This carnal self (nafs) is Hell, and Hell is a dragon (the fire of) which is not diminished by oceans (of water).1375
دوزخ است این نفس و دوزخ اژدهاست ** کاو به دریاها نگردد کم و کاست
It would drink up the Seven Seas, and still the blazing of that consumer of all creatures would not become less.
هفت دریا را در آشامد هنوز ** کم نگردد سوزش آن خلق سوز
Stones and stony-hearted infidels enter it, miserable and shamefaced,
سنگها و کافران سنگ دل ** اندر آیند اندر او زار و خجل
(But) still it is not appeased by all this food, until there comes to it from God this call—
هم نگردد ساکن از چندین غذا ** تا ز حق آید مر او را این ندا
“Art thou filled, art thou filled?” It says, “Not yet; lo, here is the fire, here is the glow, here is the burning!”
سیر گشتی سیر گوید نی هنوز ** اینت آتش اینت تابش اینت سوز
It made a mouthful of and swallowed a whole world, its belly crying aloud, “Is there any more?”1380
عالمی را لقمه کرد و در کشید ** معدهاش نعره زنان هل من مزید
God, from (the realm) where place is not, sets His foot on it: then it subsides at (the command) Be, and it was.
حق قدم بر وی نهد از لا مکان ** آن گه او ساکن شود از کن فکان
Inasmuch as this self of ours is a part of Hell, and the parts always have the nature of the whole,
چون که جزو دوزخ است این نفس ما ** طبع کل دارد همیشه جزوها
To God (alone) belongs this foot (power) to kill it: who, indeed, but God should draw its bow (vanquish it)?
این قدم حق را بود کاو را کشد ** غیر حق خود کی کمان او کشد
Only the straight arrow is put on the bow, (but) this bow (of the self) has (its) arrows bent back and crooked.
در کمان ننهند الا تیر راست ** این کمان را باژگون کژ تیرهاست
Be straight, like an arrow, and escape from the bow, for without doubt every straight (arrow) will fly from the bow (to its mark).1385
راست شو چون تیر و واره از کمان ** کز کمان هر راست بجهد بیگمان
When I turned back from the outer warfare, I set my face towards the inner warfare.
چون که واگشتم ز پیکار برون ** روی آوردم به پیکار درون
We have returned from the lesser Jihád, we are engaged along with the Prophet in the greater Jihád.
قد رجعنا من جهاد الاصغریم ** با نبی اندر جهاد اکبریم
I pray God to grant me strength and aid and (the right of) boasting, that I may root up with a needle this mountain of Qáf.
قوت از حق خواهم و توفیق و لاف ** تا به سوزن بر کنم این کوه قاف
Deem of small account the lion (champion) who breaks the ranks (of the enemy): the (true) lion is he that breaks (conquers) himself.
سهل شیری دان که صفها بشکند ** شیر آن است آن که خود را بشکند
How the ambassador of Rúm came to the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Umar, may God be well-pleased with him, and witnessed the gifts of grace with which ‘Umar, may God be well-pleased with him, was endowed.
آمدن رسول روم تا نزد عمر و دیدن او کرامات عمر را
To ‘Umar in Medina there came through the wide desert an ambassador from the Emperor of Rúm.1390
تا عمر آمد ز قیصر یک رسول ** در مدینه از بیابان نغول
He said, “O ye attendants, where is the palace of the Caliph, that I may take thither my horse and baggage?”
گفت کو قصر خلیفه ای حشم ** تا من اسب و رخت را آن جا کشم
The folk said to him, “He has no palace: ‘Umar's (only) palace is an illumined spirit.
قوم گفتندش که او را قصر نیست ** مر عمر را قصر، جان روشنی است
Though he has a (great) renown from being Commander (of the Faithful), he has (no dwelling except) a hut, like the poor.
گر چه از میری و را آوازهای است ** همچو درویشان مر او را کازهای است
O brother, how wilt thou behold his palace, when hair has grown in the eye of thy heart?
ای برادر چون ببینی قصر او ** چون که در چشم دلت رسته ست مو
Purge thy heart's eye of hair and defect, and then hope to behold his palace.1395
چشم دل از مو و علت پاک آر ** و آن گهان دیدار قصرش چشم دار
Whoever hath a spirit purged of (sensual) desires will at once behold the Presence and the Holy Porch.
هر که را هست از هوسها جان پاک ** زود بیند حضرت و ایوان پاک
When Mohammed was purged of this fire and smoke (of human passions), wheresoever he turned his face, was the Face of Allah.
چون محمد پاک شد زین نار و دود ** هر کجا رو کرد وجه الله بود
Inasmuch as thou art a friend to the evil suggestions of the malign one (Satan), how wilt thou know (the true meaning of) There is the Face of Allah?
چون رفیقی وسوسهی بد خواه را ** کی بدانی ثم وجه الله را
Every one in whose breast the gate is opened will behold from every city the sun (shining).
هر که را باشد ز سینه فتح باب ** او ز هر شهری ببیند آفتاب