نِداءٌa call لِكُلِّto all النّاسِthe people فالأَمْرُfor the matter أَعْظَمُmore momentous
نِداءٌ لِكُلِّ النّاسِ فالأَمْرُ أَعْظَمُ
وَأَنَّand indeed أَميرَthe Commander of المؤْمِنينَthe Faithful الْمُقَدَّمُforemost
وَأَنَّ أَميرَ المؤْمِنينَ الْمُقَدَّمُ
A call to all people, for the matter is grave;
A call to all people, for the matter is great,
and the Commander of the Faithful is foremost.
And that the Commander of the Faithful is foremost.
فأَمْرُfor the affairs of جَمِيعَall النّاسِthe people فيin كُلِّevery مَوْطِنٍplace
فأَمْرُ جَمِيعَ النّاسِ في كُلِّ مَوْطِنٍ
إلَيْهِto him ومِنْهُand from him الْعَقَدُbinding والْحَلُّand unbinding أَلْزَمُmost incumbent
إلَيْهِ ومِنْهُ الْعَقَدُ والْحَلُّ أَلْزَمُ
For the affairs of all people, in every place,
The matter of all people in every place
fall to him; binding and unbinding are chiefly his charge.
Is to him and from him, binding and loosening.
ونَادِand call بَنِيهِhis sons الْغُرَّthe illustrious سادَاتِlords of عَصْرِناour age
ونَادِ بَنِيهِ الْغُرَّ سادَاتِ عَصْرِنا
فإنَّfor indeed بِهِمْthrough them عِقْدَthe necklace of الْمَعالِيhigh honors يُنْظَمُis strung
فإنَّ بِهِمْ عِقْدَ الْمَعالِي يُنْظَمُ
And call his illustrious sons, the lords of our age,
And call his noble sons, the chiefs of our time,
for through them the necklace of high honors is strung.
For through them the garland of glories is strung.
ونَادِand call بَنيthe sons of الْمَنْصورِal-Mansur قَاسِمٍQasim الذيwho
ونَادِ بَني الْمَنْصورِ قَاسِمٍ الذي
بَنَىbuilt لَهُمُfor them مَجْداًglory يَجُلّgrows lofty ويَعْظُمُand grows great
بَنَى لَهُمُ مَجْداً يَجُلّ ويَعْظُمُ
And call the sons of al-Mansur Qasim, who
And call the sons of Mansur Qasim, who
built them glory lofty and great.
Built for them a glory that is majestic and great.
وَلَسْتُand I do not أَخُصُّsingle out الْفَرْدَthe individual مِنْهُمْamong them بِمثْلِwith the like of ذاthis
وَلَسْتُ أَخُصُّ الْفَرْدَ مِنْهُمْ بِمثْلِ ذا
ولكِنَّنيbut I للكُلِّto all مِنْهُمْamong them أُعَمِّمُapply it generally
ولكِنَّني للكُلِّ مِنْهُمْ أُعَمِّمُ
I do not single out one of them with such words,
And I am not partial to any individual among them,
but extend them to all alike.
But to all of them I generalize.
وَنادِand call رِجالَthe men of الْعِلْمِlearning جَهْراًaloud فإنَّهُمْfor they
وَنادِ رِجالَ الْعِلْمِ جَهْراً فإنَّهُمْ
بماof what جَاءَhas come فيconcerning كَتْمِconcealing الْبَيانَاتِclear explanations أعْلَمُbest informed
بما جَاءَ في كَتْمِ الْبَيانَاتِ أعْلَمُ
And call the men of learning aloud, for they
And loudly call the men of knowledge, for they
know best what has been said about concealing clear explanations.
Are most knowledgeable in what has come in the clear texts.
وهُمْand they وَرِثواinherited الْمُخْتارَthe Chosen One فيماin what أَتَىhe brought بِهِwith it
وهُمْ وَرِثوا الْمُخْتارَ فيما أَتَى بِهِ
وَوارِثُand the heir to هَذاthis الدينِreligion فيهِwithin it الْمُقَدَّمُforemost
وَوارِثُ هَذا الدينِ فيهِ الْمُقَدَّمُ
They inherited from the Chosen One what he brought,
And they inherited al-Mukhtar in what he came with,
and the heir to this religion takes precedence within it.
And the heir of this religion in it is foremost.
ونادand call رجالَthe men of الطَّعْنthrusting والضَّرْبِand striking كُلَّevery مَنْone who
وناد رجالَ الطَّعْن والضَّرْبِ كُلَّ مَنْ
لَهُhe has عِنْدَon يَوْمthe day of الرَّوْعterror طِرْفٌa noble steed ولَهْذَمُand a sharp spear
لَهُ عِنْدَ يَوْم الرَّوْع طِرْفٌ ولَهْذَمُ
And call the men of thrust and stroke, everyone who
And call the men of sarcasm and beating, all who
has a noble steed and a sharp spear on the day of terror.
Have a glance on the day of calamity, and bite.
وكلَّand every فَتىyouth يَسْعَىhastens إلىto الْحَرْبِwar طالِباًseeking
وكلَّ فَتى يَسْعَى إلى الْحَرْبِ طالِباً
مُناصَرَةًsupport للحقِّfor the truth والحقُّand the truth أقدمُforemost
مُناصَرَةً للحقِّ والحقُّ أقدمُ
And every youth who hastens to war, seeking
And every young man who strives for war, seeking
to support the truth—and truth takes precedence.
To support the truth, and the truth is more ancient.
وقلْand say للذيto the one whom نادَيْتَyou called مِنْfrom كُلّevery فِرقَةٍgroup
وقلْ للذي نادَيْتَ مِنْ كُلّ فِرقَةٍ
أَفيin (question) يقظَةٍwakefulness أمor أنتمُyou اليومَtoday نُوَّمُasleep
أَفي يقظَةٍ أم أنتمُ اليومَ نُوَّمُ
And say to those you called from every group:
And say to those I called from every faction:
Are you awake, or are you asleep today?
Are you awake or are you sleeping today?
وَمالَكُمُand you have no عَقْلٌsense إذَاwhen كَانَis دِينُكُمْyour religion
وَمالَكُمُ عَقْلٌ إذَا كَانَ دِينُكُمْ
بِهِwith it طارَflew away ماwhat lies بَيْنَamong الْبرِيَّةِmankind قَشْعَمُan old vulture
بِهِ طارَ ما بَيْنَ الْبرِيَّةِ قَشْعَمُ
Have you no sense, when your religion
And what mind do you have, when your religion
has been carried away among mankind by an old vulture?
With it the wild lands between breezes fluttered.
أَمَاis there no لَكُمُfor you فِكْرٌthought فَكُلُّfor every مُفَكِّرٍthinker
أَمَا لَكُمُ فِكْرٌ فَكُلُّ مُفَكِّرٍ
يُؤَخِّرُdraws back رِجلاًa foot فيكُمُconcerning you ويُقَدِّمُand puts it forward
يُؤَخِّرُ رِجلاً فيكُمُ ويُقَدِّمُ
Have you no thought? Every thinking person
Do you not have any thought? For every thinker
draws a foot back concerning you, then puts it forward.
Delays one of you and puts another forward.
فَحِيناًso sometimes رَمَوْكُمْthey accused you بالجُنونِof madness وتَارةًand at other times
فَحِيناً رَمَوْكُمْ بالجُنونِ وتَارةً
يَرَوْنكُمُthey see you فيin سَكْرَةٍa drunken stupor تَتَغَمْغَمواyou mumble
يَرَوْنكُمُ في سَكْرَةٍ تَتَغَمْغَموا
At times they accuse you of madness, and at others
So one time he accused you of madness, and another time
they see you in a drunken stupor, mumbling.
They see you drunk, babbling incoherently.
وكَمْand how many قائِلٍa speaker قَدْalready صِرْتُمُyou have become مِثْلَlike آلةٍa tool
وكَمْ قائِلٍ قَدْ صِرْتُمُ مِثْلَ آلةٍ
يُقَلِّبُهاturns it about فيin كِفَّةِthe scale-pan of الدَّهْرِtime أبْكَمُa mute
يُقَلِّبُها في كِفَّةِ الدَّهْرِ أبْكَمُ
How many say, 'You have become like a tool
And how many have said you became like a machine
that a mute turns about in the pan of time's scales.'
Flipped around in the palm of fate, mute.
وآخَرَand another قالَsaid الأَمْرُauthority أَدْبَرَturned away عَنْكُمُfrom you
وآخَرَ قالَ الأَمْرُ أَدْبَرَ عَنْكُمُ
فَدَبَّرَكُمْso governed you مَنْone who لَيْسَdoes not للرُّشْدِabout sound judgment يَفْهَمُunderstand
فَدَبَّرَكُمْ مَنْ لَيْسَ للرُّشْدِ يَفْهَمُ
Another says, 'Authority has turned its back on you,
And another said: The matter has turned away from you,
so one who understands no sound judgment governs you.'
So one who understands not guidance made you regress.
وكَمْand how often قَدْindeed أَطالُواthey prolonged الْقَوْلَspeech فيabout ذاthis وإنَّهُand it
وكَمْ قَدْ أَطالُوا الْقَوْلَ في ذا وإنَّهُ
حَقِيقٌdeserving بأنَّthat الْقَوْلَspeech فيهِabout it يُعَظَّمُbe given weight
حَقِيقٌ بأنَّ الْقَوْلَ فيهِ يُعَظَّمُ
How often they have spoken at length of this! It
And how much they have prolonged speech about this, and it
truly deserves to be spoken of in grave terms.
Is truly deserving that speech about it be magnified.
وَأصْدَقُand truer منْthan هَذاthis وَأوْلىand more fitting بأَنكُمْis that you
وَأصْدَقُ منْ هَذا وَأوْلى بأَنكُمْ
تَرَكْتُمْyou neglected أمُوراًmatters وَهْيَwhile they are أَوْلَىmore worthy وأَحْزَمُand more prudent
تَرَكْتُمْ أمُوراً وَهْيَ أَوْلَى وأَحْزَمُ
But truer and more fitting than this is that you
And more truthful than this and more worthy that you
have neglected matters more worthy and prudent.
Have neglected matters, though they are more fitting and wise.
فَأوَّلُهاso the first of them لمnot تَقْبَلُواyou accepted نُصْحَthe counsel of ناصِحٍan adviser
فَأوَّلُها لم تَقْبَلُوا نُصْحَ ناصِحٍ
يَرَىsees أَنَّهthat he is فيماin whatever يَنُوبُbefalls المقَدّمُthe foremost
يَرَى أَنَّه فيما يَنُوبُ المقَدّمُ
First, you did not accept the counsel of an adviser
The first of them is that you did not accept the advice of an advisor
who sees himself as foremost when troubles arise.
Who sees that in what befalls, the Commander is foremost.
وَثانٍand a second لَهاof them قَدَّمْتُمُyou put in charge فيin أمُورِكُمْyour affairs
وَثانٍ لَها قَدَّمْتُمُ في أمُورِكُمْ
غَبِيّاًa fool إذاwhen شُدْتُمْyou erect بناءًa building يُهَدِّمُhe tears it down
غَبِيّاً إذا شُدْتُمْ بناءً يُهَدِّمُ
Second, you have put in charge of your affairs
And secondly, for your affairs you put forward
a fool who tears down whatever building you raise.
An ignoramus, if you built a structure, he demolishes it.
يَحُلُّhe undoes أمُوراًaffairs مُحْكماتٍfirmly secured عُقُودُهاtheir knots
يَحُلُّ أمُوراً مُحْكماتٍ عُقُودُها
وَفيand at كُلِّevery حينٍmoment رَأيُهُhis judgment يَتَصَرَّمُfalls apart
وَفي كُلِّ حينٍ رَأيُهُ يَتَصَرَّمُ
He undoes affairs whose knots are firmly tied,
He undoes firmly constructed affairs,
and his judgment falls apart at every turn.
And his opinion in every era fluctuates and withers.
وَحَاشَاهُand far be it from him مِنْfrom غِشٍّdeceit لكُمtoward you غَيْرَexcept أَنَّهُthat he
وَحَاشَاهُ مِنْ غِشٍّ لكُم غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ
جَهُولٌutterly ignorant لرأيِof the judgment of الرُّشْدِsound guidance إنْif لاحَappears مَغْنَمُplunder
جَهُولٌ لرأيِ الرُّشْدِ إنْ لاحَ مَغْنَمُ
Far be it from him to deceive you; yet he
Does he gather troops every year, sending them
is ignorant of sound judgment whenever plunder appears.
With fines that are lofty and great?
أَفيin (question) كُلِّevery عامٍyear يَجْمَعُmusters الْجُنْدَthe troops مُرْسِلاًsending
أَفي كُلِّ عامٍ يَجْمَعُ الْجُنْدَ مُرْسِلاً
لَهُمْto them بِغَراماتٍwith expenditures تَجِلُّgrow enormous وتَعْظُمُand grow great
لَهُمْ بِغَراماتٍ تَجِلُّ وتَعْظُمُ
Does he muster the troops each year, sending
And if they near opening, he abandons them, so what do they have
them payments at immense and mounting cost?
With him? And if they die of hunger, he does not feed them.
وإنْand if شارَفُواthey approach فَتْحاًa conquest يَدَعْهُمْhe abandons them فَماthen not لَهُمْfor them
وإنْ شارَفُوا فَتْحاً يَدَعْهُمْ فَما لَهُمْ
لَدَيْهِwith him وإنْeven if ماتُواthey die مِنَof الْجُوعِhunger مُطْعِمُa provider of food
لَدَيْهِ وإنْ ماتُوا مِنَ الْجُوعِ مُطْعِمُ
Yet when they approach victory, he abandons them; they have
And what was before this army, every time
no one from him to feed them, even if they die of hunger.
They have nothing but hunger that defeats them.
وماand those قَبْلَbefore هَذاthis الْجَيْشِarmy فيon كُلِّevery مرَّةٍoccasion
وما قَبْلَ هَذا الْجَيْشِ في كُلِّ مرَّةٍ
فَلَيْسَso there is not لَهُمْfor them شَيْءٌanything سِوَىexcept الْجُوعِhunger يَهْزمُthat defeats
فَلَيْسَ لَهُمْ شَيْءٌ سِوَى الْجُوعِ يَهْزمُ
And those before this army, time after time,
And these people used to be comfortable with what
have nothing to defeat them except hunger.
We gave the Najdis, so he rose up demolishing.
وَقَدْand indeed كانَwere هَذاthese النّاسُpeople فيin راحَةٍease بماthrough what
وَقَدْ كانَ هَذا النّاسُ في راحَةٍ بما
دَفَعْناwe repelled بِهِwith it النَّجْدِيal-Najdi فَقامَthen he arose يُهَدِّمُto demolish
دَفَعْنا بِهِ النَّجْدِي فَقامَ يُهَدِّمُ
These people had been at ease through what
And he killed his envoys out of stupidity and hunger,
we used to repel al-Najdi; then he arose to tear it down.
And that is a dishonor in the wilderness, hurting.
وَأَهْلَكَand he destroyed رُسْلاًenvoys مِنْهُfrom him جُوعاًthrough hunger سَفاهَةًfoolishly
وَأَهْلَكَ رُسْلاً مِنْهُ جُوعاً سَفاهَةً
وَذَلِكَand that عارٌa disgrace فيamong الْبَرِيَّةِmankind مُؤْلِمُpainful
وَذَلِكَ عارٌ في الْبَرِيَّةِ مُؤْلِمُ
In his folly, he caused envoys from him to die of hunger;
And how his deeds have saddened the heart of a loyal one
that is a painful disgrace among mankind.
Pushing away anger in his essence, decisive.
وكَمْand how often أَوْحَشَتْhave estranged أَفْعَالُهُhis deeds صَدْرَthe heart of مُخِلْصٍa loyal man
وكَمْ أَوْحَشَتْ أَفْعَالُهُ صَدْرَ مُخِلْصٍ
يُدافِعُstruggles against غَيْظاًanger فيwithin الْجَوانِحِthe ribs مُبْرمُfirmly knotted
يُدافِعُ غَيْظاً في الْجَوانِحِ مُبْرمُ
How often his deeds have estranged a loyal heart,
And it saddened what is between the Imam and his family
struggling against anger knotted within the ribs.
And children, so look into it if you understand.
وأَوْحَشَand he estranged ماwhat lies بَيْنَbetween الإمامِthe Imam وأَهْلِهِand his family
وأَوْحَشَ ما بَيْنَ الإمامِ وأَهْلِهِ
وأَوْلادِهِand his children وابْحَثْand investigate إذاif كُنْتَyou are تَفْهَمُunderstanding
وأَوْلادِهِ وابْحَثْ إذا كُنْتَ تَفْهَمُ
He has estranged the Imam from his family
And the hands of all the dissenters in evil what
and his children; investigate, if you understand.
He plans became lofty and great.
وأيْدِيand the hands of جَميعِall الخارِجينَthe rebels بسُوءٍthrough the evil of ماwhat
وأيْدِي جَميعِ الخارِجينَ بسُوءٍ ما
يُدَبِّرُهُhe manages صارَتْhave become تَجِلُّmighty وتَعْظُمُand great
يُدَبِّرُهُ صارَتْ تَجِلُّ وتَعْظُمُ
And the hands of all the rebels, through the evil of what
And were it not for him they would not have become kings while you
he manages, have grown mighty and great.
Are more majestic and foremost in the chests and greater.
وَلَوْلاهand but for him ماnot صارُواthey became مُلُوكاًkings وأَنْتُمُwhile you
وَلَوْلاه ما صارُوا مُلُوكاً وأَنْتُمُ
أَجَلُّnobler وأَوْلىand worthier فيin الصُّدورِthe hearts وأَعْظمُand greater
أَجَلُّ وأَوْلى في الصُّدورِ وأَعْظمُ
But for him they would not have become kings, while you
So do you have any false pride in the kingdom? For it
are nobler, worthier in people's hearts, and greater.
Has become war spoils among the people distributed.
فَهَلْso is there لَكُمُfor you ذَبٌّa defense عَلَىof الْمُلْكِthe kingdom فَهْوَfor it قَدْalready
فَهَلْ لَكُمُ ذَبٌّ عَلَى الْمُلْكِ فَهْوَ قَدْ
غَداhas become مَغْنَماًplunder بَيْنَamong الأَنامِmankind يُقسَّمُbeing divided
غَدا مَغْنَماً بَيْنَ الأَنامِ يُقسَّمُ
Will you defend the kingdom? It has already
Your rarities in it are praiseworthy, and this is
become plunder divided among mankind.
Zabid, Hais, and Raziya are the greatest,
بَنَادِرُكُمْyour ports فيهاin them حَمُودٌHamud وَهذِهِand these
بَنَادِرُكُمْ فيها حَمُودٌ وَهذِهِ
زَبِيدٌZabid وحَيْسٌand Hays والرَّزِيَّةُand the calamity أَضخَمُgreater
زَبِيدٌ وحَيْسٌ والرَّزِيَّةُ أَضخَمُ
Hamud is in your ports; and here are
And the house of the jurist Ibn Ujayl, and after it
Zabid and Hays, and the calamity is greater still.
Hafash and Milhan, spoils that are looted.
وبَيْتُand Bayt (house) الْفَقِيهِal-Faqih (the jurist) ابنِIbn (son of) الْعُجَيْلِal-Ujayl وبَعْدَهاand after it
وبَيْتُ الْفَقِيهِ ابنِ الْعُجَيْلِ وبَعْدَها
حفاشHufash ومِلْحَانٌand Milhan مَغانِمُspoils تُغْنَمُbeing plundered
حفاش ومِلْحَانٌ مَغانِمُ تُغْنَمُ
And Bayt al-Faqih Ibn al-Ujayl; after it,
And after this they decided to encamp
Hufash and Milhan—spoils to be plundered.
Upon the gate of Sanaa, which is higher and nobler.
وقَدْand indeed عَزَمُواthey resolved مِنْfrom بَعْدِafter ذاthis أَنْto يُخَيِّمواencamp
وقَدْ عَزَمُوا مِنْ بَعْدِ ذا أَنْ يُخَيِّموا
عَلَىat بابِthe gate of صَنْعاSanaa وَهْيَwhile it is أَعْلَىloftier وأكْرَمُand nobler
عَلَى بابِ صَنْعا وَهْيَ أَعْلَى وأكْرَمُ
They have now resolved, after this, to camp
So say to the Commander of the Faithful, until when
at the gate of Sanaa, which is loftier and nobler.
Will one who understands not guide the matter of the kingdom?
فَقُلْso say لأميرِto the Commander of المؤْمِنينَthe Faithful إلىuntil مَتَىwhen
فَقُلْ لأميرِ المؤْمِنينَ إلى مَتَى
يُدَfirst part of 'administers' بَّرُcompletion of 'administers' أَمْرَthe affairs of الْمُلْكِthe kingdom مَنْone who لَيْسdoes not يَفْهَمُunderstand
يُدَ بَّرُ أَمْرَ الْمُلْكِ مَنْ لَيْس يَفْهَمُ
So say to the Commander of the Faithful: 'How long
Do you tolerate the barren kingdom for his sake?
will someone without understanding administer the kingdom?'
You want his satisfaction yet he demolishes the kingdom?
أتَسْمَحُwill you part بالمُلْكِwith kingship الْعَقِيمِbarren لأَجْلِهِfor his sake
أتَسْمَحُ بالمُلْكِ الْعَقِيمِ لأَجْلِهِ
تُريدُyou seek رِضاهُhis approval وَهْوَwhile he للمُلْكِof the kingdom يَهْدِمُdemolishes
تُريدُ رِضاهُ وَهْوَ للمُلْكِ يَهْدِمُ
Will you part with barren kingship for his sake,
Make haste, Commander of the Faithful, for little remains
seeking his approval while he destroys the kingdom?
Before regret will not avail.
تَدارَكُrescue أَميرَO Commander of المؤمِنينَthe Faithful الذيwhat بَقِيremains
تَدارَكُ أَميرَ المؤمِنينَ الذي بَقِي
فَعَمّاfor after a قَليلٍlittle while لَيْسَnot يُغْنِيavails التَّنَدُّمُregret
فَعَمّا قَليلٍ لَيْسَ يُغْنِي التَّنَدُّمُ
Save what remains, Commander of the Faithful,
For you are beloved to the people, O Commander,
for soon regret will be of no avail.
But he makes hearts weep and hurts.
فإنّكَfor you مَحْبُوبٌbeloved إلىto النّاسِthe people لامِراwithout doubt
فإنّكَ مَحْبُوبٌ إلى النّاسِ لامِرا
ولكِنَّهُbut he يُبكيmakes weep الْقُلوبَthe hearts ويُؤْلِمُand causes pain
ولكِنَّهُ يُبكي الْقُلوبَ ويُؤْلِمُ
For you are beloved by the people, without doubt,
So which of your lands, before you
but he makes hearts weep and causes pain.
Relinquish it to other than you, do you organize?
فَأَيّso what بلادٍland منْamong بلادِكَyour lands قَبْلَbefore ماthe act of
فَأَيّ بلادٍ منْ بلادِكَ قَبْلَ ما
تُوسِّطُهُyou put him in charge فيon سِلْكِthe thread of غَيرِكَsomeone other than you تَنْظِمُyou string
تُوسِّطُهُ في سِلْكِ غَيرِكَ تَنْظِمُ
What land of yours, before you
For they only seceded due to his ill treatment,
put him in charge, did you string on another's thread?
And you, O son of the generous, know this.
فَماfor none خَرَجَتْbroke away إلاexcept بِسوءِthrough the evil of صَنيعِهِhis deeds
فَما خَرَجَتْ إلا بِسوءِ صَنيعِهِ
وأَنْتَand you بِذاof this ياO بنَson of الأكارِمِthe noble ones تَعْلَمُknow
وأَنْتَ بِذا يا بنَ الأكارِمِ تَعْلَمُ
None broke away except through his evil deeds,
And all expenditures of the wilderness were cut off
and you know this, son of the noble.
Though before him they were handed over to them.
وكُلُّand all مَصاريفِallowances of الْبَرِيَّةِthe people قُطِّعَتْwere cut off
وكُلُّ مَصاريفِ الْبَرِيَّةِ قُطِّعَتْ
ومنْand from قَبْلِهِbefore him كانَتْthey were إليْهِمْto them تُسَلَّمُdelivered
ومنْ قَبْلِهِ كانَتْ إليْهِمْ تُسَلَّمُ
All the people's allowances have been cut off,
And how many stipends and garments and
though before him they were delivered to them.
Gifts we saw being distributed by you.
وكْمand how many مِنْof جِراياتٍrations ومِنْand of كِسْوَةٍclothing ومِنْand of
وكْم مِنْ جِراياتٍ ومِنْ كِسْوَةٍ ومِنْ
ضَحاياsacrificial animals رأَيْناهاwe saw them لَدَيْكَin your presence تُقَسَّمُdistributed
ضَحايا رأَيْناها لَدَيْكَ تُقَسَّمُ
How many rations, and garments, and
So when he came, he left no remainder,
sacrificial animals we saw distributed in your presence!
And you, O son of the Imams, know better.
فَلَمّاbut when أَتَىhe came لَمْnot يُبْقِhe left منهاof them بَقِيَّةًany remainder
فَلَمّا أَتَى لَمْ يُبْقِ منها بَقِيَّةً
وأَنْتَand you بِذاof this ياO بنَson of الأَئِمَّةِthe Imams أَعْلَمُknow best
وأَنْتَ بِذا يا بنَ الأَئِمَّةِ أَعْلَمُ
But when he came, he left none of them,
And the face of the kingdom, as you knew it,
and you know this best, son of the Imams.
Used to be radiant, and now it is dusty and gloomy.
وَقَدْand indeed كانَwas وَجْهُthe face of الْمُلْكِthe kingdom فيماas عَلِمْتهُI knew it
وَقَدْ كانَ وَجْهُ الْمُلْكِ فيما عَلِمْتهُ
يَرُوقُwas pleasing وفيand in ذاthis الْوَقْتِtime أَغْبَرُdusty أَقْتَمُdarkened
يَرُوقُ وفي ذا الْوَقْتِ أَغْبَرُ أَقْتَمُ
The face of the kingdom, as I knew it,
Everything you were accustomed to has shrunk from you
was pleasing; now it is dusty and dark.
And between the wilderness you lack food.
تَقاصَرَdwindled عَنْكُمْaway from you كُلُّall ماthat تَعْهَدُونَهْyou are accustomed to it
تَقاصَرَ عَنْكُمْ كُلُّ ما تَعْهَدُونَهْ
وأَعْوزَكُمْand you lacked بَيْنَamong الْبَرِيَّةِmankind مَطْعَمُfood
وأَعْوزَكُمْ بَيْنَ الْبَرِيَّةِ مَطْعَمُ
All that you were accustomed to has dwindled away from you,
And your relatives have attained, from poverty, traits
and amid mankind you lack even food.
That are lofty and great.
وقَدْand indeed نالَbefell أَرْحاماًkinsfolk لَكُمْof yours وَقَرابَةًand relations
وقَدْ نالَ أَرْحاماً لَكُمْ وَقَرابَةً
مِنَof الْفَقْرِpoverty أوْصافٌconditions تَجِلُّgrow grave وتَعْظمُand grow immense
مِنَ الْفَقْرِ أوْصافٌ تَجِلُّ وتَعْظمُ
Your kinsfolk and relations have been stricken
And they have become humiliated at the doors of men,
by conditions of poverty grave and immense.
With no honorable person to honor them.
وَصارُواand they became بأَبْوابِat the doors of الرِّجالmen أذِلَّةًhumbled
وَصارُوا بأَبْوابِ الرِّجال أذِلَّةً
ولَيْسَand there is not لَهُمْfor them مِنْany مُكْرِمٍone to honor them قَطُّever يُكْرِمُwho honors them
ولَيْسَ لَهُمْ مِنْ مُكْرِمٍ قَطُّ يُكْرِمُ
They stand humbled at other men's doors,
And they became disgraced when they were noble kings,
with no one ever to show them honor.
And they reached a state that hurts and pains.
وهانواand they were abased وقَدْand indeed كانواthey had been مُلُوكاًkings أَجِلَّةًillustrious
وهانوا وقَدْ كانوا مُلُوكاً أَجِلَّةً
وصارُواand they fell إلىinto حالٍa condition تَضُرُّthat harms وتؤلمُand causes pain
وصارُوا إلى حالٍ تَضُرُّ وتؤلمُ
They are despised, though once they were illustrious kings,
Do you not see your father's sons? For they
and have fallen into a condition harmful and painful.
Have come to ask people while the matter is greater.
أَلَسْتَdo you not تَرَىsee أَبْناthe sons of أَبِيكَyour father فإنَّهُمْfor they
أَلَسْتَ تَرَى أَبْنا أَبِيكَ فإنَّهُمْ
غَدَوْاhave come to يَسأَلُونَbeg الناسَpeople والأَمْرُand the matter أَعْظَمُgraver
غَدَوْا يَسأَلُونَ الناسَ والأَمْرُ أَعْظَمُ
Do you not see your father's sons? They
If al-Mahdi saw his children as
have come to beg from people, and the matter is graver still.
We see them, tears for him would flow and gather.
فَلَوْand if شاهَدَsaw الْمَهْديُّal-Mahdi أَوْلادَهُhis children كَماas
فَلَوْ شاهَدَ الْمَهْديُّ أَوْلادَهُ كَما
نُشَاهِدُهُمْwe see them أَضْحىwould become لَهُfor him الدَّمْعُtears يُسْجَمُpour forth
نُشَاهِدُهُمْ أَضْحى لَهُ الدَّمْعُ يُسْجَمُ
If al-Mahdi saw his children as
Your subjects died of overt hunger,
we see them, his tears would pour forth.
And men whose virtues cannot be concealed died.
رَعَايَاكُمُyour subjects ماتُواdied مِنَof الْجُوعِhunger جَهْرَةًopenly
رَعَايَاكُمُ ماتُوا مِنَ الْجُوعِ جَهْرَةً
ومَاتَand died رِجالٌmen فَضْلُهُمْtheir merit لَيْسَnot يُكْتَمُconcealed
ومَاتَ رِجالٌ فَضْلُهُمْ لَيْسَ يُكْتَمُ
Your subjects have died of hunger in plain sight,
And that is not out of coercion, but
and men whose merit cannot be concealed have died.
Ways for them were cut off, along which tears and blood flow.
وماand not ذاكَthat مِنْfrom جَذْبٍdrawing (likely 'drought' intended) ولكِنْbut تَقَطَّعَتْwere cut off
وما ذاكَ مِنْ جَذْبٍ ولكِنْ تَقَطَّعَتْ
لَهُمْfor them سُبُلٌpaths يجريflows بهاalong them الدَّمْعُtears والدّمُand blood
لَهُمْ سُبُلٌ يجري بها الدَّمْعُ والدّمُ
This was not from drought; rather, severed were
And you did not defend them from an enemy doubled over,
their paths, along which tears and blood flow.
Nor did you show mercy while Allah is most merciful to creation.
ولَمْand not تَدْفَعُواyou warded off عَنْهُمْfrom them عَدُوّاًan enemy مُضَعّفاًdebilitating
ولَمْ تَدْفَعُوا عَنْهُمْ عَدُوّاً مُضَعّفاً
وَلَمْand not تَرْحَمواyou showed mercy واللهُand God بالخَلْقِto creation أَرْحَمُmore merciful
وَلَمْ تَرْحَموا واللهُ بالخَلْقِ أَرْحَمُ
You did not ward off a debilitating enemy from them,
And how many an advisor whose advice
nor show mercy; God is more merciful to His creatures.
You did not accept, though he came with the clearest truth.
وكَمْand how many ناصِحٍan adviser لمْnot تَقْبَلُواyou accepted مِنْهُfrom him نُصْحَهُhis counsel
وكَمْ ناصِحٍ لمْ تَقْبَلُوا مِنْهُ نُصْحَهُ
وإنْand even if جاءَhe came بالحَقِّwith the truth الذيthat هُوَis أَبْرَمُmost firmly established
وإنْ جاءَ بالحَقِّ الذي هُوَ أَبْرَمُ
How many advisers' counsel have you refused,
So is there an awakening for you after slumber?
even when they brought the most firmly established truth!
Clarify for us, or are you for eternity asleep?
فَهَلْso is there لَكُمُfor you منany يَقْظَةٍawakening بَعْدَafter نَوْمَةٍa slumber
فَهَلْ لَكُمُ من يَقْظَةٍ بَعْدَ نَوْمَةٍ
أَبِينواmake clear لَناto us أَمْor أَنْتُمُyou الدَّهْرَforever نُوَّمُasleep
أَبِينوا لَنا أَمْ أَنْتُمُ الدَّهْرَ نُوَّمُ
Will you wake after your slumber?
And is there any false pride in you about the kingdom? It is
Tell us plainly—or are you forever asleep?
On a turbulent, collapsing precipice.
وَهَلْand is there مِنْكُمُfrom you ذَبٌّa defense عَنِof الْمُلْكِthe kingdom إنَّهُindeed it
وَهَلْ مِنْكُمُ ذَبٌّ عَنِ الْمُلْكِ إنَّهُ
عَلَىon جُرُفٍa bank هَارٍcrumbling غَداhas come to يَتَهَدَّمُcollapse
عَلَى جُرُفٍ هَارٍ غَدا يَتَهَدَّمُ
Will any of you defend the kingdom? It
If you were to accept what I say,
stands on a crumbling bank, falling into ruin.
Then regret from you must prolong.
إذاif أَنْتُمُyou لضمْnot (apparent typo for لَمْ) تَقْبَلواaccept ماwhat أَقُولُهُI say
إذا أَنْتُمُ لضمْ تَقْبَلوا ما أَقُولُهُ
فَلاthen no بُدَّescape مِنكُمْfor you أَنْthat يَطولَbe prolonged التَّنَدّمُregret
فَلا بُدَّ مِنكُمْ أَنْ يَطولَ التَّنَدّمُ
If you do not accept what I say,
So my Lord, bear witness against them, for I
then your remorse is bound to last long.
Gave advice while others made advice secret.
فياso O رَبَّناour Lord اشْهَدْbear witness ليfor me عَلَيْهِمagainst them فإنّنيfor I
فيا رَبَّنا اشْهَدْ لي عَلَيْهِم فإنّني
نَصَحْتُI gave counsel وغَيْرِيand others besides me صارَhave come to للنُّصْحِcounsel يَكْتُمُconceal
نَصَحْتُ وغَيْرِي صارَ للنُّصْحِ يَكْتُمُ
So, our Lord, bear witness for me against them, for I
have offered counsel, while others have come to conceal it.
Partial English translation: 114 of 116 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1