حاشاكَMay you be spared مِنfrom نارٍa fire عَلىupon الأَحشاءِthe innards
حاشاكَ مِن نارٍ عَلى الأَحشاءِ
يَزدادُincreases ضِعفاًtwofold حَرُّهاits heat بِالماءِwith water
يَزدادُ ضِعفاً حَرُّها بِالماءِ
May you be spared a fire upon the innards,
You are far from a fire that grows weaker
Far be it that you suffer this fire that burns within my entrails,
whose heat doubles with water.
When water is poured on its burning embers
A heat whose intensity doubles with every drop of water.
عَزَّيتَنيyou consoled me فيconcerning ماwhat تَرىyou see وَعَزَوتَنيand you counted me
عَزَّيتَني في ما تَرى وَعَزَوتَني
لِلصّابِرينَamong the patient وَلاتَand it is not حينَa time for عَزاءِconsolation
لِلصّابِرينَ وَلاتَ حينَ عَزاءِ
You consoled me for what you see, and counted me
You consoled me for what you saw, and consoled me
You consoled me regarding what I see, and ascribed me to the patient, yet this is no time for consolation.
among the patient—when it is no time for consolation.
For the patient at a time of consolation
Who guarantees me the reward of the patient, when my bones are shattered by the greatest of calamities?
مَنwho ليfor me بِأَجرِwith the reward of الصابِرينَthe patient وَأَعظُميand my bones
مَن لي بِأَجرِ الصابِرينَ وَأَعظُمي
مَوهونَةٌweakened مِنby أَعظمِthe greatest of الأَرزاءِcalamities
مَوهونَةٌ مِن أَعظمِ الأَرزاءِ
Who will secure for me the patient ones' reward, when my bones
Who deserves the reward of the patient ones, while I
Will you not weep for the crescent moon, and stop preaching patience for the son of the full moon and sun?
are weakened by the greatest of calamities?
Have a slight affliction among grave calamities?!
The earth usually laughs when the heavens weep, but now I see them weeping together for my tears.
هَلّاwhy not بَكَيتَyou wept عَلىover الهِلالِthe crescent وَلَمand did not تَقُلsay
هَلّا بَكَيتَ عَلى الهِلالِ وَلَم تَقُل
صَبراًpatience عَلىover اِبنِthe son of البَدرِthe full moon وَاِبنِand son of ذكاءِDhuka (the sun)
صَبراً عَلى اِبنِ البَدرِ وَاِبنِ ذكاءِ
Why did you not weep over the crescent, rather than say,
Why didn’t you weep for the crescent moon rather than say
Gaze upon the abode of decay, and see how two torrents met: one from the earth and one from the sky.
“Patience over the son of the full moon and of Dhuka, the sun”?
“Patience for the son of the full moon and the son of brightness”
The rain poured down, and weeping would suffice, were it not pouring our tears mixed with blood.
الأَرضُthe earth تَضحَكُsmiles لِلسّماءِat heaven إِذاwhen بَكَتit weeps
الأَرضُ تَضحَكُ لِلسّماءِ إِذا بَكَت
وَأَراهُماand I see them both بَكياthey both wept مَعاًtogether لبُكائيat my weeping
وَأَراهُما بَكيا مَعاً لبُكائي
Earth smiles at heaven when it weeps,
The land laughs at the sky when it weeps
Were it not for the flowing of tears on the day of his loss, the rocks of sorrow and the wide valleys would have melted.
yet I see them both weeping together at my weeping.
And I see them both weeping at my weeping
Can anyone stem the flow of their tears when there is no escape from such intense agony?
فَاِنظُرso look إِلىat دارِthe abode of البلىdecay كَيفَhow اِلتَقىmet
فَاِنظُر إِلى دارِ البلى كَيفَ اِلتَقى
غيثانُtwo rains مِنfrom أَرضٍearth بِهاin it وَسَماءِand sky
غيثانُ مِن أَرضٍ بِها وَسَماءِ
Look, then, at the abode of decay: how there met
So look at the abode of tribulation, how
He has perished—the one whose face and right hand held two waters: the water of generosity and the water of modesty.
two rains, from the earth there and from the sky.
Two rains have met, one from earth, one from sky
The days have claimed him, allowing the enemy to take revenge, though often through him I took revenge upon my foes.
وَكَفَpoured down الحَياthe rain وَكَفىand sufficed البُكاweeping لَوif أنّهُthat it
وَكَفَ الحَيا وَكَفى البُكا لَو أنّهُ
أَجرىmade flow مَدامِعناour tears بِغَيرِwithout دِماءِblood
أَجرى مَدامِعنا بِغَيرِ دِماءِ
The rain poured; weeping would have sufficed, had it
And living was enough, and crying would have sufficed, had
He was a sharp sword; he did not pass away until he had cut deep, leaving sorrow in the wake of his sharpness.
made our tears flow without blood.
Our tears flowed without blood
Time was enriched by him and sang his name, adorning him with the goodness of wealth and the sweetness of song.
لَولاwere it not for مُصابthe pouring of الدَمعِtears يَومَon the day of مُصابهhis loss
لَولا مُصاب الدَمعِ يَومَ مُصابه
ذابَتwould have melted صُخورُthe rocks of الحَزنِrugged ground وَالبَطحاءِand the pebbly plain
ذابَت صُخورُ الحَزنِ وَالبَطحاءِ
Had tears not poured on the day of his loss,
Were it not for the shedding of tears the day he died
If every son were as noble as he, pride would have forbidden any weeping over sons.
the rocks of the rugged ground and the pebbly plain would have melted.
The rocks of sadness and the plain would have melted
The noble and illustrious, no matter what they achieve, raise the edifice of their glory through their children.
هَلis ...? مُستَطيعcapable أَنof يُكفكفwiping away دَمعهhis tears
هَل مُستَطيع أَن يُكفكف دَمعه
مَنone who لاno بَراحَescape لَهُfor him عَنfrom البُرحاءِanguish
مَن لا بَراحَ لَهُ عَن البُرحاءِ
Can one wipe away his tears
Can one who finds no comfort from distress restrain his tears?
Men strive with all their might, yet fail to attain what he achieved of greatness in merely nine years.
who has no escape from anguish?
He whose face and hand held
Had he reached the age of twenty, Glory would have named him the Banner of Knowledge and the Peerless One.
أَودىperished الَّذيhe who فيin وَجهِهِhis face وَيَمينِهِand his right hand
أَودى الَّذي في وَجهِهِ وَيَمينِهِ
ماءانِtwo waters ماءُwater of حَباًbounty وَماءand water of حَياءِmodesty
ماءانِ ماءُ حَباً وَماء حَياءِ
He has perished—in his face and his right hand
Two kinds of water: the water of love and the water of shame
The living took pride in him, and now that he has passed, the dead boast of him over the living.
were two waters: the water of bounty and the water of modesty.
The days destroyed him, so the enemy took vengeance
My sorrow for a sweet basil bloom that has departed to a reward's abode—would that my abode were there too.
أَودَتmade away بِهِwith him الأَيّامُthe days فَأَثّأرso took revenge العدىthe foes
أَودَت بِهِ الأَيّامُ فَأَثّأر العدى
وَكَمand how often اِثَّأرتُI took revenge بِهِthrough him مِنَupon الأَعداءِthe enemies
وَكَم اِثَّأرتُ بِهِ مِنَ الأَعداءِ
The days destroyed him, and the foes took their revenge;
And how many an enemy I took vengeance on through him
His life's essence flowed from his nose, and in that moment, I witnessed the death of a martyr.
how often, through him, I took revenge upon my enemies!
The sword was, and no sooner it was gone than it went
I watched the flowing blood, and saw that the artifice of physicians could not deflect the decree of death.
كانَhe was الحُسامَthe sharp sword فَماand did not مَضىpass away حَتّىuntil مَضىprove keen
كانَ الحُسامَ فَما مَضى حَتّى مَضى
وَشَجاand grieved مُضِيٌّa passing مِنهُof his بَعدَafter مَضاءِkeenness
وَشَجا مُضِيٌّ مِنهُ بَعدَ مَضاءِ
He was the sharp sword; he passed away only after proving his edge,
And a departing one from it departed after its departure
When God wills the passing of an ailing soul, He conceals the cure from the physician's eye.
and his passing after such keenness brought grief.
Time was rich through him and rich through his name
He was treated by the One who afflicted him, until he seemed to say: "Do not bring me medicine to treat this fated end."
غَنِيَgrew rich الزَمانُtime بِهِthrough him وَغَنّىand sang بِاِسمِهِwith his name
غَنِيَ الزَمانُ بِهِ وَغَنّى بِاِسمِهِ
فَزَهاهُso adorned it طيبُsweetness of غِنىًriches وَطيبُand sweetness of غناءِsong
فَزَهاهُ طيبُ غِنىً وَطيبُ غناءِ
Time grew rich through him and sang his name;
So it adorned him, the fragrance of wealth and the fragrance of song
I do not complain that I was denied an answer; were it not for the decree of death, my prayer would have been persistent.
the sweetness of riches and of song adorned it.
If every noble son were like him
Goodness lies in what his Creator has chosen, for his hardship has been transformed into ease.
لَوif كانَwere كُلُّevery اِبنson نَجيباًnoble مِثلُهُlike him
لَو كانَ كُلُّ اِبن نَجيباً مِثلُهُ
مَنَعَwould prevent الإِباءُpride بُكاًweeping عَلىover الأَبناءِsons
مَنَعَ الإِباءُ بُكاً عَلى الأَبناءِ
Had every son been noble like him,
Fatherhood would have prevented weeping for sons
Indeed, God may bring joy through hardship in His judgments, and bring harm through blessings.
pride would have forbidden weeping over sons.
Noble fathers, no matter whom they beget
A handmaiden offered him a fragrant apple, but he refused it with a mere nod.
إِنَّindeed الكِرامَthe noble الغُرَّthe illustrious مَهماwhenever أَنجبواthey beget worthy children
إِنَّ الكِرامَ الغُرَّ مَهما أَنجبوا
شادواthey raise بِناءَthe edifice of المَجدِglory بِالأَبناءِthrough sons
شادوا بِناءَ المَجدِ بِالأَبناءِ
The illustrious and noble, whenever they beget worthy children,
Bolster the edifice of glory through sons
Had he been able to speak, he would have said: "The apples of the Gardens of Eternity are my only cure."
raise the edifice of glory through their sons.
Men strive without attaining through their striving
May Ridwan greet you with it, O my son—a greeting I kissed upon the cheek of the maidens of Paradise.
تَسعىstrive الرِجالُmen فَلاyet do not تَنالُattain بِحِرصِهاwith their zeal
تَسعى الرِجالُ فَلا تَنالُ بِحِرصِها
ماwhat نالَhe attained فيin تِسعٍnine years مِنَof العَلياءِeminence
ما نالَ في تِسعٍ مِنَ العَلياءِ
Men strive, yet for all their zeal cannot attain
What he attained in nine of the sublime
She was unveiled like a bride, her dowry paid in recitations, for the Maidens are the delight of those who recite.
the heights he attained in nine years.
If he had reached twenty, his sublimity would have taught him
Triumph with a tranquil heart, never startled; you have divorced the abode of hardship and misery.
فَلَوِso if اِنتَهىhe reached العِشرينَtwenty سمّتهُwould have named him العُلاeminence
فَلَوِ اِنتَهى العِشرينَ سمّتهُ العُلا
عَلمَthe beacon of العُلومlearning وَكافِيَand the mainstay of الأَكفاءِthe able peers
عَلمَ العُلوم وَكافِيَ الأَكفاءِ
Had he reached twenty, eminence would have named him
All knowledge, and made him the completest of the perfect
Your soul never stooped to baseness in your youth, while others were cast down by their own desires.
the beacon of learning and the mainstay of his peers.
Through him the living bowed down, then when he was gone
Sanctified be you, O soul of one slain without a weapon, while lions rage for the heat of battle.
فَخُرَتtook pride بِهِin him الأَحياءُthe living ثُمَّthen إِذwhen اِنقَضىhe passed away
فَخُرَت بِهِ الأَحياءُ ثُمَّ إِذ اِنقَضى
فَخُرَتtook pride بِهِin him المَوتىthe dead عَلىover الأَحياءِthe living
فَخُرَت بِهِ المَوتى عَلى الأَحياءِ
The living took pride in him; then, when he passed away,
The dead bowed down before the living
When thousands rallied to his banner, he gave the sharp swords the truest of tidings.
the dead took pride in him over the living.
My craving is for a basil plant that went to
Hear the restless grief of Malik over his loss, and witness the halting of the fierce raid.
لَهَفيmy grief عَلىfor ريحانَةٍa basil sprig راحَتwent إِلىto
لَهَفي عَلى ريحانَةٍ راحَت إِلى
مَثوىan abode of ثَوابٍreward لَيتَwould that فيهِin it ثوائيmy dwelling
مَثوى ثَوابٍ لَيتَ فيهِ ثوائي
Alas for a sprig of basil that went to
An abode of reward—would that my lodging were in it!
It passed, and he engaged it like an unarmed man, even as its roaring subsided, with the vanguard indistinguishable from the rear.
an abode of reward—would that my abode were there!
The death rattle of his soul emerged from his nostrils
Their spears were long, yet when they fell short here, they returned, eyes cast down in submission.
سالَتflowed حشاشَةُthe last remnant of نَفسِهِhis life مِنfrom أَنفِهِhis nose
سالَت حشاشَةُ نَفسِهِ مِن أَنفِهِ
فَشَهِدتُso I witnessed مِنهُin him مَصرَعَthe death of الشُهَداءِmartyrs
فَشَهِدتُ مِنهُ مَصرَعَ الشُهَداءِ
The last remnant of his life flowed from his nose,
So I witnessed through him the death of martyrs
They raged against the world for the magnitude of his loss, then submitted to the judgment of the Ordainer of all things.
and I witnessed in him the death of martyrs.
And I looked at the pieces of armor, but
They bore the burden of sorrow and adorned themselves with patience, and I deem such patience the most beautiful of virtues.
وَنَظَرتُand I considered فيhow to قطعِstop الرُعافِthe nosebleed فَلَمyet did not تَمطavert
وَنَظَرتُ في قطعِ الرُعافِ فَلَم تَمط
حُكمَthe decree of المَنِيَّةِdeath حيلَةُthe skill of الحُكَماءِphysicians
حُكمَ المَنِيَّةِ حيلَةُ الحُكَماءِ
I sought to stop the nosebleed, yet there was no averting
The stratagems of fate did not wipe out the stratagems of the wise
They would seek a substitute for Abd al-Ghani, if only they could find one more capable of bearing the burdens than he.
death's decree by the physicians' skill.
And when God desires the death of one brought low
He was a support with which I repelled my foes, but I have lost him—and the free man is weakened by the loss of his aides.
وَإِذاand when أَرادَwills اللَهُGod ميتَةُthe death of مُدنفٍone gravely ill
وَإِذا أَرادَ اللَهُ ميتَةُ مُدنفٍ
أَخفىHe hides عَلىfrom الآسيthe healer دَواءthe remedy for الداءِthe illness
أَخفى عَلى الآسي دَواء الداءِ
When God wills the death of one gravely sick,
He hides the cure from the grief-stricken one
Woe is me! For the death of my offspring signals the death of all defense of honor and all loyalty.
He hides from the healer the cure for the disease.
They cured him, those who cured him, until he said to me
His nine years were ninety in worth; through them, he established the lighthouse of my splendor.
داواهُtreated him مَنthe one who أَدواهُmade him ill حَتّىuntil قالَhe said ليto me
داواهُ مَن أَدواهُ حَتّى قالَ لي
لاdo not تَأتِنيcome to me مِنfor ذاthis الرَدىdeath بِدَواءِwith a remedy
لا تَأتِني مِن ذا الرَدى بِدَواءِ
He who made him ill treated him, until he said to me,
“Bring me no cure from such harm”
His pen, sharp as a spear, inscribed nothing but purity, nor did his foot ever step toward error.
“Bring me no remedy for this death.”
I do not complain that I was deprived of response
He breathed deep sighs of anguish on his Thursday, laden with worry—such is the concern of the noble souls.
لاnot أَشتَكيI complain إِنّيthat I حُرِمتُwas denied إِجابَةًan answer
لا أَشتَكي إِنّي حُرِمتُ إِجابَةً
لَولاbut for شعوبُSha'ub (Death) لَدَعَّwould have driven away عَنهُfrom him دُعائيmy prayer
لَولا شعوبُ لَدَعَّ عَنهُ دُعائي
I do not complain that I was denied an answer;
Were it not for public difficulties, my supplication would have ceased
On Friday, he seemed bound in captivity, but Saturday became his day of ransom and release.
but for Sha'ub, Death, my prayer would have driven it from him.
The good is in what his Creator chose, so
He would go early to his mosque, racing ahead like the dawn escaping the grasp of darkness.
وَالخَيرُand goodness فيin ماwhat اِختارَchose خالِقهhis Creator فَقَدfor indeed
وَالخَيرُ في ما اِختارَ خالِقه فَقَد
آلَتended بِهِfor him الضَرّاءadversity لِلسَّرّاءِin happiness
آلَت بِهِ الضَرّاء لِلسَّرّاءِ
And goodness lies in what his Creator chose, for
Evil has turned into good
Seeking light for his inner soul, chanting the Remembrance before the cooing of the dove.
adversity ended for him in happiness.
God makes blessing easy through
He recited by night and by day, as if shunning all idleness to avoid being forgotten.
وَلَقَدand indeed يسرُّbrings joy اللَهُGod بِالبأساءthrough hardship فيin
وَلَقَد يسرُّ اللَهُ بِالبأساء في
أَحكامِهِHis decrees وَيَضُرُّand brings harm بِالنَعماءِthrough prosperity
أَحكامِهِ وَيَضُرُّ بِالنَعماءِ
Indeed God brings joy through hardship in
His decrees, and prosperity harmful
He would nearly offer his very soul to his tutor, seeking the clarity of guidance through his dedication.
His decrees, and brings harm through prosperity.
A lascivious apple was offered to him
O Abd al-Ghani, joy is yours in your absence, while sorrow is mine, morning and evening.
عَرَضَتoffered لَهُto him تُفّاحَةًan apple نَفّاحَةًsweetly scented
عَرَضَت لَهُ تُفّاحَةً نَفّاحَةً
بَعضone of الإماءthe bondwomen فَرَدَّso he declined بِالإيماءِwith a gesture
بَعض الإماء فَرَدَّ بِالإيماءِ
A sweetly scented apple was offered him
By one of the maidservants, but he gestured refusal
I hope for a reward from God, for I—and you, my very heart—are torn to pieces.
by one of the bondwomen, but he declined with a gesture.
Had speech been able, he would have said plainly:
When they brought you forward, bewildered, it was as if they walked through darkness to bury a shining light.
وَلَوand if اِستَطاعَhe could القَولُspeech قالَhe would say مُشافِهاًby word of mouth
وَلَو اِستَطاعَ القَولُ قالَ مُشافِهاً
تُفّاحُthe apples of جَنّاتِthe gardens of الخُلودِeternity شِفائيmy cure
تُفّاحُ جَنّاتِ الخُلودِ شِفائي
Had he been able to speak, he would have said aloud:
“The apples of the gardens of eternity are my cure”
They prayed over you and were blessed, except for the one whose love unraveled at the loss of such a fruit.
“The apples of the gardens of eternity are my cure.”
Greetings my son, through you is the good pleasure of a mother
You were my hope, and now you are God's neighbor in His Gardens, while your father remains in the waiting lands.
حَيّاكَgreeted you ياO وَلَديmy son بِهِwith it رِضوانُRidwan أُمor
حَيّاكَ يا وَلَدي بِهِ رِضوانُ أُم
قبّلتهُyou kissed it فيon وَجنَةِthe cheek of الحَوراءِa houri
قبّلتهُ في وَجنَةِ الحَوراءِ
Did Ridwan greet you with it, my son, or
Who kissed him on the cheek of a Houri
O my intercessor, who will intercede for me to be near you? For beauty and ugliness are not the same.
did you kiss it upon the cheek of a houri?
He was married as a bride, and the dowry is her recitation,
جُلِيَتwas unveiled عَروساًas a bride وَالقِراءَةُand recitation نَقدُهاher bride-price
جُلِيَت عَروساً وَالقِراءَةُ نَقدُها
وَالحورُand the houris قُرَّةُthe delight of أَعيُنِthe eyes of القُرّاءِreciters
وَالحورُ قُرَّةُ أَعيُنِ القُرّاءِ
She was unveiled as a bride, with recitation as her bride-price;
While the Houri is the delight of the eyes of reciters
the houris are the delight of reciters' eyes.
Rejoice, with a tranquil heart, not provoked,
فُزtriumph مُطمَئِنَّtranquil in القَلبheart لاnot مُستَوفِزاًrestless
فُز مُطمَئِنَّ القَلب لا مُستَوفِزاً
طَلَّقتyou divorced دارَthe abode of مَشَقَّةٍhardship وَشَقاءِand misery
طَلَّقت دارَ مَشَقَّةٍ وَشَقاءِ
Triumph with a tranquil heart, not restless:
You have left a house of hardship and misery
you have divorced the abode of hardship and misery.
Your spirit never bowed down to baseness in youth
لَمdid not تَدنُdraw near نَفسكَyour soul لِلدَّناءَةِto baseness فيin الصِباchildhood
لَم تَدنُ نَفسكَ لِلدَّناءَةِ في الصِبا
وَسِواكَand others besides you أَهوىcast down النَفسَthe soul بِالأَهواءِthrough passions
وَسِواكَ أَهوى النَفسَ بِالأَهواءِ
In childhood your soul never drew near to baseness,
And none but you did my spirit love in its passions
while others cast their souls down through passions.
Sacred you are, O spirit of the slain without hands
قُدِّستِmay you be sanctified ياO روحَspirit of القَتيلِthe slain one بِلاwithout يَدٍa hand
قُدِّستِ يا روحَ القَتيلِ بِلا يَدٍ
وَالأُسدُand the lions فيهِon his behalf تَهيجُrise up لِلهَيجاءِfor battle
وَالأُسدُ فيهِ تَهيجُ لِلهَيجاءِ
Sanctified be you, O spirit of one slain by no hand,
In him the stirring of lions for ferocious attacks
while lions rise up for battle on his behalf.
When the thousands harmonize under his banner
فَإِذاso when تَأَلَّفَتgathered الأُلوفُthe thousands لِرايهِat his counsel
فَإِذا تَأَلَّفَت الأُلوفُ لِرايهِ
أَنبىblunted الصَوارِمَthe sharp swords أَصدَقthe truest of الأَنباءِtidings
أَنبى الصَوارِمَ أَصدَق الأَنباءِ
So when the thousands rallied to his counsel,
It gives tidings, most truthful of tidings
the truest of tidings blunted the sharp swords.
Hear the writhes of Malik in his coffin
فَاِسمَعso hear تَمَلملthe anguish of مالِكMalik مِنat رُزئِهِhis loss
فَاِسمَع تَمَلمل مالِك مِن رُزئِهِ
وَاِنظُرand behold وُقوفَthe halting of الغارَةِthe raid الشَعواءِraging
وَاِنظُر وُقوفَ الغارَةِ الشَعواءِ
Hear, then, Malik's anguish at his loss,
And see the standing of the daring, piercing cavalry charge
and behold the halting of the raging raid.
They charged him, so he charged them though weaponless, while
جازَتit passed فَرامَحَهاso its spearman كَأَعزَلَlike an unarmed man إِذwhen هَداfell silent
جازَت فَرامَحَها كَأَعزَلَ إِذ هَدا
هَدّارُهاits roar وَأَمامُهاand its front كَوراءِlike the rear
هَدّارُها وَأَمامُها كَوراءِ
It passed; its spearman was like one unarmed, as fell silent
Their vanguard was behind and their rear ahead
its roar, and its front was like its rear.
Their spears were long, but when here they fell short
طالَتwere long رِماحُهُمُtheir spears وَإِذyet when قَصرتfell short هُناhere
طالَت رِماحُهُمُ وَإِذ قَصرت هُنا
رَجَعواthey returned لغضّto lowering الطَرفِthe gaze وَالإِغضاءِand downcast eyes
رَجَعوا لغضّ الطَرفِ وَالإِغضاءِ
Their spears were long, yet when they fell short here,
They went back, lowering their gaze, closing their eyes
they fell back on lowered gazes and downcast eyes.
They were angry with fate for the magnitude of his disaster
سَخَطواthey were angry عَلىwith الدُنياthe world لِعظمِat the enormity of مصابِهِhis loss
سَخَطوا عَلى الدُنيا لِعظمِ مصابِهِ
فَرَضواso they were content بِحُكمِwith the decree of مُقدِّرِthe Ordainer of الأَشياءِall things
فَرَضوا بِحُكمِ مُقدِّرِ الأَشياءِ
They were angry with the world at the enormity of his loss,
Content with the decree of the Ordainer of fates
then accepted the decree of the Ordainer of all things.
They bore the firmest pain, so they endured gracefully
وَتَحَمَّلواand they bore أَصرthe burden of الأَسىgrief فَتَجَمَّلواand showed fortitude
وَتَحَمَّلوا أَصر الأَسى فَتَجَمَّلوا
وَأَرىand I deem التَجَمُّلَfortitude أَجمَلَthe fairest of الآراءِjudgments
وَأَرى التَجَمُّلَ أَجمَلَ الآراءِ
They bore the burden of grief and showed fortitude;
And graceful endurance seems to me the finest of opinions
I deem fortitude the fairest of judgments.
They compensate for Abdullah the Wealthy, though if only
يغنونَcan dispense عَنwith عَبدِAbd (servant of) الغنيّal-Ghani (the Self-Sufficient) لوَif اِنَّهُمthey
يغنونَ عَن عَبدِ الغنيّ لوَ اِنَّهُم
يَجِدونَcould find أَنهَضَmore able مِنهُthan him بِالأَعباءِto bear burdens
يَجِدونَ أَنهَضَ مِنهُ بِالأَعباءِ
They could dispense with Abd al-Ghani, if only they
They found him bearing the burdens in stead
could find one better able than he to carry burdens.
A cloak with which I repel the blows of the loss of his company
رِدءٌa helper أردّI repel بِهِwith him عِدايَmy enemies عَدِمتهُI have lost him
رِدءٌ أردّ بِهِ عِدايَ عَدِمتهُ
وَالحُرُّand the noble man يوهِنُهُweakens him ردىthe death of الأَرداءِthe helpers
وَالحُرُّ يوهِنُهُ ردى الأَرداءِ
I have lost a helper through whom I repelled my foes;
While the free man is weakened by the blows of fools
a noble man is weakened by the death of his helpers.
Woe if the death of my offspring means
وَيلاهُalas for me إِنif كانَتis وَفاةُthe death of سُلالَتيmy offspring
وَيلاهُ إِن كانَت وَفاةُ سُلالَتي
لِوَفاةِfor the death of كُلِّall حَفيظَةٍprotective zeal وَوَفاءِand loyalty
لِوَفاةِ كُلِّ حَفيظَةٍ وَوَفاءِ
Alas, if the death of my offspring
The death of every preserver and loyalty
means the death of all protective zeal and loyalty!
Ninety years of life spanned nine years
تِسعينَninety فيin المِقدارِworth كانَتwere تِسعَةًnine
تِسعينَ في المِقدارِ كانَت تِسعَةً
فَلَقَدfor indeed أَقامَhe raised بِهاthrough them مَنارَthe beacon of بهائيmy splendor
فَلَقَد أَقامَ بِها مَنارَ بهائي
Those nine years were ninety in worth,
In which he erected for me a brilliant minaret
for with them he raised the beacon of my splendor.
The cubit arm of glory did not measure its breadth
ماnot خَطَّwrote مِذراعُthe adept wielder of القَناspear-shafts بيراعهwith his reed pen
ما خَطَّ مِذراعُ القَنا بيراعه
غَيرexcept العُشورِten-verse divisions وَلاand did not خَطاstep لِخَطاءِtoward error
غَير العُشورِ وَلا خَطا لِخَطاءِ
The spear-wielder traced with his reed pen nothing
Other than excellently, no mistakes in his steps
but the ten-verse divisions, nor did he step toward error.
On his blessed Thursday, even the unlucky breathes
يَتَنَفَّسُhe breathes الصُعَداءdeep sighs يَومَon the day of خَميسِهِhis Thursday
يَتَنَفَّسُ الصُعَداء يَومَ خَميسِهِ
هَمّاًin anxiety كَذلِكَsuch is هِمَّةُthe resolve of السُعَداءِthe fortunate
هَمّاً كَذلِكَ هِمَّةُ السُعَداءِ
On his Thursday he sighed deeply
Anxiety, such is the resolve of the fortunate
with anxiety—such is the resolve of the fortunate.
As though it were the day of Arabism, pledged
وَكَأَنَّهُand as though he يَومَon the day of العُروبَةِ'Arubah (Friday) موثقbound
وَكَأَنَّهُ يَومَ العُروبَةِ موثق
أَسراًin captivity وَيَومand the day of السَبتِSaturday يَومa day of فِداءِransom
أَسراً وَيَوم السَبتِ يَوم فِداءِ
On 'Arubah, Friday, he seemed bound
Captive, while Saturday is the day of redemption
in captivity; Saturday was a day of ransom.
Going early to his mosque, running, preceding
يَغدوhe goes early لِمَسجِدِهِto his mosque فَيَعدوthen runs سابِقاًahead
يَغدو لِمَسجِدِهِ فَيَعدو سابِقاً
كَالصُبحِlike dawn أَفلَتَescaping مِنfrom يَدِthe hand of الظلماءِdarkness
كَالصُبحِ أَفلَتَ مِن يَدِ الظلماءِ
He went early to his mosque, racing ahead,
Like the dawn, escaped from the hands of darkness
like dawn escaping from the hand of darkness,
Clarifying to his embryo, chanting
مُستَوضِحاًseeking illumination لِجَنينِهِfor his hidden heart مُتَرَنِّماًchanting
مُستَوضِحاً لِجَنينِهِ مُتَرَنِّماً
بِالذِكرِwith God's remembrance قَبلbefore تَرَنُّمِthe singing of الوَرقاءِthe gray dove
بِالذِكرِ قَبل تَرَنُّمِ الوَرقاءِ
seeking illumination for his hidden heart, chanting
The remembrance before the warbling of branches
God's remembrance before the gray dove began to sing.
At night he would recite as though he sought
بِاللَيلِby night يَقرَأُhe reads وَالنَهارand by day كَأَنَّماas though
بِاللَيلِ يَقرَأُ وَالنَهار كَأَنَّما
يَتَجَنَّبhe avoids الإِعفاءَexemption لِلإِعفاءِfor pardon
يَتَجَنَّب الإِعفاءَ لِلإِعفاءِ
By night and by day he read, as though
Refuge all day in refuge
he avoided exemption to obtain pardon.
He almost guides his own educating soul
وَيَكادُand he almost يهديoffers as a gift لِلمُؤدّبto the tutor نَفسهhis own self
وَيَكادُ يهدي لِلمُؤدّب نَفسه
مُستَجلِياًseeking to bring to light لِهُداهُhis guidance بِالإِهداءِby giving gifts
مُستَجلِياً لِهُداهُ بِالإِهداءِ
He would almost offer his very self to his tutor,
Making its guidance manifest through offering
seeking to draw forth his guidance with the gift.
Abdullah the Wealthy, you had joy while absent
عَبدAbd (servant of) الغَنيّal-Ghani (the Self-Sufficient) لَكَyours is المَسَرَّةjoy غائِباًwhile absent
عَبد الغَنيّ لَكَ المَسَرَّة غائِباً
وَليand mine is المساءَةُsorrow مُصبحيmy morning وَمَسائيand my evening
وَلي المساءَةُ مُصبحي وَمَسائي
Abd al-Ghani, joy is yours in your absence,
While remorse remains my companion night and day
while sorrow is mine, morning and evening.
I hope from God for reward, for I
أَرجوI hope for مِنَfrom اللَهِGod الجَزاءَrecompense فَإِنَّنيfor I
أَرجو مِنَ اللَهِ الجَزاءَ فَإِنَّني
وَالخِلبand the liver's lobe أَنتَyou مُمَزَّقُtorn الأَجزاءِthe parts
وَالخِلب أَنتَ مُمَزَّقُ الأَجزاءِ
I hope for recompense from God, for I—
Am torn apart, while the whelp is you
with you my liver's lobe—am torn to pieces.
When they brought you perplexed, as though
لَمّاwhen أَتواthey came بِكَwith you حائِرينَbewildered كَأَنَّماas though
لَمّا أَتوا بِكَ حائِرينَ كَأَنَّما
يَمشونَthey walked فيthrough ظُلمٍdarkness لِدَفنِto bury ضياءِlight
يَمشونَ في ظُلمٍ لِدَفنِ ضياءِ
When they brought you, bewildered, it was as though they
Walking in darkness to bury the light
walked through darkness to bury light.
They prayed over you, all succeeding, save one man
صَلّواthey prayed عَلَيكَover you فَوفِّقواand were granted success إِلّاexcept اِمرءاًone man
صَلّوا عَلَيكَ فَوفِّقوا إِلّا اِمرءاً
تَنحَلَّclaimed falsely مِنهُfrom him حباًaffection لِأَخذِto gather جناءِfruit
تَنحَلَّ مِنهُ حباً لِأَخذِ جناءِ
They prayed over you and were granted success—save one man,
Who slackened in devotion to seize the spoils
who falsely claimed his affection to gather its fruit.
You were hope, and now you are God’s neighbor
كُنتَyou were الرَجاءَthe hope فَصِرتَthen you became جارَthe neighbor of اللَهِGod فيin
كُنتَ الرَجاءَ فَصِرتَ جارَ اللَهِ في
جَنّاتِهِHis gardens وَأَبوكَand your father فيin الأَرجاءِthe outskirts
جَنّاتِهِ وَأَبوكَ في الأَرجاءِ
You were my hope; now you are God's neighbor in
In his gardens, while your father remains behind in hopes
His gardens, while your father is on the outskirts.
My intercessor, who do I have through your nearness
ياO شافِعيmy intercessor مَنwho ليfor me بِقُربِكَfor nearness to you شافِعاًas an intercessor
يا شافِعي مَن لي بِقُربِكَ شافِعاً
وَالحُسنand goodness وَالأَسواءand evils غَيرnot سَواءِequal
وَالحُسن وَالأَسواء غَير سَواءِ
O my intercessor, who will intercede for me to be near you,
As intercessor, for beauty and ugliness are not equal?
when the good and the bad are not alike?
Partial English translation: 111 of 112 Arabic lines translated.
Partial English translation: 57 of 112 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1