أَهاجَstirred لَهُin him ذِكرُthe remembrance of الحِمىthe cherished grounds وَمَرابِعُهand their spring haunts
أَهاجَ لَهُ ذِكرُ الحِمى وَمَرابِعُه
لَجاجَةَthe persistence of شَوقٍlonging ساعَدَتهاsustained it مَدامِعُهhis tears
لَجاجَةَ شَوقٍ ساعَدَتها مَدامِعُه
The memory of the cherished grounds and their spring haunts stirred in him
The memory of the sanctuary and its spring camps stirred within him
a persistent longing sustained by his tears.
A persistence of longing, aided by his flowing tears,
فَباتَso he spent the night بَليلَthrough the night of الحَبيبِthe beloved مُضطَرِمَablaze in الحَشاthe heart
فَباتَ بَليلَ الحَبيبِ مُضطَرِمَ الحَشا
كَأَنas though بِسَفاwith the sharp awns of البُهمىbuhma grass فُرِشنَwere spread مَضاجِعُهhis sleeping places
كَأَن بِسَفا البُهمى فُرِشنَ مَضاجِعُه
So he lay through the beloved's night, his heart ablaze,
So he passed the night damp with love, his vitals ablaze,
as though his beds were strewn with the awns of buhma grass.
As if his bed were lined with the sharp awns of wild barley.
يَمُدُّhe extends إِلىtoward البَرقِthe lightning اليَمانِيِّthe Yemeni طَرفَهُhis gaze
يَمُدُّ إِلى البَرقِ اليَمانِيِّ طَرفَهُ
لَعَلَّperhaps الحِمىthe reserve وَالخَبتَand al-Khabt جيدَتwere watered by rain مَراتِعُهits pastures
لَعَلَّ الحِمى وَالخَبتَ جيدَت مَراتِعُه
He stretches his gaze toward the Yemeni lightning,
He extends his gaze toward the Yemeni lightning,
hoping rain has watered the reserve and al-Khabt's pastures.
Hoping the sanctuary and the lowlands have been watered by rain.
مَنازِلُdwelling places خالَلتُI befriended السُرورَjoy بِرَبعِهاwithin their precincts
مَنازِلُ خالَلتُ السُرورَ بِرَبعِها
لَيالِيَon nights when يَدعونيcalled me الهَوىlove فَأُطاوِعُهso I obeyed it
لَيالِيَ يَدعوني الهَوى فَأُطاوِعُه
Dwelling places where I befriended joy within their precincts,
Dwellings where I befriended joy in their quarters,
on nights when love called me and I obeyed it.
Nights when passion called me, and I obeyed it.
أَرَبَّmay linger عَلَيهاover them كُلُّevery مُحلولِكِpitch-dark الرَجاat the fringes
أَرَبَّ عَلَيها كُلُّ مُحلولِكِ الرَجا
أَحَمُّjet-black الرَحىat the center مُستَعجَماتٌinscrutable مَطالِعُهits rising quarters
أَحَمُّ الرَحى مُستَعجَماتٌ مَطالِعُه
May every cloud with pitch-dark fringes linger over them,
May every dark, heavy cloud remain fixed above them,
black at its heart, its rising masses inscrutable,
Black as a millstone, its horizons obscure and dim,
مُلِثُّpersistent القُوىin strength واهيleaking العَزاليwaterspouts إِذاwhen اِنتَجىconfided
مُلِثُّ القُوى واهي العَزالي إِذا اِنتَجى
بِهِwith it مُنتِجٌone confiding أَربَتrose higher عَلَيهِover him دَوافِعُهits driving torrents
بِهِ مُنتِجٌ أَربَت عَلَيهِ دَوافِعُه
unflagging in force, its waterskins leaking; when someone communes
Unceasing in strength, loose in its spouts when poured out
with it, its driving torrents overwhelm him.
By a thunder-cloud whose torrents exceed all measure,
يَحُثُّurges onward ثِقالَthe heavy masses of المُزنِrainclouds فيهِwithin it مُجَلجِلٌrumbling thunder
يَحُثُّ ثِقالَ المُزنِ فيهِ مُجَلجِلٌ
إِذاwhen ماever حَداit chants them onward سَلَّتunsheathed سُيوفاًswords لَوامِعُهُits lightning flashes
إِذا ما حَدا سَلَّت سُيوفاً لَوامِعُهُ
Within it, rumbling thunder urges on the heavy rainclouds;
Driven by a roaring wind urging on the heavy white clouds,
whenever it chants them onward, its flashes unsheathe swords.
Which, when it sings, its lightning unsheathes swords.
إِذاwhen ماever بَكَتwept فيهِwithin it السَحائِبُthe clouds جُهدَهاtheir utmost
إِذا ما بَكَت فيهِ السَحائِبُ جُهدَها
ضَحِكنَthey laughed بِنُوّارِwith the blossoms of النَباتِvegetation أَجارِعُهits sandy flats
ضَحِكنَ بِنُوّارِ النَباتِ أَجارِعُه
When the clouds within it weep with all their strength,
When the clouds weep their utmost therein,
its sandy tracts laugh with the blossoms of plants.
The sandy hills laugh with the blossoms of plants.
وَقَفتُI stood بِهاat those dwellings وَالصَحبُwhile the companions شَتّىdiverse سَبيلُهُمtheir courses
وَقَفتُ بِها وَالصَحبُ شَتّى سَبيلُهُم
عَذولٌa reproacher وَمَعذولٌand one reproached وَآخَرُand another سامِعُهlistening to him
عَذولٌ وَمَعذولٌ وَآخَرُ سامِعُه
I stood there, my companions differing in their ways:
I stood there while my companions urged different paths:
a reproacher, one reproached, and another listening to him.
A blamer, an excuser, and another who merely listened.
فَكاتَمتُهُمso I concealed from them ماwhat بيwas in me وَبِالقَلبِwhile in the heart لَوعَةٌburning anguish
فَكاتَمتُهُم ما بي وَبِالقَلبِ لَوعَةٌ
إِذاwhen اِضطَرَمَتit blazed تَنقَدُّwould split مِنهfrom it أَضالِعُهits ribs
إِذا اِضطَرَمَت تَنقَدُّ مِنه أَضالِعُه
I hid my feelings from them, though my heart held an anguish
I concealed from them what I felt, though a burn was in my heart
that, when it blazed, would split the ribs around it.
That, if it flared up, would shatter my ribs.
وَقُلتُand I said لِذيto the possessor of وُدّيmy affection أَعِنّيhelp me فَإِنَّنيfor I
وَقُلتُ لِذي وُدّي أَعِنّي فَإِنَّني
أَخوa man of ظَمَإٍthirst سُدَّتwere blocked عَلَيهِagainst him مَشارِعُهhis watering places
أَخو ظَمَإٍ سُدَّت عَلَيهِ مَشارِعُه
I said to my dear friend, "Help me, for I
And I said to a friend of mine, 'Aid me, for I am
am a thirsty man whose watering places have been barred."
A brother of thirst for whom the watering places are blocked.'
أَلَمhave you not تَرَseen أَظعاناًwomen's camel litters تُشَدُّbeing secured لِنِيَّةٍfor a destination
أَلَم تَرَ أَظعاناً تُشَدُّ لِنِيَّةٍ
تِهامِيَّةٍin Tihama وَالقَلبُwhile the heart نَجدٌNajd مَهايِعُهits broad roads
تِهامِيَّةٍ وَالقَلبُ نَجدٌ مَهايِعُه
Have you not seen the camel litters secured for a destination
Did you not see the camel litters fastened for a destination
in Tihama, while the heart's broad roads lie in Najd?
Toward Tihama, while the heart’s wide valleys are in Najd?
عَشِيَّةَon the evening when لاnot صَبريmy patience يَثيبُreturns وَلاnor الهَوىthe beloved
عَشِيَّةَ لا صَبري يَثيبُ وَلا الهَوى
قَريبٌnear وَلاnor وَجدِيmy passion تُفيقُsubside نَوازِعُهits surges
قَريبٌ وَلا وَجدِي تُفيقُ نَوازِعُه
That evening, neither did my patience return, nor was the beloved
On an evening when my patience would not return, nor was love
near, nor did the surges of my passion subside.
Near, nor would the yearning of my passion cease.
سَقىmay water اللَهُGod رَيعانَthe first bloom of الشَبابِyouth وَعَهدَهُand its days
سَقى اللَهُ رَيعانَ الشَبابِ وَعَهدَهُ
سِجالَbucketfuls of الهَناhappiness ماas long as لَألَأَmade sparkle الفَجرَthe dawn ساطِعُهits radiance
سِجالَ الهَنا ما لَألَأَ الفَجرَ ساطِعُه
May God water youth's first bloom and its days
May God water the prime of youth and its era,
with showers of joy, as long as dawn's radiance gleams.
With buckets of bliss, as long as the bright dawn creates a shimmer.
فَماfor not العَيشُlife إِلّاexcept ماwhat حَباكَbestowed on you بِهِwith it الصِباyouth
فَما العَيشُ إِلّا ما حَباكَ بِهِ الصِبا
وَإِنeven if خادَعَتbeguile ذاthe possessor of الشَيبِgray hair مِنهُfrom it خَوادِعُهits deceits
وَإِن خادَعَت ذا الشَيبِ مِنهُ خَوادِعُه
For life is only what youth has bestowed on you,
For life is nothing but what youth bestowed upon you,
though its deceits may beguile the gray-haired man.
Even if the deceits of old age try to mislead the gray-haired one.
وَموحِشَةِand many a desolate waste الأَرجاءِin its reaches طامِسَةِeffaced in الصُوىthe waymarks
وَموحِشَةِ الأَرجاءِ طامِسَةِ الصُوى
تَروهُterrify بِهاwithin it الذِئبَthe wolf الجَريthe bold رَوائِعُهits terrors
تَروهُ بِها الذِئبَ الجَري رَوائِعُه
And many a waste, desolate on every side, its waymarks erased,
And [I crossed] a desolate wasteland, its landmarks effaced,
where its terrors frighten even the bold wolf,
Where the bold wolf is terrified by its terrors,
وَيَبكُمُand falls mute فيهاwithin it البومُthe owl إِلّاexcept نَئيمَهُits low hooting
وَيَبكُمُ فيها البومُ إِلّا نَئيمَهُ
وَيَخرَسُand falls silent فيهاwithin it الطَيرُthe birds حَتّىeven سَواجِعُهtheir cooing ones
وَيَخرَسُ فيها الطَيرُ حَتّى سَواجِعُه
where the owl falls mute save for its low hooting,
Where the owl is mute save for its moaning,
and birds are silenced, even those that coo—
And the birds are silent therein, even the cooing ones.
تَعَسَّفتُهاI crossed it tracklessly أَفريcleaving قَراهاits back بِجِسرَةٍon a sturdy she-camel
تَعَسَّفتُها أَفري قَراها بِجِسرَةٍ
أَمونِreliable السُرىon night journeys وَاللَيلُwhile the night سودٌblack مَدارِعُهits robes
أَمونِ السُرى وَاللَيلُ سودٌ مَدارِعُه
I crossed it tracklessly, cleaving its back on a sturdy she-camel,
I traversed it, cutting through its back on a sturdy mount,
reliable on night journeys, while night wore black robes,
Trusted in night-travel, while the night wore its black armor,
إِلىtoward مَلِكٍa king يُنبيtells تَهَلُّلُthe beaming of وَجهِهِhis face
إِلى مَلِكٍ يُنبي تَهَلُّلُ وَجهِهِ
لِمَنto whoever أَمَّهُseeks him أَنَّthat الأَمانيwishes تُطاوِعُهobey him
لِمَن أَمَّهُ أَنَّ الأَماني تُطاوِعُه
toward a king whose beaming face tells
Toward a King whose radiant face announces
whoever seeks him that his wishes will be fulfilled.
To the one seeking him, that wishes will obey him.
تَفَرَّعَhe sprang forth مِنfrom صيدِthe proud among المُلوكِkings إِذاwhen اِنتَمىhe traces his lineage
تَفَرَّعَ مِن صيدِ المُلوكِ إِذا اِنتَمى
تَطَأطَأَbows إِعظاماًin reverence لَهُto him مَنwhoever يُقارِعُهcontends with him
تَطَأطَأَ إِعظاماً لَهُ مَن يُقارِعُه
He sprang from proud kings; when he declares his lineage,
He branches from a lineage of hunter-kings; when he asserts his ancestry,
his rivals bow before him in reverence.
Whoever battles him lowers his head in reverence.
سَماhe rose صُعُداًupward لِلمَجدِtoward glory حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen اِستَوىhe stood firmly
سَما صُعُداً لِلمَجدِ حَتّى إِذا اِستَوى
عَلىupon هامِهِits summit أَدناهُbrought him near مِنّاto us تَواضُعُهhis humility
عَلى هامِهِ أَدناهُ مِنّا تَواضُعُه
He rose toward glory until, when he stood
He ascended toward glory until, when he settled
upon its summit, his humility brought him close to us.
Upon its summit, his humility brought him close to us.
يُريكَhe shows you اِنخِداعاًa willingness to be beguiled إِنif تَطَلَّبتَyou seek فَضلَهُhis bounty
يُريكَ اِنخِداعاً إِن تَطَلَّبتَ فَضلَهُ
وَأَمّاbut as عَنِaway from العَلياhigh honor حَذارِbeware تُخادِعُهof beguiling him
وَأَمّا عَنِ العَليا حَذارِ تُخادِعُه
He seems easily beguiled when you seek his bounty,
He shows you gullibility if you seek his bounty,
but beware of beguiling him away from high honor.
But as for high honor—beware of trying to deceive him.
تَبيتُlie overnight العَطاياgifts وَالمَناياand deaths بِكَفِّهِin his palm
تَبيتُ العَطايا وَالمَنايا بِكَفِّهِ
لِراجيfor one hoping for نَداهُhis bounty أَوor لِخَصمٍfor an enemy يُمانِعُهwho resists him
لِراجي نَداهُ أَو لِخَصمٍ يُمانِعُه
Gifts and deaths lie ready within his palm,
Gifts and deaths spend the night in his palm,
for those who hope for his bounty, or an enemy who resists him.
For the one hoping for his dew, or the adversary opposing him.
كَأَنَّas though زِحامَthe crush of المُعتَفينَbounty-seekers بِبابِهِat his gate
كَأَنَّ زِحامَ المُعتَفينَ بِبابِهِ
تَزاحُمُthe crowding of مَنthose whose تَرميcast الجِمارَritual pebbles أَصابِعُهtheir fingers
تَزاحُمُ مَن تَرمي الجِمارَ أَصابِعُه
The crush of petitioners at his gate seems
It is as if the crowding of petitioners at his door
the throng whose fingers cast the ritual pebbles.
Is the crowding of pilgrims whose fingers throw pebbles at Mina.
مُنيفٌtowering إِذاwhen سامىhe rivals in stature الرِجالَmen تَضاءَلواthey dwindle
مُنيفٌ إِذا سامى الرِجالَ تَضاءَلوا
لِاَروَعَbefore an awe-inspiring man تَلهوplay بِالعُقولِwith minds بَدائِعُهhis wonders
لِاَروَعَ تَلهو بِالعُقولِ بَدائِعُه
Towering, when he vies in stature with men, they dwindle
Lofty; when he vies with men, they diminish,
before an awe-inspiring man whose wonders captivate minds.
Before a magnificent one whose wonders toy with the intellects.
تُرامِقُهُsteal glances at him الأَبصارُeyes صوراًturned aside خَواشِعاًhumbly lowered
تُرامِقُهُ الأَبصارُ صوراً خَواشِعاً
لِهَيبَتِهِin awe of him وَالأَشوَسُand the fierce man الرَأسِthe head خاضِعُهbowing it
لِهَيبَتِهِ وَالأَشوَسُ الرَأسِ خاضِعُه
Eyes steal sidelong glances at him, humbly lowered
Eyes steal glances at him, broken and humbled
in awe of him; even the fierce bow their heads.
By his awe, and the head of the proud warrior bows to him.
مَهابَةُan awe فَضلٍof merit فيهِin him لاnot جَبَرِيَّةٌtyranny
مَهابَةُ فَضلٍ فيهِ لا جَبَرِيَّةٌ
فَلاfor there is no رافِعاًone upholding حُكماًa judgment وَذوwhile the Lord of العَرشِthe Throne واضِعُهcasts it down
فَلا رافِعاً حُكماً وَذو العَرشِ واضِعُه
His is the awe of merit, not of tyranny;
He possesses a majesty of virtue, not of tyranny,
for none can uphold a judgment the Lord of the Throne casts down.
So no one raises a judgment while the Lord of the Throne lowers it.
إِذاwhen هَمَّhe resolves لَمnot تُسَدَدare blocked مَسالِكُthe paths of هَمِّهِhis purpose
إِذا هَمَّ لَم تُسَدَد مَسالِكُ هَمِّهِ
عَلَيهِagainst him وَلَمand not تَصعُبgrow difficult علَيهِfor him مَطالِعُهits ascents
عَلَيهِ وَلَم تَصعُب علَيهِ مَطالِعُه
When he resolves, the paths of his purpose are not blocked
If he intends a matter, the paths of his intent are not blocked
against him, nor are its ascents hard for him.
Against him, nor are its ascents difficult for him.
إِمامُthe imam of الهُدىguidance عَبدُAbd العَزيزِal-Aziz بنُson of فَيصَلٍFaisal
إِمامُ الهُدى عَبدُ العَزيزِ بنُ فَيصَلٍ
أَصيلُsound in الحِجىunderstanding مُستَحكِمُfirm in الرَأيِjudgment ناصِعُهunclouded in it
أَصيلُ الحِجى مُستَحكِمُ الرَأيِ ناصِعُه
The imam of guidance, Abd al-Aziz ibn Faisal,
The Imam of Guidance, Abdulaziz bin Faisal,
sound in understanding, firm and unclouded in judgment.
Rooted in wisdom, decisive in opinion, pure in judgment.
تَذودُrepels الدَناياbase deeds عَنهُfrom him نَفسٌa soul أَبِيَّةٌproud
تَذودُ الدَنايا عَنهُ نَفسٌ أَبِيَّةٌ
وَعَزمٌand resolve عَلىagainst الخَطبِthe calamity المُلِمِّbefalling يُشايِعُهsupports him
وَعَزمٌ عَلى الخَطبِ المُلِمِّ يُشايِعُه
A proud soul keeps baseness far from him,
A proud soul defends him against base deeds,
and resolve supports him against calamity when it strikes.
And a determination that accompanies him against striking calamities.
أَقامَhe straightened قَناةَthe spear-shaft of الدينِreligion بَعدَafter اِعوِجاجِهاits bending
أَقامَ قَناةَ الدينِ بَعدَ اِعوِجاجِها
وَثَقَّفَهُand set it straight حَتّىuntil اِستَقامَتstood straight شَرائِعُهits laws
وَثَقَّفَهُ حَتّى اِستَقامَت شَرائِعُه
He straightened religion's spear-shaft after it had bent,
He set upright the spear of Religion after its curvature,
and set it right until its laws stood straight.
And straightened it until its laws stood true.
وَلَمand did not يَتركِhe leave الدُنياthe world ضَياعاًabandoned لِغاشِمٍto an oppressor
وَلَم يَتركِ الدُنيا ضَياعاً لِغاشِمٍ
مُخيفُone terrorizing سَبيلٍa road أَوor عَلىagainst الناسِpeople قاطِعُهone blocking it
مُخيفُ سَبيلٍ أَو عَلى الناسِ قاطِعُه
He did not leave the world abandoned to an oppressor,
He did not leave the world to be wasted by an oppressor,
a terror on the road, or one who bars it to people.
Who terrifies the road or cuts it off from the people.
وَلكِنbut حَمىhe protected هذاthis وَذاكَand that بِهِمَّةٍwith resolve
وَلكِن حَمى هذا وَذاكَ بِهِمَّةٍ
يُهَدُّis demolished بِهاby it مِنof شامِخِthe towering الطَودِmountain فارِعُهits highest peak
يُهَدُّ بِها مِن شامِخِ الطَودِ فارِعُه
Rather, he protected both with a resolve
But he protected this and that with a high ambition,
that would bring down a towering mountain's highest peak.
By which the peaks of towering mountains are demolished.
تَلاقَتgathered عَلَيهِaround him مِنfrom نِزارٍNizar وَيَعرُبٍand Ya'rub
تَلاقَت عَلَيهِ مِن نِزارٍ وَيَعرُبٍ
بَنوsons of الحَربِwar خُلجانُchannels of النَدىgenerosity وَيَنابِعُهand its springs
بَنو الحَربِ خُلجانُ النَدى وَيَنابِعُه
Around him gathered, from Nizar and Ya'rub,
The sons of war from Nizar and Ya'rub met upon him,
sons of war, channels and wellsprings of generosity.
Being the gulfs of generosity and its springs.
أَجارواthey sheltered عَلىagainst كِسرىKisra بنِson of ساسانَSasan راغِماًagainst his will
أَجاروا عَلى كِسرى بنِ ساسانَ راغِماً
طَريدَتَهُhis fugitive إِذwhen غَصَّchoked بِالماءِon water جارِعُهits drinker
طَريدَتَهُ إِذ غَصَّ بِالماءِ جارِعُه
They sheltered, against Kisra ibn Sasan's will,
They protected the refugee against Kisra bin Sasan, defying him,
the fugitive he pursued, when the drinker choked on water.
Even when the one swallowing the water choked on it.
وَآباؤُهُand his forefathers الأَدنَونَnearest in lineage شادواraised مِنَof الهُدىguidance
وَآباؤُهُ الأَدنَونَ شادوا مِنَ الهُدى
مَعالِمَهُits landmarks لَمّاwhen تَعَفَّتwere effaced مَهابِعُهits pathways (uncertain reading)
مَعالِمَهُ لَمّا تَعَفَّت مَهابِعُه
His nearest forefathers raised up guidance's
His nearest forefathers built the landmarks of guidance
landmarks when its pathways had been effaced.
When its paths had been obliterated.
وَعادواand made enemies وَوالَواand made allies فيfor the sake of الإِلهِGod وَجالَدواand fought
وَعادوا وَوالَوا في الإِلهِ وَجالَدوا
عَلىfor ذاكَthat حَتىuntil راجَعَreturned to الدينَreligion خالِعُهthe one who cast it off
عَلى ذاكَ حَتى راجَعَ الدينَ خالِعُه
For God's sake they made enemies and allies, and fought
They returned, and were loyal to God, and fought
for that until those who had cast off religion returned to it.
For that, until the one who cast off Religion returned to it.
هُمُthey ماwhat هُمُthey are لاnot الوِترُvengeance يُدرَكُis exacted مِنهُمُfrom them
هُمُ ما هُمُ لا الوِترُ يُدرَكُ مِنهُمُ
وَإِنand if يَطلُبوهُthey seek it باءِreturns burdened بِالذُلِّwith humiliation مانِعُهthe one withholding it
وَإِن يَطلُبوهُ باءِ بِالذُلِّ مانِعُه
They are—what men they are! No vengeance can be exacted from them;
They are who they are; no blood vengeance is taken from them,
if they seek it, whoever withholds it returns in humiliation.
And if they seek it, the one withholding it returns in humiliation.
إِذاwhen ماever رضواthey are pleased باخَتdies down مِنَof الحَربِwar نارُهاits fire
إِذا ما رضوا باخَت مِنَ الحَربِ نارُها
وَإِنand if غَضِبواthey grow angry أَلقىcast aside الوَليدَthe infant مَراضِعُهhis wet nurses
وَإِن غَضِبوا أَلقى الوَليدَ مَراضِعُه
When they are pleased, the fire of war dies down;
If they are pleased, the fire of war subsides,
when they are angered, wet nurses cast aside their infant.
And if they are angry, the nursing mothers drop their newborns.
وَأَبناءُand the sons of شَيخِthe shaykh of المُسلِمينَthe Muslims مُحمدٍMuhammad
وَأَبناءُ شَيخِ المُسلِمينَ مُحمدٍ
لَهُمtheirs is فَضلُthe merit of سَبقٍprecedence طَبَّقَfilled الأُفقَthe horizon شائِعُهits widespread fame
لَهُم فَضلُ سَبقٍ طَبَّقَ الأُفقَ شائِعُه
And the sons of the Muslims' shaykh, Muhammad,
And the sons of the Sheikh of Muslims, Muhammad,
have the merit of precedence, whose fame has filled the horizon.
Possess a virtue of precedence whose fame has covered the horizon.
هُمُthey وارَزوكُمsupported you حينَwhen ماnot ثَمَّthere ناصِرٌa helper
هُمُ وارَزوكُم حينَ ما ثَمَّ ناصِرٌ
سِوىexcept رَبِّكُمyour Lord وَالمُرهَفِand the keen sword الحَدُّin edge قاطِعُهits cutting blade
سِوى رَبِّكُم وَالمُرهَفِ الحَدُّ قاطِعُه
They supported you when there was no helper
They are the ones who supported you when there was no helper
except your Lord and the keen-edged, cutting sword.
Except your Lord and the sharp-edged sword.
عَلىupon جَدَثٍa grave ضَمَّenclosed الإِمامَthe imam مُحمدّاًMuhammad
عَلى جَدَثٍ ضَمَّ الإِمامَ مُحمدّاً
سَحابٌa cloud مِنَof الغُفرانِforgiveness ثُجٌّpouring abundantly هَوامِعُهits streaming showers
سَحابٌ مِنَ الغُفرانِ ثُجٌّ هَوامِعُه
Upon a grave that holds Imam Muhammad,
Upon a grave that encloses the Imam Muhammad,
may a cloud of forgiveness pour its copious showers.
May clouds of forgiveness pour down in torrents.
فَقَدfor indeed حَقَّقَhe established التَوحيدَGod's oneness بِالنَصِّthrough scriptural text قائِلاًaffirming
فَقَد حَقَّقَ التَوحيدَ بِالنَصِّ قائِلاً
بِماaccording to what قالَهُhe said خَيرُthe best of الأَنامِhumankind وَتابِعُهand his follower
بِما قالَهُ خَيرُ الأَنامِ وَتابِعُه
For he established God's oneness through scripture, affirming
For he established Monotheism with textual proof, speaking
what the best of humankind and his follower said.
What the Best of Creation and his followers said.
فَإِنso if رُمتَyou seek أَنto تَأتيapproach الهُدىguidance بِدَليلِهِwith its proof
فَإِن رُمتَ أَن تَأتي الهُدى بِدَليلِهِ
فَطالِعthen read بِعَينِwith the eye of القَلبِthe heart ماwhat ضَمَّcontained جامِعُهhis compendium
فَطالِع بِعَينِ القَلبِ ما ضَمَّ جامِعُه
If you wish to approach guidance with its proof,
If you desire to approach Guidance with its evidence,
read with your heart's eye what his compendium contains.
Then peruse with the eye of the heart what his 'Jami' [comprehensive book] contains.
عَلىupon مَنthose who مَضىpassed away مِنكُمamong you وَمِنهُمand among them تَحِيَّةٌa greeting
عَلى مَن مَضى مِنكُم وَمِنهُم تَحِيَّةٌ
يَجودُlavishes بِهاit جَزلُthe lavish One in العَطاءِgiving وَواسِعُهand the boundless One in it
يَجودُ بِها جَزلُ العَطاءِ وَواسِعُه
Upon those of you and of them who have passed away, be a greeting
Upon those of you who have passed, and those of them, be a greeting
bestowed by the One lavish and boundless in giving.
Bestowed by the Giver of abundant and vast rewards.
فَأَنتُمfor you وَهُمand they مِنfrom رَحمَةِthe mercy of اللَهِGod لِلوَرىfor humankind
فَأَنتُم وَهُم مِن رَحمَةِ اللَهِ لِلوَرى
فَلاso may not زِلتُمُyou cease ماas long as صاحَبَkeeps company with النَسرُthe Flying Eagle واقِعُهits Falling Eagle counterpart
فَلا زِلتُمُ ما صاحَبَ النَسرُ واقِعُه
For you and they are God's mercy to humankind;
For you and they are of God’s mercy to mankind,
may you endure while the Flying Eagle keeps company with the Falling Eagle.
May you remain so as long as the vulture accompanies its prey.
فَياso O واحِدَpeerless one of الدُنياthe world وَياِبنَand O son of عَميدِهاits chief
فَيا واحِدَ الدُنيا وَياِبنَ عَميدِها
وَمَنand you whose بَأسُهُhis might يُخشىis feared وَتُرجىand are hoped for مَنافِعُهhis benefits
وَمَن بَأسُهُ يُخشى وَتُرجى مَنافِعُه
O peerless one of the world, son of its chief,
O Unique One of the World, and son of its pillar,
whose might is feared and whose benefits are hoped for,
And he whose might is feared and whose benefits are hoped for:
لكُمyou have فيupon رِقابِthe necks of الناسِpeople عِقدُa binding pledge of نَصيحَةٍloyal counsel
لكُم في رِقابِ الناسِ عِقدُ نَصيحَةٍ
وَبَيعَةُand an allegiance of حَقٍّright أَحكَمَتهاmade it firm قَواطِعُهits decisive proofs
وَبَيعَةُ حَقٍّ أَحكَمَتها قَواطِعُه
you hold upon people's necks a binding pledge of loyal counsel,
You hold upon the necks of the people a contract of sincere counsel,
and a rightful allegiance secured by its decisive proofs.
And a pledge of truth which decisive proofs have made binding.
فَماfor nothing قَيَّدَbinds fast النُعمىblessings سِوىexcept الشُكرِgratitude وَالتُقىand piety
فَما قَيَّدَ النُعمى سِوى الشُكرِ وَالتُقى
وَتُنجيand saves الفَتىa man إِذwhen يَجمَعُassembles الخَلقcreation جامِعُهits Gatherer
وَتُنجي الفَتى إِذ يَجمَعُ الخَلق جامِعُه
Nothing binds blessings fast but gratitude and piety,
Nothing binds blessings like gratitude and piety,
and they save a man when creation's Gatherer assembles it.
And nothing saves the youth when the Gatherer assembles creation.
وَإِنَّand indeed صَريحَthe essence of الحَزمِprudence وَالعَزمِand resolve لِاِمرىءٍbelongs to a man
وَإِنَّ صَريحَ الحَزمِ وَالعَزمِ لِاِمرىءٍ
يُفَكَّرُwho ponders غِبَّthe aftermath of الأَمرِthe matter كَيفَhow مَواقِعُهits outcomes
يُفَكَّرُ غِبَّ الأَمرِ كَيفَ مَواقِعُه
True prudence and resolve belong to a man
Indeed, pure prudence and determination belong to a man
who considers a matter's outcome and where it will lead.
Who thinks about the end of a matter and where it will fall,
فَيَترُكُso he abandons أَوor يَأتيundertakes مِنَof الأَمرِthe matter بَعدَماafter
فَيَترُكُ أَو يَأتي مِنَ الأَمرِ بَعدَما
يُقَلِّبُhe turns over فيهِconcerning it رَأيَهُhis judgment وَيُراجِعُهand reconsiders it
يُقَلِّبُ فيهِ رَأيَهُ وَيُراجِعُه
He abandons a matter or undertakes it only after
So he leaves or approaches a matter only after
turning his judgment over and reconsidering it.
He turns his opinion over regarding it and reviews it.
وَلاand does not يَترُكُhe abandon الشورىconsultation وَإِنeven if كانَhe is عاقِلاًwise
وَلا يَترُكُ الشورى وَإِن كانَ عاقِلاً
فَكَمfor many an سَهمarrow غَربٍshot at random أَحرَزَwon الخَصلَthe prize دافِعُهits shooter
فَكَم سَهم غَربٍ أَحرَزَ الخَصلَ دافِعُه
He does not abandon consultation, even if he is wise:
And he does not abandon consultation, even if he is wise,
many a stray arrow has won its shooter the prize.
For how often has a stray arrow hit the target when deflected?
إِلَيكَtoward you إِمامO imam of المُسلِمينَthe Muslims زَجَرتُهاI drove her onward
إِلَيكَ إِمام المُسلِمينَ زَجَرتُها
لَهاfor her عَرصَةٌan open course مَيثُthe soft grounds of الفَلاthe desert وَجَراشِعُهand its stony tracts
لَها عَرصَةٌ مَيثُ الفَلا وَجَراشِعُه
To you, imam of the Muslims, I drove her onward;
Toward you, O Imam of Muslims, I have driven her [the she-camel],
her course lay over the desert's soft ground and stony tracts.
Across a courtyard of soft sands and rough terrain.
إِذاwhen ماever شَكَتshe complained of أَيناًweariness ذَكَرتُكَI mentioned you فَوقَهاupon her back
إِذا ما شَكَت أَيناً ذَكَرتُكَ فَوقَها
فَزَفَّتso she sped زَفيفَthe running of الرَألِan ostrich chick فَأَجاهُsuddenly startled it رائِعُهits frightener
فَزَفَّت زَفيفَ الرَألِ فَأَجاهُ رائِعُه
Whenever she complained of weariness, I mentioned you from her back,
When she complained of fatigue, I mentioned you while upon her,
and she sped like an ostrich chick suddenly startled by its frightener.
And she hastened like the ostrich, terrified by a hunter.
وَإِنَّand indeed اِمرءًa man يُهدىoffers المَديحَpraise لِغَيرِهِto someone other than him
وَإِنَّ اِمرءً يُهدى المَديحَ لِغَيرِهِ
لَمُستَغبَنٌis surely cheated فيin عَقلِهِhis judgment أَوor فَضائِعُهhis enormities (unclear here)
لَمُستَغبَنٌ في عَقلِهِ أَو فَضائِعُه
A man who offers praise to anyone but him
Truly, a man who gifts praise to other than you
is surely cheated in his judgment—or in his 'enormities' (wording unclear).
Is cheated in his intellect, or his deeds are atrocities.
وَمَنand whoever يَرمِcasts بِالآمالِhis hopes يَوماًone day لِغَيرِهِtoward another than him
وَمَن يَرمِ بِالآمالِ يَوماً لِغَيرِهِ
يَكُنwill be كَأَبيlike Abu غَبشانَGhubshan إِذwhen فازَwon بائِعُهthe one who sold to him
يَكُن كَأَبي غَبشانَ إِذ فازَ بائِعُه
Whoever one day casts his hopes toward another
And whoever throws his hopes one day to another,
will be like Abu Ghubshan, when his seller came out the winner.
Is like Abu Ghabshan when his seller succeeded [in a foolish trade].
كَذاsuch is المَرءُa man إِنif لَمnot يَجعَلhe makes الحَزمَprudence قائِداًa leader
كَذا المَرءُ إِن لَم يَجعَل الحَزمَ قائِداً
حَصيفاًdiscerning وَإِلّاotherwise اِستَعبَدَتهُenslaved him مَطامِعُهhis cravings
حَصيفاً وَإِلّا اِستَعبَدَتهُ مَطامِعُه
Such is a man who fails to take prudence as his leader,
Thus is a man if he does not make prudence his leader,
a discerning guide; otherwise his cravings enslave him.
A sound leader—otherwise, his greeds will enslave him.
فَنَفسَكَso yourself لاdo not تَطَرحcast بِهاwith it كُلَّinto every مَطرَحٍsituation
فَنَفسَكَ لا تَطَرح بِها كُلَّ مَطرَحٍ
يُعابُis reproached إِذاwhen ماever ذاعَspreads فيamong الناسِpeople ذائِعُهits report
يُعابُ إِذا ما ذاعَ في الناسِ ذائِعُه
So do not cast yourself into every situation
So do not cast your soul into every place
that brings reproach when news of it spreads among people.
That is criticized when the spreader of news spreads it.
وَإِنَّand indeed فَتىthe finest of الفِتيانِyoung men مَنis one who إِنif بَدَتappear لَهُto him
وَإِنَّ فَتى الفِتيانِ مَن إِن بَدَت لَهُ
مَطامِعُdesires of سوءٍevil نافَرَتهاrecoiled from them طَبائِعُهhis instincts
مَطامِعُ سوءٍ نافَرَتها طَبائِعُه
The finest of men is one who, when there appear before him
The true youth among youths is he who, if base ambitions
base desires, finds his nature recoiling from them.
Appear to him, his nature recoils from them.
وَإِنّيand I بِآماليwith my hopes لَدَيكَbeside you مُخَيِّمٌam encamped
وَإِنّي بِآمالي لَدَيكَ مُخَيِّمٌ
وَحَسبُand sufficient for ثُنائيmy praise أَنَّis that جودَكَyour generosity شافِعُهis its intercessor
وَحَسبُ ثُنائي أَنَّ جودَكَ شافِعُه
I have pitched my tent with my hopes beside you,
And I have camped my hopes with you,
and your generosity is intercession enough for my praise.
And it suffices my praise that your generosity is its intercessor.
وَلَمand not أَمتَدِحhave I praised عُمريin my lifetime سِواكَanyone but you بِدايَةًat the outset
وَلَم أَمتَدِح عُمري سِواكَ بِدايَةً
وَلكِنَّماbut indeed خَيرٌbetter مِنَthan الخَيرِgoodness صانِعُهits doer
وَلكِنَّما خَيرٌ مِنَ الخَيرِ صانِعُه
Never in my life have I initiated praise of anyone but you;
I have never praised anyone but you in my life as a beginning,
yet better than goodness itself is the one who does it.
But the doer of good is better than the good itself.
وَصَلِّand bless عَلىupon المُختارِthe Chosen One رَبّيmy Lord وَآلِهِand his family
وَصَلِّ عَلى المُختارِ رَبّي وَآلِهِ
وَأَصحابِهِand his companions ماas long as ناحَlaments فيin الدَوحِthe great trees ساجِعُهtheir cooing bird
وَأَصحابِهِ ما ناحَ في الدَوحِ ساجِعُه
My Lord, bless the Chosen One and his family,
And may my Lord bless the Chosen One and his family,
and his companions, as long as a cooing bird laments in the great trees.
And his companions, as long as the pigeon coos in the tall trees.
Sol 6.1