خَيرُbest of الأَنامِhumankind لِشَرِّهِمagainst their worst إِحكاماًin firm judgment
خَيرُ الأَنامِ لِشَرِّهِم إِحكاماً
مَنone who بِالسُيوفِwith swords يُنَفِّذُenforces الأَحكاماthe judgments
مَن بِالسُيوفِ يُنَفِّذُ الأَحكاما
The best of humankind at dealing firmly with their worst
is he who enforces judgments with swords.
غَيرُnone but المُظَفَّرِthe Victorious One مَنwho يَنامُsleeps عَلىdespite قَذىًa mote in the eye
غَيرُ المُظَفَّرِ مَن يَنامُ عَلى قَذىً
وَسِواهُand anyone besides him يوسِعُlavishes مَنon one who أَلامَblamed مَلاماblame
وَسِواهُ يوسِعُ مَن أَلامَ مَلاما
None but the Victorious One can sleep despite a mote in his eye,
while anyone else heaps blame upon his critics.
جَعَلَhe made الكِتابَthe letter إِلىto العَدُوِّthe enemy كَتائِباًbattalions
جَعَلَ الكِتابَ إِلى العَدُوِّ كَتائِباً
أَبدَتthey showed لَهُمto them عِوَضَinstead of الكَلامِspeech كِلاماwounds
أَبدَت لَهُم عِوَضَ الكَلامِ كِلاما
He made his letter to the enemy into battalions
that showed them wounds in place of words.
وَاِستَنطَقَand he made speak الأَسيافَthe swords عِلماًknowing أَنَّهاthat they
وَاِستَنطَقَ الأَسيافَ عِلماً أَنَّها
تُغنيهِspare him أَنfrom يَستَنطِقَmaking speak الأَقلاماthe pens
تُغنيهِ أَن يَستَنطِقَ الأَقلاما
He made swords speak, knowing that
they spare him the need to make pens speak.
يُرجىis hoped for وَيُخشىand feared رَغبَةًfrom desire وَمَخافَةًand from fear
يُرجى وَيُخشى رَغبَةً وَمَخافَةً
مَنone who يُجزِلُlavishes الإِنعامَbenefaction وَالإِرغاماand compulsion
مَن يُجزِلُ الإِنعامَ وَالإِرغاما
Hope and fear alike are directed toward
one who bestows lavish gifts and compels obedience.
ياO قامِعَsuppressor of العَدوىaggression بِنَفسٍwith a spirit مُرَّةٍresolute
يا قامِعَ العَدوى بِنَفسٍ مُرَّةٍ
تَأبىit refuses الظَلامَdarkness وَتَكشِفُand dispels الإِظلاماthe gloom
تَأبى الظَلامَ وَتَكشِفُ الإِظلاما
O suppressor of aggression, with a resolute spirit
that rejects darkness and dispels the gloom,
سَلَبَتstripped away مَخافَتُكَfear of you اللَيالِيَthe nights جَورَهاtheir injustice
سَلَبَت مَخافَتُكَ اللَيالِيَ جَورَها
وَاِستَعبَدَتand brought into service آلاؤُكَyour blessings الأَيّاماthe days
وَاِستَعبَدَت آلاؤُكَ الأَيّاما
fear of you stripped the nights of their injustice,
and your blessings brought the days into your service.
وَلَرُبَّand how many مَملَكَةٍa kingdom عَصَتكَdefied you رِجالُهاits men
وَلَرُبَّ مَملَكَةٍ عَصَتكَ رِجالُها
حيناًfor a time فَغادَرتَthen you left النِساءَthe women أَيامىwidowed
حيناً فَغادَرتَ النِساءَ أَيامى
How many a kingdom had men who defied you
for a time, until you left its women widowed.
زَلزَلتَyou shook أَرضَthe land of الرومِthe Byzantines بِالفِتَنِwith the troubles الَّتيthat
زَلزَلتَ أَرضَ الرومِ بِالفِتَنِ الَّتي
ظَلّواthey kept يَرَونَseeing اليَومَthe day مِنهاfrom them عاماas a year
ظَلّوا يَرَونَ اليَومَ مِنها عاما
You shook the land of the Byzantines with troubles
that made them see a year in each day.
جَحَدوكَthey denied you ماwhat أَولَيتَهُمyou bestowed on them وَمُعَرِّضٌand one exposing himself
جَحَدوكَ ما أَولَيتَهُم وَمُعَرِّضٌ
لِلهَونِto humiliation مَنis one who لَمdoes not يَحمَدِthank الإِكراماgenerosity
لِلهَونِ مَن لَم يَحمَدِ الإِكراما
They denied the favors you had granted them, though
whoever fails to thank generosity invites humiliation.
وَلَطالَماand how often كَفَرَdenied المُعافىthe healthy person صِحَّةًhealth
وَلَطالَما كَفَرَ المُعافى صِحَّةً
فَأَحالَهاthen turned it كُفرانُهاingratitude for it أَسقاماinto illnesses
فَأَحالَها كُفرانُها أَسقاما
How often a healthy person has denied the gift of health,
only for that ingratitude to turn it into sickness.
غَشَّيتَهُمyou covered them مُستَيقِظينَwhile awake مَخاوِفاًwith fears
غَشَّيتَهُم مُستَيقِظينَ مَخاوِفاً
غَشِيَتهُمُthat covered them فيماin مَضىthe past أَحلاماas dreams
غَشِيَتهُمُ فيما مَضى أَحلاما
While awake, you beset them with fears
that had once beset them in dreams.
ماthey did not صادَفواfind بَرقَthe lightning of التَهَدُّدِthreat خُلَّباًdeceptive
ما صادَفوا بَرقَ التَهَدُّدِ خُلَّباً
كَلّاcertainly not وَلاnor غَيمَthe cloud of الوَعيدِwarning جَهاماrainless
كَلّا وَلا غَيمَ الوَعيدِ جَهاما
They found no flash of threat to be false lightning,
nor any cloud of warning to be rainless.
أَمَّنتَهُمyou gave them safety عَنdespite قُدرَةٍpower وَأَخَفتَهُمand you frightened them
أَمَّنتَهُم عَن قُدرَةٍ وَأَخَفتَهُم
كَيso that يَخبُروكَthey might know you سَكينَةًin calm وَعُراماand in fury
كَي يَخبُروكَ سَكينَةً وَعُراما
You gave them safety though you had the power to strike, and you frightened them
so they might know you in calm and in fury.
إِنif كانَwas أَكثَرُهُمthe greater number of them طَعاماًfood فَالظُبىthen the blades
إِن كانَ أَكثَرُهُم طَعاماً فَالظُبى
تُفنيconsume الخَبارَhard ground وَلاand do not تَعافُreject طَعاماfood
تُفني الخَبارَ وَلا تَعافُ طَعاما
Though they may be more numerous as prey, sword blades
consume even hardy ground and never reject a meal.
بِطَلائِعٍby advance guards نُكِبواthey were struck فَكَيفَthen what بِهِمof them غَداًtomorrow
بِطَلائِعٍ نُكِبوا فَكَيفَ بِهِم غَداً
إِنif زارَvisits أَرضَهُمُtheir land الخَميسُthe army لُهاماin multitudes
إِن زارَ أَرضَهُمُ الخَميسُ لُهاما
Their advance guards brought them disaster; what of tomorrow
if the full army visits their land in its multitudes?
فيamong فِتيَةٍwarriors تُصليهِمُwho consign them نارَto the fire of الوَغىbattle
في فِتيَةٍ تُصليهِمُ نارَ الوَغى
أَبَداًalways وَإِنeven if كانواthey were عَلَيكَto you كِراماdear
أَبَداً وَإِن كانوا عَلَيكَ كِراما
Among warriors who consign them to the fire of battle
always, even if those warriors are dear to you.
لاthey take يَسلَبونَnothing but سِوىlives النُفوسِthey have enough of them in place of spoils? No, they are sufficed by great favors below: they were sufficed by them; they took only lives كَفَتهُمُtheir needs were met by
لا يَسلَبونَ سِوى النُفوسِ كَفَتهُمُ
نِعَمٌfavors جَنَوهاthey gathered مِنfrom يَدَيكَyour hands جِساماgreat
نِعَمٌ جَنَوها مِن يَدَيكَ جِساما
They take nothing but lives; they have enough
great favors gathered from your hands.
تَهذيبُthe disciplining of مُلكِكَyour rule إِنَّهُindeed it المُلكُis the rule الَّذيthat
تَهذيبُ مُلكِكَ إِنَّهُ المُلكُ الَّذي
يُسنيraises اللُهىgenerous gifts وَيُعَلِّمُand teaches الإِقداماboldness
يُسني اللُهى وَيُعَلِّمُ الإِقداما
Your rule disciplines them: it is a rule that
raises generous gifts and teaches boldness.
خِلطانِtwo mingled groups مِنof حَضَرٍtownsfolk وَبَدوٍand nomads طالَماlong
خِلطانِ مِن حَضَرٍ وَبَدوٍ طالَما
لاقَواthey met إِلىtoward مَجنوبِكَyour exposed flank الآلاماpains
لاقَوا إِلى مَجنوبِكَ الآلاما
Two mingled groups, townsmen and nomads, have long
met pain wherever your flank was exposed.
ماit did not diminish غَضَّamong them فيهِمwhile the hearts وَالقُلوبُwere close in قَريبَةُthe prefix of 'inclinations' across the line break; the Arabic word continues in line 42 as الأَهواءِ: of the inclinations الthe prefix of 'inclinations' across the line break; the Arabic word continues in line 42 as الأَهواءِ: of the inclinations
ما غَضَّ فيهِم وَالقُلوبُ قَريبَةُ ال
أَهواءِinclinations أَنthat يَتَباعَدواthey grow distant أَرحاماin kinship
أَهواءِ أَن يَتَباعَدوا أَرحاما
It did not diminish them, though hearts were close in
inclination, that their kinship ties grew distant.
خَيلٌhorses سَبَقنَoutran المُنذِرينَthe warners بَعَثنَهاsent them
خَيلٌ سَبَقنَ المُنذِرينَ بَعَثنَها
عَزَماتُthe resolves of أَروَعَan awe inspiring man تَسبِقُthat outstrip الأَوهاماimaginations
عَزَماتُ أَروَعَ تَسبِقُ الأَوهاما
Horses outran the messengers of warning, sent forth
by the resolve of an awe inspiring man that outruns imagination.
كَسَتِthey clothed البَسيطَةَthe earth بِالحَديدِwith iron إِضاءَةًin brightness
كَسَتِ البَسيطَةَ بِالحَديدِ إِضاءَةً
وَالجَوَّand the sky مِنwith قَسطالِهاtheir battle dust إِدهاماin darkness
وَالجَوَّ مِن قَسطالِها إِدهاما
They clothed the earth in the gleam of iron
and darkened the sky with their battle dust.
فيon يَومِthe day of أَرتاحٍArtah غَداةَon the morning when سَقَتهُمُthey gave them to drink
في يَومِ أَرتاحٍ غَداةَ سَقَتهُمُ
مَوتاًdeath تَحَكَّمَthat mastered فيover النُفوسِsouls زُؤاماbitter
مَوتاً تَحَكَّمَ في النُفوسِ زُؤاما
On the day of Artah, when at morning they gave them
a bitter death that mastered their souls.
أَسَرَتthey captured زَعيمَهُمُtheir leader هُناكَthere وَغادَرَتand left
أَسَرَت زَعيمَهُمُ هُناكَ وَغادَرَت
عُظَمائَهُمtheir great men غِبَّafter المُغارِthe raid عِظاماas bones
عُظَمائَهُم غِبَّ المُغارِ عِظاما
There they captured their leader and left
their great men as bones after the raid.
نَبَذواthey cast aside القِسِيَّthe bows وَأَسلَموهُand surrendered him لِأَنَّهاbecause they
نَبَذوا القِسِيَّ وَأَسلَموهُ لِأَنَّها
طاشَتmissed وَقَدwhile حَمِيَgrew fierce الوَطيسُthe battle سِهاماas arrows
طاشَت وَقَد حَمِيَ الوَطيسُ سِهاما
They threw aside their bows and surrendered him, because
their arrows missed when battle grew fierce.
وَمُبَطرِقُand a commander over البِطريقِcommanders يَأبىrefuses مِثلَهُhis equal
وَمُبَطرِقُ البِطريقِ يَأبى مِثلَهُ
إِنif أَنتَyou لَمdo not تُعطِgrant الرَسولَthe envoy ذِماماsafe conduct
إِن أَنتَ لَم تُعطِ الرَسولَ ذِماما
Even a commander over commanders would refuse his equal
unless you granted the envoy safe conduct.
وَبَنوand the sons of عَدِيٍّAdi يَومَon the day لاقَواthey met جَمعَهُمtheir assembly
وَبَنو عَدِيٍّ يَومَ لاقَوا جَمعَهُم
تَرَكواthey left القَناthe spears لاnot تَشتَكينَcomplaining أُواماof thirst
تَرَكوا القَنا لا تَشتَكينَ أُواما
And the sons of Adi, when they met their assembled foes,
left their spears with no thirst to complain of.
صَدَرَتthey returned تَرَنَّحُswaying فيin الأَكُفِّthe hands كَأَنَّماas if
صَدَرَت تَرَنَّحُ في الأَكُفِّ كَأَنَّما
سُقّينَthey were given to drink مِنfrom تِلكَthat الدِماءِblood مُداماwine
سُقّينَ مِن تِلكَ الدِماءِ مُداما
They returned swaying in their hands, as though
they had been given wine to drink from that blood.
لَمّاwhen رَأَواthey saw خَطَّthe writing of الظُبىthe blades مُستَعجِماًwithout dots
لَمّا رَأَوا خَطَّ الظُبى مُستَعجِماً
جَعَلواthey made لَهُfor it وَخزَthe puncture of القَناthe spears إِعجاماdotting
جَعَلوا لَهُ وَخزَ القَنا إِعجاما
When they saw the writing of the blades without its dots,
they supplied it with the spear points' punctures.
وَأَبوand Abu الفَوارِسِal-Fawaris شَلَّهاrouted them بِمَخاضَةِat the ford of الthe first part of al-Burji across the line break
وَأَبو الفَوارِسِ شَلَّها بِمَخاضَةِ ال
بُرجِيِّal-Burji شَلَّhe routed الفَيلَقِthe army الأَنعاماlike cattle
بُرجِيِّ شَلَّ الفَيلَقِ الأَنعاما
And Abu al-Fawaris routed them at the ford of al-Burji,
routing the army like a herd of cattle.
زَأَرَتthey roared زَئيرَthe roar of الأُسدِlions إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُمthat they
زَأَرَت زَئيرَ الأُسدِ إِلّا أَنَّهُم
صارواbecame وَقَدwhen جَدَّgrew earnest العِراكُthe fighting نَعاماostriches
صاروا وَقَد جَدَّ العِراكُ نَعاما
They roared like lions, but
when the struggle grew earnest, they became ostriches.
فَأَتَتthen arrived رُؤوسُthe heads of رُؤوسِهِمtheir chiefs مَحمولَةًcarried
فَأَتَت رُؤوسُ رُؤوسِهِم مَحمولَةً
ظَلَمواthey wronged فَلَمso was not يَكُنِdeath الرَدىunjust in return? no, unjust; Arabic negation: death was not unjust ظَلّاماwrongdoing
ظَلَموا فَلَم يَكُنِ الرَدى ظَلّاما
So the heads of their chiefs arrived, carried aloft;
they had done wrong, and death was no wrongdoer.
بَثَّتscattered سَراياكَyour raiding parties الحُتوفَdeaths وَأَكثَرَتand multiplied
بَثَّت سَراياكَ الحُتوفَ وَأَكثَرَت
فيin أَرضِthe land of أَنطاكِيَّةَAntioch الأَيتاماthe orphans
في أَرضِ أَنطاكِيَّةَ الأَيتاما
Your raiding parties scattered death and multiplied
the orphans in the land of Antioch.
وَمَضَتand they went on مُصَمِّمَةًresolutely وَإِنeven if لَمnot تَثنِهاit turned them aside
وَمَضَت مُصَمِّمَةً وَإِن لَم تَثنِها
ضَرَبَتthey pitched عَلىon شاطيthe shore of الخَليجِthe gulf خِياماtents
ضَرَبَت عَلى شاطي الخَليجِ خِياما
They pressed on with resolve; even when nothing turned them aside,
they pitched tents on the shore of the gulf.
وَليَلزَمِand let him remain in الحِصنَthe fortress الدُمُستُقُthe domestikos مُحجِماًholding back
وَليَلزَمِ الحِصنَ الدُمُستُقُ مُحجِماً
عَنfrom حَربِهاfighting them فَسَيَحمَدُthen he will praise الإِحجاماholding back
عَن حَربِها فَسَيَحمَدُ الإِحجاما
Let the domestikos stay within his fortress, shrinking
from war with them; he will be glad he held back.
لَوif فارَقَhe left الجُدرانَthe walls أَصبَحَwould become جَمعُهُhis force
لَو فارَقَ الجُدرانَ أَصبَحَ جَمعُهُ
ماamid بَينَbetween مُنحَطِمِshattered الوَشيجِspear shafts حُطاماdebris
ما بَينَ مُنحَطِمِ الوَشيجِ حُطاما
If he left its walls, his force would become
debris among shattered spear shafts.
وَدَرىand he would know هُنالِكَthere مِنwho أَشَدُّis firmer شَكيمَةًin resolve
وَدَرى هُنالِكَ مِن أَشَدُّ شَكيمَةً
عِندَat اللِقاءِthe encounter وَمِنand who أَلَدُّis more stubborn خِصاماin contest
عِندَ اللِقاءِ وَمِن أَلَدُّ خِصاما
There he would learn who is firmer of will
in combat, and who is fiercer in dispute.
ماis not نَكبَةُthe calamity of الزَروارِal-Zarwar مِنهُfrom him بَعيدَةٌfar
ما نَكبَةُ الزَروارِ مِنهُ بَعيدَةٌ
إِنif رامَhe sought مِنof حَسمِending الأَذىthe harm ماwhat راماhe sought
إِن رامَ مِن حَسمِ الأَذى ما راما
The calamity of al-Zarwar is not far from him
if he seeks to end the harm as he wishes.
دَوَّختَyou subdued مُلكَthe dominion of العُربِthe Arabs فيin سُلطانِهاits sovereignty
دَوَّختَ مُلكَ العُربِ في سُلطانِها
وَالرومُand the Byzantines أَيسَرُare easier إِنif أَرَدتَyou wished مَراماas an aim
وَالرومُ أَيسَرُ إِن أَرَدتَ مَراما
You subdued the dominion of the Arabs in its seat of power;
the Byzantines would be an easier aim if you chose.
أَنّىhow تُمانِعُكَcould they resist you الوُعولُthe mountain goats وَقَدwhen رَأَتthey have seen
أَنّى تُمانِعُكَ الوُعولُ وَقَد رَأَت
أُسدَlions of الشَرىthe wild thicket لاdo not تَمنَعُprotect الآجاماthe thickets
أُسدَ الشَرى لا تَمنَعُ الآجاما
How could the mountain goats resist you when they have seen
that even thickets cannot protect fierce lions?
وَلَوِand if اِلتَمَستَyou sought حُضورَthe presence of مَلكِهِمُtheir king غَداًtomorrow
وَلَوِ اِلتَمَستَ حُضورَ مَلكِهِمُ غَداً
لَأَتاكَhe would come to you إِسلاماًin Islam أَوِor اِستِسلاماin surrender
لَأَتاكَ إِسلاماً أَوِ اِستِسلاما
If you sought their king's presence tomorrow,
he would come to you in submission to Islam or surrender.
فَليَستَجيبواso let them respond بِالخُضوعِwith submission فَمَنfor who سِوىbesides
فَليَستَجيبوا بِالخُضوعِ فَمَن سِوى
شَرَفِthe honor of المَعاليhigh standing يَغفِرُforgives الإِجراماwrongdoing
شَرَفِ المَعالي يَغفِرُ الإِجراما
Let them answer with submission: what besides
the honor of high rank can pardon wrongdoing?
عَمريby my life لَقَدindeed سَبَرواthey tested رِضاهُhis pleasure وَسُخطَهُand his anger
عَمري لَقَد سَبَروا رِضاهُ وَسُخطَهُ
فَرَأَواthen they saw حَياةًa life حُلوَةًsweet وَحِماماand death
فَرَأَوا حَياةً حُلوَةً وَحِماما
By my life, they have tested his pleasure and his anger
and found sweet life and death.
وَسَقاهُمُand he gave them to drink ماءَthe water of الحَياةِlife وَقَدwhen عَنَواthey yielded
وَسَقاهُمُ ماءَ الحَياةِ وَقَد عَنَوا
حَتّىuntil إِذاwhen عَنَدواthey resisted اِستَحالَit turned سِماماto poison
حَتّى إِذا عَنَدوا اِستَحالَ سِماما
He gave them the water of life when they submitted,
but when they resisted, it turned to poison.
قَدindeed ضَلَّwent astray مَنone who ظَنَّthought المَجَرَّةَthe Milky Way رَوضَةًa meadow
قَد ضَلَّ مَن ظَنَّ المَجَرَّةَ رَوضَةً
تُرعىto be grazed وَزاهِرَةَand the bright ones of النُجومِthe stars سَواماgrazing herds
تُرعى وَزاهِرَةَ النُجومِ سَواما
Whoever thought the Milky Way a pasture went astray,
imagining its bright stars as grazing herds.
يَهنيmay it rejoice العَواصِمَthe frontier fortresses أَنَّهاthat they مَعصومَةٌare protected
يَهني العَواصِمَ أَنَّها مَعصومَةٌ
بِأَعَزِّby the mightiest مَنof those who مَنَعَdefended الذِمارَwhat must be guarded وَحاماand protected
بِأَعَزِّ مَن مَنَعَ الذِمارَ وَحاما
Good fortune to the frontier fortresses: they are protected
by the mightiest defender of all that must be guarded.
إِنif شَبَّتِkindle الأَعداءُthe enemies ناراًa fire رَدَهاhe turns it
إِن شَبَّتِ الأَعداءُ ناراً رَدَها
بَرداًcoolness عَلىfor سُكّانِهاits inhabitants وَسَلاماand peace
بَرداً عَلى سُكّانِها وَسَلاما
If enemies kindle a fire, he turns it
to coolness and peace for their inhabitants.
بِمَضائِهِthrough his resolve وَقَضائِهِand his judgment وَنَوالِهِand his giving
بِمَضائِهِ وَقَضائِهِ وَنَوالِهِ
عَدِمواthey lacked الرَدىdeath وَالجَورَand injustice وَالإِعداماand want
عَدِموا الرَدى وَالجَورَ وَالإِعداما
Through his resolve, his judgments, and his gifts,
they are spared death, injustice, and want.
أَمِنَتthey felt safe بِذِكرِكَat mention of you فيduring المَغيبِabsence وَطالَماand often
أَمِنَت بِذِكرِكَ في المَغيبِ وَطالَما
غابَwas absent الهِزَبرُthe lion وَغابُهُwhile his forest مُتَحاماwas feared
غابَ الهِزَبرُ وَغابُهُ مُتَحاما
They feel safe at the mention of your name even in your absence; often
the lion was away while his forest remained feared.
أَمناًa safety أَنامَthat lulled to sleep الساهِرينَthe wakeful وَقَبلَهُand before it
أَمناً أَنامَ الساهِرينَ وَقَبلَهُ
خَوفٌfear لَعَمرُكَby your life أَسهَرَkept awake النُوّاماthe sleepers
خَوفٌ لَعَمرُكَ أَسهَرَ النُوّاما
A safety that let the wakeful sleep, whereas before it
fear, by your life, kept even sleepers awake.
فَأَقِمso stay وَأَمرُكَwhile your command نافِذٌis effective فَقَدِfor indeed اِستَوىhas become equal
فَأَقِم وَأَمرُكَ نافِذٌ فَقَدِ اِستَوى
مَنone who كانَwas مِثلَكَlike you رِحلَةًin travel وَمُقاماand residence
مَن كانَ مِثلَكَ رِحلَةً وَمُقاما
So stay, for your command prevails; for one
like you, travel and residence have become the same.
وَلتَدرِand let them know أَملاكُthe kings of البِلادِthe lands بِأَنَّهاthat they
وَلتَدرِ أَملاكُ البِلادِ بِأَنَّها
كُلٌّall عَلىdepend on مَلِكٍa king يَحُلُّwho resides in الشاماSyria
كُلٌّ عَلى مَلِكٍ يَحُلُّ الشاما
Let the kings of the lands know that they
all depend on a king who resides in Syria.
إِنif جارَoppressed خَطبٌa crisis كانَhe was حَسّاماًa decisive judge لَهُover it
إِن جارَ خَطبٌ كانَ حَسّاماً لَهُ
أَوor قارَعَhe met in battle الأَبطالَchampions كانَhe was حُساماa sharp sword
أَو قارَعَ الأَبطالَ كانَ حُساما
If a crisis turns unjust, he is a decisive judge over it;
if he meets champions in battle, he is a keen sword.
يُضحيbecomes الحَياthe pouring rain الهاميabundant حَصيراًmeager إِنwhen سَخاhe gives
يُضحي الحَيا الهامي حَصيراً إِن سَخا
فَإِذاthen when نَحاhe aimed for عِزّاًglory أَطارَhe sent flying الهاماheads
فَإِذا نَحا عِزّاً أَطارَ الهاما
Pouring rain becomes a meager shower when he gives;
and when he pursues glory, he sends heads flying.
خَصَّتكَsingled you out بِالخَطَرِwith standing العَظيمِimmense مَناقِبٌvirtues
خَصَّتكَ بِالخَطَرِ العَظيمِ مَناقِبٌ
تَستَغرِقُthat encompass الإِجلالَreverence وَالإِعظاماand esteem
تَستَغرِقُ الإِجلالَ وَالإِعظاما
Virtues singled you out for immense standing,
exceeding all reverence and esteem.
ماyou have زِلتَremained هَمّاماًaspiring بِكُلِّto every عَظيمَةٍgreat deed
ما زِلتَ هَمّاماً بِكُلِّ عَظيمَةٍ
فيin المَجدِglory حَتّىuntil ماnot تَرَكتَyou left هُماماa great man
في المَجدِ حَتّى ما تَرَكتَ هُماما
You have always sought every great deed
of glory, until you left no great man to rival you.
أَخَذَtook الفَضائِلَthe virtues آخِرٌone later man عَنfrom أَوَّلٍan earlier one
أَخَذَ الفَضائِلَ آخِرٌ عَن أَوَّلٍ
وَأَبَيتَand you refused ذاكَthat فَحُزتَهاso you attained them إِلهاماby inspiration
وَأَبَيتَ ذاكَ فَحُزتَها إِلهاما
Others inherited virtues, one from another;
you refused that path and won yours by inspiration.
خَلَّفتَهُمyou left them خَلفاًbehind وَأَنتَwhile you تَظُنُّهُمsuppose them
خَلَّفتَهُم خَلفاً وَأَنتَ تَظُنُّهُم
سَبَقواto have preceded فَدَهرُكَso your age تَطلُبُseeks القُدّاماthe ancients
سَبَقوا فَدَهرُكَ تَطلُبُ القُدّاما
You left them behind, though you suppose
they went before you; your age keeps seeking the ancients.
وَالجودُand generosity وَالإِقدامُand courage ياO حاويهِماpossessor of both
وَالجودُ وَالإِقدامُ يا حاويهِما
قَدindeed أَخَّراthey set back عَنfrom نَهجِكَyour path الأَقداماearlier exemplars
قَد أَخَّرا عَن نَهجِكَ الأَقداما
Generosity and courage, O possessor of both,
have left their former exemplars behind your path.
لَحَمَلتَyou surely bore عَنfrom قَلبِthe heart of الخِلافَةِthe caliphate سَيفَهاits sword
لَحَمَلتَ عَن قَلبِ الخِلافَةِ سَيفَها
ثِقلاًa burden يَؤودُthat would weigh down مُتالِعاًMutali وَشَماماand Shamam
ثِقلاً يَؤودُ مُتالِعاً وَشَماما
You have borne from the heart of the caliphate its sword,
a burden that would weigh down Mutali and Shamam.
وَمَتىand whenever تَبَرَّمُgrows weary بِالحَوادِثِof events دَولَةٌa state
وَمَتى تَبَرَّمُ بِالحَوادِثِ دَولَةٌ
جَعَلَتit entrusts إِلَيكَto you النَقضَthe undoing وَالإِبراماand the settling
جَعَلَت إِلَيكَ النَقضَ وَالإِبراما
Whenever a state grows weary of events,
it entrusts decisions to undo or settle them to you.
فَليَشكُرَنَّكَso let him thank you مَنthe one for whom تَعِبتَyou labored مُشَمِّراًstriving
فَليَشكُرَنَّكَ مَن تَعِبتَ مُشَمِّراً
حَتّىuntil اِستَراحَhe rested وَمَنand the one for whom سَهِرتَyou stayed awake وَناماand he slept
حَتّى اِستَراحَ وَمَن سَهِرتَ وَناما
Let those for whom you worked tirelessly thank you,
so they could rest, and those for whom you stayed awake could sleep.
ماhow أَحسَنَbeautiful is الدُنياthe world وَعِزُّكَwhile your might قاهِرٌprevails
ما أَحسَنَ الدُنيا وَعِزُّكَ قاهِرٌ
وَنَداكَand your generosity مُنهَمِرٌpours forth فَدُمتَso may you endure وَداماand may it endure
وَنَداكَ مُنهَمِرٌ فَدُمتَ وَداما
How lovely the world is while your power prevails
and your generosity pours forth; may you and it endure.
وَلَقَدand indeed غَمَرتَyou showered المُذنِبينَthe offenders صَنائِعاًwith favors
وَلَقَد غَمَرتَ المُذنِبينَ صَنائِعاً
عَلَتِthat surpassed الثَناءَpraise وَجازَرِand exceeded الإِنعاماbenefaction
عَلَتِ الثَناءَ وَجازَرِ الإِنعاما
You have showered even offenders with favors
that surpass praise and exceed gifts themselves.
فَلَوَand if اِنَّهُمthey indeed قامواfulfilled بِأَدنىthe least فَرضِهاof its duties
فَلَوَ اِنَّهُم قاموا بِأَدنى فَرضِها
قَطَعواthey would spend زَماناًan age أَنتَyou فيهِduring it صِياماfasting
قَطَعوا زَماناً أَنتَ فيهِ صِياما
If they fulfilled even the smallest duty owed for them,
they would spend an age fasting as you do.
فَاِسلَمso remain safe فَكَمfor how many لَكَyou have وَقفَةٌa stand مَشهورَةٌrenowned
فَاِسلَم فَكَم لَكَ وَقفَةٌ مَشهورَةٌ
أَرضَيتَyou pleased فيهاin it اللَهَGod وَالإِسلاماand Islam
أَرضَيتَ فيها اللَهَ وَالإِسلاما
May you remain safe; how many renowned stands are yours
in which you pleased God and Islam.
لِمَwhy لاwould not تَميلُincline إِلىtoward بَقائِكَyour survival أَنفُسٌsouls
لِمَ لا تَميلُ إِلى بَقائِكَ أَنفُسٌ
لَولاكَwere it not for you لَمthey would not تَستَوطِنِinhabit الأَجساماbodies
لَولاكَ لَم تَستَوطِنِ الأَجساما
Why should souls not wish you to remain,
when without you they would not dwell in bodies?
بَلrather كَيفَhow لاwould they not تُثنيpraise عَلَيكَyou خَواطِرٌthoughts
بَل كَيفَ لا تُثني عَلَيكَ خَواطِرٌ
أَنتَyou الَّذيare the one who أَوسَعتَهاgave them abundantly إِفهاماunderstanding
أَنتَ الَّذي أَوسَعتَها إِفهاما
And how could thoughts fail to praise you
when you are the one who gave them understanding?
فاقَsurpassed المُلوكَthe kings حَمِيَّةًin zeal وَتَقِيَّةًand piety
فاقَ المُلوكَ حَمِيَّةً وَتَقِيَّةً
مَلِكٌa king سَرَتtraveled عَزَماتُهُhis resolves وَأَقاماwhile he stayed
مَلِكٌ سَرَت عَزَماتُهُ وَأَقاما
A king surpassed other kings in zeal and piety;
his resolutions traveled far, while he stayed.
أَمَرَhe ordered الكَتائِبَthe battalions بِالجِهادِto holy struggle وَجَدَّand strove فيin
أَمَرَ الكَتائِبَ بِالجِهادِ وَجَدَّ في
تَسهيلِmaking easy سُبلِthe paths of الحَجِّthe pilgrimage ثُمَّتَand then صاماhe fasted
تَسهيلِ سُبلِ الحَجِّ ثُمَّتَ صاما
He ordered the battalions to strive in holy war and worked
to ease the pilgrimage routes, and then he fasted.
فَليَهنِكَso may it bring you joy الشَهرُthe month الَّذيthat يُثنيpraises بِماwhat
فَليَهنِكَ الشَهرُ الَّذي يُثني بِما
صَيَّرتَهُyou made it خَلفاًbehind لَهُit وَأَماماand before it
صَيَّرتَهُ خَلفاً لَهُ وَأَماما
May you rejoice in the month that praises what
you made its beginning and its end.
شَهرٌa month جَعَلتَyou made الغَزوَthe campaign فاتِحَةًan opening لَهُfor it
شَهرٌ جَعَلتَ الغَزوَ فاتِحَةً لَهُ
وَرَعاًout of piety وَتَسيِيرَand sending forth الحَجيجِthe pilgrims خِتاماa close
وَرَعاً وَتَسيِيرَ الحَجيجِ خِتاما
A month whose opening you made a campaign,
out of piety, and whose close was sending the pilgrims forth.
قَدindeed مَحَّصَتpurged عَنfrom أُمَّةٍa community أَغنَيتَهاyou enriched it
قَد مَحَّصَت عَن أُمَّةٍ أَغنَيتَها
وَحَمَيتَهاand you protected it حَسَناتُكَyour good deeds الآثاماthe sins
وَحَمَيتَها حَسَناتُكَ الآثاما
Your good deeds have purged sins from a community
that you enriched and protected.
حَسَّنتَyou improved دُنياهاits worldly life وَأُخراهاand its afterlife فَعِشso live
حَسَّنتَ دُنياها وَأُخراها فَعِش
تُفنيyou outlast الشُهورَthe months وَتُنفِدُand exhaust الأَعواماthe years
تُفني الشُهورَ وَتُنفِدُ الأَعواما
You made its worldly life and afterlife better; so live on,
outlasting the months and exhausting the years.
Translation model: Sol 6