ومن كمثل عليّ في وزارته

أغنى عن الملك أو أحنى على البشرِ

And who can compare with ʿAlī in his ministry—

who better relieved the king of need, or bent more tenderly over humankind?

ومن كمثل عليَّ في إدارته

أرضى عن الله أو أغضى عن الكبرِ

And who can compare with ʿAlī in his governance—

more content with God, or more willing to overlook arrogance?

ومن كمثل عليّ في سياسته

أهدى إلى النفع أو أعدى على الضررِ

And who can compare with ʿAlī in his statecraft—

who guided more surely toward benefit, or was a fiercer foe to harm?