أَنَاI منْfrom بَيْنِamong ذَاthis الْوَرَىmankind مَظْلُومُwronged
أَنَا منْ بَيْنِ ذَا الْوَرَى مَظْلُومُ
وَإِذَاand when مَاemphasis خَصَمْتُهُمْI dispute with them مَخْصُومُdefeated in argument
وَإِذَا مَا خَصَمْتُهُمْ مَخْصُومُ
I, among all this mankind, am wronged.
I am wronged amongst mankind, and should I dispute with them, I am the losing disputant.
And whenever I dispute with them, I am defeated.
The strokes of fate elude me, and my status with them is known.
تَتَخطَّانِيَpass me by الْحُظُوظُthe fortunes فَآسَىso I grieve
تَتَخطَّانِيَ الْحُظُوظُ فَآسَى
ومَكَانِيand my standing منْwithin عِلْمِهِمْtheir knowledge مَعْلُومُknown
ومَكَانِي منْ عِلْمِهِمْ مَعْلُومُ
Fortunes pass me by, and I grieve,
How many the likes of me has time seen, that the minister has not plotted against?
though they know full well my standing.
The choice of a generous one has passed me by, and he is excellent in choice, supreme in merit and glory.
كَمْhow many تُرَىare seen فيin الزَّمَانِthe age مِثْلِيَlike me حَتَّىso that
كَمْ تُرَى في الزَّمَانِ مِثْلِيَ حَتَّى
لَمْnot يَرُمْنِيseek me الْوَزِيرُthe vizier فِيمَنْamong those whom يَرُومُhe seeks
لَمْ يَرُمْنِي الْوَزِيرُ فِيمَنْ يَرُومُ
How many like me are seen in this age, that
Indeed this is but due to delaying my fortune, its right when impartiality comes about.
the vizier has not sought me among those he seeks?
I do not complain of Abu Al-Hussein, never! He is far above that, held in utmost esteem.
قَدْindeed تَعَدَّانِيَpassed me by اخْتِيَارُthe choice of كَرِيمٍa generous man
قَدْ تَعَدَّانِيَ اخْتِيَارُ كَرِيمٍ
وَهوَand he طَبٌّan expert بالاخْتِيَارِin choosing عَلَيْمُknowledgeable
وَهوَ طَبٌّ بالاخْتِيَارِ عَلَيْمُ
A generous man's choice has passed me by,
If I were to blame him when another has been brought closer to the minister, intimate to him,
though he is expert and knowledgeable in choosing.
Would it be said that I have fallen short in knowledge, such that elucidation and prohibition seized me?
وَهوَand he أَعْلَىthe highest الْكُفَاةِof the capable مَجْداًin glory وفَضْلاًand merit
وَهوَ أَعْلَى الْكُفَاةِ مَجْداً وفَضْلاً
إنَّindeed ذَاthis ماas عَلِمْتُI know حَظٌّa fortune جَسِيمُgreat
إنَّ ذَا ما عَلِمْتُ حَظٌّ جَسِيمُ
He is highest among capable men in glory and merit;
If time had cast me an ancient honor, neither intelligence nor education would have pleased me.
this, as I know, is a mighty fortune.
How can we newly adorn words for him when the likes of me are his boon companion?
لَيْسَnot هذاthis إِلاexcept لتَأْخِيرِfor delaying حَظٍّa fortune
لَيْسَ هذا إِلا لتَأْخِيرِ حَظٍّ
حَقُّهits right حينَwhen يُنْصَفُit is treated fairly التَّقْدِيمُadvancement
حَقُّه حينَ يُنْصَفُ التَّقْدِيمُ
This is nothing but the postponement of a fortune
Do you reckon the regretful would be content with this? No - by the Reviver of bones when they are decayed!
whose rightful place, when fairly treated, is advancement.
Where are those who sat with the Caliphs before me when desires were thought paltry?
لَسْتُI do not أشْكُوcomplain of أَبَاAbu الْحُسَيْنِal-Husayn وَحَاشاfar be it from
لَسْتُ أشْكُو أَبَا الْحُسَيْنِ وَحَاشا
هُhim لَهُfor him دُونَstanding before ذَلِكَthat التَّعْظِيمُreverence
هُ لَهُ دُونَ ذَلِكَ التَّعْظِيمُ
I do not complain of Abu al-Husayn—far be it from
My spirit is tranquil and my thoughts aloof from the superfluities of wishes, my gaze is sound.
him; reverence for him stands in the way of that.
My words suffice unless expounding knowledge, my manner straightforward.
أَنَاI لَوْif لُمْتُهُI blamed him وَقَدْwhile indeed خُصَّwas singled out غَيْرِيanother
أَنَا لَوْ لُمْتُهُ وَقَدْ خُصَّ غَيْرِي
بِدُنُوٍّwith closeness مِنَto الْوَزِيرِthe vizier مُليمُblameworthy
بِدُنُوٍّ مِنَ الْوَزِيرِ مُليمُ
If I blamed him, when another had been singled out
So assist time against its enemies! Its guilt with me is indeed mighty.
for closeness to the vizier, I would be blameworthy.
I have debts which the bird of litigation comes against, seeking success through you to hover about.
أَتُرَانِيdo you think me أَخْلَلْتُI fell short بالعِلْمِin knowledge حَتَّىso that
أَتُرَانِي أَخْلَلْتُ بالعِلْمِ حَتَّى
شَدَّeluded (reading uncertain) مِنِّيme التَّحْلِيلُdeclaring lawful وَالتَّحْرِيمُand declaring forbidden
شَدَّ مِنِّي التَّحْلِيلُ وَالتَّحْرِيمُ
Do you think I have fallen short in learning, so that
Amongst them the junior minister is leader, by whom I hope, an excellent leader!
what is lawful and forbidden has eluded me?
It is a debt upon him and he is filled up, impartial, though my time is wronging.
لَوْif رَمَىcast بِيme الزَّمَانُTime عِزَّاًglory تَلِيداًancestral
لَوْ رَمَى بِي الزَّمَانُ عِزَّاً تَلِيداً
لَمْnot يَرُضْنِيhave schooled me الذَّكَاءُintelligence وَالتَّعْلِيمُand instruction
لَمْ يَرُضْنِي الذَّكَاءُ وَالتَّعْلِيمُ
Had Time cast me into ancestral glory,
For Ali is an eminence over people, brought about by his majesty, and ancient.
intelligence and instruction would not have schooled me.
He inherited glory from the nobility of lofty Hashemites, amongst whom there roams no fool.
كَيْفَhow نُجْلِيdo we unveil عَلَيْهِbefore him أَبْكَارَvirgin forms لَفْظٍof expression
كَيْفَ نُجْلِي عَلَيْهِ أَبْكَارَ لَفْظٍ
وَلَهُand he has فيamong الأَنَامِmankind مِثْلِيlike me ندِيمُa boon companion
وَلَهُ في الأَنَامِ مِثْلِي ندِيمُ
How can we unveil before him virgin phrases,
So he excels above the minister in every merit. None excels the generous but the generous!
when among mankind he has a boon companion like me?
Souls that passionately love nobility, so they distributed it upon concurring war bands.
أَتَظُنُّdo you suppose النِّدَامَthe boon companions تَرْضَىapprove بِهذَاof this
أَتَظُنُّ النِّدَامَ تَرْضَى بِهذَا
لاَno ومُحْيِيby the Reviver of العِظَامَthe bones وَهيَwhile they are رَمِيمُcrumbled
لاَ ومُحْيِي العِظَامَ وَهيَ رَمِيمُ
Do you suppose the boon companions approve of this?
Thus Ali, Muhammad son of Ali, fine are their branches and fine is the soil!
No, by Him who revives bones when they have crumbled!
That one is a full moon for us, this a crescent. That gives us breeze, this gentle wind.
أَيْنَwhere مَنْone who جَالَسَsat with الخَلائِفَthe caliphs قَبْلِيbefore me
أَيْنَ مَنْ جَالَسَ الخَلائِفَ قَبْلِي
وَافِرٌfull-minded حينَwhen تُسْتَخَفُّare made frivolous الْحُلُومُthe minds
وَافِرٌ حينَ تُسْتَخَفُّ الْحُلُومُ
Where is one who sat with caliphs before me—
Kings have not birthed one with completeness like him, so he is a vengeance from the enemy, piercing.
rich in judgment when minds grow frivolous?
An eloquence occupying veils with beauty, thus it pours upon them, uninterrupted.
طَائِرِيmy bird سَاكنٌstill وفكْرِيand my thought عَزُوفٌaverse
طَائِرِي سَاكنٌ وفكْرِي عَزُوفٌ
عَنْto فُضُولِexcesses of الْمُنَىwishes وَلَحْظِيand my gaze سَلِيمُharmless
عَنْ فُضُولِ الْمُنَى وَلَحْظِي سَلِيمُ
My bird is still, and my thought is averse
Eyes regain beauty towards him as a debt repayment seeks what is owed insistently.
to excessive wishes, and my gaze is harmless.
Insight that brings the loyal joy, and turns away the enemy, though he persists.
وكَلاَمِيand my speech قَدْرُthe measure of الكِفَايَةsufficiency إِلاexcept
وكَلاَمِي قَدْرُ الكِفَايَة إِلا
شَرْحُexposition of علْمٍlearning وَجَانِبيand my conduct مُسْتَقِيمُupright
شَرْحُ علْمٍ وَجَانِبي مُسْتَقِيمُ
My speech is measured by what suffices, except
If a father had wished for him, none would surpass him, and to him goes the arbitration in his matter.
when explaining knowledge; my conduct is upright.
Neither has a boon companion of fate purefied the like of him, nor has one who wields power emulated him.
فأَعِينُواso help عَلَىagainst الزَّمانِTime بِعَدْوَىwith redress
فأَعِينُوا عَلَى الزَّمانِ بِعَدْوَى
إِنَّindeed ذَنْبَthe offense of الزَّمَانِTime عِنْدِيto me عَظِيمُgreat
إِنَّ ذَنْبَ الزَّمَانِ عِنْدِي عَظِيمُ
So help me gain redress against Time;
If the stars in the ascent to glory had converged, we would say they converged for him.
Time's offense against me is great.
Time does not bring the like of him in merit! He is beyond that, barren of doubt.
لِيI have عِدَاتٌpromises طَيْرُthe birds of التَّقَاضِيseeking payment عَلَيْهاover them
لِي عِدَاتٌ طَيْرُ التَّقَاضِي عَلَيْها
طَلَباًseeking لِلنَّجَاحِfulfillment مِنْكُمْfrom you تَحُومُcircle
طَلَباً لِلنَّجَاحِ مِنْكُمْ تَحُومُ
I have promises over which the birds of collection
Each pledge is locked in a coffer they closed, so for him belongs precedence and submission.
circle, seeking fulfillment from you.
O you the family of Ali, you are stars for the land in illumination, having no overcast.
وَالْوَزِيرُand the vizier الصَّغِيرُthe junior فِيَهَاregarding them زَعِيمٌa guarantor
وَالْوَزِيرُ الصَّغِيرُ فِيَهَا زَعِيمٌ
بالَّذِيfor what أَرْتَجِيI hope for وَنعْمَand excellent is الزَّعِيمُthe guarantor
بالَّذِي أَرْتَجِي وَنعْمَ الزَّعِيمُ
The junior vizier is their guarantor
The beauties of fortune settled upon you, from which appeared for people a great pearl.
for what I hope for—and an excellent guarantor.
A comprehensive pen in eloquence and beauty, no region contained the like of you!
هِيَit is دَيْنٌa debt عَلَيهupon him وَهوَand he مَلِيءٌsolvent
هِيَ دَيْنٌ عَلَيه وَهوَ مَلِيءٌ
مُنْصِفٌgiving justice مِنagainst العِدَىthe foes وَدَهْرِيand my age ظَلُومُunjust
مُنْصِفٌ مِن العِدَى وَدَهْرِي ظَلُومُ
They are a debt upon him, and he is solvent,
Pages pride themselves in it with beauty, like a decorated cloak from which place cards shine.
giving justice against foes, while my Time is unjust.
And words as if blossoms of gardens appeared for the stars from it stars.
لِعَليٍّAli has عَلَىover الأنَامِmankind اعتِلاَءٌascendancy
لِعَليٍّ عَلَى الأنَامِ اعتِلاَءٌ
حَادِثٌnew مِنْfrom جَلاَلِهِhis majesty وَقدِيمُand ancient
حَادِثٌ مِنْ جَلاَلِهِ وَقدِيمُ
Ali has ascendancy over mankind,
The eyes of meanings surrounded it and in its sides illuminated the darkness.
both newly born of his majesty and ancient.
For you if the rain of generosity rains, it is a downpour, its valleys fertile, abundant.
وَرِثَhe inherited الْمَجْدَglory مِنْfrom غَطَارِفَnoble chiefs شُمٍّlofty
وَرِثَ الْمَجْدَ مِنْ غَطَارِفَ شُمٍّ
غُرَرٍradiant ones لاَno يُعَدُّis counted فِيهِمْamong them بَهِيمُan obscure one
غُرَرٍ لاَ يُعَدُّ فِيهِمْ بَهِيمُ
He inherited glory from lofty noble chiefs,
And clouds of gifts and abundant rain, the gathered clouds are too narrow for it.
radiant men, among whom no obscure one is counted.
My praise of you is mandatory like a duty, in it no nonsense nor sin.
فَهوَso he يَنْحُوfollows الْوَزِيرَthe vizier فِيin كُلِّevery فَضْلٍexcellence
فَهوَ يَنْحُو الْوَزِيرَ فِي كُلِّ فَضْلٍ
لَيْسَnot يَنْحُوfollows الكَرِيمَthe noble man إِلاexcept كَرِيمُa noble man
لَيْسَ يَنْحُو الكَرِيمَ إِلا كَرِيمُ
He follows the vizier in every excellence;
Do not blame me for what I have said of them, the torment of the veil for me is painful.
only a noble man follows a noble man.
Likewise it has come in the Scripture as definitive text, that beyond the veil is none but Hellfire.
أَنْفُسٌsouls تَعْشِقُlove الْمَكَارِمَnoble deeds وَقفاًin exclusive devotion
أَنْفُسٌ تَعْشِقُ الْمَكَارِمَ وَقفاً
فَرَّقَتْهَاhave divided them عَلَىdespite ائْتِلافٍharmony جُسُومُbodies
فَرَّقَتْهَا عَلَى ائْتِلافٍ جُسُومُ
Souls whose love is consecrated to noble deeds,
All of them are at a time of permission enemies, and in other than permission, friends are ardent.
divided by bodies, though united in harmony.
My waking from them is like the Sleepers of the Cave, if not for their dog and the inscription.
فعَلَيٌّthus Ali مُحَمَّدُMuhammad بنُson of عَليٍّAli
فعَلَيٌّ مُحَمَّدُ بنُ عَليٍّ
طَابَare fair فَرْعَاهُماtheir two branches وَطَابَand are fair الأُرُومُthe roots
طَابَ فَرْعَاهُما وَطَابَ الأُرُومُ
Thus Ali is Muhammad son of Ali;
Saad's neighborhood did not birth them, just as Jarir has stated, while all of them are fated.
fair are their two branches, and fair the roots.
I do not cast blame upon them, but my reproach of them is contemptible.
ذَاكَthat one بَدْرٌa full moon لَنَاfor us وَهَذاand this one هِلاَلٌa crescent
ذَاكَ بَدْرٌ لَنَا وَهَذا هِلاَلٌ
ذَاthis one هَوَاءٌair لَنَاfor us وَهذَاand this one نَسِيمُa breeze
ذَا هَوَاءٌ لَنَا وَهذَا نَسِيمُ
That one is a full moon for us, and this one a crescent;
Your gifts, they are an outpouring sea! The devil of their prevention is truly stoned.
that one is air for us, and this one a breeze.
Does the Haqq fear the soil of my pasture drying for lack of their rain while their cloud is poisoned?
لَمْnot تَلِدْhave borne مِثْلَهُhis like الْمُلُوكُkings كَمَالاًin perfection
لَمْ تَلِدْ مِثْلَهُ الْمُلُوكُ كَمَالاً
فَهوَso he ثَأْرٌvengeance مِنَagainst الْعَدُوّthe enemy مُنِيمُsleep-bringing
فَهوَ ثَأْرٌ مِنَ الْعَدُوّ مُنِيمُ
Kings have never borne his like in perfection;
From their rain I have sprinklings and moisture, while others take the richer share, defeated.
he is vengeance that puts the enemy to sleep.
My fortune has slept, so awaken it with generosity! After your beginning, it is made complete.
مَنْطِقًspeech يَشْغَلُcaptivates اللِّحَاظَthe glances بِحُسْنٍwith beauty
مَنْطِقً يَشْغَلُ اللِّحَاظَ بِحُسْنٍ
فَهوَso it ثَاوٍdwells عَلَيْهِupon him لَيْسَnot يَرِيمُdeparts
فَهوَ ثَاوٍ عَلَيْهِ لَيْسَ يَرِيمُ
Speech that captivates the gaze with beauty,
I have complained to you of what I face, like an orphan complaining to the executor.
so it dwells upon him and does not leave.
Whoever the mercy of your affection, and your company, has missed, is ill-fated.
تَسْتَرِدُّreclaim الْعُيُونُthe eyes حُسْناًbeauty إليهِto him
تَسْتَرِدُّ الْعُيُونُ حُسْناً إليهِ
مِثْلَlike مَاas يَسْتَرِدُّrecovers دَيْناًa debt غَرِيمُa creditor
مِثْلَ مَا يَسْتَرِدُّ دَيْناً غَرِيمُ
Eyes return to him to reclaim beauty,
In a time you have adorned with generosity, while without you it would be miserable.
just as a creditor recovers a debt.
For thirty years I have revered you, if only I were not distanced and outcast!
وَنَفَاذٌand incisiveness يَقْرِيoffers hospitality to الْوَلِيَّthe ally سُرُوراًwith joy
وَنَفَاذٌ يَقْرِي الْوَلِيَّ سُرُوراً
وَيَرُدُّand repels الْعَدُوَّthe enemy وَهوَwhile he is كَظِيمُchoked with anger
وَيَرُدُّ الْعَدُوَّ وَهوَ كَظِيمُ
And incisiveness that feasts the ally on joy,
I have no special companionship with you in intimacy, rather I am seen wandering while others stay.
and sends the enemy back choked with rage.
Before me on earth there is no other praiser of you, and my due from amongst you is destroyed.
لَوْif تَمَنَّاُهwished for him وَالدٌa father مَاnot عَدَاهُwould pass him by
لَوْ تَمَنَّاُه وَالدٌ مَا عَدَاهُ
وَإِلَيْهِand to him فِيin أَمْرِهِhis affair التَّحْكِيمُthe decision
وَإِلَيْهِ فِي أَمْرِهِ التَّحْكِيمُ
Had a father wished for him, he would not look beyond him,
When the sword of praise, clad in perfection, is with you, what has it unsheathed?
were the choice in his affair entrusted to him.
For me are its sheath and advance, while for others its blade and remnant.
لَمْnot يُمَحِّضْbrought forth (text uncertain) بِمِثْلِهِhis like مُقْرَبُthe near-term mare of الدَّهْTime (beginning)
لَمْ يُمَحِّضْ بِمِثْلِهِ مُقْرَبُ الدَّهْ
رِTime (completion) وَلاَnor اسْتَامَsought to buy شِبْهَهُhis equal مَنْone who يَسُومُbids
رِ وَلاَ اسْتَامَ شِبْهَهُ مَنْ يَسُومُ
Time's near-term mare has never brought forth his like,
The eyes of hopes are turned from you, for them towards you no lasting glance.
nor has any bidder sought to buy his equal.
My praise is outpaced and my permission silenced! Never has the like of this decree been pronounced by Sodom!
لَوْif تُحَابَىshowed partiality النُّجُومُthe stars فِيin طَالِعِthe ascendant of الْمَجْglory (beginning)
لَوْ تُحَابَى النُّجُومُ فِي طَالِعِ الْمَجْ
دِglory (completion) لَقُلْنَاwe would have said حَابَتْهُthey favored him فِيهِin it النُّجُومُthe stars
دِ لَقُلْنَا حَابَتْهُ فِيهِ النُّجُومُ
Had the stars been partial in glory's ascendant,
A praise that enthralled the necks of meanings, from their jewelry customs were voided.
we would have said the stars favored him in it.
Your sublime state preoccupied it from glories, it grew weary of the noxious upon it.
لَيْسَnot يَأْتِيbrings بِمِثْلِهِhis like الدَّهْرُTime فَضْلاًin excellence
لَيْسَ يَأْتِي بِمِثْلِهِ الدَّهْرُ فَضْلاً
هُوَit عَنْregarding ذَاكَthat غَيْرَwithout شَكٍّdoubt عَقِيمُbarren
هُوَ عَنْ ذَاكَ غَيْرَ شَكٍّ عَقِيمُ
Time produces no equal to him in excellence;
So it adorns your seeker and brings might, and stars against your enemy pelted.
without doubt, it is barren in that regard.
And good fortune for your family illuminating their radiance, while inauspiciousness for your detractors, restricted.
كُلُّevery رَهْنٍstake فِيin سُؤْدَدٍnobility أَغْلَقُوهُthey made binding
كُلُّ رَهْنٍ فِي سُؤْدَدٍ أَغْلَقُوهُ
فَلَهُso his is السَّبْقُthe lead فِيهِin it وَالتَّسْلِيمُand the surrender
فَلَهُ السَّبْقُ فِيهِ وَالتَّسْلِيمُ
Every stake in nobility that they have made binding—
May God forbid my relationship with you be barren of your rain and unlawful!
his is the lead in it, and their surrender.
When time has guaranteed me keeping away from you closely, he who guarantees is wronging.
أَنْتُمُyou يَاO بَنِيsons of عَلِيٍّAli نُجُومٌstars
أَنْتُمُ يَا بَنِي عَلِيٍّ نُجُومٌ
لِلْوَرَىfor mankind فِيin الضِّياءradiance لَيْسَتْnot تَغِيمُgrow clouded
لِلْوَرَى فِي الضِّياء لَيْسَتْ تَغِيمُ
You, O sons of Ali, are stars
Judge me fairly in the prose I have composed on you, can any strung pearls match it?
whose light for mankind is never clouded.
It is wording the innate nature has overpowered, the like of it, may I never lose you, is nonexistent.
خَيَّمَتْhave camped فِيكُمُamong you مَحَاسِنُthe beauties of حَظٍّfortune
خَيَّمَتْ فِيكُمُ مَحَاسِنُ حَظٍّ
لاَحَshone مِنْهَاfrom them لِلنَّاسِfor people دُرٌّa pearl عَظِيمُgreat
لاَحَ مِنْهَا لِلنَّاسِ دُرٌّ عَظِيمُ
The beauties of fortune have pitched camp among you;
The misery of time has bypassed your homes, and happiness and bliss have lodged therein.
from them a great pearl shone for the people.
All of you time hastens forward and delays, in totality the elevated, well and unharmed.
قَلَمٌa pen جَامِعٌuniting بَيَاناًeloquence وَحُسْناًand beauty
قَلَمٌ جَامِعٌ بَيَاناً وَحُسْناً
مَاnot حَوَىhas contained فِيهِin it مِثْلَكُمْyour like إِقْلِيمُa land
مَا حَوَى فِيهِ مِثْلَكُمْ إِقْلِيمُ
A pen uniting eloquence and beauty—
no land has contained your equal in it.
تَتَباهَىvie in splendor بِهِthrough it القَرَاطِيسُthe papers حُسْناًin beauty
تَتَباهَى بِهِ القَرَاطِيسُ حُسْناً
مِثْلَlike وَشْيٍbrocade تَرُوقُdelight مِنْهُin it الرُّقُومُthe patterns
مِثْلَ وَشْيٍ تَرُوقُ مِنْهُ الرُّقُومُ
Papers vie in beauty through it,
like brocade whose patterns delight.
وكَلامٌand speech كَأَنَّهُas though it were زَهَرُthe flowers of الرَّوْthe garden (beginning)
وكَلامٌ كَأَنَّهُ زَهَرُ الرَّوْ
ضِthe garden (completion) بَدَتْappeared لِلنُّجُومِto the stars مِنْهُfrom it نُجُومُstars
ضِ بَدَتْ لِلنُّجُومِ مِنْهُ نُجُومُ
And speech like the flowers of a garden,
from which stars appeared before the stars.
قَدْindeed أَحَاطَتْhave encircled بِهِit عُيُونُthe choicest المَعَانِيmeanings
قَدْ أَحَاطَتْ بِهِ عُيُونُ المَعَانِي
وأضَاءَتْand have shone فيon جَانِبَيْهِits two sides الظُّلُومُthe darknesses
وأضَاءَتْ في جَانِبَيْهِ الظُّلُومُ
The choicest meanings have encircled it,
and darkness has shone on both its sides.
لَكُمُfor you إِنْif تَسْقِهِyou water it with الْجُودَgenerosity جَوْدٌabundant rain
لَكُمُ إِنْ تَسْقِهِ الْجُودَ جَوْدٌ
وَاقِعٌfalling دُرَاهُits outpourings (uncertain) وَخِصْبٌand fertility مُلِيمُabundant (uncertain)
وَاقِعٌ دُرَاهُ وَخِصْبٌ مُلِيمُ
For you, if you water it with generosity, there is a downpour,
its outpourings falling, and abundant fertility.
وَسَحابٌand clouds مِنَof النَوالِbounty وِسَاعٌvast
وَسَحابٌ مِنَ النَوالِ وِسَاعٌ
ضَاقَfalls short عَنْهُof it سَحابُهُits clouds المَرْكُومُpiled up
ضَاقَ عَنْهُ سَحابُهُ المَرْكُومُ
And vast clouds of bounty,
beside which its piled-up clouds fall short.
مَدْحُكُمْpraising you وَاجِبٌobligatory عَلَيَّupon me كَفَرْضٍlike a prescribed duty
مَدْحُكُمْ وَاجِبٌ عَلَيَّ كَفَرْضٍ
لَيْسَnot فِيهِin it لَغْوٌidle speech وَلاَnor تَأْثِيمُsin
لَيْسَ فِيهِ لَغْوٌ وَلاَ تَأْثِيمُ
Praising you is obligatory for me, like a prescribed duty,
with neither idle words nor sin in it.
لَيْسَnot لِيfor me فيin تأَخُّرِيmy absence عَنْكُمُfrom you ذَنْfault (beginning)
لَيْسَ لِي في تأَخُّرِي عَنْكُمُ ذَنْ
بٌfault (completion) وإنِّيand I مِنْbecause of أَجْلِهِit مَهْمُومُtroubled
بٌ وإنِّي مِنْ أَجْلِهِ مَهْمُومُ
I bear no fault for my absence from you,
yet I am troubled because of it.
كُلَّمَاwhenever جئْتُI came حَالَintervened دُونِيbefore me حِجَابٌa barrier
كُلَّمَا جئْتُ حَالَ دُونِي حِجَابٌ
وَتَعالَتْand mounted لَهُbecause of it عَلَيَّover me الْهُمُومُworries
وَتَعالَتْ لَهُ عَلَيَّ الْهُمُومُ
Whenever I came, a barrier stood in my way,
and worries mounted over me because of it.
كُسِرَتْwere bent دُونِيَbefore me الْحَوَاجِبُthe brows غَمْزاًin winking mockery
كُسِرَتْ دُونِيَ الْحَوَاجِبُ غَمْزاً
وَبَدَاand appeared للْعُيُونِto the eyes لَمْحٌa glance ذَمِيمُhateful
وَبَدَا للْعُيُونِ لَمْحٌ ذَمِيمُ
Brows were bent before me in winking mockery,
and a hateful glance appeared to the eyes.
لَمَعتْflashed لِيat me بِخُلَّبِwith deceptive الْوَمْضِlightning مِنْهاfrom them
لَمَعتْ لِي بِخُلَّبِ الْوَمْضِ مِنْها
بِنَوَاحِيَّaround me بِهِwith it لِحَاظٌglances سَقِيمُsickly
بِنَوَاحِيَّ بِهِ لِحَاظٌ سَقِيمُ
Their deceptive lightning flashed at me,
sickly glances all about me with that flash.
فَكَأَنِّيso I seem لَدَيْهِمُbefore them شَخْصُthe figure of بَوٍّa stuffed calf
فَكَأَنِّي لَدَيْهِمُ شَخْصُ بَوٍّ
لَمْnot تُعَطَّفْinclined tenderly عَلَيْهِtoward it ظِئْرٌa foster mother رَؤومُloving
لَمْ تُعَطَّفْ عَلَيْهِ ظِئْرٌ رَؤومُ
It is as though I were before them a stuffed calf's figure,
toward which no loving foster mother inclined.
طَبْعُهُمtheir nature ظَاهِرُmanifest in القَساوَةِcruelty فَظٌّharsh
طَبْعُهُم ظَاهِرُ القَساوَةِ فَظٌّ
لَيْسَnot فِيهِمْamong them مَعَamid الْبَلاءِaffliction رَحِيمُa compassionate one
لَيْسَ فِيهِمْ مَعَ الْبَلاءِ رَحِيمُ
Their nature is harsh, its cruelty manifest;
amid affliction, not one of them is compassionate.
لَيْسَnot لِيfor me فِيfor الْوُصُولِgaining access وَقْتُa time of اخْتِصَاصٍspecial audience
لَيْسَ لِي فِي الْوُصُولِ وَقْتُ اخْتِصَاصٍ
وكَذَاand likewise فِيin الْعُمُومِgeneral audience مَاnot لِيfor me عُمُومُgeneral access
وكَذَا فِي الْعُمُومِ مَا لِي عُمُومُ
I have no appointed time for a private audience,
nor, at general audiences, any general access.
فَأُسِيمُso I graze الْكُرُوبَsorrows فِيin مَسْرَحِthe pasture of الْقَلْthe heart (beginning)
فَأُسِيمُ الْكُرُوبَ فِي مَسْرَحِ الْقَلْ
بِthe heart (completion) وَمَرْعَىand the pasture of الْحِجَابِexclusion مَرْعَىًa pasture وَخِيمُunwholesome
بِ وَمَرْعَى الْحِجَابِ مَرْعَىً وَخِيمُ
So I pasture sorrows in the grazing-ground of the heart;
the pasture of exclusion is a deadly pasture.
مَاnot لَهَاfor them مَشْرَبٌa drinking-place عَلَيْهِthere مَعَdespite الظِّمْthirst (beginning)
مَا لَهَا مَشْرَبٌ عَلَيْهِ مَعَ الظِّمْ
ءِthirst (completion) وَوِرْدِand the watering of الإِخْمَاسِevery fifth day إلاexcept الْحَمِيمُscalding water
ءِ وَوِرْدِ الإِخْمَاسِ إلا الْحَمِيمُ
There they have no drink, despite thirst
and fifth-day watering, save scalding water.
وَالَّذِيand what يُوجِبُwarrants الْمَدِيحَpraise لِشَرْحِيin my account
وَالَّذِي يُوجِبُ الْمَدِيحَ لِشَرْحِي
جَمُّهُits abundance الْفَاءُshade (text uncertain) وَالنَّبَاتُand vegetation الْجَمِيمُluxuriant
جَمُّهُ الْفَاءُ وَالنَّبَاتُ الْجَمِيمُ
What warrants praise, in my account,
is its abundant shade and luxuriant vegetation.
لاَdo not تَكُرُّواheap عَلَيَّupon me فِيهِمْconcerning them مَلاَماًreproach
لاَ تَكُرُّوا عَلَيَّ فِيهِمْ مَلاَماً
فَعَذَابُfor the torment of الْحِجَابِexclusion عِنْدِيto me أَلِيمُpainful
فَعَذَابُ الْحِجَابِ عِنْدِي أَلِيمُ
Do not heap reproach on me concerning them;
the torment of exclusion is painful to me.
وكَذَاand likewise جَاءَcame فيin التِّلاوَةِthe recitation نَصَّاًexplicitly
وكَذَا جَاءَ في التِّلاوَةِ نَصَّاً
لَيْسَnot بَعْدَbeyond الْحِجَابِthe barrier إلاexcept الجَحِيمُHell
لَيْسَ بَعْدَ الْحِجَابِ إلا الجَحِيمُ
So too it came explicitly in the recitation:
Beyond the barrier there is nothing but Hell.
كُلُّهُمْall of them فِيat أَوَانِthe time of إِذْنٍpermission عَدُوٌّan enemy
كُلُّهُمْ فِي أَوَانِ إِذْنٍ عَدُوٌّ
وَصَدِيقٌand a friend فِيat غَيْرِother than إِذْنٍpermission حَمِيمُclose
وَصَدِيقٌ فِي غَيْرِ إِذْنٍ حَمِيمُ
All are enemies when it is time for permission,
and close friends when permission is not at issue.
وَنِيَامٌand sleepers عَنْهُمْheedless of them كَنَوْمةِlike the sleep of أَهْلِthe People of الthe
وَنِيَامٌ عَنْهُمْ كَنَوْمةِ أَهْلِ ال
كَهْفِCave لَوْلاَbut for وَصِيدُهُمْtheir threshold وَالرَّقِيمُand al-Raqim
كَهْفِ لَوْلاَ وَصِيدُهُمْ وَالرَّقِيمُ
And sleepers, heedless of them, like the sleep of the People of the
Cave, but for their threshold and al-Raqim.
لَمْnot يَلِدْهُمْbegot them جِوَارُthe neighborhood of سَعْدٍSa'd كَمَاas قَاsaid (beginning)
لَمْ يَلِدْهُمْ جِوَارُ سَعْدٍ كَمَا قَا
لَsaid (completion) جَرِيرٌJarir وكُلُّهْمُand all of them مَرْكُومُheaped together
لَ جَرِيرٌ وكُلُّهْمُ مَرْكُومُ
Sa'd's neighborhood did not beget them, as
Jarir said; they are all heaped together.
مَاnot أُعَلِّيI heap عَلَيْهِمُupon them اللَّوْمَblame لكِنْbut
مَا أُعَلِّي عَلَيْهِمُ اللَّوْمَ لكِنْ
مُلْزِمِيthe one imposing on me فِيهِمُconcerning them المَلاَمَreproach ذَمِيمُcontemptible
مُلْزِمِي فِيهِمُ المَلاَمَ ذَمِيمُ
I do not heap blame upon them, but
whoever forces reproach upon me over them is contemptible.
وَعَطَايَاكَand your gifts إِنَّهَاindeed they فَيْضُthe overflow of بَحْرٍa sea
وَعَطَايَاكَ إِنَّهَا فَيْضُ بَحْرٍ
إنَّindeed شَيْطَانَthe devil of مَنْعِهِمْtheir withholding لَرَجِيمُsurely accursed
إنَّ شَيْطَانَ مَنْعِهِمْ لَرَجِيمُ
Your gifts are the overflow of a sea;
the devil of their withholding is surely accursed.
أَمِنَis it of الحَقِّright أَنْthat يَجِفَّshould dry ثَرَىthe soil of رَبْmy dwelling (beginning)
أَمِنَ الحَقِّ أَنْ يَجِفَّ ثَرَى رَبْ
عِيَmy dwelling (completion) مِنْكُمfrom you وغَيْثُهُمْwhile their rain مَسْجُومُpours
عِيَ مِنْكُم وغَيْثُهُمْ مَسْجُومُ
Is it right that the soil of my dwelling should dry
through you, while their rain pours down?
لِيَmine مِنْof غَيْثِهِhis rain رَذَاذٌfine drizzle وَطَلٌّand dew
لِيَ مِنْ غَيْثِهِ رَذَاذٌ وَطَلٌّ
وَلِغَيْرِيand for others الأَجَشُّthe roaring مِنْهُfrom it الْهَزِيمُthunderous
وَلِغَيْرِي الأَجَشُّ مِنْهُ الْهَزِيمُ
From his rain I have fine drizzle and dew,
while others have its roaring, thunderous downpour.
نَامَslept حَظِّيmy fortune فَأَيْقِظُوهُso awaken it بِجُودٍwith generosity
نَامَ حَظِّي فَأَيْقِظُوهُ بِجُودٍ
إِنَّهُindeed it بَعْدَafter بَدْئِكُمْyour beginning تَتْمِيمُcompletion
إِنَّهُ بَعْدَ بَدْئِكُمْ تَتْمِيمُ
My fortune has slept; awaken it with generosity—
this is completion after your beginning.
قَدْindeed تَشَكَّيْتُI have complained of مَاwhat أُلاَقِيI encounter إِلَيْكُمْto you
قَدْ تَشَكَّيْتُ مَا أُلاَقِي إِلَيْكُمْ
مِثْلَlike مَاas يَشْتَكِيcomplains to الْوَصِيَّthe guardian يَتِيمُan orphan
مِثْلَ مَا يَشْتَكِي الْوَصِيَّ يَتِيمُ
I have complained to you of what I endure,
as an orphan complains to his guardian.
كُلُّeveryone مَنْwhom أَخْطَأَتْهُhas missed رَحْمَةُthe mercy of عَطْفٍtenderness
كُلُّ مَنْ أَخْطَأَتْهُ رَحْمَةُ عَطْفٍ
مِنْfrom نَدَاكُمْyour bounty وَأُنْسِكُمْand your companionship مَزْحُومُcrowded out
مِنْ نَدَاكُمْ وَأُنْسِكُمْ مَزْحُومُ
Whoever is missed by tender mercy
from your bounty and fellowship is crowded out.
فِيin زَمَانٍan age طَرَّزْتُمُوهُyou embroidered it بِجُودٍwith generosity
فِي زَمَانٍ طَرَّزْتُمُوهُ بِجُودٍ
وَهوَand it لَوْلاَكُمُbut for you زَمَانٌan age لَئِيمُbase
وَهوَ لَوْلاَكُمُ زَمَانٌ لَئِيمُ
In an age you have embroidered with generosity,
which, but for you, would be a base age.
لِيI have بِكُمْwith you حُرْمَةٌa protected claim ثَلاثِينَthirty عَاماًyears
لِي بِكُمْ حُرْمَةٌ ثَلاثِينَ عَاماً
غَيْرَexcept أَنِّيthat I مُبَاعَدٌkept distant مَرْجُومُpelted with stones
غَيْرَ أَنِّي مُبَاعَدٌ مَرْجُومُ
For thirty years I have had a claim to your regard,
yet I am kept distant and pelted with stones.
لَيْسَnot لِيfor me مِنْكُمُfrom you اخْتِصَاصٌspecial favor بِأُنْسٍin companionship
لَيْسَ لِي مِنْكُمُ اخْتِصَاصٌ بِأُنْسٍ
بَلْrather أُرَىI am seen ظَاعِناًdeparting وَغَيْرِيwhile another مُقِيمُstays
بَلْ أُرَى ظَاعِناً وَغَيْرِي مُقِيمُ
I have no special share in your companionship;
rather, I am seen departing while another stays.
مَاnot عَلَىon الأَرْضِearth مَادِحٌa praiser لَكُمُof you قَبْbefore me (beginning)
مَا عَلَى الأَرْضِ مَادِحٌ لَكُمُ قَبْ
لِيbefore me (completion) وَحَقِّيand my right ماemphasis بَيْنَكُمْamong you مَهْضُومُdiminished
لِي وَحَقِّي ما بَيْنَكُمْ مَهْضُومُ
No praiser of yours on earth came before
me, yet my due among you is diminished.
حينَwhen سَيْفُthe sword of الْمَدِيحpraise مُدَّرَعُclad in الْغِمْthe scabbard (beginning)
حينَ سَيْفُ الْمَدِيح مُدَّرَعُ الْغِمْ
دِthe scabbard (completion) لَدَيْكُمwith you مَاnot سَلَّهُdrew it التّthe resolve (beginning) صْمِيمُresolve (completion)
دِ لَدَيْكُم مَا سَلَّهُ التّ صْمِيمُ
When the sword of praise was clad in its scabbard
with you, and firm resolve had not drawn it,
لِيَmine مِنْهُfrom it وَخْدُthe swift pace of الْمَسِيرِtravel وَنَصٌّand hard driving
لِيَ مِنْهُ وَخْدُ الْمَسِيرِ وَنَصٌّ
وَلِغَيرِيand for another خِنَافُهُits swaying gait وَالرَّسِيمُand the trot
وَلِغَيرِي خِنَافُهُ وَالرَّسِيمُ
mine from it are the swift pace of travel and hard driving,
while another has its swaying gait and trot.
وَعُيُونُand the eyes of الآمالِhopes تُطْرَفُare struck aside عَنْكُمْfrom you
وَعُيُونُ الآمالِ تُطْرَفُ عَنْكُمْ
مَاnot لَهاfor them نَحْوَكُمْtoward you لِحَاظٌglances تَدُومُlast
مَا لَها نَحْوَكُمْ لِحَاظٌ تَدُومُ
The eyes of hope are struck away from you;
they have no glances toward you that endure.
مِدَحِيmy praises سُبَّقٌfrontrunners وإِذْنيand my admission سُكَيْتٌa last-place runner
مِدَحِي سُبَّقٌ وإِذْني سُكَيْتٌ
مَاnot قَضَىjudged مِثْلَlike ذَاthis الْقَضَاءِjudgment سَدُومُSadum
مَا قَضَى مِثْلَ ذَا الْقَضَاءِ سَدُومُ
My praises are frontrunners, my admission a last-place runner;
not even Sadum gave such a judgment.
مِدَحٌpraises مُلِّكَتْgiven mastery over رِقَابَthe necks of الْمَعَانِيmeanings
مِدَحٌ مُلِّكَتْ رِقَابَ الْمَعَانِي
عُطِّلَتْwere stripped مِنْof حُلِيِّهِنَّtheir ornaments الرُّسُومُthe ruins
عُطِّلَتْ مِنْ حُلِيِّهِنَّ الرُّسُومُ
Praises given mastery over the necks of meanings—
the ruins have been stripped of their jewels.
شَغَلَتْهاdistracted them عُلاَكُمُyour eminence مِنْfrom مَغانٍdwellings
شَغَلَتْها عُلاَكُمُ مِنْ مَغانٍ
سَئِمَتْgrew weary of مَرَّهاits passage عَلَيْهاover them السَّمُومُthe scorching wind
سَئِمَتْ مَرَّها عَلَيْها السَّمُومُ
Your eminence has distracted them from dwellings
over which the scorching wind has tired of passing.
فَهوَso it زَيْنٌadornment لِمُرْتَجِيكُمْfor those hoping in you وَعِزٌّand honor
فَهوَ زَيْنٌ لِمُرْتَجِيكُمْ وَعِزٌّ
وَنُجُومٌand stars عَلَىagainst عِدَاكُمْyour foes رُجُومُmissiles
وَنُجُومٌ عَلَى عِدَاكُمْ رُجُومُ
This is adornment and honor for those who hope in you,
and stars to stone your foes,
وَلآلٍand pearls لَكُمْfor you يُضِيءُshines سَنَاهاtheir brilliance
وَلآلٍ لَكُمْ يُضِيءُ سَنَاها
وَنُحُوسٌand ill omens لشانئيكُمْfor those hating you حُسُومannihilating
وَنُحُوسٌ لشانئيكُمْ حُسُوم
and pearls for you whose brilliance shines,
and annihilating ill omens for those who hate you.
حَرَّمَhas forbidden اللهُGod أَنْthat يَكُونَshould be جَنابِيmy precinct
حَرَّمَ اللهُ أَنْ يَكُونَ جَنابِي
مُجْدِباًbarren مِنْof نَدَاكُمُyour bounty وَالْحَرِيمُand the sanctuary
مُجْدِباً مِنْ نَدَاكُمُ وَالْحَرِيمُ
May God forbid that my precinct
and sanctuary should be barren of your bounty.
ضَامَنِيwronged me الدَّهْرُTime باجْتنَابِكُمُby your shunning قُرْmy nearness (beginning)
ضَامَنِي الدَّهْرُ باجْتنَابِكُمُ قُرْ
بِيmy nearness (completion) وَمَنْand whoever ضَامَهُit wronged الزَّمَانُTime مُضِيمُoppressed
بِي وَمَنْ ضَامَهُ الزَّمَانُ مُضِيمُ
Time has wronged me by your shunning my
nearness; whoever Time wrongs is oppressed.
أَنْصِفُونِيtreat me fairly فِيin نَظْمِthe composition of مَاwhat قُلْتُI said فِيكُمْabout you
أَنْصِفُونِي فِي نَظْمِ مَا قُلْتُ فِيكُمْ
هَلْdoes يُدَانِيهِcome near it لُؤْلُؤٌpearls مَنْظُومُstrung
هَلْ يُدَانِيهِ لُؤْلُؤٌ مَنْظُومُ
Judge me fairly in the verse I have spoken of you:
do strung pearls come close to it?
هُوَit لَفْظٌwording تَحَكَّمَruled الطَّبعُinnate talent فِيهِin it
هُوَ لَفْظٌ تَحَكَّمَ الطَّبعُ فِيهِ
مِثْلُهُits like لاmay not عَدِمْتُكُمْI lose you مَعْدُومُnonexistent
مِثْلُهُ لا عَدِمْتُكُمْ مَعْدُومُ
It is wording governed by innate talent;
its like—may I never lose you—is nowhere found.
وَتَخَطَّىand may bypass عِرَاصَكُمْyour courtyards بُؤْسُthe hardship of دهْرٍTime
وَتَخَطَّى عِرَاصَكُمْ بُؤْسُ دهْرٍ
وَثَوَتْهَاand may dwell in them مَسَرَّةٌjoy وَنَعِيمُand bliss
وَثَوَتْهَا مَسَرَّةٌ وَنَعِيمُ
May the misery of Time bypass your courtyards,
and joy and bliss abide in them.
كُلُّكُمْall of you فِيin مُعَجَّلِthe present of الدَّهْرِTime والآand the future (beginning)
كُلُّكُمْ فِي مُعَجَّلِ الدَّهْرِ والآ
جِلِthe future (completion) جَمُّabundant in الْعُلَىeminence مُعَافىًhealthy سَلِيمُunharmed
جِلِ جَمُّ الْعُلَى مُعَافىً سَلِيمُ
May all of you, in Time's present and
future, abound in eminence, healthy and unharmed.
Partial English translation: 72 of 166 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1