Infidelity and faith do not exist in the place where he (the Shaykh) is, because he is the kernel, while these twain are (only) colour and husk.
کفر و ایمان نیست آن جایی که اوست ** انکه او مغز است و این دو رنگ و پوست
These fleeting things have become a veil over that Face, like a lantern concealed beneath a bowl.
این فناها پردهی آن وجه گشت ** چون چراغ خفیه اندر زیر طشت
So then, this bodily head is a screen to that (spiritual) head (source of mystic consciousness): before that head this bodily head is an infidel.
پس سر این تن حجاب آن سر است ** پیش آن سر این سر تن کافر است
Who is the infidel? One forgetful of the faith of the Shaykh. Who is the dead? One ignorant of the (spiritual) life of the Shaykh.3325
کیست کافر غافل از ایمان شیخ ** چیست مرده بیخبر از جان شیخ
(Spiritual) life is naught but knowledge in (the time of) trial: the more knowledge one has, the more (spiritual) life one has.
جان نباشد جز خبر در آزمون ** هر که را افزون خبر جانش فزون
Our spirit is more than the spirit of animals. Wherefore? In respect that it has more knowledge.
جان ما از جان حیوان بیشتر ** از چه ز آن رو که فزون دارد خبر
Hence the spirit of the angels is more than our spirit, for it is exempt from (transcends) the common sense;
پس فزون از جان ما جان ملک ** کاو منزه شد ز حس مشترک
And the spirit of mystical adepts is more than (that of) the angels. Cease from bewilderment (on this subject)!
و ز ملک جان خداوندان دل ** باشد افزون تو تحیر را بهل
For that reason Adam is their object of worship: his spirit (spiritual life) is greater than their being.3330
ز آن سبب آدم بود مسجودشان ** جان او افزونتر است از بودشان
Else, (why were they commanded to worship him?): it would not be at all a suitable thing to command the superior to worship an inferior.
ور نه بهتر را سجود دونتری ** امر کردن هیچ نبود در خوری
How can the justice and kindness of the Maker approve that a rose should fall down in worship before a thorn?
کی پسندد عدل و لطف کردگار ** که گلی سجده کند در پیش خار
Since the spirit (of the perfect saint) has become superior and has passed beyond the utmost limit (reached by men and angels), the soul of all things has become obedient to it—
جان چو افزون شد گذشت از انتها ** شد مطیعش جان جملهی چیزها
Birds and fishes and Jinn and men—because it exceeds (them), and they are deficient (in comparison with it).
مرغ و ماهی و پری و آدمی ** ز انکه او بیش است و ایشان در کمی
The fish make needles for his (the saint's) mantle: (they follow him as) threads follow needles.3335
ماهیان سوزنگر دلقش شوند ** سوزنان را رشتهها تابع بوند
The rest of the story of Ibráhím son of Adham—may God sanctify his spirit!—on the sea-shore.
بقیهی قصهی ابراهیم ادهم بر لب آن دریا
When that Amír saw the Shaykh’s command take effect in the coming of the fish, he fell into an ecstasy.
چون نفاذ امر شیخ آن میر دید ** ز آمد ماهی شدش و جدی پدید
He said, “Ah, the fish know the Pírs. Fie on a person who is an outcast of the (holy) Court!
گفت اه ماهی ز پیران آگه است ** شه تنی را کاو لعین درگه است
The fish have knowledge of the Pír, and we afar (from him)! We (are) damned to lack this fortune, and they blest (with enjoyment of it)!”
ماهیان از پیر آگه ما بعید ** ما شقی زین دولت و ایشان سعید
He bowed low, and departed weeping and desolate: he became mad for love of the opening of the door (to union with God).
سجده کرد و رفت گریان و خراب ** گشت دیوانه ز عشق فتح باب
Then, O you with unwashed face, what are you about? Whom are you combating and envying?3340
پس تو ای ناشسته رو در چیستی ** در نزاع و در حسد با کیستی
You are playing with a lion’s tail: you are making a foray against the angels.
با دم شیری تو بازی میکنی ** بر ملایک ترک تازی میکنی
Why are you speaking evil of pure good? Beware, deem not that lowness (vilifying the saints) to be eminence!
بد چه میگویی تو خیر محض را ** هین ترفع کم شمر آن خفض را
What is evil? The needy, despicable copper. Who is the Shaykh? The infinite elixir.
بد چه باشد مس محتاج مهان ** شیخ که بود کیمیای بیکران
If the copper was incapable (of being transmuted) by the elixir, (yet) the elixir was never turned into copper by the copper.
مس اگر از کیمیا قابل نبد ** کیمیا از مس هرگز مس نشد
What is evil? A rebel that works like fire. Who is the Shaykh? The very Seal of Eternity.3345
بد چه باشد سرکشی آتش عمل ** شیخ که بود عین دریای ازل
Fire is always terrified by water. When was water ever afraid of being set aflame?
دایم آتش را بترسانند از آب ** آب کی ترسید هرگز ز التهاب