Rumi's Masnavi - When he saw the ring on his finger, his perplexity and doubt vanished all at once.

When he saw the ring on his finger, his perplexity and doubt vanished all at once.

چون در انگشتش بدید انگشتری ** رفت اندیشه و تحری یک سری‌‌

Imagination occurs (only) at the time when that (object of desire) is hidden: this searching is after the unseen. 3625

وهم آن گاه است کان پوشیده است ** این تحری از پی نادیده است‌‌

Whilst he was absent, fancy waxed strong in his breast: as soon as he was present, his fancy departed.

شد خیال غایب اندر سینه زفت ** چون که حاضر شد خیال او برفت‌‌

If the radiant sky is not without rain, neither is the dark earth without vegetation.

گر سمای نور بی‌‌باریده نیست ** هم زمین تار بی‌‌بالیده نیست‌‌

(God said), “I want (what is signified by the words) they believe in the unseen: on that account I have shut the window of the fleeting world.

يؤمنون بالغيب می‌‌باید مرا ** ز آن ببستم روزن فانی سرا

When (if) I cleave the sky manifestly, how should I say, ‘Dost thou see any clefts therein?’”

چون شکافم آسمان را در ظهور ** چون بگویم هل تری فیها فطور

In order that in this darkness they may spread (the carpet of) endeavour, they are turning, every one, their faces in some direction. 3630

تا در این ظلمت تحری گسترند ** هر کسی رو جانبی می‌‌آورند

For awhile things are reversed: the thief brings the magistrate to the gallows,

مدتی معکوس باشد کارها ** شحنه را دزد آورد بر دارها

So that many a sultan and man of lofty spirit becomes the slave of his own slave for awhile.

تا که بس سلطان و عالی همتی ** بنده‌‌ی بنده‌‌ی خود آید مدتی‌‌

Service (performed) in absence (through faith in the unseen) is fair and comely; when service is demanded (by God from us), ‘tis pleasing (to Him) that the absent should be remembered (that we should remember to perform what is due to Him, though He is unseen).

بندگی در غیب آید خوب و گش ** حفظ غیب آید در استعباد خوش‌‌