لمرسل الصدغ في خديه آيات

قامت بتصديق دعواه الأدلات

He who lets his temple-lock fall has signs upon his cheeks;

Proofs have arisen to confirm his claim.

وللعذارى حديث صح مسنده

إذ خرجته عن الخد الروايات

And the maidens have a tale whose chain of transmission is sound,

Since the reports transmitted it from the cheek.

وللجيش هلال تم نيره

لما أحاطته للأصداغ هالات

And the army has a crescent whose radiance became complete

When halos of temple-locks encircled it.

وللثنايا عذيب لاح بارقه

يا من رأى البرق تبديه الثنايات

And the front teeth have a sweet stream whose lightning flashed—

O you who saw the lightning revealed by those teeth!

وللحواجب نونات معرقة

لها من خال ان أعجمت نقطات

And the eyebrows are trailing letters nun,

With dots supplied by a mole, if they are dotted.

وللواحظ كرات يفر لها

كذلك الحرب كرات وفرات

And the glances make charges before which one flees;

Thus war has charges and retreats.

وللمعاطف أفنان فنيت بها

وهكذا السمر فيهن المنيات

And the supple forms have branches through which I perished;

Thus, too, the tawny spears contain deaths.

مليك حسن تراءى فوق وجنته

ليل وصبح ونيران وجنات

A king of beauty, above whose cheek appeared

Night and morning, fires and gardens.

وافت إلينا بعزم الوسل مقلته

تدعو بأي حال في الجفن فتوات

His eye came to us with the resolve of longing,

Calling in every state, with young warriors in its eyelid.

بايعته بالحشا طوع الغرام فيا

بشراي إن صح لي في العشق بيعات

I pledged him my heart, willingly submitting to passion—O

My glad tidings, if my pledges in love prove sound!

وصرت أرجو إهتدا قلب تضلله

من ثغره في دجى الشعر ابتسامات

I came to hope for the guidance of a heart led astray

By smiles from his mouth amid the darkness of his hair.

أضلني بثناياه ومن عجب

إن النجوم به ترجى الهدايات

He led me astray with his teeth, and it is strange

That through stars one hopes to find guidance.

مفضض الثغر في دينار وجنته

يا كم بدت بعيون الناس حبّات

His mouth is silvered within the dinar of his cheek;

How many little grains appeared in people's eyes!

من ثغره متعبي بالعدل عنفني

فقلت دعني فلي في الثغر راحات

My tormentor fairly rebuked me concerning his mouth,

So I said, 'Leave me: in that mouth I find comforts.'

شهد وراح وسلسال وعنبرة

تفند عنها ثغور لؤلؤيات

Honey, wine, flowing water, and ambergris:

Pearly mouths give accounts of them.

عنها الصحاح رواها الجوهري فلا

ترتب فتلك الصحاح الجوهريات

Al-Jawhari transmitted sound accounts of them, so do not

Doubt: these are the jewelled, authentic accounts.

لدن المعاطف قاسي القلب قلت له

ما فيك يا غصن كالغصن انعطافات

Supple of form, hard of heart—I said to him,

'O branch, you have none of a branch's tender bendings.'

كأنه غصن بان حامل فلكا

والبدر والشمس في خديه زهرات

He is like a ban branch bearing a celestial sphere,

With the moon and sun blossoming upon his cheeks.

أصداغه عطفت نحو الهوى كبدي

ولم أخل أنها للعطف واوات

His temple-locks bent my heart toward love;

I had not imagined them to be conjunctions shaped like waw.

غصن يميل إلى الواشي ولا عجب

فللغصون كما قد قيل ميلات

A branch that inclines toward the slanderer—no wonder,

For branches, as has been said, have inclinations.

يا كم أمالت قسيمات الدلال وهل

الا لكسر الحشا تلك الامالات

How often lovely gestures of coquetry made me incline! And are

Those inclinations for anything but breaking the heart?

وكم ثنى الفات الوصل معطفه

فجئن بالقطع للأصداغ همزات

How often his supple form bent the alifs of union,

And they became separating hamzas upon his temple-locks!

ما كنت أعلم لولا سحر مقلته

أنّ الجفون لها كالبيض فتكات

But for the magic of his eye, I would not have known

That eyelids have deadly assaults like white swords.

ولا تحققت لولا لين قامته

أن القدود لها كالسمر رشفات

But for the suppleness of his stature, I would not have realized

That slender forms have draughts like tawny spears.

ما صال أو غض إلا وارعوت خجلا

صيد السرى والظباء الحاجريات

Whenever he charged or lowered his gaze, there recoiled in shame

The noble creatures of the night and the gazelles of Hajir.

ولا انثنى أو بذا إلا له واعترفت

باللبن والحسن أقمار وبانات

Whenever he bent or appeared, there acknowledged him

Moons and ban trees, for his suppleness and beauty.

شكل تكون من شمس ومن غصن

لذا استدارت له الأقمار دارات

A form composed of a sun and a branch;

Thus the moons revolved in circles around him.

بالروح في حبه قامرت حين بدا

من وجهه في ليالي الشعر قمرات

I gambled my soul upon his love when there appeared

Moonlights from his face through the nights of his hair.

مضرج الخد لدن العطف تحسبه

غصنا علته من الأزهار وردات

Crimson-cheeked, supple of form, you would think him

A branch crowned with roses among its blossoms.

مكحل اللحظ صافي الجيد سن لنا

نهج النفار وللغزال نفرات

Kohl-dark of glance, clear of neck, he established for us

The way of shunning, for the gazelle has its flights.

لم يلتفت لي بوصف من محاسنه

وللظباء كما قالوا التفاتات

He never turned toward me with any of his beauties,

Though gazelles, as they say, do turn their heads.

هلال حسن على بانات معطفه

لطائر القلب أنات ورنات

A crescent of beauty upon the ban branches of his form:

The bird of my heart has moans and plaintive cries.

ان ماس فالغصن بعدوه العوج أو

يلتاح فالشمس تعلوها الخسوفات

If he sways, crookedness besets the branch; or,

If he appears, eclipses overspread the sun.

كأنه الروض تجلوه المحاسن أو

كأنه البدر تبديه الكمالات

He is like a garden unveiled by its beauties, or

Like the full moon revealed by perfections.

ويلاه من سحر عينه التي غزلت

للصب ثوبا له بالسقم صحات

Alas for the magic of his eye, which wove

For the lover a robe whose health lies in sickness!

تغزوا اقتدارا وترنوا عن مخادعة

فهي العيون القويات الضعيفات

They raid with power and gaze with deception:

These are the eyes both powerful and weak.

جوارح نصبت أجفان مقلتها

على انكسار وللكسران نصبات

Predators, whose eyes' lids are set

In downcast brokenness—yet the broken have risings.

كواسر فتكت بالقلب إذ وثب

وللأسود كما قد قيل وثبات

Raptors that slew the heart when it sprang;

Lions, as has been said, have their leaps.

قواهر سكنوا مصر الحشا فحلوا

أليس هن الحوالي القاهريات

Conquerors, they dwelt in the Egypt of my breast and settled:

Are they not the lovely Cairene ones?

يا أس عارضه في ورد وجنته

هل زخرفت بك في النيران جنات

O myrtle of his cheek-down amid his cheek's roses,

Have gardens been adorned with you amid the fires?

ويا ظبى لحظه في غمد شرفته

أما أوتكم من العشاق مهجات

O blades of his glance, sheathed in his nobility,

Have lovers' souls not given you shelter?

ويا قتيلا بسيف اللحظ زد فرحا

فللقتيل بسيف اللحظ فرحات

O you slain by the sword of a glance, increase your joy:

Those slain by the sword of a glance have their rejoicings.

ويا مدير الطلا عني إليك فلي

بدمع عيني عن الصهبا صبابات

O pourer of wine, away from me! I have

In my eyes' tears outpourings that replace red wine.

لا أشرب الدمع إلا أن تفنيني

ورق لها في ذرا الأيك انتقالات

I drink tears only when doves annihilate me—

Doves that move about in the treetops.

طورا تنوح وطوار في الأراك لها

زجل وسجع ونغمات ونقرات

Sometimes they lament, and sometimes in the arak trees they have

Calls, rhymes, melodies, and taps.

من كل أخطب مصدوع الفؤاد له

في منبر الأيك صدعات وصدحات

Each eloquent caller, heart split open, has

Upon the grove's pulpit ruptures and ringing songs.

خطيب حب تداعاه الهوى فله

في الليل نوح وفي الصباح أنات

A preacher of love, summoned by passion, who has

Lamentation at night and moans in the morning.

تقمص الليل ثوبا وارتدى حللا

حيكت لها بيد الأضوا ضرارات

He donned the night as a shirt and clothed himself in robes,

Woven for him by the hands of lights, with afflictions.

مكحل العين مخضوب اليدين له

بالمسك طوق وبالصهبا لثامات

Kohl-dark of eye, dyed of hands, he has

A collar of musk and veils of red wine.

مروع القلب قوام على قدم

مفرح القلب أوهته النياحات

Fearful at heart, ever standing upon one foot,

Gladdening the heart, though lamentations have weakened him.

كأنه عابد في راس صومعة

لوقع تسبيحه في القلب نزعات

He is like a worshipper atop a hermitage,

Whose glorification stirs impulses within the heart;

أم راهب في أعالي ديره قلق

لقرع ناقوسه في الليل رنات

Or a restless monk high in his monastery,

Whose bell rings out through the night;

أو سامر حبشي في الدجى غرد

على له في أعالي الصور صرخات

Or an Ethiopian night-companion singing in the darkness,

Rising with cries high upon the ramparts.

ألقي السحاب له أذنا يسمعه

حتى السحاب له للطير أنصات

The clouds lent him an ear to hear him:

Even the clouds listen attentively to birds.

حيث الرياض له من زهره حمم

ومن ثمار دواليه ذؤابات

Where the gardens furnish him dark tufts from their flowers,

And tresses from the fruit of their vines;

وحيث ورق الحمى في القضيب قد

صدحت وللقيان على العيدان صدحات

And where the sanctuary's doves upon the branch have

Sung—as singing girls have songs upon their lutes;

وحيث أوراق أغصان النقا صحف

لها من الطل أعشار وآيات

And where the leaves of al-Naqa's branches are pages,

With ten-verse divisions and signs inscribed by dew;

وحيث طي النسيم المدلي له

رسائل نشرت فيها اللطافات

And where, folded in the descending breeze, he has

Letters in which delicate graces are spread;

وحيث بان اللوى بانت معاطفه

كأنهن رماح سمهريات

And where the ban trees of al-Liwa reveal their bending forms,

As though they were Samhari spears;

وحيث غدر الربا انسابت جداولها

كأنهن سيوف مشرفيات

And where the uplands' pools send their streams gliding,

As though they were Mashrafi swords;

وحيثما الورد سلطان له رفعت

من مونق الزهر شطفات ورايات

And wherever the rose is a sovereign, for whom are raised

Pennons and banners of lovely flowers;

وحيثما النرجس المبهوت تحسبه

صحاف ورق بالتبر شمسات

And wherever the bewildered narcissus seems to you

Silver dishes bearing little suns of gold;

وحيث مبسم زهر اللوز قد لمعت

بروقه إذ بدت منها ابتسامات

And where the smiling mouth of almond blossom has flashed

Its lightning when smiles appeared from it;

وحيث سلسال هاتيك المياه لها

بين الخمائل دورات وفتلات

And where those flowing waters have

Turns and twists among the thickets;

وحيث عرب الحمى قد أرسلوا مقلا

شنت بها في عقول الناس غارات

And where the Arabs of the sanctuary have sent forth eyes

With which raids were launched upon people's minds;

تبسموا ورنوا عجبا وقد خطروا

فهن زهر وأغصان وغادات

They smiled, gazed wondrously, and strutted:

Thus they are blossoms, branches, and lovely maidens.

أرخوا ذوائبهم لما بدوا فحلا

سهدى وقد أقمرت تلك الدجنات

They loosened their tresses when they appeared, and sweet became

My sleeplessness, as those darknesses shone with moonlight.

وما شهدت شموسا في الدجى طلعت

حتى أحيلت عليهن الذؤابات

I had never witnessed suns rising in darkness

Until the tresses were cast over them.

ذوائب صار لي من ليلهن ومن

صبح المياسم صبحات وغبقات

Tresses whose night, together with

The morning of beautiful faces, gave me morning and evening draughts.

لما سعت خيلت لي أنها لسعت

ما تلك إلا على الكثبان حيات

When they moved, I imagined that they stung:

Those are nothing but snakes upon the dunes.

استودع الله في أكنافهم قمرا

له الأضالع أفلاك وهالات

I entrust to God a moon dwelling among them,

For whom my ribs are celestial spheres and halos.

يا مدعي الحب قف واسمع حديث شيح

له على طرف الأهوا اشتمالات

O claimant of love, stop and hear an elder's tale,

Who gathers together the fringes of passions.

أنا الذي اتبع العشاق شرعته

وعنه قد ظهرت في الحب حالات

I am he whose law the lovers followed,

And from whom states of love have appeared.

حدث عن البحر ما أبدت جفوني أو

أنقل عن النار من تخفى الحشاشات

Tell of the sea what my eyelids have displayed, or

Report the fire of the heart's concealed embers.

لي في لأسى والجوى أحوال متصل

وفي الهوى ومعانيه مقامات

I have continuous states of grief and burning love,

And stations in passion and its meanings.

لا عيب في سوى أني امرؤ غزل

أهوى الجمال ولي فيه مقالات

I have no fault except that I am an amorous man:

I love beauty, and have discourses upon it.

وأعشق الحسن في كل الذوات ولي

في كامل السر والمعنى مقالات

I adore beauty in every being, and have

Discourses upon the perfection of mystery and meaning.

كم باللوى والطلا والعطف مر لنا

بين النقا والحمى والبان أوقات

How many times passed for us at al-Liwa, with wine and supple forms,

Between al-Naqa, the sanctuary, and the ban trees!

وكم بلثم الثنايا والخدود مضى

في الإبريقين وفي نعمان ميقات

How many seasons passed with kisses upon teeth and cheeks,

At al-Ibriqayn and in Nu'man!

سقيا لتلك اللويلات التي سلفت

كأنها فوق خد الدهر شامات

May those little nights of old be watered:

They were like beauty spots upon time's cheek.

لما حلت صغرت فاسعظمت فلذا

أقول يا حبذا تلك اللويلات

When they were sweet, they seemed small, then immense; thus

I say, 'How lovely those little nights!'

قد ألحق الدهر بالماضي حلاوتها

كأنها في حواشي العمر غلطات

Time has consigned their sweetness to the past,

As though they were errors in the margins of life.

مرت كأن لم تكن قضيتها حلما

ما تلك إلا كما قالوا مقامات

They passed as though they had never been; I spent them as a dream:

They are nothing but stations, as they say.

يا ليلة السفح هلا عدت ثانية

فالعود فيه لذي الأشواق لذات

O night upon the slope, why not return once more?

Returning holds delights for those who yearn.

ويا نسيم الصبا هل شمت بارقة

من جابن الحي أهدتها الرسالات

O breeze of the east wind, have you glimpsed a lightning flash

From the encampment's side, brought by messages?

ويا مغاني اللوى هل تذكرين وقد

غنت لنا في ذرا الأيك الحمامات

O dwellings of al-Liwa, do you remember when

Doves sang for us in the treetops?

ويا حمام الحمى كرر حديثك لي

فلذة الحب أخبار معادات

O doves of the sanctuary, repeat your tale to me:

Love's delight lies in tales retold.

ويا عريف النقا رقوا فقد لعبت

بصبكم في حمى ليلى الصبابات

O guide of al-Naqa, have pity: passionate longings have toyed

With your lover in Layla's sanctuary.

متيم لو براه السقم ثم وفى

منكم سلام لوافته السلامات

An enthralled lover—if sickness wasted him and then there came

A greeting from you, well-being would come to him.

ولو ثوى في غيابات اللحود وقد

حييتموه لأحيته التحيات

Even if he lay in the depths of graves, and you

Greeted him, your greetings would restore him to life.

يا حبذا زمن في الشعب مر وقد

هبت علينا من الوادي نسيمات

How lovely a time that passed in the mountain ravine, when

Little breezes blew upon us from the valley!

وحبذا زمن الاحرام حيث حلت

للمحرمين بلبيك المناجاة

How lovely the time of consecration, when permitted became

For the consecrated, whispered prayer with 'At Your service'!

وحبذا العيش في أكناف مكة إذ

طابت لنا بمنى والخيف ساعات

How lovely life in the environs of Mecca, when

Hours were sweet for us at Mina and al-Khayf!

وحبذا عرفات الخير حيث همت

بوابل العفو للعاصي سحابات

How lovely blessed Arafat, where clouds poured

Torrents of pardon upon the sinner!

وحبذا حبذا في طيبة زمن

دارت علينا به للقرب كاسات

How lovely, how lovely a time in Taybah,

When cups of nearness were passed around to us!

حيث الحبيب نديم والمقام حمى

والراح في كاسها نفي واثبات

Where the beloved is a drinking companion and the station a sanctuary,

And the wine within its cup is negation and affirmation.

فشعشعت في يد الساقي فقلت له

هذي شموس أنارت أو سلافات

It sparkled in the cupbearer's hand, and I said to him,

'Are these radiant suns, or choicest wines?'

مصونة حجب الأبصار نيرها

أما ترى الشمس صانتها الأشعات

Guarded: its brilliance veiled the eyes.

Do you not see how rays have guarded the sun?

صهباء لم تصحب الأحزان شاربها

لو مسها الصلد مسته المسرات

Red wine whose drinker is never accompanied by sorrows:

Were hard rock to touch it, joys would touch the rock.

راح تريح من الآلام نشأتها

كأنما هي للأرواح راحات

Wine whose arising relieves pains,

As though it were comforts for the souls.

تحجبت بسنا الأرواح صورتها

عن العقول فأبدتها اللطافات

Its form was veiled by the radiance of souls

From minds, then subtle graces revealed it.

بكر أرت كل شيء في مظاهرها

كأنما هي للأشياء مرآة

A virgin that showed everything in its manifestations,

As though it were a mirror for all things.

قالوا هي الروح قلت الروح تعشقها

وكيف لا ولها منها امتدادات

They said, 'It is the spirit.' I said, 'The spirit loves it;

How could it not, when it draws extensions from it?'

قالوا هي العقل قلت العقل يخدمها

وكم عليها لواليها ولايات

They said, 'It is reason.' I said, 'Reason serves it;

How many jurisdictions its governor holds over it!'

قالوا هي النور قلت النور ما صنعت

منها زجاجاتها الغر النفيسات

They said, 'It is light.' I said, 'Light is what were fashioned

From it—its radiant, precious glasses.'

قالوا هي النار قلت النار تطفئها

بالما وهذي لها بالما استعارات

They said, 'It is fire.' I said, 'Fire you extinguish

With water, whereas this borrows from water.'

قالوا هي قلت الماء برقعها

وكم لها نسجت منها غلالات

They said, 'It is...' I said, 'Water is its veil;

How many thin robes have been woven for it from water!'

قالوا هي الكون قلت بالكون نشأتها

وكم لها في وجود الكون آيات

They said, 'It is the cosmos.' I said, 'Within the cosmos it arose;

How many signs it has in the cosmos's existence!'

قالوا هي اللوح قلت اللوح قد رسمت

فيه لأسمائها طرق خفيات

They said, 'It is the Tablet.' I said, 'Upon the Tablet were drawn

Hidden paths for its names.'

قالوا هي الفلك الدوار قلت لهم

يا كم عليه لها منها إحاطات

They said, 'It is the revolving sphere.' I said to them,

'How many encompassing circuits it has upon it, proceeding from it!'

قالوا هديت هي الكرسي قلت لهم

لنور مصاحبها الكرسي مشكاة

They said, 'You are guided: it is the Footstool.' I said to them,

'The Footstool is a niche for its companion's light.'

قالوا هي الفلك الأعلى المحيط فقل

يا ما عليه لها منها احاطات

They said, 'It is the highest encompassing sphere.' Then say,

'How many encompassing circuits it has upon it, proceeding from it!'

قالوا هي العرش قلت العرش مركزها

وكم لها بأعاليه استواءات

They said, 'It is the Throne.' I said, 'The Throne is its center;

How many enthronements it has upon its heights!'

قالوا فصفها فقلت الوصف يعجز عن

إدراك ما قصرت عنه العبارات

They said, 'Then describe it.' I said, 'Description cannot

Comprehend what expressions have fallen short of.'

قالوا ففيم ترى حسنا فقلت لهم

في كل شيء تراءت وهي مرآة

They said, 'In what, then, do you see beauty?' I said to them,

'It has appeared in everything, and it is a mirror.'

فلو على أكمة دارت لأبصرها

في الكون وانكشفت عنه العمايات

If it were passed round to one born blind, he would behold it

In the cosmos, and blindness would fall away from him.

ولو إلى مقعد زفت لقام على

الأقدام يسعى ولم تقعده آفات

If it were brought to a cripple, he would rise upon

His feet and walk, with no afflictions keeping him seated.

ولو على الصم يتلى حزب سورتها

لأسمعتهم معانيها التلاوات

If a portion of its surah were recited to the deaf,

The recitations would make them hear its meanings.

ولو إلى أخرس ألقوا صحيفتها

للذ في السمع من فحواه نغمات

If they presented its page to a mute,

Melodies from his utterance would delight the ear.

ولو على دنف هبت نسيمتها

لأبرأته ولم تسقمه عاهات

If its breeze blew upon an invalid,

It would heal him, and infirmities would not sicken him.

بها لآدم هب العفو وارتفعت

بها لإدريس في العليا مقامات

Through it pardon was bestowed upon Adam, and raised were

Idris's stations in the highest realm through it.

وألبست شيت من أثوابها حللا

كما بنوح بها صحت إجابات

It clothed Seth in robes from its garments,

Just as through it Noah received answered prayers.

وألحقت صالحا بالصالحين وكم

أهدت لهود حروفا هن آيات

It joined Salih to the righteous, and how often

It bestowed upon Hud letters that were signs!

وخصصت لوط بالتأييد وانتشرت

على الخليل بها للصدق رايات

It singled out Lot for support, and unfurled were

Banners of truth over the Friend through it.

وللذبيح أبانت رشده فنجا

وكم بها استحق حفته عنايات

It revealed right guidance to the Sacrificial One, and he was saved;

How often through it he deserved attending care!

وآنست يوسفا في الجب واتضحت

بها لعيقوب هاتيك الإشارات

It comforted Joseph in the well, and clear became

Those signs to Jacob through it.

وقد ألانت لداود الحديد كما

بها لسليمان خصته ولايات

It softened iron for David, just as

Through it dominions were bestowed upon Solomon.

وأنقذت يونسا لما أناب وكم

بها لذي الكفل قد عدت كرامات

It rescued Jonah when he turned back, and how many

Honors were numbered for Dhu al-Kifl through it!

وقد هدي اليسع الزاكي بها ولكم

بها للقمان قد صحت مقالاتن

The pure Elisha was guided through it, and how often

Luqman's sayings were verified through it!

وشاهد الخضر معناها فهام وكم

بها أبيح لذي القرنين خيرات

Khidr witnessed its meaning and became enraptured, and how often

Good things were made available to Dhu al-Qarnayn through it!

وكم تزكى بمعناها شعيب كما

لذت لموسى بها تلك المناجاة

How often Shu'ayb was purified by its meaning, just as

That intimate communion became sweet to Moses through it!

وأيّدت يوشعا بالشمس وارتفعت

عن العزيز وهارون الملامات

It supported Joshua with the sun, and lifted were

Reproaches from al-Aziz and Aaron.

ونول إلياس ومن راوونها قدحا

به لأيوب قد وافت سعادات

Elijah was granted a cup from its wine-vessel,

Through which happiness came to Job.

وبشرت زكريا الحصور وكم

وكم قامت لعيسى بها إذ شاء أموات

It brought glad tidings to chaste Zechariah, and how often

The dead arose for Jesus through it when he willed!

وللحبيب تجلى وجهها فبدت

للشكر منه ركوعات وسجدات

Its face revealed itself to the Beloved, and there appeared

Bows and prostrations of gratitude from him.

محمد أحمد خير الأنام ومن

خصته في الذكر أوصاف شريفات

Muhammad, Ahmad, the best of humankind, he whom

Noble descriptions singled out in the Remembrance.

طه أبو القاسم المختار من شرفت

به البسيطة والسبع السموات

Ta-Ha, Abu al-Qasim, the Chosen, through whom were ennobled

The earth and the seven heavens.

الحاشر العاقب الماحي الذيب محيت

عن الورى بمواضيه الغوايات

The Gatherer, the Last, the Effacer, by whom were effaced

Errors from humankind through his sharp blades.

الفاتح الخاتم الطهر الذي ختمت

به النبوءة فضلا والرسالات

The Opener, the Seal, the Pure, through whom were sealed

Prophethood and the messages, as a grace.

الظاهر الباطن النور الذي بهرت

أنواره فانجلت عنا العمايات

The Manifest, the Hidden, the Light whose lights dazzled,

And blindness was cleared away from us.

الأكرم الرحمة العظمى الذي رحمت

به البرية أحياء وأموات

The Most Generous, the Supreme Mercy, through whom were shown mercy

All creatures, living and dead.

الأحلم العروة الوثقى الذي عظمت

به المقامات فضلا والمقالات

The Most Forbearing, the Firmest Handhold, through whom grew great

The stations and discourses, as a grace.

روح العوالم مبد روح نقطتها

نجم الهدى نشأت منه السعادات

The spirit of the worlds, originator of their central point's spirit,

The star of guidance from whom happiness arose.

إكسير كنز المعالي عند جوهرها

فمجده الدر والأكوان لبات

The elixir of the treasure of lofty virtues at their essence:

His glory is the pearl, and the worlds are throats.

ذات الجمال جمال الذات عنصره

مصباح نور له الجثمان مشكاه

The essence of beauty—the beauty of essence is his substance;

A lamp of light, for which the body is a niche.

نور الجلال جلال النور طينته

يا كم سقتها من التسنين فيضات

The light of majesty—the majesty of light is his clay;

How many floods from [Tasnim] have watered it!

عين الكمال كمال العين جوهره

فرد لذا لم تكن فيه انقسامات

The very essence of perfection—perfection of the essence is his substance;

Unique, thus having no divisions within him.

أزج أبلج أقنى الأنف قد بسمت

منه عن اللؤلؤ الرطب الثنايات

Fine-browed, radiant, aquiline-nosed; his front teeth smiled,

Revealing moist pearls.

محبب الثغر حلو الشكل منطقه

عنه الفصاحة تروى والبلاغات

Lovely-mouthed, sweet of form; from his speech

Eloquence and expressions of eloquence are transmitted.

مضرج الخد لدن القد تحسبه

غصنا تفتح في أعلاه وردات

Crimson-cheeked, supple of stature, you would think him

A branch upon whose summit roses opened.

أر أشب ساجي الطرف لو فرضت

ملاحه ما تعدته الملاحات

[Unclear epithet], youthful, tranquil of gaze—if

His beauty were measured, no beauties would surpass him.

أشم أحرى شريف النفس قد خضعت

لترب أفعاله الشم الرفيعات

Lofty, most worthy, noble of soul; there have bowed

To the dust of his deeds the lofty and exalted.

عبل الذراع ندي الكف ملتفت

عن جيد ظبي خلت منه التفاتات

Stout of arm, generous of hand, turning

With a gazelle's neck, from which turnings seemed to come.

ضخم الكرادس رحب الصدر منعطف

عن عطف بان زهت منه انعطافات

Large-jointed, broad-chested, bending

With a ban branch's supple form, whose bendings flourished.

زاهي الجبين سواء الصدر تعضده

حلاوة مزجت فيها طلاوات

Radiant of brow, even of chest, supported by

Sweetness mingled with charms.

مكمل الذات زاكي النفس معتدل

زكت بمعنى حلاه النفس والذات

Perfect in essence, pure of soul, well-proportioned:

Soul and essence were purified by the meaning of his beauties.

لا حسن إلا ومنه يستمد ولا

بدر فللبدر بالشمس امتدادات

No beauty exists without drawing from him, and no

Full moon—for the full moon draws extensions from the sun.

كأنه الشمس تعلوه الجلالة أو

كأنه البدر تبديه الكمالات

He is like the sun, surmounted by majesty, or

Like the full moon revealed by perfections.

خلاصة الحق خير الخلق من شهدت

له الوحوش وحيته الجمادات

The quintessence of truth, the best of creation, to whom

Wild beasts bore witness and lifeless things gave greetings.

لولاه لم تكن الدنيا وضرتها

لولاه لم تك نيران وجنات

Without him, neither this world nor its rival would exist;

Without him, there would be neither fires nor gardens.

لولاه لم تسر في الآفاق داجنة

لولاه لم تزه في الأرض النباتات

Without him, no brooding cloud would move across the horizons;

Without him, plants would not flourish upon the earth.

لولاه ما لمعت في الغيم بارقة

لولاه لم تسكب القطر النباتات

Without him, no lightning would flash within the clouds;

Without him, plants would not pour out rain.

لولاه ما طلعت فينا شموسه

لولاه ما انكشفت عنا الضلالات

Without him, his suns would not rise among us;

Without him, errors would not be cleared away from us.

لولاه ما كان نجم لا ولا فلك

ولا وهاد ولا غور وأكمات

Without him, there would be no star, no celestial sphere,

No lowlands, no depths, and no hills;

ولا أناس ولا جن ولا ملك

ولا سماء ولا أرض وأنبات

No people, no jinn, no angel,

No heaven, no earth, and no growth;

ولا صباح ولا ليل ولا سحر

ولا شموس وأقمار وروضات

No morning, no night, no dawn,

No suns, moons, or gardens;

ولا حروف ولا لوح ولا قلم

ولا معان ولا لفظ وأصوات

No letters, no Tablet, no Pen,

No meanings, no utterance, and no sounds;

ولا صلاة ولا صوم ولا نسك

ولا زكاة ولا محو وإثبات

No prayer, no fasting, no ritual devotion,

No alms, no effacement, and no affirmation.

فاق الورى في مقامات الكمال وكم

بدت له في مجاري السبق غايات

He surpassed humankind in the stations of perfection, and how many

Goals appeared for him upon the racecourses!

تجمعت فيه أوصاف الجمال كما

تفرقت في معانيه الكمالات

The qualities of beauty gathered within him, just as

Perfections spread throughout his meanings.

أراده الله محبوبا لحضرته

فكان ذاك وللّه الإرادات

God wished him to be beloved in His presence;

So it was, and to God belong all wills.

دعاه في ليلة المعراج خالقه

لحضرة حضرت فيها السعادات

His Creator called him on the Night of Ascension

To a presence where happiness was present.

وسار من فرشه فوق البراق إلى

عرش أحاطته للبارى عنايات

He journeyed from his bed upon al-Buraq toward

A Throne encompassed by the Creator's care.

وأم بالرسل والأملاك ثم رقى

مرقى له العز والتأييد مرقاة

He led the messengers and angels in prayer, then ascended

An ascent whose steps were honor and support.

وصار مخترقا حجب الجلال إلى

أن شرفته يا عبدي الإضافات

He went piercing the veils of majesty until

The attribution 'O My servant' ennobled him.

وكان قاب أو أدنى حين خاطبه

في مشهد رفعت عنه الحجابات

He was a bow's span away, or nearer, when He addressed him

In a witnessing-place from which veils were lifted.

وشاهد الله جهرا واصطفاه بما

لم تحو تعبير معناه العبارات

He openly beheld God, who chose him for that

Whose meaning expressions could not encompass.

وخصه بأمور ليس يحصرها

عد ولو كثرت فيها الحسابات

He singled him out for matters that cannot be encompassed

By counting, however numerous the calculations.

ناداه سل تعط أو قل يستمع كرما

واشفع فلولاك لم ترج الشفاعات

He called him: 'Ask, and receive; speak, and be heard, generously;

Intercede, for without you no intercessions would be hoped for.'

وعاد في ليل مسراه لمضجعه

والأفق لم تنكشف عنه الدجنات

He returned to his resting-place on the night of his journey,

While darkness had not lifted from the horizon.

من هزّ إيواه كسرى عند مولده

من السرور وللفروحات هزات

He at whose birth Chosroes's palace shook

With joy, for rejoicings have their tremors.

وماء ساوة لم ينضب سوى جزع

إذ لم تسل منه في البطحا وديات

The water of Sawah dried up only from anguish,

Since no little valleys flowed from it in al-Batha.

ونار فارس لم يخمد تلهبها

حتى رمت جنها الشهب المبيدات

The flame of Persia's fire was not quenched

Until destructive meteors struck its jinn.

يا كم به بشر الكهان وارتقبوا

بزوغ نجم لنا منه انفعالات

How often diviners announced him and awaited

The rising of a star that stirred us!

فهو الشفيع الحبيب المصطفى كرما

من لم تحد عن معاليه السيادات

He is the intercessor, the Beloved, graciously chosen,

Whose lofty virtues sovereignty never left.

وهو الذي كان قبل الكون فاحر به

بداية حصرت فيها النهايات

He is the one who existed before the cosmos—how fitting that he be

A beginning within which all endings were contained!

وهو الذي أمن الجاني وروع من

خطت عليه من الله الشقاوات

He is the one who reassured the offender and terrified those

Upon whom God had inscribed wretchedness.

وهو السراج المنير المستضاء به لذا

ك زيح به ظلم وظلمات

He is the shining lamp by whose light men see; thus

Through him gloom and darkness were dispelled.

وهو الذي سبحت في وسط راحته

صم الحصى وله قد درت الشاة

He is the one in the center of whose palm glorified God

Hard pebbles, and for whom the ewe gave milk.

وهو الذي ما مشى في حرها جرة

إلا وقته من الرمضا غمامات

He is the one who never walked in midday heat

Without clouds shielding him from the scorching ground.

وهو الذي أنبع السلسال من يده

وكم به خرقت للخير عادات

He is the one who made flowing water spring from his hand;

How often customary laws were broken through him for good!

وهو الذي أبرأ الأعمى بنفثته

وكم بها شفيت في الخلق عاهات

He is the one who healed the blind with his breath;

How many infirmities among creatures were healed through it!

وهو الذي عاد جلال الغاب في يده

سيفا تقط به للكفر هامات

He is the one in whose hand the forest's grandeur became

A sword that cut off the heads of unbelief.

وهو الذي استنطق العجمي وحن له ال

جذع اليسير وجاءته السحابات

He is the one who made the speechless speak, and for whom yearned the

Little tree-trunk, while clouds came to him.

أعاد ملح أجاج الما بنفثته

عذبا سواغا له في الشرب لذات

With his breath he changed bitter, salty water

Into sweetness, easily swallowed and delightful to drink.

وأوقف الشمس يوم الأربعاء كما

قد ردها حين أقصتها الموارات

He stopped the sun on Wednesday, just as

He brought it back when concealment had removed it.

وأنقذ الظبية الغراء حين شكت

ما أضرمته بأحشائها الحبالات

He rescued the radiant gazelle when she complained

Of what the snares had kindled within her.

وردّ شق خبيب كيف كان وفي

راح ابن عفراء للمرتاب راحات

He restored Khubayb's severed part as it had been; and in

Ibn Afra's palm there are comforts for the doubter.

في الكتب والصحف والألواح لاح له

أمر غريب وأحوال بديعات

In books, scrolls, and tablets there appeared concerning him

A wondrous matter and marvellous states.

وفي الصبا والحيا والانشقاق وفي

الأسرار وفي الغار آيات جليات

In the east wind, rain, and splitting, and in

The mysteries and the cave, there are evident signs.

وفي البعير وفي المولود معتبر

لمهنّد لم تشككه الخيالات

In the camel and the newborn there is a lesson

For a tempered blade whom imaginings could not unsettle.

وفي الذراع وشاة الذئب مستند

لمخبر نقلت عنه الروايات

In the foreleg and the wolf's sheep there is support

For a reporter from whom accounts were transmitted.

وفي الكثيب وفي در العناق وفي

شاة أم معبد أسرار جليلات

In the dune, the young goat's milk, and in

Umm Ma'bad's ewe there are majestic mysteries.

وفي قتادة والعرجون معتمد

لمبصر عنه لم تخف الإشارات

In Qatadah and the palm-stalk there is a foundation

For one who sees, from whom the signs were not hidden.

وفي الصواع وفضل الزاد ما خرقت

فيه عوائد وانكفت مجاعات

In the measure and the surplus provisions, customary ways

Were broken, and famines were turned aside.

وفي مراودة الشم الجبال له

وفي الكنوز لذي الأرا أدلات

In the lofty mountains' courting of him,

And in the treasures, there are proofs for discerning minds.

وفي ركانة ما لم يخف عنك وفي

أهل القليب وقد باءوا اعتبارات

In Rukanah there is what is not hidden from you, and in

The people of the well, who met their fate, there are lessons.

وقصة الضب والصياد دامغة

لراس كل جحود فيه إعنات

The story of the lizard and the hunter crushes

The head of every obstinately troublesome denier.

وفي ولادته ما قد قضى عجبا

لمن له ظهرت تلك العلامات

In his birth there is what provoked wonder

In those to whom those signs appeared.

وفي حليمة إذ جاءت لترضعه

وأم أيمن قد بانت إمارات

In Halimah, when she came to nurse him,

And Umm Ayman, tokens became evident.

وفي خديجة والزهراء ووالدها

وفي البنين وفي الأزواج آيات

In Khadijah, al-Zahra, and her father,

And in the sons and wives, there are signs.

وفي حنين وفي بدر وفي أحد

وفي مريسيع أحوال عظيمات

In Hunayn, Badr, and Uhud,

And in Muraysi', there are mighty states.

وفي قريظة والأحزاب كم ظهرت

وفي تبوك له بالفتح حالات

How many appeared in Qurayzah and the Confederates,

And in Tabuk, victorious states were his!

وفي الحضير ويوم الطائف انتصرت

أعلامه وانجلت للكفر ليلات

At al-Hudayr and on the day of al-Ta'if, triumphant were

His banners, and unbelief's nights cleared away.

وفي الوفود خصوصا بنت حاتم ما

قضت به عجبا تلك الوفودات

In the delegations, especially Hatim's daughter, there is that

By which those delegations occasioned wonder.

سهم نضا في سما الهيجا بشموس ظبا

لها الجماجم أفلاك مدارات

An arrow, drawn in battle's sky amid suns of blades,

For which skulls are revolving celestial spheres.

قامت لمبعثه الدنيا على قدم

وانهد للشرك أركان وأبيات

The world rose upon its feet at his mission,

And pillars and houses of polytheism collapsed.

وكم به صلحت والله مفسدة

وكم به كشفت والله أزمات

How much corruption was repaired through him, by God!

How many crises were dispelled through him, by God!

وكم به خذلت للشرك صائبة

وكم به أيدت للدين دعوات

How many effective forces of polytheism were defeated through him!

How many calls to religion were supported through him!

وكم به طويت للزيغ مرتبة

وكم به نشرت للحق رايات

How many ranks of deviation were folded away through him!

How many banners of truth were unfurled through him!

أي النبيئين لما إن قضوا قضيت

وآية لم تزل فهي المنيرات

The prophets' signs passed away when they died,

Yet a sign has never ceased: these are the radiant ones.

يبلي الزمان ولا تبلى مآثرها

فهي البواقي الجديدات العديدات

Time wears away, but its glorious deeds do not wear away:

They are enduring, ever-new, and numerous.

أقام للدين آراء مقومة

لشبهها في مجاري الهدي جولات

He established upright judgments for religion,

Whose likenesses make forays along the paths of guidance.

وأمن الأرض بعد الخوف فاتسعت

حتى تلاعب فيها الذئب والشاة

He made the earth safe after fear, and its scope widened

Until the wolf and ewe played together upon it.

إن طال أو جال في يومي ندى وردى

فالناس أكياس والأغماد هامات

Whether he bestowed or charged, on days of bounty and death,

The people were purses and the scabbards were heads.

أو عبس الحرب وافى وهو مبتسم

يولي المكافات والدنيا مكافات

Or when war frowned, he came smiling,

Granting recompenses, while the world was recompenses.

ما أرعدت في سما الهيجا بوارقه

إلا همت بالدما منها الجراحات

Whenever his lightnings thundered in battle's sky,

Wounds poured blood from them.

ولا استغاث العدا في النقع من ظمإ

إلا سقتهم عزاليها الرزيات

Whenever enemies cried out from thirst amid the dust,

Calamities' rain-spouts gave them drink.

رمت أعادي الهدى عن قوس عزمته

سهام رأي لها فيهم غصابات

At guidance's enemies, from the bow of his resolve, shot

Arrows of judgment that seized them by force.

وأعمل السيف فيهم فاغتدوا جزرا

في كل جارحة منهم جراحات

He wielded the sword against them, and they became slaughtered bodies,

With wounds upon every limb.

حاقت بهم سيئات المكر إذ مكروا

لذاك ضاقت بهم بيد فسيحات

The evils of plotting surrounded them when they plotted;

Thus spacious deserts became narrow around them.

لبيضه وأياديه إذا عملت

يوم الندى والردى محو وإثبات

His white swords and generous hands, when they act

On the day of bounty and death, have effacement and affirmation.

هي المواضي فإن جردتها انقلبت

حروف جزم لها بالفتح نصبات

They are sharp blades; when you unsheathe them, they become

Letters of decisiveness, with upright strokes of conquest.

وهي البروق إذا ما شيمتها

تنهل منها الأماني والمنيات

They are lightnings, when you watch them,

From which hopes and deaths pour down.

ليث يقود إلى الهيجا ليوث وغى

صارت لهم بالظبا والسمر غابات

A lion leading lions of war into battle,

For whom blades and tawny spears became forests.

من كل شهم إذا تبدو الكماة له

ينقض كالنسر تدعوه الفريسات

Each is a valiant man who, when champions appear before him,

Swoops like an eagle summoned by its prey.

لا يرتضون سوى دين الإله ولا

يخشون إن أحيلت للكفر غيطات

They accept nothing but God's religion, and do not

Fear, even if fields are turned over to unbelief.

فهم هم ما هم إن رمت تسأل عن

أوصافهم فهم الشهب المنيرات

They are themselves—what are they? If you wish to ask about

Their qualities, they are shining meteors.

المانعون ببيض الهند يوم وغى

حمى أولي الدين إن تغشان غارات

Those who defend, with India's white swords on a day of war,

The sanctuary of the faithful when raids descend;

والمعجمون حروف الجسم إن كتبت

رماحهم صحفا فيها البليات

Those who dot the letters of the body when

Their spears write pages containing afflictions;

والملبسون ثياب الذل كل كم

صبت عليهم لهم بيض عربات

Those who clothe every warrior in garments of abasement,

When their swift white blades pour down upon them;

السادة الصيد من أنبا بوصفهم

نص الكتاب فهم صيد وسادات

The lordly leaders, whose qualities were announced by

The Book's text: they are noble leaders and masters.

رجال صدق وفوا الله ما عهدوا

فهم أولوا الحق أحياء وأموات

Men of truth who fulfilled what they pledged to God:

They possess truth, living and dead.

أشدة رحماء طيبون لهم

في الذكر والله أوصاف جميلات

Stern, merciful, good, they have

Beautiful descriptions in the Remembrance, by God.

شم كماة دعاة أبحر سحب

صيد صدور حماة الحرب قادات

Lofty champions, summoners, seas, clouds,

Noble leaders, foremost men, defenders, commanders of war;

زهر هداة عيون أنجم درر

غر كرام سراة الحي سادات

Radiant guides, choice ones, stars, pearls,

Illustrious, generous, the community's nobles and masters.

سادوا بصحبة من ساد الورى ونمت

بهم لذا الفخر أنساب عريقات

They became masters by accompanying the master of humankind, and grew

Through them ancient lineages of this glory.

من مثل شيخ التقى الصديق من صدقت

ألفاظه ومعانيه الجليات

Who is like the elder of piety, al-Siddiq, whose

Words and evident meanings proved true?

أو مثل نجم الهدى الفاروق من فرقت

منه الشياطين واعتزت ديانات

Or like the star of guidance, al-Faruq, from whom fled

The devils, while religions gained strength?

أو مثل عثمان ذي النورين من شهدت

في الدار أحواله الغر النفيسات

Or like Uthman, Possessor of the Two Lights, whose

Radiant, precious states were witnessed in the house?

أو مثل حيدر باب العلم من عظمت

في الخلق أوصافه الزهر المنيات

Or like Haydar, the gate of knowledge, whose qualities grew great

Among creation—radiant and death-dealing?

أو مثل عميه أو سبطيه في شرف

وكيف وهم منه امتدادات

Or like his two uncles or his two grandsons in nobility?

How could it be otherwise, when they are extensions of him?

أو مثل أزواجه أو مثل عترته

هيهات أين الدراري والدجنات

Or like his wives, or like his family?

Far apart! Where are brilliant stars beside darkness?

أو مثل أصحابه والتابعين وقد

سمت بهم في سما العليا مقامات

Or like his companions and the Followers, whose

Stations rose into the sky of the highest realm?

يا غافلا لم يفق من سكر غفلته

نبه حجاك فللغفلات حسرات

O heedless one, not awakened from the intoxication of heedlessness,

Rouse your understanding: heedlessness brings regrets.

ويا نؤوما عن الأمر المراد أفق

من المنام فللنوام هبات

O sleeper through the purpose intended, awaken

From sleep: sleepers have awakenings.

ويا ضليلا عن النهج القويم أما

هدتك للمقصد الأسنى دلالات

O wanderer from the straight path, have not

Signs guided you toward the loftiest goal?

ويا طريدا أرى الخذلان يقعده

أما أقامتك للتوفيق عزمات

O outcast whom I see held down by abandonment,

Have resolutions not raised you toward success?

ويا حريصا على الأموال يجمعها

خفض عليك فللمال انتقالات

O one eager for wealth, gathering it,

Be easy upon yourself: wealth passes from hand to hand.

ليس البعيد الذي أقصته ثروته

بل البعيد الذي أقصته زلات

The distant one is not he whom wealth has driven away,

But he whom faults have driven away.

لا تطمئن لدنيا قابلتك بما

تريد منها فللدنيا انقلابات

Do not trust a world that meets you with what

You desire from it: the world has reversals.

هي الغرور فلا تأمن كواسرها

فقد فرسن وللصيد افتراسات

It is deception, so do not trust its predators:

They have preyed, for hunting has its ravagings.

ماذا الركون لدار رسمها خرب

وللدرى في مجاريك مجالات

Why lean upon a dwelling whose traces are ruined,

While [death] has wide scope along your courses?

دار متى أضحكت أبكى تقلبها

وهكذا الدهر تارات وتارات

A dwelling that, whenever it makes you laugh, its changes make you weep:

Thus time has turn after turn.

إلى متى أنت يا مغرور تمرح في

مهامه نصبت فيها الحبالات

How long, O deluded one, will you revel in

Wildernesses where snares have been set?

كيف المقام بوكر طير حادثه

له إلى الركن عودات وروحات

How can one dwell in the nest of a bird of calamity

That returns to its corner and departs?

أما ترى الشيب قد أبدت عساكره

طلائعا قدمتهن المنبات

Do you not see that gray hair's armies have displayed

Outposts sent ahead by the places of growth?

هو النذير فحاذر أن يغرك ما

يلهيك عنه فللآجال ميقات

It is the warner, so beware lest you be deceived by what

Distracts you from it: lifespans have an appointed time.

فراجع العقل وارم الجهل عن عرض

ففي النهى لذوي الأهوا نهايات

Return to reason and cast ignorance far aside:

In understanding, the passionate find restraints.

وارجع إلى الله واجبرما أضعت وتب

ففي المتاب من الآثام منجاة

Return to God, repair what you have wasted, and repent:

In repentance lies deliverance from sins.

وقف على الباب واذر الدمع واصف وسل

بالهاشمس توفيك الإجابات

Stand at the door, shed tears, be pure, and ask

Through the Hashimite: answers will come to you.

فهو الشفيع إذا ضاق المقام لم

تنجع مقام ولم تنفع مقالات

He is the intercessor when the station narrows, when

No station avails and no words bring benefit.

جبر الكسي مجير المتستجير به

غوث الطريد إذا أقصته نكبات

Mender of the broken, protector of those seeking refuge in him,

Aid of the outcast when calamities drive him away;

عز الحقير مجيب السائلين له

كنز الفقير إذا أعيته فاقات

Honor of the lowly, answerer of those who ask him,

Treasure of the poor when poverty exhausts them.

ما رامني الدهر خسفا واستغثت به

إلا نجوت ووافتني مبرات

Never did time seek to abase me, and I seek his aid,

Without escaping and receiving acts of kindness.

ولا عصاني زماني والتجأت له

غلا أطاع وحفتني عنايات

Never did my time defy me, and I take refuge in him,

Without its obeying and care surrounding me.

ولا تكاثف سقمي واحتميت به

إ لاشفيت وعمتني المعافاة

Never did my sickness grow severe, and I seek his protection,

Without being healed and encompassed by recovery.

فهو الكريم الذي يممت ساحته

فيممتني أياديه الكريمات

He is the generous one whose courtyard I sought;

His generous favors then sought me.

وهو الجواد الذي ما أمه لهف

إلا وجادته من جدواه مزنات

He is the bountiful one whom no distressed person approaches

Without clouds of his bounty raining upon him.

وهو البشير الذي ما أم وجهته

ذو حزن إلا وأمته المسرّات

He is the bearer of glad tidings whose direction no

Sorrowful person seeks without joys seeking him.

وجهت وجه مديحي نحو وجهته

فصح لي منه جاهات ووجهات

I directed the face of my praise toward his direction,

And from him obtained standing and regard.

ذو الجود كم راش مداحا وطوقه

فلا يزال له بالشكر سجعات

Possessor of bounty—how many a praiser he enriched and adorned!

Thus the praiser never ceases grateful, rhyming songs for him.

خدمته بمديح كي أجاز وهل

إلا على مدحه ترجى الإجازات

I served him with praise that I might be rewarded; are

Rewards hoped for otherwise than through praising him?

ومن يرى المدح في طه تجارته

يفز بربح به تزكو التجارات

Whoever regards praising Ta-Ha as his trade

Wins profit through which trades flourish.

عمت أياديه كل المادحين وكم

وفت لهم من أياديه مجازات

His favors encompassed all who praised him, and how many

Rewards from his favors were fulfilled for them!

أما ترى كعب إذ أنشا سعاد وفى

مرقىالكرام وعمته السعادات

Do you not see how Ka'b, when he composed 'Su'ad,' attained

The ascent of the noble, and happiness encompassed him?

كذاكَ حسان في عدن رقى غرفا

بالمدح فيه وحفته العنايات

Likewise Hassan ascended chambers in Eden

Through praising him, and care surrounded him.

فحسب مملوكه جهد استطاعته

وأن يكون له فيه امتداحات

Sufficient for his servant is the utmost of his ability,

And that he should have praises of him.

حاشا مكارمه أن يقص ذا مدح

له على الباب بالتطفيل وقفات

Far be it from his generosity to cut off a praiser

Who stands at his door as an uninvited guest;

أو يرجع المدح كلا من عطيته

وهو الذي ترتجى منه العطيات

Or that the praiser return wearied from his giving,

When he is the one from whom gifts are hoped for.

وما عسى يبلغ المداح فيه وقد

جاءت بمدحته في الذكر آيات

What can the praiser possibly attain concerning him, when

Verses praising him have come in the Remembrance?

لكن تطفلت في مدحي عنه وما

خاب امرؤ يممته منه مدحات

Yet I intruded with my praise of him, and never

Failed a man whom praises from him sought.

ومنذ أعملت في أوصافه فكري

هبت عليّ بها للعفو نسمات

Since I set my thought to work upon his qualities,

Breezes of pardon have blown upon me through them.

فقام عني لسان الحب يشكره

بالمدح والشكر للنعما وقايات

The tongue of love rose to thank him on my behalf,

With praise—and gratitude safeguards blessings.

بشراك يا من غدا في حبه كلفها

أن قد أحاطتك للمولى رعايات

Glad tidings, you who have become consumed with love for him:

The Master's care has encompassed you.

وليهنكم يا بني الأمداح أن لكم

به أعدّ عطيات سريات

Congratulations, children of praise, that for you

Through him noble gifts have been prepared.

يا أكرم الخلق يا أوفى الورى صلة

حسبي امتداح آثارته المحبات

O most generous of creation, most faithful in kindness to humankind,

Sufficient for me is praise stirred by affections.

أو ليتني في الكرى رحبا أمنت به

مما أخوفه والخير عادات

Would that in dreams I were welcomed and made safe through him

From what I fear, for goodness is customary!

يا أعظم الناس قدراً مشتكي كمد

عدته دونك حاجات مجيحات

O greatest of people in worth, here is one complaining of grief,

Kept from you by devastating needs.

يا أصبح الناس وجها عج علي بما

أرجو فقد سودت وجهي الخطيات

O brightest-faced of people, turn toward me with what

I hope for: sins have blackened my face.

يا أجود الناس كفا جد علي فلي

على شفاعتك العظما اعتمادات

O most generous-handed of people, be generous to me, for I

Place my reliance upon your supreme intercession.

يا أرأف الناس قلبا من إليّ فلي

قلب عرته لعصياني القساوات

O most tender-hearted of people, favor me, for I have

A heart afflicted with hardness through my disobedience.

يا أوسع الرسل جاها إنني دنف

قد أوبقتني أوزار وزلات

O greatest of messengers in standing, I am an invalid:

Burdens and faults have destroyed me.

أنا الغريب الذي أقصاه مؤنسه

أنا الكئيب الذي ساءته حالات

I am the stranger driven away by his companion;

I am the sorrowful one distressed by circumstances.

أنا الضليل إلي حارت أدلته

أنا العليل الذي أعيته صحات

I am the wanderer whose proofs are bewildered;

I am the invalid whom states of health have exhausted.

ما حيلتي وما اعتذاري إن سئلت وقد

أحنت ضلوعي آثام عظيمات

What is my resource, what my excuse, if questioned, when

Great sins have bent my ribs?

أم كيف حالي ولم أحتل لمنقلبي

ما شاء كان ولله المشيئات

What is my condition, when I have made no provision for my return?

What He wills comes to be, and all wills belong to God.

لكن ظني جميل بالإله ومن

يحسن الظن تكنفه الرعايات

Yet my expectation of God is good, and whoever

Thinks well is encompassed by care.

يا أرحم الراحمين العفو من لغو

لم يرو عنه لداعي الخير إنصات

O most merciful of the merciful, pardon one heedless,

Of whom no listening to the caller of good is reported.

يا أرحم الراحمين العفو من لعم

قد زحزحته عن الرشد الغوايات

O most merciful of the merciful, pardon one [unclear epithet],

Whom errors have displaced from right guidance.

يا ألطف اللطفا ألطف بي فقد رشقت

سهام وزر لها في القلب فتكات

O gentlest of the gentle, be gentle with me, for there have struck

Arrows of sin that deal death within the heart.

يا أحلم الحلما أكشف ما اعترى بصري

فقد توالت على لحظي غشاوات

O most forbearing of the forbearing, uncover what has afflicted my sight:

Veils have followed one another over my gaze.

يا أكرم الكرما اختم بالرضا عملي

فقد توالت على هلكي الجنايات

O most generous of the generous, seal my work with acceptance:

Offenses have followed one another toward my destruction.

يا رب واكلا أمير المؤمنين أبا

عمرو الرضا من به ترعى الخلافات

O Lord, protect the Commander of the Faithful, Abu

Amr al-Rida, through whom caliphates are guarded.

واعضده بالنصر والفتح المبين وجد

له بجدوى بها تولى الكرامات

Support him with victory and manifest conquest, and bestow

Upon him bounty through which honors are granted.

واحرسه من حاسديه وارحم حوزته

وكن له إن دحت للخطب ساعات

Guard him from those who envy him, and have mercy upon his domain;

Be there for him if hours of calamity spread.

وحط معانيه من عين الكمال فقد

تجمعت للمعالي فيه أشتات

Encompass his meanings from the source of perfection, for

Scattered elements of lofty virtues have gathered within him.

واحفظ به شرعه الإسلام واحم به

سرح الخلافة أن تغشاه غارات

Preserve through him Islam's law, and protect through him

The caliphate's pasture from descending raids.

ليصبح الدين تجلوه اسرته

ويغتدي الملك تعلوه المهابات

So that religion may dawn, illuminated by his family,

And sovereignty may rise, surmounted by awe.

وصن حمى عبدك المسعود وارع له

ولاية صدرت عنها الولايات

Guard the sanctuary of Your fortunate servant, and preserve for him

A sovereignty from which sovereignties have issued.

واسعده واسعد به واصلح رعيته

وأوله ما ب ترجى السعادات

Make him happy, bring happiness through him, and reform his subjects;

Grant him that through which happiness is hoped for.

والبسه ثوب البها والعز واجر به

سحاب جود به تحيا البريات

Clothe him in splendor and honor, and send forth through him

Clouds of bounty by which creatures live.

والطف به واعف عنه وأته كرما

مواهبا أودعت فيها العبارات

Be gentle with him, pardon him, and generously grant him

Gifts into which expressions have been entrusted.

واخلف على خلوف وأته مننا

لا من تبديه فيها الإمتنانات

Replenish Khalluf's losses, and grant him favors,

With no reminders of favor displayed therein.

واغفر له واقض عنه دينه وأفض

عليه سحبا بها للخير سحات

Forgive him, discharge his debt, and pour forth

Upon him clouds showering goodness.

وامنن بعود إلى القبر الشريف عسى

تقضي به في حمى طه لبانات

Favor him with a return to the noble tomb, that perhaps

Wishes may be fulfilled through it in Ta-Ha's sanctuary.

واحفظ بني وسامح والدي وعز

ز المسلمين فللإسلام عزّات

Preserve my children, pardon my parents, and strengthen

The Muslims, for Islam has its honors.

والطف بأشياخي الزهر الهداة وجد

بالعفو عنهم فللأشياخ حرمات

Be gentle with my radiant, guiding teachers, and bestow

Pardon upon them, for teachers have sacred claims.

وصل تترى على المختار ما طلعت

شمس الضحى وانجلت عنها الدجنات

Send blessings successively upon the Chosen while rises

The forenoon sun and darkness clears away from it.

ووال سحب الرضا للآل تكرمة

والصحب ما غردت في البان ورقات

Continue clouds of acceptance upon the family, honoring them,

And the companions, while doves sing in the ban trees.