The Masnavi, Book One (Oxford World's Classics)

On the nature of the Su
fi guide and obedience to him
Hosamoddin, please fetch a sheet or two
And write about the guide what I tell you;
Although you’re frail, lack strength and energy,
Without the sun there is no light for me,
Though you’ve become 
the lamp and glass,
* my friend,
You lead the hearts which follow the thread’s end:
You hold the thread’s end, from which you won’t part;
2950
Your bounty gave the pearls strung round my heart!
Write down about the guide what I now say
And choose him –– he’s the essence of the way,
The guide’s the summer, others autumn’s blight,
He’s like the moon, while they’re the dark at night.
The Su
fi Guide
180

---

I’ve called young fortune, my Hosam, ‘old sage’
For he’s mature with God, though not in age:
Without beginning he’s extremely old,
A rare pearl whose description can’t be told:
He grows more potent just like vintage wine,
2955
Especially the drink 
that is divine.
*
Don’t try this path alone, 
first choose a guide!
Its dangerous trials will leave you petri
fied!
Even on routes which numerous times you’ve used
Without a guide you’re hopelessly confused ––
Beware then of this new, uncharted way,
Keep focused on your guide, don’t turn away!
If you’re not safe in his protective shade,
The monster’s wails will leave you stunned, afraid,
Diverting you straight into further harm ––
2960
Much shrewder men than you could not keep calm.
Heed the Koran on those who went astray
*
And how the wicked Satan made them pay:
He lured them all a thousand miles from here,
Reducing them to nakedness and fear ––
Look at their bones and hair, and now take heed!
Don’t be an ass, don’t let your passions lead!
Grab hold of its thick neck and pull it back
Towards the knowing guide’s speci
fic track,
If left alone this donkey’s bound to stray
2965
Across the 
field towards the mounds of hay;
Don’t you forget to hold with force its leash
Or it will bolt for miles to 
find hashish!
A donkey drugged –– what greater enemy!
That donkey’s ruined countless –– can’t you see?
If you don’t know the proper path, just do
The opposite of what it wants you to:
Consult them, then do just the opposite!
Or else you’ll always be regretting it.
*
A friendship with desire you can’t a
fford,
2970
It leads you o
ff the path towards the Lord,*
But nothing conquers passion better than
The company of fellow travellers can:
The Su
fi Guide
181

---

The messenger of God advises Ali, ‘Since everyone seeks proximity
to God by means of an act of worship, seek proximity through
companionship with the special sage and servant of God, so
that you can excel all the rest’
*
The Prophet called Ali once to his side,
‘Lion of God,
* brave hero of my pride!
Don’t count on courage on its own to cope,
Take refuge too beneath the tree of hope:
Enter the realm of that pure intellect
Whom no opponent can from truth de
flect.’
His shadow is just like Mount Qaf
* in size,
2975
His spirit like the phoenix soars the skies,
We could continue with this man’s applause
Until the end of time without a pause,
He is the sun, though human in our sight,
Please understand that 
God knows best what’s right.
‘Of all the good deeds on the path, Ali,
You choose God’s special slave as sanctuary,
Others perform each single righteous deed
So from their carnal souls they might be freed.
Instead step in the shade of this true sage
2980
To 
flee that hidden enemy’s tight cage;
Of all the acts of worship it’s the best,
It makes you that much better than the rest.’
If he accepts, surrender to the guide
Like Moses with his master Khezr
* once tried,
Stay calm, don’t question what he should commit,
So he won’t say, ‘
Enough! Here’s where we split!’
*
If he destroys their boat, don’t you go wild,
Don’t tear your hair out if he kills a child!
Since God has said, ‘His hand is as my own’,
2985
And ‘
Up above their hands rests God’s alone,’
*
With God’s own hand he slays the helpless boy,
To let him live with pure, eternal joy.
The Su
fi Guide
182

---

Whoever tried this journey on his own
The guides still helped –– he didn’t walk alone;
The guide’s hand is for all across the land,
It has to be then naught but God’s own hand;
If absent people can gain gifts galore
Those present with the guide must gain much more,
If absent men receive such gifts for naught
2990
Imagine what his personal guests are brought;
You can’t compare his faithful followers
With those who choose to be mere onlookers.
Don’t be too squeamish when your guide’s around,
As weak as water, crumbly like soft ground,
When each blow leaves you bitter, don’t expect
Without pain like a mirror to re
flect.