ياO مجيبanswerer of الدعاprayer وغوثand rescuer of الأسيرthe captive
يا مجيب الدعا وغوث الأسير
ياO مزيلremover of الأذىharm وجبرand mender of الكسيرthe broken
يا مزيل الأذى وجبر الكسير
O Answerer of prayer and rescuer of the captive,
O Responder to supplication, and aid of the captive,
O Remover of harm and mender of the broken,
O Remover of harm, and Healer of fracture,
ياO منيرilluminator of الدجىdarkness وكافيand protector against البلاياafflictions
يا منير الدجى وكافي البلايا
ياO عظيمgreat in الرجاhope وعونand helper of الفقيرthe poor
يا عظيم الرجا وعون الفقير
O Illuminator of darkness and protector against afflictions,
O Illuminator of gloom, and Sufficer of calamities,
O great hope and helper of the poor,
O Great of hope, and Helper of the poor,
ياO إلهGod of الورىhumankind وكهفand refuge of الأياميthe widowed
يا إله الورى وكهف الأيامي
ياO كثيرabundant in العطاgiving وعزand dignity of الحقيرthe lowly
يا كثير العطا وعز الحقير
O God of humankind and refuge of the widowed,
O God of the worlds, and cave of the distressed,
O abundant giver and dignity of the lowly,
O Abundant in giving, and Might of the lowly,
أنتYou دخريmy treasure ومنفذيand my escape وملاذيand my refuge
أنت دخري ومنفذي وملاذي
أنتYou عونيmy help ومنجديand my rescuer ونصيريand my supporter
أنت عوني ومنجدي ونصيري
You are my treasure, my escape, and my refuge.
You are my treasure, outlet, and refuge,
You are my help, my rescuer, and my supporter.
You are my help, rescuer, and victorious ally,
أنتYou ربيmy Lord وخالقيand my Creator ومغيثيand my deliverer
أنت ربي وخالقي ومغيثي
أنتYou حسبيmy sufficiency ورازقيand my provider ومجيريand my protector
أنت حسبي ورازقي ومجيري
You are my Lord, my Creator, and my deliverer.
You are my Lord, Creator, and bestower of favor,
You suffice me; You provide for me and protect me.
You are my sufficiency, Sustainer, and shield,
أتتcame (apparently intended: 'you') سؤليmy petition وبغيتيand my desire ومراديand my wish
أتت سؤلي وبغيتي ومرادي
أنتYou عزيmy strength وعمدتيand my mainstay وظهيريand my support
أنت عزي وعمدتي وظهيري
You are my petition, my desire, and my wish.
To You have come my request, desire and purpose,
You are my strength, my mainstay, and my support.
You are my might, pillar, and staunch supporter,
ليسthere is none إلاكexcept You آخذtaking hold بالنواصيof forelocks
ليس إلاك آخذ بالنواصي
ليسthere is none إلاكexcept You مستغاثrefuge sought by العتورthe stumbling sufferer (unclear form)
ليس إلاك مستغاث العتور
None but You takes hold of forelocks.
None but You I take hold of firmly,
None but You is the refuge of the stumbling sufferer.
None but You saves the fallen in misfortune,
ليسthere is none إلاكexcept You عالمknowing بالخفاياhidden things
ليس إلاك عالم بالخفايا
ليسthere is none إلاكexcept You مالكruler للأمورof affairs
ليس إلاك مالك للأمور
None but You knows hidden things.
None but You knows what lies in secret,
None but You rules all affairs.
None but You owns command over all matters,
ليسthere is none إلاكexcept You جالبbringing لسروريmy joy
ليس إلاك جالب لسروري
ليسthere is none إلاكexcept You دافعwarding off للشرورevils
ليس إلاك دافع للشرور
None but You brings me joy.
None but You brings my happiness,
None but You wards off evils.
None but You repels misfortunes,
وامحand erase ذنبيmy sin واختمand bring to an end بخيرwith goodness وكنand be ليfor me
وامح ذنبي واختم بخير وكن لي
فيin حياتيmy life وموتتيand my death ونشوريand my resurrection
في حياتي وموتتي ونشوري
Erase my sin, grant a good ending, and be there for me
Erase my sin, and conclude with good, and be for me,
In my life, my death, and my resurrection.
In my life, death and resurrection,
واكشفand remove ضريmy affliction وعافنيand grant me well-being واعفand pardon عنيme
واكشف ضري وعافني واعف عني
وقينيand protect me هولfrom the terror of منكرMunkar ونكيرand Nakir
وقيني هول منكر ونكير
Remove my affliction, grant me well-being, and pardon me.
Reveal my distress, grant me wellbeing, pardon me,
Protect me from the terror of Munkar and Nakir.
And protect me from the terror of Munkar and Nakīr,
وآوفand discharge دينيmy debt واحفظand preserve بنيmy sons بأمنin safety
وآوف ديني واحفظ بني بأمن
واكفand shield آبائيmy forefathers حرfrom the heat of نارthe fire of السعيرthe blaze
واكف آبائي حر نار السعير
Discharge my debt and keep my sons safe.
Complete my faith, protect my children in safety,
Shield my forefathers from the heat of the blazing Fire.
And suffice my parents from Hellfire’s scorching heat,
وارحمand have mercy upon المسلمينthe Muslims يومon the day تجازىis recompensed
وارحم المسلمين يوم تجازى
كلevery نفسsoul بفعلهاfor its deeds المسطورrecorded
كل نفس بفعلها المسطور
Have mercy upon the Muslims on the day when
Have mercy on Muslims on the Day of Requital,
Every soul is recompensed for its recorded deeds.
When each soul is recompensed for deeds recorded,
واقضand decree بالعودa return للزيارةfor visitation وامننand graciously grant
واقض بالعود للزيارة وامنن
برجوعa return لبيتكto Your House المعمورwell-frequented
برجوع لبيتك المعمور
Decree a return for the visitation, and graciously grant
And ordain a return visit, and confer upon me,
A return to Your well-frequented House.
A safe return to Your House well-frequented,
لستI do not أرجوhope for سواكanyone but You أمor كيفhow أرجوcould I hope
لست أرجو سواك أم كيف أرجو
لمصابيfor my affliction غيرfor anyone other than اللطيفthe Gentle الخبيرthe All-Aware
لمصابي غير اللطيف الخبير
I hope for none but You; how could I hope
I desire none but You, how can I desire,
In my affliction for anyone but the Gentle, the All-Aware?
For my misfortune other than the Kind, All-Experienced?
حاشfar be it للهfrom God أنthat أخيبI be disappointed وأمريwhile my plight
حاش لله أن أخيب وأمري
ليسis not يخفىhidden عنfrom السميعthe All-Hearing البصيرthe All-Seeing
ليس يخفى عن السميع البصير
God forbid that I should be disappointed, when my plight
Far be it from Allah that I should despair,
Is not hidden from the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.
Nothing escapes the Hearing, Seeing.
ربLord إنيindeed I قدhave مسنيbeen touched by الضرaffliction فارحمso have mercy
رب إني قد مسني الضر فارحم
ياO مجيبanswerer of المولهthe distraught المضرورthe afflicted
يا مجيب الموله المضرور
Lord, affliction has touched me; have mercy,
My Lord, affliction has touched me, so have mercy,
O Answerer of the distraught and afflicted.
O Responder to the desperate supplicant,
واستجبand answer ليme بماas استجبتYou answered لنوحNoah
واستجب لي بما استجبت لنوح
ولشيتand Seth وآدمand Adam المبرورthe righteous
ولشيت وآدم المبرور
Answer me as You answered Noah,
And answer my plea as You answered the prayers
And Seth and righteous Adam,
Of Noah, Lot, Adam the chosen ones,
وللوطand Lot وللخليلand the Friend وموسىand Moses
وللوط وللخليل وموسى
ولعيسىand Jesus الفتىthe youth ويحيىand Yahya الحصورthe chaste
ولعيسى الفتى ويحيى الحصور
And Lot, the Friend, and Moses,
Of Abraham, Moses, Jesus the boy, John,
And Jesus the youth, and chaste Yahya,
Jonah, Joseph, Job enduring patience,
ولذيand to the possessor of النونthe fish والعزيزand al-Aziz وذيand the possessor of الكفلthe portion (al-Kifl)
ولذي النون والعزيز وذي الكفل
وايوبand Job والذبيحand the one offered in sacrifice الصبورthe patient
وايوب والذبيح الصبور
And Dhu al-Nun, al-Aziz, and Dhu al-Kifl,
Hud, Salih, Shuaib, my Lord’s victorious guided ones,
And Job and the patient one offered in sacrifice,
Relieve my distress, turn the fear into safety,
ولهودand Hud وصالحand Salih وشعيبand Shuayb
ولهود وصالح وشعيب
ولطهand Taha المؤيدthe supported المنصورthe victorious
ولطه المؤيد المنصور
And Hud, Salih, and Shuayb,
Erase my hardship with a sign of interpretation,
And Taha, supported and granted victory.
Guide my heart, turn to me, destine success for me,
وآجلand dispel (reading uncertain) كربىmy anguish وبدلand replace الخوفfear أمناwith safety
وآجل كربى وبدل الخوف أمنا
وآمحand erase عسريmy hardship بآيةwith a verse التفسيرof elucidation
وآمح عسري بآية التفسير
Dispel my anguish and replace fear with safety.
Restrain the soul from pursuing immorality,
Erase my hardship with a verse of elucidation.
Make knowledge my way of life, my light in death
وأهدand guide قلبيmy heart وتبand turn mercifully عليtoward me ووفقand grant success
وأهد قلبي وتب علي ووفق
واكففand restrain النفسthe soul عنfrom تعاطيcommitting الفجورwickedness
واكفف النفس عن تعاطي الفجور
Guide my heart, turn mercifully toward me, and grant success.
And my companion at the narrow bridge,
Restrain the soul from committing wickedness.
Facilitate my matter through excellent conduct,
واجعلand make العلمknowledge فيin الحياةlife شعاريmy emblem
واجعل العلم في الحياة شعاري
وأنبسيand my solace (corrupt form) لدىat المماةdeath (corrupt form) ونوريand my light
وأنبسي لدى المماة ونوري
Make knowledge my emblem in life,
Arrange my rising step by step through wise scheming,
And my solace at death, and my light.
I am a servant, You are the Lord, it suffices me
واجرand conduct أمريmy affairs علىtoward الجميلgoodness ودبرand govern
واجر أمري على الجميل ودبر
وصفand purify (reading uncertain) رقىmy ascent (reading uncertain) بأحسنwith the finest التدبيرgovernance
وصف رقى بأحسن التدبير
Conduct my affairs toward goodness and govern them,
That the Exalted watches over the lowly,
And purify my ascent with the finest governance [reading uncertain].
I am utterly needy, and You are Rich.
أناI عبدa servant وأنتand You ربLord وحسبيand sufficient for me
أنا عبد وأنت رب وحسبي
أنthat شانthe way of العظيمthe great حفظis protecting الحقيرthe lowly
أن شان العظيم حفظ الحقير
I am a servant, and You are Lord; enough for me
It is the way of the wealthy to give to the poor.
That the great one's way is to protect the lowly.
I am hopeful, and You are the Patron, far be it
أناI ذوone having فاقةneed وأنتand You غنيrich
أنا ذو فاقة وأنت غني
وسبيلand the way of الغنىwealth إعطاgiving الفقيرto the poor
وسبيل الغنى إعطا الفقير
I am needy, and You are rich.
That the Generous attains less than His fill.
The way of wealth is to give to the poor.
O You Who sees all my tongue has revealed,
أناI راجhopeful وأنتand You مولىMaster وحاشاand far be it
أنا راج وأنت مولى وحاشا
أنthat ينيلshould bestow الكريمthe generous غيرanything other than الكثيرabundance
أن ينيل الكريم غير الكثير
I am hopeful, and You are Master; far be it
O You Who knows all my conscience conceals,
That the generous should bestow anything but abundance.
O Abundant Giver, O You Who is far Exalted,
ياO حريقاone burned بنارby the fire of عيfolly التصابيyouthful dalliance
يا حريقا بنار عي التصابي
ياO غريقاone drowned فيin بحرهits sea المسجورseething
يا غريقا في بحره المسجور
O you burned by the fire of foolish youthful dalliance,
Above any partner, companion or minister,
O you drowned in its seething sea,
O Merciful to the faithful, O You Who is
ياO خليلاa friend فيin تيهthe wilderness of واديthe valley of الخطاياsins
يا خليلا في تيه وادي الخطايا
ياO عليلاone afflicted بداءwith the disease of دارthe abode of الغرورdelusion
يا عليلا بداء دار الغرور
O friend in the wilderness of the valley of sins,
Too lofty to be likened, to have a peer,
O you afflicted with the disease of the abode of delusion,
O You Who pardons erring slaves when they
ياO بعيداone far عنfrom عيشthe life of دهرan age خصيبflourishing
يا بعيدا عن عيش دهر خصيب
ياO فقيرpoor one منfrom الزمانthe age العسيرharsh
يا فقير من الزمان العسير
O you far from the life of a flourishing age,
Think good of the Forbearing Almighty.
O you impoverished by the harsh age,
With my brokenness, nearness, humility,
فأناfor I يؤتunclear; apparently 'have incurred' بالمآثمwith sins فاصرفso turn
فأنا يؤت بالمآثم فاصرف
أوجهthe forms of العذرexcuse للعفوtoward the Pardoner الغفورthe All-Forgiving
أوجه العذر للعفو الغفور
For I have incurred sins; so turn
Destitution, lowliness, inadequacy,
Your pleas for pardon toward the Pardoner, the All-Forgiving.
With my moaning, weeping, prostration,
فأناfor I بؤتhave incurred بالمآثمwith sins فاصرفso turn
فأنا بؤت بالمآثم فاصرف
أوجهthe forms of العذرexcuse للعفوtoward the Pardoner الغفورthe All-Forgiving
أوجه العذر للعفو الغفور
For I have incurred sins; so turn
Lament, distress, groaning,
Your pleas for pardon toward the Pardoner, the All-Forgiving.
By Your Greatest Name, by the noble Qur’ān,
لاdo not تسدshut بابthe door of أمركyour affairs فاصبرso be patient
لا تسد باب أمرك فاصبر
وكلand entrust الأمرthe matter للعليto the Most High الكبيرthe Great
وكل الأمر للعلي الكبير
Do not shut the door on your affairs; be patient.
By its profound verses andmighty meanings,
Entrust the matter to the Most High, the Great.
By the glorious Book, the Scriptures and Torah,
أوor يكنif it be هدdemolished ركنthe pillar of صبركyour patience فالجأthen seek refuge
أو يكن هد ركن صبرك فالجأ
باستنادby leaning إلىupon الصبورthe Most Patient المجيرthe Protector
باستناد إلى الصبور المجير
Or if the pillar of your patience has been demolished, seek refuge
The Gospel, Psalms and all Revealed Books,
By leaning upon the Most Patient, the Protector.
By the Attributes of Perfection, by the Noble Essence,
فعلىfor upon اللهGod منwhoever توكلrelies ينجوis saved
فعلى الله من توكل ينجو
منfrom دواهيthe calamities of الهوىdesire وكيدand the plotting of الكفورthe faithless
من دواهي الهوى وكيد الكفور
Whoever relies upon God is saved
By the Majesty of Glorifying and Extolling You,
From the calamities of desire and the plotting of the faithless.
By the Sacred House, the Angels, the Throne,
فهوfor He حسبيsuffices me إليهto Him فوضتI entrusted أمريmy affairs
فهو حسبي إليه فوضت أمري
حسبيsufficient for me is اللهGod فيin جميعall الأمورaffairs
حسبي الله في جميع الأمور
He suffices me; to Him I have entrusted my affairs.
The celestial orbits, the winds and the clouds,
God suffices me in every matter.
By the inviolability of the Sacred House, Safā and Marwa,
ضاعwas lost عمريmy lifetime وماand I did not اتبعتfollow نصيحاa sincere adviser
ضاع عمري وما اتبعت نصيحا
آهalas منfor جرأتيmy audacity ومنand for تقصيريmy shortcomings
آه من جرأتي ومن تقصيري
My lifetime is lost, and I followed no sincere adviser.
The Ancient House, Ṭāʾif and Tabūk,
Alas for my audacity and my shortcomings!
By the heights of Your seven heavens,
وآرتكبتand I committed الذنوبsins جهلاin ignorance وأنىand how could
وآرتكبت الذنوب جهلا وأنى
بنجاةwith deliverance لجاهلfor an ignorant one مغرورdeluded
بنجاة لجاهل مغرور
I committed sins in ignorance; how could there be
And all that its horizons encompass, Mount Sinai,
Deliverance for an ignorant, deluded person?
By the light of intellect, the worlds, the soul,
منwho معينيis my helper إذاwhen دعيتI am summoned لحتفto death
من معيني إذا دعيت لحتف
منwho مغيثيis my rescuer منfrom هولthe terror of يومthe day of مصيرreturn
من مغيثي من هول يوم مصير
Who will help me when I am summoned to death?
The spirit, the breaths, beauty and light,
Who will rescue me from the terror of the day of return?
By the rightly guided leaders of mankind,
لاdo not تخيبdisappoint توسليmy entreaty ورجائيand my hope
لا تخيب توسلي ورجائي
ياO مغيثيmy rescuer علىthrough ممرthe passage of الدهورages
يا مغيثي على ممر الدهور
Do not disappoint my entreaty and my hope,
Every prophet, messenger, guide and monk,
O my rescuer through the passage of ages.
By my master Abū Al-Qāsim, the Intercessor hoped for,
خبتI am lost إنif أمseeks غيرother than بابكYour door قصديmy purpose
خبت إن أم غير بابك قصدي
ياO ملاذrefuge of الأميرthe ruler والمأمورand the ruled
يا ملاذ الأمير والمأمور
I am lost if my purpose seeks any door but Yours,
The choicest of humanity, the illuminating lamp,
O refuge of ruler and ruled.
By his children, Family, kinsfolk,
وهلand does العقلreason يقتضيrequire أنthat يرجىone should hope
وهل العقل يقتضي أن يرجى
للدواهيagainst calamities غيرfor anyone other than العزيزthe Mighty القديرthe Powerful
للدواهي غير العزيز القدير
Does reason require that we hope
And his rightly-guided, virtuous Companions,
Against calamities for anyone but the Mighty, the Powerful?
As You called him: “My best worshipping servant,
فأقبلنso surely accept قصتيmy petition ووقعand endorse عليهاit
فأقبلن قصتي ووقع عليها
قدindeed حيوناكWe greeted you بالنوالwith bounty الغزيرabundant
قد حيوناك بالنوال الغزير
Accept my petition, then, and endorse it:
My beloved, My chosen and illuminating one.”
We have greeted you with abundant bounty,
Say: he hears, intercede, your intercession is accepted,
وأقمناكand We established you فيin مقامthe station of رضاناOur approval
وأقمناك في مقام رضانا
وكسوناكand We clothed you خلعةin a robe of التخبيرinstruction
وكسوناك خلعة التخبير
And established you in the station of Our approval,
Today I grant you the highest rank.
And clothed you in a robe of instruction,
O Eloquent one who seeks to measure his sublime stature,
وجعلناكand We placed you فيamong الذينthose whom ارتضيناWe approved
وجعلناك في الذين ارتضينا
لمديحto praise الحبيبthe Beloved صدرforemost of الصدورthe eminent
لمديح الحبيب صدر الصدور
And placed you among those We have chosen
Though the heavens themselves fall short,
To praise the Beloved, foremost of the eminent:
How can the briefest description encapsulate the praised one,
ألنبيthe Prophet الرضىwell-pleasing الكريمnoble المفدىthe one for whom sacrifices are offered
ألنبي الرضى الكريم المفدى
الرسولthe Messenger التقيpious البشيرbearer of good tidings النذيرwarner
الرسول التقي البشير النذير
The well-pleasing, noble Prophet, for whom sacrifices are offered,
When the glorious Book singles him out for praise?
The pious Messenger, bearer of good tidings and warner,
But caution is to stir your verse praising him
مظهرmanifestor of الحقthe Truth مطهرpurifier of الحقthe truth طهTaha
مظهر الحق مطهر الحق طه
نقطةthe point of الكونthe cosmos علةthe cause of التصويرshaping
نقطة الكون علة التصوير
Manifestor of the Truth, purifier of the truth, Taha,
With most excellent prose and poetry.
The point of the cosmos, the cause of its shaping,
For this I have made it my treasure,
فاتحopener of المكروماتhonors كنزtreasure of المعاليexalted virtues
فاتح المكرومات كنز المعالي
خاتمseal of الرسلthe messengers كوكبstar of التنويرillumination
خاتم الرسل كوكب التنوير
Opener of honors, treasure of exalted virtues,
In my life and for the Day I am resurrected.
Seal of the messengers, star of illumination.
Far be it from Allah that my efforts should go astray
صاغهfashioned him اللهGod قبلbefore كلall وجودexistence
صاغه الله قبل كل وجود
منfrom جمالbeauty ومنand from جلالmajesty ونورand light
من جمال ومن جلال ونور
God fashioned him before all existence
In praising one already abundantly praised.
From beauty, and majesty, and light.
He is far loftier than youthful hope fading,
أكملmost perfect of العالمينall beings خلقاin bodily form وخلقاand in character
أكمل العالمين خلقا وخلقا
فهوfor he ملءthe fullness of العيونthe eyes ملءthe fullness of الصدورthe breasts or hearts
فهو ملء العيون ملء الصدور
Most perfect of all beings in form and character,
That makes praise of him the best ambassador.
He fills the eyes and fills the hearts.
And he is far greater than needing my poor praises,
حلhe dwelt فيat ذروةthe summit of العلىexaltation وتجلىand shone forth
حل في ذروة العلى وتجلى
فهوfor he الشمسthe sun فيin علاheight وظهورand radiance
فهو الشمس في علا وظهور
He dwelt at the summit of exaltation and shone forth;
Or rewarding me, though he is Most Generous.
He is the sun in height and radiance.
So delight, O Son of Khuluw, thinking only of reward
لوif رأىhad seen الفيلسوفthe philosopher نجمthe star of علاهhis exaltation
لو رأى الفيلسوف نجم علاه
ماnot قضىwould he have judged للنجومthe stars بالتأثيرas having influence
ما قضى للنجوم بالتأثير
Had the philosopher seen the star of his exaltation,
Of bliss, Paradise and silk!
He would not have ascribed influence to the stars.
And through praising him, repel all dread,
أوor if درىhad known جودهhis generosity المنجمthe astrologer باهىhe would have boasted
أو درى جوده المنجم باهى
وقضىand judged للسحابthe clouds بالتقصيرas falling short
وقضى للسحاب بالتقصير
Or had the astrologer known his generosity, he would have boasted,
And through him, attain perfect joy.
And judged the clouds to fall short.
So upon him blessings and peace unceasing,
أوor if نالhad gained الصباحthe morning بعضsome of سناهhis radiance
أو نال الصباح بعض سناه
لأضاwould have shone منهfrom it حالكpitch-black الديجورdarkness
لأضا منه حالك الديجور
Or had the morning gained some of his radiance,
Overflowing like the blooming of flowers.
The pitch-black darkness would have shone from it.
And upon his Family, his Companions and
أوor if أعادreproduced الرياthe fragrant breeze شداهhis scent (apparently intended) عبيراas perfume
أو أعاد الريا شداه عبيرا
لزكىwould become fragrant الكونthe cosmos كلهall of it بالعبيرwith perfume
لزكى الكون كله بالعبير
Or if the fragrant breeze reproduced his scent as perfume,
Their followers until the Day we meet.
The whole cosmos would become fragrant with perfume.
No humbled, pleading servant calls on his God,
منhe who لميلادهat his birth انطفتwas extinguished نارthe fire of كسرىKhosrow
من لميلاده انطفت نار كسرى
وتداعىand collapsed إيوانهhis vaulted hall بالخرورby falling
وتداعى إيوانه بالخرور
He at whose birth Khosrow's fire was extinguished,
At dawn or dusk, but He answers.
And his vaulted hall collapsed in ruin,
منhe who لهfor him غاضreceded ماthe water of (shortened form) بحيرةLake ساوىSawa
من له غاض ما بحيرة ساوى
ودعاand cried out سقفthe roof of قيصرCaesar بالثبورfor ruin
ودعا سقف قيصر بالثبور
He for whom the water of Lake Sawa receded,
And Caesar's roof cried out for ruin,
منhe who تجلتbecame visible لأمهto his mother أعلامthe landmarks of بصرىBusra
من تجلت لأمه أعلام بصرى
وأرتهاand showed her الشامSyria أقصىthe farthest القصورpalaces
وأرتها الشام أقصى القصور
He to whose mother the landmarks of Busra became visible,
And Syria showed her its farthest palaces,
منhe who لهfor him الشمسthe sun أوقفتwas halted وأعيدتand restored
من له الشمس أوقفت وأعيدت
لعليfor Ali ولارتقابand for watching العيرthe caravan
لعلي ولارتقاب العير
He for whom the sun was halted and restored,
For Ali and for watching the caravan,
منhe who لهfor him البدرthe full moon انشقsplit نصفينinto two halves كيماso that
من له البدر انشق نصفين كيما
يعلنwould proclaim الجاحدونthe deniers بالتكبيرwith 'God is greatest'
يعلن الجاحدون بالتكبير
He for whom the full moon split into two halves so that
The deniers would proclaim God's greatness,
منhe who لهfor him الجذعthe tree trunk حنyearned شوقاin longing وخوفاand in fear
من له الجذع حن شوقا وخوفا
منof أليمthe pain of النوىseparation وشرand the evil of الدحورbanishment
من أليم النوى وشر الدحور
He for whom the tree trunk yearned in longing and fear
Of painful separation and the evil of banishment,
منhe who بكفيهin his two palms سبحglorified God الصادunclear, perhaps 'pebbles' جهراaloud وخوفاand in fear
من بكفيه سبح الصاد جهرا وخوفا
باسمin the name of ربthe Lord of العلاthe heights بحمدwith the praise of الشكورthe grateful one
باسم رب العلا بحمد الشكور
He in whose palms [an unclear object, perhaps pebbles] praised God aloud and in fear,
In the name of the Lord on high, with a grateful one's praise,
منhe who علىon صهوةthe back of البراقal-Buraq ترقىascended
من على صهوة البراق ترقى
إذwhen لهto him قدindeed أنابit submitted بعدafter النفورshying away
إذ له قد أناب بعد النفور
He who ascended upon the back of al-Buraq
When it submitted to him after shying away,
منhe who بهالضبin him, the lizard (fused words) والغزالةand the gazelle لاذاboth sought refuge
من بهالضب والغزالة لاذا
فأجيراand both were sheltered منfrom حادثthe calamity of التغييرchange
فأجيرا من حادث التغيير
He in whom the lizard and the gazelle sought refuge,
And both were sheltered from the calamity of change,
منhe who لهto him أخبرinformed الذراعthe foreleg بسمof poison
من له أخبر الذراع بسم
ولهand to him الفحلthe male camel دانsubmitted غيرwithout نكيرresistance
وله الفحل دان غير نكير
He whom the foreleg informed of poison,
And to whom the male camel submitted without resistance,
منhe who لميقاتهto his appointed meeting الحجارةthe stones جاءتcame
من لميقاته الحجارة جاءت
وأتاهand came to him النخيلthe palm trees للتستيرfor concealment
وأتاه النخيل للتستير
He to whose appointed meeting the stones came,
And the palm trees came to conceal him,
منhe who حماهsheltered him الحمامthe doves فيin الغارthe cave لماwhen
من حماه الحمام في الغار لما
أحكمperfected العنكبوتthe spider نسجthe weaving of الستورthe screens
أحكم العنكبوت نسج الستور
He whom doves sheltered in the cave when
The spider perfected the weaving of its screens,
منhe who أجارprotected البعيرthe camel مماfrom what دهاهbefell it
من أجار البعير مما دهاه
إذwhen أتاهit came to him كالخائفlike a frightened one المستجيرseeking protection
إذ أتاه كالخائف المستجير
He who protected the camel from what befell it
When it came to him like a frightened creature seeking refuge,
منhe who أعادturned القضيبthe twig فيin الكفthe palm سيفاinto a sword
من أعاد القضيب في الكف سيفا
وبهاand in it فاضoverflowed نبعa spring of ماءwater نميرsweet
وبها فاض نبع ماء نمير
He who turned the twig in his palm into a sword,
And in that palm a spring of sweet water overflowed,
منhe who علىon الرملsand إنif مشىhe walked لمdid not يؤثرleave a trace
من على الرمل إن مشى لم يؤثر
وتراهyet you see him مؤثراleaving traces فيin الصخورrocks
وتراه مؤثرا في الصخور
He who, when walking on sand, left no trace,
Yet you see him leaving traces in rocks,
منhe who كفىsufficed for الألفthe thousand بالصواعwith a measure وأروىand quenched
من كفى الألف بالصواع وأروى
ظمأthe thirst of الجيشthe army بالحليبwith milk اليسيرscant
ظمأ الجيش بالحليب اليسير
He who sufficed a thousand with one measure, and quenched
The army's thirst with a little milk,
منhe who حبتهfavored him الصباthe east wind مسيرةa journey of شهارa month (corrupt form)
من حبته الصبا مسيرة شهار
بانتصارwith victory علىover العدوthe enemy الكفورunbelieving
بانتصار على العدو الكفور
He whom the east wind favored across a month's journey
With victory over the unbelieving foe,
منhe who سقتهgave him drink السحابthe clouds لماwhen دعاهاhe called them
من سقته السحاب لما دعاها
ووقتهand shielded him منfrom حرthe heat of نارthe fire of الهجيرmidday
ووقته من حر نار الهجير
He whom the clouds gave drink when he called them,
And shielded from the fiery heat of midday,
منhe who بمسwith a touch أدرmade flow ضرعthe udder of عناقa young she-goat
من بمس أدر ضرع عناق
وبمسحand with a stroke أعادrestored شعرthe hair of الصغيرthe little one
وبمسح أعاد شعر الصغير
He who by a touch made a young she-goat's udder flow,
And by a stroke restored the little one's hair.
كمhow many مخوفfearsome things كفىhe averted وكمand how many منof مهولterrifying things
كم مخوف كفى وكم من مهول
وكمand how many منof بصيرsighted persons شفىhe healed وكمand how many منof ضريرblind persons
وكم من بصير شفى وكم من ضرير
How many fears he averted, and how many terrors!
How many sighted people he healed, and how many blind!
كمhow many جهولignorant persons هدىhe guided وكمand how many منof ضليلthose astray
كم جهول هدى وكم من ضليل
كمhow many سؤالbeggars أغنىhe enriched وكمand how many منof فقيرthe poor
كم سؤال أغنى وكم من فقير
How many ignorant people he guided, and how many astray!
How many beggars he enriched, and how many poor!
كمhow many همومworries جلاhe dispelled وكمand how many منof كروبtroubles
كم هموم جلا وكم من كروب
كمhow many سمومscorching winds وقىhe warded off وكمand how many زمهريرbitter frosts
كم سموم وقى وكم زمهرير
How many worries he dispelled, and how many troubles!
How many scorching winds he warded off, and how many bitter frosts!
أحرزhe attained الباسvalor والندىand generosity بعطاهthrough his giving
أحرز الباس والندى بعطاه
وضباهand his blades قلائدnecklaces فيupon النحورthroats
وضباه قلائد في النحور
He attained valor and generosity through his giving,
And his blades were necklaces upon throats.
صاحبpossessor of التاجthe crown والشفاعةand intercession حقاtruly
صاحب التاج والشفاعة حقا
ولواand the banner of الحمدpraise والمقامand the station الشهيرrenowned
ولوا الحمد والمقام الشهير
Truly the possessor of the crown and intercession,
And the Banner of Praise and the renowned station,
صاحبpossessor of الطرفthe steed والظباand blades والعواليand spearheads
صاحب الطرف والظبا والعوالي
صاحبpossessor of الشاةthe sheep والحذاand sandals والبعيرand the camel
صاحب الشاة والحذا والبعير
Possessor of the steed, the blades, and the spearheads,
Possessor of the sheep, the sandals, and the camel,
صاحبpossessor of المعجزاتmiracles خيرthe best رسولmessenger
صاحب المعجزات خير رسول
قامhe stood يدعوcalling بسيفهwith his sword المشهورdrawn
قام يدعو بسيفه المشهور
Possessor of miracles, the best messenger,
He stood calling with his drawn sword.
أولfirst آخرlast ظهوراin appearance وبعثاand in being sent
أول آخر ظهورا وبعثا
ظلhe remained وفاخرand gloried بأولin the first وأخيرand the last
ظل وفاخر بأول وأخير
First, yet last in appearance and mission,
He remained, glorying in the first and the last.
أمhe led in prayer بالرسلwith the messengers والأملاكand the angels طراall together
أم بالرسل والأملاك طرا
فيin مقامa station of الإجلالveneration والتوقيرand reverence
في مقام الإجلال والتوقير
He led all the messengers and angels in prayer
In a station of veneration and reverence.
وعلاand ascended للعلاto the heights فحلthen settled محلاin a station
وعلا للعلا فحل محلا
جلwas too great مقدارهits measure عنfor التقديرestimation
جل مقداره عن التقدير
He ascended to the heights and settled in a station
Whose measure was too great for estimation.
ورأىand saw الحقthe Truth كيفas شاءHe willed جهاراopenly
ورأى الحق كيف شاء جهارا
وحباهand He endowed him بكلwith every خيرgood كثيرabundant
وحباه بكل خير كثير
He saw the Truth openly, as He willed,
And He endowed him with every abundant good.
منwho ظهيريis my supporter إذاwhen سئلتI am questioned كفاحاface-to-face
من ظهيري إذا سئلت كفاحا
عنabout مقامthe standing of النقيرa date-stone's speck والقطميرand its thin skin
عن مقام النقير والقطمير
Who will support me when I am questioned face-to-face
About matters as slight as a date-stone's speck and its skin?
منwho مجيريis my protector وليسand there is not غيرanything other than رجائيmy hope
من مجيري وليس غير رجائي
منwho غذيريis my excuser (corrupt form) ولستand I am not بالمعذورexcused
من غذيري ولست بالمعذور
Who will protect me, when I have nothing but hope?
Who will excuse me, though I have no excuse?
فدعونيso let me أبكيweep وأندبand lament نفسيmyself
فدعوني أبكي وأندب نفسي
قبلbefore فوتit is too late بدمعwith tears from جفنan eyelid غزيرcopious
قبل فوت بدمع جفن غزير
Let me weep, then, and lament myself
Before it is too late, with copious tears from my eyelid.
غلperhaps (apparently intended) ماءthe water of الدموعtears يطفىءquenches جمراembers
غل ماء الدموع يطفىء جمرا
شبkindled فيin مهجتيmy heart لفرطbecause of excessive غروريmy delusion
شب في مهجتي لفرط غروري
Perhaps the water of tears will quench embers
Kindled in my heart by my excessive delusion.
ماnot أباليI care وقدand indeed قصدتI approached كريماa generous one
ما أبالي وقد قصدت كريما
كونthe fact that ذنبيmy sin يجوزexceeds حدthe limit of الكبيرthe enormous
كون ذنبي يجوز حد الكبير
I do not care, having sought a generous one,
That my sin exceeds the bounds of enormity.
كيفhow أخشاهcould I fear it والحبيبwhile the Beloved شفيعيis my intercessor
كيف أخشاه والحبيب شفيعي
وحسابيand my reckoning علىrests with الكريمthe Generous الغفورthe All-Forgiving
وحسابي على الكريم الغفور
How should I fear it, when the Beloved is my intercessor,
And my reckoning rests with the Generous, the All-Forgiving?
ياO بصيراone seeing بماwhat أبانrevealed لسانيmy tongue
يا بصيرا بما أبان لساني
ياO عليماone knowing بماwhat أكنconceals ضميرa conscience
يا عليما بما أكن ضمير
O Seer of what my tongue reveals,
O Knower of what a conscience conceals,
ياO كريمgenerous in النوالgiving ياO منHe who تعالىis exalted
يا كريم النوال يا من تعالى
عنabove شريكa partner وصاحبand a companion ووزيرand a minister
عن شريك وصاحب ووزير
O generous giver, O You who are exalted
Above partner, companion, or minister,
ياO رحيماmerciful بالمؤمنينto the believers وياand O منHe who
يا رحيما بالمؤمنين ويا من
جلis exalted عنabove مشبهone resembling لهHim ونظيرand a peer
جل عن مشبه له ونظير
O Merciful to the believers, O You
Exalted above anyone resembling You or any peer,
ياO عفواever-pardoning عنtoward العصاthe disobedient (apparently intended) إذاwhen ماever
يا عفوا عن العصا إذا ما
حسنواthey make good الظنtheir expectations بالحليمof the Forbearing القديرthe All-Powerful
حسنوا الظن بالحليم القدير
O Pardoner of the disobedient whenever
They think well of the Forbearing, the All-Powerful,
بانكساريby my brokenness بقربتيby my devotion بخضوعيby my submission
بانكساري بقربتي بخضوعي
بافتقاريby my need بذلتيby my lowliness بقصوريby my shortcomings
بافتقاري بذلتي بقصوري
By my brokenness, my devotion, my submission,
By my need, my lowliness, my shortcomings,
بأنينيby my groaning بعبرتيby my tears باطراحيby my being cast down
بأنيني بعبرتي باطراحي
بنواحيby my wailing بكربتيby my anguish بزئيريby my roaring
بنواحي بكربتي بزئيري
By my groaning, my tears, my being cast down,
By my wailing, my anguish, my roaring,
باسمكby Your Name الأعظمgreatest الكريمnoble بماby what قدhas indeed
باسمك الأعظم الكريم بما قد
خطجbeen inscribed (corrupt form) فيon اللوحthe Tablet منof كلامspeech خطيرweighty
خطج في اللوح من كلام خطير
By Your greatest, noble Name, by what has
Been inscribed upon the Tablet of weighty speech,
بالكتابby the Book العزيزmighty بالصحفby the scriptures بالتوراةby the Torah
بالكتاب العزيز بالصحف بالتوراة
بالإنجيلby the Gospel الرضاpleasing بالزبورby the Psalms
بالإنجيل الرضا بالزبور
By the mighty Book, by the scriptures, by the Torah,
By the pleasing Gospel, by the Psalms,
بصفاتby the attributes of الكمالperfection بالذاتby the Essence عزاin glory
بصفات الكمال بالذات عزا
بجلالby the majesty of التهليلdeclaring God's unity والتكبيرand declaring God's greatness
بجلال التهليل والتكبير
By the attributes of perfection, by the Essence in glory,
By the majesty of declaring God's unity and greatness,
ببهاby the splendor of الملكsovereignty بالملائكby the angels بالعرby the Thr- (split word)
ببها الملك بالملائك بالعر
ش-one (completes 'Throne') بالأفلاكby the celestial spheres بالصباby the east wind بالثبورby destruction
ش بالأفلاك بالصبا بالثبور
By the splendor of sovereignty, by the angels, by the
Throne, by the celestial spheres, by the east wind, by destruction,
بحمىby the sanctuary of البيتthe House بالصفاby al-Safa بالمصلىby the prayer-place
بحمى البيت بالصفا بالمصلى
بحراءby Hira بطيبةby Tayba بثبيرby Thabir
بحراء بطيبة بثبير
By the sanctuary of the House, by al-Safa, by the prayer-place,
By Hira, by Tayba, by Thabir,
بعلاby the height of بيتكYour House المقدسholy بالأرضby the earth
بعلا بيتك المقدس بالأرض
بماby what حازencompasses أفقهاits horizon بالطورby the Mount
بما حاز أفقها بالطور
By the height of Your holy House, by the earth,
By what its horizon encompasses, by the Mount,
بسناby the radiance of العقلreason بالعوالمby the worlds بالرby the Spir- (split word)
بسنا العقل بالعوالم بالر
وح-it (completes 'Spirit') بالأنفاسby breaths بالبهاءby splendor بالنورby light
وح بالأنفاس بالبهاء بالنور
By reason's radiance, by the worlds, by the
Spirit, by breaths, by splendor, by light,
بهداةby the guides of الورىhumankind بكلby every وليsaint
بهداة الورى بكل ولي
ونبئand prophet ومرشدand guide ونديرand warner (corrupt form)
ونبئ ومرشد وندير
By humankind's guides, by every saint,
And prophet, guide, and warner,
بأبيby Abu القاسمal-Qasim الشفيعthe intercessor المرجىhoped for
بأبي القاسم الشفيع المرجى
خيرةthe choicest of العالمthe world السراجthe lamp المنيرradiant
خيرة العالم السراج المنير
By Abu al-Qasim, the hoped-for intercessor,
The choicest of the world, the radiant lamp,
ببنيهby his sons بآلهby his family بذويهby his kin
ببنيه بآله بذويه
وبأصحابهand by his companions الهداةthe guides البدورthe full moons
وبأصحابه الهداة البدور
By his sons, his family, his kin,
And by his companions, the guides, the full moons.
ودعاهand He called him بأنتwith 'you are' خيرthe best of عباديMy servants
ودعاه بأنت خير عبادي
وحبيبيand My beloved وصفوتيand My chosen one ومنيريand My light-giver
وحبيبي وصفوتي ومنيري
And He called him: You are the best of My servants,
And My beloved, My chosen one, and My light-giver.
فقلso speak يسمعyou will be heard واشفعand intercede تشفعyour intercession will be accepted وسلنيand ask Me
فقل يسمع واشفع تشفع وسلني
أعطكI will give you اليومtoday رتبةthe rank of التصديرforemost precedence
أعطك اليوم رتبة التصدير
Speak, and you shall be heard; intercede, and be accepted; ask Me—
I shall grant you today the foremost rank.
ياO بليغاeloquent one يرومseeking حصرto encompass علاهhis exaltation
يا بليغا يروم حصر علاه
أيطولcan he reach السماكal-Simak ذوone with تقصيرshortcomings
أيطول السماك ذو تقصير
O eloquent one who seeks to encompass his exaltation,
Can one who falls short reach al-Simak?
كيفhow يحصىcan enumerate القريصverse (apparently intended) وصفthe qualities of لبيبa discerning one
كيف يحصى القريص وصف لبيب
خصّsingled out بالمدحfor praise فيin الكتابthe Book المنيرilluminating
خصّ بالمدح في الكتاب المنير
How can verse enumerate the qualities of a discerning one
Singled out for praise in the illuminating Book?
لكنbut الحزمprudence أنis to تحركset in motion ثناهhis praise
لكن الحزم أن تحرك ثناه
ببديعwith wondrous المنظومverse والمنثورand prose
ببديع المنظوم والمنثور
Yet prudence is to set his praise in motion
With wondrous verse and prose.
علperhaps حوكweaving المديحpraise يكسبwins أمناsafety
عل حوك المديح يكسب أمنا
منfrom عواديthe ravages of دهرan age مبيدdestructive مثيرturbulent
من عوادي دهر مبيد مثير
Perhaps weaving praise will win safety
From the ravages of a destructive, turbulent age.
فلهذاfor this reason جعلتهI made it ليfor myself ذخراa treasure
فلهذا جعلته لي ذخرا
فيin حياتيmy life وعدتيand my provision للنشورfor resurrection
في حياتي وعدتي للنشور
For this reason I made it a treasure for myself
In my life, and my provision for resurrection.
حاشfar be it للهfrom God أنthat يضللHe misdirect سعييmy striving
حاش لله أن يضلل سعيي
فيin مديحpraise محبرfinely wrought موفورabundant
في مديح محبر موفور
God forbid that He should misdirect my striving
In finely wrought, abundant praise.
هوhe أسنىmore exalted منthan أنto يخبdisappoint صباan ardent lover
هو أسنى من أن يخب صبا
جعلmade المدحpraise فيهof him خيرthe best سفيرenvoy
جعل المدح فيه خير سفير
He is too exalted to disappoint an ardent lover
Who made praise of him the best envoy.
وهوand he أعلىmore exalted منthan أنto يردreject مديحيmy praise
وهو أعلى من أن يرد مديحي
أوor يجازىrequite (form uncertain) وهوwhile he الفتىthe noble one باليسيرwith little
أو يجازى وهو الفتى باليسير
He is too exalted to reject my praise,
Or, noble as he is, to requite it with little.
فاهنso rejoice ياO ابنson of الخلوفal-Khuluf سوىwill (apparently intended) تجازىbe rewarded
فاهن يا ابن الخلوف سوى تجازى
بنعيمwith bliss وجنةand a garden وحريرand silk
بنعيم وجنة وحرير
So rejoice, Ibn al-Khuluf: you shall be rewarded
With bliss, a garden, and silk,
وتوقىand be protected بمدحهthrough praising him كلfrom every هولterror
وتوقى بمدحه كل هول
وتلقىand encounter بهthrough it أتمthe fullest سرورjoy
وتلقى به أتم سرور
And be shielded through his praise from every terror,
And encounter through it the fullest joy.
فعليهso upon him الصلاةblessings تتبعfollowing one another تترىunceasingly
فعليه الصلاة تتبع تترى
بسلامwith peace يفوقsurpassing نشرthe fragrance of الزهورflowers
بسلام يفوق نشر الزهور
May blessings upon him follow one another unceasingly,
With peace surpassing the fragrance of flowers,
وعلىand upon الآلthe family والصحابةand the companions طراall together
وعلى الآل والصحابة طرا
وعلىand upon أتباعهمtheir followers ليومuntil the Day of المصيرreturn
وعلى أتباعهم ليوم المصير
And upon his family and companions, all together,
And upon their followers until the Day of Return,
ماas long as أجابanswers الإلهGod عبداa servant ذليلاhumble
ما أجاب الإله عبدا ذليلا
قامwho stood يدعوهcalling upon Him فيin المساthe evening والبكورand the early morning
قام يدعوه في المسا والبكور
As long as God answers a humble servant
Who stands calling upon Him at evening and early morning.
Partial English translation: 113 of 246 Arabic lines translated.