سَلوask (you all) قَلبيmy heart غَداةَon the morning سَلاfound solace وَثاباand returned
سَلو قَلبي غَداةَ سَلا وَثابا
لَعَلَّperhaps عَلىagainst الجَمالِbeauty لَهُit has عِتاباa reproach
لَعَلَّ عَلى الجَمالِ لَهُ عِتابا
Ask my heart the morning it found solace and returned;
My heart bid farewell at dawn to yearning,
Perhaps it has a reproach to make to beauty.
Perhaps it was blaming beauty.
وَيُسأَلُand is consulted فيin الحَوادِثِcalamities ذوone possessing صَوابٍsound judgment
وَيُسأَلُ في الحَوادِثِ ذو صَوابٍ
فَهَلso, has ...? تَرَكَleft الجَمالُbeauty لَهُto it صَواباsound judgment
فَهَل تَرَكَ الجَمالُ لَهُ صَوابا
And one of sound judgment is consulted in calamities;
In events, he who is wise is questioned.
But has beauty left it any sound judgment?
Did beauty leave any wisdom for it?
وَكُنتُand I used to إِذاwhenever سَأَلتُI questioned القَلبَthe heart يَوماًone day
وَكُنتُ إِذا سَأَلتُ القَلبَ يَوماً
تَوَلّىundertook الدَمعُthe tears عَنon behalf of قَلبيmy heart الجَواباthe answer
تَوَلّى الدَمعُ عَن قَلبي الجَوابا
And whenever I questioned my heart on any day,
Whenever I asked my heart one day,
The tears undertook to answer for my heart.
Tears turned away answering my heart.
وَليand I have بَينَbetween الضُلوعِthe ribs دَمٌblood وَلَحمٌand flesh
وَلي بَينَ الضُلوعِ دَمٌ وَلَحمٌ
هُماthey both الواهيthe frail one الَّذيwho ثَكِلَwas bereaved of الشَباباyouth
هُما الواهي الَّذي ثَكِلَ الشَبابا
And between my ribs I have blood and flesh;
Within my ribs there is blood and flesh,
Together they are the frail one bereaved of youth.
The two weak ones who failed youth.
تَسَرَّبَseeped فيinto الدُموعِthe tears فَقُلتُso I said وَلّىit departed
تَسَرَّبَ في الدُموعِ فَقُلتُ وَلّى
وَصَفَّقَand beat فيwithin الضُلوعِthe ribs فَقُلتُso I said ثاباit returned
وَصَفَّقَ في الضُلوعِ فَقُلتُ ثابا
It seeped into the tears, so I said it had departed;
It seeped into tears, so I said it passed away,
And it beat within my ribs, so I said it had returned.
It throbbed in the ribs, so I said it came back.
وَلَوand even if خُلِقَتwere created قُلوبٌhearts مِنfrom حَديدٍiron
وَلَو خُلِقَت قُلوبٌ مِن حَديدٍ
لَماwould not حَمَلَتhave borne كَماas حَمَلَit bore العَذاباthe torment
لَما حَمَلَت كَما حَمَلَ العَذابا
Even if hearts had been fashioned from iron,
Had hearts been created from iron,
They could not have borne suffering as it has borne it.
They would not have borne as much agony.
وَأَحبابٍand beloved companions سُقيتُI was given to drink بِهِمthrough them سُلافاًpure wine
وَأَحبابٍ سُقيتُ بِهِم سُلافاً
وَكانَand was الوَصلُunion مِنfrom قِصَرٍbrevity حَباباbubbles
وَكانَ الوَصلُ مِن قِصَرٍ حَبابا
And dear companions through whom I drank pure wine—
I was given to drink with loved ones a draft,
Our union, so brief, was only bubbles.
While the union was short out of caprice.
وَنادَمناand we drank with الشَبابَyouth عَلىupon بِساطٍa carpet
وَنادَمنا الشَبابَ عَلى بِساطٍ
مِنَof اللَذاتِpleasures مُختَلِفٍvaried شَراباin drink
مِنَ اللَذاتِ مُختَلِفٍ شَرابا
And we drank with youth upon a carpet
We had reveled our youth on a carpet
Of delights, varied in its draughts.
Spread with different drinks of joy.
وَكُلُّand every بِساطِcarpet of عَيشٍlife سَوفَwill يُطوىbe rolled up
وَكُلُّ بِساطِ عَيشٍ سَوفَ يُطوى
وَإِنand even if طالَgrew long الزَمانُtime بِهِupon it وَطاباand grew pleasant
وَإِن طالَ الزَمانُ بِهِ وَطابا
And every carpet of life will be rolled up,
Every carpet of life will be rolled up,
Even if time upon it has been long and sweet.
No matter how long it lasted and was sweet.
كَأَنَّas though القَلبَthe heart بَعدَهُمُafter them غَريبٌa stranger
كَأَنَّ القَلبَ بَعدَهُمُ غَريبٌ
إِذاwhenever عادَتهُvisited it ذِكرىthe memory of الأَهلِfamily ذاباit melted
إِذا عادَتهُ ذِكرى الأَهلِ ذابا
After them, the heart is like a stranger;
It was as if my heart became a stranger
Whenever the memory of family visits it, it melts.
When memories of family came back to it.
وَلاnor يُنبيكَinforms you عَنabout خُلُقِthe nature of اللَياليthe nights
وَلا يُنبيكَ عَن خُلُقِ اللَيالي
كَمَنlike one who فَقَدَhas lost الأَحِبَّةَthe loved ones وَالصَحاباand companions
كَمَن فَقَدَ الأَحِبَّةَ وَالصَحابا
And no one can tell you of the nights' nature
Let not the manners of nights distract you
Like one who has lost loved ones and companions.
Like one who lost loved ones and friends.
أَخاO brother of الدُنياthe world أَرىI see دُنياكَyour world أَفعىa viper
أَخا الدُنيا أَرى دُنياكَ أَفعى
تُبَدِّلُchanges كُلَّevery آوِنَةٍinterval إِهاباa skin
تُبَدِّلُ كُلَّ آوِنَةٍ إِهابا
O brother of the world, I see your world as a viper,
Brother of this world, I see your world as a viper
Changing its skin at every turn.
Changing every moment to a different garment.
وَأَنَّand that الرُقطَthe spotted serpents أَيقَظُthe most wakeful هاجِعاتٍof sleepers
وَأَنَّ الرُقطَ أَيقَظُ هاجِعاتٍ
وَأَترَعُand most brimming فيin ظِلالِthe shades of السِلمِpeace تاباwith venom
وَأَترَعُ في ظِلالِ السِلمِ تابا
And spotted serpents are the most wakeful of sleepers,
I see the planets waking up sleepy ones
And most brimful of venom in the shade of peace.
And the stars wandering in the shadows of night.
وَمِنand among عَجَبٍwonders تُشَيِّبُit turns gray عاشِقيهاits lovers
وَمِن عَجَبٍ تُشَيِّبُ عاشِقيها
وَتُفنيهِمِand destroys them وَماand has not بَرَحَتceased to be كَعاباa nubile maiden
وَتُفنيهِمِ وَما بَرَحَت كَعابا
And strangely, it turns its lovers gray,
Of wonders, it makes its lovers gray-haired
And destroys them, yet remains a nubile maiden.
And destroys them while it has not grown old.
فَمَنso whoever يَغتَرُّis beguiled بِالدُنياby the world فَإِنّيfor indeed I
فَمَن يَغتَرُّ بِالدُنيا فَإِنّي
لَبِستُI wore garments بِهاin it فَأَبلَيتُand wore out الثِياباthe clothes
لَبِستُ بِها فَأَبلَيتُ الثِيابا
So whoever is beguiled by the world—as for me,
So let not him who is deceived by the world be me,
I have worn clothes in it, and worn them out.
I wore it and it wore out my clothes.
لَهاit has ضَحِكُthe laughter of القِيانِthe singing girls إِلىtoward غَبِيٍّa fool
لَها ضَحِكُ القِيانِ إِلى غَبِيٍّ
وَليand I have ضَحِكُthe laughter of اللَبيبِthe discerning man إِذاwhen تَغابىhe feigns folly
وَلي ضَحِكُ اللَبيبِ إِذا تَغابى
Its smile is that of singing girls toward a fool;
It laughs at the foolish openly
Mine is the knowing man's smile when he feigns folly.
While I laugh at the wise secretly.
جَنَيتُI gathered بِرَوضِهاin its garden وَرداًroses وَشَوكاًand thorns
جَنَيتُ بِرَوضِها وَرداً وَشَوكاً
وَذُقتُand I tasted بِكَأسِهاin its cup شُهداًhoney وَصاباand bitter sap
وَذُقتُ بِكَأسِها شُهداً وَصابا
I gathered roses and thorns in its garden,
I reaped its garden roses and thorns
And tasted honey and bitter sap in its cup.
And tasted its cup honey and ashes.
فَلَمso did not أَرَI see غَيرَother than حُكمِthe judgment of اللَهِGod حُكماًa judgment
فَلَم أَرَ غَيرَ حُكمِ اللَهِ حُكماً
وَلَمand did not أَرَI see دونَapart from بابِthe door of اللَهِGod باباa door
وَلَم أَرَ دونَ بابِ اللَهِ بابا
Thus I have seen no judgment but God's judgment,
I have seen no rule but God's rule
And no door apart from God's door.
And no door but God's door.
وَلاnor عَظَّمتُI revered فيamong الأَشياءِthings إِلّاexcept
وَلا عَظَّمتُ في الأَشياءِ إِلّا
صَحيحَsound العِلمِknowledge وَالأَدَبِand refinement اللُباباpure in essence
صَحيحَ العِلمِ وَالأَدَبِ اللُبابا
Nor have I revered anything except
I have honored nothing among things
Sound knowledge and the purest refinement.
Except sound knowledge and refined manners.
وَلاnor كَرَّمتُI honored إِلّاexcept وَجهَthe face of حُرٍّa noble man
وَلا كَرَّمتُ إِلّا وَجهَ حُرٍّ
يُقَلِّدُgarlands قَومَهُhis people المِنَنَfavors الرَغاباabundant
يُقَلِّدُ قَومَهُ المِنَنَ الرَغابا
Nor have I honored any face but that of a noble man
I have honored no free man
Who garlands his people with abundant favors.
Who does not bestow favors and gifts.
وَلَمand did not أَرَI see مِثلَlike جَمعِhoarding المالِwealth داءًan illness
وَلَم أَرَ مِثلَ جَمعِ المالِ داءً
وَلاnor مِثلَlike البَخيلِthe miser بِهِwith it مُصاباan afflicted person
وَلا مِثلَ البَخيلِ بِهِ مُصابا
I have seen no sickness like the hoarding of wealth,
I have seen no evil like hoarding wealth,
Nor anyone so stricken as the miser clinging to it.
No wretched like the miser with it.
فَلاso do not تَقتُلكَkill you شَهوَتُهُdesire for it وَزِنهاand measure it
فَلا تَقتُلكَ شَهوَتُهُ وَزِنها
كَماas تَزِنُyou measure الطَعامَfood أَوِor الشَراباdrink
كَما تَزِنُ الطَعامَ أَوِ الشَرابا
So do not let desire for it kill you; measure it
Let not its desire kill you by its weight
As you measure food or drink.
As food and drink are weighed.
وَخُذand keep لِبَنيكَfor your children وَالأَيّامِand the days ذُخراًa reserve
وَخُذ لِبَنيكَ وَالأَيّامِ ذُخراً
وَأَعطِand give اللَهَGod حِصَّتَهُHis share اِحتِساباseeking divine reward
وَأَعطِ اللَهَ حِصَّتَهُ اِحتِسابا
And keep a reserve for your children and the days ahead,
Take provision for your children and days
And give God His share, seeking His reward.
And give God His rightful share.
فَلَوfor if طالَعتَyou examined أَحداثَthe happenings of اللَياليthe nights
فَلَو طالَعتَ أَحداثَ اللَيالي
وَجَدتَyou would find الفَقرَpoverty أَقرَبَهاthe nearest of them اِنتِياباin visitation
وَجَدتَ الفَقرَ أَقرَبَها اِنتِيابا
For if you studied the happenings of the nights,
Had you observed the events of nights
You would find poverty the quickest of them to visit.
You would have found poverty closes in on them faster.
وَأَنَّand that البِرَّrighteousness خَيرٌgood فيin حَياةٍlife
وَأَنَّ البِرَّ خَيرٌ في حَياةٍ
وَأَبقىand more lasting بَعدَafter صاحِبِهِits doer ثَواباin reward
وَأَبقى بَعدَ صاحِبِهِ ثَوابا
And righteousness is a good in life,
That righteousness is better in life
And more lasting in reward after its doer is gone.
And remains after its companion with reward.
وَأَنَّand that الشَرَّevil يَصدَعُshatters فاعِليهِits doers
وَأَنَّ الشَرَّ يَصدَعُ فاعِليهِ
وَلَمand did not أَرَI see خَيِّراًa good person بِالشَرِّwith evil آباreturn
وَلَم أَرَ خَيِّراً بِالشَرِّ آبا
And evil shatters those who do it;
That evil cracks its doers
And I have never seen a good man return bearing evil.
And I have seen no prosperous man through evil.
فَرِفقاًso be gentle بِالبَنينِwith the children إِذاwhen اللَياليthe nights
فَرِفقاً بِالبَنينِ إِذا اللَيالي
عَلىupon الأَعقابِposterity أَوقَعَتِinflicted العِقاباpunishment
عَلى الأَعقابِ أَوقَعَتِ العِقابا
So have mercy on your children when the nights
So be gentle with the children when nights
Bring punishment down upon posterity,
Inflict them with their punishment.
وَلَمand did not يَتَقَلَّدواthey garland themselves with شُكرَthe thanks of اليَتامىthe orphans
وَلَم يَتَقَلَّدوا شُكرَ اليَتامى
وَلاnor اِدَّرَعواthey clothe themselves in الدُعاءَthe prayer المُستَجاباanswered
وَلا اِدَّرَعوا الدُعاءَ المُستَجابا
And they have not garlanded themselves with orphans' thanks,
They have not worn gratitude's collar
Nor clad themselves in the armor of answered prayers.
Nor put on the dress of the answered prayer.
عَجِبتُI marveled لِمَعشَرٍat a people صَلّواwho prayed وَصامواand fasted
عَجِبتُ لِمَعشَرٍ صَلّوا وَصاموا
عَواهِرَwantons خِشيَةًreverence وَتُقىand piety كِذاباfalsehood
عَواهِرَ خِشيَةً وَتُقى كِذابا
I marvel at a people who pray and fast,
I wondered at a group who prayed and fasted
Wantons in their reverence, with piety a lie.
Adulterously, fearing and pious pretentiously.
وَتُلفيهُمْand you find them حِيالَin the face of المالِwealth صُمّاًdeaf
وَتُلفيهُمْ حِيالَ المالِ صُمّاً
إِذاwhen داعيthe caller to الزَكاةِobligatory alms بِهِمto them أَهاباappealed
إِذا داعي الزَكاةِ بِهِم أَهابا
Yet you find them deaf where wealth is concerned,
Deaf when the summoner of alms called them,
When the caller to alms appeals to them.
As if they had not counted the minimum amount.
لَقَدindeed كَتَمواthey withheld نَصيبَthe share of اللَهِGod مِنهُfrom it
لَقَد كَتَموا نَصيبَ اللَهِ مِنهُ
كَأَنَّas though اللَهَGod لَمhad not يُحصِreckoned النِصاباthe alms threshold
كَأَنَّ اللَهَ لَم يُحصِ النِصابا
They have withheld God's share of it,
They concealed God's share from it
As though God had not reckoned the wealth subject to alms.
As if God had not counted amounts.
وَمَنand whoever يَعدِلequates بِحُبِّwith love of اللَهِGod شَيئاًanything
وَمَن يَعدِل بِحُبِّ اللَهِ شَيئاً
كَحُبِّlike love of المالِwealth ضَلَّstrayed هَوىًthrough desire وَخاباand failed
كَحُبِّ المالِ ضَلَّ هَوىً وَخابا
Whoever equates anything with love of God,
Whoever equals anything with loving God
Such as love of wealth, strays through desire and fails.
Has gone astray, desiring and failing.
أَرادَwilled اللَهُGod بِالفُقَراءِtoward the poor بِرّاًkindness
أَرادَ اللَهُ بِالفُقَراءِ بِرّاً
وَبِالأَيتامِand toward the orphans حُبّاًlove وَاِرتِباباand nurturing
وَبِالأَيتامِ حُبّاً وَاِرتِبابا
God willed kindness toward the poor,
God wanted righteousness through the poor
And love and nurturing for the orphans.
And love and compassion through the orphans.
فَرُبَّso many a صَغيرِyoung child of قَومٍa people عَلَّموهُthey educated him
فَرُبَّ صَغيرِ قَومٍ عَلَّموهُ
سَماrose high وَحَمىand protected المُسَوَّمَةَthe marked steeds العِراباpurebred Arabian
سَما وَحَمى المُسَوَّمَةَ العِرابا
Many a child of a people, whom they educated,
How often has a small member of a tribe taught him
Rose high and defended the marked Arabian steeds,
The lofty principles they agreed upon,
وَكانَand was لِقَومِهِto his people نَفعاًa benefit وَفَخراًand a source of pride
وَكانَ لِقَومِهِ نَفعاً وَفَخراً
وَلَوand if تَرَكوهُthey abandoned him كانَhe would be أَذىًharm وَعاباand disgrace
وَلَو تَرَكوهُ كانَ أَذىً وَعابا
And was a benefit and a glory to his people;
And he became beneficial and pride for his tribe
Had they abandoned him, he would have been harm and disgrace.
While, had they neglected him, he would have been harm and disgrace.
فَعَلِّمso teach ماas much as اِستَطَعتَyou can لَعَلَّperhaps جيلاًa generation
فَعَلِّم ما اِستَطَعتَ لَعَلَّ جيلاً
سَيَأتيwill come يُحدِثُproducing العَجَبَwonders العُجاباmost astonishing
سَيَأتي يُحدِثُ العَجَبَ العُجابا
So teach as much as you can; perhaps a generation
Teach what you can, perhaps a generation
Will come and work the most astonishing wonders.
Will come bringing wondrous wonders.
وَلاand do not تُرهِقburden شَبابَthe youth of الحَيِّthe community يَأساًwith despair
وَلا تُرهِق شَبابَ الحَيِّ يَأساً
فَإِنَّfor indeed اليَأسَdespair يَختَرِمُcuts short الشَباباyouth
فَإِنَّ اليَأسَ يَختَرِمُ الشَبابا
Do not burden the community's youth with despair,
Do not burden the living youth with despair,
For despair cuts youth short.
For despair demolishes youth.
يُريدُwills الخالِقُthe Creator الرِزقَlivelihood اِشتِراكاًto be shared
يُريدُ الخالِقُ الرِزقَ اِشتِراكاً
وَإِنand even if يَكُHe has خَصَّsingled out أَقواماًpeoples وَحابىand favored
وَإِن يَكُ خَصَّ أَقواماً وَحابى
The Creator wills that livelihood be shared,
The Creator wants sustenance shared
Even if He has singled out some peoples and favored them.
Even if He singles some out and favors them.
فَماso did not حَرَمَHe deny المُجِدَّthe diligent person جَنىthe fruit of يَدَيهِhis two hands
فَما حَرَمَ المُجِدَّ جَنى يَدَيهِ
وَلاnor نَسِيَHe forgot الشَقِيَّthe wretched وَلاnor المُصاباthe afflicted
وَلا نَسِيَ الشَقِيَّ وَلا المُصابا
He has not denied the diligent worker the fruit of his hands,
Neither has glory escaped its doers
Nor forgotten the wretched or the afflicted.
Nor has it forgotten the wretch or the struck.
وَلَولاand were it not for البُخلُmiserliness لَمwould not يَهلِكperish فَريقٌa group
وَلَولا البُخلُ لَم يَهلِك فَريقٌ
عَلىagainst الأَقدارِfate تَلقاهُمُyou find them غِضاباangry
عَلى الأَقدارِ تَلقاهُمُ غِضابا
Were it not for miserliness, no group would perish
Were it not for stinginess, no group would have perished,
Whom you find enraged against fate.
While fate had inflicted wrath on them.
تَعِبتُI grew weary بِأَهلِهِwith its people لَوماًof reproach وَقَبليand before me
تَعِبتُ بِأَهلِهِ لَوماً وَقَبلي
دُعاةُthe advocates of البِرِّkindness قَدhad سَئِمواgrown weary of الخِطاباaddressing
دُعاةُ البِرِّ قَد سَئِموا الخِطابا
I have wearied of reproaching its followers; before me,
I grew weary of blaming its people;
The advocates of kindness had tired of addressing them.
Before me, the preachers of righteousness grew weary of preaching.
وَلَوand if أَنّيI خَطَبتُpreached عَلىto جَمادٍlifeless matter
وَلَو أَنّي خَطَبتُ عَلى جَمادٍ
فَجَرتُI would make burst forth بِهِfrom it اليَنابيعَthe springs العِذاباsweet
فَجَرتُ بِهِ اليَنابيعَ العِذابا
Had I preached to lifeless matter,
Had I preached to inanimate matter,
I would have made sweet springs burst forth from it.
I would have made the springs of punishment flow from it.
أَلَمhave you not? تَرَseen لِلهَواءِof the air جَرىflowed فَأَفضىthen reached
أَلَم تَرَ لِلهَواءِ جَرى فَأَفضى
إِلىinto الأَكواخِthe huts وَاِختَرَقَand penetrated القِباباthe domes
إِلى الأَكواخِ وَاِختَرَقَ القِبابا
Have you not seen the air flow, then find its way
Have you not seen the wind flow and pour
Into huts, and penetrate domes?
To huts and penetrate domes?
وَأَنَّand that الشَمسَthe sun فيacross الآفاقِthe horizons تَغشىcovers
وَأَنَّ الشَمسَ في الآفاقِ تَغشى
حِمىthe domain of كِسرىKisra كَماas تَغشىit covers اليَباباthe wasteland
حِمى كِسرى كَما تَغشى اليَبابا
And the sun, across the horizons, covers
Have you not seen the sun covering in the horizons
Kisra's domain just as it covers the wasteland.
The sanctuary of Chosroes as it covers reptiles?
وَأَنَّand that الماءَwater تُروىare given their fill الأُسدُthe lions مِنهُfrom it
وَأَنَّ الماءَ تُروى الأُسدُ مِنهُ
وَيَشفيand relieves مِنfrom تَلَعلُعِهاtheir panting الكِلاباthe dogs
وَيَشفي مِن تَلَعلُعِها الكِلابا
And water gives the lions their fill,
Have you not seen water give drink to lions
And relieves dogs of their panting.
And its disturbance cure dogs of rabies?
وَسَوّىand made equal اللَهُGod بَينَكُمُamong you المَناياdeaths
وَسَوّى اللَهُ بَينَكُمُ المَنايا
وَوَسَّدَكُمand made your pillow مَعَwith الرُسلِthe messengers التُراباthe dust
وَوَسَّدَكُم مَعَ الرُسلِ التُرابا
God has made you equal in death,
God has leveled death among you
And made dust your pillow alongside the messengers.
And will turn you into dust with the messengers.
وَأَرسَلَand sent عائِلاًa poor person مِنكُمfrom among you يَتيماًan orphan
وَأَرسَلَ عائِلاً مِنكُم يَتيماً
دَناdrew near مِنto ذيthe possessor of الجَلالِmajesty فَكانَand was قاباa bow's length away
دَنا مِن ذي الجَلالِ فَكانَ قابا
And He sent a poor orphan from among you,
He sent an orphan of you near
Who drew near the Lord of Majesty, a bow's length away.
The Owner of Majesty, so he drew near.
نَبِيُّthe Prophet of البِرِّrighteousness بَيَّنَهُmade it clear سَبيلاًas a path
نَبِيُّ البِرِّ بَيَّنَهُ سَبيلاً
وَسَنَّand prescribed خِلالَهُits virtues وَهَدىand showed الشِعاباthe mountain paths
وَسَنَّ خِلالَهُ وَهَدى الشِعابا
The Prophet of righteousness made it plain as a path,
The prophet of righteousness made clear his path
And prescribed its virtues and showed the mountain paths.
And exemplified his ethics and guided ways.
تَفَرَّقَbecame divided بَعدَafter عيسىJesus الناسُthe people فيهِover it
تَفَرَّقَ بَعدَ عيسى الناسُ فيهِ
فَلَمّاso when جاءَhe came كانَhe was لَهُمfor them مَتاباa way to return
فَلَمّا جاءَ كانَ لَهُم مَتابا
After Jesus, people became divided over it;
After Jesus the people differed over him.
But when he came, he was their way to return.
So when Muhammad came he was decisive for them.
وَشافيand a healer of النَفسِthe soul مِنof نَزَعاتِimpulses of شَرٍّevil
وَشافي النَفسِ مِن نَزَعاتِ شَرٍّ
كَشافٍlike a healer مِنof طَبائِعِهاits innate traits الذِئاباthe wolves
كَشافٍ مِن طَبائِعِها الذِئابا
And he who heals the soul of evil impulses
A healer of the soul from the pulls of evil
Is like one who cures its nature of wolves.
Like a protector from its preying instincts.
وَكانَand was بَيانُهُhis eloquence لِلهَديِtoward guidance سُبلاًpaths
وَكانَ بَيانُهُ لِلهَديِ سُبلاً
وَكانَتand were خَيلُهُhis horses لِلحَقِّfor truth غاباa forest
وَكانَت خَيلُهُ لِلحَقِّ غابا
His eloquence was a set of paths to guidance,
His eloquence in guidance was ways.
And his horses were a forest for truth.
His cavalry for truth were armies.
وَعَلَّمَناand he taught us بِناءَthe building of المَجدِglory حَتّىuntil
وَعَلَّمَنا بِناءَ المَجدِ حَتّى
أَخَذناwe seized إِمرَةَdominion over الأَرضِthe earth اِغتِصاباby force
أَخَذنا إِمرَةَ الأَرضِ اِغتِصابا
And he taught us to build glory, until
He taught us how to build glory until
We seized dominion over the earth by force.
We took the leadership of the land by force.
وَماand not نَيلُattaining المَطالِبِgoals بِالتَمَنّيby wishing
وَما نَيلُ المَطالِبِ بِالتَمَنّي
وَلَكِنbut تُؤخَذُis taken الدُنياthe world غِلاباby force
وَلَكِن تُؤخَذُ الدُنيا غِلابا
Goals are not attained by wishing,
Desires are not attained by wishing,
But the world is taken by force.
But the world is taken by force.
وَماand no اِستَعصىproved unattainable عَلىfor قَومٍa people مَنالٌan objective
وَما اِستَعصى عَلى قَومٍ مَنالٌ
إِذاwhen الإِقدامُboldness كانَwas لَهُمfor them رِكاباa mount
إِذا الإِقدامُ كانَ لَهُم رِكابا
No goal has proved beyond a people
No goal eluded a people
When boldness is their mount.
When daring was their steed.
تَجَلّىshone forth مَولِدُthe birth of الهاديthe Guide وَعَمَّتand spread everywhere
تَجَلّى مَولِدُ الهادي وَعَمَّت
بَشائِرُهُits glad tidings البَواديthe deserts وَالقِصاباand towns
بَشائِرُهُ البَوادي وَالقِصابا
The Guide's birth shone forth, and everywhere spread
The guiding leader's birth shone radiantly,
Its glad tidings, through deserts and towns.
Its tidings spreading through the wilderness and hills.
وَأَسدَتand bestowed لِلبَرِيَّةِupon creation بِنتُthe daughter of وَهبٍWahb
وَأَسدَت لِلبَرِيَّةِ بِنتُ وَهبٍ
يَداًa hand بَيضاءَwhite طَوَّقَتِencircled الرِقاباthe necks
يَداً بَيضاءَ طَوَّقَتِ الرِقابا
And Wahb's daughter bestowed upon creation
To the desert Wahb's daughter freely gave
A white hand of bounty that encircled their necks.
A white hand that collared necks.
لَقَدindeed وَضَعَتهُshe gave birth to him وَهّاجاًblazing مُنيراًilluminating
لَقَد وَضَعَتهُ وَهّاجاً مُنيراً
كَماas تَلِدُgive birth to السَماواتُthe heavens الشِهاباa shooting star
كَما تَلِدُ السَماواتُ الشِهابا
She brought him forth blazing and radiant,
She truly delivered him a glowing light
As the heavens give birth to a shooting star.
As the heavens deliver shooting stars.
فَقامَthen he rose عَلىabove سَماءِthe sky of البَيتِthe house نوراًas a light
فَقامَ عَلى سَماءِ البَيتِ نوراً
يُضيءُilluminating جِبالَthe mountains of مَكَّةَMecca وَالنِقاباand the mountain passes
يُضيءُ جِبالَ مَكَّةَ وَالنِقابا
Then he rose as a light in the sky above the house,
He stood over the Kaaba's heaven as a light
Illuminating Mecca's mountains and the passes.
Illuminating Mecca's mountains and passes.
وَضاعَتand wafted fragrance يَثرِبُYathrib الفَيحاءُspacious مِسكاًwith musk
وَضاعَت يَثرِبُ الفَيحاءُ مِسكاً
وَفاحَand grew fragrant القاعُthe plain أَرجاءًin every quarter وَطاباand became sweet
وَفاحَ القاعُ أَرجاءً وَطابا
And spacious Yathrib grew fragrant with musk,
Fragrant Yathrib spread musk
And the plain breathed fragrance in every quarter and grew sweet.
And the land smelled aromatic and was sweet.
أَباO father of الزَهراءِal-Zahra قَدindeed جاوَزتُI exceeded قَدريmy station
أَبا الزَهراءِ قَد جاوَزتُ قَدري
بِمَدحِكَby praising you بَيدَyet أَنَّthat لِيَI have اِنتِساباan affiliation
بِمَدحِكَ بَيدَ أَنَّ لِيَ اِنتِسابا
O father of al-Zahra, I have gone beyond my station
Father of al-Zahra’, I have exceeded my ability
In praising you—yet I have a bond with you.
In praising you, though I claim affiliation.
فَماso did not عَرَفَknow البَلاغَةَeloquence ذوa possessor of بَيانٍexpressive speech
فَما عَرَفَ البَلاغَةَ ذو بَيانٍ
إِذاif لَمhas not يَتَّخِذكَtaken you لَهُfor himself كِتاباas a book
إِذا لَم يَتَّخِذكَ لَهُ كِتابا
No master of speech has known eloquence
No one of eloquence has known eloquence
If he has not taken you as his book.
If he does not take you as his composition.
مَدَحتُI praised المالِكينَthe rulers فَزِدتُand I increased قَدراًin standing
مَدَحتُ المالِكينَ فَزِدتُ قَدراً
فَحينَso when مَدَحتُكَI praised you اِقتَدتُI led السَحاباthe clouds
فَحينَ مَدَحتُكَ اِقتَدتُ السَحابا
I praised rulers, and rose in standing;
I praised rulers, thus increasing worth.
But when I praised you, I led the clouds.
But when I praised you, I emulated clouds.
سَأَلتُI petitioned اللَهَGod فيfor أَبناءِthe children of دينيmy faith
سَأَلتُ اللَهَ في أَبناءِ ديني
فَإِنso if تَكُنِyou are الوَسيلَةَthe means of approach ليfor me أَجاباHe will answer
فَإِن تَكُنِ الوَسيلَةَ لي أَجابا
I petitioned God for the children of my faith;
I asked God among the members of my faith,
If you are my means to Him, He will answer.
For if you are the means for me, then answer!
وَماand no لِلمُسلِمينَfor the Muslims سِواكَexcept you حِصنٌa fortress
وَما لِلمُسلِمينَ سِواكَ حِصنٌ
إِذاwhen ماever (emphasis) الضَرُّharm مَسَّهُمُtouched them وَناباand befell them
إِذا ما الضَرُّ مَسَّهُمُ وَنابا
The Muslims have no fortress but you,
The Muslims have no fortress but you
Whenever harm touches and assails them.
When harm touched them and turned away.
كَأَنَّas though النَحسَill fortune حينَwhen جَرىswept عَلَيهِمover them
كَأَنَّ النَحسَ حينَ جَرى عَلَيهِم
أَطارَsent flying بِكُلِّthrough every مَملَكَةٍkingdom غُراباa crow
أَطارَ بِكُلِّ مَملَكَةٍ غُرابا
It is as though ill fortune, when it swept over them,
It was as if misfortune when it afflicted them
Sent a crow flying through every kingdom.
Had sent a crow over every kingdom.
وَلَوand if حَفَظواthey kept سَبيلَكَyour path كانit would be نوراًa light
وَلَو حَفَظوا سَبيلَكَ كان نوراً
وَكانَand would be مِنَagainst النُحوسِmisfortunes لَهُمfor them حِجاباa barrier
وَكانَ مِنَ النُحوسِ لَهُم حِجابا
Had they kept to your path, it would have been a light,
Had they kept your way, it would have been light,
And a shield for them against misfortune.
And a barrier against misfortunes for them.
بَنَيتَyou built لَهُمfor them مِنَfrom الأَخلاقِmorals رُكناًa pillar
بَنَيتَ لَهُم مِنَ الأَخلاقِ رُكناً
فَخانواso they betrayed الرُكنَthe pillar فَاِنهَدَمَand it collapsed اِضطِراباin turmoil
فَخانوا الرُكنَ فَاِنهَدَمَ اِضطِرابا
You built them a pillar of character;
You built for them a pillar of character.
They betrayed the pillar, and it crumbled in turmoil.
They betrayed the pillar, so it collapsed, shaken.
وَكانَand was جَنابُهُمtheir standing فيهاin them مَهيباًawe-inspiring
وَكانَ جَنابُهُم فيها مَهيباً
وَلَلأَخلاقِand for morals أَجدَرُmore fitting أَنthat تُهاباthey be revered
وَلَلأَخلاقِ أَجدَرُ أَن تُهابا
And through those morals their standing inspired awe;
Their manner in it was awe-inspiring.
And morals are more deserving of reverence.
Character more deserves to be revered.
فَلَولاهاso were it not for them لَساوىwould equal اللَيثُthe lion ذِئباًa wolf
فَلَولاها لَساوى اللَيثُ ذِئباً
وَساوىand would equal الصارِمُthe sword الماضيsharp-edged قِراباa sheath
وَساوى الصارِمُ الماضي قِرابا
Were it not for them, the lion would equal the wolf,
Without it, a lion would equal a wolf
And the sharp, cutting sword would equal its sheath.
And the decisive, attacking sword a carrion crow.
فَإِنso if قُرِنَتare joined مَكارِمُهاtheir noble virtues بِعِلمٍwith knowledge
فَإِن قُرِنَت مَكارِمُها بِعِلمٍ
تَذَلَّلَتِyielded العُلاthe heights بِهِماto the two صِعاباthough difficult
تَذَلَّلَتِ العُلا بِهِما صِعابا
If their noble virtues are joined with knowledge,
If its noble traits are combined with knowledge,
The heights yield to both, however arduous.
Mountains will be humbled by both.
وَفيand in هَذاthis الزَمانِage مَسيحُa messiah of عِلمٍscience
وَفي هَذا الزَمانِ مَسيحُ عِلمٍ
يَرُدُّrestores عَلىto بَنيthe children of الأُمَمِthe nations الشَباباyouth
يَرُدُّ عَلى بَني الأُمَمِ الشَبابا
And in this age there is a messiah of science
In this age there is a Christ of knowledge
Who restores youth to the children of nations.
Bringing back to the sons of nations their youth.
Sol 6.1