من أبي الهدى لاح فينا مظهرْ

من أبي الهدى لاح فينا مظهرْ

فَتَجلّى لنا بنورٍ أزهرْ

فَتَجلّى لنا بنورٍ أزهرْ

From Abū al-Hudā a radiant presence dawned among us,

From Abu al-Huda a manifestation shone among us,

Crystalline light revealed to us

revealing itself to us in a light yet more resplendent.

and revealed itself to us in radiant light.

Its radiance shone clearer

هو كالبحر إنْ تَرِدْه تراه

هو كالبحر إنْ تَرِدْه تراه

معدن الدرّ بل مقرّ الجوهر

معدن الدرّ بل مقرّ الجوهر

He is like the sea: if you seek him, you will find him

He is like the sea: if you come to him, you find him

Fathomless as an ocean

a mine of pearls—indeed, the very abode of jewels.

a mine of pearls—rather, the abode of gems.

Where pearls dwell, gemstones anchor

عُدم الفضل من تباعد عنه

عُدم الفضل من تباعد عنه

ذاك في الغيّ قد أبى واستكبر

ذاك في الغيّ قد أبى واستكبر

Bereft of virtue is whoever keeps far from him;

Whoever distances himself from him is deprived of virtue;

To turn away was the greatest loss

such a one, lost in error, has refused in proud disdain.

that one, in error, has refused and grown arrogant.

Yet one persisted, wandered far