مُتَيَّمٌenslaved by love مُتْلَفٌruined تَلَدُّدُهُhis restless bewilderment
مُتَيَّمٌ مُتْلَفٌ تَلَدُّدُهُ
بانَdeparted لِبَيْنِat the parting of الْهَوَىlove تَجَلُّدُهُhis fortitude
بانَ لِبَيْنِ الْهَوَى تَجَلُّدُهُ
A man enslaved by love, undone by his restless distraction;
A lover consumed, tormented by his yearning,
His fortitude has fled at love's parting.
Its intensity plain in amorous passion's burn.
طَالَgrew long عَلَيْهِfor him مَدَىthe span of الصُّدُودِrejection فَمَاso not
طَالَ عَلَيْهِ مَدَى الصُّدُودِ فَمَا
يُبْصِرُهُsees him مِنْbecause of ضَنَاهُhis wasting illness عُوَّدُهُhis sickbed visitors
يُبْصِرُهُ مِنْ ضَنَاهُ عُوَّدُهُ
The season of rejection has stretched so long for him that
His loved one remains beyond reach, distant,
His visitors cannot see him, so wasted is he.
While his myopic blindness veils all sight.
قَدْindeed كَتَبَhas written الْحُبُّlove بِالسَّقَامِwith sickness لَهُto him
قَدْ كَتَبَ الْحُبُّ بِالسَّقَامِ لَهُ
فَضَمَّهُso embraced him مَنْwhoever أَتَىcame يُفَنِّدُهُto reproach him
فَضَمَّهُ مَنْ أَتَى يُفَنِّدُهُ
Love has written to him in sickness;
Love wrote illness into his fate's book;
So whoever came to reproach him embraced him.
Whoever came near was drawn into his void.
أَوْرَدَهُbrought him to الْحَتْفَdeath مَارِدٌa rebel غَنِجٌcoquettish
أَوْرَدَهُ الْحَتْفَ مَارِدٌ غَنِجٌ
زَادَadded عَلَىto حُسْنِهِhis beauty تَمَرُّدُهُhis rebelliousness
زَادَ عَلَى حُسْنِهِ تَمَرُّدُهُ
A coy rebel has led him to his death,
Death—relentless, harsh—casts him into peril:
Whose rebelliousness added to his beauty.
Now even his beauty adds to obstinacy.
يَكَادُalmost مِنْfrom لِينِهِhis softness وَرِقَّتِهِand his delicacy
يَكَادُ مِنْ لِينِهِ وَرِقَّتِهِ
تَحِلُّهُloosens him لَحْظَتِيmy glance وَتَعْقُدُهُand knots him
تَحِلُّهُ لَحْظَتِي وَتَعْقُدُهُ
So soft and delicate is he that almost
His soft loveliness, his delicate being
My glance unknots him and knots him anew.
Tempt my gaze to settle, hold me rapt.
قَدindeed ارْتَدَتْhas clothed itself بِالجَمَالِin beauty جُمْلَتُهُhis whole being
قَد ارْتَدَتْ بِالجَمَالِ جُمْلَتُهُ
كَمَاjust as ارتَدىclothed himself بالنَّدَىin generosity مُحَمَّدُهُhis Muhammad
كَمَا ارتَدى بالنَّدَى مُحَمَّدُهُ
His whole being is robed in beauty,
His grace and beauty match one another,
As his Muhammad is robed in generosity.
As dew reflected the sheen of Muhammad's face.
خَلِيفَةٌa caliph أُكْمِلَتْwere perfected فَضَائِلُهُhis virtues
خَلِيفَةٌ أُكْمِلَتْ فَضَائِلُهُ
فَفَرْعُهُso his branch طَيِّبٌis pure وَمَحْتِدُهُand his ancestral stock
فَفَرْعُهُ طَيِّبٌ وَمَحْتِدُهُ
A caliph whose virtues have been perfected;
A Caliph complete in his virtues: his scion
Pure is his branch, and pure his ancestral stock.
Is sweet smelling, guided by what's right.
تَعَبَّدَenslaved المَجْدَglory فَهوَso he يَمْلِكُهُpossesses it
تَعَبَّدَ المَجْدَ فَهوَ يَمْلِكُهُ
طَارِفُهُits newly acquired portion عِنْدَهُwith him وَمُتْلَدُهُand its inherited portion
طَارِفُهُ عِنْدَهُ وَمُتْلَدُهُ
He has enslaved glory and possesses it;
Glory he worships; it obeys his hands.
Its new gains and its ancient legacy are with him.
Pleasure, music and song are his familiars.
قَدْindeed رَضِيَhas approved الرَّاضِيَal-Radi الإِلهُGod لإصْfor reform-
قَدْ رَضِيَ الرَّاضِيَ الإِلهُ لإصْ
لاَحِ-ing (completing إصلاح) زَمَانٍan age سِوَاهُanyone but him مُفْسِدُهُits corrupter
لاَحِ زَمَانٍ سِوَاهُ مُفْسِدُهُ
God has approved al-Radi to set right
Content is his Lord with setting right
An age that anyone else would corrupt.
An age that only vandals make crooked.
فَهوَso he بِتَفْوِيضِهِby his entrusting الأُمورَaffairs إلَىto الthe (beginning of الله)
فَهوَ بِتَفْوِيضِهِ الأُمورَ إلَى ال
لَهِGod (completion of الله) بِحُسْنِwith good التَّوْفِيقِguidance to success يَعْضُدُهُupholds him
لَهِ بِحُسْنِ التَّوْفِيقِ يَعْضُدُهُ
So, as he entrusts affairs to
So governance rendered to God lends him support
God, He upholds him with happy success.
In wisdom, excellence, divine guidance.
أَماdo you not تَرَىsee مَاwhat كَفَاهُHe has spared him مِنْof خَطَرٍdanger
أَما تَرَى مَا كَفَاهُ مِنْ خَطَرٍ
غَائِرُهُits lowland part مُعْجِزٌoverpowering وَمُنْجِدُهُand its highland part
غَائِرُهُ مُعْجِزٌ وَمُنْجِدُهُ
Do you not see the danger He has spared him,
Don't you see what danger his feats overcame?
Overwhelming in its lowlands and its highlands alike?
The profound secured, his aid is revealed.
لاَnot يَبْلُغُreaches الْفِكْرُthought كَشْفَthe lifting of غُمَّتِهِits gloom
لاَ يَبْلُغُ الْفِكْرُ كَشْفَ غُمَّتِهِ
يَعُومُswims فِيin حَيْرَةٍbewilderment تُرَدِّدُهُtossing it to and fro
يَعُومُ فِي حَيْرَةٍ تُرَدِّدُهُ
Thought cannot dispel its gloom;
Thought cannot penetrate his feat's secret.
It swims in bewilderment that tosses it about.
Bewildered, it falters, struggles onward.
وَهوَand he عَلَيْهِon Him فِيin ذاكَthat مُتَّكِلٌreliant
وَهوَ عَلَيْهِ فِي ذاكَ مُتَّكِلٌ
يَشْكُرُthanks إحْسَانَهُHis kindness وَيَحْمَدُهُand praises Him
يَشْكُرُ إحْسَانَهُ وَيَحْمَدُهُ
And in this he places his trust in Him,
But he through trust in God remains confident,
Thanking Him for His kindness and praising Him.
Thanking His grace, praising glorious signs,
وَلَنْand never will يُضِيعَforsake الإِلهُGod مُلْتَجِئاًone seeking refuge
وَلَنْ يُضِيعَ الإِلهُ مُلْتَجِئاً
إلَيْهِwith Him فِيin الْخَطْبِcalamity بَلْrather مُؤَيِّدُهُhis supporter
إلَيْهِ فِي الْخَطْبِ بَلْ مُؤَيِّدُهُ
God will never forsake anyone seeking refuge
Sure God will not abandon one who pleads
With Him in calamity; rather, He supports him.
In hardship—no, He sends forces to back him!
يَسِلُّdraws forth رَأْياًa judgment كَالسَّيْفِlike a sword وَقْفَتُهُhis pause
يَسِلُّ رَأْياً كَالسَّيْفِ وَقْفَتُهُ
وَيَحْتَوِيand holds in check سَيْفَهُhis sword وَيُغْمدُهُand sheathes it
وَيَحْتَوِي سَيْفَهُ وَيُغْمدُهُ
His pause for thought unsheathes a judgment like a sword,
Keen strategy pours from him like a sword thrust;
And holds his sword in check and sheathes it,
He sheathes his blade once disorder is quelled.
تَمَسُّكاًholding fast فِيهِin this بِالْوَفَاءَto faithfulness وَمَاand not
تَمَسُّكاً فِيهِ بِالْوَفَاءَ وَمَا
تَقْصُرُfalls short عَمَّاof what يُرِيدُهُhe desires يَدُهُhis hand
تَقْصُرُ عَمَّا يُرِيدُهُ يَدُهُ
Holding fast in this to faithfulness; and never
Loyalty his weapon, his hands strive unstinting
Does his hand fall short of what he desires.
Toward each purpose at which they aim.
كفَايَةُthe protection of اللهِGod تَسْتَطِيفُcircles بِهِaround him
كفَايَةُ اللهِ تَسْتَطِيفُ بِهِ
تُنْحِسُbrings ill fortune to أَعْدَاءَهُhis enemies وَتُسْعِدُهُand makes him fortunate
تُنْحِسُ أَعْدَاءَهُ وَتُسْعِدُهُ
God's protection encompasses him,
God's sufficiency raids to aid its champion,
Bringing his enemies ill fortune and granting him happiness.
Route his enemies, secure his fortune.
أَوْحَدَهُmade him unique اللهُGod فِيin فَضائِلِهِhis virtues
أَوْحَدَهُ اللهُ فِي فَضائِلِهِ
فَهوَso He مِنْfrom بَدْءِthe beginning of الْكَمَالِperfection أَوْجَدَهُcreated him
فَهوَ مِنْ بَدْءِ الْكَمَالِ أَوْجَدَهُ
God has made him peerless in his virtues;
Matchless in virtue, God made him unique
He brought him forth from perfection's very beginning.
From the first A guide on ascendance's path
جَرَىproceeded عَلَىwith الصُّنْعِfavor وَالسَّعَادَةand happiness وَالْand the (beginning of اليُمن)
جَرَى عَلَى الصُّنْعِ وَالسَّعَادَة وَالْ
يُمْنِgood fortune (completion of اليُمن) لَهُfor him سَيْرُهُhis course وَمَقْصَدُهُand his purpose
يُمْنِ لَهُ سَيْرُهُ وَمَقْصَدُهُ
His course has run with favor, happiness, and
Fate poured on him artistry, bliss, divine guidance So his course and his goal ring with music
Good fortune, and so has his purpose.
His armies pressed round him like Badr's full moon
جُيُوشُهُhis armies حَوْلَهُaround him كَمَاjust as حَدَقَتْsurrounded
جُيُوشُهُ حَوْلَهُ كَمَا حَدَقَتْ
بِالْبَدْرِaround the moon بَدْرِthe moon of التَّمَامِfullness أَسْعُدُهُits auspicious stars
بِالْبَدْرِ بَدْرِ التَّمَامِ أَسْعُدُهُ
His armies surround him, just as there cluster
Glowing perfect with forces about it
Around the moon—the full moon—its auspicious stars.
Ruled by his Counsellor's probity, wisdom,
يَسُوسُهُمْgoverns them بِالسَّدَادِwith sound judgment حَاجِبُهُhis chamberlain
يَسُوسُهُمْ بِالسَّدَادِ حَاجِبُهُ
وَهُوَand he بآرَائِهِwith his counsels يُسَدِّدُهُguides him aright
وَهُوَ بآرَائِهِ يُسَدِّدُهُ
His chamberlain governs them with sound judgment,
While the Amīr's own views give guidance
While he guides him aright with his own counsels.
As if the Amīr were God's regent on earth
كَأَنَّهُas though he منْهُfrom him لَيْسَnot يَبْعُدُis far-fetched أَنْthat
كَأَنَّهُ منْهُ لَيْسَ يَبْعُدُ أَنْ
يُشبِهَshould resemble مَوْلَىًa master فيin الْعِزِّmight أَعْبُدُهُhis slaves
يُشبِهَ مَوْلَىً في الْعِزِّ أَعْبُدُهُ
As though he were part of him; it is no wonder that
Whom the noblest of nobles worship
A master's slaves resemble him in might.
But his ambition exceeds slackness like the curve
لَكِنَّهُbut he فَايِتٌsurpasses بِهِمَّتِهِthrough his lofty purpose
لَكِنَّهُ فَايِتٌ بِهِمَّتِهِ
كَمَاjust as يَفُوتُoutstrips الهِلاَلَthe crescent moon فَرْقَدُهُits Farqad-star
كَمَا يَفُوتُ الهِلاَلَ فَرْقَدُهُ
Yet he surpasses him in loftiness of purpose,
Of the crescent whose bend outpaces stillness
As its Farqad-star outstrips the crescent moon.
What gushing torrent with froth can compare
وَأَيْنَand where مِنْbeside زَاخِرِsurging العُبابِwaves صَرىًa stagnant pool
وَأَيْنَ مِنْ زَاخِرِ العُبابِ صَرىً
يُحْفِيwears out إذاwhen جَاشَseethes فِيهِwithin it مُزْبِدُهُits foaming water
يُحْفِي إذا جَاشَ فِيهِ مُزْبِدُهُ
How can a stagnant pool compare with a surging sea,
To an intelligent man whose thoughts pour clear?
When its foaming surge wears it out as it seethes?
Bright his mind: trailing ideas never dimmed it.
أَرَىI see ذَكِيّاًa keen-minded man ذَكَتْblazed خَوَاطِرُهُhis thoughts
أَرَى ذَكِيّاً ذَكَتْ خَوَاطِرُهُ
فَلَمْso did not يَخُنْfail فَهْمَهُhis understanding مُتَلِّدُهُhis longtime master
فَلَمْ يَخُنْ فَهْمَهُ مُتَلِّدُهُ
I see a keen-minded man whose thoughts blaze brightly;
A flaming sword for whoever disobeyed,
His longtime master has not failed his understanding.
Extinguishing rebellion, restraining chaos.
سَيْفٌa sword عَلَىagainst مَنْwhoever عَصَاكَdisobeys you مُتَّقِدٌblazing
سَيْفٌ عَلَى مَنْ عَصَاكَ مُتَّقِدٌ
تُطْفِيyou extinguish بِهِwith it طُغْيَانَهُhis tyranny وَتُغْمِدُهُand sheath it
تُطْفِي بِهِ طُغْيَانَهُ وَتُغْمِدُهُ
A blazing sword against whoever disobeys you,
Best of refuges! All hopes are placed in you,
With which you quench his tyranny, then sheath it.
Excelled by none in your starting charity
ياO خَيْرَbest of مَنْthose whom لاَذَsought refuge ذُوone possessing الرَّجَاءِhope بِهِin him
يا خَيْرَ مَنْ لاَذَ ذُو الرَّجَاءِ بِهِ
وَخَيْرَand best of مَنْthose who بالنَّوالِwith gifts يَرْفِدُهُsuccor him
وَخَيْرَ مَنْ بالنَّوالِ يَرْفِدُهُ
O best of those in whom a hopeful man takes refuge,
And best of those who succor him with gifts,
You exceed limitation; trust your promise.
وَمَنْand one who يَفُوتُsurpasses الْمُنَىwishes تَطَوُّلُهُhis lavish generosity
وَمَنْ يَفُوتُ الْمُنَى تَطَوُّلُهُ
وَيَقْتَضِيهِand demands of him الإنْجَازَfulfillment مَوْعِدُهُhis promise
وَيَقْتَضِيهِ الإنْجَازَ مَوْعِدُهُ
Whose generosity surpasses wishes,
Your wealth flows toward us, forwarded
And whose promise demands fulfillment of him.
By carriers who quicken, never tire.
أَمْوالُهُhis wealth نَحْوَناtoward us مُوَجَّهَةٌdirected
أَمْوالُهُ نَحْوَنا مُوَجَّهَةٌ
بِنائِلٍwith bounty لاَnot تُحَثُّare hurried وُرَّدُهُits visitors
بِنائِلٍ لاَ تُحَثُّ وُرَّدُهُ
His wealth is directed toward us,
With bounty whose visitors are not hurried.
Through you our state and status are raised.
يُعْلَىis raised لَناfor us الحالُcondition والمَحَلُّand standing بِهِthrough it
يُعْلَى لَنا الحالُ والمَحَلُّ بِهِ
فَلاَso no سُؤالٌrequest لَهُto him نُرَدِّدُهُwe repeat it
فَلاَ سُؤالٌ لَهُ نُرَدِّدُهُ
Through it our condition and standing are raised,
No need to repeat, confirm every claim!
So we repeat no request to him.
If worship of servants were permitted for other
لَوْif جازَwere permitted أَنْthat يَعْبُدَworship العِبادُmortals سِوَىother than الْthe (beginning of الخالق)
لَوْ جازَ أَنْ يَعْبُدَ العِبادُ سِوَى الْ
خالِقِCreator (completion of الخالق) كُنَّاwe would be لِلْبِرِّfor beneficence نَعْبُدُهُworshipping him
خالِقِ كُنَّا لِلْبِرِّ نَعْبُدُهُ
If mortals were permitted to worship any but the
Than Creator, then yours would be ours!
Creator, we would worship him for his goodness.
Your servant, whose devotion you know well:
عَبْدُكَyour servant مَنْone who قَدْalready عَرَفْتَyou have known نيَّتَهُhis intention
عَبْدُكَ مَنْ قَدْ عَرَفْتَ نيَّتَهُ
لَمْnot ينْتَقصْhas diminished ساعَةًfor a moment تَوَدُّدُهُhis affection
لَمْ ينْتَقصْ ساعَةً تَوَدُّدُهُ
Your servant is one whose intentions you know;
Never has he failed, or curbed earnest suit.
His devotion has not diminished for a moment.
Asks only his master see clear the perspective
يَسْألُasks أَنْthat يَسْتَبِينَdiscern clearly سَيِّدُهُhis master الthe (beginning of الرأي)
يَسْألُ أَنْ يَسْتَبِينَ سَيِّدُهُ ال
رأْيَright course (completion of الرأي) بِفِكْرٍthrough thought لَهُfor it يُحَدِّدُهُhe sharpens it
رأْيَ بِفِكْرٍ لَهُ يُحَدِّدُهُ
He asks his master to discern the
Thought yields, clarify ambiguities.
Right course, sharpening his thought upon it.
Lover of sheathed swords, bloodshed's staunch critic:
وَمُؤَثِرُand favoring الْحَقْنِthe sparing للدِّماءِof blood فَقَدْfor already
وَمُؤَثِرُ الْحَقْنِ للدِّماءِ فَقَدْ
تَاقَتْhave yearned إلَيْهِfor him لِلْعَيْثِto ravage شُرَّدُهُhis unruly men
تَاقَتْ إلَيْهِ لِلْعَيْثِ شُرَّدُهُ
And he favors sparing blood, for already
Havoc itself seeks the safety he provides.
His unruly men have yearned for him, intent on ravaging.
Confident of obedience's blessing, he'll shoulder
مُسْتَيْقناًcertain نِعْمَةَof the favor of الْمُطِيعِone obedient لَهُto him
مُسْتَيْقناً نِعْمَةَ الْمُطِيعِ لَهُ
يَحْمِلُundertakes مَاwhat فِيin الضَّمانِthe guarantee يَعْقدُهُhe binds himself to it
يَحْمِلُ مَا فِي الضَّمانِ يَعْقدُهُ
Certain of the favor of one obedient to him,
Vows that settle what words themselves invite.
Who undertakes whatever he binds himself to guarantee.
His guarantee holds good, no fear of excess
يَقْبَلُaccepts فِيهِin it ضَمَانَthe guarantee of مَوْعِدِهِhis promise
يَقْبَلُ فِيهِ ضَمَانَ مَوْعِدِهِ
فَلَيْسَso not يُخْشَىis feared مِنْهُfrom him تَزَيُّدُهُhis exaggeration
فَلَيْسَ يُخْشَى مِنْهُ تَزَيُّدُهُ
He accepts in this the pledge of his promise,
If he states intent, soon guidance prompts amend.
For no exaggeration on his part need be feared.
Each moment's crisis carries unique shape.
إِنْif قَالَhe says قَوْلاًa word وَفَّىhe stays true بِهِto it عَجِلاًpromptly
إِنْ قَالَ قَوْلاً وَفَّى بِهِ عَجِلاً
يَهْدِيهِguides him لِلرَّأْيِto judgment فِيهِin it أَرْشَدُهُits soundest course
يَهْدِيهِ لِلرَّأْيِ فِيهِ أَرْشَدُهُ
If he gives his word, he fulfills it promptly;
This consigns acts, while the next prohibits them.
Its soundest course guides him to right judgment.
Grace today sanctions a wish, unlike tomorrow.
فَكُلُّso every وَقْتٍtime لَهُfor it شَرِيطَتُهُits condition
فَكُلُّ وَقْتٍ لَهُ شَرِيطَتُهُ
يُصْدِرُsends out هذَاthis one مَاwhat ذَاكَthat one يُورِدُهُbrings in
يُصْدِرُ هذَا مَا ذَاكَ يُورِدُهُ
So every time has its own condition;
Every region in the land kindles with fury,
One sends out what another brings in.
As chaos and discord spread through the country.
قَدْmay يَسْمَحُgrant الْيَوْمَtoday بِالْمُرَادِwhat is desired وَلاَand not
قَدْ يَسْمَحُ الْيَوْمَ بِالْمُرَادِ وَلاَ
يُشْبِهُهُresembles it فِيin سَماحِهِits generosity غَدُهُits tomorrow
يُشْبِهُهُ فِي سَماحِهِ غَدُهُ
Today may grant what is desired, yet
Some gain their aim, while wings burn others raise.
Tomorrow may not match it in generosity.
Together, once authority's bridle restrains them,
فِيin كُلِّevery صُقْعٍregion مِنَof الْبِلادِthe lands لَظىًa blaze
فِي كُلِّ صُقْعٍ مِنَ الْبِلادِ لَظىً
مُسَعَّرٌkindled وَالغُواةُand the wayward تُوقِدُهُignite it
مُسَعَّرٌ وَالغُواةُ تُوقِدُهُ
In every region of the land a blaze
Humbled, clutching the bit between their teeth,
Is kindled, and the wayward keep it burning.
This one and that plead in mutually assured
فَانْso if نَجاwas saved بَعْضُهاsome of them بِمَقْصِدِهِthrough his purpose
فَانْ نَجا بَعْضُها بِمَقْصِدِهِ
هُدَّwas demolished مِنَfrom الْبَعْضِa part ماwhat يُشَيِّدُهُhe builds
هُدَّ مِنَ الْبَعْضِ ما يُشَيِّدُهُ
If some are saved through his purpose,
Confirmation the Amīr provides both needs.
Elsewhere, what he builds is torn down.
The obstinate warden may spark to rebellion,
وَكُلُّهُمْand all of them إِنْeven if أَقَامَremains فِيin يَدِهِhis hand
وَكُلُّهُمْ إِنْ أَقَامَ فِي يَدِهِ
خِطامُهُhis halter صَاغِراًhumbled وَمِقْوَدُهُand his leading rein
خِطامُهُ صَاغِراً وَمِقْوَدُهُ
And all of them, though in his hand remain
Only to have mighty armies quell intent,
Their halters and reins while they stand humbled:
Till the rebellious kneel in loyal obedience,
يَطْلُبُseeks هَذَاthis one ماwhat ذاكَthat one يَطْلُبُهُseeks it
يَطْلُبُ هَذَا ما ذاكَ يَطْلُبُهُ
بِشافِعٍwith an intercessor عِنْدَهُbefore him يُؤَكِّدُهُwho reinforces it
بِشافِعٍ عِنْدَهُ يُؤَكِّدُهُ
This one seeks what that one seeks,
Renewing a troth that respect renders valid.
With an intercessor before him to reinforce it.
Baghdad, fortress home of kings, secures them
قَدْmay يَسْتَحِيلُturn الْوَلِيُّthe ally ذَاpossessing عَنَتٍtroublesomeness
قَدْ يَسْتَحِيلُ الْوَلِيُّ ذَا عَنَتٍ
تُقْدَحُare struck بِالْغِشِّwith treachery مِنْهُfrom him أَزْنُدُهُhis fire-sticks
تُقْدَحُ بِالْغِشِّ مِنْهُ أَزْنُدُهُ
An ally may turn troublesome,
Against danger no invading army could breach.
His fire-sticks struck with treachery.
While her inhabitants war drains resources;
وَيُصْبِحُand becomes المخْلِقُone wearing thin الْوَلاَءَloyalty لَهُto him
وَيُصْبِحُ المخْلِقُ الْوَلاَءَ لَهُ
مِنْthrough طَاعَةٍobedience ثابِتٍsteadfast تُجَدِّدُهُwhich renews it
مِنْ طَاعَةٍ ثابِتٍ تُجَدِّدُهُ
And one whose loyalty to him has grown threadbare
No treasury remains to finance further need!
May renew it through steadfast obedience.
What other land matches hers for a ruler
بَغْدادُBaghdad حِصْنُfortress of الْمُلُوكِkings تُؤْمِنُهُمْkeeps them safe
بَغْدادُ حِصْنُ الْمُلُوكِ تُؤْمِنُهُمْ
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery بَاغٍaggressor يُخْشَىis feared تَوَرُّدُهُhis incursion
مِنْ كُلِّ بَاغٍ يُخْشَى تَوَرُّدُهُ
Baghdad, fortress of kings, keeps them safe
Guarding effectively what he solidifies?
From every aggressor whose incursion is feared.
Name no alternate, for hers has the best
وَأَهْلُهاand her people فِيin الْخُطُوبِcrises جَيْشُهُمُtheir army
وَأَهْلُها فِي الْخُطُوبِ جَيْشُهُمُ
بِغَيْرِwithout رِزْقٍpay لِلْجَيْشِfor the army يَنْقُدُهُhe pays it in cash
بِغَيْرِ رِزْقٍ لِلْجَيْشِ يَنْقُدُهُ
In crises her people are their army,
Course of governance; praise be to Aḥmad!
Without his paying the troops any wages.
Final authority resides with one long known
فَأَيْنَso where لاَno أَيْنَwhere مِثْلُهَاlike her بَلَدٌa city
فَأَيْنَ لاَ أَيْنَ مِثْلُهَا بَلَدٌ
بِحافِظٍwith a protector مُلْكُهُhis kingdom يُؤَكِّدُهُhe strengthens it
بِحافِظٍ مُلْكُهُ يُؤَكِّدُهُ
Where—nowhere!—is there a city like her,
To choose rightly the course events dictate.
With a guardian who strengthens his kingdom?
He knows affairs best—and God guides the steps
فَلاso do not تُرِدْdesire غَيْرَهَاother than her بِهَاin exchange for her بَلَداًa city
فَلا تُرِدْ غَيْرَهَا بِهَا بَلَداً
أَسْلَمُthe safest سَيْرِjourney of الْمُغِذِّone pressing onward أَحْمَدُهُits most praiseworthy
أَسْلَمُ سَيْرِ الْمُغِذِّ أَحْمَدُهُ
So choose no other city in her place;
Taken and decisions his actions shape!
The safest journey for one pressing on is the most praiseworthy.
والأَمْرُand the decision مِنْfrom بَعْدafter ذَاthis وذَاكَand that إِلَىto
والأَمْرُ مِنْ بَعْد ذَا وذَاكَ إِلَى
مُعَوَّدٍone accustomed لِلصَّوابِto right judgment يُوجِدُهُwho brings it forth
مُعَوَّدٍ لِلصَّوابِ يُوجِدُهُ
And after this and that, the decision rests with
One accustomed to right judgment, who brings it forth.
فَإنَّهُfor he أَعْلَمُthe most knowledgeable of الْمُلُوكِkings بِمَاabout what
فَإنَّهُ أَعْلَمُ الْمُلُوكِ بِمَا
يَفْعَلُhe does وَاللهُand God فِيهِin it يُرْشِدُهُguides him
يَفْعَلُ وَاللهُ فِيهِ يُرْشِدُهُ
For he knows best among kings what
He does, and God guides him in it.
Partial English translation: 95 of 102 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1