1. بروحى غزال في الفؤاد منازله

    يغازلني طورا وطورا أغازله

    I would ransom with my soul a gazelle whose dwelling is my heart.

    At times he flirts with me, and at times I flirt with him.

  2. أرى الصعب سهلا في انقيادي لأمره

    ويطرب سمعى ما تقول عواذله

    I find hardship easy when submitting to his command,

    And what his reproachers say delights my hearing.

  3. أهيم بذكراه وتقنع مقلتي

    بطيف خيال في المنام أقابله

    I am lost in thoughts of him, and my eyes are content

    With a phantom image I encounter in sleep.

  4. وإن هبّ معتلّ النسيم بعرفه

    تونح عطف الروض واخضر ذابله

    Whenever the faint breeze blows with his fragrance,

    The garden's body sways, and its withered growth turns green.

  5. غزال غزا الألباب سيف لحاظه

    وداس سهام الفتك بالهدب نايله

    A gazelle whose glances' sword has conquered minds,

    And whose archer hid deadly arrows among his lashes [reading uncertain].

  6. إذا ما تثنى أخجل الغصن خده

    فيسبى عقول العاشقين تمايله

    When he sways, his cheek puts the bough to shame,

    And his swaying captivates lovers' minds.

  7. وقد سل سيف اللحظ يحرس خده

    مخافة قطف الورد ممن يحاوله

    He has drawn the sword of his glance to guard his cheek,

    Lest anyone attempting it should pluck its rose.

  8. فالله ظبى لا يرام كناسه

    مليح التثنى ضامر الكشح ناحله

    By God, a gazelle whose covert none can approach,

    Graceful in swaying, slender and lean of waist.

  9. تملك قلبى بالدلال وليتني

    وجدت سبيلا للوصال أواصله

    He possessed my heart with coquetry; if only I

    Could find a path to union and reach him!

  10. وأصبحت في بحر الغرام كزورق

    تصدت له أيدى الرياح تشاكله

    I have become a little boat upon the sea of passion,

    Assailed by the winds' hands as they grapple with it.

  11. ولا الجو صحو للسقين فيهتدى

    ولا البحر وهو تستبين سواحله

    The sky is not clear for the ship to find its way,

    Nor are the sea's shores clearly visible.

  12. ومن عجب أنى أروح وأغتدى

    أسير هواه وهو بالقلب شاغله

    How strange that I go out evening and morning

    A captive to his love, while he engrosses my heart.

  13. فافنيت عمرى في هواه معذّبا

    ودمعى هتون كالسحابة وابله

    I have spent my life tormented in his love,

    My tears pouring like a cloud's downpour.

  14. وكل حياتي في لعلّ وفي عسى

    وقصدى على الإجمال ضاعت وسائله

    All my life is spent in 'perhaps' and 'maybe,'

    And, in short, the means to my desire have failed.

  15. ولما رأيت الحب لهوا وباطلا

    وظهرى تحنى واضمحلت مفاصله

    When I saw that love was diversion and vanity,

    My back had bent and its joints had wasted away,

  16. وصبح مشيبى لاح في ليل لمتي

    وعمريَ شدّت للرحيل رواحله

    The dawn of gray hair shone in the night of my locks,

    And my life's mounts were readied for departure,

  17. تركت التصابى ثم أنشدت قائلا

    صحا القلب عن سلمى وأقصر باطله

    I abandoned youthful folly, then recited:

    'The heart has sobered from Salma; its folly has ceased.'

  18. وفتشت عن طب الفؤاد فلم أجد

    سوى مدح من عم البرية نائله

    I searched for a cure for the heart, but found nothing

    Except praising him whose bounty embraces all creation:

  19. محمد المعبوث للخلق رحمة

    نبي كريم نافذ الحكم عادله

    Muhammad, sent as a mercy to humankind,

    A noble prophet, whose judgment prevails and is just,

  20. سليل كرام من معد وهاشم

    فخير قبيل في الأنام قبائله

    Descended from noble men of Ma'add and Hashim—

    His tribes are the finest tribes among humankind.

  21. فآباؤه غرّ الوجوه جحاجح

    وأفضل أنثى في النساء حوامله

    His forefathers were radiant-faced, mighty chiefs,

    And the women who bore him were the finest of women.

  22. بمولده قد هنىء الكون مذ غدا

    به كل معوج تقدم مائله

    The universe was congratulated on his birth, for

    Through him, all that had long been crooked was set right [text uncertain].

  23. ترنح عطف الكون مبتهجا به

    وأخصب وجه الأرض واخضر فاحله

    The universe swayed, rejoicing in him,

    Earth's face grew fertile, and its barren land turned green.

  24. وفاخرت الأرض السماء بوجه

    ونجم سعود الدهر أشرق آفله

    Earth boasted before heaven of a face,

    And time's setting star of fortune shone anew.

  25. وولت جيوش العسر يهزمها الغنى

    وورد الصفا واليسر راقت مناهله

    The armies of hardship fled, routed by abundance,

    And the draught of serenity and ease grew sweet at its springs.

  26. ونكست الأصنام ساعة وضعه

    وغيوان كسرى صار عاليه سافله

    The idols were overturned at the hour of his birth,

    And the highest parts of Chosroes's palace hall fell lowest.

  27. وغاض بأرض الفرس ماء بحيرة

    وصار هباء بعد ذلك ساحله

    In the land of Persia, a lake's water sank away,

    And afterward its shore became dust.

  28. ونيرانهم قد أطفئت فرمادها

    يد الريح قد ثارت به تتناقله

    Their fires were extinguished, and their ashes

    Were stirred and carried about by the wind's hand.

  29. وكم ظهرت في الكون للوضع ىية

    فسارت مسار البدر تعلو منازله

    How many signs appeared in the universe at his birth!

    They followed the full moon's course, rising through its stations.

  30. وأشرق نور الحق في الكون يزدهى

    وبانت لعين المبصرين مجاهله

    The light of truth shone splendidly throughout the universe,

    And its hidden reaches became clear to seeing eyes.

  31. وأصبح دين الشرك منفصم العرا

    وأقفر من ربع المفاسد آهله

    The bonds of the religion of idolatry were broken,

    And corruption's dwelling was emptied of its people.

  32. وولى شريداً في المهامه لم يحج

    نصيرا على سوء المصير يجامله

    It fled, an outcast through trackless wastes, finding no

    Ally to treat it kindly in its dreadful fate.

  33. فلا عز للعزى ولا عز أهلها

    ومن عبد الطاغوت فالله خاذله

    No might remained to al-'Uzza, nor honor to her people;

    Whoever worships false gods, God will forsake.

  34. ومذ جاء دين الله كالبدر ساطعا

    أباد صعاب المشكلات تساهله

    Since God's religion came, shining like the full moon,

    Its lenience has swept away the hardest difficulties.

  35. به انشرحت كل الصدور لأنه

    على العدل والإحسان قامت دلائله

    Through it all hearts expanded, because

    Its proofs are founded upon justice and benevolence.

  36. وكيف ودين المصطفى دين فترة

    يلائمه حال الزمان وقابله

    How could it be otherwise? The Chosen One's faith is a faith of innate nature,

    Suited to the present age and the age to come.

  37. لذا نسخ الأديان من عهد آدم

    فلا دين في الأديان قط يعادله

    Thus it superseded the religions from Adam's time;

    No religion among religions has ever equaled it.

  38. وصاحبه المختار أفضل مرسل

    فأي رسول في الفخار يماثله

    Its bearer, the Chosen One, is the finest messenger—

    What messenger could match him in glory?

  39. فقد خص بالإسراء معراج جسمه

    إلى الملأ الأعلى وجبريل كافله

    He was singled out for the Night Journey, his body's ascent

    To the highest assembly, with Gabriel his guardian.

  40. فأولاه مولاه بحضرة قدسه

    مقاما على الأملاك عز تناوله

    His Lord granted him, in His holy presence,

    A station beyond the angels' reach.

  41. تلقن سر الدين من عالم العلا

    فلله سر فاز بالقرب حامله

    He learned the secret of faith from the realm on high—

    How wondrous a secret, whose bearer attained nearness!

  42. وكان له الروح الأمين مبلغا

    فقام بأعباء الرسالة كاهله

    The Trustworthy Spirit conveyed the message to him,

    And his shoulders bore the burdens of messengership.

  43. وأظهر دين الله أبيض ناصعا

    تروق لعين الناظرين فضائله

    He made God's religion manifest, white and radiant,

    Its virtues delighting the eyes of those who look.

  44. إلى الرشد يهدى والسعادة والعلا

    فكل كمال أجررته مسائله

    It guides toward right conduct, happiness, and eminence;

    Its teachings have attained every perfection.

  45. يجادل بالحسنى ويدلى بحجة

    يمد لها أيدى القبول مجادله

    He argues graciously and presents a proof

    To which his opponent stretches hands of acceptance.

  46. فمن فاز بالإسلام عز بعزه

    وإلا فأبطال الجلاد تجادله

    Whoever attains Islam gains honor through its honor;

    Otherwise, champions of battle dispute with him.

  47. فيغتالهم جيش الهدى بسيوفه

    وتقهر أنصار الضلال جحافله

    The army of guidance cuts them down with its swords,

    And its battalions subdue the supporters of error.

  48. رجال لهم عند الكريهة همّة

    وصدر على الأعداء تغلى مراجله

    Men of high resolve in the face of battle,

    Whose breasts are cauldrons boiling against the foe.

  49. فكلّ كمي يهزم الجيش وحده

    بسيف على اللبات طالت حمائله

    Each armored champion routs an army alone,

    With a sword hanging from long baldrics across his breast.

  50. تراهم على ظهر الجياد كأنهم

    نبات سمت نحو السماء سنابله

    You see them mounted on steeds, as though they were

    Plants whose ears rise toward the sky.

  51. بحزم وعزم ثابت الجاش راجح

    وصدق يقين راسخ لا يزايله

    With resolve and determination, steadfast and sound of heart,

    And sincere, deep-rooted certainty that never leaves him.

  52. يرى العز في حمل الصوارم والقنا

    إذا قامت الهيجاء أوصاح صاهله

    He sees honor in bearing sharp swords and spears

    When battle rises or his charger neighs.

  53. يطير شعاعا في الورى قلب قرنه

    وتبكيه إن لاقى الكميّ ثواكله

    His opponent's heart flies to pieces in terror before all,

    And his mourning women weep if he meets the champion.

  54. وتصطكّ من وقع الأسنة سنّه

    وينزل عن عرش الثبات منازله

    His teeth chatter from the impact of spearheads,

    And his challenger falls from the throne of steadfastness.

  55. ومن فر مرتاع الفؤاد ولم يجد

    ملاذاً رأى ريب المنون يعاجله

    Whoever flees, terrified at heart, and finds no

    Refuge sees death's assaults hastening toward him.

  56. فللأرض ثوب من نجيع دمائهم

    وللأفق ثوب الأرجوان يشاكله

    The earth wears a robe of their freshly shed blood,

    And the horizon wears a matching robe of crimson.

  57. وللطير في الأجواء والوحش في الفلا

    غذاء من الشلاء طابت مآكله

    For birds in the skies and beasts in the wilderness,

    Their severed remains provide a welcome meal.

  58. هم القوم باعوا في النبي نفوسهم

    فهان على المبتاع ما هو باذله

    These are the men who sold their lives for the Prophet,

    So what the purchaser gives is a light expense for him.

  59. لقد وطدوا دين النبي بعزمهم

    فأصبح حصنا لا تنال معاقله

    They firmly established the Prophet's faith by their resolve,

    And it became a fortress whose strongholds cannot be reached.

  60. فقد علموا أن الثواب محقق

    وكلا يجازى بالذي هو فاعله

    They knew that the reward was certain,

    And everyone is requited for what he does.

  61. وكان رسول الله بين ظهورهم

    تروح وتغدو بالجلال محافله

    God's Messenger was there among them,

    His gatherings moving in majesty, evening and morning.

  62. فيرشدهم للخير والخير دأبه

    ويدنيهم منه وتلك شمائله

    He guided them toward good, for goodness was his habit,

    And drew them close to him—such were his qualities.

  63. ويتبع موتاهم ويرضى مريضهم

    وقد هالهم في كل أمر تنازله

    He followed their dead to burial and comforted their sick;

    His humility in every matter astonished them.

  64. إليه كمالات الوجود قد انتهت

    فأخلاقه القرآن والعدل شامله

    In him all the perfections of existence culminated;

    His character was the Quran, and justice encompassed him.

  65. له حسن وجه أخجل البدر ضوءه

    وعرف كنفح المسك عم تناقله

    His face had a beauty whose radiance shamed the full moon,

    And a fragrance like wafting musk spread everywhere.

  66. يفيض كفيض البحر جود يمينه

    كما بزلال الماء فاضت أنامله

    The bounty of his right hand overflows like the sea,

    As his fingers overflowed with pure water.

  67. نبى حباه الله كل كرامة

    وأعطاه في الدارين ما هو آمله

    A prophet whom God endowed with every honor,

    Granting him in both worlds all he hoped for.

  68. إليك رسول الله وجهت وجهتي

    وقلبى من الأهوال زادت شواغله

    Toward you, God's Messenger, I have turned my course,

    While terrors have multiplied my heart's concerns.

  69. فخذ بيدي إني إليك مددتها

    وجودك للظمآن فاضت جداوله

    Take my hand: I have stretched it toward you,

    And your bounty's streams overflow for the thirsty.

  70. ومالى ملاذ غير جاهك في الورى

    ولا حصن لي إلا جنابك آمله

    Among humankind I have no refuge but your standing,

    No fortress but your protection, in which I hope.

  71. ويا صفوة الخلاق إن بضاعتي

    من الشعر مزجاة ولكن أزاوله

    O choicest of the Creator's creation, my wares

    Of verse are meager, yet I practice it,

  72. وما ذاك إلا أن أفوز بمدحة

    لخير رسول فاز بالنجح سائله

    Only that I may gain the chance to praise

    The finest messenger, whose petitioner wins success.

  73. وما لى سوى حسن القبول إجازة

    ومن لي بأن أدري بأنك قابله

    I seek no recompense but gracious acceptance;

    But who can let me know that you accept it?

  74. عساك بفيض الفضل تقبل مدحتي

    وتنظر شعرى بالرضا وتقايله

    May you, in your overflowing grace, accept my praise,

    And regard my verse with favor, overlooking its faults.

  75. هنالك يحظى بالقبول وبالرضا

    ويزفل في ثوب السعادة قائله

    Then it will enjoy acceptance and approval,

    And its author will walk proudly in happiness's robe.

  76. فبابك مفتوح لكل مؤمّل

    وطارقه نعم الملاذ وداخله

    Your door is open to everyone who hopes;

    For those who knock and enter, what an excellent refuge!

  77. عليك سلام الله ماذر شارق

    وشدت إلى قبر النبي محامله

    God's peace be upon you as long as a sun rises,

    And camel-litters are readied for the Prophet's tomb;

  78. وآل وأصحاب ومن تبعوا لهم

    فكل فريق ثابت الدين كامله

    And upon your family, Companions, and those who followed them,

    Each company steadfast and perfect in faith.