(Sunk in earth) like ducks that have plunged their heads in water, they have become (gay as) peacocks, though (in winter) they were (dark and bare) as crows.
همچو بطان سر فرو برده به آب ** گشته طاوسان و بوده چون غراب
If during the winter He imprisoned them (in ice and snow), God made those “crows” “peacocks” (in spring).
در زمستانشان اگر محبوس کرد ** آن غرابان را خدا طاوس کرد
Although He put them to death in winter, He revived them by means of spring and gave (them) leaves.
در زمستانشان اگر چه داد مرگ ** زندهشان کرد از بهار و داد برگ
The sceptics say, “This (creation), surely, is eternal: why should we fix it on a beneficent Lord?”2020
منکران گویند خود هست این قدیم ** این چرا بندیم بر رب کریم
God, in despite of them, caused (spiritual) gardens and plots of sweet flowers to grow in the hearts of His friends.
کوری ایشان درون دوستان ** حق برویانید باغ و بوستان
Every rose that is sweet-scented within, that rose is telling of the secrets of the rose.
هر گلی کاندر درون بویا بود ** آن گل از اسرار کل گویا بود
Their scent, to the confusion of the sceptics, is going round the world, rending the veil (of doubt and disbelief).
بوی ایشان رغم انف منکران ** گرد عالم میرود پرده دران
The sceptics, (shrinking) from the scent of the rose like a beetle, or like a delicate (sensitive) brain at the noise of the drum,
منکران همچون جعل ز آن بوی گل ** یا چو نازک مغز در بانگ دهل
Feign themselves to be occupied and absorbed, and withdraw their eyes from the flash of the lightning.2025
They withdraw their eyes, but no eye is there: the eye is that which sees a place of safety.
چشم میدزدند و آن جا چشم نی ** چشم آن باشد که بیند مأمنی
When the Prophet returned from the graveyard, he went to the Siddíqa and confided (in her).
چون ز گورستان پیمبر باز گشت ** سوی صدیقه شد و هم راز گشت
As soon as the eye of the Siddíqa fell upon his countenance, she advanced and began to lay her hand on him,
چشم صدیقه چو بر رویش فتاد ** پیش آمد دست بر وی مینهاد
On his turban and his face and his hair, on his collar and chest and arm.
بر عمامه و روی او و موی او ** بر گریبان و بر و بازوی او
Said the Prophet, “What art thou seeking so hastily?” She replied, “To-day rain fell from the clouds:2030
گفت پیغمبر چه میجویی شتاب ** گفت باران آمد امروز از سحاب
I am searching thy garments in quest (of moisture), I do not feel them wet with the rain. Oh, how wonderful!”
جامههایت میبجویم از طلب ** تر نمیبینم ز باران ای عجب
The Prophet said, “What wrap hast thou thrown over thy head?” Said she, “I made that ridá (plaid) of thine (serve as) a head-covering.”
گفت چه بر سر فگندی از ازار ** گفت کردم آن ردای تو خمار
He said, “O pure-bosomed one, that is why God revealed to thy pure eye the rain of the Unseen.
گفت بهر آن نمود ای پاک جیب ** چشم پاکت را خدا باران غیب
That rain is not from your clouds: there are other clouds and another sky.”
نیست آن باران از این ابر شما ** هست ابری دیگر و دیگر سما
Commentary on the verse of Hakím (Saná’í): “In the realm of the soul are skies lording over the sky of this world. In the Way of the spirit there are lowlands and highlands, there are lofty mountains and seas.”
تفسیر بیت حکیم: "آسمانهاست در ولایت جان کارفرمای آسمان جهان در ره روح پست و بالاهاست کوههای بلند و دریاهاست"
The Unseen World has other clouds and water (than ours), it has another sky and sun.2035
غیب را ابری و آبی دیگر است ** آسمان و آفتابی دیگر است
That is not discerned save by the elect; the rest are in doubt as to a new creation.
ناید آن الا که بر خاصان پدید ** باقیان فی لبس من خلق جدید
There is rain for the sake of nurture; there is (also) rain for the sake of decay.
هست باران از پی پروردگی ** هست باران از پی پژمردگی
Marvellous is the benefit of the rain of springtime, (but) to the garden the autumnal rain is like a (consuming) fever.
نفع باران بهاران بو العجب ** باغ را باران پاییزی چو تب
That vernal (rain) makes it tenderly nurtured (flourishing), while this autumnal (rain) makes it sickly and wan.
آن بهاری ناز پروردش کند ** وین خزانی ناخوش و زردش کند
Similarly know that cold and wind and sun are at variance (produce various effects); and find the clue.2040
همچنین سرما و باد و آفتاب ** بر تفاوت دان و سر رشته بیاب
Even so in the Unseen World there are these different sorts, (consisting) in loss and gain and in profit and defraudment (damage).
همچنین در غیب انواع است این ** در زیان و سود و در ربح و غبین