1. When afflictions befall you one day,
Rely on Him in whose creation of beings is wisdom,

2. And submit to His predestination and decree,
For through them war and peace come to you.

3. Do not expect relief from troubles from other than Him,
Lest you return disappointed and vexed.

4. A weak one who hopes for aid from the weak
Has surely erred in perception and reversed understanding.

5. O you whose eyes are asleep while awake!
And how many asleep in meaning without slumber overtaking them!

6. Judgment belongs only to your Lord alone,
So submit to Him, for despairing of other than Him is certain.

7. How deluded are those who intend towards Amr and Khalid!
Beware lest fancy lead away your mind.

8. Who created you while you were a drop?
Weak, with neither flesh nor bone over you.

9. Who nourished you for nine months,
While your mother sensed nothing and knew nothing?

10. Who reared you for two years suckling,
With no drink but milk and no taste?

11. Who rescued you from the evils of youth,
While it roamed seeking a target for its arrow?

12. Who cast over you an affection,
Vying regarding you - neither father nor mother?

13. Who gave you reason and discernment,
So that you gained renown and distinction?

14. Who granted you maturity in your youth,
So you affirmed Divine Oneness while the antagonist denied?

15. God - Glorious is God! So frequent His court,
To Him belongs the beginning in His creature and the end.

16. How many throats has He squeezed and the soul departed!
And how many souls has He brought and the heart grieved!

17. How many distressed supplications has He answered,
Attaining thereby wishes, while without Him no star shines!

18. How many errors renewed after errors
Has He covered with respite and clemency therein!

19. Do you know this then work contrary to it?
Verily perception and wisdom have gone from you.

20. What love or passion have you in investigation?
Neither fortune from sound thought nor apportioned lot.

21. Abandon creatures - you are just like them,
While the One Who guides to His purpose is the Master.

22. Do not have hope except in God in every condition,
For misplacing hope is injustice.

23. In Joseph the truthful is the greatest proof
That the creature has no rule in the like of him.

24. And in his words "Mention me to your lord"
Is guidance for one determined in righteous deeds.

25. So rectify the corruption of your deeds with repentance,
For whoever betrays the property of others, resolve exposes him.