مَنْ كانَ في علمه دخيلا

مَنْ كانَ في علمه دخيلا

فللولاياتِ لا يليقُ

فللولاياتِ لا يليقُ

Whoever is an interloper in his field of learning

Whoever is unlearned in his knowledge

Is unfit for positions of authority,

Is unfit to hold authority's reins -

لا سيَّما منصبٌ جديدٌ

لا سيَّما منصبٌ جديدٌ

فكفؤُهُ عالمٌ عتيقُ

فكفؤُهُ عالمٌ عتيقُ

Especially a new post,

Especially so for a role that's new;

For its fitting holder is a seasoned scholar.

An expert, seasoned scholar it ordains.