بخش 77 - قصهٔ منافقان و مسجد ضرار ساختن ایشان

It is fit if you will hearken to another parable concerning perversity (taken) from the narrative in the Qur’án.

The Hypocrites played against the Prophet (just) such a crooked game at odd and even (as was played by Iblís against Mu‘áwiya),

Saying, “Let us build a mosque for the glory of the Mohammedan religion”; and that was (really) apostasy (on their part).

Such a crooked game were they playing: they built a mosque other than his mosque.

They constructed (well) its floor and roof and dome, but they desired to disunite the (Moslem) community.

They came to the Prophet with (guileful) entreaty: they knelt as camels before him,

Saying, “O Messenger of God, wilt thou for kindness' sake give thyself the trouble (to walk) to that mosque,

To the end that it may be made blessed by thy approach— may thy days flourish until the Resurrection!

It is a mosque for muddy and cloudy days, a mosque for days of sore distress in times of poverty,

That a (poor) stranger may get charity and room (to shelter) there, and that this house of service may be frequented,

So that the rites of the Religion may be multiplied and abound; because a bitter plight is sweetened (by being shared) with friends.

Honour that place (by thy presence) for a short while: declare us to be sincere, and give a good account of us.

Show favour to the mosque and its founders. Thou art the moon, we are the night: comply with us for a moment,

In order that by thy beauty night may be made like day, O thou whose beauty is a night-illumining sun.”

Alas! would that those words had been from the heart, so that the desire of those folk might have been accomplished!

Courtesy that comes to the tongue without (sincerity of) heart and soul is like herbs on the ash-heap, O friends.

Look at them from afar and pass on: they are not fit for eating or smelling, O son.

Do not, indeed, go (incline) towards the courtesy of the faithless, for it is a ruined bridge: heed well (my warning).

If a fool set foot on it, the bridge will break, and will shatter that foot of his.

Wherever an army is routed, it is because of two or three effeminate weaklings.

He (the poltroon) comes armed into the battle-line, like a man: they (the soldiers) put their trust in him, saying, “Here's the Comrade of the Cave.”

He turns his face (in flight) when he sees wounds: his going breaks your back.

This (topic) is long and is expanding, and that which is aimed at is becoming hidden (from sight).