لا عيبَ بالبَصرة مُستهجنٌ

لا عيبَ بالبَصرة مُستهجنٌ

إلاَّ وجودُ الشَّيخ مفتيها

إلاَّ وجودُ الشَّيخ مفتيها

There is no reprehensible fault in Basra,

No fault in Basra is more jarring

Except the presence of the sheikh, its mufti.

Than the presence of its mufti there

تظنّه النجْديّ بأفعاله

تظنّه النجْديّ بأفعاله

لأنَّه أحيَلُ من فيها

لأنَّه أحيَلُ من فيها

You would think him the Najdi by his deeds,

You'd think him from Nejd by his deeds

For he is the craftiest of all who are there.

For he's craftier than all who dwell there