The greatness of the (traveller's) goal, O well-tried man, is (shown by) the intricate windings of the way and the mountain-passes and the brigands (infesting them).
عزت مقصد بود ای ممتحن ** پیچ پیچ راه و عقبه و راه‌زن
The greatness of the Ka‘ba and its assembly-place is (shown by) the brigandage of the Beduins and the length of the desert (traversed by the pilgrims).
عزت کعبه بود و آن نادیه ** ره‌زنی اعراب و طول بادیه
Every (religious) doctrine, every tenet, that is not praiseworthy is (like) a mountain-pass and a barrier and a brigand.3225
هر روش هر ره که آن محمود نیست ** عقبه‌ای و مانعی و ره‌زنیست
This doctrine has become the adversary and bitter enemy of that, so that the imitator (who adopts the beliefs of others) is in a dilemma;
این روش خصم و حقود آن شده ** تا مقلد در دو ره حیران شده
(For) he sees that both the opponents are firm in their doctrine: every sect is pleased with its own path.
صدق هر دو ضد بیند در روش ** هر فریقی در ره خود خوش منش
If it has no reply (to the arguments brought against it), it will cling obstinately to the same formula till the Day of Resurrection,
گر جوابش نیست می‌بندد ستیز ** بر همان دم تا به روز رستخیز
Saying, “Our great authorities know the reply to this, although the right method (of answering) is hidden from us.”
که مهان ما بدانند این جواب ** گرچه از ما شد نهان وجه صواب
The only muzzle for evil suggestions (of doubt) is Love; else, when has any one (ever) stopped (such) temptation?3230
پوزبند وسوسه عشقست و بس ** ورنه کی وسواس را بستست کس
Become a lover, seek a fair minion, hunt a waterfowl from river to river.
How will you get water (spirituality) from that one who takes your water away? How will you apprehend (the truth) from that one (who) consumes your (spiritual) apprehension?
کی بری زان آب کان آبت برد ** کی کنی زان فهم فهمت را خورد