السَيفُthe sword أَصدَقُmore truthful أَنباءًin tidings مِنَthan الكُتُبِthe books
السَيفُ أَصدَقُ أَنباءً مِنَ الكُتُبِ
فيin حَدِّهِits edge الحَدُّthe dividing line بَينَbetween الجِدِّearnestness وَاللَعِبِand play
في حَدِّهِ الحَدُّ بَينَ الجِدِّ وَاللَعِبِ
The sword tells truer tidings than books;
The sword is more truthful than books
The sword bears truer tidings than the books,
in its edge lies the boundary between earnestness and play.
In its edge lies the distinction between jest and earnest
In its edge is the boundary between earnestness and play.
بيضُwhite الصَفائِحِthe blades لاnot سودُblack الصَحائِفِthe pages فيon
بيضُ الصَفائِحِ لا سودُ الصَحائِفِ في
مُتونِهِنَّtheir broad surfaces جَلاءُthe dispelling of الشَكِّdoubt وَالرِيَبِand misgivings
مُتونِهِنَّ جَلاءُ الشَكِّ وَالرِيَبِ
The white blades, not the black pages—on
The whiteness of blades, not the blackness of pages
The white of blades, not the black of pages;
their broad faces lies the dispelling of doubt and misgivings.
In their texts lies the clarity from doubt and suspicion
In their broad texts lies the clearing of doubt and suspicion.
وَالعِلمُand knowledge فيin شُهُبِthe meteors of الأَرماحِthe spears لامِعَةًgleaming
وَالعِلمُ في شُهُبِ الأَرماحِ لامِعَةً
بَينَbetween الخَميسَينِthe two armies لاnot فيin السَبعَةِthe seven الشُهُبِbright stars
بَينَ الخَميسَينِ لا في السَبعَةِ الشُهُبِ
And knowledge lies in the meteors of spears, gleaming
And knowledge lies in the flashing spears
And true knowledge is found in the gleaming spear-points,
between the two armies, not in the seven bright stars.
Not in the seven stars and their alignment
Between the two raucous armies, not in the seven planets.
أَينَwhere الرِوايَةُthe lore بَلrather أَينَwhere النُجومُthe stars وَماand what
أَينَ الرِوايَةُ بَل أَينَ النُجومُ وَما
صاغوهُthey fashioned it مِنfrom زُخرُفٍembellishment فيهاabout them وَمِنand from كَذِبِfalsehood
صاغوهُ مِن زُخرُفٍ فيها وَمِن كَذِبِ
Where is the lore—nay, where are the stars, and what
Where are the stories, rather where are the stars and what
Where is the prophecy? Nay, where are the stars and what
they fashioned about them from embellishment and lies?
they fabricated in them of ornament and lies
They forged within them of adornment and lies?
تَخَرُّصاًconjecture وَأَحاديثاًand tales مُلَفَّقَةًpatched together
تَخَرُّصاً وَأَحاديثاً مُلَفَّقَةً
لَيسَتare not بِنَبعٍof nabʿ wood إِذاwhen عُدَّتreckoned وَلاnor غَرَبِwillow wood
لَيسَت بِنَبعٍ إِذا عُدَّت وَلا غَرَبِ
Mere conjecture and patched-together tales,
Prattling and patched up tales
Mere conjecture and fabricated tales,
which, when reckoned, are neither nabʿ wood nor willow.
That are neither confirmable if counted nor strange
Not worth a source if counted, nor a willow branch.
عَجائِباًmarvels زَعَمواthey claimed الأَيّامَthe days مُجفِلَةًfleeing
عَجائِباً زَعَموا الأَيّامَ مُجفِلَةً
عَنهُنَّfrom them فيin صَفَرِṢafar الأَصفارِthe Ṣafars أَوor رَجَبِRajab
عَنهُنَّ في صَفَرِ الأَصفارِ أَو رَجَبِ
Marvels they claimed the days would flee
Wonders they claimed the days concealed
Wonders they claimed the days would startle us with,
from, in Ṣafar of Ṣafars or Rajab.
In the empty months or Rajab
In the zero month of zeros, or in Rajab.
وَخَوَّفواand they frightened الناسَthe people مِنof دَهياءَa calamity مُظلِمَةٍdark
وَخَوَّفوا الناسَ مِن دَهياءَ مُظلِمَةٍ
إِذاwhen بَداappeared الكَوكَبُthe star الغَربِيُّwestern ذوpossessing الذَنَبِthe tail
إِذا بَدا الكَوكَبُ الغَربِيُّ ذو الذَنَبِ
And they frightened people with a dark calamity
And frightened people of ominous darkness
And they terrified the people with a dark calamity,
when the western star with its tail appeared.
When the western planet with tail becomes visible
When the western star with the tail appeared.
وَصَيَّرواand they made الأَبرُجَthe constellations العُلياlofty مُرَتَّبَةًarranged
وَصَيَّروا الأَبرُجَ العُليا مُرَتَّبَةً
ماwhatever كانَwas مُنقَلِباًshifting أَوor غَيرَnot مُنقَلِبِshifting
ما كانَ مُنقَلِباً أَو غَيرَ مُنقَلِبِ
And they arranged the lofty constellations in ranks,
And made the highest mansions ordered
And they made the high zodiac signs arranged,
whether shifting or unshifting.
Whether moving or fixed
Predicting what would change or remain unchanged.
يَقضونَthey decree بِالأَمرِon events عَنهاfrom them وَهيَwhile they are غافِلَةٌoblivious
يَقضونَ بِالأَمرِ عَنها وَهيَ غافِلَةٌ
ماas long as دارَrevolves فيin فُلُكٍan orbit مِنهاof them وَفيand about قُطُبِa pole
ما دارَ في فُلُكٍ مِنها وَفي قُطُبِ
They decree events through them, though they are oblivious,
They judge the matter about them while they are heedless
They judge matters by them while the stars are heedless
as long as any of them turns in an orbit and about a pole.
What revolved in an orbit or pole among them
Of what revolves in an orbit among them or on a pole.
لَوif بَيَّنَتthey revealed قَطُّever أَمراًan event قَبلَbefore مَوقِعِهِits occurrence
لَو بَيَّنَت قَطُّ أَمراً قَبلَ مَوقِعِهِ
لَمwould not تُخفِconceal ماwhat حَلَّbefell بِالأَوثانِupon the idols وَالصُلُبِand the crosses
لَم تُخفِ ما حَلَّ بِالأَوثانِ وَالصُلُبِ
Had they ever revealed an event before its occurrence,
If a star ever clarified a matter before its occurrence
Had they ever clarified a matter before its occurrence,
they would not have hidden what befell the idols and crosses.
It would not conceal what befell the idols and crucifixes
They would not have hidden what befell the idols and crosses.
فَتحُconquest of الفُتوحِthe conquests تَعالىis too exalted أَنfor يُحيطَto encompass بِهِit
فَتحُ الفُتوحِ تَعالى أَن يُحيطَ بِهِ
نَظمٌverse مِنَof الشِعرِpoetry أَوor نَثرٌprose مِنَof الخُطَبِspeeches
نَظمٌ مِنَ الشِعرِ أَو نَثرٌ مِنَ الخُطَبِ
Conquest of conquests, too exalted to be encompassed
So the openings of openings, exalted is He who encompasses it
The Conquest of Conquests; it is beyond the encompassment
by poetic verse or prose speeches!
A prose of poetry or prose of sermons
Of the organization of poetry or the prose of sermons.
فَتحٌa conquest تَفَتَّحُopen أَبوابُthe gates of السَماءِheaven لَهُfor it
فَتحٌ تَفَتَّحُ أَبوابُ السَماءِ لَهُ
وَتَبرُزُand emerges الأَرضُthe earth فيin أَثوابِهاher garments القُشُبِnew
وَتَبرُزُ الأَرضُ في أَثوابِها القُشُبِ
A conquest for which the gates of heaven open,
An opening whose doors the heavens opened for it
A conquest for which the gates of heaven open,
and earth emerges in her fresh garments.
And the earth emerges in her coarse clothing
And the earth comes forth in its new, embroidered robes.
ياO يَومَday of وَقعَةِthe battle of عَمّورِيَّةَAmorium اِنصَرَفَتdeparted
يا يَومَ وَقعَةِ عَمّورِيَّةَ اِنصَرَفَت
مِنكَfrom you المُنىhopes حُفَّلاًfull-uddered مَعسولَةَhoney-sweet الحَلَبِin milk
مِنكَ المُنى حُفَّلاً مَعسولَةَ الحَلَبِ
O day of the battle of Amorium, hopes departed
O day of the battle of Amorium, from you
O Day of the Battle of Amorium! Hopes departed
from you full-uddered, yielding honey-sweet milk.
wishes returned oozing with softened butter
From you, flowing abundantly, sweet to the milking.
أَبقَيتَyou kept جَدَّthe fortune of بَنيthe sons of الإِسلامِIslam فيin صَعَدٍascent
أَبقَيتَ جَدَّ بَني الإِسلامِ في صَعَدٍ
وَالمُشرِكينَand the polytheists وَدارَand the abode of الشِركِpolytheism فيin صَبَبِdescent
وَالمُشرِكينَ وَدارَ الشِركِ في صَبَبِ
You kept the fortune of Islam's sons ascending,
You left the backbone of the children of Islam in peaks
You left the fortune of the Sons of Islam ascending,
and the polytheists and the abode of polytheism descending.
And the polytheists and the land of polytheism in plains
And the polytheists and the abode of polytheism in decline.
أُمٌّa mother لَهُمto them لَوif رَجَواthey hoped أَنthat تُفتَدىshe could be ransomed جَعَلواthey would make
أُمٌّ لَهُم لَو رَجَوا أَن تُفتَدى جَعَلوا
فِداءَهاher ransom كُلَّevery أُمٍّmother مِنهُمُamong them وَأَبِand father
فِداءَها كُلَّ أُمٍّ مِنهُمُ وَأَبِ
A mother to them: had they hoped she could be ransomed, they would have made
A mother to them, if they hoped she could be ransomed, they would ransom her
A mother to them—had they hoped to ransom her, they would have given
every mother and father among them her ransom.
with every mother among them and father
Every mother and father of theirs as her ransom.
وَبَرزَةِand unveiled الوَجهِof face قَدalready أَعيَتhad wearied رِياضَتُهاher taming
وَبَرزَةِ الوَجهِ قَد أَعيَت رِياضَتُها
كِسرىKisra وَصَدَّتand she turned away صُدوداًfirmly عَنfrom أَبيAbu كَرِبِKarib
كِسرى وَصَدَّت صُدوداً عَن أَبي كَرِبِ
And a woman of unveiled face, whose taming had defeated
And the barefaced one, her worship exhausted her
A secluded beauty whose taming exhausted
Kisra, and who firmly turned away from Abu Karib.
Kisra and she built barriers against Abu Karib
Chosroes, and who turned firmly away from Abu Karib.
بِكرٌa virgin فَماso never اِفتَرَعتَهاdeflowered her كَفُّthe hand of حادِثَةٍa calamity
بِكرٌ فَما اِفتَرَعتَها كَفُّ حادِثَةٍ
وَلاnor تَرَقَّتrose إِلَيهاto her هِمَّةُthe ambition of النُوَبِcalamities
وَلا تَرَقَّت إِلَيها هِمَّةُ النُوَبِ
A virgin, never deflowered by the hand of calamity,
Bikr, so no palm of events could snatch him
A virgin; no hand of calamity had deflowered her,
nor reached by the ambitions of disasters.
Nor any ambition of time could reach him
Nor did the ambition of misfortunes ascend to her.
مِنsince عَهدِthe age of إِسكَندَرٍAlexander أَوor قَبلَbefore ذَلِكَthat قَدalready
مِن عَهدِ إِسكَندَرٍ أَو قَبلَ ذَلِكَ قَد
شابَتhad grayed نَواصيthe forelocks of اللَياليthe nights وَهيَwhile she لَمhad not تَشِبِgrayed
شابَت نَواصي اللَيالي وَهيَ لَم تَشِبِ
Since Alexander's time, or even before then,
Since the era of Alexander or before that indeed
From the era of Alexander or before that,
the forelocks of the nights had grayed, but she had not.
the temples of nights grew old while still unaged
The forelocks of the nights turned gray while she did not turn gray.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen مَخَّضَchurned اللَهُGod السِنينَthe years لَهاfor her
حَتّى إِذا مَخَّضَ اللَهُ السِنينَ لَها
مَخضَthe churning of البَخيلَةِthe miserly woman كانَتshe became زُبدَةَthe butter of الحِقَبِthe ages
مَخضَ البَخيلَةِ كانَت زُبدَةَ الحِقَبِ
Until, when God churned the years for her,
Until when Allah delivered for it the years in birth pangs
Until when God churned the years for her,
as a miserly woman churns, she became the butter of the ages.
It birthed the essence of eras
The churning of a stingy woman, she was the cream of the ages.
أَتَتهُمُcame upon them الكُربَةُdistress السَوداءُblack سادِرَةًheedlessly advancing
أَتَتهُمُ الكُربَةُ السَوداءُ سادِرَةً
مِنهاfrom her وَكانَand was اِسمُهاher name فَرّاجَةَreliever of الكُرَبِdistresses
مِنها وَكانَ اِسمُها فَرّاجَةَ الكُرَبِ
Black distress came upon them, advancing heedlessly
There came to them a black affliction raging
Black grief came to them nonchalantly
from her, though her name was Reliever of Distress.
from it, and its name was the relief of afflictions
From her, though her name was 'The Reliever of Griefs.'
جَرىran لَهاfor her الفَألُthe omen بَرحاًill-omened يَومَthe day of أَنقَرَةٍAnkara
جَرى لَها الفَألُ بَرحاً يَومَ أَنقَرَةٍ
إِذwhen غودِرَتshe was left وَحشَةَdesolate الساحاتِthe courtyards وَالرُحَبِand open spaces
إِذ غودِرَت وَحشَةَ الساحاتِ وَالرُحَبِ
The omen ran against her on the day of Ankara,
Fate ran well for it the day of Ankara
The omen ran for her as distress on the day of Ancyra,
when its courtyards and open spaces were left desolate.
When it was demolished, desolate of plains and expanses
When she was left a desolation of courtyards and spaces.
لَمّاwhen رَأَتshe saw أُختَهاher sister بِالأَمسِyesterday قَدalready خَرِبَتwas ruined
لَمّا رَأَت أُختَها بِالأَمسِ قَد خَرِبَت
كانَwas الخَرابُruin لَهاto her أَعدىmore contagious مِنَthan الجَرَبِmange
كانَ الخَرابُ لَها أَعدى مِنَ الجَرَبِ
When she saw her sister laid waste just yesterday,
When it saw its sister yesterday destroyed
When she saw her sister destroyed yesterday,
ruin became more contagious to her than mange.
Destruction was more hateful to it than scabies
Ruin was more contagious to her than mange.
كَمhow many بَينَbetween حيطانِهاher walls مِنof فارِسٍa horseman بَطَلٍvaliant
كَم بَينَ حيطانِها مِن فارِسٍ بَطَلٍ
قانيcrimson الذَوائِبِof forelocks مِنfrom آنيscalding دَمٍblood سَرَبِstreaming
قاني الذَوائِبِ مِن آني دَمٍ سَرَبِ
How many a valiant horseman within her walls,
How many valiant cavaliers between its walls
How many a heroic knight within her walls,
his forelocks crimson with scalding, streaming blood,
Whose hands run red from the blood they shed
With hair dyed red from hot, flowing blood.
بِسُنَّةِby the rite of السَيفِthe sword وَالخَطِيِّand the Khatti spear مِنfrom دَمِهِhis blood
بِسُنَّةِ السَيفِ وَالخَطِيِّ مِن دَمِهِ
لاnot سُنَّةِthe rite of الدينِreligion وَالإِسلامِand Islam مُختَضِبِstained
لا سُنَّةِ الدينِ وَالإِسلامِ مُختَضِبِ
by the rite of sword and Khatti spear, in his own blood,
By the law of sword and war, not the law of religion and Islam
By the law of the sword and the spear, dyed in his blood,
is stained—not by the rite of religion and Islam!
Adorning themselves with blood
Not by the law of religion and Islam, is he dyed.
لَقَدindeed تَرَكتَyou left أَميرَCommander of المُؤمِنينَthe Faithful بِهاin her
لَقَد تَرَكتَ أَميرَ المُؤمِنينَ بِها
لِلنارِfor the fire يَوماًa day ذَليلَsubdued الصَخرِthe stone وَالخَشَبِand timber
لِلنارِ يَوماً ذَليلَ الصَخرِ وَالخَشَبِ
Indeed, you left there, O Commander of the Faithful,
Indeed you left the Commander of the Faithful in it
You left the Commander of the Faithful in her
a day for fire, with stone and timber subdued.
For the fire, humbled rocks and trees
For the fire, on a day when rock and wood were humbled.
غادَرتَyou left فيهاin her بَهيمَthe blackness of اللَيلِnight وَهوَthough it was ضُحىًmorning
غادَرتَ فيها بَهيمَ اللَيلِ وَهوَ ضُحىً
يَشُلُّهُdrives it away وَسطَهاin her midst صُبحٌa dawn مِنَof اللَهَبِflame
يَشُلُّهُ وَسطَها صُبحٌ مِنَ اللَهَبِ
You left there night's blackness, though it was morning,
Abandoning in it animals by night, while by day
You left the dark night in her looking like mid-morning,
driven away in her midst by a dawn of flame.
Dawn from flames enfeebles it
Driven amidst her by a dawn of flames.
حَتّىuntil كَأَنَّas though جَلابيبَthe cloaks of الدُجىdarkness رَغِبَتturned away
حَتّى كَأَنَّ جَلابيبَ الدُجى رَغِبَت
عَنfrom لَونِهاtheir color وَكَأَنَّand as though الشَمسَthe sun لَمhad not تَغِبِset
عَن لَونِها وَكَأَنَّ الشَمسَ لَم تَغِبِ
Until the cloaks of darkness seemed to turn away
Until it was as if the robes of darkness were disgusted
Until it seemed the robes of darkness desired
from their own color, and the sun seemed never to have set.
By its color, as if the sun never set
To leave their color, and as if the sun had not set.
ضَوءٌlight مِنَfrom النارِthe fire وَالظَلماءِand darkness عاكِفَةٌlingering
ضَوءٌ مِنَ النارِ وَالظَلماءِ عاكِفَةٌ
وَظُلمَةٌand darkness مِنfrom دُخانٍsmoke فيin ضُحىًmorning شَحِبِpallid
وَظُلمَةٌ مِن دُخانٍ في ضُحىً شَحِبِ
Light from fire while darkness lingered,
A glow from fire, and darkness stationed
Light from the fire while darkness was lingering,
and darkness from smoke in a pallid morning.
And darkness from smoke at dawn wan
And darkness from smoke in a pallid mid-morning.
فَالشَمسُso the sun طالِعَةٌrising مِنfrom ذاthis وَقَدthough already أَفَلَتset
فَالشَمسُ طالِعَةٌ مِن ذا وَقَد أَفَلَت
وَالشَمسُand the sun واجِبَةٌsetting مِنfrom ذاthis وَلَمthough not تَجِبِset
وَالشَمسُ واجِبَةٌ مِن ذا وَلَم تَجِبِ
Thus the sun rose from the one, though it had set,
So the sun is rising from this, and it had set
So the sun rises from this one while it has set,
and the sun sank from the other, though it had not set.
And the sun is obligated from that, and did not oblige
And the sun sets from that one while it has not set.
تَصَرَّحَcleared الدَهرُtime تَصريحَlike the clearing of الغَمامِthe clouds لَهاfor her
تَصَرَّحَ الدَهرُ تَصريحَ الغَمامِ لَها
عَنrevealing يَومِa day of هَيجاءَbattle مِنهاof hers طاهِرٍpure جُنُبِritually impure
عَن يَومِ هَيجاءَ مِنها طاهِرٍ جُنُبِ
Time cleared for her as clouds clear,
Fate disclosed to it clearly like clouds
Fate cleared up for her, like the clearing of clouds,
revealing a day of battle there, pure yet ritually impure.
Of a day of tumult in it, pure, ritually cleansed
Revealing a day of battle, pure and untouched.
لَمdid not تَطلُعِrise الشَمسُthe sun فيهِon it يَومَthe day of ذاكَthat عَلىupon
لَم تَطلُعِ الشَمسُ فيهِ يَومَ ذاكَ عَلى
بانٍone marrying بِأَهلٍwith a wife وَلَمnor تَغرُبset عَلىupon عَزَبِa bachelor
بانٍ بِأَهلٍ وَلَم تَغرُب عَلى عَزَبِ
On that day the sun did not rise upon
The sun did not rise in it that day upon
The sun did not rise on that day upon
a bridegroom, nor did it set upon a bachelor.
Inhabited or uninhabited ruins
A man with family, nor did it set upon a bachelor.
ماnot رَبعُthe dwelling of مَيَّةَMayya مَعموراًinhabited يُطيفُcircles بِهِaround it
ما رَبعُ مَيَّةَ مَعموراً يُطيفُ بِهِ
غَيلانُGhaylan أَبهىlovelier رُبىًin hills مِنthan رَبعِهاher dwelling الخَرِبِruined
غَيلانُ أَبهى رُبىً مِن رَبعِها الخَرِبِ
Not even Mayya's inhabited dwelling, circled by
What a cultivated quarter of Mayyafariqin revolving around it
The quarter of Mayya, inhabited, around which
Ghaylan, has lovelier heights than her ruined dwelling.
More beautiful maiden camels than its ruined quarter
Ghaylan circles, is not more beautiful in its hills than her ruined quarters.
وَلاnor الخُدودُthe cheeks وَقَدand already أُدمينَwere blood-reddened مِنfrom خَجَلٍmodesty
وَلا الخُدودُ وَقَد أُدمينَ مِن خَجَلٍ
أَشهىmore pleasing إِلىto ناظِريmy gaze مِنthan خَدِّهاher cheek التَرِبِdust-covered
أَشهى إِلى ناظِري مِن خَدِّها التَرِبِ
Nor are cheeks, flushed blood-red with modesty,
Nor cheeks, made rosy from shyness
Nor are cheeks, reddened by shyness,
more pleasing to my gaze than her dust-covered cheek.
More pleasing to my eyes than its dusty cheek
More appetizing to my eyes than her dust-covered cheek.
سَماجَةًan ugliness غَنِيَتwere satisfied مِنّاamong us العُيونُthe eyes بِهاwith it
سَماجَةً غَنِيَت مِنّا العُيونُ بِها
عَنwithout need of كُلِّevery حُسنٍbeauty بَداappearing أَوor مَنظَرٍa sight عَجَبِwondrous
عَن كُلِّ حُسنٍ بَدا أَو مَنظَرٍ عَجَبِ
An ugliness with which our eyes were satisfied,
An intoxication they deprived our eyes with
An ugliness through which our eyes became rich,
needing no other visible beauty or wondrous sight.
From all beauty occurring or wondrous sight
Beyond every beauty that appeared or wondrous sight.
وَحُسنُand a fair مُنقَلَبٍoutcome تَبقىendure عَواقِبُهُits consequences
وَحُسنُ مُنقَلَبٍ تَبقى عَواقِبُهُ
جاءَتcame بَشاشَتُهُits delight مِنfrom سوءِthe evil of مُنقَلَبِan outcome
جاءَت بَشاشَتُهُ مِن سوءِ مُنقَلَبِ
And a fair outcome whose consequences endure,
And the beauty of reversal, its consequences remain
And the beauty of a return whose consequences remain,
its delight arising from a disastrous outcome.
Its cheer came from the evil of reversal
Its cheerfulness came from an evil return for the enemy.
لَوif يَعلَمُknew الكُفرُunbelief كَمhow many مِنof أَعصُرٍages كَمَنَتlay hidden
لَو يَعلَمُ الكُفرُ كَم مِن أَعصُرٍ كَمَنَت
لَهُfor it العَواقِبُthe consequences بَينَamong السُمرِthe brown spears وَالقُضُبِand the sword blades
لَهُ العَواقِبُ بَينَ السُمرِ وَالقُضُبِ
If unbelief knew for how many ages there lay hidden
If disbelief knew how many eras
If Unbelief knew how many ages lay in ambush
its fate, amid brown spears and blades!
Fate knotted for it between rocks and sticks
For it, the consequences between the spears and the swords.
تَدبيرُthe planning of مُعتَصِمٍMuʿtasim بِاللَهِin God مُنتَقِمٍavenging
تَدبيرُ مُعتَصِمٍ بِاللَهِ مُنتَقِمٍ
لِلَّهِfor God مُرتَقِبٍwatchful فيin اللَهِGod مُرتَغِبِeagerly seeking
لِلَّهِ مُرتَقِبٍ في اللَهِ مُرتَغِبِ
The planning of Muʿtasim, seeking refuge in God, avenging
Al-Mu'tasim's management, with Allah avenging
The planning of One holding fast to God, avenging
God's cause, watchful and yearning for God;
For Allah awaiting, in Allah coveting
For God, watching for God, desiring God.
وَمُطعَمِand nourished on النَصرِvictory لَمnever تَكهَمgrew blunt أَسِنَّتُهُhis spearheads
وَمُطعَمِ النَصرِ لَم تَكهَم أَسِنَّتُهُ
يَوماًa day وَلاnor حُجِبَتwere barred عَنfrom رَوحِthe breath of مُحتَجِبِone hidden away
يَوماً وَلا حُجِبَت عَن رَوحِ مُحتَجِبِ
and fed on victory—his spearheads never grew blunt
And feeding victory, tongues did not silence for him
And one fed on victory, whose spearheads never dulled
a single day, nor were barred from the breath of anyone hidden.
A day, nor was the breath of the secluded veiled from him
A single day, nor were they veiled from the spirit of the veiled enemy.
لَمnever يَغزُraided قَوماًa people وَلَمnor يَنهَضadvanced إِلىtoward بَلَدٍa land
لَم يَغزُ قَوماً وَلَم يَنهَض إِلى بَلَدٍ
إِلّاexcept that تَقَدَّمَهُpreceded him جَيشٌan army مِنَof الرَعَبِterror
إِلّا تَقَدَّمَهُ جَيشٌ مِنَ الرَعَبِ
He never raided a people or advanced against a land
He did not raid a people nor march against a land
He did not attack a people nor rise against a land,
without an army of terror going before him.
Except an army of dread preceded him
Except that an army of terror preceded him.
لَوif لَمdid not يَقُدlead جَحفَلاًa mighty host يَومَthe day of الوَغىbattle لَغَداhe would go forth
لَو لَم يَقُد جَحفَلاً يَومَ الوَغى لَغَدا
مِنfrom نَفسِهِhis own self وَحدَهاit alone فيin جَحفَلٍa host لَجِبِclamorous
مِن نَفسِهِ وَحدَها في جَحفَلٍ لَجِبِ
Had he led no host on the day of battle, he would have gone forth
If he did not lead a horde on the day of strife
If he had not led a vast army on the day of battle, he would have been
in a clamorous host made of his own self alone.
He would suffice alone in a horde unbreakable
By himself alone, a clamorous vast army.
رَمىhurled بِكَwith you اللَهُGod بُرجَيهاher two towers فَهَدَّمَهاand so demolished her
رَمى بِكَ اللَهُ بُرجَيها فَهَدَّمَها
وَلَوand if رَمىhurled بِكَwith you غَيرُsomeone other than اللَهِGod لَمwould not يُصِبِhit
وَلَو رَمى بِكَ غَيرُ اللَهِ لَم يُصِبِ
God hurled you against her two towers, demolishing her;
Allah cast you at its two towers so you demolished them
God threw you against her two towers, and destroyed them,
had anyone but God hurled you, he would have missed.
And had another than Allah cast you, you would not hit
And had other than God thrown you, he would not have hit the mark.
مِنfrom بَعدِafter ماthat أَشَّبوهاthey entwined her defenses واثِقينَconfident بِهاin her
مِن بَعدِ ما أَشَّبوها واثِقينَ بِها
وَاللَهُand God مِفتاحُthe key to بابِthe gate of المَعقِلِthe stronghold الأَشِبِdensely tangled
وَاللَهُ مِفتاحُ بابِ المَعقِلِ الأَشِبِ
After they had entwined her defenses, confident in her;
After they fortified it, trusting in it
After they had fortified it, trusting in it,
and God is the key to the tangled fortress's gate.
Yet Allah is key to the gate of the unassailable fortress
But God is the key to the door of the fortified stronghold.
وَقالَand said ذوthe holder of أَمرِهِمtheir command لاno مَرتَعٌpasture صَدَدٌaccessible
وَقالَ ذو أَمرِهِم لا مَرتَعٌ صَدَدٌ
لِلسارِحينَfor the grazers وَلَيسَand is not الوِردُthe watering-place مِنat كَثَبِclose range
لِلسارِحينَ وَلَيسَ الوِردُ مِن كَثَبِ
And their commander said: No pasture lies accessible
And their commander said no pasturing cows
And their commander said: 'There is no grazing ground near
to the grazing herds, nor is the watering-place nearby.
For the steeds released, and the roses are not from foam
For the grazing animals, and the watering hole is not close.'
أَمانِياًhopes سَلَبَتهُمrobbed them نُجحَthe success of هاجِسِهاtheir inner thought
أَمانِياً سَلَبَتهُم نُجحَ هاجِسِها
ظُبىthe edges of السُيوفِswords وَأَطرافُand the tips of القَناspears السُلُبِslender
ظُبى السُيوفِ وَأَطرافُ القَنا السُلُبِ
Hopes whose imagined success was stolen from them by
Hopes robbed them, the delusions of their brooding
Wishes—the success of their thoughts was stolen by
the edges of swords and the tips of slender spears.
Drew them to the blades of swords and spearheads
The edges of swords and the tips of stripping spears.
إِنَّindeed الحِمامَينِthe two deaths مِنfrom بيضٍwhite blades وَمِنand from سُمُرٍbrown spears
إِنَّ الحِمامَينِ مِن بيضٍ وَمِن سُمُرٍ
دَلواdrew away الحَياتَينِthe two lives مِنfrom ماءٍwater وَمِنand from عُشُبِgrass
دَلوا الحَياتَينِ مِن ماءٍ وَمِن عُشُبِ
Indeed, the two deaths, of white blades and brown spears,
Verily the two doves, white and brown
Indeed, the two dooms, of white swords and brown spears,
drew away the two lives, of water and grass.
Misguided the two snakes, of water and vegetation
Poured out the two lives, of water and of grass.
لَبَّيتَyou answered صَوتاًa cry زِبَطرِيّاًfrom Zibatra هَرَقتَyou spilled لَهُfor it
لَبَّيتَ صَوتاً زِبَطرِيّاً هَرَقتَ لَهُ
كَأسَthe cup of الكَرىslumber وَرُضابَand the sweet saliva of الخُرَّدِcoy maidens العُرُبِloving
كَأسَ الكَرى وَرُضابَ الخُرَّدِ العُرُبِ
You answered a cry from Zibatra, spilling for it
You cried a zebra-like voice, for it
You answered a Zibatrian voice, for which you spilled
the cup of slumber and the nectar of coy, loving maidens.
You poured the cup of vintages and robes of fleece
The cup of slumber and the saliva of Arab maidens.
عَداكَturned you away حَرُّthe heat of الثُغورِthe frontier posts المُستَضامَةِoppressed عَنfrom
عَداكَ حَرُّ الثُغورِ المُستَضامَةِ عَن
بَردِthe coolness of الثُغورِmouths وَعَنand from سَلسالِهاtheir sweet-flowing water الحَصِبِpebbly
بَردِ الثُغورِ وَعَن سَلسالِها الحَصِبِ
The heat of the oppressed frontier posts turned you from
None but you, protector of the boiling frontiers against
The heat of the oppressed frontiers distracted you from
the coolness of mouths and their sweet streams over pebbles.
the cold of frontiers, and their chains the witnesses
The cool of lips and their pebbly fresh water.
أَجَبتَهُyou answered it مُعلِناًopenly proclaiming بِالسَيفِwith the sword مُنصَلِتاًrushing forth
أَجَبتَهُ مُعلِناً بِالسَيفِ مُنصَلِتاً
وَلَوand if أَجَبتَyou answered بِغَيرِwithout السَيفِthe sword لَمwould not تُجِبِanswer
وَلَو أَجَبتَ بِغَيرِ السَيفِ لَم تُجِبِ
You answered it openly with the sword, rushing forth;
You answered it declaring with the sword, slaughtering
You answered it announcing openly with the sword, drawn,
had you answered without the sword, you would not have answered.
And had you answered with other than sword, you would not answer
And had you answered with other than the sword, you would not have answered.
حَتّىuntil تَرَكتَyou left عَمودَthe pillar of الشِركِpolytheism مُنعَفِراًcast into dust
حَتّى تَرَكتَ عَمودَ الشِركِ مُنعَفِراً
وَلَمand did not تُعَرِّجturn aside عَلىtoward الأَوتادِthe tent-pegs وَالطُنُبِand ropes
وَلَم تُعَرِّج عَلى الأَوتادِ وَالطُنُبِ
Until you left the pillar of polytheism cast into the dust,
Until you left the pillar of polytheism furious
Until you left the pillar of polytheism covered in dust,
without turning aside to the tent-pegs and ropes.
And did not detour to the tent pegs and sticks
And you did not turn aside for the pegs or the rope.
لَمّاwhen رَأىsaw الحَربَwar رَأيَthe sight of العَينِthe eye توفِلِسٌTheophilus
لَمّا رَأى الحَربَ رَأيَ العَينِ توفِلِسٌ
وَالحَربُand war مُشتَقَّةُderived المَعنىin meaning مِنَfrom الحَرَبِdespoilment
وَالحَربُ مُشتَقَّةُ المَعنى مِنَ الحَرَبِ
When Theophilus saw war with his own eyes—
When Theophilus saw war in the eyes' view
When Theophilus saw the war with his own eyes,
and war derives its meaning from despoilment—
And war derived in meaning from war
And 'War' derives its meaning from 'Plunder.'
غَداhe began يُصَرِّفُto divert بِالأَموالِwith money جِريَتَهاits course
غَدا يُصَرِّفُ بِالأَموالِ جِريَتَها
فَعَزَّهُbut overpowered him البَحرُthe sea ذوpossessing التَيّارِthe current وَالحَدَبِand the surging waves
فَعَزَّهُ البَحرُ ذو التَيّارِ وَالحَدَبِ
he began trying to divert its course with money,
He went to spend his money on its fines
He began trying to divert its flow with money,
but the sea, with its current and surging waves, overpowered him.
Yet the sea with currents and depths frustrated him
But the sea with currents and swelling waves overwhelmed him.
هَيهاتَfar from possible زُعزِعَتِwas shaken الأَرضُthe earth الوَقورُsteadfast بِهِby it
هَيهاتَ زُعزِعَتِ الأَرضُ الوَقورُ بِهِ
عَنaway from غَزوِthe raid of مُحتَسِبٍone seeking divine reward لاnot غَزوِthe raid of مُكتَسِبِone seeking gain
عَن غَزوِ مُحتَسِبٍ لا غَزوِ مُكتَسِبِ
Far from it! By it the steadfast earth could not be shaken
Alas! The solid earth was not shaken by him
Far from it! The dignified earth was shaken by him
away from a raid for divine reward, not a raid for gain.
From the invasion of an earner, not usurper
For the invasion of one seeking God's reward, not one seeking gain.
لَمdid not يُنفِقِspend الذَهَبَthe gold المُربيexceeding بِكَثرَتِهِin its abundance
لَم يُنفِقِ الذَهَبَ المُربي بِكَثرَتِهِ
عَلىbeyond الحَصىthe pebbles وَبِهِwhile he had فَقرٌneed إِلىfor الذَهَبِgold
عَلى الحَصى وَبِهِ فَقرٌ إِلى الذَهَبِ
He did not expend gold exceeding in its abundance
He did not spend the gold producing in its abundance
He did not spend gold, which increases with abundance,
the pebbles, while himself in need of gold.
On gravel, yet in poverty to gold
Upon the pebbles, while he was in need of gold.
إِنَّindeed الأُسودَthe lions أُسودَlions of الغيلِthe thickets هِمَّتُهاtheir aim
إِنَّ الأُسودَ أُسودَ الغيلِ هِمَّتُها
يَومَon the day of الكَريهَةِbattle فيon المَسلوبِthe despoiled لاnot السَلَبِthe spoils
يَومَ الكَريهَةِ في المَسلوبِ لا السَلَبِ
The lions—the lions of the thickets—set their aim,
Indeed the black lions, their ambition
Indeed lions, the lions of the thicket, their ambition
on the day of battle, upon the despoiled, not the spoils.
On the day of hate is in the plundered, not the plunder
On the day of battle is in the glory won, not the loot.
وَلّىhe fled وَقَدand already أَلجَمَhad bridled الخَطِّيُّthe Khatti spear مَنطِقَهُhis speech
وَلّى وَقَد أَلجَمَ الخَطِّيُّ مَنطِقَهُ
بِسَكتَةٍwith a silence تَحتَهاbeneath it الأَحشاءُthe entrails فيin صَخَبِclamor
بِسَكتَةٍ تَحتَها الأَحشاءُ في صَخَبِ
He fled, the Khatti spear having bridled his speech
He turned, and the war stopped his speech
He turned his back, while the spear had bridled his speech,
with a silence beneath which his entrails clamored.
With a silence, beneath which his entrails roared
With a silence beneath which his entrails were in clamor.
أَحذىgave over قَرابينُهُhis intimates صَرفَthe vicissitudes of الرَدىdeath وَمَضىand went off
أَحذى قَرابينُهُ صَرفَ الرَدى وَمَضى
يَحتَثُّurging on أَنجىthe most saving مَطاياهُof his mounts مِنَof الهَرَبِflight
يَحتَثُّ أَنجى مَطاياهُ مِنَ الهَرَبِ
He consigned his intimates to the blows of death and went off,
His steeds went off redirecting calamity, and he went
His finest horses gave him the turn of death, and he went
urging on the most saving of his mounts—flight.
Urging on the best of his horses in flight
Urging on his mounts that were safest for flight.
مُوَكِّلاًintent بِيَفاعِon the heights of الأَرضِthe land يُشرِفُهُclimbing it
مُوَكِّلاً بِيَفاعِ الأَرضِ يُشرِفُهُ
مِنfrom خِفَّةِthe lightness of الخَوفِfear لاnot مِنfrom خِفَّةِthe lightness of الطَرَبِjoy
مِن خِفَّةِ الخَوفِ لا مِن خِفَّةِ الطَرَبِ
Intent on the high ground, climbing it,
Entrusting the ground's aid, raised by
Entrusting himself to the high ground of the earth, honoring it
from the lightness of fear, not the lightness of joy.
Lightness of fear, not lightness of vein
Out of lightness of fear, not lightness of joy.
إِنif يَعدُhe runs مِنfrom حَرِّهاits heat عَدوَthe running of الظَليمِthe ostrich فَقَدthen indeed
إِن يَعدُ مِن حَرِّها عَدوَ الظَليمِ فَقَد
أَوسَعتَyou enlarged جاحِمَهاits raging blaze مِنwith كَثرَةِthe abundance of الحَطَبِfirewood
أَوسَعتَ جاحِمَها مِن كَثرَةِ الحَطَبِ
If he runs from its heat with an ostrich's run, you have indeed
If he counts the hot dark one as his enemy, then you
If he runs from its heat the run of an ostrich, then indeed
enlarged its inferno with abundant firewood.
Widened its burner from the abundant fuels
You have widened its furnace with an abundance of firewood.
تِسعونَninety أَلفاًthousand كَآسادِlike the lions of الشَرىal-Shara نَضِجَتwere roasted
تِسعونَ أَلفاً كَآسادِ الشَرى نَضِجَت
جُلودُهُمtheir skins قَبلَbefore نُضجِthe ripening of التينِfigs وَالعِنَبِand grapes
جُلودُهُم قَبلَ نُضجِ التينِ وَالعِنَبِ
Ninety thousand, like al-Shara's lions: roasted
Ninety thousand like lions of evil, their skins
Ninety thousand, like lions of the forest, their skins ripened
were their skins before the figs and grapes ripened.
Ripened before the ripening of figs and grapes
Before the ripening of figs and grapes.
ياah رُبَّmany a حَوباءَsoul حينَwhen اِجتُثَّwas uprooted دابِرُهُمtheir last remnant
يا رُبَّ حَوباءَ حينَ اِجتُثَّ دابِرُهُم
طابَتwas gladdened وَلَوand even if ضُمِّخَتanointed بِالمِسكِwith musk لَمwould not تَطِبِbe gladdened
طابَت وَلَو ضُمِّخَت بِالمِسكِ لَم تَطِبِ
Ah, how many a soul, when their last remnant was uprooted,
O Lord of Al-Hawba when their roots were torn out
Oh, many a soul, when their roots were cut off,
was gladdened as even anointing with musk could not have gladdened it!
It was pleasant, and if steeped in musk still unpleasant
Became pleasant, though if perfumed with musk it would not be pleasant.
وَمُغضَبٍand an angry man رَجَعَتbrought back بيضُwhite السُيوفِswords بِهِhim
وَمُغضَبٍ رَجَعَت بيضُ السُيوفِ بِهِ
حَيَّalive الرِضاin satisfaction مِنfrom رَداهُمtheir deaths مَيِّتَdead الغَضَبِin anger
حَيَّ الرِضا مِن رَداهُم مَيِّتَ الغَضَبِ
And many an angry man the white swords brought back
And wrathful the whites of swords returned with it
And a joyous Caliph, whom the white swords returned
alive with satisfaction at their deaths, his anger dead.
To the abode of contentment by their repulse, deadened of rage
Alive with satisfaction from their destruction, dead to anger.
وَالحَربُand war قائِمَةٌraging فيin مَأزِقٍa strait لَجِجٍtumultuous
وَالحَربُ قائِمَةٌ في مَأزِقٍ لَجِجٍ
تَجثوkneel القِيامُthose standing بِهِin it صُغراًhumbled عَلىon الرُكَبِthe knees
تَجثو القِيامُ بِهِ صُغراً عَلى الرُكَبِ
While war raged in a tumultuous strait,
And war persists in narrow, deep straits
While war stood in a clamorous strait,
where those standing sank, humbled, onto their knees.
Standing in it seems small to knees
Where the standing ones crouched humbly on their knees.
كَمhow much نيلَwas won تَحتَbeneath سَناهاits blaze مِنof سَناthe radiance of قَمَرٍa moon
كَم نيلَ تَحتَ سَناها مِن سَنا قَمَرٍ
وَتَحتَand beneath عارِضِهاits storm-cloud مِنof عارِضٍa mouth شَنِبِcool, fine-toothed
وَتَحتَ عارِضِها مِن عارِضٍ شَنِبِ
How much radiance of a moon was won beneath its blaze,
How much soft smoothness beneath its brilliance
How much was attained under its brilliance of the brilliance of moon-like faces,
and beneath its storm-cloud, how many a mouth with cool, pearly teeth!
And beneath its cheek from soft cheek
And under its rain-cloud of the rain-cloud of smiling teeth.
كَمhow often كانَthere was فيin قَطعِsevering أَسبابِthe cords of الرِقابِnecks بِهاin it
كَم كانَ في قَطعِ أَسبابِ الرِقابِ بِها
إِلىto المُخَدَّرَةِthe secluded العَذراءِvirgin مِنof سَبَبِa means
إِلى المُخَدَّرَةِ العَذراءِ مِن سَبَبِ
How often did severing the cords of necks in it provide
How many in cutting the ties of necks through it
How many ties to the secluded virgin
a means of reaching a secluded virgin!
To the numb virgin were cause
Were in the severing of the ties of necks by it.
كَمhow many أَحرَزَتsecured قُضُبُthe blades of الهِندِيِّIndian steel مُصلَتَةًunsheathed
كَم أَحرَزَت قُضُبُ الهِندِيِّ مُصلَتَةً
تَهتَزُّquivering مِنof قُضُبٍbranches تَهتَزُّswaying فيamong كُثُبِdunes
تَهتَزُّ مِن قُضُبٍ تَهتَزُّ في كُثُبِ
How many did the Indian blades capture, unsheathed
How many staffs of Indians did it reap balanced
How many drawn Indian swords obtained
and quivering—branches swaying among dunes!
Shaken by staves shaken between bundles
Quivering branches from quivering branches nearby.
بيضٌwhite blades إِذاwhen اِنتُضِيَتwere unsheathed مِنfrom حُجبِهاtheir coverings رَجَعَتreturned
بيضٌ إِذا اِنتُضِيَت مِن حُجبِها رَجَعَت
أَحَقَّmore entitled بِالبيضِto fair maidens أَتراباًof equal age مِنَthan الحُجُبِthe curtains
أَحَقَّ بِالبيضِ أَتراباً مِنَ الحُجُبِ
White blades, when drawn from their coverings, returned
Whites when drawn from their veils return
White women, when unsheathed from their veils, returned
more entitled to fair, same-aged maidens than the curtains.
More deserving of whiteness than the veils
More deserving of being peers to the white swords than the veils.
خَليفَةَCaliph of اللَهِGod جازىmay reward اللَهُGod سَعيَكَyour striving عَنon behalf of
خَليفَةَ اللَهِ جازى اللَهُ سَعيَكَ عَن
جُرثومَةِthe root of الدِينِreligion وَالإِسلامِand Islam وَالحَسَبِand noble lineage
جُرثومَةِ الدِينِ وَالإِسلامِ وَالحَسَبِ
O Caliph of God, may God reward your striving on behalf of
Caliph of Allah, may Allah reward your effort against
Caliph of God, may God reward your effort on behalf of
the root of religion, Islam, and noble lineage.
The rabble of religion, Islam, and legitimacy
The root of Religion, Islam, and noble lineage.
بَصُرتَyou perceived بِالراحَةِthe rest الكُبرىgreatest فَلَمand did not تَرَهاsee it
بَصُرتَ بِالراحَةِ الكُبرى فَلَم تَرَها
تُنالُbe attained إِلّاexcept عَلىover جِسرٍa bridge مِنَof التَعَبِtoil
تُنالُ إِلّا عَلى جِسرٍ مِنَ التَعَبِ
You perceived the greatest rest, and saw it could not
You saw the great comfort yet did not see it
You saw the Great Rest, but did not see it
be attained except across a bridge of toil.
Attained except over a bridge of exhaustion
Attainable except across a bridge of fatigue.
إِنif كانَthere is بَينَamong صُروفِthe vicissitudes of الدَهرِtime مِنany رَحِمٍkinship
إِن كانَ بَينَ صُروفِ الدَهرِ مِن رَحِمٍ
مَوصولَةٍkept joined أَوor ذِمامٍa covenant غَيرِnot مُنقَضِبِsevered
مَوصولَةٍ أَو ذِمامٍ غَيرِ مُنقَضِبِ
If among the changing fortunes of time there is any kinship
If there is among the twists of fate a womb
If there is between the changes of time any kinship
kept joined, or any covenant unsevered,
Connected or unsevered bond
Connected, or a covenant not severed,
فَبَينَthen between أَيّامِكَyour days اللاتيwhich نُصِرتَyou were granted victory بِهاin them
فَبَينَ أَيّامِكَ اللاتي نُصِرتَ بِها
وَبَينَand between أَيّامِthe days of بَدرٍBadr أَقرَبُthe closest النَسَبِkinship
وَبَينَ أَيّامِ بَدرٍ أَقرَبُ النَسَبِ
then between your days in which you were granted victory
Then between your days you were given victory in
Then between your days in which you were aided
and the days of Badr lies the closest kinship.
And the days of Badr the closest lineage
And the days of Badr, is the closest lineage.
أَبقَتleft بَنيthe sons of الأَصفَرِal-Asfar (the Yellow) المِمراضِsickly كَاِسمِهِمُlike their name
أَبقَت بَني الأَصفَرِ المِمراضِ كَاِسمِهِمُ
صُفرَyellow الوُجوهِof face وَجَلَّتand brightened أَوجُهَthe faces of العَرَبِthe Arabs
صُفرَ الوُجوهِ وَجَلَّت أَوجُهَ العَرَبِ
They left the sons of sickly al-Asfar, as their name suggests,
It left the jaundiced sons of jaundice as their name
They left the Sons of the Pale One sickly like their name,
yellow-faced, and made the Arabs' faces shine.
Yellow of faces, and the faces of Arabs beamed
Pale of face, and brought glory to the faces of the Arabs.
Sol 6.1