مِنwho عَذيريone who excuses me فيهِconcerning him وَهَلand is there مِنany عَذيرِone who excuses
مِن عَذيري فيهِ وَهَل مِن عَذيرِ
فيin هَوىlove for مُخطَفِslender of القَوامِform غَريرِinnocent
في هَوى مُخطَفِ القَوامِ غَريرِ
Who will excuse me for him—is there anyone to excuse me
My excuse is clear, though excuse there’s none
for loving a slender-formed, innocent one?
For loving one whose glances make hearts run
فاتِرٍlanguid لَحظُهُhis glance وَأَيُّand what غَرامٍpassion
فاتِرٍ لَحظُهُ وَأَيُّ غَرامٍ
هاجَstirred ليin me ماwhat بِلَحظِهِin his glance مِنof فُتورِlanguor
هاجَ لي ما بِلَحظِهِ مِن فُتورِ
His glance is languid—and what passion
With languid eyes that kindled raging fires
the languor of his glance has stirred in me!
Though cool themselves and lacking all desire
بِأَبيwith my father as ransom الأَسمَرُthe dusky one الغَريرُthe innocent one وَقَدand indeed باspent the night (start)
بِأَبي الأَسمَرُ الغَريرُ وَقَد با
تَspent the night (end) عَلىin غِرَّةِthe unawareness of الوُشاةِthe talebearers سَميريmy night companion
تَ عَلى غِرَّةِ الوُشاةِ سَميري
My father be ransom for the dusky, innocent one, who
By my dark-haired love, so sly and coy
spent the night as my companion, the talebearers unaware.
Who came upon me, taking me by joy
بِتُّI spent the night مِنfrom خَدِهِhis cheek وَمِنand from ثَغرِهِhis mouth المَعthe honeyed (start)
بِتُّ مِن خَدِهِ وَمِن ثَغرِهِ المَع
سولِhoneyed (end) ماin the space بَينَbetween رَوضَةٍa garden وَغَديرِand a pool
سولِ ما بَينَ رَوضَةٍ وَغَديرِ
From his cheek and honeyed mouth, I spent the night
With lips like rosebuds, cheeks a garden fair
between a garden and a pool.
Mid meadows and a lake, surpassing rare
يَمزُجُhe mixes الكَأسَthe cup ليfor me بِماءِwith the moisture of رُضابٍsaliva
يَمزُجُ الكَأسَ لي بِماءِ رُضابٍ
كَجَناlike the harvest of النَحلِthe bees شيبَwas blended بِالكافورِwith camphor
كَجَنا النَحلِ شيبَ بِالكافورِ
He mixes my cup with the moisture of his lips,
He mixes wine for me with purest bliss
like the bees' harvest blended with camphor.
As bees make honey perfumed with camphor
زارَنيhe visited me بَعدَafter هَجعَةٍa slumber يَمسَحُwiping الرَقsleep (start)
زارَني بَعدَ هَجعَةٍ يَمسَحُ الرَق
دَةَsleep (end) عَنfrom جَفنِthe lid of عَينِهِhis eye المَزرورِthe tightly closed
دَةَ عَن جَفنِ عَينِهِ المَزرورِ
He visited me after a slumber, wiping sleep
At night he came to me, his sleep to brush
from the lid of his tightly closed eye.
Away, and opened both his eyes ablush
كاسِرٌlowering مُقلَتَيهِhis eyes وَاللَيلُand the night قَدhad أَدretreated (start)
كاسِرٌ مُقلَتَيهِ وَاللَيلُ قَد أَد
بَرَretreated (end) فيamid فَلِthe remnants of جَيشِهِits army المَكسورِthe defeated
بَرَ في فَلِ جَيشِهِ المَكسورِ
His eyes downcast, while night had
Breaking the chains of slumber. Darkness fled
retreated amid the remnants of its defeated army.
As broke the ranks of night in disarray
قُلتُI said قُمrise فَاِصبَحِand give morning wine to النَدامىthe drinking companions عَروساًa bride
قُلتُ قُم فَاِصبَحِ النَدامى عَروساً
عُمِّرَتwas aged فيin الدِنانِthe wine-jars عُمرَthe lifespan of النُسورِvultures
عُمِّرَت في الدِنانِ عُمرَ النُسورِ
I said: Rise, and serve the companions at dawn a bride
I said “Arise, and let the morn be bride
aged in wine-jars for the lifespan of vultures.
To revelers whose youth will never fade”
مِنfrom تُراثِthe inheritance of المُلوكِkings صارَتit passed إِلىto كِسKisra (start)
مِن تُراثِ المُلوكِ صارَت إِلى كِس
رىKisra (end) قَديماًlong ago عَنfrom جَدِّهِhis grandfather أَردَشيرِArdashir
رى قَديماً عَن جَدِّهِ أَردَشيرِ
A legacy of kings, it passed to Kisra
From treasures of great kings in days of old
long ago from his grandfather Ardashir.
To Cyrus came a coat with gems inset
وَاِلقَand meet بَردَthe cold of الشِتاءِwinter مِنهاfrom it بِنارٍwith fire
وَاِلقَ بَردَ الشِتاءِ مِنها بِنارٍ
وَاِرمِand strike جُنحَthe wing of الظَلامِdarkness مِنهاfrom it بِنورِwith light
وَاِرمِ جُنحَ الظَلامِ مِنها بِنورِ
Meet winter's cold with its fire,
Cast off the winter chill with flames around
and strike the wing of darkness with its light.
And rout the wings of darkness with your light
وَاِسقِنيand give me drink بِالصَغيرِin the small cup مِنهاfrom it فَماfor not أَبleft (start)
وَاِسقِني بِالصَغيرِ مِنها فَما أَب
قىleft (end) الهَوىlove فِيَّin me فُضلَةًa remainder لِلكَبيرِfor the large cup
قى الهَوى فِيَّ فُضلَةً لِلكَبيرِ
Give me some in a small cup, for love has left
Give me to drink the smallest cup, for love
no room in me for the large one.
Has left no need for larger draughts in me
ياO مُديرَcirculator of الكُؤوسِcups مِنfrom طَرفِهِhis gaze الthe
يا مُديرَ الكُؤوسِ مِن طَرفِهِ ال
فَتّانbewitching رِفقاًgently بِالشارِبِwith the drinker المَخمورِthe intoxicated
فَتّان رِفقاً بِالشارِبِ المَخمورِ
O pourer of cups from his gaze,
Tavern-keeper, with your enchanting face
so bewitching, be gentle with the drunken drinker!
Gently attend the drinker lost in grace
لاmay not يَبِتspend the night قَلبُكَyour heart الخَلِيُّthe carefree بِماwith what بِI spent the night (start)
لا يَبِت قَلبُكَ الخَلِيُّ بِما بِ
تُI spent the night (end) أُعانيsuffering مِنof لَوعَةٍburning anguish وَزَفيرِand sighing
تُ أُعاني مِن لَوعَةٍ وَزَفيرِ
May your carefree heart never spend a night with what
Your empty heart cannot know how I pine
I endure through the night of anguish and sighs.
In sorrow and in sighing for your wine
أَناI حَكَّمتُI appointed as judge لَحظَthe glance of عَينَيكَyour two eyes فَاِحكُمso rule
أَنا حَكَّمتُ لَحظَ عَينَيكَ فَاِحكُم
فيover دَميmy blood غَيرَwithout being آثِمٍsinful مَأزورِburdened with guilt
في دَمي غَيرَ آثِمٍ مَأزورِ
I have made the glance of your eyes my judge; so rule
I made your glance the judge, so judge my blood
over my blood, without sin or guilt.
That's free of guilt, no sentence there incurred
ياO نَديميmy drinking companion وَقَدand indeed تَبَرَّمتُI grew weary بِالنَشof intoxication (start)
يا نَديمي وَقَد تَبَرَّمتُ بِالنَش
وَةِintoxication (end) حَتّىuntil مَلِلتُI grew tired of كَأسَthe cup of المُديرِthe pourer
وَةِ حَتّى مَلِلتُ كَأسَ المُديرِ
O my drinking companion, I have grown weary of intoxication,
My boon companion, though I've wasted time
until I am sick of the cup the pourer offers.
In revelry, I've wearied of the wine
شَيَّبَتwhitened لِمَّتيmy locks شَوائِبُthe blemishes of دَهريmy age
شَيَّبَت لِمَّتي شَوائِبُ دَهري
وَاِستَرَدَّتand reclaimed عارِيَّةَthe loan of المُستَعيرِthe borrower
وَاِستَرَدَّت عارِيَّةَ المُستَعيرِ
The blemishes of my age have whitened my locks,
The days have turned my hair to gray; return
and reclaimed what had been lent to the borrower.
My borrowed youth, reclaim what you did lend
وَتَعَوَّضتُand I took in exchange لَيلَa night of هَمٍّsorrow طَويلٍlong
وَتَعَوَّضتُ لَيلَ هَمٍّ طَويلٍ
بَدَلاًin place مِنof زَمانِa season of لَهوٍpleasure قَصيرِbrief
بَدَلاً مِن زَمانِ لَهوٍ قَصيرِ
I have taken in exchange a long night of sorrow,
For one long night of care I was recompensed
in place of a brief season of pleasure.
With days of brief delight that swiftly end
أَنكَرَfailed to recognize الغانِياتُthe beauties عَهديmy former state وَماbut did not أَنthey fail to recognize (start)
أَنكَرَ الغانِياتُ عَهدي وَما أَن
كَرنَthey fail to recognize (end) مِنّيin me بَياضَthe whiteness of القَتيرِgray hairs
كَرنَ مِنّي بَياضَ القَتيرِ
The beauties no longer recognized me as of old, yet did not
The singing girls forget me, though my hair
fail to recognize the whiteness of my gray hairs.
Betrays no whitening to show my age
فَتَقَنَّعتُso I settled بِاليَسيرِfor the little مِنَof الthe
فَتَقَنَّعتُ بِاليَسيرِ مِنَ ال
وَصلِunion وَماand not كنُتُI was قانِعاًcontent بِاليَسيرِwith little
وَصلِ وَما كنُتُ قانِعاً بِاليَسيرِ
So I settled for scant
So I'm content with little friendship, I
union, though I was never content with little:
Who never would have settled for the small
بِخَيالٍwith an image فيin الطَيفِthe dream مِنهاof her كَذوبٍlying
بِخَيالٍ في الطَيفِ مِنها كَذوبٍ
وَبِزَوزٍand with a scant portion مِنof وَعدِهاher promise مَغزورِdiminished
وَبِزَوزٍ مِن وَعدِها مَغزورِ
a lying image of her in a dream,
With phantom promises and pledges void
and a scant, diminished portion of her promise.
The days of wildness now have been destroyed
قَدindeed تَقَضّىhas passed عَصرُthe age of الخَلاعَةِwantonness وَاللَهand amusement (start)
قَد تَقَضّى عَصرُ الخَلاعَةِ وَاللَه
وِamusement (end) فَأَهلاًso welcome بِالشَيبِto gray hair وَالتَوقيرِand dignity
وِ فَأَهلاً بِالشَيبِ وَالتَوقيرِ
The age of wantonness and amusement has passed;
So greetings to old age and reverence
welcome, then, gray hair and dignity!
As childhood ends and youthful garb cast off
فَنَضَوتُso I shed الصِبىyouth وَأَلقَيتُand I cast لِلأَيto the days (start)
فَنَضَوتُ الصِبى وَأَلقَيتُ لِلأَي
يامَdays (end) عَنfrom عاتِقيmy shoulder رِداءَthe mantle of السُرورِjoy
يامَ عَن عاتِقي رِداءَ السُرورِ
I shed youth and cast to the days,
The years, events, have shortened my garment's train
from my shoulder, the mantle of joy.
Once long and now cut down in life's campaign
قَلَّصَتshortened صُحبَةُcompanionship with الحَوادِثِcalamities وَالأَيand the days (start)
قَلَّصَت صُحبَةُ الحَوادِثِ وَالأَي
يامَdays (end) مِنfrom ذَيلِthe hem of سُترَتيmy cloak المَجرورِthe trailing
يامَ مِن ذَيلِ سُترَتي المَجرورِ
Companionship with calamities and the days has shortened
But now again the times are just and fair
the trailing hem of my cloak.
Led by an Imam to whom praise is due
وَلَقَدand indeed رَدَّrestored نَضرَةَthe freshness of العَيشِlife ليto me مُقa new beginning (start)
وَلَقَد رَدَّ نَضرَةَ العَيشِ لي مُق
تَبِلٌa new beginning (end) مِنof زَمانِan age of عَدلٍjustice نَصيرِsupportive
تَبِلٌ مِن زَمانِ عَدلٍ نَصيرِ
Yet a new dawn has restored life's freshness to me,
The clouds rain goodness down on all the land
from an age of justice and support.
And bounty flows like floods both far and wide
فاضَoverflowed فيهِin it النَدىgenerosity وَدَرَّand streamed عَلىupon العاthe petitioners (start)
فاضَ فيهِ النَدى وَدَرَّ عَلى العا
فينَpetitioners (end) سَحّاًin torrents خَلفُthe teat of العَطاءِbounty الغَزيرِthe copious
فينَ سَحّاً خَلفُ العَطاءِ الغَزيرِ
Generosity overflowed in it, and upon the petitioners
Bestowing ample shade on every tribe
the teat of lavish bounty streamed in torrents.
A leader worthy of the name does guide
وَضَفاand spread سابِغاًfully covering عَلىover أَهلِهِits people ظِلshade (start)
وَضَفا سابِغاً عَلى أَهلِهِ ظِل
لُshade (end) إِمامٍan imam بِالمَكرُماتِof noble deeds جَديرِworthy
لُ إِمامٍ بِالمَكرُماتِ جَديرِ
And over its people spread, all-encompassing, the shade
So I rejoice today in gifts he gave
of an imam worthy of noble deeds.
And don my robe of joy without reserve
فَأَناso I اليَومَtoday مِنthrough مَواهِبِهِhis gifts أَرI strut (start)
فَأَنا اليَومَ مِن مَواهِبِهِ أَر
فُلُI strut (end) فيin ثَوبِa robe of غِبطَةٍbliss وَسُرورِand joy
فُلُ في ثَوبِ غِبطَةٍ وَسُرورِ
Today, through his gifts, I strut
The best poets, long neglected, now demand
in a robe of bliss and delight.
Great bride-prices, as before they did deserve
وَعَذارىand the virgins of القَريضِverse بَعدَafter كَسادٍlack of demand
وَعَذارى القَريضِ بَعدَ كَسادٍ
عُدنَthey returned مِنهُنَّamong them غالِياتِhigh-priced in المُهورِdowries
عُدنَ مِنهُنَّ غالِياتِ المُهورِ
And the virgins of verse, after their market languished,
Among my peers I dwelt as one forgot
have returned, some commanding costly dowries.
Like a deserted mosque to pray in not
وَلَقَدand indeed عِشتُI lived بُرهَةًfor a time بَينَamong أَبناthe sons (start)
وَلَقَد عِشتُ بُرهَةً بَينَ أَبنا
ءِsons (end) زَمانيof my age كَالمَسجِدِlike the mosque المَهجورِthe abandoned
ءِ زَماني كَالمَسجِدِ المَهجورِ
For a time I lived among the sons
But now restored, my hopes again take flight
of my age like an abandoned mosque.
As to the pillar, my old faith, I cling
فَكَأَنّيso as though I أَعلَقتُI fastened كَفِّيَmy hand لَمّاwhen
فَكَأَنّي أَعلَقتُ كَفِّيَ لَمّا
أَنthat تَعَلَّقتُهُI clung to him بِرُكنَيto the two pillars of ثَبيرِThabir
أَن تَعَلَّقتُهُ بِرُكنَي ثَبيرِ
It was as though I fastened my hand, when
May God defend the faith, as He did when
I clung to him, to the two pillars of Thabir.
Al-Nasir came, that pious victor then
نَصَرَchampioned اللَهُGod دينَهُHis religion مِنthrough أَبيAbu العَبal-Abbas (start)
نَصَرَ اللَهُ دينَهُ مِن أَبي العَب
باسِal-Abbas (end) بِالناصِرِthrough al-Nasir الأَبِيِّthe unbowed الغَيورِthe zealous
باسِ بِالناصِرِ الأَبِيِّ الغَيورِ
God championed His religion through Abu al-Abbas,
To guard the caliphate for Islam's sake
through al-Nasir, the unbowed and zealous.
With His fierce lions God did undertake
وَحَمىand defended غابَةَthe forest of الخِلافَةِthe caliphate وَالإِسand Islam (start)
وَحَمى غابَةَ الخِلافَةِ وَالإِس
لامِIslam (end) مِنهُthrough him بِلَيثِwith a lion of غابٍa thicket هَصورِfierce
لامِ مِنهُ بِلَيثِ غابٍ هَصورِ
And He defended the forest of the caliphate and
A king who buys cheap praise with gifts galore
Islam with him—a fierce lion of the thicket.
And sacrifices much for glory's shore
مَلِكٌa king يَشتَريwho buys القَليلَthe little مِنَof الحَمpraise (start)
مَلِكٌ يَشتَري القَليلَ مِنَ الحَم
دِpraise (end) بِمَعروفِهِwith his bounty الجَزيلِthe lavish الكَثيرِthe abundant
دِ بِمَعروفِهِ الجَزيلِ الكَثيرِ
A king who purchases a little praise
A Hashimite, in counsel and thought inclined,
with his lavish, abundant bounty.
In resolution, reason and in mind
وَيُغاليand bids high مُخاطِراًtaking risks فيin هَوىlove of السوlordship (start)
وَيُغالي مُخاطِراً في هَوى السو
دَدِlordship (end) وَالمَجدِand glory بِالنَفيسِwith the precious الخَطيرِthe weighty
دَدِ وَالمَجدِ بِالنَفيسِ الخَطيرِ
He bids high, taking risks for love of
To whom the best of people make recourse
lordship and glory with what is precious and weighty.
As to a spring that floods can not cut off
هاشِمِيٌّa Hashimite مُؤَيَّدُstrengthened in الرَأيِjudgment وَالنُطand speech (start)
هاشِمِيٌّ مُؤَيَّدُ الرَأيِ وَالنُط
قِspeech (end) جَميعاًalike وَالعَزمِand resolve وَالتَفكيرِand reflection
قِ جَميعاً وَالعَزمِ وَالتَفكيرِ
A Hashimite, strengthened in judgment and speech
Spears pierce the armored horseman on his steed
alike, and in resolve and reflection.
And strategy brings down the brutal force
مَورِدُbringing to water البيضِthe white blades وَالأَسِنَّةِand spearheads فيin الرَوbattle (start)
مَورِدُ البيضِ وَالأَسِنَّةِ في الرَو
عِbattle (end) ظِماءًthirsty ماءَthe water of الطُلىthroats وَالنُحورِand upper chests
عِ ظِماءً ماءَ الطُلى وَالنُحورِ
He leads white blades and spearheads, in battle,
His armies grant the vultures ample feast
thirsty, to the waters of throats and breasts.
And many a neck lies strewn about the waste
طاعِنُpiercing الفارِسِthe horseman المُدَجَّجِthe fully armored بِالرَأwith judgment (start)
طاعِنُ الفارِسِ المُدَجَّجِ بِالرَأ
يِjudgment (end) وَمُرديand felling الكَمِيِّthe armored champion بِالتَدبيرِthrough strategy
يِ وَمُردي الكَمِيِّ بِالتَدبيرِ
He pierces the fully armored horseman with
We see reiterated what was done
judgment, and fells the armored champion through strategy.
By his forefather, he who victory won
كَمhow often أَباحَتseized جُيوشُهُhis armies وَسَراياand raiding bands
كَم أَباحَت جُيوشُهُ وَسَرايا
هُhis بِبيضِwith white blades الغُمودِof scabbards بيضَthe fair women الخُدورِof secluded chambers
هُ بِبيضِ الغُمودِ بيضَ الخُدورِ
How often his armies and raiding bands have seized,
Conquering mighty citadels, so high
with bright, scabbarded blades, the fair women behind curtains!
Their eagles by our falcons made to die
وَرَأَيناand we saw ماwhat كانَwas مِنfrom جَدِّهِhis fortune المَنthe victorious (start)
وَرَأَينا ما كانَ مِن جَدِّهِ المَن
صورِvictorious (end) يُروىrelated عَنof جَدِّهِhis ancestor المَنصورِal-Mansur
صورِ يُروى عَن جَدِّهِ المَنصورِ
We have witnessed, through his victorious fortune, what
Capturing the foe with curved swords deftly drawn
used to be related of his ancestor al-Mansur:
And keen-edged blades that through their necks were thrown
مِنof فُتوحِconquests of المَعاقِلِthe fortresses المُشمَخِرّاthe towering (start)
مِن فُتوحِ المَعاقِلِ المُشمَخِرّا
تِtowering (end) بِبيضِwith white الظُبىblade-edges وَسَدِّand securing الثُغورِthe frontiers
تِ بِبيضِ الظُبى وَسَدِّ الثُغورِ
the conquest of towering fortresses
Spending the long night in prayer, divine
with white sword-edges, and the securing of frontiers;
Communion, fasting till night's gloom has pined
وَاِقتِناصِand hunting down الأَعداءِthe enemies بِالأَعوَجِيّاwith Awaj-bred horses (start)
وَاِقتِناصِ الأَعداءِ بِالأَعوَجِيّا
تِAwaj-bred horses (end) المَذاكيthe full-grown وَالمُرهَفاتِand the keen blades الذُكورِthe hard-tempered
تِ المَذاكي وَالمُرهَفاتِ الذُكورِ
and the hunting of enemies with Awaj-bred horses,
Imam who by his guidance did divide
full-grown steeds, and keen, hard-tempered blades;
For all mankind the lawful and denied
وَقِيامِand keeping vigil اللَيلِthrough the night الطَويلthe long يُناجيcommuning with الGod (start)
وَقِيامِ اللَيلِ الطَويل يُناجي ال
لَهَGod (end) فيin جُنحِهِits darkness وَصَومِand fasting through الهَجيرِthe midday heat
لَهَ في جُنحِهِ وَصَومِ الهَجيرِ
and keeping vigil through the long night, communing with
By whom salvation may be hoped for when
God in its darkness, and fasting through the noonday heat.
Men's deeds are weighed upon the final day
ياO إِماماًimam بِهَديِهِthrough his guidance فَرَّقَdistinguished الأُمthe community (start)
يا إِماماً بِهَديِهِ فَرَّقَ الأُم
مَةُcommunity (end) بَينَbetween الحَلالِthe lawful وَالمَحظورِand the forbidden
مَةُ بَينَ الحَلالِ وَالمَحظورِ
O imam, through whose guidance the community has distinguished
Lord of the age, Your providence does guide
between the lawful and the forbidden;
Your servants' fate by Your commands applied
وَبِهِand through him يُرتَجىis hoped for النَجاةُsalvation إِذاwhen حُصis disclosed (start)
وَبِهِ يُرتَجى النَجاةُ إِذا حُص
صِلَis disclosed (end) يَومَon the Day of الحِسابِReckoning ماwhat فيin الصُدورِthe breasts
صِلَ يَومَ الحِسابِ ما في الصُدورِ
through him salvation is hoped for when
The days and nights are servants unto You
what lies within breasts is disclosed on the Day of Reckoning.
So rule, Almighty King, in wisdom true
أَنتَyou رَبُّmaster of الزَمانِthe age تَجريmoves بِتَصريby your direction (start)
أَنتَ رَبُّ الزَمانِ تَجري بِتَصري
فِكَyour direction (end) فيamong أَهلِهِits people يَدُthe hand of المَقدورِdestiny
فِكَ في أَهلِهِ يَدُ المَقدورِ
You are master of the age; by your direction moves
The best successor for defending right
the hand of destiny among its people.
And for the faithful, best of men to lead
وَاللَياليand the nights خَوادِمٌservants لَكَfor you وَالأَيand the days (start)
وَاللَيالي خَوادِمٌ لَكَ وَالأَي
يامُdays (end) فَاِحكُمso rule حُكمَwith the rule of العَزيزِthe mighty القَديرِthe powerful
يامُ فَاِحكُم حُكمَ العَزيزِ القَديرِ
The nights are your servants, and so are the days;
Helper of few, refuge for victims robbed
rule, then, as the mighty and powerful rule.
Succor of troubled souls by You are sobbed
أَنتَyou لِلدينِfor the faith خَيرُthe best مُستَخلَفٍappointed successor راshepherd (start)
أَنتَ لِلدينِ خَيرُ مُستَخلَفٍ را
عٍshepherd (end) وَلِلمُؤمِنينَand for the believers خَيرُthe best أَميرِcommander
عٍ وَلِلمُؤمِنينَ خَيرُ أَميرِ
You are the faith's finest appointed successor and shepherd,
Strong Breaker of the mighty, Lifter-up
and the finest commander of the believers.
Of lowly ones from bottommost decline
أَنتَyou عَونُhelper of القَليلِthe few نَصّارَةُstaunch champion of المَظthe oppressed (start)
أَنتَ عَونُ القَليلِ نَصّارَةُ المَظ
لومِoppressed (end) غَوثُsuccor of المُستَصرِخِthe one crying for help المُستَجيرِthe one seeking refuge
لومِ غَوثُ المُستَصرِخِ المُستَجيرِ
You aid the few and champion the oppressed,
Many a day, clouded in darkened mood
the succor of whoever cries for help and seeks refuge.
Scowling at tyranny, harsh, terrible
أَنتَyou فيin الرَوعِbattle كاسِرٌbreaker of كُلَّevery جَبّاtyrant (start)
أَنتَ في الرَوعِ كاسِرٌ كُلَّ جَبّا
رٍtyrant (end) وَفيand on الأَرضِthe earth جابِرٌa mender لِلكَسيرِfor the broken
رٍ وَفي الأَرضِ جابِرٌ لِلكَسيرِ
In battle you break every tyrant,
You ride out on such days, and earth bows down
and on earth you mend the broken.
Your banners flutter, circling Your renown
رُبَّmany a يَومٍday جَهمِgrim in الثَرىsoil قاتِمِmurky in الجَوthe air (start)
رُبَّ يَومٍ جَهمِ الثَرى قاتِمِ الجَو
وِair (end) عَبوسٍfrowning عَلىupon العِدىthe enemies قَمطَريرِdreadful
وِ عَبوسٍ عَلى العِدى قَمطَريرِ
Many a day, grim of soil and murky of air,
The night takes flight before Your cavalry
frowning upon the enemies, harsh and dreadful,
While day's bright face beams on gloriously
سِرتَyou marched فيهِthrough it تُطوىis folded up لَكَfor you الأَرضُthe earth وَالأَمand the angels (start)
سِرتَ فيهِ تُطوى لَكَ الأَرضُ وَالأَم
لاكُangels (end) حَولَيaround لِوائِكَyour banner المَنشورِthe unfurled
لاكُ حَولَي لِوائِكَ المَنشورِ
you marched through it, the earth folding up for you, with the angels
A Thursday eve, Your regiments chant and roar
around your unfurled banner.
With prayers and proclaiming "God is Great"
يَفرَقُfears اللَيلُthe night مِنbefore مَواكِبِكَyour processions السوthe black (start)
يَفرَقُ اللَيلُ مِن مَواكِبِكَ السو
دِblack (end) وَيَعنوand bows وَجهُthe face of النَهارِthe day المُنيرِthe radiant
دِ وَيَعنو وَجهُ النَهارِ المُنيرِ
Night fears your black processions,
Dark lions, Turkic slaves, who won't be tamed
and the face of radiant day bows low;
Save by the scarred necks of their peers maimed
فيamid خَميسٍan army مَجرٍvast يُغَمغِمُmurmur بِالتَهwith professions of God's oneness (start)
في خَميسٍ مَجرٍ يُغَمغِمُ بِالتَه
ليلِprofessions of God's oneness (end) أَبطالُهُits heroes وَبِالتَكبيرِand proclamations of God's greatness
ليلِ أَبطالُهُ وَبِالتَكبيرِ
amid a vast army whose heroes murmur
They rip apart landmarks, beautifully done
'There is no god but God,' and 'God is greatest';
And if you cross them, they'll tear down your roads
وَأُسودٍand lions مِنfrom غِلمَةِthe youths of التُركِthe Turks لاnot تَأfrequent (start)
وَأُسودٍ مِن غِلمَةِ التُركِ لا تَأ
لَفُfrequent (end) إِلّاexcept غيلَthe thickets of القَناthe spears المَشجورِthe interlaced
لَفُ إِلّا غيلَ القَنا المَشجورِ
and lions from among the Turkish youths, who frequent
Each a snarling wolf in the wide wild
only the thickets of interlaced spears.
Baring its flashing teeth in fury riled
يُنحِلونَthey bestow on البُدورَthe full moons حُسناًbeauty وَإِنand if خاthey plunge (start)
يُنحِلونَ البُدورَ حُسناً وَإِن خا
ضواthey plunge (end) وَغىinto battle ناحَلواthey rivaled in slenderness القَناthe spears بِالخُصورِwith waists
ضوا وَغى ناحَلوا القَنا بِالخُصورِ
They lend beauty to the full moons, yet when they
Brandishing verdant swords like meadows green
plunge into battle, their waists rival spears in slenderness.
Galloping on by river and ravine
كُلُّevery ذِمرٍvaliant warrior كَالظَبيِlike a gazelle يَسفِرُshows himself فيin الكَرthe charge (start)
كُلُّ ذِمرٍ كَالظَبيِ يَسفِرُ في الكَر
رَةِcharge (end) عَنas ذِئبِa wolf of رَدهَةٍa rocky hollow مَذعورِstartled
رَةِ عَن ذِئبِ رَدهَةٍ مَذعورِ
Each valiant one, gazelle-like, reveals in the charge
Heroes when battle calls, yet gentle prey
a wolf startled in its rocky hollow.
Among the does when weapons laid away
مُستَسِلٍّdrawing out غِرارَthe edge of أَخضَرَa green blade كَالرَوlike a garden (start)
مُستَسِلٍّ غِرارَ أَخضَرَ كَالرَو
ضَةِgarden (end) ماضٍkeen مُستَلئِمٍarmored بِغَديرِin a pool
ضَةِ ماضٍ مُستَلئِمٍ بِغَديرِ
Drawing the edge of a green blade like a
The brow carved with the poetry of his sword
garden, keen-edged, and wearing a pool as armor.
Inscribed by the sharp blows that it has scored
مِنamong لُيوثِthe lions of الشَرىal-Shara إِذاwhen دارَتِraged الحَرwar (start)
مِن لُيوثِ الشَرى إِذا دارَتِ الحَر
بُwar (end) وَفيand in السِلمِpeace مِنamong ظِباءِthe gazelles of الخُدورِsecluded chambers
بُ وَفي السِلمِ مِن ظِباءِ الخُدورِ
One of al-Shara's lions when war
Filled by you with glory, each deed a gain
rages, and in peace one of the gazelles behind curtains.
Sees heights scaled by striving and ardor's flame
فَالعِذارُfor the cheek-down الطَريرُthe fresh فيon خَدِّهِhis cheek أَفdeadlier (start)
فَالعِذارُ الطَريرُ في خَدِّهِ أَف
تَكُdeadlier (end) مِنthan حَدِّthe edge of سَيفِهِhis sword المَطرورِthe sharpened
تَكُ مِن حَدِّ سَيفِهِ المَطرورِ
The fresh down along his cheek is deadlier
May God reward you far better than
than the sharpened edge of his sword.
A leader whose great efforts we commend
شَبِعواthey were sated مِنكَby you شِمَّرِيّاًa resolute man يَرىwho sees أَنthat (start)
شَبِعوا مِنكَ شِمَّرِيّاً يَرى أَن
نَthat (end) المَعاليlofty attainments بِالجِدِّthrough earnestness وَالتَشميرِand exertion
نَ المَعالي بِالجِدِّ وَالتَشميرِ
They have been sated by you, a resolute man who holds
Son of the best of men, after the Guide
that lofty attainments come through diligence and exertion.
For all mankind, the Prophet true, allied
فَجَزاكَso may He reward you الإِلَهُGod أَفضَلَthe best ماthat which جاHe rewarded (start)
فَجَزاكَ الإِلَهُ أَفضَلَ ما جا
زىHe rewarded (end) إِماماًan imam عَنfor سَعيِهِhis endeavor المَشكورِthe praiseworthy
زى إِماماً عَن سَعيِهِ المَشكورِ
May God reward you with the best He has ever given
Successor to the prophets, dwelling by
an imam for his praiseworthy endeavor.
The Holy House enclosed in drapes close by
ياO اِبنَson of خَيرِthe best of الأَنامِmankind بَعدَafter رَسولِthe Messenger of الGod (start)
يا اِبنَ خَيرِ الأَنامِ بَعدَ رَسولِ ال
لَهِGod (end) مِنfrom خَيرِthe best of مَعشَرٍa community وَنَفيرِand a host
لَهِ مِن خَيرِ مَعشَرٍ وَنَفيرِ
O son of the best of mankind after the Messenger of
A people loving whom and obeying their command
God, from the finest community and host;
Protects us from hell's flames and suffering banned
خَلَفَsuccessors of الأَنبِياءِthe prophets جيرانِneighbors of بَيتِthe House of الGod (start)
خَلَفَ الأَنبِياءِ جيرانِ بَيتِ ال
لَهِGod (end) ذيpossessing الحُجبِthe veils دونَهُbefore it وَالسُتورِand the curtains
لَهِ ذي الحُجبِ دونَهُ وَالسُتورِ
successors to the prophets, neighbors of the House of
Praising them at Judgement will be my reserve
God, with veils and curtains before it;
When I am dispossessed of all conserved
مَعشَرٌa people حُبُّهُمlove for them وَطاعَتُهُمand obedience to them حِصa fortress (start)
مَعشَرٌ حُبُّهُم وَطاعَتُهُم حِص
نٌfortress (end) لَناfor us مِنagainst عَذابِthe torment of نارِthe fire of السَعيرِthe blaze
نٌ لَنا مِن عَذابِ نارِ السَعيرِ
a people, love and obedience to whom are a fortress
My noble partisans and helpers tried
for us against the torment of the blazing Fire.
When few within mankind at my side
مَدحُهُمpraising them فيat المَعادِthe Resurrection ذُخريmy treasure إِذاif أَفI become bankrupt (start)
مَدحُهُم في المَعادِ ذُخري إِذا أَف
لَستُI become bankrupt (end) مِنof كُلِّevery مُقتَنىًacquired possession مَذخورِstored
لَستُ مِن كُلِّ مُقتَنىً مَذخورِ
Praising them is my treasure at the Resurrection, should I
For them the caliphate's rising and its noon
become bankrupt of every possession laid in store.
From every minbar and from every throne
وَهُمُand they شيعَتيmy partisans الكِرامُthe noble وَأَنصاand my helpers (start)
وَهُمُ شيعَتي الكِرامُ وَأَنصا
ريmy helpers (end) إِذاwhen قَلَّis scarce فيamong الأَنامِmankind نَصيريmy supporter
ري إِذا قَلَّ في الأَنامِ نَصيري
They are my noble partisans and my helpers
Spirits like stars, intrepid in the fight
when my supporters among mankind are few.
Faces illuminating darkest night
لَهُمُtheirs غارِبُthe crest of الخِلافَةِthe caliphate وَالذُرand the summit (start)
لَهُمُ غارِبُ الخِلافَةِ وَالذُر
وَةُsummit (end) مِنof كُلِّevery مِنبَرٍpulpit وَسَريرِand throne
وَةُ مِن كُلِّ مِنبَرٍ وَسَريرِ
The crest of the caliphate is theirs, and the summit
Fierce as mountains, yet most gentle, mild
of every pulpit and throne.
Hands whiter than the radiant light, my shield
هِمَمٌaspirations كَالنُجومِlike the stars زُهرٌbright عَوالٍlofty
هِمَمٌ كَالنُجومِ زُهرٌ عَوالٍ
وَوُجوهٌand faces وَضّاحَةٌradiant كَالبُدورِlike full moons
وَوُجوهٌ وَضّاحَةٌ كَالبُدورِ
Aspirations like stars, bright and lofty,
You follow them, and void what people say
and shining faces like full moons;
No first remains when comes the final day
وَحُلومٌand forbearance مِثلُlike الجِبالِthe mountains رَواسٍfirmly rooted
وَحُلومٌ مِثلُ الجِبالِ رَواسٍ
وَأَكُفٌّand hands فَيّاضَةٌoverflowing كَالبُحورِlike seas
وَأَكُفٌّ فَيّاضَةٌ كَالبُحورِ
and forbearance steadfast as mountains,
So last, eternal in this world remain
and hands overflowing like seas.
And end duration that makes centuries vain
جِئتَyou came تَتلوهُمfollowing them فَأَبطَلتَand you refuted قَولَthe saying of الthe
جِئتَ تَتلوهُم فَأَبطَلتَ قَولَ ال
ناسِpeople لَمnot يُبقِleft أَوَّلٌa predecessor لِأَخيرِfor a successor
ناسِ لَم يُبقِ أَوَّلٌ لِأَخيرِ
You came following them and refuted the saying of
Complete this month whose favor upon men
the people: 'The first left nothing for the last.'
No other month's favor can match again
فَاِبقَso live on ياO صاحِبَmaster of الزَمانِthe age بَقاءًwith a life
فَاِبقَ يا صاحِبَ الزَمانِ بَقاءً
أَبَدِيّاًeternal يُفنيexhausting بَقاءَthe endurance of الدُهورِthe ages
أَبَدِيّاً يُفني بَقاءَ الدُهورِ
Live on, O master of the age, with a life
Each day the heavens bow down in greeting
eternal, outlasting the endurance of the ages.
While songs of celebration fill your plains
وَتَمَلَّand long enjoy الشَهرَthe month الَّذيwhich لَكَyou have فيamong الناmankind (start)
وَتَمَلَّ الشَهرَ الَّذي لَكَ في النا
سِmankind (end) مِنَof الفَضلِdistinction ماwhat لَهُit has فيamong الشُهورِthe months
سِ مِنَ الفَضلِ ما لَهُ في الشُهورِ
And long enjoy the month: your distinction among mankind
is the distinction it holds among the months.
كُلَّevery يَومٍday يُنيخُmakes kneel أَنضاءَهُits exhausted mounts وَفthe delegation (start)
كُلَّ يَومٍ يُنيخُ أَنضاءَهُ وَف
دُdelegation (end) التَهانيof congratulations فيin رَبعِكَyour abode المَعمورِthe flourishing
دُ التَهاني في رَبعِكَ المَعمورِ
Every day a delegation makes its weary mounts kneel,
bringing congratulations to your flourishing abode.
Partial English translation: 142 of 146 Arabic lines translated.