أحسنdischarge well أمانتكyour trust التيwhich قلدتهاyou were entrusted with it
أحسن أمانتك التي قلدتها
طوقa collar الحمامةthe dove ماwhat تسرyou conceal وماand what ظهرis manifest
طوق الحمامة ما تسر وما ظهر
Honor the trust placed about your neck,
The trust you bear well worthy of acclaim
like a dove's collar, in what you conceal and what is manifest.
A dove's neck-ring, overt and covert the same
لقدindeed اتجرتyou have traded علىfor الذينthose whom تؤمهمyou lead them in prayer
لقد اتجرت على الذين تؤمهم
فاخترso choose علىover الخسرانloss ربحthe profit المتجرof the trading venture
فاختر على الخسران ربح المتجر
You have indeed undertaken commerce for those you lead;
You trafficked with souls under your command
so choose the venture's profit over loss.
So profit by gain not loss in this trade's name
قدindeed قلدوكthey have entrusted you أمانةa trust مضمونةcarrying liability
قد قلدوك أمانة مضمونة
فاحذرso beware ضمانthe liability مضيعof a negligent trustee كلutmost الحذرcaution
فاحذر ضمان مضيع كل الحذر
They have entrusted you with a trust carrying liability;
They gave you a trust secured right well
so beware, with utmost caution, a negligent trustee's liability.
So heed a surety not lightly misclaimed
واعرفand recognize لهاتيكfor that الأمانةtrust قدرهاits worth
واعرف لهاتيك الأمانة قدرها
ليسis not الضمانliability بهاfor it ضماناًa liability يغتفرthat is forgiven
ليس الضمان بها ضماناً يغتفر
Recognize the worth of that trust:
Know too what great price this trust's worth
liability for it is no liability lightly pardoned.
No surety excuses if trust be disclaimed
إنif ترعهاyou safeguard it نالواthey attain ونلتand you attain ثوابهاits reward
إن ترعها نالوا ونلت ثوابها
أوor خنتهاyou betray it سلمواthey are safe وأنتand you المؤتزرthe sin-bearer
أو خنتها سلموا وأنت المؤتزر
If you safeguard it, they and you obtain its reward;
Grant it, rewards gained, yours the meed
but if you betray it, they are safe, while you bear the sin.
Betray it, theirs the loss, the shame yours indeed
قدindeed قمتyou have stood بينbetween غنيمةgain وسلامةand safety
قد قمت بين غنيمة وسلامة
فاسلكso proceed بأيهماby whichever of the two ترىyou judge الحزمprudence استقرhas settled
فاسلك بأيهما ترى الحزم استقر
You stand between gain and safety;
You stand 'twixt spoils and deliverance
so follow whichever course you judge prudence to favor.
Walk the path your wisdom as soundest decreed
واستوفand give full measure بينbetween سلامةsafety منfrom فعلهاundertaking it
واستوف بين سلامة من فعلها
وسلامةand safety منfrom تركهاleaving it حقthe due measure of النظرconsideration
وسلامة من تركها حق النظر
Weigh fully the safety of undertaking it
Weigh if safety by doing it
against safety in leaving it, with due consideration.
Or safety by leaving it, is surer at need
فإنso if استطعتyou can fulfill حقوقهاits rights وشروطهاand its conditions
فإن استطعت حقوقها وشروطها
تربتmay be dust-covered يداكyour two hands أغنمseize the gain فنعمso excellent is المدخرthe stored treasure
تربت يداك أغنم فنعم المدخر
If you can fulfill its rights and conditions,
If you can, preserving its rights intact
may your hands be dust-covered! Seize the gain—a splendid treasure!
Blessed your hands, richest profit their deed
وإذاand if عجزتyou are unable ففيthen in السلامةsafety مغنمgain
وإذا عجزت ففي السلامة مغنم
وأحقand worthier أمريكof your two courses البعيدthe one far عنfrom الخطرdanger
وأحق أمريك البعيد عن الخطر
If you are unable, safety itself is a gain;
If helpless, in safety still profit lies
the worthier of your two courses is the one far from danger.
Safer the further from danger agreed
وإذاand if تركتyou refrain معwith استطاعةthe ability فعلهاto perform it
وإذا تركت مع استطاعة فعلها
فالإِثمthen the sin بالتضييعthrough neglect يلزمfalls upon منwhoever قدرis capable
فالإِثم بالتضييع يلزم من قدر
If you leave it despite being able to undertake it,
If with power, you yet let it lapse
the sin of neglect falls upon whoever is capable.
Yours the blame for default, the loss pre-decreed
إنindeed الامامةleading prayer منصبan office ومقامهاand its station
إن الامامة منصب ومقامها
لمزيدfor greater اخلاصsincerity منfrom الكبرpride افتقرhas need
لمزيد اخلاص من الكبر افتقر
Leading prayer is an office, and its station
The imamate's office exalted stands
requires greater sincerity, free of pride.
For more sincerity from pride it is freed
لاdo not تبغهاseek it بذخاًfor pomp بهاthrough it وترفعاًand self-exaltation
لا تبغها بذخاً بها وترفعاً
فيكبكlest He cast you headlong الجبارthe Compeller يوماًone day فيinto سقرSaqar
فيكبك الجبار يوماً في سقر
Do not seek it for pomp and self-exaltation,
Seek it not out of pomp and elation
lest the Compeller one day cast you headlong into Saqar.
Lest the Compeller one day cast you in Saqar's bleed
لتكنlet it be أقاماتهاits establishment علىupon الاخلاصsincerity لاnot
لتكن أقاماتها على الاخلاص لا
لتكونso that you may become متبوعاًone followed يعظمكexalts you البشرhumankind
لتكون متبوعاً يعظمك البشر
Let its practice rest upon sincerity, not
Let sincerity alone be the ground it stands on
on becoming someone followed and exalted by people.
Not to be idol of man's worship and creed
ومقاصدand the purposes الألبابof discerning minds يعلمHe knows كيفهاtheir nature
ومقاصد الألباب يعلم كيفها
منHe who لاnot يغيبis hidden عنهfrom Him مطويthe folded-away content الفكرof thought
من لا يغيب عنه مطوي الفكر
The purposes of discerning minds are known in their true nature
Wise hearts know how to be means to wise ends
to Him from whom no folded-away thought is hidden.
He misses nor thought nor word however freed
أترىdo you think يغالطهcan deceive Him الضميرthe inward mind وعلمهwhile His knowledge
أترى يغالطه الضمير وعلمه
محصall-searching سواءalike منwhoever أسرconceals ومنand whoever جهرspeaks openly
محص سواء من أسر ومن جهر
Do you think the inward mind can deceive Him, whose knowledge
Can the Withholder of guile him betray?
is all-searching, alike for those who conceal and those who speak aloud?
Wrong and right to Him evenly stand and succeed
فهبso suppose الخداعdeception معamong البريةcreated beings نافعاًuseful
فهب الخداع مع البرية نافعاً
أتراهdo you think it عمنfrom Him who يعلمknows الغيبthe unseen استترis hidden
أتراه عمن يعلم الغيب استتر
Suppose deceit proves useful among created beings:
Beguilement consistent with honesty profits
do you think it is hidden from Him who knows the unseen?
Deem you it 'scapes the Knower of all human deed?
عملthe deeds السرائرof inward selves والظواهرand outward selves كلهall of it
عمل السرائر والظواهر كله
فيwithin علمthe knowledge علامof the All-Knower الغيوبof unseen things قدindeed انحصرis encompassed
في علم علام الغيوب قد انحصر
The deeds of inward and outward selves, all of them,
Work of hearts and of bodies He comprehends all
are encompassed by the knowledge of the Knower of all unseen things.
In His knowledge of essences utterly fused and joined at need
فارقpart from هواكyour caprice ودعand leave لربكfor your Lord فطرةan innate nature
فارق هواك ودع لربك فطرة
محصتyou have purged بالاخلاصthrough sincerity عنهاfrom it كلevery شرevil
محصت بالاخلاص عنها كل شر
Part from your caprice, and leave for your Lord an innate nature
Leave your passions, your Lord's nature keep
from which, through sincerity, you have purged every evil.
Sincere in purity, clean of evil and greed
طهرpurify سريرتكyour inward self التيwhose آفاتهاafflictions
طهر سريرتك التي آفاتها
سوءevil وصبغتهاand have stained it النقائصdefects والقذرand filth
سوء وصبغتها النقائص والقذر
Purify your inward self, whose afflictions
Cleanse your heart of its blots
are evil, and which faults and filth have stained.
Of evil traits and foul, murky misdeed
واحملand bear عمودthe pillar الدينof religion ماas long as حملتهyou are charged with bearing it
واحمل عمود الدين ما حملته
عمنon behalf of whoever رآكdeems you بهin it الضليعstrong المقتدرcapable
عمن رآك به الضليع المقتدر
Bear religion's pillar for as long as you are charged with it,
Uphold religion's pillar, bearing the weight
on behalf of those who deem you strong and capable of it.
Borne before you by the Knowing of wisdom and meed
مهماwhenever حضرتyou join الناسthe people عندat صلاتهمtheir prayer
مهما حضرت الناس عند صلاتهم
ورآكand deems you للتقديمfor being put forward أهلاًworthy منwhoever حضرis present
ورآك للتقديم أهلاً من حضر
Whenever you join people at their prayers,
Whenever the people gather for prayer
and those present deem you worthy to be put forward,
If you're deemed most worthy of those there, take heed
فكنthen be الامامthe imam ولاand no عليكblame upon you ولاand do not تضعneglect
فكن الامام ولا عليك ولا تضع
فرضthe obligation الجماعةof congregation واحتسبand seek أجرthe reward النفرof the group
فرض الجماعة واحتسب أجر النفر
be the imam without misgiving, and do not neglect
Lead the prayers but presume no airs
the obligation of congregational prayer; seek the gathering's reward.
Fulfill communal duty, seek its reward as your need
لكنbut عليكincumbent upon you وظائفduties مشروعةprescribed
لكن عليك وظائف مشروعة
سفرتhave made clear بهاconcerning them سننprophetic traditions كماjust as سفرshines forth القمرthe moon
سفرت بها سنن كما سفر القمر
But prescribed duties are incumbent upon you,
Yet you've lawful incumbent roles
revealed by traditions as plainly as the moon shines forth.
Prescribed, like the moon's phases, take heed
منهاamong them مراعاةwatching الأظلةthe shadows دائباًconstantly
منها مراعاة الأظلة دائباً
وأوائلand the beginnings الأوقاتof the times منare among ذاكthat الوطرaim
وأوائل الأوقات من ذاك الوطر
Among them is constant attention to the shadows;
Namely heed the declining sun always
the earliest prayer times are part of that aim.
And prayer's first times, essences creed
إنindeed الأحبthe most beloved منamong العبادservants لربهto his Lord
إن الأحب من العباد لربه
عبدa servant يراعىwho watches للأظلةfor the shadows فيin الخبرthe report
عبد يراعى للأظلة في الخبر
Indeed, the servant most beloved of his Lord
Most beloved of God's servants is he
is one who watches the shadows, as the report relates.
Who watches the sun's loss, we have this on best authority
وأوائلand the beginnings الأوقاتof the times رتبةthe rank فضلهاof their merit
وأوائل الأوقات رتبة فضلها
حضurged النبيthe Prophet وفعلهand his practice فيهاin them استمرcontinued
حض النبي وفعله فيها استمر
The earliest times hold a rank of merit;
Prayer's first times are times of increase grace
the Prophet urged them and consistently observed them.
Midmost times, His pardon and mercy at end succeed
رضوانthe good pleasure ربكof your Lord أولthe beginning الأوقاتof the times والand the-
رضوان ربك أول الأوقات وال
أوساطmiddle times رحمتهHis mercy وعفوand pardon فيat الأخرthe last times
أوساط رحمته وعفو في الأخر
Your Lord's good pleasure is at the earliest times, and the
Save only darkness, night's last hours
middle holds His mercy, and the last His pardon.
Noonday's heat, on hot days, no need
واستثنيand excepted are العتماتthe late-night prayers فيduring ليلthe night الشتاof winter
واستثني العتمات في ليل الشتا
والظهرand the noon prayer للتبريدto wait for coolness فيon أيامdays حرof heat
والظهر للتبريد في أيام حر
The late-night prayers on winter nights are excepted,
Some choose to wait for a group to gather
and the noon prayer, delayed for coolness on hot days.
Others to speak what wisdom they find at their need
والبعضand some يختارprefer انتظارwaiting for جماعةa congregation
والبعض يختار انتظار جماعة
والبعضand some يختارprefer الحديثthe hadith كماas ظهرis apparent
والبعض يختار الحديث كما ظهر
Some prefer waiting for a congregation,
When the group is fully assembled
while others favor the hadith as it stands.
Begin with Allahu akbar, this wisdom gives heed
وإذاand when تهيأتis ready الجماعةthe congregation كلهاall of it
وإذا تهيأت الجماعة كلها
كبرpronounce the takbir وهذاand this البابmatter منis of حسنsoundness النظرof judgment
كبر وهذا الباب من حسن النظر
When the whole congregation is ready,
And beware if arrogating leadership
pronounce the takbir; this matter calls for sound judgment.
To lead when the people recite and take no heed
واحذرand beware تقلدكyour assuming الامامةthe imamate إنif تكنyou are
واحذر تقلدك الامامة إن تكن
لحانةprone to recitation errors إذfor أقرأthe best reciter القومof the people الأثرthe transmitted report
لحانة إذ أقرأ القوم الأثر
Beware of assuming the imamate if you are
Though if meaning's not corrupted thereby
prone to recitation errors: the report gives precedence to the best reciter,
Since you lack transmitter standing, it may still succeed
حتىeven ولوand if لمnot يفسدis corrupted المعنىthe meaning بهby it
حتى ولو لم يفسد المعنى به
إذfor لستyou are not فيunder حكمthe ruling الحديثof the hadith بمعتبرqualified
إذ لست في حكم الحديث بمعتبر
even if the meaning is not corrupted by your errors,
And if meaning's not injured thereby
for under the hadith's ruling you do not qualify.
Blame remains, for abuse cannot be excused at need
وتصحand it is valid إنif لمnot يفسدis corrupted المعنىthe meaning بهby it
وتصح إن لم يفسد المعنى به
إلاexcept الاساءةthe wrongdoing إنهاindeed it لاis not تغتفرforgiven
إلا الاساءة إنها لا تغتفر
The prayer is valid if the meaning remains uncorrupted,
Yet some, if changed verses of mercy
but the wrongdoing remains: it is not excused.
To opposite, or Tawhid distorted misdeed
والبعضand some إنif بدلتyou replace أيةa verse رحمةof mercy
والبعض إن بدلت أية رحمة
بالضدwith its opposite والتوحيدand monotheism بالشركwith polytheism اعتبرtake into account
بالضد والتوحيد بالشرك اعتبر
Some deem it consequential if you replace a verse of mercy
Some, if Tawhid inverted to shirk
with its opposite, and monotheism with polytheism.
Or reversed, in this ruling find creed
والبعضand some إنif بدلتyou replace توحيداًmonotheism بشرwith polytheis-
والبعض إن بدلت توحيداً بشر
ك-m أوor عكستهماyou reverse the two علىto هذاthis اقتصرrestrict the ruling
ك أو عكستهما على هذا اقتصر
Others, if you replace monotheism with polytheism,
Mistakes resembling affect the meaning
or reverse the two, restrict the ruling to that.
Some say if Tawhid distorted, they impede
ويشاكلand resembles اللحنfaulty recitation الوقوفpausing يبدلchanges الthe-
ويشاكل اللحن الوقوف يبدل ال
معنىmeaning وقيلand it is said إذاif بتوحيدto monotheism أضرit does harm
معنى وقيل إذا بتوحيد أضر
Like faulty recitation are pauses that alter the
Likewise omissions, mispronounced letters
meaning; some say, only if they impair monotheism.
Since distorted meanings ensue, take heed
ونظيرهand similar to it الاهمالleaving letters undotted والاعجامand dotting letters فيin الthe-
ونظيره الاهمال والاعجام في ال
قرآنQur'an إذsince بهماthrough them both يؤولit turns إلىinto الغيرsomething else
قرآن إذ بهما يؤول إلى الغير
Likewise, leaving letters undotted or dotting them in the
And ignorance of true sound of letters
Qur'an, when either changes it into something else.
Prayers' correctness injured if imam takes no heed
ونظيرهand similar to it جهلignorance المخارجof the articulation points للحروof lette-
ونظيره جهل المخارج للحرو
ف-rs علىto الصلاةthe prayer لمنfor whoever يؤمis led in prayer بهby him ضررharm
ف على الصلاة لمن يؤم به ضرر
Likewise, ignorance of the articulation points of letters
And imamate of one speech-marred
harms the prayer of whoever is led by such a person.
If no letter through ignorance he misread
ويؤمهمand may lead them ذوone possessing آفةan impairment بلسانهin his tongue
ويؤمهم ذو آفة بلسانه
إنif لمnot يكنis عنbecause of جهلهhis ignorance الحرفthe letter انكسرdistorted
إن لم يكن عن جهله الحرف انكسر
One with an impairment in his tongue may lead them,
Save one lisping, if essentials intact
provided the letter's distortion is not due to ignorance.
Enabling prayer's basics, this may still succeed
ويصحand it is valid منfrom ذيone possessing لكنةan accent إنif كانis ماwhat
ويصح من ذي لكنة إن كان ما
تجزيsuffices الصلاةthe prayer بهthrough it منof الآيthe verses استقرis firmly established
تجزي الصلاة به من الآي استقر
It is valid from one with an accent, provided that what
One altering a letter, if
suffices of the verses for prayer is soundly established.
Due to defect, or nature, no misdeed
ومبدلand one substituting حرفاًa letter بحرفfor a letter إنif يكنit is
ومبدل حرفاً بحرف إن يكن
عنfrom آفةan impairment أوor فطرةinnate nature وقعhas come down الأثرthe report
عن آفة أو فطرة وقع الأثر
So too one who substitutes a letter for another, if this
But the famous hadith of Bilal
arises from an impairment or innate nature: so runs the report.
Cannot be sanctioned, it was falsely decreed
وحديثand the report سينof the letter sīn بلالof Bilal المشهورwell-known لاnot
وحديث سين بلال المشهور لا
نرضىwe accept بهfor fabrication فالوضعin it فيهis the accepted judgment المعتبرline_85
نرضى به فالوضع فيه المعتبر
The famous report about Bilal's sīn we do not
And incumbent is slow, measured recital
accept, for it is regarded as fabricated.
Or whatever the Book has commanded, take heed
ومنand among الوظائفthe duties أنthat تكونyou be مرتلاًreciting measuredly
ومن الوظائف أن تكون مرتلاً
أوor ماnot ترىyou see نصthe explicit text الكتابof Scripture بهاit أمرcommands
أو ما ترى نص الكتاب بها أمر
Among the duties is measured recitation;
To sometimes lighten pillars, do not neglect
do you not see that Scripture's explicit text commands it?
Yet avoid hastening that souls' restfulness impede
ووظيفةand the duty التخفيفof lightening للأركانthe pillars لاdo not
ووظيفة التخفيف للأركان لا
تهملneglect ولاand do not تكنbe المنفرthe one driving away منthose who نفرflee
تهمل ولا تكن المنفر من نفر
The duty of keeping the prayer's pillars brief—do not
Not to mention Mu'adh's rebuke
neglect it, nor become the one who makes people flee.
From God's Messenger for stretching out surahs at need
ناهيكsufficient for you ماwhat لاقىencountered معاذMuʿādh منfrom رسوMessen-
ناهيك ما لاقى معاذ من رسو
ل-ger اللّهof God منof زجرrebuke بتطويلfor lengthening السورthe surahs
ل اللّه من زجر بتطويل السور
Sufficient warning is what Muʿādh met from the Messenger
People's states being various
of God: rebuke for prolonging the surahs.
Let the imam consider the states that succeed
والناسand the people فيin الأحوالcircumstances شتىvaried فليكنso let be
والناس في الأحوال شتى فليكن
هذاthis الامامimam مراعياًmindful of حالthe state الفطرof natural constitutions
هذا الامام مراعياً حال الفطر
People differ in their circumstances, so let
And ensure the rows straightened, by his own hand
this imam be mindful of people's natural capacities.
Or another's, like the best man did, at need
وليرعand let him oversee تسويةstraightening الصفوفthe rows بنفسهhimself
وليرع تسوية الصفوف بنفسه
أوor غيرهanother كالفعلlike the act منof خيرthe best البشرof humankind
أو غيره كالفعل من خير البشر
Let him oversee the straightening of the rows himself,
If one comes after the opening lines
or through another, as the best of humankind did.
His imamate ends, no cause thence to proceed
ولينوand let him intend هاتيكthat الامامةimamate آتياًfor one arriving
ولينو هاتيك الامامة آتياً
إنif جاءhe comes منfrom بعدafter الدخولbeginning the prayer ومنand whoever حضرis present
إن جاء من بعد الدخول ومن حضر
Let him intend that leadership for anyone arriving,
And turn to the right if retiring for need
should someone come after he begins, and for those present.
Save open spaces, the imam may take heed
وليجزمand let him pronounce crisply التكبيرthe takbir والتسليمand the final salutation كيso that
وليجزم التكبير والتسليم كي
يقعاthe two occur منfrom المأمومthe follower بعدafterward علىin الأثرhis wake
يقعا من المأموم بعد على الأثر
Let him pronounce the takbir and final salutation crisply, so that
Let the most qualified be selected
the follower performs them afterward, directly in his wake.
The next if absent, the knowledgeable take heed
ومتىand whenever يكبرhe says the takbir أوor ليسمعmakes himself heard فليزدthen let him increase
ومتى يكبر أو ليسمع فليزد
فيin رفعهhis raising للصوتof the voice والسمعand audibility القدرthe due measure
في رفعه للصوت والسمع القدر
Whenever he says the takbir or makes himself heard, let him increase
For the imamate's an exalted rank
his voice to the level needed for hearing.
So the most pious is most fit to succeed
وليخلصنand let him be wholly sincere القصدin intention للمأمومtoward the follower فيin
وليخلصن القصد للمأموم في
حفظkeeping الحدودthe bounds البطناتthe inward ones وماand what ظهرis outward
حفظ الحدود البطنات وما ظهر
Let his intention toward the follower be wholly sincere in
In delegating charge, let his thoughts run
keeping the bounds, inward and outward.
To benefit, however command may impede
ولينتقلand let him move منfrom مضوعa place صلىhe prayed بهin it
ولينتقل من مضوع صلى به
منfrom بعدafter ماwhen يقضيhe finishes الصلاةthe prayer إلىto مقرa resting place
من بعد ما يقضي الصلاة إلى مقر
Let him move from the place where he prayed,
And pray earnestly, comprehending all
after finishing the prayer, to another spot,
Not restricting to those there, take heed
فيin مسجدa mosque أوor منزلa home أوor غيرهother than it
في مسجد أو منزل أو غيره
زالتhas ended امامتهhis imamate فماذاso what ينتظرdoes he await
زالت امامته فماذا ينتظر
whether in a mosque, a home, or elsewhere;
So extend to the guardian your prayer
his imamate has ended, so what is he waiting for?
Save enemies, the guardian profits at need
ولينحرفand let him turn صوبtoward اليمينthe right إذاwhen انتحىhe departs
ولينحرف صوب اليمين إذا انتحى
إلاexcept الصحارىopen country فالامامthen the imam إذاif قدرhe is able
إلا الصحارى فالامام إذا قدر
Let him turn toward the right when departing,
His rank requires that he be
except in open country. The imam, if able,
Suitor at the door of Good for its meed
ولينتخبand let him select ذاone possessing الأفضليةgreater merit منهمfrom among them
ولينتخب ذا الأفضلية منهم
ويسدand he fills قفوتهthe place behind him وذاand this خبرa report ظهرis well attested
ويسد قفوته وذا خبر ظهر
should choose the most meritorious among them
And closest hope of honor's gift
to fill the place behind him; this is an attested report.
Lies with who depends, confessing his need
هذاthis لأنbecause لذيfor the holder of الأمامةthe imamate رتبةa rank
هذا لأن لذي الأمامة رتبة
فيin البرrighteousness فالأولىso most fitting بهfor him تقريرestablishing برrighteousness
في البر فالأولى به تقرير بر
For the holder of the imamate has a rank
Consider well with the Generous, judgments
in righteousness, and it best befits him to establish righteousness.
Follow assumptions of those seeking succor at need
ويكونand he will be لاستخلافهfor succeeding him مهماwhenever عناarises
ويكون لاستخلافه مهما عنا
أمرa matter وماand how أحفىsolicitous الخلافةsuccession بالخيرfor goodness
أمر وما أحفى الخلافة بالخير
That man can serve as his replacement whenever
When the inmost thoughts sincerely turn to Him
some matter arises; how well succession serves goodness!
They return with His mercy, the wish granted with speed
وليجتهدand let him strive عندduring الدعاءsupplication معمماًincluding everyone
وليجتهد عند الدعاء معمماً
لاnot يختصصsingle himself out بدعائهin his supplication عمنfrom those who حضرare present
لا يختصص بدعائه عمن حضر
Let him strive, when supplicating, to include everyone,
None turns in true devotion with desire or fear
not single himself out from those present in his supplication.
But is disappointed in that hope, takes no heed
فيعمso let it encompass فيin حقthe case الوليof the faithful one دعاؤهhis supplication
فيعم في حق الولي دعاؤه
وعداand other than الوليthe faithful one لمصلحconcerning the welfare الأخرىof the hereafter يذرhe omits
وعدا الولي لمصلح الأخرى يذر
Let his supplication be all-embracing for the faithful,
So let your purpose in prayers be this
but for others, let him omit petitions for the hereafter's welfare.
Clear cause of linkage, for thee and all human seed
ومقامهand his station يقضيrequires عليهof him بأنهthat he is
ومقامه يقضي عليه بأنه
وفدan envoy إلىto البرthe Beneficent الكريمthe Generous لنيلto obtain برbounty
وفد إلى البر الكريم لنيل بر
His station requires of him that he be
Tend your Lord's spirit in them, and quickening breath
an envoy to the Beneficent, the Generous, seeking bounty.
If you saw a dead man, they are equal at need
والوفدand the delegation أحجىlikelier أنto ينالobtain كرامةhonor
والوفد أحجى أن ينال كرامة
إنif لمnot يكنhas فيwithin النفسthe self حاجتهhis request حصرconfined
إن لم يكن في النفس حاجته حصر
An envoy is likelier to receive honor
Their life: sincerity, presence, humble awe,
if he has not confined his request to himself.
Heart's surrender to God, from all else freed
حققbe certain بعينكwith your gaze فيconcerning الكريمthe Generous فإنهfor He
حقق بعينك في الكريم فإنه
عندaccording to الظنونexpectations لمنfor whoever توجهturns وافتقرand is needy
عند الظنون لمن توجه وافتقر
Fix your gaze with certainty on the Generous, for He is
Outward parts sheer means, so if the heart be pure
as expected by those who turn to Him in need.
The outward amends, the matter's crux lies at need
وإذاand when توجهتturns السريرةthe inward self نحوهtoward Him
وإذا توجهت السريرة نحوه
رجعتit returns برحمتهthrough His mercy بعائدةwith the gain الوطرof the desired end
رجعت برحمته بعائدة الوطر
When the inward self turns toward Him,
And motions and stillnesses are for hearts
it returns, through His mercy, with its desire fulfilled.
The nexus of meaning, to them give heed
لمnot يقصدsought الرحمنthe All-Merciful صادقone sincere أوبةin returning
لم يقصد الرحمن صادق أوبة
رغباًwith longing ورهباًand fear فيin مقامa station فانخسرand so lost
رغباً ورهباً في مقام فانخسر
No one sincere in returning has sought the All-Merciful
So in this station, bind fast your heart
with longing and fear in any station and come away a loser.
Caprice can trick us, our states ebb and succeed
فاجعلso place همومكyour concerns فيin الصلاةprayer فإنهاfor it
فاجعل همومك في الصلاة فإنها
سببa means مبينclear للصلاتto gifts وللبشرand to gladness
سبب مبين للصلات وللبشر
Gather your concerns into prayer, for it is
The heart is God's house, therein His light
a clear means to gifts and gladness.
The Generous regards it, not the forms at need
واحفظand preserve لربكfor your Lord روحهاits spirit وحياتهاand its life
واحفظ لربك روحها وحياتها
سيانalike لوif أبصرتyou saw ميتاًa dead person والحجرand a stone
سيان لو أبصرت ميتاً والحجر
Preserve for your Lord its spirit and its life;
So purify your heart in witnessing station
a corpse and a stone, if you saw them, are alike.
Give Him no half, or half, of your life's deed
وحياتهاand its life اخلاصهاits sincerity وخشوعهاand its reverence
وحياتها اخلاصها وخشوعها
وخضوعand the submission قلبof a heart بالعلائقby attachments محتظرhemmed in
وخضوع قلب بالعلائق محتظر
Its life is its sincerity and reverence,
Make your station in prayers and elsewhere too
and the submission of a heart hemmed in by attachments.
A servant of goodness who merits reward at need
وظواهرand the outward forms الأركانof the pillars محضmere وسائطmeans
وظواهر الأركان محض وسائط
فإذاthen when تزكىis purified السرthe inward self أصلحit rectifies ماwhat ظهرis outward
فإذا تزكى السر أصلح ما ظهر
The outward forms of the pillars are merely means;
And remembering God, know His measure
when the inward self is purified, it sets the outward right.
Between fear and hope, thought's pendulum swinging with speed
وعبادةand worship الحركاتthrough movements والسكناتand stillnesses فيunder
وعبادة الحركات والسكنات في
حكمthe governance القلوبof hearts وهاand behold هناhere الشأنthe matter انحصرis contained
حكم القلوب وها هنا الشأن انحصر
Worship through movements and stillness lies under
Feeling awe under Majesty, reverence
the governance of hearts; here the whole matter is contained.
Fear, no regard for traces or breed
فاربطso bind علىto هذاthis المقامstation القلبthe heart لاlest
فاربط على هذا المقام القلب لا
يغررbe deceived فشأنfor the way قلوبناof our hearts كرcharging وفرand retreating
يغرر فشأن قلوبنا كر وفر
Bind the heart firmly to this station; let it not
Count not yourself the same in every place
be deceived, for our hearts charge and retreat.
To Him you're the needy, in profit and loss, at need
والقلبand the heart بيتthe house اللّهof God فيهwithin it نورهHis light
والقلب بيت اللّه فيه نوره
نظرthe gaze الكريمof the Generous إليهtoward it ليسis not إلىtoward الصورoutward forms
نظر الكريم إليه ليس إلى الصور
The heart is God's house; His light is within it;
The essence of this matter's utter need
the Generous looks upon it, not upon outward forms.
Sheer servanthood, purified by loss of all seed
فاستقصso gather wholly قلبكyour heart فيin مقامthe station شهودهof witnessing Him
فاستقص قلبك في مقام شهوده
لاdo not تعطهgive Him شطراًone half وشطراًand one half فيwith عمرʿUmar
لا تعطه شطراً وشطراً في عمر
Gather your whole heart in the station of witnessing Him;
So be a servant of beneficence ever
do not give Him half and leave half with ʿUmar.
And you will attain expansive breast and noble steed
واصلmaintain مقامكyour station فيin الصلاةprayer وغيرهاand beyond it
واصل مقامك في الصلاة وغيرها
عبداًas a servant علىin الاحسانexcellence وردكyour coming والصدرand departure
عبداً على الاحسان وردك والصدر
Maintain your station, in prayer and beyond,
a servant devoted to excellence in your coming and going.
وإذاand when ذكرتyou remember اللّهGod فاعرفthen recognize قدرهHis worth
وإذا ذكرت اللّه فاعرف قدره
بينbetween الرجاhope والخوفand fear مصروفdirected الفكرin thought
بين الرجا والخوف مصروف الفكر
Whenever you remember God, recognize His worth,
your thoughts directed between hope and fear,
مستشعراًfeeling inwardly تحتbeneath الجلالةdivine majesty خشيةawe
مستشعراً تحت الجلالة خشية
ومهابةand reverence لاno حظshare عندكwith you للأثرfor created effects
ومهابة لا حظ عندك للأثر
feeling, beneath His majesty, awe
and reverence, leaving created things no share of your attention.
لاdo not تعدُexceed طوركyour bounds فيin المواطنstations كلهاall of them
لا تعدُ طورك في المواطن كلها
أنتyou الفقيرthe needy one إليهtoward Him فيin نفعbenefit وضرand harm
أنت الفقير إليه في نفع وضر
Do not exceed your bounds in any station;
you are in need of Him, in benefit and harm.
وجماعand the sum هذاof this الأمرmatter فقرneed مطلقabsolute
وجماع هذا الأمر فقر مطلق
وعبودةand servitude محضpure وصفوand clarity منfrom كدرmurk
وعبودة محض وصفو من كدر
The sum of this matter is absolute need,
pure servitude, and clarity free of murk.
Partial English translation: 144 of 154 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1