نرجوwe hope ونطمعand we long أنto نعطيbe granted (contextual reading) مدىthe span of العمرlife
نرجو ونطمع أن نعطي مدى العمر
والموتand death يحضرناattends us فيin روضةthe garden of العصرthe age
والموت يحضرنا في روضة العصر
We hope and long to be granted the full span of life,
We hope and desire to give throughout our lives
While death attends us in the garden of our prime.
Yet death comes upon us in the garden of youth
لوif كانwere يطمعto hope فيfor معشارناa tenth of us هرمold age
لو كان يطمع في معشارنا هرم
ضاقتwould become cramped مساجدناour mosques للشيبfor the gray-haired والحجرand the chambers
ضاقت مساجدنا للشيب والحجر
If old age could hope to claim a tenth of us,
If old age aspired for our lifespan
Our mosques and chambers would be too narrow for the gray-haired.
Our mosques would be too small for the gray-haired and the aged
سائلask ترىdo you see بلداًa town إلاexcept الشبابthe young بهاin it
سائل ترى بلداً إلا الشباب بها
حشوfilling وتعجبand you marvel إنif لاقيتyou meet ذاone possessing كبرold age
حشو وتعجب إن لاقيت ذا كبر
Ask: do you see a town with anything but youth
Ask and you will see a country with none but the youth in it
Filling it? You marvel if you meet someone old.
Be amazed if you find one aged
إنيindeed I لأعجبtruly marvel ممنat whoever لاnot يؤرقهdisturbs his sleep
إني لأعجب ممن لا يؤرقه
نوحthe wailing of النوائحthe mourners بينbetween الصبحdawn والسحرand the predawn hour
نوح النوائح بين الصبح والسحر
I marvel indeed at anyone whose sleep is not disturbed
I wonder at those not kept awake
By mourners' wailing between dawn and the predawn hour.
By the wailing of mourners between dawn and nightfall
ياO منyou who يغلظthicken للبنيانfor building طينتهyour clay
يا من يغلظ للبنيان طينته
أغسلwash يديكyour two hands فقدfor already نوديتyou have been called للسفرto the journey
أغسل يديك فقد نوديت للسفر
O you who thicken your clay for building,
O you who makes his house’s mud thick
Wash your hands: you have been summoned to the journey.
Wash your hands for you have been called to travel
خلleave الديارthe dwellings وخلand leave الطينthe clay يعمرهto build it up
خل الديار وخل الطين يعمره
منwho سوفwill يتركهleave it للريحto the wind والمطرand the rain
من سوف يتركه للريح والمطر
Leave the dwellings; leave the clay to be built up
Leave the houses and leave the clay for the winds and rain to inhabit
By someone who will abandon it to wind and rain.
It will be left for the winds and rain by one who will leave it
إناindeed we لنعمرsurely build دنياناour earthly world لنسكنهاto inhabit it
إنا لنعمر دنيانا لنسكنها
هيهاتfar from it لاسكنno dwelling فيهاin it سوىexcept الحفرthe pits
هيهات لاسكن فيها سوى الحفر
We build our earthly world to dwell in it;
We inhabit a life only to reside in it
Far from it! No dwelling lies there but the pits.
Alas! None will inhabit it but the grave
كمhow many قبلناbefore us أممpeoples كانواwere أوليpossessors of لجبclamor
كم قبلنا أمم كانوا أولي لجب
أضحتbecame مساكنهمtheir dwellings وعظاan admonition لمعتبرfor one who reflects
أضحت مساكنهم وعظا لمعتبر
How many peoples before us possessed clamorous throngs!
How many nations before us were masters of glory
Their dwellings became an admonition to anyone who reflects:
Their dwellings are now lessons for those who reflect
خلواًempty معطلةdeserted الأقطارin their precincts قدalready درستwere effaced
خلواً معطلة الأقطار قد درست
لولاbut for بقيةa remnant of آرامstone markers منfrom الجدرthe walls
لولا بقية آرام من الجدر
Empty, their precincts deserted, their traces effaced,
Abandoned ruins with razed walls
Except for remaining stone markers among the walls.
Were it not for remaining signs among the ruins
لمnot يبلغواdid they attain أملاًa hope فيهاin it ولاnor خرجواdid they depart
لم يبلغوا أملاً فيها ولا خرجوا
إلاexcept وأمثلwhile the best منof those فيهاin it علىwas in خطرperil
إلا وأمثل من فيها على خطر
They attained no hope there, nor did they depart
They did not attain hopes in it nor departed
Without even the best among them standing in peril.
Except as examples for those in it and at risk
فيهمin them وهمand they وبهمand through them وعظan admonition وتذكرةand a reminder
فيهم وهم وبهم وعظ وتذكرة
إِيyes والمعظمby the Exalted One همthey وعظan admonition لمذكرfor one who remembers
إِي والمعظم هم وعظ لمذكر
They hold, embody, and offer an admonition and a reminder.
In them is a lesson and admonition and remembrance
Yes, by the Exalted One, they admonish whoever remembers.
Yes! And the honored are a lesson for those who remember
هذاthis الزمانage زمانis an age حيثwherever ماever نظرتlooks
هذا الزمان زمان حيث ما نظرت
عينan eye بهwithin it وقعتfalls منهfrom it علىupon عبرlessons
عين به وقعت منه على عبر
This age is an age in which, wherever
This time is one in which wherever you look
An eye looks, it falls upon lessons drawn from it.
Your eyes will fall upon a lesson
قلsay للغريرto the heedless man الذيwhom أبداalways نواجدهwe find
قل للغرير الذي أبدا نواجده
ضحكاًlaughing سيبسمhe will smile يومon the day of الفصلdecision عنrevealing كشرbared teeth
ضحكاً سيبسم يوم الفصل عن كشر
Tell the heedless man whom we always find
Tell the proud one whom we always appease
Laughing: on the Day of Decision he will smile with teeth bared.
With laughter that the Day of Separation he will smile at agony
يومon the day of التغابنmutual loss لاnot تدريyou know تساقyou are driven إِذاwhen
يوم التغابن لا تدري تساق إِذا
سيقare driven الورىhumankind زمراًin groups فيin أيةwhich of الزمرthe groups
سيق الورى زمراً في أية الزمر
On the Day of Mutual Loss, you do not know, when you are driven,
The Day of Mutual Loss you know not if you will be driven
As humankind is driven in groups, which group will be yours.
Among the crowds either in Paradise or Hellfire
تعصيyou disobey الإلهGod وترجوand you hope for الفوزvictory منهfrom Him غداًtomorrow
تعصي الإله وترجو الفوز منه غداً
تشكلكmay she lose you (likely intended) أمكyour mother منwho يرميshoots بلاwithout وترa bowstring
تشكلك أمك من يرمي بلا وتر
You disobey God and hope for victory from Him tomorrow.
You disobey God yet hope for triumph from Him tomorrow
May your mother be bereaved of you! Who shoots without a bowstring?
Did your mother create you to shoot without a bowstring?
منwhoever خافfears أدلجsets out by night إِنindeed الخائفينthose who fear لهمhave
من خاف أدلج إِن الخائفين لهم
فيin الليلthe night همهمةa low murmur بالذكرof remembrance والسورand Quranic chapters
في الليل همهمة بالذكر والسور
Whoever fears sets out by night; those who fear have
Whoever fears turns to God for the fearful
In the night a low murmur of remembrance and Quranic chapters.
Have anxious murmurs at night of remembrance and recitation
نامslept الغريرthe heedless man ولكنbut باتspent the night منحدراًflowing downward
نام الغرير ولكن بات منحدراً
فوقupon المساجدthe prayer places دمعthe tears of الخائفthe fearful man الحذرthe wary
فوق المساجد دمع الخائف الحذر
The heedless man slept, while through the night there flowed
The proud one sleeps but sleeps tilted
Upon the prayer places the tears of the fearful, wary man.
Over the mosques the tear of the vigilant fearful one
نامslept الغريرthe heedless man وماand not نامslept الحسيبthe Reckoner وماand not
نام الغرير وما نام الحسيب وما
نامslept القعيدthe stationed watcher ولاnor الداعيthe caller إِلىto النكرevil
نام القعيد ولا الداعي إِلى النكر
The heedless man slept, but the Reckoner did not sleep, nor
The proud one sleeps but the Reckoner does not
Did the stationed watcher, nor the one who calls to evil.
Nor the risen one, nor the caller to denouncement
أبداshowed الغريرthe heedless man شماتاًgloating لامرئover a man كثرتhad multiplied
أبدا الغرير شماتاً لامرئ كثرت
أوصابهhis afflictions ونسىand he forgot لوّاحةthe scorcher of البشرhuman skin
أوصابه ونسى لوّاحة البشر
The heedless man gloated over someone whose
The proud one is never gloating at the abundant
Afflictions were many, forgetting that which scorches skin.
Misfortunes of a man who forgot the preaching of mortals
ليسis not الشقاوةwretchedness ماwhat فيin الدهرlife منthere is of وصبsuffering
ليس الشقاوة ما في الدهر من وصب
إِنindeed الشقيthe wretched one هوis المنبوذthe outcast فيin سقرSaqar
إِن الشقي هو المنبوذ في سقر
Wretchedness is not the suffering found in life;
Misery is not what the days bring of affliction
The wretched one is the outcast in Saqar.
But miserable is he cast away in Hellfire
منthe one who كانis يسحبdragged والأمعاءwhile the entrails تتبعهfollow him
من كان يسحب والأمعاء تتبعه
بينamong السلاسلthe chains والأغلالand the shackles فيin سعرblazing fire
بين السلاسل والأغلال في سعر
The one dragged along, his entrails trailing behind him,
He who is dragged with trailing entrails
Among chains and shackles in blazing fire;
In chains and shackles into Hellfire
منthe one who كانis تحتbeneath شعابthe branches of النارthe Fire تضربهthey strike him
من كان تحت شعاب النار تضربه
بنارwith the fire of فيضa torrent of صديدpus منتنfoul قذرfilthy
بنار فيض صديد منتن قذر
The one beneath the Fire's branches, which lash him
He who under shades of fire is struck
With fiery torrents of foul, filthy pus;
By a torrent of molten, stench-filled, filthy pus
منthe one who كانis جثتهhis body دبراءsore-ridden قدalready نضجتhas been cooked
من كان جثته دبراء قد نضجت
بالجمرby embers وهوwhile he يلقيcasts الجمرthe embers بالدبرthrough the rear
بالجمر وهو يلقي الجمر بالدبر
The one whose sore-ridden body has been cooked
He whose corpse is turned black, baked
By embers, while he casts out embers through his rear;
By embers which he throws back with his rear
منthe one who كانis مغترقاًengulfed حمىa fever تململهmakes him restless
من كان مغترقاً حمى تململه
ينكبis hurled headlong منfrom حجرa rock عمداًdeliberately إِلىto حجرa rock
ينكب من حجر عمداً إِلى حجر
The one engulfed, a fever tossing him restlessly,
He who is submerged in hot spring that boil him
Hurled deliberately from rock to rock;
Rolling from stone to stone in haste
منthe one who كانis ديباجتاهhis two cheeks النارfire حينwhen يرىseen
من كان ديباجتاه النار حين يرى
فوقupon الحديدthe iron إِذاwhen قلبنthey are turned فيamong الزبرthe blocks
فوق الحديد إِذا قلبن في الزبر
The one whose cheeks are fire, when seen
He whose attire is fire when he sees
Upon the iron, turned amid its blocks;
Above the iron when it is flipped in the blaze
منthe one who كانis تنهشهgnaws at him الحياةlife وهوwhile he علىbesides
من كان تنهشه الحياة وهو على
ماwhat عندهhe suffers عطشthirsty غرثانfamished ذوpossessing ضجرdistress
ما عنده عطش غرثان ذو ضجر
The one whom life gnaws at, who, besides
He whom snakes bite yet is not saved from their grip
What he already suffers, is thirsty, famished, and distressed;
Thirsty, disgusted, disgruntled, annoyed
منthe one who كانis يأكلeating زقوماًzaqqum فيصهرso it melts ماwhat
من كان يأكل زقوماً فيصهر ما
فيin بطنهhis belly قطعاًinto pieces فيthrough القبلthe front والدبرand the rear
في بطنه قطعاً في القبل والدبر
The one who eats zaqqum, which melts what is
He who eats thorns which melt what is
In his belly into pieces, through front and rear;
In his belly entirely from front to rear
منthe one who كانis منof قطرانtar لابساًwearing قصماًgarments (wording unclear)
من كان من قطران لابساً قصماً
نشويwe roast الشوىthe extremities بصديدwith the pus of الظهرthe back والفقرand the spine
نشوي الشوى بصديد الظهر والفقر
The one clad in [garments] of tar—
He wearing tar garments, scorched
We roast his extremities with pus from his back and spine;
On back and chest by hellish embers
منthe one who كانis أنتنfoulest ريحاًin smell ريحthe odor of جثتهhis body
من كان أنتن ريحاً ريح جثته
شيباًgray-haired يرىseen كلحاًgrimacing فيin أقبحthe ugliest الصورforms
شيباً يرى كلحاً في أقبح الصور
The one whose body's odor is the foulest smell,
He whose stench makes his body’s smell
Seen gray-haired and grimacing, in the ugliest of forms;
More rotten than the ugliest image
منthe one who كانis فيin غمراتthe throes of الموتdeath يطلبasks أنthat
من كان في غمرات الموت يطلب أن
يقضىit be finished عليهupon him فماyet not ينجىis he rescued منfrom الغمرthe engulfing torment
يقضى عليه فما ينجى من الغمر
The one who, amid death's throes, begs
He who in the depths of death asks for
To be finished off, yet is not rescued from the engulfing torment.
Obliteration but is not saved from the abyss
طافتsurrounded بهhim ظللcanopies منfrom فوقهاabove them ظللcanopies
طافت به ظلل من فوقها ظلل
منfrom تحتهاbeneath them ظللcanopies مسودةblackened القطرat the edges
من تحتها ظلل مسودة القطر
Canopies surround him, with canopies above them,
Hanging shades descend upon shades above
And canopies below them, blackened at the edges.
And shades below, all shades blackened
فالجمرso the embers يرفعهlift him والقمعand the maces يدرعهclothe him
فالجمر يرفعه والقمع يدرعه
واللهand God يسفعهscorches him باللفحwith blasts of heat والشررand sparks
والله يسفعه باللفح والشرر
The embers lift him, and the maces clothe him,
So embers lift him up and pitch covers him
And God scorches him with blasts of heat and sparks.
And God smites him with sparks and flaming embers
نارa fire إِذاwhen زفرتit exhales للغيظin fury أوor شهقتgasps
نار إِذا زفرت للغيظ أو شهقت
صاحcries out المقيمthe inmate بهاwithin it بالويلin woe والثبرand ruin
صاح المقيم بها بالويل والثبر
A fire that, when it exhales in fury or draws a gasping breath,
A fire which when it snarls in rage or gasps in fury
Makes its inmate cry out in woe and ruin.
The inhabitants scream of woe and perdition
نارa fire إِذاwhen زجرتit is roused واشتدand grows fierce زاجرهاits rouser
نار إِذا زجرت واشتد زاجرها
لمnot تبقdoes it leave باقيةa remnant فيهاwithin it ولمand not تدرtakes heed
لم تبق باقية فيها ولم تدر
A fire that, when roused and its rouser grows fierce,
A fire which when it blazes and its blaze intensifies
Leaves no remnant within it and takes no heed.
None will remain in it and none will survive
دارan abode مصائبهاits calamities ماnot أنindeed لهاhave أبداًever
دار مصائبها ما أن لها أبداً
حينan ending وماand not أنindeed بهاwithin it جبرmending لمنكسرfor the broken
حين وما أن بها جبر لمنكسر
An abode whose calamities never have
An abode whose afflictions have no end
An ending, and where the broken find no mending.
Where there is never solace for the broken
طالتgrew long بهاwithin it حسراتthe regrets of الهالكينthose perishing بهاwithin it
طالت بها حسرات الهالكين بها
دارthe abode of الهوانabasement ودارand the abode of البؤسmisery والضررand harm
دار الهوان ودار البؤس والضرر
Long are the regrets there of those perishing within it:
The slain within it were long distressed
The abode of abasement, misery, and harm.
An abode of disgrace, misery, and harm
قدalready ياسhas despaired ساكنهاits dweller أنthat لاnot يرىhe will see فرحاًjoy
قد ياس ساكنها أن لا يرى فرحاً
بعدafter استغاثhe sought help فلمbut not يرحمwas he pitied ولمand not يجرwas he sheltered
بعد استغاث فلم يرحم ولم يجر
Its dweller has despaired, knowing he will see no joy,
Its inhabitant despaired of ever seeing joy again
After he cried for help and was neither pitied nor sheltered.
Having pleaded in vain for mercy and salvation
ألاis it not يقالsaid لهto him هذاthis بماis for what كسبتearned
ألا يقال له هذا بما كسبت
أمسyesterday يداكyour two hands فذقso taste وامكثand remain بهاin it وبرand perish
أمس يداك فذق وامكث بها وبر
Is he not told: 'This is for what
Indeed someone will say this is for what your hands
Your hands earned yesterday—taste it, stay here, and perish'?
Reaped yesterday so taste it and dwell in it and endure
ماnot للانامdoes humankind have علىagainst الرحمنthe All-Merciful منany حججarguments
ما للانام على الرحمن من حجج
بعدafter الكتابthe Book وماand not للناسdo people have منany عذرexcuse
بعد الكتاب وما للناس من عذر
Humankind has no argument against the All-Merciful
The sleeper has no argument against the Merciful
After the Book, and people have no excuse.
After the Scripture and people have no excuse
إِنindeed الذيthe one who جعلmade التقوىgodfearingness مطيتهhis mount
إِن الذي جعل التقوى مطيته
فيthrough الدهرlife يصبحawakens فيin الفردوسParadise ذاpossessing أثرdistinction
في الدهر يصبح في الفردوس ذا أثر
One who makes godfearingness his mount
Indeed he who made piety his mount
Through life will awaken in Paradise, possessed of distinction.
Will awake in Paradise with influence
يضحىcomes to يعانقembrace أبكاراًvirgins مسوّرةadorned with bracelets
يضحى يعانق أبكاراً مسوّرة
بيضاًfair-skinned كواعبfull-breasted أتراباًof equal age علىupon سررcouches
بيضاً كواعب أتراباً على سرر
He comes to embrace virgins adorned with bracelets,
At dawn he embraces maidens confined
Fair-skinned, full-breasted, of equal age, upon couches.
To tents, fair, with dark eyes, chaste, upon beds
حوراًbright-eyed maidens نواعمtender عيناًwide-eyed خرداًmodest عرباًloving
حوراً نواعم عيناً خرداً عرباً
يبسمنthey smile عنrevealing دررpearls يرمقنthey glance عنwith حورwhite-and-black eyes
يبسمن عن درر يرمقن عن حور
Bright-eyed, tender, wide-eyed, modest, loving,
Maidens with gleaming skin, shy-eyed damsels
They smile to reveal pearls, and glance with eyes of white and black.
Who smile with a dash of charm and glance of maidenhood
خمصslender الحشاof belly هيفاslim-waisted ريثslow الخطاof step قطفاًshort-stepping
خمص الحشا هيفا ريث الخطا قطفاً
نواعمsoft الجسمof body مثلlike البيضeggs فيin الخدرthe private chamber
نواعم الجسم مثل البيض في الخدر
Slender of belly, slim-waisted, slow-stepping, taking short steps,
Walking with a sway not of laziness
Soft of body, like eggs sheltered in a private chamber.
But of anklets tinkling round their feet
يمشينthey walk فيwith ميلa sway ماnot ذاكthat منfrom كسلlaziness
يمشين في ميل ما ذاك من كسل
إلاexcept لرجرجةbecause of the trembling of الأكفالthe rounded hips فيin الأزرthe waist-wraps
إلا لرجرجة الأكفال في الأزر
They walk with a sway, not from laziness,
They pass through the pavilions together
But from the trembling of their rounded hips beneath their wraps.
With trails of silk and glimmering diaphanous gowns
يسحبنthey trail بينbetween مصاريعthe doors of الخيامthe tents معاًtogether
يسحبن بين مصاريع الخيام معاً
فيupon العبقريthe rich carpets ذيولthe hems of السندسfine silk الزهرradiant
في العبقري ذيول السندس الزهر
Together they trail, between the tent doors,
Of the maidens there is none but glimmers
Upon rich carpets, the hems of radiant fine silk.
In a garden of luscious green meadows
إِنindeed الكواعبthe full-breasted maidens ماnot منهنamong them كاعبةa full-breasted maiden
إِن الكواعب ما منهن كاعبة
إِلاَّexcept ترقرقshe shimmers فيin روضthe meadows of القباthe robes الخضرgreen
إِلاَّ ترقرق في روض القبا الخضر
Among the full-breasted maidens there is not one
Her radiance is watered by the water of youth
Who does not shimmer amid the meadows of green robes.
Still flowing fresh, pristine, and clear
تسقيshe waters غضارتهاher bloom رياًto fullness طراوتهاher freshness
تسقي غضارتها رياً طراوتها
ماءthe water of الشبابyouth الذيwhich ماnot أنindeed يزالceases to be طريfresh
ماء الشباب الذي ما أن يزال طري
She waters her bloom, fully refreshing her freshness,
Pure white among the pure laughing
With youth's water, which never ceases to be fresh.
Amidst laughter her gaze laughing through the laughter
بيضاءfair-skinned ناضرةradiant بينamid النضارgold تضيshe shines
بيضاء ناضرة بين النضار تضي
فيin نضرةsplendor نظرتbeheld فيin ناضرlustrous النضرgold
في نضرة نظرت في ناضر النضر
Fair and radiant, she shines amid gold,
A budding blossom, blossoming, who surpasses
In splendor, beheld in the sheen of lustrous gold.
With her shine the sun’s and the moon’s blossoms
غراءbright-faced زاهرةradiant زهراءluminous تقصرfall short عنof
غراء زاهرة زهراء تقصر عن
أشراقهاher radiance زهراتthe blossoms of الشمسthe sun والقمرand the moon
أشراقها زهرات الشمس والقمر
Bright-faced, radiant, luminous—falling short of
A shining star whose kohl is as black as
Her radiance are the blossoms of sun and moon.
Her blackness, her charm as charming as the spell
نجلاءwide-eyed فيwith كحلkohl-darkness كحلاءnaturally kohl-dark فيwith دعجdeep-black eyes
نجلاء في كحل كحلاء في دعج
دعجاءdeep-black-eyed فيwith حورcontrasting eye-whiteness حوراءwhite-and-black-eyed فيwith فترlanguor
دعجاء في حور حوراء في فتر
Her wide eyes are kohl-dark, their darkness deep;
A bough, were her clothes to slip off, would shine
Deep-black against white, their white-and-black gaze languid.
As a well-rounded and firm-calved young maiden
فرعاءluxuriant-haired لوif سقطتfell أثوابهاher clothes اعتقرتshe would be enclosed
فرعاء لو سقطت أثوابها اعتقرت
فيin فرعهاher hair الرجلsmooth المغدودرabundant العكرthick
في فرعها الرجل المغدودر العكر
Luxuriant-haired: were her clothes to fall, she would be enclosed
When the bridegroom lifts her veil
In her smooth, abundant, thick hair.
At their union, the veil of reticence and virtue falls
ترخيshe lets fall إِذاwhen كشفuncovers المحبورthe delighted one مقنعهاher veil
ترخي إِذا كشف المحبور مقنعها
عندat العتاقrelease قناعthe veil of الغنجcoquetry والخفرand modesty
عند العتاق قناع الغنج والخفر
When her delighted lover uncovers her veil, she lets fall,
In a Paradise whose lights radiated and whose
At release, the veil of coquetry and modesty.
Streams flowed through its trees and rainfall
فيin جنةa garden سطعتblazed أنوارهاits lights وجرتand flowed
في جنة سطعت أنوارها وجرت
أنهارهاits rivers خللbetween الأشجارthe trees والقطرand the reaches
أنهارها خلل الأشجار والقطر
In a garden whose lights blaze, and where there flow
In a Paradise whose walls were embellished and whose
Its rivers, between the trees and through its reaches;
Branches bent, shaded by shade and feathers
فيin جنةa garden بسقتrose high حيطانهاits walls ودنتand drew near
في جنة بسقت حيطانها ودنت
أغصانهاits branches ذللاًhanging low بالظلwith shade والثعرand blossom
أغصانها ذللاً بالظل والثعر
In a garden whose walls rise high and whose branches draw near,
In a Paradise musk-scented amidst its sweet basil
Hanging low with shade and blossom;
While the Spirit’s breeze blows through its trees
فيin جنةa garden نفحتwafted بالمسكmusk بينbetween يديthe hands of
في جنة نفحت بالمسك بين يدي
ريحانهاits sweet herbs ونسيمand the breeze of الروحrepose فيamong الشجرthe trees
ريحانها ونسيم الروح في الشجر
In a garden breathing musk before
In a Paradise secured and tranquil, where souls
Its sweet herbs, with a breeze of repose among the trees;
Are reassured from corruptions and evil
فيin جنةa garden آمنتbecame safe واطمأنتand became tranquil وسختand became content
في جنة آمنت واطمأنت وسخت
فيهاwithin it النفوسthe souls منfrom الآفاتcalamities والغيرand reversals
فيها النفوس من الآفات والغير
In a garden where souls are safe, tranquil, and content,
Blessed is its dweller, attaining in it
Within it, free from calamities and reversals.
A seat of sincerity near the Almighty
طوبىblessedness لساكنهاfor its dweller إِذwhen صارhe became مغتبطاًrejoicing
طوبى لساكنها إِذ صار مغتبطاً
فيهاthere بمقعدin a seat of صدقtruth عندbeside مقتدرthe All-Powerful
فيها بمقعد صدق عند مقتدر
Blessed is its dweller, now rejoicing
Blessed is its dweller, attaining in it
There in a seat of truth beside the All-Powerful.
And what it contains of good
طوبىblessedness لساكنهاfor its dweller إِذwhen صارhe became مغتبطاًrejoicing
طوبى لساكنها إِذ صار مغتبطاً
فيهاthere بهاin it وبماand in what فيهاis within it منof الخيرgoodness
فيها بها وبما فيها من الخير
Blessed is its dweller, now rejoicing
Blessed is its dweller, attaining immortality
There, in it and in the goodness it contains.
In bounties that remain without distress
طوبىblessedness لساكنهاfor its dweller إِذwhen صارhe became مغتبطاًrejoicing
طوبى لساكنها إِذ صار مغتبطاً
بالخلدin eternity فيamid نعمblessings تبقىthat remain بلاwithout كدرdistress
بالخلد في نعم تبقى بلا كدر
Blessed is its dweller, now rejoicing
Blessed is its dweller, being in prominence
In everlasting bliss that remains unclouded.
Above the heavenly chambers, of sovereignty and might
طوبىblessedness لساكنهاfor its dweller إِذwhen صارhe became مغتبطاًrejoicing
طوبى لساكنها إِذ صار مغتبطاً
فوقupon الرفارفthe green cushions ذاpossessing ملكdominion وذاand possessing خطرhigh rank
فوق الرفارف ذا ملك وذا خطر
Blessed is its dweller, now rejoicing
Blessed is its dweller, its dwelling is blessed for him
Upon green cushions, possessed of dominion and high rank.
Blessed is he and for him is blessing among mankind
طوبىblessedness لساكنهاfor its dweller طابتit became pleasant لهfor him سكناًas a home
طوبى لساكنها طابت له سكناً
طوبىblessedness لهfor him ولهand for him الطوبىblessedness معwith البشرglad tidings
طوبى له وله الطوبى مع البشر
Blessed is its dweller; pleasant is it for him as a home.
Blessed is its dweller, blessed is its inhabitant
Blessed is he; his are blessedness and glad tidings.
Blessed is its citizen, blessed his triumph
طوبىblessedness لساكنهاfor its dweller طوبىblessedness لقاطنهاfor its resident
طوبى لساكنها طوبى لقاطنها
طوبىblessedness لواطنهاfor one settled there طوباهhis blessedness بالظفرin victory
طوبى لواطنها طوباه بالظفر
Blessed is its dweller; blessed is its resident.
The fortunate one won it, a gift for him
Blessed is the one who makes it home—his blessedness is victory.
Were acts of duty prescribed in Scriptures
فازwon السعيدthe fortunate one بهاit والفوزand victory نحلتهbestowed upon him
فاز السعيد بها والفوز نحلته
طاعاتacts of obedience to منthe One who فرضprescribed الطاعاتobedience فيin الزبرthe Scriptures
طاعات من فرض الطاعات في الزبر
The fortunate one wins it; victory is bestowed on him by
And stepping forward where the brave charge in its cause
Obedience to Him who prescribed obedience in the Scriptures,
Under banners, a foot in the bloody fray
والخطوand advancing حيثwhere تداجيare shrouded القومthe people فيin دمهاtheir blood
والخطو حيث تداجي القوم في دمها
تحتbeneath الرحاthe millstone قدماًonward فيin المعركthe battlefield العكرmurky
تحت الرحا قدماً في المعرك العكر
And advancing where the people are shrouded in their blood,
Where the clouds of war clash and pour down
Beneath the millstone, onward in the murky battlefield;
Showers of their transparent, piercing rain
حيثwhere أرجحنhung heavily سحابthe cloud of الحربwar وانهمرتand poured down
حيث أرجحن سحاب الحرب وانهمرت
أمطارهits showers برقاقwith slender الزرقblue spearheads والبترand cutting swords
أمطاره برقاق الزرق والبتر
Where the cloud of war hangs heavily and there pour down
Where he rose steadfast until he became
Its showers of slender blue spearheads and cutting swords;
Upon the basin of death fate’s recompense
حيثwhere استقرsettled وأضحىand stood بالرجالover the men علىupon
حيث استقر وأضحى بالرجال على
حوضthe pool of المنونdeath عقابthe eagle of الحتفdoom والقدرand destiny
حوض المنون عقاب الحتف والقدر
Where, above the men, there alights and perches upon
Then pleasures, for when the vein is firewood
Death's pool the eagle of doom and destiny.
The most beautiful and chaste women shine with wine
ثمthen الوسائلthe means of approach إِنindeed القاصراتthe chaste maidens إِذاwhen
ثم الوسائل إِن القاصرات إِذا
صارbecame القناthe spears حطباًfirewood أشرقنthey shone فيwithin الخمرthe veils
صار القنا حطباً أشرقن في الخمر
Then the means of approach: the chaste maidens, when
Then pleasures, where today is its seeker?
Spears become firewood, shine within their veils.
Where is the manly-hearted knight with spirit?
ثمthen الوسائلthe means of approach أينwhere اليومtoday طالبهاis their seeker
ثم الوسائل أين اليوم طالبها
أينwhere امرؤis a man نجدbrave شهمstout الفؤادof heart جريbold
أين امرؤ نجد شهم الفؤاد جري
Then the means of approach—where today is one who seeks them?
Yearning for she who has captivated my soul, for what
Where is a brave man, stout-hearted and bold?
Has captivated it – if I were given aid against adversities in my path
لهفيalas for me بماfor what علقتclung to نفسيmy soul بماfor what علقتit clung to
لهفي بما علقت نفسي بما علقت
لوif only مسعداًa helper يردwould face الأهوالthe terrors فيin أثريmy wake
لو مسعداً يرد الأهوال في أثري
Alas for what my soul has clung to, for what it has clung to!
The honorable chivalrous proud men died, yet remains
If only a helper would face the terrors in my wake.
One who cannot competently carry eggs or danger
ماتdied الألىthose النجدbrave الشمlofty الذرىof summits وبقىand remained
مات الألى النجد الشم الذرى وبقى
منthose who ليسnot يحسنknow how حملto carry البيضthe swords والخطرand the spears
من ليس يحسن حمل البيض والخطر
The brave ones of lofty summits have died, and there remain
I am one whose nation forsook their religion
Those who cannot bear swords and spears.
Fearful of the disobedient and the likes of them, complacent
إنيindeed I لمنof أممpeoples عنfrom دينهمtheir religion قعدواsat back
إني لمن أمم عن دينهم قعدوا
خوفfor fear of العصاةthe rebels ومنand of أمثالهمtheir like لبريsurely innocent
خوف العصاة ومن أمثالهم لبري
I am indeed free of peoples who have shirked their religion
I am one whose nation does not rage when
For fear of the rebels, and free of others like them.
Honor is violated and goes to another
إِنيindeed I لمنam among أممpeoples لاnot يغضبونthey grow angry إِذاwhen
إِني لمن أمم لا يغضبون إِذا
ماever حرمةa sanctity هتكتis violated راحتit passes إِلىto أخرothers
ما حرمة هتكت راحت إِلى أخر
I am indeed among peoples who do not grow angry when
Shame on a people who worship through it
A sanctity is violated, followed by still others.
One who wrongs or oppresses wantonly
أفّfie لأهلon the people of زمانan age يعبدونthey worship بهin it
أفّ لأهل زمان يعبدون به
منwhoever كانis معتدياًan aggressor أوor ظالماًan oppressor خترtreacherous
من كان معتدياً أو ظالماً ختر
Fie on the people of an age in which they worship
Shame on a people I did not call to good
Whoever is an aggressor or a treacherous oppressor.
Except they rushed instead to ‘wait’
أفfie لأهلon the people of زمانan age ماwhenever دعوتهمI call them
أف لأهل زمان ما دعوتهم
للخيرto goodness فابتدرواthen they hasten إلاonly إِلىto انتظرwait
للخير فابتدروا إلا إِلى انتظر
Fie on the people of an age: whenever I call them
Who can remove my worries caused by
To goodness, they hasten only to say, 'Wait.'
Those born whose lack makes me wait expectantly?
منwho ليfor me بمنwill bring one who نزعremoves الآجالdeath's appointed terms عنfrom أمليmy hopes
من لي بمن نزع الآجال عن أملي
ممنfrom those whom ولدتI begot فليلfor the night of الخلفsuccession منتظريawaits me
ممن ولدت فليل الخلف منتظري
Who will bring me one who removes death's terms from my hopes,
Who can remove my worries so I may
From those I have begotten? The night of succession awaits me.
Lighten some burden off my humanity?
منwho ليfor me بمنwill bring one who نزعremoves الآجالdeath's appointed terms عنfrom أمليmy hopes
من لي بمن نزع الآجال عن أملي
حتىso that أخففI lighten بعضsome of الوزرthe burden عنfrom بشريmy flesh
حتى أخفف بعض الوزر عن بشري
Who will bring me one who removes death's terms from my hopes,
I complain to the Judge then to
So that I may lighten some of the burden upon my flesh?
My son Shuhaib – they are my burdens after Him
أشكوI complain إلىto الملكthe King الديانthe Judge ثمthen إلىto
أشكو إلى الملك الديان ثم إلى
نجليthe two sons of شحيبShuhayb هماthey both منafter بعدهHim وزريare my refuge
نجلي شحيب هما من بعده وزري
I complain to the King, the Judge, and then to
Sheikh of loyalty Ali, man of loyalty, my brother
Shuhayb's two sons, who after Him are my refuge:
Sheikh of loyalty Ali, man of high principles
شيخmaster of الوفاءloyalty عليAli ذيpossessing الوفاءloyalty أخيmy brother
شيخ الوفاء علي ذي الوفاء أخي
شيخmaster of الوفاءloyalty عليAli ذيpossessing العلاloftiness الوترthe unmatched
شيخ الوفاء علي ذي العلا الوتر
Master of loyalty, Ali, loyal, my brother;
O two scholars, most luminous, take
Master of loyalty, Ali, lofty and unmatched.
My words slowly and comprehend fully my case
ياO أيهاyou العلمانtwo luminaries الأزهرانthe two radiant ones خذاtake, you two
يا أيها العلمان الأزهران خذا
قوليmy words علىwith مهلdeliberation واستوضحاand seek clarity, you two خبريabout my account
قولي على مهل واستوضحا خبري
O you two radiant luminaries, take
I called to the Merciful in a time
My words slowly, and seek clarity about my account.
When guidance was marginalized, its influence erased
إنيindeed I دعوتcalled إلىto الرحمنthe All-Merciful فيin زمنa time
إني دعوت إلى الرحمن في زمن
فيهwithin it الهدىguidance دارسwas effaced مستطمسobliterated الأثرin trace
فيه الهدى دارس مستطمس الأثر
I called to the All-Merciful in a time
So His aid intensified when I stood up and
When guidance was effaced, its trace obliterated.
Its banners rose, illuminating desert and urban dwellers
فاشتدso grew strong ساعدهits arm إذwhen قمتI arose وارتفعتand rose
فاشتد ساعده إذ قمت وارتفعت
راياتهits banners وأضاand it shone فيamong البدوthe nomads والحضرand the townsfolk
راياته وأضا في البدو والحضر
Its arm grew strong when I rose, and there rose
Then the world’s trials overwhelmed me and
Its banners; it shone among nomads and townsfolk.
Did not send me troops of patience and triumph
ثمthen اتكثmultiplied (wording unclear) محنthe trials of الدنياthe world عليupon me ولمand not
ثم اتكث محن الدنيا علي ولم
تقدمadvanced لديto my side جنودthe armies of الصبرpatience والظفرand victory
تقدم لدي جنود الصبر والظفر
Then the world's trials multiplied upon me, and
The disobedient rose insolently and conspired
The armies of patience and victory did not advance to my side.
By God! Not to aid truth, ever
قامrose العصاةthe rebels بثارin vengeance for الجورtyranny واحتلفواand swore oaths
قام العصاة بثار الجور واحتلفوا
باللّهby God لاnot نصرواwould they support حقاًtruth مدىthroughout العمرlife
باللّه لا نصروا حقاً مدى العمر
The rebels rose for tyranny's vengeance, and swore
So the righteous dreaded them and the sparks
By God never to support the truth throughout their lives.
Of guidance that illuminated now shuddered and quaked
فاسترهبتso became terrified لهمbefore them الأخيارthe virtuous وارتعدتand trembled
فاسترهبت لهم الأخيار وارتعدت
بعدafter استنارتهاits shining زندthe fire-stick of الهدىguidance ووريand was hidden
بعد استنارتها زند الهدى ووري
The good were struck with fear before them, and there trembled
But the Exalted God willed to inform us
Guidance's fire-stick, once bright, and it was hidden.
Like the messengers and caliphs in eras passed
لكنbut أرادwished تعلىexalted be اللّهGod يخبرناto test us
لكن أراد تعلى اللّه يخبرنا
كالرسلlike the messengers والخلفاand the caliphs فيin سالفthe former العصرage
كالرسل والخلفا في سالف العصر
But God—exalted is He—wished to test us,
So today we face the envy of haters, and I
Like the messengers and caliphs in ages past.
Have loved your victorious support, counsel, and soldiers
فاليومso today نحنwe علىare under أمرthe command of الحسودthe envious man وقدand already
فاليوم نحن على أمر الحسود وقد
أحببتI desired نصركماyour joint support بالرايwith counsel والبشرand good cheer
أحببت نصركما بالراي والبشر
Today we are subject to the envious man's command, and I have
So I entrust you two, my brothers, today and charge you
Desired your support in counsel and good cheer.
With victory – you are my pillars and grantors of triumph
فاستوصياso heed the charge, you two أخويmy two brothers اليومtoday وائتمراand resolve, you two
فاستوصيا أخوي اليوم وائتمرا
بالنصرupon support إنكماindeed you both ركنيare my pillar ومنتصريand my champions
بالنصر إنكما ركني ومنتصري
So, my two brothers, heed my charge today, and resolve
Rise with your siblings’ love of me, do not sleep
To give support: you are my pillar and my champions.
While you remain my power and needy refuge
قوماًrise, you two بحفدكماwith your joint swift aid إيايto me لاnot تنياslacken, you two
قوماً بحفدكما إياي لا تنيا
لاnever زلتماmay you both cease دركيto be my rescue عانafflicted ومفتقرand needy
لا زلتما دركي عان ومفتقر
Rise to aid me swiftly; do not slacken.
Be generous, strengthen my resolve. Rather, spread my case
May you remain my rescue, afflicted and needy as I am.
Give strength to my pillars, fulfill my needs and wants
جوداbe generous, you two اشدداstrengthen, you two عضديmy arm بلrather انشراspread, you two خبريmy story
جودا اشددا عضدي بل انشرا خبري
شداstrengthen, you two قوىthe strength of عمديmy supports عوداreturn, you two أقضياfulfill, you two وطريmy desire
شدا قوى عمدي عودا أقضيا وطري
Be generous; strengthen my arm; rather, spread my story.
For man’s siblings, nothing but his siblings
Firm up the strength of my supports; return and fulfill my desire.
Are his ribs, so if they betray him, he has no recourse
فالمرؤfor a man اخوتهhis brothers لاnot غيرany but اخوتهhis brothers
فالمرؤ اخوته لا غير اخوته
أكنافهhis sheltering sides فإذاand if خانوهthey betray him لمnot يطرcan he fly
أكنافه فإذا خانوه لم يطر
A man's brothers—none but his brothers—are
Do not worry, for what I hope will suffice you
His sheltering wings; if they betray him, he cannot fly.
Against an eager or unknowing enemy
لاnot تجزعاbe anxious, you two طرفاًfor an instant فيماabout what أؤملI hope for منfrom
لا تجزعا طرفاً فيما أؤمل من
يكفيكماone who suffices you both لحريصfor an eager man أوor لغيرfor one not دريaware
يكفيكما لحريص أو لغير دري
Do not be anxious for an instant over what I hope from
Indeed, times are such that few like you remain
One who suffices you both, for the eager or for one unaware.
In them, so he who wore the garb of loyalty is now naked
إنindeed الزمانthe age زمانis an age قلare few مثلكماyour like, you two
إن الزمان زمان قل مثلكما
فيهwithin it فأصبحso it became منof ثوبthe robe of الوفاءfidelity عريstripped
فيه فأصبح من ثوب الوفاء عري
This age is an age in which your like are few,
He who consults the generous in giving, gives, while with
So it has become stripped of the robe of fidelity.
The ungenerous there is only the view to excuse
منwhoever شاورconsults الكرماthe generous فيabout الجودgiving جادgives وماand not
من شاور الكرما في الجود جاد وما
عندamong اللئامthe base لهfor him رأيany counsel سوىexcept اعتذرmake excuses
عند اللئام له رأي سوى اعتذر
Whoever consults the generous about giving gives; yet
Far from you! For the loftiness befitting you, your merit
The base have no counsel for him but 'Make excuses.'
Is manifest in hardship and ease
حاشاfar be it from كماyou both لكماfor you both الاجلالreverence فضلكماyour joint merit
حاشا كما لكما الاجلال فضلكما
بادmanifest وجودكماand your joint generosity فيin العسرhardship واليسرand ease
باد وجودكما في العسر واليسر
Far be it from you both! Reverence is yours; your merit
But I am a man who finds no refined company
Is manifest, and so is your generosity in hardship and ease.
Without my poems provoking them, yet they are not provoked
لكننيbut I رجلam a man لمnot ألقhave I encountered منتجباًa distinguished one
لكنني رجل لم ألق منتجباً
إلاexcept وخزتI pricked بأشعاريwith my poems فلمyet not يثرdid he stir
إلا وخزت بأشعاري فلم يثر
But I am a man who has never encountered a distinguished one
For the living are pained by the sting of words, yet
Without pricking him with my poems, yet he did not stir.
The flesh of the dead feels no sting of carrion-feeders
والحيand the living يألمfeel pain منfrom وخزthe sting of المقالspeech ولاbut not
والحي يألم من وخز المقال ولا
تضنيweaken المضاربthe blows لحمthe flesh of الميتthe dead النخرdecayed
تضني المضارب لحم الميت النخر
The living feel the sting of speech, but
I ask God for forgiveness for you both
Blows do not weaken a dead man's decayed flesh.
And eternity in the chambers of eternity by the river
واللّهand God اسألهI ask Him غفرانهfor His forgiveness لكماfor you both
واللّه اسأله غفرانه لكما
والخلدand eternity فيin غرفاتthe chambers of الخلدeternity فيamid نهرrivers
والخلد في غرفات الخلد في نهر
God I ask to grant His forgiveness to you both,
With Ahmad, God’s prayers and peace upon
And eternity in eternal chambers, amid rivers,
The Best of Creation, his family and progeny
معwith أحمدAhmad صلواتthe blessings of اللّهGod جلexalted is He علىupon
مع أحمد صلوات اللّه جل على
خيرthe best of البريةcreation بالآصالin the evenings والبكرand the mornings
خير البرية بالآصال والبكر
With Ahmad—may God's blessings, exalted is He, be upon
The best of creation, in evenings and mornings.
Partial English translation: 194 of 196 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1