The knot that is (fastened) tight on our throat is that thou shouldst know whether thou art vile or fortunate.
عقدهای که آن بر گلوی ماست سخت ** که بدانی که خسی یا نیکبخت
Solve this problem, if thou art a man: spend thy breath (life) on this, if thou hast the breath (spirit) of Adam (within thee).
حل این اشکال کن گر آدمی ** خرج این کن دم اگر آدمدمی
Suppose thou knowest the definitions of (all) substances and accidents, (how shall it profit thee?): know the (true) definition of thyself, for this is indispensable.
حد اعیان و عرض دانسته گیر ** حد خود را دان که نبود زین گزیر
When thou knowest the definition of thyself, flee from this definition, that thou mayst attain to Him who hath no definition, O sifter of dust.565
چون بدانی حد خود زین حدگریز ** تا به بیحد در رسی ای خاکبیز
(Thy) life has gone (to waste) in (the consideration of logical) predicate and subject: (thy) life, devoid of (spiritual) insight, has gone in (study of) what has been received by hearsay.
عمر در محمول و در موضوع رفت ** بیبصیرت عمر در مسموع رفت
Every proof (that is) without (a spiritual) result and effect is vain: consider the (final) result of thyself!
هر دلیلی بینتیجه و بیاثر ** باطل آمد در نتیجهی خود نگر
Thou hast never perceived a Maker except by means of a thing made: thou art content with a syllogism.
جز به مصنوعی ندیدی صانعی ** بر قیاس اقترانی قانعی
The philosopher multiplies links (consisting) of (logical) proofs; on the other hand, the elect (the mystic) is contrary to him (in this respect).
میفزاید در وسایط فلسفی ** از دلایل باز برعکسش صفی
The latter flees from the proof and from the veil (between himself and God): he has sunk his head in his bosom for the sake of (contemplating) the Object of the proof.570
این گریزد از دلیل و از حجاب ** از پی مدلول سر برده به جیب
If to him (the philosopher) the smoke is a proof of the fire, to us (mystics) ’tis sweet (to be) in the fire without the smoke,
گر دخان او را دلیل آتشست ** بیدخان ما را در آن آتش خوشست
Especially this Fire which, through (our) nighness and fealty (to God), is nearer to us than the smoke.
خاصه این آتش که از قرب ولا ** از دخان نزدیکتر آمد به ما
Therefore ’tis black villainy to go (turn away) from the Soul (Reality) towards the smoke for the sake of (indulging) the phantasies (illusions) of the (animal) soul.
پس سیهکاری بود رفتن ز جان ** بهر تخییلات جان سوی دخان
In explanation of the saying of the Prophet, on whom be peace, “There is no monkery in Islam.”
در بیان قول رسول علیهالسلام لا رهبانیة فیالاسلام
“Do not tear out thy feathers, but detach thy heart from (desire for) them, because (the existence of) the enemy is the necessary condition for (waging) this Holy War.
بر مکن پر را و دل بر کن ازو ** زانک شرط این جهاد آمد عدو
When there is no enemy, the Holy War is inconceivable; (if) thou hast no lust, there can be no obedience (to the Divine command).575