1. A month of fasting paired with a day of frivolity,
After separation it became like its brother.

2. Among the oddities and wonders, opposites
Repel each other though they may be paired.

3. Yet the prince made peace between the foes -
Though his foe remains, his own pays his ransom.

4. Your righteous deeds have always guided
the misguided throughout time.

5. With prayers, fasting, almsgiving,
and voluntary charity you provide.

6. And through reverence of God
the month of fasting cannot unsettle you.

7. Before this, it did unsettle you,
but now, thanks to your righteousness, you endure it.

8. An ignorant man may ignorantly say,
lost in misguidance and confusion:

9. “What peace or accord do you see
between these two, O pretender?”

10. God forbid! No, they are stubborn
with no confusion for the discerning.

11. This one poured water on skins
while the other protected its drinkers.

12. Do you not know these two opposites
are far apart in likeness?

13. So my answer here to the perplexed
is like the answer of a wise teacher -

14. No brother opposed his brother
by easing the heavy burden of his children.

15. He poured on them coolness,
permitting the warm to relax their fasting,

16. and he removed their thirst, so they found
in his gift luxury and comfort.

17. But he purified them of the stains
of sins and misdeeds afflicting the sinners.

18. Likewise, he who protected the water,
removing the disagreements that concerned him,

19. did not oppose his brother, but pleased
those who came before and after him.

20. He deprived them of water and food
so they could enjoy them in good living.

21. And he protected them from disobedience,
leaving them in chastity and purity.

22. By the grace of the prince he made him prosperous,
subduing those who envied him.

23. May God make peace between the two
so we see the righteous prosper!

24. Woe to the prince - but for the pitfalls of doubt,
my soul and all souls would fear him.

25. A trial has doubled his reward
in fasting - O Lord of that which is good in the hateful!