كَم أَديبٍ فَطِنٍ عالِمِ

مُستَكمِلِ العَقلِ مُقِّلٍ عَديمِ

How many an astute scholar

How many a cultured man, astute and learned,

Full of wisdom, little wealth to his name

With perfected intellect, yet a pauper and destitute,

وَمِن جَهولٌ مُكثِرٍ مالَهُ

ذَلِكَ تَقديرُ العَزيزُ العَليمِ

While an ignorant owns vast riches

And how many an ignoramus possessing abundant wealth;

Such is the decree of the Almighty, the Wise

That is the decree of the Almighty, the All-Knowing.