1. Death is wrath whose blows do not betray,
A bitter cup all who live must drain.

2. Mankind hastens to it, some lead the way
While others lag behind, though all are vain.

3. Man yearns to gain what he desires,
Yet what he dreads is his inevitable fate.

4. Many don the garb of life, then in an instant
Death strips it off, returning unannounced.

5. Pharaoh's might could not protect him
Nor Nimrod's arrogance and hoary hair.

6. Did Nebuchadnezzar's fortune make him immortal?
His allies were helpless when duty called.

7. Knowledge and books did not spare the wise,
Nor armies and battalions the king preserve.

8. We do not blame fate for what befalls us;
Destiny harms us not, nor does it give.

9. The bright days passed until Abu Hafs' nights
Faded into oblivion, lost their celestial glow.

10. We forgot all but the memory of his glory
Whose nobility each moment recalls.

11. You sent the beautiful gazelles of my desire
So my lids brim with tears that freely flow.

12. News of his death has confounded me, rendered absent
My senses, mind chaotic, reason overthrown.

13. His voice enthralled me, melted my heart,
And overturned its every side.

14. I met him with earnest yet aching soul,
True hopes belied by hopes themselves untrue.

15. A living man engulfed in grief -
Sorrow thus accompanies his life, its pangs yet new.

16. I reproach him for standing still and not rising
Though he has valid reasons for my blame.

17. Are these clouds heavy with rain or peals of thunder
Mourning the loss of Ibn Hawqal, bowed down by sorrow?

18. The world quaked and I saw him distraught
At his son's death, tribesmen gathered in condolence.

19. So each day has become a funeral
Where elders and maidens gather to mourn.

20. Indeed, glorious deeds died with him -
His own obituary attests, though heralds protest.

21. Whither have his days of celebration gone
When banquets were laid out and processions on show?

22. The All-hearing, the Responder has called him
And long has he called upon the Most Exalted, efforts true.

23. Yet the immutable decree of Heaven was sealed
Thus the world's order collapsed, the Writer no more.

24. The world is naught but a night whose stars
Have tumbled down, their lights extinguished, glow no more.

25. My dear, you were like steeds I looked to when dawn
Rose after gloom - there the full moon rode.

26. Greatness was his mark among men,
In misery he sufficed, in war unsheathed his sword.

27. He stood undaunted against a devious and cunning foe,
Not sparing Abu Ajr, making cowardly Hizbar flee.

28. A valiant knight who grants thousands pardon,
Yet thousands fear his wrath if they make war.

29. Eulogists exhaust descriptions of his virtues,
To each facet the perfect image ascribed.

30. For the ocean, chroniclers of his generosity;
For the moon, positions he attained;

31. For the lion, the fury of his onslaught
And how his groups repelled each raging assault.

32. He rewards the many through his giving
And satisfies abundantly their diverse needs.

33. In public, throngs approach and he strikes
Or pardons if rebel, engaging them with wisdom.

34. He consults his pure heart and gifts follow,
Therein he pours out secrets that burdened his soul.

35. The astute are helpless to fully grasp his merit,
Hand cannot measure it, tongue enumerate.

36. Glory gained cannot benefit him
Who earned such glory that remains his fate.

37. High-minded by nature, he avoids
Blameworthy acts though tempted by their bait.

38. He builds a dam against suspicions,
His caution the dam that dams deceit.

39. Broad his compassion, undimmed by shocking events,
Though dire their threats between the lines that speak.

40. A prominent imam of glory's call persists,
No rank can rival his steep ascent.

41. The mirror of his heart illuminated, divinely guided -
Fate's consequences clear in every affair.

42. His palm dispenses what multitudes request
And from dust's clutches, bodies resurrected, gathered whole.

43. He revived the memory of virtues long forgotten
Since the days of Yahya and the craftsmen of embroidery.

44. By his blessed hand awards were conferred on me
Honor and riches both streams wherefrom I drink.

45. Can two oceans meet unless a ship,
Its smaller vessels docking, makes them one?

46. The captain consults him regarding the precious cargo
And he chooses the finest merchandise to be shipped.

47. Voyage after voyage sets out weighed down
By the blessings of his generous hand that gives.

48. He views it as a gentle, gushing Euphrates
Whose pressing streams humble even violent floods.

49. Mouths and coffers compete in generosity,
Racing to give thanks for gifts he bids.

50. By each winding waypoint leading to his abode
Ardent seekers are guided to knock at his door.

51. Amazed that a set of hands could steward such wealth:
Clouds of hands spread out, freely giving, blessings pour.

52. Allah water his grave and shower it with mercy
From the Spirit and the sweetest scent of rain.

53. He poured out his soul into the bosom of the soil
To dwell where the companions of Heaven entertain.

54. So take comfort, O forbearing friend, for patience brings
Blissful rewards to all who patience attain.

55. It was not long before one like you appeared -
Your equal in the arena, contending again.

56. Appointed was your absence, but trust the promised raising,
Authority now passed to you, his successor remain.

57. You were like two full moons in ascension’s horizon,
But the absent moon saddens while the present is plain.

58. Command was passed to you fully convinced
That you would discharge the duties you now obtain.

59. Rise firmly with purpose toward your enemies, certain of victory
Since the object of your fear is the target you aim.

60. God who empowers you will bring triumph
So none can conquer whom you determine to vanquish.

61. Let not the envious hinder what you desire,
For envy cannot prevent what God ordains.

62.
You take not their wealth by force,

63. Nor lives by the sword; you abstain.
As you, O man, are the best of your time,

64. So has God’s protection enveloped you, restraining
The eyes of man from violating your rights -