إِلامَ أُناجي قَلبَ حَيرانَ واجِمِ

إِلامَ أُناجي قَلبَ حَيرانَ واجِمِ

وَأَنظُرُ عُودي بَينَ لاحٍ وَعاجِمِ

وَأَنظُرُ عُودي بَينَ لاحٍ وَعاجِمِ

How long shall I commune with a heart bewildered and downcast?

To whom shall I complain of my bewildered heart

And watch my branch between one stripping its bark and one biting to test it?

As I see my return amongst the eloquent and the foreigners

أُقَضِّي نَهارِي بِالزَفيرِ وَأَنَّةٍ

أُقَضِّي نَهارِي بِالزَفيرِ وَأَنَّةٍ

وَأَقطَعُ لَيلي بِالدُموعِ السَواجِمِ

وَأَقطَعُ لَيلي بِالدُموعِ السَواجِمِ

I spend my day in sighing and groaning,

I spend my days sighing and moaning

And pass my night with streaming tears.

And I pass my nights shedding copious tears

كَأَنّي لِأَحداثِ اللَيالي رَذِيَّةٌ

كَأَنّي لِأَحداثِ اللَيالي رَذِيَّةٌ

أُقيمَت سَبيلاً لِلخُطوبِ الهَواجِمِ

أُقيمَت سَبيلاً لِلخُطوبِ الهَواجِمِ

As though, for the mishaps of the nights, I were a spent she-camel,

As if I were a victim of the events of nights

Laid out as a pathway for onrushing calamities.

Who has been left exposed to assailing misfortunes

وَفي الأَرضِ لِي مَندُوحَةٌ وَمُراغَمٌ

وَفي الأَرضِ لِي مَندُوحَةٌ وَمُراغَمٌ

تقرُّ بِهِ عَيني وَتَحلُو مَطاعِمي

تقرُّ بِهِ عَيني وَتَحلُو مَطاعِمي

Yet on earth I have ample room and a refuge,

And on earth I have a refuge and dwelling

Through which my eye is gladdened and my meals grow sweet.

Which delight my eyes and sweeten my repast

بِحَيثُ يَراني الدَهرُ سَعداً وَأَغتَدي

بِحَيثُ يَراني الدَهرُ سَعداً وَأَغتَدي

وَقَد حُذِيَت رِجلايَ مِنهُ بِسالِمِ

وَقَد حُذِيَت رِجلايَ مِنهُ بِسالِمِ

Where Time sees me fortunate, and I go forth at dawn,

So that destiny sees me happy and self-sufficient

My feet having been shod by it in safety.

With my feet protected therein safely

وَأَسطُو عَلى أَحداثِهِ مِثلَ ما سَطا

وَأَسطُو عَلى أَحداثِهِ مِثلَ ما سَطا

عَلَيَّ فَتَبقى وَاهِياتِ الدَعائِمِ

عَلَيَّ فَتَبقى وَاهِياتِ الدَعائِمِ

And I assail its mishaps just as it assailed

And I rise over its events just as it had risen

Me, leaving their supports weakened.

Over me, so its frail pillars remain

وَأَجتابُ مِن ظِلِّ الخِلافَةِ وارِفاً

وَأَجتابُ مِن ظِلِّ الخِلافَةِ وارِفاً

يَقي الضُرَّ فَيناناً وَحَرَّ السَمائِمِ

يَقي الضُرَّ فَيناناً وَحَرَّ السَمائِمِ

And I clothe myself in the caliphate's ample shade,

And I seek shelter in the shade of the caliphate, ample,

Luxuriant, warding off harm and the heat of scorching winds.

Which wards off harm, resists intense heat and poisonous winds

بِمَغنى أَميرِ المُؤمِنينَ الَّذي غَدا

بِمَغنى أَميرِ المُؤمِنينَ الَّذي غَدا

لَهُ مَنسِمٌ يَعلُو جَميعَ المَخاطِمِ

لَهُ مَنسِمٌ يَعلُو جَميعَ المَخاطِمِ

At the abode of the Commander of the Faithful, who now

In the haven of the Commander of the Faithful, who has become

Has a hoof raised above every muzzle.

For him an eminent sign above all rivals

سَمِيُّ النَبيِّ المُصطَفى وَاِبنُ عَمِّهِ

سَمِيُّ النَبيِّ المُصطَفى وَاِبنُ عَمِّهِ

وَمالِكُ أَعناقِ المُلوكِ الخَضارِمِ

وَمالِكُ أَعناقِ المُلوكِ الخَضارِمِ

Namesake of the chosen Prophet, and his cousin,

The namesake of the Chosen Prophet and his cousin

And master of the necks of mighty kings.

And ruler over the necks of recalcitrant kings

نَماهُ أَبُو الفَضلِ الَّذي لَم تَزَل بِهِ

نَماهُ أَبُو الفَضلِ الَّذي لَم تَزَل بِهِ

بَنُو الجَذبِ تُسقى في السِنينِ العَقائِمِ

بَنُو الجَذبِ تُسقى في السِنينِ العَقائِمِ

Abu al-Fadl was his forebear, through whom, unfailingly,

Nurtured by Abu al-Fadl, the scions of nobility

The children of drought were watered in barren years.

In the years of dearth have continued to be sated by him

وَحَلَّ الذُرى مِن شَيبَةِ الحَمدِ وَاِرتَقى

وَحَلَّ الذُرى مِن شَيبَةِ الحَمدِ وَاِرتَقى

إِلى ضِئضئِ العَلياءِ مِن صُلبِ هاشِمِ

إِلى ضِئضئِ العَلياءِ مِن صُلبِ هاشِمِ

And he dwelt on the heights through Shaybat al-Hamd, and rose

The best of mankind donned the garb of praise

To nobility's ancestral root, from the loins of Hashim.

And ascended to the brilliant summit from the lineage of Hashim

وَأَحيا خِلالاً سَنَّها في زَمانِهِ

وَأَحيا خِلالاً سَنَّها في زَمانِهِ

قُصَيٌّ أَبو ساداتِها وَالبَراجِمِ

قُصَيٌّ أَبو ساداتِها وَالبَراجِمِ

And revived virtues established in his time by

And he revived eras whose virtues in his time

Qusayy, forefather of its lords and knuckle-like clans.

Were encompassed by a chief, lord of the carpets

لَيالِيَ يُدعى في قُرَيشٍ مُجَمِّعاً

لَيالِيَ يُدعى في قُرَيشٍ مُجَمِّعاً

بِجَمعِ ذَويها في فنونِ المَحارِمِ

بِجَمعِ ذَويها في فنونِ المَحارِمِ

In the nights when, among Quraysh, he was called the Gatherer,

Nights he is called upon in Quraysh to gather

Through gathering its people in manifold sacred bonds.

Together its people in the prohibited deeds

إِمامُ هُدىً يَدعُو إِلى اللَهِ مُرشِداً

إِمامُ هُدىً يَدعُو إِلى اللَهِ مُرشِداً

لِكُلِّ البَرايا عُربِها وَالأَعاجِمِ

لِكُلِّ البَرايا عُربِها وَالأَعاجِمِ

A leader of guidance, calling to God and guiding

An imam of guidance calling to Allah as a guide

All creation, its Arabs and its non-Arabs,

To all mankind, its Arabs and non-Arabs

بِعَدلٍ وَإِحسانٍ وَنُصحٍ وَرَأفَةٍ

بِعَدلٍ وَإِحسانٍ وَنُصحٍ وَرَأفَةٍ

وَزُهدٍ وَبُرهانٍ وَكَفٍّ وَصارِمِ

وَزُهدٍ وَبُرهانٍ وَكَفٍّ وَصارِمِ

With justice, beneficence, counsel, and compassion,

With justice, benevolence, advice, compassion

And renunciation, proof, a giving hand, and a cutting sword.

Asceticism, proof, restraint and sword

تَناحَلَهُ آباءُ صِدقٍ تَوارَثُوا

تَناحَلَهُ آباءُ صِدقٍ تَوارَثُوا

كِرامَ المَساعي عَن جُدُودٍ أَكارِمِ

كِرامَ المَساعي عَن جُدُودٍ أَكارِمِ

True-hearted fathers passed him down, inheriting

Bequeathed to him by fathers of sincerity who inherited

Noble deeds from most noble ancestors.

The bounties of endeavors from generous ancestors

فَما اِحتَلَّ إِلّا صُلبَ كُلِّ خَلِيفَةٍ

فَما اِحتَلَّ إِلّا صُلبَ كُلِّ خَلِيفَةٍ

مُحِيطٍ بِأَحكامِ الشَريعَةِ عالِمِ

مُحِيطٍ بِأَحكامِ الشَريعَةِ عالِمِ

For he dwelt only in the loins of each caliph,

Thus none held it but the lineage of every

Learned and fully versed in the rulings of sacred law.

Caliph encompassing the rulings of Sharia, learned

إِذا العَرَبُ العَرباءُ يَوماً تَفاخَرَت

إِذا العَرَبُ العَرباءُ يَوماً تَفاخَرَت

بِذي العِزِّ مِن ساداتِها وَالقُماقِمِ

بِذي العِزِّ مِن ساداتِها وَالقُماقِمِ

If ever the pure-blooded Arabs boast

When the purebred Arabs boast one day

Of the mighty among their lords and great chiefs,

Of the honorable among their chieftains and leaders

وَجاؤُوا بِقَيسٍ وَاِبنِهِ وَبِمَعبَدٍ

وَجاؤُوا بِقَيسٍ وَاِبنِهِ وَبِمَعبَدٍ

وَكَعبٍ وَأَوسٍ وَاِبنِ سَلمى وَحاتِمِ

وَكَعبٍ وَأَوسٍ وَاِبنِ سَلمى وَحاتِمِ

And bring forward Qays, his son, and Ma'bad,

And they came with Qays, his son, and Maʿbad

And Ka'b, Aws, Ibn Salma, and Hatim,

And Kaʿb, Aws, and the son of Salma and Hatim

سَماهُم جَميعاً ثُم لمت بِفَترَةٍ

سَماهُم جَميعاً ثُم لمت بِفَترَةٍ

إِلى جُودِ بَحرٍ مِنكُمُ مُتلاطِمِ

إِلى جُودِ بَحرٍ مِنكُمُ مُتلاطِمِ

He surpassed them all, then [unclear verb] after a pause,

He named them all then glanced for a moment

Toward the bounty of a surging sea from among you.

At the generosity of your sea with clashing waves

إِذا جُدتُم أَفضَلتُمُ فَبِفَضلِكُم

إِذا جُدتُم أَفضَلتُمُ فَبِفَضلِكُم

نَجُودُ فَمِنكُم فَضلُ تِلكَ المَكارِمِ

نَجُودُ فَمِنكُم فَضلُ تِلكَ المَكارِمِ

When you give, you lavish favors; through your bounty

Saying: If you are superior then by your superiority

We give generously, for those noble gifts owe their bounty to you.

We are generous for the superiority of those virtues are due to you

فَلولاكُمُ لَم يُدعَ فَضلٌ وَجَعفَرٌ

فَلولاكُمُ لَم يُدعَ فَضلٌ وَجَعفَرٌ

بِجُودٍ وَلا اِنهَلَّت نَدىً كَفُّ قاسِمِ

بِجُودٍ وَلا اِنهَلَّت نَدىً كَفُّ قاسِمِ

Without you, Fadl and Ja'far would not be called

For were it not for you no generosity or Jaʿfar would be praised

Generous, nor would Qasim's palm pour forth bounty.

Nor would the palm of Qasim's generosity pour forth dew

وَلا عَرَفَ الناسُ اِبنَ سَهلٍ وَلا شَدا

وَلا عَرَفَ الناسُ اِبنَ سَهلٍ وَلا شَدا

بِمَدحِ اِبنِ وَهبٍ ناظِمٌ بَعدَ ناظِمِ

بِمَدحِ اِبنِ وَهبٍ ناظِمٌ بَعدَ ناظِمِ

Nor would people know Ibn Sahl, nor would songs be sung

Nor would people know the son of Sahl nor would any poet

In praise of Ibn Wahb by poet after poet.

Equal the eulogy of Ibn Wahb's composer after composer

يَقُولُونَ هُم أَرضٌ وَأَنتُم سَماؤُها

يَقُولُونَ هُم أَرضٌ وَأَنتُم سَماؤُها

وَأَيمانُكُم فِيها مَكانُ الغَمائِمِ

وَأَيمانُكُم فِيها مَكانُ الغَمائِمِ

They say: they are earth, and you are its sky,

They say: "They are land and you are its heaven

And your right hands take the place of clouds there.

And your bounty in it is like the place of clouds

فَإِن أَنتُمُ أَمطَرتُموها تَحَدَّثَت

فَإِن أَنتُمُ أَمطَرتُموها تَحَدَّثَت

وَجادَت وَآتَت أُكلَها كُلَّ طاعِمِ

وَجادَت وَآتَت أُكلَها كُلَّ طاعِمِ

So if you rain upon it, it speaks,

When you rain upon it, it flourishes and yields

And gives lavishly, offering its fruit to every eater.

Its fruits to every consumer

وَإِن أَنتُمُ أَغفَلتُمُوها تَضاءَلَت

وَإِن أَنتُمُ أَغفَلتُمُوها تَضاءَلَت

وَلَم يَنتَفِع فيها أُوَامٌ لِحائِمِ

وَلَم يَنتَفِع فيها أُوَامٌ لِحائِمِ

But if you neglect it, it dwindles,

But when you neglect it, it withers

And the thirst of one circling for water finds no relief there.

And neither swarming locusts nor cunning beasts benefit from it

بِكُم يُؤمِنُ اللَهُ البِلادَ وَيُصلِحُ ال

بِكُم يُؤمِنُ اللَهُ البِلادَ وَيُصلِحُ ال

عِبادَ وَيَعفُو عَن ثِقالِ الجَرائِمِ

عِبادَ وَيَعفُو عَن ثِقالِ الجَرائِمِ

Through you God makes the lands secure and sets right the

Through you Allah secures the lands and reforms

Servants, and pardons grievous crimes.

His servants and pardons grave sins

وَأَنتُم مَصابيحُ الظَلامِ وَقادَةُ ال

وَأَنتُم مَصابيحُ الظَلامِ وَقادَةُ ال

أَنامِ وَسَدٌّ لِلبلا المُتفاقِمِ

أَنامِ وَسَدٌّ لِلبلا المُتفاقِمِ

And you are lamps in the darkness, and leaders of

You are the lamps dispelling darkness and the leaders

Humankind, and a barrier against mounting affliction.

Of mankind, a bulwark against accumulating afflictions

وَفِيكُم أَقامَ اللَهُ أَعلامَ دِينِهِ

وَفِيكُم أَقامَ اللَهُ أَعلامَ دِينِهِ

وَلَولاكُمُ كُنّا مَعاً كَالبَهائِمِ

وَلَولاكُمُ كُنّا مَعاً كَالبَهائِمِ

And among you God established the banners of His religion;

And it is through you that Allah established the symbols

Without you, all of us would be like beasts.

Of His religion, else we would be like beasts

تَخَيَّرَكُم رَبُّ العُلا وَاِصطَفاكُم

تَخَيَّرَكُم رَبُّ العُلا وَاِصطَفاكُم

وَطَهَّرَكُم مِن كُلِّ ذَمٍّ وَذائِمِ

وَطَهَّرَكُم مِن كُلِّ ذَمٍّ وَذائِمِ

The Lord on high chose you and singled you out,

You made clear the paths of guidance and uncovered

And purified you from every reproach and every reproacher.

The truth, removing the accumulated layers of blindness

وَآتاكُمُ فَصلَ الخِطابِ وَمُحكَمَ ال

وَآتاكُمُ فَصلَ الخِطابِ وَمُحكَمَ ال

كِتابِ وَمُلكاً زاهِياً غَيرَ زائِمِ

كِتابِ وَمُلكاً زاهِياً غَيرَ زائِمِ

And gave you decisive judgment and the clear teachings of the

And you straightened with the sword whoever obstinately resisted

Book, and a flourishing kingdom, never feeble.

And did not bow with humility to an adversary

فَأَوضَحتُمُ سُبلَ الهُدى وَكَشَفتُمُ

فَأَوضَحتُمُ سُبلَ الهُدى وَكَشَفتُمُ

عَنِ الحَقِّ أَغشاءَ العَمى المُتراكِمِ

عَنِ الحَقِّ أَغشاءَ العَمى المُتراكِمِ

So you made plain the paths of guidance, and lifted

How many a misguided zealot of unbelief rested

From truth the accumulated veils of blindness.

While his zeal became sandals for your horses' hooves in battles

وَقَوَّمتُمُ بِالسَيفِ مَن مالَ خَدُّهُ اِص

وَقَوَّمتُمُ بِالسَيفِ مَن مالَ خَدُّهُ اِص

عِراراً وَلَم يَشمَخ بِأَنفٍ لِخاصِمِ

عِراراً وَلَم يَشمَخ بِأَنفٍ لِخاصِمِ

And with the sword you straightened whoever turned his cheek in

So say to the missionaries of East and West: "Make your speeches brief

Haughty aversion; no adversary's nose rose in pride.

Or else you shall clash with the teeth of regret"

فَكَم هامَةٍ لِلكُفرِ راحَت وَهامُها

فَكَم هامَةٍ لِلكُفرِ راحَت وَهامُها

نِعالاً لِأَيدي خَيلِكُم في المَلاحِمِ

نِعالاً لِأَيدي خَيلِكُم في المَلاحِمِ

How many a chief of unbelief fell, their heads

The truth is none but a Hashimite call

Serving as sandals for your horses' forefeet in great battles!

It is the truth, not the claim of a transgressor or tyrant

فَقُل لِدُعاةِ الشَرقِ وَالغَربِ أَقصِرُوا

فَقُل لِدُعاةِ الشَرقِ وَالغَربِ أَقصِرُوا

وَكُفّواً وَإِلّا تَقرَعُوا سِنَّ نادِمِ

وَكُفّواً وَإِلّا تَقرَعُوا سِنَّ نادِمِ

So tell the advocates of East and West: desist,

Through it Islam, in every abode

And refrain, or you will strike your teeth in regret.

Became supported by a pillar from its pillars

فَما الحَقُّ إِلّا دَعوَةٌ هاشِميَّةٌ

فَما الحَقُّ إِلّا دَعوَةٌ هاشِميَّةٌ

هِيَ الحَقُّ لا دَعوى غَوِيٍّ وَغاشِمِ

هِيَ الحَقُّ لا دَعوى غَوِيٍّ وَغاشِمِ

For truth is none but a Hashimite call;

For it, he mobilized in every frontier regiments

It is the truth, not the claim of one misguided and tyrannical.

Which see polytheism terrified by their onslaught

بِها أَصبَحَ الإِسلامُ في كُلِّ مَوطِنٍ

بِها أَصبَحَ الإِسلامُ في كُلِّ مَوطِنٍ

يَنُوءُ بِرُكنٍ مِنهُ عَقد الدَعائِمِ

يَنُوءُ بِرُكنٍ مِنهُ عَقد الدَعائِمِ

Through it Islam has come, in every land,

The despots of hypocrisy spend their nights sleepless because of it

To rise on a pillar from him, its supports firmly bound.

As if their mattresses were the very mountain ridges

أَقامَ لَهُ في كُلِّ ثَغرٍ كَتائِباً

أَقامَ لَهُ في كُلِّ ثَغرٍ كَتائِباً

تَرى الشِركَ مِن شَدّاتِها في مَآتِمِ

تَرى الشِركَ مِن شَدّاتِها في مَآتِمِ

He stationed battalions for it at every frontier;

Turning them over from side to side in terror

You see polytheism in mourning at their onslaughts.

Having settled between those resolute men

تَبيتُ طَواغِيتُ النِفاقِ لِهَمِّهِ

تَبيتُ طَواغِيتُ النِفاقِ لِهَمِّهِ

كَأَنَّ حَشاياها ظُهُورُ الشَياهِمِ

كَأَنَّ حَشاياها ظُهُورُ الشَياهِمِ

The tyrants of hypocrisy spend the night in anxiety over him,

So it does not allow them any rest in their sleep

As though their mattresses were the backs of porcupines.

When sleep makes worries subside from every sleepy one

تُقَلِّبُها جَنباً فَجَنباً مَهابَةٌ

تُقَلِّبُها جَنباً فَجَنباً مَهابَةٌ

ثَوَت وَاِستَقَرَّت بَينَ تِلكَ الحَيازِمِ

ثَوَت وَاِستَقَرَّت بَينَ تِلكَ الحَيازِمِ

A dread turns them from side to side,

O Commander of the Faithful! The noble souls

Having lodged and settled between those ribs.

Have burdened me with remoteness from you out of concern

فَإِن هَوَّمَت أَهدَت لَها سِنَةُ الكَرى

فَإِن هَوَّمَت أَهدَت لَها سِنَةُ الكَرى

سَراياهُ تُردي بِالقَنا وَالصَوارِمِ

سَراياهُ تُردي بِالقَنا وَالصَوارِمِ

And if they doze, the drowsiness of sleep presents them with

How much smooth, firm mail I traversed

His detachments, slaying with spears and cutting swords.

Atop a saddle not the least bit infirm in determination

فَتُزعِجُها حَتّى كَأَن قَد أَصابَها

فَتُزعِجُها حَتّى كَأَن قَد أَصابَها

مِنَ المَسِّ ما لا يُتَّقى بِالتَمائِمِ

مِنَ المَسِّ ما لا يُتَّقى بِالتَمائِمِ

And startles them until it seems they have been struck

And how often I donned coats of mail that kill gazelles

By a demonic touch that no amulets can avert.

With the resolve of a shining star amidst terrors

فَلَيسَ لَها في نَومِها مِنهُ راحَةٌ

فَلَيسَ لَها في نَومِها مِنهُ راحَةٌ

إِذا النَومُ سَلّى الهَمَّ عَن كُلِّ نائِمِ

إِذا النَومُ سَلّى الهَمَّ عَن كُلِّ نائِمِ

They have no rest from him even in their sleep,

From the hands of time and its assailing misfortunes

When sleep dispels care from every sleeper.

I once had lawful wealth and riches

إِلَيكَ أَميرَ المُؤمِنينَ تَجَشَّمَت

إِلَيكَ أَميرَ المُؤمِنينَ تَجَشَّمَت

بِيَ البُعدَ هِمّاتُ النُفوسِ الكَرائِمِ

بِيَ البُعدَ هِمّاتُ النُفوسِ الكَرائِمِ

To you, Commander of the Faithful, have ventured

Which magnified my generosity and the fulfillment of my virtues was hoped for

The aspirations of noble souls, bearing me across the distance.

But the wretched governor denied me

فَكَم مَتنِ ساجٍ تَحتَ ساجٍ قَطَعتُهُ

فَكَم مَتنِ ساجٍ تَحتَ ساجٍ قَطَعتُهُ

عَلى ظَهرِ ساجٍ غَيرِ واهِ العَزائِمِ

عَلى ظَهرِ ساجٍ غَيرِ واهِ العَزائِمِ

How many a calm sea's expanse beneath a still night I crossed,

That estate and coins I had acquired

On the back of a teak-built craft, unflagging in resolve.

So my situation, wealth, riches and possessions

وَكَم جُبتُ مِن خَرقا تَمُوتُ بِها الظِبا

وَكَم جُبتُ مِن خَرقا تَمُوتُ بِها الظِبا

بِهِمَّةِ مَضّاءٍ عَلى الهَولِ حازِمِ

بِهِمَّةِ مَضّاءٍ عَلى الهَولِ حازِمِ

And how many a trackless waste, where gazelles die, I traversed,

Changed, and he inclined towards fabricating flaws

With the resolve of one pressing boldly on, steadfast before terror.

The prison became my narrow abode in gloom

فَها أَنا قَد أَلقَيتُ رَحليَ عائِذاً

فَها أَنا قَد أَلقَيتُ رَحليَ عائِذاً

بِنُعماكَ مِن أَيدي الزَمانِ الغَواشِمِ

بِنُعماكَ مِن أَيدي الزَمانِ الغَواشِمِ

Here I have laid down my saddle, seeking refuge

Where the darkness of sorrows keeps me company

In your favor from Time's oppressive hands.

And he released me after despair overcame me

وَقَد كُنتُ ذا مالٍ حَلالٍ وَثَروَةٍ

وَقَد كُنتُ ذا مالٍ حَلالٍ وَثَروَةٍ

يُضاعَفُ إِكرامي وَتُرجى مَكارِمي

يُضاعَفُ إِكرامي وَتُرجى مَكارِمي

I once possessed lawful wealth and riches;

Now I complain with nothing to lean on to one who lacks pity

The honor shown me was redoubled, and my gifts were hoped for.

I left my family and home in Bahrain

فَأَعرانِيَ الوَالي المَشُومُ وَفاتَني

فَأَعرانِيَ الوَالي المَشُومُ وَفاتَني

بِما حُزتُهُ مِن ضَيعَةٍ وَدَراهِمِ

بِما حُزتُهُ مِن ضَيعَةٍ وَدَراهِمِ

Then the ill-omened governor stripped me bare and made away

Expecting riches from your accumulated treasures

With the estate and dirhams I had acquired.

My lengthy stay wearies me and brings

فَمالَ عَلى حالي وَمالي وَثَروَتي

فَمالَ عَلى حالي وَمالي وَثَروَتي

مَآلي وَأَصغى لِاِختِلاقِ النَمائِمِ

مَآلي وَأَصغى لِاِختِلاقِ النَمائِمِ

Then my condition, my property, and my wealth were assailed by

From the lowly the most bitter reproach

My fate, which lent ear to fabricated slanders.

Blessed are you, whose smallest gifts

وَبِتُّ عَزائي السِجنُ في مُدلَهِمَّةٍ

وَبِتُّ عَزائي السِجنُ في مُدلَهِمَّةٍ

يُجاوِبُني فِيها ثِقالُ الأداهِمِ

يُجاوِبُني فِيها ثِقالُ الأداهِمِ

And I spent the night, my solace the prison, in pitch-darkness,

Exceed the abundant pourings of the deep seas

Where heavy black fetters answered me.

May you live long despite the passage of nights

وَأَخرَجَني مِن بَعدِ يَأسٍ وَقَد أَتى

وَأَخرَجَني مِن بَعدِ يَأسٍ وَقَد أَتى

عَلى نَشبي أَشكُو إِلى غَيرِ راحِمِ

عَلى نَشبي أَشكُو إِلى غَيرِ راحِمِ

He released me after despair, having laid waste

Immortalized by supporting the wronged and subjugating the unjust

To my property; I complained to one without mercy.

So I confided in myself alone finding no other resolution

وَخَلَّفتُ بِالبَحرَينِ أَهلي وَمَنزِلي

وَخَلَّفتُ بِالبَحرَينِ أَهلي وَمَنزِلي

رَجاءَ الغِنى مِن سَيبِكَ المُتَراكِمِ

رَجاءَ الغِنى مِن سَيبِكَ المُتَراكِمِ

And I left my family and home behind in Bahrain,

And consulted my determination

Hoping for riches from your accumulating bounty.

I was tempted towards some kings but they

وَطُولُ مُقامي مُتعِبٌ لِي وَجالِبٌ

وَطُولُ مُقامي مُتعِبٌ لِي وَجالِبٌ

عَلَيَّ مِنَ الأَدنى أَحَرَّ المَلاوِمِ

عَلَيَّ مِنَ الأَدنى أَحَرَّ المَلاوِمِ

My long stay wearies me and brings

Were ferocious to me, overflowing with treasures and wealth

Upon me, from those closest, the hottest reproaches.

I calmed them with my insistence to travel

فَبورِكتَ مِن مَلكٍ أَقَلُّ هِباتِهِ

فَبورِكتَ مِن مَلكٍ أَقَلُّ هِباتِهِ

تَزيدُ عَلى فَيضِ البُحُورِ الخَضارِمِ

تَزيدُ عَلى فَيضِ البُحُورِ الخَضارِمِ

Blessed be you, a king whose smallest gifts

To you, so their mouths showed a smile

Exceed the flood of vast seas.

I gave my family the good tidings of riches, for my destination

وَعِشتَ عَلى مَرِّ اللَيالي مُخَلَّداً

وَعِشتَ عَلى مَرِّ اللَيالي مُخَلَّداً

لِنُصرَةِ مَظلُومٍ وَإِرغامِ ظالِمِ

لِنُصرَةِ مَظلُومٍ وَإِرغامِ ظالِمِ

May you live forever through the passing nights,

Back to them would be with triumph over fate, overwhelming it

To champion the wronged and press the oppressor's nose into dust.

I came and they had attained the stars and were certain

فَناجَيتُ نَفسي خَالياً حَيثُ لَم أَجِد

فَناجَيتُ نَفسي خَالياً حَيثُ لَم أَجِد

مِنَ القَصدِ بُدّاً وَاِستَشَرتُ عَزائِمي

مِنَ القَصدِ بُدّاً وَاِستَشَرتُ عَزائِمي

I communed with myself in solitude, when I found

That riches had become assured like a firm pact

No choice but to set out, and consulted my resolves.

I did not flatter people for their wealth

وَمِلتُ إِلى بَعضِ المُلوكِ فَأَجهَشَت

وَمِلتُ إِلى بَعضِ المُلوكِ فَأَجهَشَت

إِلَيَّ وَجاشَت فَوقَ مِلءِ الحَيازِمِ

إِلَيَّ وَجاشَت فَوقَ مِلءِ الحَيازِمِ

And I inclined toward certain kings, but my soul burst into tears

So I would gain something or a few coins

Before me, and surged beyond what the ribs could contain.

Rather, I hope for a bout of generosity from your hands

فَسَكَّنتُها بِالشَدِّ مِنّي بِرحلَةٍ

فَسَكَّنتُها بِالشَدِّ مِنّي بِرحلَةٍ

إِلَيكَ فَأَبدَت ثَغرَ جَذلانَ باسِمِ

إِلَيكَ فَأَبدَت ثَغرَ جَذلانَ باسِمِ

So I soothed it by making ready for a journey

Whose memory will remain during seasons

To you; then it showed a joyful, smiling mouth.

With it I will gain glory, fell jealous foes

وَبَشَّرتُ أَهلي بِالغِنى حَيثُ مَرجِعي

وَبَشَّرتُ أَهلي بِالغِنى حَيثُ مَرجِعي

إِلَيهِم عَلى أَنفٍ مِنَ الدَهرِ راغِمِ

إِلَيهِم عَلى أَنفٍ مِنَ الدَهرِ راغِمِ

And gave my family glad news of wealth upon my return

And rise above the zeal of conquering kings

To them, despite Time, its nose humbled in the dust.

How many have lived dependent on your hospitality, hoping

فَجِئتُ وَقَد نالُوا السَماءَ وَأَيقَنُوا

فَجِئتُ وَقَد نالُوا السَماءَ وَأَيقَنُوا

بِأَنَّ الغِنى أَضحى كَضَربَةِ لازِمِ

بِأَنَّ الغِنى أَضحى كَضَربَةِ لازِمِ

So I came, while they had reached the sky and were certain

For tremendous matters worthy of great aspirations

That riches were now as sure as an inescapable blow.

وَلَم أَمتَدِح خَلقاً سِواكَ لِمالِهِ

وَلَم أَمتَدِح خَلقاً سِواكَ لِمالِهِ

فَأَحظى بِنَيلٍ أَو بِعَضِّ الأَباهِمِ

فَأَحظى بِنَيلٍ أَو بِعَضِّ الأَباهِمِ

I have praised no mortal but you for his wealth,

To gain a gift—or bite my thumbs in regret.

وَإِنّي لَأَرجُو مِن أَياديكَ نَفحَةً

وَإِنّي لَأَرجُو مِن أَياديكَ نَفحَةً

عَلى الدَهرِ يَبقى ذِكرُها في المَواسِمِ

عَلى الدَهرِ يَبقى ذِكرُها في المَواسِمِ

And I indeed hope for a breath of bounty from your favors,

Whose memory will endure through time at the festivals.

أُفيدُ بِها مَجداً وَأكبِتُ حاسِداً

أُفيدُ بِها مَجداً وَأكبِتُ حاسِداً

وَأَعلُو بِها هامَ المُلوكِ الغَوانِمِ

وَأَعلُو بِها هامَ المُلوكِ الغَوانِمِ

Through it I gain glory and confound an envier,

And through it rise above the heads of spoils-winning kings.

وَكَم عاشَ مِثلي في نَداكَ مُؤَمِّلاً

وَكَم عاشَ مِثلي في نَداكَ مُؤَمِّلاً

عَظيماً يُرَجّى لِلأُمُورِ العَظائِمِ

عَظيماً يُرَجّى لِلأُمُورِ العَظائِمِ

How many a man like me has lived in your bounty, hopeful,

A great man, looked to for momentous affairs.