مَرارةbitterness الصَبرpatience خَصَتwas singled out بِالحَلاواتwith sweetness
مَرارة الصَبر خَصَت بِالحَلاوات
وَجَدتI found فيin مرهاits bitterness حُلوsweetness السَلاماتsafety
وَجَدت في مرها حُلو السَلامات
The bitterness of patience was graced with sweetness.
The bitterness of patience is reserved for sweetness,
I found in its bitterness the sweetness of safety.
And I found in its bitterness the sweetness of greetings.
صِيانَتيmy protection فيin كُهوفcaves الصَبرِpatience أَمنَعmore secure ليfor me
صِيانَتي في كُهوف الصَبرِ أَمنَع لي
مِنthan حِصنthe fortress كسرىKisra وَمِنand than أَعماقthe depths اغماتAghmat
مِن حِصن كسرى وَمِن أَعماق اغمات
My shelter in patience's caves is more secure for me
My chastity in the caves of patience is more impregnable for me,
Than Kisra's fortress or the depths of Aghmat.
Than Kisra's castle and the depths of sorrows.
كَماas باتَkept دَهريmy fate يُرينيshows me نَهجthe path ترببتيmy upbringing (uncertain form)
كَما باتَ دَهري يُريني نَهج ترببتي
فَيَنثَنيso it relents بِقَبوليthrough my acceptance وَاِمتِثالاتيand my submissions
فَيَنثَني بِقَبولي وَاِمتِثالاتي
As my fate kept showing me the path of my upbringing,
As my fate keeps showing me the path of my upbringing,
It relented through my acceptance and submission.
It bends me with my acceptance and obedience.
وَماand not اِحتِجابيmy seclusion عَنbecause of عَيبa fault أَتَيتُI committed بِهِwith it
وَما اِحتِجابي عَن عَيب أَتَيتُ بِهِ
وَاِنَّماand rather الصونself-preservation منis of شَأنىmy nature وَغاياتيand my aims
وَاِنَّما الصون من شَأنى وَغاياتي
My seclusion is not for any fault I have committed;
My seclusion is not to hide a fault I committed,
Rather, self-preservation is my way and my aim.
But to protect my status and goals.
وَكُلَّماand whenever شَبflared up دَهريmy fate فيin مُعانَدَتيopposing me
وَكُلَّما شَب دَهري في مُعانَدَتي
لَمdid not يَلقَencounter مِنيfrom me لَهfor it اِلّاexcept اِطاعاتيmy acts of obedience
لَم يَلقَ مِني لَه اِلّا اِطاعاتي
Whenever my fate flared up in opposition to me,
And whenever my fate insisted on defying me,
It met from me nothing but obedience.
It found nothing from me but obedience.
كَمhow many قابَلَتنيconfronted me لَيالnights ريحُهاtheir wind سعرblazing fire
كَم قابَلَتني لَيال ريحُها سعر
بَطيئَةslow السَيرin passing تَرميcasting بِالشَراراتwith sparks
بَطيئَة السَير تَرمي بِالشَرارات
How many nights confronted me, their wind a blaze,
How many nights the blowing winds met me,
Slowly passing, casting sparks!
Slowly creeping, throwing sparks.
لاقيتُهاI met them بِجَميلwith beautiful الصَبرِpatience مِنfrom جَلديmy fortitude
لاقيتُها بِجَميل الصَبرِ مِن جَلدي
وَبتand I spent the night أَسفىI water (uncertain form) الثَرىthe earth مِنfrom غَيثthe rain عبراتيmy tears
وَبت أَسفى الثَرى مِن غَيث عبراتي
I met them with beautiful patience, born of my fortitude,
I met them with the beauty of patience from my skin,
And spent the night watering the earth with the rain of my tears.
And spent the night crying, wetting the ground with tears.
كَمhow often أَقعَدَتنيlaid me low أَيّامُdays بصدمتهاwith their blow
كَم أَقعَدَتني أَيّامُ بصدمتها
وَقُمتand I rose بِالعَزمِwith resolve مَشهورrenowned العناياتdiligent care
وَقُمت بِالعَزمِ مَشهور العنايات
How often days laid me low with their blows,
How many days hit me with their shocks,
And I rose with resolve, renowned for my diligent care.
And I got up determined, famous for my care.
وَكَمand how often حَليفَةa female ally سعدfortune اِذwhen تَعنفنيshe reproaches me
وَكَم حَليفَة سعد اِذ تَعنفني
تَقولُshe says سَعيكyour endeavor مَذمومblameworthy النِهاياتoutcomes
تَقولُ سَعيك مَذموم النِهايات
How often a woman favored by fortune, reproaching me,
And how many times the ally of bliss rebuked me
Says: Your endeavor has blameworthy outcomes.
When it said your efforts lead to doomed ends.
فَأَخفِضso I lower الطرفthe gaze منfrom حُزنsorrow أكابِدهI endure
فَأَخفِض الطرف من حُزن أكابِده
وَاِهمِلand I let flow الدَمعthe tears منbecause of تِلكَthose المَقالاتutterances
وَاِهمِل الدَمع من تِلكَ المَقالات
So I lower my gaze from the sorrow I endure,
So lower your gaze out of the sadness I endure,
And let tears flow because of those words.
And neglect the tears from those words.
وَكَمand how often لَصقتclung بِأَرضto the ground الظُلمoppression ناصِيَتيmy forelock
وَكَم لَصقت بِأَرض الظُلم ناصِيَتي
فَقُمتُso I rose منfrom سجدَتيmy prostration أَتلوreciting تَحِيّاتيmy salutations
فَقُمتُ من سجدَتي أَتلو تَحِيّاتي
How often my forelock clung to the ground of oppression,
And how many times I hit my forehead to the ground of injustice,
And I rose from my prostration, reciting my salutations.
Then got up from my prostration reciting greetings.
وَكَمand how often شَكَرتI thanked بِفَضلby virtue of العَدلِfairness عاذلتيmy female reproacher
وَكَم شَكَرت بِفَضل العَدلِ عاذلتي
اِنwhether أَحسَنتَshe did good (vocalization uncertain) أَوor اِطالَتprolonged فيin اِسآتيmistreating me
اِن أَحسَنتَ أَو اِطالَت في اِسآتي
How often, in fairness, I thanked my reproacher,
And how many times I thanked the justice for my rebuke,
Whether she did good or persisted in mistreating me.
Whether you did good or prolonged my sins.
وَماand not مَنَحتI was granted بِيَومon a day قَدalready اِتىcame غلطاby mistake
وَما مَنَحت بِيَوم قَد اِتى غلطا
بِالانسِwith companionship اِلّاexcept وَقامَتand rose فيهِwithin it غاراتيmy raids
بِالانسِ اِلّا وَقامَت فيهِ غاراتي
And never, on a day that came by mistake, was I granted
I never granted for a day that came by mistake,
Companionship without my battles erupting that day.
With people except my raids revolted.
وَمُذand since أَتَتcame عذليmy reproachers تَبغيseeking مُصادَرَتيmy dispossession
وَمُذ أَتَت عذلي تَبغي مُصادَرَتي
ظُلماًunjustly مَنحتهموI bestowed on them أَسنىthe loftiest الكَراماتhonors
ظُلماً مَنحتهمو أَسنى الكَرامات
When my reproachers came seeking to dispossess me
And since my rebuke came to confiscate me unjustly,
Unjustly, I bestowed on them the loftiest honors.
I gave them the best generosities.
وَكُلَّماand whenever عددواthey enumerated ذَنباa sin رَميتI was charged بِهِwith it
وَكُلَّما عددوا ذَنبا رَميت بِهِ
بَسَطتI spread لِلعَفوfor pardon راحاتthe palms اِعتِرافاتيmy confessions
بَسَطت لِلعَفو راحات اِعتِرافاتي
Whenever they enumerated a sin with which I was charged,
And whenever they counted a sin I threw,
I opened the palms of my confessions to seek pardon.
I spread for forgiveness the palms of my confessions.
وَكُلَّماand whenever حَرَّرواthey drafted مَنشورa proclamation مظلَمتيmy grievance
وَكُلَّما حَرَّروا مَنشور مظلَمتي
وَاِثبَتواand established فيamong الوَرىhumankind ظُلماunjustly جِناياتيmy crimes
وَاِثبَتوا في الوَرى ظُلما جِناياتي
Whenever they drafted a proclamation of my grievance,
And whenever they wrote a scroll of my injustice,
And unjustly established my crimes among humankind,
And proved in the world the injustice of my crimes.
اِظهَرتI showed شُكرىmy gratitude لَهُمto them بِالرَغمِin spite عَنof اِسفىmy sorrow
اِظهَرت شُكرى لَهُم بِالرَغمِ عَن اِسفى
وَكانَand happened ماwhat كانَhappened مِنfrom فَرطthe excess التِهاباتيmy inner burning
وَكانَ ما كانَ مِن فَرط التِهاباتي
I showed them my gratitude despite my sorrow,
I showed them my gratitude in spite of my sorrow,
And what happened happened from my intense inner burning.
And what happened was due to my extreme anger.
وَلَمand did not أَفهI utter لِذَوىto those with ردa rebuttal لِمَعرِفَتيbecause of my knowledge
وَلَم أَفه لِذَوى رد لِمَعرِفَتي
اِنَّthat الحَبيبthe beloved حَبيبbeloved فيin المَسَرّاتjoys
اِنَّ الحَبيب حَبيب في المَسَرّات
Nor did I utter a reply to them, knowing
I did not understand for those who recognized me,
That a beloved is beloved in times of joy.
That the beloved is the beloved even in difficulties.
أَقومI rise وَالضيمwhile oppression تَطوينيfolds me تَوائِبهits calamities (uncertain form)
أَقوم وَالضيم تَطويني تَوائِبه
طَيّthe folding السجلthe scroll وَلَمand did not اِسمَعُهI let it hear أَناتيmy groans
طَيّ السجل وَلَم اِسمَعُه أَناتي
I rise while oppression's calamities fold me up
I get up and injustice folds me in its repentance,
Like a scroll, yet I let it hear none of my groans.
A long scroll, and I did not hear its moan.
أَخفىI conceal الأَسىgrief اِنif حَسودan envious person جاءَcomes يَسأَلنيasking me
أَخفى الأَسى اِن حَسود جاءَ يَسأَلني
لِأَينtoward where تَسعىdo you strive وَأَومىand I gesture لاِبنِهاto her son جاتي[unclear fragment]
لِأَين تَسعى وَأَومى لاِبنِها جاتي
I conceal my grief if an envious person comes to ask me:
I hid the sorrow if an envious came to ask me,
Where are you striving?—and I gesture [closing words unclear].
Where are you heading? And I gestured to my lover not to come.
اِنif ضَلgoes astray سَعيmy striving فَهادىthen the guide الصَبرpatience يُرشِدُنيguides me
اِن ضَل سَعي فَهادى الصَبر يُرشِدُني
اِلىtoward طَريقِthe path رَشاديmy right guidance وَاِستِقاماتيand my steadfastness
اِلى طَريقِ رَشادي وَاِستِقاماتي
If my striving goes astray, patience's guide leads me
If the effort went astray, patience guides me
To the path of my right guidance and steadfastness.
To the path of my integrity and straightness.
وَلَمand have not ازَلI ceased اِشتَكيcomplaining of بثىmy anguish وَمَظلَمَتيand my grievance
وَلَم ازَل اِشتَكي بثى وَمَظلَمَتي
لِعالمto the Knower الجَهرwhat is manifest مِنيfrom me وَالخفياتand what is hidden
لِعالم الجَهر مِني وَالخفيات
I have never ceased to complain of my anguish and grievance
I have not stopped complaining of oppression and injustice
To the Knower of what I reveal and what I conceal.
To the knower of the apparent and hidden.
علتmounted ولاةthe guardians الصفاserenity اِشهىthe choicest نَجائِبهاtheir noble riding-camels
علت ولاة الصفا اِشهى نَجائِبها
لتقنصto capture الفوزsuccess مِنfrom واديthe valley الموداتaffections
لتقنص الفوز مِن وادي المودات
Serenity's guardians mounted their choicest noble camels,
The governors of loyalty set their most inner depths
To capture success from the valley of affections.
To hunt victory in the valley of affection.
وَبتand I spent the night بِاليَأسِin despair فيin بَطحاءthe open plain متربتيmy poverty
وَبت بِاليَأسِ في بَطحاء متربتي
وَكانand was شغليmy occupation لضيميbecause of my oppression دقstriking راحاتيmy palms
وَكان شغلي لضيمي دق راحاتي
While I spent the night in despair on the broad plain of my poverty,
And I spent the night in despair in the expanse of my turban,
My task under oppression was beating my palms.
While my occupation for injustice was beating my palms.
أَقولI say لِلصَّبرِto patience لاno عتبreproach عَلىupon زَمَنa time
أَقول لِلصَّبرِ لا عتب عَلى زَمَن
أَعطىgave لِأَبنائِهto its children أَسمىthe loftiest العطياتgifts
أَعطى لِأَبنائِه أَسمى العطيات
I say to patience: There is no reproach against a time
I say to patience, no reproach upon a time
That gave its children the loftiest gifts.
That gave its children the highest gifts.
فَقالso it said مَهلاgently وَلاand let not تَغرركdeceive you شَوكَتِهِمtheir might
فَقال مَهلا وَلا تَغررك شَوكَتِهِم
فَالصَحوfor clear weather يَعقُبهis followed by سودblack الغَماماتclouds
فَالصَحو يَعقُبه سود الغَمامات
It said: Gently! Do not let their might deceive you,
It said wait, do not let their power deceive you,
For clear skies are followed by black clouds.
For soberness is followed by the blackness of clouds.
فَلَيسَfor not كُلevery ملومblamed person دامremained مُكتَئِباًdejected
فَلَيسَ كُل ملوم دام مُكتَئِباً
وَماand not السَعيدُthe fortunate سَعيدfortunate لِلمُلاقاةat the encounter
وَما السَعيدُ سَعيد لِلمُلاقاة
Not everyone blamed remains dejected,
Not every blamed one remains dejected,
Nor is the fortunate fortunate at the encounter.
Nor is every happy one happy to face.
فَدَهرِهِمfor their time غرهمdeceived them جَهلاthrough ignorance وَماand not عَلِمواdid they know
فَدَهرِهِم غرهم جَهلا وَما عَلِموا
اِنَّthat الزَمانَtime قَريبis swift الاِلتِفاتاتin its turns
اِنَّ الزَمانَ قَريب الاِلتِفاتات
Their time deceived them in ignorance, and they did not know
Their fate deceived them in ignorance and they did not know,
That time is swift to turn.
That time is quick to change.
فَماso scarcely تَوارَتwithdrew بغاةthe seekers الغَمgrief منfrom أَسفىmy sorrow
فَما تَوارَت بغاة الغَم من أَسفى
حَتّىuntil أَناخواthey camped بِاِجبالamong mountains النكاياتafflictions
حَتّى أَناخوا بِاِجبال النكايات
The seekers of grief had scarcely withdrawn from my sorrow
So the oppressors of sorrow did not disappear from my sight
Before they camped amid mountains of affliction.
Until they camped on the mountains of vengeance.
تَذكرremembered الدَهرTime عاداتhabits لَهof its own سَلَفَتthat had passed
تَذكر الدَهر عادات لَه سَلَفَت
وَقَدand already نَسوهاthey had forgotten them بِحاناتin taverns الخَلاعاتdebauchery
وَقَد نَسوها بِحانات الخَلاعات
Time remembered its former habits,
It reminded time of habits it had in the past
Which they had forgotten in taverns of debauchery.
And forgot amidst the taverns of depravity.
وَردand sent back دَهرىmy fate سِهامarrows الحِقدhatred صائِبَةunerring
وَرد دَهرى سِهام الحِقد صائِبَة
اليَهموto them فَغَدواso they became فيin شَرَّthe worst حالاتconditions
اليَهمو فَغَدوا في شَرَّ حالات
My fate sent back the arrows of hatred, unerring,
And it returned the arrows of hatred precise
At them, and they entered the worst of states.
To them, so they became in the worst conditions.
فَماand not اِستَطابواdid they savor أَمانيهِمtheir wishes وَلاnor قَنَصواcatch their quarry
فَما اِستَطابوا أَمانيهِم وَلا قَنَصوا
حَتّىuntil اِستَويناwe became equal بِكَهفin the cave الاِعتِكافاتretreats
حَتّى اِستَوينا بِكَهف الاِعتِكافات
They neither savored their wishes nor caught their quarry,
They did not enjoy their wishes nor hunted
Until we were equal in the cave of seclusion.
Until we became equal in the cave of isolation.
قالَsaid الدهاةthe shrewd سِهامarrows الدَهرtime قَدalready وَقَعَتhave struck
قالَ الدهاة سِهام الدَهر قَد وَقَعَت
مِنfrom ذلِكَthat الجمعcompany فيinto كَشحa flank وَلباتand upper chests
مِن ذلِكَ الجمع في كَشح وَلبات
The shrewd said: Time's arrows have struck
The wise said: The arrows of fate has fallen
Flanks and upper chests within that company.
Upon that group into humiliation and hardship.
فَقُلتso I said أَنعمhow excellent بِهِit is مِنas حاذِقa skillful one فَطنdiscerning
فَقُلت أَنعم بِهِ مِن حاذِق فَطن
وَاِنهand indeed it لَحقيقis truly worthy بِالعدالاتof just judgments
وَاِنه لَحقيق بِالعدالات
I said: How excellent it is, skillful and discerning!
I said: I am blessed with the precise and perceptive one,
Indeed, it is worthy of just judgments.
And he is truly deserving of justice.
ظَنّواthey thought الزَمانَTime اِباحhad allowed السَعدgood fortune طالعهمtheir rising star
ظَنّوا الزَمانَ اِباح السَعد طالعهم
وَاِنَّهُand that it اِختَصَّsingled out تحمى[unclear; possibly my star] بِالنحوساتfor ill omens
وَاِنَّهُ اِختَصَّ تحمى بِالنحوسات
They thought Time had granted good fortune to their rising star,
They thought time allowed their luck to rise
And had singled out [unclear, perhaps my star] for ill omens.
While it was specified with misfortunes.
وَالصَبرand patience أَشهَدَنيmade me witness ماwhat كنتI used to اِغبطهمenvy them
وَالصَبر أَشهَدَني ما كنت اِغبطهم
عَلَيهِfor it عادhad become اِعتِباراa lesson فيin العباراتexpressions
عَلَيهِ عاد اِعتِبارا في العبارات
Patience made me witness how what I had envied them
Patience witnessed me, I did not envy them
For had become a cautionary lesson expressed in words.
Upon it, reconsideration returned in expressions.
فَلاso let not يَهولنكterrify you حرمانdeprivation بليتyou were afflicted بِهِwith it
فَلا يَهولنك حرمان بليت بِهِ
وَلاand let not يغرنكdeceive you اِقبالprosperity غَداtomorrow آتيcoming
وَلا يغرنك اِقبال غَدا آتي
So let no deprivation that afflicts you terrify you,
So do not let deprivation I am tested with frighten you,
Nor let prosperity coming tomorrow beguile you.
Nor let the prosperity tomorrow brings deceive you.
كِلاهُماboth of them وَالَّذيby the One who اِنشاكَcreated you منfrom علقclotted blood
كِلاهُما وَالَّذي اِنشاكَ من علق
يَفنىperishes وَبعدمand vanishes (uncertain form) فيin بَعضa few اللَميحاتbrief moments
يَفنى وَبعدم في بَعض اللَميحات
Both of them, by Him who created you from clotted blood,
They both, by the one who created you from a clot,
Perish and vanish in a few brief moments.
Will perish, in some of the blinks.
اِينَwhere المُلوكِthe kings الاولىthose who كانَتwere اِوامِرُهُمtheir commands
اِينَ المُلوكِ الاولى كانَت اِوامِرُهُم
مَحدودَةsharp-edged كَسُيوفِlike swords مُشرفياتMashrafi
مَحدودَة كَسُيوفِ مُشرفيات
Where are the kings whose commands were
Where are the early kings whose orders
Sharp-edged like Mashrafi swords?
Were limited like the swords of the honorable.
تَمحىerasing وَتثبتand establishing ماwhat رامَتthey desired وَماand what رَفَضَتthey rejected
تَمحى وَتثبت ما رامَت وَما رَفَضَت
بَينَamong الاِنامِhumankind بِاِقوالِthrough words سمياتlofty
بَينَ الاِنامِ بِاِقوالِ سميات
Erasing and establishing what they desired and what they rejected,
It erases and enforces what it wants and refuses
Among humankind through lofty words.
Among the people through the words of authorities.
قَدalready اِحكُمperfected الدَهرTime مرماهُمits aim at them فَماso not لَبِثواdid they linger
قَد اِحكُم الدَهر مرماهُم فَما لَبِثوا
حَتّىuntil اِنطَوواthey were folded away فيin الثَرىthe dust طيthe folding السجلاتscrolls
حَتّى اِنطَووا في الثَرى طي السجلات
Time perfected its aim at them, and they scarcely lingered
Fate has judged their goal, so they did not last long
Before they were folded in the dust like scrolls.
Until they were folded into the ground, a scroll folded.
فَكَمand how often مَضىprevailed عَزمُهُمtheir resolve فيin عِزthe glory سَطوَتِهِمtheir might
فَكَم مَضى عَزمُهُم في عِز سَطوَتِهِم
قَولاin speech وَفِعلاand in deed بِتَسديدthrough directing الرِياساتleadership
قَولا وَفِعلا بِتَسديد الرِياسات
How often their resolve prevailed in the glory of their might,
So many their resolves went in the glory of their power,
In word and deed, directing the affairs of rule!
In words and deeds with the guidance of leadership.
وَكَمand how often سَرىspread فيamong الوَرىhumankind مَنشورthe proclamation سلطتهمtheir authority
وَكَم سَرى في الوَرى مَنشور سلطتهم
شَرقاeastward وَغَرباand westward بِاِنواعِthrough varieties السِياساتgovernance
شَرقا وَغَربا بِاِنواعِ السِياسات
How often the proclamation of their power spread among humankind,
And how much spread in the land their authority’s decree,
East and west, through varied forms of governance!
East and west through politics.
يَؤوبreturns بِالعَجزِin helplessness اِقواهُمtheir strongest اِذاwhen المbefalls
يَؤوب بِالعَجزِ اِقواهُم اِذا الم
بِهِupon him أَلَمpain وَيبدىand reveals شَرthe worst حَسراتregrets
بِهِ أَلَم وَيبدى شَر حَسرات
Their strongest returns in helplessness when
Their strongest comes back powerless if pain touches him,
Pain befalls him, and he reveals the bitterest regrets.
And the worst of sorrows appears.
يَلوذtakes refuge ضَعفاin weakness بِأَذيالِin the skirts الطَبيبthe physician وَماand not
يَلوذ ضَعفا بِأَذيالِ الطَبيب وَما
يَغنىavails الطَبيبthe physician لَدىbefore فَتكِthe fatal assault المنياتdeaths
يَغنى الطَبيب لَدى فَتكِ المنيات
In weakness he takes refuge in the physician's skirts, yet
Seeking refuge weakly in the tails of the doctor, and the doctor
The physician is of no avail when death strikes.
Is no avail during the termination of fates.
وَكَمand how often لِفَقدat the loss عَزيزa loved one مَنهموamong them سكبتwere shed
وَكَم لِفَقد عَزيز مَنهمو سكبت
مَدامِعَtears كُنthat were بِالنعماby prosperity مَصوناتprotected
مَدامِعَ كُن بِالنعما مَصونات
How often, at the loss of a loved one among them, were shed
And how many tears they shed for the loss of a loved one,
Tears once sheltered by prosperity.
While the blessings were protected from tears.
وَطالَماand how often أَحرَقتburned حَسراتِهِمtheir regrets كَبداa liver
وَطالَما أَحرَقت حَسراتِهِم كَبدا
تَضعضعتwere shaken مِنهُfrom it أَركانpillars بِالنُعماby blessings مَصوناتprotected
تَضعضعت مِنهُ أَركان بِالنُعما مَصونات
How often their regrets burned a liver,
And how long did their regrets burn a liver,
Whence pillars once sheltered by blessings were shaken.
It shook from it the pillars with the blessings protected.
فَلاso do not تَقُلsay ليfor me مَتاعwealth وَهوwhile it is عارِيَةa loan
فَلا تَقُل لي مَتاع وَهو عارِيَة
وَاليَأسand despair عِنديto me راحاتthe comforts اِستِراحاتيmy repose
وَاليَأس عِندي راحات اِستِراحاتي
So do not say: I have wealth, when it is only a loan.
So do not tell me it is belongings while it is borrowed,
Despair, to me, is the comfort of my repose.
And despair for me is the rest of my rests.
وَقَدand indeed بَسَطتI spread أَكفthe palms الذلhumility ضارِعَةsupplicating
وَقَد بَسَطت أَكف الذل ضارِعَة
لِخالِقto the Creator الخَلقcreation جبارthe Almighty السمواتthe heavens
لِخالِق الخَلق جبار السموات
I have spread the palms of humility in supplication
I have spread the palms of humiliation praying
To the Creator of creation, the Almighty of the heavens.
To the Creator of creation, Compeller of the skies.
وَبتand I spent the night أَدعوcalling upon عَليمthe Knower السرsecrets قائِلَةsaying
وَبت أَدعو عَليم السر قائِلَة
ياO غافِرَForgiver الذَنبsin جدلىbe generous to me بِاستِجاباتwith answers
يا غافِرَ الذَنب جدلى بِاستِجابات
I spent the night calling upon the Knower of secrets, saying:
And I spent the night praying the All-Knowing, saying:
O Forgiver of sin, grant me answers!
O Forgiver of sins, reward me with response.
ياO كاشِفRemover الضُرaffliction عَنfrom أَيوبAyyub مرحمةin mercy
يا كاشِف الضُر عَن أَيوب مرحمة
حينَwhen اِستغاثَكhe called for Your aid منfrom مسthe touch المَضَرّاتafflictions
حينَ اِستغاثَك من مس المَضَرّات
O You who mercifully removed affliction from Ayyub
O Reliever of harm from Job when he implored You
When he called for Your aid against affliction's touch;
From the touch of afflictions.
وَصاحِبand the companion الحوتthe whale قَدindeed أَنحببتهYou loved him (uncertain form) كرماin generosity
وَصاحِب الحوت قَد أَنحببته كرما
لِماwhen دَعاhe called بِاِبتِهالwith fervent prayer فيin الضَراعاتsupplications
لِما دَعا بِاِبتِهال في الضَراعات
And the companion of the whale—you loved him [wording uncertain] in Your generosity,
And the companion of the whale, You cherished him generously
When he called in fervent prayer and supplication.
When he prayed insistently in supplication.
أَنقذتهYou rescued him ياO الهGod العَرشthe Throne مِنfrom ظُلمdarknesses
أَنقذته يا اله العَرش مِن ظُلم
لِظُلمَةbecause of the darkness النَفسthe soul لاقتهmet him بِاِعناتwith affliction
لِظُلمَة النَفس لاقته بِاِعنات
You rescued him, O God of the Throne, from darkness
You saved him, O God of the Throne, from injustice
That, through the soul's darkness, beset him with affliction.
To the darkness of the soul that met him with hostility.
وَاِبيضتand turned white العَينthe eye منof يَعقوبYaqub وَاِنسَكَبَتand overflowed
وَاِبيضت العَين من يَعقوب وَاِنسَكَبَت
حُزناin sorrow عَلىover سُيوفswords (possibly a corruption of Yusuf) فيin فَيضa flood عِبراتtears
حُزنا عَلى سُيوف في فَيض عِبرات
Yaqub's eye turned white, and overflowed
And the eyes of Jacob whitened and poured
In sorrow over swords [possibly Yusuf], in a flood of tears.
With sorrow upon swords in a stream of tears.
وَمُذand when شَكاhe complained of البثanguish لِلرحمنto the Merciful عادَreturned لَهُto him
وَمُذ شَكا البث لِلرحمن عادَ لَهُ
نورthe light العُيونِthe eyes قَريناjoined بِالمَسَرّاتwith joys
نور العُيونِ قَرينا بِالمَسَرّات
When he complained of his anguish to the Merciful, there returned to him
And since the separation complained to the Merciful,
The light of his eyes, joined with joy.
The light of eyes returned, paired with bliss.
وَيوسفand Yusuf السَيدthe noble الصَديقthe utterly truthful حينَwhen دَعاhe prayed
وَيوسف السَيد الصَديق حينَ دَعا
فيin ظُلمَةthe darkness السِجنprison منfrom بَعدafter الغِياباتthe hidden depths
في ظُلمَة السِجن من بَعد الغِيابات
And Yusuf, the noble, the utterly truthful—when he prayed
And Joseph the honest friend when he prayed
In the darkness of prison, after the hidden depths,
In the darkness of prison after disappearance.
أَوليتهYou granted him الحُكمjudgment وَالمُلكand kingship العَظيمmighty كَماjust as
أَوليته الحُكم وَالمُلك العَظيم كَما
آتَيتُهُYou gave him (vocalization uncertain) العِلمknowledge مِنout of اِسنىthe loftiest العِناياتfavors
آتَيتُهُ العِلم مِن اِسنى العِنايات
You granted him judgment and mighty kingship, just as
You gave him rule and great kingship as
You gave him knowledge out of Your loftiest favors.
You gave him knowledge from the best care.
وَمُذand when عَلِمتYou knew بِاِخلاصof the sincerity الخَليلthe Friend غَداhe became
وَمُذ عَلِمت بِاِخلاص الخَليل غَدا
وَالنارwith the fire منfrom حَولِهِaround him فيin رَوضa garden جناتgardens of paradise
وَالنار من حَولِهِ في رَوض جنات
When You knew the Friend's sincerity, he found himself
And since You knew the sincerity of the Friend, he became
Among paradisal gardens, though fire surrounded him.
While fire was around him in a garden of heavens.
عادَتit became سَلاماpeace وَبَرداand coolness بَعدafter ماthat اِشتَعَلَتit blazed
عادَت سَلاما وَبَردا بَعد ما اِشتَعَلَت
وَلَمand did not يَفهhe speak منfrom يَقينcertainty بِالشِكاياتwith complaints
وَلَم يَفه من يَقين بِالشِكايات
It became peace and coolness after it had blazed,
It returned safety and coolness after it ignited
And, in his certainty, he voiced no complaints.
And he did not understand with certainty and lament.
وَقَدand indeed رَفَعَتI raised يَمينَthe right hand الذُلhumility داعِيَةpraying
وَقَد رَفَعَت يَمينَ الذُل داعِيَة
اِلَيكَto You ياO رَبLord أَرجوI hope for غَفرforgiveness زلاتيmy slips
اِلَيكَ يا رَب أَرجو غَفر زلاتي
I have raised my right hand in humility, praying
And I have raised the right hand of humiliation praying
To You, O Lord, hoping for forgiveness of my slips.
To You O Lord hoping to forgive my errors.
رَبّيmy Lord اِلهيmy God مَعبوديthe One I worship وَمُلتَجىءand seeking refuge
رَبّي اِلهي مَعبودي وَمُلتَجىء
اِلَيكَto You أَرفَعُI raise بثىmy anguish وَاِبتِهالاتيand my supplications
اِلَيكَ أَرفَعُ بثى وَاِبتِهالاتي
My Lord, my God, whom I worship! Seeking refuge
My Lord, my God, my worshiped One and my refuge,
In You, I raise my anguish and my supplications.
To You I raise my distress and prayers.
قَدindeed ضَرَّنيhas harmed me طَعنthe thrusts حساديthose who envy me وَأَنتَand You تَرىsee
قَد ضَرَّني طَعن حسادي وَأَنتَ تَرى
ظُلميthe wrong I suffer وَعِلمُكَand Your knowledge يَغنىsuffices عَنwithout سُؤالاتيmy requests
ظُلمي وَعِلمُكَ يَغنى عَن سُؤالاتي
The thrusts of those who envy me have hurt me, and You see
The stab of my envious enemies has harmed me and You see
The wrong I suffer; Your knowledge suffices without my requests.
My injustice, and Your knowledge suffices my questions.
فَاِمنُنso bestow favor عَلىupon me بِالافwith thousands لِتُخرِجُنيto bring me out
فَاِمنُن عَلى بِالاف لِتُخرِجُني
مِنَfrom الضَلالِerror اِلىto سبلpaths الهِداياتguidance
مِنَ الضَلالِ اِلى سبل الهِدايات
So grant me thousands [of favors], to bring me out
So favor me to bring me out
Of error into the paths of guidance.
From misguidance to the path of guidance.
أَنتYou الخَبيرare the Knower بِحاليof my state وَالبَصيرُand the Seer بِهِof it
أَنت الخَبير بِحالي وَالبَصيرُ بِهِ
فَاِفتَجso open (uncertain form) لِهذاfor this الدعاprayer بابَthe door الاِجاباتanswers
فَاِفتَج لِهذا الدعا بابَ الاِجابات
You know my state and see it clearly;
You are aware of my state and seeing it
So open for this prayer the door of answers.
So open for this prayer the door of response.
فَكَيفَso how أَشكوcan I complain لِمَخلوقto a creature وَقَدwhen indeed لَجَأتhave sought refuge
فَكَيفَ أَشكو لِمَخلوق وَقَد لَجَأت
لَكَto You الخَلائِقall creatures فيin يسرease وَشداتand hardships
لَكَ الخَلائِق في يسر وَشدات
How could I complain to a creature, when
For how can I complain to a creature when I have resorted
All creatures have sought refuge in You, in ease and hardship?
To You the creation in ease and difficulties?
فَياah لَهاfor them منof جراحwounds كُلَّماwhenever اِتسعتthey widen
فَيا لَها من جراح كُلَّما اِتسعت
أَعيتbaffle طبيبa physician رُغماin spite عَنof مُداواتيmy treatment
أَعيت طبيب رُغما عَن مُداواتي
Ah, what wounds these are! Whenever they widen,
O what wounds that whenever expanded
They baffle a physician, despite my treatment.
Exhausted the doctor despite treatment.
أَنتَYou الشَهيدare the Witness عَلىto قَولwords أَفوهI utter بِهِwith it
أَنتَ الشَهيد عَلى قَول أَفوه بِهِ
ماas long as دُمتI remain عائِشةAisha; living فَالحَمدُthen praise غاياتيmy aims
ما دُمت عائِشة فَالحَمدُ غاياتي
You are witness to the words I utter:
You are witness to the words of mouths they said
As long as I am Aisha, praise shall be my aim.
As long as you live Aisha, praise is my goal.
Sol 6.1