1. Do my nurses know my illness?
If they cure me, that is my dearest wish.

2. Other than being abandoned by you, nothing
Could break my patience and perseverance.

3. O you who left! Though you were so dear,
Where is the forebearance and forgiveness of the generous?

4. My master, how could you, when you are my beloved,
And peace be upon all others but you?

5. How could you spurn a lover
For whom you were the most precious refuge?

6. He who after long companionship with you
Yearns for even a glimpse of you in a dream!

7. Alas, for nights that have passed,
That bound us in intimate embrace!

8. In Fez was our dwelling, a house
Whose beauty has no equal.

9. Egypt and Baghdad cannot compare,
Nor Syria and Iraq.

10. What secrets and delights we shared,
What wine we quaffed!

11. What pleasures, wit, and love
Made tender by melody!

12. And in our midst Imam Al-Tijani Ahmed
Calling us with guidance to the Abode of Peace,

13. Shedding light in hearts and blotting out
With waves of mysteries all darkness,

14. Pouring secrets into the breasts of a people
Intoxicated by the wine of passion,

15. This one perishing in the love of God,
That one the full moon of the Prophet's beauty.

16. O souls confounded by theophany's assault!
O minds bowing before the grace of words!

17. The Shaykh revived them with his bounty―
Truly, Al-Tijani's munificence fills the cosmos.

18. How not, when Ahmed is the pole,
With no rival in his spiritual station!

19. The last seal, graced by God with virtue
And magnificent miracles,

20. Beyond which the beauties end, for their loftiness,
And discernment's reach finds their limit.

21. So spoke the Prophet―believe!
Or prepare yourself for arrows' flight

22. If you say "How so?" though he was the last.
Can the led surpass his imam's worth?

23. I say the Prophet surpassed, though the last,
Every ranked one, however high among men.

24. For primordial power knows no lack,
Even as grace continues in harmony.

25. Leave off describing the Prophet―it is beyond you.
Judging otherwise merits no blame.

26. 'Tis not your place to argue, rather
That your eyes be ever tearful.

27. For never has the collyrium of guidance
Anointed them that you might see the sun despite clouds.

28. Dispute not over saints, and submit
Ere the bowstring of a fierce archer is drawn taut!

29. Give glad tidings to those warring with them
Of a strong Lord terrible in vengeance.

30. Lord, I believe each saint
While respecting their station with care.

31. But the son of Salim is my master,
My refuge, pillar, and imam.

32. Loving him I inclined my eyes in obedience,
And before his door pitched my tent.

33. If he consent, that is my pride,
The sum of all I wish and the perfection of conclusion.