الْمَقَامَةُ القهقرية

The narrator said: When he proclaimed his unique message, and his beneficial advice.

Olùpatan náà sọ pé: Nígbà tí ó kéde ọrọ rẹ̀ tódárajù lọ yìí, àti ìmọ̀ràn rẹ̀ tó wúlò.

We learned how creation is distinguished, and that virtue is in the hands of God, who gives it to whom He wills.

A kọ́ bí ẹ̀dá ṣe yàtọ̀, àti pé ọlá wà ní ọwọ́ Ọlọ́run, ẹni tí ó ba wun ní fún un.

Then each of us clung to his tail.

Lẹ́yìn náà, gbogbo wa dì mọ́ irun ẹ̀yìn rẹ̀.

And he gave him a piece of his achievement.

Ó fún un ní apá kan nínú àṣeyọrí rẹ̀.

He refused to accept my piece.

Ó kọ láti gba apá mi.

He said: I do not take from my students.

Ó sọ pé: Mi ò gbà láti ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn ọmọ ẹ̀kọ́ mi.

I said to him: Be like Abu Zayd despite your pale complexion.

Mo sọ fún un pé: Jẹ́ bí Abu Seidu lórí ìbàjẹ́ awọ rẹ.

And the dryness of your cheeks.

Àti gbígbẹ omi ẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ́ rẹ.

He said: I am him despite my thinness and roughness.

Ó sọ pé: Èmi ni ó jẹ́ lórí gbígbẹ mi àti ìdọtí mi.

And the harshness of my condition.

Àti ìbàjẹ́ ipo mi.