What is this testimony? The making manifest of that which is hidden, whether (by) word or act or something else;
این گواهی چیست اظهار نهان ** خواه قول و خواه فعل و غیر آن
For its object is to make manifest the inward nature of the spiritual substance: the attributes (of that substance) are permanent, though these accidents (such as acts and words) are fleeting.
که عرض اظهار سر جوهرست ** وصف باقی وین عرض بر معبرست
The mark of the gold on the touchstone does not remain, (but) the gold (itself) remains—of good renown and undoubted.
این نشان زر نماند بر محک ** زر بماند نیک نام و بی ز شک
Similarly, (all) this ritual prayer and holy war and fasting does not remain, but the spirit remains in good renown (for ever).
این صلات و این جهاد و این صیام ** هم نماند جان بماند نیک‌نام
The spirit produced certain acts and words of this kind (as proofs): it rubbed its substance on the touchstone of the (Divine) command,250
جان چنین افعال و اقوالی نمود ** بر محک امر جوهر را بسود
As though to say, “My belief is perfect: here is the witness!” (Yes), but there is doubt as regards the witnesses.
Know that the probity of the witnesses must be established: the means of establishing it is a (great) sincerity: thou art dependent on that.
تزکیه باید گواهان را بدان ** تزکیش صدقی که موقوفی بدان
In the case of the word-witness, ’tis keeping thy word (that is the test); in the case of the act-witness, ’tis keeping thy covenant (to perform these acts).
حفظ لفظ اندر گواه قولیست ** حفظ عهد اندر گواه فعلیست
The word-witness is rejected if it speaks falsely, and the act-witness is rejected if it does not run straight.
Thou must have words and acts that are not self-contradictory, in order that thou mayst meet with immediate acceptance.255
قول و فعل بی‌تناقض بایدت ** تا قبول اندر زمان بیش آیدت
Your efforts are diverse, ye are in contradiction: ye are sewing by day and tearing up (what ye have sewn) by night.
سعیکم شتی تناقض اندرید ** روز می‌دوزید شب بر می‌درید
Who, then, will hearken to testimony that contradicts itself, unless indeed He (the Judge) graciously show a (great) forbearance?
پس گواهی با تناقض کی شنود ** یا مگر حلمی کند از لطف خود
Act and word are (for) the manifestation of the inward thought and hidden mind: both are divulging the veiled secret.
فعل و قول اظهار سرست و ضمیر ** هر دو پیدا می‌کند سر ستیر
When thy witness has been proved honest, it is accepted; otherwise, it is kept in detention as a prisoner.
چون گواهت تزکیه شد شد قبول ** ورنه محبوس است اندر مول مول
O recalcitrant one, so long as thou contendest (with the holy saints) they will contend (with thee). Lie in wait for them, then! Verily, they are lying in wait (for thee).260
تا تو بستیزی ستیزند ای حرون ** فانتظرهم انهم منتظرون
How Mustafá, on whom be peace, offered the Testimony (profession of the Faith) to his guest.
عرضه کردن مصطفی علیه‌السلام شهادت را بر مهمان خویش
This discourse hath no end. Mustafá offered the Faith, and the youth accepted
این سخن پایان ندارد مصطفی ** عرضه کرد ایمان و پذرفت آن فتی
That Testimony which hath ever been blessed and hath ever loosed the fastbound chains.
آن شهادت را که فرخ بوده است ** بندهای بسته را بگشوده است
He became a true believer. Mustafá said to him, “Be my guest to-night also.”
گشت مؤمن گفت او را مصطفی ** که امشبان هم باش تو مهمان ما
“By God,” said he, “I am thy guest unto everlasting. Wheresoever I be, to whatsoever place I go,
گفت والله تا ابد ضیف توم ** هر کجا باشم بهر جا که روم
I am made living by thee and liberated by thee, and am thy doorkeeper (eating) at thy table in this world and in the next.265
زنده کرده و معتق و دربان تو ** این جهان و آن جهان بر خوان تو
Whosoever chooses any but this choice table, in the end his gullet will be torn by the bone (of perdition).
هر که بگزیند جزین بگزیده خوان ** عاقبت درد گلویش ز استخوان
Whosoever goes to the table of any but thee, know that the Devil shares his cup.
هر که سوی خوان غیر تو رود ** دیو با او دان که هم‌کاسه بود
Whosoever departs from thy neighbourhood, without any doubt the Devil will become his neighbour;
هر که از همسایگی تو رود ** دیو بی‌شکی که همسایه‌ش شود
And if without thee he go on a far journey, the wicked Devil is his fellow-traveller and table-companion;
ور رود بی‌تو سفر او دوردست ** دیو بد همراه و هم‌سفره‌ی ویست
And if he mount a noble horse, (since) he is envious of the Moon, the Devil sits behind him;270
ور نشیند بر سر اسپ شریف ** حاسد ماهست دیو او را ردیف