1. O sword of ministry, you were blessed with
A sharp blade and supported by a steadfast handle

2. And O eminent master, he consulted widely
Yet paid no heed to the detractor

3. So he renewed every decaying glory
And inspired every despondent soul

4. And glory said to him, be my champion
So he rose to the call of the sayer

5. He aspired to the highest virtues until he attained
What surpassed the hopes of the aspirant

6. Then he left his students still seeking
And followed the exemplary path

7. His pens made him dwell in nobility
Like the abode of Suhban among the eminent

8. His ideas and words poured forth
In two seas of knowledge and attainment

9. So the sea of pearls of eloquence swelled
And the sea of logical jewels overflowed

10. His munificence outshone Hatim's generosity
And his eloquence surpassed Babylon's magic

11. His pen produces benefit
And shields from harm like an impregnable fortress

12. Selective in speech, a bee
He has certainly excelled as a productive bee

13. Concise, he says to verbose rambling
Restrain yourself, you strive pointlessly

14. His clarity in diction shows
Like the purity in the trill of a warbler

15. He hit his targets
And drew life from the sayer

16. And inscribed in books the flowers of spring
Relating the faded remnants

17. Abu Bakr, boast! The envy of foes
Is but the deluded censure of the worker

18. For the praise not from you
Would be wasted on the idle eulogizer

19. Yours is the height, though the star of blamer
Turned a blind eye to your excellent view

20. If pulling down is the nature of earth
The passing cloud bears no blame

21. It's as if I was debased by construction
Yet remain unchanged by the worker

22. Rather, I was later supported by you
To the safekeeping of perfect manners

23. My bond with you will not disappoint
For I have bonded with the eternal

24. I cherish high hopes of you
To roam freely in perfect bliss

25. And I ponder your mention in my thoughts
Certain of imminent relief

26. To absolve your name from meeting
With people in everlasting perfection

27. You triumphed over the great men of the age
As certainty triumphs over falsehood

28. And the like of you fills the hand of the dweller
And rises from the foot of the departing