إلهيmy God عَلَىfor كلِّall الأمورِaffairs لَكَto you الحَمْدُpraise
إلهي عَلَى كلِّ الأمورِ لَكَ الحَمْدُ
فلَيْسَfor there is no لِمَاfor what أَوْلَيْتَyou bestowed مِنْof نِعَمٍblessings حَدُّlimit
فلَيْسَ لِمَا أَوْلَيْتَ مِنْ نِعَمٍ حَدُّ
My God, for all affairs, praise belongs to You.
My God, all praise belongs to You
There is no limit to the blessings You have bestowed.
For the blessings You have bestowed, limitless
لَكَto you belongs الأَمرُthe command مِنْfrom قَبْلbefore الزَّمانِtime وبَعْدَهُand after it
لَكَ الأَمرُ مِنْ قَبْل الزَّمانِ وبَعْدَهُ
وَماand there is not لكَfor you قَبْلٌa before كالزَّمانِas with time وَلاnor بَعْدُan after
وَما لكَ قَبْلٌ كالزَّمانِ وَلا بَعْدُ
Yours is the command before time and after it.
Yours is the command before and after time
Yet You have no before or after as time does.
With neither past nor future for You
وحُكْمكَand your decree ماضٍbinding فيamong الخلائِقِcreatures نَافِذٌeffective
وحُكْمكَ ماضٍ في الخلائِقِ نَافِذٌ
إذاif شئتَyou will أمراًa thing ليسthere is not منfrom كونِهِits occurrence بُدُّany escape
إذا شئتَ أمراً ليس من كونِهِ بُدُّ
Your decree is binding and effective among all creatures.
Your decree rules creation, prevailing
When You will a thing, its coming to be is inevitable.
If You will a thing, it comes into being
تُضلُّyou lead astray وتهديand guide منْwhomever تشَاءُyou will منَamong الوَرَىcreatures
تُضلُّ وتهدي منْ تشَاءُ منَ الوَرَى
وماand not بِيدin the hand of الإِنْسَانman غَيٌّerror ولاnor رُشْدُright guidance
وما بِيد الإِنْسَان غَيٌّ ولا رُشْدُ
You lead astray and guide whomever You will among creation.
You lead astray and guide whom You please
Neither error nor right guidance lies in man's hands.
Humans have no control, only confusion or guidance
دَعُواleave off مَعْشَرَO company of الضُلَّالِthe misguided عَنَّاfrom us حديثكمyour discourse
دَعُوا مَعْشَرَ الضُلَّالِ عَنَّا حديثكم
فلاfor no خَطَأٌunintentional error مِنهُin it يُجابُis answered وَلاnor عَمْدُintentional error
فلا خَطَأٌ مِنهُ يُجابُ وَلا عَمْدُ
Spare us your discourse, company of the misguided.
Stay away, misguided flock, with your talk
No mistaken word of it is answered, nor any deliberate one.
For no excuse of theirs will be accepted or intended
فلوfor if أنكمyou were خَلْقٌcreatures كَريمٌnoble مُسِخْتُمyou would be transformed
فلو أنكم خَلْقٌ كَريمٌ مُسِخْتُم
بقَوْلِكُمby your speech لكنbut بمَنْinto what يُمْسَخُis transformed القِرْدُthe ape
بقَوْلِكُم لكن بمَنْ يُمْسَخُ القِرْدُ
Had you been noble creatures, you would have been transformed
If you were an honored race transformed
by your speech—but into what can an ape be transformed?
It would be the ape transformed, not the dignified
أتانَاreached us حديثٌa report ماnot كَرهْنَاwe disliked بِمِثلِهِwith its like
أتانَا حديثٌ ما كَرهْنَا بِمِثلِهِ
لكُمْfor you فِتْنَةًa trial فيهاin which لِمِثلِكُمُfor your kind حَصْدُreaping
لكُمْ فِتْنَةً فيها لِمِثلِكُمُ حَصْدُ
News reached us; we would not object to its like
Words came to us we disliked hearing
as a trial for you, in which your kind are reaped.
Temptation for the likes of you, with harvest for your kind
غَنِيتُمُyou had no need عَنِof التأْويلِinterpretation فيهin it بظاهرٍthrough a plain meaning
غَنِيتُمُ عَنِ التأْويلِ فيه بظاهرٍ
وَمَنْand whoever تَرَكَabandoned الصَّمْصامَthe keen sword لمdid not يُغْنِهِavail him الغِمْدُthe sheath
وَمَنْ تَرَكَ الصَّمْصامَ لم يُغْنِهِ الغِمْدُ
Its plain meaning spared you any need for interpretation.
Satisfied with the apparent meaning, not interpretation
Whoever abandons the keen sword gains nothing from its sheath.
One who abandons the sword will not be helped by the scabbard
وَأَعْشَىand dazzled ضياءُthe light of الحقِّtruth ضَعْفَthe frailty of عُقُولِكمyour minds
وَأَعْشَى ضياءُ الحقِّ ضَعْفَ عُقُولِكم
وشمسُand the sun of الضُّحَىforenoon تَعْشَىare dazzled بهاby it الأَعْيُنُthe eyes الرُّمْدُinflamed
وشمسُ الضُّحَى تَعْشَى بها الأَعْيُنُ الرُّمْدُ
The light of truth has dazzled your feeble minds.
The light of truth blinded your weak minds
Inflamed eyes are dazzled by the forenoon sun.
The dawn sun blinds bleary eyes
ولَنْand never تُدْرِكُواwill you attain بالجَهْلِthrough ignorance رُشْداًright guidance وَإِنماand only
ولَنْ تُدْرِكُوا بالجَهْلِ رُشْداً وَإِنما
يُفَرِّقُdistinguishes بَينَbetween الزَّيْفِthe counterfeit وَالجَيِّدand the sound النَّقْدُtesting
يُفَرِّقُ بَينَ الزَّيْفِ وَالجَيِّد النَّقْدُ
You will never attain right guidance through ignorance; only
You will never attain guidance through ignorance
testing distinguishes the counterfeit from the sound.
Only discernment distinguishes the genuine from the counterfeit
وُعِظْتُمْyou were admonished فَزِدْتُمْbut you increased بالمواعِظِthrough admonitions قَسْوَةًin hardness
وُعِظْتُمْ فَزِدْتُمْ بالمواعِظِ قَسْوَةً
وَلَيسَand not يُفيدُavails القدحُstriking sparks إِنif أصلَدَfails to spark الزَّندُthe firestick
وَلَيسَ يُفيدُ القدحُ إِن أصلَدَ الزَّندُ
You were admonished, but admonitions only increased your hardness.
You were admonished but grew harder
Striking is useless when the firestick yields no spark.
A flask is useless when the clay is cracked
وماand not ليَّنَتsoftened نارُthe fire of الحجازِthe Hijaz قُلوبَكُمyour hearts
وما ليَّنَت نارُ الحجازِ قُلوبَكُم
وَقدthough ذابَmelted مِنْfrom حرٍّheat بهاin it الحَجَرُthe stone الصَّلْدُhard
وَقد ذابَ مِنْ حرٍّ بها الحَجَرُ الصَّلْدُ
The fire of the Hijaz did not soften your hearts,
The fire of Hijaz did not soften your hearts
though hard stone melted in its heat.
Though from its heat even solid rock melted
وَماand not هِيَit إلاexcept عينُthe very essence of نَارِfire of جَهنَّمٍHell
وَما هِيَ إلا عينُ نَارِ جَهنَّمٍ
تَرَدَّدَalternated مِنْfrom أَنفاسِهاits breaths الحرُّheat وَالبَرْدُand cold
تَرَدَّدَ مِنْ أَنفاسِها الحرُّ وَالبَرْدُ
It is nothing but the very fire of Hell.
It was but a spark of Hell's fire
From its breaths came heat and cold in turn.
Bringing waves of heat and cold
أتَتْit came بِشُوَاظٍwith a blaze مُكْفَهِرٍّdark and lowering نُحَاسُهits smoke
أتَتْ بِشُوَاظٍ مُكْفَهِرٍّ نُحَاسُه
فلُوِّحَso was scorched منهاby it للضُّحَىof the forenoon والدُّجَىand the darkness جِلْدُa skin
فلُوِّحَ منها للضُّحَى والدُّجَى جِلْدُ
It came with a blaze whose smoke was dark and lowering.
It laid waste whatever it passed
By it the skin of daylight and darkness was scorched.
Like a storm that cannot be repelled
فماso whatever اسْوَدَّturned black مِنْof لَيْلٍnight غَدَاbecame وَهوwhile it was أبيَضٌwhite
فما اسْوَدَّ مِنْ لَيْلٍ غَدَا وَهو أبيَضٌ
وَماand whatever ابيضَّturned white مِنْof صُبْحٍdawn غَداbecame وَهْوَwhile it was مُسْوَدُّblackened
وَما ابيضَّ مِنْ صُبْحٍ غَدا وَهْوَ مُسْوَدُّ
What had blackened in the night became white,
It hurled boulders skyward as if
and what dawn had whitened became black.
In its depths it raged against the sky in anger or spite
تُدَمِّرُit destroys ماwhatever تأتيit comes عليهupon it كعاصفٍlike a tempest
تُدَمِّرُ ما تأتي عليه كعاصفٍ
منof الرِّيحِwind ماnot إنْat all يُسْتَطَاعُis possible لهُagainst it رَدُّa repulse
من الرِّيحِ ما إنْ يُسْتَطَاعُ لهُ رَدُّ
It destroys whatever it encounters, like a tempest
The people of Busra saw it as if
of wind that cannot be driven back.
It were Basra with the tides of flood and ebb
تَمُرُّit passes عَلَىover الأرضthe earth الشديدextreme اختلافُهاits variation
تَمُرُّ عَلَى الأرض الشديد اختلافُها
فَتُنْجِدُso it raises غَوْراًa lowland أوْor يغورُsinks low بهاthrough it نَجْدُa highland
فَتُنْجِدُ غَوْراً أوْ يغورُ بها نَجْدُ
It sweeps over earth whose contours vary steeply,
It lit the distant hillside for its people
turning lowlands to highlands, or sinking highlands low.
With the undulating necks of camels, though night had darkened
وَتَرْمِيand hurls إلىinto الجوِّthe air الصُّخورَthe rocks كأنّماas though
وَتَرْمِي إلى الجوِّ الصُّخورَ كأنّما
بِبَاطِنِهَاwithin it غيظٌanger علىagainst الجَوِّthe air أَوْor حِقْدُrancor
بِبَاطِنِهَا غيظٌ على الجَوِّ أَوْ حِقْدُ
It hurls rocks into the air, as though
Signs pointed that the city was its destination
within it were anger against the air, or rancor.
Its intent was clear, no doubt remained
وَتَخْشَىand fear بيوتُthe temples of النارِfire حَرَّthe heat of دُخانِهاits smoke
وَتَخْشَى بيوتُ النارِ حَرَّ دُخانِها
وَيَزْدَادُand increase طُغياناًin rebellion بهاthrough it الفُرسُthe Persians والهِندُand the Indians
وَيَزْدَادُ طُغياناً بها الفُرسُ والهِندُ
Fire-temples fear the heat of its smoke,
Fear and anguish alternately
and Persians and Indians grow more rebellious through it.
Gripped the people as it came and went
فلوfor if قَرُبَتْit drew near مِنْto سَدِّthe barrier of يأْجُوجَYa'juj بَعْدَمَاafter
فلو قَرُبَتْ مِنْ سَدِّ يأْجُوجَ بَعْدَمَا
بَنَىbuilt منهof it ذُوthe possessor of القَرْنَيْنِthe two horns دُكَّwould be demolished بهاby it السَّدُّthe barrier
بَنَى منه ذُو القَرْنَيْنِ دُكَّ بها السَّدُّ
Had it approached the barrier of Ya'juj, after
When they sought refuge with the Chosen One
Dhu al-Qarnayn had built it, the barrier would have been crushed by it.
And stood in his precincts, command over people was severe
وَلَمَّاand when أَساءَviolated الناسُthe people جِيرةَthe neighborly bond with رَبِّهمْtheir Lord
وَلَمَّا أَساءَ الناسُ جِيرةَ رَبِّهمْ
وَلَمْand not يَرْعَهَاrespected it منهمamong them رئيسٌa chief وَلاnor وَغْدُa lowly man
وَلَمْ يَرْعَهَا منهم رئيسٌ وَلا وَغْدُ
When people violated their neighborly bond with their Lord,
They came with an appeal that is never refused
and neither chief nor lowly man respected it,
None but him could drive back that terror
أَراهمhe showed them مَقاماًa place ليسَnot يُرْعَىis honored لِجَارِهِfor its neighbor
أَراهم مَقاماً ليسَ يُرْعَى لِجَارِهِ
ذِمَامٌprotection وَلَمْand not يُحْفَظْis preserved لِساكِنِهِfor its inhabitant عَهْدُa covenant
ذِمَامٌ وَلَمْ يُحْفَظْ لِساكِنِهِ عَهْدُ
He showed them a place where no neighbor's
So the fire was extinguished before which people
protection is honored, nor any inhabitant's covenant preserved:
Stood confused, unable to advance or retreat
مدينةa city of نارٍfire أُحْكِمَتْwere fortified شُرُفاتُهَاits battlements
مدينة نارٍ أُحْكِمَتْ شُرُفاتُهَا
وَأَبْراجُهَاand its towers والسُّورُand the wall إذْwhen أُبْدِعَwas wondrously fashioned الوَقْدُthe blaze
وَأَبْراجُهَا والسُّورُ إذْ أُبْدِعَ الوَقْدُ
a city of fire whose battlements were firmly fashioned,
If after it another fire of turmoil occurs
and its towers and wall, when that wondrous blaze was kindled.
That is no momentous event or return
وَقَدْand indeed أبصرَتْهاsaw it أَهْلُthe people of بُصْرَىBusra كأنماas though
وَقَدْ أبصرَتْها أَهْلُ بُصْرَى كأنما
هِيَit البَصْرَةُBasra الجارِيflowing بهاin it الجَزْرُthe ebb والمَدُّand the flood
هِيَ البَصْرَةُ الجارِي بها الجَزْرُ والمَدُّ
The people of Busra saw it, as though
To God belongs the unseen and the manifest
it were Basra, where ebb and flood flow.
How many wisdoms are hidden, how many revealed
أضاءتْit illuminated عَلَىdespite بُعْدِthe distance of المَزَارِthe place visited لأهلِهاfor its people
أضاءتْ عَلَى بُعْدِ المَزَارِ لأهلِها
مِنَof الإِبِلِthe camels الأعناقُthe necks وَاللَّيْلُwhile the night مُرْبَدُّwas dusky
مِنَ الإِبِلِ الأعناقُ وَاللَّيْلُ مُرْبَدُّ
It lit up for its people, though far away,
Long ago it protected the House from the one with the elephants
the camels' necks, while the night was dusky.
And when al-Hajjaj came it enabled the gift
أشارتْindicated إلىto أنَّthat المدينةَMedina قَصْدُهاwas its aim
أشارتْ إلى أنَّ المدينةَ قَصْدُها
قرائنُsigns منهاfrom it ليسَnot يَخْفَىis concealed بهاthrough them القَصْدُthe intent
قرائنُ منها ليسَ يَخْفَى بها القَصْدُ
That Medina was its aim was indicated
To God belongs the secret that He ransomed
by signs from it that left its purpose plain.
His friend's son with a sacrifice - though had they been given the choice they would not have ransomed
يَرُوحُcomes at evening ويغْدُوand comes at morning كلُّevery هَوْلٍterror وَكُرْبَةٍand distress
يَرُوحُ ويغْدُو كلُّ هَوْلٍ وَكُرْبَةٍ
علىupon الناسِthe people منهاfrom it إذْwhen تَرُوحُit moves at evening وَإذand when تَغْدُوit moves at morning
على الناسِ منها إذْ تَرُوحُ وَإذ تَغْدُو
Every terror and distress came at evening and morning
Do not reject that the inviolable sanctuary
upon the people from it, as it moved at evening and morning.
And its dweller in his pride are need and asceticism
فلمَّاso when التَجَوْاthey sought refuge للمصطفىwith the Chosen One وَتَحَرَّمُواand sought sanctuary
فلمَّا التَجَوْا للمصطفى وَتَحَرَّمُوا
بِسَاحَتِهِin his precinct والأمرُwhile the crisis بالناسِupon the people مُشْتَدُّwas intense
بِسَاحَتِهِ والأمرُ بالناسِ مُشْتَدُّ
When they sought refuge with the Chosen One and sought sanctuary
Much goodness has flowed from it to Taybah
in his precinct, with calamity pressing hard upon the people,
Merely the juicy fruit and ripe dates
أَتَوْاthey brought بِشَفِيعٍan intercessor لاnot يُرَدُّis refused وَلَمْand not يَكُنْwas
أَتَوْا بِشَفِيعٍ لا يُرَدُّ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ
بِخَلْقٍby any creature سوَاهُother than him ذلكthat الهَوْلُterror يَرْتَدُّrepelled
بِخَلْقٍ سوَاهُ ذلك الهَوْلُ يَرْتَدُّ
they brought an intercessor who is never refused; nor could
If embellishments were removed by fire
that terror have been repelled by any creature but him.
That removal and loss did it no harm
فَأُطْفِئَتِso was extinguished النارُthe fire التيwhich وَقَفَstood الوَرَىthe creatures
فَأُطْفِئَتِ النارُ التي وَقَفَ الوَرَى
حَيَارَىbewildered لَدَيْهَاbefore it لمnot يُعيدواthey repeated ولمand not يُبْدُواthey began
حَيَارَى لَدَيْهَا لم يُعيدوا ولم يُبْدُوا
So the fire was extinguished, before which creation stood
For sometimes the beloved grows more precious
bewildered, unable to repeat or begin a thing.
When armor is removed and pearls scattered
فإنْbut if حَدَثَتْarose مِنْfrom بَعْدِهَاafter it نارُa fire of فِرْيَةٍslander
فإنْ حَدَثَتْ مِنْ بَعْدِهَا نارُ فِرْيَةٍ
فماthen not ذلكthat الشيءُthing الفَرِيُّastonishing وَلاnor الإِدُّmonstrous
فما ذلك الشيءُ الفَرِيُّ وَلا الإِدُّ
If afterward a fire of slander arose,
How much beauty was concealed by ornament
that was no astonishing thing, nor any enormity.
How many bodies were covered by clothing
فللَّهِfor to God belong سِرُّthe secrecy of الكائناتِcreated things وجَهْرُهاand their manifest aspect
فللَّهِ سِرُّ الكائناتِ وجَهْرُها
فكمْfor how many حِكمٍwise purposes تَخْفَىlie hidden وَكَمْand how many حِكَمٍwise purposes تَبْدُوappear
فكمْ حِكمٍ تَخْفَى وَكَمْ حِكَمٍ تَبْدُو
To God belong the secrets of created things and their manifest aspects.
Most splendid are bare swords flashing
How much wisdom lies hidden, and how much appears!
Their elegance is the exposed steel and edge
وَقِدماًand long ago حَمَىhe protected مِنْfrom صاحِبِthe master of الفيلِthe elephant بَيْتَهُhis House
وَقِدماً حَمَى مِنْ صاحِبِ الفيلِ بَيْتَهُ
ولمَّاand when أَتىcame الحَجَّاجُal-Hajjaj أَمْكَنَهُhe enabled him الهَدُّdemolition
ولمَّا أَتى الحَجَّاجُ أَمْكَنَهُ الهَدُّ
Long ago He guarded His House from the master of the elephant,
These are but inducements to strengthen
yet when al-Hajjaj came, He enabled him to demolish it.
Yearning for Islam or exalt fervor
وَللَّهِand God has سِرٌّa secret purpose أنْthat فَدَىhe ransomed ابنَthe son of خَلِيلِهِhis intimate friend
وَللَّهِ سِرٌّ أنْ فَدَى ابنَ خَلِيلِهِ
بِذَبْحٍwith a sacrifice وَلَوْand if لَمْnot يَفْدِهِhe ransomed him شُرِعَwould have been ordained الوَأْدُburying alive
بِذَبْحٍ وَلَوْ لَمْ يَفْدِهِ شُرِعَ الوَأْدُ
God has a secret purpose in ransoming His intimate friend's son
For a soil containing the trust and piety
with a sacrifice; had He not ransomed him, burial alive would have been ordained.
Of Ahmad, with dew, merit - there lies the grave
فلاso do not تنْكِرُواdeny أنthat يحْرَمَbe deprived of الحَرَمُthe Sanctuary الغِنَىwealth
فلا تنْكِرُوا أن يحْرَمَ الحَرَمُ الغِنَى
وَساكِنهُand its inhabitant مِنْamong فَخْرِهِhis glories الفَقْرُpoverty وَالزُّهْدُand asceticism
وَساكِنهُ مِنْ فَخْرِهِ الفَقْرُ وَالزُّهْدُ
Do not deny, then, that the Sanctuary may be deprived of wealth,
Of a master never matched by womankind
when its inhabitant counts poverty and asceticism among his glories.
Nor held in any lap, neither before nor since
وقدْand indeed فُدِيَتْwas ransomed مِنْfrom مالِهِits wealth خيرُthe best أُمَّةٍnation
وقدْ فُدِيَتْ مِنْ مالِهِ خيرُ أُمَّةٍ
وَلَوand if خُيِّرواthey were given a choice فيin ذلكَthat الأمرِaffair لَمْnot يَفْدُواthey would pay ransom
وَلَو خُيِّروا في ذلكَ الأمرِ لَمْ يَفْدُوا
The best of nations was ransomed with its wealth,
None ever walked in sandals or trod the earth
though, had they been given the choice, they would not have paid the ransom.
His equal in both worlds, nor ever his match
فَواso oh عَجَباًwhat wonder حتىeven البِقاعُthe places كَرِيمَةٌare noble
فَوا عَجَباً حتى البِقاعُ كَرِيمَةٌ
لهاthey have مثلُthe like of ماwhat للساكِنِthe inhabitant has الجاهُprestige وَالرِّفْدُand bounty
لها مثلُ ما للساكِنِ الجاهُ وَالرِّفْدُ
How wondrous—even places are noble!
No noble line ever suckled one like him
Like their inhabitant, they possess prestige and bounty.
Nor did destriers with docked tails return to him
فإنْso if يَتَضَوَّعwafts منهfrom it طِيبٌfragrance بِطَيْبَةٍin Tayba
فإنْ يَتَضَوَّع منه طِيبٌ بِطَيْبَةٍ
فماthen not هوit إِلَّاexcept المَنْدلُaloeswood الرَّطْبُfresh وَالنَّدُّand blended incense
فما هو إِلَّا المَنْدلُ الرَّطْبُ وَالنَّدُّ
If fragrance wafts from it in Tayba,
A learned, generous man whose knowledge has no superior
it is only fresh aloeswood and blended incense.
Nor is there glory to be sought beyond his glory
وَإنْand if ذَهَبَتْwere carried away بالنارِby fire عنهfrom it زَخَارِفٌadornments
وَإنْ ذَهَبَتْ بالنارِ عنه زَخَارِفٌ
فماthen not ضَرَّهُharmed it منهاof them ذَهابٌdeparture وَلاnor فَقْدُloss
فما ضَرَّهُ منها ذَهابٌ وَلا فَقْدُ
And if fire carries its adornments away,
A guiding prophet who guided with what God gave as mercy to us
their departure and loss do it no harm.
Unattainable by our efforts or toil
أَلاindeed رُبّماsometimes زادَincreased الحَبيبُthe beloved مَلاحَةًin beauty
أَلا رُبّما زادَ الحَبيبُ مَلاحَةً
إذَاwhen شُقَّwas torn عنهfrom him الدِّرْعُthe tunic وَانتَثَرَand scattered العِقْدُthe necklace
إذَا شُقَّ عنه الدِّرْعُ وَانتَثَرَ العِقْدُ
Indeed, sometimes the beloved grows more beautiful
He was given sight until he saw all mysteries
when his tunic is torn away and his necklace scatters.
Past and future were equal to him
وكمand how many سُتِرَتْwere concealed لِلْحُسْنِfor beauty بالحَلْيِby ornaments مِنْof حُلىًbeauties
وكم سُتِرَتْ لِلْحُسْنِ بالحَلْيِ مِنْ حُلىً
وكمand how many جَسَدٍa body غَطَّىconcealed مَحَاسِنَهُits charms البُرْدُthe cloak
وكم جَسَدٍ غَطَّى مَحَاسِنَهُ البُرْدُ
How many beauties have been hidden by ornaments meant to beautify,
He saw what was behind him while facing forward
and how many bodies have had their charms concealed by a cloak!
Awake and asleep were the same to him
وَأهْيَبُand most awe-inspiring ماwhen يُلْقَىis encountered الحُسامُthe sword مُجَرَّداًunsheathed
وَأهْيَبُ ما يُلْقَى الحُسامُ مُجَرَّداً
وَرَوْنقُهُand its splendor أَنْis that يظْهَرَbe revealed الصَّفْحُthe blade's flat وَالحدُّand the edge
وَرَوْنقُهُ أَنْ يظْهَرَ الصَّفْحُ وَالحدُّ
A sword is most awe-inspiring when encountered unsheathed.
O night of ascension when God honored His servant
Its splendor lies in its flat and edge being revealed.
Granting him what no servant hopes for
وَماand not تلكَthose لِلإِسْلامِfor Islam إِلَّاexcept بَواعِثٌincentives
وَما تلكَ لِلإِسْلامِ إِلَّا بَواعِثٌ
علىto أنْthat يجِلَّgrow greater الشَّوْقُlonging أوْor يَعْظُمَgrow immense الوَجْدُardent love
على أنْ يجِلَّ الشَّوْقُ أوْ يَعْظُمَ الوَجْدُ
For Islam, these things are only incentives
Loyalty, promise, affection, proximity,
to greater yearning or deeper ardent love
Neither far nor near, joining and no separation
إلىtoward تُرْبَةٍsoil ضَمَّenclosed الأَمانَةَtrustworthiness وَالتُّقَىand piety
إلى تُرْبَةٍ ضَمَّ الأَمانَةَ وَالتُّقَى
بهاin it وَالنَّدَىand generosity وَالفضْلَand excellence مِنْof أَحْمَدٍAhmad لَحْدُa grave
بها وَالنَّدَى وَالفضْلَ مِنْ أَحْمَدٍ لَحْدُ
for soil that holds trustworthiness and piety,
He brought them clear proofs whose arguments shone
and Ahmad's generosity and excellence, within a grave.
Like the sun, concealed by no denial
إلىtoward سَيِّدٍa master لمnot تأْتِbore أُنْثَىa female بِمِثْلِهِhis like
إلى سَيِّدٍ لم تأْتِ أُنْثَى بِمِثْلِهِ
وَلاand not ضَمَّembraced حِجْرٌa lap مِثْلُهُhis like لاno وَلاnor مَهْدُa cradle
وَلا ضَمَّ حِجْرٌ مِثْلُهُ لا وَلا مَهْدُ
For a master whose like no woman has borne,
A mention whose eloquent words match its meaning
whose like no lap has held—no, nor any cradle.
Resembling rose water in its scent and roses
وَلَمْand not يمشِwalked فيin نَعْلٍa sandal وَلاnor وَطِئَtrod الثَّرَىthe earth
وَلَمْ يمشِ في نَعْلٍ وَلا وَطِئَ الثَّرَى
شَبِيهٌa likeness لَهُto him فيamong العالَمِينَall creatures وَلاnor ندُّa peer
شَبِيهٌ لَهُ في العالَمِينَ وَلا ندُّ
Nor has there walked in sandals or trodden the earth
Its verses are perfected and resemble one another
anyone like him in all the worlds, or any peer.
Both novice and master have a share
وَلَمْand not تَخِدِstrode الكومُthe high-humped camels العتاقُnoble-bred بمثلِهِwith his like
وَلَمْ تَخِدِ الكومُ العتاقُ بمثلِهِ
وَلاnor عَدَتِgalloped الخَيْلُthe horses المَسَوَّمَةُmarked الجُرْدُsleek
وَلا عَدَتِ الخَيْلُ المَسَوَّمَةُ الجُرْدُ
Nor have noble, high-humped camels strode with his like,
Though in it like stars there are abrogations
nor marked, sleek horses galloped with his like.
Its rising and setting are prosperity
عَلِيمٌlearned كريمُnoble of الخِيمِnature ماnot فوقَabove عِلْمِهِhis knowledge
عَلِيمٌ كريمُ الخِيمِ ما فوقَ عِلْمِهِ
وَلاnor مَجْدِهِhis glory عِلْمٌknowledge يُرَامُis sought وَلاnor مَجْدُglory
وَلا مَجْدِهِ عِلْمٌ يُرَامُ وَلا مَجْدُ
Learned, noble in nature: above his knowledge
If every idea falls short of its merit
or his glory there is no knowledge or glory to aspire to.
No hand stretches to reach the brilliant stars
نبيُّa prophet of هُدىًguidance أَهْدَىbestowed بهthrough him اللَّهُGod رَحْمَةًa mercy
نبيُّ هُدىً أَهْدَى به اللَّهُ رَحْمَةً
لناupon us لَمْnot يَنَلْهَاattained it السَّعْيُstriving منَّاby us وَلاnor الْكَدُّtoil
لنا لَمْ يَنَلْهَا السَّعْيُ منَّا وَلا الْكَدُّ
A prophet of guidance, through whom God bestowed a mercy
When they were blind to it and blocked their hearing
upon us that neither our striving nor toil could attain.
He showed them swords flashing like lightning, horses thundering
وبَصَّرَهُand gave him insight حتىuntil رأىhe saw كلَّevery غائبٍhidden thing
وبَصَّرَهُ حتى رأى كلَّ غائبٍ
وصارand became سواءًequal عندهُfor him القُرْبُnearness وَالبُعْدُand distance
وصار سواءً عندهُ القُرْبُ وَالبُعْدُ
He granted him insight until he saw every hidden thing,
Those who did not incline gently toward truth
and nearness and distance became the same to him.
Were cloven by the sharp sword that slices smoothly
وحتىand until رأَىhe saw ماwhat خَلْفَهُwas behind him وَهوwhile he مُقْبِلٌwas facing forward
وحتى رأَى ما خَلْفَهُ وَهو مُقْبِلٌ
بِقَلْبٍwith a heart تساوَىwere equal عندهُfor it النَّومُsleep والسُّهْدُand wakefulness
بِقَلْبٍ تساوَى عندهُ النَّومُ والسُّهْدُ
Until he saw what lay behind him while facing forward,
Trustworthy ones of Islam who if they promise, fulfill
with a heart for which sleep and wakefulness were alike.
If asked, guide, if sought, are found
فياso O لَيْلَةnight when أَسْرَىtook on a night journey الإِلهُGod بِعَبْدِهِwith his servant
فيا لَيْلَة أَسْرَى الإِلهُ بِعَبْدِهِ
لقدsurely نالَattained فيهin it ماwhat يُؤَمّلهُhopes for العَبْدُthe servant
لقد نالَ فيه ما يُؤَمّلهُ العَبْدُ
O night when God took His servant on the night journey!
As for the abode of truth in them, it is
In it the servant surely attained what he hoped for.
Their word, criticism, assault and promise
وفاءٌfulfillment وَلاand no وعْدٌpromise وَوُدٌّand love ولاand no قِلىًaversion
وفاءٌ وَلا وعْدٌ وَوُدٌّ ولا قِلىً
وقُرْبٌand nearness ولاand no بُعْدٌdistance ووصْلٌand union وَلاand no صَدُّrejection
وقُرْبٌ ولا بُعْدٌ ووصْلٌ وَلا صَدُّ
Fulfillment, not mere promises; love, not aversion;
When they arm, their coats of mail are
nearness, not distance; union, not rejection.
Hearts that inspire awe in the heat of their valor
وجاءهُمand he brought them بالبيِّنَاتِclear signs التيwhich بَدَتْappeared
وجاءهُم بالبيِّنَاتِ التي بَدَتْ
براهنهاtheir proofs كالشَّمسِlike the sun لَمْnot يُخْفِهاconcealed them الجَحْدُdenial
براهنها كالشَّمسِ لَمْ يُخْفِها الجَحْدُ
He brought them clear signs, with manifest
Every science and excellence in them arouses
proofs like the sun, which denial could not hide.
Your admiration - both the gray hair and the youth
وذِكْرٍand a Revelation حَكَىmirrored معْناهits meaning فيin الحُسْنِbeauty لَفْظُهُits wording
وذِكْرٍ حَكَى معْناه في الحُسْنِ لَفْظُهُ
ويُشْبِهُand resembles ماءَwater of الورْدِroses فيin طِيبِهِits fragrance الورْدُthe rose
ويُشْبِهُ ماءَ الورْدِ في طِيبِهِ الورْدُ
And a Revelation whose wording mirrored its meaning in beauty;
As for their sacrifice in their struggle
the rose resembles rosewater in fragrance.
Themselves, wealth, loyalty, and praise
وقدand indeed أُحْكِمَتْwere perfected آياتُهُits verses وتشابَهَتْand were mutually alike
وقد أُحْكِمَتْ آياتُهُ وتشابَهَتْ
فَلِلْمُبْتَدِيso the beginner has وِرْدٌa draught وَلِلْمُنْتَهِيand the adept has وِرْدُa draught
فَلِلْمُبْتَدِي وِرْدٌ وَلِلْمُنْتَهِي وِرْدُ
Its verses are firmly fashioned and mutually harmonious.
God bless the truthful one of the Prophet
The beginner has a draught, and the adept a draught.
Whose virtues cannot be fathomed or limited
وإنْand if كانَthere was فيهاamong them كالنُّجومِlike the stars تَناسخٌabrogation
وإنْ كانَ فيها كالنُّجومِ تَناسخٌ
فطالِعُهَاthen their rising سَعْدٌis auspicious وغاربُهاand their setting سعْدُis auspicious
فطالِعُهَا سَعْدٌ وغاربُها سعْدُ
Though, like stars, they may supersede one another,
If through his cloak's stitches he is glimpsed
their rising is auspicious, and their setting auspicious.
The unique scholar's emblem shines alone
وَإنْand if قَصُرتْfell short عَنْof شَأْوِهَاtheir reach كلُّevery فِكْرَةٍthought
وَإنْ قَصُرتْ عَنْ شَأْوِهَا كلُّ فِكْرَةٍ
فَلَيْسَتْthen no يَدٌhand للأنْجُمِtoward the stars الزُّهْرِradiant تَمْتَدُّcan reach
فَلَيْسَتْ يَدٌ للأنْجُمِ الزُّهْرِ تَمْتَدُّ
Though every thought falls short of their reach,
One who did not fear any critic's censure for God
no hand can stretch to the radiant stars.
Nor was wearied by justice, limits or law
فلمَّاso when عَمُواthey were blind عنهاto them وصَمُّواand were deaf أَراهُمhe showed them
فلمَّا عَمُوا عنها وصَمُّوا أَراهُم
سُيوفاًswords لهاthat have بَرْقٌlightning وَخَيْلاًand horses لهاthat have رَعْدُthunder
سُيوفاً لها بَرْقٌ وَخَيْلاً لها رَعْدُ
When they became blind and deaf to them, he showed them
Nor was concerned, for God, to kill his brother
swords with lightning, and horses with thunder.
Yes, thus for God - so let him be bold
وَمَنْand whoever لَمْnot يَلِنْsoftened منهُof him إلىtoward الحَقِّtruth جانِبٌa side
وَمَنْ لَمْ يَلِنْ منهُ إلى الحَقِّ جانِبٌ
بِقَولٍby speech أَلانَتْsoftened جَانِبَيهِhis two sides القَناthe spears المُلْدُsupple
بِقَولٍ أَلانَتْ جَانِبَيهِ القَنا المُلْدُ
Whoever's disposition would not soften toward the truth
A war hero, the scholar, the forbearing, the wise
through words had both his sides softened by supple spears.
Ali, whose ancestry matches the Prophet's ancestry
وقدand sometimes يُعْجِزُdefeats الدَّاءُthe disease الدَّواءَthe medicine مِنin امرِئٍa man
وقد يُعْجِزُ الدَّاءُ الدَّواءَ مِن امرِئٍ
وَيَشْفِيهِand cures him مِنْof داءٍa disease بهin him الكيُّcautery والفَصْدُand bloodletting
وَيَشْفِيهِ مِنْ داءٍ به الكيُّ والفَصْدُ
A man's disease may defeat medicine,
He who of the best of people was most virtuous through him
yet cautery and bloodletting cure the sickness in him.
As Aaron was to Moses - that is your ancestry
فَغَالَبَهمْso overcame them قَوْمٌa people كَأَنَّas though سِلاحَهُمْtheir weapons
فَغَالَبَهمْ قَوْمٌ كَأَنَّ سِلاحَهُمْ
نُيُوبٌfangs وَأظْفَارٌand claws لهُمْof their own فَهُمُso they أُسْدُare lions
نُيُوبٌ وَأظْفَارٌ لهُمْ فَهُمُ أُسْدُ
Then a people overcame them, as though their weapons
When the hand of calamity pinched his mantle
were their own fangs and claws, and they were lions.
You imagined calamity had no weapon left
ثِقاتٌtrustworthy men مِنَof الإِسلامِIslam إنْif يَعِدُواthey promise يَفُواthey fulfill
ثِقاتٌ مِنَ الإِسلامِ إنْ يَعِدُوا يَفُوا
وإنْand if يُسْأَلُواthey are asked يُهْدُواthey give gifts وإنْand if يُقْصَدُواthey are approached يُجْدُواthey give generously
وإنْ يُسْأَلُوا يُهْدُوا وإنْ يُقْصَدُوا يُجْدُوا
Trustworthy men of Islam: when they promise, they fulfill;
If its mouths were silent from his valor
when asked, they give gifts; when approached, they bestow bounty.
They informed you, though silent, that their mouths were pearls
وَأَمَّاand as for مَكانُthe place of الصِّدقِtruthfulness منهمamong them فإنّهit is indeed
وَأَمَّا مَكانُ الصِّدقِ منهم فإنّه
مقالُهُمtheir speech وَالطَّعْنُand thrusting والضَّرْبُand striking والوعدُand promises
مقالُهُم وَالطَّعْنُ والضَّرْبُ والوعدُ
As for the place of truthfulness among them, it is
His swords strike his opponents' cheeks while his sword
in their words, their thrusts, their blows, and their promises.
When you compare them, the lion and the rose are the same
إذاwhen درَعُواthey don armor كانتْbecome عُيُونُthe rings of دُرُوعِهِمtheir mail
إذا درَعُوا كانتْ عُيُونُ دُرُوعِهِم
قلوباًhearts لهاthat have فيin الرَّوْعِterror مِنْfrom بَأْسِهِمْtheir valor سَرْدُinterlinking
قلوباً لها في الرَّوْعِ مِنْ بَأْسِهِمْ سَرْدُ
When they don armor, the rings of their mail become
My love for you, House of the Prophet, is a friendship
hearts, linked in the hour of terror by their valor.
Through which you captured my heart - it is yours
يَشُوقُكَmakes you yearn منهمamong them كلُّevery عِلْمٍknowledge وَنَجْدَةٍand valor
يَشُوقُكَ منهم كلُّ عِلْمٍ وَنَجْدَةٍ
تَحَلَّتْare adorned بِكلٍّwith each مِنهُماof the two الشِّيبُthe gray-haired وَالمُرْدُand the beardless youths
تَحَلَّتْ بِكلٍّ مِنهُما الشِّيبُ وَالمُرْدُ
All their knowledge and valor stir your longing.
Though remembering your afflictions
Both adorn the gray-haired and the beardless youths.
Renews my anguish, however long ago
بهاليلnoble men أمَّاas for بَذْلُهُمْtheir giving فِيin جِهادِهمْtheir struggle
بهاليل أمَّا بَذْلُهُمْ فِي جِهادِهمْ
فأنْفُسُهُمthen their lives وَالمالُand wealth والنُّصْحُand sincere counsel وَالْحَمْدُand praise
فأنْفُسُهُم وَالمالُ والنُّصْحُ وَالْحَمْدُ
Noble men—as for what they give in their struggle,
A people opposed you and were prosperous
it is their lives, their wealth, sincere counsel, and praise.
While you triumphed - their home is the world, yours is eternity
فللَّهِso God be praised for صِدِّيقُthe utterly truthful friend of النبيِّthe Prophet الَّذيwho لهُhas
فللَّهِ صِدِّيقُ النبيِّ الَّذي لهُ
فضائلُvirtues لمْnot يُدْرَكْcan be reached بِعَدٍّby counting لهاfor them حَدُّa limit
فضائلُ لمْ يُدْرَكْ بِعَدٍّ لها حَدُّ
God be praised for the Prophet's Siddiq, whose
Can you hope for love from the sons of Hind
virtues have no limit that counting can reach.
When she suckled them on her hateful breast?
فإنْso if يَتَخَلَّلْhe pins together بالعباءَةِhis cloak إنهhe is indeed
فإنْ يَتَخَلَّلْ بالعباءَةِ إنه
بذلكthrough that فيin خُلَّاتِهِhis qualities العَلَمُthe exemplar الفَرْدُpeerless
بذلك في خُلَّاتِهِ العَلَمُ الفَرْدُ
If he pins his cloak together, he is
So the Merciful did not accept their excuses
by that very act a peerless exemplar in his virtues.
They persist and do not desist
ومَنْand he who لَمْnot يَخَفْfeared فيfor اللَّهِGod لَوْمَةَthe reproach of لائِمٍa reproacher
ومَنْ لَمْ يَخَفْ في اللَّهِ لَوْمَةَ لائِمٍ
وَلَمْand not يُعْيِهِwearied him قِسْطٌjustice يُقامُbeing upheld وَلاnor حَدُّa prescribed penalty
وَلَمْ يُعْيِهِ قِسْطٌ يُقامُ وَلا حَدُّ
And he who feared no reproacher's reproach for God's sake,
Messenger of God, convey my excuse
whom neither upholding justice nor enforcing a penalty wearied,
For in praising you my words soften and grow firm
وَلاnor راعَهُalarmed him فيfor اللَّهِGod قَتْلُthe killing of شَقِيقِهِhis brother
وَلا راعَهُ في اللَّهِ قَتْلُ شَقِيقِهِ
ألاindeed هكذاthus فيfor اللَّهِGod فلْيَكُنlet there be الجَلْدُsteadfastness
ألا هكذا في اللَّهِ فلْيَكُن الجَلْدُ
nor did his brother's killing for God's sake alarm him:
If my words go astray toward others, lost
let steadfastness for God's sake be like this!
I will not persist in such speech or repeat it
ومنْand he who جَمَعَgathered القرآنَthe Qur'an فاجْتَمَعَتْso gathered بهin him
ومنْ جَمَعَ القرآنَ فاجْتَمَعَتْ به
فضائلُvirtues منهُfrom him مِثْلَlike مَاhow اجْتَمَعَgathered الزُّبْدُbutter
فضائلُ منهُ مِثْلَ مَا اجْتَمَعَ الزُّبْدُ
And he who gathered the Qur'an, so that in him gathered
I inclined toward none but you, neither eye nor side
virtues of his, just as butter comes together.
Except that pliancy and extension displeased me
وجَهَّزَand equipped جَيشاًan army سارmarched فيin وقتa time of عُسْرَةٍhardship
وجَهَّزَ جَيشاً سار في وقت عُسْرَةٍ
تَعَذَّرَwas unobtainable مِنْof قوتٍfood بهin it الصَّاعُthe sa' measure والمُدُّand the mudd measure
تَعَذَّرَ مِنْ قوتٍ به الصَّاعُ والمُدُّ
He equipped an army that marched in a time of hardship,
Shall I distract my spirit from your garden
when neither a sa' nor a mudd of food could be found.
With folly and conceit - neither does folly or conceit sleep or slumber
وَمَنْand he who لَمْnot يُعَفَّرwas dusted كَرَّمَmay honor اللَّهُGod وَجْهَهُhis face
وَمَنْ لَمْ يُعَفَّر كَرَّمَ اللَّهُ وَجْهَهُ
جَبينٌa brow لغيرِfor any but اللَّهِGod منهof his ولاnor خَدُّa cheek
جَبينٌ لغيرِ اللَّهِ منه ولا خَدُّ
And he—may God honor his face—who never bowed in dust
And foolishly call upon others, my masters, besides your House
with brow or cheek before any but God:
When, if granted success, I am but their servant
فَتَىa youth of الحَربِwar شَيخُan elder of العِلْمِknowledge وَالحِلْمِand forbearance وَالحِجَىand wisdom
فَتَى الحَربِ شَيخُ العِلْمِ وَالحِلْمِ وَالحِجَى
عَلِيُّAli الذيwho جَدُّthe grandfather of النبيِّthe Prophet لهُfor him جَدُّis a grandfather
عَلِيُّ الذي جَدُّ النبيِّ لهُ جَدُّ
a youth in war, an elder in knowledge, forbearance, and wisdom,
No companion praised by me pleased Hatim
Ali, who shares the Prophet's grandfather.
Nor did Hind care for my love, or even insects
ومَنand he who كانَwas مِنْto خيرِthe best of الأَنَامِmankind بِفَضلِهِby his excellence
ومَن كانَ مِنْ خيرِ الأَنَامِ بِفَضلِهِ
كهارونَlike Harun مِنto موسَىMusa وذلِكُمُand that الجَدُّis good fortune
كهارونَ مِن موسَى وذلِكُمُ الجَدُّ
And he who, through his excellence, was to the best of mankind
No doe provoked my yearning in the valley of Wajrah
as Harun was to Musa—such is good fortune.
Nor did its fawns arouse my description, asleep in the meadows
إذاwhen غَمَزَتْpressed كَفُّthe hand of الخطوبِcalamities قَناتَهُhis spear-shaft
إذا غَمَزَتْ كَفُّ الخطوبِ قَناتَهُ
تَوَهَّمْتَyou imagined أَنَّthat الخَطْبَcalamity ليسnot لهَit had زَنْدُa forearm
تَوَهَّمْتَ أَنَّ الخَطْبَ ليس لهَ زَنْدُ
When the hand of calamities presses his spear-shaft,
My fine maturation in Taybah - no plain
you imagine calamity has no forearm.
Restrained my tongue from you, neither gorge nor upland
وإنْand if عَجَمَتْtested by biting أَفواهُهاtheir mouths عُودَthe rod of بأْسِهِhis valor
وإنْ عَجَمَتْ أَفواهُها عُودَ بأْسِهِ
أَفادَتْكَtaught you عِلْماًknowledge أنَّthat أَفواهَهاtheir mouths دُرْدُare toothless
أَفادَتْكَ عِلْماً أنَّ أَفواهَها دُرْدُ
If their mouths bite at the rod of his valor,
Grant me, Messenger of God, intimacy of love
they teach you that their mouths are toothless.
Satisfying the eye and slaking the liver
يُوَرِّدُmakes rose-red خَدَّيْهِhis two cheeks الجِلادُcombat وسَيْفَهُand his sword
يُوَرِّدُ خَدَّيْهِ الجِلادُ وسَيْفَهُ
فذَاكَso he إذَاwhen شَبَّهْتَهُyou liken him الأَسَدُthe lion الوَرْدُtawny
فذَاكَ إذَا شَبَّهْتَهُ الأَسَدُ الوَرْدُ
Combat makes his cheeks and his sword rose-red.
I hope proximity to your noble court
If you seek his likeness, he is the tawny lion.
Through gifts of carriages and retinues
وعِنْدِيand I have لكمْfor you آلO family of النبيِّthe Prophet مَوَدَّةٌlove
وعِنْدِي لكمْ آل النبيِّ مَوَدَّةٌ
سَلَبْتُمْyou stole بهاthrough it قلبيmy heart وصارَand came to be لهin it عِنْدُobstinacy
سَلَبْتُمْ بها قلبي وصارَ له عِنْدُ
For you, family of the Prophet, I bear a love
Had I no confidence from you of winning on the promised day
with which you stole my heart, and it became obstinate.
No drink or food would please me even one day
عَلَىdespite أنَّthe fact that تَذْكَارِيmy remembrance لِمَاof what قدْhas أَصابكمbefallen you
عَلَى أنَّ تَذْكَارِي لِمَا قدْ أَصابكم
يُجَدِّدُrenews أَشجانيmy sorrows وإنْeven if قَدُمَgrew old العَهْدُthe time elapsed
يُجَدِّدُ أَشجاني وإنْ قَدُمَ العَهْدُ
Yet my remembrance of what befell you
God bless you with the greetings of one who at dawn
renews my sorrows, however long ago it was.
And dusk comes to you with a delegation and retinue
فِدىًa ransom لكُمfor you قَوْمٌa people شَقُواwere wretched وَسَعِدْتُمُwhile you were blessed
فِدىً لكُم قَوْمٌ شَقُوا وَسَعِدْتُمُ
فدارُهُمُso their abode الدُّنياthis world ودارُكمand your abode الخلدُeternity
فدارُهُمُ الدُّنيا ودارُكم الخلدُ
May those who were wretched be your ransom, while you were blessed.
Lasting as the breaths of life circulating
Their abode is this world, and yours eternity.
To you from God, greetings and reply
أَتَرجونَdo you hope for مِنfrom أَبناءِthe sons of هِندHind مَوَدَّةًlove
أَتَرجونَ مِن أَبناءِ هِند مَوَدَّةً
وَقَدwhen already أَرضَعتهُمsuckled them دَرَّthe milk of بِغضَتِهاher hatred هِندُHind
وَقَد أَرضَعتهُم دَرَّ بِغضَتِها هِندُ
Do you hope for love from the sons of Hind,
when Hind suckled them with the milk of her hatred?
فَلاso may not قَبِلَaccept الرَّحْمنُthe All-Merciful عُذْرَthe excuse of عُداتِكمyour enemies
فَلا قَبِلَ الرَّحْمنُ عُذْرَ عُداتِكم
فإنهمfor they لاnot يَنْتَهُونdesist وإنْeven if رُدُّواare sent back
فإنهم لا يَنْتَهُون وإنْ رُدُّوا
May the All-Merciful never accept your enemies' excuse,
for they will not desist, even if sent back.
إليكَto you رسولَO Messenger of اللَّهِGod عُذْرِيmy excuse فإنَّنيfor I
إليكَ رسولَ اللَّهِ عُذْرِي فإنَّني
بِحُبِّكَthrough love of you فيin قَوْلِيmy speech ألِينُgrow gentle وَأَشْتَدُّand grow stern
بِحُبِّكَ في قَوْلِي ألِينُ وَأَشْتَدُّ
To you, Messenger of God, I offer my excuse: for I
grow gentle and stern in my words through love of you.
فإنْso if ضاعَwas wasted قَوْلِيmy speech فيon سِوَاكَany but you ضلالَةًin error
فإنْ ضاعَ قَوْلِي في سِوَاكَ ضلالَةً
فماthen not أنَاI بالماضيin what is past مِنَof القَوْلِspeech مُعْتَدُّtaking pride
فما أنَا بالماضي مِنَ القَوْلِ مُعْتَدُّ
If my words were wasted in error on someone other than you,
I count those past words for nothing.
وَمَاand not امْتَدَّreached out لِيfor me طَرْفٌa gaze ولاnor لانَsoftened جَانِبٌa side
وَمَا امْتَدَّ لِي طَرْفٌ ولا لانَ جَانِبٌ
لِغَيْرِكَtoward any but you إلاexcept ساءنيdistressed me اللِّينُthe softness والمَدُّand the reaching
لِغَيْرِكَ إلا ساءني اللِّينُ والمَدُّ
Never did my gaze reach out or my manner soften
toward anyone but you without that softness and reaching distressing me.
أأشْغَلُshall I distract عَنْfrom رَيْحَانَتَيْكَyour two sweet basils قَرِيحَتِيmy poetic talent
أأشْغَلُ عَنْ رَيْحَانَتَيْكَ قَرِيحَتِي
بِشيحٍwith wormwood ورَنْدٍand laurel لاmay not نَماgrow الشِّيحُthe wormwood وَالرَّنْدُand the laurel
بِشيحٍ ورَنْدٍ لا نَما الشِّيحُ وَالرَّنْدُ
Should I distract my poetic gift from your two sweet basils
with wormwood and laurel? May neither wormwood nor laurel grow!
وأَدْعُوand call سِفاهاًfoolishly غيرَany but آلِكَyour family سادتيmy masters
وأَدْعُو سِفاهاً غيرَ آلِكَ سادتي
وهلْand am أناI إنْif وُفِّقتُI am guided aright إِلَّاanything but لهُمْto them عَبْدُa servant
وهلْ أنا إنْ وُفِّقتُ إِلَّا لهُمْ عَبْدُ
Should I foolishly call anyone but your family my masters,
when, if guided aright, I am nothing but their servant?
فلاso may not راحَdepart مَعنِيّاًthe subject بِمَدْحِيَof my praise حاتِمٌHatim
فلا راحَ مَعنِيّاً بِمَدْحِيَ حاتِمٌ
ولاnor عُنِيَتْbe the object هندHind بِحبِّيof my love ولاnor دَعْدُDa'd
ولا عُنِيَتْ هند بِحبِّي ولا دَعْدُ
May Hatim never go forth as the subject of my praise,
nor Hind be the object of my love, nor Da'd.
ولاnor هَيَّجَتْstirred شَوْقِيmy longing ظِباءٌgazelles بِوَجْرَةٍat Wajra
ولا هَيَّجَتْ شَوْقِي ظِباءٌ بِوَجْرَةٍ
ولاnor بَعَثَتْroused وصْفِيmy description نَقَانِقُهاits male ostriches الرُّبْدُdusky
ولا بَعَثَتْ وصْفِي نَقَانِقُها الرُّبْدُ
Nor have gazelles at Wajra stirred my longing,
nor its dusky male ostriches called forth my descriptions.
وياand O طِيبَsweetness of تَشْبِيبيmy love-poetry بِطَيْبَةَof Tayba لاmay not ثَنَىturn
ويا طِيبَ تَشْبِيبي بِطَيْبَةَ لا ثَنَى
عِنانَthe rein of لِسانيmy tongue عنكَaway from you غَوْرٌa lowland ولاnor نَجْدُa highland
عِنانَ لِساني عنكَ غَوْرٌ ولا نَجْدُ
How sweet my love-song of Tayba! May nothing turn
my tongue's rein from you—neither lowland nor highland.
فَهَبْso grant لِيto me رسولَO Messenger of اللَّهِGod قُرْبَthe nearness of مَوَدَّةٍlove
فَهَبْ لِي رسولَ اللَّهِ قُرْبَ مَوَدَّةٍ
تَقَرُّis soothed بِهِby it عَيْنٌan eye وتَرْوَىand is quenched بِهِby it كبدُa liver
تَقَرُّ بِهِ عَيْنٌ وتَرْوَى بِهِ كبدُ
Grant me, Messenger of God, a nearness of love
that soothes the eye and quenches the liver's thirst.
وإنيand I لأَرْجوsurely hope أنْthat يُقَرِّبَنيbring me near إِلَىto
وإني لأَرْجو أنْ يُقَرِّبَني إِلَى
جَنَابِكَyour presence إرُقالُthe swift pacing of الرَّكائِبِriding camels والوخْدُand trotting
جَنَابِكَ إرُقالُ الرَّكائِبِ والوخْدُ
I do indeed hope to be brought nearer to
your presence by the riding-camels' swift pacing and trotting.
وَلَولاand were it not for وُثُوقِيmy trust منكَfrom you بالفوزِin triumph فيon غَدٍtomorrow
وَلَولا وُثُوقِي منكَ بالفوزِ في غَدٍ
لماwould not لذَّbe pleasant لِيto me يَوْماًone day شَرابٌa drink ولاnor بَرْدُcoolness
لما لذَّ لِي يَوْماً شَرابٌ ولا بَرْدُ
Were it not for my trust in triumph through you tomorrow,
no drink or coolness would ever have pleased me.
عَلَيْكَupon you صلاةُthe blessing of اللَّهِGod يُضْحِيspends the morning بطيبَةٍin Tayba
عَلَيْكَ صلاةُ اللَّهِ يُضْحِي بطيبَةٍ
لَدَيْكَbefore you بهاwith it وفْدٌa delegation ويُمْسِيand spends the evening بهاwith it وفْدُa delegation
لَدَيْكَ بها وفْدٌ ويُمْسِي بها وفْدُ
God's blessing be upon you! In Tayba each morning,
a delegation bears it before you, and another each evening.
ودامَتْand may endure كأَنْفَاسِlike the breaths of الوَرَىcreatures فيin تَرَدُّدٍrecurrence
ودامَتْ كأَنْفَاسِ الوَرَى في تَرَدُّدٍ
عَلَيْكَupon you مِنَfrom اللَّهِGod التَّحِيَّةُthe greeting والرَّدُّand the reply
عَلَيْكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ التَّحِيَّةُ والرَّدُّ
And may this endure, recurring like the breaths of creation:
God's greeting upon you, and His answering salutation.
Partial English translation: 164 of 194 Arabic lines translated.