Before (the time of) ‘Uthmán there was a scribe who used to be diligent in writing down the Revelation.
پیش از عثمان یکی نساخ بود ** کاو به نسخ وحی جدی مینمود
Whenever the Prophet dictated the Revelation, he would write out the same (portion) on the leaf.
چون نبی از وحی فرمودی سبق ** او همان را وانبشتی بر ورق
The beams of that Revelation would shine upon him, and he would find Wisdom within him.3230
پرتو آن وحی بر وی تافتی ** او درون خویش حکمت یافتی
The substance of that Wisdom was dictated by the Prophet: by this (small) amount (of reflected Wisdom) that meddling fool was led astray,
عین آن حکمت بفرمودی رسول ** زین قدر گمراه شد آن بو الفضول
Thinking, “I have in my conscience the Truth of that which the illumined Prophet is saying.”
کانچه میگوید رسول مستنیر ** مر مرا هست آن حقیقت در ضمیر
The ray of his thought struck the Prophet: the wrath of God descended on his (the scribe's) soul.
پرتو اندیشهاش زد بر رسول ** قهر حق آورد بر جانش نزول
He abandoned both his work as a scribe and the Religion (Islam): he became the malignant foe of Mustafá (Mohammed) and the Religion.
هم ز نساخی بر آمد هم ز دین ** شد عدوی مصطفی و دین به کین
Mustafá said, “O obstinate miscreant, if the Light was from thee, how shouldst thou have become black (with sin)?3235
مصطفی فرمود کای گبر عنود ** چون سیه گشتی اگر نور از تو بود
If thou hadst been the Divine fountain (whence the Revelation issued), thou wouldst not have let out such black water as this.”
گر تو ینبوع الهی بودیی ** این چنین آب سیه نگشودیی
Lest his reputation should be ruined in the sight of all and sundry, this (pride) kept his mouth shut.
تا که ناموسش به پیش این و آن ** نشکند بر بست این او را دهان
His (the scribe's) heart was burning, hence he was unable to repent: this is wonderful.
اندرون میسوختش هم زین سبب ** توبه کردن مینیارست این عجب
He (the scribe) was crying “Alas,” but “Alas” was of no use to him when the sword came on and took off his head.
آه میکرد و نبودش آه سود ** چون در آمد تیغ و سر را در ربود
God has made reputation (to be like) a hundred maunds' weight of iron: oh, many a one is bound in the unseen chain!3240
کرده حق ناموس را صد من حدید ** ای بسا بسته به بند ناپدید
Pride and infidelity have barred that Way (of repentance) in such wise that he (the sinner) cannot utter a sigh.
کبر و کفر آن سان ببست آن راه را ** که نیارد کرد ظاهر آه را
He (God) said, “(We have put on their necks) shackles (chin-high), and thereby they are forced to lift up their heads”: those shackles are not (put) on us from outside.
گفت اغلالا فهم به مقمحون ** نیست آن اغلال بر ما از برون
“(And We have put) behind them a barrier, and We have made a covering (of darkness) over them”: he is not seeing the barrier in front (of him) and behind.
خلفهم سدا فأغشیناهم ** مینبیند بند را پیش و پس او
The barrier that arose has the appearance of open country: he does not know that it is the barrier of the Divine destiny.
رنگ صحرا دارد آن سدی که خاست ** او نمیداند که آن سد قضاست
Your (earthly) beloved is a barrier to the face of the (Divine) Beloved: your (worldly) guide is a barrier to the words of the (true spiritual) guide.3245
شاهد تو سد روی شاهد است ** مرشد تو سد گفت مرشد است
Oh, many are the infidels that have a passionate longing for the Religion (Islam): their chain (stumbling-block) is reputation and pride in this and that (object of desire).
ای بسا کفار را سودای دین ** بندشان ناموس و کبر آن و این
The chain is hidden. but ’tis worse than iron: the iron chain is cut in pieces by the axe.
بند پنهان لیک از آهن بتر ** بند آهن را کند پاره تبر
The iron chain can be removed: none knows how to cure the invisible chain.
بند آهن را توان کردن جدا ** بند غیبی را نداند کس دوا
If a man is stung by a wasp, at that moment his nature is intent on a means of removing (the pain),
مرد را زنبور اگر نیشی زند ** طبع او آن لحظه بر دفعی تند
But since the stinging wound is from (inflicted by) your self-existence, the pain continues with violence and the anguish is not relieved.3250
زخم نیش اما چو از هستی تست ** غم قوی باشد نگردد درد سست
The (full) explanation of this (matter) is springing forth (seeking to escape) from my breast, but I am afraid it may give (you cause to) despair.
شرح این از سینه بیرون میجهد ** لیک میترسم که نومیدی دهد
Nay, do not despair: make yourself cheerful, call for help to Him who comes at the call,
نی مشو نومید و خود را شاد کن ** پیش آن فریادرس فریاد کن