قُمRise ساهِرِkeep vigil through اللّيلَthe night بَينَbetween البدرِthe full moon والزُّهرِand the shining stars
قُم ساهِرِ اللّيلَ بَينَ البدرِ والزُّهرِ
وَشاهِدِand behold الرّوضَthe garden بَينَbetween النّهرِthe river والزّهَرِand the flowers
وَشاهِدِ الرّوضَ بَينَ النّهرِ والزّهَرِ
Rise, keep vigil through the night between the full moon and the shining stars,
Awake all night 'tween the full moon and flowers,
and behold the garden between the river and the flowers.
And watch the garden 'tween stream and blossoms.
أَماDo you not تَرىsee البدرَthe full moon أَهدىhas bestowed مِنfrom أَشعّتِهِits rays
أَما تَرى البدرَ أَهدى مِن أَشعّتِهِ
لِلرّوضِupon the garden فسطاسَa canopy (uncertain reading) نورٍof light خاطفَdazzling البصَرِthe sight
لِلرّوضِ فسطاسَ نورٍ خاطفَ البصَرِ
Do you not see the full moon bestowing some of its rays
See how the moon gifts its beams,
upon the garden—a canopy of light that dazzles the sight?
Bestowing radiant light on the garden that captures vision.
وَأَنّهand that it is خِدرُa bridal veil بلّورٍof crystal بِهِin it اِتّزَرَتwrapped themselves
وَأَنّه خِدرُ بلّورٍ بِهِ اِتّزَرَت
عَرائِسُthe brides الرّوضِof the garden لَمdid not يحجبconceal لمتّزِرِfor one wrapped up
عَرائِسُ الرّوضِ لَم يحجب لمتّزِرِ
And that it is a crystal veil in which
It is a crystal orb whose maidens are clad in it,
the garden's brides are wrapped, though it conceals no wearer?
Not veiling an alluring charm.
وَالرّيحُand the wind تَلعَبُplays بِالأَزهارِwith the flowers حينَئذٍat that moment
وَالرّيحُ تَلعَبُ بِالأَزهارِ حينَئذٍ
فَيَرقُصُso dance النّورthe blossoms رَقصَthe dance of الغيدِgraceful maidens فيat السحَرِthe predawn hour
فَيَرقُصُ النّور رَقصَ الغيدِ في السحَرِ
The wind plays with the flowers then,
The breeze plays with the blooms,
and the blossoms dance like graceful maidens before dawn.
And light dances like the swaying bough at dawn.
وَالزّهرُand the flowers مِنهُof it العُيونthe eyes النُّجلwide قَدalready نَعِستhave grown drowsy
وَالزّهرُ مِنهُ العُيون النُّجل قَد نَعِست
يُخفيconceals وَيُظهِرُand reveals ماwhat فيهاis in them منof الحوَرِcontrasting eye-whites and dark irises
يُخفي وَيُظهِرُ ما فيها من الحوَرِ
Its flowers are wide eyes grown drowsy,
Their sleepy starry eyes conceal and reveal
concealing and revealing their beauty of contrasting black and white.
The houris within them.
وَالبدرُand the full moon ثمّthere الثريّاthe Pleiades حَيثُwhere قارَنَهاit adjoins them
وَالبدرُ ثمّ الثريّا حَيثُ قارَنَها
صَحنُa platter of النُّضارِpure gold لَدىbeside العُنقودِthe cluster مِنof دُرَرِpearls
صَحنُ النُّضارِ لَدى العُنقودِ مِن دُرَرِ
And the full moon there, where it adjoins the Pleiades,
The moon and then a platter where a cluster
is a golden platter beside a cluster of pearls.
Of pearls lie near the grapes.
وَالنّهرُand the river يَنزِلُdescends مِنfrom عالٍa height لِمُنحدرto a slope
وَالنّهرُ يَنزِلُ مِن عالٍ لِمُنحدر
يُقهقهُlaughs aloud الثغرُthe mouth فيon عالٍa height ومنحدرِand a slope
يُقهقهُ الثغرُ في عالٍ ومنحدرِ
The river descends from a height to a slope,
The stream descends from a height to a slope,
its mouth laughing aloud on height and slope.
Laughing from above and below.
يَموجُripples وَهوَwhile it is زُلالٌclear, sweet water كاللُّجينِlike silver عَلىover
يَموجُ وَهوَ زُلالٌ كاللُّجينِ عَلى
تُربٍsoil مِنَof المِسكِmusk ذاكيstrongly diffusing الطيبِfragrance وَالذّفَرِand pungent scent
تُربٍ مِنَ المِسكِ ذاكي الطيبِ وَالذّفَرِ
It ripples, clear and sweet as silver, over
It undulates, sweet as pure wine,
soil of musk, with pungent, heady fragrance.
Over a bed of musk's perfume and plenty.
وَالبدرُand the full moon مِنfrom نورِهِits light يَكسوهُclothes it ثَوبa robe ضِياof radiance
وَالبدرُ مِن نورِهِ يَكسوهُ ثَوب ضِيا
فَيَخطِفُso it captivates العَقلَthe mind بَعدَafter الفِكرِreflection وَالنّظرِand contemplation
فَيَخطِفُ العَقلَ بَعدَ الفِكرِ وَالنّظرِ
The full moon clothes it in a robe of its own radiance,
The moon cloaks it in its light,
and it captivates the mind after reflection and contemplation.
Capturing mind after thought and gaze.
وَالبدرُand the full moon صورَتُهُits image فيهِin it قَدِalready اِنطَبَعتwas imprinted
وَالبدرُ صورَتُهُ فيهِ قَدِ اِنطَبَعت
وَالنورُand the light مُتّصِلٌcontinuous مِنهاfrom it إِلىto القَمَرِthe moon
وَالنورُ مُتّصِلٌ مِنها إِلى القَمَرِ
The full moon's image has been imprinted in it,
The moon's image imprinted there,
and light stretches from that image to the moon.
Its light unbroken from it to the moon.
فَخِلتُso I imagined بَدرَينtwo full moons فيon أَرضٍearth وفيand in فَلكٍa celestial sphere
فَخِلتُ بَدرَين في أَرضٍ وفي فَلكٍ
بَدرthe full moon of السَّماءِthe sky وَهَذاand this البدرُfull moon فيin النَّهَرِthe river
بَدر السَّماءِ وَهَذا البدرُ في النَّهَرِ
So I imagined two full moons, on earth and in the heavens:
I found two moons, one in heaven and this moon
the moon of the sky, and this moon in the river.
In the stream, with their light joined.
وَالنّورُand the light بَينَهُماbetween them both إِذwhen كانَit was مُتّصلاًcontinuous
وَالنّورُ بَينَهُما إِذ كانَ مُتّصلاً
لَمdid not أَدرِهِknow it صاحِبَهُits owner ياO حَيرَةَbewilderment of الفِكَرِthoughts
لَم أَدرِهِ صاحِبَهُ يا حَيرَةَ الفِكَرِ
With the light between them forming an unbroken link,
As their light was connected, I could not tell,
I could not tell which owned it—oh, the bewilderment of thought!
O perplexity of thought, which light belonged to whom!
وَالنّورُand the light قَدalready ماجَrippled حَيثُwhere الماءُthe water ماجَrippled بِهِwith it
وَالنّورُ قَد ماجَ حَيثُ الماءُ ماجَ بِهِ
كَالزَّهرِlike flowers ماجَswayed بِمَوجِwith the surge of الرّيحِthe wind بِالشّجرِin the trees
كَالزَّهرِ ماجَ بِمَوجِ الرّيحِ بِالشّجرِ
The light rippled where the water rippled with it,
The light surged where the water surged,
as blossoms sway in the trees with the surging wind.
Like flowers swaying with the wind in the trees.
يَمضيmoves away وَيَرجِعُand returns فَوراًat once فيin تَمَوُّجِهِits undulation
يَمضي وَيَرجِعُ فَوراً في تَمَوُّجِهِ
وَالماءُand the water يَجريflows وَلاand not يَعروهُovertakes it مِنany كَدَرِmurkiness
وَالماءُ يَجري وَلا يَعروهُ مِن كَدَرِ
It moves away and returns at once in its undulation,
It comes and goes quickly in its rippling,
while the water flows, untouched by murkiness.
While the water flows on, smooth and untroubled.
فَخِلتُهُso I imagined it مِثلَlike مِرآةٍa mirror بِهاon it اِرتَسَمتwas pictured
فَخِلتُهُ مِثلَ مِرآةٍ بِها اِرتَسَمت
شَمسُthe sun of الضّحىthe forenoon صورَةan image مِنamong أَحسَنِthe finest الصّورِimages
شَمسُ الضّحى صورَة مِن أَحسَنِ الصّورِ
I imagined it a mirror upon which was pictured
I saw it as a mirror with the dawn's sun
the forenoon sun—an image among the fairest images.
Reflected in a most beautiful image.
وَقَدand already تَحَرَّكَتِmoved المِرآةُthe mirror حينَئِذٍat that moment
وَقَد تَحَرَّكَتِ المِرآةُ حينَئِذٍ
فَالضّوءُso the light يَمضيgoes وَيَأتيand comes آخِذseizing البصَرِthe sight
فَالضّوءُ يَمضي وَيَأتي آخِذ البصَرِ
The mirror moved at that moment,
The mirror then moved, and the light
so the light comes and goes, seizing the sight.
Came and went, dazzling sight.
وَالزّهرُand the flowers فيin الرّوضِthe garden أَنواعٌvarieties مُنَوَّعةٌdiverse
وَالزّهرُ في الرّوضِ أَنواعٌ مُنَوَّعةٌ
مِنof كلِّevery ذاكٍstrongly fragrant blossom شَذاهits scent طيِّبٌsweet عَطِرُaromatic
مِن كلِّ ذاكٍ شَذاه طيِّبٌ عَطِرُ
The garden's flowers are of many varied kinds,
The garden's blooms are varied,
each strongly scented, its fragrance sweet and aromatic;
Each emitting a sweet fragrance.
مِنof كلِّevery غَضٍّtender blossom نَضيرٍfresh لاno نَظيرَequal لَهُto it
مِن كلِّ غَضٍّ نَضيرٍ لا نَظيرَ لَهُ
وَكلّand every زاهٍradiant blossom بَهِيٍّsplendid فاخِرٍsumptuous نَضرِflourishing
وَكلّ زاهٍ بَهِيٍّ فاخِرٍ نَضرِ
each tender and fresh, without an equal,
All fresh, unmatched, glorious and bright,
each radiant, splendid, sumptuous, and flourishing;
Blossoms, rubies, pearls,
وَمِنand of نُضارٍgold وَياقوتٍand ruby وَلُؤلُؤةٍand pearl
وَمِن نُضارٍ وَياقوتٍ وَلُؤلُؤةٍ
ومنand of لُجَينٍsilver مَعَwith العقيانِpure gold مُفتخرِproud
ومن لُجَينٍ مَعَ العقيانِ مُفتخرِ
of gold, ruby, and pearl,
Pure wine, canes, proud display.
and silver, proud in the company of pure gold.
Look how the rose's petals when open
فَاِنظُرso look إِلىat الوَردِthe rose فيهin it وَهوَwhile it is مُنفَتِحopen
فَاِنظُر إِلى الوَردِ فيه وَهوَ مُنفَتِح
يُضيءshines لَيلاًby night ضِياءَwith the radiance of الأَنجُمِthe stars الزُّهُرِbright
يُضيء لَيلاً ضِياءَ الأَنجُمِ الزُّهُرِ
Look at the rose within it, open,
Emit at night the radiance of stars.
shining by night with the radiance of bright stars,
Like horizon stars blushing red in eve's glow,
كَأَنجُمِlike the stars of الأُفقِthe horizon إِذwhen تَحمَرُّthey redden مِنfrom شَفَقٍtwilight
كَأَنجُمِ الأُفقِ إِذ تَحمَرُّ مِن شَفَقٍ
وَوَجنَةِand the cheek of الحورِdark-eyed beauties إِذwhen تَحمَرُّit reddens منfrom خفَرِmodesty
وَوَجنَةِ الحورِ إِذ تَحمَرُّ من خفَرِ
like stars on the horizon reddening with twilight,
And houris' cheeks blushing from bashfulness.
and a dark-eyed beauty's cheek reddening with modesty.
No bud cracks open unless pressed
وماand what تَشَقّقَhas opened مِنfrom أَزرارِهِits buds شفتاthe two lips of الthe
وما تَشَقّقَ مِن أَزرارِهِ شفتا ال
حَبيبِbeloved ضمّهماhe joined the two للّثْمِfor kissing حيثwhere يريhe sees fit (uncertain reading)
حَبيبِ ضمّهما للّثْمِ حيث يري
What opens from its buds is the pair of lips of the
By lips of a lover come to steal a kiss.
beloved, who draws them together for a kiss wherever he sees fit [reading uncertain].
Jasmine is like the eyes of wild cows, charming,
وَالياسَمينand jasmine كَأَحداقِlike the eyes of المَهاoryxes حَوَراًin dark-and-white contrast
وَالياسَمين كَأَحداقِ المَها حَوَراً
لَكِنbut لَهاthey have شَكلةٌa reddish tinge فيin ذَلِكَthat الحَوَرِdark-and-white eye contrast
لَكِن لَها شَكلةٌ في ذَلِكَ الحَوَرِ
Jasmine resembles the eyes of oryxes in their contrasting black and white,
Except it has a twist to that charm.
but that eye-like beauty has a reddish tinge.
The slender narcissus in its emerald necklace struts,
وَالنّرجِسُand the narcissus الغضُّfresh فيon سوقِthe stems of الزّمرُّدِemerald كَمhow often
وَالنّرجِسُ الغضُّ في سوقِ الزّمرُّدِ كَم
يَميسُit sways تيهاًhaughtily وَيُبديand displays غايَةَthe utmost الفخرِpride
يَميسُ تيهاً وَيُبدي غايَةَ الفخرِ
The fresh narcissus on emerald stems—how often
Wandering aimlessly, expressing utmost pride.
it sways haughtily, displaying the utmost pride!
It describes crystal lanterns that illuminate gloom,
يَحكيresembles قَناديلlamps of بِلَّورٍcrystal تُضيءthat illuminate دُجىًdarkness
يَحكي قَناديل بِلَّورٍ تُضيء دُجىً
وَالنورُand the light فيin وَسطِهاtheir center كَالنورِlike the light فيin القَمرِthe moon
وَالنورُ في وَسطِها كَالنورِ في القَمرِ
It resembles crystal lamps illuminating darkness,
Their light within like the moon's light.
the light at their centers like the light within the moon.
How fragrant is the glorious orange blossom,
وَالزّنبَقُand the lily الزاهِradiant ماhow أَذكىpungent رَوائِحَهُits fragrances
وَالزّنبَقُ الزاهِ ما أَذكى رَوائِحَهُ
قَدalready فاقَsurpassed فيon الأَرضِthe earth فيهاin them سائرall the other الزّهَرِflowers
قَد فاقَ في الأَرضِ فيها سائر الزّهَرِ
The radiant lily—how pungent its fragrances!
Surpassing all flowers on earth in fragrance!
In these it has surpassed all other flowers on earth.
As if cups of crystal containing feathers
كَأَنّهُas though it were أَكْؤُسُcups of البِلّارcrystal دَاخِلهاinside them
كَأَنّهُ أَكْؤُسُ البِلّار دَاخِلها
ريشُfeathers of الطّواويسِpeacocks مِثلَlike العَسجَدِpure gold النّضرِgleaming
ريشُ الطّواويسِ مِثلَ العَسجَدِ النّضرِ
It is as though there were crystal cups, within them
Of peacocks, like fresh young canes.
peacock feathers like fresh, gleaming gold.
Carnations, how pretty are their features
أَمّاas for القُرُنفُلُthe carnation ماhow أَحلىsweet شَمائِلهُits qualities
أَمّا القُرُنفُلُ ما أَحلى شَمائِلهُ
بَينَamong الأَزاهِرِthe blossoms يَبدوit appears خَيرَthe finest مُعتَبِرِsight to contemplate
بَينَ الأَزاهِرِ يَبدو خَيرَ مُعتَبِرِ
As for the carnation, how sweet its qualities!
Among flowers, excelling in elegance!
Among the blossoms it appears the finest sight to contemplate,
Of a radiant red or white blushing,
مِنof أَحمرٍred فاخرٍsplendid أَوor أَبيَضٍwhite يَققpure
مِن أَحمرٍ فاخرٍ أَو أَبيَضٍ يَقق
قَدindeed راقَpleased مَنظَرُهُits appearance لِلنّفسِto the soul وَالنّظرِand the eye
قَد راقَ مَنظَرُهُ لِلنّفسِ وَالنّظرِ
whether splendid red or pure white;
Its splendid sight is pleasing to soul and gaze.
its appearance delights the soul and the eye.
Its white in the beauty of its rising
تَخالُyou imagine أَبيَضَهُits white blossom فيin حُسنِthe beauty of طَلعَتِهِits appearance
تَخالُ أَبيَضَهُ في حُسنِ طَلعَتِهِ
كَكَوكَبِlike the star of الصّبحِmorning إِنْif لَوwere it to بانَappear فيat السّحَرِthe predawn hour
كَكَوكَبِ الصّبحِ إِنْ لَو بانَ في السّحَرِ
You would imagine its white blossom, in the beauty of its appearance,
Is like the morning star were it to appear at dawn.
the morning star, were it to appear before dawn.
Its redness is like incense perfuming the garden,
كَأَنّas though أَحمَرَهُits red blossom فيin الرّوضِthe garden مبخرةًan incense burner
كَأَنّ أَحمَرَهُ في الرّوضِ مبخرةً
قَدalready بَخَّرتgave off incense لاnot بِعودٍwith aloeswood لاno ولاand not شَرَرِsparks
قَد بَخَّرت لا بِعودٍ لا ولا شَرَرِ
Its red blossom in the garden seems an incense burner
Not with wood aloes nor embers.
exhaling fragrance without aloeswood—no, nor sparks.
When violet flaunts its blueness,
أَمّاas for البنفسجُthe violet إِذwhen يَزهوit glories بِزُرقتهِin its blueness
أَمّا البنفسجُ إِذ يَزهو بِزُرقتهِ
فَيروزَجُthe turquoise of الصّبحِmorning إِذwhen يَبدوit appears لِمنتظرِto one waiting
فَيروزَجُ الصّبحِ إِذ يَبدو لِمنتظرِ
As for the violet, when it glories in its blue,
It brings radiance to dawn when it appears.
it is morning's turquoise, appearing to one who waits.
Periwinkle sways in intoxicated leaves
وَالبانُand the ban-tree يَهتَزّsways فيamid أَوراقِهِits leaves طرَباًjoyfully
وَالبانُ يَهتَزّ في أَوراقِهِ طرَباً
مَخمورُintoxicated ميلِby the sway of الصَّباthe east wind كالشّارِبِlike a drinker السّكِرِdrunk
مَخمورُ ميلِ الصَّبا كالشّارِبِ السّكِرِ
The ban-tree sways joyfully amid its leaves,
Drunk like one drinking wine at morning's breeze.
drunk with the east wind's sway, like an intoxicated drinker.
Strands the Merciful fashioned from gold
فَتائِلٌwicks صاغَهاfashioned them الرّحمَنُthe Merciful مِنfrom ذَهَبٍgold
فَتائِلٌ صاغَها الرّحمَنُ مِن ذَهَبٍ
وَخاطَهاand sewed them اللَّهُGod فَوقَupon السّندُسُfine silk الخضرِgreen
وَخاطَها اللَّهُ فَوقَ السّندُسُ الخضرِ
Wicks that the Merciful fashioned out of gold,
And the God embroidered over green silk.
and God sewed upon green silk.
Glorious is our Master and Creator!
تَبارَكblessed is اللَّهُGod مَولاناour Master وَخالِقُناand our Creator
تَبارَك اللَّهُ مَولانا وَخالِقُنا
ماhow أَحسَنَbeautiful الرّوضَthe garden فيwith زَهْرٍflowers وفيand with زُهُرِshining stars
ما أَحسَنَ الرّوضَ في زَهْرٍ وفي زُهُرِ
Blessed is God, our Master and our Creator!
How beautiful is the garden in its flowers and blooms.
How lovely the garden, with flowers and shining stars!
No paradise to match among gardens,
فَلاso there is no مِثالَequal لَهُto it بَينَamong الرّياضِthe gardens كَماjust as
فَلا مِثالَ لَهُ بَينَ الرّياضِ كَما
لاno مثلَequal للشّمسِto the sun فيin بَدوٍwilderness وفيand in حضرِsettlements
لا مثلَ للشّمسِ في بَدوٍ وفي حضرِ
It has no equal among gardens, just as
As no equivalent for the sun amid settlements and cities.
the sun has no equal in wilderness or town:
Sun of knowledge, imam of the age, our master,
شَمسُthe sun of العُلومِthe sciences إِمامُthe leader of الدّهرthe age سيّدُناour master
شَمسُ العُلومِ إِمامُ الدّهر سيّدُنا
بَدرُthe full moon of الكَمالِperfection وَنَجمُand the star of المَجدِglory وَالفخرِand pride
بَدرُ الكَمالِ وَنَجمُ المَجدِ وَالفخرِ
the sun of the sciences, leader of the age, our master,
Full moon of perfection, star of glory and pride.
the full moon of perfection, the star of glory and pride;
Ocean of knowledge none can grasp its shores,
بَحرُthe ocean of المَعارِفِknowledge لَمnot تدركwere reached سَواحلُهُits shores
بَحرُ المَعارِفِ لَم تدرك سَواحلُهُ
بَرُّthe land of المَكارِمnoble deeds ساميlofty in القدرِrank وَالخَطَرِand distinction
بَرُّ المَكارِم سامي القدرِ وَالخَطَرِ
the ocean of knowledge, whose shores have not been reached,
Paragon of nobility, lofty in worth and danger.
the land of noble deeds, lofty in rank and distinction;
Ocean of dew, he who saw a drop from his palm,
بَحرُthe ocean of النّدىgenerosity وَمَنand whoever رَأىsaw مِنfrom كَفِّهِhis palm بَللاًmoisture
بَحرُ النّدى وَمَن رَأى مِن كَفِّهِ بَللاً
يَروحُgoes away مُزدَرِياًscorning لِلبحرِtoward the sea وَالمَطرِand the rain
يَروحُ مُزدَرِياً لِلبحرِ وَالمَطرِ
the ocean of generosity—whoever sees moisture from his palm
Would go scorning the ocean and rain.
goes away scorning the sea and the rain.
Scholar of solid learning, teacher guiding us,
العالِمُthe scholar الجَهبَذُthe consummate expert النّحريرُthe master scholar قُدوتُناour exemplar
العالِمُ الجَهبَذُ النّحريرُ قُدوتُنا
أُستَاذُناour teacher الماجِدُthe glorious المَعروفthe renowned خَيرُthe finest سَريnobleman
أُستَاذُنا الماجِدُ المَعروف خَيرُ سَري
The scholar, the consummate expert, the master scholar, our exemplar,
The knowledgeable, devout, righteous and sublime.
our glorious, renowned teacher, the finest nobleman;
Ascetic and mystic, steadfast at dawn’s first light,
العارِفُthe spiritual knower الوَرعُthe scrupulous البَرُّthe virtuous الجليلُgreat in تُقىpiety
العارِفُ الوَرعُ البَرُّ الجليلُ تُقى
الزّاهِدُthe ascetic النّاسِكُthe devotee القَوّامُthe steadfast night worshipper فيat السّحَرِthe predawn hour
الزّاهِدُ النّاسِكُ القَوّامُ في السّحَرِ
the spiritual knower, the scrupulous, the virtuous, great in piety,
Righteous, loyal advisor against our dangerous ignorance.
the ascetic, the devotee, steadfast in prayer before dawn;
When we hear his reminders and preaching morals,
الصّالِحُthe righteous المُخلِصُthe sincere النّصّاحthe earnest adviser مَنْone whose نَفَعَتbenefited
الصّالِحُ المُخلِصُ النّصّاح مَنْ نَفَعَت
فيناamong us نَصائِحُهُhis counsels مِنfrom جَهلِناour ignorance الخَطِرِperilous
فينا نَصائِحُهُ مِن جَهلِنا الخَطِرِ
the righteous, sincere, earnest adviser, whose counsels have benefited
We are robed in the dress of reverence.
us against our perilous ignorance.
He enjoins right and forbids wrong out of sincerity,
ماnot إِنever (emphasis) سَمِعناwe heard بِتذكيرof the reminders of مَواعظهhis admonitions
ما إِن سَمِعنا بِتذكير مَواعظه
إِلّاexcept وَمِنهُand from him اِكتَسَيناwe donned ثَوبَthe robe of معتبرِone who takes heed
إِلّا وَمِنهُ اِكتَسَينا ثَوبَ معتبرِ
No sooner do we hear the reminders in his admonitions
With gentle speech that impacts even stones.
than through him we don the garment of one who takes heed.
You see him, sincerity his way, not intending
يَنهَىhe forbids وَيَأمرُand commands بِالمَعروفِwhat is right مُحتسباًseeking divine reward
يَنهَى وَيَأمرُ بِالمَعروفِ مُحتسباً
بِلينِwith gentleness of قَولٍspeech لهُit has التأثيرُan effect فيon الحجَرِstone
بِلينِ قَولٍ لهُ التأثيرُ في الحجَرِ
He forbids wrong and commands right, seeking divine reward,
Anything but reform from us and council.
with gentle speech that has an effect even on stone.
He never feared a critic’s blame for God’s sake,
فَلَستso you do not تَنظرُsee وَالإِخلاصُwhile sincerity ديدَنُهُhis constant practice
فَلَست تَنظرُ وَالإِخلاصُ ديدَنُهُ
قَصداًan aim سِوىother than مُنتَهٍone who desists منّاamong us وَمُؤتمرِand one who obeys
قَصداً سِوى مُنتَهٍ منّا وَمُؤتمرِ
You see, sincerity being his constant practice, no
And he who fears his Lord cares not for mortals.
aim except that we desist from wrong and obey.
His nature is refined, his conduct immaculate,
لَمnot يَخشَdid he fear فيfor the sake of اللَّهGod يَوماًever لَومَthe blame of لائمِهِone blaming him
لَم يَخشَ في اللَّه يَوماً لَومَ لائمِهِ
وَمَنand whoever يَخَفfears رَبَّهُhis Lord لَمdoes not يَخشَfear منany بشَرِhuman being
وَمَن يَخَف رَبَّهُ لَم يَخشَ من بشَرِ
He has never feared a blamer's blame in God's cause;
His life exemplary, among the best of lives.
whoever fears his Lord does not fear any human being.
Star of Islamic law, rather full moon of spiritual path,
صَفَتbecame pure طَوِيَّتُهhis disposition طابَتbecame good سَريرتُهhis inward character
صَفَت طَوِيَّتُه طابَت سَريرتُه
أَجَلْindeed وَسيرَتُهand his way of life مِنamong أَحسَنِthe finest السّيَرِways of life
أَجَلْ وَسيرَتُه مِن أَحسَنِ السّيَرِ
His disposition is pure, his inward character good;
Rather sun of spiritual truth and mystical knowledge.
indeed, his way of life is among the finest.
Leader of rhetoric and master of research, authority in jurisprudence
نَجمُthe star of الشّريعَةِthe Sacred Law بَلrather بَدرُthe full moon of الطّريقَةِthe spiritual Path بَلrather
نَجمُ الشّريعَةِ بَل بَدرُ الطّريقَةِ بَل
شَمسُthe sun of الحَقيقَةِthe Truth بِالعِرفانِthrough spiritual knowledge خيرُmost حَريworthy
شَمسُ الحَقيقَةِ بِالعِرفانِ خيرُ حَري
The star of the Sacred Law—rather, the full moon of the spiritual Path—rather,
And interpretation, proficient in prophetic traditions.
the sun of Truth, most deserving through spiritual knowledge;
Reviver of schools through his teaching when he taught,
سَعدُSa'd البيانِof rhetoric وَفيand in التّحقيقِprecise inquiry سَيّدُهits master
سَعدُ البيانِ وَفي التّحقيقِ سَيّدُه
وَمالكُand Malik الفِقهof jurisprudence بِالتّفسيرِthrough exegesis وَالأَثَرِand transmitted tradition
وَمالكُ الفِقه بِالتّفسيرِ وَالأَثَرِ
the Sa'd of rhetoric, its master in precise inquiry,
The faith through him became best supported.
and the Malik of jurisprudence through exegesis and transmitted tradition;
Upholder of the brilliant model, following it closely,
مُحييreviver of المَدارِسthe schools بِالتّدريسِthrough teaching إِذwhen دَرَستthey had decayed
مُحيي المَدارِس بِالتّدريسِ إِذ دَرَست
وَمَنand one بِهِthrough whom الدّينُthe faith أَضحىhas become خَيرَthe finest مُنتَصِرِvictor
وَمَن بِهِ الدّينُ أَضحى خَيرَ مُنتَصِرِ
reviver of schools through teaching when they had fallen into decay,
Never were brilliant models left without likes of him.
through whom the faith has become the finest victor;
Keep his company and you will gain his gems,
مُؤيِّدsupporter of السُّنّةِthe Sunna الغَرَّاءِradiant لاmay it not بَرِحَتْcease
مُؤيِّد السُّنّةِ الغَرَّاءِ لا بَرِحَتْ
بِمِثلِهِthrough his like غُرَّةٌa radiant glory مِنamong أَجمَلِthe most beautiful الغُرَرِradiant glories
بِمِثلِهِ غُرَّةٌ مِن أَجمَلِ الغُرَرِ
supporter of the radiant Sunna—may it ever remain,
For keeping his company brings only benefit, no harm.
through men like him, a radiant glory among the fairest glories.
The perceptive, learned, exceptional and refined one,
فَاِلزَمْso attend مَجالِسَهhis assemblies تُمنحْyou will be granted نفائسَهhis treasures
فَاِلزَمْ مَجالِسَه تُمنحْ نفائسَه
فَإِنَّfor indeed صُحبتَهhis companionship نَفعٌbenefit بِلاwithout ضَرَرِharm
فَإِنَّ صُحبتَه نَفعٌ بِلا ضَرَرِ
Attend his assemblies, and you will be granted his treasures,
Elegant Zayn al-Din wherever he wished would appear.
for his companionship is benefit without harm.
Al Alma'i the literary, elevated in manners,
الحاذِقُthe skilled الفارِهُthe accomplished الفَذُّthe peerless الرّفيعُlofty in ذكاintelligence
الحاذِقُ الفارِهُ الفَذُّ الرّفيعُ ذكا
فَزَنْدُهso his firesteel حيثُwherever أوراهُhe struck it alight كانَwas يريsparking
فَزَنْدُه حيثُ أوراهُ كانَ يري
The skilled, the accomplished, the peerless, lofty in intelligence:
Al Lawdha'i the eloquent, sound in thought.
his firesteel sparks wherever he strikes it alight.
The excellent, well-versed, who structured his rhetoric
الأَلمَعِيُّthe brilliant الأَديبُthe cultivated المُعتليexalted أَدَباًin refinement
الأَلمَعِيُّ الأَديبُ المُعتلي أَدَباً
اللّوْذَعيُّthe perceptive الأَريبُthe intelligent السالِمُsound in الفِكَرِthought
اللّوْذَعيُّ الأَريبُ السالِمُ الفِكَرِ
The brilliant, the cultivated, exalted in refinement,
From every innovative meaning and ingenious conceit.
the perceptive, the intelligent, sound in thought;
Of all wise sayings made so consummate they became
البارِعُthe outstanding المُغرِبُthe inventive البانيthe builder of بَلاغَتَهُhis eloquence
البارِعُ المُغرِبُ الباني بَلاغَتَهُ
مِنfrom كلِّevery مُختَرِعِoriginal المَعنىmeaning وَمُبتَكِرِand newly created
مِن كلِّ مُختَرِعِ المَعنى وَمُبتَكِرِ
the outstanding, the inventive, building his eloquence
Sweeter to hearing than flute and lute strings.
from every original, newly devised meaning,
Of all rare talents turned indispensable,
مِنfrom كلِّevery ذيbearing حِكمَةٍwisdom قَدalready أُحكِمَتwas finely crafted وَغَدَتand became
مِن كلِّ ذي حِكمَةٍ قَد أُحكِمَت وَغَدَت
أَلَذَّsweeter لِلسّمعِto the ear منthan نايٍa reed flute وَمِنand than وَترِa string
أَلَذَّ لِلسّمعِ من نايٍ وَمِن وَترِ
from every wise saying, finely fashioned and grown
As perfect links in a necklace of the finest pearls.
sweeter to the ear than a reed flute or a string;
His eloquence surpasses, his rhetoric transcends,
مِنfrom كلِّevery نادِرَةٍrare gem أَضحَتhas become كَواسِطةٍlike a central pearl
مِن كلِّ نادِرَةٍ أَضحَت كَواسِطةٍ
فيin العِقدِthe necklace مُنتَظِماًstrung مِنfrom أَفخَرِthe most splendid الدُّررِpearls
في العِقدِ مُنتَظِماً مِن أَفخَرِ الدُّررِ
from every rare gem that has become a central pearl
In excellent arrangement, unpatterned and patterned.
in a necklace strung with the most splendid pearls.
Lord of wondrous merits who refined his features,
تَعلوrises فَصاحَتُهُhis eloquence تَعلوrises بَلاغَتُهُhis rhetoric
تَعلو فَصاحَتُهُ تَعلو بَلاغَتُهُ
فيin حُسنِthe beauty of مُنتَظِمٍverse مِنهُfrom him وَمُنتَثِرِand prose
في حُسنِ مُنتَظِمٍ مِنهُ وَمُنتَثِرِ
His eloquence rises, his rhetoric rises,
Treasure of resplendent virtues, from open and hidden.
in the beauty of both his verse and his prose.
Unique in her time among humanity and mortals,
رَبُّmaster of الفَواضِلِnoble gifts ماhow أَسنىradiant شمائِلَهhis qualities
رَبُّ الفَواضِلِ ما أَسنى شمائِلَه
خِدْنُthe companion of الفَضائِلِvirtues مِنof بادٍthe manifest وَمُستَتِرِand the hidden
خِدْنُ الفَضائِلِ مِن بادٍ وَمُستَتِرِ
Master of noble gifts—how radiant his qualities!
Unmatched among people and humankind.
Companion of virtues, manifest and hidden;
The stars of excellence in this age, were they to rise,
يَتيمَةُthe incomparable pearl of الدّهرِthe age صِينَتْkept safe عَنfrom مُماثِلهاany equal to it
يَتيمَةُ الدّهرِ صِينَتْ عَن مُماثِلها
فريدةُthe unique jewel of الوَقتِthe time بَينَamong النّاسِpeople وَالبشَرِand humankind
فريدةُ الوَقتِ بَينَ النّاسِ وَالبشَرِ
the age's incomparable pearl, kept beyond any equal,
Would take the place of sun and moon.
the time's unique jewel among people and humankind.
Lord of sublime heights that towered above gladness
فَأَنجُمُso the stars of الفَضلِmerit فيin ذاthis العَصرِage لَوif طَلَعَتthey arose
فَأَنجُمُ الفَضلِ في ذا العَصرِ لَو طَلَعَت
لَكانَhe would hold فيهاamong them مَحلَّthe station of الشَّمسِthe sun وَالقَمَرِand the moon
لَكانَ فيها مَحلَّ الشَّمسِ وَالقَمَرِ
Were the stars of merit to rise in this age,
And were robed in glory and pride.
he would hold among them the station of the sun and moon.
Brother of dignity, reverence cleaves to him,
رَبُّmaster of المَعاليlofty honors الّتيwhich أَربَتsurpassed مَراتِبهاtheir ranks
رَبُّ المَعالي الّتي أَربَت مَراتِبها
عَلىabove السّهىSuha وَاِرتَدَتْand clothed themselves بِالمَجدِin glory وَالفخرِand pride
عَلى السّهى وَاِرتَدَتْ بِالمَجدِ وَالفخرِ
Master of lofty honors whose ranks have risen
Becoming best adorned with awe.
above Suha, arrayed in glory and pride;
Quintessence of the age in the form of perfection,
أَخوa man of الوَقارِdignity بِهِwith him التوقيرُveneration مُقترنٌis joined
أَخو الوَقارِ بِهِ التوقيرُ مُقترنٌ
وَبِالمَهابَةِand in awe أَضحىhe has become خَيرَthe finest مُتّزرِone wrapped
وَبِالمَهابَةِ أَضحى خَيرَ مُتّزرِ
a man of dignity, joined with veneration,
True in configuration, in thought and sight.
clothed in awe, the finest of those who wear it.
My shaykh al-Masiri, whose merits proliferated,
نَتيجَةُthe conclusion of الدّهرِthe age مِنfrom شَكلِthe logical figure of الكَمالِperfection بَدَتhas emerged
نَتيجَةُ الدّهرِ مِن شَكلِ الكَمالِ بَدَت
صَحيحَةُsound in النتجِdeduction فيin فكرٍthought وفيand in نَظَرِinquiry
صَحيحَةُ النتجِ في فكرٍ وفي نَظَرِ
The age's conclusion, emerging from perfection's logical figure,
In excellent repute, best praise propagated.
sound in its deduction, in thought and inquiry.
Fruit of perfections, the pride of Alexandria,
شَيخيmy teacher المَسيرِيِّal-Masiri مَنْone whose شاعَتspread مَناقِبُهُhis virtues
شَيخي المَسيرِيِّ مَنْ شاعَت مَناقِبُهُ
فيin حُسنِfine صيتٍrenown بِأَسنىwith the loftiest الحَمدِpraise مُنتَشرِwidespread
في حُسنِ صيتٍ بِأَسنى الحَمدِ مُنتَشرِ
My teacher al-Masiri, whose virtues have spread
Muhammad of splendid, lofty, perilous merits.
in fine renown, diffused with the loftiest praise;
Open, smiling face, brother of mirth while residing and travelling,
نَجلُson of الكَمالاتِperfections وَالاِسكَندرِيْand Alexandrian بَلداًby hometown
نَجلُ الكَمالاتِ وَالاِسكَندرِيْ بَلداً
مُحمّدُMuhammad ذوpossessor of الكَمالِperfection الفاخِرِsplendid الخطرِof high standing
مُحمّدُ ذو الكَمالِ الفاخِرِ الخطرِ
son of perfections, Alexandrian by hometown,
To describe his fair attributes, I cannot, save prolonging describing the famous.
Muhammad, possessed of glorious perfection and high standing;
In beauty and excellence, in eye and trace.
طَلْقُcheerful of المُحيّاcountenance ضَحوكُlaughing of الثّغرِmouth باسِمُهsmiling through it
طَلْقُ المُحيّا ضَحوكُ الثّغرِ باسِمُه
أَخوa man of البَشاشَةِcheerfulness فيin مُكثٍstaying وَفيand in سَفرِtravel
أَخو البَشاشَةِ في مُكثٍ وَفي سَفرِ
cheerful of countenance, laughing and smiling of mouth,
A singing gazelle, a lovely doe,
a man of cheerfulness, at home and on the road.
Beautiful, shining like sun and moon.
ماwhat ليhave I بِأَوصافِهِthrough his qualities الحسنىfinest أُعرِّفُهto make him known
ما لي بِأَوصافِهِ الحسنى أُعرِّفُه
إِلّاexcept الإِطالةُprolonging فيin تَعريفِmaking known مُشتَهِرِone renowned
إِلّا الإِطالةُ في تَعريفِ مُشتَهِرِ
What have I to gain in making him known by his finest qualities,
Daughter of a thinker whose thinking betrayed him,
except lengthening the account of one already renowned?
For he cannot distinguish poetry from verse.
فَهاكَso take مَولايَmy lord بِكراًa maiden لاno نَظيرَequal لهاto her
فَهاكَ مَولايَ بِكراً لا نَظيرَ لها
فيin الحسنِbeauty وَالكَيْسِand wit فيin عينٍdirect sight وفيand in أَثرِreport
في الحسنِ وَالكَيْسِ في عينٍ وفي أَثرِ
Here, my lord, take a maiden with no equal
She came to you in service, grasping your hands,
in beauty and wit, in person or in report:
Boasting of you, adorned with pride.
غَيداءَgraceful غانِيَةًnaturally beautiful هَيفاءَslender مائِسَةًswaying
غَيداءَ غانِيَةً هَيفاءَ مائِسَةً
حَسناءَlovely طالِعةًrising كَالشَّمسِlike the sun وَالقَمرِand the moon
حَسناءَ طالِعةً كَالشَّمسِ وَالقَمرِ
a graceful beauty, slender and swaying,
She went on at length, though fell short praising her master -
lovely, rising like the sun and moon;
My embarrassment! He is the essence of length and brevity.
وَليدَةُthe daughter of فِكرthe thought of اِمرِئٍa man خانَتهُbetrayed him فِكرَتُهُhis thinking
وَليدَةُ فِكر اِمرِئٍ خانَتهُ فِكرَتُهُ
فَلَيسَso he does not يفرُقdistinguish بَينَbetween الشِّعرِpoetry وَالشَّعرِand hair
فَلَيسَ يفرُق بَينَ الشِّعرِ وَالشَّعرِ
the daughter of the thought of a man betrayed by his own thinking,
Great where in praising you she was robed
who cannot distinguish poetry from hair.
Were it not for him, she would be in the depths of smallness.
جاءَتكَshe came to you جارِيَةًa handmaid كَفَّيكyour two palms لاثِمَةًkissing
جاءَتكَ جارِيَةً كَفَّيك لاثِمَةً
وَفيكand in you فاخِرَةًproud تَزدانُshe adorns herself بِالفَخرِwith pride
وَفيك فاخِرَةً تَزدانُ بِالفَخرِ
She comes to you as a handmaid, kissing your two hands,
How many a lowly creature contained loftiness in another,
proud of you, adorning herself with that pride.
Yet in himself was of contemptible stock!
طالَتshe grew long وَقَدand yet قَصّرتfell short فيin مَدحِpraising سَيِّدهاher master
طالَت وَقَد قَصّرت في مَدحِ سَيِّدها
ياO خَجلَتيmy shame وَهوَwhile it is ذاتpossessing الطولِlength وَالقصرِand shortness
يا خَجلَتي وَهوَ ذات الطولِ وَالقصرِ
She has grown long, yet fallen short in praising her master;
I gifted her to you, ocean of knowledge, as a gem,
oh, my shame—she has both length and shortness!
And I was as one gifting the ocean its pearls.
كَبيرةٌgreat حَيثُwhen فيin تِمداحِكَpraising you اِتَّشَحتshe robed herself
كَبيرةٌ حَيثُ في تِمداحِكَ اِتَّشَحت
لَولاهُwithout it كانَتshe would be ترىseen فيin غايَةِthe utmost الصِّغَرِsmallness
لَولاهُ كانَت ترى في غايَةِ الصِّغَرِ
She is great when robed in praise of you;
She praises you with all forms of praise,
without it, she would seem exceedingly small.
As gardens extol rain with their flowers.
وَكَمand how many حَقيرٍa lowly thing حَوىacquired فيthrough غَيرِهِanother than itself عظماًgreatness
وَكَم حَقيرٍ حَوى في غَيرِهِ عظماً
وَذاكَwhile that فيin نَفسِهِitself مِنis of جِنسِthe class of محتقرِthe despised
وَذاكَ في نَفسِهِ مِن جِنسِ محتقرِ
How many a lowly thing gains greatness through another,
In your sweet praise she is perfumed,
though in itself it belongs among the despised!
Scenting us with pure musk's fragrance.
أَهدَيتُهاI offered her لَكَto you بَحرَocean of العِلمِknowledge جَوهَرةًas a jewel
أَهدَيتُها لَكَ بَحرَ العِلمِ جَوهَرةً
وَكُنتُand I was فيهاin this كَمُهديlike one gifting البحرِthe sea بِالدّررِwith pearls
وَكُنتُ فيها كَمُهدي البحرِ بِالدّررِ
I offered her to you, ocean of knowledge, as a jewel,
She hopes for acceptance, and in it mends her spirit,
and in this I was like one gifting the sea with pearls.
Excusing my shortcomings with regretful apology.
تُثنيshe praises عَلَيكَyou بِأَنواعِwith varieties of الثّناءِpraise كَماjust as
تُثني عَلَيكَ بِأَنواعِ الثّناءِ كَما
تُثنيpraise الرّياضُthe gardens عَلىupon الأَمطارِthe rains بِالزّهَرِwith flowers
تُثني الرّياضُ عَلى الأَمطارِ بِالزّهَرِ
She praises you with many kinds of praise, as
Do not break, brother of kindness, her spirit.
gardens praise the rains with flowers.
It is the way of your likes to mend the broken.
فيin طيبِthe sweetness of مَدحِكَpraising you قَدalready أَضحىhas become تَمسُّكُهاher musk-perfuming
في طيبِ مَدحِكَ قَد أَضحى تَمسُّكُها
فَضَمّختناso she anointed us بِأَذكىwith the most pungent مِسكِهِof its musk العَطِرِfragrant
فَضَمّختنا بِأَذكى مِسكِهِ العَطِرِ
She has taken on musk in the sweetness of praising you,
Submit in contentment and honor with nobility,
and anointed us with its most pungent, fragrant musk.
Below it loftiness of every companion.
تَرجوshe hopes for القَبولَacceptance وفيهand in it جَبرُcomforting خاطِرِهاher heart
تَرجو القَبولَ وفيه جَبرُ خاطِرِها
وَعَنand for قُصورِيَmy shortcomings تُبديshe offers عُذرَthe apology of مُعتَذِرِone apologizing
وَعَن قُصورِيَ تُبدي عُذرَ مُعتَذِرِ
She hopes for acceptance, which would comfort her heart,
No lightning flashed, no morning breeze blew,
and offers an apology for my shortcomings.
Nor birds trilled in thickets at morn,
لاdo not تَكسرَنَّever break أَخاman of الإِحسانِbenevolence خاطِرهاher heart
لا تَكسرَنَّ أَخا الإِحسانِ خاطِرها
فَشَأنُfor the practice of مِثلِكَone like you يَبدوappears جَبرَmending مُنكَسِرِone broken
فَشَأنُ مِثلِكَ يَبدو جَبرَ مُنكَسِرِ
Do not break her heart, man of benevolence,
But that one crazed with love in its fervor
for one like you is wont to mend the broken.
Kept night watch 'tween the moon and flowers.
وَاِسلَمand remain safe وَدُمand endure بِالهَناin happiness وَالعِزِّand might مَعwith شَرفٍhonor
وَاِسلَم وَدُم بِالهَنا وَالعِزِّ مَع شَرفٍ
بِسُؤددٍwith nobility دونَهُbeneath it عَلياءُthe eminence of كُلِّevery سَريnobleman
بِسُؤددٍ دونَهُ عَلياءُ كُلِّ سَري
Remain safe, and endure in happiness, might, and honor,
with a nobility beneath which lies every nobleman's eminence,
ماso long as لاحَflashes بَرقٌlightning وَماand so long as هَبّتblows نَسيمa breeze of صباًthe east wind
ما لاحَ بَرقٌ وَما هَبّت نَسيم صباً
وَغَرَّدَand sing الطّيرُthe birds فيin الآصالِthe evenings والبُكرِand the mornings
وَغَرَّدَ الطّيرُ في الآصالِ والبُكرِ
so long as lightning flashes and an east-wind breeze blows,
and birds sing in the evenings and at dawn,
وَهامَand wandered enraptured فيin حبّهlove for him وَجداًwith longing خَدينُa companion of هوَىlove
وَهامَ في حبّه وَجداً خَدينُ هوَى
وَساهرَand kept vigil through اللّيلَthe night بَينَbetween البدرِthe full moon والزُّهرِand the shining stars
وَساهرَ اللّيلَ بَينَ البدرِ والزُّهرِ
and love's companion wanders in longing for his beloved,
and keeps vigil through the night between the full moon and the shining stars.
Partial English translation: 160 of 166 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1