The Amírs of the Arabs assembled and began to wrangle in the Prophet's presence,
آن امیران عرب گرد آمدند ** نزد پیغامبر منازع می‌شدند
Saying, “Thou art an Amír; every one of us is an Amír likewise: distribute this kingdom and take thy share.2780
که تو میری هر یک از ما هم امیر ** بخش کن این ملک و بخش خود بگیر
Each (of us) is seeking equity in regard to his share: do thou wash thy hands of our share.”
هر یکی در بخش خود انصاف‌جو ** تو ز بخش ما دو دست خود بشو
He replied, “God hath given the Amírate to me: He hath given me the chief authority and the absolute command,
گفت میری مر مرا حق داده است ** سروری و امر مطلق داده است
Saying, ‘This is the epoch and cycle of Ahmad (Mohammed): hark, accept his command! Have fear (of God)!’”
کین قران احمدست و دور او ** هین بگیرید امر او را اتقوا
The party (of Amírs) said to him, “We too are (made) rulers by that (Divine) destiny, and God hath given the Amírate to us.”
قوم گفتندش که ما هم زان قضا ** حاکمیم و داد امیریمان خدا
He said, “(Yes), but to me God gave it as a possession, and to you (only) as a loan for the sake of (furnishing you with) provisions for the road.2785
گفت لیکن مر مرا حق ملک داد ** مر شما را عاریه از بهر زاد
My Amírate is lasting till the Resurrection; the Amírate held on loan will be shattered.”
میری من تا قیامت باقیست ** میری عاریتی خواهد شکست
The (opposing) party said, “O Amír, do not say too much (about this): what is thy argument for seeking more (than thy share)?”
قوم گفتند ای امیر افزون مگو ** چیست حجت بر فزون‌جویی تو
Forthwith, by the bitter command (of God), a cloud arose; (then) came the torrent: the countryside was filled (with the flood).
در زمان ابری برآمد ز امر مر ** سیل آمد گشت آن اطراف پر
The exceedingly frightful torrent set its face towards the town: the townsfolk (were) making loud lamentation, all (were) terrified.
رو به شهر آورد سیل بس مهیب ** اهل شهر افغان‌کنان جمله رعیب
The Prophet said, “Now the time is come for the test, in order that opinion may become ocular vision.”2790
گفت پیغامبر که وقت امتحان ** آمد اکنون تا گمارد گردد عیان
Each Amír flung his lance (into the flood), that in the test it might become a barrier against the torrent.
هر امیری نیزه‌ی خود در فکند ** تا شود در امتحان آن سیل‌بند
Then Mustafá (Mohammed) cast his wand upon it—that sovereign wand that reduced (his foes) to helplessness.
پس قضیب انداخت در وی مصطفی ** آن قضیب معجز فرمان روا
The rapid water of the boiling tameless torrent swept away the lances like a bit of straw.
نیزه‌ها را هم‌چو خاشاکی ربود ** آب تیز سیل پرجوش عنود
All the lances disappeared, while that wand stood on the surface of the water like a sentry.
نیزه‌ها گم گشت جمله و آن قضیب ** بر سر آب ایستاده چون رقیب
From anxious regard for that wand the mighty torrent turned its face away, and the flood-water departed.2795
ز اهتمام آن قضیب آن سیل زفت ** روبگردانید و آن سیلاب رفت
When they beheld that great matter wrought by him, those Amírs, (overcome) by dread, confessed—
چون بدیدند از وی آن امر عظیم ** پس مقر گشتند آن میران ز بیم
Save three persons, whose rancour was prevailing: they, from disbelief, called him a magician and soothsayer.
جز سه کس که حقد ایشان چیره بود ** ساحرش گفتند و کاهی از جحود
The kingship that has been tied on (artificially) is weak like that; the kingship that has grown up (naturally) is august like this.
ملک بر بسته چنان باشد ضعیف ** ملک بر رسته چنین باشد شریف
If thou didst not see the lances together with the wand, (yet) consider the names of them (the Amírs) and consider the name of him (Mohammed), O noble one!
نیزه‌ها را گر ندیدی با قضیب ** نامشان بین نام او بین این نجیب
Their names the rapid torrent of death has borne away; his name and his puissant fortune are not dead.2800
نامشان را سیل تیز مرگ برد ** نام او و دولت تیزش نمرد
For him the drum is always beaten five times (daily): on this wise every day till the Day of Resurrection.
پنج نوبت می‌زنندش بر دوام ** هم‌چنین هر روز تا روز قیام
“If thou hast intelligence, (thou wilt see that) I have done kindnesses; and if thou art an ass, I have brought the rod for the ass.