“Why,” it says, “should I fall into grief on account of a thorn? Indeed I have brought laughter (into my possession) by means of the thorn.”
گوید از خاری چرا افتم بغم ** خنده را من خود ز خار آورده‌ام
Whatsoever by (Divine) destiny becomes lost to thee, know for sure that it has redeemed thee from affliction.3260
هرچه از تو یاوه گردد از قضا ** تو یقین دان که خریدت از بلا
(Some one asked), “What is Súfism?” He (the Shaykh) said, “To feel joy in the heart at the coming of sorrow.”
ما التصوف قال وجدان الفرح ** فی الفاد عند اتیان الترح
Regard His chastisement as the eagle which carried off the boot from that man of excellent disposition,
آن عقابش را عقابی دان که او ** در ربود آن موزه را زان نیک‌خو
That she might save his foot from the serpent's bite. Oh, happy is the understanding that is undimmed.
تا رهاند پاش را از زخم مار ** ای خنک عقلی که باشد بی غبار
He (God) hath said, “Grieve not for that which escapeth you,” if the wolf come and destroy your sheep,
گفت لا تاسوا علی ما فاتکم ** ان اتی السرحان واردی شاتکم
For that (God-sent) affliction keeps off great afflictions, and that loss prevents huge losses.3265
کان بلا دفع بلاهای بزرگ ** و آن زیان منع زیانهای سترگ
How a certain man demanded of Moses (that he should teach him) the language of the beasts and birds.
استدعاء آن مرد از موسی زبان بهایم با طیور
A young man said to Moses, “Teach me the language of the animals,
گفت موسی را یکی مرد جوان ** که بیاموزم زبان جانوران
That perchance from the voice of animals and wild beasts I may get a lesson concerning my religion.
تا بود کز بانگ حیوانات و دد ** عبرتی حاصل کنم در دین خود
Since the languages of the sons of Adam are entirely for the sake of (acquiring) water and bread and renown,
چون زبانهای بنی آدم همه ** در پی آبست و نان و دمدمه
It may be that the animals have a different care, (namely), that of taking thought for the hour of passing away (from this world).”
بوک حیوانات را دردی دگر ** باشد از تدبیر هنگام گذر
“Begone,” said Moses; “abandon this vain desire, for this (desire) holds (involves) much danger before and behind.3270
گفت موسی رو گذر کن زین هوس ** کین خطر دارد بسی در پیش و پس
Seek the lesson and the (spiritual) wakefulness (which you want) from God, not from books and speech and words and lips.”
عبرت و بیداری از یزدان طلب ** نه از کتاب و از مقال و حرف و لب
The man became more eager in consequence of the refusal which he (Moses) made to him: a man always becomes more eager from being refused (what he craves).
گرم‌تر شد مرد زان منعش که کرد ** گرم‌تر گردد همی از منع مرد
He said, “O Moses, since thy light has shone forth, whatever was a thing has gained (its) thinginess from thee.
گفت ای موسی چو نور تو بتافت ** هر چه چیزی بود چیزی از تو یافت
’Tis not worthy of thy bounty, O generous one, to disappoint me of this object of desire.
مر مرا محروم کردن زین مراد ** لایق لطفت نباشد ای جواد
At this time thou art the vicegerent of God: it will be despair (for me) if thou prevent me.”3275
این زمان قایم مقام حق توی ** یاس باشد گر مرا مانع شوی
Moses said, “O Lord, surely the stoned (accursed) Devil has subdued this simple man.
گفت موسی یا رب این مرد سلیم ** سخره کردستش مگر دیو رجیم
If I teach him, it will be harmful to him; and if I do not teach him, he will become faint-hearted.”
گر بیاموزم زیان‌کارش بود ** ور نیاموزم دلش بد می‌شود
He (God) said, “Teach him, O Moses, for We in our loving-kindness never have rejected (any one's) prayer.”
گفت ای موسی بیاموزش که ما ** رد نکردیم از کرم هرگز دعا
He (Moses) said, “O Lord, he will feel repentance and gnaw his hands and rend his garments.
گفت یا رب او پشیمانی خورد ** دست خاید جامه‌ها را بر درد
Power is not suitable to every one: weakness is the best stock-in-trade for the devout.”3280
نیست قدرت هر کسی را سازوار ** عجز بهتر مایه‌ی پرهیزکار
For this reason poverty is everlasting glory, since the hand that cannot reach (to objects of desire) is left with fear of God (and nothing else).
فقر ازین رو فخر آمد جاودان ** که به تقوی ماند دست نارسان
Riches and the rich are spurned (by God) because acts of self-denial are relinquished by power.
زان غنا و زان غنی مردود شد ** که ز قدرت صبرها بدرود شد
Weakness and poverty are security for a man against the tribulation of the covetous and anxious (fleshly) soul.
آدمی را عجز و فقر آمد امان ** از بلای نفس پر حرص و غمان
That anxiety arises from the wanton desires to which that (man who falls a) prey to the ghoul has become habituated.
آن غم آمد ز آرزوهای فضول ** که بدان خو کرده است آن صید غول
The eater of clay has a desire for clay: rose-flavoured sugar is indigestible for that wretched man.3285
آرزوی گل بود گل‌خواره را ** گلشکر نگوارد آن بیچاره را
How Revelation came from God most High to Moses that he should teach him the thing demanded by him, or part of it.
وحی آمدن از حق تعالی به موسی کی بیاموزش چیزی کی استدعا کند یا بعضی از آن
God said, “Do thou grant his need: let him have a free hand to choose (good or evil).”
گفت یزدان تو بده بایست او ** برگشا در اختیار آن دست او
Choice (free-will) is the salt of devotion; otherwise (there would be no merit): this celestial sphere revolves involuntarily;
اختیار آمد عبادت را نمک ** ورنه می‌گردد بناخواه این فلک
(Hence) its revolution has neither reward nor punishment, for free-will is (accounted) a merit at the time of the Reckoning.
گردش او را نه اجر و نه عقاب ** که اختیار آمد هنر وقت حساب
All created beings indeed are glorifiers (of God), (but) that compulsory glorification is not wage-earning.
جمله عالم خود مسبح آمدند ** نیست آن تسبیح جبری مزدمند