تغنوا على العود الطيور وهينموا

فلذ مقام فيه تغنوا وزمزموا

The birds sang upon the bough and murmured.

Sweet was the place where they sang and hummed.

وصلى إلى الروض القضيب مسلما

فيا حبذا منه المصلّي المسلم

The twig bowed toward the garden in greeting.

How lovely its bowing and salutation!

وترجم على سر الربا صامت الشذى

فيا طيب ما أبدى الصموت المترجم

Silent fragrance interpreted the hills' secret.

How sweet what the silent interpreter revealed!

ونمنم صدغ الأس خد شقيقه

فيا حسن ما أهدى الطراز المنمنم

The myrtle's sidelock embroidered its anemone's cheek.

How lovely the embroidered ornament it bestowed!

وقبل خد الورد ثغر أقاحه

فبا نور ذا خد ويا طيب ذا فم

The daisies' mouth kissed the rose's cheek.

How radiant this cheek, how fragrant this mouth!

ونم بأخبار الرياض عبيره

لذلك قد جاء الصبا يتبسم

Its perfume divulged the gardens' news.

That is why the east wind came smiling.

وهيج شجوي بلبل الدوح إذ شجا

فيا لفصيح هاج شجواه أعجم

The grove's nightingale stirred my grief when it lamented.

How eloquent, though wordless, the bird whose lament stirred mine!

ولاح وميض البرق فانهل مدمعي

ولولا الهوى ما كنت أبكي ويبتسم

Lightning's gleam appeared, and my tears poured down.

But for love, I would not weep while it smiled.

وسال لجين الماء فوق زبرجد

من النبت بالنور البديع يرقم

The water's silver flowed over emerald

vegetation embroidered with wondrous blossoms.

وزفت عروس الروض في ثوب سندس

يوشي بأنداء السماء ويوشم

The garden's bride was escorted in a silken robe,

embroidered and marked with heaven's dewdrops.

وللبرق قد صيغت أساوير عسجد

فلاح لكف الروض بالنهر معصم

Golden bracelets were fashioned for the lightning.

The river revealed a wrist beneath the garden's hand.

وللغصن ساق بالخليج مخلخل

وللنور جيد بالرذاذ منظم

The branch has a leg ankleted by the channel.

The blossom has a neck strung with spray.

وللدوح بالزهر الأنيق تبهرج

وللشمس بالغيم الرقيق تكتم

The grove flaunts its elegant flowers.

The sun conceals itself behind delicate cloud.

وللورق تغريد على قضب بأنها

فللبان أعراس وللطير مأتم

Doves sing upon their ben-tree branches.

The ben trees hold weddings; the birds, a funeral.

وللشمس وجه بالظلال مبرقع

وللزهر ثغر بالكمام ملثم

The sun has a face veiled in shadows.

The flowers have mouths masked by their calyxes.

وللطل ختم في الأزهار محكم

فللورد دينار وللزهر درهم

The dew has a firmly set seal upon the flowers.

The rose has a dinar; the blossom, a dirham.

سقى الدمع أكناف الغضى وأهيله

على أنهم شبوا الفؤاد وأضرموا

May tears water al-Ghada's borders and its dear people,

although they kindled my heart and set it ablaze.

وحي الحيا مرباع ليلا وجاده

هتون من الوسمي بالدمع بسجم

May rain greet Layla's spring abode and drench it,

with autumn downpours streaming like tears.

فكم في حماها عاشق متفجع

وكم ف ذراها صادع مترنم

How many grieving lovers dwell in her sanctuary!

How many singing voices sound upon her heights!

مغاني غوان إن دجى ليل حجبها

تلجت بعلباها بدور وأنجم

Abodes of beauties: when night's darkness veiled them,

moons and stars appeared upon their heights [reading uncertain].

أجلت بها دمعي وأوقفت ناظري

فجدد وجدي عهدها المتقدم

I sent my tears through them and held my gaze there.

Their former memory renewed my passion.

ويممت مغناها لألثم تربها

ومن لم يجد إلا الثرى بتيمم

I sought her dwelling to kiss its earth.

Whoever finds only earth performs dry ablution.

وقمت وطير القلب قد حام دهشة

وحادي السرى بالبين يحدو ويرزم

I rose, while the heart's bird circled in bewilderment,

and the night-travelers' driver sang of separation and murmured.

ففي كل سمع من نداه توجس

وفي كل قلب من سراه تألم

Every ear felt apprehension at his call.

Every heart suffered from his nighttime journey.

فيا راكب الوجناء أرسل زمامها

فقد ساقها وجد به الصبر يهزم

O rider of the strong-cheeked she-camel, loose her rein!

Passion drives her, defeating patience.

وسل يا رعاك الله عن معهد به

ظباء رعوا حب الحشا وتصرموا

Ask—may God protect you—about a dwelling where

gazelles grazed upon my heart's love, then departed.

وجزعن شعاب الجزع واحذر أسوده

وسل عن ظبي سلع وسل عليهم

Cross the ravine's passes, and beware its lions.

Ask about Sal‘'s gazelles, and greet them.

وعرج إلى جرعاء نجد فأهله

عريب لهم غور الحشاشة معلم

Turn toward Najd's sandy tract: its people

are a little tribe whose landmark is my heart's depths.

هم أهل وادي الأجرعين فيا ترى

ترى الأجرعين فيهم الدهر تسجم

They are the people of al-Ajra‘ayn's valley; I wonder,

will your eyes ever stream for them at al-Ajra‘ayn?

عريب نقي بيداهم الفكر مثلما

مراحهم الصدر الذي فيه يرسم

A little tribe: thought is their desert sands, just as

the breast where they dwell is their evening pasture.

فمن فيض أجفاني لهم مورد ومن

حشاشة قلبي مرتع ومخيم

My eyelids' overflow gives them a watering place, and

my heart's core gives them pasture and a campsite.

فكيف بكى جفني وهم نور عينه

وكيف التظى قلبي وهم فيه خيم

How could my eyelid weep when they are its eye's light?

How could my heart blaze when they camp within it?

وقالوا بمن قد جن قيس فؤاده

فقلت بليلى جن قيس المتيم

They asked, 'For whom did Qays's heart go mad?'

I said, 'For Layla did love-enslaved Qays go mad.'

وبأنه روض هزها الشوق لا الصبا

وقد أصبح القمري عنها يترجم

A garden ben tree, shaken by longing, not the east wind,

has the turtledove interpreting on its behalf.

معممه بالطيلسان تغرنا

وكم غر بالناموس شخص معمم

Turbaned in its mantle, it beguiles us.

How many turbaned figures beguile through apparent sanctity!

فبت لها أشكو الهوى مثلما اشتكت

وسيان منها مفصح ومغمغم

I spent the night complaining to it of love, as it complained.

Its clear speech and its murmuring were alike to me.

فلا أنا أدري قولها فأريحها

ولا هي تدري ما أقول فترحم

I do not understand its words, that I might comfort it;

nor does it understand mine, that it might show mercy.

عدا أنني بالشوق أعرف حالها

كما أنها بالشوق حالي تعلم

Except that longing lets me recognize its condition,

as longing lets it know mine.

شكوت لها حالي فأبدت غضاضة

وهل تنفع الشكوى بمن ليس يرحم

I complained of my condition; it showed displeasure.

Can complaint help with one who shows no mercy?

تغنى بها ورق كرهبان ببعة

تصوت بالإنجيل ثم تهينم

Doves sang there like monks in a church,

chanting the Gospel, then murmuring.

وإلا كأحبار بسفح كنيسة

تعبر عن توراتها وتفهم

Or like learned priests beneath a church,

expounding their Torah and making it understood.

وإلا كوعاظ ترقوا منابرا

وباحوا بأسرار المعاني وفهّموا

Or like preachers ascending pulpits,

disclosing meanings' secrets and explaining them.

وإلا كسمار على سور قلعة

ترجع ألحانا بها تترنم

Or like evening companions upon a fortress wall,

repeating melodies in which they sing.

فكاهنهم ذكرى حبيب ومنزل

وراحهم دمع به الوجد يضرم

Their diversion is remembrance of a beloved and a dwelling [reading uncertain];

their wine is tears that kindle passion.

أبا عاذلا فيمن أحب دع العنا

فهيهات أن يسلوا الأحيّة مغرم

O censurer of the one I love, abandon this trouble!

A passionate lover will never forget the beloveds.

رضع لبان الحب من قبل نشأتي

ومن يرضع ثدي الهوى كيف يفطم

He drank love's milk before my birth.

How can one suckled at passion's breast be weaned?

وأطعم طرفي السهد والمهجة الأسى

جميعا فما استوخمت ما أنا أطعم

I feed my eyes sleeplessness and my soul sorrow,

both together; I find no unwholesomeness in what I feed them.

ونعمت بالبلوى فؤادي ولم أكن

لأعلم أني بالعذاب أنعم

I pampered my heart with affliction, never

knowing that through torment I would find delight.

وأخلصت في دين الغرام ولم أمل

لمن لام حتى لذ عندي التألم

I was sincere in love's religion and did not incline

toward any censurer, until suffering tasted sweet.

وما سئمت نفسي هواها وإنما

يعاد فتى يسمو هواه فيسام

My soul has not wearied of its love; rather,

a youth whose love rises high is visited and afflicted.

أبى الحب إلا أن تكون مدامعي

على الخد تجري والجوارح تحسم

Love insisted that my tears

flow upon my cheek, while my limbs are seared.

ومن لي بأن يرضى بذاك وإنني

لراض بما يقضي علي ويحكم

Who can secure its satisfaction with that? For I

am content with whatever it decrees and judges against me.

هواي يماني وحبي معرق

ووجدي نجدي وشوقي متهم

My passion is Yemeni, my love Iraqi;

my ardor is Najdi, my longing Tihami.

ودين الهوى فرضي وولي فيه سنة

يقصر عنها عروة ومتمم

Love's religion is my obligation; I have a practice in it

that ‘Urwa and Mutammim cannot equal.

ولي في الهوى وصف رقيق لأنني

رقيق لمن أهواه بالحب مغرم

I have a delicate description of love, because I

am a slave to my beloved, enthralled by love.

وما الحب إلا عبرة تحرق الحشا

وسهد به الجسم المنعم يسقم

Love is only a tear that burns the heart,

and sleeplessness that sickens the pampered body.

وماذا عسى أن يبلغ الصب في الهوى

سوى أن ينادي مات ذاك المتيم

What can a passionate lover attain in love

except the cry, 'That enslaved lover has died'?

وليلة وافى طيف لبلاي طارقا

وللبدر فرع بالدجنة أسهم

One night my Layla's apparition came visiting,

the moon bearing a black tress of darkness.

وعاد حبيب الوصل بعد ذهابه

وغابت بمسراه وشاة ولوم

The beloved bond returned after departing,

and slanderers and censurers vanished during its night journey.

ألم بنا وهنا على حين غفلة

فتم عليه نشرها والتبسم

It visited us late at night, when we were unwatchful,

but her fragrance and smile betrayed it [reading uncertain].

أيا مانعي شكواي في موقف النوى

أما آن أن أشكو إليكم فترحموا

O you who forbid my complaint at separation's station,

is it not time I complained to you, and you showed mercy?

سلبتم فؤادي واطرحتم بقيتي

وأسهرتهم طرفي القريح ونمتم

You stole my heart and discarded what remained of me.

You kept my wounded eyes awake, then slept.

وألبستم جسمي ثياب سقامه

مشهرة بالدمع لما سلبتموا

You clothed my body in the garments of its sickness,

displayed through tears after your robbery.

وأوقفتموني خائفا مترقبا

أسام بتعذيب كاني مجرم

You left me standing fearful and watchful,

subjected to torment as though I were a criminal.

وقلتم أنمت العين من بعد بعدنا

وكيف تنام الليل عي تهوم

You asked, 'Did your eyes sleep after we departed?'

How could a wandering eye sleep through the night?

وملتم وقلتم ملت عنا لغيرنا

نعم ملت لكن عن سواكم إليكم

You turned away and said, 'You turned from us to others.'

Yes, I turned—but from others toward you.

وبنتم وقلتم أنت في الحب غادر

صدقتم أهذا كان مني صدقتم

You departed and said, 'You are faithless in love.'

You spoke truly! Was that my doing? You spoke truly!

وحلتم ولم ترعوا ذمامي ولم أحل

وأبرمت حبي فيكم فنقضتم

You changed and neglected my covenant; I did not change.

I bound my love for you firmly, and you undid it.

حكمتم بسلب أوجب السهد والأسى

وبالسلب والإيجاب عدلا حكتمم

You decreed a deprivation that imposed sleeplessness and sorrow.

Through negation and affirmation, you judged 'justly.'

ولم تسمحوا لما قدرتم بعفوكم

فيا ليتكم لما قدرتم عفوتم

When you had power, you did not grant forgiveness.

Would that, when you had power, you had forgiven!

وعذبتموني بانتزاع تصبري

وحاشا وكلا أن أقول ظلمتم

You tormented me by stripping away my endurance.

Far be it—never would I say you wronged me!

وأهلكتم جسمي وقلبي وناظري

بصد فهلا يا قسامة رحمتم

You destroyed my body, my heart, and my eyes

by rejection: why, beautiful ones, did you not show mercy?

وقطعتم حبل اتصالي بينكم

فهلا عليكم غذ قطعتم وصلتم

You severed the rope connecting me to you.

Why, having severed it, did you not reconnect it?

وأتلفتم لبي بغير غرامة

وفي شرعكم أن المفرط يغرم

You ruined my mind without compensation,

though your law makes the negligent pay.

وأليتم أن تحفظا العهد دائما

فما بالكم لما انقضى الحول حلتم

You swore to preserve the covenant forever.

Why did you change once the year had passed?

وأعرضتم عن مدنف شفة الضنى

فما ضركم أن لو مننتم وزرتم

You turned away from an invalid consumed by wasting illness.

What harm would kindness and a visit have done you?

وأضرمتم بالدمع في القلب حرقة

ولم أدر أن النار بالماء تضرم

With tears you kindled a burning in my heart.

I never knew water could kindle fire.

وأشمتم النمام إذ نم بالذي

أكنته أحشائي فقال وقلتم

You delighted the informer when he disclosed what

my entrails concealed; he spoke, and you spoke.

وكنتم عهدتم أننا نكتم الهوى

فغركم دمعي النموم فبحتم

You had pledged that we would conceal our love.

My telltale tears deceived you, and you disclosed it.

وهل نافعي كتم الدموع لما جري

وقلبي بما سن الأسى بتكلم

Would concealing tears help me after what occurred,

when my heart speaks of what sorrow has fashioned?

وسقمي بما أخفيت بين جوانحي

يصرح بالشكوى ولا يتكلم

My sickness, concerning what I concealed within my ribs,

plainly voices complaint, though it does not speak.

فمن ذا الذي أرجوه والصبر ذاهب

ومن ذا الذي أشكوه والخصم يحكم

Whom can I hope in, when patience is departing?

To whom can I complain, when my adversary judges?

أسلم في الدعوى له غير كاره

وأطرح الشكوى لمن لا يسلم

I willingly yield the suit to him,

and abandon complaint to one who will not yield.

فإن شئتم صدوا وإن شئتم صلوا

فليس لحال يرتضوها مذمم

Reject me if you wish; unite with me if you wish.

No state they approve merits blame.

فأنتم أحبائي على السخط والرضا

مقامكم عندي شريف معظم

You are my beloveds, in displeasure and contentment.

Your standing with me is noble and exalted.

أهيم بأحداق الحدائق والظبا

لإخبارها بالسحر والطيب عنكم

I am enthralled by gardens' eyes and gazelles,

because their magic and fragrance speak of you.

وأهوى عيون العين من أجل قولكم

لعين تجازي ألف عين وتكرم

I love the eyes of wide-eyed gazelles because you say,

'For one eye, a thousand eyes are rewarded and honored.'

وأكتم حبي والدموع نذيعه

ومن لي بدمع للمحبة يكتم

I conceal my love, while tears disclose it.

Who can give me tears that conceal affection?

وأصبو إلى وادي العقيق وإنه

لدمع به جمر الصبابة يضرم

I yearn toward Wadi al-‘Aqiq, although it

is a tear through which longing's embers are kindled.

وألهو يسعدى والرباب وزينب

وأنتم مرادي في الحقيقة أنتم

I divert myself with Su‘da, al-Rabab, and Zaynab,

but you are truly my purpose—you.

وبين فتاة الحي هيفاء قامة

لها الورد خد والإفاحة مبسم

And a maiden of the tribe, slender in stature,

has a rose for a cheek and a daisy for a smile.

فتاة سرى مسكا فتيتا نسيمها

فأنجد فيها العاشقون وأتهموا

A maiden whose breeze travels as powdered musk:

her lovers venture into Najd and Tihama.

وحيرهم معنى به قد تفردت

على أن معنى الحسن فيها مقسم

A quality unique to her bewildered them,

although beauty's qualities are distributed throughout her.

فوجنتها والثغر نار وجنة

وقامتها واللحظ رمح ومخدم

Her cheek and mouth are fire and paradise;

her stature and glance, a spear and a sharp sword.

توزع عطفيها كثيب وبانة

وحل بجفنيها غزال وضيغم

A sand dune and a ben tree share her figure.

A gazelle and a lion dwell in her eyelids.

لمرفوع صدغيها على الخد نصبة

يجر بها قلب له اللحظ يجزم

Her raised sidelocks stand upon her cheek,

dragging a heart that her glance cuts short.

و في خدها عين الحياة أما ترى

بها غصن الأصداغ أضحى بنعم

In her cheek is life's spring—do you not see

the branch of her sidelocks flourishing there?

عجبت ليتم الدر في كنز ثغرها

وليس عليه ذل من يتيم

I marvel at the pearls' orphanhood in her mouth's treasury,

though they bear none of an orphan's humiliation.

وأعجب أن الورد زاه بخدّها

ولم أر وردا أنيتته جهنم

I marvel that roses flourish upon her cheek;

I never saw roses grown by hellfire.

ولا غرو إن لم تقتطفه نواظري

ففيه لسر الحسن كنز مطلسم

No wonder my eyes cannot pluck them:

beauty's secret has a talismanic treasure there.

بنت جفنها الماضي على الفتح إذ بنت

على الكسر أحشاء بلا النفي يجزم

She built her piercing eyelid upon opening, while she built

my entrails upon breaking; denial's 'no' cuts them short.

وهدت قوى صبري بتشديد صبوتي

وصارت كما قد قبل تبني وتهدم

She shattered my patience's strength by intensifying my yearning.

As was said before, she builds and destroys.

إذا عمرت بالسحر ألحاظها ترى

ربوع اصطباري حين تعمر تهدم

When her glances are inhabited by magic, you see

my patience's dwellings destroyed as hers are filled.

منعة لو لامس الورد خدها

لخبشها وهو الرطيب المنعم

So delicate that, were a rose to touch her cheek,

it would scratch her, though fresh and tender itself.

تيتم قلبي في هواها بنظرة

ومن ذا يرى ليلا ولا يتيتم

One glance orphaned my heart in love for her.

Who sees Layla and does not become an orphan?

تغازل عن لحظ به السحر كامن

وتبسم عن ثغر به الدر ينظم

She flirts with a glance in which magic lies hidden,

and smiles with a mouth in which pearls are strung.

وتسفر عن وجه يصان يسالف

ولم أدر أن الرض يحميه أرقم

She unveils a face protected by a sidelock.

I never knew a garden could be guarded by a serpent.

وترشق عن قوس الحواجب أسهما

نواش بأهداب لها القلب مغنم

She shoots arrows from the bow of her eyebrows,

feathered with lashes, taking the heart as booty.

بديعة معنى الحسن ثم جمالها

ولا بدر إن خففت إلا المتيم

Wondrous is her beauty's essence; then her loveliness—

and no moon, if lightened, except the enthralled lover [wording unclear].

فيا ليل ما أبداه فاحم شعرها

وللصبح ما أهدى سناه التبسم

O night, behold what her coal-black hair reveals!

Dawn possesses the radiance her smile bestows.

وللغصن ما زرت عليه ثيابها

وللزهر ما أخفاه عنا التلثم

The branch possesses what her clothes are fastened around.

Flowers possess what her face veil hides from us.

أعانق منها الغصن والغصن قامة

وألثم منها البدر والبدر مبسم

I embrace her branch—the branch is her stature;

I kiss her moon—the moon is her smiling mouth.

أعد نظرا في خصرها وجفونها

تجد مسقما يشكو له الضعف مسقم

Look again at her waist and eyelids:

you will find one sickly thing telling another of weakness.

وسل ثغرها المعسول عن لعس به

وإلا عن الصهباء بالمسك تختم

Ask her honeyed mouth about its dusky hue,

or about wine sealed with musk.

تظلم شاكي لحظها إذ شكوته

وواعجبا من ظالم بتظلم

Her glance wronged its complainant when I complained of it.

How strange: a wrongdoer who complains!

وأزرى علي الخصر إذ قلت زها

فويلاه حتى خصرها بتهضم

Her waist disparaged me when I said it flourished.

Alas, even her waist treats me unjustly!

وأبدع معنى الرسم في الخد خالها

ألم تره بالمسك في الورد يرسم

Her mole devised the finest drawing upon her cheek.

Do you not see it drawing with musk upon a rose?

ولا تنكر وافتك العيون بمهجتي

فقد حكمت أن لا يصان لهادم

Do not object when the eyes bring you my lifeblood:

you decreed that a destroyer's property is not protected.

وإن شئتم أ تعلموا شرح قصتي

وما قد جرى لما جرى الماء والدم

If you wish to learn my story's explanation,

and what occurred when water and blood flowed:

فمنشا سهادي ناظر متناعس

وأصل بلائي معطف متنعم

my sleeplessness began with a drowsy eye;

my affliction originated in a luxurious figure.

فؤادي جمادي والغرام ربيعه

ودمعي شوال ونومي محرم

My heart is Jumada; passion is its Rabi‘.

My tears are Shawwal; my sleep is Muharram.

رفعت لها حالي لترحم فانبرت

توقع للأبقى على الحال أحكم

I submitted my condition, seeking mercy; she proceeded

to endorse, 'I decree that this condition remain.'

وقدمت رسم الدمع كما تكفه

فقالت بإجراه على الخد أرسم

I submitted the tears' record, asking her to stop them.

She said, 'I order them to flow upon the cheek.'

فيا روضة قد قايس الورد خدها

بلا خجل للورد خدك أنعم

O garden whose cheek the rose dared compare with its own,

without shaming the rose, your cheek is softer.

ويا بأنه رام القضيب انشاءها

بلا حسد للغصن قدك أقوم

O ben tree whose form the twig sought to rival,

without envying the branch, your stature is straighter.

ويا نسمة قد قارن الدهر عرفها

بلا نسبة للزهر عرفك أنسم

O breeze whose scent time has compared,

without equating flowers to you, your fragrance is sweeter.

ويا ظبية قد ساوم الظبي جيدها

بلا حضرو للظبي جيدك أوسم

O gazelle whose neck the gazelle sought to match,

without belittling the gazelle, your neck is lovelier.

لئن حكمت عيناك بالفتك في الحشا

فإني لها سمعا وطوعا اسلم

If your eyes decree slaughter within my heart,

I submit to them obediently and willingly.

وإن رمت تعذيبي ببؤس النوى فلي

بمدح رسول يا نعم أنعم

If you seek to torment me through separation's misery, I have

delight—what delight!—in praising a Messenger.

خليل حبيب هاشمي مرفع

رسول نبيّ زمزميّ مكرم

An intimate friend, beloved, Hashimi, exalted;

a Messenger, Prophet, Zamzami, honored;

سراج منبر أريحي مكرم

بشير نذير أبطحي مزمزم

an illuminating lamp, generous and honored;

a bearer of good news, a warner, Abtahi, softly chanting;

فصيح مليح صادق القول طاهر

نقي تقي أكملي معظم

eloquent, lovely, truthful in speech, pure;

untainted, devout, most perfect, exalted;

إمام همام ظاهر البشر جامع

لأوصاف معنى الحسن بدر متمم

a leader, magnanimous, openly cheerful, gathering

beauty's attributes—a perfected moon.

هو البدر لا والله بل هو أكمل

من البدر في حال التمام وأوسم

He is the moon—no, by God, he is more complete

than the full moon, and more handsome.

هو الشمس لا والله بل هو أنور

من الشمس في أفق المعالي وأعظم

He is the sun—no, by God, he is more radiant

than the sun upon excellence's horizon, and greater.

هو الغيث لا والله بل هو أجود

من الغيث في بذل النوال وأكرم

He is the rain—no, by God, he is more generous

than rain in dispensing bounty, and more noble.

هو الليث لا والله بل هو أشجع

من الليث في وقت الجلاد وأقدم

He is the lion—no, by God, he is braver

than a lion in combat, and more daring.

هو الغصن لا والله بل هو أميس

من الغصن عند الانثناء وأقوم

He is the branch—no, by God, he sways more gracefully

than a bending branch, and stands straighter.

هو الزهر لا والله بل هو أطيب

من الزهر حال الانتشاق وأنسم

He is the blossom—no, by God, he is sweeter

than a blossom when inhaled, and more fragrant.

هو المورد العذب المروي من الظما

هو الغوث إذ نادى به المتظلم

He is the sweet watering place that quenches thirst.

He is relief when the oppressed call upon him.

هو القصد يغني السائلين نواله

هو الحصن يأوي الهاربين وبعصم

He is the destination whose bounty enriches petitioners.

He is the fortress that shelters fugitives and protects.

هو الباسط الكف التي لا تكف بل

هو الشامخ الأنف الذي لا يرغم

He extends the hand that never withholds; indeed,

he is the lofty nose that cannot be humbled.

هو الفوز كل الفوز يا من يؤمه

هو الأمن كل الأمن يا من يحوم

He is triumph, all triumph, O you who seek him.

He is safety, all safety, O you who circle near.

هو المخجل السحب العواذي بجوده

ولم لا ومنه يستفاد التكرم

His generosity shames the passing rain clouds.

Why not? Generosity is learned from him.

هو الغاية القصوى لمن هو طالب

هو الآية الكبرى لمن يتفهم

He is the ultimate goal for whoever seeks.

He is the greatest sign for whoever understands.

هو الرحمة العظمى التي عم نفعها

هو العروة الوثقى التي ليس تفصم

He is the greatest mercy, whose benefit embraces all.

He is the firmest handhold, which never breaks.

هو النقطة الأولى التي امتد حظها

إلى أن نشبت عنه بدور وأنجم

He is the first point whose line extended

until moons and stars sprang from him.

هو الأصل والأكوان عنه تفرعت

فيا حبذا اصل به الفرع يكرم

He is the root from which all worlds branched.

How excellent a root that ennobles the branch!

همام لسرح الدين حام وحامل

غمام لجدب الأرض بالخصب مسجم

Magnanimous, guarding and bearing religion's pasture;

a cloud pouring fertility upon the earth's drought;

حلي لجيد الدهر إذ هو عاطل

صباح لأفق الكون إذ هو مظلم

an ornament for time's neck when it is bare;

a dawn for existence's horizon when it is dark.

ترفع قدرا في العلا عن مشابه

وهل يشبه الياقوت في القدر صلدم

His rank rises in the heights beyond any likeness.

Can a hard stone equal a ruby in worth?

جميل المحيا أزهر اللون أدعج ال

عيون أسبل الخد يدر متمم

Lovely of face, radiant of complexion, dark of

eyes, smooth-cheeked—a perfected moon.

ضليع فم أقنى أشم مفلج

شنيب عن الياقوت والدر يبسم

Broad-mouthed, aquiline, lofty-nosed, with spaced teeth,

cool-toothed, smiling to reveal rubies and pearls.

ندي يد عبل الذراعين واضح ال

جبين أزج الحاجبين منعم

Generous-handed, thick-armed, clear of

forehead, finely arched of eyebrows, tender.

بهي زكي بادن متماسك

قويم سوي الصدر فخم مفخم

Splendid, pure, full-bodied, firmly built;

upright, even-chested, majestic and honored.

جليل مشاش ربعة القد أبلج

كريم السجايا كامل الحسن أشيم

Large-jointed, medium in stature, radiant;

noble in character, perfectly beautiful, marked with a mole.

صباح الهدى في وجهه متهلل

وقطر الندى في كفه يتديم

Guidance's dawn shines cheerfully in his face.

Generosity's rain pours continually from his hand.

أتم الورى حسنا وأعلاهم علا

وأوسعهم جاها وإن كان منهم

The most perfectly beautiful of creation, highest in elevation,

broadest in standing, though one of them.

حبيب أراد الله إظهار نوره

فأبرزه للكون والكون معدم

A beloved whose light God wished to reveal,

bringing him forth to existence while existence was nonexistent.

حبيب يراه الله من قبل آدم

وأرسله من بعد بالحق يعلم

A beloved whom God saw before Adam,

and afterward sent to teach truth.

حبيب هو الياقوت والجوهر الذي

هو الفرد لا يحكى ولا يتقسم

A beloved who is the ruby and the jewel

unique, neither imitated nor divided.

حبيب هو النور المشمشع والذي

به الخطب يصحو جوه المتغيم

A beloved who is radiant light, through whom

calamity's clouded atmosphere clears.

حبيب به قد لاذ آدم فارتقى

مقاما علبا للجلالة مبسم

A beloved through whom Adam sought refuge and ascended

to a lofty station smiling with majesty.

حبيب به شيت توسل فاكتسى

رداء له بالفخر طرز معلم

A beloved through whom Seth sought intercession and donned

a robe marked with an embroidered border of glory.

حبيب به إدريس رفع قدره

فأمست به العليا تعز وتكرم

A beloved through whom Idris's rank was raised,

so the heights became honored and ennobled through him.

حبيب به نوح دعا الله ربه

فانقذ من يمّ به القوم أعدموا

A beloved through whom Noah invoked God, his Lord,

and was rescued from a sea where the people perished.

حبيب به هود كفيَ كبد عاده

وقد أظهروا بغيا وساؤوا وأجرموا

A beloved through whom Hud was spared ‘Ad's affliction,

when they displayed tyranny, acted wickedly, and sinned.

حبيب بعلياه توسل صالح

فوفّي من نحر به القوم دمدموا

A beloved through whose exalted station Salih sought intercession,

and was protected from the slaughter for which the people were destroyed [reading uncertain].

حبيب به لوط كفي شر قومه

وقد ألفوا العدوان وهو محرم

A beloved through whom Lot was spared his people's evil,

when they embraced forbidden aggression.

حبيب به ابراهيم أصح آمنا

وقد قذفوه في لظى يتضرم

A beloved through whom Abraham became secure,

though they cast him into blazing fire.

حبيب به إسماعيل من ذبحه نجا

يذبح عظيم ليس فيه تغلصم

A beloved through whom Ishmael escaped slaughter,

through a mighty sacrificial victim, without choking.

حبيب به إسحاق الغيور غدا أبا

لرسل كرام قد أجلوا وعظموا

A beloved through whom zealous Isaac became father

to noble Messengers who were revered and exalted.

حبيب به يعقوب بوي منصبا

به عزز الأسباط قدما وكرموا

A beloved through whom Jacob was granted a station,

by which the tribes were honored and ennobled long ago.

حبيب به في ظلمة الجب يوسف

تسربل ثوبا بالنجاة يسهم

A beloved through whom Joseph, in the well's darkness,

was clothed in a garment marked with deliverance.

حبيب به زكى شعيبا إلهنا

وكذب أقواما عصوه فذمموا

A beloved through whom our God purified Shu‘ayb,

and exposed as liars disobedient peoples, who were condemned.

حبيب به موسى العليم علا العلا

وصار على الطور الكريم يكلم

A beloved through whom learned Moses rose to the heights

and was addressed upon the noble Mount.

حبيب به هارون قد نال رتبة

يمتع فيها كيف شاء ويحكم

A beloved through whom Aaron attained a rank

where he enjoyed favor and ruled as he wished.

حبيب به ردت ليوشع شمسه

نهار سدوم بعدما كاد تكتم

A beloved through whom Joshua's sun was returned

on Sodom's day, after nearly disappearing.

حبيب به للخضر لاحت مناهج

بأسرارها أمسى لموساه يعلم

A beloved through whom paths appeared to al-Khidr,

whose secrets he came to teach his Moses.

حبيب لداود به سخر الصفا

وأوب أجبال وأوقف حوم

A beloved through whom stone was subjected to David,

mountains echoed praise, and circling birds were halted.

حبيب به نادى سليمان فاعتلى

ودان له إنس وجن وصلدم

A beloved through whom Solomon called and rose high,

and humans, jinn, and hard stone submitted to him.

حبيب به من يمه يونس نجا

وأرسل بالدعوى لقوم فأسلموا

A beloved through whom Jonah escaped his sea

and was sent with a summons to people who submitted.

حبيب به أيوب عافاه ربه

ونجاه من ضر به يتألم

A beloved through whom Job's Lord restored his health

and rescued him from the suffering that pained him.

حبيب به ذو الكفل أضحى مكرما

يكفل له بالعز والفضل يسهم

A beloved through whom Dhu al-Kifl became honored,

receiving a guaranteed share of honor and excellence.

حبيب به إلياس الفتى طار في العلا

مطارا مع الأفلاك دانت وسلم

A beloved through whom the youthful Elijah flew in the heights,

a flight among the spheres that submitted, while he greeted.

حبيب به لقمان كرم فاعتدى

حكيما له قول صدوق محكم

A beloved through whom Luqman was honored and became

a sage whose speech was truthful and sound.

حبيب يضافي عزة البسع ارتدى

فأصبح يكسي بالبها ويعمم

A beloved whose ample glory Elisha wore [reading uncertain],

and was clothed and turbaned in splendor.

حبيب لجمع الخلق أرسل رحمة

به لزكريا لم ير النشر يؤلم

A beloved sent as mercy to all creation,

through whom Zechariah did not feel the saw's pain.

حبيب به يحيى تاثل حكمه

وقد قام في الكفار بالحق يحكم

A beloved through whom John's judgment became established,

as he stood among unbelievers judging truthfully.

حبيب به يعسى تبتل فارتقى

وعزت به في جنة الخلد مريم

A beloved through whom Jesus devoted himself and ascended,

and Mary was honored in eternal paradise.

حبيب به ائتم النبيون كلهم

وليس بيدع فالإمام ميمم

A beloved whom all the Prophets followed as imam.

No wonder: the imam is sought out.

حبيب هب قد أقسم الله في العلا

وباهي به الأملاك فخرا فسلموا

A beloved by whom God swore in the heights,

boasting of him to the angels, who offered greetings.

ولم يدعه بالإسم بل بالكنى ولم

يزل يعله فوق العلا ويكرم

He did not summon him by name, but by honorifics, and never

ceased raising him above the heights and honoring him.

وأنشأه من نور فلا ظل إن مشى

وليس عليه للذباب تحوم

He created him from light: he casts no shadow when walking,

and flies do not circle over him.

قضى الله أن الرسل أكرم خلقه

وأن النبي طه من الرسل أكرم

God decreed that Messengers are His noblest creatures,

and that the Prophet Taha is the noblest Messenger.

وكل رسول آية انقرضت به

وآيات طه باقيات تعظم

Every Messenger's sign passed away with him,

but Taha's signs remain, held in reverence.

فمن ذا يضاهي قدره وهو جوهر

ومن ذا يناوي أمره وهو ضيغم

Who can equal his worth, when he is a jewel?

Who can oppose his command, when he is a lion?

بشرعته جلا الشرائع كلها

فلا شرع إلا وهي أقوى وأقدم

Through his law he clarified all laws.

No law exists but his is stronger and foremost.

إمام جميع الرسل بدء وعودة

ألا به يبدأ الوجود ويختم

Imam of all Messengers, at beginning and return:

through him existence begins and is sealed.

وكلهم في الحشر تحت لوائه

وما منهم إلا الرسول مقدم

At the gathering, all stand beneath his banner,

and among them the Messenger is always foremost.

وفي أفق علياه تراءوا كأنجم

أحاط بها البدر المنير المتمم

Upon his exalted horizon they appeared like stars

surrounded by the luminous, perfected moon.

وإلا كرشح وهو بحر معجج

وإلا كظل وهو غيث مدوم

Or like droplets, while he is a surging sea;

or like a shadow, while he is enduring rain.

وعن مجده يروون كل فضيلة

ومن نوره بهدون أبان يمموا

They recount every virtue from his glory,

and are guided by his light wherever they turn.

فإن كان يسمو آدم بأيوة

فطه له فوق البراق تسنم

If Adam rises through fatherhood [reading uncertain],

Taha ascended above al-Buraq.

وإن كان إبراهيم قد أخمد اللظى

فكم من يد المختار قد سال مفعم

If Abraham extinguished the blaze,

how often a brimming stream flowed from the Chosen One's hand!

وإن كان موسى قسم البحر بالعصا

فكم من يد المختار قد سال مقصم

If Moses divided the sea with his staff,

how often a divided stream flowed from the Chosen One's hand!

وإن أوقفت طير لداود في الفضا

فطه عليه الشهب أمست تسلم

If birds were halted in the sky for David,

the stars came to greet Taha.

وإن كان أرسى لسليمان في الهوى

فللمصطفى فوق المعالي مخيم

If Solomon was borne securely in the air,

the Chosen One has a campsite above all exalted stations.

وإن كان عيسى قد شفى معضل الضنى

فطه له في الكون سر محكم

If Jesus healed intractable sickness,

Taha possesses a firmly established secret within existence.

نهاية آيُ الرسل مبدؤه وكم

له غاية لا يحصها الكتب والفم

The culmination of Messengers' signs is his beginning; how many

goals he has that books and mouths cannot number!

بمولده الأصنام والجن أخبروا

وقس وشق والسطيح وأكثم

Idols and jinn announced his birth,

as did Quss, Shiqq, al-Satih, and Aktham.

ولما أحست أمه الحمل أصبحت

تنور وتزهو الجمال وتوسم

When his mother sensed her pregnancy, she began

to shine, flourish in beauty, and bear its marks.

ومذ حملت لم تلق من حلمه أذى

ولم تشك من شيء يضر ويؤلم

Since conceiving, she suffered no harm from carrying him,

nor complained of anything injurious or painful.

وقيل لها بشراك لا تحزني فقد

حملت بمن لولاه ما حل محرم

She was told, 'Good news! Do not grieve, for

you carry one without whom no forbidden thing became lawful.

فسميه بعد الوضع منك محمدا

وعانيه بالإكرام فهو المكرم

Name him Muhammad after giving birth,

and tend him with honor, for he is honored.

ولا تختشي من كيد حاسد مجدد

فمنك به الباري أبر وأكرم

Do not fear a scheming, renewed envier:

through him the Creator is kinder and more generous to you.'

وحين أتاها الطلق ألقته ساجدا

على الأرض يدعو ربه ويعظم

When labor came, she delivered him prostrate

upon the earth, invoking and magnifying his Lord.

وألقته مختونا دهينا مسررا

كحيلا له جسم رطيب منعم

She delivered him circumcised, anointed, with his cord cut,

kohl-eyed, with a fresh, tender body.

ولاحت لها بصري وأعلام جلق

وأحنت عليه من علا الأفق أنجم

Busra and Jilliq's landmarks appeared to her,

and stars bent over him from the horizon's heights.

وهد له إيوان كسرى مسرة

وأخمد من نار المجوس التضرم

Kisra's palace was shattered in joy for him,

and the Magians' blazing fire was extinguished.

وغاض له ماء بساوة نافع

وقد أصبح التشكيك بالحق يهدم

For him useful water at Sawa sank away,

and doubt was demolished by truth.

وقامت بإرضاع الكريم حليمة

فنالت من الخيرات ما ليس يكتم

Halima undertook to nurse the noble one,

gaining blessings that cannot be concealed.

وبالعدل في حال الرضاع قضى لها

ولم يرضع ثديا به الأخ يسهم

He acted justly toward her while nursing,

not suckling the breast in which his brother had a share.

لنور محياه البديع تشعشع

له أبصر العميان والأفق مظلم

His wondrous face's light has a radiance

by which the blind saw while the horizon was dark.

حبيب إذا ما نام طرفا قلبه

دؤوب على الفعل الجميل مصمم

A beloved whose heart, when his eyes slept,

remained diligent and determined upon beautiful deeds.

حبيب له قد مال ظل يحيرة

ووقاه حر الشمس أفق مغيم

A beloved toward whom shade bent at Bahira [reading uncertain],

while a clouded sky sheltered him from the sun's heat.

حبيب أحل الله مكة ساعة

له وحماها عن سواه محرم

A beloved for whom God made Mecca lawful for an hour,

while its sanctuary remained forbidden to others.

حبيب له قد صارت الأرض مسجدا

طهورا إذا الماء عز يكفي التيمم

A beloved for whom the earth became a mosque

and a purifier: when water is scarce, dry ablution suffices.

حبيب على الأقدام قام ليله

إلى أن عراها للقيام التورم

A beloved who stood upon his feet throughout the night

until standing brought swelling upon them.

حبيب طوى كشحا لطيفا من الطوى

ولو شاء لاستدعى للطعام فيطعم

A beloved whose slender flank folded with hunger;

had he wished, he could have summoned food and eaten.

حبيب كفى ألفا بصاع كما اكتفى

حليب منه جيش عرمرم

A beloved who fed a thousand with one measure, as

an immense army was satisfied with milk from him.

حبيب أمد الشمس من نوره لذا

له الشمس ردت بعدما كاد تكتم

A beloved who supplied the sun from his light; thus

the sun was returned for him after nearly disappearing.

حبيب له أنطق الطفل مثلما

له ظبية الوادي غدت تتكلم

A beloved for whom a child was made to speak, just as

the valley's gazelle came to speak to him.

حبيب له الراعي أناب ولم يكن

ليعلم لولا ذئبه المتكلم

A beloved to whom the shepherd turned, never

knowing but for his speaking wolf.

حبيب أجار الظبي من كيد صائد

فولى يصلي فرحة ويسلم

A beloved who sheltered a gazelle from a hunter's scheme;

it departed joyfully, praying and greeting.

حبيب به لاذ البعير من الردى

فأنقذه من شر ما يتألم

A beloved through whom a camel sought refuge from death;

he rescued it from the evil that pained it.

حبيب به الطود احتمى وهو جاهد

وخاطبه يعفوره وهو أبكم

A beloved through whom the mountain sought protection, struggling,

and his Ya‘fur addressed him, though mute.

حبيب أعاد الكف من بعد قطعها

يزين بها من بعدها شين معصم

A beloved who restored a hand after its severance,

adorning the wrist's former disfigurement with it.

حبيب أعاد الجدل سيفا بكفّه

وفيها جرى سيل من الماء مفعم

A beloved who turned a staff into a sword in his hand,

where a brimming torrent of water flowed.

حبيب حوى قسم المعالي فاغتدى

له البدر أعجازا كما شاء يقسم

A beloved who possessed excellence's allotted share, so

the moon was divided into portions for him as he wished.

حبيب له البدن ازدلفن ليبتدي

بما يرتضي من نحرها وهو محرم

A beloved toward whom sacrificial camels approached, that he might begin

with whichever slaughter he approved while in ihram.

حبيب أعاد العين بعد ذهابها

وأعملها صرفا لمن يتسنم

A beloved who restored an eye after its loss,

making it function fully for its bearer [reading uncertain].

حبيب أظلّته الغمامة مثلما

له بغزير الماء جاءت تيمم

A beloved shaded by a cloud, as

it came toward him bearing abundant water.

حبيب أتت لنصرته الصبا

فذل بها باغ وعزز مسلم

A beloved whom the east wind came to aid,

humbling a rebel and strengthening a Muslim.

حبيب يؤم الرعب راية جيشه

مسيرة شهر حيث شاء ييمم

A beloved whose army's banner is preceded by terror

a month's journey wherever he chooses to head.

حبيب له الشمس المنيرة أوقفت

وقد أبطئت نوق الأعادي فأرجموا

A beloved for whom the shining sun was halted,

while enemies' camels were delayed and they conjectured.

حبيب له الأصنام خرت وقد رأت

لواء الهدى بالفتح والنصر برقم

A beloved before whom idols fell when they saw

guidance's banner marked with victory and conquest.

حبيب له أنبا الذراع بما حوى

من السم لما لاكه بتطعم

A beloved to whom the foreleg reported what it contained

of poison, when he chewed it to taste.

حبيب في العقد لتة والحل لتة

عليها عقود الحرب والسلم تنظم

A beloved in binding and loosing [two words are unclear],

upon which the bonds of war and peace are arranged.

رمى عن قسيّ الفكر سهم إرادة

تقرطس أفلاذ الصواب وتسهم

He shot an arrow of resolve from thought's bows,

striking the heart of right judgment and hitting its mark.

فكم قد شفى بالتفل عاهة مسقم

وكم قد حلا من ريقه العذب علقم

How many sick people's ailments he healed with spittle!

How much bitterness his sweet saliva made pleasant!

وكم آية كالشمس جل بها العمى

فلا ناظر في صدقه بتوهم

How many sunlike signs dispelled blindness through him!

No observer entertains doubt about his truthfulness.

ففي الغار نسج العنكبوت أبان عن

أمان به باض الحمام المحوم

In the cave, the spider's weaving revealed

safety in which circling doves laid eggs.

وفي طيه نشر لمعناه قد غدا

لإظهاره أنف المعاند يرغم

Within its concealment was a revelation of his meaning, which came

to humble the opponent's nose through its disclosure.

وفي الحال قد قامت على البب سرحة

توقيه من باغ أتى بتحمحم

At once, a tree stood at the entrance,

protecting him from a rebel approaching with clamorous menace.

وفي ظنه الصديق قد سد كوة

بكعف عليها رقطها بتقحم

Within it, al-Siddiq closed an opening [reading uncertain]

with his heel, where a speckled snake pressed forward.

وقال له لا تخش فالحق حاضر

ولا تجزعن فالله أعلى وأعظم

He told him, 'Do not fear: the Truth is present.

Do not be alarmed: God is higher and greater.'

مقام العلا أغناه عن كل معقل

فما الطور ما جودبهم وما يلملم

His exalted station freed him from needing any stronghold.

What are al-Tur, Judi, or Yalamlam?

وقدرته صانته من كل فاتك

فما السهم قللي ما لظبا ما المقدم

His power protected him from every assailant.

What are arrows—tell me—or blades, or the attacker?

وفي الطرف لما ساخ آية مبصر

وارشاد ضلال غدا يتهدم

In the steed, when it sank, is a sign for the discerning,

and guidance for error that was collapsing.

وفي الضب والغضبا وفي النبت والظبا

إقامة برهان لمن يتوهم

In the lizard, al-‘Adba’, plants, and gazelles

is established proof for whoever doubts.

وفي النخل لما أن دعاها وأقبلت

وولت بأمر منه قول مسلم

In the palm, when he called it and it approached,

then departed at his command, is a Muslim's testimony.

وفي عروة إذ جاءه وفضالة

لما أضمروا استظهار ما كان يكتم

In ‘Urwa, when he came, and Fadala,

is disclosure of the intentions they concealed.

وفي حجب على الغيب عن كل مارد

وإحراقه استبصار من كان يفهم

In the veiling of the unseen from every rebellious spirit

and its burning is insight for whoever understands.

وفي وفد زيد الخير وابنة حاتم

ووفد أخيها ما يرى المتوهم

In Zayd al-Khayr's delegation and Hatim's daughter,

and her brother's delegation, is what the doubter may see.

وفي قرب سلمان وبعد أبي لظى

سرور لبيب لم يكن يتجهم

In Salman's nearness and Abu Laza's remoteness

is joy for a discerning person who does not scowl.

وفي شأن كسرى والنجاشي شواهد

فذاك بها يخزي وهذا ينعم

In Kisra's and al-Najashi's affairs are testimonies:

one is disgraced through them, the other blessed.

وفي بيعة الرضوان كم راض جامحا

وتوج بالرضوان من جاء يسلم

At the Pledge of Ridwan, how many unruly souls he tamed,

crowning with divine approval whoever came submitting!

وفي شأن أملاك السماء وقد أتت

لنصرته فتح مبين مختم

In the affair of heaven's angels, who came

to aid him, is a manifest, sealed victory.

وفي الصوم والإحيا أبان عجائبا

يؤيدها سر من الله محكم

In fasting and reviving, he revealed wonders

supported by a firmly established secret from God.

وف ياللوح والتوراة والصحف كم بدت

وفي الذكر والإنجيل آي تترجم

In the Tablet, Torah, and scriptures, how many appeared!

In the Remembrance and Gospel, signs speak.

حبيب به أسرى الإله إلى العلا

من الحرم المكي حيث المخيم

A beloved whom God took by night into the heights,

from the Meccan sanctuary where his dwelling was,

إلى المسجد الأقصى إلى سدرة المنى

إلى منتهى فيه ابتداه التكرم

to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, to the Lote Tree of Wishes,

to an utmost limit where grace first greeted him.

وسار وأملاك السماء تحفه

وجبريل يحدو بالبراق ويعلم

He traveled surrounded by heaven's angels,

while Gabriel drove al-Buraq and instructed.

إلى أن رقى السبع الطبا استوى

به اسمع الأقلام وهي تترجم

Until he ascended the seven layers and rose

to where he heard the pens as they spoke.

فقدم بالأملاك والرسل في علا

مقام له من قبل فيه التقدم

He led angels and Messengers in a lofty

station where precedence had already been his.

وسار به جبريل حتى انتهى إلى

مقام به جبريل في الكون يعلم

Gabriel traveled with him until he reached

a station by which Gabriel is known throughout existence.

فناداه جز هذا مقامي وليس لي

وحقك عنه في العلا متقدم

He called, 'Pass onward: this is my station; I have not,

by your worth, any advance beyond it in the heights.'

فجاز جبريل الأمين مخلف

إلى محفل فيه الكريم مقدم

He passed onward, leaving Gabriel the Trustworthy behind,

to an assembly where the noble one was foremost.

وجاوز ما لم يحكه وصف واصف

ولا يحصى ما قد سار فيه منجم

He passed beyond what no describer's description recounts,

nor can an astronomer number the distance he traveled.

ما زال حتى جاوز الججب وارتقى

على رفرف للبسط فيه مختم

He continued until he crossed the veils and ascended

upon a rafraf adorned across its expanse.

وساد ينعليه السباط ولم يقل

له اخلع لها إذ قدر نعليه أعظم

He trod the carpets in his sandals and was not told

to remove them, for his sandals' worth was greater.

وأنس بالتكبير إذ ريع قلبه

ونودي ليسكن روعك أنت المكرم

The magnification comforted him when his heart was frightened.

He was called: 'Let your fear subside; you are honored.'

فكبر إجلالا فناداه ربه

صدقت أنا الأعلى العلي المعظم

He magnified God reverently, and his Lord called,

'You spoke truly: I am the Highest, the Exalted, the Magnified.'

وقربه قرب الكمال ولم يزل

يرفع من مقداره ويعظم

He brought him near with perfect nearness, continually

raising his worth and magnifying him.

ووله ما لم ينله مقرب

وأدناه منه حيث لا أين يفهم

He granted him what no favored one had attained,

bringing him near where no 'where' is understood.

وأفناه عنه بالبقا وأقامه

بمعناه فهو الفرد لا يتقسم

Through abiding, He effaced his separation and established him

in His meaning: He is the Unique, indivisible.

وشرفه وضعا ورفع قدره

على منصب بالخفض للعيش يجزم

He honored his placing and raised his rank

to a station where abasement is decisively barred from life [wording uncertain].

هو المرتضى عدلا ومعرفة وهل

لأحمد صرف وهو بالجمع قيم

He is the chosen one, in justice and knowledge; is there

any turning away for Ahmad, who presides over union?

دنا فتدلى حيث لا كيف فانبرت

تقربه من قاب قوسي أسهم

He drew near and descended, where no 'how' exists; then

arrows brought him closer than two bows' distance.

وشاهد وجه الحق والحق ناظر

له وعلي بالقبول مسلم

He witnessed the Truth's face, while the Truth looked

upon him, exalted, greeting him with acceptance.

وأوحى بما أوحى إليه وخصه

براح اتصال لم يشبها تضرم

He revealed what He revealed to him and singled him out

for the wine of union, untouched by burning.

وأيد مسراه به وأمده

بما ليس يحصيه لسان ولا فم

He strengthened his night journey through Him and supplied him

with what no tongue or mouth can enumerate.

وأظهر فيه سره فهو مظهر

به الله يعطي من يشاء ويحرم

He manifested His secret in him: he is a manifestation

through whom God gives to whom He wills and withholds.

وأرجعه للخلق بالحق مرشدا

فأسلم أقوام وقوم تلوموا

He returned him to creation, guiding with truth.

Some peoples submitted; others found fault.

ومن فرشه للعرش في حينه ارتقى

لمشهد حسن فيه للعين مغنم

From his bed to the Throne he ascended immediately,

to a beautiful vision rewarding the eye.

وعاد قرير العين بالقرب والرضا

وما افتر للإصباح في الشرق مبسم

He returned delighted by nearness and approval,

before morning's smiling mouth opened in the east.

وأصبح ينبي عن عظيم مقامه

ويا حبذا ذاك المقام المعظم

He began reporting his magnificent station.

How excellent that exalted station!

جواد إذا ضن الغمام بقطره

غفور وإن ثاني إلى الذنب محرم

Generous when clouds withhold their rain;

forgiving, though a transgressor returns again to sin.

فترغيبه في واضح الدين غرة

وترهيبه في جبهة الكبر ماسم

His encouragement is a blaze upon religion's clear face;

his warning, a branding mark upon pride's forehead.

فعول إذا ما قال في السلم قائل

فعول إذا ما هتز في النقع لهذم

A man of deeds when someone speaks in peace;

a man of deeds when a spear shakes amid battle dust.

كريم المساعي فهو للأمن معقل

وللرشد منهاج وللحق معلم

Noble in endeavors, he is a fortress of safety,

a path of guidance, and a landmark of truth.

أنيق مجاري الخصب والأرض جدبة

شريف رحاب البشر والوقت أقتم

Lovely are his channels of fertility when earth is barren;

noble his expanses of cheerfulness when the time is dark.

أقام قناة الدين بعد اعجواجها

فصار لها من بأس كفيه لهذم

He straightened religion's shaft after its crookedness,

giving it a spearhead from his hands' might.

وأبرى باللمس المصبا كما به

كفى الداء مضرورة وعوفيّ مسقم

By touch he healed the afflicted, as through him

a sufferer was spared illness and a sick person healed.

وباللمس عادت لعائد غرة

أضاءت بها الآفاق والجو أفحم

By touch a white mark returned to ‘A’id,

illuminating horizons while the air was coal-black.

ودرت له بالمس شاة أم معبد

ولم تك بالأدرار من قبل تعلم

At his touch, Umm Ma‘bad's ewe yielded milk,

though previously it was not known to yield.

وحن إليه الجذع شوقا وطالما

عليه بأمر الله سلم صلدم

The trunk yearned toward him in longing; often

hard stone greeted him at God's command.

وذل له الفحل الهصور ولم يكن

يذل لشخص قبله وهو معلم

The fierce stallion humbled itself before him, though never

humbling itself before anyone earlier, as was known.

وأبرأ عيني حيدر يوم خيبر

بتفلته إذ جاءه يتألم

He healed Haydar's eyes on Khaybar's day

with his spittle, when he came suffering.

وأنبت شعر الأقرع الراس لمسه

ودرت له العجفا ولم تك تعلم

His touch grew hair upon a bald head;

an emaciated animal yielded milk, though not known to do so.

وأنبأ عما كان وهو كائن

حذيفة حتى صار بالغيب يعلم

He informed Hudhayfa of what had been and what would be,

until he came to know the unseen.

واوسع أهل الجهل علما ونعمة

ولان لأرباب الجفا يتحكم

He lavished knowledge and grace upon the ignorant,

and dealt gently with harsh people while exercising authority.

حبيب له في كل سمع وناظر

محل به يزكو الزمان ويوسم

A beloved who has in every ear and eye

a place through which time flourishes and is distinguished.

سعادته روح لها المجد جثه

وهمّته وجه له البشر منسم

His felicity is a spirit whose body is glory;

his resolve is a face whose breath is gladness.

وجثمانه بالحق قامت صفاته

وأسماؤهُ في الخلق تسمو وتعظم

His body's attributes stood established through truth;

his names rise and are magnified among creation.

لآلي المعاني في علاه تنظمت

فصار بها للكون عقد منظم

Pearls of meaning were strung within his exalted station,

forming an ordered necklace for existence.

له الأمن يوم الحشر والخلق هلع

له السبق يوم النشر والناس جثم

His is safety on Gathering Day, while creation panics.

His is precedence on Resurrection Day, while people crouch.

له البشر يوم الخزي والناس كلح

له الحوض يوم العرض والناس هوم

His is gladness on Disgrace Day, while people scowl.

His is the Pool on Presentation Day, while people wander dazed.

هو الشافع المقبول أن أثقل الورى

تحمل أوزار بها الظهر يقصم

He is the accepted intercessor when creation is weighed down

by burdens whose carrying breaks the back.

تراهم سكارى هائمين وما هم

سكارى ولكن العذاب يهيّم

You see them drunken and wandering, though they are not

drunken: torment makes them wander.

لدى موقف خزي المذاهب ضيق

يسرّ به بر ويحزن مجرم

At a station of shame, with narrow paths,

the righteous rejoice and the criminal grieves.

وتسقط ذات الحمل في الحال حملها

وتذهل عما أرضعت فيه مفطم

The pregnant woman immediately drops her burden;

a nursing woman forgets the child she nursed.

وتغلي رؤوس الخلق من حر شمسه

وبالعرق الهامي يغشو ويلجم

Creation's heads boil from its sun's heat,

and pouring sweat covers and bridles them.

ينادي مناديهم هلموا لنتخذ

شفيعا فقد طال الوقوف المهوم

Their caller cries, 'Come, let us find

an intercessor: this bewildering standing has lasted long.'

فيأتون طرا نحو آدم سرعا

وأكبادهم مما دهاها تحسم

They all hasten toward Adam,

their hearts seared by what has befallen them.

ويدعوه قم يا أبانا وكن لنا

شفيعا عسى أنا بك اليوم نرحم

They call, 'Rise, our father, and be

our intercessor, that through you we may receive mercy today.'

يقول لهم يا قوم لست لها ولا

أقول سوى نفسي عسى اليوم تسلم

He tells them, 'People, I am not fit for this; I

say only, "My soul—may it be safe today!"

ولكنكم امضوا لنوح فإنه

نبي كريم أولي مقدم

But go to Noah, for he

is a noble Prophet, first and foremost.'

فحين يلاقوه يقول ألا اسمعوا

فقولي كما قد قال آدم فاعلموا

When they meet him, he says, 'Listen!

My answer is as Adam said; know this.

عليكم بابراهيم فهو الفى الذي

له الله أطفا النار وهي تضرم

Go to Abraham: he is the youth

for whom God quenched the blazing fire.'

فلما يوافوا يناديهم ارجعوا

وسيروا لموسى البر فهو المكلم

When they arrive, he calls, 'Go back,

and proceed to righteous Moses, the one addressed by God.'

فعند ملاقاة الكليم يردهم

لعيسى الذي قامت بمعناه مريم

When they meet God's interlocutor, he directs them

to Jesus, in whose meaning Mary stood.

فيدعوهم عيسى المسيح ألا ابشروا

فليس لها إلا الحبيب المعظم

Jesus the Messiah calls, 'Take heart!

None can undertake this but the exalted Beloved.

فلوذوا به واستشفعوا بجنابه

فما أحد منه على الله أكرم

Seek refuge with him and request his intercession.

None is more honored by God than he.'

فيأتون طه لائذين وكلهم

ينادي بأعلى صوته يا مكرم

They approach Taha seeking refuge, and each

calls at the top of his voice, 'O honored one!

قم اشفع لنا يا مجتبى يا مقرب

فأنت الشفيع المجتبى البر الأكرم

Rise, intercede for us, chosen one, favored one!

You are the chosen, righteous, most noble intercessor.'

فينهض طه وهو يدعو أنا لها

كما هي لي والله أعلى وأعلم

Taha rises, calling, 'I am fit for this,

as it is mine; God is higher and more knowing.'

ويأتي لساق العرش يسجد تحته

ويبدأ بالتحميد شكرا ويختم

He approaches the Throne's base and prostrates beneath it,

beginning and ending with grateful praise.

ويدعوه يا رحمن أنت وعدتني

ووعدك حق ليس فيه توهم

He calls, 'Merciful One, You promised me,

and Your promise is truth, admitting no doubt.

فلا تخزني يا رب وقبل شفاعتي

فأنت بما أجوه يا بر تعلم

Do not disgrace me, Lord; accept my intercession.

You know what I hope for, O Kindly One.'

فيدعى اتئد وارفع وسل تعط واشفع

تشفع وقل يسمع فأنت المقدم

He is called: 'Be calm, rise, ask and receive, intercede

and be accepted; speak and be heard, for you are foremost.

سأقسم هذا اليوم شطرين بيننا

ليأمن فيه المسلميون ويسلموا

I shall divide this day into two portions between us,

so Muslims may be secure and safe.

فشأنك فيه أن تكون مشفعا

وشأني به أعطي وأعفو وأحلم

Your task is to have your intercession accepted;

Mine is to give, forgive, and show forbearance.'

على طاعة القيوم قام مبادرا

فأرشد ضلالا عن الحق أحجموا

He promptly rose in obedience to the Self-Sustaining,

guiding errant people who had shunned truth.

وشاد على الخمس القواعد جوسقا

هو الدين نضحي تحته ونعتم

Upon five foundations he built a palace:

religion, beneath which we spend morning and evening.

وملك رق القوم في الباس والندى

فتمم فعلا والكريم يتمم

Through courage and bounty he won the people's allegiance,

perfecting his deeds, as the noble perfect.

وأنقذ اسرى الأرض من كل غاضب

ظلوم له وجه من الليل أظلم

He rescued earth's captives from every wrathful

oppressor whose face was darker than night.

وتوج بالدين الحنيفي أمة

أنابوا له طوعا ودانوا وأسلموا

He crowned with the upright religion a community

who willingly turned to him, obeyed, and submitted.

هم القوم قد شادوا لأتباعهم علا

يحاط بتاسيس التقى ويدعم

They built for their followers an exalted structure,

surrounded and supported by piety's foundation.

كرام بأوج المدح حلوا وألبسوا

حلى السعد لما بالفخار تعمموا

Noble ones who dwelt at praise's summit and donned

the ornaments of felicity when turbaned in glory.

وبالشمس قد غشّوا والصبح منطقوا

وبالدر قد حلوا وبالزهر ختموا

They were mantled in the sun and girded with dawn,

adorned with pearls and given flower-seals.

صدور دعا شم رؤوس أئمة

بدور هدى زهر منيرون أنجم

Leaders of the summons, lofty chiefs and imams;

moons of guidance, radiant, illuminating stars;

عيون حمى غر كرام أعزة

بحور سما سحب ملبون قوم

guardians of sanctuary, bright, noble, mighty;

seas of elevation, clouds answering calls, upright men;

زهور أولي صيد عظام أجلة

كماة تقى شوس مزكون صوم

flowers of excellence, proud, great, venerable;

champions of piety, fierce, purified, fasting.

فمن مثل فخر الصحب شيخ التقى الذي

له السبق لما قال طه ألا اسلموا

Who equals the Companions' pride, piety's elder, whose

precedence came when Taha said, 'Submit!'?

ومن مثل فاروق المعالي الذي أتى

بما حكم الذكر الحكيم المحكم

Who equals excellence's Faruq, who brought

what the wise, firmly established Remembrance decreed?

ومن مثل ذي النورين من له

بما صير الأجر العظيم المتمم

Who equals the Possessor of Two Lights, who had

deeds bringing the great, perfected reward [wording incomplete]?

ومن مثل زوج الطهر حيدر الذي

به نصر الدين القويم المقوم

Who equals purity's spouse, Haydar, through whom

the upright, upholding religion was aided?

ومن مثل سعد أو سعيد وطلحة

إذا عد أرباب المعالي وقسموا

Who equals Sa‘d, or Sa‘id and Talha,

when masters of excellence are counted and apportioned?

ومن مثل مقداد وابن عوف وعامر

إذا كمل العشر الكرام وتمموا

Who equals Miqdad, Ibn ‘Awf, and ‘Amir,

when the noble ten are completed and perfected?

ومن مثل عميه وسبطيه في علا

به أشرقوا كالزهر حين تتمم

Who equals his two uncles and two grandsons in elevation,

through whom they shone like flowers reaching fullness?

ومن مثل أزواج شرفن به علا

جميع النساء إذ قدرهن معظم

Who equals wives exalted through him above

all women, their worth magnified?

ومن مثل باقي الصحب فالهج بمدحهم

معظم علا مقدارهم فهم هم

Who equals the remaining Companions? Persist in praising them,

magnifying their lofty worth: they are themselves!

أليس بأن الله شرف قدرهم

وفي محكم التنزيل أثنى عليهم

Has not God ennobled their standing

and praised them in the firmly established Revelation?

بصحبته امتازوا وعزوا بجاهه

فهم شهب تهدي وسحب تديم

They were distinguished by his companionship, honored by his standing.

They are guiding meteors and continually raining clouds.

وهم أوجه النادي وهم أبحر الندى

وهم زهرة تندى ودر ينظم

They are the assembly's foremost faces and generosity's seas;

they are dewy flowers and pearls strung together.

هداهم لنهج الحق هاد به أضا

مناخ ضلال أغبر اللون أقتم

A guide led them to truth's path, illuminating

an abode of error, dusty-colored and dark.

وبالصبر قد أم القتال مكبرا

فصلى الأعادي جمرة تتضرم

With endurance he advanced into battle, magnifying God,

making the enemies suffer a blazing ember.

وشمر عن ساق الجلاد لكي يرى

وجوه الأعادي بالحتوف تلثم

He bared the shin of combat, to see

enemies' faces veiled by deaths.

وألمع في أفق العلا برق أبيض

به ينجلي ليل من البغي معتم

He flashed a white lightning upon excellence's horizon,

clearing the dark night of tyranny.

وثقّف للإرشاد رمحا مقوسا

لمعوج غي لم يكن يتقدم

For guidance he straightened a curved spear

against crooked error that would not advance.

وضمر خيلا للكفاح كأنها

سفائن في بحر المدامع عوم

He trained horses for combat, as though

ships swimming upon a sea of tears.

فمن أدهم صك الصباح جبينه

فمن غيظه خاض الضبا يتحمحم

A black horse whose forehead morning struck

plunged angrily among blades, neighing.

ومن أبلق بالصبح والغيهب ارتدى

فصار كدر بين مسك ينسم

A piebald horse clothed in dawn and darkness

became like pearls among fragrant musk.

ومن أحمر قد سود الليل ذيله

وأطرافه لما تغشاه عندم

A red horse whose tail night blackened,

whose extremities were covered with dragon's-blood red.

ومن أشقر قد موه التبر جسمه

وأضحى له بالنور في الوجه ميسم

A chestnut horse whose body gold gilded,

bearing a luminous mark upon its face.

ومن أبيض عنّى لنهار أهابه

فخوض أحشاء الظلام يدمدم

A white horse whose hide daylight claimed

plunged roaring into darkness's entrails.

فألجم لما إن تثاوب قسورا

واسرج إذ رام المطار يحوم

They bridled a lion when it yawned,

and saddled it when it sought circling flight.

فأمسى كبدر مسرج بهلاله

وأضحى كبرق بالثريا يلجم

It became a full moon saddled with its crescent,

a lightning flash bridled with the Pleiades.

جوار على بحر الهياج كأنها

بروق تبارى أو نسور تحوم

Runners upon tumult's sea, as though

competing lightning flashes or circling eagles.

تعاف حياض الماء إذ شبّت الوغى

فلا ورد إلا أن يراق لها الدم

They disdain water pools when battle blazes;

their only drinking is blood poured for them.

تسنمها فتيان صدق إذ سطو

فما الصيد في أعلى المعاقل تهجم

Truthful youths mount them when attacking;

the proud chiefs are assailed in their highest strongholds.

أسود بهم في كل قلب ومنحر

تغل المواضي والعوالي تحطم

Lions through whom, into every heart and throat,

sharp blades plunge and lofty spears shatter.

بضرب مواضيهم وطعن رماحهم

صليل الأسماع العدو مصمم

Their sharp swords' blows and spears' thrusts

produce a clang that deafens the enemy's ears.

وفي باطن النقع المثار لنبلهم

جراح لها من قدح زند الصبا دم

Within the stirred battle dust, their arrows

make wounds whose blood comes from the east wind's striking of fire.

يؤمهم فرد هو الجمع نجدة

وحسبك فرد بالجميع مقوم

One man leads them, an army in valor himself.

Sufficient is one man who sustains them all.

عليم بطب الحرب إن أعضل الوغى

يصرفها بالمردعات ويحسم

Skilled in warfare's medicine, when battle grows intractable,

he treats and cuts it short with deterrent blows.

إذا أرعد الهندي في أفق كفه

أراك سحابا بالدماء يديم

When the Indian sword thunders upon his hand's horizon,

he shows you a cloud raining blood continually.

وإن طعن الشهم الكمي برمحه

وجدت زهيرا بين كفيه أرقم

When the bold armored champion thrusts his spear,

you find Zuhayr, a speckled serpent between his hands.

رمى أوجه الأعدا بترب فأدبرت

وشاهت وقد صارت لحصباه ترجم

He cast dust into enemies' faces, and they fled,

disfigured and pelted by his pebbles.

وقل عروش المشركين بشرعه

وقادهم للموت من حيث أحجموا

He uprooted the polytheists' thrones through his law,

leading them to death from where they held back.

فسل عنه أحزابا وبدرا وخيبرا

وسل عنه أحدا واحد الوقائع عنهم

Ask al-Ahzab, Badr, and Khaybar about him;

ask Uhud, and recount the battles from them.

أبان ببدر للعصاة مصارعا

فما لبثوا أن جاوزوها ودمدموا

At Badr he disclosed the rebels' places of death.

They soon passed beyond them and were destroyed.

وقال وجدت الوعد حقا فهل كما

وجدناه يا أهل القليب وجدتموا

He said, 'I found the promise true; did you, as

we found it, people of the well, find it too?'

فعاديه في نار الجحيم معذب

وعافيه في دار النعيم منعم

His enemy is tormented in hellfire;

his petitioner enjoys blessing in bliss's abode.

أقام صلاة الحرب قائم سيفه

فصلوا صلاة الخائفين وسلموا

His sword's hilt established warfare's prayer.

They prayed the frightened people's prayer and surrendered.

وأمدهم سوق الحتوف ليشتروا

فباعوا نفوسنا بالعذاب تسوم

He supplied them with death's market, that they might buy;

they sold our souls, offered at torment's price.

وأرخصهم لما على الفوز فاشتروا

سعير هوان سعرته جهنم

He cheapened their worth concerning triumph [wording unclear], and they bought

a blaze of humiliation kindled by hell.

وذوقهم سم الطعان بأسمر

وأشهره في الحرب لا شك أرقم

He made them taste thrusting's poison through a brown spear,

drawing it in battle—a serpent beyond doubt.

رمى كل شيطان بشهب نباله

ولا بدع فالشيطان بالشهب يرجم

He shot every devil with his arrows' meteors.

No wonder: devils are pelted with meteors.

جلا الزيغ والأهوا بأبيض سيفه

وللشرك طرف في وغى البغي أدهم

His white sword cleared deviation and passions,

while polytheism's horse in tyranny's battle was black.

وللرمح كف بالنجيع مخضب

وللسيف ثغر بالدماء ملثم

The spear has a hand dyed with blood;

the sword has a mouth veiled in blood.

وللحلق فرق بالأسنة أشيب

وللنقع قرع بالعجاجة أسحم

Mail has a parting grayed by spearheads;

battle dust has a bald head blackened by swirling dust.

بكى بالدما هنديه وهو ضاحك

ومن عجب يبكي الدما وهو يبسم

His Indian sword wept blood while laughing.

How strange to weep blood while smiling!

وخط بوقع البيض في أوجه العدا

حروف حتوف بالأسنة تعجم

With white blades' impacts he wrote upon enemies' faces

letters of death dotted by spearheads.

ووارى عن الأعداء سلم فوزهم

فليس لهم نحو المفاوز سلم

He hid the ladder of triumph from the enemies.

They have no ladder toward escape.

وفي ساحة البلوى أضاف جموعهم

فعامل خفض فعله ليس يجزم

In affliction's arena he hosted their hosts:

an agent of abasement whose action is not cut short.

فليس لهم إلا الرزية مشرب

وليس لهم إلا المنية مطعم

They have no drink but calamity;

they have no food but death.

وأثخنهم ضربا وطعنا فأهلكوا

ومن ذا الذي مما قضى الله يسلم

He grievously wounded them with blows and thrusts; they perished.

Who escapes what God has decreed?

أتته مفاتيح الكنوز فردّها

وآب بخزي وجهها المتجهم

The keys of treasures came to him; he rejected them.

Their scowling face returned in disgrace.

ولم يله علياه تزخرف حسنها

وهل هي إلا جيفة تتجسم

Their embellished beauty did not distract his exalted spirit.

Are they anything but a carcass taking shape?

وزفّت له الدنيا عروس جلالها

فقال لها ميلي فحبك يحرم

The world was escorted to him as a bride in splendor.

He told her, 'Turn away: loving you is forbidden.'

ويا طالب الدنيا بجمع حطامها

ستترك ما جمعت يوم تحطم

O seeker of the world, gathering its debris,

you will abandon what you gathered on the day you are shattered.

ألم تر الناس غفل عن الردى

وأن المنايا بينهم تتوسّم

Do you not see people heedless of death,

while deaths pick them out among themselves?

ألم تر أن الواصلي حيالها

لهم بين أطباق التراب تصرم

Do you not see those joined to her [wording unclear]

cut off beneath layers of earth?

ألم تر أن البسط يعقبه العنا

وأن الذي يبني المباني يهدم

Do you not see ease followed by trouble,

and the builder of buildings himself demolished?

ألم تر أن الدهر إن سر برهة

أساء دهورا بانقلاب يدمدم

Do you not see time, if pleasing for a while,

wronging for ages with a devastating reversal?

ألم تر أنا راحلون وزادنا

قليل ومرعى سرحنا متوخم

Do you not see we are departing, our provisions

scant, our flock's pasture unhealthy?

كان الفتى لم يحظ فيها بطائل

ولم يك في دنياه قط ينعم

As though the youth had gained nothing of worth there,

never once enjoying his worldly life.

كأني به والموت يسلب روحه

ويلبسه ثوب الفناء ويعدم

I picture him as death steals his spirit,

clothes him in extinction, and annihilates him.

وقام عليه أهله يندبونه

فمستعبر باك وآخر يلطم

His family stands over him lamenting:

one tearful and weeping, another striking himself.

ويلحد في قبر كريه حلوله

ويطوى عليه بالتراب ويختم

He is laid in a grave, an unpleasant lodging,

enclosed beneath earth and sealed.

فعرج عن الدنيا وجنب سبيلها

ويمم إلى الأخرى ففيها الميمم

Turn away from the world; avoid its path.

Seek the next life: there lies the destination.

وإن جاءت الدنيا عليك فجد بها

ولا تبق للوراث ما لا تقدم

If worldly wealth comes to you, give it generously;

do not leave heirs what you fail to send ahead.

ونول لمن استعطاك واكنف من التجا

وسلم لمن آذاك فالدهر يحكم

Give to whoever asks, and shelter whoever seeks refuge.

Offer peace to whoever harms you: time will judge.

وكاف على المعروف واسمح لمن اسا

وصل من جفا واكرم جليسك تكرم

Reward kindness, and forgive whoever does wrong.

Join whoever shuns you, honor your companion, and be honored.

وإن لم تخف عقبى مقال فقل به

وإن خفت من عقباه فالصمت أسلم

If you do not fear a statement's consequences, say it;

if you fear its aftermath, silence is safer.

ولا تفش سر الصديق فربما

جفا ففشا السر الذي أنت تكتم

Do not divulge a friend's secret: perhaps

he will become estranged and divulge the secret you conceal.

ولا تحزنن يوما على فوت فائت

وكيف ينال العبد ما ليس يقسم

Never grieve over something lost.

How can a servant obtain what is not allotted?

ولا ترج إلا الله واخضع لعزه

وهل غير باري الكون يعطي وينعم

Hope only in God, and bow before His might.

Does anyone but existence's Creator give and bless?

وسلم له التدبير واعلم بأنه

سميع بصير عالم متكلم

Entrust management to Him, and know that He

hears, sees, knows, and speaks.

يضلّ ويهدي من يشاء بأمره

ويقضي علينا كيف شاء ويحكم

He leads astray and guides whom He wills by His command,

decreeing and judging over us however He wills.

وجانب قرين الغي واصحب أخا التقى

ولا تصحب الغوغا فتزرى وتهضم

Avoid error's companion; accompany a brother of piety.

Do not accompany the rabble, lest you be scorned and oppressed.

ولا تصنع المعروف مع غير أهله

فإك بالمعروف أجدر منهم

Do not bestow kindness upon the undeserving,

for you deserve that kindness more than they.

ولا تضع الأشياء في غير موضع

أعدّت له إن كنت بالقسم تحكم

Do not put things anywhere but the place

prepared for them, if you judge their distribution.

ويحي ويفني ثم يحي عباده

لنيل مجازات تسر وتؤلم

He gives life, annihilates, then revives His servants

to receive recompense that delights or pains.

له الملك والتدبير والخلق والجزا

فإما عذاب دائم أو تنعم

His are sovereignty, management, creation, and recompense:

either enduring torment or enjoyment.

تنزّه عن زوج وعن ولد وعن

وليد وعن ند ينير ويظلم

He transcends spouse, child, and

offspring, and any rival bringing light or darkness.

وقدس عن قول المعطل كنهه

وعن من يرى التشبيه أو من يجسم

His essence is sanctified beyond the denier's assertion

and those who claim likeness or corporeality.

ورفّع عما يرسم الفكر في الحجى

وهل هو إلا غير ما يتوهم

He is exalted beyond what thought draws in the mind.

Is He not other than anything imagined?

فلا الكم يحصيه ولا الأين يدنه

ولا الوقت يحويه ولا الكيف يعلم

Quantity cannot encompass Him; place cannot bring Him near.

Time cannot contain Him; His manner cannot be known.

عليم بما قد كان أو هو كائن

محي فلا يخفاه سر مكتم

Knowing what has been or is to be;

life-giving, with no concealed secret hidden from Him.

قدير مريد لا مرد لأمره

قديم بديع الصنع ينشي ويعدم

Powerful, willing, His command cannot be repelled;

eternal, wondrous in workmanship, creating and annihilating.

فلو شاء لم تأوي الطيع جنانه

ولو شاء لم تحو العصي جهنم

Had He willed, His gardens would not shelter the obedient;

had He willed, hell would not contain the disobedient.

له المنع والانعام ينجي ويبتلي

له النقض والإبرام يعفو وينقم

His are withholding and favor: He rescues and tests.

His are undoing and confirming: He forgives and avenges.

قضى ينعيم أو بجحيم لخلقه

فعذب أقواما وقوم تنعم

He decreed bliss or hell for His creatures,

tormenting some peoples while others enjoyed blessings.

وأنزل قرآنا مبينا محكما

أبان لنا عما يحل ويحرم

He sent down a clear, firmly established Quran,

explaining what is lawful and forbidden for us.

وأرسل أرسالا هداة فما وَنوا

بأن أسمعوا صما عن الحق قد عموا

He sent guiding Messengers, who did not falter

in making the deaf hear, though blind to truth.

وأرشدنا بالمصطفى بعد ضلّة

ولولاه ما نال الرشاد ميمم

He guided us through the Chosen One after error.

But for him, no seeker would attain guidance.

يشاهده قلبي ويذكره فمي

فلم يخل منه لا فؤاد ولا فم

My heart beholds him, my mouth remembers him.

Neither heart nor mouth is empty of him.

وعندي له شوق شديد مبرح

ولا صبر إن الصبر عنه محرم

I have for him a fierce, agonizing longing,

and no patience: patience away from him is forbidden.

علمت به معنى المحبة في الحشا

فلا عضو إلا للحب فيه مرسم

Through him I learned affection's meaning within the heart.

No limb lacks love's mark within it.

وأسقيت فيه الحب صرفا لذا انبرى

يمازجه لحمي وعظمي والدم

I was given pure love for him to drink; thus

my flesh, my bones, and blood began mingling with it.

وبحت بحبي فيه لا عن تكتم

ومن كاني هوى المصطفى كيف يكتم

I disclosed my love for him, without concealment.

How can one conceal love of the Chosen One?

هو القصد إن غنى بمكة منشد

وإلا فما ركن وحجر وزمزم

He is the goal when a singer sings in Mecca.

Otherwise, what are the Corner, the Stone, and Zamzam?

وما البيت ما لامسعى وما مرو ما الصفا

وما عرفات ما منى ما المخيم

What are the House, the Sa‘i, Marwa, and al-Safa?

What are ‘Arafat, Mina, and the campsite?

به شرفت تلك الأماكن كلها

ولولاه ما كنا لهن نعظم

Through him all those places were ennobled.

But for him, we would not revere them.

ودينوا به حبا ولوذوا بمدحه

وصلوا عليه كل وقت وسلموا

Profess love for him, and seek refuge in his praise.

Bless him and greet him at every moment.

وهيهات أن توفوا ببعض حقوق من

يصلّي عليه ربنا ويسلم

You could never fulfill even some rights of one

upon whom our Lord bestows blessings and peace.

وأقسم بالله العظيم جلاله

وحسبي أني بالجلالة أقسم

I swear by God, great in majesty;

enough for me that I swear by the Majesty.

لو أن الأراضي والسموات كلها

طروس وأوراق تمد وترسم

If all lands and heavens were

parchments and sheets spread out and written upon,

وكل مياه الأرض حبرا وما حوت

من النبت أقلام تخط وترقم

all earth's waters ink, and what it holds

of plants pens tracing and inscribing,

وجمع البرايا يكتبون مدى المدى

جوامع ما أوتيه طه المكرم

and all creation wrote throughout eternity

the total gifts bestowed upon honored Taha,

لما أدركوا معشار عشر الذي به

تخصص يس النبئ المعظم

they would not attain a tenth of a tenth of what

distinguishes Ya-Sin, the exalted Prophet.

وأنّى لهم أن يحصروا وصف من أتت

بمدحته نون وفتح ومريم

How could they encompass the description of one whose

praise appears in Nun, al-Fath, and Maryam?

ولكنني يممت باب هباته

بمدح طفيلي له الفقر مئسم

But I sought the door of his gifts

with an uninvited guest's praise, marked by poverty.

وخيرت فيه المدح علما بجوده

ومن يمدح الأجواد يحظى ويكرم

I chose praise of him, knowing his generosity.

Whoever praises the generous gains favor and honor.

وما ذاك من حولي ولا هو قوتي

ولكنه فضل به الله منعم

That comes neither from my capacity nor my strength;

it is grace God bestows.

أراد فأجرى ذكر مدح حبيبه

على سمع أقوام أنابوا وأسلموا

He willed, and caused mention of His beloved's praise to flow

into the hearing of people who turned back and submitted.

فردّ لساني آلة لمديحه

وأنطقني فيه بدر ينظم

He made my tongue an instrument for praising him

and gave me speech of pearls strung in his praise.

وذلك فضل الله يؤتيه مني شا

ومن ذا الذي يعطي سواه وينعم

That is God's grace, bestowed upon whom He wills.

Who besides Him gives and bestows favor?

سعدت بأن الله كرم مقولي

بوصف معاني من به الكون يكرم

I rejoiced that God ennobled my speech

through describing qualities of one who ennobles existence.

وصرت أنادي يا خديم محمد

وطوبى لمن أضحى له يتخدم

I came to call, 'O humble servant of Muhammad!'

Blessed is whoever comes to serve him.

ووالله ما نولت ذاك بحيلة

وما لا قضى الباري به كيف يسقم

By God, I was not granted that through a stratagem.

What the Creator did not decree—how could it cause sickness? [reading uncertain]

فيا رب لا تسلب جميلا صنعته

وتمم بإيجاب فأنت المتمم

Lord, do not take away a beautiful deed You have done.

Complete it with acceptance: You are the Completer.

ويا رب جد لي بالقبول تكرما

فأنت الجواد المنعم المتكرم

Lord, generously grant me acceptance.

You are the Generous, the Benefactor, the Bountiful.

ولولاه ما قلنا السموات ترتقي

ولولاه ما خلنا الأراضين توسم

But for him, we would not say the heavens rise;

but for him, we would not imagine the earths distinguished.

ولولاه ما هبت جنوب وشمال

ولولاه ما لاحت شموس وأنجم

But for him, south and north winds would not blow;

but for him, suns and stars would not appear.

ولولاه ما كان الحيا مترسلا

ولولاه ما كان الصبا يتنسم

But for him, rain would not descend;

but for him, the east wind would not breathe.

ولولا ما هد الجناحين طائر

ولولاه ما طال السماكين مرزم

But for him, no bird would beat its wings;

but for him, Mirzam would not reach the two Simaks.

ولولاه ما أظما الجوانح هائم

ولولاه ما أضنى الجوارح مغرم

But for him, no wanderer would thirst within his ribs;

but for him, no lover would exhaust his limbs.

ولولاه ما وطى الموطا مالك

ولولاه ما أبدى لنا الخير مسلم

But for him, Malik would not have prepared the Muwatta’;

but for him, Muslim would not have revealed goodness to us.

ولولاه ما كانت حياة وصحة

وموت وأسقام وعيد وموسم

But for him, there would be no life or health,

death or sicknesses, festival or season.

ولولاه ما كان الوجود بإسره

ولا زخرفت عدن وشبت جهنم

But for him, existence in its entirety would not be,

nor Eden adorned, nor hell kindled.

تردى لباس الباس والجود حلة

مهفهفة فيها الكمال يجسم

He wore courage's garment and generosity's robe,

light and flowing, in which perfection takes form.

وكوّن من نور فلا ظل إن مشى

وليس عيه للذباب تجثم

He was formed from light: he casts no shadow when walking,

and flies do not settle upon him.

أيا أمة الهادي المشفع أبشروا

ولوذوا به واستعصموا وترحموا

O community of the interceding Guide, rejoice!

Seek his refuge, hold fast, and receive mercy.

فأنتم بطه خير امة أخرجت

إلى الخلق طرا فاهنأوا وتنعموا

Through Taha you are the best community brought forth

to all creation: rejoice and enjoy blessing.

علوتم به قدرا وطلتم مكانة

فطولوا وصولوا وافخروا وتعظموا

Through him you rose in worth and surpassed in standing.

Excel, prevail, boast, and exalt yourselves.

فكل نبي أو رسول مقرب

بسيدنا يسمو ويعلو ويعظم

Every Prophet or favored Messenger

rises, ascends, and is magnified through our master.

هنيئا لكم بشرى لكم مرحبا بكم

وأهلا وسهلا بكم أنتم الناس أنتم

Congratulations, glad tidings, welcome to you!

A warm, easy welcome: you are the people—you!

فيا عزكم يا فوزكم يا فلاحكم

سعدتم ظفرتم بالغنائم فاعلموا

What honor, what triumph, what success is yours!

You have prospered and won the spoils: know this.

ويا رب كن للعبد وارحم خضوعه

فإنّك يا حرمن بالعبد أحرم

Lord, be for Your servant; pity his submission.

You, Merciful One, are most merciful toward the servant.

ويا رب وفق واكشف الضر واستجب

فأنت بما أرجوه يا بر أعلم

Lord, grant success, remove affliction, and answer.

You know best what I hope for, O Kindly One.

ويا رب سامح واعف واحلم تفضلا

فإنك يا غفّار تعفو وتحلم

Lord, pardon, forgive, and show gracious forbearance.

You, All-Forgiving, forgive and forbear.

دعوتك مضطرا وجئتك خائفا

وأنت مجيب مستغاث مسلم

I called upon You distressed and came to You fearful.

You answer, are invoked for aid, and grant safety.

فإن لم تجد لي يا عفو برحمة

فمن ذا الذي يعفو سواك ويرحم

If You do not grant me mercy, Pardoning One,

who besides You pardons and shows mercy?

ويا ليت شعري إن منعت العطا فمن

سواك على سؤاله يتكرم

Would that I knew: if You withhold giving, who

besides You responds generously to a request?

حبيبي أجرني ليس إلاك يرتجى

أنلني أقلني ليس إلاك يحلم

My beloved, protect me: none but You is hoped in.

Grant me, release me: none but You forbears.

فلا تخزني يا رب واقبل توسلي

بجاه حبيب جاهه الجاه الأعظم

Do not disgrace me, Lord; accept my intercession

through a beloved whose standing is the greatest standing.

ومن بعود عن قريب لمكة

ليجمعني بالبيت عيد وموسم

Grant a return to Mecca soon,

that festival and season may unite me with the House.

وأسعى على وجهي لباب سلامها

ويبرد نار الشوق بالقرب زمزم

Let me hasten headlong to its Gate of Peace,

and Zamzam cool longing's fire through nearness.

وانظر ليلى في الغلائل تنجلي

وأشهد خال الخد منها وألثم

Let me see Layla appearing through her veils,

witness her cheek's mole, and kiss it.

وأذهب بالخيف المخوف وفي مني

أقضي لباناتي وأهدي وأوسم

Let me remove fear at al-Khayf, and in Mina

fulfill my desires, offer sacrifice, and mark it.

وفي عرفات الخير أرتاح عارفا

يعرفني أين الأحبة خيموا

At blessed ‘Arafat, let me rest in knowing,

recognizing where the beloveds pitched their tents.

وأصرف أعناق المطايا معرجا

إلى أرسم يا حبذا هي ارسم

Let me turn the mounts' necks, making a detour

toward traces—how lovely those traces!

وأنظر بدرا في حنين كماله

ويصبح لي ما بين أهليه معلم

Let me behold Badr in Hunayn at his fullness,

and what lies among his people become known to me.

وأذهب بالصفراء صفر قطيعة

تقطع منها القلب فهو متيم

Let me dispel separation's emptiness at al-Safra’,

from which my heart was torn and enslaved.

وتعتاد قلبي في المفرح فرحة

بها جيش أحزاني يذاد ويهزم

Let joy visit my heart at al-Mufarrih,

repelling and defeating my army of sorrows.

وأنشر في وادي العقيق مدامعا

كحمرته في السلك حين ينظم

Let me scatter tears in Wadi al-‘Aqiq,

like its red stones threaded upon a string.

وأكحل أجفاني بأنوار روضة

بها قد ثوى الجسم الكريم المنعم

Let me apply to my eyelids the lights of a garden

where the noble, tender body has rested.

وأدخل من باب السلام مسلا

عليه وأبدا بالسلام وأختم

Let me enter through the Gate of Peace, greeting

him, beginning and ending with peace.

وألقي عصا التسيار عن غاربي وفي

حماه أقضي ما بيه العمر يغنم

Let me lay the staff of travel off my shoulder, and in

his sanctuary spend my life in what makes it profitable.

واصبح جارا للحبيب وحبذا

جوار به للصب مغنى ومغنم

Let me become the Beloved's neighbor—how excellent

a neighborhood giving the lover a dwelling and reward!

وأدعوه يا غوث الطريد ومن به

على الله يوم الحشر والنشر أقدم

Let me call, 'O refuge of the outcast, through whom

I approach God on Gathering and Resurrection Day!

قصدتك محتاجا فجد لي تكرما

فمن عادة العرب الكرام التكرم

I sought you needy: generously give to me.

Generosity is the noble Arabs' custom.

ولي ذمة بالاسم والحب والثنا

وأنت بها والله أوفى وأكرم

I have a claim through name, love, and praise.

By God, you are most faithful and generous toward it.

فكن لي شفيعا يوم لا يغن شافع

عداك وكل من مقامك يحجم

Be my intercessor on the day no intercessor avails

except you, while everyone shrinks from your station.

وقابل مديحي بالقبول وجازني

بفضل يد منها الندى يتعلم

Receive my praise with acceptance, and reward me

through the bounty of a hand from which generosity learns.

فبيني وبين الحق وحشة مجرم

يعض يديه إذ عراه التندم

Between me and the Truth lies a criminal's estrangement,

biting his hands when remorse overtakes him.

فمثلي من يجني ومثلك من عفا

ومثلي من يرجو ومثلك من ينعم

One like me commits wrong; one like you forgives.

One like me hopes; one like you bestows.

وحاشاك أن أخزى وقد جدت في الكرى

بحرب به قد زال عني التوهم

Far be it that I be disgraced, when in dreams you granted

an unclear gift through which my doubts vanished.

وحاشاك أن أظما وفي النوم جدت لي

بشربة ماء عرفها يتنسم

Far be it that I thirst, when in sleep you granted me

a drink of water whose fragrance wafted.

وحاشاك أن أقصى وللخلد في الكرى

مع الصحب قد أدخلتني يا مكرم

Far be it that I be excluded, when in dreams into eternity

you admitted me with the Companions, honored one.

وكم من مراء قد رآها أولوا النهى

قضت لي بتخصيص كما أنت تعلم

How many visions the discerning have seen

decreed special favor for me, as you know!

أيا سيد السادات يا من يحبه

وأمداحه أنجو وأعطى وأكرم

O master of masters, through whose love

and praises I escape, receive gifts, and am honored!

أيحسب دهري أنّني خاضع له

وأنت ملاذي ساء ما ستوهم

Does my time imagine that I submit to it,

when you are my refuge? Evil is what it imagines.

وقد ضمني سامي حماك وحبذا

مناخ على الإحسان والبر يرسم

Your lofty sanctuary has embraced me—how excellent

a resting place founded upon kindness and goodness!

فلا تقصني يا رب وارحم تذللي

فإنك رحمان توالي وترحم

Do not exclude me, Lord; pity my abasement.

You are Merciful, granting protection and mercy.

ولا تخز وجهي يا كريم وجازني

ففضلك أزكى والمواهب أكرم

Do not disgrace my face, Generous One; reward me.

Your grace is purer, Your gifts more generous.

تحملت أوزارا ثقالا حمولها

بأيسرها الظهر الممتن يقصم

I have carried sins whose burdens are heavy:

the lightest breaks a sturdy back.

وسودت وجهي بالذنوب وكيف لي

بعذر وقد أصبحت بالذنب ألحم

I blackened my face with sins; how can I find

an excuse, having become embroiled in sin?

وإن أك قد جئت العظائم كلها

فعفوك عن تلك العظائم أعظم

If I have committed every enormity,

Your forgiveness of those enormities is greater.

فيا رب يا الله كن لي ولا تكن

عليّ إذا ضاق القضاء المقتم

Lord, O God, be for me, and do not be

against me when dark judgment closes in.

فحقق رجا ابن الخلوف فقلبه

يسلم وحسن الظن لي فيك أسلم

Fulfill Ibn al-Khuluf's hope, so his heart

may be safe; good hope in You is safest for me.

ويسر لي الذكرى وسهل مذاهبي

لخير به عني المكاره تحسم

Make remembrance easy for me, smooth my paths

to goodness through which hardships are cut away from me.

ونور بنور العلم قلبي وغشني

بنعماك علي بالنعيم أنعم

Illuminate my heart with knowledge's light, and cover me

with Your favors, that I may enjoy bliss.

وخلص على خير وجد لي بتوبة

تحط بها الأوزار عني وتحطم

Deliver me to a good end, and grant repentance

through which sins are laid down and broken off me.

وسلم ووف الدين عني ونجني

من الكبد والأهوا فأنت المسلم

Protect me, discharge my debt, and rescue me

from suffering and passions: You grant safety.

وديم على الأشياخ ديموم رحمة

تخصص آبائي بها وتعمم

Pour continual mercy upon the elders,

particularly upon my fathers, and generally upon all.

وكرم أصحاب يونسلي وإخوتي

فأنت الكريم المستماح المكرم

Honor Yunusli's companions and my brothers [name uncertain].

You are the Generous, petitioned for bounty, the Honorer.

وكن لجميع المسلمين وجازهم

بعدن وجنبهم لظى يتضرم

Be for all Muslims, and reward them

with Eden, keeping them away from blazing fire.

وخذ بيدي أخذا كريما وحلني

بخاتم إحسان به أتختم

Take my hand with a gracious taking, and adorn me

with a ring of kindness to wear.

وصل وسلم ثم بارك مواصلا

على المصطفى ما عظم الله مسلم

Bless, greet, then continually bestow blessing

upon the Chosen One while any Muslim magnifies God.

وصل على الأملاك والرسل كلهم

وآل التقى ما جانب الحل محرم

Bless all the angels and Messengers,

and piety's people, while one in ihram shuns otherwise lawful things.