1. Censure took to it like the air,
So my fire has no hope of dying down.

2. I plead, for the fire of passion flares,
And my weeping could not quell its blaze,

3. Nor distant censure blow it out with wind,
No water from my eyes has doused its flame.

4. The memory of Numan's land where
My eyes were sated without rain from the sky,

5. And tears flowing with the throbbing heart
For the people of the valley, longing and banners.

6. My hearing refused blame and ardently desired,
And passionate love consumed those who refused.

7. Darker than my beloved's night of estrangement
Was the long night that gave no hint of ending.

8. The tale flowed from my eyelids
In my weakness from the excess of my sickness.

9. I grew heavy with grief but my body
Is lighter than a breeze in its delicacy.

10. Many are the days of estrangement
And rare are the nights of union.

11. I endured the agony of your abandonment
And repaid affection with loyalty.

12. If you wish, I will come near,
And if you intend, I will accept my demise,

13. In your nearness is my joy in the morn
And in your absence my misery in the eve.

14. You were harsh, and say my heart is pure.
We say you spoke true in your purity.

15. I cannot forget that morn after separation
When despair saw me devoid of hope.

16. To them, brides were escorted, proceeding
Like brides paraded for marriage.

17. They etched lines from their overjoyed state
And marched while it was the line of equilibrium.

18. I said to it, take my body and spirit
To goodness, where felicity is gathered.

19. The abodes of blessed Taibah are landmarks,
Retreats of goodness and my secluded refuge.

20. If an eye grows bleary with drowsiness
Let the eye of medicine moisten it.

21. If a soul despairs of defiance
Muhammad’s door is the door of hope.

22. The prophet was privileged with precedence,
While Adam came later from clay and water.

23. Noble in bestowing from his rest,
He gives freely while shy when praised.

24. The eye calls the sight of his face that
Upon the dawn is no veil.

25. And a seeker quenches with goodness and knowledge
From him, from Yazid and Ata.

26. He appeared a moon among stars
From the companions, people of emulation.

27. They were perfected while deficiency prevailed,
And enemies wretched in misery were blotted out.

28. The garb of polytheism was torn in an instant
And the arrogant were clad in the shirt of woe.

29. He journeyed by night to the Farthest Mosque
From the Sacred House to the sky.

30. The spirit accompanied the body ascending
In spheres enveloped in bliss.

31. He ascended and approached, crossing over
To a noble station of chosen distinction.

32. None but he saw his Lord openly
For a secret He is beyond contention.

33. Eyes served him, so the eye of water
Flowed from his hand for drinking.

34. And the eye of money he generously spent,
So he fears no poverty in giving.

35. And the eye of the sun was returned after veil
For the excellent through prayer.

36. And Qatada's eye was restored
And extended from his hands with light.

37. The eye of the heart wore no worldly garb
So nothing of the world had any value.

38. The eye of thought—from it he is firmest in opinion
Yes, and sharpest in vision and perspective.

39. He reversed the gaze of his envious enemy
Returning it like scattered dust.

40. O Messenger of God, best of creations
Through your stature I fear the decree of destiny.

41. And I hope, O generous forgiver, for what
My hands have cultivated, my Lord of bounty.

42. The heel of generosity is no ransom
For your sandal, foremost in charity.

43. Ibn Zuhair sang your praises, reward
One like me the prize of eulogy.

44. Say, O Ahmad son of Ali, go
To the abode of bliss without misery.

45. For if I grieve, your praise is my joy,
And if I despair, your thanks are my hope.

46. Upon you is the peace of the Lord of mankind,
Prayers in the morn and eve.