حُسَامٌa keen sword لَهُfor him مَجْدُthe glory of الْخُلُودِimmortality قِرَابُa scabbard
حُسَامٌ لَهُ مَجْدُ الْخُلُودِ قِرَابُ
يُحَوِّمُcircles شِعْرِيmy verse حَوْلَهُaround him فَيَهَابُthen feels awe
يُحَوِّمُ شِعْرِي حَوْلَهُ فَيَهَابُ
A sword whose scabbard is the glory of immortality;
A sword with eternal glory as its scabbard
my verse circles him, then stands in awe.
My poetry revolves around it, dreading its might
وَطَوْدٌand a mountain مِنَof الْعِزِّhonor الْأَشَمِّtowering عَنَتْbowed لَهُbefore him
وَطَوْدٌ مِنَ الْعِزِّ الْأَشَمِّ عَنَتْ لَهُ
وُجُوهٌfaces، وَدَانَتْand submitted بِالْوَلَاءِin allegiance رِقَابُnecks
وُجُوهٌ، وَدَانَتْ بِالْوَلَاءِ رِقَابُ
And a mountain of towering honor, before whom bowed
A lofty determination, firm and resolute
faces, and necks submitted in allegiance.
Faces bow down before it, necks submit in allegiance
وَسِرٌّand a mystery سَمَاوِيٌّheavenly ثَوَىrested فِيin ضَرِيحِهِhis tomb
وَسِرٌّ سَمَاوِيٌّ ثَوَى فِي ضَرِيحِهِ
لَهُfor it مِنْfrom جَنَاحَيْthe two wings of جَبْرَئِيلَGabriel قِبَابُdomes
لَهُ مِنْ جَنَاحَيْ جَبْرَئِيلَ قِبَابُ
And a heavenly mystery resting in his tomb,
A heavenly secret rests in his shrine
with domes made from Gabriel's two wings.
Gabriel's wings form a dome above it
وَقَبْرٌand a tomb كَمِحْرَابِlike a niche for الصَّلَاةِprayer مُطَهَّرٌpurified
وَقَبْرٌ كَمِحْرَابِ الصَّلَاةِ مُطَهَّرٌ
عَلَيْهِover it نَعِيمٌbliss وَارِفٌample وَثَوَابُand reward
عَلَيْهِ نَعِيمٌ وَارِفٌ وَثَوَابُ
And a tomb purified like a prayer niche,
A grave, pure as a prayer niche
over which lie ample bliss and reward.
Upon it, bliss and rewards aplenty
وَكَنْزٌand a treasure بِهِwithin it مِنْfrom جَنَّةِthe Garden of الْخُلْدِeternity دُرَّةٌa pearl
وَكَنْزٌ بِهِ مِنْ جَنَّةِ الْخُلْدِ دُرَّةٌ
تَرُدُّreduces ثَمِينَthe precious الدُّرِّpearls وَهْيَwhile they are سِخَابُscented-bead necklaces
تَرُدُّ ثَمِينَ الدُّرِّ وَهْيَ سِخَابُ
And a treasure holding a pearl from the Garden of Eternity,
A treasure within, a pearl from the garden of immortality
that reduces precious pearls to mere scented-bead necklaces.
That puts gems of value to shame, however ornate
وَزَهْرٌand blossoms مِنَof الْآمَالِhopes رَفَّfluttered بِرَوْضَةٍin a garden
وَزَهْرٌ مِنَ الْآمَالِ رَفَّ بِرَوْضَةٍ
بِهَاin it الْأَرْضُthe earth مِسْكٌmusk، وَالنَّسِيمُand the breeze مَلَابُperfume
بِهَا الْأَرْضُ مِسْكٌ، وَالنَّسِيمُ مَلَابُ
And blossoms of hope fluttering in a garden,
A blossom of hopes has perfumed a meadow
where the earth is musk and the breeze perfume.
The earth becomes musk, the breeze gentleness
إِذَاwhen جَاوَزَتْهَاpasses it by لِلرَّبَابِof the rain clouds غَمَامَةٌa cloud
إِذَا جَاوَزَتْهَا لِلرَّبَابِ غَمَامَةٌ
سَقَاهَاwaters it مِنَof الْحَبِّlove النَّدِيِّdewy رَبَابُrain clouds
سَقَاهَا مِنَ الْحَبِّ النَّدِيِّ رَبَابُ
When a cloud among the rain clouds passes it by,
When a cloud passes by it, heading for the Exalted
clouds of dewy love water it.
It is watered by the Benevolent's downpour of love
قُلُوبُthe hearts of بَنِيthe sons of مِصْرٍEgypt خَوَافِقُfluttering حَوْلَهَاaround it
قُلُوبُ بَنِي مِصْرٍ خَوَافِقُ حَوْلَهَا
لَهَاto it كُلَّevery حِينٍmoment جَيْئَةٌa coming وَذَهَابُand a going
لَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ جَيْئَةٌ وَذَهَابُ
The hearts of Egypt's sons flutter around it,
The hearts of Egypt's people orbit around it
ever coming to it and going away.
Coming and going, ceaselessly circling
إِذَاif غَابَvanishes شَخْصُthe person of الْعَبْقَرِيِّthe genius بِرَمْسِهِinto his grave
إِذَا غَابَ شَخْصُ الْعَبْقَرِيِّ بِرَمْسِهِ
فَلَيْسَthen there is no لِفَضْلِfor the worth of الْعَبْقَرِيِّthe genius غِيَابُabsence!
فَلَيْسَ لِفَضْلِ الْعَبْقَرِيِّ غِيَابُ!
If the genius's person vanishes into his grave,
When the great man's form is absent from sight
the genius's worth is never absent!
His excellence remains, it does not disappear
وَإِنْand if حَجَبَتْconcealed بِيضَwhite الْأَيَادِيhands مَنِيَّةٌdeath
وَإِنْ حَجَبَتْ بِيضَ الْأَيَادِي مَنِيَّةٌ
فَلَيْسَthen there is no عَلَىover آثَارِهِنَّtheir traces حِجَابُveil!
فَلَيْسَ عَلَى آثَارِهِنَّ حِجَابُ!
And though death veils those white hands,
If the hands of time conceal it with death
no veil lies over the traces they leave!
No veil can obscure the traces he left
وَكَمْand how many مِنْof فَتًىa young man جَازَpassed through الْحَيَاةَlife وَذِكْرُهُwhile his memory
وَكَمْ مِنْ فَتًى جَازَ الْحَيَاةَ وَذِكْرُهُ
لَهُto him كُلَّevery يَوْمٍday زَوْرَةٌa visit وَإِيَابُand a return
لَهُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ زَوْرَةٌ وَإِيَابُ
How many a young man has passed through life, while his memory
How many a youth passed through life, remembered
visits him and returns each day.
Only for frequent mentions, comings and goings
وَمَاand not مَاتَhas died مَنْwhoever رَدَّrestored الْحَيَاةَlife لِأُمَّةٍto a nation
وَمَا مَاتَ مَنْ رَدَّ الْحَيَاةَ لِأُمَّةٍ
وَأَحْيَاand revived بِهَاwithin it الْآمَالَhopes وَهْيَwhile it was يَبَابُa wasteland
وَأَحْيَا بِهَا الْآمَالَ وَهْيَ يَبَابُ
He has not died who restored life to a nation
But one who restored life to a nation has not died
and revived hopes within it when it lay waste.
Reviving its hopes when they were fading
إِذَاif الْمَرْءُa man لَمْnot يُخْلِدْهُimmortalizes him فَضْلُthe worth of جِهَادِهِhis striving
إِذَا الْمَرْءُ لَمْ يُخْلِدْهُ فَضْلُ جِهَادِهِ
«فَكُلُّthen all الَّذِيthat is فَوْقَabove التُّرَابِthe dust تُرَابُdust»
«فَكُلُّ الَّذِي فَوْقَ التُّرَابِ تُرَابُ»
If the worth of a man's striving does not immortalize him,
"If a man is not immortalized by his struggle
“Then all that is above the dust is dust.”
Then all above dust is but dust"
وَهَلْand is there مِثْلُlike إِسْمَاعِيلَIsmail فِيamong النَّاسِpeople عَاهِلٌa sovereign
وَهَلْ مِثْلُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ فِي النَّاسِ عَاهِلٌ
لَهُfor him فَوْقَabove أَحْدَاثِthe upheavals of الزَّمَانِtime وِثَابُvaulting leaps؟
لَهُ فَوْقَ أَحْدَاثِ الزَّمَانِ وِثَابُ؟
Is there among men a sovereign like Ismail,
Is there a ruler like Ismail among all people?
who vaults above the upheavals of time?
With glory transcending the tribulations of time
طَمُوحٌambitious لَهُhe has فِيat ذِرْوَةِthe summit of الدَّهْرِtime مَأْرَبٌa goal
طَمُوحٌ لَهُ فِي ذِرْوَةِ الدَّهْرِ مَأْرَبٌ
وَفَوْقَand beyond مَنَاطِthe hanging-place of الْفَرْقَدَيْنِthe Farqadayn طِلَابُa quest
وَفَوْقَ مَنَاطِ الْفَرْقَدَيْنِ طِلَابُ
Ambitious, he seeks a goal at the summit of time,
Lofty ambitions at the peak of eternity
and a quest beyond where the Farqadayn hang.
Seeking heights beyond the two brilliant stars
إِذَاif صَحَّis firm عَزْمُthe resolve of الْمَرْءِa man فَالْبَحْرُthen the sea ضَحْضَحٌshallow water
إِذَا صَحَّ عَزْمُ الْمَرْءِ فَالْبَحْرُ ضَحْضَحٌ
وَإِنْand if خَارَit falters فَالنَّضْحُthen the splash الْيَسِيرُslight عُبَابُa surging sea
وَإِنْ خَارَ فَالنَّضْحُ الْيَسِيرُ عُبَابُ
When a man's resolve is firm, the sea is shallow;
When one's resolve is firm, the ocean ripples gently
and if it falters, the slightest splash is a surging sea.
And the slightest sprinkle stirs up foam
وَلَيْسَتْand are not شِبَاكُthe nets of الْعِزِّhonor إِلَّاexcept عَزِيمَةًdetermination
وَلَيْسَتْ شِبَاكُ الْعِزِّ إِلَّا عَزِيمَةً
وَمَاand not الْمَجْدُglory إِلَّاexcept صَوْلَةٌan assault وَغِلَابُand conquest!
وَمَا الْمَجْدُ إِلَّا صَوْلَةٌ وَغِلَابُ!
The nets of honor are nothing but determination,
The fetters of glory are naught but determination
and glory is nothing but assault and conquest!
Victory but leaping forth and triumph
تَمُدُّextend اللَّيَالِيthe nights لِلْجَرِيءِto the bold زِمَامَهَاtheir rein
تَمُدُّ اللَّيَالِي لِلْجَرِيءِ زِمَامَهَا
وَتَعْنُوand bow لَهُto him الْأَيَّامُthe days وَهْيَthough they are صِعَابُuntamed
وَتَعْنُو لَهُ الْأَيَّامُ وَهْيَ صِعَابُ
The nights extend their rein to the bold,
Nights extend their reins for the audacious
and the days bow to him, though untamed.
Days assist him as he scales hardships
وَمَاand not كُلُّeveryone مَنْwho أَرْخَىslackened الْعِنَانَيْنِboth reins فَارِسٌa horseman
وَمَا كُلُّ مَنْ أَرْخَى الْعِنَانَيْنِ فَارِسٌ
وَلَاnor كُلُّevery دَاعٍcaller لِلنُّهُوضِfor advancement مُجَابُanswered!
وَلَا كُلُّ دَاعٍ لِلنُّهُوضِ مُجَابُ!
Not everyone who slackens both reins is a horseman,
Not every horseman who loosens the reins is a knight
nor is everyone who calls for advancement answered!
Nor every supplicant for action, answered
إِذَاif مَاever عَدَدْنَاwe counted مَأْثُرَاتِthe glorious deeds of يَمِينِهِhis right hand
إِذَا مَا عَدَدْنَا مَأْثُرَاتِ يَمِينِهِ
عَلَىupon مِصْرَEgypt لَمْnot يَنْفَدْruns out لَهُنَّfor them حِسَابُa reckoning
عَلَى مِصْرَ لَمْ يَنْفَدْ لَهُنَّ حِسَابُ
If we counted the glorious deeds of his right hand
If we recount the achievements of his hand
for Egypt, their reckoning would never end.
For Egypt, their number remains countless
دَعَاهَاhe called her فَسَارَتْso she went خَلْفَهُbehind him تُسْرِعُquickening الْخُطَىthe steps
دَعَاهَا فَسَارَتْ خَلْفَهُ تُسْرِعُ الْخُطَى
وَهِمَّتُهَاand her resolve لِلْمُعْضِلَاتِto confront difficulties رِكَابُa mount
وَهِمَّتُهَا لِلْمُعْضِلَاتِ رِكَابُ
He called her, and she followed him with quickening steps,
He called her, so she followed close behind
her resolve a mount to confront difficulties.
Her determination, a mount to surpass tribulations
فَمَاthen not الشَّوْكُthe thorns فِيin أَقْدَامِهَاher feet حِينَwhen صَمَّمَتْshe resolved
فَمَا الشَّوْكُ فِي أَقْدَامِهَا حِينَ صَمَّمَتْ
بِشَوْكٍthorns at all، وَلَاnor صُمُّthe rock-hard الْهِضَابِhills هِضَابُhills
بِشَوْكٍ، وَلَا صُمُّ الْهِضَابِ هِضَابُ
Once she resolved, the thorns beneath her feet
No thorns could wound her feet once resolved
were no thorns, nor were rock-hard hills still hills.
No impassable mountains, however steep
إِذَاif وَهَنَتْshe weakened أَذْكَىkindled لَظَىthe blaze of رَغَبَاتِهَاher desires
إِذَا وَهَنَتْ أَذْكَى لَظَى رَغَبَاتِهَا
هُمَامٌa bold hero لَهُhe has عِنْدَamong النُّجُومِthe stars رِغَابُgreat ambitions
هُمَامٌ لَهُ عِنْدَ النُّجُومِ رِغَابُ
Whenever she weakened, her desires' blaze was kindled
When her keenest desires weakened
by a hero whose great ambitions reached the stars.
Her pride had stars in the sky as mounts
وَإِنْand if أَظْلَمَتْdarkened طُرْقُthe paths of الْمَعَالِيgreatness أَنَارَهَاilluminated them
وَإِنْ أَظْلَمَتْ طُرْقُ الْمَعَالِي أَنَارَهَا
مِنَfrom الرَّأْيِjudgment مِنْهُfrom him وَالذَّكَاءِand intelligence شِهَابُa meteor
مِنَ الرَّأْيِ مِنْهُ وَالذَّكَاءِ شِهَابُ
And if the paths to greatness darkened, they were lit
And if the paths to noble goals darkened
by a meteor of his judgment and intelligence.
The flashes of his wisdom and intellect lit the way
رَأَتْsaw مِصْرُEgypt فِيهِin him عَاهِلًاa sovereign عَزَّwas rare نِدُّهُhis equal
رَأَتْ مِصْرُ فِيهِ عَاهِلًا عَزَّ نِدُّهُ
وَمِنْand from أَيْنَwhere لِلْبَدْرِfor the full moon الْمُنِيرِradiant صِحَابُcompanions؟
وَمِنْ أَيْنَ لِلْبَدْرِ الْمُنِيرِ صِحَابُ؟
Egypt saw in him a sovereign whose equal was rare;
Egypt saw in him a mighty ruler
where could the radiant full moon find companions?
And which brilliant moon lacks orbiting stars?
حَبَاهَاbestowed on her أَبُوthe father of الْأَشْبَالِlion cubs جُرْأَةَthe daring of ضَيْغَمٍa lion
حَبَاهَا أَبُو الْأَشْبَالِ جُرْأَةَ ضَيْغَمٍ
لَهُhe has ظُفُرٌa claw يَفْرِيthat rends الْخُطُوبَcalamities وَنَابُand a fang
لَهُ ظُفُرٌ يَفْرِي الْخُطُوبَ وَنَابُ
The father of lion cubs gave her a lion's daring,
The father of cubs endowed her with a lion's daring
with a claw that rends calamities, and a fang.
His victories scattering fears, however fierce
وَأَزْلَفَهَاand brought near to her مِلْءَfilling النَّوَاظِرِthe eyes جَنَّةًa garden
وَأَزْلَفَهَا مِلْءَ النَّوَاظِرِ جَنَّةً
تَمِيدُsway بِهَاwithin it الْأَغْصَانُthe branches وَهْيَwhile they are رِطَابُfresh
تَمِيدُ بِهَا الْأَغْصَانُ وَهْيَ رِطَابُ
And brought her a garden that filled the gaze,
And brought her into view, a garden of bliss
its fresh branches swaying within it.
Where branches sway, lush with fruit
وَأَلْبَسَهَاand clothed her مِنْfrom نَهْضَةِthe renaissance of الْغَرْبِthe West حُلَّةًa robe
وَأَلْبَسَهَا مِنْ نَهْضَةِ الْغَرْبِ حُلَّةً
وَكَمْand how often زَانَتِadorned الْغِيدَthe graceful maidens الْمِلَاحَlovely ثِيَابُclothes!
وَكَمْ زَانَتِ الْغِيدَ الْمِلَاحَ ثِيَابُ!
And clothed her in a robe of the West's renaissance—
And clothed her in the garb of the West's awakening
how often clothes adorn graceful, lovely maidens!
How the robe looks graceful on the elegant wearer!
فَفِيso in كُلِّevery حَيٍّquarter لِلْعُلُومِfor the sciences مَنَابِرٌpulpits
فَفِي كُلِّ حَيٍّ لِلْعُلُومِ مَنَابِرٌ
وَفِيand in كُلِّevery رُكْنٍcorner لِلْفُنُونِfor the arts رِحَابُspacious courts!
وَفِي كُلِّ رُكْنٍ لِلْفُنُونِ رِحَابُ!
In every quarter are pulpits for the sciences,
Thus in every district, platforms rise for knowledge
and in every corner, spacious courts for the arts!
And in every corner, open spaces for arts
وَأَيْنَand wherever رَمَيْتَyou cast الطَّرْفَyour gaze تَلْقَىyou find مَعَالِمًاmonuments
وَأَيْنَ رَمَيْتَ الطَّرْفَ تَلْقَى مَعَالِمًا
سَوَامِقُهَاtheir soaring heights فَوْقَabove السَّحَابِthe clouds سَحَابُclouds
سَوَامِقُهَا فَوْقَ السَّحَابِ سَحَابُ
Wherever you cast your gaze, you find monuments
Wherever you turn your gaze, you find monuments
whose soaring heights are clouds above the clouds.
Their peaks above clouds, clouds atop clouds
عَجَائِبُwonders of صُنْعٍcraftsmanship يَصْغُرُshrinks الدَّهْرُtime دُونَهَاbefore them
عَجَائِبُ صُنْعٍ يَصْغُرُ الدَّهْرُ دُونَهَا
وَكُلُّand all فِعَالِthe deeds of الْخَالِدِينَthe immortals عُجَابُwondrous!
وَكُلُّ فِعَالِ الْخَالِدِينَ عُجَابُ!
Wonders of craftsmanship before which time shrinks;
Marvels of workmanship belittling all of time
all the deeds of the immortals are wondrous!
The wonders of the immortals, all marvels
وَجُهْدٌand an endeavor مِنَof الْفُولَاذِsteel مَاnever كَلَّwearied زَنْدُهُits forearm
وَجُهْدٌ مِنَ الْفُولَاذِ مَا كَلَّ زَنْدُهُ
وَصَادِقُand true عَزْمٍresolve لَيْسَnot فِيهِin it كِذَابُfalsehood
وَصَادِقُ عَزْمٍ لَيْسَ فِيهِ كِذَابُ
And an endeavor of steel whose forearm never tired,
And exertions of steel not bent by blows
and true resolve with no falsehood in it.
A true determination, no pretense within
وَلِلْجُهْدِand for endeavor فِيin الدُّنْيَاthe world نِصَابٌa limit وَطَاقَةٌand a capacity
وَلِلْجُهْدِ فِي الدُّنْيَا نِصَابٌ وَطَاقَةٌ
وَلَيْسَand there is no لِجُهْدِfor the endeavor of الْعَبْقَرِيِّthe genius نِصَابُlimit!
وَلَيْسَ لِجُهْدِ الْعَبْقَرِيِّ نِصَابُ!
In this world, endeavor has a limit and a capacity,
Human capacity has limits in this world
but the genius's endeavor has no limit!
But the great man's efforts know no bounds
أَبَاO father of مِصْرَEgypt، هَلْdo تُصْغِيyou listen وَلِلشِّعْرِwhile poetry has دَمْعَةٌa tear
أَبَا مِصْرَ، هَلْ تُصْغِي وَلِلشِّعْرِ دَمْعَةٌ
بِهَاin it الْحُبُّlove صَفْوٌpure، وَالْوَفَاءُand loyalty مُذَابُdissolved؟
بِهَا الْحُبُّ صَفْوٌ، وَالْوَفَاءُ مُذَابُ؟
Father of Egypt, do you listen, while poetry has a tear
Father of Egypt, will you listen as a tear flows
in which love is pure and loyalty dissolved?
With it, pure affection and melting loyalty?
أَتَذْكُرُdo you remember يَوْمًاa day بِالْقَنَاةِat the Canal وَقَدْand already سَعَتْhastened
أَتَذْكُرُ يَوْمًا بِالْقَنَاةِ وَقَدْ سَعَتْ
شُعُوبٌpeoples، وَسَالَتْand streamed بِالْمُلُوكِwith kings شِعَابُravines؟
شُعُوبٌ، وَسَالَتْ بِالْمُلُوكِ شِعَابُ؟
Do you recall a day at the Canal, when there hastened
Do you recall a day by the canal, thronged
peoples, and ravines streamed with kings?
With peoples, kings rushing forth?
وَأَنْتَand you تَؤُمُّlead الْحَشْدَthe throng جَذْلَانَjoyful هَانِئًاcontent
وَأَنْتَ تَؤُمُّ الْحَشْدَ جَذْلَانَ هَانِئًا
وَنَجْمُكَand your star لَمْnot يَحْجِبْveiled سَنَاهُits radiance ضَبَابُfog
وَنَجْمُكَ لَمْ يَحْجِبْ سَنَاهُ ضَبَابُ
And you led the throng, joyful and content,
You led the masses, serene and content
no fog veiling the radiance of your star.
Your star's brightness veiled by no clouds
وَمِصْرُand Egypt بِمُحْيِيهَاin her reviver تَتِيهُexults وَتَنْثَنِيand sways
وَمِصْرُ بِمُحْيِيهَا تَتِيهُ وَتَنْثَنِي
كَمَاas لَعِبَتْtoyed بِالْعَاشِقِينَwith lovers كَعَابُa budding maiden
كَمَا لَعِبَتْ بِالْعَاشِقِينَ كَعَابُ
Egypt exulted in her reviver and swayed,
While Egypt swooned over its reviver
as a budding maiden toys with lovers.
As the enamored are entranced by coquetry
مَوَائِدُfeasts لَوْif مَرَّتْpassed بِأَوْهَامِthrough the imaginings of حَاتِمٍHatim
مَوَائِدُ لَوْ مَرَّتْ بِأَوْهَامِ حَاتِمٍ
رَأَىhe would see أَنَّthat مَدْحَthe praise of الْمَادِحِينَthe admirers سِبَابُan insult
رَأَى أَنَّ مَدْحَ الْمَادِحِينَ سِبَابُ
Feasts that, had they crossed Hatim's imagination,
Feasts that if beheld by Hatem's imagination
would have made him think his admirers' praise an insult.
Would show all praise by eulogists as insults
وَمَوْكِبُand a procession of عِزٍّglory مَاnever رَأَىsaw النِّيلُthe Nile مِثْلَهُits like
وَمَوْكِبُ عِزٍّ مَا رَأَى النِّيلُ مِثْلَهُ
وَلَاnor خَطَّهُrecorded it فِيamong السَّابِقِينَthose gone before كِتَابُa book
وَلَا خَطَّهُ فِي السَّابِقِينَ كِتَابُ
And a procession of glory whose like the Nile had never seen,
A procession of glory the Nile never witnessed before
nor had any book recorded it among those gone before.
Nor recorded in books of past peoples
تَمَنَّتْwished for نُجُومُthe stars of الْأُفْقِthe horizon رَوْعَةَthe splendor of زَهْوِهِits magnificence
تَمَنَّتْ نُجُومُ الْأُفْقِ رَوْعَةَ زَهْوِهِ
وَسَالَand flowed لِشَمْسٍa sun's أَبْصَرَتْهُthat beheld it لُعَابُsaliva
وَسَالَ لِشَمْسٍ أَبْصَرَتْهُ لُعَابُ
The stars of the horizon coveted its dazzling magnificence,
The stars of the horizon longed for the splendor of his glow
and the sun drooled when it beheld it.
And the sun wept pearls for one it saw
تَفَيَّأْتَyou sheltered in ظِلَّthe shade of اللهِGod خَمْسِينَfifty حِجَّةًyears
تَفَيَّأْتَ ظِلَّ اللهِ خَمْسِينَ حِجَّةً
وَجَنَّاتُهُand His gardens لِلْعَامِلِينَfor those who labor مَثَابُa reward
وَجَنَّاتُهُ لِلْعَامِلِينَ مَثَابُ
You have sheltered in God's shade for fifty years,
You enjoyed God's shade fifty pilgrimages
and His gardens are a reward for those who labor.
His paradise the reward for the righteous
وَأَدْرَكَand came to the rescue of مِصْرًاEgypt مِنْfrom بَنِيكَyour sons صَوَارِمٌkeen swords
وَأَدْرَكَ مِصْرًا مِنْ بَنِيكَ صَوَارِمٌ
مَوَاضٍsharp إِذَاif اشْتَدَّgrew harsh الزَّمَانُtime صِلَابُhard
مَوَاضٍ إِذَا اشْتَدَّ الزَّمَانُ صِلَابُ
And keen swords among your sons came to Egypt's rescue,
And you left to Egypt from your descendants, swords
sharp, and hard when the times grew harsh.
Steadfast when times grew harsh, blades firm
كِرَامٌnoble men إِذَاif نُودُواthey were called أَجَابُواthey answered، وَإِنْand if هُمُthey
كِرَامٌ إِذَا نُودُوا أَجَابُوا، وَإِنْ هُمُ
رَمَوْاaimed at جَبْهَةَthe brow of الرَّأْيِjudgment الْبَعِيدِfar-reaching أَصَابُواthey hit the mark
رَمَوْا جَبْهَةَ الرَّأْيِ الْبَعِيدِ أَصَابُوا
Noble men who answer when called, and when they
Nobles who when called, dutifully responded
aim at the brow of far-reaching judgment, strike true.
And if they aimed for lofty, far goals, their arrows struck true
وَهَلْand is there كَفُؤَادٍlike Fuad فِيin الْبَرِيَّةِthe world مَالِكٌa sovereign؟
وَهَلْ كَفُؤَادٍ فِي الْبَرِيَّةِ مَالِكٌ؟
وَهَلْand is there كَلُبَابِlike the essence of الْمَجْدِglory فِيهِin him لُبَابُan essence؟
وَهَلْ كَلُبَابِ الْمَجْدِ فِيهِ لُبَابُ؟
Is there in the world a sovereign like Fuad?
Is there in the wilderness, a heart like Malik's?
Is any essence like the essence of glory within him?
Or in the essence of glory, such perception?
لَهُhe has عَزْمَةٌa resolve وَثَّابَةٌvaulting عَلَوِيَّةٌof Ali's line
لَهُ عَزْمَةٌ وَثَّابَةٌ عَلَوِيَّةٌ
تَرُدُّrepels صُرُوفَthe turns of الدَّهْرِtime وَهْيَthough they are حِرَابُspears
تَرُدُّ صُرُوفَ الدَّهْرِ وَهْيَ حِرَابُ
His resolve is vaulting, Alawi,
A resolve, constancy, and lofty ambition
repelling the turns of time, though they are spears.
That turns back the vicissitudes of fate as they strike
إِذَاif مَاever امْتَرَىdoubted فِيabout الْمُعْجِزَاتِmiracles مُكَابِرٌan obstinate denier
إِذَا مَا امْتَرَى فِي الْمُعْجِزَاتِ مُكَابِرٌ
فَسِيرَتُهُthen his life لِلْمُمْتَرِينَfor the doubters جَوَابُan answer
فَسِيرَتُهُ لِلْمُمْتَرِينَ جَوَابُ
If an obstinate denier doubts miracles,
If one boasts of defying miracles
his life is an answer to the doubters.
His conduct is the rebuttal that speaks
وَمَنْand who مِثْلُlike فَارُوقٍFarouk وَلِلْعَرْشِwhile the throne has عِزَّةٌdignity
وَمَنْ مِثْلُ فَارُوقٍ وَلِلْعَرْشِ عِزَّةٌ
وَلِلْمُلْكِand for kingship وَالْمَجْدِand glory الْأَثِيلِdeep-rooted مَهَابُawe؟
وَلِلْمُلْكِ وَالْمَجْدِ الْأَثِيلِ مَهَابُ؟
Who is like Farouk, with dignity upon the throne,
And who, like Omar, has glory of the throne
and awe attending kingship and deep-rooted glory?
And for kingdom and eternal glory, such awe?
مَضَاءٌkeenness وَإِقْدَامٌand courage وَجُودٌand generosity وَصَوْلَةٌand might
مَضَاءٌ وَإِقْدَامٌ وَجُودٌ وَصَوْلَةٌ
وَآمَالُand the hopes of حُرٍّa free man طَامِحٍambitious وَشَبَابُand youth
وَآمَالُ حُرٍّ طَامِحٍ وَشَبَابُ
Keenness, courage, generosity, and might,
Radiance, daring, generosity, and achievement
the hopes of an ambitious free man, and youth.
The hopes of a free and aspiring youth
سَعَىhe went لِرَسُولِto the Messenger of اللهِGod يَحْدُوهُurging him on شَوْقُهُhis longing
سَعَى لِرَسُولِ اللهِ يَحْدُوهُ شَوْقُهُ
وَلِلشَّوْقِand for longing وَالْحُبِّand love الصَّمِيمِheartfelt جِذَابُa pull
وَلِلشَّوْقِ وَالْحُبِّ الصَّمِيمِ جِذَابُ
He went to God's Messenger, driven by his longing,
He strove for God's Messenger, driven by passion
for longing and heartfelt love have their pull.
For fervor and sincere love attract
يُنَاجِيهِhe communes with him فَيَّاضُoverflowing الْمَدَامِعِwith tears خَاشِعًاhumbly
يُنَاجِيهِ فَيَّاضُ الْمَدَامِعِ خَاشِعًا
صَمُوتًاsilent، وَصَمْتُand the silence of الْخَاشِعِينَthe humble خِطَابُspeech
صَمُوتًا، وَصَمْتُ الْخَاشِعِينَ خِطَابُ
He communes with him, his tears overflowing, in humility,
He whispered, eyes flowing with tears
silent—and the silence of the humble is speech.
Silent yet eloquent is the silence of worshippers
رَأَىsaw فِيهِin him رَضْوَىRadwa مِثْلَهُits equal فِيin ثَبَاتِهِits steadfastness
رَأَى فِيهِ رَضْوَى مِثْلَهُ فِي ثَبَاتِهِ
وَحَيَّاهُand greeted him مِنْfrom رَحْبِthe expanse of الْبَقِيعِal-Baqi جَنَابُa precinct
وَحَيَّاهُ مِنْ رَحْبِ الْبَقِيعِ جَنَابُ
Radwa saw in him its equal in steadfastness,
He saw in him a kindred satisfaction with steadfastness
and a precinct of spacious al-Baqi greeted him.
And he greeted him from the expanse of Al-Baqi
حَصِيفٌdiscerning لَهُhe has فِيin مَوْقِفِa stand for الْحَقِّtruth صَوْلَةٌmight
حَصِيفٌ لَهُ فِي مَوْقِفِ الْحَقِّ صَوْلَةٌ
وَرَأْيٌand judgment إِذَاif غُمَّwas obscured الصَّوَابُwhat is right صَوَابُright
وَرَأْيٌ إِذَا غُمَّ الصَّوَابُ صَوَابُ
Discerning, he has might when standing for truth,
Judicious, with unwavering stance for truth
and judgment that is right when right is obscured.
His judgement right when correctness was uncertain
يُجَمِّعُhe gathers شَمْلَthe scattered ranks of الْعُرْبِthe Arabs فِيin ظِلِّthe shade of وَحْدَةٍunity
يُجَمِّعُ شَمْلَ الْعُرْبِ فِي ظِلِّ وَحْدَةٍ
كَمَاas جَمَعَgathered الْأُسْدَthe lions الضَّرَاغِمَthe mighty lions غَابُa forest
كَمَا جَمَعَ الْأُسْدَ الضَّرَاغِمَ غَابُ
He gathers the Arabs together in the shade of unity,
Uniting the Arab peoples under the shadow of unity
as a forest gathers the mighty lions.
As lions are gathered by the growling wolf
إِذَاif ابْتَسَمُواthey smiled فَالْبَاتِرَاتُthen the cleaving swords بَوَاسِمٌsmiling
إِذَا ابْتَسَمُوا فَالْبَاتِرَاتُ بَوَاسِمٌ
وَإِنْand if غَضِبُواthey grew angry فَالْبَاتِرَاتُthen the cleaving swords غِضَابُangry
وَإِنْ غَضِبُوا فَالْبَاتِرَاتُ غِضَابُ
When they smile, the cleaving swords smile;
When they smile, grimaces become smiles
and when they are angry, the cleaving swords rage.
When angry, grimaces are but anger
وَفِيand in كُلِّevery يَوْمٍday مِنَّةٌa favor بَعْدَafter مِنَّةٍa favor
وَفِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مِنَّةٌ بَعْدَ مِنَّةٍ
إِذَاwhen مَاever انْقَضَىended بَابٌa door تَفَتَّحَopened بَابُa door
إِذَا مَا انْقَضَى بَابٌ تَفَتَّحَ بَابُ
Every day brings one favor after another;
With each day, blessing upon blessing
as soon as one door closes, another opens.
When one door closes, another opens
وَكُلُّand all أَيَادِيthe favors of غَيْرِهِanyone other than him حُلْمُthe dream of حَالِمٍa dreamer
وَكُلُّ أَيَادِي غَيْرِهِ حُلْمُ حَالِمٍ
وَكُلُّand every نَوَالٍgift مِنْfrom سِوَاهُanyone besides him سَرَابُa mirage
وَكُلُّ نَوَالٍ مِنْ سِوَاهُ سَرَابُ
All others' favors are a dreamer's dream,
While others' restraint is a peacemaker's patience
and every gift from anyone else a mirage.
And any gain besides his, a mirage
عَتَبْنَاwe reproached عَلَىagainst الدُّنْيَاthe world فَمُذْbut since أَشْرَقَتْit shone بِهِwith him
عَتَبْنَا عَلَى الدُّنْيَا فَمُذْ أَشْرَقَتْ بِهِ
تَقَضَّىended خِصَامٌquarrels بَيْنَنَاbetween us وَعِتَابُand reproaches
تَقَضَّى خِصَامٌ بَيْنَنَا وَعِتَابُ
We reproached the world, but since it shone with him,
We blamed the world, but since he shone forth
quarrels and reproaches between us have ended.
Our quarrel and rebukes came to an end
وَصُغْنَاand we fashioned لَهُfor him مِنْfrom كُلِّall مَاthat تُبْدِعُcreate النُّهَىminds
وَصُغْنَا لَهُ مِنْ كُلِّ مَا تُبْدِعُ النُّهَى
رَوَائِعَmarvels، لَمْnot يُبْذَلْwas surrendered لَهُنَّfor them نِقَابُa veil
رَوَائِعَ، لَمْ يُبْذَلْ لَهُنَّ نِقَابُ
We fashioned for him, from all that minds create,
We heard from him the finest of all creation
marvels whose veils had never been surrendered.
Masterpieces never unveiled before
فَلَاso may he never زَالَcease مَوْفُورَrich in الْجَلَالِmajesty مُسَدَّدًاrightly guided
فَلَا زَالَ مَوْفُورَ الْجَلَالِ مُسَدَّدًا
يُجِيبُhe answers إِذَاwhen تَدْعُوcalls الْعُلَاgreatness وَيُجَابُand is answered!
يُجِيبُ إِذَا تَدْعُو الْعُلَا وَيُجَابُ!
May he ever remain rich in majesty, rightly guided,
So he remains, majestic andSupported
answering when greatness calls, and answered in turn!
Answering the sublime when called, and answered!
Sol 6.1