1. Grief saw my grief and sorrow, so it shuddered at my state, unable to come near.
It showed its incapacity to withstand anguish, realizing my troubles were mightier than its troubles.

2. It said: “Seek someone else to be your companion. Say to perdition: ‘Enough! I have reached the utmost point of enough.’”
I said: “Can passion suffice me as a companion? How can that be when it has transgressed against my companionship?”

3. When my intensity in my tragedy carried me to the utmost and my despair wandered with me, I returned to my Lord.
I inhaled the spirit of contentment with His decree. I called out: “O coolness of the breeze upon my heart...”

4. I complain to God of disasters and what they have done. They have disturbed my drinking and terrified my flock.
Ask the night about me - have I felt safe from destruction? How can that be when my eyelids and sleep are at war?

5. The sky has been kind to me until its skin peeled away and its starry freckles wept for me,
At my state the thunder revealed a painful moan and the lightning split open, spreading with the clouds.

6. The weather put on mourning clothes for me in gloom and poured down the tears of rainfall in streams.
And on my account the sun revealed at dawn the pallor of sorrow before retreating to the veil.

7. For one who was once mine and I lost him, in a single swoop the soul lost all restraint,
My sorrow for him has surpassed its proper measure. Not even Jacob’s grief for Joseph in the pit was like this!

8. And I worry greatly for a grieving mother, torn between anguish over him and love.
The excess of her rapture at him makes her oblivious to her own state - though the difficult may be slight for the difficult.

9. My son - answer her! She calls you in longing while her tears flow ceaselessly.
My son - were you truly to become spoils for the power of demise and plunder for the soil? Woe to you from such plunder!

10. My son - perhaps it is a slumber, then an awakening! How long can I call to my weary eye?
My son - grant me a glimpse of you furtively from your sleep, that I may find solace for my desperation!

11. My son - relieve me by answering, since you were a man of sound opinion. Why do you not give me news?
My son - you once took shelter in the flank of valiant heroes. How then can my soul allow your burial in the soil?

12. No wonder the West has become your burial place, for it is where the sun and moon are buried.
The hand of death has surely plucked a sapling of youth that was among the greenest saplings.

13. O blossoms whose beauty adorned you - decorate my eyelids with their moist pearls!
O most praised and praiseworthy Ahmad - you resembled the sweet, cool, delicious dessert.

14. What sorrow for the family of Jubair! Who among them will awaken from anguish?
You were the central pearl on their necklace - no wonder it has come apart, scattering its beads!

15. How many maternal aunts are now in a state of sorrow over you, minds lost in sadness!
The grief serves their sons goblets of sorrow, and they are still drinking to this day.

16. A lady friend you were passionate for, loving her - no need to mention the love!
She yearned for you in longing and grief - and rightly so, for the passionate is grieved by the passionate!

17. She has worn the clothes of mourning - often you would match silk with the belt.
How many foreigners lie awake for you at night, thoughts shifting from side to side!

18. You were granted acceptance the likes of which I never heard. This one vies to console that one.
You were faithful in connecting with relatives, innocent goodness without pride,

19. Glorious when tasked with any difficult matter, attacking with the speed of an arrow or a sharpened blade,
Eager to attain the heights with resolve, through which you gained the best profit.

20. Literature was a garden of leisure for you. You loved perusing books,
Plucking the flowers of prose with wit, effortlessly composing strands of poetry.

21. You remained with excellent guidance and argument, honored by those far and near.
Over twenty years your age, with four more, the fateful moment came upon you for some sin,

22. A martyr to a sudden outbreak that struck you, like the martyr stabbed in the fray.
You were a stranger, so you gained another martyrdom, good tidings to the Master of East and West.

23. Long unseen, then you came to bid farewell for a journey leading the traveling band.
I gained no relief from seeing you - if only my soul had fulfilled its pining there!

24. After you, I hoped your legacy would remain for a time, that through it my progeny might remain.
I accept the judgment of God concerning us - you were transferred to God’s party. Blessings upon your party!

25. Yes, I am pleased with you, so receive good news! And through acceptance I desire your nearness and forgiveness of sins.
The grace of God’s mercy poured down upon your tomb and the Merciful lodged you in a spacious abode.