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
God is manifest amongst others as the moon amidst the stars.1400
حق پدید است از میان دیگران ** همچو ماه اندر میان اختران
Lay two finger-ends on thy two eyes, and wilt thou see aught of the world? Deal justly (confess that thou wilt see nothing).
دو سر انگشت بر دو چشم نه ** هیچ بینی از جهان انصاف ده
If thou dost not see this world, (yet) it is not non-existent: the fault lies not save in the finger of thy evil self.
گر نبینی این جهان معدوم نیست ** عیب جز ز انگشت نفس شوم نیست
Come, lift the finger from thine eye, and then behold whatsoever thou wishest.
تو ز چشم انگشت را بردار هین ** و آن گهانی هر چه میخواهی ببین
To Noah his people said, ‘Where is the Divine recompense?’ He said, ‘On the other side of they cover themselves with their garments.
نوح را گفتند امت کو ثواب ** گفت او ز آن سوی و استغشوا ثیاب
Ye have wrapped your faces and heads in your clothes: of necessity ye have eyes and see not.’1405
رو و سر در جامهها پیچیدهاید ** لا جرم با دیده و نادیدهاید
Man is eye, and (all) the rest is (worthless) skin: the sight of that (eye) is (consists in) seeing the Beloved.
آدمی دید است و باقی پوست است ** دید آن است آن که دید دوست است
When there is not sight of the Beloved, it (the eye) is better blind; the beloved who is not everlasting is better afar (away and out of sight).”
چون که دید دوست نبود کور به ** دوست کاو باقی نباشد دور به
When the ambassador of Rúm admitted these fresh (spiritual) words into his hearing (gave ear to them), he became more full of longing.
چون رسول روم این الفاظ تر ** در سماع آورد شد مشتاقتر
He fixed his eye on seeking ‘Umar, he let his baggage and horse be lost.
دیده را بر جستن عمر گماشت ** رخت را و اسب را ضایع گذاشت
He was going in every direction after that man of (great) accomplishment, inquiring madly for him,1410
هر طرف اندر پی آن مرد کار ** میشدی پرسان او دیوانهوار