1. Shall I console myself for this affliction,
Or congratulate you on the reward?

2. And I see the latter as closer
To the path of righteousness.

3. So reckon the departing visitor
As provision in the account.

4. And accept events, however grave,
With patience and reckoning.

5. And take advantage of the favor
Of the one whose outcome is good.

6. None but God is without
Decline and passing away.

7. And the nights - know that
We have decline and passing away.

8. Oh how often it has deceived us
With a mirage like drink!

9. It never ceases to bring wonders
To every period.

10. It left none for old age - no! -
Nor for youth.

11. Nor does its tyranny deter it,
However terrible and fearsome.

12. Do you see in it any pure bliss
Unmixed with trials?

13. Or joy not marred
By sorrow and depression?

14. How often it lashes out
At the people with an unrelenting sword!

15. It is not content save with the lives
Of innocents for sacrifice.

16. How much guarded chastity it has despoiled
And how many veils rent!

17. And how many swords it has unsheathed
And how many lions tamed!

18. It slays heroes without
A spear thrust or blow.

19. How many proud men, conquerors in battle,
Have been felled by its tooth!

20. It has distressed them with a separation
Not hoped to be reversed.

21. And how many a king it has left
A captive in the earth's embrace!

22. He complains of straits after
Expansive quarters.

23. Now he has been struck dumb, unable
To return an answer.

24. Hearing, unresponding; called, unanswered;
And palaces it left

25. Amid their households wailing.
Equal in prohibition and death

26. Are serf and overlord.
A corpse wrapped in its shroud

27. And a living man in robes.
And in every affliction we have

28. Muhammad the chosen as comfort.
And his family - through whom I hope

29. For safety from my torment.
My intercessors on the day I am called forth

30. When I am summoned before the record.
An exemplar leading to the best

31. Of bliss and reward.