His Supplication in Repelling Enemies

he would see me; and what came down upon his courtyard- had it not been for Thy mercy -was on the point of coming down upon me! 9- How many an evier haschoked upon me in his agony, fumed over me in his rage, cut me with the edge of his tongue, showed malice toward me by accusing me of his own faults, made my good repute the target of his shots, collared me with his own constant defects, showed malice toward me with his trickery, and aimed at me with his tricks! 10- So I called upon Thee, my God, seeking aid from Thee, trusting in the speed of Thy response, knowing thathe who seeks haven in the shadow of Thy wingwill not be mistreated, and he who seeks asylum in the stronghold ofThy victory will not be frightened. So Thou fortified me against his severity through Thy power. 11- How manya cloud of detested things Thou hast dispelled from me, a cloud of favour Thou hast made rain down upon me, a stream of mercy Thou hast let flow, a well-being in which Thou hast clothed me, an eye of mishap Thou hast blinded, and a wrap of distress Thou hast removed! 12- How manya good opinion Thou hast verified, a destitution Thou hast redressed, an infirmity Thou hast restored to health, and a misery Thou hast transformed! 13- All of that was favour and graciousness from Thee, and in all of it I was occupiedwith acts of disobeying Thee. My evildoing did not hinder Theefrom completing Thy beneficence, nor was I stoppedfrom committing acts displeasing to Thee. Thou art not questioned as to what Thou dost! 1 14- Thou wert asked, and Thou bestowed. Thou wert not asked, and Thou began. Thy bounty was requested, and Thou didst not skimp. Thou refused, my Master, everything butbeneficence, kindness, graciousness, and favour, and I refused everything but plunging into what Thou hast made unlawful, transgressing Thy bounds, and paying no heed to Thy threat! So Thine is the praise, my God, the All-powerful who is not overcome, and the Possessor of patient waiting who does not hurry! 15- This is the station of one who confesses to lavishness of favours, counters them with shortcomings, and bears witness to his own negligence. 16- O God, so I seek nearness to Thee throughthe elevated rank of Muhammadand the radiant degree of 'Ali, and I turn to Thee through themso that Thou wilt give me refugefrom the evil of [so and so], 2for that will not constrain Thee in Thy wealth, nor trouble Thee in Thy power, andThou art powerful over everything! 3 17- So give me, my God, by Thy mercy and Thy lasting bestowal of success, that which I may take as a ladderwith which to climb to Thy good pleasureand be secure from Thy punishment, O Most merciful of the merciful!