ياO منyou who يحنlong إلىfor نجدٍNajd وناديهاand its gathering place
يا من يحن إلى نجدٍ وناديها
غرناطةٌGranada قدalready ثوتhas settled نَدْدٌNadd (unclear reading) بواديهاin her valley
غرناطةٌ قد ثوت نَدْدٌ بواديها
O you who long for Najd and its gathering place,
O you who yearn for Najd and its pastures
Granada—Nadd has settled in her valley.
Granada has become adorned with its valleys
قفstand بالسّبيكةat al-Sabika وانظرand look ماwhat بساحتهاis in her court
قف بالسّبيكة وانظر ما بساحتها
عقيلةa noble lady والكثيبand the hill الفردpeerless جاليهاher unveiler
عقيلة والكثيب الفرد جاليها
Stand at al-Sabika and behold what lies in her court:
Stop at Al-Sabika and look at its courtyard
A noble lady, unveiled by the peerless hill.
With its unique dome and towering minaret
تقلّدتshe adorned herself بوشاحwith a sash النهرof the river وابتسمتand smiled
تقلّدت بوشاح النهر وابتسمت
أزهارهاher blossoms وهيand they are حليٌjewels فيupon تراقيهاher collarbones
أزهارها وهي حليٌ في تراقيها
She has donned the river's sash, and smiling are
It has adorned itself with the veil of the river, smiling
Her blossoms, jewels upon her collarbones.
As its flowers are its jewelry in its ascendance
وأعينand eyes النرجسof narcissus المطلولdew-sprinkled يانعةfresh
وأعين النرجس المطلول يانعة
ترقرقَshimmered الطلّthe dew دمعاًas tears فيin مآقيهاtheir eye corners
ترقرقَ الطلّ دمعاً في مآقيها
The eyes of dew-sprinkled narcissus are fresh;
The eyes of the narcissus flowers gaze softly
Dew shimmers like tears in their inner corners.
Trickling dew as tears down their stems
وافترّand parted ثغرa mouth أقاحٍof daisies منamong أزاهرهاher blossoms
وافترّ ثغر أقاحٍ من أزاهرها
مقبّلاًkissing خدَّthe cheek وردof a rose منalong نواحيهاher borders
مقبّلاً خدَّ ورد من نواحيها
A mouth of daisies among her blossoms has parted,
The smile of the rose has burst open
Kissing the cheek of a rose along her borders.
Kissing the cheek of a rosebud in its precincts
كأنماas though الزهرthe flowers فيalong حافاتهاher edges سحراًat daybreak
كأنما الزهر في حافاتها سحراً
دراهمٌsilver coins والنسيمand the breeze اللَّدْنُsupple يَجْبيهاgathers them
دراهمٌ والنسيم اللَّدْنُ يَجْبيها
As though the flowers along her edges, at dawn,
It is as if the flowers along its edges are a magic
Were silver coins gathered by the supple breeze.
Dirhams, and the gentle breeze collects them
وانظرand look إلىat الدوحthe great trees والأنهارand the rivers تكنُفُهاsurround them
وانظر إلى الدوح والأنهار تكنُفُها
مثلlike الندامىboon companions سواقيهاher watercourses سواقيهاher cupbearers
مثل الندامى سواقيها سواقيها
Look at the great trees, with rivers surrounding them:
And look upon the ponds and rivers surrounding it
Like boon companions, her watercourses are her cupbearers.
Like lovers, its waters flowing gently
كمhow many حولهاaround her منof بدورfull moons تجتنيgather زَهَراًblossoms
كم حولها من بدور تجتني زَهَراً
فتحسبso you think الزهرthe flowers قدalready قبَّلْنhave kissed أيديهاtheir hands
فتحسب الزهر قد قبَّلْن أيديها
How many full moons around her gather blossoms,
How many mansions around it pluck flowers
Till you think the flowers have kissed their hands.
You'd think the flowers had kissed their hands
حصباؤهاher pebbles لؤلؤpearls قدalready شفَّbecame translucent جوهرهاtheir substance
حصباؤها لؤلؤ قد شفَّ جوهرها
والنهرand the river قدalready سالflowed ذوباًas molten essence منfrom لآليهاher pearls
والنهر قد سال ذوباً من لآليها
Her pebbles are pearls whose substance shines clear,
Its pebbles are pearls whose essence has been purified
And the river flows as the molten essence of her pearls.
And the river flows, melted by its brilliance
نهرthe river المجرةof the Milky Way والزهرand the flowers المطيفُsurrounding بهit
نهر المجرة والزهر المطيفُ به
زُهرُbright النجومstars إذاif ما(emphasis) شئتyou wish تشبيهاa comparison
زُهرُ النجوم إذا ما شئت تشبيها
The river is the Milky Way, and the flowers surrounding it
The River of the Milky Way, and the flowers floating on it
Are bright stars, if ever you wish a comparison.
Are like the flowers of the stars, if you would compare them
يزيدsurpasses حسناًin beauty علىover نهرthe river المجرّةof the Milky Way قدalready
يزيد حسناً على نهر المجرّة قد
أغناهhas sufficed it دُرُّpearls حَبابٍof bubbles عنinstead of دراريهاher brilliant stars
أغناه دُرُّ حَبابٍ عن دراريها
It surpasses the Milky Way's river in beauty; for
More beautiful than the Milky Way, made rich
Pearls of bubbles suffice it instead of her brilliant stars.
By a sea of hailstones instead of its pearls
يدعىis called المنجّمthe astrologer رائيهits viewer وناظرهand its beholder
يدعى المنجّم رائيه وناظره
مسمَّياتٌnamed things أبانتهاrevealed them أساميهاtheir names
مسمَّياتٌ أبانتها أساميها
Whoever sees and beholds it is called an astrologer:
The astronomer calls it Ra'i, its viewer
Named things whose names have made them plain.
Names that reveal its true meaning
إنindeed الحجازthe Hijaz مغانيهits haunts بأندلسٍare in al-Andalus
إن الحجاز مغانيه بأندلسٍ
ألفاظهاtheir words طابقتaccorded with منهاof them معانيهاtheir meanings
ألفاظها طابقت منها معانيها
Indeed, the Hijaz has its haunts in al-Andalus;
The odes of the Hejaz have rivals in Andalusia
Their words accord with their meanings.
Their words matching their meanings
فتلكfor that is نجدNajd سقاهاwatered her كلُّevery منسجمٍpouring shower
فتلك نجد سقاها كلُّ منسجمٍ
منfrom الغمامthe clouds يُحيّيهاgreets her فيُحْييهاand so revives her
من الغمام يُحيّيها فيُحْييها
There is Najd, watered by every downpour
For that is Najd, watered by every harmonious
From clouds that greet her and revive her.
Cloud, giving it life, reviving it
وبارقٌand Bariq وعُذيبٌand ‘Udhayb كلّevery مبتسمsmiling one
وبارقٌ وعُذيبٌ كلّ مبتسم
منamong الثغورmouths يُجلّيهاreveals her مُجَلِّيهاher revealer
من الثغور يُجلّيها مُجَلِّيها
And Bariq and ‘Udhayb—every smiling
With lightning and abundant rains, each smiling
Mouth is brought to light by the one who reveals her.
From the horizons, making it radiant
وإنand if أردتyou wish ترىto see واديthe valley العقيقof al-‘Aqiq فَرِدْthen come to water
وإن أردت ترى وادي العقيق فَرِدْ
دموعَthe tears عاشقهاof her lover حمراًred مجاريهاtheir channels
دموعَ عاشقها حمراً مجاريها
If you wish to see Wadi al-‘Aqiq, come to
And if you wish to see the Valley of Al-Aqeeq, let flow
Her lover's tears, whose channels run red.
The red tears of its lover down its channels
وللسبيكةand al-Sabika has تاجa crown فوقabove مفرقهاher head
وللسبيكة تاج فوق مفرقها
تودُّlong دُرُّpearls الدراريof brilliant stars لوif only تُحلّيهاthey could adorn her
تودُّ دُرُّ الدراري لو تُحلّيها
Al-Sabika has a crown above her head,
And Sabika has a crown above its dome
Which the pearls of brilliant stars long to adorn.
That the pearls of hailstones wish they could adorn
فإنfor indeed حمراءهاher Alhambra واللهand God يكلؤُهاprotects her
فإن حمراءها والله يكلؤُها
ياقوتةٌa ruby فوقabove ذاكthat التاجcrown يُعليهاraises her
ياقوتةٌ فوق ذاك التاج يُعليها
For her Alhambra—may God protect her—
For its redness, by God, is clad by it
Is a ruby above that crown, which raises her high.
A ruby atop that crown, raising it high
إنindeed البدورthe full moons لتيجانٌare surely crowns مُكَّلَلةencircled
إن البدور لتيجانٌ مُكَّلَلة
جواهرُjewels الشهبof stars فيin أبهىthe fairest مجاليهاof their displays
جواهرُ الشهب في أبهى مجاليها
The full moons are indeed crowns, encircled by
The mansions are like crowned tiaras
Star-jewels in their fairest display.
With celestial gems in their most splendid finery
لكنهاbut they حَسَدَتْenvied تاجthe crown السّبيكةof al-Sabika إذwhen
لكنها حَسَدَتْ تاج السّبيكة إذ
رأتsaw أزاهرهُits blossoms زهراًradiant blooms يُجَلِّيهاadorn her
رأت أزاهرهُ زهراً يُجَلِّيها
Yet they envied al-Sabika's crown when
But they envied Sabika's crown when
They saw its blossoms shining, adorning her.
They saw its flowers outshine them as jewelry
بروجهاher towers لبروجto the constellations الأفقof the heavens مُخْجِلةٌhumbling
بروجها لبروج الأفق مُخْجِلةٌ
فشُهبُهاfor their stars فيin جمالbeauty لاdo not تضاهيهاrival her
فشُهبُها في جمال لا تضاهيها
Her towers put the heavens' constellations to shame;
Its constellations outshine those of the horizon
Their stars cannot match her beauty.
So its shooting stars excel in beauty, nothing equals them
تلكthose القصورpalaces التيwhich راقتdelighted مظاهرهاtheir appearances
تلك القصور التي راقت مظاهرها
تهوىfall النجومُthe stars قصوراًshort عنof معاليهاtheir lofty heights
تهوى النجومُ قصوراً عن معاليها
Those palaces, whose outward splendor delights—
Those palaces with splendid façades
The stars fall short of their lofty heights.
That the stars crave, aspiring to their heights
للهGod bless للهGod bless عيناًan eye منof one who رأىsaw سحراًat daybreak
لله لله عيناً من رأى سحراً
تلكthat المنارةtower قدalready رقَتgrew delicate حواشيهاits outlines
تلك المنارة قد رقَت حواشيها
God bless, God bless the eye of one who saw at dawn
By God! The eye that sees the magic
That tower, its outlines grown delicate,
Of that lighthouse, its corners so refined
والصبحُand morning فيin الشرقthe east قدalready لاحتappeared بشائرهits heralds
والصبحُ في الشرق قد لاحت بشائره
والشُّهبand the stars تستنُّrace سبقاًto outstrip فيin مجاريهاtheir courses
والشُّهب تستنُّ سبقاً في مجاريها
With morning's heralds appearing in the east,
And dawn in the east has shown its tidings
And stars racing one another in their courses.
While the shooting stars vie to race in its channels
تهويfall إلىtoward الغربthe west لماwhen غالهاovertook them سَحَرٌdaybreak
تهوي إلى الغرب لما غالها سَحَرٌ
وغمَّضَand closed الفجرُdawn منsome of أجفانthe eyelids واشيهاof her betrayer
وغمَّضَ الفجرُ من أجفان واشيها
They fall toward the west when daybreak overtakes them,
Falling to the west, for magic has smitten them
And dawn closes the eyelids of her betrayer.
And dawn has shut its eyelids against them
وساجعand the cooing العودlute فيin كفthe hand النديمof the companion إذاwhen
وساجع العود في كف النديم إذا
ما(emphasis) استوقفتyou made pause ساجعاتthe singing الطيرbirds يُغريهاentices them
ما استوقفت ساجعات الطير يُغريها
The cooing lute in a companion's hand, when
And the lute in the singer's hand, whenever
You make the singing birds pause, entices them.
The warbling of birds stops its song, entices it
يبديreveals أفانينvarieties سحرof enchantment فيin ترنّمهits melody
يبدي أفانين سحر في ترنّمه
يُصبيcharms العقولَminds بهاwith them حسناًthrough beauty ويَسبيهاand captivates them
يُصبي العقولَ بها حسناً ويَسبيها
It reveals arts of enchantment in its melody,
It produces melodies of magic in its tune
Charming minds with their beauty and taking them captive.
Bewitching minds, captivating them with its beauty
يَجُسُّهُplucks it ناعمُdelicate الأطرافin fingertips تحسبهاyou deem them
يَجُسُّهُ ناعمُ الأطراف تحسبها
لآلئاًpearls هيthey are نورٌlight فيin تلاليهاtheir glitter
لآلئاً هي نورٌ في تلاليها
It is plucked by one with delicate fingertips, which you deem
Graceful fingers pluck it, you'd think it
Pearls, luminous in their glitter.
Pearls, a light upon its hills
مقاتلa fighter بلحاظٍwith glances قوسُthe bow حاجبهاof her eyebrow
مقاتل بلحاظٍ قوسُ حاجبها
ترميshoots at القلوبَhearts بهاwith them عمداًdeliberately فتُصميهاso strikes them dead
ترمي القلوبَ بها عمداً فتُصميها
A warrior of glances, whose eyebrow's bow
A battler's frowning brow is like
Aims them at hearts, deliberately striking them dead.
An archer, striking hearts dead with it
فباكرso visit early الروضthe garden والأغصانwhile the branches مائلةare leaning
فباكر الروض والأغصان مائلة
يثنيbends النفوسَsouls لهاtoward them شوقاًin longing تَثنّيهاtheir swaying
يثني النفوسَ لها شوقاً تَثنّيها
Visit the garden early, while its branches lean;
The fresh garden and branches leaning
Their swaying bends souls toward them in longing.
Seduce souls, bending them with yearning
لمdid not يرقصِdance الدّوحthe great trees بالأكمامin blossom-sheaths منfrom طربdelight
لم يرقصِ الدّوح بالأكمام من طرب
حتىuntil شداsang منamong قيانsinging maidens الطيرof the birds شاديهاtheir songster
حتى شدا من قيان الطير شاديها
The great trees did not dance in their blossom-sheaths for joy
The ponds have not danced with sleeves in delight
Until the songster among the birds' singing maidens sang.
Until the singing of birds excites them
وأسمعتهاand made her hear فنونarts السحرof enchantment مبدعةٌinventive
وأسمعتها فنون السحر مبدعةٌ
وُرْقُgray الحمامdoves وغنّاهَاand sang to her مُغنّيهاtheir singer
وُرْقُ الحمام وغنّاهَا مُغنّيها
Inventively, they made her hear arts of enchantment—
It has heard the wonders of magic in its artistry
The gray doves, as their singer sang to her.
The cooing of doves and their songs enticing it
غرناطةGranada آنسَmay comfort الرّحمنُthe All-Merciful ساكنَهاher dweller
غرناطة آنسَ الرّحمنُ ساكنَها
باحتdisclosed بسرthe secret معانيهاof her meanings أغانيهاher songs
باحت بسر معانيها أغانيها
Granada—may the All-Merciful comfort her dweller—
Granada! May the Merciful allow its dwellers
Her songs have disclosed the secret of her meanings.
To express the meaning of its songs in their hymns
أَعْدَىinfected نسيمُهُمُtheir breeze لُطْفاًwith gentleness نفوسَهمُtheir souls
أَعْدَى نسيمُهُمُ لُطْفاً نفوسَهمُ
فرقةfor softness الطبعof temperament طبعٌis a disposition منهfrom it يُعْديهاinfects them
فرقة الطبع طبعٌ منه يُعْديها
Their breeze infected their souls with gentleness;
The gentle breeze of its people surpasses
For softness of temper is a quality it passes on.
In refinement, a nature from it spreads to them
فَخلّدَso may make everlasting اللهGod أيامthe days السرورof delight بهاin her
فَخلّدَ الله أيام السرور بها
صُفراًgolden عشيَّاتهاher evenings بيضاًwhite لياليهاher nights
صُفراً عشيَّاتها بيضاً لياليها
May God make everlasting the days of delight in her,
So God perpetuates its days of joy
With golden evenings and white nights.
Its mornings yellow, its nights white
وروّضَand made verdant المحلthe barrenness منهاof her كلُّevery منبجسٍgushing spring
وروّضَ المحل منها كلُّ منبجسٍ
إذاwhenever اشتَكَتْshe complained بقليلof a little الجدبdrought يُرويهاwaters her
إذا اشتَكَتْ بقليل الجدب يُرويها
May every gushing spring turn her barrenness into gardens,
And it has tamed every blossoming meadow
Watering her whenever she complains of a little drought.
When the drought distressed it slightly, it waters it
يحكيresembles الخليفةَthe caliph كفّاًin his hand كلّماwhenever وَكَفَتْit poured
يحكي الخليفةَ كفّاً كلّما وَكَفَتْ
بالجودwith generosity فوقover مواتdead land الأرضof the earth يُحييهاrevives it
بالجود فوق موات الأرض يُحييها
Like the caliph's hand, whenever it pours
It tells of the Caliph, whenever drought has grasped
Generosity over dead earth, bringing it to life.
The land, his palms give it life with generosity
تُغْنيfrees from need العفاةَpetitioners وقدand already أمّتْhave sought مكارمُهhis noble bounty
تُغْني العفاةَ وقد أمّتْ مكارمُه
عنfrom السؤالasking وبالإحسانand through kindness يُغْنيهاenriches them
عن السؤال وبالإحسان يُغْنيها
It frees petitioners, who have sought his noble bounty,
Sustaining the destitute, his virtues
From asking, and his kindness enriches them.
Make them needless of asking, his benevolence enriches them
لهاit has بنانٌfingers فلاso no غيثٌrain يساجلُهاrivals them
لها بنانٌ فلا غيثٌ يساجلُها
جوداًin generosity ولاnor سحبُهits clouds يوماًever تدانيهاapproach them
جوداً ولا سحبُه يوماً تدانيها
It has fingers no rain can rival
It has clouds that rain without cease
In generosity, nor can its clouds ever approach them.
In generosity, nor do its clouds ever draw near it
فإنfor if تصُبْpour سحبُهits clouds بالماءwith water حينwhen هَمتْthey rain
فإن تصُبْ سحبُه بالماء حين هَمتْ
بعسجدٍwith gold ولُجَيْنٍand silver صابpoured هاميهاits downpour
بعسجدٍ ولُجَيْنٍ صاب هاميها
For if its clouds pour water when they rain,
For when its clouds pour down water, it aims
His hand's downpour is of gold and silver.
To revive the valleys and plains
ياO أيهاyou الغوثُthe succor أنتyou are الغوثُthe succor فيin زمنan age
يا أيها الغوثُ أنت الغوثُ في زمن
ملوكُهits kings تَلِفَتْwould have perished لولاbut for تلافيهاtheir rescue
ملوكُه تَلِفَتْ لولا تلافيها
O succor, you are succor in an age
O you, the source of aid, you are the source of aid in an era
Whose kings would have perished but for their rescue.
Whose kings would perish, if not for your alliance
إنindeed الرعاياthe subjects جزاكmay reward you اللهGod صالحةwith good
إن الرعايا جزاك الله صالحة
ملكتhave gained شرقاًin the east وغرباًand west منone who يراعيهاcares for them
ملكت شرقاً وغرباً من يراعيها
Indeed, the subjects—may God reward you with good—
O people! May God reward you with righteousness
Have gained, east and west, one who cares for them.
You ruled East and West, caring for it
إنindeed الخلائقcreatures فيin الأقطارِthe regions أجمعهاall of them
إن الخلائق في الأقطارِ أجمعها
سوائمٌgrazing flocks أنتyou are فيin التحقيقtruth راعيهاtheir shepherd
سوائمٌ أنت في التحقيق راعيها
All creatures throughout every region
Creatures in all corners of the earth
Are grazing flocks; you are truly their shepherd.
Are your dependents, you in truth shepherd them
فكلُّso every مصلحةinterest للخلقof creation تحكمهاyou govern
فكلُّ مصلحة للخلق تحكمها
وكلّand every صالحةgood deed فيin الدينreligion تنويهاyou intend
وكلّ صالحة في الدين تنويها
You govern every interest of creation,
You manage every interest of the people
And intend every good in religion.
And intend every righteous cause
إذاwhen تيمَّمْتَyou head toward أرضاًa land وهيwhile it مجدبةٌis barren
إذا تيمَّمْتَ أرضاً وهي مجدبةٌ
فرحمةُthen the mercy اللهof God بالسقياwith watering rain تُحيِّيهاgreets it
فرحمةُ الله بالسقيا تُحيِّيها
When you head toward a land that lies barren,
When you desire a land that is barren
God's mercy greets it with watering rain.
God's mercy in irrigating it gives it life
ياO رحمةًmercy بثّتthat spread الرُّحمَىcompassion بأندلسٍin al-Andalus
يا رحمةً بثّت الرُّحمَى بأندلسٍ
لولاكbut for you زُلزلتِwould have been shaken الدنياthe world بمنwith those who فيهاare within it
لولاك زُلزلتِ الدنيا بمن فيها
O mercy that spread compassion through al-Andalus,
O mercy that spread kindness in Andalusia
But for you, the world and all within it would have shaken.
Without you, the world and all in it would have shaken
فيin فضلthe abundance جودكof your generosity قدalready عاشتhave lived مشيختهاher elders
في فضل جودك قد عاشت مشيختها
فيin ظلthe shade أمنكof your security قدalready نامتhave slept ذراريهاher children
في ظل أمنك قد نامت ذراريها
In the abundance of your generosity her elders have lived;
In your abundant grace its elders have lived
In the shade of your security her children have slept.
In the shade of your security its young have slept
فيfor طولthe length عمركَof your life يرجوappeals to اللهGod آملُهاher hopeful one
في طول عمركَ يرجو الله آملُها
بنصرfor victory ملككof your reign يدعوprays to اللهَGod داعيهاher supplicant
بنصر ملكك يدعو اللهَ داعيها
For your long life, her hopeful ones appeal to God;
In your long life, its hopeful look to God
For victory for your reign, her supplicants pray to God.
For the victory of your kingdom, its caller invokes Him
عوائدُcustomary favors اللهof God قدalready عُوِّدْتَyou have been accustomed to أفضلهاtheir best
عوائدُ الله قد عُوِّدْتَ أفضلها
لتبلغso that may attain الخَلْقُcreation ماwhat شاءتdesired أمانيهاits hopes
لتبلغ الخَلْقُ ما شاءت أمانيها
God's customary favors—you have been granted their best,
God's ways have accustomed you to the best of them
So creation may attain whatever its hopes desire.
So people may attain what they wish of their hopes
سُلَّdraw السعودَgood fortunes وخَلِّand leave البيضَthe bright swords مُغمدةًsheathed
سُلَّ السعودَ وخَلِّ البيضَ مُغمدةً
واضربْand strike بهاwith them فريةَthe falsehood التَّثليثof the Trinity تَفْريهاyou cleave it
واضربْ بها فريةَ التَّثليث تَفْريها
Draw good fortunes, and leave the bright swords sheathed;
Ask for success and sheathe the sword
Strike the falsehood of the Trinity with them and cleave it.
And strike the trinity of polytheism, repelling it
للهGod bless أيامكyour days الغرٌُّradiant التيwhich اطَّردَتْcontinued unbroken
لله أيامك الغرٌُّ التي اطَّردَتْ
فيهاwithin them السعودُgood fortunes بماwith what ترضىpleases you ويُرضيهاand pleases them
فيها السعودُ بما ترضى ويُرضيها
God bless your radiant days, throughout which
By God, the virtuous days that persist
Good fortunes run unbroken with what pleases you and them.
With success, as you desire and satisfies you
للهGod bless دولتكyour dynasty الغَرَّاءradiant إنّindeed لهاit has
لله دولتك الغَرَّاء إنّ لها
لكافلاًsurely a protector منfrom إلهthe Lord العرشof the Throne يكفيهاsuffices it
لكافلاً من إله العرش يكفيها
God bless your radiant dynasty; indeed, it has
By God, your shining state, it has
A protector from the Lord of the Throne, sufficient for it.
As its protector, the God of the Throne
هيهاتَfar be it أنthat تبلغَshould attain الأعداءُthe enemies مأرُبَةٌan objective
هيهاتَ أن تبلغَ الأعداءُ مأرُبَةٌ
فيin جريهاits course وجنودُwhile the armies اللهof God تحميهاprotect it
في جريها وجنودُ الله تحميها
Far be it that enemies should attain an objective
Never can enemies attain the battleground
In its course, while God's armies protect it.
As it flows, with God's armies guarding it
هذيthese سيوفكyour swords فيin الأجفانthe scabbards نائمةare sleeping
هذي سيوفك في الأجفان نائمة
والمشركونand the polytheists سيوفthe swords اللهof God تُفنيهاannihilate them
والمشركون سيوف الله تُفنيها
These swords of yours lie sleeping in their scabbards,
While the polytheists are God's swords, annihilating them
While God's swords annihilate the polytheists.
You have a way in sincerity that has recognized
سريرةٌan inward purpose لكyours فيin الإخلاصsincerity قدalready عَرَفَتْhave recognized
سريرةٌ لك في الإخلاص قد عَرَفَتْ
حُسْنىthe goodness عواقبهاof its outcomes حتىeven أعاديهاits enemies
حُسْنى عواقبها حتى أعاديها
A sincere inward purpose is yours; known are
Good consequences, even to enemies
Its fair outcomes, even to its enemies.
The dawn did not veil the shooting stars from view
لمnever يحجبconcealed الصبحُmorning شهبَthe stars الأفقof the heavens عنfrom بصرsight
لم يحجب الصبحُ شهبَ الأفق عن بصر
إلاexcept وهديُكwhile your guidance للأبصارto the eyes يُبديهاreveals them
إلا وهديُك للأبصار يُبديها
Morning never conceals the heavens' stars from sight
Except your guidance for sights to see them
Without your guidance making them visible to the eyes.
O son of kings, and sons of kings, when
ياO ابنson الملوكof kings وأبناءand sons الملوكof kings إذاwhen
يا ابن الملوك وأبناء الملوك إذا
تدعوsummon الملوكُkings إلىto طوعobedience تُلَبّيهاanswer them
تدعو الملوكُ إلى طوع تُلَبّيها
O son of kings, and of kings' sons who, when
Kings are called to obey, responding to them
They summon kings to obedience, have their summons answered.
Sons of victory, kings of mighty victory
أبناءُthe sons نصرٍof Nasr ملوكkings عزّwas mighty نصرُهُمُtheir victory
أبناءُ نصرٍ ملوك عزّ نصرُهُمُ
وأوسعواand lavished upon الخلقcreation تَنْويهاrenown وترفيهاand comfort
وأوسعوا الخلق تَنْويها وترفيها
The sons of Nasr are kings whose victory is mighty,
Who have vastened the people, comforting and entertaining them
Who have lavished renown and ease upon creation.
They are the lamps lit by God's light
همthey are المصابيحthe lamps نورthe light اللهof God موقدهاtheir kindler
هم المصابيح نور الله موقدها
تضيءshine للدينfor religion والدنياand the world مشاكيهاtheir niches
تضيء للدين والدنيا مشاكيها
They are lamps kindled by God's light;
Illuminating the religion and the world's affairs
Their niches shine for religion and the world.
They are the stars, and the horizon of guidance their rising place
همthey are النجومthe stars وأفقand the horizon الهدْيof guidance مطلعهاtheir rising place
هم النجوم وأفق الهدْي مطلعها
فوزاًtriumph لمَهْديِّهاfor those they guide عزاًglory لهاديهاfor their guide
فوزاً لمَهْديِّها عزاً لهاديها
They are stars rising on the horizon of guidance:
Triumph to its guide, might to its leader
Triumph to those they guide, glory to their guide!
They are the full moons, perfection never leaves them
همthey are البدورthe full moons كمالٌperfection ماnever يفارقهاdeparts from them
هم البدور كمالٌ ما يفارقها
همthey are الشموسًthe suns ظلامdarkness لاdoes not يُواريهاconceal them
هم الشموسً ظلام لا يُواريها
They are full moons, never parted from perfection;
They are the suns, no darkness can conceal them
They are suns no darkness can conceal.
Their celestial orbits have decreed they will never fade
قضتdecreed قواضبُهاtheir cutting swords أنthat لاthere is no انقضاءend لهاfor them
قضت قواضبُها أن لا انقضاء لها
وأمضتand enforced الحكمَjudgment فيupon الأعداthe enemies مواضيهاtheir keen blades
وأمضت الحكمَ في الأعدا مواضيها
Their cutting swords decreed that they should have no end,
And commanded firmly against the enemies
And their keen blades enforced judgment upon enemies.
And etched their repute on Indian steels
وخلّدتand immortalized فيupon صفاحthe blades الهندof India سيرتهاtheir history
وخلّدت في صفاح الهند سيرتها
وأسندتand transmitted عنfrom عواليهاtheir lofty spears معاليهاtheir high deeds
وأسندت عن عواليها معاليها
They immortalized their history upon Indian blades,
And ascribed their heights above their summits
And transmitted their high deeds on the authority of their lofty spears.
And they bequeathed to you jihad, you its supporter
وأورثتكand bequeathed you جهاداًa struggle أنتyou are ناصرهits supporter
وأورثتك جهاداً أنت ناصره
والأجرand the reward منكthrough you يُرضِّيهاsatisfies them ويحظيهاand favors them
والأجر منك يُرضِّيها ويحظيها
They bequeathed you a struggle that you uphold,
While reward from you satisfies and favors them
And its reward through you satisfies and favors them.
How many stands where enemies dread its position
كمhow many موقفa battle ترهبfear الأعداءُthe enemies موقفَهُits stand
كم موقف ترهب الأعداءُ موقفَهُ
والخيلwhile the horses تَرديgallop ووقعand the impact السُّمرof tawny spears يُرديهاslays them
والخيل تَردي ووقع السُّمر يُرديها
How many a battle whose stand the enemies fear,
And horses race, and the swords' blows terrorize them
While horses gallop and tawny spear-strokes lay them low.
Their armor rattles though the day is cloudy
ثارتrose عجاجتهits dust-cloud واليومand daylight محتجبٌwas concealed
ثارت عجاجته واليوم محتجبٌ
والنقعand the dust يؤثرproduces غيماًa cloud منfrom دياجيهاits darkness
والنقع يؤثر غيماً من دياجيها
Its dust-cloud rose, and daylight was concealed;
And the clouds suggest a coat of mail upon them
The dust produces a cloud from its darkness.
To the swords, shooting stars that when they set
وللأسنةand the spearheads have شهبstars كلماwhenever غربتthey sink
وللأسنة شهب كلما غربت
فيin الدارthe dwelling عينan eye تجلَّتappeared منfrom عواليهاtheir spear-tips
في الدار عين تجلَّت من عواليها
The spearheads have stars; whenever they sink,
In the abode, an eye sparkles from its heights
In the dwelling, an eye gleams from their spear-tips.
And to the swords, lightning whenever it flashes
وللسيوفand the swords have بروقٌlightning flashes كلماwhenever لمعتthey gleam
وللسيوف بروقٌ كلما لمعت
تُزجيdrive onward الدماءblood وريحand the wind النصرof victory يُزجيهاdrives them
تُزجي الدماء وريح النصر يُزجيها
The swords have lightning flashes; whenever they gleam,
You see the stars as missiles targeted by them
They drive blood onward, while victory's wind drives them.
From a meteor that appeared, dawn chasing it
أطلعتَyou revealed وجهاًa face تريكshows you الشمسَthe sun غُرَّتُهُits bright forehead
أطلعتَ وجهاً تريك الشمسَ غُرَّتُهُ
تباركblessed be اللهGod ماno شمسٌsun تُساميهاrivals it
تبارك الله ما شمسٌ تُساميها
You revealed a face whose forehead shows you the sun;
The shooting stars in sky watch it, as it hides them
Blessed be God—no sun can rival it.
Except those tied in the forelocks of steeds
منfrom أينwhere للشمسcould the sun have نطقspeech كلهall of it حكمwisdom
من أين للشمس نطق كله حكم
يفيدهاimparts it كلَّevery حينmoment منكfrom you مُبديهاits revealer
يفيدها كلَّ حين منك مُبديها
How could the sun have speech composed entirely of wisdom,
For they have raised them in power and distinction
Which you reveal and impart at every moment?
Bay that outstripped the lightning of lightning, leaving
لكyours are الجيادُthe steeds إذاwhen تجريrace سوابقهاtheir foremost runners
لك الجيادُ إذا تجري سوابقها
فللرياحso the winds have جيادٌsteeds ماthat do not تجاريهاkeep pace with them
فللرياح جيادٌ ما تجاريها
Yours are the steeds whose foremost runners, when they race,
Only twilight remaining in the sky, signaling them
The winds' own steeds cannot keep pace with them.
Or chestnut, its ember blazing in war
إذاwhen انبرتthey spring forward يومَon a day سبقٍof racing فيin أعنَّتهاtheir reins
إذا انبرت يومَ سبقٍ في أعنَّتها
ترىyou see البروقthe lightning flashes طلاحاًexhausted لاunable to تباريهاcompete with them
ترى البروق طلاحاً لا تباريها
When they spring forward in their reins on a racing day,
With sparks from deadly seriousness kindling them
You see the lightning exhausted, unable to compete with them.
The color of carnelian, carnelian flowing blood
منamong them أشهبٍa gray steed قدalready بداappeared صبحاًas morning تُراعُare alarmed لهby it
من أشهبٍ قد بدا صبحاً تُراعُ له
شُهبُthe stars السماءof the heavens فإنfor indeed الصبحmorning يخفيهاhides them
شُهبُ السماء فإن الصبح يخفيها
Among them, a gray steed appearing as morning, alarming
From its flanks, from lethal arrows piercing them
The heavens' stars, for morning hides them,
Or grayish-black, filling the night's chest, its shoes
إلاexcept التيthose which فيin لجامٍa bridle منهof it قيَّدَهاit bound
إلا التي في لجامٍ منه قيَّدَها
فإنهfor it سامهاbestowed upon them عزَّhonor وتنويهاand distinction
فإنه سامها عزَّ وتنويها
Except those it has held captive in its bridle;
Stepping over the horizon at daybreak
For it has bestowed honor and distinction on them.
If shooting stars lose their way at night, adorned by it
أوor أشقرٍa chestnut steed مرّpassed عنbeyond شقرthe tawny flashes البروقof lightning وقدand already
أو أشقرٍ مرّ عن شقر البروق وقد
أبقىleft لهاfor them شفقاًan afterglow فيin الجوthe air تنبيهاas a reminder
أبقى لها شفقاً في الجو تنبيها
Or a chestnut steed that passed the tawny lightning and
Its dawn glow guides them with light
Left it an afterglow in the air as a reminder.
Or blond, passing by the blondness of lightning, keeping
أوor أحمرٍa red steed جمرهits ember فيin الحربbattle متّقدٌis blazing
أو أحمرٍ جمره في الحرب متّقدٌ
يعلوrises لهاfor it شَررٌsparks منfrom بأسthe valor مُذكيهاof its kindler
يعلو لها شَررٌ من بأس مُذكيها
Or a red steed whose ember blazes in battle,
Only twilight in the air to alert them
Sending sparks up from the valor of its kindler.
Or red, wearing a cheerful humor at night
لونthe color العقيقof agate وقدand already سالflowed العقيقagate دماًas blood
لون العقيق وقد سال العقيق دماً
بعطفهon its flank منfrom كُماةٍarmored warriors كرَّit charged يُدميهاmaking them bleed
بعطفه من كُماةٍ كرَّ يُدميها
Agate-hued, with agate flowing as blood
Recognized by the night's progression, heralding it
On its flank, from warriors it charged and bloodied.
Camouflaged in resplendent embellishments, wandering in wonder
أوor أدهمٍa black steed ملءfilling صدرthe breast الليلof night تنعلهshoe it
أو أدهمٍ ملء صدر الليل تنعله
أهلّةcrescents فوقabove وجهthe face الأرضof the earth يبديهاit displays them
أهلّة فوق وجه الأرض يبديها
Or a black steed, filling night's breast, shod
Never missing distinction nor straying
With crescents it displays upon the earth's face.
And how many a sword's river, polished smooth
إنif حارتwandered lost الشهبُthe stars ليلاًat night فيabout مقَّلدهits neck
إن حارت الشهبُ ليلاً في مقَّلده
فصبحthen the dawn غُرَّتهof its forehead-blaze بالنورwith light يَهديهاguides them
فصبح غُرَّته بالنور يَهديها
If the stars wander lost at night about its neck,
Whenever the souls of disbelief sharpen it
The dawn of its forehead-blaze guides them with light.
Heads flow like beads above its surface
أوor أصفرٍa dun steed بالعشيّاتin evening hues ارتدىclothed itself مرحاًjoyously
أو أصفرٍ بالعشيّات ارتدى مرحاً
وعُرفُهand its mane بتماديof the continuance الليلof night يُنبيهاtells them
وعُرفُه بتمادي الليل يُنبيها
Or a dun steed, joyously clothed in evening hues,
And nothing flows but havoc courses them
While its mane tells them of night's long continuance.
And withered by the blood of infidels, its drink
مُموّهٌadorned بنفارٍwith skittishness تاهstrutted منfrom عجبself-admiration
مُموّهٌ بنفارٍ تاه من عجب
فليسso it does not يعدمُlack تنويهاdistinction ولاnor تيهاswagger
فليس يعدمُ تنويها ولا تيها
Adorned with skittishness, proud in self-admiration,
It reaps conquests, while the palm of victory harvests them
Never lacking distinction or proud swagger.
And how many a crescent for a bow, whenever it throbs
وربّand many a نهرriver حسامof a sword رقَّbecame fine رائقهits clear surface
وربّ نهر حسام رقَّ رائقه
متىwhenever تَرِدْهُcome to drink from it نفوسُthe souls الكفرof unbelief يُرديهاit slays them
متى تَرِدْهُ نفوسُ الكفر يُرديها
And many a sword-river, its clear surface fine,
You see the stars as projectiles targeted by them
Slays the souls of unbelief whenever they come to drink.
O leaders of disbelief! You cannot resolve its arena
تجريflow الرؤوسheads حباباًas bubbles فوقupon صفحتهits surface
تجري الرؤوس حباباً فوق صفحته
وماand not جرىdid it flow غيرexcept أنthat البأسvalor يُجريهاmakes them flow
وما جرى غير أن البأس يُجريها
Heads flow like bubbles upon its surface,
Except its strong forts shake apart forcefully
Though it does not flow: valor alone sets them flowing.
O state of victory! Can any attain the states
وذابلٍand a lithe spear منfrom دمthe blood الكفّارof unbelievers مشربُهis its drink
وذابلٍ من دم الكفّار مشربُه
يَجنيreaps الفتوحَconquests وكفُّand the hand النصرof victory تجنيهاreaps them
يَجني الفتوحَ وكفُّ النصر تجنيها
And many a lithe spear, drinking the unbelievers' blood,
You give life to, then make sleep?
Reaps conquests, and victory's hand reaps them.
Or attain the early supporters with sustenance
وكمand how many هلالٍa crescent لقوسٍof a bow كلَّماwhenever نبضتْit twanged
وكم هلالٍ لقوسٍ كلَّما نبضتْ
ترىyou see النجومَthe stars رجوماًas missiles فيin مراميهاits ranges
ترى النجومَ رجوماً في مراميها
And many a crescent bow which, whenever it twangs,
And God rewards them with eternity in Paradise
Shows you stars as missiles in its fields of fire.
The Caliphate, most lofty of manifestations
أئمةleaders الكفرof unbelief ماnever يَمَّمْتَyou approached ساحتهاtheir court
أئمة الكفر ما يَمَّمْتَ ساحتها
إلاexcept وقدwhen already زُلزلتْwere shaken قسراًviolently صياصيهاtheir fortresses
إلا وقد زُلزلتْ قسراً صياصيها
The leaders of unbelief: you never approach their court
Has preserved for us a nobility, and God will preserve it
Without their fortresses being violently shaken.
O son of those who in every glory
ياO دولةdynasty النصرof Nasr هلis there منany مبلغmessenger to دولاًdynasties
يا دولة النصر هل من مبلغ دولاً
مضينَthat passed away أنكthat you تُحييهاrevive them وتُنسيهاand make them forgotten
مضينَ أنك تُحييها وتُنسيها
O dynasty of Nasr, is there one to tell dynasties
Have prides, and the tongue of time dictates them
Long gone that you revive them and make them forgotten?
Supporters of the best of creations, chosen for his emigration
أوor مبلغone conveying to سالفَthe bygone الأنصارAnsar مأكلةًa source of sustenance
أو مبلغ سالفَ الأنصار مأكلةً
واللهand God بالخلدwith eternity فيin الفردوسParadise يَجزيهاrewards them
والله بالخلد في الفردوس يَجزيها
Or one to announce to the bygone Ansar a bounty—
His neighbors at his oasis, most generous to its people
Whom God rewards with eternity in Paradise—
The tolerant religion exalted them in honor
أنthat الخلافةthe caliphate أعلىmay exalt اللهGod مظهرهاits manifestation
أن الخلافة أعلى الله مظهرها
أبقتْhas preserved لناfor us شرفاًhonor واللهand God يبقيهاpreserves it
أبقتْ لنا شرفاً والله يبقيها
That the caliphate, may God exalt its manifestation,
Its supporters, through them its climax reached
Has preserved honor for us, and may God preserve it?
So at Hunayn, Badr, and Uhud
ياO ابنson الذينof those who لهمhave فيin كلevery مكرمةnoble deed
يا ابن الذين لهم في كل مكرمة
مفاخرٌglories ولسانand the tongue الدهرof time يُمليهاdictates them
مفاخرٌ ولسان الدهر يُمليها
O son of those who, in every noble deed, have
Their prides are found, famed in them
Glories dictated by the tongue of time.
And ask elevated conduct about their stands
أنصارHelpers خيرof the best الورىof mankind مختارchosen for هجرتهhis migration
أنصار خير الورى مختار هجرته
جيرانneighbors روضتهof his garden أكرمُhow noble بأهلِيهاare its people
جيران روضته أكرمُ بأهلِيها
Helpers of the best of mankind, chosen for his migration,
Their expeditions through it are narrated
Neighbors of his garden—how noble its people!
Deeds the Merciful immortalized their impact
أسمتهُمُnamed them الملّةthe faith السمحاءُtolerant تكرمةًas an honor
أسمتهُمُ الملّة السمحاءُ تكرمةً
أنصارَهاits Helpers وبهمand through them عزّتْgrew mighty أواليهاits early days
أنصارَها وبهم عزّتْ أواليها
The tolerant faith named them, as an honor,
The Quran details for those reciting them
Its Helpers; through them its earliest days gained might.
To Him belongs jihad, through which winds blow
ففيfor at حُنَيْنٍHunayn وفيand at بدرٍBadr وفيand at أُحُدٍUhud
ففي حُنَيْنٍ وفي بدرٍ وفي أُحُدٍ
تُلْفَىare found مفاخرهمtheir glories مشهورةًcelebrated فيهاthere
تُلْفَى مفاخرهم مشهورةً فيها
At Hunayn, at Badr, and at Uhud,
To the earth's kingdoms, from its diverse edges
You find their glories celebrated there.
With it, the feet make pilgrimage to the Ancient House
وَلْتَسْأَلِand do ask السِّيَرَthe chronicles المرفوعَexalted مسندُهاtheir chain of transmission
وَلْتَسْأَلِ السِّيَرَ المرفوعَ مسندُها
فعنfor from مواقفهمtheir stands تُرْوىare recounted مغازيهاtheir campaigns
فعن مواقفهم تُرْوى مغازيها
Ask the chronicles with exalted chains of transmission;
So Mecca was populated through it, its pastures revived
From their stands their campaigns are recounted.
Good news the world and its inhabitants hear
مآثرٌnoble deeds خلَّدmade eternal الرّحمنthe All-Merciful أُثرتهاtheir memory
مآثرٌ خلَّد الرّحمن أُثرتها
ينصّهاquotes them منfrom كتابthe Book اللهof God تاليهاtheir reciter
ينصّها من كتاب الله تاليها
Deeds whose memory the All-Merciful made eternal,
Whenever its supreme name is proclaimed
Quoted by their reciter from the Book of God.
Your outstanding Caliphate suffices as a source of pride
لهhis is الجهادthe struggle بهthrough it تسريtravel الرياحthe winds إلىto
له الجهاد به تسري الرياح إلى
ممالكkingdoms الأرضof the earth منfrom شتىvarious أقاصيهاfarthest reaches of it
ممالك الأرض من شتى أقاصيها
His is the struggle; with it the winds travel to
That God supports those who support it
Earth's kingdoms, from their farthest, scattered reaches.
And time has taught its children through experience
تُحدىare urged with song الركابthe riding camels إلىtoward البيتthe House العتيقAncient بهthrough it
تُحدى الركاب إلى البيت العتيق به
فمكّةٌand Mecca عَمَرَتْhave thrived منهthrough it نَواديهاher gathering places
فمكّةٌ عَمَرَتْ منه نَواديها
By it the riding camels are urged toward the Ancient House,
That God supports those who support it
And Mecca's gathering places have thrived through it.
When you shoot arrows of resolve unfailingly
بشائرٌglad tidings تسمعُhears الدنياthe world وساكنهاand its inhabitant
بشائرٌ تسمعُ الدنيا وساكنها
إذاwhen دعاproclaimed باسمكyour name الأعلىexalted مُناديهاits herald
إذا دعا باسمك الأعلى مُناديها
Glad tidings the world and its inhabitants hear,
You did not shoot, but providence shot them
When their herald proclaims your exalted name.
Thanks to Him who magnified our talents
كفىsuffices for خلافَتَكَyour caliphate الغراءَradiant منقبةٌas a distinction
كفى خلافَتَكَ الغراءَ منقبةٌ
أنّthat الإلهَGod يُواليsupports منwhoever يُواليهاsupports it
أنّ الإلهَ يُوالي من يُواليها
Enough distinction for your radiant caliphate
Though if counted, the count cannot record them
That God supports whoever supports it.
In the near future, you will see holidays arriving
وقدand already أفادtaught بنيهits sons الدهرُtime تجربةًthrough experience
وقد أفاد بنيه الدهرُ تجربةً
أنّthat الإلهَGod يُواليsupports منwhoever يُواليهاsupports it
أنّ الإلهَ يُوالي من يُواليها
Time has taught its sons through experience
With conquests, and the deputation of victory guiding them
That God supports whoever supports it.
And they will attain the highest goal in their tidings
إذاwhen رميتyou shot سهامarrows العزمof resolve صائبةًon target
إذا رميت سهام العزم صائبةً
فماthen not رميتَdid you shoot بلrather التوفيقdivine success راميهاis their archer
فما رميتَ بل التوفيق راميها
When you shoot the arrows of resolve straight,
For with what pleases you, their clear messages began
It is not you who shoot them: divine success is their archer.
So congratulate yourself with what you desire to please you
شكراًthanks لمنto Him whose عظمتgrew immense مناas favors مواهبُهُHis gifts
شكراً لمن عظمت منا مواهبُهُ
وإنْand even if تُعَدَّthey are counted فليسstill not العدُّcounting يُحصيهاencompasses them
وإنْ تُعَدَّ فليس العدُّ يُحصيها
Thanks to Him whose gifts are immense in bounty,
And attain hopes, for fate brings them close
Even if counted, no count can encompass them.
My Master, take it however its eloquence desired
عماin قريبٍa little while ترىyou will see الأعيادَfestivals مُقبلةًapproaching
عما قريبٍ ترى الأعيادَ مُقبلةً
منfrom الفتوحconquests ووفدُand the delegation النصرof victory حاديهاtheir caravan-driver
من الفتوح ووفدُ النصر حاديها
Soon you will see festivals approaching
Though if appraised, beauty itself would buy them
From conquests, with victory's delegation driving them on.
I sent it wherever souls are sent
وتبلغُand will reach الغايةthe goal القصوىfarthest بشائرهاtheir glad tidings
وتبلغُ الغاية القصوى بشائرها
فقدfor already أظلتْhave drawn near بماwith what ترضىpleases you مباديهاtheir beginnings
فقد أظلتْ بما ترضى مباديها
Their glad tidings will reach the farthest goal,
Rarities spreading glad tidings, realizing their wishes
For their beginnings already loom with what pleases you.
It came to congratulate you on the Feast of Fast-Breaking in wonder
فاهنأso rejoice بماin whatever شئتyou wish منof صنعa deed تُسَرُّyou delight بهin it
فاهنأ بما شئت من صنع تُسَرُّ به
وانْوand intend الأمانيَّwishes فالأقدارfor destinies تُدنيهاbring them near
وانْو الأمانيَّ فالأقدار تُدنيها
Rejoice in whatever deed you wish that brings you joy;
At its beauty, and the tongue of sincerity transports it
Intend your wishes, for destiny brings them near.
Give good news in its face, and good fortune in its hand
مولايّmy lord خذهاreceive her كماas شاءتdesired بلاغتهاher eloquence
مولايّ خذها كما شاءت بلاغتها
ولوand if تُبَاعُshe were sold لكانthen would الحسنُbeauty يَشريهاbuy her
ولو تُبَاعُ لكان الحسنُ يَشريها
My lord, receive her as her eloquence desired;
Sorcery in its words, and pearls in its mouth
Were she for sale, beauty itself would buy her.
If the full moon were adorned with a crown from it for its dome
أرسلتهاI sent her حيثماwherever الأرواحsouls مرسلةٌare sent
أرسلتها حيثما الأرواح مرسلةٌ
نوادراًrare marvels تنشرspread البشرىglad tidings أمانيهاher wishes
نوادراً تنشر البشرى أمانيها
I sent her wherever souls are sent,
It would not please the pearls of hailstones to jewelry it
Rare marvels, whose hopes spread glad tidings.
And if it were the daughter of my thoughts, its only one
جاءتshe came تُهنيكto congratulate you عيدon the festival الفطرof breaking the fast معجبةًadmiring
جاءت تُهنيك عيد الفطر معجبةً
بحسنهاher beauty ولسانُand the tongue الصدقof truth يُطريهاextols her
بحسنها ولسانُ الصدق يُطريها
She came to congratulate you on Eid al-Fitr, admiring
Your blessings would have nurtured it in your care
Her beauty, while truth's tongue extols her.
In your meadow of generosity, you have encircled me with kindness
البِشرjoy فيin وجههاher face واليمنand good fortune فيin يدهاher hand
البِشر في وجهها واليمن في يدها
والسّحرُand enchantment فيin لفظهاher wording والدرُّand pearls فيin فيهاher mouth
والسّحرُ في لفظها والدرُّ في فيها
Joy is in her face, good fortune in her hand,
Like the necklace encircles a dove, so my rhymes cannot match it
Magic in her wording, and pearls in her mouth.
And if I revealed the tongue of time to thank it
لوif رصَعstudded البدرthe full moon منهاfrom her تاجthe crown مفرقهof its head
لو رصَع البدر منها تاج مفرقه
لمwould not يرضَaccept درَّthe pearls الدراريof brilliant stars أنto تحُلّيهاadorn it
لم يرضَ درَّ الدراري أن تحُلّيها
If the full moon studded its crown with jewels from her,
It would fall short of sufficient thanks
It would not accept bright stars' pearls to adorn it.
You remain for the religion and world the imam of guidance
فإنfor if تكنshe is بنتُthe daughter فكريof my thought وهوand it أوحدهاis peerless
فإن تكن بنتُ فكري وهو أوحدها
نُعماكyour favors فيin حِجرهits lap كانتwere تُربّيهاnurturing her
نُعماك في حِجره كانت تُربّيها
If she is the daughter of my thought—and it is peerless—
Conveying the soul to what it hopes of its wishes
Your favors reared her in its lap.
And good fortune flows to the hopes it aspires for
فيin روضthe garden جودكof your generosity قدalready طوّقتنيyou encircled me مِنناwith favors
في روض جودك قد طوّقتني مِننا
طوقَthe collar الحمامof doves فماyet not سجعيmy cooing مُوَفيّهاrepays them
طوقَ الحمام فما سجعي مُوَفيّها
In the garden of your generosity, you have encircled me with favors,
As long as the stars flow in their courses
Like a dove's collar; my cooing cannot repay them.
ولوand if أعرتُI lent لسانthe tongue الدهرof time يشكرهاto thank them
ولو أعرتُ لسان الدهر يشكرها
لكانthen would يقصرُfall short عنof شكرٍthanks يُوَفّيهاthat repays them
لكان يقصرُ عن شكرٍ يُوَفّيها
Were I to lend time's tongue to thank them,
It would fall short of thanks sufficient to repay them.
بقيتَmay you remain للدينfor religion والدنياand the world إمامَan imam هدىof guidance
بقيتَ للدين والدنيا إمامَ هدى
مبلَّغgranted النّفسthe soul ماwhat ترجوdesire أمانيهاits hopes
مبلَّغ النّفس ما ترجو أمانيها
May you remain a guiding imam for religion and the world,
Your soul granted all that its hopes desire,
والسعدand good fortune يجريruns لغاياتtoward goals تؤمِّلهاyou hope for
والسعد يجري لغايات تؤمِّلها
ماas long as دامتِcontinue الشُّهبthe stars تجريto run فيin مجاريهاtheir courses
ما دامتِ الشُّهب تجري في مجاريها
With good fortune running toward the ends you wish,
As long as the stars run in their courses.
Partial English translation: 223 of 230 Arabic lines translated.