أتَظُنُّ راحاً في الشَّمالِ شَمُولا

أتَظُنُّ راحاً في الشَّمالِ شَمُولا

أتَظُنُّهَا سَكْرَى تَجُرُّ ذُيولا

أتَظُنُّهَا سَكْرَى تَجُرُّ ذُيولا

Do you imagine wine in the north wind—a heady draught?

Do you think there is any comfort in the north, all-encompassing?

Do you imagine her drunk, trailing her skirts?

Do you think it is an intoxication that drags its skirts?

نَشَرَتْ نَدَى أنفاسِها فكأنّمَا

نَشَرَتْ نَدَى أنفاسِها فكأنّمَا

نَشَرَتْ حِبالاتِ الدُّموعِ هُمولا

نَشَرَتْ حِبالاتِ الدُّموعِ هُمولا

She spread the dew of her breaths, as though

It spread the dew of its breath, as though

she had spread snares of freely streaming tears.

It spread out pouring tears profusely.

أوَكُلّما جَنَحَ الأصيلُ تَنَفّسَتْ

أوَكُلّما جَنَحَ الأصيلُ تَنَفّسَتْ

نَفَساً تُجاذِبُهُ إليَّ عَليلا

نَفَساً تُجاذِبُهُ إليَّ عَليلا

And whenever the late afternoon inclines, does she breathe

Or whenever the noble one took wing, it breathed

a frail breath that she draws toward me?

A breath that lures him to me, sick.

تُهْدَى صحائفُكُمْ مُنَشَّرَةً وما

تُهْدَى صحائفُكُمْ مُنَشَّرَةً وما

تُغني مُراقَبَةُ العُيونِ فَتيلا

تُغني مُراقَبَةُ العُيونِ فَتيلا

Your letters are delivered unfolded, and

Your missives float open, yet

the watchfulness of eyes avails not a thread.

The vigilance of eyes is of no use as a wick.

لا تُغمِضُوا نَظَرَ الرضا فلربَّما

لا تُغمِضُوا نَظَرَ الرضا فلربَّما

ضَمّتْ عليه جَناحَها المبلولا

ضَمّتْ عليه جَناحَها المبلولا

Do not close the eye of favor, for perhaps

Do not close off the gaze of acceptance, for perhaps

she has folded her wet wing over it.

It would fold its dripping wing over it.

وكأنّ طَيْفاً ما اهتَدى فبعثْتُمُ

وكأنّ طَيْفاً ما اهتَدى فبعثْتُمُ

مِسكَ الجيوب الرَّدْعَ منه بَديلا

مِسكَ الجيوب الرَّدْعَ منه بَديلا

It is as though a phantom lost its way, so you sent

It's as though some phantom found its way, so you

the musk-stain of your bosoms in its stead.

Sent forth the repelling musk from your pockets as a substitute.

سأرُوعُ من ضَمّتِ حِجالُكُمُ وإن

سأرُوعُ من ضَمّتِ حِجالُكُمُ وإن

غَدَتِ الأسِنّةُ دونَ ذلك غِيلا

غَدَتِ الأسِنّةُ دونَ ذلك غِيلا

I shall frighten those your bridal chambers shelter, even if

I will frighten off whatever your robes contain, even if

spearheads become a forest barring the way.

The tongues become, because of that, curses.

أعصي رِماحَ الخطِّ دونكِ شُرّعاً

أعصي رِماحَ الخطِّ دونكِ شُرّعاً

وأُطِيعُ فيكِ صَبابَةً وغَليلا

وأُطِيعُ فيكِ صَبابَةً وغَليلا

I defy the leveled spears of al-Khatt that bar my way to you,

I disobey the spears of satire unless through you, my standard,

and obey longing and burning thirst for you.

And I obey within you nonsense and fervor.

لا أعذِرُ النصْلَ المُفيتَ أباكِ أو

لا أعذِرُ النصْلَ المُفيتَ أباكِ أو

يَهْمي نفوساً أو يُقَدَّ فُلولا

يَهْمي نفوساً أو يُقَدَّ فُلولا

I will not excuse the blade that took your father, until

I do not excuse the sharp sword that hurts your father or

it rains souls or is hewn into shattered fragments.

Sets souls astray or rallies remnants.

ما للمعالِمِ والطُّلولِ أما كفى

ما للمعالِمِ والطُّلولِ أما كفى

بالعاشقينَ معالماً وطُلولا

بالعاشقينَ معالماً وطُلولا

What need of landmarks and ruins? Is it not enough

What are landmarks and hills for, have not

to have lovers for landmarks and ruins?

Lovers been enough as landmarks and hills?

فكأنّنَا شَمْلُ الدّموعِ تَفَرُّقاً

فكأنّنَا شَمْلُ الدّموعِ تَفَرُّقاً

وكأنّنَا سِرُّ الوَداعِ نُحُولا

وكأنّنَا سِرُّ الوَداعِ نُحُولا

In our scattering, we are like the company of tears;

It’s as though we, the gathering of tears, parted

in our wasting, we are like the secret of farewell.

And as though we, the secret of farewell, wavered.

ولقد ذممْتُ قصيرَ ليلي في الهوى

ولقد ذممْتُ قصيرَ ليلي في الهوى

وحَمِدتُ من مَتْنِ القناةِ طويلا

وحَمِدتُ من مَتْنِ القناةِ طويلا

I have reproached the shortness of my nights in love,

And I have blamed my short night in passion

and praised length in the shaft of a spear.

And praised the long course of the canal.

إنّي لَتُكْسِبُني المَحامِدَ هِمّةٌ

إنّي لَتُكْسِبُني المَحامِدَ هِمّةٌ

نَجَمَتْ وكلَّفَتِ النُّجومَ أُفُولا

نَجَمَتْ وكلَّفَتِ النُّجومَ أُفُولا

An ambition surely wins me praises—

My ambition will bring me praises

it rose and compelled the stars to set.

That arose and set the stars to setting.

بَكَرَتْ تَلُومُ على النّدى أزديّةٌ

بَكَرَتْ تَلُومُ على النّدى أزديّةٌ

تَنمي إليه خَضارماً وقُيُولا

تَنمي إليه خَضارماً وقُيُولا

An Azdi woman came early, reproaching generosity,

The dew complained against the tender sprouts of Adhri’a

though she traces mighty lords and kings back to it.

That grow towards it greenery and meadows.

يا هَذِهِ إنْ يَفْنَ فارطُ مَجدهِمْ

يا هَذِهِ إنْ يَفْنَ فارطُ مَجدهِمْ

فخُذي إليكِ النَّيلَ والتنويلا

فخُذي إليكِ النَّيلَ والتنويلا

Woman, if their former glory should perish,

O you, if their glory should fade away

then accept the bounty and the bestowing.

Take unto yourself the Nile and the winding!

يا هذه لَولا المساعي الغُرُّ مَا

يا هذه لَولا المساعي الغُرُّ مَا

زعموا أباكِ الماجِدَ البُهلولا

زعموا أباكِ الماجِدَ البُهلولا

Woman, were it not for illustrious endeavors,

O you, were it not for the audacious efforts

they would not call your father noble and magnanimous.

They would not claim your glorious father insane.

إنّا لَيُنْجِدُنا السّماحُ على الّتي

إنّا لَيُنْجِدُنا السّماحُ على الّتي

تَذَرُ الغَمامَ المُستهِلَّ بَخِيلا

تَذَرُ الغَمامَ المُستهِلَّ بَخِيلا

Generosity surely comes to our aid against her

We will be supported by generosity against her

who leaves the pouring rain-cloud looking miserly,

Who leaves the gathered cloud stingy.

وتَظُنُّ في لَهَواتِنا أسيافَنَا

وتَظُنُّ في لَهَواتِنا أسيافَنَا

وتَخالُ في تاجِ المعزِّ رسولا

وتَخالُ في تاجِ المعزِّ رسولا

who imagines our swords within our throats,

And thinks our swords amid our revelry

and sees a messenger in al-Mu'izz's crown.

And imagines the crown of the glorious a foal.

هذا ابنُ وَحيِ اللّهِ تأخُذُ هَدْيَها

هذا ابنُ وَحيِ اللّهِ تأخُذُ هَدْيَها

عنهُ الملائكُ بُكْرَةً وأصِيلا

عنهُ الملائكُ بُكْرَةً وأصِيلا

This is the son of God's revelation; their guidance is taken

This son of the inspiration of God whose guidance

from him by the angels, morning and evening.

The angels take from him morning and evening.

ذو النُّورِ تُولِيهِ مكارمُ هاشِمٍ

ذو النُّورِ تُولِيهِ مكارمُ هاشِمٍ

شُكرْاً كنائلِهِ الجزيلِ جزيلا

شُكرْاً كنائلِهِ الجزيلِ جزيلا

The bearer of light: Hashim's noble virtues offer him

He of the Light to whom Hashim’s virtues bowed down

thanks as abundant as his abundant bounty.

Thankfully, like his abundant gifts, abundantly.

لا مثلَ يَومي منه يومُ أدِلّةٍ

لا مثلَ يَومي منه يومُ أدِلّةٍ

تُهْدي إلى المُتَفَقِّهِينَ عُقولا

تُهْدي إلى المُتَفَقِّهِينَ عُقولا

No day of proofs compares with my day in his presence—

There is no day like his days in which

proofs that bestow understanding on students of sacred law.

He guides the exegetes’ minds.

في مَوسِمِ النَّحْرِ السَّنيعِ يَرُوقُني

في مَوسِمِ النَّحْرِ السَّنيعِ يَرُوقُني

فأغُضُّ طَرفاً عن سَناهُ كَليلا

فأغُضُّ طَرفاً عن سَناهُ كَليلا

At the splendid season of sacrifice, he dazzles me,

In the season of meaningful pilgrimage I like

so I lower an eye wearied by his radiance.

To glance away from its radiance for a little while,

والجوَّ يَعثِرُ بالأسِنّةِ والظُّبَى

والجوَّ يَعثِرُ بالأسِنّةِ والظُّبَى

والأرضُ واجِفَةٌ تَمِيلُ مَميلا

والأرضُ واجِفَةٌ تَمِيلُ مَميلا

The air trips over spearheads and sword-edges,

As the air stumbles over the tongues and the oryx,

and the earth trembles, swaying mightily.

And the earth quakes and tilts to one side,

والخافِقاتُ على الوشيجِ كأنّما

والخافِقاتُ على الوشيجِ كأنّما

حاولنَ عندَ المُعصِراتِ ذُحُولا

حاولنَ عندَ المُعصِراتِ ذُحُولا

The banners fluttering upon spear-shafts seem

As thepartridges above the plain are as though

to seek vengeance against the rain-clouds.

They attempted by the presses to warble,

والأُسْدُ فاغِرَةٌ تُمَطّي نِيبَها

والأُسْدُ فاغِرَةٌ تُمَطّي نِيبَها

والدّهْرُ يَنْدُبُ شِلْوَهُ المأكولا

والدّهْرُ يَنْدُبُ شِلْوَهُ المأكولا

The lions gape, stretching out their fangs,

As the lionesses bare their teeth

and Time laments its devoured remains.

And fate bewails its ravaged corpse,

والشمسُ حاسِرَةُ القِناعِ ووُدُّها

والشمسُ حاسِرَةُ القِناعِ ووُدُّها

لو تستطيعُ لتُربِهِ تقبيلا

لو تستطيعُ لتُربِهِ تقبيلا

The sun has uncovered her veil, and wishes

As the sun lowers its veil, and its affection -

she could bestow a kiss upon his dust.

If able, it would kiss it.

وعلى أميرِ المؤمنِينَ غمامَةٌ

وعلى أميرِ المؤمنِينَ غمامَةٌ

نَشَأتْ تُظَلِّلُ تاجَهُ تَظليلا

نَشَأتْ تُظَلِّلُ تاجَهُ تَظليلا

Above the Commander of the Faithful is a cloud,

As above the Commander of the Faithful is a cloud

arisen to shade his crown completely.

That arose shading his crown, shading,

نَهَضَتْ بثقل الدُّرِّ ضوعِفَ نسجُها

نَهَضَتْ بثقل الدُّرِّ ضوعِفَ نسجُها

فَجَرَتْ عليه عَسجداً محلولا

فَجَرَتْ عليه عَسجداً محلولا

It rose beneath the weight of pearls, its weave doubled,

That was weighed down with the heaviness of pearls, its flimsy weave,

and flowed over him as liquid gold.

So it poured over him, bowing.

أمُديرَها من حيثُ دارَ لَشَدّ مَا

أمُديرَها من حيثُ دارَ لَشَدّ مَا

زاحمتَ حولَ ركابهِ جِبريلا

زاحمتَ حولَ ركابهِ جِبريلا

O you who turn it wherever he turns, how fiercely

Does its rain come from where his house is

you jostle Gabriel around his mount!

To compete around his feet with Gabriel?

ذَعَرَتْ مواكبُهُ الجبِالَ فأعلَنَتْ

ذَعَرَتْ مواكبُهُ الجبِالَ فأعلَنَتْ

هَضَبَاتُهَا التكبيرَ والتهليلا

هَضَبَاتُهَا التكبيرَ والتهليلا

His processions terrified the mountains, whose

His processions startled the mountains, so their

heights proclaimed God's greatness and oneness.

Plateaus proclaimed the declaration of God’s greatness and praise,

قد ضَمّ قُطرَيها العَجاجُ فما تَرى

قد ضَمّ قُطرَيها العَجاجُ فما تَرى

بينَ السِّنانِ وكعبِهِ تخليلا

بينَ السِّنانِ وكعبِهِ تخليلا

Dust has enclosed its two sides, so you see

The mud caked between his lower legs, yet you do not see

no gap between a spearhead and its shaft's joint.

Between his shin and heel any cracks.

رُفِعَتْ له فيها قِبابٌ لم تكُنْ

رُفِعَتْ له فيها قِبابٌ لم تكُنْ

ظُعْناً بأجراعِ الحِمى وحُمولا

ظُعْناً بأجراعِ الحِمى وحُمولا

Domed pavilions were raised for him within it, not

Carpets were raised over him the likes of which were never

women's litters and laden camels on the sanctuary's sandy reaches.

Tents amid the grounds of the sanctuary and camels.

أيكِيّةِ الذهَبِ المرصَّعِ رَفرَفَتْ

أيكِيّةِ الذهَبِ المرصَّعِ رَفرَفَتْ

فيها حَمامٌ ما دَعَونَ هَديلا

فيها حَمامٌ ما دَعَونَ هَديلا

Grove-like with inlaid gold, there fluttered

The panels of embellished gold paneling fluttered,

within them doves that uttered no cooing.

Amidst which doves that did not coo.

وتُبَاشِرُ الفلكَ الأثيرَ كأنّمَا

وتُبَاشِرُ الفلكَ الأثيرَ كأنّمَا

تَبغي بهِنَّ إلى السماء رَحيلا

تَبغي بهِنَّ إلى السماء رَحيلا

They touch the ethereal sphere, as though

And it comes into contact with the celestial sphere, as though

seeking through them a journey to heaven.

It means to soar with them to the heavens.

تُدْني إليها النُّجْبُ كلُّ عُذافرٍ

تُدْني إليها النُّجْبُ كلُّ عُذافرٍ

يَهْوي إذا سارَ المَطيُّ ذَميلا

يَهْوي إذا سارَ المَطيُّ ذَميلا

The noble camels bring them near it, each a sturdy beast

The beasts of prey draw near to it, each cautious lion

that rushes when the riding camels move at a gentle trot.

Swooping down when the steed gallops.

تَتَعرّفُ الصُّهْبُ المُؤثَّلَ حولَهُ

تَتَعرّفُ الصُّهْبُ المُؤثَّلَ حولَهُ

نَسَباً وتُنكِرُ شَدقماً وجَديلا

نَسَباً وتُنكِرُ شَدقماً وجَديلا

The tawny camels recognize around him an ancient

The brown-skinned mares recognize around it

lineage, and disown Shadqam and Jadil.

Lineage and do not recognize a blue-eyed or chestnut horse.

وتُجِنُّ منْهُ كلُّ وَبْرَةِ لِبْدَةٍ

وتُجِنُّ منْهُ كلُّ وَبْرَةِ لِبْدَةٍ

لَيْثاً ويَحمِلُ كُلُّ عُضْوٍ فيلا

لَيْثاً ويَحمِلُ كُلُّ عُضْوٍ فيلا

Every tuft of his felted hair conceals within it

And every muscular young ostrich takes from it

a lion; every limb bears an elephant.

A lion, and each limb bears an elephant.

وتَظُنُّهُ مُتَخَمِّطاً من كِبْرِهِ

وتَظُنُّهُ مُتَخَمِّطاً من كِبْرِهِ

وتَخَالُهُ متنمِّراً لِيَصُولا

وتَخَالُهُ متنمِّراً لِيَصُولا

You imagine him swaggering from his grandeur,

You’d think it was disheveled from its great size

and fancy him leopard-like, ready to pounce.

And imagine it dusty from sallying forth.

وكأنّما الجُرْدُ الجَنائبُ خُرَّدٌ

وكأنّما الجُرْدُ الجَنائبُ خُرَّدٌ

سَفَرَتْ تَشوقُ مُتيَّماً مَتبولا

سَفَرَتْ تَشوقُ مُتيَّماً مَتبولا

The sleek, led horses seem like maidens

Its two sides the lightning embellishes with gleaming

who unveil themselves to enchant a lovesick, wasted man.

Flashes, and they can belong to their mothers.

تَبْدو عليها للمعِزِّ جَلالَهٌ

تَبْدو عليها للمعِزِّ جَلالَهٌ

فيكونُ أكثرُ مَشْيِهَا تَبْجيلا

فيكونُ أكثرُ مَشْيِهَا تَبْجيلا

Upon them appears the majesty of al-Mu'izz,

It takes the dusk, necklaced,

so most of their walking becomes an act of reverence.

And comes preceding a mottled racetrack.

ويَجِلُّ عنها قَدرُهُ حتى إذا

ويَجِلُّ عنها قَدرُهُ حتى إذا

راقَتْهُ كانَتْ نائِلاً مبذولا

راقَتْهُ كانَتْ نائِلاً مبذولا

His rank rises above them, until, when

This which filled hearts with majesty,

they please him, they become a freely bestowed gift.

This which left the mighty humiliated.

من كلّ يَعْبُوب يَحيدُ فلا ترى

من كلّ يَعْبُوب يَحيدُ فلا ترى

إلاّ قَذالاً سامِياً وتَليلا

إلاّ قَذالاً سامِياً وتَليلا

Each a swift steed that swerves, so you see

So when you look, you look at a peerless one,

only a lofty nape and neck.

Save the jostling of the banners and soldiers.

وكَأنّ بَينَ عِنانِهِ ولَبانِهِ

وكَأنّ بَينَ عِنانِهِ ولَبانِهِ

رَشَأً يَريعُ إلى الكنِاسِ خَذولا

رَشَأً يَريعُ إلى الكنِاسِ خَذولا

It is as though between his rein and breast

If you glance back, at croups and hips,

is a lone fawn turning back to its covert.

Or listen, to murmurs and neighing,

لَوْ تَشْرَئِبُّ لهُ عقيلةُ رَبْرَبٍ

لَوْ تَشْرَئِبُّ لهُ عقيلةُ رَبْرَبٍ

ظَنّتْهُ جُؤذَرَ رَمْلِها المَكحولا

ظَنّتْهُ جُؤذَرَ رَمْلِها المَكحولا

If the finest gazelle of a herd craned toward him,

A day on which God manifested Himself from His dominion

she would think him her sand's dark-eyed calf.

And saw you in the magnificent view, magnificent.

إنْ شِيمَ أقبلَ عارضاً مُتهلِّلاً

إنْ شِيمَ أقبلَ عارضاً مُتهلِّلاً

أو رِيعَ أدبَرَ خاضباً إجْفِيلا

أو رِيعَ أدبَرَ خاضباً إجْفِيلا

If watched, he approaches like a radiant cloud;

You were resplendent in it with a glance, so you granted it

if startled, he retreats like a red-legged ostrich in flight.

A gaze, while busy with seeing others, distracted.

تتبيّنُ اللّحَظاتُ فيهِ مَواقِعاً

تتبيّنُ اللّحَظاتُ فيهِ مَواقِعاً

فتظُنُّ فيهِ للقِداحِ مُجِيلا

فتظُنُّ فيهِ للقِداحِ مُجِيلا

Glances discern upon him their points of impact,

The world was adorned with its two tear-shaped pearls

and you imagine within him a caster of divining arrows.

So I saw it as an insignificant thing next to you.

تَتَنزّلُ الأروى على صَهَواتِهِ

تَتَنزّلُ الأروى على صَهَواتِهِ

ويبِيتُ في وَكْرِ العُقابِ نزيلا

ويبِيتُ في وَكْرِ العُقابِ نزيلا

Mountain goats descend upon his back,

And I noticed your towering pulpit quaking

and he spends the night as a guest in the eagle's nest.

Beneath the arch of the two banners, tremendous.

يَهْوي بأُمِّ الخِشْفِ بينَ فُروجِهِ

يَهْوي بأُمِّ الخِشْفِ بينَ فُروجِهِ

ويُقَيِّدُ الأدمانَةَ العُطْبُولا

ويُقَيِّدُ الأدمانَةَ العُطْبُولا

He sweeps along with the fawn's mother between his legs,

The veil of majesty you address was lowered

and fetters the slender, long-necked white gazelle.

So you removed the coverings of rhetoric.

صَلَتانُ يَعْنُفُ بالبُرُوقِ لَوامِعاً

صَلَتانُ يَعْنُفُ بالبُرُوقِ لَوامِعاً

ولقد يكونُ لأمّهِنّ سَليلا

ولقد يكونُ لأمّهِنّ سَليلا

A vigorous steed, he fiercely outpaces the flashing lightnings,

You performed the hajj of the year renewing, though you had

though he might be an offspring of their mother.

Farewelled a year for jihad, deferring.

يَسْتَغْرِقُ الشّأوَ المُغَرِّبَ مُعْنِقاً

يَسْتَغْرِقُ الشّأوَ المُغَرِّبَ مُعْنِقاً

ويجيءُ سابِقَ حَلبةٍ مَشكولا

ويجيءُ سابِقَ حَلبةٍ مَشكولا

At a gallop he consumes the farthest course,

You interceded for the delegation of pilgrims as though

and arrives first in the race even when hobbled.

You volunteered them your accepted loyalty.

هذا الّذي مَلأ القُلوبَ جَلالَةً

هذا الّذي مَلأ القُلوبَ جَلالَةً

هذا الّذي تَرَكَ العزيزَ ذَليلا

هذا الّذي تَرَكَ العزيزَ ذَليلا

This is he who filled hearts with awe;

You approached the violators with gifts

this is he who left the mighty humbled.

That shook the hips of generosity, stirring.

فإذا نَظَرْتَ نَظرْتَ غَيرَ مُشَبَّهٍ

فإذا نَظَرْتَ نَظرْتَ غَيرَ مُشَبَّهٍ

إلاّ التِماحَكَ رايَةً ورَعِيلا

إلاّ التِماحَكَ رايَةً ورَعِيلا

When you look, your gaze finds no likeness,

Those sins and desires only came together

only your glimpse of a banner and a troop.

So that you could pardon, able, and allow.

إنْ تَلْتَفِتْ فكَرادسِاً ومَقانِباً

إنْ تَلْتَفِتْ فكَرادسِاً ومَقانِباً

أو تَسْتَمِعْ فتَغَمْغُماً وصَهِيلا

أو تَسْتَمِعْ فتَغَمْغُماً وصَهِيلا

If you turn, there are battalions and cavalry squadrons;

You were generous until Umayya hoped for you

if you listen, there are murmuring and neighing.

A bowstring, if it did not fail.

يوْمٌ تجلّى اللّهُ من مَلَكُوتِهِ

يوْمٌ تجلّى اللّهُ من مَلَكُوتِهِ

فرآكَ في المرأى الجليلِ جَليلا

فرآكَ في المرأى الجليلِ جَليلا

A day when God manifested Himself from His dominion,

Wondrous is your decorated sword, how the selves

and saw you majestic in that majestic spectacle.

Did not flow from it, pouring.

جَلّيْتَ فيهِ بنَظَرةٍ فَمَنَحْتَهُ

جَلّيْتَ فيهِ بنَظَرةٍ فَمَنَحْتَهُ

نَظَراً برؤيةِ غيرِهِ مشغولا

نَظَراً برؤيةِ غيرِهِ مشغولا

You shone in it with a glance, and granted it

The despot of kings did not mention it

a gaze preoccupied with seeing something other than it.

Save to tumble in blood, slain.

وتَحَلَّتِ الدّنْيا بسِمْطَيْ دُرِّهَا

وتَحَلَّتِ الدّنْيا بسِمْطَيْ دُرِّهَا

فرأيتُها شَخصاً لديكَ ضَئيلا

فرأيتُها شَخصاً لديكَ ضَئيلا

The world adorned herself with her two strands of pearls,

It is as though the souls of enemies modeled it

yet I saw her as a diminutive figure beside you.

For when it calls the ambitious one answers impetuously.

ولحظْتُ مَنبرَكَ المُعَلّى راجِفاً

ولحظْتُ مَنبرَكَ المُعَلّى راجِفاً

من تحتِ عِقْدِ الرّايَتَينِ مَهُولا

من تحتِ عِقْدِ الرّايَتَينِ مَهُولا

I observed your lofty pulpit trembling,

And when its lightning illuminates, a hero sees

awe-inspiring beneath the arch of the two banners.

Images of events above it, imagining.

مسدولَ سِترِ جَلالَةٍ أنْطَقْتَهُ

مسدولَ سِترِ جَلالَةٍ أنْطَقْتَهُ

فرفعْتَ عن حِكَمِ البيانِ سُدُولا

فرفعْتَ عن حِكَمِ البيانِ سُدُولا

Veiled beneath a curtain of majesty, you made it speak,

And when one reflects upon it, reflects upon a cause

and lifted curtains from the wisdom of eloquence.

For flashes and a lightning bolt, twisted.

وقَضَيْتَ حَجَّ العامِ مُؤتَنِفاً وقَدْ

وقَضَيْتَ حَجَّ العامِ مُؤتَنِفاً وقَدْ

وَدّعْتَ عاماً للجِهادِ مُحيلا

وَدّعْتَ عاماً للجِهادِ مُحيلا

You fulfilled this year's pilgrimage anew, having

Its beauty is donned, its splendor

bidden farewell to a full year of holy war.

Bent over, and its glow, poured out.

وشَفَعْتَ في وَفْدِ الحجيجِ كأنّما

وشَفَعْتَ في وَفْدِ الحجيجِ كأنّما

نَفّلْتَهُمْ إخلاصَكَ المقُبولا

نَفّلْتَهُمْ إخلاصَكَ المقُبولا

You interceded for the delegation of pilgrims, as though

The foreigner wrote some of your attributes upon it

granting them your accepted sincerity as an added gift.

So I recognized upon it the crown and wreath.

وصدَرْتَ تَحْبو النّاكِثينَ مَواهِباً

وصدَرْتَ تَحْبو النّاكِثينَ مَواهِباً

هَزّتْ قَؤولاً للسّماحِ فَعُولا

هَزّتْ قَؤولاً للسّماحِ فَعُولا

You returned, bestowing gifts upon oath-breakers—

He nearly warned with threats because of how long

gifts that stirred one eloquent in generosity and active in it.

He listened to you and knew the interpretation.

وهي الجرائمُ والرّغائبُ ما التَقَتْ

وهي الجرائمُ والرّغائبُ ما التَقَتْ

إلاّ لِتَصْفَحَ قادِراً وتُنِيلا

إلاّ لِتَصْفَحَ قادِراً وتُنِيلا

These are crimes and coveted favors; they never meet

So if you get angry at him, beneath you is a wide expanse

except that you may pardon with power and bestow.

To which the edge of day is like night.

قد جُدْتَ حتى أمَّلَتْكَ أُمَيّةٌ

قد جُدْتَ حتى أمَّلَتْكَ أُمَيّةٌ

لو أنّ وِتْراً لم يُضِعْ تأميلا

لو أنّ وِتْراً لم يُضِعْ تأميلا

You have given so freely that Umayya placed its hopes in you,

And if you bury it in acceptance, it guides

if only a blood-debt had not ruined its hopes.

Toward the sun at noon pure and burnished.

عجَباً لِمُنْصَلِكَ المقلَّدِ كيف لم

عجَباً لِمُنْصَلِكَ المقلَّدِ كيف لم

تَسِلِ النّفوسُ عليك منه مَسيلا

تَسِلِ النّفوسُ عليك منه مَسيلا

How wondrous your girded sword! How have

Your grandfather named it Dhu l-Faqar, but rather

souls not flowed from it over you in a torrent?

Those who opposed you named it Azrael.

لم يخْلُ جَبّارُ المُلوكِ بِذِكْرِهِ

لم يخْلُ جَبّارُ المُلوكِ بِذِكْرِهِ

إلاّ تَشَحَّطَ في الدماء قتيلا

إلاّ تَشَحَّطَ في الدماء قتيلا

No tyrant among kings has dwelt alone on its memory

It is as though through it no single string was left

without writhing in blood, slain.

In Karbala, nor blood, spilled.

وكأنّ أرواحَ العِدى شاكَلْنَهُ

وكأنّ أرواحَ العِدى شاكَلْنَهُ

فإذا دَعا لَبّى الكَمِيَّ عَجُولا

فإذا دَعا لَبّى الكَمِيَّ عَجُولا

It is as though the enemies' souls resembled it;

Or have you not heard of its events that

when he calls, it swiftly answers the armored warrior.

Left no association or change?

وإذا اسْتَضاءَ شِهابَهُ بطَلٌ رأى

وإذا اسْتَضاءَ شِهابَهُ بطَلٌ رأى

صُوَرَ الوقائعِ فوقه تَخْييلا

صُوَرَ الوقائعِ فوقه تَخْييلا

When a champion seeks light from its meteor, he sees

The caravans of poems marched about it dispersed,

images of battles pictured above it.

As though they were coursing water and floods.

وإذا تَدَبَّرَهُ تَدَبَّرَ عِلّةً

وإذا تَدَبَّرَهُ تَدَبَّرَ عِلّةً

للنّيِّرَاتِ ونَيّراً مَعْلُولا

للنّيِّرَاتِ ونَيّراً مَعْلُولا

When he contemplates it, he contemplates a cause

Until they cut through to Iraq from Damascus concerning

of the luminaries—and a luminary caused in turn.

Honor, while the Nile carved into the Euphrates.

لكَ حُسْنُهُ مُتَقَلَّداً وبَهاؤهُ

لكَ حُسْنُهُ مُتَقَلَّداً وبَهاؤهُ

مُتَنَكَّباً ومضاؤهُ مَسْلُولا

مُتَنَكَّباً ومضاؤهُ مَسْلُولا

Yours is its beauty when girded, and its splendor

They rose over Baghdad with triumphs

when slung over the shoulder, and its sharpness when drawn.

You launched over them as deceits and camels.

كتَبَ الفِرنْدُ عليه بعضَ صَفاتكُمْ

كتَبَ الفِرنْدُ عليه بعضَ صَفاتكُمْ

فعرَفْتُ فيهِ التاجَ والإكليلا

فعرَفْتُ فيهِ التاجَ والإكليلا

The watered steel inscribed upon it some of your qualities,

My thoughts rave if they do not hear

so I recognized in it the crown and the diadem.

Their sharp swords’ jingling.

قد كاد يُنْذرُ بالوعِيدِ لِطولِ مَا

قد كاد يُنْذرُ بالوعِيدِ لِطولِ مَا

أصغى إليك ويعلمُ التأويلا

أصغى إليك ويعلمُ التأويلا

It almost utters warnings of menace, so long has it

And I had intended to unbind its fetters

listened to you; it understands interpretation.

When I saw the benefactors few.

فإذا غَضِبْتَ علَتْهُ دونك رُبْدَةٌ

فإذا غَضِبْتَ علَتْهُ دونك رُبْدَةٌ

يَغدُو لها طَرْفُ النهارِ كَليلا

يَغدُو لها طَرْفُ النهارِ كَليلا

When you grow angry, a dusky hue rises upon it before you,

Until I saw my poems rendered prose

at which the eye of day grows dim.

And speech about the Mother of the Book, spoken.

وإذا طَوَيْتَ على الرِّضَى أهدى إلى

وإذا طَوَيْتَ على الرِّضَى أهدى إلى

شمس الظَّهيرَةِ عارضاً مصْقولا

شمس الظَّهيرَةِ عارضاً مصْقولا

When you harbor satisfaction, it offers to

And if I remain, I will vacate for its love

the midday sun a polished face.

My field of mastery, shortening and lengthening,

سمّاهُ جَدُّكَ ذا الفَقَارِ وإنّما

سمّاهُ جَدُّكَ ذا الفَقَارِ وإنّما

سَمّاهُ مَنْ عادَيْتَ عِزرائيلا

سَمّاهُ مَنْ عادَيْتَ عِزرائيلا

Your grandfather named it Dhu al-Faqar, but

Until it is as though I am inspired and as though they

those you opposed named it Azrael.

Are verses I intone, intoning.

وكأنْ بهِ لم يُبْقِ وِتْراً ضائعاً

وكأنْ بهِ لم يُبْقِ وِتْراً ضائعاً

في كربلاءَ ولا دَماً مَطلولا

في كربلاءَ ولا دَماً مَطلولا

It seems to have left no blood-debt unavenged

I was alarmed by what I saw, so those

in Karbala, nor any blood unsought in vengeance.

Well-trained, eloquent ones retreated in defeat.

أوَما سَمِعْتُمْ عن وقائِعِهِ التي

أوَما سَمِعْتُمْ عن وقائِعِهِ التي

لم تُبْقِ إشراكاً ولا تبديلا

لم تُبْقِ إشراكاً ولا تبديلا

Have you not heard of its battles, which

I saw you not with a reverent glance,

left neither polytheism nor alteration?

Yet I found you an understood essence.

سارَتْ بها شِيَعُ القصائدِ شُرَّداً

سارَتْ بها شِيَعُ القصائدِ شُرَّداً

فكَأنّما كانَتْ صَباً وقَبُولا

فكَأنّما كانَتْ صَباً وقَبُولا

Companies of poems carried them roaming afar,

I did not hear you, my hearing in awe,

as though they were the east breeze and the east wind.

But I found you a heard reality.

حتى قَطَعْنَ إلى العراقِ الشأمَ عن

حتى قَطَعْنَ إلى العراقِ الشأمَ عن

عُرُضٍ وخُضنَ إلى الفُراتِ النيلا

عُرُضٍ وخُضنَ إلى الفُراتِ النيلا

They crossed Syria toward Iraq, across

O erectors of prophecy, shall we presume an aim

its breadth, and waded through the Nile toward the Euphrates.

And speak about you other than what was said?

طَلَعَتْ على بغداد بالسِّيَرِ التّي

طَلَعَتْ على بغداد بالسِّيَرِ التّي

سَيَّرتُهَا غُرَراً لكُمْ وحُجُولا

سَيَّرتُهَا غُرَراً لكُمْ وحُجُولا

They appeared over Baghdad with the deeds

He who is wise of you was more certain of your manners

I sent forth as white forehead-blazes and fetlock-marks for you.

Of the unseen, so he sent down about you distinction.

أجْلَينَ مِنْ فِكَري إذا لم يَسمعوا

أجْلَينَ مِنْ فِكَري إذا لم يَسمعوا

لسيوفِهِنَّ المُرهَفاتِ صَليلا

لسيوفِهِنَّ المُرهَفاتِ صَليلا

They emerged from my thoughts, though people did not hear

The spirit gave you what it did not give

the clash of their finely honed swords.

Any human, and carried out through you favoritism.

ولقد هَمَمْتُ بأنْ أفُكَّ قُيودَهَا

ولقد هَمَمْتُ بأنْ أفُكَّ قُيودَهَا

لمّا رأيْتُ المُحسِنينَ قَليلا

لمّا رأيْتُ المُحسِنينَ قَليلا

I had intended to release their fetters

We received your pillar, and you drew near

when I saw how few were those who excelled,

Until you received His upheld Throne.

حتى رأيْتُ قصائِدي منحولَةً

حتى رأيْتُ قصائِدي منحولَةً

والقولَ في أمِّ الكِتابِ مَقُولا

والقولَ في أمِّ الكِتابِ مَقُولا

until I saw my poems falsely attributed,

So you connected what was between us, and its proof

and speech already spoken in the Mother of the Book.

Extended to you a cause with it connected.

وَلَئِنْ بَقيتُ لأُخْلِيَنَّ لِغُرِّهَا

وَلَئِنْ بَقيتُ لأُخْلِيَنَّ لِغُرِّهَا

مَيدانَ سَبْقي مُقْصِراً ومُطِيلا

مَيدانَ سَبْقي مُقْصِراً ومُطِيلا

If I survive, I shall surely clear for their finest steeds

Why are your branches not thriving?

the field of my racing, composing briefly or at length,

You have been rooted firmly in the heavens, rooted!

حتى كأنّي مُلْهَمٌ وكأنّها

حتى كأنّي مُلْهَمٌ وكأنّها

سُوَرٌ أُرَتِّلُ آيَهَا تَرتِيلا

سُوَرٌ أُرَتِّلُ آيَهَا تَرتِيلا

until it is as though I am inspired, and they

The scenting of noses gave you peering ahead,

are chapters whose verses I recite in measured cadence.

And you rode upon the back of time subdued.

ولقد ذُعِرْتُ بما رأيْتُ فغودرَتْ

ولقد ذُعِرْتُ بما رأيْتُ فغودرَتْ

تلك المهنَّدَةُ الرِّقاقُ فُلُولا

تلك المهنَّدَةُ الرِّقاقُ فُلُولا

I was terrified by what I saw, and there were left

You immortalized in the Abbasids a curse

those slender, Indian-forged blades, all notched.

Created though they were not created for its hastening.

ولقد رأيتُكَ لا بلَحْظٍ عاكِفٍ

ولقد رأيتُكَ لا بلَحْظٍ عاكِفٍ

فرأيتُ من شِيَمِ النبيّ شُكولا

فرأيتُ من شِيَمِ النبيّ شُكولا

I saw you, though not with an intent gaze,

Their lightnings herded them about you as though

and saw resemblances to the Prophet's character.

You stripped them amidst the clouds, bared.

ولقد سمعتُكَ لا بسَمعي هيبَةً

ولقد سمعتُكَ لا بسَمعي هيبَةً

لكنْ وجَدتُكَ جوهراً معقولا

لكنْ وجَدتُكَ جوهراً معقولا

I heard you—not with my hearing, out of awe—

Those whom they assume the leadership would be from them,

but found you an essence apprehended by the intellect.

If their lineages were investigated, investigating,

أبَني النّبُوّةِ هل نُبادِرُ غايَةً

أبَني النّبُوّةِ هل نُبادِرُ غايَةً

ونَقُولُ فيكم غيرَ ما قد قِيلا

ونَقُولُ فيكم غيرَ ما قد قِيلا

O sons of prophethood, can we hasten toward a goal

From a house whose people did not attain their goal

and say of you anything other than what has been said?

From the virtuous, so they substituted it for the flawed!

إنّ الخبيرَ بكم أجَدَّ بخُلقكم

إنّ الخبيرَ بكم أجَدَّ بخُلقكم

غيباً فجرَّدَ فيكمُ التنزيلا

غيباً فجرَّدَ فيكمُ التنزيلا

He who knows you took earnest care with your nature

Do not hurry, I have seen your composure

in the unseen, then set the Revelation apart for you.

A heavy tread upon the bow of time.

آتاكُمُ القُدْسَ الذي لم يُؤتِهِ

آتاكُمُ القُدْسَ الذي لم يُؤتِهِ

بَشَراً وأنْفَذَ فيكمُ التّفضيلا

بَشَراً وأنْفَذَ فيكمُ التّفضيلا

He granted you sanctity that He granted to no

The ornamented caliphs rule them, though

mortal, and established preeminence in you.

Destiny is capable of what it wills.

إنّا استَلَمنا رُكنَكُم ودَنَوْتُمُ

إنّا استَلَمنا رُكنَكُم ودَنَوْتُمُ

حتى استَلمْتُمْ عَرشَهُ المحمولا

حتى استَلمْتُمْ عَرشَهُ المحمولا

We touched your corner reverently, while you drew near

Or else the books, were it not that they testify for you,

until you touched His throne, borne aloft.

Their signs would not be separated, separating.

فوَصَلتُمُ ما بيْنَنَا وأمدَّكُمْ

فوَصَلتُمُ ما بيْنَنَا وأمدَّكُمْ

برهانُهُ سبباً به موصولا

برهانُهُ سبباً به موصولا

You bridged the distance between us, and you were given

May God reward you, whom He did not reward

by His proof a cord connected to Him.

For guiding the ignorant stray.

ما عُذرُكُم أن لا تطيبَ فُرُوعُكُمْ

ما عُذرُكُم أن لا تطيبَ فُرُوعُكُمْ

ولقد رسختُمْ في السماء أُصولا

ولقد رسختُمْ في السماء أُصولا

What excuse have you if your branches are not wholesome,

You honored His covenant, and you were its confidant, who

when your roots are firmly planted in heaven?

Took the Book and His entrusted pledge.

أعطَتكُمُ شُمُّ الأنُوفِ مَقادَةً

أعطَتكُمُ شُمُّ الأنُوفِ مَقادَةً

وركبتُمُ ظَهْرَ الزّمانِ ذَلولا

وركبتُمُ ظَهْرَ الزّمانِ ذَلولا

The lofty-nosed proud yielded their reins to you,

Until, when the matter of His servants preoccupied you,

and you rode Time's back as a docile mount.

He summoned your father Abraham.

خَلّدتُمُ في العبشمِيّةِ لَعْنَةً

خَلّدتُمُ في العبشمِيّةِ لَعْنَةً

خلقت وما خلقوا لها تعجيلا

خلقت وما خلقوا لها تعجيلا

You made a curse eternal among the descendants of Abd Shams;

From between the veils of Light, where

it has grown old, yet they have not hastened its fulfillment.

Your forefathers dwelt in the shade of gardens.

راعتهم بكم البروق كأنما

راعتهم بكم البروق كأنما

جرَّدتُمُوهَا في السحابِ نُصُولا

جرَّدتُمُوهَا في السحابِ نُصُولا

Through you, the lightnings terrified them, as though

He carried out his trust, and was increased in acceptance

you had unsheathed them as blades within the clouds,

Nearness, so the God dwelt near him, intimate.

في مَن يظُنّونَ الإمامةَ منهُمُ

في مَن يظُنّونَ الإمامةَ منهُمُ

إنْ حُصّلَتْ أنْسابُهُمْ تَحْصِيلا

إنْ حُصّلَتْ أنْسابُهُمْ تَحْصِيلا

among those who suppose the imamate to be theirs,

You inherited the proof, elucidation, and

if their pedigrees are thoroughly examined,

The Criterion, Torah, and Gospel.

مِنْ أهْلِ بَيْتٍ لم يَنالوا سَعْيَهُم

مِنْ أهْلِ بَيْتٍ لم يَنالوا سَعْيَهُم

من فاضِلٍ عَدَلوا به مفضولا

من فاضِلٍ عَدَلوا به مفضولا

from a house whose striving they never attained,

You knew from the confidences of God’s knowledge what

from a superior with whom they equated an inferior.

He did not give Gabriel or Michael.

لا تَعْجَلوا إنّي رأيتُ أناتَكُمْ

لا تَعْجَلوا إنّي رأيتُ أناتَكُمْ

وَطْئاً على كَتِدِ الزمان ثَقِيلا

وَطْئاً على كَتِدِ الزمان ثَقِيلا

Do not hurry: I have seen your patience

If you were to be sent as a prophet,

as a heavy tread upon Time's shoulders.

The early generations would be revived by your mission!

أمُتَوَّجَ الخُلَفاءِ حاكِمْهُم وإنْ

أمُتَوَّجَ الخُلَفاءِ حاكِمْهُم وإنْ

كان القَضاءُ بما تشاءُ كَفيلا

كان القَضاءُ بما تشاءُ كَفيلا

O crowned one of the caliphs, bring them to judgment, even if

Or if you were Noah, warning among his people,

judgment guarantees whatever you wish.

His prayers would not increase their misguidance!

فالكُتْبُ لولا أنّها لكَ شُهَّدٌ

فالكُتْبُ لولا أنّها لكَ شُهَّدٌ

ما فُصِّلَتْ آياتُهَا تفصيلا

ما فُصِّلَتْ آياتُهَا تفصيلا

For the scriptures, were they not witnesses for you,

For God you have an intimacy which if announced

would not have had their verses expounded in detail.

Would revive by your mention a slain killer.

اللّهُ يَجْزيكَ الذي لم يَجْزِهِ

اللّهُ يَجْزيكَ الذي لم يَجْزِهِ

فيما هَدَيْتَ الجاهلَ الضِّلّيلا

فيما هَدَيْتَ الجاهلَ الضِّلّيلا

God shall reward you with a reward He has never given,

If He had given the creation what He gave you,

for guiding the ignorant and deeply astray.

He would not have created likening and exemplifying.

ولقد بَرَاكَ وكنْتَ مَوثِقَهُ الذي

ولقد بَرَاكَ وكنْتَ مَوثِقَهُ الذي

أخذَ الكِتابَ وعهْدَهُ المسؤولا

أخذَ الكِتابَ وعهْدَهُ المسؤولا

He fashioned you, and you were His pledged one who

If not for a veil, limiting your knowledge,

received the Book and His covenant, for which account is due.

They would have found a way to the unseen.

حتى إذا استرعاكَ أمرَ عِبادِهِ

حتى إذا استرعاكَ أمرَ عِبادِهِ

أدْنَى إليهِ أباكَ إسماعيلا

أدْنَى إليهِ أباكَ إسماعيلا

When He entrusted you with the affairs of His servants,

If not for you, contemplation would not be preaching

He drew your father Isma'il near to Himself,

Nor reason, proper guidance, nor analogy, proof.

من بينِ حُجبِ النّورِ حيثُ تَبوّأتْ

من بينِ حُجبِ النّورِ حيثُ تَبوّأتْ

آباؤهُ ظِلَّ الجِنانِ ظَليلا

آباؤهُ ظِلَّ الجِنانِ ظَليلا

amid the veils of light, where

If you were not the cause of salvation for its people,

his forefathers dwelt in Paradise's deep shade.

The faith of worshippers would not avail a wick.

أدّى أمانَتَهُ وزِيدَ منَ الرِّضَى

أدّى أمانَتَهُ وزِيدَ منَ الرِّضَى

قُرباً فجاوَرَهُ الإلَهُ خَليلا

قُرباً فجاوَرَهُ الإلَهُ خَليلا

He discharged his trust and was granted, through favor,

If you did not make known to us our souls’ essence,

greater nearness; and God dwelt beside him as a friend.

To us it would be an unknown world.

ووَرثتَهُ البُرْهانَ والتِّبيانَ وال

ووَرثتَهُ البُرْهانَ والتِّبيانَ وال

فُرْقانَ والتّوراةَ والإنجيلا

فُرْقانَ والتّوراةَ والإنجيلا

From him you inherited the Proof, the Exposition, and the

If a grant were not overflowing to you in the wilderness,

Criterion, the Torah, and the Gospel.

The treed gardens would be empty.

وَعَلِمتَ من مكنونِ عِلمِ اللّهِ ما

وَعَلِمتَ من مكنونِ عِلمِ اللّهِ ما

لم يُؤتِ جبريلاً وميكائِيلا

لم يُؤتِ جبريلاً وميكائِيلا

You knew of God's hidden knowledge what

If you were not the dweller of the lands, they would quake

He did not grant Gabriel and Michael.

And its pillars would be demolished, demolishing.

لو كنتَ آوِنَةً نَبِيّاً مُرْسَلاً

لو كنتَ آوِنَةً نَبِيّاً مُرْسَلاً

نُشرَتْ بمبعثِكَ القُرونُ الأولى

نُشرَتْ بمبعثِكَ القُرونُ الأولى

Had you at some time been a prophet sent forth,

If there were not in you a lesson for mankind,

the earliest generations would have been raised at your mission.

They would stray, and evidence would not be evidence.

أو كنتَ نُوحاً مُنذِراً في قومِهِ

أو كنتَ نُوحاً مُنذِراً في قومِهِ

ما زادَهم بدُعائِهِ تَضليلا

ما زادَهم بدُعائِهِ تَضليلا

Or had you been Noah, warning his people,

Awaken in us some power to enrage the enemy,

his call would not have increased their straying.

For time has frowned upon us, frowning.

للّهِ فيكَ سريرَةٌ لوْ أُعلِنَتْ

للّهِ فيكَ سريرَةٌ لوْ أُعلِنَتْ

أحيَا بذِكرِكَ قاتِلٌ مَقُتولا

أحيَا بذِكرِكَ قاتِلٌ مَقُتولا

God has a secret within you that, if revealed,

If you were before, unite us

would let a killer revive one slain by invoking you.

Nothing of our sanctity would have been attained, attained.

لو كانَ أعطَى الخَلْقَ ما أُوتيتَهُ

لو كانَ أعطَى الخَلْقَ ما أُوتيتَهُ

لم يَخْلُقِ التّشبيهَ والتمثيلا

لم يَخْلُقِ التّشبيهَ والتمثيلا

Had He given creation what you were granted,

We consider the easiest you possess our necks

He would not have created comparison and likeness.

And the least we hope in you, hoped for.

لولا حِجابٌ دونَ علمِك حاجِزٌ

لولا حِجابٌ دونَ علمِك حاجِزٌ

وَجَدوا إلى عِلمِ الغُيُوبِ سَبيلا

وَجَدوا إلى عِلمِ الغُيُوبِ سَبيلا

Were there no blocking veil before your knowledge,

they would have found a path to knowledge of the unseen.

لولاكَ لم يكُنِ التفكُّرُ واعِظاً

لولاكَ لم يكُنِ التفكُّرُ واعِظاً

والعقلُ رُشْداً والقياسُ دَليلا

والعقلُ رُشْداً والقياسُ دَليلا

Without you, reflection would not be an admonisher,

nor reason right guidance, nor inference a proof.

لو لم تكُنْ سَبَبَ النّجاةِ لأهْلِها

لو لم تكُنْ سَبَبَ النّجاةِ لأهْلِها

لم يُغْنِ إيمانُ العِبادِ فَتيلا

لم يُغْنِ إيمانُ العِبادِ فَتيلا

Had you not been the means of salvation for those worthy of it,

the faith of God's servants would not avail a thread.

لو لم تُعَرِّفْنا بذاتِ نُفُوسِنا

لو لم تُعَرِّفْنا بذاتِ نُفُوسِنا

كانَتْ لدَينا عالَماً مجهُولا

كانَتْ لدَينا عالَماً مجهُولا

Had you not made us know the essence of our souls,

it would have remained an unknown world to us.

لو لم يَفِضْ لك في البرِيّةِ نائِلٌ

لو لم يَفِضْ لك في البرِيّةِ نائِلٌ

كانَت مُفوَّفَة الرّياضِ مَحُولا

كانَت مُفوَّفَة الرّياضِ مَحُولا

Had no bounty of yours overflowed among creation,

the variegated gardens would have been barren wastes.

لو لم تكن سكَنَ البلادِ تَضَعضَعتْ

لو لم تكن سكَنَ البلادِ تَضَعضَعتْ

ولَزُيِّلَتْ أركانُها تَزييلا

ولَزُيِّلَتْ أركانُها تَزييلا

Had you not been the lands' repose, they would have crumbled,

and their foundations would have been utterly torn apart.

لو لم يكُنْ فيكَ اعتبارٌ للوَرَى

لو لم يكُنْ فيكَ اعتبارٌ للوَرَى

ضَلُّوا فلم يَكْنِ الدليل دليلا

ضَلُّوا فلم يَكْنِ الدليل دليلا

Had there been no lesson for humankind in you,

they would have strayed, and the guide would not be a guide.

نَبِّهْ لنا قَدْراً نَغيظُ بهِ العِدَى

نَبِّهْ لنا قَدْراً نَغيظُ بهِ العِدَى

فلقد تَجَهَّمَنا الزّمانُ خُمولا

فلقد تَجَهَّمَنا الزّمانُ خُمولا

Raise for us a rank with which we may anger our foes,

for Time has scowled upon us in obscurity.

لو كنْتَ قبلَ تكونُ جامعَ شَملنا

لو كنْتَ قبلَ تكونُ جامعَ شَملنا

ما نِيلَ منِ حُرُماتِنا ما نِيلا

ما نِيلَ منِ حُرُماتِنا ما نِيلا

Had you united our scattered company before you came to be,

our inviolable rights would not have suffered what they suffered.

نَعْتَدُّ أيْسَرَ ما ملكتَ رِقابَنَا

نَعْتَدُّ أيْسَرَ ما ملكتَ رِقابَنَا

وأقَلَّ ما نَرجو بكَ المَأمولا

وأقَلَّ ما نَرجو بكَ المَأمولا

We reckon our necks the least of what you own,

and our desired reward the least we hope for through you.