بخش 9 - قصه‌ای هم در تقریر این

A man of trust heard a sound of footsteps (in his house) during the night: he took up the fire-lighter to strike a flame.

At that (same) moment the thief came and sat down beside him, and whenever the tinder caught (fire) he put it out,

Laying the tip of his finger on the place, in order that the fiery star (spark) might vanish.

The Khwája thought it was dying of itself: he didn't see that the thief was extinguishing it.

The Khwája said, “This tinder was moist: on account of its wetness the star (spark) is dying at once.”

As there was great mirk and darkness in front (of him), he didn't see a fire-extinguisher beside him.

(So) the infidel's eye, because of (its) dimness, does not see a similar fireextinguisher in his heart.

How is the heart of any knowing person ignorant (that) with the moving (object) there is (necessarily) a mover?

Why don't you say (to yourself), “How should day and night come and go of themselves without a Lord?”

You are conversant with intelligibles; (but) see what a lack of intelligence is shown by you (in this matter), O despicable man!

Is a house more intelligible with a builder or without a builder? Answer, O man of little knowledge!

Is writing more intelligible with a writer or without a writer? Think, O son!

How should the jím of the ear and the ‘ayn of the eye and the mím of the mouth be (formed) without a Writer, O suspect?

Is the bright (lighted) candle without one who lights it or with a skilful lighter?

Is it more reasonable to expect good craftsmanship from the hand of one who is palsied and blind or from one who has control (of his hands) and can see?

Since, therefore, you have apprehended (the fact) that He (God) will overpower you and beat the mace of tribulation on your head,

Like a Nimrod, repel Him by war (if you can)! Launch an arrow of (hard) poplar-wood into the air against Him!

Like the Mongol soldiery, shoot an arrow at Heaven to prevent your soul being torn (from your body)!

Or flee from Him, if you can, and go (your way); (but) how can you go, since you are a pawn in His hand?

(When) you were in non-existence, you did not escape from His hand: how will you escape from His hand (now), O helpless one?

To seek (one's own) desire is to flee (from God) and shed the blood of piety in the presence of His justice.

This world is a trap, and desire is its bait: flee from the traps, quickly turn your face (towards God).

When you have gone this way, you have enjoyed a hundred (spiritual) blessings; when you have gone the opposite way, you have fared ill.

Therefore the Prophet said, “Consult your hearts, though the mufti outside gives you advice in (worldly) affairs.”

Abandon desire, in order that He may have mercy (on you): you have found by experience that such (renunciation) is required by Him.

Since you cannot escape, do service to Him, that you may go from His prison into His rose-garden.

When you keep watch (over your thoughts and actions) continually, you are always seeing the (Divine) justice and the (Divine) Judge, O misguided man;

And if you shut your eyes because you have veiled yourself (in heedlessness), (yet) how should the sun relinquish its work?