1. Why has the world turned dark without any darkness?
Why have horizons darkened, even the east?

2. My friend, may God protect you, tell me what is it
That has happened in this world, for you speak the truth

3. Has it come time for resurrection, with the trumpet blown
Then shock and raising of the dead, and gathering?

4. I see the universe darkened, I see the sun not shining
I see the cold not breaking dawn or rising

5. I see the stars of the horizon not rising
No forerunner appeared, nor any pursuer

6. Where is the sky without this darkness? It cannot be seen
Even with staring hard and peering intently

7. It has been removed or else it is veiled in darkness
What is its affair? Tell me, for my chest is straitened

8. What is with me that I see the hills not as they were?
How many a hill has collapsed and how many a lofty one knocked down

9. What is with me that I see the birds, muted, though they were
Never before ceasing in chirping and singing

10. What is with me that I see them not flying though they are
As if their wings have been clipped, broken

11. What is the final news, my friend, that will cure me?
For in talking to you I feel secure and certain

12. You are the father of news who relates its truth
The brother of trust, the steadfast, the truthful and loyal

13. And I did not stop asking him until he answered me
His tears flowing from his eyelids in streams

14. In a faint voice that pierces the hearing
The answer of one weeping while tears flood his cheeks

15. He said "Yes, the caliph of Malik has passed away
The master of this time whom none can compete

16. The imam of exacting scholars, foremost among them
His precedence among them is agreed upon by consensus

17. The eminent among those of refinement and precision, he is their prince
For him unfurled their standards and banners

18. He took authority among them in the sciences and their comprehension
And elucidated them however realities demanded

19. He took authority until called ‘the commander’
And upon this title they agreed unanimously

20. He is the sun, the sun of religion, its light
How many horizons has it illuminated and flown over!

21. How much ignorant darkness, vanquishing, has it erased
So that no darkness remains visible anymore

22. Named after the greatest of messengers, Muhammed
Upon him the eternal blessings of God

23. He is the sea of knowledge, speak highly of him
For you are apt in speaking of him in agreement

24. He is the scholar, spring of knowledge flowing clearly
The water of knowledge streaming over its surface

25. He is the accomplished author and the formidable one
Above every accomplished and transcending

26. The renowned scholar in every field
Not surpassed by west over east

27. The best witnesses to one's merit in existence
And their consensus on it conforms and corresponds

28. He preceded in authorship from the days of youth
And subtleties submitted to him entirely

29. His works excelled and were wonders
And mysteries alighted upon investigating them

30. There is no discipline but he is its imam
No problem but he is the first to solve it

31. On his superiority all the virtuous unanimously concurred
And the agreement was reached without exception

32. They agreed openly and not one close friend or loyal one denied
That none can compete with him if he races

33. And that he will win the lead if he competes
And I was pleased by all his traits

34. Those you are pleased with are few
Good in manners and conduct, his reputation was fragrant

35. As his manners were pleasing to all people
Like generosity, forbearance, excellent humility

36. And in refined manners he resembled the prophets
Raising harm, injury, his purpose is benefit

37. And wonders appeared safe in his time
His God called him to the gardens, a caller

38. So he answered willingly, no barriers impeded him
He strove seriously on his journey, longing pulling him

39. O how near is the goal for one eager and yearning
God's good pleasure led him towards it

40. How successful is one whose guide is God's good pleasure
He journeyed to Paradise, date it with his striving

41. And attained eternity and the prophet accompanies him
He was given glad tidings of tremendous success, that

42. He will dwell with his Master, never to part
But we, because of him, were struck with an affliction

43. Its gravity is recognized by all people
By it our glory was broken, our shoulders weakened

44. From carrying it, and the joints of our necks
Weep for him until resurrection, O my eyes, shedding

45. Tears flooding the eyes in streams
By them the souls soar upwards for him

46. And descend like drizzle, gently raining
It is right for our hearts to be rent

47. And our livers, not just our buildings
For how many marvels were seen when he passed

48. Witnessed in person, commands to custom contrary
He spoke during washing though the living were present

49. And at laying in the grave all heard him accurately
I wish we could ransom him and be his redemption

50. And that death had not come to him as fate inescapable
But my Lord decreed death as inescapable

51. And whoever possesses a soul must taste death
Though he tasted death and the grave took him

52. He continues alive forever brilliantly radiant
He left famous repute and it remains

53. The most fragrant musk, scenting all existence
Whoever lives in memory truly lives

54. Whoever does not live in memory, he is fleeing
He left us his eminent son, the formidable one

55. Whose superiority the people of knowledge unanimously recognized
The father of knowledge, Lord of understanding, sea of wisdom

56. The discerning brother who none can match
He succeeded teaching and benefiting after him

57. Succeeded suitably as rightful and deserving
He has produced every wondrous comprehension

58. Minds find accessing its ways difficult
He came with what distinguished predecessors could not attain

59. And how many successors he cannot be matched
Though he attained excellence from his father

60. He is its rightful heir and towering over it
No wonder, the son of a lion is a fierce lion cub

61. No surprise, the son of warriors is a warrior
O Master, the like of whom is little found

62. As the sun that has no match or anything to make it distinct
If you, our Master, suffered a calamity

63. At its horror the separate ones’ hair turn white
Remember the greatest calamity of the best of messengers

64. Hardships seem small when you are distressed
Have patience, for patience best befits the noble one

65. And your Lord overlooks the compensation owed by the speaker
In you, from the one you lost, is a brother of solace

66. With whom people were pleased as his replacement
I ask my Lord God to reward you excellently

67. And magnify it, for merit encompasses it
To settle him in Paradise near his company

68. Where for him towers are built with delights
To water his grave with a rain of mercy

69. Flooding it while he in it is drowning
As long as winds blow, pollinating

70. And lightning of bursts give rain in torrents
So the son of Fathallah says, asking

71. Why has the world turned dark without any darkness?