وَقَالَ (عليه السلام):
Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, said:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّى أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ تُحَسِّنَ فِى لَامِعَةِ الْعُيُونِ عَلَانِيَتِى
O My God, I seek Your protection from this that I may appear to be good in the eyes of the people
وَ تُقَبِّحَ فِيمَا أُبْطِنُ لَكَ سَرِيرَتِى
whilst my inward self may be sinful before You,
مُحَافِظاً عَلَى رِثَاءِ النَّاسِ مِنْ نَفْسِى
and that I may guard myself (from sins) only for show before the people
بِجَمِيعِ مَا أَنْتَ مُطَّلِعٌ عَلَيْهِ مِنِّى
although You are aware of all about me.
فَأُبْدِيَ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنَ ظَاهِرِى
Thus, I appear before the people in good shape
وَ أُفْضِيَ إِلَيْكَ بِسُوءِ عَمَلِى
although my evil deeds are placed before You.
تَقَرُّباً إِلَى عِبَادِكَ
This means achieving nearness to Your creatures
وَ تَبَاعُداً مِنْ مَرْضَاتِكَ .
but remoteness from Your pleasure.
