Whether you call it flirting or rizzing, the objective has always been the same: make someone lose sleep over a sentence you probably spent 45 minutes crafting and, in the best-case scenario, land a date with them. And while today’s generation does that through iMessage bubbles, Instagram voice notes, and Hinge prompts, Arab poets had already mastered the formula centuries ago, long
before dating apps and “u up?” texts were even a thing.
Universally recognized for their way with words, they’ve long understood, and even perfected, what modern dating seems to have forgotten: how seduction starts way before physical contact is even made. Contrary to popular belief, romance has always been about how you made someone feel special using just language, ideally making them believe no one before you has ever articulated desire, longing, or admiration so well.
So if you’re trying to secure a summer boo without sounding like everyone else in their inbox— and yes, you probably are the 50th person to shoot their shot that day— keep scrolling for a few lines that still hit albeit being from an era that no longer exists.
“If I had two hearts, I would leave one to suffer for you.” — Antarah ibn Shaddad
Best deployed after you’ve broken up and are preparing for a comeback in their DMs. Works even better IRL iykyk.
“I am yours. Don’t give myself back to me.” — Rumi
Perfect for anyone currently fighting for their life in the “we need to talk” stage of a relationship.
“I have much to say. But whenever I try, your eyes interrupt me.” — Nizar Qabbani
More efficient than prime Mohamed Salah at Anfield. Try slotting this one in sometime during your first date and you (should be) 3-0 up already.
“Only for your eyes I made peace with this world”— Tamim Al Barghouti
Same here, works even better in Arabic.
“They asked: ‘do you love her to death?’ I said ‘speak of her over my grave and watch how she brings me back to life’” — Mahmoud Dariwsh
Slightly dramatic, admittedly, but closed mouths don’t get soulmates.
“And if the devil were to ever see you, he’d kiss your eyes and repent” — Farouq Jwaydeh
Plot twist: the devil is you and even when you see her, repentence still isn’t on the table.