Rumi's Masnavi - And (indeed) those to whom death is (sweet) as sugar—how should their sight be intoxicated (dazzled) with the fortunes (of this world)?

And (indeed) those to whom death is (sweet) as sugar—how should their sight be intoxicated (dazzled) with the fortunes (of this world)?

Bodily death is not bitter to them, since they go from a dungeon and prison into a garden.

They have been delivered from the world of torment: none weeps for the loss of (what amounts to) nothing, nothing.

(If) an elemental spirit breaks the bastion of a prison, will the heart of any prisoner be angry with him? 1715

(Will they say?) “Alas, he has broken this marble stone, so that our spirits and souls have escaped from confinement.

The beautiful marble and the noble stone of the prison-bastion were pleasing and agreeable (to us).

Why did he break them, so that the prisoners escaped? His hand must be broken (cut off) as a penalty for this (crime).”

No prisoner will talk such nonsense except that one who is brought from prison to the gallows.

How should it (death) be bitter to one whom they take from amidst snake-poison towards sugar? 1720

The soul, freed from the turmoil of the body, is soaring on the wings of the heart (spirit) without bodily feet (means of movement),

Like the prisoner in a dungeon who falls asleep at night and dreams of a rosegarden,

And says, “O God, do not bring me (back) to my body, (but let me alone) in order that I may walk as a prince in this garden.”

God says to him, “Thy prayer is granted: go not back”—and God best knoweth the right course.

Consider how delightful is such a dream! Without having seen death, he (the dreamer) goes into Paradise. 1725

Does he feel any regret for (his former) wakefulness and for the body (which he has left) in chains at the bottom of the dungeon?

(If) thou art a true believer, come now, enter the ranks of battle, for a feast has been (prepared) for thee in Heaven.

In the hope of journeying upwards, (arise and) take thy stand before the mihráb, (to pray and weep) like a candle, O youth!

Let thy tears fall like rain, and burn (be ardent) in search (aspiration) all night long, like the candle beheaded (by the flame).

Close thy lips against food and drink: hasten towards the Heavenly table. 1730

Continually keep thy hope (fixed) on Heaven, dancing (quivering) like the willow in desire for Heaven.

Continually from Heaven (spiritual) water and fire will be coming to thee and increasing thy provision.

If it (thy aspiration) bear thee thither, ’tis no wonder: do not regard thy weakness, regard thy search (aspiration);

For this search is God's pledge (deposited) within thee, because every seeker deserves something sought (by him).

Strive that this search may increase, so that thy heart (spirit) may escape from this bodily dungeon. 1735

People will say, “Poor so-and-so is dead,” (but) thou wilt say, “I am living, O ye heedless ones!