زَلْزِليquake ياO " بِحَارseas " وابْتَلِعيand swallow الأرْthe earth (first part)
زَلْزِلي يا " بِحَار " وابْتَلِعي الأرْ
ضَcompletion of 'earth' وأَلْقيand cast forth مِنْfrom جَوْفِكَyour depths الأَهْوالاthe horrors
ضَ وأَلْقي مِنْ جَوْفِكَ الأَهْوالا
Quake, O seas, and swallow the earth,
Tremble oh "sea" and swallow the earth
and cast horrors from your depths.
And unleash from your depths horrors
أطْلقيunleash الموْجَthe waves كالجبالlike the mountains تَدَافعْـsurged against one another (first part)
أطْلقي الموْجَ كالجبال تَدَافعْـ
ـنَthey (feminine-plural ending) جِبالاًmountains تَعْلُوrise وتَهْويand plunge جِبالاmountains
ـنَ جِبالاً تَعْلُو وتَهْوي جِبالا
Unleash the waves like mountains, surging against one another—
Unleash your waves like mountains clashing
mountains rising, then falling as mountains.
Mountains rising and falling mountains
واعْصفيand rage ياO " بِحَارُseas " بالموتِwith death هُبِّيsurge forth
واعْصفي يا " بِحَارُ " بالموتِ هُبِّي
بالأعاصيرwith the hurricanes تَسْحقُcrushing الأجْْيالاthe generations
بالأعاصير تَسْحقُ الأجْْيالا
And rage, O seas; surge forth with death,
Rage, oh "sea", with death blowing
with hurricanes crushing generations.
With storms that crush generations
هاهُناhere أمْسِyesterday كانthere were خلْقٌcreatures كثيرٌmany
هاهُنا أمْسِ كان خلْقٌ كثيرٌ
أينَwhere غابواthey vanished ؟! فكلّfor every شيءٍthing زالاvanished
أينَ غابوا ؟! فكلّ شيءٍ زالا
Here yesterday were multitudes;
Where did they disappear?! For all things pass
where have they vanished? Everything is gone.
They were struck by storms so they sought
فاجَأتْهُمْtook them by surprise عواصِفٌstorms فاسْتَدارواso they turned
فاجَأتْهُمْ عواصِفٌ فاسْتَداروا
لِنَجاةٍfor deliverance فَمَاbut did not أَصَابُواthey attain مَنَالاa goal
لِنَجاةٍ فَمَا أَصَابُوا مَنَالا
Storms took them unawares, and they turned
Salvation but found no refuge
toward deliverance, but attained no escape.
The pounding of waves sweeps the world
والتطامُand the crashing الأمْواجof the waves ! يَجْرُفُsweeps away دُنْيَاworld
والتطامُ الأمْواج ! يَجْرُفُ دُنْيَا
هُمْtheir ! وعَصْفُand the storming الآفاقof the horizons هاجَraged وجالاand roamed
هُمْ ! وعَصْفُ الآفاق هاجَ وجالا
The crashing waves sweep away their world,
And them, and raging space roared and raged
and the storm across the horizons raged and roamed.
A rumbling death creeps forth
ودويٌّand a roar تَراهُyou see it يَزْحَفُadvancing بالْمَوْwith death (first part)
ودويٌّ تَراهُ يَزْحَفُ بالْمَوْ
تِcompletion of 'death' فَيُلْقِيso it casts الهلاكَdestruction والأَوْجالاand the terrors
تِ فَيُلْقِي الهلاكَ والأَوْجالا
And a roar—you see it advancing with death,
Casting ruin and grave horrors
casting destruction and terrors.
What creeping horror uprooting homes
أيّwhat زَحْفٍan onrush تَرَاُهyou see it يَقْتَلِعُuproots البُنْيَـthe buildings (first part)
أيّ زَحْفٍ تَرَاُه يَقْتَلِعُ البُنْيَـ
ــانَcompletion of 'buildings' والأهْلَand the inhabitants ! يَخْطَفُsnatches away الآجَالاthe allotted lifespans
ــانَ والأهْلَ ! يَخْطَفُ الآجَالا
What an onrush you see uprooting buildings
And people! Seizing lives
and their inhabitants, snatching away lifespans!
What terror it unleashes, ravaging lands
ياO لَهَوْلٍwhat a horror تَرَاهُyou see it يَجْتَاحُsweeps through أَقْطاcountries (first part)
يا لَهَوْلٍ تَرَاهُ يَجْتَاحُ أَقْطا
راًcompletion of 'countries' وَيَمْتدّand spreads فِتْنَةًas affliction ونَكَالاand punishment
راً وَيَمْتدّ فِتْنَةً ونَكَالا
What horror you see sweeping through countries
And spreading chaos and suffering
and spreading as affliction and punishment!
Horror filled every home it reached
مَلأَfilled الهَوْلُthe horror كُلَّevery دارٍhome أَتَاهاit reached it
مَلأَ الهَوْلُ كُلَّ دارٍ أَتَاها
أَنْدُنِسْياIndonesia والهِنْدَand India والصُّومالاand Somalia
أَنْدُنِسْيا والهِنْدَ والصُّومالا
Horror filled every home it reached:
Indonesia, India, and Somalia
Indonesia, India, and Somalia,
And hillsides of Sri Lanka and Thailand
ورَوابِيand the hills سِرْلَنْكof Sri Lanka ! تيْلندَThailand ! تَبْكِيweep
ورَوابِي سِرْلَنْك ! تيْلندَ ! تَبْكِي
كُلُّهاall of them الدَّارَthe home والرُّبَىand the hills والرِّجالاand the men
كُلُّها الدَّارَ والرُّبَى والرِّجالا
and the hills of Sri Lanka, and Thailand, weep—
All weep for home and loved ones and men
all of them—for homes, hills, and men.
These seas erupted in rage beyond visions
فُجِّرَتْwere made to erupt تِلْكُمُthose البِحارُthe seas وجُنَّتْand went mad
فُجِّرَتْ تِلْكُمُ البِحارُ وجُنَّتْ
غَضَباًwith fury جَاوزَexceeded الرُؤىthe visions والخَيالاand the imagination
غَضَباً جَاوزَ الرُؤى والخَيالا
Those seas were made to erupt and went mad
Hurling billows in succession, howling
with fury beyond visions and imagination.
Rising to the sky in such heights
ورَمَىand hurled جَوْفُهاtheir depths القذائِفَthe projectiles أَمْواwaves (first part)
ورَمَى جَوْفُها القذائِفَ أَمْوا
جاًcompletion of 'waves' تَوالَتْfollowed one another وَand أَعْوَلَتْwailed إِعْوالاloud wailing
جاً تَوالَتْ وَ أَعْوَلَتْ إِعْوالا
Their depths hurled projectiles—waves
Bearing in their heights heavy burdens
that followed one another and wailed aloud.
Crashing down spreading affliction
وَعَلَتْand rose فيin الفضاءِthe air أيّwhat عُلوٍّa height
وَعَلَتْ في الفضاءِ أيّ عُلوٍّ
حَمَلتْcarried فيin عُلُوِّهاtheir ascent الأحْمَالاthe loads
حَمَلتْ في عُلُوِّها الأحْمَالا
And rose into the air—how high!
Wherever they fall, scattering ruins
carrying loads in their ascent.
You see them like lightning flashing by
وَهَوَتْand fell تَنْشُرspreading البلاءthe calamity بَلاءًcalamity
وَهَوَتْ تَنْشُر البلاء بَلاءً
حيثwherever تَهْويthey plunge وتَنْثُُرُand scatter الأطْلالاthe ruins
حيث تَهْوي وتَنْثُُرُ الأطْلالا
And fell, spreading calamity upon calamity
Snatching souls stealthily away
wherever they plunged, scattering ruins.
Tearing people into the sky and casting
وتَراهاand you see them كَأنَّهاas though they were البَرْقُlightning مرَّتthey passed
وتَراها كَأنَّها البَرْقُ مرَّت
تَخْطفُsnatches الخَلْقَthe creatures والنُّفوسَand the souls اغتيالاby surprise killing
تَخْطفُ الخَلْقَ والنُّفوسَ اغتيالا
And you see them pass as though they were lightning,
What awful horror frightening horrors
snatching creatures and souls, killing without warning.
Torn to pieces then lost between ruins
تَنْزِعُtears away النَّاسَthe people للفضاءِinto the air وترميْand hurls
تَنْزِعُ النَّاسَ للفضاءِ وترميْ
ياO لَهْولٍwhat a horror يُرَوِّعُterrifies الأهْوالاthe horrors
يا لَهْولٍ يُرَوِّعُ الأهْوالا
Tearing people into the air and flinging them—
Lamenting those ruins
what horror, terrifying even horrors!
Scattered safety and security
مُزِّقِواthey were torn apart ثُمَّthen غُيِّبِواthey were made to disappear بينamong أَطْلاruins (first part)
مُزِّقِوا ثُمَّ غُيِّبِوا بين أَطْلا
لٍcompletion of 'ruins' يُنَاجُونthey whisper to تِلْكُمُthose الأطلالاthe ruins
لٍ يُنَاجُون تِلْكُمُ الأطلالا
They were torn apart, then hidden among ruins,
Weeping for their homes and families
whispering to those ruins.
Remnants of homes cast
وأَمَانٍand hopes تَنَاثَرَتْwere scattered وتَنَاءَتْand grew distant
وأَمَانٍ تَنَاثَرَتْ وتَنَاءَتْ
وهيwhile they تَبْكيweep دِيَارهاfor their homes والآلاand the kin
وهي تَبْكي دِيَارها والآلا
And hopes were scattered and grew far apart,
What they contained and burdens
while they wept for their homes and families.
Bits of bodies strewn, things indistinct
وطُلُولٍand ruins مَنof المنازِلthe dwellings ألْقَتْcast out
وطُلُولٍ مَن المنازِل ألْقَتْ
بَيْنهاamong them ماwhat حَوتْهthey contained it والأثْقَالاand the heavy loads
بَيْنها ما حَوتْه والأثْقَالا
And ruins of dwellings cast
Corners of furniture, boulders, rags
among themselves what they had held, and heavy loads,
A sight that seizes souls and casts
وبَقاياالأجسامand remnants of bodies! واخْتَلطand mingled الشـthe thing (first part)
وبَقاياالأجسام! واخْتَلط الشـ
ـيءcompletion of 'thing' معwith الشيءthe thing ! لاnot ترىyou see أَشْكالاshapes
ـيء مع الشيء ! لا ترى أَشْكالا
and remnants of bodies; one thing mingled
Among their folds, grief and pleading
with another—you see no recognizable shapes.
And humility and trembling hearts
وزواياand corners مِنof الأثاثthe furniture ، وأحْْجَاand stones (first part)
وزوايا مِن الأثاث ، وأحْْجَا
رٌcompletion of 'stones' ، وشيءand something تَظَنُّهyou take it to be أَسْمالاrags
رٌ ، وشيء تَظَنُّه أَسْمالا
And corners of furniture, and stones,
Weeping continues for them
and something you take for rags.
My soul yearns these sights draw
مِنْظرa sight يَخْطَفُseizes النُّفوسthe souls ويُلْقيand casts
مِنْظر يَخْطَفُ النُّفوس ويُلْقي
بينwithin أحَنَائهاtheir depths أسىًsorrow وابْتهالاand supplication
بين أحَنَائها أسىً وابْتهالا
A sight that seizes souls and casts
The specter of death, awe and glory
into their depths sorrow and supplication,
Panting in haste after desires
وخُشَوعاًand humility وخَشْيةًand fear يَرْجفُtrembles القلـthe heart (first part)
وخُشَوعاً وخَشْيةً يَرْجفُ القلـ
ـبُcompletion of 'heart' لديْهاin its presence وعَبْرةًand a tear تَتَوالىfollows another
ـبُ لديْها وعَبْرةً تَتَوالى
and humility and fear, before which the heart
Oh my soul, as if racing
trembles, and tears that follow one another.
To unleash their hopes
لَهفَanguish نفسيmy soul ! علىover المناظِرِthe scenes تَطْويenfold
لَهفَ نفسي ! على المناظِرِ تَطْوي
شَبَحَthe specter الموتِof death رَهْبَةًin dread وجَلالاand majesty
شَبَحَ الموتِ رَهْبَةً وجَلالا
How my soul grieves over scenes that enfold
Haughty, lost in vain glory
the specter of death in dread and majesty!
Not knowing life has hidden pitfalls
هَاbehold هُناhere كَانتwere الدُّروبthe streets ضَجيجاًclamor
هَا هُنا كَانت الدُّروب ضَجيجاً
بيْنَهاamong them النَّاسthe people يَلْهثُونpant عِجالاin haste
بيْنَها النَّاس يَلْهثُون عِجالا
Here the streets once rang with clamor,
That strike people with fear and affliction
with people panting through them in haste.
All things circling come to pass
ويحَwoe to نفسيmy soul كَأنَّهمْas though they were فيin سباقٍa race
ويحَ نفسي كَأنَّهمْ في سباقٍ
أَطْلقواthey unleashed فيهin it للهوىfor desire الآمالاthe hopes
أَطْلقوا فيه للهوى الآمالا
Alas for my soul! As though in a race,
Fated, victorious, fulfilling hopes
they gave their hopes free rein there, in pursuit of desire.
Passions blazing, cravings burning
هاbehold هناhere كانتwere العمائرthe buildings تَعْلُوrising
ها هنا كانت العمائر تَعْلُو
ناطحاتٍskyscrapers تَتِيهُstrut فيهin it اختيالاproudly
ناطحاتٍ تَتِيهُ فيه اختيالا
Here buildings once rose high,
They were drunk with passion and desire
skyscrapers strutting there in pride.
Wandering lost in its chaos
جَهِلواthey did not know أنَّthat فيin الحياةlife غيوباًunseen things
جَهِلوا أنَّ في الحياة غيوباً
تفجأُtake by surprise النَّاسَthe people رهْبَةًwith dread ووَبَالاand ruin
تفجأُ النَّاسَ رهْبَةً ووَبَالا
They did not know that life holds unseen things
Forgetting life's purpose, busy
that surprise people with dread and ruin.
Among playgrounds of vain lusts
كلُّevery أَمْرٍaffair يدورُunfolds فيin الكَوْنthe universe يَمْضيproceeds
كلُّ أَمْرٍ يدورُ في الكَوْن يَمْضي
قَدراًas a decree غَالِباًprevailing وأوفىand fullest منَالاin attainment
قَدراً غَالِباً وأوفى منَالا
Every affair unfolding in the universe proceeds
So when fate descends upon the land
as prevailing destiny, fulfilled to the utmost.
It takes the righteous and the misguided
هاbehold هُناhere كانتِwas الحياةُlife رِغَاباًdesires
ها هُنا كانتِ الحياةُ رِغَاباً
هَائِجَاتٍraging وشَهْوَةًand craving تَتَوالىfollowing in succession
هَائِجَاتٍ وشَهْوَةً تَتَوالى
Here life once consisted of desires,
It took the righteous when neglecting
raging, and craving without end.
Piety, forgetting, heedless
مُتَعٌpleasures فيin الحياةِlife هَيَّجْنَهاthey stirred it أشـthey kindled (first part)
مُتَعٌ في الحياةِ هَيَّجْنَها أشـ
ـعَلْنَcompletion of 'they kindled' فيهاwithin it أَشواقَهاits yearnings إشعالاa kindling
ـعَلْنَ فيها أَشواقَها إشعالا
Pleasures in life stirred it up, setting
The wave came with ruin and the storm roared
its yearnings within it ablaze.
Ravaging the land, quaking the earth
أسْكَرتْهُمْintoxicated them مَعَwith الهَوىdesire شَهَواتٌpassions
أسْكَرتْهُمْ مَعَ الهَوى شَهَواتٌ
وَرَمَتْهمْand cast them فيinto تِيِههاtheir maze جُهَّالاignorant
وَرَمَتْهمْ في تِيِهها جُهَّالا
Passions, together with desire, intoxicated them,
Leaving nothing in its trail
and cast them, ignorant, into their maze.
The earth a pile of hills and ruins
فَنَسُواso they forgot غايةَthe purpose الحياةof life وضجُّواand clamored
فَنَسُوا غايةَ الحياة وضجُّوا
بَيْنَamid سَاحاتِthe arenas لَهْوِهمْof their amusement أَرْتَالاin throngs
بَيْنَ سَاحاتِ لَهْوِهمْ أَرْتَالا
So they forgot life's purpose and clamored
Its crawl approached until
in throngs amid the arenas of their amusement.
A mosque appeared exalted for God
فإذاthen when حُمَّwas ordained فيin الدِّيارِthe lands قَضاءٌa decree
فإذا حُمَّ في الدِّيارِ قَضاءٌ
أَخذَtook الصَّالحينthe righteous والضُّلالاand the misguided
أَخذَ الصَّالحين والضُّلالا
Then, when a decree was ordained in the lands,
A radiant mosque on earth, a sign
it took the righteous and the misguided.
Spreading light, guidance and beauty
أخذَtook الصَّالحينthe righteous لمَّاwhen تغَافَوْاthey grew heedless
أخذَ الصَّالحين لمَّا تغَافَوْا
عنof وَفاءٍfaithfulness وَأَغْفَلُواand neglected إِغْفَالاutter neglect
عن وَفاءٍ وَأَغْفَلُوا إِغْفَالا
It took the righteous when they grew heedless
Everything else but rubble
of faithfulness and lapsed into utter neglect.
While its truth shone bright
أَقْبلَcame المَوْجُthe wave بالهلاكwith destruction وضَجّتْand clamored
أَقْبلَ المَوْجُ بالهلاك وضَجّتْ
مِنهُfrom it سَاحٌopen ground وزُلْزِلَتْand was shaken زِلْزالاa mighty shaking
مِنهُ سَاحٌ وزُلْزِلَتْ زِلْزالا
The wave came with destruction, and open ground clamored
The storms and waves retreated
because of it, and was violently shaken.
Humbling before it in awe
لَمْdid not يَدَعْleave دونَهbefore it علىon الأرضthe earth شيئاًanything
لَمْ يَدَعْ دونَه على الأرض شيئاً
خَلَّفَleft الأرضَthe earth كَوْمةًa heap وَتِلالاand mounds
خَلَّفَ الأرضَ كَوْمةً وَتِلالا
It left nothing on earth in its path;
Stepping back and disappearing
it left the earth a heap and mounds.
To relay the tale to generations
ودَنَاand drew near زَحْفُهُits advance هُنالكَthere حَتَّىuntil
ودَنَا زَحْفُهُ هُنالكَ حَتَّى
بَانappeared للهfor God مِسْجدٌa mosque يَتَعالىrising high
بَان لله مِسْجدٌ يَتَعالى
Its advance drew near there, until
A true sign from God
a mosque devoted to God appeared, rising high.
Its lesson truthful and words validated
مِسْجدٌa mosque مُشْرِقٌradiant علىupon الأرضthe earth آيٌsigns
مِسْجدٌ مُشْرِقٌ على الأرض آيٌ
يَنْشُرspreads النُّورthe light والهُدىand the guidance والجَمالاand the beauty
يَنْشُر النُّور والهُدى والجَمالا
A radiant mosque upon the earth, bearing signs,
Tell, oh "H", what befell you
spreading light, guidance, and beauty.
And unleashed evil to spread
كُلُّevery شَيءٍthing سِواهother than it أَضْحَىbecame يَبَاباًa wasteland
كُلُّ شَيءٍ سِواه أَضْحَى يَبَاباً
وهُوand it بالحقِّwith truth نُورُهits light يتَلالاsparkles
وهُو بالحقِّ نُورُه يتَلالا
Everything but it became a wasteland,
Where are your sons who turned away
while its light sparkled with truth.
Vanished, uprooted entirely
هَدَأتْfell still دونهbefore it الأعاصيرُthe hurricanes والمَوْand the wave (first part)
هَدَأتْ دونه الأعاصيرُ والمَوْ
جُcompletion of 'wave' وأَهْوَتْand fell down أَمَاَمَهbefore it إجْلالاin reverence
جُ وأَهْوَتْ أَمَاَمَه إجْلالا
Before it, the hurricanes and waves grew still,
Hundreds of thousands gone with the waves
and bowed down before it in reverence.
Elders, women, and men
وتنحَّتْand withdrew عَنْهfrom it هُنَاكthere وَand غَابَتْvanished
وتنحَّتْ عَنْه هُنَاك وَ غَابَتْ
ثُمَّthen رَاحَتْwent on تُحدِّثُto tell الأَجْيالاthe generations
ثُمَّ رَاحَتْ تُحدِّثُ الأَجْيالا
They withdrew from it there and vanished,
Youth! And death swallowing souls
then went on to tell the generations:
Ruining the young and children
إنَّهاindeed it آيةٌa sign منfrom اللهGod حقَّاًtruly
إنَّها آيةٌ من الله حقَّاً
صَدقَتْproved true عِبْرَةًas a lesson وصَحَّتْand proved sound مقالاas an account
صَدقَتْ عِبْرَةً وصَحَّتْ مقالا
It is truly a sign from God,
So many orphans wandering, finding
proved true as a lesson and sound as an account.
Themselves orphaned, suffering loss
حَدَِّثيtell " إتشُAceh " ماwhat دهاكِbefell you فَأْلقىso it cast
حَدَِّثي " إتشُ " ما دهاكِ فَأْلقى
فيكwithin you شرَّاًevil يَسْتفْحِلgrows severe استفحالاever more severely
فيك شرَّاً يَسْتفْحِل استفحالا
Tell us, Aceh, what befell you and cast
An infant taken by the waves!
within you an evil growing ever more severe.
A mother battling the horrors
أَينَwhere أبْناؤكِyour children الذينwho تَولَّواdeparted
أَينَ أبْناؤكِ الذين تَولَّوا
ثُمَّthen غَابُواthey vanished واسْتُؤْصِلواand were uprooted اسْتِئْصالاcomplete uprooting
ثُمَّ غَابُوا واسْتُؤْصِلوا اسْتِئْصالا
Where are your children who departed,
The waves carried him far but dropped him
then vanished and were utterly uprooted?
On a raft, momentarily safe
أَمِئاتُhundreds? الألوفof thousands غَابُواthey vanished مَعَwith الموْthe wave (first part)
أَمِئاتُ الألوف غَابُوا مَعَ الموْ
جِcompletion of 'wave' شُيوخاًelders ونِسْوةًand women ورجالاand men
جِ شُيوخاً ونِسْوةً ورجالا
Did hundreds of thousands vanish with the waves—
Then cast him ashore! Not knowing
elders, women, and men,
If he'll find care or loss
وشَباباًand youths ! والموتand death يَبْتلعُswallows النَّاthe people (first part)
وشَباباً ! والموت يَبْتلعُ النَّا
سَcompletion of 'people' ويُرْدِيand strikes down الشَّبابthe youths والأطْفَالاand the children
سَ ويُرْدِي الشَّباب والأطْفَالا
and youths? Death swallows the people
God's providence tends him! Tending
and strikes down the young and the children.
All things heedless or astray
كَمْhow many يتيمٍan orphan يتيهُwanders فيin الأرضthe earth يَلْقَىmeets
كَمْ يتيمٍ يتيهُ في الأرض يَلْقَى
دونَهُbefore him يُتَّماًorphans قَضَوْاthey perished وثكالىand bereaved mothers
دونَهُ يُتَّماً قَضَوْا وثكالى
How many an orphan wanders the earth, meeting
Sign upon sign in the heavens
before him orphans who perished, and bereaved mothers!
And earth continuously unfold
وَرَضيعٌand an infant مَضىwent on تَقاذَفَهُtossed him about الموْthe wave (first part)
وَرَضيعٌ مَضى تَقاذَفَهُ الموْ
جُcompletion of 'wave' ! وأُمُّand a mother تُصَارِعُstruggles against الأَهْوالاthe horrors
جُ ! وأُمُّ تُصَارِعُ الأَهْوالا
And an infant went on, tossed about by the waves,
A victorious ordainment and wisdom
while a mother struggled against the horrors.
Of the Creator, dealing fates fairly
حَمَلَتْهcarried him الأَمْواجُthe waves حتَّىuntil رَمَتْهthey cast him
حَمَلَتْه الأَمْواجُ حتَّى رَمَتْه
فوقَupon لوحٍa plank فَظلََّso he remained آمَنَsafer حالاin condition
فوقَ لوحٍ فَظلََّ آمَنَ حالا
The waves carried him until they cast him
God's way in life, you see it
onto a plank, and he remained in a safer state.
Relaying signs and lessons
ثُمَّthen أَلْقَتْهُthey cast him للشَّواطئonto the shores ! لاnot يَدْhe knows (first part)
ثُمَّ أَلْقَتْهُ للشَّواطئ ! لا يَدْ
ريcompletion of 'he knows' أَيَلْقىwill he find? أُمَومةًa mother's care أوor آلاkin
ري أَيَلْقى أُمَومةً أو آلا
Then they cast him onto the shores; he does not know
Memories of the flood receded as if
whether he will find motherly care or kin.
People never tasted its anguish
قدindeed رَعَتْهُwatched over him عِنايةُthe providence اللهof God ! تَرْعَىwatches over
قد رَعَتْهُ عِنايةُ الله ! تَرْعَى
كُلُّevery شيءٍthing إذاwhen غَفَاit slumbered أوor جَالاit roamed
كُلُّ شيءٍ إذا غَفَا أو جَالا
God's providence has watched over him; it watches over
Stupor in veins making forget
everything, whether it slumbers or roams.
Heedlessness drops people numb and apathetic
إنَّهاindeed it آيةٌa sign منfrom اللهGod تُلْقِيcasts
إنَّها آيةٌ من الله تُلْقِي
نُذُرَاًwarnings لِلْوَرَىto mankind وتُوقِظُand awakens بالاa mind
نُذُرَاً لِلْوَرَى وتُوقِظُ بالا
It is a sign from God, casting
Sapping strength from souls, leaving
warnings to mankind and awakening the mind.
In their depths disgrace and affliction
لوif only تَرىyou could see الطَّفلَthe child كَيْفhow يَقْذِفُهtosses him الموْthe wave (first part)
لو تَرى الطَّفلَ كَيْف يَقْذِفُه الموْ
جُcompletion of 'wave' فَيَلْقىso he finds منfrom الحياةlife مَجالاa chance
جُ فَيَلْقى من الحياة مَجالا
If only you could see the child, how the waves toss him,
What is more awful than ravaging waves
and he finds a chance at life!
Spreading ruin and rubble?!
حَمَلتْهُcarried him عِنايةُthe providence اللهof God حَتَّىuntil
حَمَلتْهُ عِنايةُ الله حَتَّى
أَسْكَنَتْهُsettled him بينَamong الغُصونِthe branches ظِلالاshade
أَسْكَنَتْهُ بينَ الغُصونِ ظِلالا
God's providence bore him until
Or is it the flood spreading corruption
it settled him in shade among the branches.
And chaos and misguidance in the land?!
آيةٌa sign بعدَafter آيةٍa sign فيin السَّمواthe heavens (first part)
آيةٌ بعدَ آيةٍ في السَّموا
تِcompletion of 'heavens' وفيand on الأرضthe earth لمnot تَزَلْceased تَتَوالىfollowing in succession
تِ وفي الأرض لم تَزَلْ تَتَوالى
Sign after sign in the heavens
People's discord from God's guidance begets
and on earth has never ceased to come in succession.
Greater discord and anguish
قَدَرٌa decree غالبٌprevailing وحكمةُand the wisdom خَلاa Creator (first part)
قَدَرٌ غالبٌ وحكمةُ خَلا
قٍcompletion of 'Creator' وعدْلٌand justice يُقَدِّرُordains الأحْوالاthe conditions
قٍ وعدْلٌ يُقَدِّرُ الأحْوالا
An irresistible decree, a Creator's wisdom,
Who runs to aid people, offering
and justice that ordains all conditions.
The abundance of his embrace?
سُنَّةُthe established way اللهِof God فيin الحياةlife تراهاyou see it
سُنَّةُ اللهِ في الحياة تراها
كَمْhow often تسوقُbrings forth الآياتِthe signs والأمثالاand the examples
كَمْ تسوقُ الآياتِ والأمثالا
God's established way in life—you see it:
Who relieves the anxious, fearing God,
how many signs and examples it brings forth.
Seeking the path to salvation?
ذِكْرياتُmemories الطُّوفانof the deluge غابتْvanished كأنْas though لَمْdid not
ذِكْرياتُ الطُّوفان غابتْ كأنْ لَمْ
يَذُقِtaste النَّاسُthe people عِنْدَهاat that event الأنْكالاthe torments
يَذُقِ النَّاسُ عِنْدَها الأنْكالا
Memories of the deluge vanished, as though
Who returns the teardrop of a child
people had never tasted torments then.
Or orphan, destitute and suffering?
خَدَرٌnumbness فيin العُروقِthe veins يُنْسِيinduces forgetfulness ولَهْوٌand diversion
خَدَرٌ في العُروقِ يُنْسِي ولَهْوٌ
يَطْرَحُcasts down النَّاسَthe people نُوَّماًas sleepers وكُسَالىand as idlers
يَطْرَحُ النَّاسَ نُوَّماً وكُسَالى
Numbness in the veins brings forgetfulness, and diversion
Who sates the hunger of the poor
casts people down, sleeping and idle.
Or mends hearts and souls?
يَنْزِعُstrips away العَزْمَresolve مِنْfrom نُفوسٍsouls ويُبْقيand leaves
يَنْزِعُ العَزْمَ مِنْ نُفوسٍ ويُبْقي
بَيْنَwithin أَحْنائِهاtheir depths الهَوانَhumiliation وَبَالاas a scourge
بَيْنَ أَحْنائِها الهَوانَ وَبَالا
It strips resolve from souls and leaves
None like the pious believer, aiding
within their depths humiliation as a scourge.
The Beneficent's dependents, correcting wrongs
أيُّwhich شيءٍthing أشَدُّmore severe هَوْلاًin horror أَطُوْفاa deluge? (first part)
أيُّ شيءٍ أشَدُّ هَوْلاً أَطُوْفا
نٌcompletion of 'deluge' يَبُثُّspreads الدَّمارَdestruction والأطلالاand the ruins ؟!
نٌ يَبُثُّ الدَّمارَ والأطلالا ؟!
Which is more terrible: a deluge
O people! All of you are God's dependents
spreading destruction and ruins,
So tend to His dependents
أمْor تُراهyou see it الطُّوفانُthe deluge يَنْشُرspreads فيthrough الأرْthe earth (first part)
أمْ تُراه الطُّوفانُ يَنْشُر في الأرْ
ضِcompletion of 'earth' فَسَاداًcorruption وفِتْنَةًand temptation وضَلالاand error ؟!
ضِ فَسَاداً وفِتْنَةً وضَلالا ؟!
or, do you think, the deluge spreading through the earth
How do you preach without bestowing good will,
corruption, temptation, and error?
Without gifting souls connection?
فِتْنَةُthe seduction النَّاسِof people عنaway from هُدىthe guidance اللهِof God تُلْقيcasts
فِتْنَةُ النَّاسِ عن هُدى اللهِ تُلْقي
فيهِمُamong them فِتْنَةًa trial أشدَّmore severe نَكَالاin punishment
فيهِمُ فِتْنَةً أشدَّ نَكَالا
Seducing people away from God's guidance inflicts
How not win hearts with good repute
upon them a trial more severe in punishment.
And charity that unlocks fetters?
مَنْwho تُرَاهُyou see him يَهُبُّrises للنَّاسfor the people يُلْقيpours out
مَنْ تُرَاهُ يَهُبُّ للنَّاس يُلْقي
فَيْضَthe overflow أَحْنَائِهِof his inner depths يَداًa helping hand ونَوالاand gifts
فَيْضَ أَحْنَائِهِ يَداً ونَوالا
Who, do you think, will rise for the people, pouring out
O you who believe! Of all people you are most obliged
the overflow of his heart as a helping hand and gifts?
To fulfill promises and hopes
مَنْwho يُغيثُaids الملْهُوفَthe distressed فيin خَشْيَةٍreverence للّـfor God (first part)
مَنْ يُغيثُ الملْهُوفَ في خَشْيَةٍ للّـ
ـهِcompletion of 'God' يَرْجُوhopes إلىtoward النَّجَاةِdeliverance مَآلاan outcome
ـهِ يَرْجُو إلى النَّجَاةِ مَآلا
Who will aid the distressed in reverence for God,
hoping for an outcome of deliverance?
مَنْwho تُراهُyou see him يَردُّholds back دَمْعةَthe tear طِفْلٍof a child
مَنْ تُراهُ يَردُّ دَمْعةَ طِفْلٍ
أوْor يَتيمٍan orphan مُشَرَّدٍdisplaced قَدْalready عَالاbecame destitute
أوْ يَتيمٍ مُشَرَّدٍ قَدْ عَالا
Who, do you think, will hold back a child's tear,
or that of a displaced orphan who has become destitute?
مَنْwho تُراهُyou see him يَسُدُّsatisfies جوعthe hunger فَقيرٍof a poor person
مَنْ تُراهُ يَسُدُّ جوع فَقيرٍ
أَوْor يُدَوايheals القلُوبَthe hearts والأحْوالاand the circumstances
أَوْ يُدَواي القلُوبَ والأحْوالا
Who, do you think, will satisfy a poor person's hunger,
or heal hearts and mend circumstances?
ليسَnot كالمؤمنlike the believer التقيِّthe pious مُغيثاًas a helper
ليسَ كالمؤمن التقيِّ مُغيثاً
لِعيالfor the dependents الرَّحْمَنِof the Most Merciful يُصْلِحُsets right بَالاthe state of affairs
لِعيال الرَّحْمَنِ يُصْلِحُ بَالا
There is no helper like the pious believer
for the Most Merciful's dependents, setting their affairs right.
إِنَّماonly الخَلْقُthe creatures كُلُّهُمْall of them أَيُّهاO النَّاthe people (first part)
إِنَّما الخَلْقُ كُلُّهُمْ أَيُّها النَّا
سُcompletion of 'people' عِيالٌdependents للهِof God فَارْعَوْاso care for عِيالاdependents
سُ عِيالٌ للهِ فَارْعَوْا عِيالا
All creatures, O people, are but
God's dependents; so care for His dependents.
كَيْفَhow تدعوyou call للهِto God تُغْدِقُyou lavish بالْوَعْـwith admonition (first part)
كَيْفَ تدعو للهِ تُغْدِقُ بالْوَعْـ
ـظِcompletion of 'admonition' ولاand do not تُوهِبُyou give النُّفوسَthe souls وِصَالاfellowship
ـظِ ولا تُوهِبُ النُّفوسَ وِصَالا
How can you call people to God, lavishing admonition,
yet not grant souls a bond of fellowship?
كَيْفَhow لاnot تكْسبyou win القلوبَthe hearts بِمَعْرُوthrough kindness (first part)
كَيْفَ لا تكْسب القلوبَ بِمَعْرُو
فٍcompletion of 'kindness' وإِحْسَانٍand beneficence يَفْتَحُopens الأقْفَالاthe locks
فٍ وإِحْسَانٍ يَفْتَحُ الأقْفَالا
How can you fail to win hearts through kindness
and beneficence that opens locks?
أَيُّهاO المؤمنونَbelievers أَنْتُمْyou أَحَقُّmost deserving النْـthe people (first part)
أَيُّها المؤمنونَ أَنْتُمْ أَحَقُّ النْـ
ـاسِcompletion of 'people' أوفُواfulfill العُهودَthe covenants والآمالاand the hopes
ـاسِ أوفُوا العُهودَ والآمالا
O believers, you are the most deserving among people;
fulfill the covenants and the hopes.
Partial English translation: 132 of 148 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1