To be nigh (unto God) is not to go up or down: to be nigh unto God is to escape from the prison of existence.
قرب نه بالا نه پستی رفتنست ** قرب حق از حبس هستی رستنست
What room hath non-existence for “up” and “down”? Non-existence hath no “soon” or “far” or “late.”4515
نیست را چه جای بالا است و زیر ** نیست را نه زود و نه دورست و دیر
The laboratory and treasure of God is in non-existence. Thou art deluded by existence: how shouldst thou know what non-existence is?
کارگاه و گنج حق در نیستیست ** غرهی هستی چه دانی نیست چیست
The sum of the matter (is that) this defeat of theirs, O sire, does not resemble our defeat at all.
حاصل این اشکست ایشان ای کیا ** مینماند هیچ با اشکست ما
They rejoice in being abased and destroyed, just as we (rejoice) in the hour of success and honour.
آنچنان شادند در ذل و تلف ** همچو ما در وقت اقبال و شرف
The provision of unprovidedness is all (that has been assigned to the Prophet as) his fief: poverty and lowliness are his pride and glory.
برگ بیبرگی همه اقطاع اوست ** فقر و خواریش افتخارست و علوست
One (of the captives) said, “If that adversary (of ours) is such (as you describe), how did he laugh when he saw us bound (in chains)?4520
آن یکی گفت ار چنانست آن ندید ** چون بخندید او که ما را بسته دید
Since (as you assert) he has been transmuted, and (since) his joy is not caused by this (worldly) prison and this freedom of his (from worldly embarrassments),
چونک او مبدل شدست و شادیش ** نیست زین زندان و زین آزادیش
How, then, did he rejoice at the subjection of (his) enemies? How was he puffed up by this victory and conquest?
پس به قهر دشمنان چون شاد شد ** چون ازین فتح و ظفر پر باد شد
His soul rejoiced because he easily gained the (Divine) help and the upper hand and the victory over fierce lions (like us).
شاد شد جانش که بر شیران نر ** یافت آسان نصرت و دست و ظفر
Hence we knew that he is not free (from the bondage of the flesh), and that only on account of this world is he happy and glad at heart.
پس بدانستیم کو آزاد نیست ** جز به دنیا دلخوش و دلشاد نیست
Else, how should he laugh (at us)? for the otherworldly are compassionate and kind to the evil and the good (alike).”4525
ورنه چون خندد که اهل آن جهان ** بر بد و نیکاند مشفق مهربان
Thus did those captives mutter to each other under their breath in discussing that (question),
این بمنگیدند در زیر زبان ** آن اسیران با هم اندر بحث آن
(Saying, “Beware) lest the custodian hear (us) and spring upon us and personally carry our words to the ear of that (spiritual) Sultan.”
تا موکل نشنود بر ما جهد ** خود سخن در گوش آن سلطان برد
How the Prophet, on whom be peace, became aware of their chiding him for his exultation.
آگاه شدن پیغامبر علیه السلام از طعن ایشان بر شماتت او
Though the custodian did not hear those words, they entered into the ear that was (hearing) from the presence (of God).
گرچه نشنید آن موکل آن سخن ** رفت در گوشی که آن بد من لدن
The scent of Joseph's spirit was not perceived by its keeper, but Jacob inhaled it.
بوی پیراهان یوسف را ندید ** آنک حافظ بود و یعقوبش کشید
The devils on the high front of Heaven do not hear the secret of the mystery-knowing Tablet;4530
آن شیاطین بر عنان آسمان ** نشنوند آن سر لوح غیبدان
(But when) Mohammed went to sleep and reclined (on his bed), the secret came (to him) and circled round him.
آن محمد خفته و تکیه زده ** آمده سر گرد او گردان شده
He whose allotted portion is open (for him to take) eats the sweetmeat, not he whose fingers are long.
او خورد حلوا که روزیشست باز ** آن نه کانگشتان او باشد دراز
The gleaming star became a watchman and drove the devils away, saying, “Abandon theft and receive the secret from Ahmad (Mohammed).”
نجم ثاقب گشته حارس دیوران ** که بهل دزدی ز احمد سر ستان
O thou whose eyes from early (in the day) are (turned) towards (thy) shop, hark, go to the mosque and seek the portion allotted by God.
ای دویده سوی دکان از پگاه ** هین به مسجد رو بجو رزق اله
The Prophet, then, apprehended their words and said, “That laughter of mine was not from hostility.4535
پس رسول آن گفتشان را فهم کرد ** گفت آن خنده نبودم از نبرد
They (the captives) are dead and rotted by decay: in my judgement it is not the part of a (true) man to kill the dead.
مردهاند ایشان و پوسیدهی فنا ** مرده کشتن نیست مردی پیش ما
Who are they indeed? for the moon is split when I plant my foot on the battlefield.
خود کیند ایشان که مه گردد شکاف ** چونک من پا بفشرم اندر مصاف
At the time when ye were free and powerful, I was seeing you bound (in chains), like this.
آنگهی کزاد بودیت و مکین ** مر شما را بسته میدیدم چنین