1. O Sheikh of Islam to whom
My ultimate quest goes

2. O best of learned men
Whose views shine like falling stars

3. He's a refuge if fate darkens
From the pits of adversity

4. His sanctuary brings safety
To all questing for knowledge

5. Hearts incline toward him
Arab and non-Arab alike

6. Bending before him though they’ve reached
The ends of their desires

7. From a well-watered garden
With thriving, fertile sides

8. Its plants grew lush
And its proud clouds nestled in

9. Until its boughs grew heavy
And its vine shoots multiplied

10. And the meadows smiled
From the lips of slender streams

11. Save one young man
Weeping copious tears at your door

12. Thirsting to take a draught
From the sword of his defense

13. To complete his copy
Worn by the passing eras

14. With missing pages
He writes prolifically

15. Bowing to the master of literature
Who said the deciding hour comes

16. When the backs of riders meet
And who stabbed the century

17. When the backs of Arabs broke
Ever rising by knowledge

18. To the highest ranks
No enchanting melody sang

19. In the loftiest trees
No bright full moon rose

20. Emerging on the horizon
No star sailed the darkness

21. Approaching the Pole