يا صاحِبَيَّ العَشِيَّةَ اِحتَسِبا

يا صاحِبَيَّ العَشِيَّةَ اِحتَسِبا

جَدَّ الهَوى بِالفَتى وَما لَعِبا

جَدَّ الهَوى بِالفَتى وَما لَعِبا

O my two companions, this evening mourn me;

O my friends in the evening, be patient

love has dealt earnestly with the youth, not playfully.

Love has seriously afflicted the young man, and he did not play

وَاللَهِ وَاللَهِ ما أَنامُ وَلا

وَاللَهِ وَاللَهِ ما أَنامُ وَلا

أَملِكُ عَيني دُموعَها طَرِبا

أَملِكُ عَيني دُموعَها طَرِبا

By God, by God, I do not sleep, nor

By Allah, by Allah, I do not sleep, and

master my eye's tears, overcome with longing.

I cannot control my teary eyes out of agitation

أَبقى لَنا الدَهرُ مِن تَذَكُّرِ مَن

أَبقى لَنا الدَهرُ مِن تَذَكُّرِ مَن

قَد كانَ جاراً فَبانَ وَاِغتَرَبا

قَد كانَ جاراً فَبانَ وَاِغتَرَبا

Time has left us some remembrance of one

Will time let us remember one

who was a neighbor, then departed and went afar.

Who was a neighbor, then became estranged and went away?

لِلَّهِ دَمعي أَلّا أُكَلِّمَهُ

لِلَّهِ دَمعي أَلّا أُكَلِّمَهُ

يَومَ غَدا في السُلافِ مُنشَعِبا

يَومَ غَدا في السُلافِ مُنشَعِبا

To God belong my tears for not speaking to him

To Allah my tears! I shall not speak to him

the day he went with the advance party, branching away.

Tomorrow morning in the house, downcast

ما كانَ ذَنبي أَنّي شَقيتُ بِهِ

ما كانَ ذَنبي أَنّي شَقيتُ بِهِ

وَشُؤمَ عَينٍ كانَت لَنا سَبَبا

وَشُؤمَ عَينٍ كانَت لَنا سَبَبا

What was my fault, that I suffered through him,

It was not my sin that I suffered because of him

and from the ill omen of an eye that caused it for us?

And the evil eye of someone was the reason between us

أَفرَغتُ دَمعي عَلى الحَبيبِ فَأَع

أَفرَغتُ دَمعي عَلى الحَبيبِ فَأَع

جَبتُ رِجالاً وَلَم أَكُن عَجَبا

جَبتُ رِجالاً وَلَم أَكُن عَجَبا

I poured out my tears upon the beloved, and amazed

I shed my tears over the beloved, so I astonished

men, though I was no marvel.

Men, while I was not wonderful

قَبلي تَصابى الفَتى وَمالَ بِهِ

قَبلي تَصابى الفَتى وَمالَ بِهِ

حُبُّ المَعاصيرِ عَفَّ أَو طَلَبا

حُبُّ المَعاصيرِ عَفَّ أَو طَلَبا

Before me, the youth dallied and was swayed

Before me, the young man was loyal, but

by love of budding maidens, whether chaste or pursuing them.

Love of parting came over him, or he sought another

ما كانَ حُبّي سَلمى وَرُؤيَتُها

ما كانَ حُبّي سَلمى وَرُؤيَتُها

إِلّا قَذىً في مَدامِعي نَشِبا

إِلّا قَذىً في مَدامِعي نَشِبا

My love for Salma and the sight of her were nothing

My love for Salma and seeing her

but grit lodged in my tearful eyes.

Was but a speck in my overflowing tears

أُريدُ نِسيانَها فَيُذكِرُني

أُريدُ نِسيانَها فَيُذكِرُني

ما باتَ في الجارَتَينِ مُكتَسَبا

ما باتَ في الجارَتَينِ مُكتَسَبا

I seek to forget her, yet I am reminded by

I want to forget her, but he reminds me of

what was gained by night with the two neighboring women.

What he gained with the two neighbors

لِلَّهِ سَلمى إِذ لا تُطيعُ بِنا ال

لِلَّهِ سَلمى إِذ لا تُطيعُ بِنا ال

واشي وَإِذ لا نُطيعُ مَن عَتَبا

واشي وَإِذ لا نُطيعُ مَن عَتَبا

God bless Salma, when she would not heed, about us, the

How much pleasure we got, enjoying it

talebearer, and when we would not heed a reproacher.

And a gathering the memory of which became anguish

تَدنو مَعَ الذِكرِ كُلَّما نَزَحَت

تَدنو مَعَ الذِكرِ كُلَّما نَزَحَت

حَتّى أَرى شَخصَها وَما اِقتَرَبا

حَتّى أَرى شَخصَها وَما اِقتَرَبا

She draws near in memory whenever she goes far away,

There remains only the imagination, reminding me

until I see her form, though it has not come near.

Of what she was, and what I desired

وَيَومَ أَشكو إِلى أُسامَةَ مَك

وَيَومَ أَشكو إِلى أُسامَةَ مَك

نونَ الهَوى فَاِستَطارَ وَاِلتَهَبا

نونَ الهَوى فَاِستَطارَ وَاِلتَهَبا

And the day I confided to Usama the hidden

Leave Salma, whose yearning causes anguish for her seeker

depths of love, it took wing and blazed.

Reason cannot precede what is destined

قالَت سُلَيمى أَعِندَنا شُغُلٌ

قالَت سُلَيمى أَعِندَنا شُغُلٌ

عَنكَ وَلَكِن لا تُحسِنُ الحَلَبا

عَنكَ وَلَكِن لا تُحسِنُ الحَلَبا

Sulayma said, 'Have we anything to keep us

I shall leave insanity to the eyes, and not

from you? Yet you do not know how to milk.'

Leave drinking wine in the evenings and at dusk

أَكرِم خَليطاً تَنَل كَرامَتَهُ

أَكرِم خَليطاً تَنَل كَرامَتَهُ

لَستَ بِجانٍ مِن شَوكِهِ عِنَبا

لَستَ بِجانٍ مِن شَوكِهِ عِنَبا

Honor a companion and you will gain his honor;

And a king whom kings bow down to

you will not gather grapes from his thorns.

Just, providing sustenance for the Arabs

زَينَ الجَواري خُلِقتِ مِن عَجَبٍ

زَينَ الجَواري خُلِقتِ مِن عَجَبٍ

وَالحِرصُ عَجلانُ يَفضَحُ الأَدَبا

وَالحِرصُ عَجلانُ يَفضَحُ الأَدَبا

O ornament of maidens, you were made of wonder;

Looking after our affairs and honor

and eager desire is hasty and disgraces good manners.

Spending the day in prosperity and prestige at night

وَبِالنَقى وَالعُيونُ حاضِرَةٌ

وَبِالنَقى وَالعُيونُ حاضِرَةٌ

عَيَّنَّنا كُلَّ شارِقٍ عَقِبا

عَيَّنَّنا كُلَّ شارِقٍ عَقِبا

And on the dunes, while watchful eyes were present,

Fortune and mules continually

they kept us in sight, sunrise after sunrise.

Collecting land tax which is taken to him

دَسَّت إِلَيَّ البَنّانَ تُخبِرُني

دَسَّت إِلَيَّ البَنّانَ تُخبِرُني

عَنها فَمَنّى وَرُبَّما كَذَبا

عَنها فَمَنّى وَرُبَّما كَذَبا

She secretly sent Bannan to me, bringing word

And sometimes the eyes flash

of her; he gave me hopes, and sometimes lied.

Lightning for him against those who rebel

كانَت عَلى ذاكَ ثُمَّتَ اِنقَلَبَت

كانَت عَلى ذاكَ ثُمَّتَ اِنقَلَبَت

كَما دَعَوتُ الزَماعَ فَاِنقَلَبا

كَما دَعَوتُ الزَماعَ فَاِنقَلَبا

She remained so, then changed,

A man of Quraysh in religion and nobility

just as I called upon resolve, and it turned away.

I gave him my love for what he gave

كَم مِن نَعيمٍ نِلنا لَذاذَتَهُ

كَم مِن نَعيمٍ نِلنا لَذاذَتَهُ

وَمَجلِسٍ عادَ ذِكرُهُ نَصَبا

وَمَجلِسٍ عادَ ذِكرُهُ نَصَبا

How many pleasures whose sweetness we enjoyed,

Resentment of a friend does not deceive him

and gatherings whose memory became pain!

Nor does his anger overcome him if he is angry

لَم يَبقَ إِلّا الخَيالُ يُذكِرُني

لَم يَبقَ إِلّا الخَيالُ يُذكِرُني

ما كانَ مِنها وَكانَ مُطّلَبا

ما كانَ مِنها وَكانَ مُطّلَبا

Nothing remains but the phantom, reminding me

He gives you what the winds blow, and does not

of what came from her and was once sought.

Covet anyone's religion, even if they are close

دَع عَنكَ سَلمى شَجىً لِطالِبَها

دَع عَنكَ سَلمى شَجىً لِطالِبَها

لا يَسبِقُ الرَأيُ دونَ ما كُتِبا

لا يَسبِقُ الرَأيُ دونَ ما كُتِبا

Put Salma aside—a sorrow for whoever seeks her;

Courageous, dignified, his arrogance adorned

judgment cannot outrun what has been written.

With forbearance, and dignity along with what he avoided

سَأَترُكُ الغُرَّ لِلعُيونِ وَلا

سَأَترُكُ الغُرَّ لِلعُيونِ وَلا

أَترُكُ شُربَ الصَهباءِ وَالغَرَبا

أَترُكُ شُربَ الصَهباءِ وَالغَرَبا

I shall leave the radiant beauties to the eyes, and not

A rain pool after rain quenches you

give up drinking tawny wine, or the silver goblet.

With fresh cool water flowing for whoever drank

وَمَلِكٌ تَسجُدُ المُلوكُ لَهُ

وَمَلِكٌ تَسجُدُ المُلوكُ لَهُ

موفٍ عَلى الناسِ يَرزِقُ العَرَبا

موفٍ عَلى الناسِ يَرزِقُ العَرَبا

And a king before whom kings bow down,

With his skin the clothes smell fragrant, and with his

exalted above the people, providing for the Arabs;

Touch he makes people and lineage fragrant

راعٍ لِأَحسابِنا وَذِمَّتِنا

راعٍ لِأَحسابِنا وَذِمَّتِنا

يُمسي دُواراً وَيَغتَدي نُصُبا

يُمسي دُواراً وَيَغتَدي نُصُبا

a guardian of our noble lineages and our covenant,

You can smell his slippers in the replacement

by evening he is Duwar, by morning a stone idol.

Like the repentant smell fragrant basil

لا يَفتُرُ البُختُ وَالبِغالُ مَوا

لا يَفتُرُ البُختُ وَالبِغالُ مَوا

قيراً خَراجاً يُجبى لَهُ دَأَبا

قيراً خَراجاً يُجبى لَهُ دَأَبا

The Bactrian camels and mules never weary, laden

I wore iron and coats of mail besides him

with tribute gathered for him continually.

And a Mahri she-camel, a noble creature

وَرُبَّما شَبَّتِ العُيونُ لَهُ

وَرُبَّما شَبَّتِ العُيونُ لَهُ

بَرقاً فَكانَت رُؤُسَ مَن شَغَبا

بَرقاً فَكانَت رُؤُسَ مَن شَغَبا

And sometimes watchful eyes kindle for him

Of supplies in the packsaddles and saddlebags

a lightning-flash: the heads of those who stirred unrest.

For persistent anxiety or overwhelming calamity

فَتى قُرَيشٍ ديناً وَمَكرُمَةً

فَتى قُرَيشٍ ديناً وَمَكرُمَةً

وَهَبتُ وُدّي لَهُ بِما وَهَبا

وَهَبتُ وُدّي لَهُ بِما وَهَبا

A youth of Quraysh in faith and noble generosity;

When I remember a man spending the night

I gave him my affection for what he gave.

Giving thanks, we rode the usual mounts

لا يَأثَرُ الغِلَّ لِلخَليلِ وَلا

لا يَأثَرُ الغِلَّ لِلخَليلِ وَلا

تَغلِبُهُ طَيرُهُ إِذا غَضِبا

تَغلِبُهُ طَيرُهُ إِذا غَضِبا

He harbors no rancor toward a friend, nor

Stamping the embers of anger, while the

does his fury overcome him when he is angered.

Family was in turmoil and its youths in confusion

يُعطيكَ ما هَبَّتِ الرِياحُ وَلا

يُعطيكَ ما هَبَّتِ الرِياحُ وَلا

يُطمَعُ في دينِهِ وَإِن قَرُبا

يُطمَعُ في دينِهِ وَإِن قَرُبا

He gives you as long as the winds blow, nor

She-camels arriving from every emigrant woman

may one hope to sway his faith, however near one comes.

In the heat and noon sun you can see following him

شَهمٌ وَقورٌ يَزينُ غُرَّتَهُ

شَهمٌ وَقورٌ يَزينُ غُرَّتَهُ

حِلمٌ وَزانَ الوَقارُ ما اِجتَنَبا

حِلمٌ وَزانَ الوَقارُ ما اِجتَنَبا

Bold and dignified, his bright brow is adorned

Crooked, consecutive on the curved road when the

by forbearance; dignity adorns what he avoids.

Rider takes shade from the heat of his day

يَكفيكَ مِن قَسوَرٍ أَجَشَّ وَكَال

يَكفيكَ مِن قَسوَرٍ أَجَشَّ وَكَال

ماءِ زُلالاً يَجري لِمَن شَرِبا

ماءِ زُلالاً يَجري لِمَن شَرِبا

He protects you from a deep-roaring lion, and like

They swim in the heaven's pond as if

clear water he flows for whoever drinks.

The wild asses cut straight through the clamor

بِجِلدَةٍ طابَت الثِيابُ وَبِال

بِجِلدَةٍ طابَت الثِيابُ وَبِال

مَسِّ يُطيبُ العِيانَ وَالحَسَبا

مَسِّ يُطيبُ العِيانَ وَالحَسَبا

His skin makes garments fragrant, and by his

Until when they alight at the abode

touch he ennobles appearance and noble standing.

Of kinswomen and maternal aunts, relieving distress

تُشَمُّ نَعلاهُ في النَديِّ كَما

تُشَمُّ نَعلاهُ في النَديِّ كَما

شَمَّ النَدامى الرَيحانَ مُعتَقَبا

شَمَّ النَدامى الرَيحانَ مُعتَقَبا

His sandals are sniffed in the gathering, just as

Between Abu Ja'far and Abu al-'Abbas

drinking companions sniff basil in turn.

Like a mirage taking cover

ساوَرتُ مِن دونِهِ العَقَنقَلَ وَال

ساوَرتُ مِن دونِهِ العَقَنقَلَ وَال

جَوفَ أُزجّي المَهرِيَّةَ النُجُبا

جَوفَ أُزجّي المَهرِيَّةَ النُجُبا

To reach him I grappled with towering dunes and the

No! He is rather the annihilator of cares when

hollow, driving noble Mahri camels onward,

A person's heart feels them, out of necessity

مِنَ المُعَدّاتِ في اللُجَينِ وَفي ال

مِنَ المُعَدّاتِ في اللُجَينِ وَفي ال

عَيصِ لِهَمٍّ أَلَحَّ أَو غَلَبا

عَيصِ لِهَمٍّ أَلَحَّ أَو غَلَبا

from those held ready among leaf-fodder and the

I greeted him at daybreak while his palms

thickets, for a care that pressed or overwhelmed me.

Poured gold for the visitors of his house

إِذا ذَكَرتُ اِمرَأً يَبيتُ عَلى ال

إِذا ذَكَرتُ اِمرَأً يَبيتُ عَلى ال

حَمدِ رَكِبنا العادِيَّةَ الرُكَبا

حَمدِ رَكِبنا العادِيَّةَ الرُكَبا

When I remember a man who spends the night amid

He gave such bracelets, slaves, and

praise, we mount the swift riding camels.

Real estate that I thought it was play

يَخبُطنَ جَمرَ الغَضى وَقَد خَفَقَ ال

يَخبُطنَ جَمرَ الغَضى وَقَد خَفَقَ ال

آلُ وَغَشّى رَيعانُهُ الحَدَبا

آلُ وَغَشّى رَيعانُهُ الحَدَبا

They tread the embers of ghada wood, while the

With blessing that carries loyalty, following it

mirage quivers and its first shimmer veils the hillocks.

From death after hardship

مُستِقبِلاتٍ مِن كُلِّ هاجِرَةٍ

مُستِقبِلاتٍ مِن كُلِّ هاجِرَةٍ

قَيظاً وَقَيضاً تَرى لَهُ حَبَبا

قَيظاً وَقَيضاً تَرى لَهُ حَبَبا

Facing, in every midday blaze,

He hurries to reward this and that and that other, and does not

summer heat and cracked ground whose bubbles you can see.

Count his reward like one who counts

عوجٌ تَوالى عَلى الذَميلِ إِذا ال

عوجٌ تَوالى عَلى الذَميلِ إِذا ال

راكِبُ مِن حَرِّ يَومِهِ اِنتَقَبا

راكِبُ مِن حَرِّ يَومِهِ اِنتَقَبا

Crooked-legged, they keep trotting when the

Indeed, he whose rule

rider veils himself against the heat of his day.

Blessed people until they disputed over the reason

يَسبَحنَ في عَدرَةِ السَماءِ كَما

يَسبَحنَ في عَدرَةِ السَماءِ كَما

شَقَّ العَدَولِيُّ زاخِراً صَخِبا

شَقَّ العَدَولِيُّ زاخِراً صَخِبا

They swim through the expanse of the sky, as

Is the brother of the one prayers were established for

an Aduli ship cuts through a swelling, clamorous sea.

He does not act stingily or speak falsely

حَتّى إِذا خَيَّمَت بِعاقِبَةٍ

حَتّى إِذا خَيَّمَت بِعاقِبَةٍ

جاراتِ والٍ يُفَرِّجُ الكُرَبا

جاراتِ والٍ يُفَرِّجُ الكُرَبا

Until, at journey's end, they camped,

His manners have made his nature white-haired

as neighbors of a ruler who dispels distress.

And he has inherited it if he claims affiliation

بَينَ أَبي جَعفَرٍ وَبَينَ أَبي ال

بَينَ أَبي جَعفَرٍ وَبَينَ أَبي ال

عَبّاسِ مِثلُ الرِئبالِ مُحتَجِبا

عَبّاسِ مِثلُ الرِئبالِ مُحتَجِبا

Between Abu Ja'far and Abu al-

He starts the day with the blessings of prophethood; his

'Abbas, hidden away like a lion.

Banner does not lag if it stirs

لا بَل هُوَ المُخدِرُ الهُمامُ إِذا

لا بَل هُوَ المُخدِرُ الهُمامُ إِذا

أَحسَّ قَلبُ اِمرِئٍ بِهِ وَجَبا

أَحسَّ قَلبُ اِمرِئٍ بِهِ وَجَبا

No, rather he is the mighty lion in his lair; when

And our land gave glad tidings to the sky through him

a man's heart senses him, it trembles.

And the people of graves were delighted at what followed

صَبَّحتُهُ في الذَرورِ تُمطِرُ كَف

صَبَّحتُهُ في الذَرورِ تُمطِرُ كَف

فاهُ لِزُوّارِ بَيتِهِ ذَهَبا

فاهُ لِزُوّارِ بَيتِهِ ذَهَبا

I came to him at daybreak; his two

By Allah, the people of graves, if they were brought back to life,

palms rained gold for the visitors to his house.

Would find bliss and acquire proper behavior

لَمّا رَآني بَدَت مَكارِمُهُ

لَمّا رَآني بَدَت مَكارِمُهُ

نوراً عَلى وَجهِهِ وَما اِكتَأَبا

نوراً عَلى وَجهِهِ وَما اِكتَأَبا

When he saw me, his generosity appeared

And Joseph the rebel, he has prepared for him

as light upon his face; he did not grow gloomy.

Until he fell into Hell, overturned

كَأَنَّما جِئتُهُ أُبَشِّرُهُ

كَأَنَّما جِئتُهُ أُبَشِّرُهُ

وَلَم أَجِئ راغِباً وَمُحتَلِبا

وَلَم أَجِئ راغِباً وَمُحتَلِبا

As though I had come to bring him good news,

Away, smashed, with whoever turns away from

not come desiring gifts and seeking to milk him.

The truth and disobeys the Mahdi in fear

فَرَّجَ عَنّي المَهدِيُّ مِن كَرَبِ الض

فَرَّجَ عَنّي المَهدِيُّ مِن كَرَبِ الض

ضيقِ خِناقاً قاسَيتُهُ حُقَبا

ضيقِ خِناقاً قاسَيتُهُ حُقَبا

Al-Mahdi relieved me of the anguish of

Indeed, the son of Hajjaj's cupbearer is enough for you

straits—a choking grip I had endured for ages.

Settled and stable, wherever he traveled

أَعطى مِنَ الصُتمِ وَالوَلائِدِ وَال

أَعطى مِنَ الصُتمِ وَالوَلائِدِ وَال

عُبدانِ حَتّى حَسِبتُهُ لَعِبا

عُبدانِ حَتّى حَسِبتُهُ لَعِبا

He gave solid coin, slave girls, and

Mahdi of the people of prayers, the fortune-teller reads him

male slaves, until I thought it a game.

An obscure, covered book, free of doubt

وَبِركَةٍ تَحمِلُ الوَفاءَ تَلا

وَبِركَةٍ تَحمِلُ الوَفاءَ تَلا

فاها مِنَ المَوتِ بَعدَ ما كَرَبا

فاها مِنَ المَوتِ بَعدَ ما كَرَبا

And a herd bearing full bounty—he rescued

As if those who seek him for their needs

it from death after death had drawn near.

Are pilgrims heading to Mash'ar in groups

يَحثي لِهَذا وَذا وَذاكَ وَلا

يَحثي لِهَذا وَذا وَذاكَ وَلا

يَحسِبُ مَعروفَهُ كَمَن حَسَبا

يَحسِبُ مَعروفَهُ كَمَن حَسَبا

He scatters handfuls for this man, this one, and that, and does not

He adorns the noble pulpit with his

count his favors as others count.

Kindness and words when he preaches

إِنَّ الَّذي أَنعَمَت خِلافَتُهُ

إِنَّ الَّذي أَنعَمَت خِلافَتُهُ

بِالناسِ حَتّى تَنازَعوا سَبَبا

بِالناسِ حَتّى تَنازَعوا سَبَبا

Indeed, he whose caliphate blessed

And the land glows with his virtues

the people until they vied for a bond with him

As if a light were implanted in the sun

شَقيقُ مَن قامَت الصَلاةُ بِهِ

شَقيقُ مَن قامَت الصَلاةُ بِهِ

لَم يَأتِ بُخلاً وَلَم يَقُل كَذِبا

لَم يَأتِ بُخلاً وَلَم يَقُل كَذِبا

is a brother to him through whom prayer was established;

Proudest when his hands drip

he never acted miserly or uttered a lie.

As his visitors throng around him in hordes

شيبَت بِأَخلاقِهِ خَلائِقُهُ

شيبَت بِأَخلاقِهِ خَلائِقُهُ

وَحازَ ميراثَهُ إِذا اِنتَسَبا

وَحازَ ميراثَهُ إِذا اِنتَسَبا

His qualities were blended with that one's character,

And the utmost extent of the delegations when

and he claimed his inheritance through his descent.

They travel, hoping for his connection out of desire

يَغدو بِيُمنٍ مِنَ النُبُوَّةِ لا

يَغدو بِيُمنٍ مِنَ النُبُوَّةِ لا

يُخلِفُ عَرّاصُهُ إِذا اِضطَرَبا

يُخلِفُ عَرّاصُهُ إِذا اِضطَرَبا

He goes forth with a blessing from prophecy; never

Their leader says, as they persist

does his flashing cloud fail when it stirs.

After morning, the joy of one who persists

وَبَشَّرَت أَرضُنا السَماءَ بِهِ

وَبَشَّرَت أَرضُنا السَماءَ بِهِ

وَسَرَّ أَهلَ القُبورِ ما عَقَبا

وَسَرَّ أَهلَ القُبورِ ما عَقَبا

Our earth gave heaven glad tidings of him,

When you go to the Mahdi, ask him,

and what followed gladdened the dwellers of the graves.

You will find generosity and God-consciousness in him

لِلَّهِ أَهلُ القُبورِ لَو نُشِروا

لِلَّهِ أَهلُ القُبورِ لَو نُشِروا

لاقَوا نَعيماً وَاِستَجلَموا أَدَبا

لاقَوا نَعيماً وَاِستَجلَموا أَدَبا

God bless the dwellers of the graves! If they were raised,

You see in him the mark of the Prophet, and if

they would meet bliss and gather the choicest refinement.

He fought people, he ignited a flame for them

وَيوسُفُ البَرمُ قَد عَبَأتَ لَهُ

وَيوسُفُ البَرمُ قَد عَبَأتَ لَهُ

حَتّى هَوى في الجَحيمِ مُنقَلَبا

حَتّى هَوى في الجَحيمِ مُنقَلَبا

And Yusuf al-Barm—you made ready against him,

United of heart when meeting, even if

until he fell, tumbling, into Hell.

The matter turns away from his heart in war

بُعداً وَسُحقاً لِمَن تَوَلّى عَنِ ال

بُعداً وَسُحقاً لِمَن تَوَلّى عَنِ ال

حَقِّ وَعاصى المَهدِيَّ مُرتَعِبا

حَقِّ وَعاصى المَهدِيَّ مُرتَعِبا

Away and far removed be whoever turned from the

Security has emerged in his rule

truth and defied al-Mahdi, trembling!

And he said about it, whoever reads books

إِنَّ اِبنَ ساقي الحَجيجِ يَكفيكَ ما

إِنَّ اِبنَ ساقي الحَجيجِ يَكفيكَ ما

حَلَّ مُقيماً وَأَيَّةً رَكِبا

حَلَّ مُقيماً وَأَيَّةً رَكِبا

Indeed, the son of the pilgrims' water-giver suffices you while

Muhammad bequeaths his caliphate to him

he dwells at rest, and whatever way he rides.

Moses and Aaron follow the father

مَهدِيُّ آلِ الصَلاةِ يَقرَؤُهُ ال

مَهدِيُّ آلِ الصَلاةِ يَقرَؤُهُ ال

قَسُّ كِتاباً دَثراً جَلا رِيَبا

قَسُّ كِتاباً دَثراً جَلا رِيَبا

Mahdi of the house of prayer, whom the

priest reads in an ancient book that dispels doubts.

كَأَنَّ طُلّابَهُ لِحاجَتِهِم

كَأَنَّ طُلّابَهُ لِحاجَتِهِم

حَجٌّ يَأُمّونَ مَشعَراً شُزُبا

حَجٌّ يَأُمّونَ مَشعَراً شُزُبا

As though those seeking him for their needs

were lean pilgrims making for a sacred site.

يُزَيِّنُ المِنبَرَ الأَشَمَّ بِعِط

يُزَيِّنُ المِنبَرَ الأَشَمَّ بِعِط

فَيهِ وَأَقوالِهِ إِذا خَطَبا

فَيهِ وَأَقوالِهِ إِذا خَطَبا

He adorns the lofty pulpit with his

bearing and his words whenever he preaches.

وَتُشرِقُ الأَرضُ مِن مَحاسِنِهِ

وَتُشرِقُ الأَرضُ مِن مَحاسِنِهِ

كَأَنَّ نوراً في الشَمسِ مُجتَلَبا

كَأَنَّ نوراً في الشَمسِ مُجتَلَبا

And the earth shines with his excellences,

as though light had been drawn into the sun.

أَغَرُّ مُستَمطَرُ اليَدَينِ إِذا

أَغَرُّ مُستَمطَرُ اليَدَينِ إِذا

راحَ عَلَيهِ زُوّارُهُ عُصَبا

راحَ عَلَيهِ زُوّارُهُ عُصَبا

Radiant, his hands are entreated for rain, when

his visitors come to him at evening in bands.

وَمُنتَهى غايَةِ الوُفودِ إِذا

وَمُنتَهى غايَةِ الوُفودِ إِذا

ساروا يُرَجّونَ وَصلَهُ رَغَبا

ساروا يُرَجّونَ وَصلَهُ رَغَبا

And the final goal of delegations, when

they travel, eagerly hoping for his favor.

يَقولُ ساريهُمُ وَقَد دَأَبوا

يَقولُ ساريهُمُ وَقَد دَأَبوا

بَعدَ الصَباحِ اِغتِباطُ مَن دَأَبا

بَعدَ الصَباحِ اِغتِباطُ مَن دَأَبا

Their night traveler says, after they have toiled,

'After dawn comes the joy of whoever has toiled.'

إِذا أَتَيتَ المَهدِيَّ سَأَلُهُ

إِذا أَتَيتَ المَهدِيَّ سَأَلُهُ

لاقيتَ جوداً بِهِ وَمُحتَسَبا

لاقيتَ جوداً بِهِ وَمُحتَسَبا

When you come to al-Mahdi asking him,

you find generosity in him, and a giver seeking divine reward.

تَرى عَلَيهِ سيما النَبِيِّ وَإِن

تَرى عَلَيهِ سيما النَبِيِّ وَإِن

حارَبَ قَوماً أَذكى لَهُم لَهَبا

حارَبَ قَوماً أَذكى لَهُم لَهَبا

You see upon him the Prophet's mark; and if

he wars against a people, he kindles flame for them.

مُجتَمِعُ القَلبِ في اللِقاءِ إِذا ال

مُجتَمِعُ القَلبِ في اللِقاءِ إِذا ال

أَمرُ تَوَلّى مِن قَلبِهِ حَرَبا

أَمرُ تَوَلّى مِن قَلبِهِ حَرَبا

Resolute of heart in battle, when the

matter draws wrath from his heart.

قَد سَطَعَ الأَمنُ في وِلايَتِهِ

قَد سَطَعَ الأَمنُ في وِلايَتِهِ

وَقالَ فيهِ مَن يَقرَأُ الكُتُبا

وَقالَ فيهِ مَن يَقرَأُ الكُتُبا

Safety has shone forth under his rule,

and of him those who read the books have said:

مُحَمَّدٌ مورِثٌ خِلافَتَهُ

مُحَمَّدٌ مورِثٌ خِلافَتَهُ

موسى وَهارونَ يَتبَعانِ أَبا

موسى وَهارونَ يَتبَعانِ أَبا

'Muhammad will bequeath his caliphate to

Musa and Harun, both following their father.'