ولما رأيت الدهر يقتل أهله

ولما رأيت الدهر يقتل أهله

وأيقنت أني عن قريب سأقتلُ

وأيقنت أني عن قريب سأقتلُ

And when I saw time killing its people,

When I saw time slaying its people

And knew for certain that I would soon be killed,

And knew I too would soon be killed

جعلت حجابي منزلي وتشاغلت

جعلت حجابي منزلي وتشاغلت

يداي عن الدنيا بما هو أفضلُ

يداي عن الدنيا بما هو أفضلُ

I made my home my veil, and busied

I made my home my veil and busied

My hands with what is better, away from worldly life.

My hands with what was best to build