قَصِيدَةُ الْبُرْدَةِ

مَوْلَايَ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ دَائِمًا أَبَدًاعَلَى حَبِيبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ

Mawlāya ṣalli wa sallim dā'iman abadan, ʿalā ḥabībika khayril khalqi kullihimi

My Master, send Your prayers and peace always and forever, upon Your Beloved, the best of all creation.

أَمِنْ تَذَكُّرِ جِيرَانٍ بِذِي سَلَمِمَزَجْتَ دَمْعًا جَرَى مِنْ مُقْلَةٍ بِدَمِ

Amin tadhakkuri jīrānin bidhī salami, Mazajta damʿanā jarā min muqlatin bidami

Is it from remembering neighbors at Dhi Salam that you have mingled tears flowing from your eye with blood?

أَمْ هَبَّتِ الرِّيحُ مِنْ تِلْقَاءِ كَاظِمَةٍوَأَوْمَضَ الْبَرْقُ فِي الظَّلْمَاءِ مِنْ إِضَمِ

Am habbati ar-rīḥu min tilqāʾi kāẓimatin, Waʾawmaḍa al-barqu fī aẓ-ẓalmāʾi min iḍami

Or did the breeze blow from the direction of Kazima, and lightning flash in the darkness from Idam?

فَمَا لِعَيْنَيْكَ إِنْ قُلْتَ اكْفُفَا هَمَتَاوَمَا لِقَلْبِكَ إِنْ قُلْتَ اسْتَفِقْ يَهِمِ

Famā liʿaynayka in qulta kfufā hamatā, Wamā liqalbika in qulta stafiq yahimi

What ails your eyes—when you bid them cease, they pour forth? And what ails your heart—when you bid it compose itself, it wanders in distraction?

أَيَحْسَبُ الصَّبُّ أَنَّ الْحُبَّ مُنْكَتِمٌمَا بَيْنَ مُنْسَجِمٍ مِنْهُ وَمُضْطَرِمِ

Ayaḥsabu aṣ-ṣabbu anna al-ḥubba munkatimun, Mā bayna munsajimin minhu wamuḍṭarimi

Does the lovesick one imagine that love can be concealed, amidst the tears that stream and the fire that burns within?

لَوْلَا الْهَوَى لَمْ تُرِقْ دَمْعًا عَلَى طَلَلٍوَلَا أَرِقْتَ لِذِكْرِ الْبَانِ وَالْعَلَمِ

Lawlā al-hawā lam turiq damʿanā ʿalā ṭalalin, Walā ariqta lidhikri al-bāni wa-al-ʿalami

Were it not for passion, you would not have shed tears over the ruined abode, nor lain sleepless at the mention of the *Ban* trees and the mountain peak.

فَكَيْفَ تُنْكِرُ حُبًّا بَعْدَ مَا شَهِدَتْبِهِ عَلَيْكَ عُدُولُ الدَّمْعِ وَالسَّقَمِ

Fakayfa tunkiru ḥubbanā baʿda mā shahidat, Bihi ʿalayka ʿudūlu ad-damʿi wa-as-saqami

How, then, can you deny love, when the truthful witnesses of tears and wasting sickness have testified against you?

وَأَثْبَتَ الْوَجْدُ خَطَّيْ عَبْرَةٍ وَضَنًىمِثْلَ الْبَهَارِ عَلَى خَدَّيْكَ وَالْعَنَمِ

Waʾathbata al-wajdu khaṭṭay ʿabratin waḍananá, Mithla al-bahāri ʿalā khaddayka wa-al-ʿanami

Passion has traced two lines—of weeping and of frailty—upon your cheeks, like the yellow *Bahar* flower and the red *Anam* fruit.

نَعَمْ سَرَى طَيْفُ مَنْ أَهْوَى فَأَرَّقَنِيوَالْحُبُّ يَعْتَرِضُ اللَّذَّاتِ بِالْأَلَمِ

Naʿam sarā ṭayfu man ahwā faʾarraqanī, Wa-al-ḥubbu yaʿtariḍu al-ladhdhāti bi-al-ʾalami

Yes, the phantom of my beloved visited me by night and robbed me of sleep; for love intersperses life's pleasures with pain.

يَا لَائِمِي فِي الْهَوَى الْعُذْرِيِّ مَعْذِرَةًمِنِّي إِلَيْكَ وَلَوْ أَنْصَفْتَ لَمْ تَلُمِ

Yā lāʾimī fī al-hawā al-ʿudhriyyi maʿdhiratan, Minnī ilayka walaw anṣafta lam talumi

O you who reproach me for this chaste, devoted love... Accept my apology; were you fair, you would not cast blame.

عَدَتْكَ حَالِيَ لَا سِرِّي بِمُسْتَتِرٍعَنِ الْوُشَاةِ وَلَا دَائِي بِمُنْحَسِمِ

ʿadatka ḥaāliya lā sirrī bimustatirin, ʿani al-wushāti walā dāʾī bimunḥasimi

My plight is plain to see—my secret hidden from no slanderer, nor is my malady abated.

مَحَّضْتَنِي النُّصْحَ لَكِنْ لَسْتُ أَسْمَعُهُإِنَّ الْمُحِبَّ عَنِ الْعُذَّالِ فِي صَمَمِ

Maḥḥaḍtanī an-nuṣḥa lakin lastu asmaʿuhu, Inna al-muḥibba ʿani al-ʿudhdhaāli fī ṣamami

You offered me sincere counsel, yet I heed it not; for the lover turns a deaf ear to all who chide.

إِنِّي اتَّهَمْتُ نَصِيحَ الشَّيْبِ فِي عَذَلٍوَالشَّيْبُ أَبْعَدُ فِي نُصْحٍ عَنِ التُّهَمِ

Innī ttahamtu naṣīḥa ash-shaybi fī ʿadhalin, Wa-ash-shaybu abʿadu fī nuṣḥin ʿani at-tuhami

I doubted the counsel of gray hair when it rebuked me—though gray hair is, of all counselors, the least open to suspicion.

فَإِنَّ أَمَّارَتِي بِالسُّوءِ مَا اتَّعَظَتْمِنْ جَهْلِهَا بِنَذِيرِ الشَّيْبِ وَالْهَرَمِ

Faʾinna ammāratī bi-as-sūʾi mā ttaʿaẓat, Min jahlihā binadhīri ash-shaybi wa-al-harami

My soul—ever-prone to evil—has heeded no warning; in its ignorance, it ignored the heralds of graying hair and old age.

وَلَا أَعَدَّتْ مِنَ الْفِعْلِ الْجَمِيلِ قِرَىضَيْفٍ أَلَمَّ بِرَأْسِي غَيْرَ مُحْتَشِمِ

Walā aʿaddat mina al-fiʿli al-jamīli qirā, Ḍayfin alamma biraʾsī ghayra muḥtashimi

Nor did it prepare, through virtuous deeds, a welcome for the guest that descended upon my head—unabashed and uninvited.

لَوْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي مَا أُوَقِّرُهُكَتَمْتُ سِرًّا بَدَا لِي مِنْهُ بِالْكَتَمِ

Law kuntu aʿlamu annī mā uwaqqiruhu, Katamtu sirranā badā lī minhu bi-al-katami

Had I known I would fail to honor that guest, I would have concealed the secret of its arrival—masking it completely.

مَنْ لِي بِرَدِّ جِمَاحٍ مِنْ غَوَايَتِهَاكَمَا يُرَدُّ جِمَاحُ الْخَيْلِ بِاللُّجُمِ

Man lī biraddi jimāḥin min ghawāyatihā, Kamā yuraddu jimāḥu al-khayli bi-al-lujumi

Who can help me rein in the wild defiance of my soul’s waywardness, just as a horse’s unruly spirit is curbed by the bit and bridle?

فَلَا تَرُمْ بِالْمَعَاصِي كَسْرَ شَهْوَتِهَاإِنَّ الطَّعَامَ يُقَوِّي شَهْوَةَ النَّهِمِ

Falā tarum bi-al-maʿāṣī kasra shahwatihā, Inna aṭ-ṭaʿāma yuqawwī shahwata an-nahimi

Do not seek to break its lust by indulging in sin; for food only strengthens the craving of the glutton.

وَالنَّفْسُ كَالطِّفْلِ إِنْ تُهْمِلْهُ شَبَّ عَلَىحُبِّ الرَّضَاعِ وَإِنْ تَفْطِمْهُ يَنْفَطِمِ

Wa-an-nafsu ka-aṭ-ṭifli in tuhmilhu shabba ʿalā, Ḥubbi ar-raḍāʿi waʾin tafṭimhu yanfaṭimi

The soul is like a child: if left untended, it grows up clinging to the breast; yet if you wean it, it is weaned.

فَاصْرِفْ هَوَاهَا وَحَاذِرْ أَنْ تُوَلِّيَهُإِنَّ الْهَوَى مَا تَوَلَّى يُصْمِ أَوْ يَصِمِ

Fāṣrif hawāhā waḥādhir an tuwalliyahu, Inna al-hawā mā tawallā yuṣmi aw yaṣimi

Divert its desires and beware of letting them take command; for whatever passion gains mastery will either deafen or disgrace.

وَرَاعِهَا وَهْيَ فِي الْأَعْمَالِ سَائِمَةٌوَإِنْ هِيَ اسْتَحْلَتِ الْمَرْعَى فَلَا تُسِمِ

Warāʿihā wahya fī al-ʾaʿmaāli sāʾimatun, Waʾin hiya staḥlati al-marʿā falā tusimi

Shepherd it as it grazes upon the fields of action; yet if it finds the pasture too sweet, do not let it graze unchecked.

كَمْ حَسَّنَتْ لَذَّةً لِلْمَرْءِ قَاتِلَةًمِنْ حَيْثُ لَمْ يَدْرِ أَنَّ السُّمَّ فِي الدَّسَمِ

Kam ḥassanat ladhdhatan lilmarʾi qātilatan, Min ḥaythu lam yadri anna as-summa fī ad-dasami

How often has it made a deadly pleasure seem alluring to a man—from a quarter whence he least expected... ...knowing full well that poison lurks within the rich fare.

وَاخْشَ الدَّسَائِسَ مِنْ جُوعٍ وَمِنْ شِبَعٍفَرُبَّ مَخْمَصَةٍ شَرٌّ مِنَ التُّخَمِ

Wākhsha ad-dasāʾisa min jūʿin wamin shibaʿin, Farubba makhmaṣatin sharrun mina at-tukhami

Beware the snares of both hunger and satiety; for often, starvation is worse than gluttony.

وَاسْتَفْرِغِ الدَّمْعَ مِنْ عَيْنٍ قَدِ امْتَلَأَتْمِنَ الْمَحَارِمِ وَالْزَمْ حِمْيَةَ النَّدَمِ

Wāstafrighi ad-damʿa min ʿaynin qadi mtalaʾat, Mina al-maḥārimi wa-az-zam ḥimyata an-nadami

Shed tears from eyes filled with forbidden sights, and strictly observe the regimen of remorse.

وَخَالِفِ النَّفْسَ وَالشَّيْطَانَ وَاعْصِهِمَاوَإِنْ هُمَا مَحَضَاكَ النُّصْحَ فَاتَّهِمِ

Wakhaālifi an-nafsa wa-ash-shayṭāna wāʿṣihimā, Waʾin humā maḥaḍāka an-nuṣḥa fāttahimi

Oppose the self and Satan; defy them both—and even if they offer you sincere counsel, view it with suspicion.

وَلَا تُطِعْ مِنْهُمَا خَصْمًا وَلَا حَكَمًافَأَنْتَ تَعْرِفُ كَيْدَ الْخَصْمِ وَالْحَكَمِ

Walā tuṭiʿ minhumā khaṣmanā walā ḥakamanā, Faʾanta taʿrifu kayda al-khaṣmi wa-al-ḥakami

Heed neither of them, whether as adversary or arbiter; for you know the guile of both the adversary and the judge.

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِنْ قَوْلٍ بِلَا عَمَلٍلَقَدْ نَسَبْتُ بِهِ نَسْلًا لِذِي عُقُمِ

Astaghfiru Allāha min qawlin bilā ʿamalin, Laqad nasabtu bihi naslanā lidhī ʿuqumi

I seek God’s forgiveness for words unaccompanied by deeds; I have attributed offspring to the barren.

أَمَرْتُكَ الْخَيْرَ لَكِنْ مَا ائْتَمَرْتُ بِهِوَمَا اسْتَقَمْتُ فَمَا قَوْلِي لَكَ اسْتَقِمِ

Amartuka al-khayra lakin mā ʾtamartu bihi, Wamā staqamtu famā qawlī laka staqimi

I enjoined goodness upon you, yet I did not heed it myself; I did not walk the straight path, so how can I tell *you* to do so?

وَلَا تَزَوَّدْتُ قَبْلَ الْمَوْتِ نَافِلَةًوَلَمْ أُصَلِّ سِوَى فَرْضٍ وَلَمْ أَصُمِ

Walā tazawwadtu qabla al-mawti nāfilatan, Walam uṣalli siwā farḍin walam aṣumi

I gathered no provisions of voluntary good deeds before death; I performed only the obligatory prayers and fasts—nothing more.

ظَلَمْتُ سُنَّةَ مَنْ أَحْيَا الظَّلَامَ إِلَىأَنِ اشْتَكَتْ قَدَمَاهُ الضُّرَّ مِنْ وَرَمِ

Ẓalamtu sunnata man aḥyā aẓ-ẓalāma ilā, Ani shtakat qadamāhu aḍ-ḍurra min warami

I have wronged the way of the One who spent the night in worship until His feet complained of the pain of swelling.

وَشَدَّ مِنْ سَغَبٍ أَحْشَاءَهُ وَطَوَىتَحْتَ الْحِجَارَةِ كَشْحًا مُتْرَفَ الْأَدَمِ

Washadda min saghabin aḥshāʾahu waṭawā, Taḥta al-ḥijārati kashḥanā mutrafa al-ʾadami

He bound His midsection against the pangs of hunger and pressed His tender flank against the stones.

وَرَاوَدَتْهُ الْجِبَالُ الشُّمُّ مِنْ ذَهَبٍعَنْ نَفْسِهِ فَأَرَاهَا أَيَّمَا شَمَمِ

Warāwadathu al-jibaālu ash-shummu min dhahabin, ʿan nafsihi faʾarāhā ayyamā shamami

Lofty mountains of gold sought to tempt Him, but He showed them the height of His noble disdain.

وَأَكَّدَتْ زُهْدَهُ فِيهَا ضَرُورَتُهُإِنَّ الضَّرُورَةَ لَا تَعْدُو عَلَى الْعِصَمِ

Waʾakkadat zuhdahu fīhā ḍarūratuhu, Inna aḍ-ḍarūrata lā taʿdū ʿalā al-ʿiṣami

His very need confirmed His asceticism regarding them; for necessity cannot compromise such steadfast virtue.

وَكَيْفَ تَدْعُو إِلَى الدُّنْيَا ضَرُورَةُ مَنْلَوْلَاهُ لَمْ تُخْرَجِ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْعَدَمِ

Wakayfa tadʿū ilā ad-dunyā ḍarūratu man, Lawlāhu lam tukhraji ad-dunyā mina al-ʿadami

How could worldly need beckon the One for whose sake the world was brought forth from nothingness?

مُحَمَّدٌ سَيِّدُ الْكَوْنَيْنِ وَالثَّقَلَيْــنِ وَالْفَرِيقَيْنِ مِنْ عُرْبٍ وَمِنْ عَجَمِ

Muḥammadun sayyidu al-kawnayni wa-ath-thaqalay, Ni wa-al-farīqayni min ʿurbin wamin ʿajami

Muhammad—Master of the two realms, of mankind and jinn, and of both Arab and non-Arab alike.

نَبِيُّنَا الْآمِرُ النَّاهِي فَلَا أَحَدٌأَبَرَّ فِي قَوْلِ لَا مِنْهُ وَلَا نَعَمِ

Nabiyyunā al-ʾāmiru an-nāhī falā aḥadun, Abarra fī qawli lā minhu walā naʿami

Our Prophet, who commands and forbids; none is more truthful than He in saying "No" or "Yes."

هُوَ الْحَبِيبُ الَّذِي تُرْجَى شَفَاعَتُهُلِكُلِّ هَوْلٍ مِنَ الْأَهْوَالِ مُقْتَحَمِ

Huwa al-ḥabību adh-dhī turjā shafāʿatuhu, Likulli hawlin mina al-ʾahwaāli muqtaḥami

He is the Beloved whose intercession is sought for every terrifying ordeal one must face.

دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَالْمُسْتَمْسِكُونَ بِهِمُسْتَمْسِكُونَ بِحَبْلٍ غَيْرِ مُنْفَصِمِ

Daʿā ilā Allāhi fa-al-mustamsikūna bihi, Mustamsikūna biḥablin ghayri munfaṣimi

He called to Allah; and those who hold fast to Him hold fast to a rope that shall never...

فَاقَ النَّبِيِّينَ فِي خَلْقٍ وَفِي خُلُقٍوَلَمْ يُدَانُوهُ فِي عِلْمٍ وَلَا كَرَمِ

Fāqa an-nabiyyīna fī khalqin wafī khuluqin, Walam yudānūhu fī ʿilmin walā karami

He surpassed the prophets in both physical form and character; none could rival him in knowledge or generosity.

وَكُلُّهُمْ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ مُلْتَمِسٌغَرْفًا مِنَ الْبَحْرِ أَوْ رَشْفًا مِنَ الدِّيَمِ

Wakulluhum min rasūli Allāhi multamisun, Gharfanā mina al-baḥri aw rashfanā mina ad-diyami

All of them seek from the Messenger of Allah—be it a mere scoop from the ocean or a sip from the abundant rains.

وَوَاقِفُونَ لَدَيْهِ عِنْدَ حَدِّهِمِمِنْ نُقْطَةِ الْعِلْمِ أَوْ مِنْ شَكْلَةِ الْحِكَمِ

Wawāqifūna ladayhi ʿinda ḥaddihimi, Min nuqṭati al-ʿilmi aw min shaklati al-ḥikami

They stand before him, each at their own station—whether at a single point of knowledge or a mere nuance of wisdom.

فَهْوَ الَّذِي تَمَّ مَعْنَاهُ وَصُورَتُهُثُمَّ اصْطَفَاهُ حَبِيبًا بَارِئُ النَّسَمِ

Fahwa adh-dhī tamma maʿnāhu waṣūratuhu, Thumma ṣṭafāhu ḥabībanā bāriʾu an-nasami

For he is the one whose essence and form were perfected, and whom the Creator of all souls chose as His Beloved.

مُنَزَّهٌ عَنْ شَرِيكٍ فِي مَحَاسِنِهِفَجَوْهَرُ الْحُسْنِ فِيهِ غَيْرُ مُنْقَسِمِ

Munazzahun ʿan sharīkin fī maḥāsinihi, Fajawharu al-ḥusni fīhi ghayru munqasimi

He is exalted above having any equal in his virtues; the very essence of beauty within him is indivisible.

دَعْ مَا ادَّعَتْهُ النَّصَارَى فِي نَبِيِّهِمِوَاحْكُمْ بِمَا شِئْتَ مَدْحًا فِيهِ وَاحْتَكِمِ

Daʿ mā ddaʿathu an-naṣārā fī nabiyyihimi, Wāḥkum bimā shiʾta madḥanā fīhi wāḥtakimi

Cast aside what the Christians claimed regarding their prophet; then say whatever you wish in praise of him, and let judgment be passed.

وَانْسُبْ إِلَى ذَاتِهِ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَرَفٍوَانْسُبْ إِلَى قَدْرِهِ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ عِظَمِ

Wānsub ilā dhātihi mā shiʾta min sharafin, Wānsub ilā qadrihi mā shiʾta min ʿiẓami

Attribute to his essence whatever nobility you desire, and ascribe to his stature whatever greatness you wish.

فَإِنَّ فَضْلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ لَهُحَدٌّ فَيُعْرِبَ عَنْهُ نَاطِقٌ بِفَمِ

Faʾinna faḍla rasūli Allāhi laysa lahu, Ḥaddun fayuʿriba ʿanhu nāṭiqun bifami

For the excellence of the Messenger of Allah knows no bounds that any human tongue could fully articulate.

لَوْ نَاسَبَتْ قَدْرَهُ آيَاتُهُ عِظَمًاأَحْيَا اسْمُهُ حِينَ يُدْعَى دَارِسَ الرِّمَمِ

Law nāsabat qadrahu ʾāyātuhu ʿiẓamanā, Aḥyā smuhu ḥīna yudʿā dārisa ar-rimami

Had his miracles been commensurate in magnitude with his true stature, they would have revived... He is known as the "Effacer of Ruins" when invoked.

لَمْ يَمْتَحِنَّا بِمَا تَعْيَا الْعُقُولُ بِهِحِرْصًا عَلَيْنَا فَلَمْ نَرْتَبْ وَلَمْ نَهِمِ

Lam yamtaḥinnā bimā taʿyā al-ʿuqūlu bihi, Ḥirṣanā ʿalaynā falam nartab walam nahimi

He did not test us with matters that baffle the intellect—out of solicitude for us—so we harbored no doubt nor wandered in confusion.

أَعْيَا الْوَرَى فَهْمُ مَعْنَاهُ فَلَيْسَ يُرَىفِي الْقُرْبِ وَالْبُعْدِ فِيهِ غَيْرُ مُنْفَحِمِ

Aʿyā al-warā fahmu maʿnāhu falaysa yurā, Fī al-qurbi wa-al-buʿdi fīhi ghayru munfaḥimi

Mankind has failed to grasp His true essence; whether near or far, no one can perceive Him without being left speechless.

كَالشَّمْسِ تَظْهَرُ لِلْعَيْنَيْنِ مِنْ بُعُدٍصَغِيرَةً وَتُكِلُّ الطَّرْفَ مِنْ أَمَمِ

Ka-ash-shamsi taẓharu lilʿaynayni min buʿudin, Ṣaghīratan watukillu aṭ-ṭarfa min amami

Like the sun, which appears small to the eye from afar, yet dazzles and overwhelms the gaze when viewed up close.

وَكَيْفَ يُدْرِكُ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَقِيقَتَهُقَوْمٌ نِيَامٌ تَسَلَّوْا عَنْهُ بِالْحُلُمِ

Wakayfa yudriku fī ad-dunyā ḥaqīqatahu, Qawmun niyāmun tasallawā ʿanhu bi-al-ḥulumi

How could people in this world—slumbering souls distracted by dreams—comprehend His true reality?

فَمَبْلَغُ الْعِلْمِ فِيهِ أَنَّهُ بَشَرٌوَأَنَّهُ خَيْرُ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ كُلِّهِمِ

Famablaghu al-ʿilmi fīhi annahu basharun, Waʾannahu khayru khalqi Allāhi kullihimi

The extent of our knowledge regarding Him is simply that He is a human being, and that He is the best of all God’s creation.

وَكُلُّ آيٍ أَتَى الرُّسْلُ الْكِرَامُ بِهَافَإِنَّمَا اتَّصَلَتْ مِنْ نُورِهِ بِهِمِ

Wakullu ʾāyin atā ar-ruslu al-kirāmu bihā, Faʾinnamā ttaṣalat min nūrihi bihimi

Every miraculous sign brought by the noble messengers was derived from His light and passed on to them.

فَإِنَّهُ شَمْسُ فَضْلٍ هُمْ كَوَاكِبُهَايُظْهِرْنَ أَنْوَارَهَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي الظُّلَمِ

Faʾinnahu shamsu faḍlin hum kawākibuhā, Yuẓhirna anwārahā lilnnāsi fī aẓ-ẓulami

For He is the sun of excellence, and they are its stars, revealing its light to the people amidst the darkness.

أَكْرِمْ بِخَلْقِ نَبِيٍّ زَانَهُ خُلُقٌبِالْحُسْنِ مُشْتَمِلٍ بِالْبِشْرِ مُتَّسِمِ

Akrim bikhalqi nabiyyin zānahu khuluqun, Bi-al-ḥusni mushtamilin bi-al-bishri muttasimi

How noble is the Prophet, adorned with character, embodying both beauty and a radiant, welcoming countenance.

كَالزَّهْرِ فِي تَرَفٍ وَالْبَدْرِ فِي شَرَفٍوَالْبَحْرِ فِي كَرَمٍ وَالدَّهْرِ فِي هِمَمِ

Ka-az-zahri fī tarafin wa-al-badri fī sharafin, Wa-al-baḥri fī karamin wa-ad-dahri fī himami

Like a flower in elegance, the full moon in nobility, the sea in generosity, and time itself in lofty ambition.

كَأَنَّهُ وَهْوَ فَرْدٌ مِنْ جَلَالَتِهِفِي عَسْكَرٍ حِينَ تَلْقَاهُ وَفِي حَشَمِ

Kaʾannahu wahwa fardun min jalaālatihi, Fī ʿaskarin ḥīna talqāhu wafī ḥashami

Though he stands alone, his majestic aura makes him appear—when you meet him—as if surrounded by an army and an entourage.

كَأَنَّمَا اللُّؤْلُؤُ الْمَكْنُونُ فِي صَدَفٍمِنْ مَعْدِنَيْ مَنْطِقٍ مِنْهُ وَمُبْتَسَمِ

Kaʾannamā al-luʾluʾu al-maknūnu fī ṣadafin, Min maʿdinay manṭiqin minhu wamubtasami

It is as though hidden pearls lie within the shells of his speech and his smile.

لَا طِيبَ يَعْدِلُ تُرْبًا ضَمَّ أَعْظُمَهُطُوبَى لِمُنْتَشِقٍ مِنْهُ وَمُلْتَثِمِ

Lā ṭība yaʿdilu turbanā ḍamma aʿẓumahu, Ṭūbā limuntashiqin minhu wamultathimi

No fragrance can rival the earth that cradles his remains; blessed is he who inhales its scent or kisses that hallowed ground.

أَبَانَ مَوْلِدُهُ عَنْ طِيبِ عُنْصُرِهِيَا طِيبَ مُبْتَدَإٍ مِنْهُ وَمُخْتَتَمِ

Abāna mawliduhu ʿan ṭībi ʿunṣurihi, Yā ṭība mubtadaʾin minhu wamukhtatami

His birth revealed the nobility of his lineage; how blessed were both his beginning and his end!

يَوْمٌ تَفَرَّسَ فِيهِ الْفُرْسُ أَنَّهُمُقَدْ أُنْذِرُوا بِحُلُولِ الْبُؤْسِ وَالنِّقَمِ

Yawmun tafarrasa fīhi al-fursu annahumu, Qad undhirūā biḥulūli al-buʾsi wa-an-niqami

It was a day when the Persians foresaw that they were being warned of impending misery and retribution.

وَبَاتَ إِيوَانُ كِسْرَى وَهْوَ مُنْصَدِعٌكَشَمْلِ أَصْحَابِ كِسْرَى غَيْرَ مُلْتَئِمِ

Wabāta īwānu kisrā wahwa munṣadiʿun, Kashamli aṣḥābi kisrā ghayra multaʾimi

Chosroes’ great hall stood fractured—much like the unity of his courtiers, never to be restored.

وَالنَّارُ خَامِدَةُ الْأَنْفَاسِ مِنْ أَسَفٍعَلَيْهِ وَالنَّهْرُ سَاهِي الْعَيْنِ مِنْ سَدَمِ

Wa-an-nāru khāmidatu al-ʾanfāsi min asafin, ʿalayhi wa-an-nahru sāhī al-ʿayni min sadami

The sacred fire lay extinguished in sorrow, and the river’s waters ceased to flow, stunned by grief.

وَسَاءَ سَاوَةَ أَنْ غَاضَتْ بُحَيْرَتُهَاوَرُدَّ وَارِدُهَا بِالْغَيْظِ حِينَ ظَمِي

Wasāʾa sāwata an ghāḍat buḥayratuhā, Warudda wāriduhā bi-al-ghayẓi ḥīna ẓamī

The people of Sawa were dismayed as their lake receded, and those who came to drink were turned away in rage and thirst.

كَأَنَّ بِالنَّارِ مَا بِالْمَاءِ مِنْ بَلَلٍحُزْنًا وَبِالْمَاءِ مَا بِالنَّارِ مِنْ ضَرَمِ

Kaʾanna bi-an-nāri mā bi-al-māʾi min balalin, Ḥuznanā wabiālmāʾi mā bi-an-nāri min ḍarami

It was as if the fire had absorbed the water’s dampness in its sorrow, while the water had taken on the fire’s burning intensity.

وَالْجِنُّ تَهْتِفُ وَالْأَنْوَارُ سَاطِعَةٌوَالْحَقُّ يَظْهَرُ مِنْ مَعْنًى وَمِنْ كَلِمِ

Wa-al-jinnu tahtifu wa-al-ʾanwāru sāṭiʿatun, Wa-al-ḥaqqu yaẓharu min maʿnaná wamin kalimi

The Jinn cried out and brilliant lights shone forth, as the Truth manifested itself through both meaning and word.

عَمُوا وَصَمُّوا فَإِعْلَانُ الْبَشَائِرِ لَمْتُسْمَعْ وَبَارِقَةُ الْإِنْذَارِ لَمْ تُشَمِ

ʿamūā waṣammūā faʾiʿlānu al-bashāʾiri lam, Tusmaʿ wabāriqatu al-ʾindhāri lam tushami

Yet they were blind and deaf; the proclamation of glad tidings went unheard, and the flash of warning went unseen.

مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا أَخْبَرَ الْأَقْوَامَ كَاهِنُهُمْبِأَنَّ دِينَهُمُ الْمُعْوَجَّ لَمْ يَقُمِ

Min baʿdi mā akhbara al-ʾaqwāma kāhinuhum, Biʾanna dīnahumu al-muʿwajja lam yaqumi

This occurred after their soothsayer had foretold to the people that... Their crooked religion was never set right.

وَبَعْدَ مَا عَايَنُوا فِي الْأُفُقِ مِنْ شُهُبٍمُنْقَضَّةٍ وَفْقَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ صَنَمِ

Wabaʿda mā ʿāyanūā fī al-ʾufuqi min shuhubin, Munqaḍḍatin wafqa mā fī al-ʾarḍi min ṣanami

And after they witnessed meteors plunging across the horizon—falling in correspondence with the idols upon the earth—

حَتَّى غَدَا عَنْ طَرِيقِ الْوَحْيِ مُنْهَزِمٌمِنَ الشَّيَاطِينِ يَقْفُو إِثْرَ مُنْهَزِمِ

Ḥattā ghadā ʿan ṭarīqi al-waḥyi munhazimun, Mina ash-shayāṭīni yaqfū ithra munhazimi

they were routed from the path of Revelation, with devils fleeing one after another in retreat.

كَأَنَّهُمْ هَرَبًا أَبْطَالُ أَبْرَهَةٍأَوْ عَسْكَرٌ بِالْحَصَى مِنْ رَاحَتَيْهِ رُمِي

Kaʾannahum harabanā abṭaālu abrahatin, Aw ʿaskarun bi-al-ḥaṣā min rāḥatayhi rumī

In their flight, they resembled the warriors of Abraha, or an army pelted by the pebbles cast from his palms—

نَبْذًا بِهِ بَعْدَ تَسْبِيحٍ بِبَطْنِهِمَانَبْذَ الْمُسَبِّحِ مِنْ أَحْشَاءِ مُلْتَقِمِ

Nabdhanā bihi baʿda tasbīḥin bibaṭnihimā, Nabdha al-musabbiḥi min aḥshāʾi multaqimi

pebbles cast forth after having been glorified within their bellies, much like the one who glorified God being cast out from the depths of the swallower.

جَاءَتْ لِدَعْوَتِهِ الْأَشْجَارُ سَاجِدَةًتَمْشِي إِلَيْهِ عَلَى سَاقٍ بِلَا قَدَمِ

Jāʾat lidaʿwatihi al-ʾashjāru sājidatan, Tamshī ilayhi ʿalā sāqin bilā qadami

The trees came at his call, bowing in reverence, walking toward him on trunks devoid of feet.

كَأَنَّمَا سَطَرَتْ سَطْرًا لِمَا كَتَبَتْفُرُوعُهَا مِنْ بَدِيعِ الْخَطِّ بِاللَّقَمِ

Kaʾannamā saṭarat saṭranā limā katabat, Furūʿuhā min badīʿi al-khaṭṭi bi-al-laqami

It was as if their branches traced a line of exquisite calligraphy, inscribing a message upon the earth.

مِثْلَ الْغَمَامَةِ أَنَّى سَارَ سَائِرَةًتَقِيهِ حَرَّ وَطِيسٍ لِلْهَجِيرِ حَمِي

Mithla al-ghamāmati annā sāra sāʾiratan, Taqīhi ḥarra waṭīsin lillāhajīri ḥamī

Like a cloud, it moved wherever he traveled, shielding him from the scorching heat of the midday sun.

أَقْسَمْتُ بِالْقَمَرِ الْمُنْشَقِّ إِنَّ لَهُمِنْ قَلْبِهِ نِسْبَةً مَبْرُورَةَ الْقَسَمِ

Aqsamtu bi-al-qamari al-munshaqqi inna lahu, Min qalbihi nisbatan mabrūrata al-qasami

I swear by the split moon—a bond of truth linking it to his very heart.

وَمَا حَوَى الْغَارُ مِنْ خَيْرٍ وَمِنْ كَرَمٍوَكُلُّ طَرْفٍ مِنَ الْكُفَّارِ عَنْهُ عَمِي

Wamā ḥawā al-ghāru min khayrin wamin karamin, Wakullu ṭarfin mina al-kuffāri ʿanhu ʿamī

And by the goodness and nobility contained within the Cave, while the eyes of the disbelievers remained blind to him.

فَالصِّدْقُ فِي الْغَارِ وَالصِّدِّيقُ لَمْ يَرِمَاوَهُمْ يَقُولُونَ مَا بِالْغَارِ مِنْ أَرِمِ

Fa-aṣ-ṣidqu fī al-ghāri wa-aṣ-ṣiddīqu lam yarimā, Wahum yaqūlūna mā bi-al-ghāri min arimi

Truth and the *Siddiq* (the Truthful One) remained steadfast within the Cave, while the enemy claimed there was no one inside.

ظَنُّوا الْحَمَامَ وَظَنُّوا الْعَنْكَبُوتَ عَلَىخَيْرِ الْبَرِيَّةِ لَمْ تَنْسُجْ وَلَمْ تَحُمِ

Ẓannūā al-ḥamāma waẓannūā al-ʿankabūta ʿalā, Khayri al-bariyyati lam tansuj walam taḥumi

They imagined the dove and the spider had not woven their webs or hovered near the best of creation.

وِقَايَةُ اللَّهِ أَغْنَتْ عَنْ مُضَاعَفَةٍمِنَ الدُّرُوعِ وَعَنْ عَالٍ مِنَ الْأُطُمِ

Wiqāyatu Allāhi aghnat ʿan muḍāʿafatin, Mina ad-durūʿi waʿan ʿaālin mina al-ʾuṭumi

God’s protection sufficed, rendering layers of armor and towering fortresses unnecessary.

مَا سَامَنِي الدَّهْرُ ضَيْمًا وَاسْتَجَرْتُ بِهِإِلَّا وَنِلْتُ جِوَارًا مِنْهُ لَمْ يُضَمِ

Mā sāmanī ad-dahru ḍaymanā wāstajartu bihi, Illā waniltu jiwāranā minhu lam yuḍami

Never did time afflict me with hardship and I sought his refuge, but that I found relief. ...dwelling in his neighborhood, one is never left unprotected.

وَلَا الْتَمَسْتُ غِنَى الدَّارَيْنِ مِنْ يَدِهِإِلَّا اسْتَلَمْتُ النَّدَى مِنْ خَيْرِ مُسْتَلَمِ

Walā at-tamastu ghinā ad-dārayni min yadihi, Illā stalamtu an-nadā min khayri mustalami

Never did I seek the bounty of both worlds from his hand but that I received grace from the best of bestowers.

لَا تُنْكِرِ الْوَحْيَ مِنْ رُؤْيَاهُ إِنَّ لَهُقَلْبًا إِذَا نَامَتِ الْعَيْنَانِ لَمْ يَنَمِ

Lā tunkiri al-waḥya min ruʾyāhu inna lahu, Qalbanā idhā nāmati al-ʿaynāni lam yanami

Do not deny the revelation that came through his dreams; for he possesses a heart that does not slumber even when his eyes are asleep.

وَذَاكَ حِينَ بُلُوغٍ مِنْ نُبُوَّتِهِفَلَيْسَ يُنْكَرُ فِيهِ حَالُ مُحْتَلِمِ

Wadhāka ḥīna bulūghin min nubuwwatihi, Falaysa yunkaru fīhi ḥaālu muḥtalimi

That occurred as his prophethood was coming to fruition; thus, the nature of such a vision is beyond dispute.

تَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ مَا وَحْيٌ بِمُكْتَسَبٍوَلَا نَبِيٌّ عَلَى غَيْبٍ بِمُتَّهَمِ

Tabāraka Allāhu mā waḥyun bimuktasabin, Walā nabiyyun ʿalā ghaybin bimuttahami

Blessed be Allah; revelation is not something acquired [by human effort], nor is the Prophet to be doubted regarding the Unseen.

كَمْ أَبْرَأَتْ وَصِبًا بِاللَّمْسِ رَاحَتُهُوَأَطْلَقَتْ أَرِبًا مِنْ رِبْقَةِ اللَّمَمِ

Kam abraʾat waṣibanā bi-al-lamsi rāḥatuhu, Waʾaṭlaqat aribanā min ribqati al-lamami

How often did his palm heal an ailment with a touch, and set a limb free from the shackles of affliction!

وَأَحْيَتِ السَّنَةَ الشَّهْبَاءَ دَعْوَتُهُحَتَّى حَكَتْ غُرَّةً فِي الْأَعْصُرِ الدُّهُمِ

Waʾaḥyati as-sanata ash-shahbāʾa daʿwatuhu, Ḥattā ḥakat ghurratan fī al-ʾaʿṣuri ad-duhumi

His supplication revived the barren, drought-stricken year, making it shine like a bright blaze amidst the darkest of eras—

بِعَارِضٍ جَادَ أَوْ خِلْتَ الْبِطَاحَ بِهَاسَيْبٌ مِنَ الْيَمِّ أَوْ سَيْلٌ مِنَ الْعَرِمِ

Biʿāriḍin jāda aw khilta al-biṭāḥa bihā, Saybun mina al-yammi aw saylun mina al-ʿarimi

...with a rain-laden cloud that poured down so generously, you would imagine the valleys filled with a boundless ocean or a mighty, surging torrent.

دَعْنِي وَوَصْفِيَ آيَاتٍ لَهُ ظَهَرَتْظُهُورَ نَارِ الْقِرَى لَيْلًا عَلَى عَلَمِ

Daʿnī wawaṣfiya ʾāyātin lahu ẓaharat, Ẓuhūra nāri al-qirā laylanā ʿalā ʿalami

Leave me to describe the signs of His that have appeared—manifest as the beacon-fire of hospitality burning at night upon a mountain peak.

فَالدُّرُّ يَزْدَادُ حُسْنًا وَهْوَ مُنْتَظِمٌوَلَيْسَ يَنْقُصُ قَدْرًا غَيْرَ مُنْتَظِمِ

Fa-ad-durru yazdādu ḥusnanā wahwa muntaẓimun, Walaysa yanquṣu qadranā ghayra muntaẓimi

For pearls gain beauty when strung in order, yet lose no worth when left unstrung.

فَمَا تَطَاوُلُ آمَالِ الْمَدِيحِ إِلَىمَا فِيهِ مِنْ كَرَمِ الْأَخْلَاقِ وَالشِّيَمِ

Famā taṭāwulu ʾāmaāli al-madīḥi ilā, Mā fīhi min karami al-ʾakhlāqi wa-ash-shiyami

No aspiration to offer praise can ever reach the heights of His noble character and virtues.

آيَاتُ حَقٍّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ مُحْدَثَةٌقَدِيمَةٌ صِفَةُ الْمَوْصُوفِ بِالْقِدَمِ

ʾāyātu ḥaqqin mina ar-raḥmāni muḥdathatun, Qadīmatun ṣifatu al-mawṣūfi bi-al-qidami

Signs of truth, newly revealed by the Most Merciful, yet eternal—an attribute of the One described by Eternity itself.

لَمْ تَقْتَرِنْ بِزَمَانٍ وَهْيَ تُخْبِرُنَاعَنِ الْمَعَادِ وَعَنْ عَادٍ وَعَنْ إِرَمِ

Lam taqtarin bizamānin wahya tukhbirunā, ʿani al-maʿādi waʿan ʿādin waʿan irami

Bound to no specific time, they tell us of the Hereafter, and of the ancient peoples of ‘Ad and Iram.

دَامَتْ لَدَيْنَا فَفَاقَتْ كُلَّ مُعْجِزَةٍمِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ إِذْ جَاءَتْ وَلَمْ تَدُمِ

Dāmat ladaynā fafāqat kulla muʿjizatin, Mina an-nabiyyīna idh jāʾat walam tadumi

Enduring among us, they surpass every miracle of the prophets—miracles that came and passed, but did not remain.

مُحْكَمَاتٌ فَمَا تُبْقِينَ مِنْ شُبَهٍلِذِي شِقَاقٍ وَمَا يَبْغِينَ مِنْ حَكَمِ

Muḥkamātun famā tubqīna min shubahin, Lidhī shiqāqin wamā yabghīna min ḥakami

Verses of decisive clarity; they leave no room for doubt for the contentious, nor do they require any further arbiter.

مَا حُورِبَتْ قَطُّ إِلَّا عَادَ مِنْ حَرَبٍأَعْدَى الْأَعَادِي إِلَيْهَا مُلْقِيَ السَّلَمِ

Mā ḥūribat qaṭṭu illā ʿāda min ḥarabin, Aʿdā al-ʾaʿādī ilayhā mulqiya as-salami

Never were they challenged in conflict but that the fiercest of enemies returned from the fray, surrendering in peace.

رَدَّتْ بَلَاغَتُهَا دَعْوَى مُعَارِضِهَارَدَّ الْغَيُورِ يَدَ الْجَانِي عَنِ الْحُرَمِ

Raddat balāghatuhā daʿwā muʿāriḍihā, Radda al-ghayūri yada al-jānī ʿani al-ḥurami

Their eloquence repelled the claims of any challenger, just as a jealous guardian wards off the hand of an aggressor...

لَهَا مَعَانٍ كَمَوْجِ الْبَحْرِ فِي مَدَدٍوَفَوْقَ جَوْهَرِهِ فِي الْحُسْنِ وَالْقِيَمِ

Lahā maʿānin kamawji al-baḥri fī madadin, Wafawqa jawharihi fī al-ḥusni wa-al-qiyami

Its meanings are vast as the ocean’s surging waves, yet surpassing the ocean’s gems in beauty and worth.

فَمَا تُعَدُّ وَلَا تُحْصَى عَجَائِبُهَاوَلَا تُسَامُ عَلَى الْإِكْثَارِ بِالسَّأَمِ

Famā tuʿaddu walā tuḥṣā ʿajāʾibuhā, Walā tusāmu ʿalā al-ʾikthāri bi-as-saʾami

Its wonders are beyond counting or enumeration; one never tires of reciting it, however often.

قَرَّتْ بِهَا عَيْنُ قَارِيهَا فَقُلْتُ لَهُلَقَدْ ظَفِرْتَ بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ فَاعْتَصِمِ

Qarrat bihā ʿaynu qārīhā faqultu lahu, Laqad ẓafirta biḥabli Allāhi fāʿtaṣimi

It brings solace to the reader’s eyes; I said to him: "You have grasped the rope of Allah—hold fast to it."

إِنْ تَتْلُهَا خِيفَةً مِنْ حَرِّ نَارِ لَظَىأَطْفَأْتَ حَرَّ لَظَى مِنْ وِرْدِهَا الشَّبِمِ

In tatluhā khīfatan min ḥarri nāri laẓā, Aṭfaʾta ḥarra laẓā min wirdihā ash-shabimi

If you recite it fearing the scorching heat of the Blazing Fire, its cool, refreshing waters will quench that very heat.

كَأَنَّهَا الْحَوْضُ تَبْيَضُّ الْوُجُوهُ بِهِمِنَ الْعُصَاةِ وَقَدْ جَاؤُوهُ كَالْحُمَمِ

Kaʾannahā al-ḥawḍu tabyaḍḍu al-wujūhu bihi, Mina al-ʿuṣāti waqad jāʾūhu ka-al-ḥumami

It is like the Divine Basin that whitens the faces of sinners—sinners who had come to it blackened like soot.

وَكَالصِّرَاطِ وَكَالْمِيزَانِ مَعْدِلَةًفَالْقِسْطُ مِنْ غَيْرِهَا فِي النَّاسِ لَمْ يَقُمِ

Wakaālṣṣirāṭi wakaālmīzāni maʿdilatan, Fa-al-qisṭu min ghayrihā fī an-nāsi lam yaqumi

It is like the *Sirat* (Bridge) and the *Mizan* (Scale) in its perfect justice; without it, true equity among mankind would not stand.

لَا تَعْجَبَنْ لِحَسُودٍ رَاحَ يُنْكِرُهَاتَجَاهُلًا وَهْوَ عَيْنُ الْحَاذِقِ الْفَهِمِ

Lā taʿjaban liḥasūdin rāḥa yunkiruhā, Tajāhulanā wahwa ʿaynu al-ḥādhiqi al-fahimi

Do not marvel at the envious one who denies it out of feigned ignorance, even though he is truly a sharp and discerning mind.

قَدْ تُنْكِرُ الْعَيْنُ ضَوْءَ الشَّمْسِ مِنْ رَمَدٍوَيُنْكِرُ الْفَمُ طَعْمَ الْمَاءِ مِنْ سَقَمِ

Qad tunkiru al-ʿaynu ḍawʾa ash-shamsi min ramadin, Wayunkiru al-famu ṭaʿma al-māʾi min saqami

For the eye may deny the sunlight due to inflammation, and the mouth may fail to taste the water due to illness.

يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ يَمَّمَ الْعَافُونَ سَاحَتَهُسَعْيًا وَفَوْقَ مُتُونِ الْأَيْنُقِ الرُّسُمِ

Yā khayra man yammama al-ʿāfūna sāḥatahu, Saʿyanā wafawqa mutūni al-ʾaynuqi ar-rusumi

O best of those to whose threshold seekers journey—whether on foot or atop swift, sure-footed camels—

وَمَنْ هُوَ الْآيَةُ الْكُبْرَى لِمُعْتَبِرٍوَمَنْ هُوَ النِّعْمَةُ الْعُظْمَى لِمُغْتَنِمِ

Waman huwa al-ʾāyatu al-kubrā limuʿtabirin, Waman huwa an-niʿmatu al-ʿuẓmā limughtanimi

You are the supreme sign for the contemplative, and the greatest blessing for the one who seizes the opportunity.

سَرَيْتَ مِنْ حَرَمٍ لَيْلًا إِلَى حَرَمٍكَمَا سَرَى الْبَدْرُ فِي دَاجٍ مِنَ الظُّلَمِ

Sarayta min ḥaramin laylanā ilā ḥaramin, Kamā sarā al-badru fī dājin mina aẓ-ẓulami

You journeyed by night from one Sacred Sanctuary to another, just as the full moon travels through the pitch-black darkness.

وَبِتَّ تَرْقَى إِلَى أَنْ نِلْتَ مَنْزِلَةًمِنْ قَابِ قَوْسَيْنِ لَمْ تُدْرَكْ وَلَمْ تُرَمِ

Wabitta tarqā ilā an nilta manzilatan, Min qābi qawsayni lam tudrak walam turami

You ascended until you attained a station—that of "two bows' length"—unreachable and beyond all aspiration.

وَقَدَّمَتْكَ جَمِيعُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ بِهَاوَالرُّسْلِ تَقْدِيمَ مَخْدُومٍ عَلَى خَدَمِ

Waqaddamatka jamīʿu al-ʾanbiyāʾi bihā, Wa-ar-rusli taqdīma makhdūmin ʿalā khadami

All the prophets and messengers deferred to you, according you the precedence of a master over his servants.

وَأَنْتَ تَخْتَرِقُ السَّبْعَ الطِّبَاقَ بِهِمْفِي مَوْكِبٍ كُنْتَ فِيهِ صَاحِبَ الْعَلَمِ

Waʾanta takhtariqu as-sabʿa aṭ-ṭibāqa bihim, Fī mawkibin kunta fīhi ṣāḥiba al-ʿalami

You traversed the seven heavens in their midst, leading a procession in which you bore the standard.

حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ تَدَعْ شَأْوًا لِمُسْتَبِقٍمِنَ الدُّنُوِّ وَلَا مَرْقًى لِمُسْتَنِمِ

Ḥattā idhā lam tadaʿ shaʾwanā limustabiqin, Mina ad-dunuwwi walā marqaná limustanimi

Until you left no scope for any other to surpass you in nearness, nor any further height for another to aspire to;

خَفَضْتَ كُلَّ مَقَامٍ بِالْإِضَافَةِ إِذْنُودِيتَ بِالرَّفْعِ مِثْلَ الْمُفْرَدِ الْعَلَمِ

Khafaḍta kulla maqāmin bi-al-ʾiḍāfati idh, Nūdīta bi-ar-rafʿi mithla al-mufradi al-ʿalami

You eclipsed every other station by comparison, for you were summoned with the mark of supreme exaltation—like a singular, unique proper noun.

كَيْمَا تَفُوزَ بِوَصْلٍ أَيِّ مُسْتَتِرٍعَنِ الْعُيُونِ وَسِرٍّ أَيِّ مُكْتَتَمِ

Kaymā tafūza biwaṣlin ayyi mustatirin, ʿani al-ʿuyūni wasirrin ayyi muktatami

So that you might attain a union...

فَحُزْتَ كُلَّ فَخَارٍ غَيْرَ مُشْتَرَكٍوَجُزْتَ كُلَّ مَقَامٍ غَيْرَ مُزْدَحَمِ

Faḥuzta kulla fakhārin ghayra mushtarakin, Wajuzta kulla maqāmin ghayra muzdaḥami

Hidden from sight, a secret deeply concealed.

وَجَلَّ مِقْدَارُ مَا وُلِّيتَ مِنْ رُتَبٍوَعَزَّ إِدْرَاكُ مَا أُولِيتَ مِنْ نِعَمِ

Wajalla miqdāru mā wullīta min rutabin, Waʿazza idrāku mā ūlīta min niʿami

You attained unique glory, unrivaled and supreme, and reached a station where none could vie with you.

بُشْرَى لَنَا مَعْشَرَ الْإِسْلَامِ إِنَّ لَنَامِنَ الْعِنَايَةِ رُكْنًا غَيْرَ مُنْهَدِمِ

Bushrā lanā maʿshara al-ʾislāmi inna lanā, Mina al-ʿināyati ruknanā ghayra munhadimi

Exalted is the magnitude of the ranks you hold, and beyond reach are the blessings bestowed upon you.

لَمَّا دَعَا اللَّهُ دَاعِينَا لِطَاعَتِهِبِأَكْرَمِ الرُّسْلِ كُنَّا أَكْرَمَ الْأُمَمِ

Lammā daʿā Allāhu dāʿīnā liṭāʿatihi, Biʾakrami ar-rusli kunnā akrama al-ʾumami

Glad tidings to us, the community of Islam; for in this divine care, we possess an unshakeable pillar.

رَاعَتْ قُلُوبَ الْعِدَا أَنْبَاءُ بَعْثَتِهِكَنَبْأَةٍ أَجْفَلَتْ غُفْلًا مِنَ الْغَنَمِ

Rāʿat qulūba al-ʿidā anbāʾu baʿthatihi, Kanabʾatin ajfalat ghuflan mina al-ghanami

News of his mission struck terror into the hearts of the enemy, like a sudden cry that startles an unwary flock of sheep.

مَا زَالَ يَلْقَاهُمُ فِي كُلِّ مُعْتَرَكٍحَتَّى حَكَوْا بِالْقَنَا لَحْمًا عَلَى وَضَمِ

Mā zaāla yalqāhumu fī kulli muʿtarakin, Ḥattā ḥakawā bi-al-qanā laḥmanā ʿalā waḍami

He continued to confront them on every battlefield, until—pierced by spears—they resembled meat laid upon a butcher’s block.

وَدُّوا الْفِرَارَ فَكَادُوا يَغْبِطُونَ بِهِأَشْلَاءَ شَالَتْ مَعَ الْعِقْبَانِ وَالرَّخَمِ

Waddūā al-firāra fakādūā yaghbiṭūna bihi, Ashlāʾa shaālat maʿa al-ʿiqbāni wa-ar-rakhami

They longed to flee, almost envying the severed limbs that were borne aloft by eagles and vultures.

تَمْضِي اللَّيَالِي وَلَا يَدْرُونَ عِدَّتَهَامَا لَمْ تَكُنْ مِنْ لَيَالِي الْأَشْهُرِ الْحُرُمِ

Tamḍī al-layaālī walā yadrūna ʿiddatahā, Mā lam takun min layaālī al-ʾashhuri al-ḥurumi

Nights would pass without them counting the days, unless those nights fell within the Sacred Months.

كَأَنَّمَا الدِّينُ ضَيْفٌ حَلَّ سَاحَتَهُمْبِكُلِّ قَرْمٍ إِلَى لَحْمِ الْعِدَا قَرِمِ

Kaʾannamā ad-dīnu ḍayfun ḥalla sāḥatahum, Bikulli qarmin ilā laḥmi al-ʿidā qarimi

It was as if the Faith were a guest who had arrived in their midst, accompanied by noble warriors ravenous for the flesh of the enemy.

يَجُرُّ بَحْرَ خَمِيسٍ فَوْقَ سَابِحَةٍيَرْمِي بِمَوْجٍ مِنَ الْأَبْطَالِ مُلْتَطِمِ

Yajurru baḥra khamīsin fawqa sābiḥatin, Yarmī bimawjin mina al-ʾabṭaāli multaṭimi

He led forth a vast army—like a surging sea—advancing with a crashing wave of heroic champions.

مِنْ كُلِّ مُنْتَدِبٍ لِلَّهِ مُحْتَسِبٍيَسْطُو بِمُسْتَأْصِلٍ لِلْكُفْرِ مُصْطَلِمِ

Min kulli muntadibin lillāhi muḥtasibin, Yasṭū bimustaʾṣilin lilkufri muṣṭalimi

Each one a volunteer for the sake of God, seeking His reward, striking with a force that utterly eradicated disbelief.

حَتَّى غَدَتْ مِلَّةُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَهْيَ بِهِمْمِنْ بَعْدِ غُرْبَتِهَا مَوْصُولَةَ الرَّحِمِ

Ḥattā ghadat millatu al-ʾislāmi wahya bihim, Min baʿdi ghurbatihā mawṣūlata ar-raḥimi

Thus, the faith of Islam—once a stranger—found itself, through them, restored to the embrace of kinship and belonging.

مَكْفُولَةً أَبَدًا مِنْهُمْ بِخَيْرِ أَبٍوَخَيْرِ بَعْلٍ فَلَمْ تَيْتَمْ وَلَمْ تَئِمِ

Makfūlatan abadanā minhum bikhayri abin, Wakhayri baʿlin falam taytam walam taʾimi

Forever safeguarded by them, as if by the best of fathers and the best of protectors. ...leaving neither orphans nor widows in their wake.

هُمُ الْجِبَالُ فَسَلْ عَنْهُمْ مُصَادِمَهُمْمَاذَا رَأَى مِنْهُمُ فِي كُلِّ مُصْطَدَمِ

Humu al-jibaālu fasal ʿanhum muṣādimahum, Mādhā raʾā minhumu fī kulli muṣṭadami

They are like mountains; ask those who clashed with them what they witnessed in every encounter.

وَسَلْ حُنَيْنًا وَسَلْ بَدْرًا وَسَلْ أُحُدًافُصُولَ حَتْفٍ لَهُمْ أَدْهَى مِنَ الْوَخَمِ

Wasal ḥunaynanā wasal badranā wasal uḥudanā, Fuṣūla ḥatfin lahum adhā mina al-wakhami

Ask Hunayn, Badr, and Uhud about those decisive moments of doom—more fatal than a deadly plague.

الْمُصْدِرِي الْبِيضِ حُمْرًا بَعْدَ مَا وَرَدَتْمِنَ الْعِدَا كُلَّ مُسْوَدٍّ مِنَ اللِّمَمِ

Al-muṣdirī al-bīḍi ḥumranā baʿda mā waradat, Mina al-ʿidā kulla muswaddin mina al-limami

They withdraw their blades—once bright—now stained crimson after striking the enemy’s dark-haired heads.

وَالْكَاتِبِينَ بِسُمْرِ الْخَطِّ مَا تَرَكَتْأَقْلَامُهُمْ حَرْفَ جِسْمٍ غَيْرَ مُنْعَجِمِ

Wa-al-kātibīna bisumri al-khaṭṭi mā tarakat, Aqlāmuhum ḥarfa jismin ghayra munʿajimi

With their brown lances, they inscribe a message upon the foe; their "pens" leave no body unmarked or unscarred.

شَاكِي السِّلَاحِ لَهُمْ سِيمَا تُمَيِّزُهُمْوَالْوَرْدُ يَمْتَازُ بِالسِّيمَا عَنِ السَّلَمِ

Shākī as-silāḥi lahum sīmā tumayyizuhum, Wa-al-wardu yamtāzu bi-as-sīmā ʿani as-salami

Fully armed, they bear a distinctive mark—just as the *Ward* tree is distinguished from the *Salam* tree.

تُهْدِي إِلَيْكَ رِيَاحُ النَّصْرِ نَشْرَهُمْفَتَحْسَبُ الزَّهْرَ فِي الْأَكْمَامِ كُلَّ كَمِي

Tuhdī ilayka riyāḥu an-naṣri nashrahum, Fataḥsabu az-zahra fī al-ʾakmāmi kulla kamī

The winds of victory waft their fragrance to you; you might mistake the blossoms in their buds for armored warriors.

كَأَنَّهُمْ فِي ظُهُورِ الْخَيْلِ نَبْتُ رُبًامِنْ شِدَّةِ الْحَزْمِ لَا مِنْ شَدَّةِ الْحُزُمِ

Kaʾannahum fī ẓuhūri al-khayli nabtu rubanā, Min shiddati al-ḥazmi lā min shaddati al-ḥuzumi

Atop their steeds, they appear like vegetation springing from a hillside—firmly rooted through sheer resolve, not merely by the tightening of saddle-girths.

طَارَتْ قُلُوبُ الْعِدَا مِنْ بَأْسِهِمْ فَرَقًافَمَا تُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ الْبَهْمِ وَالْبُهَمِ

Ṭārat qulūbu al-ʿidā min baʾsihim faraqanā, Famā tufarriqu bayna al-bahmi wa-al-buhami

The hearts of the enemy take flight in terror at their might, unable to distinguish between the helpless flock and the fierce warrior.

وَمَنْ تَكُنْ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ نُصْرَتُهُإِنْ تَلْقَهُ الْأُسْدُ فِي آجَامِهَا تَجِمِ

Waman takun birasūli Allāhi nuṣratuhu, In talqahu al-ʾusdu fī ʾājāmihā tajimi

And he who... Victory is secured through the Messenger of Allah; were lions to encounter him in their thickets, they would stand humbled and subdued.

وَلَنْ تَرَى مِنْ وَلِيٍّ غَيْرَ مُنْتَصِرٍبِهِ وَلَا مِنْ عَدُوٍّ غَيْرَ مُنْقَصِمِ

Walan tarā min waliyyin ghayra muntaṣirin, Bihi walā min ʿaduwwin ghayra munqaṣimi

You shall see no ally of his who is not triumphant, nor any enemy who is not utterly vanquished.

أَحَلَّ أُمَّتَهُ فِي حِرْزِ مِلَّتِهِكَاللَّيْثِ حَلَّ مَعَ الْأَشْبَالِ فِي أَجَمِ

Aḥalla ummatahu fī ḥirzi millatihi, Ka-al-laythi ḥalla maʿa al-ʾashbaāli fī ajami

He has settled his community within the sanctuary of his faith, much like a lion dwelling with its cubs in the thicket.

كَمْ جَدَّلَتْ كَلِمَاتُ اللَّهِ مِنْ جَدِلٍفِيهِ وَكَمْ خَصَمَ الْبُرْهَانُ مِنْ خَصِمِ

Kam jaddalat kalimātu Allāhi min jadilin, Fīhi wakam khaṣama al-burhānu min khaṣimi

How many a disputant has been silenced by the words of Allah, and how many an adversary has been overcome by irrefutable proof!

كَفَاكَ بِالْعِلْمِ فِي الْأُمِّيِّ مُعْجِزَةًفِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَالتَّأْدِيبِ فِي الْيُتُمِ

Kafāka bi-al-ʿilmi fī al-ʾummiyyi muʿjizatan, Fī al-jāhiliyyati wa-at-taʾdībi fī al-yutumi

The knowledge possessed by the Unlettered Prophet—amidst the ignorance of the Pre-Islamic era and the upbringing of an orphan—suffices as a miracle.

خَدَمْتُهُ بِمَدِيحٍ أَسْتَقِيلُ بِهِذُنُوبَ عُمْرٍ مَضَى فِي الشِّعْرِ وَالْخِدَمِ

Khadamtuhu bimadīḥin astaqīlu bihi, Dhunūba ʿumrin maḍā fī ash-shiʿri wa-al-khidami

I have served him with praise, seeking thereby to atone for the sins of a lifetime spent in poetry and service.

إِذْ قَلَّدَانِيَ مَا تُخْشَى عَوَاقِبُهُكَأَنَّنِي بِهِمَا هَدْيٌ مِنَ النَّعَمِ

Idh qalladāniya mā tukhshā ʿawāqibuhu, Kaʾannanī bihimā hadyun mina an-naʿami

For they—poetry and service—burdened me with tasks whose consequences are to be feared; I was like a sacrificial offering led to the slaughter.

أَطَعْتُ غَيَّ الصِّبَا فِي الْحَالَتَيْنِ وَمَاحَصَلْتُ إِلَّا عَلَى الْآثَامِ وَالنَّدَمِ

Aṭaʿtu ghayya aṣ-ṣibā fī al-ḥaālatayni wamā, Ḥaṣaltu illā ʿalā al-ʾāthāmi wa-an-nadami

I yielded to the follies of youth in both pursuits, reaping nothing but sin and regret.

فَيَا خَسَارَةَ نَفْسٍ فِي تِجَارَتِهَالَمْ تَشْتَرِ الدِّينَ بِالدُّنْيَا وَلَمْ تَسُمِ

Fayā khasārata nafsin fī tijāratihā, Lam tashtari ad-dīna bi-ad-dunyā walam tasumi

Woe to the soul in such a trade; it neither purchased faith with worldly life nor sought the higher value.

وَمَنْ يَبِعْ آجِلًا مِنْهُ بِعَاجِلِهِيَبِنْ لَهُ الْغَبْنُ فِي بَيْعٍ وَفِي سَلَمِ

Waman yabiʿ ʾājilanā minhu biʿājilihi, Yabin lahu al-ghabnu fī bayʿin wafī salami

Whoever barters the Hereafter for the present life reveals the folly of his bargain and his loss.

إِنْ آتِ ذَنْبًا فَمَا عَهْدِي بِمُنْتَقِضٍمِنَ النَّبِيِّ وَلَا حَبْلِي بِمُنْصَرِمِ

In ʾāti dhanbanā famā ʿahdī bimuntaqiḍin, Mina an-nabiyyi walā ḥablī bimunṣarimi

Yet, should I commit a sin, my covenant with the Prophet remains unbroken, and my bond with him unsevered.

فَإِنَّ لِي ذِمَّةً مِنْهُ بِتَسْمِيَتِيمُحَمَّدًا وَهْوَ أَوْفَى الْخَلْقِ بِالذِّمَمِ

Faʾinna lī dhimmatan minhu bitasmiyatī, Muḥammadanā wahwa awfā al-khalqi bi-adh-dhimami

For I hold a pledge from him by virtue of my name—Muhammad—and he is the most faithful of all creation in honoring his promises.

إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي مَعَادِي آخِذًا بِيَدِيفَضْلًا وَإِلَّا فَقُلْ يَا زَلَّةَ الْقَدَمِ

In lam yakun fī maʿādī ʾākhidhanā biyadī, Faḍlanā waʾillā faqul yā zallata al-qadami

If he does not take me by the hand in the Hereafter—out of sheer grace—then alas for my stumbling foot.

حَاشَاهُ أَنْ يَحْرِمَ الرَّاجِي مَكَارِمَهُأَوْ يَرْجِعَ الْجَارُ مِنْهُ غَيْرَ مُحْتَرَمِ

Ḥāshāhu an yaḥrima ar-rājī makārimahu, Aw yarjiʿa al-jāru minhu ghayra muḥtarami

Far be it from him to deny his bounties to one who hopes for them, or to let a neighbor depart without honor.

وَمُنْذُ أَلْزَمْتُ أَفْكَارِي مَدَائِحَهُوَجَدْتُهُ لِخَلَاصِي خَيْرَ مُلْتَزِمِ

Wamundhu alzamtu afkārī madāʾiḥahu, Wajadtuhu likhalāṣī khayra multazimi

Ever since I dedicated my thoughts to singing his praises, I have found him the best guarantor of my salvation.

وَلَنْ يَفُوتَ الْغِنَى مِنْهُ يَدًا تَرِبَتْإِنَّ الْحَيَا يُنْبِتُ الْأَزْهَارَ فِي الْأَكَمِ

Walan yafūta al-ghinā minhu yadanā taribat, Inna al-ḥayā yunbitu al-ʾazhāra fī al-ʾakami

Wealth flowing from him will not elude a needy hand; just as life-giving rain causes flowers to bloom upon the hills.

وَلَمْ أُرِدْ زَهْرَةَ الدُّنْيَا الَّتِي اقْتَطَفَتْيَدَا زُهَيْرٍ بِمَا أَثْنَى عَلَى هَرِمِ

Walam urid zahrata ad-dunyā at-tī qtaṭafat, Yadā zuhayrin bimā athnā ʿalā harimi

Yet I sought not the worldly blossom that Zuhayr plucked through the praise he bestowed upon Haram.

يَا أَكْرَمَ الْخَلْقِ مَا لِي مَنْ أَلُوذُ بِهِسِوَاكَ عِنْدَ حُلُولِ الْحَادِثِ الْعَمِمِ

Yā akrama al-khalqi mā lī man alūdhu bihi, Siwāka ʿinda ḥulūli al-ḥādithi al-ʿamimi

O Most Noble of Creation, I have no one to turn to for refuge but You when the all-encompassing calamity befalls.

وَلَنْ يَضِيقَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ جَاهُكَ بِيإِذَا الْكَرِيمُ تَجَلَّى بِاسْمِ مُنْتَقِمِ

Walan yaḍīqa rasūla Allāhi jāhuka bī, Idhā al-karīmu tajallā biāsmi muntaqimi

Your intercession for me shall not be withheld, O Messenger of Allah, even when the Generous One manifests His attribute of the Avenger.

فَإِنَّ مِنْ جُودِكَ الدُّنْيَا وَضَرَّتَهَاوَمِنْ عُلُومِكَ عِلْمَ اللَّوْحِ وَالْقَلَمِ

Faʾinna min jūdika ad-dunyā waḍarratahā, Wamin ʿulūmika ʿilma al-lawḥi wa-al-qalami

For from Your bounty flow this world and the Hereafter, and from Your knowledge comes the knowledge of the Preserved Tablet and the Pen.

يَا نَفْسُ لَا تَقْنَطِي مِنْ زَلَّةٍ عَظُمَتْإِنَّ الْكَبَائِرَ فِي الْغُفْرَانِ كَاللَّمَمِ

Yā nafsu lā taqnaṭī min zallatin ʿaẓumat, Inna al-kabāʾira fī al-ghufrāni ka-al-lamami

O soul, do not despair over a grave slip; for in the realm of forgiveness, even major sins are like minor ones.

لَعَلَّ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّي حِينَ يَقْسِمُهَاتَأْتِي عَلَى حَسَبِ الْعِصْيَانِ فِي الْقِسَمِ

Laʿalla raḥmata rabbī ḥīna yaqsimuhā, Taʾtī ʿalā ḥasabi al-ʿiṣyāni fī al-qisami

Perhaps my Lord’s mercy, when He distributes it, will be apportioned in measure to the magnitude of the disobedience.

يَا رَبِّ وَاجْعَلْ رَجَائِي غَيْرَ مُنْعَكِسٍلَدَيْكَ وَاجْعَلْ حِسَابِي غَيْرَ مُنْخَرِمِ

Yā rabbi wājʿal rajāʾī ghayra munʿakisin, Ladayka wājʿal ḥisābī ghayra munkharimi

O Lord, let not my hope in You be turned away in vain, and let my reckoning be flawless.

وَالْطُفْ بِعَبْدِكَ فِي الدَّارَيْنِ إِنَّ لَهُصَبْرًا مَتَى تَدْعُهُ الْأَهْوَالُ يَنْهَزِمِ

Wa-aṭ-ṭuf biʿabdika fī ad-dārayni inna lahu, Ṣabranā matā tadʿuhu al-ʾahwaālu yanhazimi

Show kindness to Your servant in both worlds; for he possesses a patience that crumbles when terrors call upon it.

وَأْذَنْ لِسُحْبِ صَلَاةٍ مِنْكَ دَائِمَةٍعَلَى النَّبِيِّ بِمُنْهَلٍّ وَمُنْسَجِمِ

Waʾdhan lisuḥbi ṣalātin minka dāʾimatin, ʿalā an-nabiyyi bimunhallin wamunsajimi

Grant leave for clouds of ceaseless blessings from You to pour down upon the Prophet in a steady, abundant stream—

مَا رَنَّحَتْ عَذَبَاتِ الْبَانِ رِيحُ صَبًاوَأَطْرَبَ الْعِيسَ حَادِي الْعِيسِ بِالنَّغَمِ

Mā rannaḥat ʿadhabāti al-bāni rīḥu ṣabanā, Waʾaṭraba al-ʿīsa ḥādī al-ʿīsi bi-an-naghami

As long as the morning breeze sways the branches of the *Ban* tree, and the camel-driver’s song delights the mounts.

ثُمَّ الرِّضَا عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعَنْ عُمَرَوَعَنْ عَلِيٍّ وَعَنْ عُثْمَانَ ذِي الْكَرَمِ

Thumma ar-riḍā ʿan abī bakrin waʿan ʿumara, Waʿan ʿaliyyin waʿan ʿuthmāna dhī al-karami

Then, may God be pleased with Abu Bakr, Umar, Ali, and the noble Uthman,

وَالْآلِ وَالصَّحْبِ ثُمَّ التَّابِعِينَ فَهُمْأَهْلُ التُّقَى وَالنَّقَا وَالْحِلْمِ وَالْكَرَمِ

Wa-al-ʾāli wa-aṣ-ṣaḥbi thumma at-tābiʿīna fahum, Ahlu at-tuqā wa-an-naqā wa-al-ḥilmi wa-al-karami

And with the Family, the Companions, and the Successors—people of piety, purity, forbearance, and generosity.

يَا رَبِّ بِالْمُصْطَفَى بَلِّغْ مَقَاصِدَنَاوَاغْفِرْ لَنَا مَا مَضَى يَا وَاسِعَ الْكَرَمِ

Yā rabbi bi-al-muṣṭafā balligh maqāṣidanā, Wāghfir lanā mā maḍā yā wāsiʿa al-karami

O Lord, by the Chosen One, grant us our aims, and forgive our past deeds, O One of boundless generosity.

وَاغْفِرْ إِلَهِي لِكُلِّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ بِمَايَتْلُونَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى وَفِي الْحَرَمِ

Wāghfir ilahī likulli al-muslimīna bimā, Yatlūna fī al-masjidi al-ʾaqṣā wafī al-ḥarami

And forgive, my God, all Muslims for what they recite in Al-Aqsa Mosque and in the Sacred Mosque.

بِجَاهِ مَنْ بَيْتُهُ فِي طَيْبَةٍ حَرَمٌوَاسْمُهُ قَسَمٌ مِنْ أَعْظَمِ الْقَسَمِ

Bijāhi man baytuhu fī ṭaybatin ḥaramun, Wāsmuhu qasamun min aʿẓami al-qasami

By the honor of the one whose abode in Taybah is a sanctuary, and whose name is an oath of the greatest magnitude.

وَهَذِهِ بُرْدَةُ الْمُخْتَارِ قَدْ خُتِمَتْوَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فِي بَدْءٍ وَفِي خَتَمِ

Wahadhihi burdatu al-mukhtāri qad khutimat, Wa-al-ḥamdu lillāhi fī badʾin wafī khatami

Thus concludes the *Burdah* of the Chosen One; praise be to God at the beginning and at the end.

أَبْيَاتُهَا قَدْ أَتَتْ سِتِّينَ مَعْ مِائَةٍفَرِّجْ بِهَا كَرْبَنَا يَا وَاسِعَ الْكَرَمِ

Abyātuhā qad atat sittīna maʿ miāʾatin, Farrij bihā karbanā yā wāsiʿa al-karami

Its verses number one hundred and sixty; through them, relieve our distress, O One of boundless generosity.