ماnot علىupon القَلْبِthe heart بعْدكُمْafter you منْany جُناحِblame
ما على القَلْبِ بعْدكُمْ منْ جُناحِ
أنْthat يُرىit is seen طائِراًflying بغيْرِwithout جَناحِa wing
أنْ يُرى طائِراً بغيْرِ جَناحِ
After you, no blame falls upon the heart
if it is seen flying without a wing;
وعلَىand upon الشّوْقِlonging أنْthat يَشُبَّit blazes إذاwhen هَبْ(start of 'blows')
وعلَى الشّوْقِ أنْ يَشُبَّ إذا هَبْ
بَ(completes 'blows') بأنْفاسِكُمwith your breath نسيمُbreeze الصّباحِmorning
بَ بأنْفاسِكُم نسيمُ الصّباحِ
nor upon longing for flaring whenever there blows
the morning breeze carrying your breath.
جِيرَةَO neighbors of الحَيِّthe encampment والحَديثُand talk شُجونٌbranching threads
جِيرَةَ الحَيِّ والحَديثُ شُجونٌ
واللّياليand the nights تَلينُgrow gentle بعْدَafter الجِماحِunruliness
واللّيالي تَلينُ بعْدَ الجِماحِ
O neighbors of the encampment—talk has many tangled threads—
and nights grow gentle after their unruliness.
أتَرَوْنَdo you think السّلُوَّforgetfulness خامَرَpervaded قَلْبيmy heart
أتَرَوْنَ السّلُوَّ خامَرَ قَلْبي
بعْدَكُمْafter you لاno وفالِقِand by the Cleaver of الإصْباحِdawn
بعْدَكُمْ لا وفالِقِ الإصْباحِ
Do you think forgetfulness has entered my heart
after you? No, by Him who cleaves the dawn!
ولَوand if انّيthat I أُعْطيam granted اقْتِراحيmy choice علَىover الأيْ(start of 'the days')
ولَو انّي أُعْطي اقْتِراحي علَى الأيْ
يامِ(completes 'the days') ماnot كانَwas بُعْدُكُمْyour absence باقْتِراحيby my choice
يامِ ما كانَ بُعْدُكُمْ باقْتِراحي
Had I been granted my choice concerning
the days, your absence would never have been my choice.
ضايَقَتْنيoppressed me فيكُمْconcerning you صُروفvicissitudes of اللّياليthe nights
ضايَقَتْني فيكُمْ صُروف اللّيالي
واسْتَدارَتْand encircled عليَّaround me دَوْرَthe circling of الوِشاحِa sash
واسْتَدارَتْ عليَّ دَوْرَ الوِشاحِ
The vicissitudes of nights oppressed me concerning you
and encircled me like a sash.
وسقَتْنيand gave me to drink كأسَthe cup of الفِراقِseparation دِهاقاbrimming
وسقَتْني كأسَ الفِراقِ دِهاقا
فيin اغْتِباقٍevening drinking مُواصَلٍjoined باصْطِباحِto morning drinking
في اغْتِباقٍ مُواصَلٍ باصْطِباحِ
They gave me the brimming cup of separation
in evening drinking joined to morning drinking.
واسْتَباحَتْand violated منْfrom جِدّتيmy freshness وفَتائِيand my youth
واسْتَباحَتْ منْ جِدّتي وفَتائِي
حُرُماًsanctuaries لمْnot أخَلْهُI deemed it بالمُسْتَباحِas something violable
حُرُماً لمْ أخَلْهُ بالمُسْتَباحِ
They violated, in my freshness and youth,
sanctuaries I had never thought open to violation.
قصَفَتْsnapped صَعْدَةَthe spear of انْتِصاريmy triumph وفلّتْand blunted
قصَفَتْ صَعْدَةَ انْتِصاري وفلّتْ
غرْبَthe edge of عَزْميmy resolve المُعَدَّprepared يومَthe day of كِفاحيmy combat
غرْبَ عَزْمي المُعَدَّ يومَ كِفاحي
They snapped the spear of my triumph and blunted
the edge of my resolve, prepared for my day of combat.
لمْnot تَدَعْleft ليfor me منَof السِّلاحِweapons سوَىexcept مِغْ(start of 'helmet')
لمْ تَدَعْ لي منَ السِّلاحِ سوَى مِغْ
فَرِ(completes 'helmet') شَيْبٍgray hair أهْوِنْhow feeble! بهِwith it منْas a سِلاحِweapon
فَرِ شَيْبٍ أهْوِنْ بهِ منْ سِلاحِ
They left me no weapon except
a helmet of gray hair—what a feeble weapon!
عاجَلَتْنيovertook me early بهِwith it وفيand in الوقْتِthe time فَضْلٌroom to spare
عاجَلَتْني بهِ وفي الوقْتِ فَضْلٌ
لاهتِزازيfor my stirring الىtoward الهَوىlove وارتِياحيand my delight
لاهتِزازي الى الهَوى وارتِياحي
They hurried it upon me while time still remained
for my stirring toward love and my delight.
فكأنّso it is as though الشّبابَyouth طَيْفُa phantom of خَيالٍimagination
فكأنّ الشّبابَ طَيْفُ خَيالٍ
أوor وَميضٌa flash خَباwent out عُقَيْبَjust after التِماحِa glimpse
أو وَميضٌ خَبا عُقَيْبَ التِماحِ
Youth seems but a passing phantom
or a flash extinguished just after a glimpse.
ليْلُa night of أُنْسٍcompanionship دَجاgrew dark وأقْصِرْand how brief! بلَيْلٍa night
ليْلُ أُنْسٍ دَجا وأقْصِرْ بلَيْلٍ
جاذَبَتْtugged at بُرْدَهُits mantle يَمينُthe right hand of صَباحِmorning
جاذَبَتْ بُرْدَهُ يَمينُ صَباحِ
A night of companionship grew dark—how brief a night
whose mantle morning's right hand tugged!
صاحِmy friend والوَجْدُand passion مَشْرَبٌa drink والوَرَىand humankind
صاحِ والوَجْدُ مَشْرَبٌ والوَرَى
صِنْفانِtwo kinds منْof مُنْتَشٍan intoxicated one وآخرُand another صَاحيsober
صِنْفانِ منْ مُنْتَشٍ وآخرُ صَاحي
My friend, passion is a drink, and humankind
are two kinds: one intoxicated, another sober.
ياoh تُرىone wonders والنّفوسُand souls أسْرَىcaptives of الأمانِيwishes
يا تُرى والنّفوسُ أسْرَى الأمانِي
ماnot لَهاfor them عنْfrom وَثاقِهاtheir bonds منْany بَراحِescape
ما لَها عنْ وَثاقِها منْ بَراحِ
I wonder—souls are prisoners of wishes,
with no escape from their fetters—
هلْis it يُبحُpermitted الوُرودُreaching the watering-place بعْدَafter دُيادٍbeing driven off (reading uncertain)
هلْ يُبحُ الوُرودُ بعْدَ دُيادٍ
أوor يُتاحُis granted اللِّقاءُmeeting بعْدَafter انتِزاحِestrangement
أو يُتاحُ اللِّقاءُ بعْدَ انتِزاحِ
can the watering-place be reached after being driven off,
or a meeting granted after estrangement?
وإذاand when أعْوَزَwas unavailable to الجُسومَthe bodies التّلاقِيmeeting
وإذا أعْوَزَ الجُسومَ التّلاقِي
نابَstood in عنْهُin its stead تَعارُفُmutual recognition of الأرْواحِthe souls
نابَ عنْهُ تَعارُفُ الأرْواحِ
And when bodily meeting is beyond reach,
the souls' mutual recognition takes its place.
جادَmay it water عهْدَthe days of الهَوىlove منfrom السُّحْبِthe clouds هامٍa pouring one
جادَ عهْدَ الهَوى من السُّحْبِ هامٍ
مُسْتَهِلُّbursting forth with الوَميضِlightning ضافيample in الجَناحِwing
مُسْتَهِلُّ الوَميضِ ضافي الجَناحِ
May a pouring cloud water the days of love,
flashing with lightning, its wing spread wide.
كلّماwhenever أخْضلَdrenched الرّبوعَthe dwelling-places بُكاءٌweeping
كلّما أخْضلَ الرّبوعَ بُكاءٌ
ضحِكَتْlaughed فوْقَهabove it ثُغورُthe mouths of الأقاحيdaisies
ضحِكَتْ فوْقَه ثُغورُ الأقاحي
Whenever weeping drenches the dwelling-places,
the daisies' mouths laugh above it.
عادَنيrevisited me منْfrom تذَكّرِremembrance of العَهْدِthose days عيدٌa festival
عادَني منْ تذَكّرِ العَهْدِ عيدٌ
كانwas منّيat my expense للعَيْنِfor the eye عيدَthe Feast of الأضاحيSacrifices
كان منّي للعَيْنِ عيدَ الأضاحي
A festival revisited me through remembrance of those days;
for my eye, at my expense, it was a Feast of Sacrifice.
سُفِحَتْwas spilled فيهِin it للدّموعُfor the tears دماءٌblood
سُفِحَتْ فيهِ للدّموعُ دماءٌ
فهْيَso it is فوقَover الخُدودِthe cheeks ذاتُpossessed of انْسِياحِfree flowing
فهْيَ فوقَ الخُدودِ ذاتُ انْسِياحِ
In it, the tears' blood was spilled,
and it streams freely over the cheeks.
ورِكابٍand a mounted caravan سَرَوْاtraveled by night وقدand already سَمَلcloaked اللّي(start of 'the night')
ورِكابٍ سَرَوْا وقد سَمَل اللّي
لُ(completes 'the night') بمِسْحِin sackcloth of الدُّجىdarkness جَميعَall النّواحيthe quarters
لُ بمِسْحِ الدُّجى جَميعَ النّواحي
And a mounted caravan traveling by night, while
night cloaked every quarter in darkness's sackcloth.
وكأنّand as though الظّلامَdarkness عسْكَرُan army of زَنْجٍZanj (Black Africans)
وكأنّ الظّلامَ عسْكَرُ زَنْجٍ
ونُجومَand the stars of الدُجىdarkness نُصولُthe heads of الرِّماحِspears
ونُجومَ الدُجى نُصولُ الرِّماحِ
As though darkness were an army of the Zanj,
and the stars of darkness were spearheads.
حمَلَتْcarried منْهُمُof them ظُهورَthe backs of المَطاياthe mounts
حمَلَتْ منْهُمُ ظُهورَ المَطايا
أيَّwhat جِدٍّearnestness بَحْتٍpure وعزْمٍand resolve صُراحِunalloyed
أيَّ جِدٍّ بَحْتٍ وعزْمٍ صُراحِ
The mounts' backs bore, in those riders,
what pure earnestness and unalloyed resolve!
ستَرَواthey concealed الوَجْدَpassion وهْوَand it is نارٌfire وكانَand was السْ(start of 'the concealment')
ستَرَوا الوَجْدَ وهْوَ نارٌ وكانَ السْ
ستْرُconcealment (continued) يُجْديwould help لولاbut for هُبوبُthe blowing of الرِّياحِwinds
ستْرُ يُجْدي لولا هُبوبُ الرِّياحِ
They concealed their passion, though it was fire; and
concealment would have helped, but for the blowing winds.
خلّفونيthey left me behind منْfrom بَعْدِهِمْafter them ناكِسَlowering الطّرْ(start of 'the gaze')
خلّفوني منْ بَعْدِهِمْ ناكِسَ الطّرْ
فِ(completes 'the gaze') ثَقيلَheavy in الخُطىsteps مَهيضاًbroken جَناحيmy wing
فِ ثَقيلَ الخُطى مَهيضاً جَناحي
They left me behind them with lowered gaze,
heavy of step, my wing broken.
وحَدَوْهاand urged them on with song مثْلَlike القِسيّbows ضُموراًin leanness
وحَدَوْها مثْلَ القِسيّ ضُموراً
قدْalready بَرَتْwhittled منْهُمُfrom them سِهامَarrows قِداحِarrow-shafts
قدْ بَرَتْ منْهُمُ سِهامَ قِداحِ
They drove them on with song, lean as bows,
which had whittled their riders into arrow-shafts.
وطَوَوْاand they traversed طَوْعَin obedience to لاعِجthe burning fire of الشّوْقِyearning والوَجْ(start of 'and passion')
وطَوَوْا طَوْعَ لاعِج الشّوْقِ والوَجْ
دِ(completes 'and passion') الىtoward الأبْطَحيِّthe Abtahi غُبْرَdusty البِطاحِvalleys
دِ الى الأبْطَحيِّ غُبْرَ البِطاحِ
They crossed, obeying the burning fire of yearning and
passion, dusty valleys toward the Abtahi:
مُصطَفىthe chosen one of الكونِcreation منfrom ظُهورِthe loins of النّبيي(start of 'the prophets')
مُصطَفى الكونِ من ظُهورِ النّبيي
نَ(completes 'the prophets') هُداةِguides of الأنامِhumankind سُبْلِpaths of الفَلاحِsalvation
نَ هُداةِ الأنامِ سُبْلِ الفَلاحِ
creation's chosen one, from the loins of prophets,
guides of humankind along the paths of salvation.
حُجّةُthe proof of اللهِGod حكمةُthe wisdom of اللهِGod نُورُthe light of ال(start of 'God')
حُجّةُ اللهِ حكمةُ اللهِ نُورُ ال
لَّهِ(completes 'God') فيin كلِّevery غايَةٍending وافْتِتاحand beginning
لَّهِ في كلِّ غايَةٍ وافْتِتاح
God's proof, God's wisdom, the light of
God at every end and beginning;
حاشِرُgatherer of الخُلْقِcreation عاقِبُlast successor of الرُّسْلَthe messengers والand the
حاشِرُ الخُلْقِ عاقِبُ الرُّسْلَ وال
مُثْبِتُconfirmer باللهِthrough God بَعْدَهُمafter them والماحيand the effacer
مُثْبِتُ باللهِ بَعْدَهُم والماحي
gatherer of creation, last successor of the messengers, and
the confirmer through God after them, and the effacer;
صاحِبُpossessor of المُعجِزاتِmiracles لاnot يتَمادىpersists obstinately الthe
صاحِبُ المُعجِزاتِ لا يتَمادى ال
عَقْلُmind فيbefore آيِهاtheir signs الحِسانِbeautiful الصِّحاحِauthentic
عَقْلُ في آيِها الحِسانِ الصِّحاحِ
possessor of miracles; reason cannot remain obstinate
before their beautiful, authentic signs:
منْfrom جَمادٍan inanimate thing يُقِرُّacknowledges أوor قَمَرٍa moon يَنشَق(start of 'splits')
منْ جَمادٍ يُقِرُّ أو قَمَرٍ يَنشَق
قُ(completes 'splits') والماءُand water منْfrom بَنانِthe fingers of الرّاحِthe palm
قُ والماءُ منْ بَنانِ الرّاحِ
from inanimate things acknowledging him, or a moon that splits,
and water from the fingers of his palm.
دعْوَةُthe prayer of الأنْبِياءِthe prophets مُنتظَرُthe awaited one of الكُهّا(start of 'the soothsayers')
دعْوَةُ الأنْبِياءِ مُنتظَرُ الكُهّا
نِ(completes 'the soothsayers') دعْوىthe proclamation of البَشيرِthe herald of glad tidings باسْتِفْتاحwith a plea for victory
نِ دعْوى البَشيرِ باسْتِفْتاح
The prophets' prayer, the one awaited by
soothsayers, the herald's proclamation seeking victory;
مَظْهَرُmanifestation of الوَحْيrevelation مَطْلَعُdawning of الحَقّtruth معْنَىthe meaning of
مَظْهَرُ الوَحْي مَطْلَعُ الحَقّ معْنَى
الخَلْقِcreation فتْحُthe opening of المُهَيْمِنِthe Guardian الفتّاحthe Opener
الخَلْقِ فتْحُ المُهَيْمِنِ الفتّاح
manifestation of revelation, dawn of truth, the meaning of
creation, the opening of the Guardian, the Opener.
أيُّwhat غيْثٍrain منْfrom رحمَةِthe mercy of اللهِGod هامٍpouring
أيُّ غيْثٍ منْ رحمَةِ اللهِ هامٍ
وسِراجٍand a lamp بهَدْيِهِwith his guidance وضّاحِradiant
وسِراجٍ بهَدْيِهِ وضّاحِ
What a pouring rain from God's mercy,
and a lamp radiant with his guidance!
ماwhat الذيthat which يَشْرَحُexpounds امْرُوٌa person فيabout رَسولٍa messenger
ما الذي يَشْرَحُ امْرُوٌ في رَسولٍ
عاجَلَpromptly granted اللهُGod صَدْرَهُhis breast بانشِراحِwith expansion
عاجَلَ اللهُ صَدْرَهُ بانشِراحِ
What can anyone expound about a messenger
whose breast God promptly opened wide?
شقَّهُsplit it open الرّوحُthe Spirit ثمّthen طهّرَpurified منْهُfrom it الthe
شقَّهُ الرّوحُ ثمّ طهّرَ منْهُ ال
قَلْبَheart منْfrom بَعْدُafterward بالبَرودِwith cool water القَراحِpure
قَلْبَ منْ بَعْدُ بالبَرودِ القَراحِ
The Spirit split it open, then purified from within it
the heart, afterward, with cool, pure water.
مَدَحَتْكَpraised you الآياتُthe verses ياO خاتِمَseal of الرُّسْلِthe messengers
مَدَحَتْكَ الآياتُ يا خاتِمَ الرُّسْلِ
فمَنْso who ليfor me منْfrom بعدِهاafter them بامْتِداحِwith praise
فمَنْ لي منْ بعدِها بامْتِداحِ
The verses have praised you, O seal of the messengers;
so who can help me praise you after them?
ولِعَجْزِand because of the inability of النّفوسِsouls عنْto دَرَكِattainment of الحقْ(start of 'the truth')
ولِعَجْزِ النّفوسِ عنْ دَرَكِ الحقْ
قِ(completes 'the truth') وإيقافِهاand halting them وُقوفَin a stance of افْتِضاحِexposed shame
قِ وإيقافِها وُقوفَ افْتِضاحِ
Because souls cannot attain the truth
and are halted in a stance of exposed inadequacy,
مثّلَdepicted اللهُGod نورَهُHis light فيin المَثانيthe oft-repeated verses
مثّلَ اللهُ نورَهُ في المَثاني
بمِثالِthrough the image of المِشْكاةِthe niche والمِصْباحِand the lamp
بمِثالِ المِشْكاةِ والمِصْباحِ
God pictured His light in the oft-repeated verses
through the image of the niche and lamp.
فأزِلْso remove خَجْلَتيmy shame بإغْضائِكَthrough your forbearance المَأ(start of 'the hoped-for')
فأزِلْ خَجْلَتي بإغْضائِكَ المَأ
مُولِ(completes 'the hoped-for') واسْتُرْand conceal بِهِwith it عُوّارَthe blemish of افْتِضاحِexposed shame
مُولِ واسْتُرْ بِهِ عُوّارَ افْتِضاحِ
So dispel my shame with your hoped-for
forbearance, and with it conceal the blemish of my disgrace.
صَلَواتُblessings of الإلاهِGod ياO نُكْتَةَessence of الكَوْ(start of 'creation')
صَلَواتُ الإلاهِ يا نُكْتَةَ الكَوْ
نِ(completes 'creation') علىupon مجْدِكَyour glory اللُّبابِpure الصُّراحِunalloyed
نِ على مجْدِكَ اللُّبابِ الصُّراحِ
May God's blessings, O essence of
creation, fall upon your pure, unalloyed glory,
عدَدَas numerous as القَطْرِraindrops والرِّمالِand sands وماand as long as عا(start of 'follows in succession')
عدَدَ القَطْرِ والرِّمالِ وما عا
قَبَ(completes 'follows in succession') نَهْرٌa day غُدُوّهُits morning برَواحِwith evening
قَبَ نَهْرٌ غُدُوّهُ برَواحِ
as numerous as raindrops and sands, and as long as
a day follows its morning with evening.
وجَزاكَand may He reward you الإلاهُGod أفضلَthe best of ماwhat يُجْ(start of 'rewards')
وجَزاكَ الإلاهُ أفضلَ ما يُجْ
زي(completes 'rewards') كِرامَthe noble ones of الأئِمّةِthe imams النُّصّاحsincere counselors
زي كِرامَ الأئِمّةِ النُّصّاح
And may God reward you with the finest reward He
gives noble imams who counsel sincerely.
أسَفىalas for me كمْhow often أرىI see طَريدَa hunted fugitive of ذُنوبٍsins
أسَفى كمْ أرى طَريدَ ذُنوبٍ
أو(start of 'ruined me') بَقَتْني(completes 'ruined me') فليْسَso there is not ليfor me مِنْany سَراحِrelease
أو بَقَتْني فليْسَ لي مِنْ سَراحِ
Alas! How often I see myself hunted by sins
that have ruined me, so I have no release.
قدindeed غَزَتْنيraided me الخُطوبُcalamities غزْوَthe raiding of الأعاديenemies
قد غَزَتْني الخُطوبُ غزْوَ الأعادي
وبَرَتْنيand whittled me الهُمومُcares بَرْيَthe whittling of قِداحِarrow-shafts
وبَرَتْني الهُمومُ بَرْيَ قِداحِ
Calamities have raided me like enemies,
and cares have whittled me like arrow-shafts.
سَبَقَpreceded الحُكْمُthe decree واسْتَقَلّand became settled وهلْand can يُمْحَىbe erased
سَبَقَ الحُكْمُ واسْتَقَلّ وهلْ يُمْحَى
قَضاءٌa judgment قدalready خُطّwas inscribed فيin الألْواحthe tablets
قَضاءٌ قد خُطّ في الألْواح
The decree came first and stands settled; can one erase
a judgment already inscribed on the tablets?
لاnot لدُنْياtoward worldly life جَنَحْتُI inclined آلَغُI lap فيهاin it
لا لدُنْيا جَنَحْتُ آلَغُ فيها
لاnor لِدينٍto religion خلَصْتُI devoted myself لاnor لصَلاحِto righteousness
لا لِدينٍ خلَصْتُ لا لصَلاحِ
I neither inclined toward worldly life, lapping in it,
nor devoted myself to religion, nor to righteousness.
قاطِعاًspending فيin الغُرورِdelusion بُرْهَةَa span of عُمْريmy life
قاطِعاً في الغُرورِ بُرْهَةَ عُمْري
خَسِرَتْlost صَفْقَتيmy bargain وخابَتْand failed قِداحيmy lot-arrows
خَسِرَتْ صَفْقَتي وخابَتْ قِداحي
Spending a span of my life in delusion,
my bargain brought loss, and my lot-arrows failed.
طَمِعَhoped الشّيْبُgray hair باللِّجامِwith the bridle المُحلّىornamented
طَمِعَ الشّيْبُ باللِّجامِ المُحلّى
حينَwhen أجْرَيْتُI set galloping أنto يَرُدّcurb جِماحيmy unruliness
حينَ أجْرَيْتُ أن يَرُدّ جِماحي
Gray hair hoped, with its ornamented bridle,
when I set off at a gallop, to curb my unruliness.
فأبَتْbut refused نَفْسيَmy soul اللَّجوجُobstinate وجَدّتْand strove earnestly
فأبَتْ نَفْسيَ اللَّجوجُ وجَدّتْ
فيin سُمُوٍّsoaring الىtoward الهَوىdesire وطِماحِand rearing
في سُمُوٍّ الى الهَوى وطِماحِ
But my obstinate soul refused and pressed on
in soaring toward desire and rearing high.
ياO طَبيبَphysician of الذّنوبِsins تَدْبيرُكَyour treatment النا(start of 'the effective')
يا طَبيبَ الذّنوبِ تَدْبيرُكَ النا
جِعُ(completes 'the effective') فيfor علّتيmy illness ضَمينُguarantor of النّجاحِsuccess
جِعُ في علّتي ضَمينُ النّجاحِ
O physician of sins, your effective
treatment of my illness guarantees success.
ياO مُجَلّيdispeller of العَمىblindness وكافِيand warder of الدّواهيcalamities
يا مُجَلّي العَمى وكافِي الدّواهي
ومُداويand healer of المَرْضىthe sick وآسِيand mender of الجِراحِwounds
ومُداوي المَرْضى وآسِي الجِراحِ
O dispeller of blindness and warder of calamities,
healer of the sick and mender of wounds,
سُدَّwas shut بابُthe door of القَبولِacceptance دونيagainst me وماand not ليfor me
سُدَّ بابُ القَبولِ دوني وما لي
ياO غِياثيmy rescuer سِواكَother than you منْany مِفْتاحِkey
يا غِياثي سِواكَ منْ مِفْتاحِ
the door of acceptance is shut against me, and I have
no key but you, O my rescuer!
خصّكَsingled you out اللهُGod بالكَمالِfor perfection وزَنْدُand the firestick of الكوْ(start of 'creation')
خصّكَ اللهُ بالكَمالِ وزَنْدُ الكوْ
نِ(completes 'creation') لمnot تَقْتَرِنْhad joined بكَفِّwith a hand of اقْتِداحkindling
نِ لم تَقْتَرِنْ بكَفِّ اقْتِداح
God singled you out for perfection, when creation's firestick
had not yet been joined to a fire-kindling hand,
قبلَbefore أنthat يوجِدَbring into being الوجودَexistence وأنand that يُتْ(start of 'bestow')
قبلَ أن يوجِدَ الوجودَ وأن يُتْ
حِفَ(completes 'bestow') بالنّورِwith light ظُلْمَةَthe darkness of الأشْباحphysical forms
حِفَ بالنّورِ ظُلْمَةَ الأشْباح
before He brought existence into being and bestowed
light upon the darkness of physical forms.
وأضاءتْand shone منْfrom نُورِthe light of ميلادِكَyour birth الأرْ(start of 'the earth')
وأضاءتْ منْ نُورِ ميلادِكَ الأرْ
ضُ(completes 'the earth') وهزّتْand quivered لهُfor it اهْتِزازَa thrill of ارْتِياحِdelight
ضُ وهزّتْ لهُ اهْتِزازَ ارْتِياحِ
And the earth shone with the light of your birth
and quivered for it in a thrill of delight.
فسَرىthen coursed الخِصْبُfertility فيthrough الُسومِthe bodies (reading uncertain) الهُزالَىemaciated
فسَرى الخِصْبُ في الُسومِ الهُزالَى
وجَرىand flowed الرِّسْلُmilk فيin الضّروعِudders الشِّحاحِscanty
وجَرى الرِّسْلُ في الضّروعِ الشِّحاحِ
Then fertility coursed through emaciated bodies,
and milk flowed in scanty udders.
ولقدْand indeed روعِيَتْwere honored لدَيْهِin his presence حُقوقٌrights
ولقدْ روعِيَتْ لدَيْهِ حُقوقٌ
أقْطَعَتْهاconsigned them العِدَىenemies جَنابَthe precinct of اطِّراحِneglect
أقْطَعَتْها العِدَى جَنابَ اطِّراحِ
Indeed, rights were honored in his presence
which enemies had consigned to the realm of neglect,
بمَعاليthrough the exalted deeds of مُحمّدِMuhammad ابْنِibn (son of) أبيAbi (father of) الحَجّا(start of 'al-Hajjaj')
بمَعالي مُحمّدِ ابْنِ أبي الحَجّا
جِ(completes 'al-Hajjaj') ليْثِlion against العِدَىenemies وغَيْثِand raincloud of السّماحgenerosity
جِ ليْثِ العِدَى وغَيْثِ السّماح
through the exalted deeds of Muhammad ibn Abi al-Hajjaj,
a lion against foes, a raincloud of generosity;
ناصِرِchampion of الحقِّtruth مُرسِلِsender of النّقْعِdust سُحْباًas clouds
ناصِرِ الحقِّ مُرسِلِ النّقْعِ سُحْباً
بيْنَamong سُمْرِbrown القَناlances وبيضِand white الصِّفاحِsword-blades
بيْنَ سُمْرِ القَنا وبيضِ الصِّفاحِ
champion of truth, sender of dust in clouds
among brown lances and white sword-blades;
ومُزيرِand bringing to visit الجِيادِsteeds أرْضَthe land of الأعاديenemies
ومُزيرِ الجِيادِ أرْضَ الأعادي
وهْيَand they are مُخْتالَةٌprancing proudly لفَرْطِbecause of excessive المِراحِhigh spirits
وهْيَ مُخْتالَةٌ لفَرْطِ المِراحِ
who brings steeds to visit the enemy's land,
prancing with exuberant high spirits.
يتلاعَبْنَthey frolic بالظِّلالِwith shadows عِراباًpurebred Arabian
يتلاعَبْنَ بالظِّلالِ عِراباً
غُذِّيَتْwere nourished فيin الفَلاthe wilderness لِبانَmilk of اللِّقاحِmilch-camels
غُذِّيَتْ في الفَلا لِبانَ اللِّقاحِ
They frolic with shadows, purebred Arab steeds,
nourished in the wilds on the milk of milch-camels.
ياO سِراجَlamp of النّاديthe assembly وحتْفَand doom of الأعادِيenemies
يا سِراجَ النّادي وحتْفَ الأعادِي
وعِمادَand pillar of المُلْكِkingship الكَريمِnoble المَناحيways
وعِمادَ المُلْكِ الكَريمِ المَناحي
O lamp of the assembly and doom of enemies,
and pillar of kingship whose ways are noble,
جمعَgathered اللهُGod منْfrom حُلَىthe ornaments of آلِthe House of عَبّا(start of 'Abbas')
جمعَ اللهُ منْ حُلَى آلِ عَبّا
سٍ(completes 'Abbas') لعُلْياكَfor your exalted station فيin سَبيلِthe way of امْتِداحِpraise
سٍ لعُلْياكَ في سَبيلِ امْتِداحِ
God gathered from the ornaments of the House of Abbas,
for your exalted station, in the way of praise,
بيْنَbetween رأيٍjudgment موفّقٍwell-guided واعْتِزامٍand resolve
بيْنَ رأيٍ موفّقٍ واعْتِزامٍ
مُسْتَعينٍseeking aid وصارِمٍand a cutting sword سَفّاحِblood-shedding
مُسْتَعينٍ وصارِمٍ سَفّاحِ
well-guided judgment together with resolve
seeking aid, and a blood-shedding sword.
وخَفَضْتَand you lowered الجَناحَthe wing فيupon الأرْضِthe earth حتّىuntil
وخَفَضْتَ الجَناحَ في الأرْضِ حتّى
لمْnot تدَعْyou left فوقَupon ظهْرِهاits surface منْany جُناحِfault
لمْ تدَعْ فوقَ ظهْرِها منْ جُناحِ
You lowered your wing upon the earth until
you left no fault upon its surface.
أنْتَyou مِصْباحُهاits lamp ونُورُand the light of دُجاهاits darkness
أنْتَ مِصْباحُها ونُورُ دُجاها
دافعَmay He defend اللهُGod عنْكَon your behalf منْwhat a مِصْباحِlamp
دافعَ اللهُ عنْكَ منْ مِصْباحِ
You are its lamp and the light of its darkness;
may God protect you—what a lamp!
محّصَrefined اللهُGod فيكَin you ياقوتَةthe ruby of المُل(start of 'kingship')
محّصَ اللهُ فيكَ ياقوتَة المُل
كِ(completes 'kingship') ويَنْبوعَand the fountain of العَدْلِjustice والإصلاحand reform
كِ ويَنْبوعَ العَدْلِ والإصلاح
God refined in you the ruby of kingship
and the fountain of justice and reform,
بخُطوبٍthrough calamities أرَتْshowed حَديثَthe story of سُلَيْما(start of 'Solomon')
بخُطوبٍ أرَتْ حَديثَ سُلَيْما
نَ(completes 'Solomon') وجاءَتْand came بالحادِثِwith the event المُجْتاحِdevastating
نَ وجاءَتْ بالحادِثِ المُجْتاحِ
through calamities that recalled Solomon's story
and brought a devastating event,
بيَدَيْat the hands of هَلْهَلِfeeble in الحِجَىunderstanding فاقِدِlacking الدّي(start of 'faith')
بيَدَيْ هَلْهَلِ الحِجَى فاقِدِ الدّي
نِ(completes 'faith') أخيpossessor of جُرأةٍdaring ورَبِّand master of اجْتِراحwrongdoing
نِ أخي جُرأةٍ ورَبِّ اجْتِراح
at the hands of one feeble in understanding, devoid of
faith, possessed of daring and master of wrongdoing.
نالَmet منْهاfrom it عُقْبىthe fate of مُسَيْلَمةَMusaylima الكذ(start of 'the Liar')
نالَ منْها عُقْبى مُسَيْلَمةَ الكذ
ذابِ(completes 'the Liar') إذwhen عانَدَopposed الهُدىguidance وسَجاحِand Sajah
ذابِ إذ عانَدَ الهُدى وسَجاحِ
Through it he met the fate of Musaylima the Liar,
when he defied guidance—and Sajah's fate as well.
ثمّthen رَدّrestored الأمورَaffairs رَدّاًa restoration جَميلاًgracious
ثمّ رَدّ الأمورَ رَدّاً جَميلاً
لكَto you منْfrom بَعْدِafter فُرْقَةٍseparation وانْتِزاحِand estrangement
لكَ منْ بَعْدِ فُرْقَةٍ وانْتِزاحِ
Then He restored affairs with a gracious restoration
to you, after separation and estrangement.
فأجِرْso make flow فيamong الوَرىhumankind الجَميلَgoodness وعامِلْand trade
فأجِرْ في الوَرى الجَميلَ وعامِلْ
منْهُthrough it كنْزَa treasury of الغِنَىwealth ومَثْوَىand an abode of الرَّباحِgain
منْهُ كنْزَ الغِنَى ومَثْوَى الرَّباحِ
So let goodness flow among people, and trade
through it for a treasury of wealth and an abode of gain.
واشْتَرِand buy الَمْدَpraise (reading uncertain) بالمَواهِبِwith gifts واعْقِدْand conclude
واشْتَرِ الَمْدَ بالمَواهِبِ واعْقِدْ
عَقْدَهاtheir contract فيin مَظِنّةِa likely place for الأرْباحِprofits
عَقْدَها في مَظِنّةِ الأرْباحِ
Buy praise with gifts, and conclude
their bargain where profits may be expected.
بَركاتُthe blessings of السّماءِheaven تَبْتَدِرُhasten toward الأرْ(start of 'the earth')
بَركاتُ السّماءِ تَبْتَدِرُ الأرْ
ضَ(completes 'the earth') إذاwhen اسْتُودِعَتْit is entrusted with بُذورَthe seeds of السّماحِgenerosity
ضَ إذا اسْتُودِعَتْ بُذورَ السّماحِ
Heaven's blessings hasten toward
the earth when the seeds of generosity are entrusted to it.
وتهنّأْand rejoice بِهِin it بِناءًa building سَعيداًfortunate
وتهنّأْ بِهِ بِناءً سَعيداً
جاءَcame للمَعْلُواتِfor lofty aspirations وِفْقَin accordance with اقْتِراحِa wish
جاءَ للمَعْلُواتِ وِفْقَ اقْتِراحِ
Rejoice in it as a fortunate building,
fulfilling lofty aspirations exactly as wished.
وتمتّعْand enjoy منْهُfrom it بهالَةِa halo of مُلْكٍkingship
وتمتّعْ منْهُ بهالَةِ مُلْكٍ
أطْلَعَتْbrought forth منْكَfrom you أيَّwhat a بَدْرٍfull moon لَيَاحِradiant
أطْلَعَتْ منْكَ أيَّ بَدْرٍ لَيَاحِ
And enjoy from it a halo of kingship
which brought forth from you such a radiant full moon!
مَشْوَرُcouncil hall of الرّأيِjudgment مَجْمَعُgathering-place of الحَفْلِthe assembly مَثْوىdwelling of
مَشْوَرُ الرّأيِ مَجْمَعُ الحَفْلِ مَثْوى
كُلِّevery ذيpossessor of ذَمْرٍcourage سَيّدٍlord جَحْجاحِmighty and noble
كُلِّ ذي ذَمْرٍ سَيّدٍ جَحْجاحِ
A council hall of judgment, a gathering-place, a dwelling
for every courageous, noble, mighty lord;
ومُقامُand a place of السّلامِgreetings فيin مُدّةِa period of السِّلْ(start of 'peace')
ومُقامُ السّلامِ في مُدّةِ السِّلْ
مِ(completes 'peace') وغابُand thicket of الأسودِlions يومَthe day of الكِفاحcombat
مِ وغابُ الأسودِ يومَ الكِفاح
a place of greetings during times of
peace, and a thicket of lions on the day of combat;
مُلْتَقىmeeting-place of حِكْمَةٍwisdom ومَلعَبُand playground of إلْها(start of 'inspiration')
مُلْتَقى حِكْمَةٍ ومَلعَبُ إلْها
مٍ(completes 'inspiration') ومَغْنىand abode of السّرورِjoy والأفْراحِand celebrations
مٍ ومَغْنى السّرورِ والأفْراحِ
a meeting-place of wisdom, a playground of
inspiration, and an abode of joy and celebrations.
أينَwhere كِسْرىKisra أوor أيْنَwhere إيوانُthe palace hall of كِسْرىKisra
أينَ كِسْرى أو أيْنَ إيوانُ كِسْرى
لاnot يُقاسُis compared الخِضَمُّthe vast sea بالضَّحْضاحِwith shallow water
لا يُقاسُ الخِضَمُّ بالضَّحْضاحِ
Where is Kisra, or where is Kisra's palace hall?
The vast sea cannot be compared with shallow water.
أيْنَwhere نورُthe light of الإلاهِGod منْcompared with عُنْصُرِthe element of النّا(start of 'fire')
أيْنَ نورُ الإلاهِ منْ عُنْصُرِ النّا
رِ(completes 'fire') إذاwhen ماemphasis اعْتَبَرْتَهُyou consider it ياO صاحِmy friend
رِ إذا ما اعْتَبَرْتَهُ يا صاحِ
How far is God's light from the element of
fire, when you consider it, my friend!
بِنْيَةٌa building كانَwas فخْرُهاits glory لكَfor you مَذْخو(start of 'reserved')
بِنْيَةٌ كانَ فخْرُها لكَ مَذْخو
راً(completes 'reserved') كزهْرِlike the flowers of الرِّياضِgardens فيwithin الأدْواحِspreading trees
راً كزهْرِ الرِّياضِ في الأدْواحِ
A building whose glory was kept in reserve for you,
like garden blossoms within spreading trees.
حينَwhen طابَgrew pleasant الزّمانُtime واعْتَدَلَand became temperate الفَصْ(start of 'the season')
حينَ طابَ الزّمانُ واعْتَدَلَ الفَصْ
لُ(completes 'the season') اسْتَجَدّتْbecame new وبادَرَتْand hastened بافْتِتاحِtoward an opening
لُ اسْتَجَدّتْ وبادَرَتْ بافْتِتاحِ
When time grew pleasant and the season temperate,
it took on newness and hastened toward inauguration.
هاكَهاtake her قدalready تتَوّجَتْwas crowned بالمَعانيwith meanings
هاكَها قد تتَوّجَتْ بالمَعاني
واكْتَسَتْand clothed herself in حُلّةَa robe of اللُّغاتِtongues الفِصاحِeloquent
واكْتَسَتْ حُلّةَ اللُّغاتِ الفِصاحِ
Take her: she is now crowned with meanings
and clothed in a robe of eloquent tongues,
حينَwhen غاضَebbed الشّبابُyouth وارْتَجَعَand retreated الفِكْ(start of 'thought')
حينَ غاضَ الشّبابُ وارْتَجَعَ الفِكْ
رُ(completes 'thought') وضاقَand narrowed الخَطْوُthe stride الغريضُfresh السّاحflowing
رُ وضاقَ الخَطْوُ الغريضُ السّاح
when youth had ebbed and thought had retreated,
and the fresh, flowing stride had narrowed.
جُهْدُthe effort of قَلْبٍa heart لَقّفْتُI caught بعْدَafter جِهادٍstruggle
جُهْدُ قَلْبٍ لَقّفْتُ بعْدَ جِهادٍ
نُقْطَةًa drop منْfrom قَليبِهits well المُمْتاحِdrawn upon for water
نُقْطَةً منْ قَليبِه المُمْتاحِ
A heart's effort: after struggle I caught
a drop from its well, drawn upon for water.
ومَعانيand the meanings of البَيانِeloquence هُنّthey are عَذارَىvirgins
ومَعاني البَيانِ هُنّ عَذارَى
لاnot يُبِحْنَthey permit الشُّيوخَold men عَقْدَa contract of نِكاحِmarriage
لا يُبِحْنَ الشُّيوخَ عَقْدَ نِكاحِ
The meanings of eloquence are virgins
who grant old men no marriage contract.
ماnot لشَيْخٍfor an old man سوىexcept الرّجوعِreturn الىto ال(start of 'God')
ما لشَيْخٍ سوى الرّجوعِ الى ال
لَّهِ(completes 'God') ونَجْوَىand intimate converse with أهْلِpeople of التُّقىpiety والصّلاحand righteousness
لَّهِ ونَجْوَى أهْلِ التُّقى والصّلاح
An old man has only a return to
God, and intimate converse with the devout and upright,
ولُزومِand abiding at البابِthe door الذيthat جبَرmended الكَسْ(start of 'the break')
ولُزومِ البابِ الذي جبَر الكَسْ
رَ(completes 'the break') ووَصْلِand continuing السّؤالِasking والإلْحاحِand insistent pleading
رَ ووَصْلِ السّؤالِ والإلْحاحِ
and abiding at the door that mended
the break, and continued asking and pleading.
وعلىand despite ذاكَthat فهْيَyet she is ساحِرَةُan enchantress of الأحْ(start of 'eyes')
وعلى ذاكَ فهْيَ ساحِرَةُ الأحْ
داق(completes 'eyes') تُزْريputs to shame بكلِّevery خَوْدٍyoung maiden رَداحِfull-hipped
داق تُزْري بكلِّ خَوْدٍ رَداحِ
Despite that, she is an enchantress of
eyes, putting every full-hipped maiden to shame.
تنْفُثُbreathes السِّحْرَmagic فيinto الجُفونِeyelids وتَلْويand twists
تنْفُثُ السِّحْرَ في الجُفونِ وتَلْوي
طُرَرَthe forelocks of الحُسْنِbeauty للوُجوهِfor the faces المِلاحِlovely
طُرَرَ الحُسْنِ للوُجوهِ المِلاحِ
She breathes magic into eyelids and twists
beauty's forelocks for lovely faces.
دُمْتَmay you endure فيin عِزّةٍmight ورِفْعَةand elevation of قَدْرٍrank
دُمْتَ في عِزّةٍ ورِفْعَة قَدْرٍ
بيْنَbetween مَغْدىًa morning departure موفَّقٍfortunate ومَراحِand evening return
بيْنَ مَغْدىً موفَّقٍ ومَراحِ
May you endure in might and exalted rank,
between a fortunate morning departure and evening return,
ماas long as تولّتْturned away دُهْمُthe black steeds of الدُّجُنّةِnight's gloom عَدْواًat a gallop
ما تولّتْ دُهْمُ الدُّجُنّةِ عَدْواً
وجرَتْand raced خَلْفَهُنّbehind them شُهْبُthe gray steeds of الصّباحِmorning
وجرَتْ خَلْفَهُنّ شُهْبُ الصّباحِ
as long as darkness's black steeds gallop away
and morning's gray steeds race behind them.
Sol 6.1