1. Ask the revolving sky if it can speak,
And how the mute, bowed one can confuse the word.

2. We question it about its affair, and it is silent,
We inform it of what is in its soul, and it is folded.

3. So neither its secret appears, nor do we perceive,
Neither does its concern draw near, nor do we reach.

4. And how can the soul gain intimacy from it
When the nearest thing in it from supposition is most foolish?

5. A space that returns the eye in sorrow and an open expanse
That clips the wing of thought while it is hovering.

6. It remained despite the erosion of oblivion, and everything
You see on the face of the earth perishes.

7. So it has ruined many a throne and ransacked many a tribe
And scattered many a gathering while it does not disperse.

8. It has tasted the bitternesses of sorrows, so there remains
Upon it a tinge from their color, thus it is blue.

9. Day and night toil, and stars
Disappear to their appointed time, then rise.

10. It floats and sinks like a flower the storms have shaken
With a surge of water.

11. Swimmers that do not cease, flowing to some goal
Which the delving priest falls short of.

12. So O you who travel without guidance,
Go gently, for the door before you is closed.

13. Do you reckon the supposition can grasp some of what
You attempt, though supposition for man is pernicious?

14. And how can the senses attain what is far off
When the senses are overwhelmed by the unseen?

15. So do not pursue the suspicion of conjectures, for everything
The human imagined is a fabricated fancy.

16. And do not reckon intuition will attain what is remote,
For not every time is the hunch of intuition truthful.

17. And how can the created being grasp the wisdom
By which Allah creates generations and obliterates?

18. If man knew the state of his soul,
It would suffice him, but the son of Adam is foolish.

19. When a person cannot restrain the delusions of his fancy
From speaking of what does not benefit, he is a fool.

20. So beware of the world, for the bliss of it
Fades, and the newly dressed becomes worn.

21. For if it gave you pleasure, it will afterwards
Become harsh after pleasure and tear.

22. Neither its affection remains nor the purity of its life
Endures, nor is its promise fulfilled.

23. So how it has reneged on promises and wearied of companions
And betrayed the loyal! It is a confused ruin.

24. And how can one live the ages free of sorrow
While the sick are treated with worries and are bowed?

25. By my father’s life, though life may last
But a day’s journey, even that is a squeezed purity!

26. So why does man desire length of life
When in its length well-being is fragmented?

27. And what is time but lying in wait for a leap?
So beware of it, for it is angry and bowed.

28. As if the crescent of the horizon is a sword unsheathed
Against us, and the stars are strung arrows!

29. It destroyed its children wrongfully without mercy.
How strange is a parent who has no compassion!

30. So do not grieve for a matter fearing its occurrence,
For one may feel safe where he fears separation.

31. Not everything you desire comes to fruition,
Nor everything you fear in fate befalls you.

32. And trust in God in every tribulation,
For He is more worthy of servants and kinder.