1. O Exalted One without garb,
Send forth an arrow from Abi al-Abbas,

2. And know that I do not blindly follow
Sufyan one day out of anxiety's whispering.

3. And for the zeal of the one who explained the Book I am biased
If the people's affiliations differ.

4. So send him flying with every secret
Like a specter in the wing of the deep night,

5. Lest one unmindful contend with him,
My neighbor Abu Abdillah al-Fasi.

6. And of wonders is that I, however much
If I determine a matter sound in my reckoning,

7. I oppose the accustomed shooters in my deed,
So I sent toward the arrow the parchment.