Introduction to the Shatibiyyah (Partial)

An excerpt from the introduction to the Shatibiyyah poem in which the author outlines some qualities of the Qur'ān and the qualities of the reciter who practices upon it. He mentions the status of the Qāri’ of the Qur’ān and then gives some invaluable advice. Lines 1-19 recited by Mishary Rashid al-'Afasy.

- TRANSLATION - 
BY Saleem Gaibie

بَدَأْتُ بِبِسْمِ اْللهُ فيِ النَّظْمِ أوَّلاَ *** تَبَارَكَ رَحْمَاناً رَحِيماً وَمَوْئِلاَ
1. Firstly, I begin this text with the name of Allah. Blessed is He, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful, and (He who is) refuge (for all who sincerely wish to repent).

وَثَنَّيْتُ صَلَّى اللهُ رَبِّي عَلَى الِرَّضَا *** مُحَمَّدٍ الْمُهْدَى إلَى النَّاسِ مُرْسَلاَ
2. I secondly pray that Allah, my Lord (rabb) bestows His salutations upon him who is most pleased, Muhammad who was sent as a gift to all of mankind.

وَعِتْرَتِهِ ثُمَ الصَّحَابَةِ ثُمّ مَنْ *** تَلاَهُمْ عَلَى اْلإِحْسَانِ بِالخَيْرِ وُبَّلاَ
3. (and salutations) on his family, the Companions and then (upon those) who follow (them) in doing good (deeds), being torrent showers of excellence (in the benefits that are derived from them).

وَثَلَّثْتُ أنَّ اْلَحَمْدَ لِلهِ دائِماً *** وَمَا لَيْسَ مَبْدُوءًا بِهِ أجْذَمُ الْعَلاَ
4. Thirdly, (I proclaim that) all praise is always due to Allah and (state that) all (deeds) not begun (in His name) is void of excellence.

***

Some Qualities of The Qur`ān

وَبَعْدُ فَحَبْلُ اللهِ فِينَا كِتَابُهُ *** فَجَاهِدْ بِهِ حِبْلَ الْعِدَا مُتَحَبِّلاَ
5. Thereafter, (know that) the rope of Allah amongst us is His Book. So (use it) to battle the evil schemes of the enemies (of Islam), ensnaring them.

وَأَخْلِقْ بهِ إذْ لَيْسَ يَخْلَقُ جِدَّةً *** جَدِيداً مُوَاليهِ عَلَى الْجِدِّ مُقْبِلاَ
6. And it (the Qur`ān) is most deserving to be used as its grandeur is eternal and it never wears. Its companion (who values it as he should) are honoured and serve it with complete devotion.

***

The Qualities of the Reciter of the Qur`ān who Practices Upon it

وَقَارِئُهُ الْمَرْضِيُّ قَرَّ مِثَالُهُ *** كاَلاتْرُجّ حَالَيْهِ مُرِيحًا وَمُوكلِا
7. The example of its approved reciter is like a citron; in both its conditions (internal and external) being good in aroma and taste.

هُوَ الْمُرْتَضَى أَمًّا إِذَا كَانَ أُمَّةً *** وَيَمَّمَهُ ظِلُّ الرَّزَانَةِ قَنْقَلاَ
8. He (the reciter) is a noteworthy leader if he comes to hold praiseworthy characteristics, and a shade of honour/respect desires to engulf him in droves.

هُوَ الْحُرُّ إِنْ كانَ الْحَرِيّ حَوَارِياً *** لَهُ بِتَحَرّيهِ إلَى أَنْ تَنَبَّلاَ
9. He is free if he is deserving, by becoming a disciple of it (the Qur`ān) through being (in its constant) service until he dies.

***

The Status of the Qāri’ of the Qur’ān

وَإِنَّ كِتَابَ اللهِ أَوْثَقُ شَافِعٍ *** وَأَغْنى غَنَاءً وَاهِباً مُتَفَضِّلاَ
10. And the Book of Allāh is indeed the most trusted intercessor and the most valued possession, [constantly] endowing its gifts and virtues.

وَخَيْرُ جَلِيسٍ لاَ يُمَلُّ حَدِيثُهُ *** وَتَرْدَادُهُ يَزْدَادُ فِيهِ تَجَمُّلاً
11. And it is the best sitting companion whose talk will never bore and whose [frequent] repetition increases it in beauty.

وَحَيْثُ الْفَتى يَرْتَاعُ فيِ ظُلُمَاتِهِ *** مِنَ اْلقَبرِ يَلْقَاهُ سَناً مُتَهَلِّلاً
12. And when [the qāri’] is fearful in the darkness of the grave, the Qur’ān will meet him shining brightly, being cheerful and friendly.

هُنَالِكَ يَهْنِيهِ مَقِيلاً وَرَوْضَةً *** وَمِنْ أَجْلِهِ فِي ذِرْوَةِ الْعِزّ يجتُلَى
13. There, [in the grave] it [the Qur’ān] will congratulate him, becoming a place of rest and a beautiful garden [for him]) and because of it [because of the Qur’ān and his efforts in serving it] he will be raised to the pinnacle of honour and respect which will be manifest.

يُنَاشِدُه في إرْضَائِهِ لحبِيِبِهِ *** وَأَجْدِرْ بِهِ سُؤْلاً إلَيْهِ مُوَصَّلاَ
14. It [the Qur’ān] will implore Allāh’s satisfaction for its beloved [companion]. And what is more suitable to make a request [than the Qur’ān]? For its requests [and the response thereof] will surely be conveyed!

***

Advice to the Qāri`

فَيَا أَيُّهَا الْقَارِي بِهِ مُتَمَسِّكاً *** مُجِلاًّ لَهُ فِي كُلِّ حَالٍ مُبَجِّلا
15. So, O reciter [of the Qur’ān]! Hold firmly on to it, honouring and respecting it in all conditions.

هَنِيئاً مَرِيئاً وَالِدَاكَ عَلَيْهِما *** مَلاَبِسُ أَنْوَارٍ مِنَ التَّاجِ وَالحُلا
16. Enjoy well [all coming your way in the gardens of paradise]! Your parents will be adorned with garments of pure light, crowns [of honour] and [other] adornments.

فَما ظَنُّكُمْ بالنَّجْلِ عِنْدَ جَزَائِهِ *** أُولئِكَ أَهْلُ اللهِ والصَّفَوَةُ المَلاَ
17. So what do you think of the children [qāri’ - of these parents] when they are rewarded? They are the family of Allah and the high-ranking elite.

أُولُو الْبِرِّ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَالصَّبْرِ وَالتُّقَى *** حُلاَهُمُ بِهَا جَاءَ الْقُرَانُ مُفَصَّلاَ
18. Righteousness, doing good deeds, patience and God-consciousness are their adornment. The Qur’ān came with these attributes, explaining them in detail.

عَلَيْكَ بِهَا مَا عِشْتَ فِيهَا مُنَافِساً *** وَبِعْ نَفْسَكَ الدُّنْيَا بِأَنْفَاسِهَا الْعُلاَ
19. Adopt these qualities as long as you live, striving to obtain it. And exchange [the qualities of] your lowly soul for the valued fragrances of these qualities.

Introduction to the Shatibiyyah (Partial)

Alamgir Islam