تغنى حمام الأيك صبحا وغردا — Ibrahim Al Hadrami

تغنى حمام الأيك صبحاً وغردا

فهيج محزوناً من الشوق مكمدا

The doves of the grove sang at morning and warbled,

stirring one sorrowful and grief-stricken with longing

لرجراجة بكر من الحور كاعب

تحل من الفردوس أرفع مصعدا

for a softly swaying virgin houri, full-breasted,

who dwells upon the highest ascent of Firdaws.

زهت بغضارات الشباب فما رأت

عناقاً ولا طمثاً وحملاً ومولداً

She flourished with youth's freshness, never having known

an embrace, menstruation, pregnancy, or childbirth.

ولا هرماً تلقى وجوعاً ولا ظما

وسقماً ولا موتاً وعيشاً منكَّدا

She encounters neither age nor hunger nor thirst,

nor sickness, death, or a miserable life.

وليس عليها ثم فرض عبادة

فتعيا ولا تخشى وعيداً وموعدا

No duty of worship is laid upon her there

to weary her; she fears neither threat nor appointed time.

إذا قعدت فهي الميود ومشيها

تعاظم فيه بهجة وتأيدا

When seated, she sways softly, and her gait

is magnificent in beauty and unhurried grace.

زهى الملك لما قيل للملك إنها

حياة وتاه الحسن فيها تنجّدا

The king exulted when the king was told that she

is life; beauty strutted proudly in her, rising high.

خرود ميود غضة بضة ترى

لماء الحيا في الوجه منها ترددا

Shy, swaying, tender, and soft-skinned, she shows

the moisture of modesty shimmering in her face.

كلؤلؤة مكنونة ذات جوهر

تبلج من ري النعيم توقدا

Like a treasured pearl of precious substance,

she shines with the fullness of bliss, all aglow.

فلولا قذال كالغداف يزينها

لشبهتها بيضاً نقياً مجردا

Were it not for a raven-dark nape adorning her,

I would liken her to a pure, bare egg.

ولولا بياض وارتجاج بردفها

ولين لخلت الردف رملاً ملبداً

Were it not for whiteness and the quivering of her buttocks,

and softness, I would think her rump packed sand.

ولو نملة دبت على الخد أثرت

ولو رمت لحظ المتن من ساقها بدا

Were an ant to crawl upon her cheek, it would leave a mark;

and if you sought a glimpse of her back, it would show through her shank.

ولولا لحاظ العين لم أدر أنني

أقبل كعبيها من اللين واليدا

Were it not for the eye's glances, I would not know

I was kissing her ankles and hand, so soft are they.

ولو شاب شهد زنجبيلاً لشابها

بريقتها فهي الشفاء من الصدا

If honey were mingled with ginger, it would match her

in her saliva: she is the cure for thirst.

هي الطيب والأطايب من طيب نشرها

يطيب فيا طوبى لمن طاب واهتدى

She is perfume; the finest fragrances, from her wafting scent,

become fragrant—blessed is whoever is pure and guided.

لأن قعدت في سندس ورفارف

ومالت إِلى قطف القطوف تأيدا

For she sits amid fine silk and cushions,

and leans to pluck the fruit clusters with unhurried grace.

وجال على الردفين منها دوائب

مرجلة عن صدرها تنزع الردا

Tresses wander over her buttocks,

combed, while she draws the cloak from her breast.

سمعت رنين الحلي والحلي لائح

يشاكل رنات الفراريج والحدا

You hear the jingling of jewelry, the jewelry gleaming,

like the cries of chicks and kites.

وطوَّف ولدان عليها وأسلموا

إليها قواريراً بلطف توددا

Boys circulate around her and hand

flasks to her gently and affectionately:

من الماء والألبان والخمر لذة

إِلى العسل الصافي لذيذاً مبردا

water, milk, and wine, a delight,

along with clear honey, delicious and chilled.

وبي يديها ما تلذ بعينها

وما تشتهيه مستقيماً مخلدا

Before her lies whatever delights her eyes,

and whatever she desires, abiding and everlasting.

ترى نحوها زوجين من كل فاكه

ومن لحم طير لا يزال مؤبدا

She sees near her two kinds of every fruit,

and birds' flesh, forever unceasing,

بآنية من فضة محضة ومن

صحاف من العقيان خلقن للجدى

in vessels of pure silver, and

dishes of pure gold, created for bounty.

إِذا ما اشتهت أكلاً لهذا وذا دعت

بسبحانك اللهم ربي تمجدا

Whenever she craves this food or that, she calls:

'Glory be to You, O God, my Lord!' in glorification.

فيحضر مصنوعاً شهياً وما رأت

له مرجلاً يغلي وناراً وموقدا

It arrives prepared and appetizing, though she has seen

no boiling pot for it, no fire or stove.

مع الروح والريحان والنور والبها

ترغّد في روض الجنان ترغدا

With ease, sweet basil, light, and splendor,

she lives luxuriously in Paradise's garden.

ولذتها تزداد في كل ساعة

ورغبتها فيما تريد تجدُّدا

Her delight increases with every hour,

and her desire for what she wants is renewed.

فويق سرير لم تصغه أنامل

على عبقر خضر تراة ممهدا

Just above a couch no fingers have fashioned,

upon green Abqar brocades, you see it spread and readied.

وفي غرفات ما رأتها نواظر

ولم يبنها بان تلوح زبرجدا

And in chambers no eyes have seen,

which no builder built, gleaming like chrysolite.

ومن تحتها الأنهار تجري كأنها

رعود سحاب دائم الرعد ارعدا

Beneath her the rivers flow as though they were

the thunderclaps of clouds whose thunder rolls unceasingly.

تفيض فتسقي الروض والروض زاهر

ونخلاً ورماناً وطلحاً منضَّدا

They overflow and water the blooming garden,

and palms, pomegranates, and tiered banana trees.

فإن مليك الملك والعز جارها

وإن لها في مقعد الصدق مقعدا

For the Sovereign of dominion and might is her protector,

and she has a seat in the abode of truth.

وجبريل والأملاك من كل جانب

يحيونها فيها رواحاً ومغتدا

Gabriel and the angels, from every side,

greet her there, evening and morning.

فتلك المني والنفس فيها ودونها

عزائم همات تفلّ المهندا

Such are the desires the soul cherishes; before them stand

resolute ambitions that blunt Indian-forged steel,

وصبر على حر السيوف ووقعها

وخوض دواهي الدهر والحرب للعدا

and patience beneath the heat of swords and their blows,

and braving time's calamities and war against enemies.

فلا تعذليني إن عبرت لمثلها

بحاراً وأنجاداً وبيداً وفدفدا

So do not reproach me if, for one like her, I cross

seas, highlands, deserts, and vast wastelands;

ولا إن جعلت السيف ما دمت صاحباً

ولا إن ركبت الدهر للحرب أجردا

nor if, while I live, I make the sword my companion;

nor if I ride a sleek steed to war throughout my days;

ولا إن هجرت الدار للّه مرضياً

وآثرت ما أرجوه من فضله غدا

nor if I forsake home for God, seeking His approval,

and prefer what I hope for tomorrow from His bounty,

إلى أن أرى للمرمل العفَّ راحة

وللدين عزاً ما بقيت إلى المدى

until I see relief for the chaste destitute,

and might for the faith, as long as I live, to the end.

فما وجلي إن متَّ مستشهداً وإن

حللت بطون الطير أو كنت ملحداً

What fear have I if I die a martyr, even if

I lodge in birds' bellies, or am laid within a grave?

أذلك خير أم فتى حان حينه

فوافاه في يوم إلى الأرض مخلدا

Is that better, or a young man whose appointed hour arrives,

overtaking him one day while he clings to the earth?

فهبني لم أظفر بنصر عصابة

شددت بها ظهراً وكنت لها فدا

Suppose I failed to gain the support of a band

with whom I strengthened my back, and for whom I offered myself as ransom:

فكانت وبانت حيث ما اشتدت الوغى

ونامت على غيظ وما ذقت مرقدا

it was there, then departed whenever battle grew fierce,

and slept in anger, while I tasted no resting place.

أليس خليل ذو الامامة معقلاً

إذا همّ بالانجاد للحق أنجدا

Is not Khalil, holder of the imamate, a stronghold,

who brings aid when he resolves to succor the truth?

أليس له دانت عُمان ببِرها

وأبحرها من غارفيها وأنجدا

Has not Oman submitted to him, with its land

and seas, and all who dwell in its lowlands and uplands?

فكم عسكر كالليل تحت ركابه

مجيب إلى طاعات من قد تفرِدا

How many an army, dark as night, beneath his stirrups

answers the commands of the one who stands alone!

سلي عنه أيام انطلقت امامه

ألم يك ولاَّني الجميل وامددا

Ask about him in the days when I set out before him:

did he not bestow kindness on me and send aid?

وقال ترى الأقوام والمال فاقبلن

ونحن وراها ذاك فاشدد بنا يدا

He said, 'You see the men and money: accept them;

we stand behind them in this, so strengthen your hand through us.'

فيا ليتني لم أترك القوم نحوه

لقد كان لي إحدى الكتايب أحمدا

O would I had not left the people to go to him;

one of the battalions would have been better for me.

ولكن به أصبحت واللّه واثقاً

ولو حل أرض الصين أو كان أبعدا

But now, by God, I trust in him,

even were he to settle in China, or farther away.

لحى اللّه من لا يقصد الدهر قصده

بنصر ولو بالنفس ما رام مقصدا

May God curse whoever does not always pursue his purpose

with aid, even with his own life, whenever he seeks an aim.

فذاك إذا ما قابل الوفد وجهه

أمدهم بالمسلمين وأيدا

For when the delegation faces that man's countenance,

he reinforces them with Muslims and strengthens them.

فعما قليل يصبح الوفد نار لا

بحول الهي من لدنه مؤيدا

Before long the delegation will become a fire—[text unclear]—

by my God's power, reinforced by Him.

فسرّت به الأخيار طراً وبشرت

وقد صار أيضاً فارس الخيل مسعدا

All the righteous rejoiced in him and received glad tidings,

and Faris of the cavalry also became a supporter.

أجاب إلى التأييد والنصر مخبتاً

وأسدى من الاحسان ما قد تعودا

He answered the call for reinforcement and aid humbly,

and bestowed the kindness he had always shown.

فثق بوعيد الوائليّ ووعده

فقد وعد الوعد الجميل وأكدا

So trust al-Wa'ili's warning and his promise:

he has made a fair promise and confirmed it.

فيا فارس ناداك من جل عنده

جلالك حقاً فاستجب واسمع الندا

O Faris, one has called you who truly esteems

your greatness: respond and hear the call.

ويا فارس إني عليك معول

فقم عجلاً واطلب إلى الحق مسعدا

O Faris, I rely upon you;

rise quickly and seek the truth, lending aid.

ويا فارس قل للرعاع إذا أتوا

إليك وقالوا قم بثارك مصعدا

O Faris, tell the rabble, when they come

to you and say, 'Rise for your vengeance, pressing onward,

ودع عنك دين الحق فالحق أهله

يريدون شمل اللهو يضحى مسددا

and leave the faith of truth aside; its followers

want the fellowship of amusement set aright':

ألا لست أرضى يا أولي الجهل جهلكم

تريدون أن أضحى من الخير مبعدا

'No! I do not accept your ignorance, you ignorant ones!

You want me to become estranged from goodness,

على كبر سن واعتراف وفطنة

بان امام العدل يهدي إلى الهدى

despite my advanced age, acknowledgment, and discernment

that the just imam leads toward right guidance.

فمن ذا الذي يوم الحساب يجيرني

ويحمل عني ما اجترحت تجوُّدا

Who, then, will protect me on the Day of Reckoning,

and generously bear what I have committed?

أليس لنصر الحق أدخل جنة

وأضحى بما في الجهل آوى مقلدا

Is it not through supporting truth that I enter Paradise,

and bear the burden of what I harbor in ignorance?'

وقل لهم أيضاً إذا ما رأيتهم

لديك يذمون الامام تعمدا

And tell them also, whenever you see them

in your presence deliberately reviling the imam,

ويحكون أني لم أكن منوياً لهم

عطاء وذا كذب ومن قد توحّدا

and claiming that I did not intend for them

a gift—this is a lie, by Him who is One:

أليس امام العدل قد سار سيرة

فأوضح فيها الرشد والغيَّ أخمدا

'Has not the just imam followed a course

that made guidance plain and extinguished error?

عفا وانتمى للقطف واشتد إذ رآى

رؤوس العدا قطفاً وادمى وقيدا

He pardoned and turned to reaping, growing fierce when he saw

enemy heads to harvest; he bloodied and shackled.

وهل عز دين اللّه إلا بمصدع

رؤوف عطوف يخضب السيف والمدى

Has God's faith gained might except through a resolute proclaimer,

compassionate and tenderhearted, who stains sword and blades?

وإن لم تكن فيه الخصال ولم يكن

يهاب ويرجى كان نكساً وابلدا

If these qualities are not in him, and he is not

feared and hoped in, he is a dull-witted weakling.'

وما أنت عن رد الجوابات عاجز

ولكنَّ هذا القول يكفيك مشهدا

You are not incapable of answering their replies,

but this speech suffices you as testimony.

وأياك أياك الخديعة أن ترى

لأهل الغوى والغي والبغي مسندا

Beware, beware deception, lest you be seen

supporting the people of misguidance, error, and oppression.

فما أنا راض أن تكون محشماً

لنفسك في الهيجا لمن جار واعتدا

For I am not content that you should bring shame

upon yourself in battle for one who tyrannizes and transgresses.

ففخرهم عار وعزهم وهى

وسعيهم خسر وعقباهم ردى

Their pride is disgrace, their might frailty,

their striving loss, and their outcome ruin.

وسل من ترى وانظر بعينك واستمع

مقارفهم كيلا تكون مفندا

Ask whomever you see, look with your own eye, and hear

their misdeeds, lest you be judged foolish.

ولو علموا واللّه في الحق مالهم

لحاموا عليه رغبة وتشددا

By God, if they knew what the truth holds for them,

they would defend it eagerly and resolutely.

ولكن تراني لاعدمتك داعياً

إلى اللّه فاسمع ما أقول لترشدا

But you see me—may I never lose you—calling

to God; hear what I say, that you may be guided.

فقم للعلا والق الوشاة مصمماً

أصم ورم فيه لك الخير محشدا

Rise to greatness and meet the slanderers resolutely,

deaf to them; rally support and seek what brings you good.

وثق بسويد ذي التمام فإنه

تطوَّق طوق الفخر بالصدق وارتدى

Trust in Suwayd, a man of completeness, for he

has donned pride's necklace through truthfulness and clothed himself.

بريئاً تقياً أريحياً محامياً

على عرضه صدقاً أجد مجردا

Blameless, devout, generous, defending

his honor sincerely—I find him wholly dedicated.

فشدّ به أزراً هديت فإنني

أراه يميناً صابراً متجلدا

Strengthen your back through him—may you be guided—for I

see him as a patient, steadfast right hand.

ودونك نصحاً وانتصاراً وحجة

وذكراً وتذكيراً ووصلاً وسوددا

Here are counsel, support, and a proof for you,

remembrance, a reminder, fellowship, and honor.

فخذها فقد أعددتها عند نظمها

ليوم أنادى للحساب تزودا

Take it: I prepared it when I composed it,

as provisions for the day I am summoned to account,

إذ قال ذو الآلاء ماذا أجبتم

به من دعائي ناصراً متجلدا

when the Lord of blessings says, 'What answer did you give

to My call, as steadfast helpers?'

وحاسب من يدعو إليه بفعله

وجاز بحور العين من كان مجهدا

And He calls to account whoever calls to Him through his deeds,

and rewards with wide-eyed houris whoever strove hard.

واختم قولي بعد جهدي بأنني

أصلي على المختار أعني محمدا

After my effort, I conclude my words by saying:

I invoke blessings upon the Chosen One, meaning Muhammad.

وصلى عليه اللّه ما ابيّضت الذكا

وما دام غربيب مدى الدهر أسودا

May God bless him as long as the sun shines white,

and as long as the raven remains black throughout all time.