او بکوشد تا گناهی پرورد ** ز آن گنه ما را به چاهی آورد
He strives to foster a sin (in us) and by means of that sin bring us into a pit;
چون ببیند کان گنه شد طاعتی ** گردد او را نامبارک ساعتی3840
When he sees that the sin has become an act of obedience (to God), there comes round for him an unblest hour.
اندر آ من در گشادم مر ترا ** تف زدی و تحفه دادم مر ترا
“Come in! I open the door to thee. Thou spattest (on me) and I give thee a present.
مر جفاگر را چنینها می‌‌دهم ** پیش پای چپ چه سان سر می‌‌نهم
Such things I am giving to the doer of iniquity: (thou seest) in what fashion I lay my head before the left foot.
پس وفاگر را چه بخشم تو بدان ** گنجها و ملکهای جاودان
What then do I bestow on the doer of righteousness? Know thou, (I bestow) treasures and kingdoms everlasting.
گفتن پیغامبر علیه السلام به گوش رکابدار امیر المؤمنین علی علیه السلام که کشتن علی بر دست تو خواهد بودن خبرت کردم
How the Prophet, on whom be peace, said in the ear of the stirrup-holder of the Prince of the Faithful ‘Alí, may God honour his person, “I tell thee, ‘Alí will be slain by thy hand.”
من چنان مردم که بر خونی خویش ** نوش لطف من نشد در قهر نیش
I am such a man that the honey of my kindness did not become poison in wrath (even) against my murderer.
گفت پیغمبر به گوش چاکرم ** کاو برد روزی ز گردن این سرم3845
The Prophet said in the ear of my servant that one day he would sever this head of mine from my neck.
کرد آگه آن رسول از وحی دوست ** که هلاکم عاقبت بر دست اوست
The Prophet by (Divine) inspiration informed my friend that in the end my destruction would be (wrought) by his hand.
او همی‌‌گوید بکش پیشین مرا ** تا نیاید از من این منکر خطا
He (my friend) says, ‘Kill me first, in order that this hateful crime may not proceed from me.’
من همی‌‌گویم چو مرگ من ز تست ** با قضا من چون توانم حیله جست
I say, ‘Since my death is (to come) from thee, how can I seek to evade the destiny (of God)?’
او همی‌‌افتد به پیشم کای کریم ** مر مرا کن از برای حق دو نیم
He falls before me, saying, ‘O generous man, for God's sake cleave me in twain,
تا نیاید بر من این انجام بد ** تا نسوزد جان من بر جان خود3850
That this evil end may not come upon me, and that my soul may not burn (with grief) for (thee who art) its (very) life.’
من همی‌‌گویم برو جف القلم ** ز آن قلم بس سر نگون گردد علم
I say, ‘Go: the Pen (of Divine ordainment) is dry; by that Pen many a (lofty) landmark is overthrown.
هیچ بغضی نیست در جانم ز تو ** ز آن که این را من نمی‌‌دانم ز تو
There is no hatred of thee in my soul, because I do not regard this (act) as (proceeding) from thee.
آلت حقی تو فاعل دست حق ** چون زنم بر آلت حق طعن و دق
Thou art God's instrument, God's hand is the (real) agent: how should I assail and oppose God's instrument?’”
گفت او پس آن قصاص از بهر چیست ** گفت هم از حق و آن سر خفی است
He (the knight) said, “For what reason, then, is retaliation (sanctioned)?” “’Tis from God, too,” said ‘Alí, “and that is a hidden mystery.
گر کند بر فعل خود او اعتراض ** ز اعتراض خود برویاند ریاض3855
If He takes offence at His own act, (yet) He causes gardens (of good) to grow from that taking offence.
اعتراض او را رسد بر فعل خود ** ز آن که در قهر است و در لطف او احد
It beseems Him to take offence at His own act, inasmuch as in vengeance and mercy He is One.
اندر این شهر حوادث میر اوست ** در ممالک مالک تدبیر اوست
In this city of phenomena He is the Prince; in (all) the realms (of the world) He is the Ruler.
آلت خود را اگر او بشکند ** آن شکسته گشته را نیکو کند
If He breaks His own instrument, He mends that which has become broken.”
رمز ننسخ آیه او ننسها ** نأت خیرا در عقب می‌‌دان مها
Recognise, O noble sir, the indication of (the text), (Whatever) verse We shall cancel or cause to be forgotten, followed by We shall bring a better.
هر شریعت را که حق منسوخ کرد ** او گیا برد و عوض آورد ورد3860
Every (religious) law that God has cancelled—He has taken away grass and brought roses in exchange.
شب کند منسوخ شغل روز را ** بین جمادی خرد افروز را
Night cancels the business of day: behold an inanimateness (inertia) that enlightens the intellect!
باز شب منسوخ شد از نور روز ** تا جمادی سوخت ز آن آتش فروز
Again, night is cancelled by the light of day, so that the inanimateness is consumed by that fire-kindling one.
گر چه ظلمت آمد آن نوم و سبات ** نی درون ظلمت است آب حیات
Although that sleep and rest are darkness, is not the Water of Life within the darkness?