ماwhat للرّكائِبِails the riding camels لاnot تحُلُّsettle in حِلالَهاher encampments
ما للرّكائِبِ لا تحُلُّ حِلالَها
وتُطيلand prolong فيin تلكthose الرُّبوعِgrounds سُؤالَهاtheir questioning
وتُطيل في تلك الرُّبوعِ سُؤالَها
Why do the riding camels not settle in her encampments,
Why do the riders not stay to enjoy its hospitality,
But prolong their questioning in those grounds?
And linger in those meadows prolonging their questions?
كَلَفاًenamored بمَنof her who طلَعَتْrose بأفْقِon the horizon of خيامِهاher tents
كَلَفاً بمَن طلَعَتْ بأفْقِ خيامِها
كالشّمْسِlike the sun تتَّخِذُtakes السّحابَthe clouds حِجالَهاas her bridal chambers
كالشّمْسِ تتَّخِذُ السّحابَ حِجالَها
Enamored of her who rose on the horizon of her tents,
Exhausted with longing for the one who rose on the horizon of their tents,
Like the sun taking clouds for her bridal chambers.
Like the sun taking clouds for its veil.
كمْhow many مُغْرمٍa lover تَصلَىare scorched جوانِحُهhis inward ribs الجوَىby anguish
كمْ مُغْرمٍ تَصلَى جوانِحُه الجوَى
صالَتْshe assailed عليْهِhim ولمْand did not تُنِلْهُgrant him وصالَهاher union
صالَتْ عليْهِ ولمْ تُنِلْهُ وصالَها
How many a lover's ribs are scorched by anguish!
How many passionate souls pray with all their essence,
She assailed him, yet granted him no union.
She has prayed for him but did not grant him her union,
يُبْديhe reveals الحنينَyearning إذاwhen سَرَىtravels برْقُthe lightning of الحِمىthe protected grounds
يُبْدي الحنينَ إذا سَرَى برْقُ الحِمى
وإذاand when صَباthe east wind of نجْدٍNajd تَهُبُّblows صَباhe yearns لَهاfor it
وإذا صَبا نجْدٍ تَهُبُّ صَبا لَها
He reveals his yearning when lightning travels over the protected grounds,
He shows his yearning when the lightning of passion flashes,
And when Najd's east wind blows, he yearns for it.
And when the downpour on Najd pours, its rain pours for it.
يهْوَىhe loves شمائِلَهاher qualities فَهلّاwhy then not أوْدَعَتْshe entrusted
يهْوَى شمائِلَها فَهلّا أوْدَعَتْ
منهاfrom her القَبولthe east wind قَبولَهاher welcome وشمالَهاand her disposition
منها القَبول قَبولَها وشمالَها
He loves her ways—why has she not entrusted
He craves her features, so why has she not given
The east wind with her welcome and disposition?
From them acceptance and her cheek and left side?
ظنّhe thought النّواسِمَthe breezes إذْwhen تهبُّthey blow بَلِيلَةًcool and moist
ظنّ النّواسِمَ إذْ تهبُّ بَلِيلَةً
تشْفِيwould heal النفوسَsouls فهيَّجَتْbut they stirred بَلْبالَهاtheir turmoil
تشْفِي النفوسَ فهيَّجَتْ بَلْبالَها
He thought the breezes, as they blew cool and moist,
The zephyrs thought that when they blow gently
Would heal souls; instead they roused their turmoil.
They soothe souls, so they stirred up their confusion.
تَهْديbrings خبالَthe madness of الوجْدِlonging نارُthe fire of غرامِهhis passion
تَهْدي خبالَ الوجْدِ نارُ غرامِه
ليْلاًby night وماbut does not تهْدِيbring إليهto him خيالَهاher phantom
ليْلاً وما تهْدِي إليه خيالَها
The fire of his passion brings the madness of longing
The fire of his passion guides the delusions of ecstasy at night,
By night, but does not bring her phantom to him.
But does not guide his imagination to her.
عجباًhow strange لهُabout him ماwhat بالُهails him لاnot يهْتديfind his way
عجباً لهُ ما بالُه لا يهْتدي
بجوانحٍby inward ribs يُذْكيkindles الغرامُpassion ذُبالَهاtheir wicks
بجوانحٍ يُذْكي الغرامُ ذُبالَها
How strange! Why does he not find his way
How strange! Why can he not find guidance
By ribs whose wicks passion sets ablaze?
With passions that enflame his smoldering embers?
للهِby God كمْhow many نَفْسٍa soul شَعاعٍdistracted أُتْلِفَتْwas ruined
للهِ كمْ نَفْسٍ شَعاعٍ أُتْلِفَتْ
حتّىuntil تلافاهاhe rescued it ونعّمَand soothed بالَهاits thoughts
حتّى تلافاها ونعّمَ بالَها
By God, how many a distracted soul was ruined,
By God, how many rays of light are gathered
Until he rescued it and made its thoughts content.
Until defects and perfections unite!
رِفْقاًbe gentle بنفْسِكَwith yourself ياO حَليفَcompanion of غرامِهhis love
رِفْقاً بنفْسِكَ يا حَليفَ غرامِه
فهِيَfor it is الصّبابَةyearning قدْindeed أحالَتْhas altered حالَهاits condition
فهِيَ الصّبابَة قدْ أحالَتْ حالَها
Be gentle with yourself, O companion of his love,
Gently, o confidant of passion,
For it is yearning that has transformed its condition.
For it is the zephyr that has changed its state.
هَذيthese منازِلُهاare her dwellings فحَيِّso greet رُبوعَهاher grounds
هَذي منازِلُها فحَيِّ رُبوعَها
وأنِخْand make kneel جِمالَكyour camels تسْتَفِدْyou will gain إجمالَهاher gracious favor
وأنِخْ جِمالَك تسْتَفِدْ إجمالَها
These are her dwellings: greet her grounds,
These are her dwellings, so rouse their expanses
And make your camels kneel; gain her gracious favor.
And race your camel, you will gain their totality.
وانْظُرْand behold سَناthe radiance of أقمارِهاher moons واسْتَجْلِand discern منْfrom
وانْظُرْ سَنا أقمارِها واسْتَجْلِ منْ
هالاتِthe halos of هاتيكَthose القِبابdomes كَمالَهاher perfection
هالاتِ هاتيكَ القِباب كَمالَها
Behold the radiance of her moons, and discern from
And look at the moons of their tents, drawing
The halos of those domes her perfection.
From the halos of those domes their perfection.
فلَكَمْhow often لَهاtoward her الرُّكْبانُthe riders واصلتِcontinued السُّرىnight travel
فلَكَمْ لَها الرُّكْبانُ واصلتِ السُّرى
والعزْمُand resolve منهاfrom them يَقْتَضيdemands اسْتعجالَهاtheir haste
والعزْمُ منها يَقْتَضي اسْتعجالَها
How often riders have continued their night journeys toward her,
For how long will the riders head for the Pleiades,
Their resolve demanding that they hasten!
When their resolve requires haste?
تُزْجِيthey urge onward المَطاياthe mounts والهواجرُwhile the noonday heats تَلتَظيblaze
تُزْجِي المَطايا والهواجرُ تَلتَظي
حتّىuntil تشكّتْthey complained of أينهاtheir weariness وكَلالَهاand their exhaustion
حتّى تشكّتْ أينها وكَلالَها
They urge the mounts onward while the noonday heats blaze,
The camels are agitated and the howdahs sway
Until the mounts complain of weariness and exhaustion.
Until you think which of them will tire.
حَنّتْthey longed إلىfor كَثَبِthe proximity of المنازِلthe dwellings فارْتَمَتْthen rushed headlong
حَنّتْ إلى كَثَبِ المنازِل فارْتَمَتْ
تَطْويtraversing بهاalong them كثبانَهاtheir dunes ورِمالَهاand their sands
تَطْوي بها كثبانَها ورِمالَها
They longed to come near the dwellings and rushed headlong,
They inclined to bounding over the dwellings, so she climbed
Traversing their dunes and sands along the way.
To traverse with them their mounds and sands.
لِمْwhy لاnot تحِنُّlong لهاfor her الرّكابُthe mounts وطالَماwhen so often
لِمْ لا تحِنُّ لها الرّكابُ وطالَما
حَمِدتthey praised علىdespite بُعْدِthe distance of المَدىthe journey تَرْحالَهاtheir traveling
حَمِدت على بُعْدِ المَدى تَرْحالَها
Why should the mounts not long for her, when so often
Why do the riders not yearn for her, when for so long
Despite the distance, they have praised their journey?
Her distant journeys have been praised?
كمْhow often أُصْدِرَتْwere led away عَنهاfrom her نواهِلَhaving drunk their fill بعْدَماafter
كمْ أُصْدِرَتْ عَنها نواهِلَ بعْدَما
قدْhad أُورِدَتْbeen brought to water وهِيَwhile they were الظّماءُthirsty زُلالَهاher sweet water
قدْ أُورِدَتْ وهِيَ الظّماءُ زُلالَها
How often they were led away from her, having drunk their fill,
How many desires have been turned away from her after
After being brought, thirsty, to her sweet water!
They came to her while she was fresh water?
فأسِلْso let flow دُموعَكَyour tears فيin مَعاهِدِهاher familiar places إذاif
فأسِلْ دُموعَكَ في مَعاهِدِها إذا
عهْدُthe customary visitation of الغمائِمِthe clouds لمْnot يجُدْwatered generously أطْلالَهاher ruins
عهْدُ الغمائِمِ لمْ يجُدْ أطْلالَها
Let your tears flow in her familiar places if
So let your tears flow in her dwellings, for when
The clouds' customary visitation has not watered her ruins.
The covenant of the clouds fails to find her ruins,
كمْhow many مُرسِلٍone shedding فيهاthere مَدامِعَهُhis tears انْثَنَىturned back
كمْ مُرسِلٍ فيها مَدامِعَهُ انْثَنَى
مُتولِّياًretreating للظِّلِّto the shade حينَwhen سَقىhe watered لَهاfor her
مُتولِّياً للظِّلِّ حينَ سَقى لَها
How many a man shedding tears there turned back,
How many senders have turned back in them,
Retreating to the shade once he had watered for her!
Shunning exposure to the sun when it poured for her,
ولكَمْand how often تمايَلَتِswayed الغُصونُthe branches بدَوحِهاin her groves
ولكَمْ تمايَلَتِ الغُصونُ بدَوحِها
لمّاwhen أدارَتْpassed round سُحْبُهاher clouds جرْيالَهاtheir ruby wine
لمّا أدارَتْ سُحْبُها جرْيالَها
How often the branches swayed in her groves
And how many branches swayed in its orchard
When her clouds passed round their ruby wine!
When its clouds hovered over it!
ماnot لاحَتِappeared الغُدْرانُthe pools فيهthere مَدارِعاًas coats of mail
ما لاحَتِ الغُدْرانُ فيه مَدارِعاً
حتّىuntil أرَتْكshowed you الذّارِياتُthe scattering winds صِقالَهاtheir polish
حتّى أرَتْك الذّارِياتُ صِقالَها
The pools did not appear there as coats of mail
The antelopes did not appear in it, so it made you see
Until the scattering winds showed you their polish.
The gazelles polishing their smooth coats.
شقّtore open النّسيمُthe breeze جيوبَهُits collars فيهاthere ومِنْand from
شقّ النّسيمُ جيوبَهُ فيها ومِنْ
وشْيِthe embroidery of الرّبيعِspring قدِalready اكْتَسَتْshe donned سِرْبالَهاher tunic
وشْيِ الرّبيعِ قدِ اكْتَسَتْ سِرْبالَها
The breeze tore its collars open there, and from
The breeze opened its folds in it, and from
Spring's embroidery she donned her tunic.
The garment of spring it clothed itself in apparel.
فهيَfor these are الرّبوعُthe grounds نَزيلُهاtheir guest مُتَوسِّدٌlying cushioned
فهيَ الرّبوعُ نَزيلُها مُتَوسِّدٌ
أوor وارِدٌone coming to أنهارَهاtheir rivers وظِلالَهاand their shade
أو وارِدٌ أنهارَها وظِلالَها
These are the grounds: their guest lies cushioned,
For it is the meadows, residing in it and resting
Or comes to their rivers and shade.
On its rivers and shade.
للمُجْتَنىfor gathered fruit إنif شئْتَyou wish أوor للمُجْتَلَىfor beauty beheld
للمُجْتَنى إن شئْتَ أو للمُجْتَلَى
عرّسْcamp overnight تَنَلْyou will gain أحْمالَهاtheir loads of fruit وجمالَهاand their beauty
عرّسْ تَنَلْ أحْمالَها وجمالَها
For gathered fruit, if you wish, or beauty to behold,
For the desperate lover, if you wish, or the seeker,
Camp overnight; gain their laden fruits and their beauty.
Prepare, you will attain its burdens and beauty.
وإذاand when العُفاةُpetitioners اسْتَقْبَلتْهاfaced her قِبْلَةًas a prayer-direction
وإذا العُفاةُ اسْتَقْبَلتْها قِبْلَةً
وفّتْfulfilled صَلاةُthe prayer صِلاتِهاof her gifts آمالَهاtheir hopes
وفّتْ صَلاةُ صِلاتِها آمالَها
And when petitioners face her as their direction of prayer,
And when the barefoot came to meet it in welcome
The prayer of her gifts fulfills their hopes.
The prayer of its prayers fulfilled its hopes.
هيit is حضْرةُthe court of المُلْكِkingship التيwhich قدhas أصبحَتْbecome
هي حضْرةُ المُلْكِ التي قد أصبحَتْ
غيْثاًrain وغَوثاًand succor إنif حللَتْyou settle in حِلالَهاits quarters
غيْثاً وغَوثاً إن حللَتْ حِلالَها
It is the royal court, which has become
It is the seat of the kingdom that became
Rain and succor if you settle in its quarters.
A downpour and salvation if it stays to enjoy its hospitality,
مَثْوَىthe abode of إمامٍan imam حلّwho settled in أفْقَthe horizon of خِلافةٍa caliphate
مَثْوَى إمامٍ حلّ أفْقَ خِلافةٍ
تجْلُوdisplays عليْهِupon him جَمالَهاits beauty وجَلالَهاand its majesty
تجْلُو عليْهِ جَمالَها وجَلالَها
The abode of an imam who entered the horizon of a caliphate
The dwelling of an Imam who rose on the Caliphate’s horizon
That displays upon him its beauty and majesty.
Radiating its beauty and majesty over it.
هوَhe is ناصِرُNasir الدّينal-Din الخليفةُthe caliph يوسُفٌYusuf
هوَ ناصِرُ الدّين الخليفةُ يوسُفٌ
مَلكٌa king غَداwho became كهفَthe shelter of المُلوكِkings ثِمالَهاtheir sustainer
مَلكٌ غَدا كهفَ المُلوكِ ثِمالَها
He is Nasir al-Din, the caliph Yusuf,
He is the supporter of the religion, the Caliph Yusuf
A king who became the shelter of kings, their sustainer.
A king whose cave is the refuge of kings,
ملِكٌa king كأنّas though الشمسَthe sun غُرَّةُwere the radiance of وجْهِهِhis face
ملِكٌ كأنّ الشمسَ غُرَّةُ وجْهِهِ
تهْديguides إلىto سُبُلِthe paths of الهُدىright guidance ضُلّالَهاtheir wanderers
تهْدي إلى سُبُلِ الهُدى ضُلّالَها
A king as though the sun were the radiance of his face,
A king whose face’s radiance guides
Guiding those astray to the paths of right guidance.
To the paths of guidance those gone astray.
ملِكٌa king كأنّas though الغيثَrain جودُwere the generosity of يَمينِهhis right hand
ملِكٌ كأنّ الغيثَ جودُ يَمينِه
مهْماwhenever أنالَhe bestowed on القاصدِينthose seeking him نَوالَهاits gifts
مهْما أنالَ القاصدِين نَوالَها
A king as though rain were his right hand's generosity,
A king whose open hand’s rain, whenever
Whenever he bestows its gifts on those who seek him.
It gives drink to seekers, pours its plenty.
ولِيَhe assumed الخلافَةthe caliphate فاسْتقلّand independently bore بعبْئِهاits burden
ولِيَ الخلافَة فاسْتقلّ بعبْئِها
فعُفاتُهُso his petitioners لاnot تشتكيcomplain of إقلالَهاtheir want
فعُفاتُهُ لا تشتكي إقلالَها
He assumed the caliphate and bore its burden unaided,
Trustee of the Caliphate, he took command
So his petitioners never complain of want.
So his chivalry does not complain of scarcity,
ياO مَنْyou who يشبِّهُcompare بالغمائِمِto clouds كفَّهُhis hand
يا مَنْ يشبِّهُ بالغمائِمِ كفَّهُ
ماnot ساجلتْrivaled سُحُبُthe clouds of الغمامِrain سِجالَهاits outpourings
ما ساجلتْ سُحُبُ الغمامِ سِجالَها
O you who compare his hand to clouds,
O you whose palm resembles rain clouds
The rain clouds have never rivaled its outpourings.
The rain clouds have not competed with it in generosity,
لوْif أُلْفِيتwere found بالشُّهْبِamong the stars عارفَةُa gift النّدىof generosity
لوْ أُلْفِيت بالشُّهْبِ عارفَةُ النّدى
لأنالَهاhe would surely bestow it كَرماًgenerously وقالand say أناI لَهاam equal to it
لأنالَها كَرماً وقال أنا لَها
Were a gift of generosity found among the stars,
If familiar with the mansion of dew, this recognizer
He would bestow it freely, saying, 'I am equal to it.'
I would attain his bounty and say it is for her.
فمشارِقُso the rising places of الأنوارِlights منهُfrom him قدْindeed أتَتْhave come
فمشارِقُ الأنوارِ منهُ قدْ أتَتْ
بشِهابِwith a blazing star هَدْيٍof guidance موضِحٍdisplaying إكْمالهاtheir perfection
بشِهابِ هَدْيٍ موضِحٍ إكْمالها
Thus the rising places of light have brought from him
For the daybreak of light has come from him
A blazing star of guidance displaying their perfection.
With the meteors of guidance, perfecting its completion.
أضْحَىhe became بأوْطانin the lands of الجهادِjihad مؤمَّلاًa source of hope
أضْحَى بأوْطان الجهادِ مؤمَّلاً
لِعُفاتِهاfor their petitioners ومؤمّناًand securing أعْمالَهاtheir districts
لِعُفاتِها ومؤمّناً أعْمالَها
In the lands of jihad he became a source of hope
He has looked with anticipation on the abodes of jihad
For their petitioners, and a guarantor of their districts' safety.
To its knights, securing their deeds.
ماnever جابَtraversed آفاقَthe horizons of البلادِthe country بقُطْرِهاacross its breadth
ما جابَ آفاقَ البلادِ بقُطْرِها
أوor جالَهاroamed through it إلاexcept شَفَىhe calmed أوْجالَهاits fears
أو جالَها إلا شَفَى أوْجالَها
He never traversed the country's horizons across its breadth,
He has not traversed the horizons of the regions and their corners
Or roamed through it, without calming its fears.
Except healing their wounds.
تُلفِيfind لديْهwith him عُفاتُهhis petitioners وعُداتُهُand his enemies
تُلفِي لديْه عُفاتُه وعُداتُهُ
سَلْماًin peace وحَرْباًand in war نُزْلَهاtheir hospitality ونِزالَهاand their combat
سَلْماً وحَرْباً نُزْلَها ونِزالَها
His petitioners and his foes find with him
His chivalry and aid attend him,
Hospitality in peace, and combat in war.
In peace and war, wherever he descends or rises.
فالعزْمُso resolve يفْضَحُshames فيin المَضاءِdecisiveness صِفاحَهاtheir sword-blades
فالعزْمُ يفْضَحُ في المَضاءِ صِفاحَها
والحِلْمُand forbearance يرجحُoutweighs فيin الوَقارِgravity جبالَهاtheir mountains
والحِلْمُ يرجحُ في الوَقارِ جبالَها
His resolve shames their sword-blades in decisiveness,
Resolve blazes in battle naked
And his forbearance outweighs their mountains in gravity.
And calmness weighs heavy in dignity.
يرْتاحُrejoices فيin حرْبِwar against العِدَىthe foes خَطِّيُّهُhis Khatti spear
يرْتاحُ في حرْبِ العِدَى خَطِّيُّهُ
ليكُفَّto quell إنif أهْوَىit swoops لَهاtoward them أهْوالَهاtheir terrors
ليكُفَّ إن أهْوَى لَها أهْوالَها
His Khatti spear rejoices in war against the foes,
He rests in the war against enemies, his swords
To quell their terrors whenever it swoops toward them.
Unsheathed with their blades, never satisfied.
وسُيوفُهُand his swords هامَتْfell in love بصُحبَةِwith the company of هامِهاtheir heads
وسُيوفُهُ هامَتْ بصُحبَةِ هامِها
فغَدَتْso they became لذلِكَfor that reason تشتكيcomplaining of إكْمالَهاtheir wholeness
فغَدَتْ لذلِكَ تشتكي إكْمالَها
His swords fell in love with keeping company with their heads,
His spears, without throwing, for so long
And thus complain of their own wholeness.
Have wanted to prove themselves to the enemies.
وقِسيُّهُand his bows منfrom غيْرother than رمْيٍshooting طالَماoften
وقِسيُّهُ من غيْر رمْيٍ طالَما
رامَتْdesired لِتُثبتَto lodge فيin العُداةِthe enemies نِبالهاtheir arrows
رامَتْ لِتُثبتَ في العُداةِ نِبالها
His bows, even without shooting, have so often
Who can equal in noble character a family
Longed to lodge their arrows in the foes.
That God has mentioned the best of its men?
منwho ذاis it that يُضاهِيcan match فيin المكارِمِnoble deeds أسْرَةًa family
من ذا يُضاهِي في المكارِمِ أسْرَةً
فيin الذّكرِthe Revelation قدalready ذكرmentioned الإلَهُGod خِلالَهاits virtues
في الذّكرِ قد ذكر الإلَهُ خِلالَها
Who can match in noble deeds a family
A people, when they don armor you would think them
Whose virtues God has mentioned in the Revelation?
A lion whose den cubs have entered in its midst,
قومٌa people إذاwhen لبسُواthey donned الدّروعَarmor حَسِبْتَهُمyou would think them
قومٌ إذا لبسُوا الدّروعَ حَسِبْتَهُم
أُسُداًlions حَمَتْprotecting فيin غِيلِهاtheir thickets أشبالَهاtheir cubs
أُسُداً حَمَتْ في غِيلِها أشبالَها
A people whom, when they don armor, you would think
And when it is removed from them, they are palm trees
Lions protecting their cubs in their thickets.
Whose forms remain over their bodies.
وإذاand when نضوْهاthey stripped it off عنهُمُfrom themselves فأراقِمٌthen speckled serpents
وإذا نضوْها عنهُمُ فأراقِمٌ
أبْقَتْleft علىon أجسامِهِمْtheir bodies أشكالَهاtheir patterns
أبْقَتْ على أجسامِهِمْ أشكالَها
And when they strip it off, speckled serpents
Their praises shake them, as though
Have left their patterns upon their bodies.
The breeze stirred a lote-tree bending it over.
وتهُزُّهُمْand sway them أمْداحُهُمْtheir praises فكأنّماas though
وتهُزُّهُمْ أمْداحُهُمْ فكأنّما
جالَpassed النّسيمُthe breeze بدَوْحَةٍthrough a great tree فأمالَهاand bent it
جالَ النّسيمُ بدَوْحَةٍ فأمالَها
Their praises sway them, as though
These are the armies and pulpits - if they appear
The breeze passed through a great tree and bent it.
You will find them its horsemen and men.
هذِيthese العساكِرُarmies والمنابِرُand pulpits إنif بَدَتْappear
هذِي العساكِرُ والمنابِرُ إن بَدَتْ
ألْفيْتَهمْyou would find them فُرسانهاtheir horsemen ورجالَهاand their men
ألْفيْتَهمْ فُرسانها ورجالَها
When these armies and pulpits come into view,
Is not your noble father a hero
You find them their horsemen and their orators.
Whose defense the swords have praised, vying?
أَوَand is it ليْسَnot والدُكَyour father المنيفُthe exalted بصوْلةwith an onslaught
أَوَ ليْسَ والدُكَ المنيفُ بصوْلة
حمِدَpraised الكماةُthe warriors دفاعَهاits defense وصيالَهاand its assault
حمِدَ الكماةُ دفاعَها وصيالَها
And did not your exalted father launch an onslaught
The necks of the infidels submitted to his rule
Whose defense and assault the warriors praised?
So God desired by his power to humiliate them.
خضَعَتْsubmitted رِقابُthe necks of الكافِرينَthe unbelievers لمُلْكِهto his rule
خضَعَتْ رِقابُ الكافِرينَ لمُلْكِه
فاللهُfor God شاءَwilled بعِزِّهthrough his might إذْلالَهاtheir humiliation
فاللهُ شاءَ بعِزِّه إذْلالَها
The unbelievers' necks bowed to his rule,
And our Master al-Ghassani by his Lord suffices as
For God willed their humiliation through his might.
A lion who fiercely attacks its heroes in battle.
وكفىand sufficient is بموْلاناour lord الغنيِّthe one enriched برَبِّهِby his Lord
وكفى بموْلانا الغنيِّ برَبِّهِ
أسَداًas a lion يُجدِّلُfelling فيin الوَغَىbattle أبْطالَهاits champions
أسَداً يُجدِّلُ في الوَغَى أبْطالَها
And sufficient is our lord al-Ghani bi-Rabbihi,
How many ties of unbelief he has undone
A lion felling the champions of battle.
And strongholds of idolatry whose bonds he has untied!
كمْhow many أُسْرَةٍa clan للكُفْرِof unbelief شدَّhe tightened وَثاقَهاits bonds
كمْ أُسْرَةٍ للكُفْرِ شدَّ وَثاقَها
ومعاقِلٍand fortresses للشِّرْكِof idolatry حلَّhe loosened عِقالَهاtheir hobbles
ومعاقِلٍ للشِّرْكِ حلَّ عِقالَها
How many a clan of unbelief he bound fast,
How many a fortress did he raze until he came
And strongholds of idolatry whose hobbles he loosened!
And shocked it, destroying what it built up tall!
كمْhow many شيّدتْthey built منof مَعقِلa fortress حتىuntil أتَىhe came
كمْ شيّدتْ من مَعقِل حتى أتَى
فوهَىthen crumbled لهاfor them ماwhat قدalready بَنَتْهُthey had built وَهالَهاand terrified them
فوهَى لها ما قد بَنَتْهُ وَهالَها
How many a fortress they raised before he came,
By your tribe in Mecca's gifts, there is no glory
Then what they had built crumbled, to their dismay.
But that your grandfather attained it.
قَسَماًI swear بقومِكby your people فيin مَعالِمِthe sacred landmarks of مكّةٍMecca
قَسَماً بقومِك في مَعالِمِ مكّةٍ
ماno رُتْبةٌrank إلاbut وجَدُّكand your forefather نالَهاattained it
ما رُتْبةٌ إلا وجَدُّك نالَها
I swear by your people in Mecca's sacred landmarks:
Qais bin Sa`d, whose character you know
There is no rank your forefather did not attain.
His horses, God's horses, galloped among them.
قيْسُQays بنson of سعدٍSa'd مَنْthe one علِمْتَyou know خِلالهhis virtues
قيْسُ بن سعدٍ مَنْ علِمْتَ خِلاله
بالخَيْلِwith horses خيْلthe horses of اللهGod جاسَranged خِلالَهاthrough its midst
بالخَيْلِ خيْل الله جاسَ خِلالَها
Qays ibn Sa'd, whose virtues you know,
The ‘Uzza were proud with might
With horses—God's horses—ranged through its midst.
So the religion of guidance conquered and removed them.
كانتْwas بهاthere العُزَّىal-Uzza تُنيفُrising high بعِزّةٍwith pride
كانتْ بها العُزَّى تُنيفُ بعِزّةٍ
فأذلّهاthen humbled her دينُthe religion of الهُدَىright guidance وأزالَهاand removed her
فأذلّها دينُ الهُدَى وأزالَها
There al-Uzza once rose high in pride,
And victory for the Ansar whose successor
Then the religion of right guidance humbled and removed her.
If he willed could make the flowers of its sky rain.
والنّصْرُand victory للأنْصارِbelongs to the Ansar والخَلَفِand the successor الذيwho
والنّصْرُ للأنْصارِ والخَلَفِ الذي
لوif شاءَhe desired زُهْرَthe bright stars of سمائِهاits sky لَسَماhe would surely rise لَهاto them
لو شاءَ زُهْرَ سمائِها لَسَما لَها
Victory belongs to the Ansar and to the successor who,
How many groups for misguidance and its partisans
If he desired its sky's bright stars, would rise to them.
Came for a decisive matter, sealing their terms!
كمhow many منof جُموعٍhosts للضلالِof error وحِزبهِand its party
كم من جُموعٍ للضلالِ وحِزبهِ
جاءتْcame لأمرٍto a decree قاطِعٍcutting short آجالَهاtheir lifespans
جاءتْ لأمرٍ قاطِعٍ آجالَها
How many hosts of error and its party
They did not hope, had it not been for your legacy,
Met a decree that cut short their allotted lives!
To extend themselves and live on.
ماnot أمّلتْthey hoped لوif لمْnot يكنْwere لكَyours إرْثُهاtheir inheritance
ما أمّلتْ لو لمْ يكنْ لكَ إرْثُها
إبْقاءهاtheir preservation لمَدىًfor a time ولاnor إمْهالَهاtheir reprieve
إبْقاءها لمَدىً ولا إمْهالَها
Had their inheritance not been yours, they could not have hoped
So victory comes forth if you want to meet it
To be preserved for a time or granted respite.
And fortune strikes if you refuse to fight it.
فالنّصرُso victory يقْدُمُgoes ahead إنif أرَدتyou wish لقاءَهاto meet them
فالنّصرُ يقْدُمُ إن أرَدت لقاءَها
والسّعْدُand good fortune يرْميshoots إنif أبَيْتَyou refuse قِتالَهاto fight them
والسّعْدُ يرْمي إن أبَيْتَ قِتالَها
Victory goes before you if you wish to meet them,
By God, your intention which you have purified
And good fortune shoots if you decline to fight them.
To accept your Lord's decree in its states and endings
للهِto God نِيّتُكَyour intention التيwhich قدindeed أخْلَصَتْmade sincere
للهِ نِيّتُكَ التي قد أخْلَصَتْ
لقَبولfor the acceptance of رَبِّكَyour Lord حالهاits present state ومآلَهاand its final outcome
لقَبول رَبِّكَ حالها ومآلَها
God be praised for your intention, which has made sincere
Has guided the world to give you glad tidings
Its present state and final end for your Lord's acceptance.
That you may attain delight on the horizon of glory,
أهْدَتْoffered لكto you الدنْياthe world تَباشيرَthe first glad signs of السّناradiance
أهْدَتْ لك الدنْيا تَباشيرَ السّنا
لتَنالَso that you attain فيon أفُقِthe horizon of السّناءِglory مَنالَهاits attainable bounty
لتَنالَ في أفُقِ السّناءِ مَنالَها
The world has offered you the first glad signs of radiance,
Where the crescent, however high it rose or peaked
That, on the horizon of glory, you may attain what it offers.
It only did so to shine with good fortune from it.
حيثُwhere الأهِلّةُthe crescents ماnot ارْتقتْrose واسْتشْرفَتْand loomed high
حيثُ الأهِلّةُ ما ارْتقتْ واسْتشْرفَتْ
إلاexcept لِتُطلِعَto bring forth بالمُنىwith hopes إهْلالَهاtheir crescent-rise
إلا لِتُطلِعَ بالمُنى إهْلالَها
Where crescents rise and loom on high only
The Marinids and those close to you, their position
To bring forth their crescent light with hopes.
Is to show you their delegations in awe,
وبَنوand the sons of مَرينٍMarin والتّجلّةُand reverence شأنُهاis their way
وبَنو مَرينٍ والتّجلّةُ شأنُها
أبْدَتْdisplayed لدَيْكَbefore you وُفودُهاtheir delegations إجْلالَهاtheir veneration
أبْدَتْ لدَيْكَ وُفودُها إجْلالَها
And the Banu Marin, whose way is reverence—
Seeking guidance from the Caliph of their Lord,
Their delegations have displayed their homage before you.
And seeing acceptance as the greatest of gifts for them,
تبغيseek الهِدايَةَguidance منْfrom خليفةِthe caliph of ربّهاtheir Lord
تبغي الهِدايَةَ منْ خليفةِ ربّها
وترىand deem القبولَacceptance أجلّthe noblest ماwhat أهْدَىhe offered لَهاto them
وترى القبولَ أجلّ ما أهْدَى لَها
They seek guidance from their Lord's caliph,
No connoisseur has grasped the essence of his attributes
And deem acceptance the noblest thing he has offered them.
From which, when examples are given, their likenesses.
لمْnot يدْرِknew كُنْهَthe true nature of صفاتِهhis qualities متمثِّلٌone making comparisons
لمْ يدْرِ كُنْهَ صفاتِه متمثِّلٌ
منْهاamong them إذاwhen ضربَتْthey fashioned بهِof him أمْثالَهاtheir comparisons
منْها إذا ضربَتْ بهِ أمْثالَها
No maker of comparisons grasped his attributes' true essence
Is his face a full moon or a morning sun?
Among them, when they fashioned their likenesses of him:
Or is his countenance anticipating its risings?
هلْis it بَدْرُthe full moon of مَمْساهاtheir evening وشمْسُand the sun of صباحِهاtheir morning
هلْ بَدْرُ مَمْساها وشمْسُ صباحِها
أمْor وجْهُهُhis face مُستقبلٌreceiving أرْسالَهاtheir envoys
أمْ وجْهُهُ مُستقبلٌ أرْسالَها
Is it their evening's full moon and their morning's sun,
Welcome to them, whose riders have arrived
Or his face, greeting their envoys?
At your generous abode, unloading their belongings.
أهلاًwelcome بهمْto them منas وافِدينvisitors ركابُهُمْtheir mounts
أهلاً بهمْ من وافِدين ركابُهُمْ
حطّتْset down بمَثْواكَat your abode الكَريمِnoble رِحالَهاtheir saddles
حطّتْ بمَثْواكَ الكَريمِ رِحالَها
Welcome to these visitors, whose mounts
They have come, happy with a state
Set down their saddles at your noble abode.
Whose factions God has granted victory and family.
قدindeed أقْبلُواthey arrived مُتيَمّنينَseeking good fortune بدوْلَةٍfrom a dynasty
قد أقْبلُوا مُتيَمّنينَ بدوْلَةٍ
أحْزابَهاits supporters نصَرَgranted victory الإلَهُGod وآلَهاand its household
أحْزابَها نصَرَ الإلَهُ وآلَها
They arrived seeking good fortune from a dynasty
And they have followed the approach of your affection which
Whose supporters and household God has granted victory.
Your loyalists have attained guidance from its misguidance.
وقدand indeed اقْتَفَوْاthey followed منthrough وُدِّكyour affection النّهْجَthe path الذيwhich
وقد اقْتَفَوْا من وُدِّك النّهْجَ الذي
نالَتْobtained عُداتُكَyour enemies منْfrom هُداهits guidance ضلالَهاtheir bewilderment
نالَتْ عُداتُكَ منْ هُداه ضلالَها
And through your affection they have followed the path
This - and your good treatment of creation has arrived
Whose guidance brought your enemies their bewilderment.
So the beautiful gifts of craft have attained it.
هذاthis وقدand indeed وافَىreached صنيعُكyour beneficence للوَرَىmankind
هذا وقد وافَى صنيعُك للوَرَى
فمواهِبَand the gifts of الصُّنعِthe doing الجميلِgracious أنالَهاit bestowed upon them
فمواهِبَ الصُّنعِ الجميلِ أنالَها
Moreover, your beneficence reached mankind,
And the faces of glad tidings have welcomed it
And bestowed the gifts of gracious doing upon them.
With good news and pleasure in their receptions.
واستَقْبلَتْهُand welcomed it أوْجُهُthe faces البشرَىof glad tidings التيwhich
واستَقْبلَتْهُ أوْجُهُ البشرَى التي
بالبِشْرِwith joy أبدَتْshowed والرّضَىand contentment استِقْبالَهاtheir welcome
بالبِشْرِ أبدَتْ والرّضَى استِقْبالَها
The faces of glad tidings welcomed it,
Thus your right hand with it is ever merciful
Showing their welcome with joy and contentment.
All existence hopes it will unleash its rain.
فغدَتْso became يمينُكyour right hand فيهtherein ديمَةَa steady rain of رحْمةٍmercy
فغدَتْ يمينُك فيه ديمَةَ رحْمةٍ
كُلّall الوُجودِexistence يؤمّلhopes for اسْتهلالَهاits first downpour
كُلّ الوُجودِ يؤمّل اسْتهلالَها
Your right hand became therein a steady rain of mercy,
Far from it! A seeker is not thirsty after you
Whose first downpour all existence awaits.
Have quenched every hopeful with its current!
هَيْهاتَfar from possible يظْمأُshould thirst وارِدٌone coming to water منfrom بعْدِafter ماthat
هَيْهاتَ يظْمأُ وارِدٌ من بعْدِ ما
أوردتyou brought to water كُلَّevery مُؤمّلٍhopeful one سَلسالَهاits sweet flowing water
أوردت كُلَّ مُؤمّلٍ سَلسالَها
Impossible that anyone coming to water should thirst after
The wisdom of the Giver guided your reason
You have brought every hopeful one to its sweet flowing water!
Calling your horses to tour its expanse.
لكَyours is حكمَةُthe wisdom of الوهّابِthe Bestower سابقُthe prior حُكْمِهاits decree
لكَ حكمَةُ الوهّابِ سابقُ حُكْمِها
نادَىcalled بخيْلِكَto your horses أنto تجُولَrange مَجالَهاtheir course
نادَى بخيْلِكَ أن تجُولَ مَجالَها
The Bestower's wisdom is yours; its prior decree
Its terraces for your kingdom are a verse
Called on your horses to run their course.
Recited, legitimizing its spoils.
أعْرافُهاtheir manes فيهاthere لمُلكِكَfor your kingship آيةٌa sign
أعْرافُها فيها لمُلكِكَ آيةٌ
مَتْلوّةٌrecited أنْthat سوّغَتْmade lawful أنفالَهاtheir spoils
مَتْلوّةٌ أنْ سوّغَتْ أنفالَها
Their manes there are a sign for your kingship,
By God, it has loosed horses,
A recited verse, declaring that their spoils are lawful.
Steeds showing you the swords’ sliced heels,
للهِby God منهاamong them والذّوابِلُwhile slender spears شُرَّعٌare leveled
للهِ منها والذّوابِلُ شُرَّعٌ
خيْلٌhorses تُريكَshow you منof النّجيعfresh blood نِعالَهاtheir shoes
خيْلٌ تُريكَ من النّجيع نِعالَها
By God! Among them, with slender spears leveled,
Bearing warriors - if you supported them all
Are horses showing you shoes of fresh blood.
The land of enemies would shake with an earthquake.
حَمَلتْcarried كُماةًwarriors لوif أزَرْتَyou made visit جَميعَهمall of them
حَمَلتْ كُماةً لو أزَرْتَ جَميعَهم
أرْضthe land of العُداةِthe enemies لزُلزِلتit would surely be shaken زِلزالَهاwith its earthquake
أرْض العُداةِ لزُلزِلت زِلزالَها
They bore warriors: were you to send them all
Lightly they will descend willingly toward them while the land
To the land of foes, it would shake with its great earthquake.
Has brought out its valuables from their spoils.
منfrom كُلّevery أرْوَعَsplendid warrior باسِلٍbrave يوْمَon the day of الوَغَىbattle
من كُلّ أرْوَعَ باسِلٍ يوْمَ الوَغَى
لبِسَdonned العجاجَةَthe dust-cloud ساحِباًtrailing أذْيالَهاits hems
لبِسَ العجاجَةَ ساحِباً أذْيالَها
Each a splendid warrior, brave on the day of battle,
For you will see the regiments against the enemies or in amity
Who donned the dust-cloud, trailing its hems.
Sacrificing for God or pouring themselves out.
قدindeed أرسلَhe released الغرَّthe white-blazed السّوابِقَswift steeds للمَدَىfor the course
قد أرسلَ الغرَّ السّوابِقَ للمَدَى
والنّصْرُand victory يَقدُمُgoes before دائِماًalways إرْسالَهاtheir dispatch
والنّصْرُ يَقدُمُ دائِماً إرْسالَها
He released the white-blazed swift steeds for the course,
These are the swords, the horses’ playground
And victory always goes before their dispatch.
That have thrown the hearts of enemies into terror.
ثَبَتَتْstood firm قوائمُهاtheir legs بهthrough him ولقَدْand indeed مَحَتْerased
ثَبَتَتْ قوائمُها به ولقَدْ مَحَتْ
آجالَthe lifespans of أهْلِthe people of الشِّرْكِidolatry حينَwhen أجالَهاhe wheeled them
آجالَ أهْلِ الشِّرْكِ حينَ أجالَها
Their legs stood firm through him, and indeed they erased
When the white swords are bared for a raid
The lifespans of the idolaters when he wheeled them about.
They will wear the stirred-up dust as their garments.
ستخِفُّthey will hasten طوْعاًwillingly نحْوَهمْtoward them والأرضُwhile the earth منْfrom
ستخِفُّ طوْعاً نحْوَهمْ والأرضُ منْ
أنفالِهِمْtheir spoils قدindeed أخرَجتbrought forth أثقالَهاits burdens
أنفالِهِمْ قد أخرَجت أثقالَها
They will hasten willingly toward them, while the earth,
For when the processions stretch out on its expanse
From their spoils, has brought forth its burdens.
What are the stars in the sky and what are they?
فترىso you see الكتائِبthe battalions للعِدَىagainst the foes أوor فيin النّدىgenerosity
فترى الكتائِب للعِدَى أو في النّدى
إنْهادَهاtheir advance فيfor اللهِGod أوor إنْهالَهاtheir outpouring of bounty
إنْهادَها في اللهِ أو إنْهالَها
Thus you see the battalions against the foes, or in generosity:
How excellent as firewood, and how wondrous when
Their advance in God's cause, or their outpouring of bounty.
The racers’ horses raced with their galloping!
هَذيthis السّبيكةُal-Sabika مَلعَبُthe playground of الخيْلthe horses التيthat
هَذي السّبيكةُ مَلعَبُ الخيْل التي
ألْقَتْcast بأفئِدَةِinto the hearts of العُداةِthe enemies خَبالَهاtheir bewilderment
ألْقَتْ بأفئِدَةِ العُداةِ خَبالَها
This is al-Sabika, the playground of the horses that
Kindling in the hearts of the envious burning embers
Cast bewildering terror into the hearts of the foes.
While the fire has not displayed with it its ignition.
إنif جُرّدتْare drawn بيضُthe bright blades of السّيوفthe swords لغارةٍfor a raid
إن جُرّدتْ بيضُ السّيوف لغارةٍ
لبِسَتْthey donned منfrom النّقْعِthe dust المُثارِstirred up جِلالَهاtheir saddlecloths
لبِسَتْ من النّقْعِ المُثارِ جِلالَها
When bright swords are drawn for a raid,
By God, how many images adorned in it
They don saddlecloths of the dust stirred up.
Almost embody in the eyes their forms!
فإذاand when المواكِبُthe cavalcades فيon مَداهاits course استشْرفتْloomed high
فإذا المواكِبُ في مَداها استشْرفتْ
ماwhat للكواكِبِfor the stars فيin السّماءِthe sky وماand what لَهاfor them
ما للكواكِبِ في السّماءِ وما لَها
And when the cavalcades loom high upon its course,
If their shapes expressed themselves in speech
What are the stars in heaven beside these!
They would clarify for the observers their puzzle.
ياoh حُسْنَهُits beauty حَطَباًas fuel وياand oh عَجَباًthe wonder إذاwhen
يا حُسْنَهُ حَطَباً ويا عَجَباً إذا
جالتْranged بهِin it خيْلُthe horses of السِّباقِracing مجالَهاtheir course
جالتْ بهِ خيْلُ السِّباقِ مجالَها
How fine a fuel it is! How wondrous, when
O refuge of the archers, your palm whenever
The racing steeds sweep through it on their course!
The rainclouds ceased, ceased the hopes.
يُذْكيkindles قُلوبَthe hearts of الحاسِدينthe envious مَشاعِلاًinto torches
يُذْكي قُلوبَ الحاسِدين مَشاعِلاً
والنارُwhile fire ماhas not أبْدَتْshown بهِthere إشعالَهاits burning
والنارُ ما أبْدَتْ بهِ إشعالَها
It kindles the envious hearts into torches,
For calligraphy and the calligrapher therein a verse
Though fire has shown no burning there.
However long it showed you its disputes and trials.
للهِby God كمْhow many صُوَرٍimages بهthere مَجْلوّةٍdisplayed
للهِ كمْ صُوَرٍ به مَجْلوّةٍ
كادَتْalmost تُحقّقُmake real فيin العُيونِthe eyes مثالَهاtheir likeness
كادَتْ تُحقّقُ في العُيونِ مثالَها
By God, how many images stand revealed there,
And indeed you have gazed out on the Caliphate from a watchtower
Their likenesses almost becoming real before the eyes!
In which you revealed for eyes its crescent.
لوif أفْصحتْspoke clearly أشكالُهاtheir forms بخِطابِهاin their speech
لو أفْصحتْ أشكالُها بخِطابِها
للمُبْصرينَto viewers لأوْضَحَتْthey would surely clarify إشكالَهاtheir ambiguity
للمُبْصرينَ لأوْضَحَتْ إشكالَها
If their forms spoke clearly in words
So woe to it when you stayed in its horizon
To those who see, they would resolve their ambiguity.
The sun of guidance we do not fear its setting!
ياO مَلْجَأrefuge of القُصّادِseekers كَفُّكَyour palm كُلّماwhenever
يا مَلْجَأ القُصّادِ كَفُّكَ كُلّما
وكفَتْpoured rain غَمائِمُهاits clouds كَفَتْsatisfied أُمّالَهاthose hoping in it
وكفَتْ غَمائِمُها كَفَتْ أُمّالَها
O refuge of seekers, your hand, whenever
And congratulations on the possession of glorious power that
Its clouds pour, satisfies those who hope in it.
Your ascendance toward it has ever inclined!
للخطّfor writing والخَطّيِّand the Khatti spear فيهاin it آيةٌa sign
للخطّ والخَطّيِّ فيها آيةٌ
مَهْماwhenever أرَتْكَit showed you جِلادَهاits combat وجدالَهاand its disputation
مَهْما أرَتْكَ جِلادَها وجدالَها
In it, writing and the Khatti spear each have a sign,
And woe to your successor whom you have appointed
Whenever it shows you its combat and disputation.
With bounties stretching over him their shade,
ولقدand indeed فرَعْتَyou ascended منof الخِلافةthe caliphate مَرْقَباًa lofty lookout
ولقد فرَعْتَ من الخِلافة مَرْقَباً
أطْلَعْتَyou brought forth فيهthere للعُيونِfor the eyes هِلالَهاits crescent
أطْلَعْتَ فيه للعُيونِ هِلالَها
You have ascended a lofty lookout of the caliphate,
Until he is inspired by your satisfaction to bare
Where you brought forth its crescent for all eyes.
His hand and send out in battle its lions!
فَلَيهْنِهاso may it rejoice لمّاwhen حَللتَyou settled بأُفْقِهاon its horizon
فَلَيهْنِها لمّا حَللتَ بأُفْقِها
شمْسُa sun of اهْتداءٍguidance لاnot نخافُwe fear زوالَهاits setting
شمْسُ اهْتداءٍ لا نخافُ زوالَها
Let it rejoice, now that you have entered its horizon,
For the servant, what praises can be recited? He does not
A sun of guidance whose setting we do not fear.
Fear forgetting them or ignoring them.
واهنأand rejoice بهin it إمْلاكَa marriage of عِزٍّglory لمnot تزَلْceased
واهنأ به إمْلاكَ عِزٍّ لم تزَلْ
تبْغيseek سعودُكَyour lucky stars نَحْوَهُtoward it إقبالَهاtheir favorable turn
تبْغي سعودُكَ نَحْوَهُ إقبالَها
Rejoice in it, a marriage of glory toward which
And for your supreme kingdom are gifts of mercy
Your lucky stars have ever sought to turn.
And noble deeds it does not require neglecting.
وليَهْنِand may rejoice تاليَكَyour follower الذيwhom أوْلَيْتَهُyou bestowed upon
وليَهْنِ تاليَكَ الذي أوْلَيْتَهُ
منof أنعُمٍfavors مدّتْspread عليهِover him ظِلالَهاtheir shade
من أنعُمٍ مدّتْ عليهِ ظِلالَها
And may your follower rejoice, to whom you have given
For with them I have restrained for a time worries
Favors that spread their shade above him,
That have assailed me with their arrows.
حتّىso that تُجرّدَmay draw فيto gain رِضاكَyour pleasure صِفاحَهاtheir sword-blades
حتّى تُجرّدَ في رِضاكَ صِفاحَها
يدُهُhis hand وترْسِلَand send forth فيinto الوَغَىbattle آسالَهاtheir spears
يدُهُ وترْسِلَ في الوَغَى آسالَها
So that, to please you, their sword-blades may be drawn
You have bestowed on me what I cannot thank properly
By his hand, and their spears sent forth into battle.
For the bounties you have generously conferred on me in plenty.
للعبْدِthe servant has أيُّwhat مدائحٍpraises تُتْلَىare recited فماso he does not
للعبْدِ أيُّ مدائحٍ تُتْلَى فما
يخْشَىfear تناسِيَهاtheir being forgotten ولاnor إغْفالَهاtheir being neglected
يخْشَى تناسِيَها ولا إغْفالَها
What praises the servant has for recitation! He does not
The description of servants, when you have insisted on piling up
Fear their being forgotten or neglected.
The means of your sustenance, preventing their replacement.
ولمُلْككَand your kingdom has الأعلىloftiest مَواهِبُgifts of رحْمَةٍmercy
ولمُلْككَ الأعلى مَواهِبُ رحْمَةٍ
ومَكارِمٌand noble favors لاnot تَقْتَضيcall for إهْمالَهاtheir neglect
ومَكارِمٌ لا تَقْتَضي إهْمالَها
Your loftiest kingdom has gifts of mercy,
So to you from the beauty of praise is an anklet
And noble favors that deserve no neglect.
Eloquence has submitted to praising you.
فلقَدْfor indeed كَفَفْتُI warded off بهاwith them زماناًa time راعَنيthat frightened me
فلقَدْ كَفَفْتُ بها زماناً راعَني
بزمانةٍwith chronic infirmity شرَعَتْleveled إليّtoward me نِصالَهاits spearheads
بزمانةٍ شرَعَتْ إليّ نِصالَها
With them I have warded off a time that terrified me
It has come to show you from prosody pearls
With an infirmity that leveled its spearheads at me.
The night ofseparationstringed on its necklace.
أوْلَيْتَنيyou bestowed on me ماwhat لاnot أقومI can fulfill بشكرِهِits due thanks
أوْلَيْتَني ما لا أقوم بشكرِهِ
منْof أنعُمٍfavors أجْمَلْتَyou graciously granted ليto me إجْزالَهاtheir lavish bestowal
منْ أنعُمٍ أجْمَلْتَ لي إجْزالَها
You bestowed on me what I cannot duly thank you for:
Its gardens poured clouds of dew
Favors whose lavish bestowal you graciously granted me.
Not fearing after them drought.
وصَفdescribed العبيدُthe servants وقدwhile indeed عطَفْتَyou turned kindly مُوكّداًconfirming
وصَف العبيدُ وقد عطَفْتَ مُوكّداً
أسْبابَthe bonds of رفْدِكَyour support مانِعاًpreventing إبْدالَهاtheir replacement
أسْبابَ رفْدِكَ مانِعاً إبْدالَها
The servants have described it, as you turned kindly, confirming
And its rhymes left praising you that my mind
The bonds of your support, preventing their replacement.
To you has obeyed, prolonging them.
فإليْكَso to you منfrom حُسْنِthe beauty of الثّناءِpraise عَقيلةًa prized maiden
فإليْكَ من حُسْنِ الثّناءِ عَقيلةً
حلّuntied البيانُeloquence إلىtoward المديحِpanegyric عِقالَهاher tether
حلّ البيانُ إلى المديحِ عِقالَها
To you, then, comes a prized maiden of lovely praise,
And for you are the best hopeful for whom it has listened
Whose tether eloquence has untied for panegyric.
And carried whatever leaned of its enclosure and pasture.
جاءَتْshe came تُريكَshowing you منof النّظامِverse لآلئاًpearls
جاءَتْ تُريكَ من النّظامِ لآلئاً
جيدَthe neck of اللّياليthe nights طوّقَتْshe encircled مُنثالَهاher cascading pearls
جيدَ اللّيالي طوّقَتْ مُنثالَها
She comes to show you pearls of verse,
Aggrandize with your state which I compose
Encircling the neck of nights with her cascading strands.
Its qualities, and all have listened to it.
جادَتْwatered generously حدائِقهاher gardens غمائِمُclouds للنّدىof generosity
جادَتْ حدائِقها غمائِمُ للنّدى
لاnot تشتكيshe complains of منfrom بَعْدِهاafter them إمْحالَهاher drought
لا تشتكي من بَعْدِها إمْحالَها
Clouds of generosity have watered her gardens,
You remain, O noblest of kings, immortalized
So afterward she never complains of drought.
So by the glory of your victory its hopes have been delivered.
ودَعَتْand summoned قَوافيهاher rhymes مَدائِحَكyour praises التيwhich
ودَعَتْ قَوافيها مَدائِحَك التي
فكْريmy thought لدَيْكَbefore you أطاعَهاobeyed them وأطالَهاand lengthened them
فكْري لدَيْكَ أطاعَها وأطالَها
Her rhymes summoned your praises, which
The wilderness all asked God for you
My thought before you obeyed and prolonged.
Long life - and He has answered their request!
ولأنتand surely you are خيْرُthe best مؤمَّلٍone hoped in أصْغَىwho listened لَهاto her
ولأنت خيْرُ مؤمَّلٍ أصْغَى لَها
وأقامَand straightened مائِلَthe leaning part of دَوْحِهاher great tree وأقالهاand relieved her
وأقامَ مائِلَ دَوْحِها وأقالها
You are surely the best hoped-for patron who listened to her,
Straightened her leaning tree, and relieved her.
أعْظِمْhow great بدَوْلتِكَis your dynasty التيwhose أناI ناظِمٌam composing in verse
أعْظِمْ بدَوْلتِكَ التي أنا ناظِمٌ
أوْصافَهاits descriptions والكلُّand everyone قدْindeed أصْغَىlistened لَهاto them
أوْصافَها والكلُّ قدْ أصْغَى لَها
How great is your dynasty, whose
Qualities I compose in verse, while everyone listens!
لازلتَmay you ever remain ياO شرَفَhonor of المُلوكkings مخلَّداًimmortal
لازلتَ يا شرَفَ المُلوك مخلَّداً
فبِعِزِّfor through the might of نصْركَyour victory بُلّغَتْwere fulfilled آمالَهاtheir hopes
فبِعِزِّ نصْركَ بُلّغَتْ آمالَها
May you remain immortal, O honor of kings,
For through your mighty victory their hopes were fulfilled.
سألَتْasked لكfor you اللهَGod البريّةُcreation كُلُّهاall of it
سألَتْ لك اللهَ البريّةُ كُلُّها
طولlength of البَقاءِlife وقدand indeed أجابَHe answered سؤالَهاits request
طول البَقاءِ وقد أجابَ سؤالَها
All creation has asked God for you
Long life, and He has answered its request.
Partial English translation: 208 of 216 Arabic lines translated.