أَبَغِضِتَهُ مِنْ بَعْدِمَا بُذِلَ الرِّضَا

أَبَغِضِتَهُ مِنْ بَعْدِمَا بُذِلَ الرِّضَا

هذَا تَجَنٍّ مِنْ حَبِيبٍ يُرتضَى

هذَا تَجَنٍّ مِنْ حَبِيبٍ يُرتضَى

You hated him after goodwill had been offered;

I hated him after satisfaction was granted;

this is unjust reproach from a beloved held dear.

This is the hurt of a beloved who is content.

لاَ تجْزَعَنْ للْبُعْدِ تُوعَدُهُ غَداً

لاَ تجْزَعَنْ للْبُعْدِ تُوعَدُهُ غَداً

فاللهُ يَصْرِفُهُ بما فيهِ قضَا

فاللهُ يَصْرِفُهُ بما فيهِ قضَا

Do not grieve over the separation threatened you tomorrow;

Do not grieve for the distance; tomorrow is promised to you;

for God directs it according to His decree.

For Allah deflects it with what He destined.

ظُلِمَ الحَبِيبُ فَأَظْلَمَ الْبَيْتُ الَّذِي

ظُلِمَ الحَبِيبُ فَأَظْلَمَ الْبَيْتُ الَّذِي

أَمَّتْ مَطاياهُ بهِ ذات الأَضَا

أَمَّتْ مَطاياهُ بهِ ذات الأَضَا

The beloved was wronged, and dark grew the house which

The beloved was wronged so the house that

his mounts sought, bearing him to Dhat al-Ada.

His steeds frequented with it became gloomy.

قَدْ قالَ بَشَّارٌ وكانَ مُسَدَّداً

قَدْ قالَ بَشَّارٌ وكانَ مُسَدَّداً

يَحْوِي المعَانِي إنْ رَمَى أَوْ أَنْبَضَا

يَحْوِي المعَانِي إنْ رَمَى أَوْ أَنْبَضَا

Bashshar once said—and his aim was true—

Bashar said, and he was well-supported,

encompassing meanings whether he shot or twanged the bow:

Containing meanings whether intending or improvising.

قَدْ ذُقْتُ أُلْفَتَهُ وذُقْتُ فِراقَهُ

قَدْ ذُقْتُ أُلْفَتَهُ وذُقْتُ فِراقَهُ

فَوَجَدْتُ ذَا عَسَلاً وذَا جَمْرَ الغَضا

فَوَجَدْتُ ذَا عَسَلاً وذَا جَمْرَ الغَضا

I tasted his companionship and tasted parting from him;

I tasted his affection and tasted his absence;

I found the one honey, the other ghada-wood embers.

Thus I found one as honey and the other as hot embers.

خُذْ مِنْ زَمانِكَ ما صَفَا لَكَ قَلَّما

خُذْ مِنْ زَمانِكَ ما صَفَا لَكَ قَلَّما

يُغْنِيكَ غُمُّكَ بِالتَّكدُّرِ إِذْ مَضا

يُغْنِيكَ غُمُّكَ بِالتَّكدُّرِ إِذْ مَضا

Take from your days whatever is clear for you; seldom

Take from your time what is pure for you, rarely

does grief over bitterness help you once it has passed.

Will your sorrow with gloom avail you when it passed.

واصْبِرْ عَلَى غَرَقٍ بِنُعْمى نلْتَهَا

واصْبِرْ عَلَى غَرَقٍ بِنُعْمى نلْتَهَا

إنَّ الزمانَ لَمُقْضٍ مَا أَقْرَضا

إنَّ الزمانَ لَمُقْضٍ مَا أَقْرَضا

And endure drowning in return for a blessing you attained;

And be patient upon drowning in bounty you attained

time surely settles what it has lent.

Verily time is for the fulfillment of what it loaned.

فَهَوَيْتَ فِي لُجٍّ عَلاكَ عُبابُهُ

فَهَوَيْتَ فِي لُجٍّ عَلاكَ عُبابُهُ

لا بُدَّ أَنْ تَلْقَى الَّذِي لَكَ قُيِّضَا

لا بُدَّ أَنْ تَلْقَى الَّذِي لَكَ قُيِّضَا

Then you fell into deep water, its billows rising over you;

So you dove in deadly waters, its billows engulfing you;

you must encounter what has been allotted you.

You must meet what is destined for you.

إنْ قُمْتَ فِيهِ لَمْ تَطُلْهُ لِغُزْرِهِ

إنْ قُمْتَ فِيهِ لَمْ تَطُلْهُ لِغُزْرِهِ

ورَأَيْتَ تَحْتَ الرِّجْلِ مِنْهُ مَدْحضَا

ورَأَيْتَ تَحْتَ الرِّجْلِ مِنْهُ مَدْحضَا

Had you stood in it, you could not overtop it, so deep was it;

If you stood in it, its abundance you wouldn’t endure

and beneath your foot you saw slippery ground.

And you’d see beneath the feet a place to slip.

وَتَسَرَّعَتْ مِنْهُ إلَيْكَ حِجَارَةٌ

وَتَسَرَّعَتْ مِنْهُ إلَيْكَ حِجَارَةٌ

تَذَرُ الصَّحِيحَ مِنَ الْعِظَامِ مُرَضَّضَا

تَذَرُ الصَّحِيحَ مِنَ الْعِظَامِ مُرَضَّضَا

Stones rushed toward you from it,

And stones hurried to you from it

leaving even sound bones crushed.

Leaving the healthy bones fractured and broken.

وَكساكَ مِنء يَدِهِ وَلَمْ تَسْتَكْسِهِ

وَكساكَ مِنء يَدِهِ وَلَمْ تَسْتَكْسِهِ

عُشُراً يُؤلِّفُهُ المُدُودُ وَعِرْمضا

عُشُراً يُؤلِّفُهُ المُدُودُ وَعِرْمضا

It clothed you by its own hand, though you asked it for no clothing,

And it cloaked you in its flood but you didn’t seek its cover;

in ushar growth gathered by rising waters, and waterweed.

A tenth that brings together the outstretched and extended.

نَجَّاكَ مَنْ نَجَّا بِلُطْفٍ يُونُساً

نَجَّاكَ مَنْ نَجَّا بِلُطْفٍ يُونُساً

مِنْهُ وكَانَ لِقَبْضِ رُوحِكَ مَعْرِضا

مِنْهُ وكَانَ لِقَبْضِ رُوحِكَ مَعْرِضا

He who graciously saved Yunus saved you

He who saved Yunus with kindness saved you

from it, though it had offered an occasion to seize your soul.

From it though it was inclined to seize your soul.

هَذَا وَقَدْ ثَلَمَ الزَّواقِلُ جَانِبِي

هَذَا وَقَدْ ثَلَمَ الزَّواقِلُ جَانِبِي

فَأَفْضْتُ دَمْعاً عنْدَ ذَاكَ مُغَيَّضَا

فَأَفْضْتُ دَمْعاً عنْدَ ذَاكَ مُغَيَّضَا

All this, while the zawaqil [unclear term] had gouged my side,

This while the ribs were cracked on my side;

so then I poured out tears that had been held back.

Thus I shed tears at that time, distressed.

أَبْكي كِساءً كانَ أَوْثَقَ عُدَّتِي

أَبْكي كِساءً كانَ أَوْثَقَ عُدَّتِي

إنْ أَخصرَ البَرْدُ العِظامَ ونَقَضَّا

إنْ أَخصرَ البَرْدُ العِظامَ ونَقَضَّا

I mourn a cloak that was my surest provision

I cry over a garment that was my firmest gear

when cold chilled the bones and made them crack;

If the cold fractured the bones and came apart.

وَمِخَدَّةً قَدْ كانَ يَأْلفُ لِينُهَا

وَمِخَدَّةً قَدْ كانَ يَأْلفُ لِينُهَا

خَدِّي فأَضْحى الْجِسْمُ مِنْها مُمْرَضا

خَدِّي فأَضْحى الْجِسْمُ مِنْها مُمْرَضا

and a pillow whose softness was once familiar

And a pillow whose softness my cheek was accustomed to

to my cheek; now my body is sick for its sake.

Thus the body became sick from it.

وَنَفِيسَ فَرْشٍ كالرِّياضِ نُقُوشُ

وَنَفِيسَ فَرْشٍ كالرِّياضِ نُقُوشُ

ما كان من دُونِ الرِّياشِ مُرَحَّضَا

ما كان من دُونِ الرِّياشِ مُرَحَّضَا

And precious bedding, with patterns like gardens,

And my smooth mattress engraved like a garden

which had not been washed apart from the fine furnishings;

That was not from the feathers rumpled and crumpled.

وَمُجَمَّعاً قَدْ كُنْتُ أجْمَعُ آلةً

وَمُجَمَّعاً قَدْ كُنْتُ أجْمَعُ آلةً

فِيهِ وكَانَ مِنَ الْبَلاءِ مُفَضَّضَا

فِيهِ وكَانَ مِنَ الْبَلاءِ مُفَضَّضَا

and a chest in which I used to gather equipment,

And a place I used to gather tools in

which had been split apart by the disaster.

And it became from the affliction perforated.

والصُّفْرَ أَبْكِي كالنُّضارِ وَشَمْعَةً

والصُّفْرَ أَبْكِي كالنُّضارِ وَشَمْعَةً

زانَتْ يَدُ الْمَاشِي بِهَا والْمِقْبَضَا

زانَتْ يَدُ الْمَاشِي بِهَا والْمِقْبَضَا

I mourn brass like pure gold, and a candle

I cry over the yellowness like the blossoms and a candle

that graced its bearer's hand and the handle.

That the hand of the walker flourished and grasped.

صَرَّحْتُ بِالشَّكْوَى إليكَ تَأَنُّساً

صَرَّحْتُ بِالشَّكْوَى إليكَ تَأَنُّساً

بِنَدى يَدَيْكَ إذا غَرِيبٌ عَرَّضا

بِنَدى يَدَيْكَ إذا غَرِيبٌ عَرَّضا

I have voiced my complaint to you, seeking comfort

I complained my sorrow to you seeking intimacy

in your hands' bounty when a stranger hints at need.

With the dew of your hands when a stranger presented.

فَلأنْتَ أعْلَى فِي المُلُوكِ مَحِلَّةً

فَلأنْتَ أعْلَى فِي المُلُوكِ مَحِلَّةً

وأَجَلُّ من رَاشُ العُبَيْدَ وَأنْهضا

وأَجَلُّ من رَاشُ العُبَيْدَ وَأنْهضا

For among kings your station is the highest,

For you are highest in the positions of kings

and you are the noblest to provide for humble servants and raise them up.

And most majestic over the slaves and most vigorous.

مِنْ بَعْدِ ما غالَ الْمَشِيبُ شَيْبَتِي

مِنْ بَعْدِ ما غالَ الْمَشِيبُ شَيْبَتِي

وَنَضا لِباسَ تَجَمُّلِي فِيما نَضا

وَنَضا لِباسَ تَجَمُّلِي فِيما نَضا

After old age had ravaged my graying head,

After white overtook my hair

and stripped off the garment of my adornment among all it stripped away,

And the dress of my beauty in what passed became old.

وَأحارَنِي مَرَضاً وَأَوْهَنَ قُوَّتِي

وَأحارَنِي مَرَضاً وَأَوْهَنَ قُوَّتِي

فَغَدَوْتُ مِنْهُ وَقَدْ صَحِحْتُ مُمَرَّضا

فَغَدَوْتُ مِنْهُ وَقَدْ صَحِحْتُ مُمَرَّضا

and returned me to sickness and sapped my strength,

And sickness confused me and weakened my strength

I became ailing because of it, even after recovering.

Thus I became from it while once healthy, now sick.

وإذا دَنَتْ سَبْعُونَ مِنء مُتَأَمِّلٍ

وإذا دَنَتْ سَبْعُونَ مِنء مُتَأَمِّلٍ

دانى وَلَمْ يَرَ فِي اللَّذاذَةِ مَرْكَضا

دانى وَلَمْ يَرَ فِي اللَّذاذَةِ مَرْكَضا

And when seventy draws near a thoughtful man,

And when seventy years of a reflector approached me nearly

he draws near his end and finds no field for pleasure.

I drew him close and didn’t see in pleasures a race.

وَجَفاهُ نَوْمٌ كانَ يَأْلَفُ جَفْنَهُ

وَجَفاهُ نَوْمٌ كانَ يَأْلَفُ جَفْنَهُ

قِدْماً وَأَضْحى لِلحُتُوفِ مُعَرَّضا

قِدْماً وَأَضْحى لِلحُتُوفِ مُعَرَّضا

Sleep deserts him, though it once frequented his eyelids

And a sleep that his eyelids were accustomed to in the past

long ago, and he becomes exposed to death.

He now exposed to hot winds.

وإذا بَلَغْتُ إلى الأمامِ مُسَلِّماً

وإذا بَلَغْتُ إلى الأمامِ مُسَلِّماً

ورَأَيْتُهُ زَالَ التَّخَوُّفُ وانْقَضى

ورَأَيْتُهُ زَالَ التَّخَوُّفُ وانْقَضى

And when I reach the imam, offering greetings,

And when I come submissively to the imam

and see him, fear departs and comes to an end.

And see him, fear dissipates and concludes.

وَنَسِيتُ رَوْعَاتِ لإِرْجافٍ فَشا

وَنَسِيتُ رَوْعَاتِ لإِرْجافٍ فَشا

ما زلْتُ للإِشْفاقِ فِيهِ مُرْمَضا

ما زلْتُ للإِشْفاقِ فِيهِ مُرْمَضا

I forget the terrors of the unsettling rumor that spread,

And I forgot the tremors of a shaking that I

which kept me burning with apprehension.

Always remained in fear of.

ذادَتْ مَوارِدُهُ الكَرى عَنْ مُقْلَتِي

ذادَتْ مَوارِدُهُ الكَرى عَنْ مُقْلَتِي

وَأَبَى عَلَيَّ حِذَارَهُ أَنْ أُغْمضا

وَأَبَى عَلَيَّ حِذَارَهُ أَنْ أُغْمضا

Its incoming reports drove sleep from my eye,

Its shelters warded the calamities from my eye

and fear of it would not let me close my eyes.

And its caution refused that I close it.

فَعَلَيَّ نَذْرٌ إِنْ رَأَيْتُكَ سالماً

فَعَلَيَّ نَذْرٌ إِنْ رَأَيْتُكَ سالماً

صَوْمٌ وعِتْقٌ عاجِلٌ لا يُقْتَضَى

صَوْمٌ وعِتْقٌ عاجِلٌ لا يُقْتَضَى

So I am bound by a vow, if I see you safe:

So I have a vow that if I see you safe

fasting and prompt manumission, needing no demand.

Fasting and emancipation, not to be delayed.

بِمُحَمَّدٍ رَضِيَ الإلهُ خَلِيفَةً

بِمُحَمَّدٍ رَضِيَ الإلهُ خَلِيفَةً

فِي الأَرْضِ فَهُو بِذاكَ راضٍ مُرْتَضَى

فِي الأَرْضِ فَهُو بِذاكَ راضٍ مُرْتَضَى

God approved Muhammad as caliph

With Muhammad, whose rule the God approved,

upon the earth; he is content with that, and approved.

A caliph in the earth, so He is by that satisfied and approved.

جاءَتْهُ طَوْعاً لَمْ يُسَيِّرْ لَفْظَهُ

جاءَتْهُ طَوْعاً لَمْ يُسَيِّرْ لَفْظَهُ

فِيهَا ولاَ أَضْحى لَهَا مُتَعَرِّضا

فِيهَا ولاَ أَضْحى لَهَا مُتَعَرِّضا

It came to him freely; he had not sent forth his words

It came to him voluntarily; his words didn’t direct it.

to seek it, nor made himself a claimant to it.

Nor did he become for it presenting and displaying.

فَهُوَ الْحَقِيقُ بِهَا الْمَعانُ بِقُوَّةٍ

فَهُوَ الْحَقِيقُ بِهَا الْمَعانُ بِقُوَّةٍ

فِيهَا بِحُكْمٍ فَاصِلٍ لَنْ يُدْحَضا

فِيهَا بِحُكْمٍ فَاصِلٍ لَنْ يُدْحَضا

He is its rightful holder, aided by strength

Thus he is true in it, the meanings with strength in it

therein, through a decisive judgment that will not be overturned.

In a conclusive ruling that will not be invalidated.

أَللهُ أَقْبَلَ لشي بِوَجْهِ نَوالِهِ

أَللهُ أَقْبَلَ لشي بِوَجْهِ نَوالِهِ

فَرَفَضْتُ وَجْهَ الدَّهْرِ لَمَّا اَعْرَضا

فَرَفَضْتُ وَجْهَ الدَّهْرِ لَمَّا اَعْرَضا

God turned toward me [reading uncertain] with the face of His bounty,

O God, look to me with the face of Your bounty

so I rejected the face of time when it turned away.

So I turn away the face of time when it blackens and whitens.

بَدْرٌ يُضِيءُ دُجى الظَّلامِ وَلَمْ يَزَلْ

بَدْرٌ يُضِيءُ دُجى الظَّلامِ وَلَمْ يَزَلْ

لِسَوادِ ما تَجْني الخُطُوبُ مُبَيِّضا

لِسَوادِ ما تَجْني الخُطُوبُ مُبَيِّضا

A full moon lighting the depths of darkness, he has never ceased

A full moon that illuminates the darkness of night and it never

to whiten the blackness of what calamities inflict.

Ceased to whiten the blackness of what misfortunes beget.

بِكْرُ الزَّمانِ فَلَيْسَ يُنْتَجُ مِثْلُهُ

بِكْرُ الزَّمانِ فَلَيْسَ يُنْتَجُ مِثْلُهُ

أَبداً وَلاَ يُلْفَى بِهِ مُتَمَخِّضا

أَبداً وَلاَ يُلْفَى بِهِ مُتَمَخِّضا

Time's firstborn: no equal of his is born

The prime of time, thus none is born like him

ever, nor is time found in labor with one like him.

Ever, nor found in it conceiving and forming.

عَالِي الْمَحلِّ بنَى لَهُ آباؤُهُ

عَالِي الْمَحلِّ بنَى لَهُ آباؤُهُ

شَرَفاً أَبَتْ أَرْكَانُهُ أَنْ يُنْقَضا

شَرَفاً أَبَتْ أَرْكَانُهُ أَنْ يُنْقَضا

Lofty in station, his fathers built for him

His fathers built him a nobility whose pillars refused

an honor whose pillars refuse to be torn down.

To be demolished.

مَنْ شَامَ عِزَكَ ذَلَّ دُونَ منَالِهِ

مَنْ شَامَ عِزَكَ ذَلَّ دُونَ منَالِهِ

أَوْ رامَ ما رَفَّعْتَ مِنْهُ تَخفضا

أَوْ رامَ ما رَفَّعْتَ مِنْهُ تَخفضا

Whoever beheld your glory was humbled short of attaining it,

Whoever sampled your glory became lowly before attaining it

or sought the heights you raised, and sank low.

Or intending what you elevated and lowered of it.

أَحْسَنْتَ حَتَّى مَا نَرَى مُتَسَخِّطَا

أَحْسَنْتَ حَتَّى مَا نَرَى مُتَسَخِّطَا

يَشْكُو الزَّمَانَ وَلاَ نرَى لَكَ مُبْغضا

يَشْكُو الزَّمَانَ وَلاَ نرَى لَكَ مُبْغضا

You have done good until we see no discontented man

You were excellent until we don’t see complaining

complaining of time, and none who hates you.

The time, nor see any hating you.

كَمْ مُبْغِضٍ حُطَّتْ إلَيْكَ ركَابُهُ

كَمْ مُبْغِضٍ حُطَّتْ إلَيْكَ ركَابُهُ

نالَ الغنيّ عَجِلاً فَأَغْنَى المُبْغِضَا

نالَ الغنيّ عَجِلاً فَأَغْنَى المُبْغِضَا

How many a hater halted his mounts before you,

How many haters rode to you and so

gained wealth at once [reading uncertain], and thus was made rich.

The rich immediately enriched even the hater.

بِعُلُوِّ فَخْرِكَ فِي الْمَفَاخِرِ يُعْتَلَى

بِعُلُوِّ فَخْرِكَ فِي الْمَفَاخِرِ يُعْتَلَى

وَبِنُورِ هَدْيِكَ في الدِّيانَة يُسْتضَا

وَبِنُورِ هَدْيِكَ في الدِّيانَة يُسْتضَا

Through your lofty glory, men rise among glories,

Due to the eminence of your pride in the prides, is contended

and by your guidance's light they are illumined in faith.

And the light of your guidance in religion is sought.

وَجليلِ خُطْبٍ عَابَ مِنْكَ عَزِيمَةً

وَجليلِ خُطْبٍ عَابَ مِنْكَ عَزِيمَةً

فَأَتَى إليَكَ بِمَا هَوِيتَ مُفَوِّضا

فَأَتَى إليَكَ بِمَا هَوِيتَ مُفَوِّضا

And a mighty crisis found fault with your resolve,

And an esteemed affair that your determination faulted

then came to you with what you desired, yielding control.

Came to you with what you inspired consigning.

وَمَضَتْ بُرُوقٌ في العِراقِ فَأَخْلَبَتْ

وَمَضَتْ بُرُوقٌ في العِراقِ فَأَخْلَبَتْ

وَرَأَيْتُ بُرْقَكَ صَادقاً إذْ أَوْمَضَا

وَرَأَيْتُ بُرْقَكَ صَادقاً إذْ أَوْمَضَا

Lightnings flashed in Iraq, but proved rainless;

And passed in Iraq foretokens that wreaked havoc

I saw your lightning prove true when it flashed.

And I saw your foretoken as true when it flashed.

قَزَعٌ أَرَذّ فَما غَذَتْ أَخْلافُهُ

قَزَعٌ أَرَذّ فَما غَذَتْ أَخْلافُهُ

غَرْساً وَلا هُوَ بالْجَمائلِ رُوِّضَا

غَرْساً وَلا هُوَ بالْجَمائلِ رُوِّضَا

Scattered cloud drizzled, but its udders nourished no

An arrogant transgressor whose descendants didn’t nourish

planting, nor was it schooled in gracious deeds.

A plant, nor was he in manners cultivated.

وَتَداءَبتْ بِذَوِي الضَّلالةِ هِبْوةٌ

وَتَداءَبتْ بِذَوِي الضَّلالةِ هِبْوةٌ

أَبْقَتْ لَهُمْ أَسَفاً وَخَوْفاً مُمْرِضا

أَبْقَتْ لَهُمْ أَسَفاً وَخَوْفاً مُمْرِضا

And a dust-cloud persisted among the people of error,

And confused commotions bubbled with the misguided people

leaving them sorrow and a sickening fear.

Keeping for them anguish and sickness breeding.

وَسَيكْشِفُ الْهَبَواتِ ربُّكَ نِقْمَةً

وَسَيكْشِفُ الْهَبَواتِ ربُّكَ نِقْمَةً

تَدَعُ البِناءَ مِن الضَّلالِ مُقَوَّضا

تَدَعُ البِناءَ مِن الضَّلالِ مُقَوَّضا

And your Lord will dispel the dust-clouds through a vengeance

And your Lord will uncover vengeance revealing

that leaves the edifice of error demolished.

Leaving the misguided’s building demolished and destroyed.

سَتَرى الْقِيامَ به قُعُوداً عاجِلاً

سَتَرى الْقِيامَ به قُعُوداً عاجِلاً

فَزِعاً وَيَرْجِعُ ساكناً مَنْ حَرَّضا

فَزِعاً وَيَرْجِعُ ساكناً مَنْ حَرَّضا

Soon you will see those standing for it sitting down,

You will see it standing with Him sitting soon,

in panic, while whoever incited it returns subdued.

Terrified, and returning, settled, whoever mobilized.

وَيَصِحُّ مِنْ غَمَراته مَنْ لَمْ يَزَلْ

وَيَصِحُّ مِنْ غَمَراته مَنْ لَمْ يَزَلْ

فِيما قَضَيْتَ مِنَ الأُمورِ مُمَرَّضا

فِيما قَضَيْتَ مِنَ الأُمورِ مُمَرَّضا

And from its engulfing turmoil will recover whoever has always

And he who always remained sickened by what you decided

been ailing over the matters you decided.

Of matters will come to his senses.

وَيَعُودُ ساعٍ في الْجَهالةَ عاثِراً

وَيَعُودُ ساعٍ في الْجَهالةَ عاثِراً

لا يَسْتَطِيعُ من النَّدامَةِ مَنْهَضا

لا يَسْتَطِيعُ من النَّدامَةِ مَنْهَضا

And one striving in folly will return stumbling,

And one wandering in ignorance will return losing footing,

unable, from remorse, to rise.

Unable to stand up from regret.

وَيَرَى غَوِيٌّ رُشْدَهُ فَيُشِيمُ ما

وَيَرَى غَوِيٌّ رُشْدَهُ فَيُشِيمُ ما

قَدْ كانَ مِنْ نَعَمِ الضَّلالةِ رَبَّضا

قَدْ كانَ مِنْ نَعَمِ الضَّلالةِ رَبَّضا

And an erring man will see his right course, and put away what

And a deviant will see his guidance so he will leave

he had made lie down among the cattle of error.

What he enthralled of the blessings of misguidance.

وَيَفُلُّ غَرْبَ جُمُوعِهِمْ لَكَ حاسِمٌ

وَيَفُلُّ غَرْبَ جُمُوعِهِمْ لَكَ حاسِمٌ

مِنْ جَيْشِ رَأْيكَ كَالسِّهامِ المُنْتَضى

مِنْ جَيْشِ رَأْيكَ كَالسِّهامِ المُنْتَضى

And a decisive fighter will blunt their hosts' edge for you,

And the west of their groups will retreat from you with a decisive one

from the army of your counsel, drawn forth like arrows.

From your army like unleashed arrows.

ويُذِيقُهُمْ جُرَعَ المَنايا بجَكَمٌ

ويُذِيقُهُمْ جُرَعَ المَنايا بجَكَمٌ

وَكَذاكَ عادَةُ بَجْكَمٍ فِيما مَضَى

وَكَذاكَ عادَةُ بَجْكَمٍ فِيما مَضَى

And Bajkam will make them taste draughts of death;

And he will make them taste the cup of death with swords that sever;

such has been Bajkam's custom in times past.

And such is the habit of swords in the past.

سَيْفُ الخِلافَةِ والْمُبِيرُ عَدُوَّها

سَيْفُ الخِلافَةِ والْمُبِيرُ عَدُوَّها

بِسَدِيدِ عَزْمٍ صائِبٍ إِنْ أَعْرَضَا

بِسَدِيدِ عَزْمٍ صائِبٍ إِنْ أَعْرَضَا

The sword of the caliphate, destroyer of its enemy,

The Sword of the Caliphate and the enemy’s destroyer

with sure resolve, striking true whenever an enemy appears.

With firm, correct, decisive determination if it presents.

أَنْحى عَلَيْهِمْ بِالسُّيُوفِ فَخِلْتَهُمْ

أَنْحى عَلَيْهِمْ بِالسُّيُوفِ فَخِلْتَهُمْ

لِتَناثُرِ الأعْضَاءِ حَصْباءَ الْفَضَا

لِتَناثُرِ الأعْضَاءِ حَصْباءَ الْفَضَا

He bore down on them with swords, till you would think them,

It severed them with swords so you left them

from their scattered limbs, pebbles of the open plain.

For the limbs to scatter, stones of the wilderness.

دَلَفَ الرِّجالُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَكَأَنَّما

دَلَفَ الرِّجالُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَكَأَنَّما

كانُوا نِساً حِينَ دُمُّوا حَُّضا

كانُوا نِساً حِينَ دُمُّوا حَُّضا

The men advanced against them, and it was as though

The men approached them so it was as if

they were menstruating women when smeared with blood [reading uncertain].

They were women when they bled red.

فَعَفَوْتَ عَنْ طَلَبٍ لَهُمْ فَتَبَسَّطُوا

فَعَفَوْتَ عَنْ طَلَبٍ لَهُمْ فَتَبَسَّطُوا

ثِقَةً وَكانَ نَجاؤُهُمْ مُتَقَيَّضَا

ثِقَةً وَكانَ نَجاؤُهُمْ مُتَقَيَّضَا

Yet you waived the pursuit of them, and they relaxed

So you pardoned seeking from them, and they rejoiced

in confidence, their escape having been allotted.

Trustingly, and their salvation was near its end.

كيْفَ التَّورُّط فِي ظَلمِ ضَلالةٍ

كيْفَ التَّورُّط فِي ظَلمِ ضَلالةٍ

والصُّبْحُ فِي سُبْل الهِدايَةِ قَدْ أَضا

والصُّبْحُ فِي سُبْل الهِدايَةِ قَدْ أَضا

How can one plunge into the darkness of error,

How can one be mired in the injustice of misguidance

when dawn has shone upon the paths of guidance?

When dawn in the paths of guidance has come?

يا واحِدَ الْكَرَمِ الَّذِي نَلْقَى بِهِ

يا واحِدَ الْكَرَمِ الَّذِي نَلْقَى بِهِ

وَجْهَ الزَّمانِ إذا تَسَوَّدَ أَبْيَضَا

وَجْهَ الزَّمانِ إذا تَسَوَّدَ أَبْيَضَا

O peerless one in generosity, through whom we meet

O One of perfect bounty that we find

the face of time as white whenever it blackens.

The face of time white when it blackens.

خُذْها إلَيْكَ قَوافِياً قَدْ لُبّسَتْ

خُذْها إلَيْكَ قَوافِياً قَدْ لُبّسَتْ

رَقْماً أَبى تَحْسِينُهُ أَنْ يُرْفَضَا

رَقْماً أَبى تَحْسِينُهُ أَنْ يُرْفَضَا

Take these rhymes to yourself, clothed

Take them as rhymes that have worn

in embroidery whose adornment refuses to be cast aside.

Meter that its improvement refused to be rejected.

كانَتْ مُجَمَّعَةَ الظُّهُور نَوافِراً

كانَتْ مُجَمَّعَةَ الظُّهُور نَوافِراً

فَأَتَتْكَ لَيِّنَةَ المَقادَةِ رُيَّضَا

فَأَتَتْكَ لَيِّنَةَ المَقادَةِ رُيَّضَا

Their backs were hunched, and they shied away;

Assembled, straight in appearance, abundant

then they came to you, gentle to the reins and well-trained.

They came to you gentle, easily led.

لَفْظاً أَلِيفاً للْقُلُوب مُحَبَّباً

لَفْظاً أَلِيفاً للْقُلُوب مُحَبَّباً

لَمْ يُلْفِ وَقْراً فِي المَسامِعِ مُبْغَضا

لَمْ يُلْفِ وَقْراً فِي المَسامِعِ مُبْغَضا

Words familiar to hearts and beloved,

A word beloved to hearts, endeared

never a hateful burden to the ears,

Never finding in ears aversion and hatred.

مِنْ شِعْرِ مَقْصُورِ الْمَدَى مُتَكَلَّفٍ

مِنْ شِعْرِ مَقْصُورِ الْمَدَى مُتَكَلَّفٍ

إنْ رَامَ نَهْجاً في طَرِيقٍ أُدْحِضَا

إنْ رَامَ نَهْجاً في طَرِيقٍ أُدْحِضَا

as is the verse of a strained poet of limited reach,

Of poetry tight in scope, contrived

who slips if he seeks a clear course upon a path.

If intending a path in a way ever fading.

وكَأَنَّهُ ثِقْلاً فِرَاقُ أَحِبَّةٍ

وكَأَنَّهُ ثِقْلاً فِرَاقُ أَحِبَّةٍ

نَادى به داعِي الشّتاتِ وحَضَّضَا

نَادى به داعِي الشّتاتِ وحَضَّضَا

Its heaviness is like parting from beloved friends,

As if the separation of loved ones is a burden

proclaimed and urged by the summoner of separation.

The caller of diaspora proclaimed and scattered.

بَلْ مُرْسَلاً طَبْعاً فَسِيحاً ذَرْعُهُ

بَلْ مُرْسَلاً طَبْعاً فَسِيحاً ذَرْعُهُ

قَدْ شَفَّ ذَا الباعِ القَصِيرِ وَأَرْمَضَا

قَدْ شَفَّ ذَا الباعِ القَصِيرِ وَأَرْمَضَا

Rather, this verse flows freely by nature, broad in its reach;

Rather unleashed, natural its reach

it has worn down and scorched the short-armed one.

Vanquishing the inadequate and frail.

وإذَا أَمالَ إليْهِ سَمْعاً صاعَدَتْ

وإذَا أَمالَ إليْهِ سَمْعاً صاعَدَتْ

أَنْفَاسُهُ أَسَفاً عَلَيْهِ واَبْغَضَا

أَنْفَاسُهُ أَسَفاً عَلَيْهِ واَبْغَضَا

And when he inclines his ear toward it, up rise

And when he inclined an ear, his breaths rose

his sighs in grief over it, and he hates it.

In aversion at it and hatred.

أَحْذاكَهُ مَنْ لاَ يَزالُ ضَمِيرُهُ

أَحْذاكَهُ مَنْ لاَ يَزالُ ضَمِيرُهُ

عَمَّا كَرهْتَ مِنَ الْمَذَاهِبِ مُعْرضا

عَمَّا كَرهْتَ مِنَ الْمَذَاهِبِ مُعْرضا

It was given to you by one whose conscience never ceases

Supporting you is one whose conscience still

to turn away from the ways you dislike.

Turns from what you hated of methodologies.

أَفْنَى الزَّمانَ بِخدْمَةٍ لَكَ آمِلاً

أَفْنَى الزَّمانَ بِخدْمَةٍ لَكَ آمِلاً

ما نلْتَهُ فَأَنْلُه غاياتِ الرِّضَا

ما نلْتَهُ فَأَنْلُه غاياتِ الرِّضَا

He spent his lifetime serving you, hoping for

He spent time serving you, hoping for

what you have attained; grant him the utmost favor.

What you attained, so I attain the peaks of approval.

وَمَدائِحٍ سَبَقَتْ إلَيْكَ بأَسْرهَا

وَمَدائِحٍ سَبَقَتْ إلَيْكَ بأَسْرهَا

يَأْتِيكَ قَائِلُهَا بِهَا مُتَعَرِّضَا

يَأْتِيكَ قَائِلُهَا بِهَا مُتَعَرِّضَا

And praises that reached you beforehand, all of them—

And praises that wholly preceded you

their speaker comes to you with them, seeking favor.

Comes the one saying them presenting to you.

مَا شَرَّفَتْهُ خِدْمَةٌ لَكَ قَبْلَهَا

مَا شَرَّفَتْهُ خِدْمَةٌ لَكَ قَبْلَهَا

حَتَّى مَلَكْتَ فَدَسَّهُنَّ مُعَرِّضَا

حَتَّى مَلَكْتَ فَدَسَّهُنَّ مُعَرِّضَا

No service to you had honored him before those praises,

No service to you ennobled him before

until you came to rule; then he slipped them in, making hints.

Until you reigned supreme, and you dismissed them.

وَأَصَابَ مَرْعىً في فنَائِكَ مُمْرِعاً

وَأَصَابَ مَرْعىً في فنَائِكَ مُمْرِعاً

فَأَخَلَّ فيهِ بالْحُظُوظِ وَأحْمَضَا

فَأَخَلَّ فيهِ بالْحُظُوظِ وَأحْمَضَا

And he found a lush pasture in your courtyard,

And he found ample pasture in your courtyard thriving on it

then neglected his good fortune there and turned to sour grazing.

Thus he mingled in it fortunes and picked fruits.

إذْ سَيْفُ عَزْمِكَ كَامِنٌ في جَفْنهِ

إذْ سَيْفُ عَزْمِكَ كَامِنٌ في جَفْنهِ

أَرْجُو انْتضاكَ لَهُ وَلَمَّا يُنْتَضى

أَرْجُو انْتضاكَ لَهُ وَلَمَّا يُنْتَضى

While the sword of your resolve is hidden in its sheath,

When your sword of resolve hides in his eyelid

I hope you will draw it; it has not yet been drawn.

I hope your unsheathing it and when it will be unsheathed.

هَذي سَوَابِقُ لا يمُتُّ بِمثْلَهَا

هَذي سَوَابِقُ لا يمُتُّ بِمثْلَهَا

مَنْ قَدْ أَتَى خَلْفَ السُّكَيْت مُرْكضا

مَنْ قَدْ أَتَى خَلْفَ السُّكَيْت مُرْكضا

These are prior merits; their like cannot be claimed

These are unprecedented deeds not matched

by one who comes galloping behind the last horse.

By one who came behind trailing and racing.

فَأَفدْ وَعَوِّضْ مَادِحاً لَكَ رَاجِياً

فَأَفدْ وَعَوِّضْ مَادِحاً لَكَ رَاجِياً

فَلأَنْتَ أَكْرَمُ مَنْ أَقَالَ وَعَوَّضَا

فَلأَنْتَ أَكْرَمُ مَنْ أَقَالَ وَعَوَّضَا

So give bounty and compensate a praiser who hopes in you;

So graciously give, compensating one praising you, hoping

for you are the noblest of those who lift the fallen and recompense.

For you are most generous of those who lessened and compensated.