أَلاBehold إِنَّماonly الدُنياthis world مَطيَّةُa riding mount بُلغَةٍa means of reaching one's destination
أَلا إِنَّما الدُنيا مَطيَّةُ بُلغَةٍ
عَلاclimbed راكِبوهاits riders فَوقَatop أَعوجَcrooked أَحدَباhumpbacked
عَلا راكِبوها فَوقَ أَعوجَ أَحدَبا
Behold, the world is merely a mount—a means sufficient for the journey;
Behold, this world is but a mount to carry you to your destination.
its riders sit astride a crooked, humpbacked beast.
Its riders have climbed atop a crooked, humpbacked beast.
شموسٌunruly مَتىwhenever أَعطَتكَit gives you طَوعاًwillingly زِمامَهاits reins
شموسٌ مَتى أَعطَتكَ طَوعاً زِمامَها
فَكُنthen be للأَذىfor harm مِنfrom عَسفِهاits rough treatment مُتَرَقِّباwatchful
فَكُن للأَذى مِن عَسفِها مُتَرَقِّبا
Headstrong—whenever it yields its rein to you obediently,
It is unruly: whenever it willingly gives you its reins,
be on your guard for harm from its cruel waywardness.
then be watchful for harm from its rough treatment.
