From Sayd Al-Khatir: She raised a storm, then departed.
“It made a commotion and then departed,” meaning it raised a loud outcry and then retreated. It is like a cloud that flashes and thunders, but despite the abundance of this “commotion,” it dissipates without even a drop of rain. This proverb is applied to a coward who makes a lot of noise, shouts loudly, and threatens with dire consequences and great calamities, yet when the dust of his battle settles, you find him hiding behind you. It is a blameworthy trait in the sight of God and His creation.
God, exalted be He, explicitly condemned those who speak much and make claims but fail to act upon them, as He says: “Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do.”
Arab heritage is rich with proverbs and sayings similar to ours, including: “Soft in temperament, loud in noise,” a proverb used for someone with a sharp tongue and much clamor; “Thunder and lightning but no rain”; “He swelled with arrogance and scattered in defeat”; and “He rages like a lion but flees like a fox.” The latter describes someone who blusters and boasts arrogantly but lacks strength and power, evading confrontation with the strong due to cowardice. Another relevant saying is: “He who commands much, does little.”
The phrase “You claimed” in this context is sarcastic and mocking, casting doubt on statements that lack evidence or validity—mere assertions. The “spotted crow” here refers to a weak crow marked with both white and black.
This is a verse by a poet describing someone who sees himself as brave in his dreams:
Our proverb, “It made a commotion and then departed,” applies precisely and clearly to the treacherous Iranian enemy. His behavior aligns with the Arab saying: “A lion in peace, an ostrich in war,” or the proverb: “He acts like a lion toward his neighbors but like a camel before his enemies,” meaning he is cowardly or avoids confronting his enemies.
Iran avoids direct confrontation with the United States and Israel through loud rhetoric and fiery, enthusiastic slogans against them, despite its certainty of Israel’s actual involvement in every American attack on it. It confines itself to aggressions against its peaceful neighbors, displaying its fake muscles toward them.
Truthful is the one who said: “Do not be deceived by the essence of speech until you test the essence of action,” and “The barren tree has much shade.” Its appearance is imposing, but it is devoid of benefit or utility. Also: “Dignity lies in silence, and deficiency in much noise,” and “A full vessel makes no sound when moved, while the noise of an empty vessel intensifies.”
