طابتْ مطاعم من يحقر قدره

طابتْ مطاعم من يحقر قدره

فمضى على حكم الوجودِ وما سطا

فمضى على حكم الوجودِ وما سطا

Pleasant became the fare of one who belittles his own worth;

Happy are those who scorn their worth,

So he proceeded by the decree of existence and did not act violently.

And so accept the world's decree and rule.

طِّنب ففي التطنيب إن حققته

طِّنب ففي التطنيب إن حققته

متوّسِّماً بسماته كشفَ الغطا

متوّسِّماً بسماته كشفَ الغطا

Elaborate: in elaboration—if you truly grasp it,

Rejoice! For in rejoicing, if sincere,

Discerning it by its signs—lies the lifting of the veil.

Their traits betray them, lifting veils.

طبتم فطاب بك النعيمُ بحضرةٍ

طبتم فطاب بك النعيمُ بحضرةٍ

فاحذر من التحريفِ كن متوسِّطا

فاحذر من التحريفِ كن متوسِّطا

You have become pure, so through you bliss has grown sweet in a presence.

You rejoiced, and your joy made bliss thine

So beware of distortion; be moderate.

In a noble presence. Shun distorting truth,

طوبى له من مالكٍ متملكٍ

طوبى له من مالكٍ متملكٍ

جوَّابِ آفاقِ وعدٍ لا مُسقطا

جوَّابِ آفاقِ وعدٍ لا مُسقطا

Blessed is he, a master who takes possession,

But seek the mean. Blest is he, Lord of might,

Roaming the horizons of a promise without discarding it.

Answering horizons with unfailing promise.

طاعاته مردودةٌ في وجهه

طاعاته مردودةٌ في وجهه

لما أطاع وما رأى عين العطا

لما أطاع وما رأى عين العطا

His acts of obedience are thrown back in his face,

His acts of obedience return to bless his face

When he obeyed but did not see the essence of the gift.

Because he obeyed, and never sought reward.

طافَ اللبيبُ ببيته متديناً

طافَ اللبيبُ ببيته متديناً

متواضعاً متهذباً متثبطا

متواضعاً متهذباً متثبطا

The discerning man circled his house devoutly,

The wise man circles his abode devoutly,

Humble, well-mannered, and hesitant.

Humble, refined, restraining restless hands.

طربت به أيامه لما رأتْ

طربت به أيامه لما رأتْ

أن الخليفة في الحكومةِ أقسطا

أن الخليفة في الحكومةِ أقسطا

His days rejoiced in him when they saw

His days were gladdened when they saw

That the caliph acted justly in governance.

The Caliph ruling most justly.

طفئت مصابيح الهدى بهوائه

طفئت مصابيح الهدى بهوائه

وعلى مطا طرق العماء قد امتطى

وعلى مطا طرق العماء قد امتطى

The lamps of guidance were extinguished by his air,

The lamps of guidance were extinguished by his passion,

And upon the back of the paths of the cloud he has indeed ridden.

And he rode the bridle-less steed of the blind.

طاشتْ عقول ذوي النُّهى من سيره

طاشتْ عقول ذوي النُّهى من سيره

لما أتاه محرِّضاً ومنشطا

لما أتاه محرِّضاً ومنشطا

The minds of those endowed with reason reeled at his journey,

The minds of prudent men were crazed by his conduct

When he came to him, exhorting and invigorating.

When he incited and roused them.

طهِّر ثيابك فالطهور شريعةٌ

طهِّر ثيابك فالطهور شريعةٌ

جاءت بها الأرسال في ضَفَفِ الخطا

جاءت بها الأرسال في ضَفَفِ الخطا

Purify your garments, for purification is a religious law

Purify your clothes, for purity is law

Which the messengers brought amid a throng of footsteps.

Brought by prophets in pages of the Book.