1. يا سيدي قلْ ليَ ما طائفةٌ

    يثني عليها غائبٌ وشاهد

    My lord, tell me: what group is it

    that the absent and the present alike praise?

  2. لله ما أيمنها في غربة

    ترجى وما أبركها يا قاصد

    God be praised, how auspicious it is far from home,

    where it is hoped for—and how blessed it is, O seeker!

  3. تنوّع القولُ فقيل أربعٌ

    حروفها وقيل حرفٌ واحد

    Opinions differed: it was said to have four

    letters, and it was said to be a single letter.