ماwhat الظنّthe supposition ياO بوAbu (father of) محمدMuhammad فيamong الأنامhumankind يصيرcomes to be
ما الظنّ يا بو محمد في الأنام يصير
مثلكone like you حكيمa sage بعلّاتof the afflictions الزمانtime بصيرdiscerning
مثلك حكيم بعلّات الزمان بصير
What do you think, Abu Muhammad—could there arise among humankind
What do you think, O Bu Muhammad, will happen to people
A sage like you, discerning the ills of time?
Someone like you, wise, knowing the ways of time,
وبعدand now ياO منwho بعفوهthrough his clemency يغفرforgives التقصيرshortcomings
وبعد يا من بعفوه يغفر التقصير
لاdo not تخشَfear إنif حاولتassail عزَّكyour might ملوكkings المالwealth
لا تخشَ إن حاولت عزَّك ملوك المال
And now, O you who forgive shortcomings through your clemency:
And after, O you who with your pardon forgives shortcomings,
Fear not if the kings of wealth assail your might.
Do not fear if the kings of wealth attempt your glory,
اِحكمrule بماas شئتyou wish واِنهيand forbid فالطويلfor the tall قصيرis short
اِحكم بما شئت واِنهي فالطويل قصير
Rule as you wish, and forbid; for the tall is short.
Judge as you wish and end it, for the long is short