1. Listen, O bearer of mosques,
To my complaint, all beneficial,

2. With little strange ideas
That render the gentle mind rigid.

3. The Fisherman's Mosque said I've become deserted,
Blocked from all sides by houses,

4. Open to me only is the Qiblah though the bats throng,
And a door through which blows the wind from the house of Zayed.

5. In summer, standing for prayer has become difficult,
All mosques hear my lament.

6. If a worshipper comes to refresh my soul
For an hour, he soon swears never to return.

7. I desire a lamp for night prayer is a must,
Else you'd hear the beasts' butting in the pillars

8. And see the confused worshipper standing in the dark
He cannot prostrate except on the head of one bowing.

9. The cold in the basins has risen from the well,
Whoever hears the voices says there is a grave here.

10. As if there is still a funeral in it,
In the view of the skeptic who says it's but cold.

11. This mat of mine is worn out and torn.
It's become stiff and its cold is upsetting.

12. Were it even replaced with patches and tatters
It would be better than this oven-baked rigor.

13. They have not been fair to me in preserving it,
Though its original form was adorned with redness.

14. How many glances of judges toward me,
While the world is inhabited and speech is one.

15. May He forgive me and extend to me just once,
Some of the new furnishings.

16. If there is some generosity and nobility,
Then warmth is hoped for even from the generous cold.

17. When the basin heard the trickling of water,
It came adorned with water and basin

18. And said: “Come out above the garden’s turf
If you are still clinging to old ways.”

19. The Fisherman replied: “My back has numbed,
A friend has woken in me the desire for support.”

20. The neighbor said: “O dear friend,
My heart loves you while hearts are witnesses.”

21. The lodger said: “What is this commotion and nonsense?
For God’s sake, leave this meekness,

22. O Fisherman Mosque, do you have supporters?”
What’s with you, O Pinnacle, and this zeal?

23. You bring upon me all the people.
Calm the embers in your head,

24. And after that porridge and hardened ghee.
The Fisherman said: “Don’t babble,

25. You’re known for steadfastness and honesty,
Hush the nonsense, O Pomegranate,

26. Mischief has stirred and you’re still asleep.”
You're not one who attends conferences,

27. You’re essentially a place for soldiers’ payments,
None pray in you except rarely,

28. Unless they pray for the old and frail.
You have wavered between both sides, wavering,

29. Neither from Bani Harith nor from Arhab.
No outstanding feat has emerged from you

30. You utter deficient ambitions and contradict.
Abu Shumlah came with enormous determination.

31. With him came fifty from the tribes.
He came frowning and dragging the shawls.

32. And said: “Who discloses difficulties?”
Resolve, O Fisherman, do not hesitate

33. For your mattress has become heated and furious
At times of adversity, composure is paramount

34. So they won't insult the likes of you among the foundations.
The two groups marched toward justice

35. To create above the shore a gathering
Some energize it and some weaken it

36. Some desire settlement and some persistence.
When Qarash heard the clamor of the army,

37. He pelted with his voice and provoked folly,
And said: “Poor thing, what is his condition?

38. We must cure him of delusions.”
And he sent right away to Justice a messenger:

39. “Make haste and bring me a thousand men,
A thousand expert horsemen of noble descent,

40. Do not delay for the messenger speeds.”
So As-Sa’di came at his command,

41. With a thousand men of Arabs and chiefs
Marching with asceticism and piety

42. For he is essentially from ancient worshippers.
When he arrived, he gave greetings and asked:

43. “Tell me, how did this issue begin?”
They said: “Be reassured and rest awhile,

44. Until the masses come, weighed and verified.”
When he learned of the matter, he stood up

45. And fortified the doors and pillars.
He set out towards the attending crowds,

46. Saying: “Why are you sitting, O my weak one?”
“Come, against the Fisherman with steeds

47. Not once has he prepared for war and strategy.
I will ruin him until his dust reaches

48. The house of Zayed from his rubble.”
The Fisherman came with the soldiers

49. While war raged and the stingers stung,
With a door to his left and a passer on his right,

50. And a heart set for battle and leadership.
The settlement was across from Justice,

51. Both sides inciting their armies and pushing them.
Qarash was the first to pelt with rocks

52. So they landed among the people like lightning.
The Fisherman pelted back forcefully

53. At the door, while the tribes prayed for victory.
Had Qarash not been too few in supplies,

54. He would have smashed the doors and fences.
Said Dove: “What is this talk, O brothers?

55. This enmity is all nonsense.
Tell me what happened and what was.”

56. There is none like me to critique speech.
These are strange events, all signs.

57. I did not know if it is frivolity or mercy.
I thought the Day of Judgement had risen

58. While I stand with you in my father’s place.
Qarash fell silent, sulking,

59. His tears streaming down four by four.
The Fisherman came over scowling

60. And said: “Be a witness among all.”
“Today I complained of my weak state

61. And the terrors that have befallen me.”
Then Dove turned to Qarash and said:

62. “Why do you argue over what’s ugly?”
“This is a request from your caretaker for furnishings,

63. Or is it two spouses’ request for mattress and pillows
And four mats in addition to the story,

64. If fortune smiles without transgression.
“It is not poverty among people, ungrateful.

65. Had he introduced himself to me and became devoted,
Or interceded through the scholar Muhammad,

66. His purpose would be achieved and more.
“The endowment officer will assist him,

67. The Sheikh does not neglect good deeds.
His father is the reviver of the faith, not its killer,

68. His reputation among scholars is widely known.
“He loves doing good and purposes.

69. As for you, O Qarash, how unreasonable!
A deserted mosque, nothing incumbent upon you,

70. And whoever prays in you walks supported
And is laid down for two days in the burials.

71. “Perhaps a mattress or two may come your way
Without mallets or building a palace,

72. For you are essentially devoid of ideas,
Your mind deficient and temperament corrupt.”

73. Qarash said: “May I never lack the likes of you,
From where would I get, O Tooth, a mind like yours?

74. I have not stopped thanking among people your deeds,
And how plentiful the Sheikh’s praises are!

75. “How many did he furnish a mosque like me?
And how many ruins did he inspect before me?

76. Yet no one mentioned me specifically,
Other than him, who is a generous victor.

77. “My most sincere prayers and peace eternal,
Befall the intercessor among scholars, Muhammad,

78. And his family, so long the branches chirp,
And the tombs in their horizons have not appeared.”