Arabic Poems Translated to English
Beautiful Arabic/Middle Eastern (Perisan, Turkish) Poetry Collection – with English Translation
I am a great admirer of Arabic and Persian poems and the outstanding imagery in this poetry collection is enhanced by their (Poets’) poetic choice of heavenly metaphors blended with the rhythm flowing from their hearts. In other words I love it. When you’re flabbergasted by the sheer magnificence of a poem, this is what you’ll probably leave. Poets such as Kaleel Gebran, Nizar Qabbani, Rumi Imam Ash’Shafie (RAH) are unambiguous, clear, and usually concise. So Enjoy!
1. My Love – By : Kaleel Gebran
حينما أغرق في عينيك عيني
When I sink my eye into your eyes
When I sink my eye into your eyes
ألمح الفجر العميقا
I catch a glimpse of a deep dawn
I catch a glimpse of a deep dawn
وأرى الأمس العتيقا
And I see ancient yesterday
And I see ancient yesterday
وأرى ما لست أدري
And I see what I do not know
And I see what I do not know
وأحس الكون يجري
And I feel the universe flowing
And I feel the universe flowing
بين عينيك وعيني
Between my eye and yours
Between my eye and yours
2. Keys – By Fatma Kandil
المفاتيح التي لا تفتح الأبواب
هي المفاتيح التي تغلق الأبواب
والمفاتيح المشنوقة في السلاسل
لا تملك إلا دراما الرنين
لكن المفتاح الذي يموت في جيبي
يذكرني بأنه قد آن الوقت لكي أكون إمرأة عاقلة ، تسكن بيتا
بلا مفاتيح . . . . بلا أبواب
هي المفاتيح التي تغلق الأبواب
والمفاتيح المشنوقة في السلاسل
لا تملك إلا دراما الرنين
لكن المفتاح الذي يموت في جيبي
يذكرني بأنه قد آن الوقت لكي أكون إمرأة عاقلة ، تسكن بيتا
بلا مفاتيح . . . . بلا أبواب
The keys that open doors
are the keys that close them,
and the keys strangled in chains
have nothing but the drama of tinkling.
But the key that dies in my pocket
reminds me it is time
that i became a reasonable woman
who lives in a house
without keys, without doors.
are the keys that close them,
and the keys strangled in chains
have nothing but the drama of tinkling.
But the key that dies in my pocket
reminds me it is time
that i became a reasonable woman
who lives in a house
without keys, without doors.
3. On Wishes : By Mahmudh Dharwish
لا تقل لي:
ليتني بائع خبر في الجزائر
لأغني مع ثائر!
لا تقل لي:
ليتني راعي مواشٍ في اليمن
لأغني لانتفاضات الزمن
لا تقل لي:
ليتني عامل مقهى في هافانا
لأغني لانتصارات الحزانى!
لا تقل لي:
ليتني أعمل في أسوان حمّالاً صغير
لأغني للصخور
يا صديقي! لن يصب النيل في الفولغا
ولا الكونغو، ولا الأردن، في نهر الفرات!
كل نهر، وله نبع… ومجرى… وحياة!
يا صديقي!… أرضنا ليست بعاقر
كل أرض، ولها ميلادها
كل فجر، وله موعد ثائر!
ليتني بائع خبر في الجزائر
لأغني مع ثائر!
لا تقل لي:
ليتني راعي مواشٍ في اليمن
لأغني لانتفاضات الزمن
لا تقل لي:
ليتني عامل مقهى في هافانا
لأغني لانتصارات الحزانى!
لا تقل لي:
ليتني أعمل في أسوان حمّالاً صغير
لأغني للصخور
يا صديقي! لن يصب النيل في الفولغا
ولا الكونغو، ولا الأردن، في نهر الفرات!
كل نهر، وله نبع… ومجرى… وحياة!
يا صديقي!… أرضنا ليست بعاقر
كل أرض، ولها ميلادها
كل فجر، وله موعد ثائر!
Don’t say to me:
Would I were a seller of bread in Algiers
That I might sing with a rebel.
Don’t say to me:
Would I were a herdsman in the Yemen
That I might sing to the shudderings of time.
Don’t say to me:
Would I were a cafe waiter in Havana
That I might sing the victories of sorrowing women.
Don’t say to me:
Would I worked as a young laborer in Aswan
That I might sing to the rocks.
Would I were a seller of bread in Algiers
That I might sing with a rebel.
Don’t say to me:
Would I were a herdsman in the Yemen
That I might sing to the shudderings of time.
Don’t say to me:
Would I were a cafe waiter in Havana
That I might sing the victories of sorrowing women.
Don’t say to me:
Would I worked as a young laborer in Aswan
That I might sing to the rocks.
My friend,
The Nile will not flow into the Volga,
Nor the Congo or the Jordan into the Euphrates.
Each river has its source, its course, its life.
My friend, our land is not barren.
Each land has its time for being born,
Each dawn a date with a rebel
The Nile will not flow into the Volga,
Nor the Congo or the Jordan into the Euphrates.
Each river has its source, its course, its life.
My friend, our land is not barren.
Each land has its time for being born,
Each dawn a date with a rebel
4. On Love : By Kaleel Gibran
المحبة
إذا المحبة أومت إليكم فاتبعوها,
وإن كانت مسالكها صعبة متحدرة.
إذا ضمتكم بجناحيها فأطيعوها,
وإن جرحكم السييف المستور بين ريشها.
إذا المحبة خاطبتكم فصدقوها,
وإن عطل صوتها أحلامكم وبددها كما تجعل الريح الشمالية البستان قاعاً صفصفاً.
***
لأنه كما أن المحبة تكللكم, فهي أيضا تصلبكم.
وكما تعمل على نموكم, هكذا تعلمكم وتستأصل الفاسد منكم.
وكما ترتفع إلى أعلى شجرة حياتكم فتعانق أغصانها اللطيفة المرتعشة أمام وجه الشمس,
هكذا تنحدر إلى جذورها الملتصقة بالتراب وتهزها في سكينة الليل.
***
المحبة تضمكم إلى قلبها كأغمار حنطة.
المحبة على بيادرها تدرسكم لتظهر عريكم.
المحبة تغربلكم لتحرركم من قشوركم.
المحبة تطحنكم فتجعلكم كالثلج أنقياء.
المحبة تعجنكم بدموعها حتى تلينوا,
ثم تعدكم لنارها المقدسة, لكي تصيروا خبزاً مقدساً يقرّب على مائدة الرب المقدسة.
كل هذا تصنعه بكم لكي تدركوا أسرار قلوبكم, فتصبحوا بهذا الإدراك جزءاً من قلب الحياة.
غير أنكم إذا خفتم, وقصرتم سعيكم على الطمأنبنة واللذة في المحبة.
فالأجدر بكم أن تستروا عريكم وتخرجوا من بيدر المحبة إلى العالم البعيد حيثما تضحكون, ولكن ليس كل ضحككم; وتبكون, ولكن ليس كل ما في ماقيكم من الدموع.
المحبة لا تعطي إلا ذاتها, المحبة لا تأخذ إلا من ذاتها.
لا تملك المحبة شيئاً, ولا تريد أن أحد يملكها.
لأن المحبة مكتفية بالمحبة.
***
أما أنت إذا أحببت فلا تقل: “أن الله في قلبي”, بل قل بالأحرى: “أنا في قلب الله”.
ولا يخطر لك البتة أنك تستطيع أن تتسلط على مسالك المحبة, لأن المحبة إن رأت فيك استحقاقاً لنعمتها, تتسلط هي على مسالكك.
والمحبة لا رغبة لها إلا في أن تكمل نفسها.
ولكن, إذا أحببت, وكان لا بد من أن تكون لك رغبات خاصة بك, فلتكن هذه رغباتك:
أن تذوب وتكون كجدول متدفق يشنف آذان الليل بأنغامه.
أن تخبر الآلام التي في العطف المتناهي.
أن يجرحك إدراكك الحقيقي للمحبة في حبة قلبك, وأن تنزف دماؤك وأنت راض مغتبط.
أن تنهض عند الفجر بقلب مجنح خفوق, قتؤدي واجب الشكر ملتمساً يوم محبة آخر.
أن تستريح عند الظهيرة وتناخي نفسك بوجد المحبة.
أن تعود إلى منزلك عند المساء شاكراً:
فتنام حينئذ والصلاة لأجل من أحببت تتردد في قلبك, وأنشودة الحمد والثناء مرتمسة على شفتيك
وإن كانت مسالكها صعبة متحدرة.
إذا ضمتكم بجناحيها فأطيعوها,
وإن جرحكم السييف المستور بين ريشها.
إذا المحبة خاطبتكم فصدقوها,
وإن عطل صوتها أحلامكم وبددها كما تجعل الريح الشمالية البستان قاعاً صفصفاً.
***
لأنه كما أن المحبة تكللكم, فهي أيضا تصلبكم.
وكما تعمل على نموكم, هكذا تعلمكم وتستأصل الفاسد منكم.
وكما ترتفع إلى أعلى شجرة حياتكم فتعانق أغصانها اللطيفة المرتعشة أمام وجه الشمس,
هكذا تنحدر إلى جذورها الملتصقة بالتراب وتهزها في سكينة الليل.
***
المحبة تضمكم إلى قلبها كأغمار حنطة.
المحبة على بيادرها تدرسكم لتظهر عريكم.
المحبة تغربلكم لتحرركم من قشوركم.
المحبة تطحنكم فتجعلكم كالثلج أنقياء.
المحبة تعجنكم بدموعها حتى تلينوا,
ثم تعدكم لنارها المقدسة, لكي تصيروا خبزاً مقدساً يقرّب على مائدة الرب المقدسة.
كل هذا تصنعه بكم لكي تدركوا أسرار قلوبكم, فتصبحوا بهذا الإدراك جزءاً من قلب الحياة.
غير أنكم إذا خفتم, وقصرتم سعيكم على الطمأنبنة واللذة في المحبة.
فالأجدر بكم أن تستروا عريكم وتخرجوا من بيدر المحبة إلى العالم البعيد حيثما تضحكون, ولكن ليس كل ضحككم; وتبكون, ولكن ليس كل ما في ماقيكم من الدموع.
المحبة لا تعطي إلا ذاتها, المحبة لا تأخذ إلا من ذاتها.
لا تملك المحبة شيئاً, ولا تريد أن أحد يملكها.
لأن المحبة مكتفية بالمحبة.
***
أما أنت إذا أحببت فلا تقل: “أن الله في قلبي”, بل قل بالأحرى: “أنا في قلب الله”.
ولا يخطر لك البتة أنك تستطيع أن تتسلط على مسالك المحبة, لأن المحبة إن رأت فيك استحقاقاً لنعمتها, تتسلط هي على مسالكك.
والمحبة لا رغبة لها إلا في أن تكمل نفسها.
ولكن, إذا أحببت, وكان لا بد من أن تكون لك رغبات خاصة بك, فلتكن هذه رغباتك:
أن تذوب وتكون كجدول متدفق يشنف آذان الليل بأنغامه.
أن تخبر الآلام التي في العطف المتناهي.
أن يجرحك إدراكك الحقيقي للمحبة في حبة قلبك, وأن تنزف دماؤك وأنت راض مغتبط.
أن تنهض عند الفجر بقلب مجنح خفوق, قتؤدي واجب الشكر ملتمساً يوم محبة آخر.
أن تستريح عند الظهيرة وتناخي نفسك بوجد المحبة.
أن تعود إلى منزلك عند المساء شاكراً:
فتنام حينئذ والصلاة لأجل من أحببت تتردد في قلبك, وأنشودة الحمد والثناء مرتمسة على شفتيك
When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God’s sacred feast.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God’s sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life’s heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, “God is in my heart,” but rather, “I am in the heart of God.”
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
5. By gone be by gone By : Imam Shafie Rahmahumullah
دع الأیام تفعل ما تشاء وطب نفسا إذا حكم القضاء
ولا تجزع لحادثة اللیالي فما لحوادث الدنیا بقاء
وكن رجلا على الأهوال جلدا وشیمتك السماحة والوفاء
وإن كثرت عیوبك في البرایا وسرك أن یكون لها غطاء
تستر بالسخاء فكل عیب یغطیه – كما قیل -السخاء
ولا تر للأعداء قط ذلا فإن شماتة الأعداء بلاء
ولا ترج السماحة من بخیل فما في النار للظمآن ماء
ورزقك لیس ینقصه التأني
ولا حزن یدوم ولا سرور ولا بؤس علیك ولا رخاء
إذا ما كنت ذا قلب قنوع فأنت ومالك الدنیا سواء
ومن نزلت بساحته المنایا فلا أرض تقیه ولا سماء
وأرض الله واسعــة ولكن إذا نزل القضا ضاق الفضاء
دع الأيام تغدر كل حيــن فما يغني عن الموت الـدواء
ولا تجزع لحادثة اللیالي فما لحوادث الدنیا بقاء
وكن رجلا على الأهوال جلدا وشیمتك السماحة والوفاء
وإن كثرت عیوبك في البرایا وسرك أن یكون لها غطاء
تستر بالسخاء فكل عیب یغطیه – كما قیل -السخاء
ولا تر للأعداء قط ذلا فإن شماتة الأعداء بلاء
ولا ترج السماحة من بخیل فما في النار للظمآن ماء
ورزقك لیس ینقصه التأني
ولا حزن یدوم ولا سرور ولا بؤس علیك ولا رخاء
إذا ما كنت ذا قلب قنوع فأنت ومالك الدنیا سواء
ومن نزلت بساحته المنایا فلا أرض تقیه ولا سماء
وأرض الله واسعــة ولكن إذا نزل القضا ضاق الفضاء
دع الأيام تغدر كل حيــن فما يغني عن الموت الـدواء
Part from the days where you used to do as you wish
And restrain your soul when the decree of Allah is ordained
And don’t despair over the events of the past
For none of the events of the dunya were ever meant to remain
And be a man who is firm upon his affairs
And whose character is that of pardoning and nobility
And there is no sadness or happiness that is continuous
Just as there is there is no comfort or pain
If you are a person who is satisfied with what he has
Then you and the owner of all possessions are equal
And upon he who’s open valley death descends upon
Then there is no earth or sky to protect you from it
And the earth of Allah is vast but
When the ordainment of Allah descends even the open valley congests
Let the days rotate itself as no cure from death.
And restrain your soul when the decree of Allah is ordained
And don’t despair over the events of the past
For none of the events of the dunya were ever meant to remain
And be a man who is firm upon his affairs
And whose character is that of pardoning and nobility
And there is no sadness or happiness that is continuous
Just as there is there is no comfort or pain
If you are a person who is satisfied with what he has
Then you and the owner of all possessions are equal
And upon he who’s open valley death descends upon
Then there is no earth or sky to protect you from it
And the earth of Allah is vast but
When the ordainment of Allah descends even the open valley congests
Let the days rotate itself as no cure from death.
6. My Heart By : Imam Shafi Rahmahumullah
ولما قسـا قلبي وضـاقت مذاهبي
جعلت الرجـاء مني لعفوك سلمــا
تعاظمني ذنبـي فلمـا قرنتــه
بعفوك ربي كان عـفوك أعظمــا
فما زلتَ ذا عفو عن الذنب لم تزل
تـجـود وتعـفو منة وتكرمـــا
فلولاك لـم يصمـد لإبلـيس عابد
فكيف وقد أغوى صفيك أدما
فيا ليت شعــري هل أصير لجنة
أهنـــا؟ وأمـا للسعير فأندما
فإن تنتـقـم مني فلست بآسي
ولو أدخلت روحي بجــرم جهنمـا
فإن تعف عني تعف عـن متمرد
ظلوم غشــوم قاسي القلب مجرما
ويذكر أيام مضت من شبابه
وما كان فيها بالجهالة أجرما
يقيم إذا ما الليل مد ضلامه
على نفسه من شدة الخوف مأتما
يقول حبيبي أنت سؤلي وغايتي
كفى بك للراجين سؤلا و مغنما
الست الذي غذيتني و هديتني
ولازلت منانا علي ومنعما
عسى من له الإحسان يغفر زلتي
ويستر أوزاري وما قد تقدما
جعلت الرجـاء مني لعفوك سلمــا
تعاظمني ذنبـي فلمـا قرنتــه
بعفوك ربي كان عـفوك أعظمــا
فما زلتَ ذا عفو عن الذنب لم تزل
تـجـود وتعـفو منة وتكرمـــا
فلولاك لـم يصمـد لإبلـيس عابد
فكيف وقد أغوى صفيك أدما
فيا ليت شعــري هل أصير لجنة
أهنـــا؟ وأمـا للسعير فأندما
فإن تنتـقـم مني فلست بآسي
ولو أدخلت روحي بجــرم جهنمـا
فإن تعف عني تعف عـن متمرد
ظلوم غشــوم قاسي القلب مجرما
ويذكر أيام مضت من شبابه
وما كان فيها بالجهالة أجرما
يقيم إذا ما الليل مد ضلامه
على نفسه من شدة الخوف مأتما
يقول حبيبي أنت سؤلي وغايتي
كفى بك للراجين سؤلا و مغنما
الست الذي غذيتني و هديتني
ولازلت منانا علي ومنعما
عسى من له الإحسان يغفر زلتي
ويستر أوزاري وما قد تقدما
When my heart hardened and my ways narrowed
My hope of your forgiveness towards You was my approach
I greatened my sin, yet when I compare it with your forgiveness
My Lord your forgiveness was greater
Yet, You forgive sins and still
Generously and gracefully bestow and forgive
Were it not for You, no worshipper would withstand Satan
How and he already has lured your chosen Adam
Alas! Would I be lead to paradise then I am a fortunate
Or a remorse to hell I am lead
Indeed not despaired if You avenged me
Or into the core of hell You brought my soul
And if You forgive me, a mutinous You forgive…
A wrongful unfair pitiless criminal…
He remembers the past youth days
And what crimes of ignorance were committed
Then, when the dark spread out
Fearfully he mourns himself
Saying my beloved You are my request and wish
Sufficient You are for the hopeful to ask and gain
Were not You who fed me and guided me?
And still, You give me generously and bless me
May You, to Whom my charity belongs, forgive me my faults,
Pardon my sins and what came before.
*********************************
My hope of your forgiveness towards You was my approach
I greatened my sin, yet when I compare it with your forgiveness
My Lord your forgiveness was greater
Yet, You forgive sins and still
Generously and gracefully bestow and forgive
Were it not for You, no worshipper would withstand Satan
How and he already has lured your chosen Adam
Alas! Would I be lead to paradise then I am a fortunate
Or a remorse to hell I am lead
Indeed not despaired if You avenged me
Or into the core of hell You brought my soul
And if You forgive me, a mutinous You forgive…
A wrongful unfair pitiless criminal…
He remembers the past youth days
And what crimes of ignorance were committed
Then, when the dark spread out
Fearfully he mourns himself
Saying my beloved You are my request and wish
Sufficient You are for the hopeful to ask and gain
Were not You who fed me and guided me?
And still, You give me generously and bless me
May You, to Whom my charity belongs, forgive me my faults,
Pardon my sins and what came before.
*********************************
No sadness lasts forever, nor any felicity
Nor any state of poverty or one of luxury.
If you are the owner of a heart that is content
Then you and the owner of the world are equivalent.
— Imam Al-Shafi‘ee
*********************************
صَدِيقٌ لَيْسَ يَنْفَعُ يَوْمَ بُؤْسٍ * قَرِيبٌ مِنْ عَدْوٍّ فِي القِيَاسِ
وَمَا يَبْقَى الصَّدِيقُ بِكُلِّ عَصْرٍ * وَلاَ الإِخْوَانُ إِلاَّ لِلتَّآسِي
عَبَرْتُ الدَّهْرَ مُلْتَمِسَاً بِجُهْدِي * أَخَا ثِقَةٍ فَأَلْهَانِي التِمَاسِي
تَنَكَّرَتِ البِلاَدُ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا * كَأَنَّ أُنَاسَهَا لَيْسُوا بِنَاسِ
Nor any state of poverty or one of luxury.
If you are the owner of a heart that is content
Then you and the owner of the world are equivalent.
— Imam Al-Shafi‘ee
*********************************
صَدِيقٌ لَيْسَ يَنْفَعُ يَوْمَ بُؤْسٍ * قَرِيبٌ مِنْ عَدْوٍّ فِي القِيَاسِ
وَمَا يَبْقَى الصَّدِيقُ بِكُلِّ عَصْرٍ * وَلاَ الإِخْوَانُ إِلاَّ لِلتَّآسِي
عَبَرْتُ الدَّهْرَ مُلْتَمِسَاً بِجُهْدِي * أَخَا ثِقَةٍ فَأَلْهَانِي التِمَاسِي
تَنَكَّرَتِ البِلاَدُ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا * كَأَنَّ أُنَاسَهَا لَيْسُوا بِنَاسِ
A friend who does not benefit at the time of hardships,
Is close to an enemy on the scales,
The friend does not remain, during all times,
Nor does the brother, except for consolation.
I searched the days, with all my strengths
for a brother to trust, but my search was fruitless,
The lands and those who live them were barren,
As though its people were not people [I wanted them to be
Is close to an enemy on the scales,
The friend does not remain, during all times,
Nor does the brother, except for consolation.
I searched the days, with all my strengths
for a brother to trust, but my search was fruitless,
The lands and those who live them were barren,
As though its people were not people [I wanted them to be
*********************************
إِذَا الْمَرْءُ أَفْشَى سِرِّهُ بِلِسَانِهِ * وَلاَمَ عَلَيْهِ غَيْرَهُ فَهُوَ أَحْمَقُ
إِذَا ضَاقَ صَدْرُ المَرْءِ عَنْ سِرِّ نَفْسِهِ * فَصَدْرُ الَّذِي يُسْتَودْعُ السِّرَّ أَضْيَقُ
إِذَا ضَاقَ صَدْرُ المَرْءِ عَنْ سِرِّ نَفْسِهِ * فَصَدْرُ الَّذِي يُسْتَودْعُ السِّرَّ أَضْيَقُ
If a man spreads his secret with his own tongue
and blames another… then he is a fool.
If his own breast is too narrow to conceal his own secret,
Then the breast of the one in whom he places it is even narrower.
and blames another… then he is a fool.
If his own breast is too narrow to conceal his own secret,
Then the breast of the one in whom he places it is even narrower.
*********************************
Part from the days where you used to do as you wish
And restrain your soul when the decree of Allah is ordained
And don’t despair over the events of the past
For none of the events of the dunya were ever meant to remain
And be a man who is firm upon his affairs
And whose character is that of pardoning and nobility
And there is no sadness or happiness that is continuous
Just as there is there is no comfort or pain
If you are a person who is satisfied with what he has
Then you and the owner of all possessions are equal
And upon he who’s open valley death descends upon
Then there is no earth or sky to protect you from it
And the earth of Allah is vast but
When the ordainment of Allah descends even the open valley congests.
And restrain your soul when the decree of Allah is ordained
And don’t despair over the events of the past
For none of the events of the dunya were ever meant to remain
And be a man who is firm upon his affairs
And whose character is that of pardoning and nobility
And there is no sadness or happiness that is continuous
Just as there is there is no comfort or pain
If you are a person who is satisfied with what he has
Then you and the owner of all possessions are equal
And upon he who’s open valley death descends upon
Then there is no earth or sky to protect you from it
And the earth of Allah is vast but
When the ordainment of Allah descends even the open valley congests.
*********************************
و من الشَقاوة أن تحبَ
و من تحبُ يحبُ غيرك
أو أن تريد الخير للأن
سان و هو يريد ضيرك
و من تحبُ يحبُ غيرك
أو أن تريد الخير للأن
سان و هو يريد ضيرك
“And from misery is that you love, and (the one) who you love, loves other than you,
or that you want good for a person, and he wants to hurt you”
or that you want good for a person, and he wants to hurt you”
*********************************
I complained to Waki about the weakness of my memory
So he ordered me to abandon disobedience
And informed me that the knowledge is light
And that the light of Allaah is not given to the disobedient
So he ordered me to abandon disobedience
And informed me that the knowledge is light
And that the light of Allaah is not given to the disobedient
*********************************
لسانك لا تذكر به عورة امرئ *** فكلّـك عورات وللناس ألسـن
وعينك إن أبدت إليك معايباً *** فدعها وقل : يا عين للناس أعينُ
Let not your tongue mention the shame of another
For you yourself are covered in shame and all men have tongues.
If your eye falls upon the sins of your brother
Shield them and say: “O my eye! All men have eyes!”
For you yourself are covered in shame and all men have tongues.
If your eye falls upon the sins of your brother
Shield them and say: “O my eye! All men have eyes!”
*********************************
إن الفقيه هو الفقيه بفعله — ليس الفقيه بنطقه و مقاله
وكذا الرئيس هوالرئيس بخلقه — ليس الرئيس بقومه ورجاله
وكذا الغني هوالغني بحاله — ليس الغني بملكه و بماله
وكذا الرئيس هوالرئيس بخلقه — ليس الرئيس بقومه ورجاله
وكذا الغني هوالغني بحاله — ليس الغني بملكه و بماله
Verily the scholar is a scholar through his actions — A scholar is not a scholar because of his speech and qoutes
Similarly, the leader is a leader due to his character — A leader is not a leader because of his tribe or his men
Similarly, the wealthy man is wealthy due to his self content — The wealthy man is not wealthy due to his possesions and his wealth.
Similarly, the leader is a leader due to his character — A leader is not a leader because of his tribe or his men
Similarly, the wealthy man is wealthy due to his self content — The wealthy man is not wealthy due to his possesions and his wealth.
*********************************
نعيب زماننا و العيب فينا
و ما لزماننا عيب سوانا
و نهجو ذا الزمان بغير ذنب
و لو نطق الزمان لنا هجانا
و ما لزماننا عيب سوانا
و نهجو ذا الزمان بغير ذنب
و لو نطق الزمان لنا هجانا
We blame our time though we are to blame.
No fault has time but only us.
We scold the time for all the shame.
Had it a tongue, it would scold us.
*********************************
Some Random Poems
No fault has time but only us.
We scold the time for all the shame.
Had it a tongue, it would scold us.
*********************************
Some Random Poems
ﺃﻗﻀﻲ ﻟﻴﻠﻲ ﻭﺃﻧﺎ ﺃﻛﺘﺐ ﺇﻟﻴﻚ ﺭﺳﺎﺋﻞ ﺣﺐ
ﺛﻢ ﺃﻗﻀﻲ ﻧﻬﺎﺭﻱ ﺍﻟﺘﺎﻟﻲ
ﻭﺃﻧﺎ ﺃﻣﺤﻮ ﻛﻞ ﻛﻠﻤﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺪﺓ
ﻓﻌﻴﻨﺎﻙ ﺑﻮﺻﻠﺘﺎﻥ ﺫﻫﺒﻴﺘﻨﺎﻥ
ﺗﺸﻴﺮﺍﻥ ﺩﻭﻣﺎً ﺻﻮﺏ … ﺑﺤﺎﺭ ﺍﻟﻔﺮﺍﻕ
I spend my night writing you love letters
And then I spend the next day
Erasing eachand every word
For your eyes are two golden compasses
Always pointing towards… the seas of parting
— Ghada al-Samman
*********************************
ﺃﺩﻣﻨﺖ ﺍﺣﺰﺍﻧﻲ
ﻓﺼﺮﺕ ﺍﺧﺎﻑ ﺍﻥ ﻻ ﺍﺣﺰﻧﺎ
I got addicted to my sorrows,
Until I have gotten scared of not being sorrowed.
ﻭﻃﻌﻨﺖ ﺁﻻﻓﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺍﻟﻤﺮﺍﺕ
ﺣﺘﻰ ﺻﺎﺭ ﻳﻮﺟﻌﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻥ ﻻ ﺍﻃﻌﻨﺎ
And I was stabbed thousands of times,
Until it felt painful not to be stabbed.
ﻭﻟﻌﻨﺖ ﻓﻲ ﻛﻞ ﺍﻟﻠﻐﺎﺕ
ﺣﺘﻰ ﺻﺎﺭ ﻳﻘﻠﻘﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻥ ﻻ ﺍﻟﻌﻨﺎ
And I was cursed in all the languages,
Until I started being nervous of not being cursed.
ﻭﻟﻘﺪ ﺗﺸﺎﺑﻬﺖ ﻛﻞ ﺍﻟﺒﻼﺩ
ﻓﻼ ﺍﺭﻯ ﻧﻔﺴﻲ ﻫﻨﺎﻙ، ﻭﻻ ﺍﺭﻯ ﻧﻔﺴﻲ ﻫﻨﺎ
And all the countries seemed the same,
That I don’t see myself there, And I don’t see myself here.
ﺛﻢ ﺃﻗﻀﻲ ﻧﻬﺎﺭﻱ ﺍﻟﺘﺎﻟﻲ
ﻭﺃﻧﺎ ﺃﻣﺤﻮ ﻛﻞ ﻛﻠﻤﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺣﺪﺓ
ﻓﻌﻴﻨﺎﻙ ﺑﻮﺻﻠﺘﺎﻥ ﺫﻫﺒﻴﺘﻨﺎﻥ
ﺗﺸﻴﺮﺍﻥ ﺩﻭﻣﺎً ﺻﻮﺏ … ﺑﺤﺎﺭ ﺍﻟﻔﺮﺍﻕ
I spend my night writing you love letters
And then I spend the next day
Erasing eachand every word
For your eyes are two golden compasses
Always pointing towards… the seas of parting
— Ghada al-Samman
*********************************
ﺃﺩﻣﻨﺖ ﺍﺣﺰﺍﻧﻲ
ﻓﺼﺮﺕ ﺍﺧﺎﻑ ﺍﻥ ﻻ ﺍﺣﺰﻧﺎ
I got addicted to my sorrows,
Until I have gotten scared of not being sorrowed.
ﻭﻃﻌﻨﺖ ﺁﻻﻓﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺍﻟﻤﺮﺍﺕ
ﺣﺘﻰ ﺻﺎﺭ ﻳﻮﺟﻌﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻥ ﻻ ﺍﻃﻌﻨﺎ
And I was stabbed thousands of times,
Until it felt painful not to be stabbed.
ﻭﻟﻌﻨﺖ ﻓﻲ ﻛﻞ ﺍﻟﻠﻐﺎﺕ
ﺣﺘﻰ ﺻﺎﺭ ﻳﻘﻠﻘﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻥ ﻻ ﺍﻟﻌﻨﺎ
And I was cursed in all the languages,
Until I started being nervous of not being cursed.
ﻭﻟﻘﺪ ﺗﺸﺎﺑﻬﺖ ﻛﻞ ﺍﻟﺒﻼﺩ
ﻓﻼ ﺍﺭﻯ ﻧﻔﺴﻲ ﻫﻨﺎﻙ، ﻭﻻ ﺍﺭﻯ ﻧﻔﺴﻲ ﻫﻨﺎ
And all the countries seemed the same,
That I don’t see myself there, And I don’t see myself here.
-Nizar Qabbani
*********************************
ﻻ ﺃَﺣﺪَ ﺩﺭَﺱَ ﺧُﻄُﻮﻁَ ﻳﺪﻱ
ﺇﻻ ﻭﺍﻛﺘﺸﻒَ ﺣﺮﻭﻑَ ﺍﺳْﻤِﻚِ ﺍﻷﺭﺑﻌﻪْ
ﻛﻞُّ ﺷﻲﺀ ﻳﻤﻜﻦُ ﺗﻜﺬﻳﺒُﻪْ
ﺇﻻَّ ﺭﺍﺋﺤﺔَ ﺍﻣﺮﺃﺓٍ ﻧُﺤﺒُّﻬﺎ
ﻛﻞُّ ﺷﻲﺀٍ ﻳﻤﻜﻦُ ﺇﺧﻔﺎﺅُﻩْ
ﺇﻻّ ﺧَﻄَﻮﺍﺕِ ﺍﻣﺮﺃﺓٍ ﺗﺘﺤﺮَّﻙُ ﻓﻲ ﺩﺍﺧﻠﻨﺎ
No one has studied the lines of my hand
Without discovering the four letters of your name
Everythingcanbe denied
But the scent of a woman that we love
Everythingcanbe hidden
But the steps of a woman moving inside of us.
*********************************
ﻻ ﺃَﺣﺪَ ﺩﺭَﺱَ ﺧُﻄُﻮﻁَ ﻳﺪﻱ
ﺇﻻ ﻭﺍﻛﺘﺸﻒَ ﺣﺮﻭﻑَ ﺍﺳْﻤِﻚِ ﺍﻷﺭﺑﻌﻪْ
ﻛﻞُّ ﺷﻲﺀ ﻳﻤﻜﻦُ ﺗﻜﺬﻳﺒُﻪْ
ﺇﻻَّ ﺭﺍﺋﺤﺔَ ﺍﻣﺮﺃﺓٍ ﻧُﺤﺒُّﻬﺎ
ﻛﻞُّ ﺷﻲﺀٍ ﻳﻤﻜﻦُ ﺇﺧﻔﺎﺅُﻩْ
ﺇﻻّ ﺧَﻄَﻮﺍﺕِ ﺍﻣﺮﺃﺓٍ ﺗﺘﺤﺮَّﻙُ ﻓﻲ ﺩﺍﺧﻠﻨﺎ
No one has studied the lines of my hand
Without discovering the four letters of your name
Everythingcanbe denied
But the scent of a woman that we love
Everythingcanbe hidden
But the steps of a woman moving inside of us.
— Nizar Qabbani
*********************************
ﺍﯼ ﺩﻝ ﻣﺮﻭ ﺳﻮﯼ ﺧﻄﺮ
ﮔﺮ ﻣﯿﺮﻭﯼ ﻟﺮﺯﺍﻥ ﻣﺒﺎﺵ
ﺍﺯ ﺭﻫـﺰﻧـﺎﻥ ﻏﺎﻓـﻞ ﻣﺸﻮ
ﺍﺯ ﺩﺷﻤﻨﺎﻥ ﺗـﺮﺳﺎﻥ ﻣﺒﺎﺵ
Oh, heart..do not go towards what is risky.
But ifyou will, then do not tremble.
Beware, there will be thieves on your path.
Be fearless ofyour enemies.
*********************************
ﺍﯼ ﺩﻝ ﻣﺮﻭ ﺳﻮﯼ ﺧﻄﺮ
ﮔﺮ ﻣﯿﺮﻭﯼ ﻟﺮﺯﺍﻥ ﻣﺒﺎﺵ
ﺍﺯ ﺭﻫـﺰﻧـﺎﻥ ﻏﺎﻓـﻞ ﻣﺸﻮ
ﺍﺯ ﺩﺷﻤﻨﺎﻥ ﺗـﺮﺳﺎﻥ ﻣﺒﺎﺵ
Oh, heart..do not go towards what is risky.
But ifyou will, then do not tremble.
Beware, there will be thieves on your path.
Be fearless ofyour enemies.
— Waheed Qasimi
*********************************
ﻭﻫﻲ ﺗﺮﺗﺪﻱ ﻓﺴﺘﺎﻧﻬﺎ ﺍﻷﺑﻴﺾ ﺗﺬﻛﺮﺗﻪ
ﻭﻫﻲ ﺗﺠﻠﺲ ﺑﺠﺎﻧﺐ ﺳﻮﺍﻩ ﺗﺬﻛﺮﺗﻪ
ﻭﻫﻲ ﺗﺮﺗﺪﻱ ﺧﺎﺗﻢ ﺳﻮﺍﻩ ﺗﺬﻛﺮﺗﻪ
ﻭﻫﻲ ﺗﻄﻌﻢ ﺳﻮﺍﻩ ﺍﻟﻜﻌﻚ ﺗﺬﻛﺮﺗﻪ
ﻓﻲ ﻋُﺮﻑ ﺃﻫﻞ ﺍﻟﺪﻳﻦ .. ﻫﻲ ﺧﺎﺋﻨﺔ
ﻭﻓﻲ ﻋُﺮﻑ ﺃﻫﻞ ﺍﻟﻌﺸﻖ .. ﻫﻲ ﻋﺎﺷﻘﺔ
When she was wearing her white dress, she remembered him.
When she was sitting next to someone else, she remembered him.
When she was wearing someone else’s ring, she remembered him.
When she was feeding someone else cake, she remembered him.
In the tradition of the people ofreligion, she is a traitress.
And in the traditions of the people of love, she is a lover.
*********************************
ﻭﻫﻲ ﺗﺮﺗﺪﻱ ﻓﺴﺘﺎﻧﻬﺎ ﺍﻷﺑﻴﺾ ﺗﺬﻛﺮﺗﻪ
ﻭﻫﻲ ﺗﺠﻠﺲ ﺑﺠﺎﻧﺐ ﺳﻮﺍﻩ ﺗﺬﻛﺮﺗﻪ
ﻭﻫﻲ ﺗﺮﺗﺪﻱ ﺧﺎﺗﻢ ﺳﻮﺍﻩ ﺗﺬﻛﺮﺗﻪ
ﻭﻫﻲ ﺗﻄﻌﻢ ﺳﻮﺍﻩ ﺍﻟﻜﻌﻚ ﺗﺬﻛﺮﺗﻪ
ﻓﻲ ﻋُﺮﻑ ﺃﻫﻞ ﺍﻟﺪﻳﻦ .. ﻫﻲ ﺧﺎﺋﻨﺔ
ﻭﻓﻲ ﻋُﺮﻑ ﺃﻫﻞ ﺍﻟﻌﺸﻖ .. ﻫﻲ ﻋﺎﺷﻘﺔ
When she was wearing her white dress, she remembered him.
When she was sitting next to someone else, she remembered him.
When she was wearing someone else’s ring, she remembered him.
When she was feeding someone else cake, she remembered him.
In the tradition of the people ofreligion, she is a traitress.
And in the traditions of the people of love, she is a lover.
— Shahrazad al-Khalij
*********************************
*********************************
I have renounced and given up all speech sublime, no glorious deeds, no more seductive charms! How canI bear to pair fair words in rhyme, when I have lost the one with whom I was a pair?
– Ibn Nunatah al Misri
*********************************
ﻷﻋﻠﻤﻚ ﻛﻴﻒ ﺗﺤﺒﻴﻦ .
ﻓﺎﻷﺳﻤﺎﻙ، ﻻ ﺗﺤﺘﺎﺝ ﺇﻟﻰ ﻣﻌﻠﻢ
ﻟﺘﺘﻌﻠﻢ ﻛﻴﻒ ﺗﺴﺒﺢ …
ﻭﺍﻟﻌﺼﺎﻓﻴﺮ، ﻻ ﺗﺤﺘﺎﺝ ﺇﻟﻰ ﻣﻌﻠﻢ
ﻟﺘﺘﻌﻠﻢ ﻛﻒ ﺗﻄﻴﺮ …
ﺇﺳﺒﺤﻲ ﻭﺣﺪﻙ …
ﻭﻃﻴﺮﻱ ﻭﺣﺪﻙ …
ﺇﻥ ﺍﻟﺤﺐ ﻟﻴﺲ ﻟﻪ ﺩﻓﺎﺗﺮ
ﻭﺃﻋﻈﻢ ﻋﺸﺎﻕ ﺍﻟﺘﺎﺭﻳﺦ ﻛﺎﻧﻮﺍ ﻻ ﻳﻌﺮﻓﻮﻥ ﺍﻟﻘﺮﺍﺀﺓ
I am no teacher
To teach you how to love,
For the fish need no teacher
To teach them to swim
And birds need no teacher
To teach them flight.
Swim on your own.
Fly on your own.
Love comes with no textbooks
And the greatest lovers in history were illiterate.
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ﻷﻋﻠﻤﻚ ﻛﻴﻒ ﺗﺤﺒﻴﻦ .
ﻓﺎﻷﺳﻤﺎﻙ، ﻻ ﺗﺤﺘﺎﺝ ﺇﻟﻰ ﻣﻌﻠﻢ
ﻟﺘﺘﻌﻠﻢ ﻛﻴﻒ ﺗﺴﺒﺢ …
ﻭﺍﻟﻌﺼﺎﻓﻴﺮ، ﻻ ﺗﺤﺘﺎﺝ ﺇﻟﻰ ﻣﻌﻠﻢ
ﻟﺘﺘﻌﻠﻢ ﻛﻒ ﺗﻄﻴﺮ …
ﺇﺳﺒﺤﻲ ﻭﺣﺪﻙ …
ﻭﻃﻴﺮﻱ ﻭﺣﺪﻙ …
ﺇﻥ ﺍﻟﺤﺐ ﻟﻴﺲ ﻟﻪ ﺩﻓﺎﺗﺮ
ﻭﺃﻋﻈﻢ ﻋﺸﺎﻕ ﺍﻟﺘﺎﺭﻳﺦ ﻛﺎﻧﻮﺍ ﻻ ﻳﻌﺮﻓﻮﻥ ﺍﻟﻘﺮﺍﺀﺓ
I am no teacher
To teach you how to love,
For the fish need no teacher
To teach them to swim
And birds need no teacher
To teach them flight.
Swim on your own.
Fly on your own.
Love comes with no textbooks
And the greatest lovers in history were illiterate.
— Nizar Qabbani
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And I fear that my place is taken by another, very lucky and not too shy, who flirts with your eyes when I’m the one enchanted by them.
– Nizar Qabbani
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Nizar Qabbani
*********************************
Nizami
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Abu Nuwas
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