نعمyes قبضتwas taken روحthe soul of العلاeminence والفضائلand virtues
نعم قبضت روح العلا والفضائل
بموتthrough the death of جمالJamal الدينal-Din صدرforemost of الأفاضلthe distinguished
بموت جمال الدين صدر الأفاضل
Yes, the soul of eminence and virtue has been taken
Yes, the death of Jamal al-Din took away the sublime virtues,
with the death of Jamal al-Din, foremost of the distinguished.
The passing of the chief of nobles was a great loss.
تعطلwas left vacant منof عبدAbd الرحيمal-Rahim مكانهhis place
تعطل من عبد الرحيم مكانه
وغيبand was hidden away عنهfrom it فاضلan excellent man أيwhat an فاضلexcellent man
وغيب عنه فاضل أي فاضل
His place stands vacant of Abd al-Rahim,
None can take Abd al-Rahim's place,
and from it an excellent man is hidden—what an excellent man!
No noble one is left like him.
أحقاًis it truly وجوهthe faces of الفقهjurisprudence زالdeparted جمالهاtheir beauty
أحقاً وجوه الفقه زال جمالها
وحطتand were lowered أعاليthe heights of هضبهاits hills للأسافلto the depths
وحطت أعالي هضبها للأسافل
Have the faces of jurisprudence truly lost their beauty,
The faces of jurisprudence lost their beauty,
and the heights of its hills been lowered to the depths?
Their lofty peaks lowered to the ground.
لقدindeed هابfeared طرقthe paths of المذهبthe legal school اليومtoday سالكa traveler
لقد هاب طرق المذهب اليوم سالك
ولوeven if كانhe was يحميbeing guarded بالقناwith spears والقنابلand cavalry squadrons
ولو كان يحمي بالقنا والقنابل
Today a traveler fears the paths of the legal school,
Today, the path of this school of thought is deserted by its travelers,
even if guarded by spears and cavalry squadrons.
Even if protected by spears and shields.
لقدindeed حلbefell فيin ذاthis العامyear فقدانthe loss of عالمa scholar
لقد حل في ذا العام فقدان عالم
يقولhe speaks فلاso none يلفىis found لهfor him غيرbut قائلone agreeing
يقول فلا يلفى له غير قائل
This year has brought the loss of a scholar
This year witnessed the loss of a scholar,
who spoke and found none but voices agreeing with him.
Whose words none can match.
قفواstop خبروناtell us منwho يقومstands مقامهin his place
قفوا خبرونا من يقوم مقامه
ومنand who ذاis it يردrelieves الآنnow لهفةthe anguish of سائلa petitioner
ومن ذا يرد الآن لهفة سائل
Stop; tell us who will take his place,
Tell us, who can take his place?
and who now will relieve a petitioner's anguish.
Who now can satisfy a seeker?
قفواstop خبروناtell us منwho يوقفhalts ظالماًan oppressor
قفوا خبرونا من يوقف ظالماً
ويجزيand gives due recompense فيin ميدانthe arena كلevery مناضلcontender
ويجزي في ميدان كل مناضل
Stop; tell us who will halt an oppressor
Tell us, who can stop an oppressor,
and give every contender his due in the arena.
And reward every competitor in the arena?
قفواstop خبروناtell us هلwhether لهhe has منany مشابهsimilar person
قفوا خبرونا هل له من مشابه
قفواstop خبروناtell us هلwhether لهhe has منany مماثلequal
قفوا خبرونا هل له من مماثل
Stop; tell us whether anyone resembles him.
Tell us, is there anyone similar to him?
Stop; tell us whether anyone equals him.
Tell us, is there anyone comparable?
فأعظمso how great بحبرis a scholar كانwho was للعلمfor learning ساعياًstriving
فأعظم بحبر كان للعلم ساعياً
بعزمwith resolve صحيحsound ليسnot بالمتكاسلat all sluggish
بعزم صحيح ليس بالمتكاسل
How great a scholar, who pursued learning
He strove tirelessly in the ocean of knowledge,
with sound resolve, never sluggish!
With steadfast determination, not lazily.
وأعظمand how great بهhe was يومon the day of الجدالdebate مناظراًas a disputant
وأعظم به يوم الجدال مناظراً
إذاwhen قالhe spoke لمdid not يتركleave مقالاًanything to say لقائلfor a speaker
إذا قال لم يترك مقالاً لقائل
How great a disputant he was on the day of debate:
He excelled in debate with eloquent speech,
when he spoke, he left no speaker anything to say.
Leaving no argument for any speaker.
وأسيافهand his swords فيin البحثinquiry قاطعةcutting الظباin blade-edges
وأسيافه في البحث قاطعة الظبا
بجوهرهاthrough their fine steel لمnot يفتقرneed للصياقلpolishers
بجوهرها لم يفتقر للصياقل
His swords in inquiry had cutting edges;
His swords in discourse cut through perplexity
with their fine steel, he had no need of polishers.
With their essence, needing no sharpening.
يقومhe undertakes بإنضاجto mature المسائلthe questions مرشداًas a guide
يقوم بإنضاج المسائل مرشداً
لمستفهمfor one seeking understanding أوor طالبa student أوor مسائلa questioner
لمستفهم أو طالب أو مسائل
He brought questions to maturity, guiding
He guided the confused, the student, the inquirer,
one seeking understanding, a student, or a questioner.
Maturing issues with wisdom.
ويجميعand gathers (irregular text) أشتاتscattered pieces الفوائدof useful insights جاهداًdiligently
ويجميع أشتات الفوائد جاهداً
ويسعىand he strives بجدearnestly نحوهاtoward them غيرnot هازلjesting
ويسعى بجد نحوها غير هازل
He diligently gathered the scattered benefits of learning,
He gathered scattered benefits with struggle,
and earnestly pursued them, never jesting.
Pursuing them seriously, not jesting.
طوىcarried off الموتdeath حقاًtruly شافعيthe Shafi'i of زمانهhis age
طوى الموت حقاً شافعي زمانه
فمنso, from بعدهafter him للأمfor al-Umm (the Mother) وجدthe anguish of الثواكلbereaved mothers
فمن بعده للأم وجد الثواكل
Death has truly carried off the Shafi'i of his age;
Death folded the Shafi'i jurist of the times,
after him, al-Umm, the Mother, feels bereaved mothers' grief.
After him, who can find a replacement?
ومذand since رأتهshe saw him خيرthe finest نجلson لبرهbecause of his devotion
ومذ رأته خير نجل لبره
بهاto her أرضعتهshe suckled him منfrom ثديthe breast of الحوافلthe milk-rich
بها أرضعته من ثدي الحوافل
Since she saw him as the finest son for his devotion
Since she saw him as the best son of virtue,
to her, she suckled him at milk-laden breasts.
She nurtured him at her bountiful breast.
أبانhe revealed الخفاياhidden matters شارحاًexpounding ببيانهwith his eloquence
أبان الخفايا شارحاً ببيانه
منزهةexalted فيin الوصفdescription عنabove سحرthe magic of بابلBabylon
منزهة في الوصف عن سحر بابل
He unveiled hidden matters, expounding them with his eloquence,
He clarified the unseen with his explanations,
their portrayal exalted above the sorcery of Babylon.
Safe from Babylon's sorcery in his descriptions.
لهhe has قدمa footing فيin الفقهjurisprudence سابقةpreceding الخطاfootsteps
له قدم في الفقه سابقة الخطا
يقصرfalls short عنهاof it كلevery حافbarefoot person وناعلand shod person
يقصر عنها كل حاف وناعل
He had a footing in jurisprudence ahead of all footsteps,
His footing in jurisprudence was pioneering,
which every barefoot and shod traveler fell short of.
Beyond what any barefoot or slippered being can attain.
تباركblessed is منHe who أعطاهgave him فيهin it مراتباًranks
تبارك من أعطاه فيه مراتباً
يقرacknowledges لهto him بالفضلsuperiority كلevery مجادلdebater
يقر له بالفضل كل مجادل
Blessed is He who granted him ranks in it,
Blessed is He who granted him such rank,
so that every debater acknowledged his superiority.
To which any disputant would admit his virtue.
فكمand how often كانhe would يبديreveal فيهin it كلevery غريبةrare insight
فكم كان يبدي فيه كل غريبة
ويظهرand brings forth منfrom أبكارهhis virgin insights بالعقائلwith noble maidens
ويظهر من أبكاره بالعقائل
How often he revealed rare insights in it,
How much that was novel did he reveal!
and brought forth noble maidens from his virgin insights!
And manifest unique legal points!
وكمand how often باتhe spent the night يحيىkeeping alive فيهin it ليلاًa night كأنماas though
وكم بات يحيى فيه ليلاً كأنما
يصيدhe hunted دراريbrilliant stars زهرهits radiant ones بالحبائلwith snares
يصيد دراري زهره بالحبائل
How often he spent a night keeping it alive in study, as though
How many nights he spent as if to catch
he were catching its brilliant, shining stars with snares!
Rare blossoms in his nets!
فأفلامهso his pens (probable reading) قيدfetters for الأوابدwild quarry لمnot تزلceased
فأفلامه قيد الأوابد لم تزل
يقيدhe bound منهاamong them كلeach صعبhard التناولto capture
يقيد منها كل صعب التناول
His pens remained fetters for wild quarry,
His prolific writings have bound the devout,
binding every one that was hard to capture.
He compiled from them whatever is hard to obtain.
مثقفةpolished ألفاظهhis words حلوةsweet الجنىin fruit
مثقفة ألفاظه حلوة الجنى
فماso nothing هزhe brandished فيin الحالينboth states غيرbut عواملspearheads; governing words
فما هز في الحالين غير عوامل
His words were polished, their fruit sweet;
His eloquent words are sweetly seasoned,
in either state he brandished nothing but spearheads.
He did not deviate in the two states beyond what destiny dictated.
مضىhe passed away فمضىand so went فقهjurisprudence كثيرmuch إلىto الثرىthe earth
مضى فمضى فقه كثير إلى الثرى
وهالتand heaped عليهupon him التربthe dust راحةthe palm of هائلone heaping it
وهالت عليه الترب راحة هائل
He passed away, and much jurisprudence went into the earth;
Much jurisprudence has passed away into the soil,
a heaper's palm piled dust upon him.
And tremendous amounts of dust settled upon it.
تنكرتgrew strange الدنياthe world ولكنyet تعرفتcame to recognize
تنكرت الدنيا ولكن تعرفت
بطيبthrough sweet الثناpraise عنof فضلهhis excellence المتكاملconsummate
بطيب الثنا عن فضله المتكامل
The world grew strange, yet came to recognize
The world is unrecognizable, but it is known
his consummate excellence through the sweetness of praise.
By the fragrance of his perfected virtues.
وماand not شقتwere split الأفلامthe pens (probable reading) إلاexcept تعسفاby cruel force
وما شقت الأفلام إلا تعسفا
لفقدانهاbecause they lost بالرغمunwillingly خيرthe finest أناملfingers
لفقدانها بالرغم خير أنامل
The pens were split only by cruel force,
The pages were only torn unwillingly
at losing, against their will, the finest fingers.
Due to the loss of the best fingers.
وكمand how many لبستwore ثوبthe garment of الحدادmourning محابرinkpots
وكم لبست ثوب الحداد محابر
لحبرfor a scholar غداwho came to be فيin سندسٍsilk brocade أيwhat a رافلsplendidly clad man
لحبر غدا في سندسٍ أي رافل
How many inkpots wore the garment of mourning
How many schools put on the clothes of mourning,
for a scholar now splendidly robed in silk brocade!
For the ink that flowed into a silken grave!
لقدindeed كانhe was للأصحابfor his companions منهfrom him بلاwithout مراdispute
لقد كان للأصحاب منه بلا مرا
جمالbeauty فدعso leave قولthe words of الغبيthe fool المجاملflattering
جمال فدع قول الغبي المجامل
For his companions he was, beyond dispute,
He was unmatched in his care for the companions.
a beauty; so disregard the foolish flatterer's words.
Leave off the words of the foolish sycophant.
حوىhe secured منfrom مواريثthe inheritances of النبوةprophethood إرثهhis inheritance
حوى من مواريث النبوة إرثه
وحازand gained حقيقاًrightfully سهمهhis share غيرnot عائلneedy
وحاز حقيقاً سهمه غير عائل
He secured his inheritance from the legacies of prophethood,
His inheritance included the Prophet’s heritage,
and rightfully gained his share, free of need.
And he truly gained his share, not deficient.
هوhe النجمthe star إلاexcept أنهthat he is البدرthe full moon كاملاcomplete
هو النجم إلا أنه البدر كاملا
علىalthough أنهhe is شمسthe sun of الضحىmorning فيin التعادلcomparison
على أنه شمس الضحى في التعادل
He is the star—except that he is the full moon, complete,
He is the star, but a perfect full moon,
though in comparison he is the morning sun.
Though he is the morning sun in fairness.
وبلدتهand his town إسناEsna محلاas a dwelling ومحتداًand as an origin
وبلدته إسنا محلا ومحتداً
ومنزلهand his abode فيin الخلدeternity أسنىthe loftiest المنازلof abodes
ومنزله في الخلد أسنى المنازل
His town was Esna, his dwelling and place of origin;
His hometown of Isnā gained distinction,
his abode in eternity is the loftiest of abodes.
And his home in eternity is the loftiest abode.
إذاwhen ماever أفادhe imparted النقلtransmitted learning فهوthen he is ختامهits final authority
إذا ما أفاد النقل فهو ختامه
فلاso do not تسمعنever listen منfrom بعدafter نقلthe report of ناقلa transmitter
فلا تسمعن من بعد نقل ناقل
When he imparted transmitted learning, he was its final authority;
If the transmitted reports are sealed,
so hear no transmitter's report after his.
Then do not listen to any transmitter after him.
صدوقtruthful لدىwhen عزوattributing النقولreports محققprecise
صدوق لدى عزو النقول محقق
وحاشاهand far be he منfrom تلكthose النقولreports البواطلfalse
وحاشاه من تلك النقول البواطل
Truthful in attributing reports, exact in verification,
He was truthful in tracing reports, a verifier,
he was far removed from those false reports.
Far above those vain reports.
وسحبانand a Sahban نطقin speech فيin الدروسlessons فصاحةin eloquence
وسحبان نطق في الدروس فصاحة
فدعso leave منone who لهhas فيin درسهhis lesson عيّthe inarticulacy of باقلBaqil
فدع من له في درسه عيّ باقل
In eloquence at lessons he was a Sahban in speech;
His eloquent lectures were so clear -
so leave one whose teaching has Baqil's inarticulacy.
Leave those whose lectures contain flaws.
يؤديhe fulfills منamong الأشغالoccupations بالعلمin learning للورىfor mankind
يؤدي من الأشغال بالعلم للورى
فروضاًobligations ويفتيand issues rulings مقدماًforemost بالنوافلin voluntary works
فروضاً ويفتي مقدماً بالنوافل
He fulfilled, through learned work for mankind,
He performed knowledge’s duties to humanity,
duties, and gave rulings, foremost in voluntary works.
And issued judgments with optional acts of worship.
وينهرand disseminates (uncertain reading) نصthe text of الشافعيal-Shafi'i ولمand not يزلceased
وينهر نص الشافعي ولم يزل
يناضلhe contests عنهon its behalf كلevery خصمopponent مناضلcontending
يناضل عنه كل خصم مناضل
He [spread] al-Shafi'i's text, and never ceased
He taught the texts of al-Shafi’i,
defending it against every battling opponent.
And defended him against every opponent.
حوىhe combined العلمlearning والعلياءand eminence والجودand generosity والتقىand piety
حوى العلم والعلياء والجود والتقى
وحازand won بسبقby surpassing فضلthe distinction of هذىthese الخصائلqualities
وحاز بسبق فضل هذى الخصائل
He combined learning, eminence, generosity, and piety,
His knowledge contained the scholars, generosity, piety,
and surpassed others in the excellence of these qualities.
And excelling in these traits came naturally to him.
هوhe النجمthe star منfrom أفقthe horizon of المعارفlearning قدindeed هوىfell
هو النجم من أفق المعارف قد هوى
فعادso became دجىdarkness ضوءthe light of البدورfull moons الكواملperfect
فعاد دجى ضوء البدور الكوامل
He is the star that has fallen from learning's horizon,
He was the star from the horizon of knowledge who fell,
so the light of perfect full moons has turned to darkness.
Returning the full moons to darkness.
هوhe الجبلthe mountain الراسيsteadfast تصدعsplit ركنهits pillar
هو الجبل الراسي تصدع ركنه
فللأرضso the earth has ميدswaying بعدهafter him بالزلازلwith earthquakes
فللأرض ميد بعده بالزلازل
He is the steadfast mountain whose pillar has split,
He was the solid mountain whose pillar cracked,
leaving the earth swaying with earthquakes after him.
Causing the earth to quake with tremors.
فمنso who ذاis it تطيبis comforted النفسthe soul يوماًone day بقولهby his words
فمن ذا تطيب النفس يوماً بقوله
إذاwhen هوhe أفتىgives a ruling فيon عويصdifficult المسائلquestions
إذا هو أفتى في عويص المسائل
Whose words will ever comfort the soul
Who feels at ease hearing his words,
when he gives a ruling on difficult questions?
When he issues legal rulings on complex issues?
لئنthough indeed مهدprepared التمهيدal-Tamhid مضجعهhis resting place لهfor him
لئن مهد التمهيد مضجعه له
فكوكبهyet his star منfrom بعدهafter him غيرnot آفلsetting
فكوكبه من بعده غير آفل
Though al-Tamhid prepared his resting place for him,
Though death has laid him to rest,
his star does not set after his passing.
His star after him does not set.
فياso, O عالماًscholar قدindeed أذكرreminded الناسpeople آخراًlately
فيا عالماً قد أذكر الناس آخراً
مزاياthe merits of أوليpossessors of العلمlearning الكرامnoble الأوائلearliest
مزايا أولي العلم الكرام الأوائل
O scholar who lately reminded people
O scholar, you taught people the virtues of early pious scholars,
of the merits of the noble, earliest possessors of learning!
Fulfilling the important tasks, O best sponsor.
كفيتyou spared الورىmankind أمرthe burden of المهماتgrave matters ناهضاًshouldering
كفيت الورى أمر المهمات ناهضاً
بأعبائهاwith their burdens ياO خيرthe finest كافprovider وكافلand guardian
بأعبائها يا خير كاف وكافل
You spared mankind the burden of grave matters, shouldering
You taught the world until wisdom was refined,
their loads, O finest provider and guardian.
Not distracted from its affairs by trifles.
وأعلمتand you instructed فيهاin them الدهرthe age حتىuntil تنقحتthey were refined
وأعلمت فيها الدهر حتى تنقحت
ولمand not تشتغلwere you distracted عنfrom أمرهاtheir business بالشواغلby distractions
ولم تشتغل عن أمرها بالشواغل
You instructed the age in them until they were refined,
You brought out hidden gems for humanity,
and distractions never diverted you from their business.
For you are an ocean with no shallows.
وأبرزتand you revealed مكنونthe hidden الجواهرjewels للورىto mankind
وأبرزت مكنون الجواهر للورى
لأنكbecause you are بحرa sea مالهwhich has no منany مساحلshores
لأنك بحر ماله من مساحل
You revealed hidden jewels to mankind,
You clarified the ambiguous for people in elucidation,
for you are a sea without shores.
None sees flaws in its beauty.
وأوضحتand you clarified فيin الإيضاحal-Idah للخلقfor mankind مشكلاa difficulty
وأوضحت في الإيضاح للخلق مشكلا
فليسso no يرىis seen فيin حسنهits beauty منany مشاكلequal
فليس يرى في حسنه من مشاكل
In al-Idah you clarified a difficulty for mankind;
If you gathered the scholars in councils,
no equal to its beauty can be seen.
Your lofty riddles would be the assemblies’ crown.
وإنand if جمعتgathered أهلthe people of العلومthe sciences محافلassemblies
وإن جمعت أهل العلوم محافل
فألغازكthen your riddles العلياlofty طرازthe ornament of المحافلassemblies
فألغازك العليا طراز المحافل
When assemblies gather the people of the sciences,
Your legal differences, O brilliant synthesizer,
your lofty riddles are the ornament of those assemblies.
Baffle the minds of similar men.
فروقكyour distinctions ياO منyou who كانwere للعمof learning (probable reading) جامعاًa gatherer
فروقك يا من كان للعم جامعاً
تحيرbewilder أذهانthe minds of الرجالmen الأماثلthe finest
تحير أذهان الرجال الأماثل
Your distinctions, O gatherer of learning,
Your writings with guidance clear as proof,
bewilder the minds of the finest men.
Make other gardens seem barren.
تصانيفcompositions لاnot تخفيhide محاسنهاtheir beauties التيwhose
تصانيف لا تخفي محاسنها التي
هدايتهاtheir guidance تهديguides الورىmankind بالدلائلwith proofs
هدايتها تهدي الورى بالدلائل
Compositions whose beauties are not hidden,
Recited, they spare one hearing nightingales,
whose guidance leads mankind by proofs:
Understood, they guide the lost wandering in ignorance.
وتبدوand they appear فتغنيso dispense عنwith رياضgardens أنيقةelegant
وتبدو فتغني عن رياض أنيقة
وتتلىand are recited فتغنيso dispense عنwith سماعlistening to البلابلnightingales
وتتلى فتغني عن سماع البلابل
they appear and dispense with elegant gardens;
They purely seek right, guiding the perplexed,
they are recited and dispense with hearing nightingales.
Saving them from floundering in desolate places.
تمحضbecame pure منهاfrom them القصدthe purpose فيهاin them فأرشدتso they guided
تمحض منها القصد فيها فأرشدت
حيارىbewildered people ثوواdwelt منthrough جهلهمtheir ignorance فيin مجاهلtrackless wastes
حيارى ثووا من جهلهم في مجاهل
Pure purpose shone through them, and so they guided
You set aside a portion in legal theory,
bewildered people dwelling through ignorance in trackless wastes.
Making other swords remote and blades weak.
توفرتyou secured abundantly سهماًa share فيin الأصولlegal principles لأجلهbecause of it
توفرت سهماً في الأصول لأجله
غداbecame السيفthe sword نائىreceding الحدin edge واهيfrail الحمائلin straps
غدا السيف نائى الحد واهي الحمائل
You won so ample a share in legal principles that
By your life, syntax appeared in mourning
the sword's edge fell short and its straps grew frail.
For your death, wailing in grief.
لعمركby your life إنindeed النحوgrammar ياO زيدZayd قدnow بداappeared
لعمرك إن النحو يا زيد قد بدا
لموتكat your death فيin حالa state منof الحزنgrief حائلchanged
لموتك في حال من الحزن حائل
By your life, O Zayd, grammar now appears
If the expert of this art attacked you,
changed by grief at your death.
He would seek syntax while walking barefoot.
فلوso if فارسيal-Farisi of الفنthe art غامركvied with you اغتديhe would have set out
فلو فارسي الفن غامرك اغتدي
لنحوكtoward you يسعىhastening وهوwhile he was فيin زيthe garb of راجلa foot-soldier
لنحوك يسعى وهو في زي راجل
Had al-Farisi of that art vied with you, he would have set out
We lost a sheikh whose abundant knowledge
hastening toward you in a foot-soldier's garb.
Fortified high principles after him.
عدمناكwe lost you شيخاًa master كمhow often جلاrevealed منfrom علومهhis learning
عدمناك شيخاً كم جلا من علومه
عقائلprecious treasures صينتwere guarded بعدهafter him فيin معاقلstrongholds
عقائل صينت بعده في معاقل
We have lost you, a master who so often unveiled from his learning
In the art of al-Khalil ibn Ahmad,
precious treasures, guarded after him in strongholds.
He brought novel words with powerful examples.
وكمand how often جاءhe brought فيin فنthe art of الخليلal-Khalil بنibn أحمدAhmad
وكم جاء في فن الخليل بن أحمد
بأحمدwith the most praiseworthy أقوالsayings أتتthat came بالفواصلwith decisive distinctions
بأحمد أقوال أتت بالفواصل
How often, in the art of al-Khalil ibn Ahmad, he brought
If he gained the means to heaven through knowledge,
the most praiseworthy sayings, supplying decisive distinctions!
His pegs are eternal in glory.
لئنthough indeed نالhe reached أسبابthe pathways of السماءheaven بعلمهthrough his learning
لئن نال أسباب السماء بعلمه
فأوتادهyet his pegs فيin المجدglory غيرnot مزايلshifting
فأوتاده في المجد غير مزايل
Though he reached the pathways of heaven through his learning,
With copious tears and grief we mourned
his pegs in glory remain immovable.
The vast ocean of generosity and perfection.
وأدمعناand our tears بحرa sea مديدstretching وحزنناand our grief
وأدمعنا بحر مديد وحزننا
طويلlong لبحرfor a sea وافرabundant الجودin bounty كاملperfect
طويل لبحر وافر الجود كامل
Our tears are a stretching sea, and our grief
He was a father to students, showing them
is long, for a perfect sea of abundant bounty.
A cascade of virtue connected to merit.
وكانand he was أباa father للطالبينto students يريهمshowing them
وكان أبا للطالبين يريهم
فواضلهhis bounties مقرونةjoined بالفضائلwith virtues
فواضله مقرونة بالفضائل
He was a father to students, showing them
Sincerely advising seekers of knowledge,
his bounties joined with virtues.
He spared no effort in teaching the ignorant.
نصيحاًa sincere adviser لطلابto seekers of العلومthe sciences جميعهمall of them
نصيحاً لطلاب العلوم جميعهم
فلمso not يألdid he spare جهداًeffort عندwhen تعليمteaching جاهلan ignorant person
فلم يأل جهداً عند تعليم جاهل
A sincere adviser to all seekers of the sciences,
He composed books clarifying Ibn Idris’ knowledge,
he spared no effort when teaching an ignorant person.
With texts conveying the fruits of the finest carrier.
يحررhe prepared precisely فيin علمthe learning of ابنIbn إدريسIdris للورىfor mankind
يحرر في علم ابن إدريس للورى
دروساًlessons تولىundertook جملهاtheir main points خيرthe finest حاملbearer
دروساً تولى جملها خير حامل
For mankind he prepared precisely, in Ibn Idris's learning,
He guided students through his abridgement,
lessons whose main points the finest bearer undertook.
Seeing in them one perfection after another.
ويرشدand he guides بالتهذيبwith al-Tahdhib طلابstudents of علمهhis learning
ويرشد بالتهذيب طلاب علمه
فينظرthen he sees منهمamong them كاملاًone perfected بعدafter كاملanother perfected
فينظر منهم كاملاً بعد كامل
With al-Tahdhib he guided the students of his learning,
He did not suspect any but the envious of ingratitude,
and saw among them one perfected scholar after another.
Or doubt any but the gluttonous of plagiarism.
ولاand none يرتئيdeliberates فيover شكرهthanking him غيرbut حاسدan envier
ولا يرتئي في شكره غير حاسد
ولاand none يمتريdoubts فيabout علمهhis learning غيرbut ناكلa shirker
ولا يمتري في علمه غير ناكل
None deliberates over thanking him but an envier,
Openly he gave generously of every merit,
and none doubts his learning but a shirker.
And strove quietly to hide them from the virtuous.
يجودhe freely gives بأنواعkinds of الفضائلvirtues جهرةopenly
يجود بأنواع الفضائل جهرة
ويجهدand he strives فيin إخفائهاconcealing them للفواضلas regards benefactions
ويجهد في إخفائها للفواضل
He freely bestowed kinds of virtue openly,
He is the ocean of knowledge, truly the ocean of dew,
yet strove to hide his acts of generosity.
The two seas overflowed from him fully.
هوhe البحرthe sea علماًin learning بلrather هوhe البحرthe sea فيin ندىgenerosity
هو البحر علماً بل هو البحر في ندى
لقدindeed مرجlet flow البحرينthe two seas منهfrom him لآملfor one hoping
لقد مرج البحرين منه لآمل
He is the sea in learning—indeed, the sea in bounty;
If Ibn Rafa’ lived in his time,
truly, two seas were let flow from him for the hopeful.
His syntax would have folded the desert paths.
وإنand indeed ابنIbn رفعةRif'a لوif تقدمadvanced into عصرهhis age
وإن ابن رفعة لو تقدم عصره
طوىhe would cross نحوهtoward him البيداءthe desert سيرon the journey of المحاملlitters
طوى نحوه البيداء سير المحامل
Had Ibn Rif'a's lifetime extended into his age,
If al-Qaffāl witnessed his lectures one day,
he would have crossed the desert toward him by traveling litter.
He would never have turned away from protecting them.
ولوand if شاهدwitnessed القفالal-Qaffal يوماًone day دروسهhis lessons
ولو شاهد القفال يوماً دروسه
لماhe would not كانhave been يوماًever عنfrom حماهhis precinct بقافلreturning
لما كان يوماً عن حماه بقافل
Had al-Qaffal witnessed his lessons one day,
Every sincere person intones his praises,
he would never have returned from his precinct.
Enchanting the hearing of the dreamy listener.
ترنمsang فيin أمداحهhis praises كلevery صادقtruthful person
ترنم في أمداحه كل صادق
فأطربand delighted فيin إنشادهاreciting them سمعthe hearing of ذاهلan absent-minded listener
فأطرب في إنشادها سمع ذاهل
Every truthful person sang his praises,
With my tears and words I will weep for him,
delighting even an absent-minded listener by reciting them.
For the two seas of knowledge and noble rain.
سأبكيهI shall mourn him بالدرينwith two pearls دمعtears ومنطقand speech
سأبكيه بالدرين دمع ومنطق
لبحرينfor two seas منof علمlearning وبرand kindness حواصلfull
لبحرين من علم وبر حواصل
I shall mourn him with two pearls, tears and speech,
He abandoned craving for positions,
for two seas full of learning and kindness.
Just as the doe abandons the howl of the wild dog.
لقدindeed هجرتshunned صادthe letter ṣād المناصبof offices نفسهhis soul
لقد هجرت صاد المناصب نفسه
كماjust as هجرتshunned راءthe letter rāʾ الهجاof the alphabet نفسthe soul of واصلWasil
كما هجرت راء الهجا نفس واصل
His soul shunned the ṣād of offices,
He shunned them as they did not tempt him
as Wasil's soul shunned the rāʾ of the alphabet.
With their deceptive illusion and flattery.
تنزهhe rose above عنهاthem وهيwhile they لاnot تستفزهentice him
تنزه عنها وهي لا تستفزه
بزخرفهاwith their glitter الخداعdeceptive خدعthe trickery of المجاملa flatterer
بزخرفها الخداع خدع المجامل
He rose above them, and they could not entice him
He never cast an eye toward them though they flirted
with their deceitful glitter, like a flatterer's trickery.
With the coquetry of a maiden in finery.
وماand never مدcast عيناًan eye نحوهاtoward them إذwhen تبرجتthey displayed themselves
وما مد عيناً نحوها إذ تبرجت
تبرجlike the display of حسناءa beauty الحلىadorned with jewels فيin الغلائلfine garments
تبرج حسناء الحلى في الغلائل
He never cast an eye toward them when they displayed themselves
You always met him welcoming and giving good news,
like a jeweled beauty displaying herself in fine garments.
For you only saw him with noble traits.
ويلقاكand he meets you بالترحيبwith welcome والبشرand cheerfulness دائماًalways
ويلقاك بالترحيب والبشر دائماً
فلمso never ترهdid you see him إلاexcept as كريمnoble الشمائلin character
فلم تره إلا كريم الشمائل
He always met you with welcome and cheerfulness;
From him, manners describing his visitor flowed,
you never saw him except noble in character.
As cool drink flows purely for the healthy.
صفتwere pure منهfrom him أخلاقmanners لقاصدهfor one seeking him كماjust as
صفت منه أخلاق لقاصده كما
صفاwas clear منهfrom him للعافينfor petitioners شربthe drinking water of المناهلwatering places
صفا منه للعافين شرب المناهل
His manners were pure for those who sought him, just as
I console the prayer niches without their imam,
his watering places offered clear drink to petitioners.
Though he followed the greatest imams.
أعزىI console محاريبthe prayer niches of العلاeminence بإمامهاfor their imam
أعزى محاريب العلا بإمامها
وإنeven though كانhe was مأموماًa follower بأعظمunder the greatest نازلcalamity
وإن كان مأموماً بأعظم نازل
I console the prayer niches of eminence for their imam,
I console the jurisprudence classes after him,
though he followed the greatest calamity's lead.
For succeeding him makes all listless.
أعزىI console دروسthe lessons of الفقهjurisprudence بعدafter دروسهاtheir effacement
أعزى دروس الفقه بعد دروسها
لتصديرهمfor their putting foremost منfrom بعدهafter him كلevery خاملobscure person
لتصديرهم من بعده كل خامل
I console the lessons of jurisprudence after their fading,
Say to the envious who cannot match him -
for after him they put every obscure man at their head.
Shame will expose you among the learned circles.
فقلso tell لحسودan envier لاwho cannot يسدfill مكانهhis place
فقل لحسود لا يسد مكانه
سيفضحكwill expose you التخجيلhumiliation بينamong المحافلassemblies
سيفضحك التخجيل بين المحافل
Tell an envier who cannot fill his place:
The authority of Abd al-Rahim was true,
humiliation will expose you among the assemblies.
And his enemies struggled against it in vain.
بحقrightfully حوىsecured عبدAbd الرحيمal-Rahim سيادةeminence
بحق حوى عبد الرحيم سيادة
وأعداؤهاand its enemies كمhow often حاولوهاsought it بباطلthrough falsehood
وأعداؤها كم حاولوها بباطل
Abd al-Rahim rightfully secured eminence;
A folk reached high trying to take his place,
how often its enemies pursued it through falsehood!
But attained nothing of what they wished.
تطاولoverreached قومsome people كيso that يحلواthey might occupy محلهhis place
تطاول قوم كي يحلوا محله
فماbut not ظفرواdid they obtain مماfrom what تمنواthey wished for بطائلanything worthwhile
فما ظفروا مما تمنوا بطائل
Some overreached, seeking to occupy his place,
How can the short hand reach for a star,
but obtained nothing worthwhile of what they wished for.
And how can dust attain what is beyond its grasp?
أتمتدdoes stretch نحوtoward النجمthe star راحةthe palm of قاصرone falling short
أتمتد نحو النجم راحة قاصر
وأينand how far الثرياthe Pleiades منfrom يدthe hand of المتناولone reaching
وأين الثريا من يد المتناول
Can a short-reaching palm stretch toward the star?
Whoever desires his lofty recitation rank
How far are the Pleiades from the hand that reaches!
Is not reasonable in people’s eyes.
ومنand whoever رامsought فيin الإقراءteaching عاليthe loftiness of شأنهhis standing
ومن رام في الإقراء عالي شأنه
فذلكthen that person عندto الناسpeople ليسis not بعاقلat all sensible
فذلك عند الناس ليس بعاقل
Whoever sought his lofty standing in teaching
God placed Jamāl al-Din in eternity
was, in people's eyes, no sensible man.
To enjoy His complete forgiveness.
أحلmay lodge جمالJamal الدينal-Din فيin الخلدeternity ربهhis Lord
أحل جمال الدين في الخلد ربه
ليحظىso he may receive بعفوa pardon منهfrom Him شافٍhealing وشاملand all-embracing
ليحظى بعفو منه شافٍ وشامل
May his Lord lodge Jamal al-Din in eternity,
His Merciful Lord received him in mercy
so he may receive from Him a healing, all-embracing pardon.
With cascades following cascades.
ورواهand may refresh him مولاهhis Master الرحيمthe Merciful برحمةwith mercy
ورواه مولاه الرحيم برحمة
يحييهrevives him منهاwith it هاطلa downpour بعدafter هاطلa downpour
يحييه منها هاطل بعد هاطل
May his merciful Master refresh him with mercy,
The pleasure of Paradise met him quickly,
one downpour after another reviving him with it.
Heralding abundant and immediate pleasure.
ووافاهand may come to him رضوانRidwan الجنانof the gardens مبادراًhastening
ووافاه رضوان الجنان مبادراً
بشيراًas a herald برضوانof favor سريعswift معاجلimmediate
بشيراً برضوان سريع معاجل
May Ridwan of the gardens hasten to meet him,
The God of the wilderness revived him with joy,
heralding swift, immediate favor.
Spirit, and satisfaction in the brilliance of morning and night.
وحياهand may greet him بالريحانwith sweet basil والروحand repose والرضاand favor
وحياه بالريحان والروح والرضا
إلهthe God of البراياall creatures فيin الضحىmorning والأصائلand late afternoons
إله البرايا في الضحى والأصائل
May he be greeted with sweet basil, repose, and favor
He was sincere in deeds and knowledge,
by the God of all creatures, at morning and late afternoon.
Not wasting the efforts of a worker.
لقدindeed كانhe was فيin الأعمالdeeds والعلمand learning مخلصاًsincere
لقد كان في الأعمال والعلم مخلصاً
لمنto Him who لمnot يضيعwastes فيin غدthe morrow سعىthe effort of عاملa worker
لمن لم يضيع في غد سعى عامل
He was sincere in deeds and learning
My praises of him transform into elegies
to Him who will not waste a worker's effort on the morrow.
Weeping with tears welling up.
فلهفيalas for my grief لأمداحfor praises عليهof him تحولتthat turned
فلهفي لأمداح عليه تحولت
مراثيinto elegies تبكيweeping بالدموعwith tears الهواملfreely flowing
مراثي تبكي بالدموع الهوامل
Alas for praises of him that have turned
Their ardent passions assist me in lamenting,
into elegies weeping with freely flowing tears!
Most of them from my agony without restraint.
يساعدنيaid me فيin الحمامthe doves بشجوهاwith their plaints
يساعدني في الحمام بشجوها
وأغلبهاand I surpass them منthrough لوعتيmy anguish بالبلابلin sorrows
وأغلبها من لوعتي بالبلابل
The doves aid me in mourning with their plaintive cries,
I exhausted my treasuries of patience and tears,
and through my anguish I surpass them in lamentation.
Emptying both these vessels.
صرفتI spent عليهon him كنزthe treasure of صبريmy patience وأدمعيand my tears
صرفت عليه كنز صبري وأدمعي
فأفنيتso I exhausted منof هذاthis وهذاand that حواصليmy stores
فأفنيت من هذا وهذا حواصلي
I spent on him the treasure of my patience and tears,
I will recite verses at his grave,
and exhausted my stores of both.
And make the deaf stones hear my dictation.
سأنشدI shall recite قبراًto a grave حلhe dwelt فيهin it رثاءهhis elegy
سأنشد قبراً حل فيه رثاءه
وأسمعand make hear ماwhat أمليهI dictate صمthe deaf الجنادلstones
وأسمع ما أمليه صم الجنادل
I shall recite his elegy to the grave where he dwells,
We are but a caravan of death heading to decay,
and make the deaf stones hear what I dictate.
Our days make us march like camels.
وماand not نحنwe إلاbut ركبa caravan of موتdeath إلىtoward البلىdecay
وما نحن إلا ركب موت إلى البلى
تسيرناcarry us أيامناour days كالرواحلlike mounts
تسيرنا أيامنا كالرواحل
We are only a caravan of death bound for decay;
We traveled stages toward the graves,
our days carry us like mounts.
With only a few stages left.
قطعناwe traversed إلىtoward نحوthe direction of القبورgraves مراحلاًstages
قطعنا إلى نحو القبور مراحلاً
وماand not بقيتremain إلاbut أقلthe fewest المراحلstages
وما بقيت إلا أقل المراحل
We have traversed stages toward the graves,
This is the way of all people,
and only a few stages remain.
Each a traveler after another traveler.
وهذاand this سبيلthe path of العالمينall people جميعهمall of them
وهذا سبيل العالمين جميعهم
فماso not الناسpeople إلاbut راحلa departing traveler بعدafter راحلa departing traveler
فما الناس إلا راحل بعد راحل
This is the path of all people;
people are only one departing traveler after another.
Partial English translation: 182 of 184 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1