Oh, (there is) many an act of niggardliness that is better than prodigality: do not bestow what belongs to God except by the command of God,
ای بسا امساک کز انفاق به ** مال حق را جز به امر حق مده
That thou mayst gain infinite treasure in return, and that thou mayst not be numbered among the infidels
تا عوض یابی تو گنج بیکران ** تا نباشی از عداد کافران
Who were offering camels in sacrifice in order that their swords might prevail against Mustafá.
کاشتران قربان همیکردند تا ** چیره گردد تیغشان بر مصطفا
Endeavour to find out the command of God from one who is united (with God): not every heart understands the command of God,
امر حق را باز جو از واصلی ** امر حق را در نیابد هر دلی
As (for example) the slave, the enemy (of God), who did justice (in his own opinion, and) bestowed what belonged to the King upon His enemies who rebelled against Him—2230
چون غلام یاغیی کاو عدل کرد ** مال شه بر باغیان او بذل کرد
In the Qur’án there is warning to the heedless that all their spendings are a (cause of) bitter grief to them—
در نبی انذار اهل غفلت است ** کان همه انفاقهاشان حسرت است
What increase does the equity and justice of this enemy produce in the sight of the King? Banishment and a black countenance (disgrace).
عدل این یاغی و دادش نزد شاه ** چه فزاید دوری و روی سیاه
The chiefs of Mecca (when) at war with the Prophet offered sacrifice in hope of (Divine) favour.
سروران مکه در حرب رسول ** بودشان قربان به اومید قبول
On this account the true believer is saying in his prayer, from fear, “Lead (us) in the right path!”
بهر این مومن همیگوید ز بیم ** در نماز اهد الصراط المستقیم
It beseems the generous man thus to give money, (but) verily the generosity of the lover is the surrender of his soul (life).2235
آن درم دادن سخی را لایق است ** جان سپردن خود سخای عاشق است
If you give bread for God's sake, you will be given bread (in return); if you give your life for God's sake, you will be given life (in return).
نان دهی از بهر حق نانت دهند ** جان دهی از بهر حق جانت دهند
If the leaves of this plane-tree drop off, the Creator will bestow on it the provision of leaflessness (spiritual poverty).
گر بریزد برگهای این چنار ** برگ بیبرگیش بخشد کردگار
If because of your liberality no wealth remains in your hand, how should the bounty of God let you be down-trodden?
گر نماند از جود در دست تو مال ** کی کند فضل خدایت پای مال
When any one sows, his barn becomes empty (of seed), but there is goodliness in his cornfield;
هر که کارد گردد انبارش تهی ** لیکش اندر مزرعه باشد بهی
And, if he leaves it (the seed) in the barn and saves it up, weevils and mice and calamities (of time and decay) devour it entirely.2240
و آن که در انبار ماند و صرفه کرد ** اشپش و موش و حوادث پاک خورد
This world is negation (of reality): seek (reality) in affirmation (of God). Your form (body) is void (of reality): seek in your essence.
این جهان نفی است در اثبات جو ** صورتت صفر است در معنات جو
Bring the briny bitter (animal) soul to the sword: buy the (heavenly) soul that is like a great sweet river.
جان شور تلخ پیش تیغ بر ** جان چون دریای شیرین را بخر
And if you cannot become (one of the frequenters) of this threshold (sublime court), at least hear from me the following tale.
ور نمیدانی شدن زین آستان ** باری از من گوش کن این داستان
The story of the Caliph who in his time surpassed Hátim of Tayyi in generosity and had no rival.
قصهی خلیفه که در کرم در زمان خود از حاتم طایی گذشته بود و نظیر خود نداشت
In former days there was a Caliph who made Hátim the slave of his liberality.
یک خلیفه بود در ایام پیش ** کرده حاتم را غلام جود خویش
He had raised high the banner of munificence and largesse, he had removed poverty and want from the world.2245
رایت اکرام و داد افراشته ** فقر و حاجت از جهان برداشته
(He was) a sea (of bounty), and the pearls (in it) came pure (untarnished) from his munificence: his largesse reached from Qáf to Qáf.
بحر و کان از بخششاش صاف آمده ** داد او از قاف تا قاف آمده
In this world of dust he was the cloud and the rain: he was the centre wherein the bounty of the Giver of all displayed itself.
در جهان خاک ابر و آب بود ** مظهر بخشایش وهاب بود
His gifts caused sea and mine to quake (tremble with shame): caravan on caravan (were hastening) towards his liberality.
از عطایش بحر و کان در زلزله ** سوی جودش قافله بر قافله
His gate and portal was the point to which Need turned: the fame of his munificence had gone (far and wide) into the world.
قبلهی حاجت در و دروازهاش ** رفته در عالم به جود آوازهاش
Persians and Greeks, Turcomans and Arabs, were lost in amazement at his liberality and generosity.2250
هم عجم هم روم هم ترک و عرب ** مانده از جود و سخایش در عجب