وفي ابن عمار عُزيريةٌ

وفي ابن عمار عُزيريةٌ

يخاصم الله بها في القدرْ

يخاصم الله بها في القدرْ

And Ibn ʿAmmār has an ʿUzayr-like streak;

Ibn Ummar has whims

With it he disputes with God over fate:

With which he disputes Allah regarding destiny

لِمْ كان ما كان ولمْ لَمْ يكن

لِمْ كان ما كان ولمْ لَمْ يكن

ما لم يكن فهو وكيل البشرْ

ما لم يكن فهو وكيل البشرْ

Why was what was, and why was not

Why was what was and why wasn't

What was not? For he is mankind’s advocate.

What wasn't, for He is the representative of mankind

لا بل فتى خاصم في نفسه

لا بل فتى خاصم في نفسه

لِم لَم يفز قِدْماً وفاز البقرْ

لِم لَم يفز قِدْماً وفاز البقرْ

No—rather, a young man who argued his own case:

Rather, he is a young man disputing within himself

Why did he not succeed long ago, while the cattle succeeded?

Why did he not win the race when the cow won

وكل من كان له ناظر

وكل من كان له ناظر

صافٍ فلا بدّ له من نظرْ

صافٍ فلا بدّ له من نظرْ

And whoever has an eye

And whoever has a clear vision

Unclouded must surely reflect.

Must necessarily have insight