مدحتُI praised رسولَthe Messenger of اللَهGod أبغيI seek بمدحهthrough praising him
مدحتُ رسولَ اللَه أبغي بمدحه
وُفورَabundance of حظوظيmy allotted shares منof كريمِnoble المآربِaims
وُفورَ حظوظي من كريمِ المآربِ
I praised God's Messenger, seeking through his praise
I praise the Messenger of Allah hoping through his praise
a full measure of the noble things I seek.
For the abundance of my good fortunes from the Generous of purposes
مدحتُI praised امرءاًa man فاقsurpassed المديحpraise موحِّداًstanding alone
مدحتُ امرءاً فاق المديح موحِّداً
باوصافهin his attributes عنapart from مُبعِدٍone far away ومقارِبand one nearby
باوصافه عن مُبعِدٍ ومقارِب
I praised a man who surpassed all praise, standing alone
I praised a man who surpassed praise, a great unifier
in his attributes, beyond those far and near.
Through his attributes, from a remote and a near one
نبيّاًa prophet تسامىrose high فيin المشارقthe East نورُهhis light
نبيّاً تسامى في المشارق نورُه
فلاحتso shone هواديهhis guiding lights لأهلfor the people of المغاربthe West
فلاحت هواديه لأهل المغارب
A prophet whose light rose high in the East,
A prophet whose light rose high in the east
so his guiding lights shone for the people of the West.
So its valleys shone for the people of the west
أتتناcame to us بهabout him الأنباءُthe tidings قبلbefore مجيئهhis coming
أتتنا به الأنباءُ قبل مجيئه
وشاعتand spread بهabout him الأخبارُthe reports فيin كلِّevery جانبِdirection
وشاعت به الأخبارُ في كلِّ جانبِ
Tidings of him reached us before his coming,
The news came to us before his coming
and reports of him spread in every direction.
And the reports about him spread in every side
وأصبحتِand began الكهّانthe soothsayers تهتفcrying out باسمهِwith his name
وأصبحتِ الكهّان تهتف باسمهِ
وتنفيand dispelled بهthrough him رجمَguesswork الظنونِof suppositions الكواذبthe false
وتنفي به رجمَ الظنونِ الكواذب
The soothsayers began crying out his name,
The soothsayers began to shout his name
and through him dispelled the guesswork of false suppositions.
And refute with it the lies of unfounded conjectures
وأُنطِقتand were made to speak الأصنامُthe idols نطقاًa speech تَبَرَّأتthey disavowed
وأُنطِقت الأصنامُ نطقاً تَبَرَّأت
إلىbefore اللَهGod فيهin it منfrom مقالthe speech of الأكادبliars (uncertain reading)
إلى اللَه فيه من مقال الأكادب
The idols were made to speak, and in their speech disavowed
The idols were made to speak with an utterance in which
before God the sayings of liars.
They disavowed to Allah the sayings of liars
ورامَand sought استراقَstealing السمعa hearing جنَّjinn فزيَّلتso displaced
ورامَ استراقَ السمع جنَّ فزيَّلت
مقاعدهمtheir seats منهاfrom there رجومُthe missiles of الكواكبthe stars
مقاعدهم منها رجومُ الكواكب
Jinn sought to steal a hearing, but were driven
The jinn attempted to eavesdrop but their dwellings
from their seats by the stars' pelting missiles.
Were vacated from them by the pelting of the stars
هداناhe guided us إلىto ماwhat لمnot نكنwe were نهتديfinding guidance بهthrough it
هدانا إلى ما لم نكن نهتدي به
لطولbecause of the length of العمىblindness منamong واضحاتclear المذاهبpaths
لطول العمى من واضحات المذاهب
He guided us to what we had failed to follow,
He guided us to what we were not guided before
through long blindness—the clearest paths.
Due to the prolonged blindness from the clear doctrines
وجاءand he brought بآياتwith signs تبينmaking clear أنهاthat they
وجاء بآيات تبين أنها
دلائلproofs of جبّارٍan Almighty One مثيبone who rewards معاقبone who punishes
دلائل جبّارٍ مثيب معاقب
He brought signs that made it plain they were
And he came with signs proving they are
proofs of an Almighty One who rewards and punishes.
The tokens of an Almighty Rewarder and Punisher
فمنهاso among them انشقاقthe splitting of البدرthe full moon حينwhen تعمَّمتwere turbaned
فمنها انشقاق البدر حين تعمَّمت
شعوبbranches of الضياradiance منهfrom it رؤوسthe heads of الأخاشبrugged mountains
شعوب الضيا منه رؤوس الأخاشب
Among them was the full moon's splitting, as turbans formed
Among them is the splitting of the moon when
from its branching light around the heads of rugged mountains.
The inhabitants of the horizon saw it with split summits
ومنهاand among them نبوعthe springing of الماءwater بينbetween بنانهhis fingers
ومنها نبوع الماء بين بنانه
وقدand already عدمlacked الورادthe water-seekers قربproximity to المشاربwatering places
وقد عدم الوراد قرب المشارب
Among them was water springing between his fingers,
And among them are the springs of water between his fingers
when water-seekers had no nearby watering places.
When there was no water skins near the drinking places
فروىso he watered بهwith it جمّاًa multitude غفيراًimmense وأسلهتand yielded (uncertain reading)
فروى به جمّاً غفيراً وأسلهت
بأعناقهto its necks طوعاًwillingly أكفَّthe hands of المذانِبthe watercourses
بأعناقه طوعاً أكفَّ المذانِب
He quenched a vast multitude with it, and freely yielded
So he quenched a large thirsty crowd and willingly
to its necks the hands of the watercourses [wording uncertain].
Bowed their necks, avoiding confrontation
وبئرٍand a well طغتoverflowed بالماءwith water منfrom مسِّthe touch of سهمهhis arrow
وبئرٍ طغت بالماء من مسِّ سهمه
ومنand from قبلbefore لمnot تسمحit yielded بمِذقَةِa sip for شاربa drinker
ومن قبل لم تسمح بمِذقَةِ شارب
And a well that overflowed with water from his arrow's touch,
And a well overflowed with water from the touch of his arrow
though before it had not yielded a drinker's sip.
When before it did not allow a sipper to taste
وضرعٍand an udder مراهُhe stroked it فاستدرso milk flowed ولمand not يكنthere was
وضرعٍ مراهُ فاستدر ولم يكن
بهin it دِرَّةa flow of milk تصفيflowing إلىinto كفِّthe hand of حالبa milker
به دِرَّة تصفي إلى كفِّ حالب
And an udder he stroked, drawing milk, though it had held
And an udder which he saw so it flowed though
no milk-flow to run into a milker's hand.
It had no milk for the palm of a milker
ونُطقٍand speech فصيحٍeloquent منfrom ذراعa foreleg مبينةٍrevealing
ونُطقٍ فصيحٍ من ذراع مبينةٍ
لكيدconcerning the plot of عدوٍّan enemy للعداوةenmity ناصبwaging
لكيد عدوٍّ للعداوة ناصب
And eloquent speech from a foreleg that revealed
And the eloquent speech of an arm made clear
the plot of an enemy bent on enmity.
To foil the plot of an enemy who harbored enmity
وإخبارهand his foretelling بالأمرof the event منfrom قبلbefore كونهits occurrence
وإخباره بالأمر من قبل كونه
وعندand at بواديهits beginnings بماof what فيin العواقبthe outcomes
وعند بواديه بما في العواقب
And his foretelling an event before its occurrence,
And his information of the matter before its occurrence
and, at its beginnings, what its outcomes held.
And its outcomes in its valleys
ومنand among تلكمthose الآياتsigns وحيٌa revelation أتىhe came بهwith it
ومن تلكم الآيات وحيٌ أتى به
قريبeasy of المآتيapproach مستجمّabounding in العجائبwonders
قريب المآتي مستجمّ العجائب
Among those signs was a revelation he brought,
And among these signs is a revelation that came to him
easy of approach, abounding in wonders.
Soon in its comings, amazing in its wonders
تقاصرتfell short الأفكارthoughts عنهof it فلمso not يطعit yielded
تقاصرت الأفكار عنه فلم يطع
بليغاًto an eloquent person ولمand not يخطرit occurred علىto قلبthe heart of خاطبan orator
بليغاً ولم يخطر على قلب خاطب
Thoughts fell short of it; it would not yield
The minds fell short of it so no eloquent one emulated it
to an eloquent man, nor occur to an orator's heart.
Nor did it occur to the heart of a speaker
حوىit encompassed كلَّevery علمٍknowledge واحتوىand encompassed كلَّevery حكمةٍwisdom
حوى كلَّ علمٍ واحتوى كلَّ حكمةٍ
وفاتand surpassed مرامthe aim of المستمرِّthe persistent one المواربthe evasive one
وفات مرام المستمرِّ الموارب
It encompassed every knowledge and every wisdom,
It contained every knowledge and encompassed every wisdom
and surpassed the persistent schemer's reach.
And surpassed the hopes of the ambitious striver
أتاناhe came to us بهwith it لاnot عنfrom رويَّةٍthe deliberation of مرتئٍa thinker
أتانا به لا عن رويَّةٍ مرتئٍ
ولاnor صُحفthe scrolls of مستَملٍa dictation-taker ولاnor وصفthe account of كاتبa writer
ولا صُحف مستَملٍ ولا وصف كاتب
He brought it to us, not from a thinker's deliberation,
It came to us not out of a conceited whim
nor a dictation-taker's scrolls, nor a writer's account.
Nor written scrolls or description of a writer
يواتيهit came to him طوراًat times فيin أجابةanswering سائلٍa questioner
يواتيه طوراً في أجابة سائلٍ
وإفتاءand giving a ruling to مستفتٍa ruling-seeker ووعظand admonishing مخاطبone addressed
وإفتاء مستفتٍ ووعظ مخاطب
It came to him at times in answering a questioner,
It comes to him at times in answering a questioner
giving a seeker a ruling, and admonishing one addressed,
And giving a legal ruling to an inquirer and preaching to an addressee
وإتيانand bringing برهانproof وفرضand prescribing شرائعlaws
وإتيان برهان وفرض شرائع
وقصand recounting أحاديثstories ونصand stating explicitly مآربaims
وقص أحاديث ونص مآرب
presenting proof and prescribing laws,
And providing proof and instituting laws
recounting stories and stating aims explicitly,
And narrating prophetic reports and stating purposes
وتصريفand varying أمثالparables وتثبيتand establishing حجَّةٍan argument
وتصريف أمثال وتثبيت حجَّةٍ
وتعريفand enlightening ذيone with جَحدٍdenial وتوقيفand confronting كاذبa liar
وتعريف ذي جَحدٍ وتوقيف كاذب
setting out varied parables and establishing an argument,
And articulating parables and establishing argument
enlightening a denier and confronting a liar,
And exposing the disavowal of a denier and silencing a liar
وفيand in مَجمعthe assembly of الناديthe council وفيand in حومةِthe thick of الوغىbattle
وفي مَجمع النادي وفي حومةِ الوغى
وعندand upon حدوثِthe occurrence of المعضلاتdifficult problems الغرائبunusual
وعند حدوثِ المعضلات الغرائب
in the assembled council and amid the battle's press,
Both in the assembly of the elite and the tumult of clamor
and when strange, difficult problems arose.
And at the occurrence of wondrous tribulations
فيأتيso it comes علىalong ماwhatever شئتyou wish منof طُرقاتهits paths
فيأتي على ما شئت من طُرقاته
قويمsound in المعانيmeanings مستدرَّabundantly yielding الضرائبvarieties
قويم المعاني مستدرَّ الضرائب
Along whichever of its paths you choose, it comes
He brings in every course of it
sound in meaning, abundantly yielding varied forms.
Precise meanings and deduced niceties
يصدقconfirms منهof it البعضُone part بعضاًanother كأنماas though
يصدق منه البعضُ بعضاً كأنما
يلاحظobserves معناهits meaning بعينwith the eye of المراقبa watcher
يلاحظ معناه بعين المراقب
Each part of it confirms another, as though
Some of it confirming other parts as if
its meaning watched with a vigilant eye.
Its meanings observe each other with a watcher's eye
وعجزُand the inability of الورىhumankind عنwith regard to أنthat يجيئواthey bring بمثلthe like of ماwhat
وعجزُ الورى عن أن يجيئوا بمثل ما
وصفناهwe described it معلومknown بطولthrough the length of التجاربtrials
وصفناه معلوم بطول التجارب
And humankind's inability to bring anything like what
And the inability of all creation to bring the like of what
we have described is known through long trials.
We described, known by the length of trials
تأبّىhe had as father بعبدwith Abd اللَهAllah أكرمnoblest والدٍfather
تأبّى بعبد اللَه أكرم والدٍ
تبلَّجَshone forth منهfrom him عنconcerning كريمِnoble المناسبancestry
تبلَّجَ منه عن كريمِ المناسب
He had as his father Abd Allah, the noblest of fathers,
The servant of Allah, best of fathers, rejected it
through whom his noble ancestry shone forth;
He from whom portents of the noble leanings emerged
وشيبةَand Shaybah ذيpossessor of الحمدِpraise الذيwho فخرتgloried بهin him
وشيبةَ ذي الحمدِ الذي فخرت به
قريشُQuraysh علىover أهلthe people of العلىeminence والمناصبand rank
قريشُ على أهل العلى والمناصب
and Shaybah, the man of praise, in whom
And the hair of the Praised whose pride
Quraysh gloried above people of eminence and rank;
Quraysh boasted over the people of high ranks
ومنand he who كانwas يُستسقىwas petitioned for rain الغمامُthe clouds بوجههthrough his face
ومن كان يُستسقى الغمامُ بوجهه
ويُصدَرand action was taken عنaccording to آرائهhis opinions فيin النوائبcalamities
ويُصدَر عن آرائه في النوائب
and the man by whose face rain was sought from the clouds,
And the one by whose face the clouds are beseeched
and whose counsel was followed in calamities;
And his views are sought in adversities
وهاشمand Hashim البانيthe builder مشيدthe lofty edifice of افتخارهhis pride
وهاشم الباني مشيد افتخاره
بغرِّwith illustrious المساعيdeeds وامتنانand the bestowal of المواهبgifts
بغرِّ المساعي وامتنان المواهب
and Hashim, who built the lofty edifice of his pride
And Hashim who built his pride
with illustrious deeds and freely bestowed gifts;
With the excellence of deeds and favors of talents
وعبدand Abd منافٍManaf وهوand he علَّمtaught قومهhis people اشopening fragment of 'boundless striving'
وعبد منافٍ وهو علَّم قومه اش
تطاطclosing fragment of 'boundless striving' الأمانيambitions واحتكامand the sovereignty of الرغائبdesires
تطاط الأماني واحتكام الرغائب
and Abd Manaf, who taught his people the boundless
And Abd Manaf who taught his people how
pursuit of ambitions and the sovereignty of desires.
To aspire to hopes and refer to wishes
وإنand indeed قصيّاًQusayy منfrom كريمnoble غراسهhis planting
وإن قصيّاً من كريم غراسه
لفيsurely at منهلٍa watering place لمnot يدنُcame near منto كفthe hand of قاضبa pruner
لفي منهلٍ لم يدنُ من كف قاضب
And Qusayy, through his noble planting,
Even though estranged from the generous roots
was surely at a spring no pruner's hand approached.
He is in a refuge untouched by a grasper
بهthrough him جمعunited اللَهGod القبائلَthe tribes بعدماafter
به جمع اللَه القبائلَ بعدما
تقسَّمهاdivided them up نهبplunder by الأكفِّthe hands السوالبthe ravaging
تقسَّمها نهب الأكفِّ السوالب
Through him God united the tribes after
With him Allah united the tribes after
plunder by ravaging hands had divided them.
They were divided by ravaging grasping hands
وحلand occupied كلابٌKilab منamong ذرىthe heights of المجدِglory معقلاًa stronghold
وحل كلابٌ من ذرى المجدِ معقلاً
تقاصَرَfell short عنهof it كلَّevery دانسnearby one (uncertain reading) وغائبand absent one
تقاصَرَ عنه كلَّ دانس وغائب
And Kilab occupied a stronghold on the heights of glory,
And Halab settled as a fortress for the glory
which all, near or absent, fell short of [reading uncertain].
Elevated above every feeble and absent one
ومرةًand Murrah لمnot يحللloosened مريرةَthe tightly twisted cord of عزمهhis resolve
ومرةً لم يحلل مريرةَ عزمه
سِفاهthe folly of سفيهٍa fool أوor مَحوبةُthe sin of حائبa sinner
سِفاه سفيهٍ أو مَحوبةُ حائب
And Murrah—the stout cord of his resolve was not loosened
And he never softened the bitterness of his resolve
by a fool's folly or a wrongdoer's sin.
By the nonsense of a fool or affection of a lover
وكعبand Ka'b علاrose عنabove طالبthe seeker of المجدglory كعبهhis stature
وكعب علا عن طالب المجد كعبه
فنالso he attained بأدنىwith the least السعيeffort أعلىthe highest المراتبranks
فنال بأدنى السعي أعلى المراتب
And Ka'b, whose stature rose above every seeker of glory,
And Kaab's glory surpassed the glory-seekers'
reached the highest ranks with the least exertion.
So he attained with the least effort the highest ranks
وألوىand overcame لؤيٌّLu'ayy بالعُداةagainst the enemies فطُوَّعتso were subdued
وألوى لؤيٌّ بالعُداة فطُوَّعت
لهto him هممُthe ambitions of الشمِّthe lofty الأنوفِnoses الأغالبthe mighty
له هممُ الشمِّ الأنوفِ الأغالب
And Lu'ayy overcame his enemies, bringing into submission
And Lu'ay bent the stubborn enemies
the ambitions of proud, high-nosed, mighty men.
So their souls submitted to him, the most forceful of victors
وفيand in غالبٍGhalib بأسٌvalor أبىrepelled البأسviolence دونهمbefore it reached them
وفي غالبٍ بأسٌ أبى البأس دونهم
يدافعdefending عنهمon their behalf كلَّevery قِرنٍchampion مغالبcontending
يدافع عنهم كلَّ قِرنٍ مغالب
In Ghalib was might that barred violence from them,
And in Ghalib is might that might refused beneath him
defending them against every rival champion.
Defending them every spear of spears
وكانتand there was لفهرfor Fihr فيamong قريشٍQuraysh خَطابةٌeloquence
وكانت لفهر في قريشٍ خَطابةٌ
يعوذُhe took refuge بهاin it عندat اشتجارthe clashing of المخاطبexchanges of speech
يعوذُ بها عند اشتجار المخاطب
And Fihr possessed an eloquence among Quraysh
And Khuzaymah's praise remains
in which he took refuge when exchanges of speech clashed.
A cherished legacy from a praiseworthy kin
وماand not زالceased منهمamong them مالكٌMalik خيرَthe best مالكٍmaster
وما زال منهم مالكٌ خيرَ مالكٍ
وأكرمَand the noblest مصحوبone accompanied وأكرمَand the noblest صاحبcompanion
وأكرمَ مصحوب وأكرمَ صاحب
Among them Malik was ever the finest master,
And Mudrika did not miss what people miss
the noblest man to accompany, and the noblest companion.
More chaste, loftier than the lowliness of gains
وللنضرand for al-Nadr طَولٌeminence يقصرfalls short الطرفthe gaze دونهof it
وللنضر طَولٌ يقصر الطرف دونه
بحيثwhere التقىmet ضوءَthe light of النجومthe stars الثواقبthe piercing
بحيث التقى ضوءَ النجوم الثواقب
Al-Nadr had an eminence the eye could not reach,
And Ilyas, despair was always accompanying
where it met the light of the piercing stars.
His enemies before the multitude of calamities
لعمريby my life لقدcertainly أبدىdisplayed كنانةKinanah قلبهhis heart
لعمري لقد أبدى كنانة قلبه
محاسنvirtues تأبىrefuse أنto تطوعyield لغالبto a victor
محاسن تأبى أن تطوع لغالب
By my life, Kinanah's heart displayed
And in Mudar all pride gathers
virtues that refused to yield to any victor.
If the troops of battle stir one day
ومنand from قبلهbefore him أبقىpreserved خزيمةKhuzaymah حمدهhis praise
ومن قبله أبقى خزيمة حمده
تليدancient تراثٍan inheritance عنfrom حميدpraiseworthy الأقاربkinsmen
تليد تراثٍ عن حميد الأقارب
Before him, Khuzaymah preserved his praise
And Hilal took the leadership of his people
as an ancient inheritance from praiseworthy kinsmen.
To a position loftier than viewers' sights
ومدرِكةٌand Mudrikah لمnot يدركِattained الناسُpeople مثلَهhis equal
ومدرِكةٌ لم يدركِ الناسُ مثلَه
أعفَّmore chaste وأعلىand higher عنabove دنيbase المكاسبgains
أعفَّ وأعلى عن دني المكاسب
And Mudrikah—people never attained his equal,
And Muadd prepared weaponry for his patron
so chaste and so far above base gains.
If he feared the plot of a battling foe
وإلياسُand Ilyas كانwas اليأسdespair منهfrom him مُقارِناًclose
وإلياسُ كان اليأس منه مُقارِناً
لأعدائهto his enemies قبلbefore اعتدادِthe mustering of الكتائبbattalions
لأعدائه قبل اعتدادِ الكتائب
And Ilyas brought despair close
And Adi performed the favor to the utmost
to his enemies before the battalions were mustered.
Inheriting from elderly whitened elders
وفيand in مُضَرٍMudar يستجمعgathers الفخرُglory كلهall of it
وفي مُضَرٍ يستجمع الفخرُ كله
إذاwhen اعتركتclashed يوماًone day زحوفُadvancing hosts المقارنبsquadrons (uncertain reading)
إذا اعتركت يوماً زحوفُ المقارنب
In Mudar all glory gathers
And Add's clemency adorned with calm
whenever advancing squadrons clash [reading uncertain].
When clemency most enrages bold eyebrows
وحلَّand held نزارٌNizar منin رياسةthe leadership of أهلهhis people
وحلَّ نزارٌ من رياسة أهله
محلاًa station تسامىrose high عنbeyond عيونthe eyes of الرواقبwatchers
محلاً تسامى عن عيون الرواقب
And Nizar held, in the leadership of his people,
And Himyar never ceased being lofty
a station too lofty for watching eyes.
And pursuing the hopes of the far-reaching
وكانand was معدَّMa'add عدةًa defense لوليِّهfor his ally
وكان معدَّ عدةً لوليِّه
إذاwhen خافhe feared منfrom كيدthe plot of العدوthe enemy المحاربthe warring
إذا خاف من كيد العدو المحارب
Ma'add was a defense for his ally,
And his daughter built the glory of might and erected
when he feared the plotting of a warring enemy.
Its strongholds on the towering mountain tops
وأدand Udd تأديreached its fullness الفضلexcellence منهfrom him بغايةٍto a pinnacle
وأد تأدي الفضل منه بغايةٍ
وارثٍan heir حواهُhe possessed it عنfrom قُرومchieftains أشايبgray-haired
وارثٍ حواهُ عن قُروم أشايب
And Udd, from whom excellence reached its utmost,
And Sama'ah's generosity matched that of
was an heir who received it from gray-haired chieftains.
Hatem and Luqman's wisdom and Hajib's zeal
وفيand in أددٍUdad حلمforbearance تزيَّنَwas adorned بالحجاwith reason
وفي أددٍ حلم تزيَّنَ بالحجا
إذاwhen الحلمforbearance أزهاهmade it proud قطوبُthe knitting of الحواجبbrows
إذا الحلم أزهاه قطوبُ الحواجب
In Udad was forbearance adorned with reason,
They are the offspring of Ismail, true to his promise
when knitted brows stirred forbearance to pride.
So what comes after them in pride is no effort for one who leaves
وماand not زالceased يستعليrising higher هميعُHami' بالعلىthrough eminence
وما زال يستعلي هميعُ بالعلى
ويتبعand pursues آمالَthe hopes of البعيدthe far-reaching one المَراغِبِin desires
ويتبع آمالَ البعيد المَراغِبِ
Hami' ever rose higher through lofty deeds,
And the friend of Allah was the noblest hosted
pursuing the hopes of one far-reaching in his desires.
By the land from residents and riders on it
ونبتand Nabt بنتهُit built him up دوحةthe great tree of العزhonor وابتنىand built
ونبت بنتهُ دوحة العز وابتنى
معاقلهhis strongholds فيupon مشمخرِّthe towering الأهاضبheights
معاقله في مشمخرِّ الأهاضب
And Nabt was raised by the great tree of honor, and built
And the ruins still have vestiges for him
his strongholds upon towering heights.
Explaining his praiseworthy endeavors
وحيزتand were gathered لقيذارٍfor Qaydhar سماحةُthe generosity of حاتمHatim
وحيزت لقيذارٍ سماحةُ حاتم
وحكمةُand the wisdom of لقمانٍLuqman وهمَّةُand the ambition of حاجبHajib
وحكمةُ لقمانٍ وهمَّةُ حاجب
For Qaydhar were gathered Hatim's generosity,
And Nimrod the breaker of enemies, his achievements
Luqman's wisdom, and Hajib's ambition.
Were preserved, numbering more than any counter can compute
هُمواthey نسلُthe offspring of إسماعيلIsma'il صادقِtrue to وعدِهhis promise
هُموا نسلُ إسماعيل صادقِ وعدِه
فماso not بعدهbeyond him فيin الفخرglory مسعىًa course of striving لذاهبfor a traveler
فما بعده في الفخر مسعىً لذاهب
They are the offspring of Isma'il, faithful to his promise;
And Dhu Yazan plunged into the thickets of war
beyond him no traveler has further ground to tread in glory.
Drawing the swords with the sharp cutting blades
وكانand was خليلُthe Friend of اللَهGod أكرمَthe noblest منof those عَنَتbowed
وكان خليلُ اللَه أكرمَ من عَنَت
لهto him الأرضthe earth منamong ماشٍone walking عليهاupon it وراكبand one riding
له الأرض من ماشٍ عليها وراكب
God's Friend was the noblest of all to whom
And Argu, in wars an ally, fortified
the earth bowed—those walking upon it and those riding.
His care for himself, the honorable victor
وتارحُand Tarah ماnot زالتceased لهfor him أريَحِيَّةready generosity
وتارحُ ما زالت له أريَحِيَّة
تُبيِّنُreveals منهin him عنconcerning حميدpraiseworthy المضاربlineage
تُبيِّنُ منه عن حميد المضارب
Tarah ever possessed a ready generosity
And what virtue did Taghlib surpass his people in
that revealed in him a praiseworthy lineage.
Nor what worshipper beneath them in ranks
وناحورُand Nahur نحّارslayer of العداenemies حُفظتwere preserved لهfor him
وناحورُ نحّار العدا حُفظت له
مآثرdeeds لمّاnot yet يحصهاnumbered them عدُّthe counting of حاسبa reckoner
مآثر لمّا يحصها عدُّ حاسب
Nahur, slayer of enemies, had deeds preserved for him
And Shalikh, Warfakhshadh and Sam became characterized by them
that no counter's reckoning has yet numbered.
Their praiseworthy traits sufficing every critic and fault-finder
وأشرعand Ashra' فيin الهيجاءbattle ضيغمa lion of غابةٍa forest
وأشرع في الهيجاء ضيغم غابةٍ
يقدُّcuts through الطلىnecks بالمرهفاتwith keen blades القواضبthe severing
يقدُّ الطلى بالمرهفات القواضب
Ashra', in battle, was a lion of the forest,
And Noah always remained in the sight of the Lord virtuous
cleaving necks with keen, cutting blades.
Numbering him among the chosen pure ones
وأرغوand Arghu نابٌa fang فيin الحروبwars محكمfirmly set
وأرغو نابٌ في الحروب محكم
ضنينbegrudging علىconcerning نفسthe life of المشحِّthe tenacious المغالبcontender
ضنين على نفس المشحِّ المغالب
Arghu was a firmly set fang in wars,
And his father Lamech was awe-inspiring in courage
begrudging the stubborn contender his life.
Bold against himself, the ferocious warrior
وماand not فالغٌFaligh فيin فضلهhis excellence تِلوtrailing قومهhis people
وما فالغٌ في فضله تِلو قومه
ولاnor عابدٌ'Abid منbeneath them دونهمin فيranks المراتبranks
ولا عابدٌ من دونهم في المراتب
In excellence, Faligh did not trail his people,
And before Lamech he never stopped being armed
nor did 'Abid stand beneath them in rank.
Repelling enemies with repelling weapons
وشالخand Shalikh وارفخشذand Arfakhshadh وسامand Sam سمتrose high بهمwith them
وشالخ وارفخشذ وسام سمت بهم
سجاياqualities حمتهمshielded them كلَّevery زارٍdetractor وعائبand fault-finder
سجايا حمتهم كلَّ زارٍ وعائب
Shalikh, Arfakhshadh, and Sam were raised high
And Idris the prophet had positions
by qualities that shielded them from every detractor and fault-finder.
From God unmatched by any aspirant's zeal
وماand not زالceased نوحNuh عندbefore ذيthe Lord of العرشthe Throne فاضلاًfavored
وما زال نوح عند ذي العرش فاضلاً
يعددهhe counts him فيamong المصطفينthe chosen الأطايبthe pure
يعدده في المصطفين الأطايب
Nuh remained favored before the Lord of the Throne,
And the sea of Yarid was an obstruction to his kin
who counted him among the chosen, the pure.
My father the protector, focused of purpose
ولمكٌand Lamak أبوهhis father كانwas فيamid الروعterror رائعاًterrifying
ولمكٌ أبوه كان في الروع رائعاً
جريئاًdaring علىagainst نفسthe life of الكميِّthe armored warrior المضاربthe combatant
جريئاً على نفس الكميِّ المضارب
His father, Lamak, was terrifying amid terror,
And Mehujael's understanding was of radiant virtues
daring against the life of the armored combatant.
Well-mannered, far from the disgraceful flaws
ومنand from قبلbefore لمكٍLamak لمnot يزلceased متوشلخMatushalakh
ومن قبل لمكٍ لم يزل متوشلخ
يذودrepelling العدىthe enemies بالذائداتwith repelling steeds الشوازبthe lean
يذود العدى بالذائدات الشوازب
Before Lamak, Matushalakh ever
And Qaynan before attained the glory of his people
drove enemies back with lean, defending steeds.
Surpassing in repute and overwhelming the cavalries
وكانتand there were لإدريسfor Idris النبيthe prophet منازلstations
وكانت لإدريس النبي منازل
منfrom اللَهGod لمnot تقرنwere matched بهمةby the aspiration of راغبa seeker
من اللَه لم تقرن بهمة راغب
The prophet Idris held stations
And Anush was full of glory for himself
from God beyond the aspiration of any seeker.
And cleansed it from the abased demands
وياردand Yarid بحرan ocean عندamong آلthe family of سراتهhis nobles
ويارد بحر عند آل سراته
أبيrejecting الخزاياdisgraces مستدقsubtle in المآربaims
أبي الخزايا مستدق المآرب
Yarid was an ocean among his noble kindred,
And Sheeth always remained virtuous
refusing disgrace, subtle in his aims.
Noble and innocent of the blemished defects
وكانتand there were لمهلاييلfor Mahlayil فهمamong them (uncertain reading) فضائلvirtues
وكانت لمهلاييل فهم فضائل
مهذبةpurified منof فاحشاتthe foulest المثالبfaults
مهذبة من فاحشات المثالب
Mahlayil had among them virtues [reading uncertain],
And all of them drew light from Adam
purified of the foulest faults.
And produced fruits from his essence
وقينانand Qaynan منfrom قبلbefore اقتنىacquired مجدthe glory of قومهhis people
وقينان من قبل اقتنى مجد قومه
وفاتand surpassed بشأوwith the stride of الفضلexcellence وخدthe trotting of الركائبthe riding camels
وفات بشأو الفضل وخد الركائب
Qaynan had earlier won his people's glory,
And the Messenger of Allah was the noblest of lineages
and, with excellence's stride, outpaced the riding camels' trot.
Flowing among the pure chosen visages
وكانand was أنوشAnush ناشraised للمجدtoward glory نفسهhis soul
وكان أنوش ناش للمجد نفسه
ونزَّههاand purified it عنof مردياتruinous المطالبpursuits
ونزَّهها عن مرديات المطالب
Anush lifted his soul toward glory,
His fathers and mothers were
and kept it clear of ruinous pursuits.
Protected from the disgracing flaws
وماand not زالceased شيثٌShith بالفضائلthrough virtues فاضلاًdistinguished
وما زال شيثٌ بالفضائل فاضلاً
شريفاًnoble بريئاًfree منof ذميمblameworthy المعائبdefects
شريفاً بريئاً من ذميم المعائب
Shith remained distinguished by virtues,
Upon him is Allah's peace in every east
noble, free of blameworthy defects.
His light shone for us and in every west
وكلهمand all of them منfrom نورthe light of آدمAdam أقبسواtook flame
وكلهم من نور آدم أقبسوا
وعنand from عودهhis trunk أجنواgathered ثمارthe fruits of المناقبnoble deeds
وعن عوده أجنوا ثمار المناقب
All of them took flame from Adam's light,
and from his trunk gathered the fruits of noble deeds.
وكانand was رسولthe Messenger of اللَهGod أكرمَthe noblest مُنجَبٍoffspring
وكان رسول اللَه أكرمَ مُنجَبٍ
جرىpassed فيthrough ظهورthe loins of الطيِّبينthe good المناجبnoble progenitors
جرى في ظهور الطيِّبين المناجب
God's Messenger was the noblest offspring
to pass through the loins of good and noble progenitors.
مقابلةًmatched in nobility آباؤهhis fathers أمهاتِهhis mothers
مقابلةً آباؤه أمهاتِه
مُبَرَّأةcleared منof فاضحاتdisgraceful المثالبfaults
مُبَرَّأة من فاضحات المثالب
His fathers and mothers were matched in nobility,
free of disgraceful blemishes.
عليهupon him سلامُthe peace of اللَهGod فيwith كلevery شارقٍrising sun
عليه سلامُ اللَه في كل شارقٍ
ألاحshowed لناto us ضوءاًlight وفيand with كلِّevery غاربsetting sun
ألاح لنا ضوءاً وفي كلِّ غارب
Upon him be God's peace with every rising sun
that shows us light, and with every setting one.
Partial English translation: 142 of 150 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1