Rumi's Masnavi - Both kinds of pictures are (evidence of) his mastery: those (ugly ones) are not (evidence of) his ugliness; they are (evidence of) his bounty.

Both kinds of pictures are (evidence of) his mastery: those (ugly ones) are not (evidence of) his ugliness; they are (evidence of) his bounty.

He makes the ugly of extreme ugliness––it is invested with all (possible) uglinesses–– 2540

In order that the perfection of his skill may be displayed, (and that) the denier of his mastery may be put to shame.

And if he cannot make the ugly, he is deficient (in skill) hence He (God) is the Creator of (both) the infidel and the sincere (faithful).

From this point of view, then, (both) infidelity and faith are bearing witness to His Lordliness, and both are bowing down in worship.

But know that the faithful (believer) bows down willingly, because he is seeking (God’s) pleasure and aiming (at that).

The infidel too is a worshipper of God, (though) unwillingly; but his aim is (directed towards) another object of desire. 2545

(It is true that) he keeps the King’s fortress in good repair; but he is claiming to be in command.

He has become a rebel, to the intent that it may be his domain; (but) verily, in the end the fortress comes to be the King’s.

The faithful believer keeps that fortress in good repair for the sake of the King, not for place (and power).

The ugly one (the infidel) says, “O King who createst the ugly, Thou art able for (able to create) the beautiful as well as the despicable (and) ugly.”

The beautiful one (the faithful believer) says, “O King of beauty and comeliness, Thou hast made me free from defects.” 2550

How the Prophet, God bless and save him, gave injunctions to the sick man and taught him to pray.

The Prophet said to the sick man: “Say thus:––‘O Thou that makest easy that which is hard,

Give good unto us in our present abode, and give good unto us in our future abode!

Make the way agreeable to us as a garden: Thou indeed, O Glorious One, art our goal.’”

At the Gathering (for Judgement) the true believers will say, “O angel, is it not (the case) that Hell is the common road,

2555(And that) true believer and infidel (alike) pass by it? We saw no smoke or fire in this road (which we have traversed). 2555

Lo, here is Paradise and the Court of safety: where, then, was that vile place of passage? ”

Then the angel will say, “The garden of greenery which ye saw in a certain spot as ye passed––

That was Hell and the terrible place of chastisement, (but) unto you it became gardens and pleasaunces and trees.

Inasmuch as with this soul of hellish nature, (this) miscreant fiery one that seeks (to lead you into) temptation,

Ye have striven (oft), and it hath become full of purity, and ye have quenched the fire (thereof) for God’s sake; 2560

(Inasmuch as) the fire of lust, which was flaming, hath become the verdure of piety and the light of guidance (unto the true faith);

(Inasmuch as) at once the fire of anger in you hath turned to forbearance, and the darkness of ignorance in you hath turned to knowledge;

(Inasmuch as) the fire of greed in you hath turned to unselfishness, and that envy (which) was like thorns hath turned to roses;

Inasmuch as ye formerly extinguished all these fires of your own for God’s sake;

And made the fiery soul like an orchard and cast in it the seed of fealty, 2565

(Whilst) therein the nightingales of commemoration and glorification of God (were) singing sweetly in the garden by the river-side;

(Inasmuch as) ye have answered the call of God and have brought water into the blazing hell of your soul––

Our Hell also in regard to you hath become greenery and roses and plenty and riches.”

What is the requital for well-doing, O son? Kindness and well-doing and valued recompense.

“Did not ye say, ‘We are devoted (to God) - we are passing away before the attributes of Everlastingness? 2570

We, whether we be cunning (sane) or mad, are intoxicated with that Cupbearer and that cup.

We lay our heads (submissively) upon His writ and mandate; we give our sweet lives in pawn (to Him).

So long as the thought of the Friend is in our inmost hearts, (all) our work is to serve (Him) and yield up our lives.’”

Wheresoever the candle of tribulation hath been lighted, hundreds of thousands of loving souls are burnt.

Those lovers that are within the house (and nigh unto Him) are (as) moths to the candle of the face of the Friend. 2575

O heart, go where they are bright toward thee and are as a coat of mail to thee against afflictions,

And give thee a place within their souls, that they may fill thee with wine, like a cup.

Take thy abode within their souls: O radiant full-moon, make thy home in the sky!

Like Mercury, they will open the book of the heart, that they may reveal mysteries unto thee.

Stay beside thy kinsfolk––how art thou roaming abroad? Cleave to the perfect Moon if thou art a piece of the moon. 2580

What is the (cause of the) part’s keeping aloof from its whole? What is (the cause of) all this mixture with (that which is) diverse?

Behold how the genus hath become species in the process (of differentiation): behold how the unseen things have become visible in (their) escape (from occultation).

So long as thou wouldst fain be wheedled like a woman, O man without wisdom, (thou wilt remain imperfect): how wilt thou be helped by lies and wheedling?

Thou art taking flattery and sweet words and cajolement and putting them, like a woman, in thy bosom.

For thee the revilings and blows of the (spiritual) kings would be better than the praise of the unrighteous. 2585

Swallow the slaps of the (spiritual) kings, do not swallow the honey of the rabble, to the end that through the fortune of (those) personages thou mayst (thyself) become a personage;

Because from them come felicity and robes of honour and felicity: under the shelter of the spirit, body becomes soul.

Wherever thou seest one (that is) naked and destitute, know that he hath fled from the (spiritual) master,