هُم لرفع وصالي هجرهم نصبوا

هُم لرفع وصالي هجرهم نصبوا

فجرّ من جزمهم بالصد لي نَصَبُ

فجرّ من جزمهم بالصد لي نَصَبُ

They set up their estrangement to end my union with them.

They spurned my love to lift the veil of estrangement,

So their resolve to turn away brought weariness upon me.

And with refusal they erected barriers against me.

كم قيل لم يذهبوا والروح باقية

كم قيل لم يذهبوا والروح باقية

فقلت لم يبق لي روح ولا ذهب

فقلت لم يبق لي روح ولا ذهب

How often it was said, 'They have not gone, while the soul remains.'

Many said they did not leave though the soul remained,

So I replied, 'I have neither soul nor gold left.'

I said no soul or self remains for me.

قد حرّكوا بفؤادي الوجد إذ سكنوا

قد حرّكوا بفؤادي الوجد إذ سكنوا

وعندما ثبتوا فيه به وثبوا

وعندما ثبتوا فيه به وثبوا

They stirred longing in my heart when they settled there.

They stirred my heart though they were still,

And when they were firmly lodged in it, they pounced upon it.

And when firm, in it they leapt.

يا قلب حاول رضاهم إن هم سخطوا

يا قلب حاول رضاهم إن هم سخطوا

وأبدِ عُذراً ولو بالروح قد عتبوا

وأبدِ عُذراً ولو بالروح قد عتبوا

O heart, seek their favor if they are displeased.

O heart, try to please them if they are angry,

And offer an apology, even at the cost of your soul, if they have taken offense.

And make excuses even if they blamed the soul.

ولا تُبِن غضباً إن رُمتَ قُربَهم

ولا تُبِن غضباً إن رُمتَ قُربَهم

واسمع مقالة من قد زانه الأدب

واسمع مقالة من قد زانه الأدب

And do not show anger if you seek nearness to them.

Do not show anger if denied their company,

And hear the saying of one whom good manners have adorned:

And listen to the words of one graced with etiquette.

لا تغضبنّ على قوم تُحبّهم

لا تغضبنّ على قوم تُحبّهم

فليس يُدنيك من أحبابك الغضب

فليس يُدنيك من أحبابك الغضب

Do not be angry with people you love,

Do not be angry with people you love,

For anger does not bring you closer to your loved ones.

For anger will not bring you close to your loved ones.