شَرَيتُ بِشاتي شِبهَ لَيلى وَلَو أَبوا

شَرَيتُ بِشاتي شِبهَ لَيلى وَلَو أَبوا

لَأَعطَيتُ مِن مالي طَريفي وَتالِدي

لَأَعطَيتُ مِن مالي طَريفي وَتالِدي

I bought a likeness of Layla in exchange for my ewe; even had they refused,

I bought with my goods an image of Layla though they refused,

I would have given of my wealth, both newly acquired and inherited.

I would have given my finest clothes and newborn calf.

فَيا بائِعي شِبهاً لِلَيلى قُتِلتُما

فَيا بائِعي شِبهاً لِلَيلى قُتِلتُما

وَجُنِّبتُما ما نالَهُ كُلُّ عابِدِ

وَجُنِّبتُما ما نالَهُ كُلُّ عابِدِ

So, O you two who sold a likeness of Layla, may you both be slain,

So sellers of Layla's image, may you both perish,

and may you both be denied what every worshipper has attained.

And miss what every worshipper attains.

لَو كُنتُما حُرَّينِ ما بِعتُما مَعا

لَو كُنتُما حُرَّينِ ما بِعتُما مَعا

شَبيهاً لِلَيلى بَيعَةَ المُتَزايِدِ

شَبيهاً لِلَيلى بَيعَةَ المُتَزايِدِ

Had you both been freeborn, you would not together have sold

Had you been free men, you would not have sold,

a likeness of Layla at an auction sale.

An image of Layla in an auction of bidders.

وَأُعتَقتُماها رَغبَةً في ثَوابِها

وَأُعتَقتُماها رَغبَةً في ثَوابِها

وَلَم تَرغَبا في ناقِصٍ غَيرِ زائِدِ

وَلَم تَرغَبا في ناقِصٍ غَيرِ زائِدِ

And you would have freed her, seeking the reward for her release,

And I would have freed you both, hoping for its reward,

and would not have coveted what dwindles without growing.

And not desiring anything imperfect or excessive.

فَلا ظَفَرَت كَفّاكُما بِكَريمَةٍ

فَلا ظَفَرَت كَفّاكُما بِكَريمَةٍ

وَجُنِّبتُما صَوبَ الغَمامِ الرَواعِدِ

وَجُنِّبتُما صَوبَ الغَمامِ الرَواعِدِ

So may your hands never obtain anything precious,

So your palms have not attained a generous woman,

and may you both be denied the downpour of thundering clouds.

And you have avoided the path of the stormy clouds.