1. Science has people worthy of its crowns
Religion a fortress, they its pillars and grounds

2. Serving its law, they raised its worth
In wilderness, wherever they were found

3. All in creation, by their guidance redeemed
Without knowledge, life is but profound loss

4. Whoever pursued knowledge from youth till grayed
Is undoubtedly a man of great renown

5. People in this world fall in three partitions
As this saying distinguishes plain and sound

6. Wealth, status, and knowledge, the third of its kind
Each has in people its own constituency bound

7. The wealthy like Qarun for his riches
The elite like Haman should you study and sound

8. But happy is the knowledgeable for their grace
While others remain confused and astound

9. The learned walks on with light leading ahead
For with knowledge, they're crowned

10. The scholarly an abode apart from the rest
Above which neither Chosroes nor Sasanians are found

11. In life, the learned are alive though interred
Time does not make them in remembrance drowned

12. This Imam, the Imam of all virtue combined
Al-Shafi'i, as I have substantiated and found

13. For every issue of law he has made clear
Interpreting and analyzing without compound

14. Many a night did he stay up solving the abstruse
Understanding hadith, turning hardness to softness round

15. Revealing wisdom in Qur'anic verses
Lauded for which by Law and Qur'an he is crowned

16. He is the Qurashi, the loftiest in lineage
His father below, above him Ma'ad and Adnan abound

17. Amongst the purified kin of Ar-Rahman combined
The original tribe, bliss and joy profound

18. If you take shelter in them, Islam's backing expands
While idols and statues of polytheists confound

19. He is the sea above whose tide sails forth
The ship of knowledge, enlightened, knowledge-drowned

20. Its sails are law, Islam its captain steering ahead
Carried within it, safety and faith are found

21. Docked on the coast of generosity, firmly anchored
In people not shaken, though floods may abound

22. O people, this Imam Ash-Shafi'i is indeed
Fruits and branches of virtue in him are found

23. The Jurist of law, the scholar witnessed for
Young and old attested to merits in him compound

24. Before his birth, Hadith was verified through him
This is the pride, no crown or minaret need surround

25. Of vast generosity his early rain
Collecting clouds of aid that respond to each sound

26. No distressed refugee enters his court
But finds care from his munificence abound

27. Look upon us, your habit of generosity we knew
For by this feast, we're all constricted and bound

28. Egypt through you and the House was ennobled
No cities can equal such glory profound

29. But I seek God's forgiveness, for Taybah too
Through the Chosen One, has honor atop honor renowned

30. O people, through trials and times this Imam
For visitors, a pillar of aid is found

31. So many kings at his doorstep paused
And for success, to him were obediently bound

32. Each attains by the extent of their intention
Goodly intention for virtues a welcome all around

33. For God's sake, shun all who object
In their creed, deviance and flaws are found

34. O assembly of people, Ash-Shafi'i indeed
In your Egypt, has might and dominion renowned

35. Each year by his birth we find bliss
Whether in Rajab or Sha'ban we're around

36. May He who is Eternal preserve those who served him
And celebrated him, for all are brethren bound

37. Uphold the law and raise its people, for they are
For religion and law, helpers with loyalties sound

38. I conclude with good for all present, and say
May you have reward of pardon and clemency all around