1. I have no patience with the tyranny of days gone by,
Scheming fate did not foil my schemes or tricks,

2. Nothing but setbacks met me in my wretched state,
Never did a thing go well in my wretched life,

3. Time made tears flow from all his creatures,
Prolonged absence but no reprieve from death,

4. Ask me of religion, this world - I will answer you,
Of my father Sa‘īd and his loss - do not ask,

5. He whose hopes were dashed before their time,
I have since lost all hopes, no more wishing wells for me.

6. The beloved shuns intimacy or affection with me,
Parting in glory unlike parting in passion’s throes,

7. If he wakes up tomorrow, pale-faced disappointing me,
I fell behind, disappointed, hopes turned pale for me.

8. In a group where hopes are dashed and journeys thwarted,
Kindness with them is but words, no deeds,

9. They make light of the torrents of blame and their riches
Are built on the barren heights of sickness and frailty.

10. In all the dark, overcast earth that poured down rain
And the sun is wrapped in its mantle,

11. The tongue-tied miser faces time, asking for its bounty,
As if standing on its ruins amidst its wreckage.

12. Your promise was an ocean that left me on the day of discord
Floundering in shallows and swamps,

13. God has shown this weakness in His creation,
Saying man was created hasty.

14. O Nose of the Skilled One, what honor made it quake,
What clouds did it shake and stir?

15. A people’s finest son, the finest steed takes the finest path,
The best of friends takes the best of roads.

16. The mounts were unpacked at the pillar of Islam
As the sun shook off motes upon the pillar.

17. Many times did its caller call out:
To battle! No cowardice or holding back!

18. The land of Iraq donned pilgrim garb for him,
Shunning moisture, clad in miserliness,

19. Shedding the blood of bodies, blood was shed
Of dissenters and people of different faiths,

20. Hurling pebbles at the day of Hajj one year,
He hurled the pebbles of each day of burning grief,

21. Swaying to and fro between the two hillsides,
Swaying like a valiant knight.

22. Your palm kisses the corner of the Holy House time and again
And your back is blessed by kissing,

23. When you left the homes of unbelief empty
You preferred God’s House, locking its door,

24. Pilgrimage and holy war coupled in one moment -
Go! You are the bolt of steeds and camels!

25. My soul is your ransom, if it could ransom you
From fate’s caprice, time and destiny’s changing ways,

26. None wears his wealth, hiding it from a beggar,
Or does good then regrets it afterwards,

27. His sun no ember singeing faces therewith
Nor does his shade desert us,

28. His wealth is never diverted from the path
And never swerves from a promise or changes,

29. Sadness’ companion has grand ambitions, his truthfulness
As if his views were hewn from a great rock,

30. You remain, despite the varying days’ caprice
A mercy, journeying through the horizons as an exemplar,

31. You awakened after sleep, and through you
Life poured into the living from its source,

32. How often in that tribe did someone pray
For you sincerely, fathers for their sons!

33. If Najd feels affection for you, you have indeed
Passed by it like a passing cloud’s rain.

34. What land but you clothed it in flowers?
What thirsty valley but you gave it to drink?

35. Ever the desperate caller finds with you
Succor against dreadful, momentous events,

36. From every shining white face its seeker derives
A cheek, and from it a cheek of the beautiful gazelle,