تَوسَّلتُ لِلرَحمَن أَدعو بِعَبدِهِ

تَوسَّلتُ لِلرَحمَن أَدعو بِعَبدِهِ

وَكانَ لَهُ عَبداً مُطيعاً مقرَّبا

وَكانَ لَهُ عَبداً مُطيعاً مقرَّبا

I sought a means of approach to the Most Merciful, praying through His servant,

I implored the Merciful, calling upon His servant,

and he was His obedient servant, brought near to Him.

And he had a servant who was obedient and drawn near.

فَإِن لَم أَنَل ما أَرتَجي بِمقرَّبٍ

فَإِن لَم أَنَل ما أَرتَجي بِمقرَّبٍ

لَهُ فبذي الإقصاء لا نِلتُ مَأربا

لَهُ فبذي الإقصاء لا نِلتُ مَأربا

For if I do not attain what I hope for through one brought near

So if I do not attain what I hope for through the one drawn near,

to Him, then through one cast away I shall attain no aim.

Then by the One who distances I will not attain my goal.

إِلهي أَجب سُؤلي بِهِ إنَّ فَضلَهُ

إِلهي أَجب سُؤلي بِهِ إنَّ فَضلَهُ

بِفَضلك رَبّي ذاعَ شَرقاً وَمَغرِبا

بِفَضلك رَبّي ذاعَ شَرقاً وَمَغرِبا

My God, grant my request through him; indeed, his merit

My God, answer my request through him, for his grace,

through Your grace, my Lord, has become known east and west.

My Lord, through Your grace has spread east and west.

تَيَقّن مَن يَبغي إِلَيك وَسيلة

تَيَقّن مَن يَبغي إِلَيك وَسيلة

أَمَرت بِها أَن لا يَبوءَ مخيَّبا

أَمَرت بِها أَن لا يَبوءَ مخيَّبا

Whoever seeks a means of approach to You is certain—

Whoever desires a means to You is certain

a means You ordained—that he will not return disappointed.

That You have commanded it so he not despair.

فَيا وَيحَ راجٍ قامَ في باب واهِب

فَيا وَيحَ راجٍ قامَ في باب واهِب

إِذا لَم تبلّغهُ الوَسيلة مَطلَبا

إِذا لَم تبلّغهُ الوَسيلة مَطلَبا

So alas for a hopeful one who stood at a giver's door,

So woe to one standing at the Giver's door,

if the means of approach does not bring him what he seeks.

If the means does not deliver him his request.