Rumi's Masnavi - Moses said, “O Lord of the Reckoning, Thou didst create the form: how didst Thou destroy it again?”

Moses said, “O Lord of the Reckoning, Thou didst create the form: how didst Thou destroy it again?”

گفت موسی ای خداوند حساب ** نقش کردی باز چون کردی خراب

Thou hast made the form, male and female, that gives unto the spirit increase (of joy); and then Thou dost ruin it: why?”

نر و ماده نقش کردی جان‌فزا ** وانگهان ویران کنی این را چرا

God said, “I know that this question of thine is not from disbelief and heedlessness and idle fancy;

گفت حق دانم که این پرسش ترا ** نیست از انکار و غفلت وز هوا

Else I should have corrected and chastised thee: I should have afflicted thee on account of this question.

ورنه تادیب و عتابت کردمی ** بهر این پرسش ترا آزردمی

But (I know that) thou wishest to discover in My actions the wisdom and hidden meaning of (phenomenal) duration, 3005

لیک می‌خواهی که در افعال ما ** باز جویی حکمت و سر بقا

That thou mayst acquaint the vulgar therewith and by this means make every raw (ignorant) person to become cooked.

تا از آن واقف کنی مر عام را ** پخته گردانی بدین هر خام را

Thou hast become a questioner on purpose to disclose (this matter) to the vulgar, albeit thou art acquainted with it;

قاصدا سایل شدی در کاشفی ** بر عوام ار چه که تو زان واقفی

For this questioning is the half of knowledge, and this ability (to ask questions) does not belong to every outsider.”

زآنک نیم علم آمد این سال ** هر برونی را نباشد آن مجال

Both question and answer arise from knowledge, just as the thorn and the rose from earth and water.

هم سال از علم خیزد هم جواب ** هم‌چنانک خار و گل از خاک و آب

Both perdition and salvation arise from knowledge, just as bitter and sweet (fruit) from moisture. 3010

هم ضلال از علم خیزد هم هدی ** هم‌چنانک تلخ و شیرین از ندا