غَيْرُnot مُجْدٍavailing فِيin مِلَّتِيmy creed وَاعْتِقَادِيand my belief
غَيْرُ مُجْدٍ فِي مِلَّتِي وَاعْتِقَادِي
نَوْحُwailing بَاكٍone who weeps وَلَاnor تَرَنُّمُsinging شَادِa singer
نَوْحُ بَاكٍ وَلَا تَرَنُّمُ شَادِ
Of no avail, in my creed and belief,
With no glory in my religion or belief
are a weeper's lament and a singer's song.
A weeping lament, no joyful singing
وَشَبِيهٌand alike صَوْتُthe voice of النَّعِيِّthe death-announcer إِذَاwhen قِيـwas compared (beginning)
وَشَبِيهٌ صَوْتُ النَّعِيِّ إِذَا قِيـ
ـسَwas compared (ending) بِصَوْتِwith the voice of الْبَشِيرِthe glad herald فِيin كُلِّevery نَادِgathering
ـسَ بِصَوْتِ الْبَشِيرِ فِي كُلِّ نَادِ
And the death-announcer's voice sounds the same, when compared
The voice of the mourner when he wails
with the glad herald's voice in every gathering.
Is nothing like the voice of one who bears good news in any settlement
أَبَكَتْdid she weep? تِلْكُمُthat (addressing you all) الْحَمَامَةُthe dove أَمْor غَنَّـshe sang (beginning)
أَبَكَتْ تِلْكُمُ الْحَمَامَةُ أَمْ غَنَّـ
ـتْshe sang (ending) عَلَىupon فَرْعِthe tip of غُصْنِهَاher branch الْمَيَّادِswaying
ـتْ عَلَى فَرْعِ غُصْنِهَا الْمَيَّادِ
Did that dove weep, or did she sing
Did that dove weep or sing
upon the tip of her swaying branch?
On the branch of its supple bough?
صَاحِO friend هَذِهْthese قُبُورُنَاour graves تَمْلَأُfill الرُّحْـopen spaces (beginning)
صَاحِ هَذِهْ قُبُورُنَا تَمْلَأُ الرُّحْـ
ـبَopen spaces (ending) فَأَيْنَso where الْقُبُورُthe graves مِنْfrom عَهْدِthe age of عَادِ'Ad؟
ـبَ فَأَيْنَ الْقُبُورُ مِنْ عَهْدِ عَادِ؟
Friend, these graves of ours fill the open spaces;
“Be quiet!” our graves are crying, “How can graves
where, then, are the graves from the age of 'Ad?
Compare to the ruins of the ancient tribe of ‘Aad?”
خَفِّفِlighten الْوَطْءَthe tread مَاnot أَظُنُّI think أَدِيمَthe surface of الْـthe (beginning of 'earth')
خَفِّفِ الْوَطْءَ مَا أَظُنُّ أَدِيمَ الْـ
أَرْضِearth إِلَّاexcept مِنْof هَذِهِthese الْأَجْسَادِbodies
أَرْضِ إِلَّا مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَجْسَادِ
Tread lightly: I think the surface of the
Walk gently. I think nothing but
earth is nothing but these bodies.
These corpses harden the earth
وَقَبِيحٌand shameful بِنَاfor us وَإِنْand even if قَدُمَbecame long past الْعَهْـthe age (beginning)
وَقَبِيحٌ بِنَا وَإِنْ قَدُمَ الْعَهْـ
ـدُage (ending) هَوَانُdishonoring الْآبَاءِthe fathers وَالْأَجْدَادِand forefathers
ـدُ هَوَانُ الْآبَاءِ وَالْأَجْدَادِ
And shameful for us, though the age is long past,
Though long in age, it’s disgraceful, my fathers
is contempt for fathers and forefathers.
And forefathers forgotten and neglected
سِرْwalk إِنِif اسْطَعْتَyou can فِيin الْهَوَاءِthe air رُوَيْدًاgently
سِرْ إِنِ اسْطَعْتَ فِي الْهَوَاءِ رُوَيْدًا
لَاnot اخْتِيَالًاswaggering عَلَىover رُفَاتِthe remains of الْعِبَادِthe servants
لَا اخْتِيَالًا عَلَى رُفَاتِ الْعِبَادِ
Walk gently in the air, if you can,
Walk slowly in the air if you shine
not strutting over the mortal remains of God's servants.
Not prancing over the bodies of men
رُبَّmany a لَحْدٍgrave قَدْalready صَارَhas become لَحْدًاa grave مِرَارًاrepeatedly
رُبَّ لَحْدٍ قَدْ صَارَ لَحْدًا مِرَارًا
ضَاحِكٍlaughing مِنْat تَزَاحُمِthe crowding of الْأَضْدَادِopposites
ضَاحِكٍ مِنْ تَزَاحُمِ الْأَضْدَادِ
Many a grave has become a grave time and again,
How many graves have become graves time and again
laughing at the crowding of opposites.
Laughing at the crowding of opposites
وَدَفِينٍand one buried عَلَىupon بَقَايَاthe remains of دَفِينٍone buried
وَدَفِينٍ عَلَى بَقَايَا دَفِينٍ
فِيthrough طَوِيلِthe length of الْأَزْمَانِthe ages وَالْآبَادِand eternities
فِي طَوِيلِ الْأَزْمَانِ وَالْآبَادِ
And many a buried one lies upon another's remains,
And are buried above the remains of buried ones
through the long ages and eternities.
In the long expanse of time and habitation
فَاسْأَلِso ask الْفَرْقَدَيْنِthe two Farqad stars عَمَّنْabout whom أَحَسَّاthey both perceived
فَاسْأَلِ الْفَرْقَدَيْنِ عَمَّنْ أَحَسَّا
مِنْamong قَبِيلٍtribes وَآنَسَاand they both beheld مِنْof بِلَادِlands
مِنْ قَبِيلٍ وَآنَسَا مِنْ بِلَادِ
Ask, then, the two Farqad stars whom they have perceived
So ask the two crickets about their tribes
among tribes, and what lands they have beheld.
And homelands they recognized
كَمْhow often أَقَامَاthey both remained عَلَىthrough زَوَالِthe passing of نَهَارٍa day
كَمْ أَقَامَا عَلَى زَوَالِ نَهَارٍ
وَأَنَارَاand they both shone لِمُدْلِجٍfor a night-traveler فِيin سَوَادِdarkness
وَأَنَارَا لِمُدْلِجٍ فِي سَوَادِ
How often they have remained as a day passed away,
How long they stayed till the setting of the sun
and shone for a night-traveler in the darkness.
And gave light to the darkened gloom
تَعَبٌweariness كُلُّهَاall of it الْحَيَاةُlife فَمَاso not أَعْـI marvel (beginning)
تَعَبٌ كُلُّهَا الْحَيَاةُ فَمَا أَعْـ
ـجَبُI marvel (ending) إِلَّاexcept مِنْat رَاغِبٍone desiring فِيin ازْدِيَادِan increase
ـجَبُ إِلَّا مِنْ رَاغِبٍ فِي ازْدِيَادِ
Life is all weariness; I do not marvel
Life is all toil. No wonder but
except at one who desires more.
From one who seeks increase
إِنَّindeed حُزْنًاgrief فِيat سَاعَةِthe hour of الْمَوْتِdeath أَضْعَاmultiples (beginning)
إِنَّ حُزْنًا فِي سَاعَةِ الْمَوْتِ أَضْعَا
فُmultiples (ending) سُرُورٍjoy فِيat سَاعَةِthe hour of الْمِيلَادِbirth
فُ سُرُورٍ فِي سَاعَةِ الْمِيلَادِ
Truly, grief at the hour of death is many times
A moment's sadness at death is weaker
the joy at the hour of birth.
Than an hour's joy at birth
خُلِقَwere created النَّاسُthe people لِلْبَقَاءِto endure فَضَلَّتْso went astray
خُلِقَ النَّاسُ لِلْبَقَاءِ فَضَلَّتْ
أُمَّةٌa people يَحْسَبُونَهُمْthey deem them لِلنَّفَادِfor extinction
أُمَّةٌ يَحْسَبُونَهُمْ لِلنَّفَادِ
People were created to endure; misguided is
Mankind was made to last, yet
a people who think them destined for extinction.
A nation thinks them fleeting
إِنَّمَاonly يُنْقَلُونَthey are transferred مِنْfrom دَارِthe abode of أَعْمَاdeeds (beginning)
إِنَّمَا يُنْقَلُونَ مِنْ دَارِ أَعْمَا
لٍdeeds (ending) إِلَىto دَارِthe abode of شِقْوَةٍmisery أَوْor رَشَادِsalvation
لٍ إِلَى دَارِ شِقْوَةٍ أَوْ رَشَادِ
They are only moved from a dwelling of deeds
Merely shifted from a house of blindness
to a dwelling of misery or salvation.
To a house of misery or guidance
ضَجْعَةُthe repose of الْمَوْتِdeath رَقْدَةٌa sleep يَسْتَرِيحُrests الْـthe (beginning of 'body')
ضَجْعَةُ الْمَوْتِ رَقْدَةٌ يَسْتَرِيحُ الْـ
ـجِسْمُbody فِيهَاin it وَالْعَيْشُand life مِثْلُlike السُّهَادِsleeplessness
ـجِسْمُ فِيهَا وَالْعَيْشُ مِثْلُ السُّهَادِ
Death's repose is a sleep that brings rest to the
The slumber of death is rest; the body
body; life is like sleeplessness.
Rests while living's like half-sleep
أَبَنَاتِO daughters of الْهَدِيلِHadil أَسْعِدْنَjoin in mourning (you women) أَوْor عِدْpromise (beginning)
أَبَنَاتِ الْهَدِيلِ أَسْعِدْنَ أَوْ عِدْ
نَpromise (ending; you women) قَلِيلَone scant in الْعَزَاءِconsolation بِالْإِسْعَادِwith aid in mourning
نَ قَلِيلَ الْعَزَاءِ بِالْإِسْعَادِ
O daughters of Hadil, join in mourning, or promise
O sighing zephyrs, happy or promise
one scant in consolation your aid in grief.
Little solace in gladness
إِيهِgo on! للهِto God belongs دَرُّكُنَّyour excellence (you women) فَأَنْتُنَّfor you (women)
إِيهِ للهِ دَرُّكُنَّ فَأَنْتُنَّ
اللَّوَاتِيthose women who تُحْسِنَّexcel at حِفْظَpreserving الْوِدَادِaffection
اللَّوَاتِي تُحْسِنَّ حِفْظَ الْوِدَادِ
Go on—God bless you! For you are
Dear God, your worth! For you are those
the ones who know how to preserve affection.
Who keep affection well preserved
مَاnot نَسِيتُنَّyou women have forgotten هَالِكًاone who perished فِيin الْأَوَانِthe age الْـthe (beginning of 'bygone')
مَا نَسِيتُنَّ هَالِكًا فِي الْأَوَانِ الْـ
ـخَالِbygone أَوْدَىperished مِنْfrom قَبْلِbefore هُلْكِthe destruction of إِيَادِIyad
ـخَالِ أَوْدَى مِنْ قَبْلِ هُلْكِ إِيَادِ
You have not forgotten one who perished in an age
Never did I forget you dying in the prime
long past, who died before Iyad's destruction.
Of life, an age before the ruin of Iyad
بَيْدَbut أَنِّيthat I لَاnot أَرْتَضِيapprove مَاwhat فَعَلْتُنَّyou women have done
بَيْدَ أَنِّي لَا أَرْتَضِي مَا فَعَلْتُنَّ
وَأَطْوَاقُكُنَّand your necklaces (you women) فِيaround الْأَجْيَادِthe necks
وَأَطْوَاقُكُنَّ فِي الْأَجْيَادِ
Yet I do not approve of what you have done,
Yet I reject what you have done—
with your necklaces still around your necks.
Your necklaces of sacrifice
فَتَسَلَّبْنَso don mourning dress (you women) وَاسْتَعِرْنَand borrow (you women) جَمِيعًاall together
فَتَسَلَّبْنَ وَاسْتَعِرْنَ جَمِيعًا
مِنْfrom قَمِيصِthe shirt of الدُّجَىdarkness ثِيَابَgarments of حِدَادِmourning
مِنْ قَمِيصِ الدُّجَى ثِيَابَ حِدَادِ
So dress in mourning, and borrow, all of you,
All of you slipped away and dressed
mourning garments from the shirt of darkness.
Yourselves in the robe of mourning's dusk
ثُمَّthen غَرِّدْنَsing (you women) فِيin الْمَآتِمِthe mourning gatherings وَانْدُبْـand lament (beginning)
ثُمَّ غَرِّدْنَ فِي الْمَآتِمِ وَانْدُبْـ
ـنَlament (ending; you women) بِشَجْوٍwith sorrow مَعَwith الْغَوَانِيthe beauties الْخِرَادِthe bashful maidens
ـنَ بِشَجْوٍ مَعَ الْغَوَانِي الْخِرَادِ
Then sing at the mourning gatherings, and lament
Then warbled in the bereavements, keened
in sorrow with the lovely, bashful maidens.
In sorrow with the talentless singers
قَصَدَtargeted الدَّهْرُTime مِنْin أَبِيAbu (father of) حَمْزَةَHamza الْأَوَّthe penitent (beginning)
قَصَدَ الدَّهْرُ مِنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ الْأَوَّ
ابِpenitent (ending) مَوْلَىa master of حِجًىreason وَخِدْنَand a companion of اقْتِصَادِmoderation
ابِ مَوْلَى حِجًى وَخِدْنَ اقْتِصَادِ
Time took aim, in Abu Hamza the penitent,
Fate aimed at my father Hamza
at a master of reason and a companion of moderation,
A scholar of Hijaz and most judicious
وَفَقِيهًاand a jurist أَفْكَارُهُhis thoughts شِدْنَbuilt up لِلنُّعْـfor Nu'man (beginning)
وَفَقِيهًا أَفْكَارُهُ شِدْنَ لِلنُّعْـ
ـمَانِNu'man (ending) مَاwhat لَمْnot يَشِدْهُbuild it شِعْرُthe poetry of زِيَادِZiyad
ـمَانِ مَا لَمْ يَشِدْهُ شِعْرُ زِيَادِ
and a jurist whose thoughts built up for Nu'man
A thinker, his ideas strengthen
what Ziyad's poetry never built.
Good deeds not even poetry of Ziyad could inspire
فَالْعِرَاقِيُّso the Iraqi بَعْدَهُafter him لِلْحِجَازِيِّtoward the Hijazi
فَالْعِرَاقِيُّ بَعْدَهُ لِلْحِجَازِيِّ
قَلِيلُlittle in الْخِلَافِdisagreement سَهْلُeasy in الْقِيَادِbeing led
قَلِيلُ الْخِلَافِ سَهْلُ الْقِيَادِ
Thus, after him, the Iraqi is, toward the Hijazi,
The Iraqi after him differed little
little given to disagreement, and easily led.
From the Hijazi, easy to guide
وَخَطِيبًاand an orator لَوْif قَامَhe stood بَيْنَamong وُحُوشٍwild beasts
وَخَطِيبًا لَوْ قَامَ بَيْنَ وُحُوشٍ
عَلَّمَwould teach الضَّارِيَاتِthe predators بِرَّthe gentleness of النِّقَادِsheep
عَلَّمَ الضَّارِيَاتِ بِرَّ النِّقَادِ
and an orator who, had he stood among wild beasts,
An orator—had he stood among beasts
would have taught predators the gentleness of sheep.
He'd have taught the ferocious gentle manners
رَاوِيًاa transmitter لِلْحَدِيثِof hadith لَمْdid not يُحْوِجِcause to need الْمَعْـwhat was known (beginning)
رَاوِيًا لِلْحَدِيثِ لَمْ يُحْوِجِ الْمَعْـ
ـرُوفَwhat was known (ending) مِنْof صِدْقِهِhis truthfulness إِلَىto الْإِسْنَادِthe chain of transmission
ـرُوفَ مِنْ صِدْقِهِ إِلَى الْإِسْنَادِ
a transmitter of traditions whose well-known
A narrator of Hadith, his honesty
truthfulness needed no chain of transmission.
Needed no support from chains of transmission
أَنْفَقَhe spent الْعُمْرَa lifetime نَاسِكًاdevoutly يَطْلُبُseeking الْعِلْـknowledge (beginning)
أَنْفَقَ الْعُمْرَ نَاسِكًا يَطْلُبُ الْعِلْـ
ـمَknowledge (ending) بِكَشْفٍby uncovering عَنْabout أَصْلِهِits foundation وَانْتِقَادِand critical examination
ـمَ بِكَشْفٍ عَنْ أَصْلِهِ وَانْتِقَادِ
He spent his life in devotion, seeking knowledge
He spent his life devoutly seeking knowledge
by uncovering its foundation and examining it critically.
Through parsing texts and precise critique
مُسْتَقِيdrawing water الْكَفِّthe hand مِنْfrom قَلِيبِa well of زُجَاجٍglass
مُسْتَقِي الْكَفِّ مِنْ قَلِيبِ زُجَاجٍ
بِغُرُوبِwith the buckets of الْيَرَاعِthe reed pen مَاءَwater of مِدَادِink
بِغُرُوبِ الْيَرَاعِ مَاءَ مِدَادِ
His hand drew from a well of glass,
Drawing water with his palm from a clay jug
with reed-pen buckets, the water of ink.
When the water bag was empty, never stained by ink
ذَاpossessing بَنَانٍfingers لَاnot تَلْمُسُtouch الذَّهَبَgold الْأَحْـred (beginning)
ذَا بَنَانٍ لَا تَلْمُسُ الذَّهَبَ الْأَحْـ
ـمَرَred (ending) زُهْدًاin renunciation فِيof الْعَسْجَدِgold الْمُسْتَفَادِacquired
ـمَرَ زُهْدًا فِي الْعَسْجَدِ الْمُسْتَفَادِ
with fingers that never touched red gold,
Of build he would not touch ochre gold
in renunciation of any gold acquired.
Or jewels, ascetic in unearned luxury
وَدِّعَاbid farewell, you two أَيُّهَاO you الْحَفِيَّانِthe two devoted ones ذَاكَthat الشَّـthe person (beginning)
وَدِّعَا أَيُّهَا الْحَفِيَّانِ ذَاكَ الشَّـ
ـخْصَperson (ending) إِنَّindeed الْوَدَاعَfarewell أَيْسَرُthe easiest زَادِprovision
ـخْصَ إِنَّ الْوَدَاعَ أَيْسَرُ زَادِ
Bid farewell, you two devoted friends, to that man;
Bid him farewell, you two mourners, that man
for farewell is the simplest provision.
For parting is the easiest provision
وَاغْسِلَاهُand wash him, you two بِالدَّمْعِwith tears إِنْif كَانَit is طُهْرًاa purification
وَاغْسِلَاهُ بِالدَّمْعِ إِنْ كَانَ طُهْرًا
وَادْفِنَاهُand bury him, you two بَيْنَbetween الْحَشَاthe inward parts وَالْفُؤَادِand the heart
وَادْفِنَاهُ بَيْنَ الْحَشَا وَالْفُؤَادِ
And wash him with tears, if they can purify,
Wash him with tears, if they are pure
and bury him between the inward parts and the heart.
Bury him between intense love and the heart
وَاحْبُوَاهُand bestow on him, you two الْأَكْفَانَshrouds مِنْfrom وَرَقِthe pages of الْمُصْـthe Qur'an (beginning)
وَاحْبُوَاهُ الْأَكْفَانَ مِنْ وَرَقِ الْمُصْـ
ـحَفِQur'an (ending) كِبْرًاin disdain عَنْfor أَنْفُسِthe most precious الْأَبْرَادِcloaks
ـحَفِ كِبْرًا عَنْ أَنْفُسِ الْأَبْرَادِ
And give him shrouds from the pages of the Qur'an,
Shroud him in leaves of parchment, too proud
in disdain for the costliest cloaks.
For common shrouds of cotton and linen
وَاتْلُوَاand follow, you two النَّعْشَthe bier بِالْقِرَاءَةِwith recitation وَالتَّسْـand glorification (beginning)
وَاتْلُوَا النَّعْشَ بِالْقِرَاءَةِ وَالتَّسْـ
ـبِيحِglorification (ending) لَاnot بِالنَّحِيبِwith sobbing وَالتَّعْدَادِand recounting virtues
ـبِيحِ لَا بِالنَّحِيبِ وَالتَّعْدَادِ
And follow the bier with recitation and glorification,
Bear his bier with reciting and praising,
not with sobbing and recounting his virtues.
Not with weeping and enumeration
أَسَفٌgrief غَيْرُnot نَافِعٍbeneficial وَاجْتِهَادٌand striving
أَسَفٌ غَيْرُ نَافِعٍ وَاجْتِهَادٌ
لَاnot يُؤَدِّيleads إِلَىto غَنَاءِthe benefit of اجْتِهَادِstriving
لَا يُؤَدِّي إِلَى غَنَاءِ اجْتِهَادِ
Grief is of no avail, and striving
Useless anguish, effort that will not
brings none of the benefit of striving.
Lead to rewarding effort
طَالَمَاoften أَخْرَجَbrought out الْحَزِينُthe grieving person جَوَىthe burning pain of الْحُزْgrief (beginning)
طَالَمَا أَخْرَجَ الْحَزِينُ جَوَى الْحُزْ
نِgrief (ending) إِلَىto غَيْرِwhat is not لَائِقٍfitting بِالسَّدَادِwith sound judgment
نِ إِلَى غَيْرِ لَائِقٍ بِالسَّدَادِ
Often the grieving one has let the burning pain of grief
How often the bereaved draws the essence of grief
lead him to what does not accord with sound judgment.
To unsuitable excess
مِثْلَlike مَاwhen فَاتَتِeluded الصَّلَاةُthe prayer سُلَيْمَاSolomon (beginning)
مِثْلَ مَا فَاتَتِ الصَّلَاةُ سُلَيْمَا
نَSolomon (ending) فَأَنْحَىso he struck عَلَىat رِقَابِthe necks of الْجِيَادِthe noble steeds
نَ فَأَنْحَى عَلَى رِقَابِ الْجِيَادِ
As when Solomon missed the prayer
As Solomon forgot the prayer, bending
and struck at the necks of the noble steeds.
The necks of steeds and straightening their ranks
وَهْوَand he مَنْthe one who سُخِّرَتْwere made subject لَهُto him الْإِنْسُhumans and jinn (see separate tokens) وَالْجِنُّand jinn
وَهْوَ مَنْ سُخِّرَتْ لَهُ الْإِنْسُ وَالْجِنُّ
بِمَاaccording to what صَحَّis confirmed مِنْfrom شَهَادَةِthe testimony of صَادِSad
بِمَا صَحَّ مِنْ شَهَادَةِ صَادِ
though he was the one to whom humans and jinn were subjected,
Though jinn and men were made subservient,
according to the confirmed testimony of Sad.
As verified by the testimony of the letter Saad
خَافَhe feared غَدْرَthe treachery of الْأَنَامِhumankind فَاسْتَوْدَعَso he entrusted الرِّيـthe wind (beginning)
خَافَ غَدْرَ الْأَنَامِ فَاسْتَوْدَعَ الرِّيـ
حـَwind (ending) سَلِيلًاa son تَغْذُوهُit nourishes him دَرَّthe milk of الْعِهَادِrecurring rains
حـَ سَلِيلًا تَغْذُوهُ دَرَّ الْعِهَادِ
He feared people's treachery and entrusted the wind
Fearing the people's betrayal, he entrusted
with a son it fed the milk of recurring rains.
The wind with his young son it reared well
وَتَوَخَّىand he sought لَهُfor him النَّجَاةَsafety وَقَدْand already أَيْـbecame certain (beginning)
وَتَوَخَّى لَهُ النَّجَاةَ وَقَدْ أَيْـ
ـقَنَbecame certain (ending) أَنَّthat الْحِمَامَdeath بِالْمِرْصَادِlay in ambush
ـقَنَ أَنَّ الْحِمَامَ بِالْمِرْصَادِ
He sought safety for him, though he was certain
Seeking safety for him, though convinced
that death lay in ambush.
The hawk spies from its lookout
فَرَمَتْهُso she pelted him بِهِwith him عَلَىon جَانِبِthe side of الْكُرْthe throne (beginning)
فَرَمَتْهُ بِهِ عَلَى جَانِبِ الْكُرْ
سِيِّthrone (ending) أُمُّmother of اللُّهَيْمِal-Luhaym (Death) أُخْتُsister of النَّآدِcalamity
سِيِّ أُمُّ اللُّهَيْمِ أُخْتُ النَّآدِ
Then she cast the son at him beside the throne—
So it cast him onto the throne
Umm al-Luhaym, sister of calamity.
Of Bilqis, sister of the abandoned ruins
كَيْفَhow أَصْبَحْتَyou have fared فِيin مَحَلِّكَyour dwelling بَعْدِيafter parting from me
كَيْفَ أَصْبَحْتَ فِي مَحَلِّكَ بَعْدِي
يَاO جَدِيرًاone deserving مِنِّيfrom me بِحُسْنِof kindly افْتِقَادِinquiry after someone
يَا جَدِيرًا مِنِّي بِحُسْنِ افْتِقَادِ
How have you fared in your dwelling, apart from me,
My dear, how are you since I left?
O you so worthy of my loving concern?
Worthy of my care and visit
قَدْindeed أَقَرَّhas admitted الطَّبِيبُthe physician عَنْكَconcerning you بِعَجْزٍinability
قَدْ أَقَرَّ الطَّبِيبُ عَنْكَ بِعَجْزٍ
وَتَقَضَّىand has ended تَرَدُّدُthe repeated visiting of الْعُوَّادِthe sickbed visitors
وَتَقَضَّى تَرَدُّدُ الْعُوَّادِ
The physician has admitted his helplessness over you,
The doctor has given up on you, confessing
and the sickbed visitors' comings and goings are over.
His helplessness, and the visitors have ceased
وَانْتَهَىand has become complete الْيَأْسُdespair مِنْكَconcerning you وَاسْتَشْعَرَand has sensed الْوَجْـgrief (beginning)
وَانْتَهَى الْيَأْسُ مِنْكَ وَاسْتَشْعَرَ الْوَجْـ
ـدُgrief (ending) بِأَنْthat لَاno مَعَادَreturn حَتَّىuntil الْمَعَادِthe Resurrection
ـدُ بِأَنْ لَا مَعَادَ حَتَّى الْمَعَادِ
Despair over you is complete, and grief has realized
Despair at recovery has ended, and wakefulness
that there is no return until the Resurrection.
Feels your return impossible, even in the thereafter
هَجَدَslept السَّاهِرُونَthe vigil-keepers حَوْلَكَaround you لِلتَّمْـfor nursing (beginning)
هَجَدَ السَّاهِرُونَ حَوْلَكَ لِلتَّمْـ
ـرِيضِnursing (ending) وَيْحٌalas لِأَعْيُنِfor the eyes of الْهُجَّادِthe sleepers
ـرِيضِ وَيْحٌ لِأَعْيُنِ الْهُجَّادِ
Those who kept vigil around you, nursing you, have slept;
The watchers around you lament your illness—
alas for the sleepers' eyes!
Woe to the eyes of mourners deprived of sleep!
أَنْتَyou مِنْfrom أُسْرَةٍa family مَضَوْاhave departed غَيْرَnot مَغْرُوdeceived (beginning)
أَنْتَ مِنْ أُسْرَةٍ مَضَوْا غَيْرَ مَغْرُو
رِينَdeceived (ending) مِنْby عِيشَةٍa life بِذَاتِwith the mistress of ضِمَادِmany lovers
رِينَ مِنْ عِيشَةٍ بِذَاتِ ضِمَادِ
You come from a family who departed undeceived
You come from a family who passed away
by life with the mistress of many lovers.
Without suffering, with no need of a bandage
لَاmay not يُغَيِّرْكُمُchange you all الصَّعِيدُthe earth وَكُونُواand be (you all)
لَا يُغَيِّرْكُمُ الصَّعِيدُ وَكُونُوا
فِيهِwithin it مِثْلَlike السُّيُوفِswords فِيwithin الْأَغْمَادِsheaths
فِيهِ مِثْلَ السُّيُوفِ فِي الْأَغْمَادِ
May the earth not alter you; and be
The pit cannot change you; remain
within it like swords in their sheaths.
In it like swords in their sheaths
فَعَزِيزٌso painful عَلَيَّto me خَلْطُthe mingling by اللَّيَالِيthe nights
فَعَزِيزٌ عَلَيَّ خَلْطُ اللَّيَالِي
رِمَّthe decayed bones of أَقْدَامِكُمْyour feet بِرِمِّwith the decayed bones of الْهَوَادِيnecks
رِمَّ أَقْدَامِكُمْ بِرِمِّ الْهَوَادِي
It pains me that the nights should mingle
It pains me to mix my nights' soil
the crumbled bones of your feet with those of necks.
With soil where your feet tread
كُنْتَyou were خِلَّthe companion of الصِّبَاboyhood فَلَمَّاso when أَرَادَwilled الْـthe (beginning of 'parting')
كُنْتَ خِلَّ الصِّبَا فَلَمَّا أَرَادَ الْـ
ـبَيْنُparting وَافَقْتَyou agreed with رَأْيَهُits opinion فِيin الْمُرَادِwhat was desired
ـبَيْنُ وَافَقْتَ رَأْيَهُ فِي الْمُرَادِ
You were my boyhood friend; when parting wished it,
Green of youth, when the Separation willed,
you consented to its design.
You agreed with it in intention
وَرَأَيْتَand you deemed الْوَفَاءَloyalty لِلصَّاحِبِto the companion الْأَوَّthe first (beginning)
وَرَأَيْتَ الْوَفَاءَ لِلصَّاحِبِ الْأَوَّ
لِfirst (ending) مِنْamong شِيمَةِthe traits of الْكَرِيمِthe noble الْجَوَادِthe generous
لِ مِنْ شِيمَةِ الْكَرِيمِ الْجَوَادِ
And you held loyalty to the first companion
Loyal friendship you saw as the mark
to be a trait of the noble and generous.
Of a generous, open-handed noble soul
وَخَلَعْتَand you cast off الشَّبَابَyouth غَضًّاfresh فَيَاso O لَيْـwould that you (beginning)
وَخَلَعْتَ الشَّبَابَ غَضًّا فَيَا لَيْـ
ـتَكَwould that you (ending) أَبْلَيْتَهُyou had worn it out مَعَwith الْأَنْدَادِpeers
ـتَكَ أَبْلَيْتَهُ مَعَ الْأَنْدَادِ
And you cast off youth while it was fresh; would that
You cast off youth while still green—
you had worn it out among your peers!
Would you had wasted it with peers!
فَاذْهَبَاso depart, you two خَيْرَbest of ذَاهِبَيْنِthe two departing حَقِيقَيْـdeserving (dual; beginning)
فَاذْهَبَا خَيْرَ ذَاهِبَيْنِ حَقِيقَيْـ
ـنِdeserving (dual; ending) بِسُقْيَاof being watered رَوَائِحٍevening rainclouds وَغَوَادِand morning rainclouds
ـنِ بِسُقْيَا رَوَائِحٍ وَغَوَادِ
So depart, you two, best of all who depart, worthy
Go—the best two could go, truthful
of watering by evening and morning rains,
With provisions of flowers and perfumes
وَمَرَاثٍand elegies لَوْif أَنَّهُنَّthey were دُمُوعٌtears
وَمَرَاثٍ لَوْ أَنَّهُنَّ دُمُوعٌ
لَمَحَوْنَthey would erase السُّطُورَthe lines فِيduring الْإِنْشَادِrecitation
لَمَحَوْنَ السُّطُورَ فِي الْإِنْشَادِ
and of elegies which, if they were tears,
And female mourners—if only they were tears
would erase the lines during recitation.
To blot out the lines of this elegy
زُحَلٌSaturn أَشْرَفُhighest of الْكَوَاكِبِthe planets دَارًاin dwelling
زُحَلٌ أَشْرَفُ الْكَوَاكِبِ دَارًا
مِنْfor لِقَاءِmeeting الرَّدَىdeath عَلَىat مِيعَادِan appointed time
مِنْ لِقَاءِ الرَّدَى عَلَى مِيعَادِ
Saturn, loftiest of the planets in its dwelling,
Saturn, noblest planet, is too high
has an appointed meeting with death.
To encounter decay, as destined
وَلِنَارِand for the fire of الْمِرِّيخِMars مِنْamong حَدَثَانِthe vicissitudes of الدَّTime (beginning)
وَلِنَارِ الْمِرِّيخِ مِنْ حَدَثَانِ الدَّ
هْرِTime (ending) مُطْفٍan extinguisher وَإِنْand even if عَلَتْit rises high فِيin اتِّقَادِblazing
هْرِ مُطْفٍ وَإِنْ عَلَتْ فِي اتِّقَادِ
And for Mars's fire, among Time's vicissitudes,
And Mars is too fiery from the days
there is an extinguisher, even if it blazes high.
Of Fate, though raging in inflammation
وَالثُّرَيَّاand the Pleiades رَهِينَةٌheld hostage بِافْتِرَاقِto the scattering of الشَّـthe cluster (beginning)
وَالثُّرَيَّا رَهِينَةٌ بِافْتِرَاقِ الشَّـ
ـمْلِcluster (ending) حَتَّىuntil تُعَدَّit is counted فِيamong الْأَفْرَادِsolitary ones
ـمْلِ حَتَّى تُعَدَّ فِي الْأَفْرَادِ
And the Pleiades are hostage to their cluster's dispersal,
And Mercury a hostage to the parting
until they are counted among solitary stars.
Of the sun, until counted alone
فَلْيَكُنْso may there be لِلْمُحَسِّنِfor al-Muhassin الْأَجَلُthe allotted lifespan الْمَمْـprolonged (beginning)
فَلْيَكُنْ لِلْمُحَسِّنِ الْأَجَلُ الْمَمْـ
ـدُودُprolonged (ending) رَغْمًاin humiliation لِآنُفِfor the noses of الْحُسَّادِthe envious
ـدُودُ رَغْمًا لِآنُفِ الْحُسَّادِ
So may al-Muhassin's allotted lifespan be prolonged,
So let the noble man have the limited
to rub the envious ones' noses in the dust.
Full span, despite the envious
وَلْيَطِبْand may he be at peace عَنْover أَخِيهِhis brother نَفْسًاin soul وَأَبْنَاand the sons (beginning)
وَلْيَطِبْ عَنْ أَخِيهِ نَفْسًا وَأَبْنَا
ءُsons (ending) أَخِيهِhis brother جَرَائِحَwounded in الْأَكْبَادِthe livers
ءُ أَخِيهِ جَرَائِحَ الْأَكْبَادِ
And may he find peace of heart over his brother, as may the sons
Let one soul be pleased with his brother,
of his brother, with wounded livers.
And his brother's children, woundings of the hearts
وَإِذَاand if الْبَحْرُthe sea غَاضَrecedes عَنِّيfrom me وَلَمْand not أَرْI drink my fill (beginning)
وَإِذَا الْبَحْرُ غَاضَ عَنِّي وَلَمْ أَرْ
وَI drink my fill (ending) فَلَاthen no رِيَّquenching thirst بِادِّخَارِby hoarding الثِّمَادِscant pools
وَ فَلَا رِيَّ بِادِّخَارِ الثِّمَادِ
And if the sea recedes from me while I remain unquenched,
When the sea withdraws from me and I see no foaming
there is no quenching thirst by hoarding shallow pools.
Why the indignity of hoarding riches?
كُلُّevery بَيْتٍhouse لِلْهَدْمِfor demolition مَاwhat تَبْتَنِيbuilds الْوَرْthe gray dove (beginning)
كُلُّ بَيْتٍ لِلْهَدْمِ مَا تَبْتَنِي الْوَرْ
قَاءُgray dove (ending) وَالسَّيِّدُand the lord الرَّفِيعُlofty in الْعِمَادِpillars
قَاءُ وَالسَّيِّدُ الرَّفِيعُ الْعِمَادِ
Every house is doomed to ruin—what is built by the gray
Every house is for ruin; no mud walls
dove, and by the lord of lofty pillars.
Endure, even great lords fall
وَالْفَتَىand the young man ظَاعِنٌdeparting وَيَكْفِيهِand suffices him ظِلُّthe shade of السِّـthe lote-tree (beginning)
وَالْفَتَى ظَاعِنٌ وَيَكْفِيهِ ظِلُّ السِّـ
ـدْرِlote-tree (ending) ضَرْبَthe pitching of الْأَطْنَابِtent-ropes وَالْأَوْتَادِand pegs
ـدْرِ ضَرْبَ الْأَطْنَابِ وَالْأَوْتَادِ
And man is a traveler; the shade of the
The stalwart youth, the shade of the trunk enough,
lote-tree spares him the setting of tent-ropes and pegs.
Tent pegs and ropes to beat
بَانَbecame clear أَمْرُthe command of الْإِلَهِGod وَاخْتَلَفَand differed النَّاthe people (beginning)
بَانَ أَمْرُ الْإِلَهِ وَاخْتَلَفَ النَّا
سُpeople (ending) فَدَاعٍso one calling إِلَىto ضَلَالٍerror وَهَادِand one guiding
سُ فَدَاعٍ إِلَى ضَلَالٍ وَهَادِ
God's command is clear, yet people differ:
God's command appeared and people differed,
one calls to error, and another guides.
Some misguided, some guided
وَالَّذِيand that which حَارَتِwere bewildered الْبَرِيَّةُcreation فِيهِconcerning it
وَالَّذِي حَارَتِ الْبَرِيَّةُ فِيهِ
حَيَوانٌa living being مُسْتَحْدَثٌnewly produced مِنْfrom جَمَادِlifeless matter
حَيَوانٌ مُسْتَحْدَثٌ مِنْ جَمَادِ
And what has bewildered creation
He who perplexed the innocent, an invented
is a living being newly produced from lifeless matter.
Creature from inanimate substance
وَاللَّبِيبُand the wise اللَّبِيبُtruly wise مَنْthe one who لَيْسَnot يَغْتَرُّis deceived
وَاللَّبِيبُ اللَّبِيبُ مَنْ لَيْسَ يَغْتَرُّ
بِكَوْنٍby an existence مَصِيرُهُits end لِلْفَسَادِto decay
بِكَوْنٍ مَصِيرُهُ لِلْفَسَادِ
And wise—truly wise—is one who is not deceived
The wise, the truly wise, is one who knows
by an existence whose end is decay.
He will end in ruin
Sol 6.1