ترامى الجيشُ واندفعَ الرعيلُ

ترامى الجيشُ واندفعَ الرعيلُ

فقل لبني قريظةَ ما السَّبيلُ

فقل لبني قريظةَ ما السَّبيلُ

The army surged forward, and the vanguard charged.

The army surged forth and the troops advanced,

Then ask Banu Qurayza: what course remains?

Say to the tribe of Quraytha, what is the way out?

سَلُوا كعباً وصاحَبُه حُيّياً

سَلُوا كعباً وصاحَبُه حُيّياً

نَزيلَ الشُّؤمِ هل صَدَقَ النزيلُ

نَزيلَ الشُّؤمِ هل صَدَقَ النزيلُ

Ask Ka'b and his companion Huyayy,

Ask Ka'b and his companion Huyayy,

that guest of ill omen: did the guest speak true?

The harbinger of misfortunes, did the harbinger speak the truth?

أطعتم أمرَهُ فتلقّفتكم

أطعتم أمرَهُ فتلقّفتكم

من الأحداثِ داهيةٌ أكولُ

من الأحداثِ داهيةٌ أكولُ

You obeyed his command, and you were seized

You obeyed his command so it befell you,

by a devouring calamity among life's vicissitudes.

Terrible calamities, voracious and fatal.

وكان دَليلَكم فجنى عليكم

وكان دَليلَكم فجنى عليكم

وقد يَجني على القومِ الدليلُ

وقد يَجني على القومِ الدليلُ

He was your guide, yet brought harm upon you;

He was your guide but he wronged you,

a guide may indeed bring harm upon his people.

A guide can indeed wrong his people.

دَليلُ السُّوءِ لا عَقلٌ حَصِيفٌ

دَليلُ السُّوءِ لا عَقلٌ حَصِيفٌ

يُسَدِّدُه ولا رأيٌ أصيلُ

يُسَدِّدُه ولا رأيٌ أصيلُ

A guide to evil: no discerning mind

An evil guide has no wise counsel,

directs him, nor any sound judgment.

To guide him, no sound view to rely on.

تَفرَّقَتِ الجموعُ وأدركَتْكُم

تَفرَّقَتِ الجموعُ وأدركَتْكُم

جنودُ اللَّهِ يَقْدُمُها الرَّسولُ

جنودُ اللَّهِ يَقْدُمُها الرَّسولُ

The multitudes dispersed, and you were overtaken

The groups dispersed and God's soldiers reached you,

by God's troops, led by the Messenger.

Led by the Prophet, steadily advancing.

جهلتم ما وراءَ الغدرِ حتّى

جهلتم ما وراءَ الغدرِ حتّى

رأيتم كيف يَتّعظُ الجهولُ

رأيتم كيف يَتّعظُ الجهولُ

You knew not what lay beyond treachery until

You were ignorant of what betrayal entails,

you saw how the ignorant man learns his lesson.

Until you saw how the ignorant learn.

ألم تروا اللِّواءَ مشى إليكم

ألم تروا اللِّواءَ مشى إليكم

به وبسيفهِ البطلُ المَهولُ

به وبسيفهِ البطلُ المَهولُ

Did you not see the banner? Toward you marched

Did you not see the banner approaching you,

the fearsome champion, bearing it and his sword.

Borne by the unknown, awesome hero with his sword?

حذار بني قريظة من عليٍّ

حذار بني قريظة من عليٍّ

ولا يغرركمُ الأُطُمُ الطويلُ

ولا يغرركمُ الأُطُمُ الطويلُ

Beware, Banu Qurayza, of Ali!

Beware O Banu Quraytha of Ali,

And do not let the lofty fortress deceive you.

Do not be fooled by hazy illusions.

وما يجديكم الهذَيانُ شيئاً

وما يجديكم الهذَيانُ شيئاً

وهل يُجدِي المُخبَّلَ ما يَقولُ

وهل يُجدِي المُخبَّلَ ما يَقولُ

Your babbling avails you nothing;

Your raving will not help you in the least,

does what the deranged man says help him?

Can the confused benefit from what he utters?

وما لبني القرودِ سِوَى المواضي

وما لبني القرودِ سِوَى المواضي

يكون لها بأرضِهِمُ صَلِيلُ

يكون لها بأرضِهِمُ صَلِيلُ

For the sons of apes there is nothing but keen swords,

The ape-men have only the meadows,

whose clash shall ring upon their soil.

Where they belong, to murmur in their lands.

تَوارَوْا كالنِّساءِ مُحجَّباتٍ

تَوارَوْا كالنِّساءِ مُحجَّباتٍ

حَمَتْها في المقاصيرِ البُعُولُ

حَمَتْها في المقاصيرِ البُعُولُ

They hid themselves like veiled women,

They cowered like veiled women,

protected by husbands in secluded chambers.

Sheltered by their husbands in the dwellings.

خلا الميدانُ لا بَطلٌ يُنادِي

خلا الميدانُ لا بَطلٌ يُنادِي

ألا بَطَلٌ ولا فَرَسٌ يَجولُ

ألا بَطَلٌ ولا فَرَسٌ يَجولُ

The field was empty: no champion called out,

The battlefield was empty, no hero to call

'Is there a champion?' Nor did any horse wheel about.

To arms, no steed wandering about.

أقاموا مُحْجَرِينَ على هَوانٍ

أقاموا مُحْجَرِينَ على هَوانٍ

أقامَ فما يَرِيمُ ولا يَحولُ

أقامَ فما يَرِيمُ ولا يَحولُ

They remained confined under a humiliation

They hunkered behind fortresses in disgrace,

that persisted, neither departing nor changing.

Built and neither collapsing nor turning.

يُرنِّقُ عَيْشَهم جُوعٌ وخَوْفٌ

يُرنِّقُ عَيْشَهم جُوعٌ وخَوْفٌ

كِلاَ الخطبَيْنِ أيْسرُهُ جَليلُ

كِلاَ الخطبَيْنِ أيْسرُهُ جَليلُ

Hunger and fear cloud their lives;

Their life embittered by hunger and fear,

of those two calamities, even the lighter is grave.

Both calamities, but the former is easier to resolve.

يَبيتُ الهمُّ مُنتشِراً عليهم

يَبيتُ الهمُّ مُنتشِراً عليهم

إذا انتشرتْ من اللّيلِ السُّدولُ

إذا انتشرتْ من اللّيلِ السُّدولُ

Anxiety spends the night spread over them,

Anxiety spreads over them at night

when the curtains of night spread out.

When the curtains of darkness fall.

يلفّهمُ السّهادُ فلا رُقادٌ

يلفّهمُ السّهادُ فلا رُقادٌ

يَطيبُ لهم ولا صَبْرٌ جَميلُ

يَطيبُ لهم ولا صَبْرٌ جَميلُ

Sleeplessness envelops them: no sleep

Slumber eludes them, there is no restful sleep,

is sweet to them, nor is there graceful patience.

No patience or solace for them.

يخاف النومَ أكثرُهم سُهاداً

يخاف النومَ أكثرُهم سُهاداً

كأنّ النومَ في عينيه غُولُ

كأنّ النومَ في عينيه غُولُ

The most sleepless among them fears sleep,

Most fear sleep more than wakefulness,

as though sleep were a ghoul in his eyes.

As if sleep to them is a lurking monster.

إذا مالت به سِنَةٌ تنزّى

إذا مالت به سِنَةٌ تنزّى

يظنُّ جَوانِبَ الدنيا تميلُ

يظنُّ جَوانِبَ الدنيا تميلُ

Whenever a doze makes him sway, he starts up,

If old-age frailty befalls him,

thinking the world's edges are tilting.

He thinks the sides of the earth are tilting.

تَطوفُ بهم مناياهم ظُنوناً

تَطوفُ بهم مناياهم ظُنوناً

تَوهَّجُ في مخالبِها النُّصولُ

تَوهَّجُ في مخالبِها النُّصولُ

Their deaths circle them as imagined forms,

Their deaths, in their suspicions, hover around them,

with blade-points blazing in their claws.

Baring its claws, in which blades are sheathed.

بهم وبحصنهِم ممّا دَهاهُمْ

بهم وبحصنهِم ممّا دَهاهُمْ

وحَاقَ بهم جُنونٌ أو ذُهولُ

وحَاقَ بهم جُنونٌ أو ذُهولُ

They and their fortress, from what befell them

What has befallen them and their fortress,

and engulfed them, are seized by madness or bewilderment.

Is madness and confusion.

يقول كبيرُهم يا قومِ ماذا

يقول كبيرُهم يا قومِ ماذا

تَرَوْنَ أهكذا تَعْمَى العُقولُ

تَرَوْنَ أهكذا تَعْمَى العُقولُ

Their chief says: My people, what

Their leader says: O people what is this?

do you think? Is this how minds go blind?

Do minds go blind like this?

أليس مُحمدٌ من قد علمتم

أليس مُحمدٌ من قد علمتم

فما الخَبَلُ المُلِحُّ وما الغُفُولُ

فما الخَبَلُ المُلِحُّ وما الغُفُولُ

Is Muhammad not the one you know?

Is not Muhammad known to you,

Why, then, this relentless madness and heedlessness?

So what is this foolery and ignorance?

رسولُ اللَّهِ ما عنه صُدوفٌ

رسولُ اللَّهِ ما عنه صُدوفٌ

لمن يبغي النَّجاةَ ولا عُدُولُ

لمن يبغي النَّجاةَ ولا عُدُولُ

He is God's Messenger; none may turn from him

God's Messenger is upright,

who seeks deliverance, nor take another course.

There is no deviating for one who seeks salvation.

أبعدَ العِلم شَكٌّ بل ضللتم

أبعدَ العِلم شَكٌّ بل ضللتم

على عِلْمٍ وذلكمُ الغُلولُ

على عِلْمٍ وذلكمُ الغُلولُ

Doubt after knowledge? No, you have gone astray

After knowing, is there still doubt?

knowingly, and that is betrayal.

But you have strayed, and that is capricious injustice.

هَلمُّوا نَتَّبِعْهُ فإنْ أبيتُم

هَلمُّوا نَتَّبِعْهُ فإنْ أبيتُم

فليس لنا سِوَى الأخرى بَديلُ

فليس لنا سِوَى الأخرى بَديلُ

Come, let us follow him; but if you refuse,

Come, let us follow him, and if you refuse,

we have no alternative but the other course:

We have no alternative but the other.

نُضَحِّي بالنّساءِ وبالذراري

نُضَحِّي بالنّساءِ وبالذراري

ونَخرجُ والدّمُ الجاري يَسيلُ

ونَخرجُ والدّمُ الجاري يَسيلُ

We shall sacrifice the women and the children,

We will sacrifice the women and children,

and go out while the flowing blood streams.

And march out while blood still flows.

بأيدينا السُّيوفُ مُسَلَّلاَتُ

بأيدينا السُّيوفُ مُسَلَّلاَتُ

نَصونُ بها الذِمارَ إذا نَصولُ

نَصونُ بها الذِمارَ إذا نَصولُ

In our hands shall be drawn swords;

In our hands are swords, unsheathed,

with them we defend our honor when we charge.

With which we defend our honor if called upon.

فإلا تفعلوا فالقومُ منّا

فإلا تفعلوا فالقومُ منّا

بمنزلةِ تُنالُ بها الذُّحولُ

بمنزلةِ تُنالُ بها الذُّحولُ

If you will not do this, those men are so placed before us

And if you do not, then we are to you,

that old wrongs may be avenged.

As meat to be consumed rapaciously.

لهم منّا غداً بالسَّبْتِ أمْنٌ

لهم منّا غداً بالسَّبْتِ أمْنٌ

فإن تكُ غِرّةٌ شُفِيَ الغَليلُ

فإن تكُ غِرّةٌ شُفِيَ الغَليلُ

Tomorrow, on the Sabbath, they feel safe from us;

Tomorrow they have safety from us,

if there is an unguarded moment, the burning thirst will be soothed.

But if there is betrayal, let the anguish be relieved.

هلمّوا بالقواضبِ إن أردتم

هلمّوا بالقواضبِ إن أردتم

فما يُغنِي التَّردّدُ والنُّكولُ

فما يُغنِي التَّردّدُ والنُّكولُ

Come with the cleaving swords, if you wish;

Come with the deed if you want,

hesitation and shrinking back avail nothing.

Hesitation and refusal will not avail.

عَصَوْهُ وَراضَهُم عمروُ بن سُعْدَى

عَصَوْهُ وَراضَهُم عمروُ بن سُعْدَى

فما اجتُنِبَ الجماحُ ولا الجُفولُ

فما اجتُنِبَ الجماحُ ولا الجُفولُ

They defied him, and Amr ibn Su'da tried to rein them in,

They disobeyed and counseled him, Amr ibn Suda.

yet neither unruliness nor shying away was abandoned.

Thus, neither avoidance of folly nor fleeing from it.

أَبَوْها جِزيةً ثَقُلَتْ عليهم

أَبَوْها جِزيةً ثَقُلَتْ عليهم

وقالوا بئسما يرضى الذّليلُ

وقالوا بئسما يرضى الذّليلُ

They rejected it as a tribute that weighed heavily upon them,

They refused the heavy tribute,

and said: Wretched is what the abject man accepts!

And said: Evil is that which the disgraced accept.

ففَارقَهم على سُخْطٍ وضِغْنٍ

ففَارقَهم على سُخْطٍ وضِغْنٍ

ورَاحَ يقولُ لا نِعْمَ القبيلُ

ورَاحَ يقولُ لا نِعْمَ القبيلُ

So he left them in anger and rancor,

So he left them angrily and resentfully,

and went away saying: No fine clan are these!

Saying: They are not good people.

نهاهم قبل ذلك أن يخونوا

نهاهم قبل ذلك أن يخونوا

فكان الغدرُ والداءُ الوبيلُ

فكان الغدرُ والداءُ الوبيلُ

He had forbidden them, before that, to betray,

He had prohibited them before from betrayal,

but there came treachery and deadly sickness.

But betrayal came, and what a perilous affliction.

تَوالَى الضُّرُّ عِبْئاً بعد عِبْءٍ

تَوالَى الضُّرُّ عِبْئاً بعد عِبْءٍ

فهدَّ قُواهُمُ العبءُ الثقيلُ

فهدَّ قُواهُمُ العبءُ الثقيلُ

Harm followed harm, burden after burden,

Blow after blow befell them,

and the heavy burden shattered their strength.

Until the heavy burden subdued their strength.

دَعَوْا يَسْتَصْرِخونَ ألا دَواءٌ

دَعَوْا يَسْتَصْرِخونَ ألا دَواءٌ

فقد أشفَى على الموتِ العليلُ

فقد أشفَى على الموتِ العليلُ

They called, crying for help: Is there no remedy?

They cried for help - is there no remedy?

For the sick man has come to the brink of death.

But death has healed the terminally ill.

لعل أبا لُبابةَ إن ظفرنا

لعل أبا لُبابةَ إن ظفرنا

بمقدمه لِعَثْرتِنَا مُقيلُ

بمقدمه لِعَثْرتِنَا مُقيلُ

Perhaps Abu Lubaba, if we succeed

If only we can get Abu Lubabah, if we prevail over him,

in securing his arrival, will lift us from our fall.

He may tilt the scales for us in our stumble.

وأرسله النبيُّ فخالفوه

وأرسله النبيُّ فخالفوه

وقالوا لا يُصابُ لنا قتيلُ

وقالوا لا يُصابُ لنا قتيلُ

The Prophet sent him, but they opposed him,

But the Prophet sent him and they disobeyed him,

and said: Not one of ours shall be slain.

Saying: None of us will be killed.

لكم منّا السّلاحُ إذا أردتم

لكم منّا السّلاحُ إذا أردتم

وتنطلق الركائبُ والحُمولُ

وتنطلق الركائبُ والحُمولُ

You may have our weapons, if you wish,

You can have our weapons if you want,

and the riding beasts and laden camels shall depart.

And the riding beasts will be let loose.

وَعَادَ فرَاجَعُوه على اضطرارٍ

وَعَادَ فرَاجَعُوه على اضطرارٍ

وهانَ عليهمُ المالُ الجزيلُ

وهانَ عليهمُ المالُ الجزيلُ

He returned, and they appealed to him again under duress,

They went back pleading with him out of desperation,

and their abundant wealth became of little account to them.

And wealth seemed trivial to them.

إليكَ أبا لُبابةَ ما منعنا

إليكَ أبا لُبابةَ ما منعنا

وشرُّ المالِ ما مَنَعَ البَخِيلُ

وشرُّ المالِ ما مَنَعَ البَخِيلُ

Here, Abu Lubaba, is what we withheld;

Abu Lubabah, nothing prevented us,

the worst wealth is what a miser keeps back.

And the worst wealth is that which bars the stingy.

خُذوهُ مع السلاحِ وأطْلِقُونا

خُذوهُ مع السلاحِ وأطْلِقُونا

فَحَسْبُ مُحمّدٍ منّا الرحيلُ

فَحَسْبُ مُحمّدٍ منّا الرحيلُ

Take it with the weapons, and release us;

Take it and the weapons and release us,

our departure should suffice Muhammad.

It is enough that Muhammad departs from us.

فقال دِماؤُكم لا بُدَّ منها

فقال دِماؤُكم لا بُدَّ منها

وذلك حُكمُهُ فمتى القُبولُ

وذلك حُكمُهُ فمتى القُبولُ

He said: Your blood must be shed;

He said: Your blood is unavoidable,

that is his judgment, so when will you accept?

That is his judgment, so when is compliance?

أجِبْ يا كعبُ إنّ الأمرَ حَتْمٌ

أجِبْ يا كعبُ إنّ الأمرَ حَتْمٌ

فماذا بَعْدُ إلا المستحيلُ

فماذا بَعْدُ إلا المستحيلُ

Respond, Ka'b: the matter is inevitable;

Answer, O Ka'b, the matter is fate,

what remains afterward but the impossible?

What then, other than the impossible?

وما من معشرٍ يا كعبُ إلا

وما من معشرٍ يا كعبُ إلا

على حُكْمِ النبيِّ لهم نُزولُ

على حُكْمِ النبيِّ لهم نُزولُ

There is no community, Ka'b, but must

No people, O Ka'b, but are destined

submit to the Prophet's judgment.

To obey the Prophet's judgment upon them.

نَصحتُ لكم وما للقومِ عُذْرٌ

نَصحتُ لكم وما للقومِ عُذْرٌ

إذا نَصَحَ الحليفُ أو الخليلُ

إذا نَصَحَ الحليفُ أو الخليلُ

I have counseled you; the people have no excuse

I counseled you, and the people have no excuse

when an ally or close friend gives sincere counsel.

When an ally or dear friend counsels.

هَوَوْا من حصنِهِم وكذاك تَهوي

هَوَوْا من حصنِهِم وكذاك تَهوي

وتهبطُ من مَعاقِلها الوُعولُ

وتهبطُ من مَعاقِلها الوُعولُ

They plunged from their fortress, just as

They recoiled from their fortress, and so it goes,

ibexes plunge and descend from their rocky strongholds.

Strongholds collapse from their heights.

وجاءوا ضَارِعينَ لهم خُوارٌ

وجاءوا ضَارِعينَ لهم خُوارٌ

يجاوِبُهُ بُكاءٌ أو عَويلُ

يجاوِبُهُ بُكاءٌ أو عَويلُ

They came supplicating, with a lowing cry,

They came miserable, weeping or wailing,

answered by weeping or wailing.

Grief flows copiously from the anguished.

يبثُّ الوجدَ مُبتَئِسٌ حِزينٌ

يبثُّ الوجدَ مُبتَئِسٌ حِزينٌ

وَتذرِي الدمعَ وَالِهَةٌ ثَكُولُ

وَتذرِي الدمعَ وَالِهَةٌ ثَكُولُ

A wretched, sorrowing man pours forth anguish,

God's ordained judgment of killing and capture,

and a distraught, bereaved mother sheds tears.

It passed, and tyranny's time goes around.

قضاءُ اللَّهِ من قتلٍ وسَبْيٍ

قضاءُ اللَّهِ من قتلٍ وسَبْيٍ

مَضَى والبغيُ دَولَتُهُ تدولُ

مَضَى والبغيُ دَولَتُهُ تدولُ

God's decree of killing and captivity

The AWS say: Those people are our allies,

was carried out, and tyranny's reign passed away.

By a pact, even if the torrents rage.

يَقولُ الأوسُ إنّ القومَ منّا

يَقولُ الأوسُ إنّ القومَ منّا

على عهدٍ وقد طَمَتِ السُّيولُ

على عهدٍ وقد طَمَتِ السُّيولُ

The Aws say: These people are bound to us

They are our friends, we defend them,

by covenant, though the floods have overflowed.

And stoop over them if the hump straightens.

مَوالِينا إذا خَطبٌ عَنَاهُمْ

مَوالِينا إذا خَطبٌ عَنَاهُمْ

عَنَانَا ما يَشُقُّ وما يَعُولُ

عَنَانَا ما يَشُقُّ وما يَعُولُ

They are our allies: when calamity afflicts them,

Should we kill them with our own hands? Sorry!

what burdens and overwhelms them afflicts us too.

O Messenger of God, that would be clear misguidance.

وَهُمْ حُلَفاؤُنا نحنو عليهم

وَهُمْ حُلَفاؤُنا نحنو عليهم

ونَحدبُ إن جَفَا الحَدِبُ الوَصولُ

ونَحدبُ إن جَفَا الحَدِبُ الوَصولُ

They are our confederates; we show them tenderness,

He said: I have left the matter of the people vague,

and care for them even if the caring, devoted friend turns cold.

To Sa'd, an excellent trustee.

أنقتلهم بأيدينا فعفواً

أنقتلهم بأيدينا فعفواً

رسولَ اللَّهِ إن أَثِمَ الضَّلولُ

رسولَ اللَّهِ إن أَثِمَ الضَّلولُ

Shall we kill them with our own hands? Grant pardon,

He was brought, and their chiefs said to him:

O Messenger of God, if the wayward man has sinned.

Be gentle, you are a noble master.

فقال جَعلتُ أمرَ القومِ طُرّاً

فقال جَعلتُ أمرَ القومِ طُرّاً

إلى سَعْدٍ فَنِعْمَ هو الوَكيلُ

إلى سَعْدٍ فَنِعْمَ هو الوَكيلُ

He said: I have entrusted the people's entire affair

He said: Leave this dispute, for indeed Sa'd

to Sa'd; an excellent trustee is he.

Is guaranteed victory by his Exalted Lord.

وَجِيءَ بِهِ يقول له ذوُوهُ

وَجِيءَ بِهِ يقول له ذوُوهُ

تَرفَّقْ إنّك المولى النَّبيلُ

تَرفَّقْ إنّك المولى النَّبيلُ

He was brought, and his kinsmen said to him:

He cried: And some men's resolve is feeble!

Be gentle: you are the noble protector.

The matter concluded in the best possible way.

فقال دعوا اللَّجاجَ فإنّ سعداً

فقال دعوا اللَّجاجَ فإنّ سعداً

بِنُصرةِ ربِّهِ الأعلى كَفيلُ

بِنُصرةِ ربِّهِ الأعلى كَفيلُ

He said: Cease your pleading, for Sa'd

Ali and Zubayr, for every bare sword,

pledges himself to aid his Lord Most High.

From them came a sharpened, polished blade.

فَصَاحَ يقولُ وَاقَومَاهُ منهم

فَصَاحَ يقولُ وَاقَومَاهُ منهم

رجالٌ عزمهم واهٍ كليلُ

رجالٌ عزمهم واهٍ كليلُ

Then some among them cried: Alas, my people!

They competed for the souls of the people as spoils,

men whose resolve was frail and blunted.

While God's spirit flowed between them as inspiration.

أَتَى فاَقَرَّ حُكمَ اللَّهِ فيهم

أَتَى فاَقَرَّ حُكمَ اللَّهِ فيهم

وآلَ الأمْرُ أَحْسَنَ ما يؤولُ

وآلَ الأمْرُ أَحْسَنَ ما يؤولُ

He came and confirmed God's judgment concerning them,

Go ahead O Huyayy, there is no escape,

and the affair reached the best possible end.

And return, O Ka'b, to what the companion returned.

عليٌّ والزُّبيرُ لِكُلِّ عَضْبٍ

عليٌّ والزُّبيرُ لِكُلِّ عَضْبٍ

صقيلٍ منهما عَضْبٌ صَقِيلُ

صقيلٍ منهما عَضْبٌ صَقِيلُ

Ali and al-Zubayr: each was a keen blade,

For everyone tasting the bitterness of fate a draught,

polished, and each bore a keen, polished blade.

And a register of their death recorded.

هما استَبَقَا نُفوسَ القومِ نَهباً

هما استَبَقَا نُفوسَ القومِ نَهباً

ورُوحُ اللَّهِ بينهما رَسِيلُ

ورُوحُ اللَّهِ بينهما رَسِيلُ

The two raced to seize the people's lives as booty,

What the divine decrees brought you of fate -

and God's Spirit was a companion between them.

Yours is an insignificant affair.

تَقَدَّمْ يا حُيَيُّ فلا مَحِيصٌ

تَقَدَّمْ يا حُيَيُّ فلا مَحِيصٌ

ورِدْ يا كعْبُ ما وَرَدَ الزَّميلُ

ورِدْ يا كعْبُ ما وَرَدَ الزَّميلُ

Step forward, Huyayy: there is no escape.

Evil masters of an evil people,

And drink, Ka'b, what your companion drank.

The affliction and penetrating disease.

لِكُلٍّ من شَقَاءِ الجَدِّ وِرْدٍ

لِكُلٍّ من شَقَاءِ الجَدِّ وِرْدٍ

وسَجْلٌ من مَنيّتِهِ سَجِيلُ

وسَجْلٌ من مَنيّتِهِ سَجِيلُ

Each has a draught from wretched fortune,

The roots of sedition went bad and putrid,

and a mighty bucketful from his appointed death.

So neither branches nor foundations turned out good.

أصابكما من الأقدَارِ رامٍ

أصابكما من الأقدَارِ رامٍ

هَوَى بكما فشأنكما ضَئِيلُ

هَوَى بكما فشأنكما ضَئِيلُ

An archer from among the fates struck you both,

Hearts blind in the people's darkness,

and brought you low; your standing is now paltry.

And minds foolish among the leaders.

لَبِئْسَ السيِّدانِ لِشَرِّ قومٍ

لَبِئْسَ السيِّدانِ لِشَرِّ قومٍ

هُمُ البُرَحاءُ والدَّاءُ الدَّخيلُ

هُمُ البُرَحاءُ والدَّاءُ الدَّخيلُ

How wretched the two chiefs of the vilest people,

Ignorance led them astray, and they are many,

who are torment and an inward disease.

While the affliction overwhelmed them, and they are few.

منابتُ فِتنةٍ خَبُثَتْ وساءَتْ

منابتُ فِتنةٍ خَبُثَتْ وساءَتْ

فلم تَطِبِ الفُروعُ ولا الأُصولُ

فلم تَطِبِ الفُروعُ ولا الأُصولُ

Seedbeds of discord, foul and wicked:

Snatched by the mouth of a harmful snake,

neither branches nor roots were wholesome.

With proof from the decisive revelation.

قُلوبٌ من سَوادِ القومِ عُمْيٌ

قُلوبٌ من سَوادِ القومِ عُمْيٌ

وألبابٌ من الزعماءِ حُولُ

وألبابٌ من الزعماءِ حُولُ

The hearts of the common people are blind,

So neither women nor children were spared,

and the leaders' minds are cross-eyed.

Neither youth nor elders survived.

أَضلَّهُمُ الغباءُ فهم كثيرٌ

أَضلَّهُمُ الغباءُ فهم كثيرٌ

وَعَمَّهُمُ البلاءُ فهم قَليلُ

وَعَمَّهُمُ البلاءُ فهم قَليلُ

Stupidity led them astray while they were many,

The dwellings and pleasures were ravaged,

and affliction overwhelmed them all, leaving them few.

And the farms and fields illuminated.

تَخطَّفَهُمْ هَرِيتُ الشِّدْقِ ضارٍ

تَخطَّفَهُمْ هَرِيتُ الشِّدْقِ ضارٍ

له من مُحكَمِ التنزيلِ غِيلُ

له من مُحكَمِ التنزيلِ غِيلُ

A ravening, wide-jawed predator snatched them away,

And the fortress spent the night joyous over it,

whose thicket lay within the unambiguous Revelation.

A blessed shade for Muhammad's family.

فما نَجتِ النِّساءُ ولا الذراري

فما نَجتِ النِّساءُ ولا الذراري

ولا سَلِمَ الشَّبابُ ولا الكُهولُ

ولا سَلِمَ الشَّبابُ ولا الكُهولُ

Neither the women nor the children escaped,

By the life of the slain, the dust in their graves

nor were the young men or the middle-aged men spared.

Was surely pained, O healer of the sick.

تهلَّلتِ المنازِلُ والمغاني

تهلَّلتِ المنازِلُ والمغاني

وأشرقَتِ المزارِعُ والحقولُ

وأشرقَتِ المزارِعُ والحقولُ

The homes and dwellings beamed,

It covered over filth, the earth nearly

and the farms and fields shone.

Swaying with who is over it or tilting.

وباتَ الحِصنُ مُبْتَهِجاً عليه

وباتَ الحِصنُ مُبْتَهِجاً عليه

لآلِ مُحَمّدٍ ظِلٌّ ظليلُ

لآلِ مُحَمّدٍ ظِلٌّ ظليلُ

The fortress spent the night rejoicing; over it

Some captives were led to Najd,

lay a deep, sheltering shade for Muhammad's family.

While others to Syria, for them are tents.

لعمرُ الهالكينَ لقد تأذَّى

لعمرُ الهالكينَ لقد تأذَّى

تُرابٌ في حَفائِرِهم مَهيلُ

تُرابٌ في حَفائِرِهم مَهيلُ

By the lives of those who perished, sorely offended was

Women with no father in the market to protect,

the earth heaped into their burial pits.

No son to defend or shelter.

طَوَى رِجْساً تكادُ الأرضُ منه

طَوَى رِجْساً تكادُ الأرضُ منه

تَمُورُ بمن عليها أو تَزولُ

تَمُورُ بمن عليها أو تَزولُ

It enfolded filth from which the earth almost

Dragged in disgrace, with no defender,

heaves with those upon it, or vanishes.

In a land where even beasts are pulled along.

يُساقُ السبْيُ شِرْذِمَةٌ بنَجدٍ

يُساقُ السبْيُ شِرْذِمَةٌ بنَجدٍ

وأخرى بالشآمِ لها أليلُ

وأخرى بالشآمِ لها أليلُ

The captives are driven off: one band in Najd,

The Muslims gained weapons and horses from it,

and another in al-Sham, uttering lamentation.

With neck armor on their steeds.

جَلائِبُ لا أبٌ في السُّوقِ يَحمِي

جَلائِبُ لا أبٌ في السُّوقِ يَحمِي

ولا وَلَدٌ يَذُّبُّ ولا حلِيلُ

ولا وَلَدٌ يَذُّبُّ ولا حلِيلُ

Slaves brought for sale: no father in the market protects them,

Honored, counted every day,

no son defends them, nor any husband.

Of noble mention, matchless.

تُجَرُّ على الهوانِ ولا مُغِيثٌ

تُجَرُّ على الهوانِ ولا مُغِيثٌ

بأرضٍ ما تُجَرُّ بها الذُّيولُ

بأرضٍ ما تُجَرُّ بها الذُّيولُ

They are dragged in humiliation, with no rescuer,

When his sublime virtues are mentioned,

in a land where no hems are trailed.

A community rises and an era shows strength.

أصابَ المسلمونَ بها سلاحاً

أصابَ المسلمونَ بها سلاحاً

وخَيْلاً في قَوَائِمِها الحُجُولُ

وخَيْلاً في قَوَائِمِها الحُجُولُ

With them the Muslims acquired weapons,

Enduring virtues, whose rising is never ending,

and horses with white stockings on their legs,

Even when the celestial bodies reach their setting.

مُكَرَّمَةً تُعَدُّ لِكُلِّ يومٍ

مُكَرَّمَةً تُعَدُّ لِكُلِّ يومٍ

كَريمِ الذِّكْرِ لَيْسَ له مثيلُ

كَريمِ الذِّكْرِ لَيْسَ له مثيلُ

honored horses, prepared for every day

From his essence of courtesy there is renewal,

of noble remembrance that has no equal.

Seclusion cannot hide its brilliance.

إذا ذُكِرَتْ مَنَاقِبُهُ الغوالي

إذا ذُكِرَتْ مَنَاقِبُهُ الغوالي

تَعَالتْ أُمَّةٌ واعتزَّ جيلُ

تَعَالتْ أُمَّةٌ واعتزَّ جيلُ

When its precious virtues are recounted,

I guaranteed it eternity though troubles and preoccupations

a nation rises high, and a generation takes pride.

Of fate tried me and busyness distracted me.

مَنَاقِبُ ما يزالُ لها طُلوعٌ

مَنَاقِبُ ما يزالُ لها طُلوعٌ

إذا الأقمارُ أدركها الأُفُولُ

إذا الأقمارُ أدركها الأُفُولُ

Virtues that keep on rising,

Necklaces are useless when twist

when the moons are overtaken by setting.

If stallions are unleashed for their needs.

لها من نابِه الأدبِ انبعاثٌ

لها من نابِه الأدبِ انبعاثٌ

فما يُخفِي زَوَاهِرَها الخُمُولُ

فما يُخفِي زَوَاهِرَها الخُمُولُ

Distinguished literature gives them renewed life,

Refined free women preserve it protected,

so obscurity cannot hide their radiant blooms.

Noble, never marked by disgrace.

ضَمِنتُ لها البقاءَ وإن عَنَتْنِي

ضَمِنتُ لها البقاءَ وإن عَنَتْنِي

مِنَ الدَّهرِ العوائِقُ والشُّغولُ

مِنَ الدَّهرِ العوائِقُ والشُّغولُ

I guaranteed them lasting life, though I am beset

The elite of poetry, no feeble nature,

by time's obstacles and distractions.

Mixes with them, nor base manners.

وما تُغْنِي الخزائمُ حين تُلوَى

وما تُغْنِي الخزائمُ حين تُلوَى

إذا انطلقَتْ لحاجتها الفُحولُ

إذا انطلقَتْ لحاجتها الفُحولُ

What use are nose-rings when they are twisted,

Perhaps God will make it a spring

if the sires break loose to satisfy their desire?

For minds the seasons ruined.

تُخَلِّدُها مصوناتٌ حِسانٌ

تُخَلِّدُها مصوناتٌ حِسانٌ

حرائِرُ مالَها أبداً مُذِيلُ

حرائِرُ مالَها أبداً مُذِيلُ

Sheltered beauties shall immortalize them,

Alas, does the rhyme make me hope

freeborn women whom no one shall ever debase:

Only for hopes to be unmet and wishes unfulfilled?

صفايا الشِّعرِ لا خُلُقٌ زَرِيٌّ

صفايا الشِّعرِ لا خُلُقٌ زَرِيٌّ

يُخالِطُها ولا أدبٌ هَزيلُ

يُخالِطُها ولا أدبٌ هَزيلُ

the choicest poetry: no ignoble character

And alas – is there no expected redemption

mingles with them, nor any feeble literature.

For captives, never separated from worries?

لَعلَّ اللَّهَ يجعلها ربيعاً

لَعلَّ اللَّهَ يجعلها ربيعاً

لألبابٍ أضرَّ بها المحولُ

لألبابٍ أضرَّ بها المحولُ

May God make them a springtime

for minds harmed by drought.

فَوا أسَفَا أتُطمعني القَوافِي

فَوا أسَفَا أتُطمعني القَوافِي

فَيُخْلِفُ مطمعٌ وَيَخِيْبُ سُولُ

فَيُخْلِفُ مطمعٌ وَيَخِيْبُ سُولُ

Alas, my sorrow! Do the rhymes tempt me with hope,

only for hoped-for gain to fail and desire to be disappointed?

وَوَاحَربا أما يُرجَى فِكاكٌ

وَوَاحَربا أما يُرجَى فِكاكٌ

لأِسْرَى ما تُفارِقُها الكُبولُ

لأِسْرَى ما تُفارِقُها الكُبولُ

Alas, my anguish! Is release not hoped for

for captives whom shackles never leave?