I do not, like (idolatrous) infidels, seek (expect) from an idol that it should be God or even a sign from God.
همچو گبران من نجویم از بتی ** کاو بود حق یا خود از حق آیتی
I do not seek the smell of musk from dung; I do not seek dry bricks in river water.
من ز سرگین مینجویم بوی مشک ** من در آب جو نجویم خشت خشک
From Satan, who is other (than good), I do not look for this— that he should awaken me with good (intent).”
من ز شیطان این نجویم کاوست غیر ** که مرا بیدار گرداند به خیر
How Iblís told truly his hidden thought to Mu‘áwiya—may God be well-pleased with him!
راست گفتن ابلیس ضمیر خود را به معاویه
Iblís spoke many words of deceit and treachery, (but) the Amír hearkened not to him and strove (against him) and showed fortitude.
گفت بسیار آن بلیس از مکر و غدر ** میر از او نشنید کرد استیز و صبر
(At length), with the bitterest pangs he (Iblís) said: “O such-and-such, know that I awakened you for the purpose2765
از بن دندان بگفتش بهر آن ** کردمت بیدار میدان ای فلان
That you might join the congregation (of Moslems) in praying after the Prophet of high estate.
تا رسی اندر جماعت در نماز ** از پی پیغمبر دولت فراز
If the time of prayers had passed, this world would have become dark to you and without a gleam of light;
گر نماز از وقت رفتی مر ترا ** این جهان تاریک گشتی بیضیا
(And then) from disappointment and grief tears would have flowed from your two eyes in the fashion of (water from) water-skins,
از غبین و درد رفتی اشکها ** از دو چشم تو مثال مشکها
(Because) every one has delight in some act of devotion and consequently cannot bear to miss it (even) for a short while.
ذوق دارد هر کسی در طاعتی ** لاجرم نشکیبد از وی ساعتی
That disappointment and grief would have been (as) a hundred prayers: what is (ritual) prayer in comparison with the (spiritual) glow of humble supplication?”2770
آن غبین و درد بودی صد نماز ** کو نماز و کو فروغ آن نیاز
The excellence of the remorse felt by one who was sincere (in his devotion) for having missed the congregational prayers.
فضیلت حسرت خوردن آن مخلص بر فوت نماز جماعت
A certain man was going into the mosque (when) the people were coming out of the mosque.
آن یکی میرفت در مسجد درون ** مردم از مسجد همیآمد برون
He began to ask (one of them), saying, “What ails the congregation that they are coming out of the mosque (so) soon?”
گفت پرسان که جماعت را چه بود ** که ز مسجد میبرون آیند زود
That person said to him, “The Prophet has prayed with the congregation and finished (his) communion.
آن یکی گفتش که پیغمبر نماز ** با جماعت کرد و فارغ شد ز راز
How art thou going in, O foolish man, when the Prophet has given the blessing?”
تو کجا در میروی ای مرد خام ** چون که پیغمبر بداده ست السلام
He cried, “Ah!” and smoke issued from that (burning) sigh: his sigh was giving forth the smell of blood from his heart.2775
گفت آه و دود از آن اه شد برون ** آه او میداد از دل بوی خون
A certain man said, “Give (me) that sigh and may this (ritual) prayer of mine be (bestowed) on thee as a gift!”
آن یکی از جمع گفت این آه را ** تو به من ده و آن نماز من ترا
He answered, “I give the sigh and accept the prayers.” He (the other) took that sigh with a hundred yearnings (towards God).
گفت دادم آه و پذرفتم نماز ** او ستد آن آه را با صد نیاز
At night, whilst (he was) asleep, a Voice said to him, “Thou hast bought the Water of Life and salvation.
شب به خواب اندر بگفتش هاتفی ** که خریدی آب حیوان و شفا
In honour of this choice and this appropriation the prayers of all the people have been accepted.”
حرمت این اختیار و این دخول ** شد نماز جملهی خلقان قبول
Conclusion of the confession made by Iblís to Mu‘áwiya of his deceit.
تتمهی اقرار ابلیس به معاویه مکر خود را
Then ‘Azázíl said to him, “O noble Amír, I must lay my deceit before (you).2780
پس عزازیلش به گفت ای میر راد ** مکر خود اندر میان باید نهاد
If you had missed the prayers, you would then from heartache have uttered sighs and lamentations,
گر نمازت فوت میشد آن زمان ** میزدی از درد دل آه و فغان
And that regret and that lamentation and that (sorrowful) yearning would have exceeded (in value) two hundred litanies and prayers.
آن تاسف و آن فغان و آن نیاز ** در گذشتی از دو صد ذکر و نماز
I awakened you in fear lest such a sigh might burn the veil (of formality),
من ترا بیدار کردم از نهیب ** تا بسوزاند چنان آهی حجاب
In order that such a sigh should not be yours; in order that you should not have any way to it.
تا چنان آهی نباشد مر ترا ** تا بدان راهی نباشد مر ترا
I am envious: from envy I acted thus. I am the enemy: my (proper) work is deceit and malice.”2785
من حسودم از حسد کردم چنین ** من عدویم کار من مکر است و کین