Sol 6.1

  1. Will someone convey, on my behalf, to Khamis and Hajiz

    the fruits of thoughts cast into rajaz verses?

  2. And tell them both, on my behalf and from me, this counsel,

    and an admonition—a safeguard tomorrow, guarding against sin.

  3. Lo, this world is only a noon resting-place for one who naps,

    and his hopes have become barren wastes and desert expanses.

  4. And every discerning person strives for the everlasting abode,

    and whoever is lazy and helpless is denied it.

  5. Lo, both of you, hasten toward God in fear and desire,

    with good hope, and implore Him for gifts.

  6. Keep company only with someone ever chaste,

    pure, gentle, keen of heart, and discerning,

  7. who is mindful of the Merciful in private and in public,

    and whom you find recoiling from what angers God.

  8. When a person's conduct is good, his companionship is good,

    and among people he becomes beloved and forgiving.

  9. And if a person seeks his Lord's pleasure,

    hearts leap toward him in love.

  10. And if a person is granted obedience to his Lord,

    he girds on a cleaving sword from the hand of God.

  11. Both of you, beware of backbiting; do not approach it,

    nor come near its prying and malicious jabs.

  12. And beware, both of you, of insinuation, for insinuation is a pit,

    into which falls whoever maligns people.

  13. For a man's slur upon another man's honor is rancor,

    rising as a stinging wind from God's decree.

  14. How many a faultfinder has met disgrace through faultfinding,

    wishing he had never been a faultfinder.

  15. Both of you, trust in Him: no trusting striver has failed.

    Yes, set right your deeds and what you accomplish.

  16. And repent to the Merciful with a sincere person's repentance,

    and do not utter insulting nicknames among believers.

  17. And fear tomorrow, the Day of Mutual Loss, for it

    is truly a piercing day that shows you a child grown gray-haired.

  18. And on it you find the ill-fated defeated in fortune,

    and on it you find the fortunate victorious in fortune.

  19. My God and the One I worship, I repent to You;

    lift from my back the sins that weigh upon it.

  20. Soften my heart with contentment; and my tears, from fear—

    let them flow, and fill my inward parts with trembling.

  21. For I have an eye whose tears have not flowed from fear,

    and a vigorous heart like hard stone and immovable rocks.

  22. In the meadow of wishes I graze like a beast,

    plucking the plants' blossoms defiantly [uncertain word].

  23. And I take fright only at the mourning women, after

    I see the biers between the shoulders of men.

  24. Lo, let divine guidance stand between me and my committing

    the sins that ruin me, as a barrier.

  25. And send blessings upon the guide, the Prophet Muhammad,

    as long as the camel-driver chants to the sturdy riding camels [epithet uncertain].

Sol 6.1