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
My heart is not in my control, as (my) eyesight (is); else I would at this moment burn my heart in anger.”
دل به دستم نیست همچون دید چشم ** ور نه دل را سوزمی این دم به خشم
(Whilst he was) in this thought, slumber seized him. To him (dreaming), their mosque seemed full of dung:2895
اندر این اندیشه خوابش در ربود ** مسجد ایشانش پر سرگین نمود
A corrupted place, its stones (steeped) in filth: from the stones floated up black smoke.
سنگهاش اندر حدث جای تباه ** میدمید از سنگها دود سیاه
The smoke went into his throat and made it smart: terrified by the bitter smoke, he sprang from sleep.
دود در حلقش شد و حلقش بخست ** از نهیب دود تلخ از خواب جست
Forthwith he fell on his face and wept, saying, “O God, these things are the sign of (their) disbelief.
در زمان در رو فتاد و میگریست ** کای خدا اینها نشان منکری است
Wrath (against them) is better, O God, than such forbearance (as mine), which separates me from the light of Faith.”
خلم بهتر از چنین حلم ای خدا ** که کند از نور ایمانم جدا
If you scrutinise the labour of them that follow falsehood, (you will se that) it is stinking, coat upon coat, like an onion—2900
گر بکاوی کوشش اهل مجاز ** تو به تو گنده بود همچون پیاز
Every one (of their efforts) more pithless than another, (while), in the case of the sincere, (every effort) is more excellent than the other.
هر یکی از یکدیگر بیمغزتر ** صادقان را یک ز دیگر نغزتر