بخش 143 - حکایت آن مؤذن زشت آواز کی در کافرستان بانگ نماز داد و مرد کافری او را هدیه داد

A certain muezzin had a very harsh voice: he called (the Moslems to prayer) in the land of the infidels.

They said to him several times, “Do not give the call to prayer, for (otherwise) fighting and acts of hostility (against us) will be prolonged.”

He defied (them), and then without showing (any) caution he gave the call to prayer in the land of the infidels.

The (Moslem) folk were in fear of a general insurrection; however, an infidel came up (to them) with a robe.

He brought (with him) candles and halwá and such a (fine) robe as gifts, and approached in a friendly manner,

Asking again and again, “Tell me, where is this muezzin, whose call and cry increases my pleasure?”

“Eh, what pleasure was there from such a harsh voice?” He replied, “His voice penetrated into the church.

I have a comely daughter of very high estate: she was desiring (to marry) a true believer.

Never would this passion go out of her head, (though) so many infidels were exhorting her.

Love of the Faith had grown up in her heart: this grief was like a censer and I like the aloes-wood (burning in it).

I was in torment and anguish and continually on the rack lest her passion should lead her (to embrace Islam).

I knew no remedy for it until this muezzin chanted the adhán (call to prayer).

(Then) my daughter said, ‘What is this detestable noise? It grates on my ear.

Never in all my life have I heard such a harsh voice in this Christian convent and church.’

Her sister said to her, ‘This chant, namely the adhán, gives (the Moslems) notice (of prayer-time) and is the watchword of the Faithful.’

She would not believe it, and asked some one else: that person too said, ‘Yes, (it is true), O father.’

When she became sure (of this), her face turned pale and her heart grew cold (averse) to Islam.

I was delivered from anxiety and torment: last night I slept sound in a peaceful sleep.

This was the pleasure (that came) to me from his voice: in gratitude I bring (these) gifts: where is the man?”

When he saw him (the muezzin), he said, “Accept the gift, for thou hast been my protector and saviour.

(On account of) the benefit and kindness that thou hast done to me, I have become thy slave perpetually.

If I were eminent in respect of property, possessions, and riches, I would fill thy mouth with gold.”

“The Faith of you (Moslems) is hypocrisy and falsehood: like that call to prayer, it waylays (the seeker and prevents him from embracing Islam);

But many a regret has come into my heart and soul from (my admiration for) the Faith and sincerity of Báyazíd.”

Tanquam illa femina quae, cum concubitum asini videret, dixit: “Eheu, quid est hic admissarius egregius?

Si concubitus hoc est, hi asini (praemium) abstulerunt: cacant super vulvis nostris hi mariti.”

Báyazíd paid all that is due to (fulfilled every obligation of) the Faith: blessings be on such a peerless lion!

If a single drop of his Faith enter into the ocean, the ocean will be submerged in his drop,

As (when) a mote of fire (falls) amidst forests, the (whole) forest passes away in that mote;

(Or) as (when) a phantasy (appears) in the heart of a king or his army, (a phantasy which) destroyed his enemies in war.

A star (of Divine illumination) appeared in Mohammed, so that the substance of (the beliefs of) Magian and Jew passed away.

He that received the Faith entered into security; the infidelities of the rest became (a matter on which there were) two opinions.

At any rate, their first pure (entire) unbelief did not remain (with them): it (the star of Mohammed) planted (in them) either (formal acceptance of) Islam or a (great) dread (of it).

This (description of the Faith of Báyazíd) is a (mere) makeshift varnishing: these similes are not equivalent to the mote of (Divine light).

A mote is only a paltry bodily thing: a mote is not the indivisible Sun.

Know that (my) calling it (the Sun) a mote has a purpose hidden (from thee, for) thou art not familiar with the Sea: at present thou art (but) the foam.

If the luminous sun of the Shaykh's Faith should display itself from the Orient of the Shaykh's spirit,

All below, down to the moist clay (beneath the earth's crust), would gain (abundant) treasure, and all above would gain a verdant Paradise.

He hath a spirit of resplendent light, he hath a body of despicable earth.

Oh, I wonder whether he is this or that. Tell (me), uncle, for I am left (helpless) in this difficulty.

O brother, if he is this, (then) what is that?—for the Seven Heavens are filled with its light—

And if he is that (spirit), (then) what is this body, my friend? Oh, I wonder which of these twain he is and who?