هجَمَstormed in الصَّبَاحُthe morning فَأيْنَso where يَاO لَيْلُnight المَفَرْescape
هجَمَ الصَّبَاحُ فَأيْنَ يَا لَيْلُ المَفَرْ
وَجِيَادُهُand his steeds بِالنَّصْرِwith victory وَاضِحَةُbright الغُرَرْthe forehead-blazes
وَجِيَادُهُ بِالنَّصْرِ وَاضِحَةُ الغُرَرْ
Morning has stormed in; where, O night, is escape?
Morning attacked, where are you O night of escape,
And his steeds' forehead-blazes gleam with victory.
And its steeds of victory have clear deceit.
أوَand (interrogative) مَاnot تَرَاهُyou see him نَضَاhe unsheathed لِحَربِكَto wage war on you يَاO دُجَىdarkness
أوَ مَا تَرَاهُ نَضَا لِحَربِكَ يَا دُجَى
عَضْباًa keen sword صَقِيلاًpolished كَادَnearly يَخْتَطِفُsnatches away البَصَرْsight
عَضْباً صَقِيلاً كَادَ يَخْتَطِفُ البَصَرْ
Do you not see how, to war against you, O darkness, he has drawn
Or do you not see it as suitable for your war O darkness,
a keen, polished sword that almost snatches sight away?
A polished blade that almost snatched the sight.
وَدَعَاand he called إلَيْكَto you وَقَدْhaving already أمَاطَremoved لِثَامَهُhis veil
وَدَعَا إلَيْكَ وَقَدْ أمَاطَ لِثَامَهُ
كَاللَّيْثِlike a lion كَشَّرَhe bared his teeth للفَرِيسَةِat the prey وَاكْفَهَرْand scowled
كَاللَّيْثِ كَشَّرَ للفَرِيسَةِ وَاكْفَهَرْ
And he has called you out, having stripped off his veil,
And called you and uncovered his garb,
like a lion baring its teeth at prey and scowling.
Like a lion, he exposed his fangs and growled.
فَالْجَأso seek refuge لِذِمَّةِin the protection of فَرْعِهِhis locks مُسْتَسْلِماًsurrendering
فَالْجَأ لِذِمَّةِ فَرْعِهِ مُسْتَسْلِماً
وَدَعِand abandon العِنَادَobstinacy فماfor not العِيانُseeing firsthand كماlike الخَبَرْhearsay
وَدَعِ العِنَادَ فما العِيانُ كما الخَبَرْ
So seek the protection of his locks, surrendering,
So seek refuge in the protection of its branches surrendered,
and abandon obstinacy: seeing firsthand is not like hearsay.
And leave stubbornness for seeing is not like hearing.
لاdo not تَغْتَرِرْbe deceived وَتَرَىand regard الهَزِيمَةَdefeat مَغْنَماًas gain
لا تَغْتَرِرْ وَتَرَى الهَزِيمَةَ مَغْنَماً
فَطَلاَئِعُfor the vanguard of الإصبَاحِdaybreak خُصَّتْwas singled out بِالظَّفَرْfor victory
فَطَلاَئِعُ الإصبَاحِ خُصَّتْ بِالظَّفَرْ
Do not be deceived and think defeat a gain,
Do not be deceived and see defeat as war booty,
for daybreak's vanguard has been singled out for victory.
For the dawn vanguards were endowed with victory.
وَكَحيلَةِand a kohl-dark beauty الأجْفَانِof eyelids لَوْلاَwere it not for لحظُهَاher glance
وَكَحيلَةِ الأجْفَانِ لَوْلاَ لحظُهَا
لَمْdid not أدْرِI know أنّthat الغنجَcoquetry يُمْزَحُis blended بِالحَوَرْwith bright whites and dark pupils
لَمْ أدْرِ أنّ الغنجَ يُمْزَحُ بِالحَوَرْ
And a kohl-lidded beauty—were it not for her glance,
And like the kohl of eyelids, were it not for its glance,
I would not have known coquetry mingles with bright, dark-pupilled eyes.
I would not know that the eye is jested with love.
قَسَماًI swear وَلَوْلاَand were it not for شَعْرُهَاher hair وَجَبِينُهَاand her forehead
قَسَماً وَلَوْلاَ شَعْرُهَا وَجَبِينُهَا
لَمْdid not أدْرِI know أنَّthat الشَّمْسَthe sun تَطلعُrises فِيin السَّحَرْpredawn
لَمْ أدْرِ أنَّ الشَّمْسَ تَطلعُ فِي السَّحَرْ
I swear: were it not for her hair and forehead,
By God, were it not for her hair and her forehead,
I would not have known the sun rises before dawn.
I would not know the sun rises at dawn.
إيهٍAh, go on! وَلَوْلاَand were it not for نَبْتُthe growth of سَالِفِthe sidelock of خَدّهَاher cheek
إيهٍ وَلَوْلاَ نَبْتُ سَالِفِ خَدّهَا
لَمْdid not أدْرِI know أنَّthat الآسَmyrtle يَنْبتُgrows فِيin الشَّرَرْsparks
لَمْ أدْرِ أنَّ الآسَ يَنْبتُ فِي الشَّرَرْ
Ah! Were it not for the down along her cheek,
Alas, were it not for the growth of her cheek’s moles,
I would not have known myrtle grows amid sparks.
I would not know that myrtle grows on hot ashes.
شَمْسٌa sun عَلَىover الأرْدَافِthe haunches أرْخَتْshe let fall شَعْرَهَاher hair
شَمْسٌ عَلَى الأرْدَافِ أرْخَتْ شَعْرَهَا
لِتُرِيكَto show you أنّthat المسكَmusk فِيin الوَرْدِthe roses انْتَشَرْhas spread
لِتُرِيكَ أنّ المسكَ فِي الوَرْدِ انْتَشَرْ
A sun, she let her hair fall over her haunches,
A sun over buttocks let down her hair,
to show you that musk has spread among the roses.
To show you that musk is spread in roses.
وَلَوَتْand she curled عَلَىover الوَجَنَاتِthe cheeks سَالِفَa sidelock of عَنْبَرٍambergris
وَلَوَتْ عَلَى الوَجَنَاتِ سَالِفَ عَنْبَرٍ
فَحَمَتْthus she guarded بِعَقْرَبِwith the scorpion of صدغِهَاher temple وردَthe rose of الخَفَرْbashfulness
فَحَمَتْ بِعَقْرَبِ صدغِهَا وردَ الخَفَرْ
She curled an ambergris sidelock over her cheeks,
It twisted over cheeks a twisted amber,
guarding modesty's rose with the scorpion of her temple.
So it hugged with the mole of its temple and the guards of the dawn.
وَأرَتْand she showed بِلاَلَBilal الخَالِof the mole يرقبُwatching فِيin دُجَىthe gloom of
وَأرَتْ بِلاَلَ الخَالِ يرقبُ فِي دُجَى
لَيْلِthe night of العذَارِcheek-down صبيحَthe brightness of مبسمهَاher smile الأغرْthe radiant
لَيْلِ العذَارِ صبيحَ مبسمهَا الأغرْ
And she showed the mole's Bilal watching, in the gloom
And it showed the moles of the cheek waiting in the darkness,
of her cheek-down's night, the brightness of her radiant smile.
Of the virgin night, the smile of its white face.
يَاO ظبيةَgazelle الوَعْسَاءِof the soft sand يَاO برءَcure for الأسَىsorrow
يَا ظبيةَ الوَعْسَاءِ يَا برءَ الأسَى
يَاO مَطْمَحَthe aim of الأهوَاءِdesires يَاO قيدَfetter of النَّظَرْthe gaze
يَا مَطْمَحَ الأهوَاءِ يَا قيدَ النَّظَرْ
O gazelle of the soft sands, O cure for sorrow,
O gazelle of sadness, O cure of anguish,
O aim of desire, O fetter of the gaze!
O hope of passions, O captor of sight.
أظُبَىare the blades of جُفُونِكِyour eyelids أمْor ظِبَاthe gazelles of عينيكyour eyes قَدْindeed
أظُبَى جُفُونِكِ أمْ ظِبَا عينيك قَدْ
تَركَاboth left الفؤَادthe heart أسِيرَcaptive to تخييلimagining الفِكَرْthoughts
تَركَا الفؤَاد أسِيرَ تخييل الفِكَرْ
Is it your eyelids' blades, or your eyes' gazelles, that have
Are your eyelids gazelles or your eyes gazelles that,
left the heart captive to the mind's imaginings?
Left the heart a prisoner imagining thought?
فَإذَاso when نَفَرْتِyou shy away نَفَرْتِyou shy away عَنْfrom عَيْنِthe eye of المَهَاthe oryx
فَإذَا نَفَرْتِ نَفَرْتِ عَنْ عَيْنِ المَهَا
وَإذَاand when سَفَرْتِyou unveil سَفَرْتِyou unveil عَنْfrom وَجْهِthe face of القَمَرْthe moon
وَإذَا سَفَرْتِ سَفَرْتِ عَنْ وَجْهِ القَمَرْ
When you shy away, you reveal the eye of an oryx;
So when you avert, you avert from the spring of splendor,
and when you unveil, you reveal the moon's face.
And when you travel, you travel from the face of the moon.
وَإذَاand if مَحَاسِنُكyour beauties انْطَوتْare folded فِيكِwithin you فَعَنْthen from
وَإذَا مَحَاسِنُك انْطَوتْ فِيكِ فَعَنْ
عَلْيَاthe eminence of أبِيAbu (father of) يَحْيَىYahya الثنَاءُpraise قَدِhas انْتَشَرْspread
عَلْيَا أبِي يَحْيَى الثنَاءُ قَدِ انْتَشَرْ
And though your beauties are folded within you, yet of
And when your beauties withdraw into you, praise is upon,
Abu Yahya's eminence praise has spread abroad.
My father Abu Yahya spread.
العَادِلُthe just المَلِكُking الَّذِيwho كُشِفَتْwere lifted بِهِthrough him
العَادِلُ المَلِكُ الَّذِي كُشِفَتْ بِهِ
عَنْfrom فِكْرَةِthe thought of الدُّنْيَاthe world مَخَايِيلُportents of الغِيَرْreversals of fortune
عَنْ فِكْرَةِ الدُّنْيَا مَخَايِيلُ الغِيَرْ
The just king, through whom were lifted
The just king whom worries of life,
from the world's thought the portents of fortune's reversals;
Were uncovered with, and imaginations of others dispersed.
والنَّيِّرُand the luminary الأعْلَىthe supreme الإمَامُthe imam المُرْتَضَىthe approved one
والنَّيِّرُ الأعْلَى الإمَامُ المُرْتَضَى
ذُوpossessing المبسمِthe smile الوَضَّاحِthe brilliant وَالوَجْهِand the face الأغَرْthe radiant
ذُو المبسمِ الوَضَّاحِ وَالوَجْهِ الأغَرْ
the supreme luminary, the approved imam,
And the pure, highest, desired Imam,
possessing a brilliant smile and a radiant face.
With bright smile and white face.
بَدرٌa full moon لَهُhe has وَجْهٌa face تَجَلَّلَwas mantled بِالحَيَاin life-giving rain
بَدرٌ لَهُ وَجْهٌ تَجَلَّلَ بِالحَيَا
إذْwhen هَلَّpoured down مِنْfrom كَفَّيْهِhis two palms مَاwhat عَمَّencompassed البَشَرْhumankind
إذْ هَلَّ مِنْ كَفَّيْهِ مَا عَمَّ البَشَرْ
A full moon with a face mantled in life-giving rain,
A full moon whose face dignity adorned,
when from his palms poured what encompassed humankind.
When it unveiled what covered people.
وَصَبَاحُand a dawn of رشدٍright guidance مَاnever اسْتَنَارَwas illumined بِرَأيِهِby his counsel
وَصَبَاحُ رشدٍ مَا اسْتَنَارَ بِرَأيِهِ
مُتَحَيِّرٌa bewildered person إلاَّexcept وَشَاهَدَand saw مَاwhat اسْتَتَرْwas concealed
مُتَحَيِّرٌ إلاَّ وَشَاهَدَ مَا اسْتَتَرْ
And a dawn of guidance—never has his counsel illumined
And dawn of righteousness, none despaired of his opinion,
a bewildered soul without that soul seeing what was hidden.
Except the perplexed who saw what was hidden.
وَهِزَبْرُand a lion of بأسٍmight مَاnever تَقَلَّدَhe girded on سَيْفَهُhis sword
وَهِزَبْرُ بأسٍ مَا تَقَلَّدَ سَيْفَهُ
إلاّexcept وَفَارَand surged دَمُthe blood of المُعَانِدِthe adversary وَانْهَمَرْand poured down
إلاّ وَفَارَ دَمُ المُعَانِدِ وَانْهَمَرْ
And a lion of might—never has he girded on his sword
And experienced courage none adorned his sword,
without his adversary's blood surging up and pouring down.
Except flees the blood of the hostile and flows.
سَاسَhe governed الأمُورَaffairs فَأنْجَبَتْso they brought forth بِمُؤيَّدwith an aided champion
سَاسَ الأمُورَ فَأنْجَبَتْ بِمُؤيَّد
شَاءَwilled الإلهُGod ظُهُورَهُhis emergence فَلِذَاand therefore ظَهَرْhe emerged
شَاءَ الإلهُ ظُهُورَهُ فَلِذَا ظَهَرْ
He governed affairs, and they brought forth an aided champion;
He managed affairs so his support begot,
God willed his emergence, and therefore he emerged.
As God willed its appearance so it appeared.
وَبِنَفْسِهِand in person خَاضَhe plunged into الحِمَامَdeath وَبَحْرُهُand its sea
وَبِنَفْسِهِ خَاضَ الحِمَامَ وَبَحْرُهُ
مُتَلاَطِمُwith crashing الأمْوَاجِwaves يَرْمِيhurls بِالشَّرَرْwith sparks
مُتَلاَطِمُ الأمْوَاجِ يَرْمِي بِالشَّرَرْ
In person he plunged into death, while its sea
And with himself he plunged into battle, and his sea,
heaved with crashing waves and hurled out sparks.
With clashing waves casts sparks.
وَأتَىand he came لِتُونسَto Tunis فيunder حِمَىthe protection of العَالِيthe Exalted One الَّذِيwho
وَأتَى لِتُونسَ في حِمَى العَالِي الَّذِي
هُوَhe مُحْكِمperfects الآرَاcounsels وَمِفَتاحُand the key to الظَّفَرْvictory
هُوَ مُحْكِم الآرَا وَمِفَتاحُ الظَّفَرْ
He came to Tunis under the protection of the Exalted One,
And came to Tunis in the protection of the Exalted,
who makes counsels sound and is the key to victory.
Who firmly decides and holds the key to victory.
وَسَعَىand he sped إلَيْهَاtoward her جَارِياًrunning كَالطَّيْرِlike a bird إذْwhen
وَسَعَى إلَيْهَا جَارِياً كَالطَّيْرِ إذْ
نَظَرَit saw القَنِيصَthe quarry اشْتَدَّit rushed وَاتَّبَعَand followed الأثَرْthe trail
نَظَرَ القَنِيصَ اشْتَدَّ وَاتَّبَعَ الأثَرْ
And he sped toward her, running like a bird when
And he hurried to it running like a bird when,
it sights its quarry, rushes forth, and follows the trail.
It saw prey become intense and followed the trace.
وَسَرَىand he traveled by night سُرَىthe night-travel of النجمِthe star المُعَدّreadied لِرَمْيِto strike مَنْwhoever
وَسَرَى سُرَى النجمِ المُعَدّ لِرَمْيِ مَنْ
قَدْhas جَاءَcome مُسْتَرِقاًstealthily لِيَسْتَمِعَto overhear الخْبَرْthe tidings
قَدْ جَاءَ مُسْتَرِقاً لِيَسْتَمِعَ الخْبَرْ
He traveled by night like the star readied to strike one
And flowed like the star destined to shoot whoever,
who has come stealthily to overhear the tidings.
Came secretly listening to news.
وَاسْتَعْمَلَand he employed الأوْرَادَdevotional litanies فِيin خَلَوَاتِهَاher secluded retreats
وَاسْتَعْمَلَ الأوْرَادَ فِي خَلَوَاتِهَا
وَاسْتَصْحَبَand he took along الصلحَاءَthe righteous جَيْشاًas an army فَانْتَصَرْand so prevailed
وَاسْتَصْحَبَ الصلحَاءَ جَيْشاً فَانْتَصَرْ
He recited litanies in her secluded retreats,
And recited litanies in its isolation,
and took the righteous as an army, and so prevailed.
And accompanied the righteous an army so he won.
وَبِجَفْنِهَاand on her eyelid قَدْhas حَلَّalighted مِنْهُfrom him طَارِقٌa night-visitor
وَبِجَفْنِهَا قَدْ حَلَّ مِنْهُ طَارِقٌ
طَرَقَتْknocked بِهِwith him الخَيْرَاتُblessings فيat وَقْتِthe time of السحرْpredawn
طَرَقَتْ بِهِ الخَيْرَاتُ في وَقْتِ السحرْ
And upon her eyelid there alighted from him a night-visitor,
And with its eyelid a visitor came down from it,
with whom blessings knocked in the hour before dawn.
At dawn the blessings knocked.
وَأتَىand he came لأخْذِto exact الثأرِvengeance فِيat الوَقْتِthe time الَّذِيwhen
وَأتَى لأخْذِ الثأرِ فِي الوَقْتِ الَّذِي
حَكَمَruled القَضَاءُdivine decree لَهُin his favor بِمَاaccording to what أجْرَىset in motion القَدَرْdestiny
حَكَمَ القَضَاءُ لَهُ بِمَا أجْرَى القَدَرْ
He came to exact vengeance at the time when
And came to take revenge at the time,
decree ruled in his favor according to what destiny ordained.
Judgment ruled for him however destiny flowed.
فِيamong فتيةٍyoung men كَالزُّهْرِlike bright stars إنْif عُدُّواthey are counted فَهُمْthen they are
فِي فتيةٍ كَالزُّهْرِ إنْ عُدُّوا فَهُمْ
عَدَدُthe number of الثُّرَيَّاthe Pleiades وَهْوَand he بَيْنَهُمُamong them قَمَرْa moon
عَدَدُ الثُّرَيَّا وَهْوَ بَيْنَهُمُ قَمَرْ
Amid young men like bright stars: if counted, they are
Among young men like flowers, if counted they are,
as many as the Pleiades, and he among them is a moon.
The number of Pleiades and it is the moon between them.
فَثَنَتْso she turned إلَيْهِtoward him عِطفَهَاher side وَتَمَنَّعَتْand sheltered herself
فَثَنَتْ إلَيْهِ عِطفَهَا وَتَمَنَّعَتْ
بِذُيُولِهِin his robe's hems وَقَضَتْand fulfilled بِطَلْعَتِهِthrough his appearance وَطَرْa desire
بِذُيُولِهِ وَقَضَتْ بِطَلْعَتِهِ وَطَرْ
She turned her side toward him and sheltered herself
So it inclined its affection to him and was shy,
in his robe's hems, fulfilling her desire through his appearance.
With its trains and was pleased with its rising and good fortune.
وَدَعَتْهُand she called to him أهْلاًwelcome بِالحَبِيبِto the beloved وَمَرْحَباًand welcome
وَدَعَتْهُ أهْلاً بِالحَبِيبِ وَمَرْحَباً
أنْتَyou المليكُthe king المُسْتَغَاثُwhose aid is sought المُنْتَظَرْthe awaited
أنْتَ المليكُ المُسْتَغَاثُ المُنْتَظَرْ
She called to him: “Welcome, beloved, welcome!
And called him welcome O loved one and greetings,
You are the king whose aid is sought, the long-awaited one.”
You are the precious king, the aided, the awaited.
فَأحَاطَso he enclosed حَوْزَتَهَاher domain وَسَكَّنَand calmed رَوْعَهَاher fear
فَأحَاطَ حَوْزَتَهَا وَسَكَّنَ رَوْعَهَا
وَأقَرَّand gladdened نَاظِرَهَاher eye وَأوْسَعَهَاand lavished upon her بِدَرْpurses of money
وَأقَرَّ نَاظِرَهَا وَأوْسَعَهَا بِدَرْ
He enclosed her domain and calmed her fear,
So he protected its territory and calmed its fear,
gladdened her eye and lavished purses of money upon her.
And settled its onlooker and widened it with full moon.
وَدَعَاand summoned إلَيْهِto him أهْلَهَاher people فَتَسَارَعُواso they hastened
وَدَعَا إلَيْهِ أهْلَهَا فَتَسَارَعُوا
طوعاًwillingly لماin response to what عنهُfrom it نَهَىhe forbade وَبِهِand concerning it أمَرْhe commanded
طوعاً لما عنهُ نَهَى وَبِهِ أمَرْ
He summoned her people to him, and they hastened
And called its family so they hurried,
willingly to heed what he forbade and what he commanded.
Obedient to what he forbade and ordered.
وَتَصَارَخُواand cried out together وَتَحَالَفُواand swore mutual oaths وَتَعَاقَدُواand pledged themselves
وَتَصَارَخُوا وَتَحَالَفُوا وَتَعَاقَدُوا
أَنْthat لَيْسَnot يتركُwould abandon نصرَهُsupport for him مِنْهُمْamong them بَشَرْa human being
أَنْ لَيْسَ يتركُ نصرَهُ مِنْهُمْ بَشَرْ
They cried out together, swore mutual oaths, and pledged themselves
And they screamed and allied and contracted,
that not a soul among them would abandon support for him.
That no human would abandon supporting it.
فَأنَالَهُمْso he granted them مَاwhat يرتضَوُنَthey desired منَof العَطَاgifts
فَأنَالَهُمْ مَا يرتضَوُنَ منَ العَطَا
وَكَفَاهُمُand spared them مَاwhat يَخْتَشُونَthey feared مِنَof الضَّرَرْharm
وَكَفَاهُمُ مَا يَخْتَشُونَ مِنَ الضَّرَرْ
He granted them the gifts they desired,
So he gave them what they approve of gifts,
and spared them the harm they feared.
And sufficed them from what they fear of harm.
هَذَاthis هُوَis الفَتْحُthe conquest الَّذِيwhich فُتْحَتْwas opened لَهُfor it
هَذَا هُوَ الفَتْحُ الَّذِي فُتْحَتْ لَهُ
بَابُthe gate of السَّمَاheaven بالإنْتِصَارِwith victory وَبِالظُّفَرْand with triumph
بَابُ السَّمَا بالإنْتِصَارِ وَبِالظُّفَرْ
This is the conquest for which there opened
This is the victory with which the gates of sky opened,
the gate of heaven, with victory and triumph.
With triumph and victory.
وَبِهِand through it البَسِيطَةُthe earth مَهِّدَتْwas made level وَاسْتَبْشَرَتْand rejoiced
وَبِهِ البَسِيطَةُ مَهِّدَتْ وَاسْتَبْشَرَتْ
بوقيعةٍat a battle هِيَthat is عِبْرةٌa lesson لِمَنِfor whoever اعْتَبَرْtakes heed
بوقيعةٍ هِيَ عِبْرةٌ لِمَنِ اعْتَبَرْ
Through it the earth was made level and rejoiced
And Basra was paved with it and rejoiced,
in a battle that is a lesson for whoever takes heed.
With an admonition that advises who learns.
آوَىhe returned لِمَرْكَزِهِto his seat العَلِيّthe lofty فَلَنso never will تَرَىyou see
آوَى لِمَرْكَزِهِ العَلِيّ فَلَن تَرَى
مِنْهُthan him أجَلَّmore majestic وَلاَnor أعَزَّmightier وَلاَnor أسَرّmore pleasing
مِنْهُ أجَلَّ وَلاَ أعَزَّ وَلاَ أسَرّ
He returned to his lofty seat; you will never see
He stayed at his high position so you will never see,
anyone grander, mightier, or more pleasing than him.
One more majestic, dearer, or concealed than him.
وَأقَامand he erected ركنthe pillar of الملكِsovereignty بَعْدafter وُقُوِعِهِits fall
وَأقَام ركن الملكِ بَعْد وُقُوِعِهِ
وبَنَىand built أسَاسthe foundation of عَمُودِهِits column لَمَّاwhen دثَرْit crumbled
وبَنَى أسَاس عَمُودِهِ لَمَّا دثَرْ
He raised the pillar of sovereignty after its fall,
And he established the pillar of the kingdom after its demise,
and rebuilt its column's foundation after it crumbled.
And built the foundation of its pillar when it crumpled.
وأنَارَand illumined مِنْon أفْقِthe horizon of الخِلاَفَةِthe caliphate مَاwhat دَجَاgrew dark
وأنَارَ مِنْ أفْقِ الخِلاَفَةِ مَا دَجَا
وَأبَانَand revealed فيin العَلْيَاgreatness مَآثِرَthe glorious deeds of مَنْthose who غَبَرْpassed before
وَأبَانَ في العَلْيَا مَآثِرَ مَنْ غَبَرْ
He illumined what had grown dark on the caliphate's horizon,
And illuminated from the horizon of the caliphate what darkened,
and revealed in greatness the glorious deeds of those gone before.
And clarified in the Hijaz the traces of one covered in dust.
وَأعَادَand restored فيضَthe flow of المَاwater لِمَجْرَاهُto its course وَلاَand no
وَأعَادَ فيضَ المَا لِمَجْرَاهُ وَلاَ
بِدْعَwonder لِمَاءٍfor water قَدْhas صفَاcleared بعدَafter العَكَرْmuddiness
بِدْعَ لِمَاءٍ قَدْ صفَا بعدَ العَكَرْ
He restored the water's flow to its course; it is no
And returned the abundance of water to its course without,
wonder that water has cleared after its murk.
Seeking water that had become pure after turbidity.
وَإلَيْهِand to him عَادَreturned الأمْرُauthority بَعْدَafter ذَهَابِهِits departure
وَإلَيْهِ عَادَ الأمْرُ بَعْدَ ذَهَابِهِ
عَنْهُfrom him وكَانَand was العَوْدُthe return أحْمَدَmore praiseworthy مُنْتَظَرْawaited
عَنْهُ وكَانَ العَوْدُ أحْمَدَ مُنْتَظَرْ
Authority returned to him after departing
And command returned to him after leaving him,
from him; the awaited return was all the more praiseworthy.
And returning was most anticipated.
ورثhe inherited الخِلاَفَةَthe caliphate كَابراًas a noble heir عَنْfrom كَابِرٍa noble forebear
ورث الخِلاَفَةَ كَابراً عَنْ كَابِرٍ
وَبِقُدْرَةِand by the power of البَارِيthe Creator تَعَزَّزَhe grew mighty وَاقْتَدَرْand gained power
وَبِقُدْرَةِ البَارِي تَعَزَّزَ وَاقْتَدَرْ
He inherited the caliphate, a noble heir from a noble forebear,
He inherited the caliphate from another senior,
and by the Creator's power grew mighty and capable.
And was strengthened and empowered by the Powerful’s power.
وَدَعَاand called بِثَأرِfor vengeance for وَلِيِّهَاits ruler منagainst غَاصِبٍa usurper
وَدَعَا بِثَأرِ وَلِيِّهَا من غَاصِبٍ
غصبَhe usurped الخِلاَفَةَthe caliphate ثُمَّthen خَلاَّهَاabandoned it وَفَرّand fled
غصبَ الخِلاَفَةَ ثُمَّ خَلاَّهَا وَفَرّ
He demanded vengeance for its ruler from a usurper
And sought vengeance of his successor from an usurper,
who seized the caliphate, then abandoned it and fled.
Who usurped the caliphate then left and escaped.
وَهَلand is الخِلاَفَةthe caliphate غَيْرanything but ميرَاثٍan inheritance لَهُfor him
وَهَل الخِلاَفَة غَيْر ميرَاثٍ لَهُ
وَالحَقُّand truth لاdoes not يَخْفَىstay hidden وَإنْand even if يُخْفَit is concealed ظَهَرْit appears
وَالحَقُّ لا يَخْفَى وَإنْ يُخْفَ ظَهَرْ
Is the caliphate anything but his inheritance?
Is the caliphate other than his inheritance,
Truth cannot stay hidden; even concealed, it appears.
And the truth does not disappear even if hidden, it appears.
وَاللَّهُand God يُؤْتِيgrants ملكَهُHis dominion مَنْto whomever شَاءَهْHe chooses him
وَاللَّهُ يُؤْتِي ملكَهُ مَنْ شَاءَهْ
وَهْوَand He المُدَبِّرُthe governor of مَنْthose whom أقَامَHe established منَamong الصُّوَرْthe forms
وَهْوَ المُدَبِّرُ مَنْ أقَامَ منَ الصُّوَرْ
God grants His dominion to whomever He chooses,
And God gives His rule to whom He wills,
and He governs the forms He has brought into being.
And He is the Manager of what shapes forms.
ذَاthis غَرْسَةُa sapling of البَارِيthe Creator القديرِthe All-Powerful وَمَنْand whoever يَرُمْseeks
ذَا غَرْسَةُ البَارِي القديرِ وَمَنْ يَرُمْ
قَلْعاًto uproot لماwhat غَرَسَplanted الإلهُGod فقَدْthen indeed كَفَرْhas disbelieved
قَلْعاً لما غَرَسَ الإلهُ فقَدْ كَفَرْ
This is the almighty Creator's sapling; whoever seeks
This is the sprout of the Capable and Powerful, and whoever aims,
to uproot what God has planted has disbelieved.
To uproot what God planted has disbelieved.
مَلِكٌa king يُجِيبُwho answers سُؤَالَthe request of كُلّevery مُؤَمِّلٍhopeful petitioner
مَلِكٌ يُجِيبُ سُؤَالَ كُلّ مُؤَمِّلٍ
وَيجيرُand protects منfrom خَطْبِthe calamity of الخطوبِcalamities إذَاwhen خَطَرْit threatens
وَيجيرُ من خَطْبِ الخطوبِ إذَا خَطَرْ
A king who answers every hopeful petitioner's request,
A king who answers the hopes of every hopeful,
and gives refuge from dire calamity when it threatens.
And protects from formidable events when they occur.
فَإلَىso to سنَاهُhis radiance البَدْرُthe full moon فِيat اللَّيْلِnight التَجَاsought refuge
فَإلَى سنَاهُ البَدْرُ فِي اللَّيْلِ التَجَا
وَإلَىand to ندَاهُhis bounty الغيثُrain فيin المَحْلِdrought افْتَقَرْwas in need
وَإلَى ندَاهُ الغيثُ في المَحْلِ افْتَقَرْ
The full moon sought refuge in his radiance at night,
So the full moon in darkness and the rain in drought,
and rain itself needed his bounty in drought.
Yearn for his aid.
مَاnever رَامَhe sought صعبَthe difficult heights of المُرْتَقَىthe ascent إِلاَّwithout ارْتَقَىascending
مَا رَامَ صعبَ المُرْتَقَى إِلاَّ ارْتَقَى
بسُهُولَةٍwith ease أرْقَىthe loftiest المَرَاقِيheights فَاسْتَقَرّand so settled
بسُهُولَةٍ أرْقَى المَرَاقِي فَاسْتَقَرّ
Never did he seek a difficult height without ascending
What his spears sprouted with resolve,
with ease to the loftiest heights and settling there.
Only because the branch is loved for its fruit.
مُتَيَقِّظُever-alert in العَزَمَاتِresolves لَكِنyet سَيْفهhis sword
مُتَيَقِّظُ العَزَمَاتِ لَكِن سَيْفه
قَدْhas قَامَstood فيin جفنِthe sheath of الأمَانِsafety بِهِwithin it وَقَرْrested
قَدْ قَامَ في جفنِ الأمَانِ بِهِ وَقَرْ
His resolves are ever wakeful, yet his sword
No, its white lightning did not shine,
has stood in safety's sheath, resting there.
Except to burn with rays whoever betrayed.
إنْif هَبَّhe rises فِيin الهَيْجَاءِbattle هبَّةَwith the surge of ثَائِرٍan avenger
إنْ هَبَّ فِي الهَيْجَاءِ هبَّةَ ثَائِرٍ
هَبَّتْarose رِيَاحٌwinds لَيْسَthat do not تُبْقِىspare أوْor تَذَرْleave behind
هَبَّتْ رِيَاحٌ لَيْسَ تُبْقِى أوْ تَذَرْ
If he rises in battle with an avenger's surge,
O you who wishes to attain parity with its heights,
winds arise that neither spare nor leave anything.
Fall short for the eye cannot match the trace.
وَإذَاand when عَلاَhe ascends فِيin المَجْدِglory أعْلَىto the highest غَايَةِgoal
وَإذَا عَلاَ فِي المَجْدِ أعْلَى غَايَةِ
قَالَتْsaid لَهُto him النَّفْسُthe soul الأبِيَّةُthe unyielding لاَno وَزَرْrefuge
قَالَتْ لَهُ النَّفْسُ الأبِيَّةُ لاَ وَزَرْ
And when he ascends in glory to the highest goal,
Who can measure the full moon with stars? And who
his unyielding soul tells him: “No refuge!”
Can claim pebbles equal pearls?
قَاسُواthey measured نَدَاهُhis bounty بِالحِسَابِby reckoning فَأخْطَأواand so erred
قَاسُوا نَدَاهُ بِالحِسَابِ فَأخْطَأوا
أيُقَاسُcan it be measured? طُوفَانُthe flood of المَكَارِمِnoble deeds بِالمَطَرْagainst rain
أيُقَاسُ طُوفَانُ المَكَارِمِ بِالمَطَرْ
They measured his bounty by reckoning and erred;
Or who says the sun is like sparks,
can a flood of noble deeds be measured against rain?
Or who sees mugwort as equal to flowers?
وَكَذَاكand likewise قَالُواthey said اللَّيْثُthe lion يَحْكِيهِresembles him وَهَلْand does
وَكَذَاك قَالُوا اللَّيْثُ يَحْكِيهِ وَهَلْ
لِلَّيْثِthe lion has فِيin الهَيْجَاbattle قُوَىthe strength of العَضْبِthe keen sword الذَّكَرْhard-tempered
لِلَّيْثِ فِي الهَيْجَا قُوَى العَضْبِ الذَّكَرْ
Likewise they said a lion resembles him—but does
Your steps fell short and these are lofty ways,
a lion in battle have the strength of a keen, hard-tempered sword?
To be followed by a riding idea or sight.
يَرْوِيrelates عطَاءٌAta (giving) عَنْon the authority of نَدَاهُhis bounty حديثَهُhis account
يَرْوِي عطَاءٌ عَنْ نَدَاهُ حديثَهُ
وَلْوَجهِهِand to his face يُعْزَىis attributed ابنIbn (son of) وضَّاحWaddah (bright) الأغَرْthe radiant
وَلْوَجهِهِ يُعْزَى ابن وضَّاح الأغَرْ
Ata relates his account on the authority of his bounty,
Perfect essence, insightful opinion,
and radiant Ibn Waddah is attributed to his face.
Supported hand, and considerable saying.
ملكٌa king إذَاwhen حَلَّalighted المُلُوكُkings بِمَوْرِدٍat a watering-place
ملكٌ إذَا حَلَّ المُلُوكُ بِمَوْرِدٍ
وَنَحَاهُand he approached it لاَdo not يَرِدُونَthey come to drink إلاَّexcept إنْwhen صَدَرْhe has departed
وَنَحَاهُ لاَ يَرِدُونَ إلاَّ إنْ صَدَرْ
A king: when kings alight at a watering-place
I seek refuge for him in dawn, daylight,
and he approaches it, they do not drink until he departs.
Sun, night journey, Originator, and groups.
فَإذَاso when اسْتُغِيثَis called for help غمَامُthe cloud of رَاحَتِهِhis palm سَقَىit waters
فَإذَا اسْتُغِيثَ غمَامُ رَاحَتِهِ سَقَى
وَإذَاand when انْتَصَرْتَyou seek aid بِبَأسِthrough the might of عزمتهhis resolve نَصَرْhe aids
وَإذَا انْتَصَرْتَ بِبَأسِ عزمته نَصَرْ
When the cloud of his palm is called for help, it gives water;
My Master O cave of kings and who contains,
and when you seek aid through his mighty resolve, he aids you.
Ferocity that lions submit to and belittle.
مَاnot أثْمَرَتْbore fruit بالهامِwith heads سُمْرُthe brown shafts of رمَاحهhis lances
مَا أثْمَرَتْ بالهامِ سُمْرُ رمَاحه
إلاّexcept لأنَّbecause الغصنَthe bough يُعْشَقُis loved بِالثمَرْfor its fruit
إلاّ لأنَّ الغصنَ يُعْشَقُ بِالثمَرْ
His brown lances bore heads as fruit
O Kaaba of favors and the favor that,
only because a bough is loved for its fruit.
Purified the efforts of those who visited it.
كَلاَّno indeed وَلاَnor لَمَعَتْgleamed بَوَارِقُthe flashes of بِيضِهِhis bright swords
كَلاَّ وَلاَ لَمَعَتْ بَوَارِقُ بِيضِهِ
إلاّexcept لتَحْرقَto burn بِالأشعَّةِwith rays مَنْwhoever غَدَرْbetrayed
إلاّ لتَحْرقَ بِالأشعَّةِ مَنْ غَدَرْ
No indeed! Nor did the flashes of his bright swords gleam
You usurped the caliphate defending not usurping,
except to burn with their rays whoever betrayed.
And truthfully the precious heritage inherited you.
يَاO منyou who يَرُومseek لحَاقَto catch up with شَأوِthe reach of عَلاَئِهِhis eminence
يَا من يَرُوم لحَاقَ شَأوِ عَلاَئِهِ
أقْصِرْdesist فَلَيْسَfor not العَيْنُthe eye تَلْحَقُcatches up بِالأثَرْwith the trail
أقْصِرْ فَلَيْسَ العَيْنُ تَلْحَقُ بِالأثَرْ
O you who seek to catch up with the reach of his eminence,
And restored in us an Umarite conduct,
desist: the eye cannot catch his trail.
Or is not your grandfather Abu Yahya Umar?
مَنْwho ذَاthis one يَقِيسُcompares البَدرَthe full moon بِالعَوَّاwith al-Awwa وَمَنْand who
مَنْ ذَا يَقِيسُ البَدرَ بِالعَوَّا وَمَنْ
ذَاthis one يَدَّعِيclaims أنthat الحصىpebbles مِثْلُlike الدرَرْpearls
ذَا يَدَّعِي أن الحصى مِثْلُ الدرَرْ
Who would compare the full moon with al-Awwa, and who
Thank your Generous Master for whoever,
would claim that pebbles are like pearls?
Thanked God He increases however much thanked.
أوْor مَنْwho يَقُولُsays الشَّمْسُthe sun كالشِّعْرَىis like Sirius سَناًin radiance
أوْ مَنْ يَقُولُ الشَّمْسُ كالشِّعْرَى سَناً
أوْor مَنْwho يَرَىthinks أنthat الكَلاَgrass مِثْلُlike الزَّهَرْblossoms
أوْ مَنْ يَرَى أن الكَلاَ مِثْلُ الزَّهَرْ
Or who would say the sun is like Sirius in radiance,
Reward Ibn al-Khalouf for his praise and fulfill,
or think that grass is like blossoms?
What he hopes and treat him with good care.
قَصُرَتْfell short خُطَاكَyour steps وَهَذِهِand these طُرُقٌpaths عَلَتْrose too high
قَصُرَتْ خُطَاكَ وَهَذِهِ طُرُقٌ عَلَتْ
أنto تُقْتَفَىbe followed بِمَطِيّon the steeds of وَهْمٍfancy أوْor نَظَرْsight
أن تُقْتَفَى بِمَطِيّ وَهْمٍ أوْ نَظَرْ
Your steps fall short, and these are paths too lofty
Make peace and continue goodness for Muslims for they,
to be followed on the steeds of fancy or sight.
In the shade of your glory attained watering.
ذَاتٌa person مُكَمَّلَةٌperfected وَرَأيٌand a judgment مُنْجِبٌfruitful
ذَاتٌ مُكَمَّلَةٌ وَرَأيٌ مُنْجِبٌ
وَيَدٌand a hand مُؤَيَّدَةٌstrengthened وَقَوْلٌand a saying مُعْتَبَرْesteemed
وَيَدٌ مُؤَيَّدَةٌ وَقَوْلٌ مُعْتَبَرْ
A perfected person, a judgment that yields success,
So for you are safety, prestige, happiness,
a strengthened hand, and a word held in esteem.
And for you are fortune, eternity, and stability.
إنِّيindeed I أعَوّذُهُinvoke protection for him بطَهَthrough Ta-Ha والضحىand al-Duha
إنِّي أعَوّذُهُ بطَهَ والضحى
والشمسand al-Shams والإسراand al-Isra وفاطرَand Fatir والزُّمرand al-Zumar
والشمس والإسرا وفاطرَ والزُّمر
I invoke protection for him through Ta-Ha and al-Duha,
Al-Qumri did not sing in branches and no,
and al-Shams, al-Isra, Fatir, and al-Zumar.
Garden bride was adorned in dress of flowers.
مَوْلاَيmy lord يَاO كَهْفَrefuge of المَلُوكِkings وَمنْand you who حَوَىpossess
مَوْلاَي يَا كَهْفَ المَلُوكِ وَمنْ حَوَى
بأساًmight تَذلّare humbled لَهُbefore him الأسُودlions وَتحتقَرْand are scorned
بأساً تَذلّ لَهُ الأسُود وَتحتقَرْ
My lord, O refuge of kings, O you who possess
might before which lions abase themselves and are scorned!
يَاO كَعْبَةَKaaba of الإفضَالِbeneficence وَالفَضْلand grace الَّذِيwhich
يَا كَعْبَةَ الإفضَالِ وَالفَضْل الَّذِي
أزْكَىmade purer مَسَاعِيthe efforts of مَنْwhoever بِخِدْمَتِهِin his service اعْتَمَرْmade pilgrimage
أزْكَى مَسَاعِي مَنْ بِخِدْمَتِهِ اعْتَمَرْ
O Kaaba of beneficence and of the grace that
ennobled the efforts of those who made pilgrimage in his service.
حُزْتَyou attained الخِلاَفَةَthe caliphate عَاصِباًas an agnatic heir لاَnot غَاصِباًas a usurper
حُزْتَ الخِلاَفَةَ عَاصِباً لاَ غَاصِباً
وَالحَقُّand right وَرَّثَكَbequeathed you النفيسَthe precious thing المُدَّخَرْheld in store
وَالحَقُّ وَرَّثَكَ النفيسَ المُدَّخَرْ
You attained the caliphate as an agnatic heir, not a usurper,
and right bequeathed you the precious treasure held in store.
وأعدتَand you restored فِينَاamong us سيرةًa way of rule عُمَرِيَّةًlike Umar's
وأعدتَ فِينَا سيرةً عُمَرِيَّةً
أوor لَيْسَis not جدكَyour forefather يَاO أبَاAbu (father of) يَحْيَىYahya عُمَرْUmar
أو لَيْسَ جدكَ يَا أبَا يَحْيَى عُمَرْ
You restored among us a way of rule like Umar's;
or is not your forefather, O Abu Yahya, Umar?
وَاشْكرْand give thanks لمَوْلاَكto your Lord الكَرِيمِthe generous فَإنَّfor indeed مَنْwhoever
وَاشْكرْ لمَوْلاَك الكَرِيمِ فَإنَّ مَنْ
شَكَرَgives thanks لإلهَto God يَزِيدُهHe grants him increase مَهْمَاwhenever شَكَرْhe gives thanks
شَكَرَ لإلهَ يَزِيدُه مَهْمَا شَكَرْ
Thank your generous Lord, for whoever
thanks God is granted increase whenever he gives thanks.
وَأجِزْand reward مَدِيحthe praise of ابنIbn (son of) الخلوفal-Khuluf ووفِّهand give him in full
وَأجِزْ مَدِيح ابن الخلوف ووفِّه
مَاwhat يَرْتَجِيهِhe hopes for وأوْلِهِand grant him حُسْنkindness of النَّظَرْregard
مَا يَرْتَجِيهِ وأوْلِهِ حُسْن النَّظَرْ
Reward Ibn al-Khuluf's praise and give him in full
what he hopes for, and grant him kindly regard.
واسْلَمْand remain safe ودُمْand endure لِلْمُسْلِمِينfor the Muslims فَإنَّهُمْfor they
واسْلَمْ ودُمْ لِلْمُسْلِمِين فَإنَّهُمْ
فِيin ظِلّthe shade of عِزِّكyour might أدْرَكُواhave attained نَيْلَthe fulfillment of الوَطَرْdesire
فِي ظِلّ عِزِّك أدْرَكُوا نَيْلَ الوَطَرْ
Remain safe and endure for the Muslims, for they
have attained their desire beneath the shade of your might.
فَلَكَso may you have السَّلاَمَةُsafety وَالكَرَامَةُand honor والهَنَاand felicity
فَلَكَ السَّلاَمَةُ وَالكَرَامَةُ والهَنَا
وَلَكَand may you have السَّعَادةُhappiness وَالبَقَاand lasting life وَالمُسْتقَرْand a settled abode
وَلَكَ السَّعَادةُ وَالبَقَا وَالمُسْتقَرْ
May safety, honor, and felicity be yours,
and happiness, long life, and a settled abode,
مَاas long as غَرَّدَsings القُمْرِيُّthe turtledove فِيon فَنَنٍa bough وَمَاand as long as
مَا غَرَّدَ القُمْرِيُّ فِي فَنَنٍ وَمَا
جُلِيَتْis unveiled عَرُوسٌthe bride of الرَّوضِthe garden فيin حُلَلِrobes of الزَّهَرْflowers
جُلِيَتْ عَرُوسٌ الرَّوضِ في حُلَلِ الزَّهَرْ
as long as the turtledove sings upon a bough, and as long as
the garden's bride is unveiled in robes of flowers.
Partial English translation: 132 of 150 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1