يَاO رَئِيسِيmy leader وَأَوْلِيَائِيand my friends وَآلِيand my kin
يَا رَئِيسِي وَأَوْلِيَائِي وَآلِي
قَدْindeed رَفَعْتُمُyou have raised شَأْنِيmy standing بِأَيِّwith what احْتِفَالِa celebration
قَدْ رَفَعْتُمُ شَأْنِي بِأَيِّ احْتِفَالِ
O my leader, my friends, and my kin,
O my president, family and kin
you have exalted me with what a celebration!
You have raised my status, with what celebration
جَمَعَgathered الفَضْلَexcellence صَفْوَةُthe elite الشَّرْقِof the East جَاهاًin prestige
جَمَعَ الفَضْلَ صَفْوَةُ الشَّرْقِ جَاهاً
وَمَقَامَاًand in rank أَرْاهُمْI see them حِيَالِيbefore me
وَمَقَامَاً أَرْاهُمْ حِيَالِي
The East's elite have gathered excellence—in prestige
The elite of the East gathered merit
and rank; I see them before me.
And stature, I see them around me
إِيهِgo on يَاO شَيْخَنَاour elder العَمِيدَthe distinguished one وَمَهْلاًand gently
إِيهِ يَا شَيْخَنَا العَمِيدَ وَمَهْلاً
فِيin سَبِيلِthe path of الإِحْسَانِkindness وَالإِجْمَالand graciousness
فِي سَبِيلِ الإِحْسَانِ وَالإِجْمَال
Go on, our distinguished elder—but gently,
Alas, O our venerable chief, be gentle
on the path of kindness and graciousness.
In the path of kindness and favor
جُدْتَyou gave generously بِالمُعْجِزِwith the wondrous البَلِيغِeloquent وَعَجْزِيand my inadequacy
جُدْتَ بِالمُعْجِزِ البَلِيغِ وَعَجْزِي
دُونَهُbeside it ظَاهِرٌevident فَرِفْقاًso gently بِحَالِيwith my condition
دُونَهُ ظَاهِرٌ فَرِفْقاً بِحَالِي
You lavished wondrous eloquence, and my inadequacy
You have excelled with eloquent miracle, and my ineptness
beside it is plain; be gentle with my plight.
Is apparent, so be gentle with my state
لَكَyours أَزْكَىthe noblest مَاof what تَشْتَهِيdesires كُلُّevery نَفْسٍsoul
لَكَ أَزْكَى مَا تَشْتَهِي كُلُّ نَفْسٍ
مِنْof فَخَارٍglory فَمَاso what يَزِيدُadds مَقَالِيmy speech
مِنْ فَخَارٍ فَمَا يَزِيدُ مَقَالِي
You have the noblest of all that every soul desires
You deserve the purest that every soul desires
of glory—what can my words add?
Of pride, though my words do not increase
لَيْسَit is not يَاO يُوسُفُYusuf العَزِيزُdear بِبِدْعٍanything unprecedented
لَيْسَ يَا يُوسُفُ العَزِيزُ بِبِدْعٍ
مَاwhat نَرَىwe see فِيكَin you مِنْof كَرِيمِnoble الخِلاَلِqualities
مَا نَرَى فِيكَ مِنْ كَرِيمِ الخِلاَلِ
Dear Yusuf, there is nothing unprecedented
It is no novelty, O noble Yusuf
in the noble qualities we see in you.
What we see in you of the noble traits
هَكَذَاsuch أَنْتَyou وَالفُرُوعُand the branches الَّتِيthat أَنْبَتَّهَاyou made grow
هَكَذَا أَنْتَ وَالفُرُوعُ الَّتِي أَنْبَتَّهَا
مَنْبِتَin the soil of الحِجَىwisdom وَالكَمَالِand perfection
مَنْبِتَ الحِجَى وَالكَمَالِ
Such are you, and the branches you have made grow
Such are you and the branches you have sprouted
in the soil of wisdom and perfection.
From the planter of dignity and perfection
حَفَزَتْكَurged you النَّفْسُthe soul الودُودُloving فَلَمْso you did not تَتْرُكْleave
حَفَزَتْكَ النَّفْسُ الودُودُ فَلَمْ تَتْرُكْ
وِدَادِيmy friendship فِيin جَانِبِthe realm of الإِغْفَالِneglect
وِدَادِي فِي جَانِبِ الإِغْفَالِ
Your loving soul urged you on, and you did not leave
Your benevolent soul has urged you, so you did not neglect
my friendship consigned to neglect.
My affection on the side of disregard
وَنَثَرْتَand you scattered النَّثْرَthe prose البَدِيعَexquisite بِمَاwith what فَضْلُكَyour bounty
وَنَثَرْتَ النَّثْرَ البَدِيعَ بِمَا فَضْلُكَ
أُوْحَىinspired وَإِنْalthough عَدَاexceeded اسْتِئْهَالِيmy deserving
أُوْحَى وَإِنْ عَدَا اسْتِئْهَالِي
And you scattered exquisite prose from what your bounty
And you have scattered the eloquent scattering with what your virtue
inspired, though it exceeded my deserving.
Inspired, even if beyond my presumption
مَاnot أَرَىI see فِيin الثَّنَاءِpraise أَبْلَغَmore eloquent مِمَّاthan what
مَا أَرَى فِي الثَّنَاءِ أَبْلَغَ مِمَّا
نِلْتَهُyou attained it مِنْof رِضَاfavor المَقَامِthe station العَالِيexalted
نِلْتَهُ مِنْ رِضَا المَقَامِ العَالِي
I see no praise more eloquent than what
I do not see in praise more eloquent than
you have won in the favor of the exalted station.
What you have attained from the pleasure of the high station
عَهْدُthe covenant of ذَاكَthat المَقَامِstation أَكْرَمُthe noblest مَاof what يَحْفَظُهُkeeps it
عَهْدُ ذَاكَ المَقَامِ أَكْرَمُ مَا يَحْفَظُهُ
فِيin القُلُوبِthe hearts شَعْبٌa people مُوَالِيloyal
فِي القُلُوبِ شَعْبٌ مُوَالِي
The covenant of that station is the noblest thing kept
The era of that station is the most honorable covenant
in the hearts of a loyal people.
Preserved in hearts, a loyal people
لَيْسَnot فِينَاamong us وَلَيْسَand not مِنَّاone of us كَنُودٌan ingrate
لَيْسَ فِينَا وَلَيْسَ مِنَّا كَنُودٌ
أَوْor جَحُودٌa denier لِبِرَّهِof its kindness المُتَوَالِيunceasing
أَوْ جَحُودٌ لِبِرَّهِ المُتَوَالِي
None among us, none of us, is ungrateful
There is not among us, nor from us, any resentful
or denies its unceasing kindness.
Or ungrateful to its ongoing kindness
عَرْشُthe throne مِصْرof Egypt أَضْفَىspread عَلَيْنَاover us ظِلاَلاًshade
عَرْشُ مِصْر أَضْفَى عَلَيْنَا ظِلاَلاً
وَالأغَارِيدُand the songs وَحْيُthe inspiration of تِلْكَthat الظِّلاَلِshade
وَالأغَارِيدُ وَحْيُ تِلْكَ الظِّلاَلِ
Egypt's throne has spread its shade over us,
The throne of Egypt has bestowed upon us shades
and our songs are inspired by that shade.
And melodies – an inspiration from those shades
كُلُّevery مَنْone whom وَاتَتِfavored الفَصَاحَةُeloquence وَفاpaid
كُلُّ مَنْ وَاتَتِ الفَصَاحَةُ وَفا
هُit حُقُوقَthe dues of الإِكْبَارِexaltation وَالإِجْلاَلِand reverence
هُ حُقُوقَ الإِكْبَارِ وَالإِجْلاَلِ
Everyone whom eloquence favored has paid
All who are endowed with eloquence have fulfilled
it its due of exaltation and reverence,
The rights of reverence and veneration
بِقَوَافٍwith rhymes مُجَنَّحَاتٍwinged تَلاَقَتْgathered
بِقَوَافٍ مُجَنَّحَاتٍ تَلاَقَتْ
حَوْلَهُaround it فِيin تَعَاقُبِthe succession of الأحْوَالِcircumstances
حَوْلَهُ فِي تَعَاقُبِ الأحْوَالِ
with winged rhymes that have gathered
With winged determination, they have gathered
around it as circumstances succeeded one another.
Around it, in the succession of conditions
زَادَincreased عِبْئِيmy burden أَخيmy brother سَلِيمٌSalim فَأيso what الشَّكْرِgratitude
زَادَ عِبْئِي أَخي سَلِيمٌ فَأي الشَّكْرِ
يَقْضِيdischarges مَاwhat لِلأَخِis owed to the brother المِفْضَالِgenerous
يَقْضِي مَا لِلأَخِ المِفْضَالِ
My brother Salim has added to my burden—what gratitude
My burden has increased, O brother Salim, so what gratitude
can discharge what is owed to a generous brother?
Can fulfill what is due to the virtuous brother
أَشَفَتْhave ... healed? مِنْكُمُamong you النُّفُوسَthe souls نِطَافٌdrops
أَشَفَتْ مِنْكُمُ النُّفُوسَ نِطَافٌ
جَارِيَاتٌflowing مِنْfrom ذلِكَthat السَّلْسَالِlimpid stream
جَارِيَاتٌ مِنْ ذلِكَ السَّلْسَالِ
Have your souls been healed by drops
You have quenched souls with a drink
flowing from that limpid stream?
Flowing from that chain
فَيْضُa flood مَوْسُوعَةٍof an encyclopedia مِنْof العِلْمِknowledge وَالآand literature (first part)
فَيْضُ مَوْسُوعَةٍ مِنْ العِلْمِ وَالآ
دَابِliterature (completion) فِيهَاin it جَوَابُthe answer to كُلِّevery سُؤَالِquestion
دَابِ فِيهَا جَوَابُ كُلِّ سُؤَالِ
An encyclopedic flood of knowledge and
An outpouring from a repository of knowledge and
literature, with an answer to every question,
Literature in which is every question's answer
يَصْطَبِينَاcaptivates us مَاwhat lies بَيْنَbetween شِعْرٍpoetry وَنَثْرٍand prose
يَصْطَبِينَا مَا بَيْنَ شِعْرٍ وَنَثْرٍ
بِبَدِيعِwith exquisite الحِلَىadornments وَسَامِيand lofty الخَيَالِimagination
بِبَدِيعِ الحِلَى وَسَامِي الخَيَالِ
captivates us in both verse and prose,
Satisfying us, between poetry and prose
with exquisite adornments and lofty imagination.
With the exquisite adornments and the lofty imagination
مَنْwho كَمُورِيسَlike Maurice مِدْرَهٌan eloquent advocate أَلْمَعِيٌّbrilliant
مَنْ كَمُورِيسَ مِدْرَهٌ أَلْمَعِيٌّ
فَوْزُهُhis triumph فِيin الجِدَالِdebate فَوْقَbeyond الجِدَالِdebate
فَوْزُهُ فِي الجِدَالِ فَوْقَ الجِدَالِ
Who is an eloquent, brilliant advocate like Maurice,
Mukhwiris is a brilliant Mudirah
whose triumph in debate is beyond debate?
Whose success in debate surpasses debate
أَيَّدَsupported اليَوْمَtoday مَوْقِفِيmy position وَالأسَانِيدُand the supporting proofs
أَيَّدَ اليَوْمَ مَوْقِفِي وَالأسَانِيدُ
ضِئَالٌfeeble فَعُدْنَso they became غَيْرَnot ضِئَالِfeeble
ضِئَالٌ فَعُدْنَ غَيْرَ ضِئَالِ
Today he supported my position; the supporting proofs
He has supported my stance today, and the credentials
were feeble, but became feeble no more.
Are few, so return without being few
جَالَhe ranged فِيin شَوْطِهِhis course وَصَالَand charged فَمَنْso who لِيfor me
جَالَ فِي شَوْطِهِ وَصَالَ فَمَنْ لِي
بِمَجَالٍwith room to range فِيin شَوْطِهِhis course أَوْor مَصَالِroom to charge
بِمَجَالٍ فِي شَوْطِهِ أَوْ مَصَالِ
He ranged and charged along his course—who can give me
He has triumphed in his lap, so who can I have
room to range or charge along that course?
Any chance, in his lap or milestones
هُوَhe مِنْof فِتْيَةِthe youths of الفِدَاءself-sacrifice فَمَاso what يُنْكَرُis disapproved of
هُوَ مِنْ فِتْيَةِ الفِدَاء فَمَا يُنْكَرُ
مِنْهُfrom him فِيin الحُبِّlove هَذَاthis التَّغَالِيextravagance
مِنْهُ فِي الحُبِّ هَذَا التَّغَالِي
He is one of the youths of self-sacrifice, so none can fault
He is of the youth of sacrifice, so it is not objectionable
this extravagance of love in him.
From him, this overzealousness in love
صَاغَfashioned لِيfor me غَانِمٌGhanim لآلِيءَpearls وَالغَانِمُand the fortunate one
صَاغَ لِي غَانِمٌ لآلِيءَ وَالغَانِمُ
مَنْis he who زَانَهُhe adorned him بِتِلْكَwith those الَّلآلِيpearls
مَنْ زَانَهُ بِتِلْكَ الَّلآلِي
Ghanim fashioned pearls for me; the fortunate one
Ghanim has cast for me brilliant jewels, and the victor
is he whom he adorned with those pearls.
Is the one adorned with those jewels
تِلْكَthat مِنْهُfrom him قِلاَدَتِيmy necklace أَشَهِدْتُمْhave you seen?
تِلْكَ مِنْهُ قِلاَدَتِي أَشَهِدْتُمْ
مِثْلَهَاits like فِيamong قَلاَئِدِthe necklaces of الأقْيَالِkings
مِثْلَهَا فِي قَلاَئِدِ الأقْيَالِ
That necklace of mine is his gift—have you seen
That necklace from him I have witnessed
its like among the necklaces of kings?
The likes in the necklaces of eras
صَوْتُهُhis voice فِيin مَحَافِلِthe assemblies of الجِيلِthe generation يَعْلُوrises
صَوْتُهُ فِي مَحَافِلِ الجِيلِ يَعْلُو
وَصَدَاهُand its echo فِيin مَسْمَعِthe hearing of الأجْيَالِgenerations
وَصَدَاهُ فِي مَسْمَعِ الأجْيَالِ
His voice rises in the assemblies of this generation,
His voice rises in the circles of the generation
and its echo reaches the hearing of generations.
And its echo in the hearing of generations
بَرَّwas kind بِيto me رَأْفَةًout of compassion بِسنَّيfor my age فَصَانَتْso preserved
بَرَّ بِي رَأْفَةً بِسنَّي فَصَانَتْ
هَبَّةُthe spring الشِّبْلِof the cub هَيْبَةًthe dignity الرِّئْبَالِof the lion
هَبَّةُ الشِّبْلِ هَيْبَةً الرِّئْبَالِ
He was kind to me out of pity for my age; thus was preserved
He showed me kindness in my old age, so the gift of the cub
the lion's dignity by the cub's spring.
Preserved the awe of the grizzly
نَحْنُwe كُنَّاwere مَاwhat أَنْتُمُyou اليَوْمَtoday فَاحْيَوْاso live
نَحْنُ كُنَّا مَا أَنْتُمُ اليَوْمَ فَاحْيَوْا
يَلْبَثِmay remain الغِيلُthe thicket أَمْنَعَmost impregnable الأغْيَالِof thickets
يَلْبَثِ الغِيلُ أَمْنَعَ الأغْيَالِ
We once were what you are today; live on,
We were once what you are today, so live
so the thicket may remain the most impregnable of thickets.
The sturdiest trees grow sturdiest
ثُمَّthen هَذَاthis وَصْفٌa description بِهِwith which تُكْحَلُis lined with kohl العَيْنُthe eye
ثُمَّ هَذَا وَصْفٌ بِهِ تُكْحَلُ العَيْنُ
أَتَىcame مِنْfrom أَخٍa brother كَتُومِdiscreet with النَّوَالِgifts
أَتَى مِنْ أَخٍ كَتُومِ النَّوَالِ
Then here is a description that anoints the eye with kohl,
Then this description which delights the eye
brought by a brother discreet with his gifts.
Came from a silent brother
أَرَشِيدٌdoes Rashid ...? وَهْوَand he is الطَّبِيبُthe physician المُوَاسِيcomforting
أَرَشِيدٌ وَهْوَ الطَّبِيبُ المُوَاسِي
وَهْوَand he is آسِيthe healer of الضُّلُوعِribs وَالأَوْصَالِand limbs
وَهْوَ آسِي الضُّلُوعِ وَالأَوْصَالِ
Does Rashid, the comforting physician,
Arshid – he is the comforting doctor
the healer of ribs and limbs,
And the healer of ribs and limbs
يَتَعَاطَىundertakes بُرْءَthe healing of النُّفُوسِsouls بِشِعْرٍwith poetry
يَتَعَاطَى بُرْءَ النُّفُوسِ بِشِعْرٍ
خَالَطَmingled القَطْرُrainwater فِيهِin it بِنْتَthe daughter of الدَّوَالِيgrapevines
خَالَطَ القَطْرُ فِيهِ بِنْتَ الدَّوَالِي
undertake the cure of souls with poetry
He practices curing souls with poetry
in which rainwater mingles with the daughter of vines?
In which the teardrop mixed with the medicinals
كَرَمٌgenerosity لَوْif لَبِسْتُI wore مِمَّاof what كَسَانِيhe clothed me in
كَرَمٌ لَوْ لَبِسْتُ مِمَّا كَسَانِي
لَجَرَرْتُI would drag الحَسُّادَthe envious فِيin أَذْيَالِيmy trailing hems
لَجَرَرْتُ الحَسُّادَ فِي أَذْيَالِي
Such generosity! Had I worn all he clothed me in,
Generosity, if I wore what robed me
I would have dragged the envious in my trailing hems.
I would drag the envious in my train
أَشَجَاكُمْdid ... move you? كَمَانُthe violin سَامٍof Sam وَأَلْعَاand the play (first part)
أَشَجَاكُمْ كَمَانُ سَامٍ وَأَلْعَا
بُplay (completion) المَفَاتِيحِof keys فِيهِin it وَالأقفالِand locks
بُ المَفَاتِيحِ فِيهِ وَالأقفالِ
Did Sam's violin stir your hearts, and the play
Your musical instrument, O virtuous Sam, enchants
of keys and locks within it?
With its keys both locks and unveilings
مَاwhat بِأَوْتَارِهِin its strings العَجِيبَةِwondrous مِنْof فِتْنَةِenchantment
مَا بِأَوْتَارِهِ العَجِيبَةِ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ
سِرٍّa mystery رَاقٍlofty وَسِحْرٍand magic حَلاَلِlawful
سِرٍّ رَاقٍ وَسِحْرٍ حَلاَلِ
What enchantment its wondrous strings hold:
In its wondrous strings lies no temptation
a lofty mystery and a lawful magic!
Of illicit magic or sorcery made lawful
بُلْبُلُthe nightingale الرِّوْضِof the garden إِنْif شَدَاsang بِاحْتِفَالٍwith ceremony
بُلْبُلُ الرِّوْضِ إِنْ شَدَا بِاحْتِفَالٍ
مَلَكَcaptivated السَّمْعَthe hearing أَوْor شَدَاsang بِارْتِجَالِimpromptu
مَلَكَ السَّمْعَ أَوْ شَدَا بِارْتِجَالِ
The garden's nightingale, when he sings with ceremony,
The garden's nightingale, if it sang celebratory
holds the ear—or when he sings impromptu.
Or improvised, captivated hearing
مَاnot لَهُhe has مِنْany أَخٍbrother سِوَىexcept فَاضِلٍFadil
مَا لَهُ مِنْ أَخٍ سِوَى فَاضِلٍ
نِعْمَexcellent is المُجَلِّيthe foremost فَنًّاin art وَنِعْمَand excellent is التَّالِيthe follower
نِعْمَ المُجَلِّي فَنًّا وَنِعْمَ التَّالِي
He has no brother save Fadil:
It has no peer save Fadil
how fine the foremost artist, and how fine the one who follows!
Excellent harmonizer and excellent profiler
أَسَبَاكُمْdid ... captivate you? إِيقَاعُthe rhythm شَحْرُورَةِof the blackbird الوَاthe valley (first part)
أَسَبَاكُمْ إِيقَاعُ شَحْرُورَةِ الوَا
دِيvalley (completion) وَرَهْطٌand a troupe نِظَامُهُits arrangement فِيin اكْتِمَالِcompleteness
دِي وَرَهْطٌ نِظَامُهُ فِي اكْتِمَالِ
Did the valley blackbird's rhythm captivate you,
Your rhythms, O Shahrurah of Wadi, enthrall
and a troupe whose harmony is complete?
As the system attains perfection
رَجَّعْتْshe trilled وَالقُلُوبُwhile the hearts تَرْقُصُdance وَفْقاًin time
رَجَّعْتْ وَالقُلُوبُ تَرْقُصُ وَفْقاً
مُرْقِصَاتِdance-stirring الأشْعَارِpoems وَالأَزْجَالِand zajals
مُرْقِصَاتِ الأشْعَارِ وَالأَزْجَالِ
She trilled, while hearts danced in time
They have brought back, while hearts dance accordingly
with dance-stirring poems and zajals,
The dances of poetry and lyrics
وَأَهَازِيجَand chants نَخْوَةٍof pride وَعِتَابٍand reproach
وَأَهَازِيجَ نَخْوَةٍ وَعِتَابٍ
وَمَجَانَاتِand mijana songs صَبْوَةٍof longing وَمَوَالِيand mawwals
وَمَجَانَاتِ صَبْوَةٍ وَمَوَالِي
and chants of pride and reproach,
And melodies of tenderness, coquetry,
and mijana songs of longing and mawwals.
Flirtations of youth, and my devotion
أَيُّهَاO المُنْشِدُونَsingers أَسْمَعْتُمُونِيyou made me hear
أَيُّهَا المُنْشِدُونَ أَسْمَعْتُمُونِي
نَغَمَاتٍmelodies لاَnot تَبْرَحُleave العُمْرَthroughout life بَالِيmy mind
نَغَمَاتٍ لاَ تَبْرَحُ العُمْرَ بَالِي
O singers, you have let me hear
O you who sing, you have heard me
melodies that will never leave my mind throughout my life.
Melodies that do not quit my mind
زَغْرَدَاتُthe ululations الرَّضَاعِof nursing هَيْهَاتَfar be it أَنْthat
زَغْرَدَاتُ الرَّضَاعِ هَيْهَاتَ أَنْ
تُنْسَىbe forgotten وَلَحْنُand the melody of الوَدَاعِfarewell يَوْمَon the day of الفِصَالِweaning
تُنْسَى وَلَحْنُ الوَدَاعِ يَوْمَ الفِصَالِ
The ululations of nursing—never could they
The warbling of infants - never
be forgotten, nor the farewell melody on weaning day.
Forgotten, nor the tune of farewell at separation
يَاoh لَعَهْدِfor the days of الصِّبَاyouth تَقَضَّىpassed وَشِيكاًswiftly
يَا لَعَهْدِ الصِّبَا تَقَضَّى وَشِيكاً
بَيْنَamong أَهْلٍkin فَارَقْتُهُمْI parted from them غَيْرَnot سَالِforgetting
بَيْنَ أَهْلٍ فَارَقْتُهُمْ غَيْرَ سَالِ
Ah, the days of youth, so swiftly spent
O days of youth, soon to pass
among kin I left, never forgetting them,
Among people I have left, not parted
فِيin بِلاَدٍa land رَدَّتْbrought back إِلَيْهَاto it فُؤَادِيmy heart
فِي بِلاَدٍ رَدَّتْ إِلَيْهَا فُؤَادِي
كُلُّevery أَرْضٍland حَطَطْتُI set down فِيهَاin it رَحَاليmy baggage
كُلُّ أَرْضٍ حَطَطْتُ فِيهَا رَحَالي
in a land to which my heart was sent back
In a land to which my heart has returned
by every land where I set down my baggage.
Every land where I pitched my encampment
أَيُّwhat شَجْوٍsorrow تُثِيرُهُit stirs فِيin حَشَىthe heart of
أَيُّ شَجْوٍ تُثِيرُهُ فِي حَشَى
المُشْتَاقِthe yearning one ذِكْرَىmemory سُهُولِهَاof its plains وَالجِبَالِand mountains
المُشْتَاقِ ذِكْرَى سُهُولِهَا وَالجِبَالِ
What sorrow is stirred within the heart
What yearning stirs in the core
of the yearning one by memories of its plains and mountains!
Of the ardent from memories of its plains and mountains
أَيُّwhat مَاءٍwater عَذْبٍsweet وَأَيُّand what هَوَاءٍair
أَيُّ مَاءٍ عَذْبٍ وَأَيُّ هَوَاءٍ
أَرِجfragrant فِيin الرِّيَاضِthe gardens وَالأَدْغَالِand thickets
أَرِج فِي الرِّيَاضِ وَالأَدْغَالِ
What sweet water, and what air,
What sweet water, what fragrant air
fragrant in the gardens and thickets!
In the gardens and groves
أَيُّwhat بَحْرٍsea زُمُرُّدِيِّemerald-colored مُحَاطٍencircled
أَيُّ بَحْرٍ زُمُرُّدِيِّ مُحَاطٍ
بِإِطَارٍby a frame مِنْof عَسْجَدِيِّgolden الرِّمَالِsands
بِإِطَارٍ مِنْ عَسْجَدِيِّ الرِّمَالِ
What an emerald sea, encircled
What emerald sea surrounded
by a frame of golden sands!
By a frame of sandy coasts
أَيُّwhat حُسْنٍbeauty فِيin كُلِّall مَاthat تَقَعُfalls العَيْنُthe eye
أَيُّ حُسْنٍ فِي كُلِّ مَا تَقَعُ العَيْنُ
عَلَيْهِupon it مَنْamong مُونِقَاتِdelightful المَجَالِيvistas
عَلَيْهِ مَنْ مُونِقَاتِ المَجَالِي
What beauty in all the eye falls
What beauty in all that meets the eye
upon, among those delightful vistas!
Of its fine vistas and scenery
مَنْwho كَأَبْنَائِهَاlike its sons وقَدْwhen they have نَازَلُواwrestled with الدَّهْرَTime
مَنْ كَأَبْنَائِهَا وقَدْ نَازَلُوا الدَّهْرَ
فَزَكَّوْاso they ennobled أَحْسَابَهُمْtheir lineages بِالنِّزَالِthrough struggle
فَزَكَّوْا أَحْسَابَهُمْ بِالنِّزَالِ
Who can match its sons, who have wrestled with Time
Of its people, who have lived the ages
and ennobled their lineage through that struggle?
And purified their deeds through strife
إِنْif يَقلُّواthey are few عَدًّاin number فَسَلْthen ask فِيin مَدَىthe span of
إِنْ يَقلُّوا عَدًّا فَسَلْ فِي مَدَى
القُطْبَيْنِthe two poles عَنْهُمْabout them جَلاَئِلَthe mighty الأَعْمَالِdeeds
القُطْبَيْنِ عَنْهُمْ جَلاَئِلَ الأَعْمَالِ
Though few in number, ask throughout the span
If few in number, then ask
of the two poles about their mighty deeds.
Between the far poles about their great deeds
عَلَّمَتْهُمْtaught them صُمُّsolid الجَلاَمِيدِboulders فِيin جُوdark depths (first part)
عَلَّمَتْهُمْ صُمُّ الجَلاَمِيدِ فِي جُو
نِdark depths (completion) الأخَادِيدِof the ravines أَوْor ضَوَاحِيthe flanks of القِلاَلِsummits
نِ الأخَادِيدِ أَوْ ضَوَاحِي القِلاَلِ
The solid boulders have taught them, in the dark
The summits of minarets in the riverbeds
depths of ravines or on the flanks of peaks,
Or the slopes of hills have taught them
مَاwhat هُوَis الحَزْمُprudence فِيin إِتِّقَاءِavoiding المَهَاوِيabysses
مَا هُوَ الحَزْمُ فِي إِتِّقَاءِ المَهَاوِي
ماwhat هُوَis العَزْمُresolve فِيin ارْتِقَاءِscaling المَعَالِيheights
ما هُوَ العَزْمُ فِي ارْتِقَاءِ المَعَالِي
what prudence means in avoiding abysses,
What resolve takes in avoiding precipices
what resolve means in scaling the heights,
What determination takes in ascending aspirations
مَاwhat يَقُولُsays الإِقَدَامُdaring فِيabout كَاذِبِfalse الأوْthe fears (first part)
مَا يَقُولُ الإِقَدَامُ فِي كَاذِبِ الأوْ
جَالِfears (completion) تِلْقَاءَin the face of صَادِقِcertain الآجَالِdeaths
جَالِ تِلْقَاءَ صَادِقِ الآجَالِ
what daring says of unfounded
What daring says to the false fate
fears in the face of certain death.
Facing the truthful fate
يَاO بَنِيsons of أُمِّنَاour mother الأُولَىthe first أَبْعَدُواthey extended المَرْthe aim (first part)
يَا بَنِي أُمِّنَا الأُولَى أَبْعَدُوا المَرْ
مَىaim (completion) وَجَالُواand they roamed فِيin الأرْضِthe earth كُلَّevery مَجَالِcourse
مَى وَجَالُوا فِي الأرْضِ كُلَّ مَجَالِ
O sons of our first mother! They cast their aim
O children of our first mother, avoid sickness
far and roamed the earth in every direction,
And roam all the land's expanse
بَيْنَbetween مَعْمُورِهَاits settled parts وَغَامِرِهَاand its wastes
بَيْنَ مَعْمُورِهَا وَغَامِرِهَا
بَيْنَbetween الجَنُوبِthe south النَّائِيdistant وَبَيْنَand between الشَّمَالِthe north
بَيْنَ الجَنُوبِ النَّائِي وَبَيْنَ الشَّمَالِ
through its settled lands and its wastes,
Between its settled and desolate parts
between the distant south and the north.
Between the distant south and north
وَبِحُسْنِand with worthy البَلاَءِendeavor فِيin كُلِّevery قُطْرٍland
وَبِحُسْنِ البَلاَءِ فِي كُلِّ قُطْرٍ
يَمَّمُوهُthey headed toward it كَانُواthey were فَخَارَthe pride of الجَوَالِيemigrant communities
يَمَّمُوهُ كَانُوا فَخَارَ الجَوَالِي
Through worthy endeavor in every land
And with excellence wherever they headed
they headed for, they became the pride of emigrant communities,
They were the pride of the traveling
فَأعَزُّواand so they honored مَوَاطِناًhomelands أَنْبَتَتْهُمْthat nurtured them
فَأعَزُّوا مَوَاطِناً أَنْبَتَتْهُمْ
بِضُرُوبٍwith kinds مِنْof مَاهِرَاتِskillful الفعَالِdeeds
بِضُرُوبٍ مِنْ مَاهِرَاتِ الفعَالِ
and brought honor to the homelands that nurtured them
O children of our mother Egypt, and among them
with varied feats of skill.
To my right and left, most beloved
يَاO بَنِيsons of أُمِّنَاour mother بِمِصْرٍin Egypt وَمِنْهُمْand among them
يَا بَنِي أُمِّنَا بِمِصْرٍ وَمِنْهُمْ
عَنْon يَمِينِيmy right أَعِزَّةٌdear ones وَشَمَالِيand my left
عَنْ يَمِينِي أَعِزَّةٌ وَشَمَالِي
O sons of our mother in Egypt—and among them
The nation of the East flourishes with virile
are dear ones to my right and to my left—
Hunters from you, and with charming girls
أَمَّةُthe nation الشَّرْقِof the East تَزْدَهِيglories بِالبَنِيْنَin the sons
أَمَّةُ الشَّرْقِ تَزْدَهِي بِالبَنِيْنَ
الصِّيدِnoble مِنْكُمْamong you وَبِالبَنَاتِand in the daughters الغَوَالِيprecious
الصِّيدِ مِنْكُمْ وَبِالبَنَاتِ الغَوَالِي
the nation of the East glories in the sons
And men in every science and art
of noble mien among you, and in the precious daughters,
And innovation, elites among men
وَرِجَالٍand men فِيin كُلِّevery عِلْمٍscience وَفَنٍّand art
وَرِجَالٍ فِي كُلِّ عِلْمٍ وَفَنٍّ
وَابْتِدَاعٍand invention هُمْthey صَفْوَةٌthe elite فِيamong الرِّجَالِmen
وَابْتِدَاعٍ هُمْ صَفْوَةٌ فِي الرِّجَالِ
and in men who, in every science and art
And women of every beauty and refinement
and invention, are the elite among men,
Noble, they are tempting coquettes
وَنِسَاءٍand women بِكُلِّwith every حُسْنٍbeauty وَإِحْسَاand kindness (first part)
وَنِسَاءٍ بِكُلِّ حُسْنٍ وَإِحْسَا
نٍkindness (completion) شَرِيفٍnoble هُنَّthey الغَوَانِيthe beauties الحَوَالِيadorned
نٍ شَرِيفٍ هُنَّ الغَوَانِي الحَوَالِي
and in women endowed with every beauty and
Egypt, to which we fled
noble kindness, fair and adorned.
With loads of worries, burdens heavy
إِنَّindeed مِصْرَEgypt الَّتِيto which نَفَرْنَاwe fled إِلَيْهَاto it
إِنَّ مِصْرَ الَّتِي نَفَرْنَا إِلَيْهَا
بِحُمُولٍwith burdens مِنَof الهُمُومِsorrows ثِقَالِheavy
بِحُمُولٍ مِنَ الهُمُومِ ثِقَالِ
Egypt, to which we fled,
When our meadows were under tyranny
with heavy burdens of sorrow,
And its free children in shackles
يَوْمَwhen كَانَتْwere رُبُوعُنَاour homelands تَحْتَunder رِقٍّbondage
يَوْمَ كَانَتْ رُبُوعُنَا تَحْتَ رِقٍّ
وَبنُوهَاand their sons الأحْرَارُfreeborn فِيin الأغْلاَلِchains
وَبنُوهَا الأحْرَارُ فِي الأغْلاَلِ
when our homelands lay in bondage
And the guided preachers, but when they took
and their freeborn sons were in chains,
Refuge in Egypt, they drank bitter torture
وَالدُّعَاةُand the advocates الهُدَاةُthe guides إِلاَّexcept إِذَاif لاَsought refuge (first part)
وَالدُّعَاةُ الهُدَاةُ إِلاَّ إِذَا لاَ
ذُواsought refuge (completion) بِمِصْرَin Egypt يُسْقَوْنَare made to drink مُرَّthe bitterness of النَّكَالِpunishment
ذُوا بِمِصْرَ يُسْقَوْنَ مُرَّ النَّكَالِ
and those who called and guided, unless they sought
It settled us in a house of honor that consoles
refuge in Egypt, were made to drink bitter punishment—
All who left other houses, discontent
أَنْزَلَتْنَاsheltered us in دَاراًa home مِنَof العِزِّdignity تُسْليconsoles
أَنْزَلَتْنَا دَاراً مِنَ العِزِّ تُسْلي
كُلَّevery نَاءٍone far away عَنْfrom دَارِهِhis home غَيْرِnot قَالِspurning it
كُلَّ نَاءٍ عَنْ دَارِهِ غَيْرِ قَالِ
gave us a dwelling of dignity, consoling
Its spacious chest did not resent what
each one far from home, yet not disdaining it.
It was tasked, with no influx or expatriates
لَمْnot يَضِقْgrew cramped صَدْرُهَاher heart الرَّحِيبُspacious عَلَىdespite مَاwhat
لَمْ يَضِقْ صَدْرُهَا الرَّحِيبُ عَلَى مَا
كُلِّفَتْهُit was charged with بِلاَجِيءٍto a refugee أَوْor بِجَالِيto an exile
كُلِّفَتْهُ بِلاَجِيءٍ أَوْ بِجَالِي
Her spacious heart did not close, despite all
That was an era in which the Arabs suffered
it had to bear, to a refugee or an exile.
Affliction and humiliation they suffered
ذَاكَthat عَصْرٌan age عَانَىsuffered بِهِin it العُرْبُthe Arabs مَاwhat عَاthey suffered (first part)
ذَاكَ عَصْرٌ عَانَى بِهِ العُرْبُ مَا عَا
نَوْهُthey suffered it (completion) مِنْof مِحْنَةٍordeal وَمِنْand of إِذْلاَلِhumiliation
نَوْهُ مِنْ مِحْنَةٍ وَمِنْ إِذْلاَلِ
That was an age in which the Arabs endured what they
Then it passed, praise cannot accompany mention of it
endured of ordeal and humiliation.
And the days of independence arrived
فَتَقَضَّىso it passed لاَnot يَصْحَبُaccompanies الحَمْدُpraise ذِكْرَاthe memory
فَتَقَضَّى لاَ يَصْحَبُ الحَمْدُ ذِكْرَا
هُof it وَلاَحَتْand dawned أَيَّامُthe days of الاِسْتِقْلاَلِindependence
هُ وَلاَحَتْ أَيَّامُ الاِسْتِقْلاَلِ
It passed, with no praise attending the memory
Free nations renewed within them
of it, and the days of independence dawned.
The birth of glory after decadence
دُوَلٌstates حُرَّةٌfree تَجَدَّدَwas renewed فِيهَاin them
دُوَلٌ حُرَّةٌ تَجَدَّدَ فِيهَا
تَالِدُancestral المَجْدِglory بَعْدَafter الاِضْمِحْلاَلِdecline
تَالِدُ المَجْدِ بَعْدَ الاِضْمِحْلاَلِ
Free states, in which there was renewed
Egypt assumes leadership among them
the ancestral glory after its decline.
And it is a right, none contests it
تَتَوَلَّىassumes مِصْرُEgypt الزَّعَامَةَleadership فِيهَاamong them
تَتَوَلَّى مِصْرُ الزَّعَامَةَ فِيهَا
وَهْيَand it is حَقٌّa right مَاno حوْلَهُaround it مِنْany نِضَالِdispute
وَهْيَ حَقٌّ مَا حوْلَهُ مِنْ نِضَالِ
Egypt assumes the leadership among them,
A paradise next to another paradise next to another
and it is a right beyond dispute.
Oh, if only their cord remained connected
جَنَّةٌa paradise عَنْدَbeside جَنَّةٍa paradise عِنْدَbeside أُخْرَىanother
جَنَّةٌ عَنْدَ جَنَّةٍ عِنْدَ أُخْرَى
آهِah لَوْif only ظَلَّremained حَبْلُهَاtheir bond فِيin اتِّصَالِcontinuity
آهِ لَوْ ظَلَّ حَبْلُهَا فِي اتِّصَالِ
A paradise beside a paradise beside another—
One homeland, so if homelands move
ah, if only their bond remained unbroken!
Then joining them is inclusive gathering
وَطَنٌa homeland وَاحِدٌone فَإِنْso if نَقُلِwe say الأَوْطَانَthe homelands
وَطَنٌ وَاحِدٌ فَإِنْ نَقُلِ الأَوْطَانَ
فَالجَمْعُthen the plural فِيهِin it جَمْعُa plural of اشْتِمَالِinclusion
فَالجَمْعُ فِيهِ جَمْعُ اشْتِمَالِ
One homeland; if we speak of homelands,
God has favored the Nile Valley – was any valley given
the plural is one that embraces all.
Beauty and majesty like it possesses?
كَلأَmay guard اللهُGod وَادِيَthe valley of النَّيلِthe Nile هَلْhas أُوْwas granted (first part)
كَلأَ اللهُ وَادِيَ النَّيلِ هَلْ أُوْ
تيَwas granted (completion) وَادٍa valley كَحُسْنِهِlike its beauty وَالجَلاَلِand majesty
تيَ وَادٍ كَحُسْنِهِ وَالجَلاَلِ
May God guard the Nile Valley! Has any
And this wondrous fertility which was and remains
valley been granted such beauty and majesty,
A parable people cite
وَكَهَذَاand like this الخِصْبِfertility العَجِيبِwondrous الَّذِيwhich كَاwas (first part)
وَكَهَذَا الخِصْبِ العَجِيبِ الَّذِي كَا
نَwas (completion) وَمَاand not زَالَceased مَضْرِبَan example for الأمْثَالِproverbs
نَ وَمَا زَالَ مَضْرِبَ الأمْثَالِ
and such wondrous fertility, which was
And these trustworthy people who were granted
and still remains proverbial,
The sweetest attributes and traits
وَكَهَذَاand like this الشَّعْبِpeople الأَمِينِfaithful الَّذِيwho أُوwas endowed (first part)
وَكَهَذَا الشَّعْبِ الأَمِينِ الَّذِي أُو
تِيَwas endowed (completion) أَحْلَىthe loveliest شَمَائِلٍdispositions وَخِصَالِand traits
تِيَ أَحْلَى شَمَائِلٍ وَخِصَالِ
and such a faithful people, who were
They are a people free of tempers, generous
endowed with the loveliest dispositions and traits?
And too proud to compromise their dignity
هُوَit شَعْبٌa people حُرُّfree السَّجَايَاin character سَخِيٌّgenerous
هُوَ شَعْبٌ حُرُّ السَّجَايَا سَخِيٌّ
وَأَبِيٌّand proud عَنْfrom عِزَّةٍdignity لاَnot اخْتِيَالِconceit
وَأَبِيٌّ عَنْ عِزَّةٍ لاَ اخْتِيَالِ
It is a people free in character, generous,
Persevering, trials only augmented their perseverance
and proud from dignity, not conceit,
Torrents have overwhelmed them with calamities
دَائِبٌindustrious لَمْnot تَزِدْهُmade it more إِلاَّexcept ثَبَاتاًsteadfast
دَائِبٌ لَمْ تَزِدْهُ إِلاَّ ثَبَاتاً
غَمَرَاتٌordeals رَمَتْهُhurled at it بِالأهْوَالِterrors
غَمَرَاتٌ رَمَتْهُ بِالأهْوَالِ
industrious, made only more steadfast
Steadfast, trials only augmented their steadfastness
by ordeals that hurled terrors upon it,
Torrents have overwhelmed them with calamities
بَاسِلٌvaliant لَمْnot تَزِدْهُmade it more إِلاَّexcept ثَبَاتاًsteadfast
بَاسِلٌ لَمْ تَزِدْهُ إِلاَّ ثَبَاتاً
غَمَرَاتٌordeals رَمَتْهُhurled at it بِالأهْوَالِterrors
غَمَرَاتٌ رَمَتْهُ بِالأهْوَالِ
valiant, made only more steadfast
Patient, they have endured time until
by ordeals that hurled terrors upon it,
They turned its back to prosperity
صَابِرٌpatient طَاوَلَoutlasted الزَّمَانَTime إِلَىuntil أَنْthat
صَابِرٌ طَاوَلَ الزَّمَانَ إِلَى أَنْ
رَدَّturned إِدْبَارَهُits adversity إِلَىinto إِقْبَالِprosperity
رَدَّ إِدْبَارَهُ إِلَى إِقْبَالِ
patient, outlasting Time until
May Farouk live for Arabism, tending
it turned its adversity into prosperity.
To it, and tending to him his Sublime Lord
عَاشَlong live فَارُوقُFarouk لِلعُرُوبَةِfor Arab nationhood يَرْعَاhe tends
عَاشَ فَارُوقُ لِلعُرُوبَةِ يَرْعَا
هَاit وَيَرْعَاهُand tends him رَبُّهُhis Lord المُتَعَالِيMost High
هَا وَيَرْعَاهُ رَبُّهُ المُتَعَالِي
Long live Farouk for Arab nationhood, tending
And may his purpose be delivered to every
it, while his Most High Lord tends him.
Ally king and loyal ally
وَلُيُبْلَّغْand may be granted مُنَاهُhis wishes كُلُّevery مَلِيكٍking
وَلُيُبْلَّغْ مُنَاهُ كُلُّ مَلِيكٍ
وَرَئِيسِand leader مُحَالِفٍallied وَمُوَالِيand loyal
وَرَئِيسِ مُحَالِفٍ وَمُوَالِي
And may every king be granted his wishes,
And you have been rewarded with goodness from me, O you
and every allied and loyal leader.
Who have honored me beyond my hopes
وَجُزِيتمْand may you be rewarded بِالخَيْرِwith goodness عَنِّيَon my behalf يَاO مَنْyou who
وَجُزِيتمْ بِالخَيْرِ عَنِّيَ يَا مَنْ
أَكْرَمُونِيhonored me بِمَاwith what عَدَاexceeded آمَالِيmy hopes
أَكْرَمُونِي بِمَا عَدَا آمَالِي
May you be rewarded with goodness on my behalf, you who
May God bless you and water
honored me beyond my hopes.
Your saplings, every smiling downpour
بَارَكَmay bless اللهُGod فِيكُمُyou وَسَقَىand may water
بَارَكَ اللهُ فِيكُمُ وَسَقَى
أَغْرَاسَكُمْyour plantings كُلُّevery ضَاحِكٍsmiling هَطَّالِrain-pouring
أَغْرَاسَكُمْ كُلُّ ضَاحِكٍ هَطَّالِ
May God bless you, and may your plantings be watered
by every smiling, rain-pouring cloud.
Partial English translation: 162 of 164 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1