Rumi's Masnavi - We were not, and there was no demand on our part, (yet) thy grace was hearkening to our unspoken prayer (and calling us into existence).”

We were not, and there was no demand on our part, (yet) thy grace was hearkening to our unspoken prayer (and calling us into existence).” 610

ما نبودیم و تقاضامان نبود ** لطف تو ناگفته‌‌ی ما می‌‌شنود

Before the painter and the brush the picture is helpless and bound like a child in the womb.

نقش باشد پیش نقاش و قلم ** عاجز و بسته چو کودک در شکم‌‌

Before Omnipotence all the people of the (Divine) court of audience (the world) are as helpless as the (embroiderer's) fabric before the needle.

پیش قدرت خلق جمله بارگه ** عاجزان چون پیش سوزن کارگه‌‌

Now He makes the picture thereon (one of) the Devil, now (of) Adam; now He makes the picture thereon (one of) joy, now (one of) grief.

گاه نقشش دیو و گه آدم کند ** گاه نقشش شادی و گه غم کند

There is no power (to any one) that he should move a hand in defence; no (right of) speech, that he should utter a word concerning injury or benefit.

دست نه تا دست جنباند به دفع ** نطق نه تا دم زند در ضر و نفع‌‌

Recite from the Qur’án the interpretation of (i.e. a text which interprets) the (preceding) verse: God said, Thou didst not throw when thou threwest. 615

تو ز قرآن باز خوان تفسیر بیت ** گفت ایزد ما رميت إذ رمیت‌‌

If we let fly an arrow, that (action) is not from us: we are (only) the bow, and the shooter of the arrow is God.

گر بپرانیم تیر آن نه ز ماست ** ما کمان و تیر اندازش خداست‌‌

This is not jabr (compulsion); it is the meaning of jabbárí (almightiness): the mention of almightiness is for the sake of (inspiring us with) humility.

این نه جبر این معنی جباری است ** ذکر جباری برای زاری است‌‌

Our humility is evidence of necessity, (but) our sense of guilt is evidence of freewill.

زاری ما شد دلیل اضطرار ** خجلت ما شد دلیل اختیار

If there were not freewill, what is this shame? And what is this sorrow and guilty confusion and abashment?

گر نبودی اختیار این شرم چیست ** وین دریغ و خجلت و آزرم چیست‌‌