الحِبّthe beloved حيثُwhere المعشرُthe company الأعداءُthe enemies
الحِبّ حيثُ المعشرُ الأعداءُ
والصبرand patience حيثُwhere الكِلّةُthe canopy السِّيَراءُof striped silk
والصبر حيثُ الكِلّةُ السِّيَراءُ
The beloved is where the hostile company dwells,
Love, where enemies gather,
and patience is where the striped-silk canopy hangs.
And patience, where the lonely wilderness lies,
ماwhat للمَهارىails the Mahri camels الناجياتِthe fleet ones كأنّهاas though they
ما للمَهارى الناجياتِ كأنّها
حتمٌa decree عليهاupon them البَينُseparation والعُدَواءُand far wandering
حتمٌ عليها البَينُ والعُدَواءُ
What ails the fleet Mahri camels, as though
As if compelled by separation and enmity
separation and far wandering were decreed for them?
Are the skills of the brave survivors.
ليسis not العجيبُthe wonder بأنthat يُبارِينَthey race الصَّباthe east wind
ليس العجيبُ بأن يُبارِينَ الصَّبا
والعذلُand reproach فيin أسماعِهِنّtheir ears حُداءُa camel-driving song
والعذلُ في أسماعِهِنّ حُداءُ
No wonder they race the east wind,
It's no wonder the youths compete
when reproach in their ears is a camel-driver's song.
With passion's madness ringing in their ears.
تدْنوshe draws near منَالَwithin reach يدِof the hand المحِبّof the lover وفوقهاand above her
تدْنو منَالَ يدِ المحِبّ وفوقها
شمسُthe sun الظهيرةof noon خِدرُهاher curtained chamber الجوزاءُGemini
شمسُ الظهيرة خِدرُها الجوزاءُ
She draws within the lover's reach, while above her
She extends her hand in the noonday sun
is the noonday sun; Gemini is her curtained chamber.
Its radiance dimmed by the overcast sky.
بانتْshe departed مُوَدِّعةًbidding farewell فجيدٌthen a neck مُعْرِضٌturned aside
بانتْ مُوَدِّعةً فجيدٌ مُعْرِضٌ
يومَthe day الوداعof farewell ونظرةٌand a glance شزْراءُsidelong
يومَ الوداع ونظرةٌ شزْراءُ
She departed with a farewell: a neck turned aside
She bid farewell, a final goodbye,
on the day of parting, and a sidelong glance.
On the day we parted, with a fleeting glance.
وغدتْand she went مُمنَّعةَwell-guarded القِبابwithin pavilions كأنهاas though she
وغدتْ مُمنَّعةَ القِباب كأنها
بينamong الحِجالِthe curtained chambers فريدةٌa peerless one عصماءa white-footed gazelle
بين الحِجالِ فريدةٌ عصماء
She went away, guarded within pavilions, like
And she became forbidden, as if she were
a peerless white-footed gazelle among the curtained chambers.
The only chaste one among the tents.
حُجبَتْshe was veiled ويُحجَبُand is barred طيفُهاher dream-image فكأنماas though
حُجبَتْ ويُحجَبُ طيفُها فكأنما
منهمamong them علىover لحظاتِهاher glances رُقباءwatchers
منهم على لحظاتِها رُقباء
She was veiled, and even her dream-image is barred, as though
She was veiled, and her image veiled, as if
some of them kept watch over her glances.
They were her guardians, watching her every moment.
ماnot باَنةُa moringa tree الواديof the valley تَثَنّىsways خُوطُهاits supple shoot
ما باَنةُ الوادي تَثَنّى خُوطُها
لكنّهاbut she اليَزَنيّةُis the Yazani spear السّمْراءthe dusky one
لكنّها اليَزَنيّةُ السّمْراء
She is no valley moringa whose supple shoot sways,
The hills of the valley did not bend
but a dusky Yazani spear.
Except for her, the graceful brunette.
لمnot يبْقَremained طِرْفٌa noble steed أجْرَدٌsleek إلاّexcept أتىit came
لم يبْقَ طِرْفٌ أجْرَدٌ إلاّ أتى
منfrom دونهاbefore her وطِمِرّةٌand a slender mare جرداءsleek
من دونها وطِمِرّةٌ جرداء
No sleek noble steed remained that did not come
No naked sword but came
to bar access to her, nor any slender, sleek mare,
Without her, and every sword, naked.
ومُفاضَةٌand full-length mail مسرودةٌlinked وكتيبةٌand a battalion
ومُفاضَةٌ مسرودةٌ وكتيبةٌ
مَلمومَةٌmassed together وعَجاجَةٌand a dust cloud شهباءpale gray
مَلمومَةٌ وعَجاجَةٌ شهباء
nor full-length linked mail, nor a battalion
A muffled band, and a cursed troop,
massed together, nor a pale cloud of dust.
Bewildered, and a grey Popinjays.
ماذاwhy أُسائِلُshould I inquire عنabout مغَانيthe dwellings أهلِهاof her people
ماذا أُسائِلُ عن مغَاني أهلِها
وضميريَand my heart المأهولُinhabited وهيwhile they خَلاءare empty
وضميريَ المأهولُ وهي خَلاء
Why should I ask about her people's dwellings,
Why ask about her camps' songs
when my heart is inhabited, though they lie empty?
When my heart is full and they are empty?
للّهto God إحدىone الدّوحِof the great trees فاردةًstanding alone ولاand not
للّه إحدى الدّوحِ فاردةً ولا
للّهِto God مَحنِيَةٌa valley bend ولاnor جَرْعاءa sandy tract
للّهِ مَحنِيَةٌ ولا جَرْعاء
How wondrous that lone great tree! No such wonder
To God a lonely ostrich, and to God
in a valley bend, nor in a sandy tract.
A bellowing camel, neither wholesome nor sated.
بانَتْshe departed تَثَنّىswaying لاnot الرّياحُthe winds تَهُزُّهَاshake her
بانَتْ تَثَنّى لا الرّياحُ تَهُزُّهَا
دونيaway from me ولاnor أنْفاسيَmy breaths الصُّعَداءdeep-drawn
دوني ولا أنْفاسيَ الصُّعَداء
She departed, swaying; neither the winds stirred her
She seemed to bend, though no winds shook her,
away from me, nor my deep-drawn sighs.
Beyond me, nor my panting breath.
فكأنّماso as though كانتْshe was تَذكَّرُremembering بيْنَكمyour parting
فكأنّما كانتْ تَذكَّرُ بيْنَكم
فتميدُand sways فيwithin أعطافِهاher supple sides البُرَحاءanguish
فتميدُ في أعطافِها البُرَحاء
It was as though she remembered your parting,
As if she remembered you all
and anguish swayed within her supple sides.
And swayed gently in her ample robes.
كلٌّeverything يَهيجُstirs هواكَyour love إمّاwhether أيْكَةٌa thicket
كلٌّ يَهيجُ هواكَ إمّا أيْكَةٌ
خَضراءُgreen أوor أيكيّةٌa woodland bird وَرقاءash-gray
خَضراءُ أو أيكيّةٌ وَرقاء
Everything stirs your love, whether a thicket
Everything excites your passion, whether
green with leaves, or a gray woodland dove.
A verdant grove or a leafy, green tree,
فانْظُرْso look أنارٌis it fire باللّوىat al-Liwa أمor بارِقٌlightning
فانْظُرْ أنارٌ باللّوى أم بارِقٌ
مُتَألّقٌflashing أمor رايةٌa banner حَمْراءred
مُتَألّقٌ أم رايةٌ حَمْراء
Look: is it fire at al-Liwa, or lightning
So look! Is it fires lit for enemies, or lightning
flashing, or a red banner?
Flashing, or a red banner unfurled?
بالغَوْرِin the lowland تَخْبوit dims تارَةًsometimes ويَشُبُّهاand kindles it
بالغَوْرِ تَخْبو تارَةً ويَشُبُّها
تحتَbeneath الدُّجُنّةِthe gloom مَنْدَلٌaloeswood وكِباءand incense
تحتَ الدُّجُنّةِ مَنْدَلٌ وكِباء
In the lowland it sometimes dims; it is rekindled
At times she hides in the dust, and a turban covers her,
beneath the gloom by aloeswood and incense.
At times under the cover of night a wrapping hides her.
ذُمَّcondemn اللياليَthe nights بعدَafter ليلتِناour night التيwhich
ذُمَّ اللياليَ بعدَ ليلتِنا التي
سَلَفَتْpassed كماas ذمَcondemned الفراقَseparation لقاءreunion
سَلَفَتْ كما ذمَ الفراقَ لقاء
Condemn the nights after that night of ours
Cursed be the nights after ours, which passed
which passed, as reunion condemns separation.
Like curses of farewells upon reunions!
لبِستْit wore بياضَthe whiteness الصّبْحof dawn حتىuntil خلتُهاI imagined it
لبِستْ بياضَ الصّبْح حتى خلتُها
فيهin it نجاشيّاًa Negus عليهupon him قَباءa robe
فيه نجاشيّاً عليه قَباء
It put on the whiteness of dawn, until I imagined it
She dressed in the whiteness of dawn, till I saw her
in that whiteness as a Negus wearing a robe.
In it like a Abyssinian in a striped gown,
حتىuntil بدَتْit appeared والبدرُand the full moon فيin سِرْبالِهاits garment
حتى بدَتْ والبدرُ في سِرْبالِها
فكأنّهاso as though it خَيْفَانةٌa fleet mare صَدراءbroad-chested
فكأنّها خَيْفَانةٌ صَدراء
Then it appeared with the full moon in its garment,
Till she appeared, and the full moon in its robe,
as though it were a broad-chested, fleet mare.
As if she were a breast-baring gazelle,
ثمّthen انتحىstruck through فيهاit الصّديعُdawn فأدبَرَتْand it withdrew
ثمّ انتحى فيها الصّديعُ فأدبَرَتْ
فكأنّهاso as though it وَحْشِيّةٌa wild doe عَفْراءdust-colored
فكأنّها وَحْشِيّةٌ عَفْراء
Then dawn struck through it, and it withdrew,
Then the blistering heat overcame her, and she turned
as though it were a dust-colored wild doe.
And became like a fox in a den.
طُوِيتْwere folded ليَagainst me الأيامُthe days فوقَover مَكايدٍschemes
طُوِيتْ ليَ الأيامُ فوقَ مَكايدٍ
ماnot تَنْطويharbor ليagainst me فوقَهاsuch schemes الأعداءthe enemies
ما تَنْطوي لي فوقَها الأعداء
Days have closed over schemes against me
Days were folded over me, despite the schemes
that even my enemies would not harbor against me.
Not folded over me by enemies.
ماnone كانَwas أحسنَfiner منْamong أياديهاits favors التّيwhich
ما كانَ أحسنَ منْ أياديها التّي
تُولِيكَit bestows on you إلاّexcept أنّهاthat it حَسْناءis beautiful
تُولِيكَ إلاّ أنّها حَسْناء
None was finer among the favors it
Nothing was better than her hands, which
bestows on you than this: that it is beautiful.
Turn you away, except that she is beautiful.
ماnot تُحسِنُknows how الدنياthe world تُديمُto perpetuate نعيمَهاits bliss
ما تُحسِنُ الدنيا تُديمُ نعيمَها
فهيso it الصَّناعُis the skilled craftswoman وكفُّهاand its hand الخَرْقاءis clumsy
فهي الصَّناعُ وكفُّها الخَرْقاء
The world cannot make its bliss endure;
The world does not make its bliss last,
it is a skilled craftswoman, yet its hand is clumsy.
It is the maker, and its palm is torn.
تشأىputs beyond reach النّجازَfulfillment عليّfor me وهْيَwhile it بفتكِهاin its violence
تشأى النّجازَ عليّ وهْيَ بفتكِها
ضِرْغامَةٌa lioness وبِلوْنِهاand in its color حِرْباءa chameleon
ضِرْغامَةٌ وبِلوْنِها حِرْباء
It puts fulfillment beyond my reach; in its violence it is
It wants me to defeat me through its guile,
a lioness, and in its changing color a chameleon.
A dragon, its color dun.
إنّindeed المكارِمَthe noble virtues كنّwere سرْباًa herd رائداًseeking pasture
إنّ المكارِمَ كنّ سرْباً رائداً
حتىuntil كنَسْنَthey entered their lairs كأنّهُنّas though they ظِباءwere gazelles
حتى كنَسْنَ كأنّهُنّ ظِباء
Noble virtues were a herd seeking pasture,
The generous were an advancing army
until they hid in their lairs like gazelles.
That swept as if they were a flood.
وطفِقْتُand I began أسألُasking عنabout أغرَّa white-blazed one محَجَّلٍwhite-stockinged
وطفِقْتُ أسألُ عن أغرَّ محَجَّلٍ
فإذاbut behold الأنامُmankind جِبِلّةٌa multitude دَهماءdark
فإذا الأنامُ جِبِلّةٌ دَهماء
I began asking after a white-blazed, white-stockinged steed,
And I asked about the one in the bridal litter
but found mankind one dark multitude.
And people are ignorant, lacking insight,
حتىuntil دُفعتُI was brought إلىto المعزّal-Muizz خليفةًas caliph
حتى دُفعتُ إلى المعزّ خليفةً
فعلمتُthen I learned أنّthat المَطلَبَthe ones to seek الخُلفاءare the caliphs
فعلمتُ أنّ المَطلَبَ الخُلفاء
Then I was brought to al-Muizz, the caliph,
Until I turned to the Caliph, arbiter,
and learned that caliphs are the ones to seek.
And knew the seekers of office desire rule.
جودٌgenerosity كأنّas though اليَمّthe sea فيهِwithin it نُفاثَةٌa mouthful
جودٌ كأنّ اليَمّ فيهِ نُفاثَةٌ
وكأنماand as though الدّنْياthe world عليهِupon it غُثاءfoam
وكأنما الدّنْيا عليهِ غُثاء
A generosity in which the sea is but a mouthful,
A generosity as if the oceans rush forth from it,
and the world is merely foam upon it.
And as if the world upon it is flotsam.
ملِكٌa king إذاwhen نطقَتْspeak عُلاهُhis exalted qualities بمدحِهِin his praise
ملِكٌ إذا نطقَتْ عُلاهُ بمدحِهِ
خرِسَfell silent الوفودُthe delegations وأُفحمَand were silenced الخُطباءthe orators
خرِسَ الوفودُ وأُفحمَ الخُطباء
A king whose exalted qualities, when they speak his praise,
A king, when his orators speak his praise,
silence the delegations and leave the orators speechless.
The delegations are silenced and the orators confounded.
هُوَhe عِلّةُthe cause الدُّنياof the world ومنand the one خُلقتْit was created لهfor him
هُوَ عِلّةُ الدُّنيا ومن خُلقتْ له
ولِعِلّةٍand for a cause ماsome كانتِcame to be الأشياءthings
ولِعِلّةٍ ما كانتِ الأشياء
He is the world's cause, the one for whom it was created;
He is the purpose of the world, and it was created for him,
and for some cause all things came to be.
And things exist only for purpose.
منfrom صفوِthe purest ماءwater الوحيof revelation وهوَand he is مُجاجةٌa mouthful
من صفوِ ماء الوحي وهوَ مُجاجةٌ
منfrom حَوضهits basin الينبوعthe wellspring وهوand he is شفاءhealing
من حَوضه الينبوع وهو شفاء
He is from the pure water of revelation, a mouthful
Of the pure water of revelation, a turbulence,
from its spring-fed basin; he is healing.
From its pool the spring, and it is healing.
منfrom أيكةِthe grove الفرْدوْسof Paradise حيثُwhere تفتقتْburst forth
من أيكةِ الفرْدوْس حيثُ تفتقتْ
ثَمَراتُهاits fruits وتفيّأand he sheltered in الأفياءthe shades
ثَمَراتُها وتفيّأ الأفياء
From the grove of Paradise, where burst forth
Of the tree of Paradise, where
its fruits, and he took shelter in its shades.
Its fruits burst forth and the blessed rested.
منfrom شعلةthe flame القبَسof the firebrand التيwhich عُرِضتْwas shown علىto
من شعلة القبَس التي عُرِضتْ على
موسىMoses وقدwhen حارَتْbewildered بهhim الظَّلماءthe darkness
موسى وقد حارَتْ به الظَّلماء
From the flame of the firebrand shown to
Of the flame of the candle lit for Moses,
Moses, when darkness bewildered him.
Which bewildered even the gloomy.
منfrom معدِنِthe mine التقديسof holiness وهْوَand he is سُلالةٌa pure extract
من معدِنِ التقديس وهْوَ سُلالةٌ
منfrom جَوهرِthe essence الملَكوتِof the heavenly kingdom وهوand he is ضياءradiance
من جَوهرِ الملَكوتِ وهو ضياء
From the mine of holiness, a pure extract
From the essence of holiness, a scion
from the essence of the heavenly kingdom, a radiance.
Of the spirit of the heavens, and it is light.
منfrom حيثُwhere يُقتبَسُis drawn النهارُdaylight لمُبصِرٍfor one who sees
من حيثُ يُقتبَسُ النهارُ لمُبصِرٍ
وتُشَقُّand are opened عنto reveal مَكنونهاtheir hidden contents الأنْباءthe tidings
وتُشَقُّ عن مَكنونها الأنْباء
From where daylight is drawn for one who sees,
From where the day is lit for the seeing
and tidings are opened to reveal their hidden contents.
And mysteries from it made clear.
فتَيَقّظواso awaken منfrom غَفْلةٍheedlessness وتَنَبّهواand take heed
فتَيَقّظوا من غَفْلةٍ وتَنَبّهوا
ماnot بالصّباحِin morning عنfrom العيونِthe eyes خفَاءany concealment
ما بالصّباحِ عن العيونِ خفَاء
So awaken from heedlessness, and take heed:
So awake from neglect, and be warned,
morning cannot be hidden from the eyes.
The dawn does not hide from eyes.
ليستْis not سماءُthe heaven اللّهِof God ماwhat تَرْأونَهاyou see as it
ليستْ سماءُ اللّهِ ما تَرْأونَها
لكنّbut أرضاًan earth تحتويهِcontaining him سَماءis heaven
لكنّ أرضاً تحتويهِ سَماء
God's heaven is not what you see;
The sky you see is not God's sky,
rather, an earth that contains him is heaven.
But an earth holding a heaven.
أمّاas for كواكِبُهاits stars لهbefore him فخَواضِعٌthey are humble
أمّا كواكِبُها له فخَواضِعٌ
تُخفيthey conceal السجودَprostration ويَظهرُand appears الإيماءthe gesture
تُخفي السجودَ ويَظهرُ الإيماء
As for its stars, they bow humbly before him:
Its planets are humbled before Him,
their prostration is concealed, but their gestures show.
Bowing in secret though waving openly.
والشمسُand the sun تَرجعُturn back عنfrom سَناهhis brilliance جفونُهاher eyelids
والشمسُ تَرجعُ عن سَناه جفونُها
فكأنّهاso as though she مَطرُوفةٌstruck in the eye مَرْهَاءsore-eyed
فكأنّها مَطرُوفةٌ مَرْهَاء
And the sun's eyelids turn away from his brilliance,
The sun veils its blaze from His brilliance,
as though her eyes were struck and sore.
As if it were a despondent, spurned gazelle.
هذاthis الشّفيعُthe intercessor لأمّةٍfor a nation يأتيhe brings بهاwith him
هذا الشّفيعُ لأمّةٍ يأتي بها
وجُدُودُهُand his ancestors لجدُودِهاfor its ancestors شُفعاءintercessors
وجُدُودُهُ لجدُودِها شُفعاء
This is the intercessor who brings a nation with him,
This intercessor for a nation he will bring,
whose ancestors intercede for its ancestors.
And his generosity to their ancestors, interceding.
هذاthis أمينُthe trustee اللّهِof God بَينَamong عِبادِهِHis servants
هذا أمينُ اللّهِ بَينَ عِبادِهِ
وبلادهِand His lands إنْif عُدَّتِare counted الأمناءthe trustees
وبلادهِ إنْ عُدَّتِ الأمناء
This is God's trustee among His servants
He is God's trustee among His servants,
and throughout His lands, when trustees are counted.
And His lands, if the trusted are counted.
هذاthis الّذيthe one who عطفَتْinclined عليهِtoward him مكّةٌMecca
هذا الّذي عطفَتْ عليهِ مكّةٌ
وشِعابُهاand its ravines والرُّكْنُand the Corner والبَطحاءand al-Batha
وشِعابُها والرُّكْنُ والبَطحاء
This is the one toward whom Mecca inclined,
To him Mecca turned in kindness,
with its ravines, the Corner, and al-Batha.
Its mountain passes, the Shrine, and the valley.
هذاthis الأغَرُّthe noble الأزْهَرُthe luminous المتألّقُthe radiant الthe (continued)
هذا الأغَرُّ الأزْهَرُ المتألّقُ ال
متَدَفِّقُoverflowing المُتَبَلِّجُthe glowing الوَضّاءthe brilliant
متَدَفِّقُ المُتَبَلِّجُ الوَضّاء
This is the noble, luminous, radiant,
The noble sermon wherein is wisdom,
overflowing, glowing, brilliant one.
Unsullied, wherein the proof is white.
فعَليهِso upon him منfrom سِيماthe distinctive bearing النبيّof the Prophet دَلالَةٌa sign
فعَليهِ من سِيما النبيّ دَلالَةٌ
وعليهِand upon him منfrom نورِthe light الإلهِof God بَهاءsplendor
وعليهِ من نورِ الإلهِ بَهاء
Upon him is a sign of the Prophet's distinctive bearing,
People agreed on preferring him,
and upon him is splendor from God's light.
The vile and the noble were equal.
وَرِثَhe inherited المُقيمَthe one dwelling بيثرِبٍin Yathrib فالمِنبرُso the pulpit الthe (continued)
وَرِثَ المُقيمَ بيثرِبٍ فالمِنبرُ ال
أعْلىhighest لهis his والتُّرعَةُand the garden-gate العَلياءthe exalted
أعْلى له والتُّرعَةُ العَلياء
He inherited from the one dwelling in Yathrib; the
And the family, the eloquent, the remote, the near,
highest pulpit is his, and the exalted garden-gate.
The disputants, the witnesses were equal.
والخطبةُand the sermon الزّهراءthe radiant فيهاwithin it الحكمةwisdom الthe (continued)
والخطبةُ الزّهراء فيها الحكمة ال
غَرّاءُsplendid فيهاwithin it الحجّةُthe proof البَيضاءthe luminous
غَرّاءُ فيها الحجّةُ البَيضاء
And the radiant sermon, with its
Vanquisher of the heads of the Byzantines, avenging,
splendid wisdom, with its luminous proof.
While their necks bear the weight of his generosity.
للنّاسamong people إجماعٌunanimous agreement علىon تفْضِيلهِhis superiority
للنّاس إجماعٌ على تفْضِيلهِ
حتىso that استَوَىwere alike اللُّؤماءُthe base والكُرَماءand the noble
حتى استَوَى اللُّؤماءُ والكُرَماء
People unanimously agree on his superiority,
His hands, which rule them, flow between the blood
the base and the noble alike,
As if the blood among blood is blood.
واللُّكْنُand the inarticulate والفُصَحاءand the eloquent والبُعَداءand the distant والand the (continued)
واللُّكْنُ والفُصَحاء والبُعَداء وال
قُرَباءُnear والخُصَماءُand the opponents والشُّهداءand the witnesses
قُرَباءُ والخُصَماءُ والشُّهداء
the inarticulate and eloquent, the distant and
If not for the sword's flash as it descends upon them,
near, opponents and witnesses.
His favors would have killed them.
ضرّابُfrequent smiter هامِof heads الرّومِof the Romans منتَقماًavenging وفيand upon
ضرّابُ هامِ الرّومِ منتَقماً وفي
أعناقهمْtheir necks منْfrom جودِهِhis bounty أعباءburdens
أعناقهمْ منْ جودِهِ أعباء
Avenging smiter of Roman heads, though upon
The kings of the non-Arabs had been proud
their necks lie burdens of his bounty.
But the Owner of Time humbled them.
تجريflow أياديهhis favors التيwhich أَولاهُمُhe bestowed on them
تجري أياديه التي أَولاهُمُ
فكأنّهاso as though they بَينَamid الدّماءِthe blood دماءblood
فكأنّها بَينَ الدّماءِ دماء
The favors he bestowed upon them flow,
The great are not belittled in their rule
as though they were blood amid blood.
Except when the great come to them.
لولاbut for انبعاثُthe springing forth السيفof the sword وهوwhile it مسلَّطٌis unleashed
لولا انبعاثُ السيف وهو مسلَّطٌ
فيin قتْلهمْkilling them قَتَلَتْهُمُwould have killed them النَّعْماءthe blessings
في قتْلهمْ قَتَلَتْهُمُ النَّعْماء
But for the sword's springing forth, unleashed
The Patriots were ignorant that he is the King
to kill them, his blessings would have killed them.
Whose counsel instructed the sons to obey their fathers.
كانتْwere ملوكُthe kings الأعجمَينِof the two foreign peoples أعزّةًmighty
كانتْ ملوكُ الأعجمَينِ أعزّةً
فأذلّهاso he humbled them ذوthe possessor العِزّةِof might الأبّاءthe proudly unyielding
فأذلّها ذو العِزّةِ الأبّاء
The kings of the two foreign peoples were mighty,
Until their ignorant ones saw his resolve
but the proud possessor of might humbled them.
As unfamiliar as the scholars had witnessed.
لنْwill not تصْغُرَdiminish العُظماءُthe great فيin سُلطانهمtheir dominions
لنْ تصْغُرَ العُظماءُ في سُلطانهم
إلاّexcept إذاwhen دلفَتْadvance لهاagainst them العُظَماءthe great
إلاّ إذا دلفَتْ لها العُظَماء
The great will not diminish in their dominions
So they fell short, after anarchy ruled
unless other great ones advance against them.
And warnings passed, and madness stirred.
جهِلَdid not know البطارِقُthe patricians أنّهthat he الملِكُis the king الذيwhom
جهِلَ البطارِقُ أنّه الملِكُ الذي
أوصىurged البَنِينَthe sons بسِلمِهِto make peace with him الآباءthe fathers
أوصى البَنِينَ بسِلمِهِ الآباء
The patricians did not know he was the king
The torrent does not divert from its course,
with whom their fathers had urged their sons to make peace.
Nor is the arrow misshot deliberately.
حتىuntil رأىsaw جُهَّالُهمtheir ignorant ones مِنfrom عزْمهِhis resolve
حتى رأى جُهَّالُهم مِن عزْمهِ
غِبَّthe outcome الذيof what شهِدتْattested بهto it العُلماءthe learned
غِبَّ الذي شهِدتْ به العُلماء
Then their ignorant ones saw, through his resolve,
They did not associate any with him as the best of creation,
the outcome of what their learned ones had attested.
Though they made the one in the wilderness his partner.
فتقاصَرواso they shrank منfrom بعدafter ماwhat حكمَjudged الردىdeath
فتقاصَروا من بعد ما حكمَ الردى
ومضَىand took effect الوَعيدُthe threat وشُبّتِand was kindled الهيجاءbattle
ومضَى الوَعيدُ وشُبّتِ الهيجاء
They shrank after death had passed its judgment,
And when the idolators acknowledged his superiority by force,
the threat had taken effect, and battle had been kindled.
How can you know the monotheists' state?
والسيْلُand the torrent ليسَdoes not يحيدُturn aside عنfrom مُستنّهِits course
والسيْلُ ليسَ يحيدُ عن مُستنّهِ
والسّهمُand the arrow لاnot يُدْلىis brought down بهwith it غُلَواءheadlong force
والسّهمُ لا يُدْلى به غُلَواء
A torrent does not turn aside from its course,
In God his generosity and armies flow,
and no headlong force can bring the arrow down.
And his numbers, resolve, and opinions.
لمnot يُشرِكواdid they admit an equal فيin أنّهُthat he خَيرُis the best الوَرَىof mankind
لم يُشرِكوا في أنّهُ خَيرُ الوَرَى
ولِذيand for the Maker البَريّةِof creation عندهُمْamong them شُركاءpartners
ولِذي البَريّةِ عندهُمْ شُركاء
They acknowledged no equal to him as the best of mankind,
Do you not see the states of kings obey him
though they assign partners to mankind's Maker.
As if they are his servants and bondmaids?
وإذاand when أقرّacknowledged المشرِكونَthe polytheists بفَضْلِهِhis excellence
وإذا أقرّ المشرِكونَ بفَضْلِهِ
قَسْراًunder compulsion فماthen what أدراكَcould make you know ماwhat of الحُنفاءthe true monotheists
قَسْراً فما أدراكَ ما الحُنفاء
If the polytheists acknowledge his excellence
The angels of heaven came to his aid
under compulsion, what can you imagine of the true monotheists?
And the dawn and dusk obeyed him.
فيin the cause of اللّهِGod يسريadvances جودُهُhis bounty وجنُودُهُand his armies
في اللّهِ يسري جودُهُ وجنُودُهُ
وعَديدُهُand his numbers والعزْمُand resolve والآراءُand counsels
وعَديدُهُ والعزْمُ والآراءُ
In God's cause his bounty and his armies advance,
The ships and the revolving spheres, and in his luck
his numbers, his resolve, and his counsels.
Were raids in the darkness and darkness!
أوَماand do you not ترَىsee دُوَلَthe kingdoms الملوكِof kings تُطيعهobey him
أوَما ترَى دُوَلَ الملوكِ تُطيعه
فكأنّهاso as though they خَوَلٌservants لهُof his وإماءand slave women
فكأنّها خَوَلٌ لهُ وإماء
Do you not see the kingdoms of kings obeying him,
And fate and days in their sequence
as though they were his servants and slave women?
And people, greens, and wastelands!
نَزَلَتْdescended ملائكةُthe angels السماءِof heaven بنصرِهِwith victory for him
نَزَلَتْ ملائكةُ السماءِ بنصرِهِ
وأطاعَهُand obeyed him الإصْباحُmorning والإمساءand evening
وأطاعَهُ الإصْباحُ والإمساء
The angels of heaven descended to bring him victory,
Where can one flee, and no escape for a fugitive,
and morning and evening obeyed him,
To you belong the two lands, earth and water.
والفُلْكُand the ships والفَلَكُand the firmament المُدارُthe revolving وسعدُهُand its good fortune
والفُلْكُ والفَلَكُ المُدارُ وسعدُهُ
والغَزْوُand warfare فيupon الدّأماءِthe deep sea والدّأماءand the deep sea
والغَزْوُ في الدّأماءِ والدّأماء
the ships, the revolving firmament and its auspicious fortune,
To you belong the sculpted virgins,
warfare upon the deep, and the deep itself,
Flowing at your command, while the winds are still.
والدهرُand time والأيّامُand the days فيin تصريفِهاtheir changing courses
والدهرُ والأيّامُ في تصريفِها
والناسُand people والخضراءُand the green heavens والغبراءand the dusty earth
والناسُ والخضراءُ والغبراء
time, and the days in their changing courses,
The carriers, all carried,
people, the green heavens, and the dusty earth.
The producers, all virgin.
أينَwhere المَفَرُّis escape ولاand no مَفَرَّescape لهارِبٍfor a fugitive
أينَ المَفَرُّ ولا مَفَرَّ لهارِبٍ
ولكَand yours البسيطانِthe two expanses الثّرىearth والماءand water
ولكَ البسيطانِ الثّرى والماء
Where is escape, when no fugitive can escape,
The bent, that if raced, win the race,
and yours are both expanses, earth and water?
And the racers, though sprinting, are outrun.
ولكَand yours الجواريthe sailing ships المُنشَآتُthe towering ones مواخِراًcleaving water
ولكَ الجواري المُنشَآتُ مواخِراً
تَجريthey sail بأمركَat your command والرّياحُand the winds رُخَاءgentle
تَجري بأمركَ والرّياحُ رُخَاء
And yours are the towering ships, cleaving the waters,
The soaring, gliding, outpacing, surviving birds,
sailing at your command, with gentle winds,
That obey when spurred to victory.
والحامِلاتand the bearers وكلّهاand all of them محمولَةٌare borne
والحامِلات وكلّها محمولَةٌ
والنّاتِجاتand those giving birth وكلّهاand all of them عذراءvirgins
والنّاتِجات وكلّها عذراء
the bearers, all themselves borne,
Fearsome in the clash of battle are their darkness,
and those that give birth, all virgins.
And theirs are pride and disdain.
والأعوجيّاتand the A'waj-bred steeds التيwhich إنif سُوبقَتْare raced
والأعوجيّات التي إن سُوبقَتْ
سَبقَتْthey win وجَرْيُand the running المذكياتof mature horses غِلاءbowshot-length runs
سَبقَتْ وجَرْيُ المذكيات غِلاء
And the A'waj-bred steeds, which, if raced,
They do not expose their necks on the day of strife
win, mature horses' running being mere bowshots.
Except as modesty dyes the cheeks red.
الطائراتthe flying ones السّابحاتthe swimming ones السّابقاthe foremost (continued)
الطائرات السّابحات السّابقا
ت(completes 'foremost') الناجياتthe fleet ones إذاwhen استُحِثّis urged on نَجاءspeed
ت الناجيات إذا استُحِثّ نَجاء
The flying, swimming, foremost—
Those who sniff the heights and haughty, they smile
the fleet ones, when speed is urged on.
Beneath the helmets, then darken and shine.
فالبأسso valor فيin حَمْسthe heat الوغىof battle لكُماتهاbelongs to their warriors
فالبأس في حَمْس الوغى لكُماتها
والكبرياءُand grandeur لهُنّbelongs to them والخُيلاءand proud bearing
والكبرياءُ لهُنّ والخُيلاء
In the heat of battle, valor belongs to their warriors,
They wore the iron upon the iron defiantly
and grandeur and proud bearing belong to them.
Until the armors and coats of mail were equal.
لاnot يُصْدرونَdo they bring back نحورَهاtheir throats يومَthe day الوغىof battle
لا يُصْدرونَ نحورَها يومَ الوغى
إلاّexcept كماas صَبَغَdyed الخدودَthe cheeks حياءbashfulness
إلاّ كما صَبَغَ الخدودَ حياء
They never bring their steeds' throats home from battle
They wrapped themselves in steel until their sabers
except as blushes have dyed cheeks.
Show no distinction from the unworked ingots.
شمُّlofty العَواليof lance-shafts والأنوفِand noses تَبَسّمواthey smiled
شمُّ العَوالي والأنوفِ تَبَسّموا
تحتbeneath القُنوسthe helmets فأظلمواso they darkened وأضاءواand shone
تحت القُنوس فأظلموا وأضاءوا
Lofty of lance and nose, they smiled
As if above the palms were fritillaries
beneath their helmets, darkening and shining.
And above the bodies a glow.
لبسواthey wore الحديدَiron علىupon الحديدِiron مُظاهَراًlayered
لبسوا الحديدَ على الحديدِ مُظاهَراً
حتىuntil اليَلامِقُthe tunics والدروعُand armor سَواءwere alike
حتى اليَلامِقُ والدروعُ سَواء
They wore iron upon iron, layer upon layer,
Above each coat of mail is a jerkin
until their tunics and armor were alike.
Polished, upon it a gleam.
وتقنّعواand they masked themselves in الفولاذَsteel حتىuntil المقلةُthe eye الthe (continued)
وتقنّعوا الفولاذَ حتى المقلةُ ال
نجلاءُwide فيهاwithin it المقلةُthe eye الخوصاءthe narrowed
نجلاءُ فيها المقلةُ الخوصاء
They masked themselves in steel, until even the
They came together until their coats of mail
wide eye within it was a narrowed eye.
Were interlinked, and their whiteness sated.
فكأنّماso as though فوقَabove الأكُفّthe palms بَوراقٌlightning flashes
فكأنّما فوقَ الأكُفّ بَوراقٌ
وكأنّماand as though فوقَabove المُتونِthe backs إضاءpools of water
وكأنّما فوقَ المُتونِ إضاء
As though above their palms were lightning flashes,
You strengthened the religion of God, O son of His prophet,
and above their backs were pools of water,
So today in it are writhing and refusal.
منfrom كلّevery مسرودِlinked coat الدَّخارِصof gussets فوقَهover it
من كلّ مسرودِ الدَّخارِص فوقَه
حُبُكٌwoven rings ومَصْقولٍand a polished blade عليهِupon it هَباءmotes
حُبُكٌ ومَصْقولٍ عليهِ هَباء
from every coat of linked gussets, overlaid
The least fortune of the Arabs from you is happiness,
with woven rings, and every polished blade bearing motes.
And the least fortune of the Byzantines, anguish.
وتَعانَقواand they grappled حتىuntil رُدَيْنيّاتُهُمtheir Rudayni spears
وتَعانَقوا حتى رُدَيْنيّاتُهُم
عطْشَىwere thirsty وبِيضُهُمُand their white swords الرقاقُthe slender رِواءwell-watered
عطْشَى وبِيضُهُمُ الرقاقُ رِواء
They grappled until their Rudayni spears
When you dispatch the army, it is a host,
were thirsty, but their slender white swords were quenched.
And when you offer counsel, it is destiny.
أعْزَزْتَyou strengthened دينَthe religion اللّهِof God ياO ابنَson نبيّهof His Prophet
أعْزَزْتَ دينَ اللّهِ يا ابنَ نبيّه
فاليومَso today فيهِwithin it تخمُّطٌproud vigor وإباءand defiance
فاليومَ فيهِ تخمُّطٌ وإباء
You have strengthened God's religion, O son of His Prophet;
Your open hand makes the garden bloom before its time,
today it has proud vigor and defiance.
And the worthless fled from you.
فأقلُّso the least حظّportion العُرْبِof the Arabs منكَfrom you سعادةٌis happiness
فأقلُّ حظّ العُرْبِ منكَ سعادةٌ
وأقلُّand the least حظّportion الرّومِof the Romans منكَfrom you شقاءis misery
وأقلُّ حظّ الرّومِ منكَ شقاء
The least the Arabs receive from you is happiness,
The attributes of your being take from you,
and the least the Romans receive from you is misery.
So in all noble traits, they are names.
فإذاso when بعثْتَyou dispatch الجيشَthe army فهوَthen it منيّةٌis death
فإذا بعثْتَ الجيشَ فهوَ منيّةٌ
وإذاand when رأيتَyou form الرأيَa judgment فهوَthen it قَضاءis a decree
وإذا رأيتَ الرأيَ فهوَ قَضاء
When you dispatch the army, it is death;
Thoughts have wandered in you, striking
when you form a judgment, it is a decree.
Notions of you, so the miracles gathered.
يكسوclothes نَداكَyour bounty الروْضَthe meadow قبلbefore أوانهِits season
يكسو نَداكَ الروْضَ قبل أوانهِ
وتَحيدُand swerves away عنكَfrom you اللَّزْبَةُdrought الّلأواءharsh adversity
وتَحيدُ عنكَ اللَّزْبَةُ الّلأواء
Your bounty clothes the meadow before its season,
Eyes have turned to you and fates submitted to you,
and harsh drought swerves away from you.
And clouds were too shy for you.
وصِفاتand the qualities ذاتكof your essence منكَfrom you يأخذهاtake them الورىmankind
وصِفات ذاتك منكَ يأخذها الورى
فيin المكرُماتِnoble deeds فكلّهاso all of them أسماءare names
في المكرُماتِ فكلّها أسماء
People take the qualities of your essence from you
Hearts gathered upon satisfaction with you
in noble deeds; all their qualities are but names.
And passions became devoted to loving you.
قدindeed جالتِranged الأوهامimaginings فيكover you فدقّتِso became too slight الthe (continued)
قد جالتِ الأوهام فيك فدقّتِ ال
أفكارُthoughts عنكَto grasp you فجَلّتِwhile grew vast الآلاءthe favors
أفكارُ عنكَ فجَلّتِ الآلاء
Imaginings have ranged over you, but the
You who concluded the speech, and by you
thoughts fell short of you, while your favors towered.
Were the praises of you judged, O poets.
فعنَتْso humbled themselves لكَbefore you الأبصارُthe eyes وانقادتْand obeyed لكyou الthe (continued)
فعنَتْ لكَ الأبصارُ وانقادتْ لك ال
أقدارُfates واستحيَتْand grew abashed لكَbefore you الأنواءthe rain-stars
أقدارُ واستحيَتْ لكَ الأنواء
Eyes humbled themselves before you, and the
A specific, lofty position for poets
fates obeyed you; the rain-stars blushed before you.
In its like are placed the wise.
وتجمّعتْand united فيكin you القلوبُthe hearts علىin الرّضىsatisfaction
وتجمّعتْ فيك القلوبُ على الرّضى
وتشيّعتْand became partisans فيin حُبّكَlove of you الأهواءthe passions
وتشيّعتْ في حُبّكَ الأهواء
Hearts have united in satisfaction with you,
They took speech, much and little,
and passions have become partisans in loving you.
In two divisions: one disease, one cure.
أنتَyou الذيthe one who فصَلَmade decisive الخطابَthe discourse وإنّماand indeed
أنتَ الذي فصَلَ الخطابَ وإنّما
بكthrough you حُكّمتْwere made arbiters فيin مدحِكَyour praise الشُّعراءthe poets
بك حُكّمتْ في مدحِكَ الشُّعراء
You are the one who gives decisive judgment; indeed,
They professed that praising you is obedience,
through you the poets were made arbiters in praising you.
An ordained duty, so they owe you no payment.
وأخصُّand more privileged منزِلةًin station منthan الشُّعراءthe poets فيin
وأخصُّ منزِلةً من الشُّعراء في
أمثالِهاits similes المضروبةِthe coined الحُكمَاءthe sages
أمثالِها المضروبةِ الحُكمَاء
And more privileged in station than poets, in
So be safe if an event stirs the wilderness,
its coined similes, are the sages.
And live on as souls pass away.
أخذواthey took الكلامَspeech كثيرَهits abundance وقليلَهand its scarcity
أخذوا الكلامَ كثيرَه وقليلَه
قِسمَينِin two portions ذاthis داءٌis disease وذاكَand that دواءis medicine
قِسمَينِ ذا داءٌ وذاكَ دواء
They took speech, much and little,
Our month of fasting and vigil redeems you,
in two portions: this disease, that cure.
Then the months will redeem that with ransom.
دانواthey professed بأنّthat مديحَهُمْtheir praise لكَof you طاعةٌis obedience
دانوا بأنّ مديحَهُمْ لكَ طاعةٌ
فَرْضٌobligatory فليسَso there is not لهمfor them عليكagainst you جَزاءa recompense
فَرْضٌ فليسَ لهم عليك جَزاء
They professed that their praise of you is obedience,
In it descends each revealed text,
an obligation; they have no claim to recompense from you.
So for the Prophet's family are praises in it.
فاسلَمْso remain safe إذاwhen رابَtroubles البريّةَmankind حادثٌa calamity
فاسلَمْ إذا رابَ البريّةَ حادثٌ
واخْلُدْand live forever إذاwhen عَمّovertakes النفوسَthe souls فَناءextinction
واخْلُدْ إذا عَمّ النفوسَ فَناء
So remain safe when calamity troubles mankind,
In it extend the palms of Muhammad's family,
and live forever when extinction overtakes all souls.
And voices are raised in it, clear and pure.
يفْديكَmay ransom you شهْرُthe month صِيامِناof our fasting وقِيامناand our nightly prayer
يفْديكَ شهْرُ صِيامِنا وقِيامنا
ثمّthen الشُّهورُthe months لهfor it بذاكfor that فِداءa ransom
ثمّ الشُّهورُ له بذاك فِداء
May the month of our fasting and nightly prayer ransom you;
You always fulfill its duty, before and after,
then the other months are its ransom for doing so.
While admirers and lovers come to you.
فيهin it تنزّلَdescended كلُّevery وَحيٍrevelation مُنْزَلٍsent down
فيه تنزّلَ كلُّ وَحيٍ مُنْزَلٍ
فلأهلِso for the people بَيتِof the household الوحيof revelation فيهin it ثَناءpraise
فلأهلِ بَيتِ الوحي فيه ثَناء
In it descended every revelation sent down;
Your praise in it is sufficient wealth, it
so praise belongs in it to the household of revelation.
Equals worship for the worshipers.
فتطولُso reach far فيهin it أكفُّthe hands آلِof the family محَمدٍof Muhammad
فتطولُ فيه أكفُّ آلِ محَمدٍ
وتُغَلُّand are fettered فيهin it عنfrom النّدىgenerosity الطُّلَقاءthe freedmen
وتُغَلُّ فيه عن النّدى الطُّلَقاء
In it the hands of Muhammad's family reach far,
Alas! We cannot thank what you bestow, even if
and in it the freedmen are fettered against generosity.
Tongues and limbs gave thanks before you.
ماnot زلْتَhave you ceased تَقضيfulfilling فَرضَهits obligation وأمامَهand before it
ما زلْتَ تَقضي فَرضَه وأمامَه
ووراءَهand after it لكَfrom you نائلٌbounty وحِباءand gifts
ووراءَه لكَ نائلٌ وحِباء
You have never ceased to fulfill its obligation; before it
And God speaks truest of your sublimity,
and after it, bounty and gifts come from you.
As if the words of all speakers are nonsense.
حَسْبيenough for me بمدحكin praising you فيهin it ذُخْراًas treasure إنّهindeed it
حَسْبي بمدحك فيه ذُخْراً إنّه
للنُّسْكِto worship عندin the view of الناسكينthe worshippers كِفاءan equivalent
للنُّسْكِ عند الناسكين كِفاء
Enough for me, as treasure, is praising you in it; that
Do not ask about times, for around your
equals worship in the eyes of worshippers.
Comfort they turn however you wish.
هيهاتfar beyond منّاus شكرُgratitude ماfor what تُوليyou bestow ولوeven if
هيهات منّا شكرُ ما تُولي ولو
شكَرَتكthanked you قبلَbefore الألسُنِthe tongues الأعضاءthe limbs
شكَرَتك قبلَ الألسُنِ الأعضاء
Far beyond us is gratitude for what you bestow, even if
our limbs thanked you before our tongues.
واللهُand God فيconcerning علياكyour loftiness أصدقthe truest قائلspeaker
واللهُ في علياك أصدق قائل
فكأنّso as though قولَthe speech القائلينof speakers هُذاءbabble
فكأنّ قولَ القائلين هُذاء
God speaks most truly of your loftiness,
so the speech of other speakers seems mere babble.
لاdo not تسألنّever ask عنabout الزّمانِtime فإنّهُfor it
لا تسألنّ عن الزّمانِ فإنّهُ
فيwithin رَاحتَيْكَyour two palms يدورُturns كيفَhowever تشاءyou wish
في رَاحتَيْكَ يدورُ كيفَ تشاء
Do not ask about time, for it
turns within your two palms however you wish.
Partial English translation: 192 of 198 Arabic lines translated.