مِنكَfrom you الحنينُlonging ومنهand from it ماthat which هوis أَعظَمُgreater
مِنكَ الحنينُ ومنه ما هو أَعظَمُ
لوif يَستطيعُit could أتاكَit would come to you لاnot يتلوَّمُdelay
لو يَستطيعُ أتاكَ لا يتلوَّمُ
From you comes longing; from it, something greater.
From you comes yearning, and from it what is greater,
If it could, it would come to you without delay.
If only he could come to you, he would not waver.
البيتُthe House أنتَyou بهto it أحقmore entitled وإنeven if أبَىrefuses
البيتُ أنتَ به أحق وإن أبَى
منamong أهلِthe people of مَكةَMecca جاهلٌan ignorant man لاnot يعلمُknows
من أهلِ مَكةَ جاهلٌ لا يعلمُ
You have the greater right to the House, even if
The house is yours by right even if
An ignorant man of Mecca refuses, knowing nothing.
An ignorant person from Makkah refuses to know.
ماhow أصدقَtrue الرُؤياthe vision وأقربَand near حِينَهاits appointed time
ما أصدقَ الرُؤيا وأقربَ حِينَها
فاصبِرْso be patient علىwith ثقةٍconfidence وربُّكَand your Lord أكرمmost generous
فاصبِرْ على ثقةٍ وربُّكَ أكرم
How true the vision, how near its appointed time!
How true the dream and how near its time,
Wait confidently; your Lord is most generous.
So be patient with confidence, and your Lord is Most Generous.
إنif يَخْلُis empty منهاof it اليومُtoday فالغدُthen tomorrow بعدهafter it
إن يَخْلُ منها اليومُ فالغدُ بعده
بالخيرِwith goodness والرضوانِand divine approval منهاfrom it مُفعَمُfilled
بالخيرِ والرضوانِ منها مُفعَمُ
If today is empty of its fulfillment, tomorrow
If today is empty of it, then tomorrow after it
Will be filled with its goodness and divine approval.
With good and acceptance from it is filled.
سِرْgo forth ياO رسولَMessenger of اللَّهِGod جُندُكَyour army باسلٌvaliant
سِرْ يا رسولَ اللَّهِ جُندُكَ باسلٌ
وقُواكَand your forces مُحْصَدَةٌfirmly knit ورَأْيُكَand your judgment مُحكمsound
وقُواكَ مُحْصَدَةٌ ورَأْيُكَ مُحكم
Go forth, Messenger of God: your army is valiant,
Go, O Messenger of Allah, your troops are resolute
Your forces firmly knit, your judgment sound.
And your strength is reaped, and your view decisive.
آثرتَyou preferred رَبَّكَyour Lord وحدهalone لاnot تَشتكِيyou complain
آثرتَ رَبَّكَ وحده لا تَشتكِي
فيهِfor His sake منof الأهوالِthe terrors ماwhat تَتجشمyou endure
فيهِ من الأهوالِ ما تَتجشم
You chose your Lord alone, never complaining
You preferred your Lord alone, you do not complain
Of the terrors you endure for His sake.
From the terrors, however much you endure.
وَمضيتَand you proceeded مُعتمِراًperforming the lesser pilgrimage بِصحبِكَwith your companions مُحرماًin consecration
وَمضيتَ مُعتمِراً بِصحبِكَ مُحرماً
والهَدْيُand the sacrificial beasts حالٍadorned بالقلائدِwith necklaces مُعْلَمُmarked
والهَدْيُ حالٍ بالقلائدِ مُعْلَمُ
You went with your companions for the lesser pilgrimage, consecrated,
And you went, determined, on pilgrimage with your companions, consecrated,
The sacrificial beasts adorned with necklaces, clearly marked.
And the sacrifice, adorned with collars, marked.
والمؤمناتُand the believing women الصَّالحاتُthe righteous كأَنَّماas though
والمؤمناتُ الصَّالحاتُ كأَنَّما
فيهنamong them سَارَةُSarah والرضيَّةُand the well-pleasing مَريَمMaryam
فيهن سَارَةُ والرضيَّةُ مَريَم
And the righteous believing women seemed
And the virtuous faithful women are as though
To have Sarah and well-pleasing Maryam among them:
Among them are Sarah, pleasing, and Mary.
منof كلِّevery أُمٍّmother بَرَّةٍdutiful لمnot يُلهِهَاdistracted her
من كلِّ أُمٍّ بَرَّةٍ لم يُلهِهَا
بَعْلٌa husband ولمand not يَغْلِبْovercame نوازعهاher aspirations ابْنَمُa son
بَعْلٌ ولم يَغْلِبْ نوازعها ابْنَمُ
Every dutiful mother, whom neither
From every caring mother not distracted by
A husband distracted nor a son overmastered in her aspirations.
A husband, nor overcome by her sons' defiance.
ياO طِيْبَsweetness of ماwhat لَبَّيتَyou answered in devotion رَبَّكَyour Lord إنّهindeed it
يا طِيْبَ ما لَبَّيتَ رَبَّكَ إنّه
لَلحقُّsurely the truth يُزلِفُهُbrings it near فُؤادُكَyour heart والفمand the mouth
لَلحقُّ يُزلِفُهُ فُؤادُكَ والفم
How sweet your answering your Lord's call! Indeed, it
How good is what you declared to your Lord, He
Is truth, brought near by your heart and mouth.
Is truth who draws your heart near and your speech.
أينwhere الشَّريكُthe partner لمنfor Him who تَصرَّفَgoverns وحدهalone
أين الشَّريكُ لمن تَصرَّفَ وحده
فيin مُلكِهِHis kingdom أَمَّنْor who سِواهُbesides Him المُنعِمbestows blessings
في مُلكِهِ أَمَّنْ سِواهُ المُنعِم
Where is a partner for Him who alone governs
Where is the partner for Him who controls alone
His kingdom? Or who besides Him bestows blessings?
His kingdom? Or who other than He grants favor?
لَبَّيْكَat Your service رَبِّيmy Lord إنif قَضيتَYou decree لناfor us الهدىguidance
لَبَّيْكَ رَبِّي إن قَضيتَ لنا الهدى
فَكِتابُكَthen Your Book الهاديthe guide وأنتَand You المُلْهِمthe inspirer
فَكِتابُكَ الهادي وأنتَ المُلْهِم
Here I am, my Lord! If You decree guidance for us,
At Your service my Lord, if You have decreed guidance for us
Your Book is the guide, and You inspire.
Then Your book guides, and You inspire.
تلكمthat before you قُريشٌQuraysh أقبلتْadvanced فيin غَضبةٍanger
تلكم قُريشٌ أقبلتْ في غَضبةٍ
مَشبوبةٍkindled وحميَّةٍand zeal تَتضرّمblazes
مَشبوبةٍ وحميَّةٍ تَتضرّم
There is Quraysh, advancing in anger
There, Quraysh came angrily
Kindled high, and zeal blazing fiercely.
Agitated and zealous, wrinkling their noses.
قالتthey said أيدخلُهاwill he enter it عليناagainst us عَنْوَةًby force
قالت أيدخلُها علينا عَنْوَةً
السَّيفُthe sword أولَىmore fitting أنthat يُحكَّمَbe made arbiter والدَّمand blood
السَّيفُ أولَى أن يُحكَّمَ والدَّم
They said, 'Will he enter it against us by force?
They said, "Shall we let him enter it over us by force
Better that the sword and blood should arbitrate!'
When the sword is more deserving to arbitrate and shed blood?"
وَرَوىand related ابنُIbn سُفيانَSufyan الحديثَthe news فلوand if دَرىhe understood
وَرَوى ابنُ سُفيانَ الحديثَ فلو دَرى
لُغةَthe language of السُّيوفِswords لَخَالهاhe would have thought them تَتَكلّمspeaking
لُغةَ السُّيوفِ لَخَالها تَتَكلّم
Ibn Sufyan related the news; had he understood
And Ibn Sufyan narrated the news, and if only he knew
The language of swords, he would have thought them speaking.
The language of swords, he would have thought them speaking.
أَصغتْthey listened إليهto him فلمand not يَقِرَّrested بغمدِهin its sheath
أَصغتْ إليه فلم يَقِرَّ بغمدِه
منهاamong them علىdespite طولِthe length of التحلّمِforbearance مِخْذَمa keen sword
منها على طولِ التحلّمِ مِخْذَم
They listened to him; in its sheath there rested not
They listened to him, and none rested in its sheath
A single keen blade among them, despite long forbearance.
For long because of his hesitation, except the broken one.
يَجِدُgrieve التقاةُthe devout المحرمونَin consecration ولاbut not كماas
يَجِدُ التقاةُ المحرمونَ ولا كما
يَجِدُgrieves التقيُّthe devout one منamong السُّيوفِswords المُحْرِمُthe consecrated
يَجِدُ التقيُّ من السُّيوفِ المُحْرِمُ
The devout pilgrims grieve, but not as
The violators find violators, not like
The devout, consecrated sword grieves.
The reverent find from swords that show reverence.
أبدتْit revealed تَباريحَthe torments of الهُمُومِcares شديدةًintense
أبدتْ تَباريحَ الهُمُومِ شديدةً
وأَشدُّand fiercer منهاthan them ماwhat تُجِنُّit harbors وتَكْتُمُand conceals
وأَشدُّ منها ما تُجِنُّ وتَكْتُمُ
It showed the fierce torments of its cares,
It showed the agonies of deep sorrows
But fiercer still was what it harbored and concealed.
And more intense than it is what it hides and conceals.
وَدَّتْit wished لَوthat اَنَّindeed اللَّهَGod قالَsaid لهاto it اضرِبيstrike
وَدَّتْ لَو اَنَّ اللَّهَ قالَ لها اضرِبي
فَمضتْthen it went forth تُظلِّلهاovershadowing it النسورُthe vultures الحُوَّمُcircling
فَمضتْ تُظلِّلها النسورُ الحُوَّمُ
It wished that God had said to it, 'Strike!'
It wished that Allah said to it "Strike!"
Then it would have gone forth beneath circling vultures.
So it went, shaded by hovering vultures.
قالsaid النبيُّthe Prophet أَنَتَّقيهاshall we avoid it خُطَّةًas a course
قال النبيُّ أَنَتَّقيها خُطَّةً
هيit ماis what علمتمyou know أمor نَجِدُّpress on وَنُقدِمُand advance
هي ما علمتم أم نَجِدُّ وَنُقدِمُ
The Prophet said, 'Shall we avoid it—a course
The Prophet said, "Do you fear for me a plot
You know well—or press on and advance?'
That you know of, or shall we be firm and lead?"
فأجابهthen answered him الصِّدِّيقُal-Siddiq بلrather نمضيwe proceed إلىtoward
فأجابه الصِّدِّيقُ بل نمضي إلى
ماwhat كنتَyou were تنوِيintending بالخروجِin setting out وتعزمand resolving
ما كنتَ تنوِي بالخروجِ وتعزم
Al-Siddiq answered him, 'Rather, let us proceed toward
The Truthful answered him, "Rather, we will go on
What you intended and resolved upon in setting out.'
To what you intended by going out and resolved."
وَرَمَىand hurled بهاit forth المقدادُal-Miqdad خُطبةَan address of مُؤمنٍa believer
وَرَمَى بها المقدادُ خُطبةَ مُؤمنٍ
يَرميconfronts الخطوبَcalamities بنفسِهِwith himself لاnot يُحجِمrecoils
يَرمي الخطوبَ بنفسِهِ لا يُحجِم
Al-Miqdad hurled forth a believer's address,
And al-Miqdad threw a believer's challenge
One who casts himself against calamities and never recoils.
Who throws challenges with his soul, and does not refrain.
ومضواand they proceeded يرونseeing المشركينthe polytheists بذيat Dhu طوىTuwa
ومضوا يرون المشركين بذي طوى
والخيلُand the cavalry شتَّىscattered والخميسُand the army عَرَمْرمimmense
والخيلُ شتَّى والخميسُ عَرَمْرم
They went on, seeing the polytheists at Dhu Tuwa,
They took the rugged road whose light shines
Their cavalry scattered, their army immense.
While the dark road misguided others.
أَبِلالُO Bilal أَذِّنْcall للصّلاةِto prayer فإنّهاfor it
أَبِلالُ أَذِّنْ للصّلاةِ فإنّها
أسنىloftiest وأشرفُand noblest ماwhat يُحبُّloves المسلمthe Muslim
أسنى وأشرفُ ما يُحبُّ المسلم
Bilal, call to prayer, for it is
They said, "We will be humiliated and made low," and swore
The loftiest and noblest thing a Muslim loves.
To abandon the ideals, wretched is the oath!
نَهَضَrose النبيُّthe Prophet يُقيمهاto establish it فيamong صحبهِhis companions
نَهَضَ النبيُّ يُقيمها في صحبهِ
للَّهِfor God تُبْدأُis begun بالخشوعِwith humility وَتُختَمand is ended
للَّهِ تُبْدأُ بالخشوعِ وَتُختَم
The Prophet rose to establish it among his companions,
Messages came one after another, so among them is a deserter
For God, begun and ended in humility.
Seeking corruption, and a cautious one dreading blame.
وأعدَّand he stationed طائفةًa company تقومُstanding guard فتتَّقيand warding off
وأعدَّ طائفةً تقومُ فتتَّقي
كيدَthe guile of العدوِّthe enemy إذاwhen يَكرُّhe charges ويهجمand attacks
كيدَ العدوِّ إذا يَكرُّ ويهجم
He stationed a company to stand guard and ward off
And the fickle one does good one time
The enemy's guile when he charges and attacks.
And evil another, so his conversation limps.
حتىuntil إذاwhen سَجَدَprostrated الرفاقُthe companions تخلَّفواthey stayed back
حتى إذا سَجَدَ الرفاقُ تخلَّفوا
عنهمapart from them فَضُوعِفَso was doubled أجرُهمtheir reward والمغنمand the gain
عنهم فَضُوعِفَ أجرُهم والمغنم
When their companions prostrated, they held back
Al-Mughirah struck his hand, and if not for
Apart from them; their reward and gain were doubled.
Patience, his wrist would have flown off from the blow.
جيشُthe army of الهدىguidance واليُمنِand blessing عندin the presence of جلالِهِits majesty
جيشُ الهدى واليُمنِ عند جلالِهِ
بِيَمينِby the right hand of قائدِهِits commander يُصَفُّis arrayed وَيُنظَمُand ordered
بِيَمينِ قائدِهِ يُصَفُّ وَيُنظَمُ
The army of guidance and blessing, in all its majesty,
He did not stop striking him with the hilt of his sword
Was arrayed and ordered by its commander's right hand.
While the sword frowned, and death showed restraint.
جَعَلَhe assigned ابنَIbn بِشرٍBishr فيin الجهادِbattle لخالدٍagainst Khalid
جَعَلَ ابنَ بِشرٍ في الجهادِ لخالدٍ
يَلقاهُto meet him إنif جَمعَgathered الفوارسَthe horsemen مَأزِمُa narrow pass
يَلقاهُ إن جَمعَ الفوارسَ مَأزِمُ
He set Ibn Bishr against Khalid in battle,
You have transgressed, Urwah, so be just, and restrain a hand
To meet him if a narrow pass gathered the horsemen.
That slaps the eminent and angers the stoic.
سلكواthey followed الطريقَthe road الوعرَrugged يَسطعُshines نُورهits light
سلكوا الطريقَ الوعرَ يَسطعُ نُوره
وأضلَّand led astray غيرَهمothers الطريقُthe road المُظلِمُdark
وأضلَّ غيرَهم الطريقُ المُظلِمُ
They took the rugged road, its light shining,
How did you climb to a sublime position that
While the dark road led others astray.
Even the stars, if made a ladder, do not reach?
قالواthey said أَنذعِنُshall we submit صاغِرينَhumbled وأقسمواand they swore
قالوا أَنذعِنُ صاغِرينَ وأقسموا
أنto ينبذواreject المثلىthe best course فبئسand evil is المَقْسمthe oath
أن ينبذوا المثلى فبئس المَقْسم
They said, 'Shall we yield in humiliation?' and swore
By the honored Mukhtar’s beard, it is held back
To reject the best course—what an evil oath!
For it is protected in the sanctuary and guarded.
وتتابعتْand followed successively رُسُلٌenvoys فمنهمand among them غادِرٌa traitor
وتتابعتْ رُسُلٌ فمنهم غادِرٌ
يَبغيseeking الفسادَcorruption وحَاذِرٌand a cautious man يتأثّمshunning sin
يَبغي الفسادَ وحَاذِرٌ يتأثّم
Envoys followed one another: among them a traitor
You spoke well in blaming those you blamed
Seeking corruption, and a cautious man shunning sin;
And those who rebelled refused, so you are blamed.
ومُقَسَّمُand mixed الأخلاقِin character يُحسِنُbehaves well مَرّةًonce
ومُقَسَّمُ الأخلاقِ يُحسِنُ مَرّةً
وَيُسِيءُand behaves badly أخرىanother time فيin الحوارِdiscussion فَيعرمthen grows insolent
وَيُسِيءُ أخرى في الحوارِ فَيعرم
And one of mixed character, courteous at one moment,
They fault you when you spoke the truth in ignorance,
Offensive at another in discussion, growing insolent.
Is one who refuses hypocrisy and bonding to blame?
أهوىstruck down عَلىupon يدهِhis hand المغيرةُal-Mughira ضارباًstriking
أهوى عَلى يدهِ المغيرةُ ضارباً
لولاbut for الأَناةُrestraint لطارwould have flown off منهfrom him المِعْصَمُthe wrist
لولا الأَناةُ لطار منه المِعْصَمُ
Al-Mughira struck down upon his hand;
Al-Hulays spoke the truth so they blamed him harshly
But for restraint, his wrist would have flown off.
While the people blame the wise and insightful one.
ماnot انفكَّceased يضربُهstriking it بِمقبضِwith the hilt of سَيْفِهِhis sword
ما انفكَّ يضربُه بِمقبضِ سَيْفِهِ
والسَّيفُand the sword يُغضِيlowers its gaze والمنيّةُand death تَحلمforbears
والسَّيفُ يُغضِي والمنيّةُ تَحلم
He kept striking it with his sword's hilt,
The guided ones sent guidance, then came
While the sword lowered its gaze and death forbore.
Facing a concern that distresses and pains.
أسرفتَyou went too far عُروَةُUrwa فاقتصِدْso be measured واقبضْand withdraw يَداًa hand
أسرفتَ عُروَةُ فاقتصِدْ واقبضْ يَداً
رِيعَwas startled السِّماكُal-Simak لهاby it وَغِيظَand was angered المرزمُal-Mirzam
رِيعَ السِّماكُ لها وَغِيظَ المرزمُ
You have gone too far, Urwa: be measured, withdraw a hand
They came disheveled, raising to their Lord
That startled al-Simak and angered al-Mirzam.
A voice the deaf and mute repeats.
كيفhow ارتقيتَdid you ascend إلىto محلٍّa station مالهthat has no
كيف ارتقيتَ إلى محلٍّ ماله
راقٍclimber ولوeven if أنّindeed الكواكبَthe stars سُلّمa ladder
راقٍ ولو أنّ الكواكبَ سُلّم
How did you climb to a station that has
So his feelings shook, and he said in sorrow
No climber, even if the stars were a ladder?
Glory to my Lord! What is for us to do wrong?
أبِلحْيَةِis it by the beard of المختارِthe Chosen One تُمسكyou grasp إنّهاindeed it
أبِلحْيَةِ المختارِ تُمسك إنّها
لَتُصانُis surely guarded فيin حَرَمِthe sanctuary of الجلالِmajesty وَتُعصَمand protected
لَتُصانُ في حَرَمِ الجلالِ وَتُعصَم
Do you grasp the Chosen One's beard? Indeed, it
Glory to Him! The most hostile to His house
Is guarded and protected in majesty's sanctuary.
We would then be wrongful people, and oppressive!
أحسنتَyou made good قولَكَyour statement فيabout الذينthose whom ذَممتَهمyou censured
أحسنتَ قولَكَ في الذين ذَممتَهم
وأَبَىand refused الذينthose who طَغَوْاtransgressed فأنتَso you مُذمَّمare reviled
وأَبَى الذين طَغَوْا فأنتَ مُذمَّم
You spoke well about those you censured,
O Lord of the ignorant ones who became gods
But the transgressors refused, and you are reviled.
Who do not follow the path of people gone astray.
عَابوكَthey faulted you إذwhen قُلتَyou spoke الصَّوابَwhat is right جَهالةًin ignorance
عَابوكَ إذ قُلتَ الصَّوابَ جَهالةً
أَيُعابُis faulted مَنone who يأبىrejects النِّفاقَhypocrisy ويُوصَمُand is branded
أَيُعابُ مَن يأبى النِّفاقَ ويُوصَمُ
They faulted you in ignorance when you spoke rightly:
Quraysh discarded his view and grew arrogant
Is one who rejects hypocrisy to be faulted and branded?
And misguidance is the most distressing that I knew and ill-omened.
صَدَقَspoke truth الحُلَيْسُal-Hulays فأوجعوهso they hurt him ملامةًwith reproach
صَدَقَ الحُلَيْسُ فأوجعوه ملامةً
والقومُand the people لِليَقِظِtoward the vigilant المُسَدَّدِrightly guided لُوَّمare reproachful
والقومُ لِليَقِظِ المُسَدَّدِ لُوَّم
Al-Hulays spoke truth, and they hurt him with reproaches;
Go, Kharrash, to Quraysh advising
Those people reproach the vigilant, rightly guided man.
Perhaps it will want right, so it understands.
بَعثَsent forth الهُداةُthe guides الهَدْيَthe sacrificial beasts ثُمَّتَthen أقبلواthey approached
بَعثَ الهُداةُ الهَدْيَ ثُمَّتَ أقبلوا
يلقونهto meet him فعناهand afflicted him هَمٌّa sorrow مؤلمpainful
يلقونه فعناه هَمٌّ مؤلم
The guides sent forth the sacrificial beasts, then came
They hamstrung your camel resentfully and almost
To meet him; a painful sorrow afflicted him.
Killed you, if only they had not avenged!
جاءوهthey came to him شُعْثاًdisheveled يرفعونraising لربّهمto their Lord
جاءوه شُعْثاً يرفعون لربّهم
صوتاًa cry يُردِّدُهrepeats it الأصمُّthe deaf الأبكمthe mute
صوتاً يُردِّدُه الأصمُّ الأبكم
They came to him disheveled, raising to their Lord
If not for the ignorant ones, the wrong done by them
A cry that even the deaf and mute would repeat.
Would shed from him blood that is not made permitted.
فَهَفَتْthen fluttered جَوانِحُهhis breast وقالand he said علىwith أسىًsorrow
فَهَفَتْ جَوانِحُه وقال على أسىً
سُبحانَglory to ربِّيmy Lord ماwhy لناdo we نَتجرَّمcommit wrongdoing
سُبحانَ ربِّي ما لنا نَتجرَّم
His heart fluttered, and sorrowfully he said,
The son of Uthman went to them seeking
'Glory to my Lord! Why should we commit wrongdoing?
To give priority to the view that is wiser.
سُبحانهglory to Him أنصدُّهمshall we bar them عنfrom بيتِهِHis House
سُبحانه أنصدُّهم عن بيتِهِ
إنّاindeed we إذاًthen قومٌare a people نَجورُwho oppress ونظلمand wrong
إنّا إذاً قومٌ نَجورُ ونظلم
Glory to Him! Shall we bar them from His House?
But they refused and said no liberation for you, and we
Then we would indeed be a people who oppress and wrong.'
Are not the lowest, refusing humiliation, to be subjugated.
مولىleader of الأحابيشِthe Ahabish الذينَwho تألّهواworshipped God
مولى الأحابيشِ الذينَ تألّهوا
لاnot يتبعونfollow سبيلَthe path of أقوامٍpeoples عَمُواgone blind
لا يتبعون سبيلَ أقوامٍ عَمُوا
The leader of the Ahabish, who worshipped God,
Detain him, they said, with three of his companions
Would not follow the path of people gone blind.
And pelt them, condemned, splitting open.
نبذتْrejected قريشٌQuraysh رأيَهُhis judgment واستكبرتْand grew arrogant
نبذتْ قريشٌ رأيَهُ واستكبرتْ
والغَيُّand error أنكدُmost miserable ماwhat علمتُI know وأشأمُand most ill-omened
والغَيُّ أنكدُ ما علمتُ وأشأمُ
Quraysh rejected his judgment and grew arrogant;
Did they not consider the messenger of the Prophet and his in-laws?
Error is the most miserable and ill-omened thing I know.
Indeed, minds on the sickbed are fruitless.
اذهبgo خراشُKhirash إلىto قريشٍQuraysh ناصحاًas a sincere adviser
اذهب خراشُ إلى قريشٍ ناصحاً
فلعلّهاso perhaps they تبغيseek الصَّوابَwhat is right فتفهمand understand
فلعلّها تبغي الصَّوابَ فتفهم
Go, Khirash, to Quraysh as a sincere adviser;
Ibn Hasan crept in the darkness so a
Perhaps they will seek what is right and understand.
Wakeful one like the sentry startled him.
عقرواthey hamstrung بَعيرَكَyour camel ناقِمِيْنَresentful وأوشكواand nearly
عقروا بَعيرَكَ ناقِمِيْنَ وأوشكوا
أنto يقتلوكkill you فليتهمso would that they لمnot يَنقِمواhad resented
أن يقتلوك فليتهم لم يَنقِموا
In resentment they hamstrung your camel, and nearly
Ibn Musallamah rode off abandoning his companions
Killed you—would that they had borne no resentment!
And went away, and the coward did not turn back.
لولاbut for الأحابيشُthe Ahabish استُحِلَّwould have been deemed lawful بظلمهمthrough their injustice
لولا الأحابيشُ استُحِلَّ بظلمهم
منهof his دَمٌblood ماthat never يُستحَلُّmay lawfully be shed مُحرَّمsacred
منه دَمٌ ما يُستحَلُّ مُحرَّم
But for the Ahabish, their injustice would have licensed
They came to the camp, forty led
The shedding of his sacred blood, which is never lawful.
By prisoners, marked for humiliation.
ذَهَبَwent ابنُIbn عفّانٍAffan إليهمto them يَبتغِيseeking
ذَهَبَ ابنُ عفّانٍ إليهم يَبتغِي
أنthat يؤثرواthey prefer الرأيَthe judgment الذيwhich هوis أحزمmore prudent
أن يؤثروا الرأيَ الذي هو أحزم
Ibn Affan went to them, seeking
And the archers came so there penetrated in their guts
That they choose the more prudent judgment.
An arrow that humbles arrows when they shatter.
فأبواbut they refused وقالواand said لاno فكاكَrelease لكمfor you وماand not
فأبوا وقالوا لا فكاكَ لكم وما
نحنwe الألىthose who نأبىreject الهوانَhumiliation فَنُرْغَمُthen are forced down
نحن الألى نأبى الهوانَ فَنُرْغَمُ
They refused and said, 'There is no release for you, and
Sorrow prevented and healed their killed one's
We are not those who reject humiliation only to be forced down.'
Heartache over a complaint from Quraysh stifled.
هُمْthey أمسكوهdetained him ثلاثةًthree days فيamong صحبهhis companions
هُمْ أمسكوه ثلاثةً في صحبه
ورمواand hurled بهاit forth مَلمومةًmassed تتقحَّمrushing headlong
ورموا بها مَلمومةً تتقحَّم
They detained him three days among his companions,
The most wretched harm and betrayal stirred their men
And unleashed a massed force, rushing headlong.
And captivity flowed to them, an ill-omened bird.
أفلاdid they not رَعَوْاrespect رُسُلَthe envoys of النبيِّthe Prophet وَصِهْرَهُand his son-in-law
أفلا رَعَوْا رُسُلَ النبيِّ وَصِهْرَهُ
إنindeed العقولَminds علىthrough المراسِstubborn contention لتعقمsurely grow barren
إن العقولَ على المراسِ لتعقم
Did they not respect the Prophet's envoys and his son-in-law?
They fell, so the view of the people is what they find
Minds can indeed grow barren through stubborn contention.
And the martyr of truth is sufficient in what he attains.
دَبَّcrept ابنُIbn حصنٍHisn فيin الظلامِthe darkness فراعهand startled him
دَبَّ ابنُ حصنٍ في الظلامِ فراعه
يقظانُa wakeful man مثلlike الصلِّthe viper ليسnot يُهوِّمdozes
يقظانُ مثل الصلِّ ليس يُهوِّم
Ibn Hisn crept through the darkness, but was startled by
Quraysh sent: Release our companions
A wakeful man like a viper, never dozing.
And take the hostages and prisoners among you.
حملcharged ابنُIbn مُسلمةٍMaslama فغادرَso he abandoned صحبَهhis companions
حمل ابنُ مُسلمةٍ فغادرَ صحبَه
ومضَىand fled فلاmay not رَجَعَreturn الجبانُthe coward الأيهمthe heedless one
ومضَى فلا رَجَعَ الجبانُ الأيهم
Ibn Maslama charged; he abandoned his companions
They were shocked with a catastrophe whose crack intensified
And fled—may the heedless coward never return!
If not for the foolishness of their view, they would not have been shocked.
جاؤواthey came to المعسكرَthe camp أربعينَforty يقودُهمleading them
جاؤوا المعسكرَ أربعينَ يقودُهم
أَسْرَىcaptives عليهمupon them للمذلّةِof humiliation ميسَمُa brand
أَسْرَى عليهم للمذلّةِ ميسَمُ
They came to the camp, forty men, led along
If not for Suhayl's plea that guided them
As captives bearing humiliation's brand.
There is might that humiliates armies and demolishes them.
وأتىand came الرّماةُthe archers فجالthen passed فيthrough أحشائهمtheir innermost parts
وأتى الرّماةُ فجال في أحشائهم
سَهمٌan arrow تظلُّcontinue بهby it السهامُthe arrows تُحطَّمto be shattered
سَهمٌ تظلُّ به السهامُ تُحطَّم
The archers came, and through their innermost parts passed
Evil is the fate of a people who refuse guidance
An arrow by which other arrows would be shattered.
White, its features, and excellent the arrival!
مَنعَbanished الأسَىgrief وشَفىand healed كُلومَthe wounds of قتيلهِمtheir slain man
مَنعَ الأسَى وشَفى كُلومَ قتيلهِم
شكوىthe lament of قلوبٍhearts منamong قريشٍQuraysh تُكْلَمbeing wounded
شكوى قلوبٍ من قريشٍ تُكْلَم
Grief was banished, their slain man's wounds healed by
O you who left tyranny, your grandfather frowns
The lament of wounded hearts among Quraysh.
Come, so your grandfather smiles, arriving.
أشقَىmade wretched الأَذىharm والغَدرُand treachery جَدَّthe fortune of رجالِهمtheir men
أشقَى الأَذى والغَدرُ جَدَّ رجالِهم
وَجَرَىand flew لهمfor them بالأسرِwith captivity طَيْرٌa bird أسحمblack
وَجَرَى لهم بالأسرِ طَيْرٌ أسحم
Harm and treachery made their men's fortune wretched,
It is the right of the Owner of the Two Lights to leave the gloom
And a black bird brought them captivity.
Wretched, its face slapped, and frowning.
سقطواthey fell فحسبُand sufficient for القومِthe people ماwhat يجدونهthey suffer
سقطوا فحسبُ القومِ ما يجدونه
وكفىand sufficed for شهيدَthe martyr of الحقِّtruth ماwhat يَتَسنَّمُhe attains in height
وكفى شهيدَ الحقِّ ما يَتَسنَّمُ
They fell; sufficient for those people was what they suffered,
Is it to you the blind stretched their claws?
And sufficient for truth's martyr were the heights he attained.
So look at the claws, see how they are blunted.
بَعَثَتْsent word قُريشٌQuraysh أطلِقواrelease أصحابنَاour companions
بَعَثَتْ قُريشٌ أطلِقوا أصحابنَا
وخذواand take الرهائنَthe hostages والأُسارَىand the captives مِنكمُfrom among you
وخذوا الرهائنَ والأُسارَى مِنكمُ
Quraysh sent word: 'Release our companions,
It is the Pledge of Approval, they left no
And take back your hostages and captives.'
Night to sleep, nor morning to rest.
صُدمواthey were struck بقارعةٍby a calamity تَفاقَمgrew vast صَدعُهاits rift
صُدموا بقارعةٍ تَفاقَم صَدعُها
لولاbut for سفاهةُthe foolishness of رأيهمtheir judgment لمnot يُصدَمواwould have been struck
لولا سفاهةُ رأيهم لم يُصدَموا
They were struck by a calamity whose rift grew vast;
A dejection that pains the eyes, saddening,
But for their foolish judgment, they would not have been struck.
And a sorrow that bites at hearts, poisoning.
لولاbut for الضّراعةُsupplication منfrom سُهَيْلٍSuhayl هَدَّهُمْwould have crushed them
لولا الضّراعةُ من سُهَيْلٍ هَدَّهُمْ
بأسٌa might تُهَدُّare crushed بهby it الجنودُthe armies وَتُهدَمُand demolished
بأسٌ تُهَدُّ به الجنودُ وَتُهدَمُ
But for Suhayl's supplication, they would have been crushed
So it is as if in every eye is an icy coldness
By a might that crushes and demolishes armies.
And as if in every heart a disease that pains.
بئسwretched is المآبُthe return لعصبةٍfor a band تأبىrejecting الهُدَىguidance
بئس المآبُ لعصبةٍ تأبى الهُدَى
بِيضاًwhite مَعالمُهits landmarks ونعمَand excellent is المقدمthe advance
بِيضاً مَعالمُه ونعمَ المقدم
Wretched the return of a band that rejects guidance,
The Muslims pledge allegiance to their Prophet
Its landmarks shining white; excellent the advance toward it!
Clinging to a bond that cannot be undone.
ياO تاركَone abandoning الطغيانِtyranny يَعبسُscowls جَدُّهits fortune
يا تاركَ الطغيانِ يَعبسُ جَدُّه
أقبلْcome forward فَجدُّكَfor your fortune مُقْبِلٌis approaching يتبسَّمsmiling
أقبلْ فَجدُّكَ مُقْبِلٌ يتبسَّم
O you who leave tyranny to its frowning fortune,
They do not consider the blood of one striving wasted
Come forward: your fortune approaches, smiling.
To them, if it is not shed, it is as if it is.
منamong حقِّthe rights of ذيthe possessor of النُّوريْنِthe two lights أنthat يَدَعَhe leave الدُّجَىdarkness
من حقِّ ذي النُّوريْنِ أن يَدَعَ الدُّجَى
خَزْيانَabased يُلْطَمُis slapped وَجهُهits face المُتجهِّمُscowling
خَزْيانَ يُلْطَمُ وَجهُه المُتجهِّمُ
The Possessor of the Two Lights has the right to leave darkness
If death assembles them, it is a sweet tasting spring
Abased, its scowling face slapped.
Whose flavor is pleasant to them and food most delicious.
أإليكَwas it toward you مَدَّstretched ذووthe possessors of العَمَىblindness أظفارَهمtheir claws
أإليكَ مَدَّ ذوو العَمَى أظفارَهم
فانظرْso look إلىat الأظفارِthe claws كيفhow تُقلَّمthey are clipped
فانظرْ إلى الأظفارِ كيف تُقلَّم
Was it toward you that the blind stretched their claws?
God is their Master, and victory for His Messenger
Look, then, at how those claws are clipped.
A right upon them in the Scripture decreed.
هيit is بَيْعَةُthe pledge of allegiance of الرضوانِdivine approval لمnot تتركْleft لهمfor them
هي بَيْعَةُ الرضوانِ لم تتركْ لهم
ليلاًa night يُنامُfor sleeping ولاnor صَبَاحاًa morning ينعمُfor ease
ليلاً يُنامُ ولا صَبَاحاً ينعمُ
It is the Pledge of Divine Approval; it left them neither
They set out energetic, if you saw their groups
A night for sleeping nor a morning of ease.
You would know which people in faith are foremost.
سُهْدٌsleeplessness يَشُقُّweighing heavily علىupon العُيونِthe eyes مُبرّحٌagonizing
سُهْدٌ يَشُقُّ على العُيونِ مُبرّحٌ
وأسىًand grief يعَضُّbites علىupon القلوبِthe hearts مُسمَّمpoisoned
وأسىً يعَضُّ على القلوبِ مُسمَّم
Agonizing sleeplessness weighs upon their eyes,
None but in his hand is a hand
And poisoned grief bites at their hearts.
Raised to God, its light contemplated.
فكأنماso as though فيin كلِّevery عينٍeye مِبرَدٌa file
فكأنما في كلِّ عينٍ مِبرَدٌ
وكأنّماand as though فيin كلِّevery قلبٍheart أَرقَمa speckled viper
وكأنّما في كلِّ قلبٍ أَرقَم
As though in every eye there were a file,
They were marked with faith of heart, and it
And in every heart a speckled viper.
Is seen over the course of time, so marked.
المسلمونthe Muslims يُبايعونَpledge allegiance to نبيَّهمtheir Prophet
المسلمون يُبايعونَ نبيَّهم
يَستمسكونَhold fast بعُروةٍto a bond ماnot تُفصَمis broken
يَستمسكونَ بعُروةٍ ما تُفصَم
The Muslims pledge allegiance to their Prophet,
Good company for a people between whom
Holding fast to a bond that cannot be broken.
No animosity turns away, nor wretched one deprived.
لاnot يحسبونthey consider دمَthe blood of المُجَاهدِthe fighter مَغرماًa loss
لا يحسبون دمَ المُجَاهدِ مَغرماً
هوit عندهمin their view إنْif لمnot يُرِقْهُhe sheds it المغرمis the loss
هو عندهم إنْ لم يُرِقْهُ المغرم
They do not count the warrior's blood a loss;
No glorious treasure hoarded, lofty in station
For them, the loss is when he leaves it unshed.
Except what they hoarded, most excellent and splendid.
إنif ضمَّهمgathers them عندat الشَهادةِmartyrdom مَورِدٌa watering place
إن ضمَّهم عند الشَهادةِ مَورِدٌ
لَذَّis sweet المذاقُthe taste لهمto them وطابَand is good المطعمthe nourishment
لَذَّ المذاقُ لهم وطابَ المطعم
If a watering place unites them at martyrdom,
This is Suhayl, who came carrying their request
Its taste is sweet to them, its nourishment good.
And finds fault in what the archers did, regretting,
اللَّهُGod مولاهمtheir protector ونصرُand supporting رسولِهِHis Messenger
اللَّهُ مولاهم ونصرُ رسولِهِ
حَقٌّa duty عليهمupon them فيin الكتابِthe Book مُحتَّمordained
حَقٌّ عليهم في الكتابِ مُحتَّم
God is their protector; supporting His Messenger
And says, leave it O Muhammad, a plot
Is a duty upon them, ordained in the Book.
With which honor is shot, so it tears.
نهضواthey rose خَفافاًeagerly لوif رأيتَyou saw جُموعَهمtheir multitudes
نهضوا خَفافاً لو رأيتَ جُموعَهم
لَعَلِمتَyou would know أيَّwhat kind of النّاسِpeople إيماناًin faith هُمُthey are
لَعَلِمتَ أيَّ النّاسِ إيماناً هُمُ
They rose eagerly; had you seen their multitudes,
We fear disgrace, so let there be between us
You would have known what people they are in faith.
A reconciliation we profess, and pact concluded.
ماnot مِنهمُamong them إلاexcept علىupon يَدِهِhis hand يَدٌa hand
ما مِنهمُ إلا على يَدِهِ يَدٌ
للَّهِof God ينظرُbeholds نورهاits radiance المتوسّمthe discerning
للَّهِ ينظرُ نورها المتوسّم
Not one of them but upon his hand is a hand
War places on us its burdens
Of God, whose radiance the discerning beholds.
And will return if it gathers pilgrims for the season.
لُثِمَتْwas kissed بإيمانِwith the faith of القلوبِhearts وإنّهاand indeed it
لُثِمَتْ بإيمانِ القلوبِ وإنّها
لَتُرَىis surely seen علىover مَرِّthe passage of الزَّمانِtime فتُلثَمand is kissed
لَتُرَى على مَرِّ الزَّمانِ فتُلثَم
It was kissed with the hearts' faith, and indeed
For you is your weapons, whoever took them as supporter
It is seen across the ages and kissed again.
Seeking safety, or carrying as suspect.
نعمexcellent is العطاءُthe gift لمعشرٍto a company ماnot بينهمamong them
نعم العطاءُ لمعشرٍ ما بينهم
نَكِدٌan unfortunate man يُرَدُّis turned away ولاnor شَقِيٌّa wretched man يُحرمُis deprived
نَكِدٌ يُرَدُّ ولا شَقِيٌّ يُحرمُ
Excellent the gift to a company among whom
And sheathe your swords in their scabbards, and do not be stingy
No unfortunate man is turned away, no wretched man deprived.
With evil, it is repelled, and harm concluded.
ماnot جلَّwas great مُدَّخرٌa stored treasure فَخِيمٌlofty شأنُهُits standing
ما جلَّ مُدَّخرٌ فَخِيمٌ شأنُهُ
إلاexcept الذيwhat ادَّخرواthey stored أَجَلُّis greater وأفخمand loftier
إلا الذي ادَّخروا أَجَلُّ وأفخم
No stored treasure is great, its standing lofty,
The limit of our stay is three days, so when they finish
But what they stored is greater and loftier still.
They leave our dwellings, and Yathrib, destined.
هذاthis is سُهَيْلٌSuhayl جاءَhe came يحملُbearing سُؤْلَهمtheir request
هذا سُهَيْلٌ جاءَ يحملُ سُؤْلَهم
وَيَعيبُand condemns ماwhat صَنَعَdid الرُّماةُthe archers وَيندمand regrets
وَيَعيبُ ما صَنَعَ الرُّماةُ وَيندم
Here is Suhayl, bearing their request,
Whoever comes from you is not returned, and whoever comes
Condemning what the archers did, and regretting it.
From us, then returned to us, submissive.
ويقولُand says دَعْهَاset it aside ياO مُحَمَّدُMuhammad خُطّةًa course
ويقولُ دَعْهَا يا مُحَمَّدُ خُطّةً
يُرمَىis struck بهاby it الشّرفُhonor الرفيعُexalted فيُثلَمُand is breached
يُرمَى بها الشّرفُ الرفيعُ فيُثلَمُ
He says, 'Set aside, Muhammad, a course
This is what we accept, so is there a writer
That strikes exalted honor and breaches it.
Who will heal hearts with what he writes and inscribes?
إنّاindeed we نخافُfear العارَdisgrace فَلْيَكُso let there be بينناbetween us
إنّا نخافُ العارَ فَلْيَكُ بيننا
صُلْحٌpeace نَدِيْنُwe abide بهِby it وعهدٌand a covenant مُبْرَمُbinding
صُلْحٌ نَدِيْنُ بهِ وعهدٌ مُبْرَمُ
We fear disgrace; let there be between us
The Prophet approved, wanting his Lord's mercy
A peace we abide by, and a binding covenant.
He is His servant, and He is Most-forbearing, Most-merciful.
الحربُwar تُوضَعare laid down بينناbetween us أوزارُهاits burdens
الحربُ تُوضَع بيننا أوزارُها
وَتَعودُand you return إنwhen جَمعَgathers الحجيجَthe pilgrims الموسمُthe pilgrimage season
وَتَعودُ إن جَمعَ الحجيجَ الموسمُ
War shall lay down its burdens between us,
The men shouted, and the Guidance’s Farouq
And you may return when the season gathers pilgrims.
Was incensed in his coat of mail, piercing.
لكَyou may have منof سلاحِكَyour weapons ماwhat تَقَلَّدَwears مُنجِدٌa traveler to Najd
لكَ من سلاحِكَ ما تَقَلَّدَ مُنجِدٌ
يَبغِيseeking السلامَةَsafety أوor تَزوَّدَtakes as provision مُتهِمa traveler to Tihama
يَبغِي السلامَةَ أو تَزوَّدَ مُتهِم
You may carry such arms as a traveler to Najd wears,
And he said to the Truthful: Who is he, O Abu
Seeking safety, or one bound for Tihama takes.
Bakr, and what belief should we mark?
واجعلand place سُيوفَكَyour swords فيin الغُمودِthe sheaths ولاand do not تَضِقْchafe
واجعل سُيوفَكَ في الغُمودِ ولا تَضِقْ
بالشرِّat evil يُدرَأُbeing warded off والمضَّرةِand harm تُحسَمbeing ended
بالشرِّ يُدرَأُ والمضَّرةِ تُحسَم
Keep your swords in their sheaths, and do not chafe
Is he the Messenger, and we follow his religion?
At evil being warded off and harm brought to an end.
Why then the humiliation, what for us to submit?
حدُّthe limit of المُقامِthe stay ثلاثةٌthree days فإذاthen when انقضتْthey have elapsed
حدُّ المُقامِ ثلاثةٌ فإذا انقضتْ
فَدعواthen leave منازِلَناour dwellings وَيثربَand Yathrib يَمِّمواmake for
فَدعوا منازِلَنا وَيثربَ يَمِّموا
The limit of your stay is three days; when they have passed,
Softness is the nature of the weak and his habit
Leave our dwellings and make for Yathrib.
And of wonders that the mighty show softness!
منwhoever جاءَcomes منكمfrom you لاnot يُرَدُّis returned ومنand whoever يَجيءْcomes
من جاءَ منكم لا يُرَدُّ ومن يَجيءْ
مِنّاfrom us فمردودٌthen is returned إليناto us مُسْلَمsurrendered
مِنّا فمردودٌ إلينا مُسْلَم
Whoever comes from you shall not be returned; whoever comes
Patience, may God guide you, and hold to its knot
From us shall be returned, surrendered to us.
If you seek the knot of a rope held fast.
هذاthis is الذيwhat نَرضىwe accept فهلso is there منany كاتبٍscribe
هذا الذي نَرضى فهل من كاتبٍ
يَشفِيsoothes الصُّدورَhearts بماwith what يَخُطُّhe writes ويَرقُمand records
يَشفِي الصُّدورَ بما يَخُطُّ ويَرقُم
This is what we accept; is there a scribe
Congratulations to Abu Bakr! You gave an argument
To soothe hearts with what he writes and records?'
With which faith was cloven, and you translate!
رَضِيَconsented النبيُّthe Prophet يُريدُseeking رَحمةَthe mercy of رَبِّهِhis Lord
رَضِيَ النبيُّ يُريدُ رَحمةَ رَبِّهِ
هُوَhe عبدُهis His servant وهوand He الأبرُّmost kind الأرحَمُmost merciful
هُوَ عبدُه وهو الأبرُّ الأرحَمُ
The Prophet consented, seeking his Lord's mercy:
And Abu Ubaydah seeking refuge in his Lord
He is His servant, and He is most kind, most merciful.
Fearing the indications of its cleaving, unblamable.
صَاحَcried out الرجالُthe men وَرَاحَand began فاروقُthe Faruq of الهدىguidance
صَاحَ الرجالُ وَرَاحَ فاروقُ الهدى
يَهتاجُto rage فيin بُرْدَيْهِhis two cloaks فَحلٌa male camel مُقْرِمُreserved for breeding
يَهتاجُ في بُرْدَيْهِ فَحلٌ مُقْرِمُ
The men cried out, and guidance's Faruq began
From al-Farouq an unyielding soul rises
To rage in his two cloaks, a prized breeding camel.
Whose forbidden things, if touched, blaze.
ويقولand says للصدِّيقِto al-Siddiq مَنwho هوis he ياO أباAbu
ويقول للصدِّيقِ مَن هو يا أبا
بكرٍBakr وَأَيَّةَand which مِلّةٍfaith نَترسَّمُdo we follow
بكرٍ وَأَيَّةَ مِلّةٍ نَترسَّمُ
He says to al-Siddiq, 'Who is he, O Abu
The Prophet said, enough O Umar! Comply!
Bakr, and which faith do we follow?
For right in its authority cannot be defeated.
أهُوَis he الرسولُthe Messenger ونحنُand we نتبعُfollow دِينَهُhis religion
أهُوَ الرسولُ ونحنُ نتبعُ دِينَهُ
فَلِمَthen why الهوانُhumiliation وماand why لناdo we نَسْتَسْلِمُsurrender
فَلِمَ الهوانُ وما لنا نَسْتَسْلِمُ
Is he the Messenger, and do we follow his religion?
I am pleased, yet you refuse. If you knew
Then why humiliation, and why do we surrender?
What we love and desire behind us.
اللينُgentleness منis of خُلُقِthe character of الضَّعيفِthe weak man وَدَأْبهِand his habit
اللينُ من خُلُقِ الضَّعيفِ وَدَأْبهِ
وَمِنَand among العجائِبِwonders أنthat يَلينَgrows gentle الضَّيغمُthe lion
وَمِنَ العجائِبِ أن يَلينَ الضَّيغمُ
Gentleness is the weak man's character and habit;
I am God’s Messenger, lacking no aid from Him
It is astonishing that a lion should grow gentle.'
And God plans what He wills and portions out.
مَهْلاًgently هداكَmay guide you اللَّهُGod وَالْزَمْand stay by غَرْزَهُhis stirrup
مَهْلاً هداكَ اللَّهُ وَالْزَمْ غَرْزَهُ
إنif كنتَyou are تطلبُseeking خيرَthe finest غَرزٍstirrup يُلزَمto hold to
إن كنتَ تطلبُ خيرَ غَرزٍ يُلزَم
'Gently! May God guide you; stay by his stirrup,
The matter is unseen, no access for the like of you
If you seek the finest stirrup to hold to.'
To its knowledge, and the unseen is a door barred.
إهنأrejoice أباAbu بكرٍBakr قَضيتَyou judged بحُجَّةٍwith a proof
إهنأ أبا بكرٍ قَضيتَ بحُجَّةٍ
صَدَعproclaimed اليقينُcertainty بهاit وأنتَand you مُتَرْجِمare an interpreter
صَدَع اليقينُ بها وأنتَ مُتَرْجِم
Rejoice, Abu Bakr! You have judged with a proof
Write, O Ali! You will not see thereafter one transgressing
That certainty proclaimed, with you as its interpreter.
Except he is reined in by time and restrained.
وأبوand Abu عُبيدَةَUbayda إذas يَعوذُhe seeks refuge بربّهِin his Lord
وأبو عُبيدَةَ إذ يَعوذُ بربّهِ
يَخشىfears بَوادرَoutbursts صَدْعُهاwhose rift لاnot يُلأمis mended
يَخشى بَوادرَ صَدْعُها لا يُلأم
And Abu Ubayda, seeking refuge in his Lord,
But Suhayl refused that his scripture have
Fears outbursts whose rift could not be mended.
A permission from prophethood as its header.
يَرقىsoothes منwithin الفاروقِal-Faruq نَفْساًa soul صعبةًdifficult
يَرقى من الفاروقِ نَفْساً صعبةً
تأبىresist عَوارِمُهاits fierce impulses إذاwhen ماindeed تُعْجَمit is tested
تأبى عَوارِمُها إذا ما تُعْجَم
He soothes in al-Faruq a difficult soul,
The Prophet said: Delete “In the name of God” and “Messenger of God”
Whose fierce impulses resist when put to the test.
Do you want it as magic with a spell making sick?
قالَsaid النبيُّthe Prophet كفاكَenough for you ياO عُمَرُUmar اتَّئِدْbe calm
قالَ النبيُّ كفاكَ يا عُمَرُ اتَّئِدْ
فالحقُّfor truth فيwithin سُلطانِهِits dominion لاnot يُهزَمُis defeated
فالحقُّ في سُلطانِهِ لا يُهزَمُ
The Prophet said, 'Enough, Umar: be calm.
Religion differs, and we have nothing but
Truth, within its dominion, is not defeated.
What time past has bequeathed us.
أَرْضَىI consent وتأبىand refuse أنتَyou إنّindeed وراءَناahead of us
أَرْضَى وتأبى أنتَ إنّ وراءَنا
لوif كنتَyou were تعلمُto know ماwhat نُحِبُّwe love ونرأمand cherish
لو كنتَ تعلمُ ما نُحِبُّ ونرأم
I consent, and you refuse; indeed, ahead of us lies,
So Ali refused what he wanted, and it provoked him
If you but knew, what we love and cherish.
The zeal of the unwilling, whose anger is not suppressed.
إنيindeed I رسولُam the Messenger of اللَّهِGod ليسnot بِخاذِليforsaking me
إني رسولُ اللَّهِ ليس بِخاذِلي
واللَّهُand God يَقْدِرُdecrees ماwhat يشاءُHe wills وَيَقْسِمُand apportions
واللَّهُ يَقْدِرُ ما يشاءُ وَيَقْسِمُ
I am God's Messenger; He will not forsake me.
The Prophet said: Do it, and by its like
God decrees what He wills and apportions.
Eyes will be pleased, and hot coals doused.
الأمرُthe matter غَيْبٌis unseen ماno لمثلِكَfor one like you مطمعٌhope
الأمرُ غَيْبٌ ما لمثلِكَ مطمعٌ
فيof علمِهِknowing it والغيبُand the unseen بابٌis a door مُبْهَمsealed
في علمِهِ والغيبُ بابٌ مُبْهَم
The matter is unseen; one like you has no hope
Ibn Amr looked and saw his son
Of knowing it: the unseen is a sealed door.
Seeking the footsteps hurriedly, refusing slowness.
اكتُبْwrite عَليُّAli فلنfor never ترىwill you see منany جامحٍunruly steed
اكتُبْ عَليُّ فلن ترى من جامحٍ
إلاexcept يُزَمُّit is reined علىover الزّمانِtime وَيُخطَمand bridled
إلا يُزَمُّ على الزّمانِ وَيُخطَم
Write, Ali: you will see no unruly steed
He said, return him! That is your first term with them
But it is reined and bridled in time.'
And if you refuse, it is an unfulfilled and incomplete term.
وَأبَىand refused سُهَيْلٌSuhayl أنthat يكونَbe كتابُهhis document
وَأبَى سُهَيْلٌ أن يكونَ كتابُه
سَمْحاًaccommodating عليهupon it منof النبوّةِprophethood رَوْشَمُa stamp
سَمْحاً عليه من النبوّةِ رَوْشَمُ
Suhayl refused to let his document be
He turned back striking him. What a Muslim you are!
Accommodating, bearing prophethood's stamp.
Struck by his father and slapped!
قالَhe said امْحُerase باسمِin the name of اللَّهِGod وامْحُand erase رَسُولَهُHis Messenger
قالَ امْحُ باسمِ اللَّهِ وامْحُ رَسُولَهُ
أَتُريدُهاdo you want it صاباًbitter sap بِسُمٍّwith poison تُؤدَمseasoned
أَتُريدُها صاباً بِسُمٍّ تُؤدَم
He said, 'Erase “in God's name,” and erase “His Messenger.”
The Muslim’s hearts softened at his speech
Would you have it bitter sap, seasoned with poison?
So feelings shook and tears streamed.
الدّينُreligion مختلفٌdiffers وليسand not لناfor us سِوَىanything but
الدّينُ مختلفٌ وليس لنا سِوَى
ماwhat كانhad أورثَناbequeathed to us الزمانُthe age الأقدمearliest
ما كان أورثَنا الزمانُ الأقدم
Our religions differ, and we have nothing but
The Prophet held his garment, so he returned him
What the earliest age bequeathed to us.'
To build for his nation edifices and support them.
فأبَىbut refused عليٌّAli ماwhat أرادَhe wanted وهاجَهُand stirred him
فأبَى عليٌّ ما أرادَ وهاجَهُ
حَرَدُthe anger of الأبيِّthe proud man فَغيظُهand his fury ماnot يُكظَمis restrained
حَرَدُ الأبيِّ فَغيظُه ما يُكظَم
Ali refused what he wanted, stirred by
He said, turn back! God guarding you suffices,
The proud man's anger, his fury unrestrained.
Reliance for well-being is a twin.
قالsaid النبيُّthe Prophet افعلْdo it وسوفَand one day بمثلهاwith its like
قال النبيُّ افعلْ وسوفَ بمثلها
تُسْقَىyou will be made to drink فَتُغْضِيthen lower الطَّرْفَyour gaze وَهْيَthough it is العلقمcolocynth
تُسْقَى فَتُغْضِي الطَّرْفَ وَهْيَ العلقم
The Prophet said, 'Do it; one day, with its like
So he went saying, is there no rein on a man
You will be made to drink, and lower your eyes, though it is colocynth.'
Who seeks escape with his religion, guarded?
نظرlooked ابنُIbn عمروٍAmr نظرةًa glance فرأىand saw ابْنَهُhis son
نظر ابنُ عمروٍ نظرةً فرأى ابْنَهُ
يَبغِيseeking الخُطَىsteps عَجْلَىhurried ويَأبَىbut refuses الأدهمthe iron fetter
يَبغِي الخُطَى عَجْلَى ويَأبَى الأدهم
Ibn Amr looked and saw his son
Return to your chains, and be patient! Harm
Trying to hurry his steps, while the iron fetter refused.
Is the most damaging the men have tasted, and most painful.
قالhe said ارجعوهreturn him فذاكfor that is أوّلُthe first obligation of عهدكمyour covenant
قال ارجعوه فذاك أوّلُ عهدكم
فلئنfor if أبيتمyou refuse لَهْوَit is surely عَهدٌa covenant أَجْذَمُmaimed
فلئن أبيتم لَهْوَ عَهدٌ أَجْذَمُ
He said, 'Return him: that is your covenant's first obligation.
How much gain the guided ones who followed guidance made!
If you refuse, it is surely a maimed covenant.'
In sanctity annulled, and right trampled!
وانقضَّand swooped يضربُهُstriking him فياwhat a sight لكَfor you مُسلِماًa Muslim
وانقضَّ يضربُهُ فيا لكَ مُسلِماً
فيfor اللَّهِGod يُضربُis beaten منby أبيهِhis father ويُلْطَمُand slapped
في اللَّهِ يُضربُ من أبيهِ ويُلْطَمُ
He swooped upon him, striking—what a Muslim you see,
Better upon better whose accumulation
Beaten and slapped by his father for God's sake!
Evil upon evil gathered and formed.
رقَّتْsoftened قلوبُthe hearts of المسلِميْنَthe Muslims لخطبهat his plight
رقَّتْ قلوبُ المسلِميْنَ لخطبه
فجوانحٌso breasts تَهفوflutter وَدَمعٌand tears يَسجُمstream
فجوانحٌ تَهفو وَدَمعٌ يَسجُم
The Muslims' hearts softened at his plight:
The crying one hums, though sorrow reached
Breasts fluttered, and tears streamed.
Its utmost in him, and the blissful one humming cries.
أَخَذَtook hold النَبيُّthe Prophet بثوبِهِof his garment فأعادَهُthen returned him
أَخَذَ النَبيُّ بثوبِهِ فأعادَهُ
يَبْنِيbuilding لِأُمَّتِهِfor his community البِنَاءَthe structure وَيَدْعَمُand strengthening
يَبْنِي لِأُمَّتِهِ البِنَاءَ وَيَدْعَمُ
The Prophet took hold of his garment and sent him back,
They took the document, and it is in their perceptions
Building and strengthening the structure of his community.
Like treasure taken by the destitute pauper.
قالhe said انقلبْreturn وكَفَىand sufficient is بربِّكَyour Lord حافظاًas guardian
قال انقلبْ وكَفَى بربِّكَ حافظاً
إنَّindeed التوكُّلَtrust in God للسلامَةِto safety تَوْأَمُis a twin
إنَّ التوكُّلَ للسلامَةِ تَوْأَمُ
He said, 'Return; your Lord suffices as guardian.
They flew joyfully, and between its lines
Trust in God is safety's twin.'
Folly prominent, of piercing vision.
فمضىso he went away يقولُsaying ألاis there no ذِمَامٌprotection لامرئٍfor a man
فمضى يقولُ ألا ذِمَامٌ لامرئٍ
يَبْغِيseeking الفِرارَflight بدينهِwith his faith يَستَعْصِمُseeking refuge
يَبْغِي الفِرارَ بدينهِ يَستَعْصِمُ
He went away saying, 'Is there no protection for a man
A passed victory for the successful honored ones
Who seeks flight with his faith, seeking refuge?'
None passed from them, broken or worn out.
عُدْreturn فيto قُيُودِكَyour chains واصطَبِرْand endure patiently إنّindeed الأذىharm
عُدْ في قُيُودِكَ واصطَبِرْ إنّ الأذى
لأضرُّis surely most damaging ماwhat انتجعَsought as pasture الرجالُmen وأوخمُand most baleful
لأضرُّ ما انتجعَ الرجالُ وأوخمُ
Return to your chains and endure patiently; harm
Control is not for meteors, they
Is the most damaging and baleful pasture men can seek.
Judge the necks with reason, and judge.
كمhow much للأُلَىfor those who اتَّبعُواfollowed الهُدَىguidance مِنof مَغنَمٍgain
كم للأُلَى اتَّبعُوا الهُدَى مِن مَغنَمٍ
فيin حُرمَةٍsanctity تُلغَىbeing violated وحقٍّand a right يُهْضَمُbeing diminished
في حُرمَةٍ تُلغَى وحقٍّ يُهْضَمُ
How much gain there is for those who follow guidance
For tyranny there is a time, then its backbone is severed
In sanctity violated and a right diminished!
And justice a firm backbone, unbroken.
خيرٌgood علىupon خيرٍgood يَضُمُّgathers رُكَامَهُits heap
خيرٌ على خيرٍ يَضُمُّ رُكَامَهُ
شرٌّevil علىupon شَرٍّevil يُضَمُّis amassed وَيُرْكَمُand piled up
شرٌّ على شَرٍّ يُضَمُّ وَيُرْكَمُ
Good upon good, its heap gathered by
And a wedding may be held due to the people’s foolishness
Evil upon evil, amassed and piled high.
They rejoiced, though more fitting a mourning erected.
يَتَرَنَّمُsings الباكيthe weeper وإنeven if بَلَغَreached الأَسىgrief
يَتَرَنَّمُ الباكي وإن بَلَغَ الأَسى
مِنهwithin him ويبكِيand weeps النَّاعِمُthe pampered one المُتَرَنِّمُthe singer
مِنه ويبكِي النَّاعِمُ المُتَرَنِّمُ
The weeper sings, though grief has reached
Of the rights of truth that its loyal one
Deep into him; the pampered singer weeps.
Is supported in harshest accusations, and served.
أخذواthey took الصحيفةَthe document فَهْيَand it فيin أوهَامِهمtheir imaginings
أخذوا الصحيفةَ فَهْيَ في أوهَامِهم
كالكنزِlike a treasure يأخذُهُtakes it الفقيرُthe pauper المُعْدِمُdestitute
كالكنزِ يأخذُهُ الفقيرُ المُعْدِمُ
They took the document, which in their imagining
And most deserving to carry the banner, a persevering fighter
Was like a treasure seized by a destitute pauper.
Resolute against the terrors of events, determined.
طارواthey flew بهاwith it فَرَحاًin joy وبينand between سُطُورِهاits lines
طاروا بها فَرَحاً وبين سُطُورِها
دهياءُa calamity بارزَةُbaring النَّواجذِthe molars صَيْلَمُcrushing
دهياءُ بارزَةُ النَّواجذِ صَيْلَمُ
They flew with it in joy, while between its lines lay
Grant the rights their due, and be patient, you will succeed
A crushing calamity, baring its molars.
None despaired except one who wearies and tires.
نصرٌvictory مَضَىwent forth لمظفَّرينَfor triumphant men أعزَّةٍmighty
نصرٌ مَضَى لمظفَّرينَ أعزَّةٍ
لمnot يَمْضِadvanced منهمfrom them مَخْذَمٌa keen sword أوor لَهذَمa sharp spear
لم يَمْضِ منهم مَخْذَمٌ أو لَهذَم
Victory went forth for mighty, triumphant men,
This is a system for the people, and approach
Without a keen sword or spear advancing from them.
Truth a discerner sees, and foreigner.
ليسnot التَّصَرُّفُcommand للقواضِبِbelongs to cutting swords إنّهاindeed they
ليس التَّصَرُّفُ للقواضِبِ إنّها
بالرأيِthrough judgment تَحكمُrule فيover الرقابِnecks وتُحكمand are ruled
بالرأيِ تَحكمُ في الرقابِ وتُحكم
Command does not belong to cutting swords: they
The Book was revealed with it, so one guided was certain
Rule necks through judgment, and are themselves ruled.
And one astray doubted, confused and conflicted.
للبغيِfor oppression حِينٌa time ثمthen يُقصَمُis broken صُلبُهُits backbone
للبغيِ حِينٌ ثم يُقصَمُ صُلبُهُ
والعَدْلُand justice صُلْبٌa backbone قائمٌstanding firm ماnot يُقْصَمis broken
والعَدْلُ صُلْبٌ قائمٌ ما يُقْصَم
Oppression has its time, then its backbone is broken;
Good is the healing guidance, and most wondrous I see
Justice stands firm, its backbone never broken.
Good by which souls become healthy or sick.
ولقدand indeed يُقامُmay be held العرسُthe wedding feast منthrough سَفَهِthe folly of الألىthose who
ولقد يُقامُ العرسُ من سَفَهِ الألى
فَرِحُواrejoiced وأولىand more fitting أنthat يقامَbe held المأتمُthe funeral
فَرِحُوا وأولى أن يقامَ المأتمُ
A wedding feast may be held through the folly of those
Who rejoice, when a funeral would be more fitting.
منamong مَكْرُماتِthe gracious gifts of الحقِّtruth أنّthat وَلِيَّهُits ally
من مَكْرُماتِ الحقِّ أنّ وَلِيَّهُ
بأشدِّby the fiercest ماwhat يُرمَىis hurled at him يُعانُis helped ويُخدَمُand served
بأشدِّ ما يُرمَى يُعانُ ويُخدَمُ
Among truth's gracious gifts is that its ally
Is helped and served by the fiercest blows hurled at him.
وأحقُّand most worthy مَنone who حَمَلَbears اللّواءَthe banner مجاهدٌa fighter
وأحقُّ مَن حَمَلَ اللّواءَ مجاهدٌ
ماضٍpressing on علىdespite هَوْلِthe terror of الخُطُوبِcalamities مُصَمِّمُresolute
ماضٍ على هَوْلِ الخُطُوبِ مُصَمِّمُ
Most worthy to bear the banner is a fighter
Who presses on resolutely through terrifying calamities.
وَفِّgive fully المطالبَthe aims حَقَّهاtheir due واصبِرْand endure تَفُزْyou will succeed
وَفِّ المطالبَ حَقَّها واصبِرْ تَفُزْ
ماnot خابَfailed إلاexcept منone who يَملُّgrows weary وَيَسأمُand bored
ما خابَ إلا من يَملُّ وَيَسأمُ
Give your aims their due, and endure: you will succeed.
None fails but one who grows weary and bored.
هذاthis is نِظامٌan order للشعوبِfor peoples ومَنهجٌand a path
هذا نِظامٌ للشعوبِ ومَنهجٌ
حقٌّtrue يراهsees it فَصِيحُهاtheir eloquent speaker والأعجمand the foreign-tongued
حقٌّ يراه فَصِيحُها والأعجم
This is an order for peoples, and a path
Of truth, seen by their eloquent and foreign-tongued alike.
نزلwas revealed الكتابُthe Book بِهِwith it فأيقَنَso became certain مُهتَدٍa guided man
نزل الكتابُ بِهِ فأيقَنَ مُهتَدٍ
وَارْتابَand doubted ضِلِّيلٌa deeply misguided man ولَجَّand persisted مُرَجِّمُa conjecturer
وَارْتابَ ضِلِّيلٌ ولَجَّ مُرَجِّمُ
The Book revealed it: the guided man became certain,
The deeply misguided doubted, and the conjecturer persisted.
طِبُّthe medicine of الهُدىguidance الشّافِيhealing وأعجبُand strangest ماwhat أرىI see
طِبُّ الهُدى الشّافِي وأعجبُ ما أرى
طِبٌّa medicine تَصِحُّgrow well بهthrough it النُّفوسُsouls وتَسْقُمُand grow sick
طِبٌّ تَصِحُّ به النُّفوسُ وتَسْقُمُ
The healing medicine of guidance! Yet the strangest thing I see
Is a medicine through which souls grow well—and sick.
Partial English translation: 248 of 262 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1