گفت تا سالی نخواهم خورد آب ** آنچنان کرد و خدایش داد تاب
He said, “For a year I will not drink water.” He acted accordingly, and God bestowed on him the power (to abstain).
این کمینه جهد او بد بهر دین ** گشت او سلطان و قطب العارفین
This was his least penance for the Religion’s sake: he became a (spiritual) sultan and the Pole of the Gnostics.
چون بریده شد برای حلق دست ** مرد زاهد را در شکوی ببست
Since the ascetic’s hand had been cut off by reason of his gullet (appetite), he closed the door of complaint.
شیخ اقطع گشت نامش پیش خلق ** کرد معروفش بدین آفات حلق
His name amongst the people came to be Shaykh Aqta’:the calamities (which he suffered because) of his gullet made him well-known by this (name).
کرامات شیخ اقطع و زنبیل بافتن او بدو دست
The miraculous gifts of Shaykh Aqta’, and how he used to weave palm-leaf baskets with both hands.
در عریش او را یکی زایر بیافت ** کو بهر دو دست می زنبیل بافت1705
A visitor found him in his hut, (and saw) that he was weaving a basket with both hands.
گفت او را ای عدو جان خویش ** در عریشم آمده سر کرده پیش
He (the Shaykh) said to him, “O enemy of thine own life, who hast come putting thy head into my hut.
این چراکردی شتاب اندر سباق ** گفت از افراط مهر و اشتیاق
Why hast thou made such hot haste?” He replied, “From excess of love and longing.”
پس تبسم کرد و گفت اکنون بیا ** لیک مخفی دار این را ای کیا
Then he (the Shaykh) smiled and said, “Now come in, but keep this (thing) secret, O noble sir.
تا نمیرم من مگو این با کسی ** نه قرینی نه حبیبی نه خسی
Till I die, do not tell this to any one, neither to a comrade nor to a beloved nor to a worthless fellow.”
بعد از آن قومی دگر از روزنش ** مطلع گشتند بر بافیدنش1710
Afterwards other folk, (looking) through his window, became acquainted with his weaving.
گفت حکمت را تو دانی کردگار ** من کنم پنهان تو کردی آشکار
He said, “O Creator, Thou knowest the wisdom (the purpose in this). I conceal (my secret), Thou hast revealed it.”
آمد الهامش که یکچندی بدند ** که درین غم بر تو منکر می‌شدند
The Divine inspiration came to him: “There were a number of people who were beginning to disbelieve in thee in (consequence of) this affliction,
که مگر سالوس بود او در طریق ** که خدا رسواش کرد اندر فریق
Saying, ‘Perchance he was a hypocrite in the Way (of God), so that God made him infamous among humankind.’
من نخواهم کان رمه کافر شوند ** در ضلالت در گمان بد روند
I don not wish that that party should become infidels and in thinking evil (of thee) fall into perdition;
این کرامت را بکردیم آشکار ** که دهیمت دست اندر وقت کار1715
(Hence) We divulged this miracle- (namely), that We give thee a hand in thy working-time-
تا که آن بیچارگان بد گمان ** رد نگردند از جناب آسمان
To the end that these wretched evil-thinking men may not be turned back from the Lord of Heaven.
من ترا بی این کرامتها ز پیش ** خود تسلی دادمی از ذات خویش
Erstwhile, indeed, without these miracles I was giving thee consolation from My Person;
این کرامت بهر ایشان دادمت ** وین چراغ از بهر آن بنهادمت
This miracle I have given thee for their sake, and on that account have I bestowed on thee this (spiritual) lamp.
تو از آن بگذشته‌ای کز مرگ تن ** ترسی وز تفریق اجزای بدن
Thou art past being afraid of bodily death and dismemberment of the limbs.
وهم تفریق سر و پا از تو رفت ** دفع وهم اسپر رسیدت نیک زفت1720
Vain imagination concerning the dismemberment of head and foot has gone from thee: there has come to thee, for a defence against imagination, a shield exceeding strong.”
سبب جرات ساحران فرعون بر قطع دست و پا
The reason why the magicians of Pharaoh had courage to suffer the amputation of their hands and feet.
ساحران را نه که فرعون لعین ** کرد تهدید سیاست بر زمین
Is it not (the fact) that the accursed Pharaoh threatened (the magicians with) punishment on the earth,
که ببرم دست و پاتان از خلاف ** پس در آویزم ندارمتان معاف
Saying, “I will cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, then I will hang you up: I will not hold you exempt (from punishment)”?
او همی‌پنداشت کایشان در همان ** وهم و تخویفند و وسواس و گمان
He thought that they were (still) in the same imagination and terror and distraction and doubt,
که بودشان لرزه و تخویف و ترس ** از توهمها و تهدیدات نفس
So that they would be trembling and terrified and affrighted by the vain imaginings and threats of the carnal soul.
او نمی‌داست کایشان رسته‌اند ** بر دریچه‌ی نور دل بنشسته‌اند1725
He did not know that they had been delivered and were seated at the window of the light of the heart;