إلىuntil متىwhen أنتَyou باللَّذَّاتِwith pleasures مَشغُولُoccupied
إلى متى أنتَ باللَّذَّاتِ مَشغُولُ
وَأنتَand you عنfor كلِّall ماthat قَدَّمْتَyou have done مَسؤُولُanswerable
وَأنتَ عن كلِّ ما قَدَّمْتَ مَسؤُولُ
How long will you remain engrossed in pleasures,
For how long will you be preoccupied with pleasures, while you will be held accountable for all that you have forwarded?
while answerable for everything you have done?
Every day you hope to repent tomorrow, while your determination to procrastinate is unfounded.
فِيin كلِّevery يَوْمٍday تُرَجِّيyou hope أنto تتوبrepent غداًtomorrow
فِي كلِّ يَوْمٍ تُرَجِّي أن تتوب غداً
وَعَقدُand the knot عَزمِكَof your resolve بالتَّسوِيفِthrough procrastination مَحْلُولُloosened
وَعَقدُ عَزمِكَ بالتَّسوِيفِ مَحْلُولُ
Every day you hope to repent tomorrow,
Do you not see throughout your life some vigor in the deeds you found pleasant, and laziness in those you found unpleasant?
while procrastination loosens the knot of your resolve.
So be resolute, for death is uncompromising, with hopes severed by the hands of fate.
أماwill not يُرَىbe seen لَكَin you فيماconcerning what سَرَّpleased مِنْof عَمَلٍdeeds
أما يُرَى لَكَ فيما سَرَّ مِنْ عَمَلٍ
يَوْماًone day نَشاطٌzeal وعَمَّاand toward what ساءَwas bad تَكسِيلُreluctance
يَوْماً نَشاطٌ وعَمَّا ساءَ تَكسِيلُ
Will there never be seen in you, for pleasing deeds,
And sever the ropes of vain hopes that are falsely connected.
some day's zeal, and reluctance toward wrongdoing?
You spent your life amassing wealth, without acquiring anything but sin.
فَجَرِّدِso unsheathe العَزْمَresolve إنَّindeed الموتَdeath صارِمُهُits sharp sword
فَجَرِّدِ العَزْمَ إنَّ الموتَ صارِمُهُ
مُجَرَّدٌbared بِيَدِin the hand of الآمالِhopes مَسْلُولُdrawn
مُجَرَّدٌ بِيَدِ الآمالِ مَسْلُولُ
Unsheathe your resolve: death's sharp sword
And you went on to build a house that is impermanent, while you will depart from it even if you live long.
is bared, drawn in the hand of hopes.
The warner has come, so prepare for the journey without delay, for there is no respite after the warning.
واقطعand cut حِبالَthe cords الأَمانِيِّof wishes الَّتيthat اتَّصَلَتjoined together
واقطع حِبالَ الأَمانِيِّ الَّتي اتَّصَلَت
فَإِنَّماfor only حَبلُهاtheir cord بِالزُّورِby falsehood مَوصُولُjoined
فَإِنَّما حَبلُها بِالزُّورِ مَوصُولُ
Cut the cords of wishes that have joined together,
And protect your old age from deeds that would dishonor it, for every hot-headed youth is despised.
for their cord is joined only by falsehood.
Do not deny him, for the first signs have appeared on his temples, and the crown is above his head.
أَنفَقتَyou spent عُمْرَكَyour life فِيon مالٍwealth تُحَصِّلُهُyou acquire
أَنفَقتَ عُمْرَكَ فِي مالٍ تُحَصِّلُهُ
ومَاand not عَلَىupon غيرِanything but إثْمٍsin منكَfrom you تحصيلُacquisition
ومَا عَلَى غيرِ إثْمٍ منكَ تحصيلُ
You have spent your life acquiring wealth,
Our spirits are indeed like the stars, moving and traveling.
yet your acquisition yields nothing but sin.
Their rising and setting amongst us are generations passing as others take their place.
وَرُحتَand you went on تَعمُرُbuilding داراًa dwelling لاno بَقاءَlasting existence لهاfor it
وَرُحتَ تَعمُرُ داراً لا بَقاءَ لها
وَأَنتَand you عَنهاfrom it وَإِنeven if عُمِّرتَyou are long-lived مَنقُولُremoved
وَأَنتَ عَنها وَإِن عُمِّرتَ مَنقُولُ
You go on building a dwelling that cannot endure,
Until Allah resurrects the servants on a Day in which judgment between creation will be carried out.
and you will be removed from it, however long you live.
Profit and loss will then become evident among nations whose beliefs about it differed.
جَاءَcame النَّذيرُthe warner فَشَمِّرso prepare لِلمَسِيرِfor departure بِلاwithout
جَاءَ النَّذيرُ فَشَمِّر لِلمَسِيرِ بِلا
مَهلٍdelay فَلَيسَfor there is not معَwith الإِنذارِwarning تَمهِيلُpostponement
مَهلٍ فَلَيسَ معَ الإِنذارِ تَمهِيلُ
The warner has come: prepare to depart without
The most wretched of people is one whose creed denies the resurrection of creation.
delay, for warning allows no postponement.
A nation that worshiped idols, for which images and statues were set up.
وصُنand protect مَشِيبَكَyour gray hair عنfrom فِعلٍa deed تُشَانُyou are disgraced بِهِby it
وصُن مَشِيبَكَ عن فِعلٍ تُشَانُ بِهِ
فكلُّfor every ذِيpossessor of صَبْوَةٍinfatuation بالشَّيبِby gray hair مَعْذُولُreproached
فكلُّ ذِي صَبْوَةٍ بالشَّيبِ مَعْذُولُ
Protect your gray hair from deeds that disgrace you,
Another went to worship the calf, so Allah's punishment was hastened upon them.
for everyone still infatuated is reproached by gray hair.
And a nation claimed the Messiah was its Lord after he was crucified and killed.
لاdo not تَنكِرَنهُdeny it وفيand on القَودَينِthe two temples قَدalready طَلَعَتrisen
لا تَنكِرَنهُ وفي القَودَينِ قَد طَلَعَت
مِنهُfrom it الثُّرَيَّاthe Pleiades وفوْقَand above الرَّأْسِthe head إكليلُa crown
مِنهُ الثُّرَيَّا وفوْقَ الرَّأْسِ إكليلُ
Do not deny it: upon your two temples have risen
So they made the One into three, while we profess His Oneness.
its Pleiades, and above your head a crown.
Glorified is Allah above what the deniers say, and the denier of truth is defeated in the end.
فَإِنَّfor indeed أَروَاحَناour souls مِثلَlike النُّجُومِthe stars لهاfor them
فَإِنَّ أَروَاحَنا مِثلَ النُّجُومِ لها
مِنَfrom المَنِيَّةِdeath تَسْيِيرٌsetting in motion وَتَرْحِيلُand sending away
مِنَ المَنِيَّةِ تَسْيِيرٌ وَتَرْحِيلُ
For our souls resemble stars, subject
Victory belongs to the nation enlightened by his ablution, adorned by grace from him and purification.
to death's setting them in motion and sending them away.
It continues reciting the Book of Allah that has no distortion or alteration like other scriptures.
وَإنَّand indeed طالِعَهاtheir rising مِنَّاamong us وَغَارِبَهاand their setting
وَإنَّ طالِعَها مِنَّا وَغَارِبَها
جِيلٌa generation يَمُرُّpasses وَيَأتيand comes بَعْدَهُafter it جِيلُa generation
جِيلٌ يَمُرُّ وَيَأتي بَعْدَهُ جِيلُ
Their rising among us and their setting are
The books and messengers all came from Allah, with some superior to others, truly and preferentially.
one generation passing, another coming after it.
The Chosen One is the best of all Allah's creation, with precedence and favor over the messengers.
حتّىuntil إِذاwhen بَعَثَraises اللَّهُGod العِبادَthe servants إلَىto
حتّى إِذا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ العِبادَ إلَى
يَوْمٍa day بهِon it الحكمُjudgment بينَbetween الخلقِcreatures مَفصُولُdecided
يَوْمٍ بهِ الحكمُ بينَ الخلقِ مَفصُولُ
Until, when God raises His servants for
Muhammad is Allah's decisive proof which became evident, with a Sunnah that has no changing or alteration.
a day when judgment between creatures is decided,
The noble offspring of the noble tribe, who have supremacy and virtue over all other people.
تَبَيَّنَbecame clear الرِّبحُgain والخُسْرانُand loss فيamong أُمَمٍcommunities
تَبَيَّنَ الرِّبحُ والخُسْرانُ في أُمَمٍ
تَخالَفَتdiffered بَينَناamong us مِنهاfrom them الأَقاوِيلُthe doctrines
تَخالَفَت بَينَنا مِنها الأَقاوِيلُ
gain and loss become clear among communities
The one completed by Allah in meaning and form, so that neither high stature nor loftiness eluded him.
whose doctrines have differed among us.
And especially graced with dignity that settled as veneration and reverence for him in the hearts of people.
فَأَخْسَرُso the greatest loser النّاسِof people مَنwhoever كانَتwas عَقِيدَتُهُhis creed
فَأَخْسَرُ النّاسِ مَن كانَت عَقِيدَتُهُ
فِيin طَيِّهاits contents لِنُشُورِof resurrection الخَلْقِof creation تَعْطِيلُdenial
فِي طَيِّها لِنُشُورِ الخَلْقِ تَعْطِيلُ
The greatest loser is whoever has a creed
He brought tranquility whether angry or pleased, and was always revered and hoped for.
that contains denial of the resurrection of creation;
He met people with coolness of character, of commendable justice and kindness by nature.
وَأُمَّةٌand a community تَعبُدُworships الأَوثَانَidols قَدْindeed نُصِبَتwere erected
وَأُمَّةٌ تَعبُدُ الأَوثَانَ قَدْ نُصِبَت
لهاfor it التَّصاوِيرُimages يَوْماًone day والتَّماثِيلُand statues
لها التَّصاوِيرُ يَوْماً والتَّماثِيلُ
and a community worshipping idols, for whom were erected
His origin is from Adam and his jewel was hidden in the shells of insights rather than borne.
images and statues one day;
Prophethood has a beginning through him but excellence was brought forward and delayed for him.
وأُمَّةٌand a community ذَهَبتwent لِلعِجلِto the calf عابِدَةًworshipping
وأُمَّةٌ ذَهَبت لِلعِجلِ عابِدَةً
فَنالَهاso befell it مِنfrom عَذابِthe punishment of اللَّهِGod تَعجِيلُhastening
فَنالَها مِن عَذابِ اللَّهِ تَعجِيلُ
and a community that went to worship the calf,
What grace he attained on the night of ascension to a rank no other reached.
and was swiftly overtaken by God's punishment;
And how long has destiny distinguished him when he stood striving, for not all rank is attained by strife.
وأُمَّةٌand a community زَعَمَتْclaimed أنَّthat المَسِيحَthe Messiah لهاfor it
وأُمَّةٌ زَعَمَتْ أنَّ المَسِيحَ لها
رَبٌّa Lord غَداbecame وَهوَwhile he مَصلُوبٌcrucified وَمَقْتُولُand killed
رَبٌّ غَدا وَهوَ مَصلُوبٌ وَمَقْتُولُ
and a community claiming that the Messiah became
If every high position could be earned by effort, appointment by revelation would not have validity.
its Lord, though crucified and killed.
His rank is the highest with Allah, so understand, the position of the beloved is not unknown.
فَثَلَّثتso it made three of واحداًone فَرداًunique نُوَحِّدُهُwe affirm as one
فَثَلَّثت واحداً فَرداً نُوَحِّدُهُ
وَلِلبَصَائِرِand for inner sight كالأَبْصَارِlike eyesight تَخْيِيلُillusion
وَلِلبَصَائِرِ كالأَبْصَارِ تَخْيِيلُ
It made three of the single One whom we affirm as one;
He reached "the distance of two bow lengths or nearer", and the right to intercession and intervention belongs to him.
inner sight, like eyesight, can suffer illusion.
He journeyed by night to the Farthest Mosque and returned on Burāq, brilliant as flashing lightning.
تبارَكَexalted is اللَّهُGod عَمَّاabove what قالَsaid جاحِدُهُHis denier
تبارَكَ اللَّهُ عَمَّا قالَ جاحِدُهُ
وجاحِدُand the denier of الحَقِّtruth عِندَat النَّصرِvictory مَخذُولُforsaken
وجاحِدُ الحَقِّ عِندَ النَّصرِ مَخذُولُ
Exalted is God above what His denier said;
O what a state of proximity that cannot be imagined! And what a state of connection that cannot be comprehended!
the denier of truth is forsaken when victory comes.
What gifts came to him while the veil of night was lowered, that people were unaware of when morning came!
وَالفَوْزُand success فِيin أَمَّةٍa community ضَوْءُthe light الوُضوءِof ablution لهاfor it
وَالفَوْزُ فِي أَمَّةٍ ضَوْءُ الوُضوءِ لها
قَدْindeed زانَهَاadorned it غُرَرٌradiant foreheads منهfrom it وَتحْجِيلُand bright limbs
قَدْ زانَهَا غُرَرٌ منه وَتحْجِيلُ
Success belongs to a community whose light of ablution
This is the favor, not the adornments of the world weighed on scales and measured.
adorns it with radiant foreheads and bright limbs.
How many clear proofs of the Messenger of Allah came, resembling branches derived from roots!
تَظَلُّit continues تَتْلوreciting كِتابَthe Book of اللَّهِGod لَيسَthere is not بِهِin it
تَظَلُّ تَتْلو كِتابَ اللَّهِ لَيسَ بِهِ
كسائِرِlike other الكُتبِbooks تَحرِيفٌdistortion وَتَبدِيلُand alteration
كسائِرِ الكُتبِ تَحرِيفٌ وَتَبدِيلُ
It continually recites God's Book, which contains no
Whenever they are recounted, breaths of roses permeate, as if the roses are plucked and diffuse their scent.
distortion or alteration like other books.
Every eloquent word distills its essence, as if it is an unsheathed sword piercing and striking.
فالكُتبُfor the books والرُّسلُand messengers منfrom عِندَthe presence of الإلهِGod أَتَتcame
فالكُتبُ والرُّسلُ من عِندَ الإلهِ أَتَت
ومنهمand among them فاضِلٌsuperior حَقّاًtruly ومَفضولُand surpassed
ومنهم فاضِلٌ حَقّاً ومَفضولُ
The books and messengers came from God,
No mention remains for those articulate in speech, for can candlelights shine in the presence of the sun?
and among them are those truly superior and those surpassed.
You struggled against the misguided leaders of error, until destroying polytheism by professing Divine Oneness remained.
والمُصطفَىand the Chosen One خيرُthe best of خلقِthe creatures of اللَّهِGod كُلِّهِمِall of them
والمُصطفَى خيرُ خلقِ اللَّهِ كُلِّهِمِ
لهُfor him عَلَىover الرُّسلِthe messengers تَرجِيحٌprecedence وتَفضِيلُand distinction
لهُ عَلَى الرُّسلِ تَرجِيحٌ وتَفضِيلُ
The Chosen One is the best of all God's creatures;
Your sword complained of what their group complained of, so both were involved in shredding and slicing.
he has precedence and distinction above the messengers.
On a day when Allah gave the hearts of the Muslims grief over your uncle, and grief overshadowed the one lost.
مُحَمَّدٌMuhammad حُجَّةَthe proof of اللَّهِGod الّتيwhich ظَهَرَتappeared
مُحَمَّدٌ حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ الّتي ظَهَرَت
بِسُنَّةٍthrough a way ماno لهاfor it فِيamong الخَلقِcreation تَحوِيلُalteration
بِسُنَّةٍ ما لها فِي الخَلقِ تَحوِيلُ
Muhammad is God's proof, manifested
One side was broken in Uhud, but Gabriel came to mend the break.
through a way that admits no alteration among creation.
And on various occasions, how often you were given victory by Allah, guaranteed and secured!
نَجْلُoffspring of الأكارِمِthe noblest والقَومِand the people الَّذينwho لَهمhave
نَجْلُ الأكارِمِ والقَومِ الَّذين لَهم
عَلَىover جمِيعِall الأَنَامِhumankind الطَّوْلُbounty والطُّولُand eminence
عَلَى جمِيعِ الأَنَامِ الطَّوْلُ والطُّولُ
Offspring of the noble and of people who possess
The angels grasping your right hand were honorable, generous, and heroic champions.
bounty and eminence above all humankind;
They hasten when you call them to battle, for the generous are lively when summoned.
مَنْone whom كَمَّلَperfected اللَّهُGod مَعناهُhis inward nature وصورَتَهُand his outward form
مَنْ كَمَّلَ اللَّهُ مَعناهُ وصورَتَهُ
فَلَمso not يَفُتهُeluded him عَلَىin الحالَيْنboth respects تَكْمِيلُperfection
فَلَم يَفُتهُ عَلَى الحالَيْن تَكْمِيلُ
one whose inward nature and outward form God perfected,
From every sharp sword, polished spear, nothing stops it from always thrusting the brave, even if weakened.
so perfection eluded him in neither respect.
Its edge bloodied by champions, and its tip reddened with the faith of heroes.
وخَصَّهُand singled him out بِوقَارٍwith dignity قَرَّwas established مِنهُfrom it لَهُfor him
وخَصَّهُ بِوقَارٍ قَرَّ مِنهُ لَهُ
فِيin أَنفُسِthe souls of الخَلقِcreatures تَعظِيمٌreverence وتَبجِيلُand veneration
فِي أَنفُسِ الخَلقِ تَعظِيمٌ وتَبجِيلُ
He singled him out for a dignity that established for him
It was as if they were angels in prayer niches, and in the battles against their enemies, intrepid warriors.
reverence and veneration in the souls of creatures.
My heart recalls their gathering under the cloak, as the Prophet's family was covered and his companions brought together.
بادِيmanifesting السكينةِserenity فِيin سُخْطٍanger لهُof his ورِضاًand contentment
بادِي السكينةِ فِي سُخْطٍ لهُ ورِضاً
فلَمْso not يَزَلْceased وَهْوَwhile he مَرْهُوبٌrevered ومَأْمُولُand hoped in
فلَمْ يَزَلْ وَهْوَ مَرْهُوبٌ ومَأْمُولُ
His serenity is evident in anger and contentment;
The House welcomed them while the Maqam (Station of Abraham), the Black Stone, and the Yemeni Corner longed for them.
he has always been both revered and hoped in.
Those bareheaded on pilgrimage, their faces beaming beautifully as if shaving bestowed radiance.
يُقَابِلُmatches البِشرَcheerfulness مِنهُfrom him بِالنَّدَىwith generosity خُلُقٌa character
يُقَابِلُ البِشرَ مِنهُ بِالنَّدَى خُلُقٌ
زاكٍpure عَلَىupon العَدْلِjustice والإِحسانِand kindness مَجبولُnaturally disposed
زاكٍ عَلَى العَدْلِ والإِحسانِ مَجبولُ
His cheerful countenance is matched in generosity by a character
The House, the Sacred Enclosure, and the Touchable Place welcomed them.
pure and naturally disposed to justice and kindness.
I pledge that if my affairs are set right through your door, or if seeing you heals my distressed heart,
مِنْfrom آدَمٍAdam ولِحِينِand until the time of الوَضْعِbirth جَوْهَرُهُhis jewel الthe
مِنْ آدَمٍ ولِحِينِ الوَضْعِ جَوْهَرُهُ ال
مَكْنُونُhidden فِيin أَنْفَسِthe most precious الأَصدافِshells مَحمُولُborne
مَكْنُونُ فِي أَنْفَسِ الأَصدافِ مَحمُولُ
From Adam until the hour of birth, his jewel—
I will scent the earth of Tuwayyah with tears, my affection and worries soaked into its soil.
hidden—was borne within the most precious shells.
May Allah's prayers upon you last forever, guaranteed and delivered by the Ever-Watchful.
فلِلنُّبُوَّةِso for prophethood إتْمَامٌcompletion وَمُبْتَدَأٌand beginning
فلِلنُّبُوَّةِ إتْمَامٌ وَمُبْتَدَأٌ
بِهِthrough him وَللفَخرِand for glory تَعجِيلٌearlier fulfillment وَتأجِيلُand later fulfillment
بِهِ وَللفَخرِ تَعجِيلٌ وَتأجِيلُ
Prophethood has its completion and beginning
No gleam of dawn has shone but that the planets' lamps blossomed within it, kindled and ignited.
in him, and glory its earlier and later fulfillment.
أَتَتcame إِلىto النّاسِpeople مِنfrom آياتِهِhis signs جُمَلٌwhole hosts
أَتَت إِلى النّاسِ مِن آياتِهِ جُمَلٌ
أَعيَتproved exhausting عَلَىfor النَّاسِpeople مِنهُنَّof them التَّفاصيلُthe details
أَعيَت عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنهُنَّ التَّفاصيلُ
Whole hosts of his signs came to humankind,
whose details exhausted people's powers.
أَنْبَاforetold سَطِيحٌSatih وشِقٌّand Shiqq وَابْنُand the son of ذِيDhi يَزَنٍYazan
أَنْبَا سَطِيحٌ وشِقٌّ وَابْنُ ذِي يَزَنٍ
عنهabout him وقُسٌّand Quss وَأَحبارٌand learned men مَقاوِيلُeloquent
عنه وقُسٌّ وَأَحبارٌ مَقاوِيلُ
Satih, Shiqq, and the son of Dhi Yazan foretold
him, as did Quss and eloquent learned men.
وَعَنهُand about him أَنْبَأَforetold موسىMoses وَالمسيحُand the Messiah وقَدwhile already
وَعَنهُ أَنْبَأَ موسى وَالمسيحُ وقَد
أَصغَتlistened حَوارِيُّهُhis disciples الغُرُّthe illustrious البَهاليلُthe noble
أَصغَت حَوارِيُّهُ الغُرُّ البَهاليلُ
Moses and the Messiah foretold him, while
the Messiah's illustrious, noble disciples listened:
بِأَنَّهُthat he خاتَمُthe seal of الرُّسْلِthe messengers المُبَاحُpermitted لهُto him
بِأَنَّهُ خاتَمُ الرُّسْلِ المُبَاحُ لهُ
مِنَof الغَنائِمِspoils تقسيمٌdivision وَتَنفِيلُand awarding extra shares
مِنَ الغَنائِمِ تقسيمٌ وَتَنفِيلُ
that he is the seal of the messengers, permitted
to divide spoils and award additional shares.
وليسَand not أَعْدَلَmore just منهthan him الشاهِدُونَthose witnessing لهُfor him
وليسَ أَعْدَلَ منه الشاهِدُونَ لهُ
وَلاnor بِأَعْلَمَmore knowledgeable منهthan him إنif هُمُthey سِيلُواare questioned
وَلا بِأَعْلَمَ منه إن هُمُ سِيلُوا
Those bearing witness to him are not more just than he,
nor more knowledgeable than he, if questioned.
وَإِنْand if سَأَلتَهُمyou question them عَنهُabout him فَلاthen no حَرَجٌharm
وَإِنْ سَأَلتَهُم عَنهُ فَلا حَرَجٌ
إِنَّindeed المَحَكَّthe touchstone عَنِabout الدِّينارِthe dinar مَسْؤُولُquestioned
إِنَّ المَحَكَّ عَنِ الدِّينارِ مَسْؤُولُ
If you question them about him, there is no harm:
the touchstone is questioned about the dinar.
كمhow many آيةٍa sign ظَهَرَتْappeared فِيat حينthe time of مَولِدِهِhis birth
كم آيةٍ ظَهَرَتْ فِي حين مَولِدِهِ
بهِthrough him البشائرُglad tidings منهاamong them والتَّهاويلُand terrors
بهِ البشائرُ منها والتَّهاويلُ
How many signs appeared at the time of his birth,
bringing glad tidings through him, and terrors!
عُلومُknowledge of غَيْبٍthe unseen فلاso not الأرصادُobservations حاكِمةٌjudging
عُلومُ غَيْبٍ فلا الأرصادُ حاكِمةٌ
وَلاnor التقاوِيمُcalendars فيهاconcerning it وَالتَّحاوِيلُand annual horoscopes
وَلا التقاوِيمُ فيها وَالتَّحاوِيلُ
Knowledge of the unseen, beyond the judgment of observations,
calendars, or annual horoscopes.
إِذِsince الهَواتِفُunseen voices والأَنوارُand lights شاهِدُهاtheir testimony
إِذِ الهَواتِفُ والأَنوارُ شاهِدُها
لَدىto المَسامِعِhearing وَالأبْصارِand sight مَقْبُولُaccepted
لَدى المَسامِعِ وَالأبْصارِ مَقْبُولُ
For unseen voices and lights bore witness,
accepted by hearing and sight.
ونارand the fire of فارِسَPersia أَضْحَتْbecame وَهْىَwhile it خامِدَةٌextinguished
ونار فارِسَ أَضْحَتْ وَهْىَ خامِدَةٌ
وَنَهْرُهُمْand their river جامِدٌfrozen والصَّرْحُand the palace مَثْلولُdemolished
وَنَهْرُهُمْ جامِدٌ والصَّرْحُ مَثْلولُ
Persia's fire became extinguished,
their river frozen, and the palace demolished.
ومُذْand since هداناguided us إلىto الإسلامِIslam مَبْعَثُهhis mission
ومُذْ هدانا إلى الإسلامِ مَبْعَثُه
دَهَىbefell الشياطِينَthe devils والأصْنامَand idols تَجْدِيلُoverthrow
دَهَى الشياطِينَ والأصْنامَ تَجْدِيلُ
Since his mission guided us to Islam,
devils and idols have suffered overthrow.
وَانْظُرْand look at سماءa heaven غَدَتْbecame مَمْلُوءَةًfilled حَرَساًwith guards
وَانْظُرْ سماء غَدَتْ مَمْلُوءَةً حَرَساً
كَأَنّهاas though it البيْتُthe House لَمَّاwhen جاءَهُcame to it الفيلُthe elephant
كَأَنّها البيْتُ لَمَّا جاءَهُ الفيلُ
Look at a heaven filled with guards,
as though it were the House when the elephant approached.
فَرَدَّتِso drove back الجِنَّthe jinn عَنْfrom سَمْعٍlistening ملائكةٌangels
فَرَدَّتِ الجِنَّ عَنْ سَمْعٍ ملائكةٌ
إِذْas رَدَّتِdrove back البَشَرَhumans الطَّيْرُthe birds الأبابِيلُin flocks
إِذْ رَدَّتِ البَشَرَ الطَّيْرُ الأبابِيلُ
Angels drove the jinn away from listening,
as birds in flocks drove back humans.
كلٌّeach غَداbecame ولهand for it مِنfrom جِنسِهِits kind رَصَدٌa watch
كلٌّ غَدا وله مِن جِنسِهِ رَصَدٌ
لِلجِنِّfor the jinn شُهبٌshooting stars وللإِنسانِand for humans سِجِّيلُbaked-clay stones
لِلجِنِّ شُهبٌ وللإِنسانِ سِجِّيلُ
Each encountered a watch belonging to its own kind:
shooting stars for jinn, baked-clay stones for humans.
لَوْلاwere it not for نبيُّthe Prophet of الهدَىguidance ماnot كانَwould be فِيin فَلَكٍa heavenly sphere
لَوْلا نبيُّ الهدَى ما كانَ فِي فَلَكٍ
عَلَىagainst الشياطينِthe devils للأَملاكِof the angels تَوْكِيلُappointment
عَلَى الشياطينِ للأَملاكِ تَوْكِيلُ
Without the Prophet of guidance, there would have been no
appointment of angels against devils in the heavens.
لَمَّاwhen تَوَلَّتthey took charge تَوَلَّىwithdrew كلُّevery مُسْتَرِقٍeavesdropper
لَمَّا تَوَلَّت تَوَلَّى كلُّ مُسْتَرِقٍ
عَنْfrom مقْعَدِthe seat of السَّمْعِlistening منهاthere وهْوَwhile he مَعْزُولُdismissed
عَنْ مقْعَدِ السَّمْعِ منها وهْوَ مَعْزُولُ
When they took charge, every eavesdropper withdrew
from his listening-place there, dismissed.
إِنif رُمتَyou seek أَكبرَthe greatest آياتٍsigns وأكمَلهاand their most perfect
إِن رُمتَ أَكبرَ آياتٍ وأكمَلها
كفاكَsuffices you مِنfrom مُحكَمِthe firmly established القُرآنِQuran تَنزِيلُrevelation
كفاكَ مِن مُحكَمِ القُرآنِ تَنزِيلُ
If you seek the greatest and most perfect signs,
the revelation of the firmly established Quran suffices.
وانظُرand consider فَلَيسfor there is not كَمِثلِlike اللَّهِGod مِنany أَحَدٍone
وانظُر فَلَيس كَمِثلِ اللَّهِ مِن أَحَدٍ
وَلاnor كَقَولٍlike a word أَتىcame مِنfrom عِندِهِHis presence قيلُan utterance
وَلا كَقَولٍ أَتى مِن عِندِهِ قيلُ
Consider: no one is like God,
nor is any utterance like a word coming from Him.
لَوif يُسْتَطاعُwere possible لهُfor it مِثْلٌa likeness لَجِيءit would be brought بِهِforth
لَو يُسْتَطاعُ لهُ مِثْلٌ لَجِيء بِهِ
والمُسْتطاعُand the possible مِنَof الأَعمالِdeeds مَفْعُولُaccomplished
والمُسْتطاعُ مِنَ الأَعمالِ مَفْعُولُ
Had its like been possible, it would have been produced;
what can be accomplished is done.
لِلّهِby God كمْhow many أَفْحَمَتsilenced أَفهامَناour understandings حِكمٌwisdoms
لِلّهِ كمْ أَفْحَمَت أَفهامَنا حِكمٌ
مِنهُfrom it وَكَمand how often أَعجَزَbaffled الأَلْبابَminds تَأْويلُinterpretation
مِنهُ وَكَم أَعجَزَ الأَلْبابَ تَأْويلُ
By God, how many of its wisdoms have silenced our understanding,
and how often interpretation has baffled minds!
يَهْدِيit guides إِلىto كُلِّevery رُشدٍright course حِينَwhen يَبعثُهُconveys it
يَهْدِي إِلى كُلِّ رُشدٍ حِينَ يَبعثُهُ
إِلَىto المسامِعِthe ears تَرتِيبٌordered recitation وَتَرتِيلُand measured recitation
إِلَى المسامِعِ تَرتِيبٌ وَتَرتِيلُ
It guides toward every right course when conveyed
to the ears in ordered, measured recitation.
تَزدادُyou increase مِنهُfor it عَلَىwith تردادِهِits repetition مِقَةًin love
تَزدادُ مِنهُ عَلَى تردادِهِ مِقَةً
وكُلُّand every قَوْلٍutterance عَلَىthrough التَّردادِrepetition مُملولُtiresome
وكُلُّ قَوْلٍ عَلَى التَّردادِ مُملولُ
Your love for it increases with repetition,
while every other utterance becomes tiresome through repetition.
وَرُبَّماand sometimes مجَّهُrejects it قَلبٌa heart بِهِin it رِيَبٌdoubts
وَرُبَّما مجَّهُ قَلبٌ بِهِ رِيَبٌ
كماas يَمُجُّspits out دواءَthe medicine for الدَّاءِillness مَعلولُa sick person
كما يَمُجُّ دواءَ الدَّاءِ مَعلولُ
Sometimes a heart harboring doubts rejects it,
as a sick person spits out medicine for his illness.
ماno بَعْدَbeyond آياتِهِits signs حَقٌّtruth لِمُتَّبِعٍfor a follower
ما بَعْدَ آياتِهِ حَقٌّ لِمُتَّبِعٍ
والحَقُّand truth ماnothing بَعدَهُbeyond it إِلَّاexcept الأباطِيلُfalsehoods
والحَقُّ ما بَعدَهُ إِلَّا الأباطِيلُ
Beyond its signs there is no truth for a follower;
beyond truth there are only falsehoods.
وماand not مُحمَّدٌMuhammad إِلَّاexcept رَحمَةٌa mercy بُعِثَتsent
وما مُحمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَحمَةٌ بُعِثَت
لِلعالَمِينَto all worlds وفَضلُand the bounty of اللَّهGod مَبْذُولُfreely offered
لِلعالَمِينَ وفَضلُ اللَّه مَبْذُولُ
Muhammad is nothing but a mercy sent
to all worlds, and God's bounty is freely offered.
هُوَhe الشفيعُthe intercessor إِذَاwhen كانَoccurs المعادُthe resurrection غَداًtomorrow
هُوَ الشفيعُ إِذَا كانَ المعادُ غَداً
واشتَدَّand intensifies لِلحَشرِfor the gathering تَخوِيفٌfear وتَهوِيلُand terror
واشتَدَّ لِلحَشرِ تَخوِيفٌ وتَهوِيلُ
He is the intercessor when tomorrow brings the resurrection,
and the gathering's fear and terror intensify.
فَماso not عَلَىupon غَيرِهِanyone else لِلنَّاسِfor people مُعْتَمَدٌdependable support
فَما عَلَى غَيرِهِ لِلنَّاسِ مُعْتَمَدٌ
وَلاnor عَلَىupon غيرِهِanyone else للناسِfor people تَعوِيلُreliance
وَلا عَلَى غيرِهِ للناسِ تَعوِيلُ
People have no dependable support in anyone else,
nor place their reliance on anyone else.
إِنَّindeed امْرَأًa person شَمَلَتْهُembraced him مِنfrom شَفَاعَتِهِhis intercession
إِنَّ امْرَأً شَمَلَتْهُ مِن شَفَاعَتِهِ
عِنايَةٌcare لَامرُؤٌsurely a person بالفَوزِwith success مَشْمُولُembraced
عِنايَةٌ لَامرُؤٌ بالفَوزِ مَشْمُولُ
A person embraced by the care
of his intercession is surely embraced by success.
نالَhe attained المَقامَthe station الَّذيwhich ماnot نالَهُattained it أَحَدٌanyone
نالَ المَقامَ الَّذي ما نالَهُ أَحَدٌ
وطالَمَاand often مَيَّزَdistinguished المِقْدارَstanding تَنْوِيلُbestowal
وطالَمَا مَيَّزَ المِقْدارَ تَنْوِيلُ
He attained the station no one else attained;
bestowal has often distinguished one's standing.
وَأَدْرَكَand obtained السُّؤلَthe desire لَمَّاwhen قامَhe stood مُجْتَهِداًstriving
وَأَدْرَكَ السُّؤلَ لَمَّا قامَ مُجْتَهِداً
وَماand not بِكلِّthrough every اجتهادٍeffort يُدْرَكُis obtained السُّولُthe desire
وَما بِكلِّ اجتهادٍ يُدْرَكُ السُّولُ
He obtained his desire when he stood striving,
though not every effort obtains its desire.
لوif أنَّindeed كُلَّevery عُلاًeminence بالسَّعْيِthrough striving مُكْتَسَبٌacquired
لو أنَّ كُلَّ عُلاً بالسَّعْيِ مُكْتَسَبٌ
ماnot جازَwould be permitted حينَwhen نُزُولِthe descent of الوَحْىِrevelation تَزْمِيلُwrapping oneself up
ما جازَ حينَ نُزُولِ الوَحْىِ تَزْمِيلُ
If every eminence were acquired through striving,
wrapping oneself up when revelation descended would not have been allowed.
أَعْلَىhighest of المَراتِبِthe ranks عِنْدَbefore اللَّهِGod رُتْبَتُهُhis rank
أَعْلَى المَراتِبِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ رُتْبَتُهُ
فاعلَمْso know فماfor not مَوضِعُthe position of المَحْبوبِthe beloved مَجهولُunknown
فاعلَمْ فما مَوضِعُ المَحْبوبِ مَجهولُ
His rank is the highest of ranks before God;
know this: the beloved's position is not unknown.
مِنْfrom قابِthe length of قَوْسَينِtwo bows أوْor أَدْنَىnearer لهُfor him نُزُلhospitality
مِنْ قابِ قَوْسَينِ أوْ أَدْنَى لهُ نُزُل
وحُقَّand was rightly granted منهfrom Him لهto him مَثوَىًa dwelling وَتَحلِيلُand admittance
وحُقَّ منه له مَثوَىً وَتَحلِيلُ
At two bow-lengths, or nearer, he received hospitality,
and from Him a dwelling and admittance were rightly his.
سَرَىhe traveled by night إلىto المسجِدِthe Mosque الأَقصَىthe Farthest وَعادand returned بهِwith him
سَرَى إلى المسجِدِ الأَقصَى وَعاد بهِ
ليلاًat night بُراقٌBuraq يبارِيraces البَرقَlightning هُذْلولُswift
ليلاً بُراقٌ يبارِي البَرقَ هُذْلولُ
He journeyed by night to the Farthest Mosque, and back with him
came Buraq, swift and racing lightning, in the night.
ياoh حَبَّذاhow blessed حالُa state of قُرْبnearness لاnot أَكَيِّفُهI define its manner
يا حَبَّذا حالُ قُرْب لا أَكَيِّفُه
وحبَّذاand how blessed حالُa state of وصلunion عَنهُof it مغفولُunnoticed
وحبَّذا حالُ وصل عَنهُ مغفولُ
How blessed a state of nearness whose manner I do not define!
How blessed a state of union that escapes notice!
وَكَمْand how many مواهِبgifts لمnot تَدْرِknew العِبادُthe servants بِهاof them
وَكَمْ مواهِب لم تَدْرِ العِبادُ بِها
أَتَتْcame إِليهto him وَسِتْرُand the curtain of اللَّيلِnight مَسْدُولُhanging down
أَتَتْ إِليه وَسِتْرُ اللَّيلِ مَسْدُولُ
How many gifts, unknown to God's servants,
came to him while night's curtain hung down!
هذاthis هُوis الفَضْلُbounty لاnot الدُّنياthe world وماand what رَجَحَتweighed heavily
هذا هُو الفَضْلُ لا الدُّنيا وما رَجَحَت
بهwith it الموازِينُthe scales منهاfrom it والمكايِيلُand measures
به الموازِينُ منها والمكايِيلُ
This is true bounty, not the world and whatever from it
weighs heavily in scales and measures.
وَكَمْand how many أَتَتْcame عنْabout رسُولِthe Messenger of اللَّهِGod بَيِّنَةٌa clear proof
وَكَمْ أَتَتْ عنْ رسُولِ اللَّهِ بَيِّنَةٌ
فِيin فضلهاits excellence وافَقَagreed with المَنْقُولtransmitted report مَعْقُولُreason
فِي فضلها وافَقَ المَنْقُول مَعْقُولُ
How many clear proofs were reported of God's Messenger,
whose excellence united transmitted report and reason!
نُورٌa light فليسَso there is not لهُfor him ظِلٌّa shadow يُرَىseen ولهُand for him
نُورٌ فليسَ لهُ ظِلٌّ يُرَى ولهُ
مِنَfrom الغَمامَةِthe cloud أَنَّىwherever سارَhe traveled تَظْليلُshade
مِنَ الغَمامَةِ أَنَّى سارَ تَظْليلُ
A light: no shadow of his is seen, and he receives
shade from a cloud wherever he travels.
ولاand not يُرَىis seen فِيin الثَّرَىthe soil أَثَرٌa trace لأَخمَصِهِof his foot's arch
ولا يُرَى فِي الثَّرَى أَثَرٌ لأَخمَصِهِ
إِذاwhen مَشَىhe walked وَلهُand for him فِيin الصَّخْرِrock تَوْحِيلُmudlike impressions
إِذا مَشَى وَلهُ فِي الصَّخْرِ تَوْحِيلُ
No trace of his foot's arch is seen in the soil
when he walks, yet rock yields impressions as though muddy.
دنَاapproached إِليهhim حَنِينُthe yearning cry of الجِذْعِthe trunk مِنْfrom شَغَفٍardent love
دنَا إِليه حَنِينُ الجِذْعِ مِنْ شَغَفٍ
إِذْwhen نالهُbefell it بَعْدَafter القُرْبِnearness تَزْيِيلُseparation
إِذْ نالهُ بَعْدَ القُرْبِ تَزْيِيلُ
The trunk's yearning cry approached him out of ardent love,
when separation befell it after nearness.
فَلَيْتَso would that مِنْof وَجهِهِhis face حَظِّىmy portion مُقابَلةٌan encounter
فَلَيْتَ مِنْ وَجهِهِ حَظِّى مُقابَلةٌ
وَلَيْتَand would that حَظَّيَmy portion منْof كَفَّيْهِhis two hands تَقْبِيلُa kiss
وَلَيْتَ حَظَّيَ منْ كَفَّيْهِ تَقْبِيلُ
Would that my portion of his face were an encounter,
and my portion of his two hands were a kiss!
بِيضradiant مَيامِينُblessed يُستَسقيrain is sought from الغمامُthe clouds بِهاthrough them
بِيض مَيامِينُ يُستَسقي الغمامُ بِها
للشَّمسِfor the sun مِنهاfrom them وَللأنواءِand for the rain-stars تَخجيلُshaming
للشَّمسِ مِنها وَللأنواءِ تَخجيلُ
Radiant, blessed hands, through which rain is sought from clouds,
putting the sun and the rain-stars to shame.
ماnot إِنindeed يَزالُceases بِهاthrough them فِيin كلِّevery نازِلةٍcalamity
ما إِن يَزالُ بِها فِي كلِّ نازِلةٍ
لِلْقُلِّfor scarcity كُثْرٌabundance وَلِلتَّصْعِيبِand for difficulty تَسْهِيلُease
لِلْقُلِّ كُثْرٌ وَلِلتَّصْعِيبِ تَسْهِيلُ
Through them, in every calamity, there is always
abundance for scarcity and ease for difficulty.
فاعجَبْso marvel لأَفعالِهاat their deeds إِنْif كُنْتَyou are مُدْرِكَهاcomprehending them
فاعجَبْ لأَفعالِها إِنْ كُنْتَ مُدْرِكَها
واطْرَبُand rejoice إِذَاwhen ذُكِرَتْare mentioned تِلْكَthose الأفاعيلُdeeds
واطْرَبُ إِذَا ذُكِرَتْ تِلْكَ الأفاعيلُ
Marvel at their deeds, if you comprehend them,
and rejoice whenever those deeds are mentioned.
كمhow often عاوَدَreturned البُرْءُhealing مِنْfrom إِعْلالِهِits sickness جَسَداًa body
كم عاوَدَ البُرْءُ مِنْ إِعْلالِهِ جَسَداً
بِلَمِسِهِthrough his touch واسْتَبانَand discerned clearly العَقْلَreason مَخْبُولُa madman
بِلَمِسِهِ واسْتَبانَ العَقْلَ مَخْبُولُ
How often healing returned a body from its sickness
through his touch, and a madman regained clear reason!
وَرَدَّand sent away أَلْفَيْنِtwo thousand فِيin رِيٍّquenched thirst وَفيand in شِبَعٍsatiety
وَرَدَّ أَلْفَيْنِ فِي رِيٍّ وَفي شِبَعٍ
إِذْwhen ضاقwas insufficient باثْنيْنِfor two مَشْرُوبٌdrink ومَأْكُولُand food
إِذْ ضاق باثْنيْنِ مَشْرُوبٌ ومَأْكُولُ
He sent two thousand away quenched and satisfied,
when drink and food had been insufficient for two.
وَردَّand restored ماءَmoisture ونُوراُand light بَعْدَafter ماthat ذَهَباboth were gone
وَردَّ ماءَ ونُوراُ بَعْدَ ما ذَهَبا
رِيقٌsaliva لهُof his بِكِلاinto both العَيْنَينِeyes مَتْفُولُspat
رِيقٌ لهُ بِكِلا العَيْنَينِ مَتْفُولُ
Moisture and light, after both were gone, were restored
by his saliva, spat into both eyes.
وَمَنْبَعُand the welling of الماءwater عَذْباًsweet مِنْfrom أصابِعِهِhis fingers
وَمَنْبَعُ الماء عَذْباً مِنْ أصابِعِهِ
وذاكَand that صُنْعٌa wonder بهthrough it فيناamong us جَرَىflowed النيلُthe Nile
وذاكَ صُنْعٌ به فينا جَرَى النيلُ
And sweet water's welling from his fingers—
a wonder through which the Nile flowed among us.
وَكَمْand how often دعاhe prayed وَمُحَيَّاwhile the face of الأرضِthe earth مُكْتَئِبٌgloomy
وَكَمْ دعا وَمُحَيَّا الأرضِ مُكْتَئِبٌ
ثُمَّthen انثَنَىturned وَلهand for it بِشْرٌcheerfulness وتهليلُand radiant joy
ثُمَّ انثَنَى وَله بِشْرٌ وتهليلُ
How often he prayed while the earth's face was gloomy,
then it turned to cheerfulness and radiant joy!
فأصْبَحَso became المُحْلُdrought فيهاupon it لاno مَحَلَّplace لَهُfor it
فأصْبَحَ المُحْلُ فيها لا مَحَلَّ لَهُ
وغالَand devoured ذِكْرَthe mention of الغَلاhigh prices مِنfrom خِصْبِهاits fertility غُولُa ghoul
وغالَ ذِكْرَ الغَلا مِن خِصْبِها غُولُ
Drought then found no place upon it,
and fertility's ghoul devoured all mention of high prices.
فبِالظِّرابِso upon the hills ضُرُوبُstrikes لِلْغَمامِof the clouds كماjust as
فبِالظِّرابِ ضُرُوبُ لِلْغَمامِ كما
عَنِfrom البِناءِbuildings عَزالِيهاtheir pouring spouts مَعازِيلُkept away
عَنِ البِناءِ عَزالِيها مَعازِيلُ
The clouds struck the hills, just as
their pouring spouts were kept away from buildings.
وآضَand became مِنْfrom رَوْضِهاits meadows جِيدُthe neck of الوجودِexistence بهthrough it
وآضَ مِنْ رَوْضِها جِيدُ الوجودِ به
مِنْof لُؤلُؤٍpearls النَّورِof blossom تَرْضِيعٌinlaying وتكلِيلُand crowning
مِنْ لُؤلُؤٍ النَّورِ تَرْضِيعٌ وتكلِيلُ
Through its meadows, existence's neck became
inlaid and crowned with pearls of blossom.
وَعَسْكَرٍand an army لجَبٍclamorous قَدْindeed لَجَّpersisted فِيin طَلَبٍseeking
وَعَسْكَرٍ لجَبٍ قَدْ لَجَّ فِي طَلَبٍ
لِغَزوِهِto attack him غَرَّهُdeceived it بَأْسٌmight وتَرْعِيلُand formation in squadrons
لِغَزوِهِ غَرَّهُ بَأْسٌ وتَرْعِيلُ
Many a clamorous army persisted in seeking
to attack him, deceived by its might and squadrons.
دَعَاcalled نزَالٍto battle فَوَلَّىthen fled وَالبَوارُand destruction بهupon it
دَعَا نزَالٍ فَوَلَّى وَالبَوارُ به
مِنَfrom الصَّباthe east wind وَالحَصَىand pebbles والرُّعْبِand terror مَنْزُولُbrought down
مِنَ الصَّبا وَالحَصَى والرُّعْبِ مَنْزُولُ
It called, 'To battle!' then fled, with destruction brought upon it
by the east wind, pebbles, and terror.
واغَيْرَناoh, our envy حِينَwhen أَضْحَىbecame الغارُthe cave وهُوَwhile he بِهِinside it
واغَيْرَنا حِينَ أَضْحَى الغارُ وهُوَ بِهِ
كِمَثْلِlike قَلْبِيَmy heart مَعْمُورٌinhabited وَمَأْهُولُand occupied
كِمَثْلِ قَلْبِيَ مَعْمُورٌ وَمَأْهُولُ
How we envied the cave when, with him inside,
it was inhabited and occupied like my heart!
كَأَنَّمَاas though المُصطفَىthe Chosen One فيهِinside it وصاحبُهand his companion
كَأَنَّمَا المُصطفَى فيهِ وصاحبُه
الصِّدِّيقُal-Siddiq لَيْثانtwo lions قَدْsheltered them آواهُماa thicket of trees and reeds; lair of a lion by metonymy, here covering foliage or a thicket to which the cave is likened. غِيلُفَلَيْتَ: if only / would that; مِنْ: from; وَجْهِهِ: his face; حَظِّى: my share; مُقَابَلَةٌ: meeting face to face
الصِّدِّيقُ لَيْثان قَدْ آواهُما غِيلُ
As though the Chosen One within it and his companion,
al-Siddiq, were two lions sheltered by a thicket.
وَجلَّلَand covered الغارَthe cave نَسْجُthe weaving of العنكبوتِthe spider عَلَىdespite
وَجلَّلَ الغارَ نَسْجُ العنكبوتِ عَلَى
وَهْنٍweakness فياso oh حَبَّذاhow blessed نَسْجٌa weaving وَتَجْليلُand covering
وَهْنٍ فيا حَبَّذا نَسْجٌ وَتَجْليلُ
The spider's weaving covered the cave despite
its weakness: how blessed that weaving and covering!
عِنايُةٌprovidence ضَلَّwent astray كَيْدُthe plot of المُشْرِكينَthe idolaters بهاthrough it
عِنايُةٌ ضَلَّ كَيْدُ المُشْرِكينَ بها
وماand not مَكايِدُهُمtheir stratagems إِلاَّexcept الأضاليلُdelusions
وما مَكايِدُهُم إِلاَّ الأضاليلُ
A providence through which the idolaters' plot went astray;
their stratagems were nothing but delusions.
إِذْwhen يَنْظُرُونَthey look وَهمْwhile they لاnot يُبْصِرونَهُماsee the two
إِذْ يَنْظُرُونَ وَهمْ لا يُبْصِرونَهُما
كَأَنَّas though أَبصارَهمْtheir eyes مِنْfrom زَيْغِهَاtheir deviation حُولُcross-eyed
كَأَنَّ أَبصارَهمْ مِنْ زَيْغِهَا حُولُ
They looked, yet did not see the two,
as though their eyes, through deviation, were cross-eyed.
إِنْif يَقْطَعِcuts off اللهُGod عنهfrom him أُمَّةٌa community سَفِهَتْdebased
إِنْ يَقْطَعِ اللهُ عنه أُمَّةٌ سَفِهَتْ
نُفُوسهاits souls فلهَاthen for it بالكُفْرٍthrough disbelief تَعْليلُexcuse-making
نُفُوسها فلهَا بالكُفْرٍ تَعْليلُ
If God cuts off from him a community that has debased
its own souls, disbelief supplies it with excuses.
فإِنَّهَاfor indeed they الرُّسْلُthe messengers وَالأَمْلاكُand angels شافِعُهاtheir intercessor
فإِنَّهَا الرُّسْلُ وَالأَمْلاكُ شافِعُها
لِوُصْلةٍfor closeness منهto him تَسآلٌentreaty وَتَطْفِيلُand uninvited attendance
لِوُصْلةٍ منه تَسآلٌ وَتَطْفِيلُ
For the messengers and angels have as their intercessor
for closeness to him entreaty and uninvited attendance.
ماwhat عُذْرُthe excuse of مَنْone who مَنَعَwithheld التَّصْدِيقَaffirmation مَنْطِقَهُhis speech
ما عُذْرُ مَنْ مَنَعَ التَّصْدِيقَ مَنْطِقَهُ
وقدwhile already نباrecoiled منهfrom him مُحْسُوسٌsense-perception ومعقولُand reason
وقد نبا منه مُحْسُوسٌ ومعقولُ
What excuse has one whose speech withheld belief,
when sense and reason recoiled from him?
والذِّئْبُand the wolf والعَيْرُand the donkey وَالموْلودُand the newborn صَدَّقَهُaffirmed him
والذِّئْبُ والعَيْرُ وَالموْلودُ صَدَّقَهُ
والظّبْىُand the gazelle أَفْصَحَspoke clearly نُطْقاُin speech وَهْوَwhile it مُحْبُولُsnared
والظّبْىُ أَفْصَحَ نُطْقاُ وَهْوَ مُحْبُولُ
The wolf, the donkey, and the newborn affirmed him;
the gazelle spoke clearly while caught in a snare.
والبَدْرُand the full moon بادَرَhastened مُنْشَقَاًsplitting بِدَعْوتِهِat his summons
والبَدْرُ بادَرَ مُنْشَقَاً بِدَعْوتِهِ
لهُto him كماas شُقَّwas split قَلْبٌa heart وهْوَwhile it مَتْبُولُlove-stricken
لهُ كما شُقَّ قَلْبٌ وهْوَ مَتْبُولُ
The full moon hastened to split at his summons,
as a heart stricken by love was split.
وَالنَّخْلُand the palms أَثْمَرَbore fruit فِيin عامٍa year وسُرَّand was delighted بهِby it
وَالنَّخْلُ أَثْمَرَ فِي عامٍ وسُرَّ بهِ
سَلْمانُSalman إِذْwhen بَسَقَتْrose high منهُfrom it العثاكِيلُthe date-clusters
سَلْمانُ إِذْ بَسَقَتْ منهُ العثاكِيلُ
The palms bore fruit in a year, delighting
Salman when their date-clusters rose high.
إِنْif أَنْكَرَتْهُdenied him النَّصَارَىthe Christians واليهُودُand Jews عَلَىdespite
إِنْ أَنْكَرَتْهُ النَّصَارَى واليهُودُ عَلَى
ماwhat بَيَّنَتْmade clear منهabout him تَوْراةٌTorah وإِنْجِيلُand Gospel
ما بَيَّنَتْ منه تَوْراةٌ وإِنْجِيلُ
If Christians and Jews denied him despite
what Torah and Gospel made clear about him,
فقدthen indeed تَكَرَّرَwas repeated منهمby them فِيin جُحُودِهُمtheir denial
فقد تَكَرَّرَ منهم فِي جُحُودِهُم
لِلْكُفْرِupon disbelief كُفْرٌdisbelief وَلِلتَّجْهيلِand upon ignorance تَجْهيلُignorance
لِلْكُفْرِ كُفْرٌ وَلِلتَّجْهيلِ تَجْهيلُ
their denial has compounded
disbelief with disbelief, ignorance with ignorance.
قُلْsay للنصارىto the Christians الأُلَىwho ساءَتْwas evil مَقَالَتُهُمْtheir pronouncement
قُلْ للنصارى الأُلَى ساءَتْ مَقَالَتُهُمْ
فماfor not لهاfor it غيرother than مَحْضٍsheer الجَهْلِignorance تَعْلِيلُexplanation
فما لها غير مَحْضٍ الجَهْلِ تَعْلِيلُ
Say to the Christians whose pronouncement was evil:
it has no explanation but sheer ignorance.
مِنَfrom اليَهُودِthe Jews استَفَدْتُمْyou learned ذَاthis الجحودَdenial كماas
مِنَ اليَهُودِ استَفَدْتُمْ ذَا الجحودَ كما
مِنَfrom الغُرابِthe raven استفادَlearned الدَّفْنburial قابِيلُCain
مِنَ الغُرابِ استفادَ الدَّفْن قابِيلُ
You learned this denial from the Jews, just as
Cain learned burial from the raven.
فإِنَّfor indeed عِنْدَكُمُamong you تَوْراتُهُمْtheir Torah صَدَقَتْwas truthful
فإِنَّ عِنْدَكُمُ تَوْراتُهُمْ صَدَقَتْ
ولمْand not تُصَدَّقْwere believed لكمْfor you منهمْby them أناجِيلُGospels
ولمْ تُصَدَّقْ لكمْ منهمْ أناجِيلُ
For among you their Torah was held truthful,
while your Gospels were not believed by them.
ظَلَمْتُمُوناyou wronged us فأضْحَوْاso they became ظالِمينَwrongdoers لكمْtoward you
ظَلَمْتُمُونا فأضْحَوْا ظالِمينَ لكمْ
وذاكَand that مِثْلُlike قِصاصٍrequital فيهِin it تَعْدِيلُjustice
وذاكَ مِثْلُ قِصاصٍ فيهِ تَعْدِيلُ
You wronged us, and they became wrongdoers toward you;
that resembles a requital containing justice.
مِنْكُمْfrom you لناfor us ولكمand for you مِنْfrom بَعْضِكُمْsome of you شُغُلٌoccupation
مِنْكُمْ لنا ولكم مِنْ بَعْضِكُمْ شُغُلٌ
والناسُand people بالناسِwith people فِيin الدُّنياthe world مَشاغِيلُoccupied
والناسُ بالناسِ فِي الدُّنيا مَشاغِيلُ
You keep us occupied, and some of you keep you occupied;
in this world people are occupied with other people.
لقَدْcertainly عَلِمْتُمْyou knew ولكِنْbut صَدَّكُمْprevented you حَسَدٌenvy
لقَدْ عَلِمْتُمْ ولكِنْ صَدَّكُمْ حَسَدٌ
أنّاthat we بماthrough what جاءَناcame to us قَوْمٌa people مَقابِيلُfavored
أنّا بما جاءَنا قَوْمٌ مَقابِيلُ
You certainly knew, but envy prevented you:
we are a people favored by what came to us.
أماdid not عَرَفْتُمْyou recognize نَبيَّthe Prophet of اللهِGod مَعرِفَةَas you recognize
أما عَرَفْتُمْ نَبيَّ اللهِ مَعرِفَةَ
الأَبْناءchildren لكنكمbut you قَوْمٌa people مناكِيلُturning away
الأَبْناء لكنكم قَوْمٌ مناكِيلُ
Did you not recognize God's Prophet as you recognize
your children? Yet you are a people who turn away.
هذاthis الذيthe one whom كنتُمyou used to تَسْتَفتِحونseek victory بهِthrough him
هذا الذي كنتُم تَسْتَفتِحون بهِ
لولاَwhy not اهْتَدَىbecame guided منكُمُamong you لِلرُّشْدِto right guidance ضِلِّيلُa wayward one
لولاَ اهْتَدَى منكُمُ لِلرُّشْدِ ضِلِّيلُ
This is the one through whom you used to seek victory;
why did no wayward one among you find right guidance?
فَلاَso do not تُرَجُّواhope for جزِيلَlavish الأجْرِreward مِنْfrom عَمَلٍa deed
فَلاَ تُرَجُّوا جزِيلَ الأجْرِ مِنْ عَمَلٍ
إِنَّindeed الرَّجاءhope مِنَfrom الكُفَّارunbelievers مُخْذُولُdisappointed
إِنَّ الرَّجاء مِنَ الكُفَّار مُخْذُولُ
Do not hope for lavish reward from any deed:
the hope of unbelievers is disappointed.
تُؤَذِّنونَyou sound the call بِزِقٍّwith a wineskin مِنْfrom جَهالَتِكُمْyour ignorance
تُؤَذِّنونَ بِزِقٍّ مِنْ جَهالَتِكُمْ
بهِin it انْتِفَاخٌswelling وَجِسْمٌand flesh فيهِin it تَرْهِيلُflabbiness
بهِ انْتِفَاخٌ وَجِسْمٌ فيهِ تَرْهِيلُ
You sound your call with a wineskin, out of ignorance,
swollen, with flabby flesh.
مُوتواdie بغَيظٍin rage كماas قَدْindeed ماتَdied قَبلَكُمُbefore you
مُوتوا بغَيظٍ كما قَدْ ماتَ قَبلَكُمُ
قابِيلُCain إِذْwhen قَرَّبoffered القُرْبانَthe sacrifice هابيلُAbel
قابِيلُ إِذْ قَرَّب القُرْبانَ هابيلُ
Die in your rage, as before you died
Cain when Abel offered the sacrifice.
ياO خيرَbest of مَنْthose who رُوِيَتْwas related لِلناسِto people مَكْرُمُةٌa noble deed
يا خيرَ مَنْ رُوِيَتْ لِلناسِ مَكْرُمُةٌ
عنهُabout him وفُصَّلَand was explained تَحْرِيمٌprohibition وَتُحْليلُand permission
عنهُ وفُصَّلَ تَحْرِيمٌ وَتُحْليلُ
O best of those whose noble deed was related to people,
and through whom prohibition and permission were explained!
كَمْhow many قَدْindeed أتتْcame عنكَfrom you أخبارٌreports مَخبِّرَةinstructive
كَمْ قَدْ أتتْ عنكَ أخبارٌ مَخبِّرَة
فِيin حُسْنِهاtheir beauty أَشْبَهَresembled التَّفْريعَbranching تَأْصِيلُfoundations
فِي حُسْنِها أَشْبَهَ التَّفْريعَ تَأْصِيلُ
How many instructive reports have come from you,
whose foundations resembled their branches in beauty!
تُسْرِىpass إِلَىinto النَّفْسِthe soul منهاfrom them كلماwhenever ورَدَتْthey arrive
تُسْرِى إِلَى النَّفْسِ منها كلما ورَدَتْ
أنْفاسُbreaths of وَرْدٍroses سَرَتْdrifted وَالوَرْدُwhile the roses مَطْلولُdew-wet
أنْفاسُ وَرْدٍ سَرَتْ وَالوَرْدُ مَطْلولُ
Whenever they arrive, from them pass into the soul
the breaths of roses drifting while the roses are dew-wet.
مِنْfrom كلِّevery لَفْظٍexpression بَلِيغٍeloquent راقَdelighted جَوْهَرَهُits substance
مِنْ كلِّ لَفْظٍ بَلِيغٍ راقَ جَوْهَرَهُ
كأنَّهُas though it السَّيْفُthe sword ماضٍkeen وَهْوَwhile it مَصْقُولُpolished
كأنَّهُ السَّيْفُ ماضٍ وَهْوَ مَصْقُولُ
From every eloquent expression whose substance delights,
as though a sword, keen and polished.
لَمْnot تُبْقِleft ذِكْراًremembrance لِذِيfor one possessing نُطْقٍspeech فَصاحَتُهُhis eloquence
لَمْ تُبْقِ ذِكْراً لِذِي نُطْقٍ فَصاحَتُهُ
وهلْand do تُضيءُshine مَعَalongside الشِّمْسِthe sun القناديلlamps
وهلْ تُضيءُ مَعَ الشِّمْسِ القناديل
His eloquence left no speaker remembered;
do lamps shine alongside the sun?
جاهَدْتَyou fought فيfor اللهِGod أبْطالَthe champions of الضَّلاَلِerror إِلىuntil
جاهَدْتَ في اللهِ أبْطالَ الضَّلاَلِ إِلى
أَنْthat ظَلَّbecame لِلشِّرْكِfor idolatry بالتَّوحِيدِthrough divine oneness تَبْطِيلُannulment
أَنْ ظَلَّ لِلشِّرْكِ بالتَّوحِيدِ تَبْطِيلُ
You fought for God's sake against the champions of error until
idolatry was annulled through affirmation of God's oneness.
شَكاcomplained حُسامُكَyour sword ماwhat تَشْكوcomplain of جُمُوعُهُمْtheir armies
شَكا حُسامُكَ ما تَشْكو جُمُوعُهُمْ
ففيهso in it منهاfrom them وفيهاand in them منهfrom it تَفْلِيلُnotching and shattering
ففيه منها وفيها منه تَفْلِيلُ
Your sword complained of what their armies complained of:
they notched it, and it shattered them.
لِلهِby God يَوْمُthe day of حُنَينٍHunayn حينَwhen كانَthere was بهِin it
لِلهِ يَوْمُ حُنَينٍ حينَ كانَ بهِ
كساعةlike the hour of البَعْثِresurrection تَهْويلٌterror وَتَطْوِيلُand prolongation
كساعة البَعْثِ تَهْويلٌ وَتَطْوِيلُ
What a day, by God, was Hunayn, with
terror and prolongation like the hour of resurrection!
وَيَوْمُand the day أقْبَلَتِadvanced الأحزابُthe Confederates وانْهزَمَتْand were routed
وَيَوْمُ أقْبَلَتِ الأحزابُ وانْهزَمَتْ
وكُمْand how many خباdied down لَهَبٌa flame بالشِّرْكِby idolatry مَشْعُولُkindled
وكُمْ خبا لَهَبٌ بالشِّرْكِ مَشْعُولُ
And the day the Confederates advanced and were routed:
how many flames kindled by idolatry died down!
جاءواthey came بأسلحَةٍwith weapons لَمْnot تَحْمِprotected حامِلَهاtheir bearers
جاءوا بأسلحَةٍ لَمْ تَحْمِ حامِلَها
إِنَّindeed الكُماةَwarriors إذاwhen لَمْnot يُنصَرُواare supported مِيلُfaltering
إِنَّ الكُماةَ إذا لَمْ يُنصَرُوا مِيلُ
They came with weapons that did not protect their bearers;
warriors falter when they are not given support.
مِنْfrom بعدِafter ماthat زُلزلتْwere shaken بالشِّرْكِwith idolatry أَبْنِيةٌedifices
مِنْ بعدِ ما زُلزلتْ بالشِّرْكِ أَبْنِيةٌ
وانْبَتَّand was severed حُبْلٌa cord بأيْدِىby the hands of الرَّيْبِdoubt مُفْتُولُtwisted
وانْبَتَّ حُبْلٌ بأيْدِى الرَّيْبِ مُفْتُولُ
After idolatry's edifices had been shaken,
and a cord twisted by the hands of doubt was severed,
وظّنَّand supposed كلُّevery امرِىءٍperson فِيin قَلْبِهِhis heart مَرَضٌsickness
وظّنَّ كلُّ امرِىءٍ فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ
بأنَّthat مَوْعِدَهُhis promise بالنَّصْرِof victory مُمْطُولُdelayed
بأنَّ مَوْعِدَهُ بالنَّصْرِ مُمْطُولُ
everyone harboring sickness in his heart supposed
that his promised victory was being delayed.
فأَنْزَلَso sent down اللهُGod أَمْلاكاًangels مُسَوَّمَةmarked
فأَنْزَلَ اللهُ أَمْلاكاً مُسَوَّمَة
لَبُوسُهاtheir clothing مِنْof سَكِيناتٍserenity سَرابِيلُrobes
لَبُوسُها مِنْ سَكِيناتٍ سَرابِيلُ
Then God sent down marked angels,
whose clothing was robes of serenity.
شاكىbristling with السِّلاحweapons فماso not تَشكُواcomplain of الكَلالَweariness وَمِنْand from
شاكى السِّلاح فما تَشكُوا الكَلالَ وَمِنْ
صنْعِthe workmanship of الإِلهGod لهاfor them نَسْجٌweaving وَتَأْثِيلُand strengthening
صنْعِ الإِله لها نَسْجٌ وَتَأْثِيلُ
Bristling with weapons, they complain of no weariness; and
their weaving and strengthening are God's workmanship.
مِنْfrom كلِّevery مَوْضونَةٍwoven coat of mail حَصْداءtightly wrought سابِغَةٍample
مِنْ كلِّ مَوْضونَةٍ حَصْداء سابِغَةٍ
تَرُدُّturns back حَدَّthe edge of المَناياdeaths وهْوَwhile it مَفْلولُblunted
تَرُدُّ حَدَّ المَنايا وهْوَ مَفْلولُ
Each densely woven, tightly wrought, ample coat of mail
turns back death's edge, blunted.
وَكلَّand every أَبْتَرَsevering sword لِلْحَقِّfor truth المُبِينِmanifest بهِthrough it
وَكلَّ أَبْتَرَ لِلْحَقِّ المُبِينِ بهِ
وَلِلضَّلالَةِand for error تَعْدِيلٌstraightening وَتَمْيِيلُand turning aside
وَلِلضَّلالَةِ تَعْدِيلٌ وَتَمْيِيلُ
And every severing sword, through which manifest truth prevails,
and error is set straight or turned aside.
لَمْnot تُبْقِleft للشِّرْكِfor idolatry مِنْany قَلْبٍheart وَلاnor سَبَبٍbond
لَمْ تُبْقِ للشِّرْكِ مِنْ قَلْبٍ وَلا سَبَبٍ
إلاَّexcept غَدَاbecame وَهْوَwhile it مَتْبُولٌstricken وَمَبْتُولُand severed
إلاَّ غَدَا وَهْوَ مَتْبُولٌ وَمَبْتُولُ
They left no heart or bond belonging to idolatry
but became stricken and severed.
وَيَومُand the day of بَدْرٍBadr إِذwhen الإِسلامُIslam قَدْindeed طَلَعَتْrose
وَيَومُ بَدْرٍ إِذ الإِسلامُ قَدْ طَلَعَتْ
بهin it بُدُوراًfull moons لهاfor them بالنصْرٍthrough victory تَكمِيلُperfection
به بُدُوراً لها بالنصْرٍ تَكمِيلُ
And the day of Badr, when for Islam there rose
full moons, perfected there by victory.
سِيئَتْwere distressed بماby what سَرَّناdelighted us الكُفَّارُthe unbelievers منهfrom it وَقدwhile already
سِيئَتْ بما سَرَّنا الكُفَّارُ منه وَقد
أفْنَىdestroyed سَراتَهُمُtheir chiefs أَسْرٌcapture وتَقْتِيلُand slaughter
أفْنَى سَراتَهُمُ أَسْرٌ وتَقْتِيلُ
The unbelievers were distressed by what delighted us, while
capture and slaughter destroyed their chiefs.
كأَنَّماas though هُوَit عُرْسٌa wedding فيهat it قَدْindeed جُلِيَتْwere displayed
كأَنَّما هُوَ عُرْسٌ فيه قَدْ جُلِيَتْ
عَلَىupon الظُّباsword-edges والقَناand spears رُوسٌheads مَفاصِيلُsevered
عَلَى الظُّبا والقَنا رُوسٌ مَفاصِيلُ
As though it were a wedding at which were displayed
severed heads upon sword-edges and spears.
والخَيْلُand the horses تَرْقُصُdance زَهْواًproudly بالكُماةِwith warriors وماand no
والخَيْلُ تَرْقُصُ زَهْواً بالكُماةِ وما
غيرَother than السيوفِswords بأيْديِهِمْin their hands منادِيلُhandkerchiefs
غيرَ السيوفِ بأيْديِهِمْ منادِيلُ
The horses danced proudly with the warriors, with
no handkerchiefs in their hands but swords.
ولاand no مُهُورdowries سِوَىexcept الأرْوَاحِsouls تَقْبَلُهاaccept them
ولا مُهُور سِوَى الأرْوَاحِ تَقْبَلُها
الْبِيضُwhite swords البَهاتِيرُthe stout ones والسُّمْرُand brown spears العَطابِيلُthe tall, stately ones
الْبِيضُ البَهاتِيرُ والسُّمْرُ العَطابِيلُ
No dowries except souls were accepted by
the gleaming, stout swords and the dusky, stately spears.
فلوif only تَرَىyou could see كلَّevery عُضْوٍlimb مِنْof كُمِاتِهِمtheir warriors
فلو تَرَى كلَّ عُضْوٍ مِنْ كُمِاتِهِم
مُفَصَّلاًdisjointed وهْوَwhile it مَكفُوفُcut off ومَشْلولُand paralyzed
مُفَصَّلاً وهْوَ مَكفُوفُ ومَشْلولُ
If only you could see each limb of their warriors,
disjointed, with hands cut off and limbs paralyzed!
كَأَحْرُفٍlike letters أَشْكَلتْbecame ambiguous خطاًin writing فأكْثَرُهاso most of them
كَأَحْرُفٍ أَشْكَلتْ خطاً فأكْثَرُها
بالطَّعْنِby thrusting والضَّرْبِand striking مَنْقُوطٌdotted ومَشكولُand vowel-marked
بالطَّعْنِ والضَّرْبِ مَنْقُوطٌ ومَشكولُ
Like letters ambiguous in writing, most of them
dotted and vowel-marked by thrusts and blows.
وكلُّand every بيْتٍhouse حَكىresembled بَيْتَa verse of العَرُوضِprosody لهُfor it
وكلُّ بيْتٍ حَكى بَيْتَ العَرُوضِ لهُ
بالبِيضِby white swords والسُّمْرِand brown spears تَقْطِيعٌscansion وتَفْصِيلُand division
بالبِيضِ والسُّمْرِ تَقْطِيعٌ وتَفْصِيلُ
Every house resembled a metrical verse, subjected
to scansion and division by white swords and brown spears.
وداخَلَتْand entered بالرَّدَىthrough death أَجزاءَهمْtheir parts عِلَلٌdefects
وداخَلَتْ بالرَّدَى أَجزاءَهمْ عِلَلٌ
غَدَاbecame المُرَفَّلُthe lengthened منهاof them وهْوَwhile it مَجْزُولُlopped off
غَدَا المُرَفَّلُ منها وهْوَ مَجْزُولُ
Through death, defects entered their parts;
what had been lengthened became lopped off.
وَكلُّand every ذِيpossessor of تِرَةٍa blood-feud تَغْلِيboil مَراجلُهُhis cauldrons
وَكلُّ ذِي تِرَةٍ تَغْلِي مَراجلُهُ
غَدَاbecame يُقادُled away ذَليلاًhumiliated وهْوَwhile he مَغْلُولُshackled
غَدَا يُقادُ ذَليلاً وهْوَ مَغْلُولُ
Everyone bearing a blood-feud, whose cauldrons boiled,
was led away humiliated and shackled.
وَكلُّand every جُرْحٍwound بِجِسْمٍin a body يَسْتَهِلُّstreams دُماًblood
وَكلُّ جُرْحٍ بِجِسْمٍ يَسْتَهِلُّ دُماً
كأَنَّهُas though it مَبْسَمٌa smiling mouth بالرَّاحِwith wine مَعْلُولُgiven another draught
كأَنَّهُ مَبْسَمٌ بالرَّاحِ مَعْلُولُ
Every wound in a body streamed blood,
as though a smiling mouth refreshed with wine.
وعاطلٌand one bare مِنْof سلاحِweapons قدindeed غَدَاbecame ولهُand for him
وعاطلٌ مِنْ سلاحِ قد غَدَا ولهُ
أَساوِرُbracelets مِنْof حَدِيدٍiron أَوْor خَلاخِيلُanklets
أَساوِرُ مِنْ حَدِيدٍ أَوْ خَلاخِيلُ
One formerly bare of weapons now possessed
bracelets of iron or anklets.
والأرضُand the earth مِنْwith جُثَثِthe bodies of القَتْلَىthe slain مُجَلَّلَةٌcovered
والأرضُ مِنْ جُثَثِ القَتْلَى مُجَلَّلَةٌ
والتُّرْبُand the soil مِنْwith أَدْمُعِthe tears of الأحياءِthe living مَبْلولُsoaked
والتُّرْبُ مِنْ أَدْمُعِ الأحياءِ مَبْلولُ
The earth was covered with the bodies of the slain,
and the soil soaked with the tears of the living.
غَصَّتْchoked قُلوبٌhearts كماas غَصَّwas choked القَلِيبُthe well بهمwith them
غَصَّتْ قُلوبٌ كما غَصَّ القَلِيبُ بهم
فللأَسَىso for grief فيهِمُupon them والنارِand fire تَأْكِيلُconsumption
فللأَسَى فيهِمُ والنارِ تَأْكِيلُ
Hearts choked as the well was choked with them;
grief and fire feed upon them.
فأصْبَحَso became البِئْرُthe well إذْwhen أَهْلُthe people of البَوارِdestruction بهinside it
فأصْبَحَ البِئْرُ إذْ أَهْلُ البَوارِ به
مِثْلُlike الوَطيسِa furnace بهِinside it جُرْزٌhacked remains رَعابيلُtattered
مِثْلُ الوَطيسِ بهِ جُرْزٌ رَعابيلُ
The well, with the people of destruction inside, became
like a furnace filled with hacked, tattered remains.
وأصبَحَتْand became أيِّماتٍwidows مًحْصَناتُهُمُtheir married women
وأصبَحَتْ أيِّماتٍ مًحْصَناتُهُمُ
وأُمَّهاتُهُمُand their mothers وهْيَwhile they المثاكِيلُthe bereaved
وأُمَّهاتُهُمُ وهْيَ المثاكِيلُ
Their married women became widows,
and their mothers bereaved.
لاnot تُمْسِكُhold back الدَّمْعَtears مِنْfrom حُزْنٍsorrow عُيُونُهُمُtheir eyes
لا تُمْسِكُ الدَّمْعَ مِنْ حُزْنٍ عُيُونُهُمُ
إِلاَّexcept كماas يُمْسِكُhold back المَاءُwater الغَرابِيلُsieves
إِلاَّ كما يُمْسِكُ المَاءُ الغَرابِيلُ
Their eyes held back no tears of sorrow,
except as sieves hold back water.
وصارَand became فَقْرَهُمtheir poverty لِلمسلمينَfor the Muslims غِنىًwealth
وصارَ فَقْرَهُم لِلمسلمينَ غِنىً
وفيand in المَصائِبِcalamities تَفْوِيتٌloss وتَحْصِيلُand gain
وفي المَصائِبِ تَفْوِيتٌ وتَحْصِيلُ
Their poverty became wealth for the Muslims;
in calamities there are losses and gains.
ورَدَّand turned أوْجُهَهُمْtheir faces سُوداًblack وأعْيُنُهُمْand their eyes
ورَدَّ أوْجُهَهُمْ سُوداً وأعْيُنُهُمْ
بِيضاًwhite مِنَfrom اللهِGod تَنكيدٌaffliction وَتَنْكِيلُand punishment
بِيضاً مِنَ اللهِ تَنكيدٌ وَتَنْكِيلُ
Their faces were turned black and their eyes
white by God's affliction and punishment.
سالتْflowed وساءتْand fared wretchedly عُيونٌeyes منهمُof theirs مَثَلاًas an example
سالتْ وساءتْ عُيونٌ منهمُ مَثَلاً
كَأَنَّماas though كلُّهاall of them بالشَّوْكِwith thorns مِسْمُولُput out
كَأَنَّما كلُّها بالشَّوْكِ مِسْمُولُ
Their eyes flowed and fared wretchedly, a warning example,
as though all had been put out with thorns.
أبغِضْhow hateful بهاthey are مُقَلاًeyes قدindeed أَشْبَهَتْresembled لَبَناًmilk
أبغِضْ بها مُقَلاً قد أَشْبَهَتْ لَبَناً
طَفاfloated الذُّبابُflies عليهِupon it وهْوَwhile it مَمْقولُfly-dipped
طَفا الذُّبابُ عليهِ وهْوَ مَمْقولُ
How hateful those eyes, resembling milk
upon which flies float after being plunged in!
ويَوْمَand the day عَمَّfilled قلوبَthe hearts of المُسْلِمينَthe Muslims أسىًgrief
ويَوْمَ عَمَّ قلوبَ المُسْلِمينَ أسىً
بِفَقْدِat the loss of عَمِّكَyour uncle والمَفْقُودُand the lost one مَجْذُولُmutilated
بِفَقْدِ عَمِّكَ والمَفْقُودُ مَجْذُولُ
And the day grief filled the Muslims' hearts
at the loss of your uncle, the lost one mutilated;
ونالَand befell إحْدىone of الثَّنايَاthe incisors الكَسْرُfracture فيat أُحُدٍUhud
ونالَ إحْدى الثَّنايَا الكَسْرُ في أُحُدٍ
وجاءَand came يَجْبُرُmending منهاin it الكَسْرَthe fracture جِبرِيلُGabriel
وجاءَ يَجْبُرُ منها الكَسْرَ جِبرِيلُ
one of your incisors was broken at Uhud,
and Gabriel came to mend its fracture.
وفيand in مَواطَنَplaces شَتىvarious كَمْhow often أتاكَcame to you بهاin them
وفي مَواطَنَ شَتى كَمْ أتاكَ بها
نَصْرٌvictory مِنَfrom اللهِGod مَضْمُونٌassured وَمَكْفُولُand guaranteed
نَصْرٌ مِنَ اللهِ مَضْمُونٌ وَمَكْفُولُ
In how many different places did there come to you
victory from God, assured and guaranteed!
ومَلَّكَتْand were given command يَداكَyour two hands اليُمْنَىthe right مَلائكَةٌangels
ومَلَّكَتْ يَداكَ اليُمْنَى مَلائكَةٌ
غُرٌّradiant كِرامٌnoble وَأَبطالٌand heroes بَهَالِيلُillustrious
غُرٌّ كِرامٌ وَأَبطالٌ بَهَالِيلُ
Your right hand was given command of angels,
radiant and noble, and illustrious heroes.
يُسارِعُونthey hasten إذاwhen نَادَيْتَهُمْyou summon them لِوَغىًto battle
يُسارِعُون إذا نَادَيْتَهُمْ لِوَغىً
إنَّindeed الكِرامَthe noble إذاwhen نُودُواsummoned هَذالِيلُswift
إنَّ الكِرامَ إذا نُودُوا هَذالِيلُ
They hasten when you call them to battle;
the noble are swift when summoned.
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery نِضْوٍwasted man نُحولٍlean ماnot يزالُceases بهin him
مِنْ كُلِّ نِضْوٍ نُحولٍ ما يزالُ به
إلىtoward المَكارِمِnoble deeds جِدُّstriving وَهْوَwhile he مَهْزولُemaciated
إلى المَكارِمِ جِدُّ وَهْوَ مَهْزولُ
Each a slender, wasted man, who never ceases
striving toward noble deeds, though emaciated.
بَنانُهُhis fingers بِدَمِwith the blood of الأبطالِheroes مُخْتَضِبٌdyed
بَنانُهُ بِدَمِ الأبطالِ مُخْتَضِبٌ
وطَرْفُهُand his eyes بِسَناwith the radiance of الإِيمانُfaith مَكْحُولُkohled
وطَرْفُهُ بِسَنا الإِيمانُ مَكْحُولُ
His fingers are dyed with heroes' blood,
and his eyes kohled with faith's radiance.
آلَfamily of النبيِّthe Prophet بِمَنْto whom أَوْor ماwhat أُشَبِّهُكُمْI compare you
آلَ النبيِّ بِمَنْ أَوْ ما أُشَبِّهُكُمْ
لقدْcertainly تَعَذَّرَproved impossible تَشْبِيهٌcomparison وتَمثِيلُand likeness
لقدْ تَعَذَّرَ تَشْبِيهٌ وتَمثِيلُ
Family of the Prophet, to whom or what can I compare you?
Comparison and likeness have proved impossible.
وَهلْand is there سَبِيلٌa path إلىto مَدْحٍpraise يكونُthere would be بهِthrough it
وَهلْ سَبِيلٌ إلى مَدْحٍ يكونُ بهِ
لأَهْلِfor the people of بَيْتِthe household of رَسولِthe Messenger of اللهِGod تَأْهِيلُdue recognition
لأَهْلِ بَيْتِ رَسولِ اللهِ تَأْهِيلُ
Is there a path to praise that can do
justice to the household of God's Messenger?
ياO قَوْمِmy people بايَعْتُكُمْI pledged to you أَنْthat لاno شَبِيهَequal لكُمْfor you
يا قَوْمِ بايَعْتُكُمْ أَنْ لا شَبِيهَ لكُمْ
مِنَamong الوَرَىhumankind فاسْتَقِيلواso seek cancellation البَيْعَof the bargain أَوْor قِيلُواbe released
مِنَ الوَرَى فاسْتَقِيلوا البَيْعَ أَوْ قِيلُوا
My people, I pledged to you that you have no equal
among humankind: seek release from the bargain, or be released.
جَاءَتْcame عَلَىin تِلْوِthe wake of آياتِthe signs of النبيِّthe Prophet لهُمْfor them
جَاءَتْ عَلَى تِلْوِ آياتِ النبيِّ لهُمْ
دلائِلٌproofs هِيَthey للتَّارِيخِto history تَذْيِيلُan appendix
دلائِلٌ هِيَ للتَّارِيخِ تَذْيِيلُ
Following the Prophet's signs, there came for them
proofs that form an appendix to history.
مَعاشِرٌa people ماwhenever رَضُواthey are pleased إنِّيindeed I لَمُبْتَهِجٌsurely rejoice
مَعاشِرٌ ما رَضُوا إنِّي لَمُبْتَهِجٌ
بِهِمْin them وماand whenever سَخِطُواthey are angered إنِّيindeed I لَمَثْكُولُsurely bereaved
بِهِمْ وما سَخِطُوا إنِّي لَمَثْكُولُ
A people: whenever they are pleased, I rejoice
in them; whenever they are angered, I am bereaved.
وإنَّand indeed مَنْwhoever باعَsold فيin الدُّنياthe world مَحَبَّتُهُمْlove for them
وإنَّ مَنْ باعَ في الدُّنيا مَحَبَّتُهُمْ
بِبُغْضِهِfor his hatred of اللهَGod فيin الأُخْرَىthe hereafter لَمَرْذُولُsurely rejected
بِبُغْضِهِ اللهَ في الأُخْرَى لَمَرْذُولُ
Whoever sold his love for them in this world
for his hatred of God is surely rejected in the next.
وَحَسْبُand sufficient for مَنْone whose نَكَلَتْshrank away عنهمْfrom them خواطِرُهُhis thoughts
وَحَسْبُ مَنْ نَكَلَتْ عنهمْ خواطِرُهُ
إنْwhether ماتَhe died أَوْor عاشَlived تَنكِيلٌpunishment وَتَثْكِيلُand bereavement
إنْ ماتَ أَوْ عاشَ تَنكِيلٌ وَتَثْكِيلُ
For one whose thoughts shrink away from them, sufficient
whether dead or alive, are punishment and bereavement.
إنَّindeed المَوَدَّةlove فيfor قُرْبَىthe kin of النبيِّthe Prophet غِنىًwealth
إنَّ المَوَدَّة في قُرْبَى النبيِّ غِنىً
لاnot يَسْتَمِيلُdraws away فُؤاديmy heart عنهُfrom it تَمْويلُfinancial gain
لا يَسْتَمِيلُ فُؤادي عنهُ تَمْويلُ
Love for the Prophet's kin is wealth;
no financial gain draws my heart away from it.
وكَمْand how many لأَصْحَابِهِfor his companions الغُرِّthe radiant الكِرامِthe noble يَدٌa meritorious deed
وكَمْ لأَصْحَابِهِ الغُرِّ الكِرامِ يَدٌ
عِنْدَbefore الإلهِGod لهاfor it فيin الفضلِbounty تَخْوِيلُgranting a share
عِنْدَ الإلهِ لها في الفضلِ تَخْوِيلُ
How many meritorious deeds his radiant, noble companions possess
before God, granting them a share of bounty!
قَوْمٌa people لهمْfor them فيin الوغَىbattle مِنْfrom خَوْفِfear of ربِّهِمْtheir Lord
قَوْمٌ لهمْ في الوغَى مِنْ خَوْفِ ربِّهِمْ
حُسْنُgood ابْتِلاَءٍproving وفيand in الطَّاعاتِacts of obedience تَبْتِيلُdevoted worship
حُسْنُ ابْتِلاَءٍ وفي الطَّاعاتِ تَبْتِيلُ
A people whose fear of their Lord gives them in battle
a fine proving of valor, and in obedience devoted worship.
كَأَنَّهُمْas though they فيin محارِيبِprayer niches مَلاَئِكَةٌangels
كَأَنَّهُمْ في محارِيبِ مَلاَئِكَةٌ
وفيand in حُروبِbattles against أَعادِيهِمْtheir enemies رَآبِيلُlions
وفي حُروبِ أَعادِيهِمْ رَآبِيلُ
As though they were angels in prayer niches,
and lions in battles against their enemies.
حَكَىresembled العَباءَةَthe cloak قَلْبيmy heart حينَwhen كانَthere was بهاwithin it
حَكَى العَباءَةَ قَلْبي حينَ كانَ بها
لِلآلِfor the family تَغْطِيَةٌcovering والصَّحْبِand the companions تَخْلِيلُinclusion
لِلآلِ تَغْطِيَةٌ والصَّحْبِ تَخْلِيلُ
My heart resembled the cloak when within it were
a covering for the family and inclusion for the companions.
وَلِيand I have فُؤَادٌa heart ونُطْقٌand speech بالوِدادِwith love لَهُمْfor them
وَلِي فُؤَادٌ ونُطْقٌ بالوِدادِ لَهُمْ
وبالمدَائِحِand with praises مَشْغُوفٌenamored ومَشْغولُand occupied
وبالمدَائِحِ مَشْغُوفٌ ومَشْغولُ
I have a heart and speech devoted to loving them,
enamored of, and occupied with, their praises.
فإنْso if ظَنَنْتُI suspected بهمِamong them خَتْلاًdeception لِبَعْضِهِمُtoward some of them
فإنْ ظَنَنْتُ بهمِ خَتْلاً لِبَعْضِهِمُ
إنيindeed I إذنْthen بِغُرُورِby the delusion of النَّفْسِthe soul مُخْتُولُdeceived
إني إذنْ بِغُرُورِ النَّفْسِ مُخْتُولُ
If I suspected any of them of deceiving another,
I would then be deceived by my own soul's delusion.
أَئِمَّةُthe leaders of الدِّينِreligion كلٌّeach فيin محاوَلَةٍan endeavor
أَئِمَّةُ الدِّينِ كلٌّ في محاوَلَةٍ
إلىto صوابِthe correctness of اجتهادِindependent reasoning منهfrom him مَوْكُولُentrusted
إلى صوابِ اجتهادِ منه مَوْكُولُ
The leaders of religion, each in his endeavor,
are entrusted to seek correctness through their own reasoning,
لِيَقْضِيَso may accomplish اللهُGod أمْراًa matter كانَHe had قَدَّرَهُdecreed it
لِيَقْضِيَ اللهُ أمْراً كانَ قَدَّرَهُ
وكُلُّand everything ماthat قَدَّرَdecreed الرَّحْمنُthe All-Merciful مفعُولُaccomplished
وكُلُّ ما قَدَّرَ الرَّحْمنُ مفعُولُ
so that God may accomplish a matter He had decreed;
everything the All-Merciful decrees is accomplished.
حَسْبيsufficient for me إذاwhen ماindeed مَنَحْتُI offer المُصْطفَىthe Chosen One مِدَحِيmy praises
حَسْبي إذا ما مَنَحْتُ المُصْطفَى مِدَحِي
فيat الحَشْرِthe gathering تَزْكِيَةٌcommendation مِنْهُfrom him وتعدِيلُand attestation
في الحَشْرِ تَزْكِيَةٌ مِنْهُ وتعدِيلُ
When I offer the Chosen One my praises, sufficient for me
at the gathering are his commendation and attestation.
مَدْحٌpraise بهِthrough it ثَقُلَتْgrew heavy ميزانُthe scales of قائِلِهِits speaker
مَدْحٌ بهِ ثَقُلَتْ ميزانُ قائِلِهِ
وخَفَّand grew light عنهُupon him مِنَof الأوْزارِsins تثقِيلُthe burden
وخَفَّ عنهُ مِنَ الأوْزارِ تثقِيلُ
Praise through which its speaker's scales grow heavy,
and the burden of sins upon him grows light.
وكيفَand how تَأْبَىreject جَنَىthe fruit of أَوْصَافِهِhis attributes هِمَمٌaspirations
وكيفَ تَأْبَى جَنَى أَوْصَافِهِ هِمَمٌ
يَرُوقُهَاdelights them مِنْof قُطُوفِthe clusters of العِزِّhonor تَذْلِيلُeasy accessibility
يَرُوقُهَا مِنْ قُطُوفِ العِزِّ تَذْلِيلُ
How could aspirations reject the fruit of his attributes,
when they delight in honor's clusters made easy to pluck?
وَليسَand not يُدْرِكُgrasps أَدْنَىthe least of وَصْفِهِhis attributes بَشَرٌa human
وَليسَ يُدْرِكُ أَدْنَى وَصْفِهِ بَشَرٌ
أَيَقْطَعُcan he cross الأرضَthe earth ساعْa traveler وَهْوَwhile he مَكْبُولُfettered
أَيَقْطَعُ الأرضَ ساعْ وَهْوَ مَكْبُولُ
No human grasps even his least attribute:
can a traveler cross the earth while fettered?
كَلُّall الفَصَاحَةِeloquence عِيٌّspeechlessness فيbefore مَناقِبِهِhis virtues
كَلُّ الفَصَاحَةِ عِيٌّ في مَناقِبِهِ
إذاwhen تَفَكَّرْتُI reflect والتَّكْثِيرُand multiplying تَقْلِيلُdiminishing
إذا تَفَكَّرْتُ والتَّكْثِيرُ تَقْلِيلُ
All eloquence is speechlessness before his virtues,
when I reflect; multiplying praise is still diminishing it.
لوif أَجْمَعَunited الخَلْقُcreation أَنْto يُحْصُواcount مَحاسِنَهُhis excellences
لو أَجْمَعَ الخَلْقُ أَنْ يُحْصُوا مَحاسِنَهُ
أَعْيَتْهُمُexhausted them جُمْلَةٌan entirety منهاof them وتَفْصِيلُand details
أَعْيَتْهُمُ جُمْلَةٌ منها وتَفْصِيلُ
If all creation united to count his excellences,
their entirety and their details would exhaust them.
عُذْراًan apology إليكto you رسولَMessenger of اللهِGod مِنْfor كَلِميmy words
عُذْراً إليك رسولَ اللهِ مِنْ كَلِمي
إنَّindeed الكرِيمَthe generous one لديْهِwith him العُذْرَthe apology مَقْبُولُaccepted
إنَّ الكرِيمَ لديْهِ العُذْرَ مَقْبُولُ
Accept an apology for my words, Messenger of God:
the generous one accepts an apology.
إنْif لَمnot يكنْis مَنْطِقِيmy speech فيin طعمِهِits taste عَسَلاًhoney
إنْ لَم يكنْ مَنْطِقِي في طعمِهِ عَسَلاً
فإنَّهُthen it بِمَدِيحيthrough my praise فيكَof you مَعْسُولُsweetened
فإنَّهُ بِمَدِيحي فيكَ مَعْسُولُ
If my speech is not honey in its taste,
my praise of you has sweetened it.
هاhere is حُلَّةًa robe بِخِلاَلٍwith virtues منكَof yours قدindeed رُقِمَتْembroidered
ها حُلَّةً بِخِلاَلٍ منكَ قد رُقِمَتْ
ماno فِيamong محاسِنِهاits beauties لِلْعِيْبِfor defect تَخْلِيْلُintrusion
ما فِي محاسِنِها لِلْعِيْبِ تَخْلِيْلُ
Here is a robe embroidered with your virtues,
whose beauties admit no intrusion of defect.
جاءتْit came بِحُبِّيwith my love وَتَصْدِيقيand my affirmation إليكَto you وماand not
جاءتْ بِحُبِّي وَتَصْدِيقي إليكَ وما
حُبِّيmy love مَشُوبٌmixed ولاnor التَّصْدِيقَaffirmation مَدْخُولُcorrupted
حُبِّي مَشُوبٌ ولا التَّصْدِيقَ مَدْخُولُ
It comes to you with my love and affirmation, and
my love is unmixed, my affirmation uncorrupted.
ألْبَسْتَهاyou clothed it منكَfrom you حُسناًin beauty فازْدَهَتْso became proud شَرَفاًin honor
ألْبَسْتَها منكَ حُسناً فازْدَهَتْ شَرَفاً
بهاthrough it الخَواطِرُthoughts مِناof ours وَالمَناوِيلُand looms
بها الخَواطِرُ مِنا وَالمَناوِيلُ
You clothed it in your beauty, and through it
our thoughts and looms became proud of their honor.
لَمْnot أَنْتَحِلْهاI plagiarized it ولَمْand not أَغصِبْI seized مَعانِيهاits meanings
لَمْ أَنْتَحِلْها ولَمْ أَغصِبْ مَعانِيها
وَغيرُand other than مَدْحِكَpraise of you مَغْصُوبٌstolen وَمَنْحُولُand falsely attributed
وَغيرُ مَدْحِكَ مَغْصُوبٌ وَمَنْحُولُ
I did not plagiarize it or seize its meanings;
praise of anyone but you is stolen and falsely attributed.
وَماand no harm علىto قَوْلِthe verse of كَعْبِKa'b أَنْthat تُوازِنَهُit matches its measure
وَما على قَوْلِ كَعْبِ أَنْ تُوازِنَهُ
فَرُبَّمَاfor sometimes وَازَنَbalanced الدُّرَّpearls المَثاقِيلُweights
فَرُبَّمَا وَازَنَ الدُّرَّ المَثاقِيلُ
It does no harm to Ka'b's verse that this poem matches its measure:
weights may sometimes balance pearls.
وَهلْand can تُعَادِلُهُit equal his حُسْناًin beauty وَمَنْطِقُهاwhile its language
وَهلْ تُعَادِلُهُ حُسْناً وَمَنْطِقُها
عَنْfrom مَنْطِقِthe speech of العَرَبِthe Arabs العَرْباءِthe purest مَعْدُولُdeparted
عَنْ مَنْطِقِ العَرَبِ العَرْباءِ مَعْدُولُ
Yet can it equal his in beauty, when its language
departs from the speech of the purest Arabs?
وَحَيْثُand since كُنَّاwe were معاًtogether نَرْمِيaiming إلىat غَرَضٍa target
وَحَيْثُ كُنَّا معاً نَرْمِي إلى غَرَضٍ
فَحَبَّذاso how blessed نَاضِلٌa victorious archer مناamong us وَمَنضُولُand a vanquished archer
فَحَبَّذا نَاضِلٌ منا وَمَنضُولُ
Since we both aim at one target,
blessed are the victor and the vanquished archer among us!
إنْif أَقْفُI follow آثارَهُhis footsteps إنيindeed I الغَداةَtoday بهاthrough them
إنْ أَقْفُ آثارَهُ إني الغَداةَ بها
علىupon طَرِيقِa path of نَجَاحٍsuccess مِنكَby you مَدْلُولُguided
على طَرِيقِ نَجَاحٍ مِنكَ مَدْلُولُ
If I follow his footsteps, through them today
I am guided by you upon a path to success.
لَمَّاwhen غَفَرْتُI forgave لَهُhim ذَنْباًa sin وَصُنْتَand you spared دَماًblood
لَمَّا غَفَرْتُ لَهُ ذَنْباً وَصُنْتَ دَماً
لولاwere it not for ذِمامُكَyour protection أَضْحَىwould have become وَهْوَwhile it مَطْلُولُshed unavenged
لولا ذِمامُكَ أَضْحَى وَهْوَ مَطْلُولُ
When I forgave him a sin, and you spared blood
that, without your protection, would have been shed unavenged,
رَجَوْتُI hoped for غُفْرَانَforgiveness of ذَنْبٍa sin مُوجِبِbringing about تَلَفِيmy destruction
رَجَوْتُ غُفْرَانَ ذَنْبٍ مُوجِبِ تَلَفِي
لهُfor it منَfrom النَّفْسِthe soul إملاءٌencouragement وَتَسْوِيلُand enticement
لهُ منَ النَّفْسِ إملاءٌ وَتَسْوِيلُ
I hoped for forgiveness of a sin bringing my destruction,
which my soul encouraged and made alluring.
وليسَand not غيرُكَanyone but you لِيfor me مَوْلىًa patron أُؤَمِّلُهُI hope in
وليسَ غيرُكَ لِي مَوْلىً أُؤَمِّلُهُ
بَعْدَafter الإلهِGod وَحَسْبِيand sufficient for me مِنكَin you تَأْمِيلُhope
بَعْدَ الإلهِ وَحَسْبِي مِنكَ تَأْمِيلُ
After God, I have no patron but you
in whom to hope; hope in you suffices me.
وليand I have فُؤَادُthe heart of مُحِبِّa lover ليسَnot يُقْنِعُهُsatisfies it
ولي فُؤَادُ مُحِبِّ ليسَ يُقْنِعُهُ
غيرُother than اللَّقاءِmeeting وَلاand not يَشْفِيهِheals it تَعْلِيلُconsoling promises
غيرُ اللَّقاءِ وَلا يَشْفِيهِ تَعْلِيلُ
I have a lover's heart, satisfied by nothing
but meeting you, and not healed by consoling promises.
يَمِيلُdraws بِيme لَكَtoward you شَوْقاًin longing والأَقْدَارُand destinies تُمْسِكُهُrestrain it
يَمِيلُ بِي لَكَ شَوْقاً والأَقْدَارُ تُمْسِكُهُ
وَكَيفَand how يَعْدُوruns جَوادٌa steed وَهْوَwhile it مَشْكُولُhobbled
وَكَيفَ يَعْدُو جَوادٌ وَهْوَ مَشْكُولُ
It draws me toward you in longing, while destinies restrain it:
how can a steed run while hobbled?
مَتَىwhen تَجُوبُcarry across رسولَMessenger of اللهِGod نَحْوَكَtoward you بِيme
مَتَى تَجُوبُ رسولَ اللهِ نَحْوَكَ بِي
تِلْكَthose الجِبالَmountains نَجِيبَاتٌnoble she-camels مَراسِيلُswift
تِلْكَ الجِبالَ نَجِيبَاتٌ مَراسِيلُ
When, Messenger of God, will there carry me toward you
across those mountains noble, swift she-camels,
فَأَنْثَنِيso I return وَيَدِيand my hand بالفَوْزِwith success ظافِرَةٌtriumphant
فَأَنْثَنِي وَيَدِي بالفَوْزِ ظافِرَةٌ
وَثَوْبُand the garment of ذَنْبِيmy guilt مِنَof الآثامِsins مَغْسُولُwashed clean
وَثَوْبُ ذَنْبِي مِنَ الآثامِ مَغْسُولُ
so that I return with my hand grasping success,
and the garment of my guilt washed clean of sins,
فيamong مَعْشَرٍa company أَخْلَصواmade sincere للهِfor God دِينُهُمُtheir religion
في مَعْشَرٍ أَخْلَصوا للهِ دِينُهُمُ
وفَوَّضُواand entrusted all إنْwhether هُمُthey نالواgained وإنْor whether نِيلُواsuffered loss
وفَوَّضُوا إنْ هُمُ نالوا وإنْ نِيلُوا
among people who made their religion sincere for God,
and entrusted all to Him, whether gaining or suffering loss?
شُعْثٍtousled لهُمْfor them مِنْfrom ثَرَىthe dust of البَيْتِthe House الذيwhich شَرُفَتْwere honored
شُعْثٍ لهُمْ مِنْ ثَرَى البَيْتِ الذي شَرُفَتْ
بهِthrough it النَّبِيُّونَthe prophets تَطْيِيبٌperfuming وَتَكْحِيلُand kohling
بهِ النَّبِيُّونَ تَطْيِيبٌ وَتَكْحِيلُ
Tousled people, for whom the dust of the House that honored
the prophets is perfume and kohl.
مُحَلَّقيshaven أَرْؤُسٍheads يدَتْappeared وُجُوهُهُمْtheir faces
مُحَلَّقي أَرْؤُسٍ يدَتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ
حُسْناًin beauty بهِthrough it فكأنَّso as though الحَلْقَshaving تَرْجِيلُgrooming
حُسْناً بهِ فكأنَّ الحَلْقَ تَرْجِيلُ
With shaven heads, their faces showed
beauty through it, as though shaving were grooming.
قدindeed رَحَّبَwelcomed البيتُthe House شَوْقاًlongingly وَالمَقَامُand the Station بهمْthem
قد رَحَّبَ البيتُ شَوْقاً وَالمَقَامُ بهمْ
والحِجْرُand the Hijr والحَجَرُand the Stone المَلْثُومُthe kissed والميلُand the marker
والحِجْرُ والحَجَرُ المَلْثُومُ والميلُ
The House and the Station welcomed them with longing,
as did the Hijr, the kissed Stone, and the marker.
نَذَرَتْI vowed إنْif جَمَعَتْgathered شَمْلِيmy scattered company لِبَابِكَto your door أَوْor
نَذَرَتْ إنْ جَمَعَتْ شَمْلِي لِبَابِكَ أَوْ
شَفَتْhealed فُؤَادِيmy heart بِهِthere قَوْداءُa long-necked she-camel شِمْلِيلُswift
شَفَتْ فُؤَادِي بِهِ قَوْداءُ شِمْلِيلُ
I vowed: if my scattered company were brought to your door, or
my heart healed there, by a long-necked, swift she-camel,
أَبُلُّI wet مِنْfrom طَيْبَةٍTaybah بالدَّمْعِwith tears طِيبَfragrant ثَرىًearth
أَبُلُّ مِنْ طَيْبَةٍ بالدَّمْعِ طِيبَ ثَرىً
لَغُلَّتِيfor my thirst وغَلِيلِيand my burning longing منهfrom it تُبْلِيلُmoistening
لَغُلَّتِي وغَلِيلِي منه تُبْلِيلُ
I would wet Taybah's fragrant earth with tears,
finding in it moisture for my thirst and burning longing.
دامَتْmay endure عليكَupon you صلاَةُthe blessings of اللهِGod يَكْفُلُهاguarantees them
دامَتْ عليكَ صلاَةُ اللهِ يَكْفُلُها
مِنَfrom المَهَيْمِنِthe All-Watching إبلاغٌdelivery وتًوْصِيلُand conveyance
مِنَ المَهَيْمِنِ إبلاغٌ وتًوْصِيلُ
May God's blessings endure upon you, guaranteed
delivery and conveyance by the All-Watching,
ماas long as لاحَappeared ضَوءُthe light of صَباحٍmorning فاشْتَسَرَّthen disappeared بهthrough it
ما لاحَ ضَوءُ صَباحٍ فاشْتَسَرَّ به
مِنَof الكَواكِبِthe stars قِنْدِيلٌa lamp فُقِنْدِيلُthen another lamp
مِنَ الكَواكِبِ قِنْدِيلٌ فُقِنْدِيلُ
as long as morning's light appears and through it
the stars' lamps disappear, one after another.
Partial English translation: 63 of 406 Arabic lines translated.