A caravan amidst the desert in sore distress—they had rehearsed their own death.
در میان آن بیابان مانده ** کاروانی مرگ خود بر خوانده
Suddenly he who succours both worlds, Mustafá (Mohammed), appeared on the way, for help's sake.
ناگهانی آن مغیث هر دو کون ** مصطفی پیدا شد از ره بهر عون
He saw there an exceeding great caravan on the scalding sand and (engaged in) a hard and terrible journey;
دید آنجا کاروانی بس بزرگ ** بر تف ریگ و ره صعب و سترگ
The tongues of their camels hanging out, the people strown everywhere on the sand.
اشترانشان را زبان آویخته ** خلق اندر ریگ هر سو ریخته
He took pity and said, “Hark, go at once, some of your comrades, and run to yonder sandhills,3135
رحمش آمد گفت هین زوتر روید ** چند یاری سوی آن کثبان دوید
For a negro on camelback will (presently) bring a water-skin, (which) he is conveying with all speed to his master.
گر سیاهی بر شتر مشک آورد ** سوی میر خود به زودی می‌برد
Bring to me that negro camel-driver along with the camel by force, if need be.”
آن شتربان سیه را با شتر ** سوی من آرید با فرمان مر
Those seekers approached the sandhills: after a short while they saw ’twas even so:
سوی کثبان آمدند آن طالبان ** بعد یکساعت بدیدند آنچنان
A negro slave was going with a camel, the water-skin filled with water, like one bearing a gift.
بنده‌ای می‌شد سیه با اشتری ** راویه پر آب چون هدیه‌بری
Then they said to him, “The Pride of mankind, the Best of created beings, invites thee (to come) in this direction.”3140
پس بدو گفتند می‌خواند ترا ** این طرف فخر البشر خیر الوری
He said, “I do not know him: who is he?” He (the spokesman) said, “He is that moon-faced sweet-natured one.”
گفت من نشناسم او را کیست او ** گفت او آن ماه‌روی قندخو
They described to him the diverse qualities which exist (in the Prophet): he said, “Belike he is that poet (wizard)
نوعها تعریف کردندش که هست ** گفت مانا او مگر آن شاعرست
Who subdued a multitude by magic: I will not come half a span towards him.”
که گروهی را زبون کرد او بسحر ** من نیایم جانب او نیم شبر
Dragging him along, they brought him thither: he raised an outcry in revilement and heat (of anger).
کش‌کشانش آوریدند آن طرف ** او فغان برداشت در تشنیع و تف
When they dragged him before that venerable one, he (the Prophet) said, “Drink ye the water and carry it away withal.”3145
چون کشیدندش به پیش آن عزیز ** گفت نوشید آب و بردارید نیز
He satisfied the thirst of them all from that water-skin: the camels and every person drank of that water.
جمله را زان مشک او سیراب کرد ** اشتران و هر کسی زان آب خورد
From his (the negro's) water-skin he filled large and small water-skins: from jealousy of him the clouds in the sky were distraught.
راویه پر کرد و مشک از مشک او ** ابر گردون خیره ماند از رشک او
Has any one seen (such a wonder as) this, that the burning glow of so many Hells (of thirst) should be cooled by a single water-skin?
این کسی دیدست کز یک راویه ** سرد گردد سوز چندان هاویه
Has any one seen (such a wonder as) this, that all these water-skins were filled from a single water-skin without trouble?
این کسی دیدست کز یک مشک آب ** گشت چندین مشک پر بی اضطراب
The water-skin itself was a veil, and (in reality) at his (the Prophet's) command the waves of (Divine) bounty were coming (to them) from the Sea of origin.3150
مشک خود روپوش بود و موج فضل ** می‌رسید از امر او از بحر اصل
“Water by boiling is converted into air, and that air by cold is turned into water.”
آب از جوشش همی‌گردد هوا ** و آن هوا گردد ز سردی آبها
Nay, (it is not so); without cause and beyond these maxims of (natural) philosophy the (Divine) act of bringing into existence produced the water from non-existence.
بلک بی علت و بیرون زین حکم ** آب رویانید تکوین از عدم
Inasmuch as you have observed (secondary) causes from your childhood, through ignorance you have stuck to the (secondary) cause.
تو ز طفلی چون سببها دیده‌ای ** در سبب از جهل بر چفسیده‌ای
(Being occupied) with causes you are forgetful of the Causer: hence you are inclining towards these veils.
با سببها از مسبب غافلی ** سوی این روپوشها زان مایلی
When (all secondary) causes are gone, you will beat your head and cry many a time, “O our Lord! O our Lord!”3155
چون سببها رفت بر سر می‌زنی ** ربنا و ربناها می‌کنی