أَلا مَن لِهَمٍّ آخِرَ اللَيلِ مُنصِبِ

أَلا مَن لِهَمٍّ آخِرَ اللَيلِ مُنصِبِ

وَأَمرٍ جَليلٍ فادِحٍ لِيَ مُشيِبِ

وَأَمرٍ جَليلٍ فادِحٍ لِيَ مُشيِبِ

Ah, who will relieve an exhausting grief at night's end,

Alas, he who stayed up late into the night in deep anguish

And a grave, crushing matter that turns me gray?

And was burdened with a grave and dire matter

أَرِقتُ لِما قَد غالَني وَتَبادَرَت

أَرِقتُ لِما قَد غالَني وَتَبادَرَت

سَواكِبُ دَمعِ العَينِ مِن كُلِّ مَسكَبِ

سَواكِبُ دَمعِ العَينِ مِن كُلِّ مَسكَبِ

I lay sleepless from what had overwhelmed me, and there rushed forth

I became restless because of what troubled me so

Streams of the eye's tears from every outlet.

And tears streamed down from every tear duct as if they were stars

فَقُلتُ وَقَد بَلَّت سَوابِقُ عَبرَتي

فَقُلتُ وَقَد بَلَّت سَوابِقُ عَبرَتي

رِدائي مَقالَ الموجَعِ المُتَحَوِّبِ

رِدائي مَقالَ الموجَعِ المُتَحَوِّبِ

So I spoke, when the first torrents of my tears had soaked

So I cried out while my tears flowed copiously

My cloak, with the words of an anguished, grieving man:

Drenching my cloak, the garment of my pain and sorrow

أَلَا بَهلَةُ اللَهِ الَّذي عَزَّ جارُهُ

أَلَا بَهلَةُ اللَهِ الَّذي عَزَّ جارُهُ

عَلى الناكِثينَ الغادِرينَ بِمُصعَبِ

عَلى الناكِثينَ الغادِرينَ بِمُصعَبِ

Ah, may the curse of God, whose protected one is inviolable,

Alas! The injustice of God who has mighty power over those who break covenants

Fall upon those who broke their pledges and betrayed Musab.

And betray, upon the tribe of Muṣʿab

جَزى اللَهُ عَنا جَمعَ قَحطانَ كُلِّها

جَزى اللَهُ عَنا جَمعَ قَحطانَ كُلِّها

جَزاءَ مُسيءٍ قاسِطِ الفِعلِ مُذنِبِ

جَزاءَ مُسيءٍ قاسِطِ الفِعلِ مُذنِبِ

May God repay, on our behalf, the whole host of Qahtan

May God reward all of Qaḥṭān with the worst of rewards

With the recompense of a wrongdoer, unjust in deed, a sinner;

The recompense of one who does wrong and bears guilt

وَجَمعَ مَعَدٍّ قَومِه غابَ نَصرُهُم

وَجَمعَ مَعَدٍّ قَومِه غابَ نَصرُهُم

غَداتَئِذٍ عَنهُ وَرَبِّ المُحَصَّبِ

غَداتَئِذٍ عَنهُ وَرَبِّ المُحَصَّبِ

And Maʿadd's host, his own people, whose aid was absent

And may He gather together Māʿadd, whose help abandoned them

From him that morning—by the Lord of al-Muhassab!

On the morrow, and the Lord of the Tent

جَزاهُم إِلَهُ الناسِ شَرَّ جَزائِهِ

جَزاهُم إِلَهُ الناسِ شَرَّ جَزائِهِ

بِخِذلانِ ذي القُربى الأَريبِ المُدّرَّبِ

بِخِذلانِ ذي القُربى الأَريبِ المُدّرَّبِ

May the God of humankind give them His worst recompense

May their God reward them with the worst of His rewards

For abandoning a kinsman, discerning and seasoned:

With the abandonment of the trustworthy kinsman, well-bred and refined

إِمامِ الهُدى وَالحِلمِ وَالسِلمِ وَالتُقى

إِمامِ الهُدى وَالحِلمِ وَالسِلمِ وَالتُقى

وَذي الحَسَبِ الزاكي الرَفيعِ المُهَذَّبِ

وَذي الحَسَبِ الزاكي الرَفيعِ المُهَذَّبِ

A leader of guidance, forbearance, peace, and piety,

The imam of guidance, forbearance, peace, and piety

Possessed of pure, exalted, refined ancestry.

And of good lineage, pure, noble, and refined

لَحى اللَهُ أَشرافَ العِراقِ فَإِنَّهُم

لَحى اللَهُ أَشرافَ العِراقِ فَإِنَّهُم

هُمُ شَرُّ قَومٍ بَينَ شَرقٍ وَمَغرِبِ

هُمُ شَرُّ قَومٍ بَينَ شَرقٍ وَمَغرِبِ

May God condemn Iraq's nobles, for they

May God destroy the nobles of Iraq, for they

Are the worst people between east and west.

Are the worst people between East and West

هُمُ مَكَروا بِاِبنِ الحَوارِيِّ مُصعَبٍ

هُمُ مَكَروا بِاِبنِ الحَوارِيِّ مُصعَبٍ

وَلَم يَستَجيبوا لِلصَريخِ المُثَوِّبِ

وَلَم يَستَجيبوا لِلصَريخِ المُثَوِّبِ

They plotted against the Disciple's son, Musab,

They schemed against Ibn Al-Ḥawāriyy Muṣʿab

And did not answer the crier repeatedly calling for aid.

And did not heed his insistent cries

دَعاهُم بِأَن ذودوا العِدى عَن بِلادِهِم

دَعاهُم بِأَن ذودوا العِدى عَن بِلادِهِم

وَأَموالِكُم بِكُلِّ أَبيَضَ مُقضَبِ

وَأَموالِكُم بِكُلِّ أَبيَضَ مُقضَبِ

He called on them to drive the enemy from their lands

He called on them to defend their lands from enemies

And from your wealth, with every white, keen-cutting sword.

And your wealth against every unsheathed sword

فَوَلّوا يُنادي المَرءُ مِنهُم عَشيرَهُ

فَوَلّوا يُنادي المَرءُ مِنهُم عَشيرَهُ

أَلا خَلِّ عَنهُم لا أَبالَكَ وَاِذهَبِ

أَلا خَلِّ عَنهُم لا أَبالَكَ وَاِذهَبِ

They turned away, each man calling to his clansman:

But each man among them turned away, saying to his clan

Come, leave them alone—no father to you!—and go.

Do not bother with him, I care not, so leave

جَزى اللَهُ حَجّاراً هُناكَ مَلامَةً

جَزى اللَهُ حَجّاراً هُناكَ مَلامَةً

وَفَرخَ عُميرٍ مِن مُناجٍ مُؤَلِّبِ

وَفَرخَ عُميرٍ مِن مُناجٍ مُؤَلِّبِ

May God repay Hajjar there with reproach,

May God reward Ḥajjār there with blame

And Umayr's fledgling—what a whispering instigator!

And the chicks of ʿUmayr in their nests with harm

وَما كانَ عَتّابٌ لَهُ بِمُناصِحٍ

وَما كانَ عَتّابٌ لَهُ بِمُناصِحٍ

وَلا كانَ عَن سَعيٍ عَلَيهِ بِمُغرِبِ

وَلا كانَ عَن سَعيٍ عَلَيهِ بِمُغرِبِ

Attab was no loyal adviser to him,

Neither did ʿAṭṭāb advise him as an advisor

Nor did he stand aloof from working against him.

Nor work for his benefit from the West

وَلا قَطَنٌ وَلا اِبنُهُ لَم يُناصِحا

وَلا قَطَنٌ وَلا اِبنُهُ لَم يُناصِحا

فَتَبّاً لِسَعيِ الحارِثِيِّ المُتَبَّبِ

فَتَبّاً لِسَعيِ الحارِثِيِّ المُتَبَّبِ

Neither Qatan nor his son gave loyal counsel;

Neither did Qaṭan or his son counsel him

So ruin upon the schemes of the doomed Harithi!

So curse the endeavor of Al-Ḥārithī the scoundrel

وَلا العَتَكِيُّ إِذ أَمالَ لِواءَهُ

وَلا العَتَكِيُّ إِذ أَمالَ لِواءَهُ

فَوَلّى بِهِ عَنهُ إِلى شَرِّ مَوكِبِ

فَوَلّى بِهِ عَنهُ إِلى شَرِّ مَوكِبِ

Nor did al-Ataki, when he tilted his banner,

Nor Al-ʿAtakī when he turned his banner aside

Then turned away from him with it toward the foulest troop.

From him to the worst convoy

وَلا اِبنُ رُوَيمٍ لا سَقى اللَهُ قَبرَهُ

وَلا اِبنُ رُوَيمٍ لا سَقى اللَهُ قَبرَهُ

فَباءَ بِجَدعٍ آخِرَ الدَهرِ موعِبِ

فَباءَ بِجَدعٍ آخِرَ الدَهرِ موعِبِ

Nor Ibn Ruwaym—may God never water his grave!

Nor Ibn Ru'aym - may God not water his grave -

He incurred utter mutilation until time's end.

So he perished with a harelipped progeny for all time

وَما سَرَّني مِن هَيثَمٍ فَعلُ هَيثَمٍ

وَما سَرَّني مِن هَيثَمٍ فَعلُ هَيثَمٍ

وَإِن كانَ فينا ذا غَناءٍ وَمَنصِبِ

وَإِن كانَ فينا ذا غَناءٍ وَمَنصِبِ

Nor, from Haytham, did Haytham's deed give me joy,

Nor did the deed of Haytham please me

Though among us he had worth and standing.

Though among us he had prestige and rank

وَلا فِعلُ داوودَ القَليلِ وَفاؤُهُ

وَلا فِعلُ داوودَ القَليلِ وَفاؤُهُ

فَقَد ظَلَّ مَحمولاً عَلى شَرِّ مركِبِ

فَقَد ظَلَّ مَحمولاً عَلى شَرِّ مركِبِ

Nor the deed of Dawud, whose loyalty was scant;

Nor did the paltry loyalty of Dāwūd suffice

For he remained borne upon the worst mount.

Who always rode the worst of mounts

وَلَكِن عَلى فَيّاضِ بَكرِ بنِ وائِلٍ

وَلَكِن عَلى فَيّاضِ بَكرِ بنِ وائِلٍ

سَأُثني وَخَيرُ القَولِ ما لَم يُكَذَّبِ

سَأُثني وَخَيرُ القَولِ ما لَم يُكَذَّبِ

But the bounteous one of Bakr ibn Wa'il—

Rather, I will praise Fayyāḍ ibn Wāʾil Bakr

I shall praise him; the best speech is that which is not belied.

For the best words are those not denied

دَعا اِبنَ الحَوارِيَّ الهُمامَ إِمامَهُ

دَعا اِبنَ الحَوارِيَّ الهُمامَ إِمامَهُ

لِيَمنَعَهُ مِن كُلِّ غاوٍ وَمُجلِبِ

لِيَمنَعَهُ مِن كُلِّ غاوٍ وَمُجلِبِ

He called the valiant son of the Disciple, his leader,

He called upon the courageous imam to protect him

To protect him from every wayward man and clamorous attacker.

From every rebel and invader

فَأَضحى اِبنُ تَيمِ اللاتِ أَمنَعَ مانِعٍ

فَأَضحى اِبنُ تَيمِ اللاتِ أَمنَعَ مانِعٍ

لِجارٍ بِلا شَكٍّ وَمَأوى المُعَصَّبِ

لِجارٍ بِلا شَكٍّ وَمَأوى المُعَصَّبِ

Then the son of Taym al-Lat became the staunchest protector

So at dawn Ibn Taym Allāh became the firmest defender

Of a neighbor, beyond doubt, and a refuge for the turbaned chief.

Of an undisputed neighbor and asylum for one hard pressed

فَيا سائِراً نَحوَ المَشاعِرِ لا تَني

فَيا سائِراً نَحوَ المَشاعِرِ لا تَني

أَلا اِرفَع بِهَدلاءِ المَشافِرِ مِنعَبِ

أَلا اِرفَع بِهَدلاءِ المَشافِرِ مِنعَبِ

Traveler toward the sacred sites, do not flag!

So O you who travels to the sacred places, do not forget

Come, urge on a swift-striding camel with drooping lips.

To exalt at Minā the battle cry

أَلا وَاِنعِ خَيرَ الناسِ حَيّاً وَمَيِّتاً

أَلا وَاِنعِ خَيرَ الناسِ حَيّاً وَمَيِّتاً

إِلى أَهلِ بَطحاءَي قُرَيشٍ وَيَثرِبِ

إِلى أَهلِ بَطحاءَي قُرَيشٍ وَيَثرِبِ

Come, proclaim the death of the best of men, in life and death,

And proclaim the best of people, living or dead

To the people of Quraysh's and Yathrib's two gravel plains.

To the people of Bathāʾ of Quraysh and Yathrib

فِداً لَكَ فَاِذكُر زَحفَهُ وَمَسيرَهُ

فِداً لَكَ فَاِذكُر زَحفَهُ وَمَسيرَهُ

يُزَجّي الخُيولَ مِقنَباً بَعدَ مِقنَبِ

يُزَجّي الخُيولَ مِقنَباً بَعدَ مِقنَبِ

May I be your ransom! Recall his advance and his march,

Your ransom! Remember his march and his journey

Driving the horses, squadron after squadron.

Brandishing steeds, leaping from hill to hill

سَما مُصعِداً بِالجَيشِ يَسري وَيَغتَدي

سَما مُصعِداً بِالجَيشِ يَسري وَيَغتَدي

إِلى بَطَلٍ مِن آلِ مَروانَ مُجلِبِ

إِلى بَطَلٍ مِن آلِ مَروانَ مُجلِبِ

He advanced uphill with the army, marching by night and at dawn,

Rising high with the army, advancing and marauding

Toward a champion of Marwan's house, mustering his forces.

Toward an expert of Āl Marwān's in combat

غَزا بِجُنودِ الشامِ يَكبِدُ كَبدَها

غَزا بِجُنودِ الشامِ يَكبِدُ كَبدَها

يُجيزُ إِلَيهِم سَبسَباً بَعدَ سَبسَبِ

يُجيزُ إِلَيهِم سَبسَباً بَعدَ سَبسَبِ

He marched to war with Syria's troops, heading for its heart,

He attacked with the soldiers of Syria, exhausting them

Crossing toward them one flat wasteland after another.

Running them through one by one again and again

فَلَمّا تَوافَينا جَميعاً بِمَسكِنٍ

فَلَمّا تَوافَينا جَميعاً بِمَسكِنٍ

عَصَينا بِنَوعٍ مِن غَرامِ مُعَذَّبِ

عَصَينا بِنَوعٍ مِن غَرامِ مُعَذَّبِ

When we all came together at Maskin,

When we came together in a dwelling

We disobeyed, with a measure of a tormented man's anguish,

We were troubled by a sort of painful love

بِمَقتَلِ ساداتٍ وَمَهلِكِ ماجِدٍ

بِمَقتَلِ ساداتٍ وَمَهلِكِ ماجِدٍ

رَفيعِ الرَوابي مِحرَبٍ وَاِبنِ مِحرَبِ

رَفيعِ الرَوابي مِحرَبٍ وَاِبنِ مِحرَبِ

In the killing of chiefs and the destruction of a noble man,

With the killing of chiefs and destroyer of heroes

Lofty in eminence, a warrior and a warrior's son.

Lofty, battle-scarred, and son of Miḥrab

هُوَ الضَيغَمُ النَهدُ الرَئيسُ بنُ مالِكٍ

هُوَ الضَيغَمُ النَهدُ الرَئيسُ بنُ مالِكٍ

إِذا شَدَّ يَوماً شَدَّةً لَم يُكَذَّبِ

إِذا شَدَّ يَوماً شَدَّةً لَم يُكَذَّبِ

He was the massive lion, the chieftain, son of Malik,

He is Ḍaygham the tall, the leader, son of Mālik

Whose charge, whenever he charged, was never belied.

If one day he exerted himself, he was not belied

أَتى مُصعَباً فَقالَ مَن كانَ مِنهُمُ

أَتى مُصعَباً فَقالَ مَن كانَ مِنهُمُ

فَعاقِب بِوَقعٍ مَن بَدا لَكَ مُرهِبِ

فَعاقِب بِوَقعٍ مَن بَدا لَكَ مُرهِبِ

He came to Musab and said, 'Whoever is of them—

He came to Muṣʿab and said, whoever of them

Punish with blows anyone you see as menacing.

You wish, punish severely, make them cower in fright

وَشُدَّ عَلى الأَشرافِ شَدَّةَ ماجِدٍ

وَشُدَّ عَلى الأَشرافِ شَدَّةَ ماجِدٍ

وَأَعناقَهُم قَبلَ الصَباحِ فَضَرِّبِ

وَأَعناقَهُم قَبلَ الصَباحِ فَضَرِّبِ

Strike the nobles with a noble man's onslaught,

Crack down on the nobles harshly like Mājid

And smite their necks before dawn.

And cut off their heads before dawn, so strike!

وَإِلّا فَبَكِّت في السُجونِ سَراتَهُم

وَإِلّا فَبَكِّت في السُجونِ سَراتَهُم

إِلى أَن تُفيقَ الناسُ تُصحَب وَتُرقَبِ

إِلى أَن تُفيقَ الناسُ تُصحَب وَتُرقَبِ

Or else humiliate their leaders in the prisons,

Otherwise their elite will weep in prison

Until the people regain their senses and you are attended and guarded.

Until the people awake, watched and fettered

وَدَعني وَأَهلَ القَريَتَينِ أَسِر بِهِم

وَدَعني وَأَهلَ القَريَتَينِ أَسِر بِهِم

وَغادِرهُمُ في مَحبِسٍ كَالمُؤَدَّبِ

وَغادِرهُمُ في مَحبِسٍ كَالمُؤَدَّبِ

Leave me with the people of the two towns, and let me march them out,

But leave me and the people of the two towns alone

And leave them in confinement, like men under discipline.

And abandon them in a prison, disciplined

مَلامَ مُلِحٍّ قَد أَمِنتَ اِغتِيالَهُ

مَلامَ مُلِحٍّ قَد أَمِنتَ اِغتِيالَهُ

وَما جاهِلٌ بِالأَمرِ مِثلُ المُجَرِّبِ

وَما جاهِلٌ بِالأَمرِ مِثلُ المُجَرِّبِ

The rebuke of a persistent man whose treachery you need not fear;

You have avoided the slyness of a slanderer

An ignorant man is not like one seasoned in the matter.'

The ignorant is not like the experienced

فَقالَ لَهُ سِر بِالجُيوشِ إِلى العِدى

فَقالَ لَهُ سِر بِالجُيوشِ إِلى العِدى

وَناجِز وَقارِع وَاِصدُقِ القَومَ تَغلِبِ

وَناجِز وَقارِع وَاِصدُقِ القَومَ تَغلِبِ

He said to him, 'March with the armies against the enemy;

So he said to him, march against the enemy with the armies

Fight decisively, clash with them, and face them truly—you will prevail.

Confront and fight sincerely and you will overcome the people

فَإِنّي بِحَقٍّ لَستُ أَبَداً مُسلِّماً

فَإِنّي بِحَقٍّ لَستُ أَبَداً مُسلِّماً

بِغَدرٍ فَفي التَقوى وَفي الدينِ فَاِرغَبِ

بِغَدرٍ فَفي التَقوى وَفي الدينِ فَاِرغَبِ

For in truth I shall never consent

I swear I will never ever surrender

To treachery; set your desire on piety and religion.'

To betrayal - so seek piety and the true religion

فَسارَ إِلى جَمعِ اِبنِ مَروانَ مُعلَماً

فَسارَ إِلى جَمعِ اِبنِ مَروانَ مُعلَماً

فَناهَضَهُم وَالحَربُ ذاتُ تَلَهُّبِ

فَناهَضَهُم وَالحَربُ ذاتُ تَلَهُّبِ

So he marched, bearing battle markings, toward Ibn Marwan's host,

So he marched against the army of Ibn Marwān, resolved

And rose against them while war blazed.

And he attacked them while war blazed

وَجاهَدَ في فُرسانِهِ وَرِجالَهِ

وَجاهَدَ في فُرسانِهِ وَرِجالَهِ

وَأَقدَمَ لَم يَنكُل وَلَم يَتَهَيَّبِ

وَأَقدَمَ لَم يَنكُل وَلَم يَتَهَيَّبِ

He strove among his horsemen and foot soldiers,

He struggled against his horsemen and foot soldiers

And advanced, neither shrinking nor afraid.

He advanced, did not hesitate or shrink in fear

فَلاقي أُسَيدٌ يَومَ ذَلِكَ حَتفَهُ

فَلاقي أُسَيدٌ يَومَ ذَلِكَ حَتفَهُ

وَقَطَّرَهُ مِنّا فَتىً غَيرُ جَأنَبِ

وَقَطَّرَهُ مِنّا فَتىً غَيرُ جَأنَبِ

Usayd met his death that day,

That day ʿUsayd met his death at his hands

Thrown down by a youth of ours, no squat fellow:

And he was felled by one of our warriors without peer

أَشَمُّ نَراهُ عالِيَ الجِسمِ صَقعَباً

أَشَمُّ نَراهُ عالِيَ الجِسمِ صَقعَباً

وَبِالسَيفِ مِقداماً نَجيباً لِمُنحِبِ

وَبِالسَيفِ مِقداماً نَجيباً لِمُنحِبِ

High-nosed, we saw him tall in body and towering,

Keener sighted than he, tall, long necked

And bold with the sword, noble to one who pledges himself.

And with the sword always noble, refined and high minded

وَكادَت جُموعُ الشامِ يَشمَلُها الرَدى

وَكادَت جُموعُ الشامِ يَشمَلُها الرَدى

غَداتَئِذٍ فَاِسمَع أُحَدِّثكَ تَعجَبِ

غَداتَئِذٍ فَاِسمَع أُحَدِّثكَ تَعجَبِ

Syria's hosts were nearly overtaken by death

The armies of Syria were nearly engulfed in chaos

That morning; listen to my account, and marvel.

From that moment - so listen and marvel

فَلَمّا رَأى أَبناءُ مَروانَ وَقعَهُ

فَلَمّا رَأى أَبناءُ مَروانَ وَقعَهُ

بِجَمعِهِمُ ظَلّوا بِيَومٍ عَصَبصَبِ

بِجَمعِهِمُ ظَلّوا بِيَومٍ عَصَبصَبِ

When Marwan's sons saw his blows

When Marwān's sons saw his impact on their entire army

Upon their host, they passed a grim and grievous day.

They were routed on a woeful day of defeat

فَصَبَّحَهُ فُرسانَهُ وَرِجالَهُ

فَصَبَّحَهُ فُرسانَهُ وَرِجالَهُ

وَناهَضَ لَم يَبعَل وَلَم يَتَهَيَّبِ

وَناهَضَ لَم يَبعَل وَلَم يَتَهَيَّبِ

At dawn he assailed him with his horsemen and foot soldiers,

So at dawn he rallied his horsemen and footmen

And rose to fight, neither bewildered nor afraid.

And charged - no coward or fearful was he

وَأَدبَرَ عَنهُ الغادِرُ اِبنُ القَبَعثَرَي

وَأَدبَرَ عَنهُ الغادِرُ اِبنُ القَبَعثَرَي

وَما كانَ بِالحامي وَلا بِالمُذَبَّبِ

وَما كانَ بِالحامي وَلا بِالمُذَبَّبِ

But the traitorous Ibn al-Qabaʿthara turned away from him,

But the traitorous Ibn Al-Qabaṭhar fled from him

Neither protecting nor defending.

He was neither staunch nor armored for the fray

وَقَد نَقَضَ الصَفَّ اِبنُ وَرقاءَ ثانِياً

وَقَد نَقَضَ الصَفَّ اِبنُ وَرقاءَ ثانِياً

وَغادَرَهُ يَدعو إِلى جانِبِ النَبِي

وَغادَرَهُ يَدعو إِلى جانِبِ النَبِي

Ibn Warqa had broken the ranks a second time,

And next the son of Warqāʾ broke ranks

And left him calling men to the Prophet's side.

Abandoning him, appealing to the Prophet's side

فَثابَ إِلَيهِ كُلُّ أَروَعَ ماجِدٍ

فَثابَ إِلَيهِ كُلُّ أَروَعَ ماجِدٍ

صَبورٍ عَلى ما ثابَهُ مُتَلَبِّبِ

صَبورٍ عَلى ما ثابَهُ مُتَلَبِّبِ

Then every splendid, noble man rallied to him,

But every fierce and intrepid Mājid returned to him

Patient under what befell him, girded for battle.

Steadfast though shaken, constrained but bold

فَضارَبَ حَتّى خَرَّ غَيرَ مُوائِلٍ

فَضارَبَ حَتّى خَرَّ غَيرَ مُوائِلٍ

إِلى جانِبٍ مِنهُ عَزيزٍ وَمَنكِبِ

إِلى جانِبٍ مِنهُ عَزيزٍ وَمَنكِبِ

He fought until he fell, seeking no refuge

He struck continuously without wavering

In a mighty flank and shoulder at his side.

Until he fell, honorable, by his side steadfast

وَصُرِّعَ أَهلُ الصَبرِ في الصَفِّ كُلُّهُم

وَصُرِّعَ أَهلُ الصَبرِ في الصَفِّ كُلُّهُم

وَأَجفَلَ عَنهُ كُلُّ وانٍ مُحَوِّبِ

وَأَجفَلَ عَنهُ كُلُّ وانٍ مُحَوِّبِ

All the steadfast men were struck down in the ranks,

Then the patient ones in ranks were struck down

And every slack, sinful man fled from him.

And every wavering weakling fled

فَلَمّا أَتى قَتلُ اِبنِ أَشتَرَ مُصعَباً

فَلَمّا أَتى قَتلُ اِبنِ أَشتَرَ مُصعَباً

دَعا عِندَهُ عيسى وَقالَ لَهُ اِهرُبِ

دَعا عِندَهُ عيسى وَقالَ لَهُ اِهرُبِ

When news of Ibn Ashtar's killing reached Musab,

When the killing of Muṣʿab at Ibn Ashtar's hands arrived

He called Isa to his side and told him, 'Flee!'

He called out to ʿĪsá at his side, “Flee!”

فَقالَ مَعاذَ اللَهُ لَستُ بِهارِبٍ

فَقالَ مَعاذَ اللَهُ لَستُ بِهارِبٍ

أَأَهرُبُ إِن دَهرٌ بِنا حادَ عَن أَبي

أَأَهرُبُ إِن دَهرٌ بِنا حادَ عَن أَبي

He said, 'God forbid! I will not flee.

He said, “God forbid I should flee!

Shall I flee if fate turns away from my father in our distress?'

Should I flee when fate has turned against my father?”

فَقالَ تَقَدَّم أَحتَسِبكَ فَأَقبَلَت

فَقالَ تَقَدَّم أَحتَسِبكَ فَأَقبَلَت

إِلَيهِ جُموعٌ مِن كِلابٍ وَأَذؤُبِ

إِلَيهِ جُموعٌ مِن كِلابٍ وَأَذؤُبِ

He said, 'Advance; I shall seek reward for your loss.' Then there came

He said, “Go forward, I will ransom you.” Then

Against him hosts of dogs and wolves.

Packs of dogs rushed at him, snarling

فَقالَ لِفُجّارِ العِراقَينِ قَدِّموا

فَقالَ لِفُجّارِ العِراقَينِ قَدِّموا

فَوَلّوا شِلالاً كَالنَعامِ المُخَصَّبِ

فَوَلّوا شِلالاً كَالنَعامِ المُخَصَّبِ

He said to the wicked of the two Iraqs, 'Come forward!'

He said to the wicked of Iraq, “Step forward!”

But they turned and scattered like well-fed ostriches.

But they fled like frightened ostriches

وَشَدّوا عَلَيهِ بِالسُيوفِ فَلَم يَرِم

وَشَدّوا عَلَيهِ بِالسُيوفِ فَلَم يَرِم

كَلَيثِ العَرينِ الخادِرِ المُتَحَرِّبِ

كَلَيثِ العَرينِ الخادِرِ المُتَحَرِّبِ

They rushed him with swords, but he did not move,

They drew their swords against him, but he did not flinch

Like the lion of the den, lurking and battle-ready.

Like a fierce, angry lion defending his den

فَضارَبَهُم يَحيى وَعيسى أَمامَهُ

فَضارَبَهُم يَحيى وَعيسى أَمامَهُ

وَضارَبَ تَحتَ الساطِعِ المُتَنَصِّبِ

وَضارَبَ تَحتَ الساطِعِ المُتَنَصِّبِ

Yahya and Isa fought them in front of him,

Before him, Yahyá and ʿĪsá struck them back

And he fought beneath the rising pillar of dust.

Blow for blow beneath the upraised blades

فَما بَرِحوا حَتّى أَزارَهُمُ القَنا

فَما بَرِحوا حَتّى أَزارَهُمُ القَنا

شُعوبَ وَمَن يَسلُب وَجَدِّكَ يُسلَبِ

شُعوبَ وَمَن يَسلُب وَجَدِّكَ يُسلَبِ

They did not cease until the spears brought them to visit

They did not stop until the spears engulfed them

Shaʿub, Death; whoever plunders, by your fortune, is plundered.

Along with those who plunder - your plunderer is plundered

فَبَكِّ فتى الدُنيا وَذا الدينِ مُصعَباً

فَبَكِّ فتى الدُنيا وَذا الدينِ مُصعَباً

وَأَعوِل عَلَيهِ وَاِسفَحِ الدَمعَ وَاِنحَبِ

وَأَعوِل عَلَيهِ وَاِسفَحِ الدَمعَ وَاِنحَبِ

So weep for the world's noble youth, the man of faith, Musab,

Weep for the paragon of this world and religion, Muṣʿab

Wail over him, pour out tears, and sob aloud.

And mourn him, let your tears flow and sob

لَقَد رَحَلَ الأَقوامُ غَدراً وَغادَروا

لَقَد رَحَلَ الأَقوامُ غَدراً وَغادَروا

بِمَسكِنَ أَشلاءَ الهُمامِ المُحَجَّبِ

بِمَسكِنَ أَشلاءَ الهُمامِ المُحَجَّبِ

The tribes departed treacherously, leaving

The people indeed turned traitors and abandoned

At Maskin the limbs of the valiant man once kept behind screens,

The dwelling place of the corpses of heroes concealed

صَريعَ قَناً تَسفي عَلى وَجهِهِ الصَبا

صَريعَ قَناً تَسفي عَلى وَجهِهِ الصَبا

وَريحُ شَمالٍ بَعدَها ريحُ أَجنُبِ

وَريحُ شَمالٍ بَعدَها ريحُ أَجنُبِ

Felled by spears, the east wind blowing dust over his face,

Slain by spears, the morning breeze blowing on his face

Then a north wind, and after it a wind from the south.

And the north wind after it, foreign

وَأَضحى بِديرِ الحاثَليقِ مُلَحَّباً

وَأَضحى بِديرِ الحاثَليقِ مُلَحَّباً

فَلا يَبعَدَنَّ مِن قَتيلٍ مُلَحَّبِ

فَلا يَبعَدَنَّ مِن قَتيلٍ مُلَحَّبِ

At al-Hathaliq's monastery he lay hacked to pieces;

He lies embalmed in the monastery of the Katholikos

May he not be cast afar, that slain man hacked to pieces!

So let no slain man embalmed be far

سَقى السارِياتُ الجونُ جُثمانَ مُصعَبٍ

سَقى السارِياتُ الجونُ جُثمانَ مُصعَبٍ

وَأَشلاءَ عيسى المُرتَجى صَوبَ صَيِّبِ

وَأَشلاءَ عيسى المُرتَجى صَوبَ صَيِّبِ

May the dark night-traveling clouds water Musab's body,

The Pleiades rain upon Muṣʿab's body

And the limbs of Isa, in whom hope was set, with pouring rain,

And the remains of hoped-for ʿĪsá by the rain clouds

وَفِتيانَ صِدقٍ صُرِّعوا ثَمَّ حَولَهُ

وَفِتيانَ صِدقٍ صُرِّعوا ثَمَّ حَولَهُ

عَلى الحَقِّ مَن لا يَعرِفِ الحَقَّ يَرتَبِ

عَلى الحَقِّ مَن لا يَعرِفِ الحَقَّ يَرتَبِ

And the true-hearted youths struck down there around him,

And sincere youths were struck down around him

On the side of truth; whoever knows not truth will doubt.

For truth - he who knows not truth will have doubts

أَمُصعَبُ مَن يَحرُب وَيُذمَم فِعالُهُ

أَمُصعَبُ مَن يَحرُب وَيُذمَم فِعالُهُ

فَما كُنتَ بِالواني وَلا المُتَحَرَّبِ

فَما كُنتَ بِالواني وَلا المُتَحَرَّبِ

Is Musab one who plunders and whose deeds are censured?

Is Muṣʿab one who battles with blameworthy deeds?

For you were neither remiss nor one left despoiled.

You were never cowardly or combative

لَقَد عِشتَ ذا حَزمٍ وَجودٍ وَنائِلٍ

لَقَد عِشتَ ذا حَزمٍ وَجودٍ وَنائِلٍ

فَيا عَجباً لِدَهرِكَ المُتَقَلِّبِ

فَيا عَجباً لِدَهرِكَ المُتَقَلِّبِ

You lived with resolve, generosity, and bounty;

You lived wisely, generous, and successful

How strange your ever-changing fate!

So strange is your fickle fate!

أَلَم تَكُ مِعطاءَ الجَزيلِ وَناعِشَ ال

أَلَم تَكُ مِعطاءَ الجَزيلِ وَناعِشَ ال

فَقيرِ وَمَأوى كُلِّ عافٍ وَمُجدِبِ

فَقيرِ وَمَأوى كُلِّ عافٍ وَمُجدِبِ

Were you not lavish with great gifts, and an uplifter of the

Were you not the open-handed and rescuer of

Poor, a refuge for every supplicant and drought-stricken man?

The poor, and refuge for all in need?

وَكُنّا مَتى نَعتِب عَلَيكَ وَنَلتَمِس

وَكُنّا مَتى نَعتِب عَلَيكَ وَنَلتَمِس

جَداكَ يَنَلنا مِن جَداكَ وَتُعتِبِ

جَداكَ يَنَلنا مِن جَداكَ وَتُعتِبِ

Whenever we reproached you and sought

When did we ever reproach you and seek

Your bounty, your bounty reached us, and you made amends.

Your help, and you refuse to help?

فَقَد جاءَنا مِن بَعدِكَ المَعشَرُ العِدى

فَقَد جاءَنا مِن بَعدِكَ المَعشَرُ العِدى

وَوالٍ مَتى يُنطَق حَوالَيهِ يَغضَبِ

وَوالٍ مَتى يُنطَق حَوالَيهِ يَغضَبِ

After you came to us an enemy people,

After you the enemy gang came to us

And a governor who grows angry whenever a word is spoken around him.

With a ruler who rages if his affairs are probed

وَإِن تُلتَمَس مَنهُ الزِيادَةُ وَالجَدا

وَإِن تُلتَمَس مَنهُ الزِيادَةُ وَالجَدا

وَيُستَمطَرِ المَعروفَ يَغضَب وَيَحرَبِ

وَيُستَمطَرِ المَعروفَ يَغضَب وَيَحرَبِ

If extra gifts and bounty are sought from him,

And if you seek benefits and favor from him

And kindness is begged to rain down, he grows angry and enraged.

Or petition kindness, he rages and makes war

وَتُسمَر بِلا ذَنبٍ أَكُفُّ غُزاتِنا

وَتُسمَر بِلا ذَنبٍ أَكُفُّ غُزاتِنا

وَتُقطَعُ أَيديهِم وَشيكاً وَتُصلَبِ

وَتُقطَعُ أَيديهِم وَشيكاً وَتُصلَبِ

Our warriors' palms are nailed without any fault,

Innocent hands are nailed though guiltless

Their hands swiftly cut off, and they are crucified.

And their hands cut off promptly and crucified

فَيا دَهرَنا مِن قَبلِ مَقتَلِ مُصعَبٍ

فَيا دَهرَنا مِن قَبلِ مَقتَلِ مُصعَبٍ

أَلا اِرجِع بِدُنيانا الرَفيعَةِ تَخصِبِ

أَلا اِرجِع بِدُنيانا الرَفيعَةِ تَخصِبِ

O our days before Musab's killing,

So, our time before Muṣʿab's death

Return with our exalted life, and let abundance bloom,

Return our lofty prosperous life renewed!

وَبِالأَمنِ وَالعَيشِ الَّذي حَلَّ دونَهُ

وَبِالأَمنِ وَالعَيشِ الَّذي حَلَّ دونَهُ

فَهَذا زَمانُ الخائِفِ المُتَرَقِّبِ

فَهَذا زَمانُ الخائِفِ المُتَرَقِّبِ

And with safety and the life he stood to defend;

Return the safety and life destroyed by

For these are days of fear and anxious watching.

This is an age of fear and waiting

فَبُعداً لِقَومٍ أَسلَموا أَمسِ مُصعَباً

فَبُعداً لِقَومٍ أَسلَموا أَمسِ مُصعَباً

بِحَدِّ سِنانٍ سَمهَرِيٍّ مُذَرَّبِ

بِحَدِّ سِنانٍ سَمهَرِيٍّ مُذَرَّبِ

Away with those who yesterday abandoned Musab

Far from people who surrendered Muṣʿab yesterday

To the edge of a keenly sharpened, hard spearhead!

To the edge of a Samhari sword, trained

وَلِلسَيفُ نَغشاهُ وَيَفري شُئونَهُ

وَلِلسَيفُ نَغشاهُ وَيَفري شُئونَهُ

وَكانَ الحَيا لِلمُفلِحِ المُتَشَعِّبِ

وَكانَ الحَيا لِلمُفلِحِ المُتَشَعِّبِ

And the sword—we faced it as it cleaved his skull's seams,

To sheathe the sword and conceal its features

Though he was rain for those seeking prosperity far and wide.

While snakes were for the successful and prestigious

وَدانوا لِطاغٍ قَد أَراقَ دِماءَهُم

وَدانوا لِطاغٍ قَد أَراقَ دِماءَهُم

عَسوفٍ صَدوقٍ قاسِطِ الفِعلِ مُشغِبِ

عَسوفٍ صَدوقٍ قاسِطِ الفِعلِ مُشغِبِ

They submitted to a tyrant who had shed their blood,

They submitted to an oppressor who shed their blood

Ruthless, truthful, unjust in deed, a stirrer of strife.

A breaker of covenants, provoking strife and said

وَقالَ لَهُم ذوقوا جَنى ما غَرَستُمُ

وَقالَ لَهُم ذوقوا جَنى ما غَرَستُمُ

أَلا رُبَّ بانٍ لِلعِمارَةِ مُخرِبِ

أَلا رُبَّ بانٍ لِلعِمارَةِ مُخرِبِ

He told them, 'Taste the fruit of what you planted!

“Taste the fruits your hands have grown!

How many a builder for prosperity proves a destroyer!'

Behold, many build only to destroy”

وَإِنّيَ مِمَّن يُخمِدُ الحَربَ تارَةً

وَإِنّيَ مِمَّن يُخمِدُ الحَربَ تارَةً

وَأُحمَلُ أَحياناً عَلَيها فَأَركَبِ

وَأُحمَلُ أَحياناً عَلَيها فَأَركَبِ

I am one who sometimes quenches war,

And I am one who sometimes ends war

And sometimes am driven into it, and so I ride.

While other times I wage it and ride