Rumi's Masnavi - Where is (one like) the Friend (of God), who came forth from the cave (of idolatry), and said, “This is my Lord (as ye assert). Take heed! Where is the Maker (of all)?”

Where is (one like) the Friend (of God), who came forth from the cave (of idolatry), and said, “This is my Lord (as ye assert). Take heed! Where is the Maker (of all)?”—

کو خلیلی که برون آمد ز غار ** گفت هذا رب هان کو کردگار

(One who shall say), “I will not look at the two worlds until I see to whom these two assembly-places (really) belong.

من نخواهم در دو عالم بنگریست ** تا نبینم این دو مجلس آن کیست‏

If I eat bread without the view of God's attributes, it will stick in my throat.”

بی‏تماشای صفتهای خدا ** گر خورم نان در گلو ماند مرا

How should a morsel digest without the sight of Him, without the view of His roses and rose-garden? 3080

چون گوارد لقمه بی‏دیدار او ** بی‏تماشای گل و گلزار او

Save in hope of God, who but an ox or ass would for one moment partake of this food and drink?

جز بر امید خدا زین آب خور ** کی خورد یک لحظه الا گاو و خر

(Who but) he that was like the cattle, nay, more lost?—though (indeed) that stinkard is full of cunning.

آن که کالانعام بد بل هم اضل ** گر چه پر مکر است آن گنده بغل‏

His cunning went headlong (to ruin), and he went headlong: he passed a little while, and his day set.

مکر او سر زیر و او سر زیر شد ** روزگاری برد و روزش دیر شد

His brain became dull, his mind doting: his life is gone—and like (the letter) alif he hath nothing.

فکرگاهش کند شد عقلش خرف ** عمر شد چیزی ندارد چون الف‏

(As for) his saying, “I am thinking about it”—that too is only (part) of the deceit of the fleshly soul; 3085

آن چه می‏گوید در این اندیشه‏ام ** آن هم از دستان آن نفس است هم‏

And (as for) his saying, “He (God) is forgiving and merciful” —that is naught but a trick of the villainous flesh.

و انچه می‏گوید غفور است و رحیم ** نیست آن جز حیله‏ی نفس لئیم‏