1. What ails my heart to love frivolity though
My head is grey and my two legs unsteady,

2. And branches of my body have withered away
After their freshness, and illness plagues me ever.

3. My back is bent by sickness and by age
Alas! After greyness shall I make amends?

4. I have found life's turns make me now
Bored by what I once never tired of.

5. And the days have bound me, drawing near
Is my sin, be it standing or if I move.

6. What tricks have I, when time has made me
Like a babe in the cradle, helpless, no plan.

7. Weakness has allied with me, and resolution opposed me
Yet my heart is still enslaved by passion.

8. How long, while the stars of life have set
And despite myself, the end nears.

9. O soul repent of sins and be warned
By those who on the hump-backed bier were borne.

10. And left the world’s bloom and its joy
To lie in earth’s belly, the grave now home.

11. Their wealth after them was divided spitefully
While they were asked about the motes and atoms.

12. All they forwarded in pages is recorded
What they concealed and what they did tell.

13. So do righteous deeds, death has drawn near
Its days, and the caravan’s bells do knell.

14. And hold fast to God’s word, fortified
By faith, our castle and stronghold.

15. And follow the Guided One’s ways and morals
For in him lies the safety when we shake and tremble.

16. The secret of existence and the spirit of the world
By his blessed rising, prophets gave glad tidings.

17. Best of creation, whose message encompassed
All people till the ways were whitened.

18. By his law, all religions were abrogated
An upright religion and law most majestic.

19. His law came speaking of justice
And in virtues we find in it the best example.

20. It called tribes whose hearts were hardened
Even beyond rocks, even beyond mountains.

21. They obeyed and answered his call sincerely
After stubbornness, and into Islam they entered.

22. How they argued with him but were disappointed
Never, far from it, argument will not benefit.

23. A people whose tongues, if they spoke and orated
Were most eloquent and excellent in diction.

24. As for their rhetoric it was brilliant
But before God’s words they were shy and timid.

25. They fell down prostrate from the excellent words they heard
And from the heaven of ego and pride they descended.

26. And they acknowledged, just as their minds acknowledged
Powerless, when strategies failed and means exhausted.

27. So he awakened them from their slumber of heedlessness
And won glory, they who strayed and they who were ignorant.

28. And with God’s Messenger their flags became exalted
And they persevered until with glory they connected.

29. As for kings, their mighty authority was dreaded
So the kings of earth and power were subjugated.

30. A people who for piercing were created
The sword their way, and spear and blade.

31. Imagine them, Indian swords in hand
Like fire of lightning against enemies kindled.

32. Leaders of fierce courage like lions
They are warriors when they band and when they charge.

33. Never did they submit to enemies, numerous though they were
On the day of battle, never fleeing or failing.

34. Either death or victory their purpose
And paradise of eternity if they died entered.

35. If they won in battle and were victorious
Everyone was to Him thankful for their victory.

36. When the Prophet mentioned their battle
To the Lord of the Throne, prayers he offered.

37. Then God would send regiments of angels
Brandishing flames and in their hands torches.

38. Until nations yielded to him in submission
The strong, before truth, is weakened and feeble.

39. Were it not for the Prophet and his call sincere
No universe would exist nor crowns and thrones appear.

40. Nor would there be any sun, moon, planets,
Neither Sirius nor Capella nor Saturn.

41. Nor day and night, dawn nor dusk
Neither insignificant nor exalted, noble.

42. This Prophet is the Chosen from eternity
Praiseworthy whoever loves the unseen unknown.

43. For him did the trees prostrate in humility
And the wolf spoke to him, and the gazelle and camel.

44. And how many miracles appeared for him in life
By which all acknowledged after trying denial.

45. O best of those whose miracles appeared
By which all acknowledged after trying denial.

46. O best of those whom the Compassionate purified
Be my intercessor, I am fearful and scared.

47. And look upon me with your inclusive gaze
For in your gaze, O best of creation, lies my hope.

48. And look to my family, children and relatives
We are all your progeny, we will never separate.

49. All of us are linked to the blossom Fatimah
And all of us are connected to the Messenger.

50. May the Lord of the Throne bless you eternally
As long as the gardens bloom and the spades dig.

51. And upon your family, companions and loved ones all
As long as the sun rises with Capricorn.