أَمِن وُقوفٍ عَلى شامٍ بِأَحمادِ

أَمِن وُقوفٍ عَلى شامٍ بِأَحمادِ

وَنَظرَةٍ مِن وَراءِ العابِدِ الجادي

وَنَظرَةٍ مِن وَراءِ العابِدِ الجادي

Is it from standing over dark traces at Ahmad,

Standing on the Syrian plateau with resolute tribes,

and a glance from behind the worshipping suppliant,

And looking from behind the righteous worshipper.

تَبكي نَديمَيكَ راحا في حَنوطِهِما

تَبكي نَديمَيكَ راحا في حَنوطِهِما

ما أَقرَبَ الرائِحَ المُبقي مِنَ الغادي

ما أَقرَبَ الرائِحَ المُبقي مِنَ الغادي

that you weep for your two boon companions, departed in their burial spices?

Your two friends weep for you when you are gone,

How near the evening traveler still remaining is to the morning traveler!

The one who stays is nearer than the one who leaves.

مَهلاً فَإِنَّ بَناتِ الدَهرِ عامِلَةٌ

مَهلاً فَإِنَّ بَناتِ الدَهرِ عامِلَةٌ

في الغُبَّرينَ وَما حَيٌّ بِخَلّادِ

في الغُبَّرينَ وَما حَيٌّ بِخَلّادِ

Easy now: the daughters of time are at work

Wait! The days of fate are at work

among those left behind, and no living being is immortal.

On the two dusts, and no living thing lasts forever.

فَاِخزُن دُموعَكَ لا تَجري عَلى سَلَفٍ

فَاِخزُن دُموعَكَ لا تَجري عَلى سَلَفٍ

تَخدي إِلى التُربِ يا جَهمَ بنَ عَبّادِ

تَخدي إِلى التُربِ يا جَهمَ بنَ عَبّادِ

Then store your tears; let them not flow for those gone before,

So restrain your tears, do not shed them over the past,

hastening toward the dust, O Jahm ibn Abbad.

Lest you guide them to the dust, O Jahm son of Abbad!

في النَفسِ شُغُلٌ عَنِ الغادي لِطَيَّتِهِ

في النَفسِ شُغُلٌ عَنِ الغادي لِطَيَّتِهِ

وَفي الثَوابِ رِضىً مِن صاحِبِ رادِ

وَفي الثَوابِ رِضىً مِن صاحِبِ رادِ

One's own soul has enough cares apart from him who departs for his destination;

The self is distracted from the departed because of occupation,

and in recompense lies contentment from a companion who requites.

And satisfied with the reward from the Lord of the throne.

مَن قَرَّ عَيناً رَماهُ الدَهرُ عَن كَثَبٍ

مَن قَرَّ عَيناً رَماهُ الدَهرُ عَن كَثَبٍ

وَالدَهرُ رامٍ بِإِصلاحٍ وَإِفسادِ

وَالدَهرُ رامٍ بِإِصلاحٍ وَإِفسادِ

Whoever finds contentment, time shoots him at close range;

He who comforts his eye, time assaults him suddenly,

and time is an archer bringing restoration and destruction.

And time persists in reform and corruption.

وَكَيفَ يَبقى لِإِلفٍ إِلفُ صاحِبِهِ

وَكَيفَ يَبقى لِإِلفٍ إِلفُ صاحِبِهِ

وَلا أَرى والِداً يَبقى لِأَولادِ

وَلا أَرى والِداً يَبقى لِأَولادِ

How can a companion retain the affection of his friend,

How can the intimacy of a friend remain for his friend?

when I see no father lasting for his children?

I do not see a father remaining for his children.

نَفسي الفِداءُ لِأَهلِ البَيتِ إِنَّ لَهُم

نَفسي الفِداءُ لِأَهلِ البَيتِ إِنَّ لَهُم

عَهدَ النَبِيِّ وَسَمتَ القائِمَ الهادي

عَهدَ النَبِيِّ وَسَمتَ القائِمَ الهادي

My soul be the ransom for the People of the House, for theirs is

My soul is ransomed for the People of the House, they have

the Prophet's covenant and the bearing of the upright guide.

The covenant of the Prophet and the attributes of the rightly guided leader.

لَم يَحكُموا في مَواليهِم وَقَد مَلَكوا

لَم يَحكُموا في مَواليهِم وَقَد مَلَكوا

حُكمَ المُحِلِّ وَلا حُكمُ اِبنِهِ العادي

حُكمَ المُحِلِّ وَلا حُكمُ اِبنِهِ العادي

Once they held power, they did not judge their clients

When they ruled their loyalists, though they wielded

with the judgment of the profaner, nor that of his transgressing son.

The power of the tyrant, they did not judge like the tyrant’s son.

لَكِن وَلونا بِإِنصافٍ وَمَعدَلَةٍ

لَكِن وَلونا بِإِنصافٍ وَمَعدَلَةٍ

حَتّى هَجَدنا وَكُنّا غَيرَ هُجّادِ

حَتّى هَجَدنا وَكُنّا غَيرَ هُجّادِ

Instead, they governed us with fairness and justice,

Rather, they ruled with fairness and justice

until we slept, though we had not been sleepers.

Until we roared and were not roaring beasts.

إِنّي لَغادٍ فَمُستَأَدٍ وَمُنتَجِعٌ

إِنّي لَغادٍ فَمُستَأَدٍ وَمُنتَجِعٌ

رَهطَ النَبِيِّ وَذو الحاجاتِ مُستادِ

رَهطَ النَبِيِّ وَذو الحاجاتِ مُستادِ

I am setting forth, seeking gifts and fertile pasture among

I am longing, so I come seeking and taking refuge

the Prophet's kinsmen; whoever has needs seeks gifts.

In the company of the Prophet and the fulfiller of needs.

يا رَهطَ أَحمَدَ ما زالَت أَيِمَّتُكُم

يا رَهطَ أَحمَدَ ما زالَت أَيِمَّتُكُم

تُؤدي الضَعيفَ وَلا تَكدي لِرُوّادِ

تُؤدي الضَعيفَ وَلا تَكدي لِرُوّادِ

O kinsmen of Ahmad, your imams have always

O company of Ahmad, your bereavement

supported the weak and never failed those seeking provision.

Still performs the duty of helping the weak and does not weary the visitors.

لا يَعدَمُ النَصرَ مَن كُنتُم مَوالِيَهُ

لا يَعدَمُ النَصرَ مَن كُنتُم مَوالِيَهُ

وَلا يَخافُ جَماداً عامَ أَجمادِ

وَلا يَخافُ جَماداً عامَ أَجمادِ

Whoever has you as patrons never lacks victory,

Whoever you support will not lack victory

and fears no barrenness in a year of drought.

And will not fear a year of drought in winter.

مِنكُم نَبِيُّ الهُدى يَقرو مَحاسِنَهُ

مِنكُم نَبِيُّ الهُدى يَقرو مَحاسِنَهُ

ساقي الحَجيجِ وَمِنكُم مُنهِبُ الزادِ

ساقي الحَجيجِ وَمِنكُم مُنهِبُ الزادِ

From you is the Prophet of guidance, whose virtues are followed

The Prophet of guidance who provides water to pilgrims comes from you,

by the water-giver to pilgrims; from you too is the lavish giver of provisions.

And from you comes the carrier of provisions.

صَلَّت لَكُم عَجَمُ الآفاقِ قاطِبَةً

صَلَّت لَكُم عَجَمُ الآفاقِ قاطِبَةً

فَوجٌ وُفودٌ وَفَوجٌ غَيرُ وُفّادِ

فَوجٌ وُفودٌ وَفَوجٌ غَيرُ وُفّادِ

All the non-Arabs of the horizons bowed in prayer to you,

The non-Arabs from all horizons prayed for you universally,

one band as delegates, another not as delegates.

A troop comes and a troop leaves without bidding farewell.

إِذا رَأَوكُم وَإِن كانوا عَلى عَجَلٍ

إِذا رَأَوكُم وَإِن كانوا عَلى عَجَلٍ

خَرّوا سُجوداً وَما كانوا بِسُجّادِ

خَرّوا سُجوداً وَما كانوا بِسُجّادِ

When they saw you, even if they were in haste,

When they see you, even if they are in a hurry,

they fell prostrate, though they had not been worshippers.

They bow down in prostration, and they were not praying.

إِنَّ الخَليفَةَ ظِلٌّ يُستَظَلُّ بِهِ

إِنَّ الخَليفَةَ ظِلٌّ يُستَظَلُّ بِهِ

عالٍ مَعَ الشَمسِ مَحفوفٌ بِأَطوادِ

عالٍ مَعَ الشَمسِ مَحفوفٌ بِأَطوادِ

The caliph is a shade beneath which shelter is sought,

The Caliph is a shadow in which one takes shade,

high alongside the sun, surrounded by mountains.

Lofty with the sun, surrounded by entourage.

قَد سَرَّني أَنَّ مَن عادى كَبيرَكُمُ

قَد سَرَّني أَنَّ مَن عادى كَبيرَكُمُ

في المُلكِ نِصفانِ مِن قَتلى وَشُرّادِ

في المُلكِ نِصفانِ مِن قَتلى وَشُرّادِ

It has pleased me that those who opposed your chief

It pleased me that whoever resisted your elder

over kingship are in two groups: slain and fugitives.

In the kingdom- half were killed and half were expelled.

لا يَرجَعونَ لِما كانوا وَإِن رَغِموا

لا يَرجَعونَ لِما كانوا وَإِن رَغِموا

وَلا يَنامونَ مِن خَوفٍ وَإِجحادِ

وَلا يَنامونَ مِن خَوفٍ وَإِجحادِ

They cannot return to what they were, however they chafe,

They will not return to their former state even if they insist,

nor do they sleep, from fear and destitution.

And they will not sleep from fear and denial.

إِنَّ الدَعِيَّ يُعادينا لِنُلحِقَهُ

إِنَّ الدَعِيَّ يُعادينا لِنُلحِقَهُ

بِالمُدَّعينَ وَيَلقانا بِإِلحادِ

بِالمُدَّعينَ وَيَلقانا بِإِلحادِ

The pretender makes us his enemies, so that we may number him

The transgressor makes enmity with us in order to

among the pretenders; he confronts us with impiety.

Associate us with the pretenders and describe us with unbelief.

وَلا يَزالُ وَإِن شابَت لَهازِمُهُ

وَلا يَزالُ وَإِن شابَت لَهازِمُهُ

مُذَبذَباً بَينَ إِصدارٍ وَإيرادِ

مُذَبذَباً بَينَ إِصدارٍ وَإيرادِ

He remains, even though his beard's side-tufts have grayed,

And even if his defeats turn white, he remains

wavering between sending away and bringing in.

Wavering between issuing and reciting.

يَنفيهِ أَصحابُهُ مِنهُم إِذا حَضَروا

يَنفيهِ أَصحابُهُ مِنهُم إِذا حَضَروا

وَإِن أَتانا وَهَبناهُ لِمُرتادِ

وَإِن أَتانا وَهَبناهُ لِمُرتادِ

His companions cast him out of their company when they assemble,

His companions deny him when they are present,

and if he comes to us, we give him away to a seeker.

and if he comes to us we give him to the hesitant.

لَم يَلقَ ذو المَجدِ ما لاقَيتَ مِن قُرُمٍ

لَم يَلقَ ذو المَجدِ ما لاقَيتَ مِن قُرُمٍ

صُمٍّ عَنِ الخَيرِ بِالقُرآنِ جُحّادِ

صُمٍّ عَنِ الخَيرِ بِالقُرآنِ جُحّادِ

No man of glory has faced what you faced from mighty chieftains,

The glorious one did not face what you faced from blind tribes,

deaf to goodness and denying the Qur'an.

Deaf to good, belying the Quran stubbornly.

لَم يَشعُروا بِرَسولِ اللَهِ بَل شَعَروا

لَم يَشعُروا بِرَسولِ اللَهِ بَل شَعَروا

ثُمَّ اِستَحالوا ضَلالاً بَعدَ إِرشادِ

ثُمَّ اِستَحالوا ضَلالاً بَعدَ إِرشادِ

They failed to recognize God's Messenger—no, they knew him,

They were not aware of the Messenger of Allah, but they became aware

then turned to error after guidance.

Then they turned misguided after being guided.

أَنصَفتُمونا فَعابوا حُكمَكُم حَسَداً

أَنصَفتُمونا فَعابوا حُكمَكُم حَسَداً

وَاللَهُ يَعصِمُكُم مِن غِلِّ حُسّادِ

وَاللَهُ يَعصِمُكُم مِن غِلِّ حُسّادِ

You treated us fairly, so they faulted your rule out of envy;

You judged us fairly so they resented your judgment out of envy,

and God protects you from the rancor of the envious.

And Allah protects you from the wrongdoing of enviers.

سَطَوا عَلَينا بِأَن كُنّا مَوالِيَكُم

سَطَوا عَلَينا بِأَن كُنّا مَوالِيَكُم

وَعَيَّرونا بِآباءٍ وَأَجدادِ

وَعَيَّرونا بِآباءٍ وَأَجدادِ

They assaulted us because we were your clients,

They reviled us because we were your loyalists

and taunted us over fathers and grandfathers.

And they blamed us for fathers and forefathers.

وَقَد نَرى عارَ قَومٍ في أُنوفِهِمُ

وَقَد نَرى عارَ قَومٍ في أُنوفِهِمُ

وَنَترُكُ العَيبَ إِذ لَيسوا بِأَندادِ

وَنَترُكُ العَيبَ إِذ لَيسوا بِأَندادِ

We see a people's shame upon their noses,

We see the shame of a people on their noses

yet refrain from faultfinding, since they are no equals of ours.

And we overlook the blemish when they are not peers.

كَأَنَّنا عَنهُمُ صُمٌّ وَقَد سَمِعَت

كَأَنَّنا عَنهُمُ صُمٌّ وَقَد سَمِعَت

آذانُنا قَولَ جَورٍ غَيرَ قَصّادِ

آذانُنا قَولَ جَورٍ غَيرَ قَصّادِ

We act as though deaf to them, though

It is as if we were deaf while our ears

our ears have heard words of injustice, without fair intent.

Heard the words of injustice that were not meant.

يُزري عَلَينا رِجالٌ لا نِصابَ لَهُم

يُزري عَلَينا رِجالٌ لا نِصابَ لَهُم

كانوا عِباداً وَكُنّا غَيرَ عُبّادِ

كانوا عِباداً وَكُنّا غَيرَ عُبّادِ

Men with no established lineage disparage us;

Men without fortune revile us

they were servants, whereas we were no servants.

When they were servants and we were not worshipers.

لَمّا رَأَونا نُواليكُم وَنَنصُرُكُم

لَمّا رَأَونا نُواليكُم وَنَنصُرُكُم

ثاروا إِلَينا بِأَضغانٍ وَأَحقادِ

ثاروا إِلَينا بِأَضغانٍ وَأَحقادِ

When they saw us loyal to you and supporting you,

When they saw us loyal and supporting you

they rose against us with rancor and grudges.

They erupted against us with hatred and grudges.

قالوا بَنو عَمِّكُم مِن حَيثُ نَنصُرُكُم

قالوا بَنو عَمِّكُم مِن حَيثُ نَنصُرُكُم

قَولُ الرَسولِ وَهَذا قَولُ صُدّادِ

قَولُ الرَسولِ وَهَذا قَولُ صُدّادِ

They said, 'Your cousins!' on account of our support for you—

They said, the sons of your uncle are from where we support you.

the Messenger's words; yet these are words of men who obstruct.

This is the saying of the Messenger, and this the saying of liars.

لَولا الخَليفَةُ أَنّا لا نُخالِفُهُ

لَولا الخَليفَةُ أَنّا لا نُخالِفُهُ

لَقَد دَلَفنا لِأَروادٍ بِأَروادِ

لَقَد دَلَفنا لِأَروادٍ بِأَروادِ

Were it not for the caliph, whom we do not disobey,

If not for the Caliph, we would not oppose him,

we would have advanced against scouting bands with scouting bands,

We would have entered ranges with ranges.

حَتّى نَزَونا وَعَينُ الشَمسِ فاتِرَةٌ

حَتّى نَزَونا وَعَينُ الشَمسِ فاتِرَةٌ

في كَوكَبٍ كَشُعاعِ الشَمسِ وَقّادِ

في كَوكَبٍ كَشُعاعِ الشَمسِ وَقّادِ

until we sprang forth while the sun's eye was languid,

Until we toured while the sun’s eye was bleary

in a blazing host like the sun's rays,

In a planet like the rays of the driving sun.

نَحُشُّ نيرانَ حَربٍ غَيرَ خامِدَةٍ

نَحُشُّ نيرانَ حَربٍ غَيرَ خامِدَةٍ

تَحتَ العَجاجِ بِأَرواحٍ وَأَجسادِ

تَحتَ العَجاجِ بِأَرواحٍ وَأَجسادِ

stoking the fires of an unquenched war

We stir the undying fires of war

beneath the dust-cloud, with souls and bodies.

Beneath spears with souls and bodies.

هُناكَ يَنسَونَ مَرواناً وَشيعَتَهُ

هُناكَ يَنسَونَ مَرواناً وَشيعَتَهُ

وَيَطرُقونَ حِذارَ المِنسَرِ العادي

وَيَطرُقونَ حِذارَ المِنسَرِ العادي

There they would forget Marwan and his partisans,

There they forget Marwan and his supporters

and lower their heads in fear of the attacking cavalry.

And they refrain out of caution for the returning envious one.

دونَ الخَليفَةِ مِنّا ظِلُّ مَأسَدَةٍ

دونَ الخَليفَةِ مِنّا ظِلُّ مَأسَدَةٍ

وَمِن خُراسانَ جُمدٌ بَعدَ أَجنادِ

وَمِن خُراسانَ جُمدٌ بَعدَ أَجنادِ

Before the caliph we form the shade of a lion's thicket,

Besides the Caliph we are determined,

and from Khorasan come solid masses after armies.

And from Khurasan there is a solid body after soldiers.

قَومٌ يَذُبّونَ عَن مَولى كَرامَتِهِم

قَومٌ يَذُبّونَ عَن مَولى كَرامَتِهِم

وَيُحسِنونَ جِوارَ الوارِدِ الصادي

وَيُحسِنونَ جِوارَ الوارِدِ الصادي

Men who defend the patron of their honor,

A people who defend the sanctuary of their Master

and give good shelter to the thirsty arrival.

And are good neighbors to the incoming companion.

لِلَّهِ دَرُّهُمو جُنداً إِذا حَمِسوا

لِلَّهِ دَرُّهُمو جُنداً إِذا حَمِسوا

وَشَبَّتِ الحَربُ ناراً بَعدَ إِخمادِ

وَشَبَّتِ الحَربُ ناراً بَعدَ إِخمادِ

God bless them as an army when they grow fierce,

By God, they are excellent soldiers, when excited

and war flares into flame after being quenched!

And war ignites fire after dying down.

لا يَفشَلونَ وَلا تُرجى سُقاطَتُهُم

لا يَفشَلونَ وَلا تُرجى سُقاطَتُهُم

إِذا عَلا زَأرُ آسادٍ لِآسادِ

إِذا عَلا زَأرُ آسادٍ لِآسادِ

They do not falter, nor can their downfall be hoped for,

They do not fail nor is their downfall hoped for

when lions' roaring rises against lions.

When the roar of lions for lions rises high.

إِنّا سَراةُ بَني الأَحراَرِ وَقَّرَنا

إِنّا سَراةُ بَني الأَحراَرِ وَقَّرَنا

رَكضُ اَلجِيادِ وَهَزُّ المُنصُلِ البادي

رَكضُ اَلجِيادِ وَهَزُّ المُنصُلِ البادي

We are the nobles among the sons of free men; we have been honored by

We are the horsemen of the noble freemen, and we matched

the racing of steeds and the brandishing of the bared blade.

The galloping of steeds and the waving of the drew sword.

في كُلِّ يَومٍ لَنا عيدٌ وَمَلحَمَةٌ

في كُلِّ يَومٍ لَنا عيدٌ وَمَلحَمَةٌ

حَتّى سَبَأنا بِأَسيافٍ وَأَغمادِ

حَتّى سَبَأنا بِأَسيافٍ وَأَغمادِ

Every day brings us a festival and a battle,

Every day we have a feast and a battle

until we took captives with swords and scabbards.

Until we made peace with swords and scabbards.

لا نَرهَبُ القَتلَ إِنَّ القَتلَ مَكرُمَةٌ

لا نَرهَبُ القَتلَ إِنَّ القَتلَ مَكرُمَةٌ

وَلا نَضِنُّ عَلى راحٍ بِأَصفادِ

وَلا نَضِنُّ عَلى راحٍ بِأَصفادِ

We do not dread death: death is an honor,

We do not fear death, death is an honor

nor do we begrudge gifts to palms.

And we do not hoard anyone in shackles.

سُقناَ الخِلافَةَ تَحدوها أَسِنَّتُنا

سُقناَ الخِلافَةَ تَحدوها أَسِنَّتُنا

وَالقاسِطون عَلى جَهدٍ وَإِسهادِ

وَالقاسِطون عَلى جَهدٍ وَإِسهادِ

We drove the caliphate onward, our spearheads urging it,

We asked for the Caliphate, our tongues guiding it,

while the unjust were worn out and sleepless.

While the dissenters insisted without listening.

حَتّى ضَرَبنا عَلى المَهدِيِّ قُبَّتَهُ

حَتّى ضَرَبنا عَلى المَهدِيِّ قُبَّتَهُ

فُسطاطَ مُلكٍ بِأَطنابٍ وَأَوتادِ

فُسطاطَ مُلكٍ بِأَطنابٍ وَأَوتادِ

Until we pitched al-Mahdi's pavilion over him,

Until over the Mahdi we raised his dome,

a tent of kingship with ropes and pegs.

The pavilion of the kingdom with tents and pegs.

إِنَّ الخَليفَةَ طَودٌ يُستَظَلُّ بِهِ

إِنَّ الخَليفَةَ طَودٌ يُستَظَلُّ بِهِ

عالٍ مَعَ الشَمسِ مَحفوفٌ بِأَطوادِ

عالٍ مَعَ الشَمسِ مَحفوفٌ بِأَطوادِ

The caliph is a mountain beneath which shelter is sought,

The Caliph is a towering mountain in whose shade one takes refuge,

high alongside the sun, surrounded by mountains.

Lofty with the sun, surrounded by the highlands.

تُجبى لَهُ الأَرضُ مِن مِسكٍ وَمِن ذَهَبٍ

تُجبى لَهُ الأَرضُ مِن مِسكٍ وَمِن ذَهَبٍ

وَيُتَّقى غَيرَ فَحّاشٍ عَلى البادي

وَيُتَّقى غَيرَ فَحّاشٍ عَلى البادي

The earth's tribute is gathered for him, in musk and gold,

The land pays him willingly musk and gold,

and he is feared, without railing at the newcomer.

And every foul-mouthed vagrant fears him.

يَغدو الخَليفَةُ مَرؤوماً نُطيفُ بِهِ

يَغدو الخَليفَةُ مَرؤوماً نُطيفُ بِهِ

كَما يُطيفُ بِبَيتِ القِبلَةِ الجادي

كَما يُطيفُ بِبَيتِ القِبلَةِ الجادي

The caliph goes forth beloved; we circle around him,

The Caliph is cherished; we stroll around him

as the suppliant circles the House of the qibla.

As the pilgrims circumambulate the Sacred House.

إِذا دَعانا ذَبَبنا عَن مَحارِمِهِ

إِذا دَعانا ذَبَبنا عَن مَحارِمِهِ

ذَبَّ البَنينَ عَنِ الآباءِ أَحشادِ

ذَبَّ البَنينَ عَنِ الآباءِ أَحشادِ

When he calls us, we defend all he holds inviolable,

When he calls us we swarm to protect his sanctuary

as sons, gathered in force, defend their fathers.

As the sons swarm to protect the fathers in droves.

وَنازِعينَ يَداً خانوا فَقُلتُ لَهُم

وَنازِعينَ يَداً خانوا فَقُلتُ لَهُم

بُعداً وَسُحقاً وَكانوا أَهلَ إِبعادِ

بُعداً وَسُحقاً وَكانوا أَهلَ إِبعادِ

And those who withdrew their hands and betrayed him—I said to them:

And those who disputed the authority, we said to them,

'Away, and far away!' They deserved banishment.

“Begone and smashed,” and they deserved to be banished.

راحَت لَهُم مِن يَدِ الوَهّابِ عُدَّتُهُم

راحَت لَهُم مِن يَدِ الوَهّابِ عُدَّتُهُم

مِنَ المَنايا تُوافيهِم بِميعادِ

مِنَ المَنايا تُوافيهِم بِميعادِ

Their provision came to them from the Bestower's hand:

Their equipment, which the Giver gave them

deaths that meet them at an appointed time.

To use against us, has left their hands to the appointed time of death.

فَأَصبَحوا في رُقادِ المِلكِ قَد خَفَتوا

فَأَصبَحوا في رُقادِ المِلكِ قَد خَفَتوا

وَلَم يَكونوا عَلى السوأى بِرُقّادِ

وَلَم يَكونوا عَلى السوأى بِرُقّادِ

Then, amid the repose of kingship, they fell silent,

So they remained in the slumber of the kingdom, having languished,

though they had never slumbered in their wrongdoing.

And they were not wakeful in the face of adversity.

مِثلُ المُقَنَّعِ في ضَربٍ لَهُ سَلَفوا

مِثلُ المُقَنَّعِ في ضَربٍ لَهُ سَلَفوا

أَذباحَ أَصيَدَ لِلأَبطالِ صَيّادِ

أَذباحَ أَصيَدَ لِلأَبطالِ صَيّادِ

Like al-Muqanna', those of his kind passed on before,

Like al-Muganna wearing mail with a record of

victims of a proud lord who hunts champions.

Slaying game for the heroes, the hunters.

وَعادَةُ اللَهُ لِلمَهدِيِّ في بَطِرٍ

وَعادَةُ اللَهُ لِلمَهدِيِّ في بَطِرٍ

شَقَّ العَصا وَتَوَلّى أَحسَنُ العادِ

شَقَّ العَصا وَتَوَلّى أَحسَنُ العادِ

And God's way with al-Mahdi against an insolent man

It is Allah’s custom towards the Mahdi during hardship

who breaks the staff of unity and turns away is the finest of ways.

To split the rod and turn with the best morals.

يا طالِبَ العُرفِ إِنَّ الخَيرَ مَعدِنُهُ

يا طالِبَ العُرفِ إِنَّ الخَيرَ مَعدِنُهُ

في راحَتَي مَلِكٍ أَضحى بِبَغدادِ

في راحَتَي مَلِكٍ أَضحى بِبَغدادِ

O seeker of kindness, goodness has its source

O you who seek loftiness, its essence lies

in the two palms of a king now dwelling in Baghdad.

In the leisure of the king who has settled in Baghdad.

سَلِّم عَلى الجودِ قَد لاحَت مَخايِلُهُ

سَلِّم عَلى الجودِ قَد لاحَت مَخايِلُهُ

عَلى اِبنِ عَمِّ نَبيِّ الرَحمَةِ الهادي

عَلى اِبنِ عَمِّ نَبيِّ الرَحمَةِ الهادي

Salute generosity: its signs have appeared

Greet perfect generosity, its perceptions have appeared

upon the cousin of the guiding Prophet of mercy.

In the son of the Prophet’s uncle, the rightly guided guide.

تُزَيِّنُ الدينَ وَالدُنيا صَنائِعُهُ

تُزَيِّنُ الدينَ وَالدُنيا صَنائِعُهُ

يَخرُجنَ مِن بادِئٍ بِالخَيرِ عَوّادِ

يَخرُجنَ مِن بادِئٍ بِالخَيرِ عَوّادِ

His benefactions adorn religion and the world,

His deeds beautify religion and life

issuing from one who begins in goodness and returns to it.

Continuously emerging with goodwill.

عَمَّ العِراقَينِ بَحرٌ حَلَّ بَينَهُما

عَمَّ العِراقَينِ بَحرٌ حَلَّ بَينَهُما

يَنتابُهُ الناسُ مِن زَورٍ وَوُرّادِ

يَنتابُهُ الناسُ مِن زَورٍ وَوُرّادِ

An ocean has embraced the two Iraqs, settling between them,

A sea of bounty has encompassed Iraq

visited by people, guests and seekers of its waters.

Which people access from visits and delegations.

نَرى النَدى وَالرَدى مِن راحَتَيهِ لَنا

نَرى النَدى وَالرَدى مِن راحَتَيهِ لَنا

لَمّا جَرى الفَيضُ مَحفوزاً بِإِمدادِ

لَمّا جَرى الفَيضُ مَحفوزاً بِإِمدادِ

We see bounty and death coming to us from his two palms,

We see moisture and vegetation by his leisure for us

when the flood ran, driven onward by fresh supplies.

When grace flowed, driven by supplies.

سِر غَيرَ وانٍ وَلا ثانٍ عَلى شَجَنٍ

سِر غَيرَ وانٍ وَلا ثانٍ عَلى شَجَنٍ

إِنَّ الإِمامَ لِمَن صَلّى بِمِرصادِ

إِنَّ الإِمامَ لِمَن صَلّى بِمِرصادِ

Go, neither slackening nor turning aside for grief;

Travel untroubled without any hesitation or doubt or sadness,

the imam is on the watch for whoever follows.

The Imam blesses whoever prays for his

وَكاشِحِ الصَدرِ تَسري لي عَقارِبُهُ

وَكاشِحِ الصَدرِ تَسري لي عَقارِبُهُ

رَشَّحتُهُ لِعِقابٍ بَعدَ إِجهادِ

رَشَّحتُهُ لِعِقابٍ بَعدَ إِجهادِ

And a man with rancor in his breast, whose scorpions creep toward me—

Continued rule.

I marked him out for punishment after exhausting effort.

The aggressor, though his appointment is long,

أَموعِدي العَبدُ إِن طالَت مَواعِدُهُ

أَموعِدي العَبدُ إِن طالَت مَواعِدُهُ

لَهفي مَتى كُنتُ أُدحِيّاً لِرُوّادِ

لَهفي مَتى كُنتُ أُدحِيّاً لِرُوّادِ

Does the slave threaten me, however long his threats continue?

My tryst is when will I be hosted by visitors?

Alas for me! When was I an ostrich's nesting hollow for roaming seekers?

Below me are the black lions of Bani al-Abbas during dark tribulations,

دوني أُسودُ بَني العَبّاسِ في أَشَبٍ

دوني أُسودُ بَني العَبّاسِ في أَشَبٍ

صَعبِ المَرامِ غَريزٍ غَيرِ مُنآدِ

صَعبِ المَرامِ غَريزٍ غَيرِ مُنآدِ

Before me stand the lions of the sons of al-Abbas, in a thicket

Of difficult ideals, an innate unconventional breed.

hard to reach, firmly rooted and unyielding.

Between the Imam and Musa one glory stands for a person:

بَينَ الإِمامِ وَموسى لِاِمرِئٍ شَرَفٌ

بَينَ الإِمامِ وَموسى لِاِمرِئٍ شَرَفٌ

هَذا الهُمامُ وَهَذا حَيَّةُ الوادي

هَذا الهُمامُ وَهَذا حَيَّةُ الوادي

Between the imam and Musa, a man finds honor:

This resolute one, and this alert snake of the valley.

this one is the noble champion, that one the valley's serpent.

The two shepherds who grace and have mercy,

الراعِيانِ بِإِنعامٍ وَمَرحَمَةٍ

الراعِيانِ بِإِنعامٍ وَمَرحَمَةٍ

وَالغافِرانِ ذُنوبَ الحالِفِ الصادي

وَالغافِرانِ ذُنوبَ الحالِفِ الصادي

Both tending their people with favor and mercy,

And forgive the sins of the neighboring loyalist.

both forgiving the sins of the thirsty oath-swearer.

The Highest Creator gave them and shook them

أَعطاهُما الخالِقُ الأَعلى وَهَزَّهُما

أَعطاهُما الخالِقُ الأَعلى وَهَزَّهُما

ميراثَ أَحمَدَ مِن دينٍ وَإِصفادِ

ميراثَ أَحمَدَ مِن دينٍ وَإِصفادِ

The Creator Most High gave to them both, and quickened them with,

The inheritance of Ahmad of religion and turbans.

Ahmad's inheritance of religion and gift-giving.

The father of munificence and the uncle who grants refuge,

وَالوالِدُ الغَمرُ وَالعَمُّ المُعاذُ بِهِ

وَالوالِدُ الغَمرُ وَالعَمُّ المُعاذُ بِهِ

لَم يَرضَيا دونَ إِفراعٍ وَإِصعادِ

لَم يَرضَيا دونَ إِفراعٍ وَإِصعادِ

And the bountiful father and the uncle in whom refuge is sought

Are not pleased except with sheltering and raising high.

would accept nothing short of scaling heights and ascending.

They stood for what lies between the Bridge and the Path

قاما بِما بَينَ يَعبورٍ إِلى سَبَلٍ

قاما بِما بَينَ يَعبورٍ إِلى سَبَلٍ

مُستَضلِعَينِ بِتُبّاعٍ وَقُوّادِ

مُستَضلِعَينِ بِتُبّاعٍ وَقُوّادِ

They undertook all between Ya'bur and Sabal,

Asserting with subordinates and leaders.

shouldering it with followers and commanders,

Until they deemed the wild animals of the earth violated, so they left

حَتّى اِستَباحا سَنامَ الأَرضِ فَاِنصَرَفا

حَتّى اِستَباحا سَنامَ الأَرضِ فَاِنصَرَفا

عَن آلِ مَروانَ صَرعى غَيرَ نُهّادِ

عَن آلِ مَروانَ صَرعى غَيرَ نُهّادِ

until they seized the earth's hump, then turned away

The family of Marwan felled, unmoved.

from Marwan's house, fallen and unable to rise.

What excellent Imams whose position none can assume

نِعمَ الإِمامانِ لا يَقفو مَقامَهُما

نِعمَ الإِمامانِ لا يَقفو مَقامَهُما

بِالحَرسِ دونَ عَمودِ الدينِ ذَوّادِ

بِالحَرسِ دونَ عَمودِ الدينِ ذَوّادِ

Excellent are the two imams; no defender can match their station

At the garrison, besides the pillar of the lasting religion!

in keeping guard before the pillar of religion.

They upheld the authority of Islam and regained

هُما أَقاما عَصا الإِسلامِ وَاِرتَجَعا

هُما أَقاما عَصا الإِسلامِ وَاِرتَجَعا

أَعوادَ أَحمَدَ مِن شَرقٍ وَأَعوادِ

أَعوادَ أَحمَدَ مِن شَرقٍ وَأَعوادِ

They set upright the staff of Islam and reclaimed

The pegs of Ahmad from east and pegs from west.

Ahmad's pulpit timbers from the east and timbers [phrase unclear].

So now the eyes have rested, and with them remains

فَالآنَ قَرَّت عُيونٌ فَاِستَقَرَّ بِها

فَالآنَ قَرَّت عُيونٌ فَاِستَقَرَّ بِها

مَوتُ النِفاقِ وَمَنفى كُلِّ هَدهادِ

مَوتُ النِفاقِ وَمَنفى كُلِّ هَدهادِ

Now eyes are at rest, and firmly established for them are

The death of hypocrisy and the exile of every chanter.

the death of hypocrisy and the banishment of every coward.

The darkness of the oppressors lifted from a king

تَفَرَّجَت ظُلَمُ الظَلماءِ عَن مَلِكٍ

تَفَرَّجَت ظُلَمُ الظَلماءِ عَن مَلِكٍ

مِن هاشِمٍ فَرِسٍ لِلناكِثِ العادي

مِن هاشِمٍ فَرِسٍ لِلناكِثِ العادي

The darknesses of the dark night parted to reveal a king

From Hashim, a steed for the oath-breaker.

of Hashim, a predator upon the oath-breaking aggressor.