أَرَنَّrang out سَهْمُthe arrow الرَّدَىof death إِرْنَانَthe ringing مُنْتَحِبِof a mourner
أَرَنَّ سَهْمُ الرَّدَى إِرْنَانَ مُنْتَحِبِ
وَسَالَand flowed بِالدَّمْعِwith tears وَجْهُthe face السَّيْفِof the sword ذِيpossessing الشُّطَبِgrooves
وَسَالَ بِالدَّمْعِ وَجْهُ السَّيْفِ ذِي الشُّطَبِ
Death's arrow rang with the ringing of a mourner.
The arrow of fate let out a groan of grief,
And tears flowed over the face of the grooved sword.
And the face of the sword dripped with tears.
أَبالحَدِيدِis there in the steel? أَسىًgrief مِنْfrom أَنْthat يُفَارِقَهُhe should leave it
أَبالحَدِيدِ أَسىً مِنْ أَنْ يُفَارِقَهُ
فِيin كُلِّevery حَلْبَةِarena فَخْرٍof glory خَيْرُthe best مُصْطَحِبِcompanion
فِي كُلِّ حَلْبَةِ فَخْرٍ خَيْرُ مُصْطَحِبِ
Does the steel grieve at being parted from
Does the iron grieve at parting with it,
The finest companion in every arena of glory?
The best companion in every field of glory?
مَاذَاwhat شَجَاsaddened ظَبْيُthe gazelle عَسْفَانٍof Usfan بِمَرْتَعِهِin its pasture
مَاذَا شَجَا ظَبْيُ عَسْفَانٍ بِمَرْتَعِهِ
وَرَاعَand frightened لَيْثَthe lion الشَّرَىof al-Shara فِيin غِيلِهِits thicket الأَشِبِthe tangled
وَرَاعَ لَيْثَ الشَّرَى فِي غِيلِهِ الأَشِبِ
What saddened the gazelle of Usfan in its pasture,
What did the antelope on the meadow of Asfan cry for?
And frightened the lion of al-Shara in its tangled thicket?
Or the ferocious lion in his dreadful lair?
دَهَىbefell العُرُوبَةthe Arab nation خَطْبٌa calamity فَتَّshattered سَاعِدَهَاits arm
دَهَى العُرُوبَة خَطْبٌ فَتَّ سَاعِدَهَا
مِنْfrom حَيْثُwhere لاَnot يُتَّقَىis warded off بِالبَيْضِwith bright swords واليَلَبِand armor
مِنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يُتَّقَى بِالبَيْضِ واليَلَبِ
A calamity struck the Arab nation and shattered its arm,
Fate called the Arab race to glory, so its arm reached heights
From a quarter against which bright swords and armor offer no defense.
Where courage, not spears or arrows, was the best defense.
مَضَىdeparted الحُسَيْنُHusayn مُفَدِّيَهاits self-sacrificing redeemer وَمُنْقِذُهَاand its deliverer
مَضَى الحُسَيْنُ مُفَدِّيَها وَمُنْقِذُهَا
فَأَيُّso what قَلْبٍheart لِهَذَاat this البَيْنِparting لَمْdid not يَذُبِmelt
فَأَيُّ قَلْبٍ لِهَذَا البَيْنِ لَمْ يَذُبِ
Husayn has departed, its self-sacrificing redeemer and deliverer.
Al-Husayn went forth as its redeemer and savior,
What heart has not melted at this parting?
So which heart is not torn apart by this separation?
أَأُغْضِيْتَhas been closed? عَنْto حِمَاهاits sanctuary عَيْنُthe eye كَالِئِهَاof its guardian
أَأُغْضِيْتَ عَنْ حِمَاها عَيْنُ كَالِئِهَا
وَلَمْand did not تَنَمْsleep عَنْover حِمَاهَاits sanctuary أَعْيُنُthe eyes النُّوَبِof calamities
وَلَمْ تَنَمْ عَنْ حِمَاهَا أَعْيُنُ النُّوَبِ
Has its guardian's eye been closed to its sanctuary,
Did you ignore protecting it, you who were its guardians,
While the eyes of calamity never slept over it?
And were your eyes not alert in guarding it?
كَلاَّno! وَذِكْرَاهُand his memory مَاas long as دَامَتْit remains مُؤَجَّجَةًkindling
كَلاَّ وَذِكْرَاهُ مَا دَامَتْ مُؤَجَّجَةً
نَارَthe fire الحِمِيَّةِof zeal فِيin صُيَّابِهَاits finest men النُّخَبِthe chosen
نَارَ الحِمِيَّةِ فِي صُيَّابِهَا النُّخَبِ
No—not while his memory keeps alight
Never! While the fire of zeal still burns
The fire of zeal in its finest, chosen men,
In the embers of its elite and the people's commons,
وَمَاand as long as أَهَابَتْit called upon بِجُنْدِupon the host of اللهِGod فَاصْطَدَمَتْthen clashed
وَمَا أَهَابَتْ بِجُنْدِ اللهِ فَاصْطَدَمَتْ
كَتَائِبُthe legions الغِيَرِof misfortunes الدَّهْمَاءِthe dark بِالشُّهُبِwith the meteors
كَتَائِبُ الغِيَرِ الدَّهْمَاءِ بِالشُّهُبِ
And while it summons God's host, so that clash
While regiments of God's army still charge against
The dark legions of misfortune with the meteors.
The legions of others, in the open country and the mountains,
إِنْif يَحْتَجِبْis hidden لَكَof yours وَجْهٌa face يَاO حُسَيْنُHusayn فَقَدْthen indeed
إِنْ يَحْتَجِبْ لَكَ وَجْهٌ يَا حُسَيْنُ فَقَدْ
تَرَكْتَyou left لِلرَّأْيِfor counsel وَجْهاًa face غَيْرَnot مُحْتَجِبِhidden
تَرَكْتَ لِلرَّأْيِ وَجْهاً غَيْرَ مُحْتَجِبِ
Though your face be hidden, O Husayn, you have
Every tyrant with an unjust injury has regained
Left counsel a face that remains unveiled.
His mettle that had been sapped by fear and dread.
إِلَيْهِto it مَرْجِعُهَاits recourse فِيin كُلِّevery مُعْضِلَةٍdifficulty
إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُهَا فِي كُلِّ مُعْضِلَةٍ
فَلَسْتَso you are not عَنْfrom أَمْرِهَاits affairs المَشْهُودِthe manifest فِيin الغَيْبِthe unseen
فَلَسْتَ عَنْ أَمْرِهَا المَشْهُودِ فِي الغَيْبِ
To it the nation turns in every difficulty,
It was a revival - the hearts of the nation danced for joy at it,
So you are not absent from its affairs before our eyes.
And a clear sign of truth appeared, to the dismay of truth’s enemies,
أَجْدَرْhow fitting! بِهَاfor it أَنْthat تَظَلَّit remain الدَّهْرَforever وَاعِيَةًmindful of
أَجْدَرْ بِهَا أَنْ تَظَلَّ الدَّهْرَ وَاعِيَةً
ذِكْرَىthe memory أَعزَّof the most honored مَلِيكٍking أَوْor أَبَرِّthe most loving أَبِfather
ذِكْرَى أَعزَّ مَلِيكٍ أَوْ أَبَرِّ أَبِ
How fitting that it should forever cherish
Things turned out contrary to what they had wanted,
The memory of the most honored king, or the most loving father!
And reality went against what they had imagined as play.
حَرَّرْتَهَاyou freed it وَأَذَقْتَand made taste البَأْسَbattle's fury مُورِدَهَاthe one who led it
حَرَّرْتَهَا وَأَذَقْتَ البَأْسَ مُورِدَهَا
بِبَأْسِهِwith his might المُتَمَادِيthe relentless مَوْرِدَthe place of العَطَبِdestruction
بِبَأْسِهِ المُتَمَادِي مَوْرِدَ العَطَبِ
You freed it and made the one who had driven it taste battle,
So they broke their pact regarding peace and resolved
Who with relentless might had driven it to destruction.
To undo what they had agreed on openly in front of all.
يَفِيضُoverflows بِالصَّابِwith bitter sap قِرْطَاسٌa sheet أَخُطُّI write بِهِon it
يَفِيضُ بِالصَّابِ قِرْطَاسٌ أَخُطُّ بِهِ
مِنَof المَظَالِمِinjustices مَاwhat سِيمَتْit was subjected to مَدَىthroughout حِقَبِages
مِنَ المَظَالِمِ مَا سِيمَتْ مَدَى حِقَبِ
A sheet overflows with bitter sap as I write upon it
They harbored evil schemes against you, and you found through them
The injustices inflicted on it throughout the ages.
In security what you had not found in open war.
فَمَنْso whoever يَكُنْis نَاسِياًforgetful أَوْor جَاهِلاًignorant لِيَسَلْlet him ask
فَمَنْ يَكُنْ نَاسِياً أَوْ جَاهِلاً لِيَسَلْ
عَنْهُمْabout them أُولِيthose possessing اذِكْرِknowledge أَوْor يَرْجِعْlet him turn إِلَىto الكُتُبِthe books
عَنْهُمْ أُولِي اذِكْرِ أَوْ يَرْجِعْ إِلَى الكُتُبِ
Whoever has forgotten or does not know, let him ask
You were true to your promise to them, while they
Those with knowledge about them, or turn to books.
Did not keep their promises, not one bit.
أَيَّامَin the days أَصْبَحَbecame سِتْرُthe veil الضَّادِof the letter Ḍād مُنْتَهِكَاًviolated
أَيَّامَ أَصْبَحَ سِتْرُ الضَّادِ مُنْتَهِكَاً
مُهَلْهِلاًthreadbare وَحِمَاهَاand its sanctuary مَرْتَعَa pasture الجُنُبِfor outsiders
مُهَلْهِلاً وَحِمَاهَا مَرْتَعَ الجُنُبِ
In days when the veil of Ḍād was violated,
Your concern was not to hold power and rule,
Left threadbare, and its sanctuary made a pasture for outsiders;
Or earnestness on the heights and vainglory down below,
وَشَمْلُهَاand its people فِيin بَوَادٍdeserts بَادَperished آهِلُهَاtheir inhabitants
وَشَمْلُهَا فِي بَوَادٍ بَادَ آهِلُهَا
وَفِيand in الحَوَاضِرِthe towns شَمْلاًa people جِدَّutterly مُنْشَعِبِscattered
وَفِي الحَوَاضِرِ شَمْلاً جِدَّ مُنْشَعِبِ
Its people in deserts whose inhabitants had perished,
But to aid the Arabs in a right that was acknowledged for them -
And in towns, a people utterly dispersed.
Judicial authority gives strength to the rule of might.
تَقْذَىare irritated عُيُونُthe eyes الأُولَىof those who يَغْشَوْنَvisit أَرْبُعَهَاits dwellings
تَقْذَى عُيُونُ الأُولَى يَغْشَوْنَ أَرْبُعَهَا
بِكُلِّby every عَارِيbare الشَّوَىof limb فِيin مَسْكَنٍa dwelling خَرِبِruined
بِكُلِّ عَارِي الشَّوَى فِي مَسْكَنٍ خَرِبِ
The eyes of those who visit its dwellings are pained
You never failed to seek that right,
By every bare-limbed person in a ruined home.
And how can a goal be achieved without seeking?
تَأذَّنَتْgave warning بِانْقِرَاضٍof extinction بَعْدَafter مَنْعَتِهَاits strength
تَأذَّنَتْ بِانْقِرَاضٍ بَعْدَ مَنْعَتِهَا
وَنُفِّرَتْand was driven away عَنْfrom حِيَاضِthe pools العِلمِof learning وَالأَدَبِand letters
وَنُفِّرَتْ عَنْ حِيَاضِ العِلمِ وَالأَدَبِ
It gave warning of extinction after its former strength,
They compared al-Husayn to others - their insight
And was driven from the pools of learning and letters.
Regarding him was incorrect; they missed the mark.
لاَnot تَسْطَعُshines الشَّمْسُthe sun إِلاَّexcept خَلْفَbehind غَاشِيَةٍa shroud
لاَ تَسْطَعُ الشَّمْسُ إِلاَّ خَلْفَ غَاشِيَةٍ
مِنَof الأسَىsorrow بمُحْيّاwith a face كَاسِفٍeclipsed شَحِبِpale
مِنَ الأسَى بمُحْيّا كَاسِفٍ شَحِبِ
The sun shines only behind a shroud
Those who strive toward power are different
Of sorrow, with a face eclipsed and pale.
From those who lead the nation and continue the march.
وَلاَand not يَسِيْلُflows أَصِيلٌlate afternoon فِيin سَحَائِبِهِits clouds
وَلاَ يَسِيْلُ أَصِيلٌ فِي سَحَائِبِهِ
إِلاَّexcept بِدَمْعٍwith tears صَبِيبٍpouring أَوْor دَمٍblood سَرِبِstreaming
إِلاَّ بِدَمْعٍ صَبِيبٍ أَوْ دَمٍ سَرِبِ
And evening never flows through its clouds
They thought him over-eager for the crown and willing
Except as pouring tears or streaming blood.
To forgo anything beyond it, so he cast the crown away.
يَاO مُنْقِذاًdeliverer جَاءَwho came بَعْدَafter الأَلْفِa thousand مِنْof حِجَجٍyears
يَا مُنْقِذاً جَاءَ بَعْدَ الأَلْفِ مِنْ حِجَجٍ
يُعِيدُrestoring مَاwhat فَاتَwas lost مِنْof مَجْدٍglory وَمِنْand of حَسَبِancestral honor
يُعِيدُ مَا فَاتَ مِنْ مَجْدٍ وَمِنْ حَسَبِ
O deliverer who came after a thousand years,
But the innate disposition of the Arabs, descendants of Hashim,
Restoring lost glory and ancestral honor,
Has a meaning beyond the meanings of power and rank.
هَلْdid? ضَمَّgather غَيْرُanyone other than الرَّسُولِthe Messenger المُصْطَفَىthe chosen قِدَماًlong ago
هَلْ ضَمَّ غَيْرُ الرَّسُولِ المُصْطَفَى قِدَماً
تلكَthose العَزَائِمَresolves والآمَالَand hopes مِنْfrom شَعَبِdivision
تلكَ العَزَائِمَ والآمَالَ مِنْ شَعَبِ
Did anyone but the chosen Messenger, long ago,
Where are the riches they claimed he was carrying,
Gather those resolves and hopes out of division?
And where is the burden of gold that weighed down the camel-litters?
أَمْرٌa task يَضِيقُis strained بِهِby it الذَرْعُcapacity انْتَدَبْتَyou volunteered لَهُfor it
أَمْرٌ يَضِيقُ بِهِ الذَرْعُ انْتَدَبْتَ لَهُ
وَأَنْتَand you إِنْif ضَاقَfailed ذَرْعٌstrength خَيْرُthe best مُنْتَدِبِone answering the call
وَأَنْتَ إِنْ ضَاقَ ذَرْعٌ خَيْرُ مُنْتَدِبِ
A task that strains all strength—you volunteered for it,
Today they saw what his trove really held:
And when strength falters, you are the best to answer the call.
Purity, loyalty - not goods, not treasures.
صَرَّفْتَyou applied رَأْيَكَyour judgment فِيهِto it فَاضْطَلَعْتَso you undertook بِهِit
صَرَّفْتَ رَأْيَكَ فِيهِ فَاضْطَلَعْتَ بِهِ
مُؤَيَّدَsupported الرَّأْيِin judgment بِالأَرْمَاحِby lances والقُضُبِand sharp swords
مُؤَيَّدَ الرَّأْيِ بِالأَرْمَاحِ والقُضُبِ
You applied your judgment to it and took it upon yourself,
Those virtues are not for one who takes by force
Your judgment backed by lances and sharp swords.
Or seizes booty; they suit not the plunderer, the despoiler.
فِيin كُلِّevery مُرْعِدَةthundering host بَأْساًwith might وَمُبْرِقَةٍand flashing with lightning
فِي كُلِّ مُرْعِدَة بَأْساً وَمُبْرِقَةٍ
مِنَاof الجَحَافِلِthe great armies بَيْنَamid الوَرْيِkindled fire واللَّجَبِand clamor
مِنَا الجَحَافِلِ بَيْنَ الوَرْيِ واللَّجَبِ
In every host that thundered with might and flashed with lightning,
The foe may feel excused for his rancor at one
Of the great armies, amid fire and clamor.
Who stands between the robber's hand and his prey.
عَادَتْreturned بِهَاthrough them كُلُّeach آبِيone who rejects الضَّيْمِoppression نَخْوَتُهُhis pride
عَادَتْ بِهَا كُلُّ آبِي الضَّيْمِ نَخْوَتُهُ
مِنْfrom حَيْثُwhere أُبْطِلَwas broken سِحْرُthe spell الخَوْفِof fear وَالرُّعُبِand terror
مِنْ حَيْثُ أُبْطِلَ سِحْرُ الخَوْفِ وَالرُّعُبِ
Through them, every man who spurned oppression regained his pride,
But what excuse does a group have when it is gripped
As the spell of fear and terror was broken.
By the rage that evil aroused in those events?
فَكَانَso there was بَعْثٌa rebirth قُلُوبُthe hearts الأُمَّةِof the nation ارْتَقَصَتْdanced
فَكَانَ بَعْثٌ قُلُوبُ الأُمَّةِ ارْتَقَصَتْ
لَهُfor it وَأَعْطَافُهَاand its sides اهْتَزَّتْquivered مِنَfrom الطَّرَبِdelight
لَهُ وَأَعْطَافُهَا اهْتَزَّتْ مِنَ الطَّرَبِ
There came a rebirth: the nation's hearts danced
You abandoned a house in which you had lived
For it, and its sides quivered with delight.
By inheritance since the time of Abraham and the ancients.
وَبَشَّرَتْand heralded آيَةٌa sign لِلحَقِّof truth ظَاهِرَةٌmanifest
وَبَشَّرَتْ آيَةٌ لِلحَقِّ ظَاهِرَةٌ
بِوَحْدَةٍa unity لِخُصُومِto the enemies of الحَقِّtruth لَمْdid not تَطِبِplease
بِوَحْدَةٍ لِخُصُومِ الحَقِّ لَمْ تَطِبِ
And a manifest sign of truth gave glad tidings
You lodged among terraces where the mountain goats went down
Of a unity that truth's enemies found unwelcome.
And were not swept away by the currents of the gulf's waves.
بَدَتْappeared عَلَىin غَيْرِother than مَاwhat رَامُوَاthey intended بَوَادِرُهَاits first signs
بَدَتْ عَلَى غَيْرِ مَا رَامُوَا بَوَادِرُهَا
وَخَالَفَand contradicted الجِدُّearnest reality مَاwhat خَالُوهُthey imagined it لِلَّعِبِto be play
وَخَالَفَ الجِدُّ مَا خَالُوهُ لِلَّعِبِ
Its first signs appeared contrary to their designs,
The dwellings drew close to its meadow, green and fresh,
And earnest reality contradicted what they had taken for a game.
And clustered around it for the sake of its pleasant breeze.
فَأَجْمَعُواso they settled أَمْرَهُمْtheir course فِيin السِّلْمpeace وَاعْتَزَمُواand resolved
فَأَجْمَعُوا أَمْرَهُمْ فِي السِّلْم وَاعْتَزَمُوا
نَقْضاًto undo لِمَاwhat أَبْرَمُواthey bound firmly فِيin سَاحَةِthe arena الرَّهَبِof fear
نَقْضاً لِمَا أَبْرَمُوا فِي سَاحَةِ الرَّهَبِ
So in peace they settled their course and resolved
You resided therein, without ample provision,
To undo what they had bound in the arena of fear.
And found life among its protectors uncomfortable, like one estranged.
وَأَضْمَرُواand harbored لَكَagainst you عُدْوَاناًhostility وَجَدْتَyou found بِهِthrough it
وَأَضْمَرُوا لَكَ عُدْوَاناً وَجَدْتَ بِهِ
فِيin الأَمْنِsafety مَاwhat لَمْdid not تَجِدْyou find فِيin الحَرْبِwar مِنْof حَرَبِdespoilment
فِي الأَمْنِ مَا لَمْ تَجِدْ فِي الحَرْبِ مِنْ حَرَبِ
And they harbored hostility against you, through which you found
You endured being there in exile until you were carried
In safety a despoiling you had never known in war.
To a home from the farthest Mosque strongly bound.
أَيْنَwhere is الَّذِيthat which سَجَّلُوهُthey recorded it فِيin رَسَائِلِهِمْtheir letters
أَيْنَ الَّذِي سَجَّلُوهُ فِي رَسَائِلِهِمْ
وَرَدَّدُوهُand repeated it مِنَof الأَيمَانِoaths فِيin الخُطَبِthe speeches
وَرَدَّدُوهُ مِنَ الأَيمَانِ فِي الخُطَبِ
Where is what they recorded in their letters,
It was as though your Lord commanded you to neighbor it
And repeated as oaths in their speeches?
To rest close by it as long as you were in that lofty station.
لَوْلاَwere it not for مَعُونَةُthe aid ذَاكَof that الحِلفِalliance لاَنْقَلَبواthey would have returned
لَوْلاَ مَعُونَةُ ذَاكَ الحِلفِ لاَنْقَلَبوا
دُونَshort of الَّذِيwhat أَمَّلُوهُthey hoped for شَرَّthe worst مُنْقَلَبِoutcome
دُونَ الَّذِي أَمَّلُوهُ شَرَّ مُنْقَلَبِ
Without the aid of that alliance, they would have returned
The Trustworthy Spirit looks after your grave and keeps
Short of their hopes, with the worst of outcomes.
The paths to you from being blocked from your noble visitors.
نَصَرْتَهُمْyou aided them صَادِقَاًtruthfully فِيماin what وَعَدْتَyou promised ولَمْand did not
نَصَرْتَهُمْ صَادِقَاً فِيما وَعَدْتَ ولَمْ
تَخَلْyou suppose مَوَاعِيدَهُمْtheir promises ضَرْباًa kind مِنَof الكَذِبِfalsehood
تَخَلْ مَوَاعِيدَهُمْ ضَرْباً مِنَ الكَذِبِ
You aided them, true to what you promised, and never
Goodness will gather those who preserve great deeds from
Supposed their promises a kind of falsehood.
The various clans into the presence of that smooth-cheeked father.
مَاnot كَانَwas هَمُّكَyour concern مُلْكاًa kingdom تَسْتقِلُّyou possess alone بِهِit
مَا كَانَ هَمُّكَ مُلْكاً تَسْتقِلُّ بِهِ
وَالجّدُّand fortune فِيin صَعَدٍascent والمَجْدُand glory فِيin صَبَبِdescent
وَالجّدُّ فِي صَعَدٍ والمَجْدُ فِي صَبَبِ
Your concern was not a kingdom for yourself,
Who could have known, when hope focused on protecting it,
With fortune rising while glory declined;
That the second sanctuary would be guarded, so that hope was not dashed?
بَلْrather نُصْرَةَchampioning العُرْبِthe Arabs فِيin حَقٍa right أُقِرَّwas acknowledged لَهُمْas theirs
بَلْ نُصْرَةَ العُرْبِ فِي حَقٍ أُقِرَّ لَهُمْ
تُؤَيِّدُsupports الشَّرْعَthe law فِيهِin it حُجَّةُthe proof الغَلَبِof victory
تُؤَيِّدُ الشَّرْعَ فِيهِ حُجَّةُ الغَلَبِ
But to champion the Arabs in a right acknowledged as theirs,
Surely before man grants good, He does not confirm
In which the proof of victory upheld the law.
Whether man will fulfil it or fall short of duty!
فَمَاso not أَلَوْتَyou slackened لِذَاكَfor that الحَقِّright عَنْin طَلَبٍseeking
فَمَا أَلَوْتَ لِذَاكَ الحَقِّ عَنْ طَلَبٍ
وَكَيْفَand how يُدْرَكُis attained مَطْلُوبٌa desired thing بِلاَwithout طَلَبِseeking
وَكَيْفَ يُدْرَكُ مَطْلُوبٌ بِلاَ طَلَبِ
So you spared no effort in pursuit of that right;
O Sons of Yarbû! Here is a history that has unfolded
And how can anything sought be gained without seeking?
For you, its great realities removed from their covers:
قَاسُواthey compared الحُسَيْنَHusayn إِلىwith غَيْرِothers than الحُسَيْنِHusayn فَلَمْbut did not
قَاسُوا الحُسَيْنَ إِلى غَيْرِ الحُسَيْنِ فَلَمْ
تَصْدُقْprove true فِرَاسَتُهُمْtheir discernment فِيهِof him وَلَمْand did not تُصِبِhit the mark
تَصْدُقْ فِرَاسَتُهُمْ فِيهِ وَلَمْ تُصِبِ
They compared Husayn to men who were not Husayn, but
A book of redemption whose pages
Their discernment of him proved neither true nor right.
Hold the most wondrous chapters, causing surprise and wonder.
شَتانَhow different! فِيمَنْamong those who تَوَلَّىassumed أَمْرَthe affairs أُمَّتِهِof his nation
شَتانَ فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّى أَمْرَ أُمَّتِهِ
مَاemphatic particle بَيْنَbetween مُعْتَقِبٍone who looks ahead أَوْor غَيْرِnot مُعْتَقِبِone who looks ahead
مَا بَيْنَ مُعْتَقِبٍ أَوْ غَيْرِ مُعْتَقِبِ
What a gulf, among those who lead their nation,
The first gave their lives in the way of God or were killed
Between one who looks ahead and one who does not!
In zeal for their homelands, going to extremes in jealousy.
ظَنُّوهُthey thought him بِالتَّاجِwith the crown يَرْضَىcontent غَيْرَnot مُكْتَرِثٍcaring
ظَنُّوهُ بِالتَّاجِ يَرْضَى غَيْرَ مُكْتَرِثٍ
لِمَاabout what عَدَاهُlay beyond it فَأَلْقَىso he cast aside التَّاجَthe crown وَهْوَwhile he was أَبِيproud and unbowed
لِمَا عَدَاهُ فَأَلْقَى التَّاجَ وَهْوَ أَبِي
They thought he would be content with the crown, indifferent
By it they have life - though you do not sense it -
To all beyond it; he cast the crown aside, proud and unbowed.
And they conversed secretly with spirits in adversity.
سَجِيَّةُthe character العَرَبِيِّof the Arab الهَاشِمِيِّof Hashim's line لَهَاit has
سَجِيَّةُ العَرَبِيِّ الهَاشِمِيِّ لَهَا
مَعْنَىa meaning وَرَاءَbeyond مَعَانِيthe meanings الجَاهِof prestige وَالرُّتَبِand ranks
مَعْنَى وَرَاءَ مَعَانِي الجَاهِ وَالرُّتَبِ
The character of the Hashimite Arab has
Honoring Ibn ‘Ali is for you to have his traces as a lesson
A meaning beyond the meanings of prestige and rank.
Joined together, its links extended and coherent.
أَيْنَwhere are الكُنُوزُthe treasures الَّتِيthat خَالُوهُthey imagined him يَحْمِلُهَاcarrying them
أَيْنَ الكُنُوزُ الَّتِي خَالُوهُ يَحْمِلُهَا
وأَيْنَand where مَاwhat أَثْقَلَweighed down الأَسْفَاطَthe coffers مِنْof ذَهَبِgold
وأَيْنَ مَا أَثْقَلَ الأَسْفَاطَ مِنْ ذَهَبِ
Where are the treasures they imagined he carried?
Learn sincerity and loyalty despite
And where is the gold that weighed down the coffers?
The hardship and affliction that follow in their wake. Take from his overflowing store of knowledge for his nation's sake
تَبَيَّنُواrecognize! اليَوْمَtoday مَاwhat كَانَتْwas خَبِيئَتُهُhis hidden treasure
تَبَيَّنُوا اليَوْمَ مَا كَانَتْ خَبِيئَتُهُ
مَنْof عِفّةٍintegrity وَوَفَاءٍand fidelity لاَnot مِنْof النَّشَبِworldly possessions
مَنْ عِفّةٍ وَوَفَاءٍ لاَ مِنْ النَّشَبِ
Recognize today what his hidden treasure was:
With the balanced, economic wisdom of one preparing for the sake of God.
Integrity and fidelity, not worldly possessions.
Learn to defend a right that ennobles
تِلكَthose الفَضَائِلُvirtues مَاnot كانَتْwere لِمُكْتَسِبٍfor a gain-seeker
تِلكَ الفَضَائِلُ مَا كانَتْ لِمُكْتَسِبٍ
كَابيdimmed الضَّمِيرِin conscience وَمَاand not كانتwere لِمُغْتَصِبِfor a usurper
كَابي الضَّمِيرِ وَمَا كانت لِمُغْتَصِبِ
Those virtues never belonged to a gain-seeker
A self-sacrificing soul refusing what is forbidden.
With a dimmed conscience, nor did they belong to a usurper.
Learn the strength of faith through exertion -
لِلْخَصْمِthe enemy has فِيin ثَلبِهَاslandering them عذْرُthe excuse الحَنِيقِof one enraged عَلَىat
لِلْخَصْمِ فِي ثَلبِهَا عذْرُ الحَنِيقِ عَلَى
مَنْone who حَالَintervened بَيْنَbetween يَدِthe hand السَّلاَّبِof the plunderer والسَّلَبِand the plunder
مَنْ حَالَ بَيْنَ يَدِ السَّلاَّبِ والسَّلَبِ
The foe, in slandering them, has the excuse of rage at
The strength of faith depends on exertion.
One who stood between the plunderer's hand and the plunder.
Learn patience, or your determination will be shattered,
مَاwhat عُذْرُexcuse طَائِفَةٍhas a faction مِنْof قَوْمِهِhis people أُخِذَتْwas taken in
مَا عُذْرُ طَائِفَةٍ مِنْ قَوْمِهِ أُخِذَتْ
بِمَاby what أَثَارَstirred up العِدَىthe foes مِنْof ذَلِكَthat الشَّغَبِtumult
بِمَا أَثَارَ العِدَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ الشَّغَبِ
What excuse has a faction of his own people, taken in
As you need determination at first, as at the last.
By that tumult stirred up by the foes?
Learn that this life is a journey travelled stage by stage -
زَايَلتَyou left بَيْتَاًa House عَتِيقاًancient أَنْتَyou are سَادِنُهُits custodian
زَايَلتَ بَيْتَاً عَتِيقاً أَنْتَ سَادِنُهُ
بِالإِرْثِby inheritance مِنْfrom عَهْدِthe time إِبْرَاهِيمَof Abraham والنَّسَبِand lineage
بِالإِرْثِ مِنْ عَهْدِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ والنَّسَبِ
You left an ancient House whose custodian you are,
No lofty plateau is reached without fatigue and hardship.
By inheritance from Abraham's time and by lineage,
Learn that the skill of archers lies in kneeling and bending
إِلىto صَفَاةٍa rock عَلَىupon الدَّأْمَاءِthe sea قَدْindeed رَسَخَتْwas firmly rooted
إِلى صَفَاةٍ عَلَى الدَّأْمَاءِ قَدْ رَسَخَتْ
وَلَمْand did not تُسِغْهَاswallow it لَهَاةُthe throat البَحْرِof the sea ذِيpossessing العُبُبِsurging waves
وَلَمْ تُسِغْهَا لَهَاةُ البَحْرِ ذِي العُبُبِ
For a rock firmly rooted upon the sea,
When they wish to hit the target, and wish to succeed.
Which the throat of the surging ocean could not swallow.
Al-Husayn knelt until he made his attacker lean
تَشَبَّهَتْresembled رَوْضُهَاits meadows بِالرَّوْضِgardens وائْتَنَسَتْand found solace
تَشَبَّهَتْ رَوْضُهَا بِالرَّوْضِ وائْتَنَسَتْ
مِنْهَاthere القُرَىthe villages بِدِعَابِin the play of الأَخْضَرِthe green sea الصَّحِبِcompanionable
مِنْهَا القُرَى بِدِعَابِ الأَخْضَرِ الصَّحِبِ
Its meadows resembled gardens, and solace was found
Until the time of the stalker on the road was ripe.
By the villages there in the play of the green, companionable sea.
If his shadow tilts, the spirit still lies in wait
حَلَلتَyou settled فِيهَاin it وَمَاand not بِالزَّادِin provisions مِنْany سَعَةٍabundance
حَلَلتَ فِيهَا وَمَا بِالزَّادِ مِنْ سَعَةٍ
وَعِشْتَand you lived بَيْنَamong رُبَاهَاits hills عَيْشَthe life مُغْتَرِبِof an exile
وَعِشْتَ بَيْنَ رُبَاهَا عَيْشَ مُغْتَرِبِ
You settled there, with little provision,
For the decisive moment when its summons will respond.
And lived among its hills the life of an exile.
Your consolation, O people of a house whose pillars
فَكُنْتَso you were ِيin (defective token) النَّفْيِexile والأَرْدَانُand the sleeves طَاهِرَةٌspotless
فَكُنْتَ ِي النَّفْيِ والأَرْدَانُ طَاهِرَةٌ
مَاwhile لَمْnot تَكُنْyou were فِيin ثِيَابِthe robes العِزَّةِof honor القُشُبِfresh
مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ فِي ثِيَابِ العِزَّةِ القُشُبِ
So you remained in exile with spotless sleeves,
Were destroyed, is a rightly-guided sovereign whether he refuses or relents,
Though not clothed in the fresh robes of honor.
A father who turned away from the trappings of rule
صَبَرْتَyou endured صَبْرَwith the patience كَرِيمٍof a noble man غَيْرِnot مُبْتَئِسٍdespairing
صَبَرْتَ صَبْرَ كَرِيمٍ غَيْرِ مُبْتَئِسٍ
وَلاَnor مَلُولٍweary وَلاَnor شَاكٍcomplaining عَلَىof وَصَبِsuffering
وَلاَ مَلُولٍ وَلاَ شَاكٍ عَلَى وَصَبِ
You endured with the patience of a noble man, without despair,
Without sadness, just as he had assumed them without greed,
Neither weary nor complaining of suffering.
With peerless qualities, whether titled ruler or not;
حَتىuntil حُمِلْتَyou were carried وَقَدْand already حُمَّwas decreed القَضَاءُfate إِلىto
حَتى حُمِلْتَ وَقَدْ حُمَّ القَضَاءُ إِلى
دَارٍa dwelling مِنَfrom المَسْجِدِthe Mosque الأَقْصَىal-Aqsa علىat كَثَبِclose proximity
دَارٍ مِنَ المَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى على كَثَبِ
Until you were carried, when fate had been decreed, to
And from a prince who founded a state towering nobly,
A dwelling close by al-Aqsa Mosque.
Established on the pillars of its glory and continuity
كَأَنَّas though رَبَّكَyour Lord أَوْحَىinspired أَنْthat تُجَاوِرَهُyou dwell beside Him
كَأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَى أَنْ تُجَاوِرَهُ
حَتّىso that تَقَرَّyou rest بِهِwith Him فِيin مُزْدَجَىthe gathering-place القُرَبِof acts of devotion
حَتّى تَقَرَّ بِهِ فِي مُزْدَجَى القُرَبِ
As though your Lord had inspired you to dwell beside Him,
In the highest knowledge and conduct, so refined;
Till you find rest with Him where acts of devotion gather.
And from a handsome youth of brilliant descent who raced with the virtuous always,
يَرْعَىHe guards مَزَارَكَyour shrine بِالرُّوحِthrough the Spirit الأَمِينِthe faithful وَلاَand not
يَرْعَى مَزَارَكَ بِالرُّوحِ الأَمِينِ وَلاَ
تَنْأَىcarry far بِهِit السُّبْلُthe roads عَنْfrom أَعْقَابِكَyour descendants النُّجُبِthe noble
تَنْأَى بِهِ السُّبْلُ عَنْ أَعْقَابِكَ النُّجُبِ
He guards your shrine through the faithful Spirit, and
And won the contest's prize through his great forefathers;
The roads do not carry it far from your noble descendants.
Straightforward by his nature, adhering to the path of his kin
وَيَجْمَعُand gathers البِرُّfilial devotion حُفَّاظَthe keepers المَآثِرِof noble deeds مِنْfrom
وَيَجْمَعُ البِرُّ حُفَّاظَ المَآثِرِ مِنْ
شَتَّىvarious العَشَائِرِtribes حَوْلَaround الوَالِدِthe father الحَدِبِthe tender
شَتَّى العَشَائِرِ حَوْلَ الوَالِدِ الحَدِبِ
And filial devotion gathers the keepers of noble deeds from
Of immaculate tongue and soul, pure without blemish.
The various tribes around the tender father.
Whoever counts you must follow in your tracks
مَنْwho كَانَcould يَدْرِيknow وَقَدْwhen already نَاطَentrusted الرَّجَاءُhope بِهِto him
مَنْ كَانَ يَدْرِي وَقَدْ نَاطَ الرَّجَاءُ بِهِ
صِيَانَةَthe safeguarding الحَرَمِof the sanctuary الثَّانِيthe second فَلَمْand was not يَخِبِdisappointed
صِيَانَةَ الحَرَمِ الثَّانِي فَلَمْ يَخِبِ
Who could have known—when hope entrusted to him
And tread the paths your great ones trod, unobstructed.
The care of the second sanctuary, and was not disappointed—
Leave your grief behind, hear the voice that calls out to you -
إِنَّthat indeed المَآبَthe return إِلَيْهِto it وَالثَّوَابَand the reward بِهِin it
إِنَّ المَآبَ إِلَيْهِ وَالثَّوَابَ بِهِ
هَلْhas? قَدَّمَoffered الخَيْرَgood مَخْلُوقٌa creature وَلَمْand was not يُثَبِrewarded
هَلْ قَدَّمَ الخَيْرَ مَخْلُوقٌ وَلَمْ يُثَبِ
That his return would be to it, and his reward in it?
Al-Husayn died, so the community of Arabs lives!
Has any creature done good and not been rewarded?
أَبْنَاءَO sons يَعْرُبَof Ya'rub هَذِيthis سِيرَةٌa life story بَرَزَتْemerged
أَبْنَاءَ يَعْرُبَ هَذِي سِيرَةٌ بَرَزَتْ
لَكُمْfor you حَقَائِقُهَاits truths الكُبْرَىthe greatest مِنَfrom الحُجُبِthe veils
لَكُمْ حَقَائِقُهَا الكُبْرَى مِنَ الحُجُبِ
Sons of Ya'rub, here is a life that has revealed
To you its great truths from behind the veils.
كِتَابُa book تَفْدِيَةٍof self-sacrifice أَوْعَتْpreserved صَحَائِفُهُits pages
كِتَابُ تَفْدِيَةٍ أَوْعَتْ صَحَائِفُهُ
أَدْعَىmost conducive الفُصُولِchapters إِلىto الإِعْجَابِadmiration وَالعَجَبِand wonder
أَدْعَى الفُصُولِ إِلى الإِعْجَابِ وَالعَجَبِ
A book of self-sacrifice whose pages have preserved
The chapters most inspiring admiration and wonder.
إِنَّindeed الأُولَىthose who اسْتُشْهِدُواwere martyred فِيfor اللهِGod أَوْor قُتِلُواwere killed
إِنَّ الأُولَى اسْتُشْهِدُوا فِي اللهِ أَوْ قُتِلُوا
فِيمَاin what غَلَوْاwere fervent فِيهِin it لِلأَوْطَانِfor their homelands مِنْof أَرَبِaims
فِيمَا غَلَوْا فِيهِ لِلأَوْطَانِ مِنْ أَرَبِ
Indeed, those martyred for God or slain
For aims they pursued so ardently for their homelands,
لَهُمْthey have حَيَاةٌa life وَمَاand not إِنْemphatic particle تَشْعُرُونَyou perceive بِهَاit
لَهُمْ حَيَاةٌ وَمَا إِنْ تَشْعُرُونَ بِهَا
إِلاَّexcept وَقَدْonce they had نَاجَوْاcommuned with الأَرْوَاحَthe souls فيin الكُرَبِdistress
إِلاَّ وَقَدْ نَاجَوْا الأَرْوَاحَ في الكُرَبِ
Have a life you do not perceive
Until they have communed with souls in anguish.
كَرَامَةُthe honor ابْنِof the son عَلِيٍّof Ali أَنْthat تَكُونَshould be لَكُمْfor you
كَرَامَةُ ابْنِ عَلِيٍّ أَنْ تَكُونَ لَكُمْ
آثَارُهُhis deeds عِظَةًa lesson مَوْصُولَةَunbroken السَّبَبِin its bond
آثَارُهُ عِظَةً مَوْصُولَةَ السَّبَبِ
The honor due to the son of Ali is that, for you,
His deeds be a lesson with an unbroken bond.
تَعَلَّمُواlearn الصِّدْقَtruthfulness مِنْهُfrom him وَالوَفَاءَand fidelity عَلَىdespite
تَعَلَّمُوا الصِّدْقَ مِنْهُ وَالوَفَاءَ عَلَى
مَاwhat يُعْقِبَانِthe two bring afterward مِنَof الحِرْمَانِdeprivation وَالنَّصَبِand hardship
مَا يُعْقِبَانِ مِنَ الحِرْمَانِ وَالنَّصَبِ
Learn truthfulness from him, and fidelity, despite
The deprivation and hardship the two may bring.
تَعَلَّمُواlearn نَضْحَةُdefense عَنْon behalf of ذُخرِthe treasure أُمَّتِهِof his nation
تَعَلَّمُوا نَضْحَةُ عَنْ ذُخرِ أُمَّتِهِ
بِحَزْمِwith the resolve مُقْتَصِدٍof a prudent man للهِtoward God مُرْتَقِبِwatchful
بِحَزْمِ مُقْتَصِدٍ للهِ مُرْتَقِبِ
Learn to defend his nation's treasure,
With a prudent man's resolve, watchful for God.
تعَلَّمُواlearn الذَّوْدَdefense عَنْof حَقٍّa right تَطِيبُwillingly parts لَهُfor it
تعَلَّمُوا الذَّوْدَ عَنْ حَقٍّ تَطِيبُ لَهُ
عَنْwith كُلَّall مَاthat هُوَis غَالٍdear نَفْسَthe soul مُحْتَسِبِof one seeking divine reward
عَنْ كُلَّ مَا هُوَ غَالٍ نَفْسَ مُحْتَسِبِ
Learn to defend a right for which
The soul of one seeking divine reward gladly parts with all that is dear.
تَعَلَّمُواlearn قُوَّةَthe strength الإِيمَانِof faith فِيin دَأَبٍperseverance
تَعَلَّمُوا قُوَّةَ الإِيمَانِ فِي دَأَبٍ
فَإِنَّمَاfor only قُوَّةُthe strength الإِيمَانِof faith بِالدَّأَبِthrough perseverance
فَإِنَّمَا قُوَّةُ الإِيمَانِ بِالدَّأَبِ
Learn the strength of faith in perseverance,
For faith's strength lies only in perseverance.
تَعَلَّمُواlearn الصَّبْرَpatience أَوْuntil تُقْضَىis fulfilled لُبَانَتُكُمْyour desire
تَعَلَّمُوا الصَّبْرَ أَوْ تُقْضَى لُبَانَتُكُمْ
وَالعَزْمُand resolve فِيin بَدْئِهَاits beginning كَالعَزْمِlike resolve فِيin العَقِبِthe end
وَالعَزْمُ فِي بَدْئِهَا كَالعَزْمِ فِي العَقِبِ
Learn patience until your desire is fulfilled,
With resolve at its beginning like resolve at its end.
تَعَلَّمُواlearn أَنَّthat هذاthis العُمْرَlife مَرْحَلَةٌa journey
تَعَلَّمُوا أَنَّ هذا العُمْرَ مَرْحَلَةٌ
لاَnot تُرْتَقَىis climbed هَضْبَةٌa hill فِيهَابِلاَin it without تَعَبِtoil
لاَ تُرْتَقَى هَضْبَةٌ فِيهَابِلاَ تَعَبِ
Learn that this life is a journey:
No hill within it is climbed without toil.
تَعَلَّمُواlearn أَنَّthat مِنْamong حِذْقِthe skills الرُّمَاةِof archers بِهَاin it
تَعَلَّمُوا أَنَّ مِنْ حِذْقِ الرُّمَاةِ بِهَا
لِيُدْرِكُواto gain النَّصْرَvictory أَنْthat يَجْثُواthey kneel عَلَىupon الرُّكَبِthe knees
لِيُدْرِكُوا النَّصْرَ أَنْ يَجْثُوا عَلَى الرُّكَبِ
Learn that part of the archers' skill in it
Is to kneel upon their knees, so they may win victory.
سَجَاlay still الحُسَيْنُHusayn وَقَدْhaving already وَرَّىmisled مُسَاجِلَهُhis rival
سَجَا الحُسَيْنُ وَقَدْ وَرَّى مُسَاجِلَهُ
حَتّىuntil يَئِينَcomes أَوَانُthe time الصَّائِدِof the hunter الدَّرِبِthe practiced
حَتّى يَئِينَ أَوَانُ الصَّائِدِ الدَّرِبِ
Husayn lies still, having misled his rival,
Until the hour comes for the practiced hunter.
فَإِنْbut if ضَحَاvanished in sunlight ظِلُّهُhis shade فَالرُّوحُthen the spirit مُرْصَدَةٌstands ready
فَإِنْ ضَحَا ظِلُّهُ فَالرُّوحُ مُرْصَدَةٌ
لِلْمَوْقِفِfor the moment الفَصْلِdecisive مَنْwhoever يَهْتِفْcalls بِهَاto it تُجِبِit answers
لِلْمَوْقِفِ الفَصْلِ مَنْ يَهْتِفْ بِهَا تُجِبِ
Though his shade has vanished in sunlight, his spirit stands ready
For the decisive moment: whoever calls to it, it answers.
عَزَاءَكُمْyour consolation يَاO بَنِيهِhis sons الصِّيدِthe noble مِنْfrom مَلِكٍa king
عَزَاءَكُمْ يَا بَنِيهِ الصِّيدِ مِنْ مَلِكٍ
مُسَدَّدِrightly guided الرًّأْيِin judgment إِنْif يَمْنَعْhe withholds وَإِنْand if يَهَبِhe bestows
مُسَدَّدِ الرًّأْيِ إِنْ يَمْنَعْ وَإِنْ يَهَبِ
Your consolation, O his noble sons, comes from a king
Sound in judgment, whether he withholds or bestows;
وَمِنْand from أَبِيٍّa proud man تَوَلَّىturned away عَنْfrom أَرِيكَتِهِhis throne
وَمِنْ أَبِيٍّ تَوَلَّى عَنْ أَرِيكَتِهِ
بِلاَwithout شَجىًregret إِذْsince تَوَلاَّهَاhe assumed it بِلاَwithout رَغَبِdesire
بِلاَ شَجىً إِذْ تَوَلاَّهَا بِلاَ رَغَبِ
And from a proud man who turned away from his throne
Without regret, since he took it without desire.
لَهُhe has مِنَof الشِّيَمِvirtues الغَرَّاءِsplendid مَمْلَكَةٌa kingdom
لَهُ مِنَ الشِّيَمِ الغَرَّاءِ مَمْلَكَةٌ
إِنْwhether كَانَhe was ذَاpossessing لَقَبٍa title أَوْor غَيْرَnot ذِيpossessing لَقَبِa title
إِنْ كَانَ ذَا لَقَبٍ أَوْ غَيْرَ ذِي لَقَبِ
He has a kingdom of splendid virtues,
Whether he bears a title or bears none;
وَمِنْand from أَمِيرٍa prince بَنَاهَاhe built it دَوْلَةًas a state أُنُفاًnew
وَمِنْ أَمِيرٍ بَنَاهَا دَوْلَةً أُنُفاً
قَامَتْit arose عَلَىupon أَثَرٍa remnant مِنْof مَجْدِهَاits glory تَرِبِdust-covered
قَامَتْ عَلَى أَثَرٍ مِنْ مَجْدِهَا تَرِبِ
And from a prince who built it into a new state,
That rose upon a dust-covered remnant of its glory;
فِيin العِلْمِlearning وَالأَدَبِand letters العَالِيlofty يَكَادُhe nearly إِذَاwhen
فِي العِلْمِ وَالأَدَبِ العَالِي يَكَادُ إِذَا
سَاقَtells الأَحَادِيثَthe tales يَسْقِيكَgives you to drink ابنَةَthe daughter العِنَبِof the grape
سَاقَ الأَحَادِيثَ يَسْقِيكَ ابنَةَ العِنَبِ
In learning and lofty letters, it is almost as if, whenever
He tells his tales, he gives you the daughter of the grape to drink;
وَمِنْand from فَتىًa youth أَلمَعِيٍّkeen-witted كُلُّevery مَحْمَدَةٍpraiseworthy deed
وَمِنْ فَتىً أَلمَعِيٍّ كُلُّ مَحْمَدَةٍ
جَارَىhe raced السَّوَابِقَthe frontrunners فِيهَاin it فَازَhe won بِالقَصَبِthe victor's reed
جَارَى السَّوَابِقَ فِيهَا فَازَ بِالقَصَبِ
And from a keen-witted youth who, in every praiseworthy deed,
Raced the frontrunners and won the victor's reed;
مَاضٍproceeding بِفِطْرَتِهِby his nature فِيalong نَهْجِthe path عِتْرَتِهِof his family line
مَاضٍ بِفِطْرَتِهِ فِي نَهْجِ عِتْرَتِهِ
عَفِّchaste اللِّسَانِof tongue نَقِيِّpure النَّفْسِof soul مِنْfrom رِيَبِsuspicions
عَفِّ اللِّسَانِ نَقِيِّ النَّفْسِ مِنْ رِيَبِ
Following by nature the path of his family line,
Chaste of tongue, his soul free of suspicion.
مَنْwhoever عَدَّكُمْcounts you عَدَّcounts فِيin إِثْرِthe wake مُنْجِبِكًمْof your sire
مَنْ عَدَّكُمْ عَدَّ فِي إِثْرِ مُنْجِبِكًمْ
خُطَىstrides كِبَاراًgreat مَدَاهَاtheir reach غَيْرُnot مُقْتَضَبِcurtailed
خُطَى كِبَاراً مَدَاهَا غَيْرُ مُقْتَضَبِ
Whoever counts you counts, in your sire's wake,
Great strides whose reach is not curtailed.
دَعُواleave الأَسىsorrow وَاسْمَعُواand hear صَوتاًa voice يُهِيبُcalls بِكُمto you
دَعُوا الأَسى وَاسْمَعُوا صَوتاً يُهِيبُ بِكُم
مَاتَdied الحُسَيْنُHusayn فَعَاشَتْand so lived أُمَّةُthe nation العَرَبِof the Arabs
مَاتَ الحُسَيْنُ فَعَاشَتْ أُمَّةُ العَرَبِ
Leave sorrow, and hear a voice that calls to you:
Husayn died, and the Arab nation came to life.
Partial English translation: 115 of 162 Arabic lines translated.