والدَّهرُ رامٍ ليسَ يأمنُ عاقلٌ

والدَّهرُ رامٍ ليسَ يأمنُ عاقلٌ

من قوسه التّوتيرَ مَهْما أنْبضا

من قوسه التّوتيرَ مَهْما أنْبضا

And Time is an archer; no wise man feels safe

And time aims, no wise man feels secure

from the drawing of his bow, whenever he twangs it.

From its tense bow, no matter how relaxed

وا حَسْرتا لرّداهُ لولا أنّه

وا حَسْرتا لرّداهُ لولا أنّه

حكمُ الإلهِ ولا مَردَّ لما قضى

حكمُ الإلهِ ولا مَردَّ لما قضى

Alas for his death—were it not that it is

Oh what regrets for its caprice were it not

God’s decree, and there is no reversing what He has ordained.

For God's decree - no changing what is ordained