بَينَ العُلى وَالقَنا وَالمشرَ في نَسَبُ

بَينَ العُلى وَالقَنا وَالمشرَ في نَسَبُ

وَصِدقُ عَزمِ الفَتى في ذلِكَ السَبَبُ

وَصِدقُ عَزمِ الفَتى في ذلِكَ السَبَبُ

Between high glory, spears, and the Mashrafi sword lies kinship;

Between doom and spear and honored lineage

Between glory, the spear, and the sword, there is a kinship,

and the young man's steadfast resolve is the cause of that bond.

And the resolve of the gallant youth in that cause

And the true resolve of a young man is the cause of that bond.

لا يَبلُغُ المَجدَ إِلّا مَن تَكونُ لَهُ

لا يَبلُغُ المَجدَ إِلّا مَن تَكونُ لَهُ

نَفسٌ تَتَوُقُ إِلى ما دونَهُ الشُهُبُ

نَفسٌ تَتَوُقُ إِلى ما دونَهُ الشُهُبُ

None reaches glory except one who possesses

None attains glory unless he possesses

None attains glory save for the one who possesses

a soul yearning for heights above the shooting stars:

A soul yearning for what old age makes unattainable

A soul yearning for heights beneath which the stars fall short.

جوداً وَبَأساً وَعَفواً عِندَ مَقدِرَةٍ

جوداً وَبَأساً وَعَفواً عِندَ مَقدِرَةٍ

وَخَفضَ جَأشٍ إِذا ما اِشتَدَّتِ النوَبُ

وَخَفضَ جَأشٍ إِذا ما اِشتَدَّتِ النوَبُ

generosity, valor, and pardon when holding power,

Generosity, valor, and pardon when able

With generosity, might, and forgiveness when holding power,

and calmness of heart when calamities grow severe;

And humility when misfortune intensifies

And a steadfast calm when calamities grow severe.

وَجَحفَلاً تَستَخِفُّ الأَرضَ وَطأتُهُ

وَجَحفَلاً تَستَخِفُّ الأَرضَ وَطأتُهُ

تَخُرُّ لِلخَيلِ فيهِ الأُكمُ وَالحَدَبُ

تَخُرُّ لِلخَيلِ فيهِ الأُكمُ وَالحَدَبُ

and a massed army whose tread makes light of the earth,

And a stallion who makes the earth seem small under his tread

And a vast army whose heavy tread shakes the earth,

before whose horses hillocks and ridges fall.

Before whom the sandy hills and dunes bow down

Before whose cavalry the hills and ridges bow down.

لِلَّهِ سَعيُ إِمامِ المُسلِمينَ فَقَد

لِلَّهِ سَعيُ إِمامِ المُسلِمينَ فَقَد

حَوى الخِصالَ الَّتي تَسمو بِها الرُتَب

حَوى الخِصالَ الَّتي تَسمو بِها الرُتَب

To God belongs the striving of the Muslims' Imam, for he has

To God is the effort of the Imam of Muslims

To God belongs the endeavor of the Imam of the Muslims, for he has

gathered the qualities through which ranks rise.

For he encompasses the traits that elevate ranks

Gathered the virtues by which all ranks ascend.

عَبدِ العَزيزِ الَّذي لَم تَبدُ طالِعَةً

عَبدِ العَزيزِ الَّذي لَم تَبدُ طالِعَةً

شَمسٌ عَلى مِثلِهِ يَوماً وَلَم تَجِب

شَمسٌ عَلى مِثلِهِ يَوماً وَلَم تَجِب

Abdulaziz: never has a rising

Abdul Aziz whom no rising sun matched

Abdulaziz, upon whose like the rising sun

sun shone upon his like, nor ever set upon one.

On any day, nor will match throughout the eras

Has never shone, nor set upon his equal in any age.

ما قُلتُهُ قَطرَةٌ مِن بَحرِ هِمَّتِهِ

ما قُلتُهُ قَطرَةٌ مِن بَحرِ هِمَّتِهِ

هَيهاتَ يُحصي ثَناهُ النَظمُ وَالخَطبُ

هَيهاتَ يُحصي ثَناهُ النَظمُ وَالخَطبُ

What I have said is a drop from the ocean of his resolve;

What I said is but a drop from the sea of his ambition

What I have said is but a drop from the ocean of his ambition;

far be it that verse or oratory could encompass his praise.

Alas, verse and prose cannot enumerate his virtues

Far be it that poetry or prose could ever enumerate his praise.

مِنَ الأَولى جَدَّدوا لِلنّاسِ دينُهُمُ

مِنَ الأَولى جَدَّدوا لِلنّاسِ دينُهُمُ

بِالوَحيِ تَعضُدُهُ الهِندِيَّةُ القُضُبُ

بِالوَحيِ تَعضُدُهُ الهِندِيَّةُ القُضُبُ

He is among those who renewed the people's faith

From the beginning they renewed people's religion for them

He is of those who renewed the religion for the people,

through revelation, upheld by keen Indian blades.

With revelation, supported by Indian teak

Through Revelation, supported by sharp Indian swords.

قَفَوا أَبا بَكرٍ الصِديقَ ما وَهَنوا

قَفَوا أَبا بَكرٍ الصِديقَ ما وَهَنوا

لَمّا دَعا الناسَ وَالأَهواءُ تَضطَرِبُ

لَمّا دَعا الناسَ وَالأَهواءُ تَضطَرِبُ

They followed Abu Bakr al-Siddiq and did not falter

They stood by Abu Bakr the Truthful and did not waver

They followed the path of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, never wavering,

when he summoned the people while passions swirled.

When people and passions were thrown into confusion

When he called the people while passions were in turmoil.

فَرَدَّهُم بِالقَنا مِن حَيثُ ما خَرجوا

فَرَدَّهُم بِالقَنا مِن حَيثُ ما خَرجوا

وَقالَ أَدّوا الَّذي في شَرعِنا يَجِب

وَقالَ أَدّوا الَّذي في شَرعِنا يَجِب

He brought them back with spears from wherever they had departed,

He repelled them with the spear from where they had come forth

He turned them back with spears to the fold they had fled,

and said, 'Render what our law requires.'

And said, fulfill what is mandated in our canon

And commanded: "Fulfill what is obligatory in our Law."

وَأَنتُمُ حينَ لا بَدوٌ وَلا حَضَرٌ

وَأَنتُمُ حينَ لا بَدوٌ وَلا حَضَرٌ

إِلّا لَهُم نَحوَ ما يُرديهِمُ خَبَبُ

إِلّا لَهُم نَحوَ ما يُرديهِمُ خَبَبُ

And you, when neither nomads nor townspeople

While you, whether Bedouin or settled folk

And you—when neither Bedouin nor city dweller remained

were without a headlong trot toward what would destroy them:

Are only inclined toward what will ruin you

But that they were trotting toward their own destruction—

هذا يَطوفُ بِرَبِّ القَبرِ يَندُبُهُ

هذا يَطوفُ بِرَبِّ القَبرِ يَندُبُهُ

يَرجو النَجاةَ إِذا ما اِشتَدَّتِ الكُرَبُ

يَرجو النَجاةَ إِذا ما اِشتَدَّتِ الكُرَبُ

this one circles the tomb's master, calling upon him,

This one circumambulates the Lord of the Grave bewailing Him

One circumambulating a tomb's occupant, wailing to him,

hoping for deliverance when anguish grows severe;

Hoping for salvation when hardship intensifies

Hoping for salvation when distress grows severe.

وَذا يُعَطِّلُ آياتِ الصِفاتِ وَذا

وَذا يُعَطِّلُ آياتِ الصِفاتِ وَذا

مُغرىً بِتَحريفِ ما جاءَت بِهِ الكُتُبُ

مُغرىً بِتَحريفِ ما جاءَت بِهِ الكُتُبُ

and this one nullifies the verses on divine attributes, while that one

While that one invalidates the verses about God's attributes

Another denies the verses of Divine Attributes, and another

is intent on distorting what the scriptures have brought.

Deceived into distorting what the scriptures have brought

Is obsessed with distorting what the Scriptures revealed.

قُمتُم مَقاماً يَؤودُ القائِمينَ بِهِ

قُمتُم مَقاماً يَؤودُ القائِمينَ بِهِ

وَقَد رَمَتكُم بِقَوسِ البِغضَةِ العَرَبُ

وَقَد رَمَتكُم بِقَوسِ البِغضَةِ العَرَبُ

You took a stand that burdens those who undertake it,

You have taken a stance that would ruin those who take it

You stood in a station that burdens those who undertake it,

while the Arabs shot at you with the bow of hatred.

And the Arabs have assailed you with the bow of hatred

While the Arabs shot at you from the bow of hatred.

لكِنَّ مَن يَنصُرُ الرَحمنَ يَنصُرُهُ

لكِنَّ مَن يَنصُرُ الرَحمنَ يَنصُرُهُ

جُندُ الإِلهِ بِهِم لَو قَلَّوا الغَلَبُ

جُندُ الإِلهِ بِهِم لَو قَلَّوا الغَلَبُ

Yet whoever supports the All-Merciful is supported

But whoever helps the Merciful - He will help him

Yet whoever aids the Merciful, by Him shall be aided;

by God's host; through them comes victory, though they be few.

The army of God - though few they overcome many

The soldiers of God shall triumph, though they be few.

رَدَدتُموهُم إِلى الدينِ القَويمِ وَهُم

رَدَدتُموهُم إِلى الدينِ القَويمِ وَهُم

مِن قَبلِكُم عَن طَريقِ المُصطَفى نُكُبُ

مِن قَبلِكُم عَن طَريقِ المُصطَفى نُكُبُ

You brought them back to the upright faith, though they

You have returned them to the Straight Path, though before you

You returned them to the upright faith, while they,

before you had strayed from the Chosen One's path.

They had deviated from the way of the Chosen One

Before your time, had deviated from the Chosen One's path.

نِعمَ الوَزيرُ لَكُم شَيخٌ مَقالَتُهُ

نِعمَ الوَزيرُ لَكُم شَيخٌ مَقالَتُهُ

ما قالَهُ اللَهُ وَالمُختارُ وَالصَحَبُ

ما قالَهُ اللَهُ وَالمُختارُ وَالصَحَبُ

What an excellent counselor you have in a shaykh whose words

What an excellent minister you have, a shaykh whose words

How excellent a minister you have in the Sheikh whose doctrine

are what God, the Chosen One, and the Companions said.

Are those of God, the Elect, and the Companions

Is but what God, the Chosen One, and the Companions said.

أَعطاهُ مَولاهُ نوراً فَاِستَضاءَ بِهِ

أَعطاهُ مَولاهُ نوراً فَاِستَضاءَ بِهِ

وَاللَهُ يَختارُ مَن يُعطي لِما يَهَبُ

وَاللَهُ يَختارُ مَن يُعطي لِما يَهَبُ

His Lord gave him light, and by it he was illumined;

His Master has given him light, by which he finds guidance

His Lord bestowed upon him a light by which he was guided,

and God chooses the recipient of what He bestows.

And God apportions to whom He wills what He grants

And God selects the recipient for the gifts He bestows.

عِنايَةٌ شَمَلَت نَجداً وَساكِنَهُ

عِنايَةٌ شَمَلَت نَجداً وَساكِنَهُ

بِهِ وَفَخرٌ لَهُم ما اِمتَدَّتِ الحِقَبُ

بِهِ وَفَخرٌ لَهُم ما اِمتَدَّتِ الحِقَبُ

Providential care encompassed Najd and its inhabitants

A care that has encompassed Najd and its inhabitants

A divine care that encompassed Najd and its dwellers,

through him, and honor was theirs for as long as the ages endure.

Through him, a source of pride for them throughout the ages

Through him, a source of pride for them as long as ages endure.

وَحينَ قَلَّصَ ظِلُّ الأَمنِ وَاِنقَشَعَت

وَحينَ قَلَّصَ ظِلُّ الأَمنِ وَاِنقَشَعَت

مِن نَجدَ أَعلامُهُ وَاِستَفحَلَ الكَلبُ

مِن نَجدَ أَعلامُهُ وَاِستَفحَلَ الكَلبُ

And when the shade of security shrank, and there vanished

And when the shadow of security diminished

And when the shadow of security receded, and vanished

from Najd its banners, while ferocity grew rampant,

And its banners departed from Najd and treachery spread

From Najd were its banners, and chaos reigned supreme,

أَتى بِكَ اللَهُ غَوثاً لِلعِبادِ وَلِلـ

أَتى بِكَ اللَهُ غَوثاً لِلعِبادِ وَلِلـ

ـبِلادِ غَيثاً هَنيئاً بَعْدَمَا جَدبوا

ـبِلادِ غَيثاً هَنيئاً بَعْدَمَا جَدبوا

God brought you as succor to His servants, and to the

God brought you as a savior for the people and the lands

God brought you as a savior for His servants, and for the

lands as welcome rain after they had suffered drought.

A blessed rain after they had suffered drought

Lands a wholesome rain after they had suffered drought.

فَضَلتَ تَنسَخُ آياتِ الضَلالِ بِما

فَضَلتَ تَنسَخُ آياتِ الضَلالِ بِما

يَقضي بِهِ النَصُّ لا زورٌ وَلا كَذِبُ

يَقضي بِهِ النَصُّ لا زورٌ وَلا كَذِبُ

You excelled, effacing the signs of error through what

You began erasing the verses of misguidance with what

You continued to erase the signs of error with that

the text decrees, with neither falsehood nor lies,

The definitive texts decree - neither falsehood nor lies -

Which the Text decrees—neither falsehood nor fabrication.

حَتّى اِستَقامَت قَناةُ الدينِ وَاِعتَدَلَت

حَتّى اِستَقامَت قَناةُ الدينِ وَاِعتَدَلَت

فَالحَمدُ لِلَّهِ لا رَيبٌ وَلا رِيَبُ

فَالحَمدُ لِلَّهِ لا رَيبٌ وَلا رِيَبُ

until religion's spear-shaft stood straight and true.

Until the channel of religion was set aright and straightened

Until the spear-shaft of the Faith was straightened and true,

So praise be to God, with neither doubt nor misgivings.

So praise be to God - no doubt or suspicion

So praise be to God—without doubt or suspicion.

وَكَم مَكارِمِ أَخلاقٍ أَتَيتِ بِها

وَكَم مَكارِمِ أَخلاقٍ أَتَيتِ بِها

يَرضى بِها في الجُثى آباؤُكَ النُجُبُ

يَرضى بِها في الجُثى آباؤُكَ النُجُبُ

And how many noble traits of character you displayed,

And how many noble traits of character you have brought

And how many noble virtues have you brought forth,

pleasing your noble forefathers in their burial mounds.

By which your noble forefathers would be pleased in their graves

With which your noble ancestors are pleased within their graves.

وَاِذكُر بَلاءَ بَني الإِسلامَ إِنَّهُمُ

وَاِذكُر بَلاءَ بَني الإِسلامَ إِنَّهُمُ

نِعمَ الظَهيرُ لَهُ وَالناصِرُ الحَدِبُ

نِعمَ الظَهيرُ لَهُ وَالناصِرُ الحَدِبُ

And remember the valor of the sons of Islam: they

And remember the tribulation of the sons of Islam - they

And remember the valiant efforts of the sons of Islam, for they

are excellent support for it, and caring champions.

Are excellent supporters and a fortress when the war flares up

Are the best of supporters for it, and compassionate allies.

قَومٌ شَرَوا في سَبيلِ اللَهِ أَنفُسَهُم

قَومٌ شَرَوا في سَبيلِ اللَهِ أَنفُسَهُم

وَجاهَدوا طَلَباً لِلأَجرِ وَاِحتَسَبوا

وَجاهَدوا طَلَباً لِلأَجرِ وَاِحتَسَبوا

A people who sold their lives in God's path,

A people who sacrificed themselves in God's cause

A people who sold their souls for the sake of God,

and fought, seeking reward and hoping for God's recompense.

And strove seeking reward, purifying their intentions

And fought seeking only His reward, anticipating His favor.

قُم أَدنِ مِن ساهِماتِ العيسِ ناجِيَةً

قُم أَدنِ مِن ساهِماتِ العيسِ ناجِيَةً

أَدنى تَغشمُرِها الإِرقالُ وَالخَبَبُ

أَدنى تَغشمُرِها الإِرقالُ وَالخَبَبُ

Rise; bring near a fleet she-camel from the lean, pale camels,

Stand near the arrows of the swift she-camel, addressing her

Arise and bring near a swift, lean camel,

whose least headlong haste is swift pacing and trotting.

As she is covered by the saddlecloth, shielded by armor

Whose slowest pace is a trot and a gallop.

كَأَنَّها خاضِبٌ يَحدو سَفَنَّجَةً

كَأَنَّها خاضِبٌ يَحدو سَفَنَّجَةً

وَالدَوُّ شاسِعَةٌ وَالغَيثُ يَنسَكِبُ

وَالدَوُّ شاسِعَةٌ وَالغَيثُ يَنسَكِبُ

As though she were a red-legged cock ostrich driving a swift hen,

She glances at the whip at times, startled

As if she were a male ostrich urging on a long-legged mate,

while the wilderness stretches wide and rain pours down.

When she sees its shadow or it touches her hind leg

While the desert stretches vast and the rain pours down.

تَلاحِظُ السَوطَ أَحياناً وَيُزعِجُها

تَلاحِظُ السَوطَ أَحياناً وَيُزعِجُها

إِذا رَأَت ظِلَّهُ أَو مَسَّها عَقَبُ

إِذا رَأَت ظِلَّهُ أَو مَسَّها عَقَبُ

She eyes the whip at times, and it startles her

Take her from the prosperous land, making

She eyes the whip at times, and is unsettled

when she sees its shadow, or a sinew lash touches her.

Your steadfast grandfather your guide, lest landmarks confuse you

If she sees its shadow or feels the touch of a heel.

سُقها مِنَ البَلَدِ المَعمورِ مُتَّخِذاً

سُقها مِنَ البَلَدِ المَعمورِ مُتَّخِذاً

دَليلَكَ الجَديَ إِن لَم تَهدِكَ النُصبُ

دَليلَكَ الجَديَ إِن لَم تَهدِكَ النُصبُ

Drive her from the inhabited town, taking

Greet Faisal and mention his achievements

Drive her from the flourishing land, taking

al-Jady, the Pole Star, as your guide if landmarks fail to lead you.

And say to him: thus should the noble ones act

The Polestar as your guide if the landmarks fail you.

سَلِّم عَلى فَيصَلٍ وَاِذكُر مَآثِرَهُ

سَلِّم عَلى فَيصَلٍ وَاِذكُر مَآثِرَهُ

وَقُل لَهُ هكَذا فَلتَفعَلِ النُجُبُ

وَقُل لَهُ هكَذا فَلتَفعَلِ النُجُبُ

Greet Faisal, and recount his noble deeds,

The Imam's sword which his hand grasps

Deliver peace to Faisal and recount his exploits,

and tell him, 'Thus should noble men act.'

Unfailing in battle - no jesting with its edge

And say to him: "Thus indeed should the noble act."

سَيفُ الإِمامِ الَّذي بِالكَفِّ قائِمُهُ

سَيفُ الإِمامِ الَّذي بِالكَفِّ قائِمُهُ

ماضي المَضارِبِ ما في حَدِّهِ لَعِبُ

ماضي المَضارِبِ ما في حَدِّهِ لَعِبُ

The Imam's sword, whose hilt is held in his hand,

When the Imam draws it for the encounter

The sword of the Imam, whose hilt rests in his hand,

keen-edged, with no jest in its edge.

It surges forth while the fire of war blazes

Sharp in its strikes, with no jest in its edge.

إِذا الإِمامُ اِنتَضاهُ في مُقارَعَةٍ

إِذا الإِمامُ اِنتَضاهُ في مُقارَعَةٍ

مَضى إِلَيها وَنارُ الحَربِ تَلتَهِبُ

مَضى إِلَيها وَنارُ الحَربِ تَلتَهِبُ

When the Imam unsheathes him for a clash,

The chief of the exalted ones - through the faith his glory

When the Imam unsheathes it in the clash of battle,

he advances into it while the fire of war blazes.

And through him the faith is exalted, lineage regardless

He charges forth while the fires of war blaze.

رَئيسُ عُلوى عَلا بِالدينِ مَجدُهُمُ

رَئيسُ عُلوى عَلا بِالدينِ مَجدُهُمُ

وَالدينُ يُعلى بِهِ لَو لَم يَكُن نَسَبُ

وَالدينُ يُعلى بِهِ لَو لَم يَكُن نَسَبُ

Chief of 'Ulwa: through faith their glory rose,

He who inhabits Dar al-Reaya that was built

The Chief of 'Ulwa, whose glory rose through the Faith—

and through faith one is exalted, even without lineage.

On piety and guidance - the noblest of Arabs inhabit it

For religion exalts a man even without noble lineage.

وَمَن بَبَوَّأَ بِالدارِ الَّتي بُنِيَت

وَمَن بَبَوَّأَ بِالدارِ الَّتي بُنِيَت

عَلى التُقى وَالهُدى أَكرِم بِهِم عَرَبُ

عَلى التُقى وَالهُدى أَكرِم بِهِم عَرَبُ

And those who settled in the abode that was built

The people of Riyadh gave sincere counsel

And those who settled in the abode founded

upon piety and guidance—how noble they are as Arabs!

For the religion, their advice sincere, without deceit

Upon piety and guidance—how noble are these Arabs!

الساكِنينَ بِأَرطاوِيَّةٍ نَصَحوا

الساكِنينَ بِأَرطاوِيَّةٍ نَصَحوا

لِلدّينِ بِالصِدقِ في نُصحِهِم خَلَبُ

لِلدّينِ بِالصِدقِ في نُصحِهِم خَلَبُ

Those dwelling in Artawiyyah offered counsel

So too their brothers - do not forget their merit -

The dwellers of Artawiyyah, who were sincere

for the faith with sincerity; in their counsel is deceit.

Wherever they went, they were champions of truth

In their devotion to the Faith; their sincerity is captivating.

كَذاكَ إِخوانُهُم لا تَنسَ فَضلُهُمُ

كَذاكَ إِخوانُهُم لا تَنسَ فَضلُهُمُ

هُم نُصرَةُ الحَقِّ صِدقاً أَينَما ذَهَبوا

هُم نُصرَةُ الحَقِّ صِدقاً أَينَما ذَهَبوا

So too their brethren: do not forget their merit.

I mean by them the partisans of Islam, who reside

Likewise their brethren—forget not their merit;

They truly uphold the truth wherever they go.

In Mubarraz, mobilizing for war on the apostates

They are the true supporters of Right wherever they go.

أَعني بِهِم عُصبَةَ الإِسلامِ مِن سَكَنوا

أَعني بِهِم عُصبَةَ الإِسلامِ مِن سَكَنوا

مُبايِضاً وَلِحَربِ المارِقِ اِنتَدَبوا

مُبايِضاً وَلِحَربِ المارِقِ اِنتَدَبوا

I mean by them Islam's band, those who settled

And mention the achievements of a people whose sole aim

I mean by them the League of Islam, those who dwelt

in Mubayid and volunteered to fight the renegade.

Was jihad against the deviants - not supererogatory acts or spoils

In Mubayid, and volunteered to fight the renegade.

وَاِذكُر مَآثِرَ قَومٍ جُلُّ قَصدِهِمُ

وَاِذكُر مَآثِرَ قَومٍ جُلُّ قَصدِهِمُ

جِهادُ أَهلِ الرَدى لا النَفلُ وَالسَلَبُ

جِهادُ أَهلِ الرَدى لا النَفلُ وَالسَلَبُ

And recount the feats of a people whose foremost aim

They are the people of the township, brethren who have a history

And recall the feats of a people whose sole intent

is fighting the people of perdition, not spoils and plunder.

Of righteous deeds hoped to bring one close to God

Is Jihad against the wicked, not spoils or plunder.

هُم أَهلُ قَريَةَ إِخوانٌ لَهُم قَدَمٌ

هُم أَهلُ قَريَةَ إِخوانٌ لَهُم قَدَمٌ

في الصالِحاتِ الَّتي تُرجى بِها القُربُ

في الصالِحاتِ الَّتي تُرجى بِها القُربُ

They are the people of Qaryah, brethren with a firm standing

God unleashed upon the people of Kuwait through them

They are the people of the Village, brothers who possess standing

in righteous deeds through which nearness to God is hoped for.

The whip of torment, in whose folds lies wrath

In righteous deeds by which closeness to God is sought.

صَبَّ الإِلهُ عَلى أَهلِ الكُوَيتِ بِهِم

صَبَّ الإِلهُ عَلى أَهلِ الكُوَيتِ بِهِم

سَوطَ العَذابِ الَّذي في طَيِّهِ الغَضَبُ

سَوطَ العَذابِ الَّذي في طَيِّهِ الغَضَبُ

Through them God poured upon the people of Kuwait

The beasts of prey gorged until sated, then other packs

Through them, God poured upon the people of Kuwait

the scourge of punishment, with wrath folded within it.

Set upon them, one after another in succession

A scourge of torment, wrapped in divine wrath.

طَلَّت سِباعُ الفَلا تَفري تَرائِبَهُم

طَلَّت سِباعُ الفَلا تَفري تَرائِبَهُم

تَنوبُهُم عُصَبٌ مِن بَعدِها عُصَبُ

تَنوبُهُم عُصَبٌ مِن بَعدِها عُصَبُ

The beasts of the wilderness appeared, rending their chest bones;

And the birds peck at the tops of their skulls

The beasts of the wild set upon tearing their chests,

bands assail them, one band after another.

As if a drinking-companion sipping the wine of death's rapture

Descending upon them in pack after pack.

وَالطَيرُ تَمكو عَلى أَعلى جَماجِمِه

وَالطَيرُ تَمكو عَلى أَعلى جَماجِمِه

كَأَنَّها شارِبٌ يَهفو بِهِ الطَرَبُ

كَأَنَّها شارِبٌ يَهفو بِهِ الطَرَبُ

And birds whistle on the crowns of his skulls,

How many bereaved women slap their cheeks crying:

And the birds shriek atop their skulls,

as though they were a drinker swaying with rapture.

"Alas if battle could avail!"

Like a drunkard swaying with delight.

كَم عاتِقٍ تَلطِمُ الخَدَّينِ باكِيَةً

كَم عاتِقٍ تَلطِمُ الخَدَّينِ باكِيَةً

تَقولُ واحَربا لَو يَنفَعُ الحَرَبُ

تَقولُ واحَربا لَو يَنفَعُ الحَرَبُ

How many a maiden slaps both cheeks, weeping,

In your accursed name they took ill omens

How many a young maiden slaps her cheeks in weeping,

saying, 'Alas, my loss!'—if grief could avail.

When in your "salama" lay destruction

Crying "O Woe!"—if only lamentation could avail.

تَفاءَلوا بِاِسمِكَ المَنحوسِ طائِرُهُ

تَفاءَلوا بِاِسمِكَ المَنحوسِ طائِرُهُ

بِسالِمٍ فَإِذا في سالِمَ العَطَبُ

بِسالِمٍ فَإِذا في سالِمَ العَطَبُ

They augured well from your name, though its omen was ill-starred:

Such is the vengeance of the Imam of the Muslims upon you

They sought good omens in your name, though its augury was cursed,

Salim—yet behold, in Salim lay ruin.

Either repent, or progeny and ancestry will be obliterated

In "Salem" [Safe]—yet behold, in Salem lay destruction.

هذا نَكالُ إِمامِ المُسلِمينَ لَكُم

هذا نَكالُ إِمامِ المُسلِمينَ لَكُم

فَإِن رَجَعتُم وَإِلّا اِستُؤصِلَ العِقبُ

فَإِن رَجَعتُم وَإِلّا اِستُؤصِلَ العِقبُ

This is the punishment of the Muslims' Imam for you;

O people of religion and faith, I owe you

This is the chastisement of the Imam of the Muslims upon you,

if you turn back, so be it; otherwise your posterity will be uprooted.

A duty, I see, to advise you sincerely

So if you repent, [good]; otherwise, your very roots shall be severed.

يا شيعَةَ الدينِ وَالإيمانِ إِنَّ لَكُم

يا شيعَةَ الدينِ وَالإيمانِ إِنَّ لَكُم

عَلَيَّ حَقّاً أَرى نُصحي لَكُم يَجِب

عَلَيَّ حَقّاً أَرى نُصحي لَكُم يَجِب

O followers of religion and faith, you have

Hold fast to God's Book, follow the way

O party of the Faith and Belief, indeed you have

a claim upon me: I deem my counsel to you obligatory.

Of the Messenger, and let not passions seize you

A claim upon me; I deem my counsel to you a duty.

تَمَسَّكوا بِكِتابِ اللَهِ وَاِتَّبِعوا

تَمَسَّكوا بِكِتابِ اللَهِ وَاِتَّبِعوا

هَديَ الرَسولِ وَلا تَأخُذكُمُ الشَعبُ

هَديَ الرَسولِ وَلا تَأخُذكُمُ الشَعبُ

Hold fast to God's Book and follow

And advise the Guardian sincerely, for it is

Hold fast to the Book of God and follow

the Messenger's guidance; let not branching paths carry you away.

Incumbent upon you by verses in the Scripture

The Messenger's guidance, and let not diverging paths lead you astray.

وَأَخلِصوا نُصحَ والي الأَمرِ فَهوَ لَهُ

وَأَخلِصوا نُصحَ والي الأَمرِ فَهوَ لَهُ

شَرطٌ عَلَيكُم بِآيِ الذِكرَ مُكتَتَبُ

شَرطٌ عَلَيكُم بِآيِ الذِكرَ مُكتَتَبُ

And sincerely counsel the ruler, for such counsel is his

The Prophet made their obedience obligatory by textual decree

And give sincere counsel to the Ruler, for this is

due from you, inscribed in the verses of the Reminder.

Even if they take wealth or strike you

A condition upon you, prescribed in the verses of the Scripture.

قَد أَوجَبَ المُصطَفى بِالنَصِّ طاعَتَهُم

قَد أَوجَبَ المُصطَفى بِالنَصِّ طاعَتَهُم

لَو أَنَّهُم أَخَذوا لِلمالِ أَو ضَرَبوا

لَو أَنَّهُم أَخَذوا لِلمالِ أَو ضَرَبوا

The Chosen One expressly made obedience to them obligatory,

Unless their command is polytheism and disobedience

The Chosen One has mandated their obedience by text,

even if they seized wealth or inflicted blows,

There obedience is required - otherwise it is not

Even if they seize wealth or strike [the back].

ما لَم يَكُن أَمرُهُم شِركاً وَمَعصِيَةً

ما لَم يَكُن أَمرُهُم شِركاً وَمَعصِيَةً

هُناكَ طاعَتُهُم في ذاكَ لا تَجِبُ

هُناكَ طاعَتُهُم في ذاكَ لا تَجِبُ

unless their command is idolatry and disobedience;

But when they aim at reform and make effort

Provided their command is not idolatry or sin;

in that case, obedience to them is not required.

And neither motive nor cause is clear to us

In such a case, obedience to them is not required.

أَمّا إِذا قَصَدوا الإِصلاحَ وَاِجتَهَدوا

أَمّا إِذا قَصَدوا الإِصلاحَ وَاِجتَهَدوا

وَلا اِستَبانَ لَنا الدّاعي وَلا السَبَبُ

وَلا اِستَبانَ لَنا الدّاعي وَلا السَبَبُ

But if they seek reform and strive earnestly,

Then objection or defiance are not warranted

But if they intend reform and strive diligently,

and neither motive nor cause becomes clear to us,

The definitive texts of truth have come urging accord

Even if the motive or cause is not clear to us,

فَما يَسوغُ اِعتِراضٌ أَو مُنابَذَةٌ

فَما يَسوغُ اِعتِراضٌ أَو مُنابَذَةٌ

بِذاكَ جاءَت نُصوصُ الحَقِّ تَأتَلِبُ

بِذاكَ جاءَت نُصوصُ الحَقِّ تَأتَلِبُ

neither objection nor open defiance is permissible.

Then, blessings upon the Guide and his partisans

Then neither objection nor rebellion is permissible;

On this the texts of truth have come together.

And his Companions, as long as the clouds pour rain

With this, the texts of Truth have come in unison.

ثُمَّ الصَلاةُ على الهادي وَشيعَتِهِ

ثُمَّ الصَلاةُ على الهادي وَشيعَتِهِ

وَصَحبِهِ ما هَمى بِالوابِلِ السُحُبُ

وَصَحبِهِ ما هَمى بِالوابِلِ السُحُبُ

Then blessings upon the Guide and his followers,

Then blessings be upon the Guide and his followers,

and his Companions, as long as clouds pour down torrential rain.

And his Companions, as long as clouds pour forth heavy rain.