Sol 5.6

  1. A greeting whose fringes are like pearls strung in order,

    journeying evening and morning to the two reaches of Lahāb—

  2. the greeting of a wounded heart, offered as a gift

    to Ibn Sulaymān ibn Rāshid, my master.

  3. From me, it singles out the sea of bounty whose lofty gifts hang within easy reach—

    fruits of goodness, his hand spread open wide;

  4. an imam who resolves perplexing problems, however obscure,

    abundant in insight, opening every fast-barred door.

  5. In the hidden depths of his learned proofs

    rise the first rays of the Sunna’s blazing light.

  6. He is the fairest in form among all humankind,

    and the firm handhold of religion’s glory—the faith of Muḥammad.

  7. His are the noblest ways; his are virtue and loftiness.

    His is the highest honor; through him the people are guided.

  8. Whenever you come to him, groping through dimness toward the fire of his bounty,

    you find the finest fire, and beside it the finest kindler.

  9. To you, O ʿAfīf al-Dīn, comes a bearer of humble service

    from afar: ʿAbd al-Raḥīm ibn Aḥmad,

  10. a young man of the Banū al-Asadī, who has come to you as a visitor

    to found a bond, not to renew one already made.

  11. He sought my intercession to draw near to you, in hope

    of beginning his studies under you, seeking God’s reward.

  12. So put a stranger at ease—may you never suffer exile—

    and further him through instruction, O best of helpers.

  13. May you endure, keeping home, neighbor, and sanctuary secure,

    praised in your endeavors, an overflowing, rain-laden cloud.

  14. Long may you abide, exalted in both place and station,

    as though a sun among the most auspicious mansions.

  15. And may you live as long as the collared dove of the preserve sings

    upon the tender boughs of al-Ayl in Thahmad’s ravine.

Sol 5.6