وحيَّةٍand a serpent فيin رأسهاits head دُرَّةٌa pearl
وحيَّةٍ في رأسها دُرَّةٌ
تسبحit swims فيin بحرٍa sea قصيرshort المدَىextent
تسبح في بحرٍ قصير المدَى
And a serpent with a pearl upon its head
A snake with a pearl in its head
Swims in a sea of limited extent.
Swimming in a sea of little expanse
إنif بَعُدتit moved away كانwas العمىblindness حاضراًpresent
إن بَعُدت كان العمى حاضراً
وإنand if دنتit drew near بانbecame clear طريقthe path الهدىguidance
وإن دنت بان طريق الهدى
If it moves away, blindness is present;
If it strays far, blindness is present
And if it draws near, the path of guidance becomes clear.
If it draws near, the path of guidance appears