أَسَمِعْتَhave you heard شَدْوَsong الطَّائِرِthe bird الْغِرِّيدِmelodious
أَسَمِعْتَ شَدْوَ الطَّائِرِ الْغِرِّيدِ
هَزِجًاsinging merrily يُنَاغِيwarbles to فَجْرَdawn يَوْمِday الْعِيدِEid؟
هَزِجًا يُنَاغِي فَجْرَ يَوْمِ الْعِيدِ؟
Have you heard the melodious bird's song,
Have you heard the warbling of the bird greeting
Singing merrily to the dawn of Eid?
The dawn of Eid with joyous song?
وَبَدَاand appeared عَمُودُshaft الصُّبْحِdawn أَبْيَضَwhite نَاصِعًاradiant
وَبَدَا عَمُودُ الصُّبْحِ أَبْيَضَ نَاصِعًا
كَالسَّلْسَلِlike a gently flowing stream الضَّحْضَاحِshallow فَوْقَover جَلِيدِice
كَالسَّلْسَلِ الضَّحْضَاحِ فَوْقَ جَلِيدِ
And dawn's shaft appeared, radiant white,
The pillar of morning appeared dazzling white
Like a shallow, gently flowing stream over ice,
Like a shimmering necklace upon the neck of a bride,
أَوْor كَالْيَدِlike the hand الْبَيْضَاءِwhite تَنْضَحُdrips بِالنَّدَىwith dew
أَوْ كَالْيَدِ الْبَيْضَاءِ تَنْضَحُ بِالنَّدَى
وَالْغَيْثِand rain، أَوْor جِيدِneck الْعَذَارَىmaidens الْغِيدِgraceful
وَالْغَيْثِ، أَوْ جِيدِ الْعَذَارَى الْغِيدِ
Or like a white hand dripping with dew
Or like a white hand dripping with dew
And rain, or the neck of graceful maidens,
And rain, or the smooth neck of a maiden.
أَوْor كَاقْتِبَالِlike the emergence الْحُسْنِbeauty بَعْدَafter تَحَجُّبٍveiling
أَوْ كَاقْتِبَالِ الْحُسْنِ بَعْدَ تَحَجُّبٍ
أَوْor كَابْتِسَامِlike the smile الدَّلِّcoquetry بَعْدَafter صُدُودِrebuff
أَوْ كَابْتِسَامِ الدَّلِّ بَعْدَ صُدُودِ
Or like beauty coming forth after veiling,
Or like the unveiling of beauty after modesty,
Or like a coy smile after rebuff.
Or the smile of a darling after aloofness.
وَإِذَاand when لَمَحْتَyou glimpse الشَّرْقَthe east خِلْتَyou imagine عَرَائِسًاbrides
وَإِذَا لَمَحْتَ الشَّرْقَ خِلْتَ عَرَائِسًا
مَاسَتْswayed gracefully بِثَوْبٍin a gown كَالشَّبَابِlike youth جَدِيدِfresh
مَاسَتْ بِثَوْبٍ كَالشَّبَابِ جَدِيدِ
And when you glimpse the east, you imagine brides
The blood of youth has wondrous intoxications
Swaying in a gown as fresh as youth,
That the blood of grapes has never attained.
يَرْفُلْنَthey trail their robes فِيin ضَافِيample الضِّيَاءِlight نَوَاعِمًاsoft and fair
يَرْفُلْنَ فِي ضَافِي الضِّيَاءِ نَوَاعِمًا
فِيin سِحْرِenchantment أَنْغَامٍmelodies، وَلِينِand suppleness قُدُودِfigures
فِي سِحْرِ أَنْغَامٍ، وَلِينِ قُدُودِ
Trailing ample robes of light, soft and fair,
Between a drowsy eyelid and another ardent with love,
Amid enchanting melodies and supple figures.
One replete, the other fervent with passion.
وَدَمُand the blood الشَّبَابِyouth لَهُit has رَوَائِعُwonders نَشْوَةٍecstasy
وَدَمُ الشَّبَابِ لَهُ رَوَائِعُ نَشْوَةٍ
مَاnot نَالَهَاattained it يَوْمًاever دَمُblood الْعُنْقُودِthe grape cluster
مَا نَالَهَا يَوْمًا دَمُ الْعُنْقُودِ
Youth's blood has wondrous ecstasies
I bade farewell to the days of youth in throngs
The blood of the grape cluster has never attained,
After time had blown its winds upon my pen.
مَاwhat lies بَيْنَbetween طَرْفٍa gaze بِالْخَدِيعَةِdeceptively نَاعِسٍdrowsy
مَا بَيْنَ طَرْفٍ بِالْخَدِيعَةِ نَاعِسٍ
ثَمِلٍdrunk، وَآخَرَand another فِيin الْهَوَىlove عِرْبِيدِriotous
ثَمِلٍ، وَآخَرَ فِي الْهَوَى عِرْبِيدِ
Between one gaze, deceptively drowsy,
When they cross my mind they are like a sleeping vision,
Drunk, and another riotous in love.
And when they whisper, like the echo of a song.
وَدَّعْتُI bade farewell to أَيَّامَdays الشَّبَابِyouth حَوَافِلًاeventful
وَدَّعْتُ أَيَّامَ الشَّبَابِ حَوَافِلًا
مِنْfrom بَعْدِafter مَاthat عَصَفَbattered الْمَشِيبُgray age بِعُودِيat my stem
مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا عَصَفَ الْمَشِيبُ بِعُودِي
I bade farewell to youth's eventful days,
I yearn for a time as though I yearn
After gray age had battered my stem.
For a star in the distant sky.
فَإِذَاthen when خَطَرْنَthey cross my mind، فَهُنَّthen they are رُؤْيَاa dream نَائِمٍa sleeper
فَإِذَا خَطَرْنَ، فَهُنَّ رُؤْيَا نَائِمٍ
وَإِذَاand when هَمَسْنَthey whisper، فَهُنَّthen they are رَجْعُecho نَشِيدِa song
وَإِذَا هَمَسْنَ، فَهُنَّ رَجْعُ نَشِيدِ
Then, when they cross my mind, they are a sleeper's dream;
And I see life without youth as mirage
And when they whisper, they are a song's echo.
Gleams over the barren plains.
أَرْنُوI gaze إِلَىtoward عَهْدٍan era لهُنَّbelonging to them كَأَنَّمَاas though
أَرْنُو إِلَى عَهْدٍ لهُنَّ كَأَنَّمَا
أَرْنُوI gaze لِنَجْمٍat a star فِيin السَّمَاءِthe sky بَعِيدِdistant
أَرْنُو لِنَجْمٍ فِي السَّمَاءِ بَعِيدِ
I gaze toward their time as though
Youth is the nectar of the flowers of meadows
Gazing at a far-off star in the sky.
And the murmur of gently waving branches.
وَأَرَىand I see الْحَيَاةَlife بِلَاwithout شَبَابٍyouth مِثْلَمَاjust as
وَأَرَى الْحَيَاةَ بِلَا شَبَابٍ مِثْلَمَا
لَمَعَgleamed السَّرَابُthe mirage بِمُقْفِرَاتِin the barren wastes الْبِيدِthe deserts
لَمَعَ السَّرَابُ بِمُقْفِرَاتِ الْبِيدِ
And life without youth seems to me like
It carries hopes in their prime
A mirage gleaming in the desert's barren wastes.
And lights the night of the weary and exhausted.
إِنَّindeed الشَّبَابَyouth رَحِيقُnectar أَزْهَارِflowers الرُّبَاthe hills
إِنَّ الشَّبَابَ رَحِيقُ أَزْهَارِ الرُّبَا
وَحَفِيفُand the rustling غُصْنِbough الْبَانَةِthe ben tree الْأُمْلُودِsupple
وَحَفِيفُ غُصْنِ الْبَانَةِ الْأُمْلُودِ
Youth is the nectar of the hills' flowers,
It is the radiance of the world when it approaches,
And the rustle of the ben tree's supple bough,
And the fulfillment of a promise safe from threats.
وَمَطِيَّةُand the steed الْآمَالِhopes فِيin رَيْعَانِهَاtheir prime
وَمَطِيَّةُ الْآمَالِ فِي رَيْعَانِهَا
وَسِرَاجُand the lamp لَيْلِnight السَّاهِدِthe sleepless one الْمَجْهُودِexhausted
وَسِرَاجُ لَيْلِ السَّاهِدِ الْمَجْهُودِ
The steed of hopes in their prime,
It is the first page in the book of life
And the lamp of the weary, sleepless one's night,
Begun with "In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful".
وَبَشَاشَةُand the bright smile الدُّنْيَاthe world إِذَاwhen مَاemphatic particle أَقْبَلَتْit approaches
وَبَشَاشَةُ الدُّنْيَا إِذَا مَا أَقْبَلَتْ
وَنَجَاةُand the deliverance وَعْدٍa promise مِنْfrom أَكُفِّhands وَعِيدِmenace
وَنَجَاةُ وَعْدٍ مِنْ أَكُفِّ وَعِيدِ
And the world's bright smile when it draws near,
The springtime of life's days has smiled
And a promise's deliverance from the hands of menace.
And its gardens laughed with blooming roses.
هُوَit فِيin كِتَابِthe book الْعُمْرِlife أوَّلُfirst صَفْحَةٍpage
هُوَ فِي كِتَابِ الْعُمْرِ أوَّلُ صَفْحَةٍ
بُدِئَتْwas begun بِبِسْمِwith 'in the name of' اللهِGod وَالتَّحْمِيدِand praise of God
بُدِئَتْ بِبِسْمِ اللهِ وَالتَّحْمِيدِ
It is the first page in the book of life,
Al-Wasm gave it braided locks,
Begun with 'In the name of God' and praise.
And Al-Waly came to it with fragrant basil.
وَرَبِيعُand the springtime أَيَّامِdays الْحَيَاةِlife تَبَسَّمَتْsmiled
وَرَبِيعُ أَيَّامِ الْحَيَاةِ تَبَسَّمَتْ
رَوْضَاتُهُits gardens عَنْrevealing ضَاحِكَاتِlaughing وُرُودِroses
رَوْضَاتُهُ عَنْ ضَاحِكَاتِ وُرُودِ
And the springtime of life's days, when
The breeze fondled eyes
Its gardens smiled, revealing laughing roses.
Of narcissi and smelled of rosy cheeks.
أَهْدَىgave لَهَاto them الْوَسْمِيُّthe first seasonal rain نَسْجَwoven fabric غَلَائِلٍgauzy gowns
أَهْدَى لَهَا الْوَسْمِيُّ نَسْجَ غَلَائِلٍ
وَأَتَىand brought الْوَلِيُّthe following rain لَهَاto them بِوَشْيِwith embroidery بُرُودِstriped mantles
وَأَتَى الْوَلِيُّ لَهَا بِوَشْيِ بُرُودِ
The early rain gave them woven gauzy gowns,
Youth - how long ago was its era!
And the following rain brought them embroidered mantles.
It is like a green oasis in the arid desert,
وَسَرَىand stole through النَّسِيمُthe breeze بِهَاthrough them يُغَازِلُflirts with أَعْيُنًاeyes
وَسَرَى النَّسِيمُ بِهَا يُغَازِلُ أَعْيُنًا
مِنْof نَرْجِسٍnarcissus وَيشَمُّand smells وَرْدَroses خُدُودِcheeks
مِنْ نَرْجِسٍ وَيشَمُّ وَرْدَ خُدُودِ
And the breeze stole through them, flirting with eyes
Finding around it water and shade despite
Of narcissus, and breathing in the roses of cheeks.
The barrenness of drought and merciless harshness.
إِنَّindeed الشَّبَابَyouth، وَمَاand how أُحَيْلَىdelightfully sweet عَهْدَهُits time!
إِنَّ الشَّبَابَ، وَمَا أُحَيْلَى عَهْدَهُ!
كَالْوَاحَةِlike the oasis الْخَضْرَاءِgreen فِيin الصَّيْهُودِthe parched desert
كَالْوَاحَةِ الْخَضْرَاءِ فِي الصَّيْهُودِ
Youth—how delightfully sweet its days!—
I have shed the cloak of youth
Is like a green oasis in a parched desert.
And turned away from the heedlessness of foolishness.
تَلْقَىyou find بِهَاin it مَاءًwater وَظِلًّاand shade حَوْلَهُaround it
تَلْقَى بِهَا مَاءً وَظِلًّا حَوْلَهُ
جَدْبُbarrenness الْجَفَافِdrought وَقَسْوَةُand hardness الْجُلْمُودِrock
جَدْبُ الْجَفَافِ وَقَسْوَةُ الْجُلْمُودِ
There you find water and shade, and around it
I have chosen the ancients as my companions
Drought's barrenness and the hardness of rock.
And made the wise sayings my creed.
إِنِّيindeed I طَرَحْتُcast off مِنَof الشَّبَابِyouth رِدَاءَهُits mantle
إِنِّي طَرَحْتُ مِنَ الشَّبَابِ رِدَاءَهُ
وَثَنَيْتُand I turned عَنْaway from لَهْوِthe play الصَّبَابَةِpassion جِيدِيmy neck
وَثَنَيْتُ عَنْ لَهْوِ الصَّبَابَةِ جِيدِي
I have cast off youth's mantle
I have passed through history filling my eyes
And turned my neck from the play of passion.
With it, and revived through it my existence.
وَاخْتَرْتُand I chose مِنْfrom صُحُفِwritings الْأَوَائِلِthe ancients صَاحِبِيmy companion
وَاخْتَرْتُ مِنْ صُحُفِ الْأَوَائِلِ صَاحِبِي
وَجَعَلْتُand I made مَأْثُورَhanded-down الْبَيَانِeloquence عَقِيدِيmy sworn companion
وَجَعَلْتُ مَأْثُورَ الْبَيَانِ عَقِيدِي
I chose my companion from the writings of the ancients
How many scholars I have met in its pages!
And made time-honored eloquence my sworn companion.
How many conquerors I have reached in its midst!
وَمَرَرْتُand I passed بِالتَّارِيخِthrough history أَمْلَأُI fill نَاظِرِيmy gaze
وَمَرَرْتُ بِالتَّارِيخِ أَمْلَأُ نَاظِرِي
مِنْهُfrom it وَأُحْيِيand I revive بِالْفَنَاءِthrough death وُجُودِيmy existence
مِنْهُ وَأُحْيِي بِالْفَنَاءِ وُجُودِي
And I passed through history, filling my gaze
And if you seek a message from the ages
With it, and through death reviving my existence.
The pages of history are the best missive.
كَمْhow many عَالِمِa scholar ٍقَابَلْتَyou met فِيin صَفَحَاتِهِits pages
كَمْ عَالِمِ ٍقَابَلْتَ فِي صَفَحَاتِهِ
وَلَكَمْand how often ظَفَرْتُI came upon بِفَاتِحٍa conqueror صِنْدِيدِvaliant!
وَلَكَمْ ظَفَرْتُ بِفَاتِحٍ صِنْدِيدِ!
How many a scholar you have met in its pages,
I bend to my pen as if its scratching
And how often I have come upon a valiant conqueror!
In my tired ear were the melody of a lute.
وَإِذَاand if الْتَمَسْتَyou seek مِنَfrom الدُّهُورِthe ages رِسَالَةًa message
وَإِذَا الْتَمَسْتَ مِنَ الدُّهُورِ رِسَالَةً
فَصَحَائِفُthen the pages التَّارِيخِhistory خَيْرُbest بَرِيدِcourier
فَصَحَائِفُ التَّارِيخِ خَيْرُ بَرِيدِ
And if you seek a message from the ages,
And I live in a world of imagination
History's pages are the finest courier.
To regain what is lost and gone.
أَحْنُوI bend lovingly إِلَىtoward قَلَمِيmy pen كَأَنَّas though صَرِيرَهُits scratching
أَحْنُو إِلَى قَلَمِي كَأَنَّ صَرِيرَهُ
فِيin مِسْمَعِيmy ear الْمَكْدُودِweary رَنَّةُringing عُودِan oud
فِي مِسْمَعِي الْمَكْدُودِ رَنَّةُ عُودِ
I bend lovingly toward my pen, as though its scratch
How many nights I conversed heedlessly with my poetry
In my weary ear were the ringing of an oud.
While the stars watched us jealously with resentful eyes.
وَأَعِيشُand I live فِيin دُنْيَاthe world الْخَيَالِimagination لِأَنَّنِيbecause I
وَأَعِيشُ فِي دُنْيَا الْخَيَالِ لِأَنَّنِي
أَحْظَىI enjoy بِهَاin it بِالْفَائِتِwhat has passed الْمَفْقُودِlost
أَحْظَى بِهَا بِالْفَائِتِ الْمَفْقُودِ
And I live in imagination's world, because I
Sometimes it eludes me and I gaze beseechingly
Enjoy there what has passed and been lost.
Until it softens after aloofness and resentment.
كَمْhow many لَيْلَةٍa night سَامَرْتُI conversed by night with شِعْرِيَmy poetry لَاهِيًاplayfully
كَمْ لَيْلَةٍ سَامَرْتُ شِعْرِيَ لَاهِيًا
وَالنَّجْمُand the star يَلْحَظُنَاwatches us بِعَيْنِwith an eye حَسُودِenvious
وَالنَّجْمُ يَلْحَظُنَا بِعَيْنِ حَسُودِ
How many a night I chatted playfully with my poetry,
And I warble song until it draws near
While the star watched us with an envious eye.
And I attain its last verses with melody.
حِينًاsometimes يُرَاوِغُنِيit eludes me فَأَنْظُرُso I gaze ضَارِعًاbeseechingly
حِينًا يُرَاوِغُنِي فَأَنْظُرُ ضَارِعًا
فَيَلِينُthen it softens بَعْدَafter تَنَكُّرٍestrangement وَجُحُودِand denial
فَيَلِينُ بَعْدَ تَنَكُّرٍ وَجُحُودِ
Sometimes it eludes me, and I gaze beseechingly,
I have cleansed it of all that propriety rejects
Then it softens after estrangement and denial.
And chaste hearing shuns.
وَلَقَدْand indeed أُغَرِّدُI warble بِالْقَرِيضِin verse فَيَنْثَنِيso it turns back
وَلَقَدْ أُغَرِّدُ بِالْقَرِيضِ فَيَنْثَنِي
فَأَنَالُso I reach قَادِمَتَيْهِits two primary wing-feathers بِالتَّغْرِيدِby singing
فَأَنَالُ قَادِمَتَيْهِ بِالتَّغْرِيدِ
And indeed I warble verse, and it turns back,
And I have infused into it treasured experiences -
So with my singing I grasp its two primary wing-feathers.
They are all my wealth and fortune.
طَهَّرْتُهُI purified it مِنْof كُلِّall مَاthat which تَأْبَىrejects النُّهَىreason
طَهَّرْتُهُ مِنْ كُلِّ مَا تَأْبَى النُّهَى
وَيَعَافُهُand abhors it سَمْعُthe hearing الْحِسَانِbeautiful women الْخُودِtender maidens
وَيَعَافُهُ سَمْعُ الْحِسَانِ الْخُودِ
I cleansed it of all that reason rejects
I have made my purpose Egypt and its glory,
And the ears of beautiful, tender maidens abhor.
And the virtues of Al-Farouq the theme of my ode.
وَبَعَثْتُand I infused فِيهِinto it تَجَارِبًاexperiences مَذْخُورَةًstored-up
وَبَعَثْتُ فِيهِ تَجَارِبًا مَذْخُورَةً
هِيَthey are كُلُّall أَمْوَالِيmy wealth وَكُلُّand all رَصِيدِيmy reserves
هِيَ كُلُّ أَمْوَالِي وَكُلُّ رَصِيدِي
And I infused it with stored-up experiences,
A king whose reign was illuminated by Islam
Which are all my wealth and all my reserves.
And who sheltered a pillar of its staunch defender.
وَجَعَلْتُand I made تَشْبِيبِيmy love-song بِمِصْرَabout Egypt وَمَجْدِهَاand her glory
وَجَعَلْتُ تَشْبِيبِي بِمِصْرَ وَمَجْدِهَا
وَشَمَائِلَand the virtues «الْفَارُوقِFarouk» بَيْتَthe chief verse قَصِيدِيmy poem
وَشَمَائِلَ «الْفَارُوقِ» بَيْتَ قَصِيدِي
And I made my love-song about Egypt and her glory,
If the era of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs is gone
And Farouk's virtues the heart of my poem.
In the state of Al-Farouq he saw the best guide.
مَلِكٌa king زَهَاflourished الْإِسْلَامُIslam تَحْتَunder لِوَائِهِhis banner
مَلِكٌ زَهَا الْإِسْلَامُ تَحْتَ لِوَائِهِ
وَأَوَىand took refuge لِرُكْنٍin a bastion مِنْof حِمَاهُhis protection شَدِيدِstrong
وَأَوَى لِرُكْنٍ مِنْ حِمَاهُ شَدِيدِ
A king beneath whose banner Islam flourished
His achievements joined with his great efforts
And took shelter in a strong bastion of his protection.
And jihad in the testimony of the divine unity.
إِنْif فَاتَhas passed عَهْدُthe era الرَّاشِدِينَthe Rightly Guided فَقَدْthen indeed رَأَىit has seen
إِنْ فَاتَ عَهْدُ الرَّاشِدِينَ فَقَدْ رَأَى
فِيin دَوْلَةِthe reign «الْفَارُوقِFarouk» خَيْرَbest رَشِيدِrightly guided ruler
فِي دَوْلَةِ «الْفَارُوقِ» خَيْرَ رَشِيدِ
If the age of the Rightly Guided has passed, it has seen
His mosques listened to the repetition of his name
In Farouk's reign the finest rightly guided ruler.
As if sweetened by the chanting.
قَرَنَتْlinked مَنَابِرُهُhis pulpits جَلَائِلَgreat achievements سَعْيِهِhis striving
قَرَنَتْ مَنَابِرُهُ جَلَائِلَ سَعْيِهِ
وَجِهَادِهِand his struggle بِشَهَادَةِwith the testimony التَّوْحِيدِGod's oneness
وَجِهَادِهِ بِشَهَادَةِ التَّوْحِيدِ
His pulpits linked his glorious endeavors
He who makes faith the rock of his kingdom
And his struggle with the testimony of God's oneness.
Raises the building on the firmest foundation.
وَصَغَتْand listened مَسَاجِدُهُhis mosques لِتَرْدِيدِto the repetition اسْمِهِhis name
وَصَغَتْ مَسَاجِدُهُ لِتَرْدِيدِ اسْمِهِ
فَكَأَنَّمَاso as though يَحْلُوit grows sweeter عَلَىwith التَّرْدِيدِrepetition
فَكَأَنَّمَا يَحْلُو عَلَى التَّرْدِيدِ
And his mosques listened to his name repeated,
How many heroic stands adorned
As though it grew sweeter with repetition.
The glory of kings with awe of the Almighty!
مَنْwhoever يَجْعَلِmakes الْإِيمَانَfaith صَخْرَةَthe rock مُلْكِهِhis rule
مَنْ يَجْعَلِ الْإِيمَانَ صَخْرَةَ مُلْكِهِ
رَفَعَraised الْبِنَاءَthe edifice عَلَىupon أَشَمَّa lofty height وَطِيدِfirmly grounded
رَفَعَ الْبِنَاءَ عَلَى أَشَمَّ وَطِيدِ
Whoever makes faith the rock of his rule
The days prostrated before you when they turned
Has raised his edifice upon a towering, solid foundation.
And saw you rapt between prayers and prostration.
كَمْhow many وَقْفَةٍan occasion of standing لَكَfor you فِيin الْمَحَارِبِprayer niches جَمَّلَتْadorned
كَمْ وَقْفَةٍ لَكَ فِي الْمَحَارِبِ جَمَّلَتْ
عِزَّmajesty الْمُلُوكِkings بِخَشْيَةِwith fear الْمَعْبُودِthe Worshipped One
عِزَّ الْمُلُوكِ بِخَشْيَةِ الْمَعْبُودِ
How often your standing in prayer niches adorned
And Islam looked from its corners
The majesty of kings with fear of the Worshipped One!
Yearning for the shade of your upheld banner.
سَجَدَتْprostrated لَكَto you الْأَيَّامُthe days حِينَwhen تَلَفَّتَتْthey turned
سَجَدَتْ لَكَ الْأَيَّامُ حِينَ تَلَفَّتَتْ
فَرَأَتْكَthen they saw you بَيْنَbetween تَشَهُّدٍthe testimony of faith وَسُجُودِand prostration
فَرَأَتْكَ بَيْنَ تَشَهُّدٍ وَسُجُودِ
The days bowed down to you when they turned
Fasting and its month were blessed with a warrior
And saw you between the testimony of faith and prostration.
Whose being diffused his praised remembrance.
وَتَطَلَّعَand looked forth الْإِسْلَامُIslam فِيin أَمْصَارِهِits cities
وَتَطَلَّعَ الْإِسْلَامُ فِي أَمْصَارِهِ
يَهْفُوlongs لِظِلِّfor the shade لِوَائِكَyour banner الْمَعْقُودِraised
يَهْفُو لِظِلِّ لِوَائِكَ الْمَعْقُودِ
And Islam looked forth throughout its cities,
Its days for good deeds, its nights
Longing for the shade of your raised banner.
For the eternal, dew, and generosity.
سَعِدَrejoiced الصِّيَامُfasting وَشَهْرُهُand its month بِمُجَاهِدٍin a striver
سَعِدَ الصِّيَامُ وَشَهْرُهُ بِمُجَاهِدٍ
عَبِقَgrew fragrant الْوُجُودُexistence بِذِكْرِهِwith his remembrance الْمَحْمُودِpraiseworthy
عَبِقَ الْوُجُودُ بِذِكْرِهِ الْمَحْمُودِ
Fasting and its month rejoiced in a striver
You greeted on radio the first night of Ramadan
Whose praiseworthy remembrance made all existence fragrant.
With words perfectly wise.
فَنَهَارُهُso his day لِلصَّالِحَاتِfor righteous deeds، وَلَيْلُهُand his night
فَنَهَارُهُ لِلصَّالِحَاتِ، وَلَيْلُهُ
لِلْبَاقِيَاتِfor enduring good works وَلِلنَّدَىand for bounty وَالْجُودِand generosity
لِلْبَاقِيَاتِ وَلِلنَّدَى وَالْجُودِ
So his day is for righteous deeds, and his night
You summed up all politics in letters
For enduring good works, for bounty and generosity.
Like a necklace stringing each unique pearl.
حَيَّيْتَyou greeted فِيon الْمِذْيَاعِthe radio أَوَّلَfirst لَيْلَةٍnight
حَيَّيْتَ فِي الْمِذْيَاعِ أَوَّلَ لَيْلَةٍ
مِنْهُof it بِقَوْلٍwith a speech مُحْكَمِperfectly precise التَّسْدِيدِaim
مِنْهُ بِقَوْلٍ مُحْكَمِ التَّسْدِيدِ
Over the radio you greeted the first night
And like a drop of perfume that gathered
Of the month with a speech perfectly aimed.
The light of depths and bloom of tender buds.
جَمَعَgathered السِّيَاسَةَstatecraft كُلَّهَاall of it فِيinto أَحْرُفٍletters
جَمَعَ السِّيَاسَةَ كُلَّهَا فِي أَحْرُفٍ
كَالْعِقْدِlike a necklace أَلَّفَjoined بَيْنَbetween كُلِّeach فَرِيدِmatchless pearl
كَالْعِقْدِ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَ كُلِّ فَرِيدِ
It gathered all statecraft into a few words,
Words in which the greatest wisdoms were arranged
Like a necklace joining each matchless pearl,
In prose and verse of solid structure.
وَكَقَطْرَةِand like a drop الْعِطْرِperfume الَّتِيwhich كَمْhow much جَمَّعَتْgathered
وَكَقَطْرَةِ الْعِطْرِ الَّتِي كَمْ جَمَّعَتْ
مِنْfrom نَوْرِblossoms أَغْوَارٍlowlands وَزَهْرِand flowers نُجُودِuplands
مِنْ نَوْرِ أَغْوَارٍ وَزَهْرِ نُجُودِ
And like a drop of perfume that has gathered so much
The East listened to a sacred call
From lowland blossoms and highland flowers.
To revival and renewal.
قَوْلٌa speech بِهِin it الْحِكَمُwise sayings الْغَوَالِيprecious نُسِّقَتْwere arranged
قَوْلٌ بِهِ الْحِكَمُ الْغَوَالِي نُسِّقَتْ
مَاwhat lies بَيْنَbetween مَنْثُورٍscattered وَبَيْنَand between نَضِيدِstrung in order
مَا بَيْنَ مَنْثُورٍ وَبَيْنَ نَضِيدِ
A speech in which precious maxims were arranged,
Determinations bloomed with it after languishing
Some scattered, and some strung in order.
And hopes stirred after slumber.
أَصْغَىlistened إِلَيْهِto it الشَّرْقُthe East يَسْمَعُhearing دَعْوَةًa call
أَصْغَى إِلَيْهِ الشَّرْقُ يَسْمَعُ دَعْوَةً
قُدْسِيَّةًsacred لِلْبَعْثِto revival وَالتَّجْدِيدِand renewal
قُدْسِيَّةً لِلْبَعْثِ وَالتَّجْدِيدِ
The East listened to it, hearing a call
Your voice in the air has taken
Sacred, to revival and renewal.
Guidance and excellence from David!
وَزَهَتْand blossomed بِهِthrough it الْعَزَمَاتُresolves بَعْدَafter ذُبُولِهَاtheir withering
وَزَهَتْ بِهِ الْعَزَمَاتُ بَعْدَ ذُبُولِهَا
وَصَحَتْand awoke بِهِthrough it الْآمَالُhopes بَعْدَafter رُقُودِslumber
وَصَحَتْ بِهِ الْآمَالُ بَعْدَ رُقُودِ
And resolves blossomed through it after withering,
I respond to you, O King of Hearts! Order
And hopes awakened through it after slumber.
And we obey, for God is the best witness.
لِلهِGod be praised for صَوْتُكَyour voice فِيin الْأَثِيرِthe airwaves فَإِنَّهُfor it
لِلهِ صَوْتُكَ فِي الْأَثِيرِ فَإِنَّهُ
أَخَذَtook الْهُدَىguidance وَالْحُسْنَand beauty عَنْfrom دَاوُدِDavid!
أَخَذَ الْهُدَى وَالْحُسْنَ عَنْ دَاوُدِ!
God be praised for your voice on the airwaves, for it
Through studying religion we have seen guidance,
Has taken guidance and beauty from David!
A light radiating from its throngs.
لَبَّيْكَat your service يَاO مَلِكَking الْقُلُوبِhearts! فَمُرْso command نَكُنْwe shall be
لَبَّيْكَ يَا مَلِكَ الْقُلُوبِ! فَمُرْ نَكُنْ
لَكَto you طَاعَةًobedience، وَاللهُand God خَيْرُbest شَهِيدِwitness
لَكَ طَاعَةً، وَاللهُ خَيْرُ شَهِيدِ
At your service, king of hearts! Command, and we shall be
The King appeared glorifying his Lord through it
Obedient to you; God is the best witness.
With devotion and praise to God!
إِنَّاindeed we بِدَرْسِat the lesson الدِّينِreligion أَبْصَرْنَاwe saw الْهُدَىguidance
إِنَّا بِدَرْسِ الدِّينِ أَبْصَرْنَا الْهُدَى
نُورًاas a light يُشِعُّshines بِجَمْعِهِin its assembly الْمَحْشُودِgathered
نُورًا يُشِعُّ بِجَمْعِهِ الْمَحْشُودِ
At the lesson in religion, we saw guidance
I saw him with the people around his carpet
As a light shining amid its gathered throng.
Like birds fluttering to their beloved roses.
وَبَدَاand appeared الْمَلِيكُthe king بِهِin it يُمَجِّدُglorifying رَبَّهُhis Lord
وَبَدَا الْمَلِيكُ بِهِ يُمَجِّدُ رَبَّهُ
لِلهِGod be praised for مِنْsuch نُسْكٍdevotion وَمِنْand such تَمْجِيدِglorification!
لِلهِ مِنْ نُسْكٍ وَمِنْ تَمْجِيدِ!
And there the king appeared, glorifying his Lord:
How broad is Islam! Its expanse gathers
God be praised for such devotion and glorification!
Black and white in God.
أَبْصَرْتُهُI saw him وَالشَّعْبُand the people حَوْلَaround بِسَاطِهِhis carpet
أَبْصَرْتُهُ وَالشَّعْبُ حَوْلَ بِسَاطِهِ
كَالطَّيْرِlike birds رَفَّfluttered لِوَرْدِهِtoward its watering place الْمَوْرُودِfrequented
كَالطَّيْرِ رَفَّ لِوَرْدِهِ الْمَوْرُودِ
I saw him, with the people around his carpet,
Hearts guard his throne that would ransom it
Like birds fluttering toward their frequented watering place.
For love is the strongest weapon and ally.
مَاhow أَسْمَحَgracious الْإِسْلَامَIslam! يَجْمَعُunites رَحْبُهُits spaciousness
مَا أَسْمَحَ الْإِسْلَامَ! يَجْمَعُ رَحْبُهُ
فِيin اللهِGod بَيْنَbetween مُسَوَّدٍone made master ومَسُودِand one ruled
فِي اللهِ بَيْنَ مُسَوَّدٍ ومَسُودِ
How gracious Islam is! Its spacious embrace unites
Armies find refuge and shelter in it
In God, master and subject.
Yet how many thrones find shelter in armies!
حَرَسَتْهُguarded him أَفْئِدَةٌhearts تُفَدِّيsacrifice themselves for عَرْشَهُhis throne
حَرَسَتْهُ أَفْئِدَةٌ تُفَدِّي عَرْشَهُ
وَالْحُبُّand love أَقْوَىstrongest عُدَّةٍarmament وَعَدِيدِand troop numbers
وَالْحُبُّ أَقْوَى عُدَّةٍ وَعَدِيدِ
Hearts guarded him, ready to sacrifice themselves for his throne;
He listens and pays heed to the Book and its verses
And love is the mightiest armament and host.
In awe of abundant majesty and grace.
إِنَّindeed الْجُنُودَthe soldiers بِهِin him تَلُوذُseek refuge وَتَحْتَمِيand seek protection
إِنَّ الْجُنُودَ بِهِ تَلُوذُ وَتَحْتَمِي
وَلَكَمْand how many عُرُوشٍthrones تَحْتَمِيseek protection بِجُنُودِin soldiers!
وَلَكَمْ عُرُوشٍ تَحْتَمِي بِجُنُودِ!
Indeed, soldiers seek refuge and protection in him,
O model of the new generation and its treasure!
While how many thrones seek protection in soldiers!
Live for good fortune without equal.
يُصْغِيhe listens attentively وَيُنْصِتُand keeps silent لِلْكِتَابِto the Book وَآيِهِand its verses
يُصْغِي وَيُنْصِتُ لِلْكِتَابِ وَآيِهِ
فِيin سَمْتِa bearing مَوْفُورِabundant الْجَلَالِmajesty حَمِيدِpraiseworthy
فِي سَمْتِ مَوْفُورِ الْجَلَالِ حَمِيدِ
He listens attentively and silently to the Book and its verses,
Poetry is perplexed - how can I reach
With a praiseworthy bearing, full of majesty.
A summit beyond the capacity of my tether and efforts?
يَاO قُدْوَةَmodel الْجِيلِthe generation الْجَدِيدِnew وَذُخْرَهُand its treasure
يَا قُدْوَةَ الْجِيلِ الْجَدِيدِ وَذُخْرَهُ
عِشْlive لِلْمُنَىfor hopes فَرْدًاunique بِغَيْرِwithout نَدِيدِa peer
عِشْ لِلْمُنَى فَرْدًا بِغَيْرِ نَدِيدِ
O model and treasure of the new generation,
I prepared my colors to paint a picture -
Live for our hopes, unique and without a peer.
Where is Suhayl from my exhausted arm?
حَارَbecame bewildered الْقَرِيضُpoetry وَكَيْفَand how أَبْلُغُcan I reach غَايَةًa goal
حَارَ الْقَرِيضُ وَكَيْفَ أَبْلُغُ غَايَةً
هِيَit is فَوْقَbeyond طَوْقِcapacity يَرَاعَتِيmy reed pen وَجُهُودِيand my efforts؟
هِيَ فَوْقَ طَوْقِ يَرَاعَتِي وَجُهُودِي؟
Poetry is bewildered; how can I reach a goal
Clemency like lions suppressing ferocity with nobility,
Beyond the power of my reed pen and my efforts?
And resolves containing the valor of lions.
أَعْدَدْتُI prepared أَلْوَانِيmy colors لِأَرْسُمَto paint صُورَةًa portrait
أَعْدَدْتُ أَلْوَانِي لِأَرْسُمَ صُورَةً
أَيْنَwhere السُّهَاSuha مِنْfrom سَاعِدِيmy arm الْمَكْدُودِweary؟
أَيْنَ السُّهَا مِنْ سَاعِدِي الْمَكْدُودِ؟
I prepared my colors to paint a portrait;
Insight preceded events of its time
How far is Suha from my weary arm?
As if the unseen were visible.
حِلْمٌforbearance كَمَاas تُغْضِيlower their gaze الْأُسُودُlions تَكَرُّمًاmagnanimously
حِلْمٌ كَمَا تُغْضِي الْأُسُودُ تَكَرُّمًا
وَعَزَائِمٌand resolves فِيهَاwithin them نِجَارُstock أُسُودِlions
وَعَزَائِمٌ فِيهَا نِجَارُ أُسُودِ
Forbearance, as lions lower their gaze in magnanimity,
And a will that breaks obstacles - its youth
And resolves of lion stock,
Topples the resolve of stubborn rock.
وَفِرَاسَةٌand insight سَبَقَتْoutstripped حَوَادِثَevents دَهْرِهَاits age
وَفِرَاسَةٌ سَبَقَتْ حَوَادِثَ دَهْرِهَا
حَتَّىuntil كَأَنَّas though الْغَيْبَthe unseen كَالْمَشْهُودِlike the witnessed
حَتَّى كَأَنَّ الْغَيْبَ كَالْمَشْهُودِ
And insight that outstripped the events of its age,
And the intelligence of a heart - if the gloom took aim,
Until the unseen seemed like the witnessed.
It would race ahead into the darkest night.
وَإِرَادَةٌand a will تَفْرِيcuts through الصِّعَابَdifficulties شَبَاتُهَاits keen edge
وَإِرَادَةٌ تَفْرِي الصِّعَابَ شَبَاتُهَا
وَتَهُدُّand shatters عَزْمَresolve الصَّخْرَةِthe rock الصَّيْخُودِadamant
وَتَهُدُّ عَزْمَ الصَّخْرَةِ الصَّيْخُودِ
And a will whose keen edge cuts through difficulties
My Lord! Poetry testifies that it
And shatters the resolve of the adamant rock.
Has reached the furthest extent in your extended shade.
وَذَكَاءُand the brilliance قَلْبٍa heart لَوْif رَمَىstruck حَلَكَblackness الدُّجَىnight
وَذَكَاءُ قَلْبٍ لَوْ رَمَى حَلَكَ الدُّجَى
لَمَضَىit would depart يُهَرْوِلُhurrying فِيin الْمُسُوحِsackcloth robes السُّودِblack
لَمَضَى يُهَرْوِلُ فِي الْمُسُوحِ السُّودِ
And a heart's brilliance that, if it struck night's darkness,
It has encountered in your eloquence
Would send that darkness hurrying off in black sackcloth.
Masteries that returned it like the warbling of birds.
مَوْلَايَmy lord! إِنَّindeed الشِّعْرَpoetry يَشْهَدُbears witness أَنَّهُthat it
مَوْلَايَ! إِنَّ الشِّعْرَ يَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُ
بَلَغَreached الْمَدَىthe utmost فِيin ظِلِّكَyour shade الْمَمْدُودِoutstretched
بَلَغَ الْمَدَى فِي ظِلِّكَ الْمَمْدُودِ
My lord, poetry bears witness that it
So many lone songs I sent with the wind
Has reached its utmost under your outstretched shade.
Singing of the sovereign without equal.
أَلْفَىfound خِلَالًاvirtues لَقَّنَتْهُtaught it بَيَانَهُits eloquence
أَلْفَى خِلَالًا لَقَّنَتْهُ بَيَانَهُ
فَأَعَادَهَاso it repeated them كَالصَّادِحِlike a singing bird الْغِرِّيدِmelodious
فَأَعَادَهَا كَالصَّادِحِ الْغِرِّيدِ
It found virtues that taught it its eloquence
Congratulations on the birth of the princess - she is
And echoed them like a melodious songbird.
Title of elegant and lasting glory.
فَلَكَمْand how often بَعَثْتُI sent مَعَwith الْأَثِيرِthe airwaves وَحِيدَةًa peerless poem
فَلَكَمْ بَعَثْتُ مَعَ الْأَثِيرِ وَحِيدَةً
فِيin فَنِّهَاits art تَشْدُوsinging بِمُلْكِof a reign وَحِيدِpeerless
فِي فَنِّهَا تَشْدُو بِمُلْكِ وَحِيدِ
How often I have sent across the airwaves a poem peerless
Enjoy the Feast of Breaking the Fast and prosper
In its art, singing of a peerless reign.
In a rising fortune, blissful Eid!
فَاهْنَأْso rejoice بِمِيلَادِin the birth الْأَمِيرَةِthe princess إِنَّهَاfor she is
فَاهْنَأْ بِمِيلَادِ الْأَمِيرَةِ إِنَّهَا
عُنْوَانُemblem مَجْدٍglory طَارِفٍnewly acquired وَتَلِيدِand inherited
عُنْوَانُ مَجْدٍ طَارِفٍ وَتَلِيدِ
Rejoice, then, in the princess's birth, for she is
The emblem of glory newly won and inherited.
وَانْعَمْand delight بِعِيدِin Eid الْفِطْرِfast-breaking وَاسْعَدْand rejoice بِالْمُنَىin hopes
وَانْعَمْ بِعِيدِ الْفِطْرِ وَاسْعَدْ بِالْمُنَى
فِيunder طَالِعٍan ascendant star ضَافِيabundant النَّعِيمِbliss سَعِيدِfortunate
فِي طَالِعٍ ضَافِي النَّعِيمِ سَعِيدِ
And enjoy Eid al-Fitr, and find joy in your hopes,
Under an auspicious star, overflowing with bliss.
Partial English translation: 138 of 142 Arabic lines translated.