هَزوا القدُودَ وَأرهفُوا الأجفَانَا

هَزوا القدُودَ وَأرهفُوا الأجفَانَا

أوَ مَا رَأيْتَ البَانَ وَالغزْلاَنَا

أوَ مَا رَأيْتَ البَانَ وَالغزْلاَنَا

They swayed their figures and sharpened their eyelids.

They brandished their spears and narrowed their eyelids,

Have you not seen the bān trees and the gazelles?

Or have you not seen the ladies and the young bucks?

وَاسْتَبْدَلُوا بَدَلَ السهَام لَوَاحِظاً

وَاسْتَبْدَلُوا بَدَلَ السهَام لَوَاحِظاً

لما انْتَظَوْا عوض الظُّبَى أجفَانَا

لما انْتَظَوْا عوض الظُّبَى أجفَانَا

They took glances in place of arrows,

They replaced the arrows with glances,

when they unsheathed eyelids instead of sword blades.

When they waited for the antelope instead of eyelids.

وَثَنَوْا مَعَاطِفَهُمْ وَقَدْ لاَحُوا فَهَلْ

وَثَنَوْا مَعَاطِفَهُمْ وَقَدْ لاَحُوا فَهَلْ

أبْصَرْتَ أقْمَاراً عَلَتْ أغْصَانَا

أبْصَرْتَ أقْمَاراً عَلَتْ أغْصَانَا

They bent their supple bodies as they appeared—have you

They folded their robes, their cheeks blushing,

seen moons rising above branches?

Did you see moons rising over the branches?

وَجَلَوْا بروقَ مَبَاسمٍ مَا أوْمَضَتْ

وَجَلَوْا بروقَ مَبَاسمٍ مَا أوْمَضَتْ

إلاَّ وَأمْطَرَ دمعيَ العِقْيَانَا

إلاَّ وَأمْطَرَ دمعيَ العِقْيَانَا

They unveiled the lightning of smiles, which never flashed

Their smiles flashed like lightning, never fading

without my tears showering pure gold.

Except to rain my tears in torrents.

غِيدٌ نَفَرنَ وَقَدْ أمَتُّ تَوَلُّهِي

غِيدٌ نَفَرنَ وَقَدْ أمَتُّ تَوَلُّهِي

فَأعَدْنَهُ حَيَّا كَمَا قَدْ كَانَا

فَأعَدْنَهُ حَيَّا كَمَا قَدْ كَانَا

Graceful women fled, though I had put my infatuation to death,

A herd took fright and bolted away,

and brought it back alive, just as it had been.

But he brought them back to life as they were before.

وَبِمُهْجَتِي منهن خُودٌ خدهَا

وَبِمُهْجَتِي منهن خُودٌ خدهَا

قَدْ شَاكَل النُّعْمَانَ وَالسُوسَانَا

قَدْ شَاكَل النُّعْمَانَ وَالسُوسَانَا

I would ransom with my life's blood a maiden among them, whose cheek

With his charm, his cheek is protected

resembled the anemone and the lily.

By hair black as aloeswood and lilies.

حَرَسَتْ بِأسْوَدِ شَعْرِهَا أعْطَافَهَا

حَرَسَتْ بِأسْوَدِ شَعْرِهَا أعْطَافَهَا

وَكَذَا الأسَاوِدُ تحرسُ الكُثْبَانَا

وَكَذَا الأسَاوِدُ تحرسُ الكُثْبَانَا

With her black hair she guarded her flanks,

Scorpions twisted in the mole of his cheek

just as black snakes guard the sand dunes.

So it was guarded by the sting of remorse.

وَلَوَتْ عَقَاربَ صدغهَا فِي خدهَا

وَلَوَتْ عَقَاربَ صدغهَا فِي خدهَا

فَحَمَتْ بِمُنْذِرِ آسِهَا النُّعْمَانَا

فَحَمَتْ بِمُنْذِرِ آسِهَا النُّعْمَانَا

She curled the scorpions of her temple-locks upon her cheek,

His robes outshone pearls but I have not

thus guarding Nu'man's anemones with her myrtle's Mundhir.

Seen chamomile bear such pomegranates.

وَجَلَتْ مَعَاطِفُهَا النُّهُودَ وَلَمْ أكُن

وَجَلَتْ مَعَاطِفُهَا النُّهُودَ وَلَمْ أكُن

شَاهَدْتُ بَاناً أثمر الرمَّانَا

شَاهَدْتُ بَاناً أثمر الرمَّانَا

Her curves revealed her breasts; never had I

I called to his smiling lips shaped like a pearl,

seen a bān tree bearing pomegranates.

“Essence, how did you steal all perfection?”

نَاديتُ مبسِمَهَا المنضَّدَ دُرُّهُ

نَاديتُ مبسِمَهَا المنضَّدَ دُرُّهُ

يَا جَوْهَراً كَيْفَ اغْتَدَيْتَ جُمَانَا

يَا جَوْهَراً كَيْفَ اغْتَدَيْتَ جُمَانَا

I called to her smile, its pearls arrayed:

And I bid the nightingale in the rose of his cheek,

O jewel, how have you become strung pearls?

“Amber, who protected this coral reef?”

ودعوتُ بلبلَ خَالِ وردِ خُدُودهَا

ودعوتُ بلبلَ خَالِ وردِ خُدُودهَا

يَا عنبراً مَنْ قَدْ حَمَى مرجَانَا

يَا عنبراً مَنْ قَدْ حَمَى مرجَانَا

I addressed her mole, a nightingale among her cheeks' roses:

“Oh you who claim to hide his clear cheek,

O ambergris, who has guarded coral?

Can you claim concealment along with tears?”

يَا مُدّعي كِتْمَانَ واضِحِ خَدّهَا

يَا مُدّعي كِتْمَانَ واضِحِ خَدّهَا

أمَعَ المَدَامِعِ تَدَّعِي الكِتْمَانَا

أمَعَ المَدَامِعِ تَدَّعِي الكِتْمَانَا

O you who claim to conceal her cheek's brightness,

And you pretend not to witness the beauty of his being,

do you claim concealment while shedding tears?

Is there an eye that doesn’t see the universe?

وَتَرُومُ تَشْهَدُ كَائِنَاتِ جَمَالِهَا

وَتَرُومُ تَشْهَدُ كَائِنَاتِ جَمَالِهَا

أبِغَيْرِ عَيْنٍ تشهد الأكْوَانَا

أبِغَيْرِ عَيْنٍ تشهد الأكْوَانَا

You seek to witness the manifestations of her beauty:

Do not deny, for your heart has always

can you witness creation without an eye?

Been bound to that vision since it appeared.

لا تُنْكِرَنَّ فَإنَّ قَلْبَكَ لَمْ يَزَلْ

لا تُنْكِرَنَّ فَإنَّ قَلْبَكَ لَمْ يَزَلْ

كَلِفاً بِذَاكَ البَانِ لَمَّا بَانَا

كَلِفاً بِذَاكَ البَانِ لَمَّا بَانَا

Do not deny it, for your heart has never ceased

My two friends, stop for a while in Tunis

to be enamored of that bān tree since it appeared.

To revive your souls and bodies.

يَا صَاحبَيَّ قِفَا بتونس برهةً

يَا صَاحبَيَّ قِفَا بتونس برهةً

كَيْ تُنْعِشَا الأرْوَاحَ والأبْدَانَا

كَيْ تُنْعِشَا الأرْوَاحَ والأبْدَانَا

O my two companions, stop awhile in Tunis,

And ask about his caravan and his camp

to revive your souls and bodies.

If you miss the riders and camels.

وَاسْتَنْشدَا عَنْ سرْبِهِ وكنَاسه

وَاسْتَنْشدَا عَنْ سرْبِهِ وكنَاسه

إنْ خِلْتُمَا الركبَانَ وَالأظعَانَا

إنْ خِلْتُمَا الركبَانَ وَالأظعَانَا

Inquire after his herd and his thicket,

On the coast west of it, an antelope

if you make out the riders and the camel-litters.

Drove away the lions and fawns.

فَبِأيْمَنِ الشَاطِيّ من غَرْبِيِّهَا

فَبِأيْمَنِ الشَاطِيّ من غَرْبِيِّهَا

ظبيٌ سبا الآسَادَ وَالغزْلاَنَا

ظبيٌ سبا الآسَادَ وَالغزْلاَنَا

For on the right-hand shore of its western side

Wielding weak weapons, his glances

is a gazelle that has captivated lions and gazelles.

Were spears that rained from his eyes.

شَاكِي السلاَحِ أقَلَّ من اعطَافهِ

شَاكِي السلاَحِ أقَلَّ من اعطَافهِ

رمحاً وَسَلَّ منَ اللحَاظِ سِنَانَا

رمحاً وَسَلَّ منَ اللحَاظِ سِنَانَا

Fully armed, he bore aloft from his supple frame

A full moon in which one seeking guidance falters,

a spear, and drew a spearhead from his glances.

And when guided, his confusion returns.

بدرٌ تَحَيَّرَ فِيهِ مَنْ رَامَ الهُدَى

بدرٌ تَحَيَّرَ فِيهِ مَنْ رَامَ الهُدَى

وَإذَا اهْتَدَى فَتَخَالُهُ الحيرَانَا

وَإذَا اهْتَدَى فَتَخَالُهُ الحيرَانَا

A full moon: whoever sought guidance in him was bewildered,

His face like the sun, his robe like a wand,

and even when he finds his way, you think him bewildered.

His mouth a blossom, his swagger a human.

كَالشَّمْسِ وجهاً وَالقضيب مَعَاطِفاً

كَالشَّمْسِ وجهاً وَالقضيب مَعَاطِفاً

وَالزهْرِ ثغراً وَالمَهَى إنْسَانَا

وَالزهْرِ ثغراً وَالمَهَى إنْسَانَا

Like the sun in face, and a bough in his curves,

Your cheeks reveal to both worlds, when

like flowers in mouth, and oryx in his eye's pupil.

Your Numan-like cheek shows itself to my eyes.

تَجْلُو عَوَارِضُهُ لَكَ العَلَمَيْنِ إذْ

تَجْلُو عَوَارِضُهُ لَكَ العَلَمَيْنِ إذْ

يُبْدِي لعينك خده نعمَانَا

يُبْدِي لعينك خده نعمَانَا

His cheek-down reveals al-'Alamayn to you, as

In his mouth I sensed musk, and in his lightning

he displays his cheek to your eye as Na'man.

I mixed ambergris and camphor.

فَبثغره شِمْتُ العُذَيْبَ وبَارقا

فَبثغره شِمْتُ العُذَيْبَ وبَارقا

وَبِقَدّه خلْتُ النَّقَا وَالبَانَا

وَبِقَدّه خلْتُ النَّقَا وَالبَانَا

In his mouth I glimpsed al-'Udhayb and Bariq,

His beauty tempted the heart of his lover.

and in his figure I imagined al-Naqa and the bān tree.

Has his irresistible glance not tempted you?

فَتَنَتْ مَحَاسِنُهُ فُؤَادَ مُحبِّه

فَتَنَتْ مَحَاسِنُهُ فُؤَادَ مُحبِّه

أوْ لَيْسَ فَاتكُ لحظه فَتَّانَا

أوْ لَيْسَ فَاتكُ لحظه فَتَّانَا

His beauties bewitched his lover's heart:

Slender, smooth, the wish, he eclipsed

is his murderous glance not a seducer?

The houris, nymphs, and wild animals.

رشأ رَشِيقُ القَدّ معسُولُ اللَّمَى

رشأ رَشِيقُ القَدّ معسُولُ اللَّمَى

فَضَحَ الربَى وَالحورَ وَالوِلْدَانَا

فَضَحَ الربَى وَالحورَ وَالوِلْدَانَا

A gazelle-fawn, slender of figure, honey-sweet of dark lips,

In the fire of his cheek the heavens flourished,

he put the hills, the houris, and the youths to shame.

And Ridwan became the keeper of his Eden.

فِي نَارِ وجنته الجِنَانُ تزخرفت

فِي نَارِ وجنته الجِنَانُ تزخرفت

مُسدْ صَارَ خَازنُ عَدْنِهَا رِضْوَانَا

مُسدْ صَارَ خَازنُ عَدْنِهَا رِضْوَانَا

In the fire of his cheek, paradises were adorned,

The stars of the horizon tried to describe his cheek

since [uncertain reading] the keeper of its Eden became Ridwan.

So his moon lost some of its illumination.

رَامت نُجُومُ الأفْق تحكي خده

رَامت نُجُومُ الأفْق تحكي خده

فَلِذَاكَ أكسبَ بدرَهَا النقصَانَا

فَلِذَاكَ أكسبَ بدرَهَا النقصَانَا

The stars of the horizon sought to imitate his cheek,

The meadow offered citrons to his mouth

and so he caused their full moon to wane.

So the branches protected his slender frame.

وَالرْوضُ أهدَى الأقْحُوَانَ لثغرِهِ

وَالرْوضُ أهدَى الأقْحُوَانَ لثغرِهِ

فَحَمَتْ سَوَاسِنُ قده الأغصَانَا

فَحَمَتْ سَوَاسِنُ قده الأغصَانَا

The garden offered daisies to his mouth,

I recite his lyrics of longing but if only

and the lilies of his figure guarded the branches.

He would narrate to us the verses of sorrow!

أتْلُو بِهِ سُوَرَ الشجُونِ وَلَيْتَهَا

أتْلُو بِهِ سُوَرَ الشجُونِ وَلَيْتَهَا

عَنْ نَافِعٍ تَرْوِي لَنَا الأشْجَانَا

عَنْ نَافِعٍ تَرْوِي لَنَا الأشْجَانَا

Through him I recite the suras of sorrows; would that they

Where the garden made public his beauty it

transmitted our grief to us from Nafi'.

Scented clothes and perfumed tents.

دَب العِذَارُ بِوِجْنَتَيْهِ فَمَنْ رَأى

دَب العِذَارُ بِوِجْنَتَيْهِ فَمَنْ رَأى

فِي النَّار ورداً أنْبَتَ الرّيحَانَا

فِي النَّار ورداً أنْبَتَ الرّيحَانَا

Cheek-down crept across his cheeks; who has seen

The wand adorned itself in necklaces when

within fire a rose that sprouted basil?

Its flowers wove garlands.

يَا مَنْ حَكَتْ سمرَ القَنَا اعطَافُهُ

يَا مَنْ حَكَتْ سمرَ القَنَا اعطَافُهُ

وَحَكَتْ فَواترُ طرفه الخرصَانَا

وَحَكَتْ فَواترُ طرفه الخرصَانَا

O you whose flanks resembled brown spear-shafts,

The birds articulated their melodies to his lute

and whose languid glances resembled spearheads:

To teach rhythms and airs.

مَا كُنْت أحسب أن طرفك سَاحر

مَا كُنْت أحسب أن طرفك سَاحر

حَتَّى تَقَلَّبَ حَبْله ثعبَانَا

حَتَّى تَقَلَّبَ حَبْله ثعبَانَا

I had not thought your gaze a sorcerer

Dawn revealed a sign that erased

until its rope turned into a serpent.

The paint of darkness, so I saw it as proof.

قسماً وَلَوْلاَ أن ريقك قَرْقَفٌ

قسماً وَلَوْلاَ أن ريقك قَرْقَفٌ

مَا مِسْتَ يَا غُصْن النقَا نشوَانَا

مَا مِسْتَ يَا غُصْن النقَا نشوَانَا

I swear: had your saliva not been wine,

My lord Uthman, whose right hand

you would not have swayed drunkenly, O bough of al-Naqa.

Brought the dew of mercy and unleashed the flood.

أسكنتُ حبك فِي فُؤَادِي وَالحشا

أسكنتُ حبك فِي فُؤَادِي وَالحشا

فَعَمَرْتَ مني القَلْب والأجفانَا

فَعَمَرْتَ مني القَلْب والأجفانَا

I lodged your love in my heart and breast,

My lord, when we tire of listing his merits,

and you inhabited my heart and eyelids.

So we can draw life and joy from them,

وأنرت مصبَاح الهدى فِي غيهبي

وأنرت مصبَاح الهدى فِي غيهبي

حَتَّى أقمت لِعَاذِلِي البرهَانَا

حَتَّى أقمت لِعَاذِلِي البرهَانَا

You lit the lamp of guidance in my darkness,

His glory dictates to us, but when it ends

until you established the proof for my reproacher.

We cannot grasp what it dictated.

حَيْثُ الريَاض أذَاعَ من رَيَّاهُ مَا

حَيْثُ الريَاض أذَاعَ من رَيَّاهُ مَا

وَشَّى الجُيُوبَ وعَطَّر الأردَانَا

وَشَّى الجُيُوبَ وعَطَّر الأردَانَا

Where the gardens spread his fragrance, which

A banner, when I say peerless wealth,

embroidered collars and perfumed sleeves.

You speak the truth through his knowledge, peerless.

وَالقُضْبُ ماست فِي الغَلاَئِلِ عِنْدَما

وَالقُضْبُ ماست فِي الغَلاَئِلِ عِنْدَما

صَاغَتْ أزَاهِرُهَا لَهَا تيجَانَا

صَاغَتْ أزَاهِرُهَا لَهَا تيجَانَا

The boughs swayed in delicate robes when

If Al-Ta'i and Malik saw his person

their blossoms fashioned crowns for them.

They would say “Yes, he is the one who enriched us.”

وَالطَّيْرُ أعْرَبَ لَحْنَهَا فِي عُودِهِ

وَالطَّيْرُ أعْرَبَ لَحْنَهَا فِي عُودِهِ

لِيُعَلِّمَ الإيقَاعَ والألْحَانَا

لِيُعَلِّمَ الإيقَاعَ والألْحَانَا

The birds voiced their song upon its bough,

He is unique in bounty and knowledge, quenching

to teach rhythm and melodies.

The thirst of gifts and clarifying truths.

وَالصبْحُ أظْهَرَ آيَةً يمحُو بِهَا

وَالصبْحُ أظْهَرَ آيَةً يمحُو بِهَا

صِبْغَ الظَّلاَمِ فَخِلْتُه السّلطَانَا

صِبْغَ الظَّلاَمِ فَخِلْتُه السّلطَانَا

Dawn revealed a sign with which it effaced

Clouds of generosity trail him wherever

the dye of darkness, so I took it for the sultan:

You visit him, pouring rain.

مَوْلاَيَ عُثْمَان الَّذِي بِيَمِينِهِ

مَوْلاَيَ عُثْمَان الَّذِي بِيَمِينِهِ

نُوحُ الندَى أجرى لنا الطوفَانَا

نُوحُ الندَى أجرى لنا الطوفَانَا

my lord Uthman, in whose right hand

You see loyalty scattered and gathered,

the Noah of generosity unleashed a flood for us.

Inhabiting his mind and tongue.

مولىً إذَا مِلْنَا لِبَثّ صِفَاتِهِ

مولىً إذَا مِلْنَا لِبَثّ صِفَاتِهِ

كَيْ نَسْتَمدَ الرَّوْحَ وَالرّيحَانَا

كَيْ نَسْتَمدَ الرَّوْحَ وَالرّيحَانَا

A lord: when we turn to proclaim his qualities,

The sharpness of his intellect dispelled

to draw comfort and sweet basil,

Illusions from him, shocking noses and tastes.

أمْلَى عَلَيْنَا مَجْدُهُ فَإذَا انْتهَى

أمْلَى عَلَيْنَا مَجْدُهُ فَإذَا انْتهَى

هِمْنَا فلم نَدْرِ الَّذِي أملاَنَا

هِمْنَا فلم نَدْرِ الَّذِي أملاَنَا

his glory dictates to us; and when it finishes,

He attained perfection, and with just one measure of his gift

we are entranced, not knowing what it dictated.

He eclipsed the full moon, fearing no loss.

عَلَمٌ إذَا مَا قلتَ أقْرَانَا الغِنَى

عَلَمٌ إذَا مَا قلتَ أقْرَانَا الغِنَى

فَلَقَدْ تَقُولُ بِعِلْمِهِ أقْرَانَا

فَلَقَدْ تَقُولُ بِعِلْمِهِ أقْرَانَا

A luminary: if you say, 'He has feasted us on wealth,'

Smiling, affable, when he promises bounty

you may indeed say, 'Through his knowledge he has taught us to read.'

He follows goodness with kindness.

لَوْ عَايَنَ الطَّائِي ومَالِكُ شَخْصَهُ

لَوْ عَايَنَ الطَّائِي ومَالِكُ شَخْصَهُ

قَالاَ نَعَمْ هَذَا الَّذِي أغْنَانَا

قَالاَ نَعَمْ هَذَا الَّذِي أغْنَانَا

Had al-Ta'i and Malik seen him in person,

Like a cloud, no flash of his lightning shone

they would have said, 'Yes, this is the one who has enriched us.'

Except it brought generous rain.

فَهْوَ الفَرِيدُ ندىً وَعلماً قد رَوَى

فَهْوَ الفَرِيدُ ندىً وَعلماً قد رَوَى

غُرَرَ النوَالِ وَقرَّرَ التِبْيَانَا

غُرَرَ النوَالِ وَقرَّرَ التِبْيَانَا

He is peerless in generosity and knowledge; he has poured forth

The clouds of his open hands poured forth, inclining

the choicest gifts and established clear exposition.

Neither westward nor sideways.

سَحَّابُ ذيلِ سَخاً وَذيلِ سَحَابَةٍ

سَحَّابُ ذيلِ سَخاً وَذيلِ سَحَابَةٍ

تلقاه أنَّى زُرْتَهُ سَحْبَانَا

تلقاه أنَّى زُرْتَهُ سَحْبَانَا

He trails the hem of generosity and a cloud's hem;

Of high station, his integrity outweighed

wherever you visit him, you find him a Sahban.

The scales even before they were set.

وَتَرَى الوفَاء مفرَّقا وَمُجَمَّعا

وَتَرَى الوفَاء مفرَّقا وَمُجَمَّعا

يحتل مِنْهُ مُهْجَةً وَلِسَانَا

يحتل مِنْهُ مُهْجَةً وَلِسَانَا

You see fidelity, in its parts and as a whole,

And a status above the heavens, unshakable,

lodged in his heart and tongue.

Leaving no place for climbers.

نَفَتِ التَّوَهُّمَ عَنْهُ حِدَّةُ ذهنه

نَفَتِ التَّوَهُّمَ عَنْهُ حِدَّةُ ذهنه

فَاسْتَرْغَمَ الآنَافَ وَالأذْقَانَا

فَاسْتَرْغَمَ الآنَافَ وَالأذْقَانَا

His sharp mind expelled conjecture from him,

Noble, his magnificent rule a towering palace

and forced noses and chins into the dust.

He built with the height of perfection a hall.

حَازَ الكَمَالَ وَلَوْ بِأيْسَرِهِ حَبَا

حَازَ الكَمَالَ وَلَوْ بِأيْسَرِهِ حَبَا

بدرَ الدُجَى لَمْ يَخْتَشِ النُّقْصَانَا

بدرَ الدُجَى لَمْ يَخْتَشِ النُّقْصَانَا

He attained perfection; had he bestowed its slightest part upon

Awake, bright, his forehead dispelled

the full moon of darkness, it would not fear waning.

The darkness and disputes.

مُتَهَلِّلٌ طلقٌ إذَا وَعَدَ الغِنَى

مُتَهَلِّلٌ طلقٌ إذَا وَعَدَ الغِنَى

بِالبِشْرِ أتْبَعَ بِرَّه الاحْسَانَا

بِالبِشْرِ أتْبَعَ بِرَّه الاحْسَانَا

Radiant and open-faced: when he promises wealth

Excellent guidance, when the gloom clears,

with a smile, he follows his kindness with beneficence.

He institutes guidance and proves the argument.

كَالغيمِ مَا سطعتْ لوَامعُ بَرْقِهِ

كَالغيمِ مَا سطعتْ لوَامعُ بَرْقِهِ

إلاّ وَأهْدَتْ غيثَهُ الهَتَّانَا

إلاّ وَأهْدَتْ غيثَهُ الهَتَّانَا

Like a cloud: its lightning's flashes never shine

As for his voice and might, both

without bringing its pouring rain as a gift.

Have overwhelmed minds and thoughts.

سَحَّتْ سَحَائِبُ جُودِ كَفَّيْهِ فلم

سَحَّتْ سَحَائِبُ جُودِ كَفَّيْهِ فلم

يجنحْ إلَى غَرْبٍ وَلاَ أشْطَانَا

يجنحْ إلَى غَرْبٍ وَلاَ أشْطَانَا

The clouds of his hands' bounty poured down, so he never

A king whose rule towered, so for his sake

resorted to a bucket or to ropes.

Kings became subservient slaves.

ذُو رُتْبَةٍ رَجَحَتْ بِعَيُّوقِ العُلَى

ذُو رُتْبَةٍ رَجَحَتْ بِعَيُّوقِ العُلَى

من قبلِ أنْ تَسْتَرْصِدَ المِيزَانَا

من قبلِ أنْ تَسْتَرْصِدَ المِيزَانَا

Possessed of a rank outweighing the 'Ayyuq of loftiness,

Making weak kingship strong,

before ever seeking to observe the Balance.

And abandoning strong kingship in disgrace.

وَمَكَانَةٍ فَوْقَ السِّمَاكِ مكينة

وَمَكَانَةٍ فَوْقَ السِّمَاكِ مكينة

لَمْ تُبْقِ لِلرَّاقِينَ بعدُ مكَانَا

لَمْ تُبْقِ لِلرَّاقِينَ بعدُ مكَانَا

And a station firmly fixed above al-Simak,

Terror does not lurk in his heart,

leaving no further place for those who ascend.

And a lion is not afraid of a little bird.

شرف إلَيْهِ وَبيت ملك شَامخ

شرف إلَيْهِ وَبيت ملك شَامخ

بعلى الكمَال بنى لَهُ إيوَانَا

بعلى الكمَال بنى لَهُ إيوَانَا

Honor is his; a towering royal house

Firm, fearless, as if he made

built him a hall on the heights of perfection.

Fear itself a guarantor of safety.

يقظَانُ أبلجُ قَدْ جَلاَ بِجَبِينِهِ

يقظَانُ أبلجُ قَدْ جَلاَ بِجَبِينِهِ

وحسَامِه الظلمَاءَ والاضغَانَا

وحسَامِه الظلمَاءَ والاضغَانَا

Vigilant and radiant, he has dispelled with his brow

A hero, when the lightning of his brown eyes flashed,

and his sword the darkness and the grudges.

The brave hearts of warriors turned blind.

نعم الرشَاد إذَا الدجنة أطلعت

نعم الرشَاد إذَا الدجنة أطلعت

سنن الرشَاد وأوضح البرهَانَا

سنن الرشَاد وأوضح البرهَانَا

Excellent is his guidance: when darkness fell, he brought forth

How many fierce lions were made his prey

the paths of guidance and made the proof plain.

By his spears, to feed the vultures!

أمَّا نَدَاهُ وَبأسهُ فَكِلاَهُمَا

أمَّا نَدَاهُ وَبأسهُ فَكِلاَهُمَا

قَدْ أرْغَمَ الأفهَام وَالأذْهَانَا

قَدْ أرْغَمَ الأفهَام وَالأذْهَانَا

As for his bounty and his might, both

You did not gain your enemies in war, but rather

have humbled understanding and intellect.

They gained shrouds when they fought you.

ملكٌ تَشَامَخَ ملكه فَلأجْلِ ذَا

ملكٌ تَشَامَخَ ملكه فَلأجْلِ ذَا

أضْحَى الملُوكُ لِعِزّهِ عُبْدَانَا

أضْحَى الملُوكُ لِعِزّهِ عُبْدَانَا

A king whose kingdom towers so high that

You left their faces in the places you met them,

kings have become slaves to his glory.

Their chins, their eyes, and their noses.

الجاعلُ الملكَ الذليلَ مُعَزَّزاً

الجاعلُ الملكَ الذليلَ مُعَزَّزاً

وَالتَّاركُ الملكَ العَزِيزَ مُهَانَا

وَالتَّاركُ الملكَ العَزِيزَ مُهَانَا

He makes the humbled king honored,

Oh you who deny his claim to the caliphate, turn back,

and leaves the honored king abased.

For you have come with lies and slander.

لاَ يَسْتَكِن الرعبُ بَيْنَ ضُلُوعِهِ

لاَ يَسْتَكِن الرعبُ بَيْنَ ضُلُوعِهِ

وَاللَّيْثُ لاَ يَتَخَوَّفُ السَّرْحَانَا

وَاللَّيْثُ لاَ يَتَخَوَّفُ السَّرْحَانَا

Fear finds no refuge between his ribs,

Do not deny, for the one who stands with his sword

and the lion does not fear the wolf.

Has shown evidence and proof.

ثبتُ الجَنَانِ فَلاَ يَخَافٌ كأنمَا

ثبتُ الجَنَانِ فَلاَ يَخَافٌ كأنمَا

جَعَلَ المَخُوفَ مِنَ المَخُوفِ أمَانَا

جَعَلَ المَخُوفَ مِنَ المَخُوفِ أمَانَا

Steadfast of heart, he knows no fear, as though

The caliphate of Al-Farooq poured unto him when

he made what is feared a safeguard against what is feared.

Tongues of consent named him Uthman.

بطلٌ إذاً رَمَقَتْ لَوَاحظ سمره

بطلٌ إذاً رَمَقَتْ لَوَاحظ سمره

خَرَّتْ لَهَا صُم الكُلَى عميَانَا

خَرَّتْ لَهَا صُم الكُلَى عميَانَا

A hero: when the glances of his brown spears gaze,

A king through whom the garden of caliphate blossomed

the hard of kidney fall before them, blinded.

When his pens shook the branches.

كَمْ ليثِ غَابٍ صَيَّرَتْهُ فَرِيسَة

كَمْ ليثِ غَابٍ صَيَّرَتْهُ فَرِيسَة

أرْمَاحُهُ كَيْ تُقْرِيَ العِقْبَانَا

أرْمَاحُهُ كَيْ تُقْرِيَ العِقْبَانَا

How many a forest lion has been made prey

While he shakes the branches to warn a transgressor,

by his spears, to feast the eagles!

He shook the twigs to warn the evildoer.

قَدْ ظن أنَّ السمر قندني جلا

قَدْ ظن أنَّ السمر قندني جلا

افعَالهَا البرني والصيحَانَا

افعَالهَا البرني والصيحَانَا

He thought the brown spears were Qandani; laid bare

His eloquence is like writing with his sword,

by their deeds were Barni and Sayhani.

A blossom in a garden dotted with dew.

أعطتهُ مهجتَهَا السهَامُ نوَاظراً

أعطتهُ مهجتَهَا السهَامُ نوَاظراً

وَأرَتْهُ انفسَهَا الظُّبَى أجْفَانَا

وَأرَتْهُ انفسَهَا الظُّبَى أجْفَانَا

Arrows gave him their life's blood as gazing eyes,

From a people who are clouds in prosperity, and if

and sword blades showed themselves to him as eyelids.

Strife stirs, you see them as flames.

أمُقَتِّلَ الصّيدِ الكُمَاةِ بِرعبِهِ

أمُقَتِّلَ الصّيدِ الكُمَاةِ بِرعبِهِ

لِمَنِ ادّخَرْتَ السَّيْفَ وَالمُرَّانَا

لِمَنِ ادّخَرْتَ السَّيْفَ وَالمُرَّانَا

O slayer of proud armored warriors through his terror,

They made saddles into thrones for their lodging,

for whom have you saved the sword and ashwood spears?

And spears into staffs, antelope into rugs.

لَمْ تَكْتَسِ أعْدَاكَ إذْ حَارَبْتَهُمْ

لَمْ تَكْتَسِ أعْدَاكَ إذْ حَارَبْتَهُمْ

ضَافِي الدرُوعِ بَلِ اكْتَسَوْا أكْفَانَا

ضَافِي الدرُوعِ بَلِ اكْتَسَوْا أكْفَانَا

Your enemies, when you fought them, did not don

And arrows into light, pigeons into food,

ample armor; instead, they donned shrouds.

Meadows into gardens, and enemies into guests.

غَادرتَ أوجهَهُمْ بِحَيْثُ لَقِيتَهُمْ

غَادرتَ أوجهَهُمْ بِحَيْثُ لَقِيتَهُمْ

أقْنَاهُمُ وَعُيُونَهُمْ أذْقَانَا

أقْنَاهُمُ وَعُيُونَهُمْ أذْقَانَا

You left their faces where you met them,

Game, when their sword sheaths disappear,

even their most aquiline-nosed, and their eyes, reduced to chins.

They make hilts into eyelids.

يَا مُنْكِراً دعوَى خلاَفته ارْتَجِعْ

يَا مُنْكِراً دعوَى خلاَفته ارْتَجِعْ

فَلَقَدْ أتيتَ الزُّورَ وَالبُهْتَانَا

فَلَقَدْ أتيتَ الزُّورَ وَالبُهْتَانَا

O denier of his claim to the caliphate, recant:

A people whose lineage encompasses the age

you have indeed uttered falsehood and slander.

That repelled hypocrisy and showed faith.

لا تُنْكِرَنَّ فَإنَّ قَائِمَ سيفه

لا تُنْكِرَنَّ فَإنَّ قَائِمَ سيفه

أبدَى الدَّلِيلَ وَأظْهر البُرْهَانَا

أبدَى الدَّلِيلَ وَأظْهر البُرْهَانَا

Do not deny it, for the hilt of his sword

A pedigree we are brought closer to by love

has shown the evidence and made the proof plain.

Of their Farooqi, my lord, and by his name we banish Satan.

أفْضَتْ إلَيْهِ خِلاَفَةُ الفَارُوق إذْ

أفْضَتْ إلَيْهِ خِلاَفَةُ الفَارُوق إذْ

سَمَّتْهُ ألْسِنةُ الرّضَى عُثْمَانَا

سَمَّتْهُ ألْسِنةُ الرّضَى عُثْمَانَا

Al-Faruq's caliphate passed to him, when

Pride to you, O Banu Farooq, for you have

the tongues of approval named him Uthman.

A brilliance that illuminated the horizons and cosmos.

ملكٌ بِهِ روضُ الخِلاَفَة قَدْ زَهَا

ملكٌ بِهِ روضُ الخِلاَفَة قَدْ زَهَا

إذْ هَزَّ مِنْ أقْلاَمِهِ الأفْنَانَا

إذْ هَزَّ مِنْ أقْلاَمِهِ الأفْنَانَا

A king through whom the caliphate's garden flourished,

May praise of you bring joy to hearts

as he shook the boughs of his pens.

And delight to ears forever.

بَيْنَا يهز بِهَا الغُصُونَ لِمُجْتَنٍ

بَيْنَا يهز بِهَا الغُصُونَ لِمُجْتَنٍ

إذْ هَزَّ للجَانِي بِهَا الخُرْصَانَا

إذْ هَزَّ للجَانِي بِهَا الخُرْصَانَا

While he shakes their branches for a gatherer,

May it suffice you as pride that his repute

he suddenly brandishes their spearheads at the offender.

Has surpassed examples and peers.

وكَأنَّ منطقَه بصفحة طِرْسِهِ

وكَأنَّ منطقَه بصفحة طِرْسِهِ

زَهْرٌ بروضٍ نَقَّطَ الغُدْرَانَا

زَهْرٌ بروضٍ نَقَّطَ الغُدْرَانَا

As though his speech upon his manuscript's page

O guardian of the house whose builder’s pillar

were flowers in a garden dotting the pools.

Was piety, establishing its foundation.

مِنْ معشرٍ هُمْ في الندَى سُحُبٌ وَإنْ

مِنْ معشرٍ هُمْ في الندَى سُحُبٌ وَإنْ

جَنَّ الوغَى فَتَرَاهُمُ شُهْبَانَا

جَنَّ الوغَى فَتَرَاهُمُ شُهْبَانَا

From a people who are clouds in generosity; and when

You have reinforced the pillars of prosperity, so its pilgrims

battle darkens, you see them as blazing stars.

Clung to circumambulation and kissed the pillars.

جَعَلُوا السرُوجَ أرَائِكاً لِنِزَالِهِمْ

جَعَلُوا السرُوجَ أرَائِكاً لِنِزَالِهِمْ

وَالسُّمْرَ قُضْباً وَالظُّبى خِلْجَانَا

وَالسُّمْرَ قُضْباً وَالظُّبى خِلْجَانَا

They made saddles couches for their battles,

If the trees you passed understood you,

brown spears boughs, and sword blades streams;

Their branches would respond to you.

وَالنَّبْلَ نُوراً وَالحِمَامَ مُطَاعِماً

وَالنَّبْلَ نُوراً وَالحِمَامَ مُطَاعِماً

وَالنَّقْعَ روضاً وَالعِدَى ضِيفَانَا

وَالنَّقْعَ روضاً وَالعِدَى ضِيفَانَا

arrows light, and death a feast;

The path rejoiced wherever you traveled,

dust a garden, and enemies guests.

And you made music there for some time.

صِيدٌ إذَا غاَبت جُفُونُ سيوفهم

صِيدٌ إذَا غاَبت جُفُونُ سيوفهم

جَعَلُوا الطُّلَى لسيوفهم أجْفَانَا

جَعَلُوا الطُّلَى لسيوفهم أجْفَانَا

Proud warriors: when their sword sheaths are absent,

You adorned me with your generosity, so the leaves

they make necks sheaths for their swords.

Of my praise sang their tunes for you.

قَوْمٌ حَوَتْ أنْسَابُهُم عمر الذِي

قَوْمٌ حَوَتْ أنْسَابُهُم عمر الذِي

دَحَضَ النّفَاقَ وَأظْهَرَ الإيمَانَا

دَحَضَ النّفَاقَ وَأظْهَرَ الإيمَانَا

A people whose genealogies include Umar, who

So enjoy the month of fasting, it is a month

drove out hypocrisy and made faith manifest.

Whose fasting attains nearness.

نسبٌ نَدِينُ بِحُبّ فَاروُقِيِّهِ ال

نسبٌ نَدِينُ بِحُبّ فَاروُقِيِّهِ ال

مَوْلَى ونطردُ بِاسمهِ الشَّيْطانَا

مَوْلَى ونطردُ بِاسمهِ الشَّيْطانَا

A lineage: loving its Faruqi, we worship the

Blessings from God, choosing you to attain them,

Lord, and by his name we drive away Satan.

And God provides for whom He wills acceptance.

شَرَفاً بَنِي الفَارُوق أنّ لكُمْ سَناً

شَرَفاً بَنِي الفَارُوق أنّ لكُمْ سَناً

قَدْ نَوَّرَ الآفَاقَ وَالأكوَانَا

قَدْ نَوَّرَ الآفَاقَ وَالأكوَانَا

Glory, sons of al-Faruq, for yours is a radiance

Be joyous for God’s forgiveness, He continues

that has lit the horizons and the worlds.

To erase sins and grant pardon.

وَلْيَهْنكُمْ فِي الدَّهْرِ أنَّ ثَنَاءكم

وَلْيَهْنكُمْ فِي الدَّهْرِ أنَّ ثَنَاءكم

سَرَّ القُلُوبَ وَشَنَّفَ الآذَانَا

سَرَّ القُلُوبَ وَشَنَّفَ الآذَانَا

May it gladden you through time that your praise

has delighted hearts and adorned ears.

وَلْيَكْفِكُمْ فَخْراً يُمَجَّدُ شَأوُهُ

وَلْيَكْفِكُمْ فَخْراً يُمَجَّدُ شَأوُهُ

قَدْ أعْجَزَ الأمثَالَ والأقْرَانَا

قَدْ أعْجَزَ الأمثَالَ والأقْرَانَا

May the glory whose reach is exalted suffice you:

it has outmatched all equals and peers.

يَا شَائِدَ البَيْتِ الذِي بَانِي عُلاَ

يَا شَائِدَ البَيْتِ الذِي بَانِي عُلاَ

هُ عَلَى التُّقَى قَدْ أسَّسَ البُنْيَانَا

هُ عَلَى التُّقَى قَدْ أسَّسَ البُنْيَانَا

O raiser of the house, the builder of whose loftiness

founded its structure upon piety:

قَدْ شِدْتَ أرْكَانَ الندَى فَحَجِيجُهُ

قَدْ شِدْتَ أرْكَانَ الندَى فَحَجِيجُهُ

لَزِمُوا الطوَافَ وَقَبَّلُوا الأرْكانَا

لَزِمُوا الطوَافَ وَقَبَّلُوا الأرْكانَا

you have raised generosity's pillars; its pilgrims

have kept to circumambulation and kissed the corners.

لَوْ تعقلُ الشجرُ الَّتِي قَابلتَهَا

لَوْ تعقلُ الشجرُ الَّتِي قَابلتَهَا

ألْقَتْ إجَابَتَهَا لَكَ الأغصَانَا

ألْقَتْ إجَابَتَهَا لَكَ الأغصَانَا

If the trees you encountered had understanding,

they would have cast down their branches in answer to you.

أرِجَ الطرِيقُ فَمَا مَرَرْتَ بِمَوضعٍ

أرِجَ الطرِيقُ فَمَا مَرَرْتَ بِمَوضعٍ

إلاَّ أقمتَ بِهِ الشَّذَا أزمَانَا

إلاَّ أقمتَ بِهِ الشَّذَا أزمَانَا

The road grew fragrant: nowhere did you pass

without leaving fragrance there for ages.

طَوَّقْتَنِي بِالجُودِ مِنْكَ فَأعْرَبَتْ

طَوَّقْتَنِي بِالجُودِ مِنْكَ فَأعْرَبَتْ

وَرْقَا امْتِدَاحِي فِيكُم الألحَانَا

وَرْقَا امْتِدَاحِي فِيكُم الألحَانَا

You garlanded me with your bounty, and so

the gray dove of my praise voiced its melodies of you.

فَانْعَمْ بِشَهْر الصَّوْمِ عَيْناً إنَّهُ

فَانْعَمْ بِشَهْر الصَّوْمِ عَيْناً إنَّهُ

شَهْرٌ تَنَالُ بِصَوْمِهِ القربَانَا

شَهْرٌ تَنَالُ بِصَوْمِهِ القربَانَا

So delight your eye in the month of fasting; it is

a month whose fasting brings you nearness to God.

نِعَماً مِنَ اللَّهِ ارْتضَاكَ لِنَيْلِهَا

نِعَماً مِنَ اللَّهِ ارْتضَاكَ لِنَيْلِهَا

وَاللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَنْ يَشَا الرضْوَانَا

وَاللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَنْ يَشَا الرضْوَانَا

Blessings from God, which He has chosen you to attain;

and God grants His pleasure to whomever He wills.

فَاسعدْ بِمَغْفِرَةِ الألَهِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ

فَاسعدْ بِمَغْفِرَةِ الألَهِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ

يَمْحُو الذنُوبَ وَيَمْنَحُ الغُفْرَانَا

يَمْحُو الذنُوبَ وَيَمْنَحُ الغُفْرَانَا

Rejoice in God's forgiveness, for He has never ceased

effacing sins and granting pardon.