Since (in that case) they (the disputants) would not have had the means of escape (which consists) in replying (to their opponents), they would therefore have recoiled from the way of perdition (from their erroneous doctrines);
چون برون‌شوشان نبودی در جواب ** پس رمیدندی از آن راه تباب
(But) inasmuch as their continuance in that course was (Divinely) destined, God feeds them with (logical) proofs,
چونک مقضی بد دوام آن روش ** می‌دهدشان از دلایل پرورش
In order that he (the disputant) may not be silenced by his adversary's difficult objection, and that he may be prevented from seeing his adversary's success,
تا نگردد ملزم از اشکال خصم ** تا بود محجوب از اقبال خصم
So that these two-and-seventy sects may always remain in the world till the Day of Resurrection.
تا که این هفتاد و دو ملت مدام ** در جهان ماند الی یوم القیام
Since this is the world of darkness and occultation, the earth is necessary for (the existence of) the shadow.3220
چون جهان ظلمتست و غیب این ** از برای سایه می‌باید زمین
These two-and-seventy (sects) will remain till the Resurrection: the heretic's talk and argument will not fail.
تا قیامت ماند این هفتاد و دو ** کم نیاید مبتدع را گفت و گو
The high value of a treasury is (shown by the circumstance) that there are many locks upon it.
عزت مخزن بود اندر بها ** که برو بسیار باشد قفلها
The greatness of the (traveller's) goal, O well-tried man, is (shown by) the intricate windings of the way and the mountain-passes and the brigands (infesting them).
عزت مقصد بود ای ممتحن ** پیچ پیچ راه و عقبه و راه‌زن
The greatness of the Ka‘ba and its assembly-place is (shown by) the brigandage of the Beduins and the length of the desert (traversed by the pilgrims).
عزت کعبه بود و آن نادیه ** ره‌زنی اعراب و طول بادیه
Every (religious) doctrine, every tenet, that is not praiseworthy is (like) a mountain-pass and a barrier and a brigand.3225
هر روش هر ره که آن محمود نیست ** عقبه‌ای و مانعی و ره‌زنیست