بخش 61 - جواب دادن قاضی صوفی را

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’?

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.

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.”