Moses deemed that (which he saw) to be fire, but it was (really) light: we regarded Night as a (hideous) negro, but it was (really) a houri.2310
موسی آن را نار دید و نور بود ** زنگیی دیدیم شب را حور بود
After this, we beg of Thee (only) the eye (that sees truly), in order that sticks and straws may not conceal the Sea (from us).’
بعد ازین ما دیده خواهیم از تو بس ** تا نپوشد بحر را خاشاک و خس
When the eyes of (Pharaoh’s) magicians were delivered from blindness, they were clapping their hands (joyfully), (though) deprived of these (bodily) hands and feet.
ساحران را چشم چون رست از عمی ** کف‌زنان بودند بی‌این دست و پا
What bandages the people’s eyes is nothing but means (secondary causes): whoever trembles (in anxiety) for (the loss of) means is not one of the Comrades.
چشم‌بند خلق جز اسباب نیست ** هر که لرزد بر سبب ز اصحاب نیست
But, O my comrades, God has opened the door to the Comrades and led them to the high-seat in the palace.
لیک حق اصحابنا اصحاب را ** در گشاد و برد تا صدر سرا
Through His hand the unworthy and the worthy are freed by Mercy from the bonds of servitude.2315
با کفش نامستحق و مستحق ** معتقان رحمت‌اند از بند رق
During (our) non-existence how were we worthy to attain to this spirituality and knowledge?
در عدم ما مستحقان کی بدیم ** که برین جان و برین دانش زدیم
O Thou who hast made every stranger (Thy) friend, and O Thou who hast given the rose as a robe of honour to the thorn,
ای بکرده یار هر اغیار را ** وی بداده خلعت گل خار را
Sift our dust a second time, make (our) nothing to be some thing once more!
خاک ما را ثانیا پالیز کن ** هیچ نی را بار دیگر چیز کن
Thou didst command this invocation (of Thee) from the beginning; else how should a creature of dust have dared (to do) this?
این دعا تو امر کردی ز ابتدا ** ورنه خاکی را چه زهره‌ی این بدی
Since—oh, wonder !—Thou didst command us to invoke Thee, cause this invocation of Thee to be answered favourably.2320
چون دعامان امر کردی ای عجاب ** این دعای خویش را کن مستجاب
Night has wrecked the ship of (my) understanding and senses: no hope is left, nor fear nor despair.
شب شکسته کشتی فهم و حواس ** نه امیدی مانده نه خوف و نه یاس
God has borne me into the sea of Mercy: (I know not) with what specialty He will fill me and send me (back to the world).
برده در دریای رحمت ایزدم ** تا ز چه فن پر کند بفرستدم
He fills one with the light of Majesty, while He fills another with (vain) imagination and fancy.
آن یکی را کرده پر نور جلال ** وآن دگر را کرده پر وهم و خیال
If I had any judgement and skill by myself, my judgement and forethought would be under my control;
گر بخویشم هیچ رای و فن بدی ** رای و تدبیرم به حکم من بدی
At night my consciousness would not go (from me) without my bidding, and my birds (senses and faculties) would be under my trap.2325
شب نرفتی هوش بی‌فرمان من ** زیر دام من بدی مرغان من
I should be aware of the stages (of the journey) of the soul (both) at the time of sleep and unconsciousness and (at the time of) tribulation.
بودمی آگه ز منزلهای جان ** وقت خواب و بیهشی و امتحان
Inasmuch as my hand is (made) empty by this (sovereign) power of His to loose and bind, oh, I wonder, from whom comes this self-conceit of mine?
چون کفم زین حل و عقد او تهیست ** ای عجب این معجبی من ز کیست
I have even deemed that what I saw was not seen (by me), and (like a beggar) I have again held up the basket of invocation.
دیده را نادیده خود انگاشتم ** باز زنبیل دعا برداشتم
Like alif, I possess nothing, O Gracious One, except a heart more constricted with anguish than the eye of mim.
چون الف چیزی ندارم ای کریم ** جز دلی دلتنگ‌تر از چشم میم
This alif and this mím are the mother (umm) of our existence: the mím of umm is narrow (distressful), and the alif is (begging for deliverance) from it (like) a sturdy beggar.2330
این الف وین میم ام بود ماست ** میم ام تنگست الف زو نر گداست
(The state denoted by) ‘alif possesses nothing’ is forgetfulness (unconsciousness); the distressful mím is (denotes) the time of rationality (consciousness).
آن الف چیزی ندارد غافلیست ** میم دلتنگ آن زمان عاقلیست
During the time of unconsciousness I am nothing at all; during the time of consciousness I am in torment.
در زمان بیهشی خود هیچ من ** در زمان هوش اندر پیچ من
Do not lay another nothing upon a nothing like this; do not put the name of ‘(worldly) fortune’ upon a torment like this.
هیچ دیگر بر چنین هیچی منه ** نام دولت بر چنین پیچی منه
Truly (the state of) ‘I possess nothing’ suits me better, since these hundred troubles arise from imagining that I possess (something).
خود ندارم هیچ به سازد مرا ** که ز وهم دارم است این صد عنا