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
In bravery you are the Lion of the Lord: in generosity who indeed knows who (what) you are?
در شجاعت شیر ربانی ستی ** در مروت خود که داند کیستی
In generosity you are (like) Moses' cloud in the desert, whence came the dishes of food and bread incomparable.”
در مروت ابر موسایی به تیه ** کآمد از وی خوان و نان بیشبیه
The clouds give wheat which man with toil makes cooked (easy to digest) and sweet as honey.
ابرها گندم دهد کان را به جهد ** پخته و شیرین کند مردم چو شهد
(But) Moses' cloud spread the wings of mercy and gave cooked and sweet food that was (ready to be eaten) without trouble.3735
ابر موسی پر رحمت بر گشاد ** پخته و شیرین بیزحمت بداد
For the sake of those (beggars) who partook of its bounty, its (the cloud's) mercy raised a banner (displayed itself) in the world.
از برای پخته خواران کرم ** رحمتش افراشت در عالم علم
During forty years that ration and largesse did not fail the hopeful people (of Israel) for a single day,
تا چهل سال آن وظیفه و آن عطا ** کم نشد یک روز از آن اهل رجا
Until they too, because of their vileness, arose and demanded leeks and green herbs and lettuce.
تا هم ایشان از خسیسی خاستند ** گندنا و تره و خس خواستند
O people of Ahmad (Mohammed), who are of the noble, (for you) that food is continuing till the Resurrection.
امت احمد که هستند از کرام ** تا قیامت هست باقی آن طعام
When (the Prophet's saying), “I pass the night with my Lord,” was uttered, (the words) “He gives (me) food” and “He gives (me) drink” referred metaphorically to (spiritual) food (and drink).3740
چون ابیت عند ربی فاش شد ** یطعم و یسقی کنایت زاش شد