Why does the soul cry over the Herein albeit knowing
That happiness obtains by relinquishing that which pertains to it?
No home there is for us to dwell in after death
Except the one we have already been building.
If we build it with goodness,
Pleasing the settlement will then feel.
But if we build it with evil,
Lost are the builder and the building.
Our lot for heirs we gather ..
Our homes for the vicissitudes of time we establish ..
Where are those kings who used to boastfully give orders
Till the angel of death has poured death upon them?
How numerous were the cities built upon the horizon
But now they eventually disappeared along with their dwellers.
Succumb not to this world and its elements,
For death will undoubtedly end us and end it.
Every soul, however fearful of death,
Tend to tarry with hopes and expectations.
We joyfully entertain it but then time comes carrying a scythe.
We give free rein to it but then death brings an ending to all.
Hoard good and pure ethical conduct:
Religion comes first of all, Intellect second to it
Knowledge third, Tolerance fourth
Generosity fifth, Graciousness sixth
Rescuing people seventh, Gratitude eighth
Patience ninth, Gentleness will finally attest and warrant.
The soul must know I am not going to trust it
I should take the wise step of going against it
Because I work for the world of tomorrow [the Hereafter]
To truly please The Owner
The neighbour is Ahmed [in Heaven]
And The Merciful is the creator of Heaven
Whose palaces are of gold,
Its soil is heavenly perfumed
The grass grows forever green along with good saffrons
The rivers are milky, pure and honeyed
The wine is heavenly flowing with sweet nectar cannaled
The birds flutter and warble amid the tree branches,
Praising The Lord loudly in their hymnings ..
Behold, he/she who feels like buying a home in The Gardens
Should then harken sincerely to arise and awake their souls
With prayers revived and invoked in the middle of the night.
📚Note: This poem is said to have been written by Imām Ali Ibn Abī Tālib.
English version proposed by Chokri Omri
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