لاmay not برَّhold true فيin الحُبِّlove ياO أهلَpeople of الهوىpassion قسَميmy oath
لا برَّ في الحُبِّ يا أهلَ الهوى قسَمي
ولاnor وَفَتْprove faithful للعُلىto lofty ideals إنْif خُنتُكُمْI betray you ذِمَميmy pledges
ولا وَفَتْ للعُلى إنْ خُنتُكُمْ ذِمَمي
May my oath not hold true in love, O people of passion,
There is no goodness in love, O people of passion, divide my fate
nor my pledges uphold lofty ideals if I betray you.
Nor did the exalted fulfill their promises if I betray you
وإنْand if صبَوْتُI incline lovingly إلىtoward الأغيارِothers بَعدَكُمُafter you
وإنْ صبَوْتُ إلى الأغيارِ بَعدَكُمُ
فلاthen may not ترقّتْascend إلىto هاماتِهاits summits هِمَميmy aspirations
فلا ترقّتْ إلى هاماتِها هِمَمي
And if I incline toward others after you,
And if I incline to strangers after you
may my aspirations never ascend to loftiness's summits.
My aspirations never rose to them
وإنْand if خَبَتْdies down نارُthe fire of وجديmy longing بالسُّلوِّthrough forgetfulness فلاthen may not
وإنْ خَبَتْ نارُ وجدي بالسُّلوِّ فلا
ورّتْkindle زناديmy firesticks ولاnor أجرىset flowing النُهىreason حِكَميmy maxims
ورّتْ زنادي ولا أجرى النُهى حِكَمي
And if the fire of my longing is quenched by forgetfulness, may
And if the fire of my passion subsides with diversion, my determination never weakened
my firesticks never kindle, nor reason set my wisdom flowing.
Nor did the advice of abstinence flow
ولاnor تَعصْفرَturn saffron لونيmy complexion بالهوىthrough passion كمَداًin grief
ولا تَعصْفرَ لوني بالهوى كمَداً
إنْif لمnot يورِّدْهُrose-tint it دَمعيmy tears بعدَكمْafter you بدَميwith my blood
إنْ لم يورِّدْهُ دَمعي بعدَكمْ بدَمي
And may my complexion not turn saffron with love's grief,
My complexion never yellowed with passion again
unless my tears rose-tint it with my blood after you.
Unless my tears colored it after you with my blood
ولاnor رَشَفْتُdid I sip الحُميّاstrong wine منْfrom مراشِفِهاher lips
ولا رَشَفْتُ الحُميّا منْ مراشِفِها
إنْif كانit should يَصفوgrow clear فؤاديmy heart بعدَafter بعدكمِyour departure
إنْ كان يَصفو فؤادي بعدَ بعدكمِ
And may I never sip strong wine from her lips,
Nor did I taste the sweetness of the pillow after you
if my heart grows clear after your departure.
If my heart became pure after being far from you
ولاnor تلذّذْتُdid I take pleasure فيin مُرِّthe bitterness of العَذابِtorment بكمْthrough you
ولا تلذّذْتُ في مُرِّ العَذابِ بكمْ
إنْif كانit should يعْذُبُtaste sweet إلّاexcept ذِكرُكُمْyour remembrance بفَميin my mouth
إنْ كان يعْذُبُ إلّا ذِكرُكُمْ بفَمي
Nor may I find pleasure through you in bitter torment,
Nor did I enjoy the bitterness of torment because of you
if anything but your remembrance tastes sweet in my mouth.
If only the remembrance of you torments my mouth
خلَعْتُI cast off فيin حبِّكمْlove of you عُذريmy excuse فألبَسَنيso clothed me
خلَعْتُ في حبِّكمْ عُذري فألبَسَني
تجرُّديmy bareness فيin هَواكمْlove of you خِلعةَthe robe of السّقَمِsickness
تجرُّدي في هَواكمْ خِلعةَ السّقَمِ
In loving you I cast off my excuse, and
I took off my excuse in loving you, so it dressed me
my bareness in your love clothed me in sickness's robe.
My devotion in your love dressed me in the garb of the sick
ماnot صِرْتُdid I become فيin الحبّlove بينamong الناسpeople معرفةًknown
ما صِرْتُ في الحبّ بين الناس معرفةً
حتىuntil تنكّرgrew unrecognizable فيكمْfor you بالضّنىthrough wasting علَميmy distinguishing mark
حتى تنكّر فيكمْ بالضّنى علَمي
I did not become known among people for love
I never became known amongst people in love
until my distinguishing form grew unrecognizable through wasting for you.
Until my inclination to you made my mark unknown
لقدindeed قضيْتُمyou decreed بظُلْمِthe injustice toward المُستجيرone seeking protection بِكُمwith you
لقد قضيْتُم بظُلْمِ المُستجير بِكُم
ويلاهُalas! منْfor جَورِكُمْyour injustice ياO جِيرةَneighbors of العلَمِal-ʿAlam
ويلاهُ منْ جَورِكُمْ يا جِيرةَ العلَمِ
You have decreed injustice toward one seeking your protection.
You have wronged the one seeking refuge in you
Alas for your injustice, O neighbors of al-ʿAlam!
Woe to me from your tyranny, O neighbors of glory
أماah! وسُودِby the blackness of لَيالٍnights فيin غدائرِكُمyour braids
أما وسُودِ لَيالٍ في غدائرِكُم
طالتْlengthened عليّupon me فلمْso did not أُصبحْreach dawn ولمْand did not أنَمِsleep
طالتْ عليّ فلمْ أُصبحْ ولمْ أنَمِ
Ah, by the black nights within your braids,
By the black nights amidst your bosoms
that lengthened upon me, so I saw no dawn and did not sleep!
Prolonged upon me, so I neither slept nor slumbered
لولاwere it not for قُدودُthe figures of غَوانيكُمْyour beauties وأنمُلُهاand her fingertips
لولا قُدودُ غَوانيكُمْ وأنمُلُها
ماnot هزّswayed عِطفيmy shoulder ذِكرُmention of البانِthe ban trees والعلَمِand al-ʿAlam
ما هزّ عِطفي ذِكرُ البانِ والعلَمِ
Were it not for your beauties' figures and their fingertips,
Were it not for your perfumed braids and its buds
mention of the ban trees and al-ʿAlam would not sway my shoulders.
The memory of the house of Buwana and its banner would not have shaken my shoulders
كلّاno indeed! ولولاand were it not for الثّناياthe front teeth مِنْin مَباسمِكُمْyour smiling mouths
كلّا ولولا الثّنايا مِنْ مَباسمِكُمْ
ماnot شاقَنيstirred my longing بالثّناياat the mountain passes بارِقُthe lightning of الظُّلَمِdarkness
ما شاقَني بالثّنايا بارِقُ الظُّلَمِ
No indeed! And were it not for the front teeth in your smiling mouths,
And were it not for your smiles
lightning flashing in darkness over the mountain passes would not stir my longing.
The shining of darkness would not have pained me with its smiles
ياO جيرةَneighbors of البانِthe ban trees لاmay not بِنتُمْyou depart ولاand may not برِحَتْcease
يا جيرةَ البانِ لا بِنتُمْ ولا برِحَتْ
تبكيweeping عليكُمْover you سُروراًjoyfully أعيُنُthe eyes of الدِّيَمِsteady rainclouds
تبكي عليكُمْ سُروراً أعيُنُ الدِّيَمِ
O neighbors of the ban trees, may you never depart, and may
O neighbours of Buwana, neither a daughter was born
the eyes of steady rainclouds never cease weeping joyfully over you.
Nor did an eye of a tearful person cease crying over you
ولاnor اِنْجَلىclear away عنكمُfrom you ليلُthe night of الشّبابِyouth ولاnor
ولا اِنْجَلى عنكمُ ليلُ الشّبابِ ولا
أفَلتُمُyou set ياO بُدورَfull moons of الحيِّthe encampment منْfrom إضَمِIdam
أفَلتُمُ يا بُدورَ الحيِّ منْ إضَمِ
May the night of youth never clear away from you, nor
Nor did the night of youth disappear from you
may you set, O full moons of the encampment, from Idam!
O full moons, nor were you eclipsed
ماnothing أحْرَمَdeprived of النّومَsleep أجفانيmy eyelids وحرّمَهُand forbade it
ما أحْرَمَ النّومَ أجفاني وحرّمَهُ
إلّاexcept تغَيُّبُكُمْyour absence ياO حاضِريdwellers of الحرَمِthe Sanctuary
إلّا تغَيُّبُكُمْ يا حاضِري الحرَمِ
Nothing deprived my eyelids of sleep and forbade it
Insomnia never deprived my eyes of sleep except
but your absence, O dwellers of the Sanctuary!
Your absence, O my neighbours in the inviolable territory
غِبْتُمْyou vanished فغيّبْتُمُso you made vanish صُبحيmy dawn فلسْتُso I do not أرىsee
غِبْتُمْ فغيّبْتُمُ صُبحي فلسْتُ أرى
إلّاexcept بقاياremnants ألمّتْgathered فيهِin it منْof لِمَميmy locks
إلّا بقايا ألمّتْ فيهِ منْ لِمَمي
You vanished, making my dawn vanish, and I see
You went away, so you took away my morning, and I see
only remnants of my locks that have gathered there.
Nothing but remnants that gathered in it from my tears
صبراًpatience! علىwith كُلِّevery مرٍّbitterness فيin مَحبَّتِكُمْlove of you
صبراً على كُلِّ مرٍّ في مَحبَّتِكُمْ
ياO أملَحَloveliest of النّاسِpeople ماhow أحلىsweet بكُمthrough you ألَميmy pain
يا أملَحَ النّاسِ ما أحلى بكُم ألَمي
Patience with every bitterness in loving you!
Patience over every bitterness in loving you
O loveliest of people, how sweet you make my pain!
O most delightful of people, how sweet is my pain because of you
رِفْقاًgentleness! بصبٍّwith a lovesick man غدَتْbecame فيكمْthrough you شَمائلُهhis dispositions
رِفْقاً بصبٍّ غدَتْ فيكمْ شَمائلُه
مَشمولةًenfolded منذُsince أخذِthe taking of العَهْدِthe covenant بالقِدَمِin primordial time
مَشمولةً منذُ أخذِ العَهْدِ بالقِدَمِ
Be gentle with a lovesick man whose dispositions through you have become
Be gentle with someone whose features
enfolded since the covenant was taken in primordial time.
Have been touched since taking the covenant of the anklets
حَليفِan ally of وَجْدٍlonging إذاwhen هاجَتْstirred بَلابِلُهُhis heart's troubles
حَليفِ وَجْدٍ إذا هاجَتْ بَلابِلُهُ
ناجىconfided in الحَمامَthe doves فداوَىso treated الغَمَّgrief بالنَّغَمِwith melody
ناجى الحَمامَ فداوَى الغَمَّ بالنَّغَمِ
An ally of longing, when his heart's troubles stir,
The companion of passion, when its confusions rage
he confides in the doves and cures grief with melody.
Complains to the doves who cure his sorrows with cooing
يَشكوhe complains of الظّماthirst فإذاbut whenever ماindeed مرّpasses ذِكرُكُمُyour remembrance
يَشكو الظّما فإذا ما مرّ ذِكرُكُمُ
أنْساهُmade him forget ذِكرَthe remembrance of وُرودِwatering at البانِthe ban trees والعلَمِand al-ʿAlam
أنْساهُ ذِكرَ وُرودِ البانِ والعلَمِ
He complains of thirst, but whenever your remembrance passes,
He complains of injustice, but when you are mentioned
it makes him forget watering at the ban trees and al-ʿAlam.
The memory of the house of Buwana and its banner makes him forget
حيُّalive in الهوىpassion مَيّتُdead to السُلوانِconsolation ذوpossessed of كَبِدٍa liver
حيُّ الهوى مَيّتُ السُلوانِ ذو كَبِدٍ
مَوجودةٍexistent أصبحتْhas become فيin حيّزِthe realm of العدَمِnonexistence
مَوجودةٍ أصبحتْ في حيّزِ العدَمِ
Alive in passion, dead to consolation, possessed of a liver
The passionate alive but the subdued dead, with a liver
existent, yet now within the realm of nonexistence.
That is present but became non-existent in the abode of perdition
خافَhe feared الرّدىdeath منذُsince جرّتْdrew سُودُthe blacks of أعيُنِكمْyour eyes
خافَ الرّدى منذُ جرّتْ سُودُ أعيُنِكمْ
بيضَthe white gleam of الظُبىsword-edges فاِستَجارَتْso sought protection رُوحهُhis soul بِكُمِwith you
بيضَ الظُبى فاِستَجارَتْ رُوحهُ بِكُمِ
He feared death when the blacks of your eyes drew
He feared destruction ever since your dark eyes shed
white sword-edges, and his soul sought your protection.
The tears of the gazelle, so his soul sought refuge in you
اللّهَfor God's sake فيهاconcerning it فقدfor indeed حلّتْit settled جِوارَكُمُbeside you
اللّهَ فيها فقد حلّتْ جِوارَكُمُ
والبِرُّand kindness بالجارِto the neighbor منْamong مُستحْسَنِthe admired الشِيَمِtraits
والبِرُّ بالجارِ منْ مُستحْسَنِ الشِيَمِ
For God's sake, care for it: it has settled beside you,
He found God in them, so he settled as a neighbour to you
and kindness to a neighbor is among the noblest traits.
And kindness to neighbours is of the best traits
لمّاwhen إليكُمْtoward you ضَلالُthe wandering of الحبِّlove أرشدَهاguided it
لمّا إليكُمْ ضَلالُ الحبِّ أرشدَها
ظلّتْit remained لديكُمwith you بظِلِّin the shade of الضّالِdal trees والسَّلَمِand salam trees
ظلّتْ لديكُم بظِلِّ الضّالِ والسَّلَمِ
When love's wandering guided it toward you,
When the misguided of love came to you
it remained with you beneath the shade of dal and salam trees.
They stayed in your shade, misguided and safe
ياah! حبّذاhow delightful لكَfor you منْas a عَيشِlife of الشبيبةyouth والدand the— (fragment)
يا حبّذا لكَ منْ عَيشِ الشبيبة والد
دَهرُage العَبوسُthe frowning يُريناshows us وجهَthe face of مُبتَسمِone smiling
دَهرُ العَبوسُ يُرينا وجهَ مُبتَسمِ
Ah, how delightful for you the life of youth, and the—
How excellent is the life of youth and flirting
frowning age showing us a smiling face!
While frowning time shows us a smiling face
فَياso may رَعىtend اللّهُGod سُكّانِthe dwellers of الحِمىthe protected ground وحَمىand guard
فَيا رَعى اللّهُ سُكّانِ الحِمى وحَمى
حيَّthe encampment of الحجونِal-Hajun وحيّاهُand greet it بمُنْسَجِمِwith pouring rain
حيَّ الحجونِ وحيّاهُ بمُنْسَجِمِ
May God tend the dwellers of the protected ground and guard
So may God protect the inhabitants of the inviolable territory and protect
al-Hajun's encampment, greeting it with pouring rain!
The alive from them with harmony
وحبّذاand how delightful بيضُthe brightness of لَيلاتٍnights بسَفحِat the foot of مِنىًMina
وحبّذا بيضُ لَيلاتٍ بسَفحِ مِنىً
كانتthey were قِصاراًbrief فَطالَتْbut grew long منذُsince بَينِهِمِtheir departure
كانت قِصاراً فَطالَتْ منذُ بَينِهِمِ
How lovely the bright nights at Mina's foot,
And how excellent are the white nights on the plains of Mina
once brief, but long since their departure!
Which were short but became long since they were amongst them
أكرِمْhow noble بهمْthey are منْas سَراةٍchieftains فيin شَمائلِهمْtheir qualities
أكرِمْ بهمْ منْ سَراةٍ في شَمائلِهمْ
قدindeed صيّرواthey made كلَّevery حُرٍّfree man تحتunder رِقِّهمِtheir bondage
قد صيّروا كلَّ حُرٍّ تحت رِقِّهمِ
How noble they are, chieftains whose qualities
Honor them, the noble in their features
have brought every free man into their bondage!
Who have subjugated every free man under their slavery
رُماةُarchers of غُنجٍcoquetry لأسبابِas causes of الرّدىdeath وُسِمواthey were marked
رُماةُ غُنجٍ لأسبابِ الرّدى وُسِموا
باِسْمِwith the name of السِّهامِarrows وسمّوهاand they poisoned them بكُحْلِهِمِwith their kohl
باِسْمِ السِّهامِ وسمّوها بكُحْلِهِمِ
Archers of coquetry, marked as causes of death
Archers of the unsheathed arrows of mischief, they were named
with the name of arrows, which they poisoned with their kohl.
By the name of arrows and named them with their kohl
صُبحُmorning-bright الوجوهِin faces مَصابيحٌlamps تظنُّهمُyou think them
صُبحُ الوجوهِ مَصابيحٌ تظنُّهمُ
زَرّواthey buttoned الجيوبَthe collars علىover أقمارِthe moons of لَيلهِمِtheir night
زَرّوا الجيوبَ على أقمارِ لَيلهِمِ
Morning-faced lamps—you would think they
The faces of the dawn are lamps that you think
buttoned their collars over the moons of their night.
They tied the stars to the moons of their nights
إذاwhen اِكْتَسىclothed itself الليلُnight منfrom لألائهمtheir radiance ذَهباًin gold
إذا اِكْتَسى الليلُ من لألائهم ذَهباً
أجرىsent flowing السّرابَthe mirage لُجَيناًas silver فوقَover أرضِهمِtheir land
أجرى السّرابَ لُجَيناً فوقَ أرضِهمِ
When night clothes itself in gold from their radiance,
If the darkness sought ornaments from their splendor, it took
it sends the mirage flowing as silver over their land.
Flowing mirages above their land
كأنّas though أمَّthe mother of نُجومِthe stars of الأفقِthe horizon ماnot وَلدَتْbore
كأنّ أمَّ نُجومِ الأفقِ ما وَلدَتْ
أُنثىa female ولاnor ذَكراًa male إلّاexcept بحيّهمِin their encampment
أُنثى ولا ذَكراً إلّا بحيّهمِ
As though the mother of the horizon's stars bore
It is as if the mother of the horizons’ stars never gave birth
neither daughter nor son except in their encampment,
To a female or male except in their courtyard
أوor أنّthat نَسرَthe eagle of الدُجىdarkness بَيضاتُهُits eggs سقطَتْfell
أو أنّ نَسرَ الدُجى بَيضاتُهُ سقطَتْ
للأرضِto earth فاِستحضَنَتهاso it brooded over them فيin خُدورِهمِtheir bowers
للأرضِ فاِستحضَنَتها في خُدورِهمِ
or the eagle of darkness dropped its eggs
Or the eggs of the darkness' eagles fell
to earth, which brooded over them within their bowers.
To the ground, so it incubated them in their laps
لانتْgrew supple كَلينِlike the suppleness of القَناspear-shafts قاماتُهُمْtheir statures وحكَتْand resembled
لانتْ كَلينِ القَنا قاماتُهُمْ وحكَتْ
أجفانُthe eyelids of بيضهمِtheir fair ones أجفانَthe sheaths of بِيضهمِtheir bright swords
أجفانُ بيضهمِ أجفانَ بِيضهمِ
Their statures grew supple as supple spear-shafts, and
Their soft cheeks bent the stalks of the branches
the eyelids of their fair ones resembled the sheaths of their bright swords.
And their white eyelids narrated the eyelids of their whiteness
تقسّمَwas shared البأسُmight فيهِمamong them والجَمالُand beauty مَعاًtogether
تقسّمَ البأسُ فيهِم والجَمالُ مَعاً
فشابَهَso resembled القِرْنُthe champion منهمْamong them قَرْنَthe rim of شَمسهمِtheir sun
فشابَهَ القِرْنُ منهمْ قَرْنَ شَمسهمِ
Might and beauty were shared together among them,
Valor and beauty are distributed among them
so their champion resembled the rim of their sun.
So youth resembles the prime of their sun
تُناطُare hung حُمرُthe red forms of المَناياdeath فيin حَمائلِهِمْtheir sword-belts
تُناطُ حُمرُ المَنايا في حَمائلِهِمْ
وسُودُهاand its black forms كائناتٌare present فيin جُفونهِمِtheir eyelids
وسُودُها كائناتٌ في جُفونهِمِ
Red deaths hang from their sword-belts,
The red of death lies in their brows
while black ones dwell in their eyelids.
While its blackness exists in their eyelids
مُفَلّجاتٌspaced ثَناياهُمْtheir front teeth حَواجِبهُمْtheir eyebrows
مُفَلّجاتٌ ثَناياهُمْ حَواجِبهُمْ
مَقرونةٌjoined بالمَناياto deaths فيin لِحاظِهمِtheir glances
مَقرونةٌ بالمَنايا في لِحاظِهمِ
Their front teeth are spaced; their eyebrows
Their frowning eyebrows and brows
are linked to deaths within their glances.
Are paired with death in their glances
كلُّall المَلاحةِbeauty جُزءٌa portion منof مَلاحتِهمْtheir beauty
كلُّ المَلاحةِ جُزءٌ من مَلاحتِهمْ
وأصلُand the origin of كلِّevery ظَلامٍdarkness منْfrom فُروعهمِtheir tresses
وأصلُ كلِّ ظَلامٍ منْ فُروعهمِ
All beauty is but a portion of their beauty,
All coquetry is a part of their coquetry
and all darkness springs from their tresses.
And the origin of all darkness is from their branches
واalas! طولَthe length of ليليmy night ووَيْليand my anguish فيin ذَوائِبِهمْtheir forelocks
وا طولَ ليلي ووَيْلي في ذَوائِبِهمْ
ورقّتيand my frailty ونُحوليand my wasting فيin خُصورِهمِtheir waists
ورقّتي ونُحولي في خُصورِهمِ
Alas for my long night and anguish in their forelocks,
Oh how long my night is and woe is me in their folds
and my frailty and wasting in their waists!
And my leanness and emaciation in their chests
إنّindeed النفوسَthe souls الّتيthat تَقضيperish هَوىًof passion وجوىًand anguish
إنّ النفوسَ الّتي تَقضي هَوىً وجوىً
فيهِمْfor them لأوْضَحُare surely clearer عُذراًin excuse منْthan وُجوهِهمِtheir faces
فيهِمْ لأوْضَحُ عُذراً منْ وُجوهِهمِ
Indeed, the souls that perish of passion and anguish
Verily the souls that perish in passion and love for them
for them have an excuse clearer than their faces.
Are clearer in excuse than their faces
غُرٌّradiant ones عنbeyond الدُرِّpearls لمnot تفضُلْsurpassed مَباسِمَهُمْtheir smiling mouths
غُرٌّ عن الدُرِّ لم تفضُلْ مَباسِمَهُمْ
إلّاexcept سَجاياthe virtues of رسولِthe Messenger of اللّهِGod ذيpossessor of الكرَمِgenerosity
إلّا سَجايا رسولِ اللّهِ ذي الكرَمِ
Bright beyond pearls, their smiling mouths are surpassed
More alien to pearls than their smiles are
only by the virtues of God's generous Messenger:
Only the traits of Allah's Messenger of generosity
مُحمّدٍMuhammad أحمدAhmad الهاديthe Guide البشيرthe Bearer of Glad Tidings ومَنْand he who
مُحمّدٍ أحمد الهادي البشير ومَنْ
لولاهwere it not for him فيin الغَيّerror ضلّتْwould stray سائرُall الأمَمِnations
لولاه في الغَيّ ضلّتْ سائرُ الأمَمِ
Muhammad, Ahmad, the Guide, the Bearer of Glad Tidings, he
Muhammad, Ahmed, the guiding, announcing one, and whoever
without whom all nations would stray in error.
Without him would have gone astray in misguidance
مُباركُblessed الإسمِin name مَيمونٌauspicious مآثرهُhis great deeds
مُباركُ الإسمِ مَيمونٌ مآثرهُ
عمّتْspread everywhere فآثارُهاso their traces بالغَوْرِin the lowlands والأكَمِand hills
عمّتْ فآثارُها بالغَوْرِ والأكَمِ
Blessed in name, auspicious in his great deeds,
The blessed name, the auspicious one, his achievements
which spread, their traces reaching lowlands and hills.
Extended so his effects include the land and the heap
طَوْقُthe necklace of الرسالةِmessengership تاجُthe crown of الرُّسْلthe messengers خاتِمُهُمْtheir seal
طَوْقُ الرسالةِ تاجُ الرُّسْل خاتِمُهُمْ
بلindeed زينةٌan adornment لِعبادِfor the servants of اللَّهِGod كُلِّهمِall of them
بل زينةٌ لِعبادِ اللَّهِ كُلِّهمِ
The necklace of messengership, the crown of messengers, their seal,
The collar of messengership, the crown of prophethood, its seal
indeed, an adornment for all God's servants.
Rather, an adornment for all of Allah's servants
نورٌa light بَداappeared فاِنجلىso was dispelled غمُّthe grief of القلوبِhearts بهِthrough him
نورٌ بَدا فاِنجلى غمُّ القلوبِ بهِ
وزالَand vanished ماwhat فيin وُجوهِthe faces of الدّهْرِtime منof غُمَمِclouds
وزالَ ما في وُجوهِ الدّهْرِ من غُمَمِ
A light appeared, dispelling the hearts' grief through him,
A light appeared so the gloom of hearts illuminated
and clearing the clouds from time's faces.
And whatever gloom was on the faces of time disappeared
لوif قابَلَتْfaced مُقلةَthe eye of الحِرباءِthe chameleon طلعَتُهُhis countenance
لو قابَلَتْ مُقلةَ الحِرباءِ طلعَتُهُ
ليلاًat night لرُدَّsurely would be restored إليهاto it الطّرفُsight وهوَwhile it عَميwas blind
ليلاً لرُدَّ إليها الطّرفُ وهوَ عَمي
Had his countenance faced the chameleon's eye
If his rise met the pupil of Sirius at night
at night, sight would have returned to it though blind.
It would return the gaze and it would be blind
تشفيheals منَfrom الدّاءِdisease والبَلواءِand affliction نِعْمَتُهُhis blessing
تشفي منَ الدّاءِ والبَلواءِ نِعْمَتُهُ
وتنفُخُand breathes الروحَthe spirit فيinto الباليthe decayed منof الرِّمَمِremains
وتنفُخُ الروحَ في البالي من الرِّمَمِ
His blessing heals disease and affliction
His grace heals disease and affliction
and breathes life into decaying remains.
And breathes life into a withered soul
كمْhow many أكْمَهٍone born blind بَرِئَتْwere healed عَيناهُhis eyes إذْwhen مُسِحَتْwere touched
كمْ أكْمَهٍ بَرِئَتْ عَيناهُ إذْ مُسِحَتْ
منby كفّهِhis palm ولَكَمْand how many بالسّيفِwith the sword قدَّhe cleft كَميan armored warrior
من كفّهِ ولَكَمْ بالسّيفِ قدَّ كَمي
How many born-blind eyes were healed when touched
How many blind were cured when touched
by his palm, and how many an armored warrior he cleft with the sword!
By his palm, and how many were silenced by the sword
وكمand how many لهُof his بسِنينِin years of الشُهْبِashen drought عارفةٌa favor
وكم لهُ بسِنينِ الشُهْبِ عارفةٌ
قدindeed أشرَقَتْshone فيupon جِباهِthe brows of الأليُلِnights الدُهُمِpitch-black
قد أشرَقَتْ في جِباهِ الأليُلِ الدُهُمِ
How many favors of his in ashen years of drought
And how many white-haired have knowledge of him
shone upon the brows of pitch-black nights!
Their foreheads shone in the dark, fragrant night
لُطفٌa grace منَfrom اللّهِGod لوْif خُصَّwere endowed النّسيمُthe breeze بِماwith what
لُطفٌ منَ اللّهِ لوْ خُصَّ النّسيمُ بِما
فيهِwithin him منَof اللُطفِgentleness أحْياwould revive مَيّتَthe dead among النَّسَمِsouls
فيهِ منَ اللُطفِ أحْيا مَيّتَ النَّسَمِ
A grace from God—if the breeze were endowed with
A subtlety from God, if the breeze was particularized with
the gentleness within him, it would revive dead souls.
What subtlety is in it, it would revive the dead breeze
علىover السّمواتِthe heavens فيهِthrough him الأرضُthe earth قدindeed فخَرَتْhas boasted
على السّمواتِ فيهِ الأرضُ قد فخَرَتْ
والعُرْبُand the Arabs قدindeed شَرُفَتْgained honor فيهِthrough him علىover العَجَمِnon-Arabs
والعُرْبُ قد شَرُفَتْ فيهِ على العَجَمِ
Through him the earth has boasted over the heavens,
Above the heavens, through him the earth prided
and through him the Arabs have gained honor over non-Arabs.
And the Arabs prided over the non-Arabs through him
سُرَّتْrejoiced بمَولدِهِat his birth أمُّthe Mother of القُرىTowns فنَشاso he grew
سُرَّتْ بمَولدِهِ أمُّ القُرى فنَشا
فيin حِجْرِهاher lap وهْوَwhile he طِفلٌa child بالغattaining الحلُمِmaturity
في حِجْرِها وهْوَ طِفلٌ بالغ الحلُمِ
The Mother of Towns rejoiced at his birth, and he grew
The mother of villages delighted at his birth, so he grew up
in her lap, a child already attaining maturity.
In her lap as a child of great forbearance
سيفٌa sword بهِthrough him نُسَخُthe texts of التّوراةِthe Torah قدindeed نُسِخَتْwere abrogated
سيفٌ بهِ نُسَخُ التّوراةِ قد نُسِخَتْ
وآيةُand the sign of السّيفِthe sword تَمحوeffaces آيةَthe sign of القلَمِthe pen
وآيةُ السّيفِ تَمحو آيةَ القلَمِ
A sword through which the Torah's texts were abrogated,
A sword with which the Torah was abrogated, so the
and the sword's sign effaces the pen's sign.
Verse of the sword effaces the verse of the pen
يَغشىhe assails العِداthe foes وهْوَwhile he بسّامٌis smiling إذاwhen عَبَسواthey scowl
يَغشى العِدا وهْوَ بسّامٌ إذا عَبَسوا
والمَوتُand death فيin ضَحَكاتِthe laughter of الصّارمِthe keen sword الخَذِمِthe cleaving
والمَوتُ في ضَحَكاتِ الصّارمِ الخَذِمِ
He assails the foes, smiling when they scowl,
He covers the enemies while smiling, if they frown
while death lies in the laughter of the keen, cleaving sword.
And death smiles amidst the firm, harsh smiter
يفترُّhe parts his lips للضّرْبِfor striking عنْto reveal إيماضِthe flash of صاعِقةٍa lightning bolt
يفترُّ للضّرْبِ عنْ إيماضِ صاعِقةٍ
وللنّدىand for generosity عنto reveal وَميضِthe gleam of العارضِa raincloud الرَّذِمِpouring
وللنّدى عن وَميضِ العارضِ الرَّذِمِ
For battle he parts his lips to reveal a lightning-bolt's flash,
He unsheathes to strike the glittering lightning
and for generosity the gleam of a pouring raincloud.
And the sharp blade from the glittering, fleeting lightning
إذاwhen العَواليlofty spearheads علَيهِaround him بالقَناwith spear-shafts اِشتَبَكَتْinterlaced
إذا العَوالي علَيهِ بالقَنا اِشتَبَكَتْ
ظنَنْتَyou imagine فيin سَرْجِهِhis saddle ضِرْغامَةَa lion of الأُجُمِthe thickets
ظنَنْتَ في سَرْجِهِ ضِرْغامَةَ الأُجُمِ
When lofty spearheads interlace their shafts around him,
When the lofty struggle with him with spears, you think
you imagine in his saddle a lion of the thickets.
There is the darkness of night in his saddling
قدindeed جلَّhe is exalted عنْbeyond سائِرِall التّشبيهِcomparison مَرتبةًin rank
قد جلَّ عنْ سائِرِ التّشبيهِ مَرتبةً
إذfor فوقَهُabove him ليسَthere is not إلّاexcept اللّهُGod فيin العِظَمِgreatness
إذ فوقَهُ ليسَ إلّا اللّهُ في العِظَمِ
His rank is exalted beyond every comparison,
He is too exalted for all simile in rank
for none but God is above him in greatness.
For above him is none but Allah in greatness
شرِّفْhonor بتُربتهِwith his earth العِرنينَthe nose مُنتَشِعاًdrawing it in
شرِّفْ بتُربتهِ العِرنينَ مُنتَشِعاً
فشَمُّfor smelling تُربَتهِhis earth أوفىis worthier منَthan الشَّمَمِlofty pride
فشَمُّ تُربَتهِ أوفى منَ الشَّمَمِ
Honor your nose with his earth, drawing it in,
Honor with his soil the bridles, fervently
for smelling his earth surpasses lofty pride.
For smelling his soil is truer than smelling
هوَhe الحبيبُthe beloved الّذيwhom جُنِنْتُI went mad فيهfor him هوًىin love
هوَ الحبيبُ الّذي جُنِنْتُ فيه هوًى
ياO لائِميmy censurer فيfor هَواهُlove of him كيفَhowever شِئتَyou wish لُمِblame!
يا لائِمي في هَواهُ كيفَ شِئتَ لُمِ
He is the beloved for whom love drove me mad.
He is the beloved whom I passionately loved, O you
O you who blame me for loving him, blame as you will!
Who blame me for his love, however you wished, blame me
أرىI see مَماتيmy death حَياتيmy life فيin محبّتهِlove of him
أرى مَماتي حَياتي في محبّتهِ
ومحنتيand my ordeal وشَقائيand my misery أهنَأَthe sweetest of النِّعَمِblessings
ومحنتي وشَقائي أهنَأَ النِّعَمِ
I see my death as my life in loving him,
I see my life and death in loving him
and my ordeal and misery as the sweetest blessings.
And my tribulation and misery are the most delightful bounties
أسكَنْتُهُI housed him بِجَنانيin my heart وهوَand he جنّتُهُits paradise
أسكَنْتُهُ بِجَناني وهوَ جنّتُهُ
فأثْلجَتْso grew cool فيهِthrough him أحشائيmy inward parts علىamid ضرَمِa blaze
فأثْلجَتْ فيهِ أحشائي على ضرَمِ
I housed him in my heart, and he is its paradise,
I made him reside in my heart while he is its paradise
so my inward parts grew cool through him amid their blaze.
So my insides chilled in him despite inflammation
عيناًan eye تُهوّمُthat dozes إلّاexcept بعدَafter زَورَتهِvisiting him
عيناً تُهوّمُ إلّا بعدَ زَورَتهِ
عَدِمْتُهاmay I lose it وفُؤاداًand a heart فيهِfor him لمnot يَهِمِwandered in love
عَدِمْتُها وفُؤاداً فيهِ لم يَهِمِ
An eye that dozes except after visiting him—
I lost the eye that did not passionately long for him
may I lose it, and a heart that does not wander in love of him!
And the heart that did not care for him
واهاًah! علىfor جُرعةٍa draught منْof ماءِthe water of طَيبةَTayba ليfor me
واهاً على جُرعةٍ منْ ماءِ طَيبةَ لي
يُبَلُّis moistened فيin بَرْدِهاits coolness قَلْبٌa heart إليهfor him ظَميthirsty
يُبَلُّ في بَرْدِها قَلْبٌ إليه ظَمي
Ah, for a draught of Tayba's water for me,
Alas for a sip of the water of Taybah for me
in whose coolness a heart thirsty for him is moistened!
That melts a heart thirsty for it from its coolness
للّهِhow wondrous رَوضةُa garden of قُدسٍholiness عندَbeside مِنبَرِهِhis pulpit
للّهِ رَوضةُ قُدسٍ عندَ مِنبَرِهِ
تعُدُّهاcount it الرُّسْلُthe messengers منْamong جنّاتِthe gardens of عدْنِهمِtheir Eden
تعُدُّها الرُّسْلُ منْ جنّاتِ عدْنِهمِ
How wondrous the holy garden beside his pulpit,
For Allah is a garden of holiness near his pulpit
which the messengers count among their gardens of Eden!
Which the prophets count as one of their gardens of Eden
حديقةٌa garden آسُهاits myrtle التّسبيحُglorification نَرجِسُهاits narcissi
حديقةٌ آسُها التّسبيحُ نَرجِسُها
وسْنىthe drowsiness of عُيونِthe eyes of السّهارىthose keeping vigil فيin قِيامهِمِtheir standing in prayer
وسْنى عُيونِ السّهارى في قِيامهِمِ
A garden whose myrtle is glorification, whose narcissi
A garden whose tree is Glorification, its narcissi
are the drowsy eyes of those keeping vigil in prayer.
The comfort of the eyes of the worshipers during their standing
تبدوappear حَمائِمُهاits doves ليلاًat night فيُؤنِسُهاso comforts them
تبدو حَمائِمُها ليلاً فيُؤنِسُها
رجْعُthe echo of المُصَلّينَthe worshippers فيin أوْرادِthe litanies of ذِكرِهمِtheir remembrance
رجْعُ المُصَلّينَ في أوْرادِ ذِكرِهمِ
Its doves appear by night and are comforted
Its doves appear at night, so it is comforted
by the worshippers' echoes in their litanies of remembrance.
By the return of the praying during their litanies’ rhythm
قدindeed ورّدَتْmade rosy أعيُنُthe eyes of الباكينَthe weepers ساحتَهاits court
قد ورّدَتْ أعيُنُ الباكينَ ساحتَها
ونوّرَتْand illuminated جوَّهاits air نِيرانُthe fires of وَجْدِهمِtheir longing
ونوّرَتْ جوَّها نِيرانُ وَجْدِهمِ
The weepers' eyes have made its court rosy,
The eyes of the crying frequented its grounds
and the fires of their longing have illuminated its air.
And their passion illuminated its atmosphere
كفىsuffices لأهلِfor the people of الهَوىpassion شُبّاكُهُhis latticed window شَبكاًas a net
كفى لأهلِ الهَوى شُبّاكُهُ شَبكاً
فكَمْso how many بهِthere طائراتٌflying ones منْamong قُلوبهمِtheir hearts
فكَمْ بهِ طائراتٌ منْ قُلوبهمِ
His latticed window suffices as a net for lovers:
The window is enough for the passionate as a net
how many of their hearts fly there!
So how many birds of hearts were caught by it
نَبيُّa prophet of صِدْقٍtruth بهِaround him غُرُّthe radiant ones among المَلائِكِthe angels لاnot
نَبيُّ صِدْقٍ بهِ غُرُّ المَلائِكِ لا
تنفكُّcease طائِفةًcircling منby أمرِthe command of رَبِّهمِtheir Lord
تنفكُّ طائِفةً من أمرِ رَبِّهمِ
A prophet of truth, around whom the radiant angels never
A prophet of truth, by him the pride of angels always
cease circling at their Lord's command.
A group of them never part from their Lord's command
والرُسْلُand the messengers لمdid not تأتِهِcome to him إلّاexcept لتَكْسِبَto gain منْfrom
والرُسْلُ لم تأتِهِ إلّا لتَكْسِبَ منْ
سَناهُhis radiance أقمارُهُمْtheir moons نُوراًlight لتِمِّهمِfor their fullness
سَناهُ أقمارُهُمْ نُوراً لتِمِّهمِ
The messengers came to him only so that
The prophets only came to gain by his
their moons might gain from his radiance light for their fullness.
Traits moons for their own, completing their marks
فيهthrough him بَنوthe sons of هاشمٍHashim زادواincreased سَناًin splendor وعُلاًand exaltation
فيه بَنو هاشمٍ زادوا سَناً وعُلاً
فكانَso he was نوراًlight علىupon نورٍlight لشِبْهِهمِthrough their resemblance
فكانَ نوراً على نورٍ لشِبْهِهمِ
Through him the sons of Hashim increased in splendor and exaltation,
Through him the children of Hashim gained glory and elevation
and he was light upon light through their resemblance.
So he was a light upon a light due to their resemblance
أُصولُroots of مَجدٍglory لهُfor him فيin النّصرِsupport قدindeed ضَمِنواthey guaranteed
أُصولُ مَجدٍ لهُ في النّصرِ قد ضَمِنوا
وُصولَهمْtheir reaching للأعاديto the enemies فيthrough نُصولِهمِtheir blades
وُصولَهمْ للأعادي في نُصولِهمِ
Roots of his glory, in supporting him they guaranteed
The meteors of Al-Toor always flared within them
their reach to the enemies through their blades.
Until it gave birth to a sun from their dawns
زهرٌflowers إلىto ماءِwater of عَلياءٍloftiness بهthrough him اِنتَسَبواthey traced their lineage
زهرٌ إلى ماءِ عَلياءٍ به اِنتَسَبوا
أمْسَواthey came by evening إلىto البَدْرِthe full moon وافىthat met الشُهْبَthe stars بالرُجُمِwith missiles
أمْسَوا إلى البَدْرِ وافى الشُهْبَ بالرُجُمِ
Flowers tracing their lineage through him to water on high,
A blossom relating to the bosom of the Exalted, through which they affiliated
they came by evening to the full moon that met the stars with missiles.
They reached the full moon and the gray hair with stoning
مَنْwho مِثلُهمis like them ورَسولُand the Messenger of اللَّهGod واسطةٌa centerpiece
مَنْ مِثلُهم ورَسولُ اللَّه واسطةٌ
لِعقدهمْof their necklace وسِراجٌand a lamp فيin بُيوتهمِtheir houses
لِعقدهمْ وسِراجٌ في بُيوتهمِ
Who is like them, with God's Messenger the centerpiece
Who can compare to them and the Prophet of God is an intermediary
of their necklace and a lamp within their houses?
For their string and a lantern in their homes
ماnot زالceased فيهمْwithin them شِهابُthe flame of الطُّورِal-Tur متّقِداًburning
ما زال فيهمْ شِهابُ الطُّورِ متّقِداً
حتّىuntil تولّدwas born شَمساًas a sun منْfrom ظُهورهِمِtheir loins
حتّى تولّد شَمساً منْ ظُهورهِمِ
The flame of al-Tur kept burning within them
The light never ceased within them, flaming
until it was born a sun from their loins.
Until the enemies were destroyed during their assaults
قدindeed كانhe was سرّاًa secret فؤادُthe heart of الغَيبِthe unseen يُضْمِرهُconcealed him
قد كان سرّاً فؤادُ الغَيبِ يُضْمِرهُ
فضاقَso grew too narrow عنهُfor him فأضحىso he became غيرَnot مُكتَتِمِconcealed
فضاقَ عنهُ فأضحى غيرَ مُكتَتِمِ
He had been a secret held within the heart of the unseen,
Swords of truth for the religion of God, they supported
which grew too narrow for him, and he became unconcealed.
Filth is not purified except by their limits
هَواهُlove of him دينيmy religion وإيمانيand my faith ومُعتقَديand my creed
هَواهُ ديني وإيماني ومُعتقَدي
وحبُّand love of عِترتهِhis kindred عَونيmy aid ومُعتصميand my refuge
وحبُّ عِترتهِ عَوني ومُعتصمي
Love of him is my religion, my faith, and my creed,
By God, the blossoms are not more beautiful than
and love of his kindred is my aid and refuge.
The blossoms of creation amongst them during their generosity
ذرّيّةٌdescendants مثلُlike ماءِthe water of المُزْنِrainclouds قدindeed طَهُرواthey were pure
ذرّيّةٌ مثلُ ماءِ المُزْنِ قد طَهُروا
وطُهِّرواand were purified فصفَتْso became clear أوصافُthe qualities of ذاتهمِtheir essence
وطُهِّروا فصفَتْ أوصافُ ذاتهمِ
Descendants pure as the water of rainclouds,
The yearning find their soil
and purified, so their essential qualities became clear.
A breeze indicating their fragrance
أئمّةٌimams أخذَtook اللّهُGod العُهودَthe covenants لهمْfor them
أئمّةٌ أخذَ اللّهُ العُهودَ لهمْ
علىfrom جميعِall الوَرىcreation منfrom قَبلِbefore خَلْقِهمِtheir creation
على جميعِ الوَرى من قَبلِ خَلْقِهمِ
Imams for whom God took covenants
It is as if their selves are from the breath of the Merciful
from all creation before creating them.
Created, for He folded them in His propagation
قدindeed حقّقَتْconfirmed سُورةُthe sura of الأحزابِal-Ahzab ماwhat جحَدَتْdenied
قد حقّقَتْ سُورةُ الأحزابِ ما جحَدَتْ
أعداؤُهمْtheir enemies وأبانَتْand revealed وجهَthe aspect of فَضلِهمِtheir excellence
أعداؤُهمْ وأبانَتْ وجهَ فَضلِهمِ
Surat al-Ahzab has confirmed what
The Expert knows when he penetrated their knowledge
their enemies denied, and revealed their excellence.
Which of the deep seas are in their chests
كَفاهُمُsufficed them ماwhat بِعَمّىin ʿAmma والضُحىand al-Duha شَرَفاًfor honor
كَفاهُمُ ما بِعَمّى والضُحى شَرَفاً
والنورِand al-Nur والنّجمِand al-Najm منof آيٍverses أتتْcame بهمِconcerning them
والنورِ والنّجمِ من آيٍ أتتْ بهمِ
What is in ʿAmma and al-Duha suffices them for honor,
They asceticized while they are fierce, triumphant lions
and in al-Nur and al-Najm: verses that came concerning them.
So marvel at asceticism and fierceness in their nature
سلِask الحَواميمَthe Ha-Mim suras هلْwhether فيconcerning غَيرهمْothers besides them نزلَتْthey descended
سلِ الحَواميمَ هلْ في غَيرهمْ نزلَتْ
وهلand has أتىcome هلْhas (sura title) أتىcome (sura title) إلّاexcept بمَدحِهمِwith praise of them
وهل أتى هلْ أتى إلّا بمَدحِهمِ
Ask the Ha-Mim suras whether they descended concerning others,
Devout on the prayer niches, and if they witnessed
and whether Hal Ata came except in their praise.
War, they exterminated enemies in their ruin
أكارِمٌnoble ones كرُمَتْwere noble أخلاقُهُمْtheir characters فبَدَتْso appeared
أكارِمٌ كرُمَتْ أخلاقُهُمْ فبَدَتْ
مثلَlike النُجومِstars بماءٍin water فيin صفائِهمِtheir clarity
مثلَ النُجومِ بماءٍ في صفائِهمِ
Noble ones whose characters are noble, appearing
Where are the full moons? If eclipsed for a time and marked
like stars in water through their clarity.
From faces and marked them during their prostration
أطايبٌpure ones يَجدُfinds المُشتاقُthe longing lover تُربتَهُمْtheir earth
أطايبٌ يَجدُ المُشتاقُ تُربتَهُمْ
ريحاًa fragrance تدلُّrevealing علىthe ذاتيّinnate طيبِهمِsweetness of them
ريحاً تدلُّ على ذاتيّ طيبِهمِ
Pure ones whose earth the longing lover finds
And where is the hymn of the necklace of pearls from sūrahs
a fragrance revealing their innate sweetness.
Which they recited standing in their humility
كأنّas though منْfrom نفَسِthe breath of الرّحمنِthe Merciful أنفُسهمْtheir souls
كأنّ منْ نفَسِ الرّحمنِ أنفُسهمْ
مخلوقةٌcreated فهْوَso it مَطويٌّis enfolded بنَشْرِهمِwithin their spreading fragrance
مخلوقةٌ فهْوَ مَطويٌّ بنَشْرِهمِ
As though from the Merciful's breath their souls were
When the cooling of exhalation passes by them, longing
created, that breath enfolded within their spreading fragrance.
Tears flow passionately from their eyes
يَدريknows الخَبيرُthe discerning إذاwhen ماindeed خاضَplunges into عِلمَهمُtheir knowledge
يَدري الخَبيرُ إذا ما خاضَ عِلمَهمُ
أيُّwhat البُحورِoceans الجَواريflowing فيin صُدورهمِtheir breasts
أيُّ البُحورِ الجَواري في صُدورهمِ
The discerning know, when they plunge into their knowledge,
They stood at night so their resting places resented
what oceans flow within their breasts.
Their flank and they prolonged estrangement from their sleep
تنسّكواthey practiced devotion وهمُthough they أُسْدٌlions مظفّرةٌvictorious
تنسّكوا وهمُ أُسْدٌ مظفّرةٌ
فاِعجَبso marvel لنُسكٍat devotion وفتْكٍand fierceness فيin طِباعِهمِtheir natures
فاِعجَب لنُسكٍ وفتْكٍ في طِباعِهمِ
They practiced devotion, though they are victorious lions:
They tasted the comfort of abstinence mixed
marvel at piety and fierceness in their natures!
With passion, so they attained sobriety in their intoxication
علىat المَحاريبِthe prayer niches رُهبانٌmonks وإنand if شَهِدواthey witness
على المَحاريبِ رُهبانٌ وإن شَهِدوا
حرباًwar أبادواthey annihilate الأعاديthe enemies فيwith حِرابِهمِtheir spears
حرباً أبادوا الأعادي في حِرابِهمِ
Monks at prayer niches, yet when they witness
They gained insight so they spent the night vigilant and did not
war, they annihilate their foes with their spears.
Die, thus they are counted as the living in their death
أينَwhere البُدورُthe full moons وإنeven if تمّتْthey become complete سَنىًin splendor وسمَتْand rise high
أينَ البُدورُ وإن تمّتْ سَنىً وسمَتْ
منْbeside أوجُهٍfaces وسَموهاthey marked them فيin سُجودِهمِtheir prostration
منْ أوجُهٍ وسَموها في سُجودِهمِ
Where stand full moons, though complete in splendor and high,
The swords of truth for God's religion which they supported
beside faces they have marked through prostration?
Filth is not purified except by their limits
وأينَand where تَرتيلُthe ordered arrangement of عقدِa necklace of الدُرِّpearls منbeside سُوَرٍsuras
وأينَ تَرتيلُ عقدِ الدُرِّ من سُوَرٍ
قدindeed رتّلوهاthey recited them قِياماًstanding فيin خُشوعِهمِtheir humility
قد رتّلوها قِياماً في خُشوعِهمِ
And where stands the ordered stringing of pearl necklaces beside suras
By Allah, the blossoms are not more beautiful than
they have recited standing in their humility?
The blossoms of creatures amongst them during their generosity
إذاwhen هَوىlonging for عينthe spring of تَسنيمٍTasnim يهُبُّstirs بهمْwithin them
إذا هَوى عين تَسنيمٍ يهُبُّ بهمْ
تدفّقَstreams الدّمعُtears شَوقاًin yearning منfrom عُيونهمِtheir eyes
تدفّقَ الدّمعُ شَوقاً من عُيونهمِ
When longing for the spring of Tasnim stirs them,
They are him, and he them, my masters and my support
tears stream from their eyes in yearning.
I have no strength, and the Kaaba of my Islam and my Qibla
قامواthey stood in prayer الدُجىthrough darkness فتجافَتْso drew away عنfrom مَضاجعِهاtheir beds
قاموا الدُجى فتجافَتْ عن مَضاجعِها
جُنوبُهُمْtheir sides وأطالواand they prolonged هَجرَforsaking نَومِهمِtheir sleep
جُنوبُهُمْ وأطالوا هَجرَ نَومِهمِ
They stood through the darkness, their sides drawing away
Thanks to my Lord's bounties, for inspiring me
from their beds, prolonging their abandonment of sleep.
Them, and quenching me the cup of their love
ذاقواthey tasted منfrom الحبِّlove راحاًwine بالنُهىwith reason مُزِجَتْwas mixed
ذاقوا من الحبِّ راحاً بالنُهى مُزِجَتْ
فأدركواso they attained الصّحوَsobriety فيin حالاتِthe states of سُكرِهمِtheir intoxication
فأدركوا الصّحوَ في حالاتِ سُكرِهمِ
They tasted love's wine mixed with reason,
I have gained honor through them, imitating, and that suffices
and attained sobriety within their states of intoxication.
For pride that I am a branch from their roots
تبصّرواthey gained insight فقضَوْاso fulfilled نَحباًa mortal term وماand not قُبِضواwere taken in death
تبصّروا فقضَوْا نَحباً وما قُبِضوا
لِذاtherefore يُعدّونَthey are counted أحياءًalive لمَوتهمِbecause of their death
لِذا يُعدّونَ أحياءً لمَوتهمِ
They gained insight and fulfilled their mortal term without being taken in death,
I came to take pride in relating to them through carpentry
and so are counted alive because of their death.
For my creed is that I am one of their servants
سُيوفُswords of حقٍّtruth لدينfor the religion of اللَّهGod قدindeed نصَرواthey gave victory
سُيوفُ حقٍّ لدين اللَّه قد نصَروا
لاnot يَطْهُرُis cleansed الرِّجْسُimpurity إلّاexcept فيby حُدودِهمِtheir edges
لا يَطْهُرُ الرِّجْسُ إلّا في حُدودِهمِ
Swords of truth, they have upheld God's religion;
My master, O Prophet of God, take my hand
impurity is cleansed only by their edges.
For I have borne a burden in which I cannot stand
تَاللّهِby God ماnot الزّهرُflowers غِبَّafter القَطْرِrain أحسَنَlovelier منْthan
تَاللّهِ ما الزّهرُ غِبَّ القَطْرِ أحسَنَ منْ
زَهرِthe blossoms of الخلائِقِcharacter traits منهمْfrom them حينَat the time of جُودِهمِtheir generosity
زَهرِ الخلائِقِ منهمْ حينَ جُودِهمِ
By God, flowers after rain are not lovelier than
I seek God's forgiveness for what I have infringed
the blossoms of their virtues when they give.
Upon myself, and my shame from it, and my regret
همُthey وإيّاهُand him ساداتيmy masters ومُستَنَديand my support الthe
همُ وإيّاهُ ساداتي ومُستَنَدي ال
أقوىstrongest وكعبةُand the Kaaba of إسلاميmy Islam ومُستَلَميand my object of reverent touch
أقوى وكعبةُ إسلامي ومُستَلَمي
They and he are my masters and my support, the
If you will not intercede for me in the Hereafter, then who
strongest, the Kaaba of my Islam and my object of reverent touch.
Can protect me from God's torment and vengeance?
شُكراًthanks لآلاءfor the favors of ربّيmy Lord حيثُsince ألهمَنيHe inspired me with
شُكراً لآلاء ربّي حيثُ ألهمَني
ولاهُمُallegiance to them وسَقانيand gave me to drink كأسَthe cup of حُبّهمِtheir love
ولاهُمُ وسَقاني كأسَ حُبّهمِ
Thanks for my Lord's favors, for He inspired in me
My master, the prayer of one in need of your support
allegiance to them and gave me the cup of their love.
From what is bad and what leads to accusation
لقدindeed تشرّفْتُI gained nobility فيهمْthrough them محْتِداًin lineage وكَفىand it suffices
لقد تشرّفْتُ فيهمْ محْتِداً وكَفى
فخراًfor pride بأنّيَthat I فرعٌa branch منْof أصولِهمِtheir roots
فخراً بأنّيَ فرعٌ منْ أصولِهمِ
I have gained nobility through them in lineage, and it suffices
My bones wear out, and the love of you in them
for pride that I am a branch of their roots.
Is lasting passion and desire without end
أصبَحْتُI have become أُعزىascribed إليهمْto them بالنّجارِby descent علىalthough
أصبَحْتُ أُعزى إليهمْ بالنّجارِ على
أنّthat اِعتقادِيَmy belief أنّيthat I منْamong عَبيدهمِtheir slaves
أنّ اِعتقادِيَ أنّي منْ عَبيدهمِ
I am ascribed to them by descent, although
No mention of you passes except binding me
my belief is that I am one of their slaves.
To prose of tears and compose poems in my speech
ياO سيّديmy master ياO رسولَMessenger of اللَّهِGod خُذْtake بيَديmy hand
يا سيّدي يا رسولَ اللَّهِ خُذْ بيَدي
فقدْfor indeed تحمّلْتُI have borne عِبئاًa burden فيهin bearing it لمْnot أقُمِdid I stand firm
فقدْ تحمّلْتُ عِبئاً فيه لمْ أقُمِ
O my master, O Messenger of God, take my hand:
Blessings of God be upon you whenever the spirits
I have borne a burden I have not managed to sustain.
Of the devout became intoxicated by the comfort of remembering you
أَستغفِرُI ask forgiveness of اللَّهَGod ممّاfor what قدindeed جَنَيْتُI committed علىagainst
أَستغفِرُ اللَّهَ ممّا قد جَنَيْتُ على
نفسيmyself وياand oh خَجَليmy shame منهُbefore Him وياand oh ندَميmy remorse
نفسي ويا خَجَلي منهُ ويا ندَمي
I ask God's forgiveness for what I have committed against
myself—how ashamed I am before Him, how remorseful!
إنْif لمnot تكُنْyou are ليfor me شَفيعاًan intercessor فيat المَعادِthe Return فمَنْthen who
إنْ لم تكُنْ لي شَفيعاً في المَعادِ فمَنْ
يُجيرُنيwill protect me منfrom عَذابِthe punishment of اللَّهGod والنِقَمِand retributions
يُجيرُني من عَذابِ اللَّه والنِقَمِ
If you are not my intercessor at the Return, who
will protect me from God's punishment and retributions?
مَولايَmy master دعوةَthe plea of محتاجٍone in need لنُصرَتِكُمْof your help
مَولايَ دعوةَ محتاجٍ لنُصرَتِكُمْ
ممّاagainst what يَسوءُharms وماand what يُفضيleads إلىto التُهمِaccusations
ممّا يَسوءُ وما يُفضي إلى التُهمِ
My master, hear the plea of one in need of your help
against what harms and what leads to accusations.
تَبلىwill decay عِظاميmy bones وَفيهاand within them منfrom مودّتِكُمdevotion to you
تَبلى عِظامي وَفيها من مودّتِكُم
هوىًlove مُقيمٌabiding وشوقٌand yearning غيرُnot منصرِمِending
هوىً مُقيمٌ وشوقٌ غيرُ منصرِمِ
My bones will decay, yet within them, from devotion to you,
abides an enduring love and an unending yearning.
ماnever مرّpassed ذِكرُكُمyour remembrance إلّاexcept وأَلزَمنيand it obliged me
ما مرّ ذِكرُكُم إلّا وأَلزَمني
نثرَthe scattering of الدموعِtears ونَظمَand the stringing of المَدْحِpraise فيin كَلِميmy words
نثرَ الدموعِ ونَظمَ المَدْحِ في كَلِمي
Your remembrance never passes without obliging me
to scatter tears and string praise within my words.
علَيكمُupon you صَلواتُthe blessings of اللّهِGod ماas long as سَكِرَتْbecame intoxicated
علَيكمُ صَلواتُ اللّهِ ما سَكِرَتْ
أرواحُthe souls of أهلِthe people of التُقىpiety فيin راحِthe wine of ذِكرِهمِtheir remembrance
أرواحُ أهلِ التُقى في راحِ ذِكرِهمِ
Upon you be God's blessings as long as
the souls of the pious grow drunk on the wine of their remembrance.
Partial English translation: 202 of 214 Arabic lines translated.