1. A radiant Phoenix appeared, or was it the rising full moon?
It seemed amid the gloom of night, either dawn or light was shining.

2. Did the sun of daybreak rise at morn?
Nay, but Fatima's face gleamed radiantly.

3. Though they shine, neither sun nor moon possesses, O brother mine,
Jewelry or ornaments at any time.

4. Nor does the moon's redness allure,
Nor is the light forever brilliant and sublime.

5. Nay, the hue of beauty on Fatima's cheek
Is luminous, though veils conceal it from sight.

6. It gleamed when her cheek's splendor smiled,
As pearls or shells where light is sparkling and bright.

7. Over it her veil she threw, and it was hidden
By its cover, like treasures are kept from sight.

8. When she unveiled to receive her friend,
Smiling with lips red as wine, a glorious sight...

9. I said: "Why do you weep, O cheek, though no winds blow
To make your eyes pour down their rain tonight?"

10. "I weep," she said, "because faith's cord is broken,
And knowledge, when veils enclose it, loses its light."

11. Then she said: "If you want to console me, wait,
And I'll tell you where exiles and refugees might

12. Find refuge, where the fearful and threatened can turn,
And orphans, when tested by fate, can take flight.

13. Where are those who, if asked about errors, gently
Refute them and return only good and right?

14. Who, if asked about complex points of knowledge
inform questioners and readily recite?"

15. I said: "They are in Shebam; numbers of them are, too,
In Meefaqah, protected by its walled height,

16. And in Heenen; there are also people who
In Dhi Sobh pleasedly praise God day and night;

17. Also a group in Hadramout's valley;
In Oman's land their torrent flows and flows bright.

18. In Qadum and the West there are people, and Persia -
Yes, and Khurasan has generous nobles of might."

19. She said: "But Allah's House - has it not been deprived,
My heart, of your words? Yet my ears hear them aright!

20. But tell me, according to what creed are they,
Since against injustice they stand firm and upright?"

21. I said: "The creed of Ibn Wahb and Jabir;
They found the road, and all of them walk aright,

22. Obeying the Merciful, guiding to guidance,
Shunning evil, obedient to Allah's light,

23. To our religion, whose origin is blessed,
Its branches and manners pleasing in God's sight.

24. This is concise speech, eloquent and terse,
Reviving sacred law - so traditions recite.

25. I praise the virtuous ones; it is said they have died,
But their traces remain, like ruins on a height."

26. I conclude my words praying peace on him
Who for his nation will intercede that night

27. Muhammad - neither when lightning flashed, nor when floods poured down,
Did the wild doves cease their plaintive cry and flight.