نِعَمٌblessings يُبَشِّرُheralds بَدْؤُهاtheir beginning بِتَمامِof completion
نِعَمٌ يُبَشِّرُ بَدْؤُها بِتَمامِ
فَتْحُthe conquest of القُدُومِarrival ونُصْرَةُand the victory of الإِقْدَامِadvance
فَتْحُ القُدُومِ ونُصْرَةُ الإِقْدَامِ
Blessings whose beginning heralds their completion:
A good omen heralded by the completion of the opening
The conquest of arrival and the victory of advance.
And the triumph of determination
وُدِّعْتَyou were bid farewell مَحْمُوداًpraised وَصَلْتَyou arrived مُظَفَّراًvictorious
وُدِّعْتَ مَحْمُوداً وَصَلْتَ مُظَفَّراً
فاقدَمْso come بِطِيبِwith the sweetness of تحيَّةٍa greeting وسَلامِand peace
فاقدَمْ بِطِيبِ تحيَّةٍ وسَلامِ
You were bid farewell with praise and arrived victorious;
You were bidden farewell auspiciously and you arrived victoriously
So come amid sweet greetings and peace.
So proceed with kind regards and peace
والبَسْand don بِعِزَّةِthrough the might of مَنْthe one whom سَعَيْتَyou strove لِنَصْرِهِto support Him
والبَسْ بِعِزَّةِ مَنْ سَعَيْتَ لِنَصْرِهِ
تاجَthe crown of الجلالِmajesty وحُلَّةَand the robe of الإِعْظَامِveneration
تاجَ الجلالِ وحُلَّةَ الإِعْظَامِ
And, through the might of Him whom you strove to support, don
And wear the glory of the one you strove to champion
The crown of majesty and the robe of veneration.
The crown of majesty and the robe of reverence
واسْعَدْand rejoice لِعِزِّfor the glory of الدِّينِthe faith والدُّنياand the world مَعاًtogether
واسْعَدْ لِعِزِّ الدِّينِ والدُّنيا مَعاً
واسلَمْand remain safe لنَصْرِfor the victory of اللهِGod والإِسلامِand Islam
واسلَمْ لنَصْرِ اللهِ والإِسلامِ
Rejoice for the glory of faith and worldly life together,
And find joy in the glory of religion and this world alike
And remain safe for the victory of God and Islam.
And submit to the victory of God and Islam
وَعْداًa promise عَلَيْهِbinding upon Him أَنthat يُتِمَّHe complete عَلَىfor الورىhumankind
وَعْداً عَلَيْهِ أَن يُتِمَّ عَلَى الورى
بكَthrough you أَنعُماًblessings موصولَةًjoined بِدَوَامِto perpetuity
بكَ أَنعُماً موصولَةً بِدَوَامِ
A promise binding upon Him: to perfect for humankind
With the promise to perfect for all creation through you
Through you blessings joined to everlasting continuance.
Abundant and enduring blessings
قَرُبَتْdrew near عَلَيْكَfor you منَfrom الأَعادِيthe enemies غايَةٌa goal
قَرُبَتْ عَلَيْكَ منَ الأَعادِي غايَةٌ
قَدْhad طالماfor so long بَعُدَتْbeen distant عَلَىto الأَوْهامِthe imagination
قَدْ طالما بَعُدَتْ عَلَى الأَوْهامِ
An aim against the enemies came within your reach,
The ultimate goal of the enemies has drawn near you
Which had long remained beyond imagination.
After having long seemed beyond conception
وسَلَلْتَand you unsheathed سيفَthe sword of اللهِGod طالِبَseeking ثأْرِهِHis vengeance
وسَلَلْتَ سيفَ اللهِ طالِبَ ثأْرِهِ
منfrom آلِthe house of جالُوتٍJalut ونَثْرَةِand the offspring of حامِHam
من آلِ جالُوتٍ ونَثْرَةِ حامِ
You unsheathed God's sword, seeking His vengeance
And you unsheathed the sword of God, seeking vengeance
From the house of Jalut and the seed of Ham.
From the people of Goliath and the remnants of Ham
ورَفَعْتَand you raised أَعلامَthe banners of الهُدىguidance فِيin جَحْفَلٍa vast army
ورَفَعْتَ أَعلامَ الهُدى فِي جَحْفَلٍ
كالليلِlike the night تَحْتَbeneath كواكِبِthe stars of الأَعْلامِthe banners
كالليلِ تَحْتَ كواكِبِ الأَعْلامِ
You raised the banners of guidance in a vast army,
And you raised the banners of guidance over the army
Like night beneath the stars of its banners.
Like the night under the stars of flags
بِسَوَابِقٍwith swift steeds رَفَعَتْthat raised شِراعَa sail of خوافِقٍfluttering banners
بِسَوَابِقٍ رَفَعَتْ شِراعَ خوافِقٍ
كالفُلْكِlike ships فِيin آذِيّthe surge of بحرٍa sea طامِoverflowing
كالفُلْكِ فِي آذِيّ بحرٍ طامِ
With swift steeds that raised a sail of fluttering banners,
With outstanding feats that raised the sails of concord
Like ships amid the surge of an overflowing sea.
Like a ship in a raging, tumultuous sea
يَسْتَرْجِفُsets trembling الإِسراجُsaddling عِزَّthe pride of نفوسِهاtheir spirits
يَسْتَرْجِفُ الإِسراجُ عِزَّ نفوسِها
حَتَّىuntil تَسَكِّنَهُنَّyou quiet them بالإِلْجامِwith bridling
حَتَّى تَسَكِّنَهُنَّ بالإِلْجامِ
Saddling sets the pride of their spirits trembling,
Their fiery zeal is restless
Until you quiet them with bridling.
Until it is calmed by restraint
وأُسُودِand lions of غابٍٍa forest مَاnot تَلَذُّfind sweet حَياتَهاtheir life
وأُسُودِ غابٍٍ مَا تَلَذُّ حَياتَها
حَتَّىuntil تُدِيرَyou circulate بِهَاamong them كؤوسَcups of حِمامِdeath
حَتَّى تُدِيرَ بِهَا كؤوسَ حِمامِ
And forest lions whose lives have no sweetness
And the lions whose delight in life
Until you pass the cups of death among them.
Comes from decimating the cups of the dispute
مُتَنازِعِيvying for مُهَجthe lifeblood of العُدَاةِthe enemies كَأَنَّماas though
مُتَنازِعِي مُهَج العُدَاةِ كَأَنَّما
يَتَنَادَمُونَthey drink together عَلَىover رَحيقِpure nectar of مُدَامِaged wine
يَتَنَادَمُونَ عَلَى رَحيقِ مُدَامِ
Vying for their enemies' lifeblood, as though
Contending for the entrails of the foe as though
They drank together over pure, aged wine.
They were relishing over wine
مُسْتَقْدِمِينَadvancing إِلَيْهِمُtoward them بِأَسِنَّةٍwith spearheads
مُسْتَقْدِمِينَ إِلَيْهِمُ بِأَسِنَّةٍ
أَوْلىhaving more claim منthan الأَرْوَاحِsouls بالأَجْسامِto bodies
أَوْلى من الأَرْوَاحِ بالأَجْسامِ
Advancing toward them with spearheads
Rushing towards them with tongues
That have a greater claim to bodies than souls do.
Closer to their souls than their bodies
هَتَكُواthey tore بِهَاwith them حُجُبَthe veils of التَّرَائِبِthe breastbones فاصْطَلَتْand burned
هَتَكُوا بِهَا حُجُبَ التَّرَائِبِ فاصْطَلَتْ
أَحشاؤُهاtheir entrails جَمْرَupon the coals of الوطيسِthe furnace الْحامِيblazing
أَحشاؤُها جَمْرَ الوطيسِ الْحامِي
With them they tore the breastbones' veils, and there burned
They tore through the veils of caution, exposing
Their entrails upon the coals of the blazing furnace.
Their inner rage like burning embers
وقواضِبٍand cleaving swords نَبَذَتْthat flung themselves إِلَيْكَtoward you لتَتْرُكَنْsurely to leave
وقواضِبٍ نَبَذَتْ إِلَيْكَ لتَتْرُكَنْ
هامَthe skulls of الأَعادِيthe enemies لِلصَّدىto screech-owls والهامِand owls
هامَ الأَعادِي لِلصَّدى والهامِ
And cleaving swords that flung themselves toward you, surely to leave
And steeds who cast themselves before you to leave
The enemies' skulls to the screech-owls and owls.
The enemies confused and distraught
سُرُجٍlamps لِدِينِfor the faith of الحَقِّtruth إِلّاexcept أَنَّهاthat they
سُرُجٍ لِدِينِ الحَقِّ إِلّا أَنَّها
كَسَتِclothed الضَّلالَerror دياجِيَin the deep shades of الإِظْلامِdarkness
كَسَتِ الضَّلالَ دياجِيَ الإِظْلامِ
Lamps for the true faith—except that they
Torches for the religion of truth, though they
Clothed error in the deepest shades of darkness.
Clad the darkness in radiant attire
بَرَقَتْflashed عَلَىover الأَعْدَاءِthe enemies غَيْرَnot خَوَالِبٍempty lightning-flashes
بَرَقَتْ عَلَى الأَعْدَاءِ غَيْرَ خَوَالِبٍ
فِيin عارِضٍa cloudbank لِلْمَوْتِof death غَيْرِnot جَهامِrainless
فِي عارِضٍ لِلْمَوْتِ غَيْرِ جَهامِ
They flashed over the enemies, no empty lightning,
They shone over the enemies without fear
In a cloudbank of death that was not rainless.
With death looming, without retreat
فكأَنَّماso as though اسْتَسْقَوْاthey sought rain حَياهُits life-giving rain وَقَدْthough already رَأَوْاthey had seen
فكأَنَّما اسْتَسْقَوْا حَياهُ وَقَدْ رَأَوْا
أَنَّthat الصَّوَاعِقَthunderbolts فِيin مُتُونِthe bodies of غَمامِclouds
أَنَّ الصَّوَاعِقَ فِي مُتُونِ غَمامِ
As though they had sought its life-giving rain, although they had seen
It was as if they begged for life after seeing
That thunderbolts lay within the bodies of clouds.
The lightning in the clouds of gathering gloom
حَمَلُواthey bore قُلُوبَthe hearts of الأُسْدِlions نَحْوَكَtoward you فانْثَنَوْاthen turned back
حَمَلُوا قُلُوبَ الأُسْدِ نَحْوَكَ فانْثَنَوْا
مستبدِلينَexchanging بِهَاin their place قُلُوبَthe hearts of نَعَامِostriches
مستبدِلينَ بِهَا قُلُوبَ نَعَامِ
They bore lions' hearts toward you, then turned back
They carried the hearts of lions towards you, faltering
Exchanging them for ostriches' hearts.
Replacing them with the hearts of ostriches
منamong كُلِّevery مُنْتَهِكِviolator of المحَارِمِsacred bounds بارِزٍcoming forth
من كُلِّ مُنْتَهِكِ المحَارِمِ بارِزٍ
بِدَمٍwith blood عَلَىfor الإِسلامِIslam غيرِnot حَرَامِforbidden
بِدَمٍ عَلَى الإِسلامِ غيرِ حَرَامِ
Among them, every violator of sacred bounds came forth
Every violator of sanctity who bloodied
With blood not forbidden for Islam to shed.
Islam, though not forbidden blood
لمdid not يَعْبُدُواthey worship الأَصْنامَidols إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُمْthat they
لم يَعْبُدُوا الأَصْنامَ إِلّا أَنَّهُمْ
عَبَدُواworshipped الغُرورَdelusion عبادَةَwith the worship of الأَصْنامِidols
عَبَدُوا الغُرورَ عبادَةَ الأَصْنامِ
They did not worship idols, yet they
They worshipped idols not, but worshipped delusion
Worshipped delusion as idols are worshipped.
With the worship of idols
كمhow many فِيin بُرُودِthe cloaks of عَجاجِهاits dust-cloud منof مُفَرَشٍone laid upon
كم فِي بُرُودِ عَجاجِها من مُفَرَشٍ
ظَهْرَthe surface of الصَّعِيدِthe earth مُوَسَّدٍpillowed بِسَلامِupon stones
ظَهْرَ الصَّعِيدِ مُوَسَّدٍ بِسَلامِ
How many, amid the cloaks of its dust-cloud, were laid
How many laid to rest in the cool stillness of the tomb
On the earth's surface, pillowed upon stones!
Their backs to the ground in tranquility
أَشْمَسْتَهُyou exposed him to the sun عَفَرَin the dust of التُّرَابِthe earth ورُبَّماthough often
أَشْمَسْتَهُ عَفَرَ التُّرَابِ ورُبَّما
حَطَّhe brought down الرَّوَاسِيَfirm mountains منfrom فُرُوعِthe summits of شِمامِShimam
حَطَّ الرَّوَاسِيَ من فُرُوعِ شِمامِ
You exposed him to the sun in the earth's dust, though often
You warmed the cold earth, and perhaps
He had brought down firm mountains from Shimam's peaks.
It welcomed the branches of acacia trees
وسَطَاand assailed الرَّغَامُdust بأَنْفِهِhis nose ولطالماand indeed so often
وسَطَا الرَّغَامُ بأَنْفِهِ ولطالما
غَادىhe assailed at dawn أُنوفَthe noses of الدينِthe faith بالإِرْغَامِwith humiliation
غَادى أُنوفَ الدينِ بالإِرْغَامِ
Dust assailed his nose, though so often
Often the dust clogged his nostrils, after he
He had assailed the noses of the faith at dawn with humiliation.
Defended the noses of the faith forcibly
دامِيbloodied اللَّبانِthe breast كَأَنَّas though مَفْحَصَthe hollow of نَحْرِهِhis throat
دامِي اللَّبانِ كَأَنَّ مَفْحَصَ نَحْرِهِ
وَجَناتُthe cheeks of مُعْوِلَةًa wailing woman عَلَيْهِover him دَوَامِbleeding
وَجَناتُ مُعْوِلَةً عَلَيْهِ دَوَامِ
His breast bloodied, as though the hollow of his throat
Pouring forth ambergris, as if the slit in his throat
Were the bleeding cheeks of a woman wailing over him.
And the palm trees leaning on him were eternal
فَغَداso became الثَّرىthe soil رَيَّانَdrenched منwith دَمِهِhis blood ومِنْand with
فَغَدا الثَّرى رَيَّانَ من دَمِهِ ومِنْ
دَمْعٍtears عَلَيْهِover him بالقَضَاءِat fate's decree سِجَامِstreaming
دَمْعٍ عَلَيْهِ بالقَضَاءِ سِجَامِ
So the soil became drenched in his blood and in
The earth became moist with his blood, and with
Tears streaming over him at fate's decree.
Tears fatefully shed over him
جَزَراًslaughtered prey لأَيْسارٍfor gamblers منَof البَيْدَاءِthe wilderness لاnot
جَزَراً لأَيْسارٍ منَ البَيْدَاءِ لا
يَسْتَقْسِمُونَthey draw lots عَلَيْهِover him بالأَزْلامِwith divining arrows
يَسْتَقْسِمُونَ عَلَيْهِ بالأَزْلامِ
Slaughtered prey for gamblers of the wilderness, who do not
Masses from the open desert not divided
Draw lots over him with divining arrows.
Among them by lot casting
حَتَّىuntil إِذَاwhen صابَتْpoured down بِقُرٍّwith cold وانْثَنَىand bent
حَتَّى إِذَا صابَتْ بِقُرٍّ وانْثَنَى
ثَمَرُthe fruit of الغِوَايَةِerror مُؤْذِناًannouncing بِصِرَامِharvest
ثَمَرُ الغِوَايَةِ مُؤْذِناً بِصِرَامِ
Until, when chill rain poured down and there bowed
Until when the arrow hit its mark and the fruit
The fruit of error, announcing its harvest,
Of misguidance bent indicating decisiveness
ورَمَتْand cast down أَكُفٌّhands بالصَّوارِمِthe cutting swords والقَناand spears
ورَمَتْ أَكُفٌّ بالصَّوارِمِ والقَنا
كَيْماso that تَمُدَّthey might reach إِلَيْكَtoward you بِاسْتِسْلامِin surrender
كَيْما تَمُدَّ إِلَيْكَ بِاسْتِسْلامِ
And hands cast down swords and spears
And hands reached for the swords and spears
So they might reach toward you in surrender,
As if to surrender to you
وتَيَقَّنَand became certain الإِسلامُIslam عَوْدَةَof the return of رَحْمَةٍmercy
وتَيَقَّنَ الإِسلامُ عَوْدَةَ رَحْمَةٍ
تُبْرِيthat heals منfrom الأَوْصابِafflictions والأَسْقامِand illnesses
تُبْرِي من الأَوْصابِ والأَسْقامِ
And Islam became certain of mercy's return,
And Islam felt assured the return of grace
Which heals afflictions and illnesses,
That would cure wounds and illness
وتنسَّمَand inhaled الظَّمْآنُthe thirsty one رَوْحَthe relief of مَشارِبٍwatering places
وتنسَّمَ الظَّمْآنُ رَوْحَ مَشارِبٍ
يُشْفَىis healed بِهِنَّby them غليلُthe heat of كُلِّevery أُوَامِburning thirst
يُشْفَى بِهِنَّ غليلُ كُلِّ أُوَامِ
And the thirsty one breathed the relief of watering places
And the thirsty breathed the air of springs
Where the heat of every burning thirst is quenched,
That would relieve all suffering
نَفِسَbegrudged النَّجاحَsuccess عَلَيْكَto you مَنْone whose أَقْسامُهُshares
نَفِسَ النَّجاحَ عَلَيْكَ مَنْ أَقْسامُهُ
منfrom فَوْزِthe winning of قِدْحِكَyour lot-arrow أَوْفَرُthe fullest الأَقْسامِshares
من فَوْزِ قِدْحِكَ أَوْفَرُ الأَقْسامِ
Your success was begrudged you by one whose shares
Success itself wished you well, he whose destiny
From your winning lot-arrow were the richest shares.
Was the greatest share of triumph
وهَفَتْand swept astray بِهِhim خُدَعُthe deceits of الظُّنُونِconjectures وَلَمْand has not يَزَلْceased
وهَفَتْ بِهِ خُدَعُ الظُّنُونِ وَلَمْ يَزَلْ
حَسَدُthe envy of القرابَةِkinship طائِشَreckless in الأَحْلامِjudgment
حَسَدُ القرابَةِ طائِشَ الأَحْلامِ
The deceits of conjecture swept him astray; and ever has
It confounded baseless assumptions, which had not ceased
Envy among kin been reckless in judgment.
To blindly envy kinship
فَدَناso he approached لِغِرَّةِthe vulnerability of مُنْتَواكَyour abode وَقَدْwhen already خَلَتْwere empty
فَدَنا لِغِرَّةِ مُنْتَواكَ وَقَدْ خَلَتْ
منof أُسْدِهِنَّtheir lions مَرَابِضُthe lairs of الآجَامِthe thickets
من أُسْدِهِنَّ مَرَابِضُ الآجَامِ
He approached your abode in its unguarded hour, when
So the fateful night drew near your resting place after
The lairs of the thickets were empty of their lions.
The lionesses' dens were vacated
ودَعَاand he summoned السَّوَامَthe grazing herds إِلَىto حِماكَyour protected pasture وَلَمْand you had not تَغِبْbeen absent
ودَعَا السَّوَامَ إِلَى حِماكَ وَلَمْ تَغِبْ
إلّاexcept لِتُبليto fight valiantly دونهاin its defense وتحاميand defend
إلّا لِتُبلي دونها وتحامي
He summoned grazing herds into your protected pasture, though you were absent
And it called the wild beasts to your protection, never absent
Only to fight valiantly in its defense and protect it.
Except to confront and defy the enemies
فبرىso fashioned العداةُthe enemies لرميِfor shooting at ظلِّكyour shadow أسهُماًarrows
فبرى العداةُ لرميِ ظلِّك أسهُماً
خابَتْthey failed وصائبُهاand their on-target shaft لأَخْيَبِfor the most hapless رَامِarcher
خابَتْ وصائبُها لأَخْيَبِ رَامِ
The enemies fashioned arrows to shoot at your shadow;
Then the foes revealed their ineffectual arrows
They failed; even their on-target shaft was the most hapless archer's.
Their strikes went astray, failing to hit their mark
هلdo يَنْقِمُونَthey resent سِوىanything but سَجِيَّةِthe character of حافِظٍone who preserves
هل يَنْقِمُونَ سِوى سَجِيَّةِ حافِظٍ
حقَّthe rights of الأَواصِرِbonds واصِلِone who maintains الأَرْحامِkinship ties
حقَّ الأَواصِرِ واصِلِ الأَرْحامِ
Do they resent anything but the character of one who preserves
Can they resent anything but the loyalty of one
The rights of bonds and maintains ties of kinship?
True to family ties and maintaining relations?
سَهِدِwakeful الجفونِeyelids طويلِlong in آناءِthe hours of السُّرَىnight travel
سَهِدِ الجفونِ طويلِ آناءِ السُّرَى
عنon behalf of أَعْيُنٍeyes تَحْتَbeneath السُّجُوفِcurtains نِيامِasleep
عن أَعْيُنٍ تَحْتَ السُّجُوفِ نِيامِ
Wakeful-eyed, spending long hours journeying by night
Or the sleepless, tearful eyes night after night
On behalf of eyes sleeping behind curtains?
Under exhausted, slumbering lids?
أَوْor يَحْسُدُونَكَthey envy you رُتْبَةًa rank فَليَرْتَقُواthen let them ascend
أَوْ يَحْسُدُونَكَ رُتْبَةً فَليَرْتَقُوا
فَالشَّمْسُfor the sun فِيin جَوِّthe expanse of السماءِthe sky السَّامِيlofty
فَالشَّمْسُ فِي جَوِّ السماءِ السَّامِي
Or do they envy you a rank? Then let them climb:
Or do they envy your status? Let them ascend,
The sun is in the lofty expanse of the sky.
For the sun roams the lofty celestial sphere
أَمْor أَبْرَمُواthey firmly wove أَمْراًa scheme يَسُوؤُكَthat grieves you ذِكْرُهُits mention
أَمْ أَبْرَمُوا أَمْراً يَسُوؤُكَ ذِكْرُهُ
فاللهُthen God ناقِضُwill undo ذَلِكَthat الإِبْرَامِbinding
فاللهُ ناقِضُ ذَلِكَ الإِبْرَامِ
Or have they firmly woven a plot whose mention grieves you?
Or did they scheme something which vexes you by mention?
God shall undo that binding.
God will undo such plotting
فاسْعَدْso rejoice بماin what اخْتارَchose الَّذِيHe who فِيin أَمْرِهِHis command
فاسْعَدْ بما اخْتارَ الَّذِي فِي أَمْرِهِ
خَيْرُthe best of القضاءِdecrees وأَيْمَنُand the most blessed of الأَحْكَامِjudgments
خَيْرُ القضاءِ وأَيْمَنُ الأَحْكَامِ
So rejoice in what He has chosen, whose command holds
So rejoice in what the Wisest of all has ordained
The best decree and the most blessed judgments.
The best decree and most virtuous judgment
ولَئِنْand even if وَنىtarried قَدرٌa decree إِلَىuntil أَجَلٍan appointed time فَلاthere is no
ولَئِنْ وَنى قَدرٌ إِلَى أَجَلٍ فَلا
عَدَمُlack of الصَّوَابِsound judgment ولاnor نُبُوُّfailure to strike of حُسامِa keen sword
عَدَمُ الصَّوَابِ ولا نُبُوُّ حُسامِ
And though a decree tarries until an appointed time, there is neither
If fate should turn toward a date, it does not indicate
Want of sound judgment nor failure of a keen sword to strike.
Misguidance, nor the drawing of swords
ونَبِيُّناand our Prophet لَكَfor you أُسْوَةٌan example فِيin رَدِّهِhis being turned back
ونَبِيُّنا لَكَ أُسْوَةٌ فِي رَدِّهِ
عنfrom أَرْضِthe land of مَكَّةَMecca مُعْلِنَopenly declaring الإِحْرامِpilgrim consecration
عن أَرْضِ مَكَّةَ مُعْلِنَ الإِحْرامِ
Our Prophet is an example for you in his being turned back
Our Prophet is for you an exemplar in his rebuff
From Mecca's land, openly declaring his pilgrim consecration.
Openly performing pilgrim rites outside Mecca
فأَثَابَهُso He rewarded him with الفتحَthe victory القريبَnear وبَعْدَهُand after it
فأَثَابَهُ الفتحَ القريبَ وبَعْدَهُ
تصدِيقُthe fulfillment of رُؤْيَاهُhis vision لأَوَّلِin the first عَامِyear
تصدِيقُ رُؤْيَاهُ لأَوَّلِ عَامِ
Then He rewarded him with the near victory, and afterward
But soon the nearby conquest rewarded him
His vision's fulfillment in the first ensuing year.
And the fulfillment of his vision in the first year
والعَوْدُand returning أَحْمَدُis more praiseworthy مَاnot لأَوَّلِon the first لَيْلَةٍnight
والعَوْدُ أَحْمَدُ مَا لأَوَّلِ لَيْلَةٍ
يَبْدُوappears هِلالُthe crescent of الأَفْقِthe horizon بَدْرَa full moon of تَمامِperfection
يَبْدُو هِلالُ الأَفْقِ بَدْرَ تَمامِ
And returning is more praiseworthy: not on the first night
The best return is like the first crescent moon
Does the horizon's crescent appear as a perfect full moon.
Signaling the horizon's perfect fullness
وكَفَاكَand sufficient for you are مَنْthose whom وَطِئَتْtrampled خُيُولُكَyour horses مِنْهُمُamong them
وكَفَاكَ مَنْ وَطِئَتْ خُيُولُكَ مِنْهُمُ
كِيوَانَKiwan واصْطَلَمَتْand obliterated سَنَاthe brilliance of بَهْرَامِBahram
كِيوَانَ واصْطَلَمَتْ سَنَا بَهْرَامِ
Enough for you are those among whom your horses trampled
It was enough that your steeds trampled their Kayan
Kiwan, and obliterated Bahram's brilliance.
And your sword humbled their Sana Bahram
وجَعَلْتَand you set سَيْفَكَyour sword ماثِلاًpresent لنفوسِهِمْbefore their souls
وجَعَلْتَ سَيْفَكَ ماثِلاً لنفوسِهِمْ
يَحْتَثُّهاgoading them بخَوَاطِرِwith passing thoughts of الأَوْهَامِfear
يَحْتَثُّها بخَوَاطِرِ الأَوْهَامِ
You set your sword before their souls,
You let your blade hover over their souls
Goading them with the fears that flit through their minds.
Uprooting delusions from their minds
وتَرَكْتَand you left هادِرَهُمْtheir bellowing one بِغَيْرِwithout شقاشِقٍthroat-pouches
وتَرَكْتَ هادِرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ شقاشِقٍ
رَهْباًin terror وغارِبَهُمْand their withers بغَيْرِwithout سَنامِa hump
رَهْباً وغارِبَهُمْ بغَيْرِ سَنامِ
You left their bellowing one without throat-pouches
You left their militants without armor
From terror, and their withers without a hump.
And their warlords without glory
وتَرَكْتَand you left فَلَّthe routed remnants of ذِئابِهِمْtheir wolves وضِباعِهِمْand their hyenas
وتَرَكْتَ فَلَّ ذِئابِهِمْ وضِباعِهِمْ
مُتَرَقِّبِينَawaiting لِكَرَّةِthe renewed charge of الضِّرْغَامِthe lion
مُتَرَقِّبِينَ لِكَرَّةِ الضِّرْغَامِ
You left the routed remnants of their wolves and hyenas
You left the packs of their wolves and hyenas
Awaiting the lion's renewed charge.
Anticipating the next feeding frenzy
هَلْdo ينظُرُونَthey await سِوىanything but تأَلُّقِthe gleam of حاجِبٍa rim
هَلْ ينظُرُونَ سِوى تأَلُّقِ حاجِبٍ
لِلشَمْسِof the sun يَصْدَعُrending ثَوْبَthe robe of كُلِّevery ظلامِdarkness
لِلشَمْسِ يَصْدَعُ ثَوْبَ كُلِّ ظلامِ
Do they await anything but the gleam of a rim
Do they expect anything but the radiant gleam
Of the sun, rending the robe of every darkness?
Of the rising sun rending the cloak of darkness?
أَوْor يُوجِسُsenses السَّمْعُhearing النَّذِيرَthe warning بِمُنْذِرٍfrom a warner
أَوْ يُوجِسُ السَّمْعُ النَّذِيرَ بِمُنْذِرٍ
ضَرِمَablaze with العَجَاجِbattle-dust مُصَمِّمَdriving through الصَّمْصامِthe keen sword
ضَرِمَ العَجَاجِ مُصَمِّمَ الصَّمْصامِ
Or does the ear sense the warning of a warner,
Or the warning ears sense the harbinger
Blazing with battle-dust, driving his keen sword through?
Of calamity, intent on collision?
مَلِكٌa king إِذَاwhen أَلْقىhe casts down رواسِيَthe firm mountains of بَأْسِهِhis might
مَلِكٌ إِذَا أَلْقى رواسِيَ بَأْسِهِ
كَفَلَتْthey guarantee لَهُhim بِزَلازِلِwith earthquakes of الأَقْدَامِthe feet
كَفَلَتْ لَهُ بِزَلازِلِ الأَقْدَامِ
A king who, when he casts down the firm mountains of his might,
A king, when he plants firm the foundations of his might
Has them guarantee him earthquakes beneath the feet.
The feet are quick to surrender to him
قادَhe led العُلاloftiness بِزِمَامِby the rein of كُلِّevery فَضيلَةٍvirtue
قادَ العُلا بِزِمَامِ كُلِّ فَضيلَةٍ
واقْتادَهُand led him الرَّاجِيthe hopeful petitioner بِغَيْرِwithout زِمَامِa rein
واقْتادَهُ الرَّاجِي بِغَيْرِ زِمَامِ
He led loftiness by the rein of every virtue,
He led the ascendant with the reins of every virtue
While the hopeful petitioner led him without a rein.
And the hopeful followed without reins
فَاَبْشِرْso rejoice فَقَدْfor indeed نَبَّهتَyou awakened نائِمَةَthe sleeping المُنىwishes
فَاَبْشِرْ فَقَدْ نَبَّهتَ نائِمَةَ المُنى
ونَظَمْتَand you ordered دِينَthe faith of اللهِGod خَيْرَin the best نِظامِorder
ونَظَمْتَ دِينَ اللهِ خَيْرَ نِظامِ
Rejoice, for you have awakened slumbering wishes
So rejoice! You have awakened the sleeping wishes
And ordered God's faith in the finest order.
And composed the religion of God in the best order
وقَرَرْتَand you found comfort عَيْناًin your eye بِالَّذِيin that which قرَّتْwas gladdened بِهِby it
وقَرَرْتَ عَيْناً بِالَّذِي قرَّتْ بِهِ
عَيْنُthe eye of الزَّمَانِTime وأَعْيُنُand the eyes of الإِسْلامِIslam
عَيْنُ الزَّمَانِ وأَعْيُنُ الإِسْلامِ
Your eye found joy in what gladdened
And you rested assured in the guidance of the best guide
The eye of Time and the eyes of Islam.
And relied in the most high upon the best imam
قَمَرٌa moon يُنِيرُilluminating عَلَىupon بَنانِthe fingertips of يَمِينِهِhis right hand
قَمَرٌ يُنِيرُ عَلَى بَنانِ يَمِينِهِ
شهبُthe meteors of القَناlances وكواكِبُand the stars of الأَقْلامِpens
شهبُ القَنا وكواكِبُ الأَقْلامِ
A moon illuminating, upon his right-hand fingertips,
He is worthy of having his rule upheld
The meteors of lances and the stars of pens.
To keep safe my ties and covenants
وَرِثَhe inherited from الجُدُودَthe forefathers مَناقِباًvirtues ومساعياًand noble deeds
وَرِثَ الجُدُودَ مَناقِباً ومساعياً
تَرَكتْthat left كِرامَthe nobles of الأَرْضِthe earth غَيْرَno longer كِرَامِnoble
تَرَكتْ كِرامَ الأَرْضِ غَيْرَ كِرَامِ
He inherited from his forefathers virtues and noble deeds
And I am worthy of praising his glory
That left earth's noblemen no longer noble;
With melodies and the song of doves
وعُلاًand heights of glory تَحَلَّتْadorned themselves بالسَّناءِwith radiance وتَوَّجَتْand crowned
وعُلاً تَحَلَّتْ بالسَّناءِ وتَوَّجَتْ
بالمَكْرُماتِwith noble deeds مَفارِقَthe heads of الأَيَّامِdays
بالمَكْرُماتِ مَفارِقَ الأَيَّامِ
And heights of glory adorned with radiance, which crowned
And sending pilgrims with his good mention
The days' heads with noble deeds.
As provision for ambition and resolve
باهىboasted بِهِof him الأَمْلاكَbefore kings أَعْلىthe loftiest مُنْجِبٍbegetter
باهى بِهِ الأَمْلاكَ أَعْلى مُنْجِبٍ
ونَماهُand raised him للآمالِfor hopes أَكْرَمُthe noblest نامِnurturer
ونَماهُ للآمالِ أَكْرَمُ نامِ
The loftiest sire boasted of him before kings,
Until the horizons and the morning and evening winds
And the noblest nurturer raised him for hopes.
Diffuse with their praise from meadows and thickets
فاسْتَنَّso he followed فِيin الحُسْنىgoodness بأَهْدىwith the best-guiding مُرْشِدٍmentor
فاسْتَنَّ فِي الحُسْنى بأَهْدى مُرْشِدٍ
وائتَمَّand followed فِيin العَلْياeminence بِخَيْرِthe best إِمامِleader
وائتَمَّ فِي العَلْيا بِخَيْرِ إِمامِ
Thus he followed the path of goodness with the best-guiding mentor,
And the reward for sheltering my desolate wandering
And followed the best leader in the heights of glory.
And opening your meadow for my beasts to graze
فَهُوَfor he الجديرُis worthy بأَنْthat يُؤَكَّدَbe strengthened عَقْدُهُhis bond
فَهُوَ الجديرُ بأَنْ يُؤَكَّدَ عَقْدُهُ
فِيin حِفْظِkeeping عهدِthe covenant of وسائِلِيmy ties وذِمامِيand my protection
فِي حِفْظِ عهدِ وسائِلِي وذِمامِي
He is worthy to have his bond reaffirmed
And bringing the sea of life to me, initiating
In safeguarding the covenant of my ties and my protection.
The revival of my languishing spirits' vitality
وأناand I الجديرُam worthy بأَنْthat أُشِيدَI raise بِحَمْدِهِin his praise
وأنا الجديرُ بأَنْ أُشِيدَ بِحَمْدِهِ
نَغَماتِmelodies of أَوْتارٍstrings وشَدْوَand the cooing of حَمامِdoves
نَغَماتِ أَوْتارٍ وشَدْوَ حَمامِ
And I am worthy to raise in praise of him
And showing me a face whose light eclipsed
The melodies of strings and the cooing of doves,
The plights of exile and darkness of oblivion
وأُجَهِّزَand I equip الرُّكْبانَthe riders طَيِّبَthe sweetness of ذِكْرِهِhis remembrance
وأُجَهِّزَ الرُّكْبانَ طَيِّبَ ذِكْرِهِ
زاداًas provisions إِلَىfor الإِنْجادِtravel to Najd والإِتهَامِand travel to Tihamah
زاداً إِلَى الإِنْجادِ والإِتهَامِ
And to equip the riders with his sweet remembrance
I found your shade after the turmoil of my roaming
As provisions for journeys to Najd and Tihamah,
The abode of hope and home of honor
حَتَّىuntil تَفُوحَwaft fragrance لَكَfor you الجَنائِبُthe south winds والصَّباand the east wind
حَتَّى تَفُوحَ لَكَ الجَنائِبُ والصَّبا
بِثَنائِهاwith their praise منfrom مُعْرِقٍone bound for Iraq وَشَآمِيand one bound for Syria
بِثَنائِها من مُعْرِقٍ وَشَآمِي
Until the south winds and the east wind breathe fragrance for you
So it was as if your face was the feast of breaking fast
With their praise, from travelers to Iraq and Syria.
Fulfilling my fast after prolonged fasting
وجَزَاءُand as recompense for مَاwhat آوَيْتَyou sheltered وَحْشَthe wild beast of تَغَرُّبِيmy exile
وجَزَاءُ مَا آوَيْتَ وَحْشَ تَغَرُّبِي
وفَسَحْتَand you opened رَوْضَكَyour meadow لارْتِعاءِfor the grazing of سَوَامِيmy herds
وفَسَحْتَ رَوْضَكَ لارْتِعاءِ سَوَامِي
And in return for sheltering the wild beast of my exile,
And as if your shade was the Night of Power
And opening your meadow for my herds to graze,
Which recompensed my vigils and devotion
وفَعَمْتَand you filled ليfor me بَحْرَthe sea of الحياةِlife مُبادِراًhastening
وفَعَمْتَ لي بَحْرَ الحياةِ مُبادِراً
بحياةِwith life for ذابِلَةِwithered الكُبُودِlivers ظَوَامِيthirsty
بحياةِ ذابِلَةِ الكُبُودِ ظَوَامِي
And filling life's sea for me, hastening
Let the horizons know you are a gracious benefactor
To give life to withered, thirsty livers,
And I am thankful for your blessings
وبَسَطْتَand you offered ليto me وَجْهاًa face كَسَفْتَyou eclipsed بِنُورِهِwith its light
وبَسَطْتَ لي وَجْهاً كَسَفْتَ بِنُورِهِ
كُرَبَthe sorrows of الجَلاءِexile وَخَلَّةَand the privation of الإِعْدَامِpoverty
كُرَبَ الجَلاءِ وَخَلَّةَ الإِعْدَامِ
And offering me a face with whose light you eclipsed
The sorrows of exile and the privation of poverty,
وَوَجَدْتُand I found ظِلَّكَyour shade بَعْدَafter يأْسِthe despair of تَقَلُّبِيmy wandering
وَوَجَدْتُ ظِلَّكَ بَعْدَ يأْسِ تَقَلُّبِي
وَطَنَa homeland of الرَّجَاءِhope ومَنْزِلَand an abode of الإِكْرَامِhonor
وَطَنَ الرَّجَاءِ ومَنْزِلَ الإِكْرَامِ
I found your shade, after my wanderings' despair,
A homeland for hope and an abode of honor.
فكَأَنَّso as though وجهَكَyour face غُرَّةُthe bright dawn of الفِطْرِFitr الَّذِيwhich
فكَأَنَّ وجهَكَ غُرَّةُ الفِطْرِ الَّذِي
وافىcame بِفِطْرِيَwith my breaking of the fast بَعْدَafter طُولِthe length of صِيامِيmy fasting
وافى بِفِطْرِيَ بَعْدَ طُولِ صِيامِي
So your face seemed the bright dawn of Fitr, which
Brought my breaking of the fast after my long fasting;
وكَأَنَّand as though ظِلَّكَyour shade لَيْلَةُthe Night of القَدْرِDecree الَّتِيwhich
وكَأَنَّ ظِلَّكَ لَيْلَةُ القَدْرِ الَّتِي
كَفَلَتْguaranteed بأَجْرِthe reward of تَهَجُّدِيmy night prayers وقِيامِيand my vigils
كَفَلَتْ بأَجْرِ تَهَجُّدِي وقِيامِي
And your shade seemed the Night of Decree, which
Guaranteed the reward of my night prayers and vigils.
ولْتَعْلَمِand let know الآفاقُthe horizons أَنَّكَthat you مُنْعِمٌare a benefactor
ولْتَعْلَمِ الآفاقُ أَنَّكَ مُنْعِمٌ
حقّاًtruly وأَنِّيَand that I شاكِرُam grateful for الإِنْعامِbeneficence
حقّاً وأَنِّيَ شاكِرُ الإِنْعامِ
Let the horizons know that you are a benefactor
Indeed, and that I am grateful for your beneficence.
Partial English translation: 132 of 142 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1