Those persons, then, who have passed from the world are not naught (nonexistent), but they are steeped in the (Divine) Attributes.
بس کسانی کز جهان بگذشته‌اند ** لا نیند و در صفات آغشته‌اند
All their attributes are (absorbed) in the Attributes of God, even as the star is (left) without trace in the presence of the sun.
در صفات حق صفات جمله‌شان ** هم‌چو اختر پیش آن خور بی‌نشان
If you demand a citation from the Qur’án, O recalcitrant, recite all of them shall be brought into Our presence.
گر ز قرآن نقل خواهی ای حرون ** خوان جمیع هم لدینا محضرون
(The person denoted by the word) muhdarún (brought into the presence) is not non-existent (ma‘dúm). Consider (this) well, that you may gain certain knowledge of the everlasting life (baqá) of the spirits.445
محضرون معدوم نبود نیک بین ** تا بقای روحها دانی یقین
The spirit debarred from everlasting life is exceedingly tormented; the spirit united (with God) in everlasting life is free from (every) barrier.
روح محجوب از بقا بس در عذاب ** روح واصل در بقا پاک از حجاب
I have told you the purpose of this lamp of animal sense-perception. Beware of seeking to become one (with it in spirit).
زین چراغ حس حیوان المراد ** گفتمت هان تا نجویی اتحاد
Make your spirit, O such-and-such, to be united speedily with the holy spirits of the Travellers (on the mystic Way).
روح خود را متصل کن ای فلان ** زود با ارواح قدس سالکان
Your hundred lamps, then, whether they die (are extinguished) or whether they stand (and burn), are separate (from each other) and are not single.
صد چراغت ار مرند ار بیستند ** پس جدا اند و یگانه نیستند
On that account these companions of ours are all at war, (but) no one (ever) heard of war amongst the prophets,450
زان همه جنگند این اصحاب ما ** جنگ کس نشنید اندر انبیا
Because the light of the prophets was the Sun, (while) the light of our senses is lamp and candle and smoke.
زانک نور انبیا خورشید بود ** نور حس ما چراغ و شمع و دود