صلاةblessing اللَهGod ماas long as يذكرهremembers him ذاكرone who remembers
صلاة اللَه ما يذكره ذاكر
علىupon المختارthe Chosen One منwho أَهدىguided السرائرinnermost secrets
على المختار من أَهدى السرائر
God's blessings, as long as anyone remembers him,
The prayer of God what the rememberer remembers,
upon the Chosen One, who guided the innermost hearts.
Upon the Chosen One who guided the intimate thoughts,
نسيمa breeze هبَّblew منfrom أكنافthe environs of حاجرHajir
نسيم هبَّ من أكناف حاجر
فحركand so stirred منin; from فتىa youth وُدّاًlove مخامرpervading
فحرك من فتى وُدّاً مخامر
A breeze blew from the environs of Hajir,
A breeze blew from the folds of Hajar,
and stirred in a youth a love that possessed him.
So it stirred a young man's love harbored,
وأبدىand revealed ماwhat تكنconceal بهwithin it الجوانحthe ribs; breast
وأبدى ما تكن به الجوانح
ومنand from ذكراهremembering him إلفاًa beloved companion ليسis not حاضرpresent
ومن ذكراه إلفاً ليس حاضر
It revealed what the breast conceals,
And showed what the breasts contained,
and, through remembering him, a beloved companion not present.
And whose remembrance intimacy not present.
سعادSuad أسفرتunveiled herself ليلاًat night بوجهٍwith a face
سعاد أسفرت ليلاً بوجهٍ
الىtoward اسعادٍbringing happiness لاnot تصلينyou unite (feminine) قاصرone falling short
الى اسعادٍ لا تصلين قاصر
Suad unveiled her face at night,
Happiness dawned at night with a face,
to bring happiness—you do not unite with one who falls short.
To happinesses that do not end with little.
عسىmay it be ولعلّand perhaps أنthat يأتيcomes وصالاunion
عسى ولعلّ أن يأتي وصالا
ولوeven if فيin العمرthe lifetime منfrom تلقاءthe presence of قادرone all-powerful
ولو في العمر من تلقاء قادر
May it be, perhaps, that union comes,
Maybe and perhaps the union will come,
even within a lifetime, from One all-powerful.
Even in life from the Bestower’s initiative.
عسىmay تدنوshe draw near لصبٍto a lovesick lover منهfrom him سرعاswiftly
عسى تدنو لصبٍ منه سرعا
وللمسكينand for the poor one فتحاan opening منهfrom him صادرissuing
وللمسكين فتحا منه صادر
May she draw swiftly near a lovesick one through Him,
Maybe soon for a young man from Him a drink is drawn,
and an opening issue from Him for the poor one.
And for the poor an opening from Him comes out.
عبيدa humble servant ذاكthat قدindeed سهرstayed awake اللياليthe nights
عبيد ذاك قد سهر الليالي
يرومseeks وصالهاunion with her لوif only ثمthere زائرa visitor
يروم وصالها لو ثم زائر
That humble servant has kept vigil through the nights,
That slave has stayed up nights,
seeking union with her—if only a visitor were there.
Seeking her union if there was a visitor.
بديعةwondrous وصفdescription ذيpossessing القدِthe stature اعتدالاproportion; balance
بديعة وصف ذي القدِ اعتدالا
وزادتand she increased فرطexcess حسنbeauty فيin البواكرthe early mornings
وزادت فرط حسن في البواكر
Wondrous in description, with a perfectly proportioned stature,
Wondrous description of the one with perfect stature,
she gained surpassing beauty in the early mornings.
And exceeded in intense beauty from the first steps.
فبيتso the House of اللَهGod حاوىencompassing كلevery فخرٍglory
فبيت اللَه حاوى كل فخرٍ
وحجرand a stone أسودblack بلindeed; rather ثمthere طاهرpure
وحجر أسود بل ثم طاهر
God's House encompasses every glory,
So God’s house contained every pride,
and a Black Stone—indeed, a pure one there.
And Black Stone, but there is pure.
كأنas though الخالthe beauty spot فيon; in خديthe two cheeks of مليحa beautiful one
كأن الخال في خدي مليح
تباركblessed is منHe who بريfashioned ذاthis القدِّstature قادرall-powerful
تبارك من بري ذا القدِّ قادر
Like a beauty spot on a fair one's cheeks,
As if the moles on my cheek are beautiful,
blessed is He who fashioned that stature—the All-Powerful.
Blessed is the One who created this perfect ability.
كساهclothed it اللَهGod أنواراًlights وفضلاand favor
كساه اللَه أنواراً وفضلا
فأعجزand so baffled عدهcounting it منwhoever كانwas حاصرone reckoning fully
فأعجز عده من كان حاصر
God clothed it in lights and favor,
God clothed it with lights and grace,
and its reckoning baffled anyone who sought to encompass it.
So it surpassed in number whoever besieged.
فكمhow many فضلاءvirtuous people فيin علمknowledge وعقلand intellect
فكم فضلاء في علم وعقل
تراهمyou see them سجداًprostrate ماemphatic particle بينamong ذاكرone invoking
تراهم سجداً ما بين ذاكر
How many virtuous people, learned and wise,
So how many virtuous in knowledge and intellect,
you see prostrate among those invoking Him.
You see them bowing between the rememberer.
عليهupon it نفائسprecious pieces الديباجbrocade أضحىit has become
عليه نفائس الديباج أضحى
بمرأيwithin sight of وجههits face نعمhow excellent الستائرthe curtains
بمرأي وجهه نعم الستائر
It has come to wear the finest brocades;
Upon it the choice silks have become,
before its face—what splendid curtains!
With the sight of its face, excellent curtains.
تراهyou see it فيin الظلامthe darkness تقولyou say بدراًa full moon
تراه في الظلام تقول بدراً
بداappeared فيin ظلمةdarkness أوor فيin الدياجرthe deepest gloom
بدا في ظلمة أو في الدياجر
You see it in the darkness and call it a full moon,
You see it in the darkness say the full moon,
appearing in darkness or deepest gloom.
Appeared in the dark or in the chambers.
وتبصرand you behold فيin النهارthe daytime تقولyou say شمساًa sun
وتبصر في النهار تقول شمساً
محتshe effaced بشعاعهاwith her rays نجمstars (collective) زواهرshining
محت بشعاعها نجم زواهر
You behold it by day and call it a sun
And you see in the daytime say the sun,
whose rays effaced the shining stars.
Its rays have erased the prominent stars.
تجلتshe appeared radiant فيin الدجاthe darkness فارتنand showed us (unclear form) نوراlight
تجلت في الدجا فارتن نورا
معwith القمرينthe sun and moon فاقتshe surpassed كلevery نائرshining one
مع القمرين فاقت كل نائر
She shone in the darkness and showed us light,
It shone in the darkness so it shone with light,
surpassing every luminary beside the sun and moon.
With the two moons, surpassing every shining lamp.
تفوقshe surpasses قلائدnecklaces العقيانpure gold حتىeven
تفوق قلائد العقيان حتى
وعسجدهاand their gold الدراريthe glittering stars وذاand this جواهرjewels
وعسجدها الدراري وذا جواهر
She surpasses necklaces of pure gold, even
It surpasses the necklaces of virgins, until,
their gold, the glittering stars, and these jewels.
Their prostration and that of the maidens with jewelry.
لقدindeed حسنتbecame beautiful بهاthrough her الايامthe days دوماalways
لقد حسنت بها الايام دوما
بوجهwith a face قبلةprayer-direction of الاحياthe living ودائرand one circling
بوجه قبلة الاحيا ودائر
Through her the days have ever grown beautiful,
Days have beautified it always,
with a face that is the qibla of the living and those circling.
With the face of the Qibla of the living and the circuit.
فسبحانso glory be to المليكthe Sovereign لقدindeed براهاHe fashioned her
فسبحان المليك لقد براها
وتممand perfected خلقهاher creation بينamong الضمائرthe inward hearts
وتمم خلقها بين الضمائر
Glory be to the Sovereign: He fashioned her,
So glory to the King, He has shown it sincere,
and perfected her form amid the inward hearts.
And completed its creation among the consciences.
سالتI asked الاسمthe name منfrom ذيthis one قيلit was said ليلىLayla
سالت الاسم من ذي قيل ليلى
فتلكso that one العامريةthe woman of 'Amir للخواطرfor the thoughts
فتلك العامرية للخواطر
I asked her name of someone; I was told, 'Layla.'
I asked the name from the one called Layla,
That woman of 'Amir dwells in the thoughts.
So that constructor is for the thoughts.
تظلremain لهاfor her الرقابthe necks وكلand every صبlovesick one
تظل لها الرقاب وكل صب
محبٌa lover فيin المحبةlove صارhas become ماهرadept
محبٌ في المحبة صار ماهر
Necks remain devoted to her, and every lovesick
The necks and every young lover,
lover has grown adept in love.
A lover in love has become skilled.
وكمand how many منa (partitive) طائفcircumambulator قدindeed نالreceived فيضاoverflowing grace
وكم من طائف قد نال فيضا
وآونةand at times يتنلhe gains منهاfrom her المفاخرhonors
وآونة يتنل منها المفاخر
How many a circumambulator has received overflowing grace,
And how much procession has gained grace,
and at times gains honors from her.
And times obtains its glories from it.
وأحباباًand beloved ones وخلاناand companions قديماfrom long ago
وأحباباً وخلانا قديما
نشاوىintoxicated تلفهمshe enfolds them بينamong الدسائرthe dasa'ir (unclear)
نشاوى تلفهم بين الدسائر
And beloved ones and companions from long ago,
And beloveds and friends of old,
intoxicated, she enfolds them amid the dasa'ir [unclear word].
Pleasures surround them among the veils.
وحرّمand forbade صيدهits game المولىthe Lord تعالىexalted is He
وحرّم صيده المولى تعالى
علىin الاطلاقabsolute terms فيamong بدوٍdesert dwellers وحاضرand a town-dweller
على الاطلاق في بدوٍ وحاضر
The Lord Most High forbade hunting its game,
And its hunt forbidden the Exalted Lord,
without exception, for desert-dwellers and townspeople.
Absolutely in nomad and cities.
وكمand how many أهلpeople of العنادobstinacy رأواsaw وبالاruin
وكم أهل العناد رأوا وبالا
وجباراand a tyrant لطولafter a long time صارbecame صاغرabased
وجبارا لطول صار صاغر
How many obstinate people met ruin,
And how many stubborn saw affliction,
and a tyrant, after so long, became abased.
And tyrants for long became humbled.
لاهلto the people of الامنsecurity والايمانand faith باحتshe revealed herself
لاهل الامن والايمان باحت
محرمةforbidden علىto منwhoever كانwas كافرan unbeliever
محرمة على من كان كافر
She revealed herself to people of security and faith,
For the people of safety and faith appeared,
forbidden to whoever was an unbeliever.
Forbidden for whoever was an infidel.
وكمand how many منa (partitive) هائمyearning wanderer قدindeed هامwandered in love وجداًwith longing
وكم من هائم قد هام وجداً
كاقطابٍlike spiritual poles وأغواثٍand bringers of succor أَكابرgreat ones
كاقطابٍ وأغواثٍ أَكابر
How many a yearning soul wandered in longing,
And how many infatuated became infatuated with passion,
like spiritual poles and great bringers of succor.
Like the poles and the great rolled up.
وكعبةand a Kaaba قصدناwe sought فالىso toward معظمone venerated
وكعبة قصدنا فالى معظم
ونوّهand proclaimed قدرهاher rank الرحمنthe Merciful قادرall-powerful
ونوّه قدرها الرحمن قادر
And a Kaaba we sought—toward one held in honor,
And Kaaba we headed so to the Exalted,
whose worth the Merciful, the All-Powerful, proclaimed.
And the Merciful Lord revered its value.
يمينright hand of اللَهGod فيهاwithin her خيرthe best صدقtruth
يمين اللَه فيها خير صدق
مشرفةexalted الشعائرthe rites والمآثرand glorious deeds
مشرفة الشعائر والمآثر
God's right hand is within her, the best truth,
The right hand of God in it is good honesty,
exalted in rites and glorious deeds.
Noble rituals and glories.
وحارand were bewildered أولىpossessors of النهىreason فيهاby her وأضحتand she became
وحار أولى النهى فيها وأضحت
فريدةpeerless حسنin beauty أربابmasters of البصائرinward vision
فريدة حسن أرباب البصائر
The possessors of reason were bewildered by her, and she became
And the people of prohibition became confused in it, and it became
peerless in beauty to those with inward vision.
Unique in beauty the possessors of insight.
تبدتshe appeared وانثنتand swayed طرباًin rapture وضاءتand shone
تبدت وانثنت طرباً وضاءت
عروساًas a bride أسفرتunveiled herself خلفbehind الستائرthe curtains
عروساً أسفرت خلف الستائر
She appeared, swayed in rapture, and shone,
It appeared and bent in joy and shone
a bride unveiling herself behind the curtains.
A bride that dawned behind the curtains.
وعنوانand the sign of الهوىlove ميلinclination of المحبthe lover
وعنوان الهوى ميل المحب
إلىtoward المحبوبthe beloved هاbehold تلكthose البشائرglad tidings
إلى المحبوب ها تلك البشائر
The sign of love is the lover's leaning
And the title of love, the lover's inclination,
toward the beloved—behold those glad tidings.
To the beloved, those are the good news.
وجسميand my body فيin هواهاlove for her طريحlaid low by وجدlonging
وجسمي في هواها طريح وجد
وحبٌand a love مالهthat has no نهىlimit وآخرand end
وحبٌ ماله نهى وآخر
My body lies stricken with longing in love for her,
And my body toward its love is fallen and passion,
with a love that has neither limit nor end.
A love that has no objection and another.
رجوتI hoped الفردءنthe Unique One, that (unclear spelling) يكتبdecrees وصاليmy union
رجوت الفردءن يكتب وصالي
اليهاwith her لأجتنيso I may gather وردroses of الخفائرthe modest maidens
اليها لأجتني ورد الخفائر
I hoped the Unique One would decree my union
I hoped the singular would write my union,
with her, to gather the roses of the modest maidens.
To it so I attain the return of letters.
وأقتطفand pluck الملاحةbeauty منfrom خدودٍcheeks
وأقتطف الملاحة من خدودٍ
مورَّدةrose-tinted بهاon them نعمhow splendid الزواهرthe blossoms
مورَّدة بها نعم الزواهر
And pluck beauty from cheeks
And I pluck the deliciousness from cheeks,
rose-tinted with such splendid blossoms.
Rosy on them excellent flowers.
وأحظىand enjoy فيin فناهاher courtyard كلevery آنmoment
وأحظى في فناها كل آن
أصيحابdear companions وأحبابand beloved ones of العشائرthe clans
أصيحاب وأحباب العشائر
And enjoy, in her courtyard at every moment,
And I attain in its demise every moment,
dear companions and beloved ones of the clans.
The companions and beloveds of the tribes.
أجددI renew معهمwith them عهداًa covenant ووداand affection
أجدد معهم عهداً وودا
وأنساًand intimacy كانthat was فيin تلكthose المحاضرgatherings
وأنساً كان في تلك المحاضر
I renew with them a covenant and affection,
I renew with them a covenant and affection,
and the intimacy once found in those gatherings.
And companionship that was in those dwellings.
أياO جيرانneighbors of ليلىLayla منwho رقاكمcharmed you
أيا جيران ليلى من رقاكم
منfrom هواكمyour passion مثلlike سكانdwellers of المقابرthe graves
من هواكم مثل سكان المقابر
O neighbors of Layla, who has charmed you
O neighbors of Layla, who softened your necks,
out of your passion, like the dwellers of graves?
From loving her like the people of graves.
ألاcome; behold فسلواthen ask العواذلthe reproachers عنabout غراميmy passion
ألا فسلوا العواذل عن غرامي
حديثan account مؤرخrecorded بطنthe depths of الدفاترthe notebooks
حديث مؤرخ بطن الدفاتر
Come, ask the reproachers about my passion:
Do not ask the maidens about my passion,
an account recorded in the depths of notebooks.
A narrated story in the fold of books.
ويدريand knows عالمthe Knower of الأسرارsecrets فردٌthe Unique One
ويدري عالم الأسرار فردٌ
ويعلمand knows ماwhat تكنُّconceal بهwithin it الضمائرthe inward hearts
ويعلم ما تكنُّ به الضمائر
The Unique One, Knower of secrets, knows,
And the knower of secrets individually knows,
and knows what the inward hearts conceal.
And knows what the consciences contain.
وأحمدand Ahmad سرَّthe secret of رحمتهHis mercy تعالىexalted is He
وأحمد سرَّ رحمته تعالى
ومدخرٌand a stored treasure وحبٍand love ليfor me ذواخرtreasures in reserve
ومدخرٌ وحبٍ لي ذواخر
And Ahmad is the secret of His mercy—exalted is He,
And I praise the mystery of His mercy exalted,
a treasure stored away, with love's treasures for me.
And a treasure of love for me the last.
صفيُّchosen friend of اللَهِGod والهاديand the guide المصفيَّthe purified one
صفيُّ اللَهِ والهادي المصفيَّ
سراجa lamp أنورٌmost radiant ماضٍpiercing وزاهرand resplendent
سراج أنورٌ ماضٍ وزاهر
God's chosen friend, the guide, the purified one,
The intimate friend of God and the guide the purifier,
a most radiant lamp, piercing and resplendent,
A shining lamp active and flowering.
وخيرand the best of الخلقcreation إعلاناopenly وسرّاًand secretly
وخير الخلق إعلانا وسرّاً
وفضلاًand in excellence فيamong الأوائلthe first والأواخرand the last
وفضلاً في الأوائل والأواخر
the best of creation, openly and secretly,
And best of creation openly and secretly,
and in excellence among the first and the last.
And superiority in the first and the last.
ووجهٌand a face حسنهits beauty أضحىhas become فريداًpeerless
ووجهٌ حسنه أضحى فريداً
وبهجةand the splendor of نورِهِits light للعينto the eye جاهرevident
وبهجة نورِهِ للعين جاهر
A face whose beauty has become peerless,
And a face whose beauty has become unique,
the splendor of its light plain to the eye.
And splendor of its light manifest.
تريكit shows you الشمسthe sun فيat طفلdusk ونورand light
تريك الشمس في طفل ونور
أنارتshe kindled ضوءهاher light منfrom تلكthat نائرshining one
أنارت ضوءها من تلك نائر
It shows you the sun at dusk, and light;
You see the sun in a child and a light
she kindled her radiance from that shining one.
That illuminated its brightness from that lamp.
لهذاfor this الفضلexcellence كمhow many أفلتset شموسsuns
لهذا الفضل كم أفلت شموس
وشمسand the sun of المصطفىthe Chosen One فيin الدهرtime سافرunveiled
وشمس المصطفى في الدهر سافر
For this excellence, how many suns have set,
For this grace how many suns are deficient,
while the Chosen One's sun shines unveiled through all time.
And the sun of the Chosen in time is traveling.
ألاoh ليتwould that التجافيestrangement يعودwould return يوماًone day
ألا ليت التجافي يعود يوماً
وصالاًas union يغننيenriching me بينamong الاكابرthe great
وصالاً يغنني بين الاكابر
Would that estrangement might one day become
Oh if only the estrangement returns one day,
a union enriching me among the great.
And a union that enriches me among the great.
اليكto you إذاًthen خليmy intimate friend القلبthe heart عنىsuffered
اليك إذاً خلي القلب عنى
وروحand soul of الروحthe soul انسانpupil of المحاجرthe eye sockets
وروح الروح انسان المحاجر
To you, then, my friend—the heart is afflicted,
To you then the chambers of the heart are empty of me,
soul of the soul, pupil of the eyes.
And the spirit of the spirit the companion of dwellings.
وأشواقيand my longings التيwhich شاعتspread وبانتand became evident
وأشواقي التي شاعت وبانت
بمنfor the one whom أهواهI love صارhas become اليومtoday عاذرforgiving
بمن أهواه صار اليوم عاذر
And my longings, which spread and became clear,
And my longing that spread and appeared,
for the one I love, who today has become forgiving.
With who I loved today became apologizing.
وانشاديand my recitation بديهاspontaneously وارتجالاًand extemporaneously
وانشادي بديها وارتجالاً
لاجلfor the sake of الحبlove لمnot أكI was غيرother than شاعرa poet
لاجل الحب لم أك غير شاعر
And my recitation, spontaneously and extemporaneously,
And my singing spontaneously and improvising,
is for love: I have been nothing but a poet.
For love I have not been but a poet.
ومدحand praising محمدMuhammad غرضيmy purpose وفخريand my pride
ومدح محمد غرضي وفخري
وعزيand my honor فيamong الاكابرthe great والاصاغرand the lowly
وعزي في الاكابر والاصاغر
Praising Muhammad is my purpose and my pride,
And praising Muhammad is my purpose and pride,
and my honor among the great and the lowly.
And my honor among the great and the small.
فسبكso, verse-crafting منfrom فتىa youth تلقاهyou find him دوماًalways
فسبك من فتى تلقاه دوماً
لمدحto praise المصطفىthe Chosen One ليلاًby night مساهرkeeping vigil
لمدح المصطفى ليلاً مساهر
So, verse fashioned by a youth whom you always find
So flow from a young man who always meets him
keeping night-long vigil to praise the Chosen One.
To praise the Messenger nightly vigilant.
وقدand indeed منعprevented السهادsleeplessness جفونeyelids of مضنىa weary sufferer
وقد منع السهاد جفون مضنى
بجنحunder the wing of الليلthe night بالاشجانwith sorrows ساهرawake
بجنح الليل بالاشجان ساهر
Sleeplessness has kept the weary one's eyelids from closing,
And sleeplessness has prevented my eyelids,
awake in sorrow beneath the wing of night.
With the wings of night with sorrows vigilant.
نبيProphet of الصدقtruth أكرمهhonored him مليكa Sovereign
نبي الصدق أكرمه مليك
وأطلعهand acquainted him علىwith كلall السرائرhidden secrets
وأطلعه على كل السرائر
The Prophet of truth, whom the Sovereign honored
The Prophet of truth, may the King honor him,
and acquainted with every hidden secret.
And inform him of all the secrets.
ترىyou see منfrom سيبthe bounty of كفيهhis two hands نوالاgifts
ترى من سيب كفيه نوالا
بذكرٍthrough remembrance ماas long as سَحابُthe cloud of الجودgenerosity ماطرraining
بذكرٍ ما سَحابُ الجود ماطر
You see gifts from the bounty of his two hands,
Do you see who the palms of his hands grace,
through remembrance, while generosity's cloud rains down.
With a mention no clouds of generosity rained.
وطيبةand Tayba طابتgrew fragrant الارجاءthe surroundings منهاfrom her
وطيبة طابت الارجاء منها
حبيبa beloved طيبsweet الأرجاءthe surroundings عاطرfragrant
حبيب طيب الأرجاء عاطر
And Tayba—its surroundings grew fragrant from her;
And Taybah has the directions from it perfumed,
a beloved, sweet of surroundings and fragrant.
The beloved who scented the directions.
ترىyou see نورthe light of الهدىguidance يفترbeams; smiles عمداًdeliberately
ترى نور الهدى يفتر عمداً
مضيئاًshining منfrom ثناءٍpraise كالجواهرlike jewels
مضيئاً من ثناءٍ كالجواهر
You see the light of guidance deliberately beam,
You see the light of guidance intentionally blinding,
shining from praise like jewels,
Shining from praise like jewelry.
كدرّlike pearls أبيضwhite وترىand you see صفاءًpurity
كدرّ أبيض وترى صفاءً
وورداًand a rose يانعاًblooming بلindeed خدِّa cheek زاهرradiant
وورداً يانعاً بل خدِّ زاهر
like white pearls; you see purity,
Like a shining full moon and you see serenity,
and a blooming rose—indeed, a radiant cheek.
And a blossoming rose but a flourishing cheek.
وكمand how much ألمpain وأسقامand sicknesses وحزنand sorrow
وكم ألم وأسقام وحزن
علىunder; despite هجرٍseparation مبرحtormenting صرتُI became صابرpatient
على هجرٍ مبرح صرتُ صابر
How much pain, sickness, and sorrow,
And how much pain and sickness and sorrow,
and tormenting separation I have borne patiently.
Over an estrangement with patience I became patient.
فكمso how much سمpoison علىamid مضضanguish وغينand clouded gloom
فكم سم على مضض وغين
وكمand how often فيin الدهرtime قدindeed ترىyou see عينan eye عابرweeping
وكم في الدهر قد ترى عين عابر
How much poison amid anguish and clouded gloom,
So how much poison to torment and sadness,
and how often, through time, you see a weeping eye.
And how much in life the eye sees fleeting.
فانيfor I اليومtoday مثلlike أخa brother of سقامsickness
فاني اليوم مثل أخ سقام
تراءتهbeheld him العيونthe eyes كذاlikewise البصائرinward vision
تراءته العيون كذا البصائر
Today I am like a brother to sickness,
So I am today like a brother sick,
beheld by eyes and likewise by inward vision.
Eyes have seen him like the visions.
فهلso is there وصلunion لديat; with البيتthe House المحرمsacred
فهل وصل لدي البيت المحرم
وزورةand a visit to كاملone perfect in الأوصافqualities طاهرpure
وزورة كامل الأوصاف طاهر
Is there union for me at the Sacred House,
So did the Sacred House reach me,
and a visit to one perfect in qualities and pure?
And pilgrimage complete in traits pure.
فنارfor the fire of البعدdistance قدindeed حطمتshattered فؤاديmy heart
فنار البعد قد حطمت فؤادي
ومنand from مرّthe bitterness of النوىseparation فطرتwere split مرائرgallbladders; inward parts
ومن مرّ النوى فطرت مرائر
The fire of distance has shattered my heart,
The fire of separation has destroyed my heart,
and bitter separation has rent my very gall.
And from the passing of time, it broke into pieces.
فلستso I shall not أخيبfail أوor تصغرgrow small يديmy hand
فلست أخيب أو تصغر يدي
وأينand where المجتبيthe Chosen One المرجوّthe hoped-for one طاهرpure
وأين المجتبي المرجوّ طاهر
I shall not fail, nor shall my hand grow small;
So I do not despair or belittle my hand,
and where is the hoped-for Chosen One, pure?
And where is the chosen desired pure?
شفيعintercessor for الناسhumankind فيat حشرgathering ونشرand resurrection
شفيع الناس في حشر ونشر
اذاwhen مازلتslip (ما + زلّت) الاقدامthe feet جابرa restorer
اذا مازلت الاقدام جابر
Intercessor for humankind at gathering and resurrection,
The people’s intercessor on the day of gathering and dispersing,
a restorer when feet slip.
When the feet slip the Predestinator.
بيمناهin his right hand الكريمةgenerous فيin قيامstanding
بيمناه الكريمة في قيام
لواءthe banner of الحمدpraise معقودfastened وشاهرand one displaying it
لواء الحمد معقود وشاهر
In his generous right hand, as he stands,
With his generous right hand will take,
the banner of praise is fastened, and he displays it.
The flag of praise deployed and prominent.
وخصصّand he was singled out بالوسيلةfor the station of nearness ثمthen جودbounty
وخصصّ بالوسيلة ثم جود
واعطاهand granted him الشفاعةintercession ربa Lord قادرall-powerful
واعطاه الشفاعة رب قادر
He was singled out for the station of nearness, then bounty,
And specified him with the Wasila then bestowed,
and an almighty Lord granted him intercession.
And gave him the intercession Lord Able.
هناكthere يرىhe is seen شفيعاًas an intercessor للبراياfor all creatures
هناك يرى شفيعاً للبرايا
لهولfor the terror of الموقفthe gathering الاعلىthe highest المفاخرin honors
لهول الموقف الاعلى المفاخر
There he is seen interceding for all creatures
There he will see an intercessor for creations,
amid the terror of that gathering, highest in honors.
For the awfulness of the supreme situation.
ويسجدand he prostrates حامداًpraising لِلّهto God شكراin thanks
ويسجد حامداً لِلّه شكرا
ويرقىand ascends منبراًa pulpit اعلاthe highest of المنابرpulpits
ويرقى منبراً اعلا المنابر
He prostrates, praising God in thanks,
And he will prostrate thanking God gratefully,
and ascends a pulpit, the highest of pulpits.
And ascend a pulpit the highest of pulpits.
فخذso take بيديmy hand رسولMessenger رسولMessenger of اللَهGod إنيfor I
فخذ بيدي رسول رسول اللَه إني
بذاكon that اليومday فيat بدءthe beginning وآخرand end
بذاك اليوم في بدء وآخر
So take my hand, Messenger, Messenger of God, for I
So take my hand Messenger of God, I am,
am there that day, at its beginning and end.
On that day, in the beginning and the end.
وادخلنيand admit me الجنانthe gardens ونجand save روحيmy soul
وادخلني الجنان ونج روحي
أُموراًordeals; matters عندماwhen تبلىare tested السرائرinner secrets
أُموراً عندما تبلى السرائر
Admit me to the gardens, and save my soul
And enter me into Paradise and save my soul,
from ordeals when inner secrets are tested.
Matters when the secrets wear out.
اناI وصحابيand my companions ثمthen ومنand whoever يلذseeks refuge بيwith me
انا وصحابي ثم ومن يلذ بي
منamong الاهلينthe family بلindeed; rather ثمalso; then العشائرthe clans
من الاهلين بل ثم العشائر
I and my companions, then those who seek shelter with me,
Me and my companions, then those who enjoy me,
of my family, and indeed the clans as well.
From the God conscious, but also the tribes.
فانكfor you باذلa giver ونداكand your bounty سحاpouring abundantly
فانك باذل ونداك سحا
فكمhow many مثليlike me رقىascended اوجَthe summit of المفاخرhonors
فكم مثلي رقى اوجَ المفاخر
You are a giver, and your bounty pours in torrents;
You are bestower, your generosity is healing,
how many like me have risen to the summit of honors.
So how many like me ascended the supreme situations.
وارجوand I hope منكfrom you ثمthen ومنand from كريمa generous one
وارجو منك ثم ومن كريم
مليكa Sovereign قادرٍpowerful ستارVeiler of faults قادرall-powerful
مليك قادرٍ ستار قادر
I hope from you, and then from a generous
And I hope from You, then from the Generous,
Sovereign, powerful, a Veiler of faults, all-powerful,
King Able, curtain Able.
رحيقٍpure nectar سلسبيلٍSalsabil; sweet-flowing drink خيرthe finest كاسcup
رحيقٍ سلسبيلٍ خير كاس
دهاقاًbrimming وارياand honey (possible reading) لاno ضيرharm ناضرfresh
دهاقاً واريا لا ضير ناضر
for pure nectar, Salsabil, the finest cup,
A drink, Salsabeel, the best cup,
brimming and honey-sweet, harmless and fresh,
Flowing, abundant, no harm, blossoming.
بخمرwith the wine of الحبlove منfrom صهباءgolden-red wine عالan exalted one
بخمر الحب من صهباء عال
لدىamong احبابناour beloved ones والحيand the quarter عامرthriving
لدى احبابنا والحي عامر
with love's wine, from the golden-red wine of one exalted,
With the wine of love from an exalted place,
among our beloved ones, while the quarter is thriving.
With our beloveds and the living inhabited.
لانكbecause you بابهHis gate فيin كلevery امرaffair
لانك بابه في كل امر
وانكand you ملجأthe refuge of الادنينthose nearest سائرall
وانك ملجأ الادنين سائر
For you are His gate in every affair,
For you are its door in every matter,
and you are the refuge of all those nearest.
And you are the refuge of the lowly travelers.
وانكand you ذخرناour treasure الاوفيmost faithful وقلand say منfrom
وانك ذخرنا الاوفي وقل من
سبيلthe path of اللَهGod فيin الدنياthis world اعابرI traverse (unusual form)
سبيل اللَه في الدنيا اعابر
You are our most faithful treasure; and say: from
And you are our sufficient treasure, so say who,
God's path I make my passage in this world [wording unclear].
In the path of God in the world are passersby.
وصلىand may He bless اللَهGod ربيmy Lord كلevery وقتٍmoment
وصلى اللَه ربي كل وقتٍ
علىupon قطبthe pole of الوصالunion وخيرand the finest عامرdweller
على قطب الوصال وخير عامر
May God, my Lord, bless at every moment
And may God my Lord pray every time,
the pole of union and the finest dweller,
Upon the pole of union and best inhabitant.
نبيٌّa Prophet حازattained خيرthe finest النعتdescription; praise ساميexalted
نبيٌّ حاز خير النعت سامي
ختامseal of الانبياthe prophets قطبaxis of الدوائرthe circles
ختام الانبيا قطب الدوائر
a lofty Prophet who attained the finest praise,
A prophet who gained the best of noble traits,
the seal of the prophets, the axis of the circles,
Seal of prophets, pole of the cycles.
وآلٍand family والصحابand the companions كضوءlike the light of نجمa star
وآلٍ والصحاب كضوء نجم
بايٍّby whichever يقتديone follows تلكthose الزواهرshining ones
بايٍّ يقتدي تلك الزواهر
and his family and companions, like a star's light,
And family and companions like the light of a star,
following whichever of those radiant ones,
A guiding moon those flowers.
متىwhenever ماemphatic particle لاحflashed برقthe lightning of الفتحopening يجلىshines clear
متى ما لاح برق الفتح يجلى
وضوَّعand perfumed ريحُthe breeze of ريَّاهhis fragrance الحضائرthe enclosures
وضوَّع ريحُ ريَّاه الحضائر
whenever the lightning of opening flashes clear,
Whenever the lightning of victory appears shining,
and the breeze of his fragrance perfumes the enclosures,
And the wind of its satisfaction stirs the dwellings.
ومهماand whenever هاشمHashim مسكينa poor one يبديbrings forth
ومهما هاشم مسكين يبدي
نظاماًverse جلَّrose far above عنbeyond أوصافdescriptions of شاعرa poet
نظاماً جلَّ عن أوصاف شاعر
and whenever poor Hashim brings forth
And however poor Muhammad reveals,
verse too exalted for a poet's descriptions.
An order far from the traits of a poet.