Myriad hairs of deceit and fraud (he beheld), and at that time he closed his eyes to it all.
صد هزاران موی مکر و دمدمه ** چشم خوابانید آن دم ز ان همه
That ocean of bounty spoke truly (when he said), “I am kinder unto you than you (yourselves are).
راست میفرمود آن بحر کرم ** بر شما من از شما مشفقترم
I am seated at the edge of a fire with an exceedingly unpleasant blaze and flame;2855
من نشسته بر کنار آتشی ** با فروغ و شعلهی بس ناخوشی
Ye are hastening towards it like moths, (while) both my hands have become moth-flaps (to beat you off).”
همچو پروانه شما آن سو دوان ** هر دو دست من شده پروانه ران
When the Prophet had resolved to set out (to the Mosque), the jealousy of God cried, “Do not hearken to the ghoul!
چون بر آن شد تا روان گردد رسول ** غیرت حق بانگ زد مشنو ز غول
For these wicked men have used deceit and cunning: what they have put forward is entirely the reverse (of the truth).
کاین خبیثان مکر و حیلت کردهاند ** جمله مقلوب است آنچ آوردهاند
Their intent was nothing but (to bring) black shame (upon thee): when have Christians or Jews sought the welfare of the (true) Religion?
قصد ایشان جز سیه رویی نبود ** خیر دین کی جست ترسا و جهود
They (the Hypocrites) have built a mosque upon Hell's bridge: they have played the game of trickery with God.2860
مسجدی بر جسر دوزخ ساختند ** با خدا نرد دغاها باختند
Their aim is to cause disunion amongst the Companions of the Prophet: how should any vain fool understand the grace of God?
قصدشان تفریق اصحاب رسول ** فضل حق را کی شناسد هر فضول
(They have built the Mosque) in order that they may fetch hither a Jew from Syria, with whose preaching the Jews are intoxicated.”
تا جهودی را ز شام اینجا کشند ** که به وعظ او جهودان سر خوشند
The Prophet said (to the Hypocrites), “Yes (I will do as ye wish), but (just now) we are intending to march and starting on a campaign.
گفت پیغمبر که آری لیک ما ** بر سر راهیم و بر عزم غزا
As soon as I return from this expedition, I will then set out to that Mosque at once.”
زین سفر چون باز گردم آن گهان ** سوی آن مسجد روان گردم روان
He (thus) put them off and hurried to the field of war: he played a game of trickery with the tricksters.2865
دفعشان کرد و به سوی غزو تاخت ** با دغایان از دغا نردی بباخت
When he came back from the campaign, they returned and laid hold of (demanded the fulfilment of) the past promise.
چون بیامد از غزا باز آمدند ** چنگ اندر وعدهی ماضی زدند
God said to him, “O Prophet, proclaim the excuse (pretence and dissimulation), and if war be (the consequence), say, ‘Let it be!’”
گفت حقش ای پیمبر فاش گو ** غدر را ور جنگ باشد باش گو
He (the Prophet) said, “Ye are exceedingly bad-hearted and hostile. Hush, lest I tell your secret thoughts.”
گفت ای قوم دغل خامش کنید ** تا نگویم رازهاتان تن زنید
When he had declared (to them) a few indications of their inmost thoughts, they were in evil plight.
چون نشانی چند از اسرارشان ** در بیان آورد بد شد کارشان
Thereupon the envoys turned back from him crying, “God forfend! God forfend!”2870
قاصدان زو باز گشتند آن زمان ** حاش لله حاش لله دم زنان
Every Hypocrite, by way of fraud, brought a Qur’án under his arm to the Prophet,
هر منافق مصحفی زیر بغل ** سوی پیغمبر بیاورد از دغل
In order to take oaths—for oaths are a shield; (this they did) because (taking) oaths is a custom followed by the wicked.
بهر سوگندان که ایمان جنتی است ** ز انکه سوگندان کژان را سنتی است
Since the wicked man does not keep faith in (matters of) religion, he will break (his) oath at any time.
چون ندارد مرد کژ در دین وفا ** هر زمانی بشکند سوگند را
The righteous have no need of (taking) oath, because they have two clear (discerning) eyes.
راستان را حاجت سوگند نیست ** ز انکه ایشان را دو چشم روشنی است
Breach of compacts and covenants is (the result) of stupidity; keeping of oaths and faithfulness (to one's word) is the practice of him that fears God.2875
نقض میثاق و عهود از احمقی است ** حفظ ایمان و وفا کار تقی است
Said the Prophet, “Shall I take your oaths as true, or the oath of God?”
گفت پیغمبر که سوگند شما ** راست گیرم یا که سوگند خدا
Again those people, the Qur’án in their hands and the seal of fasting on their lips, swore another oath,
باز سوگند دگر خوردند قوم ** مصحف اندر دست و بر لب مهر صوم