بخش 146 - حکایت ضیاء دلق کی سخت دراز بود و برادرش شیخ اسلام تاج بلخ به غایت کوتاه بالا بود و این شیخ اسلام از برادرش ضیا ننگ داشتی ضیا در آمد به درس او و همه صدور بلخ حاضر به درس او ضیا خدمتی کرد و بگذشت شیخ اسلام او را نیم قیامی کرد سرسری گفت آری سخت درازی پاره‌ای در دزد

Ziyá-yi Dalq was a man of goodly inspiration: he was the brother of Táj, the Shaykh of Islam.

Táj, the Shaykhu ’l-Islám of the imperial city of Balkh, was short of stature and small as a chick.

Though he was learned and eminent and accomplished, (his brother) this Ziyá was superior in wit.

He (Táj) was very short, while Ziyá was tall beyond measure: the Shaykh of Islam had a hundred arrogances and haughty airs.

He felt ashamed of this brother and disgraced (by him); yet Ziyá was a preacher in the way of salvation.

On the day of congregation Ziyá came in: the hall was filled with cadis and men distinguished (for piety).

In his complete arrogance the Shaykh of Islam (only) half rose (from his seat), in such a (careless) fashion, to (salute) his brother.

He (Ziyá) said to him, “Thou art very tall: take a little off thy cypress-like stature in order to gain the (Divine) reward.”

(The ascetic said), “How, then, have you the intelligence, how have you the (necessary) understanding to drink wine, O enemy of knowledge?

(If) your face is very beautiful, put some indigo on it (as an ornament); (but) indigo on the face of an Abyssinian (negro) would be a laughing-stock.

When did any (spiritual) light enter into you, O misguided man, that you should become a seeker of unconsciousness and darkness?

’Tis the (approved) rule to seek the shadow during the day; (but) you seek the shadow on a cloudy night.

If it (wine) is lawful as sustenance for the common folk, (yet) it is unlawful to those who seek the Beloved.

The wine for the lovers (of God) is their heart's blood: their eyes are (fixed) upon the Way and upon the Destination.

In this Way across the terrible wilderness the guide, Reason, suffers a hundred eclipses.

(If) you throw dust in the eyes of the guides, you will cause the caravan to perish and lose the way.

In sooth, barley bread is unlawful and injurious to the carnal soul: set (only) bread made of bran before it.

Keep in abject submission the enemy on the Way to God: do not place a pulpit for the robber, (but) keep him on the gibbet.

Deem the amputation of the robber's hand desirable: if you are unable to cut his hand off, bind it.

Unless you bind his hand, he will bind yours; unless you break his leg, he will break yours.

You give the enemy wine and sugar-cane—for what reason? Bid him laugh venomously and eat earth.”

In his indignation he (the ascetic) hurled a stone at the jug and broke it: he (the slave) let the jug fall and sprang away from the ascetic.

He went to the Amír, who said to him, “Where is the wine?” He (the slave) related in his presence all that had happened, point by point.