1. I weep for you, O Hussein, though
No friend is worthier of tears shed in grief
١. أَنَا أَبْكِيكَ يَا حُسَيْنُ وَمَا
أَوْلَى خَلِيلاً فَارَقْتَهُ بِالبُكَاءِ
2. And whenever the literati mourn you
I am most bereaved in elegy
٢. وَإِذَا مَا رَثَاكَ كُلُّ أَدِيبٍ
كُنْتُ أَحْرَى مُوَدِّعٍ بِالرِّثاءِ
3. Egypt was aggrieved when you turned from it
In nobility, piety, and loyalty
٣. فُجِعَتْ مِصْرُ إِذْ تَوَلَّيْتَ عَنْهَا
في المَبَرَّاتِ وَالتُقَى وَالوَفَاءِ
4. And was struck by the loss of a patron
Of glory, grace, and intellect
٤. وَأُصِيبَتْ بِفَقْدِ أَيِّ عَمِيدٍ
أُسْرَةُ المَجْدِ وَالنَّدَى وَالذِّكَاءِ
5. You lived reclusively for a time, so seclusion
Became a refuge for the eminent
٥. عِشْتَ في خَلْوَةٍ زَمَاناً فَخِيلَتْ
عُزْلَةٌ وَهِيَ مُهْجَةُ العَلْيَاءِ
6. And whenever a free soul strolled
The land reflected a piece of heaven
٦. وَإِذَا مَا تَنَزَّهَتْ نَفْسُ حُرٍّ
رَدَّتِ الأَرْضُ قِطْعَةً مِنْ سَمَاءِ
7. So go appointing your noble
And excellent sons as successors
٧. فَامْضِ مُسْتَخْلِفاً بِكُلِّ كَرِيمٍ
مِنْ بَنيكَ الأَعِزَّةِ النُجَبَاءِ
8. A group of the brilliant ones of the age
Rose like radiant stars
٨. نَفَرٌ مِنْ نَوابِغِ الجِّيلِ فِيهِ
طَلَعَوْا كَالكواكِبِ الزَّهْرَاءِ
9. And El-Qa presented your hand with good
So with the Merciful - the best reward
٩. وَالْقِ قَدَّمَتْ يَداكَ مِنَ الْخيْرِ
فَعِنْدَ الرِّحْمَنِ خَيْرُ الجَزَاءِ