أَبْدَىhe showed لِدَاعِيto the caller to الْفَوْزِsalvation وَجْهَthe face of مُنِيبِa penitent
أَبْدَى لِدَاعِي الْفَوْزِ وَجْهَ مُنِيبِ
وَأَفَاقَand came to his senses مِنْfrom عَذْلٍreproach وَمِنْand from تَأَنِيبِrebuke
وَأَفَاقَ مِنْ عَذْلٍ وَمِنْ تَأَنِيبِ
He turned a repentant face toward the caller to salvation,
He showed favor to the caller of success with a submissive face,
and came to his senses after reproach and rebuke.
And recovered from blame and remorse.
كَلِفُenamored الْجَنَانِat heart إِذَاwhenever جَرَىarose ذِكْرُmention of الْحِمَىthe beloved enclosure
كَلِفُ الْجَنَانِ إِذَا جَرَى ذِكْرُ الْحِمَى
وَالْبَانِand the ban trees حَنَّhe yearned لَهُfor it حَنِينَwith the yearning of النِّيبِaged she-camels
وَالْبَانِ حَنَّ لَهُ حَنِينَ النِّيبِ
Enamored at heart, whenever the beloved enclosure is mentioned
The cheeks blush when the love is mentioned,
and the ban trees, he yearns for it like aged she-camels.
And the front teeth yearn for it with a sigh.
وَالنَّفْسُand the soul لاَnot تَنْفَكُّceases تَكْلَفُto be enamored بِالْهَوَىof passion
وَالنَّفْسُ لاَ تَنْفَكُّ تَكْلَفُ بِالْهَوَى
وَالشَّيْبُand gray hair يَلْحَظُهَاwatches it بِعَيْنِwith the eye of رَقِيبِa guardian
وَالشَّيْبُ يَلْحَظُهَا بِعَيْنِ رَقِيبِ
The soul never ceases to be enamored of passion,
The soul cannot give up pursuing passion,
while gray hair watches it with a guardian's eye.
While gray hair watches it with a vigilant eye.
رَحَلَdeparted الصِّبَاyouth فَطَرَحْتُso I cast away فِيin أَعْقَابِهِits wake
رَحَلَ الصِّبَا فَطَرَحْتُ فِي أَعْقَابِهِ
مَاwhat كَانَthere was مِنْof غَزلٍlove poetry وَمِنْand of تَشْبِيبِamorous verse
مَا كَانَ مِنْ غَزلٍ وَمِنْ تَشْبِيبِ
Youth departed, and in its wake I cast away
Youth departed, so I cast behind it
all that there was of love poetry and amorous verse.
Whatever was of flirting and foolishness.
أَتَرَىdo you think التَّغَزُّلَcomposing love poetry بَعْدَafter أَنْthat رَحَلَdeparted الصِّبَاyouth
أَتَرَى التَّغَزُّلَ بَعْدَ أَنْ رَحَلَ الصِّبَا
شَأنِيmy concern الْغَدَاةَthis morning إِذِwhen الْمَشِيبُgray hair نَسِيبِيis my kin
شَأنِي الْغَدَاةَ إِذِ الْمَشِيبُ نَسِيبِي
Do you think composing love poetry, after youth has departed,
Do you see me flirting after youth has gone?
is my concern this morning, when gray hair is my kin?
It was my habit in the mornings when gray hair is my companion.
أَنَّيhow لِمْثِلِيَfor one like me بِالْهَوَىwith passion مِنْfrom بَعْدِafter مَاwhat
أَنَّي لِمْثِلِيَ بِالْهَوَى مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا
لِلْوَخْطِfor gray flecks فِيin الْفَوْدَيْنِboth temples أَيُّwhat a دَبِيبِcreeping
لِلْوَخْطِ فِي الْفَوْدَيْنِ أَيُّ دَبِيبِ
How could one like me pursue passion after
How can someone like me still have passion
gray flecks have crept so far along both temples?
When the gray hair between my temples rebukes me?
لَبِسَit donned الْبَيَاضَwhite وَحَلَّand occupied ذِرْوَةَthe summit of مِنْبَرٍa pulpit
لَبِسَ الْبَيَاضَ وَحَلَّ ذِرْوَةَ مِنْبَرٍ
مِنِّيwithin me وَوَالَىand continued الْوَعْظَadmonition فِعْلَin the manner of خَطِيبِa preacher
مِنِّي وَوَالَى الْوَعْظَ فِعْلَ خَطِيبِ
It donned white and mounted the summit of a pulpit
He has worn white and assumed the highest pulpit,
within me, repeating admonitions like a preacher.
And turned to preaching, doing the work of the preacher.
قَدْindeed كَانَwas يَسْتُرُنِيconcealing me ظَلاَمُthe darkness of شَبِيبَتِيmy youth
قَدْ كَانَ يَسْتُرُنِي ظَلاَمُ شَبِيبَتِي
وَالْيَوْمَand today يَفْضَحُنِيexposes me صَبَاحُthe dawn of مَشِيبِيmy gray hair
وَالْيَوْمَ يَفْضَحُنِي صَبَاحُ مَشِيبِي
The darkness of my youth once concealed me,
The darkness of my youth used to cover me,
but today the dawn of my gray hair exposes me.
While today the dawn of my old age exposes me.
وَإِذَاand whenever الْجَديِدَانِthe two ever-new ones (night and day) اسْتَجَدَّاrenew themselves أَبْلَيَاthey wear out
وَإِذَا الْجَديِدَانِ اسْتَجَدَّا أَبْلَيَا
مِنْfrom لِبْسَةِthe clothing of الأَعْمَارِlifetimes كُلَّevery قَشِيبِfresh garment
مِنْ لِبْسَةِ الأَعْمَارِ كُلَّ قَشِيبِ
Whenever the two ever-new ones renew themselves, they wear out
When the two newly appeared gray hairs whitened,
every fresh garment in the clothing of our lives.
They were worn out by the garment of lifetimes, every gray hair.
سَلْنِيask me عَنِabout الدَّهْرِtime الْخَؤونِthe treacherous وَأَهْلِهِand its people
سَلْنِي عَنِ الدَّهْرِ الْخَؤونِ وَأَهْلِهِ
تَسَلyou ask الْمُهَلَّبal-Muhallab عَنْabout حُرُوبthe wars of شَبِيبِShabib
تَسَل الْمُهَلَّب عَنْ حُرُوب شَبِيبِ
Ask me about treacherous time and its people:
Ask me about fate and its people,
you ask al-Muhallab about Shabib's wars.
Like one skinned asks about the wars of youth.
مُتَقَلِّبُever-changing الْحَالاَتِin its states فَاخْبُرْso test it تَقْلِهِyou will hate it
مُتَقَلِّبُ الْحَالاَتِ فَاخْبُرْ تَقْلِهِ
مَهْمَاhowever often أَعَدْتَyou returned يَداًa hand إِلَىto تَقْلِيبِexamination
مَهْمَا أَعَدْتَ يَداً إِلَى تَقْلِيبِ
Ever-changing in its states: test it, and you will hate it,
Ever-changing circumstances, so tell of their overturning,
however often you set your hand to examining it.
However much you prepare a hand for toppling.
فَكِلِso entrust الأَمْورَaffairs إِذَاwhen اعْتَرَتْكَthey beset you لِرَبِّهَاto their Lord
فَكِلِ الأَمْورَ إِذَا اعْتَرَتْكَ لِرَبِّهَا
مَاnot ضَاقَwas too narrow لُطْفُthe kindness of الرَّبِّthe Lord عَنْfor مَرْبُوبِa creature in His care
مَا ضَاقَ لُطْفُ الرَّبِّ عَنْ مَرْبُوبِ
Entrust affairs, when they beset you, to their Lord:
Leave all matters to their Lord when they afflict you,
the Lord's kindness is never too narrow for a creature in His care.
The Lord’s bounty does not narrow for the sought.
قَدْmay يَخْبَأَHe hide الْمَحْبُوبَwhat is loved فِيin مَكْرُوهِهَاtheir unwelcome turns
قَدْ يَخْبَأَ الْمَحْبُوبَ فِي مَكْرُوهِهَا
مَنْHe who يَخْبَأَhides الْمَكْرُوهَwhat is unwelcome فِيin الْمَحْبُوبِwhat is loved
مَنْ يَخْبَأَ الْمَكْرُوهَ فِي الْمَحْبُوبِ
He may hide what is loved in their unwelcome turns,
The beloved may hide in its hated aspects,
He who hides the unwelcome within what is loved.
Who hides the hated in the beloved?
وَاصْبِرand endure عَلَىthrough مَضضِthe anguish of اللَّيَالِيthe nights إِنَّهَاfor they
وَاصْبِر عَلَى مَضضِ اللَّيَالِي إِنَّهَا
كَحَوَامِلٍlike pregnant women سَتَلِدْنَwill give birth to كُلَّevery عَجِيبِwonder
كَحَوَامِلٍ سَتَلِدْنَ كُلَّ عَجِيبِ
Endure the anguish of the nights, for they
Be patient with the distress of nights, they
are like pregnant women who will bear every wonder.
Are like pregnant women who will each give birth to wonders.
وَاقْنَعْand be content بِحَظٍّwith a lot لَمْnot تَنلْهُyou obtained it بِحِيلةٍby stratagem
وَاقْنَعْ بِحَظٍّ لَمْ تَنلْهُ بِحِيلةٍ
مَاnot كُلُّevery رَامٍarcher سَهْمُهُhis arrow بِمُصِيبِhits the mark
مَا كُلُّ رَامٍ سَهْمُهُ بِمُصِيبِ
Be content with a lot you did not win by stratagem:
Be content with a share you did not obtain through trickery,
not every archer's arrow strikes the mark.
Not every archer’s arrow hits the target.
يَقَعُfalls الْحَرِيصُthe over-eager man عَلَىupon الرَّدَىruin وَلكَمَand how often غَدَاhas become
يَقَعُ الْحَرِيصُ عَلَى الرَّدَى وَلكَمَ غَدَا
تَرْكُforsaking التَّسَبُّبِcontrivance أَنْفَعَthe most profitable التَّسْبِيبِcontrivance
تَرْكُ التَّسَبُّبِ أَنْفَعَ التَّسْبِيبِ
The over-eager man falls to ruin, and how often has
The greedy falls prey, and how often in the mornings
forsaking contrivance been the most profitable contrivance.
Abandonment of devices is more beneficial than their use.
مَنْwhoever رَامsought نَيْلَattainment of الشَّيْءِthe thing قَبْلَbefore أَوَانِهِits time
مَنْ رَام نَيْلَ الشَّيْءِ قَبْلَ أَوَانِهِ
رَامَsought انْتِقَالَthe moving of يَلَمْلَمٍYalamlam وَعَسِيبِand Asib
رَامَ انْتِقَالَ يَلَمْلَمٍ وَعَسِيبِ
Whoever seeks to attain a thing before its time
Whoever desires obtaining something before its time
seeks to move Yalamlam and Asib.
Seeks the transition of something unripe and difficult.
فَإِذَاso when جَعَلْتَyou make الصَّبْرَpatience مَفْزَعَthe refuge for مُعْضِلٍa baffling problem
فَإِذَا جَعَلْتَ الصَّبْرَ مَفْزَعَ مُعْضِلٍ
عَاجَلْتَyou swiftly treated عِلَّتَهُits ailment بِطِبِّwith the skill of طَبِيبِa physician
عَاجَلْتَ عِلَّتَهُ بِطِبِّ طَبِيبِ
When you make patience your refuge in a baffling problem,
So when you make patience the refuge of predicaments,
you swiftly treat its ailment with a physician's skill.
You promptly heal its cause with the physician’s medicine.
وَإِذَاand when اسْتَعَنْتَyou seek help عَلَىagainst الزَّمَانِtime بِفَارِسfrom Faris
وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ عَلَى الزَّمَانِ بِفَارِس
لَبَّىanswered نِدَاءَكَyour call مِنْهُfrom him خَيْرُthe best مُجِيبِrespondent
لَبَّى نِدَاءَكَ مِنْهُ خَيْرُ مُجِيبِ
And when you seek Faris's help against time,
And when you seek aid against fate with the knight,
the best of answerers responds from him to your call:
He will answer your call, the best respondent.
بِخَلِيفةِthrough the caliph of اللهِGod الَّذِيwho فِيin كَفِّهِhis palm
بِخَلِيفةِ اللهِ الَّذِي فِي كَفِّهِ
غَيْثٌrain يُرَوِّضُturns to meadow سَاحَthe expanse of كُلِّevery جَدِيبِbarren tract
غَيْثٌ يُرَوِّضُ سَاحَ كُلِّ جَدِيبِ
God's caliph, in whose palm
By God’s Caliph whose hand
lies rain that turns every barren expanse to meadow.
Contains rain to water every barren plain.
ألْمُنْتَقَىthe chosen one مِنْfrom طِينَةِthe clay of الْمَجْدِglory الَّذِيwhose
ألْمُنْتَقَى مِنْ طِينَةِ الْمَجْدِ الَّذِي
مَاnot كَانَwas يَوْماًever صِرْفُهُits pure substance بِمَشُوبِalloyed
مَا كَانَ يَوْماً صِرْفُهُ بِمَشُوبِ
Chosen from the clay of glory, whose
The chosen from the clay of glory, one who
pure substance has never once been alloyed.
Was never an alloyed day with impurities.
يَرْمِيhe assails الصِّعَابَdifficulties بِسَعْدِهِwith his good fortune فِيقُودُهَاthen leads them
يَرْمِي الصِّعَابَ بِسَعْدِهِ فِيقُودُهَا
ذُلُلاًsubmissively عَلاَaccording to حَسَبِthe measure of الْهَوَىthe intent المَرْغُوبِdesired
ذُلُلاً عَلاَ حَسَبِ الْهَوَى المَرْغُوبِ
He assails difficulties with his good fortune, then leads them
He guides tribulations with his good fortune, leading them
submissively, according to his desired intent.
Tamed, atop the hoped for destination.
ويرىand he sees الحقائقrealities منfrom وراءbehind حجابهاtheir veil
ويرى الحقائق من وراء حجابها
لاno فرقdifference بينbetween شهادةthe witnessed ومغيبand the unseen
لا فرق بين شهادة ومغيب
He sees realities from behind their veil,
And he sees realities behind their veils,
with no difference between the witnessed and the unseen.
No difference between witnessing and the unseen.
مِنْfrom آلِthe house of عَبْدِAbd الْحَقal-Haqq حَيْثُwhere تَوَشَّجَتْentwined
مِنْ آلِ عَبْدِ الْحَق حَيْثُ تَوَشَّجَتْ
شُعَبُthe branches of الْعُلاَgreatness وَرَبَتْand rose بِأَيِّupon what a كَثيِبِdune
شُعَبُ الْعُلاَ وَرَبَتْ بِأَيِّ كَثيِبِ
From the house of Abd al-Haqq, where entwined
From the family of Abdel Haqq, where
the branches of greatness, rising upon what a dune!
The channels of sublimity sprouted on every dune.
أُسُدُlions of الشَّرَىal-Shara سُرُجُlamps of الْوَرَىmankind فَمَقَامُهُمْso their station
أُسُدُ الشَّرَى سُرُجُ الْوَرَى فَمَقَامُهُمْ
للهِfor God بَيْنَbetween مُحَارِبٍa warrior وَحُرُوبِand wars
للهِ بَيْنَ مُحَارِبٍ وَحُرُوبِ
Lions of al-Shara, lamps of mankind: their station
The lion of nobility, the horseman of honor, thus their position
is for God, amid warrior and wars.
Is with God between warrior and wars.
إِمَّاwhenever دَعَاcalled الدَّاعِيthe caller وَثَوَّبَand repeated the call صَارِخاcrying out
إِمَّا دَعَا الدَّاعِي وَثَوَّبَ صَارِخا
ثَابُواthey rallied وَأمُّواand headed for حَوْمَةَthe heart of التَّثْوِيبِthe repeated summons
ثَابُوا وَأمُّوا حَوْمَةَ التَّثْوِيبِ
Whenever the caller called and repeated his cry,
Whether the caller called and the shouter shouted persistently
they rallied and headed for the heart of the summons.
They responded and brought about repeated reward.
شُهْبٌmeteors ثَوَاقِبُpiercing وَالسَّمَاءُand the sky عَجَاجَةٌis swirling dust
شُهْبٌ ثَوَاقِبُ وَالسَّمَاءُ عَجَاجَةٌ
تَأَثِيرهَاtheir effect قَدْindeed صَحَّhas been proven بِالتَّجْرِيبِby trial
تَأَثِيرهَا قَدْ صَحَّ بِالتَّجْرِيبِ
Piercing meteors, while the sky is swirling dust:
Meteors of impact whose effect
their power has been proven by trial.
Is proven through experimentation.
مَاwhatever شئْتَyou wish فِيin آفاقِهاits horizons مِنْof رَامِحٍa spearman
مَا شئْتَ فِي آفاقِها مِنْ رَامِحٍ
يَبْدُوappearing وَكَفٍّand a hand بِالنّجيعِwith blood خَضِيبِdyed
يَبْدُو وَكَفٍّ بِالنّجيعِ خَضِيبِ
All you could wish upon its horizons: a spearman
Whatever piercing stars you wish in its horizons
appearing, and a hand dyed crimson with blood.
Appear with a white forearm made red with blood.
عَجِبَتْmarveled سُيُوفُهُمُtheir swords لِشِدَّةِat the strength of بَأْسِهمْtheir might
عَجِبَتْ سُيُوفُهُمُ لِشِدَّةِ بَأْسِهمْ
فَتَبَسَّمَتْso they smiled وَالْجَوُّand the air فِيin تقْطِيبِscowling
فَتَبَسَّمَتْ وَالْجَوُّ فِي تقْطِيبِ
Their swords marveled at the strength of their might,
Their hardened swords smiled
and smiled while the air was scowling.
While the atmosphere was frowning.
نُظَمُواthey were strung بِلَبَّاتِupon the throats of الْعُلَىgreatness واسْتَوسَقُواand joined together
نُظَمُوا بِلَبَّاتِ الْعُلَى واسْتَوسَقُوا
كَالرُّمْحِlike a lance أَنْبُوباًsection عَلَىupon أنْبُوبِsection
كَالرُّمْحِ أَنْبُوباً عَلَى أنْبُوبِ
They were strung upon the throats of greatness and joined together,
They are threaded with necklaces of loftiness and seek rainwater
like a lance, section upon section.
Like spears, spout atop spout.
تَرْويrelate الْعَوَالِيthe lofty spearheads فِيconcerning الْمَعَالِيhigh deeds عَنْهُمُfrom them
تَرْوي الْعَوَالِي فِي الْمَعَالِي عَنْهُمُ
أَثَرَthe tradition of النَّدَىgenerosity الْمَوْلُودِinherited وَالْمَكْسُوبِand acquired
أَثَرَ النَّدَى الْمَوْلُودِ وَالْمَكْسُوبِ
The spearheads relate, concerning their high deeds,
It waters the heights through them
the tradition of generosity inherited and acquired,
The effect of newborn scattered rain.
عَنْfrom كُلِّevery مَوْثُوقٍtrusted man بِهِin him إِسْنَادُهُhis chain of transmission
عَنْ كُلِّ مَوْثُوقٍ بِهِ إِسْنَادُهُ
بِالْقَطْعِby interruption أَوor بِالوَضْعِby fabrication غَيْرَnot مَعِيبِblemished
بِالْقَطْعِ أَو بِالوَضْعِ غَيْرَ مَعِيبِ
from every trusted man, whose chain of transmission
Every reliable source, its origin
is unblemished by interruption or fabrication.
Is definitively or hypothetically flawless.
فَأبوthus Abu عِنَانٍInan عَنfrom علِيّAli غضَّةًfresh
فَأبو عِنَانٍ عَن علِيّ غضَّةً
لِلنَّقْلِfor transmission عَنِfrom عُثْمَانUthman عَنْfrom يَعْقُوبِYaqub
لِلنَّقْلِ عَنِ عُثْمَان عَنْ يَعْقُوبِ
Thus Abu Inan relates from Ali a tradition still fresh
So Abu Inan from Ali a connection
for transmission from Uthman, from Yaqub.
To relay from Uthman from Yaqub.
جَاءُواthey came كَمَاas اتَّسَقَcohered الْحِسَابُthe reckoning أَصَالَةًin nobility of origin
جَاءُوا كَمَا اتَّسَقَ الْحِسَابُ أَصَالَةً
وَغَدَاand he became فَذَالِكَthe sum total of ذَلِكَthat الْمَكْتُوبِwritten record
وَغَدَا فَذَالِكَ ذَلِكَ الْمَكْتُوبِ
They came in order, as a reckoning coheres, in nobility,
They came as accounts matched originally
and he became the sum total of that written record,
And so it went, thus is what is written.
مُتَجَسِّداًembodied مِنْfrom جَوْهَرِthe substance of النُّورِlight الَّذِيwhose
مُتَجَسِّداً مِنْ جَوْهَرِ النُّورِ الَّذِي
لَمْnot تُرْمَwas charged يَوْماًever شَمْسُهُits sun بِغُرُوبِwith setting
لَمْ تُرْمَ يَوْماً شَمْسُهُ بِغُرُوبِ
embodied from the substance of that light
Embodied from the essence of the Light that
whose sun was never once charged with setting,
Its sun was never subjected to setting.
مُتألِّقاshining مِنْfrom مَطْلَعِthe rising place of الْحَقِّtruth الَّذِيwhich
مُتألِّقا مِنْ مَطْلَعِ الْحَقِّ الَّذِي
هُوَit is نُورَthe light of أَبْصَارٍeyes وَسِرُّand the secret of قُلوبِhearts
هُوَ نُورَ أَبْصَارٍ وَسِرُّ قُلوبِ
shining from the rising place of that truth
Radiant from the horizon of Truth that
which is the light of eyes and the secret of hearts.
Is the light of insights and secret of hearts.
قُلْsay لِلزَّمَانِto time وَقَدْand already تَبَسَّمit has smiled ضَاحِكاًlaughing
قُلْ لِلزَّمَانِ وَقَدْ تَبَسَّم ضَاحِكاً
مِنْfrom بَعْدِafter طُولِlong تَجَهُّمِgrimness وَقُطُوبِand scowling
مِنْ بَعْدِ طُولِ تَجَهُّمِ وَقُطُوبِ
Say to time, now that it has smiled in laughter,
Say to time, as it smiled laughing
after long grimness and scowling:
After long frowning and bleakness:
هِيَit is دَعْوَةٌthe call of الْحَقِّtruth التَّيwhose أَوْضاعُهَاarrangements
هِيَ دَعْوَةٌ الْحَقِّ التَّي أَوْضاعُهَا
جَمَعَتْgathered مِنْof الآثَارِeffects كُلَّevery غَرِيبِmarvel
جَمَعَتْ مِنْ الآثَارِ كُلَّ غَرِيبِ
It is the call of truth, whose arrangements
This is the call to truth whose codes
have gathered every marvelous effect.
Collected from traces every wondrous matter.
هِيَit is دولةthe reign of الْعَدْلِjustice الَّذِيthat شَمَلَencompassed الْوَرَىmankind
هِيَ دولة الْعَدْلِ الَّذِي شَمَلَ الْوَرَى
فَالشَّاةُso the ewe لاَnot تَخْشَىfears اعْتِدَاءَthe attack of الذِّيبِthe wolf
فَالشَّاةُ لاَ تَخْشَى اعْتِدَاءَ الذِّيبِ
It is the reign of justice that has encompassed mankind,
It is the state of justice that encompassed the world
so the ewe does not fear the wolf's attack.
So sheep no longer fear the oppression of wolves.
لَوْif أَنَّindeed كِسْرَىKisra الْفُرْسِof the Persians أَدْرَكَencountered فَارِساًFaris
لَوْ أَنَّ كِسْرَى الْفُرْسِ أَدْرَكَ فَارِساً
أَلْقَىhe would cast إِلَيْهِbefore him بِتاجِهِhis crown الْمَعْصُوبِbound upon his head
أَلْقَى إِلَيْهِ بِتاجِهِ الْمَعْصُوبِ
Had Kisra of the Persians encountered Faris,
If the Persian Kisra glimpsed this knight
he would have cast before him the crown bound upon his head.
He would cast his usurped crown to him.
لَمَّاwhen حَلَلْتُI settled بِأَرضَهِin his land مُتَمَلِّياًenjoying
لَمَّا حَلَلْتُ بِأَرضَهِ مُتَمَلِّياً
مَاwhatever شِئْتُI wished مِنْof بِرٍّkindness وَمِنْand of تَرْحِيبِwelcome
مَا شِئْتُ مِنْ بِرٍّ وَمِنْ تَرْحِيبِ
When I settled in his land, enjoying
When I lodged in his land reveling
all I wished of kindness and welcome,
I wished for righteousness and welcoming.
شَمَلَencompassed الرِّضَىfavor فَكَأَنَّso as though كُلِّevery أَقَاحَةٍdaisy
شَمَلَ الرِّضَى فَكَأَنَّ كُلِّ أَقَاحَةٍ
تُومِيgestures بِثغْرwith a mouth لِلسَّلاَمِin greeting شَنِيبِcool and pearly
تُومِي بِثغْر لِلسَّلاَمِ شَنِيبِ
favor encompassed all, as though every daisy
It encompassed acceptance, as if each field
beckoned a greeting with a cool, pearly mouth.
Smiled with a mouth for peace, every cheek.
وَأَتيتُand I came فيupon بَحْرِthe sea of الْقِرَىhospitality أَمَّthe Mother of الْقُرَىTowns
وَأَتيتُ في بَحْرِ الْقِرَى أَمَّ الْقُرَى
حَتَّىuntil حَطَطْتُI alighted بِمَرْفَإِat the harbor of التَّقْرِيبِdrawing near
حَتَّى حَطَطْتُ بِمَرْفَإِ التَّقْرِيبِ
Upon hospitality's sea I came to the Mother of Towns,
And I came in the sea of towns, the mother of towns,
until I alighted at the harbor of drawing near.
Until I docked at the harbor of kinship.
فَرَأيْتُso I saw أمْرَthe command of اللهِGod فيin ظِلِّthe shade of التُّقىpiety
فَرَأيْتُ أمْرَ اللهِ في ظِلِّ التُّقى
وَالْعَدْلَand justice تَحْتَbeneath سُرَادِقٍa pavilion مَضْرُوبِpitched
وَالْعَدْلَ تَحْتَ سُرَادِقٍ مَضْرُوبِ
I saw God's command in the shade of piety,
So I saw God’s order under the shade of piety
and justice beneath a pitched pavilion.
And justice beneath an established canopy.
وَرَأيْتُand I saw سَيْفَthe sword of اللهِGod مَطْرُورَsharpened الشَّبَاat its edges
وَرَأيْتُ سَيْفَ اللهِ مَطْرُورَ الشَّبَا
يَمْضِيِis executed الْقَضَاءُjudgment بِحَدِّهِby its blade الْمَرْهُوبِthe dreaded
يَمْضِيِ الْقَضَاءُ بِحَدِّهِ الْمَرْهُوبِ
I saw God's sword, sharpened at its edges,
And I saw God’s sword sharpened and swift
judgment being executed by its dreaded blade.
Judgment takes its course by its feared blade.
وَشَهدْتُand I witnessed نُورَthe light of اللهِGod لَيْسَnot بِآفِلsetting
وَشَهدْتُ نُورَ اللهِ لَيْسَ بِآفِل
وَالدِّينَand religion وَالدُّنْيَاand worldly life عَلَىin تَرْتيبِorder
وَالدِّينَ وَالدُّنْيَا عَلَى تَرْتيبِ
I witnessed God's light, never setting,
And I witnessed God’s light, an unsetting
and religion and worldly life in order.
Religion and world upon arrangement.
وَوَرَدْتُand I reached بَحْرَthe sea of الْعِلْمِknowledge يَقدِفُcasts forth مَوْجُهُits waves
وَوَرَدْتُ بَحْرَ الْعِلْمِ يَقدِفُ مَوْجُهُ
لِلنَّاسِfor mankind مِنْof دُرَرٍpearls الْهُدَىof guidance بِضُرُوبِin varieties
لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ دُرَرٍ الْهُدَى بِضُرُوبِ
I reached the sea of knowledge, whose waves cast forth
And I reached the sea of knowledge, its waves
varied pearls of guidance for mankind.
Gift people pearls of guidance in types.
للهِby God مِنْwhat شِيَمِvirtues كَأَزْهَارِlike the flowers of الرُّبَىthe hills
للهِ مِنْ شِيَمِ كَأَزْهَارِ الرُّبَى
غِبَّafter انْثِيَالِthe downpour of الْعَارِضِthe raincloud الْمَسْكوبِpouring forth
غِبَّ انْثِيَالِ الْعَارِضِ الْمَسْكوبِ
What virtues, by God, like the flowers of the hills
To God belong praiseworthy traits like meadow flowers
after the pouring cloud's downpour!
Whose gathered fragrance is poured out.
وَجَمَالِand beauty of مَرْأَىaspect فِيin رِدَاءِa mantle of مَهَابَةٍmajesty
وَجَمَالِ مَرْأَى فِي رِدَاءِ مَهَابَةٍ
كَالسَّيْفِlike a sword مَصْقُولِpolished الْفِرنْدِin its watered pattern مهِيبِawe-inspiring
كَالسَّيْفِ مَصْقُولِ الْفِرنْدِ مهِيبِ
And beauty of aspect clothed in majesty,
And the beauty of an awe-inspiring garment
like an awe-inspiring sword with its watered pattern polished.
Like a polished Frankish sword, revered.
يَاO جَنَّةًparadise فَارَقْتُI departed مِنْfrom غُرُفَاتِهَاits chambers
يَا جَنَّةً فَارَقْتُ مِنْ غُرُفَاتِهَا
دارthe abode of القرارpermanence بماbecause of what أقتضتهrequired it ذنوبيmy sins
دار القرار بما أقتضته ذنوبي
O paradise, I departed from your chambers,
O paradise I departed from its rooms
that abiding home, as my sins decreed.
The abode of settledness through what my sins necessitated.
أَسَفِيmy regret عَلَىfor مَاwhat ضَاعَwas lost مِنْof حَظِّيmy share بِهَاthere
أَسَفِي عَلَى مَا ضَاعَ مِنْ حَظِّي بِهَا
لاَnot تَنْقَضِيcease تَرْحَاتُهُits sorrows ونَحِيبِيand my sobbing
لاَ تَنْقَضِي تَرْحَاتُهُ ونَحِيبِي
My regret for the share I lost there:
I grieve over what I lost of fortune through it
its sorrows and my sobbing never cease.
Its comforts will not cease, and neither will my lament.
إنif أشرقتrose شمسthe sun شَرِقتُI choked بِعَبرَتيon my tears
إن أشرقت شمس شَرِقتُ بِعَبرَتي
وَتَفِيضُand overflow فِيat وَقْتِthe time of الْغُرُوبِsunset غُرُوِبيmy tear-buckets
وَتَفِيضُ فِي وَقْتِ الْغُرُوبِ غُرُوِبي
If the sun rises, I choke upon my tears,
If the sun rose my tears rose in mourning
and at sunset my tear-buckets overflow.
And pour at sunset in my times of setting.
حَتَّىuntil لَقَدْindeed عَلَّمْتُI taught سَاجِعَةَthe cooing dove of الضُّحَىthe forenoon
حَتَّى لَقَدْ عَلَّمْتُ سَاجِعَةَ الضُّحَى
شَجْوِيmy sorrow وَجَانِحَةَand the declining sun of الأَصِيلِlate afternoon شُحُوبِيmy pallor
شَجْوِي وَجَانِحَةَ الأَصِيلِ شُحُوبِي
Indeed, I have taught the morning's cooing dove
I taught the night visitor my lament and the dove at dawn my sorrows,
my sorrow, and the declining evening sun my pallor.
While the witnessing of sincerity assures my return
وَشَهَادةُand the testimony of الإِخْلاَصِsincerity تُوجِبُrequires رَجْعَتِيmy return
وَشَهَادةُ الإِخْلاَصِ تُوجِبُ رَجْعَتِي
لِنَعيمِهَاto its bliss مِنْwith غَيْرَno مَسِّtouch of لَغُوبِweariness
لِنَعيمِهَا مِنْ غَيْرَ مَسِّ لَغُوبِ
My testimony of sincerity requires my return
To its bliss without soiling by sins.
to its bliss, untouched by weariness.
O supporter of the estranged land and its people,
يَاO نَاصِرَchampion of الثَّغْرِthe frontier الْغَرِيبِthe distant وَأهْلهand its people
يَا نَاصِرَ الثَّغْرِ الْغَرِيبِ وَأهْله
أَنْضَاءُwasted sufferers of مَسْغَبَةٍhunger وَفَلُّand routed remnants of خُطُوبِcalamities
أَنْضَاءُ مَسْغَبَةٍ وَفَلُّ خُطُوبِ
O champion of the distant frontier and its people,
Shelter for one feeling alienated and distraught.
wasted by hunger, remnants routed by calamities:
Realize the hopes of your children in you, for they
حَقِّقْfulfill ظُنُونَthe hopes of بَنِيهِits sons فِيكَin you فَإِنَّهُمْfor they
حَقِّقْ ظُنُونَ بَنِيهِ فِيكَ فَإِنَّهُمْ
يَتَعَلَّلُونَconsole themselves بِوَعْدِكَwith your promise الْمَرْقُوبِthe awaited
يَتَعَلَّلُونَ بِوَعْدِكَ الْمَرْقُوبِ
fulfill its sons' hopes in you, for they
Take pretext in your promised return.
console themselves with your awaited promise.
Darkness of disbelief shadowed their horizons,
وَدَجَاand thickened ظَلاَمُthe darkness of الْكُفْرِunbelief فِيin آفَاقِهِمْtheir horizons
وَدَجَا ظَلاَمُ الْكُفْرِ فِي آفَاقِهِمْ
أَوَand is لَيْسَnot صُبْحُكَyour dawn مِنْهُمُto them بِقَرِيبِnear
أَوَ لَيْسَ صُبْحُكَ مِنْهُمُ بِقَرِيبِ
The darkness of unbelief has thickened on their horizons:
Is not your dawn near to them?
is not your dawn close to them?
So observe with the eye of might from the border of tomorrow,
فَانْظُرْso look بِعَيْنِwith the eye of الْعِزِّmight مِنْfrom ثَغْرِa frontier غَدَاthat has become
فَانْظُرْ بِعَيْنِ الْعِزِّ مِنْ ثَغْرِ غَدَا
حَذَرَwary of الْعِدَاthe enemies يَرنُوit gazes بِطَرْفِwith an eye مُرِيبِanxious
حَذَرَ الْعِدَا يَرنُو بِطَرْفِ مُرِيبِ
So look with the eye of might upon a frontier now
Beware the enemy lies in wait with a dubious glance.
wary of enemies, gazing with an anxious eye.
Andulus called you and your glory guarantees
نَادَتْكَhas called you أَنْدَلُسٌAndalus وَمَجْدُكَand your glory ضَامِنٌguarantees
نَادَتْكَ أَنْدَلُسٌ وَمَجْدُكَ ضَامِنٌ
أَنْthat لاَnot تَخِيبَshe be disappointed لَدَيْكَwith you فِيin مَطْلُوبِa request
أَنْ لاَ تَخِيبَ لَدَيْكَ فِي مَطْلُوبِ
Andalus has called you, and your glory guarantees
Not to disappoint what is sought from you.
that no request of hers shall meet disappointment with you.
The enemy usurped its land and your hardened sword
غَصَبَseized الْعَدُوُّthe enemy بلاَدَهَاher lands وَحُسَامُكَand your sword الْthe
غَصَبَ الْعَدُوُّ بلاَدَهَا وَحُسَامُكَ الْ
مَاضيِkeen الشَّبَاof edge مُسْتَرْجِعُreclaims الْمَغْصُوبِwhat was seized
مَاضيِ الشَّبَا مُسْتَرْجِعُ الْمَغْصُوبِ
The enemy seized her lands, while your sword,
The old untarnished blade restoring what was seized.
keen of edge, shall reclaim what was seized.
Show it the swimming horses in battle, in reality,
أرِهَاshow her السَّوَابِحَthe swimming steeds فِيat الْمَجَازِthe crossing حَقِيقَةًin reality
أرِهَا السَّوَابِحَ فِي الْمَجَازِ حَقِيقَةً
مِنْof كُلِّevery قُعْدَةِriding mount of مِحْرَبٍa warrior وَجَنِيبِand led horse
مِنْ كُلِّ قُعْدَةِ مِحْرَبٍ وَجَنِيبِ
Show her the swimming steeds at the crossing, in truth,
From every sitting enemy and adjacent foe.
every warrior's riding mount and led horse.
The trained horse yearns over it
يَتَأَوَّدُsways الأَسَلُthe lance-shafts الْمُثّقَّفُthe straightened فَوْقَهَاabove them
يَتَأَوَّدُ الأَسَلُ الْمُثّقَّفُ فَوْقَهَا
وَتُجِيبُand answers صَاهِلَةٌa neighing mare رُغَاءَthe bellow of نَجِيبِa noble camel
وَتُجِيبُ صَاهِلَةٌ رُغَاءَ نَجِيبِ
The straightened lance-shafts sway above them,
And the mare answers the neigh of the noble.
and a neighing mare answers a noble camel's bellow.
And victory smiles at each glimpse of dawn
وَالنَّصْرُand victory يُضْحِكُmakes smile كُلَّevery مَبْسِمِmouth of غُرَّةٍa white-blazed face
وَالنَّصْرُ يُضْحِكُ كُلَّ مَبْسِمِ غُرَّةٍ
وَالْفَتْحُand conquest مَعْقُودٌis tied بِكُلِّto every سَبِيبِmane
وَالْفَتْحُ مَعْقُودٌ بِكُلِّ سَبِيبِ
Victory makes every white-blazed muzzle smile,
And opening is guaranteed by every cause.
and conquest is tied to every mane.
And you presented the enemy’s spoils, then another
وَالُّرومَand the Romans فَارمِso assail بِكُلِّwith every نَجْمٍstar ثَاقِبٍpiercing
وَالُّرومَ فَارمِ بِكُلِّ نَجْمٍ ثَاقِبٍ
يُذْكِيkindles بِأَرْبُعِهَاwith its four feet شُوَاظَthe tongue of لَهِيبِblazing fire
يُذْكِي بِأَرْبُعِهَا شُوَاظَ لَهِيبِ
Hurl at the Romans every piercing star
For the obligation of victory, necessary.
that kindles, with its four feet, a blazing tongue of flame,
And when the separation of your sword came between them,
بِذَوَابِلِwith the slender lances of السَّلْبِplunder التَّيwhich تَرَكَتْleft بَنِيthe sons of
بِذَوَابِلِ السَّلْبِ التَّي تَرَكَتْ بَنِي
زَيَّأنَZayyan بَيْنَbetween مُجَدَّلٍone felled وَسَلِيبِand one stripped
زَيَّأنَ بَيْنَ مُجَدَّلٍ وَسَلِيبِ
with the slender lances of plunder that left the sons of
Your measurement’s two halves, you obtained what you sought.
Zayyan either felled or stripped.
And Satan denounced when he saw
وَأَضِفْand add إِلَىto لاَمِthe letter lam of الْوَغَىbattle أَلِفَthe letter alif of الْقَنَاthe lances
وَأَضِفْ إِلَى لاَمِ الْوَغَى أَلِفَ الْقَنَا
تَظْهَرْwill appear لَدَيْكَbefore you عَلاَمَةُthe sign of التَّغْلِيبِvictory
تَظْهَرْ لَدَيْكَ عَلاَمَةُ التَّغْلِيبِ
Add to battle's lam the alif of the lances:
The party of truth from his defeated party.
the sign of victory will appear before you.
The land is inheritance and ambitions are all
إِنْif كُنْتَyou are تَعْجُمُtesting بِالْعَزَائِمِwith firm resolves عُوَدَهَاtheir wood
إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْجُمُ بِالْعَزَائِمِ عُوَدَهَا
عُودُthe wood of الصَّلِيبِthe cross الْيَوْمَtoday غَيْرُnot صَلِيبِhard
عُودُ الصَّلِيبِ الْيَوْمَ غَيْرُ صَلِيبِ
If with firm resolves you test their wood,
Coveting, each pouncing to seek a share.
the wood of the cross today is not hard.
And the Caliphs of piety are its inheritors
وَلَكَand yours are الْكَتَائِبُthe battalions كَالْخَمَائِلِlike thickets أَطْلَعَتْthat put forth
وَلَكَ الْكَتَائِبُ كَالْخَمَائِلِ أَطْلَعَتْ
زَهْرَthe flowers of الأَسِنًّةِspearheads فَوْقَabove كُلِّevery قَضِيبِstem
زَهْرَ الأَسِنًّةِ فَوْقَ كُلِّ قَضِيبِ
Yours are battalions like thickets that have put forth
So to you belong the fortune and inheritance.
the flowers of spearheads above every stem:
It is as if I see you left its expanse
فَمُرَنَّحُso swaying الْعِطْفَيْنِon both sides لاَnot مِنْfrom نَشْوَةٍintoxication
فَمُرَنَّحُ الْعِطْفَيْنِ لاَ مِنْ نَشْوَةٍ
وَمُوَرَّدُand rose-cheeked الْخَدَّيْنِnot غَيْرُsuspicious مَرِيبِin appearance
وَمُوَرَّدُ الْخَدَّيْنِ غَيْرُ مَرِيبِ
one swaying on both sides, but not from intoxication,
Desolate by advance and pursuit.
and another rose-cheeked, without cause for suspicion.
And you held a funeral in it, but it
يَبْدُوappears سَدَادُsoundness of الرَّأيِjudgment فِيin رَايَاتِهَاtheir banners
يَبْدُو سَدَادُ الرَّأيِ فِي رَايَاتِهَا
وَأَمُورُهَاand their affairs تَجْرِيproceed عَلَىupon تَجْرِيبِexperience
وَأَمُورُهَا تَجْرِي عَلَى تَجْرِيبِ
Sound judgment appears in their banners,
Is a wedding to scatter in the wilderness and wolf.
and their affairs proceed upon experience.
You left it behind with an obligatory heart,
وَتَرَىَand you see الطُّيُورَthe birds عَصَائِباًin flocks مِنْfrom فَوْقِهَاabove them
وَتَرَىَ الطُّيُورَ عَصَائِباً مِنْ فَوْقِهَا
لِحُلُولِat the advent of يَوْمِa day فِيin الضَّلاَلِerror عَصِيبِgrievous
لِحُلُولِ يَوْمِ فِي الضَّلاَلِ عَصِيبِ
You see the birds in flocks above them,
Ruined, a cheek by evening invited.
at the advent of a day grievous for error.
Its mourning caravans weep and transmit footsteps
هَذَّبْتَهَاyou refined them فَالْعَرْضُso the review يُذْكِرُrecalls يَوْمُهُits day
هَذَّبْتَهَا فَالْعَرْضُ يُذْكِرُ يَوْمُهُ
عَرْضَthe presentation of الْوَرَىmankind لِلْمَوْعِدِat the appointment الْمَكْتُوبِthe ordained
عَرْضَ الْوَرَى لِلْمَوْعِدِ الْمَكْتُوبِ
You refined them: the day of their review recalls
From the disability of an oppressor to the disability of a cross.
mankind's presentation at the appointed gathering.
God made the house a station for those praying through you,
وَهيَand they are الْكَتَائِبُthe battalions إِنْif تُنُوسِيwere forgotten عَرْضُهَاtheir review
وَهيَ الْكَتَائِبُ إِنْ تُنُوسِي عَرْضُهَا
كَانَتْthey would be مُدَوَّنَةًrecorded بِلاَwithout تَهْذيِبِrevision
كَانَتْ مُدَوَّنَةً بِلاَ تَهْذيِبِ
These are battalions which, were their review forgotten,
And you are the best rewarder.
would be a record left without revision.
When you are mentioned, it is as if the breeze of morning
حَتَّىuntil إِذَاwhen فَرَضَimposed الْجَلادُcombat جدَالَهَاtheir debate
حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَضَ الْجَلادُ جدَالَهَا
وَرَأيْتَand you saw رِيحَthe wind of النَّصْرِvictory ذَاتَendowed with هُبُوبِblowing
وَرَأيْتَ رِيحَ النَّصْرِ ذَاتَ هُبُوبِ
Until, when combat forces them into debate,
Swayed gently with a pleasing fragrance.
and you see the wind of victory beginning to blow,
If not for the universe's connection to the meaning
قَدَّمْتَyou advanced سَالِبَةَa force negating الْعَدْوّthe enemy وَبَعْدَهَاand after it
قَدَّمْتَ سَالِبَةَ الْعَدْوّ وَبَعْدَهَا
أخْرَىanother لِغِزَِّfor the might of النَّصْرِvictory ذَاتُpossessing وُجُوبِaffirmation
أخْرَى لِغِزَِّ النَّصْرِ ذَاتُ وُجُوبِ
you advance a company negating the foe, and after it
Too lofty for minds to reach its hidden secret,
another, affirmative, for victory's might.
We would say to your world you ennobled
وَإذَاand when تَوَسَّطَmediates فَصْلُthe deciding edge of سَيْفِكَyour sword عِنْدَهَاthereupon
وَإذَا تَوَسَّطَ فَصْلُ سَيْفِكَ عِنْدَهَا
جُزْأَيْthe two parts of قِيَاسِكَyour syllogism فُزْتَyou attain بِالْمَطْلُوبِthe desired result
جُزْأَيْ قِيَاسِكَ فُزْتَ بِالْمَطْلُوبِ
And when your sword's deciding edge mediates
That the simple envied the merit of the complex.
the two premises of your syllogism, you gain the desired result.
And for your drop its sun and its stars
وَتَبَرَّأَand disowned الشَّيْطَانُSatan لَمَّاwhen أَنْthat رَأَىhe saw
وَتَبَرَّأَ الشَّيْطَانُ لَمَّا أَنْ رَأَى
حِزْبَthe party of الْهُدَىguidance مِنْfrom حِزْبِهِhis party الْمَغْلُوبِthe defeated
حِزْبَ الْهُدَى مِنْ حِزْبِهِ الْمَغْلُوبِ
And Satan disowned—when he saw
Inclined from dawning to setting.
the party of guidance—his own defeated party.
It dawns from its horizon silvery
الأَرْضُthe earth إِرْثٌis an inheritance وَالْمَطَامِعُand ambitions جَمَّةٌare many
الأَرْضُ إِرْثٌ وَالْمَطَامِعُ جَمَّةٌ
كُلَّeveryone يَهَشُّeagerly turns إلَىto الْتَمَاسِseeking نَصِيبِa share
كُلَّ يَهَشُّ إلَى الْتَمَاسِ نَصِيبِ
The earth is an inheritance, and ambitions are many:
And sets by you while melting away.
everyone eagerly seeks a share.
My master, my longing for you shakes me
وَخَلاَئِفُand the successors of التَّقْوَىpiety هُمُthey are وُرَّاثُهَاits heirs
وَخَلاَئِفُ التَّقْوَى هُمُ وُرَّاثُهَا
فَإِلَيْكَهَاso take it بِالْحَظِّby allotted share وَالتَّعْصِيبِand agnatic inheritance
فَإِلَيْكَهَا بِالْحَظِّ وَالتَّعْصِيبِ
The successors of piety are its heirs:
And the fire exposes the passion of perfumed wood.
so take it, by allotted share and agnatic right.
I prolonged them with your ornaments and rectified them,
لَكَأَنَّنيit is as though I بِكَsee you قَدْalready تَرَكْتَhave left رُبُوعَهَاits dwellings
لَكَأَنَّني بِكَ قَدْ تَرَكْتَ رُبُوعَهَا
قَفْراًdesolate بِكَرِّthrough repetition of الْغَزْوِraids وَالتَّعْقِيبِand pursuit
قَفْراً بِكَرِّ الْغَزْوِ وَالتَّعْقِيبِ
It is as though I already see you having left its dwellings
Though many are prolonged but not improved.
desolate through repeated raids and pursuit.
I tasked my thoughts with the duty of their obviousness,
وَأَقَمْتَand you held فِيهَاthere مَأتَماًa mourning assembly لَكِنَّهُbut it
وَأَقَمْتَ فِيهَا مَأتَماً لَكِنَّهُ
عُرْسٌis a wedding feast لِنَسْرٍfor a vulture بالْفَلاَةِin the wilderness وَذيِبِand a wolf
عُرْسٌ لِنَسْرٍ بالْفَلاَةِ وَذيِبِ
You have held a mourning assembly there, yet it
So they fulfilled with immediate order and arrangement.
is a wedding feast for vulture and wolf in the wilderness.
I made it easy although I introduced it gently
وَتَرَكْتَand you left مُفْلَتَهَاits survivor بِقَلْبٍwith a heart وَاجبٍpounding
وَتَرَكْتَ مُفْلَتَهَا بِقَلْبٍ وَاجبٍ
رَهَباًin terror وَخَدٍّand a cheek بِالأَمَسىsince yesterday مَنْدُوبِscarred
رَهَباً وَخَدٍّ بِالأَمَسى مَنْدُوبِ
You have left its survivor with a pounding heart
From everything uncouth with every well-mannered.
in terror, and a cheek scarred since yesterday.
It feared your station so I tamed its difficulties
تَبْكِيweep نَوَادِبُهَاits mourning women وَيَنْقُلْنَand move الْخُطَىtheir steps
تَبْكِي نَوَادِبُهَا وَيَنْقُلْنَ الْخُطَى
مِنْfrom شِلْوِthe torn body of طَاغِيَةٍa tyrant لِشِلْوِto a fragment of صَلِيبِa cross
مِنْ شِلْوِ طَاغِيَةٍ لِشِلْوِ صَلِيبِ
Its mourning women weep and move their steps
Until it became tame through training.
from a tyrant's torn body to a shattered cross.
If I came close in adjusting it
جَعَلَmade الإِلاَهُGod الْبَيْتَthe house مِنْكَof yours مَثَابةًa place of return
جَعَلَ الإِلاَهُ الْبَيْتَ مِنْكَ مَثَابةً
لِلْعَاكِفِينَfor devotees وَأَنْتَand you are خَيْرُthe best مُثِيبِrewarder
لِلْعَاكِفِينَ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ مُثِيبِ
God made your house a place of return
Approaching is needed in adjustment.
for devotees, and you are the best of rewarders.
My excuse for my shortcoming and incapacity negates
فَإِذَاso when ذُكِرْتَyou are mentioned كَأَنَّas though هَبَّاتِgusts of الصَّبَاthe east breeze
فَإِذَا ذُكِرْتَ كَأَنَّ هَبَّاتِ الصَّبَا
فَضَّتْbroke open بِمَدْرَجِهَاalong their path لَطِيمَةَa cargo طِيبِof perfume
فَضَّتْ بِمَدْرَجِهَا لَطِيمَةَ طِيبِ
When you are mentioned, it is as though gusts of the east breeze
And grace from you overlooks reproach.
had opened a cargo of perfume along their path.
My excuse did not draw near to God through you in devotion
لَوْلاَwere it not for ارْتِبَاطُthe connection of الْكَوْنِthe universe بِالْمَعْنَىwith the meaning الَّذِيwhich
لَوْلاَ ارْتِبَاطُ الْكَوْنِ بِالْمَعْنَى الَّذِي
قَصُرَfell short الْحجَاreason عَنْof سِرِّهِits secret الْمَحْجُوبِthe hidden
قَصُرَ الْحجَا عَنْ سِرِّهِ الْمَحْجُوبِ
Were it not that the universe is bound to that meaning
It is from proximity to God, not nearing.
whose hidden secret reason cannot fathom,
By God I did not conceal my love out of fear
قُلْنَاwe would say لِعَالَمِكَto your world الَّذِيwhich شَرَّفْتَهُyou ennobled
قُلْنَا لِعَالَمِكَ الَّذِي شَرَّفْتَهُ
حَسَدَenvied الْبَسِيطُthe simple مَزيَّةَthe excellence of التَّرْكِيبِthe composite
حَسَدَ الْبَسِيطُ مَزيَّةَ التَّرْكِيبِ
we would say to your world, which you ennobled:
Except my breaths about me speak of me.
The simple envied the excellence of the composite.
My poetry in you is the poetry of a lover
وَلأِجْلِand for the sake of قُطْرِكَyour region شَمْسُهَاits sun وَنُجُومُهَاand its stars
وَلأِجْلِ قُطْرِكَ شَمْسُهَا وَنُجُومُهَا
عَدَلَتْturned away عَنِfrom التَّشْرِيقِgoing east لِلتَّغْرِيبِto going west
عَدَلَتْ عَنِ التَّشْرِيقِ لِلتَّغْرِيبِ
For your region's sake, its sun and stars
Though composition is inspired and talent a noble steed.
turned from their eastward course toward the west.
So accept it between refined and refinement
تَبْدُوit appears بِمَطْلَعِat the rising point of أُفْقِهَاits horizon فِضِّيَّةًsilvery
تَبْدُو بِمَطْلَعِ أُفْقِهَا فِضِّيَّةً
وَتَغِيبُand sets عِنْدَكَbeside you وَهْيَwhile it is فِيin تَذْهِيبِgilding
وَتَغِيبُ عِنْدَكَ وَهْيَ فِي تَذْهِيبِ
It appears at the rising point of its horizon, silver,
Although I presented it simply and gently
and sets beside you, clothed in gold.
From everything uncouth with utmost civility
مَوْلاَيَmy lord أَشْوَاقِيmy longings إِلَيْكَfor you تَهْزُّنِيshake me
مَوْلاَيَ أَشْوَاقِي إِلَيْكَ تَهْزُّنِي
وَالنَّارُand fire تَفْضَحُexposes عَرْفَthe scent of عُودِwood الطٍّيبِof perfume
وَالنَّارُ تَفْضَحُ عَرْفَ عُودِ الطٍّيبِ
My lord, my longings for you shake me,
It feared your station, so I accustomed it to training
and fire exposes the scent of perfumed wood.
Until it became compliant to direction
بِحُلَىwith the ornaments of عُلاَكَyour greatness أَطَلْتُهَاI lengthened it وَأَطَبْتُهَاand made it pleasing
بِحُلَى عُلاَكَ أَطَلْتُهَا وَأَطَبْتُهَا
وَلَكَمْand how many مُطِيلٍa prolix poet وَهْوَwhile he is غَيْرُnot مُطِيبِpleasing
وَلَكَمْ مُطِيلٍ وَهْوَ غَيْرُ مُطِيبِ
With the ornaments of your greatness I lengthened and sweetened it,
If I came close in arranging it
and how many a prolix poet gives no pleasure!
Approaching is required in organization
طَالَبْتُI demanded of أَفْكَاريmy thoughts بِفَرْضِthe duty of بَديِههَاtheir improvisation
طَالَبْتُ أَفْكَاري بِفَرْضِ بَديِههَا
فَوَفَتْso they fulfilled بِشْرطِthe condition of الْفَوْرِimmediacy وَالتَّرْتِيبِand order
فَوَفَتْ بِشْرطِ الْفَوْرِ وَالتَّرْتِيبِ
I demanded of my thoughts the duty of improvisation,
My shortcoming and incapacity are absolving
and they fulfilled the condition of immediacy and order.
While grace from you rises above rebuke
مُتَنَبِّيءٌa Mutanabbi (would-be prophet) أَنَاI am فِيamid حُلاَthe adornments of تلكَthose الْعُلَىheights
مُتَنَبِّيءٌ أَنَا فِي حُلاَ تلكَ الْعُلَى
لَكِنَّbut شِعْريmy verse فِيكَfor you شِعْرُis the verse of حَبيبِHabib
لَكِنَّ شِعْري فِيكَ شِعْرُ حَبيبِ
I am a Mutanabbi amid the adornments of those heights,
I did not come near God through you in devotion
but my verse for you is the verse of Habib.
That is from God's closeness, not nearing
وَالطَّبْعُand poetic instinct فَحْلٌis a stallion وَالْقَرِيحَةُand inspiration حُرَّةٌis freeborn
وَالطَّبْعُ فَحْلٌ وَالْقَرِيحَةُ حُرَّةٌ
فَاقْبَلْهُso accept it بَيْنَbetween نَجِيبَةa noble mare وَنَجيبِand a noble stallion
فَاقْبَلْهُ بَيْنَ نَجِيبَة وَنَجيبِ
Poetic instinct is a stallion, and inspiration a freeborn mare:
By God, I concealed not my love out of fear
so accept it, the offspring of a noble mare and stallion.
Except my breaths about me speak of me
لَكِنَّنيbut I سَهَّلْتُهَاmade it easy وَأَدَلْتُهَاand transformed it
لَكِنَّني سَهَّلْتُهَا وَأَدَلْتُهَا
مِنْfrom كُلِّevery وَحْشِيٍّwild expression بِكُلِّwith every رَبِيبِfamiliar expression
مِنْ كُلِّ وَحْشِيٍّ بِكُلِّ رَبِيبِ
Yet I made it easy and transformed it,
I proclaim in your loftiness, but my poetry in you
exchanging every wild expression for a familiar one.
Is the poetry of a lover, though inspired art
هَابَتْit feared مَقَامَكَyour station فَاطَّبَيْتُso I lured صِعَابَهَاits untamed parts
هَابَتْ مَقَامَكَ فَاطَّبَيْتُ صِعَابَهَا
حَتَّىuntil غَدَتْthey became ذُلُلاًdocile عَلَىthrough التَّدْرِيبِtraining
حَتَّى غَدَتْ ذُلُلاً عَلَى التَّدْرِيبِ
It feared your station, so I lured its untamed parts,
Nature is fertile, and talent a noble steed
until through training they became docile.
So accept it between refined and refinement.
إِنْif كُنْتُI have قَدْindeed قَارَبْتُcome close فِيin تَعْديِلِهَاrefining it
إِنْ كُنْتُ قَدْ قَارَبْتُ فِي تَعْديِلِهَا
لاَبُدَّthere must be فيin التَّعْديِلِrefinement مِنْsome تَقْريبِapproximation
لاَبُدَّ في التَّعْديِلِ مِنْ تَقْريبِ
If I have come close in refining it,
refinement must allow some approximation.
عذريmy excuse لتقصيريfor my shortcoming وعجزيand my incapacity ناسخcancels
عذري لتقصيري وعجزي ناسخ
ويجلand is exalted منكfrom you العفوpardon عنabove تثريبreproach
ويجل منك العفو عن تثريب
My excuse cancels my shortcomings and incapacity,
and your pardon is too exalted for reproach.
عُذْريmy plea لَمْnot يَدِنْprofesses devotion للهِto God فِيكَthrough you بِقُرْبَةٍwith an act of devotion
عُذْري لَمْ يَدِنْ للهِ فِيكَ بِقُرْبَةٍ
هُوْhe is مِنْfrom جَنَابِthe presence of اللهِGod غَيْرُnot قَريبِnear
هُوْ مِنْ جَنَابِ اللهِ غَيْرُ قَريبِ
My plea: whoever offers God no devotion through you
is not near to God's presence.
وَاللهِby God مَاnot أَخْفَيْتhave I concealed حُبَّكَlove for you خِيفَةًin fear
وَاللهِ مَا أَخْفَيْت حُبَّكَ خِيفَةً
إِلاَّexcept وَأَنْفَاسِيand my breaths عَلَيَّagainst me تَشِيinform بِيagainst me
إِلاَّ وَأَنْفَاسِي عَلَيَّ تَشِي بِي
By God, never have I hidden my love for you in fear
without my own breaths betraying me.
Partial English translation: 192 of 200 Arabic lines translated.