نیست را چه جای بالا است و زیر ** نیست را نه زود و نه دورست و دیر4515
What room hath non-existence for “up” and “down”? Non-existence hath no “soon” or “far” or “late.”
کارگاه و گنج حق در نیستیست ** غره‌ی هستی چه دانی نیست چیست
The laboratory and treasure of God is in non-existence. Thou art deluded by existence: how shouldst thou know what non-existence is?
حاصل این اشکست ایشان ای کیا ** می‌نماند هیچ با اشکست ما
The sum of the matter (is that) this defeat of theirs, O sire, does not resemble our defeat at all.
آنچنان شادند در ذل و تلف ** همچو ما در وقت اقبال و شرف
They rejoice in being abased and destroyed, just as we (rejoice) in the hour of success and honour.
برگ بی‌برگی همه اقطاع اوست ** فقر و خواریش افتخارست و علوست
The provision of unprovidedness is all (that has been assigned to the Prophet as) his fief: poverty and lowliness are his pride and glory.
آن یکی گفت ار چنانست آن ندید ** چون بخندید او که ما را بسته دید4520
One (of the captives) said, “If that adversary (of ours) is such (as you describe), how did he laugh when he saw us bound (in chains)?
چونک او مبدل شدست و شادیش ** نیست زین زندان و زین آزادیش
Since (as you assert) he has been transmuted, and (since) his joy is not caused by this (worldly) prison and this freedom of his (from worldly embarrassments),
پس به قهر دشمنان چون شاد شد ** چون ازین فتح و ظفر پر باد شد
How, then, did he rejoice at the subjection of (his) enemies? How was he puffed up by this victory and conquest?
شاد شد جانش که بر شیران نر ** یافت آسان نصرت و دست و ظفر
His soul rejoiced because he easily gained the (Divine) help and the upper hand and the victory over fierce lions (like us).
پس بدانستیم کو آزاد نیست ** جز به دنیا دلخوش و دلشاد نیست
Hence we knew that he is not free (from the bondage of the flesh), and that only on account of this world is he happy and glad at heart.
ورنه چون خندد که اهل آن جهان ** بر بد و نیک‌اند مشفق مهربان4525
Else, how should he laugh (at us)? for the otherworldly are compassionate and kind to the evil and the good (alike).”
این بمنگیدند در زیر زبان ** آن اسیران با هم اندر بحث آن
Thus did those captives mutter to each other under their breath in discussing that (question),
تا موکل نشنود بر ما جهد ** خود سخن در گوش آن سلطان برد
(Saying, “Beware) lest the custodian hear (us) and spring upon us and personally carry our words to the ear of that (spiritual) Sultan.”
آگاه شدن پیغامبر علیه السلام از طعن ایشان بر شماتت او
How the Prophet, on whom be peace, became aware of their chiding him for his exultation.
گرچه نشنید آن موکل آن سخن ** رفت در گوشی که آن بد من لدن
Though the custodian did not hear those words, they entered into the ear that was (hearing) from the presence (of God).
بوی پیراهان یوسف را ندید ** آنک حافظ بود و یعقوبش کشید
The scent of Joseph's spirit was not perceived by its keeper, but Jacob inhaled it.
آن شیاطین بر عنان آسمان ** نشنوند آن سر لوح غیب‌دان4530
The devils on the high front of Heaven do not hear the secret of the mystery-knowing Tablet;
آن محمد خفته و تکیه زده ** آمده سر گرد او گردان شده
(But when) Mohammed went to sleep and reclined (on his bed), the secret came (to him) and circled round him.
او خورد حلوا که روزیشست باز ** آن نه کانگشتان او باشد دراز
He whose allotted portion is open (for him to take) eats the sweetmeat, not he whose fingers are long.
نجم ثاقب گشته حارس دیوران ** که بهل دزدی ز احمد سر ستان
The gleaming star became a watchman and drove the devils away, saying, “Abandon theft and receive the secret from Ahmad (Mohammed).”
ای دویده سوی دکان از پگاه ** هین به مسجد رو بجو رزق اله
O thou whose eyes from early (in the day) are (turned) towards (thy) shop, hark, go to the mosque and seek the portion allotted by God.
پس رسول آن گفتشان را فهم کرد ** گفت آن خنده نبودم از نبرد4535
The Prophet, then, apprehended their words and said, “That laughter of mine was not from hostility.
مرده‌اند ایشان و پوسیده‌ی فنا ** مرده کشتن نیست مردی پیش ما
They (the captives) are dead and rotted by decay: in my judgement it is not the part of a (true) man to kill the dead.
خود کیند ایشان که مه گردد شکاف ** چونک من پا بفشرم اندر مصاف
Who are they indeed? for the moon is split when I plant my foot on the battlefield.
آنگهی کزاد بودیت و مکین ** مر شما را بسته می‌دیدم چنین
At the time when ye were free and powerful, I was seeing you bound (in chains), like this.
ای بنازیده به ملک و خاندان ** نزد عاقل اشتری بر ناودان
O thou that pridest thyself on thy possessions and household, in the view of the intelligent thou art (as) the camel on the water-spout.