The purpose for which God is called Samí‘ (Hearing)

The purpose for which God is called Samí‘ (Hearing) and Basír (Seeing). غرض از سمیع و بصیر گفتن خدا را

از پی آن گفت حق خود را بصیر
که بود دید ویت هر دم نذیر
God has called Himself Basír (Seeing), in order that His seeing thee may at every moment be a deterrent (against sin).
از پی آن گفت حق خود را سمیع
تا ببندی لب ز گفتار شنیع
God has called Himself Samí‘ (Hearing), in order that thou mayst close thy lips (and refrain) from foul speech.
از پی آن گفت حق خود را علیم
تا نیندیشی فسادی تو ز بیم
God has called Himself ‘Alím (Knowing), in order that thou mayst fear to meditate a wicked deed.
نیست اینها بر خدا اسم علم
که سیه کافور دارد نام هم
These are not proper names applicable to God: (proper names are merely designations), for even a negro may have the name Káfúr (Camphor).
اسم مشتقست و اوصاف قدیم
نه مثال علت اولی سقیم
The Names (of God) are derivative and (denote) Eternal Attributes: (they are) not unsound like (the doctrine of) the First Cause.
ورنه تسخر باشد و طنز و دها
کر را سامع ضریران را ضیا
Otherwise, it would be ridicule and mockery and deception, (like calling) a deaf person Samí‘ (Hearer) and blind men Ziyá (Radiance);
یا علم باشد حیی نام وقیح
یا سیاه زشت را نام صبیح
Or (as though) Hayí (Bashful) should be the proper name of an impudent fellow, or Sabíh (Beautiful) the name of a hideous blackamoor.
طفلک نوزاده را حاجی لقب
یا لقب غازی نهی بهر نسب
You may confer the title of Hájjí (Pilgrim) or Ghází (Holy Warrior) on a newborn child for the purpose of (indicating his) lineage;
گر بگویند این لقبها در مدیح
تا ندارد آن صفت نبود صحیح
(But) if these titles are used in praise, they are not correct unless he (the person so described) possess that (particular) quality.
تسخر و طنزی بود آن یا جنون
پاک حق عما یقول الظالمون
(Otherwise), it would be a ridicule and mockery (so to use them), or madness: God is clear of (untouched by) what the unrighteous say.
من همی دانستمت پیش از وصال
که نکورویی ولیکن بدخصال
I knew, before (our meeting), that thou art good-looking but evil-natured;
من همی دانستمت پیش از لقا
کز ستیزه راسخی اندر شقا
I knew, before coming face to face (with thee), that by reason of contumacy thou art set fast in damnation.
چونک چشمم سرخ باشد در غمش
دانمش زان درد گر کم بینمش
When my eye is red in ophthalmia, I know it (the redness) is from the disease, (even) if I do not see it (the redness).
تو مرا چون بره دیدی بی شبان
تو گمان بردی ندارم پاسبان
Thou deemedst me as a lamb without the shepherd, thou thoughtest that I have none keeping watch (over me).
عاشقان از درد زان نالیده‌اند
که نظر ناجایگه مالیده‌اند
The cause why lovers have moaned in grief is that they have rubbed their eyes malapropos.
بی‌شبان دانسته‌اند آن ظبی را
رایگان دانسته‌اند آن سبی را
They have regarded that Gazelle as being shepherdless, they have regarded that Captive as (one who may be taken) cost-free,
تا ز غمزه تیر آمد بر جگر
که منم حارس گزافه کم نگر
Till (suddenly) an arrow from the glance (of Divine jealousy) comes (descends) upon the heart, (as though) to say, ‘I am the Keeper: do not look wantonly.
کی کم از بره کم از بزغاله‌ام
که نباشد حارس از دنباله‌ام
How am I meaner than a lamb, meaner than a kid, that there should not be a keeper behind me?
حارسی دارم که ملکش می‌سزد
داند او بادی که آن بر من وزد
I have a Keeper whom it beseems to hold dominion: He knoweth the wind that blows upon me.
سرد بود آن باد یا گرم آن علیم
نیست غافل نیست غایب ای سقیم
Whether that wind was cold or hot, that Knowing One is not unaware, is not absent, O infirm man.
نفس شهوانی ز حق کرست و کور
من به دل کوریت می‌دیدم ز دور
The appetitive soul is deaf and blind to God: I with my heart was seeing thy blindness from afar.
هشت سالت زان نپرسیدم به هیچ
که پرت دیدم ز جهل پیچ پیچ
For eight years I did not inquire after thee at all, because I saw thee (to be) full of ignorance, fold on fold.
خود چه پرسم آنک او باشد بتون
که تو چونی چون بود او سرنگون
Why, indeed, should I inquire after one who is in t he bath-stove (of lust), and say (to him) ‘How art thou?’ when he is (plunged) headlong (in sensuality)?


 

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