None knows the quiddities of the attributes of (Divine) Perfection except through (their) effects and by means of comparison.
طفل ماهیت نداند طمث را ** جز که گویی هست چون حلوا ترا
The child does not know the quiddity of concubitus, except that you say, “It is like sweetmeat to thee.” [The child does not know the quiddity of sexual intercourse, except that you say, “it is like sweetmeat to thee.”]
کی بود ماهیت ذوق جماع ** مثل ماهیات حلوا ای مطاع
How should the quiddity of the pleasure of sexual intercourse be like the quiddities of sweetmeat, O master?
لیک نسبت کرد از روی خوشی ** با تو آن عاقل چو تو کودک‌وشی
But, since you are childish, that intelligent man offered you the analogy respecting the sweetness (of it),
تا بداند کودک آن را از مثال ** گر نداند ماهیت یا عین حال3640
In order that the child might know it by comparison, though he does not know the quiddity or essence of the matter.
پس اگر گویی بدانم دور نیست ** ور ندانم گفت کذب و زور نیست
Therefore, if you say “I know,” ’tis not far (from the truth); and if you say, “I do not know,” ’tis not a lie and a falsehood.
گر کسی گوید که دانی نوح را ** آن رسول حق و نور روح را
If some one say (to you), “Do you know Noah, the Messenger of God and the Light of the spirit?”—
گر بگویی چون ندانم کان قمر ** هست از خورشید و مه مشهورتر
And if you reply, “How should not I know (him)? for that (spiritual) Moon is more celebrated than the sun and moon:
کودکان خرد در کتابها ** و آن امامان جمله در محرابها
The little children at school and all the Imáms in the mosques
نام او خوانند در قرآن صریح ** قصه‌اش گویند از ماضی فصیح3645
Recite his name distinctly in the Qur’án and tell plainly his story (as it has come down) from the past”—