They stoked the fervor of their faction who were present and tried [to overcome you] (1) once they had singled you out.

So you rose up, seeking refuge in your Lord, confident, placing your trust in Him, extolling and praising Him.

To Him alone you dedicated that trust, certain that whoever implores His help is never forsaken.

You then sought God’s guidance and opening in the matters you wished to attain and pursue.

From Him came tender favors and subtle kindnesses—time itself may vanish, yet their remembrance will never be exhausted.

God’s help reached you, and the victory He had promised in full was granted.

You leapt forward like one uprising for Allah, heedless of the masses they had mustered and the troops they had marshaled.

From the treasury of knowledge you unveiled deep mysteries that, had it not been for you, would have been lost.

You made them hear (2) what they had never heard before and brought them insights they had never anticipated.

You cited and transmitted the texts verbatim, supported by uninterrupted chains—what a magnificent authority you are!

Their chests tightened at the thought of questioning them; stunned by what they heard, they lapsed into bewilderment.

There appeared to them what they had never reckoned—things that distressed and depressed them.

Rejoice, then, in a trial whose folds concealed gifts—gifts even the stubborn denier was forced to acknowledge.

Through it you attained glory and secured exploits that gladdened the loyal companions and plunged the envying into grief.

In that ordeal you became like Ibn Ḥanbal, tracing the fair path he blazed and renewing it.

You extinguished a fire of ignorance which, but for your striving and exertion, I would never have thought could be put out.