No opposite can be known except through its opposite: (only) when he (any one) suffers blows will he know (the value of) kindness.
جز به ضد ضد را همی نتوان شناخت ** چون ببیند زخم بشناسد نواخت
Consequently the present life has come in front (first), in order that you may appreciate the realm of Alast.600
لاجرم دنیا مقدم آمدست ** تا بدانی قدر اقلیم الست
When you are delivered from this place and go to that place, you will give thanks (to God) in the sugar-shop of everlastingness.
چون ازینجا وا رهی آنجا روی ** در شکرخانه‌ی ابد شاکر شوی
You will say, ‘There (in the world below) I was sifting dust, I was fleeing from this pure world.
گویی آنجا خاک را می‌بیختم ** زین جهان پاک می‌بگریختم
Alas, would that I had died ere now, so that my (time of) being tormented in the mud might have been less!’
ای دریغا پیش ازین بودیم اجل ** تا عذابم کم بدی اندر وجل
Commentary on the saying of the Prophet, on whom be peace, “None ever died without wishing, if he was a righteous man, that he had died before he (actually) died, in order that he might sooner attain unto felicity; and if he was a wicked man, in order that his wickedness might be less.”
در تفسیر قول رسول علیه‌السلام ما مات من مات الا و تمنی ان یموت قبل ما مات ان کان برا لیکون الی وصول البر اعجل و ان کان فاجرا لیقل فجوره
Hence the wise Prophet has said that no one who dies and dismounts from (the steed of) the body
زین بفرمودست آن آگه رسول ** که هر آنک مرد و کرد از تن نزول
Feels grief on account of departure and death, but (only) grieves because of having failed (in good works) and missed his opportunities.605
نبود او را حسرت نقلان و موت ** لیک باشد حسرت تقصیر و فوت
In sooth every one that dies wishes that the departure to his destination had been earlier:
هر که میرد خود تمنی باشدش ** که بدی زین پیش نقل مقصدش
If he be wicked, in order that his wickedness might have been less; and if devout, in order that he might have come home sooner.
گر بود بد تا بدی کمتر بدی ** ور تقی تا خانه زوتر آمدی
The wicked man says, ‘I have been heedless, moment by moment I have been adding to the veil (of sin).
گوید آن بد بی‌خبر می‌بوده‌ام ** دم به دم من پرده می‌افزوده‌ام