1. I journeyed with him on the night of ascension
With the miracles of binding and saddling

2. A light shone above the ether, its gleam
And the night in its last third was gloomy

3. Until his light illuminated the universe
Resplendent in its flaming glow

4. A full moon lit the horizons with its guidance
In a world needing its radiance

5. From the belly of Mecca and the worlds, he slept
I journeyed with him to Jerusalem of domes

6. And ascended to the highest horizon by night
Unlocking the firmly clasped unseen

7. Until he drew near, two bow lengths away
That he could hear the whispering confider

8. And he saw him on another occasion, as
God told in the story of ascension

9. Who can compete with him in what he saw
Save the obstinate plot of confusion

10. For paradise of refuge, wherein is what a
Soul desires and what suits every nature

11. And the Lote Tree of the Uttermost End, and when
That which covers covers the individuals and pairs

12. In the world of His kingdom, pure without
Filth, no shameless filth dwells there

13. Gabriel spreading his wings with greetings
Truly purifying from the blood of slaughter

14. And you see the angels standing or sitting
Supplicating their Lord in whispers

15. A sea of lights, brightness entirely
Turbulent like the confused billows

16. Hopes turn toward His station
Like moths swarming around a lamp

17. The prayer of the oppressed thunders therein
And the fervent imploring of the needy

18. He saw that which no eye has seen before
No, nor has ear of confider heard

19. And the righteous, possessing witnessing and piety
Walking in Paradise, in brocade

20. They are satiated with sealed wine, radiant
With light, a cup in gentle composition

21. And he saw the evildoers and criminals in
A state of agonies and grieving

22. Fed on zaqqum and boiling water or
Walking in chains of shackles

23. And the prophets rejoiced at their destined time
In the decree, law, and method

24. And he saw His greatest signs which
Are riddles and puzzles to the ignorant

25. Woe to him whose passions blinded his sight
Misguided, wretched in dense darkness

26. The Quraysh mocked when their tyrants said
“Listen not to the deluded, confused one”

27. Saying, “Does he slice through the firmament in what is grasped
Of his ability and equipment?”

28. Or, “how does he ascend to the heavens in body
With no cause or stairs?”

29. Who measures miracles with his intellect
In logic and inference rules?

30. Miracles cannot be measured with implements
And exceed the ruler and levels

31. A century ago, who would believe we’d
See and hear from afar tumultuous clamor?

32. Or radar grasps the echo’s return
Around the plains with vibration of waves?

33. Or man subjects the atomic particle
With keen thinking and good management?

34. They mocked him foolishly, for the weakness of their minds
While God seizes them with gradual lure

35. Until the truth dawned on them, after
Witnessing from the signs, every startling event

36. And every stubborn denier complied
And every hypocrite and fraud surrendered

37. The idols toppled from their loftiness
And the altars were uprooted from the shrines

38. And all people with sincere resolve
Entered God's religion in droves

39. And their battalions marched, torches raised
From every brilliant dawn, witnessing and glorifying

40. Thrones collapsed before them, and bestowed on them
The scepters and crowns of royalty

41. Over the plains their banners fluttered
Like the dawn, the horizon filled with splendor

42. Jerusalem opened its gate for Al-Farooq
And removed from it every barrier

43. Its portal remains open, secured
Free for pilgrims from every direction

44. Saladin came leading his army
To bring glad tidings to the captives of release

45. Today the sanctuaries were disturbed within it
And its inhabitants scattered in havoc

46. And Palestine the martyr became an altar
On which blood poured from veins

47. In Deir Yassin and its sisters
The townspeople slaughtered like docile sheep

48. While all Muslims are preoccupied
With vanities or fruitless confusion

49. Have mercy, my Lord, for your courtyard is empty
So send us, O Lord, relief