قَد كُنتُ أهدي ولا أُهدى فَعَلَّمني

قَد كُنتُ أهدي ولا أُهدى فَعَلَّمني

حُسن المَقادة أني أفقدُ البَصَرا

حُسن المَقادة أني أفقدُ البَصَرا

I used to guide and was not guided; then it taught me—

I once guided others, not needing to be guided; then I was taught

my failing sight—the grace of being led.

to be led willingly by the loss of my sight.

أَمشِي وأقبعُ جُنّاباً ليَهدِيني

أَمشِي وأقبعُ جُنّاباً ليَهدِيني

إن الجنيبةَ مما يَجشمُ الغَدرا

إن الجنيبةَ مما يَجشمُ الغَدرا

I walk, hanging back to one side, so that he may guide me;

I walk and hang back, led alongside, so that he may guide me;

for even the led mount is one that braves peril.

for a led beast is among those that must endure rough ground.