هَنيئاًjoyfully بهِin it ياO ناصِرَNasir (defender) of الدّينthe faith مَوْسِماa season
هَنيئاً بهِ يا ناصِرَ الدّين مَوْسِما
يُغادِرُleaves أهْلَthe people of الشّركِpolytheism نهْباًas spoil مُقَسّماdivided
يُغادِرُ أهْلَ الشّركِ نهْباً مُقَسّما
Joy to you in it, O Nasir al-Din—a season
That leaves the people of polytheism as divided spoil.
وبُشْراكَand glad tidings to you طوْعَin accord with النّصْرِvictory والعِزِّand might والعُلَىand glory
وبُشْراكَ طوْعَ النّصْرِ والعِزِّ والعُلَى
بماfor what أبْرَمَdecreed الصُّنْعُprovidence الجميلُfair وأحْكَماand made secure
بما أبْرَمَ الصُّنْعُ الجميلُ وأحْكَما
And glad tidings to you, in accord with victory, might, and glory,
For what fair providence has decreed and made secure.
حُبيتَyou were granted بهِthrough it نصْراًa victory عزيزاًmighty مؤبَّداًeverlasting
حُبيتَ بهِ نصْراً عزيزاً مؤبَّداً
وفُزْتَand you gained بهthrough it صُنْعاًa favor جَميلاًgracious مُتمَّماcompleted
وفُزْتَ به صُنْعاً جَميلاً مُتمَّما
Through it you were granted a mighty, everlasting victory,
And gained a gracious favor brought to completion,
وفتْحاًand a conquest مُبيناًclear واعْتِلاءًand an ascent مُخَلِّداًconferring immortality
وفتْحاً مُبيناً واعْتِلاءً مُخَلِّداً
لذِكْرِكَupon your remembrance فيon صفْحِthe page of الزّمانtime مُرَسِّماinscribing
لذِكْرِكَ في صفْحِ الزّمان مُرَسِّما
And a clear conquest, and an ascent conferring immortality,
Inscribing your remembrance upon the page of time.
سلكْتَyou followed سَبيلاًa path للمحامِدِto praiseworthy deeds لاحِباًbroad and clear
سلكْتَ سَبيلاً للمحامِدِ لاحِباً
وأوْضَحْتَand you clarified معْنىًa meaning للمكارِمِof noble deeds مُبْهَماobscure
وأوْضَحْتَ معْنىً للمكارِمِ مُبْهَما
You followed a broad, clear path to praise,
And clarified an obscure meaning of noble deeds.
وبُوِّءْتَand you were established مِنfrom أفْقِthe horizon of الخِلافةِthe caliphate مظْهَراًin a station
وبُوِّءْتَ مِن أفْقِ الخِلافةِ مظْهَراً
يُطاولُrivals in height لمّاwhen أنْindeed سَماit rose شُهُبَthe bright stars of السّماheaven
يُطاولُ لمّا أنْ سَما شُهُبَ السّما
You were established on the horizon of the caliphate in a station
That, rising high, rivals the bright stars of heaven.
فقدْfor indeed جعلتْهُhave made it الأنْجُمُthe stars الزُّهْرُradiant مَطْلِعاًa rising-place
فقدْ جعلتْهُ الأنْجُمُ الزُّهْرُ مَطْلِعاً
إلىto مُرْتَقىthe summit of السّبْعِthe seven الطِّباقِlayered heavens وسُلَّماand a ladder
إلى مُرْتَقى السّبْعِ الطِّباقِ وسُلَّما
The radiant stars have made it a rising-place
And a ladder to the summit of the seven layered heavens.
ومازِلْتَand you have continued ترْجوكَto be hoped in الخلائِفُby the caliphs مانِحاًas a giver
ومازِلْتَ ترْجوكَ الخلائِفُ مانِحاً
نَدىthe bounty of يدِكَyour hand العُلْياexalted عُلاًgreatness وتكرُّماand generosity
نَدى يدِكَ العُلْيا عُلاً وتكرُّما
The caliphs have ever looked to you as one who grants
The bounty of your exalted hand, in greatness and generosity,
لِماfor what جُزْتَهُyou surpassed منof رُتْبةِthe rank of النّجمِthe star مُعْلِياًascending
لِما جُزْتَهُ من رُتْبةِ النّجمِ مُعْلِياً
بماthrough what حُزْتَهُyou acquired منof شيمَةِthe quality of الحِلْمِforbearance مُعْلِماdisplaying distinction
بما حُزْتَهُ من شيمَةِ الحِلْمِ مُعْلِما
For the star-high rank you have surpassed, ascending,
Distinguished by the forbearance you have acquired.
بكَthrough you اسْتَنْصرَsought victory الأمْلاكُthe kings بَدْءاًinitially وعَودَةًand repeatedly
بكَ اسْتَنْصرَ الأمْلاكُ بَدْءاً وعَودَةً
فأنجدَso went to Najd كُلٌّeach فيin pursuit of رضاكَyour favor وأتْهَماand went to Tihamah
فأنجدَ كُلٌّ في رضاكَ وأتْهَما
Kings sought your aid, time and again;
Each went to Najd and Tihamah to gain your favor.
بأكْرَمَupon the most generous مَنof those who أهْدىgave gifts وأعْلَمَand the most learned منْof those who هَدىguided
بأكْرَمَ مَن أهْدى وأعْلَمَ منْ هَدى
وأرْحمَand the most merciful مَنof those who آوَىgave shelter وأحْزَمَand the most resolute مَنْof those who حَمىprotected
وأرْحمَ مَن آوَى وأحْزَمَ مَنْ حَمى
The most generous giver, the most learned guide,
The most merciful host, the most resolute protector—
دعَتْthey invoked منكَin you موْلىًa lord مُفْضِلاًgracious مُتطَوِّلاًmunificent
دعَتْ منكَ موْلىً مُفْضِلاً مُتطَوِّلاً
فوالَيْتَso you repeatedly bestowed إنعاماًfavor وأوْلَيْتَand you granted أنْعُماblessings
فوالَيْتَ إنعاماً وأوْلَيْتَ أنْعُما
They invoked in you a lord, gracious and munificent;
You bestowed favor upon favor and granted blessings.
وماand not أحْجَمَتْdid they draw back إلاexcept توَقَّتْكguarding against you مانِعاًas a restrainer
وما أحْجَمَتْ إلا توَقَّتْك مانِعاً
ولاnor أقْدَمَتْdid they advance إلاexcept تلقّتْكَmeeting you مُنْعِماas a benefactor
ولا أقْدَمَتْ إلا تلقّتْكَ مُنْعِما
They never drew back without guarding against your restraint,
Nor advanced without meeting you as a benefactor.
ولاnor استَنشقَتْdid they inhale روحَthe breath of الحياةِlife وقدwhile indeed جرتْblew
ولا استَنشقَتْ روحَ الحياةِ وقد جرتْ
لديْكbeside you رياحُthe winds of النّصْرِvictory إلاexcept تَنَسُّماby breathing their breeze
لديْك رياحُ النّصْرِ إلا تَنَسُّما
Nor did they inhale the breath of life, when there blew
Beside you the winds of victory, except by breathing their breeze.
فكمْfor how many همّةٍa resolve نصْريّةٍNasrid راعَتِterrified العِدَىthe foes
فكمْ همّةٍ نصْريّةٍ راعَتِ العِدَى
وكمand how many ذمّةٍa covenant مرْعيّةٍhonored حاطَتِsafeguarded الذَّمَاpledged rights
وكم ذمّةٍ مرْعيّةٍ حاطَتِ الذَّمَا
How many a Nasrid resolve has terrified the foe!
How many an honored covenant has safeguarded pledged rights!
ستتْرُكُyou will leave أرضَthe land of الشِّرْكِpolytheism وهْيَwhile it is بلاقِعٌa wilderness
ستتْرُكُ أرضَ الشِّرْكِ وهْيَ بلاقِعٌ
وتُلْقيand you cast علَيْهاover it النّقْعَthe dust فيin الجوّthe air مِيسَماas a brand
وتُلْقي علَيْها النّقْعَ في الجوّ مِيسَما
You will leave the land of polytheism a wilderness,
And raise over it dust, a brand upon the sky,
بحيثُwhere تُراعُare frightened الوَحْشُthe wild beasts أنto تصلَcontinue السُّرىnight travel
بحيثُ تُراعُ الوَحْشُ أن تصلَ السُّرى
ببَيْدائِهاacross its desert والطّيْرُand the birds أنto تترنّماsing
ببَيْدائِها والطّيْرُ أن تترنّما
Where wild beasts fear to continue their night journeys
Across its desert, and birds fear to sing.
لقدindeed خطَبَsought الخَطّيُّthe Khatti spear فتْحَthe conquest of بِلادِهits lands
لقد خطَبَ الخَطّيُّ فتْحَ بِلادِه
وخاطَبَهُand addressed it الهِنديُّthe Indian sword عنكَon your behalf فأفْهَماand made itself understood
وخاطَبَهُ الهِنديُّ عنكَ فأفْهَما
The Khatti spear has sought the conquest of its lands,
And the Indian sword addressed it on your behalf, making itself understood.
فللهِso to God belong منْهاtherein إذwhen تحُلُّyou enter حِلالَهُits encampments
فللهِ منْها إذ تحُلُّ حِلالَهُ
صنائِعُdeeds جلّتْtoo mighty قبْلُbefore أنthat تُتَوهَّماthey be imagined
صنائِعُ جلّتْ قبْلُ أن تُتَوهَّما
What wonders there, by God, as you enter its encampments—
Deeds too mighty even to be imagined!
بكلِّwith every كميٍّarmored warrior إنْif سَرَىhe travels by night أسَرَhe captures العِدَىthe foes
بكلِّ كميٍّ إنْ سَرَى أسَرَ العِدَى
وإنand if حلّhe occupies مغنىًa dwelling خِلْتَyou imagine ماwhat فيهِis within it مَغْنَماto be spoil
وإن حلّ مغنىً خِلْتَ ما فيهِ مَغْنَما
With every armored warrior who captures foes when he travels by night,
And, when he occupies a dwelling, makes all within it seem spoil;
وإنand if زارَhe visits أرْضَthe land of الشّرْكِpolytheism عفَّىhe effaces طُلولهاits ruins
وإن زارَ أرْضَ الشّرْكِ عفَّى طُلولها
وحكّمand he gives authority فيهِمْover them سيفَهُto his sword فتحَكّماso it exercises authority
وحكّم فيهِمْ سيفَهُ فتحَكّما
Who, visiting the land of polytheism, effaces its ruins
And gives his sword authority over them, which it exercises;
وإنْand if خفّhastens forth جيشُthe army of النصْرِvictory أوor عادَreturns قافِلاًhomeward
وإنْ خفّ جيشُ النصْرِ أو عادَ قافِلاً
فيكْلأُthen keeps watch فيat أعْقابِهits rear مَنhe who تقدّماadvanced
فيكْلأُ في أعْقابِه مَن تقدّما
Whether the army of victory hastens forth or returns home,
He who led the advance keeps watch at its rear.
ويُقْدِمُand he charges لاnot يَثْنيturning back أعنّةَthe reins of عزْمِهِhis resolve
ويُقْدِمُ لا يَثْني أعنّةَ عزْمِهِ
بحيثُwhere يهابُfears الليْثُthe lion أنْto يتقدّماadvance
بحيثُ يهابُ الليْثُ أنْ يتقدّما
He charges, never turning back the reins of his resolve,
Where the lion fears to advance.
ويُحْجِمُand he shrinks عنْfrom أنthat ينْثَنيhe turn back وهْوwhile he is مُفْرَدٌalone
ويُحْجِمُ عنْ أن ينْثَني وهْو مُفْرَدٌ
بحيثُwhere يعافُshuns الجمْعُthe host أنto يتلوّماlinger
بحيثُ يعافُ الجمْعُ أن يتلوّما
He shrinks from turning back, though alone,
Where an entire host shuns lingering.
فلمso he did not يرْعَfear فيin الأرْجاءِthe lands إلاexcept تأخُّراًretreat
فلم يرْعَ في الأرْجاءِ إلا تأخُّراً
ولمْand he did not يرْضَaccept فيin الهيجاءِbattle إلاexcept تقدُّماadvance
ولمْ يرْضَ في الهيجاءِ إلا تقدُّما
He feared nothing in all the lands except retreat,
And accepted nothing in battle except advance.
ولوْلاand were it not for ابْنُIbn (son of) نصْرٍNasr ناصِرُNasir (defender) of الدّينthe faith يوسُفٌYusuf
ولوْلا ابْنُ نصْرٍ ناصِرُ الدّين يوسُفٌ
لماwould not have أعْلَتِraised الأمْلاكُthe kings للعِزِّto might مَعْلَماa monument
لما أعْلَتِ الأمْلاكُ للعِزِّ مَعْلَما
Were it not for Ibn Nasr, Nasir al-Din Yusuf,
Kings would never have raised a monument to might,
ولاnor راعَterrified أحْزابَthe factions of الضّلالِerror جِهادُهاtheir holy war
ولا راعَ أحْزابَ الضّلالِ جِهادُها
وقدwhile indeed راقَshone ثغْرُthe mouth of الثّغْرِthe frontier عنهُthrough him تبسُّماin a smile
وقد راقَ ثغْرُ الثّغْرِ عنهُ تبسُّما
Nor would their holy war have terrified the factions of error,
While the frontier's mouth shone with a smile through him.
ولاnor ارْتاحَتِrejoiced الخيْلُthe horses العِتاقُnoble إلىat المَدىthe course
ولا ارْتاحَتِ الخيْلُ العِتاقُ إلى المَدى
فسامَتْso made مَذاكيهاtheir seasoned steeds البُروقَthe lightning flashes تلَوُّماlinger
فسامَتْ مَذاكيها البُروقَ تلَوُّما
Nor would the noble steeds have rejoiced at the course,
Their seasoned racers making lightning seem to linger.
ولاnor ثَنَتِbent السُّمْرُthe brown spears العَواليtall لدىamid الوغَىbattle
ولا ثَنَتِ السُّمْرُ العَوالي لدى الوغَى
ذوابِلslender shafts فيin الأيديthe hands تَروقُdelighting تنعُّماin suppleness
ذوابِل في الأيدي تَروقُ تنعُّما
Nor would the tall brown spears have bent in battle,
Slender shafts in hands, delighting in their graceful suppleness.
أسنّتُهاtheir spearheads فيat مُلْتَقىthe meeting of الحرْبِbattle أنجُمٌare stars
أسنّتُها في مُلْتَقى الحرْبِ أنجُمٌ
تجلّتْthey gleamed فجَلّتthen cleared منfrom دُجَىthe darkness of النّقْعِthe dust مُظْلِماblackness
تجلّتْ فجَلّت من دُجَى النّقْعِ مُظْلِما
Their spearheads, where battle meets, are stars
That gleamed and cleared the blackness from the dust's darkness.
هوَيْنَthey swooped down ليَجْعَلْنَto make النّجيعَshed blood مَوارِداًwatering places
هوَيْنَ ليَجْعَلْنَ النّجيعَ مَوارِداً
كأنّas though طُيوراًbirds فيin ذَرىthe heights of الجوِّthe air حُوَّماcircling
كأنّ طُيوراً في ذَرى الجوِّ حُوَّما
They swooped down to make shed blood their watering places,
Like birds wheeling in the heights of the air.
ترىyou see حُمْرَهاtheir red فجْراًas dawn يَروقُdelighting وزُرْقَهاand their blue
ترى حُمْرَها فجْراً يَروقُ وزُرْقَها
تُحَيِّيكَgreeting you فيin ليْلِthe night of العجاجَةِthe dust cloud أنجُماas stars
تُحَيِّيكَ في ليْلِ العجاجَةِ أنجُما
You see their red as a delightful dawn, and their blue
As stars greeting you in the night of swirling dust.
ومِنand among عجَبٍwonders أنّis that السّيوفَthe swords جداوِلٌare streams
ومِن عجَبٍ أنّ السّيوفَ جداوِلٌ
تشُبُّkindling أُوارَthe blaze of الحرْبِwar لاnot تنْقَعُquenching الظَّماthirst
تشُبُّ أُوارَ الحرْبِ لا تنْقَعُ الظَّما
It is a wonder that swords are streams
That kindle the blaze of war, not quench thirst.
إذاwhen هيthey سالَتْflow فيthrough مدَىthe expanse of النّقْعِthe dust خِلْتَهاyou imagine them
إذا هي سالَتْ في مدَى النّقْعِ خِلْتَها
تشُقُّcleaving منَof الخطّيِّKhatti spears دوْحاًgroves مُنَعَّماluxuriant
تشُقُّ منَ الخطّيِّ دوْحاً مُنَعَّما
When they flow through the expanse of dust, you imagine them
Cleaving luxuriant groves of Khatti spears.
وعوْجاءَand a curved bow للأغْراضِtoward the targets يسْبِقُspeeds سهْمُهاits arrow
وعوْجاءَ للأغْراضِ يسْبِقُ سهْمُها
ويَكْلَفُand is enamored منهاfrom it بالقَصيِّof the distant mark إذاwhen رمَىhe shoots
ويَكْلَفُ منها بالقَصيِّ إذا رمَى
And a curved bow, whose arrow speeds toward its targets,
From which he favors the distant mark whenever he shoots.
فيُبْديthen it voices لدىduring النّزْعِthe drawing الحَنينَa yearning moan كأنّهُas though it
فيُبْدي لدى النّزْعِ الحَنينَ كأنّهُ
يحاولُseeks إعْراباًarticulate speech وإنْalthough كانit is أعْجَماinarticulate
يحاولُ إعْراباً وإنْ كان أعْجَما
It voices a yearning moan when drawn, as though
Seeking articulate speech, though itself inarticulate.
وللهِand to God belongs موْلًىa lord أُعْمِلَتْwere employed عزَماتُهُhis resolves
وللهِ موْلًى أُعْمِلَتْ عزَماتُهُ
لتَحْرُسَto guard أيْقاظاًthe wakeful وتوقِظَand awaken نُوَّماthe sleeping
لتَحْرُسَ أيْقاظاً وتوقِظَ نُوَّما
How wondrous a lord whose resolves were set to work
To guard the wakeful and awaken the sleeping!
فأرْسَلَهاso he sent them forth سُمْراًas brown spears وأعْمَلَهاand wielded them ظُباًas blades
فأرْسَلَها سُمْراً وأعْمَلَها ظُباً
وفوّقَهاand he nocked them فيat مُلْتَقىthe meeting of الحرْبِbattle أسْهُماas arrows
وفوّقَها في مُلْتَقى الحرْبِ أسْهُما
He sent them forth as brown spears and wielded them as blades,
And nocked them as arrows where battle meets.
وماand not لَقِيَhas he met الأعْداءَthe enemies إلاexcept مُجَدّلاًfelling them
وما لَقِيَ الأعْداءَ إلا مُجَدّلاً
ولاnor اقتحَمَplunged into الهيْجاءَbattle إلاexcept مُصَمِّماresolutely
ولا اقتحَمَ الهيْجاءَ إلا مُصَمِّما
Never has he met foes without felling them,
Nor plunged into battle without firm resolve,
ولاnor احْتمَلَborne الهِنديَّthe Indian sword إلاexcept مُجَرّداًunsheathed
ولا احْتمَلَ الهِنديَّ إلا مُجَرّداً
ولاnor اعْتَقَلcouched الخطّيَّthe Khatti spear إلاexcept مُقَوَّماstraightened
ولا اعْتَقَل الخطّيَّ إلا مُقَوَّما
Nor borne the Indian sword except unsheathed,
Nor couched the Khatti spear except straightened,
ولاnor يُنْهِدُrouses الأجْنادَthe armies إلاexcept مُمَلَّكاًas sovereign
ولا يُنْهِدُ الأجْنادَ إلا مُمَلَّكاً
ولاnor يُنْجِدُaids الأمْلاكَthe kings إلاexcept مُحَكَّماentrusted with authority
ولا يُنْجِدُ الأمْلاكَ إلا مُحَكَّما
Nor roused armies except as their sovereign,
Nor aided kings except with authority entrusted to him,
ولاnor يسْتَجِدُّrenews العزْمَresolve إلاexcept مُؤيَّداًsupported
ولا يسْتَجِدُّ العزْمَ إلا مُؤيَّداً
ولاnor يسْتَجيدُselects as excellent الطِّرْفَthe steed إلاexcept مُطَهَّماsplendidly formed
ولا يسْتَجيدُ الطِّرْفَ إلا مُطَهَّما
Nor renewed his resolve except with support,
Nor chosen a steed except one splendidly formed.
يهُبُّhe rises هُبوبَwith the rising of الرّيحِthe wind حتّىuntil كأنّهُas though he
يهُبُّ هُبوبَ الرّيحِ حتّى كأنّهُ
تجسّدَtook flesh منfrom هبّاتِهاits gusts وتجَسَّماand took bodily form
تجسّدَ من هبّاتِها وتجَسَّما
He rises as the wind rises, until he seems
To have taken flesh and body from its gusts.
إذاwhen رامَseek أمْلاكُthe kings of الزّمانِthe age إلىtoward العُلىglory
إذا رامَ أمْلاكُ الزّمانِ إلى العُلى
نُهوضاًan ascent وسَبْقاًand precedence للنّدىin bounty وتقدُّماand advancement
نُهوضاً وسَبْقاً للنّدى وتقدُّما
When the kings of the age seek, toward glory,
An ascent, precedence in bounty, and advancement,
فناصرُthen the defender of دينِthe faith of اللهِGod أشْرَفُis noblest مُنتَدىًin assembly
فناصرُ دينِ اللهِ أشْرَفُ مُنتَدىً
وأكْرَمُand noblest فيamong صَحْبِthe Companions of الرّسالةِthe Message مُنتَمىin descent
وأكْرَمُ في صَحْبِ الرّسالةِ مُنتَمى
The defender of God's faith is noblest in assembly,
And noblest in descent among the Companions of the Message.
يُحيّيكhe greets you بالبَدْرِwith the full moon المنيرِshining إذاwhen انتهَىit reaches
يُحيّيك بالبَدْرِ المنيرِ إذا انتهَى
كمالاًperfection ويُنْمَىand is traced للصِّحابِto the Companions إذاwhen انْتَمىhe traces his ancestry
كمالاً ويُنْمَى للصِّحابِ إذا انْتَمى
He greets you with the shining full moon when it attains
Perfection, and traces his ancestry to the Companions.
وأيْنَand where is مُحيّاهُhis countenance منَbeside الفجْرِdawn إنْwhen بَداit appears
وأيْنَ مُحيّاهُ منَ الفجْرِ إنْ بَدا
وجَدْواهُand his bounty منbeside صوْبِthe downpour of الغَمامِthe clouds إذاwhen هَمىthey pour
وجَدْواهُ من صوْبِ الغَمامِ إذا هَمى
What is dawn beside his countenance when it appears,
Or the clouds' downpour beside his bounty when they stream?
جَوادٌgenerous مَتىwhenever ضنّgrow miserly المُلوكُthe kings فرِفْدُهُthen his bounty
جَوادٌ مَتى ضنّ المُلوكُ فرِفْدُهُ
جَوادٌis a courser لهُto which belongs خصْلُthe prize of السّباقِthe race إذاwhen ارْتَمىit races forth
جَوادٌ لهُ خصْلُ السّباقِ إذا ارْتَمى
Generous—when kings grow miserly, his bounty is
A courser that wins the prize when it races forth.
رأَىhe saw جُودَهُhis generosity للقاصِدينَfor those seeking him مؤَمَّلاًas a source of hope
رأَى جُودَهُ للقاصِدينَ مؤَمَّلاً
فأصْبحَso he became مُغْرىًenamored بالمكارِمِof noble deeds مُغْرَماpassionately devoted
فأصْبحَ مُغْرىً بالمكارِمِ مُغْرَما
He saw his generosity become the hope of those who sought him,
And became enamored of noble deeds, passionately devoted.
فيُرْوَىso is narrated حديثُthe tale of الجودِgenerosity عنهُof him مُسَلْسَلاًin an unbroken chain
فيُرْوَى حديثُ الجودِ عنهُ مُسَلْسَلاً
وسَلْسالُهُand its sweet-flowing water تَرْوىare quenched بهby it الأنفُسُthe souls الظِّماthirsty
وسَلْسالُهُ تَرْوى به الأنفُسُ الظِّما
The tale of generosity is told of him in an unbroken chain,
And its sweet flowing water slakes thirsty souls.
لهُhis are شيَمٌvirtues أعْلَتْthat raised معالِمَlandmarks للهُدىof guidance
لهُ شيَمٌ أعْلَتْ معالِمَ للهُدى
بهاconcerning them قدindeed أتاناhas come to us مُحْكَمُthe clear text of الذِّكْرِRevelation مُعْلِماinstructing
بها قد أتانا مُحْكَمُ الذِّكْرِ مُعْلِما
His are virtues that raised landmarks of guidance,
Which the clear Revelation has come to teach us.
لهُhis are ذِمَمٌpledges مَنwhoever رامَseeks بالغَدْرِthrough treachery خَفْرَهاtheir violation
لهُ ذِمَمٌ مَن رامَ بالغَدْرِ خَفْرَها
أبَتْthey refuse أنْthat يُرىhe be seen إلاexcept خَذولاًfaithless مُذَمَّماreviled
أبَتْ أنْ يُرى إلا خَذولاً مُذَمَّما
His are pledges: whoever seeks through treachery to violate them,
They let him appear only faithless and reviled.
يغُضُّhe lowers جُفوناًeyelids أوor يعُضُّbites أنامِلاًfingertips
يغُضُّ جُفوناً أو يعُضُّ أنامِلاً
علَىin حالَتَيْهِhis two states هيبَةًfrom awe وتندُّماand remorse
علَى حالَتَيْهِ هيبَةً وتندُّما
He lowers his eyelids or bites his fingertips,
In his two states, from awe and remorse.
فماso not يتوقّىdoes he guard against الخَطْبَcalamity إلاexcept تخيُّلاًin fancy
فما يتوقّى الخَطْبَ إلا تخيُّلاً
ولاnor يتلقّىdoes he meet الحرْبَwar إلاexcept توهُّماin imagination
ولا يتلقّى الحرْبَ إلا توهُّما
He guards against calamity only in fancy,
And meets war only in imagination.
ويوسُفُand Yusuf يُعْليraises للخِلافةِfor the caliphate مَعْلماًa monument
ويوسُفُ يُعْلي للخِلافةِ مَعْلماً
ويُلْبِسُهاand clothes it ثوْباًin a robe منَof العِزِّmight مُعْلَماembroidered
ويُلْبِسُها ثوْباً منَ العِزِّ مُعْلَما
Meanwhile Yusuf raises a monument to the caliphate
And clothes it in an embroidered robe of might.
إذاwhen راحَتِgo about الأبطالُthe champions وهْيَwhile they are عَوابِسٌfrowning
إذا راحَتِ الأبطالُ وهْيَ عَوابِسٌ
منَfrom الرّوعِterror لاnot يزْدادُdoes he increase إلاexcept تبسُّماin smiling
منَ الرّوعِ لا يزْدادُ إلا تبسُّما
When the champions go about with frowning faces
From terror, he only smiles the more.
يُقيمُstraightens صَغاthe leaning of الدّينthe faith الحَنيفِupright حُسامُهُhis keen sword
يُقيمُ صَغا الدّين الحَنيفِ حُسامُهُ
إذاwhen ماindeed أمالَhe tilts السّمْهَريَّthe Samhari spear المُقَوَّماstraightened
إذا ما أمالَ السّمْهَريَّ المُقَوَّما
His keen sword straightens the leaning of the true faith
Whenever he tilts his straightened Samhari spear.
خلائِقُvirtues لوif أُظْهِرْنَthey were shown للنّجْمِto the star ماnot ارْتَقىwould it ascend
خلائِقُ لو أُظْهِرْنَ للنّجْمِ ما ارْتَقى
وللّيْثِand to the lion ماnot اسْتَشْرىwould it grow fierce وللغَيْثِand to rain ماnot هَمىwould it pour
وللّيْثِ ما اسْتَشْرى وللغَيْثِ ما هَمى
Virtues which, if shown to the star, would keep it from ascending,
And to the lion, from fierceness; and to rain, from pouring.
عزائِمُresolves لوif أُعْمِلْنَthey were employed للدّهْرِagainst time ماnot اعْتَدىwould it transgress
عزائِمُ لو أُعْمِلْنَ للدّهْرِ ما اعْتَدى
وللبَدْرِand against the full moon ماnot اسْتَعْلىwould it rise وللبحْرِand against the sea ماnot طَماwould it overflow
وللبَدْرِ ما اسْتَعْلى وللبحْرِ ما طَما
Resolves which, if brought against time, would keep it from transgression,
And the full moon from rising, and the sea from overflowing.
ملامِحُfeatures لوif اطْلِعْنَthey were revealed للصُبْحِto dawn ماnot بَداwould it appear
ملامِحُ لو اطْلِعْنَ للصُبْحِ ما بَدا
وللَّيْلِand to night ماnot أهْداكَwould it offer you بدراًa full moon مُتمَّماcomplete
وللَّيْلِ ما أهْداكَ بدراً مُتمَّما
Features which, if shown to dawn, would keep it from appearing,
And to night, from offering you a perfect moon.
وبُشْرىand glad tidings بهِof it عيداًas a feast لنَصْرِكَin your victory عائِذاًseeking refuge
وبُشْرى بهِ عيداً لنَصْرِكَ عائِذاً
وهُنّئْتَهand may you be congratulated on it يوماًas a day أغَرَّradiant ومَوْسِماand a season
وهُنّئْتَه يوماً أغَرَّ ومَوْسِما
Glad tidings of it—a feast seeking the shelter of your victory;
May you be congratulated upon it, a radiant day and season.
أفَضْتَyou poured forth منof النّعْماءِblessings فيهin it غَمائِماًclouds
أفَضْتَ من النّعْماءِ فيه غَمائِماً
تَجودُraining bounty on الذيwhoever وافَىcame to عُلاكَyour exalted presence ويمّماand sought it
تَجودُ الذي وافَى عُلاكَ ويمّما
You poured forth in it clouds of blessings,
Raining bounty on whoever came to your exalted presence and sought it.
فكمْfor how many رحْمةٍa mercy نعْتادُwe continually experience منْهاfrom it توسُّعاًabundance
فكمْ رحْمةٍ نعْتادُ منْها توسُّعاً
وكمْand how many آيةٍa sign نَزْدادُwe increase فيهاin it توسُّماin discernment
وكمْ آيةٍ نَزْدادُ فيها توسُّما
How many a mercy whose abundance we continually enjoy!
How many a sign in which our discernment increases!
بسطتَyou stretched out إلىfor التّقبيلِkissing راحتَكyour palm التيwhich
بسطتَ إلى التّقبيلِ راحتَك التي
تؤمّنُreassures مُرْتاعاًa frightened person وتوجِدُand enriches مُعْدِماa destitute person
تؤمّنُ مُرْتاعاً وتوجِدُ مُعْدِما
You stretched out for kissing your palm, which
Reassures the frightened and enriches the destitute.
لقدْindeed أصبَحَتْit has become طوْعَobedient to النّدىbounty مُتوجَّهاًa place to turn
لقدْ أصبَحَتْ طوْعَ النّدى مُتوجَّهاً
لمَنfor whoever قدْindeed رَجىhas hoped for نَيْلthe attainment of المُنَىwishes ومُيَمَّماand a destination
لمَن قدْ رَجى نَيْل المُنَى ومُيَمَّما
Obedient to bounty, it has become a place to turn
For whoever hopes to attain his wishes, a destination.
وعَبدُكَand your servant يُلفيfinds فيin حُلاهاits adornments مدائِحاًpraises
وعَبدُكَ يُلفي في حُلاها مدائِحاً
يفُضُّhe opens بهاwith them مِسْكthe musk of الثّناءِpraise مُخَتَّماsealed
يفُضُّ بها مِسْك الثّناءِ مُخَتَّما
Your servant finds in its adornments praises
With which he opens the sealed musk of praise,
بماwith what هوis للأفْهامِto understanding أقرَبُnearest مُرْتَقىًin ascent
بما هو للأفْهامِ أقرَبُ مُرْتَقىً
وأبعدُand farthest فيin شَأوِthe course of البلاغةِeloquence مُرتَمىin reach
وأبعدُ في شَأوِ البلاغةِ مُرتَمى
In words offering understanding the nearest ascent,
Yet reaching farthest on eloquence's course.
وماand not القصْدُthe purpose إلاexcept أنthat يُقبّلَهاhe kiss it وقدwhile indeed
وما القصْدُ إلا أن يُقبّلَها وقد
صرَفْتَyou turned لهُtoward him وجْهَthe face of القَبولacceptance تكرُّماgraciously
صرَفْتَ لهُ وجْهَ القَبول تكرُّما
His purpose is only to kiss it, while you have
Graciously turned toward him the face of acceptance,
ليُبْديthat he may display لديْكَbefore you المَدْحَpraise روْضاًas a garden مُفوَّفاًvariegated
ليُبْدي لديْكَ المَدْحَ روْضاً مُفوَّفاً
ووشْياًand embroidery يَروقُdelighting النّاظرينَthe beholders مُنَمْنَماintricately patterned
ووشْياً يَروقُ النّاظرينَ مُنَمْنَما
That he may display before you praise as a variegated garden,
And intricate embroidery delighting those who behold it,
وزَهْراًand flowers نَضيراًfresh فيin رياضِthe gardens of بَلاغةٍeloquence
وزَهْراً نَضيراً في رياضِ بَلاغةٍ
ودُرّاًand pearls بأجْيادِaround the necks of الطُّروسِmanuscript pages مُنَظَّماstrung
ودُرّاً بأجْيادِ الطُّروسِ مُنَظَّما
And fresh flowers in the gardens of eloquence,
And pearls strung around the necks of manuscript pages.
فَياso O سامِعاًone hearing منfrom وَصفِهhis description كُلَّevery معْجِبٍmarvel
فَيا سامِعاً من وَصفِه كُلَّ معْجِبٍ
يَروقُdelighting ذَويthose possessing الألْبابِunderstanding فَذّاًsingly وتوْأماand paired
يَروقُ ذَوي الألْبابِ فَذّاً وتوْأما
O you who hear in his description every marvel
That delights discerning minds, singly and paired:
إذاif أنتَyou لمare not يُقْنِعْكconvinced فيin الشّعْرِpoetry وصْفُهby his description
إذا أنتَ لم يُقْنِعْك في الشّعْرِ وصْفُه
فخُذْthen take منهُof him ماwhat نَتْلوهُwe recite فيin الذِّكْرِRevelation مُحكَماfirmly established
فخُذْ منهُ ما نَتْلوهُ في الذِّكْرِ مُحكَما
If his description in poetry does not convince you,
Then take of him what we recite, firmly established in Revelation.
ورُجْعىand a return إلىto ذِكرِthe mention of الحِجازِthe Hijaz ومَنand him who بهِthere
ورُجْعى إلى ذِكرِ الحِجازِ ومَن بهِ
تَلاrecited مُحْكَمَthe clear text of الآياتِthe verses حيثُwhere تلَوَّماhe lingered
تَلا مُحْكَمَ الآياتِ حيثُ تلَوَّما
Now back to the mention of the Hijaz, and him who there
Recited the clear verses wherever he lingered;
ومَنْand him who طابَwas sweet ذِكْراًin remembrance حينَwhen حلّhe alighted بطَيْبةٍat Taybah
ومَنْ طابَ ذِكْراً حينَ حلّ بطَيْبةٍ
وسارَand journeyed إلىto بَطْحاءِthe plain of مكَّةَMecca مُحْرِماin pilgrim consecration
وسارَ إلى بَطْحاءِ مكَّةَ مُحْرِما
And him whose remembrance was sweet when he alighted at Taybah
And journeyed to the plain of Mecca in pilgrim consecration;
وأضْحىand became كماas تَبْغيdesires العُلَىhigh aspiration متوسِّلاًone seeking intercession
وأضْحى كما تَبْغي العُلَى متوسِّلاً
بزَوْرَتِهِthrough his visit فيupon رَيْعِهاits heights مُتوسِّماdiscerning signs
بزَوْرَتِهِ في رَيْعِها مُتوسِّما
Who came, as high aspiration desires, seeking intercession
Through his visit, discerning signs upon its heights.
وإنّand indeed حَجيجَthe pilgrims of اللهِGod عادَreturned إلىto مِنىًMina
وإنّ حَجيجَ اللهِ عادَ إلى مِنىً
وطافَand circumambulated ببيْتِthe House of اللهِGod سَبْعاًseven times وأحْرَماand entered consecration
وطافَ ببيْتِ اللهِ سَبْعاً وأحْرَما
Indeed, God's pilgrims have returned to Mina,
Circled God's House seven times, and entered consecration.
وماand not كانwas he للقَصْدِof a purpose الحَميدِpraiseworthy مُخَيِّباًone who disappoints
وما كان للقَصْدِ الحَميدِ مُخَيِّباً
فطُوبىso blessedness لمَنto whoever أضحىhas become لديْهِin his presence مُخَيِّماencamped
فطُوبى لمَن أضحى لديْهِ مُخَيِّما
No worthy purpose has ever been disappointed there;
Blessed is whoever makes his camp there.
فمِنand among زَفَراتٍsighs رَجْعُهاtheir echo يُذْهِبُbanishes الأسىsorrow
فمِن زَفَراتٍ رَجْعُها يُذْهِبُ الأسى
ومنْand among جَمَراتٍritual stones رمْيُهاtheir casting ينقعُquenches الظّماthirst
ومنْ جَمَراتٍ رمْيُها ينقعُ الظّما
What sighs, whose echoes banish sorrow,
And ritual stones whose casting quenches thirst,
ومنand among زورَةٍa visitation فازُواthey attained بهاthrough it اليومَtoday دونَناwithout us
ومن زورَةٍ فازُوا بها اليومَ دونَنا
لَدىat عرَفاتٍArafat إذْwhen عَلَوْاthey ascended منهُof it مَعْلَماa landmark
لَدى عرَفاتٍ إذْ عَلَوْا منهُ مَعْلَما
And a visitation they have attained today, without us,
At Arafat, when they ascended one of its landmarks!
ولمّاand when سرىtraveled by night الرَّكْبُthe caravan الحِجازيُّHijazi لمwe did not نزَلْcease
ولمّا سرى الرَّكْبُ الحِجازيُّ لم نزَلْ
نُردِّدُrepeating لوْif only تُجْديthey would help عَسىperhaps ولعلَّماand maybe
نُردِّدُ لوْ تُجْدي عَسى ولعلَّما
When the Hijazi caravan traveled by night, we never ceased
Repeating—if only they helped—'perhaps' and 'maybe.'
لقدْindeed عَمَرواthey inhabited طوْعَobedient to الهُدىguidance أربُعَthe abodes of التُقىpiety
لقدْ عَمَروا طوْعَ الهُدى أربُعَ التُقى
فماso not صوّحَwithered المرْعىthe pasture ولاnor أقْفَرَbecame deserted الحِماthe sanctuary
فما صوّحَ المرْعى ولا أقْفَرَ الحِما
They inhabited, obedient to guidance, the abodes of piety;
The pasture did not wither, nor the sanctuary become deserted.
سَرَوْاthey traveled by night وظلامُwhile the darkness of الليلِnight يُضْمِرُconcealed منهُمُof theirs
سَرَوْا وظلامُ الليلِ يُضْمِرُ منهُمُ
إلىuntil مطْلَعِthe rise of الإصْباحِdawn سرّاًa secret مُكتَّماclosely guarded
إلى مطْلَعِ الإصْباحِ سرّاً مُكتَّما
They traveled by night, whose darkness concealed their
Closely guarded secret until the rise of dawn.
وضاقَتْand grew narrow صُدورُthe breasts of البيدthe deserts عنهُمْaround them كأنّهُمas though they were
وضاقَتْ صُدورُ البيد عنهُمْ كأنّهُم
ظُنونٌthoughts أبىrefused إيضاحُهاtheir clarity أنْthat تُرَجَّماthey be guessed at
ظُنونٌ أبى إيضاحُها أنْ تُرَجَّما
The deserts' breasts grew narrow around them, as though they were
Thoughts whose clarity would not suffer guesswork.
وزَمّواand they bridled مَطاياthe mounts of العزْمِresolve تَبتَدِرُracing into السُّرىnight travel
وزَمّوا مَطايا العزْمِ تَبتَدِرُ السُّرى
وتستَقْبِلُand facing البيتَthe House العَتيقَAncient وزَمْزَماand Zamzam
وتستَقْبِلُ البيتَ العَتيقَ وزَمْزَما
They bridled the mounts of resolve, racing into night travel,
And facing the Ancient House and Zamzam.
إذاwhen سَمعواthey hear ذِكْرَmention of النّبيِّthe Prophet محمّدٍMuhammad
إذا سَمعوا ذِكْرَ النّبيِّ محمّدٍ
يَميلونَthey incline سَبْقاًracing نحوَهُtoward him وتقدُّماand pressing forward
يَميلونَ سَبْقاً نحوَهُ وتقدُّما
When they hear mention of the Prophet Muhammad,
They incline toward him, racing and pressing forward.
فياO لَيْتَwould that شِعرىI knew مَنwho لسَمْعيfor my hearing بسَمْعِهِcould provide his hearing
فيا لَيْتَ شِعرى مَن لسَمْعي بسَمْعِهِ
وقدwhile indeed هَيْنَمَmurmured الحاديthe camel-driver بهhis name وترنَّماand sang
وقد هَيْنَمَ الحادي به وترنَّما
Would that I knew who could grant my ears his hearing,
While the camel-driver murmurs his name and sings!
هَنيئاًblessed لمنis whoever آوَىsought refuge لعِزِّin the might of جَنابِهِhis presence
هَنيئاً لمن آوَى لعِزِّ جَنابِهِ
وبُشْرىand glad tidings لمَنto whoever صَلّىinvoked blessings علَيْهِupon him وسلّماand invoked peace
وبُشْرى لمَن صَلّى علَيْهِ وسلّما
Blessed is whoever seeks refuge in his mighty presence,
And glad tidings to whoever invokes blessings and peace upon him!
ومَنْand those whom خلّفواthey left behind للقَلبِfor the heart أضحىhave become مُسلّياًconsoling
ومَنْ خلّفوا للقَلبِ أضحى مُسلّياً
بِهمْthrough them ولأحْكامِand to the decrees of القَضاءِfate مُسَلِّماsubmitting
بِهمْ ولأحْكامِ القَضاءِ مُسَلِّما
Those they left behind now console their hearts
Through them, submitting to the decrees of fate.
قَضَوْاthey completed حجَّهُمْtheir pilgrimage لمّاwhile أقَمْناwe remained نُقيمُfulfilling مِنْthrough
قَضَوْا حجَّهُمْ لمّا أقَمْنا نُقيمُ مِنْ
جِهادِwar against العِدَىthe foes فرْضاًa duty علَيْناupon us مُحتَّماmade binding
جِهادِ العِدَى فرْضاً علَيْنا مُحتَّما
They completed their pilgrimage while we stayed to fulfill,
Through war against the foe, a duty laid inexorably upon us,
لدىbeside ملِكٍa king إنْif ساجَلَhe vies with البدْرَthe full moon والحَياand rain
لدى ملِكٍ إنْ ساجَلَ البدْرَ والحَيا
تجِدْyou find هدْيَهُhis guidance أجْلَىbrighter ويُمْناهُand his right hand أكْرَماmore generous
تجِدْ هدْيَهُ أجْلَى ويُمْناهُ أكْرَما
Beside a king who, if he vies with the full moon and rain,
You find his guidance brighter and his right hand more generous.
تُؤمِّلُhope for أمْلاكُthe kings of الزّمانِthe age علىdespite النّوىthe distance
تُؤمِّلُ أمْلاكُ الزّمانِ على النّوى
مَواهِبَthe gifts of نُعْماهُhis favor فلازالَso may he never cease مُنعِماbestowing bounty
مَواهِبَ نُعْماهُ فلازالَ مُنعِما
The kings of the age, across the distance, look forward to
The gifts of his favor—may he never cease bestowing them.
Sol 6.1