وانک خواهی کز بلااش وا خری ** جان او را در تضرع آوری
And (on the other hand) Thou dost lead to humble entreaty the spirit of him whom Thou wishest to redeem from affliction.
گفتهای اندر نبی که آن امتان ** که بریشان آمد آن قهر گران
Thou hast said in the Qur’án that (as regards) those peoples on which that heavy vengeance fell,
چون تضرع مینکردند آن نفس ** تا بلا زیشان بگشتی باز پس 1605
’Twas because at that moment they would not make humble entreaty that the affliction might be averted from them;
لیک دلهاشان چون قاسی گشته بود ** آن گنههاشان عبادت مینمود
But since their hearts had been hardened, their sins appeared (to them) as obedient service (rendered to God).
تا نداند خویش را مجرم عنید ** آب از چشمش کجا داند دوید
Until the sinner deems himself rebellious, how can tears run from his eye?
قصهی قوم یونس علیهالسلام بیان و برهان آنست کی تضرع و زاری دافع بلای آسمانیست و حق تعالی فاعل مختارست پس تضرع و تعظیم پیش او مفید باشد و فلاسفه گویند فاعل به طبع است و بعلت نه مختار پر تضرع طبع را نگرداند
The Story of the people of Yúnus (Jonah), on whom be peace, is a demonstration and manifest proof that humble entreaty and lamentation avert affliction sent from Heaven. And God most High acts by free choice: therefore humble entreaty and reverence avail with Him. The philosophers, however, say that He acts by (the necessity of His) nature and as a cause, not by free choice: therefore humble entreaty (is useless, for it) cannot alter nature.
قوم یونس را چو پیدا شد بلا ** ابر پر آتش جدا شد از سما
When the affliction became visible to the people of Yúnus, a cloud full of fire departed (descended) from heaven.
برق میانداخت میسوزید سنگ ** ابر میغرید رخ میریخت رنگ
It was shooting (flashes of) lightning, the rocks were burning; the cloud was roaring, cheeks were shedding colour.
جملگان بر بامها بودند شب ** که پدید آمد ز بالا آن کرب 1610
All (the people) were on the roofs at night, when that woe came into view from on high.
جملگان از بامها زیر آمدند ** سر برهنه جانب صحرا شدند
All came down from the roofs and went bare-headed towards the open country.
مادران بچگان برون انداختند ** تا همه ناله و نفیر افراختند
Mothers cast out their children, that all might raise wailing and distressful cries.