1. The Truth forbade me conceit and vanity,
And the affectation of pomp and pretense.

2. I do not keep company with those
Of like character and ways.

3. Make it clear that I seek
Fellowship with the righteous and modest.

4. Say to the wise man who knows me for the truth,
He who knows me for the truth will judge me fairly.

5. And I am not infallible, though I err
At times in speech - let investigation reveal the facts.

6. My true companion is he whom I find
Sincere towards me in all conditions.

7. If he counsels me in private, yet in public
Does not expose me, he is my trusted friend.

8. God grant me what I hope for from Him, and what
He gives me is what benefits me at the time.

9. Yes, He puts me aright, my soul is confident
In Him, in all that satisfies and benefits me.

10. God, Glorious is He, is Most Generous,
His withholding is a gift when He denies me.

11. His denying me has benefit for this servant,
In ways I know not, as He veils me from it.

12. Know with certainty that He is King
And I am His deputy, so He honors me

13. By lifting the veil, saying quietly,
"This is Our caliph in secret and openly."

14. With His Holy Spirit on high He supported me,
And with shades that gave me shelter in the heat.

15. And from Him came a sign that we possess
The seal of saintship and the two adornments.

16. A spirit for a spirit, and garlands crowned
With the freshness from which the Merciful refined me.

17. Spurn these and the silks of brocade, and consider
What came to you with eloquent speech.

18. The Giver of thousands and tens of thousands - a prize
For every seeker of provision or eloquent tongue.

19. I likened myself in my time and state
To the era of our master, Sayf ibn Dhi Yazan.

20. I know not the unseen wonders,
Nor about Nu'man or al-Mundhir ibn Ma' al-Sama'.

21. Until I saw Him who gave me glad tidings with knowledge,
The King who seeks me while I draw breath.

22. Indeed, He who invited me in His revelations
Remains with me in all times.

23. So I said: O Lord, I accept knowledge,
But kingship I see not - does it deceive me?

24. If a manifestation, I want no part in it.
If a command, then command excites my hopes

25. For the protection God protects with -
My soul, so I know God will protect me.

26. When I hear words not pleasing to me,
I submit them - He will protect me.

27. He has free disposal over His creation as He wills,
His creation - He is their safest refuge.

28. The bodies of every chosen Messenger
He sanctified - for them nobility and honor without distress.

29. He brought angels from His Presence
Conveying in the people's tongue and diction.

30. God purified a soul from him - pure
Of all evil, like rancor and malice.