تیغ دادن در کف زنگی مست ** به که آید علم ناکس را به دست
It is better to put a sword in the hand of an intoxicated negro than that knowledge should come into the possession of a worthless person.
علم و مال و منصب و جاه و قران ** فتنه آمد در کف بدگوهران
Knowledge and wealth and office’ and rank and fortune are a mischief in the hands of the evil-natured.
پس غزا زین فرض شد بر مومنان ** تا ستانند از کف مجنون سنان
Therefore the Holy War was made obligatory on the true believers for this purpose, (namely) that they might take the spear-point from the hand of the madman.
جان او مجنون تنش شمشیر او ** واستان شمشیر را زان زشت‌خو1440
His (the evil-natured man's) spirit is (like) the madman, and his body is (like) his (the madman's) sword: take away the sword from that wicked man!
آنچ منصب می‌کند با جاهلان ** از فضیحت کی کند صد ارسلان
How should a hundred lions inflict the shame which (high) office inflicts upon the ignorant?
عیب او مخفیست چون آلت بیافت ** مارش از سوراخ بر صحرا شتافت
His vice is hidden, (but) when he got the instrument (gained power), his snake, (coming out) from its hole, sped along the plain.
جمله صحرا مار و کزدم پر شود ** چونک جاهل شاه حکم مر شود
The entire plain is filled with snakes and scorpions when the ignorant man becomes king (master) of the bitter (harsh) decree.
مال و منصب ناکسی که آرد به دست ** طالب رسوایی خویش او شدست
The worthless person who acquires wealth and office has become the seeker of his own disgrace.
یا کند بخل و عطاها کم دهد ** یا سخا آرد بنا موضع نهد1445
Either he behaves stingily and gives few presents, or he shows generosity and bestows (them) in the wrong place (unsuitably).
شاه را در خانه‌ی بیذق نهد ** این چنین باشد عطا که احمق دهد
He puts the king in the house (square) of the pawn: the gifts which a fool makes are like this.
حکم چون در دست گمراهی فتاد ** جاه پندارید در چاهی فتاد
When authority falls into the hands of one who has lost the (right) way, he deems it to be a high position (jáh), (but in reality) he has fallen into a pit (cháh).
راه نمی‌داند قلاووزی کند ** جان زشت او جهان‌سوزی کند
He does not know the way, (yet) he acts as guide: his wicked spirit makes a world-conflagration.
طفل راه فقر چون پیری گرفت ** پی‌روان را غول ادباری گرفت
When (one who is as) a child in the Way of (spiritual) poverty assumes the part of an Elder (Director of souls), the ghoul of unblessedness seizes those who follow (him).
که بیا تا ماه بنمایم ترا ** ماه را هرگز ندید آن بی‌صفا1450
“Come,” says he, “for I will show thee the moon”; (yet) that impure one never saw the moon.
چون نمایی چون ندیدستی به عمر ** عکس مه در آب هم ای خام غمر
How wilt thou show (the moon) when during (all) thy life thou hast not seen even the reflexion of the moon in the water, O half-baked dunce?
احمقان سرور شدستند و ز بیم ** عاقلان سرها کشیده در گلیم
The foolish have become leaders, and from fear (of them) the wise have drawn their heads into the cloak.
تفسیر یا ایها المزمل
Commentary on "O thou that wrappest thyself."
خواند مزمل نبی را زین سبب ** که برون آ از گلیم ای بوالهرب
For this reason He (God) called the Prophet muzzammil (one who wraps himself), saying, “Come forth from the cloak, O thou who art fond of taking flight.
سر مکش اندر گلیم و رو مپوش ** که جهان جسمیست سرگردان تو هوش
Do not draw thy head into the cloak and do not cover thy face, for the world is a reeling body: thou art the intelligence (rational spirit).
هین مشو پنهان ز ننگ مدعی ** که تو داری شمع وحی شعشعی1455
Hark, do not hide on account of the opprobrium of the adversary, since thou hast the resplendent candle of the Revelation.
هین قم اللیل که شمعی ای همام ** شمع اندر شب بود اندر قیام
Hark, stand up (in prayer) during the night, for thou art a candle, O prince: at night a candle stands up (and burns).
بی‌فروغت روز روشن هم شبست ** بی‌پناهت شیر اسیر ارنبست
Without thy radiance, even the bright day is (dark as) night: without thy protection, the lion is captive to the hare.
باش کشتیبان درین بحر صفا ** که تو نوح ثانیی ای مصطفی
Be the captain (pilot) of the ship in this sea of (spiritual) purity, for thou art a second Noah, O Mustafá (elect one).
ره شناسی می‌بباید با لباب ** هر رهی را خاصه اندر راه آب
An expert guide, (endowed) with understanding, is needed for every road, especially in the road (journey) on the water.
خیز بنگر کاروان ره‌زده ** هر طرف غولیست کشتیبان شده1460
Arise! Look upon the waylaid caravan: everywhere a ghoul has become captain of the ship.
خضر وقتی غوث هر کشتی توی ** هم‌چو روح‌الله مکن تنها روی
Thou art the Khizr of the time and the Deliverer of every ship (in distress): do not, like (Jesus) the Spirit of God, practise solitude.