إِذا عَفا لَم يَكُ في عَفوِهِ

إِذا عَفا لَم يَكُ في عَفوِهِ

مَنٌّ وَلا يكدِرُ نُعماهُ

مَنٌّ وَلا يكدِرُ نُعماهُ

When he pardons, there is in his pardon

When he pardons, his pardon contains

If he forgives, there is no favor in his pardon,

no reproach, nor does he tarnish his bounty.

No reproachful reminders of favors, nor does he taint his bounty.

Nor any blemish in his bounty.

وَإِن سَطا عاتب ذا جُرمه

وَإِن سَطا عاتب ذا جُرمه

بِقُدرَةٍ لا يَتَعَدّاهُ

بِقُدرَةٍ لا يَتَعَدّاهُ

And if he punishes, he calls the offender to account

And if he strikes, he reproaches the offender

And if he punishes the guilty one,

with power that does not exceed what is due against him.

With power, without going beyond his offense.

He does so justly, not exceeding the right measure.