حَسبُ القَوافي وحَسبي حين أُلْقيها

حَسبُ القَوافي وحَسبي حين أُلْقيها

أَنِّي إلى ساحَةِ الفاروقِ أُهْدِيها

أَنِّي إلى ساحَةِ الفاروقِ أُهْدِيها

Enough for the verses, and enough for me when I recite them,

The rhyme scheme and my intention as I recite it,

That I offer them at al-Faruq's court.

Is that I dedicate it to al-Farooq's arena -

لا هُمَّ، هَبْ لي بياناً أستَعينُ به

لا هُمَّ، هَبْ لي بياناً أستَعينُ به

على قضاءِ حُقوقٍ نامَ قاضِيها

على قضاءِ حُقوقٍ نامَ قاضِيها

O God, grant me eloquence to help me

Grant me, my Lord, eloquence I can use,

Discharge obligations whose appointed fulfiller has slept.

To fulfill the rights that slumbered, their judge asleep.

قد نازَعَتني نَفسي أن أوَفِّيَها

قد نازَعَتني نَفسي أن أوَفِّيَها

وليس في طَوقِ مِثلي أنْ يُوَفِّيها

وليس في طَوقِ مِثلي أنْ يُوَفِّيها

My soul has urged me to fulfill them,

My soul contested me, to fully repay it,

Though one like me has not the power to fulfill them.

But one such as I cannot fully repay it.

فمُرْ سَرِيَّ المَعاني أنْ يُواتيَني

فمُرْ سَرِيَّ المَعاني أنْ يُواتيَني

فيها فإنِّي ضَعيفُ الحالِ واهيها

فيها فإنِّي ضَعيفُ الحالِ واهيها

So command the noblest meanings to come to my aid

So pass by, O you of flowing meanings, and help me,

In them, for my condition is weak and frail.

For I am weak in state and confused in it.

مَولَى المُغيرَةِ، لا جادَتكَ غاديَة

مَولَى المُغيرَةِ، لا جادَتكَ غاديَة

من رَحمَةِ اللـهِ ما جادَتْ غَواديها

من رَحمَةِ اللـهِ ما جادَتْ غَواديها

Al-Mughira's bondsman, may no morning cloud shower you

O Master of Mughirah, your generosity never ceases to flow,

With God's mercy, as long as its clouds shower rain.

By the mercy of Allah - it always overflows.

مزَّقتَ منه أديماً حَشُوه هِمَمٌ

مزَّقتَ منه أديماً حَشُوه هِمَمٌ

في ذِمّةِ اللـهِ عاليها وماضِيها

في ذِمّةِ اللـهِ عاليها وماضِيها

You tore his flesh, whose substance was high resolve,

You tore from it a hide whose stuffing was resolve,

Its lofty and bygone deeds entrusted to God.

High in God's protection - its past and future.

طَعَنْتَ خاصِرَةَ الفاروقِ مُنتَقِماً

طَعَنْتَ خاصِرَةَ الفاروقِ مُنتَقِماً

من الحَنيفَةِ في أعلى مَجاليها

من الحَنيفَةِ في أعلى مَجاليها

You stabbed al-Faruq's flank, taking vengeance

You stabbed the waist of al-Farooq in vengeance

On the upright faith in its highest manifestation.

Of the Hanafiyyah at the height of its glories.

فأصبَحَتْ دولةُ الإسلامِ حائرةً

فأصبَحَتْ دولةُ الإسلامِ حائرةً

تَشكُو الوَجيعةَ لمّا ماتَ آسيها

تَشكُو الوَجيعةَ لمّا ماتَ آسيها

Then the state of Islam became bewildered,

So the state of Islam wandered confused

Lamenting its pain when its healer died.

Lamenting the pain when its pillar fell.

مَضى وخَلَّفَها كالطَّودِ راسِخَةً

مَضى وخَلَّفَها كالطَّودِ راسِخَةً

وزانَ بالعَدلِ والتَّقوَى مَغانيها

وزانَ بالعَدلِ والتَّقوَى مَغانيها

He departed, leaving it firmly rooted like a mountain,

He passed away leaving it like a towering mountain,

And adorned its dwellings with justice and piety.

Weighing justice and piety in its scales.

تَنبُْو المَعاوِلُ عنها وهيَ قائِمَةٌ

تَنبُْو المَعاوِلُ عنها وهيَ قائِمَةٌ

والـهادِمُون كثيرٌ في نواحيها

والـهادِمُون كثيرٌ في نواحيها

Pickaxes glanced off it while it stood,

The picks strike against it while still standing erect,

Though its destroyers were many on every side.

Though the demolishers are many in its regions.

حتى إذا ما تَوَلاّها مُهَدِّمُها

حتى إذا ما تَوَلاّها مُهَدِّمُها

صاحَ الزَّوَالُ بها فاندَكَّ عاليها

صاحَ الزَّوَالُ بها فاندَكَّ عاليها

Until, when its destroyer took charge of it,

Until when its destroyer took charge of it,

Ruin cried out against it, and its heights collapsed.

Ruin called out to its peaks and razed its heights.

واهاً على دَولةٍ بالأمسِ قد مَلأَت

واهاً على دَولةٍ بالأمسِ قد مَلأَت

جَوانِبَ الشَّرقِ رَغداً من أياديها

جَوانِبَ الشَّرقِ رَغداً من أياديها

Alas for a state that only yesterday had filled

Woe to a state that yesterday had filled

The reaches of the East with prosperity from its favors!

The corners of the East with ease from its hands.

كم ظَلَّلَتْها وحاطَتْها بأجنحةٍ

كم ظَلَّلَتْها وحاطَتْها بأجنحةٍ

عن أعينِ الدَّهرِ قد كانت تُواريها

عن أعينِ الدَّهرِ قد كانت تُواريها

How often it shaded them and enfolded them with wings,

How it shaded them and enveloped them in wings

Concealing them from the eyes of Time!

Shielding them from the eyes of time it hid.

مِنَ العِنايةِ قد رِيشَتْ قَوادِمُها

مِنَ العِنايةِ قد رِيشَتْ قَوادِمُها

ومن صَميم التُّقى رِيشَتْ خَوافيها

ومن صَميم التُّقى رِيشَتْ خَوافيها

Its foremost feathers were furnished by providence,

It was feathered with care from its beginnings,

Its hidden feathers by the very substance of piety.

And with the essence of piety were its inner depths.

واللـهِ ما غالَها قِدْماً وكادَ لـها

واللـهِ ما غالَها قِدْماً وكادَ لـها

واجتَثَّ دَوْحَتَها إِلاّ مَوالِيها

واجتَثَّ دَوْحَتَها إِلاّ مَوالِيها

By God, none treacherously assailed it of old, plotted against it,

By Allah, none transgressed against it or plotted,

And uprooted its mighty tree but its own clients.

And uprooted its roots except its intimates.

لو أنّها في صَميم العُرب قد بَقِيَتْ

لو أنّها في صَميم العُرب قد بَقِيَتْ

لمّا نَعاها على الأيّام ناعِيها

لمّا نَعاها على الأيّام ناعِيها

Had it remained among the Arabs themselves,

Had it remained in the heart of the Arabs,

No herald would have announced its death through the ages.

None would have lamented its loss like its mourners.

يا ليتَهُم سَمعُوا ما قالـه عُمَرٌ

يا ليتَهُم سَمعُوا ما قالـه عُمَرٌ

والرُّوحُ قد بَلَغَتْ منه تَراقِيها

والرُّوحُ قد بَلَغَتْ منه تَراقِيها

Would that they had heard what Umar said

If only they had heard what `Umar said,

As his soul rose to the collarbones:

As his soul reached its climax in ascent:

لا تُكْثِرُوا من مَواليكُم فإنّ لـهم

لا تُكْثِرُوا من مَواليكُم فإنّ لـهم

مَطامِعاً بَسَماتُ الضَّعفِ تُخفيها

مَطامِعاً بَسَماتُ الضَّعفِ تُخفيها

Do not multiply your clients, for they have

"Do not multiply your clients, for they

Ambitions concealed by the smiles of weakness.

Harbor ambitions that weakness conceals."

رأيتَ في الدِّين آراءً مُوَفَّقَةً

رأيتَ في الدِّين آراءً مُوَفَّقَةً

فأنزَلَ اللـهُ قرآناً يُزَكِّيها

فأنزَلَ اللـهُ قرآناً يُزَكِّيها

You conceived sound judgments concerning religion,

You saw sound views in religion,

And God revealed Quranic verses confirming them.

So Allah sent down a Quran to purify it.

وكنتَ أوّلَ من قَرَّت بصُحبتِه

وكنتَ أوّلَ من قَرَّت بصُحبتِه

عينُ الحَنيفةِ واجتازَت أمانِيها

عينُ الحَنيفةِ واجتازَت أمانِيها

You were the first whose companionship brought solace

You were the first whose eye delighted

To the eye of the upright faith, surpassing its hopes.

In the companionship of the Prophet, its hopes fulfilled.

قد كنتَ أعدى أعاديها فصِرتَ لـها

قد كنتَ أعدى أعاديها فصِرتَ لـها

بنعمةِ اللـهِ حِصناً من أعاديها

بنعمةِ اللـهِ حِصناً من أعاديها

You had been its fiercest enemy, then became for it,

O defender at the time of the Chosen One,

By God's grace, a fortress against its enemies.

O savior in the era of the Truthful One.

خَرَجتَ تَبغي أذاها في محمَّدها

خَرَجتَ تَبغي أذاها في محمَّدها

وللحَنيفةِ جَبّارٌ يُواليها

وللحَنيفةِ جَبّارٌ يُواليها

You set out seeking to harm it through its Muhammad,

How the Messenger of Allah hid you, happily,

But the upright faith had a Mighty One supporting it.

With a wisdom you had in counsel he wrapped.

فلم تَكَدْ تَسمَعُ الآياتِ بالِغةً

فلم تَكَدْ تَسمَعُ الآياتِ بالِغةً

حتى انكَفَأْتَ تُناوي من يُناويها

حتى انكَفَأْتَ تُناوي من يُناويها

You had scarcely heard the compelling verses

And a stand after the Prophet when the companions

Before you turned to oppose whoever opposed it.

Parted, for guidance they lost when their guide vanished.

سَمِعْتَ سُورَةَ طّه من مُرَتِّلِها

سَمِعْتَ سُورَةَ طّه من مُرَتِّلِها

فزلزلت نِيَّةً قد كنتَ تَنويها

فزلزلت نِيَّةً قد كنتَ تَنويها

You heard the chapter Ta-Ha from its reciter,

You pledged to Abu Bakr, so all pledged to him

And it shook the intention you had harbored.

The caliphate, its near and distant peoples.

وقُلتَ فيها مَقالاً لا يُطاولُه

وقُلتَ فيها مَقالاً لا يُطاولُه

قَولُ المُحِبِّ الذي قد بات يُطرِيها

قَولُ المُحِبِّ الذي قد بات يُطرِيها

You spoke of it words beyond the reach

A sedition was quenched which, but for you, would have raged

Of the lover who had spent the night praising it.

Among the tribes as serpents creeping.

ويومَ أسلَمتَ عَزَّ الحَقُّ وارتَفَعتْ

ويومَ أسلَمتَ عَزَّ الحَقُّ وارتَفَعتْ

عن كاهِلِ الدِّينِ أثقالٌ يُعانيها

عن كاهِلِ الدِّينِ أثقالٌ يُعانيها

The day you embraced Islam, truth gained strength, and were lifted

The Prophet lay shrouded in his chamber

From religion's shoulders the burdens it endured.

While you roamed distraught, your bowels churning,

وصاحَ فيه بِلالٌ صَيحَةً خَشَعَتْ

وصاحَ فيه بِلالٌ صَيحَةً خَشَعَتْ

لـها القُلوبُ ولَبَّتْ أمرَ بارِيها

لـها القُلوبُ ولَبَّتْ أمرَ بارِيها

Bilal raised a cry that humbled

Shouting: Who claims the soul of the Chosen was seized?

Hearts, which answered their Creator's command.

I will strike his arrogant head with my sword!

فأنتَ في زَمَن المُختارِ مُنجِدُها

فأنتَ في زَمَن المُختارِ مُنجِدُها

وأنتَ في زَمَنِ الصِّدِّيقِ مُنْجِيها

وأنتَ في زَمَنِ الصِّدِّيقِ مُنْجِيها

In the Chosen One's time, you were its champion;

Calm yourself, your love of Taha - he is but mortal,

In al-Siddiq's time, you were its deliverer.

Upon whom the world's affairs flow.

كم استَراكَ رَسُولُ اللـهِ مُغتَبِطاً

كم استَراكَ رَسُولُ اللـهِ مُغتَبِطاً

بحِكمَةٍ لكَ عند الرَأْيِ يُلْفيها

بحِكمَةٍ لكَ عند الرَأْيِ يُلْفيها

How often God's Messenger consulted you, delighted

He is bound to the inevitable, none can protect him,

By the wisdom he found in your counsel!

From the finality of death, not even his cupbearer.

ومَوقِفٍ لكَ بعد المصطفى افَتَرقَت

ومَوقِفٍ لكَ بعد المصطفى افَتَرقَت

فيه الصَّحابةُ لمّا غابَ هاديها

فيه الصَّحابةُ لمّا غابَ هاديها

And that stand of yours after the Chosen One, when

You forgot, concerning Taha, a verse descended,

The Companions divided because their guide was gone:

Of which the heedless can be reminded.

بايَعتَ فيه أبا بَكرٍ فبايَعَه

بايَعتَ فيه أبا بَكرٍ فبايَعَه

على الخِلافَةِ قاصِيها ودانِيها

على الخِلافَةِ قاصِيها ودانِيها

You pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr, and then pledged to him

One day you were confounded and chaos spread,

For the caliphate those far away and those nearby.

But your sanity returned and dispelled its darkness.

وأُطفِئَت فِتَنةٌ لولاكَ لاستَعَرَت

وأُطفِئَت فِتَنةٌ لولاكَ لاستَعَرَت

بين القَبائِل وانسابَت أفاعيها

بين القَبائِل وانسابَت أفاعيها

A discord was extinguished that, but for you, would have blazed

So for the Saqifah you have a day, you were its hero,

Among the tribes, its serpents slithering forth.

When the caliphate was structured on its foundations.

باتَ النبيُّ مُسَجّىً في حَظيرَتِه

باتَ النبيُّ مُسَجّىً في حَظيرَتِه

وأنتَ مُستَعِرُ الأحشاءِ دامِيها

وأنتَ مُستَعِرُ الأحشاءِ دامِيها

The Prophet lay shrouded in his chamber,

The Aus extended a hand to take it in grasp

While your inward parts burned and bled.

So the Khazraj stretched out hands vying.

تَهيمُ بين عَجيج الناس في دَهَشٍ

تَهيمُ بين عَجيج الناس في دَهَشٍ

مِن نَبْأَةٍ قد سَرَى في الأرضِ ساريها

مِن نَبْأَةٍ قد سَرَى في الأرضِ ساريها

You wandered bewildered amid the people's clamor,

Each faction thought their companion more worthy of it

At news whose bearer had carried it across the earth.

And antagonism came that was divisive.

تَصيحُ: من قال نَفسُ المصطفى قُبِضَتْ

تَصيحُ: من قال نَفسُ المصطفى قُبِضَتْ

عَلَوتُ هامَتَه بالسَّيفِ أَبْريها

عَلَوتُ هامَتَه بالسَّيفِ أَبْريها

You cried: Whoever says the Chosen One's soul has been taken,

Until you spoke up, turning back the grasping ambitions,

I shall strike his head with the sword and cut it away!

And Abu Bakr became most endeared of brethren.

أنْساكَ ، حُبُّكَ طه أنّه بَشَرٌ

أنْساكَ ، حُبُّكَ طه أنّه بَشَرٌ

يُجري عليه شُؤُونَ الكَونِ مُجريها

يُجري عليه شُؤُونَ الكَونِ مُجريها

Your love for Ta-Ha made you forget that he was human,

"By Allah," you roared, "I will burn down his house,

Subject to the world's conditions by Him who ordains them,

Leaving in it the Prophet's daughter, if he refuses to pledge!

وأنّه وارِدٌ لا بدّ مَوْرِدَه

وأنّه وارِدٌ لا بدّ مَوْرِدَه

مِنَ المَنِيَّةِ لا يُعفيه ساقيها

مِنَ المَنِيَّةِ لا يُعفيه ساقيها

And that he must inevitably approach his appointed watering place

None but Abu Hafs would dare this threat

Of death, whose cupbearer spares him not.

Before the knight of `Adnan, steadfast in creed.

نَسِيتَ في حَقِّ طه آيةً نَزَلَتْ

نَسِيتَ في حَقِّ طه آيةً نَزَلَتْ

وقد يُذَكَّرُ بالآياتِ ناسيها

وقد يُذَكَّرُ بالآياتِ ناسيها

You forgot a verse revealed concerning Ta-Ha;

Both resolved in the path of truth, souls that

One who forgets the verses may be reminded of them.

Would not bend, or the truth would come second."

ذَهِلْتَ يوماً فكانت فِتنَةٌ عَمَمٌ

ذَهِلْتَ يوماً فكانت فِتنَةٌ عَمَمٌ

وَثابَ رُشدُكَ فانجابَتْ دَياجِيها

وَثابَ رُشدُكَ فانجابَتْ دَياجِيها

For a day you were distracted, and discord spread everywhere;

What strength of spirit, which nothing could divert

Your sound judgment returned, and its darkness cleared.

From obeying the Master, goals that transfixed it.

فللسَّقِيفَةِ يومٌ أنتَ صاحِبُه

فللسَّقِيفَةِ يومٌ أنتَ صاحِبُه

فيه الخِلافةُ قد شِيدَتْ أواسيها

فيه الخِلافةُ قد شِيدَتْ أواسيها

The Saqifa had a day whose champion you were,

Ask the conqueror of Persia and Rome - did conquests avail him

When the caliphate's foundations were built.

When he saw `Umar among the commoners, its shepherd?

مَدَّتْ لـها الأَوْسُ كَفّاً كي تَناوَلَها

مَدَّتْ لـها الأَوْسُ كَفّاً كي تَناوَلَها

فمَدَّتْ الخَزْرَجُ الأيدي تُباريها

فمَدَّتْ الخَزْرَجُ الأيدي تُباريها

The Aws stretched out a hand to grasp it;

His custom with Persian kings was to guard them

The Khazraj stretched out their hands in rivalry.

With armies and legions protecting.

وظَنَّ كلُّ فَريقٍ أنّ صاحِبَهُم

وظَنَّ كلُّ فَريقٍ أنّ صاحِبَهُم

أوْلى بها وأتى الشّحْنَاءَ آتيها

أوْلى بها وأتى الشّحْنَاءَ آتيها

Each party thought its own man

But he saw him deep asleep exposing

More entitled to it, and enmity came upon them.

His majesty, the greatest of its meanings:

حتى انَبَريتَ لـهم فارتدّ طامِعُهُم

حتى انَبَريتَ لـهم فارتدّ طامِعُهُم

عنها وأخَّى أبو بَكرٍ أواخيها

عنها وأخَّى أبو بَكرٍ أواخيها

Until you stepped forward, and their aspirant withdrew

Upon the ground, in the shade's shadow, wrapped

From it, while Abu Bakr secured its anchors.

In a cloak that time had almost threadbare worn.

وقَولَةٍ لعَليٍّ قالَها عُمَرٌ

وقَولَةٍ لعَليٍّ قالَها عُمَرٌ

أكرِم بسامِعِها أعظِم بمُلقيها!

أكرِم بسامِعِها أعظِم بمُلقيها!

And words Umar spoke to Ali:

So what he had thought mighty, by this sight,

How noble their hearer, how great their speaker!

Was lowered - the emperors and world in their hands.

حَرَقتُ دارَكَ لا أبقي عليكَ بها

حَرَقتُ دارَكَ لا أبقي عليكَ بها

إنْ لم تُبايعْ وبنتُ المصطفى فيها

إنْ لم تُبايعْ وبنتُ المصطفى فيها

I shall burn your house; I shall not spare you on its account,

And he spoke words of truth that became proverbial,

Unless you pledge allegiance, though the Chosen One's daughter is inside.

And for generations beyond, they were transmitted:

ما كان غيرُ أبي حَفصٍ يَفُوهُ بها

ما كان غيرُ أبي حَفصٍ يَفُوهُ بها

أمامَ فارِسِ عَدْنانٍ وحامِيها

أمامَ فارِسِ عَدْنانٍ وحامِيها

None but Abu Hafs would have uttered them

"You felt secure when you established justice among them,

Before Adnan's knight and defender.

So you slept a sleep with contented eyes."

كلاهُما في سَبيلِ الحَقِّ عَزْمَتُه

كلاهُما في سَبيلِ الحَقِّ عَزْمَتُه

لا تَنْثَني أو يكونَ الحَقُّ ثانيها

لا تَنْثَني أو يكونَ الحَقُّ ثانيها

Each man's resolve in the cause of truth

O raise of the flag of democracy and its guardian!

Would not bend unless truth itself bent it.

May your Lord reward you well on behalf of those loyal.

فاذْكُرْهُمَا وتَرَحَّمْ كُلَّما ذَكَرُوا

فاذْكُرْهُمَا وتَرَحَّمْ كُلَّما ذَكَرُوا

أعاظِماً أَلِّهُوا في الكونِ تأليها

أعاظِماً أَلِّهُوا في الكونِ تأليها

Remember them both and pray for mercy whenever people mention

Dissension did not busy you from supporting its state,

Great men exalted to godhood in this world.

Though the agonies of death tortured it.

كم خِفتَ في اللـه مَضعُوفاً دَعاكَ بهِ

كم خِفتَ في اللـه مَضعُوفاً دَعاكَ بهِ

وكم أخَفتَ قويّاً يَنثَني تِيها

وكم أخَفتَ قويّاً يَنثَني تِيها

How often, for God's sake, you feared a powerless man who invoked Him before you!

I do not forget your instruction to al-Miqdad to convey

How often you frightened a powerful man swaggering in pride!

This warning to the community, rousing it:

وفي حَديثِ فتَى غَسّانَ موعظةٌ

وفي حَديثِ فتَى غَسّانَ موعظةٌ

لكلِّ ذي نَغرَةٍ يأبى تَناسيها

لكلِّ ذي نَغرَةٍ يأبى تَناسيها

In the tale of Ghassan's young man lies a lesson

"If after three there remains disagreement among its factions,

For every proud man unwilling to forget it.

Unsheathe your sword and strike its valleys!"

فما القَوِيُّ قَوِيّاً رغم عِزَّته

فما القَوِيُّ قَوِيّاً رغم عِزَّته

عند الخُصومَةِ والفارُوقُ قاضيها

عند الخُصومَةِ والفارُوقُ قاضيها

The strong man is not strong, despite his might,

So the patron of the Ansaar saw its proper place,

In a dispute whose judge is al-Faruq.

And he lived building and elevating it.

وما الضَّعيفُ ضعيفاً بعد حُجَّتِه

وما الضَّعيفُ ضعيفاً بعد حُجَّتِه

وإنْ تَخاصَمَ واليها وراعيها

وإنْ تَخاصَمَ واليها وراعيها

The weak man is not weak once he presents his proof,

Never did he impose an opinion in his rule,

Even when governor and shepherd contend.

Though authority tempts those who wield it to abuse.

وما أقَلْتَ أبا سُفيانَ حين طَوى

وما أقَلْتَ أبا سُفيانَ حين طَوى

عَنكَ الـهديةَ مُعَتّزاً بمُهديها

عَنكَ الـهديةَ مُعَتّزاً بمُهديها

You did not excuse Abu Sufyan when he withheld

The view of the community - the lands are not miserable by it,

The gift from you, taking pride in its giver.

Despite discord, while the individual's corrupts it.

لم يُغنِ عنه وقد حاسَبْتَه حَسَبٌ

لم يُغنِ عنه وقد حاسَبْتَه حَسَبٌ

ولا مُعاويةٌ بالشامِ يَجبيها

ولا مُعاويةٌ بالشامِ يَجبيها

His lineage availed him nothing when you called him to account,

O you who turned away from the world and its vanity,

Nor did Muawiya, collecting revenue in Syria.

Not tempted by your own fortune to deviate.

قَيَّدْتَ منه جَليلاً شاب مَفرِقُه

قَيَّدْتَ منه جَليلاً شاب مَفرِقُه

في عِزِّةٍ ليس من عِزٍّ يُدانيها

في عِزِّةٍ ليس من عِزٍّ يُدانيها

You put in bonds a dignitary whose hair had grayed

What did you see at the Gate of Syria when they wished

Amid a greatness no other greatness approached.

To dress you in the finest clothes to display you,

قد نوَّهُوا باسمِه في جاهِلّيتِه

قد نوَّهُوا باسمِه في جاهِلّيتِه

وزادَه سَيِّدُ الكَونَينِ تنويها

وزادَه سَيِّدُ الكَونَينِ تنويها

They had celebrated his name in his pre-Islamic days,

And to mount you atop the velvet cushions

And the master of both worlds increased his renown.

Led before you by bejeweled steeds of pride?

في فَتحِ مَكّةَ كانت دارُه حَرَماً

في فَتحِ مَكّةَ كانت دارُه حَرَماً

قد أمَّنَ اللـهُ بعدَ البيتِ غاشِيها

قد أمَّنَ اللـهُ بعدَ البيتِ غاشِيها

At the conquest of Mecca, his house was a sanctuary;

You walked disdainfully with your mount proclaiming its rider

After the Sacred House, God granted safety to those entering it.

While above the velvets your virtues were displayed.

وكلُّ ذلك لم يَشفعَ لدى عُمَرٍ

وكلُّ ذلك لم يَشفعَ لدى عُمَرٍ

في هفوةٍ لأبي سُفيانَ يأْتيها

في هفوةٍ لأبي سُفيانَ يأْتيها

None of that interceded with Umar

You cried: O people! Pride had nearly killed me

For a transgression Abu Sufyan committed.

And a condition entered me I know not!

تاللـهِ لو فَعَلَ الخَطّابُ فَعلَتَه

تاللـهِ لو فَعَلَ الخَطّابُ فَعلَتَه

لمَا تَرَخَّصَ فيها أو يُجازيها

لمَا تَرَخَّصَ فيها أو يُجازيها

By God, had al-Khattab committed that same deed,

`Umar had almost inclined to your world -

He would have granted no indulgence before punishing it.

Pleased to trade what remains for what fades!

فلا الحَسابَةُ في حَقٍّ يُجامِلُها

فلا الحَسابَةُ في حَقٍّ يُجامِلُها

ولا القَرابةُ في بُطلٍ يُحابيها

ولا القَرابةُ في بُطلٍ يُحابيها

He showed no courtesy to noble lineage at the expense of right,

Take back my steed - I seek no substitute!

Nor favored kinship in wrongdoing.

Take back my clothes - my old clothes suffice me!

وتلكَ قُوّةُ نفسٍ لو أراد بها

وتلكَ قُوّةُ نفسٍ لو أراد بها

شُمَّ الجِبالِ لمَا قَرّت رَواسيها

شُمَّ الجِبالِ لمَا قَرّت رَواسيها

Such was a strength of soul that, had he directed it against

Who saw him prostrate before the pot, flames engulfing,

The lofty mountains, their rooted masses would not have stood firm.

Their smoke permeating his beard as he stoked them.

سَلْ قاهِرَ الفُرسِ والرُّومانِ هل شَفَعَتْ

سَلْ قاهِرَ الفُرسِ والرُّومانِ هل شَفَعَتْ

لـه الفُتوحُ وهل أغنَى تَواليها

لـه الفُتوحُ وهل أغنَى تَواليها

Ask the conqueror of the Persians and Romans whether

Saw the Commander of the Faithful in a condition - by God! -

His conquests interceded for him, or their succession availed him.

That would shock the beholder and his sight frighten.

غَزَى فأبْلى وخَيْلُ اللـهِ قد عُقِدت

غَزَى فأبْلى وخَيْلُ اللـهِ قد عُقِدت

باليُمنِ والنَّصْرِ والبُشْرَى نَواصِيها

باليُمنِ والنَّصْرِ والبُشْرَى نَواصِيها

He fought and distinguished himself, while God's horses had their forelocks bound

Facing the fire, fearing its flames tomorrow,

With good fortune, victory, and glad tidings.

While his eyes wept in fright and terror.

يَرمي الأعادي بآراءٍ مُسَدَّدَةٍ

يَرمي الأعادي بآراءٍ مُسَدَّدَةٍ

وبالفَوارسِ قد سالَتْ مَذاكيها

وبالفَوارسِ قد سالَتْ مَذاكيها

He struck his enemies with well-aimed judgments,

If hardship befell a people and he shared

And with horsemen whose seasoned steeds poured forth.

Their hunger, or sustenance barely reached them.

ما واقَعَ الرُّومَ إلاّ فَرَّ قارِحُها

ما واقَعَ الرُّومَ إلاّ فَرَّ قارِحُها

ولا رَمَى الفُرسَ إلاّ طاشَ راميها

ولا رَمَى الفُرسَ إلاّ طاشَ راميها

Never did he engage the Romans without their veteran horse fleeing,

The hunger of the Caliph - and the world in his grasp -

Nor attack the Persians without their archer's aim going astray.

In asceticism has a station - Glory to its Master!

ولم يَجُزْ بَلدَةً إلا سَمِعْتَ بها

ولم يَجُزْ بَلدَةً إلا سَمِعْتَ بها

اللـهُ أكبرُ تَدوي في نَواحيها

اللـهُ أكبرُ تَدوي في نَواحيها

He passed no town without your hearing there

So who can rival Abu Hafs in his conduct

God is greatest, resounding through its quarters.

Or seek to portray al-Farooq by simile?

عِشرُونَ مَوقِعَةً مَرّتْ مُحَجَّلةً

عِشرُونَ مَوقِعَةً مَرّتْ مُحَجَّلةً

من بعد عَشرٍ بَنانُ الفَتحِ تُحْصيها

من بعد عَشرٍ بَنانُ الفَتحِ تُحْصيها

Twenty battles passed, white-marked with glory,

When his wife craved sweets and he said to her:

After ten more, counted by victory's fingers.

"From where do I have money for sweets to buy her?"

وخالدٌ في سَبيلِ اللـهِ مُوقِدُها

وخالدٌ في سَبيلِ اللـهِ مُوقِدُها

وخالدٌ في سَبيلِ اللـه صاليها

وخالدٌ في سَبيلِ اللـه صاليها

Khalid kindled them in God's cause;

"Do not bridle the passions of the soul unchecked,

Khalid endured their fire in God's cause.

For a piece of bread over sweets takes preference."

أتاهُ أمْرُ أبي حَفصِ فقبَّلَه

أتاهُ أمْرُ أبي حَفصِ فقبَّلَه

كما يُقَبِّلُ آيَ اللـهِ تالِيها

كما يُقَبِّلُ آيَ اللـهِ تالِيها

Abu Hafs's order reached him, and he kissed it

"Can the treasury of the Muslims bear what

As the reciter kisses God's verses.

Your fancy whispers, if you heed its whisperings?"

واستَقْبَلَ العَزْلَ في إبّانِ سَطْوَته

واستَقْبَلَ العَزْلَ في إبّانِ سَطْوَته

ومَجْدِه مُسْتَريحَ النَّفسِ هاديها

ومَجْدِه مُسْتَريحَ النَّفسِ هاديها

He received dismissal at the height of his power

She said: "By God, I do not covet its wealth

And glory, with his soul at ease and tranquil.

For the soul's needs that I hoped to gratify.

فاعجَب لسَيِّدِ مَخُزومٍ وفارِسِها

فاعجَب لسَيِّدِ مَخُزومٍ وفارِسِها

يومَ النِّزالِ إذا نادَى مُناديها

يومَ النِّزالِ إذا نادَى مُناديها

Marvel at Makhzum's chief and knight

Rather, I save something from our wages

On the day of combat, when its herald called:

Bit by bit, improving our condition gradually,

يَقُودُه حَبَشيٌّ في عِمامَتِه

يَقُودُه حَبَشيٌّ في عِمامَتِه

ولا تُحرَّكُ مَخزُومٌ عَواليها

ولا تُحرَّكُ مَخزُومٌ عَواليها

An Abyssinian led him by his turban,

Until we possess enough to reward it,

Yet Makhzum did not stir its lofty spears.

Then I purchase it - but I do not repeat it."

ألْقَى القِيادَ إلى الجَرّاحِ مُمْتَثِلاً

ألْقَى القِيادَ إلى الجَرّاحِ مُمْتَثِلاً

وعِزّةُ النَّفْسِ لم تُجْرَحْ حَواشيها

وعِزّةُ النَّفْسِ لم تُجْرَحْ حَواشيها

He yielded the reins to al-Jarrah obediently,

He said: "Go, and know, if you are ignorant,

Without the edges of his self-respect being wounded.

That contentment enriches the content."

وانضَمَّ للجُند يَمشي تحتَ رايَتِه

وانضَمَّ للجُند يَمشي تحتَ رايَتِه

وبالحياةِ إذا مالَتْ يُفَدِّيها

وبالحياةِ إذا مالَتْ يُفَدِّيها

He joined the soldiers, marching beneath his banner,

"Five later she returned carrying dirhams

And would ransom it with his life if it faltered.

To fulfill the craving that possessed her."

وما عَرَتْه شَكوكٌ في خَليفَتِه

وما عَرَتْه شَكوكٌ في خَليفَتِه

ولا ارتَضَى إمَرةَ الجَرّاحِ تَمويها

ولا ارتَضَى إمَرةَ الجَرّاحِ تَمويها

No doubts assailed him concerning his caliph;

He said: "You have awakened in me a heedless one,

He did not accept al-Jarrah's command as a mere pretense.

So leave these dirhams - I have no right to them.

فخالِدٌ كان يَدري أنّ صاحِبَه

فخالِدٌ كان يَدري أنّ صاحِبَه

قد وَجَه النَّفسَ نحوَ اللـهِ تَوجيها

قد وَجَه النَّفسَ نحوَ اللـهِ تَوجيها

Khalid knew that his companion

Woe unto `Umar who accepts sufficiency

Had directed his soul wholly toward God.

While living hand to mouth, warning those exceeding it!

فما يُعالِجُ من قَولٍ ولا عَمَلٍ

فما يُعالِجُ من قَولٍ ولا عَمَلٍ

إلاّ أرادَ به للنّاسِ تَرفيها

إلاّ أرادَ به للنّاسِ تَرفيها

Whatever word or deed he undertook,

What we exceed, providing our needs, belongs

He intended through it ease for the people.

More rightfully to the Muslims - so take it to their treasury."

لذاكَ أوْصَى بأولادٍ لـه عُمَراً

لذاكَ أوْصَى بأولادٍ لـه عُمَراً

لمّا دَعاهُ إلى الفِرْدَوسِ داعيها

لمّا دَعاهُ إلى الفِرْدَوسِ داعيها

Therefore he entrusted his children to Umar

Such was his character, known not

When Paradise's summoner called him to it.

In behavior to be imitated after prophethood.

وما نَهَى عُمَرٌ في يومِ مَصرعِه

وما نَهَى عُمَرٌ في يومِ مَصرعِه

نِساءَ مَخزومَ أن تَبكي بَواكيها

نِساءَ مَخزومَ أن تَبكي بَواكيها

On the day of his death, Umar did not forbid

In pagan and Islamic times, his awe

Makhzum's women from weeping as mourners.

Bent calamities - they could not transgress.

وقيل : خالَفتَ يا فاروقُ صاحِبَنا

وقيل : خالَفتَ يا فاروقُ صاحِبَنا

فيه وقد كان أعطى القَوسَ باريها

فيه وقد كان أعطى القَوسَ باريها

It was said: Al-Faruq, you differed from our companion

In his severest heat, secrets of compassion,

Concerning him, though he had entrusted the bow to its maker.

To the worlds - but not exposed.

فقال: خِفتُ افتِتانِ المُسلمين به

فقال: خِفتُ افتِتانِ المُسلمين به

وفِتنةُ النَّفسِ أعيَت مَن يُداويها

وفِتنةُ النَّفسِ أعيَت مَن يُداويها

He replied: I feared the Muslims' infatuation with him;

Between his sides, even in peak firmness,

The soul's temptation defeats whoever would treat it.

A motherly heart nurturing her seedlings.

هَبوه أخطَأَ في تَأْويلِ مَقصِدِه

هَبوه أخطَأَ في تَأْويلِ مَقصِدِه

وأنّها سَقطَةٌ في عينِ ناعيها

وأنّها سَقطَةٌ في عينِ ناعيها

Suppose he erred in interpreting his purpose,

Her presence suffices the polished warrior,

And that it was a lapse in the eyes of its denouncer:

Saving him from whims the soul incites.

فلن تَعيبَ حَصيفَ الرأيِ زَلّتُه

فلن تَعيبَ حَصيفَ الرأيِ زَلّتُه

حتى يَعيبَ سُيوفَ الـهِندِ يَطويها

حتى يَعيبَ سُيوفَ الـهِندِ يَطويها

A sound-minded man's slip will not disgrace him

She was a staff like Musa's to its bearer,

Any more than bending can blemish Indian swords.

The hero does not falter walking its valleys.

تاللـهِ لم يَتَّبعْ في ابنِ الوَليد هَوىً

تاللـهِ لم يَتَّبعْ في ابنِ الوَليد هَوىً

ولا شَفَى غُلَّةً في الصَّدْرِ يَطويها

ولا شَفَى غُلَّةً في الصَّدْرِ يَطويها

By God, he followed no whim concerning Ibn al-Walid,

Bringing fear even to babes in their playing,

Nor quenched a resentment hidden in his breast.

And ethics even to the wanton in their revels.

لكنّه قد رأى رَأياً فأتبعَه

لكنّه قد رأى رَأياً فأتبعَه

عَزيمَةً منه لم تُثْلَمْ مَواضيها

عَزيمَةً منه لم تُثْلَمْ مَواضيها

Rather, he formed a judgment and followed it

Did you see the one who vowed to God

With a resolve whose keen edges were never blunted.

To sing a eulogy to the Messenger presenting it,

لم يَرعَ في طاعَةِ المولى خُؤُولَتَه

لم يَرعَ في طاعَةِ المولى خُؤُولَتَه

ولا رَعى غيرَها فيما يُنافيها

ولا رَعى غيرَها فيما يُنافيها

In obeying the Lord, he showed no regard for maternal kinship,

Saying: "If the Prophet returns safe to us

Nor for anything else that conflicted with that obedience.

From a raid, my tambourine I will play for him!"

وما أصابَ ابنُه والسَّوْطُ يأخُذُهُ

وما أصابَ ابنُه والسَّوْطُ يأخُذُهُ

لَدَيه من رَأْفَةٍ في الحَدِّ يُبديها

لَدَيه من رَأْفَةٍ في الحَدِّ يُبديها

His son, while the whip struck him, received

She approached the assembly filled with the light

No compassion from him in administering the prescribed punishment.

Of his rising, illuminating its surroundings.

إنّ الذي بَرَأَ الفاروقَ نَزَّهَه

إنّ الذي بَرَأَ الفاروقَ نَزَّهَه

عن النَّقائِصِ والأغراضِ تَنْزيها

عن النَّقائِصِ والأغراضِ تَنْزيها

He who created al-Faruq kept him pure

She asked permission, then walked with her tambourine, breaking

Of shortcomings and self-serving motives.

Into song, voicing whatever came to inspire her.

فذاكَ خُلقٌ مِنَ الفِردَوسِ طينَتُه

فذاكَ خُلقٌ مِنَ الفِردَوسِ طينَتُه

اللـهُ أوْدَعَ فيها ما ينَقِّيها

اللـهُ أوْدَعَ فيها ما ينَقِّيها

That character was fashioned from Paradise's clay;

The Prophet and Abu Bakr beside him

God placed within it what would purify it.

Did not forbid her or the songs she voiced.

لا الكِبْرُ يَسْكُنُها، لا الظُّلمُ يَصحَبُها،

لا الكِبْرُ يَسْكُنُها، لا الظُّلمُ يَصحَبُها،

لا الحِقدُ يَعرِفُها، لا الحِرصُ يُغويها

لا الحِقدُ يَعرِفُها، لا الحِرصُ يُغويها

No pride dwells in it; no injustice accompanies it;

Until `Umar appeared from a distance, so strength

No rancor knows it; no greed tempts it.

Fled her and fear came close to destroying her.

شاطَرتَ داهَيةَ السُّوَاس ثَرَوتَه

شاطَرتَ داهَيةَ السُّوَاس ثَرَوتَه

ولم تَخَفه بمِصرٍ وهو والِيها

ولم تَخَفه بمِصرٍ وهو والِيها

You halved the master statesman's wealth with him,

She hid her tambourine in her clothes, wishing, frightened,

Unafraid of him in Egypt, where he was governor.

The earth would swallow her and hide her.

وأنتَ تَعِرفُ عَمراً في حَواضِرِها

وأنتَ تَعِرفُ عَمراً في حَواضِرِها

ولستَ تَجهَلُ عَمراً في بَواديها

ولستَ تَجهَلُ عَمراً في بَواديها

You knew Amr in its cities,

The Prophet's forbearance gave her comfort,

And were not ignorant of Amr in its deserts.

But Abu Hafs' might frightened and alarmed her.

لم تُنبِت الأرضُ كابن العاصِ داهيةً

لم تُنبِت الأرضُ كابن العاصِ داهيةً

يَرمي الخُطوبَ بَرأيٍ ليسَ يُخطِيها

يَرمي الخُطوبَ بَرأيٍ ليسَ يُخطِيها

The earth has produced no strategist like Ibn al-As,

Then the recipient of divine revelation smiled and said,

Who confronts calamities with judgments that never miss their mark.

His smile bearing meaning that gave comfort:

فلم يُرِغ حِيلَةً فيما أمَرتَ به

فلم يُرِغ حِيلَةً فيما أمَرتَ به

وقامَ عَمروٌ إلى الأجمالِ يُزجِيها

وقامَ عَمروٌ إلى الأجمالِ يُزجِيها

He sought no stratagem against what you commanded,

"Her devil has fled on seeing `Umar,

And Amr set about driving the camels onward.

For devils fear the might of his severity."

ولم تُقِلْ عامِلاً منها وقد كَثُرَتْ

ولم تُقِلْ عامِلاً منها وقد كَثُرَتْ

أموالُه وفَشا في الأرضِ فاشيها

أموالُه وفَشا في الأرضِ فاشيها

You excused no official for this when abundant became

"Some youth had become distracted by revelry, escaping

His wealth, and its abundance spread throughout the land.

Their worries for a place to imbibe until senseless."

وما وَفى ابنُكَ عبدُ اللـهِ أَيْنُقَه

وما وَفى ابنُكَ عبدُ اللـهِ أَيْنُقَه

لمّا اطَّلَعْتَ عليها في مَراعيها

لمّا اطَّلَعْتَ عليها في مَراعيها

Nor did your son Abdullah retain all his she-camels

You appeared at their wall when you heard of them

When you saw them in their pastures:

Though the darkness of night draped its surroundings,

يَنها في حِماهُ وهي سارِحَةٌ

يَنها في حِماهُ وهي سارِحَةٌ

مِثلَ القُصور قد اهتَزَّت أعاليها

مِثلَ القُصور قد اهتَزَّت أعاليها

[Unclear word] in his protected pasture, roaming free,

Until you saw them plainly, the wine having

Like palaces whose lofty tops swayed.

Silenced reason in both pourer and quaffer.

فقلتَ: ما كان عبدُ اللـه يُشبِعُها

فقلتَ: ما كان عبدُ اللـه يُشبِعُها

لو لم يكن وَلَدي أو كان يُرويها

لو لم يكن وَلَدي أو كان يُرويها

You said: Abdullah could not have fed them so well

You condemned their thinking about it, and soon

Had he not been my son, nor could he have watered them.

They found you a fault, you came to condemn.

قد استعانَ بجاهي في تِجارَتِه

قد استعانَ بجاهي في تِجارَتِه

وباتَ باسمِ أبي حَفصٍ يُنَميِّها

وباتَ باسمِ أبي حَفصٍ يُنَميِّها

He used my standing to assist his trade,

You dispelled their pretense of expertise in religion, but lo -

And increased it under Abu Hafs's name.

In drinking, the Farooq they schooled in wisdom!

رُدّوا النِّياقَ لبيتِ المالِ إنّ لـه

رُدّوا النِّياقَ لبيتِ المالِ إنّ لـه

حَقَّ الزِّيادَةِ فيها قَبل شاريها

حَقَّ الزِّيادَةِ فيها قَبل شاريها

Return the she-camels to the treasury, for it has

They said: "You came upon one, while you brought against us three

The right to their increase before their purchaser.

Transgressions, heedless that we commit them."

وهذه خُطّةٌ للـهِ واضِعُها

وهذه خُطّةٌ للـهِ واضِعُها

رَدَّتْ حُقوقاً فأغنَت مُستَميحيها

رَدَّتْ حُقوقاً فأغنَت مُستَميحيها

Such was a policy—God bless its deviser—

"Visit homes by their doors, O `Umar,

That restored rights and enriched those seeking its bounty.

For one who enters by the walls, suspicion trails him.

ما الإشتراكيَّةُ المُنشودُ جانِبُها

ما الإشتراكيَّةُ المُنشودُ جانِبُها

بين الورى غيرَ مَبنىً من مَبانيها

بين الورى غيرَ مَبنىً من مَبانيها

Socialism, whose support is sought

Ask people's permission before intruding homes,

Among mankind, is but one structure among its structures.

Do not blame a house you greet or hail.

فإنْ نكن نحن أهليها ومنبِتَها

فإنْ نكن نحن أهليها ومنبِتَها

فإنّهم عَرَفُوها قبل أهليها

فإنّهم عَرَفُوها قبل أهليها

If we are its people and its seedbed,

Do not spy, for the verse was revealed

They knew it before its own people.

Forbidding it, without exceptions detailing."

جَنَى الجَمالُ على نَصرٍ فغَرَّبَه

جَنَى الجَمالُ على نَصرٍ فغَرَّبَه

عَنِ المَدينةِ تَبكِيه ويَبكيها

عَنِ المَدينةِ تَبكِيه ويَبكيها

Beauty wronged Nasr and drove him into exile

You turned away, awed by their argument,

From Medina, which wept for him as he wept for it.

When you saw the Book of God dictating it.

وكم رَمَت قَسماتُ الحُسنِ صاحِبَها

وكم رَمَت قَسماتُ الحُسنِ صاحِبَها

وأتعَبَتْ قَصَبَاتُ السَّبقِ حاويها

وأتعَبَتْ قَصَبَاتُ السَّبقِ حاويها

How often beauty's features have brought down their possessor,

You did not refuse, though they embarrassed you,

And the trophies of precedence have wearied their winner!

With verses of the Quran, while defying it.

وزهرةُ الرَّوضِ لولا حُسنُ رونقِها

وزهرةُ الرَّوضِ لولا حُسنُ رونقِها

لمَا استَطالَتْ عليها كفُّ جانيها

لمَا استَطالَتْ عليها كفُّ جانيها

The garden's flower, but for the beauty of its splendor,

A saddlecloth they raised high with the pledge

Would not have felt its gatherer's hand reaching over it.

Of allegiance to the Prophet, from its summit waving,

كانت لـه لِمَّةٌ فَينانَةٌ عَجَبٌ

كانت لـه لِمَّةٌ فَينانَةٌ عَجَبٌ

على جَبينٍ خَليق أنْ يُحَلّيها

على جَبينٍ خَليق أنْ يُحَلّيها

He had a luxuriant, wondrous head of hair

You stripped it when they went beyond bounds circling it,

Above a brow worthy to adorn it.

Though their circumambulation was religion, you charged.

وكان أنَّى مَشَى مالَتْ عَقَائِلُها

وكان أنَّى مَشَى مالَتْ عَقَائِلُها

شَوقاً إليه وكادَ الحُسنُ يَسبيها

شَوقاً إليه وكادَ الحُسنُ يَسبيها

Wherever he walked, its noble women inclined

These are his merits, in the era of his state,

Toward him in longing, almost captured by his beauty.

Which I recount for witnesses and descendants.

هَتَفَنَ تحتَ اللّيالي باسمِه شَغَفاً

هَتَفَنَ تحتَ اللّيالي باسمِه شَغَفاً

وللحِسانِ تَمّنٍّ في لَياليها

وللحِسانِ تَمّنٍّ في لَياليها

Through the nights they called his name passionately;

In each one a stream from excellent springs

Beautiful women have their wishes in their nights.

To nourish an awakened soul that comprehends.

جَزَزتَ لِمَّتَه لمّا أُتِيتَ به

جَزَزتَ لِمَّتَه لمّا أُتِيتَ به

ففاقَ عاطِلُها في الحُسنِ حاليها

ففاقَ عاطِلُها في الحُسنِ حاليها

You sheared his hair when he was brought before you,

Perhaps among the Muslim nation will sprout

But his unadorned appearance surpassed his adorned one in beauty.

One that mirrors for its present its past.

فَصِحْتَ فيه تَحَوَّلْ عن مَدينَتِهِم

فَصِحْتَ فيه تَحَوَّلْ عن مَدينَتِهِم

فإنّها فِتنَةٌ أخشى تَماديها

فإنّها فِتنَةٌ أخشى تَماديها

You cried to him: Depart from their city,

Until it sees some of the towers its forebears built,

For this is a temptation whose persistence I fear.

And what `Umar endured for its architect.

وفِتنةُ الحُسنِ إنْ هَبَّتْ نَوافِحُها

وفِتنةُ الحُسنِ إنْ هَبَّتْ نَوافِحُها

كفِتنَةِ الحَربِ إنْ هَبَّتْ سَوافيها

كفِتنَةِ الحَربِ إنْ هَبَّتْ سَوافيها

The temptation of beauty, when its fragrant breezes rise,

It suffices it to see what `Umar achieved,

Is like the turmoil of war when its dust-laden winds rise.

To alert the heedless and shake off its slumber.

وراعَ صاحبُ كسرى أنْ رأى عُمَراً

وراعَ صاحبُ كسرى أنْ رأى عُمَراً

بين الرَّعيّةِ عُطلاً وهو راعيها

بين الرَّعيّةِ عُطلاً وهو راعيها

Kisra's envoy was astonished to see Umar

Unadorned among the subjects whose shepherd he was.

وعَهدُه بمُلوكِ الفُرسِ أنّ لـها

وعَهدُه بمُلوكِ الفُرسِ أنّ لـها

سُوراً من الجُندِ والأحراسِ يَحميها

سُوراً من الجُندِ والأحراسِ يَحميها

His experience of Persian kings was that they had

A wall of soldiers and guards protecting them.

رآه مُستَغرقاً في نَومِه فَرأى

رآه مُستَغرقاً في نَومِه فَرأى

فيه الجَلالَة في أسمَى مَعانيها

فيه الجَلالَة في أسمَى مَعانيها

He saw him deep in sleep, and saw

Majesty in him in its loftiest meaning.

فوقَ الثَّرَى تحتَ ظِلِّ الدَّوحِ مُشتَمِلاً

فوقَ الثَّرَى تحتَ ظِلِّ الدَّوحِ مُشتَمِلاً

بُبردَةٍ كادَ طُولُ العَهدِ يُبليها

بُبردَةٍ كادَ طُولُ العَهدِ يُبليها

Upon the earth, beneath the great trees' shade, wrapped

In a cloak that long use had almost worn away.

فهانَ في عَيِنه ما كان يُكبِرُه

فهانَ في عَيِنه ما كان يُكبِرُه

مِنَ الأكاسِرِ والدّنيا بأيديها

مِنَ الأكاسِرِ والدّنيا بأيديها

Then diminished in his eyes what he had revered

Of the Kisras, with the world in their hands.

وقال قَوَلَةَ حَقٍّ أصبَحَتْ مَثَلاً

وقال قَوَلَةَ حَقٍّ أصبَحَتْ مَثَلاً

وأصَبَحَ الجيلُ بعدَ الجيلِ يَرويها:

وأصَبَحَ الجيلُ بعدَ الجيلِ يَرويها:

He spoke a true saying that became a proverb,

Repeated by generation after generation:

أمِنتَ لمّا أقَمتَ العَدلَ بينهُمُ

أمِنتَ لمّا أقَمتَ العَدلَ بينهُمُ

فنِمتَ نَومَ قَريرِ العَينِ هانيها

فنِمتَ نَومَ قَريرِ العَينِ هانيها

You became secure when you established justice among them,

And slept the sleep of one contented and at ease.

يا رافِعاً رايةَ الشُّورَى وحارِسَها

يا رافِعاً رايةَ الشُّورَى وحارِسَها

جَزاكَ رَبُّكَ خَيراً عن مُحِبِّيها

جَزاكَ رَبُّكَ خَيراً عن مُحِبِّيها

O raiser and guardian of consultation's banner,

May your Lord reward you well on behalf of its lovers!

لم يُلـهِكَ النَّزْعُ عن تأييدِ دَولَتها

لم يُلـهِكَ النَّزْعُ عن تأييدِ دَولَتها

وللمَنِيَّةِ آلامٌ تُعانيها

وللمَنِيَّةِ آلامٌ تُعانيها

The agony of dying did not distract you from upholding its rule,

Though death had pains you were enduring.

لم أنسَ أمركَ للمِقدادِ يَحمِلُه

لم أنسَ أمركَ للمِقدادِ يَحمِلُه

إلى الجَماعةِ إنذاراً وتَنبيها

إلى الجَماعةِ إنذاراً وتَنبيها

I have not forgotten your order to al-Miqdad, carrying it

To the assembly as a warning and admonition:

إِنْ ظَلَّ بعد ثَلاثٍ رأْيُها شُعَباً

إِنْ ظَلَّ بعد ثَلاثٍ رأْيُها شُعَباً

فجَرِّدِ السَّيفَ واضرِبْ في هَواديها

فجَرِّدِ السَّيفَ واضرِبْ في هَواديها

If, after three days, its opinion remains divided,

Draw the sword and strike at their necks.

فاعجَبْ لقوّةِ نَفسٍ ليسَ يَصرِفُها

فاعجَبْ لقوّةِ نَفسٍ ليسَ يَصرِفُها

طَعمُ المَنِّيةِ مُرّاً عن مَراميها

طَعمُ المَنِّيةِ مُرّاً عن مَراميها

Marvel at a soul's strength, which is not diverted

From its aims by death's bitter taste.

دَرَى عميدُ بني الشُّورَى بمَوضِعِها

دَرَى عميدُ بني الشُّورَى بمَوضِعِها

فعاشَ ما عاشَ يَبنيها ويُعليها

فعاشَ ما عاشَ يَبنيها ويُعليها

The chief of consultation's people knew its worth;

Throughout his life he built it up and raised it high.

وما استَبَدَّ برأْيٍ في حُكومَتِه

وما استَبَدَّ برأْيٍ في حُكومَتِه

إنّ الحُكومَةَ تُغري مُستَبِدِّيها

إنّ الحُكومَةَ تُغري مُستَبِدِّيها

He never imposed his opinion alone in his government;

Government tempts those who rule it despotically.

رأيُ الجّماعةِ لا تَشقَى البِلادُ به

رأيُ الجّماعةِ لا تَشقَى البِلادُ به

رغم الخِلافِ ورَأْيُ الفَردِ يُشقيها

رغم الخِلافِ ورَأْيُ الفَردِ يُشقيها

The collective judgment brings no misery to the land,

Despite disagreement; one man's judgment makes it miserable.

يا مَن صَدَفتَ عن الدُّنيا وزِينَتها

يا مَن صَدَفتَ عن الدُّنيا وزِينَتها

فلم يَغُرَّكَ من دُنياكَ مُغريها

فلم يَغُرَّكَ من دُنياكَ مُغريها

O you who turned away from the world and its adornment,

Whom none of your world's enticements deceived!

ماذا رأيتَ بباب الشامِ حين رَأوْا

ماذا رأيتَ بباب الشامِ حين رَأوْا

أنْ يُلبِسُوكَ مِن الأثوابِ زاهيها

أنْ يُلبِسُوكَ مِن الأثوابِ زاهيها

What did you experience at Syria's gate, when they proposed

To clothe you in the most splendid garments,

ويُرْكِبُوكَ على البِرذَونِ تَقدمُهُ

ويُرْكِبُوكَ على البِرذَونِ تَقدمُهُ

خَيلٌ مُطَهَّمَةٌ تَحلُو مَرائيها

خَيلٌ مُطَهَّمَةٌ تَحلُو مَرائيها

And mount you on a palfrey preceded

By fine horses, delightful to behold?

مَشى فهَملَجَ مُختالاً براكبِه

مَشى فهَملَجَ مُختالاً براكبِه

وفي البَراذِينِ ما تُزهى بعاليها

وفي البَراذِينِ ما تُزهى بعاليها

It walked with a prancing gait, proud of its rider;

Among palfreys are those whose riders grow conceited.

فصِحتَ: يا قوم، كادَ الزَّهوُ يَقتُلُني

فصِحتَ: يا قوم، كادَ الزَّهوُ يَقتُلُني

وداخَلَتنِيَ حالٌ لستُ أدْريها

وداخَلَتنِيَ حالٌ لستُ أدْريها

You cried: People, pride almost killed me,

And a feeling entered me that I did not recognize!

وكادَ يَصبُو إلى دُنياكُمُ عُمَرٌ

وكادَ يَصبُو إلى دُنياكُمُ عُمَرٌ

ويَرتَضي بَيعَ باقيهِ بفانيها

ويَرتَضي بَيعَ باقيهِ بفانيها

Umar almost yearned for your world,

And consented to sell his lasting portion for its fleeting one.

رُدُّوا رِكابي فلا أبغي به بَدَلا

رُدُّوا رِكابي فلا أبغي به بَدَلا

رُدُّوا ثيابي فحَسبي اليومَ باليها

رُدُّوا ثيابي فحَسبي اليومَ باليها

Bring back my camel-mount; I seek no substitute for it.

Bring back my clothes; their worn ones suffice me today.

ومَن رآهُ أمامَ القِدْرِ مُنبَطِحاً

ومَن رآهُ أمامَ القِدْرِ مُنبَطِحاً

والنارُ تَأْخُذُ منه وهو يُذْكيها

والنارُ تَأْخُذُ منه وهو يُذْكيها

Whoever saw him lying before the cooking pot,

The fire scorching him as he kindled it,

وقد تَخَلَّلَ في أثناءِ لِحَيتِهِ

وقد تَخَلَّلَ في أثناءِ لِحَيتِهِ

منها الدُّخانُ وَفُوهُ غابَ في فيها

منها الدُّخانُ وَفُوهُ غابَ في فيها

While through the strands of his beard

Its smoke threaded, and his mouth vanished into its mouth,

رأى هُناكَ أميرَ المُؤمنين على

رأى هُناكَ أميرَ المُؤمنين على

حالٍ تَرُوعُ ـ لَعَمرُ اللـهِ ـ رائيها

حالٍ تَرُوعُ ـ لَعَمرُ اللـهِ ـ رائيها

Saw there the Commander of the Faithful in

A state that startled—by God's life—its beholder.

يَستَقبِلُ النارَ خَوفَ النارِ في غدِهِ

يَستَقبِلُ النارَ خَوفَ النارِ في غدِهِ

والعَينُ من خَشيَةٍ سالَتْ مَآقيها

والعَينُ من خَشيَةٍ سالَتْ مَآقيها

He faced the fire in fear of tomorrow's Fire,

While dread made tears stream from his eyes' corners.

إنْ جاعَ في شِدّةٍ قَومٌ شَرِكتَهُم

إنْ جاعَ في شِدّةٍ قَومٌ شَرِكتَهُم

في الجوعِ أو تَنجلَي عنهم غَواشيها

في الجوعِ أو تَنجلَي عنهم غَواشيها

If people went hungry in hardship, you shared with them

Their hunger until its dark coverings lifted from them.

جُوعُ الخَليفَةِ ـ والدُّنيا بقَبضَتِه ـ

جُوعُ الخَليفَةِ ـ والدُّنيا بقَبضَتِه ـ

في الزُّهدِ مَنزِلَةٌ سبحانَ مُوَليها

في الزُّهدِ مَنزِلَةٌ سبحانَ مُوَليها

The caliph's hunger—with the world in his grasp—

Is a station of renunciation: glory to its Bestower!

فمَن يُباري أبا حَفصٍ وسيرَتَه

فمَن يُباري أبا حَفصٍ وسيرَتَه

أو مَن يُحاولُ للفاروقَ تَشْبيها

أو مَن يُحاولُ للفاروقَ تَشْبيها

Who can rival Abu Hafs and his way of life,

Or attempt to find al-Faruq's likeness?

يومَ اشتَهَتْ زَوجُه الحَلوى فقال لـها

يومَ اشتَهَتْ زَوجُه الحَلوى فقال لـها

من أينَ لي ثَمَنُ الحلوى فأشريها

من أينَ لي ثَمَنُ الحلوى فأشريها

One day his wife desired sweets, and he said to her:

Where shall I find the price of sweets to buy them?

لا تَمتَطي شَهَواتِ النَّفسِ جامِحَةً

لا تَمتَطي شَهَواتِ النَّفسِ جامِحَةً

فكِسرَةُ الخُبز عن حَلواكِ تَجزيها

فكِسرَةُ الخُبز عن حَلواكِ تَجزيها

Do not ride the soul's unbridled desires;

A crust of bread will suffice it instead of your sweets.

وهل يَفي بيتُ مالِ المُسلمينَ بما

وهل يَفي بيتُ مالِ المُسلمينَ بما

تُوحي إليك إذا طاوَعتِ مُوحيها

تُوحي إليك إذا طاوَعتِ مُوحيها

Can the Muslims' treasury provide whatever

They whisper to you, when you obey their whisperer?

قالت: لكَ اللـهُ إنِّي لستُ أَرزَؤُه

قالت: لكَ اللـهُ إنِّي لستُ أَرزَؤُه

مَالاً لحاجَةِ نفسٍ كنتُ أبغيها

مَالاً لحاجَةِ نفسٍ كنتُ أبغيها

She said: God be with you! I would not deprive it

Of money for a personal desire I sought.

لِكنْ أُجنِّبُ شيْئاً مِن وَظِيفَتناَ

لِكنْ أُجنِّبُ شيْئاً مِن وَظِيفَتناَ

وفي كُلِّ يْومٍ عَلَى حَالٍ أُسَوِّيهاً

وفي كُلِّ يْومٍ عَلَى حَالٍ أُسَوِّيهاً

But I shall set aside something from our allowance,

And each day adjust our circumstances accordingly,

حتى إذا ما مَلَكنا ما يُكافِئُها

حتى إذا ما مَلَكنا ما يُكافِئُها

شَرَيتُها ثُمّ إنِّي لا أُثَنِّيها

شَرَيتُها ثُمّ إنِّي لا أُثَنِّيها

Until, when we possess enough to pay for them,

I buy them; then I shall not do it again.

قال: اذهبي واعلَمي إنْ كنتِ جاهِلَةً

قال: اذهبي واعلَمي إنْ كنتِ جاهِلَةً

أنَّ القَناعةَ تُغني نفسَ كاسيها

أنَّ القَناعةَ تُغني نفسَ كاسيها

He said: Go, and know, if you were unaware,

That contentment enriches the soul of whoever wears it.

وأقبلَت بعدَ خَمسٍ وهي حامِلَةٌ

وأقبلَت بعدَ خَمسٍ وهي حامِلَةٌ

دُرَيهِماتٍ لتقضي من تَشَهِّيها

دُرَيهِماتٍ لتقضي من تَشَهِّيها

After five days she returned, carrying

A few little dirhams to satisfy her craving.

فقال: نَبَّهتِ منِّي غافلاً فدَعي

فقال: نَبَّهتِ منِّي غافلاً فدَعي

هذي الدَّراهِمَ إذْ لا حَقَّ لي فيها

هذي الدَّراهِمَ إذْ لا حَقَّ لي فيها

He said: You have awakened something heedless in me; leave

These dirhams, for I have no right to them.

وَيلي على عُمَرٍ يَرضى بمُوفِيَةٍ

وَيلي على عُمَرٍ يَرضى بمُوفِيَةٍ

على الكفافِ ويَنهَى مُستَزيديها

على الكفافِ ويَنهَى مُستَزيديها

Woe to Umar, content with a surplus

Above subsistence, while forbidding others to seek more!

ما زادَ عن قُوتنا فالمُسلمونَ به

ما زادَ عن قُوتنا فالمُسلمونَ به

أوْلى فقُومي لبيتِ المالِ رُدِّيها

أوْلى فقُومي لبيتِ المالِ رُدِّيها

Whatever exceeds our sustenance, the Muslims have

A better right to it; rise and return it to the treasury.

كذاكَ أخلاقُه كانت وما عُهِدَتْ

كذاكَ أخلاقُه كانت وما عُهِدَتْ

بعد النُّبُوّةِ أخلاقٌ تُحاكيها

بعد النُّبُوّةِ أخلاقٌ تُحاكيها

Such were his virtues, and none were known

After prophethood that resembled them.

في الجاهليّةِ والإِسلامِ هَيبَتُه

في الجاهليّةِ والإِسلامِ هَيبَتُه

تَثْني الخُطوبَ فلا تَعدُو عَواديها

تَثْني الخُطوبَ فلا تَعدُو عَواديها

In pre-Islamic times and in Islam, his awe-inspiring presence

Turned calamities back, so their assaults did not advance.

في طَيِّ شِدَّته أسرارٌ مَرحَمَةٍ

في طَيِّ شِدَّته أسرارٌ مَرحَمَةٍ

للعالَمينَ ولكن ليس يُفْشيها

للعالَمينَ ولكن ليس يُفْشيها

Within his severity lay hidden stores of mercy

For all people, though he did not disclose them.

وبين جَنَبيه في أوفى صَرامتِه

وبين جَنَبيه في أوفى صَرامتِه

فُؤادُ والدةٍ تَرعى ذَراريها

فُؤادُ والدةٍ تَرعى ذَراريها

Between his ribs, even at his utmost sternness,

Was a mother's heart tending her children.

أغنَتْ عن الصَّارِمِ المصقولِ دِرّتُه

أغنَتْ عن الصَّارِمِ المصقولِ دِرّتُه

فكم أخافَت غَويِّ النَّفسِ عاتيها

فكم أخافَت غَويِّ النَّفسِ عاتيها

His lash made the polished sword unnecessary;

How often it frightened the erring soul and its rebel!

كانت لـه كعصا مُوسى لصاحِبها

كانت لـه كعصا مُوسى لصاحِبها

لا يَنزِلُ البُطلُ مُجتازاً بِوادِيها

لا يَنزِلُ البُطلُ مُجتازاً بِوادِيها

It was to him as Moses' staff was to its master;

Falsehood never passed through its valley.

أخافَ حتى الذَّراري في ملاعِبِها

أخافَ حتى الذَّراري في ملاعِبِها

وراعَ حتى الغواني في مَلاهيها

وراعَ حتى الغواني في مَلاهيها

He frightened even children at their games,

And awed even beautiful women at their entertainments.

أرَيتَ تلكَ التي للـه قد نَذَرَتْ

أرَيتَ تلكَ التي للـه قد نَذَرَتْ

أنشودَةً لرسولِ اللـه تُهديها

أنشودَةً لرسولِ اللـه تُهديها

Have you seen that woman who had vowed to God

A song to offer to God's Messenger?

قالت: نَذَرْتُ لئن عادَ النَّبيُ لنا

قالت: نَذَرْتُ لئن عادَ النَّبيُ لنا

من غزوةٍ لَعَلى دُفِّي أُغَنِّيها

من غزوةٍ لَعَلى دُفِّي أُغَنِّيها

She said: I vowed that, if the Prophet returned to us

From a campaign, I would sing it to my tambourine.

ويَمَّمَتْ حَضَرَةَ الـهادي وقد مَلأَتْ

ويَمَّمَتْ حَضَرَةَ الـهادي وقد مَلأَتْ

أنوارُ طَلعتِه أرجاءَ ناديها

أنوارُ طَلعتِه أرجاءَ ناديها

She approached the Guide's presence, while filled

The reaches of her gathering with the light of his countenance.

واستأذَنَت ومَشَت بالدُّفِّ واندَفَعَت

واستأذَنَت ومَشَت بالدُّفِّ واندَفَعَت

تُشجي بألحانِها ما شاءَ مُشجيها

تُشجي بألحانِها ما شاءَ مُشجيها

She asked permission, advanced with the tambourine, and began

Moving listeners with her melodies as her inspirer willed.

والمصطفى وأبو بَكرٍ بجانِبه

والمصطفى وأبو بَكرٍ بجانِبه

لا يُنكِرانِ عليها من أغانيها

لا يُنكِرانِ عليها من أغانيها

The Chosen One, with Abu Bakr beside him,

Objected to none of her songs.

حتى إذا لاحَ من بُعدٍ لـها عُمَرٌ

حتى إذا لاحَ من بُعدٍ لـها عُمَرٌ

خارَت قُواها وكادَ الخَوفُ يُرديها

خارَت قُواها وكادَ الخَوفُ يُرديها

Until, when Umar appeared to her from afar,

Her strength failed, and fear nearly brought her down.

وخَبَأَتْ دُفَّها في ثَوبِها فَرَقاً

وخَبَأَتْ دُفَّها في ثَوبِها فَرَقاً

منه ووَدَّتْ لو أنّ الأرضَ تَطويها

منه ووَدَّتْ لو أنّ الأرضَ تَطويها

She hid her tambourine in her garment, terrified

Of him, wishing the earth would swallow her.

قد كانَ حِلمُ رسولِ اللـهِ يُؤْنِسُها

قد كانَ حِلمُ رسولِ اللـهِ يُؤْنِسُها

فجاءَ بَطشُ أبي حَفصٍ يُخَشِّيها

فجاءَ بَطشُ أبي حَفصٍ يُخَشِّيها

God's Messenger's gentleness had reassured her;

Then Abu Hafs's stern force came to frighten her.

فقالَ مَهِبطُ وَحيِ اللـهِ مُبتَسِماً

فقالَ مَهِبطُ وَحيِ اللـهِ مُبتَسِماً

وفي ابتِسامَتِهِ مَعنىً يُواسيها

وفي ابتِسامَتِهِ مَعنىً يُواسيها

He upon whom God's revelation descended said, smiling,

With a meaning in his smile that consoled her:

قد فَرَّ شيطانُها، لمّا رأى عُمَراً

قد فَرَّ شيطانُها، لمّا رأى عُمَراً

إنّ الشياطينَ تَخشى بأسَ مُخزيها

إنّ الشياطينَ تَخشى بأسَ مُخزيها

Her devil fled when it saw Umar;

Devils fear the might of him who disgraces them.

وفِتيَةٍ وَلِعُوا بالرَّاحِ فانَتَبَذُوا

وفِتيَةٍ وَلِعُوا بالرَّاحِ فانَتَبَذُوا

الـهم مَكاناً وجَدُّوا في تَعاطِيها

الـهم مَكاناً وجَدُّوا في تَعاطِيها

And young men, enamored of wine, secluded themselves

In a place away from care, and earnestly took to drinking it.

ظَهَرتَ حائِطَهُم لمّا عَلِمتَ بهم

ظَهَرتَ حائِطَهُم لمّا عَلِمتَ بهم

والليلُ مُعتَكِرُ الأرجاءِ ساجيها

والليلُ مُعتَكِرُ الأرجاءِ ساجيها

You climbed their wall when you learned of them,

While night lay dark and still in every quarter.

حتى تَبَيَّنْتَهُم والخَمرُ قد أخَذَت

حتى تَبَيَّنْتَهُم والخَمرُ قد أخَذَت

تَعلو ذُؤابَةَ ساقيها وحاسيها

تَعلو ذُؤابَةَ ساقيها وحاسيها

Until you discerned them, with wine already beginning

To rise to the crown of its pourer's and drinker's heads.

سَفَّهتَ آراءَهُم فيها فما لَبِثوا

سَفَّهتَ آراءَهُم فيها فما لَبِثوا

أن أوسَعُوكَ على ماجِئتَ تَسفيها

أن أوسَعُوكَ على ماجِئتَ تَسفيها

You called their judgment foolish concerning it; they soon

Heaped accusations of folly upon you for how you had come.

ورُمتَ تَفقيهَهُم في دينِيهِم فإذا

ورُمتَ تَفقيهَهُم في دينِيهِم فإذا

بالشَّربِ قد بَرَعُوا الفاروقَ تَفقيها

بالشَّربِ قد بَرَعُوا الفاروقَ تَفقيها

You sought to instruct them in their religion, when suddenly

The drinking company outdid al-Faruq in religious instruction.

قالوا: مَكانَكَ قد جِئنا بواحِدَةٍ

قالوا: مَكانَكَ قد جِئنا بواحِدَةٍ

وجِئتَنا بثَلاثٍ لا تُباليها

وجِئتَنا بثَلاثٍ لا تُباليها

They said: Stay where you are! We have committed one offense,

While you have brought us three, heedless of them.

فأْتِ البيوتَ من الأبوابِ يا عُمَرٌ

فأْتِ البيوتَ من الأبوابِ يا عُمَرٌ

فقد يُزَنُّ من الحِيطانِ آتيها

فقد يُزَنُّ من الحِيطانِ آتيها

Enter houses through their doors, Umar;

One who comes over walls may fall under suspicion.

واستأْذِن الناسَ أنْ تَغشى بُيوتَهُمُ

واستأْذِن الناسَ أنْ تَغشى بُيوتَهُمُ

ولا تُلِمّ بدارٍ أو تَحَيِّيها

ولا تُلِمّ بدارٍ أو تَحَيِّيها

Ask people's permission to enter their homes;

Do not approach a house unless you greet it.

ولا تَجَسَّس فهذي الآيُ قد نَزَلَتْ

ولا تَجَسَّس فهذي الآيُ قد نَزَلَتْ

بالنَّهْي عنه فلم تَذكر نَواهيها

بالنَّهْي عنه فلم تَذكر نَواهيها

Do not spy: these verses were revealed

Forbidding it, yet you did not remember their prohibitions.

فعُدتَ عنهم وقد أكبَرتَ حُجَّتَهُم

فعُدتَ عنهم وقد أكبَرتَ حُجَّتَهُم

لمّا رَأيتَ كِتابَ اللـهِ يُمليها

لمّا رَأيتَ كِتابَ اللـهِ يُمليها

You withdrew from them, esteeming their argument

When you saw God's Book dictating it.

وما أنِفتَ وإنْ كانوا على حَرَجٍ

وما أنِفتَ وإنْ كانوا على حَرَجٍ

من أن يَحُجَّكَ بالآياتِ عاصيها

من أن يَحُجَّكَ بالآياتِ عاصيها

You did not disdain, though they were at fault,

Being refuted with the verses by one who disobeyed them.

وسَرحَةٍ في سماءِ السَّرحِ قد رَفَعَت

وسَرحَةٍ في سماءِ السَّرحِ قد رَفَعَت

ببيعَةِ المُصطَفى من رأسِها تيها

ببيعَةِ المُصطَفى من رأسِها تيها

And a tree, in the heaven of trees, had raised

Its head in pride through the pledge to the Chosen One.

أزَلتَها حين غَالوْا في الطَّوافِ بها

أزَلتَها حين غَالوْا في الطَّوافِ بها

وكان تَطوافُهُم للدِّينِ تَشويها

وكان تَطوافُهُم للدِّينِ تَشويها

You removed it when they went to excess in circling it,

For their circling distorted religion.

هذي مناقِبُه في عهدِ دولتِهِ

هذي مناقِبُه في عهدِ دولتِهِ

للشّاهِدِينَ وللأعقابِ أحكيها

للشّاهِدِينَ وللأعقابِ أحكيها

These are his virtues during the time of his rule;

I recount them to witnesses and posterity.

في كلِّ واحدةٍ منهنّ نابِلَةٌ

في كلِّ واحدةٍ منهنّ نابِلَةٌ

من الطبائعِ تَغذو نفسَ واعيها

من الطبائعِ تَغذو نفسَ واعيها

In each of them is a noble quality

Of character, nourishing the soul of whoever understands it.

لَعَلَّ في أمّةِ الإسلامِ نابتَةً

لَعَلَّ في أمّةِ الإسلامِ نابتَةً

تَجلُو لحاضِرِها مِرآةَ ماضيها

تَجلُو لحاضِرِها مِرآةَ ماضيها

Perhaps a rising generation within the nation of Islam

Will polish for its present the mirror of its past,

حتى تَرَى بعضَ ما شادَت أوائِلُها

حتى تَرَى بعضَ ما شادَت أوائِلُها

من الصُّروحِ وما عاناهُ بانيها

من الصُّروحِ وما عاناهُ بانيها

So it may see something of what its forebears raised:

Great edifices, and what their builder endured.

وحَسبُها أن ترى ماكانَ من عُمَرٍ

وحَسبُها أن ترى ماكانَ من عُمَرٍ

حتى يُنَبِّهَ منها عينَ غافيها

حتى يُنَبِّهَ منها عينَ غافيها

It is enough for it to see what Umar did

To awaken the eyes of its slumbering people.