لاحَappeared لِعَينَيكَbefore your eyes الطَلَلthe ruins
لاحَ لِعَينَيكَ الطَلَل
فَكَمso how much دَمٍblood فيهin it يُطَلgoes unavenged
فَكَم دَمٍ فيه يُطَل
The ruins appeared before your eyes.
No relief for your eyes from staring at the ruins,
How much blood there goes unavenged!
So much blood was shed there,
كَمhow often شربَdrank الدَهرُTime رسوtraces (start)
كَم شربَ الدَهرُ رسو
مَtraces (end) دارِهِمtheir dwelling وَكَمand how often أَكلdevoured
مَ دارِهِم وَكَم أَكل
How often has Time drunk away the traces
How many homes did time ruin,
of their dwelling, and how often devoured them,
And how many meals did it devour,
ماwhat lies بَينَbetween أَعطافِthe sweeps of الصَباthe east wind
ما بَينَ أَعطافِ الصَبا
وَبَينَand between أَثناءِthe turns of الشَمَلthe north wind
وَبَينَ أَثناءِ الشَمَل
between the sweeps of the east wind
Between the prime of youth,
and the turns of the north wind!
And the gathering of companions.
كَمhow many سافِياتdust-scattering winds ثَوبِهاtheir mantle
كَم سافِيات ثَوبِها
عَلىover مَعانيهاits features اِشتَمَلenfolded
عَلى مَعانيها اِشتَمَل
How many dust-scattering winds—their mantle
How many garments did it expose,
enfolded its features!
To bare their hidden meanings.
سُقياًa blessing of rain لِسَيريupon my journey مَعَهمwith them
سُقياً لِسَيري مَعَهم
وَجُملُand Juml تَحدوurges onward with song بِالجَمَلthe camel
وَجُملُ تَحدو بِالجَمَل
May rain bless my journey with them,
Quenching my journey with them,
while Juml urged the camel onward with song,
And camels vying with camels.
منfrom قَبلِbefore أَنthat كَدَّwearied الزماTime (start)
من قَبلِ أَن كَدَّ الزما
نُTime (end) أَهلَهاher people وَلَمand did not يَمَلgrow weary
نُ أَهلَها وَلَم يَمَل
before Time wearied
Before time exhausted its people,
her people, never wearying itself.
And quenched their thirst.
سَقياًa blessing of rain وَرَعياًand protection لِلَّذيupon those (start)
سَقياً وَرَعياً لِلَّذي
نَthose (end) جَهَّزواoutfitted ذاتَthe lady of الحُلَلfine robes
نَ جَهَّزوا ذاتَ الحُلَل
May rain and protection bless those
Quenching and grazing those,
who outfitted the lady of fine robes.
Who wore fine garments.
سَقياًa blessing of rain لَهُمupon them وَانeven though جَلَواthey departed
سَقياً لَهُم وَان جَلَوا
عَنfrom الدِيارِthe dwellings وَالحِلَلand encampments
عَن الدِيارِ وَالحِلَل
May rain bless them, even though they departed
Quenching them even if they left,
from the dwellings and encampments.
The homes and encampments.
أَياO دُموعيmy tears ساعِديhelp me
أَيا دُموعي ساعِدي
وَكابِديand strive غَيثاًa downpour هَمَلflowing freely
وَكابِدي غَيثاً هَمَل
O my tears, help me,
Oh my tears, assist me,
and strive to pour forth a streaming rain.
And endure a pouring rain.
فيضيpour forth عَلىover آثارِهِمtheir traces
فيضي عَلى آثارِهِم
فَيضَthe outpouring of بَنانيmy fingers بِالنَفَلwith gifts
فَيضَ بَناني بِالنَفَل
Pour over their traces
Pour upon their traces,
as my fingers pour forth gifts.
To water my orchards with gifts.
وَوشجيand interweave بِالدَمعِwith tears ماwhat
وَوشجي بِالدَمعِ ما
أَفَضتِهِyou poured it forth دَمَthe blood of المُقَلthe eyes
أَفَضتِهِ دَمَ المُقَل
And intertwine with tears what
And dampen with tears what,
you poured forth—the blood of eyes.
Blood of wounds poured out.
وَاِنand even if يَكنit should be قَدalready لامَنيreproached me
وَاِن يَكن قَد لامَني
شَيبيَmy gray hair فيهِfor it وَعَذَلَand chided
شَيبيَ فيهِ وَعَذَلَ
Even if I have been reproached
Even if my gray hair blamed me,
by my gray hair for this, and chided,
And censured me.
وَعَزَلand banished الشِرَّةَimpetuosity عَنfrom
وَعَزَل الشِرَّةَ عَن
قَلبيmy heart فَماso no longer أَرعىI heed الغَزَلlove
قَلبي فَما أَرعى الغَزَل
and it has banished impetuosity from
And diverted desire from,
my heart, so I no longer heed love,
My heart, I do not pasture gazelles.
وَالشَيبُand gray hair شَينٌdisgrace غَيرexcept أَنthat
وَالشَيبُ شَينٌ غَير أَن
صُيِّرَتِwas made الباءُthe letter bāʾ بَدَلa substitute
صُيِّرَتِ الباءُ بَدَل
gray hair, shayb, is disgrace, shayn, except that
For gray hair is disgrace, except,
the letter bāʾ has been substituted.
The letter Baa was substituted.
انَّindeed الشَبابَyouth وافِدَthe bringer of الthe (article)
انَّ الشَبابَ وافِدَ ال
أُنسِjoy العَميمِall-embracing قَدhas رَحَلdeparted
أُنسِ العَميمِ قَد رَحَل
Youth, the bringer of
Youth is a guest that does not stay,
all-embracing joy, has departed.
For familiar intimacy.
أَنضوI strip off جَديدَa new مَلبَسٍgarment
أَنضو جَديدَ مَلبَسٍ
مُعتاضَtaking in exchange خَلقانٍworn-out clothes سَمِلthreadbare
مُعتاضَ خَلقانٍ سَمِل
I strip off a new garment,
I wore a new dress,
taking worn-out, threadbare clothes instead.
Weary of an old creation.
دَعleave عَنكَaside أَصنافَthe kinds of الخَطلfolly
دَع عَنكَ أَصنافَ الخَطل
وَلاand may not سَقىwater الشَبابyouth طَلdew
وَلا سَقى الشَباب طَل
Leave aside all forms of folly,
Leave off types of dreams,
and may no dew water youth—
And do not water youth in vain.
أُمّthe mother of العيوبِfaults وَالذُنوand sins (start)
أُمّ العيوبِ وَالذُنو
بِsins (end) وَالعثارand stumbling وَالزَلَلand missteps
بِ وَالعثار وَالزَلَل
the mother of faults and sins,
Mother of defects, sins,
of stumbling and missteps.
Stumbling, and mistakes.
دَعاcalled إِلىfor نَزعcasting off التُقىpiety
دَعا إِلى نَزع التُقى
وَمدَّand lengthened فيin الغيِّerror الطِوَلthe tether
وَمدَّ في الغيِّ الطِوَل
It called for casting off piety
It calls to stripping piety,
and gave error a long tether.
And persisting in wrongdoing.
وَمَرحَباًand welcome بِالشَيبِto gray hair إِذsince
وَمَرحَباً بِالشَيبِ إِذ
هذاthis الَّذيthat which قَدalready كانَhad been طَلsought
هذا الَّذي قَد كانَ طَل
And welcome to gray hair, since
While gray hair is welcomed,
this is what had been sought.
For it is what was once youth.
لَهفيmy lament عَلىover جَرائِمٍcrimes
لَهفي عَلى جَرائِمٍ
أَطعتُI obeyed فيهِنَّin them العَجَلhaste
أَطعتُ فيهِنَّ العَجَل
Alas for the crimes
My craving for crimes,
in which I obeyed haste!
I obeyed in haste.
أَتوبُI repent مِنهاof them مُخلِصاًsincerely
أَتوبُ مِنها مُخلِصاً
إِلىto الَّذيHim who عَزَّis mighty وَجَلand majestic
إِلى الَّذي عَزَّ وَجَل
I repent of them sincerely
I repent sincerely,
to Him who is mighty and majestic,
To the Almighty.
مُستَشفِعاًseeking intercession through مُحَمَّداًMuhammad
مُستَشفِعاً مُحَمَّداً
وَآلَهُand his family ثُمَّthen بَجَلenough
وَآلَهُ ثُمَّ بَجَل
seeking Muhammad's intercession
Interceding through Muhammad,
and his family's—then that suffices.
And his progeny, the chosen ones.
ياO سادَتيmy masters وَلاؤُكُمloyalty to you
يا سادَتي وَلاؤُكُم
عَقيدَتيmy creed فَحَيَّso come (start) هَلcome (end)
عَقيدَتي فَحَيَّ هَل
O my masters, loyalty to you
Oh my masters, loyalty to you,
is my creed: so come!
Is my creed, so welcome.
فَخَلِّصواso deliver وَلِيَّكُمyour loyal follower
فَخَلِّصوا وَلِيَّكُم
وَارعواand honor لَهُfor him حَقَّthe claim of الاِمَلhope
وَارعوا لَهُ حَقَّ الاِمَل
Deliver your loyal follower,
Save your loyal one,
and honor the claim his hope has on you.
And tend to his hopes.
قَدalready قالَhe spoke فيin مَديحِكُمyour praise
قَد قالَ في مَديحِكُم
أَكثَرَmore مِنthan أَلفِa thousand مَثَلmemorable sayings
أَكثَرَ مِن أَلفِ مَثَل
He has spoken in your praise
He said more than a thousand,
more than a thousand memorable sayings,
Parables in your praise.
وَتَرَكَand left النَواصِبَthe enemies of Ali الthe (article)
وَتَرَكَ النَواصِبَ ال
أَرجاسَimpure ones فيهاin them كَالمَثَلas a byword
أَرجاسَ فيها كَالمَثَل
and left the Nasibis,
And left the hostile ones,
those impure ones, a byword in them,
As examples of filth.
لَمّاwhen درىhe learned أَنَّthat عِماthe pillar (start)
لَمّا درى أَنَّ عِما
دpillar (end) الدينِof faith قَولspeech وَعَملand action
د الدينِ قَول وَعَمل
when he learned that the pillar
When he knew religion is words,
of faith is speech and action.
And deeds.
ياO حيدَرُHaydar الشَهمُthe noble البَطَلthe champion
يا حيدَرُ الشَهمُ البَطَل
مَنwhoever لَمdoes not يشايِعكfollow you يَضَلgoes astray
مَن لَم يشايِعك يَضَل
O Haydar, noble champion!
Oh Haydar, the brave hero,
Whoever does not follow you goes astray.
Whoever avoids you strays.
وَاللَهِby God أَقسامُthe oaths of فَتىًa youth
وَاللَهِ أَقسامُ فَتىً
دُخلَتُهُhis inner nature أَنقىthe purest of الدَخَلinner natures
دُخلَتُهُ أَنقى الدَخَل
By God! These are the oaths of a youth
By God, the oath of a man,
whose inner nature is the purest of inner natures.
Of the purest essence.
لاmay I not زُلتُdepart عَنfrom حُبِّكُمُlove for you
لا زُلتُ عَن حُبِّكُمُ
مُتابِعاًfollowing أَهلَthe people of الجَمَلthe Camel
مُتابِعاً أَهلَ الجَمَل
May I never abandon love for you
I never strayed from love of you,
to follow the people of the Camel.
The people of the camel.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who بِسَيفِهby his sword
أَنتَ الَّذي بِسَيفِه
وَرُمحِهِand his spear الدينُthe faith كَمَلwas perfected
وَرُمحِهِ الدينُ كَمَل
You are the one by whose sword
You, by whose sword,
and spear the faith was perfected.
And spear, faith was perfected.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who فيin الوَحيِrevelation تَبexplanation (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي في الوَحيِ تَب
يينُexplanation (end) عُلاهhis high rank قَدhas نَزَلdescended
يينُ عُلاه قَد نَزَل
You are the one—in revelation,
You, whom the revelation,
the account of whose high rank was sent down.
Proves your high rank descended.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who نامَslept عَلىupon الthe (article)
أَنتَ الَّذي نامَ عَلى ال
فِراشِbed فيon لَيلِthe night of الوَجَلdread
فِراشِ في لَيلِ الوَجَل
You are the one who slept upon the
You who slept on the,
bed on the night of dread.
Bed in the night of distress.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who صَلّىprayed أَماbefore (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي صَلّى أَما
مَbefore (end) الناسِthe people مَعwith خَيرِthe finest مُصلworshipper
مَ الناسِ مَع خَيرِ مُصل
You are the one who prayed before
You who led the prayer,
the people, beside the finest worshipper.
Before all people with the best worshipper.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who جَدَّلَfelled فيat
أَنتَ الَّذي جَدَّلَ في
بَدرBadr العَفاريتَthe demons العُضلthe mighty
بَدر العَفاريتَ العُضل
You are the one who felled at
You who on Badr day,
Badr the mighty demons.
Argued with strong devils.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who فيat أُحُدٍUhud
أَنتَ الَّذي في أُحُدٍ
ثَبَتَّyou stood firm طوداًa towering peak كَالجَبَلlike a mountain
ثَبَتَّ طوداً كَالجَبَل
You are the one who, at Uhud,
You who at Uhud,
stood firm, a towering peak like a mountain.
Stood steadfast like a mountain.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who بِخَيبَرٍat Khaybar
أَنتَ الَّذي بِخَيبَرٍ
أَزَحتَyou swept away أَصنافِthe kinds of العلَلafflictions
أَزَحتَ أَصنافِ العلَل
You are the one who, at Khaybar,
You who at Khaibar,
swept away every kind of affliction.
Removed all sorts of harms.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who بِالخَندَقat the Trench اِشgrew fierce (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي بِالخَندَق اِش
تَدَّgrew fierce (end) لَعمروٍagainst Amr فَاِضمَحَلso he perished
تَدَّ لَعمروٍ فَاِضمَحَل
You are the one who, at the Trench,
You who at the Trench,
grew fierce against Amr, and he perished.
Humbled Amr till he faded.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who فيagainst مَرحبٍMarhab
أَنتَ الَّذي في مَرحبٍ
حَكَّمَmade the judge أَطرافthe points of الأَسَلspears
حَكَّمَ أَطراف الأَسَل
You are the one who, against Marhab,
You who at Hudaybiyyah,
made spear points the judge.
Judged the edges of the sword.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who يَومَon the day of حُنَيHunayn (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي يَومَ حُنَي
نٍHunayn (end) فُرصَةَthe opportunity for النَصرِvictory اِهتَبَلseized
نٍ فُرصَةَ النَصرِ اِهتَبَل
You are the one who, on the day of Hunayn,
You who on day of Hunayn,
seized the opportunity for victory.
Seized opportunity for victory.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who وُلّيَwas entrusted فيwith
أَنتَ الَّذي وُلّيَ في
بَراءَةٍBara'ah فَماand did not اِعتَزَلwithdraw
بَراءَةٍ فَما اِعتَزَل
You are the one entrusted with
You who regarding Bara’a,
Bara'ah, and did not withdraw.
Did not withdraw.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who قَدalready حَمَلcarried الرthe banner (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي قَد حَمَل الر
رايَةbanner (end) فيin كُلِّevery وَهلterror
رايَة في كُلِّ وَهل
You are the one who carried the
You who carried the flag,
banner through every terror.
In every lofty setting.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who تَسقيgives drink منfrom الthe (article)
أَنتَ الَّذي تَسقي من ال
حَوضِPool غَداًtomorrow خَيرthe finest عَلَلrepeated draughts
حَوضِ غَداً خَير عَلَل
You are the one who gives drink from the
You who will serve drink,
Pool tomorrow—the finest draughts.
From the Cistern tomorrow, best of drinks.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who رُدَّتwas returned عَلَيto (start of 'to him')
أَنتَ الَّذي رُدَّت عَلَي
هِhim (suffix) الشَمسthe sun مِنfrom بَعدِafter الطَفَلdusk
هِ الشَمس مِن بَعدِ الطَفَل
You are the one for whom
You to whom the sun returned,
the sun was returned after dusk.
After setting.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who أَصبَحَbecame هاAaron (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي أَصبَحَ ها
رونَAaron (end) وَموساكَand your Moses أَجَلmore exalted
رونَ وَموساكَ أَجَل
You are the one who became
You who left Pharaoh,
Aaron, while your Moses is more exalted.
And Moses confounded.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who قَدalready زَوِّجَwas married to الزَal-Zahra (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي قَد زَوِّجَ الزَ
زهراءَal-Zahra (end) ياO خَيرَfinest of الوُصَلunions
زهراءَ يا خَيرَ الوُصَل
You are the one married to
You who married Fatima,
al-Zahra—O finest in union.
The best union.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who بِالحَسَنَيthrough Hasan and Husayn (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي بِالحَسَنَي
نHasan and Husayn (end) السَيدَينِthe two lords قَدalready نَسَلbegot offspring
ن السَيدَينِ قَد نَسَل
You are the one who, through Hasan and Husayn,
You from whom the two excellent Sayyids,
the two lords, begot offspring.
Descended.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who عَنfrom هاشِمٍHashim
أَنتَ الَّذي عَن هاشِمٍ
منfrom طَرفَيهhis two sides ماnot اِنتَقَلdeparted
من طَرفَيه ما اِنتَقَل
You are the one who never departed from Hashim,
You from Hashim on,
on either side of his lineage.
Both sides what was handed down.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who والِدُهُhis father
أَنتَ الَّذي والِدُهُ
حمىprotected النَبِيَّthe Prophet فَاِستَقلso he stood firm
حمى النَبِيَّ فَاِستَقل
You are the one whose father
You whose father protected,
protected the Prophet, so he stood firm.
The Prophet, independent.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who قَدalready باهَلَinvoked the mutual curse الطthe pure one (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي قَد باهَلَ الط
طُهرُthe pure one (end) بِهِwith him حينَwhen اِبتَهَلhe supplicated
طُهرُ بِهِ حينَ اِبتَهَل
You are the one through whom
You whom the immaculate one took as son,
the pure one invoked the mutual curse when he prayed.
When he supplicated.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who قَدalready ضَمَّهُenfolded him الthe (article)
أَنتَ الَّذي قَد ضَمَّهُ ال
كَساءُcloak فيin خَيرthe finest مَحَلplace
كَساءُ في خَير مَحَل
You are the one enfolded by the
You whom the cloak gathered,
cloak, in the noblest place.
In the best place.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who يُدعىis summoned إِلىto الطthe bird (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي يُدعى إِلى الط
طَيرِbird (end) عَلىagainst رُغمthe will of السَفلthe rabble
طَيرِ عَلى رُغم السَفل
You are the one summoned to the
You who was called to soar,
bird, despite the rabble.
Despite the low ones.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who عُقودهِhis bonds
أَنتَ الَّذي عُقودهِ
يَومَon the day of الغَديرِGhadir لاnot تُحَلare undone
يَومَ الغَديرِ لا تُحَل
You are the one whose bonds
You whose contracts,
on the day of Ghadir are never undone.
On the Day of Ghadir cannot be undone.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who بِحُبِّهِthrough loving him
أَنتَ الَّذي بِحُبِّهِ
طابَbecame pure الوِلادُparentage المُنتَحَلclaimed
طابَ الوِلادُ المُنتَحَل
You are the one through love for whom
You due to whose love,
claimed parentage is made pure.
Adoption was made pleasant.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who أَصبَحَbecame باthe gate (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي أَصبَحَ با
بَgate (end) أَحمدٍof Ahmad حينَwhen يُسَلhe is questioned
بَ أَحمدٍ حينَ يُسَل
You are the one who became
You who became Ahmad’s door,
Ahmad's gate when inquiry is made.
When asked.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who سَيقسمُwill apportion النthe Fire (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي سَيقسمُ الن
نارَFire (end) وَيُرديand will slay ذاthe one with الدَغَلdeceit
نارَ وَيُردي ذا الدَغَل
You are the one who will apportion the
You who will divide fire,
Fire and slay the deceitful.
And ruin the wicked.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who نالَattained الذُرىthe summits
أَنتَ الَّذي نالَ الذُرى
وَنَعلُهُand his sandal فَوقَabove زُحَلSaturn
وَنَعلُهُ فَوقَ زُحَل
You are the one who attained the summits,
You who gained leadership,
his sandal above Saturn.
With your slipper above planets.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who أُنزِلَwas revealed فيabout
أَنتَ الَّذي أُنزِلَ في
هِhim (suffix) هَلhas? (question) أَتىcome وَماand not رَحَلdeparted
هِ هَل أَتى وَما رَحَل
You are the one about whom
You about whom it was revealed,
'Has There Come' was revealed, and he had not departed.
‘Has there come’ and did not depart.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who قَدalready خَصفstitched النthe sandal (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي قَد خَصف الن
نَعلَsandal (end) وَفيand among القَومِthe people نَغَلrancor
نَعلَ وَفي القَومِ نَغَل
You are the one who stitched the
You who removed his slipper,
sandal, while rancor lay among the people.
Among a hostile people.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who أَوصىentrusted his charge اِلَيto
أَنتَ الَّذي أَوصى اِلَي
هِhim (suffix) المُصطَفىthe Chosen One عَلىwith مَهلdeliberation
هِ المُصطَفى عَلى مَهل
You are the one to whom
You whom Mustafa entrusted,
the Chosen One entrusted his charge unhurriedly.
In his last testament.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who قَدalready ظَلَّremained أَقmost judicious (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي قَد ظَلَّ أَق
ضىmost judicious (end) الناسِthe people مِنwith غَيرِno مثلequal
ضى الناسِ مِن غَيرِ مثل
You are the one who remained
You who was the best of all people,
the finest judge of all people, without equal.
Without an equal.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who كَلامُهُhis speech
أَنتَ الَّذي كَلامُهُ
ماwhat lies بَينَbetween صابٍbitter sap وَعَسَلand honey
ما بَينَ صابٍ وَعَسَل
You are the one whose speech
You whose words,
lies between bitter sap and honey.
Were between youthful and sweet.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who آخىmade a brother of الرَسوthe Messenger (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي آخى الرَسو
لMessenger (end) ظاهِراًopenly حينَwhen اِحتَفَلhe held the gathering
ل ظاهِراً حينَ اِحتَفَل
You are the one the Messenger made his brother
You whom the Messenger made brother,
openly, when he held the gathering.
Openly when he prepared.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who عَلَّمtaught كُلall
أَنتَ الَّذي عَلَّم كُل
الناسِpeople ماwhat ضَربُstriking القُللheads
الناسِ ما ضَربُ القُلل
You are the one who taught all
You who taught all people,
people what striking heads means.
The ways of glory.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who الناكِثthe oath-breaker وَالand the (article)
أَنتَ الَّذي الناكِث وَال
قاسِطَunjust one بِالسَيفِwith the sword أَذَلhumbled
قاسِطَ بِالسَيفِ أَذَل
You are the one who humbled the oath-breaker
You who by the sword humbled,
and the unjust one with the sword.
The dissenter and deviator.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who أَنحىassailed عَلىagainst الthe (article)
أَنتَ الَّذي أَنحى عَلى ال
مارِقrenegade كَالحَتفlike death أَطَلloomed
مارِق كَالحَتف أَطَل
You are the one who assailed the
You who inclined over the rebels,
renegade, looming like death.
Like a death sentence.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who يُبرِدُquenches منfrom
أَنتَ الَّذي يُبرِدُ من
شيعَتِهِhis followers نارَthe fire of الغللthirst
شيعَتِهِ نارَ الغلل
You are the one who quenches
You who cools your followers,
the fire of thirst in his followers.
From the fires of trials.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who نَحّاهُمُkept them away
أَنتَ الَّذي نَحّاهُمُ
وَالحَربُand war تَزجيdrives onward بِالشعلwith flames
وَالحَربُ تَزجي بِالشعل
You are the one who kept them away,
You who saved them,
while war drove its flames onward.
While war blazed with flames.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who سادَruled الوَرىmankind
أَنتَ الَّذي سادَ الوَرى
منwith غَيرِno ليتَif only وَلعلand perhaps
من غَيرِ ليتَ وَلعل
You are the one who ruled mankind,
You who ruled the world,
without 'if only' or 'perhaps.'
Without ‘perhaps’ or ‘if only’.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who لَمnot يُرَwas seen قَطever (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي لَم يُرَ قَط
طُever (end) ساجِداًprostrating نَحوtoward هبلHubal
طُ ساجِداً نَحو هبل
You are the one never seen
You never once bowed down,
prostrating toward Hubal.
To an idol.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who أَلقىlaid عَلىupon
أَنتَ الَّذي أَلقى عَلى
أَعدائِهِhis enemies أَثقَلَthe heaviest كلburden
أَعدائِهِ أَثقَلَ كل
You are the one who laid upon
You who inflicted on your enemies,
his enemies the heaviest burden.
The harshest of circumstances.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who لَولاwere it not for فَتاhis rulings (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي لَولا فَتا
ويهِhis rulings (end) لماwould not have زالَceased الخَلَلdisorder
ويهِ لما زالَ الخَلَل
You are the one—without his rulings,
You without whose aid,
disorder would never have been removed.
The religion would not persist.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who لَولاهُwere it not for him ماnot
أَنتَ الَّذي لَولاهُ ما
فارَقتwould have left البِيضthe bright swords الخِلَلthe sheaths
فارَقت البِيض الخِلَل
You are the one without whom
You without whom the clear verse,
the bright swords would not have left their sheaths.
Would not be separated from the ambiguous.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who يَنهَلُdrinks a first draught مِنfrom
أَنتَ الَّذي يَنهَلُ مِن
شِربِthe draught of المَعاليlofty deeds وَيعلand drinks again
شِربِ المَعالي وَيعل
You are the one who drinks first from
You who drinks from the water,
the draught of lofty deeds, and drinks again.
Of the highest ideals, and ascends.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who يُدعىis called بِبَحthe sea (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي يُدعى بِبَح
رِsea (end) العِلمِof knowledge وَالقَومُand the people وَشَلa trickle
رِ العِلمِ وَالقَومُ وَشَل
You are the one called the sea
You who is called vast sea,
of knowledge, while the people are a trickle.
Of knowledge, while the people are still bleary.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who لَمnot يُثنِهِturned him aside
أَنتَ الَّذي لَم يُثنِهِ
قَطّever حذارٌdread وَفشلand faintheartedness
قَطّ حذارٌ وَفشل
You are the one never turned aside
You whom caution never halted,
by dread and faintheartedness.
Nor failing blocked.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who حَلّىadorned الزَماTime (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي حَلّى الزَما
نَTime (end) فَضلُهُhis excellence بَعدafter عَطلbeing unadorned
نَ فَضلُهُ بَعد عَطل
You are the one whose excellence adorned Time
You who sweetened time,
after it had been unadorned.
With his surplus kindness after cessation.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who بِبَأسِهِby his might
أَنتَ الَّذي بِبَأسِهِ
عرشُthe throne of ذَويthose possessing الكُفرunbelief يُثَلis toppled
عرشُ ذَوي الكُفر يُثَل
You are the one by whose might
You by whose might,
the throne of unbelievers is toppled.
The throne of the defiant shakes.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who كُلُّall كباthe rams (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي كُلُّ كبا
شِrams (end) الكفرِof unbelief انif صالَhe charged بَتَلhe severed
شِ الكفرِ ان صالَ بَتَل
You are the one who cleaves all the rams
You, every obstinate disbeliever,
of unbelief when he charges.
If he meets you is tried.
أَنتَyou الَّذيthe one who علياكَyour exalted rank عَسيdifficult (start)
أَنتَ الَّذي علياكَ عَسي
رٌdifficult (end) فَاِرضَso be content مِنّيfrom me بِالجُملwith broad outlines
رٌ فَاِرضَ مِنّي بِالجُمل
You are the one whose heights are hard to attain;
You, whom I am compelled,
so accept these broad outlines from me.
Despite my inadequacy, to carry what I cannot shoulder.
هذاthis وَكمand how many مِنof خَبَرٍan account
هذا وَكم مِن خَبَرٍ
تَرَكتُهُI left it out لاnot يُحتَمَلcan be encompassed
تَرَكتُهُ لا يُحتَمَل
This—and how many accounts
And how many reports,
have I left untold, too much to encompass!
I omitted impossible to bear.
هدىguided اِلَيهِtoward him المُصطَفىthe Chosen One
هدى اِلَيهِ المُصطَفى
مَنwhoever كانَhad ذاpossessing قَلبٍa heart وَدلand pointed the way
مَن كانَ ذا قَلبٍ وَدل
The Chosen One guided toward him
The Chosen One guided,
anyone with a heart, and pointed the way.
Whoever had a receptive heart.
فَهاكَهاso take it قَلائِداًas necklaces
فَهاكَها قَلائِداً
كَأَنَّهاas though they بيضُfair maidens of الكَللthe canopies
كَأَنَّها بيضُ الكَلل
So take it as necklaces,
So accept them as necklaces,
as though they were fair maidens beneath canopies:
Like pure pearls.
خَرائِداًvirginal beauties قَدalready غُنِيَتwere made self-sufficient
خَرائِداً قَد غُنِيَت
بِكُحلِهِنَّby their own kohl عَنinstead of كَحَلfurther eye-darkening
بِكُحلِهِنَّ عَن كَحَل
virginal beauties made self-sufficient
Well-knit strands, enriched,
by their own kohl, needing no further darkening.
By their kohl without need of kohl.
سُيوفُهاits swords ماصِيَةٌpiercing
سُيوفُها ماصِيَةٌ
فيagainst الناصِبينthe enemies of Ali لاnot تُفلare blunted
في الناصِبين لا تُفل
Its swords are piercing
Their swords piercing,
against the Nasibis, never blunted.
The hostile ones, never missing.
كَمhow many مِنof وَلِيٍّa loyal follower لَكُمُof yours
كَم مِن وَلِيٍّ لَكُمُ
يَسمَعُهاhe hears it وَقَدand already حَجَلleaped for joy
يَسمَعُها وَقَد حَجَل
How many loyal followers of yours
How many loyalists hear them,
hear it and leap for joy!
And are amazed.
وَكمand how many دِعِيٍّa pretender عِندَماwhen
وَكم دِعِيٍّ عِندَما
يُنشَدُهاit is recited to him يَلقىhe meets الخَجَلshame
يُنشَدُها يَلقى الخَجَل
And how many a pretender, when
And how many supplicants, whenever,
it is recited to him, meets with shame!
Recited, encounters embarrassment.
يَمرَحُrejoices مَنwhoever تُروىit is recited لَهُto him
يَمرَحُ مَن تُروى لَهُ
مِنwith غَيرِno سُكرٍdrunkenness وَثَمَلand intoxication
مِن غَيرِ سُكرٍ وَثَمَل
Whoever hears it recited rejoices
One who is narrated them rejoices,
without drunkenness or intoxication.
Without intoxication or answers.
يَعلَمُhe knows أَنَّthat خاطِريmy imagination
يَعلَمُ أَنَّ خاطِري
قَدalready ماسَswayed proudly فيهاthrough it وَرَفلand trailed its robes
قَد ماسَ فيها وَرَفل
He knows that my imagination
He knows my thoughts,
has swayed proudly through it and trailed its robes.
Grazed in it and was gentle.
اِذsince عَجَزَتfell short بِقُربِهاnear it
اِذ عَجَزَت بِقُربِها
وَبُعدِهاand far from it الشُمُّthe lofty ones الأُوَلthe ancients
وَبُعدِها الشُمُّ الأُوَل
For, both near to it
For the elite were unable to attain it,
and far from it, the lofty ancients fell short.
Despite narrating the length.
فَلاso not الكُمَيتُal-Kumayt نالَهاattained it
فَلا الكُمَيتُ نالَها
وَقدand indeed رَوىhe recited تِلكَthose الطُوَلlong poems
وَقد رَوى تِلكَ الطُوَل
Not even al-Kumayt attained it,
And how far from it is the donkey,
though he recited those long poems.
If he strived and journeyed.
وَأَينَand where مِنهاbeside it الحميَريal-Himyari (start)
وَأَينَ مِنها الحميَري
يُal-Himyari (end) اِنeven if سَعىhe strives وَاِنand even if رَملhe trots
يُ اِن سَعى وَاِن رَمل
And where beside it stands al-Himyari,
If written in essence of maidens,
even if he strives and even if he trots?
It would be found difficult.
لَوif كُتِبَتit were written فيin مُقَلthe eyes of الthe (article)
لَو كُتِبَت في مُقَل ال
حورِhouris لَكانَit would indeed be يُستَقَلdeemed too little
حورِ لَكانَ يُستَقَل
If it were inscribed in the eyes of
Ibn Abbad came with it,
houris, even that would be deemed too little.
From an improvised thought.
جاءَcame اِبنُthe son of عَبّادٍAbbad بِهاwith it
جاءَ اِبنُ عَبّادٍ بِها
عَنfrom خاطرٍa mind قَدalready اِرتَجَلimprovised
عَن خاطرٍ قَد اِرتَجَل
Ibn Abbad brought it forth
If told: do you want by it,
from a mind that improvised it.
A means? I said yes.
اِنif قيلَit were said هَلdo? (question) تَبغيyou seek بِهاthrough it
اِن قيلَ هَل تَبغي بِها
وَسيلَةًa means of approach قُلتُI said أَجَلyes
وَسيلَةً قُلتُ أَجَل
If asked whether I seek through it
I build by it a means,
a means of approach, I answer: Yes.
For the day death comes to me.
أَبنيI build بِهاthrough it وَسيلَةًa means of approach
أَبني بِها وَسيلَةً
لِيَومِfor the day يَأتينيcomes to me الاِجلthe appointed end
لِيَومِ يَأتيني الاِجل
I build through it a means of approach
for the day my appointed end comes to me.
Partial English translation: 192 of 194 Arabic lines translated.