Sense-perceptions are possessed by Easterner and Westerner, (but) the function of sight belongs to the ocular sense (alone).
صد هزاران گوشها گر صف زنند ** جمله محتاجان چشم روشن‌اند
Though a hundred thousand ears be arrayed in rank, they all are in need of the clear eye.
باز صف گوشها را منصبی ** در سماع جان و اخبار و نبی2020
Again, the ranks of ears have a (special) function in respect of hearing the (words of the) Spirit and the Traditions (of the Prophet) and the Revelation.
صد هزاران چشم را آن راه نیست ** هیچ چشمی از سماع آگاه نیست
A hundred thousand eyes do not possess that avenue (faculty): no eye is acquainted with hearing.
هم‌چنین هر حس یک یک می‌شمر ** هر یکی معزول از آن کار دگر
Similarly, enumerate each sense, one by one: each one is removed from (incapable of doing) the work of another.
پنج حس ظاهر و پنج اندرون ** ده صف‌اند اندر قیام الصافون
The five external and the five internal senses are (arrayed) in ten ranks in the standing posture of the (angels) ranked (for worship of God).
هر کسی کو از صف دین سرکشست ** می‌رود سوی صفی کان واپسست
Any one who (disobediently) draws back from the rank of (the true) religion will go into the rank that is behind.
تو ز گفتار تعالوا کم مکن ** کیمیای بس شگرفست این سخن2025
Do not make little of the (Divine) Word ta‘álaw (come ye): this Word is an exceedingly great elixir.
گر مسی گردد ز گفتارت نفیر ** کیمیا را هیچ از وی وام گیر
If a copper (a base person) turn away in repugnance from your saying (this Word), by no means withhold the elixir from him.
این زمان گر بست نفس ساحرش ** گفت تو سودش کند در آخرش
If his magician-like soul has bound (cast a spell upon) him at the present time, (yet) your saying will profit him in his latter end.
قل تعالوا قل تعالوا ای غلام ** هین که ان الله یدعوا للسلام
O slave (of God), say, Come ye, say, Come ye: take heed, for verily God inviteth unto the (Abode of) Peace.
خواجه باز آ از منی و از سری ** سروری جو کم طلب کن سروری
Then come back, sire, from egoism and headship: seek a leader, do not desire leadership.
اعتراض کردن معترضی بر رسول علیه‌السلام بر امیر کردن آن هذیلی
How an objector objected to the Prophet's—on whom be peace— appointing the man of Hudhayl to be commander.
چون پیمبر سروری کرد از هذیل ** از برای لشکر منصور خیل2030
When the Prophet appointed a leader from (the tribe of) Hudhayl for the army whose troops were Divinely aided,
بوالفضولی از حسد طاقت نداشت ** اعتراض و لانسلم بر فراشت
An insolent fellow, through envy, could not endure (to keep silence): he raised objection and opposition.
خلق را بنگر که چون ظلمانی‌اند ** در متاع فانیی چون فانی‌اند
Behold humankind, how dark (unenlightened) they are, and how they are perishing in (desire for) a perishable piece of goods.
از تکبر جمله اندر تفرقه ** مرده از جان زنده‌اند از مخرقه
On account of pride they all are in separation (from God), dead to the spirit, living in deception.
این عجب که جان به زندان اندرست ** وانگهی مفتاح زندانش به دست
’Tis wonderful that the spirit is in prison, and then (all that time) the key of the prison is in its hand!
پای تا سر غرق سرگین آن جوان ** می‌زند بر دامنش جوی روان2035
That youth (the spirit) is plunged in dung from head to foot, (whilst) the flowing river is (almost) touching his skirt!
دایما پهلو به پهلو بی‌قرار ** پهلوی آرامگاه و پشت‌دار
(He is) always moving restlessly from side to side beside the place of repose and the couch where he might recline!
نور پنهانست و جست و جو گواه ** کز گزافه دل نمی‌جوید پناه
The (Divine) light is hidden, and search is the evidence (of its existence), for the heart (spirit) does not seek shelter in vain.
گر نبودی حبس دنیا را مناص ** نه بدی وحشت نه دل جستی خلاص
If this world's prison had no refuge, neither would there be any feeling of aversion nor would the heart seek release.
وحشتت هم‌چون موکل می‌کشد ** که بجو ای ضال منهاج رشد
Thy aversion is dragging thee along, like a custodian, saying, “O man astray, seek the path of righteousness.”
هست منهاج و نهان در مکمنست ** یافتش رهن گزافه جستنست2040
The path is there, but it is hidden in a secret place: its discovery is in pawn to (involves) seeking in vain (before it can be found).
تفرقه‌جویان جمع اندر کمین ** تو درین طالب رخ مطلوب بین
Separation is secretly in quest of union: in this seeker do thou discern the face of the sought.
مردگان باغ برجسته ز بن ** کان دهنده‌ی زندگی را فهم کن
The dead (trees and plants) of the orchard spring up from the root, saying, “Perceive the Giver of life!”