بخش 81 - بیان رسول علیه السلام سبب تفضیل و اختیار کردن او آن هذیلی را به امیری و سرلشکری بر پیران و کاردیدگان

Cases are decided by the general rule (not by the exceptions):since the majority are evil, the sword was taken away from the hand of the highwayman.

The Prophet said, “O thou who lookest on externals, do not regard him as a youth and unskilled.

Oh, there is many a black beard and the man (its owner) old (in wisdom); oh, there is many a white beard with a heart (black) as pitch.

Often have I tested his understanding: that youth has shown (the ripe experience of) age in (handling) affairs.

O son, the (really) old is the old in understanding: ‘tis not whiteness of the hair in the beard and on the head.

How should he (any old man) be older than Iblis? When he lacks understanding, he is good-for- naught.

Suppose he is a child: (what matter) when he hath the (life-giving) breath of Jesus (and) is purged of vainglory and vain desire?

That whiteness of hair is a proof of maturity to the bandaged eye that hath little penetration.

Since the blind imitator recognises nothing but (an external) proof, he continually seeks the way (to the truth) in the (out ward) sign.

For his sake we have said, ‘When you wish to plan (anything), choose an elder (to advise you).’

He who has escaped from the purdah of blind imitation sees by the light of God that which (really) is.

Without proof and without exposition the pure Light cleaves its (the object’s) skin and enters into the middle (the core).

To one who regards (only) the appearance, what is (the difference between) the adulterated and genuine coin? How should he know what is in the date-basket?

Oh, there is much copper gilded with gold, that he (the counterfeiter) may sell it to (those of) small understanding.

We, who see the inward (reality) of the whole world, see the heart and look not on the outward form.”

The cadis who are concerned with the outward form (the letter of the law) give judgement according to outward appearances.

When he (the suspected person) has uttered the profession of the Faith and has shown some (formal sign of) true belief, at once these people (the cadis) pronounce him a true believer.

There is many a hypocrite who has taken refuge in this out ward form and has shed the blood of a hundred true believers in secret.

Endeavour to become old in intelligence and religion, that you may become, like the Universal Intelligence, a seer of the in ward (reality).

When the beauteous Intelligence unveiled its face (revealed itself) from non-existence, He (God) gave it a robe of honour and a thousand names.

Of those sweet-breathing names the least is this, that it (the Intelligence) is not in need of any one.

If the Intelligence display its face in visible form, day will be dark beside its light;

And if the shape of foolishness become visible, beside it the darkness of night will be radiant,

For it is darker and more murky than night; but the miserable bat is a buyer (seeker) of darkness.

Little by little accustom yourself to the daylight, else you will remain a bat deprived of splendour.