خَجِلَتwere ashamed مِنby عَطائِكَyour giving الأَنواءُthe rain-bringing stars
خَجِلَت مِن عَطائِكَ الأَنواءُ
وَتَجَلَّتand cleared بِنورِكَthrough your light الظَلماءُthe darkness
وَتَجَلَّت بِنورِكَ الظَلماءُ
The rain-bringing stars were shamed by your bounty.
The skies were humbled by your generosity,
And darkness cleared through your light.
And the darkness was illuminated by your light.
وَاِستَجابَتand responded لَكَto you المَمالِكُthe kingdoms إِذعاsubmission (start)
وَاِستَجابَت لَكَ المَمالِكُ إِذعا
ناًsubmission (end) وَفيهاand in them عَلىtoward سِواكَanyone other than you إِباءُrefusal
ناً وَفيها عَلى سِواكَ إِباءُ
The kingdoms responded to you in submission,
The angels responded to your call,
though they refuse anyone other than you.
While everyone else refused obstinately.
أَصبَحَتcame to be فيin يَدَيكَyour two hands وَاِتَّفَقَتand united طَوwillingly (start)
أَصبَحَت في يَدَيكَ وَاِتَّفَقَت طَو
عاًwillingly (end) عَلَيكَaround you القُلوبُthe hearts وَالأَهواءُand the desires
عاً عَلَيكَ القُلوبُ وَالأَهواءُ
They came into your hands, and willingly
The hearts and desires unanimously submitted to you.
hearts and desires united around you.
Justice superseded tyranny in your state,
نَسَخَeffaced العَدلُjustice فيin إِيالَتِكَyour governance الجَوoppression (start)
نَسَخَ العَدلُ في إِيالَتِكَ الجَو
رَoppression (end) كَماas يَنسَخُeffaces الظَلامَthe darkness الضِياءُthe light
رَ كَما يَنسَخُ الظَلامَ الضِياءُ
In your governance, justice effaced oppression,
As light dispels the darkness.
as light effaces darkness.
You humbled the wealth that others hold dear,
وَأَهَنتَand held cheap المالَwealth العَزيزَprecious عَلىto غَيothers than you (start)
وَأَهَنتَ المالَ العَزيزَ عَلى غَي
رِكَothers than you (end) حَتّىuntil اِستَوىbecame equal الثَرىthe dust وَالثَراءُand riches
رِكَ حَتّى اِستَوى الثَرى وَالثَراءُ
You held wealth cheap, though others cherish it,
Until the rich and poor became equal.
until dust and riches became equal.
You assaulted your enemies with resounding defeats—
وَرَمَيتَand hurled الأَعداءَthe enemies مِنكَfrom you بِخَطبٍwith a calamity
وَرَمَيتَ الأَعداءَ مِنكَ بِخَطبٍ
فادِحٍcrushing لاnot تُطيقُهُcan endure it الأَعداءُthe enemies
فادِحٍ لا تُطيقُهُ الأَعداءُ
You hurled upon your enemies a calamity
Unbearable blows that left them broken.
so crushing that enemies cannot endure it.
You uncovered a stronghold whose location,
وَكَشَفتَand lifted الغَمّاءَthe grievous affliction عَنfrom مَوطِنٍa land لَوwere it not for you (start)
وَكَشَفتَ الغَمّاءَ عَن مَوطِنٍ لَو
لاكَwere it not for you (end) فيهِin it لَمnot تُكشَفِwould be lifted الغَمّاءُthe grievous affliction
لاكَ فيهِ لَم تُكشَفِ الغَمّاءُ
You lifted grievous affliction from a land
Had it remained obscured, would have stayed obscured.
where, but for you, that affliction would not have lifted.
The defiant land of Egypt yielded to you
وَأَطاعَتكَand obeyed you أَرضُthe land of مِصرٍEgypt وَمِصرٌand Egypt
وَأَطاعَتكَ أَرضُ مِصرٍ وَمِصرٌ
حينَwhen تُدعىis summoned وَحشِيَّةٌa wild creature عَصماءُa white-footed she-ibex
حينَ تُدعى وَحشِيَّةٌ عَصماءُ
The land of Egypt obeyed you, though Egypt,
When summoned, though known for its defiance.
when summoned, is a wild, white-footed she-ibex.
Iraq cried out for you after losing its glory.
وَاِستَقادَتand yielded بَعدَafter الشِماسِunruliness وَقَدand already أَسmade her hear (start)
وَاِستَقادَت بَعدَ الشِماسِ وَقَد أَس
مَعَهاmade her hear (end) بِالعِراقِin Iraq مِنكَfrom you النِداءُthe call
مَعَها بِالعِراقِ مِنكَ النِداءُ
It yielded after its unruliness, once
Your call restored its vitality.
your summons in Iraq had made itself heard.
The nomads of Upper Egypt can melt rock—
وَاِغتَدَتand became خِطَّةُthe province of الصَعيدِUpper Egypt تُذيبُmelt الthe rock (start)
وَاِغتَدَت خِطَّةُ الصَعيدِ تُذيبُ ال
صَخرَthe rock (end) أَنفاسُthe sighs of أَهلِهاits people الصُعَداءُdeeply drawn
صَخرَ أَنفاسُ أَهلِها الصُعَداءُ
The province of Upper Egypt became a place where
Their heated breath scorches like flames.
its people's deep sighs melted stone.
You married Egypt to the white swords of your heroes—
أَنكَحَتهاmarried her to بيضَthe gleaming blades of الصَوارِمِthe cutting swords غاراyour raids (start)
أَنكَحَتها بيضَ الصَوارِمِ غارا
تُكَyour raids (end) وَهيَwhile she العَقيلَةُthe noble lady العَذراءُthe virgin
تُكَ وَهيَ العَقيلَةُ العَذراءُ
Your raids married her to the gleaming swords,
A chaste bride from ancient times.
though she was a noble virgin.
The nights have harbored it for you; how many
ذَخَرَتهاkept her in reserve لَكَfor you اللَياليthe nights وَكَمand how many حاcircled (start)
ذَخَرَتها لَكَ اللَيالي وَكَم حا
مَتcircled (end) عَلَيهاaround her مِنfrom قَبلِكَbefore you الخُلَفاءُthe caliphs
مَت عَلَيها مِن قَبلِكَ الخُلَفاءُ
The nights had kept her in reserve for you; how many
Caliphs before you have coveted it greedily!
caliphs before you hovered around her!
Your hands rule it now. God grants authority
مَلَكَتهاpossessed her يَداكَyour two hands وَاللَهُand God يُؤتيgrants
مَلَكَتها يَداكَ وَاللَهُ يُؤتي
مُلكَهُHis dominion مِنamong عِبادِهِHis servants مَنwhomever يَشاءُHe wills
مُلكَهُ مِن عِبادِهِ مَن يَشاءُ
Your two hands possessed her, and God grants
To whom He pleases among His servants.
His dominion to whichever of His servants He wills.
God ordained in your time that its great kings
وَقَضىand decreed اللَهُGod فيin زَمانِكَyour time أَنthat يَخdepart (start)
وَقَضى اللَهُ في زَمانِكَ أَن يَخ
رُجَdepart (end) مِنهاfrom her مُلوكُهاher kings العُظَماءُthe mighty
رُجَ مِنها مُلوكُها العُظَماءُ
God decreed during your time that
Would emerge from it and submit to you.
her mighty kings should depart from her.
It surrendered meekly just as Sana'a did
أَسلَمَتهاshe surrendered them ذُلّاًin humiliation كَماas صَنَعَتdid قَبformerly (start)
أَسلَمَتها ذُلّاً كَما صَنَعَت قَب
لُformerly (end) بِأَربابِto the masters of مُلكِهاher kingdom صَنعاءُSanaa
لُ بِأَربابِ مُلكِها صَنعاءُ
She surrendered them in humiliation, as once
Before other masters in ages past.
Sanaa did to the masters of her kingdom.
They left it plundered—captives and booty
غادَرَتهُمshe left them فَيئاًas spoils يُقادُdriven إِلىto باyour gate (start)
غادَرَتهُم فَيئاً يُقادُ إِلى با
بِكَyour gate (end) مِنهُمfrom them نَهائِبٌplunder وَسِباءُand captives
بِكَ مِنهُم نَهائِبٌ وَسِباءُ
She left them as spoils, driven toward
Were led to your court in woeful processions.
your gate—plunder and captives taken from them.
You personally selected the finest treasures
تَصطَفيyou choose وادِعاًat ease كَرائِمَthe choicest things of ماwhat أَبleft it (start)
تَصطَفي وادِعاً كَرائِمَ ما أَب
قَتهُleft it (end) ذُخراًas a hoard مُلوكُهاher kings القُدَماءُthe ancient
قَتهُ ذُخراً مُلوكُها القُدَماءُ
At ease, you select the choicest treasures
Saved over the years by its ancient kings.
that her ancient kings had left in reserve.
O Imam whose nobility surpasses
ياO إِماماًimam أَغنَتmade needless عُلاهُhis exalted rank عَنِin place of الأَشpoetry (start)
يا إِماماً أَغنَت عُلاهُ عَنِ الأَش
عارِpoetry (end) طَهَTa-Ha وَالنَملُand The Ants وَالشُعَراءُand The Poets
عارِ طَهَ وَالنَملُ وَالشُعَراءُ
O imam, for whose exalted rank poetry is made needless
Taha, the ants, and poets in praise...
by Ta-Ha, The Ants, and The Poets.
The seven oft-repeated verses cannot match
مَدَحَتهُpraised him السَبعُthe seven المَثانيoft-repeated verses فَماand not تَبreach (start)
مَدَحَتهُ السَبعُ المَثاني فَما تَب
لُغُreach (end) غاياتِthe utmost limits of مَدحِهِhis praise البُلَغاءُthe eloquent
لُغُ غاياتِ مَدحِهِ البُلَغاءُ
The Seven Oft-Repeated Verses praised him;
The utmost limits of your praise by eloquent orators.
the eloquent cannot reach the utmost of his praise.
You are the divine authority for the faith, and you are
أَنتَyou فَليَرغَمِso let them be humbled العِدىthe foes حُجَّةُthe proof of اللَGod (start)
أَنتَ فَليَرغَمِ العِدى حُجَّةُ اللَ
هِGod (end) وَأَنتَand you المَحَجَّةُthe clear path البَيضاءُthe white
هِ وَأَنتَ المَحَجَّةُ البَيضاءُ
You—let the foes be humbled—are God's proof,
The pure, luminous proof against enemies.
and you are the clear white path.
You are God's rope—felicity belongs
أَنتَyou حَبلُthe rope of اللَهِGod الَّذيwhich فازَtriumphed مَنwhoever أَدbrought him near (start)
أَنتَ حَبلُ اللَهِ الَّذي فازَ مَن أَد
نَتهُbrought him near (end) مِنهُto it مَوَدَّةٌaffection وَوَلاءُand allegiance
نَتهُ مِنهُ مَوَدَّةٌ وَوَلاءُ
You are God's rope; victorious is whoever
To those who profess loyalty and devotion to you.
affection and allegiance draw close to it.
Your father, whose prayer brought down rain
وَأَبوكَand your father الَّذيwho بَدَعوَتِهِthrough his invocation فيin الthe drought (start)
وَأَبوكَ الَّذي بَدَعوَتِهِ في ال
مَحلِthe drought (end) دَرَّتpoured abundantly عَلىupon البِلادِthe lands السَماءُthe sky
مَحلِ دَرَّت عَلى البِلادِ السَماءُ
And your father is he whose invocation, in
In the desert, is the best of men after
drought, made the sky pour upon the lands.
The Messenger of God. The jurists unanimously
هُوَhe خَيرُthe best of الأَنامِmankind بَعدَafter رَسولِthe Messenger of الGod (start)
هُوَ خَيرُ الأَنامِ بَعدَ رَسولِ ال
لَهُGod (end) أَفتَتruled بِذَلِكَto that effect الفُقَهاءُthe jurists
لَهُ أَفتَت بِذَلِكَ الفُقَهاءُ
He is the best of mankind after God's Messenger;
Agreed upon this. His lineage established glory
the jurists have ruled so.
Over time—the early kings and prophets
شَرَفاًhonor شَيَّدَتbuilt مَبانيهِits foundations قِدماًlong ago
شَرَفاً شَيَّدَت مَبانيهِ قِدماً
أَوَّلوكَyour forebears المُلوكُthe kings وَالأَنبِياءُand the prophets
أَوَّلوكَ المُلوكُ وَالأَنبِياءُ
Honor whose foundations were built long ago
Exalted you. The chosen ones of God among people
by your forebears, kings and prophets.
And the guiding stars of knowledge are your family.
خَيرَةُthe chosen ones of اللَهِGod فيamong الأَنامِmankind وَأَعلاand the beacons (start)
خَيرَةُ اللَهِ في الأَنامِ وَأَعلا
مُand the beacons (end) الهُدىof guidance وَالأَئِمَّةُand the imams العُلَماءُthe learned
مُ الهُدى وَالأَئِمَّةُ العُلَماءُ
God's chosen ones among mankind, the beacons
Supremacy and nobility belong to no one
of guidance, the learned imams.
Except God or the Commander of the Faithful.
لاnot يُعَدُّis credited الفَخارُglory وَالشَرَفُand honor الباtowering (start)
لا يُعَدُّ الفَخارُ وَالشَرَفُ البا
ذِخُtowering (end) إِلّاexcept لِقَومِكُمto your people وَالعَلاءُand exalted rank
ذِخُ إِلّا لِقَومِكُم وَالعَلاءُ
Glory and towering nobility are credited
Recently, news of a victory came that
only to your people, as is exalted rank.
Captivated the land—received by all as good or ill tidings.
لَكُمُyours المَحتِدُthe lineage المُقَدَّسُthe sacred وَالمَجand glory (start)
لَكُمُ المَحتِدُ المُقَدَّسُ وَالمَج
دُand glory (end) القُدامىancient وَالغُرَّةُand the blaze of distinction القَعساءُthe unassailable
دُ القُدامى وَالغُرَّةُ القَعساءُ
Yours are the sacred lineage and the glory
For the Romans and the churches it is misery,
of old, and the unassailable blaze of distinction.
While for Syria and Iraq it is bliss.
وَمَزاياand the merits of مَآثِرٍnoble deeds كَالحَصاlike pebbles يَنruns out (start)
وَمَزايا مَآثِرٍ كَالحَصا يَن
فَدُruns out (end) مِنfrom دونِshort of عَدِّهاcounting them الإِحصاءُenumeration
فَدُ مِن دونِ عَدِّها الإِحصاءُ
And merits of noble deeds, like pebbles in number:
To some people the news is an obituary,
enumeration fails before it can count them.
While to others it is a song of joy.
أَنتُمُyou عِترَةُthe kin of النَبِيِّthe Prophet وَأَنتُمand you
أَنتُمُ عِترَةُ النَبِيِّ وَأَنتُم
وارِثوهُhis heirs وَآلُهُand his household الرُحَماءُthe compassionate
وارِثوهُ وَآلُهُ الرُحَماءُ
You are the Prophet's kin, and you
An engagement with the enemy unleashed at the frontiers—
are his heirs and his compassionate household.
The Roman dog could only howl feebly in its midst.
ماnot اِعتَلَتrose high هاشِمٌHashim وَلاnor شَرُفَتbecame honored مَكMecca (start)
ما اِعتَلَت هاشِمٌ وَلا شَرُفَت مَك
كَةُMecca (end) لَولاكُمُwere it not for you وَلاnor البَطحاءُal-Batha
كَةُ لَولاكُمُ وَلا البَطحاءُ
Hashim would not have risen, nor Mecca gained honor,
It abandoned the fight, more fearful than ever
without you; nor would al-Batha.
Of the humiliating defeat that would ensue.
أَنتُمُyou القائِمونَthe upholders لِلَّهِfor God's sake بِالأَمof the command (start)
أَنتُمُ القائِمونَ لِلَّهِ بِالأَم
رِof the command (end) وَأَنتُمand you فيamong خَلقِهِHis creatures الأُمَناءُthe trusted guardians
رِ وَأَنتُم في خَلقِهِ الأُمَناءُ
You uphold the command for God's sake,
The day the harbor of Hirran was reached,
and among His creatures you are the trusted guardians.
with no water to quench the victor's thirst...
أَنتُمُyou فيin الدُنياthis world هُداةٌguides وَفيand in الأُخthe hereafter (start)
أَنتُمُ في الدُنيا هُداةٌ وَفي الأُخ
رىthe hereafter (end) لِمَنfor whoever ضَلَّwent astray سَعيُهُhis striving شُفَعاءُintercessors
رى لِمَن ضَلَّ سَعيُهُ شُفَعاءُ
In this world you are guides, and in the hereafter,
Mas'ud's son pelted them with ill omens—
intercessors for those whose striving went astray.
A terrible morning for the foes.
أَنتُمُyou خَيرُthe best of مَنthose whom أَقَلَّتهُbore him أَرضٌearth
أَنتُمُ خَيرُ مَن أَقَلَّتهُ أَرضٌ
وَسَماءٌand sky وَالناسُand people بَعدُotherwise سَواءُequal
وَسَماءٌ وَالناسُ بَعدُ سَواءُ
You are the best borne by earth
The orators' voices wavered in declaring victory
and sky; all other people are alike.
When it arrived in your lands.
رُبَّmany a يَومٍday عَلىupon العِدىthe foes أَيوَمٍdire تَتfollows it (start)
رُبَّ يَومٍ عَلى العِدى أَيوَمٍ تَت
لوهُfollows it (end) بِالشَرِّwith evil لَيلَةٌa night لَيلاءُpitch-dark
لوهُ بِالشَرِّ لَيلَةٌ لَيلاءُ
Many a dire day for the foes
But your outstretched hands supported it, aided
is followed, in evil, by a pitch-black night.
By armies with the horizon as their training ground.
حَسَمَتsevered فيهِon it بِالصَوارِمِwith cutting swords آراyour counsels (start)
حَسَمَت فيهِ بِالصَوارِمِ آرا
ؤُكَyour counsels (end) داءَthe disease of العَدُوِّthe enemy وَالبَغيُand aggression داءُa disease
ؤُكَ داءَ العَدُوِّ وَالبَغيُ داءُ
On it, your counsels severed with cutting swords
The devout women campaigned for it through prayer—
the enemy's disease—and aggression is a disease.
Their weapon was supplication.
أَبرَأَتcured داءَthe disease of صَدرِهِhis breast وَمَتىand whenever أَعdefied cure (start)
أَبرَأَت داءَ صَدرِهِ وَمَتى أَع
ضَلَdefied cure (end) داءٌa disease فَالمَشرَفِيُّthen the Mashrafi sword دَواءُa remedy
ضَلَ داءٌ فَالمَشرَفِيُّ دَواءُ
They cured the sickness in his breast; whenever
The enemy legions were left as carrion for eagles—
a disease defies cure, the Mashrafi sword is its remedy.
Their corpses watered the land.
عاجَلَتهُyou swiftly assailed him بَهِمَّةٍwith resolve تَسَعُencompassing الدُنthe world (start)
عاجَلَتهُ بَهِمَّةٍ تَسَعُ الدُن
ياthe world (end) وَجَيشٍand an army يَضيقُis too narrow عَنهُfor it الفَضاءُopen space
يا وَجَيشٍ يَضيقُ عَنهُ الفَضاءُ
You swiftly assailed him with resolve embracing the world,
How can the brigades of the Abbasids—
and an army too vast for open space.
The Prophet's family—meet defeat when the black banner is amongst them?
هِمَّةٍresolve أَزعَجَتalarmed قُلوبَthe hearts of الأَعاديthe enemies
هِمَّةٍ أَزعَجَت قُلوبَ الأَعادي
وَاِطمَأَنَّتand grew reassured بِعَدلِهاby its justice الدَهماءُthe common people
وَاِطمَأَنَّت بِعَدلِها الدَهماءُ
A resolve that alarmed the hearts of enemies,
Victory pledged never to abandon an army of theirs
while its justice reassured the common people.
With the Raya flying above them.
كانَit was فَتحاًa victory لِلمُستَضيءِfor al-Mustadi بِأَمرِby the command of الGod (start)
كانَ فَتحاً لِلمُستَضيءِ بِأَمرِ ال
لَهِGod (end) فيهِin it دونَabove الأَنامِmankind اِبتِلاءُa test
لَهِ فيهِ دونَ الأَنامِ اِبتِلاءُ
It was a victory in which al-Mustadi bi-Amr Allah
Soon you will conquer what remains obscured
was singled out, above mankind, for a test.
Beneath the green banner.
مَلِكٌa king تَخضَعُbow الوُجوهُthe faces إِذاwhen أَشshone (start)
مَلِكٌ تَخضَعُ الوُجوهُ إِذا أَش
رَقَshone (end) مِنfrom نورِthe light of وَجهِهِhis face لَألاءُradiance
رَقَ مِن نورِ وَجهِهِ لَألاءُ
A king before whom faces bow when
Marches will reach the farthest regions of Khurasan—
radiance shines from the light of his face.
Cavalry detachments difficult to contain.
مُستَقِلٌّbearing عِبءَthe burden of الخِلافَةِthe caliphate مِنهُfrom him
مُستَقِلٌّ عِبءَ الخِلافَةِ مِنهُ
هِمَّةٌresolve لاnot تَؤودُهاweighs it down الأَعباءُburdens
هِمَّةٌ لا تَؤودُها الأَعباءُ
He bears the caliphate's burden, endowed with
If their destination is remote, night journeys
a resolve that burdens cannot weigh down.
And ascensions will bring them near to you.
هاشِمِيٌّa Hashimite عَلىupon مُحَيّاهُhis countenance مِنof هَدthe bearing (start)
هاشِمِيٌّ عَلى مُحَيّاهُ مِن هَد
يِthe bearing (end) النَبِيِّof the Prophet اِبنِthe son of عَمِّهِhis paternal uncle سيماءُa mark
يِ النَبِيِّ اِبنِ عَمِّهِ سيماءُ
A Hashimite, whose face bears a mark
You do not fear enemies or avoid
of his cousin the Prophet's bearing.
Remote battlefields.
لَيسَthere is not إِلّاexcept لِلَّهِfor God أَوor لِأَميرِfor the Commander of الthe faithful (start)
لَيسَ إِلّا لِلَّهِ أَو لِأَميرِ ال
مُؤمِنينَthe faithful (end) العُلُوُّexaltation وَالكِبرِياءُand majesty
مُؤمِنينَ العُلُوُّ وَالكِبرِياءُ
To God alone, or the Commander of
Each day, cavalry arrives at your court—
the Faithful, belong exaltation and majesty.
Fresh batches constantly coming.
وَلَقَدand indeed سَرَّdelighted آنِفاًrecently ظَفَرٌa victory جاcame (start)
وَلَقَد سَرَّ آنِفاً ظَفَرٌ جا
ءَتcame (end) عَلىamid رِقبَةٍexpectation بِهِof it الأَنباءُthe tidings
ءَت عَلى رِقبَةٍ بِهِ الأَنباءُ
Recently a victory brought joy;
Delegation upon delegation whose hopes
tidings of it arrived after watchful expectation.
In your grace perished in the arid desert.
خَبَرٌa report طَبَّقَتcovered بَشائِرُهُits glad tidings الأَرthe earth (start)
خَبَرٌ طَبَّقَت بَشائِرُهُ الأَر
ضَthe earth (end) فَمِنهُand from it السَرّاءُhappiness وَالضَرّاءُand distress
ضَ فَمِنهُ السَرّاءُ وَالضَرّاءُ
A report whose glad tidings spread across the earth,
Messengers of kings who never ruled those lands—
bringing happiness to some, distress to others.
No princes commanded them before you.
فَهوَand it فيamong الرومِthe Byzantines وَالكَنائِسِand the churches رُزءٌa calamity
فَهوَ في الرومِ وَالكَنائِسِ رُزءٌ
وَهوَand it فيin الشَأمِSyria وَالعِراقِand Iraq هَناءٌjoy
وَهوَ في الشَأمِ وَالعِراقِ هَناءٌ
It is a calamity among the Byzantines and in the churches,
Their languages, religions, customs and attire
but joy in Syria and Iraq.
Differ, as do their names.
وَتُراهُand you find it فيin سَمعِthe hearing of قَومٍa people نَعِيّاًa death announcement
وَتُراهُ في سَمعِ قَومٍ نَعِيّاً
وَهوَand it فيin سَمعِthe hearing of آخَرينَothers غِناءُa song
وَهوَ في سَمعِ آخَرينَ غِناءُ
In one people's hearing you find it a death announcement,
Yet your generosity made them kindred,
and in others' hearing it is a song.
As if they are of common stock.
وَقعَةٌa battle بِالثُغورِon the frontiers أَمسىbecame لِكَلبِfor the dog of الthe Byzantines (start)
وَقعَةٌ بِالثُغورِ أَمسى لِكَلبِ ال
رومِthe Byzantines (end) فيهاin it مِنَinstead of الزَئيرِroaring عُواءُa howl
رومِ فيها مِنَ الزَئيرِ عُواءُ
A battle on the frontiers, in which the Byzantine dog
They descended to your hospitality in the gardens of Eden,
found his roar reduced to a howl.
Shaded by bounties.
غادَرَتهُleft him خَوفاًafraid وَأَكبَرُand the greatest of ماwhat يَرhe hopes for (start)
غادَرَتهُ خَوفاً وَأَكبَرُ ما يَر
جوهُhe hopes for (end) بَعدَafter المُلكِkingship العَقيمِbarren النَجاءُescape
جوهُ بَعدَ المُلكِ العَقيمِ النَجاءُ
It left him afraid; the greatest thing he hopes for,
Your munificence stripped their hearts of malice—
after barren kingship, is escape.
Generosity unbecoming, yet your way of giving.
يَومَthe day وافىhe reached الخَليجَthe gulf حَرّانَburning with thirst لاnot يَمcan (start)
يَومَ وافى الخَليجَ حَرّانَ لا يَم
لِكُcan (end) نَقعَquenching الغَليلِthe burning thirst مِنهُin him الماءُthe water
لِكُ نَقعَ الغَليلِ مِنهُ الماءُ
The day he reached the gulf, burning with thirst
They greet each other with honor and respect—
that water could not quench.
No hatred or resentment.
وَرَماهُand struck him عَلىat اللُقانِal-Luqan اِبنُIbn مَسعوMasud (start)
وَرَماهُ عَلى اللُقانِ اِبنُ مَسعو
دٍMasud (end) بِنَحسٍwith ill fortune غَداةَon the morning جَدَّgrew fierce اللِقاءُthe encounter
دٍ بِنَحسٍ غَداةَ جَدَّ اللِقاءُ
At al-Luqan, Ibn Masud hurled upon him
Under your protection, they enjoy security,
ill fortune, on the morning the battle grew fierce.
Kindness, exoneration and care.
رَقَّتِinvoked a charm for النَصرَvictory حينَwhen أَوفَتmounted عَلىupon أَعtheir wooden pulpits (start)
رَقَّتِ النَصرَ حينَ أَوفَت عَلى أَع
وادِهاtheir wooden pulpits (end) فيin بِلادِكَyour lands الخُطَباءُthe preachers
وادِها في بِلادِكَ الخُطَباءُ
The preachers invoked a charm for victory when they rose
When they leave your lands, they feel
upon their wooden pulpits in your lands.
That their own countries have become foreign.
فَأَمَدَتهُthen reinforced him راحَتاكَyour two palms بِإِمداwith reinforcements (start)
فَأَمَدَتهُ راحَتاكَ بِإِمدا
دِwith reinforcements (end) جُيوشٍof armies مِضمارُهُنَّtheir racecourse السَماءُthe sky
دِ جُيوشٍ مِضمارُهُنَّ السَماءُ
Then your two palms reinforced him with
A tradition of magnanimity instituted by your noble
armies whose racecourse is the sky.
Forefathers for the people.
ناضَلَتdefended عَنهُon his behalf بِالدُعاءِwith prayer وَياand O رُبmany a (start)
ناضَلَت عَنهُ بِالدُعاءِ وَيا رُب
بَmany a (end) أَكُفٍّpalms سِلاحُهُنَّtheir weapon الدُعاءُprayer
بَ أَكُفٍّ سِلاحُهُنَّ الدُعاءُ
They defended him with prayer—and oh, how many
Remain thus, O Master of the Age, may your days
palms have prayer for their weapon!
Continue in the same spirit, with contentment abounding,
لَمnot تَعُدreturned عَنهُمُfrom them الظُباthe sword-edges حينَwhen أَشلاhe unleashed them (start)
لَم تَعُد عَنهُمُ الظُبا حينَ أَشلا
هاhe unleashed them (end) عَلَيهِمupon them إِلّاexcept وَهُمwhile they أَشلاءُdismembered remains
ها عَلَيهِم إِلّا وَهُم أَشلاءُ
The blades did not return from them when he unleashed
Commanding, your will the compass
them upon them, until the foes were scattered limbs.
And fate facilitating your desires,
شارَفَتهُمapproached them زُرقُthe blue الأَسِنَّةِspearheads هيماًthirsty
شارَفَتهُم زُرقُ الأَسِنَّةِ هيماً
وَاِنثَنَتand turned back وَهيَwhile they بِالدِماءِwith blood رَواءُsated
وَاِنثَنَت وَهيَ بِالدِماءِ رَواءُ
The blue spearheads approached them thirsty,
In lasting bliss, free of decline,
and turned back sated with blood.
And delight requiring no cessation.
كَفِلَتguaranteed بيضُهُhis gleaming swords لِأَرضٍfor a land أَغاضواthey drained
كَفِلَت بيضُهُ لِأَرضٍ أَغاضوا
ماءَهاits water أَنthat تَسيلَwould flow فيهاin it الدِماءُthe blood
ماءَها أَن تَسيلَ فيها الدِماءُ
His gleaming swords guaranteed to a land
You are above eulogies for nights
whose waters they had drained that blood would flow in it.
When congratulations for your wellbeing are fitting.
أَجدَبَتgrew barren عِندَat وَطئِهِمtheir tread فَسَقَتهُمthen watered them
أَجدَبَت عِندَ وَطئِهِم فَسَقَتهُم
دَيمَةٌa steady rain مِنof دِمائِهِمtheir blood وَطفاءُdense
دَيمَةٌ مِن دِمائِهِم وَطفاءُ
It grew barren beneath their tread, then they were watered
Listen patiently as none of your predecessors
by a dense, steady rain of their own blood.
Were ever praised in this manner—
كَيفَhow تُلوىcan be routed كَتيبَةٌan army لِبَنيof the sons of العَبAbbas (start)
كَيفَ تُلوى كَتيبَةٌ لِبَني العَب
باسِAbbas (end) آلِthe household of النَبِيِّthe Prophet فيهاwithin it لِواءُa banner
باسِ آلِ النَبِيِّ فيها لِواءُ
How can an army be routed when the sons of Abbas,
Pure, unadulterated praise, though poets
the Prophet's household, have a banner within it?
May derive different meanings from it later.
أَقسَمَswore النَصرُvictory لاnot يُفارِقُleaves an army (start)??? جَيشاًan army
أَقسَمَ النَصرُ لا يُفارِقُ جَيشاً
لَهُمُtheirs فيهِin it رايَةٌa banner سَوداءُblack
لَهُمُ فيهِ رايَةٌ سَوداءُ
Victory has sworn never to leave an army
Like wine which stirs the generous man to charity,
in which they have a black banner.
New benefits flow from it.
وَيَميناًand by an oath لِتَملِكَنَّyou shall surely possess وَشيكاًsoon
وَيَميناً لِتَملِكَنَّ وَشيكاً
ماwhat أَظَلَّتهُovershadowed it تَحتَهاbeneath it الخَضراءُthe green sky
ما أَظَلَّتهُ تَحتَها الخَضراءُ
And by oath, you shall surely soon possess
It draws open-handedness from the stingy,
all that the green sky overshadows beneath it.
And courage from the coward.
وَلَيوفيand shall surely loom عَلىover أَقاصيthe farthest reaches of خُراساKhurasan (start)
وَلَيوفي عَلى أَقاصي خُراسا
نَKhurasan (end) غَداًtomorrow مِنكَfrom you غارَةٌa raid شَعواءُfierce
نَ غَداً مِنكَ غارَةٌ شَعواءُ
And over the farthest reaches of Khurasan
My praise is for you, though its effects will unfold
a fierce raid from you shall loom tomorrow.
Gradually, in the verses of poets after me.
بِجِيوشٍwith armies تَصُمُّdeafens مَسمَعَthe hearing of أَهلِthe people of الChina (start)
بِجِيوشٍ تَصُمُّ مَسمَعَ أَهلِ ال
صينِChina (end) مِنهاfrom them كَتيبَةٌa battalion خَرساءُsilent
صينِ مِنها كَتيبَةٌ خَرساءُ
With armies of which a silent battalion
would deafen the ears of China's people.
رامِياًhurling فيin بِلادِهاits lands التُركَthe Turks بِالتُرwith Turks (start)
رامِياً في بِلادِها التُركَ بِالتُر
كِwith Turks (end) فَتَغزوso attack آباءَهاtheir fathers الأَبناءُthe sons
كِ فَتَغزو آباءَها الأَبناءُ
Hurling Turks against Turks within its lands,
so that sons wage war against their fathers.
كَمhow long تُذادُare held back الجِيادُthe steeds وَهيَwhile they إِلىfor جَيJayhun (start)
كَم تُذادُ الجِيادُ وَهيَ إِلى جَي
حونَJayhun (end) مِنfrom بَعدِafter نيلِthe Nile of مِصرَEgypt ظِماءُthirsty
حونَ مِن بَعدِ نيلِ مِصرَ ظِماءُ
How long are the steeds held back, though they thirst
for Jayhun after Egypt's Nile?
إِنif تَناءىlies far away مَزارُهاthe place of visiting it فَسَيُدنيthen will bring it near (start)
إِن تَناءى مَزارُها فَسَيُدني
هاthen will bring it near (end) إِلَيكَto you الإِدلاجُsetting out at night وَالإِسراءُand traveling by night
ها إِلَيكَ الإِدلاجُ وَالإِسراءُ
If the journey to it is long, it will be brought
near you by night departures and nocturnal travel.
لَستَyou are not مِمَّنamong those who يَخشىfear عَدُوّاًan enemy وَلاnor تَنlies far away (start)
لَستَ مِمَّن يَخشى عَدُوّاً وَلا تَن
أىlies far away (end) عَلَيهِfor him مَسافَةٌa distance عَدواءُarduous
أى عَلَيهِ مَسافَةٌ عَدواءُ
You are not one who fears an enemy, nor is any
arduous distance too remote for you.
كُلَّevery يَومٍday أَنضاءُthe exhausted of رَكبٍa caravan عَلىat باyour gate (start)
كُلَّ يَومٍ أَنضاءُ رَكبٍ عَلى با
بِكَyour gate (end) مِنهُمamong them رَكائِبٌriding beasts أَنضاءُexhausted
بِكَ مِنهُم رَكائِبٌ أَنضاءُ
Each day, exhausted travelers are at your gate,
with exhausted mounts among them.
وَوُفودٌand delegations عَلىupon وُفودٍdelegations أَبادَتdestroyed
وَوُفودٌ عَلى وُفودٍ أَبادَت
عيسَهُمtheir pale camels فيin رَجائِكَhope of you البَيداءُthe desert
عيسَهُم في رَجائِكَ البَيداءُ
And delegation after delegation: the desert has destroyed
their pale camels in their hope of you.
رُسُلاًas envoys لِلمُلوكِfor the kings ماnot مَلَكَتheld أَمauthority (start)
رُسُلاً لِلمُلوكِ ما مَلَكَت أَم
راًauthority (end) عَلَيهاover them مِنfrom قَبلِكَbefore you الأُمَراءُthe princes
راً عَلَيها مِن قَبلِكَ الأُمَراءُ
Envoys of kings, over whom no princes
before you had ever held command.
تَتَنافىdiffer اللُغاتُthe languages وَالدينُand religion وَالأَخand dispositions (start)
تَتَنافى اللُغاتُ وَالدينُ وَالأَخ
لاقُand dispositions (end) مِنهُمُamong them وَالزِيُّand dress وَالأَسماءُand names
لاقُ مِنهُمُ وَالزِيُّ وَالأَسماءُ
Their languages, religions, and dispositions differ,
as do their dress and names.
أَلَّفَتهُمunited them مَعَdespite التَباعُدِseparation نَعماyour bounty (start)
أَلَّفَتهُم مَعَ التَباعُدِ نَعما
ؤُكَyour bounty (end) حَتّىuntil كَأَنَّهُمas though they خُلَطاءُclose companions
ؤُكَ حَتّى كَأَنَّهُم خُلَطاءُ
Despite their separation, your bounty united them,
until they seemed close companions.
نَزَلواsettled مِنwithin جَنابِكَyour precinct الرَحبِthe spacious فيin جَنa garden (start)
نَزَلوا مِن جَنابِكَ الرَحبِ في جَن
نَةِa garden (end) عَدَنٍof Eden تُظِلُّهاshade it النَعماءُblessings
نَةِ عَدَنٍ تُظِلُّها النَعماءُ
They have settled in your spacious precincts, in
a Garden of Eden shaded by blessings.
نَزَعَremoved الغِلَّrancor مِنfrom صُدورِهِمُtheir breasts عِنat your side (start)
نَزَعَ الغِلَّ مِن صُدورِهِمُ عِن
دَكَat your side (end) جودٌgenerosity لاnot يَنبَغىis to be sought وَعَطاءُand giving
دَكَ جودٌ لا يَنبَغى وَعَطاءُ
Rancor was removed from their breasts by
unasked-for generosity and giving at your side.
يَتَلاقونَmeet one another بِالتَحِيَّةِwith greetings وَالإِكand honor (start)
يَتَلاقونَ بِالتَحِيَّةِ وَالإِك
رامِand honor (end) لاno بُغضَةٌhatred وَلاnor شَحناءُrancor
رامِ لا بُغضَةٌ وَلا شَحناءُ
They meet one another with greetings and
honor, with no hatred or rancor.
لَهُمُfor them فيin جِوارِكَyour protection الأَمنُsecurity وَالمَعand kindness (start)
لَهُمُ في جِوارِكَ الأَمنُ وَالمَع
روفُand kindness (end) عَفواًfreely وَالبِرُّand goodness وَالإِحفاءُand solicitous care
روفُ عَفواً وَالبِرُّ وَالإِحفاءُ
In your protection are security and kindness for them,
freely given, along with goodness and solicitous care.
فَإِذاthen when فارَقواthey leave بِلادَكَyour lands ظَنّواthey think
فَإِذا فارَقوا بِلادَكَ ظَنّوا
أَنَهُمthat they فيin بِلادِهِمtheir countries غُرَباءُstrangers
أَنَهُم في بِلادِهِم غُرَباءُ
Then, when they leave your lands, they think
they are strangers in their own countries.
سُنَّةٌa tradition فيin السَماحِgenerosity ماnot سَنَّهاestablished it لِلfor mankind (start)
سُنَّةٌ في السَماحِ ما سَنَّها لِل
ناسِfor mankind (end) إِلّاexcept آباؤُكَyour forefathers الكُرَماءُthe noble
ناسِ إِلّا آباؤُكَ الكُرَماءُ
A tradition of generosity that none established for
mankind except your noble forefathers.
فَاِبقَso live on ياO صاحِبَmaster of الزَمانِthe age فَأَيّاfor your days (start)
فَاِبقَ يا صاحِبَ الزَمانِ فَأَيّا
مُكَfor your days (end) فيin مِثلِهاtimes like them يَطيبُis sweet البَقاءُcontinued life
مُكَ في مِثلِها يَطيبُ البَقاءُ
Live on, O master of the age, for your days—
in times like them, continued life is sweet.
آمِراًcommanding يَقتَضيsolicits أَوامِرَكَyour commands الدَهtime (start)
آمِراً يَقتَضي أَوامِرَكَ الدَه
رُtime (end) وَيَجريand runs بِماaccording to what تَشاءُyou will القَضاءُfate
رُ وَيَجري بِما تَشاءُ القَضاءُ
Giving commands that Time itself solicits,
while fate proceeds according to your will.
فيin نَعيمٍbliss لاnot يَعتَريهِafflicts it زَوالٌdecline
في نَعيمٍ لا يَعتَريهِ زَوالٌ
وَسُرورٍand joy لاnot يَقتَضيهِclaims it اِنقِضاءُan ending
وَسُرورٍ لا يَقتَضيهِ اِنقِضاءُ
In bliss that no decline can touch,
and joy that no ending can claim.
أَنتَyou أَعلىhigher مِنthan أَنthat نُهَنّيكَwe congratulate you قَدراًin rank
أَنتَ أَعلى مِن أَن نُهَنّيكَ قَدراً
لِلَّياليfor the nights إِذاwhen سَلِمتَyou are safe الهَناءُcongratulations
لِلَّيالي إِذا سَلِمتَ الهَناءُ
Your rank is too high for us to congratulate you;
when you are safe, congratulations belong to the nights.
وَاِستَمِعهاand hear it عَذراءَas a virgin ماnot مُدِحَتwere praised قَبbefore you (start)
وَاِستَمِعها عَذراءَ ما مُدِحَت قَب
لَكَbefore you (end) يَوماًever بِمِثلِهاwith its like الخُلَفاءُthe caliphs
لَكَ يَوماً بِمِثلِها الخُلَفاءُ
And hear this virgin poem: never before you
have caliphs been praised with its like.
حُرَّةٌfreeborn مَحضَةٌpure وَمازالَتِand have always been الأَشpoems (start)
حُرَّةٌ مَحضَةٌ وَمازالَتِ الأَش
عارُpoems (end) مِنهاbeside it لَقائِطٌfoundlings وَإِماءُand slave girls
عارُ مِنها لَقائِطٌ وَإِماءُ
Pure and freeborn, while other poems
beside it have always been foundlings and slave girls.
كَالمُدامِlike wine الشَمولِall-pervading يَحدُثُarises فيin عِطthe side (start)
كَالمُدامِ الشَمولِ يَحدُثُ في عِط
فِthe side (end) السَخِيِّof the generous الكَريمِthe noble مِنهاfrom it اِنتِشاءُintoxication
فِ السَخِيِّ الكَريمِ مِنها اِنتِشاءُ
Like all-pervading wine, it awakens
intoxication in the generous, noble man's body.
فِقَرٌverses يَجتَديseek السَماحَةَgenerosity وَالإِقand courage (start)
فِقَرٌ يَجتَدي السَماحَةَ وَالإِق
دامُand courage (end) مِنهاfrom them البُخّالُthe misers وَالجُبَناءُand the cowards
دامُ مِنها البُخّالُ وَالجُبَناءُ
Verses from which generosity and courage
are sought by misers and cowards.
مِدَحٌpraises فيكَof you ليmine سَيَقتَصُّwill follow آثاmy footsteps (start)
مِدَحٌ فيكَ لي سَيَقتَصُّ آثا
رِيَmy footsteps (end) فيهاin them مِنfrom بَعديafter me الشُعَراءُthe poets
رِيَ فيها مِن بَعدي الشُعَراءُ
These are my praises of you; in them
poets after me will follow my footsteps.
Partial English translation: 124 of 174 Arabic lines translated.