This poem, commonly known as “Tazawwad min al-Taqwā” (Take Provision from Piety), is reported in classical Arabic literature to have been said by Imam al‑Shafi‘i (d. 204 AH / 820 CE).

 

It is a timeless reflection on God-consciousness, reliance upon divine provision, the uncertainty of life, and the certainty of death.

 

Though preserved through literary tradition rather than strict hadith transmission, it has endured for centuries due to the truth of its message and the clarity of its wisdom, speaking powerfully to both classical and modern audiences.

 

 

تزودْ منَ التقوى فإنك لا تدري

إذا جَنَّ ليلٌ هل تعيشُ إلى الفجرِ

Take piety with you, your truest supply,

For when night falls, who knows if dawn draws night.

 

عليكَ بتقوى الله إن كنتَ غافلًا

يأتيكَ بالأرزاقِ من حيثُ لا تدري

Hold fast to God if heedless you’ve been led,

For رزق will reach you from paths never read.

 

فكيفَ تخافُ الفقرَ واللهُ رازقٌ

فقد رزقَ الطيرَ والحوتَ في البحرِ

Why fear for wealth when God does provide?

He feeds the bird in the sky, the fish in the tide.

 

ومن ظنَّ أنَّ الرزقَ يأتي بقوّةٍ

ما أكلَ العصفورُ شيئًا مع النسرِ

If strength alone brought provision to earn,

The sparrow would starve while eagles return.

 

تزولُ عنِ الدنيا فإنك لا تدري

إذا جَنَّ عليكَ الليلُ هل تعيشُ إلى الفجرِ

Release this world, its grip is unsure,

For night may arrive with no dawn to endure.

 

فكم من صحيحٍ مات من غيرِ علّةٍ

وكم من سقيمٍ عاش حينًا من الدهرِ

How many strong have fallen with no sign,

While the weak lived on through the stretch of time.

 

وكم من فتىً أمسى وأصبحَ ضاحكًا

وأكفانُه في الغيبِ تُنسَجُ وهو لا يدري

How many youths laugh night and day,

While unseen, their shrouds are stitched away.

 

وكم من صغارٍ يُرتجى طولُ عمرِهم

وقد أُدخلت أجسامُهم ظلمةَ القبرِ

How many children promised years and more,

Now rest in the dark behind death’s door.

 

وكم من عروسٍ زيَّنوها لزوجِها

وقد نُسِجَت أكفانُها وهي لا تدري

How many brides were dressed in delight,

While death prepared her gown out of sight.

 

فمَن عاش ألفًا وألفين

فلا بدَّ يومًا أن يسيرَ إلى القبرِ

Live a thousand years then double the span,

One day, every soul walks the grave’s dark land.