إملإِfill الأرضَthe earth ياO مُحمّدُMuhammad نُوراwith light
إملإِ الأرضَ يا مُحمّدُ نُورا
وَاغْمرِand flood النّاسَthe people حِكمةًwith wisdom والدُّهوراand the ages
وَاغْمرِ النّاسَ حِكمةً والدُّهورا
Fill the earth, O Muhammad, with light,
Fill the earth, O Muhammad, with light
And flood humanity and the ages with wisdom.
And immerse people in wisdom and eternity
حجبتكَveiled you الغيوبُthe unseen realms سِرّاًas a secret تجلىrevealed itself
حجبتكَ الغيوبُ سِرّاً تجلى
يكشفُunveils الحُجْبَthe veils كلَّهاall of them والسُّتوراand the curtains
يكشفُ الحُجْبَ كلَّها والسُّتورا
The unseen realms veiled you—a secret revealed,
The mysteries veiled you as a secret appeared
Uncovering every veil and curtain.
To uncover all veils and curtains
عَبَّsurged سيلُthe flood الفسادِof corruption فيin كلّevery وادٍvalley
عَبَّ سيلُ الفسادِ في كلّ وادٍ
فتدفَّقْthen pour forth عليهover it حتّىuntil يغوراit sinks away
فتدفَّقْ عليه حتّى يغورا
The flood of corruption surged through every valley;
The flood of corruption overflowed every valley
Pour over it until it sinks away.
So flow upon it until it is drowned
جِئتَyou came ترميstriking عُبابَهُits surge بعُبابٍwith a surge
جِئتَ ترمي عُبابَهُ بعُبابٍ
رَاحbegan يَطوِيsweeping up سُيولَهُits torrents وَالبحوراand the seas
رَاح يَطوِي سُيولَهُ وَالبحورا
You came to strike its surge with a surge
You came to counter its dark clouds with clouds
That swept up its torrents and seas,
That folded its floods and oceans
يُنقذُrescues العالمَthe world الغريقَthe drowning ويحميand protects
يُنقذُ العالمَ الغريقَ ويحمي
أُمَمَthe nations الأرضِof the earth أنfrom تذوقَtasting الثُّبوراdestruction
أُمَمَ الأرضِ أن تذوقَ الثُّبورا
Rescuing the drowning world and shielding
To save the drowning world and protect
The earth's nations from tasting destruction.
The nations of earth from tasting ruin
زاخرٌoverflowing يَشملُembraces البسيطةَthe earth مدّاًwith a tide
زاخرٌ يَشملُ البسيطةَ مدّاً
ويَعُمُّand fills السَّبعَthe seven الطِّباقَlayers هديراwith roaring
ويَعُمُّ السَّبعَ الطِّباقَ هديرا
An overflowing flood, embracing the earth with its tide,
Abundant, encompassing the horizons stretching
And filling the seven layered heavens with its roar.
And the seven heavens rumbling loudly
أنتyou معنىthe meaning الوجودِof existence بلrather أنتyou سِرٌّa secret
أنت معنى الوجودِ بل أنت سِرٌّ
جَهِلَdid not know النّاسthe people قبلهbefore it الأكسيراthe elixir
جَهِلَ النّاس قبله الأكسيرا
You are the meaning of existence—indeed, a secret
You are the meaning of existence, rather you are a secret
Before which humanity knew not the elixir.
People were ignorant of before, like elixir
أنتyou أنشأتَcreated للنُّفوسfor souls حَياةًa life
أنت أنشأتَ للنُّفوس حَياةً
غَيَّرتْtransformed كلَّevery كائنٍbeing تغييراutterly
غَيَّرتْ كلَّ كائنٍ تغييرا
You created a life for souls
You created for souls a life
That utterly transformed every being.
That changed everything transforming
أنجبbegot الدهرtime فيin ظلالكyour shade عصراًan age
أنجب الدهر في ظلالك عصراً
نابهillustrious الذكرin renown فيamong العصورthe ages شهيراfamous
نابه الذكر في العصور شهيرا
Time begot beneath your shade an age
Time gave birth in your shadows to an era
Of illustrious renown, famous among the ages.
Whose fame in eras is renowned
كيفhow تَجزِيcan repay جَميلthe graciousness صُنعِكof your deeds دُنياa world
كيف تَجزِي جَميل صُنعِك دُنيا
كُنتَyou were بَعثاًan awakening لهاfor it وكنتَand you were نُشوراa resurrection
كُنتَ بَعثاً لها وكنتَ نُشورا
How can a world repay your gracious deeds,
How will the world reward your favor?
When you were its awakening and resurrection?
You were a resurrection for it and a rising
وَلدتكَbore you الكواكِبُthe stars الزُّهرُthe radiant فَجراًas a dawn
وَلدتكَ الكواكِبُ الزُّهرُ فَجراً
هاشميَّHashimite السَّناin radiance وَصُبحاًand a morning منيراluminous
هاشميَّ السَّنا وَصُبحاً منيرا
The radiant stars bore you as a dawn
The stars bore you at dawn
Of Hashimite radiance, a luminous morning,
A Hashimite sun and a shining morning
يَصدعُpierces الغيهبَthe gloom المُجَللَthe enveloping بالوحthrough revelation (start)
يَصدعُ الغيهبَ المُجَللَ بالوح
يِrevelation (end) المُلَقَّىsent down ويَكشِفُand uncovers الدّيجوراthe darkness
يِ المُلَقَّى ويَكشِفُ الدّيجورا
Piercing the enveloping gloom through revelation
Breaking the hidden adorned by revelation
Sent down, and uncovering the darkness.
And uncovering the darknesses
منطقُthe utterance القدرةِof power التيthat تُرهقُoverburdens القاthe capable (start)
منطقُ القدرةِ التي تُرهقُ القا
درَcapable (end) والعبقريَّand the genius قُصوراwith inadequacy
درَ والعبقريَّ قُصورا
The utterance of power that reduces
The logic of power that overwhelms
The capable and the genius to inadequacy.
The able and genius palaces
كُلُّevery ذِمرٍchampion رَمَىstruck النُّفُوسَthe souls بوِترٍwith a wrong
كُلُّ ذِمرٍ رَمَى النُّفُوسَ بوِترٍ
مِنfrom حَظاياهُhis favorites رَدَّهit left him موتوراbereft
مِن حَظاياهُ رَدَّه موتورا
Every champion who wounded souls with a wrong
Every bow aimed at souls with a chord
For his favorites, it left bereft in turn.
From its arrows he returned it broken
خَرَّتِfell العُربُthe Arabs منfrom مَشارِفهاtheir heights العُلthe lofty (start)
خَرَّتِ العُربُ من مَشارِفها العُل
ياlofty (end) تُوالِيcontinue هُوِيَّهاtheir plunge والحدوراand descent
يا تُوالِي هُوِيَّها والحدورا
The Arabs fell from their lofty heights,
The eloquent collapsed around it
Continuing their plunge and descent.
Surrendering its forts and citadels
باتbecame فيهاamong them ملكthe king البيانof eloquence حريباًdespoiled
بات فيها ملك البيان حريباً
يسلمsurrenders الجندthe troops وَالحمىand the domain وَالثُّغوراand the frontiers
يسلم الجند وَالحمى وَالثُّغورا
The king of eloquence stood among them, despoiled,
The King of Eloquence spent the night confused
Surrendering his troops, his domain, and his frontiers.
Surrendering soldiers, protectors, and frontiers
أنكرَdenied النّاسُthe people رَبَّهمtheir Lord وتَولَّوْاand turned away
أنكرَ النّاسُ رَبَّهم وتَولَّوْا
يَحسبونconsider الحياةَlife إفكاًa falsehood وَزوراand a lie
يَحسبون الحياةَ إفكاً وَزورا
People denied their Lord and turned away,
People denied their Lord and turned
Thinking life a falsehood and a lie.
Thinking life is a lie and falsehood
أينhow far منfrom شِرعةِthe law الحياةِof life أُناسٌare people
أين من شِرعةِ الحياةِ أُناسٌ
جعلواmade البَغيَoppression شِرعةًa law والفجوراand wickedness
جعلوا البَغيَ شِرعةً والفجورا
How far from life's law are people
Where in the law of life are people
Who made oppression and wickedness their law!
Who made tyranny lawful and corruption
تلكthose أربابُهمtheir gods أتملكcan they أنto تنbenefit (start)
تلك أربابُهم أتملك أن تن
فَعbenefit (end) مِثقالَthe weight ذرّةٍof a mote أوor تَضيراharm
فَع مِثقالَ ذرّةٍ أو تَضيرا
Those are their gods: can they bring
Can those gods of theirs, do they possess
A mote's weight of benefit, or do harm?
To move an atom's weight or harm?
قهروهاthey subdued them صِناعةًby fashioning أعجبُthe strangest الأرْof gods (start)
قهروها صِناعةً أعجبُ الأرْ
بابِgods (end) ماthat which كانwas عاجزاًhelpless مقهوراsubdued
بابِ ما كان عاجزاً مقهورا
They mastered them by fashioning them; strangest of gods
They overpowered them by craft, the strangest thing
Is one that is helpless and subdued.
That the unable were subjugated
ماnot لدىwith اللاّتِal-Lat أوor مُناةManat أوor العزal-Uzza (start)
ما لدى اللاّتِ أو مُناة أو العز
زىal-Uzza (end) غَنَاءٌany help لمنfor whoever يَقيسُweighs الأموراaffairs
زى غَنَاءٌ لمن يَقيسُ الأمورا
Neither al-Lat nor Manat nor al-Uzza
Neither Lat nor Manat or Al-Uzza have
Offers any help to one who weighs affairs.
A song for one who weighs things
جاءَcame دِينُthe religion الهدىof guidance وَهبَّand rose رسولُthe Messenger الof God (start)
جاءَ دِينُ الهدى وَهبَّ رسولُ ال
لَهِGod (end) يَحمِيprotecting لواءَهُits banner المنشوراthe unfurled
لَهِ يَحمِي لواءَهُ المنشورا
The religion of guidance came, and God's Messenger rose,
The religion of guidance came and the Messenger of God
Protecting its unfurled banner.
Rose its banner, the one to be spread
ضَرَبَstruck الكُفرَunbelief ضَربةًa blow زلزلتهthat shook it
ضَرَبَ الكُفرَ ضَربةً زلزلته
فَتداعىso it collapsed وَكانand it was خطباًa menace عسيراformidable
فَتداعى وَكان خطباً عسيرا
He struck unbelief a blow that shook it,
It struck polytheism a strike that shook it
And it collapsed, though a formidable menace.
So it collapsed and was a grave matter
جَثمتْcrouched حولهaround him الحُصونُthe fortresses وظنَّand imagined الthe (start of 'people')
جَثمتْ حوله الحُصونُ وظنَّ ال
قومُpeople ظنَّthe imagining الغرورِof delusion أنthat لنnever تطيراthey would be swept away
قومُ ظنَّ الغرورِ أن لن تطيرا
Fortresses crouched around him, and the people imagined
Fortresses collapsed around it, and the people thought
In their delusion that they would never be swept away.
Deluded by illusion, that it will never fly
هَدَّهاdemolished them ذوthe Possessor الجلالِof Majesty حِصناًfortress فحصناًafter fortress
هَدَّها ذو الجلالِ حِصناً فحصناً
بالحصونِwith fortresses العُلَىthe lofty وَسُوراًand wall فسوراafter wall
بالحصونِ العُلَى وَسُوراً فسورا
The Lord of Majesty demolished them, fortress after fortress,
The One of Majesty guided it, fortress by fortress
With lofty fortresses, and wall after wall,
With supreme fortresses and fence by fence
بالرسولِthrough the Messenger الهاديthe guiding وبالصفوةِand through the chosen ones الأمthe noble (start)
بالرسولِ الهادي وبالصفوةِ الأم
جادِnoble (end) يَقضونfulfill حقَّهHis due الموفوراthe abundant
جادِ يَقضون حقَّه الموفورا
Through the guiding Messenger and the noble chosen ones,
By the guiding Messenger and the honorable elite
Who fulfilled all that was due to Him.
Who fulfill his abundant right
يُهرقونpour out النّفوسَsouls تَلْقَىmeeting الرَّدَىdeath المُهْthe outpoured (start)
يُهرقون النّفوسَ تَلْقَى الرَّدَى المُهْ
راقَoutpoured (end) مثلlike الغديرِthe pool يَلقىmeeting الغديراthe pool
راقَ مثل الغديرِ يَلقى الغديرا
They pour out souls to meet outpoured death,
They shed souls to meet a poured death
As one pool meets another pool.
As the abundant rain meets abundant rain
إنّindeed فيin القتلkilling للشعوبِfor peoples حياةًis life
إنّ في القتل للشعوبِ حياةً
وَارفاًabundant ظِلُّهاits shade وخَيراًand goodness كثيراmuch
وَارفاً ظِلُّها وخَيراً كثيرا
Indeed, in killing there is life for peoples,
Indeed, in killing nations there is life
With abundant shade and much goodness.
Shading them, and abundant goodness
ليسnot مَنone who يركبُembraces الدّنيّةَhumiliation يَخشىfearing
ليس مَن يركبُ الدّنيّةَ يَخشى
مَركبَthe voyage الموتِof death بالحياةِof life جديراworthy
مَركبَ الموتِ بالحياةِ جديرا
One who embraces humiliation, fearing
Not one who rides worldly life fears
The voyage of death, is unworthy of life.
The ship of death, being worthy of life
أمِنَis it right الحقِّright أنthat تصُدَّturn away قُريشٌQuraysh
أمِنَ الحقِّ أن تصُدَّ قُريشٌ
عنfrom فتاهاits young man وأنand that تُطيلَprolong النّكيراrejection
عن فتاها وأن تُطيلَ النّكيرا
Is it right that Quraysh should turn away
Did the truth feel secure that Quraish
From its own young man, and prolong its rejection?
Would bar its way and prolong defiance?
سَلْask أباAbu جَهلهاits Jahl وَقوماًand people دعاهمhe summoned
سَلْ أبا جَهلها وَقوماً دعاهم
فاستجابواso they answered جَهالةًin ignorance وغروراand conceit
فاستجابوا جَهالةً وغرورا
Ask its Abu Jahl and the people he summoned,
Ask its ignorant ones and people it called
Who answered in ignorance and conceit.
Who responded in ignorance and pride
أُولعواwere infatuated بالأذىwith harm فألفواbut found رسولَthe Messenger الof God (start)
أُولعوا بالأذى فألفوا رسولَ ال
لَهِGod (end) جَلْداًstaunch علىunder البلاءِaffliction صبوراpatient
لَهِ جَلْداً على البلاءِ صبورا
They delighted in harm, but found God's Messenger
They harmed intentionally, so they found the Messenger of God
Staunch under affliction and patient.
Patient over hardship, forbearing
كُلماwhenever أحدثواcommitted الذُّنوبَsins كِباراًgreat
كُلما أحدثوا الذُّنوبَ كِباراً
وَجدوهُthey found him لِكُلِّfor every ذنبٍsin غفوراforgiving
وَجدوهُ لِكُلِّ ذنبٍ غفورا
Whenever they committed great sins,
The more major sins they innovated
They found him forgiving of every sin.
They found him for every sin Forgiving
ماnot بِهِhis concern نَفْسُهhis own self فيغضبُso he grows angry يُرضيto please (start)
ما بِهِ نَفْسُه فيغضبُ يُرضي
هاit وَتُرضيهِand it pleases him ناعماًcontent مسروراjoyful
ها وَتُرضيهِ ناعماً مسرورا
His own self is not his concern, that he should rage to please
His soul does not get angry so he would
It, and it please him, content and joyful.
Be angry, but he appeases them, pleased and delighted
إنّهit is اللّهُGod لاnot سِواهُanyone besides Him وَدِينٌand a religion
إنّه اللّهُ لا سِواهُ وَدِينٌ
مَلَكَpossessed النّفسَthe soul وَاسترقَّand enthralled الشُّعوراthe feelings
مَلَكَ النّفسَ وَاسترقَّ الشُّعورا
It is God, none other, and a religion
He is God besides Whom there is nothing
That possessed his soul and enthralled his feelings.
And a religion that captured the feelings
يَجِدُhe finds النّاسَhumanity وَالمقاديرَand destinies فيهِwithin it
يَجِدُ النّاسَ وَالمقاديرَ فيهِ
وَيرىand sees ماwhat عداهis beyond it شيئاًa thing يسيراtrifling
وَيرى ما عداه شيئاً يسيرا
Within it he finds humanity and destiny,
He finds people and destinies in it
And sees all else as a trifling thing.
And sees what is other, insignificant
ماnot زكاwas pure سابقٌa predecessor منamong الرُّسلِthe messengers إلاexcept
ما زكا سابقٌ من الرُّسلِ إلا
هوhe أزكىwas purer نَفْساًin soul وأصفَىand clearer ضميراin conscience
هو أزكى نَفْساً وأصفَى ضميرا
No earlier messenger was pure
No previous messenger was purified
But he was purer in soul and clearer in conscience.
Except he is the most purified in soul and conscience
جاءهcame to him عمُّهhis uncle يَقولsaying أترضىwould you accept
جاءه عمُّه يَقول أترضى
أنthat يُقيموكthey make you سيِّداًa lord أوor أميراa prince
أن يُقيموك سيِّداً أو أميرا
His uncle came to him, saying, 'Would you accept
His uncle came telling him, will you agree
Their making you a lord or a prince,
To be made master or prince over us
وَيَصُبُّواand pour عليكَupon you منfrom صفوةِthe choicest الماwealth (start)
وَيَصُبُّوا عليكَ من صفوةِ الما
لِwealth (end) حَياًa raincloud ماطراًraining وَغيثاًand a downpour غزيراabundant
لِ حَياً ماطراً وَغيثاً غزيرا
And pouring upon you, from the choicest wealth,
And we will pour upon you the elite of wealth
A raining cloud and an abundant downpour?'
An abundant life-giving rain and pouring
قالhe said ياO عمِّmy uncle ماnot بُعثتُwas I sent لدنياfor worldly life
قال يا عمِّ ما بُعثتُ لدنيا
أبتغيهاto seek it وماand not خُلِقتُwas I created حَصوراheld back
أبتغيها وما خُلِقتُ حَصورا
He said, 'Uncle, I was not sent for a worldly life
He said: O uncle I was not sent for worldly life
To seek it, nor was I created to be held back.
I seek nor was I created confined
لوif أتونيthey brought me بالنّيرينthe two luminaries لأعرضI would turn away (start)
لو أتوني بالنّيرين لأعرض
تI would turn away (end) أُريهمshowing them مطالبيmy aims والشُّقوراand concerns
ت أُريهم مطالبي والشُّقورا
Were they to bring me the two luminaries, I would turn away,
If they came to me with the two lights I would
Showing them my aims and concerns.
Turn away showing them my concerns and misery
إنif يُشيرواthey propose بماwhat علمتَyou know فإنّيthen I
إن يُشيروا بما علمتَ فإنّي
لأَدعُّwill surely thrust aside الهوىdesire وأعصيand disobey المشيراthe adviser
لأَدعُّ الهوى وأعصي المشيرا
If they propose what you know, then I
If they suggest what you know, I will
Will thrust desire aside and defy the adviser.
Abandon desire and disobey the advisor
دَونَrather than هذاthis دميmy blood يُراقُis poured out وَنفسِيand my soul
دَونَ هذا دمي يُراقُ وَنفسِي
تُطعَمُis fed الحتفَdeath رائعاًterrifying محذوراdreaded
تُطعَمُ الحتفَ رائعاً محذورا
Rather than this, let my blood be poured out and my soul
Other than this my blood will be shed and my soul
Be fed a terrifying, dreaded death.'
Fed death, exalted and prohibited
ماnot رأيناhave we seen كالمطعمِlike al-Mut'im بنson of عديٍّ'Adi
ما رأينا كالمطعمِ بن عديٍّ
جافياًdistant واصلاًmaintaining ties هَيوباًfearful جَسوراbold
جافياً واصلاً هَيوباً جَسورا
We have seen none like al-Mut'im ibn 'Adi:
We have not seen anyone like Al-Mut'im bin Adyy
Distant yet maintaining ties, fearful yet bold.
Who boycotted and supported a religion being turned away
آثرhe preferred الكُفرunbelief مِلّةًas a creed وأجارَand sheltered الthe (start of 'faith')
آثر الكُفر مِلّةً وأجارَ ال
دينَfaith مُستضعفاًoppressed يَدورُwandering شَطيراestranged
دينَ مُستضعفاً يَدورُ شَطيرا
He chose unbelief as his creed, yet sheltered the faith,
He preferred disbelief as religion and protected
Oppressed and wandering estranged.
The weak religion wandering displaced
رَامَsought بالطائفِat al-Ta'if المُقامَa stay فأعياbut was thwarted
رَامَ بالطائفِ المُقامَ فأعيا
فانثنىso he turned back يَطلبُseeking الأمانَprotection حَسيراexhausted
فانثنى يَطلبُ الأمانَ حَسيرا
He sought a stay at al-Ta'if, but was thwarted,
In luxury he tried staying in Taif
And turned back, seeking protection, exhausted.
So he failed seeking safety, debased
وَكَّلَentrusted اللّهُGod بالنُّبوَّةwith prophethood منهfrom him
وَكَّلَ اللّهُ بالنُّبوَّة منه
أسداًa lion يَملأُfilling الفضاءَthe open space زَئيراwith roaring
أسداً يَملأُ الفضاءَ زَئيرا
God entrusted prophethood to a lion in him,
And God entrusted with prophecy from him
Filling the open space with roaring.
A lion filling space with roaring
قائماًstanding فيin السّلاحِarms يَجمعُgathering حولَيْaround
قائماً في السّلاحِ يَجمعُ حولَيْ
هِhim شُبولاًcubs تَحمِيguarding الحِمَىthe sanctuary وَنُموراand tigers
هِ شُبولاً تَحمِي الحِمَى وَنُمورا
Standing armed, he gathered around him
Standing armed, gathering around him cubs
Cubs that guarded the sanctuary, and tigers.
Protecting the sanctuary, lions and leopards
يَمنعُprevents القومَthe people أنfrom يصدّواbarring رسولَthe Messenger الof God (start)
يَمنعُ القومَ أن يصدّوا رسولَ ال
لَهِGod (end) عنfrom بيتِهHis House وَيَأبَىand refuses الخُفوراbreaches of protection
لَهِ عن بيتِه وَيَأبَى الخُفورا
He prevented the people from barring God's Messenger
Preventing people from barring the Messenger of God
From His House, and refused any breach of protection.
From his home, refusing humiliation
نَقضَhe broke الحِلفََthe pact منwith قريشٍQuraysh فأمسَىand it became
نَقضَ الحِلفََ من قريشٍ فأمسَى
أسلمْتهُits bonds forsook it العُرَىthe bonds وكانand it was مَريراtightly twisted
أسلمْتهُ العُرَى وكان مَريرا
He broke the pact with Quraysh, and it became
He broke the treaty of Quraish so they spent the night
Forsaken by its bonds, though once tightly twisted.
Given over, and it was bitter
عجباًhow strange للغويِّthe misguided man يُعطيكَgives you منهfrom himself
عجباً للغويِّ يُعطيكَ منه
عَملاًa deed صالحاًrighteous ورأياًand an opinion فطيراimmature
عَملاً صالحاً ورأياً فطيرا
How strange the misguided man, who gives you
How amazing is Al-Ghay with what he gives you
A righteous deed and an immature opinion!
Of good deed and good opinion
ماnot رأيناhave we seen منone who ظنِّthought بالزرعِof the crop شَرّاًill
ما رأينا من ظنِّ بالزرعِ شَرّاً
فحمَىyet guarded أرضَهُits soil وصانand preserved البذوراthe seeds
فحمَى أرضَهُ وصان البذورا
We have seen none who thought ill of a crop,
We have not seen a worse assumption in crops
Yet guarded its soil and preserved its seeds.
So he protected his land and the seeds
لوif جَزَىrewarded اللهGod كافراًan unbeliever أجرَthe recompense ماfor what أحhe did well (start)
لو جَزَى الله كافراً أجرَ ما أح
سنَhe did well (end) يَوماًone day لَخِلتُهُI would think him مأجوراrewarded
سنَ يَوماً لَخِلتُهُ مأجورا
If God rewarded an unbeliever for the good
If God rewarded a disbeliever the reward of good
He once did, I would think him rewarded.
He did one day, I would see him rewarded
ظلَّremained مُستخفِياًconcealed بغارِin the cave حِراءٍof Hira
ظلَّ مُستخفِياً بغارِ حِراءٍ
يَعبدُworshipping اللهَGod عائذاًseeking refuge مُستجيراseeking protection
يَعبدُ اللهَ عائذاً مُستجيرا
He remained concealed in the cave of Hira,
He remained hiding in the Cave of Hira
Worshipping God, seeking refuge and protection.
Worshipping God, protected and taking refuge
يَسمرُspend the night conversing القومُthe people فيin الضّلالِerror ويُمسِيand he becomes at evening
يَسمرُ القومُ في الضّلالِ ويُمسِي
للذيto Him who أطلعَbrought forth النُّجومَthe stars سميراan evening companion
للذي أطلعَ النُّجومَ سميرا
The people spent their nights in error, while he became
The people passed the night deviated
The evening companion of Him who brought forth the stars,
While the enlightener of the stars prayed
رَاكعاًbowing ساجِداًprostrating يُسبِّحُglorifying مَولاhis Lord (start)
رَاكعاً ساجِداً يُسبِّحُ مَولا
هُHim ويُزجِيand offers التَّهليلَdeclarations of God's oneness والتّكبيراand declarations of God's greatness
هُ ويُزجِي التَّهليلَ والتّكبيرا
Bowing and prostrating, glorifying his Lord,
Bowing, prostrating, glorifying his Lord
And offering declarations of His oneness and greatness.
And prolonging pronouncing His greatness
تَهتِفُcall out الكائناتُall beings يأخذُهاseizes them الصّوthe sound (start)
تَهتِفُ الكائناتُ يأخذُها الصّو
تُsound (end) تُحيِّيsaluting مكانَهُhis dwelling المهجوراthe deserted
تُ تُحيِّي مكانَهُ المهجورا
All beings called out, seized by the sound,
Creation shouts, the voice takes it
Saluting his deserted dwelling.
Greeting his place, once desolate
نَالَgained منهاamong them مَحلّةًa place لمnot ينلْهاreached it
نَالَ منها مَحلّةً لم ينلْها
صَوْتُthe voice دوادof David حِينَwhen يَتلوhe recites الزَّبوراthe Psalms
صَوْتُ دواد حِينَ يَتلو الزَّبورا
It gained among them a place never reached
It attained from it a rise not attained
By David's voice when reciting the Psalms.
By Dawud's voice when reciting the Psalms
نَبراتٌtones قُدسيةٌholy تَتَوالَىfollow one another
نَبراتٌ قُدسيةٌ تَتَوالَى
نَغَماًas melody رائعاًwondrous وتَمضِيand pass forth زَفيراas sighs
نَغَماً رائعاً وتَمضِي زَفيرا
Holy tones followed one another
Sacred melodies come in succession
In wondrous melody, passing forth as sighs.
A wonderful tune and traveling gale
ربِّmy Lord طَالَhas lasted long الخَفاءُconcealment والدّينُand religion جَهرٌis proclamation
ربِّ طَالَ الخَفاءُ والدّينُ جَهرٌ
رَبِّmy Lord فاجعلْso make مدَىthe duration الخفاءِof concealment قصيراshort
رَبِّ فاجعلْ مدَى الخفاءِ قصيرا
'Lord, concealment has lasted long, and religion is proclamation;
My Lord, the concealment has prolonged and the religion is public
Lord, make concealment's duration short.'
My Lord, so make the extent of concealment short
مَاجتِsurged الأرضُthe earth حولهaround him وتجلَّىand manifested Himself الGod (start)
مَاجتِ الأرضُ حوله وتجلَّى ال
لَهُGod (end) يَنهَىforbidding بُركانَهاits volcano أنto يفوراerupt
لَهُ يَنهَى بُركانَها أن يفورا
The earth surged around him, and God manifested Himself,
The earth around him convulsed and God
Forbidding its volcano to erupt.
Appeared to it, preventing its volcanoes from erupting
أُوذِيَwas harmed الدّينُthe faith فيin الشِّعابِthe ravines وَردّتْand repelled
أُوذِيَ الدّينُ في الشِّعابِ وَردّتْ
يَدُthe hand سعدٍof Sa'd عَدوَّهits enemy مدحوراdefeated
يَدُ سعدٍ عَدوَّه مدحورا
The faith was harmed in the ravines, and Sa'd's hand
Religion was harmed in ravines, and Sad's hand returned
Repelled its enemy, defeated.
Its enemy defeated and subdued
رَقمتْinscribed فيin الكتابِthe book أولَthe first سطرٍline
رَقمتْ في الكتابِ أولَ سطرٍ
وأتمَّand completed الدَمُthe blood المُراقُthe spilled السُّطوراthe lines
وأتمَّ الدَمُ المُراقُ السُّطورا
It inscribed in the book the first line,
The first line was inscribed in the Book
And the spilled blood completed the lines.
And the blood shed completed the lines
أدبرwithdrew القومُthe people محنقينenraged فلولاbut for الGod (start)
أدبر القومُ محنقين فلولا ال
لَهُGod (end) كادتْalmost رَحَىthe mill الوغَىof battle أنto تدوراturn
لَهُ كادتْ رَحَى الوغَى أن تدورا
The people withdrew enraged; but for God,
The people left angrily, so were it not for God
The mill of battle would almost have begun to turn.
The mill of strife would have turned
أَزمعَresolved الضّيفُthe guest أنto يَؤُمَّseek سِواهُanother
أَزمعَ الضّيفُ أن يَؤُمَّ سِواهُ
منزلاًdwelling كانwas صالحاًworthy مبروراblessed
منزلاً كان صالحاً مبرورا
The guest resolved to seek another dwelling,
Does the guest intend to live with others
One that was worthy and blessed.
A home that was good and blessed?
حَلّهmade it الوحْيُrevelation رَوضةًa garden شَاعَspread فيهاwithin it
حَلّه الوحْيُ رَوضةً شَاعَ فيها
رَونقاًas beauty ساطعاًshining وفاحَand breathed عَبيراfragrance
رَونقاً ساطعاً وفاحَ عَبيرا
Revelation made it a garden, spreading within it
Revelation made it for him a garden in which
As shining beauty and breathing fragrance.
Its flourishing appeared and fragrance diffused
ودعاand called الأرقمُal-Arqam استجِبْanswer تلكthat داريis my house
ودعا الأرقمُ استجِبْ تلك داري
تَسَعُcan hold الدّينَthe faith مُحرَجاًdistressed محصوراconfined
تَسَعُ الدّينَ مُحرَجاً محصورا
Al-Arqam called, 'Answer me: that is my house;
Al-Arqam said: Come, respond, that is my home
It can hold the faith, distressed and confined.
It can accommodate religion, cramped
وافِهاcome to it واجمعِand gather المصلّينَthe worshippers فيهاwithin it
وافِها واجمعِ المصلّينَ فيها
عُصبةًa band إنif أردتَyou wish أوor جُمهوراa multitude
عُصبةً إن أردتَ أو جُمهورا
Come to it, and gather the worshippers there,
Come to it and gather the praying in it
A band, if you wish, or a multitude.'
A group if you want or crowds
وأتىand came ابنُthe son الخطابِof al-Khattab يُؤمنُbelieving بالَّin God (start)
وأتى ابنُ الخطابِ يُؤمنُ بالَّ
هِGod (end) ويختارُand choosing دِينَهُHis religion المأثوراthe cherished
هِ ويختارُ دِينَهُ المأثورا
Ibn al-Khattab came, believing in God,
Do not fear an association with God or rejecter
And choosing His cherished religion.
That is your home so pray and circumambulate
قالhe said كلاَّno لنnever يعبُدَbe worshipped اللّهُGod سِرّاًsecretly
قال كلاَّ لن يعبُدَ اللّهُ سِرّاً
ويُرَىand be seen نُورُthe light دينهِof His religion مستوراconcealed
ويُرَى نُورُ دينهِ مستورا
He said, 'No! God shall not be worshipped secretly,
Do not fear people or expect harm
Nor the light of His religion seen concealed.
ibn Al-Khattab came believing in God
اُخرُجواgo forth فيunder حِمَىthe protection الكتابِof the Book أُسوداًas lions
اُخرُجوا في حِمَى الكتابِ أُسوداً
وَاطلعواand rise فيin سَناthe radiance النبيِّof the Prophet بُدوراas full moons
وَاطلعوا في سَنا النبيِّ بُدورا
Go forth as lions under the Book's protection,
And choosing His ancient religion
And rise as full moons in the Prophet's radiance.
He said no, God will not be worshipped secretly
ذلكمthat بَيتُكمis your House فَصَلُّواso pray وطُوفُواand circumambulate
ذلكم بَيتُكم فَصَلُّوا وطُوفُوا
لاdo not تخافُنَّfear مُشرِكاًan idolater أوor كفوراan unbeliever
لا تخافُنَّ مُشرِكاً أو كفورا
That is your House: pray and circle it;
And the light of His religion be hidden
Fear neither an idolater nor an unbeliever.'
Go out under the protection of the Book as lions
أجمعواresolved upon أمرهمtheir course وقالواand said هوit is القتkilling (start)
أجمعوا أمرهم وقالوا هو القت
لُkilling (end) يُميطُremoves الأذَىthe harm ويَشفِيand heals الصُّدوراthe breasts
لُ يُميطُ الأذَى ويَشفِي الصُّدورا
They resolved upon their course and said, 'It is killing
And rise during the prophetic early dawn
That removes the harm and heals our breasts.'
That is your home so pray and go around it
كذبواthey lied ماnot دمُthe blood الهِزبرِof the lion أمانيmere wishes (start)
كذبوا ما دمُ الهِزبرِ أماني
يَwishes (end) مَهاذيرَof babblers يُكثِرونَmultiplying الهريراsnarling
يَ مَهاذيرَ يُكثِرونَ الهريرا
They lied: the lion's blood is no mere wish
Do not fear those who associate or reject
Of babblers who multiply their snarling.
They deliberated and said it is killing
لاno ورَبِّيby my Lord فإنّماindeed only طَلبَsought الكفthe unbelievers (start)
لا ورَبِّي فإنّما طَلبَ الكف
فارُunbelievers (end) بَسْلاًperdition وحاولواand attempted محظوراsomething forbidden
فارُ بَسْلاً وحاولوا محظورا
No, by my Lord! The unbelievers sought
That will remove harm and heal the chests
Only perdition, and attempted what was forbidden.
They lied as long as the blood of martyrdom
إنّindeed نفسَthe soul الرسولِof the Messenger أمنعُmore impregnable جاراًin protector
إنّ نفسَ الرسولِ أمنعُ جاراً
مِنthan طواغيتهمtheir tyrants وأقوىand mightier مُجيراin defender
مِن طواغيتهم وأقوى مُجيرا
The Messenger's soul has a more impregnable protector
My delusions flow and soar
Than their tyrants, and a mightier defender.
No, by my Lord, it is the disbelievers who
ماwhat لهمails them هلdid رَمَىthrow النبيُّthe Prophet تُراباًdust
ما لهم هل رَمَى النبيُّ تُراباً
أمor عَمىًblindness فيinto عُيونِهمtheir eyes مذروراscattered
أم عَمىً في عُيونِهم مذرورا
What ails them? Did the Prophet throw dust,
Sought mischief and tried the prohibited
Or blindness scattered into their eyes?
The soul of the Messenger is a stronger protector
ذَهلواwere dazed مُدّةًawhile فلماthen when أفاقواthey recovered
ذَهلوا مُدّةً فلما أفاقوا
أنكروهاfound it uncanny دَهْياءَa calamity عزّتْwas unmatched نظيراin its equal
أنكروها دَهْياءَ عزّتْ نظيرا
They were dazed awhile; then, when they recovered,
Than their idols, and stronger in giving refuge
They found it uncanny—a calamity without equal.
What is wrong with them? Did the Prophet throw dust
يَنفُضونshake off الترابَthe dust مَنwho مَسَّtouched منّاamong us
يَنفُضون الترابَ مَن مَسَّ منّا
كُلَّevery وجهٍface فَردَّهُand left it مَعفوراdust-covered
كُلَّ وجهٍ فَردَّهُ مَعفورا
Shaking off the dust: 'Who touched every face
Or has blindness settled in their sight confused?
Among us, leaving it covered in dust?
They were baffled a while, so when they came to
أينwhere كنّاwere we ماwhat بالُناails us لاnot نَراهُwe see him
أين كنّا ما بالُنا لا نَراهُ
ماwhat لأوصالِناails our limbs تُحسُّfeeling الفُتوراweakness
ما لأوصالِنا تُحسُّ الفُتورا
Where were we? Why can we not see him?
They denied it, darkness resembling darkness
Why do our limbs feel weakness?
Shaking the dust from every cheek it touched
أمِنَis there among الحادثاتِhappenings ماwhat يُذهلُdistracts العاthe rational man (start)
أمِنَ الحادثاتِ ما يُذهلُ العا
قِلَrational man (end) عنfrom نفسِهِhimself ويُعمِيand blinds البصيراthe clear-sighted
قِلَ عن نفسِهِ ويُعمِي البصيرا
Can happenings distract the rational man
Each face, returning it wiped away
From himself, and blind the clear-sighted?
Where were we? What is with us that we do not see him?
أينwhere وَلّىdid he go لقدindeed رماناhe struck us بِسحرٍwith sorcery
أين وَلّى لقد رمانا بِسحرٍ
فَسَكِرْناso we grew drunk وماand not شَرِبناwe drank الخموراwine
فَسَكِرْنا وما شَرِبنا الخمورا
Where did he go? He struck us with sorcery,
What is with our limbs feeling numb?
And we grew drunk without drinking wine.
ياoh لهwhat a مُصعَباًdifficult quarry لوَif اَنّاwe أصبناcaught (start)
يا له مُصعَباً لوَ اَنّا أصبنا
هُhim علىin غِرّةٍan unguarded moment لَخَرَّhe would have fallen عقيراslain
هُ على غِرّةٍ لَخَرَّ عقيرا
What a difficult quarry! Had we caught
Is it from incidents that confuse the mind
Him unawares, he would have fallen slain.
From itself and blind the sight?
رَاحَhe departed فيin غِبطةٍrejoicing وَرُحناand we went on نُعانِيsuffering
رَاحَ في غِبطةٍ وَرُحنا نُعانِي
أملاًa hope ضائعاًwasted وَجَدَّاًand fortune عَثوراstumbling
أملاً ضائعاً وَجَدَّاً عَثورا
He departed rejoicing, while we went on suffering
Where has he gone? He surely cast a spell on us
A wasted hope and stumbling fortune.
So we were drunk though not drinking wine
خَيْبةٌa disappointment تترْكُleaving الجوانحَthe breasts حَرَّىburning
خَيْبةٌ تترْكُ الجوانحَ حَرَّى
ياoh لهاwhat a حَسرةًanguish تُشَبُّkindled وتُورىand set ablaze
يا لها حَسرةً تُشَبُّ وتُورى
A disappointment leaving our breasts burning—
Oh if only we had caught him suddenly
What anguish, kindled and set ablaze!'
His plot would have failed and he fallen
رَبِّmy Lord آتيتَهYou granted him علىover القومِthe people نَصراًvictory
رَبِّ آتيتَه على القومِ نَصراً
فتباركَتso blessed are You حافظاًas guardian ونصيراand helper
فتباركَت حافظاً ونصيرا
Lord, You gave him victory over the people;
He left happily while we remain suffering
Blessed are You as guardian and helper.
Lost hope and intense confusion
أنتYou نجيتَهrescued him فهاجرَso he emigrated يقضِيfulfilling الthe (start of 'truth')
أنت نجيتَه فهاجرَ يقضِي ال
حقَّtruth لاnot خائفاًfearful ولاnor مذعوراterrified
حقَّ لا خائفاً ولا مذعورا
You rescued him, and he emigrated to fulfill
Disappointment leaves the souls burning
The truth, neither fearful nor terrified.
What loss and regret are mixed and shared
يَومَthe day ضَجّتْcried out جِبالُthe mountains مكّةَof Mecca ذُعراًin terror
يَومَ ضَجّتْ جِبالُ مكّةَ ذُعراً
وَتَمنَّتْand wished هِضابُهاits hills أنto تموراheave
وَتَمنَّتْ هِضابُها أن تمورا
On the day Mecca's mountains cried out in terror,
My Lord, You gave him victory over the people
And its hills wished to heave,
So You are blessed, Guardian and Helper
تتنزَّىleap أسىًin grief وتُمسِكُهاand You restrain them تمYou prevent them (start)
تتنزَّى أسىً وتُمسِكُها تم
نعُهاYou prevent them (end) منfrom وَرائِهbehind him أنto تسيراproceed
نعُها من وَرائِه أن تسيرا
Leaping in grief, while You held them back,
Preventing them from following after him.
You saved him so he emigrated fulfilling
هِيَthey لولاكَbut for You لارتمتْwould have flung themselves تقذفُcasting الصّخthe rocks (start)
هِيَ لولاكَ لارتمتْ تقذفُ الصّخ
رَrocks (end) وتُزجِيand send flying هَباءهاtheir dust المنثوراthe scattered
رَ وتُزجِي هَباءها المنثورا
But for You, they would have flung themselves forth, casting
The truth, not afraid or terrified
Rocks and sending their scattered dust flying.
The day Mecca's mountains panicked in fear
هاجهاstirred them منfrom جَوىthe anguish الفِراقِof separation وَحَرِّand the burning الof longing (start)
هاجها من جَوى الفِراقِ وَحَرِّ ال
وجدِlonging (end) ماwhat هاجَstirred بيتَكَYour House المعموراthe frequented
وجدِ ما هاجَ بيتَكَ المعمورا
The anguish of separation and burning longing stirred them
And its plateaus wished they would collapse
As it stirred Your frequented House.
Wishing to distance in sorrow, but it held them back
كادalmost يهفوfluttered away فَزِدْتَهُso You gave it more مِنكَfrom Yourself رُوحاًspirit
كاد يهفو فَزِدْتَهُ مِنكَ رُوحاً
فَانْثَنىso it settled راجِحَweighty الجلالِin majesty وَقوراdignified
فَانْثَنى راجِحَ الجلالِ وَقورا
It almost fluttered away; You gave it spirit from Yourself,
Its awe from behind preventing them from moving
And it settled, weighty with majesty and dignified.
Without You it would have collapsed throwing pebbles
ياoh لهاwhat منfrom مُحمّدٍMuhammad نظراتٍglances
يا لها من مُحمّدٍ نظراتٍ
زَخَرتْoverflowed رَحمةًwith mercy وجاشتْand seethed سعيراwith fire
زَخَرتْ رَحمةً وجاشتْ سعيرا
What glances those were from Muhammad,
And scattering its dust dispersed
Overflowing with mercy and seething with fire!
It missed him from the agony of separation and heat of
نظراتٌglances شجيّةٌsorrowful لاnot تَعدُّcounting الthe (start of 'kin')
نظراتٌ شجيّةٌ لا تَعدُّ ال
أهلَkin أهلاًas kin ولاnor تَرىseeing الدُّورthe homes دوراas homes
أهلَ أهلاً ولا تَرى الدُّور دورا
Sorrowful glances that no longer counted
Passion, so Your House which You frequented missed him
Kin as kin, nor saw homes as homes.
It almost roared but You increased him
قالhe said ماnot فيamong البلادthe lands أكرمُnobler منthan مكMecca (start)
قال ما في البلاد أكرمُ من مك
كةَMecca (end) أرضاًin soil ولاnor أحبُّdearer عشيراin people
كةَ أرضاً ولا أحبُّ عشيرا
He said, 'Among all lands, none is nobler than Mecca
A spirit from You so he inclined honorably and dignified
In soil, nor dearer in its people.
What gazes, O Muhammad, that overflowed with mercy
فَاسْكُنِيso be still ياO همومcares نَفِسيَof my soul إنindeed الGod (start)
فَاسْكُنِي يا هموم نَفِسيَ إن ال
لَهَGod (end) أمضىcarried out قضَاءَهُHis decree المقدوراthe ordained
لَهَ أمضى قضَاءَهُ المقدورا
Be still, O cares of my soul, for God
And passionately streamed
Has carried out His ordained decree.
Sorrowful gazes that do not count people as people
إننيindeed I قدhave نَذرتُpledged للّهِto God نفسيmy soul
إنني قد نَذرتُ للّهِ نفسي
والتقيُّand the devout الوفيُّthe faithful يقضِيfulfills النُّذوراthe vows
والتقيُّ الوفيُّ يقضِي النُّذورا
I have pledged my soul to God,
Nor see homes as homes
And the faithful, devout man fulfills his vows.
He said what is in the country better than Mecca
نَقطعُwe cross البِيدَthe deserts بعدafter صَحبٍcompanions كرامٍnoble
نَقطعُ البِيدَ بعد صَحبٍ كرامٍ
قَطعواcrossed غارِبَthe crest العُبابof the billowing sea عُبوراin passage
قَطعوا غارِبَ العُباب عُبورا
We cross the deserts after noble companions
In land and what tribe more beloved?
Who crossed the crest of the billowing sea.
So reside, O worries of my soul, God has
كمhow many رشيدٍrightly guided men آذاهharmed him فيfor اللهِGod's sake غاوٍa wayward man
كم رشيدٍ آذاه في اللهِ غاوٍ
زادهincreased him طائفُthe visitation الهوىof passion تخسيراin loss
زاده طائفُ الهوى تخسيرا
How many a rightly guided man was harmed for God's sake by a wayward one
Carried out His destined decree
Whom passion's visitation drove deeper into loss!
I have vowed to God my soul
ضَربjourneyed الصّحبُthe companions فيthrough البلادِthe lands فأمسواand came to be
ضَرب الصّحبُ في البلادِ فأمسوا
لاnot يُصيبونfinding صاحباًa companion أوor سجيراan intimate friend
لا يُصيبون صاحباً أو سجيرا
The companions journeyed through the lands and came to find
And the devout fulfills his vows
Neither a companion nor an intimate friend,
After companions who cut the distant horizons
فيin ديارٍdwellings لدىnear النجاشيِّthe Negus غُبْرٍdusty
في ديارٍ لدى النجاشيِّ غُبْرٍ
ظلَّremained فيهاwithin them سَوادُهمtheir company مغموراobscured
ظلَّ فيها سَوادُهم مغمورا
In dusty dwellings near the Negus,
Journeys, we will part and split
Where their company remained submerged in obscurity.'
How many guided ones the misguided hurt
وتَولَّىand he departed وللأمورِand affairs have مصيرٌa destination
وتَولَّى وللأمورِ مصيرٌ
يشترِيtrading for رَبَّهُhis Lord ويرجوand hoping for المصيراthe final return
يشترِي رَبَّهُ ويرجو المصيرا
He departed—and all affairs have a destination—
Increasing their misguidance and deception
Trading for his Lord and hoping for the final return.
The companions travelled the lands so they spent the night
يومَthe day يَمشِيwalks الصِّدِّيقُal-Siddiq فيin نورهhis light الزاthe radiant (start)
يومَ يَمشِي الصِّدِّيقُ في نوره الزا
هيradiant (end) يُوالِيcontinues رواحهhis evening journeys والبُكوراand early-morning journeys
هي يُوالِي رواحه والبُكورا
On the day al-Siddiq walked in his radiant light,
Not finding a friend or companion
Continuing his journeys at evening and early morning,
In the land of the Negus, a cloud
يَنصُرchampions الحقَّtruth ثائراًin revolt يمنعُpreventing الباfalsehood (start)
يَنصُر الحقَّ ثائراً يمنعُ البا
طِلَfalsehood (end) أنfrom يستقرَّsettling أوor أنfrom يثوراrising
طِلَ أن يستقرَّ أو أن يثورا
Championing truth in revolt, preventing falsehood
Their darkness was flooded
From settling or rising,
And destiny's affairs have a course
لاnot يُباليhe cares about غَيْظَthe anger القلوبِof hearts ولاnor يَحْhe heeds (start)
لا يُبالي غَيْظَ القلوبِ ولا يَحْ
فِلُhe heeds (end) فيfor اللهِGod's sake لائماًa reproacher أوor نذيراa warner
فِلُ في اللهِ لائماً أو نذيرا
He cared not for hearts' anger, nor heeded
He buys his Lord and hopes for destiny
For God's sake a reproacher or a warner.
The day As-Siddiq walks in his flowing light
أقبلَcame القومُthe people يسألونasking أتحتَis he beneath الthe (start of 'soil')
أقبلَ القومُ يسألون أتحتَ ال
تربِsoil أمor جاورَlived beside الطريدُthe fugitive النُّسوراthe eagles
تربِ أم جاورَ الطريدُ النُّسورا
The people came asking, 'Is he beneath the soil,
Following it, its early dawn and first light
Or has the fugitive made his home beside the eagles?'
Supporting the truth revolting, preventing falsehood
نَفضواsearched الهَضْبَthe hills والجِبالand the mountains وشَقّواand scoured الthe (start of 'earth')
نَفضوا الهَضْبَ والجِبال وشَقّوا ال
أرضَearth طُرَّاًentirely رِمالَهاits sands والصُّخوراand the rocks
أرضَ طُرَّاً رِمالَها والصُّخورا
They searched the hills and mountains, and scoured
From settling or revolting
The whole earth, its sands and rocks.
Not caring about angering hearts or frowning
وَيحَalas for أسماءَAsma إذwhen يجيءُcomes أبوAbu جهJahl (start)
وَيحَ أسماءَ إذ يجيءُ أبو جه
لٍJahl (end) عَلَىupon خدرهاher chamber المصونthe protected مغيراraiding
لٍ عَلَى خدرها المصون مغيرا
Alas for Asma, when Abu Jahl came
In God, neither blamer nor warner
Raiding her protected chamber!
The people came asking, are you under the soil
صاحَhe shouted أسماءُAsma أينwhere غَابَdisappeared أبوAbu بكBakr (start)
صاحَ أسماءُ أين غَابَ أبو بك
رٍBakr (end) أجيبيanswer فقدfor indeed سألناwe questioned الخبيراone who knows
رٍ أجيبي فقد سألنا الخبيرا
He shouted, 'Asma! Where has Abu Bakr disappeared?
Or has the driven out neighbor dwelt the eagles?
Answer us: we have questioned one who knows.'
They shook the slopes and mountains, and split the earth
قَالتِshe said العلمthe knowledge عندهis with him ماnot عَهِدْناhave we known
قَالتِ العلم عنده ما عَهِدْنا
أجَمَthe thickets الأُسْدِof lions تَستشيرُto consult الخدوراsecluded chambers
أجَمَ الأُسْدِ تَستشيرُ الخدورا
She said, 'The knowledge is with him; we have never known
Digging its sands and rocks
Lion-thickets to consult secluded chambers.'
How Asma cried when Abu Jahl came
فرماهاso he struck her بلطمةٍwith a slap تُعرِضُturn away الأجْthe generations (start)
فرماها بلطمةٍ تُعرِضُ الأجْ
يالُgenerations (end) عنfrom ذكرِهاits remembrance صَوادفَrecoiling صُوراaverse
يالُ عن ذكرِها صَوادفَ صُورا
He struck her with a slap from whose remembrance
To her protected privacy, transgressing
Generations turn away, recoiling and averse.
Asma shouted: Where has Abu Bakr gone? Answer me
قذَفتْit flung قُرطهاher earring بَعيداًfar away ورضّتْand bruised
قذَفتْ قُرطها بَعيداً ورضّتْ
منamong وُجوهِthe faces النبيِّof the Prophet وَجهاًa face نضيراradiant
من وُجوهِ النبيِّ وَجهاً نضيرا
It flung her earring far away and bruised
For the All-Aware has asked
A radiant face among the Prophet's faces.
She said: Knowledge is with him, we never knew
غارَO cave ثَوْرٍof Thawr أعطاكgave you ربُّكَyour Lord ماwhat لمnot
غارَ ثَوْرٍ أعطاك ربُّكَ ما لم
يُعطِHe gave منof روعةِthe awe الجلالِof majesty القُصوراto palaces
يُعطِ من روعةِ الجلالِ القُصورا
O cave of Thawr, your Lord gave you what He never
The lion's den consults the small rodents
Gave palaces of awe-inspiring majesty.
أنتyou أطلعتَbrought forth للممالكِfor kingdoms دُنياa world
أنت أطلعتَ للممالكِ دُنيا
ساطعاًshining نُورهاits light وديناًand a religion خطيراmighty
ساطعاً نُورها وديناً خطيرا
You brought forth for kingdoms a world
So he slapped her a slap that turns generations
Whose light shone brightly, and a mighty religion.
From mentioning her, images he erased
صُنتَهُyou guarded him منamong ذخائِرthe treasures اللهof God كَنزاًas a treasure
صُنتَهُ من ذخائِر الله كَنزاً
كانwas منfrom قبلُbefore عندهwith Him مذخوراstored away
كان من قبلُ عنده مذخورا
You guarded him, a treasure among God's treasures,
She threw her earring far and was pleased
Previously stored away with Him.
With the face of the Prophet and its equal
مَخفرُa guard-post الحقِّfor truth لاجئاًtaking refuge يَتوقَّىseeking safety
مَخفرُ الحقِّ لاجئاً يَتوقَّى
قامstood فيهwithin it الروحُthe Spirit الأمينthe Trustworthy خفيراas sentinel
قام فيه الروحُ الأمين خفيرا
A guard-post for truth, taking refuge and seeking safety,
You were given by your Lord what no mansion was given
Where the Trustworthy Spirit stood as sentinel.
Of the awe of majesty and crowns
وقفتْstood حولهaround it الشّعوبُthe peoples حَيارىbewildered
وقفتْ حوله الشّعوبُ حَيارى
منfrom وراءbeyond العصورِthe ages تدعوcalling العصوراthe ages
من وراء العصورِ تدعو العصورا
The peoples stood bewildered around it,
You enlightened realms of the world
Calling to the ages from beyond the ages.
Radiant in its light and mighty in religion
ياO حيارىbewildered ones الشعوبof the peoples ويحكِalas for you إنّindeed الtruth (start)
يا حيارى الشعوب ويحكِ إنّ ال
حقَّtruth (end) أعلىhigher يداًin hand وأقوىand mightier ظهيراin support
حقَّ أعلى يداً وأقوى ظهيرا
O bewildered peoples, alas for you! Truth
Guarded from God's treasures a treasure
Has the upper hand and the mightier support.
That was concealed with Him before
لاdo not تخافيfear فتلكfor that دولتهis its dominion العُظthe great (start)
لا تخافي فتلك دولته العُظ
مَىgreat (end) تناديكcalls you أنto أعدِّيprepare السريراthe throne
مَى تناديك أن أعدِّي السريرا
Fear not: its great dominion
Sanctuary of truth, taking refuge
Calls you to prepare the throne.
Where the Trustworthy Spirit resided discreetly
جاءكِcame to you المنقذُthe rescuer المحررthe liberator لاnot يتleaving (start)
جاءكِ المنقذُ المحرر لا يت
ركleaving (end) قيداًa fetter ولاnor يغادرabandoning نيراa yoke
رك قيداً ولا يغادر نيرا
The rescuer and liberator has come to you, leaving
The nations stood around it baffled
No fetter and abandoning no yoke.
From behind the ages calling the ages
ورثَinherited المالكينَthe kings والرُّسلَand the messengers الهاthe guiding (start)
ورثَ المالكينَ والرُّسلَ الها
دينguiding (end) بالحقthrough truth أولاًfirst وأخيراand last
دين بالحق أولاً وأخيرا
He inherited the kings and the guiding messengers,
O baffled nations, shame on you, the truth
Through truth, first and last.
Is supreme in aid and strongest in support
الحكيمُthe sage الذيwho يَهدُّtears down وَيبنيand builds
الحكيمُ الذي يَهدُّ وَيبني
فيجيدُso excels in البناءَconstruction والتدميراand destruction
فيجيدُ البناءَ والتدميرا
The sage who tears down and builds,
Do not fear, for that is its greatest kingdom
Excelling in construction and destruction;
Calling you to prepare the bed
والزعيمُand the leader الذيwho يَسنُّlegislates ويقضِيand judges
والزعيمُ الذي يَسنُّ ويقضِي
لبنيfor the children الدهرِof time غُيَّباًabsent وحضوراand present
لبني الدهرِ غُيَّباً وحضورا
The leader who legislates and judges
The savior and liberator came to you, leaving
For time's children, absent and present.
No bond and abandoning no prisoner
تترامىcome streaming الأجيالُthe generations بينbefore يديهhim
تترامى الأجيالُ بين يديه
تتلقَّىreceiving النظامَorder والدُّستوراand constitution
تتلقَّى النظامَ والدُّستورا
Generations come streaming before him,
O life of souls, you came to Quba
Receiving order and constitution.
Like the coming of the soul, reviving the dead
ليسthere are not فيamong الناسِpeople سادةٌmasters وعبيدٌand slaves
ليس في الناسِ سادةٌ وعبيدٌ
كَبُرَis too great العقلُreason أنto يَظلَّremain أسيراcaptive
كَبُرَ العقلُ أن يَظلَّ أسيرا
Among people there are neither masters nor slaves;
Raise the Mosque the Blessed, and make
Reason is too great to remain captive.
For the wilderness your renowned work
خُلِقَwere created الكلُّall فيin الحقوقrights سواءًequal
خُلِقَ الكلُّ في الحقوق سواءً
ماnot قضىdecreed اللهGod أمرهHis purpose مَبْتوراincomplete
ما قضى الله أمره مَبْتورا
All were created equal in rights;
A fort to protect souls, refusing
God did not decree His purpose incomplete.
To incline to desires or wrong
كذبَlied الأقوياءُthe powerful ماnot ظلمَdid injustice اللَGod (start)
كذبَ الأقوياءُ ما ظلمَ اللَ
هُGod (end) وماand not كانwas He مُسرِفاًexcessive أوor قَتوراmiserly
هُ وما كان مُسرِفاً أو قَتورا
The powerful lied: God did no injustice,
Instruct it with prayer, for it is a cure
Nor was He excessive or miserly.
Or fence protecting it from evils
دَبَّرَordered المُلكَdominion للجميعfor everyone فَسوَّىand made equal الthe (start of 'affair')
دَبَّرَ المُلكَ للجميع فَسوَّى ال
أمرَaffair فيهwithin it وأحكمَand perfected التدبيراthe governance
أمرَ فيه وأحكمَ التدبيرا
He ordered dominion for all, making its affairs
God planted the palm tree of religion firmly
Equal, and perfecting their governance.
And made it robust, with roots
ياO نصيرَchampion الضِعافof the weak حَرِّرْfree نفوساًsouls
يا نصيرَ الضِعاف حَرِّرْ نفوساً
تتمنَّىyearning for الفكاكَrelease والتَّحريراand liberation
تتمنَّى الفكاكَ والتَّحريرا
O champion of the weak, free souls
If you wanted vitality, you would not carry rocks
That yearn for release and liberation.
Exhausting strength, and bending backs
ضجّتِcried out الكائناتُall beings هلis there منany سفيرٍemissary
ضجّتِ الكائناتُ هل من سفيرٍ
يتلافىto rescue الدُّنىthe worlds فكنتَand you were السفيراthe emissary
يتلافى الدُّنى فكنتَ السفيرا
All beings cried, 'Is there an emissary
Have you seen the son of Yasir, how he builds?
To rescue the worlds?' And you were the emissary.
Have you seen the Tall striving?
رَبِّmy Lord آتيتناYou granted us هُدَاكYour guidance وأنزلْand sent down (start)
رَبِّ آتيتنا هُدَاك وأنزلْ
تَYou sent down (end) عليناupon us كتابكَYour Book المسطوراthe inscribed
تَ علينا كتابكَ المسطورا
Lord, You granted us Your guidance and sent down
Upon us Your inscribed Book.
Have you seen the builder racing the people
فَلكَso Yours is الحمدُpraise وَافراًabundant مُستمِراًunceasing
فَلكَ الحمدُ وَافراً مُستمِراً
ولَكand Yours is الفضلُgrace باقياًenduring مذكوراremembered
ولَك الفضلُ باقياً مذكورا
Yours is abundant, unceasing praise,
In ascent, provoking their zeal?
And Yours is enduring, remembered grace.
Have you seen the stallion, resolute
صَاحِبَO companion القائمof the standing one المتوّجِthe crowned بالفُرwith the Criterion (start)
صَاحِبَ القائم المتوّجِ بالفُر
قانِCriterion (end) بُوركتَblessed are you صاحباًas companion ووزيراand minister
قانِ بُوركتَ صاحباً ووزيرا
O companion of the one standing crowned with the Criterion,
In the hand of God, bearing the rocks?
Blessed are you as companion and minister.
Laying his throat to the rocks and mud
أنتَyou واليتهُbefriended him وعاديتَand opposed فيهfor his sake
أنتَ واليتهُ وعاديتَ فيه
منwhoever توخَّىsought الأذىharm وأبدىand showed النفوراaversion
من توخَّى الأذى وأبدى النفورا
You befriended him, and for his sake opposed
Attacking the ornaments and tempting the throats
Those who sought harm and showed aversion.
None like him built in time a fortress
أوَand did لمnot تَتَخذْyou take أباكyour father عدوّاًas an enemy
أوَ لم تَتَخذْ أباك عدوّاً
وتُذِقْهُand make him taste الهوانhumiliation كيماso that يحوراhe might turn back
وتُذِقْهُ الهوان كيما يحورا
Did you not take your father as an enemy,
A ruin went to build, or an enclosure
And make him taste humiliation so he might turn back?
Truth finds in it fortresses
إذwhen يقولsays النبيُّthe Prophet لاdo not تضربِstrike الشيthe old man (start)
إذ يقول النبيُّ لا تضربِ الشي
خَold man (end) وإنeven if سبّنيhe insults me ودعهand leave him قريراuntroubled
خَ وإن سبّني ودعه قريرا
When the Prophet said, 'Do not strike the old man,
And birds find nests in the building
Even if he insults me; leave him untroubled.
May your protector live, your protector O Bani Auf
إنماonly نِلتَyou assailed بالمساءةِby mistreatment منهin him
إنما نِلتَ بالمساءةِ منه
والداًa father مُدبِراًaging وشيخاًand an old man ضريراblind
والداً مُدبِراً وشيخاً ضريرا
By mistreating him, you have only assailed
And Bani Awfs, always blessed
An aging father and a blind old man.'
You were in it a guest who immerses souls
ليتwould that شعريI knew أصبتَdid you encounter حيّةَa snake وادٍof a valley
ليت شعري أصبتَ حيّةَ وادٍ
تنفُثspitting السُّمَّvenom أمor أصبتdid you encounter حريراsilk
تنفُث السُّمَّ أم أصبت حريرا
Would that I knew: did you encounter a valley's snake,
And homes in blessing and love
Spitting venom, or did you encounter silk?
The homes did not see the like of you, nor did
نَفثتْit spat سُمَّهاits venom فماyet not هَزَّshook رِضْوىRadwa
نَفثتْ سُمَّها فما هَزَّ رِضْوى
منany وقارdignity ولاnor استخفَّunsettled ثَبيراThabir
من وقار ولا استخفَّ ثَبيرا
It spat its venom, yet shook no dignity
A people live for the guests a match
From Radwa, nor unsettled Thabir.
They disliked that you stay away from them, so they said
خِفْتَyou feared أنthat تُوقِظَyou would wake النبيَّthe Prophet فماso not يُرpleases you (start)
خِفْتَ أن تُوقِظَ النبيَّ فما يُر
ضيكَpleases you (end) أنthat تضعفَweaken القُوىthe strength أوor تخوراgive way
ضيكَ أن تضعفَ القُوى أو تخورا
You feared waking the Prophet, and would not accept
Do you intend to leave us?
Your strength weakening or giving way.
You said: But to Yathrib I intend, and I have not
أكرمmay honor اللهGod رُكبتيكyour knees لقدindeed أعHe gave you (start)
أكرم الله رُكبتيك لقد أع
طاكHe gave you (end) سُبحانهglory be to Him فأعطىand bestowed upon شَكوراa grateful man
طاك سُبحانه فأعطى شَكورا
May God honor your knees! He bestowed upon you,
Appointed myself other than it, commanded
Glory be to Him, bestowing upon a grateful man.
A village that eats villages, and shows them
أيَّwhat رأسٍa head حَملتyou bore ياO حاملَbearer الإيof faith (start)
أيَّ رأسٍ حَملت يا حاملَ الإي
مانِfaith (end) سمحاًgenerously والبِرَّand goodness صَفْواًpure طَهوراcleansing
مانِ سمحاً والبِرَّ صَفْواً طَهورا
What a head you bore, O generous bearer
How to meet misery and complain of time
Of faith and of goodness, pure and cleansing!
My she-camel yearned for her camel-yard
اتَّقِfear اللهَGod ياO سراقةُSuraqa وانظرand consider
اتَّقِ اللهَ يا سراقةُ وانظر
هلdo ترىyou see الأمرthe matter هيّناًsimple ميسوراeasy
هل ترى الأمر هيّناً ميسورا
Fear God, Suraqa, and consider:
So leave her saddle, and release the bird
Do you think the matter simple and easy?
God's mercy and peace be upon you
أمor تظنُّdo you think الجوادthe steed تُمسكهholds it الأرthe earth (start)
أم تظنُّ الجواد تُمسكه الأر
ضُearth (end) وتلويand twists عنانهits reins مسحوراbewitched
ضُ وتلوي عنانه مسحورا
Or think the earth holds your steed
Bani Auf, your elders and young
And twists its reins, bewitched?
أمor هوis it اللهُGod ذوthe Possessor الجلالِof Majesty رماهwho struck it
أم هو اللهُ ذو الجلالِ رماه
يُمسكrestraining الشرَّevil راكضاًgalloping مستطيراspreading
يُمسك الشرَّ راكضاً مستطيرا
Or is it God, the Lord of Majesty, who struck it,
Restraining evil as it gallops and spreads?
غرّكdeceived you القومُthe people فانطلقتso you set out تُرجّيhoping for (start)
غرّك القومُ فانطلقت تُرجّي
هit خسيساًsomething paltry منof الجزاءِreward حقيراcontemptible
ه خسيساً من الجزاءِ حقيرا
The people deceived you, and you set out hoping for
A paltry, contemptible reward.
وَضحَbecame clear الحقُّtruth فاعتذرتَso you apologized وأولاand bestowed upon you (start)
وَضحَ الحقُّ فاعتذرتَ وأولا
كَyou الرسولُthe Messenger الأمينthe trustworthy فضلاًa favor كبيراgreat
كَ الرسولُ الأمين فضلاً كبيرا
Truth became clear, and you apologized; the Messenger
The trustworthy, bestowed great favor upon you.
فُزتَyou gained بالعهدِthe pledge فَاغْتَنِمْهُso seize it وَأَبْشرْand rejoice
فُزتَ بالعهدِ فَاغْتَنِمْهُ وَأَبْشرْ
بِسِوارَيْin the two bracelets كِسْرَىof Kisra فُدِيتَmay you be ransomed البشيراthe herald
بِسِوارَيْ كِسْرَى فُدِيتَ البشيرا
You gained the pledge: seize it, and rejoice
In Kisra's two bracelets—may you be ransomed, herald!
قُلْsay لأهلِto the owners النّياقِof she-camels أوتيتُI was given أجرِيmy reward
قُلْ لأهلِ النّياقِ أوتيتُ أجرِي
جَللاًmighty فَابْتَغواso seek سِوَايَsomeone besides me أجيراas a hireling
جَللاً فَابْتَغوا سِوَايَ أجيرا
Tell the camel-owners, 'I have received my reward,
A mighty one: seek another hireling besides me.'
ليسnot منone who رامَseeks رِفعةًelevation أوor سناءًglory
ليس من رامَ رِفعةً أو سناءً
مِثلَlike منone who رامَseeks ناقةًa she-camel أوor بعيراa camel
مِثلَ من رامَ ناقةً أو بعيرا
One who seeks elevation or glory is not
Like one who seeks a she-camel or a camel.
وأَتىand came بَعدهُafter him بُريدَةُBurayda يرجوhoping
وأَتى بَعدهُ بُريدَةُ يرجو
أنto يَنالَgain الغِنَىwealth وكانand he was فقيراpoor
أن يَنالَ الغِنَى وكان فقيرا
After him came Burayda, hoping
To gain wealth, for he was poor,
يركبُrides اللّيلَthe night والنّهارَand the day وَيَطوِيand traverses الthe (start of 'deserts')
يركبُ اللّيلَ والنّهارَ وَيَطوِي ال
بِيدَdeserts غُبْراًdusty سُهولهاtheir plains والوعُوراand rugged places
بِيدَ غُبْراً سُهولها والوعُورا
Riding night and day, traversing
Dusty deserts, their plains and rugged places,
فيamong رجالٍmen منof صحبهِhis company زَعمواthey called الإغenticement (start)
في رجالٍ من صحبهِ زَعموا الإغ
راءَenticement (end) نُصحاًgood counsel واسْتَحسنواand approved التَّغريراdeception
راءَ نُصحاً واسْتَحسنوا التَّغريرا
Among men of his company who called enticement
Good counsel, and approved deception.
آثرواthey chose اللهَGod والرسولَand the Messenger ففازواand prevailed
آثروا اللهَ والرسولَ ففازوا
وَارْتَضَوْهاand accepted it تجارةًas a trade لنnever تبوراwould fail
وَارْتَضَوْها تجارةً لن تبورا
They chose God and the Messenger, and prevailed,
Accepting it as a trade that would never fail.
أسلمواthey embraced Islam وَارْتَأىand conceived بُريدةُBurayda رأياًan idea
أسلموا وَارْتَأى بُريدةُ رأياً
ألمعيّاًbrilliant وكانand he was حُرّاًnoble غَيوراzealous
ألمعيّاً وكان حُرّاً غَيورا
They embraced Islam, and Burayda conceived an idea,
Brilliant, for he was noble and zealous.
قالhe said ماnot يَنبغِيit befits لمثلِone like رَسولَthe Messenger الof God (start)
قال ما يَنبغِي لمثلِ رَسولَ ال
لَهِGod (end) أنto يَأَلُوَstint البلادَthe lands ظُهوراof appearance
لَهِ أن يَأَلُوَ البلادَ ظُهورا
He said, 'It does not befit one like God's Messenger
To stint the lands of his appearance.
كيفhow تمشيdo you walk بلاwithout لواءٍa banner وقدwhen already أُوyou were given (start)
كيف تمشي بلا لواءٍ وقد أُو
تُيتَyou were given (end) منby ربّكَyour Lord المقامthe station الأثيراthe honored
تُيتَ من ربّكَ المقام الأثيرا
How do you walk without a banner, when you have been
Granted by your Lord an honored station?
ليسthere is not ليfor me منconcerning عمامتيmy turban ومنand concerning الرمthe spear (start)
ليس لي من عمامتي ومن الرم
حspear (end) عَذيرٌan excuse إذاif التمستI seek عذيراan excuse
ح عَذيرٌ إذا التمست عذيرا
I have no excuse concerning my turban and my spear,
If I seek an excuse.
اخفقيflutter ياO عمامتيmy turban واعلُand rise ياO رمmy spear (start)
اخفقي يا عمامتي واعلُ يا رم
حيmy spear (end) فقدfor indeed خفتI feared أنthat تعودyou would return كسيراbroken
حي فقد خفت أن تعود كسيرا
Flutter, my turban, and rise, O my spear;
I feared that you would return broken.'
ومشىand he walked باللواءِwith the banner بينbefore يديهhim
ومشى باللواءِ بين يديه
يتلقَّىreceiving السناthe radiance البهيَّthe splendid فخوراproudly
يتلقَّى السنا البهيَّ فخورا
He walked with the banner before him,
Proudly receiving the splendid radiance.
ماwhat a حديثٌtale لأمّof Umm معبدَMa'bad تسْتسْseeking drink from it (start)
ما حديثٌ لأمّ معبدَ تسْتسْ
قيهِseeking drink from it (end) ظمأىthe thirsty النفوسِsouls عذباًsweet نميراwholesome
قيهِ ظمأى النفوسِ عذباً نميرا
What a tale is Umm Ma'bad's, from which
Thirsty souls seek sweet, wholesome water!
سائلِask الشّاةَthe ewe كيفhow دَرّتْshe yielded milk وكانتthough she was
سائلِ الشّاةَ كيف دَرّتْ وكانت
كزَّةَdry الضَّرعِin udder لاnot تُرجّىhoped for الدُّرُوراmilk-flow
كزَّةَ الضَّرعِ لا تُرجّى الدُّرُورا
Ask the ewe how she yielded milk, though
Her udder was dry, with no milk-flow hoped for.
بركاتُthe blessings السَّمحof the generous المؤمَّلِthe hoped-for يَقرِيentertains
بركاتُ السَّمح المؤمَّلِ يَقرِي
أُممَthe nations الأرضِof the earth زائراًvisiting أوor مزوراvisited
أُممَ الأرضِ زائراً أو مزورا
The blessings of the generous, hoped-for one, who entertains
The earth's nations, whether visiting or visited.
مظهرُrevealer الحقِّof truth للنبوّةِfor prophethood سبحاglory be to You (start)
مظهرُ الحقِّ للنبوّةِ سبحا
نكَglory be to You (end) ربّاًas a Lord فردalone الجلالin majesty قديراall-powerful
نكَ ربّاً فرد الجلال قديرا
Revealer of truth for prophethood—glory
Be to You, a Lord alone in majesty, all-powerful!
ياO حياةَlife النُّفوسِof souls جِئتَyou came قُباءًto Quba
يا حياةَ النُّفوسِ جِئتَ قُباءً
جِيئةَthe coming الرُّوحِof the spirit تَبعثُraising المقبوراthe buried
جِيئةَ الرُّوحِ تَبعثُ المقبورا
O life of souls, you came to Quba
As the spirit comes, raising the buried.
ارفعِraise المسجدَthe mosque المباركَthe blessed وَاصْنَعَand perform
ارفعِ المسجدَ المباركَ وَاصْنَعَ
للِبراياfor all creatures صَنِيعَكyour deed المشكوراthe praiseworthy
للِبرايا صَنِيعَك المشكورا
Raise the blessed mosque, and perform
For all creatures your praiseworthy deed:
معقلa stronghold يعصمsafeguarding النفوسsouls ويأبىand refusing
معقل يعصم النفوس ويأبى
أنthat يميلincline الهوىdesire بهاthem أوor يجوراdeal unjustly
أن يميل الهوى بها أو يجورا
A stronghold safeguarding souls and refusing
To let desire incline them or deal unjustly.
أوصهاenjoin upon them بالصلاةprayer فَهْيَfor it عِلاجٌis a remedy
أوصها بالصلاة فَهْيَ عِلاجٌ
أوor سياجٌa fence يَذودُwarding off عنهاfrom them الشُّروراevils
أو سياجٌ يَذودُ عنها الشُّرورا
Enjoin prayer upon them, for it is a remedy,
Or a fence warding evils away from them.
غَرسَplanted اللهُGod دَوْحَةَthe mighty tree الدّينِof religion قِدماًlong ago
غَرسَ اللهُ دَوْحَةَ الدّينِ قِدماً
وقَضاهاand ordained it أَرومةًa stock وجذوراand roots
وقَضاها أَرومةً وجذورا
God planted religion's mighty tree long ago,
And ordained it a stock and roots.
لوif أردتَyou wanted النُّضارَgold لمnot تَحملِyou would carry الأحthe stones (start)
لو أردتَ النُّضارَ لم تَحملِ الأح
جارَstones (end) تُوهيweakening القُوىstrength وتَحنِيand bending الظُّهوراbacks
جارَ تُوهي القُوى وتَحنِي الظُّهورا
Had you wanted gold, you would not have carried
Stones that weaken strength and bend backs.
أرأيتَhave you seen ابنَthe son ياسرٍof Yasir كيفhow يَبنِيhe builds
أرأيتَ ابنَ ياسرٍ كيف يَبنِي
أرأيتَhave you seen المُشيَّعَthe brave man الشِّمِّيراthe vigorous
أرأيتَ المُشيَّعَ الشِّمِّيرا
Have you seen Ibn Yasir, how he builds?
Have you seen the brave, vigorous man?
أرأيتَhave you seen البنَّاءَthe builder يَسْتبِقُoutstripping القوthe people (start)
أرأيتَ البنَّاءَ يَسْتبِقُ القو
مَpeople (end) صعوداًin ascent ويَزدهيهمand surpassing them سُؤوراin climbing
مَ صعوداً ويَزدهيهم سُؤورا
Have you seen the builder outstripping
The people in ascent, surpassing them in climbing?
أرأيتَhave you seen الفَحلَthe stallion الأبيَّthe proud جَنيباًled
أرأيتَ الفَحلَ الأبيَّ جَنيباً
فيin يَدthe hand اللهِof God والهِزبرَand the lion الهَصوراthe crushing
في يَد اللهِ والهِزبرَ الهَصورا
Have you seen the proud stallion led
In God's hand, and the crushing lion?
يَنصبُpresents النّحرَthe breast للحجارةِto stones والطّيand clay (start)
يَنصبُ النّحرَ للحجارةِ والطّي
نِclay (end) يُغِيرُtransforms الحِلَىadornments ويُغريand entices النُّحوراnecks
نِ يُغِيرُ الحِلَى ويُغري النُّحورا
He presents his breast to stones and clay,
Clay that transforms adornments and entices necks.
ماnot بنَىbuilt مِثلَهُits like علىthroughout الدَّهرِtime غِرٌّan inexperienced man
ما بنَى مِثلَهُ على الدَّهرِ غِرٌّ
رَاحَwent off يَبنيbuilding خَوَرْنقاًKhawarnaq أوor سَديراSadir
رَاحَ يَبني خَوَرْنقاً أو سَديرا
No inexperienced man ever built its like,
Going off to build Khawarnaq or Sadir.
يَجِدُfinds الحقُّtruth فيin البناءِthe building حُصوناًfortresses
يَجِدُ الحقُّ في البناءِ حُصوناً
ويَرىand see الطّيرُbirds فيin البناءِthe building وكوراnests
ويَرى الطّيرُ في البناءِ وكورا
Truth finds fortresses in the building,
And birds see nests in the building.
بُورِكَblessed is الحيُّthe clan حَيُّكمyour clan ياO بنيsons of عم'Amr (start)
بُورِكَ الحيُّ حَيُّكم يا بني عم
رِو'Amr (end) بنson of عَوْفٍ'Awf ولاand may it never يَزلْcease مَمطوراreceiving rain
رِو بن عَوْفٍ ولا يَزلْ مَمطورا
Blessed is the clan, your clan, O sons of 'Amr
Ibn 'Awf; may it ever receive rain!
كُنتَyou were فيهwithin it الضّيفَthe guest الذيwho يَغمُرfloods الأنthe souls (start)
كُنتَ فيه الضّيفَ الذي يَغمُر الأن
فسَsouls (end) والدُّورَand the homes نِعمةًwith blessing وحبوراand joy
فسَ والدُّورَ نِعمةً وحبورا
You were there the guest who flooded souls
And homes with blessing and joy.
ماnot رأتsaw مِثلكَyour like الديارُthe dwellings ولاnor حيgreeted (start)
ما رأت مِثلكَ الديارُ ولا حي
ياgreeted (end) لكَof yours القومُthe people فيamong الضّيوفِthe guests نظيراa peer
يا لكَ القومُ في الضّيوفِ نظيرا
No dwelling saw your like, nor did the people
Greet a peer of yours among their guests.
كَرِهُواthey hated أنthat تَبِينَyou depart عنهمfrom them فقالواso they said
كَرِهُوا أن تَبِينَ عنهم فقالوا
أمَلالاًis it from weariness أزمعتَyou resolved عنّاfrom us المسيراto depart
أمَلالاً أزمعتَ عنّا المسيرا
They hated your leaving them, and said,
'Is it from weariness that you resolved to depart from us?'
قُلتَyou said بلrather يثربَYathrib انتويتُI resolved upon وماand not أَلْI found (start)
قُلتَ بل يثربَ انتويتُ وما أَلْ
فَيْتُI found (end) نفسيmyself بغيرهاto anywhere else مأموراcommanded
فَيْتُ نفسي بغيرها مأمورا
You said, 'Rather, I have resolved on Yathrib, and have not found
Myself commanded anywhere else.
قريةُa town تأكلdevours القُرَىthe towns وتُريهاand shows them
قريةُ تأكل القُرَى وتُريها
كيفhow تَلقىthey meet البِلَىdecay وتشكوand lament الدُّثوراdisappearance
كيف تَلقى البِلَى وتشكو الدُّثورا
A town that devours towns and shows them
How they meet decay and lament disappearance.
طَربَتْlonged ناقَتيmy she-camel إلىfor لابَتيْهَاits two lava fields
طَربَتْ ناقَتي إلى لابَتيْهَا
فَدَعُواso leave رَحْلَهاher saddle وخَلُّواand release الجريراthe leading rope
فَدَعُوا رَحْلَها وخَلُّوا الجريرا
My she-camel longs for its two lava fields;
Leave her saddle alone, and release the leading rope.
رَحمةُthe mercy اللّهِof God والسَّلامُand peace عليكمupon you
رَحمةُ اللّهِ والسَّلامُ عليكم
آلَfamily عَوْفٍof 'Awf كبيركمyour elders والصَّغيراand the young
آلَ عَوْفٍ كبيركم والصَّغيرا
God's mercy and peace be upon you,
Family of 'Awf, your elders and your young.'
Partial English translation: 283 of 368 Arabic lines translated.