تحَيّيكَsalute you منfrom شُهْبِgray الجِيادِthe steeds طَلائِعُvanguards
تحَيّيكَ من شُهْبِ الجِيادِ طَلائِعُ
كماjust as وضَحَتْshone clearly بالأفْقِon the horizon شُهْبٌbright stars طَوالِعُrising
كما وضَحَتْ بالأفْقِ شُهْبٌ طَوالِعُ
Vanguards of gray steeds salute you,
I greet you with the meteors of steeds as vanguards,
as bright stars shine upon the horizon, rising.
As meteors shone clearly on the horizon as risings.
تَروقُdelight عِداهاtheir foes فيin المَدىthe distance أوor تَروعُهاterrify them
تَروقُ عِداها في المَدى أو تَروعُها
مَدارِكُmeans of attaining سبْقٍprecedence عندَهاwith them ومَدارِعُand coats of mail
مَدارِكُ سبْقٍ عندَها ومَدارِعُ
They delight their foes at a distance—or terrify them;
Their number delights in the horizon or frightens it,
they possess the means to outstrip, and coats of mail.
A racecourse for them there, and racecourses.
يَطولُgrows long إذاwhen اشْتدّintensifies النّزالُthe combat وقوفُهاtheir standing
يَطولُ إذا اشْتدّ النّزالُ وقوفُها
فماso not جُثَثُcorpses الأعداءِof the enemies إلاexcept مراتِعُgrazing grounds
فما جُثَثُ الأعداءِ إلا مراتِعُ
Long is their stand when combat grows fierce,
When the battle intensifies, their standing is long,
for the enemies' corpses are nothing but grazing grounds.
For the corpses of the enemies are but pastures.
تُريقُspill دَمَblood الأبطالِof the heroes أيْديhands كُماتِهاtheir armored champions
تُريقُ دَمَ الأبطالِ أيْدي كُماتِها
فتثنيthen they bend الهَواديthe necks والنّواصيand the forelocks نَواصِعُpure white
فتثني الهَوادي والنّواصي نَواصِعُ
The hands of their armored champions spill the heroes' blood,
The hands of their peaks shed the blood of heroes,
then they bend their necks, their forelocks shining white.
Bending the valleys and the mountaintops, active ones.
ثنَتْturned عزْمَهاtheir resolve نحْوَtoward الجِهادِjihad فوارِسٌhorsemen
ثنَتْ عزْمَها نحْوَ الجِهادِ فوارِسٌ
بهاon them لِثناءِtoward praise المعْلُواتِlofty deeds فَوارِعُtowering
بها لِثناءِ المعْلُواتِ فَوارِعُ
Horsemen have turned their resolve toward jihad,
They bent their resolve toward jihad, so horsemen
towering on these steeds toward praise for lofty deeds.
Through them, for the praise of the exalted, active ones.
إذاwhen ماemphatic particle ديارُthe dwellings الكُفْرِof unbelief جاسَتْranged خِلالهاthrough their midst
إذا ما ديارُ الكُفْرِ جاسَتْ خِلالها
بِدَاراًin haste فمعْمورُthen the inhabited part البِلادِof the lands بلاقِعُdesolate wastes
بِدَاراً فمعْمورُ البِلادِ بلاقِعُ
When they range through the dwellings of unbelief,
When the lands of disbelief became desolate through them
in haste, the inhabited lands become desolate wastes.
With abodes, then the lands became populated, marked.
وتَحْكيand resemble ظِباءَgazelles القَفْرِof the wilderness فهْيَso they are روائِدٌforage-seekers
وتَحْكي ظِباءَ القَفْرِ فهْيَ روائِدٌ
إذاwhen أتْلَعَتْraise أجيادَهاtheir necks وروائِعُand marvels
إذا أتْلَعَتْ أجيادَها وروائِعُ
They resemble the gazelles of the wilderness, seeking pasture,
And they tell the wolves of the desert, for they are guides
when they raise their necks—and are marvels of beauty.
When their steeds galloped and trotted, trotters.
وقدand already جلّلَتْhave draped أجسادَهاtheir bodies منfrom قَتامِهاtheir battle-dust
وقد جلّلَتْ أجسادَها من قَتامِها
جِلالٌblankets ومِنand of نسْجِweaving الحَديدِiron براقِعُmasks
جِلالٌ ومِن نسْجِ الحَديدِ براقِعُ
Their bodies are draped, from the dust they raise,
And they adorned their bodies with their darkness
in blankets, and in masks woven of iron.
Glory, and from iron fabric, armors.
كأنّas though سماتِfeatures الأوْجُهِof the faces الغُرِّthe radiant فوقَهاabove them
كأنّ سماتِ الأوْجُهِ الغُرِّ فوقَها
بُدورٌfull moons وآفاقُand horizons السّروجِof the saddles مَطالِعُrising places
بُدورٌ وآفاقُ السّروجِ مَطالِعُ
The features of the radiant faces above them seem
As if the moles of the reddish cheeks above them
full moons, and the saddles' horizons their rising places.
Are full moons, and the horizons of the saddles, risings.
تُظلِّلُهاshade them الأدْراعُthe mail coats سُحْباًas clouds لتخْتَفيso they may hide
تُظلِّلُها الأدْراعُ سُحْباً لتخْتَفي
ونورُand the light الضُحىof morning تحتَbeneath الغَمائِمthe clouds ساطِعُshining
ونورُ الضُحى تحتَ الغَمائِم ساطِعُ
The coats of mail shade them like clouds, to conceal them,
The forearms shade them like clouds, to disappear,
while morning's light shines beneath the clouds.
And the light of dawn under the clouds, shining.
دُروعٌmail coats تَروقُdelight النّاظرينَthe beholders كأنهُمْas though they were
دُروعٌ تَروقُ النّاظرينَ كأنهُمْ
لدَيْهاbeside them الظّماءُthe thirsty ones الهِيمُthirst-maddened camels وهْيَand they are مَشارِعُwatering places
لدَيْها الظّماءُ الهِيمُ وهْيَ مَشارِعُ
Mail coats delight the beholders, as though they were
Armors that please viewers as if before them
parched, thirst-maddened camels beside them, and the armor watering places.
The thirsty and they are the watering places.
إذاif نازعَتْcontests شمْسُthe sun الصّباحِof morning شُعاعَهاtheir radiance
إذا نازعَتْ شمْسُ الصّباحِ شُعاعَها
رمَتْهاshoot at it سِهامٌarrows للغَمامِtoward the clouds نَوازِعُreaching
رمَتْها سِهامٌ للغَمامِ نَوازِعُ
If the morning sun contests their radiance,
When the sun of morning contends with its rays
arrows reaching toward the clouds shoot at it.
It shoots them arrows to the clouds, deflectors.
فتلْكَthen those are عيونُeyes السُحْبِof the clouds قدindeed نظرَتْhave looked لَهاat them
فتلْكَ عيونُ السُحْبِ قد نظرَتْ لَها
ومِنand from خَشيةٍfear سالَتْflowed لهُنّof theirs مَدامِعُtears
ومِن خَشيةٍ سالَتْ لهُنّ مَدامِعُ
Those are the eyes of the clouds that have looked upon them,
So those are the eyes of the clouds that looked at them,
and out of fear their tears have flowed.
And out of fear, tears flowed from them.
ومُذْand since خفَقَتْfluttered أعْلامُthe banners نصْرِكَof your victory أخْفَقَتْfailed
ومُذْ خفَقَتْ أعْلامُ نصْرِكَ أخْفَقَتْ
مَساعٍendeavors وخابَتْand were dashed للعدوّfor the enemy مَطامِعُhopes
مَساعٍ وخابَتْ للعدوّ مَطامِعُ
Since your banners of victory fluttered, there have failed
Since the flags of your victory fluttered
endeavors, and the enemy's hopes have been dashed.
Hopes failed for the enemy and ambitions.
فَخافٍso one hiding لدىbefore حُمْرِthe red البُنودِbanners وخائِفٌand one afraid
فَخافٍ لدى حُمْرِ البُنودِ وخائِفٌ
وخاشٍand one dreading أذَىthe harm زُرْقِthe blue النّصولِsteel points وخاشِعُand one submissive
وخاشٍ أذَى زُرْقِ النّصولِ وخاشِعُ
Some hide before the red banners, and some fear;
So at the red standards, fearful and fearing
some dread the harm of blue steel points, and some submit.
And dreading the harm of the blue spears, submitting.
مواقِفُstations عَرْضٍof review تُطْلِعُbring forth السُمْرُthe brown spears عندَهاat them
مواقِفُ عَرْضٍ تُطْلِعُ السُمْرُ عندَها
نُجوماًstars لَهاfor them فيin الدّارعينَthe armored men مَواقِعُlanding places
نُجوماً لَها في الدّارعينَ مَواقِعُ
At stations of review, the brown spears bring forth
Stances of honor where the summits before them
stars that find their landing places in armored men.
Are stars that have positions in the coats of mail.
كذلكَlikewise بيضُthe white blades الهِنْدِof India وهيَand they are جَداولٌstreams
كذلكَ بيضُ الهِنْدِ وهيَ جَداولٌ
مصارِفُهاtheir courses للمُعْتَدينَfor the aggressors مَصارِعُkilling grounds
مصارِفُها للمُعْتَدينَ مَصارِعُ
So too the white blades of India, which are streams,
So are the whites of India, and they are streams
whose courses are killing grounds for aggressors.
Their outlets for the transgressors, places of death.
وقدand already حُلّيتْhave been adorned عوجُthe curved ones القِسيّof the bows فنازِلٌso a combatant
وقد حُلّيتْ عوجُ القِسيّ فنازِلٌ
بهاwith them يبتَغيseeks الحرْبَbattle العَوانَrenewed ونازِعُand a bow-drawer
بها يبتَغي الحرْبَ العَوانَ ونازِعُ
The curved bows have been adorned; one takes the field
The crooked bows are adorned, so settlements
with them, seeking renewed battle, and another draws.
With them seeking war, the helper, and disputing.
إذاwhen حُنيَتْthey are bent فوقَabove الرُبىthe hills فأهِلّةٌthen crescents
إذا حُنيَتْ فوقَ الرُبى فأهِلّةٌ
لهاthey have فوقَabove أجْرامِthe masses السَّحابِof clouds مَطالِعُrising places
لها فوقَ أجْرامِ السَّحابِ مَطالِعُ
When bent above the hills, they are crescents,
When poised above the hilltops, ready
with rising places above the masses of clouds.
For them above the bodies of clouds, risings.
يُجيبُanswers صَهيلَthe neighing الصّافِناتِof poised steeds حَنينُهاtheir twang
يُجيبُ صَهيلَ الصّافِناتِ حَنينُها
فترتاحُso they yearn نحْوَtoward المُلتَقىthe encounter وتُسارِعُand hasten
فترتاحُ نحْوَ المُلتَقى وتُسارِعُ
Their twang answers the neighing of steeds poised at rest,
Their neighing of clarion calls is answered by their yearning
and they yearn for the encounter and hasten toward it.
So they rest towards the encounter and hasten.
كأنّas though انسِكابَthe pouring الغيْثِof rain وقْعُthe impact سِهامِهاof their arrows
كأنّ انسِكابَ الغيْثِ وقْعُ سِهامِها
إذاwhen ماemphatic particle تُواليkeep up رمْيَهاtheir shooting وتُتابِعُand follow through
إذا ما تُوالي رمْيَها وتُتابِعُ
The impact of their arrows seems a downpour of rain,
As if the pouring of rain is the impact of their arrows
when they keep shooting, shot upon shot.
When its shooting followed continuously.
وقدand sometimes تنثَنيthey bend back منfrom غيرِother than حربٍbattle كأنّهاas though they were
وقد تنثَني من غيرِ حربٍ كأنّها
لدىwith نازِعيهاtheir bow-drawers حينَwhen رُدّتْthey were returned ودائِعُentrusted deposits
لدى نازِعيها حينَ رُدّتْ ودائِعُ
They may bend back without a battle, as though they were,
Without war, they bend as if before their disputants
when returned to their bowmen, entrusted deposits.
When deposits were returned, placators.
فماso not استرسَلَتْthey streamed forth إلاexcept غُيوثٌrains سواجِمٌpouring
فما استرسَلَتْ إلا غُيوثٌ سواجِمٌ
ولاand not جُرّدَتْwere unsheathed إلاexcept بروقٌlightnings لوامِعُflashing
ولا جُرّدَتْ إلا بروقٌ لوامِعُ
They stream forth only as pouring rains,
So they unleashed thoroughbred steeds, fierce warriors,
and are unsheathed only as flashing lightning;
And were stripped except for flashing lightning bolts.
ولاand not انعطَفَتْthey bent إلاexcept غُصونٌbranches نواعِمٌsupple
ولا انعطَفَتْ إلا غُصونٌ نواعِمٌ
ولاand not نطَقَتْthey spoke إلاexcept حَمامٌdoves سواجِعُcooing
ولا نطَقَتْ إلا حَمامٌ سواجِعُ
they bend only as supple branches,
And they turned except for gentle branches,
and speak only as cooing doves.
And spoke except for moaning doves, passionate ones.
ولماand when عرَضْتَyou reviewed الجيشَthe army أعرَضَتِturned away العِدَىthe foes
ولما عرَضْتَ الجيشَ أعرَضَتِ العِدَى
عنfrom الحرْبِwar وارْتاعَتْand were terrified لماby what هوَit واقِعُbefalling
عن الحرْبِ وارْتاعَتْ لما هوَ واقِعُ
When you reviewed the army, the foes turned away
Since you presented the army, the enemies refrained
from war, terrified by what would come.
From war, dreading what will happen.
لقدindeed جنحَتْthey inclined للسّلْمِto peace طوْعاًwillingly فمالَهاso what ails them?
لقد جنحَتْ للسّلْمِ طوْعاً فمالَها
تُطاولُseek to rival والدُنْياwhile the world لديْكَwith you تُطاوِعُobeys
تُطاولُ والدُنْيا لديْكَ تُطاوِعُ
They have willingly inclined to peace; why then
They inclined to peace willingly, so why
should they vie with you, when the world obeys you?
Do they persist, and the world before you complies?
وقُبّتُكَand your pavilion الغرّاءُthe radiant للهِby God عنْدَهاaround it
وقُبّتُكَ الغرّاءُ للهِ عنْدَها
منازِهُpleasure grounds حُسْنٍof beauty تُجتَلىto be beheld ومَنازِعُand vistas
منازِهُ حُسْنٍ تُجتَلى ومَنازِعُ
Your radiant pavilion—by God, around it
Your brilliant dome before them is to God therein
are pleasure grounds of beauty to behold, and lovely vistas.
A place of beauty that appears and workshops.
طلعْتyou ascended بمرْقاهاby its stairway فكُلُّso every مُمَلَّكٍcrowned ruler
طلعْت بمرْقاها فكُلُّ مُمَلَّكٍ
لديْهاthere يُواليcontinues حَمْدَهُhis praise ويوادِعُand makes peace
لديْها يُوالي حَمْدَهُ ويوادِعُ
You ascended its steps, and every crowned ruler
You rose in its minaret, so every ruler
there repeats his praise and makes peace.
Before it, praises Him and says farewell.
فللجُنْدِso for the troops والجُرْدِand sleek steeds العِتاقِthe thoroughbred أمامَهاbefore it
فللجُنْدِ والجُرْدِ العِتاقِ أمامَها
ملاعِبُarenas تسْتَهويcaptivate النُهىthe intellect ومراجِعُand returning grounds
ملاعِبُ تسْتَهوي النُهى ومراجِعُ
Before it, the troops and sleek thoroughbreds have
The armies and the reserves before it
arenas that captivate the mind, and grounds for returning.
Have playgrounds that fascinate rigor and retreats.
لدىbefore ملِكٍa king قدalready أصبحَتْhave come to be عزَماتُهُhis resolves
لدى ملِكٍ قد أصبحَتْ عزَماتُهُ
تقودُlead المُلوكَthe kings الصّيدَthe proud وهْيَwhile they are خواضِعُsubmissive
تقودُ المُلوكَ الصّيدَ وهْيَ خواضِعُ
Before a king whose resolves have come
With a king whose determinations have become
to lead the proud kings while they submit.
Leading kings while they are humbled.
وهلْand is شرَفُthe honor الأملاكِof kings إلاanything but إذاwhen أتَتْthey come
وهلْ شرَفُ الأملاكِ إلا إذا أتَتْ
تقبِّلُkiss يُمْناهُhis right hand بهاthere وتُبايِعُand swear allegiance
تقبِّلُ يُمْناهُ بها وتُبايِعُ
What honor have kings, save when they come
Is the nobility of kingship but when they come
to kiss his right hand there and swear allegiance,
To kiss his right hand pledging allegiance?
وتخطُبُand seek منهُfrom him نصْرَهاtheir victory فيin الذيthat which بهconcerning it
وتخطُبُ منهُ نصْرَها في الذي به
تُطالِبُهthey petition him منconcerning أمْرهاtheir affairs وتُطالِعُand report
تُطالِبُه من أمْرها وتُطالِعُ
and seek from him their victory in those matters
Asking him for victory in that through which
they petition him about and bring to his notice?
They request his command and inform him?
لقدindeed جُمعتْwere assembled أجْنادُهُhis troops وهْوwhile he is دونَهاbefore them
لقد جُمعتْ أجْنادُهُ وهْو دونَها
يُدافِعُrepels أحْزابَthe factions العِدَىof the foes ويُمانِعُand resists
يُدافِعُ أحْزابَ العِدَى ويُمانِعُ
His armies have indeed been assembled, while he stands before them,
His assembled troops, and he before them
repelling the enemy's factions and holding them off.
Defends the confederations of enemies and objects.
فجمْعٌso an assembly بأنواعِin varieties المَحاسِنِof excellences مُفْرَدٌunique
فجمْعٌ بأنواعِ المَحاسِنِ مُفْرَدٌ
وفرْدٌand one man لأشْتاتِof diverse kinds المكارِمِof virtues جامِعُencompassing
وفرْدٌ لأشْتاتِ المكارِمِ جامِعُ
An assembly unique in its manifold excellences,
A unique collection of all good traits
and one man encompassing all diverse noble qualities.
And unique in gathering the parts of virtues.
وأنّىand how تجاريهِkeep pace with him المُلوكُthe kings وإنّهُand indeed he
وأنّى تجاريهِ المُلوكُ وإنّهُ
لَيَسْبِقُsurely outstrips آمادَthe farthest reaches العُلىof glory وهْوَwhile he is وادِعُat ease
لَيَسْبِقُ آمادَ العُلى وهْوَ وادِعُ
How could kings keep pace with him, when he
How can kings compete with him, and he
outstrips the farthest reaches of glory while at ease?
Outpaces the supports of loftiness while placating?
قدِindeed اتّضَحتْhave become clear للمُهْتَدينَto the rightly guided شَعائِرٌsacred signs
قدِ اتّضَحتْ للمُهْتَدينَ شَعائِرٌ
بهِthrough him ولدينِand for the religion اللهِof God قامَتْwere established شرائِعُlaws
بهِ ولدينِ اللهِ قامَتْ شرائِعُ
For the rightly guided, sacred signs have become clear
Manifestations became clear to the guided through him,
through him, and laws of God's religion stand established.
And for the religion of God, laws stood.
وأنّىand how تُدانيهِcan they rival him وقائِمُwhile the hilt سيفهِof his sword
وأنّى تُدانيهِ وقائِمُ سيفهِ
لهُfor him فيagainst العِدَىthe foes طوعَin obedience to الجهادِjihad الوقائِعُthe battles
لهُ في العِدَى طوعَ الجهادِ الوقائِعُ
How could they rival him, when his sword's hilt
And how can you compare, while his sword stands
commands for him battles against the foes in service of jihad?
For him against the enemies, the occurrences of war?
منَof الخزْرَجِthe Khazraj الأرضَيْنَthe most favored ترْتاحُaspire منهُمُfrom them
منَ الخزْرَجِ الأرضَيْنَ ترْتاحُ منهُمُ
إلىto العِزhonor أقْيالٌchieftains وتَسْموand soar تَبابِعُTubbaʿ kings
إلى العِز أقْيالٌ وتَسْمو تَبابِعُ
Of the most favored Khazraj, from whom there aspire
From the Aus and Khazraj he puts at ease
chieftains to honor, and Tubbaʿ kings soar.
Generations to honor, and ambitions soar.
تكُفُّward off خُطوبَthe calamities الدّهْرِof time حيثُwhile أكفُّهاtheir hands
تكُفُّ خُطوبَ الدّهْرِ حيثُ أكفُّها
هَوامٍraining بمُنْهَلّwith a torrent النّوالِof bounty هَوامِعُpouring
هَوامٍ بمُنْهَلّ النّوالِ هَوامِعُ
They ward off the calamities of time, while their hands
They stop the adversities of fate wherever their palms stop them,
rain down, pouring forth a torrent of gifts.
Passionate at the watering place of attainment, waterers.
فماso not جدّstrove earnestly إلاexcept ماwhat انتَضَتْunsheathed عَزَماتُهاtheir resolves
فما جدّ إلا ما انتَضَتْ عَزَماتُها
ولاand not جادَgave إلاexcept جودُهاtheir generosity المُتتابِعُthe unceasing
ولا جادَ إلا جودُها المُتتابِعُ
No earnest effort comes but what their resolves unsheathe,
So nothing was serious except what their resolves stimulated,
and nothing gives but their unceasing generosity.
And nothing was generous except their continuous generosity.
فَطامٍso one surging بمُلتَفِّamid the dense القَتامِbattle-dust وطامِحٌand one aspiring
فَطامٍ بمُلتَفِّ القَتامِ وطامِحٌ
وهامٍand one raining بوكّافِwith the downpour الغَمامِof clouds وهامِعُand one pouring
وهامٍ بوكّافِ الغَمامِ وهامِعُ
One surges amid dense battle-dust, another aspires;
Passionate at the wraps of darkness, ambitious,
one rains with the clouds' downpour, another pours forth.
And passionate at the clouds' pavilions, flaming.
لقدindeed أوْرَثواthey bequeathed المجْدَglory المؤثَّلَthe deep-rooted ناصِراًto a defender
لقد أوْرَثوا المجْدَ المؤثَّلَ ناصِراً
يقومُwho rises لحِفْظِto guard الدّينِreligion والدينُwhile religion هاجِعُsleeps
يقومُ لحِفْظِ الدّينِ والدينُ هاجِعُ
They have bequeathed deep-rooted glory to a defender
They inherited glorious, abundant glory, supporting
who rises to guard religion while religion sleeps.
Him who stands to protect the religion, and the religion dusty.
خِلافَتُهُhis caliphate العُلياthe highest وكُلُّand every خليفةٍcaliph
خِلافَتُهُ العُليا وكُلُّ خليفةٍ
لعُلْياهُto his eminence مُنْحازٌrallying لرُحْماهُto his mercy فازِعُseeking refuge
لعُلْياهُ مُنْحازٌ لرُحْماهُ فازِعُ
His is the highest caliphate, and every caliph
His supreme Caliphate, and every caliph
rallies to his eminence and seeks refuge in his mercy.
To his supremacy is biased, to his mercy fleeing.
فَطولِبَso was petitioned وهّابٌa lavish giver وأُمّلَand was hoped in مُنعِمٌa benefactor
فَطولِبَ وهّابٌ وأُمّلَ مُنعِمٌ
وخُوطِبَand was addressed مرْتاحٌone gladly responsive ونودِيَand was called سامِعُa listener
وخُوطِبَ مرْتاحٌ ونودِيَ سامِعُ
A lavish giver was petitioned, a benefactor hoped in;
So an asker asked, and a granter hoped,
one gladly responsive was addressed, a listener called upon.
And a suitor was addressed, and a listener called.
وبُلّغand was fulfilled مأمولٌa hoped-for aim وأُسْعِفَand was assisted قاصِدٌa petitioner
وبُلّغ مأمولٌ وأُسْعِفَ قاصِدٌ
وأُمِّنَand was reassured مُرْتاعٌa frightened one ورُدَّand was repelled مُنازِعُa challenger
وأُمِّنَ مُرْتاعٌ ورُدَّ مُنازِعُ
A hoped-for aim was fulfilled, a petitioner aided,
A hope was delivered, and a seeker aided,
a frightened man reassured, a challenger repelled,
And a frightened one secured, and a disputant returned.
بعزْمٍby a resolve لهfor it منfrom عزّةِthe might المُلْكِof kingship سائِقٌa driver
بعزْمٍ له من عزّةِ المُلْكِ سائِقٌ
وحُكمٍand judgment لهُfor it منfrom سابِقِprior الحِلْمِforbearance وازِعُa restrainer
وحُكمٍ لهُ من سابِقِ الحِلْمِ وازِعُ
by a resolve driven by the might of kingship,
With resolve for him from the honor of kingship leading,
and judgment restrained by long-established forbearance.
And wisdom for him from the foremost wisdom preventing.
وإنّand indeed وليَّthe champion الكُفْرِof unbelief بالفِكْرِin thought طالَماhas long
وإنّ وليَّ الكُفْرِ بالفِكْرِ طالَما
يُنازِلُfights أحْزابَthe factions العِدَىof the foes وينازِعُand contends
يُنازِلُ أحْزابَ العِدَى وينازِعُ
And the champion of unbelief has long, in thought,
The guardian of disbelief, with thinking, frequently
fought the enemy's factions and contended with them.
Confronts the parties of enemies and disputes.
وإنّand indeed رِماحَthe spears اليوسُفيّof al-Yusufi بحرْبِهِin his warfare
وإنّ رِماحَ اليوسُفيّ بحرْبِهِ
دَوامٍbloodied وأجْفانُand the eyelids العُداةِof the enemies دوامِعُweeping
دَوامٍ وأجْفانُ العُداةِ دوامِعُ
And al-Yusufi's spears, in his warfare,
And the spears of Joseph in his war
are bloodied, while the enemies' eyelids shed tears.
Always, and the eyelids of enemies, waterers.
هُمامٌa hero يُزيرُbrings to visit الحرْبَwar أُسْداًlions زَئيرُهاtheir roar
هُمامٌ يُزيرُ الحرْبَ أُسْداً زَئيرُها
دَليلٌproof علىof النّصْرِvictory المؤزَّرِthe reinforced قاطِعُdecisive
دَليلٌ على النّصْرِ المؤزَّرِ قاطِعُ
A hero who brings lions into war, their roaring
Passionate whose roar makes war a roaring lion,
decisive proof of mighty victory.
A sign of the supported victory, cutter.
علىamid الرّوْعِterror مِقْدامٌbold وفيand in الوعدِthe promise صادقٌtruthful
على الرّوْعِ مِقْدامٌ وفي الوعدِ صادقٌ
وللمالِand with wealth وهّابٌlavish وبالحَقِّand with the truth صادِعُproclaiming openly
وللمالِ وهّابٌ وبالحَقِّ صادِعُ
Bold amid terror, true to his promise,
Brave in promise, truthful in promise,
lavish with wealth, openly proclaiming the truth.
Generous with money, and loud with the truth.
فجدٌّso earnest striving لصَدْرِfor the breast الدينof religion شافٍhealing وشارحٌand expanding
فجدٌّ لصَدْرِ الدين شافٍ وشارحٌ
وجودٌand generosity لأبوابِfor the doors المكارِمِof noble deeds شارِعُopening
وجودٌ لأبوابِ المكارِمِ شارِعُ
Thus earnest striving heals and expands religion's breast,
Serious for the chest of religion, healing and relaxing,
and generosity opens the doors of noble deeds;
Generosity for the doors of virtues, opening.
وعزْمٌand resolve كماlike when هزّbrandished المهنّدَthe Indian blade ضاربٌa swordsman
وعزْمٌ كما هزّ المهنّدَ ضاربٌ
ورأيٌand judgment كماlike when قدalready فوّقَnocked السّهْمَthe arrow نازِعُan archer
ورأيٌ كما قد فوّقَ السّهْمَ نازِعُ
a resolve like a swordsman brandishing an Indian blade,
And opinion like the lofty arrow surpassed,
and judgment like an archer who has nocked his arrow.
And resolve like the arrow contested, deflecting.
فَياso O ملِكَking الدُنْياof the world بعدلِكَthrough your justice شُيِّدَتْwere raised
فَيا ملِكَ الدُنْيا بعدلِكَ شُيِّدَتْ
منَof الدّينِreligion أعْلامٌstandards وقامَتْand were established مصانِعُstrongholds
منَ الدّينِ أعْلامٌ وقامَتْ مصانِعُ
O king of the world, through your justice were raised
O king of the world, through your justice founded
the standards of religion, and strongholds established.
Of religion, flags, and workshops stood.
مَقامُكyour station محْمودٌpraised وعدْلُكَand your justice شامِلٌall-embracing
مَقامُك محْمودٌ وعدْلُكَ شامِلٌ
وظِلّكَand your shade مَمدودٌfar-spread وجَهْدُكَand your striving ذائِعُwidely known
وظِلّكَ مَمدودٌ وجَهْدُكَ ذائِعُ
Your station is praised, your justice all-embracing,
Your position is praiseworthy, and your justice all-encompassing,
your shade far-spread, your striving widely known;
Your shadow outstretched, and your effort disseminated.
وحزْبُكَand your party منصورٌvictorious وعِزُّكَand your might قاهِرٌoverpowering
وحزْبُكَ منصورٌ وعِزُّكَ قاهِرٌ
وجودُكَand your generosity مَبْذولٌfreely offered وحِلْمُكَand your forbearance واسعُvast
وجودُكَ مَبْذولٌ وحِلْمُكَ واسعُ
your party victorious, your might overpowering,
Your party victorious, and your might conquering,
your generosity freely offered, your forbearance vast.
Your generosity dispensed, and your patience vast.
وكفّكَand your palm بحْرٌa sea والخلائفُand the caliphs ترْتَجيhope for
وكفّكَ بحْرٌ والخلائفُ ترْتَجي
نَداهاits bounty فَطامٍso one overflowing بالنّوالِwith gifts وطامِعُand one hoping
نَداها فَطامٍ بالنّوالِ وطامِعُ
Your palm is a sea, and the caliphs hope for
Your palm a sea, and successors sail
its bounty: one overflows with gifts, another hopes for them.
Its generosity, passionate for the attainment, ambitious.
فلاso no مُعْتَلٍexalted one إلاexcept لعزّكَto your might خاضِعٌsubmissive
فلا مُعْتَلٍ إلا لعزّكَ خاضِعٌ
ولاand no معْتَدٍaggressor إلاexcept لحُكْمِكَto your judgment راجِعُreturning
ولا معْتَدٍ إلا لحُكْمِكَ راجِعُ
No exalted one but submits to your might,
Except to your might submitted,
no aggressor but returns to your judgment;
And except to your rule returning.
ولاand no مَلَكٌangel إلاexcept بنَصرِكَwith victory for you مُرْسَلٌdispatched
ولا مَلَكٌ إلا بنَصرِكَ مُرْسَلٌ
ولاand no مَلِكٌking إلاexcept لمُلْكِكَto your kingdom تابِعُsubject
ولا مَلِكٌ إلا لمُلْكِكَ تابِعُ
no angel but is dispatched to bring you victory,
And no ruler except with your victory sent,
no king but follows your kingdom.
And no king except to your kingship following.
دعَتْكَcalled upon you مُلوكُthe kings الغرْبِof the West والكُلّand all منهُمُof them
دعَتْكَ مُلوكُ الغرْبِ والكُلّ منهُمُ
بأيْسَرِwith the smallest حظٍّshare منْof قَبولِكَyour acceptance قانِعُcontent
بأيْسَرِ حظٍّ منْ قَبولِكَ قانِعُ
The kings of the West have called upon you, and each of them
The kings of the West called you, all of them
is content with the smallest share of your acceptance.
With the easiest fortune to accept you, satisfied.
وقامَتْand shouldered بأعْباءِthe burdens الحُروبِof wars ولمْand did not تَقُمْrise
وقامَتْ بأعْباءِ الحُروبِ ولمْ تَقُمْ
رُبَىthe heights عزْمِهاof their resolve إلاexcept ورأيُكَwhile your judgment فارِعُtowering above
رُبَى عزْمِها إلا ورأيُكَ فارِعُ
They shouldered the burdens of wars, yet never rose
The burdens of wars stood, but the hilltops of its resolve stood not
their resolve's heights without your judgment rising higher.
Except when your opinion was seen, baring.
وقدand indeed أُشرِبَتْwere imbued منكَfrom you القُلوبُthe hearts مَهابةًwith awe
وقد أُشرِبَتْ منكَ القُلوبُ مَهابةً
فماso none منهُمُof them إلاexcept مُطيعٌobedient وسامِعُand listening
فما منهُمُ إلا مُطيعٌ وسامِعُ
Hearts have been steeped in awe of you,
From you, the hearts were quenched with awe
so not one of them but obeys and listens.
So none of them except obedient and hearing.
لقدindeed عزَّgrew mighty مَنwhoever والَىallied with مقامَكَyour station منهُمُamong them
لقد عزَّ مَن والَى مقامَكَ منهُمُ
فكفّso desisted المُناويthe adversary واتّقاهُand feared him المُنازِعُthe challenger
فكفّ المُناوي واتّقاهُ المُنازِعُ
Whoever among them allied himself with your station grew mighty,
Honored is he who took the position of your station from them
so the adversary desisted and the challenger feared him.
So the opponent stopped, and the disputant feared him.
فلاso not السِّرْبُthe flock مُرتاعٌfrightened ولاand not الخطْبُthe calamity فاجئٌsudden
فلا السِّرْبُ مُرتاعٌ ولا الخطْبُ فاجئٌ
ولاand not المُلْكُthe kingdom مَسْلوبٌplundered ولاand not الدّهْرُtime فاجِعُbereaving
ولا المُلْكُ مَسْلوبٌ ولا الدّهْرُ فاجِعُ
The flock is not frightened, no calamity strikes unawares;
So neither the warband frightened, nor the adversity surprising,
the kingdom is not plundered, nor does time bring grief.
Nor the kingdom taken, nor fate startling.
أيُذْنِبُdoes it do wrong? دهْرٌtime أوor يُلمُّcomes بحادِثٍwith an event
أيُذْنِبُ دهْرٌ أو يُلمُّ بحادِثٍ
يَروعُthat terrifies ومِنْwhile from جَدْواكَyour bounty شافٍa healer وشافِعُand an intercessor
يَروعُ ومِنْ جَدْواكَ شافٍ وشافِعُ
Does time do wrong, or bring an event
Does time sin or inflict an event
that terrifies, when your bounty offers a healer and an intercessor?
That frightens, and from your stream, healing and interceding?
قَضىdecreed اللهُGod أنّthat الأمْرَthe matter كيفَas تُريدُهُyou wish it
قَضى اللهُ أنّ الأمْرَ كيفَ تُريدُهُ
وليسَand there is not لماfor what قدindeed شاءَهُwilled it اللهُGod دافِعُany repeller
وليسَ لما قد شاءَهُ اللهُ دافِعُ
God has decreed that affairs shall be as you wish,
God has decreed that the matter however you want it
and none can repel what God has willed.
And for what God has willed, there is no repeller.
فللهِso, by God يومٌa day فيamong المَواسمِthe festivals باهِرٌbrilliant
فللهِ يومٌ في المَواسمِ باهِرٌ
أنيقُlovely المحيّاin countenance رائقُexquisite الحُسْنِin beauty رائِعُmarvelous
أنيقُ المحيّا رائقُ الحُسْنِ رائِعُ
How wondrous, by God, a brilliant day among the festivals,
For God is a day in seasons, radiant
lovely of countenance, exquisite in beauty, marvelous!
Nice beauty, fine beauty, wondrous.
حلَلْتَyou took your place بهon it الإيوانَin the iwan والحَفْلُand the gathering دونَهُbefore it
حلَلْتَ به الإيوانَ والحَفْلُ دونَهُ
تَفيضُoverflow عليهِمupon them منfrom نَداكَyour bounty يَنابِعُsprings
تَفيضُ عليهِم من نَداكَ يَنابِعُ
On it you took your place in the iwan, the assembly before it,
You adorned the hall by it, and the celebration under it
springs of your bounty overflowing upon them.
Overflows upon them from your generosity, springs.
ودارَتْand circled حَوالَيْكَaround you الجنودُthe troops كأنهاas though they were
ودارَتْ حَوالَيْكَ الجنودُ كأنها
كَواكِبُstars سَعدٍof good fortune قدindeed جلَتْهاrevealed them المطالِعُthe rising places
كَواكِبُ سَعدٍ قد جلَتْها المطالِعُ
The troops circled around you, as though they were
The armies circled you as if they are
stars of good fortune revealed by their rising.
Planets of prosperity that the horizons lifted.
فللهِso, by God منهاamong them حضْرةٌa court كلُّevery وافِدٍvisitor
فللهِ منها حضْرةٌ كلُّ وافِدٍ
وقدand having حلّهاentered it فيin جنّةthe garden الخُلْدِof eternity راتِعُgrazing at ease
وقد حلّها في جنّة الخُلْدِ راتِعُ
What a court, by God, among them! Every visitor,
By God, a presence that every newcomer entered it
having entered it, roams at ease in the garden of eternity.
As if he settled it in the Paradise of immortality, settled.
وهُنّئتَهُand you were congratulated on it عيداًas a feast أقمتَyou established صَنيعَهits celebration
وهُنّئتَهُ عيداً أقمتَ صَنيعَه
وقدand indeed عظُمَتْgrew great للهِby God فيهِin it صَنائِعُacts of kindness
وقد عظُمَتْ للهِ فيهِ صَنائِعُ
You were congratulated on it as a feast whose celebration you prepared,
You were congratulated on a feast you held, doing its favor,
where, by God, acts of kindness have grown great.
And for God through it, deeds were great.
وهاكَand take this التيthat which رقّتْbecame delicate وراقتْand delighted مَحاسِناًin beauty
وهاكَ التي رقّتْ وراقتْ مَحاسِناً
بدائِهُspontaneous inspirations منfrom تِلْقائِهاits own impulse وبدائِعُand marvels
بدائِهُ من تِلْقائِها وبدائِعُ
Here is the poem, delicate and delightful in its beauties,
And here she is who softened and flowed with beauty
with spontaneous inspirations of its own, and wondrous inventions,
With its manifestations spontaneously and marvels.
لتُلْقيto lay لدىbefore موْلىthe lord الخلائِفِof the caliphs يوسُفٍYusuf
لتُلْقي لدى موْلى الخلائِفِ يوسُفٍ
منَof القوْلِspeech ماthat which تُصْغيlisten إليهto it المَسامِعُthe ears
منَ القوْلِ ما تُصْغي إليه المَسامِعُ
to lay before Yusuf, lord of the caliphs,
To meet at the Master of Caliphs, Joseph
words to which all ears listen.
With words she listens to, from speech, listeners.
ولوْلاكَand were it not for you ماnot غيْثُthe rain الإجادةِof excellence هامِلٌpouring
ولوْلاكَ ما غيْثُ الإجادةِ هامِلٌ
لديّfor me ولاnor روْضُthe garden البلاغةِof eloquence يانِعُripening
لديّ ولا روْضُ البلاغةِ يانِعُ
Were it not for you, the rain of excellence would not pour
Had it not been for you, the rain of eloquence not pouring for me
for me, nor the garden of eloquence ripen.
Nor the garden of rhetoric, sprouting.
فدامَتْso may it endure لكfor you الدنْياthe world ومُلْكُكَand your kingdom ناصرٌvictorious
فدامَتْ لك الدنْيا ومُلْكُكَ ناصرٌ
ومنand whoever دونِbeneath عُلْياهُits eminence مُطيعٌobedient وطائِعُand willing
ومن دونِ عُلْياهُ مُطيعٌ وطائِعُ
May the world endure for you, and your kingdom be victorious,
So may your world and your kingdom last, supporting,
and whoever stands below its eminence be obedient and willing;
And under your supremacy, obedient and voluntarily following!
وللقَصْدِand for every aim إسعافٌassistance وللرّفْدِand for gifts طالِبٌa seeker
وللقَصْدِ إسعافٌ وللرّفْدِ طالِبٌ
وللوعْدِand for promises إنجازٌfulfillment وللسّعْدِand for good fortune طالِعُa rising star
وللوعْدِ إنجازٌ وللسّعْدِ طالِعُ
may every aim find aid, every gift a seeker,
For the purpose, supporting, and for the gift, seeking
every promise fulfillment, and good fortune a rising star,
For the promise, fulfilling, and for the happiness, rising!
إلىuntil أنthat تنالَyou attain المُلْكَdominion غَرْباًin the West ومَشْرِقاًand in the East
إلى أن تنالَ المُلْكَ غَرْباً ومَشْرِقاً
فيُدْرَكُso is attained مأمولٌa hoped-for aim ويَقْرُبُand draws near شاسِعُwhat is distant
فيُدْرَكُ مأمولٌ ويَقْرُبُ شاسِعُ
until you attain dominion in West and East,
Until you attain the kingship east and west
so that hopes are attained and the distant draws near.
So a hope is reached, and the vast nears.
وإنيand indeed I لأرْجوsurely hope in اللهَGod حتّىuntil كأنّنيas though I
وإني لأرْجو اللهَ حتّى كأنّني
أرَىsee بجميلِthrough good الظّنِّexpectation ماwhat اللهُGod صانِعُwill do
أرَى بجميلِ الظّنِّ ما اللهُ صانِعُ
Indeed, I hope in God, until it is as though I
I hope God until it is as if I see
see, through hopeful trust, what God will do.
With good thinking what God will do.