نامه‌ی عذر خودت بر خواندی ** نامه‌ی سنی بخوان چه ماندی 2965
You have read (to me) your letter of apology: (now) read the Sunní's letter. Why have you remained (an infidel)?
نکته گفتی جبریانه در قضا ** سر آن بشنو ز من در ماجرا
You have discoursed in Necessitarian fashion on the (Divine) destiny: (now) hear from me the mystery thereof in (this) debate.
اختیاری هست ما را بی‌گمان ** حس را منکر نتانی شد عیان
Beyond doubt we possess a certain power of choice: you cannot deny the plain evidence of the (inward) sense.
سنگ را هرگز بگوید کس بیا ** از کلوخی کس کجا جوید وفا
One never says ‘Come’ to a stone: how should any one request a brickbat to keep faith?
آدمی را کس نگوید هین بپر ** یا بیا ای کور تو در من نگر
One never says to a human being, ‘Hey, fly!’ or ‘Come, O blind man, and look at me!’
گفت یزدان ما علی الاعمی حرج ** کی نهد بر کس حرج رب الفرج 2970
God hath said, ‘There is nothing intolerable (laid) upon the blind’: how should the Lord who bestows relief lay upon any one what is intolerable?
کس نگوید سنگ را دیر آمدی ** یا که چوبا تو چرا بر من زدی
Nobody says to a stone, ‘Thou hast come late’ or (to a stick), ‘Why didst thou strike a blow at me, O stick?’
این چنین واجستها مجبور را ** کس بگوید یا زند معذور را
Will any one address demands like these to a person who is compelled, or strike a person who is excused (from complying with them)?
امر و نهی و خشم و تشریف و عتاب ** نیست جز مختار را ای پاک‌جیب
Command and prohibition and anger and conferment of honour and (bestowal of) rebuke concern him (only) who possesses the power of choice, O pure-bosomed one.
اختیاری هست در ظلم و ستم ** من ازین شیطان و نفس این خواستم
There is (such) a power of choice in regard to injustice and wrong-doing: this (is what) I meant by this Devil and carnal soul.
اختیار اندر درونت ساکنست ** تا ندید او یوسفی کف را نخست 2975
The power of choice resides in your inward part, (but) it does not wound its hand till it sees a Joseph.
اختیار و داعیه در نفس بود ** روش دید آنگه پر و بالی گشود
The power of choice and the instinct (to choose) were (latent) in the soul: (when) it beheld his (Joseph's) face, then it spread wings and pinions (to fly towards him).
When the dog is asleep its power of choice is lost, (but) when it sees the tripe it wags its tail.
اسپ هم حو حو کند چون دید جو ** چون بجنبد گوشت گربه کرد مو
A horse, too, whinnies when he sees barley, and when the meat is moved, the cat miauls.
دیدن آمد جنبش آن اختیار ** هم‌چو نفخی ز آتش انگیزد شرار
Sight (of the desired object) is the means of moving the power of choice (to exert itself), just as a blowing (of breath) raises sparks from the fire.
پس بجنبد اختیارت چون بلیس ** شد دلاله آردت پیغام ویس 2980
Therefore your power of choice is moved (to action) when Iblís becomes a go-between (dallála) and brings (to you) a message from Wís.
چونک مطلوبی برین کس عرضه کرد ** اختیار خفته بگشاید نورد
When he presents an object of desire to this person (who possesses the power of choice), the sleeping power unrolls itself (begins to move towards that object);
وآن فرشته خیرها بر رغم دیو ** عرضه دارد می‌کند در دل غریو
And (on the other hand), in despite of the Devil, the Angel presents (to you) good objects (of desire) and makes an outcry in your heart,
تا بجنبد اختیار خیر تو ** زانک پیش از عرضه خفتست این دو خو
In order that your power to choose the good may be moved (to action); for, before presentation, these two dispositions (towards good or evil) are asleep.
پس فرشته و دیو گشته عرضه‌دار ** بهر تحریک عروق اختیار
So the Angel and the Devil have become presenters (of good or evil objects of desire) for the purpose of setting the power of choice in motion.
می‌شود ز الهامها و وسوسه ** اختیار خیر و شرت ده کسه 2985
Your power to choose good or evil is increased tenfold by inspirations (of the Angel) and suggestions (of the Devil).
وقت تحلیل نماز ای با نمک ** زان سلام آورد باید بر ملک
Hence, when thy ritual prayer is finished, O excellent man, it behoves thee to offer a salutation to the Angels,
که ز الهام و دعای خوبتان ** اختیار این نمازم شد روان
Saying, ‘Through your goodly inspiration and incitement, my power to choose this ritual prayer was set going.’
باز از بعد گنه لعنت کنی ** بر بلیس ایرا کزویی منحنی
Again, after (having committed) sin thou wilt curse Iblís, because through him thou art inclined (to wards sin).
این دو ضد عرضه کننده‌ت در سرار ** در حجاب غیب آمد عرضه‌دار
These two adversaries are making offers to thee in secret and presenting (objects of desire) in the (state of phenomenal existence which is a) curtain over the Unseen.