Rumi's Masnavi - These are not proper names applicable to God: (proper names are merely designations), for even a negro may have the name Káfúr (Camphor).

These are not proper names applicable to God: (proper names are merely designations), for even a negro may have the name Káfúr (Camphor).

نیست اینها بر خدا اسم علم ** که سیه کافور دارد نام هم

The Names (of God) are derivative and (denote) Eternal Attributes: (they are) not unsound like (the doctrine of) the First Cause.

اسم مشتقست و اوصاف قدیم ** نه مثال علت اولی سقیم

Otherwise, it would be ridicule and mockery and deception, (like calling) a deaf person Samí‘ (Hearer) and blind men Ziyá (Radiance); 220

ورنه تسخر باشد و طنز و دها ** کر را سامع ضریران را ضیا

Or (as though) Hayí (Bashful) should be the proper name of an impudent fellow, or Sabíh (Beautiful) the name of a hideous blackamoor.

یا علم باشد حیی نام وقیح ** یا سیاه زشت را نام صبیح

You may confer the title of Hájjí (Pilgrim) or Ghází (Holy Warrior) on a newborn child for the purpose of (indicating his) lineage;

طفلک نوزاده را حاجی لقب ** یا لقب غازی نهی بهر نسب

(But) if these titles are used in praise, they are not correct unless he (the person so described) possess that (particular) quality.

گر بگویند این لقبها در مدیح ** تا ندارد آن صفت نبود صحیح

(Otherwise), it would be a ridicule and mockery (so to use them), or madness: God is clear of (untouched by) what the unrighteous say.

تسخر و طنزی بود آن یا جنون ** پاک حق عما یقول الظالمون

I knew, before (our meeting), that thou art good-looking but evil-natured; 225

من همی دانستمت پیش از وصال ** که نکورویی ولیکن بدخصال

I knew, before coming face to face (with thee), that by reason of contumacy thou art set fast in damnation.

من همی دانستمت پیش از لقا ** کز ستیزه راسخی اندر شقا

When my eye is red in ophthalmia, I know it (the redness) is from the disease, (even) if I do not see it (the redness).

چونک چشمم سرخ باشد در غمش ** دانمش زان درد گر کم بینمش