الْحَقُّtruth يَعْلُوrises وَالأَبَاطِلُand falsehoods تَسْفُلُsink
الْحَقُّ يَعْلُو وَالأَبَاطِلُ تَسْفُلُ
وَاللهُand God عَنْabout أَحْكَامِهِHis judgments لاَnot يُسْأَلُis questioned
وَاللهُ عَنْ أَحْكَامِهِ لاَ يُسْأَلُ
Truth rises, while falsehoods sink.
The truth rises while falsehoods sink,
And God is not questioned about His judgments.
And God is not questioned about His rulings.
وَالأَمْرُand the decree فِيمَاconcerning what كَانَwas أَوْor هُوَit كَائِنٌis to be
وَالأَمْرُ فِيمَا كَانَ أَوْ هُوَ كَائِنٌ
كَالْعِلَّةِlike the cause الْقُصُوَىultimate فكَيْفَso how يُعَللُis explained
كَالْعِلَّةِ الْقُصُوَى فكَيْفَ يُعَللُ
The decree concerning what has been or is to be
What was or what will be,
is like the ultimate cause: how can it be explained?
Is like the highest cause, so how can it be caused?
وَهُوَand it الْوُجُودُexistence يَجُودُgives generously طَوْراًsometimes بِالَّذِيwith what
وَهُوَ الْوُجُودُ يَجُودُ طَوْراً بِالَّذِي
تَرْضَىare pleased النُّفُوسُsouls بِهِwith it وَطَوْراًand sometimes يَبْخَلُwithholds
تَرْضَى النُّفُوسُ بِهِ وَطَوْراً يَبْخَلُ
Existence itself sometimes gives generously what
He is the existence that sometimes gives generously,
pleases souls, and sometimes withholds it.
What satisfies souls, and sometimes is stingy.
والْيِسْرُand ease بَعْدَafter الْعُسْرِhardship مَوْعُودٌpromised بِهِas such
والْيِسْرُ بَعْدَ الْعُسْرِ مَوْعُودٌ بِهِ
وَالصَّبْرُبِالْفَرَجِand patience, with deliverance الْقَرِيبِimminent مُوَكّلُis entrusted
وَالصَّبْرُبِالْفَرَجِ الْقَرِيبِ مُوَكّلُ
Ease after hardship is promised,
Ease comes after hardship,
and patience is entrusted with imminent deliverance.
Patience leads to impending relief.
والْمُسْتَعِدّand the prepared person لِمَاfor what يُؤَمِّلُhe hopes for ظَافِرٌsuccessful
والْمُسْتَعِدّ لِمَا يُؤَمِّلُ ظَافِرٌ
وَكَفَاكَand sufficient for you شَاهِدُtestimony قَيِّدُواbind fast وَتَوَكَّلُواand put your trust
وَكَفَاكَ شَاهِدُ قَيِّدُوا وَتَوَكَّلُوا
Whoever prepares for what he hopes for succeeds;
The one prepared for what he hopes for is successful,
sufficient witness is: “Bind fast, and put your trust.”
"Tie your camel and trust in God" is enough for you.
وَمَنِand whoever اقْتَضَىcollected بالسَّعْدِthrough good fortune دَيْنَthe debt زَمَانِهِof his age
وَمَنِ اقْتَضَى بالسَّعْدِ دَيْنَ زَمَانِهِ
والسَّيْفِand the sword لَمْnot يَبْعُدْwas distant عَلَيْهِfrom him مُؤَمَّلُa hoped-for thing
والسَّيْفِ لَمْ يَبْعُدْ عَلَيْهِ مُؤَمَّلُ
Whoever collects the debt his age owes him through good fortune
Whoever the times require his good fortune,
and the sword finds no hoped-for thing beyond his reach.
And the sword does not fail to reach the dodger.
أمُحَمَّدُO Muhammad وَالْحَمْدُand praise مِنْكَfrom you سَجِيَّةٌan innate quality
أمُحَمَّدُ وَالْحَمْدُ مِنْكَ سَجِيَّةٌ
بِحُلِيِّهَاwith its ornaments بَيْنَamong الْوَرَىhumankind يُتَجَمَّلُone is adorned
بِحُلِيِّهَا بَيْنَ الْوَرَى يُتَجَمَّلُ
O Muhammad, praiseworthiness is your nature,
O Muhammad, praise be to you,
whose ornaments adorn a man among humankind.
A habit glorified among all peoples.
أَمَّاas for سُعُودُكَyour good fortunes فَهُوَthen it دُونَwithout مُنَازِعٍa disputant
أَمَّا سُعُودُكَ فَهُوَ دُونَ مُنَازِعٍ
عَقْدٌa covenant بِأَحْكَامِby the decrees الْقَضَاءِof destiny مُسَجَّلُrecorded
عَقْدٌ بِأَحْكَامِ الْقَضَاءِ مُسَجَّلُ
As for your good fortune, it is, beyond dispute,
Your good fortune is assured without contention,
a covenant recorded by the decrees of destiny.
A contract under the rulings of destiny, affirmed.
وَلَكَand yours السَّجَايَاthe innate qualities الْعُزَّexalted وَالشِّيَمُand the virtues ألَّتِيwhich
وَلَكَ السَّجَايَا الْعُزَّ وَالشِّيَمُ ألَّتِي
بِغَرِيبِهَاwith their rare excellence يَتَمَثَّلُcites an example الْمُتَمَثَّلُthe proverb-citer
بِغَرِيبِهَا يَتَمَثَّلُ الْمُتَمَثَّلُ
Yours are exalted qualities and those virtues
The noble morals and propriety belong to you,
whose rare excellence supplies proverbial examples.
The ultimate refinement is reflected in you.
وَلَكَand yours الْوَقَارُcomposure إِذَاwhen تَزَلْزَلَتِquake الرَّبَاthe hills
وَلَكَ الْوَقَارُ إِذَا تَزَلْزَلَتِ الرَّبَا
وَهَفَتْand tremble مِنَfrom الرَّوْعِterror الْهِضَابُthe heights الْمُثَّلُtowering
وَهَفَتْ مِنَ الرَّوْعِ الْهِضَابُ الْمُثَّلُ
Yours is composure when the hills quake
Dignity is yours when mountains quake
and towering heights tremble with terror.
And the highlands crumble into hills.
وَلَكَand yours الْجَبِينُthe brow الطَّلْقُopen وَالْخُلُقُand the character الَّذِيwhich
وَلَكَ الْجَبِينُ الطَّلْقُ وَالْخُلُقُ الَّذِي
لَحْظُthe gaze الْكَمَالِof perfection بِلَحْظِهِنَّwith beholding them مُوَكَّلُis entrusted
لَحْظُ الْكَمَالِ بِلَحْظِهِنَّ مُوَكَّلُ
Yours are the open brow and the character
The bright forehead and fine manners are yours,
that the gaze of perfection is charged with contemplating.
The glances of perfection focused on you.
النُّورُthe light أَنْتَyou وَكُلُّand every نُورٍlight دُجْيَةٌdarkness
النُّورُ أَنْتَ وَكُلُّ نُورٍ دُجْيَةٌ
وَالْبَحْرُand the sea أَنْتَyou وَكُلُّand every بَحْرٍsea جَدْوَلُa stream
وَالْبَحْرُ أَنْتَ وَكُلُّ بَحْرٍ جَدْوَلُ
You are the light, and every other light is darkness;
You are the light, and any light is but darkness,
you are the sea, and every other sea a stream.
You are the sea, and any sea is but a stream.
وَإِذَاand when ذُكِرْتَyou are mentioned كَأَنَّas though هَبَّاتِthe breaths الصَّبَاof the east wind
وَإِذَا ذُكِرْتَ كَأَنَّ هَبَّاتِ الصَّبَا
رَكَدَlingered الْكَبَاءُincense بِجَوِّهَاin their air والْمَنْدَلُand sandalwood
رَكَدَ الْكَبَاءُ بِجَوِّهَا والْمَنْدَلُ
When you are mentioned, it is as though the east wind's breaths
When you are remembered, it is as if
held lingering incense and sandalwood in their air.
The blowing winds stand still in their blowing, and the clouds halt.
مِنْwho ذَاis it that يُجِيدُdoes well الْوَصْفَthe description مِنْكَof you خَيَالُهُhis imagination
مِنْ ذَا يُجِيدُ الْوَصْفَ مِنْكَ خَيَالُهُ
وَصِفَاتُand the qualities مَجْدِكَof your glory فَوْقَabove مَاwhat يُتَخَيَّلُis imagined
وَصِفَاتُ مَجْدِكَ فَوْقَ مَا يُتَخَيَّلُ
Whose imagination can describe you well,
Who can properly describe your glories?
when the qualities of your glory surpass imagination?
Your qualities are far beyond any imagination.
وَاللهِby God مَاnot وَفَّيfulfilled بِحَقِّكَyour due مَادِحٌa panegyrist
وَاللهِ مَا وَفَّي بِحَقِّكَ مَادِحٌ
وَاللهِby God مَاnot جَلَّىfully revealed بِحَمْدِكَthrough your praise مِقُوَلُan eloquent tongue
وَاللهِ مَا جَلَّى بِحَمْدِكَ مِقُوَلُ
By God, no panegyrist has given you your due;
By God, no praiser does justice to your right,
by God, no eloquent tongue has fully revealed your praise.
By God, no words can fully articulate your praise.
عَوِّذْprotect with charms كَمَالَperfection مَاas far as اسْتَطَعْتَyou can فَإِنَّهُfor indeed
عَوِّذْ كَمَالَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتَ فَإِنَّهُ
قَدْmay تَنْقُصُdiminish الأَشْيَاءُthings مِمَّاthrough what تَكْمُلُthey become perfect
قَدْ تَنْقُصُ الأَشْيَاءُ مِمَّا تَكْمُلُ
Protect perfection with charms as far as you can, for
Seek perfection for what you are able, for
things may diminish through what makes them perfect.
Even full things diminish with time.
تَابَrepented الزَّمَانُtime لَدَيْكَbefore you مِمَّاof what قَدْhad جَنَىcommitted
تَابَ الزَّمَانُ لَدَيْكَ مِمَّا قَدْ جَنَى
وَاللهُand God يَأَمُرُcommands بِالْمَتَابِrepentance وَيَقْبَلُand accepts
وَاللهُ يَأَمُرُ بِالْمَتَابِ وَيَقْبَلُ
Time has repented before you of what it committed,
Time has repented to you for its wrongs,
and God commands repentance and accepts it.
And God commands repentance and accepts it.
إِنْif كَانَwas مَاضٍa past portion مِنْof زَمَانِكَyour time قَدْhad أَتَىbrought
إِنْ كَانَ مَاضٍ مِنْ زَمَانِكَ قَدْ أَتَى
بِإِسَاءَةٍan injury قَدْhas سَرَّكَdelighted you الْمُسْتَقْبَلَthe future
بِإِسَاءَةٍ قَدْ سَرَّكَ الْمُسْتَقْبَلَ
If some past portion of your time brought
If the past brought evil,
an injury, the future has delighted you.
Let the future that pleased you intercede for what came before.
هَذَاthis بِذَاكَagainst that فَشَفِّعِso let intercede الثَّانِيthe latter الَّذِيwhich
هَذَا بِذَاكَ فَشَفِّعِ الثَّانِي الَّذِي
أَرْضَاكَpleased you فِيمَاconcerning what قَدْhad جَنَاهُcommitted it الأَوَّلُthe former
أَرْضَاكَ فِيمَا قَدْ جَنَاهُ الأَوَّلُ
Set this against that; let the latter intercede—the one
God has made you guardian over His servants,
that pleased you—for what the former committed.
When He chose you, a never-to-be-displaced rule.
وَاللهُand God قَدْhas ولاَّكَentrusted you أَمْرَthe affairs عِبَادِهِof His servants
وَاللهُ قَدْ ولاَّكَ أَمْرَ عِبَادِهِ
لَمَّاwhen ارْتَضَاكَHe chose you وِلاَيَةًan office لاَnot تُعْزَلُyou are removed
لَمَّا ارْتَضَاكَ وِلاَيَةً لاَ تُعْزَلُ
God has entrusted you with the affairs of His servants,
When the divine supports you with His victory,
having chosen you for an office from which you cannot be removed.
And destines goodness for you, who then can forsake you?
وَإِذَاand when تَغَمَّدَكَenfolds you الإِلاَهُGod بِنَصْرِهِin His help
وَإِذَا تَغَمَّدَكَ الإِلاَهُ بِنَصْرِهِ
وَقَضَىand decrees لَكَfor you الْحُسْنَىgood فَمَنْthen who ذَاis it that يَخْذُلُforsakes
وَقَضَى لَكَ الْحُسْنَى فَمَنْ ذَا يَخْذُلُ
When God enfolds you in His help
So go forth when you attack, every palm is calloused,
and decrees good for you, who can forsake you?
And strike, every limb made strong.
فَإِذَاso when انْتَضَيْتَyou unsheathe فكَلُّthen every كَفٍhand مُرْهَفٌa sharpened blade
فَإِذَا انْتَضَيْتَ فكَلُّ كَفٍ مُرْهَفٌ
وَإِذَاand when ضَرَبْتَyou strike فكُلَّthen every عُضْوٍlimb مَفْصِلُa joint
وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتَ فكُلَّ عُضْوٍ مَفْصِلُ
When you draw your sword, every hand becomes a sharpened blade;
If you summoned the winds to raid,
when you strike, every limb becomes a joint.
The eastern wind would carry out your raid.
فَلَوِso if اعْتَمَدْتَyou relied عَلَىupon الرِّيَاحِthe winds لِغَارَةٍfor a raid
فَلَوِ اعْتَمَدْتَ عَلَى الرِّيَاحِ لِغَارَةٍ
نهَضَتْrose بِغَارَتِكَfor your raid الصَّبَاthe east wind وَالشَّمْأَلُand the north wind
نهَضَتْ بِغَارَتِكَ الصَّبَا وَالشَّمْأَلُ
If you relied upon the winds for a raid,
If you sought help from meteors,
the east and north winds would rise to conduct it.
The fully armed stars would fight for you.
وَلَوِand if اسْتَعَنْتَyou asked for help الشُّهْبَthe stars وَاسْتَنْجَدْand sought aid... تَهَا...you, from them
وَلَوِ اسْتَعَنْتَ الشُّهْبَ وَاسْتَنْجَدْ تَهَا
حَمَلَwould bear السِّلاَحَweapons لَكَfor you السِّمَاكُSimak الأَعْزَلُthe Unarmed
حَمَلَ السِّلاَحَ لَكَ السِّمَاكُ الأَعْزَلُ
If you asked the stars for assistance and summoned their aid,
Glory to Him who through your ascension split open the dark,
Simak the Unarmed would bear weapons for you.
And restored the necklace that had been broken.
سُبْحَانَglory to مَنْHim who بِعُلاَكَthrough your eminence قَدْhas شَعَبَmended الثَّأَىthe breach
سُبْحَانَ مَنْ بِعُلاَكَ قَدْ شَعَبَ الثَّأَى
وَأَعَادَand restored حَلْيَthe ornaments الْجِيدِof the neck وَهْوَwhile it مُعَطَّلُwas unadorned
وَأَعَادَ حَلْيَ الْجِيدِ وَهْوَ مُعَطَّلُ
Glory to Him who, through your eminence, has mended the breach
Entities almost deny their senses,
and restored the ornaments of the neck when it was bare.
And early foretokens are ignored.
قَدْalmost كَادَتِwere about to الأَعْيَانُtangible realities يَكْذِبُbelie حِسُّهَاtheir perception
قَدْ كَادَتِ الأَعْيَانُ يَكْذِبُ حِسُّهَا
وَالأَولِيَّاتُand first principles السَّوَابِقُearlier تُجْهَلُare unknown
وَالأَولِيَّاتُ السَّوَابِقُ تُجْهَلُ
The senses almost belied tangible realities,
The trembling earth spins and its people
and earlier first principles became unknown.
Are tossed by the wind of torment and shaken.
وَالأَرْضُand the earth رَاجِفَةٌtrembling تَمُورُsurges وَأَهْلُهَاand its people
وَالأَرْضُ رَاجِفَةٌ تَمُورُ وَأَهْلُهَا
عَصَفَتْswept violently بِهِمْover them رِيحْthe wind الْعَذَابِof torment فَزُلْزِلُواso they were shaken
عَصَفَتْ بِهِمْ رِيحْ الْعَذَابِ فَزُلْزِلُوا
The earth was trembling and surging, while its people
Whoever dies, dies an inglorious death.
were swept by the wind of torment and shaken.
Whoever lives is corrupt and misguided.
مَنْwhoever مَاتَdied مِنْهُمْamong them مَاتَdied مِيتَةَa death فِتْنَةٍof strife
مَنْ مَاتَ مِنْهُمْ مَاتَ مِيتَةَ فِتْنَةٍ
أَوْor عَاشَlived فَهْوَthen he مُفَسَّقٌdeclared sinful وَمُضَلَّلُand declared misguided
أَوْ عَاشَ فَهْوَ مُفَسَّقٌ وَمُضَلَّلُ
Whoever among them died, died amid strife;
No pledge of allegiance saves, no covenant protects.
whoever lived was declared sinful and misguided.
Religion and world are a mixed-up mess.
لاَبَيْعَةٌno allegiance-pledge تُنْجِيsaves وَلاَand no عَهْدٌcovenant يَقِيprotects
لاَبَيْعَةٌ تُنْجِي وَلاَ عَهْدٌ يَقِي
الدِّينُreligion وَالدُّنْيَاand worldly life نَسِيجٌa fabric هَلْهَلُthreadbare
الدِّينُ وَالدُّنْيَا نَسِيجٌ هَلْهَلُ
No pledge of allegiance saves, and no covenant protects;
You have blocked from their horizons those who would be guided,
religion and worldly life are a threadbare fabric.
And barred from their authority those who would be just.
فَحَجَبْتَso you screened عَنْfrom آفَاقِهِمْtheir horizons مَنْwhoever يَهْتَدِيfollows guidance
فَحَجَبْتَ عَنْ آفَاقِهِمْ مَنْ يَهْتَدِي
وَمَنَعْتَand you kept away عَنْfrom أَحْكَامِهِمْtheir judgments مَنْwhoever يَعْدِلُacts justly
وَمَنَعْتَ عَنْ أَحْكَامِهِمْ مَنْ يَعْدِلُ
Thus you kept from their horizons those who follow guidance
Now when the sinner recoils in his sin,
and from their judgments those who act justly.
Surrendering, disavowing his misdeeds.
فَالْيَوْمَso today إِذْwhen بَخَعَconfessed الْمُسِيءُthe wrongdoer بِذَنْبِهِhis sin
فَالْيَوْمَ إِذْ بَخَعَ الْمُسِيءُ بِذَنْبِهِ
مُسْتَسْلِماًsubmitting وَتَنَصَّلَand pleaded an excuse الْمُتَنَصِّلُthe excuse-maker
مُسْتَسْلِماً وَتَنَصَّلَ الْمُتَنَصِّلُ
Today, when the wrongdoer has confessed his sin,
Include in your forgiveness he who transgressed or sinned,
submitting, and the excuse-maker has pleaded his defense,
And follow your way which is best.
فَاشْمُلْso embrace بِعَفْوِكَwith your pardon مَنْwhoever تَجَنَّىfalsely accused أَوْor جَنَىdid wrong
فَاشْمُلْ بِعَفْوِكَ مَنْ تَجَنَّى أَوْ جَنَى
واسْلُكْand follow طَرِيقَتَكَyour course الَّتِيwhich هِيَis أَمْثَلُfinest
واسْلُكْ طَرِيقَتَكَ الَّتِي هِيَ أَمْثَلُ
embrace in your pardon whoever falsely accused or did wrong,
Guard the protected realm, your glory protects it,
and follow your own course, which is the finest.
Seek widespread goodness, your fortune is coming.
وَاحْرُسْand guard حِمَىthe sanctuary الْعُلْيَاof eminence فَمَجْدُكَfor your glory مُنْجِدٌbrings aid
وَاحْرُسْ حِمَى الْعُلْيَا فَمَجْدُكَ مُنْجِدٌ
وَاطْلَبْand seek مَدَىthe farthest reach الدُّنْيَاof the world فَسَعْدُكَfor your good fortune مُقْبِلُadvances
وَاطْلَبْ مَدَى الدُّنْيَا فَسَعْدُكَ مُقْبِلُ
Guard the sanctuary of eminence, for your glory brings aid;
Be steadfast, God's victory is a banner over you,
seek the world's farthest reach, for your good fortune advances.
And good fortune upon you a trailing robe.
وَانْهَدْand rise forth فَنَصْرُfor the help اللهِof God فَوْقَكَabove you رَايَةٌis a banner
وَانْهَدْ فَنَصْرُ اللهِ فَوْقَكَ رَايَةٌ
وَمِنَand of السُّعُودِgood fortunes عَلَيْكَover you سِتْرٌa curtain مُسْبَلُhanging down
وَمِنَ السُّعُودِ عَلَيْكَ سِتْرٌ مُسْبَلُ
Rise forth: God's help is a banner above you,
Terror goes before you, followed by legions,
and a curtain of good fortune hangs over you.
From afar they feel it, though you are far.
وَالرُّعْبُand terror بَيْنَbefore يَدَيْكَyour hands يُرْدِفٌsends after جَحْفَلاًa host
وَالرُّعْبُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ يُرْدِفٌ جَحْفَلاً
مِنْهُof it عَلَىacross بُعْدِthe extent الْمَسَافَةِof distance جَحْفَلُanother host
مِنْهُ عَلَى بُعْدِ الْمَسَافَةِ جَحْفَلُ
Terror before you sends one host after another,
God's spirit carries out His judgement through you,
host following host, even across great distances.
The noble angels descend to you.
وَالرُّوحُand the Spirit رُوحُthe Spirit اللهِof God يَنْفُذُexecutes حُكْمُهُHis decree
وَالرُّوحُ رُوحُ اللهِ يَنْفُذُ حُكْمُهُ
لَكَfor you وَالْمَلاَئِكَةُand the angels الْكِرَامُnoble تَنَزُّلُdescend
لَكَ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةُ الْكِرَامُ تَنَزُّلُ
The Spirit, God's Spirit, executes His decree
Ishmael knew not the gift you gave him,
for you, and the noble angels descend.
If only he had sense to perceive it.
لَمْnot يَدْرِunderstood إِسْمَاعيلُIsmail مَاwhat طَوَّقْتَهُyou hung around his neck
لَمْ يَدْرِ إِسْمَاعيلُ مَا طَوَّقْتَهُ
مِنْof مِنَّةٍfavor لَوْif only كَانَhe were مِمَّنْamong those who يَعْقِلُunderstand
مِنْ مِنَّةٍ لَوْ كَانَ مِمَّنْ يَعْقِلُ
Ismail did not understand what you hung about his neck
A blessed comfort, a shady canopy,
of favor—if only he were one who understood.
Its greenness glistening, water ever-flowing.
نِعَمٌblessings مُهَنَّأَةٌenjoyed in ease وَظِلٌّand shade سَجْسَجٌtemperate
نِعَمٌ مُهَنَّأَةٌ وَظِلٌّ سَجْسَجٌ
تَنْدَىglistens with dew غَضَارَتُهُits lushness وَمَاءٌand water سَلْسَلُsweet-flowing
تَنْدَى غَضَارَتُهُ وَمَاءٌ سَلْسَلُ
Blessings enjoyed in ease, and temperate shade
Well-fed, well-clothed, your provision sustains him,
whose lushness glistens with dew, and sweet-flowing water.
Relieved of burdens too heavy to bear.
الطَّاعِمُthe fed person الْكَاسِيthe clothed person وَرِفدُكَand your bounty كَافِلُa guarantor
الطَّاعِمُ الْكَاسِي وَرِفدُكَ كَافِلُ
وَالْعَالَةُand the dependent الْمُعْفَاةُexempted مِمَّاfrom what يَثْقُلُweighs heavily
وَالْعَالَةُ الْمُعْفَاةُ مِمَّا يَثْقُلُ
He was fed and clothed, your bounty his guarantor,
The devil of delusion seduced him
a dependent spared whatever weighs heavily.
To a hopeless quest, though wants are easily fulfilled.
أَغْرَاهُenticed him شَيْطَانُthe devil الْغُرُورِof delusion لِغَايَةٍtoward a goal
أَغْرَاهُ شَيْطَانُ الْغُرُورِ لِغَايَةٍ
مِنْfrom دُوِنِهَاshort of it تُنْضَىare exhausted الْمَطِيُّriding beasts الذُّلَّلُdocile
مِنْ دُوِنِهَا تُنْضَى الْمَطِيُّ الذُّلَّلُ
The devil of delusion enticed him toward a goal
Through it he seeks a high place,
short of which even docile riding beasts are exhausted.
Beyond what his mind could hope to attain.
يَبْغِيseeks بِهِthrough him دَرْجاًa step upward إِلَىtoward نَيْلِattaining الَّتِيthat which
يَبْغِي بِهِ دَرْجاً إِلَى نَيْلِ الَّتِي
كَانَتْwere قُوَىthe powers إِدْرَاكِهِof his perception تَتَخَيَّلُimagining
كَانَتْ قُوَى إِدْرَاكِهِ تَتَخَيَّلُ
Seeking through him a step toward attaining what
Soon you let him taste, then restored him,
his powers of perception had imagined.
To the abyss of tribulation, an evil place.
سُرْعَانَhow swiftly مَاindeed أَبْدَاهُhe brought him forth ثُمَّthen أَعَادَهُreturned him
سُرْعَانَ مَا أَبْدَاهُ ثُمَّ أَعَادَهُ
فِيinto هَفْوَةِa lapse الْبَلْوَىof calamity وَبِئْسَand evil is الْمَنْزِلُthe dwelling
فِي هَفْوَةِ الْبَلْوَى وَبِئْسَ الْمَنْزِلُ
How swiftly he brought him forth, then cast him back
Another draft you served to Qais after him,
into a disastrous lapse—an evil dwelling indeed!
God gives tyrants respite then seizes them.
وَسَقَىand gave drink بِكَأَسِwith the cup الْحَيْنِof death قَيْساًto Qays بَعْدَهُafter him
وَسَقَى بِكَأَسِ الْحَيْنِ قَيْساً بَعْدَهُ
وَاللهُand God يُمْلِيgrants respite للِطُّغَاةِto tyrants وَيُمْهِلُand delays
وَاللهُ يُمْلِي للِطُّغَاةِ وَيُمْهِلُ
Then he gave Qays the cup of death to drink;
Treacherous character is the worst trait, condemned.
God grants tyrants respite and delays their punishment.
The wise and forebearing agree on this.
وَالْغَدْرُand treachery شَرُّthe worst سَجِيَّةٍtrait مَذْمُومَةٍreprehensible
وَالْغَدْرُ شَرُّ سَجِيَّةٍ مَذْمُومَةٍ
شَهِدَattested الْحَكِيمُthe sage بِذَاكَto that والْمُتَمَلِّلُand the religious adherent
شَهِدَ الْحَكِيمُ بِذَاكَ والْمُتَمَلِّلُ
Treachery is the worst of reprehensible traits;
Ask the lands of traitors - their ruins will answer
the sage and the religious adherent attest to that.
Those who ask. Their twisted tracks are testimony,
فاسْأَلْso ask دِيَارَthe dwellings الْغَادِرِينَof the treacherous فَإِنَّهَاfor indeed they
فاسْأَلْ دِيَارَ الْغَادِرِينَ فَإِنَّهَا
لَمُجِيبَةٌsurely answer أَطْلاَلُهَاtheir ruins مَنْwhoever يَسْأَلُasks
لَمُجِيبَةٌ أَطْلاَلُهَا مَنْ يَسْأَلُ
Ask the dwellings of the treacherous, for
Their cunning hidden footsteps and dark night,
their ruins will surely answer whoever asks.
Tripping up the times, a dreadful stumbling.
جَرَّتْdragged عَلَيْهَاacross them الرَّامِسَاتُeffacing winds ذُيُولَهَاtheir skirts
جَرَّتْ عَلَيْهَا الرَّامِسَاتُ ذُيُولَهَا
وَعَوَتْand howled بِعَقْوَتِهَاin their precincts الذِّئَابُthe wolves الْعُسَّلُtrotting
وَعَوَتْ بِعَقْوَتِهَا الذِّئَابُ الْعُسَّلُ
Effacing winds have dragged their skirts across them,
Trusting your fortunes safe from a slayer's sword,
and trotting wolves have howled in their precincts.
Go forth at peace, for it is without flaw or defect.
يَافَتْكَةًO murderous ambush أَخْفَتْhid مَوَاطِئَthe footsteps غَدْرِهَاof its treachery
يَافَتْكَةً أَخْفَتْ مَوَاطِئَ غَدْرِهَا
حِيَلُthe stratagems الْخَدِيِعَةِof deceit وَالظَّلامُand darkness الْمُسْبَلُenveloping
حِيَلُ الْخَدِيِعَةِ وَالظَّلامُ الْمُسْبَلُ
O murderous ambush, whose treacherous footsteps were hidden by
The slayer was slain by the same sword after,
the stratagems of deceit and enveloping darkness!
And Suhail rose to strike and then fled.
عَثَرَstumbled الزَّمَانُtime بِهَاover it وَكَانَتْand it was فَلْتَةًa lapse
عَثَرَ الزَّمَانُ بِهَا وَكَانَتْ فَلْتَةً
شَنْعَاءَhideous وَالدَّنْيَاand the world تَجِدُّis serious وَتَهْزَلُand jests
شَنْعَاءَ وَالدَّنْيَا تَجِدُّ وَتَهْزَلُ
Time stumbled over it, and it was a lapse
A cowardly rabble, when opposed they fled,
most hideous; the world is serious and jesting by turns.
Their lives called them, so they slipped away.
أَمِنَتْbecame safe سُعودُكَyour good fortunes مِنْfrom حِرَابَةِthe assault قَاطِعٍof a highwayman
أَمِنَتْ سُعودُكَ مِنْ حِرَابَةِ قَاطِعٍ
فَاسْرَحْso roam وَرِدْand drink فَهُوَfor it is الْكَلاَpasture وَالْمَنْهَلُand watering-place
فَاسْرَحْ وَرِدْ فَهُوَ الْكَلاَ وَالْمَنْهَلُ
Your fortunate stars are safe from a highwayman's assault;
Under the dark's cover they crept up by night,
roam and drink, for there are pasture and watering-place.
The full moon crowned with stars arrayed.
قُتِلَwas slain الْمُقَاتِلُthe fighter بَعْدَهَاafter it بِسِلاَحِهِwith his weapon
قُتِلَ الْمُقَاتِلُ بَعْدَهَا بِسِلاَحِهِ
وَغَدَاand became لَهَاbecause of it زُحَلٌSaturn يَفِرَّfleeing ويَزْحَلُand slipping away
وَغَدَا لَهَا زُحَلٌ يَفِرَّ ويَزْحَلُ
The fighter was thereafter slain with his own weapon,
Had God not defended you, protected you,
and Saturn fled from it and slipped away.
Morning would find you wrapped in their garb.
وَلَفِيفُand a rabble جُبَّانٍof cowards إِذَاwhen مَاindeed اسْتُوقِفُواthey were stopped
وَلَفِيفُ جُبَّانٍ إِذَا مَا اسْتُوقِفُوا
نَادَتْcalled بِهِمْto them آجَالُهُمْtheir appointed deaths فَتَسَلَّلُواso they slipped away
نَادَتْ بِهِمْ آجَالُهُمْ فَتَسَلَّلُوا
A rabble of cowards, whenever they were stopped,
What they tore, treachery could not mend,
heard their appointed deaths call them, and slipped away.
What they undid, the necklace could not be restrung.
طَرَقُواcame by night عَلَىupon الضِّرْغَامِthe lion لَيْلاًat night غَابَهُhis thicket
طَرَقُوا عَلَى الضِّرْغَامِ لَيْلاً غَابَهُ
وَالْبَدْرُand the full moon تَاجٌa crown بِالنَّجُومِwith stars مُكَلَّلُencircled
وَالْبَدْرُ تَاجٌ بِالنَّجُومِ مُكَلَّلُ
They entered the lion's thicket by night,
In that shock, ally forsook ally, stronghold failed.
while the full moon was a crown encircled with stars.
Guard abandoned and pact retreated.
لَوْلاَwere it not for دِفَاعُthe defense اللهِof God عَنْكَof you وَعِصْمَةٌand a protection
لَوْلاَ دِفَاعُ اللهِ عَنْكَ وَعِصْمَةٌ
أَصْبَحْتَyou came to be فِيin أَبْرَادِهَاits cloaks تَتَسَرْبَلُclothing yourself
أَصْبَحْتَ فِي أَبْرَادِهَا تَتَسَرْبَلُ
Had God not defended you, and granted a protection
The Shaykh of Saints sacrificed himself for you,
in whose cloaks you found yourself arrayed,
The most precious soul to offer.
مَاnot رقّعَwas patched الْوَهْيُthe rent الَّذِيwhich قَدْhad مَزَّقُواthey torn
مَا رقّعَ الْوَهْيُ الَّذِي قَدْ مَزَّقُوا
مَاnot حُلِّيَwas adorned الْجِيدُthe neck الَّذِيwhich قَدْhad عَطَّلواthey stripped
مَا حُلِّيَ الْجِيدُ الَّذِي قَدْ عَطَّلوا
the rents they tore would never have been patched,
Their snapping curs did not harm him,
the neck they stripped would never have been adorned.
They felled a lofty peak but it stands tall.
فَثَبَتَّso you stood firm مُجْمَعَresolved الْفُؤَادِof heart بِهَفْوَةٍamid a calamity
فَثَبَتَّ مُجْمَعَ الْفُؤَادِ بِهَفْوَةٍ
خُذِلَfailed النَّصِيرُthe helper بِهَاin it وَخَانَand betrayed الْمَعْقِلُthe stronghold
خُذِلَ النَّصِيرُ بِهَا وَخَانَ الْمَعْقِلُ
You stood firm, your heart resolved, amid a calamity
Thus are the wicked - once unleashed they do
in which the helper failed and the stronghold betrayed.
Not stop, though nothing remains to be done.
وَفَدَاكَand ransomed you شَيْخُthe elder الأَوْلِيَاءِof the saints بِنَفْسِهِwith his life
وَفَدَاكَ شَيْخُ الأَوْلِيَاءِ بِنَفْسِهِ
وَالنَّفْسُand life آثَرُthe most cherished كُلِّof every شَيْءٍthing يُبْذَلُgiven
وَالنَّفْسُ آثَرُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ يُبْذَلُ
The elder of the saints ransomed you with his life,
You escaped, like the moon after eclipse,
and life is the most cherished thing one can give.
Plunging through the darkness but appearing anew.
مَاnot ضَرَّهُمْtroubled them إِذْwhen نَاوَشَتْهُassailed him كِلاَبُهُمْtheir dogs
مَا ضَرَّهُمْ إِذْ نَاوَشَتْهُ كِلاَبُهُمْ
وَسَطَتْand attacked بِهِhim أَنْthat لَمْnot يَكُونُواthey were مُثَّلُpresent in person
وَسَطَتْ بِهِ أَنْ لَمْ يَكُونُوا مُثَّلُ
They cared nothing, as their dogs assailed him
To the seat of refuge and sanctuary of hijra you came,
and fell upon him, that they themselves were not present.
Where, once settled, even feet stumble.
وَكَذَلِكَand likewise الْخبّthe deceiver اللَّئِيمُvile إِذَاwhen سَطَاhe attacks
وَكَذَلِكَ الْخبّ اللَّئِيمُ إِذَا سَطَا
عَمِلَdid الَّتِيthe deed which مَاnothing بَعْدَهاbeyond it مَاthat يُعْمَلُcan be done
عَمِلَ الَّتِي مَا بَعْدَها مَا يُعْمَلُ
So does the vile deceiver, when he attacks,
The abode of loyalty, where stalwarts dwelt,
commit a deed beyond which nothing worse can be done.
Sheltering, victory assured through their aid.
وَنَجَوْتَand you escaped مَنْجَىthe escape الْبَدْرِof the full moon بَعْدَafter مُحَاقِهِits dark phase
وَنَجَوْتَ مَنْجَى الْبَدْرِ بَعْدَ مُحَاقِهِ
تَهْوِيyou swoop كَمَاas يَهْوِيswoops بِجَوٍّthrough the air أَجْدَلُa falcon
تَهْوِي كَمَا يَهْوِي بِجَوٍّ أَجْدَلُ
You escaped as the full moon emerges after its dark phase,
Until you were summoned by Al-Mu'tasim,
swooping as a falcon swoops through the air.
Noblest, most guarded, and ablest of rulers.
فَحَلَلْتَso you settled مِنْin وَادِيWadi الأَشَىal-Asha بِقَرَارَةٍin a sheltered hollow
فَحَلَلْتَ مِنْ وَادِي الأَشَى بِقَرَارَةٍ
عَزَّwas honored الثَّوَاءُresidence بِهَاthere وَطَابَand was pleasant الْمَنْزِلُthe lodging
عَزَّ الثَّوَاءُ بِهَا وَطَابَ الْمَنْزِلُ
You settled in a sheltered hollow of Wadi al-Asha,
You left them, hearts brimming with sorrow,
where residence was honored and the lodging pleasant:
Throats choking, tears streaming.
كُرْسِيَّa seat مُعْتَصَمٍof refuge وَمَثْوَىand an abode هِجْرَةٍof exile
كُرْسِيَّ مُعْتَصَمٍ وَمَثْوَى هِجْرَةٍ
وَالمُسْتَقَرّand a stable place إِذَاwhen تَزِلَّslip الأَرْجُلُthe feet
وَالمُسْتَقَرّ إِذَا تَزِلَّ الأَرْجُلُ
a seat of refuge and an abode of exile,
You rode the dancer's back, bravely leaving
a place of stability when feet slip;
Realm, throne, and homeland - what strength sustains?
دَارُthe home الْوَفَاءِof fidelity وَمَوْطِنُand dwelling الْقَوْمِof the people الأُلَىwho
دَارُ الْوَفَاءِ وَمَوْطِنُ الْقَوْمِ الأُلَى
كَفَلُواgave protection وَبِالنَّصْرِand mighty assistance الْعَزِيزِpowerful تَكَفَّلُواthey guaranteed
كَفَلُوا وَبِالنَّصْرِ الْعَزِيزِ تَكَفَّلُوا
the home of fidelity and dwelling of those
The sea rose against you, its chest pounding,
who gave protection and guaranteed mighty assistance.
The wind cut, blustering gusts unyielding.
حَتَّىuntil دَعَاكَsummoned you الْمُسْتَعِينُal-Musta'in وَإِنَّهand indeed he
حَتَّى دَعَاكَ الْمُسْتَعِينُ وَإِنَّه
لآبَرُّsurely more devoted بِالْمُلْكِto the kingdom الْمُضَاعِlost وَأَكْفَلُand better its guardian
لآبَرُّ بِالْمُلْكِ الْمُضَاعِ وَأَكْفَلُ
Until al-Musta'in summoned you—and he
In an awesome stand, what stand!
was truly more devoted to the lost kingdom and better its guardian.
Some pleasing, some withering, some withering!
فَرَحَلْتَso you departed عَنْهُمْfrom them وَالْقُلُوبُand the hearts بَوَالِغٌwere reaching
فَرَحَلْتَ عَنْهُمْ وَالْقُلُوبُ بَوَالِغٌ
ثُغَرَthe openings الْحَنَاجِرِof throats وَالْمَدَامِعُand tears تَهْمِلُstreamed
ثُغَرَ الْحَنَاجِرِ وَالْمَدَامِعُ تَهْمِلُ
You departed from them while hearts reached
Until you reached the capital, restoring order,
the openings of throats and tears streamed.
Guiding the misguided, settling the troubled.
فَلَقَدْfor indeed شَهِدْتَyou witnessed وَمَاand not شَهِدْتُI witnessed كَمَوْقِفٍa comparable scene
فَلَقَدْ شَهِدْتَ وَمَا شَهِدْتُ كَمَوْقِفٍ
وَالنَّاسُand the people قَدْhad وَصَلُواcontinued الصَّرَاخَtheir cries وَأَعْوَلُواand wailed
وَالنَّاسُ قَدْ وَصَلُوا الصَّرَاخَ وَأَعْوَلُوا
You indeed witnessed—and I have never witnessed such a scene—
There the ships sailed out to meet you,
the people sustaining their cries and wailing.
Plunging to their purpose, hopes high.
وَبِكًلِّand in every نَادٍassembly مِنْكَon your account أَنّةُa groan نَادِبٍof a mourner
وَبِكًلِّ نَادٍ مِنْكَ أَنّةُ نَادِبٍ
وَبِكُلِّand in every دَارٍhouse مِنْكَon your account حُزْنٌsorrow مُثْكِلُbereaving
وَبِكُلِّ دَارٍ مِنْكَ حُزْنٌ مُثْكِلُ
In every assembly, on your account, a mourner's groan;
Their stern faced you though their faces
in every house, on your account, a bereaving sorrow.
Were lit with your victory, delighted.
يَتَزَاحَمُونَthey crowd عَلَيْكَaround you حَتَّىuntil خِلْتُهُمْI imagined them
يَتَزَاحَمُونَ عَلَيْكَ حَتَّى خِلْتُهُمْ
سِرْبَa flock الْقَطَاof sandgrouse الظَّامِيthirsty وَكَفُّكَand your hand مَنْهَلُa watering-place
سِرْبَ الْقَطَا الظَّامِي وَكَفُّكَ مَنْهَلُ
They crowded around you until I imagined them
These shall be free women, rejoicing
a flock of thirsty sandgrouse, your hand their watering-place.
In the cool bloom of youth, immaculate.
غَلَبُواthey overcame عَلَيْكَyou لِكَيْso that تَتِمَّmight be fulfilled مَشِيئَةٌa will
غَلَبُوا عَلَيْكَ لِكَيْ تَتِمَّ مَشِيئَةٌ
لِلَّهِof God تَبْرُزُemerges فِيinto الْوُجُودِexistence وَتَنْزِلُand descends
لِلَّهِ تَبْرُزُ فِي الْوُجُودِ وَتَنْزِلُ
They overcame you so that a will
Each, her wings like billowing sails,
of God might be fulfilled, emerging into existence and descending.
Carrying, though she knows not what she carries.
وَظَعَنْتَand you departed عَنْfrom أَوْطَانِthe lands مُلْكِكَof your kingdom رَاكِباًriding
وَظَعَنْتَ عَنْ أَوْطَانِ مُلْكِكَ رَاكِباً
مَتْنَthe back الْعُبَابِof the surging sea فَأَيُّso what صَبْرٍpatience يَجْمُلُis fitting
مَتْنَ الْعُبَابِ فَأَيُّ صَبْرٍ يَجْمُلُ
You departed from the lands of your kingdom, riding
Dawn rose radiant from your visage,
the back of the surging sea—what patience could suffice?
Dispelling darkness as they shone forth.
وَالْبحْرُand the sea قَدْhad خَفَقَتْthrobbed عَلَيْكَaround you ضُلُوعُهُits ribs
وَالْبحْرُ قَدْ خَفَقَتْ عَلَيْكَ ضُلُوعُهُ
وَالرِّيحُand the wind تَقْطَعُinterrupts الزَّفِيرَthe sighing وَتُرْسِلُand releases it
وَالرِّيحُ تَقْطَعُ الزَّفِيرَ وَتُرْسِلُ
The sea's ribs throbbed around you,
They embarked upon the lands guided by you
and the wind interrupted its sighing, then released it.
For the opening and victory to come.
فِيin مَوْقِفٍa situation يَاO هَوْلَهُits dreadfulness مِنْas مَوْقِفٍa situation
فِي مَوْقِفٍ يَا هَوْلَهُ مِنْ مَوْقِفٍ
يَذْوِيwithers لَهُbecause of it رَضْوَىRadhwa وَيَذْبُلُand droops يَذْبُلُYadhbul
يَذْوِي لَهُ رَضْوَى وَيَذْبُلُ يَذْبُلُ
In a situation—how dreadful a situation!—
A remnant of Aad's people You destroyed,
at which Radhwa withers and Yadhbul droops.
Scattered by the sterile winds, tossed about.
حَتَّىuntil حَلَلْتَyou arrived بِعُنْصِرِat the fountainhead الْمُلْكِof kingship الَّذِيwhere
حَتَّى حَلَلْتَ بِعُنْصِرِ الْمُلْكِ الَّذِي
يُرْعَىis protected الدَّخِيلُthe refugee بِهِthere وَيُكْفَىand is resolved الْمُعْضِلُthe grave difficulty
يُرْعَى الدَّخِيلُ بِهِ وَيُكْفَى الْمُعْضِلُ
Until you reached the fountainhead of kingship, where
With sheerest falsehood they became bold,
the refugee is protected and grave difficulties are resolved.
Now to obvious truth they are humbled.
مَثْوَىthe abode بَنِيof the sons يَعْقُوبَof Yaqub أَسْبَاطِtribes الْهُدَىof guidance
مَثْوَى بَنِي يَعْقُوبَ أَسْبَاطِ الْهُدَى
وَسَحَائِبِand clouds الرُّحْمَىof mercy الَّتِيwhich تُسْتَنْزَلُare invoked to descend
وَسَحَائِبِ الرُّحْمَى الَّتِي تُسْتَنْزَلُ
The abode of the sons of Yaqub, tribes of guidance,
Your blade reddened where it struck them,
and clouds of mercy whose rain is invoked;
The hue of pooled blood, staining, fixed.
وَخَلاَئِفُand vicegerents اللَّهِof God الَّذِينَwhose أَكُفُّهُمhands
وَخَلاَئِفُ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ أَكُفُّهُم
دِيَمُsteady rains الْوَرَىfor humankind إِنْwhether أَحْسَنُواthey prosper أَوْor أَمْحَلُواsuffer drought
دِيَمُ الْوَرَى إِنْ أَحْسَنُوا أَوْ أَمْحَلُوا
God's vicegerents, whose hands
You advanced on the day of alarm, and they retreated.
are humankind's steady rains, in prosperity or drought;
You stirred in the night of dread, and they cowered.
وَدَعَائِمُand pillars الدِّينِof the faith الْحَنِيفِupright إِذَاwhen وَهَتْweaken
وَدَعَائِمُ الدِّينِ الْحَنِيفِ إِذَا وَهَتْ
مِنْهُits الْقُوَىstrengths وَاخْتَلَّand loses firmness مِنْهُits الْكَلْكَلُbreast
مِنْهُ الْقُوَى وَاخْتَلَّ مِنْهُ الْكَلْكَلُ
the pillars of the upright faith when
You hastened the partisans' demise until
its strength weakens and its breast loses firmness.
The ways of salvation perplexed them, and they rushed to doom.
وَكَفَىand sufficient is بِإِبْرَاهِيمَIbrahim بَدْرَas the full moon خِلاَفَةٍof a caliphate
وَكَفَى بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ بَدْرَ خِلاَفَةٍ
تَعْنُوbow لِغُرَّتِهِbefore his radiant brow الْبُدُورُthe full moons الْكُمَّلُperfect
تَعْنُو لِغُرَّتِهِ الْبُدُورُ الْكُمَّلُ
Ibrahim suffices as the full moon of a caliphate
You left their faces as graves at daybreak,
before whose radiant brow the perfect moons bow.
Their palms like clouds inscribed at dusk.
وَكَفَىand sufficient is بِإِبْرَاهِيمَIbrahim لَيْثَas a lion كَرِيهَةٍof battle
وَكَفَى بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ لَيْثَ كَرِيهَةٍ
يِعْنُوbows لِغُرَّتِهِbefore his radiant brow الْهِزَبْرُthe lion الْمُشْبلُwith cubs
يِعْنُو لِغُرَّتِهِ الْهِزَبْرُ الْمُشْبلُ
Ibrahim suffices as a lion of battle
When the necklace was shattered, forming letters,
before whose radiant brow the lion with cubs bows.
The swords' suspended harnesses set to work.
أَغْنَىenriched وَأَقْنَىand endowed وَاعْتَنَىand cared وَكَفَىand spared الْعَنَاhardship
أَغْنَى وَأَقْنَى وَاعْتَنَى وَكَفَى الْعَنَا
وَأَعَانَand assisted فَهْوَso he الْمُنْعِمُthe benefactor الْمُتَفَضِّلُthe generous giver
وَأَعَانَ فَهْوَ الْمُنْعِمُ الْمُتَفَضِّلُ
He enriched, endowed, cared, and spared hardship,
By God, your people at the canal banks,
and assisted: he is the benefactor, the generous giver.
When the terrible caller called and they raced.
وَلِكُلِّand for every شَيْءٍthing غَايَةٌa goal مَرْقُوبَةٌwatched
وَلِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ غَايَةٌ مَرْقُوبَةٌ
أَعْلاَمُهَاits landmarks وَلِكُلِّand for every شَيْءٍthing مَفْصِلُa decisive juncture
أَعْلاَمُهَا وَلِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَفْصِلُ
Everything has a goal whose
A people, when the dust storm raged on their faces,
landmarks are watched; everything has a decisive juncture.
They took the banners of jihad and donned them.
فَأَنِفْتَso you felt indignation لِلدِّينِfor the faith الْحَنِيفِupright وَأَهْلِهِand its people
فَأَنِفْتَ لِلدِّينِ الْحَنِيفِ وَأَهْلِهِ
مِنْat خُطَّةِthe condition الْخَسْفِof humiliation الَّتِيwhich قَدْhad حُمِّلُواthey been made to bear
مِنْ خُطَّةِ الْخَسْفِ الَّتِي قَدْ حُمِّلُوا
You felt indignation for the upright faith and its people
So faces scoffed at flaming brow,
at the humiliation they had been forced to bear;
And palms rebuked the clouds' darkness.
وَلِمِلَّةٍand for a community جُنَّتْdriven mad فَلَوْso if لَمْnot تُنْتَدَبْyou rose to act
وَلِمِلَّةٍ جُنَّتْ فَلَوْ لَمْ تُنْتَدَبْ
لَمْnot يُلْفَwould be found مَنْone who يُرْقَىheals with charms وَلاَand no مَنْone who يَتْفُلُspits a charm
لَمْ يُلْفَ مَنْ يُرْقَى وَلاَ مَنْ يَتْفُلُ
and for a community driven mad: had you not risen to act,
O House of Victory, when glories are recounted,
none would have been found to recite a healing charm or spit one.
Do not disgrace others and boast.
أَحْكَمْتَyou secured بِالرَّأَيِwith judgment السَّدِيدِsound أُصُولَهَاits foundations
أَحْكَمْتَ بِالرَّأَيِ السَّدِيدِ أُصُولَهَا
وَفَرَيْتَهَاand cut through it لَمَّاwhen اسْتَبَانَbecame clear الْمَفْصِلُthe joint
وَفَرَيْتَهَا لَمَّا اسْتَبَانَ الْمَفْصِلُ
With sound judgment you secured its foundations
For your lofty ways have no limits,
and cut cleanly through once the joint became clear.
In which even the ablest rhetorician is humbled.
وَرَكِبْتَand you undertook فِيهَاin its cause كُلَّevery صَعْبٍdifficulty لَمْnot يَكُنْit would
وَرَكِبْتَ فِيهَا كُلَّ صَعْبٍ لَمْ يَكُنْ
لَوْلاَwere it not for الإِلاَهُGod وَعِزَّand the might نَصْرِكَof your victory يَسْهُلbecome easy
لَوْلاَ الإِلاَهُ وَعِزَّ نَصْرِكَ يَسْهُل
You undertook every difficulty in its cause, none of which
Your contributions to the faith are clear,
would have become easy without God and your mighty victory.
Relayed through time, conveyed and retold.
وَأَجْرَتَand you sheltered مَسْجِدَهَاits mosque الَّذِيwhich قَدْhad ضَيَّعُواthey neglected
وَأَجْرَتَ مَسْجِدَهَا الَّذِي قَدْ ضَيَّعُوا
وَرَحِمْتَand you showed mercy مِنْبَرَهَاto its pulpit الَّذِيwhich قَدْhad عَطَّلُواthey left unused
وَرَحِمْتَ مِنْبَرَهَا الَّذِي قَدْ عَطَّلُوا
You sheltered its mosque, which they had neglected,
Are you not the first meteors whose coming
and showed mercy to its pulpit, which they had left unused.
Did not change His Prophet's path, or replace it?
جَمَعَتْunited عَلَيْكَaround you الْعُدْوَتَانِthe two shores قُلُوبَهَاtheir hearts
جَمَعَتْ عَلَيْكَ الْعُدْوَتَانِ قُلُوبَهَا
وَأَكُفَّهَاand their hands وَعَلَىand upon الْحَمِيَّةِardent resolve عَوَّلُواthey relied
وَأَكُفَّهَا وَعَلَى الْحَمِيَّةِ عَوَّلُوا
The two shores united their hearts around you
Is not your grandfather the Madeenan abode, his place,
and their hands, relying upon ardent resolve.
And his companion, the Prophet sent to all?
فَاهْتَزَّso stirred لِلْحَرْبِfor battle الْكَمِيُّthe armored warrior بَساَلةًbravely
فَاهْتَزَّ لِلْحَرْبِ الْكَمِيُّ بَساَلةً
وَاهْتَزَّand stirred فِيin مِحْرَابِهِhis prayer niche الْمُتَبَتِّلُthe ascetic
وَاهْتَزَّ فِي مِحْرَابِهِ الْمُتَبَتِّلُ
The armored warrior stirred bravely for battle,
What transmitter after this can embellish
and the ascetic stirred within his prayer niche.
One whose glory the Scripture extols?
وَبَدَاand appeared انْفِعَالُthe stirring الْكَوْنِof the universe هَذَاthis الْعَالَمworld
وَبَدَا انْفِعَالُ الْكَوْنِ هَذَا الْعَالَم
الْعُلْوِيَّupper مُهْتزَّshaken فَكَيْفَso how الأَسْفَلُthe lower
الْعُلْوِيَّ مُهْتزَّ فَكَيْفَ الأَسْفَلُ
The universe's stirring became plain: this world
O pillar of heights, o moon of guidance,
above is shaken—how, then, the world below?
The strongest handhold, unsevered.
وَالرَّومُand the Romans لاِسْتْرِجَاعِto restore حَقِّكَyour right شَمَّرَتgirded themselves
وَالرَّومُ لاِسْتْرِجَاعِ حَقِّكَ شَمَّرَت
هَذَاthis هُوَis النَّصْرُassistance المُعِمُّall-embracing الْمُخْوِلُbestowing power
هَذَا هُوَ النَّصْرُ المُعِمُّ الْمُخْوِلُ
The Romans girded themselves to restore your right:
God's making you the caliph gladdened people
this is all-embracing assistance that bestows power.
When doubts were dispelled, hopes realities.
وَاسْتَقْبَلَتْكَand welcomed you السَّابِحَاتُthe swimming ships مَوَاخِراcleaving the waters
وَاسْتَقْبَلَتْكَ السَّابِحَاتُ مَوَاخِرا
تَهْوِيspeed إِلَىtoward مَاwhat تَبْتَغِيyou seek وَتُؤَمِّلُand hope for
تَهْوِي إِلَى مَا تَبْتَغِي وَتُؤَمِّلُ
The swimming ships welcomed you, cleaving the waters,
God's making people love you gladdened cities,
speeding toward what you seek and hope for.
As doubts faded and goals drew near.
تُبْدِيdisplay جَوَانِبُهَاtheir sides الْعُبُوسَa frown وَإِنْalthough تَكُنْthey are
تُبْدِي جَوَانِبُهَا الْعُبُوسَ وَإِنْ تَكُنْ
بِالنَّصْرِat victory مِنْكَfrom you وُجُوهُهَاtheir faces تَتَهَلَّلُbeaming
بِالنَّصْرِ مِنْكَ وُجُوهُهَا تَتَهَلَّلُ
Their sides display a frown, although
It heartens worshippers that through you their faith prevailed,
their faces beam at the victory you bring.
Cleansed of troubling doubt and purified.
هُنَّthey الْجَوَارِيthe sailing ships الْمُنْشآتُloftily raised وَقَدْand already غَدَتْhave become
هُنَّ الْجَوَارِي الْمُنْشآتُ وَقَدْ غَدَتْ
تَخْتَالُstrutting فِيin بُرْدِthe mantle الشَّبَابِof youth وَتَرْفُلُand trailing robes
تَخْتَالُ فِي بُرْدِ الشَّبَابِ وَتَرْفُلُ
They are the lofty sailing ships, now
It gladdens nations that you shade their lands,
strutting and trailing their robes in the mantle of youth.
God's sheltering veil of protection settled over them.
مِنْof كُلِّevery طَائِرَةٍflying creature كَأَنَّas though جَنَاحَهَاits wing
مِنْ كُلِّ طَائِرَةٍ كَأَنَّ جَنَاحَهَا
وَهُوَand it is الشِّرَاعُthe sail بِهِwith it الْفَرَاخُthe fledglings تُظَلَّلُare shaded
وَهُوَ الشِّرَاعُ بِهِ الْفَرَاخُ تُظَلَّلُ
Each is a flying creature whose wing seems—
The openings came late for the one who
the sail itself—to shade its fledglings.
Plunged from foothold to foothold to reach you.
جَوْفَاءُhollow-bellied يَحْمِلُهَاbears it وَمَنْand whoever حَمَلَتْit carried بِهِaboard it
جَوْفَاءُ يَحْمِلُهَا وَمَنْ حَمَلَتْ بِهِ
مَنْHe who يَعْلَمُknows الأَنْثَىthe female وَمَاand what هِيَshe تَحْمِلُcarries
مَنْ يَعْلَمُ الأَنْثَى وَمَا هِيَ تَحْمِلُ
Hollow-bellied, it and those it carries aboard are borne by
God removes from souls what He wills,
Him who knows the female and what she carries.
Until the rightful and wrongful stand clear.
أَطَلَعْنَthey brought forth صُبْحاًa morning مِنْfrom جَبِيِنَكَyour brow مُسْفِراًradiant
أَطَلَعْنَ صُبْحاً مِنْ جَبِيِنَكَ مُسْفِراً
يَجْلُوdispels الظَّلاَمَdarkness وَهُنَّwhile they لَيْلٌare night أَلْيَلُvery dark
يَجْلُو الظَّلاَمَ وَهُنَّ لَيْلٌ أَلْيَلُ
They brought forth a radiant morning from your brow
Fate is beyond any person's control,
that dispels darkness, though they themselves are darkest night.
Some gain through effort, some despite it.
وَطَلَعْنَand they came مِنْكَfrom you عَلَىupon الْبِلاَدِthe lands بِطَارِقٍwith a herald
وَطَلَعْنَ مِنْكَ عَلَى الْبِلاَدِ بِطَارِقٍ
لِلْفَتْحِof conquest وَالنَّصْرِand victory الَّذِيwhich يُسْتَقْبَلُis welcomed
لِلْفَتْحِ وَالنَّصْرِ الَّذِي يُسْتَقْبَلُ
They came from you upon the lands with a herald
The truth is truth, all else is false,
of conquest and the victory to be welcomed.
Could the keen-sighted discerner reflect.
وَبقيّةٌand a remnant مِنْof قَوْمِthe people عَادٍof Ad أُهْلِكُواwere destroyed
وَبقيّةٌ مِنْ قَوْمِ عَادٍ أُهْلِكُوا
بِبَقِيَّةِby a remnant الرِّيحِof the wind الْعَقِيمِbarren وَجُدِّلُواand were struck down
بِبَقِيَّةِ الرِّيحِ الْعَقِيمِ وَجُدِّلُوا
A remnant of the people of Ad were destroyed
The world varies, and ways end differently,
by a remnant of the barren wind and struck down.
Inevitably, relentlessly, irreversibly.
بِالْبَاطِلِthrough falsehood الْبَحتِpure الصرَاحِmanifest تَعَزَّزُواthey sought strength
بِالْبَاطِلِ الْبَحتِ الصرَاحِ تَعَزَّزُوا
فَالآنَso now لِلْحَقِّbefore truth الْمُبِينِevident تَذَلَّلُواthey humbled themselves
فَالآنَ لِلْحَقِّ الْمُبِينِ تَذَلَّلُوا
They sought strength in pure, manifest falsehood;
But our return is to God, though long the days.
now they have humbled themselves before evident truth.
God is best sought and hoped for.
خَضَبَتْdyed مَنَاصِلَكَyour blades الْمَفَارِقَthe hair-partings مِنْهُمُof them
خَضَبَتْ مَنَاصِلَكَ الْمَفَارِقَ مِنْهُمُ
حِنّاhenna نَجِيعٍof fresh blood صَبْغُهَاits dye لاَnot يَنْصلُfades
حِنّا نَجِيعٍ صَبْغُهَا لاَ يَنْصلُ
Your blades dyed the partings of their hair
Your Lord left no aggressor against you,
with henna of fresh blood whose color never fades.
The sword overtakes those who flee it.
أَقْبَلْتَyou advanced فِيon يَوْمِthe day الْهِيَاجِof tumult فَأَدْبَرُواso they retreated
أَقْبَلْتَ فِي يَوْمِ الْهِيَاجِ فَأَدْبَرُوا
أَقْدَمْتَyou charged فِيin لَيْلِthe night الْعَجَاجِof battle-dust فَأَجْفَلُواso they fled in panic
أَقْدَمْتَ فِي لَيْلِ الْعَجَاجِ فَأَجْفَلُوا
You advanced on the day of tumult, and they retreated;
For their enmity they were seized, could any escape
you charged through the night of dust, and they fled in panic.
Or attain what they hoped for?
أَعْجَلْتَyou surprised حِزْبَthe faction الْبَغْيِof rebellion فاشْتَبَهَتْso became confused بِهِمْfor them
أَعْجَلْتَ حِزْبَ الْبَغْيِ فاشْتَبَهَتْ بِهِمْ
طُرُقُthe paths النَّجَاةِof escape وَلِلْهَلاَكِand toward destruction تَعَجَّلُواthey hastened
طُرُقُ النَّجَاةِ وَلِلْهَلاَكِ تَعَجَّلُوا
You surprised the faction of rebellion, confusing for them
All were taken in mountain passes and roads,
the paths of escape, and they hastened toward destruction.
The believers' eyes had their fill of them.
صَبَّحْتَهُمْyou attacked them at dawn غُرَرَwith the white blazes الْجِيَادِof steeds كَأَنَّمَاas though
صَبَّحْتَهُمْ غُرَرَ الْجِيَادِ كَأَنَّمَا
سَدَّblocked الثَّنِيَّةَthe mountain pass عَارِضٌa cloud مُتَهَلِّلُradiant
سَدَّ الثَّنِيَّةَ عَارِضٌ مُتَهَلِّلُ
At dawn you brought against them the blazes of steeds, as though
Damned be they! They held to no pact,
a radiant cloud had blocked the mountain pass.
Nor gained what they imagined.
مِنْof كُلَّevery مُنْجَرِدٍsleek horse أَغَرَّwhite-blazed محَجَّلٍwhite-stockinged
مِنْ كُلَّ مُنْجَرِدٍ أَغَرَّ محَجَّلٍ
يَرْمِيhurls الْجِلاَدَinto combat بِهِit أَغَرَّa radiant rider مُحَجَّلُwhite-limbed
يَرْمِي الْجِلاَدَ بِهِ أَغَرَّ مُحَجَّلُ
Each a sleek horse, white-blazed and white-stockinged,
God's enemy saw the result of his betrayal,
driven into combat by a radiant, white-limbed rider.
Disgrace nearing, awaited or not.
زَجِلُloud-fluttering الْجَنَاحِof wing إِذَاwhen أَجَدَّraces earnestly لِغَايَةٍtoward a goal
زَجِلُ الْجَنَاحِ إِذَا أَجَدَّ لِغَايَةٍ
وَإِذَاand when تَغَنَّىsings بِالصَّهِيلِwith neighing فَبُلُبُلُthen a nightingale
وَإِذَا تَغَنَّى بِالصَّهِيلِ فَبُلُبُلُ
Loud-winged when it races earnestly toward a goal,
He is one below mention, let not the tongue
and a nightingale when it sings its neigh.
Speak of him or pay him heed.
جِيدٌa neck كَمَاas الْتَفَتَturns الظَّلِيمُthe male ostrich وَفَوْقَهُand above it
جِيدٌ كَمَا الْتَفَتَ الظَّلِيمُ وَفَوْقَهُ
أُذْنٌan ear مُشَنَّفَةٌornamented وَطَرْفٌand an eye أَكْحَلُkohl-dark
أُذْنٌ مُشَنَّفَةٌ وَطَرْفٌ أَكْحَلُ
A neck like an ostrich turning, and above it
The world's paltriness allowed the Despised to prevail.
an ornamented ear and a kohl-dark eye.
But now the sword rights all wrongs.
فَكَأَنَّمَاso as though هُوَit صُورَةٌan image فِيin هِيْكَلٍa temple
فَكَأَنَّمَا هُوَ صُورَةٌ فِي هِيْكَلٍ
مِنْfrom لُطْفِهِits delicacy وَكَأَنَّمَاand as though هُوَit هَيْكَلُa mighty edifice
مِنْ لُطْفِهِ وَكَأَنَّمَا هُوَ هَيْكَلُ
It is as though it were an image within a temple
This is Solomon, carried off by jinn, it is said,
for its delicacy, and yet itself a mighty edifice.
But his throne was restored in the end.
عَجَباًhow strange لَهُfor him أَيَخَافُdoes he fear فِيin لَيْلِthe night الْوَغَىof battle
عَجَباً لَهُ أَيَخَافُ فِي لَيْلِ الْوَغَى
تِيهاًlosing his way وَذَابِلُهُwhile his slender lance ذُبَالٌa wick مُشْعَلُburning
تِيهاً وَذَابِلُهُ ذُبَالٌ مُشْعَلُ
How strange! Can he fear, in the night of battle,
No ordeal changed your noble temperament,
losing his way, when his slender lance is a burning wick?
Inner nature cannot be transformed.
وَخَلِيجُand a channel هِنْدٍof India رَاقَdelighted حُسْنُthe beauty صَفَائِهِof its clarity
وَخَلِيجُ هِنْدٍ رَاقَ حُسْنُ صَفَائِهِ
حَتَّىuntil لكَادَhe almost يَعُومُswims فِيهِwithin it الصَّيْقَلُthe sword-polisher
حَتَّى لكَادَ يَعُومُ فِيهِ الصَّيْقَلُ
An Indian channel whose beautiful clarity delights,
Rather, your wisdom grew broader thereafter,
so clear the sword-polisher almost swims within it.
Encompassing all that can be understood.
غَرِقَتْdrowned بِصَفْحَتِهِupon its surface النِّمَالُthe ants وَأَوْشكَتْand almost
غَرِقَتْ بِصَفْحَتِهِ النِّمَالُ وَأَوْشكَتْ
تَبْغِيsought النَّجَاةَescape فَأَوْثَقَتْهَاbut held them fast الأَرْجُلُthe legs
تَبْغِي النَّجَاةَ فَأَوْثَقَتْهَا الأَرْجُلُ
Ants drowned upon its surface and almost
Time's tests taught you lessons,
sought escape, but their legs held them fast.
Weighing matters, bearing loads.
فَالصَّرْحُso the palace مِنْهُof it مُمَرَّدٌpolished smooth وَالصَّفْحُand the surface منof
فَالصَّرْحُ مِنْهُ مُمَرَّدٌ وَالصَّفْحُ من
هُit مُوَرَّدٌrose-red وَالشَّطَّand the bank مِنْهُof it مُهَدَّلُhanging down
هُ مُوَرَّدٌ وَالشَّطَّ مِنْهُ مُهَدَّلُ
Its palace is polished smooth, and its surface
None reproaches you with lack of experience,
is rose-red, while its bank hangs down.
Lest the sharp-tongued critic be faulted.
وَبِكُلِّand with every أَزْرَقَblue lance إِنْif شكَتْcomplained أَلْحَاظُهُits eyes
وَبِكُلِّ أَزْرَقَ إِنْ شكَتْ أَلْحَاظُهُ
مَرَهَlack of kohl الْعُيُونِin the eyes فَبِالْعَجَاجَةِthen with battle-dust يُكْحَلُit is painted
مَرَهَ الْعُيُونِ فَبِالْعَجَاجَةِ يُكْحَلُ
And every blue lance, if its eyes complain
Your rule is secure, its pillar steadfast,
of lacking kohl, is painted with battle-dust.
The truth clear, leaving no confusion.
مُتَأَوِّدٌswaying أَعْطَافُهُits sides فِيin نَشْوَةٍintoxication
مُتَأَوِّدٌ أَعْطَافُهُ فِي نَشْوَةٍ
مِمَّاfrom what يُعَلّit drinks repeatedly مِنَof الدِّمَاءِblood وَيُنْهَلُand drinks first
مِمَّا يُعَلّ مِنَ الدِّمَاءِ وَيُنْهَلُ
Its sides sway in intoxication
Your heir came to you, fortune his crown,
from the first and repeated draughts of blood it drinks.
Creation his palm's dust, his forehead's kiss.
عَجَباًhow strange لَهُfor it إِنَّindeed النَّجِيعَfresh blood بِطَرْفِهِupon its eye
عَجَباً لَهُ إِنَّ النَّجِيعَ بِطَرْفِهِ
رَمَدٌan inflammation وَلاَand not يَخْفَىis hidden عَلَيْهِfrom it الْمَقْتَلُthe killing-point
رَمَدٌ وَلاَ يَخْفَى عَلَيْهِ الْمَقْتَلُ
How strange! The fresh blood upon its eye
They saw you, o full moon, and crescent anew,
is an inflammation, yet no killing-point escapes it.
So they lauded and hailed the sight.
لِلَّهِGod be praised for يَوْمُكَyour day فِيof الْفُتُوحِconquests فَإِنَّهُfor indeed it
لِلَّهِ يَوْمُكَ فِي الْفُتُوحِ فَإِنَّهُ
يَوْمٌa day أَغَرَّwhite-blazed عَلَىupon الزَّمَانِtime مُحَجَّلُwhite-stockinged
يَوْمٌ أَغَرَّ عَلَى الزَّمَانِ مُحَجَّلُ
God be praised for your day of conquests, for it is
The bond is whole, most wondrous circumstance,
a day white-blazed and white-stockinged upon time.
As your Lord decrees, all-encompassing.
لِلَّهِGod be praised for مَوْقِفُكَyour stand الَّذِيwhose وَثَبَاتُهُleaps
لِلَّهِ مَوْقِفُكَ الَّذِي وَثَبَاتُهُ
وَثَبَاتُهُand its steadfastness مَثَلٌan example بِهِthrough it يُتَمَثَّلُa proverb is cited
وَثَبَاتُهُ مَثَلٌ بِهِ يُتَمَثَّلُ
God be praised for your stand, whose leaps
You forgave my lifelong sins until
and steadfastness are a proverbial example.
Grey hairs, whose faults cannot be ignored.
وَالْخَيْلُand the horses خَطٌّscript وَالْمَجَالُand the battlefield صَحِيفَةٌa page
وَالْخَيْلُ خَطٌّ وَالْمَجَالُ صَحِيفَةٌ
وَالسُّمْرُand the brown spears تَنْقُطُadd dots وَالصَّوَارِمُand the sharp swords تَشْكُلُadd vowel-marks
وَالسُّمْرُ تَنْقُطُ وَالصَّوَارِمُ تَشْكُلُ
The horses are script, and the battlefield a page;
When my last home was in your precincts,
the brown spears add dots, and the sharp swords vowel-marks.
My soul circled you, ever aspiring.
وَالْبِيضُand the bright blades قَدْhave كَسَرَتْbroken حُرُوفَthe letters جُفُونِهَاof their sheaths
وَالْبِيضُ قَدْ كَسَرَتْ حُرُوفَ جُفُونِهَا
وَعَوَامِلُand the points الأَسَلِof the spears الْمُثَقَّفِstraightened تَعْمَلُwork
وَعَوَامِلُ الأَسَلِ الْمُثَقَّفِ تَعْمَلُ
The bright blades have broken the letters of their sheaths,
I bring you the lore of statecraft, by which
and the points of straightened spears perform their work.
Kings rise above kings, excelling.
لِلَّهِGod be praised for قَوْمُكَyour people عِنْدَamid مُشْتَجَرِthe entanglement الْقَنَاof spears
لِلَّهِ قَوْمُكَ عِنْدَ مُشْتَجَرِ الْقَنَا
إِذْwhen ثَوَّبَrepeated his summons الدَّاعِيthe caller الْمُهِيبُformidable وَأَقْبَلُواand they advanced
إِذْ ثَوَّبَ الدَّاعِي الْمُهِيبُ وَأَقْبَلُوا
God be praised for your people amid entangled spears,
Do not neglect the care by which
when the formidable caller repeated his summons and they advanced.
The she-camels of rule are reigned.
قَوْمٌa people إِذَاwhen لَفَحَscorched الْهَجِيرُmidday heat وُجُوهَهُمْtheir faces
قَوْمٌ إِذَا لَفَحَ الْهَجِيرُ وُجُوهَهُمْ
حَجَبُواscreened themselves برَايَاتِwith banners الْجِهَادِof sacred struggle وَظَلَّلُواand took shade
حَجَبُوا برَايَاتِ الْجِهَادِ وَظَلَّلُوا
A people who, when midday heat scorches their faces,
Take lessons, sparing none thereafter,
screen themselves with banners of sacred struggle and find shade.
Lest the same faults be repeated.
فَوُجُوهُهُمْso their faces بَسَنَاthe radiance الأَهِلَّةِof crescents تَزْدَرِيdisdain
فَوُجُوهُهُمْ بَسَنَا الأَهِلَّةِ تَزْدَرِي
وَأَكُفَّهُمْand their hands جَوْنَthe darkness السَّحَائِبِof rainclouds تُخْجِلُput to shame
وَأَكُفَّهُمْ جَوْنَ السَّحَائِبِ تُخْجِلُ
Their faces disdain the radiance of crescents,
Consider the scales when punishing or rewarding,
and their hands put dark rainclouds to shame.
Stinginess or wastefulness both merit scorn.
يَاO آلَHouse نَصرٍof Nasr إِنْif تُذُوكِرَis recalled مَفْخَرٌa glorious deed
يَا آلَ نَصرٍ إِنْ تُذُوكِرَ مَفْخَرٌ
لاَتَفْضَحُواdo not shame مَنْthose دُونكُمْbeneath you وَتَرَسَّلُواand proceed gently
لاَتَفْضَحُوا مَنْ دُونكُمْ وَتَرَسَّلُوا
O House of Nasr, when a glorious deed is recalled,
If ties are bound, let not passion or desire prevail,
do not shame those beneath you; proceed gently.
For every match bears some discontent.
عَلْيَاؤُكُمْyour eminence غَايَاتُهَاits limits لاَnot تَنْتَهِيend
عَلْيَاؤُكُمْ غَايَاتُهَا لاَ تَنْتَهِي
فِيconcerning مِثْلهَاits like خَانَbetrayed الْبَلِيغَthe eloquent person الْمقْوَلُspeech
فِي مِثْلهَا خَانَ الْبَلِيغَ الْمقْوَلُ
Your eminence has limits that never end;
Guard the tongue from ugly words, for it
in speaking of its like, speech betrays the eloquent.
May stretch to where the pruning hook cannot reach.
آثَارُكَمْyour achievements فِيin الدِّينِreligion غَيْرُnot خَفِيَّةٍhidden
آثَارُكَمْ فِي الدِّينِ غَيْرُ خَفِيَّةٍ
تُرْوَىare recounted عَلَىthrough مَرِّthe passing الزَّمَانِof time وَتُنْقَلُand transmitted
تُرْوَى عَلَى مَرِّ الزَّمَانِ وَتُنْقَلُ
Your achievements in religion are not hidden;
If you wound the heart of a freeman unintended,
they are recounted and transmitted through passing time.
How can such a wound be repaired?
أَوَلَسْتُمْare you not الشُّهُبَthe stars الأُولَىof old مَاnot غَيَّرُواthey changed
أَوَلَسْتُمْ الشُّهُبَ الأُولَى مَا غَيَّرُوا
مِنْfrom بَعْدِafter بُعْدِthe departure نَبِيِّهِمْof their Prophet أَوْor بَدَّلُواaltered
مِنْ بَعْدِ بُعْدِ نَبِيِّهِمْ أَوْ بَدَّلُوا
Are you not those stars of old who neither changed
Accept the counsel of an honest adviser,
nor altered after their Prophet's departure?
Thank him though he errs or lies.
أَوor لَيْسَwas not جَدُّكُمُyour ancestor الْمَدِينَةُMedina دَارُهُhis dwelling
أَو لَيْسَ جَدُّكُمُ الْمَدِينَةُ دَارُهُ
كَلاَّindeed وَصَاحِبُهُand his companion النَّبِيُّthe Prophet الْمرْسَلُsent forth
كَلاَّ وَصَاحِبُهُ النَّبِيُّ الْمرْسَلُ
Was not Medina the dwelling of your ancestor?
Rely on diligence in pursuit,
Indeed—and his companion was the Prophet sent forth.
For what is past cannot be reclaimed.
سَعْدٌSa'd وَمَاand what أَدْرَاكَmakes you know سَعْدُSa'd عُبَادَةٍibn Ubada
سَعْدٌ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ سَعْدُ عُبَادَةٍ
فِيinto مَجْدِهِhis glory صَدَقَspeaks truly الَّذِيthe one who يَتَوَغَّلُdelves deeply
فِي مَجْدِهِ صَدَقَ الَّذِي يَتَوَغَّلُ
Sa'd—and what can tell you of Sa'd ibn Ubada?
When an intimate leaves you, reflect:
Whoever delves into his glory speaks truly.
What does he take, what does he leave?
مَاذَاwhat يُحَبِّرُembellishes مَادِحٌa panegyrist مِنْfrom بَعْدِمَاafter
مَاذَا يُحَبِّرُ مَادِحٌ مِنْ بَعْدِمَا
أَثْنَىextolled بِمَدْحِكُمُwith your praise الْكِتَابُthe Book الْمُنْزَلُrevealed
أَثْنَى بِمَدْحِكُمُ الْكِتَابُ الْمُنْزَلُ
What can a panegyrist embellish after
Give oversight to the paths you establish,
the revealed Book has spoken your praise?
An eye that sees all occurring upon them.
يَانُكْتَةO quintessence الْعَلْيَاof eminence وَياقَمَرَand O moon الْهُدَىof guidance
يَانُكْتَة الْعَلْيَا وَياقَمَرَ الْهُدَى
وَالعُرْوَةُand the bond الْوُثْقَىfirmest الَّتِيwhich لاَnot تُفْصَلُis severed
وَالعُرْوَةُ الْوُثْقَى الَّتِي لاَ تُفْصَلُ
O quintessence of eminence, O moon of guidance,
Show no panic in adversity, thereby
and the firmest bond that cannot be severed!
Is your value diminished and cheapened.
يَهْنِيكَmay it gladden you صُنْعُthe work اللهِof God حِينَwhen تَبَلَّدَتْwere bewildered
يَهْنِيكَ صُنْعُ اللهِ حِينَ تَبَلَّدَتْ
فِيكَconcerning you الْحِجَىminds وَتَأَوَّلَand conjectured الْمُتَأَوِّلُthe interpreter
فِيكَ الْحِجَى وَتَأَوَّلَ الْمُتَأَوِّلُ
May God's work bring you joy, when
Wealth - take it rightfully, knowing
minds were bewildered concerning you and interpreters conjectured.
Wealth conveys aims both near and far.
يَهْنِيكَmay it gladden you صُنْعُthe work اللهِof God حِينَwhen اسْتَأَنَسَتْgrew confident
يَهْنِيكَ صُنْعُ اللهِ حِينَ اسْتَأَنَسَتْ
مِنْكَconcerning you الظَّنُونُconjectures وَأَقْصَرَand stopped الْمُسْتَرْسِلُthe unfettered speculator
مِنْكَ الظَّنُونُ وَأَقْصَرَ الْمُسْتَرْسِلُ
May God's work bring you joy, when
With it balance governance costs, save
conjectures grew confident concerning you and the unfettered speculator stopped.
What exceeds them, weigh all that enters and leaves.
يَهْنِيmay it gladden الْعِبَادَthe servants أَنِthat اغْتَدَىhas come to be بِكَthrough you دِيُنهَاtheir faith
يَهْنِي الْعِبَادَ أَنِ اغْتَدَى بِكَ دِيُنهَا
يُجْلُىpolished clean مِنَof الشَّكِّdoubt الْمُرِيبِtroubling وَيُغْسَلُand washed
يُجْلُى مِنَ الشَّكِّ الْمُرِيبِ وَيُغْسَلُ
May the servants rejoice that through you their faith has come
In your giving and withholding, consider the scales,
to be polished and washed clean of troubling doubt.
Stinginess and profligacy both draw scorn.
يَهْنِيmay it gladden الْبَلاَدَthe lands أَنِthat اغْتَدَىhas come to be بِكَthrough you فَوْقَهَاabove them
يَهْنِي الْبَلاَدَ أَنِ اغْتَدَى بِكَ فَوْقَهَا
سِتْرُa curtain الْوِقَايَةِof protection وَالْحِمَايَةِand defense يُسْدَلُis lowered
سِتْرُ الْوِقَايَةِ وَالْحِمَايَةِ يُسْدَلُ
May the lands rejoice that through you there now
Uphold reverence and noble conduct,
descends above them a curtain of protection and defense.
Which forbid the ugly and despised.
فَتْحُthe conquest الْفُتُوحِof conquests تَأَخَّرَتْwere delayed أَيَّامُهُits days
فَتْحُ الْفُتُوحِ تَأَخَّرَتْ أَيَّامُهُ
يَنْسَلّsteals forth مِنْfrom حَدَبٍa height إِلَيْكَtoward you وَيَنْسِلُand comes rushing
يَنْسَلّ مِنْ حَدَبٍ إِلَيْكَ وَيَنْسِلُ
The conquest of conquests, whose days were delayed,
Preoccupy yourself not with indulgence but
steals from a height toward you and comes rushing.
What satisfies the wise soul and busies it.
يَزَعُrestrains الإلاَهُGod مِنَamong النَّفُوسِsouls مَنِthose whom ارْتَضَىHe chooses
يَزَعُ الإلاَهُ مِنَ النَّفُوسِ مَنِ ارْتَضَى
حَتَّىuntil يَبِينَbecomes clear مُحِقُّهَاtheir rightful claimant وَالْمُبْطِلُand the wrongful claimant
حَتَّى يَبِينَ مُحِقُّهَا وَالْمُبْطِلُ
God restrains those souls He chooses
The people of this age follow in their fathers' steps,
until their rightful and wrongful claimants become clear.
If they rise, rise with them, if they sink, sink.
وَاللهُand God بِالتَّمْحِيصِthrough testing يُوقِظُawakens أَنْفُساًsouls
وَاللهُ بِالتَّمْحِيصِ يُوقِظُ أَنْفُساً
عَنْconcerning حَقِّهِHis right الْمَحْتُومِbinding كَانَتْthey had تَغْفُلُbeen heedless
عَنْ حَقِّهِ الْمَحْتُومِ كَانَتْ تَغْفُلُ
Through testing, God awakens souls
Take them with pardon, do not expose their secrets,
that had neglected His binding right.
One is not bound to reveal another's faults.
وَيُكَيِّفُand arranges السَّببَthe means الْخَفِيَّhidden لِمَنْfor whoever قَضَىHe decreed
وَيُكَيِّفُ السَّببَ الْخَفِيَّ لِمَنْ قَضَى
بِسَعَادَةِa happiness مِنْهُfrom Him إِلَيْهِto him تُوَصَّلُconveyed
بِسَعَادَةِ مِنْهُ إِلَيْهِ تُوَصَّلُ
He arranges the hidden means for whoever He has decreed
They censured the times and people before us,
a happiness from Himself, conveyed to that person.
Did they find any goodness or sweetness in them?
وَالْحَظّand fortune أَمْرٌa matter لَيْسَnot فِيwithin وُسْعِthe power امْرِئٍof a person
وَالْحَظّ أَمْرٌ لَيْسَ فِي وُسْعِ امْرِئٍ
فَمُكَثِّرٌso one increases فِيin كَدِّهِhis toil ومُقَلِّلُand another reduces
فَمُكَثِّرٌ فِي كَدِّهِ ومُقَلِّلُ
Fortune is a matter beyond a person's power,
While your intellect in caliphate and rule
though one increases his toil and another reduces it.
Is most excellent, your governance supreme.
وَالْحَقّand truth حَقٌّis truth مَاwhat سِوَاهُis besides it فَبَاطِلٌis therefore falsehood
وَالْحَقّ حَقٌّ مَا سِوَاهُ فَبَاطِلٌ
لَوْif حَقَّقَinvestigated الْمُسْتَبْصِرُthe discerning person الْمُتَأَمِّلُreflective
لَوْ حَقَّقَ الْمُسْتَبْصِرُ الْمُتَأَمِّلُ
Truth is truth; everything besides it is falsehood,
My lord, time has treated me harshly, unjustly,
if the discerning thinker would investigate.
While you are the most just leader.
تَتَلَوَّنُchanges color الدَّنْيَاthe world وَتَخْتَلِفُand differ الْمُنَىhopes
تَتَلَوَّنُ الدَّنْيَا وَتَخْتَلِفُ الْمُنَى
وَالْبُدّand necessity بُدٌّis necessity لَيْسَnot عَنْهُfrom it مَعْدِلُa turning aside
وَالْبُدّ بُدٌّ لَيْسَ عَنْهُ مَعْدِلُ
The world changes color and hopes differ,
It bent me low in my refuge, frightening me
but what must be must be: there is no turning from it.
Unfairly, and burdened me beyond my capacity to bear.
وَلِربّناand to our Lord الرُّجْعَىthe return وَإِنْeven if طَالَis long الْمَدَىthe span
وَلِربّنا الرُّجْعَى وَإِنْ طَالَ الْمَدَى
وَاللهُand God نِعْمَthe finest الْمُرْتَجَىobject of hope وَالْمُؤَمَلُand expectation
وَاللهُ نِعْمَ الْمُرْتَجَى وَالْمُؤَمَلُ
To our Lord is the return, however long the span;
It cast me and my children into the endless sea,
God is the finest object of hope and expectation.
As if unaware we have no other escape.
لَمْnot يُبْقِleft رَبُّكَyour Lord مِنْamong عِدَاتِكَyour enemies مُعْتَدٍan aggressor
لَمْ يُبْقِ رَبُّكَ مِنْ عِدَاتِكَ مُعْتَدٍ
وَالسَّيْفُand the sword يَسْبِقُoutruns حَدُّهُits edge مَنْwhoever يَعْذِلُrebukes
وَالسَّيْفُ يَسْبِقُ حَدُّهُ مَنْ يَعْذِلُ
Your Lord has left no aggressor among your enemies;
We are killed by exile, whether one
the sword's edge outruns whoever would rebuke.
Is stripped of homeland or slain.
أُخِذُواthey were seized بِبَغْيِهِمُfor their rebellion أَيُفْلِتُcan escape هَارِبٌa fugitive
أُخِذُوا بِبَغْيِهِمُ أَيُفْلِتُ هَارِبٌ
لِلَّهِGod's grasp يُسْرِعُquickens خَطْوُهُhis step أَوْor يُعْجِلُhe hastens
لِلَّهِ يُسْرِعُ خَطْوُهُ أَوْ يُعْجِلُ
They were seized for their rebellion; can a fugitive escape
This logic cannot be refuted,
God, whether his steps quicken or he hastens?
As attested in the Book sent down.
ثُقِفُواthey were caught بِكُلِّat every ثَنِيَّةٍmountain pass وَتَبَادَرَتْand raced
ثُقِفُوا بِكُلِّ ثَنِيَّةٍ وَتَبَادَرَتْ
بِهِمُtoward them عُيُونُthe watchful eyes الْمُؤَمِنِينَof the believers فَقُتِّلُواso they were slain
بِهِمُ عُيُونُ الْمُؤَمِنِينَ فَقُتِّلُوا
They were caught at every mountain pass, and
I became like chicks, needing water to live,
the believers' watchful eyes raced toward them, so they were slain.
While water lets them thrive and grain sustains.
سُحْقاًaway لَهُمْwith them لاَnot بِالْوَفَاءِto fidelity تَمَسَّكُواthey held fast
سُحْقاً لَهُمْ لاَ بِالْوَفَاءِ تَمَسَّكُوا
يَوْماًfor a day وَلاَand not فَازُواthey attained بمَاwhat قَدْhad أَمَّلُواthey hoped for
يَوْماً وَلاَ فَازُوا بمَا قَدْ أَمَّلُوا
Away with them! They never held fast to fidelity
If I rise to join them I cannot,
for a single day, nor gained what they had hoped for.
If I offer excuses they do not accept.
وَرَأَىand saw عَدُوُّthe enemy اللهِof God عُقْبَىthe outcome غَدْرِهِof his treachery
وَرَأَى عَدُوُّ اللهِ عُقْبَى غَدْرِهِ
وَالْخِزْيُand disgrace مِنْهُfrom it مُعَجَّلٌimmediate وَمُؤَجَّلُand deferred
وَالْخِزْيُ مِنْهُ مُعَجَّلٌ وَمُؤَجَّلُ
God's enemy saw the outcome of his treachery:
I have no means to reach you,
disgrace both immediate and deferred.
No device to attain your heights.
وَهُوَand he الَّذِيis the one who مِنْof حَقِّهِhis deserving أَلاَّthat not يُرَىbe seen
وَهُوَ الَّذِي مِنْ حَقِّهِ أَلاَّ يُرَى
يُعْنَىconcerns itself اللِّسَانُthe tongue بِذِكَرِهِwith mentioning him أَوْor يَحْفِلُpays heed
يُعْنَى اللِّسَانُ بِذِكَرِهِ أَوْ يَحْفِلُ
He is one who deserves never to have
You are my only means to you -
the tongue concern itself with mentioning him or pay him heed.
Do not block my quest. For the likes of you grant and fulfill.
وَحَقَارَةُand the insignificance الدُّنْيَاof the world عَلَىbefore اللهِGod اقْتَضَتْrequired
وَحَقَارَةُ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى اللهِ اقْتَضَتْ
أَنْthat يَثْأَرَtake vengeance الْمُسْتَحْقَرُthe despised الْمُسْتَرْذَلُthe contemptible
أَنْ يَثْأَرَ الْمُسْتَحْقَرُ الْمُسْتَرْذَلُ
The world's insignificance before God required
My children and I have no other mercy;
that the despised and contemptible should take vengeance.
My case is clear, beyond doubt.
هَذَاhere is سُلَيْمَانُSolomon النَّبِيُّthe Prophet ابْتَزَّهُseized from him
هَذَا سُلَيْمَانُ النَّبِيُّ ابْتَزَّهُ
الْكُرسِيَّthe throne بَعْضُsome الْجِنِّof the jinn فيِمَاin what يُنْقَلُis related
الْكُرسِيَّ بَعْضُ الْجِنِّ فيِمَا يُنْقَلُ
Here is Solomon the Prophet, from whom
Take it as sincere advice dictates,
some jinn seized the throne, as is related.
A necklace of eloquent phrases sequenced.
مَاnot غَيْرتْchanged مِنْكَin you الْخُطُوبُcalamities سَجِيَّةًan innate quality
مَا غَيْرتْ مِنْكَ الْخُطُوبُ سَجِيَّةً
مَجْبُولَةًinborn وَالَطَّبْعُand nature لاَnot يُتَنَقَّلُshifts
مَجْبُولَةً وَالَطَّبْعُ لاَ يُتَنَقَّلُ
Calamities changed none of your innate qualities,
Eloquence's lead offers through it
for nature does not shift.
Wisdom's gems, radiant to gatherings.
بَلْrather زَادَincreased عَقْلُكَyour understanding بَسْطَةًin expansiveness مِنْfrom بَعْدِهَاafter them
بَلْ زَادَ عَقْلُكَ بَسْطَةً مِنْ بَعْدِهَا
حَتَّىuntil أَحَاطَencompassed بِكُلِّevery شَيْءٍthing يُعْقَلُintelligible
حَتَّى أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ يُعْقَلُ
Rather, afterward your understanding grew more expansive
Thank your Lord for the gift that is you, for
until it encompassed everything intelligible.
Gratitude multiples the reward of those who give thanks.
وَأَفَادَكَand imparted to you الدَّهْرُtime التَّجَارِبَexperiences بَانِياbuilding up
وَأَفَادَكَ الدَّهْرُ التَّجَارِبَ بَانِيا
تَضَعُyou set الأَمُورَaffairs عَلَىupon الْوِزَانِthe balance وَتَحْمِلُand bear
تَضَعُ الأَمُورَ عَلَى الْوِزَانِ وَتَحْمِلُ
Time gave you experience, building you up:
you set affairs upon the balance and bear their weight.
مَاnot إِنْindeed رَأَيْنَاwe have seen مَنْone who يُعَابُis blamed بِحُنْكَةٍfor seasoned judgment
مَا إِنْ رَأَيْنَا مَنْ يُعَابُ بِحُنْكَةٍ
حَتَّىuntil يُعَابَis blamed الصَّارِمُthe keen sword الْمُتَقَلِّلُhoned thin
حَتَّى يُعَابَ الصَّارِمُ الْمُتَقَلِّلُ
We have never seen anyone blamed for seasoned judgment,
unless the keen sword, honed thin, can be blamed.
قَدْhas قَرَّsettled أَمْرُكَyour affair وَاسْتَقَرَّand became stable عِمَادُهُits pillar
قَدْ قَرَّ أَمْرُكَ وَاسْتَقَرَّ عِمَادُهُ
وَالْحَقُّand truth بَانَappeared فَلَمْso not يَدَعْit left مَاanything يُشْكِلُobscure
وَالْحَقُّ بَانَ فَلَمْ يَدَعْ مَا يُشْكِلُ
Your affairs are settled, their supporting pillar firmly established;
truth has appeared, leaving nothing obscure.
وَأَتَاكَand came to you نَجْلُكَyour son وَالسَّعُودُand good fortunes تَحُفَّهُsurround him
وَأَتَاكَ نَجْلُكَ وَالسَّعُودُ تَحُفَّهُ
وَالْخَلْقُand the people تَلْثِمُtouch with their lips كَفَّهُhis hand وَتُقَبِّلُand kiss
وَالْخَلْقُ تَلْثِمُ كَفَّهُ وَتُقَبِّلُ
Your son came to you, surrounded by good fortune,
and the people touched their lips to his hand and kissed it.
لَمَحُوكَthey glimpsed you يَاO بَدْرَfull moon الْكَمَالِof perfection فكَبَّرُواso proclaimed God's greatness
لَمَحُوكَ يَا بَدْرَ الْكَمَالِ فكَبَّرُوا
وَبَدَاand appeared هِلاَلُكَyour crescent بَعْدَafter ذَاكَthat فَهَلَّلُواso proclaimed God's oneness
وَبَدَا هِلاَلُكَ بَعْدَ ذَاكَ فَهَلَّلُوا
They glimpsed you, O full moon of perfection, and proclaimed “God is greatest!”
Then your crescent appeared, and they proclaimed “There is no god but God!”
فَالشَّمْلُso the company مُجْتَمِعٌis reunited كَأَحْسَنِin the finest حَالَةٍcondition
فَالشَّمْلُ مُجْتَمِعٌ كَأَحْسَنِ حَالَةٍ
تَعْتَادُهَاyou have known it وَنَوالُand the bounty رَبِّكَof your Lord يَشْمُلُembraces all
تَعْتَادُهَا وَنَوالُ رَبِّكَ يَشْمُلُ
Your company is reunited in the finest condition
you have known, and your Lord's bounty embraces all.
وَلَقَدْand indeed غَفَرْتَyou forgave ذُنُوبَthe sins دَهْرِيof my days كُلَّهَاall of them
وَلَقَدْ غَفَرْتَ ذُنُوبَ دَهْرِي كُلَّهَا
حَتَّىeven الْمَشِيبَgray hair وَذَنْبُهُand its offense لاَnot يُهْمَلُis overlooked
حَتَّى الْمَشِيبَ وَذَنْبُهُ لاَ يُهْمَلُ
You have forgiven all the sins of my days,
even gray hair, whose offense cannot be overlooked,
لَمَّاwhen رَأَتْsaw مَثْوَاكَyour dwelling كَعْبَةَas the Kaaba طَائِفٍof a circling pilgrim
لَمَّا رَأَتْ مَثْوَاكَ كَعْبَةَ طَائِفٍ
عَيْنِيmy eye وَكَفُّكَand your hand لِلطَّوَافِfor circling pilgrims مُقبَّلُa place of kissing
عَيْنِي وَكَفُّكَ لِلطَّوَافِ مُقبَّلُ
when my eye saw your dwelling as a pilgrim's Kaaba,
and your hand a place for the circling pilgrims' kisses.
أُهْدِيكَI offer you مِنْfrom أَدَبِthe art السِّياسَةِof governance مَاwhat بِهِthrough it
أُهْدِيكَ مِنْ أَدَبِ السِّياسَةِ مَا بِهِ
تَبْأَىtake pride الْمُلُوكُkings عَلَىover الْمُلُوكِkings وَتَفْضُلُand surpass
تَبْأَى الْمُلُوكُ عَلَى الْمُلُوكِ وَتَفْضُلُ
I offer you counsel in the art of governance through which
kings take pride over kings and surpass them.
لاَdo not تُغْفِلneglect الْحَزْمَprudence الَّذِيwhich بِعِقَالِهِwith its tether
لاَ تُغْفِل الْحَزْمَ الَّذِي بِعِقَالِهِ
إبلُthe camels الإِمَارَةِof rule وَالإِدَارَةِand administration تُعْقَلُare secured
إبلُ الإِمَارَةِ وَالإِدَارَةِ تُعْقَلُ
Do not neglect prudence, with whose tether
the camels of rule and administration are secured.
وَاجْعَلْand make صُمَاتَكَyour silence عِبْرَةًa reflection فِيمَاon what مَضَىhas passed
وَاجْعَلْ صُمَاتَكَ عِبْرَةً فِيمَا مَضَى
وَعَلَيْهِand by it قِسْmeasure مِنْfrom بَعْدِمَاafter يُسْتَقْبَلُwhat comes
وَعَلَيْهِ قِسْ مِنْ بَعْدِمَا يُسْتَقْبَلُ
Make your silence a reflection on what has passed,
and measure by it what comes afterward.
وَالأَمْرُand a matter تَحْقِرُهُyou belittle it وَقَدْand may يَنْمِيgrow كَمَاas
وَالأَمْرُ تَحْقِرُهُ وَقَدْ يَنْمِي كَمَا
تَنْمِيgrow الْجُسُومُbodies عَلَىupon الْغِذَاءnourishment وَتَعْبَلُand become stout
تَنْمِي الْجُسُومُ عَلَى الْغِذَاء وَتَعْبَلُ
A matter you belittle may grow, just as
bodies grow upon nourishment and become stout.
فَاحْذَرْso beware صَغِيرَthe small part الأَمْرِof a matter وَلْتَحْفِلْand attend بِهِto it
فَاحْذَرْ صَغِيرَ الأَمْرِ وَلْتَحْفِلْ بِهِ
وَإِذَاand if غَفَلْتَyou neglect فَإِنَّهُthen indeed it يُسْتَفْحَلُbecomes formidable
وَإِذَا غَفَلْتَ فَإِنَّهُ يُسْتَفْحَلُ
Beware the small matter and attend to it;
if you neglect it, it becomes formidable.
فَالنَّارُfor fire أَوَّلُat first مَاwhen تَكُونُit is شَرَارَةًa spark
فَالنَّارُ أَوَّلُ مَا تَكُونُ شَرَارَةً
وَالْغَيْثُand rain بَعْدَafter رَذَاذِهِits drizzle يَسْتَرْسِلpours freely
وَالْغَيْثُ بَعْدَ رَذَاذِهِ يَسْتَرْسِل
Fire, when it first begins, is a spark;
rain, after its drizzle, pours freely.
شَاوِرْconsult إِذَاwhen الشُّورَىconsultation دَعَتْكَcalls you أُولِيthose possessing النُّهَىunderstanding
شَاوِرْ إِذَا الشُّورَى دَعَتْكَ أُولِي النُّهَى
فَخطابُfor addressing غَيْرِthose other than أُولِيthe possessors النّهَىof understanding لاَnot يَجْمُلُis fitting
فَخطابُ غَيْرِ أُولِي النّهَى لاَ يَجْمُلُ
When consultation calls you, consult those of understanding;
addressing those without understanding is not fitting.
وَأَجِزِand requite الْمُسِيءَthe wrongdoer إِذَاwhen أَسَاءhe does wrong بِفِعِلْهِfor his deed
وَأَجِزِ الْمُسِيءَ إِذَا أَسَاء بِفِعِلْهِ
وَالْمُحْسِنَand the benefactor الْحُسْنَىwith good جَزَاءًas recompense يَعْدِلُequitable
وَالْمُحْسِنَ الْحُسْنَى جَزَاءً يَعْدِلُ
Requite the wrongdoer for the wrong he does,
and the benefactor with good, in equitable recompense.
وَإِذَاand when عَدَلْتَyou act justly فَلاَthen neither الْهَوَادَةُindulgence وَالْهَوَىnor whim
وَإِذَا عَدَلْتَ فَلاَ الْهَوَادَةُ وَالْهَوَى
مِنْfrom بَعْدِهِafter it أَبَداًever لَدَيْكَfrom you تُؤْمَّلُis expected
مِنْ بَعْدِهِ أَبَداً لَدَيْكَ تُؤْمَّلُ
When you act justly, neither indulgence nor whim
should ever afterward be expected from you.
وَمَنِand whoever اسْتَبَحْتَyou violated ذِمَارَهُhis protected standing بِعُقُوبَةٍthrough punishment
وَمَنِ اسْتَبَحْتَ ذِمَارَهُ بِعُقُوبَةٍ
فَبِغيْرِهِthen by another مِنْfrom بَعْدِهَاafter it يُسْتَبْدَلُhe is replaced
فَبِغيْرِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِهَا يُسْتَبْدَلُ
Whoever's protected standing you violate through punishment
should afterward be replaced by another.
وَإِذَاand when عَقَدْتَyou appoint فَلِلْغنَىthen for capability لاَnot لِلْهَوَىfor desire
وَإِذَا عَقَدْتَ فَلِلْغنَى لاَ لِلْهَوَى
فَبِكُلِّfor in every قَدْرِpot رُئْبْةٌa patch لاَnot تُهْمَلُis neglected
فَبِكُلِّ قَدْرِ رُئْبْةٌ لاَ تُهْمَلُ
When you appoint, do so for capability, not desire;
every pot has a patch that must not be neglected.
وَصُنِand guard اللِّسَانَthe tongue عَنِagainst الْقَبِيحِugliness فَرُبَّمَاfor sometimes
وَصُنِ اللِّسَانَ عَنِ الْقَبِيحِ فَرُبَّمَا
يَمْضِيpierces اللِّسَانُthe tongue بِحَيْثُwhere يَنْبُوrecoils الْمنْصَلُthe blade
يَمْضِي اللِّسَانُ بِحَيْثُ يَنْبُو الْمنْصَلُ
Guard the tongue against ugliness, for sometimes
the tongue pierces where the blade recoils.
وَإِذَاand if جَرَحْتَyou wound فُؤَادَthe heart حُرٍّof a noble person لَمْnot تُطِقْyou can
وَإِذَا جَرَحْتَ فُؤَادَ حُرٍّ لَمْ تُطِقْ
إِدْمَالَهُheal it وَبِأَيِّand with what شَيْءٍthing يَدْمُلُdoes it heal
إِدْمَالَهُ وَبِأَيِّ شَيْءٍ يَدْمُلُ
If you wound a noble person's heart, you cannot
heal it—and with what could it heal?
وَأَقْبَلand accept وَصِيَّةَthe counsel مَنْof whoever أَتَىcame لَكَto you نَاصِحاًadvising
وَأَقْبَل وَصِيَّةَ مَنْ أَتَى لَكَ نَاصِحاً
وَاشْكُرْهُand thank him وَهْوَeven while he الْكَاذِبُthe liar الْمُتَحَيِّلُthe schemer
وَاشْكُرْهُ وَهْوَ الْكَاذِبُ الْمُتَحَيِّلُ
Accept the counsel of whoever comes to advise you,
and thank him, even when he is a lying schemer.
وَعَلَىand upon التَّثَبُّتِcareful verification فِيconcerning السِّعَايَةِdenunciation فَاعْتَمِدْrely
وَعَلَى التَّثَبُّتِ فِي السِّعَايَةِ فَاعْتَمِدْ
فَمَرَدُّfor reversing أَمْرِa matter فَاتَalready past لاَnot يُسْتَسْهَلُis easily done
فَمَرَدُّ أَمْرِ فَاتَ لاَ يُسْتَسْهَلُ
Rely upon careful verification concerning denunciations;
reversing a matter already past is no easy task.
وَإِذَاand when جَنَىcommits wrong جَانٍan offender تَبَيَّنَbecomes clear جَهْلُهُhis ignorance
وَإِذَا جَنَى جَانٍ تَبَيَّنَ جَهْلُهُ
فَاحْلُمْso be forbearing عَلَيْهِtoward him فأَيْنَfor where is مَنْone who لاَnot يَجْهَلُis ignorant
فَاحْلُمْ عَلَيْهِ فأَيْنَ مَنْ لاَ يَجْهَلُ
When an offender commits a wrong and his ignorance becomes clear,
be forbearing toward him: where is anyone without ignorance?
وَارْعَand honor السَّوَابِقَpast services لاَdo not تُضِعْهَاwaste them إِنَّهَاfor indeed they
وَارْعَ السَّوَابِقَ لاَ تُضِعْهَا إِنَّهَا
دَيْنٌa debt يُلاَمُis blamed لأَجْلِهِfor its sake مَنْwhoever يَمْطُلُdelays payment
دَيْنٌ يُلاَمُ لأَجْلِهِ مَنْ يَمْطُلُ
Honor past services; do not waste them, for they are
a debt whose procrastinating debtor is blamed.
وَإِذَاand when تَرَحَّلَdeparts عَنْfrom جِوَارِكَyour vicinity رَاحِلٌa departing person
وَإِذَا تَرَحَّلَ عَنْ جِوَارِكَ رَاحِلٌ
فَانْظُرْthen consider بِعَقْلِكَwith your understanding عَنْكَabout you مَاذَاwhat يَنْقُلُhe carries away
فَانْظُرْ بِعَقْلِكَ عَنْكَ مَاذَا يَنْقُلُ
When someone departs from your vicinity,
consider thoughtfully what he carries away about you.
وَاجْعَلْand set عَلَىover السِّيرِthe practices الَّتِيwhich رَتَّبَتْهَاyou established
وَاجْعَلْ عَلَى السِّيرِ الَّتِي رَتَّبَتْهَا
عَيْناًa watchful eye تَجِيءُbringing بِكُلِّevery مَاthing that يُتَقَوَّلُis alleged
عَيْناً تَجِيءُ بِكُلِّ مَا يُتَقَوَّلُ
Set over the practices you have established
a watchful eye that brings every circulating allegation.
لاَdo not تُبدِdisplay هَوْنَاًweakness فِيamid الشَّدَائِدِhardships إِنْif عَرَتْthey befall
لاَ تُبدِ هَوْنَاً فِي الشَّدَائِدِ إِنْ عَرَتْ
فَبِقَدْرِfor according to مَاwhat تُبْدِيهِyou display قَدْرُكَyour standing يحملُis borne
فَبِقَدْرِ مَا تُبْدِيهِ قَدْرُكَ يحملُ
Do not display weakness when hardships befall;
your standing rests upon the measure of what you show.
وَالْمَالand wealth خُذْهُtake it بِحَقِّهِby its rightful due وَاعْلَمْand know بِأَنْthat...
وَالْمَال خُذْهُ بِحَقِّهِ وَاعْلَمْ بِأَنْ
نَ...completion of “that” الْمَالَwealth لِلْغَرَضِto the goal الْبَعِيدِfar-off يُوَصِّلُbrings
نَ الْمَالَ لِلْغَرَضِ الْبَعِيدِ يُوَصِّلُ
Take wealth by its rightful due, and know that
wealth brings you to the far-off goal.
وَازِنْmeet the costs بِهِwith it مُؤَنَthe expenses السِّيَاسَةِof governance وادَّخِرْand save
وَازِنْ بِهِ مُؤَنَ السِّيَاسَةِ وادَّخِرْ
فَضْلاًa surplus وَوَازِand match بِخَرْجِهِwith its expenditure مَاwhat يدْخُلُcomes in
فَضْلاً وَوَازِ بِخَرْجِهِ مَا يدْخُلُ
Use it to meet the expenses of governance, and save
a surplus; match what comes in with expenditure.
وَالْمَنْحُand giving وَالْمَنْعُand withholding اعْتَبِرْconsider قِسْطَاسَهُtheir balance
وَالْمَنْحُ وَالْمَنْعُ اعْتَبِرْ قِسْطَاسَهُ
فَالْبُخْلُfor miserliness وَالتَّبْذِيرand extravagance مِمَّاare among what يُرْذَلُis despised
فَالْبُخْلُ وَالتَّبْذِير مِمَّا يُرْذَلُ
Consider the balance of giving and withholding;
miserliness and extravagance are both contemptible.
وَعَلَيْكَand hold fast بِالتَّقْوَىto piety وَبِالخُلُقِand to character الَّذِيwhich
وَعَلَيْكَ بِالتَّقْوَى وَبِالخُلُقِ الَّذِي
يَنْهَىrestrains النُّفُوسَsouls عَنِfrom الْقَبِيحِugliness وَيَعْذِلُand reproves
يَنْهَى النُّفُوسَ عَنِ الْقَبِيحِ وَيَعْذِلُ
Hold fast to piety and to the character that
restrains souls from ugliness and reproves them.
وَاشْغِلْand divert عِنِfrom اللَّذَّاتِpleasures نَفْسكَyour soul بِالَّذِيtoward what
وَاشْغِلْ عِنِ اللَّذَّاتِ نَفْسكَ بِالَّذِي
نَفْسُthe soul الْحَكِيمِof the wise person بِهِin it تَلذُّdelights وَتُشْغَلُand is occupied
نَفْسُ الْحَكِيمِ بِهِ تَلذُّ وَتُشْغَلُ
Divert your soul from pleasures toward what
delights and occupies the wise person's soul.
وَبَنُوand the children الزَّمَانِof time عَلَىupon سَبِيلِthe path أَبِيهِمُof their father
وَبَنُو الزَّمَانِ عَلَى سَبِيلِ أَبِيهِمُ
إِنْif عَزَّhe is mighty عَزُّواthey are mighty أَوْor يَذِلُّhe is abased تَذَلَّلُواthey humble themselves
إِنْ عَزَّ عَزُّوا أَوْ يَذِلُّ تَذَلَّلُوا
The children of time follow their father's path:
if he is mighty, they are mighty; if he is abased, they bow.
بِالْعَفْوِwith pardon خُذْdeal مِنْهُمْwith them وَلاَand do not تَكْشِفْuncover لَهُمْfor them
بِالْعَفْوِ خُذْ مِنْهُمْ وَلاَ تَكْشِفْ لَهُمْ
سِتْراًa veil فَلَسْتَfor you do not عَلَىupon كَبِيرٍanything great تَحْصُلُcome
سِتْراً فَلَسْتَ عَلَى كَبِيرٍ تَحْصُلُ
Deal with them through pardon, and do not uncover
their veil, for you gain nothing great by doing so.
ذُمَّwas blamed الزَّمَانُtime وَأَهْلُهُand its people مِنْfrom قَبْلِنَاbefore us
ذُمَّ الزَّمَانُ وَأَهْلُهُ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا
فَمَتَىso when حَلاَbecame sweet أَوْor لَذَّpleasant هَذَاthis الْحَنْظَلُcolocynth
فَمَتَى حَلاَ أَوْ لَذَّ هَذَا الْحَنْظَلُ
Time and its people were blamed before us;
when was this bitter colocynth ever sweet or pleasant?
هَذَاthis وَعَقْلُكَand your understanding فِيin الْخَلاِفَةِthe caliphate قَدْرُهُits stature
هَذَا وَعَقْلُكَ فِي الْخَلاِفَةِ قَدْرُهُ
أَسْنَىmore illustrious وَرَأَيُكand your judgment فِيin السِّيَاسَةِgovernance أَفْضَلُbetter
أَسْنَى وَرَأَيُك فِي السِّيَاسَةِ أَفْضَلُ
All this—yet your understanding in the caliphate is
more illustrious, and your judgment in governance better.
مَوْلاَيَmy lord هَاضَنِيbroke me الزَّمَانُtime وَسَامَنِيand subjected me
مَوْلاَيَ هَاضَنِي الزَّمَانُ وَسَامَنِي
جَوْراًto injustice وَأَنْتَwhile you هُوَare الإِمَامُthe imam الأَعْدَلُmost just
جَوْراً وَأَنْتَ هُوَ الإِمَامُ الأَعْدَلُ
My lord, time has broken me and subjected me
to injustice, while you are the most just imam.
أَنْحَىattacked عَلَىupon وَفْرِيmy wealth وَرَوَّعَand terrified مَأْمَنِيmy refuge
أَنْحَى عَلَى وَفْرِي وَرَوَّعَ مَأْمَنِي
ظُلْماًunjustly وَحَمَّلَنِيand burdened me الَّذِيwith what لاَnot يُحْمَلُcan be borne
ظُلْماً وَحَمَّلَنِي الَّذِي لاَ يُحْمَلُ
It attacked my wealth and terrified my refuge
unjustly, burdening me with what cannot be borne.
وَرَمَىand cast away بِنَاus الْبَحْرُthe sea الْمُحِيطُencircling وَلَوْand if دَرَىit knew
وَرَمَى بِنَا الْبَحْرُ الْمُحِيطُ وَلَوْ دَرَى
مِنْfrom دُونِهِbeyond itself مَرْمَىًa place to cast us لَقَالَit would say لَنَاto us ارْحَلُواdepart
مِنْ دُونِهِ مَرْمَىً لَقَالَ لَنَا ارْحَلُوا
The encircling ocean cast us away; had it known
a place farther beyond itself, it would have told us, “Depart!”
إِنَّاindeed we قُتِلْنَاwere killed بِالنَّوَىby separation سِيَّانalike مَنْthose who
إِنَّا قُتِلْنَا بِالنَّوَى سِيَّان مَنْ
يُجْلَىare expelled عَنِfrom الأَوْطَانِhomelands أَوْor مَنْthose who يُقْتَلُare slain
يُجْلَى عَنِ الأَوْطَانِ أَوْ مَنْ يُقْتَلُ
Separation has killed us: alike are those
driven from their homelands and those slain.
هَذَاthis قِيَاسٌan analogy لَيْسَnot يُدْفَعُis rejected حُكْمُهُits judgment
هَذَا قِيَاسٌ لَيْسَ يُدْفَعُ حُكْمُهُ
مِنْfrom بَعْدِafter مَاwhat شَهِدَattested الْكِتَابُthe Book الْمُنْزَلُrevealed
مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا شَهِدَ الْكِتَابُ الْمُنْزَلُ
This is an analogy whose judgment cannot be rejected,
after the revealed Book has borne witness.
أَصْبَحْتُI find myself فِيamong زُغْبٍdowny young ones كَأَفْرَاخِlike the chicks الْقَطَاof sandgrouse
أَصْبَحْتُ فِي زُغْبٍ كَأَفْرَاخِ الْقَطَا
وَالْمَاءُand water شرطُa condition حَياتِهِمof their life والسُنبُلُand ears of grain
وَالْمَاءُ شرطُ حَياتِهِم والسُنبُلُ
I find myself among downy young ones like sandgrouse chicks;
water and ears of grain are conditions of their life.
فَإذاso if سَمَوتُI strive لِقَصدِهِمfor their wants لمnot أستَطِعI can
فَإذا سَمَوتُ لِقَصدِهِم لم أستَطِع
وإذاand if اعْتَذَرْتُI make excuses إِلَيْهِمُto them لَمْnot يَقْبَلُواthey accept
وإذا اعْتَذَرْتُ إِلَيْهِمُ لَمْ يَقْبَلُوا
If I strive to meet their wants, I cannot;
if I make excuses to them, they do not accept them.
وَأَنَاand I الَّذِيam the one who مَاnot لِيhas for me إِلَيْكَto you وَسِيلَةٌa means of access
وَأَنَا الَّذِي مَا لِي إِلَيْكَ وَسِيلَةٌ
أُدْلِيI present بِهَاit لِعُلاَكَto your eminence أَوْor أَتَوسَّلُuse in supplication
أُدْلِي بِهَا لِعُلاَكَ أَوْ أَتَوسَّلُ
I am one who has no means of access to you
to present before your eminence or use in supplication.
أَنْتَyou الْوَسِيلَةُthe means of access لِيfor me إِلَيْكَto you فَلاَso do not تُضِعْthwart
أَنْتَ الْوَسِيلَةُ لِي إِلَيْكَ فَلاَ تُضِعْ
قَصْدِيmy purpose فَمِثْلُكَfor one like you مَنْis one who يَقُولُspeaks وَيَفْعَلُand acts
قَصْدِي فَمِثْلُكَ مَنْ يَقُولُ وَيَفْعَلُ
You yourself are my means of access to you; do not thwart
my purpose, for one like you speaks and acts.
مَاnot لِيfor me وَلاَnor لَبِنِيَّfor my sons غَيْرَكَother than you رَحْمَةٌany mercy
مَا لِي وَلاَ لَبِنِيَّ غَيْرَكَ رَحْمَةٌ
لَكِنَّbut عُذْرِيmy excuse وَاضِحٌclear لاَnot يُجْهَلُis mistaken
لَكِنَّ عُذْرِي وَاضِحٌ لاَ يُجْهَلُ
Neither I nor my sons have any mercy but yours;
yet my excuse is clear and cannot be mistaken.
خُذْهَاtake it كَمَاas شَاءَwilled الْخَلُوصُsincerity كَأَنَّهَاas though it
خُذْهَا كَمَا شَاءَ الْخَلُوصُ كَأَنَّهَا
عِقْدٌa necklace بِأَلْقَابِwith the figures الْبَدِيعِof rhetorical art مُفَصَّلُarticulated
عِقْدٌ بِأَلْقَابِ الْبَدِيعِ مُفَصَّلُ
Take it as sincerity has willed, as though it were
a necklace articulated with the figures of rhetorical art.
أَهْدَىoffered الْبَيَانُeloquence بِهَاthrough it فَرَاِئدَunique pearls حِكْمَةٍof wisdom
أَهْدَى الْبَيَانُ بِهَا فَرَاِئدَ حِكْمَةٍ
يَبْأَىtakes pride النَّدَىgenerosity بِنَشْرِهَاin its dissemination وَالْمَحْفِلُand the assembly
يَبْأَى النَّدَى بِنَشْرِهَا وَالْمَحْفِلُ
Eloquence has offered through it unique pearls of wisdom,
in whose dissemination generosity and the assembly take pride.
وَأشْكُرْand thank صَنِيعَthe favor اللهِof God فِيكَtoward you فَإِنَّهُfor indeed He
وَأشْكُرْ صَنِيعَ اللهِ فِيكَ فَإِنَّهُ
يُنْمِيincreases ثَوَابَthe reward الشَّاكِرِينَof the grateful وَيُجْزِلُand makes abundant
يُنْمِي ثَوَابَ الشَّاكِرِينَ وَيُجْزِلُ
Thank God for His favor toward you, for He
increases the grateful people's reward and makes it abundant.
Partial English translation: 298 of 398 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1