1. Leave behind the cups of wine,
And hasten to the houses of study.

2. For you live in an era of splendor,
Brimming with knowledge and achievements.

3. The West has attained the farthest goals
In this race, without conflict.

4. Their banner flew high, filled with pride
At the pinnacle of glory.

5. Their sciences have reached
A point that baffles the mind.

6. They probed the celestial spheres
And unearthed what lies beneath the earth.

7. They observed the course of the stars
And the highest planetary orbits.

8. They sailed the seas and analyzed
All elements of existence.

9. Electricity, through their effort,
Has become perplexing to the wise.

10. It has brought wonders that captivate minds
And dazzle sights.

11. Chemistry has uncovered
Truths in phenomena, unambiguously.

12. It has delved into its secrets
Since the days of Jabir after Jabir.

13. They have examined the infinitesimal
Beyond the grasp of eyes.

14. They have studied inanimate matter and plants
And from them uncovered the sources.

15. They have observed animals in all their kinds
With thoughtful insights.

16. When they understood their nature
And what feelings they harbor,

17. They proceeded to dissect them -
How many tears have been shed!

18. They publicized illustrated studies
Of every tissue and cycle.

19. They have shaken the pyramids of Egypt
And ransacked those tombs.

20. They found in them relics
Of eminent ancient peoples.

21. They used those treasures
To benefit the science of history.

22. They lifted the veil of myths
That had obscured the truth for centuries.

23. They mapped the surface of the globe,
The seas and the islands.

24. They measured distances and altitudes,
Cultivated deserts and crossed wild terrains.

25. At the poles they found their way
On seas and on ice caps.

26. They uncovered the secrets of nature
So the hidden became manifest.

27. Sorcery has become a myth
Or idle, senseless talk.

28. They measured space and neared
The farthest limit, humbling the arrogant.

29. They flew in the sky like falcons
In hot air balloons.

30. They harnessed lightning to cables
To obey their commands.

31. It carries their communications
And books across its back.

32. Thus they had no more need
For any bird as courier.

33. They enabled you to hear
Distant voices through the telephone,

34. An invention of a skilled craftsman.
They engineered and constructed

35. Edifices that stand proudly.
They paved roads across the seas

36. And built bridges above them.
They transported the seas to deserts

37. And built bridges over them.
Ships powered by steam

38. Now sail without oars or sails.
They crossed deserts on trains

39. Speeding like ships.
They bored through mountains

40. And built dams across valleys.
They invented mechanical printing presses

41. That turn on axles.
If you examine their architecture

42. And commerce closely,
Their industries, tanning,

43. And dyeing - reflect!
If you observe their metalwork -

44. How exquisite what they have wrought!
Vessels of such fine craftsmanship

45. That dazzle the eyes.
All are essential amenities

46. And luxuries of civilization.
You will be certain that words cannot suffice,

47. And I cannot do justice to describe them.
In textiles they surpassed all others -

48. Imagine their wool like silk!
Their clothing and carpets -

49. Some are simple, others ornate.
When you visit their countries,

50. You will find prosperous living.
Their streets bring together

51. The finest of everything rare.
There are music houses,

52. Where songs are composed with joy.
Abodes of revelry, where

53. Carousers and drinkers gather.
Gardens of companionship,

54. Where predators and prey coexist.
Theaters showing

55. Refinement for the reflective.
You see those whose tales

56. Fill history books and records.
You witness customs and attire

57. That inspire deep thought.
They gave voice to the call of truth

58. From the highest platforms.
To them dawned the light of conviction

59. While the night of doubt vanished.
The great and small progressed

60. On equal footing and rights.
They walked the path of justice -

61. They could not bear tyranny.
They tore down the structures

62. Of absolute despots steeped in sin.
Who made people taste

63. Humiliation, undeterred by censure.
They enabled advancement, based on merit,

64. Unmarred by double-dealing and fraud.
They joined hands to further

65. Their nations and raise their banners.
They accomplished every remarkable feat,

66. Confounding sorcerers and magicians.
If the ancient Greeks and Romans,

67. Masters of glory, witnessed this,
Or the earliest Egyptians,

68. Learned and proud,
You would have seen them fall

69. In homage to the people of this era.
The meaning of the verse would be realized:

70. "The first age has left to the last."
Their status has declined

71. While you have risen in prominence.
Yet you are distracted

72. By futile matters and sensual pleasures.
You conceal sorrow, but God knows

73. What your hearts conceal.
You claim it is predetermined fate -

74. To this you have resigned.
My deluded friend, this talk

75. Is only the words of the lost.
Do not blame destiny for your own doing;

76. God does not wish evil upon people, nor is He unjust.
Such resignation, fear, and cowardice in you

77. Are truly witnessed by clear evidence.
If you neglect your rights by sleeping,

78. None but you will be awake to defend them.
And if you are wronged, none but your resolve

79. Will come to your aid.
Through ignorance you have become

80. A proverb, exemplifying fools.
It is said "Zayd has related, in his ignorance,

81. The ways of the uncouth."
They are a people in whom young and old

82. Are stunted, and so remain ever small.
Discord and intolerance are pleasing to them -

83. Their hearts know no serenity.
In their ignorance they cling to absurd beliefs

84. And abandon what is truly precious.
They pride themselves on envy and hatred -

85. This is their glory!
With enmity and estrangement they boast,

86. Harboring animosity.
By their own doing, they are left

87. With no excuse among people.
Oh companion, the cycles of fate

88. Have been unkind to us.
He who neglects the pursuit of rights

89. Will lose, and so will you.
I wish my people would remember

90. And not fade from memory among men.
If only they followed the example

91. Of their honorable ancestors.
They were supreme in knowledge,

92. Their reputation soared through the horizon.
They were supreme in wisdom,

93. Attaining exalted wisdom and triumph.
They were supreme in conquest,

94. Vanquishing lands with perseverance.
The hooves of their steeds paved

95. Distant deserts and settled lands.
Their armies crushed the fortresses

96. Of past tyrannical giants.
Their might toppled

97. The dynasties of Caesars and Kings.
Their prestige tamed

98. Kings of the earth and of bygone eras.
When will I see the esteemed nation

99. Sunk to the depths of mediocrity?
When will the trusted tidings reach me,

100. Heralding the first signs?
Seek the heights of glory -

101. They guide all who are lost.
Emulate them, if you cannot

102. Match them - the distinction is clear.
Our King Abdulhamid aids you -

103. He is a pillar of support and glory.
A King in whom culminate

104. All praise and achievements.
A King of wisdom and resolve

105. Before whom the mighty kneel.
From us he receives only praise

106. And gratitude.