I perceived that he who spoke (in support) of the priority (of non-existence) and of the temporal origin of the celestial sphere was victorious and in the right.”
فهم کردم کانک دم زد از سبق ** وز حدوث چرخ پیروزست و حق
The unbeliever's argument is always shamefaced: where is a single sign that indicates the truth of that unbelief?
حجت منکر هماره زردرو ** یک نشان بر صدق آن انکار کو
Where in this world is (to be found) a single minaret in praise (honour) of the unbelievers, so that it should be a sign (of their veracity)?2870
یک مناره در ثنای منکران ** کو درین عالم که تا باشد نشان
Where is (to be found) a single pulpit where a preacher commemorates the life of an unbeliever?
منبری کو که بر آنجا مخبری ** یاد آرد روزگار منکری
The face of gold and silver coins, from (bearing) their (the prophets') names, is giving a token of this truth till the Resurrection.
روی دینار و درم از نامشان ** تا قیامت می‌دهد زین حق نشان
The dies of the kings are ever being changed: behold the die of Ahmad (Mohammed) till the end of the world.
سکه‌ی شاهان همی گردد دگر ** سکه‌ی احمد ببین تا مستقر
Show (me) the name of a single unbeliever on the design (stamped) on the face of any piece of silver or gold!
بر رخ نقره و یا روی زری ** وا نما بر سکه نام منکری
Even (supposing that you) do not admit (arguments), behold this Miracle, (manifest) like the sun, hundred-tongued, whereof the name is Ummu ’l-Kitáb.2875
خود مگیر این معجز چون آفتاب ** صد زبان بین نام او ام‌الکتاب
None dares either steal (take away) a single letter thereof or add to the plain Word.
زهره نی کس را که یک حرفی از آن ** یا بدزدد یا فزاید در بیان
Become a friend to the conqueror, that thou mayst conquer: beware, do not become a friend to the vanquished, O misguided man!
یار غالب شو که تا غالب شوی ** یار مغلوبان مشو هین ای غوی
The unbeliever's argument is just this, that he says, “I see no place of abode except this external (world).”
حجت منکر همین آمد که من ** غیر این ظاهر نمی‌بینم وطن
He never reflects that, wherever there is anything external, that (object) gives information of hidden wise purposes.
هیچ نندیشد که هر جا ظاهریست ** آن ز حکمتهای پنهان مخبریست
The usefulness of every external object is, indeed, internal: it is latent, like the beneficial quality in medicines.2880
فایده‌ی هر ظاهری خود باطنیست ** هم‌چو نفع اندر دواها کامنست
Commentary on the Verse, "And We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them save with real ground": (i.e.) "I did not create them for the sake of just this which ye see; nay, but for the sake of the essential meaning and everlasting providence which ye see not."
تفسیر این آیت کی و ما خلقنا السموات والارض و ما بینهما الا بالحق نیافریدمشان بهر همین کی شما می‌بینید بلک بهر معنی و حکمت باقیه کی شما نمی‌بینید آن را
Does any painter paint a beautiful picture for the sake of the picture itself, without hope of conferring benefit?
هیچ نقاشی نگارد زین نقش ** بی امید نفع بهر عین نقش
Nay, (he paints it) for the sake of guests and young people who by diverting themselves (with it) may be relieved from cares.
بلک بهر میهمانان و کهان ** که به فرجه وارهند از اندهان
From his picture (arises) the joy of children and the remembering of departed friend's by their friends.
شادی بچگان و یاد دوستان ** دوستان رفته را از نقش آن
Does any potter make a pot in haste for the sake of the pot itself and not in hope of the water?
هیچ کوزه‌گر کند کوزه شتاب ** بهر عین کوزه نه بر بوی آب
Does any bowl-maker make a finished bowl for the sake of the bowl itself and not for the sake of the food?2885
هیچ کاسه گر کند کاسه تمام ** بهر عین کاسه نه بهر طعام
Does any calligrapher write artistically for the sake of the writing itself and not for the sake of the reading?
هیچ خطاطی نویسد خط به فن ** بهر عین خط نه بهر خواندن
The external form is for the sake of the unseen form; and that took shape for the sake of another unseen (form).
نقش ظاهر بهر نقش غایبست ** وان برای غایب دیگر ببست
Count up these corollaries to the third, fourth, or tenth in proportion to (your) insight.
تا سوم چارم دهم بر می‌شمر ** این فواید را به مقدار نظر
As (for example) the moves in chess, O son: behold the result of each move in the next one.
هم‌چو بازیهای شطرنج ای پسر ** فایده‌ی هر لعب در تالی نگر
They made this (move) for the sake of that concealed move, and that for the next, and that (again) for such and such.2890
این نهادند بهر آن لعب نهان ** وان برای آن و آن بهر فلان
Even so (proceed), having perceived reasons within reasons, one after the other, in order that you may arrive at victory and checkmate.
هم‌چنین دیده جهات اندر جهات ** در پی هم تا رسی در برد و مات
The first is for the sake of the second, like mounting on the steps of a ladder;
اول از بهر دوم باشد چنان ** که شدن بر پایه‌های نردبان