ماءwater العيونِof eyes علىupon الشهيدِthe martyr ذرافِcopiously flowing
ماء العيونِ على الشهيدِ ذرافِ
لوif only أنّthat فيضاًa flood منfrom معينكyour spring كافيsufficient
لو أنّ فيضاً من معينك كافي
The water of eyes streams over the martyr;
The martyr's eyes are waters pouring down
if only a flood from your spring could suffice.
If but a stream from your spring could avail
إنْif لمnot يَفِfulfill its duty الدمعُthe tears الهتونُpouring abundantly بسيبهِwith their flow
إنْ لم يَفِ الدمعُ الهتونُ بسيبهِ
فلمنthen for whom يَفيwill it fulfill its duty بعدَafter الخليلthe friend الوافيthe faithful
فلمن يَفي بعدَ الخليل الوافي
If pouring tears cannot fulfill their duty with their flow,
If tears cannot requite him on that fateful morn
for whom will they fulfill it after the faithful friend?
Who then can requite after that true friend?
شيئانtwo things مَاnot عيبَwas blamed البكاءُweeping عليهماover them both
شيئان مَا عيبَ البكاءُ عليهما
فقدُthe loss of الشبابyouth وفرقَةُand separation from الأُلافِdear companions
فقدُ الشباب وفرقَةُ الأُلافِ
Two things are never blamed as causes for weeping:
Two things never disgraced by tears for them
the loss of youth and separation from dear companions.
The loss of youth and parting of companions
أغْرَقْتُI drowned هميmy sorrow بالدموعِin tears فخاننيbut it betrayed me
أغْرَقْتُ همي بالدموعِ فخانني
وطفَاand floated فويليso woe to me منfor غريقٍa drowned thing طَافيfloating
وطفَا فويلي من غريقٍ طَافي
I drowned my sorrow in tears, but it betrayed me
I drowned my cares in tears but they betrayed me
and floated up—woe to me for a drowned thing that floats!
How wretched is a drowning wretch who surfaces
وإذاand when بكَىweeps القلبُthe heart الحزينthe grieving فماthen not لهfor it
وإذا بكَى القلبُ الحزين فما له
راقٍa healer by charms ولاnor لبكائِهfor its weeping منany شافيhealer
راقٍ ولا لبكائِه من شافي
And when the grieving heart weeps, there is for it
When a grieving heart weeps, what cure has it
no healer by charms, nor any healer for its weeping.
Neither soothing nor healing for its crying
والدمعُand the tears تهميpour down فيin الشدائدِhardships سحبُهtheir clouds
والدمعُ تهمي في الشدائدِ سحبُه
ومنand among الدموعtears مماطلa tardy one وموافيand a faithful arrival
ومن الدموع مماطل وموافي
The clouds of tears pour down in hardships;
Tears are my complaint in adversities, drawn out
some tears tarry, and some arrive faithfully.
Some lingering, and some quickly passing
حَارتْwas baffled بهby it كفيmy hand تحاولُtrying مسحهُto wipe it away
حَارتْ به كفي تحاولُ مسحهُ
فكأنَّهاas though it تُغْريهurges it بالإيكافِto keep dripping
فكأنَّها تُغْريه بالإيكافِ
My hand was baffled by them, trying to wipe them away,
My palms are confused, trying to wipe them away
as though it urged them to keep pouring.
As if coaxing the tears to stop
وأجلُّand the greatest ماthat which يلقىreceives الشريفُthe noble man ثوابَهhis reward
وأجلُّ ما يلقى الشريفُ ثوابَه
إنْif غسّلَتْهwash him مدامعُthe tears of الأشرافِnoble people
إنْ غسّلَتْه مدامعُ الأشرافِ
And the greatest reward a noble man receives
The noblest reward a noble receives
is to be washed by the tears of noble men.
Is when the tears of nobles wash him
طيرُbird of المنيةِdeath صحْتَyou cried أشأمthe most ill-omened صيحةٍcry
طيرُ المنيةِ صحْتَ أشأم صيحةٍ
وهززتَand you shook شرَّthe most baleful قوادِمprimary feathers وخوافِيand secondary feathers
وهززتَ شرَّ قوادِم وخوافِي
Bird of death, you uttered the most ill-omened cry
Death's bird shrieked an awful shriek
and shook the most baleful primary and secondary feathers.
And shook the evils of fates to come
وعلقتand you caught hold بالأملِof the hope العزيزthe cherished محصّناًfortified
وعلقت بالأملِ العزيز محصّناً
بظوامِىءby the thirsty الأرماحِspears والأسيافِand swords
بظوامِىء الأرماحِ والأسيافِ
You caught the cherished hope, though he was fortified
You clung to precious hope, fortified
by thirsty spears and swords.
By spearheads and the blades of swords
والجندُand the soldiers والأعوانُand the supporters ترعىguard موكِباًa procession
والجندُ والأعوانُ ترعى موكِباً
ماnot حازهpossessed it سابُورُShapur ذوpossessor of الأكتَافِthe shoulders
ما حازه سابُورُ ذو الأكتَافِ
Soldiers and supporters guarded a procession
The soldiers and supporters mournfully escort
such as Shapur Dhu al-Aktaf never possessed.
What Sabur of broad shoulders never achieved
يفدونthey ransom بالمهجاتِwith their lives مهجةthe life of قائدٍa leader
يفدون بالمهجاتِ مهجة قائدٍ
فيat كلِّevery منعرجٍbend وكلِّand every مطَافِcircuit
في كلِّ منعرجٍ وكلِّ مطَافِ
They would ransom a leader's life with their own lives
Offering their lives for the life of a leader
at every bend and every circuit.
On every pass and every lookout
رانَovercame الذهولُbewilderment فكلso every عقلmind حائرis bewildered
رانَ الذهولُ فكل عقل حائر
وجرىand took its course القضاءُfate فكلso every طرفeye غافيis asleep
وجرى القضاءُ فكل طرف غافي
Bewilderment descended, and every mind was lost;
Stupor prevailed and every mind perplexed
fate took its course, and every eye was asleep.
While destiny flowed and every eye slumbered
والموتُand death أعمىis blind فيin يديهits two hands سهامهits arrows
والموتُ أعمى في يديه سهامه
يرميshoots at البريةَhumankind منfrom وراءbehind سجَافِa curtain
يرمي البريةَ من وراء سجَافِ
Death is blind, its arrows in its hands,
Blind death's arrows strike the innocent
shooting at humankind from behind a curtain.
Shooting from behind ignorance's veils
والموتُand death قدmay يخفىhide حَماهُits venom بنسمةٍin a breeze
والموتُ قد يخفى حَماهُ بنسمةٍ
هفّافةٍgently stirring أوor فيin رحيقِthe nectar of سُلافِchoice wine
هفّافةٍ أو في رحيقِ سُلافِ
Death may hide its venom in a breeze,
And death can be obscured by a gentle breeze
softly stirring, or in the nectar of choice wine.
Or the nectar of a drink that slakes thirst
يغشَىovertakes الفتىthe man ولوeven if اطمأنّhe feels secure لموئلٍin a refuge
يغشَى الفتى ولو اطمأنّ لموئلٍ
فيin الجوthe sky أوor فيin غمرةِthe depths of الرجّافِthe surging sea
في الجو أو في غمرةِ الرجّافِ
It overtakes a man, even if he feels secure in a refuge
Overcoming even one content in refuge
in the sky or in the depths of the surging sea.
On high or in the tumult of the flooded
ويحَwoe to الكنانةِthe Quiver (Egypt) بعدafter نزعِthe tearing away of شِغافِهاher heart's covering
ويحَ الكنانةِ بعد نزعِ شِغافِها
أتعيشُcan she live فيin الدنياthe world بِغيرwithout شِغافِa heart's covering
أتعيشُ في الدنيا بِغير شِغافِ
Woe to Egypt, the Quiver, her heart's covering torn away!
It robs the loved one of her cloak after removing her veil
Can she live in this world without a heart's covering?
Can one live in this world without a cloak or veil?
قدindeed عاشَhe lived يحملcarrying رُوحَهhis soul فيin كفِّهِhis palm
قد عاشَ يحمل رُوحَه في كفِّهِ
ماnever قَالَhe said فيin هولِthe terror of النضالstruggle كفافِenough
ما قَالَ في هولِ النضال كفافِ
He lived bearing his soul in his palm;
He lived carrying his soul in his palms
never, amid the terror of struggle, did he say, 'Enough!'
Never saying "enough" in the heat of struggle
يلقَىhe meets الكارثَcalamity باسماًsmiling متألقاًradiant
يلقَى الكارثَ باسماً متألقاً
والدهرُand time يعصِفُstorms والخطوبُand disasters سَوافيare dust-sweeping winds
والدهرُ يعصِفُ والخطوبُ سَوافي
He meets calamity smiling and radiant,
He faced disaster with a shining name
while time storms and disasters sweep like dust-laden winds.
While fate raged and calamities came flooding
والموتand death يكشرُbares عنexposing نُيوبِthe fangs of مَشانقٍgallows
والموت يكشرُ عن نُيوبِ مَشانقٍ
غُبرِdust-gray الوُجوهِof face دميمةِugly الأطرافِof limb
غُبرِ الوُجوهِ دميمةِ الأطرافِ
Death bares the fangs of gallows,
Death bares its hanging ropes
dust-gray in face and ugly in limb.
To the grimy faces and torn limbs
بينَamid الرياحthe winds الهُوجِthe raging يزأرhe roars مثلَهاlike them
بينَ الرياح الهُوجِ يزأر مثلَها
ويثورُand he rises فيin غَضَبٍanger وفيand in إعْنافِferocity
ويثورُ في غَضَبٍ وفي إعْنافِ
Amid the raging winds he roars like them
Among raging winds it roars like them
and rises in anger and ferocity.
Seething in rage and bellowing threats
يَرنوhe gazes إلىtoward استقلالthe independence of مصرEgypt كماas رنَتْgazed
يَرنو إلى استقلال مصر كما رنَتْ
عينthe eye of المحبthe lover لطارقِtoward the night-visitor of الأطيافdream-visions
عين المحب لطارقِ الأطياف
He gazes toward Egypt's independence just as
Yearning for Egypt's independence, as yearned
a lover's eye gazes toward a night-visiting phantom.
The eye of a lover for the light of dawn
ماnot ارتاعَhe quailed مِنbefore حبسٍimprisonment ولاnor أسرٍcaptivity ولاnor
ما ارتاعَ مِن حبسٍ ولا أسرٍ ولا
زَجْرٍrebuke ولاnor قتلٍkilling ولاnor إرجَافِfearmongering
زَجْرٍ ولا قتلٍ ولا إرجَافِ
He never quailed before imprisonment or captivity, nor
Never fearing imprisonment, captivity, deterrence
rebuke, nor killing, nor fearmongering.
Killing, or tremors caused by terror
وإذاand when دهتهُstruck him الحادثاتُmisfortunes بفادحٍwith a crushing blow
وإذا دهتهُ الحادثاتُ بفادحٍ
لمnot تلقthey met إلاّexcept هَزّةَa shrug of استخفافِdisdain
لم تلق إلاّ هَزّةَ استخفافِ
And when misfortunes struck him with a crushing blow,
If disasters overwhelmed him horribly
they met only a shrug of disdain.
They met only disdain and indifference from him
هابتْهُfeared him أسبابُthe agents of المنيةِdeath جَهَرةًopenly
هابتْهُ أسبابُ المنيةِ جَهَرةً
فَرمتهُso they struck him خائنةًtreacherously بِموتwith a death زُؤافِswiftly fatal
فَرمتهُ خائنةً بِموت زُؤافِ
The agents of death feared to face him openly,
The causes of death were too weak for him
so struck him treacherously with a swift, lethal death.
So betrayed him traitorously with easy death
مَوتُthe death of الكرامِnoble men البيضِthe unblemished فوقَupon جيادِهمtheir steeds
مَوتُ الكرامِ البيضِ فوقَ جيادِهم
لاnot فَوقَupon نُمرقَةٍa cushion وتحتَand beneath طِرافِa leather tent
لا فَوقَ نُمرقَةٍ وتحتَ طِرافِ
The death of noble, unblemished men is upon their steeds,
The death of the virtuous whites on their steeds
not on a cushion and beneath a leather tent.
Not on a deathbed under coverings
فلكمand how often تَمنَّىwished ابنُthe son of الوليدal-Walid مَنِيةًfor death
فلكم تَمنَّى ابنُ الوليد مَنِيةً
بينَamong الصواهِلneighing steeds والقَناand the spears الرعّافِbleeding
بينَ الصواهِل والقَنا الرعّافِ
How often Ibn al-Walid wished for death
Many times Ibn Alwalid wished for death
among neighing steeds and bleeding spears!
Among the swords on the battlefield
ذهبَis gone الجريءُthe bold man الندبُthe gallant ذخرُthe treasure of بلادهhis country
ذهبَ الجريءُ الندبُ ذخرُ بلاده
غَوْثُaid to الصريخِthe one crying for help ونُجعةُand a pasture for المعتافِthe seeker of sustenance
غَوْثُ الصريخِ ونُجعةُ المعتافِ
The bold, gallant man is gone, his country's treasure,
The bold pillar of his country is gone
aid to the one crying for help, a pasture for the seeker of sustenance.
Succor for the desperate and sanctuary for refugees
خُلقٌa character كأمواهِlike the waters of السحابِclouds مُطَهَّرٌpure
خُلقٌ كأمواهِ السحابِ مُطَهَّرٌ
وسَريرةand an inward nature كلآلِىءlike the pearls of الأصدافِshells
وسَريرة كلآلِىء الأصدافِ
A character as pure as the waters of clouds,
A nature like the clouds' rain, pure
and an inward nature like pearls in shells;
And an inner self like pearls inside oyster shells
وتَبسمٌand a smile للمعضِلاتِat difficulties كأنّهas though it
وتَبسمٌ للمعضِلاتِ كأنّه
إشراقُthe radiance of وجهِthe face of الروضةِthe meadow المئنافِfresh and ungrazed
إشراقُ وجهِ الروضةِ المئنافِ
and a smile at difficulties, as though it were
A smile at adversities as if it were
the shining face of a fresh, ungrazed meadow;
The radiant face of a meadow renewed
ونقَاءُand the purity of سُكَّانthe inhabitants of السماءheaven يحوطهguards him
ونقَاءُ سُكَّان السماء يحوطه
رَبُّthe Lord of السماءِheaven بعزّةٍwith honor وعَفافِand chastity
رَبُّ السماءِ بعزّةٍ وعَفافِ
and the purity of heaven's dwellers; he is guarded
The heavens' people's purity surrounds him
by the Lord of heaven with honor and chastity.
As God of Heaven guards him with might and chastity
ونزاهةand integrity سِيقَتْwas brought لهاto it الدنياthe world فماyet did not
ونزاهة سِيقَتْ لها الدنيا فما
ظفِرتْwin بغيرanything but تنكُّرٍrejection وعِيافِand aversion
ظفِرتْ بغير تنكُّرٍ وعِيافِ
And an integrity to which the world was brought, yet it
And integrity that he led the world to
won nothing but rejection and aversion.
Without any pretense or falsity from it
عُمَرٌUmar حوىencompassed الدنياthe world ولمand did not يملكown سِوَىexcept
عُمَرٌ حوى الدنيا ولم يملك سِوَى
شاءٍsheep كأعوادِlike the wooden staves of القِسيِّbows عِجَافِgaunt
شاءٍ كأعوادِ القِسيِّ عِجَافِ
Umar encompassed the world, yet owned only
A life that contained the world but owned only
sheep gaunt as bow-staves.
Tent poles like dry, leafless trees
والمرءُand a man إنif يَخشىhe fears الدنيةَbaseness فيin الغِنَىwealth
والمرءُ إن يَخشى الدنيةَ في الغِنَى
يقنَعْis content بِعيشٍwith a livelihood فيin الحياةlife كَفافِsufficient
يقنَعْ بِعيشٍ في الحياة كَفافِ
A man who fears baseness in wealth
And if one fears greed in wealth
is content with a livelihood sufficient for life.
Let him be content with sufficient life
قدindeed كانَthere was فيin غيرِthe absence of التحرُّجscrupulous restraint مَنفذٌa passage
قد كانَ في غيرِ التحرُّج مَنفذٌ
سَهلٌeasy إلىto الآلافِthousands والآلافِand thousands
سَهلٌ إلى الآلافِ والآلافِ
Indeed, without scruples, there was a path
Open was the way to thousands and more
easy to follow, to thousands upon thousands.
Without discomfort or hardship
مَهماwhatever يَقُلْmay say منthose who خالفوهopposed him فإنّهyet he
مَهما يَقُلْ من خالفوه فإنّه
فيin نُبلهِhis nobility فردٌis unrivaled بِغيرwithout خِلافِdispute
في نُبلهِ فردٌ بِغير خِلافِ
Whatever those who opposed him may say, he
However much those who opposed him speak
is unrivaled in nobility, beyond dispute.
He was uniquely noble, without peer
وعَزيمةٌand a resolve لاnot الصعبُthe difficult فيin قاموسِهاits dictionary
وعَزيمةٌ لا الصعبُ في قاموسِها
صَعبٌdifficult ولاnor خافِيthe hidden part of الطريقِthe road بخافِيat all hidden
صَعبٌ ولا خافِي الطريقِ بخافِي
And a resolve: in its dictionary the difficult is not
A will that did not accept difficulty
difficult, nor is the hidden road hidden.
No path obscure to an obscure path
فإذاso when أرادَhe wills فكلthen every شيءٍthing آلةٌis a tool
فإذا أرادَ فكل شيءٍ آلةٌ
وإذَاand when رمَىhe shoots فالويلُthen woe للأهدافِto the targets
وإذَا رمَى فالويلُ للأهدافِ
When he wills, everything is a tool;
When he wanted, all things were his tools
and when he shoots, woe to the targets!
And when he shot, woe to his targets!
يزدادُincreases فيin ظُلَمِthe darkness of النوازلِcalamities بِشْرهُhis cheerfulness
يزدادُ في ظُلَمِ النوازلِ بِشْرهُ
كمْhow much كُدرةٍmurk تحتَbeneath النميرِsweet water الصافيthe clear
كمْ كُدرةٍ تحتَ النميرِ الصافي
His cheerfulness grows in the darkness of calamities;
In the darkness of tribulations, his insight shone
how much murk lies beneath sweet, clear water!
Like pure starlight in the blackest night
يُخْشىhe is feared ويُرهبُand dreaded كالمنيةِlike death مُرهفاًsharp-edged
يُخْشى ويُرهبُ كالمنيةِ مُرهفاً
عَدْلٌjust لدَىamid الإرهابِintimidation والإرهافِand keenness
عَدْلٌ لدَى الإرهابِ والإرهافِ
He is feared and dreaded like death, sharp-edged,
Feared yet gentle, when firmness was needed
yet just in his terror and keenness.
Justice with deterrence or use of force
فإذاso if طلبتَyou ask for الحقَّjustice منهfrom him وجدتَهُyou find him
فإذا طلبتَ الحقَّ منه وجدتَهُ
سهلwelcoming الرحابِin his courtyards مُوَطّأmade easy to approach الأكنافِin his precincts
سهل الرحابِ مُوَطّأ الأكنافِ
If you ask him for justice, you find him
If you sought truth from him you found
welcoming in his courtyards, approachable in his precincts.
Easy grace and humility in him
ذِكرىa memory كحاليةِlike the adornment of الرياضِgardens شميمُهاits fragrance
ذِكرى كحاليةِ الرياضِ شميمُها
راحُthe wine of النفوسِsouls وراحةُand the rest of المستافِthe one who inhales it
راحُ النفوسِ وراحةُ المستافِ
A memory like the adornment of gardens; its fragrance
Memories of him are like the scent of meadows
is wine for souls and rest for the one who breathes it.
Comforting souls and soothing aspirations
إنّindeed الفَتىa man ماis what فِيهis within him منof أخلاقهِhis moral qualities
إنّ الفَتى ما فِيه من أخلاقهِ
فإذاand if ذَهبْنَthey depart فكُلُّthen every شيءٍthing مافيis nothing
فإذا ذَهبْنَ فكُلُّ شيءٍ مافي
A man is the character he bears within;
The noble youth possesses only
and if those virtues depart, everything is nothing.
What his character traits contain
ماnot زانَهadorns him الشرفُrank المنيفُthe lofty بِغيرِهاwithout them
ما زانَه الشرفُ المنيفُ بِغيرِها
ولوeven if انتَمىhe traces his lineage لسراةِto the nobles of عبدِAbd منافِManaf
ولو انتَمى لسراةِ عبدِ منافِ
Lofty rank cannot adorn him without them,
Nothing else enhanced his honorable dignity
even if he descends from the nobles of Abd Manaf.
Even were he of ancestors from Mudar's line
عِشناwe lived علىon الأسلافِthe forebears طولَthroughout حياتِناour lives
عِشنا على الأسلافِ طولَ حياتِنا
حتىuntil سئمناwe wearied of عِشرةَthe company of الأسلافِthe forebears
حتى سئمنا عِشرةَ الأسلافِ
We lived off our forebears all our lives,
We lived following ancestors all our lives
until we wearied of our forebears' company.
Until we were bored of following ancestors!
العبقريُّthe genius حياتُهhis life منis of صُنعِهhis own making
العبقريُّ حياتُه من صُنعِه
لاnot صنِعthe making of أسماءٍnames ولاnor epithets of praise? No, nor epithets. أوْصَافِnor epithets
لا صنِع أسماءٍ ولا أوْصَافِ
The genius's life is of his own making,
The genius - his life is his own making
not the making of names or epithets.
Not the making of names and attributes
يَكفيهِit suffices him مِنْof شَرفِthe honor of المجادةnobility أنّهthat he
يَكفيهِ مِنْ شَرفِ المجادة أنّه
درسَa lesson for العصورthe ages وقُدوةَand a model for الأخلافِlater generations
درسَ العصور وقُدوةَ الأخلافِ
For the glory of his nobility, it is enough that he is
It's enough that he studied times' lessons
a lesson to the ages and a model for generations to come.
And was guided by the wisdom of successors
عابواthey criticized السكوتَsilence عليهِin him وهوthough it فضيلةٌis a virtue
عابوا السكوتَ عليهِ وهو فضيلةٌ
لغَطُthe clamor of الحديثِtalk مَطيّةُis the mount of الإسفافِbaseness
لغَطُ الحديثِ مَطيّةُ الإسفافِ
They reproached him for silence, though it is a virtue;
They blamed his silence though it is a virtue
the clamor of talk is the mount of baseness.
Prattle is the mount of foolish excess
صَمْتُthe silence of الهمامthe gallant man النجدِthe courageous أوor إطراقُهhis lowered gaze
صَمْتُ الهمام النجدِ أو إطراقُه
خُطَبٌspeeches مُجلْجِلَةٌresounding بِغيرwithout هُتافِa shout
خُطَبٌ مُجلْجِلَةٌ بِغير هُتافِ
The silence of the gallant, courageous man, or his lowered gaze,
The silence of heroes and their brooding gaze
is a series of resounding speeches without a shout.
Are momentous speeches without battle cries
قولُthe speech of الفتَىa man منfrom قلبهِhis heart أوor عقلهِhis mind
قولُ الفتَى من قلبهِ أو عقلهِ
فإذاso when سَمَحْتyou give freely فلاthen do not تَبعْsell بِجُزافِin unmeasured bulk
فإذا سَمَحْت فلا تَبعْ بِجُزافِ
A man's speech comes from his heart or his mind;
A youth's words come from his heart or mind
so when you give freely, do not sell in unmeasured bulk.
So if your inner self permits, speak without haste
حَسبُsufficient for الذيthe one whose ألقَىcast off اللجامَthe bridle لِسانُهhis tongue
حَسبُ الذي ألقَى اللجامَ لِسانُه
ماwhat جاءcame مِنof زَجْرٍwarning بسورةِin the surah قافِQaf
ما جاء مِن زَجْرٍ بسورةِ قافِ
Enough for the man whose tongue has cast off its bridle
It's enough for one who gave free rein to his tongue
is the warning that came in Surat Qaf.
To curb it with "Qaf" and other deterrents
خاضَhe plunged into السياسةَpolitics ملءُthe contents of جُعبتِهhis quiver هَوىwere love for
خاضَ السياسةَ ملءُ جُعبتِه هَوى
مصرَEgypt ومَحوُand the abolition of الظلمِoppression والإجحافِand injustice
مصرَ ومَحوُ الظلمِ والإجحافِ
He plunged into politics, his quiver filled with love for
He engaged in politics with passions full
Egypt, and with the abolition of oppression and injustice.
For Egypt, ending injustice and transgression
ماnot كانَhe was فيin الجُلَّىgrave adversity بحابِسِat all holding back سَرجِهhis saddle
ما كانَ في الجُلَّى بحابِسِ سَرجِه
عَنfrom هَوْلِهاits terrors يَوْماًfor a day ولاnor وَقَّافِone who halts
عَن هَوْلِها يَوْماً ولا وَقَّافِ
In grave adversity he never held back his saddle
Never, with his lofty aspirations fettered
from its terrors for even a day, nor did he halt.
Showing fear of hazards on that road
يَمضيhe goes forward ويتبعُهand follows him الشبابُthe youth كماas جرتْran
يَمضي ويتبعُه الشبابُ كما جرتْ
جُرْدُsleek steeds المذاكيthe full-grown فيin غُبَارthe dust of خَصافِKhasaf
جُرْدُ المذاكي في غُبَار خَصافِ
He goes forward, and youth follows him, as
He marched on and the youth followed as the trains
sleek, full-grown steeds run in Khasaf's dust.
Of meteors followed in the dust of a comet
نادَىhe called مُلِحّاًinsistently بِالجلاءِfor evacuation مناجِزاًdemanding immediate action
نادَى مُلِحّاً بِالجلاءِ مناجِزاً
ماذاwhat وراءَlies beyond الوعدِpromises والإخلافِand broken promises
ماذا وراءَ الوعدِ والإخلافِ
He called insistently for evacuation, pressing for action:
He called insistently for the British to leave
what lies beyond promises and broken promises?
Fulfilling his promise and his pact
ودعَاand he called for بواديthe valley of النيلِthe Nile غيرَnot مقَسَّمٍdivided
ودعَا بوادي النيلِ غيرَ مقَسَّمٍ
سُودانSudan مصرَof Egypt كشاطىءِlike the shore of المُصطافِthe summer retreat
سُودان مصرَ كشاطىءِ المُصطافِ
And he called for an undivided Nile Valley,
And called in the Nile Valley undivided
Egypt's Sudan, like the shore of the summer retreat.
For Sudan and Egypt like the shores of one sea
ياO يومَday of أمريكاAmerica وكمand how many بكَupon you موقفa stand
يا يومَ أمريكا وكم بكَ موقف
أعياbaffled النُّهىَintellect وبراعةَand the skill of الوصّافِmaster describers
أعيا النُّهىَ وبراعةَ الوصّافِ
O day in America, how many a stand you witnessed
O day of America! How many times have you wept
that baffled intellect and the skill of master describers!
Frustrated by their ban, and the experts' dissembling!
هِيَit صيحةٌis a cry لمnot يَرْمِهاhurled it مِنْbefore قَبلهِhim
هِيَ صيحةٌ لم يَرْمِها مِنْ قَبلهِ
بَطلٌa hero بوجهin the face of السادةِthe masters الأحلافِthe Allies
بَطلٌ بوجه السادةِ الأحلافِ
It was a cry never hurled before him
A cry never before unleashed by a hero
by any hero in the face of the Allied masters.
In the face of gentlemen's leagues
صَوتٌa voice إذاwhen هزّshook الأثيرَthe ether جهيرُهits loud resonance
صَوتٌ إذا هزّ الأثيرَ جهيرُه
فلَكمthen how many بمصرٍin Egypt هَزّit shook مِنof أعطافِflanks
فلَكم بمصرٍ هَزّ مِن أعطافِ
A voice whose ringing force, when it shook the ether,
A voice that shook the ether with its roar
set how many bodies trembling in Egypt!
How much roaring has shaken Egypt's pillars!
فيin كُلِّevery أذنٍear مِنهُfrom it شَنْفٌan earring زانَهاadorned it
في كُلِّ أذنٍ مِنهُ شَنْفٌ زانَها
ماhow أجملَbeautiful الآذانَthe ears بالأشنافِwith earrings
ما أجملَ الآذانَ بالأشنافِ
An earring from it adorned every ear;
In every ear adorned by it is a glory -
how beautiful are ears adorned with earrings!
How beautiful are ears adorned with glories!
أصغىlistened لهto him جمعُa gathering of الدهاةِastute men وأطرقواand bowed their heads
أصغى له جمعُ الدهاةِ وأطرقوا
شَتّانhow far apart بينare السمعhearing والإنصافِand fairness
شَتّان بين السمع والإنصافِ
A gathering of astute men listened to him and bowed their heads;
The arrogant crowd listened and bowed down
how far apart are hearing and fairness!
What a gulf between listening and fairness!
سَمِعواthey heard بياناًan address عبقريّاًmasterful ماnot بِهin it
سَمِعوا بياناً عبقريّاً ما بِه
فيfrom truth الحقِّof مِنdeviation شططٍnor ولاexaggeration? No, nor exaggeration. إسرافِexaggeration
في الحقِّ مِن شططٍ ولا إسرافِ
They heard a masterful address, with no
They heard an ingenious, eloquent speech
deviation from truth, nor exaggeration;
Neither extravagant nor extreme in truth
وجدالَand the argument of وثّابِone swift in البديهةِquick wit ثابتٍsteadfast
وجدالَ وثّابِ البديهةِ ثابتٍ
فيon يومa day of ملحمةٍbattle ويومِand a day of ثِقافِfencing
في يوم ملحمةٍ ويومِ ثِقافِ
and the argument of a swift-witted man, steadfast
A warrior's decisive logic
on a day of battle and a day of fencing;
On a day of battle and a day of culture
وصراحةًand a candor بهرتthat dazzled عيونَthe eyes of رجالِهمtheir men
وصراحةً بهرت عيونَ رجالِهم
لمّاwhen بدتْit appeared نُوراًas light بِلاwithout أسدافِdarkness
لمّا بدتْ نُوراً بِلا أسدافِ
and a candor that dazzled their men's eyes
Candor that dazzled his men's eyes
when it appeared as light without darkness.
As light appears without veils
قالواthey said الرثاءthe elegy فقلتُso I said دَمعُthe tears of محاجِريmy eye-sockets
قالوا الرثاء فقلتُ دَمعُ محاجِري
بحرa sea or verse-meter وأنّاتand the moans of الحزينthe grieving man قوافيrhymes
بحر وأنّات الحزين قوافي
They asked for an elegy; I said: the tears of my eye-sockets
They pronounced the eulogy but I said: My tears'
are my sea of verse, and a mourner's moans my rhymes.
Flood and the grieving man's laments are poems
شِعرa poem مِنَof الذهبgold النُّضارthe pure حُروفهits letters
شِعر مِنَ الذهب النُّضار حُروفه
ولكمand how many بسوقِin the market of الشعرpoetry منof زَيّافِcounterfeiters
ولكم بسوقِ الشعر من زَيّافِ
A poem whose letters are of pure gold;
Whose golden, brilliant letters and words
and how many counterfeiters are in poetry's market!
None in the poetry market could falsify
محمودُMahmoud قدindeed لقيhas met المجاهدُthe fighter ربَّهُhis Lord
محمودُ قد لقي المجاهدُ ربَّهُ
فيin جنَّةِthe paradise of النفحَاتِfragrant breezes والألطافِand gracious favors
في جنَّةِ النفحَاتِ والألطافِ
Mahmoud, the fighter, has met his Lord
Mahmoud the Mujahid has met his Lord
in the paradise of fragrant breezes and gracious favors.
In the Paradise of bliss and kindness
نَمْsleep هَادِئاًpeacefully إنَّindeed الغِراسَthe plantings وريفةٌare luxuriant
نَمْ هَادِئاً إنَّ الغِراسَ وريفةٌ
تُزهىglory بأكرمin the noblest تُربةٍsoil وقِطافِand harvest
تُزهى بأكرم تُربةٍ وقِطافِ
Sleep peacefully; the plantings are luxuriant,
Sleep in peace, for saplings and meadows
glorying in the noblest soil and harvest.
Are adorned with the finest soil and fruits
وانزِلْand descend إلىto مَثوىthe resting place of الصديقthe friend تَجدyou will find بهِthere
وانزِلْ إلى مَثوى الصديق تَجد بهِ
ماwhat شِئتَyou wish مِنْof حُبٍّlove ومنand of إشرافِhonor
ما شِئتَ مِنْ حُبٍّ ومن إشرافِ
And descend to the friend's resting place; there you will find
And descend to your dear friend's abode; you will find
all the love and honor you wish.
Whatever you wish of love and nobility
قَبرُthe grave of الشهيدthe martyr سَماحةٌis generosity فيَّاحةٌspreading abundantly
قَبرُ الشهيد سَماحةٌ فيَّاحةٌ
ومَديدُand the outspread ظِلِّshade of حدائقٍgardens أَلفافِdensely intertwined
ومَديدُ ظِلِّ حدائقٍ أَلفافِ
The martyr's grave is far-spreading generosity,
A martyr's grave is serenity and life
and the outspread shade of thickly clustered gardens.
The extended shade of fragrant trees
ماnot مَاتhas died مَنthe one whose كتبَwrote الخلودُimmortality رثاءَهhis elegy
ما مَات مَن كتبَ الخلودُ رثاءَه
ووشَىand embroidered لهfor him حُللَrobes of الثناءِpraise الضَّافيthe lavish
ووشَى له حُللَ الثناءِ الضَّافي
He has not died whose elegy immortality has written,
One whose elegy eternal glory inscribed
and for whom it has embroidered robes of lavish praise.
Did not die, though goodbyes can be bitter
حُيِّيتَmay you be greeted مِنfrom مُزنِthe rain-clouds of العُيونeyes بوابلٍwith a downpour
حُيِّيتَ مِن مُزنِ العُيون بوابلٍ
ومِنَand from الحنانِtenderness بِناعمwith softness رَفّافِfluttering
ومِنَ الحنانِ بِناعم رَفّافِ
May you be greeted by a downpour from the clouds of eyes,
You are greeted by the most precious eyes with rain
and with soft, fluttering tenderness.
And the tenderest gentle welcome
Sol 6.1