قُلتُ أَفدنيها فَقالَ قيلا

قُلتُ أَفدنيها فَقالَ قيلا

وَلَيسَ كُل خَبَر عَليلا

وَلَيسَ كُل خَبَر عَليلا

I said, 'Tell it to me.' He related a tale—

I said, inform me, so he said briefly,

And not every report is unsound.

Not all news is frail,

كانَ بِمصر رَجُلٌ خَباز

كانَ بِمصر رَجُلٌ خَباز

يَقذفه بِالرفض مَن يَجتاز

يَقذفه بِالرفض مَن يَجتاز

There was a baker in Egypt

There was in Egypt a baker,

Whom passersby accused of being a Rafidi.

Whoever passed by, he would spurn with rejection,

وَكانَ في كُل غَداةٍ يفتح

وَكانَ في كُل غَداةٍ يفتح

دُكانَهُ بِالجسر حينَ يُصبِح

دُكانَهُ بِالجسر حينَ يُصبِح

Every morning he would open

And every morning he would open,

His shop by the bridge at daybreak.

His shop at the bridge when dawn emerges,

ثُم يَقوم قائِماً فَيَخطب

ثُم يَقوم قائِماً فَيَخطب

وَيَمدَح الحاكم ثُم يطنب

وَيَمدَح الحاكم ثُم يطنب

Then he would stand and deliver a sermon,

Then he would stand and give a sermon,

Praising al-Hakim at great length.

And praise the ruler, then prolong,

وَيَلعن القادر لَعناً ظاهِرا

وَيَلعن القادر لَعناً ظاهِرا

وَلَم يَكُن بِذَنبِهِ مُساتِرا

وَلَم يَكُن بِذَنبِهِ مُساتِرا

He openly cursed al-Qadir,

And curse al-Qadir openly,

Making no attempt to conceal his sin.

Not concealing his sin,

عِشرين عاماً وَإِذا ما ذَكَروا

عِشرين عاماً وَإِذا ما ذَكَروا

بَغداد كادَ قَلبهُ يَنفَطر

بَغداد كادَ قَلبهُ يَنفَطر

For twenty years; and whenever they mentioned

For twenty years, and when Baghdad was mentioned,

Baghdad, his heart nearly burst

His heart almost ruptured,

لِبغضها وَبُغض مَن بَناها

لِبغضها وَبُغض مَن بَناها

وَود كُل الناس لَو يَراها

وَود كُل الناس لَو يَراها

From hatred of it and of its founder,

For his hatred of it and who built it,

Though everyone longed to see it.

And everyone wished they could see it,

وَكانَ في بَغداد خَباز دبر

وَكانَ في بَغداد خَباز دبر

لَكنه بالنسك فيها مُشتهر

لَكنه بالنسك فيها مُشتهر

In Baghdad there was an ill-natured baker,

And in Baghdad there was a prudent baker,

Yet he was renowned there for piety.

But he was known there for his devotion,

فَأَمر القادر حينَ أَحضَره

فَأَمر القادر حينَ أَحضَره

وقالَ هَذي بدرة مبدره

وقالَ هَذي بدرة مبدره

Al-Qadir summoned him and gave an order,

So al-Qadir ordered when he brought him,

Saying, 'Here is a purse of coins to spend.

And said this is an ingenious scheme,

فَاِذهَب إِلى مصر وَدَع عَنكَ العلل

فَاِذهَب إِلى مصر وَدَع عَنكَ العلل

وَانصب عَلى الخَباز اشراك الحِيَل

وَانصب عَلى الخَباز اشراك الحِيَل

Go to Egypt and put aside excuses;

Go to Egypt and leave behind the illnesses,

Set the snares of deception for the baker.

And set upon the baker the snares of tricks,

عَساكَ أَن تقدمه العراقا

عَساكَ أَن تقدمه العراقا

فَإنَّهُ قَد شَقني شقاقا

فَإنَّهُ قَد شَقني شقاقا

Perhaps you can bring him to Iraq,

Perhaps you can make him long for Iraq,

For his antagonism has sorely troubled me.'

For he has caused me great torment and schism,

فَمر ذاكَ الشَّيخ يَبغي مصرا

فَمر ذاكَ الشَّيخ يَبغي مصرا

حَتَّى أَتى جيزتها وَالجسرا

حَتَّى أَتى جيزتها وَالجسرا

The old man set off toward Egypt

So that elder set out seeking Egypt,

Until he reached its Giza and the bridge.

Until he reached its strait and bridge,

وَصبح الخَباز ثُم دَفَعا

وَصبح الخَباز ثُم دَفَعا

إِلَيهِ دِيناراً وَكَيداً صنعا

إِلَيهِ دِيناراً وَكَيداً صنعا

He visited the baker at dawn, then handed

And the baker awoke, then handed,

Him a dinar, devising a trick.

A dinar to him and made a cunning effort,

فلمح الخَباز ضَرب القادر

فلمح الخَباز ضَرب القادر

فَثارَ للغيظ كَليث خادِر

فَثارَ للغيظ كَليث خادِر

The baker noticed al-Qadir's mint-mark

The baker noticed insulting al-Qadir,

And rose in fury like a lion in its lair.

So he flared up in rage like an enraged lion,

وَضَرب الشيخ إِلى أَن أثخنه

وَضَرب الشيخ إِلى أَن أثخنه

وَشَتَمَ القادر ثُم لَعنه

وَشَتَمَ القادر ثُم لَعنه

He beat the old man until he gravely injured him,

And struck the elder until he wounded him,

Then reviled al-Qadir and cursed him.

And cursed al-Qadir, then damned him,

وَقذفَ الدينارَ عَن يَديه

وَقذفَ الدينارَ عَن يَديه

تطيراً إذ اسمه عليه

تطيراً إذ اسمه عليه

He flung the dinar from his hands,

And flung the dinar from his hands,

Taking its inscription of his name as an ill omen.

Flying away when he saw his name on it,

فَجَلَسَ الشَّيخ قَريباً يَبكي

فَجَلَسَ الشَّيخ قَريباً يَبكي

وَالضرب في أَضلاعِهِ وَالفَك

وَالضرب في أَضلاعِهِ وَالفَك

The old man sat nearby, weeping,

So the elder sat weeping nearby,

With blows upon his ribs and jaw.

With the beating in his ribs and jaw,

وَقالَ قَول وَاله كَئيب

وَقالَ قَول وَاله كَئيب

شر الخلال بغضة الغريب

شر الخلال بغضة الغريب

He spoke like a distraught, sorrowful man:

And said words while dejected,

'The worst of traits is hatred of strangers.

The evil of dispositions is the hatred of a stranger,

شَيخ غَريب بائس كوفي

شَيخ غَريب بائس كوفي

موحد معتقد شيعي

موحد معتقد شيعي

A wretched old stranger from Kufa,

A wretched stranger poor Kufan,

A believer in God's oneness, devoutly Shi'i—

A monotheist, a Shiite in creed,

ضَرَبتموه إِنَّها عَجيبه

ضَرَبتموه إِنَّها عَجيبه

مِن مثلكم في الدين مِن مُصيبه

مِن مثلكم في الدين مِن مُصيبه

You have beaten him! What an astonishing

You have beaten him, it is wondrous,

Calamity from men like you in faith!

That the likes of you make such a misstep in religion,

قَصَدتكم للدين مِن بِلادي

قَصَدتكم للدين مِن بِلادي

تَبَرماً بِصُحبة الأَعادي

تَبَرماً بِصُحبة الأَعادي

I came to you from my homeland for religion,

I came to you for the religion from my lands,

Weary of keeping company with enemies.'

Loathing the company of enemies,

فَسَمع الخَباز ذاكَ فَبَكى

فَسَمع الخَباز ذاكَ فَبَكى

وَجاءَ يَسعى نَحوَهُ تَنسكا

وَجاءَ يَسعى نَحوَهُ تَنسكا

The baker heard this and wept,

So when the baker heard this, he wept,

Then hurried toward him in a show of piety,

And came hastily toward him in devotion,

مُعتَذِراً مِما جَرى عَلَيه

مُعتَذِراً مِما جَرى عَلَيه

مُقبلاً لِذَنبِهِ رجليه

مُقبلاً لِذَنبِهِ رجليه

Apologizing for what had happened to him,

Apologizing for what happened,

Kissing his feet to atone for his sin.

Kissing his feet for his sin,

يَقول خلت الشيخ بَغداديا

يَقول خلت الشيخ بَغداديا

وَلَم أَخله مُؤمِناً كوفيا

وَلَم أَخله مُؤمِناً كوفيا

He said, 'I thought the old man was from Baghdad;

Saying, I thought you were from Baghdad,

I did not think him a believer from Kufa.

And did not think you a faithful Kufan,

وَساءَني اسم ذَلِكَ اللعين

وَساءَني اسم ذَلِكَ اللعين

فَكانَ ما فعلته للدين

فَكانَ ما فعلته للدين

The name of that accursed man offended me,

And I hated that damned name,

So what I did was for religion.'

So what I did was for the religion,

فَطَلَب التحليل مِما فَعَلَه

فَطَلَب التحليل مِما فَعَلَه

وَتابَ مِن قَسوته فَحلله

وَتابَ مِن قَسوته فَحلله

He sought forgiveness for what he had done

And he sought absolution for what he did,

And repented of his cruelty; the old man forgave him.

And repented his harshness, so he pardoned him,

وَقالَ إِني مثلكُم خَباز

وَقالَ إِني مثلكُم خَباز

وَحَقي الإكرام وَالإِعزاز

وَحَقي الإكرام وَالإِعزاز

The old man said, 'I am a baker like you,

And said, I am like you, a baker,

And honor and esteem are my due.'

And I deserve respect and honor,

فَاِصطَلَحا وَاِتفَقا وَاِصطَحبا

فَاِصطَلَحا وَاِتفَقا وَاِصطَحبا

وَاِشتَرَكا وَاتجرا وَاِكتَسَبا

وَاِشتَرَكا وَاتجرا وَاِكتَسَبا

They reconciled, agreed, and became companions;

So they reconciled and agreed, and became friends,

They entered partnership, traded, and made money.

And cooperated, traded, and earned,

وَزَوج المصري مِنهُ ابنته

وَزَوج المصري مِنهُ ابنته

وَأعمل الشيخ عَلَيهِ حيلته

وَأعمل الشيخ عَلَيهِ حيلته

The Egyptian married his daughter to him,

And the Egyptian married him his daughter,

And the old man worked his trick upon him.

And the elder schemed upon him his plot,

وَلَم يَزَل يجهَد في التشنع

وَلَم يَزَل يجهَد في التشنع

وَكَثرَة النِفاق وَالتصَنع

وَكَثرَة النِفاق وَالتصَنع

He kept striving at affected outrage,

And he kept on deceitfully displaying,

Abundant hypocrisy, and pretence.

Excessive hypocrisy and pretense,

حَتَّى إِذا حالَ عَلَيهِ الحَول

حَتَّى إِذا حالَ عَلَيهِ الحَول

وَجاءَ شَعبان عراه الوَيل

وَجاءَ شَعبان عراه الوَيل

When a year had passed over him

Until when a year passed,

And Sha'ban arrived, anguish overtook him.

And Shaaban came, worry befell him,

وَلَجَّ في البُكاء وَالنحيب

وَلَجَّ في البُكاء وَالنحيب

فَقالَ ما يبكيكَ يا حَبيبي

فَقالَ ما يبكيكَ يا حَبيبي

He persisted in weeping and lamentation.

So he plunged into crying and wailing,

The baker asked, 'What makes you weep, my dear?'

He said why do you weep my dear?

قالَ لَهُ شَوقي إِلى الزياره

قالَ لَهُ شَوقي إِلى الزياره

وَخدمة المَشاهد المُختاره

وَخدمة المَشاهد المُختاره

He replied, 'My longing for pilgrimage

He said to him, my longing for visiting,

And service at the chosen shrines,

And serving the chosen shrines,

وَالبَرَكات نازِلات فيها

وَالبَرَكات نازِلات فيها

وَلَم يَزَل بِجُهده يطريها

وَلَم يَزَل بِجُهده يطريها

Where blessings descend.'

And the descending blessings in them,

He kept praising them with all his effort,

And he kept enticing them persistently,

وَيورِد الفاسدَ وَالصحيحا

وَيورِد الفاسدَ وَالصحيحا

مِن فَضلِها وَيُكثر المَديحا

مِن فَضلِها وَيُكثر المَديحا

Relating both false and true accounts

Mentioning the corrupt and right,

Of their virtues, lavish in his praise.

Of their virtues, and excessively praising,

حَتَّى اِشتَهى المصري أَن يَزورَها

حَتَّى اِشتَهى المصري أَن يَزورَها

وَقالَ إِني مزمِعٌ حُضورَها

وَقالَ إِني مزمِعٌ حُضورَها

At last the Egyptian desired to visit them

Until the Egyptian desired to visit them,

And said, 'I am resolved to attend them.

And said I intend to be present at them,

لَكِنَّني أَخاف بَطش القادر

لَكِنَّني أَخاف بَطش القادر

فَقَد عَرَفت بَغضه المخامري

فَقَد عَرَفت بَغضه المخامري

But I fear al-Qadir's violence:

But I fear the might of al-Qadir,

You know how hatred of him possesses me.

For I know his hatred of the intoxicated,

وَإِنَّني أسبه مُجاهِرا

وَإِنَّني أسبه مُجاهِرا

فَحَق لي أَن أغتدى محاذِرا

فَحَق لي أَن أغتدى محاذِرا

I revile him openly,

And I insult him openly,

So I have good reason to be wary.'

So I deserve to be cautious,

قالَ لهُ الشيخُ وما يدريه

قالَ لهُ الشيخُ وما يدريه

بحالنا ومن به يأتيه

بحالنا ومن به يأتيه

The old man said, 'What would tell him

The elder said, what does he know,

Of our circumstances, and who would bring him word?

Of our condition, and who informs him?

كَم مثلنا يَزور كُل عام

كَم مثلنا يَزور كُل عام

مِن جهة الحِجاز وَالشآم

مِن جهة الحِجاز وَالشآم

How many like us visit every year

Many like us visit each year,

From the Hijaz and Syria!

From the Hejaz and Syria,

وَذاكَ عَنهُ غافل لا يَدري

وَذاكَ عَنهُ غافل لا يَدري

لأَنَّهُ مِن جَهلِهِ في سُكر

لأَنَّهُ مِن جَهلِهِ في سُكر

He is heedless of it and knows nothing,

And he is oblivious to that, not knowing,

For his ignorance keeps him in a stupor.'

Because of his ignorance, drunk,

فَلَم يَزَل بِقَولِهِ يغره

فَلَم يَزَل بِقَولِهِ يغره

وَهوَ إِلى حمامه يَجره

وَهوَ إِلى حمامه يَجره

He continued deceiving him with his words,

So he kept enticing him with his words,

Dragging him toward his doom.

And dragging him to his bath,

حَتَّى إِذا ما قَدم العِراقا

حَتَّى إِذا ما قَدم العِراقا

وَفارق الأَصحابَ وَالرفاقا

وَفارق الأَصحابَ وَالرفاقا

When he arrived in Iraq

Until when he arrived in Iraq,

And parted from his friends and companions,

And parted from his companions and friends,

فَكاتب القادر بِالحَقيقه

فَكاتب القادر بِالحَقيقه

فَأخَذَت خيولَهُ طَريقه

فَأخَذَت خيولَهُ طَريقه

The old man wrote al-Qadir the truth.

He wrote to al-Qadir the truth,

His horsemen intercepted the baker's route

So his horses took his route,

وَأحضَروه وَهوَ في وَثاقه

وَأحضَروه وَهوَ في وَثاقه

لِسوء ما قَدم مِن شَقاقه

لِسوء ما قَدم مِن شَقاقه

And brought him in bonds

And brought him while shackled,

For his earlier wicked antagonism.

For the evil of his schism and defiance,

حَتَّى إِذا ما صارَ عَنهُ القادر

حَتَّى إِذا ما صارَ عَنهُ القادر

أَبدى لَهُ بشر الخدوع الماكر

أَبدى لَهُ بشر الخدوع الماكر

Then, when al-Qadir turned away from him,

Until when al-Qadir was done with him,

He showed him the cheerfulness of a cunning deceiver.

He revealed to him the guile of the deceitful,

وَقالَ حلوا قَيده وَالغلا

وَقالَ حلوا قَيده وَالغلا

وَأنكر الفعل بِهِ فحلا

وَأنكر الفعل بِهِ فحلا

He said, 'Undo his fetters and collar!'

And said, “Release his shackles and bonds,

And condemned his treatment; both were undone.

And deny the deed about him,” so he was released,

وَبرَّهُ وَلَم يَزَل في حُجرَتِه

وَبرَّهُ وَلَم يَزَل في حُجرَتِه

مشاهِداً وَجد في عيادته

مشاهِداً وَجد في عيادته

He treated him kindly, constantly present in his chamber,

And he did not cease to visit him in his room,

Attending him and diligently visiting him.

Witnessing and finding him in his care,

ثُم حَباه لَيلة بِأَلف

ثُم حَباه لَيلة بِأَلف

وَزادَ في إِكرامِه وَاللطف

وَزادَ في إِكرامِه وَاللطف

One night he bestowed a thousand upon him

Then he gifted him one night a thousand,

And increased his honors and kindness.

And increased in honoring him and kindness,

وَقالَ لا تَسب مَن لا تَعرفه

وَقالَ لا تَسب مَن لا تَعرفه

إِنَكَ في اِغتِيابِهِ لا تنصفه

إِنَكَ في اِغتِيابِهِ لا تنصفه

He said, 'Do not revile someone you do not know;

And said, “Do not insult who you do not know,

You do him no justice by speaking ill of him.'

You do not do him justice in defaming him,”

وَرَدهُ مِن وَقتِهِ إِلى الوَطَن

وَرَدهُ مِن وَقتِهِ إِلى الوَطَن

وَبغضه قَد صارَ حُباً وَشجن

وَبغضه قَد صارَ حُباً وَشجن

He promptly sent him back to his homeland,

And he returned him from his time to the homeland,

His hatred now turned to love and longing.

And his hatred had become love and yearning,

حَتَّى إِذا ما فَتَحَ الدكانا

حَتَّى إِذا ما فَتَحَ الدكانا

وَشاهد الإِخوانَ وَالجِيرانا

وَشاهد الإِخوانَ وَالجِيرانا

When he opened his shop

Until when he opened his shop,

And saw his friends and neighbors,

And saw his brethren and neighbors,

قامَ عَلى عادَتِهِ خَطيباً

قامَ عَلى عادَتِهِ خَطيباً

وَلَم يَكُن في فعلِهِ مُصيبا

وَلَم يَكُن في فعلِهِ مُصيبا

He stood preaching as usual,

He stood as was his custom speaking,

But his action was not wise.

And he was not right in his action,

وَمَدح القادر أَي مَدح

وَمَدح القادر أَي مَدح

مُعتَذِراً مِن جرحِهِ وَالقَدح

مُعتَذِراً مِن جرحِهِ وَالقَدح

He praised al-Qadir with extravagant praise,

And praised al-Qadir - what praise!

Apologizing for his slander and disparagement.

Apologizing for his wounding and derision,

وَلَم يَزَل يَدعو لَهُ وَيَشكُره

وَلَم يَزَل يَدعو لَهُ وَيَشكُره

وَبِالجَميل في الدعاء يَذكره

وَبِالجَميل في الدعاء يَذكره

He continued praying for him and thanking him,

And he did not cease to pray for him and thank him,

Speaking well of him in his prayers.

And mention him well in his prayers,

فَبَلَغَ الحاكم ذاكَ عَنهُ

فَبَلَغَ الحاكم ذاكَ عَنهُ

فَساءهُ ما قَد أَتاه مِنه

فَساءهُ ما قَد أَتاه مِنه

Word of this reached al-Hakim,

Until this reached the ruler about him,

Who was offended by what he heard of him.

So he disliked what had come to him from him,

وَاِشتاطَ مِما أَبلَغوه وَغَضب

وَاِشتاطَ مِما أَبلَغوه وَغَضب

وَأَصبَحَ الخَباز وَهوَ قَد صلب

وَأَصبَحَ الخَباز وَهوَ قَد صلب

He flared up at their report and grew angry;

And he was enraged by what they told him and was angry,

By morning the baker had been crucified,

And the baker awoke while crucified,

وَرقعة في حَلقِهِ مُعَلقَه

وَرقعة في حَلقِهِ مُعَلقَه

نَحنُ صَلَبناه فَخلوا المخرقه

نَحنُ صَلَبناه فَخلوا المخرقه

With a notice hanging from his neck:

With a paper hanging from his throat,

'We crucified him; abandon your charlatanry.'

“We crucified him, so leave the masked pretender,

بِكَف مَن كانَ لَهُ يُوالي

بِكَف مَن كانَ لَهُ يُوالي

وَذاكَ مِن مَحاسن الأَعمال

وَذاكَ مِن مَحاسن الأَعمال

By the hand of the man to whom he had been loyal—

By the hand of whoever allies with him,

And that is counted among fine deeds!

And that is of the good deeds,

لا يلتحف بِإثمه وَعاره

لا يلتحف بِإثمه وَعاره

خَير الأُمور الصَّبر في المَكاره

خَير الأُمور الصَّبر في المَكاره

He does not cloak himself in his sin and shame.

To not cover himself with his disgrace and shame,

The best course is patience in adversity,

Patience in adversities is best,

وَالرفق في التدبير وَالتلطف

وَالرفق في التدبير وَالتلطف

لما يَشا وَأَنتَ لَم تعنف

لما يَشا وَأَنتَ لَم تعنف

Gentleness in planning, and tact

And leniency in planning and kindness,

For what one wishes, without using harshness.

For what he wishes while you are not violent,”

عادَ إِلى عادَتِهِ صَبيحُ

عادَ إِلى عادَتِهِ صَبيحُ

وَإِنَّهُ محدث فَصيحُ

وَإِنَّهُ محدث فَصيحُ

Sabih returned to his accustomed manner,

The youth returned to his habit in the morning,

For he was an eloquent storyteller.

And he is a truthful narrator.

قالَ فَلَما شاعَت الأَخبار

قالَ فَلَما شاعَت الأَخبار

وَاِنتَشَرَت بِذَلِكَ الآثار

وَاِنتَشَرَت بِذَلِكَ الآثار

He said, 'When the reports became widespread

He said, so when the news spread,

And accounts of this circulated,

And those traces circulated,

كَذبَها جَميعها الأَمير

كَذبَها جَميعها الأَمير

بِنَقدِهِ لأَنَّهُ تَحرير

بِنَقدِهِ لأَنَّهُ تَحرير

The prince rejected them all

The prince denied them all,

Through his scrutiny, for it was careful examination.

Since it is his transcription,

لَكِنَّهُ صَدقَها في الظاهر

لَكِنَّهُ صَدقَها في الظاهر

تَوصلاً بِها إِلى السرائر

تَوصلاً بِها إِلى السرائر

Yet outwardly he accepted them

But he confirmed them openly,

To gain access through them to hidden matters.

In order to reach the secrets,

فَزين النعمة وَاِستَقصاها

فَزين النعمة وَاِستَقصاها

وَمَنَّ بِالمُهجَة إِذ أَبقاها

وَمَنَّ بِالمُهجَة إِذ أَبقاها

He embellished his favor and bestowed it fully,

So he beautified the blessing and examined it,

Claiming credit for my life because he spared it.

And obliged with the tribulation when he kept it,

وَقالَ إِن النفي خَير لي وَلَك

وَقالَ إِن النفي خَير لي وَلَك

وَمَن نَفى عَن أَرضِهِ فَقَد هَلَك

وَمَن نَفى عَن أَرضِهِ فَقَد هَلَك

He said, 'Exile is better for me and you.'

And said denial is better for me and you,

And one exiled from his land is ruined.

And whoever denies his land, then he is destroyed,

فَجئت هَذا البَلَد الغَريبا

فَجئت هَذا البَلَد الغَريبا

وَلَم أَجد في ربعه نَسيبا

وَلَم أَجد في ربعه نَسيبا

So I came to this unfamiliar country

I came to this foreign land,

And found no kinsman in its precincts.'

And did not find in its expanse a relative,

قالَ لَهُ الطاووس قَد عَرَفته

قالَ لَهُ الطاووس قَد عَرَفته

وَكُل ما شَرَحته فَهمته

وَكُل ما شَرَحته فَهمته

The peacock said to him, 'I have recognized him

The peacock said to him, I know him,

And understood everything you explained.

And everything you explained I understood,

وَهوَ هَجين الأَصل حينَ ينسب

وَهوَ هَجين الأَصل حينَ ينسب

وَالعرق دَساس إلَيهِ يجذب

وَالعرق دَساس إلَيهِ يجذب

His ancestry is mixed when his lineage is traced;

And he is of mixed origin when tracing his lineage,

Ancestral stock insinuates itself and draws him toward it.

And the lowly lineage pulls him,

كانَت لَهُ أُم من العقاعق

كانَت لَهُ أُم من العقاعق

أشبهها في هَذِهِ الخَلائق

أشبهها في هَذِهِ الخَلائق

His mother was one of the magpies;

His mother was one of the crows,

He resembled her in these traits.

Resembling her in these traits,

إِن الأُصول تَجذب الفُروعا

إِن الأُصول تَجذب الفُروعا

وَالعرق دَساس إذا أطيعا

وَالعرق دَساس إذا أطيعا

Roots draw their branches toward themselves,

Lineages pull the branches,

And ancestral stock insinuates itself when obeyed.

And the lowly lineage when obeyed,

ما طابَ فرع أَصلهُ خَبيثُ

ما طابَ فرع أَصلهُ خَبيثُ

وَلا زَكا مِن مَجدِهِ حَديثُ

وَلا زَكا مِن مَجدِهِ حَديثُ

No branch is good whose root is rotten,

No branch prospers if its origin is wicked,

Nor is any account of its glory pure.

Nor is praised from it a new talk,

قَد يَبلغون رتباً في الدنيا

قَد يَبلغون رتباً في الدنيا

وَيُدرِكون وَطراً مِن عليا

وَيُدرِكون وَطراً مِن عليا

They may attain ranks in this world

The hoopoe said to him, you spoke truth,

And gain some lofty aspiration,

Yes, my friend, what you mentioned,

لَكِنهُم لا يَبلغون في الكَرَم

لَكِنهُم لا يَبلغون في الكَرَم

مَبلَغَ مَن كانَ لَهُ فيهِ قَدم

مَبلَغَ مَن كانَ لَهُ فيهِ قَدم

But in nobility they do not reach

But when the lineages converge,

The level of those long established in it.'

And his ancestors were generous,

قالَ لَهُ البوم وَلِلبوم حكم

قالَ لَهُ البوم وَلِلبوم حكم

مغالطاً في قَولِهِ وَقَد ظَلَم

مغالطاً في قَولِهِ وَقَد ظَلَم

The owl replied—and the owl had judgments—

He is apt for sublimity and generosity,

Arguing misleadingly and unjustly:

And the best traits emerged in his origin,

خَل الأُصول فَالكَريمُ من كرم

خَل الأُصول فَالكَريمُ من كرم

لا يُكرم الفرع إِذا الأَصل لوم

لا يُكرم الفرع إِذا الأَصل لوم

'Leave ancestry aside: noble is he who acts nobly.

The peacock said to him, let the past go,

A branch is not honored when its root is base.'

And mention it, for it has ended,

قالَ لَهُ الطاووس حَقاً قلتا

قالَ لَهُ الطاووس حَقاً قلتا

وَنعم يا صاحب ما ذَكَرتا

وَنعم يا صاحب ما ذَكَرتا

The peacock said, 'You have spoken truly;

And make for us a scheme that saves us,

Excellent, my friend, is what you mentioned.

From the evil of what we face, for we are ruined.

لَكنَّ مَن تَقابَلَت أَطرافه

لَكنَّ مَن تَقابَلَت أَطرافه

في طيبِها وَكرمت أَسلافه

في طيبِها وَكرمت أَسلافه

Yet one whose lines of descent agree

He said, I have a wondrous scheme,

In goodness, and whose ancestors were noble,

With which we escape this tribulation,

كانَ خَليقاً بِالعَلاء وَالكَرَم

كانَ خَليقاً بِالعَلاء وَالكَرَم

وَبَزَغَت في أَصلِهِ خير الشيَم

وَبَزَغَت في أَصلِهِ خير الشيَم

Is worthy of eminence and nobility,

We play dead, so when he sees us,

With the finest traits shining forth in his ancestry.'

Lifeless, with no benefit, he will toss us away,

قالَ لَهُ الطاووس خَلّ ما مَضى

قالَ لَهُ الطاووس خَلّ ما مَضى

وَذكرهُ فَإِنَّهُ قَد اِنقَضى

وَذكرهُ فَإِنَّهُ قَد اِنقَضى

The peacock said to him, 'Leave what has passed

And the hunter came gloating,

And its memory, for it is over.

So that trick delivered us from him,

واعمل لَنا في حيلة تُنجينا

واعمل لَنا في حيلة تُنجينا

مِن شَرِّ ما نَلقى فَقَد أردينا

مِن شَرِّ ما نَلقى فَقَد أردينا

Devise a trick for us that will save us

So they pretended death, and the owl threw,

From the evil we face, for we have been brought to ruin.'

Himself down and said, “Who takes this ill-omened one?”

فَقالَ عِندي حيلة عَجيبه

فَقالَ عِندي حيلة عَجيبه

تَنجو بِها مِن هَذِهِ المُصيبه

تَنجو بِها مِن هَذِهِ المُصيبه

He replied, 'I have a remarkable trick

And the peacock plucked himself until he dropped,

By which you can escape this calamity.

Out of love for his feathers and tuft,

نَموت فيها فَإِذا رَآنا

نَموت فيها فَإِذا رَآنا

مَوتى بِلا مَنفَعَةٍ أَلقانا

مَوتى بِلا مَنفَعَةٍ أَلقانا

We shall play dead; then, when he sees us

So he suffered pain and torture,

Dead and useless, he will throw us away.'

Who consults enemies - what befell them!

وَأَقبل الصياد وَهوَ جَذل

وَأَقبل الصياد وَهوَ جَذل

فأفلتتنا مِنهُ تِلكَ الحيل

فأفلتتنا مِنهُ تِلكَ الحيل

The hunter approached, delighted;

And the hunter went from him while he remained,

Those tricks released us from him.

Sprawled in confusion at what he faced,

فَأظهرا المَوت فَألقى البوما

فَأظهرا المَوت فَألقى البوما

وَقالَ مَن يَأخُذ ذا المَشؤوما

وَقالَ مَن يَأخُذ ذا المَشؤوما

They both feigned death, and he threw away the owl,

And said, “If only when what happened occurred to me,

Saying, 'Who would take this ill-omened creature?'

From the treachery of the companion I would see,

وَنَتف الطاووس حَتّى سَمطه

وَنَتف الطاووس حَتّى سَمطه

مَحَبةً لِريشِهِ وَخرطه

مَحَبةً لِريشِهِ وَخرطه

He plucked the peacock until he stripped him bare,

I would not have done what I did, fearing,

Out of love for his feathers, stripping them away.

Them, so I became miserable, ruined.

فَلقي العناء وَالعَذابا

فَلقي العناء وَالعَذابا

مَن شاوَرَ الأَعداء ما أَصابا

مَن شاوَرَ الأَعداء ما أَصابا

Thus he suffered hardship and torment.

Thus whoever brings enemies,

Whoever consults enemies does not choose rightly.

They return him with deceit and corruption.”

وَذَهَب الصياد عَنهُ وَبَقى

وَذَهَب الصياد عَنهُ وَبَقى

مُنطَرِحاً في حيرة لما لَقى

مُنطَرِحاً في حيرة لما لَقى

The hunter departed, leaving him

The owl came to him and took his revenge,

Lying bewildered at what he had suffered.

And cooled the anguish of his chest,

وَقالَ لَو أَني أَجدت ما جَرى

وَقالَ لَو أَني أَجدت ما جَرى

عَليَّ مِن جَورِ الأَنيسِ ما أَرى

عَليَّ مِن جَورِ الأَنيسِ ما أَرى

He said, 'Had I acted wisely, I would not have suffered

And came pecking and beating him,

What I see from mankind's cruelty.

And did not stop torturing him,

فَإِنَّهُم لا يذبَحونَ مثلي

فَإِنَّهُم لا يذبَحونَ مثلي

قَصدهم حسني دونَ أَكلي

قَصدهم حسني دونَ أَكلي

They do not slaughter birds like me;

Saying, “Woe to you! What is my sin? I,

They seek my beauty, not my flesh.

You wrongfully take with the sin of he who sinned?

فَلم فَعلتُ ما فَعَلتُ خائِفا

فَلم فَعلتُ ما فَعَلتُ خائِفا

مِنهم فَأَصبَحت سَليباً تالِفا

مِنهم فَأَصبَحت سَليباً تالِفا

Then why did I do what I did, afraid

Is the innocent taken for the diseased?

Of them, and become stripped and ruined?'

And the good man for the villain?”

كَذاكَ مَن يَستَصحب الأَعادي

كَذاكَ مَن يَستَصحب الأَعادي

يردونَهُ بِالغش وَالإِفساد

يردونَهُ بِالغش وَالإِفساد

Thus those who take enemies as companions

The owl said to him, “I got my revenge,

Are ruined by their deceit and corruption.

From you and cooled my chest’s anguish,

قالَ لَهُ البومُ أَخَذت ثَأري

قالَ لَهُ البومُ أَخَذت ثَأري

مِنكَ وَبَردت غَليل صَدري

مِنكَ وَبَردت غَليل صَدري

The owl said, 'I have taken my revenge

And she said to him, “Strange what occurred,

Upon you and cooled the burning in my breast.'

Its superiority is clear to whoever contemplates,

وَجاءهُ يَنقره وَيَضربه

وَجاءهُ يَنقره وَيَضربه

وَلَم يَزَل مُجتَهِداً يعذبه

وَلَم يَزَل مُجتَهِداً يعذبه

He came pecking and striking him

The owl deceives you in the time of affliction,

And persistently labored to torment him.

While he is a fool with no insight,

قالَ لَهُ وَيحَك ما ذَنبي أَنا

قالَ لَهُ وَيحَك ما ذَنبي أَنا

تَأخذني ظُلماً بِذَنب من جَنى

تَأخذني ظُلماً بِذَنب من جَنى

He said, 'Woe to you! What is my fault?

And you deceived the fox, and he is,

You punish me unjustly for another's crime.

Not one of ignorance or foolishness,

أَيؤخذُ البريُّ بالسقيم

أَيؤخذُ البريُّ بالسقيم

وَالرجل المُحسن بِاللئيم

وَالرجل المُحسن بِاللئيم

Is the innocent held accountable for the guilty,

When fortune and happiness came to you,

And the beneficent man for the vile?'

Your scheme and will were completed,

قالَ نَعم ثَأري عِندَ الجنس

قالَ نَعم ثَأري عِندَ الجنس

وَلَيسَ يَشقى غَير ذاكَ نَفسي

وَلَيسَ يَشقى غَير ذاكَ نَفسي

He replied, 'Yes: my vengeance is against the whole kind,

Superiority diminishes in the time of hatred,

And nothing else troubles my soul.'

And inferiority is superior in the time of seriousness.”

قالَ جَمَعت الجَهل وَالجُبن مَعاً

قالَ جَمَعت الجَهل وَالجُبن مَعاً

عيبان ما ظَننت أَن يَجتَمِعا

عيبان ما ظَننت أَن يَجتَمِعا

He said, 'You have combined ignorance and cowardice—

She said to him, “Truly you spoke,

Two faults I never thought could meet:

You knew, O this, and did not ignore,

جُبناً عَلى العَدو وَالجَهل عَلى

جُبناً عَلى العَدو وَالجَهل عَلى

سِواه في القَبيح ناراً تَصطلي

سِواه في القَبيح ناراً تَصطلي

Cowardice before the enemy, and ignorance toward

But in companionship there are other flaws,

Others—in wickedness you burn in a fire.'

And you know more than me about that,

حَتَّى إِذا أَدماهُ مرَّ عَنهُ

حَتَّى إِذا أَدماهُ مرَّ عَنهُ

وَقَد شَفى الحقد القَديم مِنه

وَقَد شَفى الحقد القَديم مِنه

When he had bloodied him, he went away,

Their disbelief in their Lord, and their debauchery,

Having satisfied his old hatred upon him.

Killing themselves, and their foolishness,

فَلَم يُطق سَعياً وَلا حِراكا

فَلَم يُطق سَعياً وَلا حِراكا

وَعايَن الحيرة وَالهَلاكا

وَعايَن الحيرة وَالهَلاكا

The peacock could neither walk nor move

And their stinginess, and wealth does not last,

And faced bewilderment and destruction.

And their greed, and living on sustenance,

فَجاءهُ أَبو الحصين الثَّعلب

فَجاءهُ أَبو الحصين الثَّعلب

وَما أَطاقَ هَرَبا فَيَهرب

وَما أَطاقَ هَرَبا فَيَهرب

Then Abu al-Husayn, the fox, came to him;

And their hoarding, and they know they will die,

He lacked the strength to flee.

And their sorrow when decline and loss come,

فَاِنتاشَهُ في فَمه وَعادا

فَاِنتاشَهُ في فَمه وَعادا

لِيُطعم الزوجة وَالأَولادا

لِيُطعم الزوجة وَالأَولادا

The fox snatched him into his mouth and returned

The breeze said, “Do you prove the worshipped?

To feed his wife and children.

Or are you of those who show disbelief?”

حَتَّى إِذا جاءَ بِهِ إِلَيهم

حَتَّى إِذا جاءَ بِهِ إِلَيهم

أَلقاه مِن أَنيابِهِ لَدَيهِم

أَلقاه مِن أَنيابِهِ لَدَيهِم

When he brought him to them,

She said, “Do I know in minds,

He dropped him from his fangs before them.

That I would deny your Maker, my friend?”

وَقد رأَي المَوت عيانا فَدَعا

وَقد رأَي المَوت عيانا فَدَعا

رَباً لَطيفاً بِالوَرى قَد صَنَعا

رَباً لَطيفاً بِالوَرى قَد صَنَعا

Seeing death plainly, he called upon

She said, “I know He is Wise,

A Lord kind to creatures, who had shown favor

And He is Knowledgeable in His action.”

لَهُ وَقَد ظَلَّ حَزيناً محرجا

لَهُ وَقَد ظَلَّ حَزيناً محرجا

مَن يَتقي اللَّه يُصادف مَخرَجا

مَن يَتقي اللَّه يُصادف مَخرَجا

To him as he remained sorrowful and hard-pressed.

He said, “Yes, I have no doubt in His wisdom,

Whoever fears God finds a way out.

Knowledge, forbearance, and power.”

فَقالَ لِلأُنثى أَنا عَليل

فَقالَ لِلأُنثى أَنا عَليل

وَإِن جِسمي فاعلمي نَحيل

وَإِن جِسمي فاعلمي نَحيل

He said to the female, 'I am ill,

He said, “So all that occurs and will occur,

And my body—know this—is emaciated.

Is by wisdom He destined for the matter.”

وَعاقل لا يَأكُل العَليلا

وَعاقل لا يَأكُل العَليلا

تحرزاً لا سيما نَحيلا

تحرزاً لا سيما نَحيلا

A sensible creature does not eat sick prey,

So he said, “Increase me, this does not suffice,

As a precaution, especially emaciated prey:

I am not to be tasked while unbenefiting.”

فَإِنَّهُ يعديهِ بِالسقام

فَإِنَّهُ يعديهِ بِالسقام

وَأكثر الداء مِن الطَّعام

وَأكثر الداء مِن الطَّعام

It infects the eater with sickness,

He said, “You are ignorant of the truth, benefit

And most disease comes from food.

Is obvious - its secrets are seasoned,

فَلَو صَبَرت مُدة عَن أَكلي

فَلَو صَبَرت مُدة عَن أَكلي

كَيما تَزول علَّتي وَسِلِّي

كَيما تَزول علَّتي وَسِلِّي

If you refrained a while from eating me

For He separated between creations,

Until my illness and wasting disease departed,

In general conditions - what a separation!

وَرُبَّما سَمنت أَيضاً فَالسمن

وَرُبَّما سَمنت أَيضاً فَالسمن

يطيب اللحم وَيرطب البَدَن

يطيب اللحم وَيرطب البَدَن

Perhaps I would also grow fat; fatness

So He created mineral, vegetation,

Makes flesh delicious and moistens the body.

And animals - created diversely,

وَها أَنا لَدَيكُم أَسير

وَها أَنا لَدَيكُم أَسير

مثلي لا يَسعى وَلا يَطير

مثلي لا يَسعى وَلا يَطير

Here I am, your captive;

And the animal - silent and speaking,

One like me can neither run nor fly.'

And superior in its creation and perishing,

فَناجت الأُنثى بِذاكَ الذكرا

فَناجت الأُنثى بِذاكَ الذكرا

قالَ لها خَديعة ما ذكرا

قالَ لها خَديعة ما ذكرا

The female privately told the male this.

And negligent - He neglected it, not tasking it,

He said, 'What he said is a trick.'

And speaking - He ennobled it and tasked it,

فَغَضِبَت مِن قَولِهِ وَقالَت

فَغَضِبَت مِن قَولِهِ وَقالَت

أَكل العَليل علة مازالَت

أَكل العَليل علة مازالَت

She grew angry at his words and said,

So creation would not be one thing,

'Eating sick prey has always caused illness.

For ability to be deficient, increasingly,

تريد أَن تَقتُلنا بِلحمه

تريد أَن تَقتُلنا بِلحمه

أَخاف أَن يعدينا بِسقمه

أَخاف أَن يعدينا بِسقمه

You want to kill us with his flesh!

So the True Able absolutely,

I fear he will infect us with his sickness.'

Of creating opposites in natures,

فَغلبته قال أَنت أَدرى

فَغلبته قال أَنت أَدرى

لَست بِدان مِنهُ حَتَّى يَبرا

لَست بِدان مِنهُ حَتَّى يَبرا

She prevailed over him. He said, 'You know best;

Your creation the opposites,

I will not approach him until he recovers.'

Maneuvering through them as He wished,

قالَ لَها إِنِّي أَخاف غَدره

قالَ لَها إِنِّي أَخاف غَدره

وَلَست بِالآمن وَيك مكره

وَلَست بِالآمن وَيك مكره

He told her, 'I fear his treachery

Likewise, know creating kinds,

And am not safe, mind you, from his cunning.

All differ diversely,

فَاستَحلِفيه لي بِالطلاق

فَاستَحلِفيه لي بِالطلاق

فَرُبَّما يَصدق في المِيثاق

فَرُبَّما يَصدق في المِيثاق

Make him swear to me an oath upon divorce;

It is best creating elephant and mosquito,

Perhaps he will honor the covenant.'

With wisdom displayed to prohibitions,

قالَت لَهُ إِحلف لأَجلي فَحَلَف

قالَت لَهُ إِحلف لأَجلي فَحَلَف

لا ناله مادامَ ذا سَقمٍ تلف

لا ناله مادامَ ذا سَقمٍ تلف

She told him, 'Swear for my sake,' and he swore

And their souls killing themselves - thus,

That no harm would befall him while he remained ill.

Some face harm from others,

فَظَلَّ يَسعى نَحوَ حجر الثَّعلب

فَظَلَّ يَسعى نَحوَ حجر الثَّعلب

وَيرتَعي مِن مطعم وَمَشرَب

وَيرتَعي مِن مطعم وَمَشرَب

He continued moving about near the fox's den,

For in beasts and birds,

Feeding on food and drink.

There is what you wish of injustice and evils,

حَتَّى إِذا صَح وَطالَ ريشه

حَتَّى إِذا صَح وَطالَ ريشه

وَصارَ لا يُمكن من يَحوشَه

وَصارَ لا يُمكن من يَحوشَه

When he recovered and his feathers grew long,

And the previous answer and its excuse went,

He no longer let anyone catch him.

And it is clear if you contemplate its secret,

طارَ إِلى غُصن رَفيع فَوقَع

طارَ إِلى غُصن رَفيع فَوقَع

عَلَيهِ وَهوَ آمن أَن يتبع

عَلَيهِ وَهوَ آمن أَن يتبع

He flew to a high branch and alighted

So the hoopoe was certain the truth,

Upon it, safe from being pursued.

Was with the breeze, and said, “You spoke truth.”

قالَت لَهُ الأُنثى وَخافَت بَعلَها

قالَت لَهُ الأُنثى وَخافَت بَعلَها

وَقَد رَأَت مِما جَنَتهُ جَهلَها

وَقَد رَأَت مِما جَنَتهُ جَهلَها

The female spoke to him, fearing her mate,

So he submitted to the truth and said mankind

Having seen the folly of what she had brought about:

Is a noble genus - there is no doubt in that,

قَد خُنت بِالعُهود وَالأَيمان

قَد خُنت بِالعُهود وَالأَيمان

غَدراً وَما الغَدر مِن الأَيمان

غَدراً وَما الغَدر مِن الأَيمان

'You have betrayed the pledges and oaths

Then he called me in privacy and apologized,

Treacherously—and treachery has no place in oaths.

And repented from blaming them and sought forgiveness,

فَعد إِلَينا آمناً لا خائِفاً

فَعد إِلَينا آمناً لا خائِفاً

فَلَست تَخشى عِندَنا المتالفا

فَلَست تَخشى عِندَنا المتالفا

Return to us safely, without fear;

And said, tell the Great King,

With us you need not fear destruction.

I have repented from my sinful words,

فَقد أَلفناك وَعدت كَالوَلَد

فَقد أَلفناك وَعدت كَالوَلَد

وَلَست ما عشت لَدَينا مُضطَهد

وَلَست ما عشت لَدَينا مُضطَهد

We have grown fond of you; you became like a child,

And what was hidden from me is evident,

And while you live with us you will not be oppressed.'

And my assumption in blaming people has failed,

قالَ لَها خدعت وَالحَرب خدع

قالَ لَها خدعت وَالحَرب خدع

فَاستيئسي لا تَطمَعي في أَن أقَع

فَاستيئسي لا تَطمَعي في أَن أقَع

He said, 'I deceived you; warfare is deception.

But I wonder about his actions,

Despair: do not hope that I will fall.'

In supporting mankind though they are his enemies in nature,

وَعادَ مَسروراً إِلى أنثاه

وَعادَ مَسروراً إِلى أنثاه

وَقَصَّ للطيور ما عاناه

وَقَصَّ للطيور ما عاناه

He returned joyfully to his mate

And all of them intend him harm,

And told the birds what he had suffered.

And some of them deny the existence of jinn,

قالَت لَهُ الأُنثى عَجيب ما جَرى

قالَت لَهُ الأُنثى عَجيب ما جَرى

وَفَضله باد لِمَن تَفَكَّرا

وَفَضله باد لِمَن تَفَكَّرا

His mate said, 'What happened is remarkable,

And some curse them generally,

And its significance is plain to anyone who reflects.

And some criticize their morals,

يخدعك البوم زَمان المحنه

يخدعك البوم زَمان المحنه

وَهوَ سَفيه لَيسَ فيهِ فطنه

وَهوَ سَفيه لَيسَ فيهِ فطنه

The owl deceived you in a time of distress,

And some take refuge from their wiles,

Though he is foolish and has no discernment;

And some attribute every evil,

وَتخدع الثعلب وَهوَ داه

وَتخدع الثعلب وَهوَ داه

لَيسَ بِذي جَهل وَلا سفاه

لَيسَ بِذي جَهل وَلا سفاه

Yet you deceived the fox, a cunning creature

To them when scheming deceit,

Neither ignorant nor foolish.

And some blame them for sins and disgraces,

إِذ جاءَت الدولة وَالسَّعاده

إِذ جاءَت الدولة وَالسَّعاده

تَمت لَكَ الحيلة وَالإرادَه

تَمت لَكَ الحيلة وَالإرادَه

When good fortune and happiness arrived,

Mankind do not deserve support from Him,

Your scheme and intention were fulfilled.

But rather deserve His hatred and estrangement.”

وَالفَضل نَقص في زَمان الحَد

وَالفَضل نَقص في زَمان الحَد

وَالنَّقص فَضل في أَوان الجد

وَالنَّقص فَضل في أَوان الجد

Excellence is a deficiency in times of ill fortune,

She said to him, “Take the answer from me,

And deficiency an excellence when fortune smiles.'

And convey what I mention about me,

قالَت لَهُ العَنقاء حَقاً قلتا

قالَت لَهُ العَنقاء حَقاً قلتا

عَلمت يا هَذا وَما جهلتا

عَلمت يا هَذا وَما جهلتا

The Anqa said to him, 'You have spoken truly;

The wise and virtuous is not rewarded,

You understand, my friend, and are not ignorant.

With evil desires from the condemnable,

لَكن في الأنس عُيوباً أُخرى

لَكن في الأنس عُيوباً أُخرى

وَأَنتُم مني بِذاكَ أَدرى

وَأَنتُم مني بِذاكَ أَدرى

But mankind has other faults,

If you acted like an ignorant one's actions,

Of which you know better than I:

You would equal him in nature’s measures.

كُفرهم بِرَبهم وَفسقهم

كُفرهم بِرَبهم وَفسقهم

وَقَتلهم أَنفسهم وَحمقهم

وَقَتلهم أَنفسهم وَحمقهم

Their disbelief in their Lord and their wickedness,

Be superior to your peer - your superiority appears,

Their killing one another and their folly,

Do good to who wronged you - your nobility emerges,

وَبُخلهم وَالمال غَير باق

وَبُخلهم وَالمال غَير باق

وَحرصهم وَالعَيش بِالأَرزاق

وَحرصهم وَالعَيش بِالأَرزاق

Their miserliness, though wealth does not endure,

Be just to the oppressed - you will leave a master,

Their greed, though life depends on allotted provision,

And give your enemies - you will gain the most glorious,

وَجَمعهم وَقَد دَروا بِالمَوت

وَجَمعهم وَقَد دَروا بِالمَوت

وَحزنهم عِندَ الردى وَالفَوت

وَحزنهم عِندَ الردى وَالفَوت

Their hoarding, despite knowing of death,

The Prophet’s bequest - reconcile who severed you,

And their sorrow at death and loss.'

Be superior over him, and gain from who deprived you.

قالَ الصبا أَتثبت المَعبودا

قالَ الصبا أَتثبت المَعبودا

أَم أَنتَ مِمَن يظهر الجحودا

أَم أَنتَ مِمَن يظهر الجحودا

Al-Saba said, 'Do you acknowledge the One worshipped,

Do a good deed - receive it and be rewarded for it,

Or are you among those who profess denial?'

For people's actions are not confusing,

قالَ وَهَل يُمكن في العُقول

قالَ وَهَل يُمكن في العُقول

إِنكارك الصانع يا خَليلي

إِنكارك الصانع يا خَليلي

He replied, 'Can reason possibly permit

Pardon the sinner and promise with your forbearance,

Your denial of the Maker, my friend?'

The ignorance in his hiddenness appears with your knowledge,

قالَت علمت أنَّهُ حَكيم

قالَت علمت أنَّهُ حَكيم

وَأنَّهُ بفعلهِ عَليم

وَأنَّهُ بفعلهِ عَليم

She said, 'You know that He is wise

And we repay about them in this tongue,

And knowledgeable about His actions.'

We meet evil with good action,

قالَ نَعم لا شَكَ لي في حكمته

قالَ نَعم لا شَكَ لي في حكمته

وَعلمه وَحلمه وَقدرته

وَعلمه وَحلمه وَقدرته

He replied, 'Yes: I have no doubt of His wisdom,

And lineages between us also necessitate,

His knowledge, forbearance, and power.'

Our zeal over them when they became crooked.”

قالَ فَكُلُّ ما جَرى وَيَجري

قالَ فَكُلُّ ما جَرى وَيَجري

بِحكمة قدرها للأمر

بِحكمة قدرها للأمر

He said, 'Then everything that happened and happens

He said, “Clarify that lineage to me,

Proceeds by wisdom He ordained for the matter.'

For you have come with what you said is wondrous.”

فَقالَ زدني لَيسَ هَذا يَكفي

فَقالَ زدني لَيسَ هَذا يَكفي

إِنَّ العَليل دائِماً يَستَشفي

إِنَّ العَليل دائِماً يَستَشفي

He replied, 'Tell me more; this is not enough.

“Are you not fire, and they of clay?

The sick always seek healing.'

The black is not like the white of eye.”

قال لَهُ إِن اختلاف الخَلق

قال لَهُ إِن اختلاف الخَلق

وَخَبطهم في باطل وَحَق

وَخَبطهم في باطل وَحَق

He told him, 'The differences among creatures

She said, “Yes, but the close lineage,

And their stumbling between falsehood and truth

The wise realized with insight,

دلالة واضِحة للمقدره

دلالة واضِحة للمقدره

وَلَيسَ لِلمُفسد فيها مَعذِره

وَلَيسَ لِلمُفسد فيها مَعذِره

Are clear evidence of divine power;

Is kinship of assignment and address,

Yet the wrongdoer has no excuse in them.

Between us more intrinsic than lineages,

وَكُلَّما ركب في المَخلوق

وَكُلَّما ركب في المَخلوق

مِن اِختِلاف الطَّبع وَالفُروق

مِن اِختِلاف الطَّبع وَالفُروق

Everything implanted in the creature

We are all people of God’s covenant,

Of diverse natures and distinctions

He addressed us with orders and prohibitions,

يَدل أَنَّ اللَّه رَب قادِر

يَدل أَنَّ اللَّه رَب قادِر

مَقدوره يَعجز عَنهُ الحاصر

مَقدوره يَعجز عَنهُ الحاصر

Shows that God is a powerful Lord.

And speech and mind - so have you spoken truth,

His works elude anyone who would enumerate them.

O King of birds, in what you mentioned?

ثُم اِبتَلاهم ناهياً وَآمِرا

ثُم اِبتَلاهم ناهياً وَآمِرا

لِيَعلم الأَعمال وَالسرائِرا

لِيَعلم الأَعمال وَالسرائِرا

Then He tested them, forbidding and commanding,

And man gives life exerting for his brother,

To know their deeds and secret thoughts,

Though when he counts him among enemies,

وَمُؤمِناً مِن خَلقِهِ وَكافِرا

وَمُؤمِناً مِن خَلقِهِ وَكافِرا

وَوافياً بِعَهدِهِ وَغادِرا

وَوافياً بِعَهدِهِ وَغادِرا

The believers and unbelievers among His creatures,

Have you not heard the story of the two just?

Those faithful to His covenant and the treacherous,

That it is true without inclination?”

لِيجزِي المُؤمن بِالثَّواب

لِيجزِي المُؤمن بِالثَّواب

وَيجزِي الكافِر بِالعِقاب

وَيجزِي الكافِر بِالعِقاب

To recompense the believer with reward

And the unbeliever with punishment.'

قالَ وَما في ذاكَ قُل وأوضح

قالَ وَما في ذاكَ قُل وأوضح

فَلَست لِلتكليف بِالمُستَصلِح

فَلَست لِلتكليف بِالمُستَصلِح

He said, 'What benefit is in that? Tell me plainly;

I do not consider imposed duties beneficial.'

قالَ جَهلت الحَق إِن المَصلحه

قالَ جَهلت الحَق إِن المَصلحه

بادية أَسرارها مُستملحه

بادية أَسرارها مُستملحه

He replied, 'You have not understood the truth: the benefit

Is apparent, and its secrets are pleasing.

لأَنَّهُ فَرَّق بَينَ الخَلق

لأَنَّهُ فَرَّق بَينَ الخَلق

في جُملة الأَحوال أَي فَرق

في جُملة الأَحوال أَي فَرق

For He distinguished among creatures

In all their conditions, with great distinction.

فَخَلق المَعدن وَالنباتا

فَخَلق المَعدن وَالنباتا

وَالحَيوان خَلَقوا أشتاتا

وَالحَيوان خَلَقوا أشتاتا

He created minerals and plants,

And animals were created in diverse kinds.

وَالحَيوان صامت وَناطق

وَالحَيوان صامت وَناطق

وَفائق في علقه وَمائِق

وَفائق في علقه وَمائِق

Animals include the speechless and the speaking,

Those outstanding in intellect and the foolish,

وَهملٌ أَهمله ما كَلفه

وَهملٌ أَهمله ما كَلفه

وَناطق كَلفه فَشرفه

وَناطق كَلفه فَشرفه

Untended creatures He left without imposed duties,

And speaking creatures He honored by imposing duties,

كَيلا يَكون الخَلق شَيئاً وَاحِدا

كَيلا يَكون الخَلق شَيئاً وَاحِدا

فَتنقص القُدرة نَقصاً زائِدا

فَتنقص القُدرة نَقصاً زائِدا

So that creation should not be one thing,

Diminishing divine power greatly.

فَالقادِر الحَق عَلى الأطلاق

فَالقادِر الحَق عَلى الأطلاق

من أَوجد الأَضداد في الأَخلاق

من أَوجد الأَضداد في الأَخلاق

The truly powerful One, absolutely,

Is He who brought opposites into dispositions.

وَجمعت صنعته الأَضدادا

وَجمعت صنعته الأَضدادا

تَصَرفا فيها كَما أَرادا

تَصَرفا فيها كَما أَرادا

His workmanship united opposites,

Disposing of them as He wished.

كَذاكَ فَاِعلَم خَلق الأَصنافا

كَذاكَ فَاِعلَم خَلق الأَصنافا

جَميعها تَختَلف اِختِلافا

جَميعها تَختَلف اِختِلافا

Likewise, know that He created the kinds,

All differing from one another.

أَحسَن خَلق الفيل وَالبَعوضه

أَحسَن خَلق الفيل وَالبَعوضه

بِحكمة عَلى النهى مَعروضه

بِحكمة عَلى النهى مَعروضه

He fashioned the elephant and mosquito well,

With wisdom presented to discerning minds.

وَقتلهم نُفوسهُم فَهَكَذا

وَقتلهم نُفوسهُم فَهَكَذا

بَعضهم يَلقى مِن البَعض الأَذى

بَعضهم يَلقى مِن البَعض الأَذى

As for their killing one another, likewise

Some suffer harm from others.

فَإِن في الوحش وَفي الطيور

فَإِن في الوحش وَفي الطيور

ما شِئت مِن ظُلم وَمِن شُرور

ما شِئت مِن ظُلم وَمِن شُرور

Among wild beasts and birds there is

As much injustice and evil as you could wish.

وَقَد مَضى جَواب ذا وَعُذره

وَقَد مَضى جَواب ذا وَعُذره

وَقَد بَدا لَو اِعتبرت سرهُ

وَقَد بَدا لَو اِعتبرت سرهُ

The answer to this and its explanation have already passed;

Its secret is plain, if you reflect.'

فَأيقن العَنقاء أَنَّ الحَقا

فَأيقن العَنقاء أَنَّ الحَقا

كانَ مَعَ الصبا وَقالَ صدقا

كانَ مَعَ الصبا وَقالَ صدقا

The Anqa became certain that truth

Was with al-Saba, who had spoken truly.

فَاِنقادَ للحق وَقالَ الإنس

فَاِنقادَ للحق وَقالَ الإنس

جنس شَريف ما بِذاكَ لَبس

جنس شَريف ما بِذاكَ لَبس

He yielded to truth and said, 'Mankind

Is a noble kind; there is no doubt of that.'

ثُم دَعاني خالياً فَاِعتَذَرا

ثُم دَعاني خالياً فَاِعتَذَرا

وَتابَ مِن ذمهم وَاِستَغفَرا

وَتابَ مِن ذمهم وَاِستَغفَرا

Then he called me aside and apologized,

Repenting of disparaging them and asking forgiveness.

وَقالَ قُل للملك العَظيم

وَقالَ قُل للملك العَظيم

قَد تبت مِن مَقالي الأَثيم

قَد تبت مِن مَقالي الأَثيم

He said, 'Tell the mighty king:

I have repented of my sinful words.

وَبانَ ما كانَ خَفياً عَني

وَبانَ ما كانَ خَفياً عَني

وَخابَ في ذَم الأَنام ظَني

وَخابَ في ذَم الأَنام ظَني

What was hidden from me has become clear;

My judgment in condemning mankind proved mistaken.

لَكِنني أعجب مِن فعاله

لَكِنني أعجب مِن فعاله

بِنصرة الأنس وَمِن جداله

بِنصرة الأنس وَمِن جداله

Yet I marvel at his conduct

In supporting mankind and arguing

عَنهُم وَهُم أَعداؤُهُ بِالطبع

عَنهُم وَهُم أَعداؤُهُ بِالطبع

وَكُلهُم يقصده بِالسبع

وَكُلهُم يقصده بِالسبع

For them, though they are his natural enemies

And all target him with abuse.

وَبَعضهُم يَنفي وجود الجن

وَبَعضهُم يَنفي وجود الجن

وَبَعضهُم يعمهم بِاللعن

وَبَعضهُم يعمهم بِاللعن

Some deny the existence of jinn;

Some curse them all.

وَبَعضهُم يطعَن في أَخلاقِهم

وَبَعضهُم يطعَن في أَخلاقِهم

وَبَعضهُم يَعوذ مِن طراقهم

وَبَعضهُم يَعوذ مِن طراقهم

Some attack their character;

Some seek protection from their nocturnal visits.

وَبَعضهُم ينسب كُل نكر

وَبَعضهُم ينسب كُل نكر

إِلَيهم عِندَ اِحتيال الغَدر

إِلَيهم عِندَ اِحتيال الغَدر

Some attribute every abomination

To them when devising treacherous schemes.

وَبَعضهُم يحيل بِالذُنوب

وَبَعضهُم يحيل بِالذُنوب

عَلَيهم وَفاحش العُيوب

عَلَيهم وَفاحش العُيوب

Some lay the blame for sins

And outrageous faults upon them.

ما تَستَحق الإنس مِنهُ نَصرا

ما تَستَحق الإنس مِنهُ نَصرا

بَل اِستَحَقوا مقته وَالهَجرا

بَل اِستَحَقوا مقته وَالهَجرا

Mankind deserves no support from him;

Rather, they deserve his hatred and rejection.'

قالَت لَهُ خُذ الجَواب مني

قالَت لَهُ خُذ الجَواب مني

وارو الَّذي اذكر فيهِ عَني

وارو الَّذي اذكر فيهِ عَني

She said, 'Take the answer from me

And relate on my behalf what I say about it.

العاقِل الفاضِل لا يُجازى

العاقِل الفاضِل لا يُجازى

بِسَيء فَهوى مِن المَخازي

بِسَيء فَهوى مِن المَخازي

The wise and virtuous do not retaliate

With evil, falling into disgrace.

إِذا فَعلت مثل فعل الجاهل

إِذا فَعلت مثل فعل الجاهل

ساويتهُ في دقة الشَّمائل

ساويتهُ في دقة الشَّمائل

If you act like an ignorant person,

You equal him in paltriness of character.

أفضل عَلى النَّظير يبدُ فَضلكا

أفضل عَلى النَّظير يبدُ فَضلكا

أَحسن إِلى المُسيء يظهر نبلكا

أَحسن إِلى المُسيء يظهر نبلكا

Be generous to your equal: your excellence will appear.

Be kind to the wrongdoer: your nobility will show.

وَاِنصف المَظلوم تَدَع سَيدا

وَاِنصف المَظلوم تَدَع سَيدا

وَأَعطِ أَعداءك تَلقى أَمجَدا

وَأَعطِ أَعداءك تَلقى أَمجَدا

Give justice to the oppressed: you will be called a master.

Give to your enemies: you will be deemed more glorious.

وَصية النبِي صِل مَن قَطَعَك

وَصية النبِي صِل مَن قَطَعَك

فَضلاً عَلَيهِ وَأَنِل من مَنعك

فَضلاً عَلَيهِ وَأَنِل من مَنعك

The Prophet's counsel is: maintain ties with whoever severs yours,

Showing him generosity; give to whoever withholds from you.

افعل جَميلاً تَلقَهُ وَتجزَ بِه

افعل جَميلاً تَلقَهُ وَتجزَ بِه

فَإِن فعل الناس غَير مُشتَبه

فَإِن فعل الناس غَير مُشتَبه

Do good: you will encounter it and be rewarded for it,

For people's deeds are not indistinguishable.

اصفح عَن الجاني وَعُد بحلمكا

اصفح عَن الجاني وَعُد بحلمكا

يظهر خَفيَّ جَهلِهِ بِعلمِكا

يظهر خَفيَّ جَهلِهِ بِعلمِكا

Pardon the offender and return to your forbearance;

Your knowledge will reveal his concealed ignorance.

وَنَحنُ نجزي عَنهُم في ذا اللسن

وَنَحنُ نجزي عَنهُم في ذا اللسن

نُقابل القَبيح بالفعل الحَسَن

نُقابل القَبيح بالفعل الحَسَن

We repay them for this sharp-tongued talk:

We answer ugliness with kindly deeds.

وَبَيننا الأَنساب أَيضاً توجب

وَبَيننا الأَنساب أَيضاً توجب

غيرتنا عَلَيهم إِذ نَكَبوا

غيرتنا عَلَيهم إِذ نَكَبوا

The bonds between us also require

Our protective concern for them when they suffer misfortune.'

قالَ أَبِن لي موضحاً ذاكَ النسَب

قالَ أَبِن لي موضحاً ذاكَ النسَب

فَقَد أَتيت بِالَّذي قُلت العَجَب

فَقَد أَتيت بِالَّذي قُلت العَجَب

He said, 'Explain this kinship clearly to me;

What you have said is astonishing.

أَلستُمُ ناراً وَهُم مِن طين

أَلستُمُ ناراً وَهُم مِن طين

لَيسَ الأُسود كَالظِّباء العين

لَيسَ الأُسود كَالظِّباء العين

Are you not fire, while they are clay?

Lions are not like wide-eyed gazelles.

وَشَيخكُم إِبليس تاهَ وَفخر

وَشَيخكُم إِبليس تاهَ وَفخر

عَلى أَبيهم آدم ثُم كَفَر

عَلى أَبيهم آدم ثُم كَفَر

Your elder Iblis behaved arrogantly and boasted

Over their father Adam, then disbelieved.'

قالَ نَعم فَالنَّسَب القَريب

قالَ نَعم فَالنَّسَب القَريب

يَعرفه المحقق اللبيب

يَعرفه المحقق اللبيب

He replied, 'Yes; but the close kinship

Is recognized by the discerning investigator.

قرابة التكليف وَالخطاب

قرابة التكليف وَالخطاب

ما بَيننا أَدنى مِن الأَنساب

ما بَيننا أَدنى مِن الأَنساب

The kinship of obligation and divine address

Between us is closer than ties of ancestry.

نَحنُ جَميعاً أَهل عَهد اللَّه

نَحنُ جَميعاً أَهل عَهد اللَّه

خاطبنا بِالأَمر وَالنواهي

خاطبنا بِالأَمر وَالنواهي

We are all people of God's covenant;

He addressed us with commands and prohibitions.

وَالنطق وَالعَقل فَهل صَدقتا

وَالنطق وَالعَقل فَهل صَدقتا

يا ملك الطير بِما ذَكرتا

يا ملك الطير بِما ذَكرتا

And speech and reason—have you spoken truly,

O king of birds, in what you said?

وَالمَرء يحيي جاهِداً أَخاه

وَالمَرء يحيي جاهِداً أَخاه

وَهوَ إِذا ما عد من أَعداه

وَهوَ إِذا ما عد من أَعداه

A man strives to keep his brother alive,

Even when he is counted among his enemies.

أَما سمعت قصة العَدلين

أَما سمعت قصة العَدلين

وأَنَّها صدق بِغَير مَين

وأَنَّها صدق بِغَير مَين

Have you not heard the story of the two just men,

And that it is true, without falsehood?'