دعونيleave me وتسكابَand the pouring out of الدموعthe tears السوافكstreaming
دعوني وتسكابَ الدموع السوافك
فدعوىfor a claim to جميلbeautiful الصبرpatience دعوةٌa claim of آفكِa liar
فدعوى جميل الصبر دعوةٌ آفكِ
Leave me to pour out streaming tears;
Let me be, and let the copious tears flow,
for a claim to beautiful patience is a liar's claim.
For the claim of beautiful patience is a deceptive call.
أصبرٌcan patience be? جميلbeautiful فيamid قبيحthe ugliness of حوادثcalamities
أصبرٌ جميل في قبيح حوادث
خلعنthey clothed علىupon الأنوارthe lights ثوبthe robe of الحوالكdarkness
خلعن على الأنوار ثوب الحوالك
Can patience be beautiful amid ugly calamities
Patience is beautiful in the face of ugly events,
that have clothed the lights in a robe of darkness?
That have clothed the lights in the garb of darkness.
تنكّرتturned hostile الدنياthe world علىtoward الدينreligion ضلّةin error
تنكّرت الدنيا على الدين ضلّة
ومنand among شيمةthe habits of الدنياthe world تنكرَthe estrangement of فاركan averse wife
ومن شيمة الدنيا تنكرَ فارك
The world has turned against religion in error;
The world has disguised itself against religion, lost,
the world's habit is an estranged wife's aversion.
And it is the world's nature to disguise and turn away.
فضمهماso it enfolded them both حكمthe decree of الردىdeath بردائهin its cloak
فضمهما حكم الردى بردائه
فتلكso that one وهذاand this one هالكperishing فيamong الهوالكthe perishing
فتلك وهذا هالك في الهوالك
Death's decree wrapped them both in its cloak;
So the command of fate has embraced both in its cloak,
so that one and this one perish among the perishing.
And this one and that are lost in destruction.
عفاwas effaced طللٌa ruined trace منهاof her ومنهand of him فأصبحاso they both became
عفا طللٌ منها ومنه فأصبحا
شريكيtwo partners عنانin the reins فيin بلىdecay متداركsuccessive
شريكي عنان في بلى متدارك
A ruined trace of her and him faded, and they became
A highland clear of them and of him has passed away,
partners sharing the reins in unceasing decay.
My two bridled steeds in a shared, unceasing decay.
فلاso no بهجةٌsplendor تهدّيoffers مسرّةdelight ناظرto a beholder
فلا بهجةٌ تهدّي مسرّة ناظر
ولاnor حجةٌproof تهديguides محجةthe clear path of سالكa traveler
ولا حجةٌ تهدي محجة سالك
No splendor now brings joy to a beholder,
So neither joy brings a delight to the beholder,
nor proof guides a traveler on the clear path.
Nor proof guides one seeking proof.
وماand not انتظمwere joined الأمرانthe two matters إلاexcept ليؤذناto announce together
وما انتظم الأمران إلا ليؤذنا
بأنthat قدalready دناdrew near نثرthe scattering of النجومthe stars الشوابكinterwoven
بأن قد دنا نثر النجوم الشوابك
The two were joined only to announce
The two matters have come together only to warn
that the scattering of the interwoven stars drew near.
That the scattering of the stars is nigh at hand.
وآنand the time came لمنثورfor the scattered expanse of الوجودexistence انطواؤهits folding up
وآن لمنثور الوجود انطواؤه
بكفيby the two hands of فناءextinction للفناءtoward extinction مواشكhastening
بكفي فناء للفناء مواشك
The scattered expanse of existence is due to be folded up
It is time for the scattered universe to withdraw
by extinction's two hands, swift in bringing extinction.
Into my palm, destruction unto destruction close at hand.
أماhave we not? قدalready علمناlearned والعقولwith intellects شواهدas witnesses
أما قد علمنا والعقول شواهد
بأنthat انقراضthe extinction of العلمknowledge أصلthe root of المهالكruin
بأن انقراض العلم أصل المهالك
Have we not learned, with reason as witness,
We know, and minds bear witness,
that the extinction of knowledge is the root of ruin?
That the loss of knowledge is the root of ruin.
إذاwhen أذهبtakes away اللهGod العلومَthe sciences وأهلَهاand their people
إذا أذهب الله العلومَ وأهلَها
فماthen not اللهGod للدهرfor the age الجهولignorant بتاركone who leaves it
فما الله للدهر الجهول بتارك
When God removes the sciences and their people,
If God takes away the sciences and their people,
God will not spare an ignorant age.
What will He leave the ignorant age?
هلis? العلمknowledge إلاanything but الروحُthe soul والخلقwhile creation جثةa corpse
هل العلم إلا الروحُ والخلق جثة
وماand not الجسمthe body بعدafter الروحthe soul بالمتماسكable to hold together
وما الجسم بعد الروح بالمتماسك
Is knowledge anything but the soul, while creation is a corpse?
Is knowledge anything but the spirit, and creation a corpse?
A body cannot hold together after its soul is gone.
What holds the body together after the spirit but dissolution?
وماand not راعنيfrightened me فيin عالمthe world of الكونexistence حادثٌan event
وما راعني في عالم الكون حادثٌ
سوىexcept حادثٍa calamity فيbefalling عالمa scholar ذيpossessing مداركunderstanding
سوى حادثٍ في عالم ذي مدارك
No event in the world of existence has frightened me
Naught in the world of creation has surprised me
except a calamity befalling a scholar endowed with understanding.
Save an event in a world of perceptions.
إذاwhen أدركتهovertakes him للمناياof death قضيةٌa decree
إذا أدركته للمنايا قضيةٌ
قضتit decreed باستلابthe seizure of للأمانيfor hopes مداركmeans of attainment
قضت باستلاب للأماني مدارك
When a decree of death overtakes him,
When it comes to an end through death,
it decrees the theft of the means to attain hopes.
It decides to seize perceptions with requisition.
لذلكfor that ماindeed أبكىI weep كأنيas though I were متممMutammim
لذلك ما أبكى كأني متمم
أتممI complete ماwhat أبقىleft behind الأسىgrief بعدafter مالكMalik
أتمم ما أبقى الأسى بعد مالك
That is why I weep, as though I were Mutammim,
Therefore, I do not weep as if completing
completing what grief left after Malik.
What sorrow has left after the King.
وسهّلand made easier عنديfor me أنthat أرىI see الحزنsorrow مالكيmy master
وسهّل عندي أن أرى الحزن مالكي
مصابيَmy loss بالفياضof the bountiful one سهلSahl بنson of مالكMalik
مصابيَ بالفياض سهل بن مالك
What made it easier for me to see sorrow master me
And it is easy for me to see grief as my authority—
was my loss of the bountiful Sahl ibn Malik.
My misfortune—easy, son of Malik.
امامa leader of هدىguidance كناwe used to نقلدfollow رأيهhis judgment
امام هدى كنا نقلد رأيه
كتقليدas in following رأيthe judgment of الشافعيal-Shafi'i ومالكand Malik
كتقليد رأي الشافعي ومالك
A leader in guidance whose judgment we followed,
We used to follow the guidance of his view,
as we followed the judgments of al-Shafi'i and Malik.
Like following the view of Ash-Shāfiʿī and Mālik.
غمامُa cloud of ندىbounty كناwe had عهدناknown سماحهhis generosity
غمامُ ندى كنا عهدنا سماحه
يساجلrivals درَّاتthe gushes of العهادrecurring rains الحواشكabundant
يساجل درَّات العهاد الحواشك
A cloud of bounty whose generosity we knew
A raincloud of dew—we knew its gentleness—
to vie with the gushes of abundant, recurring rains.
Would converse with downpours of help unchecked.
أحقاًis it truly? قضىdied ذاكthat الجلالmajesty وقوضتand were dismantled
أحقاً قضى ذاك الجلال وقوضت
مبانيthe edifices of معالnoble deeds فيin السماءheaven سوامكtowering
مباني معال في السماء سوامك
Has that majesty truly died, with the dismantling
In truth that majesty has been ordained,
of edifices of noble deeds towering into heaven?
And the structures of glory in heaven have been shaken.
واقفرَand became deserted منof نجدa highland منof المجدglory ربعُهhis dwelling
واقفرَ من نجد من المجد ربعُه
وعمرand was inhabited قبرa grave مفردsolitary بالدكادكamid the sand-flats
وعمر قبر مفرد بالدكادك
Has his quarter, a highland of glory, become deserted,
The quarter of glory in Nejd is now empty,
while a solitary grave amid the sand-flats is inhabited?
And the singular grave there is peopled by lizards.
وغيبand was hidden طودa mountain فيin صعيدthe earth of لمحدa burial niche
وغيب طود في صعيد لمحد
وغيضَand was drained بحرٌan ocean فيinto ثرىsoil متلاحكِtightly packed
وغيضَ بحرٌ في ثرى متلاحكِ
Has a mountain been hidden in a grave's earth,
A towering mountain in Sa’id has disappeared,
and an ocean drained into tightly packed soil?
And a sea amid rubble has dried up.
ووارىand veiled سناthe radiance of شمسthe sun of المعارفknowledge غيهبٌdeep darkness
ووارى سنا شمس المعارف غيهبٌ
منof الخطبcalamity يوديdestroys بالشموسthe suns الدوالكsinking
من الخطب يودي بالشموس الدوالك
Has the radiance of knowledge's sun been veiled by darkness
The sun of knowledge has set in the horizon,
of calamity that destroys the sinking suns?
Leading suns into dark valleys.
ألاhear now أيهاO الناعيbearer of death's news لكmay yours be الثُّكلbereavement لاتفُهdo not utter
ألا أيها الناعي لك الثُّكل لاتفُه
بهاit انهاindeed it is أمthe mother of الدواهيcalamities الدواهكcrushing
بها انها أم الدواهي الدواهك
O bearer of death's news—may bereavement be yours—do not utter
O you who mourn him—for you is the calamity—do not
it: it is the mother of crushing calamities.
Wail about one who is the mother of calamities.
لعلكperhaps you فيin نعيَannouncing the death of العلاglory متكذِّبare lying
لعلك في نعيَ العلا متكذِّب
فكمfor how many ماحلٍa slanderer منfrom قبلbefore فيهabout him وماحكِand a wrangler
فكم ماحلٍ من قبل فيه وماحكِ
Perhaps you lie in announcing glory's death;
Perhaps in mourning knowledge you disbelieve,
how many slanderers and wranglers spoke of him before!
Though how many virtuous came before reproaching it.
فكذبهمُso proved them false ياoh ليتwould that أنكyou were مثلهمُlike them
فكذبهمُ يا ليت أنك مثلهمُ
تواترَsuccessive arrival of أخبارreports وصدقand proved true مآلكyour outcome
تواترَ أخبار وصدق مآلك
They were proved false—if only you were like them—
If only their lies, like those ones,
by successive reports; but your tidings came true.
Had become widely reported and their outcomes believed.
فياso, oh حسنthe beauty of ذاكthat القولِutterance إذwhen بانbecame clear كذبُهits falsehood
فيا حسن ذاك القولِ إذ بان كذبُه
وياand oh قبحَهits ugliness والصدقُwhile truth باديis manifest in المسالكthe paths
ويا قبحَه والصدقُ بادي المسالك
How fair those words were when their falsehood was revealed,
So excellent are those words when their falsehood appears,
and how ugly now, with truth's paths plainly visible!
And how ugly they are, while truth is clear to see!
لقدindeed أرجفواthey spread alarming rumors فيهabout him وقلبيand my heart راجفٌtrembling
لقد أرجفوا فيه وقلبي راجفٌ
مخافةَfor fear of تصديقthe confirmation of الظنونthe conjectures الأوافكِlying
مخافةَ تصديق الظنون الأوافكِ
They spread alarming rumors about him, and my heart trembles,
They have agitated, and my heart quivers
for fear those lying conjectures should be confirmed.
In fear of believing those discordant rumors.
كأنas though كمالthe fullness of الفضلِexcellence كانwas يسوؤهمْdistressing them
كأن كمال الفضلِ كان يسوؤهمْ
فأبدواso they displayed علىtoward نقصdiminishment هوىa passion متهالكheadlong
فأبدوا على نقص هوى متهالك
As though the fullness of his excellence distressed them,
It is as if the perfection of virtue annoyed them,
so they displayed a headlong passion for its diminishment.
So they displayed the preference of desire destroyed.
كأنهمas though they مستبطئونfound slow in coming ليومهhis appointed day
كأنهم مستبطئون ليومه
كماjust as استبطأfound too slow المصبورone bound for execution هبّةthe stroke of بأتكa cleaving blade
كما استبطأ المصبور هبّة بأتك
As though they thought his appointed day slow in coming,
It is as if they awaited his day impatiently,
as one bound for execution finds a cleaving blade's stroke too slow.
Like the patient man awaits an unasked-for gift.
كأنهمas though they مستمطرونprayed for rain لعارضٍfrom a cloud
كأنهم مستمطرون لعارضٍ
كعارضlike the cloud of عاد'Ad للتجلّدagainst endurance عارِكِgrinding
كعارض عاد للتجلّد عارِكِ
As though they prayed for rain from a cloud
It is as if they hoped for a misfortune,
like the cloud of 'Ad, grinding endurance down.
Like the misfortune that revisits the stoic.
بلىindeed إنهمthey indeed قدhad أرهصواgiven advance warning لرزيةof a calamity
بلى إنهم قد أرهصوا لرزية
تضعضعshakes ركنthe foundation of الصابرthe patient one المتمالكself-controlled
تضعضع ركن الصابر المتمالك
Indeed, they had given warning of a calamity
Nay! They have lain in wait for a catastrophe
that shakes the foundations of the patient, self-controlled.
That would shake the pillar of the steadfast controller.
فقدso indeed كانcame to pass ماwhat قدalready أنذرواthey warned بوقوعهwould occur
فقد كان ما قد أنذروا بوقوعه
فهلso has? بعدهafter it للدهرTime صولةُthe assault of فاتكan assassin
فهل بعده للدهر صولةُ فاتك
What they warned would happen has indeed come to pass;
What they warned of happening has happened.
has Time any assassin's assault left after this?
After it, will the age have any power left?
مصابٌa calamity مصيبٌstriking للقلوبthe hearts بسهمهwith its arrow
مصابٌ مصيبٌ للقلوب بسهمه
رمىit shot عنfrom قسيّbows للياليbelonging to the nights عواتكِfierce
رمى عن قسيّ لليالي عواتكِ
A calamity whose arrow strikes hearts,
An affliction—afflicting to hearts—its arrow
shot from the nights' fierce bows.
Shot from the bow of pitch-black nights.
بكتwept حزنَهاits grief الغبراءthe dust-colored earth فيهfor him فأسعدتْand was joined in mourning
بكت حزنَها الغبراء فيه فأسعدتْ
بأدمعهاwith its tears الخضراءthe green sky ذاتpossessing الحبائكwoven paths
بأدمعها الخضراء ذات الحبائك
The dust-colored earth wept its grief for him, and was joined
The dusty darkness mourned him, and so found joy
by the tears of the green sky with its woven paths.
With its verdant tears of twisted sorrows.
علىover علمthe standard of الإسلامِIslam قامتarose نوادبmourners
على علم الإسلامِ قامت نوادب
بهتنِwith the streaming of مباكٍtearful eyes أوor بهتمwith the breaking of مضاحكsmiling teeth
بهتنِ مباكٍ أو بهتم مضاحك
Mourners rose to lament Islam's standard,
Over the knowledge of Islam, she-camels have stood
with streaming eyes or shattered smiling teeth.
Weeping profusely or laughing derisively.
فمنand among them سنةa tradition سنّتpoured علىupon الرأسthe head تربَهاits dust
فمن سنة سنّت على الرأس تربَها
ومكرمةٍand a noble virtue ناحتwailed لأكرمfor the noblest هالكdead one
ومكرمةٍ ناحت لأكرم هالك
Among them, a tradition that poured dust on its head,
One sunna poured soil on her head,
and a noble virtue that wailed for the noblest dead;
Keening for the most generous lost soul.
ومنand among them آيةa verse تبكيweeping for منوّرthe illuminator of صبحهاits dawn
ومن آية تبكي منوّر صبحها
إذاwhen قامhe rose فيin جنحٍa stretch منof الليلthe night حالكpitch-black
إذا قام في جنحٍ من الليل حالك
and a verse that weeps for the one who lit its dawn,
Another sign weeps for its shining dawn
when he rose in a pitch-black reach of night;
When there stood among the night a crescent haloed.
ومنand among them حكمةwisdom ترثيlaments لفقدthe loss of مفجرone who released
ومن حكمة ترثي لفقد مفجر
لينبوعهاits spring السلسالsweet-flowing فيthrough الأرضthe earth سالكِcoursing
لينبوعها السلسال في الأرض سالكِ
and wisdom that mourns the loss of one who released
Another wisdom mourns the loss of a spring
its sweet-flowing spring, coursing through the earth.
Whose chain of brooks ran through the land.
فياso, oh أسفيmy sorrow منwho للهدىfor guidance ورسومهand its traces
فيا أسفي من للهدى ورسومه
ومنand who لمنيخfor one encamped عندat تلكthose المباركresting grounds
ومن لمنيخ عند تلك المبارك
Oh, my sorrow! Who will tend guidance and its traces?
Oh, my sorrow for guidance and its ways!
Who will tend one encamped at those resting grounds?
For the minbar, in that blessed place.
ومنand who للواءfor the banner of الشِّرعsacred law يرفعraises خفضَهits lowered state
ومن للواء الشِّرع يرفع خفضَه
ويمنعand prevents منfrom تمزيقهtearing it كفthe hand of هاتكa violator
ويمنع من تمزيقه كف هاتك
Who will raise the lowered banner of sacred law,
For the flag of Shari‘ah, that lowers its yield,
and prevent a violator's hand from tearing it?
And stops hands tearing it like beasts of prey.
ومنand who لكتابfor the Book of اللهGod يدرسُstudies وحيهits revelation
ومن لكتاب الله يدرسُ وحيه
ويقبسand draws منهfrom it النورthe light غيرَwithout متاركabandoning it
ويقبس منه النور غيرَ متارك
Who will study the revelation of God's Book,
For the Book of God—who studies its revelation
and draw light from it without abandoning it?
And draws light from it, not neglecting?
ومنand who لحديثfor the traditions of المصطفىthe Chosen One ومآخذٍand interpretive approaches
ومن لحديث المصطفى ومآخذٍ
يبينهاhe clarifies them فيin فهمهhis understanding ومتاركand points left aside
يبينها في فهمه ومتارك
Who will tend the Chosen One's traditions and the approaches
For the hadith of the Chosen One and its interpretations
he clarifies in understanding them, and those he sets aside?
He clarified through his understanding, not disregarding.
ومنand who ذاis the one يزيلremoves اللبسَobscurity فيin متشابهٍan ambiguous passage
ومن ذا يزيل اللبسَ في متشابهٍ
ومنand who ذاis the one يزيحُdispels الشكdoubt عنfrom متشابكa tangled question
ومن ذا يزيحُ الشك عن متشابك
Who will dispel obscurity in ambiguous passages,
Who now will dispel confusion about ambiguities?
and who will remove doubt from tangled questions?
Who now will remove doubt from complexities?
ومنand who لليراعfor the reed pens الصفرyellow طالتْgrew long بكفهin his hand
ومن لليراع الصفر طالتْ بكفه
فصارتso became طوالthe long ones السمرtawny spears مثلlike النيازكshort javelins
فصارت طوال السمر مثل النيازك
Who will wield the yellow reed pens that grew long in his hand,
For the white banner whose territory his hand expanded
making long, tawny spears seem mere short javelins?
Until the ends of time were like shooting stars?
ومنand who للرقاعfor the pages البيضwhite طارتْflew بذكرهwith his renown
ومن للرقاع البيض طارتْ بذكره
فجابتso they traversed إلىto الأملاكthe kings سبلَthe roads of المسالكthe paths
فجابت إلى الأملاك سبلَ المسالك
Who will tend the white pages that flew with his renown,
For the white parchment that flew with his mention
and traversed roads and paths to kings?
Traversing angelic realms on pilgrim paths?
ومنand who لمقامfor the podium of الحفلِthe assembly يصدعproclaims بالتيwords that
ومن لمقام الحفلِ يصدع بالتي
تقصclip لقسٍfor Quss منfrom جناحthe wing of المداركunderstanding
تقص لقسٍ من جناح المدارك
Who will take the assembly's podium and proclaim words
For the assembly place where he proclaimed prophecies
that clip Quss's wings of understanding?
Detailing fate from the edge of perception?
ومنand who لمقالfor an utterance كالنضارlike gold مخلصٍrefined
ومن لمقال كالنضار مخلصٍ
لاapparently 'for' (text unclear) بريزهits pure gold التبريزpreeminence لاnot للسبائكfor ingots
لا بريزه التبريز لا للسبائك
Who will utter words like refined gold,
For speech like the radiant and pure niche
whose pure gold, not mere ingots, wins preeminence?
Not sullied by pretentious ornament.
ومنand who لفعالٍfor deeds إنif ذكرتyou mention بناءةtheir construction
ومن لفعالٍ إن ذكرت بناءة
فعَالٍthen lofty وإنand if تنشرyou diffuse them فمسكةُthen a piece of musk فاركrubbed by someone
فعَالٍ وإن تنشر فمسكةُ فارك
Who will match deeds—if you speak of their building,
For deeds—if construction, then sublime,
it towers; if diffused, they are musk rubbed fragrant?
And if proclamation, then perfume wafting.
ومنand who لخلالfor qualities كرّمتennobled وضرائبand innate traits
ومن لخلال كرّمت وضرائب
ضربنَthey cast بقدحa lot-arrow فيin غياثthe relief of الضراعكthe destitute
ضربنَ بقدح في غياث الضراعك
Who will match ennobled qualities and traits
For habits that were generous and taxing
that cast their lot in succoring the destitute?
Struck with a glass to aid the suffering?
ومنand who لشعارfor the garb of الزهدasceticism أخفيconcealed بالغنىby wealth
ومن لشعار الزهد أخفي بالغنى
ففيfor within طيّهits folds فضلthe excellence of الفضيلal-Fudayl ومالكand Malik
ففي طيّه فضل الفضيل ومالك
Who will wear asceticism's garb, concealed by wealth,
For the demeanor of asceticism, hidden by wealth—
within whose folds lay the excellence of al-Fudayl and Malik?
In its folds, surplus virtue and possession?
ومنand who لشعابfor the ravines of المجدglory أوor لشعوبهfor its branches
ومن لشعاب المجد أو لشعوبه
إذاwhen اختلطتْwere mixed ساداتهits masters بالصّعالكwith paupers
إذا اختلطتْ ساداته بالصّعالك
Who will tend glory's ravines or its branches,
For the slopes of glory—when its nobles
when its masters are mixed with paupers?
Comingle with the riffraff?
ألاhear now ليسthere is not منanyone فاكففso restrain عويلكyour wailing أوor فزدincrease it
ألا ليس من فاكفف عويلك أو فزد
فماfor there is no بعدafter سهلSahl فيin العلاeminence منany مشاركِpartner
فما بعد سهل في العلا من مشاركِ
There is no one: restrain your wailing, or increase it;
No! Do not curb your wailing or increase it,
after Sahl none shares in such eminence.
For none can match the summit of knowledge.
اصبناwe were stricken فياso, O للهGod فيهin him وإنماyet indeed
اصبنا فيا لله فيه وإنما
أصبناwe were stricken لعمريby my life فيin الذّرىthe summits والحواركand the withers
أصبنا لعمري في الذّرى والحوارك
We have been stricken—O God, our loss in him! Yet
We have suffered, by God, from it, though in truth
our loss, by my life, struck summits and withers.
We have suffered, by my life, from creatures and ruins.
فنادِso call بأفلاكto the spheres of المحامدpraiseworthy deeds أقصِرىcease
فنادِ بأفلاك المحامد أقصِرى
فلاfor no دورانٌturning زالَhas gone قطبthe pivot of مداركyour orbit
فلا دورانٌ زالَ قطب مدارك
Call to the spheres of praise: 'Cease!'
So cry out, with the spheres of praise, my regrets,
'There is no turning: the pivot of your orbit is gone.'
For no orbit remains with the pole of perception.
وصحْand cry بالسناءto splendor اليومtoday اقويتyou became deserted منزلاًin dwelling
وصحْ بالسناء اليوم اقويت منزلاً
بوطءby the tread of المناياdeath لاnot بوطءby the tread of السنابكhooves
بوطء المنايا لا بوطء السنابك
Cry to splendor: 'Today your dwelling is deserted,
Speak goodness today—you have strengthened a place of descent
by death's tread, not the tread of hooves.'
With the footsteps of mortality, not noble pillars.
علىabove هذهthis حامcircled الحمامdeath محلّقاon the wing
على هذه حام الحمام محلّقا
ثمانينeighty حولاًyears كالعدوlike the enemy المضاحكsmiling
ثمانين حولاً كالعدو المضاحك
Above this, Death circled on the wing,
Circling that sanctuary, eighty years soaring,
for eighty years, like a smiling enemy.
Then deceiving the enemy in the battle of death.
فسَالمَهso it made peace with him فيin معركthe battlefield of الموتdeath خادعاdeceptively
فسَالمَه في معرك الموت خادعا
وحاربهand fought him إذwhen جازhe passed ضنكَthe straits of المعاركbattles
وحاربه إذ جاز ضنكَ المعارك
It made deceptive peace with him on death's battlefield,
Fighting it when passing the straits of ordeals.
and fought him once he had passed the straits of battle.
Thus is fate—no matter how quiescent,
كذاكsuch is الردىdeath مهماhowever يساكنْit makes peace فإنهit is indeed
كذاك الردى مهما يساكنْ فإنه
محرّكa mover of جيشٍarmies ناهبa plunderer of العيشlife ناهكa destroyer
محرّك جيشٍ ناهب العيش ناهك
Such is death: however it makes peace, it is
It rouses an army to plunder life and exterminate.
a mover of armies, a plunderer and destroyer of life.
It took Saba hostage forcibly, betraying the loyal.
سبىtook captive سبأSaba قدماًlong ago وحيand the tribe of السكاسكِal-Sakasik
سبى سبأ قدماً وحي السكاسكِ
ولمand did not يألdesist عنfrom خونٍtreachery لخانtoward a khan وآلكand an Alik (ruler)
ولم يأل عن خونٍ لخان وآلك
Long ago it took Saba captive, and the tribe of al-Sakasik,
Not ceasing from any treason to betrayers and perished.
and did not desist from betraying a khan or an Alik.
Annihilating the multitudes of the righteous,
وأفنىand annihilated منamong ابناءthe children of البَراياcreation جموعَهاtheir multitudes
وأفنى من ابناء البَرايا جموعَها
وألقىand cast البُرىnose-rings بالرَّغمby force فوقupon البرامكthe Barmakids
وألقى البُرى بالرَّغم فوق البرامك
It annihilated the gathered children of creation,
Casting creation into misery atop the biers.
and forced nose-rings upon the Barmakids.
To it, alike are ravaging the noble
سواءall the same لديهto it أنwhether يصولُit attacks بفاتكa ruthless man
سواء لديه أن يصولُ بفاتك
منamong الناسpeople ناسٍforgetful للتّقىof piety أوor بناسكan ascetic
من الناس ناسٍ للتّقى أو بناسك
It is all the same to it whether it attacks a ruthless man
Or the base through righteousness and piety.
who forgets piety, or a devout ascetic.
Had it cared for one of prestige,
ولوand had أنهit أرعىshown mercy علىtoward ذيone possessing كرامَةٍnoble worth
ولو أنه أرعى على ذي كرامَةٍ
لأرعىit would have spared علىtoward المختارِthe Chosen One نجلِscion of العواتكthe 'Awatik
لأرعى على المختارِ نجلِ العواتك
Had it shown mercy to someone of noble worth,
It would have cared for the Chosen Son of 'Utaykah.
it would have spared the Chosen One, scion of the 'Awatik.
Had an 'Umar-esque age of a thousand years remained,
ولوand had راعهawed it عمرٌan age تكاملwas complete أَلفُهُits thousand years
ولو راعه عمرٌ تكامل أَلفُهُ
لماit would not have راعَterrified نوحاًNoah فيthrough السنينِthe years الدكائكcrushing
لما راعَ نوحاً في السنينِ الدكائك
Had an age of a full thousand years awed it,
It would not have spared Noah in ages of ruin.
it would not have terrified Noah through the crushing years.
There is no way to permanency—rather,
وماand there is no منany سبيلٍpath للدَّوامto permanence وإنماrather
وما من سبيلٍ للدَّوام وإنما
خلقناwe were created لأرحاءfor the millstones of المنونdeath الدَّواهكِcrushing
خلقنا لأرحاء المنون الدَّواهكِ
There is no path to permanence; rather,
We were created for the bosoms of eradication.
we were created for death's crushing millstones.
O house of Sahl! Or his sons in particular!
فياso, O آلَfamily of سهلٍSahl أوبنيهِor his sons مخصّصاًsingling out
فيا آلَ سهلٍ أوبنيهِ مخصّصاً
نداءa call عمومٍto all فيamid غمومsorrows موالكِoverpowering
نداء عمومٍ في غموم موالكِ
O family of Sahl—or, singling you out, his sons—
My call is general in your time of gloom.
a call to all amid overpowering sorrows:
Do you think, because of what has befallen you,
أعندكمْdo you suppose? أنيthat I لماbecause of what قَدhas عراكمُbefallen you
أعندكمْ أني لما قَد عراكمُ
أمانعُI resist صَبريmy patience أنfrom يلينَsoftening عرائكيmy stubborn temper
أمانعُ صَبري أن يلينَ عرائكي
Do you suppose that, faced with what has befallen you,
I forbid my patience from gentleness?
I prevent patience from softening my stubborn temper?
How can I console when consolation is forbidden
فكيفَso how أُعزّيcan I console والتَّعزّيwhen consolation محرَّمٌis forbidden
فكيفَ أُعزّي والتَّعزّي محرَّمٌ
عليّto me ولكنْbut عادةٌa custom آلَO family of مالكِMalik
عليّ ولكنْ عادةٌ آلَ مالكِ
How can I console you when consolation is forbidden
To me—but it is the way, house of Mālik?
to me? Yet it is customary, O house of Malik.
If impatience appears, that is dislike
فإنso if جَزَعٌanguish يَبدوappears فذاكَthen that is تكرُّهٌan aversion
فإن جَزَعٌ يَبدو فذاكَ تكرُّهٌ
لتجريعِto swallowing صَابٍbitter sap منfrom مُصابٍa loss مُواعكracking
لتجريعِ صَابٍ من مُصابٍ مُواعك
If anguish shows, it is an aversion
For the bitterness of a portion from a shared sorrow.
to swallowing bitter sap from a racking loss;
If there is patience, it is your firm nature
وإنand if كانَthere is صبرٌpatience إنّهاindeed it is لحلُومُكمsurely your forbearance
وإن كانَ صبرٌ إنّها لحلُومُكم
ثوابتُsteadfast فيamid مرّthe passage of الرّياحِthe winds السّواهكِbuffeting
ثوابتُ في مرّ الرّياحِ السّواهكِ
and if there is patience, it is surely your forbearance,
Remaining steadfast in the bitter winds.
steadfast amid the passage of buffeting winds.
You have inherited the way of the leader, so rise
ورثتمyou inherited سناthe radiance of ذاكthat المقدّمleader فأرتقواso ascend
ورثتم سنا ذاك المقدّم فأرتقوا
بأعلىto the highest سنامsummit منamong ذرىthe peaks of العزتامكglory, towering
بأعلى سنام من ذرى العزتامك
You have inherited that leader's radiance: rise
To the highest of insignia through honor’s heirs.
to a towering summit, highest among glory's peaks.
Nothing that made glory endure passed away,
فلمso has not يمضdeparted منone who أبقىleft behind منof المجدglory أرثهhis legacy
فلم يمض من أبقى من المجد أرثه
ولمand has not يلقmet هلكاًdestruction تاركone leaving مثلsomeone like مالكMalik
ولم يلق هلكاً تارك مثل مالك
He has not departed who leaves glory's legacy behind,
Nor met destruction leaving a legacy like Mālik.
nor has one met destruction who leaves someone like Malik.
Do you know why your father rode so hard?
أتدرونdo you know? لمwhy جْدتhastened ركابthe mounts of أبيكمyour father
أتدرون لم جْدت ركاب أبيكم
كماjust as جدhastened سيرٌa journey بالقلاصwith young she-camels الرواتكswift-striding
كما جد سيرٌ بالقلاص الرواتك
Do you know why your father's mounts hastened,
As if traveling with quick camel-riders.
as a journey hastens with swift young she-camels?
Remembering his ancient horizon in the sky,
تذكّرhe recalled فيon أفقthe horizon of السماءheaven قديمَهhis ancient origin
تذكّر في أفق السماء قديمَه
فحنso he yearned إلىfor عيصٍa grove هنالكthere شابكintertwined
فحن إلى عيصٍ هنالك شابك
He recalled his ancient origin on heaven's horizon,
Yearning for that lofty place there, intertwined.
and yearned for a tangled grove there.
His destiny was sublime in the presence of Holiness,
وكانand had سماrisen فيin حضرةthe presence of القدسholiness حظهhis portion
وكان سما في حضرة القدس حظه
فلمso he did not يلهbecome distracted عنهfrom it بالحظوظby fortunes الركائكpaltry
فلم يله عنه بالحظوظ الركائك
His portion had risen in the holy presence,
So he would not be distracted by base desires.
and he was not distracted from it by paltry fortunes.
How strange that we weep for one congratulated
فياso, oh عجباًthe wonder مناat us نبكّيwe weep for مهنأone blessed
فيا عجباً منا نبكّي مهنأ
تبوأmade his home داراًin an abode فيin جوارthe neighborhood of الملائِكِthe angels
تبوأ داراً في جوار الملائِكِ
How strange that we weep for one blessed,
To attain a house in the company of angels!
who has made his home beside the angels!
Greeting him in those pleasures is his fellow
يلاقيهmeets him فيin تلكthose المغانيabodes رفيقُهhis companion
يلاقيه في تلك المغاني رفيقُه
بوجهٍwith a face منيرradiant بالتباشيرwith glad tidings ضاحكsmiling
بوجهٍ منير بالتباشير ضاحك
In those abodes his companion meets him
With a radiant face, laughing with joy.
with a radiant face, smiling with glad tidings.
Do not think the self has joined a body
فلاso do not تحسبواthink أنthat النّوىseparation غالstole away روحهhis soul
فلا تحسبوا أن النّوى غال روحه
لجسمٍbecause of a body ثوىlay تحتbeneath الدكادكthe sand-flats سادكmotionless
لجسمٍ ثوى تحت الدكادك سادك
Do not think separation has stolen away his soul
Lying beneath the gravel in a cloak.
because his body lies still beneath the sand-flats.
If you could glimpse his place,
فلوso if أنكمyou كوشفتمwere granted revelation بمكانهof his dwelling
فلو أنكم كوشفتم بمكانه
رأيتمyou would see مقيماًone settled فيin أعاليthe upper parts of الأرائكthe couches
رأيتم مقيماً في أعالي الأرائك
Had his dwelling been revealed to you,
You would see him lodged atop the beds.
you would have seen him settled atop the couches,
Luxuriating in the Garden of Bliss as it showers him
ينعّمis granted bliss فيin روضthe garden of الرضاdivine favor وتجودهand lavishly water him
ينعّم في روض الرضا وتجوده
سحائبclouds فيamid كثبانdunes of مسكٍmusk عوانكladen
سحائب في كثبان مسكٍ عوانك
enjoying bliss in the garden of favor, watered
With waves of musk in mounds poured forth.
by laden clouds amid dunes of musk.
Thus has God promised one of worthy traits—
كذلكsuch is وعدthe promise of اللهGod فيconcerning ذيone possessing مناسبٍties
كذلك وعد الله في ذي مناسبٍ
منto البرgoodness صحتwere confirmed بالتقىby piety ومناسكand rites
من البر صحت بالتقى ومناسك
Such is God's promise concerning one whose ties
Righteousness by piety made true.
to goodness were confirmed by piety and rites.
O Mercy of the Merciful! Turn to him!
فياso, O رحمةmercy of الرحمنthe Merciful وافيcome to جنابهhis presence
فيا رحمة الرحمن وافي جنابه
وياand O روحَهHis solace سلمsend peace عليهupon him وباركand bless him
ويا روحَه سلم عليه وبارك
O mercy of the Merciful, come to his presence;
O his spirit! Greet him and bless!
O His solace, greet him and bless him.
O my burning ache! Take my note to him
وياand O لوعتيmy burning grief سيريgo إليهto him برقعتيwith my letter
ويا لوعتي سيري إليه برقعتي
وقصّيand recount شُجوناًsorrows منfrom حديثيmy tale هنالكthere
وقصّي شُجوناً من حديثي هنالك
O my burning grief, go to him with my letter,
And convey to him some of my talk there!
and there recount the sorrows of my tale.
Partial English translation: 161 of 162 Arabic lines translated.