بُشراكِgood tidings to you أَيَّتُهاO الدُّنياthe world وبُشراناand good tidings to us
بُشراكِ أَيَّتُها الدُّنيا وبُشرانا
أَحياكِrevived you بالعدْلِwith justice منْhe who بالأَمْنِwith security أَحْياناrevived us
أَحياكِ بالعدْلِ منْ بالأَمْنِ أَحْيانا
Good tidings to you, O world, and good tidings to us!
Good tidings to you, O world, and good tidings to us!
He who revived us with security has revived you with justice.
Justice has revived those once tranquil in safety.
لعَلَّperhaps آمالناour hopes فِيin اللهِGod قَدْindeed صدَقَتْcame true
لعَلَّ آمالنا فِي اللهِ قَدْ صدَقَتْ
وصِدْقَand fulfillment موعِدِهِHis promise بالفتحِof victory قَدْindeed آناhas arrived
وصِدْقَ موعِدِهِ بالفتحِ قَدْ آنا
Perhaps our hopes in God have come true,
Perhaps our hopes in God were truthful,
and the fulfillment of His promise of victory has arrived.
And the promise of His victory has come true.
وعودةًand a return تمتريdraws forth عفواًpardon وعافيةًand well-being
وعودةً تمتري عفواً وعافيةً
ودعوةًand a summons تقتضيcalls for صفحاًclemency وغفراناand forgiveness
ودعوةً تقتضي صفحاً وغفرانا
And a return that draws forth pardon and well-being,
A return marked by pardon and well-being,
and a summons that calls for clemency and forgiveness.
A call requiring forgiveness and mercy.
تنسَّميbreathe in ريحَthe breeze of رَوْحِrelief اللهِGod مُنشِئةًraising
تنسَّمي ريحَ رَوْحِ اللهِ مُنشِئةً
غُيوثَrains رحمتِهِHis mercy سَحّاًin torrents وتَهتاناand downpours
غُيوثَ رحمتِهِ سَحّاً وتَهتانا
Breathe in the breeze of God's relief, raising
Inhale the spirit of God, life-giving,
the rains of His mercy in torrents and downpours.
With the abundance of His mercy pouring down.
واستَقبِليand welcome زَهْرَةَthe flower of العقبىthe hereafter مُنوِّرَةًblossoming
واستَقبِلي زَهْرَةَ العقبى مُنوِّرَةً
بالنُّورِwith light فِيin رَوْضَةٍa garden تَهتزُّquivering رِضْواناwith divine pleasure
بالنُّورِ فِي رَوْضَةٍ تَهتزُّ رِضْوانا
And welcome the flower of the hereafter, blossoming
Welcome the blossom of victory illuminated
with light in a garden trembling with divine pleasure.
By light in a garden trembling with bliss.
لَتورِقَنْshall surely leaf out شجرُthe trees of الدُّنياthe world لَنَاfor us وَرِقاًsilver
لَتورِقَنْ شجرُ الدُّنيا لَنَا وَرِقاً
بسعدِهاthrough its good fortune وتُريقُand pours forth الأرْضُthe earth عِقياناpure gold
بسعدِها وتُريقُ الأرْضُ عِقيانا
The world's trees shall surely leaf out for us in silver,
The tree of life will bloom leaves for us
through its good fortune, and the earth shall pour forth pure gold.
In its prosperity, and the land will pour forth springs.
وتعبقُand smells sweet الأَرْضُthe earth منof مسكٍmusk وغاليةٍand rich perfume
وتعبقُ الأَرْضُ من مسكٍ وغاليةٍ
وتُمطرُand rains المُزْنُthe rain clouds ياقوتاًrubies ومرجاناand coral
وتُمطرُ المُزْنُ ياقوتاً ومرجانا
And the earth shall smell sweet with musk and rich perfume,
The land will be fragrant with musk and ambergris,
and the clouds shall rain rubies and coral.
The clouds will rain pearls and coral.
وقُلْand say لِمنْto whoever قَدْhas أَضَلَّlost الشمسَthe sun طالِعةًrising
وقُلْ لِمنْ قَدْ أَضَلَّ الشمسَ طالِعةً
لاdo not تَسْرِtravel by night منfrom بعدِهاafter it فِيin لَيلِnight حَيراناbewildered
لا تَسْرِ من بعدِها فِي لَيلِ حَيرانا
And tell whoever has lost sight of the rising sun:
Tell those who have lost sight of the rising sun -
Do not journey after it by night, bewildered.
Do not travel lost in the night after it sets.
وياand O غريباًstranger شريداًdriven away عنfrom مواطنِهِhis homelands
ويا غريباً شريداً عن مواطنِهِ
لِتَهنكَmay it delight you الأرضُthe earth أُلّافاًcompanions وأَوْطاناand homelands
لِتَهنكَ الأرضُ أُلّافاً وأَوْطانا
And O stranger, driven far from his homelands,
O lonely exile, far from your home -
may the earth delight you with companions and homelands.
Return, and a thousand lands will delight in you.
وياand O مَرُوعَone terrified in الضُّحىbroad daylight يُزْجيdriving onward ظَعائِنَهُhis women in litters
ويا مَرُوعَ الضُّحى يُزْجي ظَعائِنَهُ
عَرِّسْhalt for the night بجوَزِin the midst of الفلاthe wilderness أمْناًin safety وإِيماناand faith
عَرِّسْ بجوَزِ الفلا أمْناً وإِيمانا
And you, frightened in broad daylight, driving your women in litters,
O terrified dove, ejecting his groans -
halt in the heart of the wilderness, in safety and faith.
Marry the almond blossoms, and rest in safety and faith.
هاتِيكَthat there شَمسُthe sun of الهُدىguidance فِيin بُرْجِthe mansion of أَسعُدِهاits greatest good fortune
هاتِيكَ شَمسُ الهُدى فِي بُرْجِ أَسعُدِها
وَدِينُناand our religion مُشرِقٌshining فِيin عِزِّthe glory of دُنياناour worldly life
وَدِينُنا مُشرِقٌ فِي عِزِّ دُنيانا
There is the sun of guidance in its most auspicious mansion,
Behold the sun of guidance at its happiest ascent,
and our religion shines in the glory of our worldly life.
Our religion shining gloriously in the world.
ودَوْحَةُand the great tree of اللهِGod زَكَّىHe blessed غَرْسَهاits planting فزَكَتْso it flourished
ودَوْحَةُ اللهِ زَكَّى غَرْسَها فزَكَتْ
أُكْلاًfruit وظِلّاًand shade وأَشْجاراًand trees وأَغصاناand branches
أُكْلاً وظِلّاً وأَشْجاراً وأَغصانا
And God's great tree—He blessed its planting, and it flourished
The oasis of God has purified its plants, so they thrive -
in fruit, shade, trees, and branches.
Bearing fruit, shade, trees, and branches.
أوشِكْhow imminent! بِهَاwith it نِعمةًa blessing راقَتْpleased لِتُحييَناto revive us
أوشِكْ بِهَا نِعمةً راقَتْ لِتُحييَنا
نُعمىbounty ويُثمِرَand may bear fruit ذَاكَthat الحُسنُbeauty إِحساناkindness
نُعمى ويُثمِرَ ذَاكَ الحُسنُ إِحسانا
How soon this lovely blessing will revive us
Through it, the blessing we long for will revive us -
with bounty, and that beauty bear kindness as its fruit!
From blindness into insight, and good into goodness.
خلافَةُthe caliphate of اللهِGod فِيin مثوىthe abode of نُبوَّتِهِHis prophethood
خلافَةُ اللهِ فِي مثوى نُبوَّتِهِ
وحِفظهُand His protection قَدْhas تَولَّىtaken charge of منthe one who تَولّاناgoverns us
وحِفظهُ قَدْ تَولَّى من تَولّانا
God's caliphate is in the abode of His prophethood,
The caliphate of God in the dwelling of his prophecy -
and His protection has embraced the one who governs us.
He has undertaken its protection, who protects us.
ودَولةٌand a dynasty سبقتْsurpassed آمالَناour hopes كَرَماًin generosity
ودَولةٌ سبقتْ آمالَنا كَرَماً
كَأَنَّas though مَاwhat قَدْhad تمنَّيناwe wished for تمنَّاناwished for us
كَأَنَّ مَا قَدْ تمنَّينا تمنَّانا
And a dynasty has surpassed our hopes in generosity,
A state that surpassed our hopes in nobility -
as though what we wished for had wished for us.
As though it was exactly what we wished for.
ودَعوةٌand a summons أعلنَproclaimed الدَّاعيthe herald فأَسْمعَهاand made it heard
ودَعوةٌ أعلنَ الدَّاعي فأَسْمعَها
منfrom قَصْرِthe palace of قُرْطُبةٍCórdoba أَقصىthe farthest reaches of خُراساناKhurasan
من قَصْرِ قُرْطُبةٍ أَقصى خُراسانا
And a summons the herald proclaimed and made heard
A call the caller announced - so hear it! -
from the palace of Córdoba to farthest Khurasan.
From Cordoba to the furthest parts of Khurasan.
وبَيعةٌand a pledge of allegiance عَرَفَrecognized الإِسلامُIslam آيتَهاits sign
وبَيعةٌ عَرَفَ الإِسلامُ آيتَها
فلمso did not يَخِرُّواthey bow لَهَاto it صُمّاًdeaf وعُمياناand blind
فلم يَخِرُّوا لَهَا صُمّاً وعُميانا
And a pledge of allegiance whose sign Islam recognized,
A pledge all Islam recognizes through its signs -
so they did not bow to it deaf and blind.
Deaf and blind did not hesitate to answer it.
كادَتْit almost تُحرِّكُgave movement to للأَشجارِfor the trees ألسِنةًtongues
كادَتْ تُحرِّكُ للأَشجارِ ألسِنةً
تَدْعوcalling out وتَخرِقُand pierces للأَحجارِfor the stones آذاناears
تَدْعو وتَخرِقُ للأَحجارِ آذانا
It almost gave the trees tongues
It nearly inspired speech in trees,
to call out, and pierced ears for stones,
Calling out, and ears in stones hearing it.
للقاسِمِfor al-Qasim القائِمِthe upholder الهاديthe guide الَّذِيwho هُديَتْwas directed
للقاسِمِ القائِمِ الهادي الَّذِي هُديَتْ
إِلَيْهِto him طاعتُناour obedience سِرّاًprivately وَإِعْلاناand openly
إِلَيْهِ طاعتُنا سِرّاً وَإِعْلانا
for al-Qasim, the upholder, the guide, to whom
For al-Qasim the upright, the guide -
our obedience was directed, privately and openly.
To him our obedience, in public and secret, was guided.
وابنand the son of الَّذِيhim whose كُتِبتْwas inscribed فِيin اللَّوْحِthe Tablet طاعَتُهُobedience to him
وابن الَّذِي كُتِبتْ فِي اللَّوْحِ طاعَتُهُ
وَوُدُّand love for قرباهُhis kin عندَbefore اللهِGod قُرباناan offering
وَوُدُّ قرباهُ عندَ اللهِ قُربانا
And the son of him obedience to whom was inscribed on the Tablet,
The son of one for whom obedience was prescribed
and love for whose kin is an offering before God.
In the tablet - and proximity to God his offering.
إِمامُناour imam وابنُand son of مَنْthe one who أَمَّled الإِلهُGod بِهِthrough him
إِمامُنا وابنُ مَنْ أَمَّ الإِلهُ بِهِ
أَهلَthe people of السماءِheaven ومَنْand those who فِيon أَرْضِهِHis earth داناprofessed faith
أَهلَ السماءِ ومَنْ فِي أَرْضِهِ دانا
Our imam, and son of him through whom God led
Our Imam, son of the one God placed in charge
the people of heaven and those who believed on His earth.
Of the people of heaven and earth who obeyed him.
تِلْكَthose المَنابِرُpulpits لَمْdid not تثْبتْbecome firm قواعِدُهاtheir foundations
تِلْكَ المَنابِرُ لَمْ تثْبتْ قواعِدُها
حَتَّىuntil تحلَّينَthey adorned themselves مِنْwith ذكراهُhis remembrance تيجاناcrowns
حَتَّى تحلَّينَ مِنْ ذكراهُ تيجانا
Those pulpits' foundations were not firm
Those pulpits were not established
until they wore his remembrance as crowns.
Until adorned by mention of him with crowns.
بلِrather الكتائِبُthe battalions لمwere not تُنشرْunfurled صحائفُهاtheir scrolls
بلِ الكتائِبُ لم تُنشرْ صحائفُها
حَتَّىuntil رأَتْهُthey saw him لِفتحِfor the victory of اللهِGod عُنواناan emblem
حَتَّى رأَتْهُ لِفتحِ اللهِ عُنوانا
Rather, the battalions did not unfurl their scrolls
Nor were the regiments unfurled their banners
until they saw him as the emblem of God's victory,
Until they saw him as the title for God's opening.
مقلَّداًinvested with نصلَthe blade of هَذَاthis السيفِsword مِنْfrom يَمَنٍYemen
مقلَّداً نصلَ هَذَا السيفِ مِنْ يَمَنٍ
فِيin السَّلمِpeace والحَرْبِand war تمكيناًempowerment وإِمكاناand capability
فِي السَّلمِ والحَرْبِ تمكيناً وإِمكانا
invested with the blade of this sword from Yemen,
Girded with the Yemeni sword for empowerment and ability
in peace and war, with authority and capability.
In peace and war, firmness and possibility.
نصيحةٌloyalty عَمَّتِsuffused الدُّنياthe world وَساكِنَهاand its inhabitants
نصيحةٌ عَمَّتِ الدُّنيا وَساكِنَها
نُوراًwith light وأَضرمَتِand kindled الأَعداءُthe enemies نِيراناfires
نُوراً وأَضرمَتِ الأَعداءُ نِيرانا
A loyalty that suffused the world and its inhabitants
An advice encompassing the world and its inhabitants
with light, while the enemies kindled fires.
With light, while the enemies kindled fires.
فأَصبحَso became المُنذِرُal-Mundhir المَنصورُal-Mansur واليَناour governor
فأَصبحَ المُنذِرُ المَنصورُ واليَنا
والقاسِمُand al-Qasim المَلكُthe king المأْمونُal-Ma'mun مَولاناour lord
والقاسِمُ المَلكُ المأْمونُ مَولانا
So al-Mundhir al-Mansur became our governor,
So the warner became victorious, and the protector,
and King al-Qasim al-Ma'mun our lord,
And al-Qasim the King, al-Ma'mun our Master.
منfrom بعدِafter فترَةِa lapse of أَزْمَانٍages مَطَلْنَthey delayed بِهِhim
من بعدِ فترَةِ أَزْمَانٍ مَطَلْنَ بِهِ
وَدِدْنَthey wished أَلّاthat not نُسمِّيهنَّwe call them أَزْماناages
وَدِدْنَ أَلّا نُسمِّيهنَّ أَزْمانا
after a lapse of ages that delayed his coming,
After an era of time we wished would never
ages that wished we would not call them ages.
Be called an era.
يُمناهُhis right hand فِيon قائِمِthe hilt of السيفِthe sword المُقامِestablished لَهُfor him
يُمناهُ فِي قائِمِ السيفِ المُقامِ لَهُ
فِيin العَدْلِjustice والقِسطِand equity عندَbefore اللهِGod ميزاناa balance
فِي العَدْلِ والقِسطِ عندَ اللهِ ميزانا
His right hand is on the hilt of the sword established for him
His success lies in establishing justice,
as a balance before God in justice and equity.
With God the scale and balance for his actions.
رَدَّrestored الإِلهُGod إِلَيْهِto him حقَّthe right of والدِهِhis father
رَدَّ الإِلهُ إِلَيْهِ حقَّ والدِهِ
فكُلُّand every حَقٍّright بِهِthrough him ردٌّa restoration لمَنْto whoever كَانَاheld it
فكُلُّ حَقٍّ بِهِ ردٌّ لمَنْ كَانَا
God restored to him his father's right,
God returned to him his father's right,
and through him every right is restored to whoever held it.
So every right, through him, was returned to its people.
أَحْياrevived بِهِthrough him لابنِfor the son of يَحيىYahya حَقَّthe right of أَوَّلِهِhis forebear
أَحْيا بِهِ لابنِ يَحيى حَقَّ أَوَّلِهِ
فِيin نُصْرَةِdefending الحَقِّtruth إِقراراًin acknowledgment وإِذْعاناand submission
فِي نُصْرَةِ الحَقِّ إِقراراً وإِذْعانا
Through him He revived for the son of Yahya his forebear's right
Through him the right of the first of Yahya's sons
in defending truth, with acknowledgment and submission,
Was revived, affirming and submitting to the truth.
حُكماًa judgment بماby what نطقتdeclared فِيهِconcerning it وَمَاand what صدقتtruthfully attested
حُكماً بما نطقت فِيهِ وَمَا صدقت
شهادةthe testimony of اللهGod تنزيلاًas revelation وفرقاناand a criterion
شهادة الله تنزيلاً وفرقانا
judging by what spoke on the matter and truthfully affirmed it—
Judging as God's testimony and distinction spoke,
God's testimony, as revelation and a criterion—
The Quran and Furqan were sincere.
وَأُسْوَةًand following the example برَسُولِof the Messenger of اللهِGod والِدِهِhis forefather
وَأُسْوَةً برَسُولِ اللهِ والِدِهِ
فيمنْamong those whom تخَيَّرَhe selected أنصاراًas helpers وجيراناand neighbors
فيمنْ تخَيَّرَ أنصاراً وجيرانا
and following the example of God's Messenger, his forefather,
An example in the Messenger of God, his father,
in those he chose as helpers and neighbors.
In those he chose as supporters and neighbors.
فَحَسْبُso sufficient for مُؤْثِرِone who favors هَذَاthis الحُكمِjudgment مَعدِلَةًjustice
فَحَسْبُ مُؤْثِرِ هَذَا الحُكمِ مَعدِلَةً
وَحَسبُand sufficient for ناصِرِthe champion of هَذَاthis الدِّينِreligion بُرْهاناproof
وَحَسبُ ناصِرِ هَذَا الدِّينِ بُرْهانا
Sufficient justice for one who favors this judgment,
The virtue of the champion of this rule and its ministry
and sufficient proof for one who champions this faith!
Is enough, and the proponent of this religion has proof.
فَتىa young man نَماهُbrought him إِلَىto نَصرِthe aid of الهُدىguidance نَسبٌa lineage
فَتى نَماهُ إِلَى نَصرِ الهُدى نَسبٌ
لَوْif قُدِّرَwere measured البدْرُthe full moon ليلَon the night of التِّمِّfullness لازداناit would surely be adorned
لَوْ قُدِّرَ البدْرُ ليلَ التِّمِّ لازدانا
A young man whom lineage brought to the aid of guidance,
A young man whom ancestry raised to uphold guidance -
a lineage that would adorn the full moon, were it measured against it at fullness.
The full moon would be adorned if made his crescent.
مِنَfrom الَّذِينَthose whose وَفتْwas fulfilled للهِto God بَيْعَتُهُمْtheir pledge
مِنَ الَّذِينَ وَفتْ للهِ بَيْعَتُهُمْ
فأَخلصواso they made sincere العهدَthe covenant إِيماناًin faith وأَيماناand oaths
فأَخلصوا العهدَ إِيماناً وأَيمانا
From those whose pledge to God was fulfilled,
Of those whose pledge to God was fulfilled
who made their covenant sincere in faith and oaths.
With loyalty, faith, and oaths kept.
باعواthey sold نُفوسَهُمُtheir lives منto ربِّهِمْtheir Lord فَجُزُواso they were rewarded
باعوا نُفوسَهُمُ من ربِّهِمْ فَجُزُوا
خُلْدَeverlasting الثَّناءِpraise وخُلدَand everlasting الفوزِtriumph أَثْمَاناas prices
خُلْدَ الثَّناءِ وخُلدَ الفوزِ أَثْمَانا
They sold their lives to their Lord and were rewarded
They sold their souls to their Lord, so they won
with everlasting praise and everlasting triumph as their price.
Eternal glory, and eternity their price.
فأَشرَقَتْso shone سُبُلُthe paths of الدنياthe world بهدْيِهِمُthrough their guidance
فأَشرَقَتْ سُبُلُ الدنيا بهدْيِهِمُ
والأَرْضُand the earth قَدْhad شَرِقَتchoked كُفراًon unbelief وأَوْثاناand idols
والأَرْضُ قَدْ شَرِقَت كُفراً وأَوْثانا
So the world's paths shone through their guidance,
Through their guidance the paths of life shone,
though the earth had choked on unbelief and idols.
And the land shone, its idols and statues gone.
تَلقىyou find شبابَهُمُtheir youths فِيin السَّلمِpeace إِنْif نَطقواthey speak
تَلقى شبابَهُمُ فِي السَّلمِ إِنْ نَطقوا
شِيباًgraybeards وشيبَهُمُand their graybeards فِيin الحَرْبِwar شُبَّاناyouths
شِيباً وشيبَهُمُ فِي الحَرْبِ شُبَّانا
You find their youths in peace, when they speak,
In peace their youth speak with the wisdom of old age,
to be graybeards, and their graybeards in war to be youths.
And their old age in war as fearless youth.
همُthey المُلبُّونَthose answering والأَبصارُwhile the eyes ناكِصَةٌshrinking back
همُ المُلبُّونَ والأَبصارُ ناكِصَةٌ
نَبِيَّهُمْtheir Prophet يَومَon the day نادىhe called يَاO لَقَحطاناQahtan, to the rescue
نَبِيَّهُمْ يَومَ نادى يَا لَقَحطانا
They are those who answered, while eyes shrank back,
They are the answerers when their prophet called "O Lakhm,"
their Prophet when he cried, 'To me, Qahtan!'
And the distinguishers of the stars of rule when it faded.
والمُطْلِعُونَand those raising نُجومَthe stars of المُلكِkingship إِذْwhen أفلتْthey set
والمُطْلِعُونَ نُجومَ المُلكِ إِذْ أفلتْ
والكافِلونَand those safeguarding بعِزِّthe might of الحقِّtruth إِذْwhen هاناit was humbled
والكافِلونَ بعِزِّ الحقِّ إِذْ هانا
And those who raised the stars of kingship when they set,
The guarantors of the glory of truth when it was weak;
and upheld the might of truth when it was humbled.
They have precedence at Badr, Uhud, and both wars of Qais and Ailan.
لَهمtheirs مَدىthe extent of السبقِprecedence فِيat بَدْرٍBadr وَفِيand at أُحُدِUhud
لَهم مَدى السبقِ فِي بَدْرٍ وَفِي أُحُدِ
وَآلِand the house of حَرْبٍHarb وحِزْبَيْand the two hosts of قَيسِQays عَيلانا'Aylan
وَآلِ حَرْبٍ وحِزْبَيْ قَيسِ عَيلانا
Theirs was the lead at Badr and at Uhud,
At Tabuk, Autas, and Mustaliq,
and against the house of Harb and the two hosts of Qays 'Aylan,
And those who disobeyed God from the sons of Adnan.
وفيand at تَبوكَTabuk وand أَوْطاسٍAwtas وand مُصطَلقٍMustaliq
وفي تَبوكَ و أَوْطاسٍ و مُصطَلقٍ
ومَنْand whoever عَصىdisobeyed اللهَGod منamong أَبناءِthe sons of عَدْناناAdnan
ومَنْ عَصى اللهَ من أَبناءِ عَدْنانا
and at Tabuk, Awtas, and Mustaliq,
Theirs is the acquittal and spoils when it was sealed,
and against those sons of Adnan who disobeyed God.
And half the share, their portion from the family of Imran.
لهُمtheirs بَرَاءةُBara'ah والأَنفالُand al-Anfal إِذwhen خُتِمَتْconcluded
لهُم بَرَاءةُ والأَنفالُ إِذ خُتِمَتْ
والنِّصفُand half قِسمُهُمُtheir portion منof آلِAl عِمْرانا'Imran
والنِّصفُ قِسمُهُمُ من آلِ عِمْرانا
Theirs are Bara'ah and al-Anfal in their closing words,
At Siffin, your swords did not fail
and half of Al 'Imran is their portion.
The Prophet's family - O family of Hamdan!
ويومَand on the day of صِفِّينَSiffin لَمْdid not تَخْذُلْforsake سُيوفُكُمُyour swords
ويومَ صِفِّينَ لَمْ تَخْذُلْ سُيوفُكُمُ
آلَthe family of الرَّسُولِthe Messenger بِهِthere يَاO آلَhouse of هَمْداناHamdan
آلَ الرَّسُولِ بِهِ يَا آلَ هَمْدانا
And on the day of Siffin your swords did not forsake
So may the victory of the one who guided guidance to you bring joy,
the Messenger's family there, O house of Hamdan.
And the victory of his sons after him, now.
فَليَهْنِكُمْso may it delight you نصرُsupporting منhim who أَهْدىbrought الهُدىguidance لكمُto you
فَليَهْنِكُمْ نصرُ من أَهْدى الهُدى لكمُ
ونَصرُand supporting أبنائِهِhis descendants منْfrom بعدِهِafter him الآناnow
ونَصرُ أبنائِهِ منْ بعدِهِ الآنا
May supporting him who brought you guidance bring you joy,
The endeavor of those who sheltered and supported,
and supporting his descendants after him, now,
And raised a helper of the religion, was fruitful.
سَعيَthe striving of الَّذِينَthose who هُمُthey آوَوْاgave shelter وهُمand they نصرواgave support
سَعيَ الَّذِينَ هُمُ آوَوْا وهُم نصروا
وأَنجبواand brought forth ناصِراًa champion للدِّينِof the religion آواناwho sheltered us
وأَنجبوا ناصِراً للدِّينِ آوانا
with the striving of those who gave shelter and support,
Boldly marching to frighten our fears away,
and brought forth a champion of the faith who sheltered us.
And courting death to pave the way to life.
أَسْرىtraveled by night إِلَىtoward الرَّوْعِterror فِيin تأْمينallaying رَوْعَتناour terror
أَسْرى إِلَى الرَّوْعِ فِي تأْمين رَوْعَتنا
وساوَرَand grappled with المَوتَdeath فِيin تمهيدِmaking easy مَحياناour life
وساوَرَ المَوتَ فِي تمهيدِ مَحيانا
He traveled by night toward terror to allay our terror,
Exhausting horses for our comfort,
and grappled with death to make our lives easy.
And spending wealth to honor guests.
وأَتعبَand exhausted الخَيلَthe horses إِيثاراًin preference لِرَاحَتِناfor our comfort
وأَتعبَ الخَيلَ إِيثاراً لِرَاحَتِنا
وفرَّقَand distributed المالَwealth إِكْراماًto honor لمَثواناour abode
وفرَّقَ المالَ إِكْراماً لمَثوانا
And he exhausted the horses, preferring our comfort,
As though he found no home but danger,
and distributed wealth to honor our abode.
No intimate but the treasures he possessed.
كَأَنَّهُas though he لَمْdid not يَجِدْfind غَيْرَother than الوَغىbattle وَطَناًa homeland
كَأَنَّهُ لَمْ يَجِدْ غَيْرَ الوَغى وَطَناً
وَلاnor سِواناanyone but us لماfor what يَحوِيهِhe possesses خُزَّاناkeepers
وَلا سِوانا لما يَحوِيهِ خُزَّانا
As though he had found no homeland but battle,
A sword - but only judging the enemies by it.
nor any keepers of his possessions but us.
A sea - but only to the thirsty a thirsty man.
سَيفاًa sword ولَكنْbut عَلَىover الأَعداءِthe enemies مُحتكِماًruling
سَيفاً ولَكنْ عَلَى الأَعداءِ مُحتكِماً
بَحراًa sea ولكنbut إِلَىfor الظَّمآنِthe thirsty ظَمآناthirsting
بَحراً ولكن إِلَى الظَّمآنِ ظَمآنا
A sword, but one ruling over enemies;
He gave freely until he nearly convinced us
a sea, yet thirsting for the thirsty.
That if asked, he would give all he had.
أعطىhe gave الرَّغائِبَdesired gifts حَتَّىuntil كادَhe almost يُوهِمُناmade us imagine
أعطى الرَّغائِبَ حَتَّى كادَ يُوهِمُنا
لَوْif سائِلٌa petitioner سَالناasked for us منهfrom him لأعطاناhe would surely give us
لَوْ سائِلٌ سَالنا منه لأعطانا
He gave desired gifts until he almost made us imagine
He contended with fate until his hands left
that if a petitioner asked him for us, he would give us too.
No equal in generosity or war.
وساجَلَand vied with الدَّهْرَtime حَتَّىuntil لَمْdid not تَدَعْleave يدُهُhis hand
وساجَلَ الدَّهْرَ حَتَّى لَمْ تَدَعْ يدُهُ
فِيin الجودِgenerosity كُفءاًa peer ولاnor فِيin الحرْبِwar أقراناrivals
فِي الجودِ كُفءاً ولا فِي الحرْبِ أقرانا
And he vied with time until his hand left
When positions wavered in their pillars
no peer in generosity and no rivals in war.
And the banners of the elite trailed on the ground,
إِذاwhen المراتِبُdignities جالتcoursed about فِيin أَعِنَّتِهاtheir reins
إِذا المراتِبُ جالت فِي أَعِنَّتِها
وجَرَّرَتْand trailed خُطَطُthe stations of العلياءِexalted rank أَرساناhalters
وجَرَّرَتْ خُطَطُ العلياءِ أَرسانا
When dignities course about in their reins,
Gather them close to you in submission;
and the stations of exalted rank trail their halters,
Rightfully, for your efforts - not by compulsion or aggression.
فاضْمُمْso draw together إِليكَto you أَقاصِيهِنَّtheir farthest reaches مُذْعِنةًsubmitting
فاضْمُمْ إِليكَ أَقاصِيهِنَّ مُذْعِنةً
حقّاًas a right لِسَعيِكَfor your striving لاnot بغياًoppression وعُدوَاناand aggression
حقّاً لِسَعيِكَ لا بغياً وعُدوَانا
draw even their farthest reaches to you, submitting,
How often you launched raids and attacks!
as your striving's due, not through oppression and aggression.
With white swords and brown, striking and lunging.
فَكمfor how many ضَربْتَyou cast عليهاfor them منof قِداحِlot-arrows of وغىًbattle
فَكم ضَربْتَ عليها من قِداحِ وغىً
بالبيضِwith bright swords والسُّمرِand dusky spears ضَرَّاباًstriking repeatedly وطَعَّاناand thrusting repeatedly
بالبيضِ والسُّمرِ ضَرَّاباً وطَعَّانا
For how often you cast the lots of battle for them,
How often you outstripped and encompassed
with bright swords and dusky spears, striking and thrusting!
Vast lands, making sincerity the field.
وكمand how often سَبقتَyou raced ahead إِليهاtoward them واحتوَيتَand secured لَهَاfor them
وكم سَبقتَ إِليها واحتوَيتَ لَهَا
مَدىًa course جَعلتَyou made إِليهاtoward them الصِّدْقَtruth ميداناan arena
مَدىً جَعلتَ إِليها الصِّدْقَ ميدانا
And how often you raced ahead toward them and secured
Two dominions like two moons in years
a course to them, making truth your arena.
And two springs in spirit and breeze.
رياسَتينِtwo leaderships كَمِثلِlike الشعرَيَينِthe two Shi'ra stars سَناًin radiance
رياسَتينِ كَمِثلِ الشعرَيَينِ سَناً
وكالرَّبيعَيْنِand like the two springtimes روحاناًin refreshment وريحاناand fragrance
وكالرَّبيعَيْنِ روحاناً وريحانا
Two offices of leadership, radiant as the two Shi'ra stars,
A crown of victory, magnificence and honor
and like the two springtimes in refreshment and fragrance,
You wore over the secure land.
وتاجَand a crown of نصرٍvictory وإِعظامٍand reverence وتكرِمَةٍand honor
وتاجَ نصرٍ وإِعظامٍ وتكرِمَةٍ
حَلّاكَهاadorned you with it منhe who بأَمْنِwith the security of الأَرْضِthe earth حَلّاناadorned us
حَلّاكَها من بأَمْنِ الأَرْضِ حَلّانا
and a crown of victory, reverence, and honor:
If you birth for it moons of kingdoms -
he who adorned us with the earth's security adorned you with these.
Lions of battle, lions and steeds -
فإِنso if ولَدْتَyou fathered لَهَاfor it أَقمارَmoons of مَمْلَكَةٍa kingdom
فإِن ولَدْتَ لَهَا أَقمارَ مَمْلَكَةٍ
أَسباطَscions of مَلحمَةٍbattle أُسْداًlions وفُرْساناand horsemen
أَسباطَ مَلحمَةٍ أُسْداً وفُرْسانا
If you have fathered for it moons of sovereignty,
Then you have removed for Yahya the veil from it,
scions of battle, lions and horsemen,
Enveloped by you in honor and authority.
فقدthen indeed خَلعْتَyou bestowed عَلَىupon يحيىYahya حِجابَتهاits chamberlainship
فقد خَلعْتَ عَلَى يحيى حِجابَتها
مَحفوفَةًencompassed منكَfrom you إِعْزازاًby honor وسُلطاناand authority
مَحفوفَةً منكَ إِعْزازاً وسُلطانا
you have bestowed its chamberlainship upon Yahya,
Then rule of twin thrones and ministries encompassed it -
encompassed by honor and authority from you.
So you won the heights, two yet one.
ثُمَّthen احتوىassumed حَكَمٌHakam مثنىthe twofold وَزارَتِهاits vizierate
ثُمَّ احتوى حَكَمٌ مثنى وَزارَتِها
فَفُزْتُمُso you attained بالعلاexalted rank مثنىًin pairs وَوِحْداناand singly
فَفُزْتُمُ بالعلا مثنىً وَوِحْدانا
Then Hakam assumed its twofold vizierate,
Each of you the Commander of the Faithful favored,
so you attained exalted rank in pairs and singly.
As the Merciful drew you near in affection.
كلٌّeach حَباكُمbestowed upon you أَميرُthe Commander of المؤمنينthe Faithful بِهِwith it
كلٌّ حَباكُم أَميرُ المؤمنين بِهِ
كماas بقربكُمُwith your nearness الرَّحْمنُthe Merciful حاباناfavored us
كما بقربكُمُ الرَّحْمنُ حابانا
Each honor the Commander of the Faithful bestowed upon you,
An advantage which found none equal in the world but you
as the Merciful favored us with your nearness.
For the souls of kings to inhabit.
مَزِيَّةٌa distinction جالتِtraversed الدُّنياthe world فماbut did not وَجَدَتْfind
مَزِيَّةٌ جالتِ الدُّنيا فما وَجَدَتْ
سِواكُمُanyone but you لِنفوسِfor the souls of المُلكِkingship أَبداناbodies
سِواكُمُ لِنفوسِ المُلكِ أَبدانا
A distinction that traversed the world but found
An ambition, O Mansur, that did not rest
none but you as bodies for the souls of kingship.
Until seeing you as the eye of the faith.
وهِمَّةٌand an ambition لَكَof yours يَاO منصورُMansur مَاdid not هَدَأَتْrest
وهِمَّةٌ لَكَ يَا منصورُ مَا هَدَأَتْ
حَتَّىuntil رأَتْكَit saw you لِعَينِfor the eye of الدِّينِreligion إِنساناa pupil
حَتَّى رأَتْكَ لِعَينِ الدِّينِ إِنسانا
And an ambition of yours, O Mansur, that did not rest
It demolished the structure of enmity into fragments,
until it saw you as the pupil of religion's eye.
And built for you above the stars a structure.
فَهدَّمَتْso it demolished بكthrough you بُنيانَthe edifice of العِدىthe enemies فَرَقاًthrough terror
فَهدَّمَتْ بك بُنيانَ العِدى فَرَقاً
وشيَّدَتْand erected لَكَfor you فَوْقَabove النجمِthe stars بُنياناan edifice
وشيَّدَتْ لَكَ فَوْقَ النجمِ بُنيانا
Through you it demolished the enemy's edifice through terror,
Your building makes us forget Sana'a - nay, Iram -
and raised for you an edifice above the stars.
The many-columned, and Sindad and Ghumdan,
يُنسيmakes forgotten بناءَكمُyour building صَنعَاءَSana'a بلْindeed إِرَماًIram
يُنسي بناءَكمُ صَنعَاءَ بلْ إِرَماً
ذاتَpossessing العِمادِthe pillars وسِنداداًand Sindad وغُمْداناand Ghumdan
ذاتَ العِمادِ وسِنداداً وغُمْدانا
Your building makes Sana'a forgotten—indeed, Iram,
And al-Ablaq the unique, and the tower of Aja,
of the pillars, and Sindad and Ghumdan,
And the Sailahin, and the dam that was what it was,
والأَبْلقَand al-Ablaq الفرْدَthe peerless والأَبْراجَand the towers منof أَجَأٍAja'
والأَبْلقَ الفرْدَ والأَبْراجَ من أَجَأٍ
والسَّيلَحِينَand al-Saylahin وسدّاًand a dam كَانَwas مَاwhat كَانَاit was
والسَّيلَحِينَ وسدّاً كَانَ مَا كَانَا
and peerless al-Ablaq, and the towers of Aja',
With a lineage from God's Messenger that tightened
and al-Saylahin, and a dam that was what it was.
For guidance and religion pillars held by God.
بنِسبةٍthrough a bond منwith رسولِthe Messenger of اللهِGod شدَّstrengthened بِهَاthrough it
بنِسبةٍ من رسولِ اللهِ شدَّ بِهَا
ربُّthe Lord of العُلاexaltation للهدىfor guidance والدِّينand religion أَرْكاناpillars
ربُّ العُلا للهدى والدِّين أَرْكانا
Through a bond with God's Messenger, by which
A son-in-law whose attributes, now appearing,
the Lord of exaltation strengthened the pillars of guidance and religion:
Nearly inspire the ages to fluent speech.
صِهراًa marriage bond يكادُalmost وَقَدْand already لاحَتْappeared معالِمُهُits signs
صِهراً يكادُ وَقَدْ لاحَتْ معالِمُهُ
يَشدُوsings بِهِof it الدَّهْرُtime إِفصاحاًwith clarity وتِبياناand disclosure
يَشدُو بِهِ الدَّهْرُ إِفصاحاً وتِبيانا
a marriage bond, its signs now plain, that Time almost
Your Lord's reward is bounty to one banned from sanctity,
sings aloud in clear and open proclamation.
Yet protective of the sanctuaries of Islam.
جزاءُthe recompense of رَبِّكَyour Lord بالحُسنىwith the finest لذيfor one possessing حُرَمٍwomen in his care
جزاءُ رَبِّكَ بالحُسنى لذي حُرَمٍ
أَضْحىhas become عَلَىover حُرَمthe sanctities of الإِسلامِIslam غَيراناjealously protective
أَضْحى عَلَى حُرَم الإِسلامِ غَيرانا
Your Lord's finest recompense for one with women in his care,
Protection from one who never ceased to protect us with justice,
who has become a jealous guardian of Islam's sanctities,
And care from one who never ceased to shepherd us in righteousness.
وحفظُand protection for مَنْhim who لَمْhas not يَزَلْceased بالعدلِwith justice يحفظناprotecting us
وحفظُ مَنْ لَمْ يَزَلْ بالعدلِ يحفظنا
ورَعْيُand care for منhim who لَمْhas not يزلceased بالبرِّwith kindness يَرعاناcaring for us
ورَعْيُ من لَمْ يزل بالبرِّ يَرعانا
and protection for him who has always protected us with justice,
Truth in the nobility you have pledged,
and care for him who has always cared for us with kindness,
Even if equals could not be found - so be trustees.
وَصِدْقُand the truth of مَاwhat قَدْhave عهدْتُمyou known فِيconcerning كَرائِمكمْyour noble women
وَصِدْقُ مَا قَدْ عهدْتُم فِي كَرائِمكمْ
إِنْif لَمْnot يُمَلَّكْنَthey are given in marriage أَكْفاءًto equals فأَكفاناthen to worthier matches
إِنْ لَمْ يُمَلَّكْنَ أَكْفاءً فأَكفانا
and the truth of what you have known of your noble women:
May a blessing bring joy through which happiness thrives,
if not married to equals, then to worthier matches.
And a felicity whose time has come.
فَلْتَهْنِكمْso may it delight you نِعمةٌa blessing يحياcomes alive السُّرورُjoy بِهَاthrough it
فَلْتَهْنِكمْ نِعمةٌ يحيا السُّرورُ بِهَا
وغبطةٌand a joy حانَhas arrived فِيهَاwithin it يومُthe day of مَنْthe one who حاناmet his doom
وغبطةٌ حانَ فِيهَا يومُ مَنْ حانا
May a blessing through which joy comes alive bring you happiness,
Victorious are those who pledged allegiance to you,
and a joy in which the doomed man's day has arrived.
While Hayyan ibn Bayyan came to ruin.
ففازَso won بالعِزِّglory منwhoever نادىproclaimed بِبَيْعَتِكُمْyour allegiance
ففازَ بالعِزِّ من نادى بِبَيْعَتِكُمْ
وبَاءَand incurred بالخِزْيِdisgrace هَيَّانُHayyan بنُson of بَيَّاناBayyan
وبَاءَ بالخِزْيِ هَيَّانُ بنُ بَيَّانا
So whoever proclaimed your allegiance won glory,
while Hayyan ibn Bayyan incurred disgrace.
Partial English translation: 146 of 148 Arabic lines translated.