1. I begin and end with praising God
Praising the One I always turn to

2. I am worried for my family, wealth and status
As if I have become a lonely stranger

3. Fearing the threats spreading about the judge
My heart is unsettled, my chest anxious

4. Frightened, solitude becomes my companion
Parted from all friendly company

5. Despite my confidence he won’t commit injustice
Judging, punishing, rewarding as he should

6. By my life, if you trust an honest man
Truth demands you stand in awe of him

7. I’m lost in this matter, confused
Endlessly explaining and correcting

8. Not because I fear the judge has wronged me
Nor because I’ve become suspicious

9. But because a hot coal has kindled
In his chest against me, a raging fire

10. I see him subtly plotting against me
Schemes that turn the wise into fools

11. It’s right for one among us to be shy
To conceal things from him, for those who are wise

12. His God-fearingness fills me with safety
And caution, though my hair turns white

13. If he who wounded my pillar of strength
With lofty mountains turns it into hills

14. O ruler, of whom it is said “speaks goodness”
Whether he speaks much or little, wisely

15. Ruler after ruler, like the stars
Each day teaches people more knowledge

16. His sun shone for those seeking guidance
While others’ suns continued to set

17. Always a protecting mountain for neighbors
And green pasture for those settled nearby

18. Whenever they called out for help or glory
They asked for Hatim and roused the youth

19. God knows my religion is one
He approves of, whether hidden or open

20. I have not hindered its path, nor inclined
To the faith of those hostile to it, neither kinsman nor stranger

21. The witness to this is the King, whose eye
Remained watchful over me

22. If you doubt what I pledged to righteousness
And suspect the oaths I swore

23. Ask your son, the eminent Abu Al-Abbas
And ask the esteemed Abul Ala

24. The two pure ones outwardly, and inwardly
The two miracles, examining thoroughly

25. Candid regarding righteousness, when people
Mix the corrupt and the wholesome

26. When misguidance and guidance wandered far
From them, yet remained near each other

27. If anyone twisted history
We made their distortions upright again

28.
For they both attest to what I have said

29. And do not bear witness against me falsely
My witness is one you see as just

30. And meet as a loved one, fondly
If my witnesses are but a few of you

31. I'm content you will not doubt me
Perhaps my critic is suspicious

32. And perhaps my fault-finder is at fault
Who can blame me, amongst a people

33. Who exhaust me, and refuse gentle rebuke
They do not cease corrupting all the good

34. God made, and destroying what He built
Killing the righteous, either by open assault

35. Or secretly conspiring
Like beasts, and snakes, each one corrupting

36. What the prophets strove toward eagerly
Ignorance and foolishness have overcome them

37. You see them make the refined vile
God forbade insulting nicknames

38. Yet they exceeded bounds in attributing names
They falsely labeled the faithful as unbelievers

39. And provoked others against them
They deemed violating God's limits permitted

40. By presumption, and were not deterred
The work of one who does not hope for resurrection

41. And does not fear God as Judge
Those who transgress God’s limits

42. Are worthier of seeing the sword painted with blood
So kill the oppressors ruthlessly

43. To harvest them is a plentiful, pleasing crop
If you doubt punishment by killing

44. Then discipline, and excel in discipline
I long for the justice of an impartial judge

45. His abode, rather, his proximity
But especially, his favor distinguishes me

46. Imposing welcome and drawing me nearer
I said to those who asked, where have you reached, O leader?

47. You have come upon a place of rest at night
In the land of Hammad’s noblest clan

48. A pillar for knowledge, and piety a tent pole
A tent of pilgrimage, never devoid of science

49. As pillar, or consciousness, as embellishment
A tent whose stars of glory

50. Have become, for its heights, gilded
How many times gloom overcast me

51. And became for me a path to what I love
A strait that constricted me

52. Its tightness cutting through, turning to space
I have a helper who clears troubles from me

53. Skillful since I was young
O namesake of the Prophet of clemency and steadfastness

54. Whose efforts will never fail
Speak as Joseph said, “O Joseph, good patience”

55. To one hopeful of you, without rebuke
Look gently upon my words, turn them over

56. And examine them closely from all sides
In return, my friendship, aid and prayer for you

57. The near answerer of prayers
And praise comprising eloquent words

58. Neither boring nor insipid
Refined by practice, from one excellent

59. In excelling, surpassing in refinement
So fear God, O just ruler, morning and night

60. Disappointing one who rises and sleeps hopeless
For if you do not kill your subject

61. By withholding justice, you have tortured him
I long for the justice of an upright judge

62. His abode, rather his embrace
Instead, especially, his favor distinguishes me

63. Imposing welcome and drawing me nearer