أَدْرَكْتُI attainedبِالْحَزْمِwith determinationوَالْكِتْمَانِand secrecyمَاwhatعَجَزَتْwere unable to
I attained through determination and secrecy what the kings of the sons of Marwan were unable to achieve when they mobilized.
عَنْهُachieve itالْمُلُوكُthe kingsبَنُوthe sons ofمَرْوَانَMarwanإِذْwhenحَشَدُواthey mobilized.
I attained through determination and secrecy what the kings of the sons of Marwan were unable to achieve when they mobilized.
مَا زِلْتُI continuedأَسْعَىto striveعَلَيْهِمْagainst themفِيinدِيَارِهِمْtheir lands
I kept striving against them in their lands while the people in ash-Sham were heedlessly asleep.
وَالْقَوْمُwhile the peopleفِيinغَفْلَةٍheedlessnessبِالشَّأْمِin ash-Shamقَدْhaveرَقَدُواfallen asleep.
I kept striving against them in their lands while the people in ash-Sham were heedlessly asleep.
حَتَّىUntilضَرَبْتُهُمْI struck themبِالسَّيْفِwith the swordفَانْتَبَهُواso they woke up
Until I struck them with the sword, and they awakened from a sleep unlike any sleep anyone had experienced before them.
مِنْfromنَوْمَةٍa sleepلَمْ يَنَمْهَاnone had slept itقَبْلَهُمْbefore themأَحَدٌanyone.
Until I struck them with the sword, and they awakened from a sleep unlike any sleep anyone had experienced before them.
وَمَنْAnd whoeverرَعَىpasturesغَنَماًsheepفِيinأَرْضٍa landمَسْبَعَةٍfull of beasts of prey
And whoever grazes sheep in a land full of beasts of prey and falls asleep regarding them, the lion takes over their grazing.
وَنَامَand sleepsعَنْهَاover themتَوَلَّىtakes overرَعْيَهَاtheir grazingالْأَسَدُthe lion.
And whoever grazes sheep in a land full of beasts of prey and falls asleep regarding them, the lion takes over their grazing.
قَالَHe said:وَقَالَAnd saidعَبْدُAbdالْمَلِكِal-Malikبْنُson ofمَرْوَانَMarwanلِلشَّعْبِيِّto ash-Sha'bi
He said: And Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan said to ash-Sha'bi, when he entered upon him: Spare me four traits: do not flatter me to my face, do not carry a lie against me, do not backbite anyone in my presence, and do not divulge a secret of mine.
لَمَّاwhenدَخَلَhe enteredعَلَيْهِupon him:جَنِّبْنِيspare meخِصَالاًtraitsأَرْبَعاًfour:
He said: And Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan said to ash-Sha'bi, when he entered upon him: Spare me four traits: do not flatter me to my face, do not carry a lie against me, do not backbite anyone in my presence, and do not divulge a secret of mine.
لَا تُطْرِيَنِّيdo not flatter meفِيinوَجْهِيmy faceوَلَا تُجْرِيَنَّand do not carryعَلَيَّagainst meكَذْبَةًa lie
He said: And Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan said to ash-Sha'bi, when he entered upon him: Spare me four traits: do not flatter me to my face, do not carry a lie against me, do not backbite anyone in my presence, and do not divulge a secret of mine.
وَلَا تَغْتَابَنَّand do not backbiteعِنْدِيin my presenceأَحَداًanyoneوَلَا تُفْشِيَنَّand do not divulgeلِيfor meسِرّاًa secret.
He said: And Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan said to ash-Sha'bi, when he entered upon him: Spare me four traits: do not flatter me to my face, do not carry a lie against me, do not backbite anyone in my presence, and do not divulge a secret of mine.
وَقَالَAnd saidالنَّبِيُّthe Prophetصَلَّىmay peaceاللَّهُbe upon himعَلَيْهِandوَسَلَّمَblings
And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Seek help in fulfilling your needs through secrecy, for every possessor of a blessing is envied.
اسْتَعِينُواSeek helpعَلَىonقَضَاءِfulfillment ofحَوَائِجِكُمْyour needsبِالْكِتْمَانِthrough secrecy
And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Seek help in fulfilling your needs through secrecy, for every possessor of a blessing is envied.
فَإِنَّforكُلَّeveryذِيpossessor ofنِعْمَةٍa blessingمَحْسُودٌis envied.
And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Seek help in fulfilling your needs through secrecy, for every possessor of a blessing is envied.
وَأَنْشَدَAnd recitedالْمِنْقَرِيُّal-Minqariفِيregardingذَلِكَthat:
And al-Minqari recited regarding that:
النَّجْمُThe starأَقْرَبُis closerمِنْthanسِرٍّa secretإِذَاwhenاشْتَمَلَتْthey enclose
The star is closer than a secret when my ribs and entrails enclose the secret.
مِنِّيfrom meعَلَىuponالسِّرِّthe secretأَضْلَاعٌribsوَأَحْشَاءُand entrails.
The star is closer than a secret when my ribs and entrails enclose the secret.
وَقَالَAnd saidغَيْرُهُanother:
And another said:
وَنَفْسَكَAnd your soulفَاحْفَظْهَاguard itوَلَا تُفْشِand do not divulgeلِلْوَرَىto mankind
Guard your soul and do not divulge to mankind of the secret what its conscience folds away.
مِنَofالسِّرِّthe secretمَاwhatيَطْوِيfoldsعَلَيْهِupon itضَمِيرُهَاits conscience.
Guard your soul and do not divulge to mankind of the secret what its conscience folds away.
فَمَاFor does notيَحْفَظُguardالْمَكْتُومَthe concealedمِنْofسِرِّthe secret ofأَهْلِهِits people
For none preserves the concealed secret of its people when the knot of secrets is tied, except a person of chastity, aided in that by his soul's sincerity and goodness.
إِذَاwhenعَقْدُthe knot ofالْأَسْرَارِsecretsضَاعَis lostكَبِيرُهَاits greatest part.
For none preserves the concealed secret of its people when the knot of secrets is tied, except a person of chastity, aided in that by his soul's sincerity and goodness.
مِنَOfالْقَوْمِthe peopleإِلَّاexceptذُوone possessingعَفَافٍchastityيُعِينُهُwho aids him
For none preserves the concealed secret of its people when the knot of secrets is tied, except a person of chastity, aided in that by his soul's sincerity and goodness.
عَلَىinذَاكَthatمِنْهُfrom himصِدْقُtruthfulness ofنَفْسٍsoulوَخَيْرُهَاand its goodness.
For none preserves the concealed secret of its people when the knot of secrets is tied, except a person of chastity, aided in that by his soul's sincerity and goodness.
قَالَHe said:وَقَالَAnd saidمُعَاوِيَةُMuawiyahبْنُson ofأَبِيAbiسُفْيَانَSufyan:
He said: And Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan said: I prevailed against Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, in four traits: he was a man of manifest and open actions—meaning he did not conceal a secret—while I was secretive regarding my affair; he would not strive until an affair surprised him suddenly, while I would hasten to that; he was among the most wicked of armies and the harshest in disagreement, while I was among the most obedient of armies and the least in disagreement; and I was more beloved to Quraysh than him. So I said whatever I wished of gathering to me and dispersing from him.
أَعَنْتُI prevailedعَلَىagainstعَلِيٍّAliرَضِيَmay Allahاللَّهُbe pleasedعَنْهُwith himفِيinأَرْبَعِfourخِصَالٍtraits:
He said: And Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan said: I prevailed against Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, in four traits: he was a man of manifest and open actions—meaning he did not conceal a secret—while I was secretive regarding my affair; he would not strive until an affair surprised him suddenly, while I would hasten to that; he was among the most wicked of armies and the harshest in disagreement, while I was among the most obedient of armies and the least in disagreement; and I was more beloved to Quraysh than him. So I said whatever I wished of gathering to me and dispersing from him.
كَانَhe wasرَجُلاًa manظَهْرَةًof manifestعَلْنَةًand open actions
He said: And Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan said: I prevailed against Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, in four traits: he was a man of manifest and open actions—meaning he did not conceal a secret—while I was secretive regarding my affair; he would not strive until an affair surprised him suddenly, while I would hasten to that; he was among the most wicked of armies and the harshest in disagreement, while I was among the most obedient of armies and the least in disagreement; and I was more beloved to Quraysh than him. So I said whatever I wished of gathering to me and dispersing from him.
أَيْmeaningلَمْ يَكْتُمْhe did not concealسِرّاًa secretوَكُنْتُand I wasكَتُوماًsecretiveلِأَمْرِيregarding my affair
He said: And Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan said: I prevailed against Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, in four traits: he was a man of manifest and open actions—meaning he did not conceal a secret—while I was secretive regarding my affair; he would not strive until an affair surprised him suddenly, while I would hasten to that; he was among the most wicked of armies and the harshest in disagreement, while I was among the most obedient of armies and the least in disagreement; and I was more beloved to Quraysh than him. So I said whatever I wished of gathering to me and dispersing from him.
وَكَانَand he wasلَا يَسْعَىnot strivingحَتَّىuntilيُفَاجِئَهُsurprises himالْأَمْرُthe affairمُفَاجَأَةًsuddenly
He said: And Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan said: I prevailed against Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, in four traits: he was a man of manifest and open actions—meaning he did not conceal a secret—while I was secretive regarding my affair; he would not strive until an affair surprised him suddenly, while I would hasten to that; he was among the most wicked of armies and the harshest in disagreement, while I was among the most obedient of armies and the least in disagreement; and I was more beloved to Quraysh than him. So I said whatever I wished of gathering to me and dispersing from him.
وَكُنْتُand I wouldأُبَادِرُhastenإِلَىtoذَلِكَthatوَكَانَand he wasفِيinأَخْبَثِthe most wickedجُنْدٍarmy
He said: And Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan said: I prevailed against Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, in four traits: he was a man of manifest and open actions—meaning he did not conceal a secret—while I was secretive regarding my affair; he would not strive until an affair surprised him suddenly, while I would hasten to that; he was among the most wicked of armies and the harshest in disagreement, while I was among the most obedient of armies and the least in disagreement; and I was more beloved to Quraysh than him. So I said whatever I wished of gathering to me and dispersing from him.
وَأَشَدِّهِمْand the harshest of themخِلَافاًin disagreementوَكُنْتُand I wasفِيinأَطْوَعِthe most obedientجُنْدٍarmy
He said: And Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan said: I prevailed against Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, in four traits: he was a man of manifest and open actions—meaning he did not conceal a secret—while I was secretive regarding my affair; he would not strive until an affair surprised him suddenly, while I would hasten to that; he was among the most wicked of armies and the harshest in disagreement, while I was among the most obedient of armies and the least in disagreement; and I was more beloved to Quraysh than him. So I said whatever I wished of gathering to me and dispersing from him.
وَأَقَلِّهِمْand the least of themخِلَافاًin disagreementوَكُنْتُand I wasأَحَبَّmore belovedإِلَىtoقُرَيْشٍQurayshمِنْهُthan him
He said: And Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan said: I prevailed against Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, in four traits: he was a man of manifest and open actions—meaning he did not conceal a secret—while I was secretive regarding my affair; he would not strive until an affair surprised him suddenly, while I would hasten to that; he was among the most wicked of armies and the harshest in disagreement, while I was among the most obedient of armies and the least in disagreement; and I was more beloved to Quraysh than him. So I said whatever I wished of gathering to me and dispersing from him.
فَقُلْتُso I saidمَا شِئْتُwhatever I wishedمِنْofجَامِعٍgatheringإِلَيَّto meوَمُفَرِّقٍand dispersingعَنْهُfrom him.
He said: And Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan said: I prevailed against Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, in four traits: he was a man of manifest and open actions—meaning he did not conceal a secret—while I was secretive regarding my affair; he would not strive until an affair surprised him suddenly, while I would hasten to that; he was among the most wicked of armies and the harshest in disagreement, while I was among the most obedient of armies and the least in disagreement; and I was more beloved to Quraysh than him. So I said whatever I wished of gathering to me and dispersing from him.
وَكَانَAnd it wasيُقَالُsaidلِكَاتِمِto the concealer ofسِرِّهِhis secret:مِنْfromكِتْمَانِهِhis concealment of it
And it used to be said to the concealer of his secret: In his concealment are two qualities and virtues: triumphing in his need and safety from its evil.
إِحْدَىone ofخَصْلَتَيْنِtwo qualitiesوَفَضِيلَتَيْنِand two virtues:الظَّفَرُtriumphingبِحَاجَتِهِin his needوَالسَّلَامَةُand safetyمِنْfromشَرِّهِits evil.
And it used to be said to the concealer of his secret: In his concealment are two qualities and virtues: triumphing in his need and safety from its evil.
مَنْWhoeverأَحْسَنَdoes wellفَلْيَحْمَدِlet him praiseاللَّهَAllahوَلَهُand to Himالْمِنَّةُbelongs the favorعَلَيْهِupon him
Whoever does well, let him praise Allah, and to Him belongs the favor upon him; and whoever does evil, let him seek forgiveness from Allah, majestic and exalted is He, and the argument is against him.
وَمَنْand whoeverأَسَاءَdoes evilفَلْيَسْتَغْفِرِlet him seek forgivenessاللَّهَfrom Allahجَلَّmajesticوَعَزَّand exalted is Heوَلَهُand for himالْحُجَّةُis the argumentعَلَيْهِagainst him.
Whoever does well, let him praise Allah, and to Him belongs the favor upon him; and whoever does evil, let him seek forgiveness from Allah, majestic and exalted is He, and the argument is against him.
وَقَالَAnd saidبَعْضُهُمْsome of them:كِتْمَانُكَyour concealment ofسِرَّكَyour secretيُعْقِبُكَbrings youالسَّلَامَةَsafety
And some of them said: Your concealment of your secret brings you safety, and your divulging of your secret brings you consequence; and patience in concealing a secret is easier than regret over divulging it.
وَإِفْشَاؤُكَand your divulging ofسِرَّكَyour secretيُعْقِبُكَbrings youالتَّبِعَةَconsequence
And some of them said: Your concealment of your secret brings you safety, and your divulging of your secret brings you consequence; and patience in concealing a secret is easier than regret over divulging it.
وَالصَّبْرُand patienceعَلَىuponكِتْمَانِconcealment ofالسِّرِّthe secretأَيْسَرُis easierمِنَthanالنَّدَمِregretعَلَىoverإِفْشَائِهِdivulging it.
And some of them said: Your concealment of your secret brings you safety, and your divulging of your secret brings you consequence; and patience in concealing a secret is easier than regret over divulging it.
وَقَالَAnd saidبَعْضُهُمْsome of them:مَا أَقْبَحَhow uglyبِالْإِنْسَانِit is for man
And some of them said: How ugly it is for a person that thieves should fear what is in his hand so he conceals it, then he enables his enemy over his own soul by divulging his secret to him and showing him what is in his heart, or that he should show him his brother's secret; and whoever is incapable of rectifying his own affair must not blame the one for whom it does not stand straight.
أَنْ يَخَافَthat he fearsعَلَىoverمَاwhatفِيinيَدِهِhis handاللُصُوصَthe thievesفَيُخْفِيَهُso he conceals it
And some of them said: How ugly it is for a person that thieves should fear what is in his hand so he conceals it, then he enables his enemy over his own soul by divulging his secret to him and showing him what is in his heart, or that he should show him his brother's secret; and whoever is incapable of rectifying his own affair must not blame the one for whom it does not stand straight.
ثُمَّthenيُمُمكِنَhe enablesعَدُوَّهُhis enemyمِنْoverنَفْسِهِhimselfبِإِفْشَاءِby divulgingسِرِّهِhis secretإِلَيْهِto him
And some of them said: How ugly it is for a person that thieves should fear what is in his hand so he conceals it, then he enables his enemy over his own soul by divulging his secret to him and showing him what is in his heart, or that he should show him his brother's secret; and whoever is incapable of rectifying his own affair must not blame the one for whom it does not stand straight.
وَإِظْهَارِand showingمَاwhatفِيinقَلْبِهِhis heartلَهُto himأَوْorأَنْ يُظْهِرَهُthat he shows himعَلَىuponسِرِّthe secret ofأَخِيهِhis brother
And some of them said: How ugly it is for a person that thieves should fear what is in his hand so he conceals it, then he enables his enemy over his own soul by divulging his secret to him and showing him what is in his heart, or that he should show him his brother's secret; and whoever is incapable of rectifying his own affair must not blame the one for whom it does not stand straight.
وَمَنْand whoeverعَجَزَis incapableعَنْofتَقْوِيمِrectifyingأَمْرِهِhis affairفَلَا يَلُومَنَّmust not blameمَنْthe oneلَا يَسْتَقِيمُwho does not stand straightلَهُfor him.
And some of them said: How ugly it is for a person that thieves should fear what is in his hand so he conceals it, then he enables his enemy over his own soul by divulging his secret to him and showing him what is in his heart, or that he should show him his brother's secret; and whoever is incapable of rectifying his own affair must not blame the one for whom it does not stand straight.
وَكَانَAnd Muawiyahمُعَاوِيَةُusedيَقُولُto say:مَا أَفْشَيْتُI never divulgedسِرِّيmy secretإِلَىtoأَحَدٍanyone
And Muawiyah used to say: I never divulged my secret to anyone except that it brought me prolonged regret and intense sorrow, nor did I deposit it in the recesses of my breast so I bridled it between my ribs except that it gained me glory, remembrance, splendor, and elevation.
إِلَّاexceptأَعْقَبَنِيthat it brought meطُولَprolongedالنَّدَمِregretوَشِدَّةَand intenseالْأَسَفِsorrow.
And Muawiyah used to say: I never divulged my secret to anyone except that it brought me prolonged regret and intense sorrow, nor did I deposit it in the recesses of my breast so I bridled it between my ribs except that it gained me glory, remembrance, splendor, and elevation.
وَلَا أَوْدَعْتُهُNor did I deposit itجَوَانِحَin the recesses ofصَدْرِيmy breastفَخَطَمْتُهُso I bridled itبَيْنَbetweenأَضْلَاعِيmy ribs
And Muawiyah used to say: I never divulged my secret to anyone except that it brought me prolonged regret and intense sorrow, nor did I deposit it in the recesses of my breast so I bridled it between my ribs except that it gained me glory, remembrance, splendor, and elevation.
إِلَّا كَسَّبَنِيexcept that it gained meذَلِكَthatمَجْداًgloryوَذِكْراًremembranceوَسَنَاءًsplendorوَرِفْعَةًand elevation.
And Muawiyah used to say: I never divulged my secret to anyone except that it brought me prolonged regret and intense sorrow, nor did I deposit it in the recesses of my breast so I bridled it between my ribs except that it gained me glory, remembrance, splendor, and elevation.
فَقِيلَSo it was saidلَهُto him:وَلَاNot evenابْنَthe son ofالْعَاصِ؟al-Aas?
So it was said to him: Not even the son of al-Aas? He said: Not even the son of al-Aas. And he used to say: What you are concealing from your enemy, do not let your friend see it.
فَقَالَHe said:وَلَاNot evenابْنَthe son ofالْعَاصِal-Aas.وَكَانَAnd he usedيَقُولُto say:
So it was said to him: Not even the son of al-Aas? He said: Not even the son of al-Aas. And he used to say: What you are concealing from your enemy, do not let your friend see it.
مَا كُنْتَWhat you wereكَاتِمَهُconcealing itمِنْfromعَدُوِّكَyour enemyفَلَا تُظْهِرْdo not showعَلَيْهِupon itصَدِيقَكَyour friend.
So it was said to him: Not even the son of al-Aas? He said: Not even the son of al-Aas. And he used to say: What you are concealing from your enemy, do not let your friend see it.
وَقَالَAnd saidالنَّبِيُّthe Prophetصَلَّىmay peaceاللَّهُbe upon himعَلَيْهِandوَسَلَّمَblessings:
And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Whoever conceals his secret, the choice remains in his hand; and whoever exposes himself to suspicion must not blame the one who thinks evil of him. Place your brother's affair in its best light, and do not suspect evil of a word that came out of him if you are able to find a good path for it. You have not compensated the one who disobeyed Allah regarding you with anything better than that you obey Allah, majestic is His remembrance, regarding him. Adhere to truthful brethren, for they are an adornment during ease and a protection during calamity.
مَنْ كَتَمَWhoever concealsسِرَّهُhis secretكَانَتِremainedالْخِيرَةُthe choiceفِيinيَدِهِhis hand
And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Whoever conceals his secret, the choice remains in his hand; and whoever exposes himself to suspicion must not blame the one who thinks evil of him. Place your brother's affair in its best light, and do not suspect evil of a word that came out of him if you are able to find a good path for it. You have not compensated the one who disobeyed Allah regarding you with anything better than that you obey Allah, majestic is His remembrance, regarding him. Adhere to truthful brethren, for they are an adornment during ease and a protection during calamity.
وَمَنْ عَرَّضَand whoever exposesنَفْسَهُhimselfلِلتَّهْمَةِto suspicionفَلَا يَلُومَنَّmust not blameمَنْ أَسَاءَthe one who thinks evilبِهِof himالظَّنَّsuspicion.
And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Whoever conceals his secret, the choice remains in his hand; and whoever exposes himself to suspicion must not blame the one who thinks evil of him. Place your brother's affair in its best light, and do not suspect evil of a word that came out of him if you are able to find a good path for it. You have not compensated the one who disobeyed Allah regarding you with anything better than that you obey Allah, majestic is His remembrance, regarding him. Adhere to truthful brethren, for they are an adornment during ease and a protection during calamity.
وَضَعْAnd placeأَمْرَthe affair ofأَخِيكَyour brotherعَلَىuponأَحْسَنِهِits bestوَلَا تَظُنَّنَّand do not suspectبِكَلِمَةٍof a word
And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Whoever conceals his secret, the choice remains in his hand; and whoever exposes himself to suspicion must not blame the one who thinks evil of him. Place your brother's affair in its best light, and do not suspect evil of a word that came out of him if you are able to find a good path for it. You have not compensated the one who disobeyed Allah regarding you with anything better than that you obey Allah, majestic is His remembrance, regarding him. Adhere to truthful brethren, for they are an adornment during ease and a protection during calamity.
خَرَجَتْthat came outمِنْهُfrom himسُوءاًevilإِذَا كُنْتَif you areوَاجِداًable to findلَهَاfor itفِيinالْخَيْرِgoodnessمَذْهَباًa path.
And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Whoever conceals his secret, the choice remains in his hand; and whoever exposes himself to suspicion must not blame the one who thinks evil of him. Place your brother's affair in its best light, and do not suspect evil of a word that came out of him if you are able to find a good path for it. You have not compensated the one who disobeyed Allah regarding you with anything better than that you obey Allah, majestic is His remembrance, regarding him. Adhere to truthful brethren, for they are an adornment during ease and a protection during calamity.
وَمَا كَافَأْتَAnd you have not compensatedمَنْ عَصَىthe one who disobeyedاللَّهَAllahفِيكَregarding youبِأَكْثَرَwith moreمِنْthanأَنْ تُطِيعَthat you obeyاللَّهَAllah
And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Whoever conceals his secret, the choice remains in his hand; and whoever exposes himself to suspicion must not blame the one who thinks evil of him. Place your brother's affair in its best light, and do not suspect evil of a word that came out of him if you are able to find a good path for it. You have not compensated the one who disobeyed Allah regarding you with anything better than that you obey Allah, majestic is His remembrance, regarding him. Adhere to truthful brethren, for they are an adornment during ease and a protection during calamity.
جَلَّmajesticذِكْرُهُis His remembranceفِيهِregarding himوَعَلَيْكَand upon youبِإِخْوَانِis with brethren ofالصِّدْقِtruthfulness
And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Whoever conceals his secret, the choice remains in his hand; and whoever exposes himself to suspicion must not blame the one who thinks evil of him. Place your brother's affair in its best light, and do not suspect evil of a word that came out of him if you are able to find a good path for it. You have not compensated the one who disobeyed Allah regarding you with anything better than that you obey Allah, majestic is His remembrance, regarding him. Adhere to truthful brethren, for they are an adornment during ease and a protection during calamity.
فَإِنَّهُمْfor theyزِينَةٌare an adornmentعِنْدَat the time ofالرَّخَاءِeaseوَعِصْمَةٌand a protectionعِنْدَat the time ofالْبَلَاءِcalamity.
And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Whoever conceals his secret, the choice remains in his hand; and whoever exposes himself to suspicion must not blame the one who thinks evil of him. Place your brother's affair in its best light, and do not suspect evil of a word that came out of him if you are able to find a good path for it. You have not compensated the one who disobeyed Allah regarding you with anything better than that you obey Allah, majestic is His remembrance, regarding him. Adhere to truthful brethren, for they are an adornment during ease and a protection during calamity.
وَحَدَّثَAnd narratedإِبْرَاهِيمُIbrahimبْنُson ofعِيسَىIsaقَالَhe said:
And Ibrahim ibn Isa narrated, saying: I mentioned to al-Mansur one day the affair of Abu Muslim and his guarding of that secret until he did what he did. So he said:
ذَاكَرْتُI mentionedالْمَنْصُورَto al-Mansurذَاتَoneيَوْمٍdayأَمْرَthe affair ofأَبِيAbuمُسْلِمٍMuslim
And Ibrahim ibn Isa narrated, saying: I mentioned to al-Mansur one day the affair of Abu Muslim and his guarding of that secret until he did what he did. So he said:
وَصَوْنَهُand his guardingلِذَلِكَof thatالسِّرِّsecretحَتَّىuntilفَعَلَhe didمَا فَعَلَهُwhat he did.فَقَالَSo he said:
And Ibrahim ibn Isa narrated, saying: I mentioned to al-Mansur one day the affair of Abu Muslim and his guarding of that secret until he did what he did. So he said:
تَقَسَّمَنِيDivided meأَمْرَانِtwo affairsلَمْ أَقْتَحِمْهُمَاI did not plunge into them
Two affairs divided me, which I did not plunge into with greed, nor did the shoulder-blades grapple with them for me.
بِحِرْصٍwith greedوَلَمْ تَعْرُكْهُمَاnor did they grapple with themلِيfor meالْكَرَاكِرُthe shoulder-blades.
Two affairs divided me, which I did not plunge into with greed, nor did the shoulder-blades grapple with them for me.
وَمَا سَاوَرَAnd none assaultedالْأَحْشَاءَthe entrailsمِثْلُlikeدَفِينَةٍa hidden thing
And nothing assaulted the entrails like a hidden thing of worry which destinies returned back to you.
مِنَofالْهَمِّworryرَدَّتْهَاwhich returned itإِلَيْكَto youالْمَقَادِرُdestinies.
And nothing assaulted the entrails like a hidden thing of worry which destinies returned back to you.
وَقَدْ عَلِمَتْAnd have knownأَفْنَاءُthe tribes ofعَدْنَانَAdnanأَنَّنِيthat I
And the tribes of Adnan have known that I, concerning what befalls, am bold and daring.
لَدَىconcerningمَا عَرَاwhat befallsمِقْدَامَةٌboldمُتَجَاسِرٌand daring.
And the tribes of Adnan have known that I, concerning what befalls, am bold and daring.
وَقَالَAnd saidغَيْرُهُanother:
And another said:
صُنِGuardالسِّرَّthe secretبِالْكِتْمَانِthrough concealmentيَرْضَكَso it will please youغِبُّهُits outcome
Guard the secret through concealment so its outcome will please you, for the wasted secret is sometimes revealed and so the one who concealed it repents.
فَقَدْ يَظْهَرُfor sometimes is revealedالسِّرُّthe secretالْمُضَيَّعُwastedفَيَنْدَمُand repentsمَنْthe one whoكَتَمَهُconcealed it.
Guard the secret through concealment so its outcome will please you, for the wasted secret is sometimes revealed and so the one who concealed it repents.
وَلَا تُفْشِيَنَّAnd do not divulgeسِرّاًa secretإِلَىtoغَيْرِother thanأَهْلِهِits people
And do not divulge a secret to other than its people, lest the flaw of the secret appear from where it is concealed.
فَيَظْهَرَlest appearsخَرْقُthe flaw ofالسِّرِّthe secretمِنْ حَيْثُfrom whereيُكْتَمُit is concealed.
And do not divulge a secret to other than its people, lest the flaw of the secret appear from where it is concealed.
وَمَا زِلْتُAnd I continuedفِيinالْكِتْمَانِconcealmentحَتَّىuntilكَأَنَّنِيit is as if I
And I continued in concealment until it was as if I, regarding the return of the answer to the one asking about you, was dumb.
بِرَجْعِregarding the return ofجَوَابِthe answer toالسَّائِلِthe askerعَنْكَabout youأَعْجَمُwas dumb.
And I continued in concealment until it was as if I, regarding the return of the answer to the one asking about you, was dumb.
لِأَسْلَمَso that I may be safeمِنْfromقَوْلِthe speech ofالْوُشَاةِthe gossipsوَتَسْلَمِيand that you may be safe
So that I may be safe from the gossips' speech and you may be safe—I have been safe, but is any living person among people safe?
سَلِمْتُI have been safeوَهَلْand isحَيٌّa living personعَلَىamongالنَّاسِpeopleيَسْلَمُ؟safe?
So that I may be safe from the gossips' speech and you may be safe—I have been safe, but is any living person among people safe?
وَلِآخَرَAnd by another:
And by another:
أَمِنِّيIs it from meتَخَافُthat you fearانْتِشَارَthe spread ofالْحَدِيثِthe talk
Is it from me that you fear the spread of the talk, while my portion in veiling it is more abundant?
وَحَظِّيand my portionفِيinسْتْرِهِveiling itأَوْفَرُis more abundant.
Is it from me that you fear the spread of the talk, while my portion in veiling it is more abundant?
وَلَوْAnd ifلَمْnotأَصُنْهُI guarded itلِبُقْيَاout of remainingعَلَيْكَupon you
And had I not guarded it out of consideration for you, I would have looked out for myself as you look out.
نَظَرْتُI would have looked outلِنَفْسِيfor myselfكَمَاasتَنْظُرُyou look out.
And had I not guarded it out of consideration for you, I would have looked out for myself as you look out.
وَلِآخَرَAnd by another:
And by another:
لِسَانِيMy tongueكَتُومٌis secretiveلِأَسْرَارِكُمْregarding your secrets
My tongue is secretive regarding your secrets, but my tear is a gossip, broadcasting my secret.
وَدَمْعِيand my tearنَمُومٌis a gossipلِسِرِّيregarding my secretمُذِيعُbroadcasting.
My tongue is secretive regarding your secrets, but my tear is a gossip, broadcasting my secret.
فَلَوْلَاSo had it not been forالدُّمُوعُthe tearsكَتَمْتُI would have concealedالْهَوَىthe passion
So had it not been for the tears, I would have concealed the passion, and had it not been for the passion, there would not have been tears for me.
وَلَوْلَاand had it not been forالْهَوَىthe passionلَمْ تَكُنْthere would not have beenلِيfor meدُمُوعُtears.
So had it not been for the tears, I would have concealed the passion, and had it not been for the passion, there would not have been tears for me.
وَلِآخَرَAnd by another:
And by another:
إِذَا أَنْتَIf youلَمْ تَحْفَظْdo not guardلِنَفْسِكَfor your soulسِرَّهَاits secret
If you do not guard your soul's secret for yourself, then your secret among people is more divulged and more wasted.
فَسِرُّكَthen your secretعِنْدَamongالنَّاسِpeopleأَفْشَىis more divulgedوَأَضْيَعُand more wasted.
If you do not guard your soul's secret for yourself, then your secret among people is more divulged and more wasted.
أَبُوAbuنُوَّاسٍ:Nuwas:
Abu Nuwas:
لَا تُفْشِDo not divulgeأَسْرَارَكَyour secretsلِلنَّاسِto the people
Do not divulge your secrets to the people, and treat your sorrows with the cup.
وَدَاوِand treatأَحْزَانَكَyour sorrowsبِالْكَاسِwith the cup.
Do not divulge your secrets to the people, and treat your sorrows with the cup.
فَإِنَّForإِبْلِيسَIblisعَلَىdespiteمَا بِهِwhat is in him
For Iblis, despite what is in him, is more compassionate to people than the people.
أَرْأَفُis more compassionateبِالنَّاسِto peopleمِنَthanالنَّاسِthe people.
For Iblis, despite what is in him, is more compassionate to people than the people.