(How is he) whom the vast river takes on its head (surface), like Jesus, saying, ‘In the Water of Life thou art safe from drowning’?”
هم‌چو عیسی بر سرش گیرد فرات ** که ایمنی از غرقه در آب حیات
Ahmad (Mohammed) says, “Had (his) faith been greater, even the air would have carried him safely,
گوید احمد گر یقینش افزون بدی ** خود هوایش مرکب و مامون بدی
Like me, who rode upon the air on the night of the Ascension and sought communion (with God).”
هم‌چو من که بر هوا راکب شدم ** در شب معراج مستصحب شدم
He (Hilál) said, “How is a blind filthy dog that sprang up from sleep and found itself to be a lion?—
گفت چون باشد سگی کوری پلید ** جست او از خواب خود را شیر دید
Not such a lion as any one could shoot; nay, but (such an one that) by the terror of it sword and javelin would be shattered.1190
نه چنان شیری که کس تیرش زند ** بل ز بیمش تیغ و پیکان بشکند
The blind man, (who was) going on his belly, like a snake— (how is he when) he has opened his eyes in the garden and in spring?”
کور بر اشکم رونده هم‌چو مار ** چشمها بگشاد در باغ و بهار
How is the “how” (contingent being) that has been freed from “how-ness” (conditionedness) and has attained unto the abounding life of “how-lessness”?
چون بود آن چون که از چونی رهید ** در حیاتستان بی‌چونی رسید
He has become a dispenser of “how-ness” in the world beyond locality: all “how's” are (gathered) round his table, like dogs.
گشت چونی‌بخش اندر لامکان ** گرد خوانش جمله چونها چون سگان
He gives (throws) to them a bone from (the table of) “how-lessness.” Do thou, (being) in the state of pollution, keep silence: do not recite this Súra (of the Qur’án).
او ز بی‌چونی دهدشان استخوان ** در جنابت تن زن این سوره مخوان
Until thou wash thyself entirely clean of “how-ness,” do not put thy hand on this (Holy) Book, O youth.1195
تا ز چونی غسل ناری تو تمام ** تو برین مصحف منه کف ای غلام