1. If only my critics would surrender to your beauty,
I would hope to find salvation through love.

2. How can I conceal my passion's secrets
When my tears translate my devotion?

3. The censurers blame all lovers,
Yet the fault is theirs if they but understood.

4. They know not for whom is my love,
Yet blame me for they know I'm enamored.

5. They censure without comprehending,
For they cannot grasp what they condemn.

6. Though they denounce me, I have patience -
All their accusations will dissolve.

7. They never beheld that beauty unveiled,
So I'm deaf to blame while they are blind.

8. If they guess that I'm impassioned,
For the heart's love is a hidden affair.

9. Silence is best if they upbraid me for love,
Though my heart reveals all through my longing.

10. I hid my love for you but my eyes,
Desiring your beauty, cannot conceal.

11. I weep ruby tears, this anguish,
Is a fire blazing within my being.

12. Tears flowing in the beloved's land -
Woe to the suppliant who finds no mercy!

13. My love's tumult is a ceaseless tale
Commencing with tears that illuminate.

14. My critics! I'm maddened with love for them
And desire none but their homelands.

15. If I'm resolved to repent, I cannot -
My insanity for them is destined.

16. They are the beloveds - whether they spurn or embrace
And my goal - be they harsh or kind.

17. Their affection makes the night radiant,
Their abandonment makes dawn dark.

18. The night dims after they've gone
But my blindness in love is darker.

19. Though dawns are bright with tears,
The stars gleam not with their radiance.

20. Our loves! How unlawful for me is loyalty,
And lawful their estrangement.

21. My departing beloved, your love takes my life -
May you live on and be safe!

22. My body is lighter than breeze, so lean,
Yet heavy with sickness away from you.

23. If my sin is being apart, my love remains
And you are, in truth, still you.

24. My thoughts forget not your ancient pacts,
Except talk of the Chosen One, Allah’s gift.

25. Traces of the best Messenger - through them, healing -
Ailments of sins for the anxious penitent.

26. He is a mercy to mankind, guiding -
Woe to those who disbelieve; no mercy finds.

27. The faithful gain safety through him,
While Hellfire fuels the tyrants.

28. God strengthens him - no other speaks
Of passion against his order or restraint.

29. So beware violating his command,
Lest suffering or harm afflict.

30. He of awe-inspiring miracles - thereby,
Pebbles spoke, beasts conversed.

31. The heavens were guarded for his birth,
Shooting stars repelled with his blessings.

32. Through him, devils were cast out,
And their diviners lost knowledge from the unseen.

33. Khosrau’s palace cracked and its balconies collapsed,
Terror toppled his edifice.

34. The sea foamed and Persia’s fires were extinguished -
Once flaring, now subdued.

35. Amina saw a fire whose sight
Illuminated while darkness prevailed.

36. On the night journey, his body ascended,
His holy spirit with Gabriel to serve.

37. He prayed with the angels and prophets,
Exalted, preceding them.

38. He rose to the limits none can conceive,
Nor hope for or imagine.

39. Nearing two bow lengths, or less - God knows best -
The Supreme Ruler.

40. O master of messengers whose miracles are eternal,
What can your praisers say, when your grace is absolute?

41. Your lasting miracle defeats all eloquence -
It silences orators, however ornate their speech.

42. The matter exceeds any words -
However articulate the eloquent elaborate their odes.

43. You were granted five exclusive privileges
Not given to previous messengers.

44. The vast earth became your pure mosque
Where people pray, even on unclean ground.

45. You were victorious by striking terror
Into the hearts of your enemies by dawn.

46. Spoils were again made lawful,
After being forbidden, bringing bounty.

47. You were sent to guide both creations -
To upright faith, your potent religion.

48. You were uniquely blessed to intercede
On Judgment Day - all Muslims included.

49. Your praised station on that fated day,
Where the blissful soul finds safety.

50. Your Lord loves your praise -
Thereby granting what you wish and gain.

51. He says: “Speak, you are heard; request, you are given;
Intercede and you will intercede for mercy.”

52. There the cosmos envy you, and regret intensifies
For those who denied your prophecy.

53. O you whose way and relics -
When recited - the blind see and the destitute thrive.

54. May Allah bless and grant you peace,
Exalting you beyond pilgrims’ chants of “I am here.”

55. And your noble kin whose merit
He established, and your companions who are stars.

56. They were generous, lofty, brilliant, protective -
On all horizons they are the guiding stars.

57. They supported the Messenger, fought with him,
Sacrificed themselves for guidance and found peace.

58. And those who followed them in excellence -
They transmitted what was preserved from them.

59. Then their followers trod their path,
Comprehending what they narrated and understood.

60. They compiled the noble Way, organizing
Its gates for students, dividing and compiling.

61. Among their soundest books, what is renowned
Is what al-Bukhari gathered, that revered giant.

62. Followed by Muslim, whom men bow
Their necks to in sacred transmission and acceptance.

63. These two are the soundest works of transmission -
Except Allah’s Book which holds precedence.

64. Say to the dissenter: “Do not oppose -
None doubt al-Bukhari and Muslim’s merit.”

65. Their volumes gained the title “Authentic,” all reasonable
Willingly submitted to their authority.

66. The former surpasses in his critical skill and jurisprudence,
Especially in section headings and organization.

67. While the latter by his compilation and order,
And combining both is the optimal path.

68. May generous God reward them eternally,
A recompense never diminished by His praise.

69. Then invoke blessings on the Prophet, initiating
And concluding remembrance with his beautiful name.

70. O you who wish the grace of Ahmad’s intercession,
Invoke peace and blessings upon him.