To ‘Umar in Medina there came through the wide desert an ambassador from the Emperor of Rúm.1390
تا عمر آمد ز قیصر یک رسول ** در مدینه از بیابان نغول
He said, “O ye attendants, where is the palace of the Caliph, that I may take thither my horse and baggage?”
گفت کو قصر خلیفه ای حشم ** تا من اسب و رخت را آن جا کشم
The folk said to him, “He has no palace: ‘Umar's (only) palace is an illumined spirit.
قوم گفتندش که او را قصر نیست ** مر عمر را قصر، جان روشنی است
Though he has a (great) renown from being Commander (of the Faithful), he has (no dwelling except) a hut, like the poor.
گر چه از میری و را آوازهای است ** همچو درویشان مر او را کازهای است
O brother, how wilt thou behold his palace, when hair has grown in the eye of thy heart?
ای برادر چون ببینی قصر او ** چون که در چشم دلت رسته ست مو
Purge thy heart's eye of hair and defect, and then hope to behold his palace.1395
چشم دل از مو و علت پاک آر ** و آن گهان دیدار قصرش چشم دار
Whoever hath a spirit purged of (sensual) desires will at once behold the Presence and the Holy Porch.
هر که را هست از هوسها جان پاک ** زود بیند حضرت و ایوان پاک
When Mohammed was purged of this fire and smoke (of human passions), wheresoever he turned his face, was the Face of Allah.
چون محمد پاک شد زین نار و دود ** هر کجا رو کرد وجه الله بود
Inasmuch as thou art a friend to the evil suggestions of the malign one (Satan), how wilt thou know (the true meaning of) There is the Face of Allah?
چون رفیقی وسوسهی بد خواه را ** کی بدانی ثم وجه الله را
Every one in whose breast the gate is opened will behold from every city the sun (shining).
هر که را باشد ز سینه فتح باب ** او ز هر شهری ببیند آفتاب
God is manifest amongst others as the moon amidst the stars.1400
حق پدید است از میان دیگران ** همچو ماه اندر میان اختران
Lay two finger-ends on thy two eyes, and wilt thou see aught of the world? Deal justly (confess that thou wilt see nothing).
دو سر انگشت بر دو چشم نه ** هیچ بینی از جهان انصاف ده
If thou dost not see this world, (yet) it is not non-existent: the fault lies not save in the finger of thy evil self.
گر نبینی این جهان معدوم نیست ** عیب جز ز انگشت نفس شوم نیست
Come, lift the finger from thine eye, and then behold whatsoever thou wishest.
تو ز چشم انگشت را بردار هین ** و آن گهانی هر چه میخواهی ببین
To Noah his people said, ‘Where is the Divine recompense?’ He said, ‘On the other side of they cover themselves with their garments.
نوح را گفتند امت کو ثواب ** گفت او ز آن سوی و استغشوا ثیاب
Ye have wrapped your faces and heads in your clothes: of necessity ye have eyes and see not.’1405
رو و سر در جامهها پیچیدهاید ** لا جرم با دیده و نادیدهاید
Man is eye, and (all) the rest is (worthless) skin: the sight of that (eye) is (consists in) seeing the Beloved.
آدمی دید است و باقی پوست است ** دید آن است آن که دید دوست است
When there is not sight of the Beloved, it (the eye) is better blind; the beloved who is not everlasting is better afar (away and out of sight).”
چون که دید دوست نبود کور به ** دوست کاو باقی نباشد دور به
When the ambassador of Rúm admitted these fresh (spiritual) words into his hearing (gave ear to them), he became more full of longing.
چون رسول روم این الفاظ تر ** در سماع آورد شد مشتاقتر
He fixed his eye on seeking ‘Umar, he let his baggage and horse be lost.
دیده را بر جستن عمر گماشت ** رخت را و اسب را ضایع گذاشت
He was going in every direction after that man of (great) accomplishment, inquiring madly for him,1410
هر طرف اندر پی آن مرد کار ** میشدی پرسان او دیوانهوار
Saying, “Can there be in the world such a man, and he be hid, like the spirit, from the world?”
کاین چنین مردی بود اندر جهان ** وز جهان مانند جان باشد نهان
He sought him, that he might be as a slave to him: inevitably the seeker is a finder.
جست او را تاش چون بنده بود ** لا جرم جوینده یابنده بود
An Arab woman of the desert saw that he was a stranger-guest. “Look,” said she, “there is ‘Umar under that palm.
دید اعرابی زنی او را دخیل ** گفت عمر نک به زیر آن نخیل
There he is under the palm-tree, apart from the people: behold the Shadow of God asleep in the shade!”
زیر خرما بن ز خلقان او جدا ** زیر سایه خفته بین سایهی خدا
How the ambassador of Rum found the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar, may God be well-pleased with him, sleeping under the tree.
یافتن رسول روم عمر را خفته در زیر درخت
He came thither and stood afar off; he saw 'Umar and fell a-trembling.1415
آمد او آن جا و از دور ایستاد ** مر عمر را دید و در لرز اوفتاد
An awe came upon the ambassador from that slumbering man, a sweet ecstasy lodged in his soul.
هیبتی ز آن خفته آمد بر رسول ** حالتی خوش کرد بر جانش نزول
Love and awe are contrary to each other: he saw these two contraries united in his heart.
مهر و هیبت هست ضد همدگر ** این دو ضد را دید جمع اندر جگر
He said to himself: “I have seen (many) kings, I have been great (in esteem) and chosen (for honour) in the presence of sultans:
گفت با خود من شهان را دیدهام ** پیش سلطانان مه و بگزیدهام
I had no awe or dread of kings, (but) awe of this man has robbed me of my wits.
از شهانم هیبت و ترسی نبود ** هیبت این مرد هوشم را ربود
I have gone into a jungle of lions and leopards, and my face did not change colour because of them;1420
رفتهام در بیشهی شیر و پلنگ ** روی من ز یشان نگردانید رنگ
Often where the ranks are arrayed on the field of battle have I become (fierce) as a lion at the time when the affair is grievous (desperate);
بس شدهستم در مصاف و کارزار ** همچو شیر آن دم که باشد کار زار
Many a heavy blow have I suffered and inflicted, I have been stouter in heart than (all) the others.
بس که خوردم بس زدم زخم گران ** دل قوی تر بودهام از دیگران
This man is asleep on the earth, unarmed, (and yet) I am trembling in my seven limbs (my whole body): what is this?
بیسلاح این مرد خفته بر زمین ** من به هفت اندام لرزان چیست این
This is awe of God, it is not from created beings, it is not awe of this man who wears the frock of a dervish.
هیبت حق است این از خلق نیست ** هیبت این مرد صاحب دلق نیست
Whoever is afraid of God and has chosen fear of God (as his religion), the Jinn and mankind and every one who sees (him) are afraid of him.”1425
هر که ترسید از حق و تقوی گزید ** ترسد از وی جن و انس و هر که دید
Thus meditating, he folded his hands reverently. After a while ‘Umar sprang up from sleep.
اندر این فکرت به حرمت دست بست ** بعد یک ساعت عمر از خواب جست
How the ambassador of Rúm saluted the Commander of the Faithful, may God be well pleased with him.
سلام کردن رسول روم بر عمر
He did homage to ‘Umar and salaamed: the Prophet said, “(First) the salaam, then the talk.”
کرد خدمت مر عمر را و سلام ** گفت پیغمبر سلام آن گه کلام
Then he (‘Umar) said, “To thee (greeting),” called him (to come) forward, reassured him, and bade him sit down by his side.
پس علیکش گفت و او را پیش خواند ** ایمنش کرد و به پیش خود نشاند
Fear ye not is the hospitality offered to those who fear: that is proper (entertainment) for one who is afraid.
لا تخافوا هست نزل خایفان ** هست در خور از برای خایف آن
When any one is afraid, they make him (feel) secure; they soothe (his) fearful heart.1430
هر که ترسد مر و را ایمن کنند ** مر دل ترسنده را ساکن کنند
How should you say “Fear not” to one who has no fear? Why give lessons (to him)? He needs no lessons.
آن که خوفش نیست چون گویی مترس ** درس چه دهی نیست او محتاج درس
He (‘Umar) made that disturbed mind (be) of good cheer and made his desolate heart (be) flourishing (happy).
آن دل از جا رفته را دل شاد کرد ** خاطر ویرانش را آباد کرد
Afterwards he addressed to him subtle discourses and (spoke) of the holy attributes of God—how good a Friend is He!—
بعد از آن گفتش سخنهای دقیق ** وز صفات پاک حق نعم الرفیق
And of the loving kindnesses of God to the Abdál (saints), in order that he (the ambassador) might know (the meaning of) maqám (permanent station) and hál (passing state).
وز نوازشهای حق ابدال را ** تا بداند او مقام و حال را
The hál is like the unveiling of that beauteous bride, while the maqám is the (king's) being alone with the bride.1435
حال چون جلوه ست ز آن زیبا عروس ** وین مقام آن خلوت آمد با عروس
The unveiling is witnessed by the king and by others as well, (but) at the time of being alone (with the bride) there is no one except the mighty king.
جلوه بیند شاه و غیر شاه نیز ** وقت خلوت نیست جز شاه عزیز
The bride unveils before nobles and commons (alike); in the bridal chamber the king is (alone) with the bride.
جلوه کرده خاص و عامان را عروس ** خلوت اندر شاه باشد با عروس
There is many a one of the Súfís who enjoys hál, (but) he that has attained to maqám is rare amongst them.
هست بسیار اهل حال از صوفیان ** نادر است اهل مقام اندر میان
He (‘Umar) reminded him of the stages traversed by the soul, and he reminded him of the journeys of the spirit,
از منازلهای جانش یاد داد ** وز سفرهای روانش یاد داد