God’s pardon we ask, beginning our poem,
Lord of all that there is, divine on His throne
That He, each error I make, might condone:
One who looks to the Lord, his hope will endure.

If only you’ll hear the advice I provide,
The length of your life will be lived out with pride,
And the Garden is what you will gain when you’ve died,
But each follows the path of his own inclination.

If by chance you’re chosen to judge between men,
Let your judgment not waver though one be your friend,
For the Lord, on His throne, is our judge in the end,
And where can we turn from His stern condenmation?

Don’t rejoice over life though your riches be great,
For what’s really at hand is the end of your life,
And your actions keep secret, don’t share with your wife:
How often a wife’s brought a man to low station.

Don’t rejoice over life though you’ve reached highest station
For the lowest—the grave—is our last habitation,
Envy not others, we’re all God’s creation
And those who build dwellings, their shelter is sure.

Do not defy God, but obey and be humble,.
At your back is the grave, that abode ever hateful,
Where the worm eats your flesh like pasture so tasteful,
While your bones, interred, end in disintegration…

Render Allah His due with perfect completion:
Pilgrimage, prayer, and the Fast obligation;
The oath – God is one – of the Muslim nation;
And the alms we’re commanded to give to the poor..

These five are a duty, upon us incumbent,
Taught by Muhammad,° the herald that God sent;
I hope I will always perform His commandment:
An obeying soul’s place in the Garden’s secure.

Disappoint not the needy expecting your dole
Wealth’s but a boon come to rescue your soul,
And don’t treat men’s deeds, as if all equal all:
Each illness requires its own proper cure.

Be neither too sad when grief should embitter,
Nor overly happy when gladdened by pleasure;
Life is like that—sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter:
The world is all willed by God the Creator.

Who drinks with his own hand will know when he’s slaked,
So look only to God—not to people—for aid;
It is He who sustains whomever He deigns
If you’re needy, appeal not to man’s dispensation.

Fear not the truth, for the truth is what God sent,
But rather fear God and His warnings of torment.
That day when each soul reads his book before judgment,
When every soul goes through dire trepidation.

Don’t compel Allah’s creatures: instead, treat them kind,.
And if you feel strong, in no need, never mind,
For if you should fall within fate’s certain bind,
It’s the Lord you’ll ask to relieve your affliction.

To be aware that your heart is your guide as you go:
It will indicate who is your friend, who your foe;
And beautiful patience I advise you to know:
When misfortune befalls it will help you endure.

Do not buy cheap goods if you’re looking for gain,
And never fear death if you’re looking for fame,
And don’t commit sins if the Garden’s your aim:
Your life will be followed with just compensation.

Do bad turns to foes though five hundred in number;
But accede to your wife when asked for a favour;
When delivering evil consider the danger:
Restrain your desires and your soul’s agitation.

Throw no stone on the path where you’re taking a trip,
It will make either you or a friend of yours slip,.
And heed not a foe if your friend he would slur:
Though your friend may have faults, they’re for you to endure..

For the end of my verse, I, the Prophet recall:.
Muhammad—of those sent to bring us God’s call.
God’s blessing upon them—upon one and all;
Any law but Muhammad’s, we’ll surely abjure.