Seeking people’s pleasure

​Imam Shafi’i, one of the most prominent Islamic scholars, has some beautiful poetry. Here is one with my attempted translation


الإمام الشافعي رحمه الله تعالى قصيدته الرائعة التي منها:-


ضحكت فقالوا ألا تحتشم
I laughed and they said won’t you ever be bashful


بكيت فقالوا ألا تبتسم
I cried and they said won’t you ever smile


بسمت فقالوا يرائي بها
I smiled and they said he is showing off


عبست فقالوا بدا ما كتم
I frowned and they said now we see what he’s really been hiding


صمت فقالوا كليل اللسان
I was silent and they said he’s tongue-tied


نطقت فقالوا كثير الكلام
I spoke and they said he sure has a lot to say


حلمت فقالوا صنيع الجبان
I forbore and they said what cowardice


ولو كان مقتدراً لانتقم
For if he was able he would’ve taken revenge


بسلت فقالوا لطيشٍ به
I fought honorably and they said what recklessness

وما كان مجترئاً لو حكم
And he wouldn’t have been aggressive had he been wise


يقولون شذ إذا قلت لا
They say he is not a team player if I said no


وإمعة حين وافقتهم
And a yes-man if I agreed with them


فأيقنت أني مهما أرد
So I’ve become certain that whenever I seek


رضى الناس لابد من أن أذم
People’s pleasure, I will undoubtedly be faulted