بخش 136 - باز جواب انبیا علیهم السلام ایشان را

The prophets said, “Despair is wicked: the grace and the mercies of the Creator are infinite.

’Tis not proper to despair of such a Benefactor: cling to the saddle-strap of this Mercy.

Oh, many a plight became hard in the beginning, (but) afterwards it was relieved, and the hardship passed away.

After despair there are many hopes; after darkness there are many suns.

I grant indeed that ye have become stony and have put locks upon your ears and hearts;

(But) we have naught to do with any acceptance (on your part): our business is to resign ourselves (to God) and fulfil His command.

He hath commanded us (to perform) this service: we have not this office of proclaimer (prophetship) from ourselves.

We possess life (only) for the purpose of (executing) the command of God: if He bid us (sow) in a tract of sand, we sow.

The prophet's soul hath no friend except God: he hath naught to do with the acceptance or rejection of (his message by) the people.

The reward for delivering His messages comes from Him (God): we have become hateful and wear the aspect of enemies (to the people) for the Beloved's sake.

At this (Divine) Portal we are not weary, so that we should halt everywhere because of the distance of the way.

Oppressed in heart and weary is that one (alone) who is in prison through being parted from the Friend.

The Heart-ravisher and Desired One is present with us: amidst the largesse of His mercy our souls are giving thanks.

In our hearts is an anemone-field and rose-garden: there is no way (of entrance) for old age and decay;

We are ever fresh and young and gracious, unfaded and sweet and laughing and debonair.

To us a hundred years are the same as a single hour, for long and short (time) is a thing disjoined from us.

That length and shortness is in bodies (alone): where is that long and short in the soul?

The three hundred and nine years of the Men of the Cave seemed to them one day (that passed) without grief and woe;

And (only) then did it seem to them one day even, when their spirits came back from non-existence into their bodies.

When there is no day and night and month and year, how should there be satiety and old age and weariness?

Since there is (for us) selflessness in the rose-garden of non-existence, there is (for us) intoxication caused by the goblet of Divine grace.

Any one that has not drunk (thereof is in the same case as those to whom the saying, ‘Whoso) has not tasted does not know’ (is applicable): how should the dung-beetle conceive the (fragrant) breaths of the rose?

It is not conceivable: if it were conceivable, it would become non-existent, like (all) objects of conception.

How should Hell conceive Paradise? Does a beauteous face shine (forth) at all from an ugly pig?

Hark, do not cut your own throat! Take heed, O despicable one, (when) such a morsel as this has reached your mouth.

We have brought the hard ways to an end; we have made the way easy for our own people.”