English    Türkçe    فارسی   

4
98-107

  • The more you cudgel it, the more it thrives: it grows fat on blows of the stick.
  • Assuredly the true believer's soul is a porcupine, for it is (made) stout and fat by the blows of tribulation.
  • For this reason the tribulation and abasement (laid) upon the prophets is greater than (that laid upon) all the (other) creatures in the world, 100
  • So that their souls became stouter than (all other) souls; for no other class of people suffered that affliction.
  • The hide is afflicted by the medicine (tan-liquor), (but) it becomes sweet like Tá’if leather;
  • And if he (the tanner) did not rub the bitter and acrid (liquor) into it, it would become fetid, unpleasant, and foul-smelling.
  • Know that Man is an untanned hide, made noisome and gross by humours.
  • Give (him) bitter and acrid (discipline) and much rubbing (tribulation), that he may become pure and lovely and exceedingly strong; 105
  • But if you cannot (mortify yourself), be content, O cunning one, if God give you tribulation without choice (on your part),
  • For affliction (sent) by the Friend is (the means of) your being purified: His knowledge is above your contrivance.