نَبلُ الرَّدى يقصِدْن قصدَكْ

فأحِدَّ قبْلَ الموت حدَّكْ

The arrows of fate are aimed at you,

So sharpen yourself before death sharpens you.

قدْ عدَّ قبْلَكَ مَنْ رأيْ

تَ ولسْتَ تلْبثُ أن يَعُدَّكْ

Many have been counted before you,

And soon you will be counted too.

فدعِ البِطالةَ والغوا

يةَ جانباً وعليْكَ رُشْدَكْ

Leave laziness and heedlessness aside,

And focus on your rationality.

فكأنني بك قد نُعي

تَ وقد بكى الباكُون فقْدَك

It’s as if I see you have passed,

And the mourners cried for your loss.

وتركْتَ منزِلَكَ المشي

دَ مُعَطَّلاً وسكَنْتَ لحدَك

You left your frequented home deserted,

And settled into your grave.

وخلوْتَ في بيتِ البلى

وخَلا بِك المَلكانِ وحْدَك

You resided alone in the house of decay,

With only the Angels to accompany you.

وسلاك أهلُك كلُّهم

ونسوْا على الأيامِ عَهْدَك

Your family, all of them forgot you,

And disregarded your days among them.

يتمتَّعُونَ بما جمعْ

تَ ولا يَرَوْن عليه حمدَك

They enjoy what you gathered,

But do not acknowledge your efforts.

مُتمهّدون وأنت تح

ت الرَّمْس يَرْعَى الدُّودُ جِلْدَك

Laid out in luxury while you

Lie under dirt, as worms feast on your flesh.

قد سلَّموك إلى الضَّري

حِ ووسَّدُوا بالتّرْبِ خَدَّك

They surrendered you to the coffin,

And propped your cheeks with soil.

كم قدْ دَفَنْتَ أحِبَّةً

حَلُّوا محلَّ النفسِ عندَك

How many loved ones have you buried?

Who once held a special place in your heart.

انظُرْ إلى أهليهمُ

فكذلك الباقون بعْدَك

Look to their families,

For so shall be those left after you.

فانظُر لنفسكَ مُعْمِلاً

فيما يُحبُّ اللَّهُ جُهْدَك

So take account of yourself,

And what God loves for you to strive in.