Nay, its faith is (mere) imitation: its spirit has never seen the face of faith.
بلک تقلیدست آن ایمان او ** روی ایمان را ندیده جان او
Hence, because of the accursed Devil, the imitator is in great danger from the road and the brigand;2450
پس خطر باشد مقلد را عظیم ** از ره و ره‌زن ز شیطان رجیم
(But) when he beholds the Light of God, he becomes safe: he is at rest from the agitations of doubt.
چون ببیند نور حق آمن شود ** ز اضطرابات شک او ساکن شود
The sea-foam (scum) is (always) in collision till it comes to the earth (land) which is its origin.
تا کف دریا نیاید سوی خاک ** که اصل او آمد بود در اصطکاک
The foam (scum) is earthly: it is an exile in the water: in exile agitation is inevitable.
خاکی است آن کف غریبست اندر آب ** در غریبی چاره نبود ز اضطراب
When his (the imitator's) eye is opened and he reads those characters (of Reality), the Devil hath no power over him any more.
چونک چشمش باز شد و آن نقش خواند ** دیو را بر وی دگر دستی نماند
Although the ass spoke of (spiritual) mysteries to the fox, he spoke superficially and like an imitator.2455
گرچه با روباه خر اسرار گفت ** سرسری گفت و مقلدوار گفت
He praised the water, but he had no longing (for it); he tore his face and raiment, but he was no lover.
آب را بستود و او تایق نبود ** رخ درید و جامه او عاشق نبود
The excuse made by the hypocrite was bad, not good, because it was (only) on their lips, not in their hearts.
از منافق عذر رد آمد نه خوب ** زانک در لب بود آن نه در قلوب
He (the hypocrite) has the smell of the apple, but no part of the apple (itself); and in him (even) the smell is only for the purpose of (coming into) contact (with the true believers).
بوی سیبش هست جزو سیب نیست ** بو درو جز از پی آسیب نیست