فَيَاso O سَائِلًاone asking عَنْabout مَنْهَجِthe way of الْـحَقِّtruth يَبْتَغِيseeking
فَيَا سَائِلًا عَنْ مَنْهَجِ الْـحَقِّ يَبْتَغِي
سُلُوكَtreading طَرِيقِthe path of الْقَوْمِthe people حَقًّاtruly وَيَسْعَدُand finding happiness
سُلُوكَ طَرِيقِ الْقَوْمِ حَقًّا وَيَسْعَدُ
O you who ask about the way of truth, seeking
truly to walk the people's path and find happiness,
تأمَّلْreflect هَدَاكَmay He guide you اللهُGod مَاwhat قَدْindeed نَظَمْتُهُI composed it
تأمَّلْ هَدَاكَ اللهُ مَا قَدْ نَظَمْتُهُ
تَأَمُّلَthe reflection of مَنْone who قَدْindeed كَانَwas لِلْحَقِّtoward the truth يَقْصِدُaiming
تَأَمُّلَ مَنْ قَدْ كَانَ لِلْحَقِّ يَقْصِدُ
reflect—may God guide you—on what I have composed,
as one who is intent on the truth reflects.
نُقِرُّwe affirm بِأَنَّthat اللهَGod لَاno رَبَّLord غَيْرُهُother than Him
نُقِرُّ بِأَنَّ اللهَ لَا رَبَّ غَيْرُهُ
إِلَـٰـهٌa deity عَلَىupon الْعَرْشِthe Throne الْعَظِيمِthe mighty مُمجَّدُglorified
إِلَـٰـهٌ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ مُمجَّدُ
We affirm that God—there is no Lord besides Him—
is the Deity, glorified upon the mighty Throne.
وَنَشْهَدُand we testify أَنَّthat اللهَGod مَعْبُودُنَاthe One we worship الَّذِيwhom
وَنَشْهَدُ أَنَّ اللهَ مَعْبُودُنَا الَّذِي
نُخَصِّصُهُwe single Him out بِالحُبِّfor love ذُلّاًin submission وَنُفْرِدُand we single Him out
نُخَصِّصُهُ بِالحُبِّ ذُلّاً وَنُفْرِدُ
And we testify that God is the One we worship, whom
we single out in humble love and worship alone.
فلِلَّهِso to God belong كُلُّall الْـحَمْدِpraise وَالْـمَجْدِand glory وَالثَّنَاand commendation
فلِلَّهِ كُلُّ الْـحَمْدِ وَالْـمَجْدِ وَالثَّنَا
فَمِنْso for أَجْلِthe sake of ذَاthis كُلٌّeveryone إِلَىtoward اللهِGod يَقْصُدُturns
فَمِنْ أَجْلِ ذَا كُلٌّ إِلَى اللهِ يَقْصُدُ
All praise, glory, and commendation belong to God;
for this reason everyone turns toward God.
تُسبِّحهُglorify Him الْأَمْلَاكُthe angels وَالْأَرْضُand the earth وَالسَّمَاand heaven
تُسبِّحهُ الْأَمْلَاكُ وَالْأَرْضُ وَالسَّمَا
وَكُلُّand all جَمِيعِthe entirety of الْـخَلْقِcreation حَقًّاtruly وَتَحْمَدُand give praise
وَكُلُّ جَمِيعِ الْـخَلْقِ حَقًّا وَتَحْمَدُ
The angels, the earth, and heaven glorify Him,
and all creation, truly, offers Him praise.
تَنَزَّهَHe is exalted عَنْabove نِدٍّa rival وَكُفْءٍand an equal مُمَاثِلٍcomparable
تَنَزَّهَ عَنْ نِدٍّ وَكُفْءٍ مُمَاثِلٍ
وَعَنْand above وَصْفِthe description of ذِيone possessing النُّقْصَانِdeficiency جَلَّexalted is الـمُوَحَّدُthe One worshipped alone
وَعَنْ وَصْفِ ذِي النُّقْصَانِ جَلَّ الـمُوَحَّدُ
He is exalted above any rival or comparable equal,
and any attribute of imperfection; exalted is the One worshipped alone.
وَنُثْبِتُand we affirm أَخْبَارَthe reports of الصِّفَاتِthe attributes جَمِيعَهَاall of them
وَنُثْبِتُ أَخْبَارَ الصِّفَاتِ جَمِيعَهَا
وَنَبْرَأُand we dissociate ourselves مِنْfrom تَأْوِيلِthe reinterpretation of مَنْwhoever كَانَwas يَجْحَدُdenying
وَنَبْرَأُ مِنْ تَأْوِيلِ مَنْ كَانَ يَجْحَدُ
We affirm all the reports concerning His attributes,
and disavow the reinterpretations of those who deny them.
فَلَيْسَfor ... not يُطِيقُcan grasp الْعَقْلُthe intellect كُنْهَthe true nature of صِفَاتِهِHis attributes
فَلَيْسَ يُطِيقُ الْعَقْلُ كُنْهَ صِفَاتِهِ
فسَلِّمْso submit لِـمَاto what قَالَsaid الرَّسُولُthe Messenger مُحَمَّدُMuhammad
فسَلِّمْ لِـمَا قَالَ الرَّسُولُ مُحَمَّدُ
For the intellect cannot grasp the true nature of His attributes;
so accept what the Messenger Muhammad has said.
هُوَHe الصَّمَدُthe Self-Sufficient Refuge الْعَالِيthe Exalted لِعِظْمِfor the greatness of صِفَاتِهِHis attributes
هُوَ الصَّمَدُ الْعَالِي لِعِظْمِ صِفَاتِهِ
وَكُلُّand all جَمِيعِthe entirety of الْـخَلْقِcreation للهِto God يَصْمُدُturns in need
وَكُلُّ جَمِيعِ الْـخَلْقِ للهِ يَصْمُدُ
He is the Self-Sufficient Refuge, exalted by the greatness of His attributes,
and all creation, without exception, turns to God in need.
عَلِىٌّMost High عَلَاHe is exalted ذَاتًاin essence وَقَدْرًاand in rank وَقَهْرُهُand His mastery
عَلِىٌّ عَلَا ذَاتًا وَقَدْرًا وَقَهْرُهُ
قَرِيبٌnear مُجِيبٌresponsive بِالوَرَىtoward creation مُتَوَدِّدُshowing love
قَرِيبٌ مُجِيبٌ بِالوَرَى مُتَوَدِّدُ
He is Most High, exalted in essence, rank, and mastery;
near, responsive, and showing love to creation.
هُوَHe الـْحَيُّthe Ever-Living وَالْقَيُّومُand the Self-Sustaining Sustainer ذُوpossessor of الْجُودِbounty وَالْغِنَىand self-sufficiency
هُوَ الـْحَيُّ وَالْقَيُّومُ ذُو الْجُودِ وَالْغِنَى
وَكُلُّand all صِفَاتِattributes of الْحَمْدِpraise للهِto God تُسْنَدُare ascribed
وَكُلُّ صِفَاتِ الْحَمْدِ للهِ تُسْنَدُ
He is the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining Sustainer, possessed of bounty and self-sufficiency,
and every praiseworthy attribute is ascribed to God.
أَحَاطَHe encompasses بِكُلِّall of الْخَلْقِcreation عِلْمًاin knowledge وَقُدْرَةًand in power
أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ الْخَلْقِ عِلْمًا وَقُدْرَةً
وَبِرًّاand in kindness وَإِحْسَانًاand beneficence فَإِيَّاهُso Him alone نَعْبُدُwe worship
وَبِرًّا وَإِحْسَانًا فَإِيَّاهُ نَعْبُدُ
He encompasses all creation in knowledge and power,
in kindness and beneficence; so Him alone we worship.
وَيُبْصِـرُand He sees ذَرَّاتِthe particles of الْعَوَالِمِthe worlds كُلَّهَاall of them
وَيُبْصِـرُ ذَرَّاتِ الْعَوَالِمِ كُلَّهَا
وَيَسْمَعُand He hears أَصْوَاتَthe voices of الْعِبَادِthe servants وَيَشْهَدُand He witnesses
وَيَسْمَعُ أَصْوَاتَ الْعِبَادِ وَيَشْهَدُ
He sees every particle of all the worlds,
and hears His servants' voices and witnesses all.
لَهُto Him belong الْـمُلْكُsovereignty وَالْحَمْدُand praise الْـمُحِيطُencompassing بِمُلْكِهِHis dominion
لَهُ الْـمُلْكُ وَالْحَمْدُ الْـمُحِيطُ بِمُلْكِهِ
وَحِكْمَتُهُand His wisdom الْعُظْمَىsupreme بِهَاto it الْخَلْقُcreation تَشْهَدُbears witness
وَحِكْمَتُهُ الْعُظْمَى بِهَا الْخَلْقُ تَشْهَدُ
His are sovereignty and praise encompassing His dominion;
and creation bears witness to His supreme wisdom.
وَنَشْهَدُand we testify أَنَّthat اللهَGod يَنْزِلُdescends فِيin الدُّجَىthe night's darkness
وَنَشْهَدُ أَنَّ اللهَ يَنْزِلُ فِي الدُّجَى
كَمَاas قَالَهُhe said it الْـمَبْعُوثُthe one sent بِالحَقِّwith the truth أَحْمَدُAhmad
كَمَا قَالَهُ الْـمَبْعُوثُ بِالحَقِّ أَحْمَدُ
We testify that God descends in the darkness of night,
as Ahmad, sent with the truth, has said.
وَنَشْهَدُand we testify أَنَّthat اللهَGod أَرْسَلَsent رُسْلَهُHis messengers
وَنَشْهَدُ أَنَّ اللهَ أَرْسَلَ رُسْلَهُ
بِآيَاتِهِwith His signs لِلْخَلْقِto creation تَهْدِيthey guide وَتُرْشِدُand show the way
بِآيَاتِهِ لِلْخَلْقِ تَهْدِي وَتُرْشِدُ
And we testify that God sent His messengers
to creation with His signs, which guide and show the way.
وَفَاضَلَand He distinguished in rank بَيْنَamong الرُّسْلِthe messengers وَالْخَلْقِand creation كُلِّهِمْall of them
وَفَاضَلَ بَيْنَ الرُّسْلِ وَالْخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمْ
بِحِكْمَتِهِthrough His wisdom جَلَّexalted is العَظِيمُthe Mighty الْـمُوَحَّدُthe One worshipped alone
بِحِكْمَتِهِ جَلَّ العَظِيمُ الْـمُوَحَّدُ
He gave differing ranks to the messengers and all creation
in His wisdom; exalted is the Mighty One, worshipped alone.
فَأَفْضَلُso the best of خَلْقِthe creation of اللهِGod فِيin الْأَرْضِthe earth وَالسَّمَاand heaven
فَأَفْضَلُ خَلْقِ اللهِ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالسَّمَا
نَبِيُّthe Prophet of الهُدَىguidance وَالعَالَـمِينَand the worlds مُحَمَّدُMuhammad
نَبِيُّ الهُدَى وَالعَالَـمِينَ مُحَمَّدُ
The best of God's creation on earth and in heaven
is Muhammad, Prophet of guidance and of all the worlds.
وَخَصَّand He specially chose لَهُfor him الرَّحمٰنُthe All-Merciful أَصْحَابَهُhis companions الأُلَىwho
وَخَصَّ لَهُ الرَّحمٰنُ أَصْحَابَهُ الأُلَى
أَقَامُواthey established الْهُدَىguidance وَالدِّينَand religion حَقًّاtruly وَمَهَّدُواand laid foundations
أَقَامُوا الْهُدَى وَالدِّينَ حَقًّا وَمَهَّدُوا
The All-Merciful specially chose for him his companions, who
truly established guidance and religion and laid their foundations.
فَحُبُّso love of جَمِيعِall الآلِthe family وَالصَّحْبِand the companions عِنْدَنَاamong us
فَحُبُّ جَمِيعِ الآلِ وَالصَّحْبِ عِنْدَنَا
مَعَاشِرَcommunities of أَهْلِthe people of الْحَقِّtruth فَرْضٌan obligation مُؤَكَّدُfirmly enjoined
مَعَاشِرَ أَهْلِ الْحَقِّ فَرْضٌ مُؤَكَّدُ
So love for all his family and companions, for us,
the people of truth, is a firmly established obligation.
وَمِنْand among قَوْلِthe teachings of أَهْلِthe people of الْحَقِّtruth أَنَّthat كَلَامَهُHis speech
وَمِنْ قَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْحَقِّ أَنَّ كَلَامَهُ
هُوَit is اللَّفْظُthe wording وَالمَعْنَىand the meaning جَمِيعًاboth together مُجَوَّدُperfected
هُوَ اللَّفْظُ وَالمَعْنَى جَمِيعًا مُجَوَّدُ
Among the teachings of the people of truth is that His speech
is both wording and meaning, altogether perfected.
وَلَيْسَand it is not بِمَخْلُوقٍcreated وَأَنَّىand how could لِخَلْقِهِfor His creation
وَلَيْسَ بِمَخْلُوقٍ وَأَنَّى لِخَلْقِهِ
بِقَوْلٍwith speech كَقَوْلِlike the speech of اللهِGod إِذْsince هُوَHe أَمْجَدُmost glorious
بِقَوْلٍ كَقَوْلِ اللهِ إِذْ هُوَ أَمْجَدُ
It is not created; how could His creation produce
speech like God's speech, when He is supremely glorious?
وَنَشْهَدُand we testify أَنَّthat الْخَيْرَgood وَالشَّـرَّand evil كُلَّهُall of it
وَنَشْهَدُ أَنَّ الْخَيْرَ وَالشَّـرَّ كُلَّهُ
بِتَقْدِيرِهِby His decree وَالْعَبْدُand the servant يَسْعَىstrives وَيَجْهَدُand exerts himself
بِتَقْدِيرِهِ وَالْعَبْدُ يَسْعَى وَيَجْهَدُ
And we testify that all good and evil
are by His decree, while the servant strives and exerts himself.
وَإِيمَانُنَاand our faith قَوْلٌspeech وَفِعْلٌand action وَنِيَّةٌand intention
وَإِيمَانُنَا قَوْلٌ وَفِعْلٌ وَنِيَّةٌ
مِنَof الْخَيْرِgoodness وَالطَّاعَاتِand acts of obedience فِيهَاin it نُقَيِّدُwe qualify
مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَالطَّاعَاتِ فِيهَا نُقَيِّدُ
Our faith is speech, action, and intention,
which we qualify as goodness and acts of obedience.
وَيَزْدَادُand it increases بِالطَّاعَاتِthrough acts of obedience مَعْalong with تَرْكِabandoning مَاwhat نَهَىHe forbade
وَيَزْدَادُ بِالطَّاعَاتِ مَعْ تَرْكِ مَا نَهَى
وَيَنْقُصُand it decreases بِالعِصْيَانِthrough disobedience جَزْمًاcertainly وَيَفْسُدُand becomes corrupted
وَيَنْقُصُ بِالعِصْيَانِ جَزْمًا وَيَفْسُدُ
It increases through obedience and abandoning what He forbade,
and certainly decreases through disobedience and becomes corrupted.
نُقِرُّwe affirm بِأَحْوَالِconcerning the conditions of القِيَامَةِthe Resurrection كُلِّهَاall of them
نُقِرُّ بِأَحْوَالِ القِيَامَةِ كُلِّهَا
وَمَاand what اشْتَمَلَتْهُcontained it الدَّارُthe abode حَقًّاtruly وَنَشْهَدُand we testify
وَمَا اشْتَمَلَتْهُ الدَّارُ حَقًّا وَنَشْهَدُ
We affirm all the conditions of the Resurrection,
and all that the abode contains; truly, we bear witness.
تَفَكَّرْreflect بِآثَارِon the works of العَظِيمِthe Mighty One وَمَاand what حَوَتْcontained
تَفَكَّرْ بِآثَارِ العَظِيمِ وَمَا حَوَتْ
مَمَالِكُهُHis dominions العُظْمَىvast لَعَلَّكَso that you may تَرْشُدُbe guided
مَمَالِكُهُ العُظْمَى لَعَلَّكَ تَرْشُدُ
Reflect on the Mighty One's works and what
His vast dominions contain, so that you may be guided.
أَلَمْhave ... not تَرَyou seen هَٰذَاthis اللَّيْلَnight إِذْwhen جَاءَit came مُظْلِمًاdark
أَلَمْ تَرَ هَٰذَا اللَّيْلَ إِذْ جَاءَ مُظْلِمًا
فَأَعْقَبَهُthen followed it جَيْشٌan army مِنَof الصُّبْحِdawn يَطْرُدُdriving it away
فَأَعْقَبَهُ جَيْشٌ مِنَ الصُّبْحِ يَطْرُدُ
Have you not seen this night when it comes dark,
then an army of dawn follows it, driving it away?
تَأَمَّلْreflect بِأَرْجَاءِon the reaches of السَّمَاءِheaven جَمِيعِهَاall of it
تَأَمَّلْ بِأَرْجَاءِ السَّمَاءِ جَمِيعِهَا
كَوَاكِبُهَاits stars وَقَّادَةٌblazing تَتَرَدَّدُmove to and fro
كَوَاكِبُهَا وَقَّادَةٌ تَتَرَدَّدُ
Reflect on all the reaches of heaven:
its stars blaze as they move to and fro.
أَلَيْسَis there not لِهَذَاfor this مُحدِثٌan originator مُتَصَـرِّفٌone who governs
أَلَيْسَ لِهَذَا مُحدِثٌ مُتَصَـرِّفٌ
حَكِيمٌwise عَلِيمٌall-knowing وَاحِدٌone مُتَفَرِّدُunique
حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ وَاحِدٌ مُتَفَرِّدُ
Does this not have an Originator who directs it,
wise, all-knowing, one, and utterly unique?
بَلَىindeed وَالَّذِيby the One who بِالحقِّin truth أَتْقَنَperfected صُنْعَهَاtheir making
بَلَى وَالَّذِي بِالحقِّ أَتْقَنَ صُنْعَهَا
وَأَوْدَعَهَاand placed within them الأَسْرَارَmysteries للهِto God تَشْهَدُthey bear witness
وَأَوْدَعَهَا الأَسْرَارَ للهِ تَشْهَدُ
Yes, by Him who truly perfected their making
and placed mysteries within them—they bear witness to God.
وَفِيand in الْأَرْضِthe earth آيَاتٌsigns لِـمَنْfor whoever كَانَis مُوقِنًاcertain
وَفِي الْأَرْضِ آيَاتٌ لِـمَنْ كَانَ مُوقِنًا
وَمَاand not تَنْفَعُbenefit الْآيَاتُthe signs مَنْwhoever كَانَis يَجْحَدُdenying
وَمَا تَنْفَعُ الْآيَاتُ مَنْ كَانَ يَجْحَدُ
In the earth are signs for those who possess certainty,
but signs do not benefit those who deny.
وَفِيand in النَّفْسِthe soul آيَاتٌsigns وَفِيهَاand within it عَجَائِبٌwonders
وَفِي النَّفْسِ آيَاتٌ وَفِيهَا عَجَائِبٌ
بِهَاthrough them يُعْرَفُis known اللهُGod العَظِيمُthe Mighty وَيُعْبَدُand is worshipped
بِهَا يُعْرَفُ اللهُ العَظِيمُ وَيُعْبَدُ
Within the soul are signs, and within it wonders,
through which the Mighty God is known and worshipped.
لَقَدْindeed قَامَتِstand forth الْآيَاتُthe signs تَشْهَدُtestifying أَنَّهُthat He
لَقَدْ قَامَتِ الْآيَاتُ تَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُ
إِلَٰهٌa God عَظِيمٌmighty فَضْلُهُHis bounty لَيْسَdoes not يَنْفَدُrun out
إِلَٰهٌ عَظِيمٌ فَضْلُهُ لَيْسَ يَنْفَدُ
The signs stand forth, testifying that He
is a mighty God whose bounty never runs out.
فَمَنْso whoever كَانَis مِنْamong غَرْسِthe planting of الْإِلَهِGod أَجَابَهُanswers Him
فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ غَرْسِ الْإِلَهِ أَجَابَهُ
وَلَيْسَand there is no لِـمَـنْfor whoever وَلَّـىturned away وَأَدْبَـرَand retreated مُسْعِـدُhelper
وَلَيْسَ لِـمَـنْ وَلَّـى وَأَدْبَـرَ مُسْعِـدُ
Whoever is among God's plantings answers Him,
but whoever turns away and retreats has no helper.
عَلَيْكَyou must بِتَقْوَىhave reverence for اللهِGod فِيin فِعْلِperforming أَمْرِهِHis command
عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى اللهِ فِي فِعْلِ أَمْرِهِ
وَتَجْتَنِبُand avoid الْـمَنْـهِيَّwhat is forbidden عَنْهُfrom it وَتُبْعِدُand keep away
وَتَجْتَنِبُ الْـمَنْـهِيَّ عَنْهُ وَتُبْعِدُ
Observe reverence for God by carrying out His commands,
and avoid what is forbidden and keep far away.
وَكُنْand be مُخْلِصًاsincere للهِtoward God وَاحْذَرْand beware مِنَof الرِّيَاshowing off
وَكُنْ مُخْلِصًا للهِ وَاحْذَرْ مِنَ الرِّيَا
وَتَابِعْand follow رَسُولَthe Messenger of اللهِGod إِنْif كُنْتَyou are تَعْبُدُworshipping
وَتَابِعْ رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْبُدُ
Be sincere toward God, and beware of showing off;
follow God's Messenger if you would worship.
تَوَكَّلْrely عَلَىon الرَّحمٰنِthe All-Merciful حَقًّاtruly وَثِقْand trust بِهِin Him
تَوَكَّلْ عَلَى الرَّحمٰنِ حَقًّا وَثِقْ بِهِ
لِيَكْفِيكَso He may suffice you مَاwhat يُغْنِيكَfrees you from need حَقًّاtruly وَتَرْشُدُand you may be guided
لِيَكْفِيكَ مَا يُغْنِيكَ حَقًّا وَتَرْشُدُ
Truly rely on the All-Merciful and trust Him,
so He may suffice you with what truly frees you from need, and you may be guided.
تَصَبَّرْrestrain yourself patiently عَنِfrom العِصْيَانِdisobedience وَاصْبِرْand be patient لِـحُكْمِهِunder His decree
تَصَبَّرْ عَنِ العِصْيَانِ وَاصْبِرْ لِـحُكْمِهِ
وَصَابِرْand persevere عَلَىin الطَّاعَاتِacts of obedience عَلَّكَso that you may تَسْعَدُprosper
وَصَابِرْ عَلَى الطَّاعَاتِ عَلَّكَ تَسْعَدُ
Restrain yourself patiently from disobedience, and endure His decree;
persevere in acts of obedience, so that you may prosper.
وَكُنْand be سَائِرًاjourneying بَيْنَbetween الْـمَخَافَةِfear وَالرَّجَاand hope
وَكُنْ سَائِرًا بَيْنَ الْـمَخَافَةِ وَالرَّجَا
هُمَاthey both كَجَنَاحَيْlike the two wings of طَائِرٍa bird حِينَwhen تَقْصِدُyou pursue your goal
هُمَا كَجَنَاحَيْ طَائِرٍ حِينَ تَقْصِدُ
Journey between fear and hope:
they are like a bird's two wings as you pursue your goal.
وَقَلْبَكَand your heart طَهِّرْهُpurify it وَمِنْand from كُلِّevery آفَةٍaffliction
وَقَلْبَكَ طَهِّرْهُ وَمِنْ كُلِّ آفَةٍ
وَكُنْand be أَبَدًاalways عَنْfor عَيْبِهِits faults تَتَفَقَّدُexamining
وَكُنْ أَبَدًا عَنْ عَيْبِهِ تَتَفَقَّدُ
And your heart—purify it of every affliction,
and always examine it for its faults.
وَجَمِّلْand adorn بِنُصْحِwith goodwill toward الْخَلْقِcreation قَلْبَكَyour heart إِنَّهُfor it
وَجَمِّلْ بِنُصْحِ الْخَلْقِ قَلْبَكَ إِنَّهُ
لَأَعْلَىsurely the loftiest جَمَالٍadornment لِلْقُلُوبِfor hearts وَأَجْوَدُand finest
لَأَعْلَى جَمَالٍ لِلْقُلُوبِ وَأَجْوَدُ
Adorn your heart with goodwill toward creation, for it
is the loftiest and finest adornment of hearts.
وَصَاحِبْand befriend إِذَاwhen صَاحَبْتَyou seek companionship كُلَّevery مُوَفَّقٍone granted success
وَصَاحِبْ إِذَا صَاحَبْتَ كُلَّ مُوَفَّقٍ
يَقُودُكَhe leads you لِلْخَيْرَاتِto good deeds نُصْحًاsincerely وَيُرْشِدُand guides
يَقُودُكَ لِلْخَيْرَاتِ نُصْحًا وَيُرْشِدُ
When you seek companionship, befriend one granted right guidance,
who leads you sincerely toward good and guides you.
وَإِيَّاكَand beware وَالْـمَرْءَand the person الَّذِيwho إِنْif صَحِبْتَهُyou befriend him
وَإِيَّاكَ وَالْـمَرْءَ الَّذِي إِنْ صَحِبْتَهُ
خَسِـرْتَyou suffer loss خَسَارًاa loss لَيْسَthere is no فِيهِin it تَرَدُّدُdoubt
خَسِـرْتَ خَسَارًا لَيْسَ فِيهِ تَرَدُّدُ
Beware of the person: if you befriend him,
you will suffer loss beyond any doubt.
خُذِtake العَفْوَwhat comes readily مِنَfrom أَخْلَاقِthe character of مَنْwhomever قَدْalready صَحِبْتَهُyou have befriended him
خُذِ العَفْوَ مِنَ أَخْلَاقِ مَنْ قَدْ صَحِبْتَهُ
كَمَاas يَأْمُرُcommands الرَّحْمَنُthe All-Merciful فِيهِin this وَيُرْشِدُand guides
كَمَا يَأْمُرُ الرَّحْمَنُ فِيهِ وَيُرْشِدُ
Accept what comes readily from the character of whomever you befriend,
as the All-Merciful commands and counsels in this.
تَرَحَّلْdepart عَنِfrom الدُّنْيَاthis world فَلَيْسَتْfor it is not إِقَامَةًa lasting residence
تَرَحَّلْ عَنِ الدُّنْيَا فَلَيْسَتْ إِقَامَةً
وَلَكِنَّهَاbut it is زَادٌprovisions لِـمَـنْfor whoever يَتَزَوَّدُtakes provisions
وَلَكِنَّهَا زَادٌ لِـمَـنْ يَتَزَوَّدُ
Depart from this world, for it is no lasting home,
but provisions for those who lay in supplies.
وَكُنْand be سَالِكًاfollowing طُرْقَthe paths of الَّذِينَthose who تَقَدَّمُواwent ahead
وَكُنْ سَالِكًا طُرْقَ الَّذِينَ تَقَدَّمُوا
إِلَىto المَنْزِلِthe abode البَاقِيeverlasting الَّذِيwhich لَيْسَdoes not يَنْفَدُcome to an end
إِلَى المَنْزِلِ البَاقِي الَّذِي لَيْسَ يَنْفَدُ
Follow the paths of those who went before
to the enduring abode that never passes away.
وَكُنْand be ذَاكِرًاremembering للهِGod فِيin كُلِّevery حَالَةٍstate
وَكُنْ ذَاكِرًا للهِ فِي كُلِّ حَالَةٍ
فَلَيْسَfor there is no لِذِكْرِfor remembrance of اللهِGod وَقْتٌtime مُقَيَّدُfixed
فَلَيْسَ لِذِكْرِ اللهِ وَقْتٌ مُقَيَّدُ
Remember God in every state,
for remembering God is bound to no fixed time.
فَذِكْرُso remembrance of إِلٰهِthe God of الْعَرْشِthe Throne سِرًّاin secret وَمُعْلَنًاand openly
فَذِكْرُ إِلٰهِ الْعَرْشِ سِرًّا وَمُعْلَنًا
يُزِيلُremoves الشَّقَاmisery وَالهَمَّand worry عَنْكَfrom you وَيَطْرُدُand drives away
يُزِيلُ الشَّقَا وَالهَمَّ عَنْكَ وَيَطْرُدُ
Remembrance of the God of the Throne, secretly and openly,
removes misery and worry from you and drives them away.
وَيَجْلِبُand brings لِلْخَيْرَاتِgood things دُنْيًاin this world وَآجِلًاand in the hereafter
وَيَجْلِبُ لِلْخَيْرَاتِ دُنْيًا وَآجِلًا
وَإِنْand if يَأْتِكَcomes to you الْوَسْوَاسُthe whisperer يَوْمًاone day يُشَـرِّدُdrives him away
وَإِنْ يَأْتِكَ الْوَسْوَاسُ يَوْمًا يُشَـرِّدُ
It brings good things in this world and the next,
and if the whisperer comes to you one day, it drives him off.
فَقَدْfor indeed أَخْبَرَinformed المُخْتَارُthe Chosen One يَوْمًاone day لِصَحْبِهِto his companions
فَقَدْ أَخْبَرَ المُخْتَارُ يَوْمًا لِصَحْبِهِ
بِأَنَّthat كَثِيرَone abundant in الذِّكْرِremembrance فِيin السَّبْقِtaking the lead مُفْرِدُstands apart
بِأَنَّ كَثِيرَ الذِّكْرِ فِي السَّبْقِ مُفْرِدُ
The Chosen One once told his companions
that one abundant in remembrance stands apart in the lead.
وَوَصَّىand he counseled مُعَاذًاMu'adh يَسْتَعِينُto seek help from إِلٰـهَهُhis God
وَوَصَّى مُعَاذًا يَسْتَعِينُ إِلٰـهَهُ
عَلَىin ذِكْرِهِremembering Him وَالشُّكْرِand gratitude بِالْحُسْنِwith excellence يَعْبُدُhe worships
عَلَى ذِكْرِهِ وَالشُّكْرِ بِالْحُسْنِ يَعْبُدُ
He counseled Mu'adh to seek his God's aid
in remembering Him, giving thanks, and worshipping well.
وَأَوْصَىand he advised لِشَخْصٍa person قَدْalready أَتَىhad come لِنَصِيحَةٍfor advice
وَأَوْصَى لِشَخْصٍ قَدْ أَتَى لِنَصِيحَةٍ
وَقَدْand indeed كَانَhe was فِيin حَمْلِbearing الشَّـرَائِعِreligious duties يَجْهَدُstruggling
وَقَدْ كَانَ فِي حَمْلِ الشَّـرَائِعِ يَجْهَدُ
He also advised someone who had come seeking counsel,
struggling under the burden of religious duties,
بِأَنْthat لَاnot يَزَلْcease رَطْبًاmoist لِسَانُكَyour tongue هٰذِهِthis
بِأَنْ لَا يَزَلْ رَطْبًا لِسَانُكَ هٰذِهِ
تُعِينُhelps عَلَىwith كُلِّall الْأُمُورِaffairs وَتُسْعِدُand brings happiness
تُعِينُ عَلَى كُلِّ الْأُمُورِ وَتُسْعِدُ
'Let your tongue remain moist'; this counsel
helps in all affairs and brings happiness.
وَأَخْبَرَand he stated أَنَّthat الذِّكْرَremembrance غَرْسٌa planting لِأَهْلِهِfor its practitioners
وَأَخْبَرَ أَنَّ الذِّكْرَ غَرْسٌ لِأَهْلِهِ
بِجَنَّاتِin gardens of عَدْنٍEden وَالمَسَاكِنُand dwellings تُمْهَدُare prepared
بِجَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ وَالمَسَاكِنُ تُمْهَدُ
He said that remembrance is a planting for its practitioners
in the Gardens of Eden, where dwellings are made ready.
وَأَخْبَرَand he stated أَنَّthat اللهَGod يَذْكُرُremembers عَبْدَهُHis servant
وَأَخْبَرَ أَنَّ اللهَ يَذْكُرُ عَبْدَهُ
وَمَعْهُand with him عَلَىin كُلِّall الْأُمُورِaffairs يُسَدِّدُHe guides aright
وَمَعْهُ عَلَى كُلِّ الْأُمُورِ يُسَدِّدُ
He said that God remembers His servant,
and is with him in all affairs, guiding him aright.
وَأَخْبَرَand he stated أَنَّthat الذِّكْرَremembrance يَبْقَىremains بِجَنَّةٍin Paradise
وَأَخْبَرَ أَنَّ الذِّكْرَ يَبْقَى بِجَنَّةٍ
وَيَنْقَطِعُand ends التَّكْلِيفُreligious obligation حِينَwhen يُخَلَّدُواthey are granted everlasting life
وَيَنْقَطِعُ التَّكْلِيفُ حِينَ يُخَلَّدُوا
He said that remembrance remains in Paradise,
while religious obligation ends when they abide there forever.
وَلَوْand even if لَمْnot يَكُنْthere were فِيin ذِكْرِهِremembering Him غَيْرَother than أَنَّهُthat it
وَلَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي ذِكْرِهِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ
طَرِيقٌa path إِلَىto حُبِّthe love of الْإِلَهِGod وَمُرْشِدُand a guide
طَرِيقٌ إِلَى حُبِّ الْإِلَهِ وَمُرْشِدُ
Even if remembrance of Him had no other virtue than being
a path and guide to the love of God,
وَيَنْهَىand it restrains الفَتَىa person عَنْfrom غِيبَةٍbackbiting وَنَمِيمَةٍand tale-bearing
وَيَنْهَى الفَتَى عَنْ غِيبَةٍ وَنَمِيمَةٍ
وَعَنْand from كُلِّevery قَوْلٍutterance لِلدِّيَانَةِto religion مُفْسِدُcorrupting
وَعَنْ كُلِّ قَوْلٍ لِلدِّيَانَةِ مُفْسِدُ
and keeping a person from backbiting and tale-bearing,
and from every utterance that corrupts religion,
لَكَانَthere would surely be لَنَاfor us حَظٌّa share عَظِيمٌgreat وَرَغْبَةٌand a desire
لَكَانَ لَنَا حَظٌّ عَظِيمٌ وَرَغْبَةٌ
بِكَثْرَةِfor abundant ذِكْرِremembrance of اللهِGod نِعْمَexcellent is المُوَحَّدُthe One worshipped alone
بِكَثْرَةِ ذِكْرِ اللهِ نِعْمَ المُوَحَّدُ
we would have great benefit and a longing
for abundant remembrance of God—excellent is the One worshipped alone.
وَلَكِنَّنَاbut we مِنْthrough جَهْلِنَاour ignorance قَلَّbecame scarce ذِكْرُنَاour remembrance
وَلَكِنَّنَا مِنْ جَهْلِنَا قَلَّ ذِكْرُنَا
كَمَاjust as قَلَّbecame scarce مِنَّاfrom us لِلْإِلَهِfor God التَّعَبُّدُworship
كَمَا قَلَّ مِنَّا لِلْإِلَهِ التَّعَبُّدُ
But through our ignorance our remembrance has grown scarce,
just as our worship of God has grown scarce.
وَسَلْand ask رَبَّكَyour Lord التَّوْفِيقَenabling grace وَالفَوْزَand triumph دَائِمًاalways
وَسَلْ رَبَّكَ التَّوْفِيقَ وَالفَوْزَ دَائِمًا
فَمَاfor never خَابَwas disappointed عَبْدٌa servant لِلْمُهَيْمِنِtoward the Guardian يَقْصِدُturns
فَمَا خَابَ عَبْدٌ لِلْمُهَيْمِنِ يَقْصِدُ
Always ask your Lord for enabling grace and triumph,
for no servant who turns to the Guardian is disappointed.
وَصَلِّand send blessings إِلٰهِيmy God مَعْwith سَلَامٍpeace وَرَحْمَةٍand mercy
وَصَلِّ إِلٰهِي مَعْ سَلَامٍ وَرَحْمَةٍ
عَلَىupon خَيْرِthe best of مَنْthose who قَدْindeed كَانَwas لِلْخَلْقِto creation يُرْشِدُguiding
عَلَى خَيْرِ مَنْ قَدْ كَانَ لِلْخَلْقِ يُرْشِدُ
My God, bestow blessings, with peace and mercy,
upon the best of those who guided creation,
وَآلٍand family وَأَصْحَابٍand companions وَمَنْand whoever كَانَis تَابِعًاa follower
وَآلٍ وَأَصْحَابٍ وَمَنْ كَانَ تَابِعًا
صَلَاةًblessings وَتَسْلِيمًاand peace يَدُومُendure وَيَخْلُدُand last forever
صَلَاةً وَتَسْلِيمًا يَدُومُ وَيَخْلُدُ
and upon his family, companions, and whoever follows,
blessings and peace that endure and last forever.
Sol 6.1