لِلّه أِخوان أَفادوا مَفخَراً

فَبِوَصلِهم وَوَفائِهم أَتكثر

God has brothers who were proud and helpful,

Through their loyalty and faithfulness they became abundant,

هُم ناطِقون بِغَير أَلسِنة تُرى

هُم فاحِصون عَن السَرائر تُضمر

They speak without tongues that can be seen,

They probe into secrets that lie hidden,

أَن أَبغِ مِن عرب وَمِن عَجَم مَعاً

علماً مَضى فيهِ الدَفاتر تخبر

Whether I seek knowledge from Arabs or non-Arabs together,

Knowledge that has surpassed volumes of books,

حَتّى كَأَنّي شاهد لِزَمانِها

وَلَقَد مَضَت مِن دون ذَلِكَ أَعصر

As if I was witness to its time,

And ages have passed without that,

خَطباء أَن أَبغ الخَطابة يَرتَقوا

كَفي ف كَفي لِلدَفاتر منبر

Orators, even if I seek the highest eloquence,

Enough! Enough! Let the books take the pulpit,

كَم قَد بَلَوت بِهِ الرِجالَ وَإِنَّما

عَقل الفَتى بِكِتاب علم يُسبَر

How much have I tested men with it, yet

A young man's intellect comes from studying illuminating books,

كَم قَد هَزمت بِهِ جَليساً مُبرَما

لا يَستَطيع لَهُ الهَزيمة عَسكَر

How much have I defeated a stalwart companion with it,

Whom no army can defeat.