ولمَّا تَراءتْ كَعْبَةُ البيتِ كَعْبَةً

منَ الناسِ كَنَّتْها العُلى بأبي الفضْلِ

When the Kaaba of the house appeared as a Kaaba

Among the people, its summit was crowned by Abul Fadl

مَناسِكُها التَّأميلُ منْ غيرِ موْسِمٍ

يُخَصُّ ولا قوْلٍ يُحَدُّ ولا فِعْلِ

Its rites were veneration without a set season

That was specifically observed, or words that were limited, or deeds.

يَطوفُ بها العافونَ والمَحْلُ عارِقٌ

فيكْفيهُمُ إِحْسانُهُ شِرَّةَ المَحْلِ

The purified circle it while the sanctuary remains protected.

So their benevolence suffices the evil of the sanctuary.

بكَتْ شَجْوها أمُّ القُرى غُدْوَةَ النَّوى

وأبْدَتْ أسىً إذْ لم تَدُمْ مُدَّةَ الوصْلِ

The mother of towns wept its longing at the dawn of departure

And showed grief when the duration of union did not last.

فما الظَّنُ بالأنْسِ الطَّويلِ وبَلْدَةٍ

يجودُ بَنيها صوبُ فضْلٍ على فَضْلِ

What then is the thought of prolonged company and a town

Whose people excel in virtue over virtue?

كأنَّ زعيمَ الدِّينِ إذْ غابَ عنهُمُ

غَمامٌ تَعدَّى الهامِداتِ مع الهَطْلِ

As if the leader of the faith when he was absent from them

Was a cloud that crossed the permanent sands with rain.

غَزيرُ التُّقى لا يَحْرِصُ العِزُّ دينَهُ

ولا يَتَعدَّى بأسُهُ سُنَنَ العَدْلِ

Abundant in piety, he does not covet the glory of his religion,

Nor does his might transgress the ways of justice.