الكونُthe universe أشرقَshone نَضرةًwith freshness ونعيماand bliss
الكونُ أشرقَ نَضرةً ونعيما
هذاthis مكانُكyour place فاتّخذهso make it كريماnoble
هذا مكانُك فاتّخذه كريما
The universe shone with freshness and bliss.
The universe shone with vitality and bliss,
This is your place; make it noble.
This is your place, so make it generously grand.
حَنَّlonged الزمانُtime إليكَfor you حتّىuntil جِئتَهyou came to it
حَنَّ الزمانُ إليكَ حتّى جِئتَه
فطوىso it folded away الحنينَthe longing وردّدَand repeated التسليماthe greeting
فطوى الحنينَ وردّدَ التسليما
Time longed for you until you came to it,
Time yearned for you until you came to it,
then folded away its longing and repeated its greeting.
So it folded up longing and echoed peace.
أنتyou المؤمَّلُthe hoped-for one للشُّعوبِfor the peoples وهذهand this
أنت المؤمَّلُ للشُّعوبِ وهذه
دُنياكَyour world لاnot تبغيseeks سواكanyone but you زعيماas leader
دُنياكَ لا تبغي سواك زعيما
You are the hope of the peoples, and this
You are the hope of nations, and this is
is your world: it seeks no leader but you.
Your world that desires none but you as its leader.
خُذهاtake it منfrom القومِthe people الأُلىwho جمحواran wild بهاwith it
خُذها من القومِ الأُلى جمحوا بها
وَاشْرَعْand lay down لهمfor them نهجَthe path of الحياةِlife قويماupright
وَاشْرَعْ لهم نهجَ الحياةِ قويما
Take it from those who drove it wildly,
Take it from the tyrannical people who corrupted it
and lay down for them an upright path of life.
And pave for them the path of righteous life.
داوِheal السَّقامَthe sickness فقدfor indeed تفاقَمَit worsened وانثنىand recoiled
داوِ السَّقامَ فقد تفاقَمَ وانثنى
طِبُّthe healing art الأُلىof those who سبقوكpreceded you عنهfrom it سقيماailing
طِبُّ الأُلى سبقوك عنه سقيما
Heal the sickness, for it has worsened, while the healing art
Heal the malady, for it has exacerbated and twisted,
of those before you has recoiled from it, itself ailing.
The medicine of the predecessors has failed and become unwell.
هاتيكthat over there مدرسةُthe school of الحياةِlife تقدّمتْstepped forward
هاتيك مدرسةُ الحياةِ تقدّمتْ
تَلْقَىto meet أجلَّthe foremost شُيوخِهاof its masters تعليماin teaching
تَلْقَى أجلَّ شُيوخِها تعليما
There is the school of life, stepping forward
To meet the greatest of its elders with education.
to meet the foremost of its masters in teaching.
What knowledge and guidance have you brought
ماذاwhat حملتَyou brought منof المعارفِknowledge والنُّهىand reason
ماذا حملتَ من المعارفِ والنُّهى
لمّاwhen حملتَyou bore كتابَهاits book المرقوماinscribed
لمّا حملتَ كتابَها المرقوما
What knowledge and wisdom you brought
When you carried its inscribed book?
when you bore its inscribed book!
The science of civilization was hidden before you
عِلمُknowledge of الحضارةِcivilization كانwas قبلكbefore you خافياًhidden
عِلمُ الحضارةِ كان قبلك خافياً
فأتيتَso you came تُظهِرُrevealing سِرَّهُits secret المكتوماconcealed
فأتيتَ تُظهِرُ سِرَّهُ المكتوما
The knowledge of civilization was hidden before you,
Then you came to reveal its concealed secret.
and you came to reveal its concealed secret.
Indeed, the preachers did not know its path
والحقُّand truth ماnot عَرفَknew الدُّعاةُthe preachers سبيلَهُits path
والحقُّ ما عَرفَ الدُّعاةُ سبيلَهُ
حتّىuntil أقمتَyou erected بناءهits edifice المهدوماdemolished
حتّى أقمتَ بناءه المهدوما
And truth—the preachers knew not its path
Until you established its demolished structure.
until you raised its demolished edifice.
Convey the message of the One who made you a guide,
بَلِّغconvey رسالةَthe message منof Him who أقامكappointed you هادياًas a guide
بَلِّغ رسالةَ من أقامك هادياً
وحَباكَand bestowed on you فضلاًgrace منfrom لَدُنْهُHis presence عظيماgreat
وحَباكَ فضلاً من لَدُنْهُ عظيما
Convey the message of Him who appointed you a guide
And granted you abundant grace from His side.
and bestowed upon you great grace from His presence.
Those who rejected Him took partners
ضلّwent astray الأُلىَthose who جَحَدوهdenied Him واتّخذواand assigned لهto Him
ضلّ الأُلىَ جَحَدوه واتّخذوا له
شُركاءَpartners منfrom أربابهمtheir lords وخُصوماand rivals
شُركاءَ من أربابهم وخُصوما
Those who denied Him went astray and assigned Him
With their lords as adversaries.
partners and rivals from among their lords.
What are these lords? Their worshippers
ماwhat هذهthese الأربابُlords ماwhat لِعبادهاis with their worshippers
ما هذه الأربابُ ما لِعبادها
جَهلوهthey did not recognize Him ربّاًas a Lord واحداًone قَيُّوماall-sustaining
جَهلوه ربّاً واحداً قَيُّوما
What are these lords? What ails their worshippers?
Are ignorant of the One God, eternal and everlasting.
They knew Him not as the one, all-sustaining Lord.
The trusted, truthful guide has come, so one who
جاءcame الأمينthe trustworthy one الصّادقُthe truthful الهاديthe guide فمنso whoever
جاء الأمين الصّادقُ الهادي فمن
يَكفُرdisbelieves بدينِin the religion of اللهِGod كانwas ظَلوماgravely unjust
يَكفُر بدينِ اللهِ كان ظَلوما
The trustworthy, truthful guide came; whoever
Disbelieves in God's religion has been unjust.
rejects God's faith is grievously unjust.
The hearts of the polytheists trembled at a call
رَجَفتْtrembled قُلوبُthe hearts المُشرِكينَof the polytheists لِدعوةٍat a call
رَجَفتْ قُلوبُ المُشرِكينَ لِدعوةٍ
طَفِقَتْbegan تُردِّدُto reverberate فيthrough البِطاحِthe broad valleys هزيماwith a thunderous rumble
طَفِقَتْ تُردِّدُ في البِطاحِ هزيما
The polytheists' hearts trembled at a call
That began to echo defeat in the lowlands.
that began to echo thunderously through the broad valleys.
They said, "Does Muhammad hope to misguide
قالواthey said أيَطمعُdoes he hope أنto يُضِلَّlead astray مُحمَّدٌMuhammad
قالوا أيَطمعُ أن يُضِلَّ مُحمَّدٌ
منّاamong us عُقولاًminds رُجَّحاًweighty وحُلوماand sound judgments
منّا عُقولاً رُجَّحاً وحُلوما
They said, 'Does Muhammad hope to lead astray
Our sound minds and good judgements?"
our weighty minds and sober judgments?
"Shall we dishonor and debase
أَنُعِزُّهshall we exalt him ونُذِلُّand abase منamong أصنامناour idols
أَنُعِزُّه ونُذِلُّ من أصنامنا
ماwhat عَظَّمَrevered السَّلَفُthe forebears الأعزُّmost honored قديماlong ago
ما عَظَّمَ السَّلَفُ الأعزُّ قديما
Shall we exalt him and abase, among our idols,
What our glorious ancestors honored long ago?"
what our most honored forebears revered of old?
"We disdain to have our religion changed
إنّاindeed we لَنَأْنَفُwe surely disdain أنthat يُغيِّرَshould change دِينَناour religion
إنّا لَنَأْنَفُ أن يُغيِّرَ دِينَنا
رجلٌa man قليلُof little المالِwealth شبَّgrew up يتيماan orphan
رجلٌ قليلُ المالِ شبَّ يتيما
We surely disdain that our religion should be changed
By a man of little wealth who grew up an orphan."
by a man of little wealth who grew up an orphan.
"If the weak souls follow his path
إنif يَتبعِfollow النَّفَرُthe few men الضِّعافُweak سبيلَهhis path
إن يَتبعِ النَّفَرُ الضِّعافُ سبيلَه
فَلَنحنُthen indeed we أمنعُmore impregnable بَيْضةًin domain وحريماand sanctuary
فَلَنحنُ أمنعُ بَيْضةً وحريما
If the weak few follow his path,
Then we are the strongest fortress and sanctuary."
then we are more impregnable in domain and sanctuary.
"When a builder relies on men, he appoints
إنّindeed المُطاوِلَone vying for stature بالرجالthrough men إذاwhen بَنَىhe builds
إنّ المُطاوِلَ بالرجال إذا بَنَى
جَعَلhe makes الدعائِمَthe pillars سادةًlords وقُروماand chieftains
جَعَل الدعائِمَ سادةً وقُروما
Whoever vies for stature through men, when he builds,
The pillars as chiefs and dignitaries."
makes lords and chieftains his pillars.'
They antagonized him but he became even stronger,
هُمْthey شاغبوهharassed him فكانso he was أعظمَgreater قُوّةًin strength
هُمْ شاغبوه فكان أعظمَ قُوّةً
وأعزَّand higher مَنْزِلةًin rank وأشرفَand nobler خِيماin character
وأعزَّ مَنْزِلةً وأشرفَ خِيما
They harassed him, yet he was greater in strength,
More honored, and nobler, with the highest abode.
higher in rank and nobler in character.
They found him gentle, forgiving the sinner's trespass,
وَجَدُوهthey found him سَمْحاًgracious لاnot يَضيقُlosing patience بِمُذنِبٍwith a sinner
وَجَدُوه سَمْحاً لا يَضيقُ بِمُذنِبٍ
وَرَأَوْهand saw him موفورَabundant in الأناةِpatience حليماforbearing
وَرَأَوْه موفورَ الأناةِ حليما
They found him gracious, never impatient with a sinner,
And saw him as most clement and forbearing.
and saw him abundant in patience, forbearing.
He prays for them, "My Lord, guide my people for they
يدعوhe prays لهمfor them رَبِّmy Lord اهْدِguide قوميmy people إنّهمindeed they
يدعو لهم رَبِّ اهْدِ قومي إنّهم
لاnot يَعلمونَknow وكُنتَand You have been أنتَYou عَليماall-knowing
لا يَعلمونَ وكُنتَ أنتَ عَليما
He prayed for them: 'My Lord, guide my people; they
Do not know," and You have been All-Knowing.
do not know, while You have ever been all-knowing.
Had You willed, they would not have ignored the path or accepted
لوhad شِئْتَYou willed ماnot جَهِلواthey were ignorant of السَّبيلَthe path ولاand not رَضُواthey accepted
لو شِئْتَ ما جَهِلوا السَّبيلَ ولا رَضُوا
دِيناًa religion منof النَّمطthe kind الغبيِّfoolish ذميماreprehensible
دِيناً من النَّمط الغبيِّ ذميما
Had You willed, they would not have been ignorant of the path, nor accepted
A despicable, reprehensible religion.
a vile religion of the foolish sort.
"I am Your messenger. I will not stop striving against them
إنّيindeed I رَسُولُكYour messenger لَنْnever أَمَلَّshall I tire of جِهادَهمstriving against them
إنّي رَسُولُك لَنْ أَمَلَّ جِهادَهم
أوuntil يَعبدوكَthey worship You ولنand never أكونَshall I be سَؤوماweary
أو يَعبدوكَ ولن أكونَ سَؤوما
I am Your messenger; I shall not tire of striving against them
Until they relent or I become perished."
until they worship You, nor shall I grow weary.
"O my people! Consider what you worship
ياO قومُmy people ماذاwhat تَعبُدونdo you worship تأمَّلُواreflect
يا قومُ ماذا تَعبُدون تأمَّلُوا
مِنfrom قبلِbefore أنthat تَرَوُاyou see الْعَذابَthe torment أليماpainful
مِن قبلِ أن تَرَوُا الْعَذابَ أليما
My people, what do you worship? Reflect,
Before you see the painful torment."
before you see the torment, painful indeed.
"Is the religion of idols, which is a sin of yours,
دينُthe religion الحجارةِof stones وهوand it is منamong آثامكمyour sins
دينُ الحجارةِ وهو من آثامكم
خيرٌbetter لكمfor you أمor دينُthe religion إبراهيماof Abraham
خيرٌ لكم أم دينُ إبراهيما
Is the religion of stones, one of your sins,
Better for you than the religion of Abraham?"
better for you, or the religion of Abraham?
"I have been sent with the upright way of Islam
أُرسِلتُI was sent بالإسلامwith Islam ديناًas a religion قيّماًupright
أُرسِلتُ بالإسلام ديناً قيّماً
وبُعِثْتُand I was sent خيراًas a blessing للشُّعوبِfor the peoples عميماuniversal
وبُعِثْتُ خيراً للشُّعوبِ عميما
I was sent with Islam, an upright faith,
And dispatched for the good of all people universally."
and commissioned as a blessing encompassing all peoples.
Unbelief and vile corruption have both Made life a hellfire on the souls.
الكُفرُdisbelief والبَغيُand oppression الذّميمُvile كلاهماboth of them
الكُفرُ والبَغيُ الذّميمُ كلاهما
جَعَلاthey both made الحياةَlife علىfor النُّفوسِsouls جَحيماa hell
جَعَلا الحياةَ على النُّفوسِ جَحيما
Disbelief and vile oppression, both
So I will surely cleanse the land of its filth
made life a hell for souls.
And demolish its accumulated darkness.
فَلأغْسِلَنَّso I shall surely wash الأرضَthe earth منof أرجاسهاits filth
فَلأغْسِلَنَّ الأرضَ من أرجاسها
وَلأصْدَعَنَّand I shall surely cleave ظلامَهاits darkness المركوماpiled up
وَلأصْدَعَنَّ ظلامَها المركوما
I shall surely wash the earth of its filth,
They sent his uncle to him, hoping to extinguish
and surely cleave its piled-up darkness.'
His ambition with disappointment and deprivation.
بَعثواthey sent إليهto him مِنout of المخافةِfear عَمَّهُhis uncle
بَعثوا إليه مِن المخافةِ عَمَّهُ
يُزْجِيproffering الرّجاءَentreaties مُخيَّباًdisappointed محروماdenied
يُزْجِي الرّجاءَ مُخيَّباً محروما
In fear, they sent his uncle to him,
They alleged he was aflame with desire
to offer entreaties, only to be disappointed and denied.
For the life of deviance and its poisoned chalice.
زعموهthey supposed him حرّانَparched الجوانحِat heart يَبتغيseeking
زعموه حرّانَ الجوانحِ يَبتغي
دُنياthe worldly life الغواةِof the wayward وَوِرْدَهَاand its draught المسموماpoisoned
دُنيا الغواةِ وَوِرْدَهَا المسموما
They thought him parched at heart, seeking
He said, "Calm yourself, uncle. Beyond them is
the wayward's worldly life and its poisoned draught.
A predicament too heavy for souls."
قالَhe said اتَّئِدْbe patient ياO عَمِّmy uncle إنّindeed وراءَهمbeyond them
قالَ اتَّئِدْ يا عَمِّ إنّ وراءَهم
خَطْباًan ordeal يَشُقّweighing heavily علىupon النُّفوسِsouls جَسيماimmense
خَطْباً يَشُقّ على النُّفوسِ جَسيما
He said, 'Be patient, uncle; beyond them lies
"Even if they put fires before me, I would only
a mighty ordeal that weighs heavily on souls.
Increase in firmness and determination."
النيّرانِthe two luminaries لَوَif اَنَّهمthat they جعلوهماplaced them both
النيّرانِ لَوَ اَنَّهم جعلوهما
بِيَدَيَّin my two hands زِدتُI grew صَرامةًin firmness وعَزيماand resolve
بِيَدَيَّ زِدتُ صَرامةً وعَزيما
The two luminaries—if they placed them
"By God, they will find no compromise in me
in my two hands, I would grow in firmness and resolve.
Until they relent or I become ruined."
واللهِby God لنnot يَجِدواthey will find لديَّwith me هَوادةًleniency
واللهِ لن يَجِدوا لديَّ هَوادةً
حتّىuntil يَفيئواthey return أوor أكونَI become رميماdecayed remains
حتّى يَفيئوا أو أكونَ رميما
By God, they shall find no leniency in me
They recognized him and so set out to harm him
until they turn back, or I crumble into dust.'
And conspired against him, ominous and ill-omened.
عَرفوهthey knew him فاتّخذواso they took السّبيلَthe path إلىto الأذىharm
عَرفوه فاتّخذوا السّبيلَ إلى الأذى
وَتَعاوَروهand assailed him in turn مُذمَّماًblameworthy مشئُوماill-omened
وَتَعاوَروه مُذمَّماً مشئُوما
They knew him, then took the path of harm,
They banded together, justifying killing him,
and took turns assailing him as blameworthy and ill-omened.
A killing they saw as a destined decree.
وتَألّبواand banded together يتعلّلونconsoling themselves بِقتلهِwith killing him
وتَألّبوا يتعلّلون بِقتلهِ
قتلاًa killing يَرَوْنَthey considered قضاءَهits decree محتوماinevitable
قتلاً يَرَوْنَ قضاءَه محتوما
They banded together, consoling themselves with the thought of killing him,
Oh what misery their misguided view brought!
a killing whose decree they considered inevitable.
They sought blood that was divinely protected.
ياO بُؤسَmisery للرأيfor the judgment المُضلَّلِmisguided إنّهمindeed they
يا بُؤسَ للرأي المُضلَّلِ إنّهم
طلبواthey sought دماًblood مِنfrom كَيْدِهمtheir plotting معصوماprotected
طلبوا دماً مِن كَيْدِهم معصوما
Alas for misguided judgment! They
They blamed him and turned to their devil,
sought blood shielded from their plotting.
Who passed judgement for them, rejected and outcast.
لاموهthey blamed him وانقلبواand returned إلىto شيطانهمtheir devil
لاموه وانقلبوا إلى شيطانهم
فقضىso he pronounced القضاءَthe judgment لهمfor them وكانand he was رجيماaccursed
فقضى القضاءَ لهم وكان رجيما
They blamed him and returned to their devil,
Would one who detests misguidance for his people
who pronounced judgment for them, accursed as he was.
And is loyal to the Lord of all worlds be blamed?
أيكونcan be مَنْone who كَرِهَhated الضّلالَerror لقومِهfor his people
أيكون مَنْ كَرِهَ الضّلالَ لقومِه
وَوَفىَand was faithful لِربِّto the Lord العالمينof the worlds مَلوماblamed
وَوَفىَ لِربِّ العالمين مَلوما
Can one who hated error for his people
God supported him and aided him,
and was faithful to the Lord of the worlds be blamed?
So he was saved and their multitude defeated.
اللهُGod أَيَّدهُstrengthened him وقامَand undertook بنصرِهhis aid
اللهُ أَيَّدهُ وقامَ بنصرِه
فنجاso he escaped وأدبرَand turned away جمعُهمtheir host مهزوماdefeated
فنجا وأدبرَ جمعُهم مهزوما
God strengthened him and came to his aid,
Blessed are you, as a loyal companion to him,
so he escaped, and their host turned away defeated.
And blessed are you, sincere intimate friend.
بُوركتَblessed are you منas وافٍa faithful man يُصاحبهaccompanied by أخٌa brother
بُوركتَ من وافٍ يُصاحبه أخٌ
صافٍpure-hearted وبُورِكَand blessed is he صاحباًas a companion وحميماand dear friend
صافٍ وبُورِكَ صاحباً وحميما
Blessed are you, a faithful man accompanied by a brother
The lifeblood and God protected his life,
pure-hearted; blessed too is he as companion and dear friend.
And the hoped-for peace of souls went safely.
مَحْيَاthe life النُّفوسِof souls وَقَىprotected الإلهُGod حَيَاتَهُhis life
مَحْيَا النُّفوسِ وَقَى الإلهُ حَيَاتَهُ
وسلامُهاand their peace المأمولُhoped-for راحwent forth سليماunharmed
وسلامُها المأمولُ راح سليما
The life of souls—God preserved his life,
He who left the homes in migration,
and their hoped-for peace went forth unharmed.
Filled souls with anxieties and worries.
إنّindeed الذيhe who أخلىَleft empty الديارَthe dwellings مُهاجِراًas an emigrant
إنّ الذي أخلىَ الديارَ مُهاجِراً
مَلأَfilled النفوسَsouls وَساوساًwith misgivings وهُموماand cares
مَلأَ النفوسَ وَساوساً وهُموما
He who left the dwellings empty as an emigrant
They dispatched tongues and swords after him,
filled souls with misgivings and cares.
But he returned them flowing with blood and wounds.
بعثواthey sent الأسنّةَspearheads والسُّيوفَand swords وَراءَهُafter him
بعثوا الأسنّةَ والسُّيوفَ وَراءَهُ
فأعادهاso he sent them back تجريstreaming دماًwith blood وكُلوماand wounds
فأعادها تجري دماً وكُلوما
They sent spearheads and swords after him,
They came back disappointed, melting their assumptions,
but he sent them back streaming with blood and wounds.
Melting thereby the souls and bodies of them.
رجعتthey returned مُخيَّبةًthwarted تُذِيبُdissolving ظُنونَهمtheir expectations
رجعت مُخيَّبةً تُذِيبُ ظُنونَهم
فَتُذِيبُand so dissolving أرواحاًsouls لهمof theirs وجُسوماand bodies
فَتُذِيبُ أرواحاً لهم وجُسوما
They returned thwarted, dissolving their expectations,
What does the corruptor think of the reformer
and so dissolving their souls and bodies.
Who builds and destroys, assailing and fixing?
ماذاwhat يظنُّthink المُفسِدُونَthe corrupters بِمُصلِحٍof a reformer
ماذا يظنُّ المُفسِدُونَ بِمُصلِحٍ
يبنيhe builds ويهدمand demolishes ظاعناًwhile traveling ومُقيماand while staying
يبني ويهدم ظاعناً ومُقيما
What do the corrupters think of a reformer
The traveling star in its horizons
who builds and demolishes, traveling or staying?
Filled the lands with crescents and stars.
الكوكبُthe star السّيارُwandering فيin آفاقهِits horizons
الكوكبُ السّيارُ في آفاقهِ
ملأfilled البلادَthe lands أهِلَّةًwith crescents ونُجوماand stars
ملأ البلادَ أهِلَّةً ونُجوما
The wandering star, in its horizons,
The supporters of God's religion around their prophet
filled the lands with crescents and stars.
Joined the tied rope in Medina sincerely.
أنصارُchampions دينِof the faith اللهof God حولaround نَبيِّهِHis prophet
أنصارُ دينِ الله حول نَبيِّهِ
وصلواthey rejoined بيَثربَin Yathrib حَبْلَهُhis cord المصروماsevered
وصلوا بيَثربَ حَبْلَهُ المصروما
The champions of God's faith, around His prophet,
Whether Khazrajite glory or Ausite nobility
rejoined his severed cord in Yathrib.
They were sublime branches and lofty heights.
منfrom خزرجيِّa Khazraji of المجدِglory أوor أَوْسِيِّهِits Awsi
من خزرجيِّ المجدِ أو أَوْسِيِّهِ
طابواthey were noble فروعاًin branches فيin العُلاَglory وأُروماand roots
طابوا فروعاً في العُلاَ وأُروما
whether of glory's Khazraj or its Aws,
Love the newcomer who is peerless
were noble in glory, in both branches and roots.
In those arriving as guests and settling.
أَحْبِبْhow beloved بهhe is منas قادمٍa newcomer ماnot مِثْلُهُhis equal
أَحْبِبْ به من قادمٍ ما مِثْلُهُ
فيamong النّازلينَthose who alight وفادةًin visitation وقُدوماand arrival
في النّازلينَ وفادةً وقُدوما
How beloved a newcomer he is! None equals him
O opener of the world and grantor to its people,
among those who alight, in visitation and arrival.
No wished-for matter was difficult or denied.
ياO فاتحَconqueror of الدُّنياthe world ومانحَand giver to أَهْلِهاits people
يا فاتحَ الدُّنيا ومانحَ أَهْلِها
ماwhat عَزَّwas precious مَرْجُوّاًhoped for وجَلَّand was lofty مَروماsought
ما عَزَّ مَرْجُوّاً وجَلَّ مَروما
O conqueror of the world, bestower upon its people
You saved this land from its sorrows,
of what is precious to hope for and lofty to seek,
And healed this distressed world.
أنقذتَyou rescued هذيthis الأرضَearth منfrom آلامِهاits pains
أنقذتَ هذي الأرضَ من آلامِها
وشفيتَand you healed هذاthis العالمَworld المحموماfevered
وشفيتَ هذا العالمَ المحموما
you rescued this earth from its pains
With the lucid cures against blindness,
and healed this fevered world
So darkness cannot prevail or clouds can surge.
بالسّاطعاتِwith the radiant ones الشّافِياتِhealing منof العَمَىblindness
بالسّاطعاتِ الشّافِياتِ من العَمَى
يَطْغَىoverflowing غَياهِبَas dark depths أوor يموجُbillowing غُيوماas clouds
يَطْغَى غَياهِبَ أو يموجُ غُيوما
with radiant revelations that cure the blindness
God sent them to you asarmor,
that overflows in dark depths or billows as clouds.
Beacons of guidance and traditions emerged.
اللهُGod أنزلهاsent them down عليكَupon you دَرَارياًas brilliant stars
اللهُ أنزلها عليكَ دَرَارياً
طَلعتْthey rose مَعالِمَas landmarks للهُدَىfor guidance ورُسوماand signs
طَلعتْ مَعالِمَ للهُدَى ورُسوما
God sent them down upon you as brilliant stars,
You were given the Criterion, a canon of wisdom,
rising as landmarks and signs of guidance.
Which you continued to impart to fervent souls.
أوتيتَyou were given بالفرقانِthrough the Criterion مَشرعَa watering-place of حكمةٍwisdom
أوتيتَ بالفرقانِ مَشرعَ حكمةٍ
ماnot زِلْتَhave you ceased تُورِدُهbringing to it النُّفوسَthe souls الهيماthirsting
ما زِلْتَ تُورِدُه النُّفوسَ الهيما
Through the Criterion you were given a watering-place of wisdom,
The wisdoms of the age have deviated,
to which you have never ceased bringing thirsting souls.
And its sages missed the paths of integrity, yet it remains wise.
خَرِفَgrew senile الزّمانُtime وأخطأتْand missed حُكماؤُهits sages
خَرِفَ الزّمانُ وأخطأتْ حُكماؤُه
سُبُلَthe paths of السَّدادِsound judgment وماand not يزالُceases to be حكيماwise
سُبُلَ السَّدادِ وما يزالُ حكيما
Time has grown senile, and its sages have missed
Without its eloquence and excellence of composition,
the paths of sound judgment, yet it remains wise.
Men would be ignorant of the composed pearl.
لولاwere it not for بلاغتُهits eloquence وروعةُand the splendor of نظمهِits composition
لولا بلاغتُه وروعةُ نظمهِ
جَهِلَwould not have known الرجالُmen اللّؤلؤَthe pearls المنظوماstrung together
جَهِلَ الرجالُ اللّؤلؤَ المنظوما
Were it not for its eloquence and the splendor of its composition,
A treasure of rhetoric - so whoever seeks wealth,
men would not have known the strung pearls,
If he seeks other than it, lives deprived.
كَنْزَthe treasure البيانِof eloquence فمنso whoever تَطَلَّبَseeks لِلغنَىfor wealth
كَنْزَ البيانِ فمن تَطَلَّبَ لِلغنَى
كنزاًa treasure سواهother than it قَضَىspent الحياةَlife عديماdestitute
كنزاً سواه قَضَى الحياةَ عديما
the treasure of eloquence; whoever seeks for wealth
The sciences of time branch out from it,
a treasure other than it spends his life destitute.
And tomorrow even more of the reserved will pour forth.
فَضَّتْunsealed عُلومُthe sciences الدَّهرِof the ages منهof it جانباًa part
فَضَّتْ عُلومُ الدَّهرِ منه جانباً
وغداًand tomorrow تَفُضُّwill unseal الجانبَthe part المختوماsealed
وغداً تَفُضُّ الجانبَ المختوما
The sciences of the ages have unsealed one part of it,
Ever renewing in every age, seeking
and tomorrow will unseal the part still sealed.
New nations coming with insights and knowledge.
مُتجدِّدٌrenewed فيin كلّevery عصرٍage يَبتغيseeking
مُتجدِّدٌ في كلّ عصرٍ يَبتغي
أُمَماًnations تَجِيءُthat come جديدةًnew وعُلوماand sciences
أُمَماً تَجِيءُ جديدةً وعُلوما
Renewed in every age, it seeks
A constitution of truth in Muhammad's right hand,
new nations yet to come, and sciences.
Protecting the weak and aiding the oppressed.
دُستورُa charter حقٍّof truth فيin يمينِthe right hand of مُحمّدٍMuhammad
دُستورُ حقٍّ في يمينِ مُحمّدٍ
يحميprotects الضَّعيفَthe weak ويَنصرُand helps المظلوماthe oppressed
يحمي الضَّعيفَ ويَنصرُ المظلوما
A charter of truth in Muhammad's right hand,
The exalted Master cajoles His servant through it,
protecting the weak and helping the oppressed.
And the ruled ruler fears it.
يَتملّقُflatters المولىthe master المعظَّمexalted عَبْدَهُhis slave
يَتملّقُ المولى المعظَّم عَبْدَهُ
فيهِwithin it ويَخْشَىand fears الحاكمُthe ruler المحكوماthe ruled
فيهِ ويَخْشَى الحاكمُ المحكوما
The exalted master flatters his slave
It divided life among souls, even if one who
within it, and the ruler fears the ruled.
Does not wish for his allotted share refuses.
قَسَمَapportioned الحياةَlife علىamong النّفوسِsouls وإنand even if أَبَىhe refuses
قَسَمَ الحياةَ على النّفوسِ وإن أَبَى
منone who لاnot يُريدُwants نصيبَهُhis share المقسوماallotted
من لا يُريدُ نصيبَهُ المقسوما
It apportioned life among souls, even if one refuses—
God did not create the strong in his dominion
one who does not want his allotted share.
To be vicious in temperament and tyrannical.
لمdid not يَخلقِcreate اللهُGod القويَّthe powerful man بِمُلكهِwith his dominion
لم يَخلقِ اللهُ القويَّ بِمُلكهِ
لِيكونَto be وَحشيَّsavage in الطّباعِnature غَشوماruthlessly unjust
لِيكونَ وَحشيَّ الطّباعِ غَشوما
God did not create the powerful man, with his dominion,
The earth was not spread out to cover up its Lord,
to be savage in nature and ruthlessly unjust.
And extend the injustice of servants eternally.
والأرضُand the earth ماnot بُسِطَتْwas spread out لِتجْحَدَto deny رَبَّهاits Lord
والأرضُ ما بُسِطَتْ لِتجْحَدَ رَبَّها
وتَمُدَّand stretch out منfrom ظُلْمِthe oppression of العبادِhumankind أديمِاa skin
وتَمُدَّ من ظُلْمِ العبادِ أديمِا
Nor was the earth spread out to deny its Lord
O birth of the Chosen One, you have revived it -
and stretch a skin made from the oppression of humankind.
A memory debating my repressed tears.
ياO مولدَbirth of المختارِthe Chosen One أنتyou بَعَثْتَهاhave stirred it
يا مولدَ المختارِ أنت بَعَثْتَها
ذِكرىa remembrance تُساجِلُvying with دمعيَmy tears المسجوماpouring
ذِكرى تُساجِلُ دمعيَ المسجوما
O birth of the Chosen One, you have stirred it:
I weep for Islam as its glory fades
a remembrance vying with my pouring tears.
And it remains folded in, diminished.
أبكيI weep علىfor الإسلامِIslam يذهبُfades عِزُّهits glory
أبكي على الإسلامِ يذهبُ عِزُّه
ويَبيتُand spends the night مطويَّfolded الجَناحِthe wing مَضيماoppressed
ويَبيتُ مطويَّ الجَناحِ مَضيما
I weep for Islam as its glory fades,
The nations of earth arose raising their glories
and it spends the night, its wing folded, oppressed.
While I see the Muslim nations sitting submissively.
نهضتrose شُعوبُthe peoples الأرضof the earth ترفعraising مجدهاtheir glory
نهضت شُعوبُ الأرض ترفع مجدها
وأرىand I see شُعوبَthe peoples المسلمينof Muslims جُثوماcrouched
وأرى شُعوبَ المسلمين جُثوما
The peoples of the earth have risen, raising their glory,
They clung to the edges of their homes, and their conquerors
while I see the Muslim peoples crouched.
Will not accept anything but celestial spheres as their frontiers.
لزمواthey kept to تُخُومَthe boundaries of بُيوتِهمtheir homes وغُزاتُهمand their invaders
لزموا تُخُومَ بُيوتِهم وغُزاتُهم
لاnot يرتضونaccept سِوَىanything but النُّجومِthe stars تُخُوماas boundaries
لا يرتضون سِوَى النُّجومِ تُخُوما
They keep to the boundaries of their homes, while their invaders
A people who have taken each place
accept no boundaries but the stars.
As a cave covering their slumber and poverty.
قومٌa people همُthey اتّخذواhave taken بكلّin every مَحَلّةٍquarter
قومٌ همُ اتّخذوا بكلّ مَحَلّةٍ
كهفاًa cave يَضُمُّenclosing نيامهمtheir sleepers ورقيماand an inscription
كهفاً يَضُمُّ نيامهم ورقيما
A people who have taken, in every quarter,
Or whenever a Mas'ab pulls the reins in the East,
a cave to enclose their sleepers and an inscription.
His nose is cut off, broken and vanquished.
أَوor كلّماwhenever جذبtugged at المقادةَthe leading rope مُصعَبٌan untamed camel
أَو كلّما جذب المقادةَ مُصعَبٌ
فيin الشّرقthe East غُودِرَwas left أنفُهُits nose مخزوماpierced
في الشّرق غُودِرَ أنفُهُ مخزوما
Or whenever an untamed camel tugs at the leading rope
My God, distance us from ignorance and guide us
in the East, is it left with its nose pierced?
To this known, marked path.
لاهُمَّO God جنّبناkeep us away from المجاهلَtrackless wastes واهْدِناand guide us
لاهُمَّ جنّبنا المجاهلَ واهْدِنا
هذاthis السّبيلَpath المُعلَمَclearly marked الموسوماsignposted
هذا السّبيلَ المُعلَمَ الموسوما
O God, keep us from trackless wastes and guide us
Take charge of us in events, and be with us
along this clearly marked and signposted path.
In adversities when they afflict, Most Merciful.
وتولّناand take us into Your care فيamid الحادثاتِevents وكنand be بناtoward us
وتولّنا في الحادثاتِ وكن بنا
فيin النّائباتِcalamities إذاwhen تنوبُthey strike رحيماmerciful
في النّائباتِ إذا تنوبُ رحيما
Take us into Your care amid events, and be to us,
in calamities, when they strike, merciful.
Partial English translation: 144 of 146 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1