بخش 93 - مخفی بودن آن درختان از چشم خلق

More wondrous (than all else) was this, that hundreds of thousands of people were passing through the desert and plain beside them,

Hazarding their lives (ready to sacrifice everything) in desire for shade, and making a parasol out of a woollen garment,

And not seeing the shade of those (trees) at all. A hundred spittings on (such) distorted eyes!

The wrath of God had sealed their eyes, so that he (such a one) should not see the moon, (but) should see (only) Suhá.

He sees a mote, (but) not the sun; yet he is not despairing of the grace and loving kindness of God.

The caravans are without food, and (yet) these fruits are dropping ripe (beside them): O God, what magic is this?

With parched throats the people, having fallen pell-mell to plunder, were gathering the rotten apples,

(While) every leaf and bud of those boughs said continually, ‘Oh, would that my people knew!’

From the direction of every tree was coming the cry, ‘Come towards us, O ye folk of evil fortune,’

(While) from (the Divine) jealousy there was coming to the trees the cry, ‘We have bandaged their eyes; nay, there is no refuge.’

If any one had said to them ‘Go in this direction, that ye may seek happiness from these trees,’

They all would have said, ‘By Divine destiny this poor intoxicated wretch has become mad:

Through long melancholy and through austerities the brain of this poor wretch has turned putrid, like an onion.’

He would have remained in astonishment, saying, ‘O Lord, what is the matter?

What is this veil (blindness) and misguidance that is upon the people?’ The people of every sort, (though endowed) with manifold discernment and understanding, do not move a foot in that direction.

By one consent the intelligent and acute amongst them have become incredulous of such a garden as this and undutiful.

Or have I become mad and crazy? Has the Devil cast something (of delusion) upon my head?

At every moment I rub my eyes, (considering) whether I am dreaming and beholding a phantom in (the world of) time.

How can it be a dream? I go up the trees, I eat their fruit: how should I not believe?

(But) again, when I look at the incredulous ones who turn aside from this orchard,

Devoting their lives with the utmost indigence and penury because of their desire for half an unripe grape;

(When I see) these destitute folk uttering grievous lamentation in their longing and greed for a single leaf,

(And when I see) these hundred thousands on thousands of people fleeing from this tree and these fruits—

Once more I say, ‘Marvellous! Am I beside myself? Have I laid hold of a bough of phantasy?’”

Repeat (the text) until when the Messengers (of God) despaired down to (the words) they thought they had been belied (kudhibú).

Recite (the verse) with this reading (kudhibú), for the omission of the tashdíd in kudhibú signifies that he (the Messenger) deems himself debarred (from receiving the promised aid from God).

The souls of the prophets fell into misgiving through the concurrence of disbelief (on the part) of the wicked;

(But) Our aid came to them after (their) doubting. Take leave of them (the misguided people) and climb the tree of the spirit.

Eat (of the fruit of this tree) and give it to every one that hath an allotted portion (thereof): at each moment and each instant there are lessons in (spiritual) magic (for him).

“The people are saying, ‘Oh, how wonderful! What is this cry?—since the wilderness is devoid of trees and fruit.

We have been fooled by the words of the madmen (who tell us) that beside us there are gardens and trays (of fruit).

We rub our eyes, (but) no garden is here; ‘tis either a desert or a difficult road.

Oh, how wonderful! This tale (related by the prophets and saints) is so long: how should it be vain? And if it really is (as they say), where (is that which they tell of)?’

I, like them, am saying, ‘Oh, how wonderful! Why has the action of the Lord put such a seal (upon their eyes)?’”

By these contentions (on the part of the unbelievers) Mohammed was astonished; Abú Lahab also remained in astonishment (at him).

Between this astonishment and that astonishment there is a profound difference. (Let us see) what the Almighty King will do (to the infidels in the end).

O Daqúqí, advance more quickly (in thy quest for Unity). Hark, be silent! Inasmuch as there is a dearth of ears, how long wilt thou speak, how long?