Rumi's Masnavi - He (alone) may open (his mouth) who is preserved (from error) in the way of (Divine) inspiration; ‘tis permissible, since he is entirely pure;

He (alone) may open (his mouth) who is preserved (from error) in the way of (Divine) inspiration; ‘tis permissible, since he is entirely pure;

آنک معصوم ره وحی خداست ** چون همه صافست بگشاید رواست

For a prophet does not speak from self-will: how should self-will proceed from him who is preserved by God?

زانک ما ینطق رسول بالهوی ** کی هوا زاید ز معصوم خدا

Make yourself one that speaks eloquently from ecstatic feeling, lest you become a slave to argumentation like me.”

خویشتن را ساز منطیقی ز حال ** تا نگردی هم‌چو من سخره‌ی مقال

How the Súfi questioned the Cadi.

سال کردن آن صوفی قاضی را

The Súfi said, “Since (all) the gold is from a single Mine, why is this beneficial and that other harmful?

گفت صوفی چون ز یک کانست زر ** این چرا نفعست و آن دیگر ضرر

Since the whole (Creation) has come from a single Hand, why has this one come sober and that one intoxicated? 1605

چونک جمله از یکی دست آمدست ** این چرا هوشیار و آن مست آمدست

Since (all) these rivers flow from a single Sea, why is this one honey and that one poison in the mouth?

چون ز یک دریاست این جوها روان ** این چرا نوش است و آن زهر دهان

Since all lights are (derived) from the everlasting Sun, wherefore did the true dawn and the false dawn rise?

چون همه انوار از شمس بقاست ** صبح صادق صبح کاذب از چه خاست

Since the blackness of every seeing person’s eye is (derived) from a single Collyrium, wherefore did true sight and strabism come (into being)?

چون ز یک سرمه‌ست ناظر را کحل ** از چه آمد راست‌بینی و حول

Since God is the Governor of the Mint, how is it that (both) good and spurious coins are struck?

چونک دار الضرب را سلطان خداست ** نقد را چون ضرب خوب و نارواست

Since God has called the Way ‘My Way,’ wherefore is this one a trusty escort and that one a brigand? 1610

چون خدا فرمود ره را راه من ** این خفیر از چیست و آن یک راه‌زن