خَليلَيَّ ما أُذني لِأَوَّلِ عاذِلِ

خَليلَيَّ ما أُذني لِأَوَّلِ عاذِلِ

بِصَغواءَ في حَقٍّ وَلا عِندَ باطِلِ

بِصَغواءَ في حَقٍّ وَلا عِندَ باطِلِ

My two friends, my ear does not heed the first reproacher,

My friend, my ear refuses to listen

inclining to him neither in truth nor in falsehood.

To the first blamer, in truth or falsehood.

خَليلَيَّ إِنَّ الرَأيَ لَيسَ بِشِركَةٍ

خَليلَيَّ إِنَّ الرَأيَ لَيسَ بِشِركَةٍ

وَلا نَهنَهٍ عِندَ الأُمورِ البَلابِلِ

وَلا نَهنَهٍ عِندَ الأُمورِ البَلابِلِ

My two friends, sound judgment is no shared undertaking,

My friend, opinion is not partnership

nor hesitation amid perplexing affairs.

Nor distraction in momentous affairs.

وَلَمّا رَأَيتُ القَومَ لا وُدَّ عِندَهُم

وَلَمّا رَأَيتُ القَومَ لا وُدَّ عِندَهُم

وَقَد قَطَعوا كُلَّ العُرى وَالوَسائِلِ

وَقَد قَطَعوا كُلَّ العُرى وَالوَسائِلِ

And when I saw that the people had no affection for us,

And when I saw the people bear no love

and had severed every bond and tie,

And they had severed all ties and means,

وَقَد صارَحونا بِالعَداوَةِ وَالأَذى

وَقَد صارَحونا بِالعَداوَةِ وَالأَذى

وَقَد طاوَعُوا أَمرَ العَدوِّ المُزايِلِ

وَقَد طاوَعُوا أَمرَ العَدوِّ المُزايِلِ

and openly confronted us with hostility and harm,

And they had declared enmity and harm to us

and obeyed the estranged enemy's command,

And obeyed the command of the hostile severer,

وَقَد حالَفوا قَوماً عَلَينا أَظِنَّةً

وَقَد حالَفوا قَوماً عَلَينا أَظِنَّةً

يَعضّونَ غَيظاً خَلفَنا بِالأَنامِلِ

يَعضّونَ غَيظاً خَلفَنا بِالأَنامِلِ

and allied against us with suspect people,

And they had allied with a people against us in anticipation

who bite their fingertips in rage behind our backs,

Biting their anger behind us with the sandals,

صَبَرتُ لَهُم نَفسي بِسَمراءَ سَمحَةٍ

صَبَرتُ لَهُم نَفسي بِسَمراءَ سَمحَةٍ

وَأَبيَضَ عَضبٍ مِن تُراثِ المقاوِلِ

وَأَبيَضَ عَضبٍ مِن تُراثِ المقاوِلِ

I held myself firm against them with a supple brown spear,

I was patient with them, with sublime patience

and a keen white sword inherited from kings.

And white-hot anger from the legacy of trials.

وَأَحضَرتُ عِندَ البَيتِ رَهطي وَإِخوَتي

وَأَحضَرتُ عِندَ البَيتِ رَهطي وَإِخوَتي

وَأَمسَكتُ مِن أَثوابِهِ بِالوَصائِلِ

وَأَمسَكتُ مِن أَثوابِهِ بِالوَصائِلِ

I gathered my clan and brothers beside the House,

So at the House I summoned my people and brothers,

and grasped the joined cloths of its covering,

Grasping its coverings by the ties,

قِياماً مَعاً مُستَقبِلينَ رِتاجَهُ

قِياماً مَعاً مُستَقبِلينَ رِتاجَهُ

لَدَى حَيثُ يَقضي نُسكَهُ كُلُّ نافِلِ

لَدَى حَيثُ يَقضي نُسكَهُ كُلُّ نافِلِ

standing together, facing its great door,

Standing together facing his caravan

where every willing worshipper performs his rites,

Where each pilgrim concludes his supererogations,

وَحَيثُ يُنيخُ الأَشعَرونَ ركابَهُم

وَحَيثُ يُنيخُ الأَشعَرونَ ركابَهُم

بِمُفضى السُيولِ مِن إِسافٍ وَنائِلِ

بِمُفضى السُيولِ مِن إِسافٍ وَنائِلِ

and where the Ash'arites make their riding-camels kneel,

And where the noble riders rein in their mounts

at the floodwaters' outlet by Isaf and Na'il,

At the open plains of Esaf and Na'il,

مُوَسَّمَة الأَعضادِ أَو قَصَراتِها

مُوَسَّمَة الأَعضادِ أَو قَصَراتِها

مُخَيَّسَةٌ بَينَ السديسِ وَبازِلِ

مُخَيَّسَةٌ بَينَ السديسِ وَبازِلِ

branded on their upper forelegs or their neck-roots,

Slender of thigh or short of it,

hobbled, ranging from six-toothed to fully mature,

Proud between competence and resolve.

تَرى الوَدعَ فيها وَالرُخامَ وَزينَةً

تَرى الوَدعَ فيها وَالرُخامَ وَزينَةً

بِأَعناقِها مَعقودَةً كَالعَثاكِلِ

بِأَعناقِها مَعقودَةً كَالعَثاكِلِ

with cowries, marble, and ornaments visible upon them,

You see the farewells therein, and terraces and adornments,

tied around their necks like clusters of dates.

With their necks collared like prisoners.

أَعوذُ بِرَبِّ الناسِ مِن كُلِّ طاعِنٍ

أَعوذُ بِرَبِّ الناسِ مِن كُلِّ طاعِنٍ

عَلَينا بِسوءٍ أَو مُلِحٍّ بِباطِلِ

عَلَينا بِسوءٍ أَو مُلِحٍّ بِباطِلِ

I seek refuge with the Lord of humankind from every attacker

I seek refuge in the Lord of men from every defamer

who assails us with evil or persists in falsehood,

Speaking ill of us or insisting falsely,

وَمِن كاشِحٍ يَسعَى لَنا بِمعيبَةٍ

وَمِن كاشِحٍ يَسعَى لَنا بِمعيبَةٍ

وَمِن مُلحِقٍ في الدينِ ما لَم نُحاوِلِ

وَمِن مُلحِقٍ في الدينِ ما لَم نُحاوِلِ

and from a spiteful foe seeking to disgrace us,

And from a striker who seeks to defame us

and from anyone attributing to our religion what we never attempted.

And from one ascribing to the faith what we did not attempt,

وَثَورٍ وَمَن أَرسى ثَبيراً مَكانَهُ

وَثَورٍ وَمَن أَرسى ثَبيراً مَكانَهُ

وَراقٍ لِيَرقى في حِراءٍ وَنازِلِ

وَراقٍ لِيَرقى في حِراءٍ وَنازِلِ

And by Thawr, and Him who anchored Thabir in its place,

And an enraged fool who pitched his tent in its place,

and one climbing to ascend Hira, and one descending,

And a climber climbing barren hills and halt.

وَبِالبَيتِ رُكن البَيتِ مِن بَطنِ مَكَّةٍ

وَبِالبَيتِ رُكن البَيتِ مِن بَطنِ مَكَّةٍ

وَبِاللَهِ إِنَّ اللَهَ لَيسَ بِغافِلِ

وَبِاللَهِ إِنَّ اللَهَ لَيسَ بِغافِلِ

and by the House, the House's corner in Mecca's valley,

By the House, cornerstone of the House, from the valley of Mecca,

and by God—God is not heedless—

By God, God is not inattentive,

وَبِالحَجَرِ المُسوَدِّ إِذ يَمسَحونَهُ

وَبِالحَجَرِ المُسوَدِّ إِذ يَمسَحونَهُ

إِذا اِكتَنَفوهُ بِالضُحى وَالأَصائِلِ

إِذا اِكتَنَفوهُ بِالضُحى وَالأَصائِلِ

and by the blackened Stone when they touch it,

And by the Black Stone, as they touch it

surrounding it in the morning and late afternoons,

When they circumambulate it at dawn and night,

وَمَوطِئِ إِبراهيمَ في الصَخرِ رَطبَة

وَمَوطِئِ إِبراهيمَ في الصَخرِ رَطبَة

عَلى قَدَمَيهِ حافِياً غَيرَ ناعِلِ

عَلى قَدَمَيهِ حافِياً غَيرَ ناعِلِ

and Abraham's footprint in the moist rock,

And the footprint of Abraham in the rock

upon his two feet, barefoot, without sandals,

With his bare feet, unshod,

وَأَشواط بَينَ المَروَتَينِ إِلى الصَفا

وَأَشواط بَينَ المَروَتَينِ إِلى الصَفا

وَما فيهِما مِن صورَةٍ وَتَماثِلِ

وَما فيهِما مِن صورَةٍ وَتَماثِلِ

and the circuits between the two Marwahs toward Safa,

And the rounds between Safa and Marwa to Al-Safa

and the images and statues in those two places,

And the form and symmetry between the two,

وَمَن حَجَّ بَيتَ اللَهِ مِن كُلِّ راكِبٍ

وَمَن حَجَّ بَيتَ اللَهِ مِن كُلِّ راكِبٍ

وَمِن كُلِّ ذي نَذرٍ وَمِن كُلِّ راجِلِ

وَمِن كُلِّ ذي نَذرٍ وَمِن كُلِّ راجِلِ

and whoever makes pilgrimage to God's House, every rider,

Whoever performs pilgrimage to God’s House, of every rider

and everyone bound by a vow, and every walker,

And every oath-taker and every walker,

وَبِالمَشعَرِ الأَقصى إِذا عَمَدوا لَهُ

وَبِالمَشعَرِ الأَقصى إِذا عَمَدوا لَهُ

إِلالٍ إِلى مُفضى الشِراجِ القَوابِلِ

إِلالٍ إِلى مُفضى الشِراجِ القَوابِلِ

and by the farthest sacred site when they make for it,

And the Further Mosque, when they headed to it,

Ilal, as far as the outlet of the facing watercourses,

Sloping, to the open horizons of Esaf.

وَتَوقافِهِم فَوقَ الجِبالِ عَشيَّةً

وَتَوقافِهِم فَوقَ الجِبالِ عَشيَّةً

يُقيمونَ بِالأَيدي صُدورَ الرَواحِلِ

يُقيمونَ بِالأَيدي صُدورَ الرَواحِلِ

and their prolonged standing upon the mountains at evening,

And their standing atop the mountains at night,

holding their mounts' breasts upright with their hands,

Propping up their chests on their palms,

وَلَيلَةِ جَمعٍ وَالمَنازِل مِن مِنىً

وَلَيلَةِ جَمعٍ وَالمَنازِل مِن مِنىً

وَما فَوقَها مِن حُرمَةٍ وَمَنازِلِ

وَما فَوقَها مِن حُرمَةٍ وَمَنازِلِ

and the night of Jam', and the stations in Mina,

And the night at Muzdalifa and the stations from Mina,

and the sanctity and stations above it,

And the sanctity above them and dwellings,

وَجَمعٍ إِذا ما المَقرُباتُ أَجَزنَهُ

وَجَمعٍ إِذا ما المَقرُباتُ أَجَزنَهُ

سِراعاً كَما يَخرُجنَ مِن وَقعِ وابِلِ

سِراعاً كَما يَخرُجنَ مِن وَقعِ وابِلِ

and by Jam', when the favored mounts cross it,

And at the Jamarat, when the median ones allowed him passage,

swiftly, as though escaping the pounding of a downpour,

Rushing out as rain pours from the clouds’ burst,

وَبِالجَمرَةِ الكُبرى إِذا صَمَدوا لَها

وَبِالجَمرَةِ الكُبرى إِذا صَمَدوا لَها

يَؤُمّونَ قَذفاً رَأسَها بِالجَنادِلِ

يَؤُمّونَ قَذفاً رَأسَها بِالجَنادِلِ

and by the great Jamrah when they make for it,

And the major cairn, when they surged toward it,

aiming to pelt its summit with stones,

Pelting the top of it with pebbles.

وَكِندَة إِذ هُم بِالحِصابِ عَشيَّةً

وَكِندَة إِذ هُم بِالحِصابِ عَشيَّةً

تُجيزُ بِهِم حجاج بَكرِ بنِ وائِلِ

تُجيزُ بِهِم حجاج بَكرِ بنِ وائِلِ

and by Kinda, when they are on the gravel plain at evening,

And Kinda when at nightfall they raced their camels,

and the pilgrims of Bakr ibn Wa'il conduct them onward,

Among them the Hajj pilgrims of Bakr ibn Wa’il,

حَليفانِ شَدّا عقدَ ما اجتمَعا لَهُ

حَليفانِ شَدّا عقدَ ما اجتمَعا لَهُ

وَرَدّا عَلَيهِ عاطِفات الوَسائِلِ

وَرَدّا عَلَيهِ عاطِفات الوَسائِلِ

two allies who tightened the bond of their common undertaking,

Two allies who tightened what they had pledged

and reinforced it with ties that renew affection,

And reciprocated the bonds of amity.

وَحَطمهمُ سُمر الرِماحِ مَعَ الظبا

وَحَطمهمُ سُمر الرِماحِ مَعَ الظبا

وَإِنفاذُهُم ما يَتَّقي كلُّ نابِلِ

وَإِنفاذُهُم ما يَتَّقي كلُّ نابِلِ

and their breaking brown spear-shafts along with blades,

They routed them with the striking of lances amidst the antelopes

and their piercing what every archer guards,

And relentlessness like that of a swooping eagle,

وَمَشيهُم حَولَ البِسالِ وَسرحُهُ

وَمَشيهُم حَولَ البِسالِ وَسرحُهُ

وَشِبرِقُهُ وَخدَ النَعامِ الجَوافِلِ

وَشِبرِقُهُ وَخدَ النَعامِ الجَوافِلِ

and their walking around the sacred precinct at an easy pace,

Their walking around Al-Bisal and Sarh,

and with broad strides, like the racing of startled ostriches—

Shibriq and the cheek of the bounding ostrich.

فَهَل بَعدَ هَذا مِن مَعاذٍ لِعائِذٍ

فَهَل بَعدَ هَذا مِن مَعاذٍ لِعائِذٍ

وَهَل مِن مُعيذٍ يَتَّقي اللَهَ عادِلِ

وَهَل مِن مُعيذٍ يَتَّقي اللَهَ عادِلِ

after all this, is there any refuge for one seeking shelter?

Is there safety after this for any seeker of refuge,

Is there a just protector who fears God?

Or any protector who fears the Just God?

يُطاعُ بِنا الأَعدا وَودُّوا لوَ اِنَّنا

يُطاعُ بِنا الأَعدا وَودُّوا لوَ اِنَّنا

تُسَدُّ بِنا أَبوابُ تُركٍ وَكابُلِ

تُسَدُّ بِنا أَبوابُ تُركٍ وَكابُلِ

Our enemies are obeyed against us, and they wish that we

They claim we should obey the enemy and they wished that we

might be used to bar the gates of Turk and Kabul.

Close off for them the passes of Turk and Kabul,

كَذَبتُم وَبَيتِ اللَهِ نَترُكُ مَكَّةً

كَذَبتُم وَبَيتِ اللَهِ نَترُكُ مَكَّةً

وَنَظعَن إِلّا أَمرُكُم في بَلابِلِ

وَنَظعَن إِلّا أَمرُكُم في بَلابِلِ

You lie, by God's House! We shall not leave Mecca,

You lie! By God’s House we will not leave Mecca

nor depart unless your affairs are plunged into turmoil.

Or complain except at your command, confused.

كَذَبتُم وَبَيتِ اللَهِ نُبزى مُحَمَّداً

كَذَبتُم وَبَيتِ اللَهِ نُبزى مُحَمَّداً

وَلَمّا نُطاعِن دونَهُ وَنُناضِلِ

وَلَمّا نُطاعِن دونَهُ وَنُناضِلِ

You lie, by God's House, that we would be robbed of Muhammad

You lie! By God’s House we will not insult Muhammad

before fighting with spears and arrows in his defense,

Nor disobey him and dispute!

وَنُسلِمهُ حَتّى نُصَرَّعَ حَولَهُ

وَنُسلِمهُ حَتّى نُصَرَّعَ حَولَهُ

وَنذهلَ عَن أَبنائِنا وَالحَلائِلِ

وَنذهلَ عَن أَبنائِنا وَالحَلائِلِ

or surrender him before we are struck down around him,

And we will not surrender him until we pour out around him

and forget our sons and wives,

And neglect our children and wives.

وَينهَضَ قَومٌ بِالحَديدِ إِلَيكُمُ

وَينهَضَ قَومٌ بِالحَديدِ إِلَيكُمُ

نُهوضَ الرَوايا تَحتَ ذاتِ الصَلاصِلِ

نُهوضَ الرَوايا تَحتَ ذاتِ الصَلاصِلِ

and a people rise against you with iron weapons,

And a people will rise against you with iron,

like water-bearing camels rising beneath clattering burdens,

The rising of prisoners in shackles and chains,

وَحَتّى يُرى ذا الضِغنِ يَركَبُ ردعَهُ

وَحَتّى يُرى ذا الضِغنِ يَركَبُ ردعَهُ

مِنَ الطَعنِ فِعلَ الأَنكَبِ المُتَحامِلِ

مِنَ الطَعنِ فِعلَ الأَنكَبِ المُتَحامِلِ

and until the spiteful man is seen falling into his own blood

Until the owner of the belly sees his she-camel return

from spear-thrusts, like one leaning sideways and straining onward.

From thrusting like a swooping vulture.

وَإِنّي لَعَمرُ اللَهِ إن جَدَّ ما أَرى

وَإِنّي لَعَمرُ اللَهِ إن جَدَّ ما أَرى

لَتَلتَبسَنَّ أَسيافُنا بِالأَماثِلِ

لَتَلتَبسَنَّ أَسيافُنا بِالأَماثِلِ

And I, by God's life, if what I see grows grave,

By my life, when what I foresee comes true,

our swords will surely engage the noblest men,

Our swords will intertwine with their necks!

بِكَفِّ اِمرِئٍ مِثلَ الشِهابِ سمَيدَعٍ

بِكَفِّ اِمرِئٍ مِثلَ الشِهابِ سمَيدَعٍ

أَخي ثِقَةٍ حامي الحَقيقَةِ باسِلِ

أَخي ثِقَةٍ حامي الحَقيقَةِ باسِلِ

in the hand of a man like a shooting star, a noble chief,

By the hand of a man like a shooting star—my brother Thiqa,

trustworthy, a defender of honor, courageous,

Guardian of truth, courageous and steadfast.

شُهوراً وَأَيّاماً وَحَولاً مُجَرَّماً

شُهوراً وَأَيّاماً وَحَولاً مُجَرَّماً

عَلَينا وَتَأتي حجَّةٌ بَعدَ قابِلِ

عَلَينا وَتَأتي حجَّةٌ بَعدَ قابِلِ

for months and days and a full year

For months and days and a sacred year,

passing over us, with another year coming after the next.

Plotting against us, then a proof comes after.

وَما تَركُ قَومٍ لا أَبا لَكَ سَيِّداً

وَما تَركُ قَومٍ لا أَبا لَكَ سَيِّداً

يَحوطُ الذِمارَ غَيرَ ذَربٍ مُواكِلِ

يَحوطُ الذِمارَ غَيرَ ذَربٍ مُواكِلِ

How could a people—may you have no father!—abandon a chief

No people who denied you a master left

who guards their honor, neither foul-tongued nor shirking,

Encircling the leather bucket except as equals.

وَأَبيَضَ يُستَسقى الغَمامُ بِوَجهِهِ

وَأَبيَضَ يُستَسقى الغَمامُ بِوَجهِهِ

ثِمالُ اليَتامى عِصمَةٌ لِلأَرامِلِ

ثِمالُ اليَتامى عِصمَةٌ لِلأَرامِلِ

and a fair-faced man through whose face the clouds are asked for rain,

A white man whose face the clouds are asked to rain by,

the orphans' support, the widows' protection?

Shelter of orphans, protector of widows.

يَلوذُ بِهِ الهُلّاكُ مِن آلِ هاشِمٍ

يَلوذُ بِهِ الهُلّاكُ مِن آلِ هاشِمٍ

فَهُم عِندَهُ في رَحمَةٍ وَفَواضِلِ

فَهُم عِندَهُ في رَحمَةٍ وَفَواضِلِ

Those in peril from Hashim's house seek shelter with him,

The doomed seek refuge in him from the Hashimites,

and find mercy and bounty in his presence.

For with him they are in mercy and grace.

لَعَمري لَقَد أَجرى أُسَيدٌ وَرهطُهُ

لَعَمري لَقَد أَجرى أُسَيدٌ وَرهطُهُ

إِلى بُغضِنا وَجَزَّانا لآكِلِ

إِلى بُغضِنا وَجَزَّانا لآكِلِ

By my life, Usayd and his clan have hastened

By my life, Usayd and his band inclined

to hate us, and the two have shorn us for a devourer.

To hate us and rewarded us with ruin!

جَزَت رَحِمٌ عَنّا أُسَيداً وَخالِداً

جَزَت رَحِمٌ عَنّا أُسَيداً وَخالِداً

جَزاءَ مُسيءٍ لا يُؤَخَّرُ عاجِلِ

جَزاءَ مُسيءٍ لا يُؤَخَّرُ عاجِلِ

May kinship repay Usayd and Khalid on our behalf

May ties of kinship reward Usayd and Khalid

with a wrongdoer's recompense, immediate and undelayed.

The reward of an evildoer, hastened, not delayed!

وَعُثمانُ لَم يَربَع عَلَينا وَقُنفُذٌ

وَعُثمانُ لَم يَربَع عَلَينا وَقُنفُذٌ

وَلَكِن أَطاعا أَمرَ تِلكَ القَبائِلِ

وَلَكِن أَطاعا أَمرَ تِلكَ القَبائِلِ

Uthman showed us no restraint, nor did Qunfudh,

As for Uthman, he did not lord it over us, and Qunfudh—

but the two obeyed those tribes' command.

But they obeyed the command of those tribes.

أَطاعا أُبَيّاً وَاِبنَ عَبدِ يَغوثِهِم

أَطاعا أُبَيّاً وَاِبنَ عَبدِ يَغوثِهِم

وَلَم يَرقُبا فينا مَقالَةَ قائِلِ

وَلَم يَرقُبا فينا مَقالَةَ قائِلِ

They obeyed Ubayy and their Ibn Abd Yaghuth,

They obeyed Ubayy and Ibn Abde Yaghuth willfully

and heeded no speaker's words concerning us,

Without heeding our situation.

كَما قَد لَقينا مِن سُبَيعٍ وَنَوفَلٍ

كَما قَد لَقينا مِن سُبَيعٍ وَنَوفَلٍ

وَكُلٌّ تَوَلّى مُعرِضاً لَم يُجامِلِ

وَكُلٌّ تَوَلّى مُعرِضاً لَم يُجامِلِ

just as we have suffered from Subay' and Nawfal,

As we experienced from Suhayb and Nawfal,

each turning away without courtesy.

Each turned away, aloof, not affable.

فَإِن يُلقَيا أَو يُمكِن اللَهُ مِنهُما

فَإِن يُلقَيا أَو يُمكِن اللَهُ مِنهُما

نَكِل لَهُما صاعاً بِكيلِ المكايِلِ

نَكِل لَهُما صاعاً بِكيلِ المكايِلِ

If those two are encountered, or God gives us power over them,

If they are met or enabled by God against them,

we shall measure them a sa', measure for measure.

We will repay them measure for measure!

وَذاكَ أَبو عَمرٍو أَبى غَيرَ بُغضِنا

وَذاكَ أَبو عَمرٍو أَبى غَيرَ بُغضِنا

لِيظعننا في أَهلِ شاءٍ وَجامِلِ

لِيظعننا في أَهلِ شاءٍ وَجامِلِ

And that Abu Amr would accept nothing but hatred of us,

As for Abu Amr, he refused anything but hating us

to drive us out among keepers of sheep and camel herds.

To subdue us among the people of Shay and Jamal.

يُناجى بِنا في كُلِّ مَمسىً وَمُصبحٍ

يُناجى بِنا في كُلِّ مَمسىً وَمُصبحٍ

فَناجِ أَبا عَمرٍو بِنا ثُمَّ خاتِلِ

فَناجِ أَبا عَمرٍو بِنا ثُمَّ خاتِلِ

He is secretly consulted about us every dusk and dawn.

He whispers about us morning and night,

So confer secretly about us, Abu Amr, then practice deceit.

So whisper, Abu Amr, about us, then dispute!

وَيُقسِمُنا بِاللَهِ ما إِن يَغُشَّنا

وَيُقسِمُنا بِاللَهِ ما إِن يَغُشَّنا

بَلى قَد نَراهُ جَهرَةً غَيرَ حائِلِ

بَلى قَد نَراهُ جَهرَةً غَيرَ حائِلِ

He swears to us by God that he does not deceive us.

He swears by God he will not betray us,

Indeed he does: we see him openly, unchanged.

Yes, we see him openly, nothing preventing!

أَضاقَ عَلَيه بُغضنا كُلَّ تَلعَةٍ

أَضاقَ عَلَيه بُغضنا كُلَّ تَلعَةٍ

مِنَ الأَرضِ بَينَ أَخشَبٍ فَمجادِلِ

مِنَ الأَرضِ بَينَ أَخشَبٍ فَمجادِلِ

His hatred of us has narrowed every ravine for him

Hatred of us has constricted him in every nook

in the land between Akhshab and Majadil.

Between Akhdhar and the disputants.

وَسائِل أَبا الوَليدِ ماذا حَبَوتَنا

وَسائِل أَبا الوَليدِ ماذا حَبَوتَنا

بِسَعيِكَ فينا مُعَرِضاً كَالمُخاتِلِ

بِسَعيِكَ فينا مُعَرِضاً كَالمُخاتِلِ

And ask Abu al-Walid: what have you granted us

Ask Abu Al-Waleed, what did your efforts against us yield,

through your efforts against us, turning away like a deceiver?

Turning away like one cut off?

وَكُنتَ اِمرءاً مِمَّن يُعاشُ بِرَأيِهِ

وَكُنتَ اِمرءاً مِمَّن يُعاشُ بِرَأيِهِ

وَرَحمَته فينا وَلَست بِجاهِلِ

وَرَحمَته فينا وَلَست بِجاهِلِ

You were a man whose counsel sustained others,

You were a man whose opinion was lived by

and whose compassion reached us; you are not ignorant.

And your mercy upon us, you were no ignoramus.

أَعُتبَةُ لا تَسمَع بِنا قَولَ كاشِحٍ

أَعُتبَةُ لا تَسمَع بِنا قَولَ كاشِحٍ

حَسودٍ كَذوبٍ مُبغِضٍ ذي دَغاولِ

حَسودٍ كَذوبٍ مُبغِضٍ ذي دَغاولِ

O Utbah, do not listen concerning us to a spiteful foe's words,

Utba, do not listen about us to any envious slanderer,

envious, habitually lying, hateful, and full of hidden malice.

Malicious liar, hating, sowing discord.

وَقَد خِفتُ إِن لَم تَزجُرَنهُم وَتَرعَووا

وَقَد خِفتُ إِن لَم تَزجُرَنهُم وَتَرعَووا

تُلاقي وَنَلقى مِنكَ إِحدى البَلابِلِ

تُلاقي وَنَلقى مِنكَ إِحدى البَلابِلِ

I fear that, unless you restrain them and you all desist,

I fear if you do not deter them and they run wild,

you and we shall meet through you one of these calamities.

You and we will face one of the confusions.

وَمَرَّ أَبو سُفيانَ عَنّي مُعرِضاً

وَمَرَّ أَبو سُفيانَ عَنّي مُعرِضاً

كَما مَرَّ قَيلٌ مِن عِظامِ المَقاوِلِ

كَما مَرَّ قَيلٌ مِن عِظامِ المَقاوِلِ

Abu Sufyan passed me by, turning away,

As for Abu Sufyan, he passed me by aloofly

as a king among the greatest kings might pass,

Like a herd of cattle from bones of carrion.

يَفِرُّ إِلى نَجدٍ وَبَردِ مِياهِهِ

يَفِرُّ إِلى نَجدٍ وَبَردِ مِياهِهِ

وَيزعُمُ أَنّي لَستُ عَنكُم بِغافِلِ

وَيزعُمُ أَنّي لَستُ عَنكُم بِغافِلِ

fleeing to Najd and the coolness of its waters,

He flees to Najd and its cold waters

and claiming, 'I am not heedless of you.'

And claims I am not heedless of you.

وَأَعلَمُ أَن لا غافِلٌ عَن مَساءَةٍ

وَأَعلَمُ أَن لا غافِلٌ عَن مَساءَةٍ

كَفاكَ العَدُوُّ عِندَ حَقٍّ وَباطِلِ

كَفاكَ العَدُوُّ عِندَ حَقٍّ وَباطِلِ

And I know that no one is heedless of an injury;

I know no heedless one of harm

an enemy is enough for you, in right and wrong.

Suffices the enemy in truth and falsehood.

فَميلوا عَلَينا كُلّكُم إِنَّ مَيلَكُم

فَميلوا عَلَينا كُلّكُم إِنَّ مَيلَكُم

سَواءٌ عَلَينا وَالرِياحُ بِهاطِلِ

سَواءٌ عَلَينا وَالرِياحُ بِهاطِلِ

So turn against us, all of you: your turning

So turn against us altogether, your turning

is to us no different from winds bearing pouring rain.

Is equal to us, and the winds bring desolation.

يُخبِّرُنا فِعلَ المُناصِحِ أَنَّهُ

يُخبِّرُنا فِعلَ المُناصِحِ أَنَّهُ

شَفيقٌ وَيُخفي عارِماتِ الدَواخِلِ

شَفيقٌ وَيُخفي عارِماتِ الدَواخِلِ

He tells us, acting the sincere counselor, that he

The deeds of an advisor inform us he is

is compassionate, while hiding violent feelings within.

Compassionate, hiding the secret Lapses.

أَمُطعِمُ لَم أَخذُلكَ في يَومِ نَجدَةٍ

أَمُطعِمُ لَم أَخذُلكَ في يَومِ نَجدَةٍ

ولا عِندَ تِلكَ المُعظماتِ الجَلائِلِ

ولا عِندَ تِلكَ المُعظماتِ الجَلائِلِ

O Mut'im, I did not forsake you on a day of need,

O Mut’im, did I not stand by you on the day of need

nor amid those great and momentous events,

And at those momentous, majestic times?

وَلا يَوم خَصمٍ إِذ أَتوكَ أَلِدَّة

وَلا يَوم خَصمٍ إِذ أَتوكَ أَلِدَّة

أَولي جَدَلٍ مِنَ الخُصومِ المُساجِلِ

أَولي جَدَلٍ مِنَ الخُصومِ المُساجِلِ

nor on a day of dispute, when bitter adversaries came to you,

Not on the day of dispute when the stubborn ones came to you,

masters of debate among contesting foes.

Those skilled in contention against adversaries?

أَمُطعِمُ إِنَّ القَومَ ساموكَ خُطَّةً

أَمُطعِمُ إِنَّ القَومَ ساموكَ خُطَّةً

وَإِنّي مَتى أُوكَل فَلَستُ بِوائِلِ

وَإِنّي مَتى أُوكَل فَلَستُ بِوائِلِ

O Mut'im, the people have pressed a demand upon you,

O Mut’im, the people have conspired against you

and whenever I am abandoned, I have no escape.

And whenever entrusted I do not neglect!

جَزى اللَهُ عَنّا عَبدَ شَمسٍ وَنَوفَلاً

جَزى اللَهُ عَنّا عَبدَ شَمسٍ وَنَوفَلاً

عُقوبَةَ شَرٍّ عاجِلاً غَيرَ آجِلِ

عُقوبَةَ شَرٍّ عاجِلاً غَيرَ آجِلِ

May God repay Abd Shams and Nawfal on our behalf

May God reward us from Abd Shams and Nawfal

with an evil punishment, immediate, not delayed,

The immediate punishment of evil, not delayed!

بِميزانِ قِسطٍ لا يُغيضُ شَعيرَةً

بِميزانِ قِسطٍ لا يُغيضُ شَعيرَةً

لَهُ شاهِدٌ مِن نَفسِهِ حقُّ عادِلِ

لَهُ شاهِدٌ مِن نَفسِهِ حقُّ عادِلِ

with a balance of justice that falls short by not one barley grain,

With the scales of justice that does not reduce a mustard seed,

having a witness of its own, truthful and just.

For it the evidence of his soul is sufficient justice.

لَقَد سَفهَت أَحلامُ قَومٍ تَبَدَّلوا

لَقَد سَفهَت أَحلامُ قَومٍ تَبَدَّلوا

بَني خَلفٍ قَيضاً بِنا وَالغَياطِلِ

بَني خَلفٍ قَيضاً بِنا وَالغَياطِلِ

Foolish indeed are the minds of people who took

They were foolish whose people substituted

Banu Khalaf and al-Ghayatil in exchange for us.

The sons of Khalaf for us and falsehoods!

وَنَحنُ الصَميمُ مِن ذؤابَةِ هاشِمٍ

وَنَحنُ الصَميمُ مِن ذؤابَةِ هاشِمٍ

وَآل قُصَيٍّ في الخُطوبِ الأَوائِلِ

وَآل قُصَيٍّ في الخُطوبِ الأَوائِلِ

We are the true stock of Hashim's crest,

We are the core of the Zubayrids of Hashim

and of Qusayy's house in the earliest ordeals.

And the family of Qusayy in early battles.

وَكانَ لَنا حَوضُ السِقايَةِ فيهِم

وَكانَ لَنا حَوضُ السِقايَةِ فيهِم

وَنَحنُ الذُرى مِنهم وَفَوقَ الكَواهِلِ

وَنَحنُ الذُرى مِنهم وَفَوقَ الكَواهِلِ

The watering basin among them belonged to us,

And we were the pool of drink for them,

and we are their summits, above their shoulders.

We are the seed and above the shoulders.

فَما أَدركوا ذَحلاً وَلا سَفَكوا دَماً

فَما أَدركوا ذَحلاً وَلا سَفَكوا دَماً

وَلا حالَفوا إِلّا شِرارَ القَبائِلِ

وَلا حالَفوا إِلّا شِرارَ القَبائِلِ

They have gained no vengeance and shed no blood,

They did not overtake Dahlan or shed blood

and allied with none but the worst tribes,

Or enter pacts except the evilest tribes.

بَني أمَةٍ مَجنونَةٍ هِندكيَّةٍ

بَني أمَةٍ مَجنونَةٍ هِندكيَّةٍ

بَني جُمَحٍ عُبَيدَ قَيسِ بنِ عاقِلِ

بَني جُمَحٍ عُبَيدَ قَيسِ بنِ عاقِلِ

sons of a mad Indian slave-woman,

The sons of a possessed Hindi maid,

Banu Jumah, slaves of Qays ibn Aqil.

Sons of Jumah, slaves of Qays ibn Aqil,

وَسَهمٌ وَمَخزومٌ تَمالوا وَأَلَّبوا

وَسَهمٌ وَمَخزومٌ تَمالوا وَأَلَّبوا

عَلَينا العِدى مِن كُلِّ طِملٍ وَخامِلِ

عَلَينا العِدى مِن كُلِّ طِملٍ وَخامِلِ

Sahm and Makhzum joined forces and rallied

And arrows and Makhzum inclined and incited

enemies against us, every ragged wretch and obscure man,

Enmity against us from every harboring coward.

وَشائِظُ كانَت في لُؤَيِّ بنِ غالِبٍ

وَشائِظُ كانَت في لُؤَيِّ بنِ غالِبٍ

نَفاهُم إِلَينا كُلُّ صَقرٍ حُلاحِلِ

نَفاهُم إِلَينا كُلُّ صَقرٍ حُلاحِلِ

and interlopers once among Lu'ayy ibn Ghalib,

Freedmen of Manaf! You are the best of your people,

whom every mighty falcon drove out toward us.

So do not include in your affair every complainer.

وَرَهطُ نُفَيلٍ شَرُّ مَن وَطئَ الحَصى

وَرَهطُ نُفَيلٍ شَرُّ مَن وَطئَ الحَصى

وَأَلأَمُ حافٍ مِن مَعَدٍّ وَناعِلِ

وَأَلأَمُ حافٍ مِن مَعَدٍّ وَناعِلِ

Nufayl's clan are the worst who ever trod the pebbles,

I fear if God does not set your affair right,

and the basest of Ma'add, barefoot or shod.

You become as were the stories of Wa’il.

أَعَبدَ مَنافٍ أَنتُمُ خَيرُ قَومِكُم

أَعَبدَ مَنافٍ أَنتُمُ خَيرُ قَومِكُم

فَلا تُشرِكوا في أَمرِكُم كُلَّ واغِلِ

فَلا تُشرِكوا في أَمرِكُم كُلَّ واغِلِ

O Abd Manaf, you are the best of your people:

By my life, you have been weakened and helpless

do not admit every intruder into your affairs.

And come with an opinion missing the joints!

فَقَد خِفتُ إِن لَم يُصلِحِ اللَهُ أَمرَكُم

فَقَد خِفتُ إِن لَم يُصلِحِ اللَهُ أَمرَكُم

تَكونوا كَما كانَت أَحاديثُ وائِلِ

تَكونوا كَما كانَت أَحاديثُ وائِلِ

I fear that, unless God sets your affairs right,

You were once kindling of the pot, but are now

you will become like the tales of Wa'il.

Kindling of greater pots and stoves.

لَعَمري لَقَد أُوهِنتُمُ وَعَجزتُمُ

لَعَمري لَقَد أُوهِنتُمُ وَعَجزتُمُ

وَجِئتُم بِأَمرٍ مُخطئٍ لِلمَفاصِلِ

وَجِئتُم بِأَمرٍ مُخطئٍ لِلمَفاصِلِ

By my life, you have been weakened and proved helpless,

May the disloyalty and abandonment of

and undertaken a deed that misses the joints.

The sons of Abd Manaf gladden them!

وَكُنتُم قَديماً حَطبَ قِدرٍ فَأَنتُمُ

وَكُنتُم قَديماً حَطبَ قِدرٍ فَأَنتُمُ

الآنَ أحطابُ أَقدُرٍ وَمَراجِلِ

الآنَ أحطابُ أَقدُرٍ وَمَراجِلِ

Formerly you were firewood for one pot; now you are

If a people are made happy by what you have done,

firewood for many pots and cauldrons.

You shall suckle it unweaned, not sterile!

لِيَهنئ بَني عَبدِ مَنافٍ عُقوقُها

لِيَهنئ بَني عَبدِ مَنافٍ عُقوقُها

وَخِذلانُها وَتَركُنا في المَعاقِلِ

وَخِذلانُها وَتَركُنا في المَعاقِلِ

May Banu Abd Manaf rejoice in their disloyalty,

Every friend and son of a sister we deemed

their desertion, and their leaving us in the strongholds!

Good, we found, by my life, his absence no use!

فَإِن يَكُ قَومٌ سَرَّهُم ما صَنَعتُمُ

فَإِن يَكُ قَومٌ سَرَّهُم ما صَنَعتُمُ

سَتَحتَلِبوها لاقِحاً غَيرَ باهِلِ

سَتَحتَلِبوها لاقِحاً غَيرَ باهِلِ

If there are people pleased by what you have done,

Except some clan of Kalb ibn Murra,

you will milk her pregnant, with her udder bound.

Innocent to us from Maqata the betrayer

فَبَلِّغ قُصَيّاً أَن سَيُنشَرُ أَمرُنا

فَبَلِّغ قُصَيّاً أَن سَيُنشَرُ أَمرُنا

وَبَشِّر قُصَيّاً بَعدَنا بِالتَخاذُلِ

وَبَشِّر قُصَيّاً بَعدَنا بِالتَخاذُلِ

So tell Qusayy that our affair shall be made public,

O Bani Asad! Do not blame the speck

and bring Qusayy tidings of mutual abandonment after us.

If the saying of a speaker is not truth!

وَلَو طَرَقت لَيلاً قُصَيّاً عَظيمَةٌ

وَلَو طَرَقت لَيلاً قُصَيّاً عَظيمَةٌ

إِذاً ما لَجَأنا دونَهُم في المَداخِلِ

إِذاً ما لَجَأنا دونَهُم في المَداخِلِ

Were a great calamity to strike Qusayy by night,

Best nephew of the people, correct, not denied,

we would not seek refuge apart from them in hiding places.

Is Zuhayr, a drawn sword among the blades.

لَو صُدِقوا ضَرباً خِلالَ بُيوتِهِم

لَو صُدِقوا ضَرباً خِلالَ بُيوتِهِم

لَكُنّا أُسىً عِندَ النِساءِ المَطافِلِ

لَكُنّا أُسىً عِندَ النِساءِ المَطافِلِ

If they were dealt earnest blows among their houses,

I scent from musk the anklets that belong

we would be a consolation to the mothers of little children.

To noble lineage at the height of glory.

فَإِن تَكُ كَعبٌ مِن لُؤَيٍّ تَجَمَّعَت

فَإِن تَكُ كَعبٌ مِن لُؤَيٍّ تَجَمَّعَت

فَلا بُدَّ يَوماً مَرَّةً مِن تَزايُلِ

فَلا بُدَّ يَوماً مَرَّةً مِن تَزايُلِ

If Ka'b of Lu'ayy has gathered together,

By my life, I have been burdened with love for Ahmad

there must one day come a parting.

And his brothers, habit of a constant loving friend.

فَإِن تَكُ كَعبٌ مِن كُعوبٍ كَثيرَةٍ

فَإِن تَكُ كَعبٌ مِن كُعوبٍ كَثيرَةٍ

فَلا بُدَّ يَوماً أَنَّها في مَجاهِلِ

فَلا بُدَّ يَوماً أَنَّها في مَجاهِلِ

If Ka'b is but one among many Ka'bs,

I stand for the victory of the Prophet Muhammad,

it must one day find itself in unknown wastes.

I fight for him with spears and missiles.

وَكُلُّ صَديقٍ وَاِبنُ أُختٍ نَعُدُّهُ

وَكُلُّ صَديقٍ وَاِبنُ أُختٍ نَعُدُّهُ

وَجَدنا لَعَمري غِبَّهُ غَيرَ طائِلِ

وَجَدنا لَعَمري غِبَّهُ غَيرَ طائِلِ

Every friend and sister's son whom we count on—

So in the world remains a beauty for its people

we have found, by my life, of little use in the end,

And adornment for whoever God tries,

سِوى أَنَّ رَهطاً مِن كِلابِ بنِ مُرَّةٍ

سِوى أَنَّ رَهطاً مِن كِلابِ بنِ مُرَّةٍ

بَراءٌ إِلَينا مِن مَعَقَّةِ خاذِلِ

بَراءٌ إِلَينا مِن مَعَقَّةِ خاذِلِ

except that a clan of Kilab ibn Murrah

For who among the people is like him, what hopeful

is free toward us of a deserter's betrayal of kin.

When the rulers measure at competition?

بَني أَسَدٍ لا تُطرِفُنَّ عَلى القَذى

بَني أَسَدٍ لا تُطرِفُنَّ عَلى القَذى

إِذا لَم يَقُل بِالحَقِّ مِقوَلُ قائِلِ

إِذا لَم يَقُل بِالحَقِّ مِقوَلُ قائِلِ

Banu Asad, do not close your eyes upon the grit,

Forbearing, rightly guided, just, not reckless,

if no speaker's tongue speaks the truth.

Loyal to a God not heedless of him,

فَنِعمَ اِبنُ أُختِ القَومِ غَيرَ مُكَذَّبٍ

فَنِعمَ اِبنُ أُختِ القَومِ غَيرَ مُكَذَّبٍ

زُهَيرٌ حُساماً مُفرَداً مِن حَمائِلِ

زُهَيرٌ حُساماً مُفرَداً مِن حَمائِلِ

A fine nephew of the people, not to be called a liar,

So the Lord of worshipers supported him with victory

is Zuhayr, a keen sword drawn free of its baldrics,

And manifest a true religion without attachment.

أَشَمُّ مِنَ الشُمِّ البَهاليلِ يَنتَمي

أَشَمُّ مِنَ الشُمِّ البَهاليلِ يَنتَمي

إِلى حَسَبٍ في حَومَةِ المَجدِ فاضِلِ

إِلى حَسَبٍ في حَومَةِ المَجدِ فاضِلِ

lofty among lofty, generous lords, tracing his descent

By God, were it not that I would come back disgraced,

to a noble lineage eminent in the arena of glory.

Dragged over our elders in the assemblies,

لَعَمري لَقَد كَلِفتُ وَجداً بِأَحمَدٍ

لَعَمري لَقَد كَلِفتُ وَجداً بِأَحمَدٍ

وَإِخوَتِهِ دَأبَ المُحِبِّ المُواصِلِ

وَإِخوَتِهِ دَأبَ المُحِبِّ المُواصِلِ

By my life, I have become ardently devoted to Ahmad

We would have followed him in any condition

and his brothers, as a lover who maintains his bonds.

Serious, not for mere pretense.

أُقيمُ عَلى نَصرِ النَبِيِّ مُحَمَّدٍ

أُقيمُ عَلى نَصرِ النَبِيِّ مُحَمَّدٍ

أُقاتِلُ عَنهُ بِالقَنا وَالقَنابِلِ

أُقاتِلُ عَنهُ بِالقَنا وَالقَنابِلِ

I persist in supporting the Prophet Muhammad,

They know our son is not one to deny before them

fighting in his defense with spears and mounted troops.

Or heed the saying of lies.

فَلا زالَ في الدُنيا جَمالاً لِأَهلِها

فَلا زالَ في الدُنيا جَمالاً لِأَهلِها

وَزَيناً لِمَن ولّاهُ رَبُّ المَشاكِلِ

وَزَيناً لِمَن ولّاهُ رَبُّ المَشاكِلِ

May he never cease to be a beauty for the world's people,

Honorable men, not inclined to sin, raised

and an adornment for those over whom the Lord of troubles set him!

By noble fathers, magnanimous when ruptured.

فَمَن مِثلُهُ في الناسِ أَيُّ مُؤَمّلٍ

فَمَن مِثلُهُ في الناسِ أَيُّ مُؤَمّلٍ

إِذا قاسَهُ الحُكّامُ عِندَ التَفاضُلِ

إِذا قاسَهُ الحُكّامُ عِندَ التَفاضُلِ

Who among people is like him—what man in whom hope is placed—

We drove them off until their group dispersed

when judges compare him in weighing excellence?

And every rebel and ignorant lamented.

حَليمٌ رَشيدٌ عادِلٌ غَيرُ طائِشٍ

حَليمٌ رَشيدٌ عادِلٌ غَيرُ طائِشٍ

يُوالي إِلهاً لَيسَ عَنهُ بِغافِلِ

يُوالي إِلهاً لَيسَ عَنهُ بِغافِلِ

Forbearing, wise, just, never rash,

Youth of the Tayyibun and Hashim

loyal to a God who is not heedless of him.

Like the gleam of swords in the hands of polishers.

فَأَيَّدَهُ رَبُّ العبادِ بِنَصرِهِ

فَأَيَّدَهُ رَبُّ العبادِ بِنَصرِهِ

وَأَظهَرَ ديناً حَقُّهُ غَيرُ ناصِلِ

وَأَظهَرَ ديناً حَقُّهُ غَيرُ ناصِلِ

The Lord of His servants strengthened him with His aid,

With blows in which the young men seem

and made manifest a religion whose truth does not fall away.

Like Egyptian lions over fragmented meat.

فَوَاللَهِ لَولا أَن أَجيءَ بِسُبَّةٍ

فَوَاللَهِ لَولا أَن أَجيءَ بِسُبَّةٍ

تَجُرُّ عَلى أَشياخِنا في المَحافِلِ

تَجُرُّ عَلى أَشياخِنا في المَحافِلِ

By God, were it not that I would bring a reproach

But we are an honorable seed of masters

drawing disgrace upon our elders in assemblies,

By whom we surpass nations when competing.

لَكُنّا اتّبَعناهُ عَلى كُلِّ حالَةٍ

لَكُنّا اتّبَعناهُ عَلى كُلِّ حالَةٍ

مِنَ الدَهرِ جدّاً غَيرَ قَولِ التَهازُلِ

مِنَ الدَهرِ جدّاً غَيرَ قَولِ التَهازُلِ

we would have followed him under every circumstance

The people of meanness will know which of us prevails

throughout time, in earnest, not in jesting talk.

And is exalted on nights few.

لَقَد عَلِموا أَنَّ اِبنَنا لا مُكَذَّبٌ

لَقَد عَلِموا أَنَّ اِبنَنا لا مُكَذَّبٌ

لَدَيهم وَلا يُعنى بِقَولِ الأَباطِلِ

لَدَيهم وَلا يُعنى بِقَولِ الأَباطِلِ

They know indeed that our son is not considered a liar

And which of them and me with his sword

among them, nor does he concern himself with falsehoods.

Meets when the time of concession draws near.

رِجالٌ كِرامٌ غَيرُ ميلٍ نَماهُمُ

رِجالٌ كِرامٌ غَيرُ ميلٍ نَماهُمُ

إِلى الغرّ آباءٌ كِرامُ المَخاصِلِ

إِلى الغرّ آباءٌ كِرامُ المَخاصِلِ

Noble men, not fainthearted, whose lineage raised them

And who of them and me will tire of war

among the illustrious through fathers of noble qualities.

And be praised in the horizons by any speaker?

دَفَعناهُمُ حَتّى تَبَدَّدَ جَمعُهُم

دَفَعناهُمُ حَتّى تَبَدَّدَ جَمعُهُم

وَحسّرَ عَنّا كُلُّ باغٍ وَجاهِلِ

وَحسّرَ عَنّا كُلُّ باغٍ وَجاهِلِ

We drove them back until their gathering scattered,

So Ahmad with us is in a loftiness

and every aggressor and fool fell back exhausted from us.

That falls short of him, Sura of the Grand.

شَبابٌ مِنَ المُطَيّبينَ وَهاشمٍ

شَبابٌ مِنَ المُطَيّبينَ وَهاشمٍ

كَبيضِ السُيوفِ بَينَ أَيدي الصَياقِلِ

كَبيضِ السُيوفِ بَينَ أَيدي الصَياقِلِ

Young men of al-Mutayyibin and Hashim,

I envision him above the steeds leading them

like bright swords in the hands of polishers,

To a people gone astray into every falsehood.

بِضَربٍ تَرى الفِتيانَ فيهِ كَأَنَّهُم

بِضَربٍ تَرى الفِتيانَ فيهِ كَأَنَّهُم

ضَواري أُسودٍ فَوقَ لَحمٍ خَرادِلِ

ضَواري أُسودٍ فَوقَ لَحمٍ خَرادِلِ

with blows amid which you see the youths as though they were

I exerted myself below him and protected him,

ravening lions over flesh torn into morsels.

Repelling from him with cutting swords.

وَلَكِنَّنا نَسلٌ كِرامٌ لِسادَةٍ

وَلَكِنَّنا نَسلٌ كِرامٌ لِسادَةٍ

بِهِم نَعتلي الأَقوامَ عِندَ التطاوُلِ

بِهِم نَعتلي الأَقوامَ عِندَ التطاوُلِ

Yet we are the noble offspring of lords,

No doubt God is elevating his affair

through whom we rise above peoples when vying for eminence.

And raising him in life and the Day of Dispute.

سَيَعلَمُ أَهلُ الضّعنِ أَيّي وَأَيُّهُم

سَيَعلَمُ أَهلُ الضّعنِ أَيّي وَأَيُّهُم

يَفوزُ وَيَعلو في لَيالٍ قَلائِلِ

يَفوزُ وَيَعلو في لَيالٍ قَلائِلِ

Those bearing rancor will know which of us—myself or them—

prevails and rises above within a few nights,

وَأَيُّهُمُ مِنّي وَمِنهُم بِسَيفِهِ

وَأَيُّهُمُ مِنّي وَمِنهُم بِسَيفِهِ

يُلاقي إِذا ما حانَ وَقتُ التَنازُلِ

يُلاقي إِذا ما حانَ وَقتُ التَنازُلِ

and which of us, myself or them, with his sword,

will face the other when the time for combat comes,

وَمَن ذا يَمَلُّ الحَربَ مِنّي وَمِنهُمُ

وَمَن ذا يَمَلُّ الحَربَ مِنّي وَمِنهُمُ

وَيحمدُ في الآفاقِ مِن قَولِ قائِلِ

وَيحمدُ في الآفاقِ مِن قَولِ قائِلِ

and who among us, myself or them, tires of war,

and is praised across the horizons in a speaker's words.

فَأَصبَحَ فينا أَحمَدٌ في أَرومَةٍ

فَأَصبَحَ فينا أَحمَدٌ في أَرومَةٍ

تُقَصِّرُ عَنهُ سورَةُ المُتَطاوِلِ

تُقَصِّرُ عَنهُ سورَةُ المُتَطاوِلِ

Thus Ahmad stands among us in a noble stock

beyond the reach of a rival's onslaught.

كَأَنّي بِهِ فَوقَ الجِيادِ يَقودُها

كَأَنّي بِهِ فَوقَ الجِيادِ يَقودُها

إِلى مَعشَرٍ زاغوا إِلى كُلِّ باطِلِ

إِلى مَعشَرٍ زاغوا إِلى كُلِّ باطِلِ

I seem to see him atop fine steeds, leading them

against a people who have strayed toward every falsehood.

وَجُدتُ بِنَفسي دَونَهُ وَحَمَيتُهُ

وَجُدتُ بِنَفسي دَونَهُ وَحَمَيتُهُ

وَدافَعتُ عَنهُ بِالطُلى وَالكَلاكِلِ

وَدافَعتُ عَنهُ بِالطُلى وَالكَلاكِلِ

I gave my very self in his defense and protected him,

and shielded him with throats and chests.

وَلا شَكَّ أَنَّ اللَهَ رافِعُ أَمرِهِ

وَلا شَكَّ أَنَّ اللَهَ رافِعُ أَمرِهِ

وَمُعليهِ في الدُنيا وَيَومَ التَجادُلِ

وَمُعليهِ في الدُنيا وَيَومَ التَجادُلِ

There is no doubt that God will raise his cause,

and exalt him in this world and on the Day of Disputation.