ألاَ أَيُّهَا الطَّالِعُ المُتَبَسِّمُ

ألاَ أَيُّهَا الطَّالِعُ المُتَبَسِّمُ

هُدىً وَسُرُورٌ نُورُكَ المُتَوَسَّمُ

هُدىً وَسُرُورٌ نُورُكَ المُتَوَسَّمُ

Hail, O smiling one who rises!

O you who rise smiling, your light brings guidance and joy,

The light we discern in you is guidance and joy.

Peace upon that infant who emerged

سَلاَمٌ عَلَى ذَاكَ الْوَلِيدِ الَّذِي بَدَا

سَلاَمٌ عَلَى ذَاكَ الْوَلِيدِ الَّذِي بَدَا

مِنَ الرَّحِمِ الْخَافِي مُثِيراً يُسَلِّمُ

مِنَ الرَّحِمِ الْخَافِي مُثِيراً يُسَلِّمُ

Peace upon that newborn who emerged

From the hidden womb, peacefully submissive.

from the hidden womb, rousing us as he offers greetings.

Peace upon that brother of gloom

سَلاَمٌ عَلَى ذَاكَ الشَّقِيقِ مِنَ الدُّجَى

سَلاَمٌ عَلَى ذَاكَ الشَّقِيقِ مِنَ الدُّجَى

يُكَلِّمُهَا وَالْبُرْءُ حَيْثُ يُكَلِّمُ

يُكَلِّمُهَا وَالْبُرْءُ حَيْثُ يُكَلِّمُ

Peace upon that brother born of darkness,

Who converses with it while innocence cannot speak.

who wounds it, with healing wherever he wounds.

Peace upon that crescent belonging to a candid man of passion

سَلاَمٌ عَلَى ذَاكَ الْهِلاَلِ مِنِ امْرِئٍ

سَلاَمٌ عَلَى ذَاكَ الْهِلاَلِ مِنِ امْرِئٍ

صَرِيحِ الْهَوَى وَالحُرُّ لا يَتَكَلَّمُ

صَرِيحِ الْهَوَى وَالحُرُّ لا يَتَكَلَّمُ

Peace upon that crescent, from a man

Whose love is evident though he does not talk.

frank in his love—and the free man does not speak.

Peace and honor deserved by both,

سَلاَمٌ وَتَكْريمٌ بِحَقِّ كِلاَهُمَا

سَلاَمٌ وَتَكْريمٌ بِحَقِّ كِلاَهُمَا

وَأَشْرَفُ مَنْ أحْبَبْتَهُ مَنْ تُكَرِّمُ

وَأَشْرَفُ مَنْ أحْبَبْتَهُ مَنْ تُكَرِّمُ

Peace and honor, both rightfully yours;

And most honorable is he whom you honor.

the noblest of those you love is the one you honor.

I cherished you highly for what your symbol represents

هَوِيْتُكَ إِكْبَاراً لِمَا رَمْزُهُ

هَوِيْتُكَ إِكْبَاراً لِمَا رَمْزُهُ

مِنَ المَأْرَبِ العُلْوِيِّ لَوْ كَانَ يُفْهَمُ

مِنَ المَأْرَبِ العُلْوِيِّ لَوْ كَانَ يُفْهَمُ

I loved you in reverence for what your symbol conveys

Of lofty purpose, if it could be understood.

of lofty aspiration, if only it were understood;

And knowing the East grows and rises

وَعِلْماً بِأَنَّ الشَّرْقَ يَنْمُو وَيَرْتَقِي

وَعِلْماً بِأَنَّ الشَّرْقَ يَنْمُو وَيَرْتَقِي

بِأَنْ يَتَصَافَى عِيسَويٌّ وَمُسْلِمُ

بِأَنْ يَتَصَافَى عِيسَويٌّ وَمُسْلِمُ

and knowing that the East grows and rises

When Christian and Muslim achieve harmony.

when Christian and Muslim meet in mutual goodwill.

So if hostile zealots blame me,

فَإِنْ نَالَ مِنِّي كَاشِحُونَ وَلُوَّمٌ

فَإِنْ نَالَ مِنِّي كَاشِحُونَ وَلُوَّمٌ

فَفِي كُلِّ حُبٍّ كَاشِحُونَ ولُوَّمُ

فَفِي كُلِّ حُبٍّ كَاشِحُونَ ولُوَّمُ

And if enemies and fault-finders assail me,

In every love there are hostile zealots.

every love has enemies and fault-finders.

I see every religion that brought good as pure

أَرَى كُلَّ دِينٍ جَاءَ بِالخَيْرِ طَاهِراً

أَرَى كُلَّ دِينٍ جَاءَ بِالخَيْرِ طَاهِراً

وَلاَ شَيْءَ غَيْرَ الشَّرِّ عِنْدِي مُتْهَمُ

وَلاَ شَيْءَ غَيْرَ الشَّرِّ عِنْدِي مُتْهَمُ

I deem every faith that brings goodness pure,

And nothing but evil do I consider suspect.

and nothing but evil is suspect in my eyes.

And if one like me views things without bias,

وَإِنْ يَرَ مِثْلِي رَأْيَهُ عَنْ تَحَيُّزٍ

وَإِنْ يَرَ مِثْلِي رَأْيَهُ عَنْ تَحَيُّزٍ

فَمَنْ عَالِمٌ فِينَا وَمَنْ مُتَعَلِّمُ

فَمَنْ عَالِمٌ فِينَا وَمَنْ مُتَعَلِّمُ

If one like me holds his view out of bias,

Then who among us is scholar or student?

then who among us is learned, and who a learner?

My reason refused that I disagree with its rule,

أُبَى لِيَ عقْلِي أَنْ أُخَالِفَ حُكْمَهُ

أُبَى لِيَ عقْلِي أَنْ أُخَالِفَ حُكْمَهُ

وَلَوْ فُزْتُ مِنْ قَوْمٍ بِمَا لا يُقَوَّمُ

وَلَوْ فُزْتُ مِنْ قَوْمٍ بِمَا لا يُقَوَّمُ

My reason forbids me to contradict its judgment,

Though I gain from people what cannot be valued.

even were I to win from some people what is beyond all price.

It is truth even if lives are sacrificed for it,

هُوَ الْحَقُّ حَتَّى تُضْرَبَ الْهَامُ دُونَهُ

هُوَ الْحَقُّ حَتَّى تُضْرَبَ الْهَامُ دُونَهُ

فَمَا الْخَطْبُ فِي أَسْبَابِ جَهْلٍ تُفْصمُ

فَمَا الْخَطْبُ فِي أَسْبَابِ جَهْلٍ تُفْصمُ

It is the truth, even if heads are struck in its defense;

So why fret over causes of ignorance severed?

what harm, then, in breaking the bonds of ignorance?

Say: The truth - nothing benefits people like it

قُلِ الْحَقَّ مَا إِنْ يَنْفَعُ النَّاسَ مِثْلُهُ

قُلِ الْحَقَّ مَا إِنْ يَنْفَعُ النَّاسَ مِثْلُهُ

وَلَوْ بَعْدَ حِينٍ وَاتْرُكِ الزُّورَ يَنْقِمُ

وَلَوْ بَعْدَ حِينٍ وَاتْرُكِ الزُّورَ يَنْقِمُ

Speak the truth: nothing benefits people like it,

Though after a while, so leave falsehood to rage.

even if only after a time; let falsehood rage.

Say: The truth - if it pleases, so; if it riles,

قُلِ الْحَقَّ إِنْ يُعْجِبْ فَذَاكَ وَإِنْ يَسُوءْ

قُلِ الْحَقَّ إِنْ يُعْجِبْ فَذَاكَ وَإِنْ يَسُوءْ

فَذَاكَ وَلاَ يَصْدُدْكَ مَا قَدْ تُجَشَّمُ

فَذَاكَ وَلاَ يَصْدُدْكَ مَا قَدْ تُجَشَّمُ

Speak the truth: if it pleases, so be it; if it offends,

So; and do not be deterred by what you have endured.

so be it; do not be deterred by what you may be made to endure.

By God, nothing sways me more than the sayings of others

فَتَاللهِ مَا المُصْدِي لأَقْوَالِ غَيْرِهِ

فَتَاللهِ مَا المُصْدِي لأَقْوَالِ غَيْرِهِ

بِأنْبَهَ عِنْدِي مِنْ جَوَادٍ يُحمْحِمُ

بِأنْبَهَ عِنْدِي مِنْ جَوَادٍ يُحمْحِمُ

For, by God, one who echoes others' words

Than a steed roused to zeal, impetuous.

is no more distinguished to me than a neighing steed.

By God, no smooth-talker lacking conscience

وَتَاللهِ مَا الرَّوَّاغُ دُونَ ضَمِيرِهِ

وَتَاللهِ مَا الرَّوَّاغُ دُونَ ضَمِيرِهِ

بِأَشْرَفَ مِنْ رِعْدِيدِ هَيْجَاءَ يُهْزمُ

بِأَشْرَفَ مِنْ رِعْدِيدِ هَيْجَاءَ يُهْزمُ

And, by God, one who evades his own conscience

Is nobler than thunder rumbling, overwhelming.

is no nobler than a coward routed in battle.

Illuminer of alcoves, good tidings with your new year,

مُنِيرَ السُّرَى بِشْراً بِعَامِكَ مُقْبِلاً

مُنِيرَ السُّرَى بِشْراً بِعَامِكَ مُقْبِلاً

وَلاَ طَابَ ذِكْراً صِنْوُهُ المُتَصرِّمُ

وَلاَ طَابَ ذِكْراً صِنْوُهُ المُتَصرِّمُ

Light of the night journey, glad tidings of your coming year!

While an anthem of protection is not sweet to recite.

And may its departed twin never be fondly recalled.

Smeared with all kinds of harm, though avoiding,

دَهَانَا بِأَنْوَاعِ الأَذَى مُتَجَنِّباً

دَهَانَا بِأَنْوَاعِ الأَذَى مُتَجَنِّباً

فَلَمْ يَكُ إِلاَّ صَارِخٌ مُتَظَلِّمُ

فَلَمْ يَكُ إِلاَّ صَارِخٌ مُتَظَلِّمُ

It afflicted us with every kind of harm, keeping aloof,

He is but a screaming victim protesting.

so all were crying out in grievance.

As though after one prominent departed, I saw

كَأَنِّي وَقَدْ وَلَى بَصُرْتُ بِلُجَّةٍ

كَأَنِّي وَقَدْ وَلَى بَصُرْتُ بِلُجَّةٍ

يُغَيَّبُ فِيهَا شَامِخٌ مُتَضَرِّمُ

يُغَيَّبُ فِيهَا شَامِخٌ مُتَضَرِّمُ

As it departed, I seemed to behold a deep sea

A torrent in which a towering figure is concealed.

in which something towering and ablaze was being engulfed.

So I said from afar: you were not praised sincerely

فَقُلْتُ بَعِيداً لاَ مُدِحْتَ بِطَيِّبٍ

فَقُلْتُ بَعِيداً لاَ مُدِحْتَ بِطَيِّبٍ

سِوَى عِبْرَةٍ عَنْ بَارِحِ الْخَطْبِ تَنْجُمُ

سِوَى عِبْرَةٍ عَنْ بَارِحِ الْخَطْبِ تَنْجُمُ

So I said: Away! May you receive no kindly praise,

Except with a tear for the departed misfortune flickering.

save for a lesson arising from grievous calamity.

Our people's part in our affair is significant,

عَلَى أَنَّ مَا لِلْعَامِ فِي شَأْنِنَا يَدٌ

عَلَى أَنَّ مَا لِلْعَامِ فِي شَأْنِنَا يَدٌ

وَمَا الذَّنْبُ إِلاَّ ذَنْبُنَا المُتَقَدِّمُ

وَمَا الذَّنْبُ إِلاَّ ذَنْبُنَا المُتَقَدِّمُ

Yet the year has no hand in our affairs,

And the sin belongs to none but our own earlier sin.

and the fault is only our own earlier fault.

You witnessed Egypt's calamities in its beginnings,

شَهِدْتُمْ رَزَايَا مِصْرَ فِي بِدْءِ أَمْرِهِ

شَهِدْتُمْ رَزَايَا مِصْرَ فِي بِدْءِ أَمْرِهِ

وَنَكْبَةَ دَارِ الْفُرْسِ إِذْ هُوَ يُخْتَمُ

وَنَكْبَةَ دَارِ الْفُرْسِ إِذْ هُوَ يُخْتَمُ

You witnessed Egypt's calamities at its beginning,

And the downfall of Persia's state as it ended;

and the disaster in the land of the Persians as it closed;

And amidst it the ugly things that befell

ومَا حَلَّ فِي أَثْنَائِهِ مِنْ كَرِيهَةٍ

ومَا حَلَّ فِي أَثْنَائِهِ مِنْ كَرِيهَةٍ

بِدَوْلَتِنَا الْكُبْرَى تَرُوعُ وَتُؤْلِمُ

بِدَوْلَتِنَا الْكُبْرَى تَرُوعُ وَتُؤْلِمُ

and the calamity that befell, during its course,

Our great state, frightening and painful;

our great state, terrifying and painful,

Since the pirates attacked raiding its west

لَدُنْ هَجَمَ الْقُرْصَانُ يَغْزُونَ غَرْبَهَا

لَدُنْ هَجَمَ الْقُرْصَانُ يَغْزُونَ غَرْبَهَا

كَما كَانَتِ الْجُهَّالُ فِي الْبَدْوِ تَهْجُمُ

كَما كَانَتِ الْجُهَّالُ فِي الْبَدْوِ تَهْجُمُ

when pirates attacked, invading its western lands,

As nomads in the desert were wont to raid.

as the ignorant used to raid in the desert.

They war against us in the name of civilization,

يَسُومُونَنا بِاسْمِ الْحَضَارَةِ حَرْبَهُمْ

يَسُومُونَنا بِاسْمِ الْحَضَارَةِ حَرْبَهُمْ

أَلاَ إِنَّهَا مِمَّا جَنَوهُ لَتَلْطِمُ

أَلاَ إِنَّهَا مِمَّا جَنَوهُ لَتَلْطِمُ

They impose their war upon us in civilization's name;

But it is the product of their pillage, destructive.

indeed, it beats its cheeks at what they have wrought.

Oh no! It has become an unseemly bride for a suitor

أَلاَ إِنَّهَا سَاءَتْ عَرُوساً لِخَاطِبٍ

أَلاَ إِنَّهَا سَاءَتْ عَرُوساً لِخَاطِبٍ

إذَا بَسَطَتْ كَفّاً وَحِنَّاؤُهَا دَمُ

إذَا بَسَطَتْ كَفّاً وَحِنَّاؤُهَا دَمُ

Indeed, it makes a wretched bride for a suitor

When she extends a palm and its caress is blood.

when it holds out a hand whose henna is blood.

In the fine art of its letters is charm,

لأَحْرُفِهَا مِنْ دِقَّةِ الصُّنْعِ بَهْجَةٌ

لأَحْرُفِهَا مِنْ دِقَّةِ الصُّنْعِ بَهْجَةٌ

وَفِيهَا مِنَ الشَّكْلِ الْجَمَالُ المُتَمِّمُ

وَفِيهَا مِنَ الشَّكْلِ الْجَمَالُ المُتَمِّمُ

Its letters have a splendor of delicate workmanship,

And in its shape is completeness of beauty.

and its form holds the beauty that completes it.

Whatever is etched by lightnings is not neglected,

وَمَا نَقَشَتْ مِنْهَا الْبَوَارِقُ مُهْمَلٌ

وَمَا نَقَشَتْ مِنْهَا الْبَوَارِقُ مُهْمَلٌ

وَمَا نَقَطَتْ مِنْهَا الْبَنَادِقُ مُعْجَمُ

وَمَا نَقَطَتْ مِنْهَا الْبَنَادِقُ مُعْجَمُ

What the lightning-flashes have engraved in it is undotted;

And whatever is dotted by guns is annotated.

and what the rifles have dotted in it is pointed.

So admire it for a sign of magnificent import

فَاعْجِبْ بِهَا مِنْ آيةٍ ذَاتِ رَوْعَةٍ

فَاعْجِبْ بِهَا مِنْ آيةٍ ذَاتِ رَوْعَةٍ

تُصَغَّرُ آيَاتِ الْحُرُوبِ وَتَعْظُمُ

تُصَغَّرُ آيَاتِ الْحُرُوبِ وَتَعْظُمُ

Marvel, then, at this sign of such awesome splendor:

That diminishes the signs of wars and aggrandizes.

the signs of wars are dwarfed, while it grows great.

With it we gained strength from humiliation, and with resolve

عَزَزْنَا بِهَا مِنْ ذِلَّةٍ وَبِعَزْمِهَا

عَزَزْنَا بِهَا مِنْ ذِلَّةٍ وَبِعَزْمِهَا

سَيُقْشَعُ هَذَا الْغَيْهَبُ المُتَجَهِّمُ

سَيُقْشَعُ هَذَا الْغَيْهَبُ المُتَجَهِّمُ

Through it we gained honor from humiliation; and by its resolve

This threatening gloom shall dissipate.

this scowling darkness will be dispelled.

But will we remain forever a burden

وَلَكِنْ أَنَبْقَى آخِرَ الدَّهْرِ عِيْلَةٌ

وَلَكِنْ أَنَبْقَى آخِرَ الدَّهْرِ عِيْلَةٌ

عَلَى الْجَيْشِ يَشْقَى فِي الدِّفَاعِ وَنَنْعَمُ

عَلَى الْجَيْشِ يَشْقَى فِي الدِّفَاعِ وَنَنْعَمُ

Yet shall we remain, to the end of time, dependents

On the army, suffering in defense as we enjoy?

upon the army, which suffers in defense while we enjoy ease?

Can the might of soldiers guarantee their people

وَهَلْ قُوَّةُ الأَجْنَادِ تَكْفُلُ قَوْمَها

وَهَلْ قُوَّةُ الأَجْنَادِ تَكْفُلُ قَوْمَها

إلَى آخِرِ الأيَّامِ وَالقَوْمُ نُوَّمُ

إلَى آخِرِ الأيَّامِ وَالقَوْمُ نُوَّمُ

Can the strength of soldiers sustain their people

To the end of time while the people slumber?

to the end of days, while the people sleep?

If you observe, then Egypt, Persia,

إذَا مَا تَبَصَّرْتُمْ فَمِصْرُ وَ فَارِسٌ

إذَا مَا تَبَصَّرْتُمْ فَمِصْرُ وَ فَارِسٌ

وَدَوْلَةُ عُثْمَانٍ شَقَاءٌ مُقَسَّمُ

وَدَوْلَةُ عُثْمَانٍ شَقَاءٌ مُقَسَّمُ

If you look closely, Egypt and Persia

And Uthman's state - misfortune divided.

and the state of Uthman share a common misery,

Except that the caliphate's throne is protected

سِوَى أَنَّ كُرْسِيَّ الْخِلافَةِ مُحْتَمٍ

سِوَى أَنَّ كُرْسِيَّ الْخِلافَةِ مُحْتَمٍ

بِأَبْطَالِهِ أَمَّا الشُّعُوبُ فَهُمْ هُمُ

بِأَبْطَالِهِ أَمَّا الشُّعُوبُ فَهُمْ هُمُ

save that the throne of the caliphate is protected

By its heroes; as for the public, they are the same.

by its heroes; as for the peoples, they are as they were.

Excuse my soul's frankness to what

عَذِيرِيَ مِنْ سَبْقِ الْيَرَاعِ إلَى الَّذِي

عَذِيرِيَ مِنْ سَبْقِ الْيَرَاعِ إلَى الَّذِي

أُدَاجِي بِهِ نَفْسِي وَلاَ أَتَكَلَّمُ

أُدَاجِي بِهِ نَفْسِي وَلاَ أَتَكَلَّمُ

Pardon me for my pen's hastening toward what

I converse with myself about but do not utter.

I hide from myself and leave unspoken.

Let me be from mentioning affairs that shame us,

دَعُونِيَ مِنْ ذِكْرَى أُمُورٍ تَسُوءُنَا

دَعُونِيَ مِنْ ذِكْرَى أُمُورٍ تَسُوءُنَا

وَذَا يَوْمُ عِيدٍ بِالمَسَرَّاتِ مُفْعَمُ

وَذَا يَوْمُ عِيدٍ بِالمَسَرَّاتِ مُفْعَمُ

Spare me the recollection of things that grieve us,

As this is a festival day filled with joys.

for this is a feast day overflowing with joys.

I see hopeful signs of goodness rising amongst you

أَرَى بَيْنَكُمْ آمَالَ خَيْرٍ طَوَالِعاً

أَرَى بَيْنَكُمْ آمَالَ خَيْرٍ طَوَالِعاً

تَهُلُّ وَرَاءَ الأُفْقِ وَاللَّيْلُ مُظْلِمُ

تَهُلُّ وَرَاءَ الأُفْقِ وَاللَّيْلُ مُظْلِمُ

I see among you hopes of goodness rising,

Behind the horizon as the night grows dark.

appearing beyond the horizon while the night is dark:

Men who have adorned themselves with virtues and risen

رِجَالاً تَحَلُّوا بِالْفَضَائِلِ وَارْتَقَوْا

رِجَالاً تَحَلُّوا بِالْفَضَائِلِ وَارْتَقَوْا

بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ عَنْ كُلِّ خُلْقٍ يُذَمَّمُ

بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ عَنْ كُلِّ خُلْقٍ يُذَمَّمُ

men adorned with virtues, who have raised

Above all flawed creatures condemned.

themselves above every blameworthy trait;

Youth who, when chaste, are forbidden by chastity,

شَبَاباً إذَا عَفُّوا فَإِنَّ النُّهَى نَهَى

شَبَاباً إذَا عَفُّوا فَإِنَّ النُّهَى نَهَى

وَإنْ يَطْلُبُوا الْغَايَاتِ فَالْعَزْمُ يَعْزِمُ

وَإنْ يَطْلُبُوا الْغَايَاتِ فَالْعَزْمُ يَعْزِمُ

young men who, when they abstain, heed reason's prohibition,

And when seeking lofty goals, resolve empowers.

and when they seek their goals, resolve stands firm.

They raced in love of homeland farther than

عَدَوْا فِي هَوَى الأَوْطَانِ أَبْعَدَ غَايَةٍ

عَدَوْا فِي هَوَى الأَوْطَانِ أَبْعَدَ غَايَةٍ

يَسُوقُ إِلَيهَا الْعَاشِقَينِ التألم

يَسُوقُ إِلَيهَا الْعَاشِقَينِ التألم

They have run, in love of their homelands, to the farthest goal

Any goal, led by fervent lovers writhing.

to which suffering drives lovers.

But they met from us what did not please them,

وَلَكِنْ لَقُوا مِنَّا الَّذِي لَمْ يَسُرَّهُمْ

وَلَكِنْ لَقُوا مِنَّا الَّذِي لَمْ يَسُرَّهُمْ

لَقُوا الْقَاعَ وَالطَّيَّارُ خَزْيَانُ مُرْغَمُ

لَقُوا الْقَاعَ وَالطَّيَّارُ خَزْيَانُ مُرْغَمُ

Yet they met from us what did not gladden them:

Met the ground while the flying were defeated forced down.

they met the ground, with the flier shamed and humbled.

They met how courage in the fray enriched us

لَقُوا كَيْفَ أَغْنَتْنَا الشَّجَاعَةُ فِي الوَغَى

لَقُوا كَيْفَ أَغْنَتْنَا الشَّجَاعَةُ فِي الوَغَى

مِنَ العُدَدِ الصُّمِّ الَّتي لَيْسَ تَرْحَمُ

مِنَ العُدَدِ الصُّمِّ الَّتي لَيْسَ تَرْحَمُ

They saw how courage in battle made us dispense

Against dumb numbers that do not have mercy.

with the deaf armaments that show no mercy.

They met when languages failed us in confusion

لَقُوا حِينَ أَعْيَانَا التَّفَاهُمُ بِاللُّغَى

لَقُوا حِينَ أَعْيَانَا التَّفَاهُمُ بِاللُّغَى

مَقَابِضَنَا فِي الْهَامِ كيف تُتَرْجِمُ

مَقَابِضَنَا فِي الْهَامِ كيف تُتَرْجِمُ

They saw, when understanding through language failed us,

How our grips directly translated meaning.

how our sword-hilts translate upon heads.

They met surpassing what they expected of might

لَقُوا فَوْقَ مَا ظَنُّوا مِنَ البَأْسِ مُفْضِياً

لَقُوا فَوْقَ مَا ظَنُّوا مِنَ البَأْسِ مُفْضِياً

إلَى رَحْمَةٍ تَرْبُو عَلَى مَا تَوَهَّمُوا

إلَى رَحْمَةٍ تَرْبُو عَلَى مَا تَوَهَّمُوا

They met valor beyond what they had imagined, leading

To mercy nurturing beyond what they imagined.

to mercy greater than they had supposed:

So forgiveness where the stubborn are submissive,

فَمَغْفِرَةٌ حَيْثُ الأَبِيُّ مُجَنْدَلٌ

فَمَغْفِرَةٌ حَيْثُ الأَبِيُّ مُجَنْدَلٌ

وَمَقْدِرَةٌ حَيْثُ الْجَبَانُ مُسَلِّمُ

وَمَقْدِرَةٌ حَيْثُ الْجَبَانُ مُسَلِّمُ

forgiveness where the unyielding man lies slain,

And forbearance where the coward acquiesces.

and power where the coward surrenders;

And care for our soldiers’ wounds - their injuries

وَعَطْفٌ عَلَى جَرْحَى عَدَدْنَا جِرَاحَهُمْ

وَعَطْفٌ عَلَى جَرْحَى عَدَدْنَا جِرَاحَهُمْ

مُكَفِّرَةً عَمَّا أَسَاءُوا وَأَجْرَمُوا

مُكَفِّرَةً عَمَّا أَسَاءُوا وَأَجْرَمُوا

and compassion for wounded men whose wounds we deemed

Absolve what wrongs and sins they committed.

an atonement for their wrongdoing and crimes.

They embarrassed us so we called for their demise,

هُمُ أَحْرَجُونَا فَاقْتَضَوْنَا هَلاَكَهُمْ

هُمُ أَحْرَجُونَا فَاقْتَضَوْنَا هَلاَكَهُمْ

عَلَى أنَّنَا كُنَّا نُضَامُ فَنَحْلَمُ

عَلَى أنَّنَا كُنَّا نُضَامُ فَنَحْلَمُ

They drove us to extremity, compelling us to destroy them,

Though we were being oppressed so we endured.

although we had endured oppression with forbearance.

And if their punishment by us distresses us,

وَإِنْ يُشْجِنَا مَا نَالَهُمْ مِنْ عِقَابِنَا

وَإِنْ يُشْجِنَا مَا نَالَهُمْ مِنْ عِقَابِنَا

فَفِينا عَلَى العِلاَّتِ ذَاكَ التَّكَرُّمُ

فَفِينا عَلَى العِلاَّتِ ذَاكَ التَّكَرُّمُ

And if the punishment we dealt them saddens us,

Then that is the nobility in us toward failings.

that generosity still lives in us, despite our faults:

A soul's lenience that was never without our faults -

سَمَاحَةُ نَفْسٍ لَمْ تَزَلْ مِنْ عُيُوبِنَا

سَمَاحَةُ نَفْسٍ لَمْ تَزَلْ مِنْ عُيُوبِنَا

فَأِنْ يَغْفِرُوهَا ذَلِكَ الْفَضْلُ مِنْهُمُ

فَأِنْ يَغْفِرُوهَا ذَلِكَ الْفَضْلُ مِنْهُمُ

a forgiving spirit that has always numbered among our faults;

So for them to pardon it, that is their merit.

if they forgive it, that is a kindness on their part.

God protected heroes who protected, for they came

حَمَى اللهُ أَبْطَالاً حَمَوْنَا فَإِنَّهُمْ

حَمَى اللهُ أَبْطَالاً حَمَوْنَا فَإِنَّهُمْ

أَتَوْا مُعْجِزَاتٍ فِي الْخُصُومَاتِ تُفْحِمُ

أَتَوْا مُعْجِزَاتٍ فِي الْخُصُومَاتِ تُفْحِمُ

May God protect the heroes who protected us, for they

With miracles in adversities that silence opponents.

performed wonders in conflict that leave opponents speechless.

With requital's favor they erased what the insolent

مَحَوْا بِجَمِيل الثَّأْرِ مَا خَطَّ مُفْتَرٍ

مَحَوْا بِجَمِيل الثَّأْرِ مَا خَطَّ مُفْتَرٍ

عَلَيْنَا وَفِي كَفَّيْهِ لِلْعَارِ مِيسَمُ

عَلَيْنَا وَفِي كَفَّيْهِ لِلْعَارِ مِيسَمُ

With noble vengeance they erased what a slanderer wrote

Falsely ascribed to us, his hands branded with shame.

against us, while his own hands bear the brand of shame;

And they came with a clear sign of victory, etched

وَجَاءُوا مِنَ النَّصْرِ المُبينِ بِآيَةٍ

وَجَاءُوا مِنَ النَّصْرِ المُبينِ بِآيَةٍ

عَلَى صَفَحَاتِ الدَّهْرِ بِالتِّبْرِ تُرْسَمُ

عَلَى صَفَحَاتِ الدَّهْرِ بِالتِّبْرِ تُرْسَمُ

and from manifest victory they brought a sign

On the pages of time in triumph inscribed -

inscribed in gold upon the pages of time:

Melodious, graceful, Arabic,

مُنَمَّقَةٍ رَنَّانَةٍ عَرَبِيَّةٍ

مُنَمَّقَةٍ رَنَّانَةٍ عَرَبِيَّةٍ

لَهَا كَاتِبٌ مِنْهَا وَتَالٍ مُرَنِّمُ

لَهَا كَاتِبٌ مِنْهَا وَتَالٍ مُرَنِّمُ

ornate, resounding, Arabic,

Having a scribe from it and a singer chanting -

with a scribe drawn from it, and a melodious reciter.

If beheld, the eye never grows weary of its beauty,

إذَا طُولِعَتْ لَمْ تَسْأَمِ الْعَيْنُ حُسْنَها

إذَا طُولِعَتْ لَمْ تَسْأَمِ الْعَيْنُ حُسْنَها

وَإِنْ أُنْشِدَتْ فَالسَّمْعُ هَيْهَاتَ يَسْأَمُ

وَإِنْ أُنْشِدَتْ فَالسَّمْعُ هَيْهَاتَ يَسْأَمُ

When read, the eye never tires of its beauty;

And if recited, the hearing - never would it tire!

when chanted, far be it from the ear to tire.

The understanding of the righteous, however insulted,

فَهْمُ أَوْلِيَاءُ الْحَقِّ مَهْمَا يُعَيَّرُوا

فَهْمُ أَوْلِيَاءُ الْحَقِّ مَهْمَا يُعَيَّرُوا

وَهُمْ حُلفَاءُ الصِّدقِ مَهْمَا يُؤَثَّمُوا

وَهُمْ حُلفَاءُ الصِّدقِ مَهْمَا يُؤَثَّمُوا

They are the guardians of truth, however they are taunted,

And the allies of truth, however blemished.

and allies of sincerity, however they are branded sinners.

To these loyal ones with sincere advice for Egypt

إِلَى هَؤلاءِ الخَالِصِينَ طَوِيَّةً

إِلَى هَؤلاءِ الخَالِصِينَ طَوِيَّةً

لِمِصْرٍ بِنُصْحٍ خَالِصٍ أَتَقَدَّمُ

لِمِصْرٍ بِنُصْحٍ خَالِصٍ أَتَقَدَّمُ

To these men, pure in their innermost hearts

I step forward devotionally.

toward Egypt, I come forward with sincere counsel.

My sons, take from our experience consequences

بَنِيَّ خُذُوا عَنَّا نَتَائِجَ خُبْرِنَا

بَنِيَّ خُذُوا عَنَّا نَتَائِجَ خُبْرِنَا

لِتَكْتَسِبُوا مَا فَاتَنَا فَتُتَمِّمُوا

لِتَكْتَسِبُوا مَا فَاتَنَا فَتُتَمِّمُوا

My sons, take from us the fruits of our experience,

To gain what we missed and accomplish -

to gain what we missed and bring it to completion.

Incumbent upon you are diverse sciences, for they

عَلَيْكُمْ بِأَشْتَاتِ الْعُلُومِ فَإِنَّهَا

عَلَيْكُمْ بِأَشْتَاتِ الْعُلُومِ فَإِنَّهَا

نَجَاةٌ فَإِنْ شَقَّتْ فَلاَ تَتَبَرَّمُوا

نَجَاةٌ فَإِنْ شَقَّتْ فَلاَ تَتَبَرَّمُوا

Pursue the many branches of knowledge, for they are

Are salvation, so if arduous, do not despair.

salvation; if they prove hard, do not grow impatient.

Be strong, for the weak have no portion but decay,

تَقَوَّوْا فَمَا حَظُّ الضَّعِيفِ سِوَى الرَّدَى

تَقَوَّوْا فَمَا حَظُّ الضَّعِيفِ سِوَى الرَّدَى

وَخَيْرُ الْقُوَى خُلْقٌ مَقَوِّمُ

وَخَيْرُ الْقُوَى خُلْقٌ مَقَوِّمُ

Grow strong: the weak have no lot but destruction,

And the best strength is correcting conduct.

and the finest strength is character that sets things right.

Support your brother, not for a fruitless cause,

أًعِينُوا أخَاكُمْ لاَ عَلَى غَيْرِ طَائِلٍ

أًعِينُوا أخَاكُمْ لاَ عَلَى غَيْرِ طَائِلٍ

وَمَنْ كَانَ لاَ يُرْجَى فَمَا هُوَ مِنْكُمُ

وَمَنْ كَانَ لاَ يُرْجَى فَمَا هُوَ مِنْكُمُ

Help your brother, but not in vain;

And one beyond hope, then he is not yours.

and he from whom no good is hoped is not one of you.

Enjoin each other to excellent patience, for its success is assured,

تَوَاصَوْا بِحُسْنِ الصَّبْرِ فَالْفَوْزُ وَعْدُهُ

تَوَاصَوْا بِحُسْنِ الصَّبْرِ فَالْفَوْزُ وَعْدُهُ

وَلاَ تَبْتَغُوا مَا لاَ يُرَامُ فَتَنْدَمُوا

وَلاَ تَبْتَغُوا مَا لاَ يُرَامُ فَتَنْدَمُوا

Urge one another to steadfast patience: success is its promise;

And do not seek what cannot be attained, so regret.

do not seek what cannot be attained, lest you regret it.

And be not provoked in answering a call,

وَلاَ تُسْتَفَزُّوا فِي إِجَابَةِ دَعْوَةٍ

وَلاَ تُسْتَفَزُّوا فِي إِجَابَةِ دَعْوَةٍ

فَحَيْثُ أَجَبْتُمْ أَقْدِمُوا ثُمَّ أقْدِمُوا

فَحَيْثُ أَجَبْتُمْ أَقْدِمُوا ثُمَّ أقْدِمُوا

Do not be goaded into answering a summons;

So where you respond, step forward and advance.

but once you answer, advance, and then advance again.

Leave every useless word aside

ذَرُوا كُلَّ قَوْلٍ فَاقِدِ النَّفْعِ جَانِباً

ذَرُوا كُلَّ قَوْلٍ فَاقِدِ النَّفْعِ جَانِباً

وَمُدُّوا مَجَالَ الْفِعْلِ ذَلِكَ أحْزَمُ

وَمُدُّوا مَجَالَ الْفِعْلِ ذَلِكَ أحْزَمُ

Set aside every utterance devoid of benefit,

And extend the realm of action - that is wiser.

and widen the field of action: that is wiser.

Do not crave pleasure in the forbidden,

وَلاَ تَتَوَخَّوْا لَذَّةً فِي مُحَرَّمٍ

وَلاَ تَتَوَخَّوْا لَذَّةً فِي مُحَرَّمٍ

فَشَرُّ مُبِيدٍ لِلشُّغُوبِ المُحَرَّمُ

فَشَرُّ مُبِيدٍ لِلشُّغُوبِ المُحَرَّمُ

Do not seek pleasure in what is forbidden,

For the worst annihilator of passions prohibited.

for the forbidden is the worst destroyer of the unruly.

If you have completed as we wish for you,

فَإِمَّا تَكَامَلْتُمْ كَمَا نَبْتَغِي لَكُمْ

فَإِمَّا تَكَامَلْتُمْ كَمَا نَبْتَغِي لَكُمْ

فَتِلْكَ المُنَى تَمَّتْ وَذَاكَ التَّقَدُّمُ

فَتِلْكَ المُنَى تَمَّتْ وَذَاكَ التَّقَدُّمُ

If, then, you attain the fullness we desire for you,

Then the purpose is realized and the progress made.

those hopes are fulfilled, and that is progress.

And then Egypt shall pride itself on its people,

وَيَومَئِذٍ تَعْتَزُّ مِصْرٌ بِأَهْلِهَا

وَيَومَئِذٍ تَعْتَزُّ مِصْرٌ بِأَهْلِهَا

وَتَسْعَدُ مَا شَاءَتْ وَتَعْلُو وَتُكْرَمُ

وَتَسْعَدُ مَا شَاءَتْ وَتَعْلُو وَتُكْرَمُ

Then Egypt will take pride in her people,

Attain what it desires, rise high, and be honored.

and be as happy as she wishes, rise high, and be honored.