Rumi's Masnavi - Sometimes it (the action of God) appears like this and sometimes the contrary of this: the work of religion is naught but bewilderment.

Sometimes it (the action of God) appears like this and sometimes the contrary of this: the work of religion is naught but bewilderment.

گه چنین بنماید و گه ضد این ** جز که حیرانی نباشد کار دین‌‌

(I mean) not one bewildered in such wise that his back is (turned) towards Him; nay, but one bewildered (with ecstasy) like this and drowned (in God) and intoxicated with the Beloved.

نی چنان حیران که پشتش سوی اوست ** بل چنین حیران و غرق و مست دوست‌‌

The face of the one is set towards the Beloved, (while) the face of the other is just his own face (he is facing himself).

آن یکی را روی او شد سوی دوست ** و آن یکی را روی او خود روی دوست‌‌

Look long on the face of every one, keep watch attentively: it may be that by doing service (to Súfís) you will come to know the face (of the true saint). 315

روی هر یک می‌‌نگر می‌‌دار پاس ** بو که گردی تو ز خدمت رو شناس‌‌

Since there is many a devil who hath the face of Adam, it is not well to give your hand to every hand,

چون بسی ابلیس آدم روی هست ** پس به هر دستی نشاید داد دست‌‌

Because the fowler produces a whistling sound in order to decoy the bird,

ز انکه صیاد آورد بانگ صفیر ** تا فریبد مرغ را آن مرغ گیر

(So that) the bird may hear the note of its congener and come down from the air and find trap and knife-point.

بشنود آن مرغ بانگ جنس خویش ** از هوا آید بیابد دام و نیش‌‌

The vile man will steal the language of dervishes, that he may thereby chant a spell over (fascinate and deceive) one who is simple.

حرف درویشان بدزدد مرد دون ** تا بخواند بر سلیمی ز ان فسون‌‌

The work of (holy) men is (as) light and heat; the work of vile men is trickery and shamelessness. 320

کار مردان روشنی و گرمی است ** کار دونان حیله و بی‌‌شرمی است‌‌

They make a woollen lion for the purpose of begging; they give the title of Ahmad (Mohammed) to Bú Musaylim;

شیر پشمین از برای کد کنند ** بو مسیلم را لقب احمد کنند