1. لِيَبكِ مُسِنٌّ ثُمَّ أَجَلَّهُ

    مَعاشِرُ لَمّا قيلَ أَشيَبُ أَجلَهُ

    Let an old man weep; then he was honored

    by people when he was called gray-haired and balding.

  2. إِذا سَأَلوا عَن مَذهَبي فَهُوَ بَيِّنٌ

    وَهَل أَنا إِلّا مِثلُ غَيري أَبلَهُ

    If they ask about my creed, it is clear:

    And am I anything but a fool, like others?

  3. خُلِقتُ مِنَ الدُنيا وَعِشتُ كَأَهلِها

    أَجِدُّ كَما جَدّوا وَأَلهو كَما لَهوا

    I was created from the world and lived like its people.

    I strive as they strove, and play as they played.

  4. وَأَشهَدُ أَنّي بِالقَضاءِ حَلَلتُها

    وَأَرحَلُ عَنها خائِفاً أَتَأَلَّهُ

    And I bear witness that by divine decree I dwelt in it,

    And I depart from it afraid, worshipping God.

  5. وَما النَفسُ بِالفِعلِ الجَميلِ مُدِلَّةٌ

    وَلَكِنَّ عَقلي مِن حِذارٍ مُدَلَّهُ

    And the soul takes no pride in good deeds,

    But my mind is distraught with fear.