[Rida]

Shall I call you my prince; or shall I say ‘my Master?
I must say that you are the most beautiful flower in Khalil’s garden [1]

I am a wretch, among the unfortunate; and thou art the treasure of hope
You are the very soul of hope and the wellspring of aspiration

You are the most vibrant flower from a blessed and hallowed garden
You are the comfort to the pain of the yearning nightingale

Shall I favor the night of a stranger upon the day in his own land,
I hail thee as the one with kind and generous, bestowing forelocks.

By Allāh! the radiance of your lightsome body,
O the life of my life! thou art the life of light!

You are the spotless tulip, the unstained moon
A thornless flower, the pride and glory of the garden

I am a sinner and I must make provisions for my salvation,
So, I hail thee as my intercessor on Judgement day.

Shan’t I give glad tidings of an eternal life to this lifeless heart -
You are the strength, the vigor and soul of the messiah.

Your attributes are free from every flaw,
I am perplexed my Master! What shall I call thee?

The speechlessness of his admirer will tell all -
I keep quiet thus, after having said: ‘How can I describe thee?’

Yet, Ridha ends his speech by saying this:
You are the Servant of the Creator, and the Master of the created.

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[1] Refers to Sayyidna Ibrahim (alayhis salaam)
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Translated by Siddi Abu Hasan