Jimiyya
`Umar Ibn al-Farid’s “Jiimiyya” (ode rhyming in the letter “jiim”).
Transliteration and translation of a segment of this poem as performed by Shaykh Yasin on the commercial recording “Fi Mahalla” (included on Side B of tape). The entire poem consists of 44 lines; Shaykh Yasin sings 12 of these.
Note that the singer generally repeats a line of poetry, or parts of a line, many times. He also frequently skips backwards and repeats two or three lines (he never skips forward). These repetitions are not written out in this transcription, so care must be taken in following along. Shaykh Yasin occasionally makes textual modifications as well.
The translation is essentially that of A.J. Arberry , modified where necessary according to Shaykh Yasin’s version of the poem.
1 ma bayna mu‘taraki ’l-ahdaaqi wa’l-muhaji
ana ’l-qatiilu bilaa ithmin walaa haraji
In the midst of the battlefield of enchanting glances and amorous hearts behold me, slain, and that without sin or guilt.
2 wadda‘tu qabla ’l-hawa ruuhi limaa nazarat
‘aynaaya min husni dhaaka ’l-manzari ’l-bahiji
Before ever my passion was stirred I bade farewell to my soul, for what mine eyes had seen of the beauty of that radiant countenance.
3 lillaahi ajfaanu ‘aynin fiika saahiratin
shawqan ilayka wa qalbun bi’l-gharaami shaji
O marvellous lids of an eye sleepless on thine account, yearning ever for thee! O wondrous heart, anguished with love of thee!
4 wa admu‘un hamalat lawlaa ’t-tanaffus min
naari ’l-hawa lam akad anjuu min al-lujaji
And ah, my tears that flowed abundantly–but for the hot breaths panting from the fire of yearning, I had scarce escaped from the billows of my weeping.
5 wa adlu‘un nahilat kaadat tuqawwimuha
min harri naari ’l-hawa kabidi
And ah, my ribs wasted with passion, yet well-nigh straightened [of their crookedness] by the fever of my ardent bowels!
6 wa habbadhaa fiika asqaamun khafiitu biha
‘anni taquumu biha ‘inda ’l-hawa hujaji
And welcome to the sickness I suffer on thy account, whereby I have become invisible even to myself: therein stand my proofs before the tribunal of love.
There follows a madad section (naming and invocation of Prophet, Prophet’s family, and saints; asking for intercession, blessing, assistance). After several minutes of madad, Shaykh Yasin continues to line 7.
7 ahfuu ilaa kulli qalbin bi’l-gharaami lahu
shughlun wa kulli lisaanin bi’l-hawa lahiji
Fondly I incline towards every heart that hath some occupation with passion, and every tongue that prattles upon yearning,
8 wa kulli sam‘in ‘an ’l-laahi bihi samamun
wa kulli jafanin bi’l-ighafaa’i lam ya‘uji
And every ear that is deaf to the voice of the slanderer, and every eyelid that has not bent towards slumber.
9 laa kaana wajdun bihi al-aamaaqu jaamidatun
wa laa gharaamun bihi ’l-ashwaaqu lam tahiji
No anguish of love was there when the tear-ducts were dry, nor ever true ardour wherein the heart’s longings were not stirred.
10 ‘adhdhib bimaa shi’ta ghayra ’l-bu‘di ‘anka tajid
awfa muhibbin bimaa yurdiika mubtahiji
Torment me howsoever thou wilt, save only not to be remote from thee, and thou shalt find me the most faithful lover, jubiliant in whatever pleases thee;
Next, a second madad section, then on to line 11.
11 khudh baqiyata maa abqayta min ramaqin
laa khayra fi ’l-hubbi in abqa ‘ala ’l-muhaji
Take the remnant of life and breath thou hast left to me; no good is there in love that spares the heart to survive.
12 ana man li bi itlaafi ruuhi fi hawa habiibi
hulwi ’sh-shamaa’il fi ’l-arwaahi mumtaziji
Who will take pity on me, and destroy my soul in its ardour for my beloved, so sweet in his dispositions, so subtly mingled in every soul?
