Sol 5.6

  1. Listen—the eloquent tongue has spoken,

    bearing glad tidings whose utmost reach defies description.

  2. The universe rejoices in them with rapture,

    and through them the beauties of the world grow fair.

  3. The clouds have unveiled the horizon as a garden,

    where blossoms open their flowers.

  4. The meadow struts in robes of fine brocade,

    and there among them a bough of the sandhill sways.

  5. O you to whom belong the Ancient House and Zamzam,

    and Mina, Mecca—his abode—and al-Abṭaḥ:

  6. Are these the glorious deeds whose herald has arisen,

    or the fragrance wafted by the breezes of leafy groves?

  7. These are the glories, whether in generosity or guidance;

    for you their radiant dawn bursts forth.

  8. Were they portrayed to visiting delegations as pearls,

    you would take them in their strung array and wear them as a sash—

  9. until the full moons in their horizons wished

    to borrow morning light from their radiance.

  10. O visitor arriving from the realm of created beings, can

    the garden of existence, now that you have come, remain parched?

  11. O dawn of guidance, trailing the hem of loftiness,

    the companions sing in his remembrance and glorify God.

  12. O son of him—the caravans journey by night—whose prestige

    is a deep, cool shade while the scorching noons sear;

  13. O grandson of him who attained prophethood and guidance,

    by whose light the vast expanse was filled to overflowing.

  14. Is there, in the station he attained,

    anything Gabriel himself covets or aspires to?

  15. Though you are mute in answer, I

    shall forever proclaim your praise and declare it openly.

  16. By God, what virtues are yours—virtues you have won,

    gleaming like meteors in the vault of heaven!

  17. Is not your father the one whose deeds

    are sweeter than the radiant dawn, and clearer?

  18. Far beyond the shining sun is his guidance—

    for the sun is veiled by clouds, then comes into view.

  19. Or can the clouds of life-giving rain rival his hand,

    when his nature is nobler and his disposition more generous?

  20. And Abū al-Maʿālī, your uncle, is the luminary whose

    rank lies beyond even the stars’ aspiration.

  21. Were it not for his noble exploits,

    the steeds of the reed pen would not gallop through their course.

  22. And this is your grandfather, the age’s peerless man, whose

    generosity the rain-laden clouds recount.

  23. A luminary who, bearing knowledge, grew still humbler;

    his gravity outweighs even the peaks of Mount Raḍwā.

  24. Forbearance is his well-known, inborn nature,

    and his knowledge is a steady rain whose gifts are sought.

  25. Rejoice in him; may everlasting life be yours,

    while fortune flutters and every aim succeeds.

  26. For love of you, O Household of Muhammad,

    every heart within the breast inclines toward you.

  27. Is it not through that love that God—majestic is His glory—

    forgives the gravest sin and grants pardon?

  28. And here it is for you: a radiant ode, delightful in its beauty;

    through it the eye wanders freely among gardens.

  29. Its words are silver upon its pages,

    proclaiming truth or singing your praise aloud.

  30. May you remain, O embodiment of the virtues, safe and secure;

    God grants whatever you desire and bestows it.

Sol 5.6