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5
2952-2976

  • Continually rush (at them), prevent (them from advancing), and look to see who (among them) is female (weak) in respect of sincerity, and who is male (strong).’
  • For what purpose, then, is (the cry), ‘I take refuge (with God)’ when the Dog in his arrogance has run swiftly (to the attack)?
  • This (cry), ‘I take refuge,’ is (as though you should say), ‘O Turcoman of Khitá, call thy dog off and leave the way clear,
  • That I may come to the door of thy tent and beg what I need from thy bounty and high estate.’ 2955
  • When the Turcoman is incapable of (restraining) the dog's fury, this (expression), ‘I take refuge,’ and this cry of distress are improper (inadmissible),
  • (Since) the Turcoman too will say, ‘I take refuge from the dog; for I too am helpless against the dog in my home.
  • Thou canst not come to this door, nor can I go forth from the door.’
  • Now dust be on the head of the Turcoman and the stranger-guest, since one dog binds the necks of (subjugates) them both!
  • God forfend! (If) the Turcoman utter a shout, what of the dog? (Even) a fierce lion would (be terrified and) vomit blood.” 2960
  • O thou who hast called thyself “the Lion of God,” for (many) years thou hast been powerless against a dog.
  • How should this dog hunt on thy behalf when thou hast manifestly become a prey to the dog?
  • The reply of the Sunní (orthodox) believer to the Necessitarian infidel, and the proof by which he established the power of choice possessed by (every) servant of God. The Sunna is a road trodden by the feet of the prophets, on whom be peace. On the right hand of that road lies the desert of Necessity (jabr), where he (the Necessitarian) regards himself as having no power of choice and denies the (Divine) command and prohibition and employs (false) interpretation (ta’wíl); and from the (Divine) command and prohibition being denied there necessarily follows the denial of Paradise, since Paradise is the reward of those who obey the (Divine) command, while Hell is the reward of those who disobey it. I will not state to what else it ultimately leads: an indication is enough for the wise. And on the left hand of that road lies the desert of Freewill (qadar), where he (who holds that doctrine) regards the power of the Creator as overcome by the power of the creatures; and thence arise the corruptions (vicious opinions) which have been enumerated (above) by the Magian who was a Necessitarian.
  • The true believer replied, “O Necessitarian, hear the words addressed (to you); you have said your say: lo, I bring the answer.
  • You have seen your own game, O chess-player: (now) see your adversary's game in all its breadth and length.
  • You have read (to me) your letter of apology: (now) read the Sunní's letter. Why have you remained (an infidel)? 2965
  • You have discoursed in Necessitarian fashion on the (Divine) destiny: (now) hear from me the mystery thereof in (this) debate.
  • Beyond doubt we possess a certain power of choice: you cannot deny the plain evidence of the (inward) sense.
  • One never says ‘Come’ to a stone: how should any one request a brickbat to keep faith?
  • One never says to a human being, ‘Hey, fly!’ or ‘Come, O blind man, and look at me!’
  • God hath said, ‘There is nothing intolerable (laid) upon the blind’: how should the Lord who bestows relief lay upon any one what is intolerable? 2970
  • Nobody says to a stone, ‘Thou hast come late’ or (to a stick), ‘Why didst thou strike a blow at me, O stick?’
  • Will any one address demands like these to a person who is compelled, or strike a person who is excused (from complying with them)?
  • Command and prohibition and anger and conferment of honour and (bestowal of) rebuke concern him (only) who possesses the power of choice, O pure-bosomed one.
  • There is (such) a power of choice in regard to injustice and wrong-doing: this (is what) I meant by this Devil and carnal soul.
  • The power of choice resides in your inward part, (but) it does not wound its hand till it sees a Joseph. 2975
  • The power of choice and the instinct (to choose) were (latent) in the soul: (when) it beheld his (Joseph's) face, then it spread wings and pinions (to fly towards him).