إمامٌan imam (prayer leader) فيin الركوعِbowing حكىresembled هلالاًa crescent moon
إمامٌ في الركوعِ حكى هلالاً
ولكنْand yet فيin اعتدالٍstanding upright كالقضيبِlike a slender branch
ولكنْ في اعتدالٍ كالقضيبِ
My imam, in bowing, took on the likeness of a crescent;
An imam, bowing, resembled a crescent moon;
But in his upright stance, he was like a slender rod.
but standing upright, he was like a slender branch.
وقالَand he said تلوتُI recited; I followed قلتُI said الشمسthe sun حسْناًin beauty
وقالَ تلوتُ قلتُ الشمس حسْناً
وقالَand he said ختمتُI completed the recitation; I sealed قلتُI said علىupon القلوبِthe hearts
وقالَ ختمتُ قلتُ على القلوبِ
He said, “I recited / followed.” I said, “The sun—in beauty.”
He said, “I recited.” I said, “[You followed] the sun in beauty.”
He said, “I finished / sealed.” I said, “Upon the hearts.”
He said, “I finished reciting.” I said, “[You set a seal] upon hearts.”