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6
2081-2130

  • In comparison with this appearance all apparent things are in the utmost degree of imperfection and default.
  • If any one puff at God's candle, how should the candle be extinguished? His jaws and nose will be burnt.
  • Bats like you often dream that this world will be left orphaned (deprived) of the Sun.
  • The fierce waves of the seas of the Spirit are a hundred times as many as was (the multitude of waves in) the Flood of Noah;
  • But hair grew (and formed an obstruction) in the eye of Canaan: he forsook Noah and the Ark and sought the mountain. 2085
  • Then half a wave swept the mountain and Canaan down into the abyss of dishonour.
  • The moon scatters her light and the dog bays: how should the dog feed on the light of the moon?
  • Those who travel by night and move swiftly with the moon on her way, how should they relinquish their journey because of the dog's yelping?
  • The part is speeding like an arrow towards the Whole: how should it stop on account of any old hag?
  • The gnostic is the soul of religion and the soul of piety: gnosis is the result of past asceticism. 2090
  • Asceticism is the labour of sowing; gnosis is the growth of the seed.
  • Therefore the (ascetic's) hard struggle and his firm religious conviction are like the body, (while) the soul of this sowing is the growth (of the seed) and its harvesting.
  • He (the gnostic) is both the command to do right and the right (itself); he is both the revealer of mysteries and that which is revealed.
  • He is our king to-day and to-morrow: the husk is for ever a slave to his goodly kernel,
  • When the Shaykh (Halláj) said ‘I am God’ and carried it through (to the end), he throttled (vanquished) all the blind (sceptics). 2095
  • When a man's ‘I’ is negated (and eliminated) from existence, then what remains? Consider, O denier.
  • If you have an eye, open it and look! After ‘not,’ why, what else remains?
  • Oh, (may) the lips and throat and mouth (be) cut off that spit at the moon or the sky!
  • Without any doubt his spittle will recoil upon his face: spittle can find no path to heaven.
  • Spittle from the Lord rains upon him till the Resurrection, just as (the perdition denoted by) tabbat (rains) upon the spirit of Bú Lahab. 2100
  • Drum (tabl) and banner are the (rightful) possession of the (spiritual) king: any one who calls him a parasite (tabl-khwár) is a cur.
  • The heavens are a slave to his moon: the whole East and West is begging him for bread;
  • For lawláka (but for thee) is (inscribed) on his (imperial) sign-manual: all are (included) in his bounty and distribution.
  • If he did not exist, Heaven would not have gained circling motion and light and (the dignity of) being the abode of the angels;
  • If he did not exist, the seas would not have gained the awe (which they inspire) and fish and regal pearls; 2105
  • If he did not exist, the earth would not have gained treasure within and jasmine (flowers and verdure) without.
  • (Our) means of sustenance are eating the means of sustenance bestowed by him: the fruits are dry-lipped (thirsty) for his rain.
  • Take heed, for in the (Divine) command (to give alms) this knot is (tied) upside down. Give alms to him who gives alms to yourself.
  • All (your) gold and silk comes to you from the (apparently) poor man: hark, give an alms to the (really) rich man, O you who are (really) poor.
  • A disgrace (an infamous creature) like thee, married to that man whose spirit is accepted (by God), resembles the unbelieving wedded wife of Noah. 2110
  • Were it not for thy relationship to this (blessed) house, I would tear thee to pieces at this moment.
  • I would deliver that Noah from thee, in order that I might be ennobled (by being slain) in retaliation.
  • But such a disrespect to the house of the emperor of the world cannot be shown by me.
  • Go and thank God that thou art the dog of this dwelling-place, (for) otherwise I would do now what ought to be done.”
  • How the disciple turned back from the Shaykh's house and questioned the people (in the neighbourhood), and how they directed him, saying, “The Shaykh has gone to such and such a forest.”
  • Afterwards he began to inquire of every one and sought the Shaykh for a long while in every quarter. 2115
  • Then (at last) somebody said to him, “That Qutb (Pivot) of the world has gone to fetch faggots from the hilly country.”
  • The disciple, whose thoughts were (like) Dhu ’l-faqár (a sharp sword), ran quickly to the forest in eager desire for the Shaykh.
  • (But) the Devil was introducing to the (young) man's mind an evil suggestion, in order that the (spiritual) Moon might be concealed by dust,
  • Namely, “Why should this Shaykh of the (true) religion keep in his house a woman like this as his mate and companion?
  • Whence (this) familiarity between opposite and opposite? Whence (comes it that) a nasnás (anthropoid ape) is (associated) with the Imám of mankind?” 2120
  • Then again he was exclaiming fervidly, “God help me! My impugning him (the Shaykh) is infidelity and enmity.
  • Who am I, in view of God's exercising (absolute) control (over everything he does), that my carnal soul should raise difficulties and objections?”
  • But soon his carnal soul was returning to the attack—(for) in consequence of this acquaintance (there was) smoke in his straw-like heart—
  • Saying, “What affinity has (this woman like) the Devil with (a saint like) Gabriel, that she should be his bedfellow in (connubial) intercourse?
  • How can Khalíl (Abraham) agree with Ázar? How can a guide agree with a brigand?” 2125
  • How the disciple gained his wish and met the Shaykh near the forest.
  • He was (absorbed) in this (perplexity) when suddenly the renowned Shaykh appeared before him, riding on a lion.
  • The roaring lion carried his faggots, while that blessed one sat on the top of them.
  • Because of the honour (in which God held him) his whip was a fierce serpent: he had grasped the serpent in his hand, like an ass-goad.
  • Know for certain that likewise every Shaykh that exists is riding on a furious lion.
  • Although that (riding) and this (lion) are not perceived by the senses, yet ’tis not concealed from the spiritual eye. 2130