The Sunnah of the Chosen One now lies without a champion to defend it; the danger we most fear is an innovation that betrays. (1)

He espoused the doctrine of Imām al-Shāfiʿī (2) and thus became the cure for every debater’s tongue-tied bewilderment. (3)

He slammed shut the door of misguidance that leads to corporealism and repelled the specious claims of those who liken the Creator to His creation.

The author of these lines was killed at Acre in the year 585 AH.

Among the verses of the ḥāfiẓ Abū al-Qāsim are:

Indeed, ḥadīth is the most exalted science,
and its noblest part is the aḥādīth al-ʿawālī—reports with lofty chains.
Of all its varieties, the most useful to me—and the finest—
are the collected benefits and the amālī (dictations). (4)
You will never find anything in the pursuit of knowledge
that authenticates it like the mouths of living teachers.
So, my friend, be eager for it;
take it from the shaykhs without growing weary.
Do not seek it in loose pages, lest you be struck
by the chronic ailment of copyist error. (5)

He also said:

O my soul—woe to you!—grey hairs have appeared;
what place is there now for childish frolic and amorous talk?