أصبحتُ بين خصاصةٍ وتجمُّلٍ

أصبحتُ بين خصاصةٍ وتجمُّلٍ

والمرءُ بينهما يموتُ هزيلا

والمرءُ بينهما يموتُ هزيلا

I am now caught between poverty and keeping up appearances,

I have fallen between deprivation and pretentiousness

and between the two a man dies emaciated.

And a man between them dies frail

فامددْ إليَّ يداً تعوّدَ بطنُها

فامددْ إليَّ يداً تعوّدَ بطنُها

بذلَ النّوالِ وظهرُها التقبيلا

بذلَ النّوالِ وظهرُها التقبيلا

So extend to me a hand whose palm is accustomed

So extend to me a hand whose palm is accustomed

to bestowing gifts, and whose back to being kissed.

To giving drinks and whose back is accustomed to kissing

نبتِ البقاعُ بجنب عبدِكَ ضاحياً

نبتِ البقاعُ بجنب عبدِكَ ضاحياً

فامهدْ لعبدك في ذَراك مَقِيلا

فامهدْ لعبدك في ذَراك مَقِيلا

The lands have given your servant's side no rest, leaving him exposed to the sun;

The lands have sprouted next to Your servant thriving

so prepare for your servant a midday resting place in your shelter.

So prepare for Your servant in Your vastness a resting place

وأفي عليه الظلَّ بعد زوالهِ

وأفي عليه الظلَّ بعد زوالهِ

لا زال ظِلُّكَ ما حييتَ ظليلا

لا زال ظِلُّكَ ما حييتَ ظليلا

And restore the shade over him after it has gone;

And grant him shade after its passing

may your shade remain deep and sheltering for as long as you live.

Your shade will never disappear as long as You give life to the frail