1. فَإِنَّ الرَدى غالَ أَهلَ التُقى

    فَلَم يَبقَ إِلّا الغَشومُ العَنيد

    For death has carried off the people of piety,

    So none remains but the ruthless, obstinate oppressor.

  2. وَأَودى بِكُلِّ خَليلٍ وَدودٍ

    فَأَينَ وَلا أَينَ خِلٌّ وَدود

    And it has carried off every loving friend.

    Where, then, is a loving friend? Nowhere.

  3. وَكَم مِن أَخي ثِقَةٍ قَد لَحَدتُ

    فَلِلَّهِ ما غَيَّبَتهُ اللُحود

    And how many a trusted brother I have buried!

    So to God belongs what the graves have hidden.

  4. وَأَثكَلَني الأُنسَ ثُكلُ اللِداتِ

    فَصِرتُ كَأَنّي غَريبٌ وَحيد

    And the loss of my peers has bereft me of companionship,

    So I have become like a stranger, all alone.

  5. وَكَم مِن شَقِيٍّ يُوارى التُرابَ

    وَكَم مِن سَعيدٍ يُوارى الصَعيد

    And how many a wretched man is buried in the dust,

    And how many a fortunate man is buried in the earth!