إِذا كانَ ريبُ الدَهرِ غالَ إِمامَنا

فَلَم يُخطِهِ لَمّا رَماهُ فَأَقصَدا

If the passing days have made our leader dear,

If the treachery of Time has assassinated our Imam,

No arrow went astray when rightly aimed.

And missed him not when it took aim and struck him dead,

فَإِنَّ الَّذي كُنّا نُؤَمِّلُ بُعدُهُ

وَنَذخَرُهُ لِلنائِباتِ مُحَمَّدا

For he whose absence we bemoaned with fear,

Then he in whom we place our hopes for what comes after,

Preparing for the hour of need, was named

And whom we treasure against life's calamities, is Muhammad.

إِمامُ هُدىً عَمَّ الأَنامُ بِعَدلِهِ

وَجارَ عَلى الأَموالِ في الحُكمِ وَاعتَدى

Imam and guide whose justice filled the lands,

A leader of guidance, whose justice encompasses all mankind,

Yet raided wealth and ruled with heavy hands.

Who waged war on wealth in his rule, and transgressed all bounds,

فَأَبقاهُ رَبُّ الناسِ ماحَنَّ والِهٌ

وَما فَرفَرَ القُمرِيُّ يَوماً وَغَرَّدا

So God who cares for all has let him stay,

So may the Lord of the people preserve him, as long as a lover yearns,

While never has the moon's white banner strayed.

And as long as the turtledove flutters its wings and sings.