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

The one who wrote down the Prophet’s revelation became
an apostate because one ray of revelation came down to
him; and he recited the verse before the Prophet, and then
said, ‘So I too am a recipient of revelation’
There was a scribe before Osman who’d write
With care the words the Prophet would recite:
*
When holy revelation he’d dictate,
This scribe would write it on a leaf or slate;
A ray of revelation shone his way
So he found wisdom in himself that day,
The Prophet was that piece of wisdom’s source
But this scrap led that meddling fool o
ff course:
‘The truths God’s messenger likes to impart
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I now hold in the depths of my own heart.’
The Prophet sensed what this misled scribe thought
And so God’s wrath to this man’s soul was brought;
His job and faith he then chose to forgo
And out of spite became the Prophet’s foe.
The Prophet said, ‘You stubborn in
fidel,
You’re dark –– how can you be light’s source as well!
If you were a sweet fountain that’s divine,
You wouldn’t have produced such 
filthy brine.’
The Prophet’s Scribe Becomes an Apostate
198

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His reputation to preserve from harm
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He kept his mouth shut, though he wasn’t calm ––
He burnt inside because of this event
Though still he felt unable to repent.
He sighed, but this did not help him –– instead
The sword was drawn to sever o
ff his head.
God’s made your reputation a huge weight,
Too many 
find this out once it’s too late!
For unbelief and pride have blocked the way ––
No one can even sigh once in dismay:
‘
Shackled, they must keep their heads up,’ God said,
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Not outer shackles, but inside instead;
‘
Behind a barrier, and above a screen,’
*
So obstacles around them can’t be seen;
This barrier looks like space that’s vast and free ––
Men cannot tell the dam of destiny!
You’re your own obstacle to His 
fine face
And to speech 
filled with the divine guide’s grace.
Though many in
fidels desired religion
They were still trapped by pride and reputation ––
This chain’s much harder than those men have made;
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Those chains are broken by an axe’s blade
And they can be released quite easily,
While from this hidden chain no man gets free.
If men fall victim to a wasp’s sting, then
Their natural defence heals them again,
But since this sting is from your being, friend,
The pain’s much more intense and it won’t end!
The explanation’s bursting from my breast,
I fear though that it might leave you depressed ––
Don’t you despair! Learn to live joyfully,
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And cry for help –– He answers every plea!
Pray: ‘O Forgiving Lord, forgive us please,
Doctor who treats the pain of our disease!’
Wisdom’s re
flection ruined one who knew––
Don’t let such vile conceit destroy you too!
The Prophet’s Scribe Becomes an Apostate
199

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Brother, true wisdom to you has been sent
From God’s élite saints, but it’s only lent:
Inside, a house may look so warm and bright,
The neigbouring house though has bestowed this light ––
Give thanks, don’t raise your nose in arrogance!
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Shun self-conceit, don’t live in ignorance!
It’s sad this borrowed state we have today
Has led men so far from the proper way;
I’m the slave of the one who at each stage
Does not claim he’s enlightened as a sage:
From many stages travellers must ascend
Until one day they reach the journey’s end.
Iron’s not red, in 
fire though red it turns
Due to the heat of 
flames in which it burns;
A window may 
fill up your house with light,
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That’s not the light’s source though –– adjust your sight!
Each door and wall may say, ‘I am the source;
I don’t bear others’ light –– it’s mine of course!’
The sun will counter, ‘Errant fool, wait here,
And when I set, the truth will then be clear!’
Plants say, ‘We by ourselves turn fresh and green,
As beautiful and joyful thus we’re seen.’
But summer answers, ‘Listen everyone ––
Just take a look in autumn when I’m done!’
The body shows o
ff its own handsome face,
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While spirit, which is blessed with wings of grace,
Shouts, ‘Cesspool, you live just one or two days
All thanks to my life-giving, pure light rays!
This huge world can’t contain your vanity,
Just wait until from you I 
finally flee!
Your mourners will then dig a grave for you
So you can feed the worms and insects too!
That one who in your presence swooned and fell
Will hold his nose because of your foul smell!’
The spirit’s rays give hearing, speech, and sight
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As water boils due to the 
fire we light;
Just as the body’s fed rays from the soul
Your soul’s fed by God’s friends who play this role.