Rumi's Masnavi - He (the poltroon) comes armed into the battle-line, like a man: they (the soldiers) put their trust in him, saying, “Here's the Comrade of the Cave.”

He (the poltroon) comes armed into the battle-line, like a man: they (the soldiers) put their trust in him, saying, “Here's the Comrade of the Cave.” 2845

در صف آید با سلاح او مردوار ** دل بر او بنهند کاینک یار غار

He turns his face (in flight) when he sees wounds: his going breaks your back.

رو بگرداند چو بیند زخمها ** رفتن او بشکند پشت ترا

This (topic) is long and is expanding, and that which is aimed at is becoming hidden (from sight).

این دراز است و فراوان می‏شود ** و آن چه مقصود است پنهان می‏شود

How the Hypocrites cajoled the Prophet—God bless and save him!—that they might take him to the Mosque of Opposition.

فریفتن منافقان پیغامبر را تا به مسجد ضرارش برند

They chanted spells over (spoke deceitful words to) the Messenger of God: they were driving (hard) the steed of cunning and craft.

بر رسول حق فسون‏ها خواندند ** رخش دستان و حیل می‏راندند

The kind and compassionate Messenger proffered (in reply) nothing but smiles, nothing but “Yes.”

آن رسول مهربان رحم کیش ** جز تبسم جز بلی ناورد پیش‏

He expressed (his) thanks to that company (deputation): he gladdened the envoys in (by) assent. 2850

شکرهای آن جماعت یاد کرد ** در اجابت قاصدان را شاد کرد

Their deceit was apparent to him, point by point, in the same way as hairs in milk.

می‏نمود آن مکر ایشان پیش او ** یک به یک ز آن سان که اندر شیر مو

That courteous one feigned not to see the hairs: that polite one said “Bravo!” to the milk.

موی را نادیده می‏کرد آن لطیف ** شیر را شاباش می‏گفت آن ظریف‏

Myriad hairs of deceit and fraud (he beheld), and at that time he closed his eyes to it all.

صد هزاران موی مکر و دمدمه ** چشم خوابانید آن دم ز ان همه‏

That ocean of bounty spoke truly (when he said), “I am kinder unto you than you (yourselves are).

راست می‏فرمود آن بحر کرم ** بر شما من از شما مشفق‏ترم‏

I am seated at the edge of a fire with an exceedingly unpleasant blaze and flame; 2855

من نشسته بر کنار آتشی ** با فروغ و شعله‏ی بس ناخوشی‏

Ye are hastening towards it like moths, (while) both my hands have become moth-flaps (to beat you off).”

همچو پروانه شما آن سو دوان ** هر دو دست من شده پروانه ران‏

When the Prophet had resolved to set out (to the Mosque), the jealousy of God cried, “Do not hearken to the ghoul!

چون بر آن شد تا روان گردد رسول ** غیرت حق بانگ زد مشنو ز غول‏

For these wicked men have used deceit and cunning: what they have put forward is entirely the reverse (of the truth).

کاین خبیثان مکر و حیلت کرده‏اند ** جمله مقلوب است آنچ آورده‏اند

Their intent was nothing but (to bring) black shame (upon thee): when have Christians or Jews sought the welfare of the (true) Religion?

قصد ایشان جز سیه رویی نبود ** خیر دین کی جست ترسا و جهود

They (the Hypocrites) have built a mosque upon Hell's bridge: they have played the game of trickery with God. 2860

مسجدی بر جسر دوزخ ساختند ** با خدا نرد دغاها باختند

Their aim is to cause disunion amongst the Companions of the Prophet: how should any vain fool understand the grace of God?

قصدشان تفریق اصحاب رسول ** فضل حق را کی شناسد هر فضول‏

(They have built the Mosque) in order that they may fetch hither a Jew from Syria, with whose preaching the Jews are intoxicated.”

تا جهودی را ز شام اینجا کشند ** که به وعظ او جهودان سر خوشند

The Prophet said (to the Hypocrites), “Yes (I will do as ye wish), but (just now) we are intending to march and starting on a campaign.

گفت پیغمبر که آری لیک ما ** بر سر راهیم و بر عزم غزا

As soon as I return from this expedition, I will then set out to that Mosque at once.”

زین سفر چون باز گردم آن گهان ** سوی آن مسجد روان گردم روان‏

He (thus) put them off and hurried to the field of war: he played a game of trickery with the tricksters. 2865

دفعشان کرد و به سوی غزو تاخت ** با دغایان از دغا نردی بباخت‏

When he came back from the campaign, they returned and laid hold of (demanded the fulfilment of) the past promise.

چون بیامد از غزا باز آمدند ** چنگ اندر وعده‏ی ماضی زدند

God said to him, “O Prophet, proclaim the excuse (pretence and dissimulation), and if war be (the consequence), say, ‘Let it be!’”

گفت حقش ای پیمبر فاش گو ** غدر را ور جنگ باشد باش گو

He (the Prophet) said, “Ye are exceedingly bad-hearted and hostile. Hush, lest I tell your secret thoughts.”

گفت ای قوم دغل خامش کنید ** تا نگویم رازهاتان تن زنید

When he had declared (to them) a few indications of their inmost thoughts, they were in evil plight.

چون نشانی چند از اسرارشان ** در بیان آورد بد شد کارشان‏

Thereupon the envoys turned back from him crying, “God forfend! God forfend!” 2870

قاصدان زو باز گشتند آن زمان ** حاش لله حاش لله دم زنان‏

Every Hypocrite, by way of fraud, brought a Qur’án under his arm to the Prophet,

هر منافق مصحفی زیر بغل ** سوی پیغمبر بیاورد از دغل‏

In order to take oaths—for oaths are a shield; (this they did) because (taking) oaths is a custom followed by the wicked.

بهر سوگندان که ایمان جنتی است ** ز انکه سوگندان کژان را سنتی است‏

Since the wicked man does not keep faith in (matters of) religion, he will break (his) oath at any time.

چون ندارد مرد کژ در دین وفا ** هر زمانی بشکند سوگند را

The righteous have no need of (taking) oath, because they have two clear (discerning) eyes.

راستان را حاجت سوگند نیست ** ز انکه ایشان را دو چشم روشنی است‏

Breach of compacts and covenants is (the result) of stupidity; keeping of oaths and faithfulness (to one's word) is the practice of him that fears God. 2875

نقض میثاق و عهود از احمقی است ** حفظ ایمان و وفا کار تقی است‏

Said the Prophet, “Shall I take your oaths as true, or the oath of God?”

گفت پیغمبر که سوگند شما ** راست گیرم یا که سوگند خدا

Again those people, the Qur’án in their hands and the seal of fasting on their lips, swore another oath,

باز سوگند دگر خوردند قوم ** مصحف اندر دست و بر لب مهر صوم‏

Saying, “By the truth of this holy and true Word (we swear) that the building of the Mosque is for God's sake.

که به حق این کلام پاک راست ** کان بنای مسجد از بهر خداست‏

In that place there is no contrivance and deceit: in that place there is (only) commemoration (of God) and sincerity and calling unto the Lord.”

اندر آن جا هیچ مکر و حیله نیست ** اندر آن جا ذکر و صدق و یا ربی است‏

The Prophet answered, “The voice of God is coming into my ear like an echo. 2880

گفت پیغمبر که آواز خدا ** می‏رسد در گوش من همچون صدا

God hath put a seal upon your ears, so that they make not haste to (hear) the voice of God.

مهر در گوش شما بنهاد حق ** تا به آواز خدا نارد سبق‏

Lo, the voice of God is coming to me distinctly: it is filtered clear for me, like the pure (liquor) from the dregs”—

نک صریح آواز حق می‏آیدم ** همچو صاف از درد می‏پالایدم‏

Even as Moses from the direction of the Bush heard the voice of God saying, “O thou of blessed fortune!”

همچنان که موسی از سوی درخت ** بانگ حق بشنید کای مسعود بخت‏

From the Bush he was hearing (the words), “Lo, I am Allah,” and together with the words there appeared (Divine) lights.

از درخت إنی أنا الله می‏شنید ** با کلام انوار می‏آمد پدید

Inasmuch as they (the Hypocrites) were left in the lurch by the light of (Divine) inspiration, they once more began to recite oaths anew. 2885

چون ز نور وحی در می‏ماندند ** باز نو سوگندها می‏خواندند

Since God calls an oath a shield, how should the quarreller lay down the shield from his hand?

چون خدا سوگند را خواند سپر ** کی نهد اسپر ز کف پیکارگر

Again the Prophet, giving (them) the lie direct, said to them in plain terms, “Ye have lied.”

باز پیغمبر به تکذیب صریح ** قد کذبتم گفت با ایشان فصیح‏

How one of the Companions—may God be well-pleased with them!—thought (to himself) disapprovingly, “Why does not the Prophet—God bless and save him!—throw a veil (over their hypocrisy)?”

اندیشیدن یکی از صحابه به انکار که رسول (ص) چرا ستاری نمی‏کند

(Their request was ignominiously refused), so that one of the Prophet's Companions conceived in his heart dislike of that recoilment,

تا یکی یاری ز یاران رسول ** در دلش انکار آمد ز آن نکول‏

Thinking, “Grey-haired and venerable old men like these— this Prophet is putting them to shame.

که چنین پیران با شیب و وقار ** می‏کندشان این پیمبر شرمسار

Where is generosity? Where cloaking (of sins)? Where modesty (respect for the feelings of others)? The prophets cover up hundreds of thousands of faults.” 2890

کو کرم کو ستر پوشی کو حیا ** صد هزاران عیب پوشند انبیا

Quickly, again, in his heart he asked pardon of God, lest he should be disgraced for objecting (to the Prophet's behaviour).

باز در دل زود استغفار کرد ** تا نگردد ز اعتراض او روی زرد

The turpitude of befriending the Hypocrites made the true believer wicked and rebellious like them.

شومی یاری اصحاب نفاق ** کرد مومن را چو ایشان زشت و عاق‏

Again he was crying in supplication, “O Thou who knowest the inmost consciousness, do not leave me persisting in unbelief!

باز می‏زارید کای علام سر ** مر مرا مگذار بر کفران مصر

My heart is not in my control, as (my) eyesight (is); else I would at this moment burn my heart in anger.”

دل به دستم نیست همچون دید چشم ** ور نه دل را سوزمی این دم به خشم‏