So that separation from Him may give the soul chastisement, (and that) the soul may know the value of the days of union.
تا دهد جان را فراقش گوشمال ** جان بداند قدر ایام وصال
The Prophet has declared that God said, ‘My purpose in creating was to do good:2635
گفت پیغمبر که حق فرموده است ** قصد من از خلق احسان بوده است
I created to the intent that they (My creatures) might draw some gain from Me, and that they might smear their hands with My honey;
آفریدم تا ز من سودی کنند ** تا ز شهدم دستآلودی کنند
Not to the end that I might draw some gain (from them), and that I might tear off a coat from one (who is) naked.’
نی برای آن که تا سودی کنم ** و ز برهنه من قبایی بر کنم
During the short while since He drove me from His presence, mine eye hath remained (fixed) upon His beauteous face;
چند روزی که ز پیشم رانده است ** چشم من در روی خوبش مانده است
(And my thought has always been), ‘Such wrath from such a face! Oh, wonderful!’ (whereas) every one (else) has become occupied with (considering) the (secondary) cause (His wrath).
کز چنان رویی چنین قهر ای عجب ** هر کسی مشغول گشته در سبب
I do not look at the cause (His wrath), which is temporal, inasmuch as the temporal (only) produces something temporal (like itself).2640
من سبب را ننگرم کان حادث است ** ز انکه حادث حادثی را باعث است
I am regarding (His eternally) precedent mercy: whatsoever is temporal I rend in twain.
لطف سابق را نظاره میکنم ** هر چه آن حادث دو پاره میکنم
Grant that my declining to worship (Adam) was from envy; (yet) that envy arises from love (of God), not from denial (of obedience to His command).
ترک سجده از حسد گیرم که بود ** آن حسد از عشق خیزد نز جحود
’Tis certain, all envy arises from love, (for fear) lest another become the companion of the beloved.
هر حسد از دوستی خیزد یقین ** که شود با دوست غیری همنشین