Poem

دفتر سوم - بخش ۵۲ - حکایت / Book Three - Section 52 - Tale

Original content

در صحابه کم بدی حافظ کسی
گرچه شوقی بود جانشان را بسی

زانک چون مغزش در آگند و رسید
پوستها شد بس رقیق و واکفید

قشر جوز و فستق و بادام هم
مغز چون آگندشان شد پوست کم

مغز علم افزود کم شد پوستش
زانک عاشق را بسوزد دوستش

وصف مطلوبی چو ضد طالبیست
وحی و برق نور سوزندهٔ نبیست

چون تجلی کرد اوصاف قدیم
پس بسوزد وصف حادث را گلیم

ربع قرآن هر که را محفوظ بود
جل فینا از صحابه می شنود

جمع صورت با چنین معنی ژرف
نیست ممکن جز ز سلطانی شگرف

در چنین مستی مراعات ادب
خود نباشد ور بود باشد عجب

اندر استغنا مراعات نیاز
جمع ضدینست چون گرد و دراز

خود عصا معشوق عمیان می بود
کور خود صندوق قرآن می بود

گفت کوران خود صنادیقند پر
از حروف مصحف و ذکر و نذر

باز صندوقی پر از قرآن به است
زانک صندوقی بود خالی بدست

باز صندوقی که خالی شد ز بار
به ز صندوقی که پر موشست و مار

حاصل اندر وصل چون افتاد مرد
گشت دلاله به پیش مرد سرد

چون به مطلوبت رسیدی ای ملیح
شد طلب کاری علم اکنون قبیح

چون شدی بر بامهای آسمان
سرد باشد جست وجوی نردبان

جز برای یاری و تعلیم غیر
سرد باشد راه خیر از بعد خیر

آینهٔ روشن که شد صاف و ملی
جهل باشد بر نهادن صیقلی

پیش سلطان خوش نشسته در قبول
زشت باشد جستن نامه و رسول

English translation

Among the Companions, few were memorizers, though their souls had much longing, because when their kernel filled out and ripened, the skins became very thin and split open. So too with the shells of walnut, pistachio, and almond: when their kernels have filled them, the shell becomes slight. The kernel of knowledge increased and its shell diminished, because the Friend burns the lover. Since the attribute of the Desired is contrary to the seeker, revelation and lightning are the Prophet's burning light. When the eternal attributes manifested, they burned up the rug of created attributes. Whoever had memorized a quarter of the Qur'an would hear from the Companions, 'He is eminent among us.' To combine outward form with such deep meaning is possible only through a wondrous sovereignty. In such intoxication, observing etiquette simply is not; and if it is, it is a wonder. In self-sufficiency, observing need is the joining of opposites, like round and long. The staff is the beloved of the blind; the blind man himself may be a chest of the Qur'an. He said: the blind are chests filled with the letters of the Scripture, remembrance, and vows. Still, a chest full of the Qur'an is better than having an empty chest at hand. Yet a chest emptied of its load is better than a chest full of mice and snakes. In short, when a man has fallen into union, the go-between becomes cold before him. When you have reached your Desired, fair one, seeking knowledge now becomes ugly. When you have gone up onto the roofs of heaven, searching for a ladder is cold. Except for helping and teaching others, the road to good becomes cold after good has been attained. A bright mirror that has become clear and polished: it is ignorance to apply polish to it. For one seated happily in acceptance before the Sultan, it is ugly to seek a letter and messenger.

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Updated 2026-06-30

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Persian Literature Prerequisite Course

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