شهدَ الإلهُ وأنت يا أرضُ اشهدي

شهدَ الإلهُ وأنت يا أرضُ اشهدي

أنّا أجبنا صرخةَ المستنجدِ

أنّا أجبنا صرخةَ المستنجدِ

God has borne witness; and you, O earth, bear witness

God is my witness—and you, O earth, bear witness,

that we answered the cry of the one seeking help.

That we have responded to the cries of those seeking aid;

لما دعَا الداعي وردّد صوته

لما دعَا الداعي وردّد صوته

قمنا لنصرته ولم نتردّدِ

قمنا لنصرته ولم نتردّدِ

When the caller called and repeated his voice,

When the caller called and echoed his voice,

we rose to aid him and did not hesitate.

We rose up to help him, without hesitation.

نسري له بأسنّةٍ قد جُرّدت

نسري له بأسنّةٍ قد جُرّدت

من عضبها والصبحُ لم يتجرّدِ

من عضبها والصبحُ لم يتجرّدِ

We ride by night to him with spearheads already stripped

We saddled our steeds who were stripped

of their sharpness, while dawn has not yet bared itself.

Of their coverings though dawn had not stripped off its cloak,

والشهبُ فوق التُرب أسرع نقلة

والشهبُ فوق التُرب أسرع نقلة

منها وفوق السُحب نحو المقصدِ

منها وفوق السُحب نحو المقصدِ

And the meteors above the dust are swifter in motion

And the meteors above the dunes were swifter

than those above the clouds, toward the goal.

Than they, speeding toward their goal above the clouds.

لولا الأسنةُ والسنابكُ مادرى

لولا الأسنةُ والسنابكُ مادرى

أحدٌ بسيل خيولنا في الفرقدِ

أحدٌ بسيل خيولنا في الفرقدِ

Were it not for the spearheads and the hooves, no one

If not for the spears and lances none would have known

in Farqad would have known of the torrent of our horses.

Of the onrush of our horses on the plain.

حتى إذا باحتْ بنا شمسُ الضُحى

حتى إذا باحتْ بنا شمسُ الضُحى

للعينِ غبْنا في العيانِ الأربدِ

للعينِ غبْنا في العيانِ الأربدِ

Until, when the midmorning sun revealed us

Until when the sun of mid-morning shone upon us

to the eye, we vanished into the ashen scene.

We were lost to the eyes in the murky horizon.

والخيلُ تشكونا ولا ذنب سوى

والخيلُ تشكونا ولا ذنب سوى

أنا نروحُ بها وأنا نغتدِي

أنا نروحُ بها وأنا نغتدِي

The horses complain of us, though our only fault is

And the horses complain of us though our only fault

that we ride them in the evening and in the morning.

Is that we take them out while we return satisfied.

لو أنّها علمتْ بنا في قصدنا

لو أنّها علمتْ بنا في قصدنا

كانتْ تطير بنا ولم تترددِ

كانتْ تطير بنا ولم تترددِ

If they knew the purpose of our journey,

If only they knew our purpose in this endeavor

they would fly with us and never hesitate.

They would have flown with us, without hesitation.

اللهُ يعلمُ أننا لم نعتقدْ

اللهُ يعلمُ أننا لم نعتقدْ

إلا الجهادَ ونصرَ دين محمدِ

إلا الجهادَ ونصرَ دين محمدِ

God knows that we have intended nothing

God knows we never intended

but jihad and the championing of Muhammad's faith.

Anything but jihad and victory for Muhammad’s religion.

ثم اعترضنا البحرُ وهو كأنه

ثم اعترضنا البحرُ وهو كأنه

مَلكُ تقدّم بالجيوش لمرصدِ

مَلكُ تقدّم بالجيوش لمرصدِ

Then the sea barred our way, as though it were

Then the sea confronted us, appearing like

a king advancing with armies to an ambush post.

A king advancing with armies to an appointment.

فترامتْ الخيلُ العطاشُ لورده

فترامتْ الخيلُ العطاشُ لورده

هيهات ما الماء الأجاج بموردِ

هيهات ما الماء الأجاج بموردِ

So the thirsty horses hurled themselves forward to drink from it;

The thirsty horses plunged towards its nectar—

far from it! Bitter salt water is no watering place.

Alas! The bitter water is no sweet spring.

يا خيلُ إنَّ وراءنا ماءً روى

يا خيلُ إنَّ وراءنا ماءً روى

ومشارباً ومزارعاً لم تحصدِ

ومشارباً ومزارعاً لم تحصدِ

O horses, beyond us lies water that quenches thirst,

O horses, behind us is water that quenches,

and drinking places and fields not yet harvested,

And meadows and fields not yet harvested.

وأحبّةً بين العدا قد أصبحوا

وأحبّةً بين العدا قد أصبحوا

يتوقعون الموتَ إن لم تنجدِ

يتوقعون الموتَ إن لم تنجدِ

and loved ones among the foes, who now

And loved ones amidst the foe who at dawn

expect death unless you come to their aid.

Now expect death if you do not come to their aid.

من مطلع العبرات إلا أنه

من مطلع العبرات إلا أنه

تجري دموعُ جفونه لمقيّدِ

تجري دموعُ جفونه لمقيّدِ

Among them is one shedding tears, yet

With eyes overflowing with tears though

his eyelids' tears flow for a captive;

His tears flow from constrained eyelids.

ومفجّع لا يستلذُ بمطعمٍ

ومفجّع لا يستلذُ بمطعمٍ

ومُروّع لا يستقرُ بمرقدِ

ومُروّع لا يستقرُ بمرقدِ

and one bereaved, who takes no pleasure in food,

And a grieving one who finds no pleasure in food,

and one terrified, who cannot rest in bed.

And an anxious one who finds no rest in sleep.

إخواننا في ديننا وودادنا

إخواننا في ديننا وودادنا

ولهم مزيدُ تحبّب وتودّدِ

ولهم مزيدُ تحبّب وتودّدِ

Our brothers in our faith and our affection,

Our brothers in faith and in friendship

and theirs is an added measure of love and tenderness.

For whom affection and devotion have increased.

نسري بأجنحة البُزاة إلى العدا

نسري بأجنحة البُزاة إلى العدا

مثلَ الحمام الحائماتِ الورّدِ

مثلَ الحمام الحائماتِ الورّدِ

We travel by night on falcons' wings toward the foes,

We race on the wings of separation to the foe

like doves circling as they come to water.

Like pigeons soaring with determination and devotion.

واستقبلتْ بحر الزقاق بعصبةٍ

واستقبلتْ بحر الزقاق بعصبةٍ

نفذت عزائمها ولم تتعددِ

نفذت عزائمها ولم تتعددِ

And they faced the Sea of al-Zuqaq with a band

And the sea of Al-Zqaq received us with a force

whose resolve took effect and did not split into many aims.

That fulfilled its purpose and did not transgress.

فاستبشروا في أفقهم بطلوعنا

فاستبشروا في أفقهم بطلوعنا

كالشمسِ يومَ طلوعها للأسعدِ

كالشمسِ يومَ طلوعها للأسعدِ

They rejoiced at our rising on their horizon,

So they rejoiced to see us rising on their horizon

like the sun on the day it rises for the most fortunate.

Like the sun on the day it rises to bless.

حتى بعثنا القومَ في أوطانهم

حتى بعثنا القومَ في أوطانهم

إن الحوادث لا تجيءُ بموعدِ

إن الحوادث لا تجيءُ بموعدِ

Until we roused the people in their homelands;

Until we made the people feel safe in their lands—

events do not arrive by appointment.

Events do not come at their appointed time.

ثم التقينا بالذين استصرخوا

ثم التقينا بالذين استصرخوا

منّا بكلِّ مؤيّد ومسدّدِ

منّا بكلِّ مؤيّد ومسدّدِ

Then we met those who had cried for help

Then we met those who had cried out to us

from us, with every supported and rightly guided warrior.

For every ally and aide.

حتى إذا جئنا وجاءوا نحونا

حتى إذا جئنا وجاءوا نحونا

ودنا المزارُ وقيل للبُعد ابعدِ

ودنا المزارُ وقيل للبُعد ابعدِ

Until, when we came and they came toward us,

Until we came and they came toward us

the meeting place drew near, and distance was told, 'Be gone!'

And the distance drew near and distance was sent away.

وازورَّ جانبُهم وشدّوا بعدما

وازورَّ جانبُهم وشدّوا بعدما

بسطوا لنا الآمالَ بسطَ ممهّدِ

بسطوا لنا الآمالَ بسطَ ممهّدِ

Their side turned away, and they grew stern, after

And their side was strengthened and they tightened their grip

spreading hopes before us like one smoothing a path.

After having laid out their hopes in a prepared bed.

أو ما رأوا أنا تركنا أرضنا

أو ما رأوا أنا تركنا أرضنا

ولنا بها ملكٌ رضيُّ المحتدِ

ولنا بها ملكٌ رضيُّ المحتدِ

Did they not see that we had left our land,

Or did they not see that we left our land

though there we possess a kingship of honored descent?

Though we ruled over it, pleasing the Vanquisher?

وأطاعنا قومٌ كثيرٌ أسرعوا

وأطاعنا قومٌ كثيرٌ أسرعوا

فمزوّد منهم وغيرُ مزوّدِ

فمزوّد منهم وغيرُ مزوّدِ

And a numerous host obeyed us and hastened forth,

And many people obeyed hastening

some of them provisioned, and others unprovisioned.

Whether prepared or unprepared.

أترونَ إن عادوا إلى أوطانهم

أترونَ إن عادوا إلى أوطانهم

يبقى لكم في الأرضِ موضعُ مسجدِ

يبقى لكم في الأرضِ موضعُ مسجدِ

Do you think, if they return to their homelands,

Do you think if they returned to their lands

that a place for a mosque will remain for you on earth?

A place for your mosques would remain in the land?

أم تحسبون بوارقاً نشأتْ لكم

أم تحسبون بوارقاً نشأتْ لكم

أمثالنا في جوّكم لم تُعهدِ

أمثالنا في جوّكم لم تُعهدِ

Or do you suppose that lightning flashes rising for you—

Or do you reckon banners would rise for you

the likes of us, never known before in your sky—

Like us in your midst that you never knew?

برماحكم نفحتْ وعنها أُمطرت

برماحكم نفحتْ وعنها أُمطرت

بل كانَ منّا ذا وإن لم نشهدِ

بل كانَ منّا ذا وإن لم نشهدِ

sprang forth through your spears and were rained down from them?

It was by our spears the rain clouds poured forth

Rather, this came from us, even though we were not present.

But it was from us even if we did not witness.

إنا أردنا إن رعبنا قومنا

إنا أردنا إن رعبنا قومنا

فيكم فيرجعُ من مضى بتزيّدِ

فيكم فيرجعُ من مضى بتزيّدِ

We intended, if we frightened our people

We wanted—if our allies frightened your foe—

concerning you, that whoever had gone would return in greater numbers,

For those who left to return with increase.

حتى ترونَ بلادكم معمورةً

حتى ترونَ بلادكم معمورةً

ويكونَ يومكُم يقصّرُ عَنْ غدِ

ويكونَ يومكُم يقصّرُ عَنْ غدِ

until you saw your lands flourishing,

So you would see your lands prosperous

and your today fell short of your tomorrow.

And your day surpassing tomorrow.

فاليومَ قد أوحشتمونا وحشةً

فاليومَ قد أوحشتمونا وحشةً

إن لم تمدّ حبالها فكأنْ قدِ

إن لم تمدّ حبالها فكأنْ قدِ

But today you have estranged us with such estrangement

But today you have made us desolate

that, if its cords have not been stretched, it is as though they have.

As though if its ropes are not extended it is done.

يا ليت شعري ما بدا منا لكمْ

يا ليت شعري ما بدا منا لكمْ

حتى ابتديتمْ بالمكانِ الأبعدِ

حتى ابتديتمْ بالمكانِ الأبعدِ

If only I knew what you had seen from us,

Oh, how I wish I knew what was made evident from us

that you began with the farthest place!

That you began with the furthest place.

تاللّه لولا ودُّنا فيكم ومَا

تاللّه لولا ودُّنا فيكم ومَا

أدراكَ من ودِّ قديم مقلدِ

أدراكَ من ودِّ قديم مقلدِ

By God, but for our love for you—and what

By God, were it not for our love of you and the

could make you grasp age-old love worn like a necklace?—

Longstanding devotion we maintain.

ومخافُنا أن يستطيل عدوكم

ومخافُنا أن يستطيل عدوكم

ويثورَ بعدَ تذلّل وتعبّدِ

ويثورَ بعدَ تذلّل وتعبّدِ

and our fear that your enemy might grow overbearing

And our fear that your foe will grow bold

and rise after humiliation and subjection,

And rebel after humility and compliance.

لخرجتُ من هذا البلاءِ بمن معي

لخرجتُ من هذا البلاءِ بمن معي

وتركتُها لكمُ ولمْ أتعهدِ

وتركتُها لكمُ ولمْ أتعهدِ

I would have left this affliction with those beside me,

I would have left this affliction with those with me

and left it to you, taking no further care.

And left it to you and not undertaken it.

أو ما علمتمْ أننا أيدٍ لكم

أو ما علمتمْ أننا أيدٍ لكم

دونَ العدا واللهُ خيرُ مؤيدِ

دونَ العدا واللهُ خيرُ مؤيدِ

Did you not know that we are helping hands for you

Or did you not know we are allies to you

against the foes—and God is the best supporter?

Against the foe, and God is the best protector.

لولا رجالٌ من مرينٍ رفّعوا

لولا رجالٌ من مرينٍ رفّعوا

منكم لكنْتم بالحضيض الأوهدِ

منكم لكنْتم بالحضيض الأوهدِ

Were it not for men of Marin who lifted

Were it not for men from Merin who raised

you up, you would have been in the lowest depths.

You would have been at the deepest abyss.

لولا رجالٌ من مرينٍ قاتلوا

لولا رجالٌ من مرينٍ قاتلوا

عنكم لكنتم كالنساءِ الخرّدِ

عنكم لكنتم كالنساءِ الخرّدِ

Were it not for men of Marin who fought

Were it not for men from Merin who fought

on your behalf, you would have been like bashful maidens.

You would have been like frightened women.

عهدي بجندكم الذين إذا رأوا

عهدي بجندكم الذين إذا رأوا

عِلجاً تولّوا كالنعام الشرّدِ

عِلجاً تولّوا كالنعام الشرّدِ

I remember your troops, who, when they see

I know your army who, when they see

a foreign infidel, flee like scattered ostriches.

A bit of hardship, flee like scattered ostriches.

يتشبّهون بكلِّ أغلفَ كامن

يتشبّهون بكلِّ أغلفَ كامن

في زيِّهم وكلامهم في المشهدِ

في زيِّهم وكلامهم في المشهدِ

They imitate every lurking, uncircumcised man

Imitating every ignorant one

in their dress and their speech in public,

In their attire, speech, and gatherings.

وطعامِهم وخلالِهم وشرابِهم

وطعامِهم وخلالِهم وشرابِهم

ومناكرٍ يأتونها وسطَ الندي

ومناكرٍ يأتونها وسطَ الندي

and their food, their habits, and their drink,

And their food, their ways, their drink,

and the shameful acts they commit amid the assembly,

And dens of sin they come to amidst people.

وتنقُّص العلماءِ والفضلاءِ والأ

وتنقُّص العلماءِ والفضلاءِ والأ

عيانِ من أهل التقى والسؤددِ

عيانِ من أهل التقى والسؤددِ

and their disparagement of scholars, the virtuous, and the

Belittling the scholars, the virtuous, and the notables

notables among the people of piety and eminence.

Among the people of piety, rectitude and goodness.

كيفَ الهُدى لهم ومن لا يقتدي

كيفَ الهُدى لهم ومن لا يقتدي

بنبيّه وإمامه لم يهتدِ

بنبيّه وإمامه لم يهتدِ

How can they be guided, when whoever does not follow

How can there be guidance for them when one does not follow

his Prophet and his imam has not found guidance?

His prophet and imam—he is not guided.

هذا عتابٌ ليسَ فيه قطيعةٌ

هذا عتابٌ ليسَ فيه قطيعةٌ

إن الوداد كعهده لم ينفدِ

إن الوداد كعهده لم ينفدِ

This is reproach, with no severing of ties;

This is a rebuke but not a cutting off.

affection remains as before and has not run out.

Affection, as is its custom, has not ended.

فاتوا بعزكم إلى ما عندنا

فاتوا بعزكم إلى ما عندنا

في حقكم ولتسمعوا من مرشدِ

في حقكم ولتسمعوا من مرشدِ

So come, with your honor, to what we have

So come with your glory to what we possess

for you by right, and listen to a guide.

Of your rights, and listen to the guide.

ثم السلامُ عليكم من والدٍ

ثم السلامُ عليكم من والدٍ

يدعو ابنه دعوى مُحبِّ مُسعِدِ

يدعو ابنه دعوى مُحبِّ مُسعِدِ

Then peace be upon you, from a father

Then peace be upon you from a father

who calls his son with the call of one who loves and helps.

Who calls his son with the plea of one made happy.