The Shaykh Told to Give but Never Take
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 5, section 115 of 175: How the (following) intimation came to the Shaykh from the Unseen: “During these two years thou hast taken and given by Our command (اشارت آمدن از غیب به شیخ کی این دو سال به فرمان ما بستدی و بدادی بعد ازین بده و مستان دست). Below, each of its 12 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
How the (following) intimation came to the Shaykh from the Unseen: “During these two years thou hast taken and given by Our command; henceforth give but do not take; always put thy hand under the mat which on thy behalf We have made to be like the wallet of Abú Hurayra, and thou wilt find (there) whatever thou mayst desire.” (The object of such miracles is) that the people of the world may gain certainty that beyond this (world) is a world where, if you take a handful of earth, it will turn to gold; if a dead man enter it he will become living; if the most ill-starred enter it he will become the most fortunate; if infidelity enter therein, it will become faith; if poison enter therein, it will become an antidote (to poison). It (that world) is neither inside of this world nor outside; neither beneath it nor above it; neither joined with it nor separate from it: it is devoid of quality and relation. At every moment thousands of signs and types are displayed by it (in this world). As manual skill to the form of the hand, or glances of the eye to the form of the eye, or eloquence of the tongue to the form of the tongue, (such is the relation of that world to this): it is neither inside of it nor outside, neither joined with it nor separate. And indication is sufficient for a person of intelligence. اشارت آمدن از غیب به شیخ کی این دو سال به فرمان ما بستدی و بدادی بعد ازین بده و مستان دست در زیر حصیر می‌کن کی آن را چون انبان بوهریره کردیم در حق تو هر چه خواهی بیابی تا یقین شود عالمیان را کی ورای این عالمیست کی خاک به کف گیری زر شود مرده درو آید زنده شود نحس اکبر در وی آید سعد اکبر شود کفر درو آید ایمان گردد زهر درو آید تریاق شود نه داخل این عالمست و نه خارج این عالم نه تحت و نه فوق نه متصل نه منفصل بی‌چون و بی چگونه هر دم ازو هزاران اثر و نمونه ظاهر می‌شود چنانک صنعت دست با صورت دست و غمزه‌ی چشم با صورت چشم و فصاحت زبان با صورت زبان نه داخلست و نه خارج او نه متصل و نه منفصل والعاقل تکفیه الاشارة
تا دو سال این کار کرد آن مرد کار بعد از آن امر آمدش از کردگار
For two years that man of (high spiritual) accomplishment carried on this business (of begging); after that (time) the command came to him from the Creator.
بعد ازین می‌ده ولی از کس مخواه ما بدادیمت ز غیب این دستگاه
“Henceforth continue to give, but do not beg from any one: We from the Unseen World have bestowed on thee this power.
هر که خواهد از تو از یک تا هزار دست در زیر حصیری کن بر آر
Whoever begs of thee (any amount), from one (piece of money) to a thousand, put thy hand beneath a (certain) mat and produce (what he wants).
هین ز گنج رحمت بی‌مر بده در کف تو خاک گردد زر بده
Hark, give (it) from the incalculable treasure of (Divine) mercy: in thy hand earth will become gold: give (it)!
هر چه خواهندت بده مندیش از آن داد یزدان را تو بیش از بیش دان
Give whatsoever they ask of thee: have no anxiety as to that: know that the bounty of God is more than (every) more.
دست زیر بوریا کن ای سند از برای روی‌پوش چشم بد
Put thy hand beneath the mat, O trusted man, in order to blindfold (deceive) the evil eye.
پس ز زیر بوریا پر کن تو مشت ده به دست سایل بشکسته پشت
Fill thy fist, therefore, from beneath the mat and give (the money) into the hand of the beggar whose back is broken (by poverty).
بعد ازین از اجر ناممنون بده هر که خواهد گوهر مکنون بده
Henceforth give from the wage that is not grudged: give the hidden pearl to every one who desires (it).
رو ید الله فوق ایدیهم تو باش هم‌چو دست حق گزافی رزق پاش
Go, be thou (what is signified by) the Hand of God is above their hands: do thou, like the Hand of God, scatter the daily bread recklessly.
وام داران را ز عهده وا رهان هم‌چو باران سبز کن فرش جهان
Release those in debt from their responsibility: like rain, make the carpet of the world green.”
بود یک سال دگر کارش همین که بدادی زر ز کیسه‌ی رب دین
During another year this was his work, that he was always giving gold from the purse of the Lord of the Judgement.
زر شدی خاک سیه اندر کفش حاتم طایی گدایی در صفش
The black earth turned into gold in his hand: beside him Hátim of (the tribe) Tayyi’ was a beggar.
Special Offers
← Previous sectionMasnavi Book 5 contentsNext section →
More Rumi: the Song of the Reed (Book 1 proem), real Rumi quotes in Persian and the Persian poetry quiz.
Take this lesson further
Serious about Persian? Get all 30 of our Persian learning books for $199.99 (55% less than buying them one by one).
Free Persian Starter Kit (PDF)
The Persian alphabet chart and the 101 most common Persian words with pronunciation, in one printable PDF. You also get a one-time 15% code for any of our books.
We will email you new lessons and book news from Learn Persian Online. Unsubscribe any time.Love Persian poetry? Learn to read it: free Starter Pack
Get the 14-page printable Starter Pack (all 32 letters, a 7-day reading plan, 100 core words and 20 survival phrases) and a short 5-email course. Free.
by: Reza about (category: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
Reza is an experienced Persian instructor who has been tutoring students since 2008. He is the founder of Learn Persian Online, a tutoring company that has helped many students learn Persian, this beautiful language. He works with students individually and in group settings, he tutors both live and online Persian courses. Reza provides an individualized custom learning plan and the personalized attention that makes a difference in how people view Persian learning process.
What people say about "The Shaykh Told to Give but Never Take"?
No one replied yet.