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6
1730-1779

  • The woman turned towards him and replied, ‘O man of trust, do not think it dreadful that there are so many of us. 1730
  • Consider that notwithstanding the multitude of us on the earth you (men) find it insufficient for your enjoyment.
  • Propter paucitatem feminarum inciditis in paedicationem: infamissini in mundo sunt agens et patiens.’ [Because of the scarcity of women, you engage in sodomy: (both) active and passive (homosexuals) are the shame of the world.]
  • (O Súfí), do not regard these happenings of Time which (proceed) from heaven (and) come to pass intolerably here.
  • Do not regard the (anxious) husbanding of (one's) daily bread and livelihood and this dearth (of food) and fear and trembling,
  • (But) consider that in spite of all its (the World's) bitternesses ye are mortally enamoured of it and recklessly devoted to it. 1735
  • Deem bitter tribulation to be a (Divine) mercy, deem the kingdom of Merv and Balkh to be a (Divine) vengeance.
  • That Ibráhím fled not from destruction and remained (safe), while this Ibráhím fled from (worldly) honour and rode away.
  • That one is not burnt, and this one is burnt. Oh, wonderful! In the Way of search (for God) everything is upside down.”
  • How the Súfí repeated his questions.
  • The Súfí said, “He (God) whose help is invoked hath the power to make our trading free from loss.
  • He who turns the fire (of Nimrod) into roses and trees is also able to make this (World-fire) harmless. 1740
  • He who brings forth roses from the very midst of thorns is also able to turn this winter into spring.
  • He by whom every cypress is made ‘free’ (evergreen) hath the power if He would turn sorrow into joy.
  • He by whom every non-existence is made existent—what damage would He suffer if He were to preserve it for ever?
  • He who gives the body a soul that it may live—how would He be a loser if He did not cause it to die?
  • What, indeed, would it matter if that Bounteous One should bestow on His servant the desire of his soul without (painful) toil, 1745
  • And keep far off from poor (mortals) the cunning of the flesh and the temptation of the Devil (which lurk) in ambush?”
  • The Cadi's reply to the Súfí.
  • The Cadi said, “Were there no bitter (stern) Commandment (from God) and were there no good and evil and no pebbles and pearls,
  • And were there no flesh and Devil and passions, and were there no blows and battle and war,
  • Then by what name and title would the King call His servants, O abandoned man?
  • How could He say, ‘O steadfast one’ and ‘O forbearing one’? How could He say, ‘O brave one’ and ‘O wise one’? 1750
  • How could there be steadfast and sincere and spending men without a brigand and accursed Devil?
  • Rustam and Hamza and a catamite would be (all) one; knowledge and wisdom would be annulled and utterly demolished.
  • Knowledge and wisdom exist for the purpose of (distinguishing between) the right path and the wrong paths: when all (paths) are the right path, knowledge and wisdom are void (of meaning).
  • Do you think it allowable that both the worlds should be ruined for the sake of this briny (foul) shop of the (sensual) nature?
  • I know that you are pure (enlightened), not raw (foolish), and that these questions of yours are (asked) for the sake of (instructing) the vulgar. 1755
  • The cruelty of Time (Fortune) and every affliction that exists are lighter than farness from God and forgetfulness (of Him),
  • Because these (afflictions) will pass, (but) that (forgetfulness) will not. (Only) he that brings his spirit (to God) awake (and mindful of Him) is possessed of felicity.”
  • A Story setting forth that patience in bearing worldly affliction is easier than patience in bearing separation from the Beloved.
  • A certain woman said to her husband, “Hey, O you who have finished with generosity once and for all,
  • Why have you no care for me? How long shall I dwell in this abode of misery?”
  • The husband replied, “I am doing my best to earn money; though I am destitute, I am moving hand and foot. 1760
  • O beloved, it is my duty (to provide you with) money and clothes: you get both these from me and they are not insufficient.”
  • The wife showed (him) the sleeve of her chemise: the chemise was very coarse and dirty.
  • “It is so rough,” said she, “it eats (wounds) my body: does any one get a garment of this kind for any one?”
  • He said, “O wife, I will ask you one question. I am a poor man: this is all I know (how to do).
  • This (chemise) is rough and coarse and disagreeable, but think (well), O thoughtful (anxious) wife! 1765
  • Is this (chemise) rougher and nastier, or divorce? Is this (chemise) more odious to you, or separation?”
  • Even so, O Khwája who art reviling on account of affliction and poverty and distress and tribulations,
  • No doubt this renunciation of sensuality gives bitter pain, but ’tis better than the bitterness of being far from God.
  • If fighting (against the flesh) and fasting are hard and rough, yet these are better than being far from Him who inflicts tribulation.
  • How should pain endure for a single moment when the Giver of favours says to thee, “How art thou, O My sick one?” 1770
  • And (even) if He say (it) not, because thou hast not the understanding and knowledge (needed) for it, yet thy inward feeling (of supplication) is (equivalent to His) inquiring (after thee).
  • Those beauteous ones who are spiritual physicians turn towards the sick to inquire (after them);
  • And if they be afraid of (incurring) disgrace and (loss of) reputation, they devise some means and send a message;
  • Or if not, that (care for the sick) is pondered in their hearts: no beloved is unaware (forgetful) of his lover.
  • O thou who desirest (to hear) a wondrous tale, read the story of them that play the game of love. 1775
  • Thou hast been boiling mightily during (all) this long time, (and yet), O dried meat, thou hast not even become half-cooked.
  • During a (whole) life-time thou hast seen the justice and jurisdiction (of God), and then (after all) thou art more ignorant than the blind.
  • Whoever serves Him as a pupil becomes a master, (but) thou hast gone backwards, O blind fool!
  • Verily thou hast learned nothing from thy parents, nor hast thou taken a lesson from night and day.
  • Parable.