Rumi's Masnavi - In honour of this choice and this appropriation the prayers of all the people have been accepted.”

In honour of this choice and this appropriation the prayers of all the people have been accepted.”

حرمت این اختیار و این دخول ** شد نماز جمله‏ی خلقان قبول‏

Conclusion of the confession made by Iblís to Mu‘áwiya of his deceit.

تتمه‏ی اقرار ابلیس به معاویه مکر خود را

Then ‘Azázíl said to him, “O noble Amír, I must lay my deceit before (you). 2780

پس عزازیلش به گفت ای میر راد ** مکر خود اندر میان باید نهاد

If you had missed the prayers, you would then from heartache have uttered sighs and lamentations,

گر نمازت فوت می‏شد آن زمان ** می‏زدی از درد دل آه و فغان‏

And that regret and that lamentation and that (sorrowful) yearning would have exceeded (in value) two hundred litanies and prayers.

آن تاسف و آن فغان و آن نیاز ** در گذشتی از دو صد ذکر و نماز

I awakened you in fear lest such a sigh might burn the veil (of formality),

من ترا بیدار کردم از نهیب ** تا بسوزاند چنان آهی حجاب‏

In order that such a sigh should not be yours; in order that you should not have any way to it.

تا چنان آهی نباشد مر ترا ** تا بدان راهی نباشد مر ترا

I am envious: from envy I acted thus. I am the enemy: my (proper) work is deceit and malice.” 2785

من حسودم از حسد کردم چنین ** من عدویم کار من مکر است و کین‏

He (Mu‘áwiya) said, “Now you have told the truth, you are veracious. This (deceit) comes (naturally) from you: to this you are adapted.

گفت اکنون راست گفتی صادقی ** از تو این آید تو این را لایقی‏

You are a spider, you have flies as your prey; O cur, I am not a fly, (so) do not worry.

عنکبوتی تو مگس داری شکار ** من نیم ای سگ مگس زحمت میار

I am a white falcon: the King hunts me. How should a spider weave his web about me?

باز اسپیدم شکارم شه کند ** عنکبوتی کی بگرد ما تند