How the people of Jesus—on him be peace!—asked the amírs, “Which one of you is the successor?”
After a month the people said, “O chiefs, which of (the) amírs is designated in his place,
That we may acknowledge him as our religious leader instead of him (the vizier), and give our hands and skirts into his hand?
Since the sun is gone and has branded us (left the brand of sorrow in our hearts), is not a lamp the (only) resource in his stead?
Since union with the beloved has vanished from before our eyes, we must needs have a vicar as a memorial of him (i.e. one who will recall him to our memory).
Since the rose is past and the garden ravaged, from whom shall we get the perfume of the rose? From rosewater.”
Inasmuch as God comes not into sight, these prophets are the vicars of God.
Nay, I have said (this) wrongly; for if you suppose that the vicar and He who is represented by the vicar are two, it (such a thought) is bad, not good.
Nay; they are two so long as you are a worshipper of form, (but) they have become one to him who has escaped from (consciousness of) form.
When you look at the form, your eye is two; look at its (the eye's) light, which grew from the eye.
’Tis impossible to distinguish the light of the two eyes, when a man has cast his look upon their light.
If ten lamps are present in (one) place, each differs in form from another:
To distinguish without any doubt the light of each, when you turn your face towards their light, is impossible.
If you count a hundred apples or a hundred quinces, they do not remain a hundred (but) become one, when you crush them (together).
In things spiritual there is no division and no numbers; in things spiritual there is no partition and no individuals.
Sweet is the oneness of the Friend with His friends: catch (and cling to) the foot of spirit. Form is headstrong.
Make headstrong form waste away with tribulation, that beneath it you may descry unity, like a (buried) treasure;
And if you waste it not away, His favours will waste it—oh, my heart is His vassal.
He even showeth Himself to (our) hearts, He seweth the tattered frock of the dervish.
Simple were we and all one substance; we were all without head and without foot yonder.
We were one substance, like the Sun; we were knotless and pure, like water.
When that goodly Light took form, it became (many in) number like the shadows of a battlement.
Rase ye the battlement with the manjaníq (mangonel), that difference may vanish from amidst this company (of shadows).
I would have explained this (matter) with (eager) contention, but I fear lest some (weak) mind may stumble.
The points (involved in it) are sharp as a sword of steel; if you have not the shield (of capacity to understand), turn back and flee!
Do not come without shield against this adamant (keen blade), for the sword is not ashamed of cutting.
For this cause I have put the sword in sheath, that none who misreads may read contrariwise (in a sense contrary to the true meaning of my words).
We come (now) to complete the tale and (speak) of the loyalty of the multitude of the righteous,
Who rose up after (the death of) this leader, demanding a vicar in his place.
