وسَلنَّand surely ask حَبقُوقَHabakkuk المُصَرِّحَwho explicitly declares بِاسمِهِhis name
وسَلنَّ حَبقُوقَ المُصَرِّحَ بِاسمِهِ
وَبِوَصْفِهِand his description وَكَفَىand sufficient is بهhe مَسؤولاas one consulted
وَبِوَصْفِهِ وَكَفَى به مَسؤولا
And surely ask Habakkuk, who explicitly declared his name
The elucidator made clear his name
and his description; he suffices as one to consult.
And it sufficed him as responsible
إذْwhen أوْصَلَhe conveyed القَوْلَthe statement الصَّريحَthe explicit بذِكْرِهِwith mention of him
إذْ أوْصَلَ القَوْلَ الصَّريحَ بذِكْرِهِ
للسَّامِعِينَto the listeners فأَحْسَنَso he perfected التَّوصِيلاthe conveying
للسَّامِعِينَ فأَحْسَنَ التَّوصِيلا
When he conveyed the plain statement mentioning him
When he delivered the explicit word by his mention
to the listeners, he conveyed it well.
To the listeners, so he did well in conveyance
والأرضُand the earth مِنَthrough تَحمِيدِpraising أحمدَAhmad أَصبَحَتcame to be
والأرضُ مِنَ تَحمِيدِ أحمدَ أَصبَحَت
وبِنُورِهِand with his light عَرْضاًin breadth تُضِيءُit shines وطُولاand in length
وبِنُورِهِ عَرْضاً تُضِيءُ وطُولا
And the earth, through the praise of Ahmad, came
And the earth became, due to praising Ahmad,
to shine with his light in breadth and length.
Spreading light in its expanse and length
رَوِيَتْwere sated سِهَامُthe arrows of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad بِقِسِيِّهِwith his bows
رَوِيَتْ سِهَامُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِقِسِيِّهِ
وغَداand became بهاby them مَنwhoever ناضَلَتthey challenged مَنضُولاvanquished
وغَدا بها مَن ناضَلَت مَنضُولا
Muhammad's arrows were sated through his bows,
The arrows of Muhammad were wetted with his fairness
and whoever they challenged was vanquished by them.
And those who struggled against him became humiliated
وَاسمَعand hear بِرُؤياof the vision of بُخْتَنَصَّرَNebuchadnezzar وَالتَمِسand seek
وَاسمَع بِرُؤيا بُخْتَنَصَّرَ وَالتَمِس
مِنْfrom دانِيالَDaniel لهاfor it إذَنْthen تَأْوِيلاan interpretation
مِنْ دانِيالَ لها إذَنْ تَأْوِيلا
Hear of Nebuchadnezzar's vision, and seek
And listen to Nebuchadnezzar’s vision and seek
from Daniel, then, its interpretation.
From Daniel an interpretation for it
وَسَلُوهَand ask him كَمْhow long تَمْتَدُّlasts دَعْوَةُthe call of باطِلٍa false claimant
وَسَلُوهَ كَمْ تَمْتَدُّ دَعْوَةُ باطِلٍ
لتُزِيحَto dispel عِلَّةَthe pretext of مُبطِلٍa deceiver وَتُزِيلاand remove it
لتُزِيحَ عِلَّةَ مُبطِلٍ وَتُزِيلا
And ask him how long a false claimant's call endures,
And ask him, for how long will the call of falsehood last
to dispel a deceiver's pretext and remove it.
To remove the flaw of the negator and eliminate?
وَارمِand assail العِداthe foes بِبَشائِرٍwith glad tidings عَنfrom أَرمِياJeremiah
وَارمِ العِدا بِبَشائِرٍ عَن أَرمِيا
إذwhen كَفَّrestrained نَبلُthe arrows of كِنانِهِhis quiver مَتبُولاone sorely stricken
إذ كَفَّ نَبلُ كِنانِهِ مَتبُولا
And assail the foes with glad tidings from Jeremiah,
And cast the enemies with the tidings of Jeremiah
when the arrows of his quiver restrained the sorely stricken.
When the shooting of his bows stopped, disabled
إذwhen قالَhe said قدindeed قَدَّستُهُI sanctified him وعَصَمتُهُand protected him
إذ قالَ قد قَدَّستُهُ وعَصَمتُهُ
وَجَعَلتُand I made لِلأَجْناسِfor the peoples منهُof him رَسُولاa messenger
وَجَعَلتُ لِلأَجْناسِ منهُ رَسُولا
When he said: 'I have sanctified him and protected him,
When he said, I sanctified him and protected him
and made him a messenger to the peoples.
And made him a messenger for mankind
وَجَعَلتُand I made تَقْدِيسِيmy sanctification قُبَيْلَshortly before وُجُودِهِhis existence
وَجَعَلتُ تَقْدِيسِي قُبَيْلَ وُجُودِهِ
وَعداًa promise عَلَيَّbinding upon me كَبَعثِهِlike his sending مَفعُولاfulfilled
وَعداً عَلَيَّ كَبَعثِهِ مَفعُولا
And I made my sanctification, shortly before his existence,
And I made my sanctification of him before his existence
a promise binding upon me, fulfilled like his sending.'
A promise upon me, like sending him accomplished
وحَدِيثُand the account of مَكَّةَMecca قدindeed رواهَhe narrated it مُطَولاًat length
وحَدِيثُ مَكَّةَ قد رواهَ مُطَولاً
شَعْياIsaiah فخُذهُso take it وَجَانِبِand avoid التَّطوِيلاprolixity
شَعْيا فخُذهُ وَجَانِبِ التَّطوِيلا
The account of Mecca was related at length
And the speech of Mecca, Isaiah told it in detail
by Isaiah; take it, and avoid prolixity.
So take it, and avoid prolongation
إذْwhen راحَhe went forth بالقَوْلِwith the statement الصَّرِيحِthe explicit مُبَشِّراًbringing glad tidings
إذْ راحَ بالقَوْلِ الصَّرِيحِ مُبَشِّراً
بالنَّسلِof offspring مِنهاfrom her عاقِراًbarren مَعضولاthwarted
بالنَّسلِ مِنها عاقِراً مَعضولا
When he brought glad tidings in plain words
When he went with the explicit word giving tidings
of offspring from her, though barren and thwarted.
Of the offspring from her, barren and crippled
وتَشَرَّفَتand she was honored باسمٍwith a name جَدِيدٍnew فادعُهاso call her
وتَشَرَّفَت باسمٍ جَدِيدٍ فادعُها
حَرَمَthe sanctuary of الإِلهِGod بَلَغْتَyou attained منهthrough it السُّولاthe desire
حَرَمَ الإِلهِ بَلَغْتَ منه السُّولا
She was honored with a new name, so call her
And it was honored with a new name, so call it
'God's Sanctuary'; through it you attain your desire.
The sanctuary of God, you have attained exaltation
فَتَنَبَّهَتso she awoke بعدَafter الخُمولِobscurity وَكُلِّلَتand were crowned
فَتَنَبَّهَت بعدَ الخُمولِ وَكُلِّلَت
أَبوابُهاher gates وسُقُوفُهاand her roofs تَكلِيلاwith crowning
أَبوابُها وسُقُوفُها تَكلِيلا
She awoke after obscurity; crowned were
So it became alert after indolence and crowned
her gates and roofs, thoroughly crowned.
Were its doors and roofs with decoration
وَنَأَتand she drew away عَنِfrom الظُّلمِinjustice الّذيwhich لاnot يَبتَغِيseeks
وَنَأَت عَنِ الظُّلمِ الّذي لا يَبتَغِي
لِخضابِهِfor its dye شَيْبُthe gray hair of الزَّمانِtime نُصولاfading
لِخضابِهِ شَيْبُ الزَّمانِ نُصولا
And she stood far from injustice, whose dye
And it avoided the injustice which does not seek
time's gray hairs do not seek to let fade.
With its dyeing, the greying of time, attainment
حَرَمٌa sanctuary عَلَىto حَمْلِbearing السِّلاحِarms مُحَرَّمٌforbidden
حَرَمٌ عَلَى حَمْلِ السِّلاحِ مُحَرَّمٌ
فكأنّماso it is as though يَسْقِيit gives to drink السُّيُوفَthe swords فُلولاnotches
فكأنّما يَسْقِي السُّيُوفَ فُلولا
A sanctuary forbidden to the bearing of arms,
A sanctuary prohibited from carrying arms, prohibited
as though it waters swords with notches.
It is as if it waters the swords with bloodshed
وَتَخَالُand you imagine مِنthrough تَحرِيمِthe inviolability of حُرمَتِهِits sanctity العِداthe foes
وَتَخَالُ مِن تَحرِيمِ حُرمَتِهِ العِدا
عُزلاًunarmed وإنand even if لَبِسُواthey wore السِّلاحَarms ومِيلاand faltering
عُزلاً وإن لَبِسُوا السِّلاحَ ومِيلا
Through its sanctity's inviolability, you imagine the foes
And it seems through prohibiting its sanctity, the enemies
unarmed, though clad in weapons, and faltering.
Are disabled even if they wear arms and lean
لَمْnot يُتَّخذwas taken بَيْتٌa house سِواهُother than it قِبْلةًas a prayer-direction
لَمْ يُتَّخذ بَيْتٌ سِواهُ قِبْلةً
فازدَدso increase بِذَاكَthrough that لِمَاtoward what أَقُولُI say قَبُولاacceptance
فازدَد بِذَاكَ لِمَا أَقُولُ قَبُولا
No house other than it was taken as a prayer-direction,
No house was taken as a Qiblah other than it
so grow more receptive to what I say.
So through this, my saying gained acceptance
وبَنُوand the sons of نَبايُتَNebaioth لَمْnot تَزَلhave ceased خُدَّامُهاher servants
وبَنُو نَبايُتَ لَمْ تَزَل خُدَّامُها
لاnot تَبْتَغِيyou seek عنهاaway from her لَهُمْfor them تَحوِيلاa transfer
لا تَبْتَغِي عنها لَهُمْ تَحوِيلا
The sons of Nebaioth have never ceased to be her servants;
And the sons of Nabayoth always serving it
you seek no transfer for them away from her.
Do not seek to divert them from it, relocation
جُمِعَتwere gathered لَهُfor him أَغنامُthe sheep of قَيدارَKedar الَّتيwhich
جُمِعَت لَهُ أَغنامُ قَيدارَ الَّتي
قدindeed كانَwas منهاfrom them ذِبحُthe sacrificial offering of إِسْمَاعِيلاIshmael
قد كانَ منها ذِبحُ إِسْمَاعِيلا
Kedar's sheep were gathered for him—the sheep
For it the sheep of Qudar were gathered
from which had come Ishmael's sacrificial offering.
From which used to be the sacrifice of Ishmael
فَنَمَتْso she flourished وأُمِّنَand was made safe خَوْفُهاher fear وَعَدُوُّهاand her enemy
فَنَمَتْ وأُمِّنَ خَوْفُها وَعَدُوُّها
قدindeed باتَbecame منهاof her خائفاًfearful مَهْزُولاemaciated
قد باتَ منها خائفاً مَهْزُولا
She flourished, her fear was stilled, and her enemy
So they grew and their fear subsided, and their enemy
had become fearful of her and wasted.
Spent the night fearing them, defeated
وَكَلامُand the words of شَمْعُونَSham'un النبيِّthe prophet تَخالُهُyou would think it
وَكَلامُ شَمْعُونَ النبيِّ تَخالُهُ
لكلامِto the words of موسىMoses قدindeed أتىcame تَذْيِيلاas an appendix
لكلامِ موسى قد أتى تَذْيِيلا
The words of Sham'un the prophet seem to you
And the speech of Simeon the prophet, it resembles
to have come as an appendix to Moses' words.
The speech of Moses that came later, appended
وَجَمِيعُand all كُتبِهِمُtheir books علىdespite عِلَّاتِهاtheir defects
وَجَمِيعُ كُتبِهِمُ على عِلَّاتِها
نَطَقَتspoke بِذِكرwith mention of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad تَعلِيلاby way of explanation
نَطَقَت بِذِكر مُحَمَّدٍ تَعلِيلا
And all their books, despite their defects,
And all their books, with their reasons
spoke of Muhammad by way of explanation.
Spoke with the mention of Muhammad, justified
لَمnot يَجهَلوهُthey were ignorant of him غَيرَexcept أنَّthat سُيُوفَهُhis swords
لَم يَجهَلوهُ غَيرَ أنَّ سُيُوفَهُ
أَبقَتleft حُقُوداًresentments عِنْدَهُمamong them وذُحُولاand grudges
أَبقَت حُقُوداً عِنْدَهُم وذُحُولا
They were not ignorant of him, but his swords
They did not ignore him, but rather his swords
left resentments and grudges among them.
Kept rancor with them, and bitterness
فاسمَعso hear كلامَهُمُtheir words ولاand not تَجعَلplace عَلَىupon
فاسمَع كلامَهُمُ ولا تَجعَل عَلَى
ماwhat حَرَّفُواthey altered مِنْin كُتبِهِمtheir books تَعوِيلاreliance
ما حَرَّفُوا مِنْ كُتبِهِم تَعوِيلا
So hear their words, but place no reliance upon
So listen to their speech, and do not rely
what they have altered in their books.
On what they distorted of their books, consideration
لولاwere it not for استِحَالَتُهُمtheir perversity لَمَاwould not ألفَيتَنِيyou have found me
لولا استِحَالَتُهُم لَمَا ألفَيتَنِي
لَكَfor you بالدَّليلِfor proof عَلَىto الغَرِيمِthe adversary مُحِيلاreferring
لَكَ بالدَّليلِ عَلَى الغَرِيمِ مُحِيلا
Were it not for their perversity, you would not find me
If not for their obstinacy, you would not have found me
referring you to the adversary for proof.
Citing to the adversary evidence, redirection
أوَand have you قَدalready جَهِلتَbeen unaware مِنَof الحَدِيثِthe Hadith رِوايَةًa narration
أوَ قَد جَهِلتَ مِنَ الحَدِيثِ رِوايَةً
أمْor قدalready نسيتَyou forgotten مِنَfrom الكتابthe Book نُزُولاa revelation
أمْ قد نسيتَ مِنَ الكتاب نُزُولا
And have you been unaware of a narration from the Hadith,
Or have you been unaware of a narration of hadeeth
or forgotten a revelation from the Book?
Or have you forgotten a verse's revelation?
فاترُكso leave جِدَالَdisputing with أخِيone steeped in الضَّلالِerror ولاand not تكُنbe
فاترُك جِدَالَ أخِي الضَّلالِ ولا تكُن
بِمِراءِwith arguing مَنْwith one who لاnot يَهْتَدِيfinds guidance مَشْغُولاoccupied
بِمِراءِ مَنْ لا يَهْتَدِي مَشْغُولا
Leave disputing with one steeped in error, and do not be
So leave the debate of my misguided brother, and do not be
occupied with arguing with one who finds no guidance.
Busy arguing with one not guided, preoccupied
ماwhy ليshould I أُجادِلُargue فيهِabout him كلَّevery أخِيone afflicted with عمىًblindness
ما لي أُجادِلُ فيهِ كلَّ أخِي عمىً
كَيْمَاso that أُقِيمَI establish عَلَىfor النَّهارِdaylight دَلِيلاa proof
كَيْمَا أُقِيمَ عَلَى النَّهارِ دَلِيلا
Why should I argue about him with every blind man,
Why should I debate everything with a blind brother
in order to establish proof of daylight?
So I stand during the day with proof, illuminated?
واصْرِفْand turn إلىtoward مَدْحِpraise of النبيِّthe Prophet مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
واصْرِفْ إلى مَدْحِ النبيِّ مُحَمَّدٍ
قَولاًspeech غَداthat became عَنaway from غَيرِهِanyone else مَعدُولاdiverted
قَولاً غَدا عَن غَيرِهِ مَعدُولا
And turn toward praising the Prophet Muhammad
And turn your words to praising the Prophet Muhammad
speech that has been diverted from anyone else.
Speech tomorrow diverted from others, refused
فإذاso when حَصَلتَyou attain عَلَىto الهُدَىguidance بِكِتابِهِthrough his Book
فإذا حَصَلتَ عَلَى الهُدَى بِكِتابِهِ
لاnot تَبْغِseek بَعْدُthereafter لِغَيْرِهِof another تَحْصِيلاacquisition
لا تَبْغِ بَعْدُ لِغَيْرِهِ تَحْصِيلا
When you have attained guidance through his Book,
So if you attain guidance through his book
seek thereafter no acquisition of another.
Do not seek after it, other attainment
ذِكْرٌa Reminder بهِthrough it تَرْقَىyou ascend إلَىto رُتبِthe ranks of العُلاsublimity
ذِكْرٌ بهِ تَرْقَى إلَى رُتبِ العُلا
فَتَخالُso you imagine حامِلَthe bearer of آيِهِits verses مَحْمُولاhimself borne
فَتَخالُ حامِلَ آيِهِ مَحْمُولا
A Reminder through which you ascend to lofty ranks,
A mention by which you ascend to the highest ranks
so you think the bearer of its verses is himself borne.
A flag, and a honed sword, sharpened
يَذَرُit leaves المُعارِضَthe challenger ذاpossessing الفصاحَةِeloquence أَلْكَناًtongue-tied
يَذَرُ المُعارِضَ ذا الفصاحَةِ أَلْكَناً
فيin قولِهِhis speech وأخاand a possessor of الحِجاintellect مَخْبُولاderanged
في قولِهِ وأخا الحِجا مَخْبُولا
It leaves the eloquent challenger tongue-tied
Or do you not see the religion of Hanif by his sword?
in his speech, and the man of reason deranged.
He made purification for it spilled blood, drained
لاnot تَنْصِبَنَّsurely set لَهُfor it حِبالَthe snares of مُعانِدٍan obstinate foe
لا تَنْصِبَنَّ لَهُ حِبالَ مُعانِدٍ
فَتُرَىlest you be seen بِكفَّةِin the net of آيةٍa verse مَحبُولاensnared
فَتُرَى بِكفَّةِ آيةٍ مَحبُولا
Do not set an obstinate foe's snares for it,
And polytheism is filth among people, and best
lest you be seen ensnared in the net of a verse.
Is what you find with the blood of enemies, washed
إنif كُنتَyou are تُنكِرُdenying مُعجِزاتِthe miracles of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
إن كُنتَ تُنكِرُ مُعجِزاتِ مُحَمَّدٍ
يَوْماًever فَكُنْthen be عَمَّاabout what جَهِلْتَyou do not know سَؤولاeager to ask
يَوْماً فَكُنْ عَمَّا جَهِلْتَ سَؤولا
If you ever deny Muhammad's miracles,
Calling by God's command, his voice was heard
be eager to ask about what you do not know.
By the two heaviest loads, as if Israfeel
شَهِدَتtestified لهُfor him الرُّسلُthe messengers الكِرامُthe noble وَأَشفَقَواand felt uneasy
شَهِدَت لهُ الرُّسلُ الكِرامُ وَأَشفَقَوا
مِنat فاضِلٍa superior يَستَشهِدُcalling to testify المَفضُولاan inferior
مِن فاضِلٍ يَستَشهِدُ المَفضُولا
The noble messengers testified for him, yet felt uneasy
He only called them to what gives them life
at a superior calling an inferior to testify.
Forever, as a doctor calls a patient, ill
قارَنتُI compared نُورَthe light of النَّيِّرَينِthe two luminaries بِنُورِهِwith his light
قارَنتُ نُورَ النَّيِّرَينِ بِنُورِهِ
فَرَأَيتُso I found نُورَthe light of النَّيِّرَيْنِthe two luminaries ضَئيلاfeeble
فَرَأَيتُ نُورَ النَّيِّرَيْنِ ضَئيلا
I compared the two luminaries' light with his light,
His resolves drive the slaves as if
and found the two luminaries' light feeble.
His resolves took the sky as a path
ونَسَبتُand I compared فضلَthe excellence of العالَمِينَall worlds لفضلِهِto his excellence
ونَسَبتُ فضلَ العالَمِينَ لفضلِهِ
فَنسَبتُso I compared مِنهُof it إِلىto الكَثيرِthe much قَليلاa little
فَنسَبتُ مِنهُ إِلى الكَثيرِ قَليلا
I compared the excellence of all worlds with his excellence,
Guiding to the abode of peace whoever fears
and compared a little of it to a great deal.
And tomorrow, enlightened by his book's light, bundled
وَأرانِيَand showed me الزَّمَنُtime الجَوادthe generous بجودِهِthrough his generosity
وَأرانِيَ الزَّمَنُ الجَواد بجودِهِ
لَمَاwhen وَزَنتَyou weighed بِهِagainst him الزَّمانَtime بَخِيلاmiserly
لَمَا وَزَنتَ بِهِ الزَّمانَ بَخِيلا
His generosity showed me even generous time
And he continues to guide the obstinate to hell by his sword
to be miserly when you weighed time against him.
Of whoever disobeyed, after the slain, another slain
ماnot زالَceased يَرقَىhe rises فِيin مَواهِبِthe gifts of رَبِّهِhis Lord
ما زالَ يَرقَى فِي مَواهِبِ رَبِّهِ
وَيَنالُand attains فضلاًgrace مِنfrom لَدُنهُHis presence جَزِيلاabundant
وَيَنالُ فضلاً مِن لَدُنهُ جَزِيلا
He never ceased ascending through his Lord's gifts
Until people say he made Malik tired
and receiving abundant grace from His presence.
With his sword, and gave rest to Izraeel
حتَّىuntil انْثَنَىturned أَغْنَىthe wealthiest of الوَرَىmankind وَأَعَزُّهمand their mightiest
حتَّى انْثَنَى أَغْنَى الوَرَى وَأَعَزُّهم
يَنْقادُsubmits مُحْتاجاًin need إليهِof him ذَليلاhumbled
يَنْقادُ مُحْتاجاً إليهِ ذَليلا
Until even mankind's wealthiest and mightiest turned
So listen to his attributes that I mentioned for him
to submit, needy before him and humbled.
The minds almost reckoned all-encompassing
بَثَّhe spread الفضائِلَvirtues فِيthroughout الوجودِexistence فَمَنْso whoever يُرِدdesires
بَثَّ الفضائِلَ فِي الوجودِ فَمَنْ يُرِد
فضلاًexcellence يَزِدْهُhe augments him بِفَضلِهِthrough his bounty تفصيلاin detail
فضلاً يَزِدْهُ بِفَضلِهِ تفصيلا
He spread virtues throughout existence; whoever desires
Whose character is the glorious Quran
excellence, he enriches through his bounty, in full detail.
His speech could not be filled, dictated
فالشَّمسُfor the sun لاnot تُغنِيsuffice الكَواكِبُthe stars جُمْلَةًcollectively
فالشَّمسُ لا تُغنِي الكَواكِبُ جُمْلَةً
فِيin الفَضْلِexcellence مَغْناهاas it suffices وَلاand not تفضيلاin superiority
فِي الفَضْلِ مَغْناها وَلا تفضيلا
For all the stars together cannot serve as the sun does
And when his signs come with praising him
in excellence, nor surpass it.
I recite his mention modulated
سَلْask عَالَمَthe realm of المَلكُوتِheavenly dominion عنهُabout him فَخيرُfor the best of ماwhat
سَلْ عَالَمَ المَلكُوتِ عنهُ فَخيرُ ما
سأَلَasked الخَبِيرُthe knowledgeable عَنِabout الجَليلِthe majestic جَليلاa majestic one
سأَلَ الخَبِيرُ عَنِ الجَليلِ جَليلا
Ask the realm of heavenly dominion about him; best of all is
Indeed, a man afflicted by praising him
for one who knows to ask the great about the great.
Is afflicted for his God, devoted
فَمَنِso who المُخَبِّرُcan tell عَنof عُلاًheights مِنfrom دونِهاbelow them
فَمَنِ المُخَبِّرُ عَن عُلاً مِن دونِها
ثَنَتِturned back البُراقَBuraq وَأَخَّرَتand left behind جِبرِيلاGabriel
ثَنَتِ البُراقَ وَأَخَّرَت جِبرِيلا
Who, then, can report on heights, below which
I make his mention to quench my thirst
Buraq was turned back and Gabriel left behind?
And I think I have attained the Nile
فَلوِso if استَمَدَّsought to draw on العالمونَthe learned عُلومَهُhis knowledge
فَلوِ استَمَدَّ العالمونَ عُلومَهُ
مَدَّتهُمُwould supply them القَطَراتُthe drops منهُfrom it سُيولاas torrents
مَدَّتهُمُ القَطَراتُ منهُ سُيولا
If all the learned sought to draw upon his knowledge,
And the Nile reminds me of his gentle origin
its drops would furnish them with torrents.
So I prolong from my longing his kissing
فَتَلَقَّso receive ماwhat تَسطِيعُyou can مِنْof أَنْوَارِهِhis lights
فَتَلَقَّ ما تَسطِيعُ مِنْ أَنْوَارِهِ
إنْif كانَis رَأْيُكَyour resolve فِيfor الفَلاحِsuccess أَصيلاfirmly rooted
إنْ كانَ رَأْيُكَ فِي الفَلاحِ أَصيلا
So receive what you can of his lights,
Who could let me, from the origin of Muhammad
if your resolve for success is firmly rooted.
Attain with a kiss the sweet flowing spring?
فَلرُبَّمَاfor perhaps أَلْقَىcasts عليكَupon you كِتابُهُhis Book
فَلرُبَّمَا أَلْقَى عليكَ كِتابُهُ
قَولاًa word مِنَfrom السِّرِّthe secret المَصُونِthe guarded ثَقِيلاweighty
قَولاً مِنَ السِّرِّ المَصُونِ ثَقِيلا
For perhaps his Book will cast upon you
From a serenity that is like Kawthar in generosity
a weighty word from the guarded mystery.
But its partaker increases boiling
ذاكَthat is he الَّذِيwho رفَعَraised الهُدَىguidance بيمينِهwith his right hand
ذاكَ الَّذِي رفَعَ الهُدَى بيمينِه
عَلَماًas a banner وجَرَّدَand unsheathed صارِماًa sharp sword مَصْقُولاpolished
عَلَماً وجَرَّدَ صارِماً مَصْقُولا
That is he who raised guidance in his right hand
The clouds sailed in obeying it as if
as a banner, and unsheathed a polished, cutting sword.
She commanded what Mikaeel chooses
أوَand do ماnot تَرَىyou see الدِّينَthe faith الحَنِيفَthe upright بِسَيْفِهِthrough his sword
أوَ ما تَرَى الدِّينَ الحَنِيفَ بِسَيْفِهِ
جَعَلَmade الطّهورَthe means of purification لهُfor it دَماًblood مَطلولاspilled unavenged
جَعَلَ الطّهورَ لهُ دَماً مَطلولا
And do you not see that the upright faith, through his sword,
Whenever he called and gestured, imploring with it
made unavenged blood its means of purification?
To the anchored bodies of water, continuous flow
وَالشِّركُand idolatry رِجسٌfilth فِيamong الأَنامِmankind وخيرُand the best of ماwhat
وَالشِّركُ رِجسٌ فِي الأَنامِ وخيرُ ما
أَلفَيتَهُyou find it بِدَمِwith the blood of العِدَاthe foes مَغْسولاwashed
أَلفَيتَهُ بِدَمِ العِدَا مَغْسولا
Idolatry is filth among mankind, and its best condition
And I think had he not wanted to stop it
is to be found washed with the foes' blood.
It would have come with a flood not finding a path
داعٍa caller بِأَمرِby the command of اللَّهِGod أَسمَعَmade hear صَوتُهُhis voice الthe (continued)
داعٍ بِأَمرِ اللَّهِ أَسمَعَ صَوتُهُ ال
ثقلينِtwo kinds of beings حتىuntil ظُنَّhe was thought إسْرافِيلاIsrafil
ثقلينِ حتى ظُنَّ إسْرافِيلا
A caller by God's command, his voice reached the
And how many countries complained of his harm, so he dressed
two kinds of beings, until he was taken for Israfil.
Them after his prayer with recovery, crowned
لَمnot يَدعُهُمhe called them إِلَّاexcept لِمَاto what يُحييهُمُgives them life
لَم يَدعُهُم إِلَّا لِمَا يُحييهُمُ
أبداًforever كماas يَدعُواcalls الطَّبِيبُthe physician عَليلاa sick man
أبداً كما يَدعُوا الطَّبِيبُ عَليلا
He called them only to what would give them life
O mercy to the worlds! Did he not use to be
forever, as a physician calls a sick man.
As a child, removing the worlds' harm, vanishing?
تَحْدُواdrive onward عَزَائمُهُhis resolves العِبادَthe servants كأنَّماas though
تَحْدُوا عَزَائمُهُ العِبادَ كأنَّما
تَخِذَتْtook عزائِمُهُhis resolves الفضاءَopen space سَبيلاas a path
تَخِذَتْ عزائِمُهُ الفضاءَ سَبيلا
His resolves drive the servants onward, as though
When your uncle stood in the world imploring rain
his resolves had taken boundless space as their road.
The tails almost dragged in the mud
يُهْدِيhe guides إلىto دارthe abode of السَّلامِpeace مَنِwhoever اتَّقَىfears God
يُهْدِي إلى دار السَّلامِ مَنِ اتَّقَى
وغَداand became بِنُورِwith the light of كِتابِهِhis Book مَكْحُولاkohl-adorned
وغَدا بِنُورِ كِتابِهِ مَكْحُولا
He guides to the Abode of Peace whoever fears God
And you relieved the year of the elephants of strife
and has adorned his eyes with the light of his Book.
In which you met the succeeding elephants
وَيَظَلُّand keeps يُهْدِيsending لِلجَّحِيمِto Hell بِسَيفِهِwith his sword
وَيَظَلُّ يُهْدِي لِلجَّحِيمِ بِسَيفِهِ
مِمَّنْfrom those who عَصَىdisobeyed بعدَafter القتيلِone slain man قتيلاanother slain man
مِمَّنْ عَصَى بعدَ القتيلِ قتيلا
And with his sword he keeps sending to Hell,
With clouds of birds, flocks, which
from those who disobeyed, slain man after slain man.
Rained upon them the stones of punishment, scorching
حتّىuntil يقولَsay النّاسُthe people أَتْعَبَhe wearied مالِكاًMalik
حتّى يقولَ النّاسُ أَتْعَبَ مالِكاً
بِحُسامِهِwith his blade وأَراحَand gave rest to عِزرِيلاAzrael
بِحُسامِهِ وأَراحَ عِزرِيلا
Until people say: 'He has wearied Malik
So you ransomed while born, and protected their selves
with his blade, and given Azrael rest.'
Old and young alike, and the mature
فَاسمَعso hear شَمائِلَهُhis qualities الَّتيwhich ذِكريmy mention لَهاof them
فَاسمَع شَمائِلَهُ الَّتي ذِكري لَها
قدْindeed كادَalmost تَحْسِبُهُreckon it العُقُولُthe minds شَمُولاwine
قدْ كادَ تَحْسِبُهُ العُقُولُ شَمُولا
So hear his qualities, whose recital by me
Until when you stood among them warning
minds might almost mistake for wine.
They showed you enmity and bitterness
مَنhe whose خُلقُهُhis character القرآنُthe Qur'an جَلَّis exalted ثَناؤُهُhis praise
مَن خُلقُهُ القرآنُ جَلَّ ثَناؤُهُ
عَنbeyond أَنthat يَكُونَshould be حَدِيثُهُtalk of him مَملولاwearisome
عَن أَن يَكُونَ حَدِيثُهُ مَملولا
He whose character is the Qur'an—his praise is too exalted
So you faced them alone with resolve unbending
for talk of him to become wearisome.
And excellent perseverance, unwavering
وَإِذاand when أتَتcome آياتُهُits verses بِمَدِيحِهِpraising him
وَإِذا أتَت آياتُهُ بِمَدِيحِهِ
رَتَّلتُI recite measuredly منهاfrom them ذِكرَهُhis mention تَرتِيلاwith measured recitation
رَتَّلتُ منها ذِكرَهُ تَرتِيلا
And when its verses come praising him,
And you entrusted your matter to God - and what
I recite his mention from them with measured recitation.
Trust, in the victory of the one you took as guardian!
إنَّindeed امرَأًa man مُتَبَتِّلاًwholly devoted بِثَنائِهِto his praise
إنَّ امرَأً مُتَبَتِّلاً بِثَنائِهِ
مُتَبَتِّلٌis wholly devoted لِإلهِهِto his God تَبتِيلاwith full devotion
مُتَبَتِّلٌ لِإلهِهِ تَبتِيلا
A man wholly devoted to praising him
And you sought the pleasure of your Lord, their anger
is wholly devoted to his God.
So you drank from them a bitter drink, strained
إِنّيindeed I لَأُورِدُsurely bring forth ذِكرَهُhis mention لِتَعَطُّشِيbecause of my thirst
إِنّي لَأُورِدُ ذِكرَهُ لِتَعَطُّشِي
فإخالُso I fancy أنّيthat I قَدalready وَرَدتُhave reached to drink النِّيلاthe Nile
فإخالُ أنّي قَد وَرَدتُ النِّيلا
I indeed bring forth his mention in my thirst,
And you continued uninterrupted reciting a verse among them
and fancy I have reached the Nile.
And arbitrating with the swords, humbling
وَالنِّيلُand the Nile يُذكِرُنيreminds me of كَرِيمَgenerous بَنانِهِhis fingers
وَالنِّيلُ يُذكِرُني كَرِيمَ بَنانِهِ
فأُطِيلُso I prolong مِنfrom شَوقِيmy longing لهُfor him التَّقبِيلاkissing
فأُطِيلُ مِن شَوقِي لهُ التَّقبِيلا
The Nile reminds me of his generous fingers,
Until your religion ruled, His religion
so, longing for him, I prolong my kisses.
And it removed the religion of disbelievers, vanishing
مَنwho لِيwill grant me بِأَنّيthat I مِنfrom بَنانِthe fingers of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
مَن لِي بِأَنّي مِن بَنانِ مُحَمَّدٍ
بِاللَّثمِby kissing نِلتُattained المَنهَلَthe watering-place المَعسُولاthe honey-sweet
بِاللَّثمِ نِلتُ المَنهَلَ المَعسُولا
Who will grant me, from Muhammad's fingers,
And the kings yielded to your authority, and you remained
to reach by kissing the honeyed watering-place?
Righteous, merciful to the weak and kind
مِنfrom رَاحَةٍa palm هِيَwhich is فِيin السَّماحَةِgenerosity كَوثَرٌKawthar
مِن رَاحَةٍ هِيَ فِي السَّماحَةِ كَوثَرٌ
لكِنَّyet وارِدَهاone who drinks from it يَزِيدُgrows غَلِيلاthirstier
لكِنَّ وارِدَها يَزِيدُ غَلِيلا
From a palm that is a Kawthar of generosity,
You feared none but God in any matter, and your nature
yet whose visitor only grows more thirsty.
No habit possessed, so it altered
سارَتmoved بِطاعَتِهاin obedience to it السَّحابthe clouds كَأَنَّماas though
سارَت بِطاعَتِها السَّحاب كَأَنَّما
أمَرَتْit commanded بماwhatever تَختارُit chooses مِيكائيلاMichael
أمَرَتْ بما تَختارُ مِيكائيلا
The clouds moved in obedience to it, as though
God gave the Chosen one a character bent toward
it commanded Michael to do whatever it chose.
Loving God and fearing Him, molded
أنَّىwhenever دَعَاhe prayed وأشارَand gestured مُبْتَهِلاًin supplication بهاwith it
أنَّى دَعَا وأشارَ مُبْتَهِلاً بها
لِمِياهِfor the waters of مُزْنٍrainclouds ماnot يَزالُceases هَطُولاpouring down
لِمِياهِ مُزْنٍ ما يَزالُ هَطُولا
Whenever he prayed and gestured with it in supplication
His justice flooded humanity, so his friend
for cloud-water, the downpour never ceased.
And his enemy are not wronged, even a wisp
وَأَظُنُّهand I think it لوif لَمْnot يُرِدْhe wished إِقْلاعَهُits cessation
وَأَظُنُّه لو لَمْ يُرِدْ إِقْلاعَهُ
لأَتَىit would surely bring بِسَيْلٍa flood ماnot يُصِيبُfinds مَسِيلاa watercourse
لأَتَى بِسَيْلٍ ما يُصِيبُ مَسِيلا
I think that, had he not wished it to cease,
And whenever God wanted to protect his ally
it would have brought a flood that found no watercourse.
Desire left his heart, isolated
وَكَمand how many اشْتَكَتْcomplained بَلَدٌa town أذاهُof its harm فأُلْبِسَتso was clothed
وَكَم اشْتَكَتْ بَلَدٌ أذاهُ فأُلْبِسَت
بِدُعائِهِthrough his prayer مِنْwith صَحْوَةٍclear weather إكليلاa crown
بِدُعائِهِ مِنْ صَحْوَةٍ إكليلا
How many a town complained of its harm, and was crowned
The mountains of Mecca were offered to him in prostration
through his prayer with a circlet of clear skies!
But he refused due to his poverty, though deprived
ياO رَحْمَةًmercy لِلعَالَمِينَto all worlds أَلَمnot? يَكُنhe was
يا رَحْمَةً لِلعَالَمِينَ أَلَم يَكُن
طِفلاًas a child لِضُرِّof the suffering of العالَمِينَthe worlds مُزيلاa remover
طِفلاً لِضُرِّ العالَمِينَ مُزيلا
O mercy to all worlds, was he not,
Do you blame me for prolonging his praise
as a child, a remover of the worlds' suffering?
One who counted the sea waves, prolonged?
إذwhen قامَstood عَمُّكَyour uncle فِيamong الوَرَىmankind مُستَسقِياًpraying for rain
إذ قامَ عَمُّكَ فِي الوَرَى مُستَسقِياً
كادَتْalmost تَجُرُّtrailed عَلَىover البِطَاحِthe broad valleys ذُيُولاskirts
كادَتْ تَجُرُّ عَلَى البِطَاحِ ذُيُولا
When your uncle stood among mankind praying for rain,
I have left the embellishment of speech
the clouds almost trailed their skirts across the broad valleys.
And taken its essence, extracted
وَرَفَعتَand you lifted عَامَin the year of الفِيلِthe Elephant عَنهُمfrom them فِتنَةًa trial
وَرَفَعتَ عَامَ الفِيلِ عَنهُم فِتنَةً
أَلْفَيْتَyou found فيهاin it التابِعينَthose following الفِيلاthe elephant
أَلْفَيْتَ فيها التابِعينَ الفِيلا
And in the Year of the Elephant you lifted from them a trial
What is upon one who extends a rope of praises
in which you found those following the elephant,
Tied to it a rope of affection, connected?
بِسَحائِبِwith clouds of الطَّيْرِbirds الأَبَابِيلِin scattered flocks الّتيwhich
بِسَحائِبِ الطَّيْرِ الأَبَابِيلِ الّتي
جَادَتْهُمُshowered them with مَطَرَthe rain of الرَّدَىdeath سِجِّيلاbaked-clay stones
جَادَتْهُمُ مَطَرَ الرَّدَى سِجِّيلا
with clouds of birds in scattered flocks,
I composed it in verse, but it outsped
which showered them with death's rain: stones of baked clay.
The steeds to the goal, bundled
فَفَدَوكَso they ransomed you مَولوداًas a newborn وَقَيتَyou protected نُفُوسَهُمtheir lives
فَفَدَوكَ مَولوداً وَقَيتَ نُفُوسَهُم
شِيباًgray-haired elders وَشُبَّاناًand youths مَعاًtogether وَكُهُولاand middle-aged men
شِيباً وَشُبَّاناً مَعاً وَكُهُولا
So they ransomed you, a newborn who had saved their lives—
And the days were illuminated by his lights
gray-haired elders, youths, and middle-aged men alike.
So they brought along treasures and treasures
حتّىuntil إِذاwhen ماindeed قُمتَyou arose فيهِمamong them مُنْذِراًas a warner
حتّى إِذا ما قُمتَ فيهِم مُنْذِراً
أَبدَواthey showed إِلَيكَtoward you عَداوَةًenmity وذُحولاand grudges
أَبدَوا إِلَيكَ عَداوَةً وذُحولا
Until, when you arose among them as a warner,
I am a man whose heart loves Muhammad
they showed you enmity and grudges.
And blames those faulting him, transgressive
فَلَقِيتَهُمso you met them فَرْداًalone بِعَزْمٍwith resolve ماnever انْثَنَىbent
فَلَقِيتَهُم فَرْداً بِعَزْمٍ ما انْثَنَى
يَوْماًever وَحُسْنِand fine تَصَبُّرٍendurance ماnever عِيلاwas exhausted
يَوْماً وَحُسْنِ تَصَبُّرٍ ما عِيلا
You met them alone, with resolve that never bent
Shall I love him but refrain from mentioning him?
on any day, and noble patience that never failed.
A lover is not stingy toward one loved
وَوَكَلْتَand you entrusted أَمْرَكَyour affair لِلإلهِto God وَياand O لَهاwhat a thing it is
وَوَكَلْتَ أَمْرَكَ لِلإلهِ وَيا لَها
ثِقَةًtrust بَنَصْرِin the victory of مَنِHim whom اتَّخَذْتَyou took وَكِيلاas trustee
ثِقَةً بَنَصْرِ مَنِ اتَّخَذْتَ وَكِيلا
You entrusted your affair to God—what
I wish I was from a group who witnessed with him
trust in the victory of Him you took as trustee!
Battles in times long past and struggle prolonged
وَأَطَلْتَand you prolonged فِيin seeking مَرْضاةِthe pleasure of رَبِّكَyour Lord سُخْطَهُمtheir anger
وَأَطَلْتَ فِي مَرْضاةِ رَبِّكَ سُخْطَهُم
فَجَرَعتَso you swallowed مِنهُمfrom them عَلقَماًbitter colocynth مَغسُولاwashed
فَجَرَعتَ مِنهُم عَلقَماً مَغسُولا
Seeking your Lord's pleasure, you prolonged their anger,
To stand for him with saying and with sword
and from them swallowed washed bitter colocynth.
Never bending, strong in his pleasure, resolute
وَطَفِقتَand it began يَلقاكَto meet you الصَّدِيقُthe friend مُعادِياًas an enemy
وَطَفِقتَ يَلقاكَ الصَّدِيقُ مُعادِياً
والسِّلْمُand peace حَرْباًas war والنَّصِيرُand the helper خَذُولاas a deserter
والسِّلْمُ حَرْباً والنَّصِيرُ خَذُولا
Then the friend began to meet you as a foe,
At times with consistent rhythm showing you its soundness
peace as war, and the helper as a deserter.
As the vain talk's prevention, disabled
ودَعَوتَهُمand you called them بالبَيِّنَاتِwith clear proofs مِنَof الهُدَىguidance
ودَعَوتَهُم بالبَيِّنَاتِ مِنَ الهُدَى
وَهَزَزْتَand you brandished فيهمْamong them صارماًa sharp sword مَسْلولاunsheathed
وَهَزَزْتَ فيهمْ صارماً مَسْلولا
You called them with clear proofs of guidance,
And with a strike whose string would make the armored fall
and brandished among them an unsheathed blade.
However the vain talk willed, regulated
وَأَقَمْتَand you appointed ذاكَthat العَضْبَsharp sword فيهمْamong them قاضِياas judge
وَأَقَمْتَ ذاكَ العَضْبَ فيهمْ قاضِيا
ونَصَبْتَand you set تلكَthose البيِّنَاتِclear proofs عُدولاas upright witnesses
ونَصَبْتَ تلكَ البيِّنَاتِ عُدولا
You set that sharp sword among them as a judge,
And with a stab the spears sculpted, exemplifying
and appointed those clear proofs as upright witnesses.
An eye for your eye in the competitor, like kohl
فَطَفِقْتَso you began لاnot تَنْفَكُّcease تَتْلوreciting آيةًa verse
فَطَفِقْتَ لا تَنْفَكُّ تَتْلو آيةً
فيهمْamong them وَتَحْسِمُand sever بالحُسامِwith the sword تَلِيلاa neck
فيهمْ وَتَحْسِمُ بالحُسامِ تَلِيلا
You kept on ceaselessly reciting a verse
In a standstill the armor covered, so no glance is seen
among them, and severing a neck with the sword.
Except a canal bent
حتَّىuntil قضَىdischarged بالنَّصْرِthrough victory دينُكَyour faith دِينهُits due
حتَّى قضَى بالنَّصْرِ دينُكَ دِينهُ
وغَدَاand became لِدِينِof the faith of الكافِرِينthe unbelievers مُزيلاan abolisher
وغَدَا لِدِينِ الكافِرِين مُزيلا
Until your faith, through victory, fulfilled its due,
So I sipped the cup of death in it greedily
and came to abolish the unbelievers' faith.
And kissed the cheek of the martyr, drinker
وعَنَتْand bowed لِسَطْوَتِكَto your might المُلوكُthe kings وَلَمْand not تَزَلyou ceased
وعَنَتْ لِسَطْوَتِكَ المُلوكُ وَلَمْ تَزَل
بَرّاًkind رَحِيماًmerciful بالضَّعِيفِto the weak وَصُولاever reaching out
بَرّاً رَحِيماً بالضَّعِيفِ وَصُولا
Kings bowed to your might, and you never ceased to be
And the horses swimming in the blood, wary
kind, merciful, and ever reaching out to the weak.
Of the palms of the warriors, from wounds
لَمnot تَخشَyou feared إِلَّاexcept اللَّهَGod فِيin أَمرٍany matter وَلَمand not
لَم تَخشَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فِي أَمرٍ وَلَم
تَملِكmastered طِبَاعَكَyour nature عادَةٌa habit فَتَحُولاso as to change it
تَملِك طِبَاعَكَ عادَةٌ فَتَحُولا
You feared only God in any matter, nor did
So be thrilled when the swords sing - and best
habit master your nature and change it.
What the battle-eager hears, is the clattering
اللَّهGod أَعْطَىgave المصطفىthe Chosen One خُلقَاًa character عَلَىupon
اللَّه أَعْطَى المصطفى خُلقَاً عَلَى
حُبِّlove of الإلِهِGod وَخَوْفِهِand fear of Him مَجْبولاfashioned
حُبِّ الإلِهِ وَخَوْفِهِ مَجْبولا
God gave the Chosen One a character fashioned upon
By God, the heart turns away from him not
love of God and fear of Him.
What a wary, protected heart bent
غَمَرَflooded البَرِيَّةِcreation عَدلُهُhis justice فَصَدِيقُهُso his friend
غَمَرَ البَرِيَّةِ عَدلُهُ فَصَدِيقُهُ
وعَدُوُّهand his foe لاnot يُظْلَمُونَare wronged فَتِيلاa date-stone fiber
وعَدُوُّه لا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلا
His justice flooded creation; his friend
Does one hoard his wealth and soul from him
and his foe suffer not a thread's worth of wrong.
A youth who sees their loss as guaranteed?
وَإذَاand when أرَادَwills اللَّهُGod حِفظَthe protection of وَلِيِّهِHis friend
وَإذَا أرَادَ اللَّهُ حِفظَ وَلِيِّهِ
خَرَجَleaves الهَوَىdesire مِنْfrom قَلْبِهِhis heart مَعْزُولاdismissed
خَرَجَ الهَوَى مِنْ قَلْبِهِ مَعْزُولا
And when God wills to protect His friend,
So I will cut the ropes of my procrastination
desire leaves his heart, dismissed.
That prevented anyone but him attaining
عُرِضَتْwere offered عليهِto him جبالُthe mountains of مكَّةَMecca عَسْجَداًas gold
عُرِضَتْ عليهِ جبالُ مكَّةَ عَسْجَداً
فأبىbut he refused لِفَاقَتِهِfor his poverty وكانَthough he was مُعِيلاsupporting dependents
فأبى لِفَاقَتِهِ وكانَ مُعِيلا
The mountains of Mecca were offered to him as gold,
And I will prevent the eye with him its sleep
but he refused, preferring poverty, though he had dependents.
And make wakefulness for it a friend
أَمُعَنَّفِيO my rebuker أَنِّيbecause I أُطِيلُprolong مَدِيحَهُhis praise
أَمُعَنَّفِي أَنِّي أُطِيلُ مَدِيحَهُ
مَنْwhoever عَدَّcounts مَوجَthe waves of البَحرِthe sea عَدَّcounts طَوِيلاfor a long time
مَنْ عَدَّ مَوجَ البَحرِ عَدَّ طَوِيلا
O you who rebuke me for prolonging his praise:
And I will shoot at them the arrows angrily
whoever counts the sea's waves counts for a long time.
Like spears, outstripping and uncompromising
إنِّيindeed I تَرَكْتُdiscarded مِنَfrom الكلامِspeech نُخَالَهُits bran
إنِّي تَرَكْتُ مِنَ الكلامِ نُخَالَهُ
وأَخَذْتُand took منهfrom it لُبابَهُits essence المَنْخُولاsifted
وأَخَذْتُ منه لُبابَهُ المَنْخُولا
I discarded the bran of speech
From every oppressing falsifier I increased upon it
and took from it its sifted essence.
A neck, when I tasked it straightening
ماذاwhat blame عَلَىis on مَنْone who مَدَّextends حَبْلَa cord of مدائحٍpraises
ماذا عَلَى مَنْ مَدَّ حَبْلَ مدائحٍ
فيهِabout him بحَبْلِwith a cord of مَوَدَّةٍlove مَوْصولاjoined
فيهِ بحَبْلِ مَوَدَّةٍ مَوْصولا
What blame is there on one who stretches a cord of praises
It strode measuring the ceiling of the sky
for him, joined to a cord of love?
As if it measured with a shaft, leaning
قَيَّدتُهُI bound it بالنَّظمِin verse إِلَّاexcept أَنَّهُthat it
قَيَّدتُهُ بالنَّظمِ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ
سَبَقَoutstripped الْجِيادَthe fine horses إلىto المَدَىthe finish مَشْكُولاhobbled
سَبَقَ الْجِيادَ إلى المَدَى مَشْكُولا
I bound it in verse, yet it
Until it shows you the letter from the rock of purity
outstripped fine horses to the finish, though hobbled.
Its footsteps with its blood laden
وأَضاءَتِand shone الأَيّامُthe days مِنْfrom أنوارِهِhis lights
وأَضاءَتِ الأَيّامُ مِنْ أنوارِهِ
فَاستَصحَبَتso they bore غُرَراًwhite forehead-blazes بهاthrough them وحُجُولاand white leg-markings
فَاستَصحَبَت غُرَراً بها وحُجُولا
The days shone with his lights
As if it struck with a stone equal to it
and bore through them white blazes and white leg-markings.
From a smiling mouth, so they matched, killing
إنّيindeed I امرُؤٌa man قَلبيmy heart يُحِبُّloves مُحَمَّداًMuhammad
إنّي امرُؤٌ قَلبي يُحِبُّ مُحَمَّداً
ويَلومُand reproaches فيهِfor his sake لائِماًa censurer وَعَذُولاand a reprover
ويَلومُ فيهِ لائِماً وَعَذُولا
I am a man whose heart loves Muhammad
It cut the ropes of distance when it busied
and reproaches, for his sake, a censurer and a reprover.
A longing for Tayba, an arm stretched
أَأُحِبُّهُdo I love him وَأَمَلُّand tire مِنof ذِكرِيmy mentioning لَهُof him
أَأُحِبُّهُ وَأَمَلُّ مِن ذِكرِي لَهُ
ليسَis not المُحِبُّthe lover لِمَنْof one whom يُحِبُّhe loves مَلُولاeasily wearied
ليسَ المُحِبُّ لِمَنْ يُحِبُّ مَلُولا
Shall I love him and tire of mentioning him?
Until I join in Tayba the bond
A lover never tires of the one he loves.
To which the lover returned, drawn
ياO لَيْتَنِيwould that I were مِنْamong مَعْشَرٍa company شَهِدُواwho witnessed الوغَىbattle
يا لَيْتَنِي مِنْ مَعْشَرٍ شَهِدُوا الوغَى
مَعَهُwith him زَماناًfor a time والكِفاحَand combat طَوِيلاfor long
مَعَهُ زَماناً والكِفاحَ طَوِيلا
Would that I were among a company who witnessed battle
And I rest from the fatigue of sins, a self
with him for a time, and long combat,
Weighed down upon it with sins, carried
فَأَقُومَso I might stand عنهin his defense بِمِقْوَلٍwith a tongue وبصارِمٍand with a sharp sword
فَأَقُومَ عنه بِمِقْوَلٍ وبصارِمٍ
أبَداًever قَؤُولاeloquent in speech فِيin seeking رِضاهُhis pleasure فعُولاmighty in action
أبَداً قَؤُولا فِي رِضاهُ فعُولا
so I might defend him with a tongue and a sharp sword,
And it rejoices in forgiveness, a heart that did not cease
forever speaking and acting abundantly to please him.
For some time, burdened by my wrongdoing
طَوْراًat times بِقَافِيةٍwith a rhyme يُرِيكَshows you ثَباتُهاits steadfastness
طَوْراً بِقَافِيةٍ يُرِيكَ ثَباتُها
كَفَّthe hand of الرَّدَىdeath عَنaway from عِرضِهِhis honor مَشلولاparalyzed
كَفَّ الرَّدَى عَن عِرضِهِ مَشلولا
At times with a rhyme whose steadfastness shows you
And I return with great grace, granted
death's hand paralyzed away from his honor;
And suffice is a grace from Him for me, interpreting
وبِضَرْبَةٍand with a blow يَدَعُleaves المُدَجَّجَthe armored warrior وِترُهاits single stroke
وبِضَرْبَةٍ يَدَعُ المُدَجَّجَ وِترُها
شَفْعاًdoubled كماas شاءwished الرَّدَىdeath مَجدُولاfelled
شَفْعاً كما شاء الرَّدَى مَجدُولا
and with a blow whose single stroke makes the armored man
And if matters become difficult, I am hopeful
a pair, felled as death wished;
In Muhammad for facilitating them
وبِطَعْنَةٍand with a thrust جَلَتِbared السِّنانَthe spearhead فَمثَّلَتthus presented
وبِطَعْنَةٍ جَلَتِ السِّنانَ فَمثَّلَت
عَيناًan eye لِعَيْنِكَto your eye فِيin الكَمِيِّthe armored warrior كَحِيلاkohl-darkened
عَيناً لِعَيْنِكَ فِي الكَمِيِّ كَحِيلا
and with a thrust that bares the spearhead, showing
O Lord, bestow upon the Prophet and bestow upon us
to your eye, in the armored warrior, an eye darkened with kohl.
What our souls suggested to us, insinuating
فِيin مَوقِفٍa battlefield غَشِيَcovered اللِّحَاظَthe gazes فلاso not يرَىsees
فِي مَوقِفٍ غَشِيَ اللِّحَاظَ فلا يرَى
لَحْظٌan eye بهِthere إِلَّاexcept قَناةًa spear مِيلاleaning
لَحْظٌ بهِ إِلَّا قَناةً مِيلا
In a battlefield that veils men's glances, so that no
And veil over us what You know we cannot bear
eye sees there except leaning spears.
Of a disgraceful sin, humiliating
فَرَشَفتُso I sipped ثَغرَthe mouth of المَوتِdeath فيهِthere أَشنَباcool and sweet
فَرَشَفتُ ثَغرَ المَوتِ فيهِ أَشنَبا
وَلَثَمْتُand kissed خَدَّthe cheek of المَشْرَفِيِّthe Mashrafi sword أَسِيلاsmooth
وَلَثَمْتُ خَدَّ المَشْرَفِيِّ أَسِيلا
There I sipped death's cool, sweet mouth
And show mercy to the weak creation, when it sees
and kissed the smooth cheek of the Mashrafi sword.
The terror of the Hereafter, displaying fright
والخَيْلُand the horses تَسْبَحُswim فِيin الدِّماءِblood وَتَتَّقِيand guard against
والخَيْلُ تَسْبَحُ فِي الدِّماءِ وَتَتَّقِي
أَيْدِيthe hands of الكُمَاةthe armored warriors مِنَfrom النَّجِيعِgore وُحُولاpools of mire
أَيْدِي الكُمَاة مِنَ النَّجِيعِ وُحُولا
The horses swim in blood, while guarding against
A day the minds go astray, so the visions
pools of gore are the warriors' hands.
Are fixed, fearful, and confused that time
فاطرَبso rejoice إِذَاwhen غَنَّىsings الحَدِيدُiron فخيرُfor the best of ماwhat
فاطرَب إِذَا غَنَّى الحَدِيدُ فخيرُ ما
سَمِعَhears المَشُوقُone yearning إلىfor النِّزالِcombat صَليلاa ringing clang
سَمِعَ المَشُوقُ إلى النِّزالِ صَليلا
So rejoice when iron sings; the finest thing
And the criminals regret, at times
heard by one yearning for combat is its ringing clang.
Showing lament, and at times wailing
تاللَّهِby God يُثْنَىis turned القلْبَthe heart عنهaway from him ماwhat ثَنَىturned
تاللَّهِ يُثْنَى القلْبَ عنه ما ثَنَى
خَوْفُfear of المَنِيَّةِdeath عامِراًAmir وَسَلولاand Salul
خَوْفُ المَنِيَّةِ عامِراً وَسَلولا
By God, the heart is turned from him by what turned
And the seeker of salvation remains turning
Amir and Salul: fear of death.
His gaze upon the intercessors, beautiful
أَيَضِنُّwould he begrudge عَنهُto him بِمالِهِhis wealth وَبِنَفسِهِand his life
أَيَضِنُّ عَنهُ بِمالِهِ وَبِنَفسِهِ
صَبٌّa passionate lover يَرَىwho sees لَهُماfor them both الفَواتَloss حُصُولاas attainment
صَبٌّ يَرَى لَهُما الفَواتَ حُصُولا
Would a passionate lover begrudge him his wealth and life,
So that his soul may attain from the thirst of the Resurrection
when he sees losing them as gaining them?
Drink, and from the heat of Hell, comfort
فَلأَقطَعَنَّso I shall surely cut حِبالَthe ropes of تَسْوِيفِيmy procrastination الّتيwhich
فَلأَقطَعَنَّ حِبالَ تَسْوِيفِي الّتي
مَنَعَتprevented سِوَايَothers than me إِلىto حِماهُhis sanctuary وُصولاaccess
مَنَعَت سِوَايَ إِلى حِماهُ وُصولا
I shall surely cut the ropes of my procrastination, which
And make for us, O God, the access of Muhammad
kept others from reaching his sanctuary.
A connection delivering us the hopeful
وَلأَمنَعَنَّand I shall surely deny العَينَthe eye فيهِfor his sake مَنامَهاits sleep
وَلأَمنَعَنَّ العَينَ فيهِ مَنامَها
وَلأَجْعَلَنَّand I shall surely make لهاfor it السُّهَادَsleeplessness خَلِيلاa companion
وَلأَجْعَلَنَّ لها السُّهَادَ خَلِيلا
For his sake I shall surely deny the eye its sleep,
And divert from us by it the punishment of Hellfire
and make sleeplessness its companion.
Generously, and restrain its blazing flames
وَلأَرْمِيَنَّand I shall surely shoot through لهُfor his sake الفِجاجَmountain passes بِضُمَّرٍon lean mounts
وَلأَرْمِيَنَّ لهُ الفِجاجَ بِضُمَّرٍ
كالنَّبْلِlike arrows سَبْقاًin speed والقِسِيِّand bows نُحولاin thinness
كالنَّبْلِ سَبْقاً والقِسِيِّ نُحولا
For his sake I shall shoot through mountain passes on lean mounts,
And make your blessings eternal, descending
like arrows in speed and bows in thinness.
Upon his shrine, not ceasing glorification
مِنfrom كلِّevery دامِيَةِbleeding الأَيَاطِلِin the flanks زِدتُهاI increased her
مِن كلِّ دامِيَةِ الأَيَاطِلِ زِدتُها
عَنَقاًin a brisk trot إذاwhen كلَّفْتُهاI tasked her with التَّمهِيلاslowing down
عَنَقاً إذا كلَّفْتُها التَّمهِيلا
On every mount with bleeding flanks, whose pace I increased
The breeze did not shake the twigs, and the leaves did not
to a brisk trot whenever I tasked her with slowing.
Return with the winds' tunes twittering
سارَتْshe traveled تَقِيسُmeasuring ذِرَاعُهاher foreleg سَقفَthe roof of الفَلاthe wilderness
سارَتْ تَقِيسُ ذِرَاعُها سَقفَ الفَلا
فكأنَّماso as though قاسَتْshe measured بِمِيلwith a mile مِيلاa mile
فكأنَّما قاسَتْ بِمِيل مِيلا
She traveled, her foreleg measuring the desert's roof,
as though she measured a mile with a mile.
حَتَّىuntil تُرِيكَshow you الحرْفَthe letter مِنfrom صَلدِhard الصَّفاflint
حَتَّى تُرِيكَ الحرْفَ مِن صَلدِ الصَّفا
أَخفافُهاher hooves بدِمائِهاwith their blood مَشْكُولاvowel-marked
أَخفافُها بدِمائِها مَشْكُولا
Until they show you a letter from hard flint—
her hooves—vowel-marked in their blood.
وَكأنَّماand as though ضَرَبَتshe struck بِصَخرٍwith a rock مِثلَهُits equal
وَكأنَّما ضَرَبَت بِصَخرٍ مِثلَهُ
مِنfrom مِبسمٍa smiling mouth فتكافئاso the two matched تَقتيلاin killing
مِن مِبسمٍ فتكافئا تَقتيلا
As though she struck rock with rock its equal
from a smiling mouth, the two matching each other in killing.
قَطَعَتshe cut حِبالَthe ropes of البُعْدِdistance لَمَّاwhen أَعمَلَتshe set to work
قَطَعَت حِبالَ البُعْدِ لَمَّا أَعمَلَت
شَوْقاًout of longing لَطَيْبَةfor Taybah ساعِداًa foreleg مَفْتُولاsinewy
شَوْقاً لَطَيْبَة ساعِداً مَفْتُولا
She cut the ropes of distance when she set to work,
out of longing for Taybah, a sinewy foreleg.
حتّىuntil أَضُمَّI gather بِطَيبَةَin Taybah الشَّملَthe scattered company الَّذيthat
حتّى أَضُمَّ بِطَيبَةَ الشَّملَ الَّذي
أنْضَىwore out إليهاtoward her العِرْمِسَthe sturdy she-camel الشِّملِيلاthe swift one
أنْضَى إليها العِرْمِسَ الشِّملِيلا
Until in Taybah I reunite the company that
wore out the swift, sturdy she-camel on the journey there.
وَأُرِيحَand ease مِنْfrom تَعَبِthe weariness of الخَطاياsins ذِمَّةًa conscience
وَأُرِيحَ مِنْ تَعَبِ الخَطايا ذِمَّةً
ثَقُلَتweighed heavily علَيهاupon it لِلذُّنوبِof sins حُمُولاburdens
ثَقُلَت علَيها لِلذُّنوبِ حُمُولا
And ease from the weariness of sins a conscience
weighed down with burdens of transgression;
وَيُسَرُّand rejoices بالغُفرانِin pardon قلبٌa heart لَمْnot يَزَلceased
وَيُسَرُّ بالغُفرانِ قلبٌ لَمْ يَزَل
حِيناًfor a time بِطُولِby the length of إساءَتيmy wrongdoing مَشكولاfettered
حِيناً بِطُولِ إساءَتي مَشكولا
and a heart rejoice in pardon that has long remained
fettered by my prolonged wrongdoing;
وأَعُودَand I return بالفضلِwith grace العظيمِimmense مُنَوَّلاًendowed
وأَعُودَ بالفضلِ العظيمِ مُنَوَّلاً
وَكَفَىand sufficient is بِفضلٍa bounty منهfrom him ليfor me تَنْوِيلاas a gift
وَكَفَى بِفضلٍ منه لي تَنْوِيلا
and I return endowed with immense grace—
a gift of grace from him is gift enough for me.
وإذاand when تعَسَّرَتِbecome difficult الأُمورُmatters فإنّنيthen indeed I
وإذا تعَسَّرَتِ الأُمورُ فإنّني
راجٍhope لهاfor them بِمُحَمَّدٍthrough Muhammad تَسْهِيلاease
راجٍ لها بِمُحَمَّدٍ تَسْهِيلا
And when matters become difficult, I
hope for their easing through Muhammad.
ياO رَبِّmy Lord هَبناgrant us للنبيِّto the Prophet وَهَبand forgive لناus
يا رَبِّ هَبنا للنبيِّ وَهَب لنا
ماwhat سَوَّلَتهُhave made it enticing نُفُوسُناour souls تَسوِيلاalluringly
ما سَوَّلَتهُ نُفُوسُنا تَسوِيلا
O Lord, grant us to the Prophet, and forgive us
what our souls have enticed us to do.
واستُرand conceal عليناfor us ماwhat عَلِمتَYou know فَلَمfor not يُطِقcould bear
واستُر علينا ما عَلِمتَ فَلَم يُطِق
مِنَّاamong us امْرُؤٌany man لِخَطِيئَةٍfor a sin تَخجِيلاshaming
مِنَّا امْرُؤٌ لِخَطِيئَةٍ تَخجِيلا
And conceal what You know of us, for none could bear—
not one of us—the shame of a sin.
وَاعطِفand have compassion عَلَىon الخَلقِcreation الضَّعِيفِthe weak إِذَاwhen رَأىit sees
وَاعطِف عَلَى الخَلقِ الضَّعِيفِ إِذَا رَأى
هَولَthe terror of المَعادِthe Return فأَظهَرَso it displays التَّهوِيلاdread
هَولَ المَعادِ فأَظهَرَ التَّهوِيلا
And have compassion on weak creation when it sees
the terror of the Return and displays its dread.
يَوْمٌa day تَضِلُّgo astray بهin it العُقُولُminds فَتَشْخَصُand stare fixedly الthe (continued)
يَوْمٌ تَضِلُّ به العُقُولُ فَتَشْخَصُ ال
أَبْصَارُeyes خَوْفاًin fear عندهُthen وَذُهولاand bewilderment
أَبْصَارُ خَوْفاً عندهُ وَذُهولا
A day when minds go astray, and the
eyes stare fixedly in fear and bewilderment.
وَيُسِرُّand conceal فيهِin it المُجرِمُونَthe guilty نَدَامَةًremorse
وَيُسِرُّ فيهِ المُجرِمُونَ نَدَامَةً
حيناًat times وحيناًand at times يُظْهِرُونَthey show عَوِيلاwailing
حيناً وحيناً يُظْهِرُونَ عَوِيلا
The guilty conceal remorse on that day
at times, and at times give voice to wailing.
وَيَظَلُّand keeps مُرْتَادُthe seeker of الخَلاصِdeliverance مُقَلِّباًturning
وَيَظَلُّ مُرْتَادُ الخَلاصِ مُقَلِّباً
فِيamong الشَّافِعِينَthe intercessors لِحَاظَهُhis gaze وَمُجِيلاand sweeping it around
فِي الشَّافِعِينَ لِحَاظَهُ وَمُجِيلا
The seeker of deliverance keeps turning
his gaze among the intercessors, sweeping it around,
لِتنالَso that may attain مِنْfrom ظَمَإthe thirst of القيامَةِthe Resurrection نفسُهُhis soul
لِتنالَ مِنْ ظَمَإ القيامَةِ نفسُهُ
رِيّاًa quenching draught ومِنand from حَرِّthe heat of السَّعِيرِthe Blaze مَقيلاa resting place
رِيّاً ومِن حَرِّ السَّعِيرِ مَقيلا
so that his soul may gain, from Resurrection's thirst,
a quenching draught, and from the Blaze's heat, a place to rest.
وَاجعَلand make لناfor us اللَّهُمَّO God جَاهَthe standing of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
وَاجعَل لنا اللَّهُمَّ جَاهَ مُحَمَّدٍ
فَرَطاًa forerunner تُبَلِّغُنَاYou bring us بهِthrough it المَأْمولاwhat is hoped for
فَرَطاً تُبَلِّغُنَا بهِ المَأْمولا
And grant us, O God, Muhammad's standing
as a forerunner through which You bring us what we hope for.
واصرِفand turn away بِهِthrough him عنَّاfrom us عَذابَthe torment of جَهَنَّمٍHell
واصرِف بِهِ عنَّا عَذابَ جَهَنَّمٍ
كَرَماًin generosity وكُفَّand restrain ضِرامَهاits blaze المَشْعُولاkindled
كَرَماً وكُفَّ ضِرامَها المَشْعُولا
Through him turn Hell's torment away from us
in generosity, and restrain its kindled blaze.
واجعَلand make صَلاتَكَYour blessings دائِماًalways مُنهَلَّةًpouring down
واجعَل صَلاتَكَ دائِماً مُنهَلَّةً
لَمnot تُلفِthey encounter دونَbefore reaching ضَرِيحِهِhis tomb تَهْلِيلاfaltering
لَم تُلفِ دونَ ضَرِيحِهِ تَهْلِيلا
And make Your blessings fall in a constant shower,
never faltering before they reach his tomb,
ماas long as هَزَّتِshakes القُضبَthe boughs النَّسِيمُthe breeze وَرَجَّعَتْand repeats
ما هَزَّتِ القُضبَ النَّسِيمُ وَرَجَّعَتْ
وَرقَاءُa gray dove فِيon فَنَنِa branch of الأَراكِthe arak tree هَدِيلاcooing
وَرقَاءُ فِي فَنَنِ الأَراكِ هَدِيلا
as long as the breeze shakes the boughs, and there echoes
a gray dove's cooing on an arak branch.
Partial English translation: 220 of 260 Arabic lines translated.