جَنابكِyour presence منهfrom it تُسْتَفَادُare gained الفَوائدُbenefits
جَنابكِ منه تُسْتَفَادُ الفَوائدُ
ولِلناسِand for people بالإحسَانِthrough kindness منكِfrom you عوائدُrecurring favors
ولِلناسِ بالإحسَانِ منكِ عوائدُ
From your presence, benefits are gained,
Your side is a source of benefit,
And people receive recurring favors through your kindness.
And people gain advantages through your benevolence.
فَطُوبَىso blessedness لِمنَfor whoever يَسْعَىstrives لِمَشْهَدِكِto your shrine الذيwhich
فَطُوبَى لِمنَ يَسْعَى لِمَشْهَدِكِ الذي
تكَادُalmost إلىtoward مَغْنَاهُits abode تَسْعَىhasten المشَاهِدُthe shrines
تكَادُ إلى مَغْنَاهُ تَسْعَى المشَاهِدُ
Blessed is whoever strives toward your shrine,
Happy is he who strives to behold you,
Toward whose abode the other shrines almost hasten.
For which sights yearn to your chanting.
إذَاwhen يمَّمَتْهُmake it their destination القاصِدُونَthe seekers تَيَسَّرَتْbecome attainable
إذَا يمَّمَتْهُ القاصِدُونَ تَيَسَّرَتْ
عليهمْfor them وإنand even if لمnot يسألوكِthey ask you المقَاصدُthe aims
عليهمْ وإن لم يسألوكِ المقَاصدُ
When seekers make it their destination,
When the pilgrims head to you, it is facilitated for them
Their aims become attainable, even without asking you.
Even if they do not ask you for their purposes.
تحَقَّقَتِhas come true البُشْرَىthe glad tidings لَمِنْindeed for whoever هُوَhe رَاكِعbowing
تحَقَّقَتِ البُشْرَى لَمِنْ هُوَ رَاكِع
يُرَجّيhopes for بهthrough it فضلاًbounty وَمَنْand whoever هُوَhe ساجِدُprostrating
يُرَجّي به فضلاً وَمَنْ هُوَ ساجِدُ
Glad tidings have come true for whoever bows,
Good tidings are assured for one who bows imploring,
Hoping for bounty there, and whoever prostrates.
From your grace - be he bowing or prostrating.
فعَفَّرَتِso rubbed in dust الشُّبانُthe young men وَالشَّيبُand the gray-haired أوْجُهاًfaces
فعَفَّرَتِ الشُّبانُ وَالشَّيبُ أوْجُهاً
بهِat it والعَذارَىand maidens حُسَّرٌbareheaded والقَواعِدُand elderly women
بهِ والعَذارَى حُسَّرٌ والقَواعِدُ
Youths and the gray-haired rubbed their faces in the dust
The youth have consecrated their faces in it,
There, as did bareheaded maidens and elderly women.
As have the maidens, the married, and the old.
هُوَit المَنْهَلُthe watering place العَذْبُsweet الكَثِيرُabundant زِحامُهُits crowding
هُوَ المَنْهَلُ العَذْبُ الكَثِيرُ زِحامُهُ
فَرِدْهُso come to it for water فمَاfor not مِنْfrom دُونِbefore وِرْدِكِyour coming to drink ذائدُone who drives away
فَرِدْهُ فمَا مِنْ دُونِ وِرْدِكِ ذائدُ
It is the sweet watering place, thronged with visitors;
It is the pure, copious spring, thronged,
Come to it: none bars your approach to its water.
So send it back, for without your company, nothing holds it back.
أَتيْتُI came إليهto it والرَّجاءُand hope مُحَلّأٌdriven away
أَتيْتُ إليه والرَّجاءُ مُحَلّأٌ
فماand not عُدْتُI returned إِلَّاexcept والمُحَلَّاand the banished one وَارِدُcoming to water
فما عُدْتُ إِلَّا والمُحَلَّا وَارِدُ
I came to it with hope driven away,
I came to it while my hopes glistened,
And returned only with the banished one now coming to water.
And returned while those hopes were realized.
فياso O لَكَfor you مِنْof يَأْسٍdespair بَلَغْتُI attained بِهِthrough it المُنَىthe wishes
فيا لَكَ مِنْ يَأْسٍ بَلَغْتُ بِهِ المُنَى
وعُسْرٍand hardship لأَقْفَالِfor the locks اليسَارِprosperity مَقالِدُkeys
وعُسْرٍ لأَقْفَالِ اليسَارِ مَقالِدُ
What a despair, through which I attained my wishes,
Oh, what despair I reached its conclusion in,
And hardship—the keys to prosperity's locks!
And hardship for the locks of ease what keys!
أَلَذُّsweeter مِنَthan الماءِthe water الزلالِlimpid مَوَاقِعاin its touch
أَلَذُّ مِنَ الماءِ الزلالِ مَوَاقِعا
عَلَىupon كَبِدِthe liver الظَّمْآنِthe thirsty one وَالماءُand the water بارِدُcold
عَلَى كَبِدِ الظَّمْآنِ وَالماءُ بارِدُ
Sweeter in its touch than limpid water
Sweeter than clear water falling
Upon the thirsty one's liver, when the water is cold.
On the thirsty liver, while the water is cool.
سَلِيلَةَdescendant خَيْرِthe best العالَمِينَall beings نَفيسَةNafisa
سَلِيلَةَ خَيْرِ العالَمِينَ نَفيسَة
سَمَتْrose high بِكِwith you أعراقٌlineages وطابَتْand became pure محائِدُpaths
سَمَتْ بِكِ أعراقٌ وطابَتْ محائِدُ
O Nafisa, descendant of the best of all creation,
The noble offspring of the best of mankind, Nafisa,
Lineages have raised you high, and your paths are pure.
Her lineage ennobled, her glory made good.
إذاif جُحِدَتْis denied شمسُthe sun النَّهارِday ضِياءهاits radiance
إذا جُحِدَتْ شمسُ النَّهارِ ضِياءها
فَفَضْلُكِthen your excellence لمnot يَجْحَدهُhas denied it فِيamong الناسِthe people جاحِدُany denier
فَفَضْلُكِ لم يَجْحَدهُ فِي الناسِ جاحِدُ
Even if the sun of day were denied its radiance,
If the sun of day is denied its illumination,
No denier among people has denied your excellence.
None amongst mankind can deny your merit.
بآبائِكِby your forefathers الأطهارِthe pure زُيِّنَتِwas adorned العُلاthe heights
بآبائِكِ الأطهارِ زُيِّنَتِ العُلا
فحَبَّاتُso the beads عِقْدِthe necklace المَجْدِglory منهمfrom them فَرائِدُunique gems
فحَبَّاتُ عِقْدِ المَجْدِ منهم فَرائِدُ
The heights were adorned by your pure forefathers;
Your pure fathers adorned supremacy,
Glory's necklace has matchless beads from among them.
The beads of the necklace of glory their gems.
وَرِثْتِyou inherited صفاتِqualities المصطفىthe Chosen One وَعلومَهُand his knowledge
وَرِثْتِ صفاتِ المصطفى وَعلومَهُ
فَفضْلُكُمَاso your joint excellence لولاwere it not for النُّبُوَّةُprophethood واحِدُone
فَفضْلُكُمَا لولا النُّبُوَّةُ واحِدُ
You inherited the Chosen One's qualities and his knowledge;
You inherited the traits and knowledge of al-Mustafa,
But for prophethood, the excellence of you both would be one.
Thus your virtues are one if not for prophethood.
فلمso not يَنْبَسِطْhas expanded إلَّاexcept بِعِلْمِكِthrough your knowledge عالمa scholar
فلم يَنْبَسِطْ إلَّا بِعِلْمِكِ عالم
وَلمand not يَنْقَبِضْhas withdrawn إلَّاexcept بِزُهْدِكِthrough your renunciation زاهِدُan ascetic
وَلم يَنْقَبِضْ إلَّا بِزُهْدِكِ زاهِدُ
No scholar has grown expansive save through your knowledge,
No scholar freely gives but through your knowledge,
Nor any ascetic withdrawn save through your renunciation.
No ascetic constricts himself but by your abstinence.
مَعارِفُbranches of knowledge ماnot يَنْفَكُّceases يفضيimparts بِسِرِّهاwith their secret
مَعارِفُ ما يَنْفَكُّ يفضي بِسِرِّها
إلىto ماجِدٍa noble man مِنْfrom آلِthe family أحْمَدَAhmad ماجِدُa noble man
إلى ماجِدٍ مِنْ آلِ أحْمَدَ ماجِدُ
Branches of knowledge whose secret is unceasingly imparted
Cognizance whose mysteries continuously pour forth
By one noble man to another of Ahmad's family.
To the glorious one from Ahmad's house, the glorious one.
يُضيءُshines مُحيَّاهُhis face كأنَّas though ثَنَاءَهُpraise of him
يُضيءُ مُحيَّاهُ كأنَّ ثَنَاءَهُ
إلىtoward الصُّبْحِthe dawn سارٍtraveling أوْor إلىtoward النَّجْمِthe star صاعدُascending
إلى الصُّبْحِ سارٍ أوْ إلى النَّجْمِ صاعدُ
His face shines, as though the praise of him
His face shines as if his praise
Journeys toward dawn or rises to the star.
Were rising to the dawn or rising to a star.
إذاwhen ماever مَضىpasses away منهمamong them إِمامُan imam هُدىًguidance أتىcomes
إذا ما مَضى منهم إِمامُ هُدىً أتى
إِمامُan imam هُدىًguidance يَدْعُوcalls إِلىto اللَّهِGod رَاشِدُrightly guided
إِمامُ هُدىً يَدْعُو إِلى اللَّهِ رَاشِدُ
Whenever a guiding imam among them passes away, there comes
Whenever an imam of guidance from them passes,
A rightly guided imam, calling to God.
An imam of guidance comes to call to Allah, rightly-guided.
تَبَلَّجَgleamed مِنْfrom نورlight النُّبُوَّةprophethood وَجْهُهُhis face
تَبَلَّجَ مِنْ نور النُّبُوَّة وَجْهُهُ
فمنهso from it عليهupon him للعُيُونfor the eyes شوَاهِدُevident signs
فمنه عليه للعُيُون شوَاهِدُ
His face gleams with the light of prophethood;
The light of prophethood appears on his face,
Upon him are visible signs of that light.
By it, sights are manifested for eyes.
وفاضَتْand overflowed بِحَارُseas العِلْمِknowledge مِنْfrom قَطْرِrain سُحْبِهاtheir clouds
وفاضَتْ بِحَارُ العِلْمِ مِنْ قَطْرِ سُحْبِها
عليهupon him فطابَتْso became pleasant لِلورادِfor those coming to drink المَوارِدُthe watering places
عليه فطابَتْ لِلورادِ المَوارِدُ
Seas of knowledge overflowed from their clouds' rain
The seas of knowledge pour forth from a droplet of its clouds,
Upon him, making the watering places sweet for those who come.
Raining upon him, so the watering places are wholesome for the visitor.
رَأىhe saw زِينَةَadornment الدُّنياthe world غُروراًdelusion فعافَهاso he shunned it
رَأى زِينَةَ الدُّنيا غُروراً فعافَها
فليسso not لهfor him إلاexcept عَلَىfor الفضلِexcellence حاسدُone who envies
فليس له إلا عَلَى الفضلِ حاسدُ
He saw the world's adornment as delusion and shunned it;
He saw the adornment of life as delusion, so he shunned it,
None envies him except for his excellence.
For him, none reproaches his merit but the envious.
كأنَّas though المعالىthe lofty stations الآهلاتinhabited بِغَيْرِهِby others than him
كأنَّ المعالى الآهلات بِغَيْرِهِ
رُبوعٌdwellings خَلَتْbecame empty مِنْof أهلِهاtheir inhabitants وَمَعاهِدُand haunts
رُبوعٌ خَلَتْ مِنْ أهلِها وَمَعاهِدُ
As though the heights of honor inhabited by others
It is as if, without him, the sublime domains
Were dwellings and haunts emptied of their people.
Are lands devoid of their inhabitants and covenants.
إِذَاwhen ذُكِرَتْare mentioned أَعمالُهhis deeds وَعُلومُهand his knowledge
إِذَا ذُكِرَتْ أَعمالُه وَعُلومُه
أقَرَّacknowledged لهَاthem زَيْدٌZayd وَبَكْرٌand Bakr وَخالدُand Khalid
أقَرَّ لهَا زَيْدٌ وَبَكْرٌ وَخالدُ
When his deeds and learning are mentioned,
Whenever his deeds and knowledge are mentioned,
Zayd, Bakr, and Khalid acknowledge them.
Zayd, Bakr, and Khalid concur with it.
وَماand not يَسْتَوِيis equal فيin الفضلِexcellence حالٍan adorned one وَعاطِلٌand an unadorned one
وَما يَسْتَوِي في الفضلِ حالٍ وَعاطِلٌ
وَلاnor قاعِدٌone sitting out يومَthe day of الوغَىbattle وَمجاهِدُand a fighter
وَلا قاعِدٌ يومَ الوغَى وَمجاهِدُ
The adorned and the unadorned are not equal in merit,
One present and idle are not equal in merit,
Nor one who sits out battle and one who fights.
Nor one sitting during battle, and one striving.
فَقُلْso say لِبَنِيto the children of الزَّهْراءal-Zahra والقَوْلُand the saying قُرْبَةٌan act of devotion
فَقُلْ لِبَنِي الزَّهْراء والقَوْلُ قُرْبَةٌ
يَكِلُّgrows weary لسانٌa tongue فيهِمُabout them أوْor حصائدُword-harvests
يَكِلُّ لسانٌ فيهِمُ أوْ حصائدُ
Say to al-Zahra's children—and the words are an act of devotion—
Say to the Banu Zahra - and speech is nearness -
A tongue—or the words it reaps—grows weary speaking of them.
A tongue falters concerning them, and so do poems.
أحَبَّكُمُloved you قلبيmy heart فأصبحَso became مَنْطِقِيmy speech
أحَبَّكُمُ قلبي فأصبحَ مَنْطِقِي
يُجادِلُargues عنكمon your behalf حِسْبَةًin devotion وَيُجالدُand fights
يُجادِلُ عنكم حِسْبَةً وَيُجالدُ
My heart has loved you, and so my speech has come
My heart loved you, so my speech argues
To argue for you in devotion, and to fight.
To champion you and contends.
وَهلand is it حُبُّكُمْlove for you لِلنَّاسِfor people إِلَّاanything but عَقِيدةٌa creed
وَهل حُبُّكُمْ لِلنَّاسِ إِلَّا عَقِيدةٌ
عَلَىupon أُسِّهَاits foundation فيin اللَّهِGod تُبْنَىare built القَواعِدُthe principles
عَلَى أُسِّهَا في اللَّهِ تُبْنَى القَواعِدُ
Is love for you, among people, anything but a creed
Is love of you for people anything but a doctrine
Upon whose foundation the principles of faith in God are built?
Built on a foundation of love for Allah?
وإنَّand indeed اعتقاداًa belief خالياًdevoid منْof مَحَبَّةٍlove
وإنَّ اعتقاداً خالياً منْ مَحَبَّةٍ
وَوُدٍّand affection لكمْfor you آلَO family of النبيِّthe Prophet لفاسِدُis surely corrupt
وَوُدٍّ لكمْ آلَ النبيِّ لفاسِدُ
Surely any belief devoid of love
A belief empty of love and affection for you
And affection for you, the Prophet's family, is corrupt.
The family of the Prophet is corrupt.
وإنيand I لأَرْجُوindeed hope أنthat سَيُلْحِقنيwill join me بِكُمْto you
وإني لأَرْجُو أن سَيُلْحِقني بِكُمْ
وَلائيmy loyalty فَيَدْنُوso draws near المَطْلَبُthe goal المُتَبَاعِدُthe distant one
وَلائي فَيَدْنُو المَطْلَبُ المُتَبَاعِدُ
I surely hope that I shall be joined to you
I hope my loyalty will join me with you
By my loyalty, bringing the distant goal near.
And the distant goal will draw near.
فإِنَّfor indeed سَراةَnobles القَوْمِthe people منهمamong them عَبِيدُهمْtheir servants
فإِنَّ سَراةَ القَوْمِ منهم عَبِيدُهمْ
وإنَّand indeed حُرُوفَletters النُّطْقِspeech منهاamong them الزوائِدُthe additional ones
وإنَّ حُرُوفَ النُّطْقِ منها الزوائِدُ
For among a people's nobles are their servants,
The elite of a people are their servants,
And among speech's letters are the additional ones.
And surplus letters of speech are but extras.
فَدَتْكُمْmay ransom you أُناسٌpeople نازَعُوكُمْcontested with you سِيَادةًsovereignty
فَدَتْكُمْ أُناسٌ نازَعُوكُمْ سِيَادةً
فلمso not أدْرِI knew ساداتٌlords هُمُthey أَمْor أسَاوِدُblack serpents
فلم أدْرِ ساداتٌ هُمُ أَمْ أسَاوِدُ
May those who disputed your lordship be your ransom!
People who disputed your mastery have ransomed you
I cannot tell whether they are lords or black serpents.
So I did not know if they were masters or slaves.
أرادواthey intended بكمagainst you كَيْدَاًa plot فكادواso they plotted against نُفُوسَهُمْthemselves
أرادوا بكم كَيْدَاً فكادوا نُفُوسَهُمْ
بكمthrough you وعَلَىand upon الأَشْقَىthe most wretched تَعودُreturn المكايِدُthe plots
بكم وعَلَى الأَشْقَى تَعودُ المكايِدُ
They intended a plot against you, but plotted against themselves
They intended you evil, but harmed their own souls
Through you; plots return upon the most wretched.
And plotting returns to ruin the plotter.
فإنْthen if حِيزَتِhas been gathered الدُّنياthe world إليهمْto them فإنَّthen indeed مَنْwhoever
فإنْ حِيزَتِ الدُّنيا إليهمْ فإنَّ مَنْ
نَفَىrejected زَيْفَهَاits false coin سَلْماًpeacefully إليهمto them لناقِدُis surely an assayer
نَفَى زَيْفَهَا سَلْماً إليهم لناقِدُ
If the world has been gathered into their hands, then whoever
If the life of this world inclines to them, then whoever
Peacefully rejected its false coin, leaving it to them, is a true assayer.
Renounces its sham will be secure from them.
ولوand if أنكمyou indeed أبناؤُهاher sons ماnot أبَتْكُمshe rejected you
ولو أنكم أبناؤُها ما أبَتْكُم
ماnot كانَwas مَوْلودٌa child لِيأْباهُto be rejected by him وَالِدُa parent
ما كانَ مَوْلودٌ لِيأْباهُ وَالِدُ
Were you her sons, she would not have rejected you;
Had you been its sons, it would not have detested you -
No child would be rejected by a parent.
No newborn is detested by the parent!
إذَاwhen ماever تَذَكَّرْتُI recalled القضاياthe events التيthat جرتْtook place
إذَا ما تَذَكَّرْتُ القضايا التي جرتْ
أُقِضَّتْwere made rough عَلَىupon جَنْبَيَّmy two sides منهاbecause of them المَراقِدُthe beds
أُقِضَّتْ عَلَى جَنْبَيَّ منها المَراقِدُ
Whenever I recall the events that took place,
When I remember the events which transpired,
Because of them, my beds grow rough beneath my sides.
Judgments carried out that on my side are graves,
وجَدَّدَتِand renewed الذِّكْرَىmemory عَلَيupon me بَلابِلاًanxieties
وجَدَّدَتِ الذِّكْرَى عَلَي بَلابِلاً
أُكابِدُI endure منهاfrom them فيin الدُّجَىthe darkness ماwhat أُكابِدُI endure
أُكابِدُ منها في الدُّجَى ما أُكابِدُ
Memory renews my anxieties,
And memories renew calamities for me,
Of which I endure in darkness what I endure.
Which I endure in the darkness of night as I endure,
أفِيis it in مِثْلِthe like of ذاكَthat الخَطْبِthe calamity ماnot سُلَّwas drawn مُغْمَدٌa sheathed sword
أفِي مِثْلِ ذاكَ الخَطْبِ ما سُلَّ مُغْمَدٌ
ولاnor قامَstood up فيin نَصْرِdefense القَرَابَةِthe kin قاعِدُa seated one
ولا قامَ في نَصْرِ القَرَابَةِ قاعِدُ
In a calamity like that, was no sheathed sword drawn,
Is this the manner of address while swords are sheathed
Nor any seated man stirred to defend the kin?
And no one stands to defend his kin?
تعاظمَgrew immense رُزْءاًas a calamity فالعُيُونُso the eyes شواخِصٌstaring
تعاظمَ رُزْءاً فالعُيُونُ شواخِصٌ
لهُat it دَهْشَةًin bewilderment وَالثَّاكِلاتُand bereaved mothers سَوَامِدُdazed
لهُ دَهْشَةً وَالثَّاكِلاتُ سَوَامِدُ
It grew immense as a calamity: eyes stared
It has swollen to become a disgrace, while eyes stare
At it in shock, and bereaved mothers stood dazed.
In consternation, and the heedless are shrouds.
وطُفِّفَand was shortchanged يومَthe day of الطَّفِّal-Taff كَيْلُthe measure دِمائكمyour blood
وطُفِّفَ يومَ الطَّفِّ كَيْلُ دِمائكم
إذwhen الدَّمُthe blood جارٍflowing فيهin it والدَّمْعُand the tears جَامِدُcongealed
إذ الدَّمُ جارٍ فيه والدَّمْعُ جَامِدُ
On the day of al-Taff, the measure of your blood was shortchanged,
The day you were bereaved, your blood's measure was diminished
As blood flowed there while tears were frozen.
While blood flows and tears remain frozen.
فياso O فِتْنَةًan ordeal بعْدَafter النبيِّthe Prophet بهاthrough it غَداcame to be
فيا فِتْنَةً بعْدَ النبيِّ بها غَدا
يُهدمُis demolished إيمانٌfaith وتُبْنَىand are built مساجدُmosques
يُهدمُ إيمانٌ وتُبْنَى مساجدُ
What an ordeal after the Prophet, through which
What strife after the Prophet by which
Faith came to be demolished while mosques were built!
Faith is demolished and mosques constructed!
وماand not فتِنَتْwere tried بعدَafter ابنِthe son of عِمْرَانImran قَوْمُهُhis people
وما فتِنَتْ بعدَ ابنِ عِمْرَان قَوْمُهُ
بماthrough what عَبَدُواthey worshipped إِلَّاexcept لِيَهْلِكَso that might perish عَابِدُa worshipper
بما عَبَدُوا إِلَّا لِيَهْلِكَ عَابِدُ
After Imran's son, his people were not tried
After the son of Imran, his people were not tried
Through what they worshipped, save that a worshipper might perish.
By what they worshiped except that the worshipper perish.
كذاكَthus أَرادَwilled اللَّهُGod منكُمْfrom you ومِنْهمُand from them
كذاكَ أَرادَ اللَّهُ منكُمْ ومِنْهمُ
وليسand not لهfor Him فيماin what يُريدُHe wills مُعانِدُan opposer
وليس له فيما يُريدُ مُعانِدُ
Such was God's will for you and for them,
Just so did Allah intend for you and them,
And none can oppose Him in what He wills.
And none can oppose what he desires.
وَلوand if لمْnot يكنْthere were فيin ذَاكَthat مَحْضُpure سعادةٍblessedness
وَلو لمْ يكنْ في ذَاكَ مَحْضُ سعادةٍ
لكمfor you دونَهمْnot them لَمْnot يُغْمِدِwould sheath السَّيْفَthe sword غامدُone who sheathes
لكم دونَهمْ لَمْ يُغْمِدِ السَّيْفَ غامدُ
Had there not been in that pure blessedness
Had that not spelled sheer good fortune for you, not them,
For you, not them, no one would have sheathed the sword.
No sword would be sheathed.
وَأَنتُمْand you أُناسٌa people أُذْهِبَwas removed الرِّجْسُdefilement عنهمُfrom them
وَأَنتُمْ أُناسٌ أُذْهِبَ الرِّجْسُ عنهمُ
فليسَso not لهمfor them خَطْبٌa calamity وإنْeven if جَلَّit grew great جاهِدُexhausting
فليسَ لهم خَطْبٌ وإنْ جَلَّ جاهِدُ
You are a people from whom defilement was removed;
You are people from whom impurity is lifted,
No calamity exhausts them, however great.
So you have no concerns, even if a warrior is valiant.
إذاwhen ماever رَضُواthey are pleased للَّهِfor God's sake أوor غَضِبُواthey are angry لهُfor Him
إذا ما رَضُوا للَّهِ أو غَضِبُوا لهُ
تَسَاوَىare equal الأَدَانِيthe near ones عندَهمin their eyes والأباعِدُand the distant ones
تَسَاوَى الأَدَانِي عندَهم والأباعِدُ
When they are pleased for God's sake or angered for Him,
When content with Allah or angry for Him,
The near and the distant are equal in their eyes.
The near and remote are equal to them.
وسِيَّانand equal مِنْfrom جَمْرِembers العِدَاthe enemies مُتَوَقِّدٌblazing
وسِيَّان مِنْ جَمْرِ العِدَا مُتَوَقِّدٌ
عَلَىupon بَهْرَمَانِsafflower الصِّدْقِsincerity منكمfrom you وخَامِدُand extinguished
عَلَى بَهْرَمَانِ الصِّدْقِ منكم وخَامِدُ
The enemy's embers are alike, whether blazing
The ignited embers of enmity are
Upon your safflower-red sincerity or extinguished.
The same to them on the carpet of truth and doused.
وفَدْتُI came as a visitor عليكمto you بالمَدِيحِwith praise وَكلُّكمand each of you
وفَدْتُ عليكم بالمَدِيحِ وَكلُّكم
عليهto him كتابُthe Book of اللَّهِGod بالمَدْحِwith praise وَافِدُcoming as a visitor
عليه كتابُ اللَّهِ بالمَدْحِ وَافِدُ
I have come to you with praise, while to each of you
I have presented you, all of you, with praise, and for each
The Book of God comes bearing praise.
The Book of Allah has presented in praise provisions.
وَقدand indeed بيَّنتْhas made clear لِيto me هلْhas ...? أتَىcome كَمْhow much أتَىhas appeared بهَاin it
وَقد بيَّنتْ لِي هلْ أتَى كَمْ أتَى بهَا
مكارمُnoble qualities أخْلاقٍcharacter لكمof yours وَمَحَامِدُand praiseworthy traits
مكارمُ أخْلاقٍ لكم وَمَحَامِدُ
'Has There Come' has shown me how much appears within it
It clarified to me - did what came with it,
Of your noble virtues and praiseworthy qualities.
Of noble character for you and your glories, come?
فَلَوْلاso were it not for تَغضيكمyour indulgence لناtoward us فيin مديحِكمpraising you
فَلَوْلا تَغضيكم لنا في مديحِكم
لَرُدَّتْwould be returned عليناto us بالعيوبِfor their faults القصائدُthe poems
لَرُدَّتْ علينا بالعيوبِ القصائدُ
Were it not for your indulgence toward us in praising you,
Were it not for your pardoning us for praising you,
Our poems would be returned to us for their faults.
Poems would rebuke me for my faults.
وَلَمْand not أَرْتَزِقْI earned a living مِنْfrom غَيْركُمْothers than you بِتِجَارَةٍthrough a trade
وَلَمْ أَرْتَزِقْ مِنْ غَيْركُمْ بِتِجَارَةٍ
بَضَائِعُهَاits wares عندamong الأَنامِhumankind كواسِدُunsalable
بَضَائِعُهَا عند الأَنامِ كواسِدُ
I have not earned a living from others through a trade
I gained nothing through trade with other than you,
Whose wares are unsalable among humankind.
Whose merchandise with people is so insignificant.
عَمَدْتُI turned لِقَوْمٍto a people منهمamong them فكَأَنَّنِيso as though I
عَمَدْتُ لِقَوْمٍ منهم فكَأَنَّنِي
عَلَىtoward عَمَدٍpillars لاnot يَرْجِعُreturns القَوْلَthe word عَامِدُone turning toward
عَلَى عَمَدٍ لا يَرْجِعُ القَوْلَ عَامِدُ
I turned to some of them, and it was as though I
I set about seeking a people among them and was as if
Were turning toward pillars that return no word.
I sought a pillar that my words do not ascend.
أَأَطْلُبُshall I seek مِنْfrom قَوْمٍa people سِواكُمother than you مُسَاعِداًa helper
أَأَطْلُبُ مِنْ قَوْمٍ سِواكُم مُسَاعِداً
وقدand indeed صَدَّهمhas prevented them حِرْمانُهُمْtheir deprivation أنْto يُسَاعِدُواthey help
وقد صَدَّهم حِرْمانُهُمْ أنْ يُسَاعِدُوا
Shall I seek a helper from a people other than you,
Shall I seek aid from a people other than you
When their own deprivation has prevented them from helping?
When deprivation has barred them from giving aid?
وَمَنْand whoever وَجَدَfound الزَّنْدَthe fire-stick الذيwhich هُوَit ثاقِبٌspark-producing
وَمَنْ وَجَدَ الزَّنْدَ الذي هُوَ ثاقِبٌ
فلنْthen never يَقْدَحَwill strike الزَّنْدَthe fire-stick الذيwhich هوَit صالِدُnon-sparking
فلنْ يَقْدَحَ الزَّنْدَ الذي هوَ صالِدُ
Whoever finds a fire-stick that gives sparks
Whoever found a piercing nail,
Will never strike a fire-stick that gives none.
Will not strike one that is brittle.
وحَسْبِيand sufficient for me إذَاًthen مَدْحُpraise ابْنَةَthe daughter of الحَسَنِal-Hasan التيwho
وحَسْبِي إذَاً مَدْحُ ابْنَةَ الحَسَنِ التي
لهاto her كَرَمٌgenerosity مَجْدٌglory طَرِيفٌnewly acquired وَتَالِدُand inherited
لها كَرَمٌ مَجْدٌ طَرِيفٌ وَتَالِدُ
Enough for me, then, is praising the daughter of al-Hasan,
It suffices me to praise the daughter of al-Hasan whom
Whose generosity and glory are both newly acquired and inherited.
Generosity, glory, nobility, and high birth befit.
وَإنيand I لمُهْدٍam indeed offering مِنْfrom ثَنائيmy praise قلائداًnecklaces
وَإني لمُهْدٍ مِنْ ثَنائي قلائداً
إليهاto her حلالٌlawful هَدْيُهاtheir offering والقلائدُand the necklaces
إليها حلالٌ هَدْيُها والقلائدُ
I am offering necklaces made from my praise
I am sending her necklaces of my praise
To her: both their offering and the necklaces are lawful.
Permissible - their gift to her and necklaces.
هِيَshe العُرْوَةُthe handhold الوُثْقَىthe firmest هيَshe الرُّتَبُthe ranks العُلاthe highest
هِيَ العُرْوَةُ الوُثْقَى هيَ الرُّتَبُ العُلا
هِيَshe الغايَةُthe goal القُصْوَىthe farthest لِمَنْfor whoever هُوَhe قاصِدُseeking
هِيَ الغايَةُ القُصْوَى لِمَنْ هُوَ قاصِدُ
She is the firmest handhold; she is the highest ranks;
She is the firm handle, she is sublime rank,
She is the ultimate goal for whoever seeks.
She is the utmost goal for one who aims.
كأنّيas though I إذاwhen أنشَدْتُI recite فيamong الناسِthe people مَدْحَهاher praise
كأنّي إذا أنشَدْتُ في الناسِ مَدْحَها
لِمَاfor what ضلَّwas lost منْof ذِكْرِremembrance المَكَارِمِnoble deeds ناشِدُa seeker
لِمَا ضلَّ منْ ذِكْرِ المَكَارِمِ ناشِدُ
It is as though, when I recite her praise among people,
It is as if when I recite in praise of her among people,
I seek what has been lost of noble deeds' remembrance.
I seek what is misplaced of the mention of noble deeds.
أَسَيِّدَتيO my lady هاbehold قدalready رَجَوْتُكِI hoped in you مُعْلِناًopenly
أَسَيِّدَتي ها قد رَجَوْتُكِ مُعْلِناً
بمَاthrough what أَنَاI مِنْof دُرِّpearls المناقِبِvirtuous deeds نَاضِدُstringing together
بمَا أَنَا مِنْ دُرِّ المناقِبِ نَاضِدُ
O my lady, behold, I have placed my hope in you, proclaiming it
My lady, I have hoped in you, declaring
Through the pearls of virtues that I string together.
What I possess of the jewels of fine traits.
وَأَعْيُنُand the eyes آماليmy hopes إليكِtoward you نواظِرٌlooking
وَأَعْيُنُ آمالي إليكِ نواظِرٌ
بِمَاthrough what أَنَاI مِنْfrom عاداتِcustomary ways فضلِكِyour bounty عائدُreturning
بِمَا أَنَا مِنْ عاداتِ فضلِكِ عائدُ
The eyes of my hopes are turned toward you,
The eyes of my hopes look to you
For I return to the accustomed ways of your bounty.
For what I am used to of your exceeding merit.
وَمَاand not أجْدَبَتsuffered drought قَوْمٌa people أتىcame مِنْfrom لَدُنْهُمُtheir midst
وَمَا أجْدَبَت قَوْمٌ أتى مِنْ لَدُنْهُمُ
لِمَرْعَىto the pasture of الأمانيhopes مِنْfrom جنابِكِyour presence رائدُa scout
لِمَرْعَى الأماني مِنْ جنابِكِ رائدُ
No people have suffered drought when from their midst there has come
No people were stricken with drought from whose side
A scout seeking hopes' pasture from your presence.
A guide to the pasture of hopes from your side came.
ولولاand were it not for نَدَىthe dew كَفَّيْكِyour two palms ماnot اخضَرَّbecame green يابِسٌa dry thing
ولولا نَدَى كَفَّيْكِ ما اخضَرَّ يابِسٌ
وَلاnor اهتَزَّstirred مِنْfrom أَرْضِthe land المكارِمِnoble deeds هامِدُa lifeless thing
وَلا اهتَزَّ مِنْ أَرْضِ المكارِمِ هامِدُ
But for the dew of your hands, no dry thing would turn green,
Were it not for the dew of your palms, no barren land would green,
Nor would anything lifeless in the land of noble deeds stir.
Nor would anything budge from the land of virtues, frozen.
إلَىto اللَّهِGod أَشْكُوI complain ياO ابنَةَdaughter of الحَسَنِal-Hasan الذيwhat
إلَى اللَّهِ أَشْكُو يا ابنَةَ الحَسَنِ الذي
لَقِيتُI encountered وَإنيand I إنْif شكَوْتُI complain لحامدُsurely praising
لَقِيتُ وَإني إنْ شكَوْتُ لحامدُ
To God, O daughter of al-Hasan, I complain of what
To Allah I complain, O daughter of al-Hasan, for that
I have suffered; yet even as I complain, I give praise.
Which I faced, and if I complain, I am one who praises.
وماand what لِيَfor me لاnot أَشْكُوI complain لآلِto the family of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
وما لِيَ لا أَشْكُو لآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
خُطُوباًcalamities بهاthrough which ضاقتْbecame narrow عليَّupon me المراصِدُthe lookouts
خُطُوباً بها ضاقتْ عليَّ المراصِدُ
Why should I not complain to Muhammad's family
How can I not complain to the family of Muhammad
Of calamities that have closed my outlooks to me?
Of afflictions under which the watchtowers narrow for me?
ومَنْand who لصُرُوفِagainst the vicissitudes of الدَّهْرِtime عَنِّيَfrom me صارفٌone who turns away
ومَنْ لصُرُوفِ الدَّهْرِ عَنِّيَ صارفٌ
ومَنْand who لهُمُومِagainst the sorrows of القَلْبِthe heart عَنِّيَfrom me طارِدُone who drives away
ومَنْ لهُمُومِ القَلْبِ عَنِّيَ طارِدُ
Who will turn time's vicissitudes away from me?
Who can divert the vicissitudes of time from me
Who will drive the heart's sorrows away from me?
And avert the sorrows of my heart from me?
تَسَلَّطَgained dominion شَيْطَانٌa devil مِنَfrom النَّفْسِthe self غَالِبٌoverpowering
تَسَلَّطَ شَيْطَانٌ مِنَ النَّفْسِ غَالِبٌ
عَلَيَّover me وَشَيْطَانٌand a devil مِنَfrom البؤْسِmisery مارِدُrebellious
عَلَيَّ وَشَيْطَانٌ مِنَ البؤْسِ مارِدُ
An overpowering devil from my own soul has gained dominion
A defiant devil from the soul has conquered me,
Over me, and a rebellious devil from misery.
As has a refractory devil from misery.
فياso O وَيْحَalas for قَلْبٍa heart ماnot تَزَالُceases سماؤُهُits sky
فيا وَيْحَ قَلْبٍ ما تَزَالُ سماؤُهُ
بهاin it لِشَياطِينِfor the devils of الخُطُوبِcalamities مقاعِدُseats
بها لِشَياطِينِ الخُطُوبِ مقاعِدُ
Alas for a heart whose sky still
Woe to a heart whose sky
Has seats for the devils of calamity!
Remains a seat for the devils of afflictions!
فياso O سامِعَhearer of الشَّكْوَىcomplaints وَيَاand O كاشفَremover of البَلاaffliction
فيا سامِعَ الشَّكْوَى وَيَا كاشفَ البَلا
إذَاwhen نَزَلَتْdescend فيupon العالَمِينَall beings الشَّدَائِدُhardships
إذَا نَزَلَتْ في العالَمِينَ الشَّدَائِدُ
O Hearer of complaints, O Remover of affliction,
My God, the Hearer of complaint and Reliever of plight
When hardships descend upon all beings;
When calamities befall the worlds.
وَياand O مَنْwho هَدَىguided الطِّفْلَthe infant الرَّضِيعَthe suckling وَلَمْand not تَؤُبhad come
وَيا مَنْ هَدَى الطِّفْلَ الرَّضِيعَ وَلَمْ تَؤُب
إليهِto it قُوَىpowers عَقْلٍreason وَلاnor اشْتَدَّgrew strong ساعِدُan arm
إليهِ قُوَى عَقْلٍ وَلا اشْتَدَّ ساعِدُ
O You who guided the suckling infant, though no
He who guided the suckling infant though
Powers of reason had yet come to it, nor had its arm grown strong;
Neither the strength of mind appeared nor the arm strengthened.
وَياand O مَنْwho سَقَىgave water to الوَحْشَthe wild beasts الظِّماءَthe thirsty وَقدand already حَمَتْguarded
وَيا مَنْ سَقَى الوَحْشَ الظِّماءَ وَقد حَمَتْ
مَوَارِدَهَاtheir watering places مِنْfrom أَنْbeing تُنالَreached المَصَايدُthe traps
مَوَارِدَهَا مِنْ أَنْ تُنالَ المَصَايدُ
O You who watered thirsty wild beasts, though
He who quenched the thirst of beasts though
Traps had guarded their watering places against being reached;
Their watering places prevented them from hunting prey.
وَياand O مَنْwho يُزَجِّيguides الفُلْكَthe ships فيin البَحْرِthe sea لُطْفُهُHis gentleness
وَيا مَنْ يُزَجِّي الفُلْكَ في البَحْرِ لُطْفُهُ
وهنَّwhile they جوَارٍsailing بَلْnay وَهُنَّwhile they رَوَاكِدُstationary
وهنَّ جوَارٍ بَلْ وَهُنَّ رَوَاكِدُ
O You whose gentleness guides ships across the sea,
He whose subtle care rescues ships at sea,
While they sail—nay, even while they lie still;
Though they be fragile, nay collapsing.
وَياand O مَنْwho هُوَHe السَّبْعَthe seven الطَّوَابقَtiers رَافعُone who raises
وَيا مَنْ هُوَ السَّبْعَ الطَّوَابقَ رَافعُ
ومَنْand who هُوَHe لِلأَرْضِfor the earth البسيطةِthe outspread ماهِدُone who lays out
ومَنْ هُوَ لِلأَرْضِ البسيطةِ ماهِدُ
O You who raise the seven tiers,
He who is the seven oft-repeated
And who lay out the outspread earth;
And He who holds the vast earth stable.
وَياand O مَنْwho تُنَاديناcall us خَزَائِنُtreasuries فضلِهِHis bounty
وَيا مَنْ تُنَادينا خَزَائِنُ فضلِهِ
إلىto رِفْدِهِHis gifts إِنْif أَمْسَكَwithheld الفضلَbounty رافِدُa giver
إلى رِفْدِهِ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ الفضلَ رافِدُ
O You whose treasuries of bounty call us
Your treasuries of favor call us
To Your gifts when a giver withholds his bounty;
To Your provision, if the generous withholds favor.
فلاso not البابُthe door منof تِلْكَthose الخزائنtreasuries مُغْلَقٌclosed
فلا البابُ من تِلْكَ الخزائن مُغْلَقٌ
وَلاnor خَيرَgoodness مِنْfrom تِلْكَthose الخزَائنtreasuries نافِدُexhausted
وَلا خَيرَ مِنْ تِلْكَ الخزَائن نافِدُ
No door of those treasuries is closed,
Neither is that door from those treasuries closed,
Nor is any goodness from those treasuries exhausted.
Nor does good from those treasuries ebb.
دَعَوتكَI called upon You مِنْfrom فَقْرٍpoverty إليكtoward You وَحاجةٍand need
دَعَوتكَ مِنْ فَقْرٍ إليك وَحاجةٍ
وَكلٌّand everyone بماthrough what يَلْقَاهُhe encounters لِلصَّبْرِof patience فاقِدُbereft
وَكلٌّ بما يَلْقَاهُ لِلصَّبْرِ فاقِدُ
I have called upon You in poverty and need of You;
I called You out of poverty and need to You,
Everyone, through what he encounters, is bereft of patience.
And each finds nothing to avail patience.
وَأَفضَتْand disclosed بماwith what فيهاwithin them إليكَto You ضَمَائِرٌinmost hearts
وَأَفضَتْ بما فيها إليكَ ضَمَائِرٌ
وأنتَand You عَلَىof ماwhat فيin الضَّمائرِthe inmost hearts شاهدُa witness
وأنتَ عَلَى ما في الضَّمائرِ شاهدُ
Inmost hearts have disclosed to You what they hold,
Consciences have confided to You what they contain,
And You witness whatever lies within those hearts.
And You witness what consciences conceal.
دَعَوْنَاكَwe called upon You مُضْطَرينin dire need ياO رَبِّmy Lord فاسْتَجِبْso answer
دَعَوْنَاكَ مُضْطَرين يا رَبِّ فاسْتَجِبْ
فإِنّكَfor You لمnot تُخْلَفْhave been broken لَدَيْكَin Your presence المواعِدُthe promises
فإِنّكَ لم تُخْلَفْ لَدَيْكَ المواعِدُ
We have called upon You in dire need, O Lord: answer us,
We called You compelled, my God, so answer!
For no promises have been broken in Your presence.
You never fail to keep Your promise.
فَلَيْسَso not لَنَاfor us غوْثٌsuccor سِوَاكَother than You وَمَلْجَأٌand a refuge
فَلَيْسَ لَنَا غوْثٌ سِوَاكَ وَمَلْجَأٌ
نُراجِعُهُwe turn to it فيin كَرْبِنَاour distress وَنُعاوِدُand return
نُراجِعُهُ في كَرْبِنَا وَنُعاوِدُ
We have no succor or refuge but You,
We have no succor but You, no refuge
To turn to, again and again, in our anguish.
We resort to in hardship and recur to.
فَقَدِّرْso decree لناfor us الخيرَthe goodness الذيwhich أنتَYou أهلُهُworthy of it
فَقَدِّرْ لنا الخيرَ الذي أنتَ أهلُهُ
فماfor not أَحَدٌanyone عَمَّاfrom what تُقَدِّرُYou decree حائدُdeviating
فما أَحَدٌ عَمَّا تُقَدِّرُ حائدُ
Decree for us the goodness befitting You,
Ordain for us the good of which You are worthy,
For none can turn aside from what You decree.
For none diverts what You ordain.
وَصَفْحاًand pardon عنِfor الذَّنبِthe sin الذيwhich هوَit سائقُdriving
وَصَفْحاً عنِ الذَّنبِ الذي هوَ سائقُ
لِناركَto Your fire إِلَّاexcept إنْif عَفَوْتَYou pardon وَقائدُand leading
لِناركَ إِلَّا إنْ عَفَوْتَ وَقائدُ
And pardon the sin that drives us
Pardon the sin which drives
And leads us to Your fire, unless You forgive.
To Your fire unless You pardon and guide.
وَصلْand join حَبْلَنَاour cord بالمصطفىto the Chosen One إِنَّindeed حَبْلَهُhis cord
وَصلْ حَبْلَنَا بالمصطفى إِنَّ حَبْلَهُ
لناfor us صِلةٌa bond يَاO رَبِّmy Lord منكَfrom You وعَائدُand a benefit
لنا صِلةٌ يَا رَبِّ منكَ وعَائدُ
Join our cord to the Chosen One, for his cord
Connect our pact to al-Mustafa, his pact
Is a bond and a benefit to us from You, O Lord.
Is to us, my Lord, connection and return to You.
عليهupon him صلاةُblessings اللَّهِGod ماas long as أُحمِدَis praised السُّرَىnight travel
عليه صلاةُ اللَّهِ ما أُحمِدَ السُّرَى
إليهto him وَذَلَّتْand submit لِلْمَطِيِّto the mounts فَدَافِدُrugged plains
إليه وَذَلَّتْ لِلْمَطِيِّ فَدَافِدُ
God's blessings be upon him, as long as night journeys are praised
Blessings of Allah be upon him so long as Suraya slopes
Toward him, and rugged plains submit to the mounts.
Stretch down to him and mounts for the Rider kneel.
Sol 6.1