آلَتcame to أُمورُthe affairs الشِركِof polytheism شَرَّthe worst مَآلِend
آلَت أُمورُ الشِركِ شَرَّ مَآلِ
وَأَقَرَّand it submitted بَعدَafter تَخَمُّطٍfierce pride وَصِيالِand assault
وَأَقَرَّ بَعدَ تَخَمُّطٍ وَصِيالِ
Polytheism's affairs have come to the worst of ends.
The affairs of polytheism ended in the worst outcome,
The schemes of Polytheism met a vile end,
And it submitted, after fierce pride and assault.
And settled down after much turmoil and wailing.
Quelled and subdued after their violent trend.
غَضِبَgrew angry الخَليفَةُthe caliph لِلخِلافَةِfor the caliphate غَضبَةًwith a wrath
غَضِبَ الخَليفَةُ لِلخِلافَةِ غَضبَةً
رَخُصَتbecame cheap لَهاfor it المُهجاتُlives وَهيَthough they were غَواليprecious
رَخُصَت لَها المُهجاتُ وَهيَ غَوالي
The caliph grew angry for the caliphate with a wrath
The caliph was enraged regarding the caliphate with great rage,
The Caliph’s wrath for the Caliphate arose,
for which lives grew cheap, though they were precious.
The cities were made easy prey for him while he assaulted them.
Spending dear souls as cheap to crush his foes.
لَمّاwhen اِنتَضىhe unsheathed جَهلَthe reckless fury السُيوفِof swords لِبابَكٍagainst Babak
لَمّا اِنتَضى جَهلَ السُيوفِ لِبابَكٍ
أَغمَدنَthey sheathed عَنهُaway from him جَهالَةَthe recklessness الجُهّالِof fools
أَغمَدنَ عَنهُ جَهالَةَ الجُهّالِ
When he unsheathed the swords' reckless fury against Babak,
When the ignorance of the swords rose up against Babak,
When he drew the swords’ blind fury against Babak’s might,
they sheathed the fools' reckless fury against him.
It sheathed its blade from him out of ignorance of the ignorant.
They sheathed the ignorance of fools in endless night.
فَلِأَذرَبيجانَso Azerbaijan has اِختِيالٌa proud bearing بَعدَماafter
فَلِأَذرَبيجانَ اِختِيالٌ بَعدَما
كانَتshe had been مُعَرَّسَa resting place عَبرَةٍof tears وَنَكالِand punishment
كانَت مُعَرَّسَ عَبرَةٍ وَنَكالِ
So Azerbaijan bears herself proudly, after
So Azerbaijan has become arrogant after it
Now Azerbaijan struts in robes of pride,
having been a resting place of tears and punishment.
Had been a lesson and example of destruction and suffering.
Where once only anguish and torment did abide.
سَمُجَتshe was ugly وَنَبَّهَناand alerted us عَلىto اِستِسماجِهاdeeming her ugly
سَمُجَت وَنَبَّهَنا عَلى اِستِسماجِها
ماwhat حَولَهاaround her مِنof نَضرَةٍverdure وَجَمالِand beauty
ما حَولَها مِن نَضرَةٍ وَجَمالِ
She was ugly, and what made us deem her so
It intoxicated us and alerted us to its intoxication
It had grown foul, yet we only knew its blight
was the verdure and beauty surrounding her.
Due to its blossoming and beauty all around it.
By the contrasting bloom of beauty and light.
وَكَذاكَand likewise لَمdid not تُفرِطbecome extreme كَآبَةُthe gloom عاطِلٍof an unadorned woman
وَكَذاكَ لَم تُفرِط كَآبَةُ عاطِلٍ
حَتّىuntil يُجاوِرَهاsets beside her الزَمانُtime بِحاليan adorned woman
حَتّى يُجاوِرَها الزَمانُ بِحالي
Likewise, an unadorned woman's gloom does not become extreme
Neither did the gloom of a jobless person continue
Just as a bare neck seems not so stark and bare
until time sets an adorned woman beside her.
Until time joined it in the same state.
Until a jeweled throat comes to neighbor there.
أَطلَقتَهاyou freed her مِنfrom كَيدِهِhis scheming وَكَأَنَّماand as though
أَطلَقتَها مِن كَيدِهِ وَكَأَنَّما
كانَتshe was بِهِby him مَعقولَةًhobbled بِعِقالِwith a tether
كانَت بِهِ مَعقولَةً بِعِقالِ
You freed her from his scheming, as though
You saved it from his plot as if
You freed the land from his plotting and his snare,
through him she had been hobbled with a tether.
It had been tied down by reason and intellect.
As though it were hobbled by a rope of despair.
خُرُقٌfolly مِنَon the part of الأَيّامِthe days مَدَّraised بِضَبعِهِby his upper arm
خُرُقٌ مِنَ الأَيّامِ مَدَّ بِضَبعِهِ
صُعُداًupward وَأَعطاهُand gave him بِغَيرِwithout سُؤالِasking
صُعُداً وَأَعطاهُ بِغَيرِ سُؤالِ
Time's folly raised him by the arm
A breach of days extended its paws
A fool of fortune stretched his arm up high,
high, and gave to him unasked.
And it gave him gifts without asking.
Granted gifts by Fate without a questioning sigh.
خافَfeared العَزيزُthe mighty بِهِbecause of him الذَليلَthe lowly وَغودِرَتand were left
خافَ العَزيزُ بِهِ الذَليلَ وَغودِرَت
نَبَعاتُnabʿ trees نَجدٍof Najd سُجَّداًprostrate لِلضالِbefore wild lote trees
نَبَعاتُ نَجدٍ سُجَّداً لِلضالِ
Through him the mighty feared the lowly, and
The mighty feared the lowly because of it and
Through him the mighty came to fear the low,
Najd's nabʿ trees were left prostrate before wild lote trees.
The springs of Nejd bowed down to the lost.
And noble cedars bowed to weeds in woe.
قَدindeed أُترِعَتwere filled مِنهُby him الجَوانِحُbreasts رَهبَةًwith dread
قَد أُترِعَت مِنهُ الجَوانِحُ رَهبَةً
بَطَلَتcame to nothing لَدَيهاbefore it سَورَةُthe fury الأَبطالِof champions
بَطَلَت لَدَيها سَورَةُ الأَبطالِ
Breasts were filled by him with a dread
The wild beasts were frightened of it to the point
Hearts were filled to the brim with dread and fright,
before which the champions' fury came to nothing.
That the chapter of heroes was rendered futile before it.
Quelling the hero’s surge and martial might.
لَوif لَمnot يُزاحِفهُمhe marched against them لَزاحَفَهُمwould have marched against them لَهُfor him
لَو لَم يُزاحِفهُم لَزاحَفَهُم لَهُ
ماwhat فيin صُدورِهِمُtheir breasts مِنَof الأَوجالِfears
ما في صُدورِهِمُ مِنَ الأَوجالِ
Had he not marched against them, there would have marched for him
If he did not make them give allegiance they would have given allegiance,
Had he not marched, the terrors in their breast
the fears within their breasts.
Due to what was in their breasts of burdens.
Would have marched for him at his behest.
بَحرٌa sea مِنَof المَكروهِaffliction عَبَّsurged عُبابُهُits billowing flood
بَحرٌ مِنَ المَكروهِ عَبَّ عُبابُهُ
وَلَقَدand indeed بَداit appeared وَشَلاًas a trickle مِنَamong الأَوشالِtrickles
وَلَقَد بَدا وَشَلاً مِنَ الأَوشالِ
A sea of affliction, its billowing flood surged,
A sea of hated things, its billows overflowed,
A sea of loathing whose waves rose high and steep,
though indeed it had begun as a trickle among trickles.
And it certainly appeared weak and failing from the eddies.
Yet seemed a mere trickle to the ocean deep.
جَفَّتdried up بِهِthrough him النِعَمُthe blessings النَواعِمُluxuriant وَاِنثَنَتand became
جَفَّت بِهِ النِعَمُ النَواعِمُ وَاِنثَنَت
سُرُجُthe lamps الهُدىof guidance فيهِin it بِغَيرِwithout ذُبالِwicks
سُرُجُ الهُدى فيهِ بِغَيرِ ذُبالِ
Through him luxuriant blessings dried up, and
The gentle blessings dried up because of it and
Soft graces withered in his arid wake,
there, guidance's lamps were left without wicks.
The lamp of guidance in it was extinguished without a wick.
And lamps of guidance failed, for darkness' sake.
وَأَباحَand he exposed نَصلَto the blade السَيفِof the sword كُلَّevery مُرَشَّحٍnursling
وَأَباحَ نَصلَ السَيفِ كُلَّ مُرَشَّحٍ
لَمnot يَحمَرِرhad reddened دَمُهُhis blood مِنَamong الأَطفالِthe children
لَم يَحمَرِر دَمُهُ مِنَ الأَطفالِ
He exposed to the sword's blade every nursling
And it permitted the blades of swords against every fighter
He fed the sword-blade every budding life,
among children whose blood had not yet reddened.
Whose blood had not been shed since childhood.
Babes whose blood had yet to know the knife.
ماnot حَلَّhe dwelt فيin الدُنياthe world فُواقَfor a brief interval بَكِيَّةٍof weeping
ما حَلَّ في الدُنيا فُواقَ بَكِيَّةٍ
حَتّىbefore دَعاهُsummoned him السَيفُthe sword بِالتَرحالِto depart
حَتّى دَعاهُ السَيفُ بِالتَرحالِ
He had not stayed in this world for a sob's brief pause
Nothing in the world was long-lasting except sorrow
He tarried not a moment’s breath or space
before the sword summoned him to depart.
Until the sword summoned it to travel.
Before the sword-edge called him from his place.
رُعباًout of terror أَراهُthat showed him أَنَّهُthat لَمnot يَقتُلِhad slain الآthe li- (lions)
رُعباً أَراهُ أَنَّهُ لَم يَقتُلِ الآ
سادَ-ons (lions) مَنwhoever أَبقىshowed mercy عَلىto الأَشبالِthe cubs
سادَ مَن أَبقى عَلى الأَشبالِ
Terror taught him that no one had slain the lions
I saw that its killing did not kill except
Terror taught him he had not slain the pride,
who had shown mercy to the cubs.
Those who remained of the youth.
But spared the cubs who in the lair abide.
لَوhad عايَنَwitnessed الدَجّالُthe Dajjal بَعضَsome فَعالِهِof his deeds
لَو عايَنَ الدَجّالُ بَعضَ فَعالِهِ
لَاِنهَلَّwould have streamed دَمعُthe tears الأَعوَرِof the one-eyed الدَجّالِDajjal
لَاِنهَلَّ دَمعُ الأَعوَرِ الدَجّالِ
Had the Dajjal witnessed some of his deeds,
If the Antichrist were to witness some of its deeds
Had the Antichrist but seen his wicked art,
the one-eyed Dajjal's tears would have streamed.
The tear of the one-eyed Antichrist would flow.
Tears would flow from that one-eyed monster's heart.
أَعطىgranted أَميرُthe Commander المُؤمِنينَof the Faithful سُيوفَهُhis swords
أَعطى أَميرُ المُؤمِنينَ سُيوفَهُ
فيهِconcerning him الرِضاapproval وَحُكومَةَand the authority المُقتالِof an unfettered arbiter
فيهِ الرِضا وَحُكومَةَ المُقتالِ
The Commander of the Faithful granted his swords
The Commander of the Faithful gave his swords
The Commander of the Faithful gave his steel
his approval against him, and an arbiter's unrestricted power,
Both contentment and authority to kill.
Full reign to judge and make the rebel kneel.
مُستَيقِناًbeing certain أَنthat سَوفَwould يَمحوَerase قَتلُهُkilling him
مُستَيقِناً أَن سَوفَ يَمحوَ قَتلُهُ
ماwhatever كانَhad occurred مِنof سَهوٍoversight وَمِنand of إِغفالِneglect
ما كانَ مِن سَهوٍ وَمِن إِغفالِ
certain that killing him would erase
Certain that its killing would erase
Certain that his death would wash away
all earlier oversight and neglect,
Whatever mistakes and oversights there were.
The negligence and errors of yesterday.
مِثلُlike الصَلاةِprayer إِذاwhen أُقيمَتduly performed أَصلَحَتit sets right
مِثلُ الصَلاةِ إِذا أُقيمَت أَصلَحَت
ماwhat قَبلَهاpreceded it مِنof سائِرِall الأَعمالِdeeds
ما قَبلَها مِن سائِرِ الأَعمالِ
like prayer, which, when duly performed, sets right
Like the prayer, if it is established it corrects
Like prayer, when offered true and rites are said,
all the deeds that came before it.
Whatever deeds preceded it from all acts.
Redeems the past and sanctifies the dead.
فَرَماهُso he struck him بِالأَفشينِwith al-Afshin بِالنَجمِwith the star الَّذيthat
فَرَماهُ بِالأَفشينِ بِالنَجمِ الَّذي
صَدَعَrent الدُجىthe darkness صَدعَlike rending الرِداءِa cloak الباليthreadbare
صَدَعَ الدُجى صَدعَ الرِداءِ البالي
So he hurled al-Afshin against him, the star that
So he threw at him the virtuous with the star that
He cast Afshin against him like a star
rent the darkness as one tears a threadbare cloak.
Split the darkness, split the worn-out cloak.
That rends the dark as tattered garments are.
لاقاهُhe met him بِالكاويwith cautery العَنيفِfierce بِدائِهِfor his disease
لاقاهُ بِالكاوي العَنيفِ بِدائِهِ
لَمّاwhen رَآهُhe saw him لَمnot يُفِقrecover بِالطاليthrough the salve-applier
لَمّا رَآهُ لَم يُفِق بِالطالي
He met him with fierce cautery for his disease,
He met him with the burning spearhead with his affliction,
He met the sickness with a brand of fire;
when he saw that salves had not cured him.
When he saw that he did not regain consciousness after being wrapped.
No gentle spell could check that fever dire.
ياO يَومَday أَرشَقَof Arshaq كُنتَyou were رَشقَa volley مَنِيَّةٍof death
يا يَومَ أَرشَقَ كُنتَ رَشقَ مَنِيَّةٍ
لِلخُرَّمِيَّةِagainst the Khurramiyya صائِبِunerringly striking الآجالِlife-terms
لِلخُرَّمِيَّةِ صائِبِ الآجالِ
O day of Arshaq, you were death's volley,
O day you shone, you were the death shroud
O Day of Arshaq, you were Death’s own dart,
striking the Khurramiyya's lives unerringly.
For the vile one, the fated one of death.
Striking the Khurramites within the heart.
قَدindeed شَمَّرواthey bared عَنaway from سوقِهِمtheir shins فيin ساعَةٍan hour
قَد شَمَّروا عَن سوقِهِم في ساعَةٍ
أَمَرَتthat commanded إِزارَthe waistcloth الحَربِof war بِالإِسبالِto trail
أَمَرَت إِزارَ الحَربِ بِالإِسبالِ
They bared their shins in an hour
They rolled up their sleeves in an hour
They bared their shins for flight in desperate hour,
that bade war let down its waistcloth.
When the command ordered pulling up the waist wrapper.
When War let down her skirts with heavy power.
وَكَذاكَand thus ماnot تَنجَرُّare dragged أَذيالُthe hems الوَغىof battle
وَكَذاكَ ما تَنجَرُّ أَذيالُ الوَغى
إِلّاexcept غَداةَon the morning of تَشَمُّرِtucking up الأَذيالِthe hems
إِلّا غَداةَ تَشَمُّرِ الأَذيالِ
And thus the hems of battle are not trailed
Just as the train of commotion is never dragged
For the robes of battle trail upon the ground
except on a morning when hems are tucked up.
Except on the morning of tucking up the trains.
Only when tucked-up garments flee the sound.
لَمّاwhen رَآهُمhe saw them بابَكٌBabak دونَbarring المُنىthe hopes
لَمّا رَآهُم بابَكٌ دونَ المُنى
هَجَرَhe abandoned الغَوايَةَerror بَعدَafter طولِlong وِصالِintimacy
هَجَرَ الغَوايَةَ بَعدَ طولِ وِصالِ
When Babak saw them barring his hopes,
When Babak saw them close to destruction
When Babak saw his hopes had turned to dust,
he abandoned error after long intimacy.
He renounced misguidance after a long association.
He left the error he had held in trust.
تَخِذَhe took الفِرارَflight أَخاًas a brother وَأَيقَنَand became certain أَنَّهُthat he
تَخِذَ الفِرارَ أَخاً وَأَيقَنَ أَنَّهُ
صِرِّيُّa trueborn scion عَزمٍin resolve مِنof أَبيAbu سَمّالِSammal
صِرِّيُّ عَزمٍ مِن أَبي سَمّالِ
He made flight his brother and knew himself
He took flight as a brother and was certain that he
He took flight for a brother, knowing well
a trueborn scion, in resolve, of Abu Sammal.
Was resolute, from Abu Sammal.
That firm resolve had rung his final knell.
قَدindeed كانَhad been حُزنُthe rugged difficulty الخَطبِof the crisis فيin أَحزانِهِhis rugged terrain
قَد كانَ حُزنُ الخَطبِ في أَحزانِهِ
فَدَعاهُso summoned him داعيthe caller الحَينِof doom لِلإِسهالِto the plains
فَدَعاهُ داعي الحَينِ لِلإِسهالِ
The crisis's difficulty had lain in his rugged country;
The worry of misfortune was part of his worries
His strength lay in the rugged mountain steep,
then doom's herald summoned him onto the plains.
So the caller of the time called him for diarrhea.
But Death called him to valleys low and deep.
لَبِسَتput on لَهُfor him خُدَعُthe stratagems الحُروبِof war زَخارِفاًfinery
لَبِسَت لَهُ خُدَعُ الحُروبِ زَخارِفاً
فَرَّقنَthey parted بَينَbetween الهَضبِthe crags وَالأَوعالِand the ibex
فَرَّقنَ بَينَ الهَضبِ وَالأَوعالِ
War's stratagems donned finery for him
The tricks of wars adorned it with vain things
War’s stratagems put on a gilded guise,
that parted the crags from their ibex.
That separated between the plateau and valleys.
To sever ibex from the hills they prize.
وَوَرَدنَand they reached موقاناًMuqan عَلَيهِagainst him شَوازِباًas lean steeds
وَوَرَدنَ موقاناً عَلَيهِ شَوازِباً
شُعثاًshaggy بِشُعثٍwith shaggy riders كَالقَطاlike sandgrouse الأَرسالِin flocks
شُعثاً بِشُعثٍ كَالقَطا الأَرسالِ
And lean steeds came upon him at Muqan,
And they advanced toward him with straightened gray hair,
They reached Muqan, lean steeds of dusty hue,
shaggy with shaggy riders, like flocks of sandgrouse.
Disheveled with dishevelment like unleashed cats.
Like flocks of sandgrouse when the dawn is new.
يَحمِلنَthey carried كُلَّevery مُدَجَّجٍarmored warrior سُمرُbrown shafts القَناof spears
يَحمِلنَ كُلَّ مُدَجَّجٍ سُمرُ القَنا
بِإِهابِهِto his skin أَولىmore entitled مِنَthan السِربالِthe tunic
بِإِهابِهِ أَولى مِنَ السِربالِ
They carried every armored warrior: brown spear-shafts
Each armed man carries the reddish dye of henna,
Bearing armored men whose tawny spears
had more claim to his skin than his tunic.
More appropriate on him than the overlapping garment.
Cling closer than the shirts the warrior wears.
خَلَطَhe mingled الشَجاعَةَcourage بِالحَياءِwith modesty فَأَصبَحاso the two became
خَلَطَ الشَجاعَةَ بِالحَياءِ فَأَصبَحا
كَالحُسنِlike beauty شيبَmingled لِمُغرَمٍfor a lover بِدَلالِwith coyness
كَالحُسنِ شيبَ لِمُغرَمٍ بِدَلالِ
He blended courage with modesty, until the two became
It mixed courage with shame so they became
He blended valor with a modest air,
like beauty mingled with coyness for a lover.
Like beauty - white hair for one passionately in love.
Like beauty mixed with coyness in the fair.
فَنَجاso he escaped وَلَوand had يَثقَفنَهُthey caught him لَتَرَكنَهُthey would have left him
فَنَجا وَلَو يَثقَفنَهُ لَتَرَكنَهُ
بِالقاعِon the plain غَيرَnot مُوَصَّلِjoined الأَوصالِin limb
بِالقاعِ غَيرَ مُوَصَّلِ الأَوصالِ
So he escaped; had they caught him, they would have left him
So he escaped, and if they had found him they would have left him
He fled—had they but caught him in that chase,
on the plain, his limbs no longer joined.
On the ground with severed limbs.
They’d left his severed limbs upon the place.
وَاِنصاعَand he turned away عَنfrom موقانَMuqan وَهيَwhile she was لِجُندِهِfor his army
وَاِنصاعَ عَن موقانَ وَهيَ لِجُندِهِ
وَلَهُand for him أَبٌa father بَرٌّkindly وَأُمُّand a mother عِيالِof children
وَلَهُ أَبٌ بَرٌّ وَأُمُّ عِيالِ
He turned away from Muqan, though to his army
He escaped from Mauqan while its army
From Muqan he retreated, though it stood
and to him she was a kindly father and a mother of children.
Had a righteous father and a family dependent on him.
As father, mother, to his soldier brood.
كَمhow often أَرضَعَتهُshe suckled him الرِسلَmilk لَوif only أَنَّindeed القَناthe spears
كَم أَرضَعَتهُ الرِسلَ لَو أَنَّ القَنا
تَرَكَhad left الرِضاعَsuckling لَهُto him بِغَيرِwithout فِضالِweaning
تَرَكَ الرِضاعَ لَهُ بِغَيرِ فِضالِ
How often she had suckled him with milk—if only the spears
How many letters would have suckled him if the spear
How often it had nursed him at its breast!
had left him suckling without weaning!
Had left suckling him without further merit.
Had spears not weaned him from that place of rest.
هَيهاتَfar from it! رُوِّعَwas terrified روعُهُhis heart بِفَوارِسٍby horsemen
هَيهاتَ رُوِّعَ روعُهُ بِفَوارِسٍ
فيin الحَربِwar لاneither كُشُفٍunshielded وَلاnor أَميالِunsteady
في الحَربِ لا كُشُفٍ وَلا أَميالِ
Far from it! His very heart was terrified by horsemen
Alas - his spirit was frightened by horsemen
Alas! His heart was struck by knights of fame,
who in war were neither shieldless nor unsteady.
In war, without disclosure or milestones.
Who in the fray expose no flank to shame.
جَعَلواthey made القَناthe spears الدَرَجاتِstairways لِلكَذَجاتِto the villages ذاpossessing (continued)
جَعَلوا القَنا الدَرَجاتِ لِلكَذَجاتِ ذا
تِ(completes 'possessing') الغيلِthickets وَالحَرَجاتِand dense woods وَالأَدحالِand tangled cover
تِ الغيلِ وَالحَرَجاتِ وَالأَدحالِ
They made their spears stairways to the villages,
They made the spear the stairways for the stupid, those
They made their spears a ladder to the height,
with their thickets, dense woods, and tangled cover.
With filth, roughness, and meanness.
Through thicket, cave, and fortress in the night.
فَأُولاكَso those هُمthey قَدindeed أَصبَحواhave become وَشُروبُهُمwith their drinking companions
فَأُولاكَ هُم قَد أَصبَحوا وَشُروبُهُم
يَتَنادَمونَdrink together كُؤوسَcups سوءِof wretchedness الحالِof condition
يَتَنادَمونَ كُؤوسَ سوءِ الحالِ
Those men now, along with their drinking companions,
So those have become in the morning whilst their drinking
Now they and all their comrades drain the cup
share cups of wretched fortune.
Makes them regret the cups of bad state.
Of bitter fortune that the Fates fill up.
ماnot طالَlasted long بَغيٌtyranny قَطُّever إِلّاexcept غادَرَتleft
ما طالَ بَغيٌ قَطُّ إِلّا غادَرَت
غُلَواؤُهُits excess الأَعمارَlifetimes غَيرَnot طِوالِlong
غُلَواؤُهُ الأَعمارَ غَيرَ طِوالِ
No tyranny ever lasted long but
No oppression ever became prolonged
No tyranny endures for long, but brings
its excess left lifetimes short.
Except that its darkness outlived ages without end.
A swift and sudden end to tyrant kings.
وَبِهَضبَتَيand at the two heights of أَبرَشتَويمَAbrashtawim وَدَروَذٍand Darwadh
وَبِهَضبَتَي أَبرَشتَويمَ وَدَروَذٍ
لَقِحتِshe conceived لَقاحَthe conception النَصرِof victory بَعدَafter حِيالِbarrenness
لَقِحتِ لَقاحَ النَصرِ بَعدَ حِيالِ
At the two heights of Abrashtawim and Darwadh,
And by the plateaus of Abarshtauim and Darauz
At Abrashtawim and Darwadh’s steep terrain,
she conceived victory after barrenness.
It was pollinated with the pollen of victory after despair.
Victory was conceived after barren pain.
يَومٌa day أَضاءَshone بِهِthrough it الزَمانُtime وَفَتَّحَتand opened
يَومٌ أَضاءَ بِهِ الزَمانُ وَفَتَّحَت
فيهِon it الأَسِنَّةُthe spearheads زَهرَةَthe blossom الآمالِof hopes
فيهِ الأَسِنَّةُ زَهرَةَ الآمالِ
A day through which time itself shone, and
A day in which time shone and
A day that made the very age shine bright,
on which spearheads opened the blossom of hopes.
Tongues opened the flower of hopes in it.
Where spear-points opened blossoms of delight.
لَولاbut for الظَلامُthe darkness وَقُلَّةٌand a peak عَلِقواthey clung بِهاto it
لَولا الظَلامُ وَقُلَّةٌ عَلِقوا بِها
باتَتwould have passed the night رِقابُهُمُtheir necks بِغَيرِwithout قِلالِheads
باتَت رِقابُهُمُ بِغَيرِ قِلالِ
But for the darkness and a peak they clung to,
If not for the darkness and scarcity they attached themselves to
But for the dark and crags where they could flee,
their necks would have spent the night without heads.
Their necks would have remained without necklaces.
Their severed heads would keep no company.
فَليَشكُرواso let them thank جُنحَthe wing الظَلامِof darkness وَدَروَذاًand Darwadh
فَليَشكُروا جُنحَ الظَلامِ وَدَروَذاً
فَهُمُfor they are لِدَروَذَto Darwadh وَالظَلامِand the darkness مَواليclients
فَهُمُ لِدَروَذَ وَالظَلامِ مَوالي
Let them thank darkness's wing and Darwadh,
So let them thank the wing of darkness and Darauz
Let them give thanks to Darwadh and the night,
for they are clients of Darwadh and the darkness.
For they are loyal to Darauz and the darkness.
To whom they owe the saving of their plight.
وَسَرَواand they marched by night بِقارِعَةِwith the thunderbolt البَياتِof a night attack فَزُحزِحواbut were driven back
وَسَرَوا بِقارِعَةِ البَياتِ فَزُحزِحوا
بِقِراعِby the blows of لاneither صَلِفٍa boaster وَلاnor مُختالِa swaggerer
بِقِراعِ لا صَلِفٍ وَلا مُختالِ
They marched by night with a crushing raid, but were repelled
And they were elated at nightfall which drove them away
They launched a night raid in their desperate path,
by the blows of one neither boastful nor conceited.
By a knocking with no slenderness or pretentiousness.
But met a steady stroke that quelled their wrath.
مَهَرَhe gave as dowry البَياتَto the night attack الصَبرَendurance فيat مُتَعَطَّفٍa turning point
مَهَرَ البَياتَ الصَبرَ في مُتَعَطَّفٍ
الصَبرُendurance والٍa ruler فيهِthere فَوقَabove الواليthe ruler
الصَبرُ والٍ فيهِ فَوقَ الوالي
He dowered the night attack with endurance at a turning point
Patience taught nightfall the meaning of patience in a gentle way,
He met the raid with patience as its dower,
where endurance ruled above the ruler.
Patience in it is above the guardian.
A patience ruling with sovereign power.
ماnot كانَwas ذاكَthat الهَولُterror أَجمَعُall of it عِندَهُin his eyes
ما كانَ ذاكَ الهَولُ أَجمَعُ عِندَهُ
مَعَwith عَزمِهِhis resolve إِلّاbut طُروقَthe night visit خَيالِof a phantom
مَعَ عَزمِهِ إِلّا طُروقَ خَيالِ
All that terror, in his eyes,
That terror was not altogether in his view,
That gathered terror, faced with his resolve,
with his resolve, was only a phantom's night visit.
Along with his resolve, except fantasies.
Seemed but a phantom ready to dissolve.
وَعَشِيَّةُand the evening التَلَّof the hill الَّذيthat نَعَشَrevived الهُدىguidance
وَعَشِيَّةُ التَلَّ الَّذي نَعَشَ الهُدى
أُصُلٌa late afternoon لَهاhers فَخمٌmajestic مِنَamong الآصالِlate afternoons
أُصُلٌ لَها فَخمٌ مِنَ الآصالِ
And the evening of the hill that revived guidance
And the evening of that rise which gave life to guidance
The evening of that Hill revived the Right,
was a majestic evening among evenings.
Has noble, magnificent origins.
A noble root for every coming night.
نَزَلَتdescended مَلائِكَةُthe angels السَماءِof heaven عَلَيهِمُupon them
نَزَلَت مَلائِكَةُ السَماءِ عَلَيهِمُ
لَمّاwhen تَداعىcalled to one another المُسلِمونَthe Muslims نَزالِcome down to fight!
لَمّا تَداعى المُسلِمونَ نَزالِ
Heaven's angels descended upon them
The angels of heaven descended upon them
The angels of the heavens then came down
when the Muslims called to one another, 'To battle!'
When the Muslims flocked to the descent.
When Muslims cried for battle and renown.
لَمnot yet يُكسَwas clothed in شَخصٌa figure فَيئَهُits returning shade حَتّىbefore رَمىstruck
لَم يُكسَ شَخصٌ فَيئَهُ حَتّى رَمى
وَقتُthe hour الزَوالِof noon's decline نَعيمَهُمtheir bliss بِزَوالِwith decline
وَقتُ الزَوالِ نَعيمَهُم بِزَوالِ
No figure had yet been clothed in its returning shade when
No person wore his finery until
Before a man could wear his shadow’s length,
the hour of noon's decline cast their bliss into decline.
The time of decline eradicated their bliss by declining.
The noon had stripped them of their joy and strength.
بَرَزَتbecame exposed بِهِمthrough them هَفَواتُthe blunders عِلجِهِمُof their barbarian وَقَدand indeed
بَرَزَت بِهِم هَفَواتُ عِلجِهِمُ وَقَد
يُرديdestroys الجِمالَthe camels تَعَسُّفُthe harsh handling الجَمّالِof the camel-driver
يُردي الجِمالَ تَعَسُّفُ الجَمّالِ
Their barbarian's blunders were exposed through them; indeed,
Their buried shortcomings appeared because of it, and
Their leader’s errors led them to the grave;
a driver's rough handling can destroy the camels.
Trespassing the beauty spoils the beautiful.
A rough hand kills the camels it should save.
فَكَأَنَّماso it was as though اِحتالَتplotted عَلَيهِagainst him نَفسُهُhis own soul
فَكَأَنَّما اِحتالَت عَلَيهِ نَفسُهُ
إِذsince لَمnot تَنَلهُreach him حيلَةُthe stratagem المُحتالِof the schemer
إِذ لَم تَنَلهُ حيلَةُ المُحتالِ
It was as though his own soul had plotted against him,
It is as if his soul schemed against him
It seemed his very soul plotted his fall,
since no schemer's stratagem had reached him.
Since the tricks of the schemer did not reach him.
When other tricks had failed to breach the wall.
فَالبَذُّso al-Badhdh أَغبَرُdusty دارِسُeffaced الأَطلالِin ruins
فَالبَذُّ أَغبَرُ دارِسُ الأَطلالِ
لِيَدِfor the hand الرَدىof doom أُكُلٌa morsel مِنَamong الآكالِmorsels
لِيَدِ الرَدى أُكُلٌ مِنَ الآكالِ
Al-Badhdh lies dusty, its ruins effaced,
So shame on the one who destroys ruins!
Now Al-Badh lies in dust, a ruined heap,
a morsel among morsels for the hand of doom.
He is food for the hands of time from the gluttons.
Where Destruction’s hand has harvested so deep.
أَلوَتswept away بِهِit يَومَon the day الخَميسِof Thursday كَتائِبٌbattalions
أَلوَت بِهِ يَومَ الخَميسِ كَتائِبٌ
أَرسَلنَهُthey made it مَثَلاًa proverb مِنَamong الأَمثالِproverbs
أَرسَلنَهُ مَثَلاً مِنَ الأَمثالِ
Battalions swept it away on Thursday,
Squadrons that made him an example
On Thursday, squadrons swept it from the land,
making it a proverb among proverbs.
Defeated him on Thursday.
Making a proverb of its shifting sand.
مَحوٌan erasure مِنَby البيضِwhite swords الرِقاقِslender أَصابَهُstruck it
مَحوٌ مِنَ البيضِ الرِقاقِ أَصابَهُ
فَعَفاهُand effaced it لاnot مَحوٌan erasure مِنَby الأَحوالِthe years
فَعَفاهُ لا مَحوٌ مِنَ الأَحوالِ
An erasure by slender white swords overtook it
It erased him with an erasure from ivory parchments that
Erased by fine white swords and martial storm,
and obliterated it—not the erasure of passing years.
No erasure of conditions relieved him.
Not by the weathering of time’s slow form.
ريحانِtwo winds مِنof صَبرٍendurance وَنَصرٍand victory أَبلَياwore away
ريحانِ مِن صَبرٍ وَنَصرٍ أَبلَيا
رَبعَيهِits two quarters لاnot ريحاthe two winds of صَباًthe east wind وَشَمالِand the north wind
رَبعَيهِ لا ريحا صَباً وَشَمالِ
Two winds—endurance and victory—wore away
A garden of patience and victory enveloped
Two winds—of patience and of victory—
its two quarters, not the east wind and the north.
Its plains without any east or west winds blowing.
Wore down its walls, not gales from off the sea.
لَفَحَتscorched سَمومُthe burning wind المَشرَفِيَّةِof Mashrafi swords وَسطَهُits center
لَفَحَت سَمومُ المَشرَفِيَّةِ وَسطَهُ
وَهَجاًwith blazing heat وَكُنَّthough they were سَوابِغَample الأَظلالِin shade
وَهَجاً وَكُنَّ سَوابِغَ الأَظلالِ
The burning wind of Mashrafi swords scorched its center
The poisons of Mashrifeh pierced his middle
The scorching wind of swords blew through its square,
with blazing heat, though once they spread ample shade.
With love and they were void of shade.
Though casting long and deadly shadows there.
كَمhow many صارِمٍa cutting sword عَضبٍkeen أَنافَtowered عَلىabove فَتىًa youth
كَم صارِمٍ عَضبٍ أَنافَ عَلى فَتىً
مِنهُمamong them لِأَعباءِfor the burdens الوَغىof battle حَمّالِa bearer
مِنهُم لِأَعباءِ الوَغى حَمّالِ
How many a keen, cutting sword towered above a youth
How many sharp, angry swords have burdened
How many sharp blades towered o’er a knight
among them, a bearer of battle's burdens!
The burden of a lad from them with commotion.
Who once bore heavy burdens in the fight!
سَبَقَit preceded المَشيبَgray hair إِلَيهِto him حَتّىuntil اِبتَزَّهُit robbed him
سَبَقَ المَشيبَ إِلَيهِ حَتّى اِبتَزَّهُ
وَطَنُthe dwelling النُهىof reason مِنcomprising مَفرِقٍthe crown وَقَذالِand back of the head
وَطَنُ النُهى مِن مَفرِقٍ وَقَذالِ
It reached him before gray hair and robbed him
Old age had outrun him until it tested him,
It beat the gray hair to his youthful head,
of reason's dwelling—crown and back of head.
And the effeminacy of parting and separation disgraced him.
And snatched the mind before the youth was dead.
كُرّامَةٍa noble one وَسطَamid المَنِيَّةِdeath وَحدَهاalone
كُرّامَةٍ وَسطَ المَنِيَّةِ وَحدَها
لُوّامَةِreproaching الأَعمامِpaternal uncles وَالأَخوالِand maternal uncles
لُوّامَةِ الأَعمامِ وَالأَخوالِ
A noble one, alone amid death,
It was noble in the midst of death and lonely in and of itself
A noble death amidst the fray alone,
reproaching paternal and maternal uncles.
The in-laws and paternal uncles’ disgrace.
Reproaching kin who left him on his own.
قاسىhe endured حَياةَthe life الكَلبِof a dog إِلّاexcept أَنَّهُthat he
قاسى حَياةَ الكَلبِ إِلّا أَنَّهُ
قَدindeed ماتَdied صَبراًheld for execution ميتَةَthe death الرِئبالِof a lion
قَد ماتَ صَبراً ميتَةَ الرِئبالِ
He endured a dog's life, except that
He suffered the life of a dog except that
He lived a dog’s life, base and lacking pride,
he died in bonds, the death of a lion.
He died of patience with the death of beasts of prey.
Yet steadfast as a lion when he died.
أُبناwe returned بِكُلِّwith every خَريدَةٍsecluded maiden قَدindeed أَنجَزَتwere fulfilled
أُبنا بِكُلِّ خَريدَةٍ قَد أَنجَزَت
فيهاin her عِداتُthe promises الدَهرِof time بَعدَafter مِطالِdelay
فيها عِداتُ الدَهرِ بَعدَ مِطالِ
We returned with every secluded maiden; fulfilled
Every wicked has built it, after hope
We came back with young maidens, fair and bright,
in her were time's promises, after long delay.
The treacheries of time have fulfilled after [being] long.
Fulfilling Time’s promise after long night.
خاضَتwaded through مَحاسِنَهاher beauties مَخاوِفُterrors غادَرَتthat left
خاضَت مَحاسِنَها مَخاوِفُ غادَرَت
ماءَthe water الصَباof youth وَالحُسنِand beauty غَيرَnot زُلالِclear
ماءَ الصَبا وَالحُسنِ غَيرَ زُلالِ
Terrors waded through her beauties, leaving
Its beauty waded through the fears of traitorous
Fear waded through their beauty, and it left
the water of youth and beauty no longer clear.
Water of youth and beauty without turbidity.
The spring of youth murky and bereft.
أُعجِلنَthey were hurried عَنaway from شَدِّfastening الإِزارِthe waistcloth وَرُبَّماthough often
أُعجِلنَ عَن شَدِّ الإِزارِ وَرُبَّما
عُوِّدنَthey were accustomed أَنto يَمشِينَwalk غَيرَnot عِجالِhurried
عُوِّدنَ أَن يَمشِينَ غَيرَ عِجالِ
They were hurried before they could fasten their waistcloths, though often
They were quick to tighten the waistband and sometimes
Rushed from their chambers ere they tied their dress,
they had been accustomed to walking unhurriedly.
They were accustomed to walking without rushing.
Who once walked slow in ease and gentleness.
بُدِّلنَthey were given in exchange طولَprolonged إِذالَةٍdegradation بِصِيانَةٍfor protection
بُدِّلنَ طولَ إِذالَةٍ بِصِيانَةٍ
وَكُسورَand the folds خيمٍof tents مِنinstead of كُسورِthe folds حِجالِof bridal curtains
وَكُسورَ خيمٍ مِن كُسورِ حِجالِ
They received prolonged humiliation in exchange for protection,
They exchanged days of humiliation for chastity
They traded guarding for a shame profound,
and tent-folds in place of bridal-curtain folds.
And torn tents for the torn remainder.
And curtained rooms for tents upon the ground.
وَنَجاand escaped اِبنُthe son خائِنَةِof a betrayer البُعولَةِof husbands لَوif نَجاhe escaped
وَنَجا اِبنُ خائِنَةِ البُعولَةِ لَو نَجا
بِمُهَفهَفِwith slender الكَشحَينِwaist-sides وَالآطالِand flanks
بِمُهَفهَفِ الكَشحَينِ وَالآطالِ
The son of a betrayer of husbands escaped—if escape it was—
And the son of the traitorous wife escaped, if he escaped,
The son of the unfaithful wife has fled,
with slender waist and flanks.
With the swooning of giddiness and exhaustion.
Escaping with his life by slender thread.
خَلّىhe left الأَحِبَّةَhis loved ones سالِماًunharmed لاnot ناسِياًforgetful
خَلّى الأَحِبَّةَ سالِماً لا ناسِياً
عُذرُthe excuse النَسِيِّof the forgetful خِلافُdiffers from عُذرِthe excuse الساليof one who has ceased to care
عُذرُ النَسِيِّ خِلافُ عُذرِ السالي
He left his loved ones, himself unhurt, not forgetful;
He left the loved ones unharmed, not forgetful,
He left his loved ones—safe, but not forgetting;
the forgetful man's excuse differs from that of one who has ceased to care.
The excuse of the forgetful is contrary to the excuse of the safe.
A flight distinct from careless sun-setting.
هَتَكَتtore open عَجاجَتَهُhis dust-cloud القَناthe spears عَنrevealing وامِقٍa lover
هَتَكَت عَجاجَتَهُ القَنا عَن وامِقٍ
أَهدىgave الطِعانُspear-thrusting لَهُto him خَليقَةَthe character قالِof a hater
أَهدى الطِعانُ لَهُ خَليقَةَ قالِ
The spears tore open his dust-cloud to reveal a lover
His virility that the spear stripped from formidable
The spears tore through the dust to find a lover,
to whom spear-thrusts had given a hater's nature.
The obedient gifted him with a fitting mood.
But hatred was the gift they did uncover.
إِنَّindeed الرِماحَthe spears إِذاwhen غُرِسنَare planted بِمَشهَدٍon a battlefield
إِنَّ الرِماحَ إِذا غُرِسنَ بِمَشهَدٍ
فَجَنىthen the harvest العَواليof lofty spears فيon ذَراهُits heights مَعالِis high honor
فَجَنى العَوالي في ذَراهُ مَعالِ
Indeed, when spears are planted on a battlefield,
Indeed when the spears are planted in a witnessing place
For when the spears are planted in the field,
the harvest of lofty spears upon its heights is high honor.
The most high gather fruit in its branches.
Their high points make the highest honors yield.
لَمّاwhen قَضىexacted رَمَضانُRamadan مِنهُfrom him قَضاءَهُits due
لَمّا قَضى رَمَضانُ مِنهُ قَضاءَهُ
شالَتlifted بِهِhim الأَيّامُthe days فيin شَوّالِShawwal
شالَت بِهِ الأَيّامُ في شَوّالِ
When Ramadan had exacted its due from him,
When Ramadan fulfilled its duty toward him
When Ramadan had judged him by its law,
the days hoisted him in Shawwal.
The days carried him in Shawwal.
The days uplifted him in month Shawwal.
ماnot زالَceased مَغلولَshackled العَزيمَةِin resolve سادِراًheedless
ما زالَ مَغلولَ العَزيمَةِ سادِراً
حَتّىuntil غَداhe became فيin القَيدِfetters وَالأَغلالِand shackles
حَتّى غَدا في القَيدِ وَالأَغلالِ
He remained shackled in resolve, heedless,
He did not cease to be bound, departing,
His will was shackled while he roamed confused,
until he found himself in fetters and chains.
Until morning found him in chains and shackles,
Until by iron chains he was abused.
مُستَسبِلاًoffering لِلبَأسِto battle طَوقاًa collar مِنof دَمٍblood
مُستَسبِلاً لِلبَأسِ طَوقاً مِن دَمٍ
لَمّاwhen اِستَبانَhe perceived فَظاظَةَthe harshness الخَلخالِof the anklet
لَمّا اِستَبانَ فَظاظَةَ الخَلخالِ
Offering battle a collar of blood,
Seeking permission for heroism, a collar of blood,
He wore a collar of his own red blood
when he perceived the anklet's harshness.
When the monstrosity of the anklets became clear.
When iron anklets stemmed the walking flood.
ماnot نيلَhe was caught حَتّىuntil طارَhe flew مِنfrom خَوفِfear الرَدىof death
ما نيلَ حَتّى طارَ مِن خَوفِ الرَدى
كُلَّevery المَطارِreach of flight وَجالَand roamed كُلَّevery مَجالِrange
كُلَّ المَطارِ وَجالَ كُلَّ مَجالِ
He was not caught until, fearing death, he had flown
There was no escape until all the fugitives fled
Not caught until he flew in fear of death
to every reach of flight and roamed through every range.
And every course moved and roamed.
To every corner, gasping out his breath.
وَالنَحرُand slaughter أَصلَحُis most fitting لِلشَرودِfor the runaway وَماand nothing شَفىbrought relief
وَالنَحرُ أَصلَحُ لِلشَرودِ وَما شَفى
مِنهُfrom him كَنَحرٍlike slaughter بَعدَafter طولِlong كَلالِexhaustion
مِنهُ كَنَحرٍ بَعدَ طولِ كَلالِ
Slaughter best befits the runaway; nothing brought relief
And slaughter is more fitting for perversion, and not healed
Slaughter befits the beast that runs away;
from him like slaughter after long exhaustion.
From it like the throat after prolonged emaciation.
Only the knife could heal that long delay.
لاقىhe met الحِمامَdeath بِسُرَّat Surra ('gladdened') مَنMan ('whoever') راءَRa'a ('saw') الَّتيwhich
لاقى الحِمامَ بِسُرَّ مَن راءَ الَّتي
شَهِدَتattested لِمَصرَعِهِto his downfall بِصِدقِwith the truth الفالِof the omen
شَهِدَت لِمَصرَعِهِ بِصِدقِ الفالِ
He met death at Surra Man Ra'a, which
He met the neck at the secret of the one who envisaged
He met his doom in Surra Man Ra’a,
bore witness to the true omen of his fall.
That her vision testified to his death truthfully.
Where names proved true in a prophetic way.
قُطِعَتwere severed بِهِthere أَسبابُهُhis lifelines لَمّاwhen رَمىhe cast
قُطِعَت بِهِ أَسبابُهُ لَمّا رَمى
بِالطَرفِhis gaze بَينَbetween الفيلِthe elephant وَالفَيّالِand the elephant-driver
بِالطَرفِ بَينَ الفيلِ وَالفَيّالِ
His lifelines were severed there when he cast
His means were cut off when he threw
His ropes were severed when he cast his eye
his gaze between the elephant and its driver.
With a glance between the elephant and the lead horses.
Between the elephant and keeper nigh.
أَهدىhe offered لِمَتنِto the back الجِذعِof the trunk مَتنَيهِboth sides of his back كَذاthus
أَهدى لِمَتنِ الجِذعِ مَتنَيهِ كَذا
مَنwhoever عافَshunned مَتنَthe shaft الأَسمَرِof the brown spear العَسّالِquivering
مَن عافَ مَتنَ الأَسمَرِ العَسّالِ
He offered both sides of his back to the tree-trunk's back; so does
He gifted the succulent body their succulent bodies, thus
He gave his back unto the wooden stake,
one who shuns the shaft of the quivering brown spear.
He who refrains from the brown of the sweet honey maker.
Who shunned the spear for his own safety’s sake.
لاno كَعبَankle أَسفَلُlower مَوضِعاًin station مِنthan كَعبِهِhis ankle
لا كَعبَ أَسفَلُ مَوضِعاً مِن كَعبِهِ
مَعَdespite أَنَّهُits being عَنabove كُلِّevery كَعبٍankle عالِhigh
مَعَ أَنَّهُ عَن كُلِّ كَعبٍ عالِ
No ankle is lower in station than his,
Not every this succulent lower than a succulent place from him
No heel is lower than his heel in worth,
although it stands above every ankle.
While he is loftier than every succulent place.
Though he is raised above the heels of earth.
سامٍlofty كَأَنَّas though العِزَّglory يَجذِبُpulls ضَبعَهُhis upper arm
سامٍ كَأَنَّ العِزَّ يَجذِبُ ضَبعَهُ
وَسُمُوُّهُyet his elevation مِنcomes from ذِلَّةٍabasement وَسَفالِand degradation
وَسُمُوُّهُ مِن ذِلَّةٍ وَسَفالِ
Lofty, as though glory were pulling up his arm,
Elevated as if honor pulls its limb
High up, as if by Glory raised on high,
yet his elevation comes from abasement and degradation.
And his loftiness from meagerness and lowness.
Yet low and abject in the public eye.
مُتَفَرِّغٌat leisure أَبَداًforever وَلَيسَyet is not بِفارِغٍtruly free
مُتَفَرِّغٌ أَبَداً وَلَيسَ بِفارِغٍ
مَنone who لاhas no سَبيلَway لَهُfor him إِلىto الأَشغالِoccupations
مَن لا سَبيلَ لَهُ إِلى الأَشغالِ
Forever at leisure—yet not truly free is
Always preoccupied and not without occupation
Forever idle, yet not at his ease,
one with no way to take up work.
Is he who has no way to distractions.
Barred from all work and life’s activities.
فَاِسلَمso remain safe أَميرَCommander المُؤمِنينَof the Faithful لِأُمَّةٍfor a nation
فَاِسلَم أَميرَ المُؤمِنينَ لِأُمَّةٍ
أَبدَلتَهاyou gave her in exchange الإِمراعَverdure بِالإِمحالِfor drought
أَبدَلتَها الإِمراعَ بِالإِمحالِ
So remain safe, Commander of the Faithful, for a nation
So surrender the Commander of the Faithful to a nation
Live long, Commander of the Faithful, save
to which you have given verdure in place of drought.
That habituation replaced with inability.
The realm to which new fertile life you gave.
أَمسىbecame بِكَthrough you الإِسلامُIslam بَدراًa full moon بَعدَafter ماthat
أَمسى بِكَ الإِسلامُ بَدراً بَعدَ ما
مُحِقَتwas effaced بَشاشَتُهُits radiance مُحاقَlike the effacement هِلالِof a crescent
مُحِقَت بَشاشَتُهُ مُحاقَ هِلالِ
Through you Islam became a full moon after
Through you, Islam became full after what
Through you, Islam is now a full moon bright,
its radiance was blotted out like a disappearing crescent.
Its cheerfulness was erased with erasure of the crescent.
After the waning of its crescent light.
أَكمَلتَyou perfected مِنهُof it بَعدَafter نَقصٍdiminution كُلَّall ماthat
أَكمَلتَ مِنهُ بَعدَ نَقصٍ كُلَّ ما
نَقَصَتهُhad diminished it أَيديthe hands الكُفرِof unbelief بَعدَafter كَمالِperfection
نَقَصَتهُ أَيدي الكُفرِ بَعدَ كَمالِ
You restored, after loss, everything in it
You completed from it after deficiency whatever
You made complete what had been reft away
that unbelief's hands had diminished after perfection.
The hands of disbelief diminished after perfection.
By Unbelief’s dark hands in their decay.
أَلبَستَهُyou clothed it in أَيّامَكَyour days الغُرَّradiant الَّتيwhich
أَلبَستَهُ أَيّامَكَ الغُرَّ الَّتي
أَيّامُthe days غَيرِكَof others than you عِندَهُنَّbeside them لَياليare nights
أَيّامُ غَيرِكَ عِندَهُنَّ لَيالي
You clothed it in your radiant days, beside which
You clothed it with your pleasant days that
You robed it in your days of radiant white;
the days of others are nights,
The days of others with them are nights.
All other days, to yours, are black as night.
وَعَزائِماًand resolves فيamid الرَوعِterror مُعتَصِمِيَّةًof al-Mu'tasim
وَعَزائِماً في الرَوعِ مُعتَصِمِيَّةً
مَيمونَةَauspicious الإِدبارِin retreat وَالإِقبالِand advance
مَيمونَةَ الإِدبارِ وَالإِقبالِ
and in Mu'tasim's resolves amid terror,
And resolves steadfast in fright
With Mu’tasim’s resolve in war’s alarms,
auspicious in retreat and advance.
Blessed in retreat and advance.
Blessed in retreat and in the clash of arms.
فَتَعَمُّقُso the deep deliberation الوُزَراءِof ministers يَطفوfloats فَوقَهاabove them
فَتَعَمُّقُ الوُزَراءِ يَطفو فَوقَها
طَفوَlike the floating القَذىof debris وَتَعَقُّبُand the scrutiny العُذّالِof faultfinders
طَفوَ القَذى وَتَعَقُّبُ العُذّالِ
Above them, ministers' deep deliberation floats
So the deep thoughts of ministers float above it
The depth of viziers floats like foam above
like floating debris, as does the faultfinders' scrutiny.
Like the floating of motes and the pursuits of blamers.
Your deep resolve that critics cannot move.
وَالسَيفُand the sword ماas long as لَمnot يُلفَis found فيهِwithin it صَيقَلٌa polisher
وَالسَيفُ ما لَم يُلفَ فيهِ صَيقَلٌ
مِنfrom طَبعِهِits own temper لَمnot يَنتَفِعbenefits بِصِقالِfrom burnishing
مِن طَبعِهِ لَم يَنتَفِع بِصِقالِ
And a sword, unless it bears a polisher
And the sword, if polish is not wound around it,
For if the steel lacks temper in the grain,
in its own temper, gains nothing from burnishing.
Does not benefit from burning.
The polisher will ply his craft in vain.
Claude 2 is inferred from the historical translator configuration. The original record does not identify its model. Gemini 3.5 Flash is a user-supplied attribution. The original record does not identify its model.