1. صلاة اللَه ما يذكره ذاكر

    على المختار من أَهدى السرائر

    God's blessings, as long as anyone remembers him,

    upon the Chosen One, who guided the innermost hearts.

  2. نسيم هبَّ من أكناف حاجر

    فحرك من فتى وُدّاً مخامر

    A breeze blew from the environs of Hajir,

    and stirred in a youth a love that possessed him.

  3. وأبدى ما تكن به الجوانح

    ومن ذكراه إلفاً ليس حاضر

    It revealed what the breast conceals,

    and, through remembering him, a beloved companion not present.

  4. سعاد أسفرت ليلاً بوجهٍ

    الى اسعادٍ لا تصلين قاصر

    Suad unveiled her face at night,

    to bring happiness—you do not unite with one who falls short.

  5. عسى ولعلّ أن يأتي وصالا

    ولو في العمر من تلقاء قادر

    May it be, perhaps, that union comes,

    even within a lifetime, from One all-powerful.

  6. عسى تدنو لصبٍ منه سرعا

    وللمسكين فتحا منه صادر

    May she draw swiftly near a lovesick one through Him,

    and an opening issue from Him for the poor one.

  7. عبيد ذاك قد سهر الليالي

    يروم وصالها لو ثم زائر

    That humble servant has kept vigil through the nights,

    seeking union with her—if only a visitor were there.

  8. بديعة وصف ذي القدِ اعتدالا

    وزادت فرط حسن في البواكر

    Wondrous in description, with a perfectly proportioned stature,

    she gained surpassing beauty in the early mornings.

  9. فبيت اللَه حاوى كل فخرٍ

    وحجر أسود بل ثم طاهر

    God's House encompasses every glory,

    and a Black Stone—indeed, a pure one there.

  10. كأن الخال في خدي مليح

    تبارك من بري ذا القدِّ قادر

    Like a beauty spot on a fair one's cheeks,

    blessed is He who fashioned that stature—the All-Powerful.

  11. كساه اللَه أنواراً وفضلا

    فأعجز عده من كان حاصر

    God clothed it in lights and favor,

    and its reckoning baffled anyone who sought to encompass it.

  12. فكم فضلاء في علم وعقل

    تراهم سجداً ما بين ذاكر

    How many virtuous people, learned and wise,

    you see prostrate among those invoking Him.

  13. عليه نفائس الديباج أضحى

    بمرأي وجهه نعم الستائر

    It has come to wear the finest brocades;

    before its face—what splendid curtains!

  14. تراه في الظلام تقول بدراً

    بدا في ظلمة أو في الدياجر

    You see it in the darkness and call it a full moon,

    appearing in darkness or deepest gloom.

  15. وتبصر في النهار تقول شمساً

    محت بشعاعها نجم زواهر

    You behold it by day and call it a sun

    whose rays effaced the shining stars.

  16. تجلت في الدجا فارتن نورا

    مع القمرين فاقت كل نائر

    She shone in the darkness and showed us light,

    surpassing every luminary beside the sun and moon.

  17. تفوق قلائد العقيان حتى

    وعسجدها الدراري وذا جواهر

    She surpasses necklaces of pure gold, even

    their gold, the glittering stars, and these jewels.

  18. لقد حسنت بها الايام دوما

    بوجه قبلة الاحيا ودائر

    Through her the days have ever grown beautiful,

    with a face that is the qibla of the living and those circling.

  19. فسبحان المليك لقد براها

    وتمم خلقها بين الضمائر

    Glory be to the Sovereign: He fashioned her,

    and perfected her form amid the inward hearts.

  20. سالت الاسم من ذي قيل ليلى

    فتلك العامرية للخواطر

    I asked her name of someone; I was told, 'Layla.'

    That woman of 'Amir dwells in the thoughts.

  21. تظل لها الرقاب وكل صب

    محبٌ في المحبة صار ماهر

    Necks remain devoted to her, and every lovesick

    lover has grown adept in love.

  22. وكم من طائف قد نال فيضا

    وآونة يتنل منها المفاخر

    How many a circumambulator has received overflowing grace,

    and at times gains honors from her.

  23. وأحباباً وخلانا قديما

    نشاوى تلفهم بين الدسائر

    And beloved ones and companions from long ago,

    intoxicated, she enfolds them amid the dasa'ir [unclear word].

  24. وحرّم صيده المولى تعالى

    على الاطلاق في بدوٍ وحاضر

    The Lord Most High forbade hunting its game,

    without exception, for desert-dwellers and townspeople.

  25. وكم أهل العناد رأوا وبالا

    وجبارا لطول صار صاغر

    How many obstinate people met ruin,

    and a tyrant, after so long, became abased.

  26. لاهل الامن والايمان باحت

    محرمة على من كان كافر

    She revealed herself to people of security and faith,

    forbidden to whoever was an unbeliever.

  27. وكم من هائم قد هام وجداً

    كاقطابٍ وأغواثٍ أَكابر

    How many a yearning soul wandered in longing,

    like spiritual poles and great bringers of succor.

  28. وكعبة قصدنا فالى معظم

    ونوّه قدرها الرحمن قادر

    And a Kaaba we sought—toward one held in honor,

    whose worth the Merciful, the All-Powerful, proclaimed.

  29. يمين اللَه فيها خير صدق

    مشرفة الشعائر والمآثر

    God's right hand is within her, the best truth,

    exalted in rites and glorious deeds.

  30. وحار أولى النهى فيها وأضحت

    فريدة حسن أرباب البصائر

    The possessors of reason were bewildered by her, and she became

    peerless in beauty to those with inward vision.

  31. تبدت وانثنت طرباً وضاءت

    عروساً أسفرت خلف الستائر

    She appeared, swayed in rapture, and shone,

    a bride unveiling herself behind the curtains.

  32. وعنوان الهوى ميل المحب

    إلى المحبوب ها تلك البشائر

    The sign of love is the lover's leaning

    toward the beloved—behold those glad tidings.

  33. وجسمي في هواها طريح وجد

    وحبٌ ماله نهى وآخر

    My body lies stricken with longing in love for her,

    with a love that has neither limit nor end.

  34. رجوت الفردءن يكتب وصالي

    اليها لأجتني ورد الخفائر

    I hoped the Unique One would decree my union

    with her, to gather the roses of the modest maidens.

  35. وأقتطف الملاحة من خدودٍ

    مورَّدة بها نعم الزواهر

    And pluck beauty from cheeks

    rose-tinted with such splendid blossoms.

  36. وأحظى في فناها كل آن

    أصيحاب وأحباب العشائر

    And enjoy, in her courtyard at every moment,

    dear companions and beloved ones of the clans.

  37. أجدد معهم عهداً وودا

    وأنساً كان في تلك المحاضر

    I renew with them a covenant and affection,

    and the intimacy once found in those gatherings.

  38. أيا جيران ليلى من رقاكم

    من هواكم مثل سكان المقابر

    O neighbors of Layla, who has charmed you

    out of your passion, like the dwellers of graves?

  39. ألا فسلوا العواذل عن غرامي

    حديث مؤرخ بطن الدفاتر

    Come, ask the reproachers about my passion:

    an account recorded in the depths of notebooks.

  40. ويدري عالم الأسرار فردٌ

    ويعلم ما تكنُّ به الضمائر

    The Unique One, Knower of secrets, knows,

    and knows what the inward hearts conceal.

  41. وأحمد سرَّ رحمته تعالى

    ومدخرٌ وحبٍ لي ذواخر

    And Ahmad is the secret of His mercy—exalted is He,

    a treasure stored away, with love's treasures for me.

  42. صفيُّ اللَهِ والهادي المصفيَّ

    سراج أنورٌ ماضٍ وزاهر

    God's chosen friend, the guide, the purified one,

    a most radiant lamp, piercing and resplendent,

  43. وخير الخلق إعلانا وسرّاً

    وفضلاً في الأوائل والأواخر

    the best of creation, openly and secretly,

    and in excellence among the first and the last.

  44. ووجهٌ حسنه أضحى فريداً

    وبهجة نورِهِ للعين جاهر

    A face whose beauty has become peerless,

    the splendor of its light plain to the eye.

  45. تريك الشمس في طفل ونور

    أنارت ضوءها من تلك نائر

    It shows you the sun at dusk, and light;

    she kindled her radiance from that shining one.

  46. لهذا الفضل كم أفلت شموس

    وشمس المصطفى في الدهر سافر

    For this excellence, how many suns have set,

    while the Chosen One's sun shines unveiled through all time.

  47. ألا ليت التجافي يعود يوماً

    وصالاً يغنني بين الاكابر

    Would that estrangement might one day become

    a union enriching me among the great.

  48. اليك إذاً خلي القلب عنى

    وروح الروح انسان المحاجر

    To you, then, my friend—the heart is afflicted,

    soul of the soul, pupil of the eyes.

  49. وأشواقي التي شاعت وبانت

    بمن أهواه صار اليوم عاذر

    And my longings, which spread and became clear,

    for the one I love, who today has become forgiving.

  50. وانشادي بديها وارتجالاً

    لاجل الحب لم أك غير شاعر

    And my recitation, spontaneously and extemporaneously,

    is for love: I have been nothing but a poet.

  51. ومدح محمد غرضي وفخري

    وعزي في الاكابر والاصاغر

    Praising Muhammad is my purpose and my pride,

    and my honor among the great and the lowly.

  52. فسبك من فتى تلقاه دوماً

    لمدح المصطفى ليلاً مساهر

    So, verse fashioned by a youth whom you always find

    keeping night-long vigil to praise the Chosen One.

  53. وقد منع السهاد جفون مضنى

    بجنح الليل بالاشجان ساهر

    Sleeplessness has kept the weary one's eyelids from closing,

    awake in sorrow beneath the wing of night.

  54. نبي الصدق أكرمه مليك

    وأطلعه على كل السرائر

    The Prophet of truth, whom the Sovereign honored

    and acquainted with every hidden secret.

  55. ترى من سيب كفيه نوالا

    بذكرٍ ما سَحابُ الجود ماطر

    You see gifts from the bounty of his two hands,

    through remembrance, while generosity's cloud rains down.

  56. وطيبة طابت الارجاء منها

    حبيب طيب الأرجاء عاطر

    And Tayba—its surroundings grew fragrant from her;

    a beloved, sweet of surroundings and fragrant.

  57. ترى نور الهدى يفتر عمداً

    مضيئاً من ثناءٍ كالجواهر

    You see the light of guidance deliberately beam,

    shining from praise like jewels,

  58. كدرّ أبيض وترى صفاءً

    وورداً يانعاً بل خدِّ زاهر

    like white pearls; you see purity,

    and a blooming rose—indeed, a radiant cheek.

  59. وكم ألم وأسقام وحزن

    على هجرٍ مبرح صرتُ صابر

    How much pain, sickness, and sorrow,

    and tormenting separation I have borne patiently.

  60. فكم سم على مضض وغين

    وكم في الدهر قد ترى عين عابر

    How much poison amid anguish and clouded gloom,

    and how often, through time, you see a weeping eye.

  61. فاني اليوم مثل أخ سقام

    تراءته العيون كذا البصائر

    Today I am like a brother to sickness,

    beheld by eyes and likewise by inward vision.

  62. فهل وصل لدي البيت المحرم

    وزورة كامل الأوصاف طاهر

    Is there union for me at the Sacred House,

    and a visit to one perfect in qualities and pure?

  63. فنار البعد قد حطمت فؤادي

    ومن مرّ النوى فطرت مرائر

    The fire of distance has shattered my heart,

    and bitter separation has rent my very gall.

  64. فلست أخيب أو تصغر يدي

    وأين المجتبي المرجوّ طاهر

    I shall not fail, nor shall my hand grow small;

    and where is the hoped-for Chosen One, pure?

  65. شفيع الناس في حشر ونشر

    اذا مازلت الاقدام جابر

    Intercessor for humankind at gathering and resurrection,

    a restorer when feet slip.

  66. بيمناه الكريمة في قيام

    لواء الحمد معقود وشاهر

    In his generous right hand, as he stands,

    the banner of praise is fastened, and he displays it.

  67. وخصصّ بالوسيلة ثم جود

    واعطاه الشفاعة رب قادر

    He was singled out for the station of nearness, then bounty,

    and an almighty Lord granted him intercession.

  68. هناك يرى شفيعاً للبرايا

    لهول الموقف الاعلى المفاخر

    There he is seen interceding for all creatures

    amid the terror of that gathering, highest in honors.

  69. ويسجد حامداً لِلّه شكرا

    ويرقى منبراً اعلا المنابر

    He prostrates, praising God in thanks,

    and ascends a pulpit, the highest of pulpits.

  70. فخذ بيدي رسول رسول اللَه إني

    بذاك اليوم في بدء وآخر

    So take my hand, Messenger, Messenger of God, for I

    am there that day, at its beginning and end.

  71. وادخلني الجنان ونج روحي

    أُموراً عندما تبلى السرائر

    Admit me to the gardens, and save my soul

    from ordeals when inner secrets are tested.

  72. انا وصحابي ثم ومن يلذ بي

    من الاهلين بل ثم العشائر

    I and my companions, then those who seek shelter with me,

    of my family, and indeed the clans as well.

  73. فانك باذل ونداك سحا

    فكم مثلي رقى اوجَ المفاخر

    You are a giver, and your bounty pours in torrents;

    how many like me have risen to the summit of honors.

  74. وارجو منك ثم ومن كريم

    مليك قادرٍ ستار قادر

    I hope from you, and then from a generous

    Sovereign, powerful, a Veiler of faults, all-powerful,

  75. رحيقٍ سلسبيلٍ خير كاس

    دهاقاً واريا لا ضير ناضر

    for pure nectar, Salsabil, the finest cup,

    brimming and honey-sweet, harmless and fresh,

  76. بخمر الحب من صهباء عال

    لدى احبابنا والحي عامر

    with love's wine, from the golden-red wine of one exalted,

    among our beloved ones, while the quarter is thriving.

  77. لانك بابه في كل امر

    وانك ملجأ الادنين سائر

    For you are His gate in every affair,

    and you are the refuge of all those nearest.

  78. وانك ذخرنا الاوفي وقل من

    سبيل اللَه في الدنيا اعابر

    You are our most faithful treasure; and say: from

    God's path I make my passage in this world [wording unclear].

  79. وصلى اللَه ربي كل وقتٍ

    على قطب الوصال وخير عامر

    May God, my Lord, bless at every moment

    the pole of union and the finest dweller,

  80. نبيٌّ حاز خير النعت سامي

    ختام الانبيا قطب الدوائر

    a lofty Prophet who attained the finest praise,

    the seal of the prophets, the axis of the circles,

  81. وآلٍ والصحاب كضوء نجم

    بايٍّ يقتدي تلك الزواهر

    and his family and companions, like a star's light,

    following whichever of those radiant ones,

  82. متى ما لاح برق الفتح يجلى

    وضوَّع ريحُ ريَّاه الحضائر

    whenever the lightning of opening flashes clear,

    and the breeze of his fragrance perfumes the enclosures,

  83. ومهما هاشم مسكين يبدي

    نظاماً جلَّ عن أوصاف شاعر

    and whenever poor Hashim brings forth

    verse too exalted for a poet's descriptions.