حَسْبُsufficient for الوُجُودِexistence علىof التأْييدِdivine support بُرْهاناas proof
حَسْبُ الوُجُودِ على التأْييدِ بُرْهانا
فَتْحٌa conquest أعَزَّrestored the honor of منof التَّوحِيدِmonotheism ماwhat هاناwas abased
فَتْحٌ أعَزَّ من التَّوحِيدِ ما هانا
Sufficient proof of divine support for all existence
Proof of existence is support by confirmation
is a conquest that restored the honor of monotheism where it had been abased.
A conquest more honourable than oneness subdued
إنْif حَجَّبَit veiled الكُفْرَunbelief جَهْمَgrim الوَجْهِin face عابِسَهscowling
إنْ حَجَّبَ الكُفْرَ جَهْمَ الوَجْهِ عابِسَه
فَإِنَّهُthen it أطْلَعَbrought forth الإيمانَfaith جَذْلاناrejoicing
فَإِنَّهُ أطْلَعَ الإيمانَ جَذْلانا
If it veiled unbelief, grim-faced and scowling,
Though unbelief may veil its scowling face
it brought faith forth rejoicing.
Faith has raised its banners far unfurled
وكَمand how often تَمَلْمَلَit writhed مِنْfrom حَيْفٍinjustice ومَنْand from جَنَفٍdeviation
وكَم تَمَلْمَلَ مِنْ حَيْفٍ ومَنْ جَنَفٍ
لِجَاعِلٍbecause of one making نَصْرهُits support المَشْرُوعَrightful خذْلاناabandonment
لِجَاعِلٍ نَصْرهُ المَشْرُوعَ خذْلانا
How often faith writhed under injustice and deviation,
How much has it writhed at injustice and oppression
because of one who turned its rightful support into abandonment.
For making its legitimate cause a failing in the world
ألَمْdid not يَسُمْهinflict upon it غُرابُthe raven الغَرْبِof the West ياoh أَسَفاalas
ألَمْ يَسُمْه غُرابُ الغَرْبِ يا أَسَفا
ماwhat عادَbecame فيهِthrough it جُمانُthe pearls الدَّمْعِof tears مرْجاناcoral
ما عادَ فيهِ جُمانُ الدَّمْعِ مرْجانا
Did not the raven of the West inflict upon it—alas!—
Has not the raven of the West, alas, poisoned it
what turned the pearls of tears into coral?
So that within it pearls of tears are no longer found
مُسْتَبْصِراًclaiming clear sight فيin عَمىًblindness أَبْلَىafflicted الأَذَانَthe call to prayer أذىًwith harm
مُسْتَبْصِراً في عَمىً أَبْلَى الأَذَانَ أذىً
مِمَّاthrough what استَجَدَّhe newly introduced نَواقيساًbells وصُلبانَاand crosses
مِمَّا استَجَدَّ نَواقيساً وصُلبانَا
Claiming vision amid blindness, he afflicted the call to prayer
Though seeing, in the blindness that has marred its ears, harm
with the bells and crosses he newly introduced.
From what has made crosses and bells anew resound
ومُسْخِطاًand angering باضْطِهادِby oppressing النَّاسِthe people رَاحمَهُمthe One merciful to them
ومُسْخِطاً باضْطِهادِ النَّاسِ رَاحمَهُم
فَكيفَso how يأمُلُcan he hope for عِنْدَwith اللَّهِGod رِضْوَانَاgood pleasure
فَكيفَ يأمُلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ رِضْوَانَا
And by oppressing people, he angered the One merciful to them;
And angered that people are persecuted, though it pities them
how, then, can he hope for God's good pleasure?
How then can it hope from God for favour to be found?
لاno وِزْرَburden of sin أثْقَلُis heavier مِنْthan وِزرٍa burden of sin تَحَمَّلَهُhe bore
لا وِزْرَ أثْقَلُ مِنْ وِزرٍ تَحَمَّلَهُ
إذfor خَفَّhe weighed light لوif خَفَّhe weighed light يَوْمَon the day الفَصْلِof judgment مِيزاناin the scales
إذ خَفَّ لو خَفَّ يَوْمَ الفَصْلِ مِيزانا
No burden of sin is heavier than the burden he bore,
No burden is heavier than the burden it has shouldered
for if he weighs light, he weighs light in the scales on Judgment Day.
Which will make it tremble if the Scales of Justice sound
لَمnot يَثْنِhe turned غَيّاًfrom error إلىtoward رُشْدٍright guidance أَعِنَّتَهُhis reins
لَم يَثْنِ غَيّاً إلى رُشْدٍ أَعِنَّتَهُ
لاno بَلْrather تَعَلَّقَhe clung to أَصْناماًidols وأَوْثاناand graven images
لا بَلْ تَعَلَّقَ أَصْناماً وأَوْثانا
He did not turn his reins from error toward right guidance;
It turned not to right but clung to idols and to gods
no, rather, he clung to idols and graven images.
Not even the learned in holy writ could it confound
أَدالَhe gave ascendancy مِنْover عُلَماءِthe scholars الوَحْيof revelation يُجْزِؤُهُمْsatisfying them
أَدالَ مِنْ عُلَماءِ الوَحْي يُجْزِؤُهُمْ
بِحَبْرَةِwith the delights of الشِّرْكpolytheism أحْبَاراًrabbis ورُهْباناand monks
بِحَبْرَةِ الشِّرْك أحْبَاراً ورُهْبانا
He gave ascendancy over revelation's scholars, satisfying them
When they become submissive it listens to them in passion
with polytheism's delights—rabbis and monks.
Deeming that like strings and tunes a sweet music has been found
إِذاwhenever هُمُthey هَيْنَمُواmurmured أَصْغَىhe listened لَهُمto them طَرَباًin delight
إِذا هُمُ هَيْنَمُوا أَصْغَى لَهُم طَرَباً
يَخالُhe imagines ذلِكَthat أَوْتاراًstrings وَأَلْحَانَاand melodies
يَخالُ ذلِكَ أَوْتاراً وَأَلْحَانَا
Whenever they murmured, he listened to them in delight,
The case bears witness it holds not as true belief
imagining it to be strings and melodies.
The judgment of both the Bible and the Qur’an found
وَالحالُand his conduct شاهِدَةٌbears witness أنْthat لَيْسَhe is not مُعتَقِداًbelieving in
وَالحالُ شاهِدَةٌ أنْ لَيْسَ مُعتَقِداً
حُكْمَthe rulings الكِتَابَيْنِof the two scriptures إِنْجيلاًGospel وَقُرْآنَاand Qur'an
حُكْمَ الكِتَابَيْنِ إِنْجيلاً وَقُرْآنَا
Yet his conduct bears witness that he does not believe
Between pigs and monkeys it remained till faith’s foundations
in the rulings of the two scriptures, Gospel and Qur'an.
And pillars were all shattered and crumbled to the ground
بَيْنَbetween الخَناobscenity وَالخَنازِيرand swine اسْتَقَرَّhe settled إِلىuntil
بَيْنَ الخَنا وَالخَنازِير اسْتَقَرَّ إِلى
أَنْthat زُلْزِلَwas shaken الدِّينreligion أساساًin foundation وأَرْكاناand pillars
أَنْ زُلْزِلَ الدِّين أساساً وأَرْكانا
Amid obscenity and swine he settled, until
Propriety's perplexity in comparing its vile nature
religion was shaken in its foundation and pillars.
Makes exempt from such Asahmah and Luqman far renowned
يَقْضِيrequires التَّحَرُّجُscrupulousness فيin تَشْبيهِlikening سُحْمَتِهِhis blackness
يَقْضِي التَّحَرُّجُ في تَشْبيهِ سُحْمَتِهِ
تَنْزِيهkeeping above comparison أصْحَمَةٍAshamah عَنْهَاwith it ولُقْمَانَاand Luqman
تَنْزِيه أصْحَمَةٍ عَنْهَا ولُقْمَانَا
Scruples about likening his blackness require
It resembles most the accursed Ashram ever blamable
that Ashamah and Luqman be kept above such comparison.
Most fitting to be recognized for who seeks knowledge sound
يَكْسُومُYaksum والأَشْرَمand the cleft-nosed المَأثومُsinful أبْرَهَةٌAbrahah
يَكْسُومُ والأَشْرَم المَأثومُ أبْرَهَةٌ
أَحرَىare more fitting لِمَنْfor whoever يَتَحَرَّىseeks فيهِabout him عِرْفانَاknowledge
أَحرَى لِمَنْ يَتَحَرَّى فيهِ عِرْفانَا
Yaksum and the sinful, cleft-nosed Abrahah
The Abyssinian slave cannot aspire to its banner
are fitter likenesses for whoever seeks to know him.
Why then take pride in it O sons of Abysinnia crowned?
والوَغْدُand the scoundrel لَنnever will تَقْفُوَfollow الحُبْشانُthe Abyssinians رايتَهُhis banner
والوَغْدُ لَن تَقْفُوَ الحُبْشانُ رايتَهُ
فَلِمْso why تَباهىboasted بِهَاof it أبناءُthe sons باهاناof Bahana
فَلِمْ تَباهى بِهَا أبناءُ باهانا
The Abyssinians will never follow this scoundrel's banner;
Their power did not ward off the shame when it collapsed
why, then, did the sons of Bahana boast of it?
The morning after glory fell in abasement drowned
وهَبهُمُand suppose them ردءهhis support فَماthen what الذيthat which دَرَؤواthey warded off
وهَبهُمُ ردءه فَما الذي دَرَؤوا
عَنهfrom him غَداةon the morning تَردىhe clothed himself in الخِزيdisgrace إِدماناcontinually
عَنه غَداة تَردى الخِزي إِدمانا
Suppose they were his support: what did they ward
Truth has nullified all they spoke in calumny
from him when he persistently clothed himself in disgrace?
Justice has razed all that they erected grand around
قَدْindeed أبْطَلَhas invalidated الحَقُّtruth ماwhat قالوهُthey said بُهْتاناas slander
قَدْ أبْطَلَ الحَقُّ ما قالوهُ بُهْتانا
وَهَدَّمَand has demolished العَدْلُjustice ماwhat شادُوهُthey raised بُنْياناas structures
وَهَدَّمَ العَدْلُ ما شادُوهُ بُنْيانا
Truth has invalidated what they uttered as slander,
Expiation of the age through it is what it has distrained
and justice has demolished the structures they raised.
When were those who reject faith keepers of oaths found?
كَفَّارَةُthe atonement الدّهْرِof Time فيهِfor him ماwhat انْتَحاهُit assailed him بِهِwith
كَفَّارَةُ الدّهْرِ فيهِ ما انْتَحاهُ بِهِ
أَيَّانَwhen لَمْnot يُرَhe was seen فيamong الكُفَّارِthe unbelievers لَيَّاناyielding
أَيَّانَ لَمْ يُرَ في الكُفَّارِ لَيَّانا
Time's atonement for him is what it visited upon him,
Were the community of divine oneness his brothers
when among the unbelievers he was not seen yielding.
He would not have approved the association of three renowned
لَوif أَنَّindeed طائِفةَthe community التوحيدِof monotheism إخْوَتُهwere his brothers
لَو أَنَّ طائِفةَ التوحيدِ إخْوَتُه
لمnot يَرْضَhe would accept شِرْذِمَةَthe rabble التثليثof the Trinity إخْوَاناas brothers
لم يَرْضَ شِرْذِمَةَ التثليث إخْوَانا
Had the people of monotheism been his brothers,
Yes, and even if one of them in their assembly
he would not have accepted the rabble of the Trinity as brothers.
For snakes of censure to Adnan suffice as counsel found
نَعَمْyes وإنْand even if عُدَّhe is counted مِنْهاamong them فيat ذُؤابَتِهاtheir summit
نَعَمْ وإنْ عُدَّ مِنْها في ذُؤابَتِها
فإنَّthen indeed دودانَDudan تَعْييرis a reproach لِعَدْناناto Adnan
فإنَّ دودانَ تَعْيير لِعَدْنانا
Yes, even if counted among them at their summit,
Far removed from him is the carrion-eating raven, corrupt guide
Dudan is indeed a reproach to Adnan.
Full of clerics who summon wrong at the appointed sound
بُعْداًaway لَهُwith him مِنْas a غُرابٍraven قائدٍleading رَخَماًvultures
بُعْداً لَهُ مِنْ غُرابٍ قائدٍ رَخَماً
مِلْءَfilling المَلاthe assembly تَعِدُthreatening الديَّانَthe Judge عُدْواناwith aggression
مِلْءَ المَلا تَعِدُ الديَّانَ عُدْوانا
Away with him—a raven leading vultures
He has harmed his sons by harming the servants, so say
that fill the assembly, threatening the Judge with aggression.
Has he been among bands bent in injustice crowned?
أَضْرَىhe trained بَنِيهhis sons عَلىto ضُرِّharm العِبادthe servants فَقُلْso speak
أَضْرَى بَنِيه عَلى ضُرِّ العِباد فَقُلْ
فيof زُمْرَةٍa band هَدَجَتْthat shuffled لِلظُّلْمِtoward oppression ظِلْمَاناmale ostriches
في زُمْرَةٍ هَدَجَتْ لِلظُّلْمِ ظِلْمَانا
He trained his sons to harm God's servants; speak, then,
Unaware that God's sword whose voracious appetite is them
of a band that shuffled toward oppression like male ostriches.
When they are stripped bare, undefiled, on ground unhallowed found
وَماand not دَرَىhe knew أَنَّthat سَيْفَthe sword اللَّهِof God آكِلُهُمْwould devour them
وَما دَرَى أَنَّ سَيْفَ اللَّهِ آكِلُهُمْ
إذَاwhen هُمُthey اسْتَلَمُواtouched عُرْيانَunsheathed غُرْثَاناravenous
إذَا هُمُ اسْتَلَمُوا عُرْيانَ غُرْثَانا
He did not know that God's sword would devour them
If to flee in defeat has been their destruction
when they touched it, unsheathed and ravenous.
Then cease perpetual injustice, tyranny unbound
فَإِنْso if يَكُنْit has قَطَعَcut off الإدْبَارُill fortune دَابِرَهُمْtheir last remnant
فَإِنْ يَكُنْ قَطَعَ الإدْبَارُ دَابِرَهُمْ
فَعَنْthen because of مُوَاصَلَةٍpersistence للطَّوْلِin pursuing power طُغْياناthrough tyranny
فَعَنْ مُوَاصَلَةٍ للطَّوْلِ طُغْيانا
If ill fortune has cut off their last remnant,
Thus wrongdoing is blameworthy and its consequence
it was for persisting in the pursuit of power through tyranny.
Suffices you what succeeded the tyrants tyranny found
كَذَلِكَthus الظّلْمُoppression مَذْمُومٌare blameworthy عَوَاقِبُهُits consequences
كَذَلِكَ الظّلْمُ مَذْمُومٌ عَوَاقِبُهُ
يَكْفِيكَsuffices you مَاwhat أعْقَبَbrought upon العُدْوَانُaggression عُدْواناUdwan
يَكْفِيكَ مَا أعْقَبَ العُدْوَانُ عُدْوانا
Such are oppression's blameworthy consequences;
All who appraise fate in an instant, consider him so
suffice you what aggression brought upon Udwan.
Until destruction makes his well-being unsound
وكُلّand everyone مَنْwho حَسِبَsupposes الأقْدَارَthe decrees of fate فيin سِنَةٍa doze
وكُلّ مَنْ حَسِبَ الأقْدَارَ في سِنَةٍ
فَاحسِبْهthen count him وهْوَthough he is مِنَamong الأَيْقَاظِthe wakeful وَسْناناdrowsy
فَاحسِبْه وهْوَ مِنَ الأَيْقَاظِ وَسْنانا
Whoever supposes the decrees of fate to be dozing,
Until famine's emaciation makes his health decline
count him drowsy, though he is among the wakeful.
It led him to seek a degrading possession in Tlemcen found
حَتَّىuntil إذَاwhen العَطَبُruin اسْتَحيَاspared سَلامَتَهhis safety
حَتَّى إذَا العَطَبُ اسْتَحيَا سَلامَتَه
أفَاءهُit brought him back يَبْتَغِيseeking بَغْياًin aggression تِلِمْساناTlemcen
أفَاءهُ يَبْتَغِي بَغْياً تِلِمْسانا
Until, when ruin had spared his life,
Look at him, seized by God in sorrow
it brought him back to seek Tlemcen in aggression.
Hear of him, he has betrayed, disgraced, renowned
وكانَand was مِنْamong قِيلِهِhis sayings هِيَit التُّرَاثُthe inheritance لَهُfor him
وكانَ مِنْ قِيلِهِ هِيَ التُّرَاثُ لَهُ
ماwhat بالَهُailed him جَهِلَhe failed to recognize التَّصحِيفthe scribal error لاmay he not كاناexist
ما بالَهُ جَهِلَ التَّصحِيف لا كانا
He used to say that it was his inheritance;
In Wujdah, passion of love the doves above his life
what possessed him to miss the scribal error? May he be no more!
Attacked her so that they were by wrath removed, downed
ظَمْآنُthirsting رَاحَhe went لأُفْقِtoward the horizon الشَّرْقof the East مُلْتَهِماravenous
ظَمْآنُ رَاحَ لأُفْقِ الشَّرْق مُلْتَهِما
لَكِنْbut غَدَاhe became بِنَجِيعwith the blood الجَوْفِof the entrails رَيَّاناsated
لَكِنْ غَدَا بِنَجِيع الجَوْفِ رَيَّانا
Thirsting, he went ravenously toward the eastern horizon,
He came to a bare castle which extracted
but became sated with the blood of his entrails.
A spirit whose foulness had spirit and body bound
فَانْظُرْso look إلَيْهِat him أخِيذَseized by اللَّهِGod عَنْthrough أسَفٍwrath
فَانْظُرْ إلَيْهِ أخِيذَ اللَّهِ عَنْ أسَفٍ
أرْدَاهthat killed him واسْمَعْand hear بِهِof him قَدْindeed خَانَhe betrayed خَزْياناdisgraced
أرْدَاه واسْمَعْ بِهِ قَدْ خَانَ خَزْيانا
Look at him, seized by God through wrath
When death saw him bankrupt of propriety
that killed him; hear of him: he betrayed and stood disgraced.
It clothed him in the red blood spilled dishonoured, renowned
بوَجْدَةٍat Oujda أظْهَرَgave mastery to الوَجْدُanguish الحِمَامَDeath عَلىover
بوَجْدَةٍ أظْهَرَ الوَجْدُ الحِمَامَ عَلى
حَيَاتِهhis life فَنَضاهاthen stripped it عَنْهfrom him غَضْباناin anger
حَيَاتِه فَنَضاها عَنْه غَضْبانا
At Oujda, anguish gave Death mastery over
Even the steed that had protected him
his life, which it stripped from him in anger.
Destroyed him in hate and humiliation drowned
واسْتَقْبَلَand he faced القَلْعَةَthe citadel الشَّمَّاءَtowering فَاقْتَلَعَتْand it tore away
واسْتَقْبَلَ القَلْعَةَ الشَّمَّاءَ فَاقْتَلَعَتْ
رُوحاًa soul لهُof his خَبُثَتْthat was foul رُوحاًin spirit وَجُثْمَاناand body
رُوحاً لهُ خَبُثَتْ رُوحاً وَجُثْمَانا
He faced the towering citadel, and it tore away
A rod that repeated death for him
his soul, foul in both spirit and body.
Did not give him respite like Moses' serpent found
لمَّاwhen رَأَتْهُthey saw him المَناياthe Fates مَعْدَماًdevoid of شيَماًvirtues
لمَّا رَأَتْهُ المَنايا مَعْدَماً شيَماً
كَسَتْهُthey clothed him مِنْfrom دَمِهِhis blood المَطْلُولِshed unavenged عِقْيَاناin gold
كَسَتْهُ مِنْ دَمِهِ المَطْلُولِ عِقْيَانا
When the Fates saw him devoid of virtues,
His downfall on the hand of my father who gave him life
they clothed him in gold from his blood, shed unavenged.
Was a fate whose bond with him was like a raging lion found
حَتَّىeven الجَوَادُthe steed الذِيthat قَدْindeed كانَhad been يَعْصِمُهُprotecting him
حَتَّى الجَوَادُ الذِي قَدْ كانَ يَعْصِمُهُ
أرْداهُcast him down يَقْصِمُهُcrushing him بُغضاًin hatred وإِهْواناand contempt
أرْداهُ يَقْصِمُهُ بُغضاً وإِهْوانا
Even the steed that had once protected him
Routing from his house was destruction upon them
cast him down, crushing him in hatred and contempt.
At the hands of One whose help is like a firm wrist unbound
سَقْياًmay rain water لِعَوْدٍa stick أعادَتْهُthat it turned المَنُونُDeath لهfor him
سَقْياً لِعَوْدٍ أعادَتْهُ المَنُونُ له
عَصَاinto the staff الكَليمof God's interlocutor فَلَمand not يُمْهِلْهُgave him respite ثُعْباناas a serpent
عَصَا الكَليم فَلَم يُمْهِلْهُ ثُعْبانا
May rain water the stick that Death turned for him into
High did he and his son amongst them become
the staff of God's interlocutor—a serpent giving him no respite!
Aspiring through attaining vengeance to rule crowned
وَلاand do not تَعُدَّdeem صَعيداًground خَانَهُthat betrayed him زَلَقاًslippery
وَلا تَعُدَّ صَعيداً خَانَهُ زَلَقاً
وافٍfaithful مِنَfrom المُزْنِthe rainclouds مَهْمَاhowever خانَit betrayed أَوor مانَاlied
وافٍ مِنَ المُزْنِ مَهْمَا خانَ أَو مانَا
Do not deem the ground that betrayed him slippery—
He seized their zeal and took away their fervour
a loyal gift from rainclouds, however it betrays or lies.
A kingdom God refused to protect or let command found
ماbetween بَيْنَbetween مُنَتَقِمٍan avenger مِنْهُupon him وَمُلْتَقِمand a swallower
ما بَيْنَ مُنَتَقِمٍ مِنْهُ وَمُلْتَقِم
لَهُof him أُصيبَhe was struck down حَسيرَweary الطَّرْفِin gaze حَسْراناregretful
لَهُ أُصيبَ حَسيرَ الطَّرْفِ حَسْرانا
Between one avenging itself upon him and one swallowing
Origin and branch, their lifetime covered them in rancour
him, he was struck down, weary-eyed and regretful.
As the winds pound upon the branches and the boughs around
ثُمَّthen اسْتَباحَتْهُthey made him lawful prey وَاسْتَاقَتْand drove off كَرَائِمَهhis prized possessions
ثُمَّ اسْتَباحَتْهُ وَاسْتَاقَتْ كَرَائِمَه
أعْوَانُhelpers صِدْقٍfaithful تَرَىyou see الأَقْدَارَthe decrees of fate أَعْوَاناas helpers
أعْوَانُ صِدْقٍ تَرَى الأَقْدَارَ أَعْوَانا
Then they made him lawful prey and drove off his prized possessions—
I see them driven, their faces visible
faithful helpers; you see the decrees of fate themselves as helpers.
Upon the pages of the wall abject, vile hounds
لاقَىhe met الرَّدَىdestruction بِأبيat the hands of Abu يَحْيَاهُمtheir Yahya فَغَداand became
لاقَى الرَّدَى بِأبي يَحْيَاهُم فَغَدا
لَقىًa discarded corpse وعَهْدِيthough my recollection بِهِof him كالليْثِwas as a lion شَيْحاناfierce
لَقىً وعَهْدِي بِهِ كالليْثِ شَيْحانا
He met destruction at the hands of their Abu Yahya, becoming
Tear them with the son of Abd al-Haqq and rend them
a discarded corpse, though I knew him as a fierce lion.
And before it they were not violated by Ibn Zayan found
والْفلُّand the routed remnant مِنof بَيْتِهِhis household أَوْدىdestroyed البَيَاتُthe night assault بِهِمْthem
والْفلُّ مِن بَيْتِهِ أَوْدى البَيَاتُ بِهِمْ
عَلىat يَدَيْthe hands of أيِّدٍa mighty man كالعَضْبِlike a sharp sword يَقْظَاناwakeful
عَلى يَدَيْ أيِّدٍ كالعَضْبِ يَقْظَانا
The routed remnant of his household perished in a night assault
Foreigners in tongue but their relation
at the hands of a mighty man, wakeful as a sharp sword.
Grows to the noblest of Arabs, Qahtan's renown
سَمَاhe rose لَهُagainst him وابْنُهُand his son فِيهِمْamong them يَحُضّهُمُurged them on
سَمَا لَهُ وابْنُهُ فِيهِمْ يَحُضّهُمُ
سُمُوَّwith the rising of مُغْرىًone obsessed بِنَيْلِwith obtaining الثَّأرِrevenge هَيْمَاناfrantic
سُمُوَّ مُغْرىً بِنَيْلِ الثَّأرِ هَيْمَانا
He rose against him, his son among them urging them on,
Their steeds' saddles are homelands for them, sufficing is
rising like one obsessed and frantic for revenge.
The glory of the settled steeds' saddles as home ground
فاحْتَزَّthen he severed هَامَهُمُtheir heads وابْتَزَّand stripped حَامَهُمُtheir protector
فاحْتَزَّ هَامَهُمُ وابْتَزَّ حَامَهُمُ
مُلْكاًof a kingdom أبَىrefused اللَّهُGod أَنْthat يُحْمَىbe protected وَسُلْطَاناand dominion
مُلْكاً أبَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يُحْمَى وَسُلْطَانا
He severed their heads and stripped their protector of
They cried for Yahya's obedience and victory answered them
a kingdom and dominion that God refused to protect.
From God secretly and openly help was found
أَصْلاًroot وفَرْعاًand branch طَوَاهُمْswept them away دَهْرُهُمtheir age حَنقاًin wrath
أَصْلاً وفَرْعاً طَوَاهُمْ دَهْرُهُم حَنقاً
كالرِّيحِlike the wind تَقْصِفُsnapping أدْواحاًgreat trees وأَغْصاناand branches
كالرِّيحِ تَقْصِفُ أدْواحاً وأَغْصانا
Root and branch, their age swept them away in wrath,
The winds of death roared from their swords
like wind snapping great trees and branches.
Routing the transgressing Maghribis, whilst they did resound
كَأَنَّنيas though I بِهِمُsee them سُفْعاًblackened وجُوهُهُمtheir faces
كَأَنَّني بِهِمُ سُفْعاً وجُوهُهُم
تَبْدُوappearing عَلىon صَفَحاتِthe surfaces السُّورِof the walls خِيلاناas moles
تَبْدُو عَلى صَفَحاتِ السُّورِ خِيلانا
I seem to see them, their faces blackened,
The Maqil were it not that they acted wisely
showing like moles on the surfaces of the walls.
None would have survived whether young or life-matured crowned
تُخُرِّمُواthey were slain بِابْنِby Ibn عَبْدِAbd الحَقِّal-Haqq واصْطُلِمُواand utterly destroyed
تُخُرِّمُوا بِابْنِ عَبْدِ الحَقِّ واصْطُلِمُوا
وَقَبْلَهاand before that ماindeed اسْتُبِيحُواthey were ravaged بِابْنِby Ibn زَيَّاناZayyan
وَقَبْلَها ما اسْتُبِيحُوا بِابْنِ زَيَّانا
They were slain by Ibn Abd al-Haqq and utterly destroyed;
God's prey are the Zanatiyeen, thought as lions
earlier, they had been ravaged by Ibn Zayyan.
When amongst peers they prey, forefronts are renowned
أعَاجِمٌforeign أَلسُناًin tongues لَكِنْbut مَنَاسِبُهُمtheir lineages
أعَاجِمٌ أَلسُناً لَكِنْ مَنَاسِبُهُم
تُنْمَىare traced إِلىto العَرَبِthe Arabs العَرْباءِpure قَحْطَاناQahtan
تُنْمَى إِلى العَرَبِ العَرْباءِ قَحْطَانا
Foreign in tongue, yet their lineages
His grandfather gave them positions of kingship
are traced to the pure Arabs, to Qahtan.
In service of the Al-Hafsi Imam, Abd disciples found
مُتُونُthe backs خَيْلِهِمُof their horses أوْطَانُهُمare their homelands وَكَفَىand sufficient
مُتُونُ خَيْلِهِمُ أوْطَانُهُم وَكَفَى
عِزّاًas honor بِثاوِيfor one dwelling on مُتُونِthe backs الخَيْلِof horses أَوْطَاناas homelands
عِزّاً بِثاوِي مُتُونِ الخَيْلِ أَوْطَانا
Their horses' backs are their homelands; enough
They were falcons that swooped down upon cowards
honor lies in making the backs of horses one's homeland.
And oft in war eagles screamed as they raced around
نَادَوْاthey proclaimed بِطَاعَةِobedience to يَحْيَىYahya فَاسْتَجَابَand answered لَهُمْthem
نَادَوْا بِطَاعَةِ يَحْيَى فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ
نَصْرٌvictory مِنَfrom اللَّهِGod إِسْرَاراًin secret وإِعْلاناand openly
نَصْرٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ إِسْرَاراً وإِعْلانا
They proclaimed obedience to Yahya, and there answered them
Soon did the unbelievers surrender and their spoils
victory from God, in secret and openly.
Were shared for the present, complete, among all to be found
سَافَتْscented رِيَاحُthe winds المَنَايَاof death مِنْfrom سُيُوفِهِمُtheir swords
سَافَتْ رِيَاحُ المَنَايَا مِنْ سُيُوفِهِمُ
سُفْيانَSufyan فَانْهَزَمَتْand it was routed يَاoh وَيْحَalas for سُفْياناSufyan
سُفْيانَ فَانْهَزَمَتْ يَا وَيْحَ سُفْيانا
From their swords the winds of death scented
Spreading death east and west in raids, not
Sufyan, and it was routed—alas for Sufyan!
Sparing the Most Sacred Sanctuary, honour bound
والمَعْقِلِيُّونَand the Ma'qilis لَولاhad not أنَّهُمْthey عَقَلُواunderstood
والمَعْقِلِيُّونَ لَولا أنَّهُمْ عَقَلُوا
نَجَاءهمtheir escape مَاnot نَجَوْاthey would have survived شِيباًold men وشُبَّاناand young men
نَجَاءهم مَا نَجَوْا شِيباً وشُبَّانا
The Ma'qilis, had they not understood
Showing to the captive abjection and obedience found
how to escape, would not have survived, old or young.
There what was unrightfully placed in his treasuries
للَّهِGod be praised for صيدٌproud lords زنَاتِيُّونَZanatis تَحْسَبُهُمyou deem them
للَّهِ صيدٌ زنَاتِيُّونَ تَحْسَبُهُم
أُسْداًlions إِذاwhen افْتَرَسُواthey prey upon الأَقْرَانtheir rivals سِيدَاناwolves
أُسْداً إِذا افْتَرَسُوا الأَقْرَان سِيدَانا
God be praised for those proud Zanatis! You would deem them
The heir to statehood possesses and holds in his surround
lions when they prey upon their rivals, wolves.
The Caliph Umar ibn Al-Farooq's precedence to it
أَحلَّهُمْraised them to رُتَبَthe ranks الأَمْلاكِof kings جَدُّهُمُtheir good fortune
أَحلَّهُمْ رُتَبَ الأَمْلاكِ جَدُّهُمُ
فيin خِدْمةِthe service القائِمِof the Qa'im الحَفْصِيِّthe Hafsid عُبْداناas servants
في خِدْمةِ القائِمِ الحَفْصِيِّ عُبْدانا
Their good fortune raised them to the ranks of kings,
To the Mushaf of Two Lights' Uthman is sound
as servants in the service of the Hafsid Qa'im.
O you whose separation is just, clearly without doubt
صالُواthey attacked صُقوراًlike falcons بِخِزَّازٍat Khizzaz جَثَتْwhich crouched فرقاًin fear
صالُوا صُقوراً بِخِزَّازٍ جَثَتْ فرقاً
وَطَالَماand long صَرْصَرَتْit shrieked فيin الحَرْبِwar عِقْباناlike eagles
وَطَالَما صَرْصَرَتْ في الحَرْبِ عِقْبانا
Like falcons they fell upon Khizzaz, which crouched in fear,
You have maintained through it, undoubtedly, those faithful found
after long shrieking in battle like eagles.
Though the two matters to them may seem similar
سُرْعانَquickly مَاindeed أَسْلَمَsurrendered الكُفَّارُthe unbelievers فَاقْتُسِمَتْand were divided
سُرْعانَ مَا أَسْلَمَ الكُفَّارُ فَاقْتُسِمَتْ
حُمُولُthe pack animals حامِلِهِمْof their bearer لِلْحَيْنِto doom سُمَّاناfat
حُمُولُ حامِلِهِمْ لِلْحَيْنِ سُمَّانا
The unbelievers quickly surrendered; then were divided
The elucidator of this opening sets difference renowned
the fat pack animals of him who had carried them to doom.
Doves have flown alarming from the transgressing Maghribis
عَلىagainst الأَقاصِيdistant peoples مُغِيراًraiding عَمَّwas widespread مَصْرَعُهُhis downfall
عَلى الأَقاصِي مُغِيراً عَمَّ مَصْرَعُهُ
هَلاwhy not علَىfor الحرَمِthe protected women الأَدْنَيْنَthe nearest غَيْراناjealously protective
هَلا علَى الحرَمِ الأَدْنَيْنَ غَيْرانا
As he raided distant peoples, his downfall spread everywhere;
To Egypt and Baghdad tidings spread have been found
why not jealously protect his nearest women?
How much you strove that they set right but they refused
هَذِيthese بَنَاتُare the daughters أَبِيهِof his father فِيamong ظَعائِنِهِhis women in litters
هَذِي بَنَاتُ أَبِيهِ فِي ظَعائِنِهِ
يُبْدِينَshowing لِلسَّبيat captivity إجْهاشاًbursting into tears وإِذْعَاناand submission
يُبْدِينَ لِلسَّبي إجْهاشاً وإِذْعَانا
These are his father's daughters among his women in litters,
And disobeyed you flagrantly defiance renowned
breaking into sobs and submitting to captivity.
Profit through them in trade not undertaken
وَذاكَand that ماis what أُودِعَتْwere filled غَصْباًby force خَزَائِنُهُhis treasuries
وَذاكَ ما أُودِعَتْ غَصْباً خَزَائِنُهُ
يَحُوزُهُtakes it وارِثthe heir الدَّولاتِto dynasties قُنْيَاناas property
يَحُوزُهُ وارِث الدَّولاتِ قُنْيَانا
And there is what his treasuries held by force:
With what aroused calamity loss profound
the heir to dynasties takes it as his property.
O Caliph of God, support the religion with blood
إنَّindeed الإمَامَthe Imam ابْنَson of فَاروقِthe Faruq الهُدىof guidance عُمَرٍUmar
إنَّ الإمَامَ ابْنَ فَاروقِ الهُدى عُمَرٍ
أولىhas a better claim بِمُصْحَفِto the codex ذِيof the possessor of النُّورَيْنِthe two lights عُثْماناUthman
أولى بِمُصْحَفِ ذِي النُّورَيْنِ عُثْمانا
Indeed the Imam, son of guidance's Faruq, Umar,
As long as the horizons rose suns and comets crowned
has the better claim to the codex of Uthman, possessor of the two lights.
Turn to the returning group with kindliness
يَاO قَاصِلاًone severing فَاصِلاًone deciding بِالْحَقِّby truth لاno رِيباًdoubt
يَا قَاصِلاً فَاصِلاً بِالْحَقِّ لا رِيباً
أبْقَيْتَyou left فيهاin it وَلاand no رَيبْاًdoubt لِمَنْfor whoever دَاناsubmitted
أبْقَيْتَ فيها وَلا رَيبْاً لِمَنْ دَانا
O you who sever and decide by truth, no doubt
Safely with rightness and faith again homeward bound
have you left in it, nor any doubt for those who submit.
Pull your reins away from Marrakesh in confidence
ورُبَّمَاand sometimes أُشْبِهَappeared alike الأَمْرانِthe two matters عِنْدَهُمُto them
ورُبَّمَا أُشْبِهَ الأَمْرانِ عِنْدَهُمُ
فَلاحَand shone وَضَّاحُthe radiance هَذَاof this الفَتْحِconquest فُرْقاناas a distinction
فَلاحَ وَضَّاحُ هَذَا الفَتْحِ فُرْقانا
The two matters sometimes appeared alike to them;
Of success therein to Egypt and Baghdad turn around
the radiance of this conquest shone as a distinction.
Not for nought the family of Job and the relics tell
طارَتْflew حَماماًlike doves بِهِwith it الرُّكْبانُthe riders ناعِيَةًannouncing deaths
طارَتْ حَماماً بِهِ الرُّكْبانُ ناعِيَةً
مِنَamong المَغَارِبَةِthe Maghribis البَاغِينَrebellious غِرْباناravens
مِنَ المَغَارِبَةِ البَاغِينَ غِرْبانا
The riders flew like doves with its news, announcing the deaths
Of Jacob's lineage their might and means are found
of ravens among the rebellious Maghribis.
Theirs is precedence in their might though you have plucked them
وَكَمْand how often حَرَصْتَyou eagerly sought بِهِمْfrom them أنْthat يُصْلِحواthey reform فَأَبَوْاbut they refused
وَكَمْ حَرَصْتَ بِهِمْ أنْ يُصْلِحوا فَأَبَوْا
وَأنْand that يُطِيعُواthey obey فَلَجُّواbut they persisted فيكَagainst you عِصْياناin disobedience
وَأنْ يُطِيعُوا فَلَجُّوا فيكَ عِصْيانا
How eagerly you sought their reform, but they refused,
Slaying and deposing them their thrones to the ground
and their obedience, but they persisted in disobeying you.
With force and strategy forever the enemies
أرْبِحْhow profitable بِهِمْwith them صَفْقَةًa bargain لَمnot يَعْدُwent beyond مُؤْثِرُهاits chooser
أرْبِحْ بِهِمْ صَفْقَةً لَم يَعْدُ مُؤْثِرُها
بِمَاthrough what اسْتَثَارَhe stirred up مِنَof الهَيْجَاءِwarfare خُسْرَاناloss
بِمَا اسْتَثَارَ مِنَ الهَيْجَاءِ خُسْرَانا
How profitable a bargain they are! The man who chose it
Are compelled to annihilate them rabble, outcasts found
gained only loss from the warfare he stirred up.
God suffices you, not the fleet Persian steeds
خَلِيفَةَO Caliph اللَّهِof God دُمْremain للدِّينfor religion تَنْصُرُهُsupporting it
خَلِيفَةَ اللَّهِ دُمْ للدِّين تَنْصُرُهُ
ماas long as أطْلَعَbrings forth الأُفْقُthe horizon أَقْماراًmoons وَشُهْباناand shooting stars
ما أطْلَعَ الأُفْقُ أَقْماراً وَشُهْبانا
O God's Caliph, remain religion's champion
Swooping with the winds, nor the gallant riders renowned
as long as the horizon brings forth moons and shooting stars.
You have become, wronging the nights, not demanding
واعْطِفْand show kindness عَلىto فِئَةٍa group فاءَتْthat returned مُؤَبِّلَةًmaking provision for
واعْطِفْ عَلى فِئَةٍ فاءَتْ مُؤَبِّلَةً
أَمْناًsecurity بِماthrough what رَجَعَتْit returned to رُشْداًright guidance وَإِيماناand faith
أَمْناً بِما رَجَعَتْ رُشْداً وَإِيمانا
And show kindness to a group that has returned, making provision for
Erasing their harm with justice and favour bound
security through its return to right guidance and faith.
You walked the path of truth amongst us, ways not
وَاصْرِفْand turn عِنانَكَyour reins عَنaway from مَرَّاكشMarrakech ثِقَةًconfidently
وَاصْرِفْ عِنانَكَ عَن مَرَّاكش ثِقَةً
بِالنُّجْحِin success فيهاthere إِلىtoward مِصْرٍEgypt وبَغْداناand Baghdad
بِالنُّجْحِ فيها إِلى مِصْرٍ وبَغْدانا
Turn your reins away from Marrakech, confident
Counted by any enemy who power has found
of success there, toward Egypt and Baghdad.
My knowledge of the House of Abu Hafs informs me
ماnot آلُthe house of أيُّوبَAyyub والآثارُand the evidence ناطِقَةٌspeaks
ما آلُ أيُّوبَ والآثارُ ناطِقَةٌ
مِنْlike آلِthe house of يَعْقوبَYa'qub إقْدَاماًin boldness وَإِمْكاناand power
مِنْ آلِ يَعْقوبَ إقْدَاماً وَإِمْكانا
The house of Ayyub—the evidence speaks—is not
In praise of the House of Ibn Hussein high renown
like the house of Ya'qub in boldness and power.
Sincerity of my love for them, not unhappiness to silence it
لهَؤُلاءِthese have عَلَيْهِمover them فَضْلُthe advantage بَأسِهِمُof their might
لهَؤُلاءِ عَلَيْهِم فَضْلُ بَأسِهِمُ
وَقَدand indeed قَرَضْتَهُمْyou cut them down قَتْلاًby killing وخِلْعاناand deposing
وَقَد قَرَضْتَهُمْ قَتْلاً وخِلْعانا
These surpass those in their martial strength,
Among them, even if estrangement followed estrangement found
yet you have cut them down, killing and deposing them.
Perhaps intercession of the heir apparent will grant me
بالأَيْدِwith strength والكَيْدِand strategy تَضْطَرُّyou force العِدىthe enemies أَبَداًforever
بالأَيْدِ والكَيْدِ تَضْطَرُّ العِدى أَبَداً
إلَىtoward إبادَتِهِمْtheir annihilation سُحْماًblack men وغُزَّاناand Ghuzz
إلَى إبادَتِهِمْ سُحْماً وغُزَّانا
With strength and strategy you forever force your enemies
To regain from favour what separates, makes distant, renowned
toward their annihilation, black men and Ghuzz alike.
They are the nucleus of honour whose number
واللَّهُand God حَسْبُكَsuffices you لاnot الأَفْرَاسُthe horses عادِيَةًcharging
واللَّهُ حَسْبُكَ لا الأَفْرَاسُ عادِيَةً
بالرِّيحِwith the wind ضَبْحاًpanting ولاnor الفُرْسَانُthe horsemen شُجْعاناbrave
بالرِّيحِ ضَبْحاً ولا الفُرْسَانُ شُجْعانا
God suffices you—not horses charging
Has surpassed the seduced, enchantments abound
with the wind, panting, nor courageous horsemen.
He is the blessed among them, auspiciousness and gleam
وَصرْتَand you turned aside جَوْرَthe injustice الليالِيof the nights غَيْرَnot مُتَّئِدٍdelaying
وَصرْتَ جَوْرَ الليالِي غَيْرَ مُتَّئِدٍ
تَمْحُوerasing إساءَتَهَاtheir wrong عَدْلاًwith justice وإِحْسَاناand kindness
تَمْحُو إساءَتَهَا عَدْلاً وإِحْسَانا
You turned aside the injustice of the nights without delay,
And conduct towards subjects most gentle hands unbound
effacing their wrong with justice and kindness.
I have well-wishing messengers of my words for them
وَسرْتَand you walked بالحَقِّwith truth فِيناamong us سالِكاًfollowing سنَناًa course
وَسرْتَ بالحَقِّ فِينا سالِكاً سنَناً
لَمnot يَعْدُهُdeparted from it مِنْfrom عَدِيّAdi منْthe one who تَوَلاناgoverned us
لَم يَعْدُهُ مِنْ عَدِيّ منْ تَوَلانا
You walked among us with truth, following a course
Whom no censure of the path nor travellers surround
that the man of Adi who governed us never left.
A prayer You see though not the pride of artifice
عِلْمِيmy knowledge بِآلِof the house of أبِيAbu حَفْصٍHafs يُعَلِّمُنِيteaches me
عِلْمِي بِآلِ أبِي حَفْصٍ يُعَلِّمُنِي
مَدائِحَthe praises ابْنof Ibn حُسَيْنٍHusayn آلِof the house of حَمْدَاناHamdan
مَدائِحَ ابْن حُسَيْنٍ آلِ حَمْدَانا
My knowledge of the house of Abu Hafs teaches me
As the bouquet its perfumer Al-Busiti compounds
Ibn Husayn's praises of the house of Hamdan.
Poetry refuses me but adornment I confer on it
وَصِدْقُand the truth حُبِّيَof my love لاno سُلْوانَforgetting يُكْذِبُهُbelies it
وَصِدْقُ حُبِّيَ لا سُلْوانَ يُكْذِبُهُ
فِيهِمْfor them وَإِنْeven if أَتْبَعَfollowed الهِجْرانُestrangement هِجْرَاناestrangement
فِيهِمْ وَإِنْ أَتْبَعَ الهِجْرانُ هِجْرَانا
My love for them is true, belied by no forgetting,
Ninety verses I read in reading
even though estrangement has followed estrangement.
When need for generosity knocked upon my threshold found
عَسَىperhaps وعَلَّand hopefully وَلِيَّthe heir العَهْدِto the succession يَشْفَعُwill intercede لِيfor me
عَسَى وعَلَّ وَلِيَّ العَهْدِ يَشْفَعُ لِي
فَأَسْتَعِيدَso I may recover مِنof التَّقْريبِfavor ماwhat بَاناdeparted
فَأَسْتَعِيدَ مِن التَّقْريبِ ما بَانا
Perhaps, hopefully, the heir apparent will intercede for me,
I swore I would declaim them, not create while I remain
and I shall recover the favor that has departed.
If oath-breaking does not sully them, treachery renowned
هُمْthey دَوْحَةُare the great tree الشَّرَفِof nobility العِدِّinexhaustible التِيwhich جَعَلَتhas begun
هُمْ دَوْحَةُ الشَّرَفِ العِدِّ التِي جَعَلَت
تَطُولُto reach beyond عَنbeyond طُولِهَاits stature المُفْتَنِّrichly branching أَفْنَاناin branches
تَطُولُ عَن طُولِهَا المُفْتَنِّ أَفْنَانا
They are the great tree of inexhaustible nobility, which has begun
I will not be pleased in composition praising
to reach in its branches beyond its richly branching stature.
Rather I seek intensity and exertion compound
وَهْوَand he المُبَارَكُis the blessed one مِنْهُمُamong them غُرَّةًin brilliance وَسَنىًand radiance
وَهْوَ المُبَارَكُ مِنْهُمُ غُرَّةً وَسَنىً
وَسِيرَةًand conduct فِيamong رعايَاهُhis subjects وآسَاناand he comforted us
وَسِيرَةً فِي رعايَاهُ وآسَانا
He is the blessed one among them, in brilliance and radiance,
If I am munificent, their good fortune never ceased
and in his conduct among his subjects; he has comforted us.
To bestow, guide to enlightenment, wisdom to expound
لَهُمْfor them أواصِلُI keep offering بالتَّعْبيرِthrough expression مِنfrom كَلِمِيmy words
لَهُمْ أواصِلُ بالتَّعْبيرِ مِن كَلِمِي
ماwhat لاnot يُقَاطِعُdeserts أَسْمَاراًnight conversations وَرُكْباناand riders
ما لا يُقَاطِعُ أَسْمَاراً وَرُكْبانا
For them I keep expressing, through my words,
If I fall short no blame belongs to one who strives
what never deserts night conversations or riders.
The steed stumbles when the course is stretched long on the ground
بِدْعاًnovelties يَراهاhe sees them وَلاand no فَخْرَboasting البَدِيعal-Badi' كَماjust as
بِدْعاً يَراها وَلا فَخْرَ البَدِيع كَما
يَرودُhe roams مُهْرَقَهاtheir parchment البُسْتِيُّal-Busti بُسْتَاناas a garden
يَرودُ مُهْرَقَها البُسْتِيُّ بُسْتَانا
Marvels al-Badi' would recognize—no boast—just as
Congratulations, congratulations O King of Kings for it
al-Busti would roam their parchment as a garden.
Opening of openings, and glad tidings to be found
أَبَىallowed not لِيَto me الشِّعْرُpoetry إِلاexcept ماwhat أُنَمِّقُهُI embellish
أَبَى لِيَ الشِّعْرُ إِلا ما أُنَمِّقُهُ
فَهاكَso take فيin آبAugust مِنهاfrom them زَهْرَthe flowers نِيسَاناof April
فَهاكَ في آب مِنها زَهْرَ نِيسَانا
Poetry allows me nothing but what I embellish;
By God, the discerning in insight are in doubt
so take from them, in August, the flowers of April.
Of its title page being the Book of Success crowned
تِسعونَninety بَيْتاًcouplets قِراهاtheir guest fare فيin قِرَاءَتِهاtheir reading
تِسعونَ بَيْتاً قِراها في قِرَاءَتِها
لَمَّاwhen أَلَمَّتْthey arrived بِبَابِat the door of الجُودِgenerosity ضِيفَاناas guests
لَمَّا أَلَمَّتْ بِبَابِ الجُودِ ضِيفَانا
Ninety couplets, whose welcome lies in their reading,
Joy has adorned its dedication appearing
now that they have come as guests to generosity's door.
Brilliant, dazzling minds and thoughts abound
أقْسَمْتُI swore أُنْشِدُهاto recite them ماas long as ظِلْتُI kept أُنْشِئُهاcomposing them
أقْسَمْتُ أُنْشِدُها ما ظِلْتُ أُنْشِئُها
إِنif لَمnot يُحَنِّثْنcauses forswearing فيهاin them الحِنْثُperjury أيْمَاناoaths
إِن لَم يُحَنِّثْن فيها الحِنْثُ أيْمَانا
I vowed to recite them as long as I kept composing them,
Fate chose it, glad tidings in its secrets
if perjury does not break the oaths sworn in them.
Donning the garb of bliss, adorned and renowned
لاnot أرْتَضِيI accept القَصْدَmoderation فيin التَّقْصيدِcomposing odes مُمْتَدِحاًas a panegyrist
لا أرْتَضِي القَصْدَ في التَّقْصيدِ مُمْتَدِحاً
بَلْrather أقْتَضِيI demand القَصَّthe telling إسْرَافاًextravagance وَإِمْعَاناand thoroughness
بَلْ أقْتَضِي القَصَّ إسْرَافاً وَإِمْعَانا
I do not accept restraint in composing odes of praise;
Your Master, supporter of a Sultan who protected you
rather, I demand extravagance and thoroughness in the telling.
While you are our supporter in truth and loyalty bound
فَإِنْso if أُجَوِّدْI excel فَمَاthen always زَالَتْhas remained سَعَادَتُهُمtheir good fortune
فَإِنْ أُجَوِّدْ فَمَا زَالَتْ سَعَادَتُهُم
تَهْدِيguiding وَتُهْدِيand bestowing إِلىupon ذِيone possessed of العِيِّinarticulacy تِبْيانَاclarity
تَهْدِي وَتُهْدِي إِلى ذِي العِيِّ تِبْيانَا
If I excel, their good fortune has always
guided and gifted clarity to the tongue-tied.
وَإنْand if أُقَصِّرْI fall short فَلاthen no ذَنْبٌblame لِمُجْتَهدٍfor one striving
وَإنْ أُقَصِّرْ فَلا ذَنْبٌ لِمُجْتَهدٍ
يَكْبُوstumbles الجَوَادُthe noble steed إِذاwhen مَاindeed طَالَgrows long مَيْدَاناin its course
يَكْبُو الجَوَادُ إِذا مَا طَالَ مَيْدَانا
If I fall short, no blame attaches to one who strives:
the noble steed stumbles when its course grows long.
بُشْرَاكَglad tidings to you بُشْرَاكَglad tidings to you ياO مَلْكَking المُلُوكِof kings بِهِthrough it
بُشْرَاكَ بُشْرَاكَ يا مَلْكَ المُلُوكِ بِهِ
فَتْحthe conquest الفُتُوحِof conquests وَبُشرَانَاand our glad tidings وبُشْرَانَاand our glad tidings
فَتْح الفُتُوحِ وَبُشرَانَا وبُشْرَانَا
Glad tidings, glad tidings, O king of kings, through this—
the conquest of conquests—our glad tidings, our glad tidings!
تاللَّهِby God يَرْتَابُdoubt أرْبَابُthe possessors البَصَائِرِof insight فِيabout
تاللَّهِ يَرْتَابُ أرْبَابُ البَصَائِرِ فِي
سُفُورِهِits unveiling لكتَابِfor the book النُّجْحِof success عُنْوانَاas a title
سُفُورِهِ لكتَابِ النُّجْحِ عُنْوانَا
By God, do those with insight doubt
its unveiling as the title of the book of success?
تَأَنَّقَlavished artistry السَّعْدُgood fortune فيon إِهْدائِهِgiving it فَبَدَتْand appeared
تَأَنَّقَ السَّعْدُ في إِهْدائِهِ فَبَدَتْ
حُلاهُits adornments تبْهرُdazzling أَلْبَاباًintellects وأَذهانَاand minds
حُلاهُ تبْهرُ أَلْبَاباً وأَذهانَا
Fortune fashioned its gift exquisitely, and there appeared
its adornments, dazzling intellects and minds.
واخْتَارَهُand chose it الدَّهْرُTime بِشْراًas gladness فيon أسِرَّتِهِits brow
واخْتَارَهُ الدَّهْرُ بِشْراً في أسِرَّتِهِ
فَاخْتَالَand strutted فيin حُلَلِrobes السَّرّاءِof joy مُزْدَاناadorned
فَاخْتَالَ في حُلَلِ السَّرّاءِ مُزْدَانا
Time chose it as gladness upon its brow,
and strutted, adorned in robes of joy.
مَوْلاكَyour Lord ناصِرُhelper of سُلْطَانٍsovereign power حَمَاكَprotected you بِهِthrough it
مَوْلاكَ ناصِرُ سُلْطَانٍ حَمَاكَ بِهِ
وَأَنْتَand you نَاصِرُناare our helper حَقّاًtruly وَمَوْلاناand our patron
وَأَنْتَ نَاصِرُنا حَقّاً وَمَوْلانا
Your Lord, the helper of sovereign power, protected you through it;
and you are truly our helper and our patron.
Partial English translation: 166 of 180 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1