أَطَاعَobeyed لِسَانِيmy tongue فِيin مَدِيحِكَpraising you إِحْسَانِيmy skill
أَطَاعَ لِسَانِي فِي مَدِيحِكَ إِحْسَانِي
وَقدْand already لَهِجَتْspoke eagerly نَفْسِيmy soul بِفَتْحِof the conquest تِلِمْسَانِof Tlemcen
وَقدْ لَهِجَتْ نَفْسِي بِفَتْحِ تِلِمْسَانِ
My tongue obeyed my skill in praising you,
My tongue obeyed my kindness in praising you,
While my soul eagerly spoke of the conquest of Tlemcen.
And my soul became preoccupied with the conquest of Tlemcen.
فَأَطْلَعْتُهَاso I brought it forth تَفْتَرُّsmiling عَنْrevealing شَنَبِteeth's cool whiteness الْمُنَىof hopes
فَأَطْلَعْتُهَا تَفْتَرُّ عَنْ شَنَبِ الْمُنَى
وَتُسْفِرُand unveils عَنْrevealing وَجْهٍa face مِنْof السَّعْدِgood fortune حُسَّانِvery beautiful
وَتُسْفِرُ عَنْ وَجْهٍ مِنْ السَّعْدِ حُسَّانِ
So I brought it forth, smiling with the pearly teeth of hopes,
So I let it ramble away from the worries of hopes,
And unveiling a wondrously beautiful face of good fortune.
And reveal a face of good fortune and beauty.
كَمَاas ابْتَسَمَsmiled النَّوارُthe blossoms عَنْrevealing أَدمُعthe tears الْحَيَاof rain
كَمَا ابْتَسَمَ النَّوارُ عَنْ أَدمُع الْحَيَا
وَجَفَّand dried بِخَدِّupon the cheek الْوَرْدِof the rose عَارِضُthe raincloud نِيسَانِof April
وَجَفَّ بِخَدِّ الْوَرْدِ عَارِضُ نِيسَانِ
As blossoms smiled, revealing the tears of rain,
Just as the light smiled from the tears of life,
And April's shower dried upon the rose's cheek;
And the cheeks of roses dried the coyness of May.
كَمَاas صَفَّقَتْstirred رِيحُthe wind الشَّمَالِof the north شَمُولَهَاits wine
كَمَا صَفَّقَتْ رِيحُ الشَّمَالِ شَمُولَهَا
فَبَانَso appeared ارْتِيَاحُthe elation السكْرِof drunkenness فِيin غُصُنِthe bough الْبَانِof the bān tree
فَبَانَ ارْتِيَاحُ السكْرِ فِي غُصُنِ الْبَانِ
As the north wind stirred its wine,
As the north wind applauded its twigs,
And the elation of drunkenness appeared in the bān bough.
Revealing the tipsiness in the branches of the vine.
تُهَنِّيِكَcongratulates you بِالْفُتْحِon the conquest الَّذِيwhose مُعْجِزَاتُهُmiracles
تُهَنِّيِكَ بِالْفُتْحِ الَّذِي مُعْجِزَاتُهُ
خَوَارِقُextraordinary wonders لَمْnot تُذْخَرْwere reserved سِوَاكَexcept for you لإِنْسَانِfor any human
خَوَارِقُ لَمْ تُذْخَرْ سِوَاكَ لإِنْسَانِ
It congratulates you on the conquest whose miracles
Are wonders reserved for no human but you.
You congratulated on the manifest conquest whose miracles,
خَفَفْتَyou hastened إِلَيْهَاto it وَالْجُفُونُwhile the eyelids ثَقِيلَةٌwere heavy
خَفَفْتَ إِلَيْهَا وَالْجُفُونُ ثَقِيلَةٌ
كَمَاas خَفَّhastened شَتْنُbroad الْكَفِّof paw مِنْamong أَسْدِthe lions خَفَّانِof Khaffan
كَمَا خَفَّ شَتْنُ الْكَفِّ مِنْ أَسْدِ خَفَّانِ
You hastened to it while eyelids lay heavy,
Are extraordinary, none were stored except for you, for mankind.
As a broad-pawed lion of Khaffan hastens.
You came to it while the eyelids were still heavy,
وَقُدْتَand you led إِلَىtoward الأَعْدَاءِthe enemies فِيهَاin it مُبَادِراًpromptly
وَقُدْتَ إِلَى الأَعْدَاءِ فِيهَا مُبَادِراً
لُيُوثَlions رَجَالٍamong men فِيupon مَنَاكِبِthe shoulders عِقْبَانِof eagles
لُيُوثَ رَجَالٍ فِي مَنَاكِبِ عِقْبَانِ
And in it you promptly led toward the enemies
As the lightness of the palm from the claws of a beast.
Lions among men upon the shoulders of eagles.
And you marched against the enemies in it, taking the initiative,
تَمُدُّspread بُنُودُthe banners النَّصْرِof victory مِنْهُمُfrom them ظِلاَلَهَاtheir shadows
تَمُدُّ بُنُودُ النَّصْرِ مِنْهُمُ ظِلاَلَهَا
عَلَىover كُلِّevery مِطْعَامِgenerous feeder الْعَشِيَّاتِat evening times مِطْعَانِmighty spearman
عَلَى كُلِّ مِطْعَامِ الْعَشِيَّاتِ مِطْعَانِ
The banners of victory spread their shadows from them
Lions of men on the shoulders of eagles.
Over every generous evening host and mighty spearman.
The flags of victory extend their shades over every
جَحَاجِحَةٌgreat chiefs غُرُّbright الْوَجُوهِof face كَأَنَّمَاas though
جَحَاجِحَةٌ غُرُّ الْوَجُوهِ كَأَنَّمَا
عَمَائِمُهُمtheir turbans فِيهَاthere مَعَاقِدُthe fastenings تِيجَانِof crowns
عَمَائِمُهُم فِيهَا مَعَاقِدُ تِيجَانِ
Great chiefs, bright of face, as though
Dish of evening meals, speared.
Their turbans there were the fastenings of crowns.
Clucking proudly, their grim faces as if their turbans
أمدكreinforced you فيهاin it اللهGod بالملإwith the assembly العلىon high
أمدك فيها الله بالملإ العلى
فجيشكso your army مهماwhenever حققis examined الأمرthe matter جيشانis two armies
فجيشك مهما حقق الأمر جيشان
God reinforced you in it with the heavenly assembly,
Are plaited crowns.
So, whenever the matter is examined, your army is two armies.
May God support you with the highest support,
لَقَدْindeed جُلِيَتْwere unveiled مِنْكَthrough you الْبِلاَدُthe lands لِخَاطِبٍto a suitor
لَقَدْ جُلِيَتْ مِنْكَ الْبِلاَدُ لِخَاطِبٍ
لَقَدْindeed جُنِيَتْwere harvested مِنْكَthrough you الْغُصُونُthe boughs إِلَىfor جَانِيa gatherer
لَقَدْ جُنِيَتْ مِنْكَ الْغُصُونُ إِلَى جَانِي
Through you the lands were indeed unveiled to a suitor;
So your army, whatever the matter, is an army.
Through you the boughs were indeed harvested for a gatherer.
The lands were stripped for an eloquent suitor by you,
لَقَدْindeed كَسَتِclothed الإِسْلاَمَIslam بِيْعَتُكَthe pledge to you الرِّضَاin contentment
لَقَدْ كَسَتِ الإِسْلاَمَ بِيْعَتُكَ الرِّضَا
وَكَانَand it was عَلَىfor أَهْلِيهِits people بَيْعَةَa pledge رِضْوَانِof divine favor
وَكَانَ عَلَى أَهْلِيهِ بَيْعَةَ رِضْوَانِ
The pledge to you clothed Islam in contentment,
The branches were plucked for a harvester by you.
And for its people it was a pledge of divine favor.
Your pledge of allegiance covered Islam with contentment,
وَلِلَّهِand God be praised مِنْfor مُلْكٍa reign سَعِيدٍhappy وَنَصْبَةٍand a celestial configuration
وَلِلَّهِ مِنْ مُلْكٍ سَعِيدٍ وَنَصْبَةٍ
قَضَىdecreed الْمُشْتَريJupiter فَيهَاin it بِعُزْلَةِthe removal of كِيَوانِKaiwan (Saturn)
قَضَى الْمُشْتَري فَيهَا بِعُزْلَةِ كِيَوانِ
God be praised for a happy reign and a celestial configuration
And it was to its people a pledge of approval.
In which Jupiter decreed the removal of Kaiwan.
And God has, through a fortunate and lofty kingdom,
وَسَجَّلَand recorded حُكْمَthe rule الْعَدْلِof justice بَيْنَamong بِيُوتِهَاits houses
وَسَجَّلَ حُكْمَ الْعَدْلِ بَيْنَ بِيُوتِهَا
وُقُوفاًin keeping مَعَwith الْمَشْهُورِthe well-known مِنْof رَأْيِthe opinion يُونَانِof the Greeks
وُقُوفاً مَعَ الْمَشْهُورِ مِنْ رَأْيِ يُونَانِ
And recorded the rule of justice among its houses,
Fulfilled the buyer’s isolation with eternity.
In keeping with the well-known opinion of the Greeks.
And He recorded the rule of justice among its homes,
فَلَمْso did not تَخْشَfear سَهْمَthe arrow الْقَوْسِof the Bow (Sagittarius) صَفْحَةُthe face بَدْرِهَاof its full moon
فَلَمْ تَخْشَ سَهْمَ الْقَوْسِ صَفْحَةُ بَدْرِهَا
وَلَمْand did not تَشْكُcomplain فِيهَاin it الشَّمْسِthe sun مِنْof نَحْسِthe ill omen مِيزَانِof Libra
وَلَمْ تَشْكُ فِيهَا الشَّمْسِ مِنْ نَحْسِ مِيزَانِ
So the face of its full moon did not fear the Bow's arrow,
Abiding with the famous opinion of Greece.
Nor did the sun complain there of Libra's ill omen.
So the disk of its full moon was not afraid of the arrowhead,
وَلَمْand did not يَعْتَرِضْobstruct مُبتَزَّهَاits planetary ruler قَطْعُthe severance قَاطِعٍof a destructive planet
وَلَمْ يَعْتَرِضْ مُبتَزَّهَا قَطْعُ قَاطِعٍ
وَلاَnor نَازَعَتْcontested نَوْبَهْرَهَاits astrological portion كَفُّa hand عُدْوَانِof hostility
وَلاَ نَازَعَتْ نَوْبَهْرَهَا كَفُّ عُدْوَانِ
Nor did a destructive influence interrupt its planetary ruler,
Nor did its sun doubt the scales.
Nor did a hostile hand contest its astrological portion.
No cut of a cutter intercepted its crescent,
تَوَلَّىundertook اخْتِيَارُthe choice اللَّهِof God حُسْنَthe excellence اخْتِياَرِهَاof its election
تَوَلَّى اخْتِيَارُ اللَّهِ حُسْنَ اخْتِياَرِهَا
فَلَمْso did not يَحْتَجneed الفْرَغَانِthe two Fargh stars فَيهَاin it لِفَرْغَانِيal-Farghani
فَلَمْ يَحْتَج الفْرَغَانِ فَيهَا لِفَرْغَانِي
God's choice secured the excellence of its election,
Nor did the palm of aggression dispute its curve.
So its two Fargh stars had no need of al-Farghani.
God’s choice inclined to its good choice,
وَلاَnor صُرِفَتْwere expended فِيهَاupon it دَقَائِقُminute calculations نِسْبَةٍof proportion
وَلاَ صُرِفَتْ فِيهَا دَقَائِقُ نِسْبَةٍ
وَلاَnor حُقِّقَتwere ascertained فِيهَاfor it طَوَالِعُthe ascendants بُلْدَانِof lands
وَلاَ حُقِّقَت فِيهَا طَوَالِعُ بُلْدَانِ
Nor were precise calculations of proportion expended upon it,
So the examiner did not need an examiner in it.
Nor were the ascendants of lands ascertained for it.
No minute relations were diverted in it,
وُجُوهُthe aspects الْقَضَايَاof propositions فِيconcerning كَمَالِكَyour perfection شَأْنهَاtheir status
وُجُوهُ الْقَضَايَا فِي كَمَالِكَ شَأْنهَا
وُجُوبٌnecessity إِذَاwhile خَصَّتْthey singled out سِوَاكَothers than you بِإِمْكَانِwith possibility
وُجُوبٌ إِذَا خَصَّتْ سِوَاكَ بِإِمْكَانِ
The propositions concerning your perfection have the status
Nor were planetary mansions verified in it.
Of necessity, while for others they admit only possibility.
The aspects of affairs are obligations in your perfection,
وَمَنْand whoever قَاسَcompared مِنْكَin you الْجُودَgenerosity بِالْبَحْرto the sea وَالْحَيَاand rain
وَمَنْ قَاسَ مِنْكَ الْجُودَ بِالْبَحْر وَالْحَيَا
فَقَدْthen indeed قَاسَreasoned by analogy تَمْوِيهاًdeceptively قِيَاسَthe reasoning سُفْسَطَانِيof a sophist
فَقَدْ قَاسَ تَمْوِيهاً قِيَاسَ سُفْسَطَانِي
And whoever compares your generosity to the sea and rain
Duties when they are specified to only you.
Has reasoned deceptively, with a sophist's analogy.
And whoever compared your generosity to the sea and life,
وَطَاعَتُكand obedience to you الْعُظْمَىsupreme بِشَارَةُglad tidings رَحْمَةٍof mercy
وَطَاعَتُك الْعُظْمَى بِشَارَةُ رَحْمَةٍ
وَعِصْيَانُكَand disobedience to you الْمَحْذُورُfeared نَزْغَةُa prompting شَيْطَانِof a devil
وَعِصْيَانُكَ الْمَحْذُورُ نَزْغَةُ شَيْطَانِ
Supreme obedience to you is glad tidings of mercy,
Then he equated a delusion, the analogy of a sophist.
While the feared disobedience to you is a devil's prompting.
And obeying you is the glad tiding of mercy,
وَحُبُّكand love of you عُنْوَانُthe heading السَّعَادِةِof happiness وَالرِّضَاand favor
وَحُبُّك عُنْوَانُ السَّعَادِةِ وَالرِّضَا
وَيُعْرَفُand is known مِقْدَارُthe worth الْكِتَابِof a book بِعُنْوَانِby its heading
وَيُعْرَفُ مِقْدَارُ الْكِتَابِ بِعُنْوَانِ
Love of you is the heading of happiness and favor,
While disobeying you is a dangerous urge of Satan.
And a book's worth is known by its heading.
Your love is the sign of happiness and contentment,
وَدِينُand the religion الْهُدَىof guidance جِسْمٌa body وَذَاتُكَand your person رُوحُهُits soul
وَدِينُ الْهُدَى جِسْمٌ وَذَاتُكَ رُوحُهُ
وَكَمْand how many وَصْلَةٍa bond مَاthere is بَيْنَbetween رُوحٍa spirit وَجُثْمَانِand a body
وَكَمْ وَصْلَةٍ مَا بَيْنَ رُوحٍ وَجُثْمَانِ
The religion of guidance is a body, and you are its soul;
And the value of a book is known by its title.
And how many bonds there are between spirit and body!
The religion of guidance is a body, and your personality is its soul,
تَضِنُّguards jealously بِكَyou الدُّنْيَاthe world وَيَحْرُسُكَand protects you الْعُلاhigh glory
تَضِنُّ بِكَ الدُّنْيَا وَيَحْرُسُكَ الْعُلا
كَأَنَّكَas though you مِنْهَاwithin it بَيْنَbetween لَحْظٍa gaze وَأَجْفاَنِand eyelids
كَأَنَّكَ مِنْهَا بَيْنَ لَحْظٍ وَأَجْفاَنِ
The world guards you jealously, and high glory protects you,
And how many ties are there between a soul and a body!
As though within it you lay between a gaze and eyelids.
The world is stingy towards you and the Most High guards you,
بَنَيْتَyou built عَلَىupon آسَاسِthe foundations أَسْلاَفِكَof your forebears الْعُلَىhigh glory
بَنَيْتَ عَلَى آسَاسِ أَسْلاَفِكَ الْعُلَى
فَلاَso may never هُدِمَbe demolished الْمَبْنَىthe building وَلاَnor عُدِمَbe lost الْبَانِيthe builder
فَلاَ هُدِمَ الْمَبْنَى وَلاَ عُدِمَ الْبَانِي
You built high glory upon your forebears' foundations;
As if you are but a glance between two eyelids to it.
May the building never be demolished, nor its builder lost!
You built on the foundation of your sublime ancestors,
وَصَاحَتْand called بِكَto you الْعُلْيَاhigh glory فَلَمْso not تَكُwere you غَافِلاًheedless
وَصَاحَتْ بِكَ الْعُلْيَا فَلَمْ تَكُ غَافِلاً
وَنَادَتْand summoned بِكَyou الدُّنِيَاthe world فَلَمْso not تَكwere you بِالْوَانِيsluggish
وَنَادَتْ بِكَ الدُّنِيَا فَلَمْ تَك بِالْوَانِي
High glory called to you, and you were not heedless;
So neither the structure was demolished, nor the builder ceased.
The world summoned you, and you were not sluggish.
The Most High called upon you, so you were not heedless,
وَلَمْand not تَكُwere you فِيin خَوْضِplunging into الْبِحَارِthe seas بِهَائِبٍfearful
وَلَمْ تَكُ فِي خَوْضِ الْبِحَارِ بِهَائِبٍ
وَلَمْand not تَكُwere you فِيin رَوْمٍseeking الْفخَارِglory بِكَسْلاَنِlazy
وَلَمْ تَكُ فِي رَوْمٍ الْفخَارِ بِكَسْلاَنِ
You were not fearful of plunging into seas,
And the lower world called upon you, so you were not oblivious.
Nor were you lazy in seeking glory.
You were not frightened to plunge into the seas,
لَقَدْindeed هَزَّshook مِنْكَfrom you الْعَزْمُresolve لمَّاwhen انْتَضَيْتَهُyou drew it forth
لَقَدْ هَزَّ مِنْكَ الْعَزْمُ لمَّا انْتَضَيْتَهُ
ذَوَائِبَthe peaks رَضْوَىof Radwa أَوْor مَنَاكِبَthe shoulders ثَهْلاَنِof Thahlan
ذَوَائِبَ رَضْوَى أَوْ مَنَاكِبَ ثَهْلاَنِ
Your resolve, when you drew it forth, indeed shook
Nor were you lazy to roam the wilds.
The peaks of Radwa or the shoulders of Thahlan.
On the day of the encounter, determination shook from you
وَلِلَّهِand God be praised عَيْناًfor an eye مَنْof whoever رَآهَاsaw it مَحَلَّةًan encampment
وَلِلَّهِ عَيْناً مَنْ رَآهَا مَحَلَّةً
هِيَit is الْحَشْرُthe Gathering لاَnot تُحْصَىcountable بِعَدٍّby counting وَحُسْبَانِand reckoning
هِيَ الْحَشْرُ لاَ تُحْصَى بِعَدٍّ وَحُسْبَانِ
God be praised for the eye of whoever saw that encampment:
The forelocks of pleasure or the shoulders of resoluteness.
It is the Gathering, beyond all counting and reckoning.
When it intended, no glance of a fearful one diverted it,
وَتَنُّورُand an oven عَزْمٍof resolve فَارَboiled over فِيin إِثْرِthe wake of دَعْوَةٍa summons
وَتَنُّورُ عَزْمٍ فَارَ فِي إِثْرِ دَعْوَةٍ
يَعُمُّengulfs الأَقَاصِيthe farthest وَالأَدَانِيand the nearest بِطُوفَانِwith a flood
يَعُمُّ الأَقَاصِي وَالأَدَانِي بِطُوفَانِ
An oven of resolve boiled over in the wake of a summons,
And if it granted, no utterance of a grateful one exhaled it.
Flooding the farthest and the nearest alike.
The loud voice of Quss in the generosity of Haatim
عَجَائِبُwonders أَقْطَارٍof regions وَمألَفُand a gathering-place شَارِدٍfor a wanderer
عَجَائِبُ أَقْطَارٍ وَمألَفُ شَارِدٍ
وَأَفْلاَذُand portions آفَاقٍof horizons وَمَوْعِدُand a rendezvous رُكْبَانِfor riders
وَأَفْلاَذُ آفَاقٍ وَمَوْعِدُ رُكْبَانِ
Wonders from many regions, a gathering-place for wanderers,
And the bravery of ‘Amr under the wisdom of Luqmaan.
Portions of horizons, a rendezvous for riders.
The praiseworthy traits of your auspiciousness are more wondrous,
إِذَاwhen مَاindeed سَرَحْتَyou let roam اللَّحْظَyour gaze فِيthrough عَرَصَاتِهَاits open spaces
إِذَا مَا سَرَحْتَ اللَّحْظَ فِي عَرَصَاتِهَا
تَبلَّدَgrew bewildered مِنْكَin you الذِّهْنُthe mind فِيin الْعَالِمِthe world الثَّانِيsecond
تَبلَّدَ مِنْكَ الذِّهْنُ فِي الْعَالِمِ الثَّانِي
When you let your gaze roam through its open spaces,
For it the reeds of precedence in every field.
Your mind grows bewildered in the second world.
Loving him is an obligation upon every Muslim,
جَنىًfruit حَانَripened وَالنَّصْرُand victory الْعَزِيزُmighty اهْتِصَارُهُits plucking
جَنىً حَانَ وَالنَّصْرُ الْعَزِيزُ اهْتِصَارُهُ
إِذَاwhen انْتَظَمَتْare joined بِالقَلْبِto the center مِنْهَاof it جَنَاحَانِtwo wings
إِذَا انْتَظَمَتْ بِالقَلْبِ مِنْهَا جَنَاحَانِ
Fruit ready to be gathered, whose plucking is mighty victory,
And obeying him for God’s sake is the knot of faith.
When its two wings are joined to the center.
Congratulations, O Emir of the Muslims, for a blessing
فَمِنْsome are سُحُبٍclouds لاَحَتْshone بِهَاwithin them شُهُبmeteors الْقَنَاof spears
فَمِنْ سُحُبٍ لاَحَتْ بِهَا شُهُب الْقَنَا
وَمِنْand some are كُتُبٍbooks بِيضٍwhite بَدَتْappeared فَوْقًabove كُثْبَانِdunes
وَمِنْ كُتُبٍ بِيضٍ بَدَتْ فَوْقً كُثْبَانِ
Some are clouds lit by the meteors of spears,
You were loved through the absolute Generosity.
And some are white books appearing above dunes.
You adorned the platforms of eloquence with one
مَضَارِبُtents فِيin الْبَطْحَاءِthe pebbled plain بِيضٌwhite قِبَابُهَاtheir domes
مَضَارِبُ فِي الْبَطْحَاءِ بِيضٌ قِبَابُهَا
كَمَاas قُلِبَتْwere inverted لِلْعَيْنِbefore the eye أَزْهَارُthe blossoms سُوسَانِof lilies
كَمَا قُلِبَتْ لِلْعَيْنِ أَزْهَارُ سُوسَانِ
Tents in the pebbled plain, their domes white,
Whom the Merciful allowed from the family of Ziyaan.
Like lily blossoms turned upside down before the eye.
Necklaces of conquest, yes, but their value
وَمَاand not إِنْindeed رَأَىsaw الرَّاؤُونthe observers فِيthroughout الدَّهْرِtime قَبْلَهَاbefore it
وَمَا إِنْ رَأَى الرَّاؤُون فِي الدَّهْرِ قَبْلَهَا
قَرَارَةَan abode عِزٍّof glory فِيin مَدِينَةِa city كَتَّانِof linen
قَرَارَةَ عِزٍّ فِي مَدِينَةِ كَتَّانِ
Never before it had observers seen, throughout time,
Was too lofty to be called necklaces of slavery.
An abode of glory in a city of linen.
My Master, your love is my way to your sublimity,
تَفُوتُoutpaces الْتِفَاتَthe glance الطَّرْفِof the eye حَالَduring اقْتِفَالِهَاits packing up
تَفُوتُ الْتِفَاتَ الطَّرْفِ حَالَ اقْتِفَالِهَا
كَأَنَّكَas though you قَدْhad سَخَّرْتَsubjected جِنَّthe jinn سُلَيْمَانِof Solomon
كَأَنَّكَ قَدْ سَخَّرْتَ جِنَّ سُلَيْمَانِ
When it folds up to depart, it outruns the eye's glance,
And your kindness to me is my habit, by Your praise I am delighted.
As though you had subjected Solomon's jinn.
I do not forget, despite the distance of horizons,
فَقَدْfor already أَطْرَقَتْlowered its head مِنْfrom خَوْفِهَاfear of it كُلُّevery بَيْعَةٍchurch
فَقَدْ أَطْرَقَتْ مِنْ خَوْفِهَا كُلُّ بَيْعَةٍ
وَطَأْطَأَand bowed مِنْfrom إِجْلاَلِهَاreverence for it كُلُّevery إِيوَانِpalace hall
وَطَأْطَأَ مِنْ إِجْلاَلِهَا كُلُّ إِيوَانِ
Every church has lowered its head in fear of it,
Your hands. We seek refuge in You, O Allah, from the evil of forgetfulness.
And every palace hall has bowed in reverence for it.
So no denial of what you enabled for me from my loyalty,
وَقَدْand already ذُعِرَتْwas terrified خَوْلاَنُKhawlan بَيْنَamong بُيُوتِهَاits houses
وَقَدْ ذُعِرَتْ خَوْلاَنُ بَيْنَ بُيُوتِهَا
غَدَاةَon the morning بَدَتْappeared مِنْهَاfrom it اللُّيَوُثthe lions بخَوْلاَنِin Khawlan
غَدَاةَ بَدَتْ مِنْهَا اللُّيَوُث بخَوْلاَنِ
Khawlan was terrified among its houses
Nor disbelief in Your complete blessings from my glory.
On the morning its lions appeared in Khawlan.
However quickly I requited rights to their people,
فَلَوْso had رُميتْbeen struck مِصْرٌEgypt بِهَاwith it وَصَعِيدُهَاand its Upper Country
فَلَوْ رُميتْ مِصْرٌ بِهَا وَصَعِيدُهَا
لأَضحَتْit would have become خَلاَءًempty بَلْقَعاًa wilderness بَعْدَafter عُمْرَانِflourishing habitation
لأَضحَتْ خَلاَءً بَلْقَعاً بَعْدَ عُمْرَانِ
Had Egypt and its Upper Country been struck with it,
Indeed, You are my true Master and my Sultan.
They would have become an empty wilderness after flourishing.
You are my pillar, who when fate heralded my position,
وَلَوْand had يَمَّمَتْheaded toward سَيْفَSayf بْنَson of ذِيDhi يَزَنٍYazan لَمَاnever would
وَلَوْ يَمَّمَتْ سَيْفَ بْنَ ذِي يَزَنٍ لَمَا
تَقَرَّرَhave remained ذَاكَthat الْغِمْدُscabbard فِيin غِمْدِthe sheath of غُمْدَانِGhumdan
تَقَرَّرَ ذَاكَ الْغِمْدُ فِي غِمْدِ غُمْدَانِ
And had it made for Sayf ibn Dhi Yazan, never would
Responded to my call with acceptance and support.
That scabbard have remained within the sheath of Ghumdan.
And cured my sickly days
وَتُجْفلُand flee إِجْفَالَlike the flight النَّعَامِof ostriches بِبَرْقَةٍin Barqa
وَتُجْفلُ إِجْفَالَ النَّعَامِ بِبَرْقَةٍ
لُيُوثُthe lions الشَّرَىof al-Shara مَاall بَيْنَamong تُرْكٍTurks وَعُرْبَانِand Arabs
لُيُوثُ الشَّرَى مَا بَيْنَ تُرْكٍ وَعُرْبَانِ
And there flee, like ostriches in Barqa,
With the wisdom of One who did not await a critical time.
The lions of al-Shara, Turks and Arabs alike.
The turns of events betrayed me, so it bent
وَعَرْضاًand a muster كَيَوْمِlike the Day الْعَرْضِof Presentation أَذهَلَbewildered هَوْلَهُits terror
وَعَرْضاً كَيَوْمِ الْعَرْضِ أَذهَلَ هَوْلَهُ
عِيَانِيmy sight وَأَعْيَانِيand exhausted me تَعَدُّدُthe multitude أَعْيَانِيof my sights
عِيَانِي وَأَعْيَانِي تَعَدُّدُ أَعْيَانِي
And a muster like the Day of Presentation, whose terror bewildered
To kiss my cheek, then after my cheek.
My sight; the multitude of sights before me exhausted me.
And it disturbed me from my source, position,
وَجَيْشاًand an army كَقِطْعِlike a stretch اللَّيْلِof night لِلْخَيْلِfor the horses تَحْتَهُbeneath it
وَجَيْشاً كَقِطْعِ اللَّيْلِ لِلْخَيْلِ تَحْتَهُ
إِذَاwhen صَهَلَتْthey neigh مُفَتنَّةًvarying their strains بِرَجْعwith echoes أَلْحَانِof melodies
إِذَا صَهَلَتْ مُفَتنَّةً بِرَجْع أَلْحَانِ
And an army like a stretch of night, with horses beneath it,
And home of loved ones, and friends of neighbors.
Neighing in varied strains, with echoing melodies.
My country in which I tied my keepsakes
فَيُومِضُthen it flashes مِنْfrom بِيضِbright الظَّبَاsword-edges بِبَوَارِقٍwith lightning flashes
فَيُومِضُ مِنْ بِيضِ الظَّبَا بِبَوَارِقٍ
وَيَقْذِفُand it hurls مِنْfrom سُمْرِtawny الرِّمَاحِspears بِشُهْبَانِwith meteors
وَيَقْذِفُ مِنْ سُمْرِ الرِّمَاحِ بِشُهْبَانِ
It flashes lightning from bright sword-edges,
And gathered my pride and raised my glory.
And hurls meteors from tawny spears,
The north reminds me of it and bends me,
وَيُمْطِرُand it rains مِنْfrom وَدْقِthe showers السِّهَامِof arrows بِحَاصِبٍa pelting storm
وَيُمْطِرُ مِنْ وَدْقِ السِّهَامِ بِحَاصِبٍ
سَحَائِبُهُits clouds مِنْfrom كُلِّevery عَوْجَاءَcurved bow مِرْنَانِresonant
سَحَائِبُهُ مِنْ كُلِّ عَوْجَاءَ مِرْنَانِ
And rains a pelting storm from showers of arrows,
And it knew the traits of my delight from me.
Its clouds coming from every curved, resonant bow.
And I hope not to awaken from the soil
وَجُرْداًand sleek steeds إِذَاwhen مَاindeed ضُمِّرَتare trained lean يَوْمَon a day غَارَةٍof raiding
وَجُرْداً إِذَا مَا ضُمِّرَت يَوْمَ غَارَةٍ
تَعَجَّبْتَyou marvel مِنْat رِيحٍwind تُقَادُbeing led بأرْسَانِby reins
تَعَجَّبْتَ مِنْ رِيحٍ تُقَادُ بأرْسَانِ
And sleek steeds, when trained lean for a day of raiding,
When the dream makes it my home, the soil of my home.
Make you marvel at winds led by reins.
My brethren changed against me, and disasters swooped
تُسَابِقُthey race ظِلْمَانَthe ostriches الفَلاَةِof the desert بِمِثْلِهَاwith their like
تُسَابِقُ ظِلْمَانَ الفَلاَةِ بِمِثْلِهَا
وَتُذْعِرُand they frighten غِزْلاَنَthe gazelles الرِّمالِof the sands بِغِزْلاَنِwith gazelles
وَتُذْعِرُ غِزْلاَنَ الرِّمالِ بِغِزْلاَنِ
They race the desert's ostriches with their like,
Against me, various troubles of many colors.
And startle the sands' gazelles with gazelles.
And I did not know, before they disguised themselves,
وَدُونَand before مَهَبِّthe blowing الْعَزْمِof resolve مِنْكَfrom you قَوَاضِبٌcutting swords
وَدُونَ مَهَبِّ الْعَزْمِ مِنْكَ قَوَاضِبٌ
أَبَىrefused النَّصْرُvictory يَوْماًever أَنْthat تُلِمَّthey should encounter بِأَجْفَانِscabbards
أَبَى النَّصْرُ يَوْماً أَنْ تُلِمَّ بِأَجْفَانِ
Before the blast of your resolve are cutting swords,
That my confidants were thegathering of my betrayers.
Which victory never permits to touch their scabbards.
And my deeds, when fate determined its making
نَظَرتُI looked إِلَيْهَاat them وَالنَّجِيعُand dark blood لِبَاسُهَاtheir clothing
نَظَرتُ إِلَيْهَا وَالنَّجِيعُ لِبَاسُهَا
فَقُلْتُso I said سُيُوفٌswords أمْor شَقَائِقُanemones نُعْمَانِof Nu'man
فَقُلْتُ سُيُوفٌ أمْ شَقَائِقُ نُعْمَانِ
I looked at them, dark blood their clothing,
Were against me in what I do not approve, the evilest of my supporters.
And said: 'Swords, or Nu'man's anemones?'
So had it not been for You, after God, O King of the Most High,
تَفَتَّحَblossomed وَرْداًas a rose خَدُّهاtheir cheek حِينَwhen جُرِّدَتْthey were unsheathed
تَفَتَّحَ وَرْداً خَدُّها حِينَ جُرِّدَتْ
وَلاَand not يُنْكِرُdeny الأَقْوَامُpeople خَجْلَةthe blush عُرْيَانِof a naked one
وَلاَ يُنْكِرُ الأَقْوَامُ خَجْلَة عُرْيَانِ
Their cheek blossomed like a rose when they were unsheathed,
When the trusted betrayed me in the stance of the guilty.
And no people deny a naked one's blush.
You spared me through intercession, bestowing favors,
كَأَنas though الْوَغَىbattle نَادَتْsummoned بِهَاthem لِوَلِيمَةٍto a feast
كَأَن الْوَغَى نَادَتْ بِهَا لِوَلِيمَةٍ
قَدِalready احْتَفَلَتْhad become splendid أَوْضَاعُهَاits arrangements مُنْذُsince أَزْمَانِages ago
قَدِ احْتَفَلَتْ أَوْضَاعُهَا مُنْذُ أَزْمَانِ
As though battle had summoned them to a feast,
Innocent, whom fate had cast in the stance of the offender.
Its arrangements having long been made splendid.
If the people recognize Your right, they will succeed,
فَإِنْand if طَعِمَتْthey feasted بِالنَّصْرon victory كَانَwas وُضوءُهَاtheir ablution
فَإِنْ طَعِمَتْ بِالنَّصْر كَانَ وُضوءُهَا
نَجِيعاًdark blood وَوَافَاهَاand came to them الْغُبَارُthe dust بِأُشْنَانِwith soapwort
نَجِيعاً وَوَافَاهَا الْغُبَارُ بِأُشْنَانِ
And when they feasted upon victory, their ablution was
And if they are ignorant, they will trade at a loss.
Dark blood, and dust brought them soapwort.
And if they mix propriety with impropriety and fall short,
لَقَدْindeed خَلَصَتْwas devoted purely لِلَّهِto God مِنْكَwithin you سَجِيَّةٌa disposition
لَقَدْ خَلَصَتْ لِلَّهِ مِنْكَ سَجِيَّةٌ
جَزَاكَHe rewarded you عَلَىfor الإِحْسَانِgoodness مِنْكَfrom you بِإِحْسَانِwith goodness
جَزَاكَ عَلَى الإِحْسَانِ مِنْكَ بِإِحْسَانِ
A disposition within you was indeed devoted purely to God,
While You weighed with an upright, balanced scale.
Who repaid your goodness with goodness.
And the sanctity of this tomb refuses its perfection
فَسَيْفُكَso your sword لِلْفَتْحٍto conquest الْمُبِينِmanifest مُصَاحِبٌa companion
فَسَيْفُكَ لِلْفَتْحٍ الْمُبِينِ مُصَاحِبٌ
وَعَزْمُكَand your resolve وَالنَّصْرُand victory الْمُؤزَّرُreinforced إِلْفَانِtwo companions
وَعَزْمُكَ وَالنَّصْرُ الْمُؤزَّرُ إِلْفَانِ
So your sword is the companion of manifest conquest,
To be infringed by refutation or discounted by deficiency.
And your resolve and mighty victory are two companions.
And I have slept away from my matter and alerted an ambition
فَرُحْso go at evening وَاغْدُand go at morning لِلرَّحْمَانِof the All-Merciful تَحْتَunder كَلاَءَةٍprotection
فَرُحْ وَاغْدُ لِلرَّحْمَانِ تَحْتَ كَلاَءَةٍ
وَسَرْحَانَand as a wolf فِيin غَابِthe thicket الْعِدَىof the enemies كُلَّevery سِرْحَانِwolf
وَسَرْحَانَ فِي غَابِ الْعِدَى كُلَّ سِرْحَانِ
So go at evening and morning beneath the All-Merciful's protection,
That stares loftily at the citadel of the Elite.
And be every inch a wolf in the enemy's thicket.
When souls draw near to God and hope
وَكُنْand be وَاثِقاًtrusting بِاللَّهِin God مُسْتَنْصِراًseeking victory بِهِthrough Him
وَكُنْ وَاثِقاً بِاللَّهِ مُسْتَنْصِراً بِهِ
فَسُلْطَانُهُfor His sovereignty يُعْلُوrises عَلَىabove كُلِّevery سُلْطَانِsovereignty
فَسُلْطَانُهُ يُعْلُو عَلَى كُلِّ سُلْطَانِ
Be trusting in God, seeking victory through Him,
For the pardon of sin or the attainment of forgiveness.
For His sovereignty rises above every sovereignty.
Then my Master, You are the direction of my face,
كَفَاكَspared you الْعِدَىthe enemies كَافٍa sufficient Protector لِمُلْكِكَfor your kingdom كافِلٌa guardian
كَفَاكَ الْعِدَى كَافٍ لِمُلْكِكَ كافِلٌ
فَضِدُّكَso your opponent نِضْوٌa wasted being مَيِّتٌdead بَيْنَamid أَكْفَانِshrouds
فَضِدُّكَ نِضْوٌ مَيِّتٌ بَيْنَ أَكْفَانِ
A sufficient Protector, guardian of your realm, spared you your foes,
And the confidant of my secrets and the proof of my declaration.
So your opponent is a wasted corpse amid shrouds.
I stood over the resting place of my soul, standing,
رِضَاthe favor الْوَالِدِof the parent الْمَوْلَىthe lord أَبِيكَyour father عَرَفْتَهُyou acknowledged it
رِضَا الْوَالِدِ الْمَوْلَى أَبِيكَ عَرَفْتَهُ
وَقَدْand already أُنْكِرَwas denied الْمَعْرُوفُkindness مِنْfrom بَعْدِafter عِرْفَانِacknowledgment
وَقَدْ أُنْكِرَ الْمَعْرُوفُ مِنْ بَعْدِ عِرْفَانِ
You acknowledged the favor of your lordly parent, your father,
In the recital of remembrance or the reading of my Quran.
Though kindness was denied after being acknowledged.
And had I known, above it, of a means
فَكَمْand how many دَعْوَةٍa prayer أَوْلاَكَhe bestowed on you عِنْدَat انْتِقَالِهِhis passing
فَكَمْ دَعْوَةٍ أَوْلاَكَ عِنْدَ انْتِقَالِهِ
إِلَىto الْعَالَمِthe world الْبَاقِيenduring مِنَfrom الْعَالَمِthe world الْفَانِيfleeting
إِلَى الْعَالَمِ الْبَاقِي مِنَ الْعَالَمِ الْفَانِي
How many prayers he bestowed on you when he passed
To Your most pleasing kingdom, I would have rolled up my sleeves,
To the enduring world from the fleeting world!
And sent my soul to its utmost, except that
فَعُرِّفْتَso you were shown فِيin السَّرَّاءِprosperity نِعْمَةَthe grace مُنْعِمٍof a benefactor
فَعُرِّفْتَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ نِعْمَةَ مُنْعِمٍ
وَأُلْحِفْتَand you were wrapped in فِيin الضَّرَّاءِhardship رَحْمَةthe mercy رَحْمَانِof the All-Merciful
وَأُلْحِفْتَ فِي الضَّرَّاءِ رَحْمَة رَحْمَانِ
So in prosperity you were shown a benefactor's grace,
My aspirations are beyond the limits, my hopes.
And in hardship were wrapped in the All-Merciful's mercy.
I read the poem of praise to You by 'Aasim
عَجِبْتُI marveled لِمَنْat whoever يَبْغِيseeks الْفَخَارَglory بِدَعْوَةٍthrough a claim
عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَبْغِي الْفَخَارَ بِدَعْوَةٍ
مُجَرَّدَةٍbare مِنْof غَيْرِwithout تَحْقِقِverification بُرْهَانِof proof
مُجَرَّدَةٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ تَحْقِقِ بُرْهَانِ
I marvel at one who seeks glory through a claim
So my performance, emulation, and perfection were valid.
Bare of any verified proof.
So I strung for You these pearls from the sea of my thought,
وَسُنَّةُand the example إِبْرَاهِيمَof Ibrahim فِيin الْفَخْرِglory قَدْindeed أَتَتْhas brought
وَسُنَّةُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي الْفَخْرِ قَدْ أَتَتْ
بِكُلِّwith every صَحِيحٍsound report عَنْfrom عَلِيٍّAli وَعُثْمَانِand Uthman
بِكُلِّ صَحِيحٍ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ وَعُثْمَانِ
Ibrahim's example in glory has brought
Differentiated in the beauty of order with coral.
Every sound tradition from Ali and Uthman.
The Messenger of God cared for poetry,
وَمَنْand who مِثْلُis like إِبْرَاهِيمَIbrahim فِيin ثَبْتِsteadfastness مَوْقِفٍof stance
وَمَنْ مِثْلُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي ثَبْتِ مَوْقِفٍ
إِذَاwhen مَاindeed الْتَقَىmeet فِيat مَوْقِفthe place الْحَرْبِof battle صَفَّانِtwo ranks
إِذَا مَا الْتَقَى فِي مَوْقِف الْحَرْبِ صَفَّانِ
And who is like Ibrahim in steadfastness of stance,
And how many arguments are there in the poetry of Ka'b and Hassaan.
When two ranks meet upon the field of battle?
By God, I have not fully rendered Your worth its right,
إِذَاwhen هَمَّhe resolves لَمْdoes not يَلْفِتْturn aside بِلَحْظَةِwith the glance هَائِبٍof a fearful man
إِذَا هَمَّ لَمْ يَلْفِتْ بِلَحْظَةِ هَائِبٍ
وَإِنْand if مَنَّhe bestows لَمْdoes not يَنْفُثْutter بِلَفْظَةِwith the word مَنَّانِof a favor-reminder
وَإِنْ مَنَّ لَمْ يَنْفُثْ بِلَفْظَةِ مَنَّانِ
When he resolves, he does not turn aside with a fearful glance;
But it is my capacity and the extent of my ability.
When he gives, he does not utter a favor-reminder's words.
فَصَاحَةُthe eloquence قُسٍّof Quss فِيwithin سَمَاحَةِthe generosity حَاتِمof Hatim
فَصَاحَةُ قُسٍّ فِي سَمَاحَةِ حَاتِم
وَإِقْدَامِand the boldness عَمْرٍوof Amr تَحْتَbeneath حِكْمَةِthe wisdom لُقْمَانِof Luqman
وَإِقْدَامِ عَمْرٍو تَحْتَ حِكْمَةِ لُقْمَانِ
The eloquence of Quss within the generosity of Hatim,
And the boldness of Amr beneath the wisdom of Luqman:
شَمَائِلُtraits مَيْمُونِblessed النَّقِيبَةِin disposition أَرْوَعٌa splendid man
شَمَائِلُ مَيْمُونِ النَّقِيبَةِ أَرْوَعٌ
لَهُhis are قَصَبَاتthe reeds السَّبْقِof first place فِيin كُلِّevery مَيْدَانِarena
لَهُ قَصَبَات السَّبْقِ فِي كُلِّ مَيْدَانِ
The traits of a splendid man of blessed character,
Whose are the reeds of victory in every arena.
مَحَبَّتُهُlove of him فَرْضٌa duty عَلَىupon كُلِّevery مُسْلِمٍMuslim
مَحَبَّتُهُ فَرْضٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ
وَطَاعَتُهُand obedience to him فِيfor the sake of اللهِGod عُقْدَةُa bond إِيمَانِof faith
وَطَاعَتُهُ فِي اللهِ عُقْدَةُ إِيمَانِ
Love of him is a duty upon every Muslim,
And obedience to him for God's sake is a bond of faith.
هَنِيئاًcongratulations أَمِيرَO Commander الْمُسْلِمِينَof the Muslims بِمِنَّةٍon a favor
هَنِيئاً أَمِيرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ بِمِنَّةٍ
حُبِيتَyou were bestowed بِهَاwith it مِنْby مُطْلَقِِunbounded الْجُودِin generosity مَنَّانِa Bestower
حُبِيتَ بِهَا مِنْ مُطْلَقِِ الْجُودِ مَنَّانِ
Congratulations, Commander of the Muslims, on a favor
Bestowed upon you by the boundlessly generous Bestower.
لَزَيَّنْتَyou have indeed adorned أَجْيَادَthe necks الْمَنَابِرِof pulpits بِالَّتِيwith that which
لَزَيَّنْتَ أَجْيَادَ الْمَنَابِرِ بِالَّتِي
أتَاحَmade available لَهَاfor them الرَّحْمَانُthe All-Merciful مِنْfrom آلِthe house زِيَّانِof Zayyan
أتَاحَ لَهَا الرَّحْمَانُ مِنْ آلِ زِيَّانِ
You have indeed adorned the necks of pulpits with that
Which the All-Merciful granted them from the house of Zayyan.
قَلاَئِدُnecklaces فَتْحٍof conquest هُنَّthey are لَكِنَّbut قَدْرَهَاtheir worth
قَلاَئِدُ فَتْحٍ هُنَّ لَكِنَّ قَدْرَهَا
تَرَفَّعَrose above أَنْbeing يُدْعَىcalled قَلاَئِدَnecklaces عِقْيَانِof pure gold
تَرَفَّعَ أَنْ يُدْعَى قَلاَئِدَ عِقْيَانِ
Necklaces of conquest they are, but their worth
Is too exalted to be called necklaces of pure gold.
أَمَوْلاَيَO my lord حُبِّيmy love فِيfor عُلاَكَyour glory وَسِيلَتِيmy means of approach
أَمَوْلاَيَ حُبِّي فِي عُلاَكَ وَسِيلَتِي
وَلُطْفُكَand your kindness بِيto me دَأْباًconstantly بِحَمْدِكَto praising you أَغْرَانِيinspired me
وَلُطْفُكَ بِي دَأْباً بِحَمْدِكَ أَغْرَانِي
My lord, my love for your glory is my means of approach,
And your constant kindness to me has inspired me to praise you.
أيَادِيكَyour favors لاَnot أَنْسَىI forget عَلَىdespite بُعُدِthe distance الْمَدَىof the range
أيَادِيكَ لاَ أَنْسَى عَلَى بُعُدِ الْمَدَى
نَعُوذُwe seek refuge بِكَin You اللَّهُمَّO God مِنْfrom شَرِّthe evil نِسْيَانِof forgetting
نَعُوذُ بِكَ اللَّهُمَّ مِنْ شَرِّ نِسْيَانِ
Across the vast distance, I do not forget your favors;
We seek refuge in You, O God, from the evil of forgetting.
فَلاَso not جَحْدَdenial مَاof what خَوَّلْتَنِيyou granted me مِنْof سَجَّيتِيmy nature
فَلاَ جَحْدَ مَا خَوَّلْتَنِي مِنْ سَجَّيتِي
وَلاَnor كُفْرَingratitude نُعْمَاكَfor your favor الْعَمِيمَةِall-embracing مِنْof شَانِيmy way
وَلاَ كُفْرَ نُعْمَاكَ الْعَمِيمَةِ مِنْ شَانِي
Denial of what you granted me is not in my nature,
Nor is ingratitude for your all-embracing favor my way.
وَمَهْمَاand however تَعَجَّلتُI hasten to discharge الْحُقُوقَthe dues لأَهْلِهَاfor those entitled to them
وَمَهْمَا تَعَجَّلتُ الْحُقُوقَ لأَهْلِهَا
فَإِنَّكَfor you are مَوْلاَيَmy lord الْحَقِيقُtrue وَسُلْطَانِيand my sovereign
فَإِنَّكَ مَوْلاَيَ الْحَقِيقُ وَسُلْطَانِي
However promptly I pay what is due to others,
You are my true lord and my sovereign.
وَرُكْنِيand my support الَّذِيwho لَمَاwhen نَبَاrepelled بِيme مَنْزِلِيmy dwelling
وَرُكْنِي الَّذِي لَمَا نَبَا بِي مَنْزِلِي
أَجَابَanswered نِدَائِيmy call بِالْقَبُولِwith acceptance وَآوَانِيand sheltered me
أَجَابَ نِدَائِي بِالْقَبُولِ وَآوَانِي
And my support, who, when my dwelling repelled me,
Answered my call with acceptance and sheltered me.
وَعَالَجَand healed أَيَّاميmy days وَكَانَتْand they were مَريضَةًill
وَعَالَجَ أَيَّامي وَكَانَتْ مَريضَةً
بِحِكْمَةwith the wisdom مَنْof one who لَمْdid not يَنْتَظِرْawait يَوْمَthe day بُحْرانِof crisis
بِحِكْمَة مَنْ لَمْ يَنْتَظِرْ يَوْمَ بُحْرانِ
And healed my days when they were ill,
With the wisdom of one who did not await the day of crisis.
فَأَمَّنَنِيso made me secure الدَّهْرُtime الّذِيwhich قَدْhad أَخَافَنِيfrightened me
فَأَمَّنَنِي الدَّهْرُ الّذِي قَدْ أَخَافَنِي
وَجَدَّدَand renewed لِيfor me السَّعْدَgood fortune الَّذِيwhich كَانَhad أَبْلاَنِيfavored me
وَجَدَّدَ لِي السَّعْدَ الَّذِي كَانَ أَبْلاَنِي
So time, which had frightened me, made me secure,
And renewed for me the good fortune that had once favored me.
وَخَوَّلَنِيand granted me الْفَضَلَthe bounty الَّذِيwhich هُوَhe أَهْلُهُis worthy of
وَخَوَّلَنِي الْفَضَلَ الَّذِي هُوَ أَهْلُهُ
وَشِيكاًswiftly وَأَعْطَانِيand gave me فَأَفْعَمَso he filled أَعْطَانِيmy watering places
وَشِيكاً وَأَعْطَانِي فَأَفْعَمَ أَعْطَانِي
And bestowed on me the bounty befitting him,
Swiftly; he gave to me until my watering places were full.
تَخَّونَنِيbetrayed me صَرفُthe turn الْحَوَادِثِof events فَانْثَنَىthen turned back
تَخَّونَنِي صَرفُ الْحَوَادِثِ فَانْثَنَى
يُقَبِّلُkisses أَرْدَانِيmy sleeves وَمِنْand from بَعْدُafter أَرْدَانِيhe cast me down
يُقَبِّلُ أَرْدَانِي وَمِنْ بَعْدُ أَرْدَانِي
The turn of events betrayed me, then turned back
To kiss my sleeves, after having cast me down.
وَأَزْعَجَنِيand drove me مِنْfrom مَنْشَأيmy birthplace وَمُبَوَّأيand my abode
وَأَزْعَجَنِي مِنْ مَنْشَأي وَمُبَوَّأي
وَمَعْهَدِand the meeting-place أَحْبَابِيof my loved ones وَمَأْلَفِand the haunt جِيرَانِيof my neighbors
وَمَعْهَدِ أَحْبَابِي وَمَأْلَفِ جِيرَانِي
It had driven me from my birthplace and dwelling,
The meeting-place of my loved ones, the haunt of my neighbors,
بِلاَدِيmy country الَّتِيwhich فِيهَاin it عَقَدْتُI tied تَمَائِمِيmy amulets
بِلاَدِي الَّتِي فِيهَا عَقَدْتُ تَمَائِمِي
وجمَّand grew plentiful بِهَاin it وَفْرِيmy wealth وَجَلَّand became great بِهَاin it شانِيmy standing
وجمَّ بِهَا وَفْرِي وَجَلَّ بِهَا شانِي
My country, where I tied my amulets,
Where my wealth grew abundant and my standing rose.
تُحَدِّثُنِيtells me عَنْهَاof it الشَّمَالُthe north wind فَتَنْثَنِيthen turns back
تُحَدِّثُنِي عَنْهَا الشَّمَالُ فَتَنْثَنِي
وَقَدْand already عَرَفتْrecognized مِنِّيin me شَمَائِلَthe traits نَشْوَانِof an intoxicated man
وَقَدْ عَرَفتْ مِنِّي شَمَائِلَ نَشْوَانِ
The north wind tells me of it, then turns back,
Having recognized in me the traits of an intoxicated man.
وَآمُلُand I hope أَنْthat لاَnot أَسْتَفِيقَI awaken مِنَfrom الْكَرَىsleep
وَآمُلُ أَنْ لاَ أَسْتَفِيقَ مِنَ الْكَرَى
إِذَاwhenever الْحُلْمُa dream أَوْطَانِيmakes me tread بِهَاin it تُرْبَthe soil أَوْطَانِيof my homelands
إِذَا الْحُلْمُ أَوْطَانِي بِهَا تُرْبَ أَوْطَانِي
And I hope not to awaken from sleep
Whenever a dream lets me tread there upon my homeland's soil.
تَلَوَّنَchanged colors إِخوَانِيmy friends عَلَيَّagainst me وَقَدْand already جَنَتْhad wronged
تَلَوَّنَ إِخوَانِي عَلَيَّ وَقَدْ جَنَتْ
عَليَّme خُطُوبٌcalamities جَمَّةٌmany ذَاتُpossessing أَلْوَانِdiverse colors
عَليَّ خُطُوبٌ جَمَّةٌ ذَاتُ أَلْوَانِ
My friends changed their colors toward me, while there had fallen
Upon me many calamities of diverse colors.
وَمَاand not كُنْتُI was أَدْرِيaware قَبْلَbefore أَنْthat يَتَنَكَّرُواthey turned hostile
وَمَا كُنْتُ أَدْرِي قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَنَكَّرُوا
بِأَنَّthat خِوَانِيmy table كَانَwas مَجْمَعَthe meeting-place خَوَّانِيof my betrayers
بِأَنَّ خِوَانِي كَانَ مَجْمَعَ خَوَّانِي
Before they turned hostile, I did not know
That my table had been the meeting-place of my betrayers.
وَكَانَتْand were وَقَدْand when حُمَّwas sealed القَضَاءُthe decree صَنَائِعِيmy beneficiaries
وَكَانَتْ وَقَدْ حُمَّ القَضَاءُ صَنَائِعِي
عَلَيَّagainst me بِمَاin what لاَnot أَرْتَضِيI approve شَرَّthe worst أَعْوَانِيof my helpers
عَلَيَّ بِمَا لاَ أَرْتَضِي شَرَّ أَعْوَانِي
And, once fate's decree was sealed, my beneficiaries became
My worst allies against me in what I could not approve.
فَلَوْلاكَso but for you بَعْدَafter اللهِGod يَاO مَالِكَpossessor الْعُلَىof high glory
فَلَوْلاكَ بَعْدَ اللهِ يَا مَالِكَ الْعُلَى
وَقَدْand already فُتُّI was lost مَاnot أَلْفَيْتُI found منsomeone who يَتَلاَفَانِيwould rescue me
وَقَدْ فُتُّ مَا أَلْفَيْتُ من يَتَلاَفَانِي
But for you, after God, O possessor of high glory,
When I was lost, I would have found no one to rescue me.
تَدَارَكْتَyou rescued مِنِّيin me بالشَّفَاعَةِthrough intercession مُنْعِماًgraciously
تَدَارَكْتَ مِنِّي بالشَّفَاعَةِ مُنْعِماً
بَرِيئاًan innocent man رَمَاهُcast him الدَّهْرُtime فِيinto مَوْقِفِthe position الْجَانِيof the culprit
بَرِيئاً رَمَاهُ الدَّهْرُ فِي مَوْقِفِ الْجَانِي
Through your gracious intercession you rescued in me
An innocent man whom time had placed in the culprit's position.
فَإِنْso if عَرَفَacknowledged الأَقْوَامُpeople حَقَّكَyour due وُفِّقُواthey were granted success
فَإِنْ عَرَفَ الأَقْوَامُ حَقَّكَ وُفِّقُوا
وَإِنْand if جَهِلُواthey were ignorant بَاءُواthey returned بِصَفْقَةِwith a bargain خُسْرَانِof loss
وَإِنْ جَهِلُوا بَاءُوا بِصَفْقَةِ خُسْرَانِ
If people recognize what is due to you, they find success;
If they fail to know it, they return with a losing bargain.
وَإنْand if خَلطَوُاthey mixed عُرفاًacknowledgment بنُكْرٍwith denial وَقَصَّرُواand fell short
وَإنْ خَلطَوُا عُرفاً بنُكْرٍ وَقَصَّرُوا
وَزَنْتَyou weighed بِقِسْطَاسٍwith a measuring scale قَوِيمٍtrue وَمِيزَانِand a balance
وَزَنْتَ بِقِسْطَاسٍ قَوِيمٍ وَمِيزَانِ
If they mix acknowledgment with denial and fall short,
You weigh with a true measuring scale and balance.
وَحُرمَةُand the sanctity هَذَاof this اللَّحْدِgrave يَأَبَىrefuses كَمَالُهَاits perfection
وَحُرمَةُ هَذَا اللَّحْدِ يَأَبَى كَمَالُهَا
هَضيمَةَthe injury رَدٍّof rejection أَوْor حَطِيطَةَthe abasement نُقْصَانِof diminution
هَضيمَةَ رَدٍّ أَوْ حَطِيطَةَ نُقْصَانِ
The perfect sanctity of this grave refuses
The injury of rejection or the abasement of diminution.
وَقَدْand already نِمْتُI slept عَنْunconcerned with أَمريmy affairs وَنبَّهْتُand awakened هِمَّةa resolve
وَقَدْ نِمْتُ عَنْ أَمري وَنبَّهْتُ هِمَّة
تُحَدِّقُgazes مِنْfrom عُلْوon high إِلَىupon صَرْحِthe tower هَامَانِof Haman
تُحَدِّقُ مِنْ عُلْو إِلَى صَرْحِ هَامَانِ
I slept unconcerned about my affairs, having awakened a resolve
That gazes down from on high upon Haman's tower.
إِذَاwhen دَانَتِsubmitted to اللَّهَGod النُّفُوسُthe souls وَأَمَّلَتْand hoped for
إِذَا دَانَتِ اللَّهَ النُّفُوسُ وَأَمَّلَتْ
إِقَالَةَpardon ذَنْبٍof a sin أَوْor إِنَالَةَthe granting غُفْرَانِof forgiveness
إِقَالَةَ ذَنْبٍ أَوْ إِنَالَةَ غُفْرَانِ
When souls submit to God and hope for
Pardon of a sin or the granting of forgiveness,
فَمَوْلاَكَthen your lord يَامَوْلاَيَO my lord قِبْلَةُthe prayer-direction وِجْهَتِيof my quest
فَمَوْلاَكَ يَامَوْلاَيَ قِبْلَةُ وِجْهَتِي
وَعُهْدَةُand the keeper أَسْرَارِيof my secrets وَحُجَّةُand the warrant إِعْلاَنِيof my public words
وَعُهْدَةُ أَسْرَارِي وَحُجَّةُ إِعْلاَنِي
Then your lord, my lord, is the prayer-direction of my quest,
The keeper of my secrets and the warrant of my public words.
وَقَفْتُI dedicated عَلَىat مَثْوَاهُhis resting-place نَفْسِيmyself قَائِماstanding
وَقَفْتُ عَلَى مَثْوَاهُ نَفْسِي قَائِما
بِتَرْدِيدِwith repetition ذِكْرِof remembrance أَوْor تِلاَوَةِrecitation قُرْآنِيof my Quran
بِتَرْدِيدِ ذِكْرِ أَوْ تِلاَوَةِ قُرْآنِي
I dedicated myself at his resting-place, standing
Repeating remembrance or reciting my Quran.
وَلَوْand if كُنْتُI were أَدْرِيaware فَوْقَهَاabove it مِنْof any وَسِيلَةٍmeans of approach
وَلَوْ كُنْتُ أَدْرِي فَوْقَهَا مِنْ وَسِيلَةٍ
إِلَىto مُلْكِكَyour rule الأَرْضَىmost pleasing لَشَمَّرْتُI would roll up أَرْدَانِيmy sleeves
إِلَى مُلْكِكَ الأَرْضَى لَشَمَّرْتُ أَرْدَانِي
If I knew of any higher means of approach
To your most pleasing rule, I would roll up my sleeves,
وَأَبْلَغْتُand brought نَفسِيmy soul جُهْدَهَاto its utmost effort غَيْرَexcept أَنَّنِيthat I
وَأَبْلَغْتُ نَفسِي جُهْدَهَا غَيْرَ أَنَّنِي
طِلاَبِيmy pursuit مَاof what lies بَعْدbeyond النَّهَايَةthe limit أَعْيَانِيexhausted me
طِلاَبِي مَا بَعْد النَّهَايَة أَعْيَانِي
And strain my soul to its utmost; yet
Seeking beyond the utmost has exhausted me.
قَرَأتُI read كِتَابَthe book الْحَمْدِof praise فِيكَconcerning you لِعَاصِمٍaccording to Asim
قَرَأتُ كِتَابَ الْحَمْدِ فِيكَ لِعَاصِمٍ
فَصَحَّso proved sound أَدَائِيmy performance وَاقْتِدَائِيand my emulation وَإِتْقَانِيand my mastery
فَصَحَّ أَدَائِي وَاقْتِدَائِي وَإِتْقَانِي
I read the Book of Praise concerning you according to Asim,
And my performance, emulation, and mastery proved sound.
فَدُونَكَهَاso take it مِنْfrom بَحْرِthe sea فِكْرِيَof my thought لُؤلُؤاًas pearls
فَدُونَكَهَا مِنْ بَحْرِ فِكْرِيَ لُؤلُؤاً
يُفَصَّلُis interspersed مِنْthrough حُسْنِthe beauty النِّظَامِof stringing بِمَرْجَانِwith coral
يُفَصَّلُ مِنْ حُسْنِ النِّظَامِ بِمَرْجَانِ
So take it: pearls from the sea of my thought,
Interspersed with coral through beautiful stringing.
وَكَانَand was رَسُولُthe Messenger اللهِof God بِالشِّعْرِwith poetry يَعْتَنِيconcerned
وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ بِالشِّعْرِ يَعْتَنِي
وَكَمْand how many حُجَّةٍa proof فِيin شِعْرِthe poetry كَعْبٍof Ka'b وَحَسَّانِand Hassan
وَكَمْ حُجَّةٍ فِي شِعْرِ كَعْبٍ وَحَسَّانِ
The Messenger of God used to attend to poetry,
And how many proofs lie in the poetry of Ka'b and Hassan!
وَوَاللَّهِand by God مَاnot وَفَّيتُI gave in full قَدْرَكَyour worth حَقَّهُits due
وَوَاللَّهِ مَا وَفَّيتُ قَدْرَكَ حَقَّهُ
وَلَكِنَّهُbut it is وُسْعِيmy capacity وَمَبْلَغُand the limit إمْكَانِيof my ability
وَلَكِنَّهُ وُسْعِي وَمَبْلَغُ إمْكَانِي
By God, I have not given your worth its due,
But this is my capacity and the limit of my ability.
Partial English translation: 128 of 204 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1