We confer this eminence on the earth for the same reason that We place a portion of food before the destitute,
این فضیلت خاک را زان رو دهیم ** که نواله پیش بیبرگان نهیم
Because the earth has the external form of dunness, while inwardly it has the qualities of luminosity.
زانک دارد خاک شکل اغبری ** وز درون دارد صفات انوری
Its outward (appearance) has come to be at war with its inward (reality): its inward is like a jewel and its outward like a (common) stone.
ظاهرش با باطنش گشته به جنگ ** باطنش چون گوهر و ظاهر چو سنگ
Its outward says, ‘We are this, and no more’; its inward says, ‘Look well before and behind!’
ظاهرش گوید که ما اینیم و بس ** باطنش گوید نکو بین پیش و پس
Its outward is denying (and says) that the inward is naught; its inward says, ‘We will show (thee the truth): wait (and see)!’1010
ظاهرش منکر که باطن هیچ نیست ** باطنش گوید که بنماییم بیست
Its outward and its inward are in strife: necessarily they are drawing (Divine) aid from this patient endurance.
ظاهرش با باطنش در چالشاند ** لاجرم زین صبر نصرت میکشند
We make the forms (of existence) from this sour-faced earth: We make manifest its hidden laughter,
زین ترشرو خاک صورتها کنیم ** خندهی پنهانش را پیدا کنیم
For (though) outwardly the earth is (all) sorrow and tears, within it there are hundreds of thousands of laughters.
زانک ظاهر خاک اندوه و بکاست ** در درونش صد هزاران خندههاست
We are the Revealer of the mystery, and Our work is just this, that We bring forth these hidden things from concealment.
کاشف السریم و کار ما همین ** کین نهانها را بر آریم از کمین
Although the thief is mute in denial (of his theft), the magistrate brings it to light by torture.1015
گرچه دزد از منکری تن میزند ** شحنه آن از عصر پیدا میکند
These (diverse) earths have stolen (Our) favours, so that through affliction We may bring them to confess.
فضلها دزدیدهاند این خاکها ** تا مقر آریمشان از ابتلا
Many is the wondrous child that it (the earth) hath had, but Ahmad (Mohammed) hath surpassed them all.
بس عجب فرزند کو را بوده است ** لیک احمد بر همه افزوده است
Earth and Heaven laugh and rejoice, saying, ‘From us two (who are) joined in wedlock such a king is born!’
شد زمین و آسمان خندان و شاد ** کین چنین شاهی ز ما دو جفت زاد
Heaven is bursting for joy of him; earth is become like the lily on account of his purity.
میشکافد آسمان از شادیش ** خاک چون سوسن شده ز آزادیش
Since thy outward and thy inward, O fair earth, are at war and (engaged) in struggling (with each other)—1020
ظاهرت با باطنت ای خاک خوش ** چونک در جنگاند و اندر کشمکش
Whoso is at war with himself for God's sake, to the end that his (inward) reality may become the opponent of (mere) scent and colour,
هر که با خود بهر حق باشد به جنگ ** تا شود معنیش خصم بو و رنگ
(If) his darkness is in combat with his light, the sun of his spirit will never set.
ظلمتش با نور او شد در قتال ** آفتاب جانش را نبود زوال
Whoso shall strive in tribulation for Our sake, Heaven will put its back under (will support) his feet.”
هر که کوشد بهر ما در امتحان ** پشت زیر پایش آرد آسمان
Your outward (form) is wailing because of the darkness; your inward (spirit) is (like) roses within roses.
ظاهرت از تیرگی افغان کنان ** باطن تو گلستان در گلستان
It (your outward form) is purposely like Súfís (who are) sour-faced (sad and mournful) in order that they may not mix with every one that quenches the (inner) light.1025
قاصد او چون صوفیان روترش ** تا نیامیزند با هر نورکش
Like the hedgehog, the sour-faced knowers (of God) have hidden their (spiritual) pleasures in rough prickles (of austerity).
عارفان روترش چون خارپشت ** عیش پنهان کرده در خار درشت
The orchard is hidden, (while) around the orchard those thorns are plainly seen, saying, “O thievish foe, keep far from this gate!”
باغ پنهان گرد باغ آن خار فاش ** کای عدوی دزد زین در دور باش
O hedgehog, you have made the prickles your guardian and, like a Súfí, have buried your head in your bosom,
خارپشتا خار حارس کردهای ** سر چو صوفی در گریبان بردهای
That none of these rose-cheeked thorn-natured ones may encounter (become acquainted with) a farthing (the least part) of your pleasure.
تا کسی دوچار دانگ عیش تو ** کم شود زین گلرخان خارخو
“Though thy infant (Mohammed) is childish, verily both the worlds are his parasites (attendants).1030
طفل تو گرچه که کودکخو بدست ** هر دو عالم خود طفیل او بدست