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
Saying, “By the truth of this holy and true Word (we swear) that the building of the Mosque is for God's sake.
که به حق این کلام پاک راست ** کان بنای مسجد از بهر خداست
In that place there is no contrivance and deceit: in that place there is (only) commemoration (of God) and sincerity and calling unto the Lord.”
اندر آن جا هیچ مکر و حیله نیست ** اندر آن جا ذکر و صدق و یا ربی است
The Prophet answered, “The voice of God is coming into my ear like an echo.2880
گفت پیغمبر که آواز خدا ** میرسد در گوش من همچون صدا
God hath put a seal upon your ears, so that they make not haste to (hear) the voice of God.
مهر در گوش شما بنهاد حق ** تا به آواز خدا نارد سبق
Lo, the voice of God is coming to me distinctly: it is filtered clear for me, like the pure (liquor) from the dregs”—
نک صریح آواز حق میآیدم ** همچو صاف از درد میپالایدم
Even as Moses from the direction of the Bush heard the voice of God saying, “O thou of blessed fortune!”
همچنان که موسی از سوی درخت ** بانگ حق بشنید کای مسعود بخت
From the Bush he was hearing (the words), “Lo, I am Allah,” and together with the words there appeared (Divine) lights.
از درخت إنی أنا الله میشنید ** با کلام انوار میآمد پدید
Inasmuch as they (the Hypocrites) were left in the lurch by the light of (Divine) inspiration, they once more began to recite oaths anew.2885
چون ز نور وحی در میماندند ** باز نو سوگندها میخواندند
Since God calls an oath a shield, how should the quarreller lay down the shield from his hand?
چون خدا سوگند را خواند سپر ** کی نهد اسپر ز کف پیکارگر
Again the Prophet, giving (them) the lie direct, said to them in plain terms, “Ye have lied.”
باز پیغمبر به تکذیب صریح ** قد کذبتم گفت با ایشان فصیح
How one of the Companions—may God be well-pleased with them!—thought (to himself) disapprovingly, “Why does not the Prophet—God bless and save him!—throw a veil (over their hypocrisy)?”
اندیشیدن یکی از صحابه به انکار که رسول (ص) چرا ستاری نمیکند
(Their request was ignominiously refused), so that one of the Prophet's Companions conceived in his heart dislike of that recoilment,
تا یکی یاری ز یاران رسول ** در دلش انکار آمد ز آن نکول
Thinking, “Grey-haired and venerable old men like these— this Prophet is putting them to shame.
که چنین پیران با شیب و وقار ** میکندشان این پیمبر شرمسار
Where is generosity? Where cloaking (of sins)? Where modesty (respect for the feelings of others)? The prophets cover up hundreds of thousands of faults.”2890
کو کرم کو ستر پوشی کو حیا ** صد هزاران عیب پوشند انبیا
Quickly, again, in his heart he asked pardon of God, lest he should be disgraced for objecting (to the Prophet's behaviour).
باز در دل زود استغفار کرد ** تا نگردد ز اعتراض او روی زرد
The turpitude of befriending the Hypocrites made the true believer wicked and rebellious like them.
شومی یاری اصحاب نفاق ** کرد مومن را چو ایشان زشت و عاق
Again he was crying in supplication, “O Thou who knowest the inmost consciousness, do not leave me persisting in unbelief!
باز میزارید کای علام سر ** مر مرا مگذار بر کفران مصر