Rumi's Masnavi - The Prophet said to ‘Alí, “O ‘Alí, thou art the Lion of God, thou art a courageous knight,

The Prophet said to ‘Alí, “O ‘Alí, thou art the Lion of God, thou art a courageous knight,

گفت پیغمبر علی را کای علی ** شیر حقی پهلوانی پر دلی‌‌

But do not even rely upon thy lion-heartedness: come into the shade of the palm tree of hope. 2960

لیک بر شیری مکن هم اعتماد ** اندر آ در سایه‌‌ی نخل امید

Come into the shade (protection) of the Sage whom no conveyer can carry off from the Way.

اندر آ در سایه‌‌ی آن عاقلی ** کش نداند برد از ره ناقلی‌‌

His shadow on the earth is like Mount Qáf, his spirit is (like) the Símurgh that circles (soars) exceedingly high.

ظل او اندر زمین چون کوه قاف ** روح او سیمرغ بس عالی طواف‌‌

If I should tell of his qualities until the Resurrection, do not seek (expect) any conclusion and end to them.

گر بگویم تا قیامت نعت او ** هیچ آن را مقطع و غایت مجو

The (Divine) Sun has veiled Himself in Man: apprehend (this mystery), and God knows best what is right.

در بشر رو پوش کرده ست آفتاب ** فهم کن و الله اعلم بالصواب‌‌

O ‘Alí, above all devotional acts in the Way (of God) do thou choose the shadow (protection) of the chosen favourite of God. 2965

یا علی از جمله‌‌ی طاعات راه ** بر گزین تو سایه‌‌ی خاص اله‌‌

Every one took refuge in some act of devotion and discovered for themselves some means of deliverance.

هر کسی در طاعتی بگریختند ** خویشتن را مخلصی انگیختند

Go thou, take refuge in the shadow of the Sage, that thou mayst escape from the Enemy that opposes (thee) in secret.

تو برو در سایه‌ی عاقل گریز ** تا رهی ز آن دشمن پنهٱن ستیز

Of all acts of devotion this is the best for thee: (thereby) thou wilt gain precedence over every one that has outstripped (the rest).”

از همه طاعات اینت بهتر است ** سبق یابی بر هر آن سابق که هست‌‌