إِذَاif فَاتَنِيescapes me ظِلُّthe shade of الْحِمَىthe sanctuary وَنَعِيمُهُand its bliss
إِذَا فَاتَنِي ظِلُّ الْحِمَى وَنَعِيمُهُ
كَفَانِيsuffices me وَحَسْبِيand is enough for me أَنْthat يَهُبّshould blow نَسِيمُهُits breeze
كَفَانِي وَحَسْبِي أَنْ يَهُبّ نَسِيمُهُ
If I miss the sanctuary's shade and its bliss,
When the shade and comfort of ardour evade me,
It is enough for me that its breeze should blow.
It suffices me that its gentle breeze still blows.
ويُقْنِعُنِيand contents me أَنِّيthat I بِهِthrough it مُتَكَيِّفٌtaking on its character
ويُقْنِعُنِي أَنِّي بِهِ مُتَكَيِّفٌ
فَزَمْزَمُهُso its Zamzam دَمْعِيmy tears وَجِسْمِيand my body حَطِيمُهُits Hatim enclosure
فَزَمْزَمُهُ دَمْعِي وَجِسْمِي حَطِيمُهُ
And it contents me that I take on its character:
It satisfies me that I conform myself to it,
Its Zamzam is my tears, and my body its Hatim.
Its spring is my tears and my body its wreckage.
يَعُودُvisits فُؤَادِيmy heart ذِكْرُremembrance of مَنْthose who سَكَنَdwelt among الْغَضَاthe ghada trees
يَعُودُ فُؤَادِي ذِكْرُ مَنْ سَكَنَ الْغَضَا
فَيُقْعِدُهُthen seats it فَوْقَupon الْغَضىburning ghada wood وَيُقِمُهُand makes it rise
فَيُقْعِدُهُ فَوْقَ الْغَضى وَيُقِمُهُ
Remembrance of those who dwelt among the ghada trees visits my heart,
The memory of she who dwelt in absence returns my heart,
Seating it upon burning ghada wood, then making it rise.
Seating it atop the absence and erecting it.
وَلَمْand not أَرَI have seen شَيْئاًanything كَالنَّسِيمِlike the breeze إِذَاwhen سَرَىit travels by night
وَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئاً كَالنَّسِيمِ إِذَا سَرَى
شَفَىhealed سُقمَthe sickness of الْقَلْبِthe heart الْمَشُوقِyearning نَسِيمُهُits breeze
شَفَى سُقمَ الْقَلْبِ الْمَشُوقِ نَسِيمُهُ
I have seen nothing like the breeze when it travels by night:
I have seen nothing like the breeze when it blows softly,
Its breath has healed the sickness of the yearning heart.
Healing the sickness of the enamoured heart with its breath.
نُعَلِّلُwe console بالتَّذْكَارِwith remembrance نَساًa soul (text uncertain) مَشُوقَةًyearning
نُعَلِّلُ بالتَّذْكَارِ نَساً مَشُوقَةً
يُدِيرُcirculates عَلَيْهَاto her كَأْسَهُits cup وَيُدِيمُهُand keeps it flowing
يُدِيرُ عَلَيْهَا كَأْسَهُ وَيُدِيمُهُ
We console with remembrance a yearning soul;
With the recollection we justify a beloved long absent,
Remembrance passes its cup to her and keeps it flowing.
Circling his goblet about her and prolonging it.
وَمَاand not هَاجَنِيstirred me بِالْغَورِin al-Ghawr قَدٌّa stature مُرَنَّحٌswaying
وَمَا هَاجَنِي بِالْغَورِ قَدٌّ مُرَنَّحٌ
وَلاَnor شَاقَنِيmade me yearn مِنْamong وَحْشِthe wild creatures of وَجْرَةَWajra رِيمُهُits white gazelle
وَلاَ شَاقَنِي مِنْ وَحْشِ وَجْرَةَ رِيمُهُ
No swaying figure in al-Ghawr stirred me,
Neither has hoary untrodden ground provoked me,
Nor did the white gazelle among Wajra's wild creatures make me yearn.
Nor the desolation of frightful wastes and their vast expanse.
وَلاَnor سَهِرَتْkept vigil عَيْنِيmy eye لِبَرْقِfor the lightning of ثَنِيَّةٍa front tooth
وَلاَ سَهِرَتْ عَيْنِي لِبَرْقِ ثَنِيَّةٍ
مِنَfrom الثَّغْرِthe mouth يَبْدُوappearing مَوْهِناًlate at night فَيَشِيمُهُthen he watches its flash
مِنَ الثَّغْرِ يَبْدُو مَوْهِناً فَيَشِيمُهُ
Nor did my eye keep vigil for a front tooth's lightning,
Nor has my eye been sleepless due to a lightning flash
Flashing from a mouth late at night for me to watch.
Emerging feeble from the horizon and vanishing.
بَرَانِيَwore me thin شَوْقٌlonging لِلنَّبِيِّfor the Prophet مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad
بَرَانِيَ شَوْقٌ لِلنَّبِيِّ مُحَمَّدٍ
يَسُومُinflicts upon فُؤَادِيmy heart بَرْحُهُits anguish مَاwhat يَسُومُهُit inflicts upon it
يَسُومُ فُؤَادِي بَرْحُهُ مَا يَسُومُهُ
Longing for the Prophet Muhammad has worn me thin;
Longing for the Prophet Muḥammad has afflicted me,
Its anguish torments my heart as it will.
Roving perpetually in my breast whatever roves it.
أَلاَbehold يَاO رَسُولَMessenger of اللهِGod نَادَاكَhas called to you ضَارِعٌa suppliant
أَلاَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ نَادَاكَ ضَارِعٌ
عَلَىdespite الْبُعْدِthe distance مَحْفُوظُpreserved الْوِدَادِin affection سَلِيمُهُpure in it
عَلَى الْبُعْدِ مَحْفُوظُ الْوِدَادِ سَلِيمُهُ
O Messenger of God, a suppliant calls to you,
O Messenger of God! A beseecher calls you from afar
From afar, his affection preserved and pure.
His devotion preserved despite the distance untainted.
مَشُوقٌyearning إِذاwhen مَاemphatic particle الَّليْلُthe night مَدَّstretches out رِوَاقَهُits canopy
مَشُوقٌ إِذا مَا الَّليْلُ مَدَّ رِوَاقَهُ
تَهُمُّbeset بِهِhim تَحْتَbeneath الظَّلاَمِthe darkness هُمُومُهُhis cares
تَهُمُّ بِهِ تَحْتَ الظَّلاَمِ هُمُومُهُ
A yearning man who, when night stretches out its canopy,
A longing one when night spreads its corridor
Is beset beneath the darkness by his cares.
His worries secretly assail him beneath the darkness.
إِذاwhen مَاemphatic particle حَدِيثٌsome news عَنْكَabout you جَاءَتْhas brought بِهit الصَّبَاthe east wind
إِذا مَا حَدِيثٌ عَنْكَ جَاءَتْ بِه الصَّبَا
شَجَاهُsaddened him منَof الشَّوْقِlonging الْحَثِيثِimpetuous قَدِيمُهُits longstanding force
شَجَاهُ منَ الشَّوْقِ الْحَثِيثِ قَدِيمُهُ
Whenever the east wind brings some word of you,
When the morning breeze carries any talk of you
His old, impetuous longing stirs his grief.
A chronic yearning since old is revived in him,
وَتُقْرِبُهُand draw him close الآمَالhopes مِنْكَto you تَعَلُّلاًfor consolation
وَتُقْرِبُهُ الآمَال مِنْكَ تَعَلُّلاً
وَيُبْعِدُهُand distances him الْمِقْدَارُdestiny عَمَّاfrom what يَرُومُهُhe seeks
وَيُبْعِدُهُ الْمِقْدَارُ عَمَّا يَرُومُهُ
Hopes draw him close to you in consolation,
And though hopes bring him close to you as pretext
While destiny holds him far from what he seeks.
Destiny distances him from what he aspires.
بَرَاهُwasted him الأَسَىgrief إِلاَّexcept الرُّكُونُreliance إِلَىon عَسَىperhaps
بَرَاهُ الأَسَى إِلاَّ الرُّكُونُ إِلَى عَسَى
صَحِيحُtrue الْهَوَىin love مُضْنَىexhausted الْفُؤَادِat heart سَقِيمُهُsick in it
صَحِيحُ الْهَوَى مُضْنَى الْفُؤَادِ سَقِيمُهُ
Grief has wasted him, save for his trust in 'perhaps';
Only resorting to “perhaps” consoles his grief
True in love, but exhausted and sick at heart.
Wholehearted in passion, his inner self ailing.
تَدَارَكْهُcome to his aid يَاغَوْثَO succor of الْعِبَادِGod's servants بِرَحْمَةٍwith a mercy
تَدَارَكْهُ يَاغَوْثَ الْعِبَادِ بِرَحْمَةٍ
يُقَضِّيهِmay repay him دَيْنَthe debt of الْعَفْوِpardon مِنْهَاfrom it غَرِيمُهُhis debtor
يُقَضِّيهِ دَيْنَ الْعَفْوِ مِنْهَا غَرِيمُهُ
Rescue him, O succor of God's servants, with a mercy
Relieve him, O succourer of servants, with mercy
From which his debtor may repay him the debt of pardon.
That acquits his debt of pardon, redeeming his crime!
أَيجْهَرُmust he speak aloud بِالشَّكْوَىwith complaint وَأَنْتَwhile you are سَميعُهُhis hearer
أَيجْهَرُ بِالشَّكْوَى وَأَنْتَ سَميعُهُ
أَيُعْلِنُmust he proclaim بالنَّجْوَىwith private supplication وَأَنْتَwhile you are عَلِيمُهُaware of him
أَيُعْلِنُ بالنَّجْوَى وَأَنْتَ عَلِيمُهُ
Must he voice his complaint aloud when you hear him?
Shall I proclaim my complaint while You hear it?
Must he proclaim his whispered plea when you know him?
Shall I confide in a whisper while You know it?
أَتُعْوِزُهُmust it fail him السُّقْيَاa drink وَأنْتَwhile you are غِيَاثُهُhis succor
أَتُعْوِزُهُ السُّقْيَا وَأنْتَ غِيَاثُهُ
أَتُتْلِفُهُmust it destroy him الْبَلْوَىaffliction وَأَنْتَwhile you are رَحِيمُهُmerciful to him
أَتُتْلِفُهُ الْبَلْوَى وَأَنْتَ رَحِيمُهُ
Must he lack a drink when you are his succor?
Do You neglect while being his aid?
Must affliction destroy him when you show him mercy?
Do You torment while being Compassionate to him?
وَقَدءand indeed بَثَّspread مِنْكَthrough you اللهُGod فِيamong الْخَلْقِcreation رَحْمَةٌa mercy
وَقَدء بَثَّ مِنْكَ اللهُ فِي الْخَلْقِ رَحْمَةٌ
فَأُنْقِذَso was rescued عَانِيهِits captive وَأَثْرِيand was enriched عَدِيمُهُits destitute one
فَأُنْقِذَ عَانِيهِ وَأَثْرِي عَدِيمُهُ
And God has indeed spread through you a mercy among creation,
God made mercy flow through you to existence
So its captive was rescued and its destitute made rich.
So deliver those who call out and enrich the destitute!
بِنُورِكَby your light نُورِthe light of اللهِGod قَدْindeed أَشْرَقَhas shone الْهُدَىguidance
بِنُورِكَ نُورِ اللهِ قَدْ أَشْرَقَ الْهُدَى
فَأَقْمَارُهُso its moons وَضَّاحَةٌradiant وَنُجُومُهُand its stars
فَأَقْمَارُهُ وَضَّاحَةٌ وَنُجُومُهُ
By your light, God's light, guidance has shone,
With Your light − God’s light − guidance shone radiant
So its moons and stars are radiant.
Its lucid moons gleaming and its stars glowing.
لَكَfor you أنْهَلَّpoured down فَضْلُthe bounty of اللهِGod بِاْلأَرَضِon earth سَاكِنَاًdwelling
لَكَ أنْهَلَّ فَضْلُ اللهِ بِاْلأَرَضِ سَاكِنَاً
فَأَنْوَاؤُهُso its rainstorms مُلْتَفَّةٌdensely gathered وَغُيُومُهُand its clouds
فَأَنْوَاؤُهُ مُلْتَفَّةٌ وَغُيُومُهُ
For you, dwelling on earth, God's bounty poured down,
The favour of God has through you rained on Earth
Its rainstorms and clouds gathering thickly.
Its springs clustered, its clouds abundantly pouring.
وَمِنْand from فَوْقِabove أَطْبَاقِthe layers of الطِّبَاقِthe layered heavens بِكَyou اقْتَدَىfollowed as an example
وَمِنْ فَوْقِ أَطْبَاقِ الطِّبَاقِ بِكَ اقْتَدَى
خَلِيلُthe Friend of الَّذِيthe One who أَوْطَاكَهَاmade you tread them وَكَلِيمُهُand His interlocutor
خَلِيلُ الَّذِي أَوْطَاكَهَا وَكَلِيمُهُ
And above the layers of the heavens, you were followed
And above the celestial spheres he conformed to You −
By the Friend of Him who let you tread them, and His interlocutor.
The Friend who trod them and Spoke to Him intimately.
لَكَyours is الْخُلُقُthe character الأَرْضَىmost pleasing الَّذِيwhose بَانَbecame plain فَضْلُهُits excellence
لَكَ الْخُلُقُ الأَرْضَى الَّذِي بَانَ فَضْلُهُ
وَمَجْدُكَand your glory فِيin الذِّكْرِthe Remembrance الْعَظِيمِmighty عَظِيمُهُits greatness
وَمَجْدُكَ فِي الذِّكْرِ الْعَظِيمِ عَظِيمُهُ
Yours is the most pleasing character, whose excellence is plain,
Among beings of clay is Yours the most splendid merit
And great is your glory in the mighty Remembrance.
And majestic in glorious mention is Your magnificence.
لَكَyours are الْمُعْجِزَاتُthe miracles الْغُرُّradiant يَبْهَرُdazzles نُورُهَاtheir light
لَكَ الْمُعْجِزَاتُ الْغُرُّ يَبْهَرُ نُورُهَا
إِذَاwhen ارْبَدَّgrows murky مِنْfrom جُنْحِthe folds of الظَّلاَمِdarkness بَهِيمُهُits pitch-black depth
إِذَا ارْبَدَّ مِنْ جُنْحِ الظَّلاَمِ بَهِيمُهُ
Yours are radiant miracles, whose light dazzles
Miracles dazzle with an effulgent light
When the pitch-black folds of darkness deepen.
When the darkness of calamities intensifies ominously.
وَحَسْبُكَand enough for you مِنْof جِذْعٍa tree trunk تَكَلَّمَspoke مُفْصِحاًeloquently
وَحَسْبُكَ مِنْ جِذْعٍ تَكَلَّمَ مُفْصِحاً
وَقَدْand indeed دَمِيَتْbled يَوْمَon the day of الْفِرَاقِparting كُلُومُهُits wounds
وَقَدْ دَمِيَتْ يَوْمَ الْفِرَاقِ كُلُومُهُ
And enough for you is a tree trunk that spoke eloquently,
A palm tree sufficed You, speaking eloquently
Its wounds bleeding on the day of parting;
Even when on the day of parting its foliage withered.
وَبَدْرٍand a full moon بَدَاappeared قِسْمَيْنِin two halves فَالِقسْمُso one half ثَابِتٌstood firm
وَبَدْرٍ بَدَا قِسْمَيْنِ فَالِقسْمُ ثَابِتٌ
مُقِيمٌremaining وَقَدْwhile أَهْوَىdescended إِلَيْكَtoward you قَسِيمُهُits other half
مُقِيمٌ وَقَدْ أَهْوَى إِلَيْكَ قَسِيمُهُ
And a full moon appearing in two halves: one stood firm,
A full moon appeared cleft in half so one part stood
Remaining in place while its other half descended toward you.
Fixed, inhabited, while its counterpart plunged toward You.
وَذَلَّand became tractable لِمَسْرَاكَfor your night journey الْبُراقُBuraq كَرَامَةًas an honor
وَذَلَّ لِمَسْرَاكَ الْبُراقُ كَرَامَةً
وَسَاعَدَand assisted مِنْهُfrom it وَخْذُهُits swift gait وَرَسِيمُهُand its steady trot
وَسَاعَدَ مِنْهُ وَخْذُهُ وَرَسِيمُهُ
And Buraq grew tractable for your night journey, as an honor,
And the Burāq knelt before Your Noble Ascension deferentially
Its swift gait and steady trot lending their aid.
Offering its thigh and back as Your mount.
وَمَنْand from (contextually) فَوْقِabove أَطْبَاقِthe layers of السَّمَاءِheaven بِكَyou اقْتَدَىfollowed as an example
وَمَنْ فَوْقِ أَطْبَاقِ السَّمَاءِ بِكَ اقْتَدَى
خَلِيلُthe Friend of الَّذِيthe One who أَوْطَاكَهَاmade you tread them وَكَلِيمُهُand His interlocutor
خَلِيلُ الَّذِي أَوْطَاكَهَا وَكَلِيمُهُ
And above the layers of heaven, you were followed
And above the spheres of heaven did he model himself after You −
By the Friend of Him who let you tread them, and His interlocutor.
The Friend who threaded them and Spoke to Him intimately.
وَمُعْجِزَةُand the miracle of الْقُرْآنِthe Qur'an أَجْلَىclearer فَإِنَّهُfor it
وَمُعْجِزَةُ الْقُرْآنِ أَجْلَى فَإِنَّهُ
عَجَائِبُهُits wonders لاَnot تَنْقَضِيcome to an end وَعُلُومُهُand its knowledge
عَجَائِبُهُ لاَ تَنْقَضِي وَعُلُومُهُ
And the Qur'an's miracle is clearer still, for
Preeminent among them too is the miracle of Qur’ān
Its wonders and its knowledge never end.
For endless are its marvels and sciences.
تَمَيَّزْتَyou were distinguished قَبْلَbefore الْقبْلِthe 'before' بِالشِّيَمِby virtues الْعُلَىlofty
تَمَيَّزْتَ قَبْلَ الْقبْلِ بِالشِّيَمِ الْعُلَى
وَآدَمُwhile Adam لَمْnot yet يَدْرِknew الْحَيَاةَlife أدِيمُهُhis skin
وَآدَمُ لَمْ يَدْرِ الْحَيَاةَ أدِيمُهُ
You were distinguished before 'before' by lofty virtues,
You have been distinguished since before all time
While Adam's skin had not yet known life.
With the most exalted traits while Adam knew no permanence.
إِذِwhen الْكَوْنُcreation لَمْnot yet تَفْتُقunseamed يَدُthe hand of الأَمْرِthe command رَتْقَهُits closed fabric
إِذِ الْكَوْنُ لَمْ تَفْتُق يَدُ الأَمْرِ رَتْقَهُ
وَلَمْand not yet تَمْتَزِجْmingled أَرْوَاحُهُits spirits وَجُسُومُهُand its bodies
وَلَمْ تَمْتَزِجْ أَرْوَاحُهُ وَجُسُومُهُ
When the hand of command had not yet rent creation's closed fabric,
When the universe had not yet unfolded at command’s hand
And its spirits and bodies had not yet mingled.
Nor its spirits been made distinct and bodies formed.
وَمَنْand from (contextually) نُورِكَyour light الْوَضَّاحِradiant فِيin الْعَالَمِthe world اهْتَدَىfound guidance
وَمَنْ نُورِكَ الْوَضَّاحِ فِي الْعَالَمِ اهْتَدَى
غَدَاةَon the morning when اقْتَدَىfollowed the example صَدِيقُهُits friend وَحَكِيمُهُand its sage
غَدَاةَ اقْتَدَى صَدِيقُهُ وَحَكِيمُهُ
And from your radiant light the world found guidance,
And he who guided himself by Your splendid light
On the morning when its friend and sage followed your example.
Became righteous after his truthful, judicious friend.
عَلَيْكَupon you صَلاَةُthe blessing of اللهِGod يَاخَيْرَO best مُرْسَلٍmessenger
عَلَيْكَ صَلاَةُ اللهِ يَاخَيْرَ مُرْسَلٍ
بِهِthrough whom بَانَbecame clear مِنْof نَهْجِthe path of الرَّشَادِright guidance قَوِيمُهُits straight course
بِهِ بَانَ مِنْ نَهْجِ الرَّشَادِ قَوِيمُهُ
God's blessing be upon you, O best of messengers,
God’s blessings upon You, O Best of Messengers!
Through whom the straight path of guidance became clear.
Through him the path of right guidance grew firm.
وَيالَيْتَand would that أَنِّيI فِيin ضَريحِكِyour tomb مُلْحَدٌlaid in a burial niche
وَيالَيْتَ أَنِّي فِي ضَريحِكِ مُلْحَدٌ
يَرفُّsways بِتَكْرَارِwith the recurrence of الْعِهَادِrain-showers جَمِيمُهُits fresh herbage
يَرفُّ بِتَكْرَارِ الْعِهَادِ جَمِيمُهُ
Would that I were laid within your tomb,
Would that I be buried in Your tomb laid down
Its fresh herbage swaying beneath the returning rains,
Recurring pacts from the soul’s depth earnestly!
يُجَاوِرlies beside عَظْمِيmy bones تُربَكَyour dust الْعَطِرَfragrant الشَّذَىin scent
يُجَاوِر عَظْمِي تُربَكَ الْعَطِرَ الشَّذَى
فَيَعْطِرُso grows fragrant مِنْfrom مَاءِthe water of الْحَيَاةِlife رَمِيمُهُtheir crumbling remains
فَيَعْطِرُ مِنْ مَاءِ الْحَيَاةِ رَمِيمُهُ
My bones lying beside your sweet-scented dust,
My bone will neighbour the earth of Your fragrant soil
Their crumbling remains made fragrant by the water of life.
Thereby perfuming me from the water of [eternal] life.
تَقَضَّىpassed away كَرِيمَthe precious part of الْعُمْرِlife فِيin غَيْرِother than طَائِلٍbenefit
تَقَضَّى كَرِيمَ الْعُمْرِ فِي غَيْرِ طَائِلٍ
كَمَاjust as بَدَّدَscattered الْوَفْرَwealth الْغَزِيرَabundant كَرِيمهُits generous owner
كَمَا بَدَّدَ الْوَفْرَ الْغَزِيرَ كَرِيمهُ
The precious part of life has passed to no avail,
I spent my precious life wastefully to no avail
As a generous man scatters his abundant wealth.
As one who squanders abundant wealth generously.
فَآهٍso, alas عَلَىfor نَفْسِيmy soul أُرَدّدُهَاI repeat it أَسىًin sorrow
فَآهٍ عَلَى نَفْسِي أُرَدّدُهَا أَسىً
لِوَخْطٍfor flecks of gray أضَاءَتْlit up لَيْلَthe night of فَوْدِيmy temple نُجُومُهُits stars
لِوَخْطٍ أضَاءَتْ لَيْلَ فَوْدِي نُجُومُهُ
Ah for my soul! I repeat it in sorrow,
Deep sighs do I repeat in regret at myself
For gray hairs whose stars have lit my temple's night.
For a tattoo marking the night of my heart with its stars.
وَإِنْand although كَانَis نَبْتُthe vegetation of الأَرْضِthe earth مُرْتَهَنَpledged to الذَّوَىwithering
وَإِنْ كَانَ نَبْتُ الأَرْضِ مُرْتَهَنَ الذَّوَى
فَلَيْسَyet is not سَوَاءًequal غَضُّهُits tender growth وَهَشِيمُهُand its dry stalks
فَلَيْسَ سَوَاءً غَضُّهُ وَهَشِيمُهُ
Though earth's vegetation is pledged to withering,
If verdure on Earth is moribund in decay
Its tender growth and its dry stalks are not the same.
Then withered and luxuriant are not alike for it.
جَفَانِيَshunned me دَهْرِيmy time وَاسْتَهَانَand scorned بِحُرْمَتِيmy dignity
جَفَانِيَ دَهْرِي وَاسْتَهَانَ بِحُرْمَتِي
فَدَهْرِيَso my time مَمْقُوتُhateful الذِّمَامِin covenant ذَمِيمُهُits contemptible pledge
فَدَهْرِيَ مَمْقُوتُ الذِّمَامِ ذَمِيمُهُ
Time has shunned me and scorned my dignity,
My days were harsh to me and slighted my dignity
So hateful is my time, its covenant contemptible.
So my age developed into one of base repute.
وَفَرَّقَand severed مَاwhat lay بَيْنِيbetween me وَيْنَand between (contextually) أَحِبَّتِيmy loved ones
وَفَرَّقَ مَا بَيْنِي وَيْنَ أَحِبَّتِي
فَأَنْكَادُهُso its misfortunes تَنْتَابُنِيassail me وَغُمُومُهُand its griefs
فَأَنْكَادُهُ تَنْتَابُنِي وَغُمُومُهُ
It has parted me from my loved ones,
And it separated me from those I love
And its misfortunes and griefs assail me.
Thus I nearly collapse under its worries.
فَلَوْso if كَانَwere يُجْدِيto avail الْعَتْبُreproach أَبْلَغْتُI would carry to the utmost عَتْبَهُreproach of it
فَلَوْ كَانَ يُجْدِي الْعَتْبُ أَبْلَغْتُ عَتْبَهُ
وَلَوْand if كَانَwere يُغْنِيto help اللَّوْمُblame كُنْتُI would أَلُومُهُblame it
وَلَوْ كَانَ يُغْنِي اللَّوْمُ كُنْتُ أَلُومُهُ
If reproach availed, I would reproach it to the utmost;
If censure were of benefit I would censure it,
And if blame were useful, I would blame it.
If blame were useful I would blame it.
وَلَوْand if لَحَظَتْنِيlooked upon me مٍنْfrom جَنَابِكَyour presence لَحْظَةٌa glance
وَلَوْ لَحَظَتْنِي مٍنْ جَنَابِكَ لَحْظَةٌ
لَمَاthen not رَامَنِيwould have sought me out عِنْدَat الْبَيَاتِnightfall نُجُومُهُits stars
لَمَا رَامَنِي عِنْدَ الْبَيَاتِ نُجُومُهُ
Had one glance from your presence looked upon me,
And if I had seen You glance upon me a moment
Its stars would not have sought me out at night.
Its stars would not have spited me at nightfall.
فَآوِso shelter طَرِيداًan outcast عَائِذاًseeking refuge أَنْتَyou are كَهْفُهُhis cave
فَآوِ طَرِيداً عَائِذاً أَنْتَ كَهْفُهُ
وَذِكْرُكَand mention of you بِالْمَدْحِin praise الصَّرِيحِforthright رَقِيمُهُhis inscribed tablet
وَذِكْرُكَ بِالْمَدْحِ الصَّرِيحِ رَقِيمُهُ
Shelter an outcast seeking refuge: you are his cave,
So shelter a refugee, Imploring You are his refuge,
And your mention in forthright praise is his inscribed tablet.
And Your praise finitely flows refined from me.
رَعَىmay preserve اللهُGod عَهْداًa covenant فِيin رِضَاكَyour pleasure وَمَأْلَفاًand a gathering-place
رَعَى اللهُ عَهْداً فِي رِضَاكَ وَمَأْلَفاً
مُلُوكُkings of الْعُلَىexalted rank تُعْنَىtake care بِهِof it وَتُقِيمُهُand sustain it
مُلُوكُ الْعُلَى تُعْنَى بِهِ وَتُقِيمُهُ
May God preserve a covenant seeking your pleasure, and a gathering-place
May God maintain a pact in Your satisfaction and friendship
That kings of exalted rank cherish and sustain.
The sovereigns on high vindicating and enacting it.
وَحَيِّand greet بِوَادِيin Wadi الْغَبْطِal-Ghabt دَاراًan abode مَزُورَةًmuch visited
وَحَيِّ بِوَادِي الْغَبْطِ دَاراً مَزُورَةً
تُوَالِيcontinually bestows لِجَرَّاكَfor your sake النَّدَىgenerosity وَتُدِيمُهُand perpetuates it
تُوَالِي لِجَرَّاكَ النَّدَى وَتُدِيمُهُ
And greet, in Wadi al-Ghabt, a much-visited abode,
And the throng hailing of a frequented house in blissful abode
That for your sake bestows generosity without cease.
The early morning dew perpetuating its freshness!
رَحِيبَةُabundant in ألْطَافٍkindnesses إِذَاwhen الْوَفْدُthe delegation حَلَّهَاalights in it
رَحِيبَةُ ألْطَافٍ إِذَا الْوَفْدُ حَلَّهَا
تَكَنَّفَهُمْsurrounds them غَمْرُthe flood of النَّوَالِbounty عَمِيمُهُits all-embracing abundance
تَكَنَّفَهُمْ غَمْرُ النَّوَالِ عَمِيمُهُ
Abundant in kindness, when delegations alight there,
One which deputies of compassion embrace when they arrive
A deep, all-embracing flood of bounty surrounds them.
Enveloped in copious favour universally dispensing,
رَحِيبَةُabundant in أَلطَافٍkindnesses إِذَاwhen الْوَفْدُthe delegation حَلَّهَاalights in it
رَحِيبَةُ أَلطَافٍ إِذَا الْوَفْدُ حَلَّهَا
تَكَنَّفَهُمْsurrounds them غَمْرُthe flood of النَّوَالِbounty عَمِيمُهُits all-embracing abundance
تَكَنَّفَهُمْ غَمْرُ النَّوَالِ عَمِيمُهُ
Abundant in kindness, when delegations alight there,
One the righteous successors have pillowed with its soil,
A deep, all-embracing flood of bounty surrounds them.
Through them Your terrestrial law upheld its pillars.
تَوَسَّدَmade a pillow of مِنْهَاfrom it التُرْبَthe dust أَيُّwhat خَلاَئِفٍcaliphs
تَوَسَّدَ مِنْهَا التُرْبَ أَيُّ خَلاَئِفٍ
بِهِمْthrough them دِينُكَyour faith الأَرْضَىmost pleasing اسْتَقَلَّتْstood firm رُسُومُهُits rites
بِهِمْ دِينُكَ الأَرْضَى اسْتَقَلَّتْ رُسُومُهُ
What caliphs have made its dust their pillow!
Imāms of justice who elucidated the ways of truth
Through them the rites of your most pleasing faith stood firm.
With clouds of favour that withhold nothing when they pour,
أَئِمَّةُleaders of عَدْلٍjustice أَوْضَحُواmade clear سُبُلَthe paths of الْهُدَىguidance
أَئِمَّةُ عَدْلٍ أَوْضَحُوا سُبُلَ الْهُدَى
وَسُحْبُand clouds of نَوَالٍbounty لاَnot تَشِحُّare stingy غُيُومُهُits clouds
وَسُحْبُ نَوَالٍ لاَ تَشِحُّ غُيُومُهُ
Leaders of justice who made the paths of guidance clear,
And lions unrelenting when the foreign borders’
And clouds of bounty whose rainclouds never stint;
Raiders of calamity clash with their swords.
وَأُسْدُand lions of جِهَادٍholy war أَذْعَنَتْsubmitted لِسُيُوفِهِمْto their swords
وَأُسْدُ جِهَادٍ أَذْعَنَتْ لِسُيُوفِهِمْ
جَلاَلِقَةُthe Galicians of الثَّغْرِthe frontier الْغَرِيبِforeign وَرُومُهُand its Romans
جَلاَلِقَةُ الثَّغْرِ الْغَرِيبِ وَرُومُهُ
And lions of holy war to whose swords submitted
For had it not been for them, O Best of Residents,
The Galicians of the foreign frontier and its Romans.
Its sanctuary would have collapsed and its harem desecrated.
فَلَوْلاَهُمْso, but for them يَاخَيْرَO best مَنْof those who سَكَنَdwelt in الْحِمَىthe sanctuary
فَلَوْلاَهُمْ يَاخَيْرَ مَنْ سَكَنَ الْحِمَى
لَرِيعَwould have been terrorized حِمَاهُits sanctuary وَاسْتُبِيحَand would have been violated حَرِيمُهُits sacred bounds
لَرِيعَ حِمَاهُ وَاسْتُبِيحَ حَرِيمُهُ
Were it not for them, O best of those who dwelt in the sanctuary,
On a day when warranted dues shall be requited,
Its sanctuary would have been terrorized and its sacred bounds violated.
The mantle of Divine satisfaction shall enshroud them −
تَغَمَّدَهُمْmay it enfold them مِنْكَfrom you الرِّضَاfavor يَوْمَon the day تُقتَضَىare exacted
تَغَمَّدَهُمْ مِنْكَ الرِّضَا يَوْمَ تُقتَضَى
دُيُونُthe debts of مَقَامٍa station لاَnot تُضَامُare wronged خُصُومُهُits litigants
دُيُونُ مَقَامٍ لاَ تُضَامُ خُصُومُهُ
May favor from you enfold them on the day there are exacted
A mantle that will give them comfort though terror horrifies others,
The debts of that station where no litigant is wronged.
And safety though the Crowding terrifies with its Flame.
وَأَنَّسَهُمْand may it comfort them وَالرَّوْعُwhile terror يُوحِشُbrings desolation هَوْلُهُits horror
وَأَنَّسَهُمْ وَالرَّوْعُ يُوحِشُ هَوْلُهُ
وَأَمَّنَهُمْand may it secure them وَالْحَشْرُwhile the Gathering تُذْكَىis kindled جَحِيمُهُits hellfire
وَأَمَّنَهُمْ وَالْحَشْرُ تُذْكَى جَحِيمُهُ
May it comfort them when terror's horror brings desolation,
Abū Yūsuf − vanquisher of transgression, champion of guidance −
And grant them safety when the Gathering's hellfire is kindled.
And Yūsuf, piercing rebellion’s tumult, overmastering it.
أَبُوAbu يُوسُفٍYusuf مُفْنِيdestroyer of الْعِدَىfoes نَاصِرُchampion of الْهُدَىguidance
أَبُو يُوسُفٍ مُفْنِي الْعِدَى نَاصِرُ الْهُدَى
وَيُوسُفُand Yusuf مِطْعَانُa fierce spear-thruster in الْهِيَاجِbattle زَعِيمُهُits commander
وَيُوسُفُ مِطْعَانُ الْهِيَاجِ زَعِيمُهُ
Abu Yusuf, destroyer of foes, champion of guidance,
‘Uthmān − rain of munificence, most generous benefactor −
And Yusuf, the spear-thruster in battle, its commander,
When clouds, however laden, are miserly with their downpour.
وَعُثْمَانُand Uthman غَيْثُthe rain of الْجُودِgenerosity أَكْرَمُthe noblest وَاهِبٍgiver
وَعُثْمَانُ غَيْثُ الْجُودِ أَكْرَمُ وَاهِبٍ
إِذَاwhen مَاemphatic particle الْغَمَامُthe clouds الْجَوْنُdark ضَنَّتْwithheld سُجُومُهُtheir downpours
إِذَا مَا الْغَمَامُ الْجَوْنُ ضَنَّتْ سُجُومُهُ
And Uthman, rain of generosity, the noblest giver,
And ‘Alī − how can his due be denied ? −
When dark clouds begrudge their downpours;
Shall we belie dawn’s radiance when it gleams beautifully?
وَعُلْيَاand the eminence of عَلِيِّAli كَيْفَhow يُجْحَدcan be denied حَقُّهَاits due
وَعُلْيَا عَلِيِّ كَيْفَ يُجْحَد حَقُّهَا
أَنَجْحَدُdo we deny ضَوْءَthe light of الصُّبْحِdawn رَاقَdelighted وَسِيمُهُits fair aspect
أَنَجْحَدُ ضَوْءَ الصُّبْحِ رَاقَ وَسِيمُهُ
And Ali's eminence—how could its due be denied?
He is the elevated standard whose glory peaked,
Do we deny dawn's light when its beauty delights?
The sovereign before whom the encampment thrived pleasantly.
هُوَhe is الْعَلَمُthe banner الأَعْلَىhighest الَّذِيwhose طَالَrose high فَخْرُهُhis glory
هُوَ الْعَلَمُ الأَعْلَى الَّذِي طَالَ فَخْرُهُ
هُوَhe is الْمَلِكُthe king الأَرْضَىmost pleasing الَّذِيwhose طَابَwas good خيمُهُhis nature
هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الأَرْضَى الَّذِي طَابَ خيمُهُ
He is the highest banner, whose glory towers;
Indeed through him God’s shade encompassed the land
He is the most pleasing king, whose nature is good.
So which substitute can match it or orphan resemble it?
لَقَدْindeed فَاءَspread ظِلُّthe shade of اللهِGod مِنْهُfrom him عَلَىover الْوَرَىhumankind
لَقَدْ فَاءَ ظِلُّ اللهِ مِنْهُ عَلَى الْوَرَى
فَأَيَّمُهُso its widow مَكْفِيَّةٌprovided for وَيَتِيمُهُand its orphan
فَأَيَّمُهُ مَكْفِيَّةٌ وَيَتِيمُهُ
Indeed, God's shade has spread from him over humankind,
And were it not for him its sound principles
So its widows and orphans are provided for.
Would not have gained clarity nor its laws discernibility.
وَجَدَّدَand renewed مِنْهَاfrom it الْبِرَّrighteousness وَالْفَضْلَand bounty مَجْدُهُhis glory
وَجَدَّدَ مِنْهَا الْبِرَّ وَالْفَضْلَ مَجْدُهُ
وَلَوْلاَهُand but for him كَانَتْwould have been لاَnot تَبِينُvisible رُسُومُهُits traces
وَلَوْلاَهُ كَانَتْ لاَ تَبِينُ رُسُومُهُ
His glory renewed goodness and bounty there;
And he bequeathed to Ibrāhῑm the legacy of successorship
Without him, their traces would not have been seen.
A legacy nurtured for him from splendid glory at its source.
وَأَوْرَثَand bequeathed to إِبْرَاهِيمَIbrahim سِرَّthe secret of خِلاَفَةٍa caliphate
وَأَوْرَثَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ سِرَّ خِلاَفَةٍ
نَمَاهُnurtured him مِنَof الْمَجْدِglory الصُّرَاحِunalloyed صَمِيمُهُits very heart
نَمَاهُ مِنَ الْمَجْدِ الصُّرَاحِ صَمِيمُهُ
And he bequeathed to Ibrahim the secret of a caliphate;
When hope seeks rain from a cloud of mercy
The very heart of unalloyed glory nurtured him.
It is from Ibrāhῑm’s palm that its pouring gushes.
إِذَاwhen الأَمَلُhope اسْتَسَقَىasks rain from غَمَامَةَa cloud of رَحْمَةٍmercy
إِذَا الأَمَلُ اسْتَسَقَى غَمَامَةَ رَحْمَةٍ
فَمِنْthen from كَفِّthe palm of إِبْرَاهِيمَIbrahim تَكْرَعُdrink deeply هِيمُهُits thirsty camels
فَمِنْ كَفِّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ تَكْرَعُ هِيمُهُ
When hope asks a cloud of mercy for rain,
And how many aspirations failed the system they envisaged
Its thirsty camels drink deeply from Ibrahim's palm.
While through him unfruitful ones bore fruit copiously!
وَكَمْand how many مِنْa رَجَاءٍhope خَابَfailed نَظْمُthe structure of قِيَاسِهِits syllogism
وَكَمْ مِنْ رَجَاءٍ خَابَ نَظْمُ قِيَاسِهِ
فَأَنْتَجَyet produced بِالْمَطْلُوبِwith the desired result مِنْهُfrom it عَقِيمُهُits barren part
فَأَنْتَجَ بِالْمَطْلُوبِ مِنْهُ عَقِيمُهُ
And many a hope's syllogism failed,
My friends! Regard from afar services to his successor,
Yet its barren reasoning yielded the desired result.
The choicest ones, culled for him by his aide.
أَمَوْلاَيَO my lord لاَحِظْهَاregard it عَلَىdespite الْبُعْدِthe distance خِدْمَةًas an offering
أَمَوْلاَيَ لاَحِظْهَا عَلَى الْبُعْدِ خِدْمَةً
لِوَالِدِكَfor your father الأَرْضَىmost pleasing انْتَقَاهَاchose it خَدِيمُهُhis servant
لِوَالِدِكَ الأَرْضَى انْتَقَاهَا خَدِيمُهُ
O my lord, regard it from afar as an offering
My mind selected them though their order was imperfect
For your most pleasing father, chosen by his servant.
Like the threading of the elegant pearl necklace undone.
تَخَيَّرَهَاselected it فِكْرِيmy thought فَرَاقَso became lovely نِظَامُهَاits arrangement
تَخَيَّرَهَا فِكْرِي فَرَاقَ نِظَامُهَا
كَمَاjust as رَاقَpleased مِنْamong دُرِّthe pearls of النُّحُورِthroats نَظِيمُهُtheir strung arrangement
كَمَا رَاقَ مِنْ دُرِّ النُّحُورِ نَظِيمُهُ
My thought selected it, and its arrangement became lovely,
To them I deputed my concerns and roused my resolve
As lovely as strung pearls adorning throats.
With support from the “h” and “m” consonants.
وَكَلْتُI entrusted بِهَاto it هَمِّيmy care وَأَغْرَيْتُand spurred هِمَّتِيmy resolve
وَكَلْتُ بِهَا هَمِّي وَأَغْرَيْتُ هِمَّتِي
فَسَاعَدَهَاso aided it هَاءُthe letter hāʾ of الرَّويِّthe rhyme وَمِيمُهُand its mīm
فَسَاعَدَهَا هَاءُ الرَّويِّ وَمِيمُهُ
I set my care upon it and spurred my resolve,
I gained access through it beseeching his Side,
And the rhyme's hāʾ and mīm lent it their aid.
And vowed to myself never to fail it.
حَلَلْتُI alighted بِهِwith him مُسْتَنْصِراًseeking support بِجَنَابِهِat his side
حَلَلْتُ بِهِ مُسْتَنْصِراً بِجَنَابِهِ
وَعَاهَدْتُand pledged to نَفْسِيmyself أَنَّنِيthat I لاَnot أَرِيمُهُleave him
وَعَاهَدْتُ نَفْسِي أَنَّنِي لاَ أَرِيمُهُ
I alighted with him, seeking support at his side,
Before his luminous tomb I halted my pursuits −
And pledged to myself that I would never leave him.
So whoever harms me, it is You who contends against him!
عَلَىat قَبْرِهِhis grave الزَّاكِيpure وَقَفْتُI fixed مَطَامِعِيmy hopes
عَلَى قَبْرِهِ الزَّاكِي وَقَفْتُ مَطَامِعِي
فَمَنْso whoever نَالَنِيassails me بِالضَّيْمِwith injustice أَنْتَyou are خَصِيمُهُhis adversary
فَمَنْ نَالَنِي بِالضَّيْمِ أَنْتَ خَصِيمُهُ
At his pure grave I fixed my hopes,
And whoever assails me with injustice—you are his adversary.
Partial English translation: 128 of 130 Arabic lines translated.