(The thought), ‘To-morrow I will do this or I will do that,’ is a proof of the power to choose, O worshipful one;
این که فردا این کنم یا آن کنم ** این دلیل اختیارست ای صنم
And (in the case of) the penitence which you have felt for (having committed) an evil deed, you have been led (into the right path) through your power of choice.3025
وان پشیمانی که خوردی زان بدی ** ز اختیار خویش گشتی مهتدی
The entire Qur’án consists of commands and prohibitions and threats (of punishment): who (ever) saw commands given to a marble rock?
جمله قران امر و نهیست و وعید ** امر کردن سنگ مرمر را کی دید
Does any wise man, does any reasonable man, do this? Does he show anger and enmity to brickbats and stones?—
هیچ دانا هیچ عاقل این کند ** با کلوخ و سنگ خشم و کین کند
Saying, ‘I told you to do thus or thus: why have ye not done it, O dead and helpless ones?’
که بگفتم کین چنین کن یا چنان ** چون نکردید ای موات و عاجزان
How should reason exercise any authority over wood and stone? How should reason lay hold of the painted figure of a cripple,
عقل کی حکمی کند بر چوب و سنگ ** عقل کی چنگی زند بر نقش چنگ
Saying, ‘O slave with palsied hands and broken legs, take up the lance and come to battle’?3030
کای غلام بسته دست اشکسته‌پا ** نیزه برگیر و بیا سوی وغا
How, (then), should the Creator who is the Maker of stars and sky make commands and prohibitions like those of an ignorant person?
خالقی که اختر و گردون کند ** امر و نهی جاهلانه چون کند
You have removed from God the possibility of impotence, (but) you have (virtually) called Him ignorant and stupid and foolish.
احتمال عجز از حق راندی ** جاهل و گیج و سفیهش خواندی
(Divine) impotence does not follow from the doctrine of Free-will; and even if it do, ignorance is worse than impotence.
عجز نبود از قدر ور گر بود ** جاهلی از عاجزی بدتر بود