رأىsaw الحُزنُgrief مَاwhat عِندِيI have مِنَof الحزنِgrief والكَربِand anguish
رأى الحُزنُ مَا عِندِي مِنَ الحزنِ والكَربِ
فَرُوِّعَso was terrified مِنby حَالِيmy condition فَلمand did not يَستَطِعmanage قُربِيnearness to me
فَرُوِّعَ مِن حَالِي فَلم يَستَطِع قُربِي
Grief saw the grief and anguish I bore,
Grief saw my grief and sorrow, so it shuddered at my state, unable to come near.
And was so terrified by my state that it could not come near me.
It showed its incapacity to withstand anguish, realizing my troubles were mightier than its troubles.
وأظهَرَand showed عَجزاًinability عَنto مُقَاوَمَةresist الأسَىsorrow
وأظهَرَ عَجزاً عَن مُقَاوَمَة الأسَى
وأيقنand became certain أنَّthat الخَطبَthe calamity أعظَمُgreater مِنthan خَطبيmy calamity
وأيقن أنَّ الخَطبَ أعظَمُ مِن خَطبي
It confessed its helplessness to withstand sorrow,
It said: “Seek someone else to be your companion. Say to perdition: ‘Enough! I have reached the utmost point of enough.’”
And knew: “This calamity is greater than mine.”
I said: “Can passion suffice me as a companion? How can that be when it has transgressed against my companionship?”
وقالand said التَمِسseek غَيرِيsomeone other than me لِنَفسِكَfor yourself صَاحِباa companion
وقال التَمِس غَيرِي لِنَفسِكَ صَاحِبا
وَقُلand say لِلرَّدىto death حَسبيenough for me بَلغتyou have reached المَدىthe limit حسبيenough for me
وَقُل لِلرَّدى حَسبي بَلغت المَدى حسبي
And said, “Seek another companion for yourself,
When my intensity in my tragedy carried me to the utmost and my despair wandered with me, I returned to my Lord.
And tell death, ‘Enough for me! You have reached the limit—enough!’”
I inhaled the spirit of contentment with His decree. I called out: “O coolness of the breeze upon my heart...”
فَقُلتُso I said وَهَلand can يَكفِينيَsuffice me الوَجدُanguish صَاحِباas a companion
فَقُلتُ وَهَل يَكفِينيَ الوَجدُ صَاحِبا
وكَيفَand how وَمَاand what بيafflicts me قَدhas تَعَدَّىspread إِلىto صَحبيmy companions
وكَيفَ وَمَا بي قَد تَعَدَّى إِلى صَحبي
I said, “Can anguish suffice me as a companion?
I complain to God of disasters and what they have done. They have disturbed my drinking and terrified my flock.
How could it, when my affliction has spread to my companions?”
Ask the night about me - have I felt safe from destruction? How can that be when my eyelids and sleep are at war?
فَلمّاand when انتَهَتreached its utmost بيwith me شِدَّتيmy suffering فيin مُصِيبَتيmy calamity
فَلمّا انتَهَت بي شِدَّتي في مُصِيبَتي
وَبَرَّحَand tormented بِيme يَأسيmy despair رَجَعتُI returned إِلىto رَبِّيmy Lord
وَبَرَّحَ بِي يَأسي رَجَعتُ إِلى رَبِّي
When my suffering in this calamity had driven me to the utmost,
The sky has been kind to me until its skin peeled away and its starry freckles wept for me,
And despair tormented me, I turned back to my Lord.
At my state the thunder revealed a painful moan and the lightning split open, spreading with the clouds.
فاستَنشِقنso breathe in رَوحَthe solace of الرِّضَىcontentment بِقضَائِهِwith His decree
فاستَنشِقن رَوحَ الرِّضَى بِقضَائِهِ
فَنَادَيتُso I cried يَاO بَردَcoolness of النَّسِيمِthe breeze عَلىupon قلبِيmy heart
فَنَادَيتُ يَا بَردَ النَّسِيمِ عَلى قلبِي
So breathe in the solace of contentment with His decree;
The weather put on mourning clothes for me in gloom and poured down the tears of rainfall in streams.
Then I cried, “O coolness of the breeze upon my heart!”
And on my account the sun revealed at dawn the pallor of sorrow before retreating to the veil.
إِلىto اللهGod أشكُوI complain بِالرَّزَايَاof calamities وَفِعلِهاand their effects
إِلى الله أشكُو بِالرَّزَايَا وَفِعلِها
فَقَدُfor indeed كَدَّرَتhave muddied شِربِيmy drinking water وقَدand indeed رَوَّعَتhave terrified سِربِيmy flock
فَقَدُ كَدَّرَت شِربِي وقَد رَوَّعَت سِربِي
To God I complain of calamities and their effects:
For one who was once mine and I lost him, in a single swoop the soul lost all restraint,
They have muddied my drinking water and terrified my flock.
My sorrow for him has surpassed its proper measure. Not even Jacob’s grief for Joseph in the pit was like this!
سَلِask اللَّيلَthe night عَنِّيabout me هَلwhether أمِنتُI felt safe إِلىwith الكَرَىslumber
سَلِ اللَّيلَ عَنِّي هَل أمِنتُ إِلى الكَرَى
فَكَيفَso how وَأجفَانِيand my eyelids مَعَwith النَّومِsleep فيin حَربِwar
فَكَيفَ وَأجفَانِي مَعَ النَّومِ في حَربِ
Ask the night about me: have I felt safe with slumber?
And I worry greatly for a grieving mother, torn between anguish over him and love.
How could I, when my eyelids are at war with sleep?
The excess of her rapture at him makes her oblivious to her own state - though the difficult may be slight for the difficult.
وَقَدand indeed رَقَّfelt pity لِيfor me حَتَّىuntil تَفَرّىwas torn أديمُهُits skin
وَقَد رَقَّ لِي حَتَّى تَفَرّى أديمُهُ
وَأَقبَلَand began يَبكِينيto weep for me بأنجُمِهِwith its stars الشُّهبِbright
وَأَقبَلَ يَبكِيني بأنجُمِهِ الشُّهبِ
It pitied me until its very skin was torn,
My son - answer her! She calls you in longing while her tears flow ceaselessly.
And began to weep for me with its bright stars.
My son - were you truly to become spoils for the power of demise and plunder for the soil? Woe to you from such plunder!
لِحَالِيat my plight أبدَىuttered الرَّعدُthunder أنَّةَa groan of موجَعٍone in pain
لِحَالِي أبدَى الرَّعدُ أنَّةَ موجَعٍ
وليand for me البَرقُlightning شَعَّflashed فيin التَّراميdarting مَعَwith السُّحبthe clouds
ولي البَرقُ شَعَّ في التَّرامي مَعَ السُّحب
At my plight, thunder uttered a sufferer's groan,
My son - perhaps it is a slumber, then an awakening! How long can I call to my weary eye?
And for me lightning flashed, darting with the clouds.
My son - grant me a glimpse of you furtively from your sleep, that I may find solace for my desperation!
وَلِيand for me لبسَput on الجوُّthe sky الحِدَادَmourning بِدُجنَةٍin darkness
وَلِي لبسَ الجوُّ الحِدَادَ بِدُجنَةٍ
وَأسبَلَand let fall دَمعَtears of القَطرِrain سَكباًa downpour عَلىupon سَكبِa downpour
وَأسبَلَ دَمعَ القَطرِ سَكباً عَلى سَكبِ
For me the sky donned mourning in its darkness,
My son - relieve me by answering, since you were a man of sound opinion. Why do you not give me news?
And let fall tears of rain, downpour upon downpour.
My son - you once took shelter in the flank of valiant heroes. How then can my soul allow your burial in the soil?
وَمِنand for أجلِthe sake of مَاwhat بِيafflicts me أبدَتِshowed الشَّمسُthe sun بِالضُّحَىat midmorning
وَمِن أجلِ مَا بِي أبدَتِ الشَّمسُ بِالضُّحَى
شُحُوبthe pallor of ضَنًىwasting sickness قَبلَbefore الجُنوحِinclining إِلىtoward الحَجبِconcealment
شُحُوب ضَنًى قَبلَ الجُنوحِ إِلى الحَجبِ
Because of what afflicts me, the sun at midmorning displayed
No wonder the West has become your burial place, for it is where the sun and moon are buried.
The pallor of wasting sickness, before turning toward concealment.
The hand of death has surely plucked a sapling of youth that was among the greenest saplings.
عَلىfor وَاحِدٍone قَدindeed كَانَwas ليmine فَفَقَدتُهُthen I lost him
عَلى وَاحِدٍ قَد كَانَ لي فَفَقَدتُهُ
عَلىin غِرَّةٍunawareness فَقدَthe loss of الجَوانِحِthe ribs لِلقَلبِof the heart
عَلى غِرَّةٍ فَقدَ الجَوانِحِ لِلقَلبِ
For one who once was mine, whom I lost
O blossoms whose beauty adorned you - decorate my eyelids with their moist pearls!
Without warning, as the ribs might lose the heart.
O most praised and praiseworthy Ahmad - you resembled the sweet, cool, delicious dessert.
فَحُزنيso my grief عَليهِfor him جَاوَزَhas exceeded الحَدَّthe limit قَدرُهُits magnitude
فَحُزني عَليهِ جَاوَزَ الحَدَّ قَدرُهُ
وَلاَand not even حُزنَthe grief of يَعقُوبٍJacob وَيوسُفand Joseph فيin الجُبِّthe well
وَلاَ حُزنَ يَعقُوبٍ وَيوسُف في الجُبِّ
The measure of my grief for him has passed all bounds—
What sorrow for the family of Jubair! Who among them will awaken from anguish?
Not even Jacob's grief, while Joseph was in the well, compares.
You were the central pearl on their necklace - no wonder it has come apart, scattering its beads!
وَأكثَرُand most of إشفاقيmy compassion لأمٍّfor a mother حَزِينَةٍgrieving
وَأكثَرُ إشفاقي لأمٍّ حَزِينَةٍ
مُقسَّمَةٍdivided بَينَbetween الأسَىsorrow فِيهِfor him وَالحُبُّand love
مُقسَّمَةٍ بَينَ الأسَى فِيهِ وَالحُبُّ
My deepest compassion is for a grieving mother,
How many maternal aunts are now in a state of sorrow over you, minds lost in sadness!
Torn between sorrow for him and love.
The grief serves their sons goblets of sorrow, and they are still drinking to this day.
وأذهلَهَاand distracted her عَنfrom حَالِهَاher own state فَرطُthe excess of وَجدِهَاher anguish
وأذهلَهَا عَن حَالِهَا فَرطُ وَجدِهَا
عَليهِfor him وَقَدand indeed يُستَسهَلُmay be deemed easy الصَّعبُhardship لِلصَّعبِbecause of hardship
عَليهِ وَقَد يُستَسهَلُ الصَّعبُ لِلصَّعبِ
She has forgotten her own plight in her overwhelming anguish
A lady friend you were passionate for, loving her - no need to mention the love!
For him; one hardship can make another seem easy.
She yearned for you in longing and grief - and rightly so, for the passionate is grieved by the passionate!
بُنَيَّmy little son أجِبهَاanswer her فَهيَfor she تَدعوكَcalls you حَسرَةًin anguish
بُنَيَّ أجِبهَا فَهيَ تَدعوكَ حَسرَةً
وَأدمُعُهَاand her tears تَنهَلُّpour down غَرباًa torrent عَلىupon غَربِa torrent
وَأدمُعُهَا تَنهَلُّ غَرباً عَلى غَربِ
My little son, answer her: she calls to you in anguish,
She has worn the clothes of mourning - often you would match silk with the belt.
Her tears streaming, torrent upon torrent.
How many foreigners lie awake for you at night, thoughts shifting from side to side!
بُنَيَّmy little son أحَقّاًis it true صِرتَyou have become رَهنَa captive of يَدِthe hand of البِلىdecay
بُنَيَّ أحَقّاً صِرتَ رَهنَ يَدِ البِلى
وَنَهبَand the plunder of الثَّرَىthe earth أمسيتَyou have become يَأO لكfor you مِنof نَهبِplunder
وَنَهبَ الثَّرَى أمسيتَ يَأ لك مِن نَهبِ
My little son, have you truly become a captive in decay's hand,
You were granted acceptance the likes of which I never heard. This one vies to console that one.
And become earth's plunder? Oh, what plunder you are!
You were faithful in connecting with relatives, innocent goodness without pride,
بُنَيَّmy little son عَساهَاperhaps it is نَومَةٌa sleep فانتَباهَةٌthen an awakening
بُنَيَّ عَساهَا نَومَةٌ فانتَباهَةٌ
فَكَمso how long ذاthis أناديI call to العَينَthe eye طالَhas lasted long الكَرىslumber تَعبيmy weariness
فَكَم ذا أنادي العَينَ طالَ الكَرى تَعبي
My little son, perhaps it is a sleep, then an awakening.
Glorious when tasked with any difficult matter, attacking with the speed of an arrow or a sharpened blade,
How long I call to the eye! Slumber drags on, and I am weary.
Eager to attain the heights with resolve, through which you gained the best profit.
بُنَيّmy little son أعِرنيlend me مِنfrom مَنامِكَyour sleep خِلسَةًa stolen moment
بُنَيّ أعِرني مِن مَنامِكَ خِلسَةً
لعَلِّيperhaps I أنmay ألقىfind مُنايَmy heart's desire مِنَfrom الغَيبِthe unseen
لعَلِّي أن ألقى مُنايَ مِنَ الغَيبِ
My little son, lend me a stolen moment of your sleep,
Literature was a garden of leisure for you. You loved perusing books,
That perhaps I may find my heart's desire in the unseen.
Plucking the flowers of prose with wit, effortlessly composing strands of poetry.
بُنَيَّmy little son أرِحنِيease me بالإِجابَةِwith an answer مُخبِراًgiving news
بُنَيَّ أرِحنِي بالإِجابَةِ مُخبِراً
فَقَدfor indeed كُنتَyou were ذاpossessed of رَأيٍjudgment فَماso what لكَis with you لاdo not تُنبيtell
فَقَد كُنتَ ذا رَأيٍ فَما لكَ لا تُنبي
My little son, ease me with an answer, giving me news;
You remained with excellent guidance and argument, honored by those far and near.
You were a man of judgment—why do you give no word?
Over twenty years your age, with four more, the fateful moment came upon you for some sin,
بُنَيَّmy little son وَفِيand within طَيِّthe folds of الحَشَاthe bosom كُنتَyou were ثَاوِياًdwelling
بُنَيَّ وَفِي طَيِّ الحَشَا كُنتَ ثَاوِياً
فَكَيفَso how سَخَتwas willing نَفسِيmy soul بدَفنِكto burying you فيin التُّربِthe dust
فَكَيفَ سَخَت نَفسِي بدَفنِك في التُّربِ
My little son, you once dwelt within the folds of my heart;
A martyr to a sudden outbreak that struck you, like the martyr stabbed in the fray.
How, then, did my soul consent to bury you in dust?
You were a stranger, so you gained another martyrdom, good tidings to the Master of East and West.
فَلاso no غَروَwonder أنthat أضحىbecame لكَfor you الغَربُthe west مَدفَناًa burial place
فَلا غَروَ أن أضحى لكَ الغَربُ مَدفَناً
فَإنَّfor indeed مَغِيبَthe setting of الشَّمسِthe sun وَالبَدرِand the full moon فِيin الغَربِthe west
فَإنَّ مَغِيبَ الشَّمسِ وَالبَدرِ فِي الغَربِ
It is no wonder that the west became your burial place,
Long unseen, then you came to bid farewell for a journey leading the traveling band.
For the sun and the full moon both set in the west.
I gained no relief from seeing you - if only my soul had fulfilled its pining there!
لقَدindeed هَصَرَتhas bent down كَفُّthe hand of المَنُونِdeath إِلىinto البِلىdecay
لقَد هَصَرَت كَفُّ المَنُونِ إِلى البِلى
قَضيبَa bough of شَبابٍyouth كانَthat was مِنamong أنضَرِthe freshest of القُضبِboughs
قَضيبَ شَبابٍ كانَ مِن أنضَرِ القُضبِ
The hand of death has bent down into decay
After you, I hoped your legacy would remain for a time, that through it my progeny might remain.
A bough of youth, among the freshest of boughs.
I accept the judgment of God concerning us - you were transferred to God’s party. Blessings upon your party!
فَيَاso O غُصُناًbranch حَقَّتcame to fulfillment أزَاهِرُthe blossoms of حُسنِهِits beauty
فَيَا غُصُناً حَقَّت أزَاهِرُ حُسنِهِ
تُحَلِّيكَadorn you أجفَانِيmy eyelids بشلُؤلُؤِهَاwith their pearls الرَّطبِmoist
تُحَلِّيكَ أجفَانِي بشلُؤلُؤِهَا الرَّطبِ
O branch whose blossoms of beauty had come to fruition,
Yes, I am pleased with you, so receive good news! And through acceptance I desire your nearness and forgiveness of sins.
My eyelids adorn you with their moist pearls.
The grace of God’s mercy poured down upon your tomb and the Merciful lodged you in a spacious abode.
وَيَاand O أحمَدُAhmad المَحمودُthe praised one قَدindeed كُنتَyou were مُشبِهاًresembling
وَيَا أحمَدُ المَحمودُ قَد كُنتَ مُشبِهاً
بِطِيبِin the goodness of الخلالِcharacter traits الحُلوِthe sweet وَالبَارِدِand the cool العَذبِfresh and sweet
بِطِيبِ الخلالِ الحُلوِ وَالبَارِدِ العَذبِ
O Ahmad, the praised one, you resembled,
In your fine character, what is sweet and what is cool and fresh.
لآلِfor the family of جُبَيرٍJubayr فيكَover you أيُّwhat a فَجيعَةٍcalamity
لآلِ جُبَيرٍ فيكَ أيُّ فَجيعَةٍ
فَمَاfor not مِنهُمamong them مَنanyone يَستَفِيقُrecovers مِنfrom الكَربِanguish
فَمَا مِنهُم مَن يَستَفِيقُ مِن الكَربِ
What a calamity your loss is for the house of Jubayr!
Not one of them recovers from the anguish.
وَقَدand indeed كُنتَyou were وُسطىthe central jewel of العِقدِthe necklace فيهمamong them فَرُبَّماso perhaps
وَقَد كُنتَ وُسطى العِقدِ فيهم فَرُبَّما
نَقَضتَyou undid it فَصارَso became العِقدُthe necklace مُنتَثِرَscattered in الحَبِّbeads
نَقَضتَ فَصارَ العِقدُ مُنتَثِرَ الحَبِّ
You were the central jewel of their necklace; perhaps
You undid it, and the necklace's beads were scattered.
وَكَمand how many a خالةٍmaternal aunt أمسَتhas come to be عَليكَover you بحالةٍin a state
وَكَم خالةٍ أمسَت عَليكَ بحالةٍ
مِنِof الحُزنِgrief ماnot تَنفَكُّceases to be ذاهِلةَdistraught in اللُّبِّmind
مِنِ الحُزنِ ما تَنفَكُّ ذاهِلةَ اللُّبِّ
How many a maternal aunt has fallen, over you, into such a state
Of grief that she remains distraught in mind.
وَأبنَاءِand sons of خالاتٍmaternal aunts تُسقِّيِهِمُyou give them to drink الأسَىsorrow
وَأبنَاءِ خالاتٍ تُسقِّيِهِمُ الأسَى
كُؤُوساًcups وَهُمand they حَتَّىeven إِلىuntil الآنnow فِيin الشَّربِdrinking
كُؤُوساً وَهُم حَتَّى إِلى الآن فِي الشَّربِ
And maternal cousins whom you serve sorrow,
By the cupful—they are drinking to this very hour.
وَصَاحِبَةٍand a beloved قَدindeed كُنتَyou were صَبًّاlovesick بِذِكرِهَاat her mention
وَصَاحِبَةٍ قَد كُنتَ صَبًّا بِذِكرِهَا
وَكُنتَand you were لهَاto her حِبّاًa beloved وَنَاهِيكَand enough for you مِنas حِبٍّa beloved
وَكُنتَ لهَا حِبّاً وَنَاهِيكَ مِن حِبٍّ
And a beloved whose very mention made you lovesick;
You were her beloved—and what a beloved!
فَأنَّتso she moaned وَهامَتand was distraught فِيكِover you بِالوَجدِwith longing والأسَىand sorrow
فَأنَّت وَهامَت فِيكِ بِالوَجدِ والأسَى
وَحُقَّand rightly so لهَاfor her فالصَّبُّfor the lover يُفجَعُis bereaved بالصَّبِّof the lover
وَحُقَّ لهَا فالصَّبُّ يُفجَعُ بالصَّبِّ
She moaned and was distraught for you with longing and sorrow,
And rightly so: one lover is bereaved of another.
وَرَاحَتand she went بأثوَابِin garments of الحِدَادِmourning وَطَالماand how often
وَرَاحَت بأثوَابِ الحِدَادِ وَطَالما
لهاfor her كُنتَyou used to تَستَخفيhide away الحَريرَsilk مَعَwith العَصبِstriped cloth
لها كُنتَ تَستَخفي الحَريرَ مَعَ العَصبِ
She went clad in mourning, though so often
You had hidden away silk and striped cloth for her.
وَكَمand how many a أجنَبِيٍّstranger فِيكover you قَدindeed بَاتَspent the night ساهِراًsleepless
وَكَم أجنَبِيٍّ فِيك قَد بَاتَ ساهِراً
تُقَلِّبُهُturn him over الأفكَارُthoughts جَنباًone side إِلىto جَنبِanother side
تُقَلِّبُهُ الأفكَارُ جَنباً إِلى جَنبِ
How many a stranger has spent the night sleepless over you,
His thoughts turning him from side to side.
رُزِقتَyou were granted قَبُولاَacceptance ماnot سَمِعتُI have heard بِمِثلِهِof its like
رُزِقتَ قَبُولاَ ما سَمِعتُ بِمِثلِهِ
فَهذَاso this one عَلىover هَذاthat one بإشفاقِهin his tender concern يُربيexceeds
فَهذَا عَلى هَذا بإشفاقِه يُربي
You were granted affection the like of which I have never heard of:
This one outdoes that one in tender concern.
وكُنتَand you were وَصُولاًdevoted لِلقَرَابَةِto kinship جَارِياًstriving
وكُنتَ وَصُولاً لِلقَرَابَةِ جَارِياً
لِمَرضَاتهِمfor their approval بَراًdutiful بَرِيئاًfree مِنَof العُجبِconceit
لِمَرضَاتهِم بَراً بَرِيئاً مِنَ العُجبِ
You were devoted to your kin, striving
To please them, dutiful and free of conceit.
مُجِداًdiligent إِذاwhenever كُلِّفتَyou were entrusted with أمرthe matter of مُلِمَّةٍa pressing crisis
مُجِداً إِذا كُلِّفتَ أمر مُلِمَّةٍ
مَضَيتَyou proceeded مَضَاءَwith the piercing force of السَّهمِthe arrow وَالصَّارِمِand the cutting sword العَضبِkeen-edged
مَضَيتَ مَضَاءَ السَّهمِ وَالصَّارِمِ العَضبِ
Diligent whenever charged with a pressing affair,
You moved with the piercing force of an arrow and a keen-edged sword.
حَريصاًeager عَلىfor نَيلِattaining المَعاليhigh distinction بِهِمَّةٍwith a resolve
حَريصاً عَلى نَيلِ المَعالي بِهِمَّةٍ
كَسَبتَyou gained بِهاthrough it مِنfrom ذُخرِهاits treasures أفضَلَthe finest الكَسبِgain
كَسَبتَ بِها مِن ذُخرِها أفضَلَ الكَسبِ
Eager to attain high distinction, with a resolve
By which you won the finest gains from its treasures.
وَكَانَتand was لَكfor you الآدابُliterature رَوضَةَa garden of نُزهَةdelight
وَكَانَت لَك الآدابُ رَوضَةَ نُزهَة
وَكُنتَand you were مُحِبًّاfond فِيin مُطالَعةِreading الكُتبِbooks
وَكُنتَ مُحِبًّا فِي مُطالَعةِ الكُتبِ
For you, literature was a garden of delight,
And you loved to read books.
تُفَتِّقُyou make blossom زَهرَthe flowers of النَّثرِprose فيon الطَّرسِthe page يَافِعاًwhile young
تُفَتِّقُ زَهرَ النَّثرِ في الطَّرسِ يَافِعاً
وَتَنظِمُand you string دُرَّthe pearls of الشِّعرِpoetry نَظماًinto verse بِلاwithout تَعبِeffort
وَتَنظِمُ دُرَّ الشِّعرِ نَظماً بِلا تَعبِ
While still a youth, you made prose blossom on the page,
And strung poetry's pearls effortlessly.
وَمَاand not زِلتَyou ceased بالهدِيthrough conduct الجَميلِgracious وَبِالحجاand through wisdom
وَمَا زِلتَ بالهدِي الجَميلِ وَبِالحجا
مُعِزَّاbringing honor لأهلٍto family فيin البِعَادِdistance وفيand in القُربِnearness
مُعِزَّا لأهلٍ في البِعَادِ وفي القُربِ
With gracious conduct and wisdom, you never ceased
To bring honor to your family, far away or near.
وَزَادَand rose علىbeyond العِشرينَtwenty سِنُّكَyour age أَربَعاًby four years
وَزَادَ على العِشرينَ سِنُّكَ أَربَعاً
فَعَاجَلكَthen overtook you الحَينُdoom المُقَدَّرُthe appointed بِالذَّنبِthrough sin
فَعَاجَلكَ الحَينُ المُقَدَّرُ بِالذَّنبِ
Your age exceeded twenty by four years,
Then your appointed doom overtook you through sin,
شَهيداًa martyr بِطاعونٍthrough a plague أصابَكthat struck you بَغتَةًsuddenly
شَهيداً بِطاعونٍ أصابَك بَغتَةً
كَمِثلِlike شَهيدِone martyred by الطَّعنِspear-thrusts فيin ساحَةِthe field of الضَّربِbattle
كَمِثلِ شَهيدِ الطَّعنِ في ساحَةِ الضَّربِ
A martyr through a plague that struck you without warning,
Like one martyred by spear-thrusts on the field of battle.
وَكُنتَand you were غَرِيباًfar from home فاستَزَدتَso you added شَهَادةًa martyrdom
وَكُنتَ غَرِيباً فاستَزَدتَ شَهَادةً
لأُخرَىto another كَبُشرَىas in the glad tidings of سَيِّدِthe master of العُجمِnon-Arabs وَالعُربِand Arabs
لأُخرَى كَبُشرَى سَيِّدِ العُجمِ وَالعُربِ
You were far from home, and so added one martyrdom
To another, as in the glad tidings of the master of non-Arabs and Arabs.
أطلتَyou prolonged مَغيباًan absence ثُمَّthen جِئتَyou came مُوَدِّعاًbidding farewell
أطلتَ مَغيباً ثُمَّ جِئتَ مُوَدِّعاً
إِلىtoward سَفَرٍa journey يَدنُوdrawing near مُدِلاًimperious عَلىover الرَّكبِthe caravan
إِلى سَفَرٍ يَدنُو مُدِلاً عَلى الرَّكبِ
You had been long absent, then came to bid farewell,
For a journey drawing near, lording it over the caravan.
وَلَمand did not أشفِI heal مِنthrough لُقياكَmeeting you قَلبيmy heart فَليتَنيso would that I
وَلَم أشفِ مِن لُقياكَ قَلبي فَليتَني
لِبَرحِbecause of the agony of اشتِيَاقِيmy longing لوif only قَضَيتُI had met بِهِthrough it نَحبِيmy death
لِبَرحِ اشتِيَاقِي لو قَضَيتُ بِهِ نَحبِي
Seeing you had not yet healed my heart; would that I
Had died of the torment of my longing.
وَعُقبَاكَand your offspring بَعدِيafter me كُنتُI was أرجُوhoping for بَقَاءَهَاits survival
وَعُقبَاكَ بَعدِي كُنتُ أرجُو بَقَاءَهَا
زَمَاناًfor a time لِيَبقىso might remain مِنfrom بَنِيكَyour sons بِهَاthrough it عَقبِيmy posterity
زَمَاناً لِيَبقى مِن بَنِيكَ بِهَا عَقبِي
I had hoped your offspring would endure after me
For years, that through your sons my own posterity might remain.
رَضِيتُI am content بِحُكمشwith the decree of اللهِGod فيناconcerning us فَإِنَّمَاfor only
رَضِيتُ بِحُكمش اللهِ فينا فَإِنَّمَا
نُقِلتyou were transferred لِحِزبِto the company of اللهِGod بُورِكَblessed be it مِنas حِزبِa company
نُقِلت لِحِزبِ اللهِ بُورِكَ مِن حِزبِ
I am content with God's decree for us, for you have only
Been transferred to God's company—blessed be that company.
وَإنِّيand I لرَاضٍam indeed pleased عَنكَwith you فَابشِرso rejoice وبالرِّضَاand through that acceptance
وَإنِّي لرَاضٍ عَنكَ فَابشِر وبالرِّضَا
أَرَجِّيI hope لكَfor you الزُّلفَىnearness to God وَمَغفِرَةَand forgiveness of الذَّنبِsin
أَرَجِّي لكَ الزُّلفَى وَمَغفِرَةَ الذَّنبِ
I am indeed pleased with you, so rejoice; through that acceptance
I hope for nearness to God for you, and forgiveness of sin.
فَجَادَتso may pour rain عَلىupon مَثواكَyour resting place مُزنَةa raincloud of رَحمَةٍmercy
فَجَادَت عَلى مَثواكَ مُزنَة رَحمَةٍ
وَبَوَّاكَand may lodge you الرَّحمانُthe All-Merciful فِيin المَنزِلِthe dwelling الرَّحبِspacious
وَبَوَّاكَ الرَّحمانُ فِي المَنزِلِ الرَّحبِ
May a cloud of mercy pour its rain upon your resting place,
And may the All-Merciful lodge you in a spacious dwelling.
Partial English translation: 50 of 100 Arabic lines translated.