Uteuzi wa Aya Zilizosemwa kwa Kumsifu Yeye Wakati wa Uhai Wake na kwa Kumkumbuka Baada ya Kufariki Kwake
A Selection Of The Verses Spoken In Praise Of Him In Life And In Commemoration Of Him In Death
[Baba yake Al-Hayḍam:] 90.3
[Al-Hayḍam’s father:] 90.3
Ulipozungumza sasa kuhusu kujifunza, na Aḥmad alikuwa ameshaondoka.
When now you told of learning and of Aḥmad gone.
Huenda ulisema kwamba bahari yenye povu ilikuwa kavu.
You might have said the foaming sea was dry.
Kwa moyo wa ukarimu, wa ucha Mungu na wa mamlaka ya kiungwana.
Of a gen’rous heart, of piety and lordly sway.
Tumemkosa mtu aliyekuwa imara sana katika imani.
Of one so firm in faith are we bereft.
Alipokaribia, ulihisi pumzi ya majira ya kuchipua.
At his approach, you felt the breath of spring.
Kama inavyostahiki jina lake, wote walizungumza juu yake kwa sifa.484
As befits his name, all spoke of him to praise.484
Alikuwa mcha Mungu zaidi kuliko Sufyān.
Most like Sufyān in piety was he.
Wala Mis'ar wala Mi'dad hawakumwacha nyuma sana.
Nor did Misʿar or Miʿḍad leave him far behind.
Kama wao, alitafuta kidogo, akaongozwa kwenye njia iliyo sahihi.
Like them, he little sought, and guided right.
Alijinyima mwenyewe, na akatuonyesha jinsi ya kuishi.
Denied himself, and showed us how to live.
Katika mambo haya yote, tuzo ilikuwa yake yeye peke yake.
In all these things was his alone the prize.
Katika mambo haya yote hatukumfanya yeye kuwa mfano usio na mshindani.
In all these things did we him call unmatched.
Rudi! Mikono yako ni jengo la imani.
Come back! Your hands an edifice of faith.
Alijenga, si jumba la kuishi humu duniani.
Did build, not a palace to inhabit in this world.
Hukutamani farasi mwenye miguu ya tai.
You craved no eagle-footed steed.
Wala mtumwa mwenye umbo zuri, mwenye kuvutia kama majini.
Nor shapely slave, bewitching as the jinn.
Amevaa mavazi ya kifahari, yaliyopambwa kwa usuka wa dhahabu.
In finery bedecked, and golden weave.
Akiyumba kama mwanzi wa mianzi anapotembea.
Swaying like a cane-brake when she walks.
Lakini kwa kila mmoja hakika kuna saa hiyo ya kuamua ambapo kifo kitakapofika.
But to each must come that fateful hour when death.
Wanawasili, wakazi wa dunia wakiwaongoza mbali.
Arrives, the tenants of the world to lead away.
Na kutoka duniani hii wanaweza kuchukua jambo moja tu.
And from this world can they but one thing take.
Matendo waliyoyahifadhi wakati bado walikuwa na uwezo wa kufanya hivyo.485
The deeds they stored away while yet they could.485
Al-Hayḍam alisoma shairi la baba yake, likiwemo mistari hii: 90.5
Al-Hayḍam recited a poem by his father, including these lines: 90.5
Ongeza machozi kwenye machozi ambayo watu wanaojitenga na dunia hulia.
To the tears that world-renouncers weep, add tears.
Na wacha waangalie wale wanaomcha Mola wao.
And let the ones who fear their Lord behold.
Na mcheni zaidi. Wanakulilia, macho yao.
And fear the more. They mourn for you, their eyes.
Wamenyimwa usingizi, faraja yao pekee ni machozi.
Bereft of sleep, their only comfort tears.
Amezikwa na ardhi, Aḥmad mwema amelala, mbali sana.
Embraced by earth good Aḥmad lies, as far.
Kutoka kwetu kama mtu yeyote anavyoweza kuwa. Mawingu na yaburudishe.
From us as anyone can be. May clouds refresh.
Kaburi lake likiwa chini ya mvua huku siku zikigeuka kuwa miaka!486
His grave with rain as days turn into years!486
[Mwandishi:] Nimenakili mashairi mengi ya sifa na maombolezo yaliyotungwa kwa ajili yake, lakini nimejizuia hapa kwa baadhi tu ya uteuzi. Mwenyezi Mungu aniongoze kwenye njia iliyo sawa!
[The author:] I have copied many of the praise poems and elegies composed for him but confined myself here to a few selections. May God guide me aright!