بخش 131 - وخامت کار آن مرغ کی ترک حزم کرد از حرص و هوا

Again, a bird settles on a wall and fastens its eyes upon the grain in a trap.

Now it looks towards the open country, (while) now its greed leads it to look at the grain.

This look struggles with that look and suddenly makes it (the bird) empty of wisdom.

Again, a bird that has abandoned that vacillation turns its gaze away from that (grain) and fixes it upon the open fields.

Glad (glistening) are its wings and pinions: how goodly it is, since it has become the leader of all the free.

Every one who makes it his model is saved and sits in the abode of security and freedom,

Because his heart has become the king of the prudent, so that the rosery and garden (of Paradise) has become his dwelling-place.

Prudence is pleased with him, and he pleased with Prudence: do likewise, if you would act with foresight and resolution.

Many a time have you fallen into the snare of greed and given up your throat to be cut;

Again He that graciously disposes (hearts) to repentance hath set you free and accepted your repentance and made you glad.

He hath said, “If ye return thus, We will return thus: We have wedded the actions to the retribution.

When I bring one mate to Myself, the other mate inevitably comes running (after it).

We have mated this action with the effect: when one mate arrives, another mate arrives.”

When a raider carries off the husband from the wife, the wife comes after him, seeking her husband.

Once more ye have come towards this snare and have thrown dust in the eyes of repentance.

Again that Forgiving One hath loosed that knot for you and hath said, “Beware! Flee! Set not your face in this direction!”

Again, when the mandate of forgetfulness arrived, it drew your soul towards the Fire.

O you moth, do not show any forgetfulness and doubt: look once at your burnt wing!

Since you are saved, the thanksgiving is this, that you should have no inclination towards that grain,

In order that, when you say thanks, He may bestow on you the daily bread that is without snare and without fear of the enemy.

In thanksgiving for the bounty shown in setting you free, it behoves you to commemorate the bounty of God.

How oft in sorrows and in tribulation have you cried, “O God, deliver me from the snare,

That I may do suchlike service (to Thee) and practise beneficence and throw dust in the eyes of the Devil!”