بخش 129 - مثل شیطان بر در رحمان

God forfend! Whatsoever God wills shall come to pass. He is the Ruler over the worlds of space and non- spatiality.

Without His command no one in His kingdom shall add (so much as) the tip of a single hair.

The kingdom is His kingdom, the command is His: that Devil of His is the meanest dog at His door.

If a Turcoman's dog is lying at the door (of the tent), with his face and head resting on the threshold,

(Though) the children of the house keep pulling his tail, he will be humble (submissive) in the children's hands.

If, however, a stranger pass by, he (the dog) will rush at him like a fierce lion;

For he is hard on the unbelievers: to a friend he is (as) the rose, to an enemy as the thorn.

He has become so faithful and vigilant on account of the tutmáj broth that the Turcoman has given him.

The dog, then, namely the Devil, whom God causes to exist and in whom He creates a hundred thoughts and cunning plans,

And whom He feeds with (men's) honours, so that he takes away the honour of the virtuous and the wicked—

(For) the honour of the populace is the tutmáj broth by which the Devil-dog is fed—

Tell me, how should not his soul be devoted to the (Divine) decree at the door of the tent of Omnipotence?

Troop on troop of obedient and rebellious (devils), like the dog (of the Seven Sleepers) spreading his fore- paws on the threshold,

Are (stationed) like dogs at the door of the Cave of the Godhead, (eagerly) seeking the (Divine) command with every particle (of their bodies), and with every nerve agog (to hear the command),

(Namely), ‘O Devil-dog, inflict tribulation in order that (thou mayst see) how these creatures (of Mine) set foot on this Way.

Continually rush (at them), prevent (them from advancing), and look to see who (among them) is female (weak) in respect of sincerity, and who is male (strong).’

For what purpose, then, is (the cry), ‘I take refuge (with God)’ when the Dog in his arrogance has run swiftly (to the attack)?

This (cry), ‘I take refuge,’ is (as though you should say), ‘O Turcoman of Khitá, call thy dog off and leave the way clear,

That I may come to the door of thy tent and beg what I need from thy bounty and high estate.’

When the Turcoman is incapable of (restraining) the dog's fury, this (expression), ‘I take refuge,’ and this cry of distress are improper (inadmissible),

(Since) the Turcoman too will say, ‘I take refuge from the dog; for I too am helpless against the dog in my home.

Thou canst not come to this door, nor can I go forth from the door.’

Now dust be on the head of the Turcoman and the stranger-guest, since one dog binds the necks of (subjugates) them both!

God forfend! (If) the Turcoman utter a shout, what of the dog? (Even) a fierce lion would (be terrified and) vomit blood.”

O thou who hast called thyself “the Lion of God,” for (many) years thou hast been powerless against a dog.

How should this dog hunt on thy behalf when thou hast manifestly become a prey to the dog?