[This article is written by Emad Mohamed Abd El-Hamid Fadel]
The following is one of the poems of Imam Ash-Shafi`I, the famous Imam of Fiqh. It was reported that he was talented in saying good poems. I translated the following poem for the English readers. I did my best to convey the meaning of the Arabic poem.
Imam Ash-Shafi`i said:
Let the days run the way they want,
Happily accept the destiny of God, no matter what was it.
Show no panic toward the hardships of night,
For such worldly hardships shall not last.
Be a tough one in facing your fears,
Be patient, forgiving, and loyal;
If you have many shortcomings evident to humanity
And you would like to hide them
Wrap yourself with generosity—
It is said to be a cover for every defect.
Do not beg generosity from someone stingy,
For one does not seek water from fire.
Your daily provisions will not decrease if you are slow in seeking them,
Nor do they increase if you are anxious about them.
Sadness does not remain indefinitely, but neither does happiness;