أضرم الوجد في الحشاشة نارا

إذ رأى الدمع في المحاجر فارا

Longing kindled a fire in the heart,

When it saw tears overflowing in the eye sockets.

وسرى النوم عن أعيني بليل

حين قالوا صد الحبيب وسارا

Sleep departed from my eyes by night,

When they said, “The beloved turned away and left.”

سار عني وما وجدت اصطبارا

ما احتيالي وما أجدلي اصطبارا

He left me, and I found no endurance.

What resource have I? I find no endurance.

طير العقل ثم قص جناحي

وقصى منزلا وشط مزارا

He scattered my reason, then clipped my wings,

And withdrew his dwelling, making his visiting-place remote.

وأذاب الحشا وصعد دمعا

لم يزده الصعد إلا انحدارا

He melted the heart and raised tears,

Whose ascent only increased their falling.

وقضى بالغرام رغما ومن ذا

يا فؤادي يعاند الأقدارا

He imposed love unwillingly—and who,

O my heart, can resist destiny?

ويح قلبي وويح كل محب

فقد العين فاقتفى الآثارا

Alas for my heart, and every lover

Who lost the beloved's presence and followed the traces!

يرقب النجم في الظلام ومهما

لمع البرق في الظلام استطارا

He watches the stars in darkness, and whenever

Lightning flashes in darkness, he starts in agitation.

وإذا ناح في الغصون حمام

مزّق القلب ثم شق الإزارا

And when a dove laments among the branches,

He tears his heart, then rends his waistband.

وإذا زار للأحبة طيف

انكسر الراس ذلة وصغارا

And when a phantom of the beloved visits,

His head bows in abasement and humiliation.

لازم السهد والأسى فلهذا

علم النوح والبكا الأطيارا

He keeps company with sleeplessness and sorrow; therefore

He taught the birds lamentation and weeping.

فقد الصبر والسلو فأضحى

بظهر الحب لوعة واستعارا

He lost patience and consolation, and became,

Upon love's back, anguish and burning.

وكسا جسمه السقام فأمسى

سهد عينيه للجفون شعارا

Sickness clothed his body, and thus

His eyes' sleeplessness became his eyelids' inner garment.

يا خليلي عرجا بي لسلع

وآسالا عن غزالة أين سارا

O my two friends, turn with me toward Sal‘,

And ask after the gazelle: where has it gone?

وأشيرا بما يبلغ قصدي

ربما أرشد المشير المشارا

And advise me how to attain my aim;

An adviser may guide the one advised.

وآحملاني إلى الأبيرق علي

أعطف البان أو أناغي الهزارا

And carry me to al-Ubayriq, that perhaps I

May bend the ben-tree or converse with the nightingale.

وصلاتي السرى مسا وصباحا

واقطعا بي الجود والأغوارا

And my prayers—night-travel, evening and morning [reading uncertain];

And carry me across the uplands and lowlands [reading uncertain].

وقفا بي على الرسوم قليلا

ودعاني أودع الأوكارا

And stop with me briefly at the traces,

And let me bid farewell to the nests.

وخذا بي يمين باب المصلى

وأقيما لكي أقيم الجدارا

And take me to the right of al-Musalla's gate,

And remain, that I may raise the wall.

واستدلا على الطريق بنشر

حين جرت ليلاي فيه الإزارا

And find the road by the fragrance

Where my Layla dragged her waistband.

وابلغاني لحي ليل فقلبي

من ركون الضلوع للحي طارا

And bring me to Layl's encampment; my heart

Flew from the shelter of my ribs to that encampment.

وأنيخا ببابها عيس قصدي

عن العيس فاطرحا الأوكارا

And kneel the white camels of my purpose at her door;

Throw the nests from the white camels.

واطرحاني على التراب وقولا

ميتك الحي قد أراد المزارا

And cast me upon the dust, and say:

“Your living dead one has desired a visit.”

واسعداني على السهاد فجفني

صار من بعد نومه سهارا

And help me bear sleeplessness, for my eyelid

Has become wakeful after its sleep.

واندباني بكل شجو ليبلي

وابكياني بكل دمع نهارا

And lament me with every grief [ending unclear],

And weep for me with every tear by day.

وانشداها عن طيب وصل تقضى

واذكراها تلك الليالي القصارا

And ask her about the sweetness of a vanished union,

And remind her of those short nights.

وسلاها تعطفا فعساها

تترك الطيف يزور سرارا

And ask her for compassion; perhaps she

Will let her phantom visit secretly.

يا لقومي أما معين معين

غير دمع أفاض منه البحارا

O my people, is there a helper, a wellspring,

Other than tears from which he poured out seas?

وشفيق يرق لي أو رفيق

يحفظ الجار أو يراعي الجوارا

And a compassionate one who pities me, or a companion

Who protects a neighbor or observes neighborly duty?

وصديق صدوق وعد يباري

نقض عهد ويكتم الأسرارا

And a truthful friend whose promise withstands

Broken pledges, and who conceals secrets?

أو سمير يصغى لشرح حديثي

فحديثي يطرب السمارا

Or a night-companion who listens to my unfolding tale?

For my tale delights the night-companions.

كان ما كان يا فؤاد فدعني

فالذي كنت اختشي منه صارا

What happened happened, O heart; leave me,

For what I used to fear has come to pass.

قضي الأمر فاقض ما أنت قاض

فلك الحب بالتوله دارا

The matter is decided; decide whatever you will:

Love's sphere has revolved in bewildered passion.

يا عذولي ما رأيت في الحب جهلا

وأرى حاكم الهوى لا يمارى

O my censurer, I have seen no folly in love,

And I deem passion's judge beyond dispute.

لا تلمني فلست أول حر

صار عبدا لمن يحب اختيارا

Do not blame me: I am not the first free man

To become willingly a slave to one he loves.

شنّع المرجفون أن فؤادي

صار في الحب خائنا غدارا

The rumor-mongers proclaimed that my heart

Had become treacherous and faithless in love.

وادعوا أنني سلوت ومن لي

بعذير يوجّه الأعذارا

They claimed I had forgotten—and who will provide me

An advocate who presents my excuses,

ويوهي بثنى بما أحدثوها

إذ رأوني أخلصت فيك العذارا

And weakens [unclear wording] through what they devised,

Since they saw my utter devotion to you, unbridled [reading uncertain]?

ما بأحشائهم علقت وحاشا

أن يكون الحشا لغيرك دارا

Not with their hearts was I entangled—God forbid

That my heart should house anyone but you!

يا فؤادا أضله الطرف لما

إن رأى الحسن زائل الإستارا

O heart led astray by the glance, when

It saw beauty with its veils removed!

قل لمن رام يستعيرك شجوا

شغل الحب مهجتي أن يعارا

Tell whoever seeks to borrow sorrow from you:

“Love has occupied my soul beyond lending.”

آه من حرقة وفرط جنون

صير الطرف والفؤاد حيارى

Ah, the burning and excess of madness

That bewildered both the glance and the heart!

من نصير وليس غير فؤادي

ذاب شوقا وما درى الإنتصارا

Who will help? There is only my heart,

Melted with longing, knowing no victory.

ويح أهل الهوى يرون سكارى

من هواهم وما هم بسكارى

Alas for passion's people, seen as drunk

With their passion, though they are not drunk!

صيروا الذرع شرعة لأناس

أنفوا الذل في الهوى والصغارا

They made endurance a creed for people

Who disdained abasement and humiliation in love.

يا نسيمات القلوب رفقا فقلبي

لم يكن قط يألف الحجارا

O breezes of hearts, gently! My heart

Has never been accustomed to stones.

قد نسيتم عهودنا وفؤادي

لم يزده البعاد إلا اذكارا

You have forgotten our pledges, while my heart

Has only remembered more through separation.

كم جفون كسيتموها سهاما

كم قلوب سلبتموها القرارا

How many eyelids you clothed with arrows!

How many hearts you robbed of repose!

كم عقول بدلتموها جفونا

كم نفوس أورثتموها الدمارا

How many minds you exchanged for eyelids!

How many souls you bequeathed destruction!

كل يوم يسوقني الدهر خسفا

فهوى شبا في الأصالغ نارا

Every day time drives me toward abasement,

And passion kindled fire in [an unclear place].

وإذا ما الظلام جن رماني

سهم وجد بهيج الإفتكارا

And when darkness enfolds me, there strikes me

An arrow of longing, stirring thought [reading uncertain].

طال ليلي ولم يلح وجه صبحي

يا ترى هل أرى الظلام يواري

My night is long; my morning's face has not appeared.

I wonder: shall I see darkness hidden away?

لو يكون الصباح حيا يرجى

لم تر الزهر في السماء حيارى

Were morning a living being to be hoped for,

You would not see the bright stars bewildered in heaven.

لو بدا لي السنا لقمت أنادي

يا لقومي آنست ي الحي نارا

If radiance appeared to me, I would rise and call:

“O my people, I have glimpsed fire in the camp [reading uncertain]!

فامكثوا لي عسى أخبر عنها

أو لعل الزمان يدني المزارا

Wait for me; perhaps I shall bring news of it,

Or perhaps time will bring the visiting-place nearer.”

يا أنيسي وأين منى أنيسي

لم يزده الدنو إلا نفارا

O my companion—and where is my companion from me?

Nearness has only increased his aversion.

يا شفائي وكيف لي بشفاء

وضلوعي على الغضى تتوارى

O my healing—and how can healing be mine,

While my ribs lie hidden amid ghada embers?

يا حياتي واين أين حياتي

والهوى يقتل المحب اضطرارا

O my life—and where, where is my life,

While passion kills the lover against his will?

ضاق ذرعي وما لسرى خلاص

غير مدح الشفيع منجي الأساري

My strength fails; my night-journey has no deliverance,

Except praising the Intercessor, deliverer of captives.

فهو عين الندى وغوث المنادي

وهو كهف الرجا وكافي الضرارا

He is the wellspring of bounty, the caller's succor,

The refuge of hope and the averter of harm.

وهو وسطى قلائد المجد عزا

وهو إنسان مقلتيه فخارا

He is glory's central necklace-jewel in might,

And the pupil of its two eyes in splendor.

وهو روح العلا وصدر المعالي

وهو سر النهى ورشد الحيارى

He is the spirit of loftiness, the forefront of high attainments,

The secret of reason and guidance for the bewildered.

وهو معنى مظاهر الحق سرا

ومنشي حلى الكمال اشتهارا

He is the inward meaning of Truth's manifestations,

And the maker of perfection's ornaments in their renown.

كل جود فمن علاه تجلّى

كل حسن فمن حلاه استعارا

Every generosity is revealed from his loftiness;

Every beauty has borrowed from his adornments.

كل غيث فمن نداه مفاض

كل ليث فمن ظباه استجارا

Every rain is poured forth from his bounty;

Every lion seeks refuge from his blades.

كل هدي فمن هداه تبدى

كل نور فمن سناه أنارا

Every guidance appears from his guidance;

Every light shines from his radiance.

فاق كل الأنام خلقا وخلقا

فأمال القلوب والأبصارا

He surpassed all creation in form and character,

And drew hearts and eyes toward him.

وبه الرسل والأملاك لاذوا

فأنبلوا العلوم والأسرارا

Through him the messengers and angels sought refuge,

And thus ennobled the sciences and mysteries.

وغدوا في علاه مثل نجوم

في سماء سما بها أبدارا

Within his loftiness they became like stars

In a heaven where he exalted them as full moons.

وإليه يعزون كل المقام

نولوه ومنه نالوا الفخارا

To him they attribute every station

They were granted; from him they gained glory.

وجميع الوجود مد بطة

كخليج يقد استمد البحارا

All existence extends [wording unclear],

Like an inlet drawing sustenance from the seas [reading uncertain].

وهل الكون في معاليه إلا

كسنا في سماء أفق أنارا

And is the universe, amid his high attainments, anything

But radiance lighting a heavenly horizon?

مظهر الحق منطق الجن فرد

جمع الحسن والبهاء والوقارا

Manifestation of Truth, speaker to jinn, peerless,

He united beauty, splendor, and dignity.

ليس شيء عند الإله يحاكي

شأوه السابق البعيد المطارا

Nothing before God can match

His foremost reach, his far-ranging flight.

فاتح خاتم نبي رسول

يا له مجتبى رضا مختارا

An opener, a seal, a prophet, a messenger—

What an elect, approved, chosen one!

مصطفى مرتضى حبيب خليل

أكرم الخلق نسمة وشعارا

Chosen, approved, beloved, intimate friend,

Noblest of creation in breath and inner garment.

أكمل العالمين روحا وذاتا

وصفاتا ومظهرا واستتارا

Most perfect of all beings in spirit and essence,

In attributes, manifestation, and concealment.

لم تلد مثله الحوامل فخرا

وكفى حزبه بذاك افتخارا

No pregnant woman bore his like in glory;

That alone suffices his company for pride.

كامل الحسن ظاهر البشر أضفى

بسناه الشموس والأقمارا

Complete in beauty, manifestly cheerful, he outshone

With his radiance the suns and moons.

أزهر اللون أشنب الغر أقنى

أحور الطرف زين الأحورارا

Bright-complexioned, sweet and white-toothed, aquiline-nosed,

Dark-eyed, adorning all the dark-eyed.

أهيف القد طيب النشر عنه

قد روى الزهر روضه المعطارا

Slender of stature, sweet of fragrance; from him

The flowers told of his fragrant garden.

فبعطفيه مثل البان لينا

وبخديه يشبه الجلنارا

His two sides are supple like the ben-tree,

And his cheeks resemble pomegranate blossom.

لم تر العين في البرية أحلى

منه نطقا ولا اسرا فتتارى

The eye has seen none in creation sweeter

Than his speech or captivation [ending unclear].

وكذا الأذن لم يلجها مقال

مثل قوم دعا به إنذارا

Likewise, no utterance entered the ear

Like the people he summoned with warning [reading uncertain].

ما بدا وانثنى لرائبه إلا

أظهر البان يثمر الأزهارا

Whenever he appeared and turned toward his doubter,

He displayed the ben-tree bearing flowers.

أشرف الخلق مرادا ورضاعا

وفطاما ومجتدى ونجارا

Noblest of creation as desired, and in suckling,

In weaning, generosity, and lineage.

زاده الله بهجة وجمالا

وكمالا وعزة واقتدارا

God increased him in brightness and beauty,

In perfection, might, and power.

لم يناديه باسمه بل دعاه

بأعز الكنى لديه اشتهارا

He did not call him by his name, but summoned him

By the most honored appellations renowned before Him.

وبه أقسم الإله وباهى

بعلاه وصرف الأقدارا

God swore by him, and gloried

In his loftiness, and directed destinies.

صادق العزم ظاهر الحزم شهم

نافذ الأمر إن ثوى أو سارا

True in resolve, manifest in firmness, noble,

His command prevails whether he stays or journeys.

أحرز الباس والندى فلهاذا

جمع الصيد فيه والأقمارا

He attained valor and bounty; therefore

He combined proud chiefs and moons within himself.

لم يقع فوقه الذباب احتراما

لعلاه ورفعة ووقارا

No fly alighted upon him, in respect

For his loftiness, elevation, and dignity.

لم يقع فوقه الذباب احتراما

لعلاه ورفعة ووقارا

No fly alighted upon him, in respect

For his loftiness, elevation, and dignity.

يقظ القلب إن غفت مقلتاه

لم يزده الهجوع إلا افتكارا

Wakeful of heart though his eyes slept,

Sleep only increased his reflection.

من لميلاده النجوم تهادت

وتداعى إيوان كسرى وانهارا

He at whose birth the stars descended gently,

And Kisra's vaulted hall crumbled and collapsed.

من له الشهب أحرقت كل جن

يسرق السمع ينقل الأخبارا

He for whom meteors burned every jinn

Who stole a hearing and carried news.

ولهيب المجوس أخمد لما

إن رأى فيض ماء ساوة غارا

And the Magians' flame was extinguished when

It saw Sawah's abundant water sink away.

من تراءى لمه قصر بصرى

ولها الشام قد بدا استطهارا

He whose mother beheld Busra's palace,

And to whom Syria appeared in purity [reading uncertain].

من به بشر الزبير وكعب

وبحيرا وجى تليق النصارى

He whose coming al-Zubayr and Ka‘b foretold,

And Bahira and [an unclear name or title] of the Christians.

من به الجن أخبرت وتوالى

قول كهانهم بذاك مرارا

He of whom the jinn gave news, while repeatedly

Their soothsayers' pronouncements followed one another.

من به الكتب بشّرت وأبانت

عنه أشياء بصرتنا اعتبارا

He whose coming the books foretold, revealing

Things about him that taught us discernment.

من به بشر الكليم وعسى

وشعيب ويوسف وابن سارا

He whose coming the one addressed foretold, and [an unclear name],

And Shu‘ayb, Joseph, and Sarah's son.

من به آدم وشيث أنيلا

ما أنيلا من الرضا استشارا

He through whom Adam and Seth were granted

The favor they received [ending unclear].

من به إدريس عز مرقى ونوح

بان في الفلك إذ طمى الما وفارا

He through whom Idris rose nobly, and Noah

Appeared in the ark when water swelled and overflowed.

من نجا صالح به وثمود

وبه هود أرغم الفجارا

He through whom Salih and Thamud were saved,

And through whom Hud humbled the wicked.

من به لوط والخليل أجيرا

وبه إسحاق والذبيح استجارى

He through whom Lot and the intimate friend were sheltered,

And through whom Isaac and the sacrificial son sought refuge.

من به يوسف أجل ويعقو

ب والأسباط قد كفى الأعذارا

He through whom Joseph was honored, and Jacob—

And the tribes—were spared reproaches.

من به أصبح الكليم موقى

كيد فرعون إذ دعا السحارى

He through whom the one addressed became protected

From Pharaoh's plotting when he summoned the magicians.

من به نول الحبورة هارو

ن المعالي فأرغم الكفارا

He through whom Aaron received priestly honor—

Of lofty rank—and humbled the unbelievers.

من به يوشع تملك سرا

أوقف الشمس حين كادت توارى

He through whom Joshua possessed a secret:

He halted the sun as it nearly disappeared.

من به أنقذ الإله شعيبا

وكفى أيوب إذ شكا الأضرارا

He through whom God rescued Shu‘ayb,

And succored Job when he complained of afflictions.

من به يونس نجا من دياجي

باطن الحوت حيث شق البحارا

He through whom Jonah escaped the darkness

Within the fish, as it cleaved the seas.

من به الخضر والعزيز وذو الكفل

ولقمان علموا الأسرارا

He through whom al-Khidr, al-‘Aziz, Dhu al-Kifl,

And Luqman were taught the mysteries.

من به سير الإله لداو

د جبالا وأوقف الأطيارا

He through whom God set mountains moving for David—

And brought the birds to a halt.

من به سخر الوحوش سليما

ن وريحا ومارداً طيارا

He through whom wild beasts were subjected to Solomon—

And wind, and a flying demon.

من به إلياس طار كل مطار

في سما المجد حبذاك المطارا

He through whom Elijah flew every flight

In glory's heaven—how fine that flight!

من به إسكندر الزمان لمعنى

فجر الما ومصر الأمصارا

He through whom the age's Alexander, for a purpose,

Unleashed water and founded cities.

من به لاذ إذ دعا زكريا

فاكتفى شر من رأى المنشارا

He through whom Zechariah sought refuge when he called,

And escaped the evil of those who saw the saw.

من به أتحف الحصور وعيسى

فلهذا ترفعا واستنارا

He through whom the chaste one and Jesus were endowed;

Therefore both were exalted and shone.

من له البدر شق نصفين طوعا

إذ دعاه ليعجز الكفارا

He for whom the full moon willingly split in two,

When he called it to confound the unbelievers.

من له الشمس أوقفت وأعيدت

وله الفحل أذعن استصغارا

He for whom the sun was halted and brought back,

And to whom the stallion submitted humbly.

من له الجذع حن حنّ مشوق

صد عن ورد وأنّ وخارا

He for whom the trunk yearned like a longing lover

Turned away from water, groaning and crying out.

من له الضب قال قولا بليغا

وله الحق أنطق الأحجارا

He for whom the lizard spoke eloquently,

And for whom Truth made stones speak.

من له الذنب والبعير أقرا

بكلام مصحح لا يمارى

He whom the wolf [uncertain reading] and camel acknowledged

With authentic speech beyond dispute.

من له أنبأ الذراع بسم

وله الماء في المزادة فارا

He whom the foreleg informed of poison,

And for whom water overflowed in the waterskin.

من له البدن ازدلفن عسى أن

يبتدي بالتي أتته اختيارا

He to whom the sacrificial camels drew near, hoping

He would begin with the one that came willingly.

من أعاد اليبيس في الكف رطبا

وبه عادت العصا بتارا

He who made dry wood fresh in his hand,

And through whom the staff became a cleaving sword.

من بلمس أعاد ضرع عناق

لم تلد قبل أو درت إدرارا

He who by touch restored a young goat's udder,

Though it had not borne before or yielded milk.

من عليه الوحوش ضلّت وحيّت

وله الرب أسجد الأشجارا

He before whom wild beasts strayed and gave greetings [reading uncertain],

And for whom the Lord made trees prostrate.

من عليه الوليد سلم حقا

وعليه الرضيع صلى جهارا

He whom the newborn truly greeted,

And upon whom the suckling invoked blessings aloud.

من أجار الغزالة لما دعته

أن أجرني فالفطم أودى الصغارا

He who sheltered the gazelle when it called:

“Protect me! Weaning has destroyed the little ones.”

من غدا الذنب مخبرا عنه لما

منع الشاة يا له إخبارا

He of whom the wolf [uncertain reading] gave news when

It was denied the sheep—what a report!

من دعا المبت بعد دفن فلبّى

ونهى الطود فاستكان ازدجارا

He who called the dead [unclear spelling] after burial, and he answered,

And restrained the mountain, which meekly obeyed.

من أتته الظبي مسيرة شهر

لا امتثالا لأمره وانتظارا

He to whom a gazelle came a month's journey,

Not in obedience to his command, and waiting [reading uncertain].

من بكفيه خدم وطعام

سبحا باري الورى الجبارا

He in whose hands servants [reading uncertain] and food

Glorified creation's Maker, the Almighty.

من أعاد القضيب في الكف سيفا

وبها الماء قد جرى مدرارا

He who turned a rod in his hand into a sword,

And from that hand water flowed abundantly.

من كفى بالصواع ألفا وروّى

بيسير جيوشه استكثارا

He who fed a thousand with a measure, and quenched

His armies with little, making it abundant.

من أتاه البعير يشكو هلاكا

فحماه من الردى وأجارا

He to whom a camel came complaining of destruction,

And he protected it from death and gave refuge.

من وقاه الغمام حر هجير

وسقاه لما دعا استغزارا

He whom clouds shielded from midday heat,

And watered when he prayed for abundant rain.

من حماه الحمام في الغار لما

نسجت عنكبوته الأستارا

He whom doves protected in the cave when

Its spider wove the curtains.

من دعا النخل فاستجبن سراعا

بدعاء به سلبن القرارا

He who called the palms, and they answered swiftly,

Through a summons that deprived them of their footing.

من أحلّت له الغنائم لما

بحماة الهدى سبى الكفارا

He for whom spoils were made lawful when

With guidance's defenders he captured the unbelievers.

من كفاه الإله غورث لما

سل للفتك فوقه البتارا

He whom God protected from Ghawrath when

He drew the cleaving sword above him to kill.

من طوى للصيام كشحا لطيفا

لم يكن قبل زاول الأحجارا

He who folded his slender waist for fasting,

Having never before handled stones.

من أدام القيام في الليل حتى

أورم الساق واشتكاه ضرارا

He who sustained standing prayer at night until

His leg swelled and caused painful complaint.

من يمسح أرى للأقرع شعرا

وبمسح أبرا الجراح الكبارا

He who by a touch showed hair upon a bald head [reading uncertain],

And by a touch healed great wounds.

من بتفل أعاد شق خبيب

بعد شق لشقّه قد أهارا

He who with spittle restored Khubayb's wounded side,

After a gash had torn his side apart.

من بتفل أعاد كف اين عفرا

بعد قطع لكفّه قد أطارا

He who with spittle restored Ibn ‘Afra's hand,

After a severing blow had sent it flying.

من بتفل أجلى لحاظ بريد

من غشاء فأحكم الأبصارا

He who with spittle cleared Burayd's sight

Of a covering, and perfected his vision.

من كفى العين إذ شفاها برد

بعد قلع فأعجز النظارا

He who protected an eye, healing it by replacing it

After removal, astonishing those who watched.

من بجدواه بنت حاتم طيئ

أرجعت كيف شاءت استكثارا

He through whose bounty Hatim of Tayyi's daughter

Was returned as she wished, with abundance.

من بأملاك والنبيين صلى

في مقام له أقام المنارا

He who led angels and prophets in prayer

At a station where he established the beacon.

من على صهوة البراق ترقى

فارتقى مرتقى علا المقدارا

He who ascended upon al-Buraq's back,

And rose to an ascent of exalted measure.

من حمى حومة الوغى وحماها

بجنود جيّادها لن تبارى

He who defended battle's heart and protected it

With troops whose steeds cannot be matched.

من به أرغم اللعين هشام

إذ تعدى وراغم استكبارا

He through whom accursed Hisham was humbled

When he transgressed and defied in arrogance.

من به عتبة أذاق عتابا

أوقر السمع ذلة واحتقارا

He through whom ‘Utba was made to taste rebuke

That burdened his hearing with abasement and contempt.

من به شيبة تصاغر لما

ألبسته يد العذاب الصغارا

He through whom Shayba dwindled when

The hand of punishment clothed him in humiliation.

من به أرضع الوليد كؤوسا

شيّبته وقد سقته مارا

He through whom al-Walid was given cups

That turned him gray, giving him bitterness [reading uncertain].

من بترب رمى وجوها فساهت

وبرمي الحصى فقا الأبصارا

He who cast dust at faces, leaving them bewildered,

And by throwing pebbles put eyes out.

كم وقى حادثا وأمن خوفا

كم دحا جابرا وأكرم جارا

How often he averted calamity and allayed fear!

How often he swept aside [an unclear object] and honored neighbors!

كم نهى عاصيا وهنا مطيعا

كم كفى عائلا وفك الإسارا

How often he restrained a rebel and congratulated the obedient!

How often he succored the needy and broke captivity!

كم رعى صاحبا وراع عدوا

كم سبى ثائرا وخول ثارا

How often he tended a companion and terrified an enemy!

How often he captured a rebel and granted vengeance!

كم أرى أكمها وأعمى بصيرا

كم طفى فتنة وأخمد نارا

How often he gave sight to the born blind and blinded the seeing!

How often he extinguished discord and quenched fire!

كم سبى ضيغما وأغنى فقيرا

كم جلا دارة وعمر دارا

How often he captured a lion and enriched the poor!

How often he cleared an enclosure and peopled a home!

كم دعا صادقا ورد كذوبا

قد أتاه وكم أقل عثارا

How often he called the truthful and rejected a liar

Who came to him; how often he pardoned stumbling!

كم هدى حائرا وأهدى نفيسا

لوليّ وكم أزاح ستارا

How often he guided the bewildered and gave precious gifts

To a friend; how often he lifted a curtain!

كم محا ظلمة وأظهر نورا

كم كفى جاها وروى أوارى

How often he erased darkness and revealed light!

How often he sufficed in rank [reading uncertain] and quenched my burning thirst!

كم شفى معضلا وأنعش ميتا

كم كفى صائلا وكف ضرارا

How often he healed grievous illness and revived the dead!

How often he checked an assailant and restrained harm!

صاغه الله عين كل جمال

وكساه محبة ووقارا

God fashioned him as the essence of every beauty,

And clothed him in love and dignity.

ودعاه إلى حماه فلبى

وأراه سر الجمال الموارى

He called him into His sanctuary, and he answered,

And showed him the secret of hidden beauty.

واصطفاه مكانة ونوالا

واعتزازا ورفعة وقرارا

He chose him for station and bounty,

For honor, elevation, and repose.

ودعاه بأنت خير عبادي

أولست المقرب المختارا

He called him: “You are the best of My servants;

Are you not the one brought near, the chosen?

أنت عبدي وصفوتي وخليلي

يا حبيبي فسو سواك فخارا

You are My servant, My elect, My intimate friend.

O My beloved, surpass others in glory [reading uncertain].

واهن قلبا وقر عينا فقدما

سدت في حضرة الرضا الأبرارا

Be glad of heart and serene of eye [reading uncertain]; long ago

You led the righteous in the presence of favor.

ولك البشر قد رفع جحابى

لترى وجه الجميل جهارا

Glad tidings are yours: My veil has been lifted,

That you may openly see the Beautiful One's face.

فاحثث السير وارق كل مقام

واخرق الحجب وارفع الأستارا

Hasten your journey and ascend every station;

Pierce the veils and lift the curtains.

وامش فوق البساط بالنعل عزا

فبنعليك قد زكا مقدارا

Walk upon the carpet in sandals, honored,

For through your sandals it has grown in dignity.

أنت منيّ كقاب قوسين قربا

أو كأدنى مكانة واعتبارا

You are near Me as two bow-lengths,

Or closer in station and esteem.

فامسح الأغبار وانظر الوجه واسمع

فصل قولي وشاهد الأنوارا

Wipe away the dust, behold the Face, and hear

My decisive speech, and witness the lights.

وقل اسمع واشفع تشفّع وسلني

أعطك الآن ما تشا اختيارا

Speak—I hear; intercede—you are accepted; and ask Me:

I shall give you now whatever you choose.

أنت سري ومظهري ومرادي

حبّذا أنت زائرا ومزارا

You are My secret, My manifestation, My desire;

How welcome you are, visiting and visited!”

وحباه بما حباه فأغنى

ورعاه بما رعاه فأجارا

He endowed him as He did, enriching him,

And watched over him as He did, granting refuge.

وانثنى ساحبا رداء فخار

والدجى لم يفكك الأوزارا

He returned, trailing a robe of glory,

While darkness had not undone its burdens.

ويبطحا الخطيم أصبح ينبى

عن سواه وما رآه وصارا

And in al-Khatim's hollow [reading uncertain], he began recounting

What lay beyond him, which he had not seen, and what befell.

علم الخط وهو أمي خط

وأبان الحروف والأسرارا

He taught script, though unlettered, and wrote [reading uncertain],

And revealed the letters and mysteries.

محكما فاصلا مبينا منيرا

دق معنى فحير الأفكارا

Precise, decisive, clear, illuminating,

Subtle in meaning, bewildering thought.

قد أحاط العلوم لفظا ومعنى

فأزاح الشكوك والأغبارا

He encompassed the sciences in expression and meaning,

And swept away doubts and dust.

وصف منشي الوجود بعد انعدام

جل من أوجد الوجود اختيارا

He described existence's Maker after nonexistence—

Exalted is He who freely brought existence forth!

واحدا عالما سميعا بصيرا

قادرا كاشف الأذى ستارا

One, knowing, all-hearing, all-seeing,

Powerful, removing harm, concealing faults,

باسطا قابضا غفورا رحيما

خافضا رافع السما جبارا

Expanding, withholding, forgiving, merciful,

Abasing, raising heaven, almighty,

خالقا رازقا حكيما عليما

موجدا معدم الورى قهارا

Creating, sustaining, wise, all-knowing,

Bringing forth, annihilating creation, overpowering,

هاديا مرشدا حفيظا كفيلا

قابل التوب ساترا غفارا

Guiding, directing, guarding, guaranteeing,

Accepting repentance, concealing, ever-forgiving.

جل عن قول كيف أو كم أو عن

ما ادعاه اليهود ثم النصارى

Exalted beyond “how” or “how much,” or

What the Jews, then the Christians, claimed.

وعلى عرشه استوى وتجلى

جل من عز رفعة واقتدارا

Upon His throne He established Himself and manifested Himself;

Exalted is He, mighty in elevation and power!

ليس شيء كمثله جل مولى

كيف الكيف قدر المقدارا

Nothing is like Him—exalted is the Master

Who fashioned how, and measured measure.

كون الكون مبدعا ويراه

باحتكام وعصر الأعصارا

He originated the universe and beholds it

In sovereign command, shaping the ages.

ودحا الأرض والسماء بناها

ومن الصخر فجر الأنهارا

He spread the earth and built the heaven,

And burst rivers forth from rock.

وبرى الخلق طائعا وغويا

ولهم بد عد عدنا ونارا

He fashioned creation, obedient and wayward,

And for them [wording unclear], Eden and fire.

وقضى الرزق كيف شاء وأشقى

من عصاه ونعم الأبرارا

He ordained provision as He wished, and afflicted

Those who disobeyed Him, while blessing the righteous.

قهر الخلق بالممات وأحيا

بعد موت فوحد القهارا

He subdued creation through death and revived it

After death; proclaim the Overpowering One's unity.

لا مذل لما أعز اختصاصا

لا معز لمن أذل احتقارا

None can abase what He specially honors;

None can honor whom He abases in contempt.

لا مرد لما قضاه احتكاما

لا مقيل لمن أضل عثارا

None can reverse what He sovereignly decrees;

None can lift the stumbling of whom He leads astray.

أرسل المصطفى إلينا رسولا

ونذيرا وداعيا إنذارا

He sent the Chosen One to us as messenger,

A warner and summoner bearing warning.

يا هنانا وسعدنا إن دعانا

فاقتفينا بهديه الآثارا

How fortunate and happy we are if he calls us,

And we follow the traces by his guidance!

ونطقنا بالإله سوا من

كرر الليل واستنار النهارا

And proclaimed God, none besides Him who

Repeated night and made day shine.

وشهدنا بأن أحمد عبده

ورسول إلى الأنام اختيارا

And testified that Ahmad is His servant,

And a messenger freely chosen for creation.

وسع العالمين علما وحلما

فهو صبح السرى ونجم الحيارى

He embraced all beings in knowledge and forbearance;

He is night-travel's dawn and the bewildered one's star.

لو كسا الشمس من سناه شعاعا

لم تر الشمس بالظلام توارى

If he clothed the sun with a ray of his radiance,

You would not see the sun concealed by darkness.

أو أنال الغمام بعض نداه

بحر الأفق كله مدرارا

Or granted clouds some of his bounty,

He would flood the whole horizon in torrents.

أو أعار الرياض جزء شذاه

لأرى الأرض كله نوارا

Or lent gardens a portion of his fragrance,

He would show the whole earth in bloom.

صبح مجد قد حقق الظن فيه

أنه الشمس بهجة وانتشارا

A dawn of glory confirming the belief

That he is the sun in brightness and diffusion.

ما نضا السيف في المعامع إلا

وغدا ليلها البهيم نهارا

Whenever he unsheathed his sword amid battle's turmoil,

Its pitch-black night became day.

لا ولا أرعد المثقف إلا

وأراش العنا الفؤاد فطارا

Nor did he make the straightened spear thunder, except

That hardship feathered the heart, and it flew.

ليث حرب يقود اسدا تبارت

بعوال رماحها لن تبارى

A lion of war leading lions who vied

With their lofty spears, beyond all rivalry.

جردوا البيض في الوغى وكسوها

بالدما حله تروق احمرارا

They bared bright swords in battle and clothed them

In blood—a garment pleasing in its redness.

وأمالوا القنا بحمل رؤوس

قطفوها لشبهها الأثمارا

They bent the spears under loads of heads,

Plucked because they resembled fruits.

كم أجاحوا حليف ريح عناد

لم يزده الدعاء إلا فرارا

How many allies of stubbornness's wind they destroyed,

Whom the summons only made flee further!

كم أبادوا مضللا وغويا

وبغيا وفاجرا كفارا

How many misleaders and wayward ones they annihilated,

And rebels, wicked men, and unbelievers!

كم غوي أتى لنصرة ناغ

خذلوه فلم يجد أنصارا

How many a wayward man came to aid [an unclear person],

Whom they abandoned, leaving him no helpers!

قد شروا بالنفوس جنة عدن

وتغالوا فأرخصوا الأسعارا

They purchased Eden's garden with their lives,

And bid high, making prices cheap.

ورضوا بالهوان في الله علما

إن يعودوا أعزّة كفّارا

They accepted humiliation for God's sake, knowing

If they returned as mighty unbelievers [wording uncertain].

وتداعت بكل ليث تمطى

متن طرف قد ألبسوه الغارا

And they rallied with every lion who mounted

A steed's back, which they had clothed in laurel [reading uncertain].

لطم الصبح وجهه إذ رآه

في قميص الدجى فخاض النهارا

Dawn struck its face when it saw him

In darkness's shirt; then he plunged into day.

مرهف القرن أتلع الجيد نهد

واسع الصدر قارب الأقطارا

Fine-crested, long-necked, powerfully built,

Broad-chested, drawing distant regions near.

أو هزير يصول فوق جواد

أبيض اللون ألحف النوارا

Or a lion charging upon a steed,

White in color, cloaked in blossoms.

كحل الجفن بالظلام ولما

أتساك بالكحل سربل الأنوارا

He darkened its eyelid with night, and when

[Unclear wording] with kohl, clothed it in lights.

ناتي العين أسهل الخد عال

محكم الجري يخطف الأبصارا

Prominent-eyed, smooth-cheeked, lofty,

Sure in its running, snatching eyes.

أو عقاب يحوم فوق جواد

أشقر اللون يشبه الدينارا

Or an eagle hovering above a steed,

Chestnut-colored, resembling a dinar.

ألبس التبر فازدهى فأرانا

بين عينيه كوكبا غرارا

Clothed in raw gold, it strutted, showing us

Between its eyes a shining star.

إن درى بالطيور والبرق جريا

وهزا بالظبا وكيف يجاري

If it knew birds and lightning in running [reading uncertain],

And [unclear] with gazelles—how could it be matched?

أو جواد يجود فوق جواد

بجلاد تشيب منه العذارى

Or a generous one, lavish upon a steed,

With fighting that turns maidens gray.

صيروا النقع بالسهام رياضا

جاد ريا فأنبت الأزهارا

They made the dust a garden through arrows;

Watered richly, it sprouted flowers.

وأسالوا الضيابة فشهدنا

كيف تجرى السحائب الأنهارا

They set [an unclear thing] flowing, and we witnessed

How clouds set rivers running.

نصروا دينه وراعوا عداه

ورعوا حزبه وصانوا الديارا

They upheld his religion and terrified his foes,

Tended his company and protected the lands.

فهم ما هم وهل هم إلا

سادة قادة أولى أطهارا

They are what they are—are they anything but

Masters, leaders, foremost and pure?

مجدا نجدا بدرا بحورا

سبقا لحقا تقى أخيارا

Glorious, gallant, full moons, seas,

Forerunners, followers, devout, excellent,

صوما قوما أسودا ذكورا

ركعا سجدا هدى أبرارا

Fasting, standing in prayer, lions, men,

Bowing, prostrating, guides, righteous,

فصلا كملا دعاة كماة

أو ليسوا الرفاق والأنصارا

Discerning, accomplished, preachers, armored warriors—

Are they not the companions and helpers?

من كشيخ التقى الإمام عتيق

ثاني اثنين غذ حللنا الغارا

Who is like piety's elder, the imam ‘Atiq,

Second of two, when we entered the cave [reading uncertain]?

أو كفاروقه الجليل جلالا

أو كعثمان عفة واصطبارا

Or like his majestic Faruq in majesty?

Or like ‘Uthman in chastity and endurance?

أو كحامي الحمى الإمام علي

أو كسعدية بهجة ووقارا

Or like the sanctuary's defender, the imam ‘Ali?

Or like Sa‘diyya [uncertain name] in brightness and dignity?

أو ترى ماجدا كطلحة أو قل

كالزبير الفتى الكريم نجارا

Or do you see a noble one like Talha—or say,

Like al-Zubayr, the youth noble in lineage?

أو كمثل ابن عوف الشهم قدرا

أو ترى كالأمين أرحب دار

Or like Ibn ‘Awf, noble in standing?

Or do you see one like the Trustworthy, broader in dwelling?

أو كعميه أو كسبطيه هديا

أو كألصحاب مبتدى وقصارى

Or like his two uncles, or his two grandsons, in guidance?

Or like the companions, from beginning to end?

أو كأزواجه الكرام عليه

أو كأولاده العظام افتخارا

Or like his wives, honored before him?

Or like his children, great in glory?

فهم الزهر في الرياض انتظاما

وهم الزهر في السماء انتشارا

They are flowers arrayed in gardens,

And bright stars scattered in heaven.

وهم الخصب في المحول عطاء

وهم الصيد في الحروب اهتصارا

They are fertility amid barrenness, giving,

And proud chiefs in wars, overpowering.

شرف الله قدرهم وارتضاهم

وهداهم بما هدى الأبرارا

God honored their standing and approved them,

And guided them as He guided the righteous.

ودعاهم بخير أمة هاد

أخرجت للورى فكانوا الخيارى

He called them the best community of guidance,

Brought forth for creation; they were the finest.

يا غريقا في قعر ليل التصابى

يا حريقا بنار حب العذارى

O drowned one in youthful folly's deepest night,

O burned one in the fire of loving maidens!

يا عليل الفؤاد ثقلت طهرا

قل ما قوم القيام اذكارا

O sick-hearted one, burdened in purity [reading uncertain],

Say what sustains standing: remembrances [reading uncertain].

يا عصيا أطاع هواه لم لا

ترجع النفس عن هواها ازدجارا

O disobedient one who obeyed his desire, why not

Turn the soul from its desire in restraint?

يا عديم الشعور جهلا إلى كم

أنت في اللهو تنظم الشعارا

O one without awareness through ignorance, how long

Will you fashion slogans in frivolity?

إن تكن بالذنوب أسود قلب

فأرق فوقه الدموع الغزارا

If you are black of heart through sins,

Pour copious tears upon it.

واغسلنه بماء دمعك واجمل

عصرك الثوب واتقن المعصارا

Wash it with your tears' water, and carefully

Wring the garment, perfecting the wringing.

فإن ابيض او فشق عليه

وألق ما اسود واعطه القصارى

If it turns white—or [unclear]—rend it,

Throw away what is black, and give it your utmost.

واحذر الذنب واصدق التوب واقلع

وسل الرب واجمل الأعذارا

Beware sin, repent sincerely, and desist;

Ask the Lord, and make your excuses fair.

واحسن الظن في الإله وسله

أن يعافي ويغفر الأوزارا

Think well of God, and ask Him

To grant well-being and forgive burdens.

فعسى أو لعل رحمة ربى

أن تغشى وتسبل الأستارا

Perhaps, or perchance, my Lord's mercy

Will enfold you and let down the curtains.

فهو ربي وخالقي ومميتي

ومعيدي كما ابتدائي ابتكارا

He is my Lord, my Creator, my giver of death,

And my restorer, as He first originated me.

وهو عوني إذا اضطررت سؤالا

وهو عوني إذا سئلت اضطرارا

He is my help when compelled to ask,

And my help when compelled to answer.

وهو سؤلي وغايتي ومرادي

وهو كهفي إذا استقلت العثارا

He is my petition, my goal, my desire,

And my refuge when I seek pardon for stumbling.

وهو أمني وعدتي واعتمادي

وهو حصني إذا التجأت فرارا

He is my security, my provision, my reliance,

And my fortress when I flee for refuge.

وهو حسبي إليه فوضت أمري

حسبي الله مقعدا ومطارا

He suffices me; to Him I entrusted my affair.

God suffices me, at rest and in flight.

يا إله الورى ومعطى العطايا

يا مثير الثرى ومجري البحارا

O God of creation, giver of gifts,

O stirrer of earth, mover of seas!

أنا عبد وأنت رب وحسبي

أن رأيت الكبير يرعى الصغارا

I am a servant, and You are Lord; enough for me

That I have seen the Great One tend the small.

أنا ذو حيرة وأنت دليل

وعهدنا الدليل يهدي الحيارى

I am bewildered, and You are a guide;

We know the guide directs the bewildered.

أنا ذو فاقة وأنت غني

وشهدنا الغمام يسقي القفارا

I am needy, and You are rich;

We have witnessed clouds watering deserts.

فاوف ديني وعافيني واعف عني

وآولني الخير واكفني الأشرارا

Settle my debt, grant me health, and pardon me;

Bestow goodness upon me and protect me from the wicked.

وآجر يا بر بالكتاب لساني

وأعنّي إذا تلوت اذكارا

And, O Beneficent One, protect my tongue through the Book,

And help me when I recite remembrances.

وأنرني بنور علمك واجعل

حلية الذكر والتقى لي شعارا

Illuminate me with Your knowledge's light, and make

The ornament of remembrance and piety my inner garment.

وأعدني إلى الحجاز لعلي

أقطع العمر حجة واعتمارا

Return me to the Hijaz, that perhaps I

May spend my life in pilgrimage and ‘umra.

بعدت بي خطا وقل نصير

بصطنعني حمية وانتصارا

Steps have carried me far, and few are helpers

Who shelter and champion me [reading uncertain].

وتوالت بي السنون ومالي

من معين يبلّغ الأوطارا

The years have followed one another upon me, and I have

No helper to bring my wishes to fulfillment.

وقصتني الذنوب رغما فهل لي

من شفيع لصحب الزوارا

Sins have forcibly cast me down; is there for me

An intercessor, that I may accompany the visitors [reading uncertain]?

وأجد السرى وأصى بسمعي

لحداه ترجع الأخبارا

And hasten the night-journey, inclining my hearing [reading uncertain]

To his camel-song, echoing reports.

وأشق البحار عرضا وطولا

وأجوب الفلاة دارا فدار

And cleave the seas across and along,

And traverse the wilderness, dwelling after dwelling.

وأوافي اللوا وأرعى المصلى

وأجول الحمى وأخشى الديارا

And reach al-Liwa, and attend al-Musalla,

And roam the sanctuary, and fear the dwellings.

وأرى من في الغلائل تجلى

قد أماط الجمال عنها الخمارا

And see the one revealed in delicate garments,

From whom beauty has removed the veil.

وأضاهي بخالها كل خال

صير الخد كعبة ومزارا

And compare each mole with hers,

Which made the cheek a Kaaba and visiting-place.

ويذيع الجمال سري وأدعو

بأعذار خلعت فيه العذارى

Beauty divulges my secret, and I plead

With excuses, casting off restraint [reading uncertain].

وأولي الطواف شوطا فشوطا

وأراعي الحجيج جارا فجارا

And pursue circumambulation, circuit after circuit,

And tend the pilgrims, neighbor after neighbor.

وأروى بزمزم حر قلب

أضرم الوجد بين جنبيه نارا

And with Zamzam quench the burning of a heart

In whose two sides longing kindled fire.

وأطيل الدعا على عرفات

وأناجي المهيمن الغفارا

And prolong prayer upon ‘Arafat,

And privately address the Guardian, the Forgiving.

وأريق الدموع في السفح نسكا

وأذيب الفؤاد فيه انكسارا

And pour tears upon the slope in worship,

And melt my heart there in contrition.

وأرى المعشر الحرام وأهدي

بدنا صير السقام شعارا

And see the sacred gathering-place, and offer

Sacrificial camels with sickness made their garb [reading uncertain].

وأوافي مني الأماني وأرمى

بدموع على الخدود الجمارا

And reach Mina of wishes, and pelt

The jamarat with tears upon my cheeks.

فعسى أو لعل يرحم ربي

ويليني ويغفر الأوزارا

Perhaps, or perchance, my Lord will show mercy,

And care for me, and forgive my burdens.

ويريني قبا البقيع لأجنى

من أفانين دوحها اثمارا

And show me Quba, al-Baqi‘, that I may gather

Fruits from its great trees' branches.

وأحاكي ثرى البقيع بدمع

أكسب الخد حيث سال احمرارا

And address al-Baqi‘'s soil with tears

That reddened my cheek where they flowed.

وأناغي حمامها بحنين

ألبس الجسم رقة واصفرارا

And converse with its doves in yearning

That clothed my body in frailty and yellow pallor.

وأقد الحشا وأفرش خدّي

لحفاة أتينه زوارا

And cut open my breast, and spread my cheek

For barefoot ones who came to it as visitors.

وتسف التراب أجفان عيني

حين يعلو وحبّذاك غبارا

My eyelids take in dust

As it rises—how welcome that dust!

وأوافي باب السلام دخولا

بسلام يعطر الأقطارا

And enter through Bab al-Salam,

With a greeting perfuming the lands.

وأرى المدفن الشريف بعيني

واقوي بنوره الأبصارا

And see the noble burial-place with my eyes,

And strengthen my vision with its light.

وأبث المديح ثم بقلب

ولسان تطابقا إقرارا

And pour forth praise there, with a heart

And tongue that agree in confession.

وأوافك يا حليم ظلوما

مستعيذا بأحمد استغفارا

And come to You, O Forbearing One, a wrongdoer,

Seeking refuge through Ahmad, asking forgiveness.

وأنادي بأرفع الصوت حسبي

أن أراني لقبر عبدك جارا

And call in my loudest voice: “Enough for me

That I see myself beside Your servant's grave.

أنا جار الكريم فارع جواري

أو ليس الكريم يرعى الجوارا

I am the Generous One's neighbor; protect my refuge.

Does not the Generous One observe neighborly protection?

ضل من رام غير بابك سعيا

وانثنى ينفض اليدين خسارا

Astray is whoever strives toward a door other than Yours,

And returns shaking his hands empty, in loss.

وهل العقل يقتضي أن يرجى

السمر إلا المدير الجبارا

And does reason require that one seek

Nightly converse except with the Almighty Director?

فأجرني من العذاب وكن لي

حيث لا ينفع المجير المجارا

Protect me from punishment, and stand by me

Where no protector can benefit the protected.

واصطنعني إذا احتضرت ونادى

هاتف البرزخ البدار البدارا

Take me under Your care when I am dying, and

The caller of the intermediate world cries, ‘Hasten, hasten!’

واكتنفني إذا لحدت وثبت

فيك قولي إذا سئلت اضطرارا

Encompass me when I am laid in the grave, and make firm

My words about You when compelled to answer.

وقني النار واكفني كل هول

واجعل الخلد لي بفضلك دارا

Protect me from fire, and spare me every terror;

Make eternity my dwelling through Your bounty.

ليس إلاك آخذ بالنواصي

ليس إلاك منقذ للأسارى

None but You takes hold of forelocks;

None but You rescues captives.

فاقبل المدح في حبيبك منا

واعف عني ومحق الأغيارا

Accept from us the praise of Your beloved,

Pardon me, and efface all others.

وبماذا اتقي المدائح فيه

وعليه الجليل اثني مرارا

How could I refrain from praising him,

When the Majestic One praised him repeatedly?

وبعز الإله أقسم حقا

قسما صادق الولا برارا

By God's might I truly swear

An oath of sincere allegiance and righteousness:

لو تكن الأفلاك والأرض درجا

طال عرضا ووسع الأقطارا

Were the celestial spheres and earth a scroll,

Long in breadth and encompassing the regions,

ومياه الوجود تصبح حبرا

حالك اللون دائما مدرارا

And the waters of existence became ink,

Dark in color, perpetually flowing,

وجميع النبات والقضب يغدو

مثل أقلام كاتب تتبارى

And all plants and branches became

Like a writer's pens competing,

وجميع الورى تجمل كتبا

في حلاه لما حووا معشارا

And all creation adorned books [reading uncertain]

With his qualities, they would not encompass a tenth.

وبماذا يفوز في وصف بدر

أعجز الوصف حسنه أن يجارى

How could one succeed in describing a full moon

Whose beauty defeats description's attempt to match it?

أيحيط التراب والنبت عدا

أم يعد النجوم والأمطارا

Can one encompass dust and plants by counting,

Or count the stars and rains?

أو يوفوا البحار بالصاع كيلا

أم بقيس الذراع يحصوا القفارا

Or measure the seas with the sa‘,

Or reckon deserts by a cubit's measure?

حسبهم فالمقام أعظم من أن

يجعلوا الحرف يحوي الأسرارا

Enough for them: the station is too great

For them to make letters contain the mysteries.

غير أني قصدت أكرم جار

بمديح قدمته استمطارا

Yet I sought the most generous protector

With praise I offered, seeking showers of bounty.

وتطفلت بافتقار وحسبي

أن تطفلت يا كريم افتقارا

I intruded in need—and enough for me

Is that I intruded, O Generous One, in need.

فبذلي بفاقتي بخضوعي

بجمى بيتك المعزز جارا

By my abasement, my poverty, my submission,

By your house's sanctuary, honored as a refuge [reading uncertain],

بصفا الدمع بافتضاحي جهارا

بلظى القلب باطراحي مرارا

By my tears' purity, my open exposure,

By my heart's blaze, my repeated rejection:

لا تكلني إلى سواك فقلبي

لم يكلني إلى سواك اضطرارا

Do not entrust me to another; my heart

Has never compelled me toward another.

أنت حسبي ومن تكن حسبه لم

يعد صبرا ولن يخف أغبارا

You suffice me; whoever has You for sufficiency

Will not lack patience or fear dust [reading uncertain].

لست أرضى سواك مولى وعزمي

أن أنادي عبيدك استصغارا

I accept no master besides You; my resolve

Is to call on Your servants in humility.

فأين أمري على السماح ولقن

نطقي العذر وأقبل الأعتذارا

Where, then, is my affair amid generosity? And teach

My speech its excuse, and accept the apology.

وانصر الدين واحم كل أمير

صان علياه وأخذل الكفارا

Uphold the religion, and protect every prince

Who guarded its loftiness; forsake the unbelievers.

وصن الملك بالمليك أبي عمرو

الإمام المرتضى المعزز جارا

Preserve sovereignty through the king Abu ‘Amr,

The approved imam, honored as protector.

وأوله الخير ظاعنا ومقيما

وأكفه الشر ظاهرا واستتارا

Bestow goodness upon him, traveling and residing,

And spare him evil, manifest and hidden.

وأعنه على القيام بأمر

شئته منه واعضد الأنصارا

Help him carry out an undertaking

You wished of him, and strengthen the helpers.

واحفظ العهد بالولي أب

عبد الإله الفتى المرفع دارا

Preserve the covenant through the guardian, Abu—

‘Abd al-Ilah, the youth of exalted dwelling.

واعف عنه وعافه وأنله

ما يرجيه وأكفه الأكدارا

Pardon him, grant him well-being, and give him

What he hopes for; spare him troubles.

واسعدنه واختم له بجميل

بعد عمر كما يشاء استتارا

Make him happy, and grant him a fair ending

After a life as he wishes, in concealment.

وارحم أشياخي الهداة وسامح

والدي الجناة واكف الضرارا

Have mercy on my guiding teachers, and forgive

My sinful parents, and avert harm.

واحرس الأهل والبنين والإخوان

والأصحاب واصرف الأكدارا

Guard family, sons, and brothers,

And companions, and turn troubles away.

وحط المسلمين منك يعفو

بشمل المذنبين والأبرارا

Surround the Muslims with pardon from You [reading uncertain],

Embracing sinners and the righteous.

وارحم أمواتهم وبارك عليهم

واشف مرضاهم وفك الأسارى

Have mercy on their dead, and bless them;

Heal their sick, and release the captives.

يا شفيعا في المذنبين إذا ما

زفر الهول واستحر استعارا

O intercessor for sinners when

Terror roars and burns fiercely!

يا رسول الإله يا خير هاد

وسع الخلق رحمة واصطبارا

O God's messenger, O best guide,

Who embraced creation in mercy and endurance!

كن شفيعي إذا دعيت لعرض

هوله قد أشاب راس العذارى

Be my intercessor when I am summoned to a presentation

Whose terror has turned maidens' heads gray.

كن مجيري إذا الكريم تجلى

بانتقام ليخزي الفجارا

Be my protector when the Generous One manifests

In vengeance to disgrace the wicked.

حاش لله أن تخيب صبا

جعل المدح في علاك شعارا

God forbid that you disappoint a lover

Who made praise of your loftiness his inner garment,

ويضيق النطاق عني وقلبي

أوسع الفكر في حلاك مطارا

Or that my circumstances constrict me while my heart

Gives thought wide flight through your qualities,

أو أرى الدهر نكبة ولساني

في معانيك ينظم الأشعارا

Or that I see calamity from time while my tongue

Weaves verses about your meanings,

أو يروم الزمان خسفا ومديحي

في معاليك قد ملا الأقطارا

Or that time seek my abasement while my praise

Of your high qualities has filled the lands.

أنا عبد ومادح ومحب

فارع عهدي وراعني إيثارا

I am a servant, a praiser, a lover;

Keep my covenant and tend me with favor.

أنا ذو عسرة وأنت كريم

فأولني باليمين منك اليسارا

I am in hardship, and you are generous;

Bestow ease upon me from your right hand.

فبمغناك قد أتحت ركابي

ولعلياك قق لجأت فرارا

At your dwelling I have stationed my mounts [reading uncertain],

And to your heights I have fled for refuge [reading uncertain].

وبجدواك قد بسطت ردائي

ولنجواك قد شددت الإزارا

For your bounty I have spread my cloak,

And for converse with you I have tightened my waistband.

فعليك الإله صلى صلاة

تملأ الأرض والسما أنوارا

May God bless you with a blessing

That fills earth and heaven with lights,

وعلى الآل والصحابة طرا

ما دعا العبد ربه الغفارا

And all your family and companions,

As long as the servant calls upon his forgiving Lord.