Whoever Has Me as Protector Has Ali
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 6, section 126 of 137: Expounding the Tradition that Mustafá (Mohammed) said, the blessings of God be upon him (در تفسیر این خبر کی مصطفی صلوات‌الله علیه فرمود من کنت مولاه فعلی مولاه تا منافقان طعنه). Below, each of its 15 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
Expounding the Tradition that Mustafá (Mohammed) said, the blessings of God be upon him: “When I am the protector of any one, ‘Alí too is his protector,” so that the Hypocrites asked sarcastically, “Was not he satisfied with the obedience and service rendered by us to himself that he bids us render the same service to a snivelling child?” etc. در تفسیر این خبر کی مصطفی صلوات‌الله علیه فرمود من کنت مولاه فعلی مولاه تا منافقان طعنه زدند کی بس نبودش کی ما مطیعی و چاکری نمودیم او را چاکری کودکی خلم آلودمان هم می‌فرماید الی آخره
زین سبب پیغامبر با اجتهاد نام خود وان علی مولا نهاد
For this reason the Prophet, who laboured with the utmost zeal (in devotion), applied the name “protector” (mawlá) to himself and to ‘Alí.
گفت هر کو را منم مولا و دوست ابن عم من علی مولای اوست
He said, “My cousin ‘Alí is the protector and friend of every one who is under my protection.”
کیست مولا آنک آزادت کند بند رقیت ز پایت بر کند
Who is the “protector”? He that sets you free and removes the fetters of servitude from your feet.
چون به آزادی نبوت هادیست ممنان را ز انبیا آزادیست
Since prophethood is the guide to freedom, freedom is bestowed on true believers by the prophets.
ای گروه ممنان شادی کنید هم‌چو سرو و سوسن آزادی کنید
Rejoice, O community of true believers: show yourselves to be “free” (pure and noble) as the cypress and the lily;
لیک می‌گویید هر دم شکر آب بی‌زبان چون گلستان خوش‌خضاب
But do ye, like the gay-coloured garden, at every moment give unspoken thanks to the Water.
بی‌زبان گویند سرو و سبزه‌زار شکر آب و شکر عدل نوبهار
The cypresses and the green orchard mutely thank the water (that nourishes them) and show (silent) gratitude for the justice of Spring:
حله‌ها پوشیده و دامن‌کشان مست و رقاص و خوش و عنبرفشان
Clad in (fresh) robes and trailing their skirts, drunken and dancing and jubilant and scattering perfume;
جزو جزو آبستن از شاه بهار جسمشان چون درج پر در ثمار
Every part (of them) impregnated by royal Spring, their bodies as caskets filled with pearly fruit;
مریمان بی شوی آبست از مسیح خامشان بی لاف و گفتاری فصیح
(Like) Maries, having no husband, yet big with a Messiah; silent ones, wordless and devoid of articulate expression,
ماه ما بی‌نطق خوش بر تافتست هر زبان نطق از فر ما یافتست
(Saying implicitly), “Our Moon hath shone brightly (upon us) without speech: every tongue hath derived its speech from our beauty.”
نطق عیسی از فر مریم بود نطق آدم پرتو آن دم بود
The speech of Jesus is (derived) from the (spiritual) beauty of Mary; the speech of Adam is a ray (reflexion) of the (Divine) Breath.
تا زیادت گردد از شکر ای ثقات پس نبات دیگرست اندر نبات
(This thanksgiving of the orchard is a lesson to you) in order that from (your) thanksgiving, O men of trust, increase (of spiritual glory) may accrue; (and if ye give thanks) then other plants are (springing up) amidst the herbage.
عکس آن اینجاست ذل من قنع اندرین طورست عز من طمع
Here the reverse (of the well-known Tradition) is (applicable), (for) he that is content (with a modicum of thanksgiving) shall be abased; (and similarly), in this case, he that covets (excess of thanksgiving) shall be exalted.
در جوال نفس خود چندین مرو از خریداران خود غافل مشو
Do not go so much into the sack of thy fleshly soul, do not be (so) forgetful of thy purchasers (redeemers).
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by: Reza about (category: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
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