مالُ المُفضَّلِ في يدِ الأفضالِ

مالُ المُفضَّلِ في يدِ الأفضالِ

بينَ ابتداءٍ في النَّدى وسُؤالِ

بينَ ابتداءٍ في النَّدى وسُؤالِ

Al-Mufaddal’s wealth lies in the hands of beneficence,

Al-Mufaddal’s wealth is in generosity’s hand,

The wealth of Al-Mufaddal is in the hands of the generous

whether generosity begins unbidden or follows a request.

Between bounty freely offered and bounty sought.

Between the beginning of dew and asking

ما في يَدَيه رهنُ ما في قَولِه

ما في يَدَيه رهنُ ما في قَولِه

وخَزائِنُ الكُرماءِ في الأقوالِ

وخَزائِنُ الكُرماءِ في الأقوالِ

What lies in his hands stands pledged to what he gives his word,

What his hands hold is pledged to what he says,

What is in his hands is the pledge of what is in his words

for the treasuries of the generous reside in their promises.

And the treasuries of the generous lie in their words.

And the treasuries of the generous are in words

أَمري وحُكمي نافذٌ في مالِه

أَمري وحُكمي نافذٌ في مالِه

فكأنَّما أنفقتُ مِن أَموالي

فكأنَّما أنفقتُ مِن أَموالي

My bidding and judgment hold sway over his wealth,

My command and judgment hold sway over his wealth,

My command and judgment are effective in his wealth

as though I had spent out of my own possessions.

So it is as though I had spent from my own wealth.

So it is as if I spent from my own money

فعلامَ أشكرُه ولستُ أرى لَه

فعلامَ أشكرُه ولستُ أرى لَه

فَضلاً عليَّ ومالُه من مالي

فَضلاً عليَّ ومالُه من مالي

Why, then, should I thank him, when I see no

Why, then, should I thank him, when I see he has done no

Why should I thank him when I do not see for him

favor of his upon me, and his wealth is part of mine?

Favor for me, and his wealth is part of my own?

Favor upon me while his wealth is from mine