1. Leave the barren wasteland covered in herbage,
And let the seas, with their swells, praise You endlessly.

2. Only rain clouds should water it, for long has it
Sustained the flowering acacia, myrtle, and tamarisk.

3. Pay no heed to the naysayers in your resolve;
Be prudent where guile hides benevolence.

4. Be like the moon, unveiling the darkness each night,
Not like the satellite, tasting only sweetness.

5. Alleviate the soul’s woes with travel and night marches,
Trusting in God for profitable gains.

6. Spread the carpet of the noble son of Mohammad,
Vanquisher of enemies, herald of guidance at daybreak.

7. A stalwart whose chest encompasses the world entire,
At dusk having expanded religion’s bosom and ridge.

8. He whose guidance has equaled night and day,
Come evening, illuminates the horizons.

9. A downpour which has verdant earth as its meadow,
Where no soul seeking its banks may thirst or decline.

10. A lion whose awe spares no howling,
Neither cur nor barking coyote.

11. A sword amidst the law of spears and ready blades,
Each morn setting upon cattle to slaughter.

12. A prince whose sword has the kings of unbelief
Like sacrifices on their feast days at immolation.

13. His open hand’s abundance exceeds the flooding streams,
And all who hope of drinking are drowned in its surge.

14. What desires have we not seen fulfilled? Though some
Remain, quenching of thirst shall come eventually.

15. So cease the similes, for common parlance
Has flowed into metaphor and sweetness.

16. They strove for his honor but fell short,
While he was not content till kindness was perfected.

17. Qasim split open the egg of glory before them
And extended a handful, as they a cup.

18. A knight whose manor the seas acknowledge,
Despite Hatim’s repute for vast generosity.

19. His efforts in weighty affairs are directed
Toward hopes which carry the marks of success.

20. Qualities pure as the sea’s pearls, its depths
An account none may cross without foundering.

21. Signs of knowledge whose light sheathed ignorance,
And limits of purpose no thought can traverse.

22. A view that shows today what tomorrow hides
And unveils its darkness before the wings of night.

23. Judiciousness that shakes the pillars of certainty,
Resolve that emulates flint in fieriness of clash.

24. A hand that shows how the serpent coils
To temper its nature with the breeze’s breath.

25. Gladdened by dawn, which sunlight has taught bloom,
A grip whose ferocity fire has inflamed.

26. His assembly of each and every virtue
And grace is beyond our power to explicate.

27. He has spared us the soothsayers’ prescribed fortunes,
No casting lots in the sand or striking the flame.

28. Fearsome yet clement, his might lies in patience,
Pardoning but for acts hostile to right.

29. Was any before him so inclined to clemency?
Or a generous soul who claimed it beyond him?

30. He came forth till the coward fled,
And gave openly until the miser felt shame.

31. Nor did the foe submit out of mere affection,
But loathed the wounds of his piercing blades.

32. They saw a man who accords war its rights,
And if burdens are laid down, seeks reconciliation.

33. One who spends all his days in duty,
Allowing no time for foolishness’ wants.

34. Whose steeds are constant upon the path of jihad,
And every battle with the enemy is his routine.

35. His opponents are given the death of humiliation,
And the other life, its heavenly raiment.

36. O son of the Commander of the Faithful, his sword,
His buckler, refrain now from striking and goring.

37. In nature and character you resemble him;
Liken yourself to the highest celestial sphere.

38. The geometry took perfect form,
By how you verified its points, lines, and planes.

39. How much has been attributed to the mist,
But without your fulfillment could not prove true!

40. You have given me the tangible, the essence, robes,
White oryx, camels, steeds, and tamarisk.

41. You remain for Islam a day of distress,
Marring the Sefeinid’s joy and revelry.

42. Your father by Sacred Law, and you his successor,
Without hardship in inquiry or exertion.

43. He entrusted it to you, none being so worthy,
The intellect’s light distinguishes beauty from ugly.

44. Its pearls suffice, your adornment, pride of mantle,
Shielding you from the slights and accusations.

45. Fate has thus presented to you its Laila,
Revealing the throne, dais, palace.

46. The Lord of the Throne has given you dominion over its lands,
And decreed your empowerment, victory, and openings.

47. To you, O pantheon of glory, I make my way
With poetry whose pillars cannot be traversed.

48. When our enemies are present, it adds grace to their assembly,
And when absent, leaves their hearts riddled with holes.

49. I charge it with the impossible task of thanking
An endless font that flows without cease.

50. Take it thus, O daughter of the rightly-guided Caliphs,
Through whom the All-laudable perfected His praise.