للهِ دَرّ أبي داود من رجلٍ
يَسْتَنزل العُصْمَ من مُستَعْصَم القُلَلِ
Praise be to God for Abu Dawud, a man
Who would descend to take refuge in impregnable mountains.
لو رامَ قلع الجبال الشمِّ ما تركت
عزائمٌ فيه يوم الرَّوع من جَبَل
If he wanted to uproot the lofty summits, they would not remain,
With his resolute determination on the day of alarm, unmoved by any mountain.
له من الله في سِلْمٍ ومُعْتَرَك
بأسُ الحديد وجُود العارض الهطل
He has from God, whether in peace or war,
The might of iron and the generosity of pouring rain.
شيخٌ حماها بفتيان إذا زأروا
تخوَّفتْهم أُسودُ الغيل بالغِيل
A venerable elder who protected them, when his young warriors roared,
The fierce lions were frightened by their roar.
حفَّتْ به من بني نجد أُغَيْلِمَةٌ
أعدَّهم لنزول الحادث الجلل
The warriors of Bani Najd surrounded him,
He prepared them for the advent of a momentous event.
إذا دعاهم أبو داود يومئذٍ
جاؤوا إليه بلا مَهلٍ على عجل
Whenever Abu Dawud called them,
They came to him without delay or hesitation.
المدْرِكونَ بعون الله ما طلبوا
والفائزون بما يرجون من أَمل
With God's help they obtained what they sought
And were successful in what they hoped for.
كم فتكةٍ لسليمان بهم فتكَتْ
وما تقول بفتكِ الفارس البطل
How many vicious attacks by Sulayman were repelled by them!
Need I speak of the warrior's valiant onslaught?
لقد قضى اللهُ بالنصر العزيزِ له
فيما قضاه من التقدير في الأَزل
Indeed God decreed a mighty victory for him,
According to His eternal decree.
واللهُ أعطاهُ في خَلْقٍ وفي خُلُقٍ
الصدقَ بالقولِ والإِخلاص بالعمل
God granted him in character and conduct
Truthfulness in speech and sincerity in deed.
جاءَ الصريخُ إليه يستجير به
مستنجداً منه بالخطّية الذيل
The cry for help came to him,
Seeking his protection from the trailing robe of injustice.
فجهَّز الجيشَ والظلماءُ عاكفةٌ
والرعد والبرق ذو ومض وذو زجل
So he assembled the army while darkness fell
With thunder and lightning, rumbling and flashing.
سرى إلى القوم في ليلٍ يَضِلُّ به
سِربُ القطا وجبان القوم في الكلل
He marched against the enemy in a night so dark
That even the guide lost his way, and the cowardly men shuddered in fear.
بحيث لا يهتدي الهادي بلا سُبُلاً
يَهديهم الرأيُ منها أوضحَ السبل
When no paths offered guidance,
Their wisdom illuminated the clearest path.
فوارسٌ بلَغَتْ مجدٌ بهم شرفاً
يسمو وفي غير طعن الرُّمح لم ينل
Horsemen whose glory brought them honor,
Triumphing without even wounding with their spears.
فأدْرَكتْ من عِداكم كلَّ ما طلَبَتْ
فصار يُضربُ فيها اليوم بالمثل
They overtook those you opposed, and obtained all they sought,
So today they are cited as examples.
وصبَّحتهم ببيض الهند عاديةً
فأصْبحَتْ وهي حمرُ الحلّ والحلل
They greeted them at dawn with flashing Indian swords,
Gleaming red like the bud and the blossom.
قتلٌ وأسرٌ وإطلاقٌ يُمَنُّ به
على العدوِّ وإرسال بلا رَسل
Killing, capture, and pardon were granted
To the foe, as well as safe passage without escort.
فكان عيدٌ من الأَعياد سُرَّ به
أهلُ الحفيظة من حافٍ ومنتعل
It was a celebration, bringing joy
To the people of Hafeezah, horsemen and infantry alike.
إذ يُحشَرُ الناس في ذاكَ النهار ضحًى
والخيل قد أقْبَلَتْ بالشاء والإِبل
As throngs gathered that morning,
With the horses arriving, along with sheep and camels.
هذا هو الفخر لا كأسٌ تُدار على
شرب ولا نغمُ الأَوتار بالغزل
This is true pride, not a goblet passed around
For revelry, nor the melody of lyres in amorous verse.
فليهنك الظفرُ العالي الَّذي انقلبت
به أعاديك بعد الخزي بالفشل
So take pride in your lofty victory, by which
Your enemies were reduced to humiliation and failure.
وقُرَّ عَيناً فدتك الناس في ولد
يحيي المناقب من آبائك الأوَل
It delighted those who sacrificed themselves for you, that you sired
A son who revives the virtues of your noble forefathers.
فأرَّخوه وقالوا يومَ مولده
يَقُرُّ عَينَ سليمان الزهير علي
Note his birthdate, and say: the day he was born
Brought joy to Sulaiman Zahir’s eyes.
