What wisdom was this, that the Object of (all) desire caused me to go forth from my home gladly on a fool's errand,
این چه حکمت بود که قبله‌ی مراد ** کردم از خانه برون گمراه و شاد
So that I was hastening to lose the way and at every moment was being farther removed from that which I sought—4340
تا شتابان در ضلالت می‌شدم ** هر دم از مطلب جداتر می‌بدم
And then God in His munificence made that very aberration the means of (my) reaching the right road and gaining wealth!”
باز آن عین ضلالت را به جود ** حق وسیلت کرد اندر رشد و سود
He maketh losing the way an avenue to (true) faith; He maketh going wrong a field for the harvest of righteousness,
گمرهی را منهج ایمان کند ** کژروی را محصد احسان کند
To the end that no righteous man may be without fear, and that no traitor (sinner) may be without hope.
تا نباشد هیچ محسن بی‌وجا ** تا نباشد هیچ خاین بی‌رجا
The Gracious One hath put an antidote in the poison in order that they may say He is the Lord of hidden grace.
اندرون زهر تریاق آن حفی ** کرد تا گویند ذواللطف الخفی
That (Divine) bounty is not mysterious in (the case of) piety; (but) the (Divine) Forgiveness bestows a robe of honour (even) in (the case of) sin.4345
نیست مخفی در نماز آن مکرمت ** در گنه خلعت نهد آن مغفرت
The unbelievers sought to abase those (the prophets) who were worthy of trust: (that) abasement became exaltation and (the cause of) miracles being displayed.
منکران را قصد اذلال ثقات ** ذل شده عز و ظهور معجزات
In their unbelief they attempted to abase the (true) religion: that very abasement was turned to glory for the prophets.
قصدشان ز انکار ذل دین بده ** عین ذل عز رسولان آمده
How should a judge require (a litigant to give) evidence until his disbelieving opponent has demanded proof of his veracity?
گر نه انکار آمدی از هر بدی ** معجزه و برهان چرا نازل شدی
How should a judge require (a litigant to give) evidence until his disbelieving, opponent has demanded proof of his veracity?
خصم منکر تا نشد مصداق‌خواه ** کی کند قاضی تقاضای گواه
The miracle (performed by a prophet) is like an honest witness to the indubitable veracity of the claimant.4350
Since they (the prophets) were being attacked by every ignoramus, God bestowed on them the gift of miracles and showed them favour.
طعن چون می‌آمد از هر ناشناخت ** معجزه می‌داد حق و می‌نواخت
The plots of Pharaoh were three-hundredfold: all (of them) became (the means to) his abasement and subjugation.
مکر آن فرعون سیصد تو بده ** جمله ذل او و قمع او شده
He brought magicians, good and bad, into his presence in order that he might invalidate the miracles of Moses,
ساحران آورده حاضر نیک و بد ** تا که جرح معجزه‌ی موسی کند
That he might nullify the rod (of Moses) and put it to shame and remove from (men's) hearts the respect (which they had) for it.
تا عصا را باطل و رسوا کند ** اعتبارش را ز دلها بر کند
Those very plots only serve to manifest the veracity of Moses: the prestige of his rod goes up.4355
عین آن مکر آیت موسی شود ** اعتبار آن عصا بالا رود
He (Pharaoh) leads his army betimes to the neighbourhood of the Nile in order to waylay Moses and his people;
لشکر آرد او پگه تا حول نیل ** تا زند بر موسی و قومش سبیل
(But) it only serves to ensure the safety of the followers of Moses, (while) he (Pharaoh) goes under the earth and the plain (of sand).
آمنی امت موسی شود ** او به تحت‌الارض و هامون در رود
If he (Moses) had stayed in Egypt, he (Pharaoh) would not have marched (against him): how, (then), would the Israelites have been relieved of dread?
گر به مصر اندر بدی او نامدی ** وهم از سبطی کجا زایل شدی
He marched and caused the Israelites to be consumed (with terror); for (you must) know that safety is concealed in danger.
آمد و در سبط افکند او گداز ** که بدانک امن در خوفست راز
The hidden grace consists in this, that the Lord shows unto him (the recipient of grace) a (terrible) fire, but it is really a (gracious) light.4360
آن بود لطف خفی کو را صمد ** نار بنماید خود آن نوری بود
There is nothing mysterious in (God's) rewarding piety, (but) look at the reward bestowed on the magicians (of Pharaoh) after their sin!
نیست مخفی مزد دادن در تقی ** ساحران را اجر بین بعد از خطا
There is nothing mysterious in the favour shown (by God) while cherishing (His lovers), (but) He bestowed His favour on the magicians in the amputation (of their hands and feet).
نیست مخفی وصل اندر پرورش ** ساحران را وصل داد او در برش
There is nothing mysterious in journeying with feet that move, but look at the journey of the magicians when their feet had been cut off!
نیست مخفی سیر با پای روا ** ساحران را سیر بین در قطع پا