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
Accept this (saying) without any (perverse) interpretation, that it may come into your throat (as agreeably) as honey and milk.
هیچ بیتاویل این را در پذیر ** تا در آید در گلو چون شهد و شیر
Because interpretation (alteration of the meaning) is a rejection of the gift, since he (the interpreter) regards that real (original) meaning as faulty.
ز آن که تاویل است وا داد عطا ** چون که بیند آن حقیقت را خطا
The view that it is faulty arises from the weakness of his understanding: Universal Reason is the kernel, and the particular reason is (like) the rind.
آن خطا دیدن ز ضعف عقل اوست ** عقل کل مغز است و عقل جزو پوست
Alter yourself, not the Traditions (of the Prophet): abuse your (dull) brain, not the rose garden (the true sense which you cannot apprehend).
خویش را تاویل کن نه اخبار را ** مغز را بد گوی نی گلزار را
“O ‘Alí, thou who art all mind and eye, relate a little of that which thou hast seen!3745
ای علی که جمله عقل و دیدهای ** شمه ای واگو از آن چه دیدهای
The sword of thy forbearance hath rent my soul, the water of thy knowledge hath purified my earth.
تیغ حلمت جان ما را چاک کرد ** آب علمت خاک ما را پاک کرد
Tell it forth! I know that these are His (God's) mysteries, because ’tis His work (way) to kill without sword.
باز گو دانم که این اسرار هوست ** ز آن که بیشمشیر کشتن کار اوست
He that works without tools and without limbs, He that bestows these profitable gifts,
صانع بیآلت و بیجارحه ** واهب این هدیههای رابحه