سَعَوْا لاَرُعُوا في جَلْبِ كُلِّ مَضَرَّةٍ

وَكادُوا وما كَادُوا يَنَالُونَ مَقْصِدا

They strove to graze in gathering every harm,

And nearly did they attain their goal.

وَلَمْ يَدَعوا بَاباً مِنَ الْبَغْيِ مُرْتَجاً

وَلاَ تركوا سَيْفاً مِنَ الظُّلْم مُغْمَدا

They left no door of oppression unopened,

Nor did they leave a sword of injustice sheathed.

وَقَالُوا ضَعُوا عِلْمَ الْفَتَى إِنَّ عِلْمَهُ

غَدَا مُتْهِماً بَيْنَ الأنامِ ومُنْجِدا

They said, "Diminish the knowledge of the youth,

For his knowledge tomorrow will indict him and assist."

فَقُلْتُ لَهُمْ مَنْ يَرْفَع اللهُ شَاوَهُ

سَيَحْميهِ مِنْ وَضْعٍ وإنْ رَغِمَ الْعِدَا

I said to them, "He whom God raises his worth,

Will be protected from diminishment even if the enemies hate.

وإنْ يُرِدِ الرَّحْمنُ نَشْرَ فَضِلَةٍ

أَقامَ لَها بَيْنَ الْبَرِيَّةِ حُسَّدا

And if the Merciful wants to spread a virtue,

He will establish for it among humanity an envier."