بديعُwondrous حُسنbeauty of امتِداحيmy praise of رُسلَthe apostles of ربّهمِtheir Lord
بديعُ حُسن امتِداحي رُسلَ ربّهمِ
براعةٌeloquence فيin افتِتاحيmy opening حَمدَpraise of بِرِّهمِtheir goodness
براعةٌ في افتِتاحي حَمدَ بِرِّهمِ
The wondrous beauty of my praise of their Lord’s apostles
is eloquence in opening with praise of their goodness.
ياO صاحِfriend صِحcry out بيto me فصَحبيfor my companions سارَdeparted رَكبُهُمُtheir caravan
يا صاحِ صِح بي فصَحبي سارَ رَكبُهُمُ
وطلَّقونيand they cast me off طليقَunrestrained المَدمَعِtears السَجِمِflowing
وطلَّقوني طليقَ المَدمَعِ السَجِمِ
O friend, cry out to me: my companions’ caravan has departed,
and they cast me off, my streaming tears set free.
ماnot إِنindeed تُلفّقُpatches ثوبَthe robe of الصبرِpatience هاbehold نَدَميmy remorse
ما إِن تُلفّقُ ثوبَ الصبرِ ها نَدَمي
منwithout دُونهِit عِندَat ماthe time when قدalready عزَّهانَgrew precious, then cheap دَميmy blood
من دُونهِ عِندَ ما قد عزَّهانَ دَمي
My remorse does not patch the robe of patience—behold,
without it, when my blood grew precious, then was held cheap.
همthey ذَيَّلونيadorned my hem بخيرٍwith goodness مُلحَقٍjoined بنَدىًto bounty
هم ذَيَّلوني بخيرٍ مُلحَقٍ بنَدىً
يُروِيquenches الصَدَىthirst وَهوَand it is وافٍcomplete وافرُabundant in القِسمِits share
يُروِي الصَدَى وَهوَ وافٍ وافرُ القِسمِ
They adorned me with a train of goodness joined to bounty
that quenches thirst, complete and plentiful in its share.
طريفُnovel تطريفِbordering of ثوبِthe robe of المجدِglory تمَّwas perfected لهمfor them
طريفُ تطريفِ ثوبِ المجدِ تمَّ لهم
فلاحَso it shone كالعَلَمlike a banner المنصوبِplanted فيon العَلَمِthe mountain
فلاحَ كالعَلَم المنصوبِ في العَلَمِ
The novel bordering of the robe of glory was perfected for them,
and shone like a banner planted on a mountain.
ماnot شَحَّwas scant سَحُّthe downpour of عطاياهمtheir gifts وصُحفُهمُand their scrolls
ما شَحَّ سَحُّ عطاياهم وصُحفُهمُ
ماnot حُرِّفتwere distorted منby أَداةthe instrument of الظُلمِinjustice والظُلَمِand darkness
ما حُرِّفت من أَداة الظُلمِ والظُلَمِ
The downpour of their gifts was never scant, and their scrolls
were not distorted by instruments of injustice and darkness.
هلhas? ضلَّgone astray منone who ظَلَّkept لفظthe wording of العَذلِblame يُولِعُهُsetting him aflame
هل ضلَّ من ظَلَّ لفظ العَذلِ يُولِعُهُ
فالقلبُso the heart منfrom لَذعthe sting of عَذلblame فاظَoverflowed بالأَلَمِwith pain
فالقلبُ من لَذع عَذل فاظَ بالأَلَمِ
Has one gone astray whom words of blame kept setting aflame?
The heart overflowed with pain from blame’s sting.
ومَعنَويُّand the meaning of كلامٍspeech قدmay يُسيءُinjure فَلاso may not
ومَعنَويُّ كلامٍ قد يُسيءُ فَلا
زالتcease being جَوارِحُهُhis limbs مأَوىa dwelling for أَخِيa brother of لخمLakhm / a shark
زالت جَوارِحُهُ مأَوى أَخِي لخم
The meaning of speech may injure; so may
his limbs remain a dwelling for a brother of Lakhm.
تنزَّهstood aloof القولُthe speech منهُfrom him عنfrom مُسالَمةٍmaking peace
تنزَّه القولُ منهُ عن مُسالَمةٍ
فخِلتُهُso I deemed him بالدناياof base deeds غيرَnot مُتَّهمsuspected
فخِلتُهُ بالدنايا غيرَ مُتَّهم
His speech stood aloof from making peace,
so I deemed him unsuspected of base deeds.
رايتُI saw هزلthe mockery of حَسُودٍa jealous man ليof me فقلتُso I said لهُto him
رايتُ هزل حَسُودٍ لي فقلتُ لهُ
بالجِدِّin earnest واO اسفاalas انif مُتُّI die بالسَقَمof sickness
بالجِدِّ وا اسفا ان مُتُّ بالسَقَم
I saw a jealous man’s mockery of me and told him,
in earnest, ‘Alas, if I die of sickness!’
غاضَebbed الوَفاءُfaithfulness فماso not تَلقاهُyou find it فيin عِدَةٍa promise
غاضَ الوَفاءُ فما تَلقاهُ في عِدَةٍ
لتستعينَto seek help بهِfrom it فيagainst الحادثthe calamity الحَطِمcrushing
لتستعينَ بهِ في الحادث الحَطِم
Faithfulness has ebbed: you cannot find it in a promise
to enlist its aid against a crushing calamity.
لولاwere it not for امتِداحيmy praise of الأُناسَthe people الأَرذلِينَbasest لَمَاI would not
لولا امتِداحي الأُناسَ الأَرذلِينَ لَمَا
فصَّلتُhave tailored ثوبَthe robe of الهِجاsatire يوماًever لذَمِّهمِto condemn them
فصَّلتُ ثوبَ الهِجا يوماً لذَمِّهمِ
Had I not praised the basest people, I would never
have tailored the robe of satire to condemn them.
قابلتُهمI met them بالوَفاwith faithfulness معwhile حِفظِpreserving ذِمَّتِهِمtheir covenant
قابلتُهم بالوَفا مع حِفظِ ذِمَّتِهِم
فأَدبَرواso they turned away بالجَفاwith estrangement والنَكثِand breaking للذِمَمِcovenants
فأَدبَروا بالجَفا والنَكثِ للذِمَمِ
I met them faithfully, preserving their covenant,
but they turned away with estrangement and broken pledges.
والأَمنُand trust وَلَّدproduced ليfor me منfrom أَصدِقايَmy friends عَناًhardship
والأَمنُ وَلَّد لي من أَصدِقايَ عَناً
ومنand from أَعاديَّmy enemies لمnot آمَنI felt safe فلمso not أُضَمِI was wronged
ومن أَعاديَّ لم آمَن فلم أُضَمِ
Trust in my friends brought me hardship,
while I distrusted my enemies and suffered no wrong.
طَيٌّconcealment ونشرٌand divulgence وكُفرانٌand ingratitude لهمtheirs وَوَغىًand war
طَيٌّ ونشرٌ وكُفرانٌ لهم وَوَغىً
للخيرِfor goodness والشرِّand evil والنَعماءِand blessings والسَلَمِand peace
للخيرِ والشرِّ والنَعماءِ والسَلَمِ
They have concealment, divulgence, ingratitude, and war
for goodness, evil, blessings, and peace.
واللَهُand God اهملهمneglected them عدلاًjustly وأَمهَلَمand granted them respite
واللَهُ اهملهم عدلاً وأَمهَلَم
والسُوءُand evil سَحَّpoured down لهمupon them كالهاطلlike pouring rain العَرِمِviolent
والسُوءُ سَحَّ لهم كالهاطل العَرِمِ
God neglected them justly and granted them respite,
while evil poured upon them like a violent downpour.
فيin مَعرِضthe guise of المدحpraise ذمٌّblame قدmay يَحِقُّbe deserved لهمby them
في مَعرِض المدح ذمٌّ قد يَحِقُّ لهم
الصابرينَthose enduring علىthrough الأَهوالِterrors كالنِعمas blessings
الصابرينَ على الأَهوالِ كالنِعم
In the guise of praise, blame may rightly be theirs:
those who endure terrors as they do blessings.
حازواthey earned التهكُّمmockery إذwhen رامواthey sought مُفاخَرةًboasting
حازوا التهكُّم إذ راموا مُفاخَرةً
فقلتُso I said انتمyou are أُولوpossessors of الإِجلالgrandeur والحُرَمand sanctity
فقلتُ انتم أُولو الإِجلال والحُرَم
They earned mockery when they sought to boast,
so I said, ‘You possess grandeur and sanctity.’
وانand indeed ايضاًalso صَلاتيmy prayer فيis for مَسَرَّتهمtheir happiness
وان ايضاً صَلاتي في مَسَرَّتهم
هذاthis اقتباسُborrows from كِتابthe book of السيِّدِthe Lord العَلَمِillustrious
هذا اقتباسُ كِتاب السيِّدِ العَلَمِ
And indeed my prayer, too, is for their happiness:
this borrows from the book of the illustrious Lord.
كلٌّeveryone مولٍّturning away ولاand no والٍgovernor ولوeven if ملكٌa king
كلٌّ مولٍّ ولا والٍ ولو ملكٌ
ويستويand remains alike الكلthe whole مقلوباًreversed إلىdown to الرُجَمِthe grave-mounds
ويستوي الكل مقلوباً إلى الرُجَمِ
Everyone turns away; none governs, even a king.
All remains the same when reversed, down to the grave-mounds.
قولاًa statement بمُوجَبهِwarranted by it قالواthey said نراكَwe see you لقدindeed
قولاً بمُوجَبهِ قالوا نراكَ لقد
رَغِبتَturned away قلتُI said بَلَىyes أَيthat is عنfrom وِدادِهِمloving them
رَغِبتَ قلتُ بَلَى أَي عن وِدادِهِم
In words warranted by that, they said, ‘We see you have indeed
turned away.’ I said, ‘Yes—that is, from loving them.’
قالواthey said ارتجعreturn قُلتُI said هلis there? ليfor me منany مُراجَعةٍreturn
قالوا ارتجع قُلتُ هل لي من مُراجَعةٍ
قالواthey said اعتَذِرapologize قلتُI said بعضُsome العُذرِexcuses لمnot يَقُمِstood
قالوا اعتَذِر قلتُ بعضُ العُذرِ لم يَقُمِ
They said, ‘Return.’ I said, ‘Is there any return for me?’
They said, ‘Apologize.’ I said, ‘Some excuses do not stand.’
تغزُّليmy love-verse بالهَوىabout passion والإِفتِتانُand infatuation بهِwith it
تغزُّلي بالهَوى والإِفتِتانُ بهِ
أَصبحتُI came to منهُbecause of it أُناديcry out آهِah واسَدَميO my sorrow
أَصبحتُ منهُ أُنادي آهِ واسَدَمي
My love-verse about passion and my infatuation with it
have left me crying, ‘Ah! O my sorrow!’
لوif أَنَّindeed تسليمsurrendering رُوحيmy soul فيwere in يديmy hands قَسَماًI swear
لو أَنَّ تسليم رُوحي في يدي قَسَماً
سلَّمتهاI would surrender it قبلbefore انthat أُلقَىI am cast منfrom الرَحِمthe womb
سلَّمتها قبل ان أُلقَى من الرَحِم
If surrendering my soul were in my hands, I swear,
I would have surrendered it before being cast from the womb.
وراحتيand my palm استُخدِمَتwas put to service منيfrom me فحُزتُso I gained عَناًhardship
وراحتي استُخدِمَت مني فحُزتُ عَناً
لكنbut غدتit became مَورداًa watering place يرويquenching فؤادthe heart of ظَمِيa thirsty one
لكن غدت مَورداً يروي فؤاد ظَمِي
My palm was put to service, and I gained hardship,
yet it became a watering place that quenches a thirsty heart.
وكمand how often نُدِبتُI was summoned إلىto فرضa duty فاوهَمَنيand troubled me
وكم نُدِبتُ إلى فرض فاوهَمَني
حُزنيmy grief لانيbecause I بعبءِwith the burden of الفَرضduty لمnot أَقُمfulfilled it
حُزني لاني بعبءِ الفَرض لم أَقُم
How often I was summoned to a duty, and was troubled
by grief because I had not shouldered its burden.
اعاتبI rebuke النفسthe soul علَّperhaps العَتبَreproach يَعطِفُهاwill turn it back
اعاتب النفس علَّ العَتبَ يَعطِفُها
كفاكَenough for you جَهلاًignorance وشيبيand my gray hair بالغُhas reached الحُلُمِmaturity
كفاكَ جَهلاً وشيبي بالغُ الحُلُمِ
I rebuke my soul, hoping reproach will turn it back:
‘Enough ignorance: my gray hair has reached maturity.’
نِيرانُthe fires of شَهوتهاits desire الشُنعىhideous مُذُsince استَعَرَتblazed up
نِيرانُ شَهوتها الشُنعى مُذُ استَعَرَت
اذوَتwithered غُروسَthe plantings of التُقَىpiety منfrom روضهِits garden العَمِluxuriant
اذوَت غُروسَ التُقَى من روضهِ العَمِ
Ever since the fires of its hideous desire blazed up,
they have withered piety’s plantings in its luxuriant garden.
وعاذلٍand a reprover رامَsought عذليto blame me فيthrough مُؤارَبةٍequivocation
وعاذلٍ رامَ عذلي في مُؤارَبةٍ
ياO غادراًtreacherous one كُفَّcease عنfrom لَومٍblame وعنand from تُهَمِaccusations
يا غادراً كُفَّ عن لَومٍ وعن تُهَمِ
And a reprover sought to blame me through equivocation:
‘O treacherous one, cease blaming and accusing!
طرحتَyou cast نُصحَكَyour counsel فيinto إِبهامthe obscurity of قولكyour words ليto me
طرحتَ نُصحَكَ في إِبهام قولك لي
ياO ليتَwould that يُطرَحُwere cast مناfrom us الضِدُّthe adversary للعَدَمِinto nothingness
يا ليتَ يُطرَحُ منا الضِدُّ للعَدَمِ
You cast your counsel into the obscurity of your words to me.
Would that our adversary were cast into nothingness!’
حُسنَa graceful التخلصescape ابغيI seek منfrom أَذاكyour harm بمَنthrough him who
حُسنَ التخلص ابغي من أَذاك بمَن
أَبرَىhealed الزَمِينَthe chronically infirm وأَحيىand revived دارسَdecayed الرِمَمِremains
أَبرَى الزَمِينَ وأَحيى دارسَ الرِمَمِ
I seek a graceful escape from your harm through him
who healed the chronically infirm and revived decayed remains.
يسوعُJesus بالروحِin spirit إِبنُthe Son of اللَهِGod مطرداًwithout exception
يسوعُ بالروحِ إِبنُ اللَهِ مطرداً
وَهوَand he is ابنُthe son of داودَDavid وابرهيمَand Abraham بالجسمِin the flesh
وَهوَ ابنُ داودَ وابرهيمَ بالجسمِ
Jesus is, in spirit, the Son of God without exception,
and in the flesh the son of David and Abraham:
شخصٌone person بطبعَينِwith two natures والتفسيرُand the explanation يُوضِحُهُmakes it clear
شخصٌ بطبعَينِ والتفسيرُ يُوضِحُهُ
طبعٌa nature بسيطٌsimple وطبعٌand a nature قابلsusceptible to الأَلَمِpain
طبعٌ بسيطٌ وطبعٌ قابل الأَلَمِ
one person with two natures, as explanation makes clear—
a simple nature and a nature susceptible to pain.
كلُّall الكَمالِperfection كَمالُthe perfection of الكلِّall نِيطَwas attached بهِto him
كلُّ الكَمالِ كَمالُ الكلِّ نِيطَ بهِ
ياO عكسَreverse of قومٍpeople امالواwho turned away عنfrom كمالهمَtheir perfection
يا عكسَ قومٍ امالوا عن كمالهمَ
All perfection, the perfection of all, was attached to him.
O reverse of people who turned away from their perfection!
كرِّرrepeat طِلابَseeking نَدَىthe bounty of المستَوهَبِthe one asked for النِعَمblessings
كرِّر طِلابَ نَدَى المستَوهَبِ النِعَم
ياO عكسَreverse of قومٍpeople امالواwho turned away عنfrom كمالهمَtheir perfection
يا عكسَ قومٍ امالوا عن كمالهمَ
Seek repeatedly the bounty of him from whom blessings are asked.
O reverse of people who turned away from their perfection!
لولاهُwithout him لمnot ينفتحwould open بابُthe gate of السَمَاءِheaven لناto us
لولاهُ لم ينفتح بابُ السَمَاءِ لنا
ذاthis مذهبيmy doctrine فيin كلاميmy speech فافتهمso understand كَلِميmy words
ذا مذهبي في كلامي فافتهم كَلِمي
Without him, heaven’s gate would not have opened to us.
This is my doctrine in my speech: understand my words.
بَرَاcreated العناصرَthe elements والأَفلاكَand the celestial spheres فيin رُتَبٍranks
بَرَا العناصرَ والأَفلاكَ في رُتَبٍ
والشُهبَand the stars والخَلقَand creation بالترتيبِin order منfrom قِدَمِancient time
والشُهبَ والخَلقَ بالترتيبِ من قِدَمِ
He created the elements and the celestial spheres in ranks,
and the stars and creation in order from ancient time.
قدindeed وشحadorned الكونَthe universe طُرّاًentirely يومَon the day of مَولِدِهِhis birth
قد وشح الكونَ طُرّاً يومَ مَولِدِهِ
بخِلعةِwith the robe of الأَحمَدَينِthe two most praiseworthy الجذلjoy والسلمِand peace
بخِلعةِ الأَحمَدَينِ الجذل والسلمِ
On the day of his birth he adorned the whole universe
with the robe of the two most praiseworthy things: joy and peace.
واودعَand entrusted الناسَpeople حُسنَthe beauty of الأَمنِsecurity حيثُso that غداit became
واودعَ الناسَ حُسنَ الأَمنِ حيثُ غدا
فيunder عَدلِهِhis justice الذئبُthe wolf قدindeed يَرَعىmay graze معwith الغَنَمِsheep
في عَدلِهِ الذئبُ قد يَرَعى مع الغَنَمِ
He entrusted people with beautiful security, so that
under his justice the wolf might graze with sheep.
فماso no لِماfor what ضُمِّنَwas endowed with ابنُthe Son of اللَهِGod منof عِظَمٍgreatness
فما لِما ضُمِّنَ ابنُ اللَهِ من عِظَمٍ
حَدٌّlimit فيُعرِبَthat he might express عنهُit ناطقٌa speaker بفمِwith a mouth
حَدٌّ فيُعرِبَ عنهُ ناطقٌ بفمِ
The greatness contained in the Son of God has no
limit that a speaker could express with his mouth.
تمثيلthe example of اقوالهِhis words والفعلِand deeds أَنشَطَناspurred us
تمثيل اقوالهِ والفعلِ أَنشَطَنا
والخيلُand horses تُنشَطare spurred بالمِهمازِby the spur واللُجُمِand bridles
والخيلُ تُنشَط بالمِهمازِ واللُجُمِ
The example of his words and deeds spurred us on,
as horses are spurred by the spur and bridles.
يسوعJesus حَسبَaccording to اسمِهِhis name بالإِتفاقin agreement أَتَىperformed
يسوع حَسبَ اسمِهِ بالإِتفاق أَتَى
بهِit فخلَّصَناand saved us منfrom رِيبةَthe suspicion of الأَضمِhidden rancor
بهِ فخلَّصَنا من رِيبةَ الأَضمِ
Jesus, in agreement with his name, performed
its meaning, saving us from the suspicion of hidden rancor.
اسمٌa name وفعلٌand a deed لمعنىًin a meaning فيهماshared by both اتَّفقاagreed
اسمٌ وفعلٌ لمعنىً فيهما اتَّفقا
إِسمٌa name قدindeed اشتقَّwas derived منfrom فعلٍa deed ومنهُand from it سُمِيwas named
إِسمٌ قد اشتقَّ من فعلٍ ومنهُ سُمِي
A name and a deed agreed in a meaning shared by both:
a name derived from a deed, from which he was named.
كلُّall الوجودِexistence بهin him اجزاؤُهُits parts انحصرتwere encompassed
كلُّ الوجودِ به اجزاؤُهُ انحصرت
كيso that تُلحِقَmight ascribe المجدglory فيهِto him سائرَall النَسَمِliving souls
كي تُلحِقَ المجد فيهِ سائرَ النَسَمِ
All existence, with all its parts, was encompassed in him,
so that every living soul might ascribe glory to him.
لهُto him السماواتُthe heavens والأَرضُونَand the earths خاضعةٌare subject
لهُ السماواتُ والأَرضُونَ خاضعةٌ
أَوجِزbe brief وقُلand say كُلُّهاall of them تعنوbow لمحتكمِto a sovereign
أَوجِز وقُل كُلُّها تعنو لمحتكمِ
The heavens and the earths are subject to him.
Be brief and say: all bow to their sovereign.
بسيطthe simplicity of جوهرِهِhis essence القُدسيّholy فيin عِظَمٍgreatness
بسيط جوهرِهِ القُدسيّ في عِظَمٍ
يَجِلُّtranscends عنbeyond عَرَضan accident اوor دركthe grasp of مفتهمِan understanding person
يَجِلُّ عن عَرَض او درك مفتهمِ
The simplicity of his holy essence possesses a greatness
beyond accident or the grasp of any understanding mind.
موزعdistributor of النِعَمblessings العَلياءِexalted مطِّلِعاًwatching
موزع النِعَم العَلياءِ مطِّلِعاً
علىover العبادthe servants عليماًknowing عينَthe very essence of عقلهمtheir understanding
على العباد عليماً عينَ عقلهم
He distributes exalted blessings, watching
over his servants, knowing their very understanding.
يجزيrewards المُسيءَthe wrongdoer أَسىًwith sorrow والمُحسِنينَand the good-doers نَدىًwith bounty
يجزي المُسيءَ أَسىً والمُحسِنينَ نَدىً
مُشاكلاًmatching صُنعَهمtheir deeds عدلاًjustly دماًblood بدمِfor blood
مُشاكلاً صُنعَهم عدلاً دماً بدمِ
He rewards the wrongdoer with sorrow and the good with bounty,
matching their deeds justly, blood for blood.
مَولىa Lord هوhe is الوَترُthe One لاno شَفعٌsecond يشاركُهُshares with him
مَولى هو الوَترُ لا شَفعٌ يشاركُهُ
هُوَhe is المُهَيمِنُthe Guardian ربُّthe Lord of الخَلقِcreation كلهمِall of them
هُوَ المُهَيمِنُ ربُّ الخَلقِ كلهمِ
A Lord who is the One: no second shares with him.
He is the Guardian, Lord of all creation.
قدindeed يُوجبُgrants الخيرَgoodness فضلاًgraciously ليسَnot يسلبهُtakes it away
قد يُوجبُ الخيرَ فضلاً ليسَ يسلبهُ
ويسلُبُand takes from المرءَthe person ماwhat يُغريهِentices him بالاثمِto sin
ويسلُبُ المرءَ ما يُغريهِ بالاثمِ
He grants goodness graciously, not taking it away,
but takes from a person what entices him to sin.
ايجابُbestowing أَنعُمهِhis blessings لنwill not يَنتفيcease ابداًever
ايجابُ أَنعُمهِ لن يَنتفي ابداً
ولمand not تُعوَّدwere accustomed to يداهُhis hands صَفقَةَthe clap of النَدَمِregret
ولم تُعوَّد يداهُ صَفقَةَ النَدَمِ
His bestowal of blessings will never cease,
and his hands have never learned the clap of regret.
لاno عيبَfault فيهِin him سِوَىexcept إِفراطthe excess of رحمتهِhis mercy
لا عيبَ فيهِ سِوَى إِفراط رحمتهِ
ذمٌّblame بمعرِضin the guise of مدحpraise الفائضthe one overflowing with الدِيَمِlasting rains
ذمٌّ بمعرِض مدح الفائض الدِيَمِ
He has no fault except an excess of mercy:
blame in the guise of praise for one overflowing with lasting rain.
ياO صاحfriend قِفstand باحتراسcautiously ضِمنَwithin حضرتهِhis presence
يا صاح قِف باحتراس ضِمنَ حضرتهِ
وسَلand ask بكلّwith every احترامٍrespect فضلَthe bounty of مُحترَمِa revered one
وسَل بكلّ احترامٍ فضلَ مُحترَمِ
O friend, stand cautiously within his presence,
and ask with every respect for the bounty of the revered one.
سُمseek لُذtake refuge أَبجmake available دُمendure أَرِحrelieve عَفshun كُفَّdesist خَلِّrelease أَطِعobey
سُم لُذ أَبج دُم أَرِح عَف كُفَّ خَلِّ أَطِع
فِقawaken ثِقtrust أَنِلbestow وَشِّembroider فوفstripe ذُرُّscatter لَذَّdelight عِمِbe well
فِق ثِق أَنِل وَشِّ فوف ذُرُّ لَذَّ عِمِ
Seek; take refuge; make available; endure; relieve; shun; desist; release; obey.
Awaken; trust; bestow; embroider; stripe; scatter; delight; be well.
سَلامتيmy safety باختِراعيthrough my devising حُسنَthe beauty of مدحتِهِhis praise
سَلامتي باختِراعي حُسنَ مدحتِهِ
بهاthrough it فيmy mouth يَتَبارىvies معwith فمthe mouth of القَلَمِthe pen
بها في يَتَبارى مع فم القَلَمِ
My safety lies in devising beautiful praise of him;
through it my mouth vies with the pen’s mouth.
تطريزُthe embroidery of مدحpraise of الهِthe God of الخلقِcreation منتظمٌwell ordered
تطريزُ مدح الهِ الخلقِ منتظمٌ
ياO حُسنَthe beauty of مُنتظِمٍa composition فيabout خيرِthe best مُنتظِمone composed about
يا حُسنَ مُنتظِمٍ في خيرِ مُنتظِم
The embroidery of praise for creation’s God is well ordered:
how beautiful a composition about the best one to praise!
نوادرُrare wonders of السجِan unclear term قدindeed حيَّتهُhailed him منfrom أَكَمٍhills
نوادرُ السجِ قد حيَّتهُ من أَكَمٍ
دانتbowed لأَنbecause طُبِعَتwere imprinted منby أَخمَصthe sole of القَدَمthe foot
دانت لأَن طُبِعَت من أَخمَص القَدَم
Rare wonders of an unclear kind hailed him from hills
that bowed because they were imprinted by the sole of his foot.
نونٌa great fish ليُونانَfor Jonah لماwhen كانit was ملتقماًswallowing
نونٌ ليُونانَ لما كان ملتقماً
تلميحُan allusion مثواهُhis lodging قبرٌa tomb ضيِّقُnarrow in الأُطُمِwalls
تلميحُ مثواهُ قبرٌ ضيِّقُ الأُطُمِ
A great fish swallowed Jonah:
an allusion—his lodging was a tomb with narrow walls.
تسهيمُthe apportioning of رحمتهِhis mercy قدindeed ضَمَّembraced فِتيتهُhis young men
تسهيمُ رحمتهِ قد ضَمَّ فِتيتهُ
ضِمنَwithin اللَظىthe blaze فارتَعَواso they enjoyed فيin coolness باردٍrefreshing coldness virtually synonymous with coolness (shabim) rendered as refreshing here: refreshing coldness / intensely cold; concise: refreshing coldness شَبِمِrefreshingly cold
ضِمنَ اللَظى فارتَعَوا في باردٍ شَبِمِ
The apportioning of his mercy embraced his young men
within the blaze, where they enjoyed refreshing coolness.
منamong الفرائدunique wonders لماwhen شِيمَhe was seen ممتطياًriding
من الفرائد لما شِيمَ ممتطياً
مهروزةَa mount of (uncertain) النُورlight لاnot مهروزةَa mount of (uncertain) الضَرَمِflame
مهروزةَ النُور لا مهروزةَ الضَرَمِ
Among the unique wonders, when he was seen riding
a mount of light, not a mount of flame.
لاmay not كانَbe حُبُّكyour love قِسميmy portion فيamong البريَّةِhumankind انif
لا كانَ حُبُّك قِسمي في البريَّةِ ان
ناكثتُI break عهديmy covenant بهِwith it اوor خُنتُbetray فيin قَسَميmy oath
ناكثتُ عهدي بهِ او خُنتُ في قَسَمي
May your love not be my portion among humankind if
I break my covenant with it or betray my oath.
رجعتُI turned away عنfrom كلall ماthat أَهوَىI desire ولستُand I do not أَرَىsee
رجعتُ عن كل ما أَهوَى ولستُ أَرَى
ليfor me منany رجوعٍturning away عنfrom الإِيمانfaith والذِمَمِand covenants
لي من رجوعٍ عن الإِيمان والذِمَمِ
I turned away from everything I desired, but I see
no turning away for me from faith and covenants.
سجلتَyou recorded ليfor me الصَفحَforgiveness إِمَّاif تُبتُI repented عنof غَلَطيmy error
سجلتَ لي الصَفحَ إِمَّا تُبتُ عن غَلَطي
هبsuppose أَنَّنيthat I تُبتُrepented فاصفَحso pardon عنaway أَذىthe harm of جُرُميmy crime
هب أَنَّني تُبتُ فاصفَح عن أَذى جُرُمي
You recorded forgiveness for me if I repented of my error.
Suppose I have repented: pardon the harm of my crime.
يسوعُJesus مريمُMary يوسفJoseph ابرعواexcel in fulfilling طلبيmy petition
يسوعُ مريمُ يوسف ابرعوا طلبي
أناI am الفقيرُthe poor one وانتمand you are منهلُthe fountain of الكَرَمِgenerosity
أنا الفقيرُ وانتم منهلُ الكَرَمِ
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, excel in fulfilling my petition:
I am poor, and you are the fountain of generosity.
ثالوثُa trinity of أرضearth كثالوثِlike the Trinity of السَماءِheaven فقلso say
ثالوثُ أرض كثالوثِ السَماءِ فقل
تشبيهa comparison of شيئينtwo things فيwith شيئينtwo things للعِظَمِin greatness
تشبيه شيئين في شيئين للعِظَمِ
An earthly trinity like heaven’s Trinity: call it
a comparison of two things with two things in greatness.
بالغيثwith rain قدindeed أشرعواthey opened إيمانهمtheir faith فهَمَتso it poured
بالغيث قد أشرعوا إيمانهم فهَمَت
فضلاًgrace وكمand how often اسرعواthey hastened فيin غَوثِhelping منعدمِa destitute one
فضلاً وكم اسرعوا في غَوثِ منعدمِ
With rain they opened their faith, and it poured down
grace; how often they hastened to help the destitute!
بهمthrough them يَرُدُّdrives back فَتىًa youth النِفاقِhypocrisy علىupon
بهم يَرُدُّ فَتىً النِفاقِ على
أعجازهِits haunches انif أَتَىhe comes مستلئِماًarmored بهمِin them
أعجازهِ ان أَتَى مستلئِماً بهمِ
Through them a youth drives hypocrisy back upon
its haunches, if he comes armored in them.
لزومthe obligation of مدحِهمِpraising them قدindeed صارَbecame مُلتَزِميmy commitment
لزوم مدحِهمِ قد صارَ مُلتَزِمي
إذfor كانwas حُبُّهُمloving them فيamong الناسpeople منone of لَزَميmy obligations
إذ كان حُبُّهُم في الناس من لَزَمي
The obligation to praise them has become my commitment,
for loving them among people is one of my obligations.
والقلبُand the heart هامَyearned بهِمfor them وجداًin ardor فقُلتُso I said لهُto it
والقلبُ هامَ بهِم وجداً فقُلتُ لهُ
هلwill? تكتفيyou be content بالسِوَىwith others عنهمinstead of them فقالَso it said لَمِno
هل تكتفي بالسِوَى عنهم فقالَ لَمِ
My heart yearned for them in ardor, and I asked it,
‘Will you be content with others instead?’ It said, ‘No.’
تمكنَtook hold الحُبُّlove فيin قلبيmy heart وزِدتَand you increased هَوىًin passion
تمكنَ الحُبُّ في قلبي وزِدتَ هَوىً
بمدحهِthrough its praise of الرُسلthe apostles نُورthe light of العُربArabs والعَجَمِand non-Arabs
بمدحهِ الرُسل نُور العُرب والعَجَمِ
Love took hold of my heart, and you grew in passion
through its praise of the apostles, light of Arabs and non-Arabs.
وظَلتُand I kept أَنثُرُscattering دمعيmy tears فيin مدائحهمtheir praises
وظَلتُ أَنثُرُ دمعي في مدائحهم
فرُحتُso I passed ماwhile بينَbetween هَطَّالٍpouring ومنسجمِand flowing
فرُحتُ ما بينَ هَطَّالٍ ومنسجمِ
I kept scattering my tears in praises of them,
and passed between pouring and flowing.
اهلُpeople of السَناءِsplendor بِهِمthrough them نِلناwe attained السَناءَsplendor وترand repetition (beginning)
اهلُ السَناءِ بِهِم نِلنا السَناءَ وتر
ديدُrepetition (continuation) السَناءِof splendor اليهمto them منamong صِفاتهمِtheir qualities
ديدُ السَناءِ اليهم من صِفاتهمِ
People of splendor: through them we gained splendor; the repetition
of splendor in speaking of them is among their qualities.
ماnot الزَهرُflowers والزُهرُand stars انif فاحتthey are fragrant وانand if لمعتthey shine
ما الزَهرُ والزُهرُ ان فاحت وان لمعت
يوماًever بأَحسَنَfiner منthan تفريعthe branching of عِلمهمِtheir knowledge
يوماً بأَحسَنَ من تفريع عِلمهمِ
Neither flowers nor stars, whether fragrant or shining,
are ever finer than the branching of their knowledge.
سادواthey ruled بحَزمٍwith prudence وحِلمٍand forbearance عنfrom حِجىًreason ونُهىًand understanding
سادوا بحَزمٍ وحِلمٍ عن حِجىً ونُهىً
بهِwith it يديmy hand ونديand my bounty تعديدthe recounting of وصفهمِtheir qualities
بهِ يدي وندي تعديد وصفهمِ
They ruled with prudence and forbearance, born of reason and understanding.
With it, my hand and my bounty recount their qualities.
كمhow often أبدعواthey perfected فصلَthe distinction of فضلexcellence منthrough تُقىًpiety ونَقىًand purity
كم أبدعوا فصلَ فضل من تُقىً ونَقىً
واشرعواand legislated اوor رَعَواtended بالحُكمthrough judgment والحِكَمِand wisdom
واشرعوا او رَعَوا بالحُكم والحِكَمِ
How wondrously they distinguished excellence through piety and purity,
and legislated, or tended, through judgment and wisdom!
نَجِلُّwe deem sublime عنbeyond مَثلٍcomparison أَوصافهمtheir qualities فهُمُfor they
نَجِلُّ عن مَثلٍ أَوصافهم فهُمُ
بالفضلِin excellence أَشهَرُmore renowned منthan نارٍa fire علىupon عَلَمِa mountain
بالفضلِ أَشهَرُ من نارٍ على عَلَمِ
We deem their qualities beyond comparison; they are
more renowned for excellence than a fire upon a mountain.
افعالهمtheir deeds سَلِمَتwere free منfrom عِلَّةٍa defect فنَحَواso they sought
افعالهم سَلِمَت من عِلَّةٍ فنَحَوا
توجيههاdirecting them للعُلَىtoward the heights قبلَbefore انصِرافهمِtheir departure
توجيهها للعُلَى قبلَ انصِرافهمِ
Their deeds were free of defect, and they sought
to direct them toward the heights before their departure.
بشرعthrough a law of فضلٍexcellence وأَحكامٍand rulings وفَرضِand the dictates of حِجىًreason
بشرع فضلٍ وأَحكامٍ وفَرضِ حِجىً
راعواthey observed النظيرَthe corresponding thing سَنُّوهُestablished it منthrough حِكَمِwisdom
راعوا النظيرَ سَنُّوهُ من حِكَمِ
Through excellent law, rulings, and the dictates of reason,
they observed corresponding things, establishing them through wisdom.
بُروجُconstellations of دِينٍreligion وشمسُand the sun of الحقّtruth دائرةٌrevolving
بُروجُ دِينٍ وشمسُ الحقّ دائرةٌ
فيهمamong them فممتنعٌso impossible تشبيهُcomparison with قَدرهمِtheir worth
فيهم فممتنعٌ تشبيهُ قَدرهمِ
They are religion’s constellations, and the sun of truth revolves
among them: comparison with their worth is impossible.
باريthe Maker of الكواكبِthe stars والأَفلاكِand celestial spheres همthey عَبَدُواworshipped
باري الكواكبِ والأَفلاكِ هم عَبَدُوا
نِكتpointed remarks علىagainst منthose who نَحَوهاdirected toward them فيin سُجودهمِtheir prostration
نِكت على من نَحَوها في سُجودهمِ
They worshipped the Maker of the stars and celestial spheres:
a pointed rebuke to those who directed their prostration toward them.
همthey are السَماءُthe heavens اذاعواthey proclaimed مجدَthe glory of خالِقِهمtheir Creator
هم السَماءُ اذاعوا مجدَ خالِقِهم
بنغمةٍin a melody بلغتthat reached آذانthe ears of ذيone with الصَمَمِdeafness
بنغمةٍ بلغت آذان ذي الصَمَمِ
They are the heavens, proclaiming their Creator’s glory
in a melody that reached even a deaf person’s ears.
لوif أَنَّهمthey آثرواchose إِغراقto drown حاسدهمtheir envier
لو أَنَّهم آثروا إِغراق حاسدهم
لغَرَّقوهُthey would drown him بسَحٍّin a downpour منfrom بَنانِهمِtheir fingers
لغَرَّقوهُ بسَحٍّ من بَنانِهمِ
Had they chosen to drown their envier,
they would have drowned him in a downpour from their fingers.
كمhow often ارهبواthey inspired awe بعِظاتٍwith admonitions لاno غُلُوَّexaggeration بهاin them
كم ارهبوا بعِظاتٍ لا غُلُوَّ بها
تكادُalmost تُوجَمُare struck speechless منهاby them الأُسدُthe lions فيin الأَجَمِthe thickets
تكادُ تُوجَمُ منها الأُسدُ في الأَجَمِ
How often their admonitions inspired awe without exaggeration:
the lions in the thickets are almost struck speechless by them.
والمرءُand a person انif لمnot تُفِدconvey اقوالُهُhis words حِكَماًwisdom
والمرءُ ان لم تُفِد اقوالُهُ حِكَماً
فكلُّthen all جمعgathering of كَلامٍspeech منهُfrom him كالكَلِمِis like wounds
فكلُّ جمع كَلامٍ منهُ كالكَلِمِ
If a person’s words convey no wisdom,
all the speech he gathers is like wounds.
ومنand from اشارتهمtheir signal بالتوبةِto repentance انصَدَعَتwere rent
ومن اشارتهم بالتوبةِ انصَدَعَت
بهاby it القُلوبُthe hearts لأَنbecause فاظتthey overflowed منwith النَدَمِremorse
بها القُلوبُ لأَن فاظت من النَدَمِ
And at their signal to repent, there were rent
hearts, because they overflowed with remorse.
ترادفتfollowed one another نِعَمُthe blessings of الرحمنِthe Merciful وانسَكَبَتand poured down
ترادفت نِعَمُ الرحمنِ وانسَكَبَت
عليهِمِupon them حيثُwhere مأوَىthe dwelling of النُطقspeech والفَهَمِand understanding
عليهِمِ حيثُ مأوَى النُطق والفَهَمِ
The Merciful’s blessings followed one another and poured down
upon them, where speech and understanding dwell.
توشحواthey clothed themselves in اللَهGod لمَّاwhen إِنَّهمthey خلعواcast off
توشحوا اللَه لمَّا إِنَّهم خلعوا
ثوبَthe robe of الوُجودِexistence وأَلقوهand flung it إلىinto العَدَمِnothingness
ثوبَ الوُجودِ وأَلقوه إلى العَدَمِ
They clothed themselves in God when they cast off
the robe of existence and flung it into nothingness.
والروحُand the Spirit رشحهمmarked them للطُهرِfor purity حينwhen أُرِيit appeared
والروحُ رشحهم للطُهرِ حين أُرِي
كأَلسُنِlike tongues of النارِfire مبعوثاًsent لسبكهمِto refine them
كأَلسُنِ النارِ مبعوثاً لسبكهمِ
The Spirit marked them for purity when it appeared
like tongues of fire, sent to refine them.
تجردواthey devoted themselves للمعاليto lofty things عندat ماthe time when نبذواthey abandoned
تجردوا للمعالي عند ما نبذوا
واديthe vale of المدامعtears ترويwatering صَبغةthe dye of العَنَمِthe red ʿanam plant
وادي المدامع تروي صَبغة العَنَمِ
They devoted themselves to lofty things when they abandoned
the vale of tears, whose flow feeds the red dye of the ʿanam.
قدindeed تممواthey completed كلevery سعيٍendeavor فيin بشارتهمtheir good tidings
قد تمموا كل سعيٍ في بشارتهم
بكلِّin every قُطرٍregion بلاwithout عَجزٍweakness ولاand no سَأَمِweariness
بكلِّ قُطرٍ بلا عَجزٍ ولا سَأَمِ
They completed every endeavor in proclaiming their good tidings
in every region, without weakness or weariness.
وماand no بتكميلهمin their perfecting نقصٌdeficiency إذاsince اكتملواthey became complete
وما بتكميلهم نقصٌ إذا اكتملوا
بعِصمةٍthrough protection نُزِّهواthey were kept pure فيهاwithin it عنfrom الوصمِblemish
بعِصمةٍ نُزِّهوا فيها عن الوصمِ
Their perfecting contains no deficiency, since they were made complete
through protection that kept them free of blemish.
سارواthey traveled علىupon ثَكَمِthe highway of التَقوىpiety وماand not التفتواturned aside
ساروا على ثَكَمِ التَقوى وما التفتوا
عنهاfrom it فياso O قلبُheart لِمwhy لَمnot تلتحِقyou joined بهمِthem
عنها فيا قلبُ لِم لَم تلتحِق بهمِ
They traveled piety’s highway and never turned
away from it: O heart, why have you not joined them?
واستطردواand pressed onward with نُجُبَthe noble mounts of البَشراءِgood tidings عنfrom هِمَمٍaspirations
واستطردوا نُجُبَ البَشراءِ عن هِمَمٍ
توقَّدتblazed مثلَlike أَحشائيmy inward parts بحُبِّهِمِwith love for them
توقَّدت مثلَ أَحشائي بحُبِّهِمِ
They pressed onward with the noble mounts of glad tidings, with aspirations
that blazed like my inward parts with love for them.
واوغلواand journeyed deeply بالسُرَىby night فيinto كلevery باديةٍwilderness
واوغلوا بالسُرَى في كل باديةٍ
بأَينُقِon she-camels of العزمresolve لاnot بالأَينُقِon she-camels الرُسُمِswift-paced
بأَينُقِ العزم لا بالأَينُقِ الرُسُمِ
They journeyed deep into every wilderness by night,
on she-camels of resolve, not swift-paced she-camels.
مستتبعينmaking follow الهُدَىguidance فيضَthe flood of النَدَىbounty بيَدَيthrough the two hands of
مستتبعين الهُدَى فيضَ النَدَى بيَدَي
مَكارمٍnoble deeds بَذَلُوهاthey bestowed بَذلَlike bestowing نفسهمِtheir own lives
مَكارمٍ بَذَلُوها بَذلَ نفسهمِ
Making guidance bring a flood of bounty, through the two hands of
noble deeds they bestowed as freely as their own lives.
كمhow often اذهبواthey removed فيamong الوَرَىhumankind تصريعthe fits of ذيone with لَمَمِaffliction
كم اذهبوا في الوَرَى تصريع ذي لَمَمِ
واطلَقُواand freed أَلسُناًtongues منfrom رِبقةِthe fetters of البَكَمِmuteness
واطلَقُوا أَلسُناً من رِبقةِ البَكَمِ
How often they removed the fits of the afflicted among humankind,
and freed tongues from the fetters of muteness!
وكمand how often ازالَremoved سَقاماًsickness مَرُّthe passing of ذيلهمtheir hem
وكم ازالَ سَقاماً مَرُّ ذيلهم
كأَنَّهمas though they ذُيِّلواwere furnished with hems بالبُرءِcarrying healing للسَقَمِfor disease
كأَنَّهم ذُيِّلوا بالبُرءِ للسَقَمِ
How often the passing of their garment’s hem removed sickness,
as though their hems carried healing for disease!
بلاwithout ظُبىًsword-edges وعَصاًand a staff تُخشىfeared اطاعهمُobeyed them
بلا ظُبىً وعَصاً تُخشى اطاعهمُ
اهلُpeople of النُهَىunderstanding وعصاهمand disobeyed them كلُّevery ذيone with يَهَمِdelusion
اهلُ النُهَى وعصاهم كلُّ ذي يَهَمِ
Without feared sword-edges or a staff, they were obeyed
by people of understanding; every deluded person disobeyed them.
انindeed الممالكthe kingdoms هالتهاwere terrified by مَخافتُهمfear of them
ان الممالك هالتها مَخافتُهم
ايضاحa manifestation of ماwhat فيهمِis within them منof خوفِfear of ربّهمِtheir Lord
ايضاح ما فيهمِ من خوفِ ربّهمِ
The kingdoms were terrified by fear of them:
a manifestation of the fear of their Lord within them.
تشطيرهمtheir division فيamong الوَرَىhumankind جمعَthe assemblage of الفئَاتfactions أَرَىI saw
تشطيرهم في الوَرَى جمعَ الفئَات أَرَى
منof كلevery ملتزمٍadherent بالحقّto truth معتصمِholding fast
من كل ملتزمٍ بالحقّ معتصمِ
In their division of assembled factions among humankind, I saw
every committed adherent holding fast to truth:
مستعدلٌseeking justice عادلٌjust والأَيدُand strength وازنهُmatched him
مستعدلٌ عادلٌ والأَيدُ وازنهُ
مستقتلٌready to die قاتلٌa fighter عدلاًa just equal لكلto every كميarmored warrior
مستقتلٌ قاتلٌ عدلاً لكل كمي
a seeker of justice, just himself, with strength to match;
ready to die, a fighter, a just equal to every armored warrior;
سهلُgentle in الخلائقِcharacter كَشَّافُrevealer of الدقائقِsubtleties وَضَّclari- (word fragment)
سهلُ الخلائقِ كَشَّافُ الدقائقِ وَضَّ
حُ-fier (word fragment) الحقائقِof truths أَسنَىthe brightest مَنهَجٍpath لَعمِيfor the blind
حُ الحقائقِ أَسنَى مَنهَجٍ لَعمِي
gentle in character, a revealer of subtleties, a clari-
fier of truths, the brightest path for the blind.
انيI اناقضُcontradict ماwhat أَبدَوهُthey displayed منof رَشَدٍright guidance
اني اناقضُ ما أَبدَوهُ من رَشَدٍ
إِمَّاif ضَلَلتُI go astray وضَلَّتand goes astray رُوحُthe spirit of معتصمِone seeking refuge
إِمَّا ضَلَلتُ وضَلَّت رُوحُ معتصمِ
I contradict the right guidance they displayed
if I go astray and the spirit of one seeking refuge strays.
حزتُI gained الرَشادَright guidance بحسنthrough good الإِتباعfollowing لهمof them
حزتُ الرَشادَ بحسن الإِتباع لهم
حتىuntil سلوتُI forgot attachment عنto الأَوطانhomelands والحَشَمِand retinues
حتى سلوتُ عن الأَوطان والحَشَمِ
I gained right guidance by following them well,
until I forgot attachment to homelands and retinues.
حسنُfine البَيانexpression بماof what فيis in النفسthe soul أَرشَدَنيguided me
حسنُ البَيان بما في النفس أَرشَدَني
إلىto هُداهمtheir guidance ولمand not أُرشَدI was guided بغيرهمِby others
إلى هُداهم ولم أُرشَد بغيرهمِ
Fine expression of what lies within the soul guided me
to their guidance; I was not guided by others.
بهمthrough them مجازيmy passage إلىto الرحمنِthe Merciful أُدرِكُهُI attain it
بهم مجازي إلى الرحمنِ أُدرِكُهُ
منaway from مُلتَقَىan encounter with غَضبٍwrath فيat الحَشرِthe Gathering محتدمِblazing
من مُلتَقَى غَضبٍ في الحَشرِ محتدمِ
Through them I reach my passage to the Merciful,
away from an encounter with wrath blazing at the Gathering.
ادمجتI incorporated فيinto مدحهمtheir praise شكوايَmy complaint منagainst جَسَدٍa body
ادمجت في مدحهم شكوايَ من جَسَدٍ
كانهُas though it were الدهرُTime لاnot يبغيseeking سِوَىexcept ظُلُمِinjustices
كانهُ الدهرُ لا يبغي سِوَى ظُلُمِ
I wove into their praise my complaint against a body
that, like Time, seeks nothing but injustice.
لقدindeed تخيرتهمI chose them ليfor myself سادةًas masters ابداًforever
لقد تخيرتهم لي سادةً ابداً
ولاand no خِلافَdispute لانيbecause I تحتَam under حُكمهمِtheir rule
ولا خِلافَ لاني تحتَ حُكمهمِ
I chose them as my masters forever,
with no dispute, for I am under their rule.
لسرfor the secret of لُغزيَmy riddle طِرسٌa sheet باءَbāʾ مبدأُهُits beginning
لسر لُغزيَ طِرسٌ باءَ مبدأُهُ
وسارَand proceeded بالقلبِby reversal فاصفِso clarify القلبَthe reversal تفتهمِyou will understand
وسارَ بالقلبِ فاصفِ القلبَ تفتهمِ
For my riddle’s secret there is a sheet beginning with bāʾ,
proceeding by reversal: clarify the reversal and you will understand.
قدِindeed انعَمَتwas blessed عينُthe eye of عُمريmy life بالظَلامِwith darkness وقدand indeed
قدِ انعَمَت عينُ عُمري بالظَلامِ وقد
عمَّتهُencompassed it مُدَّةُthe span of تيهِthe wandering of العابديthe worshippers of الصنَمِthe idol
عمَّتهُ مُدَّةُ تيهِ العابدي الصنَمِ
The eye of my life has been blessed with darkness, and
the span of the idol-worshippers’ wandering has encompassed it.
اهلpeople of النُهَىunderstanding فيin تحاجيriddles about مدحهمtheir praise هتفواcried out
اهل النُهَى في تحاجي مدحهم هتفوا
بالنَومِwith sleep أُكفُفcease فماfor no حُلمٌdream بذيpossessed of حُلُمِgood sense
بالنَومِ أُكفُف فما حُلمٌ بذي حُلُمِ
People of understanding cried out in riddles about their praise:
‘Cease with sleep: dreaming is not good sense.’
تضمنواthey embraced كلevery فضلٍexcellence ظلَّremaining مزدوجاًpaired
تضمنوا كل فضلٍ ظلَّ مزدوجاً
فيهمwithin them بحَزمٍwith prudence وعَزمٍand resolve غيرِnot منثلمِbroken
فيهم بحَزمٍ وعَزمٍ غيرِ منثلمِ
They embraced every excellence, remaining paired
within them with prudence and unbroken resolve.
قدindeed طابقواthey conformed to الحقَّtruth فيin يُسرٍease وفيand in عُسُرٍhardship
قد طابقوا الحقَّ في يُسرٍ وفي عُسُرٍ
فيin العِزِّhonor والذُلّand humiliation والإِنعامand blessings والنِقَمِand chastisements
في العِزِّ والذُلّ والإِنعام والنِقَمِ
They conformed to truth in ease and hardship,
in honor and humiliation, blessings and chastisements.
مَنwho ذاis it that يغايرهمrivals them فيin حُبّloving مَسكَنةٍlowliness
مَن ذا يغايرهم في حُبّ مَسكَنةٍ
والفقرand poverty يُنصلُfrees منfrom هَمٍّcare ومنand from غُمَمِsorrows
والفقر يُنصلُ من هَمٍّ ومن غُمَمِ
Who can rival them in loving lowliness,
when poverty frees one from care and sorrows?
توكيدconfirming رِفعتهمtheir exaltation خفضُthe lowering of الجَنابِone’s bearing علىalthough
توكيد رِفعتهم خفضُ الجَنابِ على
أَنَّthat الوضيعَthe lowly هناhere عندَbefore الالهِGod سُميare exalted
أَنَّ الوضيعَ هنا عندَ الالهِ سُمي
Their exaltation is confirmed by humility, although
the lowly here are exalted before God.
نُضرُfresh الاثافيّhearthstones لاnot يأويlodges الرَمادُashes بهاin them
نُضرُ الاثافيّ لا يأوي الرَمادُ بها
تَكنِيsignify عنascetic devotion النُسكnot لاsignify تَكنِيaway عنstinginess from it: stinginess; concise meaning: stinginess اللُؤُمِstinginess
تَكنِي عن النُسك لا تَكنِي عن اللُؤُمِ
Fresh hearthstones, where no ashes lodge,
signify ascetic devotion, not stinginess.
سُودُblack in المدارعِrobes صُفرُpale in الجِسمbody بِيضُbright in ثَناًpraise
سُودُ المدارعِ صُفرُ الجِسم بِيضُ ثَناً
حُمرُred in المدامعِtears تدبيجٌvariegation لنُسكهمِof their devotion
حُمرُ المدامعِ تدبيجٌ لنُسكهمِ
Black-robed, pale-bodied, bright in praise,
red in tears: a variegated picture of their devotion.
تهذيبُthe refinement of مَنظَرهمtheir appearance تأديبُthe disciplining of ناظِرِهِمtheir beholder
تهذيبُ مَنظَرهم تأديبُ ناظِرِهِم
منamong كلevery respecter of مُحتَرَمِgood manners الآدابmodest person rare in this context: modest; concise meaning: modest مُحتشِمِmodest
من كل مُحتَرَمِ الآداب مُحتشِمِ
The refinement of their appearance disciplines their beholder,
among all who honor good manners and are modest.
أَرَواthey showed مُماثَلةًlikeness أَهدَواoffered مُفاخَرةًgrounds for pride
أَرَوا مُماثَلةً أَهدَوا مُفاخَرةً
أَبدَواthey displayed مُجانَسةًaffinity بالخِيمin disposition والشِيمِand character
أَبدَوا مُجانَسةً بالخِيم والشِيمِ
They showed likeness, offered grounds for pride,
and displayed affinity in disposition and character.
حَلَّتloosened اياديthe beneficent hands of عطاياهمtheir gifts بتوريةٍwith a double meaning
حَلَّت ايادي عطاياهم بتوريةٍ
عِقدَthe knots of الزَمانِtime ومَرَّand the bitterness of الحادثِthe calamity الحَطِمِcrushing
عِقدَ الزَمانِ ومَرَّ الحادثِ الحَطِمِ
Their gifts’ beneficent hands loosened, with a double meaning,
the knots of time and the bitterness of crushing calamity.
ففضلهمso their excellence شاملٌembraces all والحزمُand prudence ناسبهمbefits them
ففضلهم شاملٌ والحزمُ ناسبهم
وَجُودُهمand their generosity هاملٌpours down أَغنَىenriched أُولِيthose with العُدُمِdestitution
وَجُودُهم هاملٌ أَغنَى أُولِي العُدُمِ
Their excellence embraces all, and prudence befits them;
their generosity pours down, enriching the destitute.
للمَعنَيَينِfor the two meanings ائتِلافٌharmony فيهمِwithin them اجتمعاboth joined
للمَعنَيَينِ ائتِلافٌ فيهمِ اجتمعا
نَدىbounty وبأسٌand might لمبرورٍfor a righteous one ومجترِمِand a criminal
نَدى وبأسٌ لمبرورٍ ومجترِمِ
Two meanings harmonize within them, joined together:
bounty and might for the righteous and the criminal.
رَغِبتُI desired لكنَّbut فيwith استِدراكٍqualification رِفدِهمِtheir bounty
رَغِبتُ لكنَّ في استِدراكٍ رِفدِهمِ
ومِلتُand I inclined قلباًin heart ولكنbut نحوَtoward حُبِّهمِloving them
ومِلتُ قلباً ولكن نحوَ حُبِّهمِ
I desired—but, with qualification—their bounty,
and my heart inclined, but toward loving them.
انيI تجاهلتُfeigned ignorance of عِرفانيmy knowledge بنائلهمof their generosity
اني تجاهلتُ عِرفاني بنائلهم
فقلتُso I said هذاthis الحَياrain امor فيضُthe outpouring of كَفِّهمِtheir palms
فقلتُ هذا الحَيا ام فيضُ كَفِّهمِ
I feigned ignorance of what I knew of their generosity,
and asked, ‘Is this rain, or the outpouring of their palms?’
فرَّغتI emptied قَوسَthe bow of اجتِهاديmy striving فيin مدائحpraises of مَنthose whose
فرَّغت قَوسَ اجتِهادي في مدائح مَن
جلَّتgrew great مناقبُهمtheir merits إِجلالَwith the greatness of قَدرِهِمِtheir worth
جلَّت مناقبُهم إِجلالَ قَدرِهِمِ
I emptied the bow of my striving in praises of those
whose merits grew great with the greatness of their worth.
مدحٌpraise قدindeed اشتبهresembled one another الاطرافthe ends منwhoever فهمunderstands
مدحٌ قد اشتبه الاطراف من فهم
فَهِمso yearn بهمfor them ياO فُؤادَheart of الحاذِقthe skillful الفَهِمِdiscerning
فَهِم بهم يا فُؤادَ الحاذِق الفَهِمِ
Praise whose ends resemble one another: whoever understands,
then yearn for them, O heart of the skillful, discerning man.
غَوئيmy succor (uncertain) بمنthrough those who لاno اعتِراضٌobjection فيto شَفاعتِهمtheir intercession
غَوئي بمن لا اعتِراضٌ في شَفاعتِهم
فهمfor they are أَبَاO father of صاحِa companion ذُخريmy treasure يومَon the day of مُزدَحَمِcrowding
فهم أَبَا صاحِ ذُخري يومَ مُزدَحَمِ
My succor is in those whose intercession meets no objection;
they are, O father of a companion, my treasure on the crowded day.
تعطفواshow compassion واعطِفواand turn نحويtoward me لأَنَّكُمُfor you are
تعطفوا واعطِفوا نحوي لأَنَّكُمُ
اجلُّthe noblest منwhose يُرتَجَىis hoped for إِقبالُthe approach of عطفهمِtheir compassion
اجلُّ من يُرتَجَى إِقبالُ عطفهمِ
Show compassion and turn toward me, for you are
the noblest whose compassionate approach is hoped for.
آراؤهمtheir views ومزاياهمand their distinctions وحِكمتُهمand their wisdom
آراؤهم ومزاياهم وحِكمتُهم
فضائلُvirtues اجتمعتunited فيin جمعthe gathering of شَملِهِمtheir company
فضائلُ اجتمعت في جمع شَملِهِم
Their views, their distinctions, and their wisdom
are virtues united in their gathered company.
قدindeed اشبهواthey resembled الشُهبَthe bright stars والتفريقand the distinction بينهُمُbetween them
قد اشبهوا الشُهبَ والتفريق بينهُمُ
لتِلكَfor those ضَلٌّstraying وهمwhile they مستوضحواclearly discern اللَقَمِthe road
لتِلكَ ضَلٌّ وهم مستوضحوا اللَقَمِ
They resembled bright stars, but the distinction between them is:
those stray, while these clearly discern the road.
فجمعهمso their company عادَbecame فيin تقسيمهِits division قِسَماًportions
فجمعهم عادَ في تقسيمهِ قِسَماً
فمنsome قتيلٍslain ومصلوبٍand crucified ومرتجمand stoned
فمن قتيلٍ ومصلوبٍ ومرتجم
Their company became portions in its division:
some slain, some crucified, some stoned.
لكنَّbut تقسيمهمtheir division فيin الموتِdeath بانَbecame clear لناto us
لكنَّ تقسيمهم في الموتِ بانَ لنا
الرُوحُthe spirit لِلّهِbelongs to God والأَجسادُand the bodies للأَلمِto pain
الرُوحُ لِلّهِ والأَجسادُ للأَلمِ
Yet their division in death became clear to us:
the spirit belongs to God, and the bodies to pain.
جمعٌa company تفرَّقَdispersed للبَشراءِfor good tidings حينwhen غَدَواthey became
جمعٌ تفرَّقَ للبَشراءِ حين غَدَوا
كالشُهبlike stars فيin سيرهمtheir course كالشُهبِlike stars فيin الظُلَمِdarkness
كالشُهب في سيرهم كالشُهبِ في الظُلَمِ
A company dispersed to spread good tidings, becoming
like stars in their course, like stars in darkness.
بالقَدرِin rank مؤتلفاًunited بالحُكمِin governance مختلفاًdiffering
بالقَدرِ مؤتلفاً بالحُكمِ مختلفاً
فيماin what يَخُصُّconcerns الصَفاCephas, the Rock المَدعُوcalled برأسِهمِtheir head
فيما يَخُصُّ الصَفا المَدعُو برأسِهمِ
United in rank, differing in governance,
in what concerns Cephas, called their head.
اهدواthey guided الأَنامَhumankind فلمso not استثنِI excluded منany احدٍperson
اهدوا الأَنامَ فلم استثنِ من احدٍ
الاexcept الذينَthose who أَبَواrefused تقديمَgiving precedence to شيخهمِtheir elder
الا الذينَ أَبَوا تقديمَ شيخهمِ
They guided humankind; I excluded no one
except those who refused to give their elder precedence.
وللصَفاand Cephas has خَلَفٌa successor تعريضُan indirect allusion in مدحهمِtheir praise
وللصَفا خَلَفٌ تعريضُ مدحهمِ
هلdoes? انindeed سُلطانهمtheir authority عنcome from سيفthe sword of مختصمa disputant
هل ان سُلطانهم عن سيف مختصم
Cephas has a successor: an indirect allusion in their praise.
Does their authority come from a disputant’s sword?
حازواthey attained المساواةequality بالسُلطانِin authority اجمعهمall of them
حازوا المساواة بالسُلطانِ اجمعهم
لاnot بالوظيفةِin office فارفَعso remove شُبهةَthe suspicion of التُهَمaccusations
لا بالوظيفةِ فارفَع شُبهةَ التُهَم
All of them attained equality in authority,
not in office: remove the suspicion of accusations.
تعليلُthe reason for جعلmaking الصَفاCephas أُسّاًa foundation لبِيعتِهِfor his church
تعليلُ جعل الصَفا أُسّاً لبِيعتِهِ
لانهُbecause he هوis صخرٌa rock غيرُnot منصدمِshattered
لانهُ هو صخرٌ غيرُ منصدمِ
The reason Cephas was made his church’s foundation
is that he is a rock that cannot be shattered.
وكانand there was للقومِfor the company قلبٌa heart واحدٌone فأَتَواso they came
وكان للقومِ قلبٌ واحدٌ فأَتَوا
بعقدwith a bond of رأيٍcounsel مجيدglorious الدِينin religion منتظمِwell ordered
بعقد رأيٍ مجيد الدِين منتظمِ
The company had one heart, and they came
with a bond of counsel, glorious and ordered in religion.
فالأَنبياءُso the prophets وتوراةُand the Torah of الكليمِMoses, God’s interlocutor معاًtogether
فالأَنبياءُ وتوراةُ الكليمِ معاً
جميعُهمall of them قدindeed أَتَواbrought عُنوانَthe heading of دِينهمِtheir religion
جميعُهم قد أَتَوا عُنوانَ دِينهمِ
The prophets and the Torah of Moses together,
all brought forth the heading of their religion.
فالعِلمُso knowledge انسقgrew ordered والبُرهانُand proof حَقَّقَconfirmed والand the (word fragment)
فالعِلمُ انسق والبُرهانُ حَقَّقَ وال
إِيمانُfaith أَشرَقَshone منfrom لألاءِthe radiance of أُفقِهِمtheir horizon
إِيمانُ أَشرَقَ من لألاءِ أُفقِهِم
Knowledge grew ordered, proof confirmed, and
faith shone from their horizon’s radiance.
بِيضُbright in الوُجُوهِfaces اتِساعُbreadth of الباعِreach خُصَّwas particular بهمto them
بِيضُ الوُجُوهِ اتِساعُ الباعِ خُصَّ بهم
جلواthey dispelled الظَلامَdarkness وجالواand roamed فيin عليّهمِtheir heights
جلوا الظَلامَ وجالوا في عليّهمِ
Bright of face, distinguished by breadth of reach,
they dispelled darkness and roamed their heights:
فيat سِدرةِthe Lote Tree of المُنتَهىthe Utmost Boundary فيat العَرشِthe Throne فيon جَبَلِthe mountain of الthe (word fragment)
في سِدرةِ المُنتَهى في العَرشِ في جَبَلِ ال
أَبكارِfirstborn فيin المجدglory تصديرٌforemost placement لجمعهمfor their company
أَبكارِ في المجد تصديرٌ لجمعهم
at the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary, at the Throne, on the mountain of the
firstborn, in glory—their company holds foremost place.
تنويعُthe variety of أَوصافهمtheir qualities حاويencompassing الكَمالِperfection فهمfor they
تنويعُ أَوصافهم حاوي الكَمالِ فهم
كالشمسِlike the sun كالغيثِlike rain كالأَنوارِlike lights كالعَلَمlike a mountain
كالشمسِ كالغيثِ كالأَنوارِ كالعَلَم
The variety of their qualities encompasses perfection; they are
like the sun, like rain, like lights, like a mountain.
سجعيmy rhymed speech ومُعتصميand my refuge ينحوseeks أُوليthose possessing الهِمَمِhigh resolve
سجعي ومُعتصمي ينحو أُولي الهِمَمِ
همthey are أَمجَدُthe most glorious of الأُمَمِpeoples فيin العِزِّhonor والشَمَمِand lofty pride
هم أَمجَدُ الأُمَمِ في العِزِّ والشَمَمِ
My rhymed speech and my refuge seek those of high resolve;
they are the most glorious of peoples in honor and lofty pride.
جزَّيتI rewarded منتظميmy ordered verse اجزيتُI satisfied مختصميmy opponent
جزَّيت منتظمي اجزيتُ مختصمي
ارويتُI related منsome of حِكَميmy wisdom روَّيتُI quenched كلَّevery ظَمِيthirsty one
ارويتُ من حِكَمي روَّيتُ كلَّ ظَمِي
I rewarded my ordered verse; I satisfied my opponent.
I related some of my wisdom; I quenched every thirsty one.
سَمِّطstring قلائِدَهمtheir necklaces وانظِمand arrange فرائِدَهمtheir precious pearls
سَمِّط قلائِدَهم وانظِم فرائِدَهم
وانشِدand recite قصائدَهمtheir poems ياO طَيِّبَsweet in النَغَمِmelody
وانشِد قصائدَهم يا طَيِّبَ النَغَمِ
String their necklaces and arrange their precious pearls,
and recite their poems, O sweet-voiced one!
شِعريmy poetry ترصَّعwas jeweled منwith عِقيانِthe pure gold of مدحهمِtheir praise
شِعري ترصَّع من عِقيانِ مدحهمِ
سِعريmy price ترفَّعَrose فيin أَوزانِthe measures of نعتهمِtheir portrayal
سِعري ترفَّعَ في أَوزانِ نعتهمِ
My poetry was jeweled with the pure gold of their praise;
my price rose in the measures of their portrayal.
الحمدُcommendation والمدحُand praise فيin قلبيmy heart مُزاوَجةًpaired
الحمدُ والمدحُ في قلبي مُزاوَجةً
لهمfor them ووُدّيand my love وعَهديand my covenant غيرُnot منفصمِbroken
لهم ووُدّي وعَهدي غيرُ منفصمِ
Praise and commendation are paired within my heart
for them, and my love and covenant remain unbroken.
لماwhen تولَّىtook charge of الهُدىguidance عقليmy mind وزاوَجَهُand joined it
لما تولَّى الهُدى عقلي وزاوَجَهُ
رأَيتُI saw أَنَّthat خَلاصيmy salvation فيlies in وَلائِهمِallegiance to them
رأَيتُ أَنَّ خَلاصي في وَلائِهمِ
When guidance took charge of my mind and joined it,
I saw that my salvation lay in allegiance to them.
تأَلَّفَjoined اللفظُthe wording معwith وزنٍmeter بمدحتهمin their praise
تأَلَّفَ اللفظُ مع وزنٍ بمدحتهم
كماas تَأَلَّفَcame together العِقدِthe necklace بالنظمِby stringing
كما تَأَلَّفَ العِقدِ بالنظمِ
Wording joined meter in their praise,
as a necklace comes together by stringing.
واللفظُand wording يَخدِمserves مَعنىthe meaning of المدحِpraise مؤتلفاًharmoniously
واللفظُ يَخدِم مَعنى المدحِ مؤتلفاً
انindeed المعانيmeanings لهاfor them الأَلفاظُwords كالخَدَمِare like servants
ان المعاني لها الأَلفاظُ كالخَدَمِ
Wording harmoniously serves the meaning of praise:
words attend meanings like servants.
والوزنُand meter مؤتلفُharmonizes with المعنىmeaning بمِدحةِin praising مَنthose whom
والوزنُ مؤتلفُ المعنى بمِدحةِ مَن
يَكِلُّis exhausted كلُّevery لِسانٍtongue عنby مديحهمِpraising them
يَكِلُّ كلُّ لِسانٍ عن مديحهمِ
Meter harmonizes with meaning in praising those
whose praise exhausts every tongue.
واللفظُand wording بالفظِwith wording (irregular spelling) كالعِقيانlike pure gold مؤتلفٌis joined
واللفظُ بالفظِ كالعِقيان مؤتلفٌ
ودُرُّand the pearls of نظميmy verse غلاgrew precious فيthrough كامليthose perfect in الشِيمِcharacter
ودُرُّ نظمي غلا في كاملي الشِيمِ
Word joins word like pure gold,
and the pearls of my verse grew precious through those of perfect character.
حُسنَa fair التخلصdeliverance ارجوI hope for منthrough شَفاعتهمtheir intercession
حُسنَ التخلص ارجو من شَفاعتهم
فهمfor they are مَلاذيَmy refuge فيat بَدءٍa beginning ومُختَتَمِand an end
فهم مَلاذيَ في بَدءٍ ومُختَتَمِ
I hope for a fair deliverance through their intercession,
for they are my refuge at beginning and end.
Translation model: Sol 6.1