در شکار بیشه‌‌ی جان باز باش ** همچو خورشید جهان جان‌‌باز باش‌‌

In chase of the spiritual forest be (as) a falcon, be one who gambles his soul (life) away, like the sun of this world.

جان فشان افتاد خورشید بلند ** هر دمی تی می‌‌شود پر می‌‌کنند 2220

The lofty sun is life-diffusing: every moment it becomes empty and is filled.

جان فشان ای آفتاب معنوی ** مر جهان کهنه را بنما نوی‌‌

O Sun of Reality, diffuse spiritual life, show forth newness to this old world!

در وجود آدمی جان و روان ** می‌‌رسد از غیب چون آب روان‌‌

Soul and spirit are coming from the Unseen into human existence, like running water.

تفسیر دعای آن دو فرشته که هر روز بر سر هر بازاری منادی می‌‌کنند که اللهم أعط کل منفق خلفا اللهم أعط کل ممسک تلفا و بیان کردن که آن منفق مجاهد راه حق است نه مسرف راه هوا

Commentary on the prayer of the two angels who daily make proclamation in every market, saying, “O God, bestow on every prodigal some boon in exchange! O God, bestow on every niggard some bane (in return)”; and an explanation that the prodigal is he that strives earnestly in the Way of God, not he that squanders his wealth in the way of sensuality.

گفت پیغمبر که دایم بهر پند ** دو فرشته‌‌ی خوش منادی می‌‌کنند

The Prophet said, “For admonishment's sake two goodly angels are always making proclamation,

کای خدایا منفقان را سیر دار ** هر درمشان را عوض ده صد هزار

Saying, ‘O God, keep the prodigals fully satisfied, give hundred-thousandfold recompense for every dirhem that they spend.

ای خدایا ممسکان را در جهان ** تو مده الا زیان اندر زیان‌‌ 2225

O God, do not give the niggards in this world anything but loss upon loss!’”

ای بسا امساک کز انفاق به ** مال حق را جز به امر حق مده‌‌

Oh, (there is) many an act of niggardliness that is better than prodigality: do not bestow what belongs to God except by the command of God,

تا عوض یابی تو گنج بی‌‌کران ** تا نباشی از عداد کافران‌‌

That thou mayst gain infinite treasure in return, and that thou mayst not be numbered among the infidels

کاشتران قربان همی‌‌کردند تا ** چیره گردد تیغشان بر مصطفا

Who were offering camels in sacrifice in order that their swords might prevail against Mustafá.

امر حق را باز جو از واصلی ** امر حق را در نیابد هر دلی‌‌

Endeavour to find out the command of God from one who is united (with God): not every heart understands the command of God,

چون غلام یاغیی کاو عدل کرد ** مال شه بر باغیان او بذل کرد 2230

As (for example) the slave, the enemy (of God), who did justice (in his own opinion, and) bestowed what belonged to the King upon His enemies who rebelled against Him—

در نبی انذار اهل غفلت است ** کان همه انفاقهاشان حسرت است‌‌

In the Qur’án there is warning to the heedless that all their spendings are a (cause of) bitter grief to them—

عدل این یاغی و دادش نزد شاه ** چه فزاید دوری و روی سیاه‌‌

What increase does the equity and justice of this enemy produce in the sight of the King? Banishment and a black countenance (disgrace).

سروران مکه در حرب رسول ** بودشان قربان به اومید قبول‌‌

The chiefs of Mecca (when) at war with the Prophet offered sacrifice in hope of (Divine) favour.

بهر این مومن همی‌‌گوید ز بیم ** در نماز اهد الصراط المستقیم‌‌

On this account the true believer is saying in his prayer, from fear, “Lead (us) in the right path!”

آن درم دادن سخی را لایق است ** جان سپردن خود سخای عاشق است‌‌ 2235

It beseems the generous man thus to give money, (but) verily the generosity of the lover is the surrender of his soul (life).

نان دهی از بهر حق نانت دهند ** جان دهی از بهر حق جانت دهند

If you give bread for God's sake, you will be given bread (in return); if you give your life for God's sake, you will be given life (in return).

گر بریزد برگهای این چنار ** برگ بی‌‌برگیش بخشد کردگار

If the leaves of this plane-tree drop off, the Creator will bestow on it the provision of leaflessness (spiritual poverty).

گر نماند از جود در دست تو مال ** کی کند فضل خدایت پای مال‌‌

If because of your liberality no wealth remains in your hand, how should the bounty of God let you be down-trodden?

هر که کارد گردد انبارش تهی ** لیکش اندر مزرعه باشد بهی‌‌

When any one sows, his barn becomes empty (of seed), but there is goodliness in his cornfield;

و آن که در انبار ماند و صرفه کرد ** اشپش و موش و حوادث پاک خورد 2240

And, if he leaves it (the seed) in the barn and saves it up, weevils and mice and calamities (of time and decay) devour it entirely.

این جهان نفی است در اثبات جو ** صورتت صفر است در معنات جو

This world is negation (of reality): seek (reality) in affirmation (of God). Your form (body) is void (of reality): seek in your essence.

جان شور تلخ پیش تیغ بر ** جان چون دریای شیرین را بخر

Bring the briny bitter (animal) soul to the sword: buy the (heavenly) soul that is like a great sweet river.

ور نمی‌‌دانی شدن زین آستان ** باری از من گوش کن این داستان‌‌

And if you cannot become (one of the frequenters) of this threshold (sublime court), at least hear from me the following tale.

قصه‌‌ی خلیفه که در کرم در زمان خود از حاتم طایی گذشته بود و نظیر خود نداشت‌‌

The story of the Caliph who in his time surpassed Hátim of Tayyi in generosity and had no rival.