Rumi's Masnavi - 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.

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

Why is there chiding between pupils and masters? Why is the mind changing (so as to depart) from plans (already formed)? 620

زجر استادان و شاگردان چراست ** خاطر از تدبیرها گردان چراست‌‌

And if you say that he (the assertor of free-will) takes no heed of the (Divine) compulsion, (and that) God's moon (majesty) hides its face (from him) in the cloud (of his own blindness),

ور تو گویی غافل است از جبر او ** ماه حق پنهان کند در ابر رو

There is a good answer to this; if you hearken, you will relinquish unbelief and incline towards the (true) religion.

هست این را خوش جواب ار بشنوی ** بگذری از کفر و در دین بگروی‌‌

Remorse and humility occur at the time of illness: the time of illness is wholly wakefulness (of conscience).

حسرت و زاری گه بیماری است ** وقت بیماری همه بیداری است‌‌

At the time when you are becoming ill, you pray God to forgive your trespass;

آن زمان که می‌‌شوی بیمار تو ** می‌‌کنی از جرم استغفار تو