- A conflagration occurred in the time of ‘Umar: it was devouring stones as though they were dry wood.
- آتشی افتاد در عهد عمر ** همچو چوب خشک میخورد او حجر
- It fell upon buildings and houses, until (at last) it darted at the wings and nests of birds.
- در فتاد اندر بنا و خانهها ** تا زد اندر پر مرغ و لانهها
- Half the city caught fire from the flames: water was afraid of it (the fire) and amazed.
- نیم شهر از شعلهها آتش گرفت ** آب میترسید از آن و میشگفت
- Some intelligent persons were throwing skins of water and vinegar on the fire, 3710
- مشکهای آب و سرکه میزدند ** بر سر آتش کسان هوشمند
- (But) out of spite (obstinacy) the fire was increasing: aid was coming to it from One who is infinite.
- آتش از استیزه افزون میشدی ** میرسید او را مدد از بیحدی
- The people came in haste to ‘Umar, saying, “Our fire will not be quenched at all by water.”
- خلق آمد جانب عمر شتاب ** کاتش ما مینمیرد هیچ از آب
- He said, “That fire is one of God's signs: ’tis a flame from the fire of your avarice.
- گفت آن آتش ز آیات خداست ** شعلهای از آتش بخل شماست
- What are water and vinegar? Deal out bread (in charity), discard avarice if ye are my people (followers).”
- آب بگذارید و نان قسمت کنید ** بخل بگذارید اگر آل منید
- The folk said to him, “We have opened our doors, we have been bountiful and devoted to generosity.” 3715
- خلق گفتندش که در بگشودهایم ** ما سخی و اهل فتوت بودهایم
- He replied, “Ye have given bread by rule and habit, ye have not opened your hands for the sake of God—
- گفت نان در رسم و عادت دادهاید ** دست از بهر خدا نگشادهاید
- (Only) for glory and for ostentation and for pride, not because of fear and piety and supplication.”
- بهر فخر و بهر بوش و بهر ناز ** نه از برای ترس و تقوی و نیاز
- Wealth is seed, and do not lay it in every salty ground: do not put a sword in the hand of every highwayman.
- مال تخم است و به هر شوره منه ** تیغ را در دست هر ره زن مده
- Distinguish the friends of the Religion (ahl-i Dín) from the enemies of God (ahl-i kín): seek the man that sits with God, and sit with him.
- اهل دین را باز دان از اهل کین ** همنشین حق بجو با او نشین
- Every one shows favour to his own folk: the fool (who shows favour to the foolish) thinks he has really done (good and religious) work. 3720
- هر کسی بر قوم خود ایثار کرد ** کاغه پندارد که او خود کار کرد
- How an enemy spat in the face of the Prince of the Faithful, ‘Alí, may God honour his person, and how ‘Alí dropped the sword from his hand.
- خدو انداختن خصم در روی امیر المؤمنین علی علیه السلام و انداختن علی شمشیر را از دست
- Learn how to act sincerely from ‘Alí: know that the Lion of God (‘Alí) was purged of (all) deceit.
- از علی آموز اخلاص عمل ** شیر حق را دان مطهر از دغل
- In fighting against the infidels he got the upper hand of (vanquished) a certain knight, and quickly drew a sword and made haste (to slay him).
- در غزا بر پهلوانی دست یافت ** زود شمشیری بر آورد و شتافت
- He spat on the face of ‘Alí, the pride of every prophet and every saint;
- او خدو انداخت در روی علی ** افتخار هر نبی و هر ولی
- He spat on the countenance before which the face of the moon bows low in the place of worship.
- آن خدو زد بر رخی که روی ماه ** سجده آرد پیش او در سجدهگاه
- ‘Alí at once threw his sword away and relaxed (his efforts) in fighting him. 3725
- در زمان انداخت شمشیر آن علی ** کرد او اندر غزایش کاهلی
- That champion was astounded by this act and by his showing forgiveness and mercy without occasion.
- گشت حیران آن مبارز زین عمل ** وز نمودن عفو و رحمت بیمحل
- He said, “You lifted your keen sword against me: why have you flung it aside and spared me?
- گفت بر من تیغ تیز افراشتی ** از چه افکندی مرا بگذاشتی
- What did you see that was better than combat with me, so that you have become slack in hunting me down?
- آن چه دیدی بهتر از پیکار من ** تا شدی تو سست در اشکار من
- What did you see, so that such anger as yours abated, and so that such a lightning flashed and (then) recoiled?
- آن چه دیدی که چنین خشمت نشست ** تا چنان برقی نمود و باز جست
- What did you see, that from the reflexion of that vision (of thine) a flame appeared in my heart and soul? 3730
- آن چه دیدی که مرا ز آن عکس دید ** در دل و جان شعله ای آمد پدید
- What did you see, beyond (material) existence and space, that was better than life?— and (so) you gave me life.
- آن چه دیدی برتر از کون و مکان ** که به از جان بود و بخشیدیم جان