أعدِّيmuster النَّملَthe ants خَيْبَرُKhaybar والذباباand the flies
أعدِّي النَّملَ خَيْبَرُ والذبابا
أعدَّتْmustered يَثربُYathrib الأُسْدَthe lions الغضاباraging
أعدَّتْ يَثربُ الأُسْدَ الغضابا
Muster the ants, Khaybar, and the flies;
Ants, Khaibar is your army, and flies too,
Yathrib has mustered the raging lions.
While Yathrib readies the angry lions.
وَمُدِّيand stretch منfrom حُصونِكِyour fortresses كلَّevery عالٍlofty one
وَمُدِّي من حُصونِكِ كلَّ عالٍ
لِيرفعَto raise فيinto السماواتِthe heavens القِباباthe domes
لِيرفعَ في السماواتِ القِبابا
And stretch each lofty fortress of yours
And extend from your strongholds every high ground
to raise its domes into the heavens.
To raise the domes to the heavens,
سَيَنزَعُwill uproot بأسُهُمtheir might حِصناًa fortress فَحِصناًthen another fortress
سَيَنزَعُ بأسُهُم حِصناً فَحِصناً
وَيَفْتَحُand will open عَزمُهُمtheir resolve باباًa gate فباباthen another gate
وَيَفْتَحُ عَزمُهُم باباً فبابا
Their might will uproot fortress after fortress,
Their might will wrest fortress after fortress
and their resolve will open gate after gate.
And their resolve open gate after gate.
أتاكِcame to you الفاتحُthe conqueror المِقدامُthe bold يُزجِيsending forth
أتاكِ الفاتحُ المِقدامُ يُزجِي
معwith الجيشِthe army الدُّعاءَthe prayer المُستجاباanswered
مع الجيشِ الدُّعاءَ المُستجابا
The bold conqueror has come to you, sending forth
The bold conqueror has come to you, sending along with the army prayers that are sure to be answered.
with his army the prayer that is answered.
They come to you proclaiming God's greatness, so do not flee anywhere but to confusion and chaos.
أتوكِcame to you مُكبّرينَproclaiming God's greatness فلاso do not تلوذيseek refuge
أتوكِ مُكبّرينَ فلا تلوذي
بغيرin anything but الذُّعرِterror واضطربيand tremble اضطراباviolently
بغير الذُّعرِ واضطربي اضطرابا
They have come proclaiming God's greatness; seek refuge
By those remembering God alone,
in nothing but terror, and tremble violently.
They have shaken mountain passes and ravines.
أماindeed والذاكرينَby those invoking اللَّهَGod فرداًalone
أما والذاكرينَ اللَّهَ فرداً
لقدindeed هَزُّواthey shook المخارِمَthe mountain passes والشِّعاباand the ravines
لقد هَزُّوا المخارِمَ والشِّعابا
Indeed, by those who invoke God alone,
Answer: where are your troops, and ask them
they have shaken the mountain passes and ravines.
Who gathered arms and where they disappeared?
أجيبيanswer أينwhere جُندكِyour army وَاسْأليهِand ask it
أجيبي أين جُندكِ وَاسْأليهِ
لِمَنْfor whom جَمَعَit gathered السِّلاحَthe weapons وكيفand how غاباit vanished
لِمَنْ جَمَعَ السِّلاحَ وكيف غابا
Answer: where is your army? And ask it
They hid in fortresses and were deceived by hopes
for whom it gathered weapons, and how it vanished.
That seemed like dreams or mirages to them.
تَوارَوْاthey hid فيin الحُصُونِthe fortresses وخادَعتهمand deceived them
تَوارَوْا في الحُصُونِ وخادَعتهم
ظُنُونٌfancies كنَّwere حُلْماًa dream أوor سَرَاباa mirage
ظُنُونٌ كنَّ حُلْماً أو سَرَابا
They hid within the fortresses, deceived
Had they made the clouds their dwellings,
by fancies that were dreams or mirages.
The army would storm and penetrate the clouds.
ولوand even if جَعلواthey made السَّحابَthe clouds لهمfor themselves مَحَلّاًa dwelling
ولو جَعلوا السَّحابَ لهم مَحَلّاً
لَطَارَwould surely fly الجيشُthe army يَقتحِمُstorming السَّحاباthe clouds
لَطَارَ الجيشُ يَقتحِمُ السَّحابا
Had they made the clouds their dwelling,
Muhammad's soldiers are like death, advancing
the army would have flown to storm the clouds.
Upward and downward by divine decree.
جُنودُsoldiers مُحمّدٍMuhammad كالموتِlike death يَمضِيproceeding
جُنودُ مُحمّدٍ كالموتِ يَمضِي
علىaccording to قَدَرٍa decree صُعوداًascending وانصباباand pouring down
على قَدَرٍ صُعوداً وانصبابا
Muhammad's soldiers are like death, proceeding
In wars, when chaos grows thick, they are not
by decree, ascending and pouring down.
Like those ignorant of affairs or skeptical.
وليسواand they are not فيin الحروبِwars إذاwhen تلظَّتthey blaze
وليسوا في الحروبِ إذا تلظَّت
كمنlike whoever جَهِلَmisunderstood الأُمورَaffairs أَوِor استراباdoubted
كمن جَهِلَ الأُمورَ أَوِ استرابا
In wars, when they blaze, they are not
In the fort of Natah is a truthful tongue
like those who misunderstand affairs or doubt.
Teaching all who knew not love.
وفيand in حِصْنِthe fortress النّطاةِal-Natat لسانُa voice صدقٍof truth
وفي حِصْنِ النّطاةِ لسانُ صدقٍ
يُعَلِّمُteaches كلَّeveryone مَنwho جَهِلَdid not know الحُبَاباal-Hubab
يُعَلِّمُ كلَّ مَن جَهِلَ الحُبَابا
In the fortress of al-Natat is a truthful voice
It saw the view whose bitterness the Jews
that teaches all who did not know al-Hubab.
Tasted, and it brought them torment.
رَأَىhe conceived الرأيَthe plan الذيwhich ذاقتtasted يَهودٌthe Jews
رَأَى الرأيَ الذي ذاقت يَهودٌ
مَرارَتَهُits bitterness فكانso it became لَهمfor them عذاباa torment
مَرارَتَهُ فكان لَهم عذابا
He conceived the plan whose bitterness the Jews
The despair of defeat overcame them when
tasted, and it became a torment for them.
The army drew back, seeking the right course.
أصابتهمseized them حُمَيَّاthe fever اليأسِof despair لمّاwhen
أصابتهم حُمَيَّا اليأسِ لمّا
تنحَّىmoved aside الجيشُthe army يَلتمِسُseeking الصَّواباthe right course
تنحَّى الجيشُ يَلتمِسُ الصَّوابا
The fever of despair seized them when
Ask the seasoned hero if he would answer:
the army moved aside, seeking the right course.
Which villainy assailed him?
سَلِask البطلَthe champion المُجَرَّبَbattle-tested لوif أجاباhe answered
سَلِ البطلَ المُجَرَّبَ لو أجابا
أَيعلمُdoes he know أيَّwhat داهيةٍcalamity أصاباhe encountered
أَيعلمُ أيَّ داهيةٍ أصابا
Ask the battle-tested champion, if he would answer,
Fate cast Amr against him, ready
whether he knows what calamity he encountered.
To destroy the brains when he shoots the skulls.
رَماهُstruck him بعامرٍwith Amir قَدَرٌfate إذاwhen ماever
رَماهُ بعامرٍ قَدَرٌ إذا ما
رَمَىstrikes المهجاتِliving hearts غادرهاleaves them خراباin ruins
رَمَى المهجاتِ غادرها خرابا
Fate struck him with Amir—a fate that, whenever
But death delayed him
it strikes living hearts, leaves them in ruins.
So he could complete his scripture.
ولكنّand yet المنيّةَdeath أخَّرتْهُreprieved him
ولكنّ المنيّةَ أخَّرتْهُ
لِيبلغَso he might fulfill فيin غوايَتِهِhis waywardness الكتاباthe decree
لِيبلغَ في غوايَتِهِ الكتابا
Yet death reprieved him
The sword betrayed its owner, killing
so he might fulfill the decree in his waywardness.
Its happy lord, whose death was sweet.
وخانَand betrayed السّيفُthe sword صاحِبَهُits wielder فأودىso he perished
وخانَ السّيفُ صاحِبَهُ فأودى
شَهِيداًas a martyr برَّwas righteous مَصْرَعُهُhis fall وطاباand was blessed
شَهِيداً برَّ مَصْرَعُهُ وطابا
The sword betrayed its wielder, and he perished
Congratulations Amr, God's good pleasure upon you
a martyr, his fall righteous and blessed.
He granted you abundant reward and grace
هنيئاًjoy to you عامرٌAmir رضوانthe favor رَبٍّof a Lord
هنيئاً عامرٌ رضوان رَبٍّ
حَباكَgranted you الأجرَrecompense جَمّاًabundant والثّواباand reward
حَباكَ الأجرَ جَمّاً والثّوابا
May a Lord's favor be your joy, Amir,
With your sword an honorable man died
who bestowed abundant recompense and reward upon you.
Fearing blame or insult.
بِسيفِكَby your sword مِتَّyou died مَوْتَthe death فَتىًof a youth كريمٍnoble
بِسيفِكَ مِتَّ مَوْتَ فَتىً كريمٍ
يُحاذِرُfears أنto يُعيَّرَbe shamed أوor يُعاباbe reproached
يُحاذِرُ أن يُعيَّرَ أو يُعابا
By your own sword you died a noble youth's death,
You emerged at the battleground a formidable hero
one who fears being shamed or reproached.
Refusing to be feared or intimidated.
بَرزتَyou stepped forth لِمرْحَبٍagainst Marhab بَطلاًas a champion مَهيباًawe-inspiring
بَرزتَ لِمرْحَبٍ بَطلاً مَهيباً
أبىrefused أنto يُتَّقَىbe guarded against أوor أنto يُهاباbe feared
أبى أن يُتَّقَى أو أن يُهابا
You stepped forth against Marhab, an awe-inspiring champion,
Had it not been for the prophesying of the sword
who refused to be shunned or feared.
It would have slain him at its stroke.
ولولاand but for نَبوْةٌa deflection للسّيفِof the sword طَاشَتْwent astray
ولولا نَبوْةٌ للسّيفِ طَاشَتْ
بمضربِهِwith its striking edge لأوردهwould have brought him التَّباباto ruin
بمضربِهِ لأورده التَّبابا
But for a sword's deflection, which sent
The march continued and souls blazed
its striking edge astray, it would have brought him to ruin.
Passing by in God in streams.
تَوالَىcontinued الزّحفُthe assault واستعَرَتْand blazed up نفوسٌsouls
تَوالَى الزّحفُ واستعَرَتْ نفوسٌ
مَضَتْwent forth تَنسابُflowing فيin اللهِGod انسياباa flowing
مَضَتْ تَنسابُ في اللهِ انسيابا
The assault pressed on, and souls blazed up
If they waded into death's swirl thirstily
and went flowing onward in God's cause.
They knew its bitter drinking places.
لئنeven if خاضتthey plunged into غِمارَthe depths الموتِof death ظَمْأَىthirsty
لئن خاضت غِمارَ الموتِ ظَمْأَى
لقدsurely عَرفتْthey knew مَشاربَهُits watering places العِذاباsweet
لقد عَرفتْ مَشاربَهُ العِذابا
Though they plunged thirsty into the depths of death,
The arrows of warriors met arrows
they knew its sweet watering places.
Whose cowardice almost feared dust.
سِهامُarrows بَواسِلٍof brave men لاقتْmet سِهاماًarrows
سِهامُ بَواسِلٍ لاقتْ سِهاماً
يكادُalmost جَبانُهاtheir coward يخشىfears التُراباthe dust
يكادُ جَبانُها يخشى التُرابا
The arrows of brave men met arrows
They tell of the fears of those who shot them
whose cowardly shaft all but fears the dust.
In a way that amazes and astonishes.
تُحدِّثُtell عنof مَخاوفِthe fears باعِثيهاof their senders
تُحدِّثُ عن مَخاوفِ باعِثيها
حَديثاًa tale يَبعثُarousing العَجَبَamazement العُجاباwondrous
حَديثاً يَبعثُ العَجَبَ العُجابا
They tell of the fears of those who sent them,
The wide battlefields called them to war
a tale arousing wondrous amazement.
And the arrows directed speech at them.
دعتهمsummoned them للوغَىto battle بِيضُbright blades المواضِيof keen swords
دعتهم للوغَى بِيضُ المواضِي
وصَيَّرتِand made السِّهامَthe arrows لهمfor them خطاباan address
وصَيَّرتِ السِّهامَ لهم خطابا
Bright, keen swords summoned them to battle
Had their hearing obeyed, their minds would have fled
and made the arrows their address.
Before they lost their skulls and necks.
ولوand if ملكَتْthey commanded مَسامِعَهُمtheir hearing فَلَبَّواand they responded
ولو ملكَتْ مَسامِعَهُم فَلَبَّوا
لمَاthen would not مَلكواthey keep الجماجمَthe skulls والرقاباand the necks
لمَا مَلكوا الجماجمَ والرقابا
Had they commanded their hearing, and the men responded,
If only the fortress had been granted what it wished
they would not have kept their skulls and necks.
It would have collapsed in ruins.
لَوَif اَنَّthat الحصنَthe fortress أُوتِيَwere granted ماwhat تمنَّىit wished
لَوَ اَنَّ الحصنَ أُوتِيَ ما تمنَّى
أبىit refused إلاanything but هُوِيّاًfalling وانقلاباand toppling
أبى إلا هُوِيّاً وانقلابا
Even if the fortress were granted all it wished,
Muhammad besieged it, persisting
it could only fall and topple.
Until it almost said, "enough punishment!"
رَماهُstruck it مُحمّدٌMuhammad فألحَّand persisted حتّىuntil
رَماهُ مُحمّدٌ فألحَّ حتّى
لأوشكَit almost أنto يقولَsay كفىenough عِقاباpunishment
لأوشكَ أن يقولَ كفى عِقابا
Muhammad struck it and persisted until
The fleeing rider carried from it loads
it nearly said, 'Enough punishment!'
Greater than mountains in their heaviness.
يَظلُّcontinues الظّرْبُthe hill يحملَbearing منهin him طوداًa mountain
يَظلُّ الظّرْبُ يحملَ منه طوداً
طوَىfolded up الأطوادَthe mountains وانتظمَand strung together الهضاباthe hills
طوَى الأطوادَ وانتظمَ الهضابا
The hill still bears, in him, a mountain
He held this world, so it remained
that folded up the mountains and strung the hills together,
Not fearing decline or passing away.
وأمْسَكَand held firm هذهthis الدنياworld فأمستْso it became
وأمْسَكَ هذه الدنيا فأمستْ
وماand not تخشَىfearing الزَّوالَvanishing ولاnor الذَّهاباpassing away
وما تخشَى الزَّوالَ ولا الذَّهابا
and held this world firm, so it came to be
The banner of victory in his hand is hostage
unafraid of vanishing or passing away.
To its owner who surpassed all companions.
لواءُthe banner الفتحِof victory فيin يدهِhis hand رَهِينٌpledged
لواءُ الفتحِ في يدهِ رَهِينٌ
بصاحِبهto its bearer الذيwho فاقَsurpassed الصّحاباthe Companions
بصاحِبه الذي فاقَ الصّحابا
The banner of victory in his hand is pledged
It points to him, hidden in an attribute
to its bearer, who surpassed the Companions.
That almost pierces the veil.
يُشيرُpoints إليهِto him مُحتجباًveiled بوصفٍin a description
يُشيرُ إليهِ مُحتجباً بوصفٍ
يكادُalmost سَناهُits radiance يَخترقُpierces الحِجاباthe veil
يكادُ سَناهُ يَخترقُ الحِجابا
He points to him, veiled in a description
It recalls him, and al-Farooq is keen
whose radiance almost pierces the veil.
That none be chosen over him.
ويذكرهand mentions him وبالفاروقِand in al-Faruq حِرصٌeagerness
ويذكره وبالفاروقِ حِرصٌ
علىfor أنthat ليسnot يَعدوهpasses him by انتخاباin choosing
على أن ليس يَعدوه انتخابا
He speaks of him, while al-Faruq is eager
Ali is for vengeance, and what is Ali
that the choice should not pass him by.
But the champion who protects the vulnerable.
عليٌّAli للعُقابِfor the Eagle banner وماand what is عليٌّAli
عليٌّ للعُقابِ وما عليٌّ
سِوىother than البطلِthe champion الذيwho يحميprotects العُقاباthe Eagle banner
سِوى البطلِ الذي يحمي العُقابا
Ali is for the Eagle banner; and what is Ali
Blazing battle, no wonder, but
but the champion who protects the Eagle?
I marveled that Farqad led the blaze.
شِهابُa meteor الحربِof war لاno عَجَبٌmarvel ولكنbut
شِهابُ الحربِ لا عَجَبٌ ولكن
عَجِبْتُI marveled لِفَرْقَدٍat a Farqad star قادَled الشّهاباthe meteor
عَجِبْتُ لِفَرْقَدٍ قادَ الشّهابا
A meteor of war—no marvel; but
A messenger came with deliverance
I marveled at a Farqad star that led the meteor.
And the light that lifted the fog.
رسولٌa Messenger جاءَcame بالفَرَجِwith relief المُرَجَّىhoped-for
رسولٌ جاءَ بالفَرَجِ المُرَجَّى
وبالنُّورand with light الذيwhich كشفَdispelled الضَّباباthe fog
وبالنُّور الذي كشفَ الضَّبابا
A Messenger who brought the hoped-for relief
Advance O Ali, God protect you
and the light that dispelled the fog.
Medicine of Muhammad cured you of what,
تقدَّمْadvance ياO علِيُّAli رَعاكَmay watch over you ربٌّa Lord
تقدَّمْ يا علِيُّ رَعاكَ ربٌّ
كَفَىspared عَينيكَyour eyes دَاءَكَyour ailment والعِصاباand the bandage
كَفَى عَينيكَ دَاءَكَ والعِصابا
Advance, Ali! May a Lord watch over you
Had medicine wished it, would have defeated its seekers.
who spared your eyes the ailment and the bandage.
It healed the inflammation that once hurt you
بِطبِّthrough the healing مُحمَّدٍof Muhammad أدركتَyou attained ماwhat لوif
بِطبِّ مُحمَّدٍ أدركتَ ما لو
أرادsought الطِّبُّmedicine أعجزهdefeated it طِلاباin pursuit
أراد الطِّبُّ أعجزه طِلابا
Through Muhammad's healing you attained what, if
And was close to your determined past.
medicine sought it, the pursuit would defeat it.
Take the sword he gave you and strike
شَفَىcured الرَّمَدَthe eye inflammation الذيwhich آذاكَhurt you حِيناًfor a time
شَفَى الرَّمَدَ الذي آذاكَ حِيناً
وكانand was لِعزمِكَfor your resolve الماضيkeen قِراباa sheath
وكان لِعزمِكَ الماضي قِرابا
He cured the eye inflammation that hurt you for a time
With your might these deaf rocks.
and had sheathed your keen resolve.
Fortresses, the more they are called
خُذِtake السَّيفَthe sword الذيwhich أعطاكَhe gave you واصْدَعْand cleave
خُذِ السَّيفَ الذي أعطاكَ واصْدَعْ
ببأسِكَwith your might هذهِthese الصُمَّunyielding masses الصّلاباsolid
ببأسِكَ هذهِ الصُمَّ الصّلابا
Take the sword he gave you, and cleave
To surrender, the more they resist.
with your might these unyielding, solid masses.
They love grandeur, accepting none but it
حُصُونٌfortresses كلماwhenever زِيدَتْwere increased دُعاءًin summons
حُصُونٌ كلما زِيدَتْ دُعاءً
إلىto البيضاءthe radiant way زادتهاincreased them اجتناباin avoidance
إلى البيضاء زادتها اجتنابا
Fortresses: the more they were summoned
In their natures and characters.
to the radiant way, the more they avoided it.
Advance, your prey will not settle
تُحِبُّthey love الكبرَarrogance لاnot ترضَىaccept سِواهُanything else
تُحِبُّ الكبرَ لا ترضَى سِواهُ
علىdespite آفاتِهits blights خُلُقاًas character وداباand habit
على آفاتِه خُلُقاً ودابا
They love arrogance and accept nothing else,
If you do not give it victory or defeat.
despite its blights, as character and habit.
Take the damned wolf and leave it not
تقدّمْadvance ماno لصيدِكَfor your prey منany قرارٍresting place
تقدّمْ ما لصيدِكَ من قرارٍ
إذاif لمnot تُؤْتهِyou give it ظُفراًa claw وناباand a fang
إذا لم تُؤْتهِ ظُفراً ونابا
Advance: your prey has no resting place
To scorn the lion's pursuits.
unless you give it claw and fang.
Sufficient is al-Harith the deluded as a lesson
خُذِseize الذِّئبَthe wolf اللعينَaccursed ولاand do not تَدَعْهُleave him
خُذِ الذِّئبَ اللعينَ ولا تَدَعْهُ
صُدُودَthe turning away اللّيثِof the lion يَحتقِرُscorning الذئاباwolves
صُدُودَ اللّيثِ يَحتقِرُ الذئابا
Seize the accursed wolf, and do not leave him
For who was granted ignorance and turned away.
as a lion turns away, scorning wolves.
You deprived him of his life, and from it
كفىsuffices بالحارثِwith al-Harith المغرورِdeluded عِلماًas a lesson
كفى بالحارثِ المغرورِ عِلماً
لِمنfor whoever رُزِقَwas endowed with الغَبَاءَstupidity ومَنْand whoever تَغابىfeigned stupidity
لِمن رُزِقَ الغَبَاءَ ومَنْ تَغابى
Let deluded al-Harith suffice as a lesson
Deprived disbelief of an outspoken ally.
for those endowed with stupidity, or feigning it.
You made the land's surface red when
أرقتَyou poured out حَياتَهُhis life فأرقتَand so poured out منهاfrom it
أرقتَ حَياتَهُ فأرقتَ منها
صَرِيحَpure الكُفْرِunbelief يأبىrefusing أنto يُشاباbe mixed
صَرِيحَ الكُفْرِ يأبى أن يُشابا
You poured out his life, and with it poured out
You dyed it with his blood.
pure unbelief that refused any admixture.
Merhab fancied what was not true
وَرُعْتَand you appalled بهwith him أَدِيمَthe surface الأرضِof the earth لمّاwhen
وَرُعْتَ به أَدِيمَ الأرضِ لمّا
جَعلتَyou made عليهupon it منof دَمِهhis blood خِضاباa dye
جَعلتَ عليه من دَمِه خِضابا
With him you appalled the earth's surface when
And hopes tricked him with false wishes.
you dyed it with his blood.
He walked proudly forward and met
تَخَيَّلَimagined مرْحَبٌMarhab ماwhat ليسwas not حَقّاًtrue
تَخَيَّلَ مرْحَبٌ ما ليس حَقّاً
وَمنَّتْهُand promised him الظُّنونُfancies مُنىًhopes كِذاباfalse
وَمنَّتْهُ الظُّنونُ مُنىً كِذابا
Marhab imagined what was not true,
The judgment of God creeping up on him.
and fancies promised him lying hopes.
White Mashrafi gave him the drink of death
مشىhe walked يَختالُswaggering مُرتجزاًchanting rajaz فَلاقَىand met
مشى يَختالُ مُرتجزاً فَلاقَى
قضاءَthe decree اللَّهِof God ينسربُstreaming انسراباa flowing
قضاءَ اللَّهِ ينسربُ انسرابا
He strode vauntingly, chanting rajaz, and met
That melts death and makes it a draught.
God's decree as it streamed forth.
Woe to you, misguided king
سَقاهُmade him drink الموتَdeath أبيضُa bright blade مَشْرَفيٌّMashrafi
سَقاهُ الموتَ أبيضُ مَشْرَفيٌّ
يُذيبُmelts الموتَdeath يجعلهmakes it شراباa drink
يُذيبُ الموتَ يجعله شرابا
A bright Mashrafi sword gave him death to drink,
Whose kingdom collapsed and melted away.
melting death and making it a draught.
The Jews prepared him for every misfortune
لَكَupon you الويلاتُwoes منas a مَلِكٍking غَوِيٍّwayward
لَكَ الويلاتُ من مَلِكٍ غَوِيٍّ
أحيطَwas surrounded بِمُلكهِaround his kingdom فهوىso he fell وذاباand melted away
أحيطَ بِمُلكهِ فهوى وذابا
Woes upon you, wayward king,
So their hopes in him failed and came to nothing.
whose kingdom was surrounded, so he fell and dissolved.
Why did they not see him seized with might
أعدَّتْهُreadied him اليهودُthe Jews لكلِّfor every خَطبٍcrisis
أعدَّتْهُ اليهودُ لكلِّ خَطبٍ
فَضَلَّand went astray رَجاؤُهمtheir hope فيهِin him وخاباand failed
فَضَلَّ رَجاؤُهم فيهِ وخابا
The Jews had readied him for every crisis,
That seizes might and wrests it away?
but their hope in him went astray and failed.
For every opponent there is Ali
أماdid not نَظروهthey see him مأخوذاًseized ببأسٍby might
أما نَظروه مأخوذاً ببأسٍ
يَهُدُّshatters البأسَmight أخْذاًby capture واستلاباand seizure
يَهُدُّ البأسَ أخْذاً واستلابا
Did they not see him seized by a might
On the morrow of war taking him captive.
that shatters might by capture and seizure?
Yasir leapt up but was caught
وكلُّand every مُغالبٍchallenger فَلَهُthen for him عليٌّAli
وكلُّ مُغالبٍ فَلَهُ عليٌّ
غَداةَon the morning الكَرِّof the charge يأخُذهseizes him غِلاباby force
غَداةَ الكَرِّ يأخُذه غِلابا
For every challenger there is Ali,
In the claws of a seasoned lion.
who overpowers him on the morning of the charge.
Did you not hear him, Khaibar, when he roars,
تَوثَّبَsprang forward ياسِرٌYasir فَتَلَقَّفَتْهُand snatched him up
تَوثَّبَ ياسِرٌ فَتَلَقَّفَتْهُ
مَخالِبُthe claws فاتكٍof a deadly fighter ألِفَaccustomed to الوِثاباleaping
مَخالِبُ فاتكٍ ألِفَ الوِثابا
Yasir sprang forward, and he was snatched up
Repulsing him with rebukes?
by the claws of a deadly fighter accustomed to leaping.
If only you could take modesty
أماdid not سمعَتْهُhear him خيبرُKhaybar حينwhen يَهذِيhe raved
أما سمعَتْهُ خيبرُ حين يَهذِي
فَصَدَّتْand turned away عنهfrom him تُوجِعهhurting him عتاباwith reproach
فَصَدَّتْ عنه تُوجِعه عتابا
Did Khaybar not hear him when he raved,
From white transparent veils as a veil!
and turn away from him, wounding him with reproach?
An owl brings you tidings of ill fortune
ولوand if تَسْطِيعُshe could لاتَّخذَتْwould have made حَياءًout of shame
ولو تَسْطِيعُ لاتَّخذَتْ حَياءً
منfrom البيضِbright swords الرقاقِslender لهاfor herself نِقاباa veil
من البيضِ الرقاقِ لها نِقابا
Had she been able, out of shame she would have made
So what an owl she birthed!
herself a veil of slender, bright swords.
A youth complaining of lack of arms - yet no arms
غُرَابُa raven الشُّؤْمِof ill omen يَفزِعُهاfrightens her نَعيباًwith cawing
غُرَابُ الشُّؤْمِ يَفزِعُها نَعيباً
فياO then لكِto you بُومةًan owl وَلَدتْbore غُراباa raven
فيا لكِ بُومةً وَلَدتْ غُرابا
An ill-omened raven frightens her with its cawing—
For one who seeks death's approach!
what an owl you are, to have borne a raven!
Beware, al-Zubayr is tested
فتىًa youth شاكيbristling with السِّلاحِweapons ولاyet no سلاحٌweapon
فتىً شاكي السِّلاحِ ولا سلاحٌ
لِمَنْfor whoever يَبغِيseeks مِنَto الموتِdeath اقتراباnearness
لِمَنْ يَبغِي مِنَ الموتِ اقترابا
A youth bristling with weapons—yet there is no weapon
And Safiyya fears he may be struck.
for one who seeks to draw near to death.
The messenger's disciple becomes with him
ألاindeed إنّtruly الزُّبيرَal-Zubayr لذوsurely possesses بلاءٍproven valor
ألا إنّ الزُّبيرَ لذو بلاءٍ
وإنeven though خَشِيَتْfeared صَفِيَّةُSafiyya أنthat يُصاباhe be struck
وإن خَشِيَتْ صَفِيَّةُ أن يُصابا
Indeed, al-Zubayr is a man of proven valor,
As he wishes, with patience and acceptance.
though Safiyya feared he might be struck.
The sheen of hoped-for victory appeared
حَوَارِيُّthe devoted disciple الرسُولِof the Messenger يَكونُstays منهnear him
حَوَارِيُّ الرسُولِ يَكونُ منه
بِحيثُwherever يُريدُhe wishes صَبراًsteadfastly واحتساباand seeking reward
بِحيثُ يُريدُ صَبراً واحتسابا
The Messenger's devoted disciple stays near him
And the eagle dispelled the flies.
where he wishes, steadfast and seeking reward.
You wailed, Natah, for the loss of a fortress
تجلَّتْshone غُرّةُthe bright brow الفتحِof victory المُرَجَّىhoped-for
تجلَّتْ غُرّةُ الفتحِ المُرَجَّى
وأمْسَىand by evening النَّسْرُthe eagle قدalready طَرَدdrove away الذُّباباthe flies
وأمْسَى النَّسْرُ قد طَرَد الذُّبابا
The bright brow of hoped-for victory shone,
Enveloping the Jews in grief and lament.
and by evening the eagle had driven away the flies.
It is devastating might, O Ali,
وأعولتِand wailed النّطاةُal-Natat لِفَقْدِfor the loss حِصنٍof a fortress
وأعولتِ النّطاةُ لِفَقْدِ حِصنٍ
يَعُمُّencompasses يَهودَthe Jews شَجْواًwith grief وانتحاباand sobbing
يَعُمُّ يَهودَ شَجْواً وانتحابا
Al-Natat wailed for the loss of a fortress,
So leave its lofty pillars as ruins.
a loss filling the Jews with grief and sobbing.
The mighty fortress surrendered after arrogance
هوit is البأسُmight المُدَمِّرُdestructive ياO عَلِيٌّAli
هو البأسُ المُدَمِّرُ يا عَلِيٌّ
فَدَعْso leave آطامَهاher strongholds العُلياlofty يَباباdesolate
فَدَعْ آطامَها العُليا يَبابا
This is destroying might, Ali:
And declared its surrender.
leave her lofty strongholds a wasteland.
It fulfilled what the people had prepared in it
وحِصْنُand the fortress الصَّعْبِal-Sa'b أذعنَyielded بعدafter كبرٍarrogance
وحِصْنُ الصَّعْبِ أذعنَ بعد كبرٍ
وأعلنَand proclaimed بعدafter غِلظتِهِits harshness المَتاباrepentance
وأعلنَ بعد غِلظتِهِ المَتابا
The fortress of al-Sa'b yielded after arrogance,
So it became plunder before their eyes.
and after its harshness proclaimed repentance.
The Muslims left in prosperity
وأَدَّىand surrendered ماwhat أعَدَّstored القومُthe people فيهِin it
وأَدَّى ما أعَدَّ القومُ فيهِ
فأمسَىso it became بينbefore أعْيُنِهمْtheir eyes نِهاباplunder
فأمسَى بين أعْيُنِهمْ نِهابا
It surrendered what the people had stored within it,
And had it not been for God they would not have survived difficulty.
and it became plunder before their very eyes.
He provided them relief in hardship
ورَاحَand went away المسلمونَthe Muslims بخيرِin the best حالٍstate
ورَاحَ المسلمونَ بخيرِ حالٍ
ولولاand but for اللَّهُGod ماnot برحواthey ceased being سِغاباhungry
ولولا اللَّهُ ما برحوا سِغابا
The Muslims went away in the best of states,
So ease followed hardship.
and but for God they would have remained hungry.
Spoils of the people's goods are diverse
أتاحgranted لهمto them علىamid الضَّرَّاءِhardship رِزقاًsustenance
أتاح لهم على الضَّرَّاءِ رِزقاً
فأمسىand came to be اليُسْرُease بعدafter العُسْرِhardship ثاباreturned
فأمسى اليُسْرُ بعد العُسْرِ ثابا
He granted them sustenance amid hardship,
Exceeding count when reckoned.
and ease returned after adversity.
Patience suffices the people as succor
مَغانِمُspoils منfrom عَتَادِthe equipment القومِof the people شَتَّىvaried
مَغانِمُ من عَتَادِ القومِ شَتَّى
تُجاوِزُexceed حينwhen تُحصِيهاyou count them الحِساباreckoning
تُجاوِزُ حين تُحصِيها الحِسابا
Varied spoils from the people's equipment,
When an affair goes awry.
beyond reckoning when you count them.
The Jews' command leads not to harmony
كفىsuffices بالصّبرِwith patience للأقوامِfor peoples عَوْناًas aid
كفى بالصّبرِ للأقوامِ عَوْناً
إذاwhen حَدَثٌa calamity منamong الأحْداثِcalamities ناباbefell
إذا حَدَثٌ من الأحْداثِ نابا
Patience suffices as a people's aid
If the summoner to turmoil wanders.
when some calamity befalls them.
Their love walked, dragging an army
وماand not أمرُthe affairs اليهودِof the Jews إلىtoward صلاحٍwell-being
وما أمرُ اليهودِ إلى صلاحٍ
إذاwhen الدّاعيthe caller إلىto الهيجاbattle أهاباsummoned
إذا الدّاعي إلى الهيجا أهابا
The Jews' affairs do not turn toward well-being
Of fierce might, burning hot.
when the caller summons them to battle.
It shook their fortress until they wished
مَشَىmarched لهمُagainst them الحُبابُal-Hubab يَجُرُّdrawing along جيشاًan army
مَشَى لهمُ الحُبابُ يَجُرُّ جيشاً
شَدِيدَmighty in البأسِvalor يلتهبُblazing التهاباfiercely
شَدِيدَ البأسِ يلتهبُ التهابا
Al-Hubab marched against them, drawing along an army
It had kinship with birds!
of mighty valor, blazing fiercely.
Had it possessed wings, it would have flown,
فَزلزَلَand shook حِصنَهمtheir fortress حتّىuntil لَوَدُّواthey surely wished
فَزلزَلَ حِصنَهم حتّى لَوَدُّوا
لوَif only اَنّthat لهُit had إلىwith الطيرِthe birds انتساباkinship
لوَ اَنّ لهُ إلى الطيرِ انتسابا
He shook their fortress until they wished
Traversing the layers of air in alarm and confusion.
it had kinship with the birds.
They called for battle, so the swords of God struck them,
ولوand if مَلَكَit possessed الجنَاحَa wing لطارwould have flown يَطويtraversing
ولو مَلَكَ الجنَاحَ لطار يَطوي
طِباقَthe layers الجوِّof the air ذُعْراًin panic وَارْتِعَاباand terror
طِباقَ الجوِّ ذُعْراً وَارْتِعَابا
Had it wings, it would have flown, traversing
Tearing violently like lightning.
the layers of the air in panic and terror.
No survival remains for Joshua's people
تَنَادَوْاcalled one another للقتالِto battle فبادَرْتهُمbut overtook them
تَنَادَوْا للقتالِ فبادَرْتهُم
سُيوفُthe swords اللَّهِof God شَيِّقَةًeager طِراباexultant
سُيوفُ اللَّهِ شَيِّقَةً طِرابا
They called one another to battle, but were overtaken
Once they taste the stab or the strike.
by God's swords, eager and exultant.
The throngs of death rule both their flanks
وليسand there is not لقومِfor the people يُوشَعَof Yusha' منany بَقاءٍsurvival
وليس لقومِ يُوشَعَ من بَقاءٍ
إذاwhen طعمواthey tasted الطعانَspear-thrusts أوor الضّراباsword-blows
إذا طعموا الطعانَ أو الضّرابا
For the people of Yusha' there is no survival
So excellent are the people if they rule throngs!
once they taste spear-thrusts or sword-blows.
The conquests succeeded in tearing down
عُبابُthe billowing flood الموتِof death يَملكُholds جَانِبَيْهِمْtheir two flanks
عُبابُ الموتِ يَملكُ جَانِبَيْهِمْ
فَنِعمَhow fine are القومُthe people إنif مَلكواthey mastered العُباباthe flood
فَنِعمَ القومُ إن مَلكوا العُبابا
Death's billowing flood holds both their flanks;
Adding to the Jews sorrow and melancholy.
fine men indeed, if they can master that flood!
They were struck by battering quakes
تَتابعتِfollowed one another الفتوحُthe victories مُحَجَّلاتٍwhite-stockinged
تَتابعتِ الفتوحُ مُحَجَّلاتٍ
تَزيدُincrease يَهودَthe Jews حُزناًin grief واكتئاباand dejection
تَزيدُ يَهودَ حُزناً واكتئابا
Victories followed one another, white-stockinged,
That shake their elders and youth.
increasing the Jews' grief and dejection.
Thus their fortresses became empty
أُصيبواthey were struck بالقوارِعِby calamities راجفاتٍquaking
أُصيبوا بالقوارِعِ راجفاتٍ
تَهُدُّshatter الشِّيبَthe gray-haired منهمamong them والشَّباباand the young
تَهُدُّ الشِّيبَ منهم والشَّبابا
They were struck by quaking calamities
As if never inhabited.
that shattered their old and young.
They staggered humiliated openly
فَتِلكَso those حُصونُهمtheir fortresses أمْسَتْbecame خَلاءًempty
فَتِلكَ حُصونُهم أمْسَتْ خَلاءً
كأنْas though لمnot يَعمرواthey had inhabited منهاof them جَناباa precinct
كأنْ لم يَعمروا منها جَنابا
Those fortresses of theirs stood empty,
While their tyrants wished for absurdity.
as though they had never inhabited any part of them.
They discarded their weapons and the wealth
تَساقَوْاgave each other drink بالعَرَاءِin the open الذُّلَّhumiliation مُرّاًbitter
تَساقَوْا بالعَرَاءِ الذُّلَّ مُرّاً
يَوَدُّwishes طُغاتُهمtheir tyrants لوif only كانَit were صَاباbitter sap
يَوَدُّ طُغاتُهم لو كانَ صَابا
In the open, they gave one another bitter humiliation to drink,
They had collected and earned.
their tyrants wishing it had been bitter sap.
In destitution, kindness reached them
وألْقَوْاand cast down بالسِّلاحِthe weapons وماand what أصابواthey gained
وألْقَوْا بالسِّلاحِ وما أصابوا
منof الأموالِwealth جَمعاًby gathering واكتساباand acquisition
من الأموالِ جَمعاً واكتسابا
They cast down their weapons and what they had amassed
With sentiments encompassing vastness.
of wealth by gathering and acquisition.
From God's messenger they got a protector
وضَاقُواand were distressed بالجلاءِby exile فأدركتْهُمْthen reached them
وضَاقُوا بالجلاءِ فأدركتْهُمْ
عَواطِفُthe compassion مُحْسِنٍof a benefactor تَسَعُembracing الرُحاباvast expanses
عَواطِفُ مُحْسِنٍ تَسَعُ الرُحابا
Exile distressed them, but they were reached by
Who forgives the sinner when he repents.
a benefactor's compassion, embracing vast expanses.
He ruled for them, with no sidestepping
أصابواthey found منin رسولِthe Messenger اللهِof God مَوْلىًa protector
أصابوا من رسولِ اللهِ مَوْلىً
يَتوبُaccepts repentance علىfrom المُسيءِthe wrongdoer إذاwhen أناباhe turns back
يَتوبُ على المُسيءِ إذا أنابا
In God's Messenger they found a protector
After settlement, no estrangement or shunning.
who accepts a wrongdoer's repentance when he turns back.
They lodged in the land as its workers
قَضَىpassed لهمfor them القضاءَjudgment فلاso no انتزاحاًdisplacement
قَضَى لهم القضاءَ فلا انتزاحاً
لَقُواthey faced بعدafter المُقَامِresidence ولاnor اغتراباexile
لَقُوا بعد المُقَامِ ولا اغترابا
He gave judgment for them, so no displacement
Paying the head tax and property tax.
after their stay, and no exile, befell them.
For Islam, they are partners in agriculture
ثَوَوْاthey stayed فيon الأرضِthe land عُمَّالاًas laborers عليهاupon it
ثَوَوْا في الأرضِ عُمَّالاً عليها
يُؤَدُّونَthey pay الإتاوةَthe levy والنِّصاباand the allotted share
يُؤَدُّونَ الإتاوةَ والنِّصابا
They stayed upon the land as its laborers,
With no injustice or favoritism.
paying the levy and the allotted share.
The people's guides guided them to a path
وُلاةُtenders الزَّرْعِof the crops للإسلامِfor Islam منهمfrom among them
وُلاةُ الزَّرْعِ للإسلامِ منهم
شَرِيكٌa partner ليسnot يُظلمُwronged أوor يُحابىfavored
شَرِيكٌ ليس يُظلمُ أو يُحابى
The crop-tenders among them were Islam's
And the best of them when they turned to settle.
partners, neither wronged nor favored.
هُداةُthe guides النَّاسِof humankind أرشدُهُمْthe best-guided of them سَبيلاًin path
هُداةُ النَّاسِ أرشدُهُمْ سَبيلاً
وأحْسَنُهمْand the best of them إذاwhen انقلبواthey return مآباin homecoming
وأحْسَنُهمْ إذا انقلبوا مآبا
The guides of humankind are the soundest in their path,
and have the finest homecoming when they return.
Partial English translation: 177 of 180 Arabic lines translated.