بخش 11 - باقی قصهٔ اهل سبا

Saba were folk given over to dalliance and foolish; ‘twas their practice to show ingratitude to the generous.

By was of illustration, it would be ingratitude to dispute with your benefactor,

Saying, “O do not want this kindness, I am annoyed by it: why art thou troubling (about it)?

Do (me) a favour, take away this kindness; I do not desire an eye: blind me at once!”

Hence the people of Saba said, “ (O Lord), put a far distance between us: our blemish is better for us, take away our adornment.

We do not desire these palaces and orchards, nor fair women nor that safety and ease (which we now enjoy).

Towns near to each other are bad; the desert, where the wild beasts are, is good.”

Man craves winter in summer, and when winter comes, he likes it not,

For he is never content with any state (of things), neither with poverty nor with a life of plenty

May Man be killed! How ungrateful he is! Whenever he obtains guidance, he spurns it.

The carnal soul is of this sort, hence it ought to be killed : that Exalted One hath said, “Kill yourselves.”

It is a triagonal thorn: however you may place it, it will pierce, and how will you escape from its stab?

Set the thorn on fire with renunciation of sensual passion, and cling to the righteous friend.

When the people of Saba carried (their ingratitude) beyond bounds, saying, “In our opinion, pestilence is better than the zephyr,”

Their counselors began to admonish (them) and restrain (them) from impiety and ingratitude;

(But) they sought to take the lives of their counselors, and sowed the seed of impiety and unthankfulness.

When the (Divine) decree comes to pass, this (whole) world becomes cramped (so that there is no escape); by the (Divine) decree sweetmeat becomes anguish to the mouth.

He ( the Prophet) said, “When the Decree comes, the (widest) expanse is narrow; when the Decree comes, the eyes are veiled.”

The eye is bandaged at the time if the Decree, so that the eye does not see the eye’s collyrium.

When the cunning of that Horseman has raised the dust, the dust keeps thee off from calling for aid.

Go towards the Horseman, go not towards the dust; else the cunning of the Rider will beat upon thee.

God said, “He whom this wolf devoured, he saw the wolf’s dust; how did not he make piteous moan?”

Did not he know the wolf’s dust? (Then), with such knowledge, why did he graze?

Sheep know the smell of the harmful wolf and creep away in every direction.

The brain of animals knows the smell of the lion and bids farewell to grazing.

Thou hast smelt the lion of (God’s) wrath. Turn back! Consort with prayer and dread!

That multitude (of Saba) did not turn back from the wolf’s dust, and after the dust the wolf of tribulation came on his might.

In wrath he tore to pieces those sheep which shut their eyes to the shepherd, Wisdom.

How oft did the shepherd call them! And they came not: they were throwing the dust of resentment in the eyes of the shepherd, Saying, “Begone: we ourselves are better shepherds than thou.

How should we become (thy) followers? We are chieftains, every one (of us).

We are food for the wolf, and we are not for the Friend; we are fuel for the Fire, and we are not for dishonour.”

A heathen pride was in their brains: the raven croaked disaster over the traces of their habitation.

They were digging a pit for the oppressed” they (themselves) fell into the pit, crying “Alas!”

They tore the coats of the Josephs (the prophets and saints), and that which they gave they got, piece by piece.

Who is that Joseph? Thy God-seeking heart, bound as a captive in thy abode.

Thou hast bound a Gabriel on a pillar, thou hast wounded his wings and plumes in a hundred places.

Thou settest before him a roasted calf, thou fetchest (ground) straw and bringest him to the straw-barn,

Saying, “Eat; this is a dainty meal for us,” (although) for him there is no food but meeting God face to face.

On account of this torment and tribulation that afflicted (heart) is complaining of thee to God,

Crying, “O God, deliver (me) from this old wolf!” He (God) saith to it, “Lo, the hour is (wellnigh) come: have patience.

I will demand justice for thee from every heedless one: who gives justice but God, the Dealer of justice?”

It (the heart) says, “ My patience is lost in separation from Thy face, O Lord.

I am (like) Ahmad ( Mohammad) left forsaken in the hands of the Jews, I am (like) Salih fallen into prison (amongst the people) of Thamud.

O Thou that bestowed felicity on the souls of the prophets, either slay me or call me back (to Thee) or come (Thyself).

(Even) the infidels cannot endure to be separated from Thee: he (every infidel) is saying, ‘O would that I had been dust!’

This is the state of him (the infidel) who in sooth belongs to that side (is beyond the pale): how (then) should one that belongs to Thee be (patient) without Thee?”

God saith, “Yea, O pure (heart); but hearken (unto Me) and have patience, for patience is better.

The dawn is near. Hush, do not wail! I am striving for thee, do not thou strive.”