بَاعُواthey sold المخلدthe everlasting بِالحُطَامِfor the dross الْفَانِيperishable
بَاعُوا المخلد بِالحُطَامِ الْفَانِي
وَشَرَيْتَand you bought بِالأَغْلَىat the dearest مِنَof الأَثْمَانِprices
وَشَرَيْتَ بِالأَغْلَى مِنَ الأَثْمَانِ
They sold the everlasting for perishable dross,
They sold eternity for fleeting dust
And you bought it at the dearest of prices.
And you paid a price beyond all worth
تِلْكَthat الْحَيَاةُlife أَمَانَةٌa trust أَدَّيْتَهَاyou discharged it
تِلْكَ الْحَيَاةُ أَمَانَةٌ أَدَّيْتَهَا
بِتَمَامِهَاin its entirety للهِto God وَالأَوْطَانِand the homelands
بِتَمَامِهَا للهِ وَالأَوْطَانِ
That life was a trust you discharged
That life you had was but a trust fulfilled
In its entirety to God and the homelands.
With utmost faith for country and for God
بِالصَّبْرِthrough patience وَالأِيمَنِand faith أُخْلِصَwas purified بَدْوُّهَاits beginning
بِالصَّبْرِ وَالأِيمَنِ أُخْلِصَ بَدْوُّهَا
وَخِتَامُهَاand its ending بِالصَّبْرِthrough patience والإيمانِand faith
وَخِتَامُهَا بِالصَّبْرِ والإيمانِ
Its beginning was purified through patience and faith,
Begin it with patience and faith sincere
And its ending was in patience and faith.
End it with patience and with faith sedate
أَعْرَضْتَyou turned away عَنْfrom لَذَّاتِهاits pleasures مُنْذُsince الصِباyouth
أَعْرَضْتَ عَنْ لَذَّاتِها مُنْذُ الصِبا
وَالرَّوْضُand the gardens تُفْريcleave (likely intended: entice) والقُطُوفُand the fruit-clusters دَوَانِيwithin reach
وَالرَّوْضُ تُفْري والقُطُوفُ دَوَانِي
You turned away from its pleasures since youth,
You spurned the joys of youth since childhood days
Though the gardens beckoned and the fruits hung near.
Though the meadow bloomed and fruits hung ready
مُتَوَخِّيَاًseeking منْfrom دُونِهاapart from them أُمْنِيَّةٌan aspiration
مُتَوَخِّيَاً منْ دُونِها أُمْنِيَّةٌ
لَمْdid not يُوهِweaken وَحْدَتَهَاits unity شَتِيتُscattered أَمَانِيwishes
لَمْ يُوهِ وَحْدَتَهَا شَتِيتُ أَمَانِي
Seeking, instead of them, a single aspiration,
Seeking beyond them dreams none but you knew
Whose unity no scattering of wishes weakened.
Scattered fancies no single one came true
تَهْوَىyou love الْبِلاَدَthe land وَلاَand no هَوىlove لَكَfor you غَيْرُهَاother than it
تَهْوَى الْبِلاَدَ وَلاَ هَوى لَكَ غَيْرُهَا
أَوْuntil تُفْتَدَىit is redeemed مِنْfrom ذِلَّةٍabasement وَهَوَانِand dishonor
أَوْ تُفْتَدَى مِنْ ذِلَّةٍ وَهَوَانِ
You loved the land, and had no love but for it,
You loved your country, caring for none else
Until it was redeemed from abasement and dishonor.
Or sought to be redeemed from baseness and disgrace
ظَلِّتْkept تُنَازِعُكَcontending with you الصُّرُوفُthe turns of fate بِمَاwith what بِهَاwas in them
ظَلِّتْ تُنَازِعُكَ الصُّرُوفُ بِمَا بِهَا
مِنْof مُنَّةٍstrength وَظَلِلْتَand you remained ثَبْتَsteadfast جَنَانِof heart
مِنْ مُنَّةٍ وَظَلِلْتَ ثَبْتَ جَنَانِ
The turns of fate kept wrestling with you, with all
Vicissitudes with you contended still
Their strength, while you remained steadfast of heart.
With their shifts, yet you stood firm serene
مُسْتَنْزِفاًdraining دَمَكَyour blood الزَّكِيَّpure وَلَمْand not يُرَقْwas shed
مُسْتَنْزِفاً دَمَكَ الزَّكِيَّ وَلَمْ يُرَقْ
بِشَبَاةِby the edge of قِرْضَابٍa cutting sword وَلاَnor بِسِنَانِby a spearhead
بِشَبَاةِ قِرْضَابٍ وَلاَ بِسِنَانِ
Draining your pure blood, though it was not shed
Shedding blood pure till no more remained
By the edge of a cutting sword or by a spearhead.
By neither sword nor fang was it profaned
فِيin صَوْلَةٍan onslaught لِلدَّهْرِof fate تَعْقُبُfollowing صَوْلَةًan onslaught
فِي صَوْلَةٍ لِلدَّهْرِ تَعْقُبُ صَوْلَةً
مُنْتَابَةًrecurring فِيin الآنِthe moment بعْدَafter الآنِthe moment
مُنْتَابَةً فِي الآنِ بعْدَ الآنِ
In an onslaught of fate following an onslaught,
In destiny's caprice one moment ends
Recurring, moment after moment,
Another follows in time without end
حَتَّىuntil قَضَيْتَyou died شَهِيدَa martyr to رَأيِكَyour conviction وَانْقَضَىand ended
حَتَّى قَضَيْتَ شَهِيدَ رَأيِكَ وَانْقَضَى
مَاكُنْتَwhat you used to تَلْقَىface دُونَهُin its defense وَتُعَانِيand suffer
مَاكُنْتَ تَلْقَى دُونَهُ وَتُعَانِي
Until you died, a martyr to your conviction, and ended
Till sacrificing for your views you died
What you had faced and suffered in its defense.
And passed from all that once you lived and bore
وَيحَalas for الأَبِيِّthe unyielding man تَسُوءهُdistress him أَيَّامُهُhis days
وَيحَ الأَبِيِّ تَسُوءهُ أَيَّامُهُ
وَتَسُرُّand delight كُلَّevery مُمَاذِقٍdissembler مِذْعَانِservile
وَتَسُرُّ كُلَّ مُمَاذِقٍ مِذْعَانِ
Alas for the unyielding man whom his days torment,
Woe to the noble when his days go ill
While they delight every servile dissembler,
And every sycophant exults, head bowed
مِمَّنْamong those who يُقَدَّمُis given precedence فِيamong الرِّجَالِmen وَمَاand nothing بِهِis in him
مِمَّنْ يُقَدَّمُ فِي الرِّجَالِ وَمَا بِهِ
إِلاَّexcept الطِّلاَءُthe coating بِكَاذِبِwith false الأَلوَانِcolors
إِلاَّ الطِّلاَءُ بِكَاذِبِ الأَلوَانِ
Among those given precedence among men, who have nothing
Though first among men, what's that in truth?
But a veneer of false colors.
Naught but veneer of lies in garish hues
مَاذَاwhat دَهَىbefell الْقفسْطَاطَFustat حينَwhen تَجَاوَبَتْanswered one another
مَاذَا دَهَى الْقفسْطَاطَ حينَ تَجَاوَبَتْ
أصْدَاؤُهَاits echoes لِنَوَاكَat your departure بِالإرْنَانِwith wailing
أصْدَاؤُهَا لِنَوَاكَ بِالإرْنَانِ
What befell Fustat when there rang out
What availed Constantia when echoed round
Its answering echoes, wailing at your departure?
Its colonnade your chant in solemn tone?
وَجَلاَand unveiled عَنِfrom الْقَدَرِthe fate المُخَبَّأِhidden لَيْلَهَاits night
وَجَلاَ عَنِ الْقَدَرِ المُخَبَّأِ لَيْلَهَا
وَبَدَاand appeared الصَّبَاحُthe dawn مُقَرَّحَwith sore الأَجْفَانِeyelids
وَبَدَا الصَّبَاحُ مُقَرَّحَ الأَجْفَانِ
And its night unveiled the hidden fate,
And from the hidden writ dawn stripped night's veil
And dawn appeared with sore eyelids.
As morning peered with heavy-laden lids
خَطْبٌa calamity أَرَانَاshowed us فِيin مَجَالاَتِthe fields of الفِدَىsacrifice
خَطْبٌ أَرَانَا فِي مَجَالاَتِ الفِدَى
وَالصِّدْقِand truthfulness كَيْفَhow مَصَارِعُthe deaths of الشُّجْعَانِthe brave
وَالصِّدْقِ كَيْفَ مَصَارِعُ الشُّجْعَانِ
A calamity that showed us, in the fields of sacrifice
A speech that showed in sacrifice and truth
And truth, how the brave meet their deaths.
How heroes fight their battles to the death
غَشِيَتْcovered ثَبِيراًThabir مِنْfrom أَسَاهُits sorrow غَمَامَةٌa cloud
غَشِيَتْ ثَبِيراً مِنْ أَسَاهُ غَمَامَةٌ
جَرَّتْdragged كَلاَكِلَهَاits breasts عَلَىover لُبْنَانِLebanon
جَرَّتْ كَلاَكِلَهَا عَلَى لُبْنَانِ
A cloud born of its sorrow shrouded Thabir,
A cloud, thick-piled, darkened your noble form
Dragging its heavy breasts across Lebanon.
And streaked like tatters down the Lebanon
فَالشَّرْقُso the East فيin شَرَقٍa choking fit مِنَfrom الدَّمْعِthe tears الذَِّيthat
فَالشَّرْقُ في شَرَقٍ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ الذَِّي
أجْرَىmade stream الْعُيُونَthe eyes وَفَاضَand overflowed بِالْغُدْرَانِinto pools
أجْرَى الْعُيُونَ وَفَاضَ بِالْغُدْرَانِ
So the East choked on the tears that
So Eastward tears in streams of blood still pour
Made eyes stream and overflowed in pools.
That eyes shed copiously in anguish flow
أيْO مُصطَفَىMustafa يَبْكِيكَweep for you قَوْمُكَyour people كُلَّمَاwhenever
أيْ مُصطَفَى يَبْكِيكَ قَوْمُكَ كُلَّمَا
عَادَتْهُمُوrevisited them ذِكْرَىthe memory of فَتَىthe foremost youth among الفِتْيَانِyoung men
عَادَتْهُمُو ذِكْرَى فَتَى الفِتْيَانِ
O Mustafa, your people weep for you whenever
What Moustafa, your folk still weep for you
The memory of the finest of young men revisits them.
Whenever the memory comes, O flower of men
يوْمَthe day الْوَفَاءُfidelity دَعَاcalled فَكُنْتَand you were لِوَاءَهُits banner
يوْمَ الْوَفَاءُ دَعَا فَكُنْتَ لِوَاءَهُ
وَطَلِعَةِand a vanguard (probable reading) لطليعةfor the vanguard of الفُرْسَانِthe horsemen
وَطَلِعَةِ لطليعة الفُرْسَانِ
On the day fidelity called, you were its banner,
The day you summoned, you became its banner
And a vanguard for the vanguard of horsemen.
And van of cavalry none could comprehend
هَذَاthis شَهِيدٌa martyr مِنْamong وُلاَتِكَyour leaders خَامِسٌa fifth
هَذَا شَهِيدٌ مِنْ وُلاَتِكَ خَامِسٌ
يَهْوِيfalls بِحَيْثُwhere هَوَيْتَyou fell فِيin المَيْدَانِthe battlefield
يَهْوِي بِحَيْثُ هَوَيْتَ فِي المَيْدَانِ
Here is a fifth martyr among your leaders,
Another martyr now, the fifth of your domain
Falling where you fell upon the battlefield.
Plunging to where you plunged amid the fray
لَكَأَنَّهُمْtruly as though they وَالمَوْتُand death أَسْوَأُthe worst of مَغْنَمٍspoils
لَكَأَنَّهُمْ وَالمَوْتُ أَسْوَأُ مَغْنَمٍ
يَتَراكَضُونَrace one another إلَيْهِtoward it خَيْلَhorses in رِهَانِa wager
يَتَراكَضُونَ إلَيْهِ خَيْلَ رِهَانِ
They seem, though death is the worst of spoils,
As if, than death, they coveted no greater prize
To race toward it like horses racing for a wager.
Charging their steeds recklessly ahead
بَذَلُواthey gave النُّفُوسَtheir lives كَمَاas بَذَلْتَyou gave وَأَرْخَصُواand held cheap
بَذَلُوا النُّفُوسَ كَمَا بَذَلْتَ وَأَرْخَصُوا
مَاwhat عَزَّwas precious مِنْof جَاهٍrank وَمِنْand of قُنْيَانِpossessions
مَا عَزَّ مِنْ جَاهٍ وَمِنْ قُنْيَانِ
They gave their lives as you gave yours, and held cheap
Lives and riches they relinquished and held cheap
What was precious in rank and possessions.
However high in status, treasure piled
فَإذَاso when ذُكِرْتَyou are remembered وَأَنْتَand you عُنْوَانُthe title of الْفِدَىsacrifice
فَإذَا ذُكِرْتَ وَأَنْتَ عُنْوَانُ الْفِدَى
فَاسْمُthen the name of الرِّفَاقِthe companions تَتِمَّةُthe completion of الْعُنْوَانِthe title
فَاسْمُ الرِّفَاقِ تَتِمَّةُ الْعُنْوَانِ
So when you are remembered, you, the title of sacrifice,
When you are named, redeeming sacrifice itself
Your comrades' names complete that title.
Your comrades' names complete that title's writ
رُزِئْتَwas bereaved of أَمِيناًAmin أُمَّةٌa nation مَفْؤُودَةٌheart-stricken
رُزِئْتَ أَمِيناً أُمَّةٌ مَفْؤُودَةٌ
لِفِرِاقِهِat his departure سَكْرَىdrunk مِنَwith الأَحْزَانِsorrows
لِفِرِاقِهِ سَكْرَى مِنَ الأَحْزَانِ
A heart-stricken nation was bereaved of Amin,
You passed, trusted by an orphaned nation
Drunk with sorrow at his departure.
Intoxicated with the wine of grief
خَرَجَتْcame out تُشَيِّعُهُto escort him وَسَارَand marched بِرَمْزِهِwith his emblem
خَرَجَتْ تُشَيِّعُهُ وَسَارَ بِرَمْزِهِ
مَنْwhoever فَاتَهُpassed him by التَّشْيِيعُthe funeral procession لِلْجُثْمَانِfor the body
مَنْ فَاتَهُ التَّشْيِيعُ لِلْجُثْمَانِ
It came out to escort him, and with his emblem marched
They bore you forth, while many joined the march
Those who had missed the procession for his body.
Who the procession itself could not attend
تُزْجِيbears onward الصِّحَافِيَّthe journalist الأمِينَfaithful المُجْتَبَىchosen
تُزْجِي الصِّحَافِيَّ الأمِينَ المُجْتَبَى
عَفَّpure الْجُيُوبِthe bosoms مُطَهَّرَcleansed الأَرْدانِthe sleeves
عَفَّ الْجُيُوبِ مُطَهَّرَ الأَرْدانِ
Bearing onward the faithful, chosen journalist,
You speed the virtuous, chosen, parted soul
Pure of bosom and spotless of sleeve,
Of purity, from blemish purified
طَلْقَcheerful المُحَيَّاof face فِيbeneath الْحِجَابِthe veil كَأَنَّمَاas though
طَلْقَ المُحَيَّا فِي الْحِجَابِ كَأَنَّمَا
نَسَجَwove الأَشِعَّةَthe rays نَاسِجُthe weaver of الأَكْفَانِshrouds
نَسَجَ الأَشِعَّةَ نَاسِجُ الأَكْفَانِ
Cheerful of countenance beneath the veil, as though
And in your shroud's perfume, like roses bloomed
The weaver of shrouds had woven rays of light.
In springtide's midst, your progeny has thrived
يَسْتَقْبِلُmeets اللهَGod الْكَرِيمَthe Generous بِجَبْهَةٍwith a brow
يَسْتَقْبِلُ اللهَ الْكَرِيمَ بِجَبْهَةٍ
بَيْضَاءَwhite خَالِيَةٍfree مِنَof الأَدْرَانِstains
بَيْضَاءَ خَالِيَةٍ مِنَ الأَدْرَانِ
He meets the generous God with a brow
The press in you has found its comforter
White and free of stains.
What matters it the loss of one who strove?
أَعْزِزْhow grievous عَلَىto الإخْوَانِthe brothers أنَّthat مَكَانَهُhis place
أَعْزِزْ عَلَى الإخْوَانِ أنَّ مَكَانَهُ
مُتَفَقَّدٌmissed فِيin مُلْتَقَىthe meeting place of الإخْوَانِthe brothers
مُتَفَقَّدٌ فِي مُلْتَقَى الإخْوَانِ
How grievous to his brothers that his place
In the astute fulfilling of its charge
Is missed where the brothers gather.
And the pioneering, foremost of its kind
مَاhow كَانَhe was أسْمَحَهُgenerous he was وَأَصْرَحَand frank طَبْعَهُhis nature
مَا كَانَ أسْمَحَهُ وَأَصْرَحَ طَبْعَهُ
وَأَرَفَّهُand how tender he was لِلْمُسْتَضَامِto the oppressed الْعَانِيthe suffering
وَأَرَفَّهُ لِلْمُسْتَضَامِ الْعَانِي
How generous he was, how frank his nature,
A gift is he time rarely will replace
And how tender toward the oppressed sufferer!
Harsh though the years, their burden he'll withstand
حَسُنَتْwere beautiful شَمَائِلُهُhis traits وَصِينَand was protected إبَاؤُهُhis proud dignity
حَسُنَتْ شَمَائِلُهُ وَصِينَ إبَاؤُهُ
عنْfrom كُلِّevery شائنةِblemish أَتَمَّthe fullest صِيَانِprotection
عنْ كُلِّ شائنةِ أَتَمَّ صِيَانِ
His virtues were fair, and his proud dignity was shielded
Never his pages with their dreams and thoughts
From every blemish, with the fullest protection.
Of culture's jewels and wisdom shall be stilled
وَبِطِيبِand through the goodness of مَحْتِدِهِhis lineage زَكَتْgrew pure أَخْلاَفُهُhis descendants (likely intended: his character)
وَبِطِيبِ مَحْتِدِهِ زَكَتْ أَخْلاَفُهُ
فَتَضَوَّعَتْand spread fragrance كَالْوَرْدِlike roses فِيin نَيْسَانِApril
فَتَضَوَّعَتْ كَالْوَرْدِ فِي نَيْسَانِ
And through the goodness of his stock, his character grew pure,
Truth he espoused, so here co-mingled are
Spreading fragrance like roses in April.
The noble and base cualities of life
إنَّindeed الصَّحَافَةَjournalism فِيهِin his loss عَزَّwas difficult عَزَاؤُهَاits consolation
إنَّ الصَّحَافَةَ فِيهِ عَزَّ عَزَاؤُهَا
مَاhow great خَطْبُهَاits calamity فِيin صَبِّهَاits ardent lover المُتَفَانِيself-sacrificing
مَا خَطْبُهَا فِي صَبِّهَا المُتَفَانِي
Indeed, journalism finds consolation hard in his loss;
Yet more endearing to reproach it seemed
What a calamity it suffers in its devoted lover!
So nothing could from that dissuade him here
فِيin النَّابِهِthe eminent one المُوفِيtowering عَلَىabove أعْلامِهَاits luminaries
فِي النَّابِهِ المُوفِي عَلَى أعْلامِهَا
وَالنَّابِغِand the gifted one السَّبَّاقِwho outstrips لِلأَفْرَانِto the ovens (likely intended: to peers)
وَالنَّابِغِ السَّبَّاقِ لِلأَفْرَانِ
In the eminent man who towered above its luminaries,
His plea grew stronger and his judgment harsh
And the gifted one who outstripped his peers.
While his tongue was gentlest ever formed
فَرْدٌa unique man بِهِwith him جَادَgave generously الزَّمَانُtime وَمِثْلُهُand his like
فَرْدٌ بِهِ جَادَ الزَّمَانُ وَمِثْلُهُ
قِدْماًfrom of old يَكُونُhas been مَضِنَّةَa jealously guarded treasure of الأَزْمَانِthe ages
قِدْماً يَكُونُ مَضِنَّةَ الأَزْمَانِ
A unique man whom time bestowed; his like
Unfearing of reproach for truth, no thing
Has ever been a treasure the ages begrudge.
But conscience over him held any sway
هَيْهَاتَfar from possible أنْthat تُطْوَىbe folded away صَحَائِفُpages زَانَهَاhe adorned them
هَيْهَاتَ أنْ تُطْوَى صَحَائِفُ زَانَهَا
بِطَراَئِفِwith rare treasures of الآدَابِletters وَالعِرْفَانِand knowledge
بِطَراَئِفِ الآدَابِ وَالعِرْفَانِ
Never shall the pages he adorned be folded away,
As for his tact, say what you will, his words
With their rare treasures of letters and knowledge.
Poured forth such radiance and meaning deep
تَخِذَhe took الْحَقِيقَةَTruth خُلَّةًas an intimate friend فَهُنَاso here عَلَىdespite
تَخِذَ الْحَقِيقَةَ خُلَّةً فَهُنَا عَلَى
عِلاَّتِthe ills of هَذَاthis الْعَيْشِlife يَصْطَحِبانِthey keep company
عِلاَّتِ هَذَا الْعَيْشِ يَصْطَحِبانِ
He took Truth as an intimate friend; here, despite
Bringing delight to souls and awe sublime
The ills of this life, the two keep company.
Through reason's light and revelation's glow
وَيَزيدُهُand increase his كَلَفاًpassion بِهَاfor her عُذَّالُهُhis reproachers
وَيَزيدُهُ كَلَفاً بِهَا عُذَّالُهُ
فِيهاconcerning her فَمَاso not يَثْنِيهِturns him aside عَنْهَاfrom her ثَانِany dissuader
فِيها فَمَا يَثْنِيهِ عَنْهَا ثَانِ
And his reproachers deepen his passion for her;
His chant, when harkened to, returns one to
For all their blame of her, none turns him away from her.
Quranic measures dual and threefold
تَشْتَدُّgrows strong حُجَّتُهُhis argument وَيَجْفُوand grows stern حُكْمُهُhis judgment
تَشْتَدُّ حُجَّتُهُ وَيَجْفُو حُكْمُهُ
وَلِسَانُهُand his tongue أبَداُalways أَعَفُّthe chastest لِسَانِtongue
وَلِسَانُهُ أبَداُ أَعَفُّ لِسَانِ
His argument grows forceful, and his judgment stern,
Its strains both gently please yet firmly warn
Yet his tongue is ever the chastest of tongues.
By clarity and meaning interlaced
لَمْdid not يَخْشَfear فِيfor الْحَقِّtruth المَلاَمَblame وَلَمْnor يَكُنْwas there
لَمْ يَخْشَ فِي الْحَقِّ المَلاَمَ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ
لِسِوَىfor anything but الضَّمِيرِconscience عَلَيْهِover him مِنْany سُلْطَانِauthority
لِسِوَى الضَّمِيرِ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ سُلْطَانِ
He feared no reproach for truth, nor was there
It casts on life a joyous, wondrous spell
Any authority over him save conscience.
Through truth and evidence in balance weighed
أمَّاas for يَرَاعَتُهُhis reed-pen فَقُلْthen say مَاwhat شِئْتَyou wish فِيabout
أمَّا يَرَاعَتُهُ فَقُلْ مَا شِئْتَ فِي
لَفْظٍwording تَفِيضُit pours forth بِدُرِّهِits pearls وَمَعَانِand meanings
لَفْظٍ تَفِيضُ بِدُرِّهِ وَمَعَانِ
As for his reed-pen, say what you will of
And from adversity, none truer stayed
The pearls of words and meanings it pours forth.
In guarding him, in hiding or declarèd
لَمْdid not تَجْرِrun فِيin عَبَثٍfrivolity وَلَمْand did not تُنْكِرْdisown بِهَاin it
لَمْ تَجْرِ فِي عَبَثٍ وَلَمْ تُنْكِرْ بِهَا
لُطْفَthe grace of المَكَانِthe setting رَوَائعُthe marvels of الْقُرْآنِthe Quran
لُطْفَ المَكَانِ رَوَائعُ الْقُرْآنِ
It never ran in frivolity, nor did
He rose to virtue's heights with judgment sure
The Quran's marvels disown their graceful setting in it.
That from afar brings wisdom to your door
لصَريرهَاfor its scratching رَجْعٌan echo تَسَامَعُهُhear it النُّهَىthe intellects
لصَريرهَا رَجْعٌ تَسَامَعُهُ النُّهَى
وَلَهُand it has رَنِينَthe ringing of مَثَالِثٍthird strings وَمَثَانِand second strings
وَلَهُ رَنِينَ مَثَالِثٍ وَمَثَانِ
Its scratching has an echo that minds hear,
The constitution's message but his word
And it has the ringing of third and second strings.
Revealed as revelation's chapters poured
يُلْقِِيcasts سُرُوراًjoy فِيinto النُّفُوسِsouls وَرَوْعَةًand awe
يُلْقِِي سُرُوراً فِي النُّفُوسِ وَرَوْعَةً
بِالسَّاطِعَيْنِthrough the two radiant ones الحَقِّtruth وَالبُرْهَانِand proof
بِالسَّاطِعَيْنِ الحَقِّ وَالبُرْهَانِ
It casts joy and awe into souls
Men of wisdom heeded the decree
Through the two shining ones: truth and proof.
And joined together while dissenters fled
وَعَلَىand despite المَكَارِهِhardships ظَلَّhe remained أوْفَىthe most faithful مَنْof those who وَفَىwere faithful
وَعَلَى المَكَارِهِ ظَلَّ أوْفَى مَنْ وَفَى
لِحِمَاهُto his homeland فِيin الإسْرَارِsecrecy وَالإعْلاَنِand openness
لِحِمَاهُ فِي الإسْرَارِ وَالإعْلاَنِ
And despite hardships, he remained the most faithful of the faithful
To die fulfilling the Merciful's behest
To his homeland, in secret and in public.
Seeking only His favor, nothing more
يَسْمُوrises إلىto عُلْيَاthe loftiest of الأمُورِaffairs بِفِطْنَةٍwith insight
يَسْمُو إلى عُلْيَا الأمُورِ بِفِطْنَةٍ
تَأتِيreaches البَعِيدَthe distant مِنَby way of الطَّريقِthe path الدَّانِيnearby
تَأتِي البَعِيدَ مِنَ الطَّريقِ الدَّانِي
He rises to the loftiest affairs with an insight
The advocate for his people's cause
That reaches the distant by a path close at hand.
With unwavering and tireless zeal
هَلْis it بَعْثَةُthe revival of الدُّسْتُورِAl-Dustur (the constitution) إلاَّanything but وَحْيُهُhis inspiration
هَلْ بَعْثَةُ الدُّسْتُورِ إلاَّ وَحْيُهُ
مُتَنَزِّلاًdescending كَتَنَزُّلِlike the descent of الْفُرْقَانِAl-Furqan (the Quran)
مُتَنَزِّلاً كَتَنَزُّلِ الْفُرْقَانِ
Was the rebirth of Al-Dustur anything but his inspiration,
The days diverted not his heart and mind
Descending as Al-Furqan descended?
To riches and to comely lads entwined
وَحْيٌan inspiration إلَيةِto it ثَابَreturned أرْبَابُthe masters of النُّهَىreason
وَحْيٌ إلَيةِ ثَابَ أرْبَابُ النُّهَى
فَتَألَّفُواand they united وَالخِلْفُwhile discord فِيin خِذْلاَنِdefeat
فَتَألَّفُوا وَالخِلْفُ فِي خِذْلاَنِ
An inspiration to which the masters of reason rallied,
He passed, bequeathing to his sons no wealth
And united, while discord was defeated.
Save that inherited of want and dearth
فِيin ذِمَّةِthe keeping of الرَّحْمَنِthe Merciful خَيْرُthe finest مُجَاهِدٍstriver
فِي ذِمَّةِ الرَّحْمَنِ خَيْرُ مُجَاهِدٍ
لَمْdid not يَلْتَمِسْseek إلاَّexcept رِضَاthe approval of الرَّحْمَنِthe Merciful
لَمْ يَلْتَمِسْ إلاَّ رِضَا الرَّحْمَنِ
In the Merciful's keeping rests the finest striver,
O God, raise them in righteousness, we ask
Who sought nothing but the Merciful's approval.
And bless them with Your bounty and Your grace
كَانَhe was المُحَامِيthe defender عَنْof قَضِيَّةِthe cause of قَوْمِهِhis people
كَانَ المُحَامِي عَنْ قَضِيَّةِ قَوْمِهِ
بِمضَاءِwith resolve لاَnot وَكَلٍweak وَلاَnor مُتَوَانِيslack
بِمضَاءِ لاَ وَكَلٍ وَلاَ مُتَوَانِي
He was the defender of his people's cause,
Look after her in whom his honor lies
With resolve, neither weak nor slack.
The partner who supported and made ease
لَمْdid not تَشْغَلِdistract الأَيَّامُthe days عَتْهَاfrom it (probable correction) قَلْبَهُhis heart
لَمْ تَشْغَلِ الأَيَّامُ عَتْهَا قَلْبَهُ
بِالزِّينَتَيْنِwith the two adornments المَالِwealth وَالوِلْدَانِand children
بِالزِّينَتَيْنِ المَالِ وَالوِلْدَانِ
The days never distracted his heart from it
O you who in Egypt shall enduring dwell
With the two adornments, wealth and children.
Whilst the Nile flows on and the Pyramids yet stand
فَمَضَىso he departed وَمَاand no لِبَنِيهِfor his sons إرثَinheritance غَيْرَexcept مَاwhat
فَمَضَى وَمَا لِبَنِيهِ إرثَ غَيْرَ مَا
وَرِثُوهُthey inherited it مِنْof ضَعْفٍweakness وَمِنْand of حِرْمَانِdeprivation
وَرِثُوهُ مِنْ ضَعْفٍ وَمِنْ حِرْمَانِ
So he departed, leaving his sons no inheritance but
Upon your noble face an image shines
The weakness and deprivation they inherited.
Imprinted in men's minds eternally
أَنْبِتْهُمُmake them grow اللَّهُمَّO God نَبْتاًgrowth صَالِحاًwholesome
أَنْبِتْهُمُ اللَّهُمَّ نَبْتاً صَالِحاً
وَتَوَلَّهُمْand care for them بِالْفَضْلِwith bounty وَالإحْسَانِand kindness
وَتَوَلَّهُمْ بِالْفَضْلِ وَالإحْسَانِ
Let them grow, O God, with wholesome growth,
Your dulcet voice, as long as life endures
And care for them with bounty and kindness.
In every tender heart echoes its joy
وَارْعَand protect المُحَصَّنَةَthe chaste woman الَّتِيwho بَرَّتْwas devoted بِهِto him
وَارْعَ المُحَصَّنَةَ الَّتِي بَرَّتْ بِهِ
بِرَّwith the goodness of الشَّرِيكِa partner المُسْعِفِhelpful المِعْوَانِsupportive
بِرَّ الشَّرِيكِ المُسْعِفِ المِعْوَانِ
And protect the chaste woman who was devoted to him
Not every corpse is lifeless in the tomb
With the goodness of a helpful, supportive partner.
But only absent far beyond recall
يَاO رَحِلاًdeparted one فِيin مِصْرَEgypt يَخْلُدُendures ذِكْرُهُhis memory
يَا رَحِلاً فِي مِصْرَ يَخْلُدُ ذِكْرُهُ
مَاas long as دَامَendure النَّيلُthe Nile وَالْهَرَمانِand the two pyramids
مَا دَامَ النَّيلُ وَالْهَرَمانِ
O departed one in Egypt, whose memory endures
Does not man's glory in his works survive
As long as the Nile and the two pyramids endure,
From age to age, their maker magnified?
لَجَمِيلِof the beautiful وَجْهِكَyour face صُورَةٌan image مَطْبُوعَةٌimprinted
لَجَمِيلِ وَجْهِكَ صُورَةٌ مَطْبُوعَةٌ
بِالطَّابِعِwith the stamp الأبَدِيِّeternal فِيin الأَذْهَانِminds
بِالطَّابِعِ الأبَدِيِّ فِي الأَذْهَانِ
An image of your beautiful face is imprinted
Rejoice in bliss your recompense for all
With an eternal stamp upon minds.
You offered up, amid the gardens' bloom
وَلِصَوْتِكَand for your voice الرَّنَّانِringing مَاhowever طَالَextends المَدَىthe span
وَلِصَوْتِكَ الرَّنَّانِ مَا طَالَ المَدَى
فِيin كُلِّevery جَانِحَةٍbreast صَدّىan echo of تَحْنَانِyearning
فِي كُلِّ جَانِحَةٍ صَدّى تَحْنَانِ
And for your ringing voice, however long time stretches,
And seek eternity from fleeting life
In every breast there is an echo of yearning.
Whose vanishing cannot touch the eternal soul
مَاnot المَيْتُthe dead one كُلُّwholly المَيْتِdead إلاَّexcept خَامِلٌan obscure person
مَا المَيْتُ كُلُّ المَيْتِ إلاَّ خَامِلٌ
يُطْوَىis folded away وَمَاand no لَحْدٌgrave سِوىbut النِّسْيَانِoblivion
يُطْوَى وَمَا لَحْدٌ سِوى النِّسْيَانِ
None is utterly dead but the obscure man
Who is folded away; there is no grave but oblivion.
أَلمَجْدُglory لِلآثَارِfor legacies خَيْرٌbetter حَافِظاًas a guardian
أَلمَجْدُ لِلآثَارِ خَيْرٌ حَافِظاً
فِيin كُلِّevery عَصْرٍage مِنْهُthan it لِلأعْيَانِfor persons
فِي كُلِّ عَصْرٍ مِنْهُ لِلأعْيَانِ
Glory is a better guardian of legacies
In every age than it is of persons.
فُزْwin بِالنَّعِيمِbliss جَزَاءَas recompense for مَاwhat قَدَّمْتَهُyou offered it
فُزْ بِالنَّعِيمِ جَزَاءَ مَا قَدَّمْتَهُ
وَتَمَلَّهُand savor it فِيamong زَهِرَاتِthe blossoms of جِنَانِgardens
وَتَمَلَّهُ فِي زَهِرَاتِ جِنَانِ
Win bliss as recompense for what you offered,
And savor it amid the blossoms of gardens.
وَاعْتَضْand take in exchange خُلُوداًimmortality مِنْfor حَيَاةٍa life إنَّمَاonly
وَاعْتَضْ خُلُوداً مِنْ حَيَاةٍ إنَّمَا
يُعْتَدُّis reckoned فَانِيهَاits transient span لِغَيْرِfor what is not الفَانِيperishable
يُعْتَدُّ فَانِيهَا لِغَيْرِ الفَانِي
And take immortality in exchange for a life whose
Transient span counts only toward the imperishable.
Partial English translation: 114 of 122 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1