1. A part intimates the essence of being,
Of what the whole intimated in its existence.

2. It makes me bear witness to it and it bears witness to me through my essence,
So I perish from my existence through witnessing it.

3. Had it not been said it was infatuation with matters,
I would have said our issuance was from the essence of its generosity.

4. The sleeper sees it as does the awake one in unveiling,
Like the vision of one in devout prayer during his vigil.

5. The lost ones see it without proof,
Like the vision of one with purpose during his quest.

6. The stringer of pearls sees in it,
From names for it, a thread strung through its necklace.

7. The stringer of phrases sees it as a line of verse,
It is the spirit given success in his ode.

8. The stringer of stones sees it as a necklace,
That necklace being the most precious of its necklaces.

9. I read in its necklace the studs of an epoch,
Through it, witness was taken in its contracts.

10. For it is the glorification and the Criterion wherein
Your bowing and prostration distinguish it.

11. And beware mixing between me and a Lord
And those servants I have chosen from among His servants.

12. The blind see it absolutely,
Like the vision of the sighted in their shackles.

13. Thus is that philosopher without limit,
And this Ash'ari upon his boundaries.

14. And all of them are prisoners in it
By making the intellect that which confines them.

15. In fairness, I believe them private,
Unrestrained, not extravagant in their shackles.

16. They are its armies and manifestations of a King
Who must be obeyed - verily He is among its soldiers.

17. Through this they were fortunate and attained security from it,
Even if they wearied themselves striving toward its good fortune.

18. For this reason my mercy took precedence toward the goals
And attained them in my position, its good fortune.

19. So it took effect in the Gardens and in Hellfire,
Even if the two are our abode of eternity.

20. Conceal it that it may hide in Hellfire
From pains, the most forgotten of its disregard.

21. Had they clung to the realities, they would not have been
Like one who denies what he sees upon its arrival.

22. It manifested itself to insights from afar,
Its manifestation being like one in its vein.

23. And it enlightened him about what had been of it
From all-encompassing gratitude for its increase.

24. You see it when the eye connects to it
Like your disconnecting during your distraction.

25. So do not seek from the Merciful a pact
Whereby the Guardian will ask you about His pacts.

26. And may His peace be upon you, be a humble servant
And gain by increase in witnessing Him.