لِمَنِ الجُموعُ كثيرةٌ تَتألّبُ

لِمَنِ الجُموعُ كثيرةٌ تَتألّبُ

مَهْلاً هوازنُ أينَ أينَ المذهبُ

مَهْلاً هوازنُ أينَ أينَ المذهبُ

Against whom are these many hosts conspiring?

For whom do the throngs gather in such numbers?

Halt, Hawazin! Where—where is there any escape?

Slow down, Hawazin! Where, where is the way out?

مَهْلاً ثَقِيفُ رَكِبْتِ من غِيِّ الهَوَى

مَهْلاً ثَقِيفُ رَكِبْتِ من غِيِّ الهَوَى

وَعَمايَةِ الأوهامِ ما لا يُركَبُ

وَعَمايَةِ الأوهامِ ما لا يُركَبُ

Halt, Thaqif! You have mounted passion's error,

Slow down, Thaqif! You have ridden, through desire's folly

and, blinded by delusions, undertaken what must not be undertaken.

and delusion's blindness, a course that none should ride.

مَهْلاً بُغاةَ السُّوءِ ما لِمُحَمّدٍ

مَهْلاً بُغاةَ السُّوءِ ما لِمُحَمّدٍ

كُفْؤٌ ولا مِنه لِباغٍ مَهْرَبُ

كُفْؤٌ ولا مِنه لِباغٍ مَهْرَبُ

Halt, seekers of evil! Muhammad has

Slow down, seekers of evil! Muhammad has

no equal, and no aggressor can escape him.

no equal, nor can a rebel escape him.

قلتم قَضَى حاجاتِهِ وخَلاَ لنا

قلتم قَضَى حاجاتِهِ وخَلاَ لنا

فَبَدَارِ إنّا معشرٌ لا نُغلبُ

فَبَدَارِ إنّا معشرٌ لا نُغلبُ

You said, “He has achieved his aims; the field lies open to us—

You said, “He has fulfilled his needs and is now left to us;

so hasten, for we are a people never defeated.”

so hurry! We are a people who cannot be defeated.”

وَبعثتموها ظالِمينَ تَهزُّكُمْ

وَبعثتموها ظالِمينَ تَهزُّكُمْ

نَشواتُها فَرِدوا الموارِدَ وَاشْرَبُوا

نَشواتُها فَرِدوا الموارِدَ وَاشْرَبُوا

Wrongfully you stirred it up, and now it convulses you

You unleashed it unjustly, while you were shaken

in its drunken fits; reach the watering places, then drink.

by its heady thrills; now reach the watering places and drink.

حَمَلَ ابنُ عوفِ في الكريهَةِ أَمرَكُمْ

حَمَلَ ابنُ عوفِ في الكريهَةِ أَمرَكُمْ

فَانْهَارَ كاهلُهُ وَخَرَّ المَنْكِبُ

فَانْهَارَ كاهلُهُ وَخَرَّ المَنْكِبُ

Ibn Awf bore your cause amid the ordeal,

Ibn Awf took charge of your affairs in battle,

but his back collapsed and his shoulder failed.

then his back gave way and his shoulder fell.

ولقد دهاكمُ من دُرَيْدٍ أنّه

ولقد دهاكمُ من دُرَيْدٍ أنّه

شَيخٌ تُساسُ به الأمورُ مُجرَّبُ

شَيخٌ تُساسُ به الأمورُ مُجرَّبُ

Yet Duraid's warning outwitted you: he is

What beguiled you about Durayd was that he was

an elder by whose seasoned counsel affairs are governed.

a seasoned elder through whom affairs were guided.

فسألتموه الرأيَ يَعصمُ مالكاً

فسألتموه الرأيَ يَعصمُ مالكاً

وَيُرِيهِ ما يأتِي وما يَتَجَنَّبُ

وَيُرِيهِ ما يأتِي وما يَتَجَنَّبُ

You sought his counsel, hoping it might shield Malik

So you asked him for counsel to safeguard Malik

and show him what to undertake and what to avoid.

and show him what to undertake and what to avoid.

هَيهاتَ كلُّ الرأيِ إن غَضِبَ الأُلَى

هَيهاتَ كلُّ الرأيِ إن غَضِبَ الأُلَى

لا يرتضونَ سِوَى الجِهادِ مُخَيَّبُ

لا يرتضونَ سِوَى الجِهادِ مُخَيَّبُ

Far from it! Every counsel is doomed when the foremost men, enraged,

Impossible! All counsel, when those grow angry

will accept nothing but battle.

who accept nothing but battle, is thwarted.

سُوقوا النِّساءَ وَجَنِّدوا أنعامَكم

سُوقوا النِّساءَ وَجَنِّدوا أنعامَكم

وَدَعُوا البَنينَ بكلِّ أرضٍ تَدأبُ

وَدَعُوا البَنينَ بكلِّ أرضٍ تَدأبُ

Drive forth the women and muster your livestock as support;

Drive the women onward, and enlist your livestock,

summon the warriors from every far-flung land.

and leave the sons in every land, toiling on.

وإذا الحديثُ الحقُّ جاءَ كَبِيركُمْ

وإذا الحديثُ الحقُّ جاءَ كَبِيركُمْ

فالزُّورُ أَوْلَى والحماقةُ أوْجَبُ

فالزُّورُ أَوْلَى والحماقةُ أوْجَبُ

And when the truthful report reached your chief,

And when the truthful report reaches your chief,

falsehood came first, and folly became his command.

falsehood is preferable, and folly more binding.

شَتَمَ الأُلَى صدقوه ألا يَدَّعوا

شَتَمَ الأُلَى صدقوه ألا يَدَّعوا

ما لم يَرَوْا شَطَطاً وألا يَكذبوا

ما لم يَرَوْا شَطَطاً وألا يَكذبوا

He reviled those who told him the truth, lest they claim

He reviled those who told him the truth, telling them not to claim

that what they had not seen was excess—or lest they lie.

outrageously what they had not seen, nor to lie.

وَرَمَى بهم في الحبسِ خَوْفَ حَديِثهِم

وَرَمَى بهم في الحبسِ خَوْفَ حَديِثهِم

فالأمرُ فَوضَى والصّوابُ مُغَيَّبُ

فالأمرُ فَوضَى والصّوابُ مُغَيَّبُ

He cast them into prison, fearing what they might say;

And he cast them into prison, fearing their speech;

command fell into chaos, and sound judgment lay concealed.

so affairs are chaos, and sound judgment is suppressed.

اغْضَبْ دُرَيْدُ أوِ ارْضَ لستَ كمالكٍ

اغْضَبْ دُرَيْدُ أوِ ارْضَ لستَ كمالكٍ

في القومِ إذ يَرضَى وإذ يَتَغَضَّبُ

في القومِ إذ يَرضَى وإذ يَتَغَضَّبُ

Be angry, Duraid, or be pleased—you are no Malik

Be angry, Durayd, or be content—you are not like Malik

among the people, whether he is pleased or enraged.

among the people, whether he is content or grows angry.

مَلَكَ القِيادَ فلا مَرَدَّ لأمرِهِ

مَلَكَ القِيادَ فلا مَرَدَّ لأمرِهِ

ولسوفَ يُهلكُ مَن يقودُ وَيَجْنُبُ

ولسوفَ يُهلكُ مَن يقودُ وَيَجْنُبُ

He holds command; his order cannot be reversed,

He holds the reins; his command cannot be overturned,

and soon both leader and led will perish.

and he will surely destroy those he leads and draws alongside.

أَكَذاكَ زَعمُكَ يا ابنَ عَوفٍ إنّها

أَكَذاكَ زَعمُكَ يا ابنَ عَوفٍ إنّها

لكبيرةٌ بل أنتَ وَيْحَكَ تَلعبُ

لكبيرةٌ بل أنتَ وَيْحَكَ تَلعبُ

Is this truly your claim, Ibn Awf? It is

Is that your claim, son of Awf? It is

a monstrous thing—but no, wretch, you are merely jesting.

a grave one—rather, woe to you, you are playing.

أزعمْتَ أنّ مُحمّداً لم يَلْقَهُ

أزعمْتَ أنّ مُحمّداً لم يَلْقَهُ

مِن قبلِ قَومِكَ مَن يُخَافُ ويُرهَبُ

مِن قبلِ قَومِكَ مَن يُخَافُ ويُرهَبُ

Did you suppose Muhammad had never encountered

Did you claim that Muhammad had not encountered,

before your people anyone who fears and is feared?

before your people, anyone feared and dreaded?

وَظَننتَ أنَكَ إن لَقيتَ جُنودَهُ

وَظَننتَ أنَكَ إن لَقيتَ جُنودَهُ

لم تُغْنِ عنه كَتيبَةٌ أو مِقْنَبُ

لم تُغْنِ عنه كَتيبَةٌ أو مِقْنَبُ

And did you think that, should you meet his soldiers,

And did you think that, if you met his troops,

no battalion or cavalry troop would avail him?

no battalion or cavalry troop would avail him?

إنّ الذي حَدَّثتَ قَومَكَ جَاءَهُ

إنّ الذي حَدَّثتَ قَومَكَ جَاءَهُ

فَلَئِنْ عَجِبْتَ لَمَا أَصَابَكَ أَعْجَبُ

فَلَئِنْ عَجِبْتَ لَمَا أَصَابَكَ أَعْجَبُ

What you foretold your people has now befallen them;

Indeed, what you told your people has come to him;

surely you marveled at what befell you—more astonishing indeed.

and if you marveled, what befell you is stranger still.

هُوَ مُلتقَى الجيشَيْنِ فَانْظُرْ هل تَرَى

هُوَ مُلتقَى الجيشَيْنِ فَانْظُرْ هل تَرَى

قَوماً تَظَلُّ عُيُونُهُم تَتلهَّبُ

قَوماً تَظَلُّ عُيُونُهُم تَتلهَّبُ

Make light of the two armies' meeting—then look: do you see

Here is the meeting of the two armies; look—do you see

men whose eyes continue to blaze?

a people whose eyes keep blazing?

وَلِع الرُّماةُ بهم فِتلكَ سِهامُهُم

وَلِع الرُّماةُ بهم فِتلكَ سِهامُهُم

مِلءَ القسيِّ إلى النُّحورِ تُصَوَّبُ

مِلءَ القسيِّ إلى النُّحورِ تُصَوَّبُ

The archers pressed in among them—their arrows

The archers were intent on them; there are their arrows,

filling the bows, aimed straight at throats.

drawn full in their bows, aimed at throats.

غَفلتْ مَواقِعُها عَنِ الدّمِ إذ جَرَى

غَفلتْ مَواقِعُها عَنِ الدّمِ إذ جَرَى

فكأنّها بِدَمِ الرُّماةِ تُخَضَّبُ

فكأنّها بِدَمِ الرُّماةِ تُخَضَّبُ

The places they struck had known nothing of blood until it flowed;

The places they struck were heedless of the blood as it flowed,

then they seemed dyed in the archers' blood.

as though they were stained with the archers' blood.

كَرِهُوا السُّيوفَ ولِلوَغَى أبطالُها

كَرِهُوا السُّيوفَ ولِلوَغَى أبطالُها

تُدْعَى فَتَستَلُّ السُّيوفَ وتَضْرِبُ

تُدْعَى فَتَستَلُّ السُّيوفَ وتَضْرِبُ

They recoiled from swords—but the battle-din has its champions;

They disliked swords; yet battle's heroes

it calls, and swords are drawn and strike.

are summoned, then draw their swords and strike.

حِيدُوا جُنودَ اللّهِ ثمّ تَقَدَّمُوا

حِيدُوا جُنودَ اللّهِ ثمّ تَقَدَّمُوا

فالحربُ في أطوارِهَا تَتقلَّبُ

فالحربُ في أطوارِهَا تَتقلَّبُ

Turn aside the armies of God—then advance!

Veer aside, soldiers of God, then advance;

For war keeps changing through its many phases.

for war changes through its phases.

آناً تَرُدُّ عنِ الفَرِيسةِ نَابَها

آناً تَرُدُّ عنِ الفَرِيسةِ نَابَها

تَبغِي مَقاتِلَها وآناً تَنْشَبُ

تَبغِي مَقاتِلَها وآناً تَنْشَبُ

At one time it draws its fang back from the prey,

At times she draws her fang back from the prey,

seeking its mortal spot; at another it sinks the fang in.

seeking its vital spots; at times she sinks it in.

تُزْجِي رَواعِدُها البروقَ فصادقٌ

تُزْجِي رَواعِدُها البروقَ فصادقٌ

يَنْهَلُّ صَيِّبُهُ وآخرُ خُلَّبُ

يَنْهَلُّ صَيِّبُهُ وآخرُ خُلَّبُ

Its lightning drives on its thunderheads—one is true,

Her thunderclaps drive lightning flashes—one true,

pouring down its shower, while another is a rainless fraud.

its rain pouring down, and another rainless.

غَرَّارةٌ يَشْقَى الغَبِيُّ بِكَيْدِها

غَرَّارةٌ يَشْقَى الغَبِيُّ بِكَيْدِها

إنْ بانَ من غَيْبِ الأمورِ مُحَجَّبُ

إنْ بانَ من غَيْبِ الأمورِ مُحَجَّبُ

Deceptive war: the fool is ruined by its stratagem

Deceptive, she makes the fool suffer through her guile

when a veiled matter emerges from the unseen course of events.

when some veiled thing emerges from the unseen course of events.

تُبدِي من الحاجاتِ ما لا تَبتَغِي

تُبدِي من الحاجاتِ ما لا تَبتَغِي

حَذَراً وتَكتُمُ ما تُريدُ وتَطلُبُ

حَذَراً وتَكتُمُ ما تُريدُ وتَطلُبُ

It displays aims that it does not seek,

She displays aims she does not seek,

warily concealing what it truly intends and pursues.

out of caution, and conceals what she wants and pursues.

عِلمٌ تَوَارَثَهُ الثِّقاتُ وَزَادَهُ

عِلمٌ تَوَارَثَهُ الثِّقاتُ وَزَادَهُ

شَيْخُ الوغَى وأبو الثقاتِ المُنجِبُ

شَيْخُ الوغَى وأبو الثقاتِ المُنجِبُ

This is knowledge inherited by trustworthy men and increased by

Knowledge passed down by trustworthy men, and enriched by

the veteran of battle, noble sire of the trustworthy.

the veteran of battle, the noble father of the trustworthy.

حَمِيَ الوطيسُ أجلْ تَبَاركَ ربُّنا

حَمِيَ الوطيسُ أجلْ تَبَاركَ ربُّنا

فَافْزَعْ إليهِ هو الغياثُ الأقربُ

فَافْزَعْ إليهِ هو الغياثُ الأقربُ

The furnace of battle blazed—yes, blessed be our Lord!

The furnace of battle grew hot—yes, blessed is our Lord!

So seek refuge in Him: He is the nearest deliverer.

So seek refuge in Him; He is the nearest help.

هَذِي كَتائِبُهُ عَلَيكَ تَنَزَّلَتْ

هَذِي كَتائِبُهُ عَلَيكَ تَنَزَّلَتْ

وَمَضتْ إلى أعدائِهِ تتوثَّبُ

وَمَضتْ إلى أعدائِهِ تتوثَّبُ

These are His battalions; upon you they descended,

These are His battalions, descended upon you,

then swept toward His enemies, springing to attack.

advancing against His enemies, leaping forward.

بَصُرُوا بها فتزايلت أوصالُهُم

بَصُرُوا بها فتزايلت أوصالُهُم

رُعْباً وضَاقَ سَبيلُهُم والمَذهَبُ

رُعْباً وضَاقَ سَبيلُهُم والمَذهَبُ

They caught sight of them, and their limbs came apart;

They caught sight of them, and their limbs came apart

in terror both narrow path and broad road closed upon them.

in terror; their path and escape route narrowed.

هُمْ في حُنَيْنٍ يا مُحَمَّدُ مِثلُهُم

هُمْ في حُنَيْنٍ يا مُحَمَّدُ مِثلُهُم

في يومِ بدرٍ صَدْعُهُم ما يُرْأَبُ

في يومِ بدرٍ صَدْعُهُم ما يُرْأَبُ

At Hunayn, Muhammad, they are like those

At Hunayn, Muhammad, they are as they were

on the day of Badr: their fracture cannot be mended.

on the day of Badr—their breach cannot be mended.

مَدَدُ السّماءِ أعدَّهُ لكَ مُنجِدٌ

مَدَدُ السّماءِ أعدَّهُ لكَ مُنجِدٌ

لا جُنْدُهُ يَفنَى ولا هُوَ يَتْعَبُ

لا جُنْدُهُ يَفنَى ولا هُوَ يَتْعَبُ

Heaven's reinforcement He prepared for you as a helper:

Heaven's reinforcements, prepared for you by a helper

its host never perishes, nor does He grow weary.

whose army never perishes, and who never tires.

سُبحانهُ ما مِن إلهٍ غيرهُ

سُبحانهُ ما مِن إلهٍ غيرهُ

لو يَستقيمُ الجاهلُ المتنكّبُ

لو يَستقيمُ الجاهلُ المتنكّبُ

Glory be to Him—there is no god but He,

Glory be to Him! There is no god besides Him.

if only the ignorant wanderer would take the straight path.

If only the ignorant strayer would walk straight!

يا مُولَعَاً بالحربِ يَستقصِي المَدَى

يا مُولَعَاً بالحربِ يَستقصِي المَدَى

في وصفها منه البيانُ المُسْهَبُ

في وصفها منه البيانُ المُسْهَبُ

O man enamored of war, pursuing its furthest reach

O you enamored of war, who reaches the furthest bounds

in your expansive account of it:

with your expansive eloquence in describing it:

سَلْ بَغْلَةً حَملتْ رَسولَ اللَّهِ هل

سَلْ بَغْلَةً حَملتْ رَسولَ اللَّهِ هل

حَمدتْ فَوارِسَهَا العتاقُ الشُّزَّبُ

حَمدتْ فَوارِسَهَا العتاقُ الشُّزَّبُ

ask the mule that carried God's Messenger whether

ask the mule that carried God's Messenger whether

she praised her lean, high-bred horsemen.

the lean, purebred steeds praised their riders.

طَارُوا عليها مُدبِرِيْنَ ولم يَطِرْ

طَارُوا عليها مُدبِرِيْنَ ولم يَطِرْ

وَمَضَوْا فُلولاً وَهْوَ راسٍ يَرقُبُ

وَمَضَوْا فُلولاً وَهْوَ راسٍ يَرقُبُ

They flew away on their mounts, retreating; he did not flee,

They flew off upon them, retreating, but he did not fly;

and they passed as routed remnants while he watched, head raised.

they went away routed, while he stood firm, watching.

بَطَلٌ يَرَى مَوْجَ المنايا حَوْلَهُ

بَطَلٌ يَرَى مَوْجَ المنايا حَوْلَهُ

فَعَزِيمَةٌ تَطفوا وقَلْبٌ يَرْسُبُ

فَعَزِيمَةٌ تَطفوا وقَلْبٌ يَرْسُبُ

A hero sees all death's waves surrounding him,

A hero who sees the waves of death around him:

yet his resolve floats high while hearts sink.

his resolve stays afloat, his heart settles deep.

تَجري ظُنونُ القومِ في حَرَكاتِهِ

تَجري ظُنونُ القومِ في حَرَكاتِهِ

فَيَفوتُ غايةَ من يَظُنُّ وَيَحْسَبُ

فَيَفوتُ غايةَ من يَظُنُّ وَيَحْسَبُ

The people's conjectures pursue his every movement,

The people's conjectures follow his movements,

but he eludes the furthest guess of those who speculate and calculate.

but he surpasses the utmost of all who surmise and reckon.

كُلُّ امرئٍ يأتي الأمورَ عظيمةً

كُلُّ امرئٍ يأتي الأمورَ عظيمةً

فإليهِ في الدُّنيا العريضةِ يُنْسَبُ

فإليهِ في الدُّنيا العريضةِ يُنْسَبُ

Every man approaches great affairs with a certain resolve,

Every man who undertakes great deeds

and by that resolve he is known throughout this wide world.

is linked to him throughout this wide world.

ما العبقَرِيَّةُ في مَراتِبها العُلَى

ما العبقَرِيَّةُ في مَراتِبها العُلَى

هُوَ في سَماءِ العبقريّةِ كَوْكَبُ

هُوَ في سَماءِ العبقريّةِ كَوْكَبُ

Whatever genius may be in its highest ranks,

What is genius in its highest ranks?

he is a star in the heaven of genius—

He is a star in the heaven of genius,

مُتَألِّقٌ مَنْ لم يَسِرْ في نُورِهِ

مُتَألِّقٌ مَنْ لم يَسِرْ في نُورِهِ

أَوْدَى الظَّلامُ بِهِ وطَاحَ الغَيْهَبُ

أَوْدَى الظَّلامُ بِهِ وطَاحَ الغَيْهَبُ

radiant: whoever does not journey within his light

shining; whoever does not walk within his light,

is destroyed by darkness and swept away by deepest gloom.

darkness brings him to ruin, and black gloom casts him down.

أينَ الأُلَى مَلأَ الفضاءَ سَوادُهُم

أينَ الأُلَى مَلأَ الفضاءَ سَوادُهُم

وأضلَّهُم ساداتُهُم فتحزَّبوا

وأضلَّهُم ساداتُهُم فتحزَّبوا

Where are those whose black multitude filled the open land,

Where are those whose dark masses filled the expanse,

whom their chiefs led astray until they formed their factions?

whose chiefs misled them, so they banded together?

غَنِمُوا الفِرارَ فما يُرَى مِن بعدِهِم

غَنِمُوا الفِرارَ فما يُرَى مِن بعدِهِم

إلا المغانِمُ تُستباحُ وتُنْهَبُ

إلا المغانِمُ تُستباحُ وتُنْهَبُ

They gained only flight; after them nothing can be seen

They took flight as their gain; after them nothing is seen

but spoils laid open to seizure and plunder.

but spoils freely seized and plundered.

خَيرٌ أُتيحَ ونعمةٌ مَشكورةٌ

خَيرٌ أُتيحَ ونعمةٌ مَشكورةٌ

سِيقَتْ على قَدَرٍ ورِزقٌ طَيِّبُ

سِيقَتْ على قَدَرٍ ورِزقٌ طَيِّبُ

Horses were made available—a blessing worthy of thanks—

Bounty bestowed, and a blessing gratefully received,

driven by decree, a wholesome provision.

brought by decree, and wholesome sustenance,

رَاحَتْ بأيدِي المُسْلِمينَ وإنّهم

رَاحَتْ بأيدِي المُسْلِمينَ وإنّهم

لأحقُّ من يُعطَى الجزيلَ ويُوهبُ

لأحقُّ من يُعطَى الجزيلَ ويُوهبُ

They passed into Muslim hands, and surely the Muslims

passed into the Muslims' hands; and they are

have the greatest right to receive such abundant gifts.

surely the worthiest to receive abundant gifts and grants.

تُقضَى الدّيونُ بها فلا ابنُ أميّةٍ

تُقضَى الدّيونُ بها فلا ابنُ أميّةٍ

يشكو المَطَالَ ولا حُوَيْطِبُ يَعْتِبُ

يشكو المَطَالَ ولا حُوَيْطِبُ يَعْتِبُ

Debts are settled with them: neither Ibn Umayya

Debts are paid with it: neither Ibn Umayyah

complains of delayed payment, nor does Huwaytib reproach.

complains of delayed payment, nor does Huwaytib reproach.

وَيُقامُ دِينُ اللّهِ في القومِ الأُلَى

وَيُقامُ دِينُ اللّهِ في القومِ الأُلَى

فُتِنُوا بأصنامٍ تُقامُ وتُنْصَبُ

فُتِنُوا بأصنامٍ تُقامُ وتُنْصَبُ

And God's religion is established among those people who

And God's religion is established among those people

were beguiled by idols erected and set upright.

who were beguiled by idols raised and erected.

قَتْلَى هَوازِنَ هل تَفَجَّعَ مالِكٌ

قَتْلَى هَوازِنَ هل تَفَجَّعَ مالِكٌ

ومضَى لِمَصرَعِكُم يَنوحُ وَيندُبُ

ومضَى لِمَصرَعِكُم يَنوحُ وَيندُبُ

Did Hawazin's slain make Malik grieve,

O slain of Hawazin, did Malik grieve

and did he go on lamenting and mourning your fallen?

and go to where you fell, wailing and lamenting?

قُمْ يا دُرَيْدُ فقل لِقومكَ خُطبةً

قُمْ يا دُرَيْدُ فقل لِقومكَ خُطبةً

تجلو الهمومَ فقد عَهِدْتُكَ تَخْطُبُ

تجلو الهمومَ فقد عَهِدْتُكَ تَخْطُبُ

Rise, Duraid, and deliver your people a sermon

Rise, Durayd, and deliver an oration to your people

that will dispel their cares, for I knew you as an orator.

that clears away sorrows; I have known you to speak.

انظُرْ إلى الأسرَى وَسَلْهُم ما لهم

انظُرْ إلى الأسرَى وَسَلْهُم ما لهم

نُكِبُوا وكانَ الظنُّ ألا يُنْكَبوا

نُكِبُوا وكانَ الظنُّ ألا يُنْكَبوا

Look at the captives and ask them what befell them:

Look at the captives and ask what ails them:

they were struck down, though they thought they never would be.

they were afflicted, though none expected them to be.

وَيحَ النِّساءِ وَمَن وَلَدْنَ ألا فَتىً

وَيحَ النِّساءِ وَمَن وَلَدْنَ ألا فَتىً

يَحمِي الذّمارَ ألا كَمِيٌّ مِحرَبُ

يَحمِي الذّمارَ ألا كَمِيٌّ مِحرَبُ

Alas for the women and those they bore! Is there no warrior

Alas for the women and those they bore! Is there no young man

to defend their honor—no seasoned champion?

to defend their honor, no armored warrior seasoned in battle?

اسمعْ دُرَيْدُ فقد أهابَ محمدٌ

اسمعْ دُرَيْدُ فقد أهابَ محمدٌ

يحنو على النشءِ الضّعيفِ ويَحدِبُ

يحنو على النشءِ الضّعيفِ ويَحدِبُ

Listen, Duraid: Muhammad has called out,

Listen, Durayd: Muhammad has called out,

bending tenderly over weak young children and caring for them:

showing tenderness and compassion to the weak young:

لا تقتلوا الأولادَ ما فيهم لنا

لا تقتلوا الأولادَ ما فيهم لنا

خَصْمٌ ولا مِنهم أثيمٌ مُذنِبُ

خَصْمٌ ولا مِنهم أثيمٌ مُذنِبُ

“Do not kill the children; among them we have

“Do not kill the children; among them we have

no adversary, nor any guilty sinner.”

no foe, nor is any among them a sinful offender.”

أَسَخِرْتَ بالبطلِ الصّغيرِ فهل نَجَا

أَسَخِرْتَ بالبطلِ الصّغيرِ فهل نَجَا

مِنه بِمُهجَتِهِ الكبيرُ الأَشْيَبُ

مِنه بِمُهجَتِهِ الكبيرُ الأَشْيَبُ

Did you mock the young man falsely? Did the great

Did you mock the little hero? Then did

grey-haired elder escape him with his lifeblood?

the grey-haired elder escape him with his life?

أعطاكَ سُؤْلَكَ ما تردَّدَ سَيْفُهُ

أعطاكَ سُؤْلَكَ ما تردَّدَ سَيْفُهُ

وَلأنتَ سُؤْلُ غِرارِهِ والمأرَبُ

وَلأنتَ سُؤْلُ غِرارِهِ والمأرَبُ

He granted what you asked; his sword never hesitated,

He granted your request; his sword did not hesitate,

and you were what its edge desired, its very aim.

and you indeed are the wish and aim of its keen edge.

إن ضاق صَدْرُكَ حِينَ تُذكرُ أُمُّهُ

إن ضاق صَدْرُكَ حِينَ تُذكرُ أُمُّهُ

فلصدرها لو كنت تعلم أرحبُ

فلصدرها لو كنت تعلم أرحبُ

If your heart constricted when you remembered his mother,

If your breast tightens when his mother is mentioned,

hers was more capacious, if only you had known.

hers, if you only knew, is more spacious.

قالت أتقتله ربيعة إنه

قالت أتقتله ربيعة إنه

شَيْخٌ له فَضلٌ يُعَدُّ وَمَنْصِبُ

شَيْخٌ له فَضلٌ يُعَدُّ وَمَنْصِبُ

She said, “Did you kill him, Rabi'a? Indeed he is

She said, “Will you kill him, Rabi'ah? He is

an elder of acknowledged merit and standing.”

an elder with acknowledged merit and standing.”

ما بالُ سَيْفِ اللّهِ أين مكانُه

ما بالُ سَيْفِ اللّهِ أين مكانُه

أيغيبُ عن نَظَرِ النبيِّ وَيَعْزُبُ

أيغيبُ عن نَظَرِ النبيِّ وَيَعْزُبُ

What of the Sword of God? Where is his place?

What of God's Sword? Where is he?

Can he be absent from the Prophet's sight and far away?

Is he absent from the Prophet's sight, and out of view?

سأل النبيُّ فَقيلَ عِندَ جِراحِهِ

سأل النبيُّ فَقيلَ عِندَ جِراحِهِ

لو يَستَطيعُ أتى يَهُشُّ وَيَطْرَبُ

لو يَستَطيعُ أتى يَهُشُّ وَيَطْرَبُ

The Prophet asked, and was told, “He is tending his wounds;

The Prophet asked; they said, “His wounds detain him;

if he were able, he would come rejoicing and exultant.”

if he could, he would come, cheerful and delighted.”

فمشى إليه يَعُودُه في مَوكِبٍ

فمشى إليه يَعُودُه في مَوكِبٍ

للّهِ فيهِ من الملائكِ مَوكبُ

للّهِ فيهِ من الملائكِ مَوكبُ

So he walked to visit him amid his retinue—

So he walked to visit him in a procession;

and, by God, what a retinue of angels surrounded him!

within it was a procession of God's angels.

بُورِكْتَ خالدُ ما رَأَتْ عَينٌ دَماً

بُورِكْتَ خالدُ ما رَأَتْ عَينٌ دَماً

كَدَمٍ جَرَى من خالدٍ يَتَصَبَّبُ

كَدَمٍ جَرَى من خالدٍ يَتَصَبَّبُ

Blessed are you, Khalid! No eye has ever seen blood

Blessed are you, Khalid! No eye has seen blood

like the blood that streamed abundantly from Khalid.

like the blood that streamed and poured from Khalid.

قُمْ في جِراحِكَ إنّها لك قوةٌ

قُمْ في جِراحِكَ إنّها لك قوةٌ

تَدَعُ القواضِبَ وَهْيَ حَيْرَى هُيَّبُ

تَدَعُ القواضِبَ وَهْيَ حَيْرَى هُيَّبُ

Rise despite your wounds: they are strength for you,

Rise amid your wounds; they are strength for you

leaving the cutting swords bewildered and awed.

that leaves the cutting swords bewildered and afraid.

قُمْ للشدَائِدِ ما تَلِينُ صِلابُها

قُمْ للشدَائِدِ ما تَلِينُ صِلابُها

فَلأنْتَ صاحِبُها الأشدُّ الأَصْلَبُ

فَلأنْتَ صاحِبُها الأشدُّ الأَصْلَبُ

Rise to hardships whose hardness never softens;

Rise to hardships, whose hardness never yields;

you are their strongest, most unyielding master.

for you are their master, harder and more unyielding still.

لَكَ هِمَّةٌ ما تُستطَاعُ ونَجدةٌ

لَكَ هِمَّةٌ ما تُستطَاعُ ونَجدةٌ

مَذخورةٌ للأمرِ سَاعَةَ يَحْزُبُ

مَذخورةٌ للأمرِ سَاعَةَ يَحْزُبُ

Yours is an ambition none can attain, and valor

You have resolve beyond anyone's reach, and courage

stored for the hour when crisis presses.

held in reserve for a crisis when it presses hard.

مَن يَجهل الرِئبالَ يَنفُذ نابُهُ

مَن يَجهل الرِئبالَ يَنفُذ نابُهُ

في كلِّ مُقتنَصٍ وَيَمْضِي المِخلَبُ

في كلِّ مُقتنَصٍ وَيَمْضِي المِخلَبُ

Whoever fails to know the lion—its fang will pierce him

Who does not know the lion? His fang pierces

wherever it catches prey, and the claw will drive onward.

every quarry, and his claw cuts through.

اشهَدْ حُنَيْنُ بما رأيتَ ولا تَخَفْ

اشهَدْ حُنَيْنُ بما رأيتَ ولا تَخَفْ

خَصماً يُنازِعُ أو عَدُوّاً يَشْغَبُ

خَصماً يُنازِعُ أو عَدُوّاً يَشْغَبُ

Bear witness, Hunayn, to what you saw, and fear

Bear witness, Hunayn, to what you saw, and do not fear

no adversary who contests you, no enemy who clamors.

an adversary who disputes, or an enemy who stirs strife.

حَدَّثْتُ عنكَ وقلتُ يا أرضُ اسمعِي

حَدَّثْتُ عنكَ وقلتُ يا أرضُ اسمعِي

فاهتزَّ مَشرِقُها وماجَ المغربُ

فاهتزَّ مَشرِقُها وماجَ المغربُ

I have told your tale, and said, “O earth, listen!”

I have spoken of you and said, “O earth, listen!”

Then her east trembled, and her west heaved.

Then her east shook, and the west surged.

ماذا أقولُ أنا العَيِيُّ وإن جَرَى

ماذا أقولُ أنا العَيِيُّ وإن جَرَى

قَلَمِي بأبلغِ ما يُقالُ ويُكتَبُ

قَلَمِي بأبلغِ ما يُقالُ ويُكتَبُ

What can I say—I, the tongue-tied—even though

What can I say, tongue-tied as I am, even if

my pen flows with the most eloquent words spoken or written?

my pen flows with the most eloquent words spoken and written?