ياO باكِياًone weeping لِدِمنَةٍfor a ruined campsite وَأَربُعِand dwellings
يا باكِياً لِدِمنَةٍ وَأَربُعِ
اِبكِweep عَلىfor آلِthe household of النَبِيِّthe Prophet أَوor دَعِdesist
اِبكِ عَلى آلِ النَبِيِّ أَو دَعِ
O you who weep for a ruined campsite and dwellings,
O you who weep for the oppressed and persecuted,
Weep for the Prophet's household, or desist.
Either weep for the Prophet's family or desist.
يَكفيكَsuffices you ماwhat عايَنتَyou witnessed مِنof مُصابِهِمtheir calamity
يَكفيكَ ما عايَنتَ مِن مُصابِهِم
مِنrather than أَنthat تبكّيyou lament طَلَلاًa ruined abode بِلَعلَعِat La'la'
مِن أَن تبكّي طَلَلاً بِلَعلَعِ
What you have witnessed of their calamity suffices you,
What you have witnessed of their afflictions
Rather than lamenting a ruined abode at La'la'.
Should suffice you from crying over ruins with no dwellers.
تُحِبُّهُمyou love them قَلبيmy heart وَتَبكيyet you weep for غَيرَهُمothers than them
تُحِبُّهُم قَلبي وَتَبكي غَيرَهُم
إِنَّكَindeed you فيماin what قُلتَهُyou said it لَمُدَّعِare surely a pretender
إِنَّكَ فيما قُلتَهُ لَمُدَّعِ
You love them, my heart, yet weep for others;
My heart loves them but cries for others -
You are surely a pretender in what you have said.
You are pretentious in what you have said.
أَماhave you not عَلِمتَyou learned أَنَّthat إِفراطَthe excess of الأَسىgrief
أَما عَلِمتَ أَنَّ إِفراطَ الأَسى
عَلَيهِمُfor them عَلامَةُthe sign of التَشَيُّعِShi'i devotion
عَلَيهِمُ عَلامَةُ التَشَيُّعِ
Have you not learned that overwhelming sorrow
Do you not know that excessive grief over them
For them is a sign of Shi'i devotion?
Is a sign of extremism in partisanship?
أَقوَتbecame deserted مَغانيهِمtheir dwellings فَهُنَّso they بِالبُكاof weeping
أَقوَت مَغانيهِم فَهُنَّ بِالبُكا
أَحَقُّmore deserving مِنthan واديthe valley of الغَضاal-Ghada وَالأَجرُعِand al-Ajru'
أَحَقُّ مِن وادي الغَضا وَالأَجرُعِ
Their dwellings stand deserted, and they deserve tears
I have composed verses in eulogy of them, for eulogies
More than Wadi al-Ghada and al-Ajru'.
Are more deserving than the Valley of Al-Ghadha.
ياO لَيتَwould that شِعريI knew مَنwhom أَنُوحُI mourn مِنهُمُamong them
يا لَيتَ شِعري مَن أَنُوحُ مِنهُمُ
وَمَنand whom لَهُfor him يَنهَلُّpours down فَيضُthe flood of أَدمُعيmy tears
وَمَن لَهُ يَنهَلُّ فَيضُ أَدمُعي
Would that I knew whom among them to mourn,
Oh, if only I knew who of them it is
And for whom the flood of my tears pours down.
For whom my streaming tears flow.
أَلِلوَصِيِّis it for the designated successor حينَwhen فيin مِحرابِهِhis prayer niche
أَلِلوَصِيِّ حينَ في مِحرابِهِ
عُمِّمَwas turbaned بِالسَيفِwith the sword وَلَمّاand not yet يَركَعِhe bowed
عُمِّمَ بِالسَيفِ وَلَمّا يَركَعِ
Is it for the designated successor, when, in his prayer niche,
Is it for the Trustee when in his prayer niche
The sword turbaned him before he had bowed?
Swords covered him and he could not bow down?
أَمor لِلَّذيfor the one whom أَودَتbrought death بِهِupon him جَعدَتُهُمtheir Ja'da
أَم لِلَّذي أَودَت بِهِ جَعدَتُهُم
يَومَئِذٍthat day بِكاسِwith a cup of سُمٍّpoison مُنقِعِdeadly
يَومَئِذٍ بِكاسِ سُمٍّ مُنقِعِ
Or for the one whom their Ja'da killed
Or is it for the one whose flowing locks
That day with a cup of deadly poison?
Were on that day poisoned with a poisoned drink?
وَإِنَّand indeed حُزنيmy grief كَقَتيلِlike the slain man of كَربَلاKarbala
وَإِنَّ حُزني كَقَتيلِ كَربَلا
لَيسَis not عَلىdespite طُولِthe length of البِلىdecay بِمُقلِعِceasing
لَيسَ عَلى طُولِ البِلى بِمُقلِعِ
And my grief, like the slain man of Karbala,
My sadness is like the martyr of Karbala -
Will not cease, however long the decay.
It does not cease as long as life continues.
إِذاwhenever ذَكَرتُI remember يَومَهُhis day تَحَدَّرَتpoured down
إِذا ذَكَرتُ يَومَهُ تَحَدَّرَت
مَدامِعيmy tears لِأَربَعٍfor four فيwithin أَربَعِfour
مَدامِعي لِأَربَعٍ في أَربَعِ
Whenever I recall his day, down pour
When I remember his day, my tears
My tears, for four within four.
Flow down my cheeks in streams.
ياO راكِباًrider نَحوَtoward العِراقِIraq جُرشُعاa massive camel
يا راكِباً نَحوَ العِراقِ جُرشُعا
يُنمَىis traced لِعَبدِيِّto an 'Abdi النِّجارِlineage جُرشَعِmassive
يُنمَى لِعَبدِيِّ النِّجارِ جُرشَعِ
O rider heading toward Iraq on a massive camel,
O you riding to Iraq determined,
Traced to a massive one of 'Abdi stock,
Heading for the Carpenter's grandson.
إِذاwhen بَلَغتَyou reach نِينَوىNineveh فَقِفthen stop بِهاat it
إِذا بَلَغتَ نِينَوى فَقِف بِها
وُقُوفَthe standing of مَحزُونِone sorrowful in الفُؤادِheart مُوجَعِafflicted
وُقُوفَ مَحزُونِ الفُؤادِ مُوجَعِ
When you reach Nineveh, stop there
When you reach Nineveh, stop there
As one sorrowful at heart and sorely afflicted.
Halting with a grieving, aching heart.
وَاِلبِسand wear إِذاif اِسطَعتَyou can بِهاin it ثَوبَthe garment of الأَسىgrief
وَاِلبِس إِذا اِسطَعتَ بِها ثَوبَ الأَسى
وَكُلَّand every ثَوبٍgarment لِلعَزاءِof consolation فَاِخلَعِthen take off
وَكُلَّ ثَوبٍ لِلعَزاءِ فَاِخلَعِ
And there, if you can, wear the garment of grief,
And don garments of sorrow when you arrive
And cast off every garment of consolation.
Casting off all other clothes.
فَإِنَّfor indeed فِيهاin it لِلهُدىfor guidance مَصارِعاًplaces of slaughter
فَإِنَّ فِيها لِلهُدى مَصارِعاً
رائِعَةًterrifying بِمثلِهاof their like لَمnot يُسمَعِwas heard
رائِعَةً بِمثلِها لَم يُسمَعِ
For there are places where guidance was slain,
For it holds amazing tragedies
Terrifying, their like never heard of.
The likes of which have never been heard of before.
فَاِسفَحso pour out بِهاin it دَمعَكَyour tears لاnot مُستَبقِياًholding any back
فَاِسفَح بِها دَمعَكَ لا مُستَبقِياً
فيin غَربِهِits flow وَبُحand proclaim غَراماًanguish وَاِجزَعِand lament
في غَربِهِ وَبُح غَراماً وَاِجزَعِ
So pour out your tears there, withholding nothing
So spill your tears there, not stinting
Of their flow; proclaim your anguish and lament.
In grief for them. Vent your anguish and despair
فَكُلُّfor every دَمعٍtear ضائِعٌis wasted مِنكَfrom you عَلىupon
فَكُلُّ دَمعٍ ضائِعٌ مِنكَ عَلى
غَيرِother than غَريبِthe exile of المُصطَفىthe Chosen One المُضَيَّعِforsaken
غَيرِ غَريبِ المُصطَفى المُضَيَّعِ
For every tear you shed is wasted upon
For every tear of yours that is wasted
Anyone but al-Mustafa's forsaken exile.
On other than the neglected, outcast Chosen One
لِلّهِto God (exclamation) يَوماًa day بِالطُفوفِat al-Tufuf لَمnot يَدَعleft
لِلّهِ يَوماً بِالطُفوفِ لَم يَدَع
لِمُسلِمٍfor a Muslim فيin العَيشِlife مِنany مُستَمتَعِenjoyment
لِمُسلِمٍ في العَيشِ مِن مُستَمتَعِ
God, what a day at al-Tufuf! It left
By God, a day in Tufoof like no other
No enjoyment in life for a Muslim.
Leaving no Muslim any pleasure in life.
يَومٌa day بِهِon it اِعتَلَّتgrew sick مَصابيحُthe lamps of الدُجىdarkness
يَومٌ بِهِ اِعتَلَّت مَصابيحُ الدُجى
بِعارِضٍthrough a visitation مِنَof الضَلالِerror مُفزِعِterrifying
بِعارِضٍ مِنَ الضَلالِ مُفزِعِ
A day on which the lamps of darkness grew sick
A day when the lamps of darkness were lit
Through a terrifying visitation of error.
With a calamitous trial so horrifying.
يَومٌa day بِهِon it لَمnot يَبقَremained مِنany دَعامَةٍpillar
يَومٌ بِهِ لَم يَبقَ مِن دَعامَةٍ
تَشُدُّsupporting رُكنَthe cornerstone of الدِينِreligion لَمnot تُضَعضَعِwas shaken
تَشُدُّ رُكنَ الدِينِ لَم تُضَعضَعِ
A day on which no pillar remained
A day when no pillar remained
Supporting religion's cornerstone, but was shaken.
Propping up the religion without being shaken.
يَومٌa day بِهِon it لَمnot يَبقَremained مِنany داعِيَةٍsummons
يَومٌ بِهِ لَم يَبقَ مِن داعِيَةٍ
تَدعُوcalling إِلىto الشَيطانِSatan لَمnot تُبتَدَعِwas devised
تَدعُو إِلى الشَيطانِ لَم تُبتَدَعِ
A day on which no summons remained
A day when no caller remained
Calling to Satan, but was newly contrived.
Summoning to Satan without being an innovator.
يَومٌa day بِهِon it لَمnot تَبقَremained مِنany غَمامَةٍcloud
يَومٌ بِهِ لَم تَبقَ مِن غَمامَةٍ
تُحييreviving ثَرىthe soil of الإِسلامِIslam لَمnot تُشَيَّعِwas ushered away
تُحيي ثَرى الإِسلامِ لَم تُشَيَّعِ
A day on which no cloud remained
A day when no cloud remained
Reviving Islam's soil, but was ushered away.
To give life to the land of Islam without being bade farewell.
يَومٌa day بِهِon it لَمnot تَبقَremained قَطُّat all رايَةٌbanner
يَومٌ بِهِ لَم تَبقَ قَطُّ رايَةٌ
تَهديguiding إِلىtoward ضَلالَةٍerror لَمnot تُرفَعِwas raised
تَهدي إِلى ضَلالَةٍ لَم تُرفَعِ
A day on which no banner whatsoever remained
A day when no standard remained
Guiding toward error, but was raised.
Leading to misguidance without being raised.
يَومٌa day بِهِon it لَمnot يَبقَremained قَطُّat all مارِنٌnose-tip
يَومٌ بِهِ لَم يَبقَ قَطُّ مارِنٌ
وَمَعطِسٌand nose لِلحَقِّof truth لَمnot يَنجَدِعِwas severed
وَمَعطِسٌ لِلحَقِّ لَم يَنجَدِعِ
A day on which no nose-tip whatsoever remained,
A day when no stubborn ox remained
Nor nose of truth, but was severed.
Braying at the truth without splitting its snout.
يَومٌa day بِهِon it لَمnot تَبقَremained مِنany وَسيلَةٍbond
يَومٌ بِهِ لَم تَبقَ مِن وَسيلَةٍ
حقّاًtruly لِآلِfor the household of المُصطَفىthe Chosen One لَمnot تُقطَعِwas severed
حقّاً لِآلِ المُصطَفى لَم تُقطَعِ
A day on which no bond remained
A day when no means remained
Truly belonging to al-Mustafa's household, but was cut.
Rightfully for Muhammad’s family without being severed.
يَومٌa day بِهِon it الكَلبُthe dog الدَريعُvicious يَعتَدِيassaults
يَومٌ بِهِ الكَلبُ الدَريعُ يَعتَدِي
عَلىupon هِزبَرِthe lion of الغابَةِthe forest المُدَرَّعِarmor-clad
عَلى هِزبَرِ الغابَةِ المُدَرَّعِ
A day on which the vicious dog assaulted
A day when the vicious dog transgressed
The armor-clad lion of the forest.
Upon the lion of the jungle fully armed.
يَومٌa day بِهِon it غُودِرَwas left سِبطُthe grandson of المُصطَفىthe Chosen One
يَومٌ بِهِ غُودِرَ سِبطُ المُصطَفى
لِلعاسِلاتِto the wolves وَالضِباعِand the hyenas الخُمَّعِlimping
لِلعاسِلاتِ وَالضِباعِ الخُمَّعِ
A day on which al-Mustafa's grandson was left
A day when the Prophet's grandson
To the wolves and limping hyenas.
Was preyed upon by snarling beasts.
لَهفيmy anguish لَهُfor him يَدعُوhe calls for الطّعانspear-combat مُعلِناًopenly
لَهفي لَهُ يَدعُو الطّعان مُعلِناً
دُعاءَthe call of مَأمُونِone trusted against الفِرارِflight أَروَعِdauntless
دُعاءَ مَأمُونِ الفِرارِ أَروَعِ
Alas for him, openly calling for spear-combat,
My soul yearns for him as the slanderer calls to him
With the cry of a dauntless man trusted never to flee.
Voicing the prayer of the fleeing coward.
يَقُولُhe says ياO شَرَّworst of الأَنامِmankind أَنتُمُyou
يَقُولُ يا شَرَّ الأَنامِ أَنتُمُ
أَكفَرُmore unbelieving مِنthan عادٍ'Ad وَقَومِand the people of تُبَّعِTubba'
أَكفَرُ مِن عادٍ وَقَومِ تُبَّعِ
He says: O worst of mankind, you are
He says, "O worst of mankind, you are
More unbelieving than 'Ad and the people of Tubba'.
More disbelieving than Aad and Thamud."
كاتَبتُمُونيyou wrote to me بِالمَسيرِconcerning the journey نَحوَكُمtoward you
كاتَبتُمُوني بِالمَسيرِ نَحوَكُم
وَقُلتُمُand you said خُذbegin فيon المَسيرِthe journey أَوor دَعِrefrain
وَقُلتُمُ خُذ في المَسيرِ أَو دَعِ
You wrote to me to journey toward you,
“You wrote to me to march towards you
And said: Set out on the journey, or refrain;
And said, ‘Come or stay behind.’
فَنَحنُfor we طَوعٌobedient لَكَto you لَمnot نَنسَhave forgotten الَّذيwhat
فَنَحنُ طَوعٌ لَكَ لَم نَنسَ الَّذي
لَكُمis yours مِنof العَهدِthe covenant وَلَمand not نُضَيِّعِhave neglected
لَكُم مِن العَهدِ وَلَم نُضَيِّعِ
We are obedient to you; we have not forgotten what
We are obedient to you. We have not forgotten
Is yours by covenant, nor have we neglected it.
Our covenant to you, nor violated it,
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen جِئتُI came لِماfor what يُصلِحُكُمwould set you right
حَتّى إِذا جِئتُ لِما يُصلِحُكُم
مِنof إِرثِthe inheritance of جَدّيmy grandfather وَذرَارِيهِand his descendants مَعيwith me
مِن إِرثِ جَدّي وَذرَارِيهِ مَعي
Yet when I came with what would set you right,
Until when I came to restore for you
Of my grandfather's legacy, his descendants with me,
My grandfather’s inheritance with my family,
لَقِيتُمُونيyou met me بِسُيُوفٍwith swords فيin الوَغىbattle
لَقِيتُمُوني بِسُيُوفٍ في الوَغى
مُنتَضَياتٍunsheathed وَرِماحٍand spears شُرَّعِleveled
مُنتَضَياتٍ وَرِماحٍ شُرَّعِ
You met me with swords in battle,
You met me with swords in the fray -
Unsheathed, and with leveled spears.
Bared, with readied spears."
هَلwhether كانَwas هَذاthis فيin سِجِلّاتِكُمُyour written records
هَل كانَ هَذا في سِجِلّاتِكُمُ
ياO شَرَّworst مَرأىًsight لِلوَرىto mankind وَمَسمَعِand sound
يا شَرَّ مَرأىً لِلوَرى وَمَسمَعِ
Was this in your written records,
"Was this in your records,
O worst sight and sound to mankind?
O worst sight for all creation?"
هَلwhether لَكُمُfor you أَنto تَفُواfulfill بِبَيعَتيthe pledge of allegiance to me
هَل لَكُمُ أَن تَفُوا بِبَيعَتي
أَنto تَسمَحُواyou permit ليme عَنكُمُaway from you بِمَرجعِa return
أَن تَسمَحُوا لي عَنكُمُ بِمَرجعِ
Will you honor your pledge of allegiance to me?
"Can you violate your oath to me,
Will you let me turn back, away from you?
Allow me to withdraw from you safely?"
قالَواthey said لَهُto him هَيهاتَfar from possible! ذاكَthat إِنَّهُindeed it is
قالَوا لَهُ هَيهاتَ ذاكَ إِنَّهُ
ماnot لَكَfor you فيin سَلامَةٍsafety مِنany مَطمَعِhope
ما لَكَ في سَلامَةٍ مِن مَطمَعِ
They said to him: Far from it! Indeed,
They said to him, "Never! You have
You have no hope of safety.
No safety from our greed."
بايِعpledge allegiance to يَزيداًYazid أَوor تَرىyou will see سُيوفَناour swords
بايِع يَزيداً أَو تَرى سُيوفَنا
هامَكُمُyour heads يَقَعنَthey fall upon كُلَّevery مَوقِعِplace
هامَكُمُ يَقَعنَ كُلَّ مَوقِعِ
Pledge allegiance to Yazid, or see our swords
"Pledge allegiance to Yazeed or you will see
Landing everywhere upon your heads.
Our swords befalling you from every side."
فَعِندَهاthen, at that جَرَّدَhe drew سَيفاًa sword لَمnot يَضَعhe had laid
فَعِندَها جَرَّدَ سَيفاً لَم يَضَع
نِجادَهُits baldric مِنهُaway from him عَلىupon أَيِّany مَوضِعِplace
نِجادَهُ مِنهُ عَلى أَيِّ مَوضِعِ
At that, he drew a sword, never having laid
Whereupon he drew a sword whose edge
Its baldric aside from him in any place.
He did not return to its sheath again.
وَعاثَand wreaked havoc فيamong أَبطالِهِمtheir champions حَتّىuntil اِتَّقىsought protection
وَعاثَ في أَبطالِهِم حَتّى اِتَّقى
مِنfrom بَأسِهِhis might الحاسِرُthe unhelmeted man بِالمُقنَّعِbehind the helmeted man
مِن بَأسِهِ الحاسِرُ بِالمُقنَّعِ
And he wreaked havoc among their champions, until
And he wreaked havoc among their heroes
The unhelmeted sought shelter from his might behind the helmeted.
Till the cautious one in armor feared his might.
وَحَولَهُand around him مِنamong صَحبِهِhis companions كُلُّevery فَتىًyoung man
وَحَولَهُ مِن صَحبِهِ كُلُّ فَتىً
حاميdefending الذِمارِhonor بَطَلٍa hero سَمَيذَعِnoble
حامي الذِمارِ بَطَلٍ سَمَيذَعِ
Around him, among his companions, was every young man
Around him, each fearless knight
Who guarded honor—a noble hero.
Protected the Valiant One’s flank.
كَمhow many غادِرٍa traitor غادَرَهُhe left him مُجَدَّلاًfelled
كَم غادِرٍ غادَرَهُ مُجَدَّلاً
وَالخَيلُand the horses تُرديgallop وَالكُماةُand the warriors تَدَّعيcry their boasts
وَالخَيلُ تُردي وَالكُماةُ تَدَّعي
How many a traitor he left fallen,
How many deserters he left lying dead
While horses galloped and warriors cried their boasts!
As the horses trampled and the swords clashed!
حَتّىuntil رَماهُshot him الرِجسُthe vile one شُلّتmay be paralyzed يَدُهُhis hand
حَتّى رَماهُ الرِجسُ شُلّت يَدُهُ
عَنfrom بارِعِexcellent in الرَميَةِshooting صُلبِstiff in المَنزَعِthe draw
عَن بارِعِ الرَميَةِ صُلبِ المَنزَعِ
Until the vile one shot him—may his hand be paralyzed!—
Till the despicable one shot him, paralyzing his hand
From a true-shooting bow, hard to draw.
From the excellent archer of steady grip.
فَخَرَّthen he fell وَالهَفاand alas! لَهُfor him كَأَنَّماas though
فَخَرَّ وَالهَفا لَهُ كَأَنَّما
عَلَيهِupon him رَدعٌa saffron stain أَوor خَلوقٌsaffron perfume أَودَعِhad been deposited
عَلَيهِ رَدعٌ أَو خَلوقٌ أَودَعِ
Then he fell—alas for him!—as though
So he fell as if shackled and bound
A saffron stain or saffron perfume had been laid upon him.
After none of his supporters remained but
مِنfrom بَعدِafter أَنthat لَمnot يَبقَremained مِنof أَنصارِهِhis supporters
مِن بَعدِ أَن لَم يَبقَ مِن أَنصارِهِ
غَيرُnothing but طعامِfood for أَنسُرٍvultures وَأَضبُعِand hyenas
غَيرُ طعامِ أَنسُرٍ وَأَضبُعِ
After none of his supporters remained
Carrion-eating beasts and hyenas.
Except as food for vultures and hyenas.
Then they inclined to the tents, leaning
ثَمَّتَthen مالُواthey turned لِلخيامِtoward the tents مَيلَةًin an assault
ثَمَّتَ مالُوا لِلخيامِ مَيلَةً
قالَتit said لِرُكنِto the pillar of الدِينِreligion إِيهاًenough! فَقَعِso fall!
قالَت لِرُكنِ الدِينِ إِيهاً فَقَعِ
Then they turned upon the tents in an assault
And saying to the pillar of faith, "Woe!"
That said to religion's pillar: Enough—fall!
Striking, looting, violating sanctity
ضَرباًstriking وَنَهباًand plundering وَاِنتِهاكَand violating حُرمَةٍsanctity
ضَرباً وَنَهباً وَاِنتِهاكَ حُرمَةٍ
وَذَبحَand slaughtering أَطفالٍchildren وَسَلبَand stripping أَذرُعِarms
وَذَبحَ أَطفالٍ وَسَلبَ أَذرُعِ
Striking, plundering, violating sanctity,
Slaughtering infants, robbing the armless.
Slaughtering children and stripping arms bare.
Truly they saw in their minds misery for them -
لَقَدindeed رَأَواthey conceived فيin الفِكرِthought تَعساًperdition لَهُمto them
لَقَد رَأَوا في الفِكرِ تَعساً لَهُم
رَأيَthe counsel of قُدارٍQudar رَأَيُهُمtheir counsel فَيَصدَعِso may it split
رَأيَ قُدارٍ رَأَيُهُم فَيَصدَعِ
They conceived in thought—perdition to them!—
Qadar's view; their view split skulls.
Qudar's counsel; may their counsel split asunder!
Where is slitting the she-camel's throat compared
وَأَينَand how does it compare عَقرُhamstringing ناقَةٍa she-camel مِمّاwith what جَنَواthey committed
وَأَينَ عَقرُ ناقَةٍ مِمّا جَنَوا
ياO لَلرِجالِmen, to the rescue لِلفِعالِagainst the deed الأَشنَعِmost hideous
يا لَلرِجالِ لِلفِعالِ الأَشنَعِ
What is hamstringing a she-camel beside what they committed?
To their crimes, O what an appalling deed!
O men, to the rescue against this most hideous deed!
Never in time was seen the like of it -
ماthere is no مِثلُهاits like فيin الدَهرِall time مِنamong عَظيمَةٍcalamities
ما مِثلُها في الدَهرِ مِن عَظيمَةٍ
لَقَدindeed تَعَدَّتit surpassed كُلَّevery أَمرٍevent مُفظِعِhorrifying
لَقَد تَعَدَّت كُلَّ أَمرٍ مُفظِعِ
No calamity like it exists in all time;
Surpassing all horrific matters.
It has surpassed every horrifying event.
Muhammad's offspring were taken captive,
تُسبىare taken captive ذراريthe descendants of المُصطَفىthe Chosen One مُحمَّدٍMuhammad
تُسبى ذراري المُصطَفى مُحمَّدٍ
رِضاًto please لِشانيهِhis hater الزَنيمِbaseborn الدُكَّعِabject
رِضاً لِشانيهِ الزَنيمِ الدُكَّعِ
The descendants of al-Mustafa, Muhammad, are taken captive
Pleasing the despicable, base wretch.
To please his baseborn, abject hater.
Oh how my soul yearns for Al-Husayn in Iraq
ياO لَهفَanguish of نَفسيmy soul لِلحُسَينِfor al-Husayn بِالعَراin the open
يا لَهفَ نَفسي لِلحُسَينِ بِالعَرا
وَقَدwhile already أُقيمَwas detained أَهلُهُhis family بِجَعجَعِon harsh ground
وَقَد أُقيمَ أَهلُهُ بِجَعجَعِ
O my soul's anguish for al-Husayn in the open,
With his family left in Al-Ji'iran.
While his family was confined upon harsh ground!
My soul yearns for my slain Master, thirsty
لَهفيmy anguish لِمَولايَfor my lord الشَهيدِthe martyr ظامِئاًthirsting
لَهفي لِمَولايَ الشَهيدِ ظامِئاً
يُذادُhe is driven away عَنfrom بَحرِthe sea of الفُراتِthe Euphrates المُترَعِbrimming
يُذادُ عَن بَحرِ الفُراتِ المُترَعِ
Alas for my lord, the martyr, thirsting,
Defending the banks of the Euphrates.
Driven away from the brimming sea of the Euphrates!
They did not let him drink a single draft
لَمnot تَسمحِallowed القَومُthe people لَهُfor him بِشَربَةٍa sip
لَم تَسمحِ القَومُ لَهُ بِشَربَةٍ
حَتّىuntil قَضىhe died بِغُلَّةٍwith burning thirst لَمnot تُنقَعِwas quenched
حَتّى قَضى بِغُلَّةٍ لَم تُنقَعِ
The people would not allow him a sip,
Till he met his death, his thirst unquenched.
Until he died with burning thirst unquenched.
My soul yearns for him with Shimr atop his chest
لَهفيmy anguish لَهُfor him وَالشَمرُand Shimr فَوقَupon صَدرِهِhis chest
لَهفي لَهُ وَالشَمرُ فَوقَ صَدرِهِ
لِحَينِfor the destruction of أَوداجٍjugular veins وَهَشمٍand crushing أَضلُعِribs
لِحَينِ أَوداجٍ وَهَشمٍ أَضلُعِ
Alas for him, with Shimr upon his chest,
When raging, he shattered his ribs.
To sever his jugular veins and shatter his ribs!
My soul yearns for him with his head on a spear
لَهفيmy anguish لَهُfor him وَرَأسُهُand his head فيon ذائِلٍa long spear
لَهفي لَهُ وَرَأسُهُ في ذائِلٍ
كَالبَدرِlike the full moon يزهىshining فيat أَتَمِّthe fullest مَطلَعِrising
كَالبَدرِ يزهى في أَتَمِّ مَطلَعِ
Alas for him, his head upon a long spear,
Like the full moon shining at its brightest.
Like the full moon shining at its fullest rising!
My soul yearns as the lips of the Trustee were split
لَهفيmy anguish لِثَغرِfor the mouth of السِبطِthe grandson إِذwhen يَقرَعُهُhe strikes it
لَهفي لِثَغرِ السِبطِ إِذ يَقرَعُهُ
مَنone who سَيَوَدُّwill wish أَنَّهُthat it لَمnot يُقرَعِhad been struck
مَن سَيَوَدُّ أَنَّهُ لَم يُقرَعِ
Alas for the grandson's mouth, struck
By one trying to best him with his strike.
By one who will wish it had never been struck!
Oh how my soul yearns for Ahmad's daughters
ياO لَهفَanguish of نَفسيmy soul لِبناتِfor the daughters of أَحمَدٍAhmad
يا لَهفَ نَفسي لِبناتِ أَحمَدٍ
بَينَamong عِطاشٍthe thirsty فيin الفَلاthe wilderness وَجُوَّعِand the hungry
بَينَ عِطاشٍ في الفَلا وَجُوَّعِ
O my soul's anguish for Ahmad's daughters,
Amongst thirst and hunger in the open desert.
Among the thirsty in the wilderness and the famished!
Herded in humiliation’s disgrace to Syria
يُسَقنَthey are driven فيin ذُلِّthe humiliation of السِباcaptivity حَواسِراًbareheaded
يُسَقنَ في ذُلِّ السِبا حَواسِراً
إِلىto الشآمِal-Sham فَوقَupon حَسرِbared أَضلُعِribs
إِلى الشآمِ فَوقَ حَسرِ أَضلُعِ
They are driven in the humiliation of captivity, bareheaded,
Above camels’ saddles, ribs broken.
To al-Sham, upon bared ribs.
Their heads presented in front of him
يَقدُمُهُنَّgoes ahead of them الرَأسُthe head فيon قَناتِهِits spear
يَقدُمُهُنَّ الرَأسُ في قَناتِهِ
هَدِيَّةًa gift إِلىto الدَعِيِّthe bastard اِبنِson of الدَعِيthe bastard
هَدِيَّةً إِلى الدَعِيِّ اِبنِ الدَعِي
The head goes before them upon its spear,
As gifts to the worshipper of idols.
A gift to the bastard, son of a bastard.
They lament, "O grandfather, if only you could see us
يَندُبنَthey lament ياO جَدَّهُgrandfather! لَوif رَأَيتَناyou saw us
يَندُبنَ يا جَدَّهُ لَو رَأَيتَنا
نُسلَبُwe are stripped of كُلَّevery مِعجَرٍhead-veil وَبُرقُعِand face-veil
نُسلَبُ كُلَّ مِعجَرٍ وَبُرقُعِ
They lament: O grandfather, if you could see us,
Robbed of all possessions, even fabrics!"
Stripped of every head-veil and face-veil!
"We are gifted to the tyrant Yazeed disheveled -
نُهدَىwe are presented إِلىto الطاغيthe tyrant يَزيدYazid لُعثاًsoiled
نُهدَى إِلى الطاغي يَزيد لُعثاً
شُعثاًdisheveled بِأَسواin the worst حالَةٍcondition وَأَبدَعِand most unheard-of
شُعثاً بِأَسوا حالَةٍ وَأَبدَعِ
We are presented to the tyrant Yazid, soiled,
In the worst state, so very distressed."
Disheveled, in the worst and most unheard-of condition.
"A rough rider drives us whose journey
يَحديdrives with chanting بِناus along حادٍa camel-driver عَنيفٌharsh سَيرُهُhis pace
يَحدي بِنا حادٍ عَنيفٌ سَيرُهُ
لَوif قِيلَhe were told إِرتَعrest ساعَةًan hour لَمnot يَرتَعِhe would rest
لَو قِيلَ إِرتَع ساعَةً لَم يَرتَعِ
A camel-driver chants us onward, harsh in his pace;
Knows no gentleness, will not be reined."
If told, Rest an hour, he would not rest.
"Travel wearies us, so he hurries us
يُتعِبُناexhausts us السَيرُthe journey فَيَستَحِثُّناthen he urges us on
يُتعِبُنا السَيرُ فَيَستَحِثُّنا
إِذاwhen تَخَلَّفناwe lag behind بِضَربٍwith beating مُوجِعِpainful
إِذا تَخَلَّفنا بِضَربٍ مُوجِعِ
The journey exhausts us, yet he urges us onward
If we lag, with painful blows."
With painful beating whenever we lag behind.
"And if you could see the jailer in his aggression
وَلَوand if تَرىyou saw السَجّانَthe jailer فيamid كُبُولِهِhis fetters
وَلَو تَرى السَجّانَ في كُبُولِهِ
يَضرِبُhe strikes ضَربَthe striking of النَعَمِlivestock المِسلَعِthe goad
يَضرِبُ ضَربَ النَعَمِ المِسلَعِ
And if you saw the jailer amid his fetters,
Striking like a freed animal."
Striking with a goad as livestock are struck!
"Unbearable for you is our state
يَعزِزis grievous عَلَيكَto you جَدَّناour grandfather مُقامُناour situation
يَعزِز عَلَيكَ جَدَّنا مُقامُنا
وَمَصرَعٌand a slaughter فيin الطفِّal-Taff أَيُّwhat a مَصرَعِslaughter
وَمَصرَعٌ في الطفِّ أَيُّ مَصرَعِ
Our plight would grieve you, our grandfather,
And an end in childhood - which end?"
And the slaughter at al-Taff—what a slaughter!
"They slaughtered our men and were not satisfied
اِستَأصَلواthey exterminated رِجالَناour men وَماand not اِكتَفواwere content
اِستَأصَلوا رِجالَنا وَما اِكتَفوا
بِسَبيِwith taking captive نِسوانٍwomen وَذَبحِand slaughtering رُضَّعِnursing infants
بِسَبيِ نِسوانٍ وَذَبحِ رُضَّعِ
They exterminated our men, and were not content
With capturing women and slaughtering infants."
With taking women captive and slaughtering nursing infants.
"Then they cry, ‘O Husayn, is there no
ثُمَّthen يَصِحنَthey cry out ياO حُسَينَاهُalas, Husayn! أَماis there no
ثُمَّ يَصِحنَ يا حُسَينَاهُ أَما
بَعدَafter فِراقِthe parting of اليَومِtoday مِنany تَجَمُّعِreunion
بَعدَ فِراقِ اليَومِ مِن تَجَمُّعِ
Then they cry: Alas, Husayn! Is there no
Reunion after this day of separation?'"
Reunion after today's parting?
"You left us behind you broken,
خَلَّفتَناyou left us بَعدَكَafter you وَقفاًdevoted محجِراًconfined
خَلَّفتَنا بَعدَكَ وَقفاً محجِراً
عَلىto الحَنينِyearning وَالنَوىand separation وَالجَزَعِand anguish
عَلى الحَنينِ وَالنَوى وَالجَزَعِ
You left us after you, confined and wholly given over
Yearning, lamenting, despairing."
To yearning, separation, and anguish.
Amazing that the earth did not split
واعَجَباًand how astonishing! لِلأَرضِfor the earth كَيفَhow لَمnot تَثُخsank
واعَجَباً لِلأَرضِ كَيفَ لَم تَثُخ
وَلِلسَماءِand for the sky كَيفَhow لَمnot تُزَعزَعِwas shaken
وَلِلسَماءِ كَيفَ لَم تُزَعزَعِ
How astonishing that the earth did not sink,
And the sky did not collapse!
And that the sky was not shaken!
So may the curse of the Merciful be upon the hordes
فَلَعنَةُso the curse of الرَحمَنُthe Most Merciful تَغشىmay envelop عُصبَةًa band
فَلَعنَةُ الرَحمَنُ تَغشى عُصبَةً
غَزَتهُمُthat attacked them وَعُصبَةًand a band لَمnot تدفَعِresisted
غَزَتهُمُ وَعُصبَةً لَم تدفَعِ
May the Most Merciful's curse envelop the band
Who attacked them and the hordes who did not defend.
That attacked them, and the band that did not resist.
O family of Taha, you are my means
ياO آلhousehold of طَهَTaha أَنتُمُyou وَسيلَتيmy means of approach
يا آل طَهَ أَنتُمُ وَسيلَتي
عِندَbefore الإِلَهِGod وَإِلَيكُمand to you مَفزَعيmy refuge
عِندَ الإِلَهِ وَإِلَيكُم مَفزَعي
O household of Taha, you are my means of approach
To Allah and my refuge at the final horror.
Before God, and to you I turn for refuge.
My loyalty to you will make me
واليتُكُمI pledged allegiance to you كَيماso that أَكونَI may be عِندَكُمwith you
واليتُكُم كَيما أَكونَ عِندَكُم
تَحتَbeneath لِواءِthe banner of الأَمنِsafety يَومَon the day of الفَزَعِterror
تَحتَ لِواءِ الأَمنِ يَومَ الفَزَعِ
I pledged allegiance to you so that I might be with you
Under safety's banner on the Day of Fear.
Beneath the banner of safety on the day of terror.
If I am banned from none but you
وَإِنand if مَنَعتُمyou forbid أَنthat يُواليhe be loyal to غَيرَكُمothers than you
وَإِن مَنَعتُم أَن يُوالي غَيرَكُم
إِنif يَردِhe reaches الحَوضَthe Pool غَداًtomorrow لَمnot يُمنَعِhe will be barred
إِن يَردِ الحَوضَ غَداً لَم يُمنَعِ
And if you forbid him to be loyal to others than you,
At the Pool tomorrow, I will not be banned.
If he reaches the Pool tomorrow, he will not be barred.
To you a streaming of my inner thoughts has come
إِلَيكُمُto you نَفثَةَan outpouring مَصدُورٍof one anguished in his breast أَتَتcame
إِلَيكُمُ نَفثَةَ مَصدُورٍ أَتَت
مِنfrom مُقحَمِone thrust into الشِعرِpoetry إِلىto مِصقَعِan eloquent master
مِن مُقحَمِ الشِعرِ إِلى مِصقَعِ
To you came an outpouring from an anguished breast,
From a crammed mind to the horizons.
From one thrust into poetry to a master of eloquence.
An Arab, my nature, though my plumage
مَغرِبيٌّa Maghribi عَرَبيٌArab طَبعُهُhis nature
مَغرِبيٌّ عَرَبيٌ طَبعُهُ
وَنَجرُهُand his lineage وَلَيسَand is not بِالمُدَرَّعِarmor-clad
وَنَجرُهُ وَلَيسَ بِالمُدَرَّعِ
A Maghribi, Arab in his nature
Is Non-Arab; I bear no arms.
And his lineage, and not armor-clad.
I profess my longing for the Omayyad house -
يُنمىhe is traced إِلىto البَيتِthe house العُيونِيِّ'Uyuni إِلىto
يُنمى إِلى البَيتِ العُيونِيِّ إِلى
أَجَلِّmost august بَيتٍhouse فيin العُلىthe heights وَأَرفَعِand loftiest
أَجَلِّ بَيتٍ في العُلى وَأَرفَعِ
He traces his lineage to the 'Uyuni house—to
The greatest, most elevated house.
The most august and loftiest house in the heights.
God’s blessings and bounty upon you,
عَلَيكُمُupon you صَلّىmay He bless الإِلَهُGod وَسَقىand may He water
عَلَيكُمُ صَلّى الإِلَهُ وَسَقى
أَجَلّmost august بَيتٍhouse فيin العُلىthe heights وَأَرفَعِand loftiest
أَجَلّ بَيتٍ في العُلى وَأَرفَعِ
May God send blessings upon you, and water
The greatest, most elevated house.
The most august and loftiest house in the heights.
Partial English translation: 151 of 152 Arabic lines translated.