بخش 14 - قصهٔ اهل ضروان و حیلت کردن ایشان تا بی زحمت درویشان باغها را قطاف کنند

You have read the story of the people of Zarwán: then why have you persisted in seeking expedients?

Several (noxious) men who stung like scorpions were contriving that they might cut off part of the daily bread of some poor folk.

During the night, the whole night, they were devising a plot; many a ‘Amr and Bakr had put their faces together.

Those wicked men were speaking their inmost thoughts in secret, lest God should discover it.

Did the clay devise (evil) against the Plasterer? Is the hand doing any work that is hidden from the heart?

He (God) hath said, “Doth not He who created (thee) know thy desire, (doth not He know) whether in thy secret conversation there is sincerity or cajolery?”

How should a traveller who has set out at morn be unheeded by One who sees plainly where shall be his lodging to-morrow?

Wheresoever he has descended or mounted, He hath taken charge of it and reckoned (it) up by number.

Now purge your ear of forgetfulness and listen to the separation (forlorn plight) of the sorrowful one.

Know that when you set your ear to his tale, that is the alms which you give to the sad;

(For) you will hear the sorrows of the heart-sick—the starvation of the noble spirit by the water and clay (of the body).

(Though it is) one filled with knowledge, it hath a house filled with smoke: open a window for it by listening.

When your ear becomes a way of breath (relief) for it, the bitter smoke will decrease (and disappear) from its house.

Show sympathy with us, O well-watered (prosperous) one, if you are faring to wards the most high Lord.

This vacillation is a prison and gaol that will not let the soul go in any direction.

This (motive) draws (you) in one direction, and that (motive) in another, each (motive) saying, “I am the right way.”

This vacillation is a precipice on the Way to God: oh, blest is he whose feet are loosed (from its bonds).

He fares on the right way without vacillation: (if) you do not know the way, seek (to find) where his footprints are.

Cleave to the footprints of the deer and advance safely, that from the deer's footprints you may attain to the musk-gland.

By means of this wayfaring you will ascend to the most luminous zenith, O brother, if you will walk on the fire (of tribulation).

(There is) no fear of sea or waves or foam, since you have heard the (Divine) allocution, “Be not afraid.”

Know that it is (a fulfilment of) Be not afraid, when God hath given you the fear (which causes you to refrain from sin): He will send the bread, since He hath sent the tray to you.

The fear (danger) is for that one who has no fear (of God); the anguish (is) for that one who does not frequent this place (where God is feared).