ياO رَائِدَscout البَرقِthe lightning يَمّمِturn toward دارَةَvalley of العَلَمِal-Alam
يا رَائِدَ البَرقِ يَمّمِ دارَةَ العَلَمِ
وَاحدُand drive الغَمامَthe clouds إِلىtoward حَيٍّa settlement بِذِيat Dhu سَلَمِSalam
وَاحدُ الغَمامَ إِلى حَيٍّ بِذِي سَلَمِ
O scout of lightning, turn toward the valley of al-Alam,
O guide of the lightning, steer your course towards the banner of glory,
And drive the clouds toward a settlement at Dhu Salam.
And drive the clouds to the living lands of peace and accord.
وَإِنand if مَرَرتَyou pass عَلىthrough الرَّوحاءِal-Rawha فَامرِthen milk لَهاfor it
وَإِن مَرَرتَ عَلى الرَّوحاءِ فَامرِ لَها
أَخلافَudders of سارِيَةٍa night-cloud هَتّانَةِpouring الدِّيَمِsteady rains
أَخلافَ سارِيَةٍ هَتّانَةِ الدِّيَمِ
If you pass through al-Rawha, milk for it
And if you pass by the meadows, command the brisk young she-camels
The udders of a night-cloud pouring steady rain,
With swaying howdahs, wandering freely in the vast wilderness.
مِنَamong الغِزارِabundant clouds الَّلواتيwhich فيin حَوالِبِهاtheir milk-bearing breasts
مِنَ الغِزارِ الَّلواتي في حَوالِبِها
رِيُّquenching of النَّواهِلِthe thirsty مِنof زَرعٍcrops وَمِنand of نَعَمِlivestock
رِيُّ النَّواهِلِ مِن زَرعٍ وَمِن نَعَمِ
One of those abundant clouds whose milk-bearing breasts
Of the plump she-camels in whose paddocks, the stallion grazes
Quench thirsty crops and livestock.
Amidst the lush greenery and livestock in abundance.
إِذاwhen اِستَهَلَّتit showers بِأَرضٍupon a land نَمنَمَتembroidered يَدُهاits hand
إِذا اِستَهَلَّت بِأَرضٍ نَمنَمَت يَدُها
بُرداًa mantle مِنَof النَّورِflowers يَكسُوclothing عارِيَthe naked الأَكَمِhills
بُرداً مِنَ النَّورِ يَكسُو عارِيَ الأَكَمِ
When it showers upon a land, its hand embroiders
When their land is watered, their hands till the soil,
A flowered mantle clothing the naked hills.
Cloaking the bare hills in a garment of radiant light.
تَرىyou see النَّباتَthe plants بِهاthere خُضراًgreen سَنابِلُهُtheir ears
تَرى النَّباتَ بِها خُضراً سَنابِلُهُ
يَختالُstrutting فيin حُلَّةٍa robe مَوشِيَّةِembroidered العَلَمِborders
يَختالُ في حُلَّةٍ مَوشِيَّةِ العَلَمِ
You see the plants there, their ears green,
The vegetation flourishes, the corn-ears stand tall,
Strutting in a robe with embroidered borders.
Swaying gracefully in their festive attire.
أَدعُوI pray إِلىfor الدَّارِthe dwelling بِالسُّقياfor watering وَبِيwhile I have ظَمَأٌthirst
أَدعُو إِلى الدَّارِ بِالسُّقيا وَبِي ظَمَأٌ
أَحَقُّmore deserving بِالريِّof quenching لَكِنّيbut I أَخُوpossess كَرَمِgenerosity
أَحَقُّ بِالريِّ لَكِنّي أَخُو كَرَمِ
I pray for rain upon the dwelling, though my thirst
I call to the dwellings with the water-skins, and I thirst,
More deserves quenching; yet I am generous.
Though I have the right to drink, I am dignified in restraint.
مَنازِلٌdwellings لِهَواهاfor their love بَينَbetween جانِحَتيmy ribs
مَنازِلٌ لِهَواها بَينَ جانِحَتي
وَدِيعَةٌa trust سِرُّهاits secret لَمnot يَتَّصِلreached بِفَميmy mouth
وَدِيعَةٌ سِرُّها لَم يَتَّصِل بِفَمي
Dwellings whose love, between my ribs, holds
They have lodgings between my arms, a secret to be kept to myself,
A trust whose secret never reached my lips.
A trust not to be betrayed by my lips.
إِذاwhen تَنَسَّمتُI breathe مِنهاfrom them نَفحَةًa waft لَعِبَتplayed
إِذا تَنَسَّمتُ مِنها نَفحَةً لَعِبَت
بِيَwith me الصَبابَةُlonging لِعبَthe play of الريحِthe wind بِالعَلَمِwith the banner
بِيَ الصَبابَةُ لِعبَ الريحِ بِالعَلَمِ
Whenever I breathe a waft from them,
When a breeze blows from them, the zephyr plays with me
Longing plays with me as wind plays with a banner.
Toying with the banner as the wind does the same.
أَدِرcirculate عَلىthrough السَّمعِhearing ذِكراهاtheir remembrance فَإِنَّfor indeed لَهاtheirs
أَدِر عَلى السَّمعِ ذِكراها فَإِنَّ لَها
فيin القَلبِthe heart مَنزِلَةًa station مَرعِيَّةَhonored الذِمَمِpledges
في القَلبِ مَنزِلَةً مَرعِيَّةَ الذِمَمِ
Let their remembrance circulate through my hearing, for theirs
Turn your hearing to the mention of them, for in the heart
Is a place in my heart whose pledges are honored.
They occupy a sublime station like a meadow for cattle.
عَهدٌa time تَوَلّىdeparted وَأَبقىand left فيin الفُؤادِthe heart لَهُfor it
عَهدٌ تَوَلّى وَأَبقى في الفُؤادِ لَهُ
شَوقاًlonging يَفُلُّblunting شَباةَthe edge of الرَأيِjudgment وَالهِمَمِand resolves
شَوقاً يَفُلُّ شَباةَ الرَأيِ وَالهِمَمِ
A time departed, leaving in my heart
A covenant was made and remains in my heart kindling a yearning
Longing for it that blunts judgment and resolve.
That melts the firmness of mind and determination.
إِذاwhen تَذَكَّرتُهُI remember it لاحَتappeared مَخائِلُهُits outlines
إِذا تَذَكَّرتُهُ لاحَت مَخائِلُهُ
لِلعَينِto the eye حَتّىuntil كَأَنّيas though I مِنهُof it فيin حُلُمِa dream
لِلعَينِ حَتّى كَأَنّي مِنهُ في حُلُمِ
Whenever I remember it, its outlines appear
When I remember it, its effulgence appears before my eyes,
Before my eyes, until I seem to dream of it.
As if I see it manifest in a dream.
فَماso what عَلىupon الدَهرِtime لَوif رَقَّتsoftened شَمائِلُهُits dispositions
فَما عَلى الدَهرِ لَو رَقَّت شَمائِلُهُ
فَعادَand returned بِالوَصلwith communion أَوor أَلقىextended يَدَthe hand of السَلَمِpeace
فَعادَ بِالوَصل أَو أَلقى يَدَ السَلَمِ
What would time lose if its disposition softened,
So what if the spheres shift and its beauty returns,
Restoring communion or extending the hand of peace?
Or if it extends its hand in peace and concord.
تَكاءَدَتنيburdened me خُطُوبٌcalamities لَوif رَمَيتُI hurled بِهاthem
تَكاءَدَتني خُطُوبٌ لَو رَمَيتُ بِها
مَناكِبَthe shoulders of الأَرضthe earth لَمnot تَثبُتstood firm عَلىupon قَدَمِa foot
مَناكِبَ الأَرض لَم تَثبُت عَلى قَدَمِ
Calamities burdened me: had I hurled them
Hardships have burdened me, enough to topple mountains,
Upon earth's shoulders, it could not have stood.
Yet I walk on steadily, my steps unfaltering.
فيin بَلدَةٍa town مِثلِlike جَوفِthe hollow of العَيرthe wild ass لَستُI do not أَرىsee
في بَلدَةٍ مِثلِ جَوفِ العَير لَستُ أَرى
فيهاin it سِوىexcept أُمَمٍpeoples تَحنُوbowing عَلىover صَنَمِan idol
فيها سِوى أُمَمٍ تَحنُو عَلى صَنَمِ
In a town like a wild ass's hollow belly, I see
In this desolate abode, like a hollowed rock, I see none
Nothing but peoples bowing over an idol.
Save images bowing down to an idol.
لاnot أَستَقِرُّI find rest بِهاthere إِلّاexcept عَلىin قَلَقٍanxiety
لا أَستَقِرُّ بِها إِلّا عَلى قَلَقٍ
وَلاand not أَلَذُّI enjoy بِهاthere إِلّاexcept عَلَىwith أَلَمِpain
وَلا أَلَذُّ بِها إِلّا عَلَى أَلَمِ
I find no rest there except in anxiety,
I only find restlessness here, and pleasure solely in pain.
And no pleasure there except in pain.
When I look around me, I find no trace but my own.
إِذاwhen تَلَفَّتُّI look around حَوليaround me لَمnot أَجدI find أَثَراًa trace
إِذا تَلَفَّتُّ حَولي لَم أَجد أَثَراً
إِلاexcept خَياليmy shadow وَلَمand not أَسمَعI hear سِوىexcept كَلِميmy words
إِلا خَيالي وَلَم أَسمَع سِوى كَلِمي
When I look about me, I find no trace
I hear none but my own voice, so who will heal my soul
Except my shadow, and hear only my words.
Or protect my heart from the grasp of disease?
فَمَنso who يَرُدُّrestores عَلىto نَفسيmy soul لُبانَتَهاits desire
فَمَن يَرُدُّ عَلى نَفسي لُبانَتَها
أَوor مَنwho يُجيرُprotects فُؤادِيmy heart مِنfrom يَدِthe hand of السَّقَمsickness
أَو مَن يُجيرُ فُؤادِي مِن يَدِ السَّقَم
Who will restore to my soul its desire,
Would that when the carrier pigeons left at dawn
Or protect my heart from sickness's hand?
They had carried the missives of my longing to the beloved.
لَيتَwould that القَطاthe sandgrouse حِينَwhen سارَتthey departed غُدوَةًat dawn حَمَلَتcarried
لَيتَ القَطا حِينَ سارَت غُدوَةً حَمَلَت
عَنّيon my behalf رَسائِلَmessages of أَشواقيmy longings إِلىto إِضَمِIdam
عَنّي رَسائِلَ أَشواقي إِلى إِضَمِ
Would that the sandgrouse, departing at dawn, had carried
Like the Khimar wind, they passed fleetingly, undeterred
Messages of my longing to Idam on my behalf.
By violent gusts, not veering from their course.
مَرَّتthey passed عَلَيناover us خِماصاًempty-bellied وَهيَwhile they were قارِبَةٌwater-bound
مَرَّت عَلَينا خِماصاً وَهيَ قارِبَةٌ
مَرَّthe passage of العَواصِفِstorms لاnot تَلويturning aside عَلىfor إِرَمِa landmark
مَرَّ العَواصِفِ لا تَلوي عَلى إِرَمِ
They passed us, empty-bellied, heading toward water,
No sooner does the eye glimpse them before they vanish
Like storms, turning aside for no landmark.
Like flashes of lightning in the dark of night.
لاnot تُدركُcatches العَينُthe eye مِنهاof them حينَwhen تَلمَحُهاit glimpses them
لا تُدركُ العَينُ مِنها حينَ تَلمَحُها
إِلاexcept مِثالاًa shape كَلَمعِlike the flash of البَرقِlightning فيin الظُّلَمِdarkness
إِلا مِثالاً كَلَمعِ البَرقِ في الظُّلَمِ
When the eye glimpses them, it catches
As if they are glowing letters borne on the wire
Only a shape like lightning flashing in darkness.
Scattered across the plain and mountain peaks.
كَأَنَّهاas though they أَحرُفٌletters بَرقِيَّةٌtelegraphic نَبَضَتpulsed
كَأَنَّها أَحرُفٌ بَرقِيَّةٌ نَبَضَت
بِالسِّلكِthrough the wire فَانتَشَرَتthen spread فِيacross السَّهلthe plain وَالعَلَمِand mountain
بِالسِّلكِ فَانتَشَرَت فِي السَّهل وَالعَلَمِ
As though they were telegraphic letters pulsing
Nothing precedes them unless my fingers compose verses
Through the wire, spreading across plain and mountain.
In praise of Mustafa and my pen flows in ode.
لاno شَيءَthing يَسبِقُهاoutruns them إِلّاexcept إِذاwhen اِعتَقَلَتgrasped
لا شَيءَ يَسبِقُها إِلّا إِذا اِعتَقَلَت
بَنانَتيmy fingers فيin مَديحِpraise of المُصطَفىthe Chosen One قَلَمِيmy pen
بَنانَتي في مَديحِ المُصطَفى قَلَمِي
Nothing outruns them, except when
Muhammad is the seal of messengers, one to whom
My fingers grasp my pen to praise the Chosen One:
All mankind, Arabs and non-Arabs alike, acquiesced.
مُحَمَّدٌMuhammad خاتَمُseal of الرُسلِthe messengers الَّذيwho خَضَعَتsubmitted
مُحَمَّدٌ خاتَمُ الرُسلِ الَّذي خَضَعَت
لَهُto him البَرِيَّةُcreation مِنof عُربٍArabs وَمِنand of عَجَمِnon-Arabs
لَهُ البَرِيَّةُ مِن عُربٍ وَمِن عَجَمِ
Muhammad, the seal of messengers, to whom
Essence of revelation, repository of wisdom, embodiment
Creation submitted, Arabs and non-Arabs alike.
Of nobility, benefaction, and overflowing grace.
سَميرُcompanion of وَحيٍrevelation وَمَجنىand harvest of حِكمَةٍwisdom وَنَدىand dew of
سَميرُ وَحيٍ وَمَجنى حِكمَةٍ وَنَدى
سَماحَةٍgenerosity وَقِرىand hospitality for عافٍa suppliant وَرِيُّand quenching of ظَمِa thirsty person
سَماحَةٍ وَقِرى عافٍ وَرِيُّ ظَمِ
Companion of revelation, harvest of wisdom, and dew
The revealed texts proclaimed him, before he was appointed,
Of generosity, a suppliant's hospitality, a thirsty one's drink.
To the hearing of earlier prophets, in undisclosed speech.
قَدindeed أَبلَغَconveyed الوَحيُrevelation عَنهُconcerning him قَبلَbefore بِعثَتِهِhis mission
قَد أَبلَغَ الوَحيُ عَنهُ قَبلَ بِعثَتِهِ
مَسامِعَthe ears of الرُسلِthe messengers قَولاًa saying غَيرَnot مُنكَتِمِconcealed
مَسامِعَ الرُسلِ قَولاً غَيرَ مُنكَتِمِ
Before his mission, revelation conveyed concerning him
Such was the prayer of Abraham to his Creator,
An unconcealed saying to the messengers' ears.
And the secret of Jesus' words from of old.
فَذاكَso that دَعوَةُthe prayer of إِبراهيمَAbraham خالِقَهُto his Creator
فَذاكَ دَعوَةُ إِبراهيمَ خالِقَهُ
وَسِرُّand meaning of ماwhat قالَهُhe said عِيسىJesus مِنَfrom القِدَمِantiquity
وَسِرُّ ما قالَهُ عِيسى مِنَ القِدَمِ
He was Abraham's prayer to his Creator,
Honor him, and honor the noble ancestors from whom he descended,
And the meaning of what Jesus said long ago.
As a brilliant full moon in the darkest of nights.
أَكرِمhow noble بِهِhe is وَبِآباءٍand forefathers مُحَجَّلَةٍradiant
أَكرِم بِهِ وَبِآباءٍ مُحَجَّلَةٍ
جاءَتbrought forth بِهِhim غُرَّةًa bright blaze فيin الأَعصُرِthe ages الدُّهُمِdark
جاءَت بِهِ غُرَّةً في الأَعصُرِ الدُّهُمِ
How noble he is, and his radiant forefathers,
He was predestined in the realm of God
Who brought him forth, a bright blaze amid dark ages!
To answer the prayer, as the bearer of the standard.
قَدindeed كانَhe was فيin مَلَكوتِthe dominion of اللَهِGod مُدَّخراًheld in reserve
قَد كانَ في مَلَكوتِ اللَهِ مُدَّخراً
لِدَعوَةٍfor a mission كانَhe was فيهاwithin it صاحِبَbearer of العَلَمِthe banner
لِدَعوَةٍ كانَ فيها صاحِبَ العَلَمِ
He had been held in reserve in God's dominion
A light traversing the cosmos, its brilliance intact,
For a mission in which he bore the banner.
Traversing the loins of men to the wombs of mothers.
نُورٌa light تَنَقَّلَtraveled فيthrough الأَكوانِexistence ساطِعُهُits radiance
نُورٌ تَنَقَّلَ في الأَكوانِ ساطِعُهُ
تَنَقُّلَthe passage of البَدرِthe full moon مِنfrom صُلبٍloins إِلىto رَحِمِa womb
تَنَقُّلَ البَدرِ مِن صُلبٍ إِلى رَحِمِ
A light whose radiance traveled through existence,
Until it settled in Abdullah and shone radiantly
Like the full moon, from father's loins to womb,
Like the full moon in the blackest night.
حَتّىuntil اِستَقَرَّit settled بِعَبدِin Abd اللَهِAllah فَاِنبَلَجَتthen shone forth
حَتّى اِستَقَرَّ بِعَبدِ اللَهِ فَاِنبَلَجَت
أَنوارُthe lights of غُرَّتِهِhis brow كَالبَدرِlike the full moon فيin البُهُمِdarkness
أَنوارُ غُرَّتِهِ كَالبَدرِ في البُهُمِ
Until it settled in Abd Allah, and shone forth
And God chose the chaste Amina, matching her to him,
The lights of his brow, like the moon in darkness.
For her virtue, from the Noble Clans of Mecca.
وَاِختارَand he chose آمِنَةَAmina العَذراءَthe maiden صاحِبَةًas a companion
وَاِختارَ آمِنَةَ العَذراءَ صاحِبَةً
لِفَضلِهاfor her excellence بَينَamong أَهلِthe people of الحِلِّnon-sacred territory وَالحَرَمِand the sanctuary
لِفَضلِها بَينَ أَهلِ الحِلِّ وَالحَرَمِ
He chose Amina, the maiden, as his companion,
Both were equal in stature, suited for each other,
For her excellence among those outside and within the sanctuary.
For parity in glory cannot be priced.
كِلاهُماboth of them فِيin العُلاexalted rank كُفءٌa match لِصاحِبِهِfor his companion
كِلاهُما فِي العُلا كُفءٌ لِصاحِبِهِ
وَالكُفءُand a peer فيin المَجدِglory لاnot يُستامُis priced بِالقِيَمِby valuations
وَالكُفءُ في المَجدِ لا يُستامُ بِالقِيَمِ
Each matched the other in exalted rank;
She resided with him in a revered household,
A peer in glory cannot be priced.
Founded on a lofty station and sublime principles.
فَأَصبَحَتso she became عِندَهُwith him فيin بَيتِa house of مَكرُمَةٍhonor
فَأَصبَحَت عِندَهُ في بَيتِ مَكرُمَةٍ
شِيدَتwere raised دَعائِمُهُits pillars فيin مَنصِبٍa station سِنمِlofty
شِيدَت دَعائِمُهُ في مَنصِبٍ سِنمِ
She came to dwell with him in an honored house,
When she became pregnant with Mustafa,
Its pillars raised upon a lofty station.
The hand of destiny relieved her of her burden.
وَحِينماand when حَمَلَتshe conceived بِالمُصطَفىthe Chosen One وَضَعَتlifted
وَحِينما حَمَلَت بِالمُصطَفى وَضَعَت
يَدُthe hand of المَشيئَةِdivine will عَنهاfrom her كُلفَةَthe burden of الوَجَمِdistress
يَدُ المَشيئَةِ عَنها كُلفَةَ الوَجَمِ
When she conceived the Chosen One,
A light shone from her body illuminating for her
Providence's hand lifted from her the burden of distress.
The palaces of Damascus in the lands of other nations.
وَلاحَand appeared مِنfrom جِسمِهاher body نُورٌa light أَضاءَilluminated لَهاfor her
وَلاحَ مِن جِسمِها نُورٌ أَضاءَ لَها
قُصُورَthe palaces of بُصرىBusra بِأَرضِin the land of الشَّأمِSyria مِنfrom أمَمِnearby
قُصُورَ بُصرى بِأَرضِ الشَّأمِ مِن أمَمِ
A light appeared from her body, illuminating for her
From the moment of his birth he was in the Highest Station,
The palaces of Busra in Syria, plainly before her.
Brought down by a spirit from God, the Exalted.
وَمُذand when أَنىapproached الوَضعُchildbirth وَهوَwhile it was الرَّفعُelevation مَنزِلَةًin rank
وَمُذ أَنى الوَضعُ وَهوَ الرَّفعُ مَنزِلَةً
جاءَتshe brought forth بِرُوحٍa spirit بِنُورِwith the light of اللَهِGod مُتَّسِمِmarked
جاءَت بِرُوحٍ بِنُورِ اللَهِ مُتَّسِمِ
When childbirth approached—an elevation in rank—
The dawn of Monday shone with his light, and the meadow
She brought forth a spirit marked by God's light.
Of the Sanctuary smiled at his beauty.
ضاءَتshone بِهِthrough him غُرَّةُthe dawn of الإِثنَينِMonday وَاِبتَسَمَتand smiled
ضاءَت بِهِ غُرَّةُ الإِثنَينِ وَاِبتَسَمَت
عَنat حُسنِهِhis beauty فيin رَبيعٍRabi رَوضَةُthe garden of الحَرَمِthe sanctuary
عَن حُسنِهِ في رَبيعٍ رَوضَةُ الحَرَمِ
Monday's dawn shone through him, and smiled
His mother suckled him, and Halima did not despair
The sanctuary's garden at his beauty in Rabi.
Of the nurses' saying that misfortune comes from an orphan.
وَأَرضَعَتهُand she nursed him وَلَمand not تَيأَسdespaired حَليمَةُHalima مِنbecause of
وَأَرضَعَتهُ وَلَم تَيأَس حَليمَةُ مِن
قَولِthe saying of المَراضِعِwet nurses إِنَّthat البُؤسَpoverty فيin اليَتَمِorphanhood
قَولِ المَراضِعِ إِنَّ البُؤسَ في اليَتَمِ
Halima nursed him, undeterred by
Her breasts overflowed with milk, though she went sleepless
The wet nurses' saying that orphanhood brings poverty.
Through the nights, her hungry baby now sated.
فَفاضَthen overflowed بِالدرِّwith milk ثَدياهاher two breasts وَقَدthough indeed غَنِيَتshe had spent
فَفاضَ بِالدرِّ ثَدياها وَقَد غَنِيَت
لَيالياًnights وَهيَwhile she لَمnot تطعَمate وَلَمand not تَنَمِslept
لَيالياً وَهيَ لَم تطعَم وَلَم تَنَمِ
Her breasts overflowed with milk, though she had spent
The drought afflicted her, yet she had plenty to eat
Nights without eating or sleeping.
From the prime pickings of the few cattle she had.
وَاِنهَلَّand flowed بَعدَafter اِنقِطاعٍcessation رِسلُthe milk of شارِفِهاher old she-camel
وَاِنهَلَّ بَعدَ اِنقِطاعٍ رِسلُ شارِفِها
حَتّىuntil غَدَتshe came to be مِنfrom رَفِيهِcomfortable العَيشِliving فيin طُعَمِnourishment
حَتّى غَدَت مِن رَفِيهِ العَيشِ في طُعَمِ
Her old she-camel's milk flowed after running dry,
How could a land hosting Muhammad suffer want,
Until she enjoyed the nourishment of comfortable living.
He who is a raining cloud of generosity and bounty?
فَيَمَّمَتso she headed toward أَهلَهاher family مَملُؤَةًfilled فَرَحاًwith joy
فَيَمَّمَت أَهلَها مَملُؤَةً فَرَحاً
بِماat what أُتيحَwas granted لَهاto her مِنof أَوفَرِthe most abundant النِّعَمِblessings
بِما أُتيحَ لَها مِن أَوفَرِ النِّعَمِ
She headed toward her family, filled with joy
Thus he remained under God's care, safe from harm
At the most abundant blessings granted her.
Or rebuke until he was fully weaned at two years of age.
وَقَلَّصَand withdrew الجَدبُdrought عَنهاfrom her فَهيَso she طاعِمَةٌwas feeding
وَقَلَّصَ الجَدبُ عَنها فَهيَ طاعِمَةٌ
مِنon خَيرِthe best of ماwhat رَفَدَتهاsupplied her ثَلَّةُthe flock of الغَنَمِsheep
مِن خَيرِ ما رَفَدَتها ثَلَّةُ الغَنَمِ
Drought withdrew from her, and she fed
He came like a sapling, curled and graceful, with the first glimpses
On the best her flock of sheep supplied.
Of glory and wisdom beaming from his brow.
وَكَيفَand how تَمحَلُbecomes barren أَرضٌa land حَلَّoccupied ساحَتَهاits grounds
وَكَيفَ تَمحَلُ أَرضٌ حَلَّ ساحَتَها
مُحَمَّدٌMuhammad وَهوَwhile he غَيثُthe rain of الجُودِbounty وَالكَرَمِand generosity
مُحَمَّدٌ وَهوَ غَيثُ الجُودِ وَالكَرَمِ
How could a land become barren when its grounds housed
He was full of wisdom before he was weaned,
Muhammad, the rain of bounty and generosity?
And overflowing in clemency before learning forbearance.
فَلَمand not يَزَلceased عِندَهاwith her يَنمُوgrowing وَتَكلَؤُهُand guarding him
فَلَم يَزَل عِندَها يَنمُو وَتَكلَؤُهُ
رِعايَةُthe care of اللَهِGod مِنfrom سُوءٍharm وَمِنand from وَصَمِblemish
رِعايَةُ اللَهِ مِن سُوءٍ وَمِن وَصَمِ
He continued growing in her care, guarded
When he reached forty, before which he attained
By God's protection from harm and blemish,
Full intellect and wisdom, the Lord endowed him with a miracle,
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen تَمَّwas completed مِيقاتُthe appointed period of الرَّضاعِnursing لَهُfor him
حَتّى إِذا تَمَّ مِيقاتُ الرَّضاعِ لَهُ
حَولَينِtwo years أَصبَحَhe became ذاpossessing أَيدٍstrength عَلَىover الفُطُمِweaned children
حَولَينِ أَصبَحَ ذا أَيدٍ عَلَى الفُطُمِ
Until his appointed nursing period was complete:
By which He showed him the signs of His wisdom
Two years; he had strength surpassing the weaned children.
in the world of dreams.
وَجاءَand he came كَالغُصنِlike a branch مَجدُولاًfirmly woven تَرِفُّfluttering عَلىupon
وَجاءَ كَالغُصنِ مَجدُولاً تَرِفُّ عَلى
جَبِينِهِhis forehead لَمحاتُglimmers of المَجدِglory وَالفَهَمِand understanding
جَبِينِهِ لَمحاتُ المَجدِ وَالفَهَمِ
He emerged like a firmly woven branch, upon
He would wander in solitude to graze his sheep,
His forehead glimmering glory and understanding.
In an isolated place, no company but his own.
قَدindeed تَمَّhe matured عَقلاًin intellect وَماwhile not تَمَّتwas completed رَضاعَتُهُhis nursing
قَد تَمَّ عَقلاً وَما تَمَّت رَضاعَتُهُ
وَفاضَand overflowed حِلماًin forbearance وَلَمand not يَبلُغreached مَدىthe extent of الحُلُمِpuberty
وَفاضَ حِلماً وَلَم يَبلُغ مَدى الحُلُمِ
His mind matured before his nursing was complete;
Every rock and tree he passed, he greeted with peace,
His forbearance overflowed before he reached puberty.
Each answering with the same, throngs without number.
فَبَينَماso while هُوَhe يَرعىtended البَهمَlambs طافَapproached بِهِhim
فَبَينَما هُوَ يَرعى البَهمَ طافَ بِهِ
شَخصانِtwo figures مِنfrom مَلَكوتِthe dominion of اللَهِGod ذيpossessor of العِظَمِmajesty
شَخصانِ مِن مَلَكوتِ اللَهِ ذي العِظَمِ
While he tended lambs, there approached him
Until the time came when the veil was lifted,
Two figures from the dominion of God, the Majestic.
And the tablets disclosed to the heart's consciousness.
فَأَضجَعاهُso they laid him down وَشَقّاand they split صَدرَهُhis chest بِيَدٍwith a hand
فَأَضجَعاهُ وَشَقّا صَدرَهُ بِيَدٍ
رَفِيقَةٍgentle لَمnot يَبِتhe remained مِنهاfrom it عَلىin أَلَمِpain
رَفِيقَةٍ لَم يَبِت مِنها عَلى أَلَمِ
They laid him down and opened his chest with a hand
He openly called to the religion. All who
So gentle that he suffered no lingering pain.
Were destined by the Merciful heard his voice, though from afar.
وَبَعدَand after ماwhen قَضَياthey fulfilled مِنwithin قَلبِهِhis heart وَطَراًa purpose
وَبَعدَ ما قَضَيا مِن قَلبِهِ وَطَراً
تَوَلَّياthey undertook غَسلَهُits washing بِالسَّلسَلِwith sweet water الشَّبِمِcool
تَوَلَّيا غَسلَهُ بِالسَّلسَلِ الشَّبِمِ
After accomplishing their purpose within his heart,
The first to accept his religion were Khadija and
They undertook to wash it with cool, sweet water.
The steadfast Ali, firm of foot next to him.
ماnot عالَجاthey treated قَلبَهُhis heart إِلّاexcept لِيَخلُصَto be freed مِنfrom
ما عالَجا قَلبَهُ إِلّا لِيَخلُصَ مِن
شَوبِthe taint of الهَوىpassion وَيَعِيand comprehend قُدسِيَّةَthe sanctity of الحِكَمِwisdom
شَوبِ الهَوى وَيَعِي قُدسِيَّةَ الحِكَمِ
They treated his heart only to free it from
Then, men of his clan followed, and from afar
Passion's taint and receive wisdom's sanctity.
Those whose ties of kinship could not avail.
فَياso O لَهاwhat a نِعمَةًblessing لِلّهِfrom God خَصَّHe singled out بِهاwith it
فَيا لَها نِعمَةً لِلّهِ خَصَّ بِها
حَبيبَهُHis beloved وَهوَwhile he طِفلٌa child غَيرُnot مُحتَلِمِpubescent
حَبيبَهُ وَهوَ طِفلٌ غَيرُ مُحتَلِمِ
What a blessing from God, bestowed specially upon
Whomsoever God willed to honor,
His beloved while still a child, before puberty!
He guided to purity, though veiled in darkness.
وَقالَand said عَنهُabout him بُحَيراBahira حِينَwhen أَبصَرَهُhe saw him
وَقالَ عَنهُ بُحَيرا حِينَ أَبصَرَهُ
بَأَرضِin the land of بُصرىBusra مَقالاًa saying غَيرَnot مُتَّهَمِsuspect
بَأَرضِ بُصرى مَقالاً غَيرَ مُتَّهَمِ
When Bahira saw him, he spoke concerning him
The Messenger of God persisted calling to the faith
In the land of Busra, words beyond suspicion,
Tirelessly, never showing weakness or fatigue.
إِذwhen ظَلَّلَتهُshaded him الغَمامُthe clouds الغُرُّwhite وَانهَصَرَتand bent
إِذ ظَلَّلَتهُ الغَمامُ الغُرُّ وَانهَصَرَت
عَطفاًtenderly عَلَيهِover him فُروعُthe branches of الضَّالِdal trees وَالسَّلَمِand salam trees
عَطفاً عَلَيهِ فُروعُ الضَّالِ وَالسَّلَمِ
As white clouds shaded him and bent
He would meet the Bedouins and settled people alike,
Tenderly over him the branches of dal and salam trees:
Spreading the religion through plains and mountains.
بِأَنَّهُthat he خاتَمُseal of الرُّسلِthe messengers الكِرامِnoble وَمَنand the one
بِأَنَّهُ خاتَمُ الرُّسلِ الكِرامِ وَمَن
بِهِthrough whom تَزُولُvanish صُرُوفُthe vicissitudes of البُؤسِmisery وَالنِّقَمِand punishments
بِهِ تَزُولُ صُرُوفُ البُؤسِ وَالنِّقَمِ
That he was the seal of the noble messengers, and he
Until the people of Medina accepted and took up
Through whom affliction's changes and punishments would vanish.
His cause, in mutual pleasure - the best covenant.
هَذاthis وَكَمand how many آيَةٍsigns سارَتattended لَهُhim فَمَحَتand erased
هَذا وَكَم آيَةٍ سارَت لَهُ فَمَحَت
بِنُورِهاwith their light ظُلمَةَthe darkness of الأَهوالِterrors وَالقُحَمِand perils
بِنُورِها ظُلمَةَ الأَهوالِ وَالقُحَمِ
How many signs attended him, erasing
The religion flourished and its pillars grew firm,
With their light the darkness of terrors and perils!
Becoming well established and robustly rooted.
ماnot مَرَّpassed يَومٌa day لَهُfor him إِلّاexcept وَقَلَّدَهُand adorned him
ما مَرَّ يَومٌ لَهُ إِلّا وَقَلَّدَهُ
صَنائِعاًwith gracious deeds لَمnot تَزَلceased فِيthroughout الدَّهرِtime كَالعَلَمِlike a landmark
صَنائِعاً لَم تَزَل فِي الدَّهرِ كَالعَلَمِ
No day passed for him without adorning him
The people became brothers. God's grace made them equal,
With gracious deeds enduring through time like a landmark,
Giving life to those who were once naught but dust.
حَتّىuntil اِستَتَمَّhe completed وَلاand no نُقصانَdeficiency يَلحَقُهُtouched him
حَتّى اِستَتَمَّ وَلا نُقصانَ يَلحَقُهُ
خَمساًfive وَعِشرِينَand twenty سِنُّthe age of البارِعِthe gifted الفَهِمِdiscerning man
خَمساً وَعِشرِينَ سِنُّ البارِعِ الفَهِمِ
Until he completed, with no deficiency touching him,
It was then that the Messenger established ties of brotherhood,
Twenty-five years: the age of the gifted, discerning man.
Pairing Ali - the best comrade amid peril.
وَلَقَّبَتهُand named him قُرَيشٌQuraysh بِالأَمينِthe Trustworthy عَلىfor
وَلَقَّبَتهُ قُرَيشٌ بِالأَمينِ عَلى
صِدقِtrue الأَمانَةِfidelity وَالإِيفاءِand fulfillment بِالذِّمَمِof pledges
صِدقِ الأَمانَةِ وَالإِيفاءِ بِالذِّمَمِ
Quraysh named him the Trustworthy for
He it was whom God aided to defeat the tyrants
His true fidelity and fulfillment of pledges.
In every battle, with the gleaming sword.
وَدَّتwished خَديجَةُKhadija أَنthat يَرعىhe oversee تِجارَتَهاher trade
وَدَّت خَديجَةُ أَن يَرعى تِجارَتَها
وِدادَthe desire of مُنتَهِزٍone seizing opportunities لِلخَيرِfor goodness مُغتَنِمِtaking advantage
وِدادَ مُنتَهِزٍ لِلخَيرِ مُغتَنِمِ
Khadija wished him to oversee her trade,
Thus the religion prevailed and its foundations strengthened,
As one eager to seize an opportunity for good.
Until it stood towering, brilliant and clear.
فَشَدَّso he strengthened عَزمَتَهاher resolve مِنهُfrom him بِمُقتَدِرٍwith capability
فَشَدَّ عَزمَتَها مِنهُ بِمُقتَدِرٍ
ماضِيresolute الجِنانِof heart إِذاwhen ماever هَمَّhe determined لَمnot يخمِhe shrank
ماضِي الجِنانِ إِذا ما هَمَّ لَم يخمِ
He strengthened her resolve by proving himself capable,
With the people living in harmony, not discord,
Resolute of heart, never shrinking once determined.
United in power, never to be shattered.
وَسارَand he traveled مُعتَزِماًdetermined لِلشَّأمِtoward Syria يَصحَبُهُaccompanying him
وَسارَ مُعتَزِماً لِلشَّأمِ يَصحَبُهُ
فيon السَّيرِthe journey مَيسُرَةُMaysara المَرضِيُّesteemed فِيamong الحَشَمِthe servants
في السَّيرِ مَيسُرَةُ المَرضِيُّ فِي الحَشَمِ
He set out purposefully toward Syria, accompanied
It was then that God ordained jihad upon
On the journey by Maysara, esteemed among the servants.
His Messenger, to spread the religion global.
فَماso not أَناخَhe halted بِهاthere حَتّىbefore قَضىhe fulfilled وَطَراًa purpose
فَما أَناخَ بِها حَتّى قَضى وَطَراً
مِنin كُلِّall ماthat رَامَهُhe sought فيin البَيعِselling وَالسَّلَمِand forward purchase
مِن كُلِّ ما رَامَهُ في البَيعِ وَالسَّلَمِ
Scarcely had he halted there before fulfilling his purpose
The first battle he marched to was Waddan, then returned
In all he sought through selling and forward purchase.
Without engaging, nothing to bar his path.
وَكَيفَand how يَخسَرُloses مَنone لَولاهُwithout whom ماnot رَبِحَتprofited
وَكَيفَ يَخسَرُ مَن لَولاهُ ما رَبِحَت
تِجارَةُthe commerce of الدِّينِfaith فيon سَهلٍa plain وَفِيand on عَلَمِa mountain
تِجارَةُ الدِّينِ في سَهلٍ وَفِي عَلَمِ
How could he lose, without whom no profit came
The campaigns for the faith continued, the horses surging
To faith's commerce across plain and mountain?
Forth, destriers stamping, craving the fray.
فَقَصَّso recounted مَيسُرَةُMaysara المَأمونُthe trustworthy قِصَّتَهُhis story
فَقَصَّ مَيسُرَةُ المَأمونُ قِصَّتَهُ
عَلَىto خَديجَةَKhadija سَرداًin an account غَيرَnot مُنعَجِمِobscure
عَلَى خَديجَةَ سَرداً غَيرَ مُنعَجِمِ
Trustworthy Maysara recounted his story
One sortie was led by Ubaydah in one direction,
To Khadija in an account clear and unambiguous,
Another by Hamzah in another, venturing forth.
وَماand what رَواهُrelated to him لَهُto him كَهلٌan elderly man بِصَومَعَةٍin a hermitage
وَما رَواهُ لَهُ كَهلٌ بِصَومَعَةٍ
مِنَamong الرَّهابينِthe monks عَنfrom أَسلافِهِhis predecessors القُدُمِancient
مِنَ الرَّهابينِ عَن أَسلافِهِ القُدُمِ
And what an elderly man in a hermitage told him,
In Badr the Chosen One marched forth with the heroes,
A monk transmitting from his ancient predecessors,
The regiments sparkling, swords thirsty for blood.
فيabout دَوحَةٍa great tree عاجَhalted خَيرُthe best of المُرسَلينَthe messengers بِهاbeneath it
في دَوحَةٍ عاجَ خَيرُ المُرسَلينَ بِها
مِنfrom قَبلbefore بعثَتِهِhis mission لِلعُربِto Arabs وَالعَجَمِand non-Arabs
مِن قَبل بعثَتِهِ لِلعُربِ وَالعَجَمِ
About a great tree beneath which the best messenger rested
As did Uhud, seething with rancor and troops
Before his mission to Arabs and non-Arabs:
Like the waves of the sea, frothing and roiling.
هَذاthis نَبِيٌّa prophet وَلَمand not يَنزِلlodged بِساحَتِهاbeneath it
هَذا نَبِيٌّ وَلَم يَنزِل بِساحَتِها
إِلّاexcept نَبيٌّa prophet كَريمُnoble النَّفسِof soul وَالشِّيَمِand character
إِلّا نَبيٌّ كَريمُ النَّفسِ وَالشِّيَمِ
This is a prophet; none has lodged beneath it
Saad marched to Kharrar, preceding the army,
Except a prophet noble in soul and character.
And met no adversity throughout the trek.
وَسِيرَةَand the conduct of المَلَكَينِthe two angels الحائِمَينِhovering عَلىabove
وَسِيرَةَ المَلَكَينِ الحائِمَينِ عَلى
جَبِينِهِhis forehead لِيُظِلّاهُto shade him مِنَfrom التّهَمِscorching heat
جَبِينِهِ لِيُظِلّاهُ مِنَ التّهَمِ
And the conduct of the two angels hovering above
The cavalry surged to the Sowayq, led by
His brow to shade him from scorching heat.
The elite destriers, chomping at the bit.
فَكانَso became ماwhat قَصَّهُhe recounted أَصلاًa foundation لِماfor what وَصَلَتshe attained
فَكانَ ما قَصَّهُ أَصلاً لِما وَصَلَت
بِهِthrough it إِلىtoward الخَيرِgoodness مِنof قَصدٍpurpose وَمُعتَزَمِand resolve
بِهِ إِلى الخَيرِ مِن قَصدٍ وَمُعتَزَمِ
His account became the foundation of the purpose
Abdullah marched on steadily towards the Nakhlah trees
And resolve by which she attained goodness.
Accompanied by each brave warrior.
أَحسِنhow beautiful بِهاit is وصلَةًa bond فيin اللَّهِGod قَدindeed أَخَذَتshe secured
أَحسِن بِها وصلَةً في اللَّهِ قَد أَخَذَت
بِهاthrough it عَلىagainst الدَّهرِtime عَقداًa covenant غَيرَnot مُنفَصِمِbroken
بِها عَلى الدَّهرِ عَقداً غَيرَ مُنفَصِمِ
How beautiful a bond in God, through which she secured
The qiblah was changed to the Ancient House, no longer
Against time a covenant that would not break!
Facing Al-Quds, but now towards the Revered Home.
فَأَصبَحاso they became فيin صَفاءٍharmony غَيرnot مُنقَطِعٍinterrupted
فَأَصبَحا في صَفاءٍ غَير مُنقَطِعٍ
عَلىthroughout الزَّمانِtime وَوِدٍّand affection غَيرnot مُنصَرِمِsevered
عَلى الزَّمانِ وَوِدٍّ غَير مُنصَرِمِ
They lived in uninterrupted harmony
Badr beckoned to the Chosen One, revealing
Throughout time, and in affection never severed.
A Badr of victory, dispelling the gloom of darkness.
وَحِينَماand when أَجمَعَتresolved أَمراًa matter قُرَيشُQuraysh عَلىupon
وَحِينَما أَجمَعَت أَمراً قُرَيشُ عَلى
بِنايَةِbuilding البَيتِthe House ذيpossessing الحُجّابِcustodians وَالخَدَمِand servants
بِنايَةِ البَيتِ ذي الحُجّابِ وَالخَدَمِ
When Quraysh resolved upon
A day when the religion smiled and the blind eyes of idolatry
Rebuilding the House with its custodians and servants,
Were gouged out by the piercing light of truth.
تَجَمَّعَتassembled فِرَقُthe groups of الأَحلافِallied clans وَاِقتَسَمَتand divided
تَجَمَّعَت فِرَقُ الأَحلافِ وَاِقتَسَمَت
بِناءَهُits construction عَنby تَراضٍagreement خَيرَthe best مُقتَسَمِdivision
بِناءَهُ عَن تَراضٍ خَيرَ مُقتَسَمِ
The allied clans assembled and divided
Ali proved his mettle, empowered by God with courage
Its construction by agreement, an excellent division,
And ferocity to smite the vile enemy.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen بَلَغَreached البُنيانُthe building غايَتَهُits limit
حَتّى إِذا بَلَغَ البُنيانُ غايَتَهُ
مِنat مَوضِعِthe position of الرُّكنِthe Corner بَعدَafter الكَدِّtoil وَالجشَمِand hardship
مِن مَوضِعِ الرُّكنِ بَعدَ الكَدِّ وَالجشَمِ
Until the building reached its appointed height
Hamzah, with his mighty sword, struck them down
At the Corner's position, after toil and hardship.
Splitting their mass, like a consuming blaze.
تَسابَقواthey competed طَلَباًseeking لِلأَجرِreward وَاِختَصَمُواand disputed
تَسابَقوا طَلَباً لِلأَجرِ وَاِختَصَمُوا
فِيمَنover who يَشُدُّwould secure بِناهُits masonry كُلَّevery مُختَصَمِdispute
فِيمَن يَشُدُّ بِناهُ كُلَّ مُختَصَمِ
They competed for reward and disputed
The companions and the helpers showed their might,
Most fiercely over who would fix it into place.
Courage evident in deeds, not words alone.
وَأَقسَمَand swore القَومُthe people أَنthat لاno صُلحَreconciliation يَعصِمُهُمwould protect them
وَأَقسَمَ القَومُ أَن لا صُلحَ يَعصِمُهُم
مِنfrom اقتِحامِplunging into المَناياdeath أَيّماwhat a قَسَمِoath
مِن اقتِحامِ المَنايا أَيّما قَسَمِ
The people swore that no reconciliation would protect them
They charged into the fray, and attained a blissful
From plunging into death—a solemn oath indeed.
And delightful life bought only through pain.
وَأَدخَلواand thrust حينَwhen جَدَّgrew grave الأَمرُthe matter أَيدِيَهُمtheir hands
وَأَدخَلوا حينَ جَدَّ الأَمرُ أَيدِيَهُم
لِلشَرِّfor violence فيinto جَفنَةٍa bowl مَملُوءَةٍfilled بِدَمِwith blood
لِلشَرِّ في جَفنَةٍ مَملُوءَةٍ بِدَمِ
When matters grew grave, they thrust their hands
He who perseveres realizes its fruits,
For violence into a bowl filled with blood.
And water tastes sweet when drunk with thirst.
فَقالَso said ذُوthe possessor of رَأيِهِمtheir sound judgment لاdo not تَعجَلُواhasten وَخُذُواand adopt
فَقالَ ذُو رَأيِهِم لا تَعجَلُوا وَخُذُوا
بِالحَزمprudence فَهوَfor it الَّذيis what يَشفِيcures مِنَfrom الحَزَمِdistress
بِالحَزم فَهوَ الَّذي يَشفِي مِنَ الحَزَمِ
Their prudent man said: Do not hasten; adopt
Without the merit of resilience, no distinction exists
Prudence, for it cures distress.
Between cowardice and bravery on the field.
لِيَرضَlet accept كُلُّevery امرِئٍperson مِنّاamong us بِأَوَّلِthe first مَنwho
لِيَرضَ كُلُّ امرِئٍ مِنّا بِأَوَّلِ مَن
يَأتيcomes فَيَقسِطُthen judges justly فِيناamong us قِسطَthe justice of مُحتَكِمِan arbiter
يَأتي فَيَقسِطُ فِينا قِسطَ مُحتَكِمِ
Let each of us accept the first person
A day of consequence it was, after trials
Who comes, to judge us with an arbiter's justice.
That distinguish the loyal from the false and craven.
فَكانَso was أَوَّلَthe first آتٍarrival بَعدَماafter اِتَّفَقُواthey agreed
فَكانَ أَوَّلَ آتٍ بَعدَما اِتَّفَقُوا
مُحَمَّدٌMuhammad وَهوَand he فيin الخَيراتِgood deeds ذُوpossessor of قَدَمِprecedence
مُحَمَّدٌ وَهوَ في الخَيراتِ ذُو قَدَمِ
The first to arrive after their agreement was
The Prophet stood amidst peril, the swords
Muhammad, ever foremost in good deeds.
Thirsty for blood, brandished around him.
فَقالَso said كُلٌّeveryone رَضيناwe accept بِالأَمينِthe Trustworthy عَلَىwith
فَقالَ كُلٌّ رَضينا بِالأَمينِ عَلَى
عِلمٍknowledge فَأَكرِمso how noble بِهِhe is مِنas عادِلٍa just حَكَمِjudge
عِلمٍ فَأَكرِم بِهِ مِن عادِلٍ حَكَمِ
Everyone said: We knowingly accept the Trustworthy;
He persevered, warding blows, wearing his foes
How noble he is, a just judge!
Down with the sword, until clad in blood.
فَأَعلَمُوهُso they informed him بِماof what قَدindeed كانَhad happened وَاِحتَكَمُواand sought judgment
فَأَعلَمُوهُ بِما قَد كانَ وَاِحتَكَمُوا
إِلَيهِfrom him فيin حَلِّresolving هَذاthis المُشكِلِdifficulty العَمَمِwidespread
إِلَيهِ في حَلِّ هَذا المُشكِلِ العَمَمِ
They informed him of what had happened and submitted
As for Ibn Numaan's eye, it was gauged out
To his judgment in resolving this widespread difficulty.
By Qatadah, but restored as before it was.
فَمَدَّso he spread ثَوباًa garment وَحَطَّand placed الرُّكنَthe Corner فيin وَسَطٍthe middle
فَمَدَّ ثَوباً وَحَطَّ الرُّكنَ في وَسَطٍ
مِنهُof it وَقالَand said اِرفَعُوهُlift it جانِبَbeside الرَّضَمِthe stonework
مِنهُ وَقالَ اِرفَعُوهُ جانِبَ الرَّضَمِ
He spread a garment and placed the Corner in its middle,
And the day of Raji came, rife with betrayal
Saying: Lift it beside the stonework.
After pacts and covenants solemnly made.
فَنالَso gained كُلُّevery امرِئٍperson حَظّاًa share بِماthrough what حَمَلَتcarried
فَنالَ كُلُّ امرِئٍ حَظّاً بِما حَمَلَت
يَداهُhis two hands مِنهُof it وَلَمand not يَعتِبhe resented عَلىabout القِسَمِthe portions
يَداهُ مِنهُ وَلَم يَعتِب عَلى القِسَمِ
Each man gained a share through what
Death took its toll at Ma'una among
His hands carried, and none resented the division.
The people of virtue and wisdom.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen اِقتَرَبواthey approached تِلقاءَtoward مَوضِعِهِits position
حَتّى إِذا اِقتَرَبوا تِلقاءَ مَوضِعِهِ
مِنat جانبthe side of البَيتِthe House ذيpossessing الأَركانcorners وَالدّعمِand supports
مِن جانب البَيتِ ذي الأَركان وَالدّعمِ
When they approached its position
Then, the tribes of Bani Sulaym became incensed
At the side of the House with its corners and supports,
And oppressed the people of God, transgressing mightily.
مَدَّextended الرَّسُولُthe Messenger يَداًa hand مِنهُof his مُبارَكَةًblessed
مَدَّ الرَّسُولُ يَداً مِنهُ مُبارَكَةً
بَنَتهُbuilt it فيinto صَدَفٍa recess مِنof باذِخٍa towering structure سَنِمِlofty
بَنَتهُ في صَدَفٍ مِن باذِخٍ سَنِمِ
The Messenger extended his blessed hand
The Banu Nadir were evicted for treason,
And built it into a recess in the lofty structure.
Their arrogance humbled, no longer sublime.
فَليَزدَدِso let grow الرُّكنُthe Corner تِيهاًin pride حَيثُsince نالَit gained بِهِthrough him
فَليَزدَدِ الرُّكنُ تِيهاً حَيثُ نالَ بِهِ
فَخراًglory أَقامَraised لَهُfor it الدُّنياthe world عَلَىupon قَدَمِa foot
فَخراً أَقامَ لَهُ الدُّنيا عَلَى قَدَمِ
Let the Corner grow prouder, having gained through him
He marched on the Riqa and met no resistance,
Glory that brought the world to its feet.
The regiments quailed and refused to engage.
لَوif لَمnot تَكُنhad يَدُهُhis hand مَسَّتهُtouched it حِينَwhen بَنَىhe built
لَو لَم تَكُن يَدُهُ مَسَّتهُ حِينَ بَنَى
ماnot كانَwould have أَصبَحَbecome مَلثُوماًkissed بِكُلِّby every فَمِmouth
ما كانَ أَصبَحَ مَلثُوماً بِكُلِّ فَمِ
Had his hand not touched it when he built,
He marched on Uhud to keep his promise, but
It would not have been kissed by every mouth.
Abu Sufyan wavered and retreated in shame.
ياO لَيتَنِيwould that I وَالأَمانِيand wishes رُبَّماsometimes صَدَقَتcome true
يا لَيتَنِي وَالأَمانِي رُبَّما صَدَقَت
أَحظىI gain بِمُعتَنَقٍan embrace مِنهُof it وَمُلتَزَمِand a place to cling
أَحظى بِمُعتَنَقٍ مِنهُ وَمُلتَزَمِ
Would that I—and wishes sometimes prove true—
He circled domat al-Jandal, leading forth
Might gain an embrace of it and a place to cling!
An intrepid army, brave and erect.
ياO حَبَّذاhow lovely صِبغَةٌa hue مِنfrom حُسنِهِhis beauty أَخَذَتtaken
يا حَبَّذا صِبغَةٌ مِن حُسنِهِ أَخَذَت
مِنهاfrom it الشَّبِيبَةُyouth لَونَthe color of العُذرِside-locks وَاللمَمِand tresses
مِنها الشَّبِيبَةُ لَونَ العُذرِ وَاللمَمِ
How lovely a hue drawn from his beauty, from which
Amr marched to Dhat al-Salasil with forces
Youth took the color of side-locks and tresses!
Eager for combat with the hordes of unbelief.
كَالخالِlike a mole فيupon وَجنَةٍa cheek زِيدَتwere increased مَحاسِنُهاits beauties
كَالخالِ في وَجنَةٍ زِيدَت مَحاسِنُها
بِنُقطَةٍby a spot مِنهُof it أَضعافاًmanyfold مِنَin القِيَمِworth
بِنُقطَةٍ مِنهُ أَضعافاً مِنَ القِيَمِ
Like a mole upon a cheek whose beauty increased
Two campaigns led by Abdullah - one to Rifa'ah,
Manyfold in worth through a single spot.
The other to Idam - neither held back.
وَكَيفَand how لاnot يَفخَرُglories البَيتُthe House العَتيقُAncient بِهِin him
وَكَيفَ لا يَفخَرُ البَيتُ العَتيقُ بِهِ
وَقَدwhen indeed بَنَتهُbuilt it يَدٌa hand فَيّاضَةُoverflowing النِّعَمِwith blessings
وَقَد بَنَتهُ يَدٌ فَيّاضَةُ النِّعَمِ
How could the Ancient House not glory in him,
Abdullah marched on Khaybar with some men,
When a hand overflowing with blessings built it?
Easily defeating the trivial resistance.
أَكرِمhow noble بِهِhe is وازِعاًa restrainer لَولاwithout هِدايَتُهُhis guidance
أَكرِم بِهِ وازِعاً لَولا هِدايَتُهُ
لَمnot يَظهَرِappeared العَدلُjustice فيon أَرضٍearth وَلَمand not يَقُمِstood
لَم يَظهَرِ العَدلُ في أَرضٍ وَلَم يَقُمِ
How noble a restrainer! Without his guidance,
Ibn Unays marched forth to avenge the humiliation
Justice would neither have appeared nor stood on earth.
Inflicted on him by Ibn Thawr, whom he appropriately punished.
هَذاthis الَّذيthe one عَصَمَprotected اللَّهُGod الأَنامَhumankind بِهِthrough him
هَذا الَّذي عَصَمَ اللَّهُ الأَنامَ بِهِ
مِنfrom كُلِّevery هَولٍterror مِنَamong الأَهوالِterrors مُختَرِمِdeadly
مِن كُلِّ هَولٍ مِنَ الأَهوالِ مُختَرِمِ
This is he through whom God protected humankind
Then Ibn Hisham marched forth and seized
From every deadly terror among terrors.
The Banu Anbar, perfidious and wicked.
وَحِينَand when أَدرَكَhe attained سِنَّthe age of الأَربَعينَforty وَماand not
وَحِينَ أَدرَكَ سِنَّ الأَربَعينَ وَما
مِنfrom قَبلِهِbefore it مَبلَغٌfull maturity لِلعِلمِfor knowledge وَالحِكَمِand wisdom
مِن قَبلِهِ مَبلَغٌ لِلعِلمِ وَالحِكَمِ
When he attained the age of forty—and
Amr marched on the disloyal Judham,
Before it, knowledge and wisdom find no full maturity—
And devastated those disreputable tribes.
حَباهُbestowed upon him ذُوthe Lord of العَرشِthe Throne بُرهاناًproof أَراهُshowed him بِهِthrough it
حَباهُ ذُو العَرشِ بُرهاناً أَراهُ بِهِ
آياتsigns of حِكمَتِهِHis wisdom فيin عالَمِthe realm of الحُلُمِdreams
آيات حِكمَتِهِ في عالَمِ الحُلُمِ
The Lord of the Throne bestowed proof upon him, showing him
Abu Ubaydah marched with the sword of the sea,
Signs of His wisdom in the realm of dreams.
Against Syyabah, his brave troops consumed with zeal.
فَكانَso he would يَمضيgo لِيَرعىto cherish أُنسَthe companionship of وَحشَتِهِhis solitude
فَكانَ يَمضي لِيَرعى أُنسَ وَحشَتِهِ
فيin شاسِعٍa remote expanse ماnot بِهِin it لِلخَلقِof humanity مِنany أَرَمِtrace
في شاسِعٍ ما بِهِ لِلخَلقِ مِن أَرَمِ
He would go to cherish solitude's companionship
Amr marched to Mecca in response to
In a remote expanse with no human trace.
Abu Sufyan, but was held back by the truce term.
فَماso not يمُرُّhe passes عَلىby صَخرٍa rock وَلاnor شَجَرٍa tree
فَما يمُرُّ عَلى صَخرٍ وَلا شَجَرٍ
إِلّاexcept وَحَيّاهُand greeted him بِالتَّسليمِwith peace مِنfrom أَمَمِnearby
إِلّا وَحَيّاهُ بِالتَّسليمِ مِن أَمَمِ
No rock or tree did he pass
Zayd marched on Medina, subduing the enemy
Without its greeting him with peace from nearby.
And taking plunder, like leading sheep.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen حانَarrived أَمرُthe command of الغَيبِthe unseen وَاِنحَسَرَتand withdrew
حَتّى إِذا حانَ أَمرُ الغَيبِ وَاِنحَسَرَت
أَستارُهُits veils عَنfrom ضَميرِthe secret of اللَوحِthe Tablet وَالقَلَمِand the Pen
أَستارُهُ عَن ضَميرِ اللَوحِ وَالقَلَمِ
When the unseen command's time arrived and withdrew
Salim marched against Abu Ufayk at Al-Urth
Its veils from the secret of the Tablet and Pen,
But was forced back, gaining nothing.
نادىhe proclaimed بِدَعوَتِهِhis summons جَهراًaloud فَأَسمَعَهاand made it heard
نادى بِدَعوَتِهِ جَهراً فَأَسمَعَها
فيin كُلِّevery ناحِيةٍregion مَنwhoever كانَhad ذاpossessed صَمَمِdeafness
في كُلِّ ناحِيةٍ مَن كانَ ذا صَمَمِ
He proclaimed his summons aloud, making it heard
Umair marched under darkness of night against
In every region by those who had been deaf.
Asma, and decimated the settlement.
فَكانَso were أَوَّلُthe first مَنwho فيin الدِّينfaith تابَعَهُfollowed him
فَكانَ أَوَّلُ مَن في الدِّين تابَعَهُ
خَدِيجَةٌKhadija وَعَلِيٌّand Ali ثابِتُsteadfast القَدَمِof foot
خَدِيجَةٌ وَعَلِيٌّ ثابِتُ القَدَمِ
The first to follow him in faith were
A brigade that met no failure in locating
Khadija and Ali, steadfast of foot.
Thumamah, seizing him and his cattle unscathed.
ثُمَّthen اِستَجابَتanswered رِجالٌmen دُونَoutside أُسرَتِهِhis family
ثُمَّ اِستَجابَت رِجالٌ دُونَ أُسرَتِهِ
وَفيand among الأَباعِدِstrangers ماwhat يُغنيreplaces عَنِthe need for الرَّحِمِkinship
وَفي الأَباعِدِ ما يُغني عَنِ الرَّحِمِ
Then men outside his family answered;
The brave soul who, openly in Mecca, proclaimed
Among strangers is what can replace kinship.
His faith at the hallowed months, unafraid.
وَمَنand whoever أَرادَintended بِهِfor him الرَّحمنُthe Merciful مَكرُمَةًhonor
وَمَن أَرادَ بِهِ الرَّحمنُ مَكرُمَةً
هَداهُHe guided him لِلرُّشدِaright فيin داجٍdense مِنَof الظُّلَمِdarkness
هَداهُ لِلرُّشدِ في داجٍ مِنَ الظُّلَمِ
Whomever the Merciful intended to honor through him,
The march of Alqamah met no enemy at dawn,
He guided aright amid dense darkness.
And returned empty-handed to home base.
ثُمَّthen اِستَمَرَّpersisted رَسُولُthe Messenger of اللَّهِGod مُعتَزِماًdetermined
ثُمَّ اِستَمَرَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ مُعتَزِماً
يَدعُوcalling إلىto رَبِّهِhis Lord فيin كُلِّevery مُلتَأَمِgathering
يَدعُو إلى رَبِّهِ في كُلِّ مُلتَأَمِ
Then God's Messenger persisted, determined,
Kurz ibn Jabir returned to mete out punishment
Calling to his Lord in every gathering.
On the traitors of Ukdhra, dealing them blows.
وَالنّاسُand the people مِنهُمamong them رَشيدٌrightly guided يَستَجِيبُanswering لَهُhim
وَالنّاسُ مِنهُم رَشيدٌ يَستَجِيبُ لَهُ
طَوعاًwillingly وَمِنهُمand among them غَوِيٌّerrant غَيرُnot مُحتَشِمِrestrained by shame
طَوعاً وَمِنهُم غَوِيٌّ غَيرُ مُحتَشِمِ
Among the people, some were rightly guided, answering him
Ibn Zayd's brigade marched to Syria and pounced
Willingly; others were errant and shameless.
On the enemy without warning, like a falcon.
حَتّىuntil اِستَرابَتgrew suspicious قُرَيشٌQuraysh وَاِستَبَدَّand overpowered بِهاit
حَتّى اِستَرابَت قُرَيشٌ وَاِستَبَدَّ بِها
جَهلٌignorance تَرَدَّتit plunged بِهِthrough it فيinto مارِجٍa flame ضَرِمِblazing
جَهلٌ تَرَدَّت بِهِ في مارِجٍ ضَرِمِ
Until Quraysh grew suspicious, overpowered
These shining campaigns comprehensively covered
By ignorance that plunged it into blazing flame.
All the squadrons, shining in my ode.
وَعَذَّبواand they tortured أَهلَthe people of دِينِthe faith of اللَّهِGod وَاِنتَهَكواand violated
وَعَذَّبوا أَهلَ دِينِ اللَّهِ وَاِنتَهَكوا
مَحارِماًsanctities أَعقَبَتهُمbrought them لَهفَةَthe anguish of النَّدَمِremorse
مَحارِماً أَعقَبَتهُم لَهفَةَ النَّدَمِ
They tortured the people of God's faith and violated
I arranged them aspiring to gain intercession
Sanctities that brought them anguished remorse.
From the best of creation, lord of Arabs and non-Arabs.
وَقامَand arose يَدعُوcalling أَبوAbu جَهلٍJahl عَشِيرَتَهُhis clan
وَقامَ يَدعُو أَبو جَهلٍ عَشِيرَتَهُ
إِلىto الضَّلالِerror وَلَمand not يَجنَحhe inclined إِلىtoward سَلَمِpeace
إِلى الضَّلالِ وَلَم يَجنَح إِلى سَلَمِ
Abu Jahl arose, calling his clan
He is the Prophet by whom the hopes of Adam
To error, inclining to no peace.
Became attainable, when he lapsed in the ancient past.
يُبدِيhe displays خِدَاعاًdeceit ويُخفِيand conceals ماwhat تَضَمَّنَهُcontained
يُبدِي خِدَاعاً ويُخفِي ما تَضَمَّنَهُ
ضَمِيرُهُhis conscience مِنof غَراةِthe incitement of الحِقدrancor وَالسَّدَمِand rage
ضَمِيرُهُ مِن غَراةِ الحِقد وَالسَّدَمِ
He displayed deceit and concealed what filled
I am content with his radiant ancestry, pride swelling
His conscience: the incitement of rancor and rage.
When I meet him in the world of dreams.
لاnot يَسلَمُis freed القَلبُthe heart مِنfrom غِلٍّmalice أَلَمَّseized بِهِit
لا يَسلَمُ القَلبُ مِن غِلٍّ أَلَمَّ بِهِ
يَنقىis cleansed الأَدِيمُthe hide وَيَبقىand remains مَوضِعُthe place of الحَلَمِthe tick
يَنقى الأَدِيمُ وَيَبقى مَوضِعُ الحَلَمِ
A heart is not freed from malice that has seized it;
His staff has endowed me so I hold fast to it
The hide is cleansed, but the tick's mark remains.
In every peril, never startled or afraid.
وَالحِقدُand rancor كَالنّارِlike fire إِنif أَخفَيتَهُyou conceal it ظَهَرَتappear
وَالحِقدُ كَالنّارِ إِن أَخفَيتَهُ ظَهَرَت
مِنهُfrom it عَلائِمُsigns فَوقَupon الوَجهِthe face كَالحُمَمِlike burning coals
مِنهُ عَلائِمُ فَوقَ الوَجهِ كَالحُمَمِ
Rancor is like fire: conceal it, and appear
What loss or sorrow since I fell into his service?
Its signs upon the face like burning coals.
Favored thus, what more can a servant ask?
لاnot يُبصِرُsees الحَقَّtruth مَنone جَهلٌignorance أَحاطَsurrounded بِهِhim
لا يُبصِرُ الحَقَّ مَن جَهلٌ أَحاطَ بِهِ
وَكَيفَand how يُبصِرُsees نُورَthe light of الحَقِّtruth وَهوَwhile he عَمِblind
وَكَيفَ يُبصِرُ نُورَ الحَقِّ وَهوَ عَمِ
One surrounded by ignorance cannot see truth;
Though fate affliction has burdened me and seared
How could he see truth's light while blind?
My soul, I stand firm, neither slipping nor straying.
كُلُّevery امرِئٍperson وَاجِدٌwill find ماwhat قَدَّمَتsent ahead يَدُهُhis hand
كُلُّ امرِئٍ وَاجِدٌ ما قَدَّمَت يَدُهُ
إِذاwhen اِستَوىhe rises قائِماًstanding مِنfrom هُوَّةِthe pit of الأَدَمِearth
إِذا اِستَوى قائِماً مِن هُوَّةِ الأَدَمِ
Everyone will find what his hand sent ahead
My pledge is unbroken; despair seeks not to turn me,
When he rises standing from earth's pit.
Nor does fickleness make me veer from my path.
وَالخَيرُand good وَالشَّرُّand evil فيin الدُّنياthe world مُكافَأَةٌrecompense
وَالخَيرُ وَالشَّرُّ في الدُّنيا مُكافَأَةٌ
وَالنَّفسُand the soul مَسؤولَةٌanswerable عَنfor كُلِّevery مُجتَرَمِoffense
وَالنَّفسُ مَسؤولَةٌ عَن كُلِّ مُجتَرَمِ
Good and evil in this world receive recompense,
Fate has left me no comfort or aid but my own hands
And the soul answers for every offense.
And tongue, neither quailing in the task.
فَلاso do not يَنَمlet sleep ظالِمٌan oppressor عَمّاheedless of what جَنَتcommitted يَدُهُhis hand
فَلا يَنَم ظالِمٌ عَمّا جَنَت يَدُهُ
عَلىagainst العِبادِthe servants فَعَينُfor the eye of اللَّهِGod لَمnot تَنَمِslept
عَلى العِبادِ فَعَينُ اللَّهِ لَم تَنَمِ
Let no oppressor sleep heedless of what his hand committed
With them I compose my devotion in verse, and recite
Against God's servants: God's eye has not slept.
The inspiration vouchsafed, clear in meaning.
وَلَمand not يَزَلceased أَهلُthe people of دِينthe faith of اللَّهِGod فيin نَصَبٍhardship
وَلَم يَزَل أَهلُ دِين اللَّهِ في نَصَبٍ
مِمّاbecause of what يُلاقُونَthey encounter مِنof كَربٍdistress وَمِنand of زَأَمِterror
مِمّا يُلاقُونَ مِن كَربٍ وَمِن زَأَمِ
The people of God's faith remained in hardship
If my youth censures my overt love, the nightingale
Through the distress and terror they encountered,
Cannot but sing of the garden meadows in spring.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen لَمnot يَعُدremained فيin الأَمرthe matter مَنزَعَةٌan escape
حَتّى إِذا لَم يَعُد في الأَمر مَنزَعَةٌ
وَأَصبَحَand became الشَّرُّevil جَهراًpublic غَيرَnot مُنكَتِمِconcealed
وَأَصبَحَ الشَّرُّ جَهراً غَيرَ مُنكَتِمِ
Until no escape remained in the matter
I have no meadows to revel in but the Sanctuary,
And evil became public, no longer concealed.
Its flowers inspire me to impassioned song.
سارُواthey traveled إِلىto الهِجرَةِthe migration الأُولىfirst وَماand not قَصَدواthey sought
سارُوا إِلى الهِجرَةِ الأُولى وَما قَصَدوا
غَيرَother than النَّجاشِيِّal-Najashi مَلكاًa king صادِقَtrue الذِّمَمِto pledges
غَيرَ النَّجاشِيِّ مَلكاً صادِقَ الذِّمَمِ
They undertook the first migration, seeking
They stir in me a genuine fervor, though my nature
None but al-Najashi, a king true to his pledges.
Is tranquil, roused to love by them alone.
فَأَصبَحُواso they became عِندَهُwith him فيin ظِلِّthe protection of مَملَكَةٍa kingdom
فَأَصبَحُوا عِندَهُ في ظِلِّ مَملَكَةٍ
حَصِينَةٍfortified وذِمامٍand a guarantee غَيرِnot مُنجَذِمِsevered
حَصِينَةٍ وذِمامٍ غَيرِ مُنجَذِمِ
They dwelt with him beneath the protection of a kingdom
Like moles on a cheek that enhance its beauty,
Fortified, with a guarantee never severed.
My only theme is the Chosen One.
مَنwhoever أَنكَرَrejects الضَّيمَoppression لَمnot يَأنَسfinds comfort بِصُحبَتِهِin its company
مَن أَنكَرَ الضَّيمَ لَم يَأنَس بِصُحبَتِهِ
وَمَنand whoever أَحاطَتsurrounded بِهِhim الأَهوالُterrors لَمnot يُقِمِremains
وَمَن أَحاطَت بِهِ الأَهوالُ لَم يُقِمِ
Whoever rejects oppression finds no comfort in its company;
If a breeze conveys from his dwellings a fragrance,
Whoever is surrounded by terrors does not remain.
It breathes life into my battered heart.
وَمُذand when رَأىsaw المُشرِكونthe idolaters الدّينfaith قَدindeed وضَحَتhad cleared
وَمُذ رَأى المُشرِكون الدّين قَد وضَحَت
سَماؤُهُits sky وَاِنجَلَتand emerged عَنfrom صِمَّةِthe severity of الصِّمَمِdeafness
سَماؤُهُ وَاِنجَلَت عَن صِمَّةِ الصِّمَمِ
When the idolaters saw that faith's
Would that traces of his beauty had colored
Sky had cleared, emerging from utter deafness,
My youth, tinting it the hue of composure.
تَأَلَّبُواthey banded together رَغبَةًeagerly فيfor الشَّرِّevil وَائتَمَرُواand conspired
تَأَلَّبُوا رَغبَةً في الشَّرِّ وَائتَمَرُوا
عَلىover الصَّحيفَةِthe document مِنfrom غَيظٍfury وَمِنand from وَغَمِrancor
عَلى الصَّحيفَةِ مِن غَيظٍ وَمِن وَغَمِ
They banded together, eager for evil, and conspired
As a mole accentuates the face it adorns
Over the document, from fury and rancor.
With a charm more precious than pearls.
صَحِيفَةٌa document وَسَمَتbranded بِالغَدرِwith treachery أَوجُهَهُمtheir faces
صَحِيفَةٌ وَسَمَت بِالغَدرِ أَوجُهَهُم
وَالغَدرُand treachery يَعلَقُclings بِالأَعراضِto reputations كَالدَّسَمِlike grease
وَالغَدرُ يَعلَقُ بِالأَعراضِ كَالدَّسَمِ
A document branding their faces with treachery;
How can the Ancient House not take pride in him,
Treachery clings to reputations like grease.
When it was built by his generous hands?
فَكَشَّفَso dispelled اللَّهُGod مِنهاfrom it غُمَّةًan affliction نَزَلَتdescended
فَكَشَّفَ اللَّهُ مِنها غُمَّةً نَزَلَت
بِالمُؤمِنينَupon believers وَرَبِّيand my Lord كاشِفُdispeller of الغُمَمِafflictions
بِالمُؤمِنينَ وَرَبِّي كاشِفُ الغُمَمِ
God dispelled through it an affliction that descended
Honor him, the just guide without whom
Upon the believers; my Lord dispels afflictions.
No justice could prevail in the lands.
مَنwhoever أَضمَرَharbors السُّوءَevil جازاهُrequites him الإِلَهُGod بِهِfor it
مَن أَضمَرَ السُّوءَ جازاهُ الإِلَهُ بِهِ
وَمَنand whoever رَعىfosters البَغيَtyranny لَمnot يَسلَمescapes مِنَfrom النِقَمِpunishments
وَمَن رَعى البَغيَ لَم يَسلَم مِنَ النِقَمِ
Whoever harbors evil, God requites him for it;
He is the one who saved mankind with his message
Whoever fosters tyranny escapes no punishment.
From every horror and every vile oppressor.
كَفىsufficed الطُّفَيلَal-Tufayl بنَson of عَمرٍوAmr لُمعَةٌa gleam ظَهَرَتappeared
كَفى الطُّفَيلَ بنَ عَمرٍو لُمعَةٌ ظَهَرَت
فِيin سَوطِهِhis whip فَأَنارَتand illuminated سُدفَةَthe darkness of القَتَمِmurk
فِي سَوطِهِ فَأَنارَت سُدفَةَ القَتَمِ
A gleam appearing sufficed al-Tufayl ibn Amr,
And when Quraysh resolved to rebuild the House
In his whip, illuminating the murky darkness.
Of veils and servants, the tribal alliances
هَدىguided بِهاthrough it اللَّهُGod دَوساًDaws مِنfrom ضَلالَتِهاits error
هَدى بِها اللَّهُ دَوساً مِن ضَلالَتِها
فَتابَعَتso it followed أَمرَthe command of داعِيهاits summoner وَلَمand not تَهِمِstrayed
فَتابَعَت أَمرَ داعِيها وَلَم تَهِمِ
Through it God guided Daws from its error;
Assembled and divided the duties by consent -
It followed its summoner's command and did not stray.
The ideal division without dissent.
وَفِيand in الإِراشِيِّthe Irashi man لِلأَقوامِfor peoples مُعتَبَرٌa lesson
وَفِي الإِراشِيِّ لِلأَقوامِ مُعتَبَرٌ
إِذwhen جاءَhe came مَكَّةَto Mecca فِيwith ذَودٍa herd مِنَof النّعَمِcamels
إِذ جاءَ مَكَّةَ فِي ذَودٍ مِنَ النّعَمِ
In the Irashi man is a lesson for peoples,
Until, when the edifice was complete
When he came to Mecca with a herd of camels.
Save for the stationing of the cornerstone,
فَباعَهاso he sold them مِنto أَبيAbu جَهلٍJahl فَماطَلَهُand he delayed him
فَباعَها مِن أَبي جَهلٍ فَماطَلَهُ
بِحَقِّهِhis rightful payment وَتَمادىand persisted غَيرَnot مُحتَشِمِrestrained by shame
بِحَقِّهِ وَتَمادى غَيرَ مُحتَشِمِ
He sold them to Abu Jahl, who delayed
They competed for the honor, and conflict arose
His rightful payment and persisted without shame.
Among them, a dilemma bred of ignorance.
فَجاءَso he came مُنتَصِراًseeking help يَشكُوcomplaining of ظُلامَتَهُhis wrong
فَجاءَ مُنتَصِراً يَشكُو ظُلامَتَهُ
إِلىto النَّبِيِّthe Prophet ونِعمَand excellent العَونُaid فيin الإِزَمِhardship
إِلى النَّبِيِّ ونِعمَ العَونُ في الإِزَمِ
He came seeking help, complaining of his wrong
The judicious of them said, desist from haste,
To the Prophet—excellent aid in hardship!
And act with wisdom, the cure of confusion.
فَقامَso he rose مُبتَدِراًpromptly يَسعىstriving لِنُصرَتِهِto support him
فَقامَ مُبتَدِراً يَسعى لِنُصرَتِهِ
وَنُصرَةُand supporting الحَقِّtruth شَأنُthe business of المَرءِa man ذِيpossessing الهِمَمِresolve
وَنُصرَةُ الحَقِّ شَأنُ المَرءِ ذِي الهِمَمِ
He rose promptly, striving to support him;
Let each of us consent to the first man
Supporting truth is the business of resolute men.
Who comes and justly divides the roles for us.
فَدَقَّso he knocked بابَthe door of أَبيAbu جَهلٍJahl فَجاءَand he came لَهُto him
فَدَقَّ بابَ أَبي جَهلٍ فَجاءَ لَهُ
طَوعاًobediently يَجُرُّdragging عِنانَthe reins of الخائِفِthe fearful الزَّرِمِconstrained
طَوعاً يَجُرُّ عِنانَ الخائِفِ الزَّرِمِ
He knocked at Abu Jahl's door, and he came
They agreed to refer the matter to the Trustworthy one,
Obediently, dragging the reins of one fearful and constrained.
Knowing his honesty and regard for pacts.
فَحِينَso when لاقىhe met رَسُولَthe Messenger of اللَّهِGod لاحَappeared لَهُto him
فَحِينَ لاقى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لاحَ لَهُ
فَحلٌa male camel يَحُدُّbaring إِلَيهِat him النابَthe fang مِنfrom أَطَمِrage
فَحلٌ يَحُدُّ إِلَيهِ النابَ مِن أَطَمِ
When he met God's Messenger, he saw
When told of the issue, they submitted to his arbitration
A male camel baring its fang at him in rage.
To resolve the complex predicament.
فَهالَهُso terrified him ماwhat رَأىhe saw فَاِرتَدَّand he recoiled مُنزَعِجاًalarmed
فَهالَهُ ما رَأى فَاِرتَدَّ مُنزَعِجاً
وَعادَand returned بِالنَّقدِwith payment بَعدَafter المَطلِdelay عَنdespite رَغَمِunwillingness
وَعادَ بِالنَّقدِ بَعدَ المَطلِ عَن رَغَمِ
What he saw terrified him; he recoiled in alarm,
He spread out a garment and placed the stone in its center
Returning with payment after delay, despite himself.
And said, lift it from each side, company!
أَتِلكَwas it that أَمor حِينَwhen نادىhe called سَرحَةًa tree فَأَتَتand it came
أَتِلكَ أَم حِينَ نادى سَرحَةً فَأَتَت
إِلَيهِto him مَنشُورَةَspread الأَغصانِthe branches كَالجُمَمِlike flowing locks
إِلَيهِ مَنشُورَةَ الأَغصانِ كَالجُمَمِ
Was it that, or when he called a tree and it came
Each gained a share by what his hands carried,
To him, its branches spread like flowing locks?
None objecting to the allotment and division.
حَنَتit bent عَلَيهِover him حُنُوَّthe tenderness of الأُمِّa mother مِنfrom شَفَقٍcompassion
حَنَت عَلَيهِ حُنُوَّ الأُمِّ مِن شَفَقٍ
وَرَفرَفَتand fluttered فَوقَabove ذاكَthat الحُسنِbeauty مِنfrom رَخَمِaffection
وَرَفرَفَت فَوقَ ذاكَ الحُسنِ مِن رَخَمِ
It bent over him like a tender mother,
As they neared the site with the edifice of pillars,
Fluttering above that beauty with affection.
The blessed Prophet stretched out a luminous hand
جاءَتهُit came to him طَوعاًwillingly وَعادَتand returned حينَwhen قالَhe said لَهاto it
جاءَتهُ طَوعاً وَعادَت حينَ قالَ لَها
عُودِيreturn وَلوand if خُلِّيتit were left لِلشَّوقِto longing لَمnot تَرِمِit would move
عُودِي وَلو خُلِّيت لِلشَّوقِ لَم تَرِمِ
It came willingly and returned when he told it:
And placed it in the magnificent alcove,
Return; left to longing, it would not have moved.
That the cornerstone be even more hallowed thereby.
وَحَبَّذاand how blessed لَيلَةُthe night of الإِسراءِthe Night Journey حِينَwhen سَرىhe traveled
وَحَبَّذا لَيلَةُ الإِسراءِ حِينَ سَرى
لَيلاًby night إِلىto المَسجِدِthe Mosque الأَقصىal-Aqsa بِلاwithout أَتَمِdelay
لَيلاً إِلى المَسجِدِ الأَقصى بِلا أَتَمِ
How blessed the night of the Night Journey, when he traveled
Honor him! Had he not blessed the building with his touch
By night to al-Aqsa Mosque without delay!
It would not have become the object of every orator's praise.
رَأَىhe saw بِهِthere مِنof كِرامِthe noble الرُّسلِmessengers طائِفَةًa company
رَأَى بِهِ مِن كِرامِ الرُّسلِ طائِفَةً
فَأَمَّهُمso he led them ثُمَّthen صَلَّىprayed خاشِعاًhumbly بِهِمِwith them
فَأَمَّهُم ثُمَّ صَلَّى خاشِعاً بِهِمِ
There he saw a company of noble messengers;
Would that I might have gained from that blessed vestige
He led them, then prayed humbly with them.
Something to bind round myself, a glorious claim!
بَلrather حَبَّذاhow blessed نَهضَةُthe ascent of المِعراجِthe Miraj حينَwhen سَماit raised
بَل حَبَّذا نَهضَةُ المِعراجِ حينَ سَما
بِهِhim إِلىto مَشهَدٍa station فيin العزِّglory لَمnot يُرَمِattained
بِهِ إِلى مَشهَدٍ في العزِّ لَم يُرَمِ
Rather, how blessed the ascent of the Miraj, when it raised
Would that traces of his beauty had touched my youth,
Him to a station of glory never attained!
Displacing my cares with joy and delight.
سَماhe rose إِلىto الفَلَكthe sphere الأَعلىhighest فَنالَand gained بِهِthere
سَما إِلى الفَلَك الأَعلى فَنالَ بِهِ
قَدراًa rank يَجِلُّtranscending عَنbeyond التَّشبيهِcomparison فيin العِظَمِgreatness
قَدراً يَجِلُّ عَن التَّشبيهِ في العِظَمِ
He rose to the highest sphere, gaining there
Like a beauty-mark on a cheek, increasing
A rank beyond comparison in greatness.
Its charms manifold, beyond appraisal.
وَسارَand traveled فيthrough سُبُحاتِthe radiances of النُّورِlight مُرتَقِياًascending
وَسارَ في سُبُحاتِ النُّورِ مُرتَقِياً
إِلىto مَدارِجَstages أَعيَتexhausted كُلَّevery مُعتَزِمِdetermined seeker
إِلى مَدارِجَ أَعيَت كُلَّ مُعتَزِمِ
He traveled through light's radiances, ascending
How can the revered House not boast of him
To stages that exhausted every determined seeker.
When it was built by hands so virtuous and generous?
وَفازَand gained بِالجَوهَرِthe jewel المَكنونِhidden مِنof كَلِمٍwords
وَفازَ بِالجَوهَرِ المَكنونِ مِن كَلِمٍ
لَيسَتnot إِذاwhen قُرِنَتcompared بِالوَصفِin description كَالكَلِمِlike ordinary words
لَيسَت إِذا قُرِنَت بِالوَصفِ كَالكَلِمِ
He gained the hidden jewel of words
Honor his sound judgment! Without his guidance
Unlike ordinary words when described.
No standard of fairness could prevail in the lands.
سِرٌّa mystery تَحارُare bewildered بِهِby it الأَلبابُminds قاصِرَةًfalling short
سِرٌّ تَحارُ بِهِ الأَلبابُ قاصِرَةً
وَنِعمَةٌand a blessing لَمnot تَكُنwas فيthroughout الدَّهرِtime كَالنِّعَمِlike blessings
وَنِعمَةٌ لَم تَكُن في الدَّهرِ كَالنِّعَمِ
A mystery before which minds falter, bewildered,
This is he who brought justice to the world, else
And a blessing unlike blessings throughout time.
Tyranny would still walk tall, unopposed.
هَيهاتَfar beyond يَبلُغُreaches فَهمٌunderstanding كُنهَthe essence of ماwhat بَلَغَتattained
هَيهاتَ يَبلُغُ فَهمٌ كُنهَ ما بَلَغَت
قُرباهُhis nearness مِنهُto Him وَقَدand indeed ناجاهُHe spoke intimately with him مِنfrom أَمَمِnearby
قُرباهُ مِنهُ وَقَد ناجاهُ مِن أَمَمِ
Far beyond understanding is the essence of what
At the age of forty, before which none had attained
His nearness to Him attained, speaking intimately nearby.
Such heights of knowledge or wisdom,
فَياso O لَهاwhat a وصلَةًcommunion نالَgained الحَبيبُthe Beloved بِهاthrough it
فَيا لَها وصلَةً نالَ الحَبيبُ بِها
ماwhat لَمnot يَنَلهُattained it مِنَof التَّكريمِhonor ذُوpossessor of نَسَمِbreath
ما لَم يَنَلهُ مِنَ التَّكريمِ ذُو نَسَمِ
What a communion, through which the Beloved gained
The Lord of the Throne granted him a miracle
Honor no breathing creature had attained!
By which He showed him the signs of His wisdom.
فاقَتit surpassed جَميعَall اللَّياليnights فَهيَso it زاهِرَةٌradiant
فاقَت جَميعَ اللَّيالي فَهيَ زاهِرَةٌ
بِحُسنِهاin its beauty كَزُهُورِlike the blazing of النّارِfire فيupon العَلَمِthe mountain
بِحُسنِها كَزُهُورِ النّارِ في العَلَمِ
It surpassed all nights, shining
He would wander solitary, to graze his flock
In beauty like fire blazing upon a mountain.
In an isolated place where none tread but he.
هَذاthis وَقَدand indeed فَرَضَprescribed اللَّهُGod الصَّلاةَprayer عَلىfor
هَذا وَقَد فَرَضَ اللَّهُ الصَّلاةَ عَلى
عِبادِهِHis servants وَهَداهُمand guided them واضِحَthe clear اللَّقَمِroad
عِبادِهِ وَهَداهُم واضِحَ اللَّقَمِ
God then prescribed prayer for
Every rock and tree he passed greeted him
His servants and guided them along the clear road.
And he returned the greeting graciously.
فَسارَعُواso they hastened نَحوَtoward دِينِthe faith of اللَّهِGod وَاِنتَصَبُواand stood ready
فَسارَعُوا نَحوَ دِينِ اللَّهِ وَاِنتَصَبُوا
إِلىfor العِبادَةِworship لاnot يَألُونَslackening مِنfrom سَأَمِweariness
إِلى العِبادَةِ لا يَألُونَ مِن سَأَمِ
They hastened toward God's faith and stood ready
Until the time came when destiny intervened
For worship, never slackening through weariness.
Drawing back her veil, truths no longer concealed.
وَلَمand not يَزَلceased سَيِّدُthe master of الكَونَينِboth worlds مُنتَصِباًdevoted
وَلَم يَزَل سَيِّدُ الكَونَينِ مُنتَصِباً
لِدَعوَةِto calling to الدِّينfaith لَمnot يَفترhe flagged وَلَمand not يَجِمِhe rested
لِدَعوَةِ الدِّين لَم يَفتر وَلَم يَجِمِ
The master of both worlds remained devoted
Aloud he called to the faith. And all who
To calling to faith, neither flagging nor resting.
Were destined to hear, heard though from afar.
يَستَقبِلُhe welcomes النّاسَpeople فيin بَدوٍdesert وَفيand in حَضَرٍtown
يَستَقبِلُ النّاسَ في بَدوٍ وَفي حَضَرٍ
وَيَنشُرُand spreads الدِّينَfaith فيacross سَهلٍplain وَفيand across عَلَمِmountain
وَيَنشُرُ الدِّينَ في سَهلٍ وَفي عَلَمِ
He welcomed people in desert and town,
The first to accept were Khadija and the unshakable
Spreading faith across plain and mountain,
Ali, firm of foot next to him.
حَتّىuntil اِستَجابَتanswered لَهُhim الأَنصارُthe Ansar وَاِعتَصَمُواand held fast
حَتّى اِستَجابَت لَهُ الأَنصارُ وَاِعتَصَمُوا
بِحَبلِهِto his rope عَنby تَراضٍagreement خَيرَthe best مُعتَصمِrefuge
بِحَبلِهِ عَن تَراضٍ خَيرَ مُعتَصمِ
Until the Ansar answered him and held fast
Then men of his clan followed suit, and those from afar
To his rope by agreement—the finest refuge.
Whose kinship ties could not avail.
فَاِستَكمَلَتso attained fully بِهِمُthrough them الدُنياthe world نَضارَتَهاits freshness
فَاِستَكمَلَت بِهِمُ الدُنيا نَضارَتَها
وَأَصبَحَand became الدينُfaith فيin جَمعٍa gathering بِهِمthrough them تَمَمِcomplete
وَأَصبَحَ الدينُ في جَمعٍ بِهِم تَمَمِ
Through them the world attained its full freshness,
Those whom the Beneficent willed to honor,
And faith's gathering became complete through them.
He guided them from darkness into the light.
قَومٌa people أَقَرُّواestablished عِمادَthe pillar of الحَقِّtruth وَاِصطَلَمُواand destroyed
قَومٌ أَقَرُّوا عِمادَ الحَقِّ وَاِصطَلَمُوا
بِيَأسِهِمwith their despair كُلَّevery جَبّارٍtyrant وَمُصطَلِمِand destroyer
بِيَأسِهِم كُلَّ جَبّارٍ وَمُصطَلِمِ
A people who established truth's pillar and destroyed
The Messenger of God strove unflagging,
With their despair every tyrant and destroyer.
Calling to the faith tirelessly by day and night.
فَكَمso how often بِهِمthrough them أَشرَقَتshone أَستارُthe veils of داجِيَةٍdarkness
فَكَم بِهِم أَشرَقَت أَستارُ داجِيَةٍ
وَكَمand how often بِهِمthrough them خَمَدَتwere stilled أَنفاسُthe breaths of مُختَصِمِan adversary
وَكَم بِهِم خَمَدَت أَنفاسُ مُختَصِمِ
How often through them dark veils shone!
He would meet the Bedouins and townspeople alike,
How often through them an adversary's breath was stilled!
Spreading the religion through desert and hill.
فَحينَso when وافىreached قُرَيشاًQuraysh ذِكرُnews of بَيعَتِهِمtheir pledge
فَحينَ وافى قُرَيشاً ذِكرُ بَيعَتِهِم
ثارُواthey rose إِلىto الشَّرِّevil فِعلَthe act of الجاهِلِthe ignorant العَرِمِunruly
ثارُوا إِلى الشَّرِّ فِعلَ الجاهِلِ العَرِمِ
When news of their pledge reached Quraysh,
Until the Helpers of Medina embraced the cause
They rose to evil like the ignorant, unruly man.
Willingly - the best bond and accord.
وَبادَهُواand assailed أَهلَthe people of دِينِthe faith of اللَهِGod وَاِهتَضَمُواand infringed
وَبادَهُوا أَهلَ دِينِ اللَهِ وَاِهتَضَمُوا
حُقُوقَهُمtheir rights بِالتَّمادِيpersistently شَرَّthe worst مُهتَضَمِoppression
حُقُوقَهُم بِالتَّمادِي شَرَّ مُهتَضَمِ
They assailed the people of God's faith and infringed
The religion flourished and its pillars grew firm,
Their rights persistently, with the worst oppression.
Established openly, lofty and secure.
فَكَمso how many تَرىyou see مِنof أَسيرٍa captive لاno حِراكَmovement بِهِin him
فَكَم تَرى مِن أَسيرٍ لا حِراكَ بِهِ
وَشارِدٍand a fugitive سارَtraveled مِنfrom فَجٍّa ravine إِلىto أَكَمِhills
وَشارِدٍ سارَ مِن فَجٍّ إِلى أَكَمِ
How many captives you see, unable to move,
The people becoming as brothers, the grace of God
And fugitives traveling from a ravine to hills!
Giving life to those once naught but dust.
فَهاجَرَso migrated الصَّحبُthe Companions إِذwhen قالَsaid الرَّسُولُthe Messenger لَهُمto them
فَهاجَرَ الصَّحبُ إِذ قالَ الرَّسُولُ لَهُم
سيرُواgo إِلىto طَيبَةَTayba المَرعِيَّةِprotected الحُرَمِsanctities
سيرُوا إِلى طَيبَةَ المَرعِيَّةِ الحُرَمِ
The Companions migrated when the Messenger told them:
It was then the Prophet pledged ties of kinship,
Go to Tayba, whose sanctities are protected.
Pairing Ali, the best comrade amid threats.
وَظَلَّand remained فيin مَكَّةَMecca المُختارُthe Chosen One مُنتَظِراًawaiting
وَظَلَّ في مَكَّةَ المُختارُ مُنتَظِراً
إِذناًpermission مِنَfrom اللَهِGod فيfor سَيرٍtravel وَمُعتَزَمِand purpose
إِذناً مِنَ اللَهِ في سَيرٍ وَمُعتَزَمِ
The Chosen One remained in Mecca, awaiting
It was he whom God aided to defeat the despots
God's permission to travel and pursue his purpose.
In every battle, wielding the gleaming sword.
فَأَوجَسَتso sensed خيفَةًfear مِنهُof him قُرَيشُQuraysh وَلَمand not
فَأَوجَسَت خيفَةً مِنهُ قُرَيشُ وَلَم
تَقبَلaccepted نَصيحاًcounsel وَلَمand not تَرجعreturned إِلىto فَهَمِunderstanding
تَقبَل نَصيحاً وَلَم تَرجع إِلى فَهَمِ
Quraysh sensed fear of him and would not
The religion prevailed and its foundations held fast,
Accept counsel or return to understanding.
Remaining unbroken, brilliant and clear.
فَاِستَجمَعَتso assembled عُصَباًbands فيin دارِthe house of نَدوَتِهاits council
فَاِستَجمَعَت عُصَباً في دارِ نَدوَتِها
تَبغيseeking بِهِagainst him الشَّرَّevil مِنfrom حِقدٍrancor وَمِنand from أَضَمِrage
تَبغي بِهِ الشَّرَّ مِن حِقدٍ وَمِن أَضَمِ
It assembled bands in its council-house,
The people lived in harmony, not discord,
Seeking harm against him through rancor and rage.
United in power, never to be undone.
وَلَوand if دَرَتit knew أَنَّهاthat it فِيماin what تُحاوِلُهُit attempts
وَلَو دَرَت أَنَّها فِيما تُحاوِلُهُ
مَخذولَةٌforsaken لَمnot تَسُمit would graze فيin مَرتَعٍa pasture وَخِمِpoisonous
مَخذولَةٌ لَم تَسُم في مَرتَعٍ وَخِمِ
Had it known that in its undertaking
Then God
It would be forsaken, it would not have grazed poisoned pasture.
أَولىmore fitting لَهاfor it ثُمَthen أَولىmore fitting أَنthat يَحيقَbefall بِهاit
أَولى لَها ثُمَ أَولى أَن يَحيقَ بِها
ماwhat أَضمَرَتهُit harbored مِنَof البَأساءِhardship وَالشَّجَمِand destruction
ما أَضمَرَتهُ مِنَ البَأساءِ وَالشَّجَمِ
More fitting, then more fitting, that there befall it
The hardship and destruction it harbored.
إِنّيindeed I لَأَعجَبُtruly marvel مِنat قَومٍa people أُوليpossessing فِطَنٍintelligence
إِنّي لَأَعجَبُ مِن قَومٍ أُولي فِطَنٍ
باعُواthey sold النُّهىreason بِالعَمىfor blindness وَالسَّمعَand hearing بِالصَّمَمِfor deafness
باعُوا النُّهى بِالعَمى وَالسَّمعَ بِالصَّمَمِ
I marvel indeed at people endowed with intelligence
Who sold reason for blindness, hearing for deafness.
يَعصُونَthey disobey خالِقَهُمtheir Creator جَهلاًignorantly بِقُدرَتِهِof His power
يَعصُونَ خالِقَهُم جَهلاً بِقُدرَتِهِ
وَيَعكُفُونَand devote themselves عَلىto الطاغُوتِfalse gods وَالصَّنَمِand idols
وَيَعكُفُونَ عَلى الطاغُوتِ وَالصَّنَمِ
They disobey their Creator, ignorant of His power,
Devoting themselves to false gods and idols.
فَأَجمَعُواso they resolved أَمرَهُمtheir plan أَنto يَبغتُوهُsurprise him إِذاwhen
فَأَجمَعُوا أَمرَهُم أَن يَبغتُوهُ إِذا
جَنَّfell الظَّلامُdarkness وَخَفَّتand lightened وَطأَةُthe tread of القَدَمِthe foot
جَنَّ الظَّلامُ وَخَفَّت وَطأَةُ القَدَمِ
They resolved to surprise him when
Darkness fell and footsteps grew light.
وَأَقبَلُواand they approached مَوهِناًlate at night فيin عُصبَةٍa band غُدُرٍtreacherous
وَأَقبَلُوا مَوهِناً في عُصبَةٍ غُدُرٍ
مِنَfrom القَبائِلِthe tribes باعُواthey sold النَّفسَthe soul بِالزَّعَمِfor pretension
مِنَ القَبائِلِ باعُوا النَّفسَ بِالزَّعَمِ
They approached late at night in a treacherous band
From the tribes, selling their souls for pretension.
فَجاءَso came جِبريلُGabriel لِلهادِيto the Guide فَأَنبأَهُand informed him
فَجاءَ جِبريلُ لِلهادِي فَأَنبأَهُ
بِماof what أَسَرُّوهُthey concealed بَعدَafter العَهدِthe covenant وَالقَسَمِand oath
بِما أَسَرُّوهُ بَعدَ العَهدِ وَالقَسَمِ
Gabriel came to the Guide and informed him
Of what they concealed after covenant and oath.
فَمُذso when رَآهُمhe saw them قِياماًstanding حَولَaround مَأمَنِهِhis refuge
فَمُذ رَآهُم قِياماً حَولَ مَأمَنِهِ
يَبغُونَseeking ساحَتَهُhis precinct بِالشَّرِّwith evil وَالفَقَمِand grave harm
يَبغُونَ ساحَتَهُ بِالشَّرِّ وَالفَقَمِ
When he saw them standing around his refuge,
Seeking his precinct with evil and grave harm,
نادىhe called عَلِيّاًAli فَأَوصاهُthen instructed him وَقالَand said لَهُto him
نادى عَلِيّاً فَأَوصاهُ وَقالَ لَهُ
لاdo not تَخشَfear وَالبَسand wear رِدائيmy cloak آمِناًsafe وَنَمِand sleep
لا تَخشَ وَالبَس رِدائي آمِناً وَنَمِ
He called Ali, instructed him, and said:
Do not fear; wear my cloak, safe, and sleep.
وَمَرَّand passed بِالقَومِthe people يَتلُوُreciting وَهوَwhile he مُنصَرِفٌdeparting
وَمَرَّ بِالقَومِ يَتلُوُ وَهوَ مُنصَرِفٌ
يَسYa-Sin وَهيَand it شِفاءُthe cure of النَّفسِthe soul مِنfrom وَصَمِblemish
يَس وَهيَ شِفاءُ النَّفسِ مِن وَصَمِ
He passed the people, reciting as he departed
Ya-Sin, the soul's cure for blemish.
فَلَمso not يَرَوهُthey saw him وَزاغَتand turned aside عَنهُfrom him أَعيُنُهُمtheir eyes
فَلَم يَرَوهُ وَزاغَت عَنهُ أَعيُنُهُم
وَهَلand can تَرىsee الشَّمسthe sun جَهراًunveiled أَعيُنُthe eyes of الحَنَمِticks
وَهَل تَرى الشَّمس جَهراً أَعيُنُ الحَنَمِ
They did not see him; their eyes turned away.
Can ticks' eyes see the sun unveiled?
وَجاءَهُand came to him الوَحيُrevelation إِيذاناًannouncing permission بِهِجرَتِهِfor his migration
وَجاءَهُ الوَحيُ إِيذاناً بِهِجرَتِهِ
فَيَمَّمَso he headed toward الغارَthe cave بِالصِّدِّيقِwith al-Siddiq فيin الغَسَمِdarkness
فَيَمَّمَ الغارَ بِالصِّدِّيقِ في الغَسَمِ
Revelation came, announcing permission for his migration;
He headed to the cave with al-Siddiq in darkness.
فَماso not اِستَقَرَّhe settled بِهِin it حَتّىbefore تَبَوَّأَهُoccupied it
فَما اِستَقَرَّ بِهِ حَتّى تَبَوَّأَهُ
مِنَamong الحَمائِمِdoves زَوجٌa pair بارِعُaccomplished الرَّنَمِin song
مِنَ الحَمائِمِ زَوجٌ بارِعُ الرَّنَمِ
Scarcely had he settled there before it was occupied
By a pair of doves, accomplished in song.
بَنىit built بِهِthere عُشَّهُits nest وَاِحتَلَّهُand occupied it سَكناًas a home
بَنى بِهِ عُشَّهُ وَاِحتَلَّهُ سَكناً
يَأويsheltering إِلَيهِin it غَداةَon mornings of الرّيحِwind وَالرّهَمِand drizzle
يَأوي إِلَيهِ غَداةَ الرّيحِ وَالرّهَمِ
It built its nest there, taking it as a home
To shelter in on mornings of wind and drizzle.
إِلفانِtwo mates ماnot جَمَعَbrought together المِقدارُdestiny بَينَهُماbetween them
إِلفانِ ما جَمَعَ المِقدارُ بَينَهُما
إِلّاexcept لِسِرٍّfor a secret بِصَدرِwithin الغارِthe cave مُكتَتَمِhidden
إِلّا لِسِرٍّ بِصَدرِ الغارِ مُكتَتَمِ
Two mates whom destiny brought together
Only for a secret hidden within the cave.
كِلاهُماboth of them دَيدَبانٌa sentry فَوقَupon مَربأَةٍa lookout
كِلاهُما دَيدَبانٌ فَوقَ مَربأَةٍ
يَرعَىwatching المَسالِكَthe paths مِنfrom بُعدٍafar وَلَمand not يَنَمِsleeping
يَرعَى المَسالِكَ مِن بُعدٍ وَلَم يَنَمِ
Each was a sentry upon a lookout,
Watching the paths from afar, never sleeping.
إِنif حَنَّcooed هَذاthis one غَراماًpassionately أَوor دَعاcalled طَرَباًjoyfully
إِن حَنَّ هَذا غَراماً أَو دَعا طَرَباً
بِاسمِwith the name of الهَديلِcooing أَجابَتanswered تِلكَthat one بِالنَّغَمِwith melody
بِاسمِ الهَديلِ أَجابَت تِلكَ بِالنَّغَمِ
If this one cooed in passion or called joyfully
With a dove's coo, that one answered melodiously.
يَخالُهاimagines her مَنwhoever يَراهاsees her وَهيَwhile she جاثِمَةٌcrouching
يَخالُها مَن يَراها وَهيَ جاثِمَةٌ
فيin وَكرِهاher nest كُرَةًa ball مَلساءَsmooth مِنof أَدَمِleather
في وَكرِها كُرَةً مَلساءَ مِن أَدَمِ
Whoever sees her crouching imagines her
In her nest a smooth leather ball.
إِنif رَفرَفَتshe fluttered سَكَنَتshe settled ظِلّاًin shade وَإِنand if هَبَطَتshe descended
إِن رَفرَفَت سَكَنَت ظِلّاً وَإِن هَبَطَت
رَوَتshe quenched غَليلَthe burning of الصَّدىthirst مِنfrom حائِرٍa pool شَبِمِcool
رَوَت غَليلَ الصَّدى مِن حائِرٍ شَبِمِ
If she fluttered, she settled in shade; if she descended,
She quenched burning thirst from a cool pool.
مَرقُومَةُpatterned الجِيدِthe neck مِنwith مِسكٍmusk وَغالِيَةٍand perfumed paste
مَرقُومَةُ الجِيدِ مِن مِسكٍ وَغالِيَةٍ
مَخضُوبَةُdyed الساقِthe shank وَالكَفَّينِand both feet بِالعَنَمِwith red anam
مَخضُوبَةُ الساقِ وَالكَفَّينِ بِالعَنَمِ
Her neck patterned with musk and perfumed paste,
Her shank and both feet dyed with red anam.
كَأَنَّماas though شَرَعَتshe entered فيinto قانِيءٍcrimson سربٍflowing water
كَأَنَّما شَرَعَت في قانِيءٍ سربٍ
مِنof أَدمُعِيmy tears فَغَدَتthen became مُحمَرَّةَred القَدَمِthe foot
مِن أَدمُعِي فَغَدَت مُحمَرَّةَ القَدَمِ
As though she had entered a crimson stream
Of my tears, and her feet became red.
وَسَجفَand curtained العَنكَبُوتُthe spider الغارَthe cave مُحتَفِياًattending
وَسَجفَ العَنكَبُوتُ الغارَ مُحتَفِياً
بِخَيمَةٍwith a tent حاكَهاit wove it مِنamong أَبدَعِthe finest الخِيَمِtents
بِخَيمَةٍ حاكَها مِن أَبدَعِ الخِيَمِ
The spider curtained the cave, attending it
With a tent it wove, among the finest tents.
قَدindeed شَدَّit tightened أَطنابَهاits ropes فَاِستَحكَمَتso it grew firm وَرَسَتand anchored
قَد شَدَّ أَطنابَها فَاِستَحكَمَت وَرَسَت
بِالأَرضِto earth لَكِنَّهاbut it قامَتstood بِلاwithout دِعَمِsupports
بِالأَرضِ لَكِنَّها قامَت بِلا دِعَمِ
It tightened its ropes; it grew firm and anchored
To earth, yet stood without supports.
كَأَنَّهاas though it سابِريٌّSabiri cloth حاكَهُwove it لَبِقٌa skilled artisan
كَأَنَّها سابِريٌّ حاكَهُ لَبِقٌ
بِأَرضِin the land of سابُورَShapur فيin بحبُوحَةِthe heart of العَجَمِPersia
بِأَرضِ سابُورَ في بحبُوحَةِ العَجَمِ
Like Sabiri cloth woven by a skilled artisan
In Shapur's land, in Persia's heart.
وَارَتit hid فَمَthe mouth of الغارِthe cave عَنfrom عَينٍan eye تُلِمُّapproaching بِهِit
وَارَت فَمَ الغارِ عَن عَينٍ تُلِمُّ بِهِ
فَصارَso it became يَحكيresembling خَفاءًin concealment وَجهَthe face of مُلتَثِمِa veiled person
فَصارَ يَحكي خَفاءً وَجهَ مُلتَثِمِ
It hid the cave's mouth from any approaching eye,
Making it resemble a veiled person's hidden face.
فَياso O لَهُwhat a مِنof سِتارٍcurtain دُونَهُbehind it قَمَرٌa moon
فَيا لَهُ مِن سِتارٍ دُونَهُ قَمَرٌ
يَجلُوclearing البَصائِرَinward sight مِنof ظُلمٍinjustice وَمِنand of ظُلَمِdarkness
يَجلُو البَصائِرَ مِن ظُلمٍ وَمِن ظُلَمِ
What a curtain, behind which was a moon
Clearing inward sight of injustice and darkness!
فَظَلَّso remained فيهِwithin it رَسولُthe Messenger of اللَّهِGod مُعتَكِفاًsecluded
فَظَلَّ فيهِ رَسولُ اللَّهِ مُعتَكِفاً
كَالدُرِّlike pearls فيin البَحرthe sea أَوor كَالشَمسِlike the sun فيin الغُسَمِdarkness
كَالدُرِّ في البَحر أَو كَالشَمسِ في الغُسَمِ
God's Messenger remained secluded within it,
Like pearls in the sea or the sun in darkness,
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen سَكَنَsubsided الإِرجافthe alarm وَاِحتَرقَتand burned
حَتّى إِذا سَكَنَ الإِرجاف وَاِحتَرقَت
أَكبادُthe hearts of قَومٍpeople بِنارِwith the fire of اليَأسِdespair وَالوَغَمِand rancor
أَكبادُ قَومٍ بِنارِ اليَأسِ وَالوَغَمِ
Until the alarm subsided and burned
People's hearts with despair's fire and rancor.
أَوحىquietly directed الرَّسولُthe Messenger بِإِعدادِpreparing الرَّحيلِdeparture إِلىto
أَوحى الرَّسولُ بِإِعدادِ الرَّحيلِ إِلى
مَنwhoever عِندَهُheld السِّرُّthe secret مِنof خِلٍّa friend وَمِنand of حَشَمِattendants
مَن عِندَهُ السِّرُّ مِن خِلٍّ وَمِن حَشَمِ
The Messenger quietly directed preparations for departure to
Those entrusted with the secret, friends and attendants.
وَسارَand departed بَعدَafter ثَلاثٍthree days مِنfrom مَباءَتِهِhis shelter
وَسارَ بَعدَ ثَلاثٍ مِن مَباءَتِهِ
يَؤُمُّheading toward طَيبَةَTayba مَأوىthe refuge of كُلِّevery مُعتَصِمِprotection-seeker
يَؤُمُّ طَيبَةَ مَأوى كُلِّ مُعتَصِمِ
After three days he departed his shelter,
Heading toward Tayba, refuge of all seeking protection.
فَحِينَso when وَافىhe reached قُدَيداًQudayd حَلَّlodged مَوكِبُهُhis party
فَحِينَ وَافى قُدَيداً حَلَّ مَوكِبُهُ
بِأُمِّwith Umm مَعبَدَMabad ذاتِpossessor of الشَّاءِsheep وَالغَنَمِand goats
بِأُمِّ مَعبَدَ ذاتِ الشَّاءِ وَالغَنَمِ
When he reached Qudayd, his party lodged
With Umm Mabad, owner of sheep and goats.
فَلَمso not تَجِدshe found لِقِراهُfor his hospitality غَيرَother than ضائِنَةٍa ewe
فَلَم تَجِد لِقِراهُ غَيرَ ضائِنَةٍ
قَدِindeed اقشَعَرَّتhad withered مَراعِيهاits pastures فَلَمso not تَسُمِit grazed
قَدِ اقشَعَرَّت مَراعِيها فَلَم تَسُمِ
For his hospitality she found only a ewe
Whose pastures had withered, leaving it unable to graze.
فَماso not أَمَرَّhe passed عَلَيهاover it داعِياًpraying يَدَهُhis hand
فَما أَمَرَّ عَلَيها داعِياً يَدَهُ
حَتّىbefore اِستَهَلَّتit poured بِذِيwith شَخبينِtwo milk-streams كَالدِّيَمِlike steady rains
حَتّى اِستَهَلَّت بِذِي شَخبينِ كَالدِّيَمِ
Scarcely had he passed his hand over it, praying,
Before it poured two streams like steady rain.
ثُمَّthen اِستَقَلَّhe departed وَأَبقىand left فيthroughout الزَّمانِtime لَهاfor her
ثُمَّ اِستَقَلَّ وَأَبقى في الزَّمانِ لَها
ذِكراًa remembrance يَسيرُtraveling عَلَىacross الآفاقthe horizons كَالنَّسَمِlike breezes
ذِكراً يَسيرُ عَلَى الآفاق كَالنَّسَمِ
Then he departed, leaving her through time
A remembrance traveling the horizons like breezes.
فَبَينَماso while هُوَhe يَطويcrossed البِيدَthe deserts أَدرَكَهُovertook him
فَبَينَما هُوَ يَطوي البِيدَ أَدرَكَهُ
رَكضاًat a gallop سُراقَةُSuraqa مِثلَlike القَشعَمِan old vulture الضَّرِمِravenous
رَكضاً سُراقَةُ مِثلَ القَشعَمِ الضَّرِمِ
While he crossed the deserts, he was overtaken
At a gallop by Suraqa, like a ravenous old vulture.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen ماindeed دَناhe approached ساخَsank الجَوادُthe horse بِهِbeneath him
حَتّى إِذا ما دَنا ساخَ الجَوادُ بِهِ
فيin بُرقَةٍstony ground فَهَوىthen descended لِلسَّاقِto the shank وَالقَدَمِand foot
في بُرقَةٍ فَهَوى لِلسَّاقِ وَالقَدَمِ
When he drew near, his horse sank beneath him
In stony ground, descending to shank and foot.
فَصاحَso he cried مُبتَهِلاًimploringly يَرجُوseeking الأَمانَsafety وَلَوand if
فَصاحَ مُبتَهِلاً يَرجُو الأَمانَ وَلَو
مَضىhe persisted عَلىin عَزمِهِhis purpose لانهارَhe would collapse فيinto رَجَمِa grave
مَضى عَلى عَزمِهِ لانهارَ في رَجَمِ
He cried out imploringly, seeking safety; had he
Persisted in his purpose, he would have collapsed into a grave.
وَكَيفَand how يَبلُغُattains أَمراًan aim دُونَهُguarding it وَزَرٌa refuge
وَكَيفَ يَبلُغُ أَمراً دُونَهُ وَزَرٌ
مِنَof العِنايةِprovidence لَمnot يَبلُغهُreached it ذُوpossessor of نَسَمِbreath
مِنَ العِنايةِ لَم يَبلُغهُ ذُو نَسَمِ
How could he attain an aim guarded by a refuge
Of providence no breathing creature could reach?
فَكَفَّso refrained عَنهُfrom him رَسولُthe Messenger of اللَّهِGod وَهوَand he بِهِabout him
فَكَفَّ عَنهُ رَسولُ اللَّهِ وَهوَ بِهِ
أَدرىbetter informed وَكَمand how many نِقَمٍpunishments تفتَرُّopen عَنinto نِعَمِblessings
أَدرى وَكَم نِقَمٍ تفتَرُّ عَن نِعَمِ
God's Messenger spared him, knowing him
Better; how many punishments open into blessings!
وَلَمand not يَزَلceased سائِراًtraveling حَتّىuntil أَنافَhe overlooked عَلىupon
وَلَم يَزَل سائِراً حَتّى أَنافَ عَلى
أَعلامِthe landmarks of طَيبَةَTayba ذاتِpossessing المَنظَرِa prospect العَمَمِabundant
أَعلامِ طَيبَةَ ذاتِ المَنظَرِ العَمَمِ
He continued traveling until he overlooked
Tayba's landmarks, with their abundant prospect.
أَعظِمhow great بِمَقدَمِهِhis arrival فَخراًin glory وَمَنقبَةًand distinction
أَعظِم بِمَقدَمِهِ فَخراً وَمَنقبَةً
لِمَعشَرِfor the people of الأَوسِAws وَالأَحياءِand the clans مِنof جُشَمِJusham
لِمَعشَرِ الأَوسِ وَالأَحياءِ مِن جُشَمِ
How great his arrival in glory and distinction
For the people of Aws and the clans of Jusham!
فَخرٌglory يَدُومُendures لَهُمfor them فَضلٌexcellence بِذِكرَتِهِthrough its remembrance
فَخرٌ يَدُومُ لَهُم فَضلٌ بِذِكرَتِهِ
ماas long as سارَتtravel العِيسُpale camels بِالزُّوّارِwith visitors لِلحَرَمِto the sanctuary
ما سارَت العِيسُ بِالزُّوّارِ لِلحَرَمِ
Glory whose remembrance grants them lasting excellence
As long as pale camels carry visitors to the sanctuary.
يَومٌa day بِهِby it أَرَّخَdated الإِسلامُIslam غُرَّتَهُits bright beginning
يَومٌ بِهِ أَرَّخَ الإِسلامُ غُرَّتَهُ
وَأَدرَكَand attained الدِّينُfaith فيهِon it ذِروَةَthe summit of النُّجُمِthe stars
وَأَدرَكَ الدِّينُ فيهِ ذِروَةَ النُّجُمِ
A day by which Islam dated its bright beginning,
And faith attained the summit of the stars.
ثُمَّthen اِبتَنىbuilt سَيِّدُthe master of الكَونَينِboth worlds مَسحِدَهُhis mosque
ثُمَّ اِبتَنى سَيِّدُ الكَونَينِ مَسحِدَهُ
بُنيانَa structure of عِزٍّglory فَأَضحىso it became قائِمَstanding الدّعَمِsupports
بُنيانَ عِزٍّ فَأَضحى قائِمَ الدّعَمِ
Then the master of both worlds built his mosque,
A structure of glory, standing firmly supported.
وَاِختَصَّand singled out فيهِin it بِلالاًBilal بِالأَذانِfor the prayer-call وَماand not
وَاِختَصَّ فيهِ بِلالاً بِالأَذانِ وَما
يُلفىis found نَظيرٌan equal لَهُto him فيin نَبرَةِthe ringing of النَّغَمِmelody
يُلفى نَظيرٌ لَهُ في نَبرَةِ النَّغَمِ
There he singled out Bilal for the call to prayer;
No equal is found to his ringing melody.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen تَمَّwas completed أَمرُthe command of اللَّهِGod وَاِجتَمَعَتand assembled
حَتّى إِذا تَمَّ أَمرُ اللَّهِ وَاِجتَمَعَت
لَهُto him القبَائِلُthe tribes مِنfrom بُعدٍafar وَمِنand from زَمَمِnearby
لَهُ القبَائِلُ مِن بُعدٍ وَمِن زَمَمِ
When God's command was fulfilled and assembled
To him the tribes from far and near,
قامَstood النَّبِيُّthe Prophet خَطيباًas an orator فيهِمُamong them فَأَرىand showed
قامَ النَّبِيُّ خَطيباً فيهِمُ فَأَرى
نَهجَthe path of الهُدىguidance وَنَهىand forbade عَنevery كُلِّeach مُجتَرَمِoffense
نَهجَ الهُدى وَنَهى عَن كُلِّ مُجتَرَمِ
The Prophet stood addressing them, showing
The path of guidance and forbidding every offense.
وَعَمَّهمand encompassed them بِكِتابٍwith a document حَضَّurged فيهِin it عَلىtoward
وَعَمَّهم بِكِتابٍ حَضَّ فيهِ عَلى
مَحاسِنِthe excellences of الفَضلِvirtue وَالآدابِand manners وَالشِّيمِand character
مَحاسِنِ الفَضلِ وَالآدابِ وَالشِّيمِ
He embraced them all with a document urging
Excellent virtue, manners, and character.
فَأَصبَحُواso they became فيin إِخاءٍbrotherhood غَيرِnot مُنصَدِعٍfractured
فَأَصبَحُوا في إِخاءٍ غَيرِ مُنصَدِعٍ
عَلىthroughout الزَّمانِtime وَعِزٍّand might غَيرِnot مُنهَدِمِdemolished
عَلى الزَّمانِ وَعِزٍّ غَيرِ مُنهَدِمِ
They entered a brotherhood never fractured
By time, and a might never demolished.
وَحِينَand when آخىestablished brotherhood رَسُولُthe Messenger of اللَّهِGod بَينَهُمُamong them
وَحِينَ آخى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ بَينَهُمُ
آخىhe took as brother عَلِيّاًAli وَنِعمَand excellent العَونُaid فيin القُحَمِperils
آخى عَلِيّاً وَنِعمَ العَونُ في القُحَمِ
When God's Messenger established brotherhood among them,
He took Ali as brother—excellent aid in perils.
هُوَhe الَّذيthe one هَزَمَdefeated اللَّهُGod الطُغاةَthe tyrants بِهِthrough him
هُوَ الَّذي هَزَمَ اللَّهُ الطُغاةَ بِهِ
فيin كُلِّevery مُعتَرَكٍbattlefield بِالبِيضِwith swords مُحتَدِمِblazing
في كُلِّ مُعتَرَكٍ بِالبِيضِ مُحتَدِمِ
He was the one through whom God defeated tyrants
In every battlefield blazing with swords.
فَاِستَحكَمso became secure الدِّينُfaith وَاِشتَدَّتand strengthened دَعائِمُهُits pillars
فَاِستَحكَم الدِّينُ وَاِشتَدَّت دَعائِمُهُ
حَتّىuntil غَداit became واضِحَprominent العِرنينِthe nose ذاpossessing شَمَمِproud elevation
حَتّى غَدا واضِحَ العِرنينِ ذا شَمَمِ
Faith became secure and its pillars strengthened,
Until it stood with a prominent nose, proudly uplifted.
وَأَصبَحَand became الناسُpeople إِخواناًbrothers وَعَمَّهُمُand encompassed them
وَأَصبَحَ الناسُ إِخواناً وَعَمَّهُمُ
فَضلٌgrace مِنَfrom اللَّهِGod أَحياهُمrevived them مِنَfrom العَدَمِnothingness
فَضلٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ أَحياهُم مِنَ العَدَمِ
People became brothers, all encompassed
By grace from God, bringing them to life from nothingness.
هَذاthis وَقَدand indeed فَرَضَprescribed اللَّهُGod الجِهادَstriving in battle عَلىfor
هَذا وَقَد فَرَضَ اللَّهُ الجِهادَ عَلى
رَسُولِهِHis Messenger لِيَبُثَّto spread الدِّينَfaith فيamong الأُمَمِthe nations
رَسُولِهِ لِيَبُثَّ الدِّينَ في الأُمَمِ
God then prescribed striving in battle for
His Messenger, to spread faith among the nations.
فَكانَso was أَوَّلُthe first غَزوٍexpedition سارَhe traveled فيهِon it إِلىto
فَكانَ أَوَّلُ غَزوٍ سارَ فيهِ إِلى
وَدّانَWaddan ثُمَّthen أَتىreturned مِنwithout غَيرِany مُصطَدَمِclash
وَدّانَ ثُمَّ أَتى مِن غَيرِ مُصطَدَمِ
The first expedition on which he set out went to
Waddan; then he returned without a clash.
ثُمَّthen اِستَمَرَّتcontinued سَراياthe detachments of الدِّينِfaith سابِحَةًsweeping onward
ثُمَّ اِستَمَرَّت سَرايا الدِّينِ سابِحَةً
بِالخَيلِon horses جامِحَةًimpetuous تَستَنُّgalloping بِاللُّجُمِwith bridles
بِالخَيلِ جامِحَةً تَستَنُّ بِاللُّجُمِ
Then faith's detachments continued sweeping onward
On impetuous horses galloping in their bridles.
سَرِيَّةٌa detachment كانَwas يَرعاهاsupervising it عُبَيدَةُUbayda فيin
سَرِيَّةٌ كانَ يَرعاها عُبَيدَةُ في
صَوبٍa direction وَحَمزَةُand Hamza فيin أُخرىanother إِلىtoward التَّهَمِthe lowlands
صَوبٍ وَحَمزَةُ في أُخرى إِلى التَّهَمِ
One detachment Ubayda supervised in
One direction; Hamza led another toward the lowlands.
وَغَزوَةٌand an expedition سارَtraveled فيهاin it المُصطَفىthe Chosen One قُدُماًforward
وَغَزوَةٌ سارَ فيها المُصطَفى قُدُماً
إِلىto بُواطٍBuwat بِجَمعٍwith a force ساطِعِrising القَتَمِdust
إِلى بُواطٍ بِجَمعٍ ساطِعِ القَتَمِ
And an expedition in which the Chosen One advanced
To Buwat, with a force raising dust.
وَمِثلَهاand another like it يَمَّمَتheaded toward ذاتَDhat العُشيرَةِal-Ushayra فيin
وَمِثلَها يَمَّمَت ذاتَ العُشيرَةِ في
جَيشٍan army لُهامٍvast كَمَوجِlike the waves of البَحرِthe sea مُلتَطِمِcrashing
جَيشٍ لُهامٍ كَمَوجِ البَحرِ مُلتَطِمِ
Another like it headed to Dhat al-Ushayra in
A vast army like crashing waves of the sea.
وَسارَand marched سَعدٌSad إِلىtoward الخَرّارِal-Kharrar يَقدُمُهُleading it
وَسارَ سَعدٌ إِلى الخَرّارِ يَقدُمُهُ
سَعدٌSad وَلَمand not يَلقَencountered فيon مَسراهُhis journey مِنany بَشَمِdistress
سَعدٌ وَلَم يَلقَ في مَسراهُ مِن بَشَمِ
Sad marched toward al-Kharrar, led by
Sad, meeting no distress on his journey.
وَيَمَّمَتand headed toward سَفَوانSafwan الخَيلُthe horses سابِحَةًspeeding
وَيَمَّمَت سَفَوان الخَيلُ سابِحَةً
بِكُلِّwith every مُعتَزِمٍdetermined man لِلقَرنِwith the opponent مُلتَزِمِengaging
بِكُلِّ مُعتَزِمٍ لِلقَرنِ مُلتَزِمِ
The horses sped toward Safwan,
Carrying every resolute warrior engaging his opponent.
وَتابَعَand continued السَّيرَthe march عَبدُAbd اللَّهِAllah مُتَّجِهاًheading
وَتابَعَ السَّيرَ عَبدُ اللَّهِ مُتَّجِهاً
تِلقاءَtoward نَخلَةَNakhla مَصحُوباًaccompanied بِكُلِّby every كَمِيarmored champion
تِلقاءَ نَخلَةَ مَصحُوباً بِكُلِّ كَمِي
Abd Allah continued the march, heading
Toward Nakhla with every armored champion.
وَحُوّلَتand was turned قِبلَةُthe prayer-direction of الإِسلامِIslam وَقتَئِذٍat that time
وَحُوّلَت قِبلَةُ الإِسلامِ وَقتَئِذٍ
عَنfrom وِجهَةِthe direction of القُدسِJerusalem نَحوَtoward البَيتِthe House ذيpossessing العِظَمِmajesty
عَن وِجهَةِ القُدسِ نَحوَ البَيتِ ذي العِظَمِ
Islam's direction of prayer was then turned
From Jerusalem toward the majestic House.
وَيَمَّمَand headed toward المُصطَفىthe Chosen One بَدراًBadr فَلاحَthen appeared لَهُto him
وَيَمَّمَ المُصطَفى بَدراً فَلاحَ لَهُ
بَدرٌa full moon مِنَof النَّصرِvictory جَلَّىclearing ظُلمَةَthe darkness of الوَخَمِaffliction
بَدرٌ مِنَ النَّصرِ جَلَّى ظُلمَةَ الوَخَمِ
The Chosen One headed to Badr, and appeared to him
A full moon of victory, clearing affliction's darkness.
يَومٌa day تَبَسَّمَsmiled فيهِon it الدِّينُfaith وَاِنهَمَلَتand streamed
يَومٌ تَبَسَّمَ فيهِ الدِّينُ وَاِنهَمَلَت
عَلَىover الضَّلالِerror عُيونُthe eyes of الشِّركِidolatry بِالسَّجَمِwith tears
عَلَى الضَّلالِ عُيونُ الشِّركِ بِالسَّجَمِ
A day on which faith smiled and streamed
The eyes of idolatry with tears over error.
أَبلَىperformed valiantly عَلِيٌّAli بِهِon it خَيرَthe best البَلاءِperformance بِماthrough what
أَبلَى عَلِيٌّ بِهِ خَيرَ البَلاءِ بِما
حَباهُgranted him ذُوthe Lord of العَرشِthe Throne مِنof بَأسٍvalor وَمِنand of هِمَمِresolve
حَباهُ ذُو العَرشِ مِن بَأسٍ وَمِن هِمَمِ
Ali performed most nobly there, through what
The Lord of the Throne granted of valor and resolve.
وَجالَand ranged حَمزَةُHamza بِالصَّمصامِwith the keen sword يَكسؤُهُمdriving them
وَجالَ حَمزَةُ بِالصَّمصامِ يَكسؤُهُم
كَسأًa driving blow يُفَرِّقُscattering مِنهُمamong them كُلَّevery مُزدَحَمِthrong
كَسأً يُفَرِّقُ مِنهُم كُلَّ مُزدَحَمِ
Hamza ranged with his keen sword, driving them
Apart with blows that scattered every throng.
وَغادَرَand left الصَّحبُthe Companions وَالأَنصارُand Ansar جَمعَهُمُtheir host
وَغادَرَ الصَّحبُ وَالأَنصارُ جَمعَهُمُ
وَلَيسَand not فيهِin it كَمِيٌّan armored champion غَيرُnot مَنهَزِمِdefeated
وَلَيسَ فيهِ كَمِيٌّ غَيرُ مَنهَزِمِ
The Companions and Ansar left their host
With no champion in it undefeated.
تَقَسَّمَتهُمdivided them يَدُthe hand of الهَيجاءِbattle عادِلَةًjustly
تَقَسَّمَتهُم يَدُ الهَيجاءِ عادِلَةً
فَالهامُso heads لِلبِيضfor swords وَالأَبدانُand bodies لِلرَّخَمِfor vultures
فَالهامُ لِلبِيض وَالأَبدانُ لِلرَّخَمِ
Battle's hand divided them justly:
Heads for swords, bodies for vultures.
كَأَنَّماas though البِيضُthe swords بِالأَيديin hands صَوالِجَةٌpolo mallets
كَأَنَّما البِيضُ بِالأَيدي صَوالِجَةٌ
يَلعَبنَplaying فيin ساحَةِthe field of الهَيجاءِbattle بِالقِمَمِwith heads
يَلعَبنَ في ساحَةِ الهَيجاءِ بِالقِمَمِ
As though the swords in their hands were polo mallets,
Playing with heads upon the field of battle.
لَمnot يَبقَremained مِنهُمamong them كَمِيٌّan armored champion غَيرُnot مُنجَدِلٍfallen
لَم يَبقَ مِنهُم كَمِيٌّ غَيرُ مُنجَدِلٍ
عَلىupon الرّغامِdust وَعُضوٌand a limb غَيرُnot مُنحَطِمِbroken
عَلى الرّغامِ وَعُضوٌ غَيرُ مُنحَطِمِ
No champion remained among them unfallen
On dust, nor any limb unbroken.
فَماso not مَضَتpassed ساعَةٌan hour وَالحَربُwhile battle مُسعَرَةٌblazing
فَما مَضَت ساعَةٌ وَالحَربُ مُسعَرَةٌ
حَتّىbefore غَداbecame جَمعُهُمtheir host نَهباًspoil لِمُقتَسِمِfor a divider
حَتّى غَدا جَمعُهُم نَهباً لِمُقتَسِمِ
Scarcely an hour passed with battle blazing
Before their host became spoil for division.
قَدindeed أَمطَرَتهُمrained upon them سَماءُthe sky of الحَربِwar صائِبَةًaccurately
قَد أَمطَرَتهُم سَماءُ الحَربِ صائِبَةً
بِالمَشرَفِيَّةِwith Mashrafi swords وَالمُرّانِand ashwood spears كَالرُّجُمِlike missiles
بِالمَشرَفِيَّةِ وَالمُرّانِ كَالرُّجُمِ
War's sky had rained accurately upon them
With Mashrafi swords and ashwood spears like missiles.
فَأَينَso where ماwhat كانَthere was مِنof زَهوٍconceit وَمِنand of صَلَفٍarrogance
فَأَينَ ما كانَ مِن زَهوٍ وَمِن صَلَفٍ
وَأَينَand where ماwhat كانَthere was مِنof فَخرٍboasting وَمِنand of شَمَمِhaughtiness
وَأَينَ ما كانَ مِن فَخرٍ وَمِن شَمَمِ
Where was their former conceit and arrogance?
Where was their former boasting and haughtiness?
جاؤُاthey came وِللشَّرِّand evil's وَسمٌbrand فيupon مَعاطِسِهِمtheir noses
جاؤُا وِللشَّرِّ وَسمٌ في مَعاطِسِهِم
فَأُرغِمُواso they were humbled وَالرَّدىand death فيin هَذِهِthese السِّيَمِtraits
فَأُرغِمُوا وَالرَّدى في هَذِهِ السِّيَمِ
They came with evil branded upon their noses,
And were humbled; death lies in such traits.
مَنwhoever عارَضَopposes الحَقَّtruth لَمnot تَسلَمremain safe مَقاتِلُهُhis vital parts
مَن عارَضَ الحَقَّ لَم تَسلَم مَقاتِلُهُ
وَمَنand whoever تَعَرَّضَcourts لِلأَخطارِdangers لَمnot يَنَمِsleeps
وَمَن تَعَرَّضَ لِلأَخطارِ لَم يَنَمِ
Whoever opposes truth leaves his vital parts unsafe;
Whoever courts dangers finds no sleep.
فَماso not اِنقَضىended يَومُthe day of بَدرٍBadr بِالَّتيwith that which عَظُمَتwas momentous
فَما اِنقَضى يَومُ بَدرٍ بِالَّتي عَظُمَت
حَتّىbefore مَضىhe marched غازِياًto battle بِالخَيلِwith horses فيin الشُّكُمِbridles
حَتّى مَضى غازِياً بِالخَيلِ في الشُّكُمِ
Scarcely had Badr's momentous day ended
Before he marched to battle with bridled horses.
فَيَمَّمَso he headed toward الكُدرَal-Kudr بِالأَبطالِwith champions مُنتَحِياًseeking
فَيَمَّمَ الكُدرَ بِالأَبطالِ مُنتَحِياً
بَنيBanu سُلَيمٍSulaym فَوَلَّتso they fled عَنهُfrom him بِالرَّغَمِin humiliation
بَني سُلَيمٍ فَوَلَّت عَنهُ بِالرَّغَمِ
He headed toward al-Kudr with champions, seeking
Banu Sulaym, who fled from him in humiliation.
وَسارَand marched فيin غَزوَةٍan expedition تُدعىcalled السَّويقَal-Sawiq بِماfor what
وَسارَ في غَزوَةٍ تُدعى السَّويقَ بِما
أَلقاهُdiscarded أَعداؤُهُhis enemies مِنof عُظمِthe great quantity of زادِهِمِtheir provisions
أَلقاهُ أَعداؤُهُ مِن عُظمِ زادِهِمِ
He marched in an expedition named al-Sawiq for
The great quantity of provisions his enemies discarded.
ثُمَّthen اِنتَحىhe turned toward بِوُجُوهِwith the heads of الخَيلhorses ذَاDhu Amr أَمرٍAmr
ثُمَّ اِنتَحى بِوُجُوهِ الخَيل ذَا أَمرٍ
فَفَرَّso fled ساكِنُهُits inhabitants رُعباًin terror إِلىtoward الرَّقَمِal-Raqam
فَفَرَّ ساكِنُهُ رُعباً إِلى الرَّقَمِ
Then he turned the horses' heads toward Dhu Amr;
Its inhabitants fled in terror toward al-Raqam.
وَأَمَّand headed toward فرعاًFuru فَلَمso not يَثقَفhe found بِهِthere أَحَداًanyone
وَأَمَّ فرعاً فَلَم يَثقَف بِهِ أَحَداً
وَمَنand who يُقيمُremains أَمامَbefore العارِضِthe storm-cloud الهَزِمِthunderous
وَمَن يُقيمُ أَمامَ العارِضِ الهَزِمِ
He headed toward Furu, finding nobody there;
Who remains before a thunderous storm-cloud?
وَلَفَّand surrounded بِالجَيشِwith the army حَيَّيthe two clans of قَينُقاعَQaynuqa بِماfor what
وَلَفَّ بِالجَيشِ حَيَّي قَينُقاعَ بِما
جَنَواthey committed فَتَعساًso ruin لَهُمupon them مِنas مَعشَرٍa community قَزَمِbase
جَنَوا فَتَعساً لَهُم مِن مَعشَرٍ قَزَمِ
He surrounded Qaynuqa's two clans with the army for what
They committed—ruin upon that base community!
وَسارَand marched زَيدٌZayd بِجَمعٍwith a force نَحوَtoward قَردَةَQarada مِنamong
وَسارَ زَيدٌ بِجَمعٍ نَحوَ قَردَةَ مِن
مِياهِthe watering places of نَجدٍNajd فَلَمso not يَثقَفhe found سِوىexcept النَّعَمِlivestock
مِياهِ نَجدٍ فَلَم يَثقَف سِوى النَّعَمِ
Zayd marched with a force toward Qarada, among
Najd's watering places, finding only livestock.
ثُمَّthen اِستَدارَتturned رَحاthe millstone of الهَيجاءِbattle فيat أُحُدٍUhud
ثُمَّ اِستَدارَت رَحا الهَيجاءِ في أُحُدٍ
بِكُلِّwith every مُفتَرِسٍpredator لِلقِرنِof the opponent مُلتَهِمِdevouring
بِكُلِّ مُفتَرِسٍ لِلقِرنِ مُلتَهِمِ
Then battle's millstone turned at Uhud
With every warrior ravenously devouring his opponent.
يَومٌa day تَبَيَّنَbecame evident فيهِon it الجِدُّearnestness وَاِتَّضَحَتand emerged
يَومٌ تَبَيَّنَ فيهِ الجِدُّ وَاِتَّضَحَت
جَلِيَّةُthe truth of الأَمرِthe matter بَعدَafter الجَهدِexertion وَالسَّأَمِand weariness
جَلِيَّةُ الأَمرِ بَعدَ الجَهدِ وَالسَّأَمِ
A day when earnestness became evident and emerged
The matter's truth after exertion and weariness.
قَدindeed كانَit was خُبراًa trial وَتَمحيصاًand purification وَمَغفِرَةًand forgiveness
قَد كانَ خُبراً وَتَمحيصاً وَمَغفِرَةً
لِلمُؤمِنينَfor believers وَهَلand is there بُرءٌhealing بِلاwithout سَقَمِsickness
لِلمُؤمِنينَ وَهَل بُرءٌ بِلا سَقَمِ
It was a trial, purification, and forgiveness
For believers; can there be healing without sickness?
مَضىadvanced عَلِيٌّAli بِهِon it قُدماًforward فَزَلزَلَهُمand shook them
مَضى عَلِيٌّ بِهِ قُدماً فَزَلزَلَهُم
بِحَملَةٍwith a charge أَورَدَتهُمbrought them مَورِدَto the watering place of الشَّجَمِdestruction
بِحَملَةٍ أَورَدَتهُم مَورِدَ الشَّجَمِ
Ali advanced there, shaking them
With a charge that brought them to destruction's watering place.
وَأَظهَرَand displayed الصَّحبُthe Companions وَالأَنصارُand Ansar بَأسَهمtheir valor
وَأَظهَرَ الصَّحبُ وَالأَنصارُ بَأسَهم
وَالبَأسُand valor فيin الفِعلِdeeds غَيرُunlike البَأسِvalor فِيin الكَلِمِwords
وَالبَأسُ في الفِعلِ غَيرُ البَأسِ فِي الكَلِمِ
The Companions and Ansar displayed their valor;
Valor in deeds differs from valor in words.
خاضُواthey plunged into المَناياdeath فَنالُواand gained عِيشَةًa life رَغَداًcomfortable
خاضُوا المَنايا فَنالُوا عِيشَةً رَغَداً
وَلَذَّةُand the pleasure of النَّفسِthe soul لاnot تَأتِيcomes بِلاwithout أَلَمِpain
وَلَذَّةُ النَّفسِ لا تَأتِي بِلا أَلَمِ
They plunged into death and gained a life of ease;
The soul's pleasure does not come without pain.
مَنwhoever يَلزَمِholds to الصَّبرَpatience يَستَحسِنappreciates عَواقِبَهُits outcomes
مَن يَلزَمِ الصَّبرَ يَستَحسِن عَواقِبَهُ
وَالماءُand water يَحسُنُis pleasant وَقعاًin its effect عِندَfor كُلِّevery ظَمِthirsty person
وَالماءُ يَحسُنُ وَقعاً عِندَ كُلِّ ظَمِ
Whoever holds to patience appreciates its outcome;
Water falls pleasantly upon every thirsty one.
لَوif لَمnot يَكُنthere were فِيin اِحتِمالِbearing الصَّبرِpatience مَنقَبةٌa distinction
لَو لَم يَكُن فِي اِحتِمالِ الصَّبرِ مَنقَبةٌ
لَمnot يَظهَرِappeared الفَرقُthe difference بَينَbetween اللُّؤمِbaseness وَالكَرَمِand nobility
لَم يَظهَرِ الفَرقُ بَينَ اللُّؤمِ وَالكَرَمِ
Had bearing patiently held no distinction,
No difference would appear between baseness and nobility.
فَكانَso it was يَوماًa day عَتِيدَready البَأسِin violence نالَsuffered بِهِon it
فَكانَ يَوماً عَتِيدَ البَأسِ نالَ بِهِ
كِلاboth الفَريقَينِsides جَهداًhardship وَارِيَblazing الحَدَمِheat
كِلا الفَريقَينِ جَهداً وَارِيَ الحَدَمِ
It was a day of ready violence, on which
Both sides suffered hardship blazing with heat.
أَودىperished بِهِon it حَمزَةُHamza الصِّندِيدُthe valiant فِيamong نَفَرٍmen
أَودى بِهِ حَمزَةُ الصِّندِيدُ فِي نَفَرٍ
نالواthey attained الشَّهادَةَmartyrdom تَحتَbeneath العارِضِthe storm-cloud الرَّزِمِrumbling
نالوا الشَّهادَةَ تَحتَ العارِضِ الرَّزِمِ
The valiant Hamza perished there among men
Who attained martyrdom beneath the rumbling storm-cloud.
أَحسِنhow beautiful بِهاit was مَيتَةًa death أَحيَواthey revived بِهاthrough it شَرَفاًhonor
أَحسِن بِها مَيتَةً أَحيَوا بِها شَرَفاً
وَالمَوتُand death فيin الحَربِwar فَخرُthe pride of السّادَةِmasters القُدُمِancient
وَالمَوتُ في الحَربِ فَخرُ السّادَةِ القُدُمِ
How beautiful a death, by which they revived honor!
Death in war is the pride of ancient masters.
لاno عارَshame بِالقَومِupon the people مِنfrom مَوتٍdeath وَمِنor from سَلَبٍdispossession
لا عارَ بِالقَومِ مِن مَوتٍ وَمِن سَلَبٍ
وَهَلand have رَأَيتَyou seen حُساماًa sword غَيرَnot مُنثَلِمِnotched
وَهَل رَأَيتَ حُساماً غَيرَ مُنثَلِمِ
No shame attaches to people through death or dispossession;
Have you ever seen a sword without a notch?
فَكانَso it was يَومa day of جَزاءٍrecompense بَعدَafter مُختَبَرٍa trial
فَكانَ يَوم جَزاءٍ بَعدَ مُختَبَرٍ
لِمَنfor whoever وَفاwas faithful وَجَفاand was faithless بِالعِزِّwith honor وَالرَّغَمِand humiliation
لِمَن وَفا وَجَفا بِالعِزِّ وَالرَّغَمِ
It was a day of recompense after trial,
With honor or humiliation for the faithful and faithless.
قامَstood النَّبِيُّthe Prophet بِهِon it فيin مَأزِقٍa predicament حَرِجdire
قامَ النَّبِيُّ بِهِ في مَأزِقٍ حَرِج
تَرعىgrazing المَناصِلُthe blades فيهِthere مَنبِتَthe roots of الجُمَمِflowing hair
تَرعى المَناصِلُ فيهِ مَنبِتَ الجُمَمِ
The Prophet stood there in a dire predicament,
Where blades grazed the roots of flowing hair.
فَلَمso not يَزَلceased صابِراًbeing steadfast فيin الحَربِbattle يَفثَؤُهاsubduing it
فَلَم يَزَل صابِراً في الحَربِ يَفثَؤُها
بِالبِيضِwith swords حَتّىuntil اِكتَسَتit wore ثَوباًa robe مِنَof العَنَمِred anam
بِالبِيضِ حَتّى اِكتَسَت ثَوباً مِنَ العَنَمِ
He remained steadfast in battle, subduing it
With swords until it wore a robe of red anam.
وَرَدَّand restored عَينَthe eye of اِبنِson of نُعمانNuman قَتادَةَQatada إِذwhen
وَرَدَّ عَينَ اِبنِ نُعمان قَتادَةَ إِذ
سالَتit fell out فَعادَتso it returned كَماas كانَتit had been بِلاwithout لَتمِinjury
سالَت فَعادَت كَما كانَت بِلا لَتمِ
He restored the eye of Qatada, son of Numan, when
It fell out; it returned unchanged, without injury.
وَقَدand indeed أَتىcame بَعدَafter ذاthat يَومُthe day of الرَّجِيعِal-Raji بِماwith what
وَقَد أَتى بَعدَ ذا يَومُ الرَّجِيعِ بِما
فِيهِin it مِنَof الغَدرِtreachery بَعدَafter العَهدِthe covenant وَالقَسَمِand oath
فِيهِ مِنَ الغَدرِ بَعدَ العَهدِ وَالقَسَمِ
After that came the day of al-Raji, with
Its treachery following covenant and oath.
وَثارَand arose نَقعُthe dust of المَناياdeath فيat مَعُونَةَMauna مِنfrom
وَثارَ نَقعُ المَنايا في مَعُونَةَ مِن
بَنيBanu سُلَيمٍSulaym بِأَهلِagainst the people of الفَضلِvirtue وَالحِكَمِand wisdom
بَني سُلَيمٍ بِأَهلِ الفَضلِ وَالحِكَمِ
Death's dust arose at Mauna, from
Banu Sulaym against people of virtue and wisdom.
ثُمَّthen اِشرَأَبَّتrose up لِخَفرِto break العَهدِthe covenant مِنfrom سَفَهٍfoolishness
ثُمَّ اِشرَأَبَّت لِخَفرِ العَهدِ مِن سَفَهٍ
بَنُوBanu النَّضيرِal-Nadir فَأَجلاهُمso he expelled them عَنِfrom الأُطُمِthe fortresses
بَنُو النَّضيرِ فَأَجلاهُم عَنِ الأُطُمِ
Then, foolishly, there rose to break the covenant
Banu al-Nadir; he expelled them from their fortresses.
وَسارَand marched مُنتَحِياًheading toward ذاتَDhat الرِّقاعِal-Riqa فَلَمso not
وَسارَ مُنتَحِياً ذاتَ الرِّقاعِ فَلَم
تَلقَencountered الكَتائِبُthe battalions فيهاthere كَيدَthe stratagem of مُصطَدَمِarmed collision
تَلقَ الكَتائِبُ فيها كَيدَ مُصطَدَمِ
He marched toward Dhat al-Riqa, and
The battalions met no stratagem of armed collision there.
وَحَلَّand arrived مِنafter بَعدِهاafter it بَدراًat Badr لِوَعدِfor the appointment of أَبِيAbu
وَحَلَّ مِن بَعدِها بَدراً لِوَعدِ أَبِي
سُفيانَSufyan لَكِنَّهُbut he وَلّىturned away وَلَمand not يَحُمِapproached
سُفيانَ لَكِنَّهُ وَلّى وَلَم يَحُمِ
Afterward he came to Badr for the appointment with Abu
Sufyan, but he turned away and did not approach.
وَأَمَّand headed toward دَومَةَDuma فيwith جَمعٍa force وَعادَand returned إِلىto
وَأَمَّ دَومَةَ في جَمعٍ وَعادَ إِلى
مَكانِهِhis place وَسَماءُand the sky of النَّقعِdust لَمnot تَغِمِclouded
مَكانِهِ وَسَماءُ النَّقعِ لَم تَغِمِ
He headed toward Duma with a force, returning to
His place without dust clouding the sky.
ثُمَّthen اِستَثارَتstirred up قُرَيشٌQuraysh وَهيَwhile it ظالِمَةٌunjust
ثُمَّ اِستَثارَت قُرَيشٌ وَهيَ ظالِمَةٌ
أَحلافَهاits allies وَأَتَتand came فيwith جَحفَلٍan army لَهِمِvast
أَحلافَها وَأَتَت في جَحفَلٍ لَهِمِ
Then Quraysh, acting unjustly, stirred up
Its allies and came in a vast host.
تَستَمرِئُsavoring البَغيَaggression مِنfrom جَهلٍignorance وَماand not عَلِمَتknew
تَستَمرِئُ البَغيَ مِن جَهلٍ وَما عَلِمَت
أَنَّthat الجَهالَةignorance مَدعاةٌan invitation إِلىto الثَّلَمِruin
أَنَّ الجَهالَة مَدعاةٌ إِلى الثَّلَمِ
Ignorantly savoring aggression, it did not know
That ignorance invites ruin.
وَقامَand arose فيهمamong them أَبُوAbu سُفيانَSufyan مِنfrom حَنَقٍfury
وَقامَ فيهم أَبُو سُفيانَ مِن حَنَقٍ
يَدعُوcalling إِلىto الشَّرِّevil مثلَlike الفَحلِa male camel ذِيpossessing القَطَمِa biting habit
يَدعُو إِلى الشَّرِّ مثلَ الفَحلِ ذِي القَطَمِ
Abu Sufyan arose among them in fury,
Calling to evil like a biting male camel.
فَخَندَقَso trenched المُؤمِنُونَthe believers الدّارَthe settlement وَاِنتَصَبُواand stood
فَخَندَقَ المُؤمِنُونَ الدّارَ وَاِنتَصَبُوا
لِحَربِهِمto fight them كَضَواريlike ravening الأُسدِlions فيin الأَجَمِthickets
لِحَربِهِم كَضَواري الأُسدِ في الأَجَمِ
The believers trenched their settlement and stood
To fight them like ravening lions in thickets.
فَماso not اِستَطاعَتcould قُرَيشٌQuraysh نَيلَattain ماwhat طَلَبَتit sought
فَما اِستَطاعَت قُرَيشٌ نَيلَ ما طَلَبَت
وَهَلand can تَنالُreach الثُّرَيّاthe Pleiades كَفُّthe hand of مُستَلِمِone reaching out
وَهَل تَنالُ الثُّرَيّا كَفُّ مُستَلِمِ
Quraysh could not attain what it sought;
Can an outstretched hand reach the Pleiades?
رامَتit sought بِجَهلَتِهاin its ignorance أَمراًan aim وَلَوand if عَلِمَتit knew
رامَت بِجَهلَتِها أَمراً وَلَو عَلِمَت
ماذَاwhat أُعِدَّwas prepared لَهاfor it فيin الغَيبِthe unseen لَمnot تَرُمِit would seek
ماذَا أُعِدَّ لَها في الغَيبِ لَم تَرُمِ
Ignorantly it sought an aim; had it known
What awaited it unseen, it would not have sought it.
فَخَيَّبَso frustrated اللَّهُGod مَسعاهاits endeavor وَغادَرَهاand left it
فَخَيَّبَ اللَّهُ مَسعاها وَغادَرَها
نَهبَprey to الرَّدىdeath وَالصَّدىand thirst وَالرِّيحِand wind وَالطَّسَمِand obliteration
نَهبَ الرَّدى وَالصَّدى وَالرِّيحِ وَالطَّسَمِ
God frustrated its endeavor and left it
Prey to death, thirst, wind, and obliteration.
فَقوَّضَتso it struck عُمُدَthe poles of التَّرحالِthe encampment وَاِنصَرَفَتand departed
فَقوَّضَت عُمُدَ التَّرحالِ وَاِنصَرَفَت
لَيلاًby night إِلىtoward حَيثُwhere لَمnot تَسرَحit roamed وَلَمand not تَسُمِgrazed
لَيلاً إِلى حَيثُ لَم تَسرَح وَلَم تَسُمِ
It struck its camp's poles and departed
By night toward a place offering neither roaming nor grazing.
وَكَيفَand how تَحمَدُit praises عُقبىthe outcome of ماجَنَتwhat committed يَدُهاits hand
وَكَيفَ تَحمَدُ عُقبى ماجَنَت يَدُها
بَغياًaggressively وَقَدand indeed سَرَحَتit ranged فيin مَرتَعٍa pasture وَخِمِpoisonous
بَغياً وَقَد سَرَحَت في مَرتَعٍ وَخِمِ
How could it praise the outcome of its hand's deeds
Of aggression, having ranged in poisoned pasture?
قَدindeed أَقبَلَتit arrived وَهيَwhile it فيin فَخرٍpride وَفيand in جَذَلٍgladness
قَد أَقبَلَت وَهيَ في فَخرٍ وَفي جَذَلٍ
وَأَدبَرَتand departed وَهيَwhile it فيin خِزيٍdisgrace وَفيand in سَدَمِsorrow
وَأَدبَرَت وَهيَ في خِزيٍ وَفي سَدَمِ
It had arrived in pride and gladness,
And departed in disgrace and sorrow.
مَنwhoever يَركَبِrides الغَيَّerror لاnot يَحمَدpraises عَواقِبَهُits consequences
مَن يَركَبِ الغَيَّ لا يَحمَد عَواقِبَهُ
وَمَنand whoever يُطِعobeys قَلبُهُhis heart أَمرَthe command of الهَوىpassion يَهِمِgoes astray
وَمَن يُطِع قَلبُهُ أَمرَ الهَوى يَهِمِ
Whoever rides error cannot praise its consequences;
Whose heart obeys passion's command goes astray.
ثُمَّthen اِنتَحىhe turned toward بِوُجُوهِwith the faces of الخَيلِhorses ساهِمَةًlean
ثُمَّ اِنتَحى بِوُجُوهِ الخَيلِ ساهِمَةً
بَنيBanu قُرَيظَةَQurayza فيwith رَجراجَةٍa surging host حُطَمِcrushing
بَني قُرَيظَةَ في رَجراجَةٍ حُطَمِ
Then he directed the horses' lean faces toward
Banu Qurayza, with a surging, crushing host.
خانُواthey betrayed الرَّسُولَthe Messenger فَجازاهُمso he requited them بِماfor what كَسَبُواthey earned
خانُوا الرَّسُولَ فَجازاهُم بِما كَسَبُوا
وَفِيand in الخِيانَةِtreachery مَدعاةٌan invitation إِلىto النِّقَمِpunishments
وَفِي الخِيانَةِ مَدعاةٌ إِلى النِّقَمِ
They betrayed the Messenger; he requited their deeds.
In treachery lies an invitation to punishment.
وَسارَand marched يَنحُوseeking بَنيBanu لِحيانَLihyan فَاِعتَصَمُواso they sought refuge
وَسارَ يَنحُو بَني لِحيانَ فَاِعتَصَمُوا
خَوفَfrom fear of الرَّدىdeath بِالعَواليin the heights كُلَّevery مُعتَصَمِrefuge
خَوفَ الرَّدى بِالعَوالي كُلَّ مُعتَصَمِ
He marched toward Banu Lihyan; they sought refuge
From fear of death in every shelter on the heights.
وَأَمَّand headed toward ذاDhu قَرَدٍQarad فيwith جَحفَلٍan army لَجِبٍclamorous
وَأَمَّ ذا قَرَدٍ في جَحفَلٍ لَجِبٍ
يَستَنُّgalloping فيon لاحِبٍa broad road بادٍclear وَفيand on نَسَمِnarrow tracks
يَستَنُّ في لاحِبٍ بادٍ وَفي نَسَمِ
He headed to Dhu Qarad with a clamorous army,
Galloping on clear broad roads and narrow tracks.
وَزارَand visited بِالجَيشِwith the army غَزواًin war أَرضَthe land of مُصطَلِقٍMustaliq
وَزارَ بِالجَيشِ غَزواً أَرضَ مُصطَلِقٍ
فَماso not اتَّقُوهُthey warded him off بِغَيرِwith other than البِيضِswords فيat الخَدَمِankles
فَما اتَّقُوهُ بِغَيرِ البِيضِ في الخَدَمِ
He visited Mustaliq's land with the army in war;
They warded him off only with swords at the ankles.
وَفيand at الحُدَيبِيَةِal-Hudaybiya الصُّلحُpeace اِستَتَبَّwas established إِلىfor
وَفي الحُدَيبِيَةِ الصُّلحُ اِستَتَبَّ إِلى
عَشرٍten years وَلَمand not يَجرِflowed فيهاthere مِنany دَمٍblood هَدَمِunrequited
عَشرٍ وَلَم يَجرِ فيها مِن دَمٍ هَدَمِ
At al-Hudaybiya peace was established for
Ten years, with no blood shed there unrequited.
وَجاءَand came to خَيبَرَKhaybar فيwith جَأواءَan armored host كَالِحَةٍgrim
وَجاءَ خَيبَرَ في جَأواءَ كَالِحَةٍ
بِالخَيلِwith horses كَالسَّيلِlike a flood وَالأَسيافِand swords كَالضَّرَمِlike flame
بِالخَيلِ كَالسَّيلِ وَالأَسيافِ كَالضَّرَمِ
He came to Khaybar with a grim, armored host,
Its horses like a flood, its swords like flame.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen اِمتَنَعَتresisted شُمُّthe lofty الحُصونِfortresses عَلىagainst
حَتّى إِذا اِمتَنَعَت شُمُّ الحُصونِ عَلى
مَنwhoever رامَهاsought them بَعدَafter إِيغالٍpenetration وَمُقتَحَمِand assault
مَن رامَها بَعدَ إِيغالٍ وَمُقتَحَمِ
When the lofty fortresses resisted
Those seeking them after penetrating and assaulting,
قالَsaid النَّبِيُّthe Prophet سَأُعطِيI shall give رايَتِيmy banner رَجُلاًto a man
قالَ النَّبِيُّ سَأُعطِي رايَتِي رَجُلاً
يُحِبُّنِيhe loves me وَيُحِبُّand loves اللَّهَGod ذاpossessor of الكَرَمِgenerosity
يُحِبُّنِي وَيُحِبُّ اللَّهَ ذا الكَرَمِ
The Prophet said: I shall give my banner to a man
Who loves me and loves God, the Generous;
ذاpossessing مرَّةٍstrength يَفتَحُopens اللَّهُGod الحُصونَthe fortresses عَلَىthrough
ذا مرَّةٍ يَفتَحُ اللَّهُ الحُصونَ عَلَى
يَدَيهِhis two hands لَيسَnot بِفَرّارٍa habitual fugitive وَلاnor بَرِمِweary
يَدَيهِ لَيسَ بِفَرّارٍ وَلا بَرِمِ
A strong man through whose hands God will open
The fortresses, neither fugitive nor weary.
فَماso not بَداappeared الفَجرُdawn إِلّاexcept وَالزَّعيمُand the commander عَلىover
فَما بَدا الفَجرُ إِلّا وَالزَّعيمُ عَلى
جَيشِthe army of القِتالِbattle عَلِيٌّAli رافِعُraising العَلَمِthe banner
جَيشِ القِتالِ عَلِيٌّ رافِعُ العَلَمِ
Dawn scarcely appeared before the commander of
The fighting army was Ali, raising the banner.
وَكانَand he was ذاpossessing رَمَدٍeye inflammation فَاِرتَدَّthen became ذاpossessing بَصَرٍsight
وَكانَ ذا رَمَدٍ فَاِرتَدَّ ذا بَصَرٍ
بِنَفثَةٍthrough a breath أَبرَأَتhealed عَينَيهِhis two eyes مِنof وَرَمِswelling
بِنَفثَةٍ أَبرَأَت عَينَيهِ مِن وَرَمِ
He had inflamed eyes, but became clear-sighted
Through a breath that healed their swelling.
فَسارَso he marched مُعتَزِماًdetermined حَتّىuntil أَنافَhe overlooked عَلىupon
فَسارَ مُعتَزِماً حَتّى أَنافَ عَلى
حُصُونِthe fortresses of خَيبَرَKhaybar بِالمَسلُولَةِwith drawn swords الخُذُمِkeen-cutting
حُصُونِ خَيبَرَ بِالمَسلُولَةِ الخُذُمِ
He marched determinedly until he overlooked
Khaybar's fortresses with drawn, keen-cutting swords.
يَمضِيhe advances بِمُنصُلِهِwith his blade قُدماًforward فَيَلحَمُهُand feeds it
يَمضِي بِمُنصُلِهِ قُدماً فَيَلحَمُهُ
مَجرىthe course of الوَريدِthe vein مِنَthrough الأَعناقِnecks وَاللِّمَمِand tresses
مَجرى الوَريدِ مِنَ الأَعناقِ وَاللِّمَمِ
He advanced with his blade, feeding it
The veins' course through necks and tresses.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen طاحَfell مِنهُfrom him التُّرسُthe shield تاحَcame to hand لَهُfor him
حَتّى إِذا طاحَ مِنهُ التُّرسُ تاحَ لَهُ
بابٌa door فَكانَso it was لَهُfor him تُرساًa shield إِلىuntil العَتَمِnightfall
بابٌ فَكانَ لَهُ تُرساً إِلى العَتَمِ
When his shield fell away, there came to hand
A door, serving him as a shield until nightfall.
بابٌa door أَبَتfailed قَلبَهُto overturn it جَهداًdespite effort ثَمانِيَةٌeight
بابٌ أَبَت قَلبَهُ جَهداً ثَمانِيَةٌ
مِنَof الصَّحابَةِthe Companions أَهلِpossessors of الجِدِّearnestness وَالعَزَمِand resolve
مِنَ الصَّحابَةِ أَهلِ الجِدِّ وَالعَزَمِ
A door that eight men failed to overturn despite effort,
Companions endowed with earnestness and resolve.
فَلَمso not يَزَلceased صائِلاًcharging فيin الحَربِbattle مُقتَحِماًplunging into
فَلَم يَزَل صائِلاً في الحَربِ مُقتَحِماً
غَيابَةَthe dark depths of النَّقعِdust مِثلَlike الحَيدَرِthe lion القَرِمِravenous
غَيابَةَ النَّقعِ مِثلَ الحَيدَرِ القَرِمِ
He continued charging in battle, plunging into
Dust's dark depths like a ravenous lion,
حَتّىuntil تَبَلَّجَbroke فَجرُthe dawn of النَّصرِvictory وَاِنتَشَرَتand spread
حَتّى تَبَلَّجَ فَجرُ النَّصرِ وَاِنتَشَرَت
بِهِthrough it البَشائِرُglad tidings بَينَacross السَّهلِthe plain وَالعَلَمِand mountain
بِهِ البَشائِرُ بَينَ السَّهلِ وَالعَلَمِ
Until victory's dawn broke and spread
Its glad tidings across plain and mountain.
أَبشِرrejoice بِهِin it يَومَa day of فَتحٍconquest قَدindeed أَضاءَshone بِهِthrough it
أَبشِر بِهِ يَومَ فَتحٍ قَد أَضاءَ بِهِ
وَجهُthe face of الزَّمانِtime فَأَبدىand revealed بِشرَthe welcome of مُبتَسِمِone smiling
وَجهُ الزَّمانِ فَأَبدى بِشرَ مُبتَسِمِ
Rejoice in that day of conquest, which illuminated
Time's face, revealing a smiling welcome.
أَتىarrived بِهِon it جَعفَرُJafar الطَّيّارُal-Tayyar فَاِبتَهَجَتso rejoiced
أَتى بِهِ جَعفَرُ الطَّيّارُ فَاِبتَهَجَت
بِعَودِهِat his return أَنفُسُthe souls of الأَصحابِcompanions وَالعُزَمِand resolute men
بِعَودِهِ أَنفُسُ الأَصحابِ وَالعُزَمِ
On it Jafar al-Tayyar arrived, gladdening
By his return the souls of companions and resolute men.
فَكانَso it was يَوماًa day حَوىcontaining عِيدَينِtwo festivals فيin نَسَقٍsuccession
فَكانَ يَوماً حَوى عِيدَينِ في نَسَقٍ
فَتحاًconquest وَعَودand return of كَرِيمٍa noble man طاهِرِpure الشِّيَمِin character
فَتحاً وَعَود كَرِيمٍ طاهِرِ الشِّيَمِ
It was a day containing two festivals together:
Conquest and the return of a noble, pure-charactered man.
وَعادَand returned بِالنَّصرِwith victory مَولىthe patron of الدِّينِfaith مُنصَرِفاًdeparting
وَعادَ بِالنَّصرِ مَولى الدِّينِ مُنصَرِفاً
يَؤُمُّheading toward طَيبَةَTayba فِيin عِزٍّmight وَفِيand in نِعَمِblessings
يَؤُمُّ طَيبَةَ فِي عِزٍّ وَفِي نِعَمِ
The patron of faith returned victorious,
Heading toward Tayba in might and blessings.
ثُمَّthen اِستَقامَset out لِبَيتِfor the House of اللَّهِGod مُعتَمِراًon lesser pilgrimage
ثُمَّ اِستَقامَ لِبَيتِ اللَّهِ مُعتَمِراً
لِنَيلِto attain ماwhat فاتَهُhe missed بِالهَديِwith sacrificial offerings لِلحَرَمِfor the sanctuary
لِنَيلِ ما فاتَهُ بِالهَديِ لِلحَرَمِ
Then he set out for God's House on pilgrimage,
To gain what he had missed, bringing offerings to the sanctuary.
وَسارَand marched زَيدٌZayd أَميراًas commander نَحوَtoward مُؤتَةَMuta فيin
وَسارَ زَيدٌ أَميراً نَحوَ مُؤتَةَ في
بَعثٍan expedition فَلاقىthen encountered بِهاthere الأَعداءَthe enemies مِنfrom كَثَمِclose quarters
بَعثٍ فَلاقى بِها الأَعداءَ مِن كَثَمِ
Zayd marched as commander toward Muta in
An expedition, encountering enemies there at close quarters.
فَعَبَّأَso arrayed المُسلِمُونَthe Muslims الجُندَthe troops وَاِقتَتَلُواand fought
فَعَبَّأَ المُسلِمُونَ الجُندَ وَاِقتَتَلُوا
قِتالَthe fighting of مُنتَصِرٍa champion لِلحَقِّof truth مُنتَقِمِavenging
قِتالَ مُنتَصِرٍ لِلحَقِّ مُنتَقِمِ
The Muslims arrayed the troops and fought
Like avengers championing truth.
فَطاحَso fell زَيدٌZayd وَأَودىand perished جَعفَرٌJafar وَقَضىand died
فَطاحَ زَيدٌ وَأَودى جَعفَرٌ وَقَضى
تَحتَbeneath العَجاجَةِthe dust-cloud عَبدُAbd اللَّهِAllah فيin قُدُمِbold advance
تَحتَ العَجاجَةِ عَبدُ اللَّهِ في قُدُمِ
Zayd fell, Jafar perished, and died
Beneath the dust Abd Allah, advancing boldly.
لاno عارَshame بِالمَوتِin death فَالشَّهمُfor the gallant الجَرِيءُbrave يَرىsees
لا عارَ بِالمَوتِ فَالشَّهمُ الجَرِيءُ يَرى
أَنَّthat الرَّدىdeath فيin المَعاليgreatness خَيرُthe best مُغتَنَمِgain
أَنَّ الرَّدى في المَعالي خَيرُ مُغتَنَمِ
Death brings no shame: the brave, gallant man sees
Death in pursuit of greatness as the finest gain.
وَحِينَand when خاسَتbroke قُرَيشٌQuraysh بِالعُهُودِthe covenants وَلَمand not
وَحِينَ خاسَت قُرَيشٌ بِالعُهُودِ وَلَم
تُنصِفacted fairly وَسارَتand marched مِنfrom الأَهواءِpassions فيinto نَقَمِvengeance
تُنصِف وَسارَت مِن الأَهواءِ في نَقَمِ
When Quraysh broke its covenants and did not
Act fairly, driven by passions into vengeance,
وَظاهَرَتand supported مِنamong بَنيBanu بَكرٍBakr حَليفَتَهاits ally
وَظاهَرَت مِن بَني بَكرٍ حَليفَتَها
عَلىagainst خُزاعَةَKhuzaa أَهلِpeople of الصِّدقِtruthfulness فِيin الذِّمَمِpledges
عَلى خُزاعَةَ أَهلِ الصِّدقِ فِي الذِّمَمِ
And supported its ally among Banu Bakr
Against Khuzaa, people true to their pledges,
قامَrose النَّبِيُّthe Prophet لِنَصرِto support الحَقِّtruth مُعتَزِماًdetermined
قامَ النَّبِيُّ لِنَصرِ الحَقِّ مُعتَزِماً
بِجَحفَلٍwith an army لِجُمُوعِof the hosts of الشِّركِidolatry مُختَرِمِdestroying
بِجَحفَلٍ لِجُمُوعِ الشِّركِ مُختَرِمِ
The Prophet rose determinedly to support truth,
With an army destroying idolatry's hosts.
تَبدُوappear بِهِwithin it البِيضُswords وَالقَسطالُwhile dust مُنتَشِرٌspreading
تَبدُو بِهِ البِيضُ وَالقَسطالُ مُنتَشِرٌ
كَالشُّهبِlike meteors فيin اللَّيلِnight أَوor كَالنّارِlike fire فِيin الفَحَمِcharcoal
كَالشُّهبِ في اللَّيلِ أَو كَالنّارِ فِي الفَحَمِ
Its swords appeared amid spreading dust
Like meteors in night, or fire in charcoal.
لَمعُthe flash of السُّيُوفِswords وَتَصهالُand neighing of الخُيولِhorses بِهِwithin it
لَمعُ السُّيُوفِ وَتَصهالُ الخُيولِ بِهِ
كَالبَرقِlike lightning وَالرَّعدِand thunder فيin مُغدَودِقٍa pouring cloud هَزِمِthunderous
كَالبَرقِ وَالرَّعدِ في مُغدَودِقٍ هَزِمِ
Its swords' flashes and horses' neighing were
Like lightning and thunder in a pouring storm-cloud.
عَرمرَمٌa vast host يَنسِفُsweeps away الأَرضَthe earth الفَضاءَopen إِذاwhen
عَرمرَمٌ يَنسِفُ الأَرضَ الفَضاءَ إِذا
سَرىit travels بِهاacross it وَيَدُكُّand crushes الهَضبَthe hills مِنof خِيَمِKhiyam
سَرى بِها وَيَدُكُّ الهَضبَ مِن خِيَمِ
A vast host sweeping away the open earth when
It crossed it, crushing Khiyam's hills.
فِيهِwithin it الكُماةُthe champions الَّتيwhose ذَلَّتbowed لِعِزَّتِهاbefore their might
فِيهِ الكُماةُ الَّتي ذَلَّت لِعِزَّتِها
مَعاطِسٌnoses لَمnot تُذَلَّلwere subdued قَبلُbefore بِالخُطُمِby nose-reins
مَعاطِسٌ لَم تُذَلَّل قَبلُ بِالخُطُمِ
Within it were champions before whose might bowed
Noses never before subdued by nose-reins.
مِنof كُلِّevery مُعتَزِمٍdetermined man بِالصَّبرِwith patience مُحتَزِمٍgirded
مِن كُلِّ مُعتَزِمٍ بِالصَّبرِ مُحتَزِمٍ
لِلقِرنِwith the opponent مُلتَزِمٍgrappling فيin البَأسِbattle مُهتَزِمِthundering
لِلقِرنِ مُلتَزِمٍ في البَأسِ مُهتَزِمِ
Every determined man, girded with patience,
Grappling with his opponent, thundering in battle.
طالَتrose high بِهِمthrough them هِمَمٌaspirations نالُواthey attained السِّماكَal-Simak بِهاthrough them
طالَت بِهِم هِمَمٌ نالُوا السِّماكَ بِها
عَنthrough قُدرَةٍstrength وَعُلُوُّand elevation of النَّفسِthe soul بِالهِمَمِthrough aspirations
عَن قُدرَةٍ وَعُلُوُّ النَّفسِ بِالهِمَمِ
Their aspirations rose high; through them they reached al-Simak
By strength, for the soul rises through aspiration.
بِيضٌradiant أَساوِرَةٌcommanders غُلبٌmighty قَساوِرَةٌlions
بِيضٌ أَساوِرَةٌ غُلبٌ قَساوِرَةٌ
شُكسٌunyielding لَدىin الحَربِwar مِطعامونَgenerous feeders فيduring الأُزُمِhardships
شُكسٌ لَدى الحَربِ مِطعامونَ في الأُزُمِ
Radiant commanders, mighty lions,
Unyielding in war, generous feeders in hardship.
طابَتwere content نُفُوسُهُمُtheir souls بِالمَوتِwith death إِذwhen عَلِمُواthey knew
طابَت نُفُوسُهُمُ بِالمَوتِ إِذ عَلِمُوا
أَنَّthat الحَياةَthe life الَّتيwhich يَبغُونَthey seek فيin العَدَمِpassing away
أَنَّ الحَياةَ الَّتي يَبغُونَ في العَدَمِ
Their souls welcomed death, knowing
That the life they sought lay in passing away.
ساسُواthey trained الجِيادَthe steeds فَظَلَّتso they remained فيin أَعِنَّتِهاtheir reins
ساسُوا الجِيادَ فَظَلَّت في أَعِنَّتِها
طَوعَobedient to البَنانَةِthe finger فيin كَرٍّa charge وَمُقتَحَمِand assault
طَوعَ البَنانَةِ في كَرٍّ وَمُقتَحَمِ
They trained the steeds, which remained in their reins
Obedient to a finger in charge and assault.
تَكادُthey nearly تَفقَهُunderstand لَحنَthe inflection of القَولِspeech مِنthrough أَدَبٍtraining
تَكادُ تَفقَهُ لَحنَ القَولِ مِن أَدَبٍ
وَتَسبِقُand anticipate الوَحيَsignals وَالإِيماءَand gestures مِنthrough فَهَمِunderstanding
وَتَسبِقُ الوَحيَ وَالإِيماءَ مِن فَهَمِ
Through training they nearly understood speech's inflections,
And through understanding anticipated signals and gestures.
كَأَنَّas though أَذنابَهاtheir tails فيin الكَرِّthe charge أَلوِيَةٌbanners
كَأَنَّ أَذنابَها في الكَرِّ أَلوِيَةٌ
عَلَىupon سَفِينٍships لِأَمرِto the command of الرِّيحِthe wind مُرتَسِمِobedient
عَلَى سَفِينٍ لِأَمرِ الرِّيحِ مُرتَسِمِ
Their tails in the charge seemed banners
Upon ships obedient to the wind's command.
مِنof كُلِّevery مُنجَرِدٍsleek horse يَهويplunging بِصاحِبِهِwith its rider
مِن كُلِّ مُنجَرِدٍ يَهوي بِصاحِبِهِ
بَينَamid العَجاجِdust هوِيَّthe dive of الأَجدَلِthe falcon اللَّحِمِflesh-hungry
بَينَ العَجاجِ هوِيَّ الأَجدَلِ اللَّحِمِ
Every sleek horse plunged with its rider
Through dust like a flesh-hungry falcon's dive.
وَالبِيضُand swords تَرجُفُtremble فيin الأَغمادِthe sheaths مِنfrom ظَمَأٍthirst
وَالبِيضُ تَرجُفُ في الأَغمادِ مِن ظَمَأٍ
وَالسُّمرُand brown spears تَرعدُquiver فيin الأَيمانِright hands مِنfrom قَرَمِhunger
وَالسُّمرُ تَرعدُ في الأَيمانِ مِن قَرَمِ
Swords trembled in their sheaths from thirst,
Brown spears quivered in right hands from hunger.
مِنof كُلِّevery مُطَّرِدٍstraight spear لَولاbut for عَلائِقُهُits restraints
مِن كُلِّ مُطَّرِدٍ لَولا عَلائِقُهُ
لَسابَقَit would race المَوتَdeath نَحوَtoward القِرنِthe opponent مِنfrom ضَرَمِardor
لَسابَقَ المَوتَ نَحوَ القِرنِ مِن ضَرَمِ
Every straight spear, but for its restraints,
Would race death toward its opponent in ardor.
كَأَنَّهُas though it أَرقَمٌa spotted serpent فيin رَأسِهِits head حُمَةٌvenom
كَأَنَّهُ أَرقَمٌ في رَأسِهِ حُمَةٌ
يَستَلُّdrawing out كَيدَthe cunning of الأَعاديenemies بِابنَةِwith a daughter of الرَّقَمِcalamity
يَستَلُّ كَيدَ الأَعادي بِابنَةِ الرَّقَمِ
Like a spotted serpent with venom in its head,
Drawing out enemies' cunning with a daughter of calamity.
فَلَمso not يَزَلceased سائِراًmarching حَتّىuntil أَنافَhe overlooked عَلىupon
فَلَم يَزَل سائِراً حَتّى أَنافَ عَلى
أَرباضِthe outskirts of مَكّةَMecca بِالفُرسانِwith horsemen وَالبُهَمِand formidable warriors
أَرباضِ مَكّةَ بِالفُرسانِ وَالبُهَمِ
He continued marching until he overlooked
Mecca's outskirts with horsemen and formidable warriors.
وَلَفَّهمand surrounded them بِخَمِيسٍwith an army لَوif يَشُدُّit charged عَلىagainst
وَلَفَّهم بِخَمِيسٍ لَو يَشُدُّ عَلى
أَركانِthe foundations of رَضوىRadwa لَأَضحىit would become مائِلَleaning الدِّعَمِthe supports
أَركانِ رَضوى لَأَضحى مائِلَ الدِّعَمِ
He surrounded them with an army that, charging
Radwa's foundations, would leave its supports leaning.
فَأَقبَلواso they came يَسأَلُونَasking for الصَّفحَpardon حِينَwhen رَأَواthey saw
فَأَقبَلوا يَسأَلُونَ الصَّفحَ حِينَ رَأَوا
أَنَّthat اللَّجاجَةَobstinacy مَدعاةٌan invitation إِلىto النَّدَمِremorse
أَنَّ اللَّجاجَةَ مَدعاةٌ إِلى النَّدَمِ
They came seeking pardon when they saw
That obstinacy invites remorse.
رِيعُواthey were terrified فَذَلُّواso submitted وَلَوand if طاشُواthey acted rashly لَوَقَّرَهُمwould steady them
رِيعُوا فَذَلُّوا وَلَو طاشُوا لَوَقَّرَهُم
ضَربٌblows يُفَرِّقُscattering مِنهُمamong them مَجمَعَthe gathering of اللِّمَمِlocks
ضَربٌ يُفَرِّقُ مِنهُم مَجمَعَ اللِّمَمِ
Terrified, they submitted; had they acted rashly, they would be steadied
By blows scattering the gathering of their locks.
ذاقُواthey tasted الرَّدىdeath جُرَعاًin draughts فَاِستَسلَمُواso surrendered جَزَعاًfearfully
ذاقُوا الرَّدى جُرَعاً فَاِستَسلَمُوا جَزَعاً
لِلصُّلحِto reconciliation وَالحَربُand war مَرقاةٌa stairway إِلىto السَّلَمِpeace
لِلصُّلحِ وَالحَربُ مَرقاةٌ إِلى السَّلَمِ
They tasted death in draughts and surrendered fearfully
To reconciliation; war is a stairway to peace.
وَأَقبَلَand approached النَّصرُvictory يَتلُوreciting وَهوَwhile it مُبتَسِمٌsmiling
وَأَقبَلَ النَّصرُ يَتلُو وَهوَ مُبتَسِمٌ
المَجدُglory لِلسَّيفِfor the sword لَيسَnot المَجدُglory لِلقَلَمِfor the pen
المَجدُ لِلسَّيفِ لَيسَ المَجدُ لِلقَلَمِ
Victory approached, reciting with a smile:
Glory belongs to the sword, not the pen.
ياO حائِرَbewildered اللُّبِّof mind هَذاthis الحَقُّtruth فَامضِso go لَهُtoward it
يا حائِرَ اللُّبِّ هَذا الحَقُّ فَامضِ لَهُ
تَسلَمyou will be safe وَهَذاand this سَبِيلُthe path of الرُّشدِguidance فَاِستَقِمِso walk straight
تَسلَم وَهَذا سَبِيلُ الرُّشدِ فَاِستَقِمِ
O bewildered mind, this is truth; go toward it
And be safe: this is guidance's path; walk straight.
لاdo not يَصرَعَنَّكَlet overthrow you وَهمٌan illusion بِتَّyou have been تَرقُبُهُwatching for it
لا يَصرَعَنَّكَ وَهمٌ بِتَّ تَرقُبُهُ
إِنَّindeed التَّوَهُّمَdelusion حَتفُthe doom of العاجِزِthe incapable الوَخِمِsluggish
إِنَّ التَّوَهُّمَ حَتفُ العاجِزِ الوَخِمِ
Let no illusion you have watched for overthrow you;
Delusion is the doom of the feeble, sluggish man.
هَذاthis النَّبيُّthe Prophet وَذاكَand that الجَيشُthe army مُنتَشِرٌspread
هَذا النَّبيُّ وَذاكَ الجَيشُ مُنتَشِرٌ
مِلءَfilling الفَضاthe expanse فَاِستَبقso hasten لِلخَيرِtoward good تَغتَنِمِyou will gain
مِلءَ الفَضا فَاِستَبق لِلخَيرِ تَغتَنِمِ
Here is the Prophet, and that army spread
Across the expanse; hasten toward good and gain.
فَالزَمso keep to حِماهُhis sanctuary تَجِدyou find ماwhat شِئتَyou wish مِنof أَرَبٍneed
فَالزَم حِماهُ تَجِد ما شِئتَ مِن أَرَبٍ
وَشِمand watch for نَداهُhis bounty إِذاwhen ماever البَرقُlightning لَمnot يُشَمِis watched
وَشِم نَداهُ إِذا ما البَرقُ لَم يُشَمِ
Keep to his sanctuary: find whatever need you wish;
Watch for his bounty when no lightning can be watched.
وَاحلُلand unpack رِحالَكَyour baggage وَانزِلand lodge نَحوَnear سُدَّتِهِhis threshold
وَاحلُل رِحالَكَ وَانزِل نَحوَ سُدَّتِهِ
فَإِنَّهاfor it عصمَةٌprotection مِنamong أَوثَقِthe firmest العِصمِprotections
فَإِنَّها عصمَةٌ مِن أَوثَقِ العِصمِ
Unpack your baggage and lodge near his threshold,
For it is protection among the firmest protections.
أَحياrevived بِهِthrough him اللَّهُGod أَمواتَthe dead القُلوبِhearts كَماas
أَحيا بِهِ اللَّهُ أَمواتَ القُلوبِ كَما
أَحياHe revived النَّباتَplants بِفَيضِwith the abundance of الوابِلِheavy rain الرَّذِمِpouring
أَحيا النَّباتَ بِفَيضِ الوابِلِ الرَّذِمِ
Through him God revived dead hearts, as
He revives plants with abundant pouring rain.
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen تَمَّwas completed أَمرُthe matter of الصُلحِreconciliation وَاِنتَظَمَتand were arranged
حَتّى إِذا تَمَّ أَمرُ الصُلحِ وَاِنتَظَمَت
بِهِthrough it عُقودُthe necklaces of الأَمانيhopes أَيَّwhat a مُنتَظَمِarrangement
بِهِ عُقودُ الأَماني أَيَّ مُنتَظَمِ
When reconciliation was complete and arranged
Through it the necklaces of hopes most beautifully,
قامَstood النَّبِيُّthe Prophet بِشُكرِin thanks to اللَّهِGod مُنتَصِباًupright
قامَ النَّبِيُّ بِشُكرِ اللَّهِ مُنتَصِباً
وَالشُّكرُand thanksgiving فِيin كُلِّevery حالٍstate كافِلُpreserver of النِّعَمِblessings
وَالشُّكرُ فِي كُلِّ حالٍ كافِلُ النِّعَمِ
The Prophet stood upright in thanks to God;
Thanksgiving, in every state, preserves blessings.
وَطافَand circumambulated بِالبَيتِthe House سبعاًseven times فَوقَupon راحِلَةٍa mount
وَطافَ بِالبَيتِ سبعاً فَوقَ راحِلَةٍ
قَوداءَlong-necked ناجِيَةٍswift أَمضىswifter مِنَthan النَّسَمِbreezes
قَوداءَ ناجِيَةٍ أَمضى مِنَ النَّسَمِ
He circled the House seven times upon a mount,
Long-necked and swift, swifter than breezes.
فَماso not أَشارَhe pointed إِلىat بُدٍّan idol بِمِحجَنِهِwith his crook
فَما أَشارَ إِلى بُدٍّ بِمِحجَنِهِ
إِلّاexcept هوَىit fell لِيَدٍupon a hand مَغلُولَةٍbound وَفَمِand a mouth
إِلّا هوَى لِيَدٍ مَغلُولَةٍ وَفَمِ
He pointed at no idol with his crook
Without its falling, hands and mouth laid low.
وَفِيand at حُنَينٍHunayn إِذwhen اِرتَدَّتturned away هَوازِنُHawazin عَنfrom
وَفِي حُنَينٍ إِذ اِرتَدَّت هَوازِنُ عَن
قَصدِthe straightness of السَّبيلِthe path وَلَمand not تَرجِعreturned إِلىto الحَكَمِjudgment
قَصدِ السَّبيلِ وَلَم تَرجِع إِلى الحَكَمِ
At Hunayn, when Hawazin turned away from
The straight path and did not return to judgment,
سَرىhe marched إِلَيهاagainst it بِبَحرٍwith a sea مِنof مُلَملَمَةٍassembled troops
سَرى إِلَيها بِبَحرٍ مِن مُلَملَمَةٍ
طاميswelling السّراةthe surface بِمَوجِwith waves of البِيضِswords مُلتَطِمِcrashing
طامي السّراة بِمَوجِ البِيضِ مُلتَطِمِ
He marched against it with a sea of assembled troops,
Its surface swelling, crashing with waves of swords,
حَتّىuntil اِستَذَلَّتit submitted وَعادَتand returned بَعدَafter نَخوَتِهاits arrogance
حَتّى اِستَذَلَّت وَعادَت بَعدَ نَخوَتِها
تُلقيoffering إِلىto كُلِّeveryone مَنwhom تَلقاهُit encounters بِالسَّلَمِpeace
تُلقي إِلى كُلِّ مَن تَلقاهُ بِالسَّلَمِ
Until it submitted and, after its arrogance, returned
Offering peace to everyone it encountered.
وَيَمَّمَand headed toward الطّائِفَal-Taif الغَنّاءَverdant ثُمَّthen مَضىdeparted
وَيَمَّمَ الطّائِفَ الغَنّاءَ ثُمَّ مَضى
عَنهاfrom it إلىuntil أَجَلٍa time فيin الغَيبِthe unseen مُكتَتَمِconcealed
عَنها إلى أَجَلٍ في الغَيبِ مُكتَتَمِ
He headed toward verdant al-Taif, then departed
From it until a time concealed in the unseen.
وَحِينَand when أَوفىhe reached عَلىupon وادِيthe valley of تَبُوكَTabuk سَعىhastened
وَحِينَ أَوفى عَلى وادِي تَبُوكَ سَعى
إِلَيهِto him ساكِنُهاits inhabitants طَوعاًwillingly بِلاwithout رَغَمِcompulsion
إِلَيهِ ساكِنُها طَوعاً بِلا رَغَمِ
When he reached Tabuk's valley, hastened
Its inhabitants to him willingly, without compulsion.
فَصالَحُوهُso they made peace with him وَأَدَّواand paid جِزيَةًtribute وَرَضُواand accepted
فَصالَحُوهُ وَأَدَّوا جِزيَةً وَرَضُوا
بِحُكمِهِhis judgment وَتَبيعُand the follower of الرُشدguidance لَمnot يَهِمِstrayed
بِحُكمِهِ وَتَبيعُ الرُشد لَم يَهِمِ
They made peace, paid tribute, and accepted
His judgment; guidance's follower does not stray.
أَلفىhe found بِهاthere عَينَa spring of ماءٍwater لاnot تَبِضُّyielding فَمُذso when
أَلفى بِها عَينَ ماءٍ لا تَبِضُّ فَمُذ
دَعاhe prayed لَهاfor it اِنفَجَرَتit burst عَنwith سائِغٍpleasant water سَنِمِabundant
دَعا لَها اِنفَجَرَت عَن سائِغٍ سَنِمِ
He found a spring there yielding no water; when
He prayed for it, it burst with abundant, pleasant water.
وَراوَدَand entreated الغَيثَrain فَاِنهَلَّتso poured بَوادِرُهُits first showers
وَراوَدَ الغَيثَ فَاِنهَلَّت بَوادِرُهُ
بَعدَafter الجُمودِwithholding بِمُنهَلٍّwith pouring rain وَمُنسَجِمِand flowing rain
بَعدَ الجُمودِ بِمُنهَلٍّ وَمُنسَجِمِ
He entreated rain, and its first showers poured
After withholding, in abundant, flowing rain.
وَأَمَّand headed toward طَيبَةَTayba مَسروراًglad بِعَودَتِهِin his return
وَأَمَّ طَيبَةَ مَسروراً بِعَودَتِهِ
يَطويpassing المَنازِلَthe stages بِالوَخّادَةِon swiftly striding mounts الرُّسُمِfast-paced
يَطوي المَنازِلَ بِالوَخّادَةِ الرُّسُمِ
He headed toward Tayba, glad in his return,
Passing the stages on swiftly striding mounts.
ثُمَّthen اِستَهَلَّتbegan arriving وُفُودُthe delegations of الناسِpeople قاطِبَةًall
ثُمَّ اِستَهَلَّت وُفُودُ الناسِ قاطِبَةً
إِلىat حِماهُhis sanctuary فَلاقَتand encountered وافِرَabundant الكَرَمِgenerosity
إِلى حِماهُ فَلاقَت وافِرَ الكَرَمِ
Then delegations of people all began arriving
At his sanctuary, encountering abundant generosity.
فَكانَso it was عامَa year of وُفودٍdelegations كُلَّماwhenever اِنصَرَفَتdeparted
فَكانَ عامَ وُفودٍ كُلَّما اِنصَرَفَت
عِصابَةٌa band أَقبَلَتarrived أُخرىanother عَلىon قَدَمِits heels
عِصابَةٌ أَقبَلَت أُخرى عَلى قَدَمِ
It was a year of delegations: whenever departed
One band, another arrived close behind.
وَأَرسَلَand sent الرُّسلَmessengers تَترىsuccessively لِلمُلوكِto kings بِماwith what
وَأَرسَلَ الرُّسلَ تَترى لِلمُلوكِ بِما
فِيهِwithin it بَلاغٌa message لِأَهلِfor people of الذِّكرِremembrance وَالفَهَمِand understanding
فِيهِ بَلاغٌ لِأَهلِ الذِّكرِ وَالفَهَمِ
He sent messengers in succession to kings with what
Held a message for people of remembrance and understanding.
وَأَمَّand headed toward غالِبُGhalib أَكنافَthe environs of الكَديدِal-Kadid إِلىtoward
وَأَمَّ غالِبُ أَكنافَ الكَديدِ إِلى
بَنيBanu المُلَوَّحِal-Mulawwah فَاِستَولىso took possession عَلىof النَّعَمِlivestock
بَني المُلَوَّحِ فَاِستَولى عَلى النَّعَمِ
Ghalib headed to al-Kadid's environs, toward
Banu al-Mulawwah, taking possession of their livestock.
وَحِينَand when خانَتbetrayed جُذامٌJudham فَلَّbroke شَوكَتَهاits power
وَحِينَ خانَت جُذامٌ فَلَّ شَوكَتَها
زَيدٌZayd بِجَمعٍwith a force لِرَهطِof the band of الشِّركِidolatry مُقتَثِمِcutting down
زَيدٌ بِجَمعٍ لِرَهطِ الشِّركِ مُقتَثِمِ
When Judham betrayed, its power was broken by
Zayd, with a force cutting down idolatry's band.
وَسارَand marched مُنتَحِياًheading toward واديWadi القُرىal-Qura فَمَحاand swept away
وَسارَ مُنتَحِياً وادي القُرى فَمَحا
بَنيBanu فَزارَةَFazara أَصلَthe root of اللُّؤمِbaseness وَالقَزَمِand meanness
بَني فَزارَةَ أَصلَ اللُّؤمِ وَالقَزَمِ
He marched toward Wadi al-Qura and swept away
Banu Fazara, the root of baseness and meanness.
وَأَمَّand headed toward خَيبَرَKhaybar عَبدُAbd اللَّهِAllah فيwith نَفَرٍa party
وَأَمَّ خَيبَرَ عَبدُ اللَّهِ في نَفَرٍ
إِلىagainst اليَسِيرal-Yasir فَأَرداهُso killed him بِلاwithout أَتَمِdelay
إِلى اليَسِير فَأَرداهُ بِلا أَتَمِ
Abd Allah headed to Khaybar with a party,
Against al-Yasir, killing him without delay.
وَيَمَّمَand headed toward اِبنُIbn أُنَيسٍUnays عُرضَthe breadth of نَخلَةَNakhla إِذwhen
وَيَمَّمَ اِبنُ أُنَيسٍ عُرضَ نَخلَةَ إِذ
طَغاtransgressed اِبنُIbn ثَورٍThawr فَاصماهُso slew him وَلَمand not يَخِمِshrank
طَغا اِبنُ ثَورٍ فَاصماهُ وَلَم يَخِمِ
Ibn Unays headed to Nakhla's breadth when
Ibn Thawr transgressed; he slew him without shrinking.
ثُمَّthen اِستَقَلَّset out اِبنُIbn حِصنٍHisn فَاِحتَوَتand seized يَدُهُhis hand
ثُمَّ اِستَقَلَّ اِبنُ حِصنٍ فَاِحتَوَت يَدُهُ
عَلىover بَنيBanu العَنبَرِal-Anbar الطُّرّارِthe handsome وَالشُّجُمِand burly
عَلى بَني العَنبَرِ الطُّرّارِ وَالشُّجُمِ
Then Ibn Hisn set out, and his hand seized
Banu al-Anbar, the handsome and burly men.
وَسارَand marched عَمروAmr إِلىto ذاتِDhat السَّلاسِلِal-Salasil فيwith
وَسارَ عَمرو إِلى ذاتِ السَّلاسِلِ في
جَمعٍa force لُهامٍvast لِجَيشِof the army of الشِّركِidolatry مُصطَلِمِdestroying
جَمعٍ لُهامٍ لِجَيشِ الشِّركِ مُصطَلِمِ
Amr marched to Dhat al-Salasil with
A vast force destroying idolatry's army.
وَغَزوَتانِand two expeditions لِعَبدِof Abd اللَّهِAllah واجِدَةٌone
وَغَزوَتانِ لِعَبدِ اللَّهِ واجِدَةٌ
إِلىto رِفاعَةَRifaa وَالأُخرىand the other إِلىto إِضَمِIdam
إِلى رِفاعَةَ وَالأُخرى إِلى إِضَمِ
And two expeditions belonged to Abd Allah, one
To Rifaa, the other to Idam.
وَسارَand marched جَمعُthe force of اِبنِIbn عَوفٍAwf نَحوَtoward دَومَةَDuma كَيto
وَسارَ جَمعُ اِبنِ عَوفٍ نَحوَ دَومَةَ كَي
يَفُلَّbreak سَورَةَthe fury of أَهلِpeople of الزُّورِfalsehood وَالتُّهَمِand accusations
يَفُلَّ سَورَةَ أَهلِ الزُّورِ وَالتُّهَمِ
Ibn Awf's force marched toward Duma to
Break the fury of people of falsehood and accusations.
وَأَمَّand headed بِالخَيلِwith horses سيفَthe shore of البَحرِthe sea مُعتَزِماًdetermined
وَأَمَّ بِالخَيلِ سيفَ البَحرِ مُعتَزِماً
أَبُوAbu عُبَيدَةَUbayda فيwith صُيّابَةٍa band حُشُمِattendants
أَبُو عُبَيدَةَ في صُيّابَةٍ حُشُمِ
He headed determinedly with horses to the seashore:
Abu Ubayda, amid a band of attendants.
وَسارَand marched عَمروAmr إِلىto أُمِّthe Mother of القُرىCities لِأَبيagainst Abu
وَسارَ عَمرو إِلى أُمِّ القُرى لِأَبي
سُفيانَSufyan لَكِنbut عَدَتهُkept him away مُهلَةُthe reprieve of القِسَمِfate
سُفيانَ لَكِن عَدَتهُ مُهلَةُ القِسَمِ
Amr marched to the Mother of Cities against Abu
Sufyan, but fate's reprieve kept him beyond reach.
وَأَمَّand headed toward مَديَنَMadyan زَيدٌZayd فَاِستَوَتand prevailed يَدُهُhis hand
وَأَمَّ مَديَنَ زَيدٌ فَاِستَوَت يَدُهُ
عَلىover العَدُوِّthe enemy وَساقَand drove السَّبيَthe captives كَالغَنَمِlike sheep
عَلى العَدُوِّ وَساقَ السَّبيَ كَالغَنَمِ
Zayd headed to Madyan, and his hand prevailed
Over the enemy, driving captives like sheep.
وَقامَand rose سالِمُSalim بِالعَضبِwith the sharp sword الجُرازِkeen-cutting إِلىagainst
وَقامَ سالِمُ بِالعَضبِ الجُرازِ إِلى
أَبيAbu عُفَيكٍUfayk فَأَرداهُso killed him وَلَمand not يَجِمِpaused
أَبي عُفَيكٍ فَأَرداهُ وَلَم يَجِمِ
Salim rose with a sharp, cutting sword against
Abu Ufayk, killing him without pausing.
وَاِنقَضَّand swooped لَيلاًby night عُمَيرٌUmayr بِالحُسامِwith the sword عَلىupon
وَاِنقَضَّ لَيلاً عُمَيرٌ بِالحُسامِ عَلى
عَصماءَAsma حَتّىuntil سَقاهاhe made her drink عَلقَمَthe colocynth of العَدَمِdeath
عَصماءَ حَتّى سَقاها عَلقَمَ العَدَمِ
Umayr swooped by night with his sword upon
Asma, giving her death's bitter colocynth to drink.
وَسارَand marched بَعثٌan expedition فَلَمso not يُخطِئmissed ثُمامَةَThumama إِذwhen
وَسارَ بَعثٌ فَلَم يُخطِئ ثُمامَةَ إِذ
رَآهُit saw him فَاحتازَهُso captured him غُنماًas spoil وَلَمand not يُلَمِwas reproached
رَآهُ فَاحتازَهُ غُنماً وَلَم يُلَمِ
An expedition marched and did not miss Thumama when
It saw him, taking him as spoil without reproach.
ذاكَthat الهُمامُgallant man الَّذيwho لَبّىproclaimed the pilgrimage call بِمَكَّةin Mecca إِذwhen
ذاكَ الهُمامُ الَّذي لَبّى بِمَكَّة إِذ
أَتىhe arrived بِهاthere مُعلِناًopenly proclaiming فيduring الأَشهُرِthe months الحُرُمِsacred
أَتى بِها مُعلِناً في الأَشهُرِ الحُرُمِ
That gallant man who proclaimed the pilgrimage call in Mecca
When he arrived there, openly during the sacred months.
وَبَعثُand the expedition of عَلقَمَةَAlqama اِستَقرىsearched for العَدُوَّthe enemy ضُحىًat forenoon
وَبَعثُ عَلقَمَةَ اِستَقرى العَدُوَّ ضُحىً
فَلَمso not يَجِدit found فيwithin خِلالِthe midst of الحَيِّthe settlement مِنany أَرمِtrace
فَلَم يَجِد في خِلالِ الحَيِّ مِن أَرمِ
Alqama's expedition searched for the enemy at forenoon,
Finding no trace within the settlement.
وَرَدَّand returned كُرزٌKurz إِلىto العَذراءِthe primal state مَنthose who غَدَرُواbetrayed
وَرَدَّ كُرزٌ إِلى العَذراءِ مَن غَدَرُوا
يَسارَYasar حَتّىuntil لَقَواthey met بَرحاًgrievous pain مِنَof الشَّجَمِdestruction
يَسارَ حَتّى لَقَوا بَرحاً مِنَ الشَّجَمِ
Kurz returned to the primal state those who betrayed
Yasar, until they met grievous destruction.
وَسارَand marched بَعثُthe expedition of اِبنِIbn زَيدٍZayd لِلشَّآمِtoward Syria فَلَمso not
وَسارَ بَعثُ اِبنِ زَيدٍ لِلشَّآمِ فَلَم
يَلبَثdelayed أَنِbefore انقَضَّit swooped كَالبازيlike a hawk عَلىupon اليَمَمِdoves
يَلبَث أَنِ انقَضَّ كَالبازي عَلى اليَمَمِ
Ibn Zayd's expedition marched toward Syria and scarcely
Delayed before swooping like a hawk upon doves.
فَهَذِهِso these الغَزَواتُcampaigns الغُرُّradiant شامِلَةًencompassing
فَهَذِهِ الغَزَواتُ الغُرُّ شامِلَةً
جَمعَall البُعُوثِexpeditions كَدُرٍّlike pearls لاحَgleamed فيin نُظُمِstrands
جَمعَ البُعُوثِ كَدُرٍّ لاحَ في نُظُمِ
These radiant campaigns, encompassing
All the expeditions, are like pearls gleaming in strands.
نَظَمتُهاI versified them راجِياًhoping نَيلَto attain الشَّفاعَةِintercession مِنfrom
نَظَمتُها راجِياً نَيلَ الشَّفاعَةِ مِن
خَيرِthe best of البَراياcreation وَمَولىand patron of العُربِArabs وَالعَجَمِand non-Arabs
خَيرِ البَرايا وَمَولى العُربِ وَالعَجَمِ
I versified them, hoping to attain intercession from
The best of creation, patron of Arabs and non-Arabs.
هُوَhe النَّبِيُّthe Prophet الَّذيwho لَولاهُwithout him ماnot قُبِلَتwas accepted
هُوَ النَّبِيُّ الَّذي لَولاهُ ما قُبِلَت
رَجاةُthe plea of آدمَAdam لَمّاwhen زَلَّhe stumbled فيin القِدَمِantiquity
رَجاةُ آدمَ لَمّا زَلَّ في القِدَمِ
He is the Prophet without whom there would not be accepted
Adam's plea when he stumbled long ago.
حَسبِيsufficient for me بِطَلعَتِهِhis countenance الغَرّاءِradiant مَفخَرَةًas glory
حَسبِي بِطَلعَتِهِ الغَرّاءِ مَفخَرَةً
لَمّاwhen اِلتَقَيتُI met بِهِhim فيin عالَمِthe realm of الحُلُمِdreams
لَمّا اِلتَقَيتُ بِهِ في عالَمِ الحُلُمِ
His radiant countenance suffices me as glory,
When I met him in the realm of dreams.
وَقَدand indeed حَبانيhe bestowed upon me عَصاهُhis staff فَاِعتَصَمتُso I held fast بِهاto it
وَقَد حَباني عَصاهُ فَاِعتَصَمتُ بِها
فيthrough كُلِّevery هَولٍterror فَلمso not أَفزَعI feared وَلَمand not أَهِمِwandered
في كُلِّ هَولٍ فَلم أَفزَع وَلَم أَهِمِ
He bestowed his staff upon me, and I held fast to it
Through every terror, neither frightened nor wandering.
فَهيَso it الَّتيthat which كانَhe would يَحبُوbestow مِثلَهاits like كَرَماًgenerously
فَهيَ الَّتي كانَ يَحبُو مِثلَها كَرَماً
لِمَنupon whoever يَوَدُّhe loves وَحَسبِيand sufficient for me نسبَةًkinship بِهِمِwith them
لِمَن يَوَدُّ وَحَسبِي نسبَةً بِهِمِ
It is what he would generously bestow the like of
Upon those he loved; kinship with them suffices me.
لَمnot أَخشَI feared مِنfrom بَعدِهاafter it ماwhat كُنتُI used to أَحذَرُهُdread
لَم أَخشَ مِن بَعدِها ما كُنتُ أَحذَرُهُ
وَكَيفَand how وَهيَwhen it الَّتيthat which تُنجيdelivers مِنَfrom الغُمَمِafflictions
وَكَيفَ وَهيَ الَّتي تُنجي مِنَ الغُمَمِ
After it, I feared none of what I once dreaded;
How could I, when it delivers from afflictions?
كَفىsufficient بِهاit is نِعمَةًa blessing تَعلُوrises بِقيمَتِهاthrough its worth
كَفى بِها نِعمَةً تَعلُو بِقيمَتِها
نَفسِيmy soul وَإِنeven if كُنتُI am مَسلوباًstripped مِنَof القِيَمِvaluables
نَفسِي وَإِن كُنتُ مَسلوباً مِنَ القِيَمِ
It suffices as a blessing whose worth elevates
My soul, though I have been stripped of valuables.
وَماand not أُبَرِّئُI absolve نَفسيmy soul وَهيَwhile it آمِرَةٌcommanding
وَما أُبَرِّئُ نَفسي وَهيَ آمِرَةٌ
بِالسُوءِevil ماas long as لَمnot تَعُقهاrestrains it خيفَةُthe fear of النَّدَمِremorse
بِالسُوءِ ما لَم تَعُقها خيفَةُ النَّدَمِ
I do not absolve my soul, which commands
Evil unless fear of remorse restrains it.
فَياso alas نَدامَةَthe remorse of نَفسيmy soul فيat المَعادِthe Return إِذاwhen
فَيا نَدامَةَ نَفسي في المَعادِ إِذا
تَعَوَّذَseeks refuge المَرءُa person خَوفَfrom fear of النُطقِspeaking بِالبَكمِin muteness
تَعَوَّذَ المَرءُ خَوفَ النُطقِ بِالبَكمِ
Alas for my soul's remorse at the Return, when
A man seeks muteness as refuge from speaking!
لَكِنَّنيbut I وَاثِقٌtrusting بِالعَفوin pardon مِنfrom مَلِكٍa King
لَكِنَّني وَاثِقٌ بِالعَفو مِن مَلِكٍ
يَعفُوpardoning بِرَحمَتِهِby His mercy عَنfor كُلِّevery مُجتَرِمِoffender
يَعفُو بِرَحمَتِهِ عَن كُلِّ مُجتَرِمِ
Yet I trust in pardon from a King
Who mercifully pardons every offender.
وَسَوفَand shall أَبلُغُI attain آماليmy hopes وَإِنeven if عَظُمَتgrew great
وَسَوفَ أَبلُغُ آمالي وَإِن عَظُمَت
جَرائِميmy crimes يَومَon the day أَلقىI meet صاحِبَthe bearer of العَلَمِthe banner
جَرائِمي يَومَ أَلقى صاحِبَ العَلَمِ
I shall attain my hopes, though great may be
My crimes, on the day I meet the banner-bearer.
هُوَhe الَّذيthe one يَنعَشُrevives المَكرُوبَthe distressed إِذwhen عَلِقَتclung
هُوَ الَّذي يَنعَشُ المَكرُوبَ إِذ عَلِقَت
بِهِto him الرَّزاياcalamities وَيُغنيand enriches كُلَّevery ذيpossessor of عَدَمِdestitution
بِهِ الرَّزايا وَيُغني كُلَّ ذي عَدَمِ
He revives the distressed when there cling
To him calamities, and enriches every destitute person.
هَيهاتَfar be it يَخذُلُhe forsakes مَولاهُhis follower وَشاعِرَهُand his poet
هَيهاتَ يَخذُلُ مَولاهُ وَشاعِرَهُ
فيat الحَشرِthe Gathering وَهوَwhile he كَريمُnoble النَّفسِof soul وَالشِّيَمِand character
في الحَشرِ وَهوَ كَريمُ النَّفسِ وَالشِّيَمِ
Far be it that he forsake his follower and poet
At the Gathering, noble as he is in soul and character.
فَمَدحُهُso his praise رَأسُthe principal of ماليmy wealth يَومَon the day of مُفتَقَرِيmy need
فَمَدحُهُ رَأسُ مالي يَومَ مُفتَقَرِي
وَحُبُّهُand his love عِزُّthe strength of نَفسيmy soul عِندَwhen مُهتَضَمِيI am oppressed
وَحُبُّهُ عِزُّ نَفسي عِندَ مُهتَضَمِي
His praise is my capital on my day of need;
His love is my soul's strength when I am oppressed.
وَهَبتُI gave نَفسِيmyself لَهُto him حُبّاin love وَتَكرِمَةand honor
وَهَبتُ نَفسِي لَهُ حُبّا وَتَكرِمَة
فَهَلso do تَرانيyou think me بَلَغتُI attained السُّؤلَthe desire مِنthrough سَلَميmy submission
فَهَل تَراني بَلَغتُ السُّؤلَ مِن سَلَمي
I gave myself to him in love and honor;
Do you think my submission has attained its desire?
إِنِّيindeed I وَإِنeven if مالَbent بيme دَهريmy time وَبَرَّحَand tormented بيme
إِنِّي وَإِن مالَ بي دَهري وَبَرَّحَ بي
ضَيمٌoppression أَشاطَscorched عَلىupon جَمرِthe embers of النَّوىseparation أَدَميmy skin
ضَيمٌ أَشاطَ عَلى جَمرِ النَّوى أَدَمي
Though my time has bent me low and tormented me
With oppression scorching my skin on separation's embers,
لثابِتُtruly steadfast العَهدِin covenant لَمnot يَحلُلloosened قُوىthe strands of أَمَلِيmy hope
لثابِتُ العَهدِ لَم يَحلُل قُوى أَمَلِي
يَأسٌdespair وَلَمand not تَخطُstepped بِيwith me فيinto سَلوَةٍforgetting قَدَميmy foot
يَأسٌ وَلَم تَخطُ بِي في سَلوَةٍ قَدَمي
I remain true to my covenant; my hope's strands were not loosened
By despair, nor has my foot led me toward forgetting.
لَمnot يَترُكِleft الدَّهرُtime ليfor me ماwhat أَستَعِينُI draw help بِهِfrom it
لَم يَترُكِ الدَّهرُ لي ما أَستَعِينُ بِهِ
عَلىfor التَّجَمُّلِmaintaining dignity إِلّاexcept ساعِديmy forearm وَفَمِيand my mouth
عَلى التَّجَمُّلِ إِلّا ساعِدي وَفَمِي
Time left me nothing with which to sustain
My dignity except my forearm and my mouth.
هَذاthis يُحَبِّرُadorns مَدحيmy praise فيof الرَّسولِthe Messenger وَذاand that
هَذا يُحَبِّرُ مَدحي في الرَّسولِ وَذا
يَتلُوrecites عَلىto الناسِpeople ماwhat أُوحيهِI inspire مِنof كَلِمِيmy words
يَتلُو عَلى الناسِ ما أُوحيهِ مِن كَلِمِي
This adorns my praise of the Messenger, and that
Recites to people the words I inspire.
ياO سَيِّدَmaster of الكَونِexistence عَفواًpardon إِنif أَثِمتُI sinned فَليfor I have
يا سَيِّدَ الكَونِ عَفواً إِن أَثِمتُ فَلي
بِحُبِّكُمthrough loving you صِلَةٌa bond تُغنِيreplacing عَنِthe need for الرَّحِمِkinship
بِحُبِّكُم صِلَةٌ تُغنِي عَنِ الرَّحِمِ
O master of existence, pardon if I have sinned, for mine
Is a bond through loving you that replaces kinship.
كَفىsufficient بِسَلمانَSalman لِيfor me فَخراًas pride إِذاif انتَسَبَتbelongs
كَفى بِسَلمانَ لِي فَخراً إِذا انتَسَبَت
نَفسيmy soul لَكُمto you مِثلَهُlike him فيamong زُمرَةِthe company of الحَشَمِattendants
نَفسي لَكُم مِثلَهُ في زُمرَةِ الحَشَمِ
Salman suffices as my pride if
My soul belongs to you, like him, among the attendants.
وَحسنُand the goodness of ظَنِّيmy expectation بِكُمof you إِنif مُتُّI die يَكلَؤُنيguards me
وَحسنُ ظَنِّي بِكُم إِن مُتُّ يَكلَؤُني
مِنfrom هَولِthe terror of ماwhat أَتَّقيI dread فِيin ظُلمَةِthe darkness of الرَّجَمِthe grave
مِن هَولِ ما أَتَّقي فِي ظُلمَةِ الرَّجَمِ
My good expectation of you, should I die, guards me
From what I dread in the grave's darkness.
تَاللَّهِby God ماnot عاقَنيkept me عَنfrom حَيِّكُمyour settlement شَجَنٌsorrow
تَاللَّهِ ما عاقَني عَن حَيِّكُم شَجَنٌ
لَكِنَّنِيbut I مُوثَقٌbound فيin رِبقَةِthe tether of السَّلَمِsurrender
لَكِنَّنِي مُوثَقٌ في رِبقَةِ السَّلَمِ
By God, no sorrow kept me from your settlement;
But I am bound within surrender's tether.
فَهَلso is there إِلىtoward زَورَةٍa visit يَحياrevives الفُؤادُthe heart بِهاthrough it
فَهَل إِلى زَورَةٍ يَحيا الفُؤادُ بِها
ذَرِيعَةٌa means أَبتَغيهاI seek it قَبلَbefore مُختَرَمِيmy death
ذَرِيعَةٌ أَبتَغيها قَبلَ مُختَرَمِي
Is there a means toward a visit reviving my heart,
Which I may seek before my death?
شَكَوتُI complained بَثِّيof my anguish إِلىto رَبِّيmy Lord لِيُنصِفَنيto grant me justice
شَكَوتُ بَثِّي إِلى رَبِّي لِيُنصِفَني
مِنagainst كُلِّevery باغٍaggressor عَتِيدِready الجَورِwith injustice أَوهكمِor mockery
مِن كُلِّ باغٍ عَتِيدِ الجَورِ أَوهكمِ
I complained of my anguish to my Lord, to grant me justice
Against every aggressor ready with injustice or mockery.
وَكَيفَand how أَرهَبُI fear حَيفاunfairness وَهوَwhile He مُنتَقِمٌavenging
وَكَيفَ أَرهَبُ حَيفا وَهوَ مُنتَقِمٌ
يَهابُهُfears Him كُلُّevery جَبّارٍtyrant وَمُنتَقِمِand avenger
يَهابُهُ كُلُّ جَبّارٍ وَمُنتَقِمِ
How could I fear unfairness, when He avenges,
And every tyrant and avenger fears Him?
لاno غَروَwonder إِنif نِلتُI attain ماwhat أَمَّلتُI hoped مِنهُfrom Him فَقَدfor indeed
لا غَروَ إِن نِلتُ ما أَمَّلتُ مِنهُ فَقَد
أَنزَلتُI lodged مُعظَمَthe greatest of آماليmy hopes بِذيwith One possessing كَرَمِgenerosity
أَنزَلتُ مُعظَمَ آمالي بِذي كَرَمِ
No wonder if I attain what I hoped from Him, for
I lodged my greatest hopes with One generous.
ياO مالِكَSovereign of المُلكِsovereignty هَبgrant لِيme مِنكَfrom You مَغفِرَةًforgiveness
يا مالِكَ المُلكِ هَب لِي مِنكَ مَغفِرَةً
تَمحُوerasing ذُنُوبيmy sins غَداةَon the morning of الخَوفِfear وَالنَّدَمِand remorse
تَمحُو ذُنُوبي غَداةَ الخَوفِ وَالنَّدَمِ
O Sovereign of sovereignty, grant me Your forgiveness,
Erasing my sins on the morning of fear and remorse.
وَاِمنُنand favor عَلَيَّme بِلُطفٍwith kindness مِنكَfrom You يَعصِمُنيprotecting me
وَاِمنُن عَلَيَّ بِلُطفٍ مِنكَ يَعصِمُني
زَيغَfrom the wandering of النُّهىreason يَومَon the day of أَخذِthe gripping of المَوتِdeath بِالكَظَمِthe throat
زَيغَ النُّهى يَومَ أَخذِ المَوتِ بِالكَظَمِ
Favor me with kindness from You, protecting me from
Reason's wandering when death grips the throat.
لَمnot أَدعُI called غَيرَكَother than You فِيماin what نابَنيbefell me فَقِنيso protect me
لَم أَدعُ غَيرَكَ فِيما نابَني فَقِني
شَرَّfrom the evil of العَواقِبِoutcomes وَاِحفَظنِيand preserve me مِنَfrom التُّهَمِaccusations
شَرَّ العَواقِبِ وَاِحفَظنِي مِنَ التُّهَمِ
I called none but You in my afflictions; protect me from
Evil outcomes, and preserve me from accusations.
حاشاfar be it لِراجيكَfor one hoping in You أَنto يَخشىfear العِثارَstumbling وَماand not
حاشا لِراجيكَ أَن يَخشى العِثارَ وَما
بَعدَafter الرَّجاءِhope سِوىexcept التَّوفيقِdivine guidance لِلسَّلَمِto peace
بَعدَ الرَّجاءِ سِوى التَّوفيقِ لِلسَّلَمِ
Far be it that one hoping in You fear stumbling; there is
After hope only guidance to peace.
وَكَيفَand how أَخشىI fear ضَلالاًerror بَعدَماafter سَلَكَتfollowed
وَكَيفَ أَخشى ضَلالاً بَعدَما سَلَكَت
نَفسِيmy soul بِنُورِby the light of الهُدىguidance فيon مَسلَكٍa path قِيَمِupright
نَفسِي بِنُورِ الهُدى في مَسلَكٍ قِيَمِ
How could I fear error after
My soul followed guidance's light on an upright path?
وَلِيand I have بِحُبِّthrough love of رَسُولِthe Messenger of اللَّهِGod مَنزِلَةٌa station
وَلِي بِحُبِّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ مَنزِلَةٌ
أَرجُوI hope بِهاthrough it الصَّفحَfor pardon يَومَon the day of الدِّينِJudgment عَنfor جُرُمِيmy crime
أَرجُو بِها الصَّفحَ يَومَ الدِّينِ عَن جُرُمِي
Through love of God's Messenger I have a station
By which I hope for pardon of my crime on Judgment Day.
لاnot أَدَّعيI claim عِصمَةًsinlessness لَكِنbut يَدِيmy hand عَلِقَتclung
لا أَدَّعي عِصمَةً لَكِن يَدِي عَلِقَت
بِسَيِّدٍto a master مَنwhoever يَرِدvisits مَرعاتَهُhis pasture يَسُمِmay graze
بِسَيِّدٍ مَن يَرِد مَرعاتَهُ يَسُمِ
I claim no sinlessness, but my hand clings
To a master whose pasture all visitors may graze.
خَدَمتُهُI served him بِمَديحيwith my praise فَاِعتَلَوتُso I rose عَلىabove
خَدَمتُهُ بِمَديحي فَاِعتَلَوتُ عَلى
هامِthe head of السِّماكِal-Simak وَصارَand became السَّعدُfortune مِنamong خَدَمِيmy servants
هامِ السِّماكِ وَصارَ السَّعدُ مِن خَدَمِي
I served him with praise, rising above
Al-Simak's head, and fortune became my servant.
وَكَيفَand how أَرهَبُI fear ضَيماًoppression بَعدَafter خِدمَتِهِserving him
وَكَيفَ أَرهَبُ ضَيماً بَعدَ خِدمَتِهِ
وَخادِمُand the servant of السَّادَةِmasters الأَجوادِgenerous لَمnot يُضَمِis oppressed
وَخادِمُ السَّادَةِ الأَجوادِ لَم يُضَمِ
How could I fear oppression after serving him?
The servant of generous masters is not oppressed.
أَمor كَيفَhow يَخذُلُنِيhe forsakes me مِنfrom بَعدِafter تَسمِيَتِيmy being named
أَم كَيفَ يَخذُلُنِي مِن بَعدِ تَسمِيَتِي
بِاسمٍwith a name لَهُof his فيin سَماءِthe heaven of العَرشِthe Throne مُحتَرَمِhonored
بِاسمٍ لَهُ في سَماءِ العَرشِ مُحتَرَمِ
How could he forsake me after I was named
With a name of his honored in the Throne's heaven?
أَبكانِيَmade me weep الدَّهرُtime حَتّىuntil إِذwhen لَجِئتُI sought refuge بِهِin him
أَبكانِيَ الدَّهرُ حَتّى إِذ لَجِئتُ بِهِ
حَناit bent kindly عَلَيَّtoward me وَأَبدىand displayed ثَغرَthe mouth of مُبتَسِمِone smiling
حَنا عَلَيَّ وَأَبدى ثَغرَ مُبتَسِمِ
Time made me weep until, seeking refuge in him,
It bent kindly toward me and showed a smiling mouth.
فَهوَfor he الَّذيthe one يَمنَحُgrants العافِينَsupplicants ماwhat سَأَلُواthey requested
فَهوَ الَّذي يَمنَحُ العافِينَ ما سَأَلُوا
فَضلاًby grace وَيَشفَعُand intercedes يَومَon the day of الدِّينِJudgment فيfor الأُمَمِthe nations
فَضلاً وَيَشفَعُ يَومَ الدِّينِ في الأُمَمِ
He grants supplicants what they ask
By grace, interceding for nations on Judgment Day.
نُورٌlight لِمُقتَبِسٍfor an illumination-seeker ذُخرٌtreasure لِمُلتَمِسٍfor a seeker
نُورٌ لِمُقتَبِسٍ ذُخرٌ لِمُلتَمِسٍ
حِرزٌprotection لِمُبتَئِسٍfor the distressed كَهفٌshelter لِمُعتَصِمِfor a refuge-seeker
حِرزٌ لِمُبتَئِسٍ كَهفٌ لِمُعتَصِمِ
Light for one seeking illumination, treasure for a seeker,
Protection for the distressed, shelter for one seeking refuge.
بَثَّhe sent forth الرَّدىdeath وَالنَّدىand bounty شَطرَينِin two portions فَاِنبَعَثاso they proceeded
بَثَّ الرَّدى وَالنَّدى شَطرَينِ فَاِنبَعَثا
فِيمَنamong those who غَوىerred وَهَدىand were guided بِالبُؤسِwith misery وَالنِّعَمِand blessings
فِيمَن غَوى وَهَدى بِالبُؤسِ وَالنِّعَمِ
He sent forth death and bounty in two portions,
To the errant and guided, with misery and blessings.
فَالكُفرُso disbelief مِنfrom بَأسِهِhis valor المَشهورِrenowned فيin حَرَبٍdespoilment
فَالكُفرُ مِن بَأسِهِ المَشهورِ في حَرَبٍ
وَالدِّينُand faith مِنfrom عَدلِهِhis justice المَأثُورِtransmitted فيin حَرَمِprotection
وَالدِّينُ مِن عَدلِهِ المَأثُورِ في حَرَمِ
Disbelief, through his renowned valor, is despoiled;
Faith, through his transmitted justice, dwells protected.
هَذاthis ثَنائِيmy praise وَإِنand if قَصَّرتُI fell short فيهِin it فَليthen I have
هَذا ثَنائِي وَإِن قَصَّرتُ فيهِ فَلي
عُذرٌan excuse وَأَينَand where السُّهاal-Suha مِنfrom كَفِّthe hand of مُستَلِمِone reaching out
عُذرٌ وَأَينَ السُّها مِن كَفِّ مُستَلِمِ
This is my praise; if I have fallen short, mine
Is an excuse: how could an outstretched hand reach al-Suha?
هَيهاتَfar beyond me أَبلُغُI attain بِالأَشعارِthrough poems مدَحتَهُhis fitting praise
هَيهاتَ أَبلُغُ بِالأَشعارِ مدَحتَهُ
وَإِنeven if سَلَكتُI followed سَبيلَthe path of القالَةِspeakers القُدُمِancient
وَإِن سَلَكتُ سَبيلَ القالَةِ القُدُمِ
Far beyond me is praising him adequately in verse,
Even following the path of ancient speakers.
ماذاwhat عَسىcould أَنpossibly يَقُولَsay المادِحُونَthe praisers وَقَدwhen indeed
ماذا عَسى أَن يَقُولَ المادِحُونَ وَقَد
أَثنىpraised عَلَيهِhim بِفَضلٍwith excellence مُنزلُthe Revealer of الكَلِمِwords
أَثنى عَلَيهِ بِفَضلٍ مُنزلُ الكَلِمِ
What could the praisers possibly say, when
The Revealer of words has praised his excellence?
فَهاكَهاso take it ياO رَسُولَMessenger of اللَّهِGod زاهِرَةًradiant
فَهاكَها يا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ زاهِرَةً
تُهدِيoffering إِلىto النَّفسِthe soul رَيّاthe fragrance of الآسِmyrtle وَالبَرَمِand acacia blossom
تُهدِي إِلى النَّفسِ رَيّا الآسِ وَالبَرَمِ
Take it, O Messenger of God, radiant,
Offering the soul myrtle's and acacia blossom's fragrance.
وَسمتُهاI marked it بِاسمِكَwith your name العَاليexalted فَأَلبَسنَهاso clothe it
وَسمتُها بِاسمِكَ العَالي فَأَلبَسنَها
ثَوباًin a robe مِنَof الفَخرِglory لاnot يَبلىwearing out عَلىwith القِدَمِage
ثَوباً مِنَ الفَخرِ لا يَبلى عَلى القِدَمِ
I marked it with your exalted name; clothe it
In a robe of glory that never wears with age.
غَرِيبَةٌa stranger فيin إِسارِthe captivity of البَينِseparation لَوif أَنِسَتit found comfort
غَرِيبَةٌ في إِسارِ البَينِ لَو أَنِسَت
بِنَظرَةٍin a glance مِنكَfrom you لاستغنَتit would need nothing عَنِof النَّسَمِbreaths
بِنَظرَةٍ مِنكَ لاستغنَت عَنِ النَّسَمِ
A stranger captive to separation: could it find comfort
In a glance from you, it would need no breaths.
لَمnot أَلتَزِمI undertook نَظمَstringing حَبّاتِthe beads of البَديعِrhetorical ornament بِهاwithin it
لَم أَلتَزِم نَظمَ حَبّاتِ البَديعِ بِها
إِذsince كانَwas صَوغُthe shaping of المَعانِيmeanings الغُرِّradiant مُلتَزمِيmy commitment
إِذ كانَ صَوغُ المَعانِي الغُرِّ مُلتَزمِي
I did not undertake to string rhetorical ornaments within it;
My commitment was shaping radiant meanings.
وَإِنَّماand only هِيَit أَبياتٌverses رَجَوتُI hoped بِهاthrough them
وَإِنَّما هِيَ أَبياتٌ رَجَوتُ بِها
نَيلَto attain المُنىdesires يَومَon the day تَحياrevive بَذَّةُthe shabby الرِّمَمِremains
نَيلَ المُنى يَومَ تَحيا بَذَّةُ الرِّمَمِ
It is only verses through which I hoped
To attain desires when shabby remains revive.
نَثَرتُI scattered فِيهاwithin it فَرِيدَunique pearls of المَدحِpraise فَاِنتَظَمَتso they formed a strand
نَثَرتُ فِيها فَرِيدَ المَدحِ فَاِنتَظَمَت
أَحسِنhow lovely بِمُنتَثِرٍthe scattered مِنهاof it وَمُنتَظِمِand the strung
أَحسِن بِمُنتَثِرٍ مِنها وَمُنتَظِمِ
I scattered unique pearls of praise within it; they formed a strand.
How lovely its scattered and strung pearls!
صَدَّرتُهاI opened it بِنَسِيبٍwith a love prelude شَفَّrevealed باطِنُهُits inner meaning
صَدَّرتُها بِنَسِيبٍ شَفَّ باطِنُهُ
عَنof عِفَّةٍchastity لَمnot يَشِنهاblemished it قَولُthe words of مُتَّهِمِan accuser
عَن عِفَّةٍ لَم يَشِنها قَولُ مُتَّهِمِ
I opened it with a love prelude whose inner meaning revealed
Chastity unblemished by an accuser's words.
لَمnot أَتَّخِذهُI adopted it جُزافاًthoughtlessly بَلrather سَلَكتُI followed بِهِthrough it
لَم أَتَّخِذهُ جُزافاً بَل سَلَكتُ بِهِ
فِيin القَولِspeech مَسلَكَthe path of أَقوامٍpeoples ذَويpossessing قَدَمِprecedence
فِي القَولِ مَسلَكَ أَقوامٍ ذَوي قَدَمِ
I did not adopt it thoughtlessly; through it I followed
In speech the path of established predecessors.
تابَعتُI followed كَعباًKab وَحَسّاناًand Hassan وَلِيand I have بِهِماin them
تابَعتُ كَعباً وَحَسّاناً وَلِي بِهِما
فيin القَولِspeech أُسوَةُthe example of بَرٍّrighteousness غَيرِnot مُتَّهَمِsuspect
في القَولِ أُسوَةُ بَرٍّ غَيرِ مُتَّهَمِ
I followed Kab and Hassan, having in them
An example of blameless righteousness in speech.
وَالشِّعرُand poetry مَعرَضُa display of أَلبابٍminds يُروجُcirculates بِهِthrough it
وَالشِّعرُ مَعرَضُ أَلبابٍ يُروجُ بِهِ
ماwhat نَمَّقَتهُembellished it يَدُthe hand of الآدابِletters وَالحِكَمِand wisdom
ما نَمَّقَتهُ يَدُ الآدابِ وَالحِكَمِ
Poetry is a display of minds, through which circulates
What the hand of letters and wisdom has embellished.
فَلاso do not يَلُمنِيlet blame me عَلىfor التَّشبِيبِthe love prelude ذُوone possessing عَنَتٍcaptiousness
فَلا يَلُمنِي عَلى التَّشبِيبِ ذُو عَنَتٍ
فَبُلبُلُfor the nightingale of الرَّوضِthe garden مَطبُوعٌnaturally disposed عَلَىto النَّغَمِmelody
فَبُلبُلُ الرَّوضِ مَطبُوعٌ عَلَى النَّغَمِ
Let no captious man blame me for the love prelude;
The garden's nightingale is born to melody.
وَلَيسَand not لِيI have رَوضَةٌa garden أَلهُوI delight بِزَهرَتِهاin its blossom
وَلَيسَ لِي رَوضَةٌ أَلهُو بِزَهرَتِها
فيin مَعرَضِthe display of القَولِspeech إِلّاexcept رَوضَةُthe garden of الحَرَمِthe sanctuary
في مَعرَضِ القَولِ إِلّا رَوضَةُ الحَرَمِ
I have no garden whose blossom I enjoy
In the display of speech except the sanctuary's garden.
فَهيَfor it الَّتِيthat which تَيَّمَتenslaved قَلبيmy heart وَهِمتُand I wandered in love بِهاof it
فَهيَ الَّتِي تَيَّمَت قَلبي وَهِمتُ بِها
وَجداًpassionately وَإِنeven if كُنتُI was عَفَّchaste النَّفسِof soul لَمnot أَهِمِI strayed
وَجداً وَإِن كُنتُ عَفَّ النَّفسِ لَم أَهِمِ
It enslaved my heart, and I wandered in love of it,
Passionately, though chaste of soul, not led astray.
مَعاهِدٌprecincts نَقَشَتinscribed فيupon وَجنَتيَّmy two cheeks لَهاfor them
مَعاهِدٌ نَقَشَت في وَجنَتيَّ لَها
أَيدِيthe hands of الهَوىlove أَسطُراًlines مِنof عَبرَتِيmy tears بِدَمِin blood
أَيدِي الهَوى أَسطُراً مِن عَبرَتِي بِدَمِ
Precincts for which, upon my cheeks, inscribed
Love's hands lines of my tears in blood.
ياO حادِيَdriver of العِيسِpale camels إِنif بَلَّغتَنيyou bring me to أَمَليmy hope
يا حادِيَ العِيسِ إِن بَلَّغتَني أَمَلي
مِنof قَصدِهِreaching him فَاِقتَرِحthen demand ماwhat شِئتَyou wish وَاِحتَكِمِand name your terms
مِن قَصدِهِ فَاِقتَرِح ما شِئتَ وَاِحتَكِمِ
O driver of pale camels, if you bring me to my hope
Of reaching him, demand what you wish and name your terms.
سِرtravel بِالمَطاياwith the mounts وَلاand do not تَرفَقbe gentle فَلَيسَfor not فَتىًa man
سِر بِالمَطايا وَلا تَرفَق فَلَيسَ فَتىً
أَولىmore deserving بِهَذاof this السُّرىnight journey مِنthan سائِقٍa driver حُطَمِvigorous
أَولى بِهَذا السُّرى مِن سائِقٍ حُطَمِ
Drive the mounts without gentleness, for no man
Better deserves this night journey than a vigorous driver.
وَلاand do not تَخَفfear ضَلَّةًlosing the way وَاِنظُرand look فَسَوفَfor you will تَرىsee
وَلا تَخَف ضَلَّةً وَاِنظُر فَسَوفَ تَرى
نُوراًa light يُريكَshowing you مَدَبَّthe tracks of الذَّرِants فِيupon الأَكَمِthe hills
نُوراً يُريكَ مَدَبَّ الذَّرِ فِي الأَكَمِ
Fear no losing of the way; look, and you will see
A light showing you ants' tracks upon the hills.
وَكَيفَand how يَخشىfears ضَلالاًstraying مَنone who يَؤُمُّseeks حِمىthe sanctuary of
وَكَيفَ يَخشى ضَلالاً مَن يَؤُمُّ حِمى
مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad وَهوَwhile he مِشكاةٌa lamp-niche عَلَىupon عَلَمِa mountain
مُحَمَّدٍ وَهوَ مِشكاةٌ عَلَى عَلَمِ
How could one fear straying when he seeks the sanctuary of
Muhammad, a lamp-niche upon a mountain?
هَذِيthese مُنايَmy wishes وَحَسبيand sufficient for me أَنto أَفوزَattain بِهاthem
هَذِي مُنايَ وَحَسبي أَن أَفوزَ بِها
بِنِعمَةِby the blessing of اللَّهِGod قَبلَbefore الشَّيبِgray hair وَالهَرَمِand decrepitude
بِنِعمَةِ اللَّهِ قَبلَ الشَّيبِ وَالهَرَمِ
These are my wishes; it suffices to attain them
By God's blessing before gray hair and decrepitude.
وَمَنand whoever يَكُنis راجِياًhoping in مَولاهُhis Master نالَgains بِهِthrough Him
وَمَن يَكُن راجِياً مَولاهُ نالَ بِهِ
ماwhat لَمnot يَنَلهُhe obtained بِفَضلِthrough the virtue of الجِدِّdiligence وَالهِمَمِand aspirations
ما لَم يَنَلهُ بِفَضلِ الجِدِّ وَالهِمَمِ
Whoever hopes in his Master gains through Him
What diligence and aspiration could not obtain.
فاسجُدso prostrate لَهُbefore Him وَاِقترِبand draw near تَبلُغyou attain بِطاعَتِهِthrough obeying Him
فاسجُد لَهُ وَاِقترِب تَبلُغ بِطاعَتِهِ
ماwhat شِئتَyou wish فيthroughout الدَّهرِtime مِنof جاهٍstanding وَمِنand of عِظَمِgreatness
ما شِئتَ في الدَّهرِ مِن جاهٍ وَمِن عِظَمِ
Prostrate before Him and draw near: through obedience attain
Whatever standing and greatness you wish through time.
هَوَHe المَليكُthe Sovereign الَّذيwho ذَلَّتbowed لِعِزَّتِهِbefore His might
هَوَ المَليكُ الَّذي ذَلَّت لِعِزَّتِهِ
أَهلُthe people of المَصانِعِmighty structures مِنof عادٍAd وَمِنand of إِرَمِIram
أَهلُ المَصانِعِ مِن عادٍ وَمِن إِرَمِ
He is the Sovereign before whose might bowed
The people of mighty structures, of Ad and Iram.
يُحييHe revives البَراياcreation إِذاwhen حانَarrives المَعادُthe Return كَماas
يُحيي البَرايا إِذا حانَ المَعادُ كَما
يُحييHe revives النَّباتَplants بِشُؤبوبٍwith a downpour مِنَof الدِّيَمِsteady rains
يُحيي النَّباتَ بِشُؤبوبٍ مِنَ الدِّيَمِ
He revives creation when the Return arrives, as
He revives plants with a downpour of steady rain.
ياO غافِرَForgiver of الذَّنبِsin وَالأَلبابُwhile minds حائِرَةٌbewildered
يا غافِرَ الذَّنبِ وَالأَلبابُ حائِرَةٌ
فيat الحَشرِthe Gathering وَالنارُand fire تَرميhurls الجَوَّthe air بِالضَّرَمِwith flames
في الحَشرِ وَالنارُ تَرمي الجَوَّ بِالضَّرَمِ
O Forgiver of sin, while minds are bewildered
At the Gathering and fire hurls flames into the air,
حاشاfar be it لِفَضلِكَfrom Your grace وَهوَand it المُستَعاذُthe refuge sought بِهِin it
حاشا لِفَضلِكَ وَهوَ المُستَعاذُ بِهِ
أَنthat لاnot تَمُنَّYou favor عَلىupon ذِيone possessing خَلَّةٍneed عَدِمِdestitute
أَن لا تَمُنَّ عَلى ذِي خَلَّةٍ عَدِمِ
Far be it from Your grace, in which refuge is sought,
Not to favor one needy and destitute.
إِنّيindeed I لَمُستَشفِعٌtruly seek intercession بِالمُصطَفىthrough the Chosen One وَكَفىand sufficient
إِنّي لَمُستَشفِعٌ بِالمُصطَفى وَكَفى
بِهِhe is شَفِيعاًas intercessor لَدىamid الأَهوالِterrors وَالقُحَمِand perils
بِهِ شَفِيعاً لَدى الأَهوالِ وَالقُحَمِ
I seek intercession through the Chosen One; sufficient
Is he as intercessor amid terrors and perils.
فَاقبَلso accept رَجائِيmy hope فَماليfor I have no مَنone أَلوذُI take refuge بِهِin him
فَاقبَل رَجائِي فَمالي مَن أَلوذُ بِهِ
سِواكَexcept You فيin كُلِّevery ماwhat أَخشاهُI fear مِنof فَقَمِgrave harm
سِواكَ في كُلِّ ما أَخشاهُ مِن فَقَمِ
Accept my hope: I have none in whom to take refuge
But You amid every grave harm I fear.
وَصَلِّand bless رَبِّmy Lord عَلىupon المُختارِthe Chosen One ماas long as طَلَعَتrises
وَصَلِّ رَبِّ عَلى المُختارِ ما طَلَعَت
شَمسُthe sun of النَّهارِdaytime وَلاحَتand shine أَنجُمُthe stars of الظُّلَمِdarkness
شَمسُ النَّهارِ وَلاحَت أَنجُمُ الظُّلَمِ
My Lord, bless the Chosen One as long as rises
The daytime sun and shine the stars of darkness,
وَالآلِand the family وَالصَّحبِand Companions وَالأَنصارِand Ansar مَنwho تَبِعُواfollowed
وَالآلِ وَالصَّحبِ وَالأَنصارِ مَن تَبِعُوا
هُداهُhis guidance وَاِعتَرَفواand acknowledged بِالعَهدِthe covenant وَالذِّمَمِand pledges
هُداهُ وَاِعتَرَفوا بِالعَهدِ وَالذِّمَمِ
And his family, Companions, and Ansar who followed
His guidance and acknowledged covenant and pledges.
وَامنُنand favor عَلىupon عَبدِكَYour servant العانِيafflicted بِمَغفِرَةٍwith forgiveness
وَامنُن عَلى عَبدِكَ العانِي بِمَغفِرَةٍ
تَمحُوerasing خَطاياهُhis sins فيin بَدءٍa beginning وَمُختَتَمِand an ending
تَمحُو خَطاياهُ في بَدءٍ وَمُختَتَمِ
Favor Your afflicted servant with forgiveness
Erasing his sins from beginning to end.
Partial English translation: 327 of 894 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1