Nana Asma’u (1793-1864) was a poet, educator and activist who wrote poetry in Arabic, Fulfulde and Hausa. She was the daughter of Uthman dan Fodio and was raised in a scholarly environment that valued the education of women alongside that of men, and which was part of a more widespread tradition of Muslim female scholars in West Africa.

O my eyes! Cry freely for my beloved friend
solace to my sorrow and companion to my loneliness

Shed tears freely for the loss of Aisha,
dearest of my beloved ones, most faithful friend

I admired her courage and modesty,
faith, character and contentment

her remembrance of God, litanies, patience and virtue
and her recitation of Qur’an, what a beloved friend!

Do you not know that there is nothing
equal to true friendship when it is firm?

No child or sibling can console me
No bright home or collected possessions

Because of this my heart has become
shrouded in confusion, suffering sigh upon sigh

In truth it is no sin to mourn and elegise,
for Abu Sufyan elegised the Prophet when he died

I weep over her with tears that ask for Allah’s mercy upon her
and pine with the yearning of true friendship

The Prophet did not forbid this
He only forbade screaming and wailing

I pray to God to allay her fear
And that the Most Merciful grants her the best reward