Although both are intent on one game, in relation to each other they are (as far apart as) the man of Merv and the man of Rayy.
گر چه هر دو بر سر یک بازی‌‌اند ** هر دو با هم مروزی و رازی‌‌اند
Each one goes to his (proper) abiding-place; each one fares according to his name.
هر یکی سوی مقام خود رود ** هر یکی بر وفق نام خود رود
If he be called a true believer, his soul rejoices; and if (he be called) “hypocrite,” he becomes fierce and filled with fire (rage).290
مومنش خوانند جانش خوش شود ** ور منافق تیز و پر آتش شود
His (the true believer's) name is loved on account of its essence (which is true faith); this one's (the hypocrite's) name is loathed on account of its pestilent qualities.
نام او محبوب از ذات وی است ** نام این مبغوض از آفات وی است
(The four letters) mím and wáw and mím and nún do not confer honour: the word múmin (true believer) is only for the sake of denotation.
میم و واو و میم و نون تشریف نیست ** لفظ مومن جز پی تعریف نیست
If you call him (the true believer) hypocrite, this vile name is stinging (him) within like a scorpion.
گر منافق خوانی‌‌اش این نام دون ** همچو کژدم می‌‌خلد در اندرون
If this name is not derived from Hell, then why is there the taste of Hell in it?
گرنه این نام اشتقاق دوزخ است ** پس چرا در وی مذاق دوزخ است
The foulness of that ill name is not from the letters; the bitterness of that sea-water is not from the vessel (containing it).295
زشتی آن نام بد از حرف نیست ** تلخی آن آب بحر از ظرف نیست
The letters are the vessel: therein the meaning is (contained) like water; (but) the sea of the meaning is (with God)—with Him is the Ummu ’l-Kitáb.
حرف ظرف آمد در او معنی چو آب ** بحر معنی عنده أم الکتاب
In this world the bitter sea and the sweet sea (are divided)— between them is a barrier which they do not seek to cross.
بحر تلخ و بحر شیرین در جهان ** در میانشان برزخ لا یبغیان