Rumi's Masnavi - Hear (one) of the sayings related from the Chiefest of the Chief (the Prophet): “No prayer is complete without ‘presence’ (concentration of the mind on God).”

Hear (one) of the sayings related from the Chiefest of the Chief (the Prophet): “No prayer is complete without ‘presence’ (concentration of the mind on God).”

بشنو از اخبار آن صدر الصدور ** لا صلاة تم الا بالحضور

If there is no thievish mouse in our barn, where is the corn of forty years' works (of devotion)?

گر نه موشی دزد در انبار ماست ** گندم اعمال چل ساله کجاست‌‌

Why is the daily sincerity (of our devotions) not being stored, bit by bit, in this barn of ours?

ریزه ریزه صدق هر روزه چرا ** جمع می‌‌ناید در این انبار ما

Many a star (spark) of fire shot forth from the iron (of good works), and that burning heart received (it) and drew (it) in;

بس ستاره‌‌ی آتش از آهن جهید ** و ان دل سوزیده پذرفت و کشید

But in the darkness a hidden thief is laying his finger upon the stars, 385

لیک در ظلمت یکی دزدی نهان ** می‌‌نهد انگشت بر استارگان‌‌

Extinguishing the stars one by one, that no lamp may shine from the (spiritual) sky.

می‌‌کشد استارگان را یک به یک ** تا که نفروزد چراغی از فلک‌‌

Though there be thousands of snares at our feet, when Thou art with us there is not any trouble.

گر هزاران دام باشد در قدم ** چون تو با مایی نباشد هیچ غم‌‌

Every night Thou freest the spirits from the body's snare, and dost erase (the impressions on) the tablets (of the mind).

هر شبی از دام تن ارواح را ** می‌‌رهانی می‌‌کنی الواح را

The spirits are set free every night from this cage, independent, neither ruling nor ruled by anyone.

می‌‌رهند ارواح هر شب زین قفس ** فارغان، نه حاکم و محکوم کس‌‌

At night prisoners are unconscious of their prison, at night governors are unconscious of their power. 390

شب ز زندان بی‌‌خبر زندانیان ** شب ز دولت بی‌‌خبر سلطانیان‌‌