal solidarity) and zuhd (asceticism). It remains the most beautiful, if occasionally too ornate. Overview of the Anthology The fourth caliph's aphorisms
The English translation of "Mukhtarat Min Adab Al-arab" has made it possible for readers worldwide to appreciate the beauty and significance of Arabic literature. This translation not only facilitates a deeper understanding of Arabic culture but also enables scholars to engage with the original texts in a more accessible way.