Sol 5.6

  1. Alif: Ali, Commander of the Faithful.

    Bāʾ: through him the pillar of certainty stands strong.

  2. Tāʾ: by his sword his enemies find their final abode.

    Thāʾ: he came to rest where al-Simāk shines.

  3. Jīm: in glory’s finest races, he ran ahead.

    Ḥāʾ: he encompassed sublimity while still a boy.

  4. Khāʾ: his enviers were cowed by fear of him.

    Dāl: he knew what no mortal ever attained.

  5. Dhāl: the crest of his glory rises above al-Suhā.

    Rāʾ: the reciter of his glories is an ʿAlid.

  6. Zāy: his sword swept error away from his face.

    Sīn: the path of his certainty is well pleasing.

  7. Shīn: his precedence outstripped the furthest reach of every rival.

    Ṣād: through him, religion’s path is straight.

  8. Ḍād: the radiance of his suns is the light of all creation.

    Ṭāʾ: his path in knowledge is prophetic.

  9. Ẓāʾ: the darkness of doubt recedes from him.

    ʿAyn: the den of his lions is inviolate.

  10. Ghayn: his sword’s keen edge is death to the foe.

    Fāʾ: broad of both palms, he is generous.

  11. Qāf: he followed the paths of the Chosen Prophet.

    Kāf: noble in lineage, a Qurashī.

  12. Lām: the begetter of war, his heights stand guarded.

    Mīm: unassailable on either side, God-fearing.

  13. Nūn: pure of heart, his edifice raised high.

    Wāw: the Chosen Prophet’s designated heir, rightly guided.

  14. Hāʾ: his Lord’s gift to His Prophet.

    Yāʾ: he upholds the faith and is well pleasing.

  15. Ibn ʿAbbād offered him this composition—

    a radiant one no Shiʿi had ever conceived.

  16. Through it he hopes for gracious intercession with him,

    true in allegiance, a monotheist, an adherent of divine justice.

  17. I brought it forth extempore, like a bride;

    so let the Kufan hasten to chant it.

Sol 5.6