بخش 144 - نومید شدن انبیا از قبول و پذیرای منکران قوله حتی اذا استیاس الرسل

The prophets said to their hearts (to themselves), “How long shall we continue giving exhortation and counsel to this one and that one?

How long shall we misguidedly beat a piece of cold iron? Hark, till when (how long shall we continue) to breathe into a cage?”

The motion (action) of created beings is (caused) by Divine destiny and appointment: the sharpness of the teeth is (caused) by the burning (hunger pangs) of the stomach.

The First Soul pushed (produced an effect) upon the second soul: a fish stinks from the head, not from the tail.

But, whilst recognising (this), still speed on like an arrow: since God hath said, “Deliver (the Divine message),” there is no escape (from doing so).

You do not know which of these two you are: strive (then) so long (as is necessary) that you may discern what you are.

When you put a cargo on board a ship, you are making that venture on trust,

(For) you do not know which of the two you are—whether you are (destined to be) drowned on the voyage or saved (from death).

If you say, “Until I know which I am, I will not hasten on to (embark on) the ship and the ocean;

On this voyage I am (to be) saved or drowned: reveal (to me) to which party I belong.

I will not start upon this voyage with doubt and in idle hope, like the others”—

(Then) no traffic will be done by you, because the secret of these two aspects (possibilities) is in the Unseen.

The merchant of timid disposition and frail spirit neither gains nor loses in his quest;

Nay, he suffers loss, for he is deprived (of fortune) and despicable: (only) he that is an eater of flames (ardent in search) will find the light.

Inasmuch as all affairs turn upon hope, the affair of religion is most worthy (to inspire hope), for by this means you may win salvation.

Here it is not permitted to knock at the door (with importunity); naught but hope (is permissible): God best knoweth the right course.