سَلَكْنَا الفَيَافِي وَالقِفَارَ عَلَى النُّجْبِ

سَلَكْنَا الفَيَافِي وَالقِفَارَ عَلَى النُّجْبِتَجِدُّ بِنَا الأَشْوَاقُ لَا حَادِيَ الرَّكْبِ

Salaknā al-fayāfī wa-al-qifāra ʿalā an-nujbi, Tajiddu binā al-ʾashwāqu lā ḥādiya ar-rakbi

We crossed the deserts and wastelands on noble camels, spurred on by longing rather than by the caravan's singer.

فَنَهْوِي عَلَيْهَا بِالعَشِيَّةِ وَالَّذِييَلِيهَا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ البَهِيمِ عَلَى القُتْبِ

Fanahwī ʿalayhā bi-al-ʿashiyyati walladhī, Yalīhā mina al-layli al-bahīmi ʿalā al-qutbi

We bent low over them through the evening and what follows it of the pitch-black night, upon the saddles.

يَلَذُّ لَنَا أَنْ لَا يَلَذَّ لَنَا الكَرَىلِمَا خَالَطَ الأَرْوَاحَ مِنْ خَالِصِ الحُبِّ

Yaladhdhu lanā an lā yaladhdha lanā al-karā, Limā khālaṭa al-ʾarwāḥa min khāliṣi al-ḥubbi

It was sweet to us that sleep was not sweet to us, for the pure love that had mingled with our spirits.

وَيَبْرُدُ حَرٌّ بِالهَجِيرِ تَمُدُّهُسَمُومٌ إِذَا هَاجَتْ تُزَعْزِعُ لِلْكُثْبِ

Wayabrudu ḥarrun bi-al-hajīri tamudduhu, Samūmun idhā hājat tuzaʿziʿu lilkuthbi

And the noonday blaze grew cool, though it was fed by a scorching wind that, when it rises, shakes the dunes.

وَمَا زَالَ هَذَا دَأْبَنَا وَصَنِيعَنَاإِلَى أَنْ أَنَخْنَا العِيسَ بِالمَنْزِلِ الرَّحْبِ

Wamā zāla hadhā daʾbanā waṣanīʿanā, Ilā an anakhnā al-ʿīsa bi-al-manzili ar-raḥbi

Such was ever our custom and our way, until we made the camels kneel at the spacious dwelling.

نَزَلْنَا بِخَيْرِ العَالَمِينَ مُحَمَّدٍنَبِيِّ الهُدَى بَحْرِ النَّدَى سَيِّدِ العُرْبِ

Nazalnā bikhayri al-ʿālamīna muḥammadin, Nabiyyi al-hudā baḥri an-nadā sayyidi al-ʿurbi

We alighted with the best of the worlds, Muhammad, Prophet of guidance, ocean of generosity, master of the Arabs,

رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ هَاشِمِيٌّ مُعَظَّمٌوَسَيِّدُ مَنْ يَأْتِي وَمَنْ مَرَّ فِي الحُقْبِ

Rasūlun amīnun hāshimiyyun muʿaẓẓamun, Wasayyidu man yaʾtī waman marra fī al-ḥuqbi

A trustworthy messenger of Hashim, revered, master of those to come and of those who passed through the ages,

مَلَاذُ البَرَايَا غَوْثُ كُلِّ مُؤَمِّلٍكَرِيمُ السَّجَايَا طَيِّبُ الجِسْمِ وَالقَلْبِ

Malādhu al-barāyā ghawthu kulli muʾammilin, Karīmu as-sajāyā ṭayyibu al-jismi wa-al-qalbi

Refuge of creation, succour of all who hope, noble in nature, pure in body and in heart.

يُؤَمِّلُهُ العَافُونَ مِنْ كُلِّ مُمْحِلٍكَتَأْمِيلِهِمْ لِلسَّاكِبَاتِ مِنَ السُّحْبِ

Yuʾammiluhu al-ʿāfūna min kulli mumḥilin, Kataʾmīlihim lilssākibāti mina as-suḥbi

The needy from every drought-stricken land place their hopes in him as they place their hopes in the pouring clouds.

كَرِيمٌ حَلِيمٌ شَأْنُهُ الجُودُ وَالوَفَايُرَجَّى لِكَشْفِ الضُّرِّ وَالبُؤْسِ وَالكَرْبِ

Karīmun ḥalīmun shaʾnuhu al-jūdu wa-al-wafā, Yurajjā likashfi aḍ-ḍurri wa-al-buʾsi wa-al-karbi

Generous and forbearing, his way is generosity and faithfulness; he is hoped for to lift harm, misery and distress.

رَحِيمٌ بَرَاهُ اللهُ لِلْخَلْقِ رَحْمَةًوَأَرْسَلَهُ دَاعٍ إِلَى الفَوْزِ وَالقُرْبِ

Raḥīmun barāhu Allāhu lilkhalqi raḥmatan, Waʾarsalahu dāʿin ilā al-fawzi wa-al-qurbi

Merciful, Allah created him as a mercy for creation, and sent him to call to triumph and nearness.

وَأَرْسَلَهُ بِالحَقِّ وَالصِّدْقِ وَالهُدَىوَبَذْلِ النَّدَى وَالرِّفْقِ وَالمَنْطِقِ العَذْبِ

Waʾarsalahu bi-al-ḥaqqi wa-aṣ-ṣidqi wa-al-hudā, Wabadhli an-nadā wa-ar-rifqi wa-al-manṭiqi al-ʿadhbi

He sent him with truth, sincerity and guidance, with generous giving, gentleness and sweet speech.

بِهِ اللهُ أَنْجَانَا مِنَ الشِّرْكِ وَالرَّدَىوَمِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ وَالجِبْتِ وَالنُّصْبِ

Bihi Allāhu anjānā mina ash-shirki wa-ar-radā, Wamin ʿamali ash-shayṭāni wa-al-jibti wa-an-nuṣbi

Through him Allah saved us from idolatry and ruin, from the work of Satan, from idols and stone altars,

وَأَدْخَلَنَا فِي خَيْرِ دِينٍ يُحِبُّهُوَيَرْضَاهُ دِينِ الحَقِّ فَالحَمْدُ لِلرَّبِّ

Waʾadkhalanā fī khayri dīnin yuḥibbuhu, Wayarḍāhu dīni al-ḥaqqi fa-al-ḥamdu lilrrabbi

And brought us into the best religion, which He loves and is pleased with, the religion of truth; so praise be to the Lord.

لَهُ المِنَّةُ العُظْمَى عَلَيْنَا بِبَعْثِهِإِلَيْنَا وَمِنَّا عَالِيَ الذِّكْرِ وَالكَعْبِ

Lahu al-minnatu al-ʿuẓmā ʿalaynā bibaʿthihi, Ilaynā waminnā ʿāliya adh-dhikri wa-al-kaʿbi

His is the greatest favour upon us in sending him to us, and from among us, lofty in fame and in standing.

نَبِيٌّ عَظِيمٌ خُلْقُهُ الخُلُقُ الَّذِيلَهُ عَظَّمَ الرَّحْمَنُ فِي سَيِّدِ الكُتْبِ

Nabiyyun ʿaẓīmun khulquhu al-khuluqu al-ladhī, Lahu ʿaẓẓama ar-raḥmanu fī sayyidi al-kutbi

A mighty Prophet, whose character is the character that the Most Merciful extolled in the master of all books.

وَأَيَّدَهُ بِالوَحْيِ وَالنَّصْرِ وَالصَّبَاوَأَمْلَاكِهِ وَالمُؤْمِنِينَ وَبِالرُّعْبِ

Waʾayyadahu bi-al-waḥyi wa-an-naṣri wa-aṣ-ṣabā, Waʾamlākihi wa-al-muʾminīna wabi-ar-ruʿbi

He supported him with revelation, with victory and the east wind, with His angels and the believers, and with awe,

وَبِالمُعْجِزَاتِ الظَّاهِرَاتِ الَّتِي نَمَتْعَلَى القَطْرِ عَدّاً بَعْدَ مَا كَلَّ مَنْ نُبِّي

Wabi-al-muʿjizāti aẓ-ẓāhirāti al-latī namat, ʿalā al-qaṭri ʿaddan baʿda mā kalla man nubbī

And with manifest miracles, outnumbering the drops of rain, beyond the reckoning of any who were told of them.

وَآتَاهُ قُرْآناً بِهِ أَعْجَزَ الوَرَىجَمِيعاً عَلَى التَّأْبِيدِ يَا لَكَ مِنْ غَلْبِ

Waʾātāhu qurʾānan bihi aʿjaza al-warā, Jamīʿan ʿalā at-taʾbīdi yā laka min ghalbi

And He gave him a Qur'an by which He rendered all creation powerless forever: what a victory!

أَلَا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّا قَرَابَةٌوَذُرِّيَّةٌ جِئْنَاكَ لِلشَّوْقِ وَالحُبِّ

Alā yā rasūla Allāhi innā qarābatun, Wadhurriyyatun jiʾnāka lilshshawqi wa-al-ḥubbi

O Messenger of Allah, we are your kin and descendants; we have come to you out of longing and love.

وَقَفْنَا عَلَى أَعْتَابِ فَضْلِكَ سَيِّدِيلِتَقْبِيلِ تُرْبٍ حَبَّذَا لَكَ مِنْ تُرْبِ

Waqafnā ʿalā aʿtābi faḍlika sayyidī, Litaqbīli turbin ḥabbadhā laka min turbi

We have stood at the thresholds of your grace, my master, to kiss the dust; how blessed is your dust!

وَقُمْنَا تُجَاهَ الوَجْهِ وَجْهٍ مُبَارَكٍعَلَيْنَا بِهِ نُسْقَى الغَمَامَ لَدَى الجَدْبِ

Waqumnā tujāha al-wajhi wajhin mubārakin, ʿalaynā bihi nusqā al-ghamāma ladā al-jadbi

We have stood facing your face, a face blessed for us, through which we are given rain in times of drought.

أَتَيْنَاكَ زُوَّاراً نَرُومُ شَفَاعَةًإِلَى اللهِ فِي مَحْوِ الإِسَاءَةِ وَالذَّنْبِ

Ataynāka zuwwāran narūmu shafāʿatan, Ilā Allāhi fī maḥwi al-ʾisāʾati wa-adh-dhanbi

We have come to you as visitors seeking intercession with Allah, to erase our wrongs and our sins,

وُفُودٌ وَزُوَّارٌ وَأَضْيَافُ حَضْرَةٍمُكَرَّمَةٍ مُسْتَوْطَنِ الجُودِ وَالخِصْبِ

Wufūdun wazuwwārun waʾaḍyāfu ḥaḍratin, Mukarramatin mustawṭani al-jūdi wa-al-khiṣbi

Delegations, visitors and guests of a presence that is honoured, the homeland of generosity and abundance.

وَفِي النَّفْسِ حَاجَاتٌ وَثَمَّ مَطَالِبُنُؤَمِّلُ أَنْ تُقْضَى بِجَاهِكَ يَا مُحْبِي

Wafī an-nafsi ḥājātun wathamma maṭālibu, Nuʾammilu an tuqḍā bijāhika yā muḥbī

In our souls are needs, and there are requests that we hope will be fulfilled through your rank, O you who are so generous to me.

تَوَجَّهْ رَسُولَ اللهِ فِي كُلِّ حَاجَةٍلَنَا وَمُهِمٍّ فِي المَعَاشِ وَفِي القَلْبِ

Tawajjah rasūla Allāhi fī kulli ḥājatin, Lanā wamuhimmin fī al-maʿāshi wafī al-qalbi

Turn to Allah for us, Messenger of Allah, in every need and every concern, in our livelihood and in our hearts.

وَإِنَّ صَلَاحَ الدِّينِ وَالقَلْبِ سَيِّدِيهُوَ الغَرَضُ الأَقْصَى فَيَا سَيِّدِي قُمْ بِي

Waʾinna ṣalāḥa ad-dīni wa-al-qalbi sayyidī, Huwa al-gharaḍu al-ʾaqṣā fayā sayyidī qum bī

The soundness of religion and heart, my master, is the furthest aim, so, my master, take my hand.

عَلَيْكَ صَلَاةُ اللهِ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ تَلَاكِتَاباً مُنِيراً جَاءَ بِالفَرْضِ وَالنَّدْبِ

ʿalayka ṣalātu Allāhi yā khayra man talā, Kitāban munīran jāʾa bi-al-farḍi wa-an-nadbi

Upon you be Allah's blessings, O best of those who recited an illuminating Book that brought the obligatory and the recommended.

عَلَيْكَ صَلَاةُ اللهِ يَا خَيْرَ مُهْتَدٍوَهَادٍ بِنُورِ اللهِ فِي الشَّرْقِ وَالغَرْبِ

ʿalayka ṣalātu Allāhi yā khayra muhtadin, Wahādin binūri Allāhi fī ash-sharqi wa-al-gharbi

Upon you be Allah's blessings, O best of the rightly guided and best of guides, with the light of Allah, in the East and the West.

عَلَيْكَ صَلَاةُ اللهِ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ دَعَاإِلَى اللهِ بَعْدَ الرِّفْقِ بِالسُّمْرِ وَالقُضْبِ

ʿalayka ṣalātu Allāhi yā khayra man daʿā, Ilā Allāhi baʿda ar-rifqi bi-as-sumri wa-al-quḍbi

Upon you be Allah's blessings, O best of those who called to Allah, with gentleness first, then with spear and sword.

عَلَيْكَ صَلَاةُ اللهِ يَا سَيِّداً سَرَىإِلَى اللهِ حَتَّى مَرَّ بِالسَّبْعِ وَالحُجْبِ

ʿalayka ṣalātu Allāhi yā sayyidan sarā, Ilā Allāhi ḥattā marra bi-as-sabʿi wa-al-ḥujbi

Upon you be Allah's blessings, O master who journeyed by night to Allah, until he passed the seven heavens and the veils,

وَقَامَ بِأَوْ أَدْنَى فَنَاهِيكَ رِفْعَةًوَمَجْداً سَمَا حَتَّى أَنَافَ عَلَى الشُّهْبِ

Waqāma biʾaw adnā fanāhīka rifʿatan, Wamajdan samā ḥattā anāfa ʿalā ash-shuhbi

And stood at "or nearer": what loftiness that is, and what glory, rising till it towered over the stars!

عَلَيْكَ سَلَامُ اللهِ مَا سَارَ مُخْلِصٌإِلَيْكَ يَقُولُ اللهُ وَالمُصْطَفَى حَسْبِي

ʿalayka salāmu Allāhi mā sāra mukhliṣun, Ilayka yaqūlu Allāhu wa-al-muṣṭafā ḥasbī

Upon you be Allah's peace as long as a sincere soul journeys to you, saying: "Allah and the Chosen One suffice me."

عَلَيْكَ سَلَامُ اللهِ مَا أَسْحَرَ الصَّبَافَحَرَّكَ أَرْوَاحَ المُحِبِّينَ لِلْقُرْبِ

ʿalayka salāmu Allāhi mā asḥara aṣ-ṣabā, Faḥarraka arwāḥa al-muḥibbīna lilqurbi

Upon you be Allah's peace as long as the east wind blows at dawn, stirring the spirits of lovers toward nearness.

عَلَيْكَ سَلَامُ اللهِ مَا بَارِقٌ شَرَىوَمَا غَنَّتِ الأَطْيَارُ فِي عَذَبِ القُضْبِ

ʿalayka salāmu Allāhi mā bāriqun sharā, Wamā ghannati al-ʾaṭyāru fī ʿadhabi al-quḍbi

Upon you be Allah's peace as long as lightning flashes, and birds sing on the tender branches.

عَلَيْكَ سَلَامُ اللهِ مَا حَرَّكَ الحِدَاقُلُوباً إِلَى مَغْنَاكَ بِالشَّوْقِ وَالحُبِّ

ʿalayka salāmu Allāhi mā ḥarraka al-ḥidā, Qulūban ilā maghnāka bi-ash-shawqi wa-al-ḥubbi

Upon you be Allah's peace as long as the camel songs stir hearts toward your dwelling with longing and love.

عَلَيْكَ سَلَامُ اللهِ عَدَّ النَّبَاتِ وَالْرِّمَالِ وَعَدَّ القَطْرِ فِي حَالَةِ السَّكْبِ

ʿalayka salāmu Allāhi ʿadda an-nabāti wa-al-, Rrimāli waʿadda al-qaṭri fī ḥālati as-sakbi

Upon you be Allah's peace, as many as the plants and the sands, and as many as the raindrops as they pour.

عَلَيْكَ سَلَامُ اللهِ أَنْتَ مَلَاذُنَالَدَى اليُسْرِ وَالإِعْسَارِ وَالسَّهْلِ وَالصَّعْبِ

ʿalayka salāmu Allāhi anta malādhunā, Ladā al-yusri wa-al-ʾiʿsāri wa-as-sahli wa-aṣ-ṣaʿbi

Upon you be Allah's peace; you are our refuge in ease and hardship, in what is smooth and what is rough.

عَلَيْكَ سَلَامُ اللهِ أَنْتَ حَبِيبُنَاوَسَيِّدُنَا وَالذُّخْرُ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ نُبِّي

ʿalayka salāmu Allāhi anta ḥabībunā, Wasayyidunā wa-adh-dhukhru yā khayra man nubbī

Upon you be Allah's peace; you are our beloved, our master and our treasure, O best of those given prophethood.

عَلَيْكَ سَلَامُ اللهِ أَنْتَ إِمَامُنَاوَمَتْبُوعُنَا وَالكَنْزُ وَالغَوْثُ فِي الخَطْبِ

ʿalayka salāmu Allāhi anta imāmunā, Wamatbūʿunā wa-al-kanzu wa-al-ghawthu fī al-khaṭbi

Upon you be Allah's peace; you are our imam, the one we follow, our treasure and our succour in calamity.

وَصَلَّى عَلَيْكَ اللهُ دَأْباً وَسَرْمَداًوَسَلَّمَ يَا مُخْتَارُ وَالآلِ وَالصَّحْبِ

Waṣallā ʿalayka Allāhu daʾban wasarmadan, Wasallama yā mukhtāru wa-al-ʾāli wa-aṣ-ṣaḥbi

And may Allah bless you constantly and eternally, and grant peace, O Chosen One, to you, your family and Companions.