1. He woke from his drunkenness and departed,
And left that life behind as he set forth.

2. He steadied the mount of piety,
With the saddlebags of resolve, and moved on.

3. He avoided the pitfalls of youth,
When he matured and gained experience.

4. Regret would often afflict him,
And with it, honey could be made bitter.

5. Yet that was the subtle working of God—
Exalted is He, our Glorious Lord.

6. Did not the Prophet tell him
That man shall be rewarded for what he does?

7. God will not neglect to repay
All people for their deeds.

8. So He rewards goodness with goodness,
And recklessness with stumbling.

9. And when God saw
That most men had gone astray,

10. That they had strayed from the path of right guidance,
He made the ways clear to them.

11. He sealed off prophethood with Ahmad,
The most honored of His messengers.

12. He gave him a book containing
The seven oft-repeated verses.

13. So Ahmad warned and frightened them,
And disputed much with them.

14. He informed them that they had been
Together a misguided people.

15. Their clinging to idols,
Not content to replace them at all;

16. Nor did they turn from this life
To the Most High, as one who turns;

17. Nor in piety did they attain
A share, like one who attains.

18. Still he did not cease calling them
And scheming among them,

19. Until they said: “War is easier
Than accord that shortens hope.”

20. So he waged against them a war
That removed all the sluggish.

21. The thick dust did not reveal
Who bore arms and who bore burdens.

22. A white man fought beneath him
A black man, overthrowing him.

23. The only thing seen was a brave man
Facing a brave man in battle.

24. The Prophet did not cease
Until Islam was complete.

25. So those who had passed became
To the Muslims precursors of speed

26. To the rewards in the Gardens of Eternity,
Clothed in necklaces and apparel.

27. Goodly is his mention in the world,
By it examples are given.

28. Were he a bag of musk
Grazed by livestock night and day,

29. And one were to hold fast to Al-Lat and Al-Uzza,
Clinging to them desperately,

30. To a blazing fire
Whose heat melts rock—

31. Even one of those who leads their hosts,
Exultant—

32. When thirsty their drink
Is boiling water that rends the innards.

33. Were their guts to melt from it
Their torment would still be dreadful,

34. But no healing is there for them,
Even if they openly show anguish.

35. While the Muslims have been given
All that their Prophet guaranteed them.

36. How many associators are in the Fire,
Overtaken by darkness and sorrow!

37. How many groups have steadied
Their mounts, completely humbled!

38. So all who hoped
Have attained what they hoped for.

39. Some enjoy a songstress;
Some privately take a girlfriend.

40. While others went astray
And met a terrible fate.

41. So this one prospers with his harvest,
While that one dislikes what he harvested.

42. Thus does God place upon each servant
A burden like what he carried.