وعلى الأيامِ من نعمائهِ
ساكِبٌ هامٍ وفضْفاضٌ رِفَلْ
He generously bestows blessings every day
Lavishly pouring them out, unstinting and free
فَقَصيٌّ مثلُ دانٍ في النَّدى
وكَمنْ خالَ الغِنى منْ لم يخلْ
Like rain pouring down at dawn
As rich as one who never knew want can be
عارضٌ يأتَلِقُ البِشْرُ به
فالسَّني يُشْرقُ والجَوْدُ هَللْ
A shining star people’s faces glow in his light
So the years shine and generosity excels
صارمٌ يُغْمدهُ الحلمُ فإنْ
سَلَّه العزْمُ فمأثورٌ أفَلْ
A sharp sword, sheathed by restraint, but if
Resolve draws it, traditional glory prevails
عضدُ الدين فتى الحَيِّ إذا
بَخِلَ الجَوُّ بِطَلٍّ وسَبَلْ
The pillar of faith - when times grew mean
And the age was miserly, lacking all chivalry
جائرٌ في المالِ إذْ يَبْذلهُ
فإذا ما مَلَكَ الحُكْمَ عَدَلْ
Tyrannical about money, yet freely he spends it
And when holding power, rules with equity
نعمَ قاري الضَّيف في جُنح الدجى
والمُحامي تحت أطْرافِ الأسَلْ
Yes, hosting guests in the wings of night
And defending the weak - epitome of nobility
ومُجيلُ الرأي في مُعْضِلَةٍ
تتركُ الحازمَ كالنِّكسِ الوكِلْ
Sage advice when perplexed, leaving
The wise helpless as failing deputies
يكشفُ الحالكَ من ظلْمائها
بضياءٍ منْ صوابٍ مُرْتجلْ
Dispelling darkness with brilliant flashes of truth
Extemporized, until the knotty becomes clear
فيعودُ الصَّعْبُ من مُشْكِلها
جَلَلاً منْ بعد ما كانَ جَلَلْ
Returning dignity to the difficult and veiled
After turmoil - steadfast, true, and sincere
ثابتُ الوِدِّ كريمٌ عَهْدُه
صادقُ الوعْدِ صديقُ لا يَمِلْ
Loyal in friendship, faithful to his word
Truthful in promise, a friend who'll never tire
فسلامُ اليوم حَقٌّ عِنْدهُ
دائمُ الإِرْعاءِ مأمونُ المَلَلْ
Today, peace for him is a debt of honor
Ever gentle, never bored or irate
في نَداهُ ومُحيَّا وجْههِ
لِمُرَجِّيهِ اجْتراءٌ وخَجَلْ
Glowing in his presence, his face greeting
Hopeful hearts kindly, though awkward and shy
فإذا أفْرَطَ في الجودِ غَدا
يحْسبُ الإفْراطَ منْعاً وبَخَلْ
Exceeding in generosity, believing restraint
Would be meanness, and thrift something vile
إنما الصَّاحبُ ظِلٌّ وحِمىً
خصَرُ الضَّاحي وعِزُّ المُستذلْ
A companion is but shade and shelter
Waistband for one laid bare, honor for the reviled
فَهنَاهُ مَوْسمُ العيدِ وما
بعدهُ عُمْرَ الليالي المُقْتبَلْ
A lifetime of nights to come, tributes compiled
