كَأَنَّas though سَمْعَانَSam'an لمْdid not يَلْحَقْjoin بِمَنْwith those who سَلَفَاwent before
كَأَنَّ سَمْعَانَ لمْ يَلْحَقْ بِمَنْ سَلَفَا
ياO سَعْدَhappiness of مَنْone who فِيamong بَنِيهِhis sons أُوتِيَwas granted الخَلَفَاa successor
يا سَعْدَ مَنْ فِي بَنِيهِ أُوتِيَ الخَلَفَا
As though Sam'an had not joined those who went before.
As if Simeon did not follow those who passed before
Happy is one granted a successor among his sons!
O Saad, blessed is he whose sons were granted succession
مَاnot زَالَceased فِيin مَسْمَعِthe hearing of الدُّنْيَاthe world وَمَنْظَرِهاand its sight
مَا زَالَ فِي مَسْمَعِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَنْظَرِها
خَلْقاًin bodily form وَخُلْقاًand in character كمَاas فِيin عَهْدِهِhis lifetime أُلِفاhe was known
خَلْقاً وَخُلْقاً كمَا فِي عَهْدِهِ أُلِفا
He remains within the world's hearing and sight,
He remained in the hearing and sight of the world
in form and character, as he was known in his lifetime.
In manners and character as was known of old
يعِيدُهُrestores him شَخْصُهُhis person الثَّانِيsecond فَتَشْهَدُهُso you behold him
يعِيدُهُ شَخْصُهُ الثَّانِي فَتَشْهَدُهُ
وَمَاand not تَكَادُnearly تَرَاهُsees him العَيْنُthe eye مُخْتَلِفاdifferent
وَمَا تَكَادُ تَرَاهُ العَيْنُ مُخْتَلِفا
His second self restores him, so you behold him,
His second self restores him, so you witness him
and the eye can scarcely see him as different.
And your eyes scarcely see him altered
مَنْwho مِثْلُis like يُوسُفَYusuf إِكْرَاماًin honoring لِمُنجِبِهِtoward his father
مَنْ مِثْلُ يُوسُفَ إِكْرَاماً لِمُنجِبِهِ
وَالعَصْرُand the age قَدْindeed عَزَّhas grown rare فِيهِin it مَنْone who رَعَىshowed care وَوَفَىand kept faith
وَالعَصْرُ قَدْ عَزَّ فِيهِ مَنْ رَعَى وَوَفَى
Who matches Yusuf in honoring his father,
Who is like Joseph in honoring his father?
in an age when those who show care and keep faith are rare?
And the age has become difficult for the dutiful and loyal
شَأَىoutstripped الرِّجَالَthe men إِلَىtoward العَلياءِthe heights مُسْتبِقاًracing ahead
شَأَى الرِّجَالَ إِلَى العَلياءِ مُسْتبِقاً
وَلَمْand did not يَقِفْstand أَحَدٌanyone مِنْهَاamong them كَمَاas وَقفَاhe stood
وَلَمْ يَقِفْ أَحَدٌ مِنْهَا كَمَا وَقفَا
He outstripped men, racing toward the heights,
He aspired to excellence, hastening ahead
and no one stood upon those heights as he stood.
And none stopped as he stopped
مُبادِراًtaking initiative صَادِراًproceeding فِيin الأَمْرِthe matter عنِfrom ثقةٍconfidence
مُبادِراً صَادِراً فِي الأَمْرِ عنِ ثقةٍ
مُصَابِراًpersevering صَابِراًpatient أَوْuntil يَبْلُغُhe reaches الهدَفَاthe goal
مُصَابِراً صَابِراً أَوْ يَبْلُغُ الهدَفَا
Taking the initiative, proceeding in affairs with confidence,
Taking initiative, issuing orders with confidence
persevering and patient until he reaches the goal.
Persevering, patient, or reaching the goal
جَمَّabundant in المَآثِرِnoble deeds خَافِيَهَاtheir hidden ones وظَاهِرِهَاand their visible ones
جَمَّ المَآثِرِ خَافِيَهَا وظَاهِرِهَا
وَالفَضْلُand merit يَقْدُرُهُhe appraises it بِالحَقِّjustly مَنْwhoever عَرَفَاknew
وَالفَضْلُ يَقْدُرُهُ بِالحَقِّ مَنْ عَرَفَا
Rich in noble deeds, both hidden and manifest,
He gathered obvious and hidden glories
and merit is rightly measured by whoever knows it.
And merit is valued by one who recognizes with justice
فَقَدْfor perhaps يَكُونُis أَجَلُّthe greatest البِرِّbenevolence أَبْرَزَهُits most conspicuous
فَقَدْ يَكُونُ أَجَلُّ البِرِّ أَبْرَزَهُ
وَقَدْand perhaps يَكُونُis أَحَبُّthe dearest البِرِّbenevolence مَاwhat لَطُفَاwas subtle
وَقَدْ يَكُونُ أَحَبُّ البِرِّ مَا لَطُفَا
For the greatest benevolence may be its most conspicuous,
For the greatest righteousness may be the most manifest
while the dearest benevolence may be what is subtle.
And the most beloved righteousness may be the most subtle
دَعِleave aside النُّبوغَgenius وَحَدِّثْand speak عَنْabout مَكَارِمِهِhis noble deeds
دَعِ النُّبوغَ وَحَدِّثْ عَنْ مَكَارِمِهِ
وَصِحَّةand soundness الرَّأْيِof judgment فِيin تَصْرِيفِهَاadministering them وَكَفىand that suffices
وَصِحَّة الرَّأْيِ فِي تَصْرِيفِهَا وَكَفى
Set genius aside, and speak of his noble deeds,
Leave genius and speak of his virtues
and his sound judgment in directing them—that suffices.
And the soundness of opinion in its management, and enough
فهْوَfor he المِثَالُthe model لِمَنْfor whoever زَكَّىpurified through alms مَكَاسِبَهُhis earnings
فهْوَ المِثَالُ لِمَنْ زَكَّى مَكَاسِبَهُ
زَكاةَan almsgiving عَدْلٍof justice فَمَاso he did not غَالَىgo to excess وَمَاand he did not جَنِفَاswerve from justice
زَكاةَ عَدْلٍ فَمَا غَالَى وَمَا جَنِفَا
For he is the model of one who purifies his earnings
He is the example for one who makes his gains good
through just almsgiving, neither excessive nor unjust.
With the alms of justice, so he exceeded not, nor leaned
أَلجُودُgenerosity خَيْرٌis good وَكلُّand all الخَيْرِgoodness فِيهِin it إِذَاif
أَلجُودُ خَيْرٌ وَكلُّ الخَيْرِ فِيهِ إِذَا
لَمْdid not يَعْدُexceed مَغْزَاهُits purpose أَوْor لَمْdid not يَنْقَلِبْturn into سَرَفَاextravagance
لَمْ يَعْدُ مَغْزَاهُ أَوْ لَمْ يَنْقَلِبْ سَرَفَا
Generosity is good, and all goodness lies in it, if
Generosity is good, and all good is in it, if
it does not overstep its purpose or turn into extravagance.
It turns not to excess, nor turns to profligacy
وَالحِرْصُand thrift إِنْif يَغْدُbecomes شُحّاًmiserliness بَاءَincurred صَاحِبُهُits possessor
وَالحِرْصُ إِنْ يَغْدُ شُحّاً بَاءَ صَاحِبُهُ
بِالعَارِwith disgrace طَالَwas long بِهِfor him مُكْثٌa stay أَوِor انْصَرَفَاhe departed
بِالعَارِ طَالَ بِهِ مُكْثٌ أَوِ انْصَرَفَا
And thrift, if it becomes miserliness, makes its possessor incur
And greed, if it becomes miserliness, its companion comes
disgrace, whether his stay is long or he departs.
To dishonor, though it last long or depart
مَالُthe wealth of الخَسِيسِthe base man لإبْلِيسٍbelongs to Iblis كَمَاas حَكَمُواthey judged
مَالُ الخَسِيسِ لإبْلِيسٍ كَمَا حَكَمُوا
قِدْماًlong ago وَمَنْand whoever قَالَsaid هَذَاthis لَمْdid not يَقُلْsay سَخَفَاnonsense
قِدْماً وَمَنْ قَالَ هَذَا لَمْ يَقُلْ سَخَفَا
The base man's wealth belongs to Iblis, as people judged
The wealth of the miserly is for Satan, as they ruled
long ago; whoever said this spoke no nonsense.
Of old, and whoever said this spoke not nonsense
وَماand not قُصُورُthe palaces of الأُولَىthose who يُثْرُونَgrow wealthy إِنْif بَخِلُواthey were miserly
وَما قُصُورُ الأُولَى يُثْرُونَ إِنْ بَخِلُوا
إلاَّexcept قُبُورٌgraves رَعَتْfed on دِيدَانُهَاtheir worms الجِيَفَاthe corpses
إلاَّ قُبُورٌ رَعَتْ دِيدَانُهَا الجِيَفَا
The palaces of those who grow wealthy, if they are miserly,
And the palaces of the former enrich them not if they hoard
are nothing but graves whose worms have fed upon corpses.
Except graves whose worms have enjoyed their decay
فِيin الحَرْبِwar مَوْعِظَةٌa lesson كُبْرَىmighty أَمَاhave they not شَهِدُواwitnessed
فِي الحَرْبِ مَوْعِظَةٌ كُبْرَى أَمَا شَهِدُوا
أَيُّwhat الأَعَاصِيرِhurricanes بِالعُمْرَانِthrough civilization قَدْindeed عَصَفَاraged
أَيُّ الأَعَاصِيرِ بِالعُمْرَانِ قَدْ عَصَفَا
In war is a mighty lesson: have they not witnessed
In war is a great lesson - have they not seen
what hurricanes have swept through civilization?
Which storms with civilization were rough?
لِيَشْكُرِmay He reward اللهُGod عَنَّاon our behalf المُحْسِنِينَthe benefactors فَهُمْfor they
لِيَشْكُرِ اللهُ عَنَّا المُحْسِنِينَ فَهُمْ
صَلاحُthe salvation of مُجْتَمَعٍa society قَدْalready نَاهَزَapproached التَّلفَاruin
صَلاحُ مُجْتَمَعٍ قَدْ نَاهَزَ التَّلفَا
May God reward the benefactors on our behalf, for they are
That God thank the beneficent through us - they
the salvation of a society nearing ruin.
Are the rectitude of a society that passed corruption
يَاO أُسْرَةَfamily of الصّيْدنَاوِيِّal-Saydnawi الَّتِيwho سَلكَتْfollowed
يَا أُسْرَةَ الصّيْدنَاوِيِّ الَّتِي سَلكَتْ
قصْدthe straight course of السَّبيلِthe path وَلاَand no دَعْوَىَpretension وَلاَand no صَلفَاarrogance
قصْد السَّبيلِ وَلاَ دَعْوَىَ وَلاَ صَلفَا
O family of al-Saydnawi, who have followed
O family of the Sidanawis that walked
the straight path, with neither pretension nor arrogance,
The straight path, with no pretense or conceit
اللهُGod أَعْطَىgave فأَعْطَيْتُمْso you gave وَزَادَكُمُand increased you
اللهُ أَعْطَى فأَعْطَيْتُمْ وَزَادَكُمُ
فَضْلاًin bounty فَزِدْتُمْso you gave more وَهَذاand this حَسْبُكمis enough for you شَرَفَاin honor
فَضْلاً فَزِدْتُمْ وَهَذا حَسْبُكم شَرَفَا
God gave, and you gave; He increased you
God gave so you gave, and increased you
in bounty, and you gave more: this is honor enough for you.
Virtue, so you increased, and this suffices as nobility
تُتَابِعُونَyou continue بِلاَwithout مَنٍّreminders of favors أَيَادِيَكُمْyour favors
تُتَابِعُونَ بِلاَ مَنٍّ أَيَادِيَكُمْ
لاَnot تَشْغَلونَyou occupy بِهَاwith them الأَقْلاَمَthe pens وَالصُّحُفَاand the newspapers
لاَ تَشْغَلونَ بِهَا الأَقْلاَمَ وَالصُّحُفَا
You continue your favors without reminding others of them;
You follow your hands without debt
you do not occupy pens and newspapers with them.
Not occupying them with pens and pages
فِيin أَوْجُهِthe forms of الخَيرِgoodness شَيَّدْتُمْyou built مَعَاهِدَكُمْyour institutions
فِي أَوْجُهِ الخَيرِ شَيَّدْتُمْ مَعَاهِدَكُمْ
بِمَاwith what عَلَىfor الخَيْرِgoodness مِنْof أَمْوَالِكُمْyour wealth وَقَفَاwas dedicated
بِمَا عَلَى الخَيْرِ مِنْ أَمْوَالِكُمْ وَقَفَا
For charitable causes you built your institutions,
In worthy causes you established your institutions
with what you dedicated to charity from your wealth.
With that of your wealth which you dedicated
وَكَانَand was آخِرَهَاtheir latest لاَmay it not كَانَbe خَاتِمَهَاtheir last
وَكَانَ آخِرَهَا لاَ كَانَ خَاتِمَهَا
تَشْيِيدُكُمْyour building لِذَوِيfor those with الأَسْقَامِillnesses دَارَa house of شِفَاhealing
تَشْيِيدُكُمْ لِذَوِي الأَسْقَامِ دَارَ شِفَا
And the latest of them—may it not be the last—
And its last was not its seal
was your building of a house of healing for the sick.
Your building for the chronically ill a house of healing
تَقومُit stands فِيin الوَسَطِthe center المَأْهُولِpopulated دَانِيَةًnear
تَقومُ فِي الوَسَطِ المَأْهُولِ دَانِيَةً
مِمَّنto those who قَضَىdecreed الرِّزْقُlivelihood أَلاَّthat not يَسْكُنَhe dwell الطَّرَفَاthe outskirts
مِمَّن قَضَى الرِّزْقُ أَلاَّ يَسْكُنَ الطَّرَفَا
It stands in the populated center, close
It stands in the populated center, humbly
to those whose livelihood keeps them from dwelling on the outskirts.
Of those whose sustenance has been apportioned not to gaze about
أبْنَاءُsons of سَمْعَانَSam'an بِرّاًin filial devotion بِاسْمِin the name of وَالِدِهِمْtheir father
أبْنَاءُ سَمْعَانَ بِرّاً بِاسْمِ وَالِدِهِمْ
زَكُّواpurified through alms تَلِيداًinherited wealth وَهُمْand they أَهْلٌare worthy لِمَاof what طَرُفَاwas newly gained
زَكُّوا تَلِيداً وَهُمْ أَهْلٌ لِمَا طَرُفَا
Sam'an's sons, in filial devotion in their father's name,
Simeon's children, righteous in their father's name
purified inherited wealth, and are worthy of new gains.
Were pure stock, and they are worthy of what they aspired to
نُقَدِّمُwe put first البِكْرَthe firstborn فِيهِمْamong them حِينَwhen نَذْكُرُهُمْwe mention them
نُقَدِّمُ البِكْرَ فِيهِمْ حِينَ نَذْكُرُهُمْ
كَمَاas يُقَدِّمُputs first تَالِيthe reciter of الأَحْرُفِthe letters الأَلِفَاalif
كَمَا يُقَدِّمُ تَالِي الأَحْرُفِ الأَلِفَا
We put the firstborn first among them when we mention them,
We present the eldest among them when we mention them
as one reciting the letters puts alif first.
As the first letter precedes the others in the alphabet
شبَابُهُمْtheir young men لِلحِمَىfor the homeland ذُخْرٌa treasure يَتِيهُit takes pride بِهِin it
شبَابُهُمْ لِلحِمَى ذُخْرٌ يَتِيهُ بِهِ
وَالمُحْصَنَاتُand the chaste women نُجُومٌstars تَقْشَعُdispel السَّدَفَاthe darkness
وَالمُحْصَنَاتُ نُجُومٌ تَقْشَعُ السَّدَفَا
Their young men are a treasure in which the homeland takes pride,
Their youths are a treasure for protection, whereby
and their chaste women are stars that dispel the darkness.
The virtuous ladies are stars unveiling the canopy
هُمْthey وابْنُand a son عمِّof a paternal uncle بِهِthrough him عَزُّواthey gained honor وَعَزَّand he gained honor بِهِمْthrough them
هُمْ وابْنُ عمِّ بِهِ عَزُّوا وَعَزَّ بِهِمْ
كَمُحْكمِlike a firmly strung العِقْدِnecklace مِنْof دُرٍّpearls زهاshone وَصَفَاand was pure
كَمُحْكمِ العِقْدِ مِنْ دُرٍّ زها وَصَفَا
They and their cousin—honored through him, as he through them—
They and their cousin with him were eminent, and were eminent through him
are like a firmly strung necklace of pearls, radiant and pure.
Like the fastening of a necklace of brilliant pearls
فَقَدْfor indeed رَأَوْاthey saw رَأْيthe sight of عَيْنٍan eye كَيْفَhow بُورِكblessing was bestowed فِيupon
فَقَدْ رَأَوْا رَأْي عَيْنٍ كَيْفَ بُورِك فِي
جَنَىthe fruits of سَلِيمٍSalim وَسَمْعانٍand Sam'an مُذِsince ائْتَلَفَاthe two joined together
جَنَى سَلِيمٍ وَسَمْعانٍ مُذِ ائْتَلَفَا
For they saw with their own eyes how blessing came upon
They saw with insight how blessed was
the fruits of Salim and Sam'an since the two joined together.
The harvest of Salim and Simeon since they collaborated
هَنَّأتُI congratulated إِليَاسَIlyas إذْwhen وَافَتْهُcame to him رُتْبَتُهُhis rank
هَنَّأتُ إِليَاسَ إذْ وَافَتْهُ رُتْبَتُهُ
وَلسْتُand I am not أَدْرِيaware أَقَوْلِيَdid my words بِالمُرادِto the intended purpose وَفَىfulfill
وَلسْتُ أَدْرِي أَقَوْلِيَ بِالمُرادِ وَفَى
I congratulated Ilyas when his rank came to him,
I congratulate Eliyas as his rank came to him
and I do not know whether my words fulfilled my intent.
And I know not if my words suffice for the purpose
وَجُورجُand George هَنَّأتُهُI congratulated him قَبْلاًearlier فَصُغْتُso I composed لَهُfor him
وَجُورجُ هَنَّأتُهُ قَبْلاً فَصُغْتُ لَهُ
وَصْفاًa description عَلَىaccording to قَدْرِthe extent of مَاwhat أُوتِيتُI was granted أَنْto أَصِفَاdescribe
وَصْفاً عَلَى قَدْرِ مَا أُوتِيتُ أَنْ أَصِفَا
And George I congratulated earlier, composing for him
And George I congratulated him before, so I listened to him
a description to the extent I was granted the power to describe.
Describing to the extent of what I was given to describe
فارُوقُFaruq يَقْدُرُappraises أَخْطارَthe worth of الرِّجَالِmen بِمَاaccording to what
فارُوقُ يَقْدُرُ أَخْطارَ الرِّجَالِ بِمَا
تَسْوَىit is worth وَيَعْدِلُand sets right دُنْياهُمْtheir world إِذَاwhen عَطَفَاhe showed favor
تَسْوَى وَيَعْدِلُ دُنْياهُمْ إِذَا عَطَفَا
Faruq appraises men's worth according to what
Farouk assesses the dangers of men with what
it deserves, and sets their world right when he shows favor.
Equals and makes equitable their world if he is gentle
نعْماهُhis bounty فِيtoward أَهْلِthe members of هَذاthis البَيْتِhousehold كَمْhow many شَمَلَتْit embraced
نعْماهُ فِي أَهْلِ هَذا البَيْتِ كَمْ شَمَلَتْ
فِيin الشَّرْقِthe East بَيْتاًa household عَلَيْهِover it ظِلُّهُhis shade وَرَفَاgrew luxuriant
فِي الشَّرْقِ بَيْتاً عَلَيْهِ ظِلُّهُ وَرَفَا
His bounty toward the members of this house has embraced so many
His blessings in the people of this house - how comprehensive
households in the East, over which his shade has spread luxuriantly.
Were in the East over a house whose shade covered them
مَاhow أَحْسَنَbeautiful الشِّعرَpoetry وَالوِجْدانُand feeling مَصْدَرُهُits source
مَا أَحْسَنَ الشِّعرَ وَالوِجْدانُ مَصْدَرُهُ
كَأَنَّas though هَاتِفَهُits unseen caller مِنْfrom نَفْسِهِits own soul هَتفَاcalled out
كَأَنَّ هَاتِفَهُ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ هَتفَا
How lovely is poetry when feeling is its source,
How excellent is poetry whose source is passion
as though its unseen voice called from its own soul.
As if its inspirer from his soul cried out
إِذَاwhen دَعَاcalled الصِّدْقُtruth لَبَّىit answered طَيِّعاًwillingly وَإِذَاand when
إِذَا دَعَا الصِّدْقُ لَبَّى طَيِّعاً وَإِذَا
دَعَتُcalled مُصَانعَةٌflattery يوْماًone day عتَىit rebelled وجفَاand turned away
دَعَتُ مُصَانعَةٌ يوْماً عتَى وجفَا
When truth calls, it answers willingly; but when
If sincerity calls he answers obedient, and if
flattery calls one day, it rebels and turns away.
Hypocrisy calls one day, he rebels and turns away
أَخُصُّI single out بِالشِّعرِwith poetry أَحْبَابِيmy loved ones وَأُكْرِمُهُand I honor it
أَخُصُّ بِالشِّعرِ أَحْبَابِي وَأُكْرِمُهُ
عَنْabove أَنْthat يَكُونَit be مُدَاجَاةًdissembling وَمُزْدَلَفَاand a means of seeking favor
عَنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ مُدَاجَاةً وَمُزْدَلَفَا
I reserve poetry for my loved ones and hold it too noble
I distinguish my friends with poetry and honor it
to be dissembling or a means of currying favor.
Lest it be flattery and fawning
أُثْنِيI praise عَلَيْهِمْthem بِمَاfor what فِيهِمْis in them وَلسْتُand I am not أَرَىseeing
أُثْنِي عَلَيْهِمْ بِمَا فِيهِمْ وَلسْتُ أَرَى
فِيماin what أُخلِّدَI immortalize مِنْof آثارِهِمْtheir deeds كُلَفَاburdens
فِيما أُخلِّدَ مِنْ آثارِهِمْ كُلَفَا
I praise them for what is in them, and I find
I praise them for what is in them, and I do not see
no strain in immortalizing their deeds.
Affectation in what I immortalize of their deeds
يِاO يُوسُفَYusuf الحُسْنِof beauty وَالإِحْسَانِand beneficence دُمْremain مَثلاًan example
يِا يُوسُفَ الحُسْنِ وَالإِحْسَانِ دُمْ مَثلاً
بِالاسْتِقَامَةِin uprightness لِلجِيلِfor the generation الَّذِيthat انْحَرَفَاstrayed
بِالاسْتِقَامَةِ لِلجِيلِ الَّذِي انْحَرَفَا
O Yusuf of beauty and beneficence, remain an example
O Joseph of beauty and benevolence, remain an example
of uprightness to the generation that has strayed,
Of rectitude for the generation that was corrupt
وَبِالخِصَالِand in the qualities الَّلَواتِيwhich لاَnot يُعَانُone is helped عَلَىtoward
وَبِالخِصَالِ الَّلَواتِي لاَ يُعَانُ عَلَى
مَطَالِبِthe pursuits of المَجْدِglory إِلاَّexcept مَنْone who بِهَاby them اتَّصَفَاwas characterized
مَطَالِبِ المَجْدِ إِلاَّ مَنْ بِهَا اتَّصَفَا
and of those qualities—for none is helped toward
And with traits which one cannot attain
the goals of glory save one who possesses them—
The aspirations of glory except he who had them
وَبِالمُضِيِّand in advancing مَعَwith الفِكْرِthought الطَّلِيقِunfettered إِذَاwhen
وَبِالمُضِيِّ مَعَ الفِكْرِ الطَّلِيقِ إِذَا
مَاindeed عَاقَتِhindered الفِكْرَthought أَصْفَادٌshackles بِهَاin them رَسفَاit shuffled in fetters
مَا عَاقَتِ الفِكْرَ أَصْفَادٌ بِهَا رَسفَا
and of advancing with unfettered thought when
And going forth with free thought when
shackles impede thought and it shuffles along in them.
Thought is bound by shackles it smashed
أَبىrefused بَنُونَاour sons الكِفَاحَendeavor الحُرَّfree وَالتَمَسُواand sought
أَبى بَنُونَا الكِفَاحَ الحُرَّ وَالتَمَسُوا
رِقَّbondage الوَظَائِفِof salaried posts رَقَّwas easy العَيْشُlife أَوْor شَظَفَاgrew harsh
رِقَّ الوَظَائِفِ رَقَّ العَيْشُ أَوْ شَظَفَا
Our sons refused free endeavor and sought
Our youth refused the struggle for freedom and sought
the bondage of salaried posts, whether life was easy or harsh.
The ease of positions - ease of life or miserable livelihood
وَفِيand in الزِّرَاعَةِagriculture لَوْif جَدُّواthey worked hard وَلَوْand if صَبَرُواthey persevered
وَفِي الزِّرَاعَةِ لَوْ جَدُّوا وَلَوْ صَبَرُوا
سَهْدٌsleeplessness لِمَنْfor whoever شارَgathered honey أَوْor وَرْدٌroses لِمَنْfor whoever قطفَاplucked
سَهْدٌ لِمَنْ شارَ أَوْ وَرْدٌ لِمَنْ قطفَا
Yet in agriculture, if they worked hard and persevered,
And in farming, had they but tilled and had patience
there is sleeplessness [perhaps 'honey' is intended] for the honey-gatherer, or roses for whoever plucks.
There would be fruits for whoever labored, or roses for whoever plucked
هِيَit المَعَاشُlivelihood بِمَعْنَاهُin its meaning الصَّحِيحِtrue لِمَنْfor one who
هِيَ المَعَاشُ بِمَعْنَاهُ الصَّحِيحِ لِمَنْ
لَمْdid not يُفْسِدِcorrupt الطَّبعَthe nature فِيهِin him حُبُّهُhis love التَّرَفَاof luxury
لَمْ يُفْسِدِ الطَّبعَ فِيهِ حُبُّهُ التَّرَفَا
It is livelihood in its true sense, for one
It is livelihood in its sound meaning for whom
whose nature has not been corrupted by his love of luxury.
His nature did not corrupt with love of luxury
وَفِيand in الصِّناعَةِindustry أَسْبَابٌmeans مُهَيَّأةٌmade ready
وَفِي الصِّناعَةِ أَسْبَابٌ مُهَيَّأةٌ
لِمَنْfor whoever عَلَيْهَاto it بِعَزْمٍwith resolve صَادِقٍsincere عكَفَاdevoted himself
لِمَنْ عَلَيْهَا بِعَزْمٍ صَادِقٍ عكَفَا
And in industry there are means ready
And in industry are causes facilitated
for whoever devotes himself to it with sincere resolve.
For whoever applies himself to it with true determination
أَبُوthe father of المَسِيحِChrist أَأَدْنَىdid it lower مِنْfrom مَكَانتِهِhis standing
أَبُو المَسِيحِ أَأَدْنَى مِنْ مَكَانتِهِ
فِيin المَجْدِglory إِنْif كَانَhe was نَجَّاراًa carpenter وَمُحْتَرِفَاand a craftsman
فِي المَجْدِ إِنْ كَانَ نَجَّاراً وَمُحْتَرِفَا
The father of Christ—did it lower his standing
Was the father of the Messiah lowered in
in glory that he was a carpenter and a craftsman?
His glory if he was a carpenter and artisan?
وَفِيand in التِّجارَةِcommerce آرَابٌaims يُحَقِّقهَاhe fulfills them
وَفِي التِّجارَةِ آرَابٌ يُحَقِّقهَا
مَنْwhoever كَانَwas فِيمَاin what تَوَلَّىhe undertook حَازِماًresolute حَصِفَاdiscerning
مَنْ كَانَ فِيمَا تَوَلَّى حَازِماً حَصِفَا
And in commerce there are aims achieved
And in commerce are profits realized
by whoever is resolute and discerning in what he undertakes.
By one who is resolute in what he takes on
هِيَit التِّجارَةُcommerce لاَnot يُعْنَىis concerned بِهَاwith it بَلَدٌa country
هِيَ التِّجارَةُ لاَ يُعْنَى بِهَا بَلَدٌ
حَتَّىuntil يُرَىis seen وَهُوَwhile it قَحْلٌis barren جَنَّةa garden أُنُفَاfresh and untouched
حَتَّى يُرَى وَهُوَ قَحْلٌ جَنَّة أُنُفَا
It is commerce: no country attends to it
It is commerce - no country cares for it
but is seen, though barren, as a fresh, untouched garden.
Until it sees itself, though barren, bearing fruit
سَادَاتُthe lords of عَدْنَانَAdnan لَمْdid not يَأْبَوْاrefuse تَعَاطِيَهَاpracticing it
سَادَاتُ عَدْنَانَ لَمْ يَأْبَوْا تَعَاطِيَهَا
فَأَيُّso what عُذْرٍexcuse لِمَنْfor whoever عَنْfrom نَهْجِهِمْtheir path صَدَفَاturned aside
فَأَيُّ عُذْرٍ لِمَنْ عَنْ نَهْجِهِمْ صَدَفَا
The lords of Adnan did not refuse to practice it;
The lords of Adnan disdained not engaging in it
so what excuse has one who turns away from their path?
So what excuse for one who turned from their path?
وَالشَّرْقُand the East أَثْرَىgrew wealthy بِهَاthrough it دَهْراًfor an age فَحِينَbut when جَرَىit proceeded
وَالشَّرْقُ أَثْرَى بِهَا دَهْراً فَحِينَ جَرَى
بِهَاwith it عَلَىalong غَيْرِother than مَجْرَاهُits course جنَىreaped أَسَفَاregret
بِهَا عَلَى غَيْرِ مَجْرَاهُ جنَى أَسَفَا
The East grew wealthy through it for an age; but when it pursued
And the East grew rich through it for an age, but when
it along a course not its own, it reaped regret.
It flowed in other than its course, it reaped regrets
مَارَستَهَاyou practiced it لاَnot تُبَالِيyou care مَاwhat تُجَشَّمهُyou are made to bear it
مَارَستَهَا لاَ تُبَالِي مَا تُجَشَّمهُ
مِنَof المَتَاعِبِhardships مُعْتَزّاًtaking pride بِهَاin it كَلِفَاdevoted
مِنَ المَتَاعِبِ مُعْتَزّاً بِهَا كَلِفَا
You practiced it, heedless of what you were made to bear
You practiced it recking not what hardship you took on
of hardships, proud of it and devoted to it.
Proudly persevering though it burdened you
وَرُحْتَand you went on بِالمَثَلِby the example الأَعْلَىhighest تُجَنِّبنَاyou keep us from
وَرُحْتَ بِالمَثَلِ الأَعْلَى تُجَنِّبنَا
أَنْthat بَنْخَسَwe undervalue الدُرَّpearls أَوْor أَنْthat نُغْلِيَwe overprice الصَّدَفَاshells
أَنْ بَنْخَسَ الدُرَّ أَوْ أَنْ نُغْلِيَ الصَّدَفَا
And through your highest example you kept us from
And you went with the highest example, sparing us
undervaluing pearls or overvaluing shells.
From contaminating the pearl, or overpricing the oyster
أَبُوكَyour father وَالنَّابِهُونَand the distinguished men المُقْتَدُونَthose following the example بِهِof him
أَبُوكَ وَالنَّابِهُونَ المُقْتَدُونَ بِهِ
رَدُّواrestored إِلَىto مِصْرَEgypt ذَاكَthat الفَتْحَconquest مُؤتَنَفَاanew
رَدُّوا إِلَى مِصْرَ ذَاكَ الفَتْحَ مُؤتَنَفَا
Your father and the distinguished men who followed his example
Your father and the enlightened ones emulating him
brought that conquest back to Egypt anew.
Returned that conquest to Egypt, initiating again
طَلِيعَةٌa vanguard بِمَسَاعِيهَاthrough its efforts أَتَتْaccomplished عَجَباًa marvel
طَلِيعَةٌ بِمَسَاعِيهَا أَتَتْ عَجَباً
فَأَرْضَتِand so pleased اللهَGod وَالأَعْقَابَand descendants وَالسَّلفَاand forebears
فَأَرْضَتِ اللهَ وَالأَعْقَابَ وَالسَّلفَا
A vanguard whose endeavors wrought wonders,
A vanguard with its efforts that came wondrously
pleasing God, descendants, and forebears.
Pleasing God and offspring and ancestors
يَاO مَنْone whom بِرُتْبَتِهِon his rank العُلْيَاlofty نُهَنِّئهُwe congratulate him
يَا مَنْ بِرُتْبَتِهِ العُلْيَا نُهَنِّئهُ
فِيin الحَقِّtruth تَشْرِيفُhonoring مَنْone who نَفْسِهِhis own self شَرُفَاwas noble
فِي الحَقِّ تَشْرِيفُ مَنْ نَفْسِهِ شَرُفَا
O you whom we congratulate on your lofty rank,
O you whose lofty rank we congratulate
truly, this honors one noble in himself.
The ennoblement of one whose self was noble
فَارُوقُFaruq أَوْلاَكَbestowed upon you إِنْعَاماًa favor جَدُرْتَyou were worthy بِهِof it
فَارُوقُ أَوْلاَكَ إِنْعَاماً جَدُرْتَ بِهِ
فَكُنْتَso you were أَوْفَىmost faithful وَأَكْفَىand most capable مَنْof those who بِهِit اعْتَرَفَاacknowledged
فَكُنْتَ أَوْفَى وَأَكْفَى مَنْ بِهِ اعْتَرَفَا
Faruq bestowed upon you a favor you deserved,
Farouk, that appointment was your due, you deserved it
and you proved the most faithful and capable of those who acknowledged it.
So you were most faithful and sufficient, recognized by it
دَامَmay endure المَلِيكُthe king بِعَوْنِwith the aid of اللهِGod مُعْتَضِداًupheld
دَامَ المَلِيكُ بِعَوْنِ اللهِ مُعْتَضِداً
وَعَرْشُهُand his throne بِوَلاَءby the loyalty of الشَّعبِthe people مُكْتَنَفَاsurrounded
وَعَرْشُهُ بِوَلاَء الشَّعبِ مُكْتَنَفَا
May the king endure, upheld by God's aid,
May the King live, God helping, supported
and his throne be surrounded by the people's loyalty.
And his throne wrapped in the loyalty of the people
Sol 6.1