1. Daughters of time, do not fear to traverse the valley, now devoid of the angry lion.
It seems that serious affairs have become, through discussion and reckoning, merely jest and banter.

2. And noble deeds, after such earnestness, have through mockery become deadly play.
Fates that make one weep for others’ patience, not for my own.

3. You hastened, o protectors of the living, early to depart and leave in succession.
Your groaning became the cheapest sort of lesson, so that even one who gives freely would begrudge it.

4. We greet you without flattery, and praise you without favor.
Peace be upon you in your tombs. Suffice you the ancient punishment.

5. If we complain when danger intensifies and you do not stand firm, we openly reproach you—
We reproach you, knowing that, had you been able, you would have preceded any caller in your response.

6. Except that we feel for you hearts that grieve, hidden below the dust.
The company of the righteous has passed away, while in the custody of the silent, unyielding one.

7. ‘Ali! Today say nothing, for this is the day of decision in the matter.
Are you not the one whose firm stands turn back the doubtful from the heart of the right path,

8. Who makes the insecure pass away, and returns rights to their proper place,
‘Ali! Today do not bar harm—harm to the garment and the wearer—

9. So that you break his resolve, as befits you, until he returns by your hand to reform.
With that fading misfortune, whereby great calamities are recorded in the Book,

10. With that conquering but mild in times of defeat, beaming rays that are called sincere, like the sun’s light, deserving of praise—
The guide of those passing along has deemed it sufficient, to remove the deviations of doubt and uncertainty.

11. Thus a ship may be saved from crashing when it sails with sight, though it would founder in cloudiness.
You have joined your band of good companions, dwelling where they dwell in the open country.

12. So if you are far from us, while they are all far, our affliction is the greater.
Despite glory, you have turned from us, struck down in your prime.

13. You were the remnant of saintly men among us, and the companions depended on you—
When Egypt prepared against disasters, it was aided by the subduers of difficulties,

14. With penetrating, sudden advice, like the shooting star’s.
The night lasts as long as the effects of its agitation.

15. You were the exemplar of perfect reason and courtesy and wisdom.
Of reliable resolve—you sought no opportunities but turned away before attaining your wants.

16. Subtle in seeking the straight path, so that straits seemed spacious.
Stern in might—fearful without making others fear, awed without trace of awe.

17. Your whole life a struggle and a glory, in the arena of attainment and earning.
You rise over disasters as they grow extreme, like a ship made light by the weight of its ballast,

18. Which the waves cannot swallow. It contends with them at dawn without letting up, while your care steadily mounts and the seas swell,
Until it attains, leaping, the open sea, and you attain it on the back of the billows.

19. So between your soul’s ascent to the highest and the abode of eternity, nothing stands but the crossing of a threshold,
Thus were you excused from leaping toward it. It became a sign—marvel of marvels!

20. Be content, o afflicted one, with what your Lord gave you of reward.
If you are veiled from us in seclusion, the meaning of light is in that veil.

21. Without you, loss reigns, but you have permanent brilliance enduring as long as loss endures.