أَرِقتُ لِبَرقٍ ناصِبٍ يَتَأَلَّقُ

أَرِقتُ لِبَرقٍ ناصِبٍ يَتَأَلَّقُ

إِذا ما هَفا ظَلَّيتُ بِالدَمعِ أَشرَقُ

إِذا ما هَفا ظَلَّيتُ بِالدَمعِ أَشرَقُ

I lay sleepless for towering lightning that gleams.

I was kept awake by persistent flashes of lightning

I remained sleepless watching a rising bolt of lightning that gleams,

Whenever it flickers, I keep choking on tears.

Whenever it shone brightly, I wept copiously

Whenever it flashed, I remained choking with tears.

إِذا ناضَ لَم أَملِك سَوابِقَ عَبرَةٍ

إِذا ناضَ لَم أَملِك سَوابِقَ عَبرَةٍ

تَحُمُّ لَها الأَحشاءُ وَالقَلبُ يَخفُقُ

تَحُمُّ لَها الأَحشاءُ وَالقَلبُ يَخفُقُ

When it flashes, I cannot restrain the tears that race ahead;

When it flashed, I could not control the flow of tears

When it gleamed, I could not master the racing tears,

My inward parts burn for them, and my heart throbs.

That filled my heart as it pounded rapidly

For which my innards burn with fever and my heart pounds.

أَمُدُّ لَهُ طَرفي وَمِن دونِ وَمضِهِ

أَمُدُّ لَهُ طَرفي وَمِن دونِ وَمضِهِ

خُبوتٌ وَأَحقافٌ وَبَيداءُ سَملَقُ

خُبوتٌ وَأَحقافٌ وَبَيداءُ سَملَقُ

I stretch my gaze toward it, while before its flashes lie

I extended my gaze to its gleam that dispelled

I extend my gaze towards it, though between me and its flash

Low plains, sand dunes, and a bare, level wilderness,

The gloom, dreariness and desolate emptiness

Lie lowlands, winding sand dunes, and a barren waste,

وَمَجهَلَةٍ لِلجِنِّ في عَرَصاتِها

وَمَجهَلَةٍ لِلجِنِّ في عَرَصاتِها

عَزيفٌ يُراعُ الذِئبُ مِنهُ وَيَفرَقُ

عَزيفٌ يُراعُ الذِئبُ مِنهُ وَيَفرَقُ

And an unknown waste, in whose open expanses the jinn

In the wastelands where ghosts howled

And unknown lands where the Jinn, within their courtyards,

Make eerie sounds that startle the wolf and frighten it.

The wolves were startled and scattered in panic

Make a whistling sound that terrifies the wolf and makes him flee.

أُرَجِّمُ فيهِ الظَنَّ أَينَ مَصابُهُ

أُرَجِّمُ فيهِ الظَنَّ أَينَ مَصابُهُ

عَسى في رِياضِ المَجدِ يَهمي وَيَغدَقُ

عَسى في رِياضِ المَجدِ يَهمي وَيَغدَقُ

I venture guesses about where its rain will fall:

I guessed where it might strike

I cast my conjectures regarding where its rain will fall;

Perhaps it will pour abundantly upon the gardens of glory.

Perhaps in the gardens of glory, generously pouring forth

Perhaps upon the gardens of glory it will pour and flow abundant.

مَنابِعُ أَنوارِ الهُدى في عِراصِها

مَنابِعُ أَنوارِ الهُدى في عِراصِها

لِباغي الهُدى وَالفَضلِ هديٌ وَمَرفِقُ

لِباغي الهُدى وَالفَضلِ هديٌ وَمَرفِقُ

The sources of guidance's lights are in their courts;

The fountains of the lights of guidance in its pastures

The wellsprings of the lights of guidance are in its tracts,

For whoever seeks guidance and excellence, there are guidance and aid.

Are guidance and support for the seeker of guidance and virtue

For the seeker of guidance and virtue, there is direction and assistance.

وَمَوطِنُ أَملاكٍ غَطاريفَ سادَةٍ

وَمَوطِنُ أَملاكٍ غَطاريفَ سادَةٍ

لَهُم عُنصُرٌ في باذِخِ المَجدِ مُعرِقُ

لَهُم عُنصُرٌ في باذِخِ المَجدِ مُعرِقُ

And they are the home of kings, noble and lordly,

It is the dwelling place of glorious kings

A homeland of kings, noble masters and chiefs,

Whose lineage is deeply rooted in towering glory.

Among the eminent in magnificent glory, holding sway

Possessing a lineage deeply rooted in towering glory.

إِذا نازَلوا كانوا لُيوثاً عَوابِساً

إِذا نازَلوا كانوا لُيوثاً عَوابِساً

وَإِن نَزَلوا كانوا بُحوراً تَدَّفقُ

وَإِن نَزَلوا كانوا بُحوراً تَدَّفقُ

When they engage in battle, they are scowling lions;

When they descend, they are ferocious lions

When they descend to battle, they are grim-faced lions,

And when they make camp, they are overflowing seas.

When they alight, they are copiously flowing seas

And when they settle in peace, they are seas overflowing.

أَجَل مَن يَكُن عَبدُ العَزيزِ فَخارَهُ

أَجَل مَن يَكُن عَبدُ العَزيزِ فَخارَهُ

فَلا غَروَ لَو فَوقَ الكَواكِبِ يُعتِقُ

فَلا غَروَ لَو فَوقَ الكَواكِبِ يُعتِقُ

Indeed, whoever has Abd al-Aziz as his pride—

Indeed, whoever is a servant of the glorious one, his pride

Indeed, he who counts Abdulaziz as his source of pride—

No wonder if he soars above the stars.

Is no wonder, even if he transcends the stars in honor

It is no wonder if he soars above the stars.

هُوَ النِعمَةُ الكُبرى مِنَ اللَهِ لِلوَرى

هُوَ النِعمَةُ الكُبرى مِنَ اللَهِ لِلوَرى

وَرَحمَتُهُ وَاللَهُ جَلَّ المُوَفِّق

وَرَحمَتُهُ وَاللَهُ جَلَّ المُوَفِّق

He is God's greatest blessing to humankind,

He is the greatest blessing from God to the world

He is the greatest blessing from God to mankind,

And His mercy; God, exalted is He, grants success.

And His mercy, and God is the Grantor of success

And His mercy; and God, the Exalted, is the Granter of Success.

بِهِ اللَهُ أَعطاهُم حَياةً جَديدَةً

بِهِ اللَهُ أَعطاهُم حَياةً جَديدَةً

وَهُم قَبلَهُ أَيدي سَبا قَد تَمَزَّقوا

وَهُم قَبلَهُ أَيدي سَبا قَد تَمَزَّقوا

Through him God gave them a new life,

With him, God has given them a new life

Through him, God has granted them a new life,

Whereas before him they had been torn apart, like the hands of Saba.

When before him they were hands of captives torn apart

When before him they were torn apart like the scattered people of Saba.

قِوامٌ لَهُم في دينِهِم وَمَعاشِهِم

قِوامٌ لَهُم في دينِهِم وَمَعاشِهِم

إِلى الحَقِّ يَهديهِم وَبِالحَقِّ يَنطِقُ

إِلى الحَقِّ يَهديهِم وَبِالحَقِّ يَنطِقُ

He is their mainstay in their religion and livelihood;

An authority for them in their religion and livelihood

A pillar for them in their religion and their livelihood,

He guides them to truth and speaks the truth.

Guiding them to the truth and speaking with the truth

To the Truth he guides them, and with the Truth he speaks.

فَمَن يَعتَصِم مِنهُ بِحَبلٍ وَذِمَّةٍ

فَمَن يَعتَصِم مِنهُ بِحَبلٍ وَذِمَّةٍ

وَإِلّا مِنَ الدينِ الحَنيفِيِّ يَمرُقُ

وَإِلّا مِنَ الدينِ الحَنيفِيِّ يَمرُقُ

So whoever holds fast to a bond and covenant with him—

Whoever seeks refuge in him, pledged to him,

So whoever holds fast to a rope and covenant from him remains safe,

Otherwise departs from the upright faith.

Will be guided aright, otherwise he will stray from the true religion

Otherwise, from the true monotheistic faith he strays.

أَلَيسَ أَتى في مُحكَمِ الذِكرِ أَمرُنا

أَلَيسَ أَتى في مُحكَمِ الذِكرِ أَمرُنا

بِطاعَتِهِ حَقّاً وَلا نَتَفَرَّقُ

بِطاعَتِهِ حَقّاً وَلا نَتَفَرَّقُ

Has not the command to us come in the definitive Revelation,

Has not the definitive Scripture commanded us

Did there not come in the decisive text of the Remembrance our command

To obey him truly and not divide?

To obey him rightly, and not split apart?

To obey him truly, and that we must not divide?

فَقالَ أَطيعوا اللَهَ ثُمَّ رَسولَهُ

فَقالَ أَطيعوا اللَهَ ثُمَّ رَسولَهُ

كَذاكَ وَلِيَّ الأَمرِ نَصٌّ مُحَقَّقُ

كَذاكَ وَلِيَّ الأَمرِ نَصٌّ مُحَقَّقُ

He said: obey God, then His messenger,

It says: "Obey God, then the Messenger"

For He said: "Obey God, then His Messenger,"

And likewise the holder of authority—an established, explicit text.

This is an established text, clear and unequivocal

Likewise "the Guardian of Authority"—a text verified and clear.

فَقُل لِاُناسٍ بِالكُوَيتِ وَحائِلٍ

فَقُل لِاُناسٍ بِالكُوَيتِ وَحائِلٍ

يَقولونَ إِنّا بِالكِتابِ نُصَدِّقُ

يَقولونَ إِنّا بِالكِتابِ نُصَدِّقُ

So say to people in Kuwait and Ha'il

Say to the people of Kuwait and Hail

So say to certain people in Kuwait and Ha'il,

Who say, 'We believe in the Book':

Who say "We believe in the Book", do you speak truthfully?

Who claim, "Indeed, in the Book do we believe":

أَهذا كَلامُ اللَهِ أَم قَولُ غَيرِهِ

أَهذا كَلامُ اللَهِ أَم قَولُ غَيرِهِ

مِ الحُكمُ مَنسوخٌ أَفيدوا وَحَقِّقوا

مِ الحُكمُ مَنسوخٌ أَفيدوا وَحَقِّقوا

Is this God's speech, or someone else's words?

Is this the word of God or the speech of another?

"Is this the word of God, or the saying of another?

Or has the ruling been abrogated? Tell us and ascertain it.

Clarify and ascertain: has the rule been abrogated

Or is the ruling abrogated? Inform us and verify!"

في الغَربِ أَم في الهِندِ فيما عَلِمتُمُ

في الغَربِ أَم في الهِندِ فيما عَلِمتُمُ

أَمِ اليَمَنِ الأَقصى وَما ضَمَّ جِلَّقُ

أَمِ اليَمَنِ الأَقصى وَما ضَمَّ جِلَّقُ

In the West or in India, to your knowledge,

In the West? Or in India? Let me know

Whether in the West, or in India, as far as you know,

Or farthest Yemen and what Jilliq embraces,

Or in Yemen or what is included in Jilaj?

Or in farthest Yemen, or what Damascus embraces.

إِمامٌ عَلى نَهجِ الشَريعَةِ سائِرٌ

إِمامٌ عَلى نَهجِ الشَريعَةِ سائِرٌ

نُبايِعُهُ نَحنُ وَأَنتُم وَنَصدُق

نُبايِعُهُ نَحنُ وَأَنتُم وَنَصدُق

Is there an imam following the path of sacred law

A leader walking the path of Sacred Law

An Imam proceeding upon the path of the Shari'ah;

To whom we and you pledge allegiance sincerely?

We pledge allegiance to him, us and you jointly

We pledge allegiance to him—as should you—and we are sincere.

وَهَل عُدَّ في آبائِكُم وَجُدودِكُم

وَهَل عُدَّ في آبائِكُم وَجُدودِكُم

خَليفَةُ عَدلٍ أَو إِمامٌ مُوَفَّقُ

خَليفَةُ عَدلٍ أَو إِمامٌ مُوَفَّقُ

And was there numbered among your fathers and forefathers

Was there ever counted among your fathers and forefathers

And was there ever counted among your fathers and grandfathers

A just caliph or an imam favored with success,

A just caliph or guided imam leading aright?

A Caliph of justice or a divinely aided Imam?

فَأَنتُم عَلى آثارِهِ تَقتَفونَهُ

فَأَنتُم عَلى آثارِهِ تَقتَفونَهُ

أَبينوا لَنا أَم ذا هَوىً وَتَحَمُّقُ

أَبينوا لَنا أَم ذا هَوىً وَتَحَمُّقُ

Whose footsteps you therefore follow?

Are you following their traces, inform us,

So are you now following in his footsteps?

Explain to us—or is this whim and folly?

Or is this mere fancy and obstinacy?

Explain to us! Or is this merely caprice and foolishness?

وَإِلّا فَما يَمنَعُكُمُ أَن تُبايِعوا

وَإِلّا فَما يَمنَعُكُمُ أَن تُبايِعوا

عَلى ما بِهِ يَقضي الكِتابُ المُصَدَّقُ

عَلى ما بِهِ يَقضي الكِتابُ المُصَدَّقُ

If not, what prevents you from pledging allegiance,

Why then do you refuse to pledge allegiance

Otherwise, what prevents you from pledging allegiance

According to what the acknowledged Book decrees,

To one the Book, verified, decrees?

According to what the verified Book decrees?

إِمامَ هُدىً لِلرُّشدِ يَهدي وَيَهتَدي

إِمامَ هُدىً لِلرُّشدِ يَهدي وَيَهتَدي

مُقيمَ سَواءٍ بِالرَعِيَّةِ يَرفُقُ

مُقيمَ سَواءٍ بِالرَعِيَّةِ يَرفُقُ

To an imam of guidance who guides toward right conduct and is guided,

An imam guiding to righteousness, guiding and guided

An Imam of guidance, guiding to rectitude and being guided himself,

An upholder of equity, gentle with his subjects?

Establishing justice among the flock, gentle

Establishing equity, and treating the subjects with gentleness.

فَمَن باتَ لَيلاً خالِعاً بَيعَةَ الَّذي

فَمَن باتَ لَيلاً خالِعاً بَيعَةَ الَّذي

بِهِ لُمَّ شَعثُ المُسلِمينَ المُفَرَّقُ

بِهِ لُمَّ شَعثُ المُسلِمينَ المُفَرَّقُ

Whoever spends a night casting off allegiance to the one

Whoever spends a night renouncing the pledge of allegiance to one

So whoever spends the night having cast off allegiance to the one

Through whom the Muslims' scattered ranks were gathered—

By whom the disjointed community of Muslims was united

By whom the disheveled, scattered state of the Muslims was gathered,

فَإِن ماتَ كانَت ميتَةً جاهِلِيَّةً

فَإِن ماتَ كانَت ميتَةً جاهِلِيَّةً

وَإِن عاشَ فَهوَ المارِقُ المُتَزندِقُ

وَإِن عاشَ فَهوَ المارِقُ المُتَزندِقُ

If he dies, his death is a death of pagan ignorance;

If he dies, his is an ignorant pagan death

If he dies, his death is one of pagan ignorance,

And if he lives, he is a renegade turned heretic.

If he lives, he is a dissenting apostate

And if he lives, he is a rogue and a heretic.

كَما جاءَ في الأَخبارِ نَصّاً مُوَكَّداً

كَما جاءَ في الأَخبارِ نَصّاً مُوَكَّداً

فَلَسنا بِأَدنى شُبهَةٍ نَتَعَلَّقُ

فَلَسنا بِأَدنى شُبهَةٍ نَتَعَلَّقُ

As has come in the traditions, explicitly and emphatically,

As has come in reports, decisively confirmed

Just as it came in the traditions as a confirmed text,

We cling to no slightest doubt.

We have no slightest doubt or uncertainty

So we do not cling to the slightest doubt.

أَما المُسلِمونَ الآنَ مِن جِذمِ رَيدَةٍ

أَما المُسلِمونَ الآنَ مِن جِذمِ رَيدَةٍ

إِلى الشامِ قَولٌ مُحكَمٌ لا مُلَفَّقُ

إِلى الشامِ قَولٌ مُحكَمٌ لا مُلَفَّقُ

As for the Muslims now, from the base of Raydah

Verily all the Muslims today, from Judham and Riyadh

As for the Muslims now, from the root of Raydah

To al-Sham—a firm statement, not fabricated—

To Syria, unanimously uphold this clear, undisputed position

To the Levant—a firm statement, not fabricated—

وَمِن مُنتَهى الرِيعانِ حَتّى تُنيخَها

وَمِن مُنتَهى الرِيعانِ حَتّى تُنيخَها

بِأَقصى عُمانٍ كُلُّهُم قَد تَحَقَّقوا

بِأَقصى عُمانٍ كُلُّهُم قَد تَحَقَّقوا

And from the farthest mountain passes until you make your mounts kneel

From the furthest outskirts of the sands of Ri'yan

And from the furthest reaches of Al-Ri'an until you make your mounts kneel

In farthest Oman, all have become certain

To the farthest parts of Oman, all have realized

In the ends of Oman: all of them have verified...

بِأَنَّ لَهُ في عُنقِ كُلِّ مُوَحِّدٍ

بِأَنَّ لَهُ في عُنقِ كُلِّ مُوَحِّدٍ

مِنَ اللَهِ عَهدٌ بِالإِمامَةِ موثَقُ

مِنَ اللَهِ عَهدٌ بِالإِمامَةِ موثَقُ

That he holds, upon the neck of every believer in God's oneness,

That over the neck of every monotheist

That he holds, upon the neck of every monotheist,

A firmly bound covenant of leadership from God.

God has enjoined an oath of allegiance to the imam

A covenant of leadership from God, firmly bound.

فَيا لَيتَ شِعري أَينَ ضَلَّت حُلومُكُم

فَيا لَيتَ شِعري أَينَ ضَلَّت حُلومُكُم

وَغَرَّكُمُ الغَرّارُ وَالحَظُّ مُخفِقُ

وَغَرَّكُمُ الغَرّارُ وَالحَظُّ مُخفِقُ

Would that I knew where your reason went astray,

So I wonder where did your sanity stray

Oh, how I wish I knew where your minds have gone astray!

And the deceiver beguiled you, while fortune fails!

And what deceived you, and what wish enticed you

The Deceiver has deluded you, and your fortune is failing.

فَهَلّا اِتَّقَيتُم وَثبَةً مُقرِنِيَّةً

فَهَلّا اِتَّقَيتُم وَثبَةً مُقرِنِيَّةً

كَأَنَّ لَدَيها أَجدَلَ الطَيرِ خِرنِقُ

كَأَنَّ لَدَيها أَجدَلَ الطَيرِ خِرنِقُ

Why have you not guarded against a Muqrini leap,

Why did you not fear a suddenly pouncing beast

Have you not feared a leap from the Muqrin lineage?

Before which the falcon among birds seems a young hare?

As if it had the sharpest talons of predatory birds

Before which the mightiest hawk appears but a feeble leveret.

فَلا تُخرِجوهُ عَن سَجِيَّةِ حِلمِهِ

فَلا تُخرِجوهُ عَن سَجِيَّةِ حِلمِهِ

فَما هُوَ إِلّا اللَيثُ إِن هَمَّ يَصدُقُ

فَما هُوَ إِلّا اللَيثُ إِن هَمَّ يَصدُقُ

Do not drive him from his innate forbearance;

Do not take him beyond his customary forbearance

So do not provoke him out of his nature of forbearance,

He is nothing but a lion: when he resolves, he follows through.

For he is only a lion if he intends to fulfill his promise

For he is but a lion: if he intends to strike, he strikes true.

فَكَم عَفَّ عَمَّن لَو جَزاهُ بِذَنبِهِ

فَكَم عَفَّ عَمَّن لَو جَزاهُ بِذَنبِهِ

لَطارَ مَعَ العَنقاءِ حَيثُ تُحَلِّقُ

لَطارَ مَعَ العَنقاءِ حَيثُ تُحَلِّقُ

How often he has spared someone who, had he requited his sin,

How often has he pardoned one who, if repaid for his crime,

How often has he pardoned one whom, had he repaid him for his sin,

Would have flown with the Anqa wherever it soars!

Would have flown away where the ostrich takes flight

Would have flown with the Phoenix to where it soars.

أَرَيتُكُمُ لَو جَرَّ مَن قَد ذَكَرتُهُ

أَرَيتُكُمُ لَو جَرَّ مَن قَد ذَكَرتُهُ

عَلَيكُمُ يَسوقُ الفَيلَقَ الجَمَّ فَيلَقُ

عَلَيكُمُ يَسوقُ الفَيلَقَ الجَمَّ فَيلَقُ

Tell me: if the man I have mentioned marched

Do you not see, if he unleashed against the ones I mentioned

Consider if he were to march those I have mentioned

Against you, one host driving a vast host onward,

His legions, marching elephants in multitudes overwhelming

Against you, driving vast army upon army,

أَهَل كُنتُمُ إِلّا لُقَيمَةَ آكِلٍ

أَهَل كُنتُمُ إِلّا لُقَيمَةَ آكِلٍ

لَهُم قَبلَ ما قَرنُ الغَزالَةِ بُشرِقُ

لَهُم قَبلَ ما قَرنُ الغَزالَةِ بُشرِقُ

Would you be anything but an eater's little morsel

Would you have been anything but morsels for a devourer

Would you be anything but a small morsel for the eater

For them, before the sun's first horn shone?

Whose hands are joined to rend the gazelle's flanks?

To them, before the horn of the sun even rises?

جَحافِلُ فيها مِن سُلالَةِ ناهِسٍ

جَحافِلُ فيها مِن سُلالَةِ ناهِسٍ

أُسودٌ على أَعدا الشَريعَةِ حُنَّقُ

أُسودٌ على أَعدا الشَريعَةِ حُنَّقُ

Great armies, among which are descendants of Nahis,

Battalions among them are of the progeny of Nahish

Legions containing the offspring of Nahis,

Lions enraged against the enemies of sacred law,

Lions against the enemies of Sacred Law, enraged

Lions, furious against the enemies of the Divine Law.

سِراعٌ إِلى الهَيجاءِ عِطاشٌ إِلى الوَغى

سِراعٌ إِلى الهَيجاءِ عِطاشٌ إِلى الوَغى

إِذا ما حِياضُ المَوتِ بِالمَوتِ تُدهَقُ

إِذا ما حِياضُ المَوتِ بِالمَوتِ تُدهَقُ

Swift toward battle, thirsty for combat,

Long striders in the field of spearing the foe

Hasting to the fray, thirsty for the tumult of war,

Whenever the pools of death are filled with death.

Stout-hearted when the straits of war are narrow

When the troughs of death are brimming over with death.

وَفيها لُيوثٌ مِن صَميمِ هَوازِنٍ

وَفيها لُيوثٌ مِن صَميمِ هَوازِنٍ

أولئِكَ أَدرى بِالطِعانِ وَأَحذَقُ

أولئِكَ أَدرى بِالطِعانِ وَأَحذَقُ

Among them are lions of the true stock of Hawazin;

Among them are the Banu Qahtan, a people with whom

And within it are lions from the pure core of Hawazin,

Those know spear-fighting better and are more skilled.

Fathers racing to glory were elevated long ago

Those are the most knowledgeable in spearing, and the most skillful.

طِوالُ الخُطا في مَعرَكِ الطَعنِ لِلعِدى

طِوالُ الخُطا في مَعرَكِ الطَعنِ لِلعِدى

ثِقالٌ إِذا ما مَأزِقُ الحَربِ ضَيِّقُ

ثِقالٌ إِذا ما مَأزِقُ الحَربِ ضَيِّقُ

Long-striding in the arena of thrusting against foes,

They emigrated for God, and there they fought jihad

Long of stride in the battle of thrusting against the enemy,

Weighty when the straits of war grow narrow.

Good tidings to them of glory and prosperity!

Steadfast and heavy when the straits of war grow narrow.

وَفيها بَنو قَحطانَ قَومٌ سَما بِهِم

وَفيها بَنو قَحطانَ قَومٌ سَما بِهِم

مَعَ العَزمِ آباءٌ إِلى المَجدِ سُبَّقُ

مَعَ العَزمِ آباءٌ إِلى المَجدِ سُبَّقُ

Among them are the sons of Qahtan, a people raised aloft

Among them are valorous Shammir, Harb and others

And within it are the Sons of Qahtan, a people elevated

By resolute fathers who were foremost in glory.

Tribes who renounced worldly life's meanness

By ancestors who, with determination, raced ahead to glory.

هُمُ هاجَروا لِلَّهِ ثَمَّةَ جاهَدوا

هُمُ هاجَروا لِلَّهِ ثَمَّةَ جاهَدوا

فَبُشراهُمُ لِلمَجدِ وَالخَيرِ وُفِّقوا

فَبُشراهُمُ لِلمَجدِ وَالخَيرِ وُفِّقوا

They emigrated for God and there strove;

They supported the upright religion, and their banner

They emigrated for the sake of God, and there they strove in Jihad;

Glad tidings to them: they were granted success in glory and good.

Flutters with might and victory

So glad tidings to them! For glory and goodness were they granted success.

وَمِن شَمَّرٍ فيها وَحَربٍ وَغَيرِهِم

وَمِن شَمَّرٍ فيها وَحَربٍ وَغَيرِهِم

قَبائِلُ لِلدُّنيا الدَنِيَّةِ طَلَّقوا

قَبائِلُ لِلدُّنيا الدَنِيَّةِ طَلَّقوا

And among them, from Shammar, Harb, and others,

Among them are horsemen of Subay' ibn 'Amir

And from Shammar within it, and Harb, and others—

Are tribes who divorced the lowly world.

Piercing the skulls of foes with Mashrafi swords

Tribes that have divorced this lowly, base world.

وَهُم نَصَروا الدينَ القَويمَ وَأَصبَحَت

وَهُم نَصَروا الدينَ القَويمَ وَأَصبَحَت

لَهُم رايَةٌ بِالعِزِّ وَالنَصرِ تَخفِقُ

لَهُم رايَةٌ بِالعِزِّ وَالنَصرِ تَخفِقُ

They supported the upright faith, and there came to be

Among them are the people of Islam, who raised its minaret

They supported the upright religion, and there came to be

A banner for them, fluttering with might and victory.

During nights when the face of earth was veiled in idolatry

For them a banner fluttering with might and victory.

وَفيها سَراةٌ مِن سُبَيعَ بنِ عامِرٍ

وَفيها سَراةٌ مِن سُبَيعَ بنِ عامِرٍ

لِهامِ العِدى بِالمُشرَفِيِّ تُفَلِّقُ

لِهامِ العِدى بِالمُشرَفِيِّ تُفَلِّقُ

Among them are chiefs of Subay ibn Amir,

They are the people of cities, every hero

And within it are chiefs from Subay' bin 'Amir,

Who split the heads of foes with Mashrafi swords.

Spearing on the day of battle, dashing forth

Who split the skulls of enemies with Mashrafiyah swords.

وَفيها بَنو الإِسلامِ أَعلَوا مَنارَهُ

وَفيها بَنو الإِسلامِ أَعلَوا مَنارَهُ

لَيالِيَ وَجهُ الأَرضِ بِالشِركِ مُغسِقُ

لَيالِيَ وَجهُ الأَرضِ بِالشِركِ مُغسِقُ

Among them are sons of Islam who raised its beacon

By the grace of the Imam of Muslims, hearts and passions

And within it are the Sons of Islam who raised its beacon high,

On nights when earth's face was darkened by polytheism.

Were illumined that were cloaked in discord

In nights when the face of the earth was darkened by idolatry.

أولئِكَ أَهلُ المُدنِ مِن كُلِّ باسِلٍ

أولئِكَ أَهلُ المُدنِ مِن كُلِّ باسِلٍ

إِلى الطَعنِ في يَومِ اللِقا يَتَدَلَّقُ

إِلى الطَعنِ في يَومِ اللِقا يَتَدَلَّقُ

Those are the townspeople, every one a brave warrior

If the core of the body becomes sound

Those are the people of the towns, every brave warrior

Who rushes headlong to thrust on the day of encounter.

Then the health of the body depends on it

Who rushes forth to the thrusting on the day of encounter.

بِيُمنِ إِمامِ المُسلِمينَ تَأَلَّقَت

بِيُمنِ إِمامِ المُسلِمينَ تَأَلَّقَت

قُلوبٌ وَأَهواءٌ غَشاها التَفَرُّقُ

قُلوبٌ وَأَهواءٌ غَشاها التَفَرُّقُ

Through the blessing of the Muslims' imam, there shone

This religion was almost destroyed before him

By the good fortune of the Imam of the Muslims, hearts have shone bright,

Hearts and desires once veiled by division.

Its people roamed dejected and burdened with woe

And desires too, that had been shrouded by division.

إِذا صَلُحَت في داخِل الجِسمِ مُضغَةٌ

إِذا صَلُحَت في داخِل الجِسمِ مُضغَةٌ

فَإِنَّ صَلاحَ الجِسمِ فيها مُعَلَّقُ

فَإِنَّ صَلاحَ الجِسمِ فيها مُعَلَّقُ

When a morsel of flesh inside the body is sound,

But God brought them, in His kindness to mankind

If a morsel within the body becomes sound,

The body's soundness depends upon it.

A rescuer, and God is most gentle to His creation

Then the soundness of the whole body depends upon it.

لَقَد كادَ هذا الدينُ يَنهَدُّ قَبلَهُ

لَقَد كادَ هذا الدينُ يَنهَدُّ قَبلَهُ

وَسيمَ بَنوهُ الخَسفَ جَوراً وَأُرهِقوا

وَسيمَ بَنوهُ الخَسفَ جَوراً وَأُرهِقوا

This religion had nearly collapsed before him;

A youth whose time is two halves: stern then bestowing

Indeed, this religion had nearly collapsed before his time,

Its sons were unjustly subjected to abasement and burdened.

By him in this world God debases then grants sustenance

And its sons were subjected to humiliation unjustly and overburdened.

فَجاءَ بِهِ اللَهُ العِبادَ بِلُطفِهِ

فَجاءَ بِهِ اللَهُ العِبادَ بِلُطفِهِ

غِياثاً لَهُم وَاللَهُ بِالخَلقِ أَرفَقُ

غِياثاً لَهُم وَاللَهُ بِالخَلقِ أَرفَقُ

God, through His kindness, brought him to His servants

A youth of determined requests, who does not ignore

So God brought him to His servants through His kindness,

As succor for them; God is gentlest toward creation.

The speck of dust, and knocks on the door though shut tight

A succor for them; and God is most gentle with His creation.

فَتىً دَهرُهُ شَطرانِ بَاسٌ وَنائِلٌ

فَتىً دَهرُهُ شَطرانِ بَاسٌ وَنائِلٌ

بِهِ اللَهُ في الدُنيا يُهينُ وَيَرزُقُ

بِهِ اللَهُ في الدُنيا يُهينُ وَيَرزُقُ

A man whose life has two halves: might and bounty;

When resolved, he does not hesitate due to the warning

A youth whose time is halved: one part might, one part generosity;

Through him God humbles and provides in this world.

Of an advisor or procrastinator hampering him

Through him, God humiliates enemies in this world and bestows provision.

فَتى طَلِباتٍ لَيسَ يُغضي عَلى القَذى

فَتى طَلِباتٍ لَيسَ يُغضي عَلى القَذى

وَيَقرَعُ بابَ الخَطبِ وَالخَطبُ مُغلَقُ

وَيَقرَعُ بابَ الخَطبِ وَالخَطبُ مُغلَقُ

A man of ambitions who will not close his eyes to a mote,

Rather he proceeds as war boils furiously

A youth of great quests who does not turn a blind eye to insult,

And knocks at calamity's door when calamity is shut.

Inciting the soul of the brave, provoking it to overflow

And who knocks on the door of great matters, even when locked tight.

إِذا هَمَّ لَم يَردُد عَزيمَةَ هَمِّهِ

إِذا هَمَّ لَم يَردُد عَزيمَةَ هَمِّهِ

مَقالُ مُشيرٍ أَو عَذولٌ يُعَوِّقُ

مَقالُ مُشيرٍ أَو عَذولٌ يُعَوِّقُ

When he resolves, his firm intention is not turned back

He frustrates the kings of earth in what they seek from him

When he resolves, the determination of his intent is not turned back

By an adviser's words or a reproacher who impedes.

While if they seek him, it is he who overtakes

By the speech of any advisor, nor by a hindering blamer.

وَلكِنَّهُ يَمضي وَلِلحَربِ غَليَةٌ

وَلكِنَّهُ يَمضي وَلِلحَربِ غَليَةٌ

تَجيشُ لَها نَفسُ الكَمِيِّ وَتَزهَقُ

تَجيشُ لَها نَفسُ الكَمِيِّ وَتَزهَقُ

Yet he presses onward while war's fury boils,

When he appears, awe strikes the onlookers

But he proceeds, while war boils with a heat

Making the armored warrior's soul surge and expire.

And they bow their necks, glancing furtively

For which the soul of the armed warrior rages and perishes.

يُفيتُ مُلوكَ الأَرضِ ما يَطلُبونَهُ

يُفيتُ مُلوكَ الأَرضِ ما يَطلُبونَهُ

لَدَيهِ وَإِن يَطلُبهُمُ فَهوَ يَلحَقُ

لَدَيهِ وَإِن يَطلُبهُمُ فَهوَ يَلحَقُ

He denies the kings of earth what they seek

The awe of a king, but religion is his crown

He causes the kings of the earth to miss what they seek

At his hands; and if he pursues them, he overtakes them.

Whoever casts off the garb of piety is most wretched

From him; yet if he seeks them, he surely overtakes them.

إِذا لاحَ أَعشى الناظِرينَ مَهابَةً

إِذا لاحَ أَعشى الناظِرينَ مَهابَةً

فَهُم نُكَّسُ الأَذقانِ وَالطَرفُ يُرمُقُ

فَهُم نُكَّسُ الأَذقانِ وَالطَرفُ يُرمُقُ

When he appears, his majesty dazzles those who look;

He is like the sea in times of calm, bountiful

When he appears, he blinds the beholders with awe,

Their chins are bowed, and their gaze steals a glance.

And like the raging sea - say what you will, it drowns

So they lower their chins, stealing glances with their eyes.

مَهابَةَ مَلكٍ لكِنِ الدينُ تاجُها

مَهابَةَ مَلكٍ لكِنِ الدينُ تاجُها

وَمَن يَعرَ مِن ثَوبِ التُقى فَهوَ أَخرَقُ

وَمَن يَعرَ مِن ثَوبِ التُقى فَهوَ أَخرَقُ

A king's majesty, yet religion is its crown;

Numerous praises, but the person is one

The majesty of a king, yet religion is its crown;

Whoever is bare of piety's robe is a fool.

Your Lord chooses as He wills to create

And whoever is stripped of the robe of piety is truly awkward and exposed.

وَكَالبَحرِ في حالِ الرِضى فَيضُ كَفِّهِ

وَكَالبَحرِ في حالِ الرِضى فَيضُ كَفِّهِ

وَكَالبَحرِ قُل ما شِئتَ إِن جاشَ يُغرِقُ

وَكَالبَحرِ قُل ما شِئتَ إِن جاشَ يُغرِقُ

When pleased, his hand's bounty is like the sea;

Not like the son of the calf in his foolish opinion

Like the sea in a state of calm is the bounty of his hand,

And like the sea—say what you will—when he surges, he engulfs.

And specious arguments, until they strayed confused

And like the sea—say what you will—if it rages, it drowns.

مَحامِدُ شَتّى لكِنِ الشَخصُ واحِدٌ

مَحامِدُ شَتّى لكِنِ الشَخصُ واحِدٌ

وَرَبُّكَ مُختارٌ وَما شاءَ يَخلُقُ

وَرَبُّكَ مُختارٌ وَما شاءَ يَخلُقُ

Many praiseworthy qualities, yet the person is one;

So at daybreak God's army and partisans struck them

Praiseworthy traits are manifold, yet the person is but one;

Your Lord chooses freely and creates whatever He wills.

With misfortune in which blades flashed brightly

And your Lord is the Chooser, creating whatever He wills.

ولا كَاِبنِ عِجلٍ في سَفاهَةٍ رَأيِهِ

ولا كَاِبنِ عِجلٍ في سَفاهَةٍ رَأيِهِ

وَتَسويلِهِ لِلقَومِ حَتّى تَوَهَّقوا

وَتَسويلِهِ لِلقَومِ حَتّى تَوَهَّقوا

Nor is he like Ibn Ijl in the foolishness of his judgment,

They bit their fingers in regret, but prolonged misery

He is not like Ibn 'Ijl in the foolishness of his judgment,

And his beguiling of the people until they became ensnared.

And anguish did not avail them at all

And his deluding of the people until they were ensnared.

فَصَبَّحَهُم جُندُ الإِلهِ وَحِزبُهُ

فَصَبَّحَهُم جُندُ الإِلهِ وَحِزبُهُ

بِمَلمومَةٍ فيها الصَفائِحُ تَبرُقُ

بِمَلمومَةٍ فيها الصَفائِحُ تَبرُقُ

God's army and His party fell upon them in the morning,

So the soldiers of God and His party came upon them at dawn

With a massed host in which sword-blades flashed.

It is the way of the Bountiful Master to annihilate

With a gathered host in which the broadswords flashed.

فَأَدمَوا مِنَ العَضِّ الأَصابِعَ نُدَّماً

فَأَدمَوا مِنَ العَضِّ الأَصابِعَ نُدَّماً

فَلَم يُغنِهِم طولُ الأَسى وَالتَحَرُّقُ

فَلَم يُغنِهِم طولُ الأَسى وَالتَحَرُّقُ

They bit their fingers bloody in remorse;

Those who set out to harm the people of Islam

They made their fingers bleed from biting them in regret,

But prolonged sorrow and burning grief did not avail them.

O brethren! The call of a passionate warner

But prolonged sorrow and burning grief availed them nothing.

وَذي عادَةُ المَولى الكَريمِ بِمَن غَدا

وَذي عادَةُ المَولى الكَريمِ بِمَن غَدا

يُناوي بَني الإِسلامِ لابُدَّ يَمحَقُ

يُناوي بَني الإِسلامِ لابُدَّ يَمحَقُ

This is the noble Lord's way with anyone who comes

To you, a sincere adviser by nature, not pretending

Such is the custom of the Generous Lord with anyone who comes

To oppose the sons of Islam: He inevitably wipes him out.

He wants for you what he desires for himself

To oppose the Sons of Islam: he must inevitably be crushed.

فَيا مَعشَرَ الإِخوانِ دَعوَةَ صارِخٍ

فَيا مَعشَرَ الإِخوانِ دَعوَةَ صارِخٍ

لَكُم ناصِحٌ بِالطَبعِ لا مُتَخَلِّقُ

لَكُم ناصِحٌ بِالطَبعِ لا مُتَخَلِّقُ

O company of brothers, hear a crier's call,

And knows that love in God is strongest

O company of brothers, heed the call of one crying out,

One sincerely advising you by nature, not by pretense,

Rally together around the religion of guidance with your imam

Who is a sincere advisor to you by nature, not feigning it.

يَوَدُّ لَكُم ما يَمتَنيهِ لِنَفسِهِ

يَوَدُّ لَكُم ما يَمتَنيهِ لِنَفسِهِ

وَيَعلَمُ أَنَّ الحُبَّ في اللَهِ أَوثَقُ

وَيَعلَمُ أَنَّ الحُبَّ في اللَهِ أَوثَقُ

Who wishes you what he wishes for himself,

And be obedient soldiers to him, and you will prosper

He desires for you what he desires for his own self,

And knows that love for God's sake is the firmest bond.

Beware division! For it is destruction

And he knows that love for the sake of God is the firmest bond.

تَحامَوا عَلى دينِ الهُدى مَع إِمامِكُم

تَحامَوا عَلى دينِ الهُدى مَع إِمامِكُم

وَكونوا لَهُ بِالسَمعِ جُنداً تُوَفَّقوا

وَكونوا لَهُ بِالسَمعِ جُنداً تُوَفَّقوا

Rally to defend the faith of guidance with your imam,

In this world, and ruinous to religion

Rally around the religion of guidance with your Imam,

And be his obedient army, that you may be granted success.

By God, then by God, there is no god but Him

And be soldiers for him, listening and obeying, that you may succeed.

وَإِيّاكُمُ وَالإِفتِراقَ فَإِنَّهُ

وَإِيّاكُمُ وَالإِفتِراقَ فَإِنَّهُ

هُوَ الهُلكُ في الدُنيا وَلِلدّينِ يوبِقُ

هُوَ الهُلكُ في الدُنيا وَلِلدّينِ يوبِقُ

Beware of division, for it

The oath of one not fabricating or feigning

And beware of division, for indeed,

Is ruin in this world and brings destruction to religion.

Nor one ever seeking through my words status

It is destruction in this world, and it ruins religion.

فَوَاللَهِ ثُمَّ اللَهِ لا رَبَّ غَيرُهُ

فَوَاللَهِ ثُمَّ اللَهِ لا رَبَّ غَيرُهُ

يَمينَ اِمرىءٍ لا مُفتَرٍ يَتَمَلَّقُ

يَمينَ اِمرىءٍ لا مُفتَرٍ يَتَمَلَّقُ

By God, then by God—there is no Lord but Him—

Or hastening to obtain the religion, though arduous the path

So by God, and again by God—there is no Lord but Him—

The oath of a man, not a fabricator who flatters,

When my soul knew none like him on earth

The oath of a man who is neither a fabricator nor a flatterer,

وَلا قاصِدٍ يَوماً بِقَولي مَكانَةً

وَلا قاصِدٍ يَوماً بِقَولي مَكانَةً

وَلا عاجِلاً لِلدّينَ وَالسَمتُ يَعرُقُ

وَلا عاجِلاً لِلدّينَ وَالسَمتُ يَعرُقُ

Nor one ever seeking rank through my words,

An imam of Islam and people, compassionate

Nor one seeking status through my words for a single day,

Nor hastening for religion, while his bearing sweats [text unclear].

Perhaps we will see from him an Umar-like course

Nor hastening for worldly gain while dignity fades away.

لَما عَلِمَت نَفسي عَلى الأَرضِ مِثلَهُ

لَما عَلِمَت نَفسي عَلى الأَرضِ مِثلَهُ

إِماماً عَلى الإِسلامِ وَالخَلقِ يَشفَقُ

إِماماً عَلى الإِسلامِ وَالخَلقِ يَشفَقُ

My soul has known no one like him on earth:

To which the west of the world and the east will be indebted

My soul has not known the likes of him upon the earth,

An imam compassionate toward Islam and creation.

In him, may we never be deprived of him, imaginations appear

An Imam compassionate toward Islam and all people.

عَسى أَن نَراها سيرَةً عُمَرِيَّةً

عَسى أَن نَراها سيرَةً عُمَرِيَّةً

يَدينُ لَها غَربُ البِلادِ وَمَشرِقُ

يَدينُ لَها غَربُ البِلادِ وَمَشرِقُ

May we see it become a course of conduct like Umar's,

By which glory and dominion for Islam will flourish

May we see in it the path of 'Umar renewed,

To which the lands' west and east submit.

May the God of all worlds bless the one

To which the west of the land and the east submit.

فَفيهِ وَلا نَعدَمهُ تَبدو مَخايِلٌ

فَفيهِ وَلا نَعدَمهُ تَبدو مَخايِلٌ

بِها العِزُّ لِلإِسلامِ وَالمُلكِ يورِقُ

بِها العِزُّ لِلإِسلامِ وَالمُلكِ يورِقُ

In him—may we never lose him—signs appear

By whose lights the cosmos glows and beams

For in him—may we never lose him—appear signs

Through which glory for Islam and kingship puts forth leaves.

The family and companions as long as a shining

Through which glory for Islam and the kingdom blossoms.

وَصَلّى إلهُ العالَمينَ عَلى الَّذي

وَصَلّى إلهُ العالَمينَ عَلى الَّذي

بِأَنوارِهِ الأَكوانُ تَزهو وَتُشرِقُ

بِأَنوارِهِ الأَكوانُ تَزهو وَتُشرِقُ

May the God of all worlds bless the one

Meteor flashes or a ringdove moans enclosed

And may the God of the worlds send blessings upon the one

Through whose lights the worlds flourish and shine;

By whose lights the universes boast and shine,

كَذا الآلِ وَالأَصحابِ ما لاحَ بارِقٌ

كَذا الآلِ وَالأَصحابِ ما لاحَ بارِقٌ

وَما ناحَ في الدَوحِ الحَمامُ المُطَوَّقُ

وَما ناحَ في الدَوحِ الحَمامُ المُطَوَّقُ

Likewise his family and companions, as long as lightning gleams,

Likewise upon his Family and Companions, as long as lightning flashes,

And as long as the ring-necked dove mourns in the spreading trees.

And as long as the ringed dove coos in the great trees.