How Mustafá, on whom be peace, treated the Arab guest with loving kindness and calmed his distress and stilled the sobbing and lamentation for himself which he was making in his shame and penitence and fire of despair.
شاعر: رومی
وزن: فاعلاتن فاعلاتن فاعلن (رمل مسدس محذوف یا وزن مثنوی)
صنف: مثنوی
This topic hath no end. The Arab was astounded by the kindnesses of that (spiritual) King.
He was wellnigh becoming crazed, his reason fled (from him), but the hand (power) of Mustafá's reason drew him back.
He (Mustafá) said, “Come hither.” He came in such fashion as one rises up from heavy slumber.
“Come hither,” said he, “do not (lose thy wits); hark, come to thyself, for there are (great) things to be done with thee here.”
He threw water on his face, and he (the infidel) began to speak, saying, “O witness of God, recite the Testimony (profession of the Faith),
That I may bear witness (to its truth) and go forth (from unbelief): I am weary of this (unreal) existence and will go into the wilderness (of reality).”
In this court of the Judge who pronounces the Decree we are (present) for the purpose of (making good) our claim (to fulfil the covenant signified by the words) “Am not I (your Lord)?” and “Yea”;
For we said, “Yea,” and (since we are) on trial our acts and words are the (necessary) witnesses and evidence of that (assent).
Wherefore do we keep silence in the court of the Judge? Have not we come (here) to bear testimony?
How long, O witness, wilt thou remain under detention in the court of the Judge? Give thy testimony betimes.
Thou hast been summoned hither that thou mayst give the testimony and show no disobedience;
(But) in thy obstinacy thou hast sat down and closed (both) hand and mouth in this confinement.
Until thou give that testimony, O witness, how wilt thou escape from this court?
’Tis the affair of a moment. Perform (thy duty) and run away: do not make a short matter long (tedious and irksome) to thyself.
As thou wilt, whether during a hundred years or in a moment, discharge this trust and acquit thyself (of it).