1. أيا أهل القبور فما جواب

    لمن ناداكمو أهل القبور

    O dwellers of the graves, what answer is there

    To one who called you, O dwellers of the graves?

  2. تعوضتم بها عوض القصور

    وشتان القبور من القصور

    You have taken them in place of palaces,

    And how different graves are from palaces!

  3. فصار اللحد عن عوض السرير

    وفرش الترب عن فرش الحريرد

    So the burial niche has taken the place of the bed,

    And bedding of earth replaces bedding of silk.

  4. وكيف جوابكم لما سئلتم

    إلى الملكين منكر أو نكير

    And what was your answer, when you were questioned,

    To the two angels, Munkar or Nakir?

  5. وكيف لقيتمو فيها سروراً

    أأم لا قيتمو ضد السرور

    And how did you fare there—did you encounter joy,

    Or did you encounter the opposite of joy?

  6. وهل جيرانكم أهل القبور

    يزوروا أم أسارى للنشور

    And do your neighbors, the dwellers of the graves,

    Visit, or are they captives awaiting resurrection?

  7. فيا لك وحشة عقبى أنيس

    ويا لك ذلة بعد العسير

    So what loneliness is yours after companionship!

    And what abasement is yours after hardship!

  8. لنفخ الصور هم فيها همود

    رهائن للأحبة غير صور

    Awaiting the trumpet's blast, they lie motionless within them,

    Captives, not turning toward their loved ones.

  9. وهم ما بين مأسور بذنب

    ومن هو مطلق غير الأسير

    And they are divided between one held captive for a sin

    And one who is freed, not a captive.

  10. وحكم اللَه ماضٍ في البرايا

    فما من ناقضٍ حكم القدير

    And God's decree holds sway throughout creation,

    So none can overturn the Almighty's decree.

  11. أنا بك يا إلهي مستجير

    فعفوٌ منك حامي المستجير

    I seek refuge in You, O my God.

    For pardon from You protects the seeker of refuge.

  12. فإن عذبتني عدلاً بذنبي

    وإن تعفو فلطفاً من غفور

    For if You punish me, it is justly for my sin;

    And if You pardon, it is kindness from One ever forgiving.