أثارَstirred سُراهاtheir night journey والدِّيارُand the dwellings نَوازِحُfar away
أثارَ سُراها والدِّيارُ نَوازِحُ
سَناgleam of بارِقٍa lightning flash منْfrom مَطْلَعِthe rising-place of الوَحْيrevelation لائِحُflashing
سَنا بارِقٍ منْ مَطْلَعِ الوَحْي لائِحُ
Their night journey, while the dwellings lay far away, was stirred
Its homes and dwellings aroused longing,
by lightning's gleam, flashing from the rising-place of revelation.
With the shining early dawn of revelation beaming,
سَفائِنُships تَسْتَفّdevour الفَلاthe wastes فكأنّهاso, as though they were
سَفائِنُ تَسْتَفّ الفَلا فكأنّها
سَفائِنُships فيin بَحْرِthe sea of السّرابِmirage سَوابِحُswimming
سَفائِنُ في بَحْرِ السّرابِ سَوابِحُ
Ships devouring the wastes, as though they were
Ships braving waves as if they are
ships swimming in the sea of mirage.
Ships swimming in the sea of mirage gleaming,
إلَيْكَtoward you رَسولَO Messenger of اللهِGod شُدّتْwere tightened نُسوعُهاtheir girth-straps
إلَيْكَ رَسولَ اللهِ شُدّتْ نُسوعُها
وغادَرَهاand left them الإدْلاجُnight travel وهْيَwhile they were طلائِحُexhausted
وغادَرَها الإدْلاجُ وهْيَ طلائِحُ
Toward you, Messenger of God, their girth-straps were tightened;
To you, O Messenger of Allah, their determination tightened
and night travel left them exhausted.
And the darkness left them shining.
تَحَمّلْنَthey carried منْamong زُوّارِvisitors to قَبْرِكَyour tomb فِتْيَةًyoung men
تَحَمّلْنَ منْ زُوّارِ قَبْرِكَ فِتْيَةً
تُواصِلُmaintain fellowship فيin ذاتِthe cause of الهُدَىguidance وتُنازِحُand journey far
تُواصِلُ في ذاتِ الهُدَى وتُنازِحُ
They carried young men among the visitors to your tomb,
They endured from the visitors of your tomb some youths
who maintain fellowship for guidance's sake and journey far.
Who adhere to the guidance and dissent.
همُthey القُضْبُsupple branches إنْif مالُواthey sway معَwith الذِّكْرِremembrance خَشْيَةًin awe
همُ القُضْبُ إنْ مالُوا معَ الذِّكْرِ خَشْيَةً
وإنْand if رَجّعوهُthey intone it فالحَمامُthen the doves الصّوادِحُsinging
وإنْ رَجّعوهُ فالحَمامُ الصّوادِحُ
They are supple branches when they sway in remembrance, in awe;
They are most humble if they incline with remembrance out of awe
and when they intone it, they are singing doves.
And if they recite it then doves cooing loud.
حَنانَيْكُماyour tender mercy, you two ياO صاحِبَيَّmy two companions بمُغْرَمٍupon a love-stricken man
حَنانَيْكُما يا صاحِبَيَّ بمُغْرَمٍ
جَوانِحُهُhis ribs نحْوَtoward الحَجيجِthe pilgrims جَوانِحُinclining
جَوانِحُهُ نحْوَ الحَجيجِ جَوانِحُ
Show tender mercy, my two companions, to a love-stricken man
Your two companions, how I yearn for them
whose ribs incline toward the pilgrims.
Their wings toward the pilgrims flapping.
أقامَhe stayed behind يُعانيenduring الشّوْقَlonging عنْby قَدَرٍfate's decree ومَنْand whoever
أقامَ يُعاني الشّوْقَ عنْ قَدَرٍ ومَنْ
أقامَstayed behind علَىwith عُذْرٍa valid excuse كمَنْlike one who هوَhe رائِحُdeparting
أقامَ علَى عُذْرٍ كمَنْ هوَ رائِحُ
He stayed behind, enduring longing by fate's decree; and whoever
One endured longing without being able to attain
stays behind with good excuse is like one who departs.
And one remained with excuses like one departing.
تَدانَىdrew near هَوىًin love لمّاwhen تَباعَدَgrew distant منزِلاًin dwelling
تَدانَى هَوىً لمّا تَباعَدَ منزِلاً
فَهاso behold هُوَhe دانٍnear فيin الزِّيارَةِvisitation نازِحُfar away
فَها هُوَ دانٍ في الزِّيارَةِ نازِحُ
He drew near in love when he grew distant in dwelling;
Love drew near when the home was far
so here he is, near in visitation, yet far away.
So here it is, getting closer, migrating.
وهاand behold أنْتَyou ياO إنسانَpupil of عيْنِthe eye of يَقينِهhis certainty
وها أنْتَ يا إنسانَ عيْنِ يَقينِه
برَوْضَةِin the garden of مَنْone who حازَpossessed المَحاسِنَall beauties سارِحُroaming
برَوْضَةِ مَنْ حازَ المَحاسِنَ سارِحُ
And here you are, O pupil of his eye of certainty,
And here you are, O human, the eye of his certainty
roaming in the garden of him who possessed all beauties.
In the meadow of the one who attained the most beautiful traits traveling.
كدَحْتَyou labored الىtoward رَبّthe Lord of الجَمالbeauty مُلاقِياًto meet Him
كدَحْتَ الى رَبّ الجَمال مُلاقِياً
فَياso, O أيُّهاyou الإنسانُhuman being إنكindeed you كادِحُlaboring
فَيا أيُّها الإنسانُ إنك كادِحُ
You labored toward the Lord of beauty, to meet Him;
You struggled to the Lord of Beauty meeting
so, O human being, you are indeed laboring.
So O man you really are struggling.
هَنيئاًmay it be joyful لكُمfor you ياO زائِريvisitors to تُرْبَةَthe burial soil of الهُدَىguidance
هَنيئاً لكُم يا زائِري تُرْبَةَ الهُدَى
بُلوغَattainment of المُنىhopes والسّعْيُand striving فيfor اللهِGod ناجِحُsuccessful
بُلوغَ المُنى والسّعْيُ في اللهِ ناجِحُ
Joy to you, O visitors to the burial soil of guidance,
Congratulations to you, pilgrims of the soil of guidance
in attaining your hopes; striving for God succeeds.
For attaining your goal with striving for God succeeding.
حَلَلْتُمْyou alighted بمَثْوىat the resting-place of خَيْرِthe best of مَنْthose who وَطِئَtrod الثّرىthe earth
حَلَلْتُمْ بمَثْوى خَيْرِ مَنْ وَطِئَ الثّرى
وأكْرَمِand the noblest of مَنْthose whom ضَمّتْenclosed صَفاًsmooth rock وصَفائِحُand stone slabs
وأكْرَمِ مَنْ ضَمّتْ صَفاً وصَفائِحُ
You alighted at the resting-place of the best who trod the earth,
You descended upon the abode of the best to walk the earth
and the noblest whom smooth rock and stone slabs enclosed.
And most generous whose plain and hills are terminating.
مَعاهِدُsanctuaries فيهِنّin them المَلائِكَةُthe angels العُلىexalted
مَعاهِدُ فيهِنّ المَلائِكَةُ العُلى
غَوادٍcoming at dawn بتَنْزيلِwith the revelation of الكِتابِthe Book رَوائِحُgoing at dusk
غَوادٍ بتَنْزيلِ الكِتابِ رَوائِحُ
Sanctuaries where the exalted angels
The exalted angels frequented them
come morning and evening with the revelation of the Book.
When the Book descended clouds drifting.
أفاءَbestowed علَيْهاupon them اللهُGod أفْياءَthe shades of نُورِهHis light
أفاءَ علَيْها اللهُ أفْياءَ نُورِه
فَفيهِنّso in them منْfrom دارِthe Abode of السّلامِPeace ملامِحُglimpses
فَفيهِنّ منْ دارِ السّلامِ ملامِحُ
God bestowed upon them the shades of His light;
God shined on them the manifestations of His light
so within them are glimpses of the Abode of Peace.
So in them the traits of the Abode of Peace gleaming.
تبَوّأهَاdwelt in them مِنْamong خِيرَةِthe choicest of الرّسْلِthe messengers مَنْone who سَمَتْrose
تبَوّأهَا مِنْ خِيرَةِ الرّسْلِ مَنْ سَمَتْ
بهِwith him ليْلَةَon the Night of المِعْراجِthe Ascension فيهاthere المَطامِحُlofty aspirations
بهِ ليْلَةَ المِعْراجِ فيها المَطامِحُ
There dwelt one of the choicest messengers, with whom soared
It reached the most exalted spot of the Throne
lofty aspirations there on the Night of Ascension.
Those sublime and towering ascents.
وبالأفُقِand at the horizon الأعْلىhighest منَof العَرْشِthe Throne قدْindeed سَمَتْrose
وبالأفُقِ الأعْلى منَ العَرْشِ قدْ سَمَتْ
سَجاياهُhis virtues ياO لَلّهِGod, in invocation تِلْكَthose السّجائِحُnoble dispositions
سَجاياهُ يا لَلّهِ تِلْكَ السّجائِحُ
And at the highest horizon of the Throne rose
Messenger of humanity came with truth so
his virtues—O God, what noble dispositions!
The clear proofs in the horizons of certainty beamed.
رَسولُMessenger to البَراياcreation جاءَcame بالصّدْقِwith truth فامّحَتْand were effaced
رَسولُ البَرايا جاءَ بالصّدْقِ فامّحَتْ
بنورِby the light of هُداهُhis guidance التّرَّهاتُfalsehoods الصّحاصِحُbarren wastes
بنورِ هُداهُ التّرَّهاتُ الصّحاصِحُ
The Messenger to creation brought truth, and there vanished
His successor delivering his Lord's message
by his guidance's light the barren wastes of falsehood.
Trustworthy regarding Islam to God counseling.
مُبَلّغُهُمْconveying to them أهْدىthe most guiding of رِسالاتِmessages of رَبِّهِhis Lord
مُبَلّغُهُمْ أهْدى رِسالاتِ رَبِّهِ
أمينٌtrustworthy علىover الإسلامِIslam فيfor اللهِGod ناصِحُa sincere counselor
أمينٌ على الإسلامِ في اللهِ ناصِحُ
Conveying to them his Lord's most guiding messages,
A rescuer yet my sins and soul, my soul
trustworthy over Islam, a sincere counselor for God's sake.
And my senses are witnesses against me watching.
مُغيثٌa rescuer ودَعْوَىand the cry of المُذْنِبينَthe sinners خَطيئَتيmy sin
مُغيثٌ ودَعْوَى المُذْنِبينَ خَطيئَتي
ونَفْسيand myself نَفْسيmyself والشّهودُand the witnesses الجَوارِحُthe limbs
ونَفْسي نَفْسي والشّهودُ الجَوارِحُ
A rescuer, while sinners cry, 'My sin!'
For him are the manifest miracles as if they are
and 'Myself! Myself!' while their limbs are the witnesses.
Flashes in the horizons of certainty flaring.
لهُhis are المُعْجِزاتُmiracles المُعْجِزاتُinimitable كأنّهاas though they were
لهُ المُعْجِزاتُ المُعْجِزاتُ كأنّها
بُروقٌlightning flashes بآفاقِon the horizons of اليَقينِcertainty لوائِحُgleaming
بُروقٌ بآفاقِ اليَقينِ لوائِحُ
His are miracles, inimitable miracles, as though they were
Like his informing of the unseen, for with him
lightning flashes gleaming on certainty's horizons.
Are keys to the doors of the unseen secrets latching.
كإخْبارِهِlike his reporting بالغائِباتِof unseen things فعنْدَهُfor he has
كإخْبارِهِ بالغائِباتِ فعنْدَهُ
لأبوابِto the doors of أسْرارِthe secrets of الغُيوبِthe unseen مَفاتِحُkeys
لأبوابِ أسْرارِ الغُيوبِ مَفاتِحُ
Like his telling of unseen things; for he holds
And on the day of Badr when he threw a handful of dirt
keys to the doors of the mysteries of the unseen.
The multitudes of polytheism turned and fled running.
وفيand on يومِthe day of بَدْرٍBadr إذْwhen رَمَىhe cast قَبْضَةَa handful of الثّرىdust
وفي يومِ بَدْرٍ إذْ رَمَى قَبْضَةَ الثّرى
فولّتْso they fled جُموعُthe hosts of الشِّرْكِpolytheism وهْيَthough they were جَوامِحُheadstrong
فولّتْ جُموعُ الشِّرْكِ وهْيَ جَوامِحُ
And on the day of Badr, when he cast a handful of dust,
And he was given the wooden stick in the midst of the struggle
the hosts of polytheism fled, though headstrong.
So a sword from it to shed blood came gushing.
وأُعْطيand he was given عَسيبَa stalk of النّخْلِthe date palm فيin حوْمَةِthe thick of الوَغَىbattle
وأُعْطي عَسيبَ النّخْلِ في حوْمَةِ الوَغَى
فهُزَّso was brandished حُسامٌa keen sword منْهُfrom it للدّمِof blood سافِحُshedding
فهُزَّ حُسامٌ منْهُ للدّمِ سافِحُ
And he was given a palm stalk in the thick of battle;
He called upon God to send rain so His sky responded
then a keen sword from it was brandished, shedding blood.
With rains from clouds pouring down fast flooding.
دَعاhe called upon اللهَGod يَسْتَسْقيseeking rain فلبّتْso answered سَماؤهُhis sky
دَعا اللهَ يَسْتَسْقي فلبّتْ سَماؤهُ
بواكِفَةِwith pouring القَطْرِrain السّحابُthe clouds الدّوالِحُheavily laden
بواكِفَةِ القَطْرِ السّحابُ الدّوالِحُ
He called on God for rain, and his sky answered
And he threw to the rear of the army his cloak
with pouring rain from heavily laden clouds.
So it was generous to him though stingy and measuring.
وألقَىand he laid بأخْلافِupon the teats of الشِّياهِthe sheep يَمينَهُhis right hand
وألقَى بأخْلافِ الشِّياهِ يَمينَهُ
فجادَتْso they yielded freely بهِthrough him وهْيَthough they were الضّروعُthe udders الشّحائِحُstingy
فجادَتْ بهِ وهْيَ الضّروعُ الشّحائِحُ
And he laid his right hand upon the teats of sheep;
And the thirst of the army was quenched by the water of his well
they yielded freely through him, though they were stingy udders.
For God has there overflowing springs bursting.
وروّىand quenched ظِماءَthe thirsty of الجيْشِthe army ماءُwater of بَنانِهِhis fingers
وروّى ظِماءَ الجيْشِ ماءُ بَنانِهِ
فلِلّهِso, God's are أمْواهٌwaters هُناكَthere سَوائِحُflowing
فلِلّهِ أمْواهٌ هُناكَ سَوائِحُ
And water from his fingers quenched the army's thirsty men;
And on the night of his birth manifestations emerged
so God's were the waters flowing there!
Continuously for God among us flaring.
وفيand on ليْلَةِthe night of المِيلادِthe birth لاحَتْappeared شَواهِدٌsigns
وفي ليْلَةِ المِيلادِ لاحَتْ شَواهِدٌ
تَوالَتْcame in succession بِهاthrough them للّهِGod's فِيناamong us المَنائِحُgifts
تَوالَتْ بِها للّهِ فِينا المَنائِحُ
And on the night of his birth, signs appeared,
The palaces of Syria were illuminated by them and the
through which God's gifts to us came in succession.
Features of what they encompassed were uncovered.
أضاءَتْshone قُصورُthe palaces of الشّامِal-Sham منْهُنّthrough them وانْجَلَتْand were revealed
أضاءَتْ قُصورُ الشّامِ منْهُنّ وانْجَلَتْ
مَعالِمُlandmarks of ماwhat ضُمَّتْenclosed عَلَيْهِaround it الأباطِحُthe gravelly valleys
مَعالِمُ ما ضُمَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الأباطِحُ
Through them the palaces of al-Sham shone, and were revealed
And the palace of Chosroes was guided to it in awe
the landmarks of what the gravelly valleys enclosed.
And the fires of Persia were extinguished from it blasting.
وهُدَّand was shattered لَهاfor them إيوانُthe vaulted hall of كِسْرىKisra مَهابَةًin awe
وهُدَّ لَها إيوانُ كِسْرى مَهابَةً
وأُخْمِدَand was extinguished منْof نِيرانِthe fires of فارِسَPersia لافِحُa scorching flame
وأُخْمِدَ منْ نِيرانِ فارِسَ لافِحُ
And Kisra's vaulted hall was shattered in awe of them;
and a scorching flame of Persia's fires was extinguished.
The valley of Samawa parted for it and recoiled
وغاضَand dried up بِهاthrough them وادِيthe valley of السّماوةِal-Samawa فانْثَنَتْso turned back
وغاضَ بِها وادِي السّماوةِ فانْثَنَتْ
تقَلِّصُdrawing up ذَيلَthe trailing hem of الخَصْبِfertility فيهِwithin it المَسارِحُthe pastures
تقَلِّصُ ذَيلَ الخَصْبِ فيهِ المَسارِحُ
And through them the valley of al-Samawa ran dry, and back turned
Contracting the tail of fertility in it encroaching.
the pastures within it, drawing up fertility's trailing hem.
And the sword of the king saw a vision so
وأبْصَرَand saw سَيْفُSword of المُلْكِKingship رُؤْياa vision فأصْبَحَتْso they became
وأبْصَرَ سَيْفُ المُلْكِ رُؤْيا فأصْبَحَتْ
لتَذْكارِهاat recalling it تَرْتاعُtremble in fear منْهُof him الجَوارِحُthe limbs
لتَذْكارِها تَرْتاعُ منْهُ الجَوارِحُ
And Sayf al-Mulk saw a vision; thereafter
His senses were alarmed by remembering it quaking.
his limbs trembled at its recollection.
And his soothsayers informed him that his land
وأعْلَمَهُand told him كَهّانُهُhis soothsayers أنّthat أرْضَهُhis land
وأعْلَمَهُ كَهّانُهُ أنّ أرْضَهُ
أُتيحَwas allotted لَهاfor it منْfrom سَيّدِthe lord of العُرْبِthe Arabs فاتِحُa conqueror
أُتيحَ لَها منْ سَيّدِ العُرْبِ فاتِحُ
And his soothsayers told him that his land
Was opened by the Master of the Arabs vanquishing.
had been allotted a conqueror from the lord of the Arabs.
So who is like the Messenger of God a refuge
فمَنْso who كرَسولِlike the Messenger of اللهِGod للخَلْقِfor creation ملْجَأa refuge
فمَنْ كرَسولِ اللهِ للخَلْقِ ملْجَأ
إذاwhen طوّحَتْهُمْcast them adrift للزّمانِof time الطوائِحُcalamities
إذا طوّحَتْهُمْ للزّمانِ الطوائِحُ
Who, then, is like God's Messenger, a refuge for creation
When afflictions from time over people came crashing.
when time's calamities cast them adrift?
His care for sinners is great
عنايَتُهُhis care بالمُذْنِبينَfor the sinners عظيمةٌgreat
عنايَتُهُ بالمُذْنِبينَ عظيمةٌ
إذاwhen عَظُمَتْgrow great يومَon the Day of الحِسابِReckoning الفضائِحُdisgraces
إذا عَظُمَتْ يومَ الحِسابِ الفضائِحُ
Great is his care for sinners
When on the Day of Judgment sins are exposed blazing.
when disgraces loom large on the Day of Reckoning.
And we followed his guidance so we were guided by his companionship
وإنّاand indeed we اقْتَدَيْناfollowed the example فاهْتَدَيْناso found guidance بصَحْبِهِthrough his companions
وإنّا اقْتَدَيْنا فاهْتَدَيْنا بصَحْبِهِ
وماand not صَحْبُهُhis companions إلاexcept النّجومُthe stars اللّوائِحُshining
وما صَحْبُهُ إلا النّجومُ اللّوائِحُ
And indeed, we followed his companions and so found guidance;
And his companionship is nothing but stars shining.
and his companions are none but shining stars.
They eradicated devils of misguidance and his
أبادُواthey destroyed شَياطينَthe devils of الضّلالِerror وزَيّنَتْand adorned
أبادُوا شَياطينَ الضّلالِ وزَيّنَتْ
سَماءَthe sky of رُسومِthe signs of الحَقِّtruth منْهُمْfrom among them مَصابِحُlamps
سَماءَ رُسومِ الحَقِّ منْهُمْ مَصابِحُ
They destroyed the devils of error, and adorned
Path of truth was adorned by them illuminating.
was the sky of truth's signs by lamps from their ranks.
And the dawn of their certainty dispelled the night of doubt
وأذْهَبَand dispelled لَيْلَthe night of الشّكّdoubt صُبْحُthe dawn of يَقينِهمْtheir certainty
وأذْهَبَ لَيْلَ الشّكّ صُبْحُ يَقينِهمْ
فأسْفَرَso shone forth منْfrom وَجْهِthe face of الحَقائِقِtruths واضِحُclarity
فأسْفَرَ منْ وَجْهِ الحَقائِقِ واضِحُ
And the dawn of their certainty dispelled the night of doubt;
So the face of realities became unambiguous beaming.
so clarity shone from the face of truths.
And for the upright religion proofs were established
وقامَتْand arose علَىin support of الدّينthe faith الحَنيفِupright أدِلّةٌproofs
وقامَتْ علَى الدّين الحَنيفِ أدِلّةٌ
تَبَيّنَbecame clear مَرْجوحٌthe weaker بهِنّthrough them وراجِحُand the weightier
تَبَيّنَ مَرْجوحٌ بهِنّ وراجِحُ
And proofs arose for the upright faith,
By them falsehoods were refuted clearly convincing.
through which the weaker and the stronger became clear.
They are the highest ones who bought guidance with their souls
أُولاكَthose الأُلىwho بالأنْفُسِwith their lives اشْتَرواbought الهُدىguidance
أُولاكَ الأُلى بالأنْفُسِ اشْتَروا الهُدى
فتَجْرُهُمْso their trade فيin جنّةِthe Garden of الخُلْدِEternity رابِحُprofitable
فتَجْرُهُمْ في جنّةِ الخُلْدِ رابِحُ
Those are they who bought guidance with their lives;
So it draws them into the Garden of Eternity far-reaching.
so their trade yields profit in the Garden of Eternity.
They shepherded the right of the Messenger’s will
رَعَوْاthey honored لرَسولِfor the Messenger of اللهِGod حَقَّthe due right of وَصاتِهِhis injunction
رَعَوْا لرَسولِ اللهِ حَقَّ وَصاتِهِ
فذاعَتْso spread بهِمْthrough them فيamong المُسْلِمينَthe Muslims النّصائِحُcounsels
فذاعَتْ بهِمْ في المُسْلِمينَ النّصائِحُ
They upheld God's Messenger's injunction as was its due;
So advice among the Muslims spread from them disseminating.
so through them counsel spread among the Muslims.
And there still remains among them in Islam leaders
ومازالَand there remain فيin الإسْلامِIslam منْهُمْfrom among them أئِمّةٌleaders
ومازالَ في الإسْلامِ منْهُمْ أئِمّةٌ
تُناضِلُfight عنْin defense of دِينِthe faith of الهُدىguidance وتُكافِحُand struggle
تُناضِلُ عنْ دِينِ الهُدى وتُكافِحُ
And Islam still has leaders from among them
Who champion the religion of guidance and stand unwavering.
who defend the faith of guidance and struggle for it,
And from their children they beget every supporter
وتُنْجِبُand bring forth منْfrom أبْنائِهاtheir sons كلَّevery ناصِرٍchampion
وتُنْجِبُ منْ أبْنائِها كلَّ ناصِرٍ
يَفُلُّblunts شَباةَthe sharp edge of الخَطْبِcalamity والخطْبُwhile the calamity فادِحُcrushing
يَفُلُّ شَباةَ الخَطْبِ والخطْبُ فادِحُ
and bring forth from their sons every champion
Who makes the armies of adversity retreat evacuating.
who blunts calamity's sharp edge, though the calamity is crushing.
So who is like my Lord Yusuf
فمَنْso who مِثْلُlike موْلاناour lord الخَليفَةِthe caliph يوسُفٍYusuf
فمَنْ مِثْلُ موْلانا الخَليفَةِ يوسُفٍ
إذاwhen عدّدَrecount الفَخْرَglory الملوكُthe kings الجَحاجِحُmighty
إذا عدّدَ الفَخْرَ الملوكُ الجَحاجِحُ
Who, then, is like our lord, the caliph Yusuf,
When the boastful kings are enumerated vaunting?
when mighty kings recount their glory?
His hands spread blessings in the land
أيادِيهِhis benefactions سحّتْpoured forth فيamong الوَرَىmankind برَكاتُهاtheir blessings
أيادِيهِ سحّتْ في الوَرَى برَكاتُها
فأيّامُهُمْso their days بيضُwhite اللّياليthe nights صَوالِحُauspicious
فأيّامُهُمْ بيضُ اللّيالي صَوالِحُ
His benefactions poured their blessings upon mankind;
So their days are righteous nights progressing.
so their days are bright, their nights auspicious.
Leader of guidance, best of those God granted rule
إمامَimam of الهُدىguidance ياO خيْرَbest of مَنْthose who بَذَلَlavished اللُّهىgifts
إمامَ الهُدى يا خيْرَ مَنْ بَذَلَ اللُّهى
وشادَتْand extolled عُلاهُhis glories المَعْلُواتِexalted الصّرائِحُclear declarations
وشادَتْ عُلاهُ المَعْلُواتِ الصّرائِحُ
O imam of guidance, best of those who lavish gifts,
And lofty pillars raised him elevating.
and whose exalted glories clear declarations extol.
If the signs of caliphs in splendor are ambiguous
إذاwhen اشتَبَهَتْare ambiguous آيُthe verses of الخلائِفِthe caliphs فيin النّدىgenerosity
إذا اشتَبَهَتْ آيُ الخلائِفِ في النّدى
فآيُthen the verses of نَداكَyour bounty المُحْكَماتُunequivocal الفَواتِحُopening verses
فآيُ نَداكَ المُحْكَماتُ الفَواتِحُ
When the caliphs' verses of generosity seem ambiguous,
Then your unambiguous signs are illuminating.
your bounty's verses are unequivocal, the opening verses.
And if their sublime feats are narrated
وإنْand if رُوِيَتْare narrated عنْهُمْabout them عَواليthe heights of علائِهِمْtheir glory
وإنْ رُوِيَتْ عنْهُمْ عَوالي علائِهِمْ
فآثارُthen the records of عَلْياكَyour eminence الحِسانُfine الصّحائِحُauthentic
فآثارُ عَلْياكَ الحِسانُ الصّحائِحُ
And if the heights of their glory are recounted,
Then your great qualities are true and authenticating.
the records of your eminence are fine and authentic.
And if praise of virtues competes
وإنْand if مِدَحٌpraises فيin المَكْرُماتِnoble deeds تَعارَضَتْvie with one another
وإنْ مِدَحٌ في المَكْرُماتِ تَعارَضَتْ
فأنْتَthen you الىtoward الأدْنىthe nearest منَto اللهِGod جانِحُinclining
فأنْتَ الى الأدْنى منَ اللهِ جانِحُ
And if praises of noble deeds compete,
Then to the least of them you stand inclining.
you incline toward what is nearest to God.
You established the rituals of the birth of the Messenger
أقَمْتَyou established لمِيلادِfor the birth of الرّسولِthe Messenger شَعائِراًrites
أقَمْتَ لمِيلادِ الرّسولِ شَعائِراً
بِهاthrough them اللهُGod عنْfor ذَنْبِthe sin of المُسيئينَthe wrongdoers صافِحُpardoning
بِها اللهُ عنْ ذَنْبِ المُسيئينَ صافِحُ
You established rites for the Messenger's birth,
Through them may God forgive sins of the disobedient absolving.
through which God pardons the wrongdoers' sin.
The gentle breezes were proud with praise of Muhammad
تَباهَتْthey gloried بأمْداحِin praises of الرّسولِthe Messenger مُحمّدٍMuhammad
تَباهَتْ بأمْداحِ الرّسولِ مُحمّدٍ
فطابَتْso grew sweet بذِكْراهاthrough their remembrance الرِّياحُthe winds النّوافِحُwafting
فطابَتْ بذِكْراها الرِّياحُ النّوافِحُ
They gloried in praises of the Messenger Muhammad;
For by the remembrance purity in them is diffusing.
so the wafting winds grew sweet at their remembrance.
When in it the pages of his praise are published
إذاwhen نُشِرَتْwere unfurled فيهاwithin them صَحائِفُpages of مَدْحِهِhis praise
إذا نُشِرَتْ فيها صَحائِفُ مَدْحِهِ
وذاعَتْand spread abroad بنَشْرِwith the fragrance of الحَمْدِpraise منْهاfrom them المَمادِحُtributes
وذاعَتْ بنَشْرِ الحَمْدِ منْها المَمادِحُ
When pages of his praise were unfurled within them,
And the eulogies through them are circulated infusing.
and tributes spread from them with the fragrance of praise,
From the land of India caravans came to you
تَلقّتْكَgreeted you منْfrom أرْضِthe land of الهُنودِthe Indians لَطائِمٌperfume caravans
تَلقّتْكَ منْ أرْضِ الهُنودِ لَطائِمٌ
يَنِمُّreveals بِهاtheir presence مِنْfrom مِسْكِthe musk of دارينَDarin فائِحُa wafting fragrance
يَنِمُّ بِها مِنْ مِسْكِ دارينَ فائِحُ
perfume caravans greeted you from the land of the Indians,
From the scent of musk of the two abodes perfuming.
a waft of Darin's musk revealing their presence.
It is the blessed night, for you one night is enough
هيَit اللّيلةُthe night الغَرّاءُradiant حسبُكَenough for you لَيلةًas a night
هيَ اللّيلةُ الغَرّاءُ حسبُكَ لَيلةً
بِهاin it نَجْمُthe star of دينِthe faith of اللهِGod أزْهَرُradiant لائِحُshining
بِها نَجْمُ دينِ اللهِ أزْهَرُ لائِحُ
It is the radiant night—a night enough for you—
In which the star of the religion of God shone dazzling.
in which the star of God's faith is radiant and shining.
When its horizon of light rose for me
إذاwhen ماemphatic particle أضاءَتْilluminates ليfor me مَطالِعَthe rising-places of نورِهاits light
إذا ما أضاءَتْ لي مَطالِعَ نورِها
فقَلْبيthen my heart لَهاfor it زَنْدَthe firestick of الفَصاحةِeloquence قادِحُstriking sparks
فقَلْبي لَها زَنْدَ الفَصاحةِ قادِحُ
When it illuminates for me the rising-places of its light,
Then my heart for it became tinder of eloquence kindling.
my heart strikes for it the firestick of eloquence.
So O night of the birth none like you deserves praise
فَياso, O لَيْلَةَnight of الميلادِthe birth دونَكِhere, take مِدْحَةًa praise poem
فَيا لَيْلَةَ الميلادِ دونَكِ مِدْحَةً
وأيْسَرُand the easiest ماof what تُهْدَىis offered إليْكِto you المَدائِحُpraise poems
وأيْسَرُ ما تُهْدَى إليْكِ المَدائِحُ
O night of the birth, take this praise poem;
And easiest that eulogies to you are offered submitting.
and praise poems are the least of what is offered to you.
If you accept its delegation with favor
وإنْand if أنْتَyou بالإقْبالِwith favor قابَلْتَgreet وَفْدَهاits delegation
وإنْ أنْتَ بالإقْبالِ قابَلْتَ وَفْدَها
فتَسْمَحُthen freely give بالأمْداحِpraises فيكَof you القَرائِحُpoetic talents
فتَسْمَحُ بالأمْداحِ فيكَ القَرائِحُ
And if you greet its delegation with favor,
Then you gracefully accept the praises in you instilling.
poetic talents will freely lavish praise on you.
You gave it life, reviver of guidance, rites
وأنْتَand you لهاfor it أحْيَيْتَrevived ياO مُحْييreviver of الهُدىguidance
وأنْتَ لها أحْيَيْتَ يا مُحْيي الهُدى
فُروضاًduties بهِنّthrough them اللهُGod صَدْرَكَyour breast شارِحُexpanding
فُروضاً بهِنّ اللهُ صَدْرَكَ شارِحُ
And for it you revived, O reviver of guidance,
Through them God your chest expanded disclosing.
duties through which God expands your breast.
Congratulations, through your state satisfaction is achieved
يَميناًI swear لقدindeed قرّتْfound delight بدَوْلتكunder your reign الرِّضَىpleasing
يَميناً لقد قرّتْ بدَوْلتك الرِّضَى
عُيونٌeyes برَوْضِin the garden of العَدْلِjustice منْكَfrom you سوارِحُroaming
عُيونٌ برَوْضِ العَدْلِ منْكَ سوارِحُ
I swear: your pleasing reign has indeed brought delight
Eyes in the meadow of justice from you gazing.
to eyes roaming in the garden of justice you bestow.
For people are only of two types: a praiser
فماso not الناسُthe people طُرّاًall غيرُother than صِنْفَيْنِtwo kinds حامدٌone giving thanks
فما الناسُ طُرّاً غيرُ صِنْفَيْنِ حامدٌ
علىfor فَضْلِthe bounty of ماwhat تُوليyou bestow وآخَرُand another مادِحُpraising
على فَضْلِ ما تُولي وآخَرُ مادِحُ
All people are but two kinds: one gives thanks
Of the virtue you grant and another eulogizing.
for the bounty you bestow, and another sings praise.
Remain supporter of the religion so long as an opponent crouches
فدُمْso remain ناصِراًa champion للدّينِof the faith ماas long as حَنّyearns نازِحٌone far away
فدُمْ ناصِراً للدّينِ ما حَنّ نازِحٌ
وماand as long as افتَنّvaries its song فيon غُصْنِthe branch of الأراكَةِthe arak tree صادِحُa songbird
وما افتَنّ في غُصْنِ الأراكَةِ صادِحُ
So remain a champion of the faith as long as one far away yearns,
And so long as a rebel in the branch of the throne transgresses.
and as long as a songbird varies its song on the arak tree's branch.
Partial English translation: 118 of 120 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1