Rumi's Masnavi - Until thou give that testimony, O witness, how wilt thou escape from this court?

Until thou give that testimony, O witness, how wilt thou escape from this court? 180

’Tis the affair of a moment. Perform (thy duty) and run away: do not make a short matter long (tedious and irksome) to thyself.

As thou wilt, whether during a hundred years or in a moment, discharge this trust and acquit thyself (of it).

Explaining that (ritual) prayer and fasting and all (such) external things are witnesses to the inner light.

This (ritual) prayer and fasting and pilgrimage and holy war are the attestation of the (inward) belief.

The giving of alms and presents and the abandonment of envy are the attestation of one's secret thoughts.

Dishes of food and hospitality are for the purpose of declaring that “we, O noble (guests), have become in true accord with you.” 185

Gifts and presents and offerings bear witness (saying implicitly), “I am pleased with thee.”

(If) any one exerts himself in (giving) money or in conjuration, what is (the meaning of) it? (He means to say), “I have a jewel within.

I have a jewel, namely, abstinence or generosity”: this alms-giving and fasting are witnesses in regard to both (these qualities).

Fasting says (implicitly), “He has abstained from what is lawful: know (therefore) that he has no connexion with what is unlawful”;