1. This world is fleeting,
Eternity has departed from it.

2. There is no comfort in it,
Only sorrow remains.

3. It did not keep its promises,
Kinship was of no use.

4. Its nature is to break covenants,
It is never faithful.

5. Its betrayal is an incurable disease,
There is no cure for it.

6. Its actions are deceit and guile
Hypocrisy and pretense.

7. Its essence is always murky,
Where is clarity found?

8. Its life is anxiety and sorrow,
Distress and tribulation.

9. A sweetness that turns life bitter,
Affliction is its flavor.

10. Whenever we laugh in it,
Sorrow follows the laughter.

11. No joy endures within it,
No bliss remains.

12. Neither poverty nor riches last,
Neither song nor wail.

13. No company remains stable,
No union endures.

14. Without doubt it is separation
And distance and disdain.

15. It is unquestionably a mirage,
We have no equality in it.

16. Our lives in it are short,
We find no shelter.

17. If we live long in it,
It is but morn or eve.

18. Its troops are always death,
Its business with us is to raid.

19. No calamity equals it,
Though it boasts of providing refuge.

20. It is the lion feared,
For its hunting ground is right here.

21. No great man survives it,
Where do the exalted escape?

22. How many kings has it laid low?
Who can afford its ransom?

23. How many nobles has it seized,
As generosity weeps over them?

24. It saddened us with the loss of the generous,
The very best of people.

25. It saddened us with the loss of the learned,
Whom scholars narrate.

26. It saddened us with the loss of the honorable,
The very best of nobles.

27. It saddened us with the loss of the eloquent,
The masters of rhetoric.

28. He was a sun whose brilliance
Illuminated the world.

29. The son of Nasser was a blessing,
Through him praise became sublime.

30. He lives on in the exalted,
Through him the lofty endure.

31. The pride of Sidon and its glory,
It rises high because of him.

32. A full moon whose light
Made heavens envy the earth.

33. The possessor of glory and pride,
Garbed in majesty.

34. Perfection, beauty,
Splendor and brilliance were his.

35. Forbearance, wisdom,
Resolution and zeal were his.

36. Generosity and giving,
Dignity and modesty were his.

37. When he passed away we knew
The earth narrowed around us.

38. We shed copious tears,
They were undoubtedly blood.

39. Crying was of no use,
If only crying could avail!

40. His death was a grave calamity,
Afflicting us with tribulation.

41. Would that he lived on,
And through him bliss endured!

42. Would that he could be ransomed,
The whole world his price!

43. Can death be cured?
Death has no remedy.

44. Lord, grant us patience and acceptance
Of that which You decree.

45. Lord, grant us reward in this affliction,
We have no consolation.

46. Lord, grant him bliss,
From You it will not diminish.

47. Lord, grant him favor from You,
Mercy and acceptance.

48. As each morn arrives,
Eve follows it evermore.