سل الأفق من أبدى النجوم به زهر… — Shehab Al Din Al Khalouf

سل الأفق من أبدى النجوم به زهراء

وأجرى بفيض الدمع في دوحه نهرا

Ask the horizon who revealed the stars within it, radiant,

and made a river flow through its grove with overflowing tears;

ومدّ يراع القطب من فوق دلوه

وجدد في لوح الدجى أحرف الشعرا

who stretched the pole-star's reed pen above its bucket,

and renewed Sirius's letters on the tablet of darkness;

ومن ناط بالبدر الثريا مشنفا

ورسم الثريا أنها تكنف البدرا

who hung the Pleiades upon the full moon as an earring,

and depicted the Pleiades surrounding the full moon;

وأورد دهم الليل بحر نهاره

وأرصدها شهبا محجبة غرا

who led night's black steeds into the sea of its day,

and stationed them as veiled, shining meteors;

وأطلع وجه الشمس من خلف حجبها

وصور بالغيم الرقيق لها سترا

who brought forth the sun's face from behind its veils,

and fashioned it a curtain of delicate cloud;

وأضرم جمر البرق من ماء مزنه

وكيف وطبع الماء أن يطفىء الجمرا

who kindled lightning's embers from his raincloud's water—

and how, when water's nature is to extinguish embers?

وأمهر بكر الأرض در الحيا ومن

يريد افتضاض البكر فليجزل المهرا

Who gave earth's virgin bride rain's pearls as dowry? Whoever

wishes to deflower a virgin must lavish the dowry.

وأرضع ثدي المزن مولد زهره

ترى الرأس منه شاب والعارض اخضرا

Who suckled newborn blossoms at the raincloud's breast?

You see their heads grow white, their cheeks green.

وشقق جيب الروض عن نحر نهده

فأوسع بذا جيبا وأتلع بذا نحرا

Who split the garden's neckline over its swelling breast,

widening its opening and lengthening its neck;

وألبس هام الدوح تاج أزاهر

وسربل عطف الأيك أثوابه الخضرا

who dressed the treetops in a crown of blossoms,

and clothed the thicket's flanks in its green garments;

وصاغ لساق الغصن خلخال جدول

وقلد جيد البانة التبر والدرا

who fashioned a stream as an anklet for the branch's leg,

and hung gold and pearls around the ban-tree's neck;

وعقرب صدغ الآس في خد روضه

أرت صرح أفق أطلع الأنجم الزهرا

who curled the myrtle's temple-lock upon its garden's cheek?

It displayed a sky's palace bringing forth radiant stars.

وفضفض ثغر الزهر فافتر ضاحكا

وذهب خد الورد فاحمر واصفر وبرقع

Who opened the blossom's mouth, and it parted in laughter;

gilded the rose's cheek, which reddened and yellowed; and veiled

وجه النهر بالنور فانجلى

وغازل لحظ النرجس الغض فازورا

the river's face with light, whereupon it shone;

and flirted with the fresh narcissus's gaze, which turned aside;

وخضب راحات القرنفل فاغتدت

معاصمه خضرا وأنمله حمرا

and dyed the carnation's palms, so that

its wrists became green and its fingertips red;

وطرز بالفيروز أكمام وردة

أرت أصحن الياقوت مملوءة تبرا

and embroidered a rose's sleeves with turquoise?

It displayed ruby bowls filled with gold.

وأوقف جيش الزهر في موكب الربا

ومن عقد الخابور ألويه صفرا

Who stationed the flower army in the hills' procession,

and bound yellow banners of khabur flowers;

وسل من الأنهار في روضها ظبا

وهز من الأغصان في دوحها سمرا

and drew sword-blades from rivers in their gardens,

and brandished brown spears from branches in their groves;

وضمر خيل الريح في حلبة السما

وحوزها خصل السباق لدى المجرى

and trained the wind's horses in heaven's racecourse,

and made them win the racing prizes upon the course?

خليلي ما للبين عذب ناظري

فلا عبرة ترقى ولا مقلة تكرى

My two friends, why has separation tormented my eyes?

No tear subsides, and no eye sleeps.

وما للهوى العذرى أضنى حشاشتي

فلا علة تشفى ولا صحة تسرى

Why has chaste love wasted my life's essence?

No sickness heals, and no health spreads.

وما لدواعي البين أتلفنني أسى

فلا سلوة تزجى ولا حيلة تدرى

Why have separation's summons destroyed me with grief?

No consolation is offered, and no remedy is known.

وما بال فيض الدمع أغرق وجنتي

على أنه في باطني أشعل الجمرا

Why has the flood of tears drowned my cheeks,

although within me it has kindled embers?

وما بال قلبي كلما شفه الضنى

تذكر من يهوى وأني له الذكرى

Why does my heart, whenever wasting sickness consumes it,

remember its beloved—and how can remembrance avail it?

وما بال دمعي إذ شكا السهد لحظه

يوقع في خدّي على رسمه بحرا

Why do my tears, when their eyes complain of sleeplessness,

inscribe upon my cheeks, in their accustomed pattern, a sea?

فهل فيكما خل يعير فؤادهُ

فقد ضل لما قمت أنشده الصبرا

Is there among you a friend who would lend his heart?

Mine went astray when I began seeking patience from it.

أما وغيوم من دموع تأوّلت

فبينا ترى منها عقيقا ترى درا

Indeed, by clouds of tears that changed their appearance:

while you see carnelian from them, you see pearls;

ووصل تقضى بين سلع وحاجحر

بمحضر عيش ما ألذ وما أملا

and by a union spent between Salʿ and Hajhar,

amid a life—how delightful, how full!

لقد شاقني في الأفق مبسم بارق

بكيت على حكم الضبابة فافترا

A lightning-flash's smiling mouth upon the horizon stirred my longing.

I wept under the mist's sway, and it parted in a smile.

وجر على الأكمام مذهب ذيله

وجرّد في الآفاق أسيافه البترا

It trailed its gilded hem over the sleeves,

and unsheathed its cleaving swords across the horizons;

وأذكى بفحم الغيم شعلة لمعة

وأرسل في خد الربا دمعه قطرا

it kindled a flashing flame with the clouds' charcoal,

and sent its tears as rain upon the hills' cheek.

كما هاجني تغريد قمري بأنه

تغنى فهز البان أعطافه سكرا

Likewise, a turtledove's warbling stirred me, for it

sang, and the ban-tree swayed its flanks in intoxication.

وخضّب كفيه ووشى جناحه

وكحل عينيه كما كلل الصدرا

It dyed its two hands and embroidered its wing,

darkened its eyes with kohl and adorned its breast;

ولثم بالإبريز واشتمل الضيا

رداء وبالديجور قد قلد النحرا

veiled itself in pure gold and wrapped itself in radiance

as a cloak, while hanging deep darkness about its neck.

وأنشد مذموم النوى فوق عوده

وحرر في العشاق مختكة الأغرا

It sang of blameworthy separation upon its branch,

and composed among lovers [wording unclear].

وغنّى حجازا فاقتسمناه بيننا

فينبعه دمعي ومقلته الحورا

It sang Hijaz, which we divided between us:

its Yanbuʿ was my tears, and its al-Hawra its bright eye;

وقلبي خليص والأضالع منحني

ومهجته الرهنا وناظري أكرا

my heart was Khulays, my ribs al-Munhani;

its soul was al-Rahna, and my eyes Akra.

أقمري إن لم تدر في الحب راحة

سوى أدمع تدري فجفني بها أدرى

O turtledove, if you know no repose in love

except flowing tears, my eyelids know them better.

وإن قلت أن الحب صحته ضنى

فجسمي بها اولى وقلبي به أحرى

And if you say that love's health is wasting sickness,

my body deserves that more, and my heart is fitter for it.

أجب سل قل آسمع عز هز سرا رقم

أقل صن خذ آمنع وف ثم أحر تمرا

Answer, ask, say, listen, console, shake, travel by night, inscribe;

pardon, preserve, take, withhold, fulfill, then kindle [ending unclear];

وفوف أجد خذ اعط زرهن تنح صل

وغيب أبق أم كف زرغب سد مرا

and embellish, excel, take, give, [unclear], withdraw, unite;

and conceal, spare, seek, desist, [unclear], close, pass;

وموه تصب واسقم تصح ومن تعش

وغض ترى واحزن تسمر وجع تشرى

and disguise—you will succeed; sicken—you will recover; bestow—you will live;

and lower your gaze—you will see; grieve—you will converse by night; hunger—you will be bought.

وبي غادة كالشمس هزة قوامها

ولم أر شمسا تهصر الغصن النظر

I am possessed by a graceful maiden, like the sun in her swaying figure;

yet I have never seen a sun bending a tender branch.

مهاة سبى أسد الثرى سحر لحظها

وما غيرها روت به نفث السحرى

An oryx whose glance's magic captured earth's lions:

none but she related the sorcerers' whispered spells through it.

فتاة رداح ناهد عاتق طلا

لعوب عروب عانس غادة عذرا

A maiden, full-hipped, budding-breasted, young, a fawn,

playful, affectionate, marriageable, graceful, a virgin.

فتنت بها ما بين عشر لواحد

فكيف بها من بعد ما حاورت عشرا

I was bewitched by her between ten and one;

how then after she had conversed with ten?

تحذر بالإغراء أحشاء مهجتي

ويا ليتها غذ حذرت لم تكن تغرى

She warns my soul's innermost parts by enticing them—

would that, when warning, she had not enticed!

وقد جزمت بالكسر حشاشتي

وهل صح بيت لازم الجزم والكسرا

She has cut off my life's essence by breaking it—

can a verse stand sound while bound to cutting and breaking?

كما رفعت أعطافها الشعر واغتدت

تجرّره يا من رأى رافعا جرا

Her swaying flanks raised her hair, and then

she dragged it—who has seen raising produce dragging?

بدت فارتد الظبي والبان والنقا

وشمس الضحى والليل والنجم والفجرا

She appeared, and the gazelle, ban-tree, and sandhills retreated,

as did the morning sun, night, stars, and dawn.

فهل شمت أسنى من تبسمها سنا

وهل خلت أحلى من محاسنها بدرا

Have you seen radiance brighter than her smile?

Have you imagined a moon sweeter than her beauties?

تغاممت كي أشفى ببارد ريقها

وكيف وبرد الريق أورثني حرا

I feigned distress to be healed by her cool saliva—

yet how, when its coolness bequeathed me heat?

تصيّر سكب الدمع في صحن وجنتي

على أنّ في فيها المكرر والقطر

She makes tears pour upon the broad surface of my cheeks,

although her mouth contains refined sweetness and syrup.

وتجزم الا تجبر الكسر بعدما

صدعت حصاة القلب في حبها كسرا

She resolves not to mend the break after

shattering the heart's stone through love of her.

رمتني بسهم الهجر من بعد وصلها

وما خلت أن الوصل يعقبن هجرا

She shot me with estrangement's arrow after union;

I never imagined union would be followed by estrangement.

وكانت تحيانا على القرب والنوى

تطيب على مر الزمان الذي مرا

She used to greet us in nearness and separation,

growing sweet through the bitterness of passing time.

وقد مر ما قضيت من صبوة حلت

بعيشك هل يحلو لنفسك ما مرا

The sweet youthful passion I spent has passed;

by your life, can what turned bitter taste sweet to your soul?

وسابق وجدي البرق والدمع والحيا

فيا وجد ما أسرى ويا دمع ما أجرى

My passion raced lightning, tears, and rain:

O passion, how swiftly you travel by night! O tears, how swiftly you flow!

وألف طير الحب وكر حشاشتي

ولا عجب للطير أن يالف الوكرا

Love's bird grew familiar with the nest of my life's essence;

no wonder a bird grows familiar with its nest.

وما أجمل السلوان بي غير أنني

ضمنت لها أن لا أزل بها أغرى

How fitting forgetfulness would be for me—except that

I promised her never to cease being infatuated with her.

وقلت لقاس لام في لين عطفها

تلين إذا ماست وتلتمس العذرا

I told a hard-hearted man who blamed her supple flank:

You would soften when she swayed, and seek an excuse.

سقى الدمع أكناف المحصب من منى

وأقلل به دمعا ولو كاثر البحرا

May tears water al-Muhassab's outskirts in Mina—

how scant such tears, even if they rivaled the sea!

وجاد الكرى والخيف والشعب واللوا

وباب الصفى والبيت والركن والحجرا

May they rain generously upon al-Kara, al-Khayf, al-Shiʿb, and al-Liwa,

the gate of al-Safa, the House, the Corner, and the Stone;

وبلغ مسعاها تحية مغرم

يظل بها محبا ويمسي بها مغرى

and convey to her place of walking a lover's greeting,

who remains loving her by day and enthralled by evening;

وروى بوبل سفح مروتها التي

زوت عن شذى ريا الأحية لي ذكرا

and drench with downpour the foot of her Marwa, which

withheld from me a remembrance of the living ones' fragrant scent [wording unclear];

وصافح عني البان والرند واللقا

وأثل النقا والشيخ والطلح والسدرا

and greet on my behalf the ban-trees, laurels, and al-Laqa,

the sandhills' tamarisks, wormwood, acacias, and lote-trees:

معالم جر الحسن فيها رداءة

فأهدى لها نشرا وأبدت له بشرى

landmarks where beauty trailed its cloak,

giving them fragrance, while they offered it glad tidings.

وقاد بها عرف الصبا نجب غيمة

فارشفها شهدا وانشقها عطرا

The east wind's fragrance led cloud-camels there:

sip it as honey and breathe it as perfume.

وشمر فيها الروض أكمام زهره

ودبجها خدا وطيبها ثغرا

There the garden rolled up its blossoms' sleeves,

embroidering them as cheeks and perfuming them as mouths.

فيا ليت شعري هل أرى البان والحمى

فاقطع ذا لثما وأعطف ذا هصرا

Would that I knew whether I shall see the ban-trees and sanctuary,

covering one with kisses and bending the other in an embrace!

وهل لي إلى سفح المفرح أوبة

فيفرح قلب لازم الحزن والضرا

Shall I return to the foot of al-Mufarrih,

so a heart bound to sorrow and suffering may rejoice?

وهل أكحل الأجفان من ترب يثرب

وهل أنشق الأناف من طيبها نشرا

Shall I line my eyelids with Yathrib's dust?

Shall I breathe its fragrance into my nostrils?

وأبذل روحي للمبشر باللقا

وأهون بروحي أن تكون له بشرى

Shall I give my soul to the bearer of reunion's good news?

How cheap my soul, if it becomes his reward!

وأبسط ثغري ثم خدّي لنعله

وقل له أن أبسط الخد والثغرا

Shall I spread my mouth, then my cheek, beneath his sandal?

Little enough for him that I offer cheek and mouth.

وتشهد عيني قبر أفضل مرسل

وطوبى لعين شاهدت ذلك القبرا

Shall my eyes behold the finest messenger's grave?

Blessed is an eye that has beheld that grave!

ولم لا وفيه حل من حل مرتقى

وأنارت به الأكوان في ليلة الإسرا

Why not? There dwells he who reached an exalted ascent,

through whom the worlds shone on the Night Journey.

وأبدأ بالتسليم مختتما له

بمحب صلاة تعجز الحد والحصرا

I begin with greetings, concluding them for him

with a lover's blessings beyond limit or counting.

وأدعو يا خير البرية كلها

وأشرفهم وضعا وأرفعهم قدرا

I call: O best of all creation,

noblest in station and highest in worth;

وأوسعهم جاها وأبهرهم سنا

وأعظمهم مجدا وأكبرهم فخرا

broadest in standing and most dazzling in radiance;

greatest in glory and mightiest in honor;

وأبعدهم غيظا وأقربهم رضا

وأصوبهم نهيا وأوصلهم أمرا

furthest from wrath and nearest to contentment;

wisest in forbidding and most effective in commanding;

وأنجزهم وعدا وأسمعهم ندى

وأرثقهم عهدا وأنقذهم أسرى

truest in promises and most renowned in generosity;

firmest in covenant and greatest rescuer of captives;

وأورعهم زهدا وأبينهم هدى

والزهم حمدا وأكثرهم شكرا

most scrupulous in abstinence and clearest in guidance;

most constant in praise and most abundant in thanks;

وأجملهم فعلا وأجمعهم تقى

وأصدقهم قولا وأوضحهم بشرا

fairest in deeds and most complete in piety;

truest in speech and brightest in cheerfulness;

وأثبتهم جاشا وأمضاهم ظبا

وأقواهم جسما وأنفذهم سمرا

steadfastest in spirit and sharpest in sword-blades;

strongest in body and most penetrating in spears;

وأخشعهم قلبا وأنفهم دعا

وأطهرهم نفسا وأسلمهم صدرا

humblest in heart and noblest in supplication;

purest in soul and soundest in breast;

وأصبحهم وجها وأسبحهم يدا

وأفصحهم نطقا وأصوبهم فكرا

fairest in face and most generous of hand;

most eloquent in speech and soundest in thought;

وأبرعهم علما وأكملهم حجى

وأحسنهم وصفا وأطيبهم ذكرا

most accomplished in knowledge and fullest in understanding;

finest in description and sweetest in remembrance;

وأولهم خلقا وأظهرهم صفا

وآخرهم بعثا وأفضلهم خبرا

first in creation and clearest in purity;

last in being sent and best in tidings.

ألست النبي المصطفى النور أحمدا

أبا القاسم الهادي الشفيع الرضا البرا

Are you not the chosen Prophet, the light, Ahmad,

Abu al-Qasim, guide, intercessor, pleasing and righteous?

ألست الهدي النور الفتى الكامل التقي

محمد أسول المنى المرتجى الذخرا

Are you not guidance and light, the perfect, pious man,

Muhammad, the sought-for desire, the hoped-for treasure?

ألست الذي بالخاتم استفتح النهى

فكنت ختاما فاتحا مصطفى برا

Are you not he who opened understanding with the seal,

becoming a seal, an opener, chosen and righteous?

ألست رسول الله والخيرة الذي

بعثت لتدعو للهدى السود والحمرا

Are you not God's Messenger, the chosen one who

was sent to call black and red alike to guidance?

ألست خليل الله والحاشر الذي

على قدميه الناس قد قدموا الحشرا

Are you not God's intimate friend, the Gatherer, at whose

feet people have advanced to the gathering?

ألست حبيب الله والصفوة الذي

أنارت بك الدنيا وأزهرت الأخرى

Are you not God's beloved, the elect one through whom

this world shone and the next blossomed?

ألست الذي في الكتب نعتك قد بدا

بمدح تلته في صحائفها الغرا

Are you not he whose description appeared in the scriptures,

in praise recited upon their radiant pages?

ألست الذي أنبأ سطيح بنعته

وشق وسعد وابن جدل وذو نجرا

Are you not he whose description Satih foretold,

and Shiqq, Saʿd, Ibn Jadal, and Dhu Najra?

ألست الذي لما توالد أشرقت

له الأرض حتى عاينت أمه بصرى

Are you not he at whose birth the earth

shone, until his mother beheld Busra?

ألست الذي لما تبدى تساقطت

لرؤيته الأصنام وانصدعت ذكرا

Are you not he at whose appearance

the idols fell at seeing him and split [ending unclear]?

ألست الذي غاضت لفائض نوره

بحيرة ساوى بعدما قد جرت دهرا

Are you not he whose overflowing light drained

Lake Sawa after it had flowed for ages?

ألست الذي قاد النجاشي إلى الهدى

وأخمد نارا كان يعبدها كسرى

Are you not he who led the Negus to guidance,

and extinguished a fire Kisra had worshipped?

ألست الذي نادى حليمة سعدها

لإرضاعك المهدى لها اليمن والبشرى

Are you not he whose good fortune called Halima

to nurse you, bringing her blessing and glad tidings?

ألست الذي قد شق جبريل قلبه

وأودع ما لصبحت منه به أحرى

Are you not he whose heart Gabriel opened,

depositing in it what made you worthier [wording unclear]?

الست الذي أسرى بك الله للعلا

فبوركت من سار وبورك من أسرى

Are you not he whom God carried by night to the heights?

Blessed were you who traveled, and blessed was He who conveyed you.

ألست الذي جد البراق به السرى

إلى المسجد الأقصى إلى المحفل الأسرى

Are you not he whom al-Buraq swiftly carried by night

to the Farthest Mosque, to the loftiest assembly?

ألست الذي قد جاوز الحجب ارتقا

إلى أن رأى من ربه الآية الكبرى

Are you not he who passed beyond the veils, ascending,

until he saw his Lord's greatest sign?

ألست الذي أعطيت حسما ولم تكن

لتعطي نبيا قبل أعظم بها قدرا

Are you not he who was given decisiveness, never

previously given to a prophet—how great its worth!

ألست الذي أضحت لك الأرض مسجدا

طهورا وأمسى الصحب من لمسه غرا

Are you not he for whom the earth became a mosque

and a means of purification, whose touch made companions radiant?

ألست الذي حلت له بمكة الغرا

ولولاه ما حلت بعقد الهدى نجرا

Are you not he for whom it became lawful in splendid Mecca,

without whom it would not have been lawful through guidance's bond [ending unclear]?

ألست الذي بالرعب أرهبت من طغى

مسيرة شهر والتزمت به النصرا

Are you not he who terrified transgressors with dread

a month's journey away, securing victory through it?

ألست الذي إن هجر الحر والتظى

تقيه ظلال الغيم مهما مشى الحرا

Are you not he whom, when midday heat blazed,

cloud-shadows sheltered from heat wherever he walked?

ألست الذي نجى الغزالة منهما

وقد ردها بعد الغروب إلى المجرى

Are you not he who saved the gazelle from them,

and returned it after sunset to its course?

ألست الذي لاذ البعير بجاهه

فعاد قرير العين لم يختش النحرا

Are you not he in whose standing the camel sought refuge,

returning content, no longer fearing slaughter?

ألست الذي أنبأ به الذئب إذ سعى

لإدراك ظبي فاز بالأمن إذ فرا

Are you not he whom the wolf announced as it pursued

a gazelle that won safety when it fled?

ألست الذي قد صدق الضب قوله

وزاد حنين الجذع إذ سيما الصبرا

Are you not he whose words the lizard confirmed,

while the trunk's yearning increased when patience was demanded?

ألست الذي في كفه سبح الحصى

وأورق فيها الغصن وانبجست بحرا

Are you not he in whose palm pebbles praised God,

a branch put forth leaves, and a sea gushed forth?

ألست الذي في الرمل لم يبد مشية

وأثر ذاك المشي إذ وطى الصخرا

Are you not he whose footsteps did not appear in sand,

yet left their marks when he trod upon rock?

ألست الذي قد نزه الله ظله

بأن لا يرى ملقى على الأرض إذ مرا

Are you not he whose shadow God exalted,

so it was not seen cast upon the earth as he passed?

ألست الذي بالصاغ أشبع جيشه الكثير

فلم يخشوا لمخمصة ضرا

Are you not he who fed his great army with a measure,

so they feared no harm from hunger?

ألست الذي قد غادر الملح سلسلا

بقفلة ريق لا أجاجا ولا مرا

Are you not he who made salty water sweet and flowing

with a little saliva, neither briny nor bitter?

ألست الذي انقادت له الشجر التي

دعاها وضرع الشاة من لمسه درا

Are you not he whom the trees obeyed when

he summoned them, and whose touch made the ewe's udder flow?

ألست الذي أعطى قتادة في دجى ال

مطيرة عرجونا أضاء له عشرا

Are you not he who gave Qatada, in the darkness of a

rainy night, a palm-stalk that lit ten for him?

ألست الذي الأحجار صلت وسلمت

عليه وقد أبدى الجلال لها السرا

Are you not he upon whom stones invoked blessings and peace,

when Majesty revealed the secret to them?

ألست الذي أبرى بنفثته العمى

وأشفى بها الجرحى وردّ بها الكسرا

Are you not he whose breathed blessing cured blindness,

healed the wounded, and mended broken limbs?

ألست الذي اسدى بدعوته الحيا

وأحيا بها الموتى وأغنى بها الفقرا

Are you not he whose prayer bestowed rain,

revived the dead, and enriched the poor?

ألست الذي قد رد عين قتادة

ووقيتها حرا وارسلها نظرا

Are you not he who restored Qatada's eye,

protected it from heat, and sent it forth seeing?

ألست الذي استدعى لنصرته الصبا

فهبت بفتح جاء بعتقب النصرا

Are you not he who summoned the east wind to aid him?

It blew with a conquest followed by victory.

ألست الذي عادت براحته العصا

حساما ومنها أطعم البر والتمرا

Are you not he in whose palm a staff became

a sword, and from whose palm wheat and dates were fed?

ألست الذي جاءت قريش لغدره

بكيد فلم يخش المكيدة والغدرا

Are you not he whom Quraysh came to betray

through scheming, yet he feared neither scheme nor treachery?

ألست الذي أنبأتهم إذ تآكلت

صحيفتهم فازداد جاحدهم شرا

Are you not he who informed them when

their document was eaten away, increasing their denier's wickedness?

الست الذي أعطيت في الجسم قوة

صرعت بأدناها ركانتهم قهرا

Are you not he who was granted bodily strength,

with whose smallest portion you forcibly felled their Rukana?

ألست الذي أردى أبيا وقد طغى

بطعنة رمح لم تكن تخطئ النحرا

Are you not he who slew Ubayy when he transgressed,

with a spear-thrust that did not miss his throat?

ألست الذي في الغار نجاه ربه

وصير نسج العنكبوت له سترا

Are you not he whom his Lord saved in the cave,

making the spider's web a curtain for him?

ألست الذي لما أتاه سراقة

لمكر فساخ الطرف إذ أزمغ المكرا

Are you not he whom Suraqa approached

with deceit, his horse sinking when he resolved on his scheme?

ألست الذي أخبرت عن قول عتبة

وقد قام ينهي القوم إذ صبحوا بدرا

Are you not he who reported ʿUtba's words

as he stood restraining the people when they reached Badr at dawn?

ألست الذي أنبأ فضالة غذ أتى

لأمر يرجيه فأوضحته الأمرا

Are you not he who informed Fadala when he came

seeking an undertaking, making the matter plain to him?

ألست الذي من كيد فرعونه نجا

وقد قام يرمي فوقَ هامته الصخرا

Are you not he who escaped his Pharaoh's scheme,

as that man stood casting a rock above his head?

ألست الذي حياه في بدر بالرضا

ومن أجله قد شق في مكة القمرا

Are you not he whom He greeted with favor at Badr,

and for whose sake split the moon in Mecca?

ألست الذي قد قال في خيبر غدا

أنيل اللوا من يعرف الكر لا الفرا

Are you not he who said at Khaybar, 'Tomorrow

I shall give the banner to one who knows attack, not flight'?

ألست الذي في الطائف اعتز نصره

وفي أحد قد وحد الدين إذ كرا

Are you not he whose victory gained strength at al-Taʾif,

and who affirmed religion at Uhud when he charged?

ألست الذي دانت يهود قريظة

لعسكره إذ جرد البيض والسمرا

Are you not he to whose army Qurayza's Jews

submitted when it unsheathed bright swords and brown spears?

ألست الذي في الخندق اتضح أمره

وعز به نصرا وأبدى به أمرا

Are you not he whose cause became clear at the Trench,

where victory grew mighty and an undertaking was revealed?

ألست الذي أوهى مريسع سيفه

ويوم حنين ألبس الجاحد الذعرا

Are you not he whose sword weakened Muraysiʿ,

and who clothed the denier in terror on Hunayn's day?

ألست الذي في فتح مكة شخصه

تردى رداء الحمد واتشح الشكرا

Are you not he whose person, at Mecca's conquest,

wore praise as a cloak and gratitude as a mantle?

ألست الذي في البر قد مد أبحرا

بجرد تلاع تحسن المد والزجرا

Are you not he who spread seas upon dry land

with sleek, long-necked steeds adept at advancing and answering commands?

ألست الذي قاد الصحابة للوغى

فحلوا عرى الأعداء إذ عقدوا الأزرا

Are you not he who led the companions into battle?

They loosened the enemies' bonds when those tightened their girdles.

ألست الذي جاءت ملائكة الرضا

لنصرته إذ عبس الكفر واغبرا

Are you not he whom angels of favor came

to support when unbelief scowled and grew dust-darkened?

ألست الذي بالصدق خص عتيقه

أبا بكر الصديق شيخ التقى البرا

Are you not he who distinguished his ʿAtiq with truth,

Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, the righteous elder of piety?

ألست الذي قد أيد الله دينه

بصاحبه الفاروق لما أفلى السرا

Are you not he whose religion God strengthened

through his companion al-Faruq, when he disclosed the secret?

ألست الذي استحي وقد جانحوه

أبو عمرو عثمان الفتى الصاحب الصهرا

Are you not he who showed modesty when approached—

by Abu Amr Uthman, the man, companion, and son-in-law?

ألست الذي تحت الكسا ضم إذ دعا

علا ونجليه وفاطمة الزهرا

Are you not he who gathered beneath the cloak, when praying,

Ali, his two sons, and Fatima al-Zahra?

ألست الذي قد شد مولاه أزره

بحمزة والعباس أشدد به أزرا

Are you not he whose Master strengthened his support

through Hamza and al-Abbas—how strong that support!

ألست الذي أرسلت للصحب أنعما

كما أرسلت للأرض ريح الصبا القطرا

Are you not he who sent favors to the companions,

as the east wind sent rain to the earth?

ألست الذي نجى الله في الموضع الذي

أبى الله أن يعلى على قدره قدرا

Are you not he whom God saved in the place where

God refused that any rank should rise above his?

ألست الذي أحيا به الله آدما

وتاب عليه إذ بك التمس الغفرا

Are you not he through whom God gave Adam life,

and pardoned him when he sought forgiveness through you?

ألست الذي حيا به شيت فاعتلى

وبرا إدريسا مكانا به اثرى

Are you not he through whom Seth lived and rose high,

and Idris was favored with a place enriched through him?

ألست الذي نجى به نوح إذ علت

سفينته الطوفان تلتمس المجرى

Are you not he through whom Noah was saved when

his ship rose above the flood, seeking its course?

ألست الذي نجّى به هود إذ أتت

على عاد ريح أهلكت جمعهم قصرا

Are you not he through whom Hud was saved when

a wind struck ʿAd, utterly destroying their company?

ألست الذي نجي به صالح وقد

اباد الذي أفتى بناقته عقرا

Are you not he through whom Salih was saved, while

He destroyed the one who ordered his she-camel hamstrung?

ألست الذي نجى الإله خليله

به من لظى النمرود إذ أضرمت شهرا

Are you not he through whom God saved His intimate friend

from Nimrod's blaze, kindled for a month?

ألست الذي نجى به لوط عندما

بغى قومه الأضلال واستحسنوا النكرا

Are you not he through whom Lot was saved when

his erring people transgressed and approved abomination?

ألست الذي إسماعيل لولاه ما افتدى

بذبح عظيم واستسن به النحرا

Are you not he without whom Ishmael would not have been ransomed

with a mighty sacrifice, establishing slaughter as a practice?

ألست الذي نادى به اسحاق به

فنال الرضا والفوز والأمن والصبرا

Are you not he through whom Isaac called, through him,

winning favor, success, safety, and patience?

ألست الذي نجا به الله يوسفا

وأعقب يعقوب القميص الذي سرا

Are you not he through whom God saved Joseph,

and brought Jacob the shirt that traveled by night?

ألست الذي زكى شعيبا بعدله

وكرم لقمان وأنجى به الخضرا

Are you not he who purified Shuayb through his justice,

honored Luqman, and through whom al-Khidr was saved?

ألست الذي قد خص هارون بالرضا

ونجى به موسى وشق له البحرا

Are you not he who distinguished Aaron with favor,

through whom Moses was saved and the sea split for him?

ألست الذي لولاه للخضر لم يقل

لصاحبه لن تستطيع معي صبرا

Are you not he without whom al-Khidr would not have said

to his companion, 'You cannot bear patiently with me'?

ألست الذي قد أوقف إذ جرت

ليوشع حتى أعطى الفتح والنصرا

Are you not he who halted it as it ran,

for Joshua, until conquest and victory were granted?

ألست الذي قد لان طوعا لسرّه

الحديد لداود فاعظم به سرا

Are you not he through whose secret

iron willingly softened for David—how mighty a secret!

ألست الذي نجى به الله عبده

سليمان من جنّ تمرّد واغترا

Are you not he through whom God saved His servant

Solomon from jinn that rebelled and grew deluded?

ألست الذي نجّى به الله يونسا

وذا الكفل والأسباط واليسع الحبرا

Are you not he through whom God saved Jonah,

Dhu al-Kifl, the Tribes, and Elisha the learned?

ألست الذي قد نال يحيى به علا

به زكريا لاذ فاحتمل النشرا

Are you not he through whom John attained eminence,

in whom Zechariah took refuge and endured being sawn?

ألست الذي عيسى به أبرا العمى

وأحيا به الموتى وأغنى به الفقرا

Are you not he through whom Jesus cured blindness,

revived the dead, and enriched the poor?

ألست الذي في الأنبياء شاع فضله

وقد أمهم طرا كما صح في الإسرا

Are you not he whose excellence spread among the prophets,

who led them all in prayer, as affirmed concerning the Night Journey?

ألست الذي في هود ثنى ذكره

فنال به النعما وحاز به الفخرا

Are you not he whose mention was repeated in Hud,

gaining blessings and obtaining honor through it?

ألست الذي في مريم اتضح اسمه

وهزت به جذعا وأوفت به نذرا

Are you not he whose name became clear in Maryam,

through whom she shook a trunk and fulfilled a vow?

ألست الذي في النور عز محله

ومنه أنال الفخر والنجم والبدرا

Are you not he whose station was exalted in al-Nur,

from whom honor reached the star and the full moon?

ألست الذي الفرقان حبر وصفه

وإن شئت تتلوها تجده به حبرا

Are you not he whose description al-Furqan adorned?

Read it, if you wish: you will find him splendid therein.

ألست الذي الأحزاب جاءت لحربه

وفيها صلاة الله خص بها جهرا

Are you not he whom the Confederates came to fight,

and who therein was publicly singled out for God's blessings?

الست الذي في الصف والحشر فضله

تكرر إذ لاقى وفيه علا قدرا

Are you not he whose excellence in al-Saff and al-Hashr

was repeated when he encountered them, rising therein in worth?

ألست الذي في نوح قد بان فخره

فشق له أبحر وأوفد له الأسرى

Are you not he whose honor became evident in Nuh,

for whom seas were split and captives brought?

ألست الذي في الجن أظهر أمره

وعنه رووا ذكرا به صدقوا الذكرى

Are you not he whose cause was revealed in al-Jinn,

from whom they related remembrance, affirming the Reminder through it?

ألست الذي الأنعام أنبت بصدقه

وإن قرئت أبدت فضائله الغرا

Are you not he whose truth al-Anʿam proclaimed,

whose radiant virtues it reveals when recited?

ألست الذي جاء الكتاب بفضله

وإن شئت فاتلوا الفتح والنجم والحجرا

Are you not he whose excellence the Book conveyed?

If you wish, recite al-Fath, al-Najm, and al-Hijr.

ألست الذي نادت به بنت حاتم

فأوسعها الجدوى وفك لها الأسرى

Are you not he whom Hatim's daughter called upon?

He lavished gifts upon her and freed her captives.

ألست الذي سمته في الشاة زينب

فأنبأه لحم الذراع به جهرا

Are you not he whom Zaynab poisoned in the sheep,

whose foreleg's flesh openly informed him of it?

ألست الذي أنبأت عائشة الرضا

بمشط لبيد إذ به صنع السحرا

Are you not he who informed the favored Aisha

of Labid's comb, with which he worked sorcery?

ألست الذي بالأمر جئت خديجة

فقالت لك أبشر يا ابن عم وسم صبرا

Are you not he who brought the matter to Khadija?

She said, 'Rejoice, cousin, and practice patience.'

ألست الذي صدقت رؤيا صفية

وقد عاينت في حجرها قمرا بدرا

Are you not he who fulfilled Safiyya's vision,

when she had seen a full moon in her lap?

ألست الذي أزاوجه أمهاتنا

وأبناؤه أبناؤنا السادة الغرا

Are you not he whose wives are our mothers,

whose sons are our sons, the radiant masters?

ألست الذي من قال للطفل من أنا

فقال رسول الله أزكى الورى فخرا

Are you not he who asked the child, 'Who am I?'

He replied, 'God's Messenger, purest of creation in honor.'

ألست الذي قد قال للصحب معلنا

أنا أكرم المخلوق طرا ولا فخرا

Are you not he who openly told the companions,

'I am the noblest of all creation, without boasting'?

ألست الذي قد قال للصحب معلنا

أنا أكرم المخلوق طرا ولا فخرا

Are you not he who openly told the companions,

'I am the noblest of all creation, without boasting'?

ألست الذي قد قال ما بين منبري

وبيتي رياض بالجنان غدا يدري

Are you not he who said that between his pulpit

and his house are gardens in Paradise, coming to be known?

ألست الذي أنبا حذيفة بالذي

يكون ومن بعد الخلاف يلي الأمرا

Are you not he who informed Hudhayfa of what

would happen, and who would rule after disagreement?

ألست الذي أنبا حذيفة بالذي

يكون ومن بعد الخلاف يلي الأمرى

Are you not he who informed Hudhayfa of what

would happen, and who would rule after disagreement?

ألست الذي أبدى لعمار ما احتفى

وأن ابن هند يرتضي للقضا عمرا

Are you not he who revealed to Ammar what was concealed,

and that Hind's son would choose Amr for judgment?

ألست الذي أمسى به كعب آمنا

وقد خاف عقبى ما به أنطق الشعرا

Are you not he through whom Kaʿb became safe,

having feared the consequences of the poetry he uttered?

الست الذي يمناه يسرى وفوده

فيالك من يمنى وجدنا بها ليسرى

Are you not he whose right hand brings ease to his delegations?

What a right hand, through which we found ease!

ألست الذي قد جانست يده الثنا

فأنعمه تغري وأوصافه تقرا

Are you not he whose hand matched his praise?

His favors entice, and his descriptions are read.

ألست الذي قد زاد نيل بنانه

فأوفى بمقياس به كسر الجبرا

Are you not he whose fingers' bounty rose,

fulfilling a measure through which tyranny was broken?

ألست الذي انجاب الظلام بنوره

فلله ما اسنى ولله ما أسرى

Are you not he whose light dispelled darkness?

By God, how radiant! By God, how he traveled by night!

ألست الذي أبقى لنا حكم معجز

أقمنا به للمدعي شاهدا برا

Are you not he who left us a miraculous pronouncement,

which we set before the claimant as a righteous witness?

ألست الذي لولاه ما اتضح الهدى

ولا جرد الإيمان ما مزق الكفرا

Are you not he without whom guidance would not have become clear,

nor faith unsheathed what tore unbelief apart?

ألست الذي لولاه ما زكت الورى

ولا عرفوا المسنون والفرض والنذرا

Are you not he without whom creation would not have been purified,

nor known prescribed practice, obligation, and vows?

ألست الذي لولاه لم يعز مسلم

ولم يعلم الإمساك والفطر والنحرا

Are you not he without whom no Muslim would have gained honor,

nor known fasting, breaking the fast, and sacrifice?

ألست الذي لولاه ما حن نازح

لمكة كي يقضي بها الحج والعمرا

Are you not he without whom no distant traveler would have longed

for Mecca, to perform pilgrimage and ʿumra there?

ألست الذي لولاه ما قام محرم

على عرفات الخير يلتمس الأجرا

Are you not he without whom no consecrated pilgrim would have stood

upon blessed Arafat, seeking reward?

الست الذي لولاه ما خاض زائر

لطيبة بحر البيد واستسهل الوعرا

Are you not he without whom no visitor would have crossed

the desert sea toward Tayba, finding ruggedness easy?

ألست الذي لولاه ما أبدع الضحى

ولا كدر الظلما ولا كون الشعرا

Are you not he without whom daylight would not have been fashioned,

nor darkness deepened, nor Sirius brought into being?

ألست الذي لولاه لم يخلق الورى

ولا العرش والكرسي والبر والبحرا

Are you not he without whom creation would not have been created,

nor the Throne, the Footstool, land, or sea?

ألست الذي ما مسني ضر حادث

ولذت به إلا وأعقبني السرا

Are you not he whom I sought whenever calamity's harm touched me,

never taking refuge in him without joy following?

ألست الذي أدعوه يا خير من رقى

ويا خير من وفى وأكرم من برا

Are you not he whom I invoke: O best of those who ascended,

best of those who kept faith, noblest of those who did good!

نعم أنت غوثي إن دجى الخطب واعتدى

وصال ووالى بالمكاره وأغبّرا

Yes, you are my rescue when calamity darkens and transgresses,

assails, follows with hardships, and grows dust-darkened.

نعم أنت سؤلي في الحياة وإن أمت

ومن نول اليسرين لا يخشى العسرا

Yes, you are my desire in life and if I die;

one granted both eases does not fear hardship.

نعم أنت طه المصطفى خير من رقى

على هامة العليا ومن وطىء الغبرا

Yes, you are Ta-Ha, the chosen, best of those who ascended

to the summit of exaltation and trod the dusty earth.

نعم أنت يس الذي بامتداحه

أتتنا فأنبت عن مكانته الغرا

Yes, you are Ya-Sin, which came to us

in your praise, proclaiming your radiant station.

نعم أنت أنت الغوث يا خير من دعا

إلى الله في الدنيا وشفع في الأخرى

Yes, you—you are the rescue, best of those who called

to God in this world and interceded in the next.

نعم أنت أنت الغوث يا خير شافع

به نرتجي الحسنى ونطرح الوزرا

Yes, you—you are the rescue, finest intercessor,

through whom we hope for goodness and cast off our burden.

حنانيك قد وافيت بابك قارعا

لتخفيف آثام ثقلت بها ظهرا

Your mercy! I have come knocking at your door

to lighten sins that have weighed heavily upon my back.

حنانيك يا برا أتاح بنانه

لوراد جر أفضله أبحرا عشرا

Your mercy, righteous one whose fingers provided

for seekers, whose bounty drew ten seas!

حنانيك يا ذا التاج والحوض واللوا

ورثت مقام الحمد والحلة الخضرا

Your mercy, possessor of the crown, the Pool, and the Banner:

you inherited the Station of Praise and the green robe.

حناينيك يا كنز العصاة ومن حوى

أيادي نداها استغرق الحمد والشكرا

Your mercy, treasure of sinners, who possesses

benefactions whose generosity encompasses praise and gratitude.

حنانيك إنّي قد قصدتك مذنبا

حقيرا فقيرا أرتجي العفو والغفرا

Your mercy! I have approached you a sinner,

lowly and poor, hoping for pardon and forgiveness.

فلا تخز من أضحى محبا ومادحا

له حسن ظن فيك قد شرح العذرا

Do not disgrace one who has become a lover and praiser,

whose good opinion of you has explained his excuse.

ولا تقص من أمسى خديما وناصحا

له شرح وصف فيك قد شرح الصدرا

Do not exclude one who has become a servant and sincere adviser,

whose exposition of your qualities has opened his breast.

فإنك بحر الجود يا فلك العلا

ولا غرو أن أهدي لك الدم والشعرا

You are generosity's sea, O orbit of exaltation;

no wonder I offer you blood and poetry:

بيوتا بها قد طال سكني مدائحي

لتبدلني بها عن كل بيت قصرا

verses, my praises, in which I have long dwelt,

that through them you may exchange each dwelling for a palace;

وبدع مديح لا يقال لأهلها

عزيز علينا أن نرى ربعكم فقرا

and original praise, whose people need not be told,

'It grieves us to see your abode impoverished.'

نمد يد التقصير عن مدحك الذي

تهاون لما مده أعجز القصرا

We stretch a hand of inadequacy toward your praise, which

was humbled: its extension made shortening powerless [wording unclear].

فكن جابرا كسرى وجد لي تكرما

فمثلك من أعطى ومن جبر الكسرا

Mend my brokenness, and generously bestow on me:

one like you gives and mends the broken.

وكن لأمير المؤمنين الذي حمى

لنا الدين بالهندي والصعدة السمرا

Support the Commander of the Faithful, who protected

our religion with the Indian sword and brown spear;

وكن عونه في المعضلات وصن به ال

خلافة وامنحه المهابة والنصرا

be his aid in difficulties, and through him preserve the

caliphate; grant him majesty and victory.

وكن غوثة يوم المعاد ونجه

من النار وارفع في الجنان له قدرا

Be his rescue on the Day of Return, save him

from the Fire, and raise his rank in the gardens.

وكن لولي العهد واجزل ثوابه

وأيمن به الأرا ويسر له الأمرا

Support the heir apparent and lavish his reward;

bless his counsels and ease his affairs.

وكن كهفه يوم التغابن وأته

من الأجر كفلا يدفع الإثم والإسرا

Be his refuge on the Day of Mutual Loss, and give him

a portion of reward that wards off sin and bondage.

وكن شافعا في ابن الخلوف بجاهك

العظيم الذي أعددته لغد ذخرا

Intercede for Ibn al-Khuluf through your standing,

that mighty standing I have stored as tomorrow's treasure.

فأنت شفيع المذنبين إذ دعوا

لعرض حساب هوله يقصم الظهرا

You are sinners' intercessor when they are summoned

to an accounting whose terror breaks the back.

وأنت أمان الخائفين وغوثهم

إذا عاد وجه الخطب أسود مغبرا

You are the fearful ones' safety and their rescue

when calamity's face turns black and dust-covered.

وأنت مجير الهالكين إذا اغتدت

نواصيهم شعثا وأجوههم غبرا

You shelter the perishing when

their forelocks become disheveled and their faces dusty.

وأنت الذي قاسمتنا إذ دعوتنا

فمنّا الثنا نظما ومنك العطا نثرا

You shared with us when you called us:

from us, praise arranged in verse; from you, gifts scattered freely.

وأنت الذي لا يحصر العد مدحه

ومن ذا يعد الرمل أو يحصر القطرا

You are he whose praise no enumeration encompasses:

who can count sand or encompass raindrops?

وأنت الذي أرجو به العود عاجلا

إلى مكة الفيحا وطيبتها الزهرا

You are he through whom I hope soon to return

to spacious Mecca and its radiant Tayba.

وأنت الذي ما رام طاعتك امرؤ

تملكه العصيان إلا اغتدى حرا

You are he whom no man, enslaved by disobedience,

seeks to obey without becoming free.

وأنت الذي بشرت زوار طيبة

إذا شكروا النعما وقد حمدوا المسرى

You are he who gave glad tidings to Tayba's visitors

when they thanked the blessings and praised the night journey.

وأنت الذي أرجو بجودك رحمة

تسربل آبائي بها حللا خضرا

You are he through whose generosity I hope for mercy

that clothes my forefathers in green robes.

وأنت الذي أرجو بجاهك أنعما

تعم جميع المسلمين بها البشرى

You are he through whose standing I hope for blessings

whose glad tidings embrace all Muslims.

وأنت الذي إن أنكر الدهر صحبتي

يعود إذا يمّمته صاحبا صهرا

You are he through whom, if time rejects my companionship,

it returns, when I turn to him, a companion and kinsman.

أقول أبو ذكر فلما أجزتني

على المدح يا مختار قلت أبا ذكرا

I say 'Abu Dhikr'; when you rewarded me

for praise, O chosen one, I said 'Aba Dhikr.'

وحققت آمالي بترحيبك الذي

به العين قرت في المنام الذي قرا

You fulfilled my hopes through your welcome,

which delighted my eyes in the dream that endured.

فيا رب لا تردد دعا من بجاهه

يشفع يا ذا المنة الصمد الوترا

O Lord, do not reject the prayer of one who, through his standing,

seeks intercession, O Bountiful, Self-Sufficient, Unique!

ويا رب سامح واكشف الضر واستجب

فأنت غياث المستغيث إذا اضطرا

O Lord, forgive, remove harm, and answer:

you are the succor of the one compelled to seek help.

ويا رب يا منان يا محيي الورى

أمتنا على الإسلام وأعظم لنا الأجرا

O Lord, O Bestower, O Giver of life to creation,

let us die in Islam and magnify our reward.

ويا رب يا رحمن كن لي ولا تكن

علي إذا عوضتني من منزلي قبرا

O Lord, O Merciful, be for me, not

against me, when you exchange my dwelling for a grave.

ويا رب يا الله يا سامع الدعا

أجب دعوة الداع ولا تكشف السترا

O Lord, O God, O Hearer of prayer,

answer the supplicant's prayer and do not uncover the veil.

سألتك بالهادي المشفع نجنا

من النار واجزل في الجنان لنا الأجرا

I ask you through the guide whose intercession is accepted: save us

from the Fire and lavish our reward in the gardens.

وصل وسلم ثم بارك عليه ما

تقدّست بالإسم الذي يظهر السرا

Send blessings and peace, then bless him, as long as

you are sanctified by the Name that reveals the secret;

ووال على الآل الكرام وصحبه

صلاة وتسليما تعدهّما ذخرا

continue upon the noble family and his companions

blessings and greetings that you reckon as treasure,

متى ما أجاب الحق من جاء منشدا

سل الأفق من أبدى النجوم به زهرا

whenever the Truth answers one who comes reciting:

'Ask the horizon who revealed the stars within it, radiant.'