هِيَ حالانِ شِدَّةٌ وَرَخاءُ

هِيَ حالانِ شِدَّةٌ وَرَخاءُ

وَسِجالانِ نِعمَةٌ وَبلاءُ

وَسِجالانِ نِعمَةٌ وَبلاءُ

There are two states: hardship and prosperity,

There are two states, hardship and prosperity

Life is but two states: hardship and ease,

and two alternating fortunes: blessing and affliction.

And two contests, blessing and tribulation

And alternating fortunes: blessing and tribulation.

وَالفَتى الحاذِقُ الأَريبُ إِذا ما

وَالفَتى الحاذِقُ الأَريبُ إِذا ما

خانَهُ الدَهرُ لَم يَخُنهُ عَزاءُ

خانَهُ الدَهرُ لَم يَخُنهُ عَزاءُ

And when the skillful, discerning young man

And the wise young man, if fate betrays him

The astute and sagacious man, whenever

is betrayed by time, his fortitude does not fail him.

His dignity will not betray him

Time betrays him, is not betrayed by his fortitude.

إِن أَلَمَّت مُلِمَّةٌ بي فَإِنّي

إِن أَلَمَّت مُلِمَّةٌ بي فَإِنّي

في المُلِمّاتِ صَخرَةٌ صَمّاءُ

في المُلِمّاتِ صَخرَةٌ صَمّاءُ

If a calamity befalls me, then I am

If disaster befalls me, yet I am

If a calamity descends upon me, then truly I,

amid calamities a solid rock,

In disasters a deaf rock

Amidst calamities, am a solid, unyielding rock,

عالِمٌ بِالبَلاءِ عِلماً بَأَن لَي

عالِمٌ بِالبَلاءِ عِلماً بَأَن لَي

سَ يَدومُ النَعيمُ وَالرَخاءُ

سَ يَدومُ النَعيمُ وَالرَخاءُ

well acquainted with affliction, knowing that

Knowing of affliction, I know that never

Well-versed in adversity, knowing with certainty

bliss and prosperity do not endure.

Does bliss and comfort last

That neither bliss nor prosperity shall endure.