1. You order me to be patient while my nature is impatient,
And you're surprised at my state while yours is more surprising,

2. You ask me for consolation from separation
While the souls of lovers seek reunion.

3. No tear has poured down my cheeks and no palm has wiped away tears,
No life has been good for me, no drink has been sweet.

4. I always complain to you of your constant reproach,
So I'm not the complainant and you're not the reproacher.

5. You wish I'd forget the departed caravan
That packed up and left to wander the waterless deserts,

6. And you ask me about Zainab the daughter of Malik
Without asking about me or about yourself, O Zainab!

7. My anguish at separation - is there any visit
That can revive the soul before it departs?

8. Nothing remains for me but the agony of love
And a heart tossed about on the embers of passion.

9. I am reminded of the caravan at dawn shining bright
And I weep, so the setting caravan weeps for me.

10. To the departing neighbors my passion and my wailing,
As I weep for the vestiges and lament them.

11. When they arrive, life is sweetened by their arrival,
And when they're gone, then goodbye is sweeter for me.

12. My tormented heart craves the echo of longing,
And my tortured heart finds torment sweet.

13. A specter visited me after a night's rest
By a homeland they avoid though it's near.

14. It makes me recall bygone nights,
Yet it lies about them though seeming to tell the truth,

15. And a she-camel moans so I moan while she
Mumbles her complaint and I complain articulately.

16. Alas! I wonder, did the rain clouds wander
Over Ula's slopes pouring down showers?

17. And did hail pelt the meadows and orchards
Stripping flowers and foliage?

18. Does it still coo to the sun whose pearl-like shadow
Lights up the House of Light in flaming splendor?

19. And did the gentle breeze play with the swaying boughs
Then bend them and continue its frolicking?

20. Time has torn us apart - nothing remains that I yearn for
Except generous favor, pardon, and good will,

21. Which I hope for from the noble Hashimi
To whom nobility, merit and pride are attributed,

22. Most honored of mankind in ancestry and deeds,
Highest and greatest in glory and renown;

23. Best of Allah's creation in nature and character,
Most generous, open-handed, and munificent;

24. Of the most generous house of Lu'ay son of Ghalib
And others - though the perfume of Lu'ay's sons is sweetest;

25. Descended from the loftiest summits of Hashim,
Sweetest fragrance, of ample measure, overpowering;

26. He ascended on the night of the Mi'raj heading for the Presence
Where the devoted drink eternal bliss from the Holy Grail,

27. Surrounded by angels, some giving glad tidings
Of the grace he attained, some greeting him;

28. The Lord of the Throne brought him near, so close
He was but two bow-lengths away or even closer;

29. Granting him on the Day of Resurrection the power of intercession
And an overflowing pool that will never run dry;

30. His miracles bear witness to him and his banners
Of victory and opening are raised on high;

31. Bless him as much as you wish, for by Allah none can contain
The like of him in the cosmos, never, nor ever come near;

32. O minstrel of Safa, tell me of the sanctuary neighborhood
And its ancient veiled shrine,

33. Of Arafat and Mina's Mash'ar from whence
My wishes take fright though the Mash'ar is near;

34. Tell me of the people of the house from Taiba's folk
Whose presence is my consolation and my heart is tossed about;

35. To the garden between tomb and pulpit
Where wafts the breeze of eternity, gentle and fragrant,

36. Its scent from Paradise musk and ambergris
Beyond all power of description, however eloquent;

37. Let the lovers know that though they are hidden from my eyes
They still reside within my heart and are not absent;

38. I yearn for them from these distant lands
And ask about them all newcomers and goers;

39. My passion for them surpasses all passion and my love
Melts away and my tears flow copiously;

40. Whoever is enamored with loving Muhammad
And loving Abu Bakr cannot be tormented;

41. Peace upon the Truthful One who never ceased
To accompany the best of creations in both worlds;

42. His successor in the cave, the Caliph after him
Was the bosom friend brought near;

43. He answered though they were deaf, he saw though they were blind
And believed in the clear truth while they lied;

44. And his companion, the blessed Faruq
Leader of the Faithful, well-mannered and refined;

45. Bedfellow of the Messenger, manifesting His religion,
Wielding it for God, pleased and angry;

46. Through him Islam expanded and guidance was made clear
And no creed remained for mankind but his;

47. And Uthman the man of two lights who saw the pebbles
And flash of lightning between his palms;

48. Abundant in tears and remembrance, spending his wealth,
Equipping armies in dearth and times of drought;

49. Meeting Allah purified, a martyr,
His blood spilt, dyed crimson;

50. And who is like Ali, whom Allah ennobled,
The exemplar of generosity and munificence;

51. Brother of forbearance, ocean of knowledge, HAider the pleased,
The imam who opened the way to right guidance;

52. A roaring but harmless lion who fended off enemies,
His claw an Indian blade, sturdy and sharp;

53. And the eyes of the Messenger, and the two noble Hasans
Through whom towers of glory rise high;

54. And of his people those who emigrated for God
Left their homes behind and traveled afar;

55. They sacrificed themselves for love of the Beloved
And drew near through pious deeds;

56. While another group gave them refuge and support
Resisting enemies, fortifying themselves, overcoming;

57. Those are the Helpers and the leading exemplars
From whom branches long and lofty extend;

58. Peace upon that Prophet and his Household,
His wives and Companions, wherever they dwell;

59. On the morrow visiting bands of dark calamities
Will come draped in coats of mail;

60. Plunging into a sea beside which seas are small,
Its waves crimson, gray, and dusty brown;

61. Every tall knight will meet them undaunted,
Though the bloom of youth be shorn and spent;

62. Laying down his soul amidst the thorns of spears
And falling into the torrents of death;

63. His cloak in battle a coat of mail
Dazzling white like burnished steel;

64. God's peace upon them as they paved the way of guidance
And East and West bowed to their swords;

65. For love of whom base souls were humbled
By his tremendous awesomeness and revered majesty;

66. An Arabian Prophet pleased and ennobled,
Generous, true to his word, eminent;

67. To the lord of expansive respect we have turned
Seeking in the son of heroes a request;

68. Pens and deputies correspond
To achieve an aim that strikes terror;

69. They stand at the door of the Prophet Muhammad
Humbly, fearfully, watching expectantly;

70. And alight in the cradle of munificence and satisfaction
Before the master from whom munificence flows forth;

71. In the green square and the noble shrine
That almost bids welcome to the Prophet's visitors;

72. Peace upon that beloved, for I pine for him
From afar, yearning and enraptured;

73. O Messenger of God, may a glance of mercy
Fall upon us, if no prayer is refused;

74. You are our protector against a hostile time
That denies the good and plunders the faith;

75. May your name, my master, prevail over
Its clinging to the creed of disobedience and grey hairs;

76. Take the ink-holder's hand and intercede for him and me
For by God, I am a sinner and he a sinner;

77. Arise O Messenger of God for me and my companion
And say: such heirs are unworthy;

78. Our burdens and sins have grown
And we have done nothing to deserve favor;

79. Time has cut off the means between us
But we turn for refuge to you;

80. The flood of our trespasses surrounded us and we have
No ark but your ship;

81. When we decide to visit, your distance
Holds us back, not resentment or shunning;

82. Through you we implore, we insist and promise,
For we have no alternative or refuge but you;

83. Say you have forgiven me, my companion and household
When the terrors of Judgment Day loom;

84. We take shelter and call upon the Muslims
When each soul is seized for what it earned;

85. Naught issues from you but a breath of Hashimi mercy
Or overflowing compassion on us;

86. May God bless you whenever a star rises
Or sets in the seven heavens;

87. Blessings that encompass your Household and Companions
As long as pages are inscribed;