In sooth ‘tis good for him to beat this head (of his), so that his puny-soul may be delivered from that ill-starred body.
خود صلاح اوست آن سر کوفتن ** تا رهد جانریزهاش زان شومتن
Take away the weapons from the madman’s hand, that Justice and Goodness may be satisfied with you.
واستان آن دست دیوانه سلاح ** تا ز تو راضی شود عدل و صلاح
Since he has weapons and has no understanding, shackle his hand; otherwise he will inflict a hundred injuries.1435
چون سلاحش هست و عقلش نه ببند ** دست او را ورنه آرد صد گزند
Explaining that the acquisition of knowledge and wealth and rank by men of evil nature is the (means of) exposing him (such a one) to shame and is like a sword that has fallen into the hand of a brigand.
بیان آنک حصول علم و مال و جاه بدگوهران را فضیحت اوست و چون شمشیریست کی افتادست به دست راهزن
To teach the evil-natured man knowledge and skill is to put a sword in the hand of a brigand.
بدگهر را علم و فن آموختن ** دادن تیغی به دست راهزن
It is better to put a sword in the hand of an intoxicated negro than that knowledge should come into the possession of a worthless person.
تیغ دادن در کف زنگی مست ** به که آید علم ناکس را به دست
Knowledge and wealth and office’ and rank and fortune are a mischief in the hands of the evil-natured.
علم و مال و منصب و جاه و قران ** فتنه آمد در کف بدگوهران
Therefore the Holy War was made obligatory on the true believers for this purpose, (namely) that they might take the spear-point from the hand of the madman.
پس غزا زین فرض شد بر مومنان ** تا ستانند از کف مجنون سنان
His (the evil-natured man's) spirit is (like) the madman, and his body is (like) his (the madman's) sword: take away the sword from that wicked man!1440
جان او مجنون تنش شمشیر او ** واستان شمشیر را زان زشتخو
How should a hundred lions inflict the shame which (high) office inflicts upon the ignorant?
آنچ منصب میکند با جاهلان ** از فضیحت کی کند صد ارسلان
His vice is hidden, (but) when he got the instrument (gained power), his snake, (coming out) from its hole, sped along the plain.
عیب او مخفیست چون آلت بیافت ** مارش از سوراخ بر صحرا شتافت
The entire plain is filled with snakes and scorpions when the ignorant man becomes king (master) of the bitter (harsh) decree.
جمله صحرا مار و کزدم پر شود ** چونک جاهل شاه حکم مر شود
The worthless person who acquires wealth and office has become the seeker of his own disgrace.
مال و منصب ناکسی که آرد به دست ** طالب رسوایی خویش او شدست
Either he behaves stingily and gives few presents, or he shows generosity and bestows (them) in the wrong place (unsuitably).1445
یا کند بخل و عطاها کم دهد ** یا سخا آرد بنا موضع نهد
He puts the king in the house (square) of the pawn: the gifts which a fool makes are like this.
شاه را در خانهی بیذق نهد ** این چنین باشد عطا که احمق دهد
When authority falls into the hands of one who has lost the (right) way, he deems it to be a high position (jáh), (but in reality) he has fallen into a pit (cháh).
حکم چون در دست گمراهی فتاد ** جاه پندارید در چاهی فتاد
He does not know the way, (yet) he acts as guide: his wicked spirit makes a world-conflagration.
راه نمیداند قلاووزی کند ** جان زشت او جهانسوزی کند
When (one who is as) a child in the Way of (spiritual) poverty assumes the part of an Elder (Director of souls), the ghoul of unblessedness seizes those who follow (him).
طفل راه فقر چون پیری گرفت ** پیروان را غول ادباری گرفت
“Come,” says he, “for I will show thee the moon”; (yet) that impure one never saw the moon.1450
که بیا تا ماه بنمایم ترا ** ماه را هرگز ندید آن بیصفا
How wilt thou show (the moon) when during (all) thy life thou hast not seen even the reflexion of the moon in the water, O half-baked dunce?
چون نمایی چون ندیدستی به عمر ** عکس مه در آب هم ای خام غمر
The foolish have become leaders, and from fear (of them) the wise have drawn their heads into the cloak.
احمقان سرور شدستند و ز بیم ** عاقلان سرها کشیده در گلیم
Commentary on "O thou that wrappest thyself."
تفسیر یا ایها المزمل
For this reason He (God) called the Prophet muzzammil (one who wraps himself), saying, “Come forth from the cloak, O thou who art fond of taking flight.
خواند مزمل نبی را زین سبب ** که برون آ از گلیم ای بوالهرب
Do not draw thy head into the cloak and do not cover thy face, for the world is a reeling body: thou art the intelligence (rational spirit).
سر مکش اندر گلیم و رو مپوش ** که جهان جسمیست سرگردان تو هوش
Hark, do not hide on account of the opprobrium of the adversary, since thou hast the resplendent candle of the Revelation.1455
هین مشو پنهان ز ننگ مدعی ** که تو داری شمع وحی شعشعی
Hark, stand up (in prayer) during the night, for thou art a candle, O prince: at night a candle stands up (and burns).
هین قم اللیل که شمعی ای همام ** شمع اندر شب بود اندر قیام
Without thy radiance, even the bright day is (dark as) night: without thy protection, the lion is captive to the hare.
بیفروغت روز روشن هم شبست ** بیپناهت شیر اسیر ارنبست