شَرَفَ المَعالي مَن يُساجِلُكَ العُلى

شَرَفَ المَعالي مَن يُساجِلُكَ العُلى

وَلَكَ الإِمامُ بِمُلكِها قَد أَسجَلا

وَلَكَ الإِمامُ بِمُلكِها قَد أَسجَلا

Sharaf al-Ma‘ali, who can rival you in eminence?

The one who rivals you in excellence has achieved nobility,

The Imam has granted you the deed to its dominion.

And the Imam in his kingdom has recorded it.

تَدعو الحُظوظَ فَتَستَجيبُ كَذا وَما

تَدعو الحُظوظَ فَتَستَجيبُ كَذا وَما

لَم تَدعُهُ مِنها أَتاكَ مُطَفِّلا

لَم تَدعُهُ مِنها أَتاكَ مُطَفِّلا

You summon good fortunes, and they answer thus; and those

You summon good fortunes, and thus they respond likewise,

you did not summon come to you unbidden.

No fortune you did not summon came to you uninvited.

في كُلِّ يَومٍ ما تَزالُ مُكَذِّباً

في كُلِّ يَومٍ ما تَزالُ مُكَذِّباً

مَن قالَ غايَةُ كامِلٍ أَن يَكمُلا

مَن قالَ غايَةُ كامِلٍ أَن يَكمُلا

Each day you continue to disprove

Each day you continue to give the lie

whoever says a perfect man's utmost is to become perfect.

To whoever said that the limit of perfection is to perfect.

وَلَقَد أَتَتكَ اليَومَ مِن فَخرٍ حُلىً

وَلَقَد أَتَتكَ اليَومَ مِن فَخرٍ حُلىً

ذا المَجدُ صايِغُها وَمِن تِبرٍ حُلا

ذا المَجدُ صايِغُها وَمِن تِبرٍ حُلا

Today ornaments of pride have come to you—

And today ornaments of pride have come to you,

glory is their goldsmith—and ornaments of gold.

With this glory as their craftsman and with ingots as their material.

هاتيكَ تُسمِعُ مِن صِفاتِكَ مُعجِزاً

هاتيكَ تُسمِعُ مِن صِفاتِكَ مُعجِزاً

لا يُستَعارُ وَذي تُري ما أَذهَلا

لا يُستَعارُ وَذي تُري ما أَذهَلا

The former let you hear a miracle of your qualities

Wonders about your attributes render a listener speechless,

that cannot be borrowed; the latter display what dazzles.

Indescribable, and show what stupefies.

لَولا البَصائِرُ مِن عَشى أَبصارِنا

لَولا البَصائِرُ مِن عَشى أَبصارِنا

لِضِيائِها خِلنا العِيانَ تَخَيُّلا

لِضِيائِها خِلنا العِيانَ تَخَيُّلا

But for our insight, with our eyes dimmed

Were it not for the insights that illuminate our inner eyes,

by their radiance, we would think what we see an illusion.

Dazzled by their radiance, we would have imagined them illusory.

وَإِذا تَعاوَدنا ثَناءَكَ بَينَنا

وَإِذا تَعاوَدنا ثَناءَكَ بَينَنا

عادَ المُكَثِّرُ ما رَآهُ مُقَلِّلا

عادَ المُكَثِّرُ ما رَآهُ مُقَلِّلا

When we repeat your praises among ourselves,

And when we resume praising you amongst ourselves,

even the lavish praiser of what he sees becomes an understater.

What we had diminished returns multiplied.

فَهَلِ اِنتَحَتكَ مِنَ الكَواكِبِ سُربَةٌ

فَهَلِ اِنتَحَتكَ مِنَ الكَواكِبِ سُربَةٌ

كَيما تَكونَ لِنورِها مُتَسَربِلا

كَيما تَكونَ لِنورِها مُتَسَربِلا

Has a flock of stars come toward you,

Did a flock of planets swoop down upon you

so that you might be clothed in their light?

That you may don their light?

أَم لِلغَزالَةِ في الجَدالَةِ مَنزِلٌ

أَم لِلغَزالَةِ في الجَدالَةِ مَنزِلٌ

وَعَهِدتُها لا تَستَطيعَ تَرَحُّلا

وَعَهِدتُها لا تَستَطيعَ تَرَحُّلا

Or does the sun have a dwelling on the earth,

Or does the gazelle have a lodging in the doe

though I have known it unable to move away?

When she is accustomed not to travel?

وَهَلِ اِدَّرَعتَ شُعاعَها فَلِأَجلِ ذا

وَهَلِ اِدَّرَعتَ شُعاعَها فَلِأَجلِ ذا

ما إِن تُطيقُ لَكَ العُيونُ تَأَمُّلا

ما إِن تُطيقُ لَكَ العُيونُ تَأَمُّلا

Have you armored yourself in its rays, and is that why

Or have you clad yourself in their rays? Therefore eyes

eyes cannot bear to gaze upon you?

Cannot bear contemplating you.

أَم قَد كَساكَ النورَ ذو النورِ الَّذي

أَم قَد كَساكَ النورَ ذو النورِ الَّذي

ما زالَ في آبائِهِ مُتَنَقِّلا

ما زالَ في آبائِهِ مُتَنَقِّلا

Or has the possessor of light clothed you in the light

Or has the Light of lights that migrated

that has ever passed onward among his forefathers?

Through your forefathers garbed you?

لُبسُ الحَريرِ مِنَ الحَديدِ مُثَقَّلاً

لُبسُ الحَريرِ مِنَ الحَديدِ مُثَقَّلاً

أَفضى إِلَيهِ بِالنُضارِ مُثَقَّلا

أَفضى إِلَيهِ بِالنُضارِ مُثَقَّلا

Wearing silk made of iron, heavily laden,

Wearing silk after iron weighs down,

has led to wearing it heavily laden with gold.

But he took it on with vitality despite its weight.

وَالحَربُ لا تُجنيكَ أَرياً غِبُّها

وَالحَربُ لا تُجنيكَ أَرياً غِبُّها

إِلّا إِذا أَجنَت عِداكَ الحَنظَلا

إِلّا إِذا أَجنَت عِداكَ الحَنظَلا

War's aftermath does not let you harvest honey

War brings you no harm unless

unless it has made your foes harvest bitter colocynth.

It reaps your enemies like dried stalks.

وَسَليلِ صاعِقَةٍ أَتاكَ مُعَوِّضاً

وَسَليلِ صاعِقَةٍ أَتاكَ مُعَوِّضاً

مِمّا تَرَكتَ مِنَ الضِرابِ مُفَلَّلا

مِمّا تَرَكتَ مِنَ الضِرابِ مُفَلَّلا

A scion of a thunderbolt has come to you as replacement

And the son of a lightning bolt came to you compensating

for what you left notched by sword-striking.

For what you had lost of ravaging strokes.

وَالتِبرُ ما لَم تَرضَهُ لَو لَم يَكُن

وَالتِبرُ ما لَم تَرضَهُ لَو لَم يَكُن

بِنَفائِسِ الدُرِّ الثَمينِ مُكَلَّلا

بِنَفائِسِ الدُرِّ الثَمينِ مُكَلَّلا

And gold is what you would not approve, were it not

And were ingots not delighted by the gems' nobility

crowned with precious, costly pearls.

Crowning them, they would still have sublime essence.

وَلَوَ اِنَّ كُلَّ الناسِ يَعرِفُ قَدرَهُ

وَلَوَ اِنَّ كُلَّ الناسِ يَعرِفُ قَدرَهُ

أَغناهُ جَوهَرُ مَتنِهِ عَمّا اِحتَلا

أَغناهُ جَوهَرُ مَتنِهِ عَمّا اِحتَلا

Yet if all people knew its worth,

And if all people recognized their value,

the substance of its blade would suffice without its adornment.

Their intrinsic gemstone essence would suffice them without esteem.

وَمُضيئَةٍ كَسَتِ النَدِيَّ بِضَوئِها

وَمُضيئَةٍ كَسَتِ النَدِيَّ بِضَوئِها

وَالحاضِرينَ بِهِ حَريقاً مُشعَلا

وَالحاضِرينَ بِهِ حَريقاً مُشعَلا

A radiant gift has clothed the assembly in its light,

A resplendent star eclipsed the luminaries with its light

and those present there in a blazing fire.

And set those present aflame with its blazing.

ما إِن رَأَينا هالَةً مِن قَبلِها

ما إِن رَأَينا هالَةً مِن قَبلِها

أَضحَت تَضَمَّنُ عارِضاً مُتَهَلِّلا

أَضحَت تَضَمَّنُ عارِضاً مُتَهَلِّلا

Never before it have we seen a halo

We have not seen an aura like it before

that came to enclose a beaming cloud.

That contains a fleeting incident.

فَاِبجَح بِمَفخَرِها مَلابِسَ لَم يَكُن

فَاِبجَح بِمَفخَرِها مَلابِسَ لَم يَكُن

غَيرُ الإِمامِ لِمِثلِها مُتَبَدِّلا

غَيرُ الإِمامِ لِمِثلِها مُتَبَدِّلا

So glory in its distinction: garments in which

So glory in it openly since none but the Imam

none but the Imam would attire himself.

Has possessed its like after having worn it.

لَمّا تَنافَسَتِ الجَواهِرُ وَالحُلى

لَمّا تَنافَسَتِ الجَواهِرُ وَالحُلى

فيها أَتَتكَ وَجِسمُها قَد فُصِّلا

فيها أَتَتكَ وَجِسمُها قَد فُصِّلا

When jewels and ornaments vied

When gems and ornaments vied with each other in it,

within it, it came to you with its body studded

They came to you with its body detailed.

بِجُذى غَضىً ما لَمسُهُنَّ بِمُحرِقٍ

بِجُذى غَضىً ما لَمسُهُنَّ بِمُحرِقٍ

وَنُجومِ داجِيَةٍ وَلَيسَت أُفَّلا

وَنُجومِ داجِيَةٍ وَلَيسَت أُفَّلا

with ghada-wood embers whose touch does not burn,

Made of unripened pearls and of shooting stars that do not set,

and stars of a dark night that never set.

And I reckon it a crown, but it did not find

وَأَظُنُّها تاجاً وَلَكِن لَم تَجِد

وَأَظُنُّها تاجاً وَلَكِن لَم تَجِد

لِعُلُوِّ قَدرِكَ فَوقَ خَصرِكَ مَنزِلا

لِعُلُوِّ قَدرِكَ فَوقَ خَصرِكَ مَنزِلا

I think it a crown, yet it could find

Above your great stature any place to lodge.

no place above your waist, so lofty is your rank.

Thoroughbreds that surpassed beauty — if Kisra's page

وَسَوابِقٍ عَدَتِ الجَمالَ فَلَو مَشى

وَسَوابِقٍ عَدَتِ الجَمالَ فَلَو مَشى

شَبدازُ كِسرى بَينَها لَتَخَيَّلا

شَبدازُ كِسرى بَينَها لَتَخَيَّلا

And racers that surpass beauty—were

Walked among them he would imagine himself.

Kisra's Shabdaz to walk among them, he would strut.

Woven of every sweetly scented place, if it were not

مِن كُلِّ مَحبوكِ القَرى لَو لَم يَكُن

مِن كُلِّ مَحبوكِ القَرى لَو لَم يَكُن

بَعضَ الجِبالِ لَهَدَّهُ ما حُمِّلا

بَعضَ الجِبالِ لَهَدَّهُ ما حُمِّلا

Each has a tightly built back; were it not

For some mountains it would fell what it carries.

part of the mountains, its burden would crush it.

It transports it like the mass a swimming camel carries,

كَالطَودِ تَنقُلُهُ قَوائِمُ سابِحٍ

كَالطَودِ تَنقُلُهُ قَوائِمُ سابِحٍ

فَإِذا عَدا صارَت قَوادِمَ أَجدَلا

فَإِذا عَدا صارَت قَوادِمَ أَجدَلا

Like a mountain carried by a swimming steed's legs,

Then when it passes by its legs become crippled.

which, when it runs, become a falcon's flight feathers.

It cast off cloaks and regalia when

نَبَذَ البَراقِعَ وَالجِلالَ وَراءَهُ

نَبَذَ البَراقِعَ وَالجِلالَ وَراءَهُ

لَمّا تَبَرقَعَ بِالحُلى وَتَجَلَّلا

لَمّا تَبَرقَعَ بِالحُلى وَتَجَلَّلا

It cast its face coverings and saddlecloths behind it

It donned the ornaments and was adorned.

when it veiled and robed itself in ornaments.

Did it come to you as prize garments or to meet a battalion?

لَبِسَت تَجافيفَ النُضارِ فَهَل أَتَت

لَبِسَت تَجافيفَ النُضارِ فَهَل أَتَت

تُحفاً لِمُلكِكَ أَو لِتَلقى جَحفَلا

تُحفاً لِمُلكِكَ أَو لِتَلقى جَحفَلا

They donned horse armor of gold; have they come

And soaring in the air you would think it

as treasures for your kingdom, or to meet a mighty host?

A cloud, having mistaken the galaxy for a watering place,

وَمُحَلِّقٍ في الجَوِّ تَحسَبُ أَنَّهُ

وَمُحَلِّقٍ في الجَوِّ تَحسَبُ أَنَّهُ

ظامٍ وَقَد ظَنَّ المَجَرَّةَ مَنهَلا

ظامٍ وَقَد ظَنَّ المَجَرَّةَ مَنهَلا

And one soaring in the sky—you would think it

Veiled over the rainbow's arch moving from one side to the other,

thirsty, mistaking the Milky Way for a watering place.

Of a necklace that no difficulties can tie

أَوفى عَلى قَوسِ الغَمامِ مُعَمَّماً

أَوفى عَلى قَوسِ الغَمامِ مُعَمَّماً

مِنهُ بِناحِيَةٍ لِأُخرى مُسدِلا

مِنهُ بِناحِيَةٍ لِأُخرى مُسدِلا

It rose above the rainbow, turbaned

Truly, and it is not a knotter of what it unties.

with one end of it, letting another trail.

It strings along minarets of domes whose pinnacles

مِن عَقدِ مَن ما حَلَّ خَطبٌ عَقدَهُ

مِن عَقدِ مَن ما حَلَّ خَطبٌ عَقدَهُ

كَلّا وَلَيسَ بِعاقِدٍ ما حَلَّلا

كَلّا وَلَيسَ بِعاقِدٍ ما حَلَّلا

From the knotting of one whose knot no calamity has undone—

Dazzle beauty with their adornment.

certainly not—and who does not knot what he has unknotted.

He gave them to you in total — so how many say

يَقتادُ مِن زُهرِ القِبابِ شَوامِخاً

يَقتادُ مِن زُهرِ القِبابِ شَوامِخاً

توهي بِحِليَتِها الجِمالَ البُزَّلا

توهي بِحِليَتِها الجِمالَ البُزَّلا

It leads lofty, radiant pavilions

"Did he send the pyramids along with what he sent?"

whose ornamentation weakens full-grown camels.

You have no need for a standard with a frame

أَعطاكَها شُمّاً فَكَم مِن قائِلٍ

أَعطاكَها شُمّاً فَكَم مِن قائِلٍ

هَل أَرسَلَ الأَهرامَ فيما أَرسَلا

هَل أَرسَلَ الأَهرامَ فيما أَرسَلا

He gave them to you lofty; how many have asked,

That rose high so that you eclipse the faded old flag.

“Did he send the pyramids among what he sent?”

The lofty summits suffice you, that you not be seen

وَلَقَد غَنيتَ عَنِ اللِواءِ بِقامَةٍ

وَلَقَد غَنيتَ عَنِ اللِواءِ بِقامَةٍ

طالَت فَطُلتَ بِها الوَشيجَ الذُبَّلا

طالَت فَطُلتَ بِها الوَشيجَ الذُبَّلا

Your stature has made you need no banner,

At the lowlands taking shelter in its shade.

so tall that with it you outtop slender spear shafts.

Glory seizes you, as does bestowal, nor have you ceased

وَكَفَتكَ أَفياءُ العَوالي أَن تُرى

وَكَفَتكَ أَفياءُ العَوالي أَن تُرى

عِندَ الهَجيرِ بِفَيئِهِ مُتَظَلِّلا

عِندَ الهَجيرِ بِفَيئِهِ مُتَظَلِّلا

The shadows of lofty lances suffice you, without your being seen

Elevating kings, ennobling and being ennobled.

sheltering in its shade at scorching noon.

You are the one who, if the world submitted to him

لِلمَجدِ أَخذُكَ وَالعَطاءُ وَلَم تَزَل

لِلمَجدِ أَخذُكَ وَالعَطاءُ وَلَم تَزَل

تَعلو المُلوكَ مُنَوِّلاً وَمُنَوَّلا

تَعلو المُلوكَ مُنَوِّلاً وَمُنَوَّلا

For glory are your taking and giving, and you have always

What you gathered, would be more sublime than what submitted.

risen above kings, as giver and recipient.

With the messenger, gifts of supreme value came to you,

وَلَأَنتَ مَن لَو خُوِّلَ الدُنيا بِما

وَلَأَنتَ مَن لَو خُوِّلَ الدُنيا بِما

جَمَعَت لَكانَ أَجَلَّ مِمّا خُوِّلا

جَمَعَت لَكانَ أَجَلَّ مِمّا خُوِّلا

You are one who, if granted the world with all

Lighter than what is seen yet heaviest when laden.

it contains, would be nobler than what he was granted.

A period that interprets your feats for mankind,

وَمَعَ الرَسولِ إِلَيكَ أَنفَسُ قيمَةً

وَمَعَ الرَسولِ إِلَيكَ أَنفَسُ قيمَةً

مِمّا يُرى وَأَخَفُّ أَيضاً مَحمَلا

مِمّا يُرى وَأَخَفُّ أَيضاً مَحمَلا

With the envoy to you is something more precious

Though they were not hasty so as to be interpreted.

than what is seen, and lighter too to carry:

It fulfilled, though lacking a speaker — thanks

عَهدٌ يُؤَوِّلُ مَأثُراتِكَ لِلوَرى

عَهدٌ يُؤَوِّلُ مَأثُراتِكَ لِلوَرى

مَعَ أَنَّها ما اِستَعجَمَت فَتُأَوَّلا

مَعَ أَنَّها ما اِستَعجَمَت فَتُأَوَّلا

a charter expounding your glorious deeds to mankind,

For your efforts that were not pretentious.

though they were never obscure enough to need interpretation.

God, Majestic is His Majesty, has protected

وافى فَأَسمَعَنا وَلَيسَ بِناطِقٍ

وافى فَأَسمَعَنا وَلَيسَ بِناطِقٍ

شُكراً لِسَعيِكَ لَم يَكُن مُتَمَحَّلا

شُكراً لِسَعيِكَ لَم يَكُن مُتَمَحَّلا

It arrived and made us hear, though it cannot speak,

The word of succession from being far-fetched talk.

thanks for your efforts, without contrivance.

How much virtue it contains, and how much of its content

وَلَقَد أَعاذَ اللَهُ جَلَّ جَلالُهُ

وَلَقَد أَعاذَ اللَهُ جَلَّ جَلالُهُ

قَولَ الخِلافَةِ أَن يَكونَ تَقَوُّلا

قَولَ الخِلافَةِ أَن يَكونَ تَقَوُّلا

God—exalted be His majesty—has protected

The Imam invoked, making you eminent!

the caliphate's speech from being fabrication.

His succession and his state are secure — they will not

كَم حازَ مِن صِفَةٍ وَكَم في ضِمنِهِ

كَم حازَ مِن صِفَةٍ وَكَم في ضِمنِهِ

قَولٌ دَعاكَ بِهِ الإِمامُ مُبَجَّلا

قَولٌ دَعاكَ بِهِ الإِمامُ مُبَجَّلا

How many qualities it contains, and how many sayings within it

Be barred due to defiance or procrastinated.

with which the Imam has addressed you in honor!

The sword whose sharpness prophecy has not known

أَمِنَت خِلافَتُهُ وَدَولَتُهُ مَعاً

أَمِنَت خِلافَتُهُ وَدَولَتُهُ مَعاً

أَن يُمنَعا مِن بُغيَةٍ أَو يُمطَلا

أَن يُمنَعا مِن بُغيَةٍ أَو يُمطَلا

His caliphate and his realm alike are secure

Since it was drawn, and the arm that will not weaken.

against being denied an aim or kept waiting,

Glory in this day on which true guidance was given

بِالسَيفِ ما عَرَفَ النُبُوَّ غِرارُهُ

بِالسَيفِ ما عَرَفَ النُبُوَّ غِرارُهُ

مُذ سَلَّ وَالعَضُدِ الَّذي لَن يَنكُلا

مُذ سَلَّ وَالعَضُدِ الَّذي لَن يَنكُلا

through the sword whose edge has never known recoil

To one who erected its pillar, not hoping it would fall.

since it was drawn, and through the arm that will never flinch.

Until people fancied their awakening a dream

وَاِفخَر بِذا اليَومِ الَّذي أُعطي الهُدى

وَاِفخَر بِذا اليَومِ الَّذي أُعطي الهُدى

فيمَن أَقامَ عِمادَهُ ما أَمَّلا

فيمَن أَقامَ عِمادَهُ ما أَمَّلا

Take pride in this day, when guidance was given

Or that Egypt's kingdom had shifted to Damascus.

what it hoped for in the one who upheld its pillar.

Rarely does a describer depict the virtues

حَتّى لَظَنَّ الناسُ يَقظَتَهُم كَرىً

حَتّى لَظَنَّ الناسُ يَقظَتَهُم كَرىً

أَو مُلكَ مِصرَ إِلى دِمَشقَ تَحَوَّلا

أَو مُلكَ مِصرَ إِلى دِمَشقَ تَحَوَّلا

So much that people would think their waking a dream,

Save that he lingers, picturing its beauty.

or that Egypt's dominion had moved to Damascus.

Wondrous is the zeal of one heavy-laden —

وَلَقَلَّما يَصِفُ المَحاسِنَ واصِفٌ

وَلَقَلَّما يَصِفُ المَحاسِنَ واصِفٌ

إِلّا وَظَلَّ بِحُسنِهِ مُتَمَثِّلا

إِلّا وَظَلَّ بِحُسنِهِ مُتَمَثِّلا

Rarely does one describe fine qualities

How did he endure carrying it to you?

without holding up his beauty as their example.

You have eased the Imams with efforts not neglected

عَجَباً لِمَجنوبٍ وَذي أَعباؤُهُ

عَجَباً لِمَجنوبٍ وَذي أَعباؤُهُ

كَيفَ اِستَطاعَ بِها إِلَيكَ تَحَمُّلا

كَيفَ اِستَطاعَ بِها إِلَيكَ تَحَمُّلا

Marvel at a led mount, with these its burdens:

To aid a just Imam's uprightness.

how could it manage to carry them to you?

If they sufficed with you in ordeals, you have not ceased

رُقتَ الأَئِمَّةَ بِالمَساعي لَم تَدَع

رُقتَ الأَئِمَّةَ بِالمَساعي لَم تَدَع

عَن رَبِّها لِإِمامِ عَدلٍ مَعدِلا

عَن رَبِّها لِإِمامِ عَدلٍ مَعدِلا

Your endeavors have won the Imams' admiration, leaving

To be the foremost of eras in supporting them.

no just Imam any alternative to their master.

Or if they seated you in their stations, who

فَإِنِ اِكتَفَوا بِكَ في المُلِمِّ فَلَم تَزَل

فَإِنِ اِكتَفَوا بِكَ في المُلِمِّ فَلَم تَزَل

أولى الزَمانِ بِنَصرِهِم مُتَكَفِّلا

أولى الزَمانِ بِنَصرِهِم مُتَكَفِّلا

If they rely on you in calamity, you have ever been

Has ambition elevated him to higher merit?

the foremost of the age in undertaking their defense.

With God you seek victory —you are His sword,

أَو أَجلَسوكَ عَلى مَراتِبِهِم فَمَن

أَو أَجلَسوكَ عَلى مَراتِبِهِم فَمَن

أَعلَتهُ هِمَّتُهُ إِلى شَرَفٍ عَلا

أَعلَتهُ هِمَّتُهُ إِلى شَرَفٍ عَلا

Or if they seat you at their own ranks, one whom

And the truth, secure, protects that it not be forsaken.

his resolve has raised to honor has risen indeed.

And the minister of a sovereign —your traits

مُستَنصِرٌ بِاللَهِ أَنتَ حُسامُهُ

مُستَنصِرٌ بِاللَهِ أَنتَ حُسامُهُ

وَالحَقُّ يَحمي آمِنٌ أَن يُخذَلا

وَالحَقُّ يَحمي آمِنٌ أَن يُخذَلا

Mustansir bi'llah has you as his sword,

Have been beside the succession constantly unashamed.

and protects the truth, secure against being forsaken.

The clouds were dispelled by the Perfect One's opinion,

وَوَزيرُ مُلكٍ ظَلَّ وَصفُكَ دَأبَهُ

وَوَزيرُ مُلكٍ ظَلَّ وَصفُكَ دَأبَهُ

عِندَ الخِلافَةِ دائِماً لَن يَخجَلا

عِندَ الخِلافَةِ دائِماً لَن يَخجَلا

A minister of the realm has made praising you his habit

Which would show us dawn in the dead of night.

before the caliphate, continually, never to be embarrassed.

Wakeful when Islam fears, securing it

جُلِيَت بِرَأيِ الكامِلِ النُوَبُ الَّتي

جُلِيَت بِرَأيِ الكامِلِ النُوَبُ الَّتي

كانَت تُرينا الصُبحَ لَيلاً أَلَيلا

كانَت تُرينا الصُبحَ لَيلاً أَلَيلا

By al-Kamil's counsel the calamities were dispelled

From what it dreads may be said and done.

that made us see morning as darkest night.

You have not ceased to be now manifest, now covert

يَقِظٌ إِذا الإِسلامُ خافَ فَأَمنُهُ

يَقِظٌ إِذا الإِسلامُ خافَ فَأَمنُهُ

مِمّا تَخَوَّفَ أَن تَقولَ وَتَفعَلا

مِمّا تَخَوَّفَ أَن تَقولَ وَتَفعَلا

Vigilant when Islam is afraid; its safety

Behind the enemy, at times drawing near.

from what it fears is that you speak and act.

You marshal armies until

ما زِلتَ بِالغاراتِ طَوراً غائِراً

ما زِلتَ بِالغاراتِ طَوراً غائِراً

خَلفَ العَدُوِّ وَتارَةً مُتَوَقِّلا

خَلفَ العَدُوِّ وَتارَةً مُتَوَقِّلا

You have ever raided, now descending

The Nile prevented its waters from sweetening in their midst.

behind the enemy, now scaling heights.

And a protective war not prone to a critic

تُزجي الجُيوشَ تَراكَمَت حَتّى

تُزجي الجُيوشَ تَراكَمَت حَتّى

لَقَد مَنَعَ القَنا فيها القَنا أَن يَعسِلا

لَقَد مَنَعَ القَنا فيها القَنا أَن يَعسِلا

You drive armies onward, massed together until

Curbing it, for questioning you sufficed to be questioned.

the spears within them keep other spears from swaying.

Until shortly before returning you left an army

وَحُماةَ حَربٍ لا تَلينُ لِغامِزٍ

وَحُماةَ حَربٍ لا تَلينُ لِغامِزٍ

ذُلَّ السُؤالِ كَفَيتَهُ أَن يَسأَلا

ذُلَّ السُؤالِ كَفَيتَهُ أَن يَسأَلا

And defenders in war, unyielding to one who presses them,

Helpless, its religion’s door locked.

the abasement of begging—you spared him the need to ask.

You quelled its maladies and lopped off

حَتّى تَرَكتَ قُبَيلَ عَودِكَ قافِلاً

حَتّى تَرَكتَ قُبَيلَ عَودِكَ قافِلاً

مِن دونِ دينِ اللَهِ باباً مُقفَلا

مِن دونِ دينِ اللَهِ باباً مُقفَلا

Until, shortly before returning homeward, you left

Every outgrown tooth and straightened what was twisted.

a locked gate before God's religion.

And you dispelled sheer fear from our homelands

وَحَسَمتَ مِن أَدوائِهِ ما أَعضَلا

وَحَسَمتَ مِن أَدوائِهِ ما أَعضَلا

وَفَلَلتَ عَنهُ كُلَّ نابٍ أَعصَلا

وَفَلَلتَ عَنهُ كُلَّ نابٍ أَعصَلا

You eradicated its incurable maladies,

After having cast dread upon them.

and blunted every crooked fang turned against it.

And your authority permitted us the security that,

وَثَنَيتَ مَحضَ الخَوفِ عَن أَوطانِنا

وَثَنَيتَ مَحضَ الخَوفِ عَن أَوطانِنا

مِن بَعدِ أَن أَلقى عَلَيها كَلكَلا

مِن بَعدِ أَن أَلقى عَلَيها كَلكَلا

You turned sheer fear away from our homelands

Were we to buy it with glances, would not be costly.

after it had pressed its breast upon them.

The stubborn in every land became tame

وَأَباحَنا سُلطانُكَ الأَمنَ الَّذي

وَأَباحَنا سُلطانُكَ الأَمنَ الَّذي

لَو نَشتَريهِ بِالنَواظِرِ ما غَلا

لَو نَشتَريهِ بِالنَواظِرِ ما غَلا

Your rule granted us safety

When your might bowed the tyrants.

that would not be dear even if we bought it with our eyes.

And they came to you in surrender — you were not

صارَ العَنودُ بِكُلِّ أَرضٍ ناكِلاً

صارَ العَنودُ بِكُلِّ أَرضٍ ناكِلاً

مُذ ظَلَّ بَأسُكَ بِالطُغاةِ مُنَكِّلا

مُذ ظَلَّ بَأسُكَ بِالطُغاةِ مُنَكِّلا

The obstinate foe in every land now shrinks back,

Morally narrow with lives that narrowness squeezes.

since your might began making examples of tyrants.

They walked upon their mouths out of reverence,

وَلَقَد أَنابوا وَاِنتَحَوكَ فَلَم تَضِق

وَلَقَد أَنابوا وَاِنتَحَوكَ فَلَم تَضِق

خُلُقاً بِأَحياءٍ يَضيقُ بِها الفَلا

خُلُقاً بِأَحياءٍ يَضيقُ بِها الفَلا

They have repented and come to you, and you have not been

Lest this dust be trodden under heels.

ill-tempered toward tribes for whom the wilderness is too narrow.

And the soil you dwell upon is worthier

فَمَشَوا عَلى الأَفواهِ مِن إِعظامِهِم

فَمَشَوا عَلى الأَفواهِ مِن إِعظامِهِم

هَذا الثَرى أَن يوطِؤُهُ الأَرجُلا

هَذا الثَرى أَن يوطِؤُهُ الأَرجُلا

They walked upon their mouths, so greatly did they revere

Of dust to be kissed than trodden paths thirsty travelers kiss.

this soil, lest they tread it with their feet.

No tyrant survives an hour of your violence

وَتُرابُ أَرضٍ أَنتَ فيها قاطِنٌ

وَتُرابُ أَرضٍ أَنتَ فيها قاطِنٌ

أَولى التُرابِ بِأَن يَكونَ مُقَبَّلا

أَولى التُرابِ بِأَن يَكونَ مُقَبَّلا

The soil of a land where you reside

Except to revert submissively, debased.

is the soil most deserving of being kissed.

Your spears refuse to be seen erect

ما أَسرَفَ الظَمآنُ في تَقبيلِهِ

ما أَسرَفَ الظَمآنُ في تَقبيلِهِ

سُبُلاً تُبَلِّغُهُ الغَمامَ المُسبِلا

سُبُلاً تُبَلِّغُهُ الغَمامَ المُسبِلا

The thirsty man is not excessive in kissing

Until they rise from breasts and are wetted.

paths that bring him to the rain-shedding cloud.

You drove them into the throats of enemies, thrusting,

لَم يَبقَ غَيرَ بنِ المُفَرِّجِ خائِفٌ

لَم يَبقَ غَيرَ بنِ المُفَرِّجِ خائِفٌ

يَبغي الأَمانَ وَمُجدِبٌ يَبغي الكَلا

يَبغي الأَمانَ وَمُجدِبٌ يَبغي الكَلا

None but Ibn al-Mufarrij remains frightened,

Then returned rending them in your dread, unarmed.

seeking safety, and drought-stricken, seeking pasture.

So remain steadfast in this honor and forsake turmoil —

فَاِعفِر لَهُ تِلكَ الذُنوبَ مُعاوِداً

فَاِعفِر لَهُ تِلكَ الذُنوبَ مُعاوِداً

حِلماً رَجَحتَ بِهِ الجِبالَ المُثَّلا

حِلماً رَجَحتَ بِهِ الجِبالَ المُثَّلا

So efface those sins of his, renewing

Stabbing hearts is harsher than stabbing flanks.

the forbearance with which you outweighed towering mountains.

Will the stallions ever part from their saddles

عاقَبتَهُ لَمّا جَنى وَقَهَرتَهُ

عاقَبتَهُ لَمّا جَنى وَقَهَرتَهُ

لَمّا تَجَبَّرَ فَاِعفُ حينَ تَنَصَّلا

لَمّا تَجَبَّرَ فَاِعفُ حينَ تَنَصَّلا

You punished him when he offended, and subdued him

Until they rouse a tumult beyond Ghazna's realm?

when he grew tyrannical; pardon him when he disavows his offense.

Time's caprice did not frustrate resolute aims

وَاِرحَم عَليلاً ما أَصابَ مُعَلِّلا

وَاِرحَم عَليلاً ما أَصابَ مُعَلِّلا

وَأَغِث طَريداً لَم يُصادِف مَوئِلا

وَأَغِث طَريداً لَم يُصادِف مَوئِلا

Have mercy on an ailing man who has found no comforter,

That extended over Islam a trailing mantle.

and rescue an outcast who has found no refuge.

Their wounded do not heal, their prey does not escape,

مُذ زارَ رَبعَكَ يَجتَني فيهِ الغِنى

مُذ زارَ رَبعَكَ يَجتَني فيهِ الغِنى

وَالعِزَّ عافَ المَنزِلَ المُستَوبَلا

وَالعِزَّ عافَ المَنزِلَ المُستَوبَلا

Since he visited your abode to reap wealth there

And their dead cannot be avenged.

and honor, he has shunned the unwholesome dwelling.

I said to one grasping for this sublime rank, "Ask it!

عُد لا عَدِمتَ الفَضلَ بِالفَضلِ الَّذي

عُد لا عَدِمتَ الفَضلَ بِالفَضلِ الَّذي

جَعَلَ المُلوكَ إِلى اِنتِجاعِكَ عُمَّلا

جَعَلَ المُلوكَ إِلى اِنتِجاعِكَ عُمَّلا

Return—may you never lack bounty—to the bounty that

For what is forbidden to thought has been made accessible."

made kings laborers in seeking your pasture.

And ask Him what His hands contain — He will give you

لَم يُمنَ جَبّارٌ بِبَأسِكَ ساعَةً

لَم يُمنَ جَبّارٌ بِبَأسِكَ ساعَةً

إِلّا وَعاوَدَ خاضِعاً مُتَذَلِّلا

إِلّا وَعاوَدَ خاضِعاً مُتَذَلِّلا

No tyrant was afflicted by your might for an hour

Generosity, but His abundant glory is matchless.

without returning submissive and abased.

For glory, when none but its possessor remains in it

تَأبى رِماحُكَ أَن تُرى مَركوزَةً

تَأبى رِماحُكَ أَن تُرى مَركوزَةً

حَتّى تُعَلَّ مِنَ الصُدورِ وَتُنهَلا

حَتّى تُعَلَّ مِنَ الصُدورِ وَتُنهَلا

Your spears refuse to be seen planted upright

Is like a vessel when filled to the brim.

until they drink from chests, time and again.

The best of kings, when virtues are distinguished

أَورَدتَها ثُغَرَ الأَعادي رامِحاً

أَورَدتَها ثُغَرَ الأَعادي رامِحاً

وَرَجَعتَ تَطعَنُهُم بِخَوفِكَ أَعزَلا

وَرَجَعتَ تَطعَنُهُم بِخَوفِكَ أَعزَلا

You led them to your foes' frontiers, bearing a spear,

By fortune, is the superior one.

then returned unarmed, piercing them with dread of you.

Who in grimmest straits was more glittering than they

فَأَقِم عَلى ذا العِزِّ وَاِطَّرِحِ الوَغى

فَأَقِم عَلى ذا العِزِّ وَاِطَّرِحِ الوَغى

طَعنُ القُلوبِ أَشَدُّ مِن طَعنِ الطُلا

طَعنُ القُلوبِ أَشَدُّ مِن طَعنِ الطُلا

Remain in this might, and cast war aside:

Palm to palm, and in hottest frays most seasoned wielding blades.

piercing hearts is harsher than piercing throats.

So when they judge however they desire,

أَو ما تُفارِقُ ذي الجِيادُ سُروجَها

أَو ما تُفارِقُ ذي الجِيادُ سُروجَها

حَتّى تُثيرَ وَراءَ غَزنَةَ قَسطَلا

حَتّى تُثيرَ وَراءَ غَزنَةَ قَسطَلا

Or shall these steeds not part from their saddles

Your rulings affirm the scripture sent down.

until they raise dust beyond Ghazna?

And when their guidance goes astray in reflection,

لا فَلَّ رَيبُ الدَهرِ غَربَ عَزائِمٍ

لا فَلَّ رَيبُ الدَهرِ غَربَ عَزائِمٍ

مَدَّت عَلى الإِسلامِ سِتراً مُسبَلا

مَدَّت عَلى الإِسلامِ سِتراً مُسبَلا

May time's vicissitudes never blunt the edge of resolves

You elucidate what was unclear without pondering.

that have spread a trailing veil over Islam.

And when disputants feud before them

مَوتورُها لا يَشتَفي وَطَريدُها

مَوتورُها لا يَشتَفي وَطَريدُها

لا يَنكَفي وَقَتيلُها لَن يُعقَلا

لا يَنكَفي وَقَتيلُها لَن يُعقَلا

Their bereaved foe finds no vengeance, and their fugitive

With you present a glance decides between them.

does not return; their slain receive no blood-money.

Were your rule contrary to God's rule, mankind

وَمُحاوِلٍ هَذي العُلى قُلتُ اِسلُها

وَمُحاوِلٍ هَذي العُلى قُلتُ اِسلُها

فَلَقَد أَراحَ الفِكرَ مَمنوعٌ سَلا

فَلَقَد أَراحَ الفِكرَ مَمنوعٌ سَلا

To one seeking these heights I said: forget them;

Would not submit themselves to it.

a denied seeker who forgets has put his mind at ease.

You are rightly guided and have not inclined

وَاِسأَلهُ ما تَحوي يَداهُ يُنلِكَهُ

وَاِسأَلهُ ما تَحوي يَداهُ يُنلِكَهُ

كَرَماً وَأَمّا مَجدَهُ الزاكي فَلا

كَرَماً وَأَمّا مَجدَهُ الزاكي فَلا

Ask him for what his hands possess, and he will grant it to you

To an extent in describing your munificence that leads astray.

generously—but not his flourishing glory.

Until ascetics reproached you — has anyone seen

فَالمَجدُ ما لَم يَبقَ فيهِ لِغَيرِهِ

فَالمَجدُ ما لَم يَبقَ فيهِ لِغَيرِهِ

إِلّا كَما يَسَعُ الإِناءُ إِذا اِمتَلا

إِلّا كَما يَسَعُ الإِناءُ إِذا اِمتَلا

Glory is that in which nothing remains for another

Ascetics reproved for generosity?

except as much as a vessel holds when full.

When you refused one journeying to you in need,

أَولى المُلوكِ إِذا الفَضائِلُ مُيِّزَت

أَولى المُلوكِ إِذا الفَضائِلُ مُيِّزَت

بِالحَظِّ فيها أَن يُعَدَّ الأَفضَلا

بِالحَظِّ فيها أَن يُعَدَّ الأَفضَلا

The king most entitled, when virtues are distinguished,

For questioning you sufficed to be questioned.

to a share in them and to be judged the best

So the helpless are suffering, while your munificence

مَن كانَ في اللَأواءِ أَندى مِنهُمُ

مَن كانَ في اللَأواءِ أَندى مِنهُمُ

كَفّاً وَفي الهَيجاءِ أَمضى مُنصُلا

كَفّاً وَفي الهَيجاءِ أَمضى مُنصُلا

is he who is most generous among them in hardship

Vows hands will bear no more and legs will go no farther.

with his hand, and keenest of blade in battle.

It guided me by your nearness to morsels that

فَإِذا هُمُ حَكَموا بِما يَهوَونَهُ

فَإِذا هُمُ حَكَموا بِما يَهوَونَهُ

أَمَّت قَضاياكَ الكِتابَ المُنزَلا

أَمَّت قَضاياكَ الكِتابَ المُنزَلا

When they judge according to their desires,

I have not stopped chewing toward fortune.

your judgments turn toward the revealed Book.

And it dazzled me with gifts whose flow

وَإِذا هُمُ اِفتَكَروا وَضَلَّ رَشادُهُم

وَإِذا هُمُ اِفتَكَروا وَضَلَّ رَشادُهُم

أَوضَحتَ غَيرَ مُفَكِّرٍ ما أَشكَلا

أَوضَحتَ غَيرَ مُفَكِّرٍ ما أَشكَلا

When they ponder and lose their right course,

Did not cease until I loved that it wait.

you clarify without reflection what was obscure.

If it were rain, it would pour,

وَإِذا تَنازَعَتِ الخُصومُ لَدَيهِمُ

وَإِذا تَنازَعَتِ الخُصومُ لَدَيهِمُ

كانَت بِحَضرَتِكَ الإِشارَةُ فَيصَلا

كانَت بِحَضرَتِكَ الإِشارَةُ فَيصَلا

When disputants quarrel before them,

And if it were wind, it would be a hot gust.

in your presence a gesture gives the final verdict.

Do not obligate me to detail gratitude —

لَو كانَ حُكمُكَ ضِدَّ حُكمِ اللَهِ ما

لَو كانَ حُكمُكَ ضِدَّ حُكمِ اللَهِ ما

أَضحى بَنو الدُنيا عَلَيهِ نُزَّلا

أَضحى بَنو الدُنيا عَلَيهِ نُزَّلا

If your judgment ran counter to God's judgment,

The verses are overwhelmed in summary.

the world's people would not have made it their abode.

And when could my hopes in other than you wane?

وَلَكَ النَدى لَم تَجرِ فيهِ إِلى مَدىً

وَلَكَ النَدى لَم تَجرِ فيهِ إِلى مَدىً

يَنحوهُ مَن في وَصفِ جودِكَ أَوغَلا

يَنحوهُ مَن في وَصفِ جودِكَ أَوغَلا

Your generosity has never run toward a limit

When you have burdened me with weighty gifts,

that one delving deeply into praise of your bounty could envisage.

Whose number my praise is jealous of,

حَتّى لَعاتَبَكَ العُفاةُ فَهَل رَأى

حَتّى لَعاتَبَكَ العُفاةُ فَهَل رَأى

أَحَدٌ عُفاةَ نَدىً عَلَيهِ عُذَّلا

أَحَدٌ عُفاةَ نَدىً عَلَيهِ عُذَّلا

So much that your petitioners reproach you—has anyone seen

And my sea within them has become a stream.

seekers of bounty censuring it?

Jurisprudence does not sanction one who disregards

لَمّا أَبَيتَ لِمَن يُنيخُ بِكَ المُنى

لَمّا أَبَيتَ لِمَن يُنيخُ بِكَ المُنى

ذُلَّ السُؤالِ كَفَيتَهُ أَن يَسأَلا

ذُلَّ السُؤالِ كَفَيتَهُ أَن يَسأَلا

When you denied to one who lodges his hopes with you

Obligation to volunteer.

the abasement of begging, you spared him the need to ask.

And when have I proved steadfast in praise without saying,

فَالعيسُ في تَعَبٍ وَجودُكَ مُقسِمٌ

فَالعيسُ في تَعَبٍ وَجودُكَ مُقسِمٌ

أَلّا يُريحَ ظُهورَها وَالأَرجُلا

أَلّا يُريحَ ظُهورَها وَالأَرجُلا

The pale camels are weary, and your bounty has sworn

“Be for me in evident favor my relief.”

never to rest their backs or legs.

Were it other than your seeking client, fear would not

أَنهَجتَني مِن قُربِكَ اللَقَمَ الَّذي

أَنهَجتَني مِن قُربِكَ اللَقَمَ الَّذي

ما زِلتُ فيهِ إِلى السَعادَةِ مُرقِلا

ما زِلتُ فيهِ إِلى السَعادَةِ مُرقِلا

Through nearness to you, you opened for me the highway

Accompany my arrows along with your hitting the mark.

along which I have ever hastened toward happiness.

وَأَبَحتَني مِنَناً تَتابَعَ سَيبُها

وَأَبَحتَني مِنَناً تَتابَعَ سَيبُها

حَتّى لَقَد أَحبَبتُ أَن تَتَمَهَّلا

حَتّى لَقَد أَحبَبتُ أَن تَتَمَهَّلا

You granted me favors whose gifts poured one after another,

until I wished you would slow down.

لَو أَنَّها مَطَرٌ لَكانَت وابِلاً

لَو أَنَّها مَطَرٌ لَكانَت وابِلاً

وَلَوَ اِنَّها ريحٌ لَكانَت شَمأَلا

وَلَوَ اِنَّها ريحٌ لَكانَت شَمأَلا

Were they rain, they would be a downpour;

were they wind, they would be a north wind.

لا تُلزِمَنّي أَن أُفَصِّلَ شُكرَها

لا تُلزِمَنّي أَن أُفَصِّلَ شُكرَها

مِن بَعدِ ما أَعيا القَوافي مُجمَلا

مِن بَعدِ ما أَعيا القَوافي مُجمَلا

Do not require me to detail my thanks for them

after even their summary has exhausted the rhymes.

وَمَتى تَخِفُّ إِلى سِواكَ مَطامِعي

وَمَتى تَخِفُّ إِلى سِواكَ مَطامِعي

أَنّى وَقَد حَمَّلتَني ما أَثقَلا

أَنّى وَقَد حَمَّلتَني ما أَثقَلا

When will my hopes hasten toward anyone but you?

How, when you have laden me with such heavy

مِن أَنعُمٍ قَد غارَ عِدُّ مَحامِدي

مِن أَنعُمٍ قَد غارَ عِدُّ مَحامِدي

في ضِمنِهِنَّ وَصارَ بَحري جَدوَلا

في ضِمنِهِنَّ وَصارَ بَحري جَدوَلا

blessings that the spring of my praises has sunk

within them, and my sea has become a brook?

وَالفِقهُ غَيرُ مُبيحَةٍ أَحكامُهُ

وَالفِقهُ غَيرُ مُبيحَةٍ أَحكامُهُ

مَن لا يُؤَدّي الفَرضَ أَن يَتَنَفَّلا

مَن لا يُؤَدّي الفَرضَ أَن يَتَنَفَّلا

The rulings of sacred law do not permit

one who neglects the obligation to perform voluntary devotion.

وَمَتى أَثَبتَ عَلى الثَناءِ فَلَم أَقُل

وَمَتى أَثَبتَ عَلى الثَناءِ فَلَم أَقُل

كُن لي مِنَ الفَضلِ المُبينِ مُحَلَّلا

كُن لي مِنَ الفَضلِ المُبينِ مُحَلَّلا

Whenever you reward my praise, I have not said:

“Absolve me of what I owe for your manifest bounty.”

لَو غَيرُ نائِلِكَ المَرامي لَم تَخَف

لَو غَيرُ نائِلِكَ المَرامي لَم تَخَف

مَعَ ذي الإِصابَةِ أَسهُمي أَن تَنصُلا

مَعَ ذي الإِصابَةِ أَسهُمي أَن تَنصُلا

Were the targets anything but your gifts, you need not fear

that, with such accuracy, my arrows would lose their points.